Chapter One: He's found.
"Nami," Luffy whined over his shoulder, "We've been at sea for so long. Can't we find an island to dock at or something?"
The beautiful ship The Going Mary had been making way on the blue sea for over six days now. Apparently, that was enough time to run out of food and supplies for the crew members. The sun bathed the tired pirates on deck in sweltering heat, rotting the half-eaten apple in Luffy's limp hand.
Nami, after tracing an imaginary line on her map with her finger, responded to Luffy with a huff. "No way. I have a course for a certain treasure-filled island, and we're going to reach it without delay, so stop your whining. And finish that apple before the seagulls get to it!" she added. A whiny sigh escaped from Luffy and the member next to him, Usopp. They draped their arms over the side of the ship next to each other in unison, scanning the horizon with their tired eyes, looking at everything, seeing nothing worthwhile. They both knew there was no point in arguing with Nami. She was a very determined thief, and she had already expressed interest in needing to reach this 'certain island' for a treasure that seemed to only be known to her. They all knew that after Nami put her heart into the treasure hunt, there was nothing anyone could do to convince her to give it up.
Suddenly, a loud yawn came from inside the ship's kitchen area. It was followed by a tired, yet booming, "Do we know where we are yet?" Zoro, the owner of the voice, walked toward the two collapsed pirates, his swords bumping against his leg, with the smell of cigarette smoke following close behind. Zoro collapsed under the small shade Luffy and Usopp were creating, knowing his question was going to be left unanswered. If anyone did say anything to respond, it would probably be a no.
"You shouldn't be walking around with your scars, Zoro." Usopp noticed the swordsman's battle scars from the 'sea bandits' that overstayed their forced welcome the other day. "They might open up again."
Zoro's narrowed eyes looked up at the speaker, and then he closed them. "My scars are fine," he said in his deep voice. "Hey, Sanji," he called, hearing the cook finally enter the open air. "What were you doing in--"
"HEY!! I FOUND THE ISLAND!!!"
All eyes looked in the yelp's direction. Luffy was standing upright despite his weakness, clinging his straw hat to his head with one hand, waving the other frantically at the island he found. He was practically going to fall over the edge with laughter, singing "I found the island!!!".
The island in question was way off in the distance, with a couple of very tall buildings. It looked like a very big island, but it definitely wasn't the 'certain treasure-filled' one. Which did not please you-know-who.
"We're low on food, we'd better dock there," Sanji announced, noticing its open docks. He spit his cigarette into the open sea, then turned back before it fell under the surface.
Nami, of course, was not keen on that idea. At all. "I am most definitely not going to go all the way over there where there's probably nothing remotely like treasure at all!" she yelled, not noticing that Luffy was headed towards the steering wheel already.
"I don't care what kind of an island it is," Sanji interrupted. "We need to dock there if we have any hope of surviving." Nami was unfortunately not listening. She had already floated away inside to examine her beautiful, shining gold in the back.
Exasperated sighes were breathed from all around.
The boat suddenly jerked right towards Luffy's destination of choice. Luffy jumped from the wheel and stood proudly in front of a smiling Usopp, a sleeping Zoro, and a sighing Sanji.
"I should've never signed up for this." Sanji muttered, lighting a fresh cigarette.
*********
After a short while, The Going Mary docked at the island, and the passengers walked off the ship. Luffy bounded towards the steps leading from the harbor up to the town ahead. The rest of the crew slowly followed with less enthusiasm, especially Nami.
"So, Luffy?" Usopp started, noticing him standing like a victorious warrior on the steps. "Why are we here again? You know, besides to stock up on supplies and everything." The rest of the crew were wondering pretty much the same thing, looking around, curious and confused. It wasn't much of a place, with just a few long and empty docks, a short staircase, about three or four steps before it entered a small town.
Luffy, as an answer to Usopp, simply grinned. "This was the place were Red Haired Shanks gave me his hat to keep!"
"Oh, really now?" Zoro asked.
