Chapter 10

A Chapter by Minyonka

Standard disclaimer applies

The day after Crista's attack, Angelo would not leave the house unless absolutely necessary. He was afraid for Crista, as he would often say. After the week had passed with no incident, he finally continued working at the restaurant as normal. Marco was thankful for the peace, but annoyed that he'd been unable to find Crista's attacker. H would've loved to kill that b*****d for cutting her hands like that. The marks were mostly healed, but scars were beginning to appear. Marco hated that he'd been unable to stop the attack from happening. He had been right behind her leaving the party.

"Something bothering you, Fratello?" Crista asked as she was washing a few dishes in the sink. Marco was on the other side of teh kitchen, watching as she worked.

"It's nothing," he answered simply, his eyes never leaving her hands. Crista seemed to notice this and she frowned.

"Don't worry about what happened, Marco. It's over and done with, and you saved me. That's all that matters."

"I want to know why he attacked you." Crista frowned and looked away, turning back to the dishes. She said nothing, which brought a slight frown to Marco's lips. It wasn't like Crista to stop a conversation like that unless something bothered her. "Crista?"

"Non è niente. Non preoccuparti."

"Don't lie to me, Crista."

"I'm not lying, Marco."

"Look at me." Crista stood still for a moment. Slowly, she turned off the faucet and turned to face him. There was a displeased, but anxious look on her face. This only served to worry Marco more. "Did he say something to you?"

"Sì," she murmured. Marco's mind raced and his anger flared. What had that son of a b***h wanted from her? How had he scared her enough to be afraid to speak to Marco? Had that b*****d tried to steal something? Rape her? Marco clenched his hands into fists as he tried to hold back his rage, for Crista's sake.

"What did he say?"

"H-He knew about my in heritance." At this, Marco released a silent sigh of relief. He knew it could have been far worse.

"What inheritance?"

"My parents, when I was ten, gave me one of God's Fruits. They said it would take years for it to be capable of use. If I were to eat it then, the Fruit would remain dormant in my body until reaching its maturity stage. I still have the Fruit and it matured this year. I plan to eat it at my own Blessing Ceremony," Crista explained.

"I've never heard of a Fruit like that."

"Mamma told me it was very rare. She said it was also a very powerful Fruit, a gift from God."

"And the man who attacked you wanted that Fruit?" Marco inquired and Crista nodded.

"He threatened to kill me."

Marco shook his head slowly. Not only was it appalling what Crista's attacker had done, but stupid. By killing her, he would be unable to get the Devil Fruit. It was callous of Marco to think that, but true. He knew better than to voice this.

"I'm sorry."

"It wasn't your fault. I could have waited a few minutes for you, but I didn't."

"Don't start blaming yourself for being attacked," he warned. "This was in no way your fault."

"Nor was it yours, so you can stop apologizing to me," Crista countered.

"How many people knew about your Fruit?"

Crista's expression changed to one of surprise. "Why do you ask?"

"I want to figure out how your attacker knew of it."

"The only ones who have known are my parents, Angelo, me and now you, but I'm the only one who knows where it is. My parents passed away last year."

"They were young."

"They were sickly," she answered simply and Marco understood that she was still hurt from the loss. He didn't press further.

"So, only you and Angelo knew about the Fruit."

"Yes."

"Are you sure you never mentioned it to anyone else?"

"Sì. No one knew about..." Marco raised an eyebrow as Crista trailed off.

"Crista?"

"I once mentioned it to Carmela, but she wouldn't do this. She wouldn't have found someone to hurt me to get it. Why would she want it anyway? She and Luca have both gone through their ceremonies."

"And anyone who eats a second Devil Fruit literally explodes." Crista shuddered and nodded her head.

"That's correct. Besides, Carmella and Luca care for me very much."

"How much?"

"Many in Sacro think he may ask me for my hand before year's end."

Marco's eyes widened. "He's going to marry you?"

"It's very likely. We've known each other for years."

"Seems a bit..."

"Different? I'm sure my culture still confuses you, huh?"

"Only the parts that are thrown at me."

"Luca is a good man, and I would be happy with him. I know he and Carmella would never tell anyone."

"What about Angelo?"

"I know you don't like him, but he's always taken care of me."

"It's not that I don't like him. He doesn't trust me," Marco answered.

"Only because he worries for me. He would never hurt me. I don't think he could hurt a fly."

Marco's mind drifted to his first day on Lacrime, when he met Angelo. There was still one phrase that was spoken to him that he couldn't understand.

"L'apparenza inganna," he murmured.

"ScusI?" Crista asked in shock.

"Angelo said that to me the day we met. What does it mean?" Crista shook her head and turned away, placing her hand over her mouth. She began mumuring something in the Ancient Language that sounded vaguely like a prayer. "Crista?"

"Angelo didn't do it. I know he didn't."

"What does that phrase mean?"

"It means 'Looks are deceiving', but I know Angelo. He has been with me since I was born. He's always protected me. Fratello loves me and would never try to hurt me."

"I hope your right, Crista."

"Why would he want the Fruit my parents gave me, anyway? He's already been gifted with God's Blood."

"I don't know. It's just something to keep in mind."

"L'apparenza inganna... I can't believe it."

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