And I Say to Myself
By: Kuroi Neko-kun
Summary: Luffy's memories locked in a music box.
Disclaimers: Don't own them. Wish to. But don't. –Sigh-
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The large ship rocked back and forth, like a cradle as the crashing of the waves and the whistle of the wind provided a lullaby that only a pirate would enjoy. But for the captain of this great ship, he found a lullaby that soothed him, even in dark times. He sat in the crow's nest as it was his turn to watch over his own ship. With a small lamp for light, he carefully removed the lid of a box that he had kept under his blanket. An old music box lay inside the tiny chest, like a treasure. Time and the salty humidity had caused this music box to tarnish but it was a treasure just the same. He smiled to himself as he opened the box and let the music play, like a ghostly tune. His memories, ones that did not involve his straw hat, would come to him and remind him why he should press on.
~~~
The strange yet soothing tune echoed the house. A small boy with unkempt raven hair popped into the room that held the source of the sound. There sat his mother who was sewing. Once and awhile, she would close her eyes, resting her eyes from straining for too long and listen to the peaceful sounds. The boy came up to her and snuggled on her lap.
"Mama," he mumbled," what is this noise?" His mother chuckled before pointing to the music box.
"It's not noise, Luffy. That's a music box. It plays music that relaxes you and calms you down," his mother explained as she smiled warmly at her son.
"It's nice," the young boy said, yawning. The song was making him sleepy. "What is it playing?"
"What a Wonderful World…" she said," but I don't need a music box to tell me that, You and Ace remind me that I have one every day." Luffy pouted.
"I don't think Ace would make this world wonderful…" he muttered. His mother chuckled. Luffy rested his head, listening to his mother sing the song, making a sweet lullaby out of it. He closed his eyes, slowly falling to sleep.
~~~
A tear streaked down his face. He missed listening to his mother sing that song. He was glad that she always, even till he grew to a fine young teen, sung it. And he was sure that Ace does too. It calmed them down, knowing that the world was not as bad as many depicted. But before he left for his journey, his mother sung no more. She passed on a few months, leaving Luffy with her most precious treasure: The music box that he always had with him till now. She also told him something he could never forget.
"Always remember that this world is wonderful, no matter how unfair life can be." He felt somehow that his mother was watching him, fulfilling his dream. And making others enjoy what he had: A wonderful world. He looked up to the stars and smiled, knowing that his mother was always singing to him up there.
"And I say to myself," He mumbled to no one," what a wonderful world…" With that, he closed the music box. Not long after, he heard the distinct sound of the door closing.
"Luffy!" The first mate called. The rubber boy closed the lid to of the chest that contained his treasure and wrapped it in the bundle.
"Coming!" He shouted, coming down from the crow's nest. He faced the swordsman who smirked.
"I'm surprised you're not complaining about hunger," he commented. Luffy grinned hugging his bundle tight.
"I just reminded myself how wonderful this world can be. I'll complain tomorrow, okay?" The raised eyebrow gave away the curiosity that Zoro tried to keep inside. He wanted to ask of the song that he heard play just a few moments ago. He shrugged it off, knowing it was not important but Luffy's words were. He smirked as he watched his captain walk into the bunks.
"Yeah, Luffy. It always is."
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