CP9 and Her Promise

by Raindra

Raindra is traveling with her crew, The Straw Hats, and they finally made it to Water 7. Little does her crew know that her past has finally caught up to her, once she runs into her fiance. Another problem is she had started to fall for her crew mate Zoro. Will she stay with her crew or will she end up leaving the Straw Hats to keep her promise? (This is a rewrite of CP9's Attack)

1. Chapter 1

CP9 and Her Promise (I don't own One Piece)

Chapter One

A blue haired girl leaned against a white rail of the ship she sailed on under her captain's flag. It was a surprisingly quiet and sunny day for once. She couldn't help a smile as her crew's excitement grew of the new island they were about to be landing at. One of her crew mates that had hair of the color of moss stood beside her as they got closer. The place was called Water 7 which sounded so familiar to the girl yet she didn't know why. Soon enough her excited captain had ended up beside her as well as her long-time friend. Their ship's doctor came up a little behind them.

From what the girl could see the city looked huge and they still where far from it. She sighed before she pushed away from the rail and walked toward the ship's navigator to find out what she planned on doing. She didn't have far to go when she got close to the orange haired navigator and the blond haired cook.

"Nami," The girl spoke gaining the attention from both people.

"Yes Raindra?" The orange haired girl replied.

"Is there anything you need help with?" The girl asked as she brushed her blue hair behind one ear.

"Not at the moment," Nami replied with a smile.

It didn't take long for the crew to find a place to doc there ship. Luffy, the ship's captain went with Nami, and Usopp the ship's sniper, to cash there gold and to see about getting there ship, the Goin' Merry repaired. Raindra had to admit as she looked up at a banged up ship that Usopp had done a great job trying to repair the Merry but they had to get an expert shipwright to take a look at her now. She turned to look out toward the beautiful city. From what she heard about it, nothing could true explain its beauty in her slate eyes.

"Beautiful isn't it?" Robin asked as she came to stand beside her. The tanned black hair woman was almost like a bigger sister to her.

"It is," Raindra agreed as she smiled at the woman before it dropped. There was the worst feeling she felt in her bones that something was wrong.

"Is something wrong?" Robin asked in concern before Raindra smiled once again as she shook her head.

"It's nothing," she told Robin before she looked back at the city. "I'm going to see if I can catch up with Nami and them," Raindra told the woman before she dashed off the ship and the direction of the city. Rain had gotten one thing right with how huge the city was. She didn't even know where to look for her crewmates or captain. It ended up with her wondering around until she ended up at Galley-La. Dock One, said the tall gate. From the small fence she saw a lot of shipwrights working on their chosen trade.

That was when she spotted another pirate captain talking about free work. A blue haired man and blonde woman stood close by as they watched as well. Raindra stared at a blond shipwright who the pirate was explaining what was going to happen. She couldn't believe how rude that crew was. "Listen sir, we take our jobs really seriously. It's not wise to mock our shipwrights like that," the blond who they spoke down to replied in a deep voice not looking up from his work. Raindra was stunned at how calm the shipwright had been. She was about to continue on her way but froze in her steps when she saw another shipwright hit the pirate captain with a huge log.

Her hand covered her mouth in her shock. "Captain," one of the man's crewmates screamed as there captain fell to the ground.

"Oops sorry," the shipwright called turning his head toward the crew. Little did the crew notice another shipwright with a long square nose aiming a long sword like saw at the man that had screamed? The shipwright's bright orange and dark sweater stood out as he seemed to fly in the air.

"Hey jerk! Watch were your swinging that thing. You just knocked down our-" he was cut off in mid-sentence as the shipwright with the saw hit him hard. Raindra gasped as she saw the blood and thought of her own crew.

"Oops sorry," that shipwright spoke innocently but had a smile glued to his face.

"Hey you punks, trying to pick a fight," another member of the crew yelled. "Who do you think you are?" A very built shipwright with dark tanned skin and black hair attacked next cutting three people. Raindra barely saw it happen. Next was a guy with a white muscle shirt and brown pants that had yellow spenders. A black top hat sat on his long black wave hair that shone in the sun light. He had a neatly shaved goatee and piercing black eyes. He had a slim but tall frame that showed his subtle muscles. Raindra's eyes widen as she saw him. Her heart pounded in her ears as the bad feeling from before doubled.

She didn't even notice the rest that happened to the crew only to look around at all the people around her watching the show. By the water's edge she thought that she spotted her captain's straw hat but there was no way she could make it through all these people to find out.

"Look over there, it's Lucci," a girl exclaimed loudly. "Isn't he handsome?" Raindra gulped as her heart pounded away in her chest. While the other people called out to the shipwright there voices became a slight hum. Her eyes started to see black spots as the ground beneath her felt like it was lifted. She couldn't even tell what was in front of her before she dropped onto the ground.

"Hey is that girl alright?" A man yelled as he noticed the girl fall onto the ground.

"Miss," Someone called as the crowd turned to see if anyone could help her.

"Move out of the way," a white pigeon spoke from Lucci's shoulder as the man jumped over the small fence and to the girl's side. He moved to check her pulse before he lifted her into his arms and brought her over the fence and out of view from anyone's sight. He sat behind a group of logs that was close to one of the buildings.

"Raindra," his deep voice called quietly as his hand patted her face. The girl's eyes fluttered open slowly as her hand moved to her head to feel a slight bump.

"Oww," she groaned as she looked up to see Lucci's black eyes staring at her slate one. "Lucci," she gulped in surprise yet fear. Raindra moved to find that she was sitting in his lap and she was out of sight from anyone's view. "Where am I?"

"You're in Water 7," he replied with nearly no emotion. "Is your father visiting?" He smirked down at the nervous bluette as her slate eyes widen. Lucci's black eyes narrowed on to her as she struggled to get free. Something was up with the girl.

"Lucci," she spoke trying to find a way out of the stronger man's arms.

"It wasn't a hard question to answer," he commented as his arms tightened around her a little too tight for comfort. It sent her heart pounding as her breathing hitched. A part of her screamed to fight and run another just told her to give in.

"I'm not with my father anymore," she gasped out against the slight pain cause by his tight grip. It hadn't seemed to loosen he just gave her a blank stare. Her mouth felt dry as she managed to speak her next words. "I'm a pirate with a new crew…"

"I know you're a pirate," he spoke slowly with an edge in his tone. "Why do you think your bounty poster only says alive?" She gulped. She had always wondered what that had been about. Was it because her connection to Lucci?

"I never paid it a thought," she breathed out just loud enough for him to hear her. "But Lucci I'm a part of the Straw Hats," she hoped that he would just let her go. "I joined them after my father's defeat."

"Are you trying to say you grew a back bone my dear?" His voice almost sounded like he was amused with her. She swallowed before she nodded slowly. The look he gave that should have made her shutter but she was so fearfully frozen she didn't move. "Don't you remember our little deal? Your promise?" His voice sounded so sinful, so deadly. Raindra paled at his words as her eyes flicker toward the only exit. Now she wished she stayed on the ship with Zoro.

"Why are you doing this? I knew you might be mad, but it's wrong to force someone into something that they had a reason to do," she spoke a bit more loudly in hopes someone would hear. Her slate eyes glared at the black. Her fear of the man faded as her anger grew. A few storm clouds appeared over Water 7 but as quickly as they came, Lucci had slapped her, stunning the clouds away.

"You don't use you devil power here," he growled lowly as he pushed her to the ground. Raindra blinked up at him with watery eyes, her hand slowly touched her cheek he had slapped. Her father didn't even hit her. "You gave you word to your father when he tried to talk you out of this arrangement. Don't you remember?" He asked darkly as she froze her mind thinking back to the memory.

Flash Back

Raindra peeked out of the door to the outer deck of her father's ship. She was only a young girl at this time. Her slate eyes watched in horror as her father's crew fought one boy. He barely even looked like a teenager. Her father, Kuro of a Hundred Plans, fell to his knees his swords barely kept him up. The boy stood before him, Rain's heart felt like it was about to stop beating. "Wait," she dashed out into the rain to catch the boy's attention. "Don't hurt them, please." That was the first moment her slate eyes saw his emotionless black ones.

"Kuro, who might this, be?" Lucci asked him with a smirk on his face. Kuro had a look of horror just as his strength gave and he collapsed onto the wood planks of the deck.

"I'm Raindra," she spoke as her worried filled eyes looked at her father then to the whole crew that where in the same shape as Kuro. The young boy version of Lucci gave her a look. She fell back onto the deck and for the first time she feared for not just her life but that of the crew. Her head bowed as her eyes looked at the lines in the wood under her. How was she to do anything against someone as strong as him?

"You should only talk when spoken to," his voice was a lot closer then she expected. Her head shot up to see him kneeling down in front of her. His hand light moved her chin so he could see right in the stormy slate eyes. He ignored the fact she flinched away from his touch.

