Serious: Purple hearts Chapter 4 The path toward Fishman island pt2

Toshiro barely blinked as the shotgun pellets bounced of his armored skin. However he was finding that his size was hindering him in this bar. With so many of the other crew trying to attack the same guy there was no way that Toshiro was ever going to get a shot in himself. "That's ok. As long as the crew is safe then I am happy. It seems like everyone else has this handled so I'm going to go watch the door to make sure no one else comes in."

Dripper was surprised to see that the mermaid had grabbed the muzzle of his shot gun "You must want to die huh?" Though Marissa was strong Dripper was much stronger. Dripper was about to pull the trigger, ans hit her from point blank range. Then Criag shot him in the back throwing off his shot again. This time Marissa got his weapon. Then griem came down and struck him with his swords knocking him into the ground. Dripper was about for the count bloody and beaten "How could I lose by such a small crew? If I'm going down I'm taking somebody with me...."

Namor got up from on top of flo helping her up from the ground "You see this what I mean, Namor. You can't stay here I don't want to see you hurt!" Namor smiled "Did you see what just happened? My crew can handle themselves. I think my crew better head out now. Before we get you into trouble." Flo shook her head "You will never change huh? Just don't get yourself killed ok? I wouldn't want anything to happened to my favorite drinking buddy." Namor opened his mouth to speak "Flo, I" Flo placed a finger on Namor's lips "I know. Now just leave before I throw you guys out." Before they had a chance to leave a large squard of royal guards were right outside the cafe. Twenty men carrying Tridents, spears, and pearl armed squid cannons were outside each armed with a sea turtle shell sheild. The head guard, Triton, came toward Toshoiro with his trident overthrowing the large demonic human "I'm here to see Namor. Please step aside human!" Triton said pushing him away to see the pirate captain "You need to come with me."

Toshiro looked back towards Namor with a look that said, "Do you want us to take care of these guys." He was hoping that another fight wouldn't have to break out in the bar. At the very least most of the guards were outside so Toshiro could finally get some room. He waited for any kind of response from his captain before attacking the royal guard who hadn't attacked any of the other crew members.

((OCC: Just a heads up Namor calls all fishfolk 'brother' so they are not related just really close.))

Namor shook his head "No, I want to hear what he has to say. Besides Triton and I go way back right brother?" Triton turned his head toward Toshiro "You can try human, but it would take you guys a thousands years just to keep up with us." Triton then turned toward Namor and simply shook his head "You were my brother once, but now you are just a pawn for the government, Namor. I always thought of you as moron, but this a whole new level of stupidity even for you bringing humans down here. I thought you knew better. Human cannot be trusted." Namor yelled "Don't you talk that way about my nakama! If you have something to say then state your business otherwise get out of my face." Triton seeing that the situation was going to out of hand said "Your highness Tsunami, wishes an audience with you in order to make ammends for the bad blood some many years ago. We are to escourt you to the Ryugu Palace. You and your crew will be treated as guest at the palace with free rooms and the finest meals prepare for our chefs."

Namor looked at Triton "And if I refuse?" Triton whisled to his men who got into attack position forming a dome with the shields and thei spears poking out. Namor knew his crew could take them, but his crew as well as himself was tired and needed rest "Fine I'll come with you, but let my crew make up their own decisions. What do you guys think?"

Marissa looked up at Greim, reeling backwards from Dripper as Craig's worda seemed to break her from her sudden trance-surge of adrenaline.
"Th-thank you...I...I'm fine..."
She gave a grateful bow of the head to her two crewmates, suddenly cursing her previous recklessness.

Marissa looked from Namor to Triton, still in shock from her brief scuffle with Dripper- and thankful for Toshiro, Greim and Craig's interventions.
She bit her lip, unsure of how to react and her terror slowly growing at the sight of all the spears, forming a dome around them.
The young mermaid's body trembled, as she was unused to such conflict. She had grown up on the island but barely knew anything of the deeply corrupt, secret and hostile politics of it. All of the rumours about a secret, illegitimate prince that she had once thought to be mere folk-stories were now proving true in the worst way possible...
Marissa's eyes settled on Namor. He was her captain. And he had proved himself a fair man, giving his crew a free choice.
Ready to enter such a world or not, Marissa decided, she was his Nakama and she owed him her loyalty. Besides, she had never seen the palace before.

