#beauloveswriting

Thatch still wasn't back. Yes, you were suffering quite a bit and moping. You missed his over-seasoned food and sleeping beside him in his bed..You wanted him back.

The crew finally let you on deck, with supervision. But they still let you and that was good enough for you.

You kept looking out into the sea, in hopes of seeing Thatch. Nope, not yet. What did you expect after all.

Ace was knelt on the railing, despite being a devil fruit user he was somehow courageous enough to sit on the railing. Apparently he also tended to fall asleep often, so you really didn't understand how he could do that without being afraid.

So you didn't approach, though life definitely played cruel jokes on you whenever Ace approached anyway.

"Hiii millloooo!" He giggled, petting you as you sat on a crate overlooking the sea, he could tell you were looking for Thatch. Odd, but adorable.

You turned to him, meowed, then went back to looking out at sea, though you could tell he frowned.

"Millloo.. he'll be back soon I promise! You know we just got Intel on his whereabouts!" He cackled when your head did a 360 toward him again.

"..you're like an owl..spooky." he then continued. "Pops told us he's heading back now! You excited kitty?"

You meowed in delight, then jumped up on his shoulder to lick him a few times.

He was baffled, but froze up so he didn't disturb you. "..hah..uhm, what do I do..?" He asked, he didn't know to who. But luckily Izo snatched you from behind you and beside Ace.

"Milo was most likely excited about hearing Thatch's name." He stated with a smile, slowly petting you up and down your head.

"Awwe..little Milo loves Thatch don't you!" He teased.

"I hope Milo bites you." Izo said, but blinked when you actually did reach out to try to.

"STOP WHY IS MILO TRYING TO NOW??" He squealed, bursting a few feet away.

"..Must be smart enough to know you deserve it."

"SHUT UP!"

"I wish that rookie knocked you out for good.."

"I HEARD THAT??"

"heard what?"

Ace groaned and ran off whenever you tried attacking again through Izo's grip. He didn't let you go, too worried you'd chase him and he'd be full of cat scratches. He would be insufferable about it if that happened, even if it was slightly tempting at that moment.

Later, when Izo had finally let you go once Ace was out of sight, you sat on the railing like Ace had in curiosity, it was kind of slippery. You thought, why would someone ever sit on here?

You got grabbed by your scruff, a little too tight soon after. "What the hell? Shouldn't someone be watching this cat."

That was Teach, you still didn't like him much. A bit aggressive..and that proves to still be the case by how he was holding you.

You squeaked, trying to move away from his grip even if it didn't seem possible. Frankly, it wasn't. Though luckily for you, he threw you to the side.

You hissed, then squirmed to rush behind the barrel.

"Just makin' sure you didn't fall." He sighed, though he just looked bored.

"Teach, be gentle with Milo. I think you forget how to hold something gentle!" Haruta spoke, walking over and trying to coax you out with offering his hand out to sniff.

You didn't move at all, for one reason. Teach was still beside him.

"Teach..you scared the thing. Move back."

"How the hell did I scare it?"

"You held Milo too tightly!" He pouted.

"..Right, maybe it should just be stronger."

"You're saying that about a cat."

"And?"

"Whatever.." he sighed, moving his hand back to his side when he realized you weren't coming out from behind the barrel. "Be more gentle next time, will ya?"

"I'll try, I guess." That was co-word for absolutely not.

"Alright, alright. I heard Namur was helping with food today, why don't you come see if he needs any help?"

"Works with me."

Once Teach was gone, the pout from Haruta's face disappeared and he kneeled in front of the barrel, still letting you cower behind it.

"Come on kitty..he's not always like that!"

You stared, unamused.

"Okay, fine. Maybe he is! But cmon..I'm sure Thatch will be here soon, you don't want to keep lookout?"

You lifted your head up at that, immediately jumping on top of the barrel to look back out at the sea.

"Good little-milo baby!"

You felt him pet you for the next ten minutes, though he eventually left to go to the crows nest..or something. You weren't listening.

But then you saw a small ship approach through the horizon, the same one you saw Thatch leave in.

You soon started seeing Thatch's ship approach, and crewmates started gathering around the ship's side to greet him when he eventually would arrive. You would've greeted Thatch as well, except Teach had also been waiting for Thatch.