"Yes sir," she responded in a quiet voice before his hand moved from her chin to gently caressing her cheek.

"Good girl," he didn't sound as scary anymore. "Now would you tell me why you are on this ship and why you don't want me to harm them anymore?" Lucci let his hand fall away from her face as he moved to stand over her. Raindra took a quick glance to her father to see that he was now fully unconscious. Her eyes moved to the others but they all were unconscious. "No one is going to hurt you," he commented so her attention went to him.

"I was born on this ship, and they're my family. Why would I want them hurt?" She responded before she hugged herself for some warmth. Her clothes where soaked but the cold water the came with the storm and the chilling wind didn't help matters. Lucci's eyes caught the movement, without a thought he lifted her off the ground and walked with her into the ship, away from the weather. He sat her down on a chair before he went to lean against the wall. Her stormy eyes seemed to have a softer look to them.

"Which of this crew is your father?" He asked as his arm crossed over his chest.

"You're not going to kill him, are you?" She blurted out without a thought. Her heart hammered in her chest as she waited for him to answer her. Why was it so hard to understand this boy?

"No I was going to let you and your father live and kill the captain and the rest," he replied in an emotionless voice. Her eyes widened before she could stop herself, she stood to look fearfully at the door that lead to the deck. Could she stop him from making it back out there?

"You can't kill them. Please my daddy has done so much for me," she cried as she looked back at the emotionless Lucci hoping she might be able to change his mind. She didn't think anything before she threw herself at him. Her hands fisted his white shirt as he looked down at him.

"That isn't the answer," he commented as her shoulders dropped. It was as if all her hope crashed into her.

"I'm the princess of the crew, or that's what they tell me," she spoke quietly. "My father is Captain Kuro."

"No one was told Kuro had a daughter," he seemed to muse over this information as she nodded since she didn't know if he wanted a reply from her. He just stood there thoughtfully which made her more nervous. "How about you and I make a deal?" His voice broke the quietness between the two.

"You want to make a deal with a five year old?" She asked sounding unsure about it.

"There is only five years difference between us and this would decide what will happen to your crew," he told her as his hand once again grabbed her chin so he could move her head to make eye contact. She nodded slightly for him to continue. "Once you feel fit to leave your father's care, I want you to marry me and no one else," he told her sternly as her eyes seemed to grow wider with shock yet she said nothing. "And I'll leave your crew and family alone," he finished.

Raindra bit her lip as she thought about his deal. "Okay, I will accept your deal," she murmured as her eyes seemed to be swallowed in his black orbs.

End of Flash Back

Raindra glared up at the man that she made the deal with. "You can't expect me to keep a deal I made when I was five. That was totally unfair," she protested. With a deep breath, she pushed herself on to her knees only look up to see that he was now standing taller than he has ever been.

"You still agree five years ago and two years after that for good," he pointed out as her heart felt like it dropped.

"I didn't know who my father truly was," she pleaded but knew that she was at a lost.

Flash Back

Five years ago, Raindra ran through the trees looking for her friends, The Usopp Pirates. It was a sunny day on the Gecko Islands and she was just outside of Syrup Village. "Where could they be?" She spoke as she looked around the trees and up in the branches. Her feet moved over the dirt as she went towards one of the beaches in hopes to find one of her friends. It only took her a few seconds to look behind her to only run into someone. She stumbled as a strong grip caught onto her forearm so she wouldn't have fallen. Her slate orb looked up to see Lucci with an emotionless face almost like last time. She smiled up at him in a friendly way.

"I haven't seen you for years, I was worried you forgot about me," she joked as he gave her a look.

"Don't you remember not to talk unless spoken to?" He asked as her smile dropped to a frown for only a second before it came back full force.

"Why are you so emotionless? You shouldn't be that way with me, sir," she replied cheerfully before his eyes narrowed at the girl. She snapped her mouth shut before she looked shyly at her feet. A light shade of pink dust her cheeks as she realized that she didn't know his name. "Sir," she sounded so unsure what to say.

"Lucci," he spoke and her eyes snapped back to watch the black orbs. "That is my name and what you should call me. I came to see if you really meant your part of the deal," he spoke like it was business which made Raindra huff.

"I'm still going to be your wife one day, if that's what you mean. I just need time," she rolled her eyes as she looked away from him.

"I hope it's not because you hang out with children," he commented. Her eyes shot back to him as her face redden in anger.

"So what if it is? They're my only friends," she informed him with a glare. "Don't call them children, unless you think of me as a child…" Her voice trailed off as she pulled her arm away from his grip to cross both of her arms in front of her. "Is that all I am? A child?"

"Your eighteen, you should act like it," he replied only to hear her sigh.

"I should act like it? How do I know how to act like it if I just turned it? I'm not ready to take on the responsibility of being your wife. Not yet," her voice lowered. "I haven't even explained it all to my father. What might he say if I just run off? I can't just do that, Lucci." He moved to lean against a tree as he listened to her.

"And you haven't told him why?" His voice gave no hint on what he might be feeling if he had feelings that is.

"I told him I made a deal to save the crew, I just didn't tell him what the deal was," she shrugged. "And when I tried to explain it, he avoided it." She paused just as she got a puzzled look on her face. "How did you know I was here?"

"It wasn't hard," he replied. "Do you honestly think I wouldn't keep tabs on my bride to be?" She shook her head before biting her lip. Did that mean Lucci knew her father was alive when the government thought differently?

"What does your father go by now these days?" His question caught her off guard.

"Uh, Klahadore, he is the butler to the richest people in the town. They took both of us in," she answered as she took a step forward. "They treat me like they do with their daughter Kaya."

"Raindra," a voice called. Her head snapped toward where the town was in confusion. Who would be calling out her name? "Raindra!" It didn't sound like her friends, Usopp, Carrot, Onion, or Pepper. Lucci pushed away from the tree and moved to stand beside her as the voice came closer.

"Merry," she gasped as he came into sight. The human, she swore looked so much like a sheep stood in front the two. He blinked as he looked between the two.

"Miss Raindra," he spoke finally directing his attention to the bluette. "Your father has requested you come back to the manor for lunch like you promised him."

"I'll be there soon," she told him as her eyes looked toward Lucci.

"Are you sure?" Merry asked with a friendly concern.

"I'll escort my fiancée to her lunch," Lucci told Merry respectfully as he bowed his head slightly. Raindra mouth dropped open at his polite manners. She barely noticed when he lightly held her arm and led her to town. Merry was a little ahead of the two.

"I hadn't known Miss Raindra was spoken for," he told Lucci happily. "I thought she might have ended up with one of the people in town." She gave a small smile as her head moved to rest against Lucci's arm.

"Pirates! Run for your lives! Pirates are coming!" Raindra groaned as Lucci looked over her to where she heard her friends messing with the towns people.

"Ignore them," Merry simply told Lucci. "They do this every day."

"Of course," he told Merry. Soon they were in the grounds of the manor. Merry left the two to finish his chores as Raindra now led Lucci to the garden.

"My father should be finishing with the head of the house here," she murmured as she looked at all the flowers.

"You should speak clearly," Lucci commented. "It's not becoming of a young lady."

"That's what I tell her," Raindra looked up to see her father once a few feet away from them.

"Hello father," she spoke before she gulped nervously.

"Klahadore," Lucci bowed his head slightly. Her father's eyes narrowed at Lucci before he looked at his daughter who nervously looked to her feet.

"Raindra," her father spoke sternly.

"I did try to tell you the full deal before," she reminded him not looking up once. "The deal was for your and the crews lives. I took it."

"And what are the details of the deal?" His eyes shot a look at Lucci.

"That she was to marry me once she felt it was time to leave your care," Lucci answered as Raindra tried to pay attention to anything else then her father's reaction. "And she could only marry me, unless she wished to break the deal." Her father nodded as he tried to think of a loophole for her.

"Why don't you join us for lunch," her father suggested and Lucci nodded. And what a lunch that was.

Flash Back Ends

"That doesn't give you any reason to break the deal. As the deal was said, I was not to kill your crew or family. If you wish to break it, it will forfeit their lives and your new crews as well," he informed her in an icy cold tone. She almost could feel her heart ache at the thought of any of her family, or the Straw Hats being hurt. More so the green haired swordsman on the ship. Was she ready to make the decision to forfeit anyone's life just for her own?

"But if I follow through like the deal says, what will Zoro or the rest of the Straw Hats say?" She asked more to herself then Lucci.

"What he or any of them say doesn't matter! What is your choice?" He moved to lift her left hand so she was looking at a beautiful black ring with little rubies set in it. Her slate orbs looked at the ring as her heart gave her a bit of guilt.

