Author's Note: I thought I would go ahead and release this chapter. It's been done for months, but I had decided not to post it. This is an AR I think it's called…Alternate reality. This story spawned from a dream I had…Seriously…Tell you all about it at the end…Anyways, I'm going to go ahead and post it and see what you all think about it. If no one likes it…I'm going to sack it. I just thought I would try my luck with an AR story. I honestly believe it is a good story, but that's just my opinion…I'm the writer…Doesn't count…Anyways, let me know what you think, by reviewing! XD Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece or any of it's characters, just my own. I do however, LOVE IT TO DEATH!! XD
Forbidden Love
Chapter 1: Unbreakable Friendship
Nami stood in the middle of the playground alone. She looked around at all the other kids. She had no desire to play with them. Most of them cried at night, or were crying when they were brought here. She had been here since she was a baby. Not once had she cried since then. She was going to be strong, and if these kids couldn't, then she didn't want anything to do with them. All the other kids were slightly afraid of her.
She never cried, no matter what. Also, when someone tried to talk to her, she would look at them coldly. So, they all just kept their distance. The many keepers tried to make her play with the others. However, she would just stare at them and never say a thing. She knew they were worried about her state of mind, but she didn't care. She made her way to a swing and sat on it and slowly began to swing herself. She was now seven years old.
As she swung herself she heard a loud commotion. She quickly looked up. There was a keeper bringing in a small boy. The boy looked furious and was screaming for the man to release him. Suddenly, the boy punched the keeper in the face. "I can take care of myself!!" he continued.
The keeper looked surprised about the boy's punching him as blood trickled out of his mouth. Then he furrowed his brows as he brought up a hand and back handed the boy across the face. "Be still boy!" yelled the keeper. "You are here because you are not old enough to care for yourself! You're parents are no longer around!" he continued. The boy slowly turned to the keeper and glared at him. Then he grinned. The keeper stared down at the boy with wide eyes. Then he shoved the boy toward the playground. "Its play time right now…Why don't you try and make some friends?" said the keeper as he turned and walked away.
Nami heard the boy chuckle and turn towards the playground. He looked around at all the other kids who looked afraid of him. He scoffed. Nami got off the swing and approached him. She had a grin on her face. "Finally, someone with some guts!" she exclaimed as she walked up to him. The boy eyed her from head to toe. Nami stuck her hand out. "I'm Nami. Let's be friends!" she said with a side ways grin.
The boy grinned and grabbed her hand "Aa, I'm Luffy!" said the boy. Nami shook his hand and looked him over. He had black hair and eyes with a scar just under his left eye.
"How'd you get that scar?" she asked as she nodded to it.
"I cut myself to prove a point!" he said with a smirk.
Nami slowly smiled. "I see…" she said as she pointed to her shoulder. "So did I…" she said as she showed him a scar on her shoulder. Luffy smirked in return and nodded in satisfaction. "How old are you?" she asked.
"Six." he replied with a grin from ear to ear.
"Cool, I'm seven!" she said as she grabbed his hand. "Let's go play!" she yelled as she dragged him along.
"I've always liked pirates!! Let's play pirates!!" he yelled with a grin.
"Pirates?! I hate pirates!" she yelled as Luffy only laughed behind her.
Six Months Later…
Luffy and Nami were sitting and playing a game. All the other kids stayed clear of them. Luffy had already gotten into multiple fights with the other boys. One had dared call Nami a freak. It took two full grown men to take Luffy off the boy. The boy had been twice Luffy's age, and yet, he didn't stand a chance against the monstrous boy. Now they all feared him, no matter their age. Luffy and Nami had become inseparable since the day Luffy had been brought to this orphanage. They both looked up as a keeper brought in another child. The boy was crying and looking at everyone afraid. Luffy and Nami both scoffed. "Another wuss…" remarked Nami.
"Aa…" agreed Luffy as he turned away. "Ah! You won again!!" he yelled as he furrowed his brows.
"Of course I did!" she replied with a grin. Luffy just glared at her for awhile and then he grinned.
