Regrets.

Everyone has them, everyone has encountered it at least once in their lives.

Rue had many, but this one might be her biggest one yet.

She crushed the newspaper, creating crumples on the sheets of paper. Her pupils trembled, and heat filled her gaze as she clenched the newspaper.

Her gaze remained on a captured picture of a shirtless Shanks smiling brightly at the woman in front of him. Though her back was turned, her silver hair was the most prominent feature seen. She read each line of the article, over and over.

At a small table on the deck, Yue and Hanabi watched worriedly as their mistress paced around the ship frantically, turning the pages. While Aisha ate her meal happily, munching quietly.

Eventually, Rue went to the side, gripping into the railings of the boat. Her hands tightened on the metal, her knuckles slowly turning white.

The seas are as blue as the sky. The sun shone on the waves, shimmering under the gleam. The waves gently guide the ship to its destination. However, the beauty of the ocean couldn't simmer the rapid beats through her rib cage.

A week already flew by since she allied herself with Shanks. Though she had to get over the little if she had to put it simply, feeling that began to bloom.

No, she forced herself to uproot any chance of letting those feelings bloom.

However, unfortunately for her, it seemed like her hard work to stay low, to stay hidden began to fall apart. Thanks to whoever took the picture, her and Aisha's lives might be in danger.

Rue's pupils dilated at the thought of it. The numerous possibilities, conclusions anything her mind gathered up if this photo fell into Caspian's hands.

The thought of her ex-husband finding her brought a chill up her spine, the air felt thick, and the air from her lungs felt intoxicated.

He would never allow her to be free ever again.

"Sister!" Yue's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. Though Rue's body shook, the warmth from her friend's hands brought comfort. Meeting her gaze, her friend's hazel eyes were etched with worry, " I've been calling you, but you weren't answering."

Rue opened her mouth to speak, however, nothing came out. Instead, she responded with a smile, though Yue decided the unease of it. "Is this about that photo?"

With a shaky nod, Yue took the newspaper from her hands taking a good look. Soon, Yue's lips spread into a warm smile. Placing the newspaper under her arms, she took Rue's hands, giving them a gentle squeeze. "I'm sure no one would recognize you. It could be anyone with the same hair colour as yours."

Though Rue knew she was trying to reassure her, she couldn't shake her doubts and fears. Yue was right, it could be anyone, but Rue's features aren't just anyone's. She wasn't some needle in a haystack, instead, she stood out like a sore thumb. She squeezed her crystal, thankfully, no one could see her face since her back was turned.

Yet, again, doubts hung above her like a cloud. Her mind flashed with many possibilities of the outcomes of her ending.

Her thoughts went years back, to her days in the palace.

At the time, luxury was abundant and overflowing. A life with jewels, expansive clothing, and delicious food was a life anyone wanted to live.

A life she wanted to leave behind.

She remembered the walls were draped with motifs, detectable in blinding beauty. They were yellow, with dragons flowing on them and clouds in endless colours. A night light shined on them, giving them a jewel-like gleam.

Nighttime in the palace was quiet. A peaceful breeze, often, with the melodies from her friend Noble Consort Aurora's pipa. Though she no longer lived near her, her sensitive hearing still picked up the humming of tunes. Nighttime would also mean bed duties for the lucky consort that got their title flipped to be by the Emperor's side.

Unfortunately, Rue was the lucky, yet unlucky consort that night.

These same walls rich with splendour were decorated with crimson as Caspian cracked the whip on her back. A room once filled with a sweet scent of jasmine tea, now, clouded with blood.

Rue bit her bottom lip until it bled to prevent a yelp of pain. The chains on Rue's wrist clinked as she pushed herself upward from the solid wooden bedpost. Her tears followed like a never-ending river as he continued to whip her viciously, one strike came down and another. The first assault worse than the last.

For what felt like forever, it finally stopped. Her body shook like a leaf, her face wet from her sorrows. She yelped in pain once again, as Caspian pulled her by her hair, their eyes meeting.

Her pupils dilated as a coldness spread through her from those darkened specks of gold. She felt a fresh set of tears brimming through the surface, her voice caught in her throat.

"I told you to forget about leaving me." His voice was as deep as an abyss but would put the coldness of winter to shame. Even if she wanted to struggle, she couldn't escape those golden eyes. "Do I have to keep beating it into you until you get it?"

She knew his threats were nothing short of a promise.

"Even if you tried, I'd find you no matter where you go." He released her, throwing her roughly onto the bed. Rue refused to look, no, she couldn't set her gaze upon him.

