The Guardian

Chapter 13

"Worrying isn't going to bring them back quicker, little guardian."

Thatch gave her a look from behind the counter, then sighed and slid a plate over to her. "Relax, they're fine." He sounded like he was trying to convince himself.

Lyra's head hit the table. "I know. I just worry. What if he is there. What if it's a trap? Or they're injured?" The what if's clouded her mind. If something happens to them she'd never forgive herself.

She got a concerned look in return before someone scooped her up. "Let's make you a new collar. Or how about some clothes?" Ooo new clothes!

Lyra agreed and let Izo take her to his room, which turned into his personal office since he lived in Thatch's room. It was the same as any room but just full of fabrics and materials.

"So, tell me what kinds of clothes would you like?"

Izo perched on his chair with a sketchbook in hand. "What's your style?" He was trying to picture what she looked like in a human body, which was hard as she was normally in cat form.

Humming, Lyra thought back to her human form. It was so long ago she was having trouble remembering. "Umm it's been so long since I don't remember. My style," a bitter chuckle left her mouth. "I don't remember at all."

Ah, to wear some clothes again, pretty clothes. What would her hair be like now? Her body? She has no memory of it. Lyra never dreamed of this day coming so soon, she wasn't ready for it.

Izo clicked his tongue as he sketched, "Well I can come up with a few sketches, we can look at them again after." Another scratch on her head, "I do have some pretty bows to make that collar a bit more appealing."

Lyra perked up at that, bows!? She scuttled over to Izo, settling in his lap as he pulled out some ribbon from a drawer.

Quick and nimble fingers slid a pretty deep purple ribbon around her neck and tied it into a bow. "There, you look pretty." A pat on her head paired with a fond smile directed her way. "I hope you're feeling better."

A bit. Lyra wasn't as worried anymore, Izo managed to bring her mood up. It's only been a few days, they had been gone for a week, they had to have reached the island by now. She didn't know how long they'd be there, ugh every second was torture for her.

"I spent over nine hundred years like this, the mere thought of being whole and complete is a lot." Lyra shook her head, giving a meow. "I would spend another nine hundred years like this if it meant they came home safe."

She just had to go and get attached didn't she? Always gets complicated when she gets attached, hence why she put that rule in place.

"What was it like? Growing up?"

Lyra perked up, ah let's see if she could remember that far back. "Ah, let's see." She made a face as she thought back as far as she could. "Well, we lived on this island. It has two huge trees in the middle mirroring each other. They bore these beautiful heart shaped leaves that changed colors when they moved."

Red paws flew around as she spoke. "A few guardians lived in the trees, one is the home of the largest library in existence." Green eyes shone bright with happiness, "The island is home to many animals and plants alike. Ah it was a magical place, so lively."

Izo smiled at her, a soft one. "It sounds lovely. I would love to visit one day." He watched Lyra jump onto the desk to look at his buttons and string.

"It was. Maybe one day when this nightmare is over, I can take you there. I'm sure you all would love the vacation. Plus the water doesn't affect Devil Fruits so everyone could go swimming!"

Lyra flopped onto her back, paws swatting a ball of string. "My brother Sandy would always fall asleep on the beach, never failing to end up with a burn. So my sister Arty and I would draw designs on his skin with sunscreen." She giggled at the memory of easier times.

She popped up and gave Izo a nudge. "Thank you. I'm going to go take a nap." Leaving his room she immediately went to Marco's room. She took up residence there since they left, finding comfort in his lingering scent.

Seas, she sounds crazy, must never mention that out loud. Like ever. She also took over doing Marco's paperwork as well, better than letting it pile up. Plus Whitebeard agreed with it, and did Ace's as well.

Lyra got to work on the stack of papers, boring paperwork. How does Marco deal with it, this is awful. Seas, she was going to help him deal with this crap as long as she could. Maybe then he'd sleep earlier.

Sighing, Lyra rubbed her paws over her eyes. Shit, she was screwed. She missed his stupid blonde hair, and his little smiles he only showed her when she purred as he pet her.

She frowned and groaned as she slammed her head onto the desk. Time to just pretend her feelings didn't exist, that was good. At least until she sees the damn man again, then she is totally screwed.

Slamming the paperwork down finally finished, she hurried off to hide under the mound of blankets and pillows she made. It was comforting, like the forts she made as a kid with Astrea.

They'll be fine. They'll come back, come home. It'll all be fine.