Cure my nightmares

Disclaimer: Please note that I do not own One Piece.

Chapter 1:

Takara's POV

A slight breeze caresses my skin, causing little goosebumps to form on my pale skin.

It's chilly, but that doesn't scare me away. Especially since there are only a few minutes left before the first rays of sun will sparkle over the horizon.

Although I have watched the sunrise many times before, I still can't get enough of the magical atmosphere it creates.

Ever since I was little, I found this the best spot on the island to gaze upon the morning sky. It's a pity that they later chose this location to build an execution platform. Now people avoid this area, afraid of the possibility of ghosts lingering around.

It may sound a bit creepy, but I somehow feel like they are right. I don't feel alone when I stay here. However, it's not a scary feeling. It's more like a comfortable feeling, created by a place that holds my best and worst memories.

I hold my breath when I see the orange-pink glow in the distance.

It's time!

Slowly the round shape of the sun starts to appear, looking like it just rises out of the sea. You can clearly see its reflection in the water, first showing us an oval sun, then bit by bit turning into a round one, to see it again an oval shape and finally splitting into two different orbs: One real bright sun and one reflected sun, changing form with every wave.

I turn around and see how the first rays reach the slowly awakening village. Some people are already leaving to work on the fields, while others are probably still fast asleep. The bakery is already open, greatly contrasting to the closed clothing shop next to it.

It doesn't take long before the whole village is bathing in sunlight, causing me to sigh.

It's already over…

Oh well…

Time to go back home.

"Good morning, Takara! How was the sunset?" My father greets me when I enter our home.

"Magical!" I smile back.

"That's great! Now, come join us for breakfast." He grins.

"Hello dear, were you having a hard time sleeping again?" My mother asks worriedly the moment I sit down.

I nod absentmindedly. Flashes of my nightmare are returning before my eyes, immediately ruining my good mood.

Seven years ago a pirate stranded at our island. My older brother, who was studying to become a medical assistant, took care of the wounded man. Sadly once the pirate was healed, he killed some fishermen to steal their boat and left the island.

Shortly after this incident, the marine base located on the island issued a new rule, prohibiting the inhabitants to aid any pirate.

Even if my brother helped the pirate before the rule was in place, he was still executed as an example. My parents and I were forced to watch while they bound him on the execution platform and shot him mercilessly.

I was ten, but I can still vividly recall that moment. It often haunts my thoughts and dreams. Every time I relive it in my nightmares, I go to the platform. Somehow it reassures me. It feels like my brother is watching the sunrise with me, like we did when I was little.

I'm suddenly pulled out of my thoughts by a gentle touch. I look up to find my mother checking my temperature.

"Hmmm… You don't seem to have a fever, but you look pale." She states in a worried tone.

"Don't worry so much, sweetheart. She just hasn't got enough sleep. It will be better when she takes a little nap." My father reassures.

I smile warmly at my parents.

"Thank you for taking such good care of me. But don't worry! I'll probably sleep better tonight."

"Well… If you're not planning to take a nap right now, do you want to go out for an errand?"

I nod enthusiastically in reply to my father.

"That's great! Could you get a bag of flour from the windmill?"

"Sure! I'll be back in an hour!"

Almost three quarters of an hour later I'm dragging the bag of flour. It feels quite heavy, but that doesn't bother me at all. I'm used to doing errands, since my parents are often busy with preparations for their restaurant. Getting flour from the windmill is my favorite task, since I can take a stroll on the beach while doing so.

Today it seems I'm not able to enjoy the walk as much as I normally do, since a ticklish feeling which grows with every step I take.

This feeling is not new for me... As long as I can remember I was able to sense changes or danger. A change just leaves a ticklish feeling in my stomach, while danger sends huge warning shivers through my spine. There were times when I felt both, like when a huge destructive storm was nearing our village. If it wasn't for my warning, the village would not have been prepared.

However, I'm not sure whether I should be happy with this gift. Sure, a lot of lives were spared back then, but most of the villagers started to ignore me afterwards, thinking I was some sort of witch. Ghosts, witchcraft… indeed... the villagers here are really superstitious.

The feeling now reaches a point at which I can't ignore it anymore. It is pointing out that something isn't completely right. The only question is what.

My question is soon solved when I notice someone lying on the sand in the distance. Without hesitation I run towards the unmoving body.

Once I'm close enough I see that it's a boy around my age. His slender body is covered in blood and bruises.

I check his pulse and am relieved to feel a soft, but steady pulse. I carefully wipe away his raven black hair to feel his temperature, only to find out he's burning with fever. My hand is still on his forehead when his eyes open.

He gazes at me for a few seconds until he breaks out in a huge grin, leaving me confused.

How can someone in this state look so optimistic? Must be the fever…

"Do you think you're able walk?" I softly whisper.

"Shishishi… You're strange. I learned walking when I was a kid."

His response causes me to sweat drop. Is he an idiot? Idiot or not… I can't leave him here.

I decide to help him up and drag him to my home.

As soon as he's on his feet, he tumbles over.

I try to stop him from hitting the floor, but it somehow didn't work. His body seems to be stretching with every pull.

He looks at me with a goofy grin.

"I can't walk."

"Thought so." I sigh.

"Apparently you stretch."

"Of course, I'm a rubber man!"

I ignore his comment, blaming it to the fever. I got to think of a solution. Maybe I should give him a piggyback ride.

The boy again slips into an unconscious state, letting me no other option than to lift him on my back.

A minute later I'm back on my way home, dragging a boy and my bag of flour, all the way having a single thought:

Where did I get myself in to?

Hi all! I hope you liked the first chapter of my new story. C&C welcome!

a/n: I made some correction to my stories. Mostly correcting typos or changing the structure a bit. Always welcome to let me know if you would happen to find any errors!