I wrote this a while ago and have redone it a couple of times. I hope you'll like it.
The world of One Piece and the characters belongs to the creator. The story and OC belongs to me.
Dear Love
If only I could do everything over, I would do it different. But I can't and that's why I have to leave. I hope that one day you will forgive me for deceiving you for so long time. It was never my intension, but I turned out that way. Feelings can't be controlled and sometimes it's like a storm. I was born to love, but I never received love. Not until I met him. I have to go back, to see him, but I could never come back to you. It would only bring you in danger and that's the last thing I want. Don't go looking for me. Continue your journey and fulfilled your dream. One day it will come true.
It began on that day at that bar. I was just a waitress with nothing. I was empty. His eyes followed me the whole evening. I could feel it. As my eyes met his, I could feel that he wanted me. First I thought that he only wanted my body. But I was wrong. I was so young and naïve. Without hope, without dreams and no future. He showed me that I had it, but I've just forgotten. It only took him one night. One night to show me, that I was so much more, than just a beautiful young lady. How could I forget his words, his hands on my back? He gave this young lady her dreams back. Only one night. All it took him was one night. I've been thinking of him. Wanted to tell him how grateful I am. He showed me the future and helped me remembering the past. One night.
It's not love. I'm sure of it. My heart belongs to you. It's just that … I must know how and why. I know that he's on this Island. So I'm going to see him. I hope that he will help me again, like he did at that time. I'm not that strong. You all are so much stronger and you have so much confidence in yourself. I don't have that. I could never live up to you. So that's why our ways have to depart. Please try to understand. I'm weak and you're so strong. I would only be in the way for you all. I have to find my way and future. Tell the others please. But first the day after tomorrow, when you're leaving this Island. I'm not going to be here more, so you would not be able to find me.
Forgive me for just leaving you with this letter, but I can't say it to our face and I'm afraid that you would hold me close and never let me go. Please don't go looking for me. I can't come with you. I don't have dreams or a future. I'm empty. I only have my love to you, but that's not enough. So just let me go, even though I know it hurts, because it hurts me too.
Your Love Shira
He couldn't believe it. She was gone. A tear was falling down from his eye. He never thought that she was going to leave him. Not like this. But he had a feeling. For the last few weeks she was somehow sad and the distance between them was growing. Why couldn't she trust him? They've just been together for two months, but he loves her so much. He knew that she had secrets and a rough childhood. She hadn't told so much of it, but he was so sure that she eventually would do so. Why did she leave? It hurts. He wouldn't leave her. Not like this. She had to tell him face to face. He wrote a note for his nakama. Telling them to leave him and her behind, well knowing that they wouldn't do so.
-xxxxxxxxxxx-
"He left a note?" Luffy was looking at Franky.
"Yes saying we had to leave him and Shira behind," said Franky.
"But why? I won't do that," said Luffy. His eyes were glowing with confusing.
"It doesn't say why," said Franky, trying to make sense of the letter.
"Maybe they ran off to get married and will live happily ever after," said Sanji annoyed.
"I don't think so. Shira left Sunny before Zoro. He left, when I came. Without a word," said Franky.
"We have to go looking for them. It's too dangerous to stay at this Island to long," said Nami.
The Strawhat's nodded. But the Island was big and time so short. "I will stay at Sunny, if they return. The rest of you should split up," said Sanji.
They parted in three groups. Luffy and Usopp, Robin and Chopper, Brook, Franky and Nami. They went searching for their lost nakama. Not knowing, that Shira had left them and that Zoro was going after her. They couldn't leave them behind. They were nakama, though that Shira hasn't been that long on the ship. Only six months. But she was their nakama. She was something special. Luffy saw it, when they met, and that was why he wanted her to become their nakama. It took some time, but eventually she gave in and became their nakama. She fell in love with Zoro, and Luffy was happy about it. But now her and Zoro was gone. Without any explanation.
-xxxxxxxxxxx-
"Do you think that Sanji is right? That they ran off to get married?" Chopper looked at Robin as they went through the town, searching for them.
"I don't think so. It's not like Zoro to do such things. I was surprise that he even fell in love. But then again, Shira is something special. Even I feel so comfortable around her. She's making us all calm," said Robin.
Chopper nodded. She was not a strong fighter, but everyone around her would calm down. Even their fiends did so. Maybe it was some sort of Haki, like Luffy had. Her blue-violet eyes were so warm. "Maybe she ran off and Zoro is following her," he mumbled.
