I bet many of you are wondering why the heck I'm pairing a skeleton up with somebody, and to be honest, I'm not entirely sure. I love the idea of falling in love with somebody not because of how they look, but because of the person they are. [Yes, this does include skeletons.]

This will not be a one-shot. As much as I enjoy the idea of love at first sight, I prefer building up relationships so they seem more realistic. I like witnessing a relationship go from strangers, to friends, and then eventually to having feelings for each other. It's just neat to witness the process of two very different people falling in love.

I will have the name of the song that I think perfectly fits the scene at the top. None of the songs will have wording in them, and can easily be found on youtube or any other sites where it's possible to listen to music. [May not be for every chapter.]

I will have several scenarios in here that will be influenced off of a fairy tale or Disney movie. Some will be obvious, and others not so much. I'll put up the answers at the end of the story. : ]

Please enjoy!

One: Dream

Rosiv Island was a modest-sized isle that sat precisely one hundred miles north west from the center of the wondrous and baneful Grand Line, a sea where most pirates aimed to attain but were usually annihilated by a storm or colossal sea monsters during an extensive and perilous voyage. It was an islet few knew of, which made it a community of harmony and contentment for a majority of the residents. Neighbors had close friendships, and doors could be unlocked at night due to the nearly nonexistent crime rate. It was considered the perfect place to raise a family.

However, not every citizen felt fulfilled with their Utopian life on the lush enclave. Perched at the edge of a ligneous dock was a young woman with bright cerulean eyes that held a sense of anguish and chagrin, the rims red from unwanted tears. She peered down at her reflection in the ocean, only to have her image rippled away by the gentle padding of her bare feet, the liquid coating her toes in a cooling sensation. She sighed and pulled her knees up to her chest while stray curls from her thick auburn hair tickled her face as a serene breeze caressed her ivory skin,sending a faint chill down her spine.

"It's not fair". Her arms enveloped the front part of her slender legs as she pressed her forehead against the top of her knees, pondering over how long she'd been selfishly pitying herself. One hour? Maybe two? People strolling through the port-side village behind her were probably contemplating what was wrong with her. She was rather astonished nobody had even bothered to amble over to her and voice their concern. Since the island was so modest, everybody inhabiting it knew each other and were on a first-name basis. Usually she would welcome company, but at the moment she only desired a few moments of solitude so she might have a chance to sort her overbearing thoughts. Either way, she knew she had to go home eventually and face her parents, which she was most certainly not looking forward to doing after their little argument earlier.

She settled at the peak of the staircase, finger tips grazing the railing and eyes closed as she once again recapitulated to herself in a reticent voice what she planned to tell her parents. She could perceive them conversing in the kitchen, catching bits and pieces about what sounded like them discussing a pirate crew escaping. Her mother and father were both well-respected Admirals in the Marines, which led to them both constantly being away from home. They usually didn't stay away for a protracted period of time, as they also somehow managed to fulfill their roles of doting and worrying parents. Liara was their top priority, and since pirates were the natural antagonist of the Marines, they would worry about her safety in the midst of their absence.

It was why every declining step she took filled her with anxiety. She took a deep breath to calm her racing heart as she reached the bottom, and then entered the kitchen.

"Ahh, Liara! Dinner should be ready in about an hour!" Her father, Admiral Merick, was a towering and brawny raven-haired man who commanded absolute respect from his fellow Marines. However, if one of his officers were to view their so-called "fearsome leader" in his current state, they would collapse in laughter. On the mighty sea he brandished a sword, but at home he wielded a knife to slice onions while donning a blue apron.

"Can you believe this?! That bastard Calgar turned in another pirate crew, yet he seems to keep "losing" those damn Black Dragon pirates! I'm telling you right now, they're probably working together!" Liara's mother, Admiral Mina, was a woman of average height with hazel eyes and brown hair that she usually had swept back in a high ponytail. She was known for being impatient and very blunt, both traits evident as she smacked the Grand Line Times onto the round table in front of her and leaned back in her chair with an exasperated huff.

Merick glanced up for a moment to remove his glasses and wipe away the tears that stung his cerulean eyes from the onion's aroma. "Well, it can't be helped," he responded with a shrug while slipping the spectacles over the bridge of his nose. "The big bosses seem to think he can handle it, and we were outvoted in the decision. Until he does something that really displeases the other Admirals, or proof that he is working with the Black Dragons is discovered, there is absolutely nothing we can do about it."

Mina waved off his words. "It's bullshit and we both know it." Her eyes trailed over to her daughter's muted figure, a brow raising at the unexpected timidness being displayed.

