The Sound of the Sea (16+) von LadyMalice (??? x Reader Lovestory) ================================================================================ Kapitel 2: Ch 1 - 1. Second Chance ---------------------------------- Years passed in an unbelievable pace. Your memories blurred with each year more and more.   You did not remember how you made it out of that pirate ship alive. It was pure luck that the pirates left the pickles barrels on some random island, particular the one that you were inside.   After you got out of there, you've never lost the feeling of being hunted. This awful experience created a kind of paranoia inside your head. The voices still rang inside your ears. It made you sick.   All those memories had burned into your heart. They would never leave you.   ...   The day you finally got out of the barrel you've found out two things. First, you hated cucumbers. Second, the cold took over your body but nevertheless you felt an aching heat deep inside of you that caused dizziness.   At night you dragged yourself away from the unloading point towards the town. It was a huge one. You've never seen such a big place in your entire life. Naturally, you've never left your hometown because you were way too young to go for journeys.   Exhausted you leant on the wall beside you. You had finally reached the suburb where you noticed a few people were still on the move. Faint lights enlightened the broad street that were caused by super old looking lanterns. In general the buildings looked old and broken, yet they possessed a kind of charm you liked. If you weren't this tired and sick, you'd walk along the street and explore the area.   You saw the light inside some buildings was still glowing through the windows. But the most inhabitants seemed to be asleep. It was midnight long ago.   "ugh" The pain grew as fast as the dizziness did. Your breath slowed down and you felt the cold darkness taking over your body. With heavy steps you moved on while you used the wall for support. You weren't able to do a single step upright standing anymore. The only thing on your mind was to find a place to hide and sleep. In this state everyone was able to do everything as they pleased with you. You had no strength to struggle. You were hungry, sick and tired. Any criminal could easily take you down and...   You shook your head. You didn't want to imagine such things... but after experiencing your beloved ones die, it wasn't unlikely to happen. In any case you had to go on...   But you couldn't. After reaching the end of the street you collapsed into a pile of trash bags and lost consciousness.   As you fell into a deep slumber, you wouldn't know that shadows were approaching you.   "..."   ---   Several hours passed. Actually you didn't know how much time really passed. The fact that you were still alive was more important than the passed time.   You're... alive?   Carefully you blinked, slowly opening your eyes. A bright light blinded you for several minutes. After finally adjusting to the light, you sit confused up, looking around.   You lied in some foreign bed... it was all warm and cuddly. Even the room was lovely decorated with lots of girly stuff.   The wallpaper's texture print was all about cute hearts and teddy bears. Curious you scanned the room and saw that the most furniture was made of wood that was painted in white and pink. In a corner stood a small dollhouse with lots of puppets. Right above was the window through which the light fell on you.   Whose room was it? Why were you there?    Your gaze went instinctively down, you even lifted your blanket to check, if you wore anything. In fact, you did. It was a white, foreign nightgown that suited you perfectly. Strangely... you didn't feel dirty at all. You moved your hand through your [h/c] hair, it felt soft and silky. The awful smell of that horrible pickles barrel had disappeared.   Wait. It was gone?   Blushing madly you sat there like you just turned into stone. Someone unclothed and washed you without you noticing. What in the world did happen while you had been sleeping?!   "Ah, the little lady has woken up", you heard a voice right next to you.   There stood an old lady with a tray filled with tea, pastries and something looking like medicine. Her heart-warming smile was the reason you started to relax. This person wouldn't be able to hurt you right? On contrary. She was the one who saved you. At least, you thought so.   "How do you feel, little lady?" The old woman moved towards you, putting down the tray on the night table and taking a seat on the chair next to your bed. She wore a cute old, fashioned dress that seemed to be self-made. It wasn't perfect sewn, but you liked it. A lot.   You moved your lips, but no sound came out of your mouth. Scared, you pressed your hands on your throat, looking troubled.   "I see. Do you feel hungry?"   The moment she asked you, your tummy answered for you. Again you blushed. How embarrassing...   