Flash Back

She was sitting on the warm sand on the beach looking out at the waves that crashed on the shore. The sun was high above her, yet she didn't move to the shade. Her slate eyes just looked out to the sea. She never would tell her father but she was missing their crew. Her Uncle Jango, and the way it was like on a ship feeling the rock of the water carry it along. But with her new fear, how would she ever sail again?

"Raindra," a deep voice spoke her name. She moved her head to see Lucci was standing behind her with a brow raise. "Why are you out here?"

"Would you rather have me running through the town yelling about pirates," she joked with a small smile yet it never reached her eyes. He moved to sit down beside her on the sand.

"I would like to know what upsets you," he replied as his hand touched hers. "And don't try to lie."

"I miss the sea, the ship I grew up on," she told him quietly. The one person who knew more about her pass then even her best friend. "I miss the crew Lucci. My friend talks of tales of being a pirate without knowing what it's really like. I've seen it and lived to watch it. I know in my future, I am not going to be a pirate but what if I'm not strong enough. I don't know if I'll ever face the sea," her voice trailed off as her eyes longed for the blue water within her view.

He sat watching all the emotion the showed as she explained her pain. It was like she was an open book. Lucci never had to guess her emotions. Her face gave them all away. "You don't have to leave yet," he pointed out as she sighed.

"I know but Lucci I'm now 21. Shouldn't I start my own life by now?" She commented.

"You will when you are ready," he told her and his words calmed her.

"What about my power? That is going to make me weak on the sea," she pointed out without thinking.

"So I'm weak on the sea?" His words made her heart drop for a second until she noticed he wasn't angry with her statement.

"I wasn't saying that. You are strong, even with the devil fruit, but I fall and have a fear of drowning," she pointed out about herself. "I feel like trapped here, yet I know it's no one's doing but my own." The hand that held hers tightened.

"Raindra, you're pushing yourself," he told her. "Take your time before you leave."

"Alright," she nodded as she thought about what he said. Sure his tone had no emotion but at least he cared enough to listen. Maybe she wasn't making a bad choice in the long run.

"I brought you something," he spoke and she looked to him curiously. There in his other hand was a small black box.

"Lucci, is that?" She barely could make herself finish her own question.

"I thought that I should give you a ring," he told her as the corners of his lips lifted a little. His hand that held hers, move so he could open the little box to reveal a stunning black ring with rubies that went along the top of the ring. Her slate orb didn't stray from the simple yet elegant ring.

"For me," she questioned quietly. A part of her wanted to say it was a dream and it couldn't have been real.

"Do you see anyone else as my future wife?" He replied as his hand reach over to pull her left hand toward him. The ring was the perfect size as he slid it onto her ring finger. Her eyes looked up as he moved to lightly kiss the ring that now showed that she belonged to him.

"I'd hope no one else would be your future wife," she replied still feeling stunned.

"And no one will," he promised.

Flash Back Ends

"My choice," she repeated more to herself. There was a time she would have just agreed, but a part of her felt like she changed when she joined the Straw Hats. She would never let them get hurt though, not on a deal she made long before them. "I must keep my word," she spoke as she looked up to the black orbs feeling helpless against him. A part hoped Zoro would stop this and free her from this deal but another wanted to see what would happen if she would just embrace the deal without fighting it. Her father had always told her a lady's word was special and one should never go back on it. Now it seemed like a crime for the crush she had developed on her crewmate. He never did tell her he liked her so maybe nothing would happen then. Who would really miss her beside her friend Usopp? "None of my… the Straw Hats will get hurt, right?"

"Only if you behave," he replied with a pause. "I can't promise the safety of Nico Robin." She moved quickly her hand gripping his arm. Her eyes filled with worry and he knew what she wanted to know. "Nico Robin has too much knowledge that she is a threat to the world government. She is to be brought in. I cannot ignore the bounty over her head."

"But, you didn't do that with my father," she tried to point out but Lucci on the other hand didn't have to give her a look. She knew no matter how much she pleaded he wouldn't promise her friend's safety.

"That was different," he told her sternly. "At the time I wasn't a huge part of the government, and secondly his threat level isn't as big as Nico Robin." Her heart dropped as she thought of Robin being in danger. The second her mind started to plan away to warn her crew she felt a tight grip on her forearm. "You are not to ruin my mission here," his voice held the tone of a deadly warning.

"Of course," she gulped in fear.

"You will tell your crew that you are no longer going to travel with them, as well Raindra you will not say anything about my team to anyone. Do I make myself clear?" His grip tightened slightly before she nodded.

"You made yourself very clear," she sighed.

"I will let you get your things, as well as give you some money to get some proper clothes," he told her clearly as he let her go. Her eyes widen in shock. She didn't think he'd let her go around on her own? Did he really trust her or was this a test? "You will have until I get off work to freely walk about."

"Thank you," she really meant it as he gave her some money.

"Oh and Raindra," he caught her attention before she could even turn away. "Don't forget I have others in Water 7 working with me." She paled but knew she should have expected that.

"I don't think I want to mess with the other CP9 members," she commented and he nodded. She was happy when he gently grabbed her elbow as he escorted her out of the ship yard.

"Behave," was his last word as she saw her captain, Nami and Usopp talking to a blonde haired woman and a blue haired man. Her slate eyes looked back at Lucci before she came to stand by her friends.

"Luffy," she broke in before they could continue speaking to the man and woman.

"Raindra," Luffy smiled excitedly. Usopp eyed her and Nami looked confused.

"You don't usually leave the ship," she commented thoughtfully.

"I… Luffy I hope I still will be seen as your friend but I can't… sail under the Straw Hats anymore," she looked down at her feet as both Nami and Usopp's jaws dropped at her words. None notice the look the blonde haired woman gave the bluette.

"But you've been with us since the east blue. Since your father's down fall," Nami exclaimed before she looked to Luffy. "Do something!"

"Raindra," Usopp caught her attention. "Is there a reason you want to leave?" His eyes narrowed as he noticed her nervous movements. It worried him.

"My fiancé is in Water 7. I'd like to stay with him," she replied. Nami gasped as she looked right at the girl's hand to the ring. Usopp's jaw clenched as his eyes clouded over in a memory. Luffy still had his smile on his face, and that gave her the strength to know she was doing something right. Her captain might not know it, but he gives his crew strength when they need it.

"Alright," he told her cheerfully.

"Luffy," both Nami and Usopp exclaimed.

"By the way Kalifa," the blue haired man started to ask her something. They turned to look at the blonde woman at the man's side who named all the bounties and pointed Luffy and Raindra out as well as mentioning Pirate Hunter Zoro and Nico Robin. Raindra's eyes narrowed at the man as she saw a quick reaction to the name. "I see," the man replied. "Welcome, my name is Iceburg. I'm the boss around here," he introduced himself before they heard a little squeaking sound. "And this is a mouse I just picked up. It's name is… let's see… Tyrannosaurus." It was in his upper right pocket on his coat. "I will need some rodent food and a cage."

"I've already taken care of that sir," Kalifa spoke as she fixed her glasses.

"Well amazing work Kalifa," he spoke clearly amazed.

"I'm just doing my job," she replied, "Speaking of which you are due at a hotel in Chiza for lunch with a glassware factory executive. After that, you're set to make a speech at the Liguria Square. And once that's finished, you'll be meeting with Mr. Bimine, the mayor of Pucci. There local newspaper is scheduled to interview you as well… Oh and we you return to the office, there is a folder of important documents, I need your signature on," she finished. Raindra looked at her stunned by all the work the blonde named. She thought her father was good at his job but she was so much better.

"I don't wanna," Iceburg whined childishly and Raindra smiled toward the man.

"Very well, I'll cancel everything for you," Kalifa told him calmly. Raindra bet this wasn't the first thing the woman had done this.

"Hold on a sec, you can't be serious, are you?" Usopp exclaimed as he looked right at them in surprise.

"What's the point of having power if I don't get to do what I want?" Iceburg just explained with a casual tone. Nami just stood there quietly thinking, and Raindra looked on with amazement of the man.

"If that's how you run things, you've got to be the worst mayor in the world," Usopp told him loudly as Raindra's smile dropped.

"Usopp," she gasped out. Her eyes looked over to see the man didn't seem to care what Usopp had just said.

"Yea pops. That's pretty lazy," Luffy agreed. Raindra turned to look at him in shock, before she took a few steps back so she wasn't going to be in the middle of anything that could start up. "So- hold on. Are you sure this is the guy that old lady was talking about?" Luffy turned to asked Nami, who stood there holding a briefcase with a smile.

"Uh huh," she answered. "That's the guy, alright."

Raindra paled as she looked away from them to Kalifa who looked angry. "How dare you?" The woman all but screamed. Her legs moved so fast and kicked in as many directions. Raindra fell back just as she missed a blow that should have hit her.

