Chapter Text
Tashigi was sure that no one was going to find out. That was the whole reason that she went through all the trouble to make sure that no one was able to know if she was in a relationship with anyone.
She would never live it down if the members of G-5 learned of her relationship, and she sure as hell knew that Smoker would look at her with disappointment. Giving her a lecture on how it was a waste of time to try and keep in contact with someone. That as a marine captain she needed to not get distracted.
Tashigi knew all of this, hell she was preaching to the whole squad that they shouldn’t be trying to have a relationship cause you never know what might happen on the field. It was better to save someone of the heartbreak that would follow after a death in the marines.
Even with all of that, Tashigi didn’t count for the pink haired princess that she would meet on duty. Vinsmoke Reiju, the eldest and only daughter of the Vinsmoke family came into Tashigi’s life and never left.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .*:☆ﾟ｡ ･ ───
Their first encounter was after some of the Straw hats messed with a wedding that Big Mom was having. The Navy’s current theory was that Strawhat Luffy was planning something big that needed the Empress out of her title. Though they couldn’t be sure, yet gaining the title of the Fifth Emperor did help adi in their theories.
Germa had originally seemed to have wanted to gain some sort of protection on the sea from Big Mom, though it seemed the deal had fallen through. That was when Tashigi first came in contact with the woman that would later become her girlfriend.
The king of Germa, Vinsmoke Judge had seemingly come to his senses and was trying to get the World Government to give him some sort of pardon. That it was all Big Mom scaring him into using his scientific knowledge for her. It seemed that someone at HQ was willing to hear him out so they arranged a meeting in the Vinsmokes.
Tashigi and Smoker were placed as head of security and bodyguards for the princess and princes of Germa. They were rumored to be extremely strong, so much so that only a blade that could cut steel would be able to harm them.
Of course when Tashigi heard of such a thing, the thought of a sword that she lost to a certain pirate hunter flashed through her mind.
“Stop looking so constipated,” a dark voice rumbled beside her “they might order your head to be served on a platter”
Tashigi looked to her left to see the tall man with a cigar resting in between his lips. Smoker was probably the only person who thought that Judge was lying about not having a choice in working with Big Mom.
“I hope you know that you’re not funny. I am trying to take this seriously but it's a little hard when they haven’t even shown up yet.” She let out a little sigh, she had been standing in place for what felt like ages. At this rate he would have been able to track down the Straw hats and find out what they were up to.
“Well good news for you,” Smoker nodded his head to have her look in front of them, “they just arrived so you don’t have to be in one place for too long”
Tashigi looked at the harbor in front of Marine Headquarters and there approached what looked to be a giant transponder snail. It looked intimidating with a giant castle mounted on its shell. Tashigi could swear that Smoker looked a little bit more disgusted upon looking at the approaching vessel.
“Do you think he’s compensating?” Tashigi asks, her tone seems serious but Smoker knows that she is simply trying to calm her nerves.
“I have my suspicious, I guess we will have wait and see Captain”
And with that the large snail came to a stop in the middle of the harbor. Inspector General Sengoku was at the landing point for the Vinsmokes to enter into the actual building itself.
Once Vinsmoke Judge emerged and started to do the landing to Sengoku, Tashigi heard Smoker stifle a giggle. It sounded much like a scoff, he was known no to like nobles that believed that they were above everyone.
“I think you’re right, he seems to be compensating for a lot”
Tashigi had to hold in her laughter, so as to not antagonize the guests. Sengoku and Judge seemed to be conversing with one another. That was when Tashigi caught a glimpse of her.
It wasn't long, just enough for her to shift her eyes to a landing on the snail. A small flash of pink, interesting, she thought for sure that the Vinsmoke children would have blonde hair to match their father. Maybe the pink was simply a guard on duty aboard the ’ship’.
The conversion from the two men seemed to have ended, with Sengoku motioning to the entrance of HQ and Judge looking back and calling to someone abroad the castle.
There it was again, that bright pink. Yet this time she could see the face of the owner. It was a tall woman not much taller than Tashigi but still. She had on a short white ruffle dress and a red cape. She looked stunning, like a butterfly or a cursed sword. Tashigi thought the idea of her looking like a sword to be more accurate, she looked gorgeous yet also had the presence of being able to kill with a single strike.
“Captain, stop staring”
“I wasn’t staring, just simply… observing our guests”
God, even Tashigi wouldn’t have believed that, cause she was in fact staring, which is so unlike her. She needed to focus, her job was to keep an eye on Vinsmoke children while talks of Germa uniting with the marines were being held. This was no time to get distracted by a pretty woman.
That was until she realized that the pink-haired woman was one of the people she needed to keep an eye on. It only clicked into place when they had been walking to the meeting room.
Though she did have to be somewhat grateful that it wouldn’t be just the woman and Tashigi. There were also the three princes of Germa. They all had the same spiral eyebrows that seemed familiar in a way to Tashigi but she couldn’t quite place where she had seen them before.
The princes were tall in stature, and she was pretty sure that it would take a good number of marines to take them down if things didn’t go as planned. They were all wearing a variation of a white ruffle shirt black pants and a cape that matched the one of the pink-haired woman.