"You can never escape me."

Rue clenched her crystal, rubbing it between her fingers. Thanks to the efforts of her friends and servants, she was able to finally escape it all. She escaped it all, a life of riches and bound in chains, but at what cost?

If Caspain knew she lived, he would use any means to keep her locked away behind the palace walls.

"The Emperor's secret lover! The mistress of a pirate?!" Rue jumped out of her thoughts as Hanabi read the newspaper aloud. The knight flipped through the pages, reading the ridiculous theories about her mistress' identity and endless descriptions of her beauty.

Hanabi gritted her teeth at one particular sentence, "Red-Haired Shanks spend the night with his woman?! From what source did they get all these lies?!"

Yue giggled as Hanabi tossed it into the ocean. "What nonsense! How dare they pair our mistress with that Bum!" The knight yelled out in frustration with sharp teeth. She huffed returning to Aisha's side, who kept munching on her breakfast.

And...Distances away separated by the sea, Shank sneezed. He wondered who was talking about him.

Back to our ladies, Yue placed her hand on Rue's shoulders to gain her attention. She noticed the brightness in her mistress's eyes dimmed every time we became lost in thought "The photo doesn't show your face thankfully."

Hanabi crossed her arms leaning back on her chair, "Besides, every record of you back home is stripped. There's nothing left." Hanabi shifted her gaze to the skies above, "Noble Consort Aurora made sure of that."

Rue gazed at the oceans, the gentle breeze calming her inner turmoil. Her memories became more vivid with every passing day. No matter how she attempted to forget her time there, it would come back crawling at her.

"How's Sister Aurora?" Her thoughts drifted back to her days in the palace. Through the endless days of duty and loneliness, Aurora became her anchor. Though years have passed since she left Jinovia, she often thought of her. Thanks to Aurora's presence, her bitter days were bearable.

Sharing a husband was unfortunate amongst friends, but it didn't hinder their sisterhood from flourishing. Still to this day, she remained thankful to have met her.

While Rue kept her gaze on the seas, Hanabi and Yue silently shared a glance. Her daughter's munching blended with the melodies of nature.

Despite it being almost seven years since she had been back to the island, she still called her superior, someone a rank above her, her sister, Aurora. A friend who aided in her freedom.

"She's had good and bad days," Yue answered through the silence. Rue noticed the slight tremble in her tone, yet said nothing.

"The Noble Consort is the same before and after you left," Hanabi added, her tone as calm as the skies above.

Unease began to rise within Rue. She swirled, facing Hanabi who shifted her attention to her mistress. Rue knew they would never lie to her, yet an unsettling twist in her stomach."Is that...really all?"

Yue jolted at the sudden questioning, while Hanabi remained as cool as a cucumber. Yet, by her tone and fixed gaze, Rue could tell something was amiss. "Don't you trust us?"

"Of course I do," Rue answered. Somehow, the air became tense by the minute as they both stared at each other. She gripped her crystal, her fingers tracing every inch of it deep in thought. She wondered if something had gone wrong.

Hanabi pursed her lips, swallowing a scoff rising in her throat. Instead, she shifted her gaze back to the sky while leaning back.

It wasn't like she lied, however, it wasn't the complete truth either. Not that Rue needed to know, not yet anyway.

Now wasn't the right time to reveal it.

Yue watched on the sidelines with a worried expression. She hadn't thought Hanabi would delve into the problem head-first. Although Hanabi might not agree with their mistress's methods, Rue may not tell them everything, but it must be for a good reason.

However, Yue wasn't certain if Rue could handle the truth about Aurora. She glanced at Hanabi, whose stoic expression betrayed nothing. Yue internally sighed, sometimes, she envied that calm.

Instead, the maid focused on lighting the mood. She clapped her hands with a smile, "Let's finish breakfast first!" She moved to the table, "Sister, you haven't eaten yet."

Rue glanced at the table, there was still plenty of food left—a whiff of seasoned meat's strong spices and vegetables at the sides. The aroma of the fluffy rice stirred in urge within.

"I'll eat," Rue uttered, shifting her gaze to Yue. "Bring my tea as well."

Yue frowned, folding her arms. "You can't keep drinking that. You know what that does to you." She took a bowl of rice and rested it in front of her. A spiced aroma of beef filled Rue's nose with her chopsticks,  You have to eat more and not depend on it to fill you up."

Hanabi tightened her jaw at the thought, a vein on her neck pulsing. She knew the one responsible for her mistress's habits.

