Rooted Hate [Diango & Yukiko]

[Fox]

Diango’s reaction was every bit as adorable as Yukiko had thought it would be. No, perhaps more. She laughed, cutting off with a wheezy hiss as the action made her belly wounds hurt. She clutched her side and winced, but she was still smiling. His further protests sounded incredibly flimsy when he wouldn’t even look her in the eye. She put a hand to her cheek bashfully and turned her head away when some of Diango’s boys called over to them. Her face went red. Oh, whoopsie. Now it was her turn to be a little embarrassed.

Diango shooed them off in short order though as Yukiko knew he would. She settled down, the heat fading from her cheeks. Ah, well. She hoped that she hadn’t gone and ruined the whole thing now. In reality, Yukiko knew that it couldn’t be. Not now, anyway. And, she wasn’t even sure that he felt the same. Still, she didn’t want to have regrets later. There might not be a later. So best to get those feelings out now. She leaned back and closed her eyes. For now… she could enjoy the now. Yukiko heard Diango shuffling beside her, making her peek an eye open at him as he spoke.

She followed his gaze down to his hands where he tugged one of his rings off. It didn’t register that he was about to give it to her. It was beautiful. Golden with four sapphires. It kind of reminded her of her namesake. When he held it out to her, she stared at him, surprised. Now it was her turn to look away, as a wave of emotion washed over her. She took it from him still, sliding it onto her ring finger and looking at it. It twinkled in the firelight.

“I…”

For once, Yukiko was a little lost for words. Despite having a child with her previous partner, Yukiko had never been married or proposed to. Was this what it felt like? Hah. Perhaps she was getting a little carried away. And still, she didn’t have anything to give him in return. A similar token… Hm. Well. Maybe one thing.

Yukiko reached over with the hand that she’d put the ring on and scooped up Diango’s hand in her own. She snatched his pinky finger with her own.

“I accept! And, in exchange, I’ll make you a promise.”

Yukiko smiled warmly.

“I’ll come and find you again after I save them.”

Yukiko paused for a moment to let the weight of that promise sink in before she let go. She cleared her throat and looked away to hide her blush. She raised a hand to get the attention of the carefree Fishmen musicians and raised her voice.

“H-Hey! Boys~! Bring a bit of that booze over for us, huh?!”

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Yukiko | #b0c4de | Post Count: 23

[risaka]

The ring delivered gently to her soft palms, a contrast to his rugged fingers that has gone through too much. Internally he sighed happily, with that ring he knew that she'd be out there reminiscing about their time together, despite how short it is. And, maybe for once just to share with someone more than booze or tough words or encores. Truly what has he become? This was something commonly shared between those he loved, such a long time ago where you could sit down without thinking of whats gonna happen next with anxiety. 

''I don't know how expensive it is, but I sort of reminded me of you in a way- huh?''

He got interrupted and felt the gentle touch of holding around his pinky with hers, a pinky promise? He did those all the time with his siblings, a silly gesture that was extra special between people with unbreakable trust, did she have the courage to put such trust to those words? He thought through and did not break the hold between the pinkies, instead gently embraced it with a short nod.

''... Yeah, yeah I think I can get behind that, somewhere out there, wherever it may be.. we will see eachother again, in brighter times.''

He felt happy with that idea, despite knowing his condition it was a matter of trust, and to give that trust sometimes could motivate someone to keep going even further. Out from nowhere, in the middle of a brutal heist, came this doctor with a quest, barging and clashing with his ways. How strange it is to conclude a chapter with a new bond to a someone he just met hours ago. A brand new reason for him to continue walking with those tired feet of his.

Being lost a bit in thought he heard Yukiko shout out with life, asking for that good drink with such enthusiasme! In honesty it got Diango good, a doctor drinking booze and enjoying a good time? She's no ordinary woman, he let out a cackle and snapped his fingers to support Yukiko's request.

''Can't recover without a good time now can we? Gyakaka!''

[Fox]

The next few days passed faster than Yukiko might have liked. There was a lot of partying, a lot of rest and recovery, but soon enough, they had to move on. She was a little surprised at how close she’d grown to Diango and his boys, but at the same time, not all that shocked. Despite what Diango thought of himself, he was really quite the charmer. She enjoyed teasing him here and there when she could. But soon enough, the day came.