They had finally made it to the meeting room and just before Judge tried to bring his children along Sengoku spoke up.
“The World Government would find it in your best interests if your majesty was the only one attending the meeting,” gesturing to Smoker and Tashigi, “Vice Admiral Smoker and Captain Tashigi have been appointed the ones to accompany them if they wish to wait somewhere other than outside this door. As to not disrupt the work of the other marines as well as keeping them out of trouble”
The pink-haired woman seemed to smirk at Tashigi once Sengoku stated her name. Now that she was so close to her, Tashigi could see the deep blue of the eye uncovered by her pink hair.
Though it seemed that the princes were not too pleased with the arrangement of having to be looked after. The blue-haired male seemed to be the most outspoken of his disdain out of the group.
Yet his complaints were simply silence with the raise of Judge’s hand. “I guess we have no choice but to accept. I assure you that my children won’t cause too much harm while we discuss the terms of our agreement”
And with that Judge and Sengoku entered the meeting room and Smoker and Tashigi were left to guard the Vinsmoke children.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .*:☆ﾟ｡ ･ ───
“Excuse me, Captain?”
A sweet voice caught Tashigi’s attention, it was the pink-haired woman. Damn it, she totally forgot to pay attention to their names so she couldn't even respond if she needed to tell Smoker who needed to be looked after. She absently mindedly thought that the princess didn’t know her name.
Since she only called her captain, not captain Tashigi or just her name.
“Tashigi” it was only right that the princess could get her attention in case they came across another captain. Also just being referred to as captain didn’t sit right with her.
The lady looked surprised, “I’m sorry, what?” She tilted her head slightly, her bangs almost showing her other eye. God how Tashigi wished she could look into both those blue eyes at the same time.
“My name, it's Tashigi your highness” She gave a light bow, nothing grandiose but enough to convey respect. Making sure that no ill will was to be thought of the Navy due to one misstep from an officer.
The princess seemed to be slightly caught off guard by her sudden words. A slight blush crept onto her cheeks, cute was all that came to Tashigi at that moment.
“There is no need for you to be so formal with me. I was simply going to ask if you wouldn't mind showing me around? I don’t really want to stay right outside this door the whole time.” Her voice was sweet like honey, though clear and cool like the ocean. The swords-woman was sure she could listen to her talk for hours.
Tashigi looked towards her superior, who seemed not too pleased with whatever he was overhearing from the princes. Yet he seemed to understand what Tashigi was trying to ask of him. He looked annoyedly over to the princes, then back to her and gave a small nod of approval.
Giving Smoker a quick smile and then turning her attention back towards the princess.
“I wouldn’t mind at all, my job is to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible”
Her blue eyes softened slightly, a small smile dancing on her lips. Tashigi was sure that those lips would feel like heaven on her own. She mentally slapped herself from that thought alone.
Finding a princess was pretty normal, to be expected even. Don’t fall in love with someone. Especially someone who is way out of your league.
“Thank you, Captain Tashigi,” okay maybe telling her my name was a bad idea . “I shall follow you, lead the way”
With that the two women set out on a small tour of the marine base.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .*:☆ﾟ｡ ･ ───
“Is there anything else you wanna see, your highness? They had just exited the cafeteria, the pink-haired women now holding a smoothie in hand.
While they were walking around Tashigi didn’t care for the staring the lower ranks had towards the princess. They should be performing their duties, not ogling at a woman way out of their league.
The woman looked at Tashigi, straw falling from her lips. How easy it would be to just kiss them, I’m sure they would taste like fruit and sweets. Her blue eyes looked into Tashigi’s dark chocolate ones. For a moment she could swear she saw something flash in those eyes. Like she had a secret that she was keeping.
“You know Captain, I find it quite unpleasant that you don’t call me by my name.” Shit, she wasn’t trying to be rude. Well not paying attention to their names had come back to bite Tashigi in the ass.
Slightly embarrassed, avoiding the princess’s gaze, “That’s because I don’t want to offend you.” quietly mumbling, “and also maybe because I don’t know your name”
A light blush crept onto her cheeks at her quiet admission. She felt like a child being caught with a cookie she wasn’t supposed to have.
The princess smiled lightly, one that if you were paying attention you might miss. The subtle softening of her eyes and the ends of her mouth turning up slightly. She leaned in closer to the marine captain. Close enough that Tashigi could subtly feel the breath of the princess.
“Reiju” one word.
A name.
So quiet, like she was telling a secret.
A secret that Tashigi was sure to keep for the rest of her life.
One that she wouldn’t even tell any superior even if they tortured her.
“Are you alright Tashigi?” A feather light hand came up and rested on the woman’s cheek. “Your face is all red, it looks like you are about to explode”
Maybe I am, I’m pretty sure I have died. That's it, this is heaven. That seems to be the only explanation of why such a perfect woman is standing right in front of me.
Tashigi had been too caught up in her own head to realize that Reiju had started walking them towards somewhere. Her hand was dragging Tashigi along by a soft grip on her wrist.