"That is a possibility," said Robin.
-xxxxxxxxxxx-
"Oi Shira. Zoro. Where are you?" shouted Luffy as they were searching the forest.
"Oi Shira. Zoro," shouted Usopp. There was no answer. The only thing they could hear, was the sound of the animals, wind and water. Usopp sighed.
"We will find them," said Luffy with confidence.
-xxxxxxxxxxx-
"Why did they leave?" asked Franky confused.
"Maybe Zoro has done something, that she didn't liked, dumped him and us, and now he's trying to get her back," said Nami.
"Do you think that it is simply as this?" asked Brook.
"No. Zoro was really in love with her, but for some weeks things seemed different. She was not that happy. I'm sure, that she loves Zoro, but for some reason she was … sad," said Franky.
"Then it might be something Zoro said or did. Why else would she leave?" asked Nami.
"Well she didn't want to be our nakama at first," said Franky.
"None of us did. We all somehow refused to become Luffy's nakama at first, but now none of us would do it over and choose another path," said Nami.
"You're right. We can only guess. Let us find her," said Brook. Nami and Franky nodded.
-xxxxxxxxxxx-
He was wandering without noticing anything around him. He was confused and hurt. He wanted answer and she was the only one who could give them to him. His feet carried him for a couple of hours, before he looked up. He had followed a path along the mountain and was now looking at a bay. There was a pirate ship. The Jolly Roger was fluttering in the wind. He knew this Jolly Roger, but he had not expected to see it here. His feelings told him, that she was on board this ship. Slowly he stared to wander down to the ship. Hoping that his feelings didn't deceive him.
"Stop right there Roronoa Zoro. I can't allow you to get any further," said a man's voice from the tree beside him.
"I did expect that someone was on watch. I can't allow you to delay me any further. I know that she is down there," said Zoro.
The man jumped down. He looked at Zoro. "Forget her. Woman only means trouble. Go back to your captain and tell him, that she won't come back," the man said.
"You look familiar. You don't happen to be the father of our sniper Usopp?" asked Zoro.
The man smiled. "My name is Yasopp and I'm the sniper of the Red Hair pirates. It is true, that I have a son with the name of Usopp. You have to go Roronoa Zoro. She won't see you," said Yasopp.
"She has to. The letter she left, gave more questions. Besides she has to tell our captain in person, that she is leaving the crew," said Zoro.
"You can't see her now. Just leave her here. I'm not saying, that you should leave the Island, but leave her here for the night being. We won't hurt her or take her with us. But you have to leave her for now," said Yasopp. His voice was not asking neither demanding. It was like a statement. Zoro sighed and glanced at the ship. He was so close to her, but still so far away.
"I'm staying here," he said. Yasopp looked at him, knowing that Zoro was not going anywhere.
"You love her that much?" he asked. Zoro nodded. Yasopp looked down at his ship. Right now she was with Shanks and Benn. It would be so complicated.
"You have to go back to your ship Roronoa. They must be looking for you and I don't want them to come to this bay. It's too early for the captains to meet. Someone of our crew, that your captain doesn't know, will come for you tomorrow," said Yasopp trying to make Zoro understand, that they would not let him down or back off.
"I won't. If you want me back at my ship, you have to drag me there. And I won't make it easy for you," he said.
"Just leave Zoro. I will talk to Luffy tomorrow, but just leave for now," said a soft, but sad voice. Zoro looked to his right. Shira was standing on a cliff. Beside her stood the captain of the Red Hair pirates; Shanks. His hand was on her shoulder. Her eyes were sad and he could see, that she had cried.
"Shira …," he started.
"Don't say anything. I can't talk about it. Please leave Zoro. Tell Luffy, that I'm coming to talk to him tomorrow." He could see the tears in her eyes. It hurt him.
"I'll tell him." Zoro looked hurt, turned around and went back.
-xxxxxxxxxxx-
"Where is Shira?" asked Sanji, as Zoro came back. The others had returned too.
"I can't tell, but she will be back tomorrow. She wants to talk to you Luffy. I'm off to bed," said Zoro and left them standing confused.
He lay on his bed. He couldn't sleep. His heart was crying and he couldn't stop thinking of her. He loved her so much, but she was drifting away from him. He tried to catch her, but she was like an eel. Smooth and slipped through his hands. Tears were slowly fallen from his eyes. Never had he thought that love could hurt him so much. It had took him with storm and made him feel so warm. Was it over? Would he ever be together with her again? Why did it happen to him? If only it had been someone else.