It was a crisp and chilly morning, and despite her soft fur, she felt a certain chill. Yukiko breathed in deeply, exhaling slowly as she looked down at the ring Diango had given her. She smiled faintly. At least she wouldn’t be alone this time. Yukiko cleared her throat and shook her head as she weaved through the streets toward the docks. Diango and his boys would be leaving today too, wouldn’t they?

She’d slipped out in the early morning after leaving Diango a letter explaining where she’d gone. Goodbyes… hurt too much. And she felt as though if she went through a long goodbye, she’d never leave. She had to go. Her child was waiting for her somewhere out on those seas. They’d see each other again. They’d promised.

Twisting the ring around on her finger as she got in line to board the ferry, Yukiko fidgeted and tugged at the veil she wore to conceal her ears. Minks were not a common sight in the Grand Line. For that reason, she often traveled in a veil and fox mask. She had the veil on, but had yet to put on the mask. She wasn’t sure why she was hesitating. Maybe it was because she wanted Diango to miraculously appear and say one last goodbye? Hah. She shouldn’t be so silly. They’d… said plenty enough, hadn’t they?

Putting the mask over her face as it was her turn to pay the ferryman, Yukiko rifled through her things and dug out enough beri to pay for the fare. The man handed her a ticket in exchange and Yukiko began the long walk up the boarding plank. She smiled ruefully.

“Silly me.”

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Yukiko | #b0c4de | Post Count: 24

[risaka]

The celebration truly were needed for Diango and his crew, after such a long time of constant progression with their antics towards the World Government they could ease their minds and just feel alive, living like a free living being. 

Once they had left the fortress it was bound to gather some outside interest, specially from the people attending to those islands that escaped. They could be coming back, with forces of their own, extra security, or downright calling over the marines for a change. But by the time the next day came it was time for Buzzmouth and Yukiko to separate, leaving Bravo Bravissimo with their identities concealed, easy for fishmen to do considering they just have to go back down into the ocean. 

There was not much time for them to spend together at that point, quickly diving into the water when seeing nearby boats reaching the manmade islands it the Buzzmouth Pirates swam the opposite direction where Yukiko were headed. Leaving her alone to join the ferry on the outside of the island.

But in a very brief moment, a voice came to the mink.

''Pssst, doctor.''

It was very low, but just subtle enough for a mink to hear clear as day, a voice came from the edge of the ferry, behind the wooden fence, halfway up the side of the ship with hands gripping tight to the rope latched to the edge across the fence.

''Yukiko, I forgot one thing.''

He quickly mentioned and reached up with his hand, into a gesture of a hand shake.

''I never got to show how grateful I am to you. Please allow me to thank you, for giving me a chance.''

He said with a genuine warm toothy smile, shaking her hand with a final tip with his hat, letting go of the rope and the hand, letting himself dive right back into the water with a splash, a splash loud enough to gain the attention from a few passangers.

''Whu, what was that?''

''Something splashed down there.''

[Fox]

Stepping onto the deck of the ferry, Yukiko was busily double checking her luggage. It never hurt, but she had everything. She knew she did. Her check always ended with fiddling with the golden ring on her finger. She was going to miss him, wasn’t she? She sighed softly. As she was trying to push him from her mind, her ears perked up. That was his voice. She hurried over to where she heard it coming from, only to see Diango himself dangling off the side of the ferry. Yukiko smiled despite herself.

“Diango, you damn fool,” she whispered, but unable to keep the mirth from her voice. She reached down and clasped his hand tightly.

“Thank you too,” she said, lifting up her fox mask to reveal her smiling fox face, “And play something for me next time, jazz man!”

They shook hands, Yukiko reluctantly letting go as he dove back into the water with a splash. Damn that Diango Porchez. Yukiko laughed at herself. She had been so happy to see him just one more time. With their promise made, Yukiko felt like she could definitely do it. She’d rescue her baby, and then… then they’d see each other again. Next time. A better time.

Yukiko leaned against the rail of the ship, staring down at the water, hoping to maybe catch just one last glimpse of him. It wasn’t long after that all of the passengers were boarded and the ship’s anchor was weighed. Even as the ferry drifted away, Yukiko kept looking back at the port, the town, the island as they all shrunk and disappeared on the horizon.

“Until next time.”

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Yukiko | #b0c4de | Post Count: 25