So you waited on top of a few boxes in one of the corner parts of the ship watching as Thatch rambled on about something.

You saw him carry what looked like a devil fruit, similar to the one you'd eaten. Only because of the swirls it had on it. Yours was more of a sphere while the one Thatch was holding was more of an oval shape.

You wondered what it did, and clearly so did everyone else by the fact he was being crowded.

You wanted to go look, but you stayed where you were. You would until Teach either left or tried approaching you. You truly didn't like that man.

He gave you the heeby-jeebies after how hard he held you the other day.

Though luckily for you, soon after Haruta approached you with a smile.

"You were so excited to see Thatch a second ago Milo! Come on!" He paused, realizing the fact you were hiding- based on the fact your tail was puffed up.

"Milo? Why are you scared?" He asked, his voice suddenly calmer as he looked between Thatch speaking to everybody, then back to you. "Does it overwhelm ya Milo?"

You looked at Haruta, slowly easing up with his calm voice. But still on edge which was to be expected. But you still shifted slightly to jump behind the box where Haruta couldn't see you.

"Milo, why are you hiding? It's just us." He focused fully on the box you hid behind now, confused.

Thatch finally decided to approach, looking at Haruta talking to a box.

"I know I've been gone for a bit but I didn't expect to see you talking to a box." Thatch chuckled.

"Shush up..Milo's been hiding since you came back." Haruta pouted, moving the box slightly so he could look at you.

"Huh? Why would Milo do that?" He blinked, looking past the box to you. Seeing your fluffed up tail and the way you were practically like a porcupine.

"Milo?" Thatch asked again.

You stared at Thatch for a few moments, peeking your head up from the box when you saw Teach was still with everyone else.

Then you finally jumped back on the box and onto Thatch's shoulder, as if you hadn't just been hiding.

"There's my Milo!" He laughed.

Haruta looked between you on Thatch's shoulder, then Thatch himself. "I wonder why Milo was so scared all of a sudden."

Thatch glanced at Haruta, his hand reaching up to pet you. "Mm, maybe just overwhelmed with all the people gathered round!" He continued. "Milo I have so many stories to share!"

Haruta looked unconvinced, but smiled anyway. "Come on, don't just share The stories with Milo! I heard you found a devil fruit! Do you plan on eating it?"

"Mm..don't know yet, I always have wanted one but I think I need a few days to decide.." Thatch pondered.

You looked between Thatch and Haruta.

"Makes sense, don't gotta eat it if you don't want to! Can always give it to one of usss..." He giggled.

"mm maybe.." He laughed afterwards, so that was definitely a no.

"WHATEVER MAN!" Some rookie laughed.

Later, you were in Thatch's cabin since he was bringing everything he found on his expedition back into his room. And you were simply on his bed watching him organize.

"Millooooo!!" He sang, clearly happy with being back. "I heard that fruit I found is the Yami-Yami no mi! You know what that is?"

He turned to you, and you just tilted your head.

You didn't know, why would you...You never had paid much attention to devil fruits.

"Well thanks for asking!" He giggled, then sat on the bed beside your loafing self. "Apparently it's a darkness fruit, like..think of a fart bubble..?"

You stared, then jumped off his bed in pure disgust, moving to sit in one of the boxes he had used to bring stuff into his cabin.

"Jeez I'm not that disgusting! It's like..um, think of Aces fruit but made out of darkness!" He grinned, clearly liking the explanation he came up with.

You thought about it, and yes. You supposed that would be a good fruit to have..And Thatch certainly deserved it for all his hard work.

So you meowed in understanding.

"I knew you would understand Milo!"

Then two knocks at his door.

"Come in!" Thatchs grin didn't seem to falter as he said that, and you jumped back on the bed into his lap.

Marco was the one to walk in, looking at you and then Thatch. "I have..a question-yoi."

Thatch blinked, Marco had been there to greet Thatch but he hadn't paid much attention to what Marco looked like. Just thought it'd be his normal self.

"Wow you look..uhh..less sleep deprived."

"Thanks-yoi. Everybody's said that recently."