-xxxxxxxxxxx-
She walked to the bay, where she knew he would be. The man, who had given her so much in only one night. If only he would help her again. She needed his guidance. Her feet took her to the bay. The man, who was on watch jumped down from the tree and followed her to his captain. They didn't say anything to each other. None was talking to her. Most of them didn't know who she was.
"You can go in Shira. He's waiting for you," he said and left her.
She sighed and opened the door. She walked in and closed the door behind herself. He was sitting with a glass of Sake. He didn't say anything, was just sitting there and looked at her. She couldn't move or look into his eyes. Slowly he stood up and walked towards her, with a worried look in his eyes. She looked down.
"What happened to you?" he asked and took her chin in his hand, making her look up at him.
Tears were fallen from her eyes. He took her hand and made her come to his bed. He made her sit down and sat beside her. She couldn't say anything at first. He looked so concerned. "Tell me Shira. What had happened to you?" his voice were worried.
"I became the nakama of Luffy. At first I didn't want to, but then I couldn't resist. He could help me, so my dream could come true. It was really a good time, I even fell in love with Zoro. I'm still in love with him. But I can't stay. It would only endanger them. I'm not that strong. I can't be at the sea in the new world. I have to leave them."
He looked at her. He could really imagine that Luffy wanted her in his crew. "You don't know do you?" He asked. She looked at him with a confused look.
"Know what?" she asked.
He smiled. "Never mind that now. I'll tell you later. Come and join us for dinner," he said. At the same time someone knocked at the door. "Come on in," he said.
Benn walked in and sent Shira a smile. "It's good to see you again angel. Would you like to eat with some old friends?" he asked.
She smiled back. "I would love to," she replied.
She did feel much better, now that she was with him. He stayed by her side the whole time and Benn too. She was introduced as an old nakama. Those who knew her, knew better, but it would have been too complicated to explain it, so they just call her an old nakama.
"Zoro is here," she suddenly said and looked up to the path.
Shanks looked at her. "Really? Well Yasopp would take care of it," he said.
"I don't think that Zoro would leave. I have to tell him myself, but …" she couldn't say anymore. She suddenly stood up and walked away. Benn and Shanks followed her to they were alone.
"Shira …" said Benn worried and took her in his arms. She cried. Shanks stood behind her, with his hand on her shoulders.
"It's ok. You don't need to go. I can take care of it by myself," said Shanks.
"No. He wouldn't move. It has to be me, who tells him to leave," she said sad and loosened herself from Benn. It hurt her. She wanted to see him and then on the other side she didn't want to see him again. She sighed light.
Shanks nodded. "I go with you. Benn, prepare a room for Shira. She will sleep on our ship tonight. He looked at her, knowing that it was that she wanted and needed. Benn smiled at her as he walked back to the ship.
Shira and Shanks walked up to the path. She was right. Zoro was standing there, arguing with Yasopp. She heard, that they had to drag him back, if they wanted him to go back. Shira was standing on a cliff. Beside her stood Shanks. His hand was on her shoulder. Her eyes were sad and he could see, that she had cried.
"Just leave Zoro. I will talk to Luffy tomorrow, but just leave for now," said Shira with a soft, but sad voice. Zoro looked to his right.
"Shira …," he started.
"Don't say anything. I can't talk about it. Please leave Zoro. Tell Luffy, that I'm coming to talk to him tomorrow." He could see the tears in her eyes. It hurt him.
"I'll tell him." Zoro looked hurt, turned around and went back.
She followed him, as he went back. Tears were fallen from her eyes. Yasopp came to her and gave her a hug. "I don't know what you're going through right now Shira, but I'm always here for you. And so is Zoro. He loves you."
"I know, but it's so difficult to stay on a ship, where I can't protect myself. It's not that I dislike them; it's just so hard to be weak on Thousand Sunny. It's not like Luffy is avoiding danger," she sighed.
Yasopp looked at her. Was that her problem? He shook his head. She was so strong. Didn't she know? He looked at his captain who shook his head. She didn't know. "Shira… We'll help you. You have to protect your love. And call me romantic, but I would do everything to help you, so you can be with Zoro. You love him too," he said.
She nodded her head. "I really love him, but it's just … I can't be with him right now." She turned around and starts walking down to the ship, but stopped. "Do you think that I'm strong?" she asked, as she turned around and looked at Yasopp.
"I know you are Shira. You just don't believe it yet. Captain, will you tell her?" he asked Shanks.