"What's the big idea lady?" Luffy shouted at Kalifa.

"That was scary," Nami spoke from where she had crouched to avoid the attack.

"I won't stand here and let you insolent louse disrespect one of the world's leading shipbuilding engineers," Kalifa replied as she fixed her glasses once more. Raindra's slate eyes narrowed at the blonde. There was something about her.

"Are you okay Raindra?" Nami asked as she helped Raindra up from the ground.

"Yea, I'm fine," Raindra told her friend.

"Pardon me. I get a bit carried away from time to time. Still Iceburg is a respected figure here in Water 7, so try and show some courtesy," Kalifa somewhat apologized. Raindra looked to see that the woman had landed a few kicks at each of the guys.

"Yes, please don't provoke Kalifa. When she lashes out in anger, her aim sucks," Iceburg told them with a swelling cheek. Before anyone could fully take in what Iceburg had said. Usopp had already opened his mouth.

"We might have hurt his feeling but you hurt his face," Usopp shouted at Kalifa. The girl's stood there stun they expected Luffy to have the first say.

"You're way meaner than us," Luffy added in childishly as Kalifa sighed.

"Putting that behind us," Nami cut in as she stood with a huge smile on her face. Her hands held the cases handle a bit more tightly as she directed her attention to Iceburg. Raindra admired the girl for her confidence. "If your Iceburg, you're the man we're looking for. Here, we bought a letter of introduction for you to look at," Nami handed him a paper the lady they meet before getting to the island gave them.

"From Granny Kokoro, take a look at their ship, it says," he read to himself. Raindra heard his tone soften as he spoke the name. But as soon as she heard it, it was gone and he ripped up the letter to bits. Usopp had been the first one to start yelling as his eyes looked to almost leave his head.

"What? Are you serious?" Nami was taken aback by the man. Raindra's hand touched her shoulder calmly. "There has to be something we could do to change your mind. If money is an issue, we can pay." Nami pleaded as Raindra looked at the man with hope.

"If you really are the best, then you've got to be the one to fit our Merry. Come on, we're begging," Luffy exclaimed.

"Okay," Iceburg said without a thought. Raindra smiled at the simple answer.

"That's it? You don't need to think about it?" Usopp nearly shouted in his shock.

"Nope," Iceburg said once more with little thought.

"Then why did you tear up the letter?" Usopp asked loudly as Raindra rolled her slate eyes. She didn't know why she was still watching this when she wasn't a part of the crew anymore. No, she knew since she wanted to make sure they'll be okay once she was gone.

"The lipsticks mark creeped me out. Even so, Granny Kokoro and I have been drinking buddies for years. Well, and since Kaku already gone to make an assessment for me. It would seem to be a waste to turn you down now. Wouldn't you say?" He explained as he stretched his arms over his head. He let out a groaned before his arms dropped. "Besides it's not like I had anything better to do. Let me show you around the factory, sound good?" He spoke as he picked his nose.

"Sweet," Luffy exclaimed as Raindra shook her head at him. "Bring it on!"

"Come along with me then," Kalifa spoke waving her head to follow her.

"Did he seriously cancel all his meetings to give us a tour?" Usopp asked himself out loud with a sigh.

"You should be grateful," Raindra told him as she poked him in the arm. "Even after all the yelling you did," she joked and she winked.

"Yea, you may be right," Usopp agreed as he sent her a smile. Luffy started to walk toward the shipyard.

"Yea, you got to let me sit on all the cool ships okay?" Raindra overheard Luffy tell Iceburg happily. Nami walked past the two to follow Luffy.

"Oh, right the money," Usopp sighed. He turned to pick up the two bags to only see them gone. His heart dropped as he paled looking around the ground for them. "Wait, what? No, no, no, no, no, no, noooo!"

"Hey what's wrong Usopp?" Both Raindra and Nami asked before they turned to see him looking around with panic.

"The money… It… It disappeared," he stuttered. Raindra looked around feeling her heart skip a beat. The money couldn't have disappeared.

Nami eye's widened as she too looked around. "Did you drop it somewhere?" She screamed in horror.

"I don't know," he answered sounding shocked. "Hey! Over there!" He pointed toward to small boats that were on the creatures backs. There were men with the bags of money going toward them. "Wait! Who are you?! Why are you taking our money?- I mean- Give it back! We need it you jerks! DO you hear me?! Hey!" Usopp shouted at the men in anger. Raindra chase after them to the edge of the waterways.

"Thanks for the cash," one shouted from the mini ships.

"Give us our money back!" Usopp cried out as Raindra looked around to see if she could find a way to stop the thieves. She was the daughter of Kuro of hundred plans. So should she be able to plan something quickly? "Come back! You won't get away with this!" Usopp chase them down the water's edge.

"That looks like the Franky Family," Iceburg commented with a serious tone. Raindra's slate orbs looked over to see that he didn't have any emotion on his face as he watched what was happening. Who was the Franky Family? She shook her head as she looked around to see the blond shipwright she saw earlier running on a bridge that crossed the water way.

"What's he running," she trailed off as she noticed three people in suits chasing after the guy. She could hear yelling but couldn't make out the words that were being shouted.

"Is that?" Iceburg saw the shipwright that Raindra was watching.

"Yes, it's Paulie," Kalifa replied. "The debt collectors are after him again." Raindra glance over to see that Kalifa looked watched Paulie as much as Iceburg did. Her slate orbs returned to the bridge to see the blond, Paulie jump off the bridge heading right at the people who took her friends money. He had rope that came from his blue coat sleeve that wrapped around the thieves before throwing them into the water. Raindra looked at the scene in disbelief. No one could be that lucky right?

"That was close," Usopp sounded relief. "Those shipwrights of yours have some pretty fancy moves."

"That they do," Iceburg agreed.

"Hey buddy, thanks for the help! I was starting to think we'd never see our money again," Usopp called out to Paulie. Raindra sighed as she moved to stand beside Usopp. She felt like they weren't finished trying to get the money back. Her slate orbs narrowed as the shipwright notice their money.

"Oh dear," she groaned as he kept sailing forward.

"Hellooooo," Usopp waved toward Paulie but notice that he wasn't going to come back with the money. "You got to be kidding me," he growled out as he saw the glee written on the man's face when he saw the money. "Hey! Come back here!"

"I'll take care of this," Luffy told everyone. "Jerk stealing our stuff." His arm moved back into one of his basic moves but before he could do more a pale hand grabbed his. "Huh," Luffy said as he and Raindra looked back to see Lucci holding on to his arm. He had no real expression to his face as he looked at Luffy.

"I'll get your money back," A voice spoke from the man's shoulder. Everyone's eyes went to the white pigeon that wore a red tie. Not a second later Lucci jumped into action. Raindra didn't turn around to see him but turned to look at Usopp.

"Usopp," she spoke quietly in his ear. He nodded his head a bit but still looked forward like nothing happened. "Robin is in danger," she whispered quickly. "I can't do anything to help. I'm already risking it to tell you." He tensed at her words but only for a moment.

"This is what you father meant? Isn't it?" He spoke to her quietly.

"I'm afraid so," she responded, "But I'll be fine. It's time for us to spit off on different paths."

"You sure," he question her words.

"Yes," she murmured before moving away from him. She eyed Kalifa and Iceburg and was relieved that neither seemed to have notice her exchange words with her childhood friend. She looked over to see Lucci sailing back toward them with Paulie's ear between his fingers.

"Looks like they're back," Iceburg commented as his shipwrights got closer.

"That's great. I'm glad things worked out for you Usopp," Luffy spoke with a brightening smile.

"Worked out for me," Usopp exclaimed angrily as he pulled on Luffy's rubber cheek. Raindra bit her lip to hold back a laugh. "That two-hundred million was for ship repairs, Remember!"

"That's right," Nami added in as she pulled on his other cheek. "And all you did was sit there and stare like a fool, while it nearly got carried away!" Raindra swore she could see fire raging in Nami's eyes as the words were spoken.

"I know, but the pigeon said he'd handle it," Luffy pointed toward Lucci.

"Well that was embarrassing," Iceburg spoke before he went to explaining a few things to the Straw Hats. Raindra walked toward the water's edge to wait for Lucci to get onto land. His face looked almost annoyed at the complaining blonde.

"Here you go Iceburg. Do with him as you will," the pigeon spoke as Lucci just stood there.

"I'm here, you can let go," Paulie told Lucci angrily as he tried to get the dark haired man to let his ear go.

"Excellent work as always Lucci," Iceburg spoke with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Truly I cannot apologize enough for the actions of this oaf," the pigeon said toward the Straw Hats. Luffy couldn't believe the pigeon was really talking. Lucci moved to toss Paulie to the ground roughly. Raindra gulped as she knew that was nothing to what he could truly do. "Tell the nice people you're sorry oaf," the pigeon demanded to Paulie and Lucci through the bags of money to the blond man.