Then a woman brought another boy in. He had no expression on his face as he just looked at all the other kids. He closed his eyes and without the woman saying anything, he walked away and sat next to a tree. He leaned back against it and seemed to go to sleep. The woman looked after him nervously and then turned and walked away. Luffy and Nami stared after the sleeping boy and then both turned to each other with a grin on their face. They both got up and walked over to the boy.
They just stood over him watching him. "Can I help you?" asked the boy who was supposed to be asleep. Then he opened one eye to look at them. He had a hard gaze.
Luffy smirked down at him and then turned toward Nami. "I like him." he said.
Nami smiled. "Un…I do too." she said.
The boy opened his other eye. "You two seem different from the other kids." he said.
"Un…you are too. You didn't cry when you came in here." she remarked.
"Why should I?" he asked as he rose up a brow. Nami's smile widened as did Luffy's.
"YOU! Don't go causing any more fights! Do you hear me, boy?!"
All three turned to see the same keeper who had brought in Luffy six months ago approaching them. He was glaring at Luffy. Luffy scoffed. "I wasn't going to fight him…" said Luffy in a low voice. Then he turned to the boy and smirked. "Although…I wouldn't mind seeing how strong you are." he said in a low voice. The boy looked surprised at first and then he slowly grinned up at Luffy.
"There will be no fighting, boy! Do you hear me?!" yelled the keeper.
"Ha-i, Grumpy-ossan…" replied Luffy in a bored tone as he began to pick his nose with his pinky finger.
The man looked furious. "It's Grunpel-san, and I am the Head Master here. Show some respect!! How many times do I have to tell you that?!" he yelled. Grunpel was a fairly old man with grey short hair. He was balding at the front. He also wore round spectacles and was a very thin man.
"Ha-i…" replied Luffy as he yawned.
Grunpel ground his teeth and turned. "I hate kids…I hate my job…" he grumbled as he stomped away.
Both Luffy and Nami looked down at the boy. "So you like to fight…huh?" he asked.
"Aa…although, they don't…" replied Luffy as he turned to the other kids on the playground. They were all staring at him with worried expressions.
The green haired boy stood up and dusted himself off. "Name's Zoro…Roronoa Zoro." he said as he looked up.
Luffy grinned. "Monkey D. Luffy! Nice to meet you!" he exclaimed.
"I'm Nami." said Nami as she smiled at Zoro. Zoro nodded to them both. "So, how old are you, Zoro?" asked Nami.
"Nine." he replied.
"Cool!" both Luffy and Nami exclaimed.
"I'm eight! Just turned not to long ago." said Nami.
"Seven." said Luffy as he pointed a thumb to himself. Then he grinned. "Let's play!" he exclaimed. Zoro smiled and nodded.
Three Days Later…
"What had I told you about fighting, boy?!" yelled Grunpel who always seemed to be yelling at Luffy in disapproval.
"I told you! We weren't fighting! We were playing!" yelled Luffy in reply.
"Playing or not, it was still fighting and still forbidden!!" yelled Grunpel.
Luffy only stared at Grunpel with an expressionless gaze. Grunpel bared his teeth in anger at Luffy's indifference. He brought back a hand and slapped Luffy across the face. Luffy's head snapped in the direction in which Grunpel had slapped him. Then he slowly turned back to Grunpel and continued to stare at him with a blank stare. Grunpel growled in anger. "Go back to your room! You won't be getting any dinner tonight!" he yelled.
Luffy clenched down his teeth, but said nothing as he turned and walked out.
Luffy walked into the boy's room and plopped down on the bed. The other boys gave him side ways glances. Zoro approached him. "So, what'd the Ossan say?" he asked.
"He said I won't be getting any dinner tonight…" he replied quietly.
Zoro chuckled. "Aa, that's what he told me." he said as he sat down. "No big deal…I can go without eating…" he continued.
Luffy looked up at him with tears in his eyes and looking pathetic. "I can't!" he yelled.
Zoro burst out laughing. "You mean you can go up against these wusses and take the Ossan's beatings and yet you cry from not eating!" he exclaimed as he doubled over.
"Shut up!! I get really hungry, okay!!" yelled Luffy in anger.