She looked up, her sandy blonde hair half-veiling her face as she proclaimed quietly. "I'll go too..."

Greim, stood up after hitting Dripper with his attack. He looked at Marissa, then he saw that fishmen entered the bar. The merfolk called Triton told a message to Namor from Tsunami, the fishman island's queen. Then he heard Namor ask them for their opinion if they should go or not, he heard Marissa say that she was going. It was clear that Namor needed their help as his nakama, of course he was going, and he didnt want to go without Marissa anywhere.

"I am going with you, Namor." - Greim answered him.

Then without thinking it, he turned around and hugged Marissa.

"Im so glad you are alright." - Greim said still hugging her and with a smile in the face.

The mermaid navigator smiled softly, despite her nervousness, when Greim agreed to come with Namor. For some reason, his presence calmed her and his gentle politeness made her feel at ease.

Marissa's eyes widened, surprised at the sudden, unexpected embrace.
A soft pink blush rose in her cheeks and she just managed to bite back a small gasp of astonishment.
It had been a long time since she had been hugged and she had never been hugged by a human before.

She delicately lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck, hugging him in return and whispered in his ear. "I'm alright thanks to you. Thank you. I feel so safe around you..." Thinking carefully for a moment, the mermaid added quietly. "Will you please stay with me whilst we're in the palace?"

Greim blushed when Marissa returned the hug and said it was thanks to him that she was safe because of him.

"It's not really only me.. its also..."-Greim started to whisper in her ear, but then decided it was better to shut up. He answered to Marissa's question.- "Of Course I'll stay with you in the palace, I won't let anything happen to you."

Then Greim stopped hugging Marissa and sat by her side, looking at the bleeding Dripper and then to Namor, then returning his sight to Marissa.

Dripper slowly made his way crawling toward his fallen shotgun "See you in hell" He pointed at Marissa determined to end her life before being captured.

Greim was looking at Marissa and then saw Dripper get his shotgun and point it to Marissa's head. Greim stood up and stood in the space between Dripper and Marissa.

"Dont you even think about it!!!" -Greim said. - "X-Cut Slash!!!"

He grabbed both of his swords from his hips and slashed Dripper with a cross dual slash.

Craig watched the conversation between Namor and Triton in confusion, wondering what was the past between the two, until his thoughts took a back seat as his captain had asked whether his crew agreed to come with him to the palace. "Eh, don't worry boss man, you'd be useless without me by your side so I couldn't just leave ya to strangers, that and the fact I get to mett ya sister.", the first mate and crew marksman replied, giving a large cheeky grin to Namor, which vanished instantly when he watched the exchange of words between Marrisa and Greim, and turned into a look of shock and worry as Dripper point his shotgun at Marissa, and to which Craig quickly aimed his bowguns at the fishman mercenary. He was then given the pleaseant suprise of Greim's quick retaliation, and pocketed his recently drawn weapons as he saw the attack. Well, looks like i'm out of the contest for the lovely new crew member, Greim you lucky old rat you, treat her nice now, the first mate thought to himself as he looked at Greim and Marrissa with a grin.

Toshiro rolled his eyes at the comment that he couldn't take on the royal guard. But, his captain said to listen to them so he did as commanded. He reverted back to his human form because there was no need for him to fight anymore. When it got to the point that Namor asked the crew it they wanted to go to the palace or not he whistled slightly. "Wow, I've never been to a palace before this is going to be something." He said, "Yes, Captain. I will travel with you to the palace."

Toshiro was just starting to feel happy when Dripper sprang up for another attack on Marissa. This flew Toshiro into a rage, and he only saw red. He could not believe that this defeated opponent would dare and attack his nakama. Just as Greim was starting his attack he came up from behind with his kanabo swinging with all his might (Not as much in human form, but still decent) towards the scoundrel that attacked his nakama.