"Definitely! There's no mistaking it!" Luffy loved bringing that memory up whenever he could. It was so special, too special to lose. He stared into the distance, remembering.
It was as if the hat bounced from his head to mine, I hardly saw it coming. I held the hat by the tips of my fingers, astounded. And angry. "Ah...wha...what are you doing?" I managed to sputter. "This hat is your life, it's been with you since forever, why are you giving it to me?" I was so confused about him, his logic made no sense to me. But it became clear soon enough. "Because I want you to give that hat back to me one day," he said, his smile never leaving his face. "I want it back in mint condition, you hear me?" I think I started to cry. He walked away to join the rest of his crew on the boat, his smile still wide.
They all smiled along with him, remembering the many times he explained the loving memory. Sanji had no idea what was going on. He just huffed and spit out his cigarette.
"Well, that's great and everything, but we really got to get stocked up, and preferably before the day ends!" Nami interrupted. She giggled half-heartedly, then just sighed.
* * * * * * * *
After a long time of getting the needed supplies onto The Going Mary, the crew decided to stay the night at the local inn. They went into the bar where Luffy had a long, heartful talk with the bartender, the same woman who was the bartender all those long years ago. Usopp, Nami, Sanji and Zoro took a table nearby and had loads of food.
"They didn't cook the shrimp right," Sanji complained. "It tastes like they cooked it in salt water or something." He eyed the guilty shrimp on his fork with an evil eye.
"Oh, cheer up, Sanji!" Usopp groaned. "All you're doing is complaining!"
Zoro nodded in agreement. "You should be glad you're eating something." He eyed Nami. "Unlike mapper-girl over here."
Nami ignored the cruel remark and continued tracing her imaginary red line for a better course toward the 'certain treasure-filled island'. They all laughed, and Nami yelled at them to stop laughing. Of course it didn't help. And this all happened while Luffy was talking with the bartender about his journeys.
********
Two girls walked into the same bar, after having their tiny nutshell-sized boat docked at the harbor. They took a table in the corner nearest to the door and sat down.
"Here?" said the girl with short blonde hair, flowing down to just below her shoulders. "Here, on this little island? You think you'll find him here?" She leaned back in the wooden chair, crossing her legs. "Nala, you're my best friend, but I sincerely --"
"-- doubt I'll find anyone here" the other girl, named Nala, sighed, obviously tired of the saying. She placed the leather bag she was holding onto the table. "Please, ever since we started my search, you have been doubting me at every single stop!"
"Your search?"
"Yes, my search." Nala said, tying up her black hair. "Sara, I'm looking for someone, your're looking for ANYone."
"Well, that is true," Sara said, flipping her wavy hair off her shoulder. "Hey, that reminds me. Are you going to think of a new name yet?"
Nala rested her elbow on the table, her chin on her palm. "Naw, I've grown fond of Nala. Maybe tomorrow." She stared at the limited people at the tables, thinking of different combinations of letters for tomorrow. "When I find him, what should my name be?" she asked, absentmindedly.
Sara sighed. "I don't know, maybe you're REAL name?"
"No, I won't, I told you that when we started the search!"
"Fine. How about something starting with the first letter of his name? I think thats a great-- hey, who are you staring at?"
Nala widened her eyes suddenly at the table with four people. They were all different, but having the greatest time, talking and laughing. But Nala was not interested in all of them, just one. "It's him," she whispered. "It's Ronny."
"What?" Sara-Hya whispered back, whipping her head around. "You're right! But I've seen him before. Sword-fighter galore. But he's going by his real name now."
Nala shot a look at Sara. "How do you know?"
"I've seen him before, in a picture or something."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because then this would happen!" Sara looked around, noticing how loud they were getting. She went back to a whisper, and repeated what she said earlier. "Just trust me, he's going by his real name. Besides," she added with a smile, "That blonde man is so for me!" She giggled.
Nala ignored Sara, and continued staring at her long-lost friend sitting with the others. "I found you, Ronny," she thought. "I finally found you...Roronora Zoro."