"Oh! uh, what's the question you wanted to ask me?"

"..Ive been taking care of Milo since you've been gone, as you know." Marco started, then continued.

"I was wondering if I could take Milo some days, when you're more busy-yoi..."

"Oh my god, are you asking for joint custody arrangements?"

"No. I am asking for.." He paused, thinking of a different answer that ultimately would be the same as joint custody. "I want Milo to be as comfortable and supported as possible."

"And to do that, I would like to monitor Milo when I can-yoi."

"Mmmmhm. Yeah, we can make that work. Maybe when I'm cooking and all' people have been complaining that cat fur is in their food.." Thatch chuckled.

"Of course they have been-yoi. But thank you, Ive simply noticed how Milo acts a bit like an emotion support companion."

"Wait, so that's why you're lookin' better?"

"..People say that, yes-yoi. Milo tends to make me stop taking patients after a certain amount of time, as well as ruining my papers if I don't eat."

"HAH! So cats can do that to you and you'll listen!"

"..Your voice is loud-yoi."

"Do you want me to take Milo full custody after all?"

"..Apologies-yoi. I'll be on my way now."

Thatch watched as Marco left, turning to you in whom was still on his lap.

"Wow you're really wanted, Milo."

After you'd gotten your bath, Marco had made a small nesting bed in his infirmary that looked a little bit too much like a bird's nest. A man named Deuce was also there, organizing medications in a drawer.

Deuce looked at Marco, as well as the nest that kind of looked uncomfortable. So he stepped over and swatted Marcos hand away.

"You're terrible at this, dude. It's not a bird!" He laughed, petting the cat that was on the counter. Then fluffed up the pillow and small cot sheets.

"..I'm not terrible. It was just comfortable-yoi." Marco said, unamused as he began to pet you as well. Who seemed to have enjoyed his pets more than Deuce's. He hated to say it but he definitely liked that feeling.

Deuce laughed again, looking at you. Then at Marco again and fixing up the bed that was in a cabinet. "Awweeh. The little Phoenix is loosening up!"

Marco rolled his eyes, then slowly picked you up by your belly to place you in the cabinet, and you seemed to curl up in it rather quickly. "Cats like to be pet, I won't ignore it."

Deuce giggled, definitely thinking of several ways to say this to Ace later. Maybe over-exaggerate what Marco was doing.

"Nooo~ You just wont admit how cutesy the kitty is! We should totally get the baby a bowtie!"

Marcos eyebrow tilted slightly, then sighed. "We aren't even keeping the cat for all we know. We haven't given it a name either."

Deuce hummed, though clearly holding back another laugh. "Ooh! Ace should pick the name- you know, he's the one who found it and everything!"

"We're not letting Ace pick a name for the cat. Knowing him he'll name it John pork or something-yoi."

"What the hell is John pork?" Deuce blinked.

Marco shrugged, then walked over to grab another pillow sheet for the stuffing of the cabinet-bed. "I don't know. Ace and Thatch were going on about it."

Deuce thought for a moment, then immediately burst out laughing. "OHH!! That John pork! Apparently Thatch overheard one of the marine den-den mushi's and they said John Pork, Ace thought it was funny so they started saying it."

Marco nodded, clearly not understanding what was so funny. "..Right. Well knowing Ace he'd name the cat that. Maybe we should get pops to name it."

Deuce nodded, he supposed it'd be smarter than letting his former captain give an orange cat a name. "Finee! But don't you gotta make sure Stefan likes the kitty?"

Marco looked back at Deuce, then walked back over to place the pillow sheet as a back wall for you. "Izo will be doing that, he's the only reason Stefan likes Namur-yoi."

Then Deuce made a very-very odd realization. "Do you think the kitty will try and eat Namur?"

Marco just looked at Deuce in un-amusement. "Why would it try and eat him?"

"I mean..he is a fishman?"

"..I haven't seen a cat with a fishman before, but I don't think it'll try and eat something the size of a human."

"I mean- the kitty was pretty feisty with you earlier so I heard.." Deuce teased.

"Only a few scratches yoi."

"Totally. Haruta mentioned how you looked like you survived a werewolf.."