Rue matched Yue's expression, her brows furrowed. "I'm just not hungry."The firmness in her tone made Yue dropped her hand from Rue's shoulders. As the saying goes, habits are the hardest to kill.

Though there was silence amongst them besides Aisha's chirpy demeanour, Rue shifted her attention to the horizon. A sudden buzzing travelling in the breeze.

"Sister, do you hear that?" Hanabi asked with caution as she immediately was at her side. Yue whipped her head between them in confusion as they made their way to the railings of the boat.

The buzzing grew louder, carried into the breeze until it became an unmistakable roar. A sleek boat tore through the waves, sending sprays of water in the atmosphere while surged towards them. Everyone watched with anticipation as the boat jolted to a halt, the figure soared through the air. Hanabi squinted her eyes from blinding glint of a blade reflected it.

In a swift motion, Hanabi blocked his kick with the shift of her blade. She gritted her teeth as the figure twisted his body to land another blow.

Rue shook her head at the scene, recognizing the intruder by the whiff of his pinewood cologne and the brown hair in a man bun.

Blown away from her retaliation, he flew through the air to land on one knee. Standing up as he twirled his knife around, Ryuji'S lips lifted into a smirk as Hanabi glare in his direction. "What the hell was that!," her tone riddled with fury.

"No worries sweetheart," Ryuji's smirk widened as he witnessed a vein pulse on Hanabi's temple. "Consider it a greeting."

Hanabi gritted her teeth as she glared at him."You call randomly attacking me as a greeting?!" Rue pinpointed her knight gripping the blade at her waist, "I don't know who you think you are, but you can't just come on someone's boat and attack them!"

Ryuji huffed a chuckle out of his nostrils. He approached her, his feet steps gliding as if he were walking on air. He stopped right in front of her, to everyone's surprise, well not much for Rue, no one would have expected this. He leaned in and brushed his thumb over her scar. Hanabi's breath hitched as a chill spread through her from his cooling fingers brushed the scar on her cheek. "You're kinda cute when you're mad."

In a swift motion, Hanabi pulled her blade from its sheath, the tip pointed to the smug male's neck. Her features hardened, her eyes blazing like the hottest flames, "You little-"

"Jiji!" Aisha jumped out of her seat and lunged herself on the male. With a thump, Ryuji groaned as his back hit the floor, limbs spread out like a starfish on deck. The child giggled as she gaze upwards with a giddy expression, lips stretched into a grin with excitement dancing in her eyes. "Jiji, let's play!"

Rue stifled a laugh as she witnessed Ryuji's features morphed into a tired expression. He slid his hands over his face as he rubbed his temple at Aisha's bubbly form. She picked up her daughter from the already exhausted male's arms. She had asked him to make the trip ahead of time. Scouting out the island where her mission was set, she could imagine the toll on his body, the trip to the island and back was definitely draining."Aisha, why don't you go inside with Hanabi and Yue to finish up lunch?" She suggested, giving them both a look, clearly wanting to be alone.

Aisha protested, her lips formed as she furrowed brows, folding her arms. Her tone was as whiny as an aggravated cat,"But, I want to play with Jiji now!She giggled, wiggling in her mother's arms as she became ticklish at the brush of her fingers on her sides.

Rue smiled as she placed Aisha down, "You can play later." Though Hanabi seemed reluctant, ready to speak up, Yue grabbed her wrist, shaking her head.As Yue began packing things up for the cabin, Hanabi shot Ryuji one last glare before retreating back to the cabin.

Lifting himself from the deck floor, swiping his knees, Rue approached Ryuji who had a lazy smile on his features, "Must you always be so dramatic with your arrivals?"

Ryuji shrugged leaning on the railings. "What can I say? I'm a performer at heart."

As Rue shook her head, She folded her arms, a playful smile tugged on her lips as amusement danced in her eyes. Yet, there was a tinge of exasperation in her tone, "Was it necessary to tease Hanabi like that?"

He lifted his brows playful, bobbing them, lips tugged into a smirk. "She'll fall for my charm eventually."

Rue shifted her gaze to the horizon ahead. The sun caressing her features, spreading a warmth through her. Slowly, her body relaxed from tension from earlier. Though her mind still lingered on Aurora's well-being, she needed to focus on the task at hand. Besides, she could always question her friends about it later. She turned to Ryuji, the atmosphere slightly dimming as her features morphed into a serious expression. "What did you find out about Refit Island?"

Refit Island was her destination. Though the case file held classified information, Ryuji was tasked to find anything undetectable; information that marines couldn't get their hands on. Especially, equipment that pirates were risking themselves for.

