Padrino Part 30

The Tiger-Stripe Pirates asked to be excused from everybody at that point. They had a very serious matter to discuss, and they agreed that it needed to be done as a crew. They sat at their table, all of them were very dark in their mood, and very low in their morale. Jiro sat among them, although he was not a member, Rinji insisted that he join them. That was when he looked at all of them, and spoke.

Jiro: Well, judging by what has been said, you are all in agreement. Ricky Muro was obviously a very important member of your crew, but the man he turned out to be was less than a friend to all of you. Now that he has experienced a change of heart, you want him to come back to your crew, but none of you could possibly bare the idea of him betraying you once again.

All of them nodded, but none of them spoke.

Jiro: Then I migt as well suggest it, then. Allow him to join you once again.

This drew many looks from all of them.

Chio: I don't know about that, Jiro. They say that hell is paved with those who would mutiny against their own crew.

Jiro: In a way, he didn't. He was part of the White-Face pirates the entire time, and chose to stay with them as his original faction.

Rinji: I agree with Jiro, though not whole heartedly. This Gonzo Lee is definitely important in many ways to this crew, not only as a former member, but also as the gunner for this crew. He tried his best to make up for his mistake, however, I'm still not entirely sure.

Jiro: In that, we all agree.

Once again, they all nodded, other than Usagi.

Usagi: I think he should leave, immediately.

Alice: But... Usagi...

Usagi: I'm sorry, I know he was an important to this crew, but something like this cannot be overlooked.

Rinji: Yes, I agree with this. [Licked his palm and ran it across his head.] I'm seeing two sides so far. Alice and I want him to come back, while Chio and Usagi say he needs to go.

They all looked at one another for a moment, then they all turned to Nikk, who sat with her arms crossed. Her eyes hidden by her black and red bangs. As usual, she showed no emotions in her looks. That was when she surprised them all by standing up, and walked out of their main hall to the deck. They all got up and went to the window to see her as she walked toward Gonzo, who sat propped up against the mast.

Gonzo looked up toward her as she stood above him, he wasn't sure if she was looking down at him or not, but he assumed so. He looked away from her, after all that she had already said, he figured she wasn't going to change her mind anytime soon. He could not hope to look at her again, his blond, long hair waved with the wind as he closed his eyes and sighed.

Nikk: You fell from the tree.

Lee: Yeah, I did.

Nikk: Were you a red leaf, or a brown leaf?

Lee: I'm a red leaf. I've lost my roots, but I retained my beauty.

Nikk: Okay.

Then they both stayed there for just a moment