Namor then nodded his head "Then I guess we are all in. Triton. Oh wait we also have a gift for you in the ship's brig. An ocean pirate just to show their are no hard feelings." Triton ordered his men to bring them transportation. In a few moments were carriages to take them to the place. One was being pulled by sharks and the second was powered by dolphins. Both of the carriages could carry at least four people. There were ten chariots for Triton and his guards to escort them. "These will take you to the place. I suggest that the humans stick with mermaid or fishman. Human aren't well liked here, and we can't protect everyone." Triton also ordered his men to check the purple heart ship in order to retrieve the ocean pirate. Namor walked out the cafe toward the first carriage pulled by sharks. "I'm driving this thing. I know where the palace is." Triton and his men took their places on their chariots awaiting for the pirates.

Dripper was sliced with an X mark on his chest. Then his head was smashed in by Toshiro's weapon. Dripper was dead now. The other royal guards nearly shook when they saw how easily they killed a man worth over 100,000,000 beli. The purple hearts could technically recieve a sum of his bounty but since none of them claimed it the royal family didn't have to pay them.

Greim looked at Marissa, he extended a hand to her.

"Shall we go?" - Greim asked her as he took a look at the carriages.

Marissa smiled up at Greim, about to say something else when suddenly Dripper, their injured foe, pointed his gun at her. 
The mermaid couldn't stop herself from screaming. She had no time to pull out one of her needles in her own defence. 
Suddenly Craig, Greim and Toshiro all came forward, attacking Dripper and killing him. 

Marissa looked to her crewmates, quivering as she bowed her head in thanks to them. "It's an honour to be on a crew with such great fighters and such noble men..." 

She watched with a mixture of nerves and interest as Triton directed them towards the chariots.
Marissa then nodded to Greim, delicately placing her hand in his and managing a smile. "Yes. Let's go..." 

Greim smiled at Marissa, holding her hand and walking with her toward the chariots, he opened the door of one and made Marissa go inside first, then he went inside too and sat besides Marissa, leaving the door open for someone that could want to enter to this vehicle.

"Marissa..." - Greim told her.- "I promise you I will not aloud anyone to harm you, even if it costs my life. My dream is to become the world's greatest swordsman, and I hope my abilities can aloud me protect you."

Toshiro gave Dripper one more whack with his kanabo to vent his frustration out. As he did so his shoulders relaxed and his facial features calmed. He took a hand and wiped the strands of his hair that had fallen in front his his face back into position. He coughed once loudly and said, "Yes, let us go to the palace. He climbed into the carriage with Namor, partly because it was being driven by sharks and partly because he didn't want to have to witness Greim and Marissa doing their whole lovey dovey thing.

Craig was begging to get a little envious of Greim and Marrissa, hiding his emotions the best he could behind his usual friendly grin, and eyeing the sharks wearily, not entirely sure if using one of the deadliest preadators of the sea, unless of course if you counted sea kings, as carridge pullers was a good idea. He clambered into the carridge awkwardly, nudging Toshiro and whispering a comment intended to humour; "Eh, those lovebirds sure don't realise that other people ar elistening huh? tempted to just leap out next to em shout something but haven't though of a good joke to use to scare em."

Marissa looked to Greim, her breath catching in her throat at his words. 
"Greim, I..." she stared at him for a moment, not knowing how to respond at first. She swallowed. "I...I'm so thankful for all you're prepared to do...but...I've done nothing to deserve the defence of such a great swordsman..." 

She looked downward. "My life is worth almost nothing. I'm a lionfish mermaid- very few of my kind are born here- so most of the others of my species avoid me and I've been a slave since the day that my father died...Becoming Captain Oceanus' navigator and nakama is the most meaningful thing that I've ever done..."

Marissa looked up at Greim, her eyes tracing his handsome features before she spoke again. "You're a good, loyal, strong man and I'm certain, after witnessing your great skill with those swords, that you'll achieve your dream..." She smiled briefly but her smile faded slowly as she turned her head to look out the window of the carriage. "But why use all of your wonderful skills to protect me?" 

She remained oblivious to Greim's exchange with Toshiro.

Toshiro looked at Craig and said, "Don't worry about it. The joke will be the funniest if it is in the moment. You'll feel it before you say it. But, you might not want to scare them. They might try and get back at you. Just hang out in this carriage and ignore them if you don't want to be around them."