Marco just sighed at that. "Whatever.. We should be docking in a few days, I'll see if we can stock up on cat supplies if we need them, Izo will be around soon to pick up the cat."

Deuce nodded, but as he did so somebody else seemed to walk in.

Marshall D Teach.

"What do we got here?" He said, stepping in and looking between Marco and Deuce, then the open cabinet.

Marco turned to Teach, then shrugged. He never was good with animals, he didn't want teach too close.

"Cat got aboard the ship, me and Deuce were making it a temporary bed-yoi."

Teachs eyebrows shot up slightly, continuing to walk in and seeing the Tennessee Rex in the cabinet.

"Hah? Is it stayin'?" Teach asked, clearly not impressed.

"If it gets along with Stefan it will! Pops said so!" Deuce declared.

"Eh, don't let it get in my way if it stays." Teach shrugged, he didn't really care all that much about a cat. Why would he? Didn't ruin any of his plans.

"It won't, if it gets along with Stefan then Whitebeard might keep it in his room, but Ace might take it as well."

"Why? Because he found it? Ace seems really poor at takin' care of animals."

"Fair point-yoi. Haruta probably would want it in his room." Marco shrugged, thinking through the people that might want it.

"I'd take it." Izo said, opening the door as he stepped in.

You plopped up on the counter filled with flour as Thatch yelled your new name, and you meowed in greeting before Fossa could catch up to you. You were speedy and agile.

"Milo there could be.. losers, with allergies!" He said, though his face definitely showed that he didn't actually care.

You chirped out a meow again, then jumped up and climbed his shoulder. Unlike making him hold you like you had with Fossa, you instead jumped up fully on his shoulder so he didn't have to hold you.

Fossa bolted over, almost- almost, letting out a groan when he saw you with Thatch, you perched up on his shoulder like a well-trained bird.

"Thatch, pops wanted the cat." Fossa said with a sigh.

Thatch turned to Fossa with a smile, petting you in contentment. "I've got time, I'll talk to him'! Gotta tell him about the name too!"

Fossa blinked, then nodded. "Works with me."

~~~

Thatch arrived at Whitebeards large throne-like chair a few minutes later, you were still on his shoulder as he got ready to speak.

But Whitebeard interjected.

"My son, I heard about the name chosen for this cat. Any reasons for it?" He asked, then chugged a bottle of sake fit for four people.

Thatch shrugged, but immediately stopped when you lifted with his shoulders. "It fits the kitty now doesn't it, pops? And little milo seems to like it too!"

You meowed after he said that, which made Whitebeard roar with laughter.

"GUARARA! Well that settles it then huh! The cat's name is Milo!"

Thatch's eyes lit up as it had when you laid on his lap earlier. "I knew you'd like it pops! One more thing..how affectionate is Milo exactly?"

Marco walked up from behind Thatch at that, seeing the cat perched on his shoulder. "Milo? Odd name-yoi."

Thatch glanced over his shoulder, just to see a cat butt in his face. So he almost pouted, but instead just turned to see Marco.

"It's a perfect name! Milo loves it don't youu!" He watched as you licked the tip of his ear and he giggled.

Whitebeard and Marco shared a look before Whitebeard spoke up again.

"The cat will be in your hands, Thatch. If you'd like it."

Thatch glanced at Whitebeard, then gasped and picked you up suddenly, like he had when you were half-awake. Which startled you but you just went limp in his grip, as any cat did.

"You're gonna be with me now Milo! You can even cook with me- well maybe not. Does anyone have cat allergies?"

Marco turned to Thatch, then smirked slightly. "Haruta does." (headcanon)

Whitebeard's laughter turned to more of a rumble. "GUARARA! I hear that boy go on about cats all day, you sayin' he's allergic?"

Marco nodded. "Yeah, I told him to not get near Milo when I found out, but he just takes pills before getting in touch with any cats. Stupid, but his allergies aren't severe."

Thatch looked between them before settling you into a hug with him, and you hid in his chef coat pocket from the inside, the pocket was for large utensils, he supposed it made sense that you liked it.

"Well Milo's mine now! Thank you guys!" He giggled before getting a slap in the head by Whitebeard.

"You're the one takin' care of it! You don't own the thing!" Whitebeard laughed once more.

YOUR POV

~~~~~~~

You enjoyed Thatch's company maybe the most out of everyone, maybe you liked Marco when you wanted to be quiet and not pampered. Other than that it was Thatch whom was your favorite.