The granny started to laugh. "Oh my. Don't eat me.", she joked. Because of her big wrinkles you couldn't spot her eyes. But you knew, if you saw her eyes, they would be all beautiful and have a warm expression like her smile. You felt safe around her.   "Honey, drink tea and take some cookies. I'll prepare you a meal, okay?" she asked.   Instantly you nodded. You had no idea why this granny was so kind, but you couldn't refuse any of it. No... you.. needed some warmth.   After she watched you reaching out for the tea, she left the room, humming. 'How cute..' You smiled at that.   Carefully you took a sip from the tea. Wow... delicious. After tasting one of the cookies, you sighed heavily. You felt warm, yet cold. Your mind was filled with pictures and black thoughts.   Everyone died... only you'd survived. How could you live on from here on? You had nothing... absolute nothing. Unknowingly tears ran down your cheeks.   "Little lady..."   You gasped surprised and saw the granny with a bowl filled with a hot soup. The granny hurried to you, putting down the bowl in order to sit next to you und hug you. Caressing your back, you started to sob and hug her back.   "It's okay... cry if you want", she whispered into your ear, putting a hand on your head and gently caressing you.   This was the magic spell that made you burst out in tears. Heartbreaking sobs clanged trough the room, while you cried and hold on to her. The old woman didn't stop holding you. No, even she shed some tears, feeling sorry for you. Your screams and sobs revealed her the story of angst, sorrow and sadness.   ---   "Do you feel better?"   Again you had no idea how much time had passed.   The old lady was still beside you und stroked away your last tears. She had not left you for the whole time that you'd been crying. In fact, she tried to keep you grounded. She seemed to feel what horror you lived through.   With a small smile you nodded. Whoever this old lady was, you've felt pure gratitude. Still, you were not able to say a single word. It was like you've lost the ability to talk.   "Good." Relieved she stood up. "Oh my. The soup got cold. Wait, I'll warm it up." She took the bowl and left the room.   Somehow you didn't feel all that lousy anymore, even though your eyes extremely hurt and you were convinced that they were glowing red. Reaching out for your cold cup of tea, you drank it out und sighed relaxed.   "Here we go~", the granny hummed and put down the hot bowl that she had covered with a small tower, so you wouldn't burn yourself. After you took the bowl, she sat down and watched you.   Slowly you puffed your filled spoon and tasted it. In impulse you ate like there was no tomorrow. It tasted so good! Maybe it was your hunger, but it felt there was nothing better in the world.   The granny's laugh made you look up and blush. Ohh.. "Don't worry. There's more", she reassured giggling. You returned a smile and ate up your soup.   ---   "Grandma, where are you?" A male voice echoed in the hallway.   "Here, honey! Please come here, the little lady has finally woken up!", she shouted over.   A tall man came in. Given that the door was way too small, he bent down until he got through the door. Then he straightened up, so you could see him.   The stranger was a tall, thin man with medium long hair that were super curly. His skin was tanned, from what you could see. He wore a blue shirt with a white west over it. His trousers and his shoes were also all white. A pair of sunglasses covered slightly his eyes, although you still could see them. You sensed a strange aura around him.   "Ah, I see. That's good." He smiled at you what made you shyly look away. He was so tall and a little bit scary.   "I must thank you, Ku-kun." The granny said with a small smile. "You saved me again. How sad it would be, if no one found her."   The man chuckled. "You are the saviour, grandma. You noticed her first. I only carried her for you."   "But you were my bodyguard once again. I feel terrible for calling you out all the time."   "It's no big deal, grandma. You've saved me long ago as well. So, the 'little lady' has no name?"   You looked over to the granny and felt sorry for not saying anything at all. So you applied yourself and squinted your eyes. "[name]!" Both looked at you, surprised. "M..m...my n..na...name is.... [name]", you stammered cumbersomely.   The granny brightly smiled. "Oh, finally you said a word. You got a little bit of your strength back, right?"   You nodded, still feeling troubled about speaking.   "That's wonderful, [name]. I was worried sick that you've lost your voice because of your trauma."   The man looked surprised. "Trauma?" he repeated, wondering what she meant.   You bit your lip, clenched your fist and stared at the blanked. The flashing memory made you tremble.   "Ku-kun!" The old woman shouted. "Don't stress the little girl."   Silently the man named 'Ku-kun' stared at you. "I'm sorry. I did not intend to.", he said, still watching you. "But I'd like to hear your story, little maiden. You're from another island , am I right?"   For a long time you didn't say a thing. You nodded. "Okay." You said raspy. "I'll tell you."   