Greim looked at Marissa. As she talked, her expression kept changing. Greim's deep green eyes stopped in her face, seeing her in profile. Greim's heart gave a jump on his chest at Marissa's question. Then he slowly lifted his hand and turned Marissa's head to his direction.

"Marissa... you are special, never doubt it."- Greim told her, leaving the answer of the question for later. He took his hand from her face. -"Even if you were a slave, life can be rough sometimes, but it gives you prizes later."

Then Greim looked away through the window. Then looking down he said:

"The reason I shall protect you... is that... you are very special to me, I have never met any girl that makes me feel like you do, I have never met anyone that cares of me like you do..."

Greim left the phrase uncomplete, looking at Marissa, showing a expression of love.

Marissa's breath caught in her throat, her heartbeat picking up as she felt the touch of Greim's hand on her face, tugging her to look at him. His words also seemed to not just meet her ears but seep into her very skin, making her feel warm...safe...but suddenly also very...nervous? Was that it? Or was it excitement? The young mermaid couldn't tell which it was, only that for some reason, her heart was now racing in her chest and the colour was rising in her face.

"Life gives me prizes later?" she thought to herself. "Perhaps, this is one of those prizes? This moment here, right now..."

She looked to the swordsman, taking in his expression and folding her hands in her lap, swallowing. Her eyes widened slightly and her lips trembled.
No one had ever said such things to her before.

Marissa looked up at Greim as he dropped the phrase, her bright amber eyes meeting his deep green ones. "Greim, I'm so grateful for your protection...and...I've never met any man who makes me feel the way you do either...we've only known each other for a short time...yet...you are also special to me..." She silently couldn't believe that she was saying all of this. "You care about me in a way that...no one's ever cared about me before...and...I just want you to be safe and happy and to return that feeling...because I've never felt this way before and..."

Her voice trailed off, her gaze becoming completely drawn by his loving expression. She gently lifted a hand and placed it over his, her fingertips stroking his skin and a very shy, faint smile coming to her soft pink lips.
"...you must forgive me...I'm not very good with words..."
She gave him a very tender look, completely dropping her guard as she lifted her hand to place on his abdomen, slipping her fingertips through the folds of his shirt so that she was touching his bare skin.
A little nervously, but deliberately, Marissa then trailed her hand up to rest over his heart on his chest, looking up at him and hoping that he'd understand her gesture.

Namor whipped the reins driving the sharks toward the palace behind the royal guards. He was very excited yet there was underline of fear within him. His sister must have very angry that he had came back, and she wasn't above trickery to exact revenge. This whole meeting could have been a trap for all he knew. This whole act was nothing but leap of faith on Namor's part, but he wasn't actually going there on good intentions either. He planned to steal the throne in the palace.

Greim looked at Marissa, her words made him feel as if he was flying, flying in a dream. Filled by a sensation of heat, but really cold because of the emotions running though his body, he felt Marissa's warm hand in his abdomen, it felt so good, she moved it down to his heart.

"Do-Don't worry..."- Greim said, feeling overwhelmed by Marissa. -"I have no words more than..."

Greim approached his face to Marissa's, he could feel her warmth.

"...I love you." -he finished the sentence.

Marissa felt Namor drive the sharks to start them moving- but at that very second, she couldn't have cared less where they were going.
She suddenly lost all perception of time and place, of her turbulent past and her uncertain future. She didn't want to be withdrawn anymore, not around Greim.
"I...I...but you?...really?"

A flushing heat came into her cheeks and that same warmth seemed to engulf her whole already trembling body. Greim's words rang in her ears and Marissa felt her eyes widen, tears of shock and joy threatening to spill out and cascade down her hot, pink cheeks.

Almost automatically, she trailed her hand upwards from his heart, now caressing his cheek. If this was some kind of dream, she didn't want to awaken. For the first time in years, she felt loved. Not like a slave, an orphan or an outcast.
Just loved.
Marissa brought her face closer to Greim's too, taking in his comforting scent- her other hand still trembling in her lap and her fins lightly brushing against his leg.

The mermaid looked up into the swordsman's eyes, her voice soft, as she replied.
"I love you too..."