"I can think in my head of the sounds. I can form words, sentences, conversations; I can even sing, No one knows though. No one can ever know. They can't read my mind. I am silent. They can't here me. Only I can hear me, and no one else. It's not that I can't, it's that I have no trust left, and I won't…"
The Merry Go sailed through the sea toward the island called
Seuni. It was a fall island. Leaves decorated most of the region. The
rest was coated with a delicate, golden sand that eventually washed i
nto the sea. A lighthouse stood to the far side of the island on a
large cliff, next to a boating dock. On the other side, were the
unpopulated bluffs that hung over the vast, blue ocean. Nestled in
the center was the small town of Autumn Harbor. There was not much
to see here. Nothing at all. Just a small little village, a food
market and pharmacy, a diner, a tavern, and a city hall. Not much
else. Next to that, leading far back to engulf the rest of the island,
was a giant forest. The trees were covered in marvelous reds, oranges,
yellows, and browns. All different shades, and all beautiful.
It was near the middle of the night. A few clouds covered small portions of the sky and the tip of a crescent moon. The moonlight cast shadows across the island as the stars twinkled in the backdrop. Quietly, The Merry Go slipped into port. Nami and Sanji lowered the gangplank and stepped off the ship on to the deck below. They tied the ships mooring line to a pole as Zolo dropped anchor. Luffy hopped down from his perch on the stern and watched his crew ready the ship. He looked at Chopper who appeared at his side. "Do you know what you need?" He asked, crouching down to look at the small reindeer in the eyes.
"Aye aye captain. Just a couple medicines and bandages should do it." Chopper replied.
"Good!" Said Luffy, smiling. "Nami can go with you. Me and the others will be around, okay?"
Chopper nodded and walked off the ship as Nami followed closely behind.
"So, where are you guys headed?" Luffy asked once they were alone.
"I'd like to check out that old light house. Imagine the history!" Usopp gushed. Zolo rolled his eyes.
"What about you Zolo?" Luffy asked. Zolo shrugged.
"I guess I'll just see if they have a tavern around here." He said glumly.
"I'll be around." Sanji said to Luffy before he wandered off.
"Alright, I'll just go find food. We need to stock up!" Luffy noted.
The boys went their separate ways without noticing someone watching them. High on the bluffs, a small figure was silhouetted against the dark sky, looking down at the scene below. She sat on the ground with her chin rested on her knees. A slight breeze blew her long, snow-white hair forward. Her pale blue eyes looked distant and sparkled in the moonlight. She wore a sky blue top that laced in the front, a torn, jean miniskirt, black boots, and black biker gloves that also laced in the front. On her hips rested a leather belt with a knapsack and two folding fans attached to the sides. She grew more and more fascinated with the newcomers and debated whether or not it would be smart to investigate. Why not? What harm could it do?
Chopper and Nami walked into the pharmacy. "Do you have your list Chopper?" Nami asked him. Chopper nodded and pulled out the piece of paper. He handed it to the man behind the counter.
"Up a bit late to be shopping, don't you think?" He said to Chopper.
"You never know when there could be an emergency!" He replied.
Meanwhile, Zolo sat in a dimly lit cavern with a drink. He stared at the table for a while and slid his mug across the table from one hand to the other. A waitress walked over to him and held out her hand for the money. He tossed her a doubloon and she left him alone.
The girl climbed down off the bluffs and cautiously headed toward the ship. Sanji walked by on his way to find Luffy. The girl closed her eyes tight and tried to look invisible. Apparently, she was to him, for he continued to keep walking. She opened her eyes and relaxed a little. She waited until he was out of sight and then continued.
Luffy sat at the bar in the local diner as villagers began to gather around. "How can he do that?" Someone asked.
"It must be magic!" Said another. They all gazed in amazement at Luffy as he shoved plate after plate of food in his mouth.
"Well!" The owner laughed. "I don't believe I've ever seen someone able to eat so much food!" He exclaimed. "You're going to make me rich boy!"
"Really?" Luffy said, glancing up. "How's that?" He asked, turning back to his food.
"IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY, STAY OUT OF MY RESTAURANT!" The owner roared as he kicked a rather confused Luffy out the door and on to the cobble-stoned street.