When Tashigi finally came to, they had ended up next to a storage closet. God this feels like some weird cliche, NO, stop thinking about something like that. Nothing is going to happen.
“Your maj- Reiju,” that name fits her, it even fits just right in my mouth. “Why did you bring us here?”
Reiju looked at her and her knees felt weak, she would never admit that though. It would hurt her pride, and G-5 would never let her live it down.
“You don’t look too well. We never went near an infirmary, so I was just walking until I found something.”
Of course, why would there be any other reason
Right before Tashigi was able to calm the worries of Reiju, they heard voices down the hall. Tashigi couldn’t really recognize them but it seemed as though Reiju did.
She immediately opened up the closet and lightly shoved Tashigi in. Even though her face didn’t show much emotion, it was clear that she was frantic.
Ending up with the swords-women back against the wall with barley anywhere to move. With the princess slightly pinning her against the back of the closet.
This is way too close . Tashigi could feel her face getting hot again. Just standing next to the princess was too much for her heart, but this surely was going to kill her.
Reiju wasn’t paying attention to their position it seemed. It almost seemed that she was more concerned if the person she heard at the end of the hallway saw them.
It seemed that she got her answer by letting out a small sigh of relief. Looking at Tashigi and it finally clicking to what kind of position they’re in.
Her voice frantic and embarrassed, yet never exceeding a whisper, “I deeply apologize for my behavior I just simply wanted more time with you”
Thats hot
Reiju’s face started to get a small red tint to it, like she had heard what Tashigi had thought.
There was no way she could read minds..
Right?
The look on the princess’s face didn’t go away.
“I said that out loud, didn't I?” The marine captain finally asked. To which the gorgeous woman nodded slightly.
“Well this was not how I expected this to turn out.” She admits, “I am really sorry your highness.”
“No need to apologize.” slightly shaking her head and smiling, “I was kinda hoping you took a liking to me, since I have started to gain a slight interest with you.”
Tashigi gulped, trying to keep her voice steady. “Would you mind if we found a way to keep seeing each other? I don’t think I will be able to keep you out of my head.”
The princess smiled, leaning closer to the black-haired woman, “I would love nothing more than to keep seeing you,” she leaned in so that she was just inches away from her ear. Her voice reverent like she was speaking a prayer, “Tashigi”
That was enough for any self control that Tashigi might have had to leave her body immediately. Leading in quickly towards the princess and stealing their lips together.
It was everything and more than she had ever imagined. Her lips were soft and sweet, yet there seemed to be a hint of something more. Something that Tashigi couldn’t care for at that moment.
Then after what seemed like an eternity and a second at the same time, the kiss ended.
“Yea,” Tashigi breathed, “I need to keep seeing you.”
The princess giggled slightly, it was music to Tashigi and that’s when she had promised to keep everything that Reiju etched into her mind so as to never forget her.
“I promise before I leave I will give you a way to communicate with me, so that we can keep having meetings like this.” she paused for a moment, “Well maybe not have them end up in a storage closet”
“I wouldn’t mind if they end up in a storage closet again,” Tashigi admitted.
She simply smiled at her, nodding her head as to agree with the silly confession of the woman.
“Well then, Tashigi, I can’t wait for our next meeting.” With that Reiju opened the closet door behind her and stepped out. Extending her hand to drag Tashigi out as well, to which the Captain gladly took it.
Once they were back in the hallway Reiju smoothed out Tashigi’s uniform and straightened her glasses. After that Tashigi started smoothing out a small rumple in the cape of the princess.
“Shall we start walking back, captain? I don’t think my father will be too pleased if he has to stay here longer due to my tardiness.”
Nodding Tashigi extended out her arm for the princess to take, “Then allow me to escort you to your rightful place, Reiju.” It seemed that uttering her name had about the same effect that it had on Tashigi. Though it seemed the princess was able to hide it better.
They walked back towards the meeting room to see that the princes had disappeared and all that remained was a member of G-5 to stand and wait while the meeting was wrapping up.
Yet the women couldn’t really care if they had company or not. They knew that they would find times and places where they could be alone together. Where titles of nobility and ranks in the marines didn’t exist. They would only have each other and that was all they needed.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .*:☆ﾟ｡ ･ ───
It had been a few months since then, maybe even closer to a year, and Tashigi thought that they had hid their relationship fairly well. That was until right now, cause she might have messed up.
They had decided to go to a restaurant together, Reiju had suggested that they go on a double date with her brother and his boyfriend.
Tashigi had never heard of one of the Germa prince’s dating a man, but to be fair no one knew that the princess was dating a woman.
Reiju had told her that her brother knew the owner of this restaurant on the sea, so they would have the whole place to themselves. How could she not have agreed.
What she didn’t count for was that the brother wasn’t a known prince. He was in fact a pirate.
Not just any pirate, it was Black-Leg Sanji of the straw hats.
And who was the man’s boyfriend?
Roronoa Zoro. The last person that Tashigi wanted to be around. As well as the worst person to know that she was dating someone.
Great, this is going to be a shit show . She thought as the two started to walk towards the table with the two pirates.