The breeze eloped, brushing Ryuji's loose strands of hair. "Turns out, the equipment isn't what they' are raving for." He rubbed the back of his neck, "It's the rare metal that's the real prize."

Rue raised a brow , her curiosity piqued  , "A rare metal? What about it?"

Ryuji slid down and sat on the deck floors. He lifted his gaze, deep in thought. "The type that can pierce through a ship equal to a cannon." He continued as he witness Rue's confusion continue to grow, "A piece of it, the size of a needle, could pierce through a rock."

The silver-haired woman shifted her attention to the wooden deck floors. Her mind forming a puzzle, putting the pieces together. With metal that's powerful, it would tip the power scale amongst other rival pirate crews across the seas. Unstoppable weapons would be forged with it and the marines would struggle to keep them in check. She wondered where the islanders got their hands on such a rare ingredients.

Ryuji continued, as he rested his chin on the palm of his hand. "Also, there's a drug trafficking going around."  He glanced up, meeting her calm gaze. "It's rumoured that it can give you the strength of one hundred men when you drink it."

Rue huffed, of course, pirates would want their paws on it. With a drug like that, every pirate would take a gamble with their freedom for the opportunity to climb the social latter. Ryuji explained more on the matter at hand. The drug, one thundered cuts, was just as the name described. In exchange, for the strength of one hundred men, one hundred times the pain was returned. Though this drug wasn't sold for the public, but on the down low.However, something else plagued her mind as she processed every piece of information. She furrowed her brows at the thought, she paced around the deck, "This is happening under the nose of the captain in charge of the base."

Ryuji understood the meaning behind her words. The air shifted, the winds sloping through their hair. He gazed into the horizon as his strands of hair flew with the rhythm of nature. His mind going back to his moments on that island. "I wouldn't say that."

Rue pivoted on her heel, she tilted her head in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Thus, Ryuji continued as he kept his eyes on the ocean. "Crazy thing is, I asked around about the rare metal.Yet, no one know what I was talking about." He rubbed his temple at the thought of it. "It's like I sounded crazy for bringing it up."

The light of the sky hid shyly hid through the clouds, casting a shadow on Ryuji's figure. His jacket danced in the breeze elegantly. His mind went back to all his discoveries of Refit Island, every single detail coming to the surface.

"Here's another kicker," his expression dimmed, the smirk washed away like the waves hitting the shores. "People go missing all the time, whether they are pirates, marines even the island's residence."

Rue's mind couldn't settle at the revelations. Too many things were happening all at once. She furrowed her brows as her features morphed in confusion. Like a kettle, Rue understood that there was something strange brewed on that island. Yet somehow, an unsettling feeling rose within her at the thought of potential threats ahead. This mission had its complications and mysteries, but soon, all shall be unraveled.

As the seas carried them to their destination, a shadow engulfed the sun turning the skies into a darkness. Though the daylight retired on Refit Island, a good night's rest wasn't an option for a certain marine.

A toxic cloud swallowed the atmosphere as Smoker zipped through buildings and streets in chase, his subordinates following suit after their captain. Smoker sucked his teeth in annoyance, he had his prey right where he wanted him days ago.

Fortunately and unfortunately for him, this island was filled with these detestable pirates. Ordered by his superiors to accompany an inspector, whom he has never met nor heard of on this trip as a backup, they were days late and the captain couldn't stall any longer. Besides, Smoker had his own reasons for being here.

Rumours about this unknown, yet powerful material, coveted by many pirates, has spread far and wide. A generous (more like forceful since he had to beat it out of him) tip given by a pirate about Whitebeard owning such a metal on his legendary weapon. His suspicions were correct on many rival pirates wanting to gain the upper hand by obtaining such a rare metal. However, the catch of the day wasn't these little fishes of the sea, but the bigger fish that so happened to roam around these waters.

And that big fish so happened to be Fire Fist Ace.

The captain turned into another character hot on the pirates trail, however, the bastard threw a fist of fire straight at him. This forced his hand in defence, thus, creating a perfect smoke screen. He grunted covering himself from the explosive attack as his subordinates gasped at the sight.

"Captain!" Tashigi yelled out , covering her eyes from the blast. The brightness blinded her sight momentarily. As her vision slowly recovers, her captain's silhouette was nowhere in sight. Though she still followed after him, along with the rest of their group.