Even if he picked you up at the worst times.

You also liked Whitebeard, more than both Thatch and Marco, but it wasn't fair. Whitebeard had been the deciding factor on whether or not you could stay, and he was just..such a good man, you could tell based off of how much loyalty everyone had to him.

Thatch soon arrived at his cabin, placing you on the floor after he shut the door, he needed to make you a cat bed before anything else.

You glanced around his room, it was what you expected. It smelt of incense but not overbearingly so. Maybe wood, you thought. It was definitely giving off a cabin-vibe to the whole thing, you enjoyed the soft lighting.

Even if the first thing you did was bolt under his bed.

Thatch stared at you as your tail peeked out from the bed, he giggled but didn't say anything as he grabbed a few miscellaneous pillows and sheets he had lying around in his closet, even one of the chefs coats that no longer fit him. It'd work for now.

He reminded himself to make room for another bed in the kitchen for you later, so he'd save some supplies for that.

He sat on his bed after making you your own in the corner of the room, stretching out after a long day. And soon after you joined him, jumping up on his bed, and not your very well crafted bed.

He didn't push you off.

Izo walked in, smiling with a few liquid cat treats in hand. Because yes, the man had just about everything. Then he looked at you in the cabinet and walked past Teach and Deuce to open a packet for you.

"You'd take it? I didn't see you for a cat person-yoi." Marco said, he didn't mind Izo taking it but he kind of liked having you here. As long as you wouldn't interrupt his work.

"I see it actually! Izo should be the one to take it!" Deuce exclaimed, watching as your nose twitched in sleep when Izo placed the treat close to you.

Teach looked between them, then rolled his eyes. "Do whatever ya want' I heard Thatch wanted it though."

Izo looked at Teach, realizing that everyone wanted the cute kitty. "Thatch wants it? He's cooking most of the time, he wouldn't give it proper attention.."

Marco looked at Izo. "I think you're sulking. Whoever the cat gets along with best can have it."

Izo nodded at that.