The girl approached the strange ship. She stood in front of the stern and gazed up at the dark shape. She couldn't see much in the darkness, but she could see vague details. She was still curious. She glanced around her and made sure no one was looking. She placed a hand on the ship. "Excuse me miss. Have you seen a kid wearing a straw hat around here?" The girl jumped at the sound of a voice behind her. She turned around quickly to come face to face with a boy with sandy-blond hair. He looked pretty classy in his pinstriped, black suit. His hair had a well-groomed glisten to it as well. He looked at her quizzically. She shook her head no to answer his question. "Hm," He said. "Well, okay. But if you do see him, tell me." The girl nodded. Sanji started to walk away. Then he turned around. The girl was leaned over the dock with two hands on the ship. "Wait a second." Said Sanji. The girl was startled again. This time, when she jumped, she lost her balance and hit her head on the stern of the ship before falling in the water.
Sanji sat, stunned for a moment. He knew something was wrong
when she didn't surface after a few seconds. Sanji tore off his
jacket and shoes and jumped into the water. It was dark and the salt
from the water stung his eyes, making it almost impossible to see. He
saw a figure in the water just below him and swam down farther. He
began to run out of breath, but continued on. He reached out a hand
in front of him and grabbed on to her arm. He jerked hard and began
to pull her to the surface. He struggled for air, but still had a
good six feet to go before reaching the surface. He shoved the girl
in front of him and forced her to the surface. Giving one final thrust,
he flipped her onto the dock before climbing up himself. He gasped for
breath, but knew his job wasn't done yet.
He crawled over to where she lay unconscious. He pinched her
nose closed and lifted her chin. He pressed his lips to hers and gave
three, short breaths. He placed his hands on her chest and pressed
down firmly, another three times. He checked her pulse…it was fine.
She began to jerk around. Her blue eyes flashed open and she began to
cough up water and blood. She took one look at the blood and began to
freak out. Her breath became short and fast and her pulse began to
beat uncontrollably. Sanji grabbed a hold of her shoulders and got her
to calm down. She began to shake violently. "Hey! It's okay!" Sanji
told her. His attempts to comfort her worked a little, but she was
still scared out of her wits. Sanji looked at her, dead in the eye.
Her eyes were distant though. As if she were looking right through him.
She closed her eyes tight. Sanji still held her shoulders. She stopped
shaking and took a quick glance into his eyes before turning away.
"Wow!" Sanji gushed. "You really scared me for a minute there." He
gave a little chuckle. He couldn't be sure, but he thought he could
see a trace of a smile on her face. Then it disappeared completely. She reached up her hand and grabbed her head. A trickle of blood came down from where she had hit her head. She took one look and her eyes flickered shut and she went limp. Sanji had no idea what to do. He took her up in his arms and ran on the ship. He took her down below into one of the unoccupied rooms and set her on the bed. Ripping off one of his sleeves, he pressed it onto her forehead. Then, he ran out of the room and left her to go find the others, but most of all Chopper.
Chopper, Sanji, Nami, Zolo, and Usopp, returned ten minutes later. They all gathered into the small room where Sanji had left the strange girl. Chopper reached into his backpack and pulled out a few things. He placed a stethoscope on her chest and listened to her heart and lungs. Next, he gently removed Sanji's make-shift bandage and revealed the gash that stretched from her hair line to her ear. He took out a bottle of rubbing alcohol and cleaned the wound. He bandaged her up and turned to the others. She should be okay in a few days. "For now, she still has water in in her lungs and possibly internal breathing that I'll have to keep an eye on." He told them. "Sanji, help me get her to her house. We should probably-" Chopper was cut off by Luffy screaming. They could here him running in circles on deck. Then he stopped. "Hey! Where are you guys?" He asked.
"We're down here, Luffy!" Chopper answered. Luffy ran below deck to the others.
"We have to go now! I'm being chased by an angry mob!" Yelled Luffy.
"Not again! Nami said as everyone ran on deck to set sail.
The girl just laid there. She could sort of hear what they were saying, but she was to delusional to really pay attention. She slowly opened her eyes. 'Where am I!" She thought, sitting up. It was a small room. She was on a bed. There was a desk to one side, next to a door. There was a closet on the other side of the door and a dresser next to that. Then she felt something. She felt as though she were gently rocking, back and forth. The wood creaked. She slowly climbed out of the bed. A tremendous amount of pressure seemed to come down on her, causing her knees to buckle. She fell to the ground. Then, she grabbed hold of the edge of the bed and lifted herself up. She had a terrible headache and her throat felt dry. She lifted her hand to her head and felt the bandage. She narrowed her eyes in curiosity. The wood was cold under her feet as she made her way to the door and out into the hallway.
"Why do I get the strange feeling we've forgot something?" Sanji said looking at Chopper. The two stood by the side of the ship and looked out to sea.
She walked down the hall and began to realize she was on a boat. She walked up the stairs and on deck. "Who are you?" An orange haired girl said, walking up to the stranger.
"Oops." Said Sanji and Chopper in unison.