Smoker hasn't halted in his advances one bit. Though Ace escaped, Smoker pressed on, determined to capture Whitebeard's the 2nd in command. Several minutes passed and no sight of the pirate anywhere. Smoker gritted his teeth at the loss of the trail. However, as if luck was on his side, a light shined by the bayside's of the shore of the island, there laid boat lit up in the darkness by the lanterns. Immediately, he sprinted away, ready to apprehend the assailant. Suddenly, his senses heightened; in a swift motion, he dodged an incoming blade, shifting his weight to the side. The blade sliced through the air, lodging itself on a wooden pole behind him, where he stood moments before. As he lifted his gaze, a woman stood with her arms crossed as she stared, prepared to pounce. The light brimmed on her pale skin, and dark clothing.

"Who are you and what do you want?"Her voice calm, yet held a tinge of suspicion. Her gaze narrowed at aroma of toxins in the air.

Out of all places, there were a few ships near by, but this was the only one lighted up. Smoker keen eyes deduced the lack of other people in the area. Dimmed lights, secluded and quiet. Even pirates in their drunken stupor would create more noise then this. Therefore, it was a perfect place to hide.

"Where is he?" Smoker asked, the gruffness of his tone, other than friendly.

The woman simply stared, her gaze under dimmed glimmer as sharp as a hawk. "Whom do you speak of?"

"The pirate!" He answered, his patience thinning by the second. Soon, the rest of his subordinates arrived at his side. Though a bit disoriented, Tashigi made her way by her captain's side. Through the darkness of the night, the small aided in with her sight. Witnessing a blade lodged at a pole, her brows furrowed in worry.

Adjusting her glasses, she lifted her head to her superior. "Captain, are you alri-"

Smoker paid her no mind. The woman fanned away the clouds of smoke away from her face."You better tell me where you're hiding him."

From her shoes, she took out another blade. It was smaller in comparison, yet similar to the one she had earlier. Under the small light, it dimmed as she played with it. Tossing it in the air from the hilt, as she gazed upon them in bored him. The scar on her lips made Tashigi gulp, yet her eyes held interest as the mysterious woman seemed experienced. "I'm not obligated to do anything." Smoker became more irritated as the woman pinched her nose in disgust at the stench of his cigar. "Put that out, you will disturb my mistress from her sleep."

Tashigi along with others marines in their ranks flinched , taking out their weapons as she tossed to Smoker's feet. The captain narrowed his eyes, the light highlighted her features. Her dark hair tied in a bun, her brown eyes held indifference to their predicament. Her attire was foreign to him, never had witnessed such. It was as dark as the skies, simple, yet acquit from battle. Nothing in her outfit indicated where she was from nor her identity. She turned away, her voice soft like the breeze elapsing by, yet held authority, "You're trespassing."Her gaze from over her shoulder lingered on them, "Leave."

Smoker's veins pulsed with an air of impatience. With a protest from Tashigi, he marched on making his way unto his deck. However, the woman pointed a blade to his neck with a quick draw of her katana, halting him mid-step. Smoker's soldiers surrounded her, weapons drowned out ready to attack and protect their superior.

Tashigi stood as his side, however, her pupils shook at the sheer speed of this woman's actions. She gulped as an unsettling feeling arose as she noticed the woman's eyes narrowed dangerously. Beads of sweat began to form on Tashigi's forehead at the woman's tone; it was low, yet was like a predator pushing its prey into a corner, daring it to attempt the next move. "Don't make me repeat myself," Her voice almost sent a shiver down Tashigi's spine. "Leave while I'm still being nice."

Smoker and the woman held their ground. None backing down as they gazes clashing like blades on a battlefield. Tashigi stood nervously, her palms sweating as her hands shook grasping the hilt of her sword. It was like a rabbit being caught between a wolf and a lion. The tension in the air became heavier by the minute. If nothing was done a fight would break out.

Though Smoker held his stance, he witnessed her speed, it was greater than Tashigi's probably could rival his own. The dark-haired woman's stance, her demeanour, her dominance, it was clear this woman was well seasoned in battle. She wasn't marine that was for sure, but she wasn't pirate neither. However, that didn't mean he should allow his guard to drop. Any missteps at this moment would create a bigger mess of things.

"Hanabi," a soft voice sliced through the air, breaking the tension. The door creaked as it opened, Smoker sets on another figure. His eyes widened as did everyone else at the appearance of the silver-haired woman. "What's all the commotion?"

Smoker would have never thought that this encounter would not only complicate his livelihood, but would be the biggest headache of his life.

*****

Sorry for the late update! Happy New Year everyone!!!