This story is mine. The original plot, all Characters (Save for Chris and Cassius) belong to the mighty Oda Sensai.

This story begins after the events of Thriller Bark (Epi 375).

But beyond that please enjoy this tale. Sincerely Yours KumoArasoi :p

-WARNING- MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS IF NOT PAST THE THRILLER BARK ARC READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Chapter 1: The Mist

The crew was livid. After the past week was spent recovering from the battles on Thriller Bark, Luffy decided that after everyone was feeling ok a party was to be thrown. Usopp had just recently finished some new firework so he decided to set it off for the party. The evening sky was lite up with many beautiful colors, Usopp smiled at his work. All the ale on the ship was taken to the center of the hull, atop the grassy floor twelve barrels stood on top of the one in the middle stood Luffy "Brooke start this party!" Brooke, way ahead of Luffy, bent over, cracked his knuckles, took out his violin, and played the merriest tune anyone on the ship ever heard. Franky began to do his trade-mark dance, while Chopper, Usopp, and Luffy put chopsticks in their noses and began to dance and kick the air over and over. Zoro was sitting cross-legged on the grassy floor, a mug held tightly in his hand.

"This is the best ale I've ever tasted" A smile danced across his face. Sanji, who had been marinating some beef, turned around to face the swordsman.

"Of course it is, that ale came straight from the the old man at Waters Seven's personal storage rack" Sanji smiled then shifted his attention. "Robin-Chwaan" he had noticed her sitting on the stairs starring out into the open blue. She had her purple leather shirt and pants, the smile on her face told him she was in a good mood. His eyes became hearts as he rushed over to her, a cherry milkshake in hand.

"Thank you Mr. Cook" Robin smiled gently as she took the cold drink, Sanji's heart was set a blaze.

"Nothing sets my heart a flutter like Robin-Chwaan's smile. I promise to spend the rest of my life protecting you. Even if it means i must fight off death himself. For I could love nothing more" As he said this Nami stepped out of her cabin in a orange bikini top and tan short shorts.

"Sanji" she cooed "Could you make me something to drink? I'm really thirsty" Sanji stood frozen for a moment. He looked up at, his eyes became hearts again.

"Of course my love, nothing sets my heart a flutter like Nami-Swan's..." Sanji's voice faded away as Robin started to giggle to herself. As she sat there watching the boys dance, sing, drink, cook, and laugh, she thought how lucky she was to be with them. The events at Enies Lobby still haunted her, so much that she hadn't slept in days. She normally pulled all-nighters so is wasn't as bad as it could be but she was still pretty tired.

The music stopped, Robin snapped back to reality. Her eyes immediately found the source of distress. A thick mist had fallen over the ship. The evening sun had dropped so just the tiniest light could be seen. Nami starred at the mist, she felt like she could see a reddish tint to it, she dismissed it as fatigue. The weird thing was even if she was on the verge of dying she could sense a mist this thick before it hit. "Guys be on alert this is no regular mist" she thought better safe then sorry.

Brooke laid his violin down and stood up he pulled his cane up to his side "Yohohoho, and to think I just got out of that 50 year mist called the Florian Triangle, only to be put back into sightless ocean, though I'm a skeleton and have no eyes anyway, Yohohoho" Everyone was on edge, even Usopp who now had his Kabuto clenched tightly in his hand. Zoro sat on the floor eyes closed but ready for action, Sanji stood next to him lighting a smoke. Franky unfurled his hand turning it into a gun, ready to defend his ship at any cost. The only person who was calm was Luffy, he sat on top of an ale barrel eating the remains of a T-bone steak Sanji gave him. Chopper who was half-hiding behind Nami felt his nose twitch. He sniffed again, his eyes widened. He climbed on top of the closest rail.

"You guys!" The entire crew's attention snapped to him. "This isn't mist" Luffy looked up.

"Then what is it Chopper?" Chopper took a deep breath his expression still grim.

"It's Blood"

Hope you enjoyed this. Please watch for chapter 2: The GrayCross Pirates. Coming soon.