My Brother's Keepsake (Sabo x Reader)

Chapter Thirteen: Dawn

You smiled. "I love Mama the most in the world too. And then Nana, then Larcko-sama and Kairo-sama and then Father-sama."

"Good girl." She sighed. "Listen to my words and obey them."

"Yes, Mama."

"Respect Nana and your father, and listen to your brothers, especially Kairo, don't do anything to upset him. Stay away from water if people are present, hide your scales, but don't be ashamed of them." She said. "Don't suppress your feelings, live freely doing what you want, don't let anyone control your life. There'll come a time when you find this palace suffocating. Leave, and find your place in the world."

"But, I can't leave you behind." You protested.

"You don't have to worry about that. One day, you may come to resent me for my choices, you may come to resent your brother as well. I want you to know, that we probably deserve it, so if you want to hate us, feel free to do so." She said.

You leaned in to her warmth. "But that's impossible. I can never hate you."

"His name was Fisher Lion. He had a brother, that was his only family...I don't remember the name, but they got separated when they were young. I don't know if you'll find anything in Fishman Island, but that's all I knew about his family." She said.

"What are you talking about Mama?" You asked in confusion.

"Someday, you'll understand...when you're older. Just remember the name, Fisher Lion." She instructed.

"Fisher Lion." You repeated.

"Good girl. You stay a good girl, okay? Even when I'm not here anymore." She said sadly.

"Are you going somewhere?" You asked. "I'll come with you."

"Don't worry, sweetie, as long as there's a verse about me in the song of your soul, I'll never go anywhere."

Back then, you were only just discovering your ability to hear people's inner voices and sense their feelings. Somehow all you ever got from your mother was just sadness.

"Don't forget the promise you made to me." She said.

"Hide my body, but don't be ashamed of it. Never suppress my feelings, not for anyone." You said.

She smiled, but even the final smile you ever saw on her face was sad.

The next morning when you woke up, the room was quiet, that eery silence into which nothing could penetrate. Your mother was not moving and, for the first time since you had known her, she didn't look sad...she looked peaceful. Strangely beautiful in that cold lifeless way.

You ran out of the hospital room, straight into Kairo who was here to visit your mother in the morning. Nana was there with your mother's doctor who had come to administer her medicine, greeting him.