"Whoa, that pigeon really has it out for that dude," Luffy exclaimed as Lucci looked over to the bluette. Raindra couldn't help but let out a laugh at how Luffy never seemed to think in his head. She wasn't surprise when Lucci pulled her to stand closer to him then the water she stood by.

"What," she started as he rolled his black orbs.

"You could give me 10 percent," Paulie said just seconds before Lucci banged the blond in a head with a hammer. Her eyes widened slightly knowing there was going to be a bump in no time with the way Lucci beat on the poor shipwright.

"Again, I'm quite sorry," Lucci's pigeon spoke as Paulie groaned holding his head. "This imbecile is addicted to gambling you see. He's racked up such a massive debt it has made him lose sight of everything but greed." It explained.

"I don't care about him! I want to know why you're talking," Luffy shouted as he pointed at the pigeon. His other arm clutched onto the two bags Paulie had given him.

"Luffy," Raindra warned but Luffy didn't seem to even notice.

"I've had enough of you running your mouth Lucci," the deep voice came from Paulie. "This will shut you up." Raindra squeaked as rope came from the blue sleeve of the shipwright's jacket. "Rope action," he cried out as the rope came shooting toward Lucci who wasn't even far from her. Lucci just held up his arm and the rope wrapped itself around it tightly. The white pigeon flew off his shoulder to the sky as Raindra watched the black orbs look at the rope. Seconds later Lucci went flying through the air and right toward the ground, head first.

"Lucci," she called out as dust cloud stopped anyone from seeing him. Her pale face looked on with worry.

"Well, this is nothing new," Iceburg commented catching the bluette's attention. The dust blow away and there was Lucci with no emotion. He had his figures dug into the stone ground his arm holding him completely upside down. Raindra couldn't help but sigh in relief. Even though she wanted to cancel the deal she didn't want to see him injured.

"Whoa, check it out," Usopp exclaimed as he pointed toward Lucci. "I thought he landed on his head but he stopped himself with his arm." He paused as he starred at the shipwright in shock. "Wow, not only that he dug his hand into the ground. What, does he have fingers of steel or something? These guys are just shipwrights, why do they need these crazy powers for." Usopp sounded a bit afraid which made Raindra think that she went with the right decision to protect the crew and follow the deal through.

Luffy walked forward and Raindra moved her hand to touch her forehead. She didn't even want to hear what he was going to say. "Hey, you with the goggles on your head," Luffy called out and Paulie looked over at him. "Listen man, think about this for a second. That guy wasn't the one saying all that mean stuff. It was the pigeon" Luffy made the last part sound like a big deal.

"The bird could say whatever it wants," Paulie replied back before he pointed to Lucci. "Actions speak louder than words. And Lucci was the one who hit me!"

"Yea, but the pigeon made him hit you cause he's too much of a coward to do it himself," Luffy stated with his hand on his hips. He looked up angrily to the pigeon in the sky. Raindra hit her forehead lightly at his words. "Hey pigeon get down here and fight your own fights!" He shouted up at the bird. "Say something!"

The pigeon flew down wards as Lucci flipped himself to stand upright once more. It moved to sit once more on his shoulder. "Oh, you want some more," Paulie asked as he walked toward Lucci rolling his sleeves up. "I'll take you on anytime."

"Enough Paulie," Iceburg finally spoke.

"Thank god," Raindra murmured as she walked closer to the three. Lucci turned to face the Straw Hats once more.

"Please excuse us for the fuss. I'm Rob Luc-" The pigeon stopped his words with wide eyes. "I mean my name is Hattori and this is Rob Lucci. We both work at Galley La's factory." Raindra couldn't help but smile as how her friends seemed to think he was cool. That was right before Paulie got mad at Nami for wearing a skirt. It made Raindra feel lucky that she wore a pair of jeans.

"This doc is a man's work place," Paulie walked toward her just as Kalifa moved in the way.

"Now now Paulie," she spoke calmly like you would with a child. "Let's calm down." Paulie's eyes seemed to pop as he looked down at Kalifa's skirt.

"You to Kalifa," he shouted as Lucci grabbed onto the anger shipwright's arm. "How many times have I told you that thoughs clothes aren't appropriate? If you want to look professional wear pants or at least ankle length skirts."

"This guy has issues," Usopp said and Raindra had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. Luffy had no luck with that and just burst into laughter.

"Well enough of that," Iceburg told his shipwrights. "Let's open the gate and start the tour already." Both stopped before moving to the huge stone gate. Lucci moved to grabbed Raindra by the waist as he walked up to the door. Raindra blushed as she looked up at him with wonder. Both shipwrights used one arm to open the doors to everyone's shock. Raindra would have thought it would at the very least take 10 men for each door.

"You won't hurt them, right?" Raindra whispered quietly to the man that held her.

"As long as they don't get in the way of my mission," he spoke lowly so only she could hear what he said. "You did better than I thought you would," he praised just as quietly in her ear. Her heart almost skipped a beat as she looked over to see Usopp watching them. She knew if she did anything now the pigeon, Hattori would just inform Lucci.

Usopp ran in with Luffy as Nami walked along listening to Iceburg and the blonde woman with him. Lucci just pulled Raindra toward a pile of thick logs. She couldn't help but admire how everyone in the shipyard seemed to stop what they were doing for a second to just greet Iceburg. They were so excited. She noticed Luffy trying to get Iceburg as a new crewmate and the ship's shipwright. A giggle slipped through her lips as she saw everyone's face about the topic. No one looked at all pleased with Luffy's question. Her slate eyes glance toward Lucci's to see that he was looking at her.

"Is something wrong?" She asked feeling him tug her to a pile of huge logs stacked on each other. He sat down and pulled her onto his lap. Raindra couldn't stop the pink blush that appeared on her face. "Lucci," she muttered as she looked at his arms that were wrapped around her waist. He didn't seem to notice how she looked and stayed quiet. Not long after a flash of orange and blue had come flying down.

"Kaku, where'd you run off to?" Paulie asked as he noticed the long nosed shipwright land nearby. Kaku didn't seem to waste a second as he walked toward them.

"An assessment," was the man's reply. He seemed so serious it made Raindra wonder if most people around the doc were like this.

"Wow, you are fast! Huh? I take it you checked at the ship?" Nami asked him with a charming smile. Her orange hair slightly blew away from her face.

"That I did little missy," Kaku replied not giving anything away. His eyes move from Nami to Iceburg. "Now that is a coincidence. We were wondering where you were."

"They told me why they were here," Iceburg spoke with a hint of interest. "How is the ship?"

"About that," Kaku trailed off and Raindra's heart filled with dread. His tone didn't make it sound like there was any good news.

"Luffy get down here," Nami called up to where Luffy, who was on a huge ship.

"Okay, be right there," he called back causing Raindra to sigh. Nothing seemed to go right since they'd got to Water 7. "Did something happen to Usopp?" Luffy asked as he came to stand with them. Slate eyes roamed around the shipyard with worry. Nowhere could she see her friend. Where did he go?

"Well he was looking at the canons over there a second ago," Nami pointed toward some canons. "But..." She trailed off sounding unsure as she looked around for him as well.

"Hey, you there," a shipwright called out as he came up toward Nami and Luffy with two black bags that looked close to what Usopp had. "These bags are yours aren't they?"

"Usopp was supposed to be taking care of thoughs," Nami complained with a groan. "But yea, they're ours."

"Thanks buddy," Luffy replied as the man gave the bags to Luffy.

"I can't believe that idiot," Nami started on her rant not noticing the ice cold glare sent her way from Raindra. "Wondering off at a time like this and how could he leave our precious money alone like that," she complained letting everyone know of her thoughts on the matter.

"Your money," the man sounded befuddled.

"Yea thoughs bags you've found have 2 million in them," Luffy replied like it was nothing.

"Your funny kid," the man burst out laughing before he walked away. Raindra's slate orbs followed the man until he disappeared.

"So how much do you think the repairs will cost?" Luffy asked with a laugh. "We got plenty of money to spend. And no price is too high for our Merry." Kaku walked past Luffy and Nami and sat close to Raindra and Lucci. "And while you are at it, why don't you make her stronger, faster, tough as nails and of course decked out with cannons." Raindra rolled her eyes at Luffy trying to imagine what he was yet couldn't.

"I'd like some pretty engravings or some kind of decoration along the hull. Also can you guys renovate the inside," Nami asked with a big smile. Raindra looked to Kaku and noticed how grim he looked. There had to be something wrong. Just the look he had as he looked to the ground filled her with dread.

