Hey guys, it's Mrs. Portages D. Ace! This my first story EVER on fan so please go easy on me! Yes, it's an OCxAce. Ace is by be a and my one and only love so I poured my feelings into this piece so I hope you you enjoy! Leave a review please so I can know where I can improve on! I love all of you guys!
Ch.1
I'm running. Running. Crying. Racing. Racing against time. My heart racing. My legs racing. Against the wind, against the rain, against the storm. I'm sacred, afraid, angry, upset, confused, and alone. I am Vi. Why? Why me? This is the 7th time this month. I'm tired.
"We have to find her! Where is she?" says one of the men hunters a few yards from where I'm standing.
"We've lost sight of her," replied another.
I took in huge gulps of air, my poor lungs crying out. My legs and arms trembled. I was tired, but that feeling wasn't strange to me. I've been chased down and have been hunted ever since I was babe. My legs are used to running, my mind used to hiding, my mouth used to keeping quiet, my heart used to making no connections because there is no time.
"Just a bit farther," I whispered to myself.
I get up and continue to run, trying to force myself to hold out a little longer. These guys are surprisingly persistent. The usual batches of men leave me after a couple days. This group has followed me to this town for the past week or so. I can't even remember the last time I slept in a bed. I honestly try to recall a time where I could relax a little more than a couple minutes, but I can't. I wish I could, but this life isn't completely useless. My body is quite strong and resilient to blows. I'm good with a range of weapons, but I prefer running. It's quicker.
I climbed onto the roof of a home and dash across the cement pieces the creak under my bare feet. Spotting a supermarket nearby, I head towards it to restock on my food. The usual stop for food only occurs every couple towns I pause at. As I trek across the roof tops my stomach growled in a rage that had been kept in for the past three days.
"Fine, have it your way," I said.
Wiping my cheeks of dirt and somewhat straightening my hair is the first thing I did before entering. I didn't want the cashier to call the police on me. My eyes scanned the aisles for food that would be easy to carry and wouldn't spoil easily. Picking up the food, I carried them to the cash register and pulled out coins from my light gray bag. The cashier eyed me warily so I tried to force a smile. I handed the coins to her and took my bag from the counter, leaving the store. As I walked through the door, my shoulder bumps into a blonde mans arm.
"Please excuse me," I say as I was about to leave but something holds me back by my pants leg.
"You're hurt," said a reindeer who stood beside the blond man," Let me help you"
"Eh?!"
"I'm a doctor, let me help you"
"B-but "
"Chopper here can't stand not helping people," Explained the blond man as he lifted my hand to his mouth," I'm Sanji by the way my lady"
I slap away his hand and eye them warily, still doubtful.
"I don't need your h-," I had begun to say, but I fell to the ground.
"Ah, girl! Sanji, carry her back to ship!" said Chopper.
"My princess," he said as I was lifted into the air.
"D-don't do anything weird," I whisper as I slip I and out of consciousness.
"Never," said Sanji.
My eyes close gently and I drift off to go on a journey down memory lane, back to when I was four years old. Wooden beams burning and turning to ash. My parent's screams echoing through my young mind. Scorching pain slashing across my neck. My eyes wide open but unseeing, blinded by tears. And one name resonated over and over again. White beard. Whitebeard. The pirates who burned my home down uttered that name over and over as it rang in my mind over and over again. They said he needed me soon. I didn't here the rest because I had already begun to run. In this world, Whitebeard is the most notorious pirate in this current era with a crew of over a thousand men. What on earth would he want with me?
No had ever wanted me to begin with, now that I really think about. My parents had never really cared about me. They just told me to stay in my room and play quietly with the toys they provided and eat the food they gave me without complaint. I didn't really mind. I was a child. I don't remember much and don't have photos but they were still family. Unlike my parents, I had long black hair and brown eyes, unlike my parents who had brown hair and blue eyes. I never asked though. Questions weren't really permitted in that house anyway. That day was the only that I ever shed tears.