YOUR POV

~~~~~~~

You were slowly starting to stir, waking up to the great smell of a treat. Your eyes quickly popped open to see Izo, Deuce, Marshall D Teach, and Marco again.

Your instincts told you not to go near Teach, so instead you meowed and sat up in the cabinet-nest that Marco and Deuce had made to try and reach the treat.

When Izo seemed to notice you were reaching for it, he quickly placed it close to your mouth and squeezed some out of the tube for you.

You quickly took some, enjoying the taste of it. Even if you were a bit sick of being a cat..You couldn't just change back now. It was too late for that. Plus they'd probably have you killed..Even if Whitebeard said he'd make you one of his children anyway.

"You're just bribing her with treats!" Deuce whined, knowing his captain probably won't get a chance to get you.

Izo turned to Deuce. "Well maybe he should keep treats around. A shame."

Marco smiled at that, though he did kind of want the cat,.really wanted it. But he'd be fine with whoever.

"Izo, you need to get Stefan to even like the cat, otherwise none of you will have it."

You looked between all of them, confused. Wait- were they actually going to keep you if you behaved with a dog? Hah. You could do that. Wait- maybe you shouldn't. Maybe they'd leave you on a deserted island. Maybe thatd be better. Huh.

New goal - Do NOT befriend Stefan.

You found that incredibly hard whenever Izo placed you in a comically large room, with a white small dog inside of it. It looked eerily like whitebeard. But he seemed to like you immediately.

He didn't care if you hissed at him, or moved back. He seemed to just get closer with a 'woof'. You also noted that Whitebeard was watching from the corner of his bed as he was sat down.

Whitebeard was- yes, what you can call very confused. Stefan didn't like many people, or animals. So for him to like a cat- while the cat is actively hissing at him? Very strange.

Izo spoke up when you backed up into Izo's foot. "So pops, I think Stefan likes the cat. But..Uhm, I don't think the cat likes him."

Whitebeard nodded, moving off his bed to step over, his large frame shadowing the two animals as he slowly began to pet both of them.

You eased into it rather quickly as you'd done when Whitebeard first pet you, he was so gentle despite his exterior. Of course you were going to love it.

But when you looked at Stefan- he didn't seem to basking in Whitebeards pets as you were. Instead he was still looking at you in excitement, like a new friend he had.

And perhaps- just perhaps..you kind of didn't want to be mean to the dog anymore. But you kept your distance as Whitebeard pet the both of you.

Izo watched this happen, how you'd slowly stopped hissing after Whitebeard pet you. He heard from Marco that you could be a devil fruit user. Not that anyone would've minded considering how you hadn't harmed anyone.

This wasn't helping with answers either, you just seemed like a scared cat who got introduced to something you've never seen before. Marco had told him to check and see your reactions, which is why he was paying such close attention. But you just seemed like a normal cat.

Whitebesrd slowly moved his hand away after you'd stopped hissing, watching as you slowly approached Stefan and sniffed him like a curious cat would. And Stefan- for all his impatience earlier- seemed to let you sniff him.

Whitebeard watched as you slowly loosened up when Stefan didn't move, and he turned to Izo.

"Do you believe they are getting along, son?" He asked.

Izo looked at Whitebeard, then the two animals. And you'd begun licking Stefan. "I believe so, pops."

Part 3

The days had started getting longer without Thatch, though you noticed Marco started to look better. Less eyebags, a little more meat to him, and his work had even gotten better as it was less sloppy.

Fossa kept bringing your meals, though sometimes Ace tried to. Though all you'd be given was a burnt meal that was charred black. Haruta tended to make your meal after an incident caused half the kitchen to turn as charred as the food you were given.

You enjoyed this, even if you missed Thatch. Maybe you'd start spending more time with Marco after Thatch came back just to make sure he was doing okay.

Today was no different, Marco had worked over fourteen hours, so you placed yourself right on top of a patient.

Who was that patient? Ace. He got into a fistfight with some rookie, and he lost because he wasn't allowed to use his devil fruit in the match.

"..This isn't a good time to be doing this-yoi." Marco sighed.

Ace just laughed with you on his belly, seemingly loving the fact you were laying on him. "Awee! Does Milo do this every time you treat a patient?"

"..No, just when Milo-yoi thinks I've overworked myself. Then they'll go and do this.."

"So that's why you've been doing better recently! Little Milo is a therapist!"

"Therapist? Milo's not a therapist."

"Oh yeah..wrong word for it..it's like, um..cat who supports the disabled."

"I'm not disabled, Ace."

Ace giggled at that, and you got sick of it and jumped off. "Aww..Well it's like- a cat who supports..people's needs..?"

"Emotional support animal-yoi?"

"YEAH! You're so smart! Not really."

"..Maybe I do need a break. Fix yourself up."

"WAIT NO I WAS JOKING PLEASE!"