"Oh and a big statue too," Luffy continued happily. "And when I say big, I mean huge, kay?" His arms went up in the air as he tried to show what he meant by huge. Raindra wanted to remind them that the ship they had was still small for all that stuff.

"Not so fast," Kaku's words beat her own. Both Nami and Luffy's smiles dropped as they noticed his grim face. "That ship of yours has gone on some really extraordinary journeys, hasn't she?" The dreadful feel never left her as she took in his words.

"Yea, you bet," Luffy had his smile once again across his face. "We've done it all! A while back we flew in the sky and then fell back down. We climbed a big mountain too. So you got to work hard to fix her up extra good, okay?" Luffy went on like a child moving his arms everywhere. It would have made the girls laugh if it wasn't the look they saw on the long nose shipwright. Luffy frowned as Kaku said nothing. "You don't think I'm lying do you?"

"That isn't the issue," Kaku spoke seriously.

"What do you mean?" Raindra asked nervously but concerned.

"Her battle scars are far worse than you think," he said as he looked toward Luffy and Nami with a straight face. As soon as the words left his mouth a tightening feeling around Raindra's heart appeared. Her eyes glued onto him hoping to hear everything was going to be okay with the Goin' Merry.

"Then you are saying it's going to take a long time to fix her?" Nami asked concerned.

"No ma'am. It's not about the time. It's not about skill either. I'm saying no one can fix her, not even us," Kaku told them causing the two Straw Hat's to gasp in shock. Raindra fell back into Lucci's chest looking up at the sky. How could this be happening? She had joined the crew when they first got that ship. It was family. Why hadn't anyone noticed this was happening? A tear slid down the side of her face as her slate eyes closed for a moment.

Paulie walked over to sit on the other side of the couple with a sigh. "So that means the keel is damaged huh?" He asked as he pulled his cigar out of his mouth.

"That's right," Kaku replied looking at the blond shipwright. "It looks like it's taken a real wallop."

"No way," Nami said as she found her voice. "We… We've gone everywhere without any problems until now." Raindra could hear her friend's voice breaking.

"That ship is Usopp's treasure," she murmured to herself as her eyes opened to scan the ship yard once more. She hoped she might have spotted him, but she didn't. Why did he have to disappear? Maybe it was better he wasn't here to hear all of this. Her slate eyes scanned again, a part of her just hoping to see him so he could prove them wrong. And another wanted him to never hear of this so he wouldn't be in the pain they were in now. "How is he going to react?" Her voice was small as she thought back to the island she and Usopp met, and how they started their journey.

"In theory, even if we did everything we could. The probability of your ship lasting until the next island," he paused causing them to gulp. "Is zero," he finished as Raindra felt her heart crack into two.

"What? You can't fix the Goin' Merry? Why not," Luffy yelled in anger. "I thought all of you were supposed to be awesome shipwrights." Everyone just stayed quiet with a straight face as they listened to Luffy. Raindra wished he would just understand what had been said. But that had been what she loved about him, how he never gave up. "Don't worry about the money. We've got plenty."

"It's not about the money, son," Kaku spoke sternly causing Luffy and Nami to gasp. "No matter how much you pay. That ship can't be restored to what she used to be. To be honest, I'm rather impressed that you got that old girl this far. Considering the condition that she's currently in," Kaku spoke.

"What's that supposed to mean? What is exactly is going on with the Merry?" Nami snapped her questions at them.

Paulie looked right at Nami with his cigar sticking out of his mouth a bit. "Do you know what the keel is, you immoral girl?" He asked.

"Immoral," she sounded offended by the word. "The thing at the bottom of the boat," she guessed sounding unsure.

"Yea," Paulie said breathing out a puff of smoke. "It's the most important piece of lumber on a ship. It crosses from stem to stern and provides support. When you built a ship, you start off but placing the keel. Then you set up to wood for the stem, the stern, the frame, frame brackets, and deck beams. All the pieces are carefully assembled together as the keel serving as the core. It's the very backbone, framework and life of every vessel constructed, and when it's severely damaged then that's the end of it," Paulie explained to them. Raindra never realized how important the keel had been. "You can't just replace it with a new one. That will be the same thing as building a new ship from scratch. And that is the reason we, or anyone won't be able to fix her. Your ship is a bunch of wood stuck together awaiting her end."

"Hey you don't say such horrible things," Nami snapped out as her voice broke.

"Horrible or not, it's the truth," Paulie with his eyes closed but his expression was still emotionless. Raindra bit her lips at how true the words sounded. She didn't want to leave the crew when this was happening. She was barely taking it alright, and she had just left them.

"Okay, Fine. Just rebuild her from the ground up, like you said before. Build another Goin' Merry!" Luffy exclaimed as he waved his arms.

"Sorry, not possible," Hattori spoke behind Raindra causing her to look up at the white pigeon.

"Why not," Luffy yelled at him. They stayed quiet.

"Why not Lucci," Raindra asked quietly her slate eyes meeting his black ones.

"We could build a very similar ship, but no one could build you one that is exactly the same. Nowhere in the world are there two completely identical ships. It simply cannot be done," Hattori answered shaking it's head.

"What do you mean? Why?" Nami asked sounding less angry and more in control of her emotions.

"Tell me are there any trees in the world that grow exactly the same way?" Both Raindra and Nami gasped at the thought. A sailing ship is mostly built out of lumber. So the overall size and shape of the vessel is determined by the type of wood used. That is why an exact duplicate of your ship can't be built by us or anyone. Even when using the same blueprint. If we made a ship like that with those exact specification, the ones who would notice the difference and will feel it's a completely different ship would be all of you guys." Hattori finished pointing at Nami.

"No way," Nami said as she gripped her hand into a fist. "So you are saying it's absolutely impossible for us to continue sailing on the Goin' Merry?"

"Unfortunately yes," Kaku spoke up as he looked at them. "You could either wait around for her to sink or you could dismantle immediately." Raindra turned her head so she was looking at Lucci's neck. This was like a nightmare she wished she could just awake from. How did everything fall into this?

"Lucci," her voice murmured and he moved to look down at her. "Is this really happening?" He nodded to her as one of his hands moved to rest on her head. Tears filled her eyes. She wanted to scream, yell that it was all lies, but the words couldn't find their way out of her. She just cried.

"Hey Iceburg," a man called catching the bluette's attention once more. Her pale hands move to wipe the tears off her face. "There is someone at the front gate that wants to see you." Ice Berg hummed as he looked to Kalifa.

"There doesn't seem to be anyone on your appointment schedule for today," she said as she looked down at the papers in her arms.

"It looks like thoughs world government officials again. Should I tell them you're unavailable?" Raindra looked at the tanned man with what looked like he had bed head to speak. She wondered what work he did to make a ship.

"Well, yes please. Say I'm gone, by the way Lulu you got quite a case of bedhead," Iceburg pointed out.

"Oops, how embarrassing," Lulu spoke as he raise a hand to the spike, "My apologies." He pushed the spike down only for it to pop out the other side of his head. "Anyway, I'll ask them to leave."

"Uh thanks," Ice Berg's eyes widen as he looked at the man's hair. "I appreciate it."

"Hold it right there Iceburg," a deep voice called out causing Raindra to shiver. Who was that? She turned her head to see three people walking towards them in black suits. "Looks like you're here after all."

"Who are they?" Raindra asked.

"Government officials," Lucci whispered into her ear.

"Hey you two got to hide," Paulie told Nami and Luffy. "Government officials are here."

"What? Uh okay," Nami said as her and Luffy grabbed their bags and hid behind the huge log piled Lucci, Raindra, Paulie and Kaku sat on.

"Well, hello Corgi," Iceburg greeted. "As you can see I'm not here today."

"Yes, you are," Corgi said hints of anger in his tone. His eyes narrowed at the blue haired man. "Come now, I've come all the way out here by sea train. Don't turn me away, it's impolite." The man turned his head slightly to sniff the air. Lucci's arms wrapped around Raindra's waist as his black orbs looked at Corgi. "Huh… For some reason I detect the scent of pirates," he chuckles darkly causing Raindra to tense. "Whatever. In any case I want to talk to you."

"I don't like you! Go away," Iceburg dismissed him childishly.

"Are you a child?" Corgi asked with a frown to only notice Iceburg started to pick his nose.

"Nah-nu, I'm totally an adult," Iceburg answered him with a childish tone. Raindra couldn't help just stare at the man.

"Then start acting like one," Corgi made a sound of clearing his throat as he spoke. "There is something of special importance I need to discuss with you. I would appreciate it if you would hear me out. Come let's talk this over in private." Just the way Corgi's tone was made Raindra want to tell Iceburg to say no. But Iceburg nodded before he and Kalifa left with the government officials.

"Those government guys are so damn persistent," Paulie complained as he too watched the group leave as well. "What the hell do they want with Iceburg anyway?"