Both adults were surprised by your decision. The granny glazed a little bit angry on the tall man, but then she served another cup of hot tea for everyone.   You started to tell them your story, what had happened to your beloved home and how you've gotten here. While you spoke, your whole body trembled in fear. But you decided to tell them everything, hoping, that they could help you. After you finished the old lady stared at you in shock, not believing what you've just told.   "[name]? May I ask you something?", 'Ku-kun' asked you hesitating.   "uh-uh" You wondered, what the man would want from you.   "Can you please repeat, who did attack your hometown? It is very important in order to punish that pirate." His eyes had a cold glow. In general, the room temperature went down.   You started to freeze, so you nestled down in your blanket.   "Ku-kun, you're doing it again.", the granny chided 'Ku-kun'. "My gas bill will rise again"   'Ku-kun' relaxed and chuckled. "Sorry, grandma. I keep forgetting. It's just... it's making me mad that the head quarter didn't report anything. Almost a month has passed, since it'd happened."   "A month!?" you shouted, looking shocked.   'Ku-kun' turned towards you, a serious expression on his face. "You've been in some sort of coma for almost a whole month.", he informed you. "So... would you please repeat, who attacked your island?"   Your mouth opened in disbelief. Nonetheless you nodded. Maybe the man could help you punish those monsters. "Uh... major Henry V s..said 'Joker' as he spoke to the man... I.. I don't... I... can't... remember his face.. I saw his shadow.. he laughed like a mad man.." You gulped. "Another one called him 'D...d....dof...' "   "Don Flamingo."   You looked up surprised. Did he know that man?   "If he assigned that man as 'Joker', it's definitely him. He's known as Don Quichotte de Flamingo." he informed you. You noticed a strange thing in his hands. It looked like a shell.   "It's a tone dial. It records our conversation, so I can show them my bosses." 'Ku-kun' explained you patiently after seeing your facial expression.   "Ohh." A magic shell. Interesting.   "So. What did Don Flamingo want from your island?"   "Crescent Island... my home owned some outstanding, rare fruits. We sold them to travellers who randomly docked at our harbour.", you told the tall man, "Almost no one knows about this island. It... was tiny"   "Okay. Go on."   "Uh... I... I heard the man talking about us being a obstacle and he talked about getting a certain fruit."   "I guess, a devil fruit?", 'Ku-kun' asked you.   Surprised you nodded. "Yes... but we did not have such a dangerous fruit. I was always on the forbidden islands where the fruits grew. But I've never seen such a strange looking. My grandfather told me about them"   "Did that man ask about a certain devil fruit? Has he named it?"   "N-no..."   The man stopped the record. He leant towards you, looking deep into your eyes which made you hold your breath. "I'm sorry that we - the marine - did not help you out of your misery. I am sure we got SOS calls by that island.", he whispered.   "Sir... will you find and punish those pirates?"   "It's Kuzan for you, [name]." His smile was warm now. "I promise, I'll help you... We'll punish him. That's the least I can do after such a tragedy." Sighing he scratched the back of his head. "But it'll be hard to get that man. He's awfully powerful and means trouble."   "..." You stared at Kuzan. You knew that nothing would be the same anymore.   "And... now? I... have no home anymore"   "I see no problem there, [name]-chan" The granny smiled at you. "Stay with me. This room has been empty since.... since my grandchild died to a terrible disease... just as her mother" A heavy sigh followed. "But it's fine, don't worry. I'd be happy to have someone around besides this clumsy marine-officer"   Ah... so he truly was part of the marine. He was a good guy. Trusting him wouldn't hurt, right?   "Doesn't this sound good to you, [name]?" Kuzan asked smiling. He also felt sorry for you, but he didn't show. You'd went through a lot of pain that could've been prevented.   After thinking about it, you smiled happily. "I try not to be a bother, old lady..."   "Just call me grandma, like Ku-kun. We are a family."   Kuzan rose and stroked your head. "Be a good girl, [name]." he spoke, "This is your new home. I'll be visiting you both once in a while. But for now, my duty calls."   He went towards the door, as you suddenly raised your voice. "I'll be waiting, Kuzan-san!"   The man glanced over his shoulder towards you, smiling at that. "I'll be back soon"   With these words he was gone.   Grandma sighed. "What a wonderful day. My family grew once again" she hummed, smiling at you.   "Now, now, [name]-chan. Go to sleep and rest. Tomorrow we'll go shopping" She kissed your forehead and left the room.   Suddenly you felt really exhausted and tired. It didn't take long, you fell asleep.   Smiling. Hosted by Animexx e.V. (http://www.animexx.de)