Ace did end up bandaging his own wounds as you sat on a clean cot with Marco. You being on his lap to make sure he actually took a break, though you could definitely tell Ace was focusing on you and not bandaging himself.

"Did we ever figure out how Milo got aboard?" Ace asked suddenly.

Marco opened his eyes, as he'd been resting them since you sat on him. "No. I still believe Milo's a zoan, though we can't prove anything." He paused, then continued.

"I wouldn't necessarily mind if they were since they've helped quite a bit, but I would be confused as to why they haven't admitted anything yet."

You watched Marco speak, slightly nervous. Because it made sense on him thinking you were a zoan..and you were. But you could still very easily die if you did tell them. You were too far in now.

"Didn't pops say he'd make Milo one of his children too? Imagine if my baby was a person!"

Marco rolled his eyes, subconsciously petting you. "Yes, he did say that. Some people don't believe him immediately, but maybe Milo isn't a zoan."

"Ehh..fair point but still! Imagine how cool that'd be.."

"Mhm. Maybe I'll have to look into more zoan type devil fruits later."

The conversation ended there, and Ace eventually went on his way after Marco asked him to make Fossa bring you lunch.

They were still feeding you the salmon they had on board, since they hadn't gone on any islands yet. They weren't on any specific route yet either, they'd probably wait till a few more division commanders came back from their expeditions.

After all, you did have everything you needed. Except cat litter, Marco just made a Namur get sand from the ocean floor and Izo had given Marco a box to place it in.

It worked well enough for you, though you wished you could use a toilet. What a shame..

Soon after, Fossa walked into the infirmary with the fish, not as glamorous as Thatch's had been, though it still tasted good and you'd had worse.

"Do we know when Thatch is coming back? We haven't gotten word yet." Fossa asked, having been turned to Marco after placing your food on the floor.

"Not sure-yoi, the expedition shouldn't take too long, a few more days and he should be back. We only asked him for Intel if he found something of interest on the island."

Fossa nodded, turning back to you. "You look better, Marco."

"..A few people have mentioned that-yoi."

"It's because it's obvious on your face." Fossa thought for a moment, then continued. "You and Thatch should take turns with Milo like divorced parents."

"What?" Marco asked, one eyebrow raised as he looked at Fossa.

"Just saying. Maybe you get Milo for weekends and Thatch gets em for weekdays."

"..We'll work it out when he gets back-yoi."

"Right, because you want full custody."

"We're not divorced parents Fossa, get that out of your head."

"Nah." Fossa laughed, which was the first time you heard him do that.

Marco didn't seem all that shocked though. "You're an ass."

"When I want to be."

The first few nights were a blur, you'd wake up by thatch moving off the bed at around 1AM to start up on food for the entire crew, truly what a hard task. You followed him most of the time, where he then eventually made a space in a cabinet like Marco had, except filled mostly with chefs coats instead of sheets.

Today was no different, except it was. Thatch was going to be off today for an expedition..or so he cried about to you earlier.

"Milo..I don't wanna be apart from you babyyy!!" He whined as he laid out on his bed, you on top of his chest.

"But pops is saying I gotta goooo!" He paused, then continued. "Listen baby! Uncle-Marco will be spending more time with you since he made a lil bed in your room!"

You looked unamused as he pet you, not because you didn't care. But just because spending time with Marco was going to be a bit boring, the past few days had filled with laughter and searing pans.

Not that you didnt like Marco, you had missed the peace and quiet. It would be boring, but maybe in a good way.

Today was the day he departed. And you were on the deck as he prepared to leave.

"Milo will be in safe hands-yoi." Marco said as he held you in his arms to make sure you didn't chase after Thatch. Considering you'd tried holding onto him like a toddler when he first woke up and started packing.

"Milo better be! I trust you'll feed my baby five star meals.." Thatch whined.

"I'll cook for em!" Ace called out from talking with Whitebeard.

"PLEASE DO NOT DO THAT!" About seventeen crewmates said at the same time, and you swore you heard a few familiar voices in there.

"I'll do it." Fossa said calmly from being leaned against the railing.

"Yes! Fossa you do it! My baby will be in amazing han-!" Thatch had gotten cut off by Ace. "IM THE ONE WHO FOUND MILO!"

"IT DOESNT MEAN YOURE GOOD AT COOKING FOR IT!" Whitebeard rumbled in the distance.

Everyone laughed in agreement.

You'd been pretty mopey once Thatch's ship departed, you'd been sat at Marcos counter as he worked on something. You weren't sure what, though you also didn't care much. You were watching the sea from one of the windows. Sure, Thatch's ship was ages away now..but still. You could only hope he'd come back soon.

The hours went by slowly, Fossa did indeed come in to feed you as Marco kept working on something, you found out two things about him in the short span of knowing him. One was that he overworked himself to the bone, and the other was that he talked to himself. A lot.

