Chapter 10: Tsuru and Galan
Galan was laying in a bed, naked as he stared at the ceiling. Tsuru was sitting on the edge of the bed, tying her hair up, exposing her slender and smooth back, also naked. She fixed her hair and gripped the mattress in silence for a moment before saying "I'm going."
Galan closed his eyes and replied "Are you getting sentimental on me, Tsuru…" Tsuru chuckled with a snort, bringing her hand up to her face, replying "Wasn't expecting much." He snorted and opened his eyes, "Say what you have to say then."
She turned her head and smiled gently, "I'm worried about you. Doing this alone… who knows when some asshole is going to get lucky." he looked at the planks of the ceiling in silence and she turned back, laughing "I thought…" before falling silent.
Galan looked at her back before saying "Tsuru, you…" he stopped before turning back, asking "Did you really fall in love with me?" Tsuru stayed silent for a moment before replying "Love? Who knows."
Galan closed his eyes and let out a breath from his nose as she went on, "We've been on almost 100 missions in 2 years, recon and termination but you're always the only one who gets his hands dirty. You even got tattoos to blend in with the scum fucks that you hate so much, sometimes I think… maybe there's a reason."
He opened his eyes and they were blank, just icy blue pools of calm, nothing more, nothing less. She turned around and crawled to him on the bed, her sizable bust hanging from her toned chest as she pulled the sheets and sat on his crotch, pressing her hands on his chest.
She ran her hands along his muscles and smiled, her voice barely above a whisper "All these scars from training… The bullet holes from getting hunted by Kong… the stab wound from our first mission…" He looked at her and her hands moved to his face, stroking his cheeks as she looked into his eyes, leaning over, "But these… These eyes. These scars are from the day you were born. Maybe the others can't tell, but I can…"
She stroked her thumb right under his eye, smiling gently "So, Love? Maybe one day…" she kissed him before leaning back, adding "When you figure out what that means." she looked at his eyes for a moment before snorting in amusement at herself and getting off him.
He watched her sway her hips naturally, walking to her clothes and picking them up, getting dressed in Marine attire without a word. Tsuru finished up and opened the door before turning her head and saying "Don't get yourself killed, Galan."
He looked at her and asked "That coming from you or the Marine?" Tsuru snorted and didn't reply, leaving the room, closing the door behind her. He turned back to the ceiling before getting up and sitting on the bed.
He cracked his neck and let out a breath as he got up, coming to the mirror and looking at himself. He wasn't overly muscular like the rest of the Marines for one reason and one reason only. He was in a constant state of Life Return, compacting his muscles to appear more slender.
Garp, Sengoku, and Zephyr didn't care because the natural way gave them more power, but Galan wanted more speed. He sacrificed a bit of strength to be a bit more nimble, that didn't mean he wasn't strong, he was extremely strong, but he was faster than the others…
Plus, he always remembered what Jonathan taught him. He would never show his hand to anyone, so as far as anyone knew, he was the skinny Lieutenant-Commander that couldn't hunt in the Grandline because he wasn't strong enough.
Of course, he could've used the 6 Powers and Haki to destroy pirates today, but there was less control and more destruction if he used them. Just a shotgun and his hands were more than enough to get the job done with no casualties or excessive damage.
Galan snorted from his nose and turned around, getting dressed. His usual attire was combat boots with fitted black pants, a black long sleeved shirt and vest with 'Marines' on the chest, and a Justice coat on his shoulders.
Though, he simply held the coat folded over his forearm as he slid black leather gloves over his hands, hiding the tattoos. He picked up his shotgun, slinging it over his shoulder as he fitted his pants with a knife and a few pistols before looking at himself again.
He tilted his head slightly, nothing in his eyes. Not even a flicker of emotion, just a normal day. He thought to what Tsuru said before his expression softened and he smiled gently, muttering "Love… I can play that part too, Tsuru…"
His expression changed into a sunny and gentle smile with caring eyes before returning to nothing as he cracked his neck, saying "That's not right…" a gentle look appeared in his eyes and his smile turned subtle, hints of warmth at the tips.
Just enough for a bit of care but not enough for everyone, seemingly only one person.
He returned to nothing again and nodded, "That'll do." as he put the white Justice Coat over his shoulders, grabbing a Marine cap and settling it on his head as he walked to the door, holding the cord of his shotgun as he walked out the door.
The Marines outside saluted "Lieutenant-Commander!" Galan was smiling gently as he said "At ease. Come on, let's go see Tsuru leave. Then we're off to the next mission…" before walking away, going down the stairs.
The Marines looked at each other and smiled knowingly, whispering amongst each other as they followed him. Galan heard many things and smiled to himself… "Lieutenant-Commander is such a nice guy… Yeah, I'd probably be torn up if my girl left me for god knows how long. That's our Captain, a real man's man!"
Galan pulled down the cap and cracked his neck slightly as he walked out of the building, feeling the air getting colder as the Sun set in the distance.
He turned his head and walked to the docks just in time to catch Tsuru leaving on a ship. The Marines behind Galan saluted and shouted "Farewell, Commodore Tsuru!" Tsuru looked back as the ship set sail, seeing Galan looking at her with a loving smile. She choked up and covered her mouth, tearing up as she turned around.
The Marines sighed, whispering "That's Commodore Tsuru for you… What a caring woman…" Galan was silent, probably… They were right but he was pretty sure she was crying because she was going to miss him.
Sure enough…
Tsuru went to her cabin and laid on her bed, staring outside the window as tears spilled from her eyes, muttering "That's your answer…" she pulled the pillow into her embrace and curled up, "I really hate you…"
Galan snorted from his nose and his expression morphed slightly, showing a bit of sadness before turning around, saying "Alright, men. On the ship, we leave for the West Blue in 5 minutes." The Marines looked at his slightly sad expression and saluted before getting the ship ready in silence.
Galan looked at the setting Sun and let out a breath, maybe in the next life he could love… But there were too many pieces of living shit in this world. He had a job to exterminate them, there was no time to feel what love was.
There was only the next mission, the next burning town, the next war.
Nothing more, nothing less.
A year passed quietly
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