"That was my intension. We have to wake her up. Want to help? I can make Rockstar take your watch. I think it would be the right thing to do," Shanks said.
"Then I'll await Rockstar," said Yasopp.
Shira turned around and walked away. Shanks followed her. "Please go to my room, when you arrive at the ship Shira. I'll be there soon," he said and walked to the camp. Shira just nodded her head and did as he asked. As she came into his room, she saw that Benn was awaiting them. He had already set up some drinks. She took a glass of red wine and sat down. Shortly after Shanks came and sat beside her and took her hand. Nobody said anything, until Yasopp and Lucky Roo came in and sat down.
"Men we have a little problem with our 'daughter'. She doesn't really believe in herself," said Shanks looking at them all. Shira looked down. Knew it was harsh, but true. She couldn't see the things that they saw.
"Well that's not the first time. What is it this time?" said Lucky Roo.
She looked up. "I'm not strong enough to be with my love and those I care for," she said with tears fallen from her eyes.
"Defined 'strong', Shira. Is it physically? Then yes, you're not as strong as Luffy, Zoro and Sanji, but they are on a different level. Your ability is mentally. Do you know about Haki and conquers Haki?" Lucky Roo asked.
Shira looked confused. "Haki and conquers Haki? I know of it, because Luffy uses it. But what matter does it have here?"
Lucky Roo smiled at her and looked at Shanks. "She really doesn't know. I'm sure, that Luffy knows," he said.
"Shira, you can use Conquers Haki and yours are much stronger than anyone else's. Even stronger than mine. You may not think about it, but when you're around all calm down somehow and gain strength and confidence. It's because of you," said Shanks, still holding her hand. She looked at him. Did she calm anyone down?
"I can see that you're confused, but it's true," said Benn.
Shira closed her eyes. Thinking about what they said about her and tried to remember if she had used this ability without noticing. She thought of the day she met Luffy. It was a raining day. She was living on an autumn Island. They were in need of shelter and she gave it to them. It was Luffy, Robin and Chopper. She liked them, even though they were infamous pirates. They reminded her of Shanks and his crew. Luffy had been furious about something, but shortly after he was calm. Even Chopper was calm and not afraid of her. She remembered Nami telling her that Chopper always felt insecure around strangers, but he never did that around her. She opened her eyes again and looked at her friends.
"They are calm around me, but do I do it all the time?" she asked.
"No, but when it is needed," said Yasopp.
"You just used it to convince Zoro to leave earlier. You have to learn to use it properly or else you would endanger those, who are not as strong as you. The only reason, why none have fainted yet, is because you don't have confidence in yourself," said Shanks.
"How? I don't want to hurt my friends," she said.
"You won't hurt them. Let Luffy guide you. And follow your heart," said Benn.
She sighed. It was so easy to say, but she was afraid. She couldn't protect herself. She was weak, and now her friends, her 'fathers' told her that she was strong enough to be with Luffy. Even if she learnt to use Conquers Haki, she would still be weak.
"Don't think about your physical condition Shira. You are a great fighter. Your problem is your confidence. Try to remember your dream," said Yasopp.
"I almost died a few weeks ago. It was Zoro who saved my life, but by doing this, he was badly hurt. If I was stronger …"
"Stop right there Shira. Don't blame yourself. There will always be someone who is stronger than you. You have amazing nakama that will protect you. And you protect them. Don't give up on yourself like that. If you don't feel strong, then become stronger," said Shanks.
He was really concerned. What had happened? When they left her, she had confidence and courage, but that was gone now. It couldn't be Luffy's fault. Who had done this to her? He looked at the other and could see that they thought the same. He took her hand.
"Shira tell me what happened?" he asked.
Tears fell from her eyes. "I can't," she mumbled.
He took her into his arm. "It's ok. I'm not mad at you. Only concerned. It's late. Try to get some sleep. Tomorrow you have to talk to Luffy. I would be near you, but hiding. Rockstar will bring you back," he said.
She nodded and stood up. She wished them a good night and went into her room.
"She's broken. I can't believe it. Something must have happened to her, since we left. If only we had taken her with us," said Lucky Roo.
"We couldn't. But I wish that we had," said Yasopp.
"I really hope that Luffy can help her. Even though she calls them her nakama, she doesn't trust them completely. Not even her love," said Benn.
"If she doesn't leave with Luffy we will take her with us," said Shanks.
I've decided to upload bot Chapters to you, so you can leave a review after the second chapter.