"Damn..how the hell am I meant to do this?" He murmured.

You broke your gaze from the window to look at Marco when he spoke again, as he had been for the past hour.

You scampered over to him and his work,  sitting down right on top of his paperwork.

"What are you doing, Milo?" He asked, his eyebrow tilted as he fixed his posture.

You meowed, then shifted to lay down right in front of his papers. You could see how it was hurting his health, probably hurting his health more than whoever's he was trying to fix.

"Milo, this is important, get off."

You yawned, stretching out and wagging your tail.

"Is this why Thatch likes you? Gets him to skip out on work.." He sighed, but stood up anyway and stretched out.

You were pleased when he didn't stop you.

He went through his snack drawer, which he only had because Haruta kept filling it up whenever he was asleep or on a mission.

When you saw him eat, you finally moved off of the papers and went back to where you'd been perching at the window overlooking the sea.

Marco watched in slight amusement, taking a bite from a protein bar. "You really just did that so I'd eat?" He paused, then did what looked like a small smile as he walked over to pet you.

"Cute."

You woke up to an empty bed, per usual since Thatch tended to get started on breakfast incredibly early. Over 1000 crewmates, he could only ever get power naps and a few hours of sleep.

Though you felt something was off, considering it was..Roughly, 2AM. And your gut just felt as if something was a miss. Considering you never woke up this early, you decided to go find Thatch.

You pushed the door open with your paws, and waddled through the halls by yourself to look around. Not many people were out at night, not shocking.

You glanced around, deciding to check the kitchen first. Since that's where he always was during late nights.

You didn't see anything wrong, just Thatch preparing ingredients. So you jumped up on the counter and Thatch smiled.

"hi Milo! Why is a lil cutie like you up?"

You tilted your head, then meowed and jumped up in one of the cabinets, an empty one he had made for you a week or so ago.

"You're never normally up, guess ya missed me?" He chuckled.

You replied with an almost chirp sounding meow.

You stayed like that for another hour or so, until your gut had another tingly sensation.

Your gut was almost never wrong, and so you jumped down off the cabinet and stayed by Thatch's side.

Soon, you heard footsteps approaching. It sounded like Teach's. Thatch seemed to smile upon hearing them, though you puffed up slightly. Which Thatch noticed.

"Cmon Milo, just teach!" He grinned, patting your head a few times.

You didn't respond back with any meow like you had been doing before, instead focusing on the footsteps approaching.

"ZAHAHAHA! That cat really doesn' like me!" Teach's voice called out, walking over to Thatch and you.

Thatch looked over at Teach, his expression full of slight confusion upon seeing Teach hold a weapon.

"Teach, Is there a threat we should be aware of?"

"I've got a question for ya Thatch." Teach suddenly asked.

Thatch blinked, confused on why Teach hadn't answered him, instead asking him something else. "Yeah?"

"You givin anyone that devil fruit ya got?"

"I'm not sure yet. I might eat it myself, why?"

"You bet your life over it?"

"...Teach? What do you mean?"

There was a moment of silence, and then Teach reached out to stab Thatch. His eyes widened and looked between you and Teach, now realizing you were puffed up and hissing at Teach.

"Teach?!" He basically squealed, feeling a rush of pain in his abdomen before seeing a blob of orange fly by his vision as he collapsed.

He didn't know what happened next, his vision was blurry and his ears were ringing. Not to mention he was stunned from the betrayal.

You had immediately stepped in after Teach stabbed Thatch, you weren't originally going to do anything. Thinking maybe Teach was just gonna steal the fruit and it all be over.

Clearly not.

Teach doubled over, you attacking at his eyes as he dropped the blade he had used to kill Thatch.

"You stupid fuckin cat!" He hissed, almost exactly like you were.

He went to throw you off. But he suddenly felt the weight of a human on him instead of just a cat.

"WHAT THE FUCK??" LMAO bro I can't make these scenes to save my LIFE OK ahem

"What the fuck!?" He squealed, almost like Thatch had.

You still had your claws in human form, as it was a partial transformation.

"I fuckin knew you were up to this shit!" You looked between Teach and Thatch's body, you knew there wasn't much time.

"Well fuck, if you want the damn devil fruit then take it. It'd be best we know there's a traitor in the ranks."

"Traitor!? You can't be speaking that fuckin' much! You're a whole ass human!?" Teach groaned, trying to get off of you. But you'd grabbed the same knife he'd used on Thatch to stab him in the same spot.

"Well I'm not actively tryna kill one of em! Well..you don't count anymore!"

Teach paused, his eyes closing for several moments before gaining momentum and kicking you off, pushing you Infront of Thatch's body. "Fuck off, I'll take the devil fruit and go you bitch!"