"Look it has nothing to do with us," Hattori spoke waving his wing at Paulie. Raindra looked up at the bird puzzled, "Probably political stuff."

"That would make sense," Raindra comment quietly.

"Should I beat them up?" Lulu asked as he rubbed his head.

"I wouldn't, I mean they're government guys after all," Kaku replied seriously.

"He does have a point," Raindra sighed.

"Yea," Lulu agreed with her. A scream filled the air causing everyone to look around. Raindra closed her eyes knowing it had come from Nami. Paulie shot up from his seat and went around the corner in anger.

"Idiots, what the hell are you," he cut off before pointing at where the two Straw Hats hid. "Hey lady, if you sit like that everyone will see your," he cut off again trying to get the words to come out.

Raindra tried to hear what was going on until another yell came but from Luffy, "200 million!"

"Gone," Nami voice yelled out. "It's really gone! Wait, look at these bags. They aren't even ours!" Lucci sighed as he pulled Raindra up with him and dragged her toward the noise. They saw Luffy and Nami looking down at empty cases.

"Hey, hey keep it down," Hattori said loudly. "What's wrong?"

"Our money," Luffy spoke as he looked a bit too white. "Our money is gone."

"Vanished, Gone, Disappeared," Nami said with dread trying to make at point. She looked just as pale as Luffy.

"What?" Paulie asked.

"Paulie was it you again?" Hattori asked pointing it's wing toward the blond.

"What? NO!" He exclaimed with wide eyes.

"Honest?" Hattori asked as both he and Lucci eyed Paulie.

"Why would I lie?" Paulie snapped at them.

"You mean it?" Hattori asked.

"Yes I mean it!" Paulie yelled. Raindra started to giggle as they continued to yell. They stopped as they looked to see Lulu talking.

"That's strange," he commented. "Huh, I was so certain that I saw your long nose." Raindra paled as Nami peeked out from the corner.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," She said loudly. "Hold on a sec."

"That's Usopp," Luffy yelled the second after.

"You saw him with the Franky family," Nami asked him.

"Well you could say he was with them, or maybe you could say he was being dragged away," Lulu said as he pushed in his hand only for another to random pop out again.

"That's kidnapping," Nami yelled at him and Raindra fell to her knees at the words. "Luffy we got to find him," Nami said as she turned to her captain only to see ran by.

"Right," he called back, before disappearing.

"Wait," Nami yelled after him. "Hold on, where are you going to look?" But he was gone.

"Raindra," Hattori spoke. She moved to look up, only to see Lucci was looking down at her with a hint of concern.

"Lucci," she spoke quietly. "Do you think I could go and pick my stuff up and say my goodbyes to the rest of the crew?" There was no answer he just held his hand out to her. She placed her hand into his for him to pull her up into his chest. To anyone it would seem that he was trying to give her comfort.

"Be back here for the evening when we close," he whispered in her ear. She gulped but nodded to the command.

"Of course," her voice left her as she pulled away.

"Raindra," Hattori spoke as Lucci pulled out a wallet from his back pocket. "Take this and go shopping for some new clothes."

"Alright," she agreed as Lucci placed it into her hand. "I'll see you later," she spoke as her eyes looked around to see only Kaku's attention was on them. Raindra turned and walked out of Doc 1 slowly as she felt eyes watching her leave. It made her tense. It hadn't taken her long to get out of the place and as soon as she got out of site of the build, the feeling of relief filled her. "That could have gone so much easier for me," she spoke to herself as she wandered down some streets and allies.

Raindra didn't know where she was going until she passed a shop with clothing. She hummed to herself as she looked through the window. "I guess I could stop by here…" Her eyes scanned the street about her before she entered.

The shop was nice. There were different types of clothes in almost every color. Raindra looked through racks and racks of clothes. She ended up wandering around until she found a few pairs of black jeans, deep blue jean, and a few different colored tank tops. She also picked out a black hoodie, and a simple knee length black dress that had long black sleeves. By now she thought she spent enough time looking and was going to buy the items, only to spot a nice black leather backpack. She grabbed it and went right to the clerk but still looked around at the stuff that she passed.

"Is this all for you?" The clerk asked with a huge smile.

"Yea," Raindra said as she held out the cash for the items.

"Would you like the clothes in the backpack or shopping bags?" The clerk asked as they accepted the cash from the bluette.

"In the backpack is alright," Raindra replied as she watched the person fold and pack her newest clothes in the bag. It didn't take long for her to get her bag and leave the store. "Now to the ship," she said to herself as she walked to where the Goin' Merry had been docked. Hopefully the crew was there and then again she might have a harder time with them all there and not when she just had to tell Usopp, Nami and Luffy.

She sighed at where her thoughts had gotten. Images of her crew dying as she thought about staying with them. She would just be causing trouble if she stayed. Just as she decided to keep the deal she thought of Zoro and how she was going to miss the quiet swords man.

Her eyes looked up to see the ship right in front of her. "How long was I thinking?" She asked herself a bit confused but shrugged it off as she went on to the ship. The last thing she thought she would see was a gun to her head. "Whoa," Rain held her hands up as she looked passed the gun and to Nami. "I just wanted to get some of my things."

Nami's brown orbs widen as she slowly lowered the gun. "Raindra," Nami spoke quietly.

"Is something wrong?" Rain asked only to find Nami hugging her so tightly with tears in her eyes. "Nami," Raindra exclaimed in alarm. What was going on? Did things get worse? "Nami, you're worrying me," she told the orange hair woman as she pulled her a bit away so she could look at the other's face.

"Why do you have to leave us?" Nami asked her suddenly. "Why couldn't he just have joined the crew? Or you leave later on?" Raindra stood there tense as she thought of what Nami had asked. Slate orbs wondered the deck to see no one around. No one there for her to change the topic. What was she going to say? There was no way Lucci would ever join, and she already should have been his wife as soon as she left the East Blue.

"Nami," Raindra spoke sadly. "He wouldn't like this life. He didn't even like that my father had this life. I want to be with him. If I stay longer I'll never leave." Nami nodded sadly.

"I understand," she replied.

"Nami where is the crew?" Raindra still was confused that only Nami was here.

"Sanji, Chopper, and Zoro went to get Usopp," Nami told her as she looked toward the bag of money left by a lot of weapons. "I found him injured in the middle of the street."

"No," Raindra gasped as her hand went to her mouth. A quick image filled her head of what Nami would have seen.

"He will be okay Rain," Nami said as she saw the bluette's fear.

"He's my oldest and dearest friend," Raindra sighed as she looked back towards Water 7. "Promise to keep an eye out for him. Please." Nami's brown orbs looked right into Raindra's stormy ones.

"I'll try."

"It's all I ask," Raindra told her before both of them hugged again. "I got to get my stuff," Rain told her once they pulled away.

"I'm going to miss you Rain."

"I'm going to miss you too," Raindra said as she walked into the cabin area she shared with Nami and Robin. "It's to keep them safe," she murmured as she pack her clothes into her new bag and slipped two books in it as well. Her hand touched the sword on her hip, with a huge gulp she removed it from her and left it on her old bed. "I'm sorry."

She left the cabin to see Nami leaning on the railing staring out at the sea. Sadness filled Raindra's heart as she thought that this will be the last time that she'll see her. "You'll take care of yourself," Nami spoke causing Rain's eyes to widen. "You still are family."

"I will, and I wish you well," Raindra told her as a small smile appeared on her face. "I must go."

"You aren't even going to wait until everyone comes back?" Nami turned to face her with confusion. Raindra tried to keep her small smile but it was hard.

"I have to be at Doc 1 before it closes and they could come back late into the night. You know them," Raindra said as she looked toward the city once more. "Maybe I can meet up tomorrow."

"Okay," Nami said before she dashed over to give the bluette one last hug. "I'll see you later."

"Yea," Raindra looked down unsure that they would.

Soon Raindra was back into the city and ended up stopping into a bar. She sat down just as the bartender turned to face her. He had a friendly smile as one hand was wiping a glass dry. "What can I get you?" His deep voice asked with a laugh. Raindra couldn't help but to stare. He was tall with big lips. He had a black beard that matched his hair which was styled to look almost like a bull. The black t-shirt with yellow spots peaked out from the apron. "Miss," he said as he raised a brow at her.

"Just a water please," she said with a smile.

"Of course," he replied as he moved to fill a glass with water and put it in front of her.

"Thank You," she said before she moved to take a slip. The cold icy liquid felt good going down her throat. She couldn't believe she was this thirsty.

"It's no problem," he told her as she pulled out Lucci's wallet.

"What are you doing with that?" He asked jokingly yet his eyes narrowed darkly at the wallet.

"What do you mean?" Raindra asked confused before she looked down at the wallet and blushed. She placed it back into her pocket and pulled out her light blue one. "Sorry, I took my boyfriend's wallet out by mistake."