Liara felt her nerves building up, her fingers tugging on each other as her mom eyed her. "Mom, dad, I have something I want to talk to you about."

Upon hearing those words, both parents gave her their full attention, her father setting the knife down as he heard the apprehensive tone in her soft voice.

"What is it?" he asked while wiping his fingers on the bottom of his apron.

Mina's eyes narrowed as her lips flattened into a thin line. "Are you pregnant?"

Liara's face burned crimson as she hastily shook her head. "Wh-what? No! Why would you even think that?!" She'd never had a boyfriend, and presently becoming a mother was the furthest thing from her mind.

The female Marine sighed in relief as she simpered and slung an arm over the back of her chair like she didn't have a care in the world.. "Oh, well I'm not worried then. By all means, talk away."

Liara's eyes darted around the room nervously, her fingers twirling around each other as if they were engaged in an intimate dance. She didn't know why she was so scared, but this moment meant a lot to her, and she wanted everything to go well. "Mom, dad, I'm 22 years old now, and I've been thinking about something lately-something that I've actually considered doing since I was a little girl." She looked up at her parent's curious eyes. "I know this may sound really strange, but I have a dream to set sail and find Fantasia Island Will you let me go?" There. She had finally said it, and an immense burden felt like it had lifted off her shoulders. She politely smiled and studied her parent's faces for some sort of reaction, her heart thumping in anticipation.

Silence.

The two Admirals glimpsed at each other before regarding their daughter, and that was when the laughter started. She was surprised, but hopeful that they were merely just chortling because she had no reason to be concerned, that they understood her desires completely.

She was wrong.

"That is so ridiculous!" Mina exclaimed as their laughter faded. "Fantasia Island? Please tell me you're joking."

Liara felt like she had been stung, her smile vanishing at their cruel amusement. "No, I'm dead serious. There are explorers out there who have written about the island, saying it's the most beautiful and peaceful place in the world and that those who visit want to stay forever because of how wonderful it is. There are supposed to be fairies that light up the day and night sky, and fish and other animals are free and coexist peacefully with all who step foot on the land. There are trees so large that they appear to touch the sky, and it's said that five large waterfalls are placed evenly on the island, each with a stream that connects at the center to create a wishing lake. Only those with pure souls can make a wish in the water that will come true the moment it is said. I want nothing more than to visit that place and experience its beauty, so I can draw it and share what I saw with the world."

The older woman shook her head, unimpressed by her daughter's reasoning."Hun, that island has been written about in fairy tales and children stories. It's just a myth. To go after a non-existent place like that is ridiculous and plain suicide. I will not allow you to pursue something so childish and dangerous." Her mother spoke this with such a firm tone that Liara knew she wouldn't win the argument.

"If we knew it was real, that might be different, but we don't. Your mother is right."

Feeling both of her parent's eyes watching her, she found herself feeling foolish and humiliated. She had come to them as an adult, but now felt like a child who was being reprimanded. Water blurred her vision as her lower lip trembled, prompting her to turn around and walk away so she could at least retain some of her mature dignity.

"Liara!" Merick called out, giving her one last glimmer of hope that maybe they'd changed their minds. She stopped, and slowly turned her head so only the side of her face could be seen. "Honey, I'm sorry, but you don't even know how to survive on the Grand Line. It's too dangerous. You wouldn't last five minutes on your own."

Liara knew her father was speaking the truth about her chance of survival not being that high, especially since she'd be on her own, but she also knew that if she didn't go after her dream, she'd regret it forever. "I can't believe you'd laugh at me. I thought you'd understand," she stated in a trembling voice. She then cantered through the front door, ignoring the shouting of her name and the strange looks people gave her as she dashed through the town and towards the docks, hot tears trailing down her face.

She had never felt so embarassed.

The crying had ceased a while ago, but she hadn't even bothered wiping the moist trails staining her reddened cheeks. Her eyes were sore and puffy, and her head throbbed from frustration. Usually after an argument she had with her parents, Liara would realize that they were right and only looking out for her, and then they would all apologize and everything would be okay.

Not this time.

All of her friends had already disembarked to pursue their dreams, and now it was time for her to seek her own path. She'd waited years to even bring the idea up to her parents, and she wasn't going to allow their laughter to stop heart pounded against her ribs, urging her to go on and leave, and although her legs shook with exhilaration and nerves, there was absolutely no doubt in her mind that Fantasia Island was real. She could feel it, and if she closed her eyes she could hear the ocean breeze bidding her to sail its majestic waves.

She stood up, slipped her shoes back on, and proceeded towards her house with her head held high and adrenaline flowing through her veins. She was running away tonight.