Chapter 1:

Hey, this is my first One Piece fanfiction ever. Inspiration from a variety of things though mostly from my recent Geography report on how deforestation helps global warming.

So the basic plot is the Mugiwara gang are in the African Savannah (plus Vivi, minus Chopper) and they all work at this animal sanctuary, so its AU. It'll probably start becoming yaoi in later chapters (ZoLu or ZoSan) so you've been warned. Other than that, I had fun writing this, I hope you enjoy reading it.

Disclaimer: All characters are copyright to Oda-sensei.

Thunder streaked across the black sky, lighting up the savannah landscape for a brief moment. Torrential rain lashed down, drenching everything.

"We're lucky this place is on high ground though, any lower and this whole spot would be under water," the girl said.

She tossed back her long blue hair and continued reading her book, keeping a watchful eye on who she shared the building with.

"Under water?" he blinked. "That would be cool!"

A young boy was perched outside of the window looking outwards excitedly. His face was split into a grin as he gazed outwards and his eyes widened every time the lightning split the sky. You could practically feel the happiness radiating from him.

"Come away from the window, its dangerous during a storm," she advised.

Reluctantly the boy pried himself away from the panel of glass and flopped onto a chair at the table, pouting the whole time.

"I see you like the African rain Luffy," she commented trying to spark a conversation.

"Yeah, it's so cool! It doesn't rain for ages then suddenly, it's like the sky is falling!" he shouted excitedly and glanced back at the window as if to make sure it was there.

The girl rolled her eyes. There really was no way to keep him from what he liked. "Fine, go back to the window,"

Luffy's face broke into a huge smile. "Thanks Vivi!"

He hopped off the chair and scurried to his ever loved window, pressing his face against the glass.

"Oh I forgot to mention Luffy," she said turning a page. "Our new boarders are going to be arriving in the next day or so, I hope the rain lets up,"

"Boarders?" he asked, the window forgotten. "Isn't that, that book store? Boarders are going to built next to us?"

Vivi chuckled lightly at the boy. "No, boarders as in people who are going to live in this house with us, their going to help us with the sanctuary,"

Vivi and Luffy worked as the sole employees of an animal sanctuary based in Africa. The man who owned the land had recently hired several new people and they were due to arrive soon.

"New friends? Yay!"

"All of their belongings are upstairs, they were delivered yesterday. I think there's around four coming," unfortunately Vivi's information fell upon deaf ears as the boy dashed upstairs, eager to rummage through his new friends stuff.

"Don't make a mess!" she called.

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The coach's engine roared as it plummeted through the rain, driving over the slowly ascending, bumpy, landscape.

"Are you sure this is safe, driving through a storm like this?" Nami asked the driver. Again.

He merely waved a hand absently as he had been doing to all her previous questions.

"If you had two hands on the wheel, I think it'll help with your driving," the redhead suggested.

"Just go back to your seat, and stop bugging me," he grunted.

The girl retreated from the driver's side and found her way slowly, due to the constant bumps and jerks, back to her seat, sitting down with a sigh.

"You know this is just like one of those horror movies," she said trying to start a conversation.

"Horror movie?" a black haired boy squeaked, grasping the back of his seat tightly.

"Yeah, in a weird country a few innocent people are driving through the rain and lightning, when suddenly their coach breaks down!"

Everybody in the coach waited for that little pop of a tyre, or the hiss or air escaping from it. Nope. All they heard was the infernal rain pounding against the roof of the coach, the thunder, the engine and the snores of the green haired man at the back.

"Why is he sleeping in a time like this?"

"Maybe he's stupid," a blonde boy suggested, turning to face the back.

"So stupid people, sleep?" the black haired boy asked, pausing before saying "sleep".

"Shut up long nose," the blonde said, shooting a look that could kill.

"Sanji, don't be mean to Usopp," Nami sighed.

"Anything for you, Nami-swan!" Sanji shouted, directing his attention back to the girl.

Usopp grinned from behind the blonde's back and mouthed a "Thank you," The redhead smirked and then mouthed "You owe me,"