"The drink is free," he told her before moving to get someone else a refill.

"That's weird," she murmured as she placed her wallet back into her other pocket. Her eyes moved to look around to see people smiling, and enjoying their drinks. It was nice to see. No one seemed to be drunk yet.

"What brings you to Water 7?" The bartender asked as he came to stand in front of her once more.

"Ship repairs," Raindra gave him a smile. "My crew needed someone who knew what they were doing to fix up their ship. Well my old crew. I don't know how long I'm staying around." She commented before she took a slip of her water.

"Sounds like you come from a pirate crew," he laughed. "What is your name anyways?"

"Raindra," she replied without skipping a beat. "And I guess I sound like I come from one with the way I've been raised." She looked right into his eyes and noticed how he was listening with interest not like any other bartender did. But another part of her wanted to tell him everything.

"You were raised on a ship?" He sounded shocked. She didn't blame him much since she knew a lot of children of pirates never really were raised on the crews but on islands with other family. At least from what she knew.

"Born and mostly raised," she told him with a smile. "Princess of the crew, as my family used to tell me."

"I'm surprised you're not staying with them," he told her with a chuckle. "Family is close at times."

"I left them a while back," she told him as a frown appeared on her face. A haunted looked came to her eyes as she spoke. "Something went wrong and they changed, I left back on the seas with a new crew though and now I'm parting ways once more with another group I call my family. I wish I could say more but it's such a long story and not all of it is mine to tell."

"Is that right?" He said with a friendly smile.

"I don't think I caught your name," she told him.

"Blueno," he replied with a friendly chuckle.

"Nice to meet you Blueno," she said quietly as her slate eyes looked at the glass of water in her hands. A haunted look came across her face as she thought to herself. Nothing felt right, nothing at all. A feeling of being lost filled her as she remembered moments with the Straw Hats. Her mind thought of Lucci, did she want to be with him now? "He doesn't have to be my future," she murmured as her thoughts went to the sea train. Not a second later she gulped all the water and left the glass at the bar. "Thanks for the water," she told Blueno with a smile before she grabbed her bag. Her feet lead her right out of the bar and through Water 7 until she was standing in front of the train station.

Doubt filled her once more as she looked toward Galley-Law. Lucci could always find her unless she was on the run but then what would happen if she left. Would her crew be safe then? Raindra stood by the rails watching people travel on a few trains. She didn't even know how long she was standing there. Her thoughts wouldn't let her choose to let her leave or let her stay. It wasn't only her life that was affected by her choices.

"Damn, why is this so hard?" She muttered to herself looking up at the sky it was a beautiful golden color with mixes of reds, oranges, and pinks.

"What's so hard?" The voice spoke right behind her spooking her. Raindra swung around but her balance went off and she felt herself fall toward the water. Slate orbs widen with fear as her breath hitched. Luck was on her side when the long nosed shipwright grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the edge of the platform. "Careful now," he told her with a friendly laugh.

She just stood there trying to catch her breath. Slowly she ended up falling to her knees with tears in her eyes. Damn her fears. "Breathe," she voiced to herself in a whisper. It was something that centered her whenever she felt panic.

"Are you alright Raindra?" Kaku knelt down placing his hand on her shoulder. She just nodded even though her body shook.

"Is she fine?" A man's voice asked though Raindra barely heard it.

"Yea," Kaku replied. "I just think she freaked a bit."

"Nothing to see here people," a voice yelled confusing Raindra. Her eyes looked up to see people being waved away. Kaku still knelt in front of her, his eyes watching the people walk away. Her breathing slowly returned to normal that moment Kaku's eyes moved to look right at hers.

"Why are you out here of all places?" She didn't say a word to answer his question. Kaku sighed before he helped her up and took the bag she had on her to swing it over his shoulder. "Lucci wants you back at his side since you never showed up," Kaku told her as he started to walk toward the exit of the train station. Raindra slowly followed him with her legs still a bit shaky.

Right outside the station she tripped over her shaky feet and landed hard on the stone ground. There was a pain that shot through her ankle. Tears filled her eyes as she pushed herself to sit up. "Damn," Raindra cursed as she moved her hand to check her foot. Kaku moved to kneel in front of her moving her hands away from her ankle.

"It's already started swelling," he spoke as his eyes looked up to see the watery slate that stared at the ground. Why was she feeling so emotional? She already left her newer family, her crew. Was it enough she almost faced her fear, now she ended up injuring herself? Everything wasn't looking up at all. "Is it painful?" Kaku sounded like he cared. Maybe he did. Or it could all be an act.

"A bit," she murmured as her arm moved to wrap around herself.

"Can I move you to a bench? I wouldn't want someone to come along and step on you," Kaku told her with a comforting smile. Rain sighed but nodded. He didn't waste a second; she was up in his arms and then placed on the closest bench. "How is that?" No answer. Her eyes still looked to the ground. "Tell me something Raindra," Kaku spoke causing her to look at him.

"Like what?" Her voice spoke her fear.

"Well… What age did you meet Lucci?"

"I was five," she told him quietly.

"What is your home like?" Kaku just asked another question.

"Why do you want to know?" Raindra asked sounding completely confused.

"Can't I ask?" Kaku shoot back. "It's an easy way to get someone from focusing on their fear."

"Oh," she murmured. "What counts as a home?"

"It depends on the person," Kaku shrugged as he leaned back against the bench. "To me these past five years made Galley-La a home for me." Her slate eyes moved to look at him. He looked peaceful like he was comfortable with this type of life.

"The Goin' Merry was my home," Raindra told him quietly. "The Straw Hats are my family, even though it hasn't been a year yet." Kaku smiled as she spoke. His eyes watched her shift to wrap her arms around her.

"How did you meet the Straw Hats?"

"They showed up on the beach of the island I was living on at the time. Usopp was going to threaten them away because of the pirate flag on their tiny ships," a slight smile appeared on her lips as she pictured the day within her head. The way she hid in a bush by the sand and the other four friends on the cliffs edge. "Luffy, said word that scared Usopp and Zoro moved to use his swords. I couldn't help but pull mine and met the edge of his. That was one of the few times I surprised the swordsman of the crew."

"It doesn't sound like the crew was big at all," he said raising a brow.

"Then it was only Nami, Luffy and Zoro. They didn't even have the Goin' Merry yet," she agreed. "The crew is still small but it's just fine."

"Feel better?" Kaku asked her only to receive a nod. "So do you want to explain why the panic attack earlier?" Raindra bit her lip as she looked to the sky willing her voice to speak.

"I'm afraid of water," Her voice was quiet yet Kaku could hear it perfectly.

"It must be hell being in Water 7 then," he pointed out.

"Let me correct myself. I'm afraid of being in it," she muttered only to hear Kaku chuckle once more.

"So when I startled you and you were going to fall in your fear kicked in?"

"Of course," she replied rolling her eyes.

"Did you always fear it?"

"It wasn't always," they hear Hatori speak and looked over to see Lucci walking towards them. "She fears the sea since she ate a devil fruit," the bird continued with the answer.

"That makes sense," Kaku commented thoughtfully.

"Raindra, you didn't show up when Galley-La closed," Hatori pointed out and she blushed looking away from him.

"I lost track of time," she replied quietly. There weren't many people out now as the sun has set. The three didn't seem at all worried about people overhearing anything that was said. "I was just thinking."

"It doesn't explain why you were standing at the edge of the station, near the tracks," Kaku mentioned sternly. "But it does explain how I startled you."

"Why were you at the station?" Lucci spoke quietly this time and not Hatori. Raindra tensed up at his voice unsure what the right answer would be to this. "I expect an answer from you."

"I wanted to see the sea train," she whispered not noticing the two CP9 members eyes narrowed on to her face.

"Are you sure you weren't planning on running?" Lucci had moved to bend near her in mouth near her ear. His voice was cold. It sent shivers down her spine. Her eyes looked a head as her heart hammered in her chest. "I'm waiting for your answer," he chuckled deeply still near her ear.

"I wouldn't run with the lives of the Straw Hats on the line," she whispered and he pulled away with a smirk. She forced herself on her feet to only for her hand to grab onto his arm for support. Her slate eyes widen. A weakness. One she didn't need him to use to his advantage.

"Are you sure you could walk?" Kaku asked standing up on the spot. He sounded concern. "She had tripped really badly," he directed toward Lucci. Raindra was about to tell them she was alright, but the words vanished as Lucci picked her up in his arm as the bride she was.

"Let's go," Hattori ordered before the two men, with Rain walked away from the station.

Raindra: This is a rewrite of my story CP9's Attack with new scenes and detail, there will be another chapter or two to come. I hope you all enjoy this chapter.

Until Next Time (n_n)