Sometimes I think about what I'm going to do with the rest of my life. Maybe the pirates won't ever stop chasing me. But what if they do? Then what will I do? Settling down is clearly out of option. I've never really held a long conversation with anyone, let alone made friends before. I guess I'll find some part time job and do that until I eventually die.
Slowly, I'm opening my eyes back to reality. Looking around, I realize I'm in a bed. The floor below me sways slightly, meaning I must be on a boat. Looking down, I see that I've been changed into fresh clothes. Bandages have been wrapped around my arms and forehead.
"Where am I?" I said groggily.
Suddenly I remember Chopper and Sanji from that island. They must have brought me to their ship. The rolling ship seems to rock me gently. It's a nice feeling. Sitting up in bed, I peeked out of the window. My eyes catch glimpse of the ocean in its shining blue glory. My nose slowly begins to function and catches a whiff of something delicious. Beside my table is a tray laid out with hot soup and a loaf of bread. Joy.
The stew slides down my parched throat and I taste all kinds of delicious spices. There's seafood, basil, herbs, and just a hint of beef flavor in the base. The taste of home cooking puts a smile on my cracked lips. I haven't smiled for quite a while. It feels strikingly familiar. The bread and glass of tea disappear as well and I'm satisfied. I've only had food this good from a precious memory of mine a decade old.
As I began to dig in, the door creaks open. My mind instinctively thinks enemy and I grab the knife I was cutting the food with and leap backwards, prepared to strike. The door is pushed open and a teenage boy peeks his head in. the boy wears a straw hat with a red band and a scar under his right eye. When he sees me his eyes widen.
"Hey, what's wrong," ha says, alarmed as he stops in the doorway.
I tense up on the bed, looking intently for any signs of an attack about to come on. Chopper walks in and jumps at the scenario.
"Luffy, what'd you do?" He demands from the straw-hat boy.
"I don't do anything!" he argues.
Chopper walks over to me and gently touches my arm as he says,' Its alright, calm down"
I put down the knife after a couple seconds.
"You'll lose more blood if you keep this up," Chopper hides to me ," This is our captain Luffy by the way"
Luffy stretches out, literally stretching it, to shake my hand.
"How did you do that?" I ask him.
"When I was a kid I accidentally ate the Gum-Gum fruits so now my body stretches like rubber.
In our world, there are these fruits called devil fruits that give the consumer amazing powers. There are three type of fruits; Logia, Paramythia, and Zoan. Logion gives powers of a natural element. Paramythia gives supernatural power. Zoan gives power of an animal. The fruits are very rare and the most powerful pirates in this world almost all have eaten a fruit.
"Anyway, how are you feeling?" Chopper asks me.
"Better, thank you." I reply," I truly am grateful for the bandages and food'
"Thank Nami and Robin for your clothes," Luffy says to me.
"Who?"
"Other crewmates of ours," Chopper explains," The only girls on board besides you"
"How many crewmates do you guys have?"
"Nine counting Luffy"
I nod my head in understanding.
"What's your name?" Luffy asks me.
At first I hesitate, but finally say, "Vi"
"That's a short name" Luffy comments "No last name?"
"Nope" I say "My parents passed away before they could tell me"
"Oh well. Nice to meet you! I'll introduce you to the others!"
Chopper suddenly transforms into a larger reindeer and lifts me onto his back. His fur is warm and fuzzy, like a blanket. I whisper in to his ear a thank you. Luffy holds the door open as we pass into a long hallway with doors lining each side. I can hear noisy chatter to the left of the hall where Chopper is heading. That must be where everyone in the crew is. When we enter the noisy room, my eyes are blasted with strange sights.
In one corner is a blue-haired cyborg man-drinking bottle after bottle of cola while a skeleton is dancing about playing a violin. A woman with multiple arms that appear and disappear is serving around a tray of sake glasses as Luffy gobbles down plate after plate of food. Sanji is dancing around an orange haired woman with his eyes in the shape of hearts and a green haired man sleeps in the center of all of this with three swords protruding from his side while a long-nosed curly haired man tries to wake him. What a crazy scene to wake up to.
Surprised, I topple off of Chopper's comfortable back and bang my elbow on the ground. A jolt of pain going up my poor arm., forcing me to cry out.
"Vi!" Chopper cries as he shrinks to his normal size and rushes over to me.
The green haired man, now awake, helps me back up and lays me down against some pillows. Chopper quickly checks my elbow for scrapes as the others crowd around. My cheeks pinked under the sudden attention.
"Are you alright?" said the multi-limbed woman.
"Yes, thank you,"
"Well Vi, meet my crew!" Luffy says.
I am soon introduced to everyone and hands are shaken. The cyborg is Franky, the skeleton Brook, multi limbed is Robin, orange haired is Nami, green head is Zoro, and long nose is Usopp. Nine in total.
"I'm Vi" I say "thank you for allowing me to be in your care"
"No need to be so formal!"
"Luffy tells us you have no last name. Why's that?"
"Well, I probably do have one but I never learned it. My parents died before they had the chance to tell me."
"How'd they die?"
"You sure you want to hear the sad life of Vi?"
They all nod. I sigh before I begin my story. I describe growing up in a lonely family and spending my childhood mostly in my room. I tell them about the day my house burned down and how my parents died at the hand of Whitebeard. I describe being on the run for the past 16 years of my life ever since that fire when I was four. I'm surprised at how open I'm being towards these people whom I've literally just met. I t feels nice to talk to people about my "adventures". I also describe my utter confusion at why Whitebeard is so fixated on me.
"I've tried to talk to them, but its no good," I sighed ", the underlings aren't notified of Whitebeard's motive and the higher ups of his crew are nearly impossible to capture"
"Why me? Why torture me? I hate him. I hate Whitebeard." I growl, my heart beginning to harden and burn in rage.
"Bu-" Chopper begins to say but Luffy gives him a look.
The room falls silent. Maybe I shouldn't have talked to them about this.
"I told you it was a sad story," I say.
"Well, look at you now. You seem pretty strong," Zoro says to me," Can you fight?"
"You should have seen her earlier! She almost stabbed me with a table knife!" Luffy exclaims.
" I challenge you to a battle then," Zoro says, but Chopper bonks him on the head.
"She's still injured!" He exclaims.
"Fine, until she heals," Zoro mumbles as he dozes off to sleep once again.
"You should stay until you're healthy," Usopp suggests.
"I can?" I ask, almost hopeful.
"Of course!" Luffy exclaims.
"Tomorrow we should go shopping together!" Nami suggests.
"Can I come?" Sanji begs, but Nami punches him and cries a defiant no.
"Sanji's a lady's man," Franky explains.
"Tonight, lets celebrate! Yo ho ho ho!" Brook cries.
Bottles and cups of sake are cheered and platters of food passed around as the party resumes. There's dancing, laughter, drinking, and merry making. For the first time in my life, I'm laughing out loud. I laugh a joyous laugh from my lungs. I can't believe it. I'm smiling and laughing all in the same day. It must be some sort of miracle.
Before I know it, the clock is striking midnight. Most of the guys are out cold with sake bottles still in hand. Yawning, I leave them there and head out to sleep. My legs are stiff and I stumble, but pair of arms supports me.
"You need help?" Nami asks me.
"Yes please," I reply.
Nami and Robin help me to our room step by step. Soon enough I am laid down in to the bed and tucked under sheets.
"Good night," I whisper.
Whew, I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter to A Glass of Iced Tea. The title of the story will make more sense as we go on! Some of you may be wondering where the whole "lost love" part comes in, huehuehue. That will come later so tune in for the next chapter and leave a review please!