Zoro brought up a hand in his defense. "It's okay…I understand…" he said still laughing. Luffy frowned and pursed his lips at Zoro. Zoro stopped laughing. "Sorry about that." he said with a smile still on his face.
Luffy sighed. "It's okay…He's done it before…I already knew he would do it…Still, I just wanted to know…" he replied.
"Aa…I was curious myself after you had said that the first day." said Zoro with a smirk. "You're pretty strong!" he exclaimed.
Luffy looked up at him and grinned. "Aa! So are you!" he replied.
"I always did want to learn how to use real swords…but sticks had to do…You did pretty well with just your bare hands…" remarked Zoro with a grin.
"Aa, that's all I need! Shishishi!" exclaimed Luffy as he laughed with a huge grin.
Suddenly, the door opened and dinner was announced. Luffy and Zoro watched as all the other boys walked out. The old man looked towards them with furrowed angry brows. Luffy and Zoro stared at the man with the same expression. The man clenched his teeth and slammed the door behind him. Luffy closed his eyes and turned away from the door. "Che! Grumpy-ossan!" exclaimed Zoro as he sat back and closed his eyes. Luffy slowly turned from the door and fell back onto his bed.
Fifteen minutes later, someone came bursting through the door and quietly closed it behind them. Luffy and Zoro sat up and quickly looked toward the door. "Idiot!!" yelled Nami as she stomped towards them. "I can't believe you both got in trouble for fighting! Luffy, I know you have a thing for wanting to fight someone strong, but geez! Now look at you! You both missed dinner! You're lucky I consider you guys my friends!! Here…I was able to steal these and sneak them out. No one even saw me leave…" she said as she grinned. She walked up to them and handed them each a sandwich.
"Ah! Thanks, Nami!" exclaimed Luffy as he snatched it from her.
Zoro took his from Nami. "Thanks." he said as he began to eat it. Nami smiled at them both.
Luffy finished his and turned to Nami. "You're the best Nami!" he exclaimed as he grinned at her.
"Un, I know…I better go before I get caught. See ya!" she exclaimed as she stealthily slipped out the door.
"I shoulda known! She always did bring me food after I got into a fight, shishishi!" exclaimed Luffy.
Zoro rose up a brow at his new friend. "You mean…you forgot?" he asked in confusion.
Luffy tilted his head and rose up a brow at Zoro. "Forgot what?" he asked.
Zoro stared wide eyed at Luffy as sweat beaded down his face. "Forget it…" he replied as he turned away and finished his sandwich.
Two Months Later…
Zoro, Luffy, and Nami were sitting in class with the rest of the boys and girls around their age. The door opened and the Grumpy-ossan stepped in. He was dragging a boy around Zoro's age into the room. "We have another trouble-maker!" he exclaimed.
"Let go of me you crappy Ossan!!" the boy yelled as he kicked the old man in the shin. The boy walked into the room and sat down next to Zoro. "What are you grinning at Marimo?!" yelled the boy.
"What did you say?!" yelled Zoro.
"Zoro!" exclaimed Nami. Zoro turned to her. She shook her head. Zoro relaxed and then closed his eyes.
"You better behave!" yelled Grunpel before slamming the door on his way out. Luffy and Nami turned to the blonde boy with curly brows and one eye covered by his blond hair. They both turned to one another and smiled.
After class all three approached the boy. "What do you want?" he asked as he stood up from his desk.
"We want to be friends." replied Nami.
"Friends?" he asked as he rose up a curly brow.
"Aa, that's right!" exclaimed Luffy with a grin.
"Why?" he asked.
"Because…you're like us…" replied Zoro.
The curly browed boy turned and looked at Zoro with furrowed brows. "Like you…how am I like you?" he asked.
"You didn't cry…and you've got guts. We can tell you're strong. You're not weak like all these other kids…" said Nami as she smiled at him.
The boy smiled. "Oh, I see…Well, my name is Sanji. It's nice to meet you then." he said as he looked at each of them.
"I'm Nami. This is Luffy and Zoro." she said as she motioned to each boy. "I'm eight. Luffy here is seven and Zoro is nine. How old are you?" she continued.
"I'm nine too." he replied as he looked back at her.
"Great! We're all pretty close in age!" she exclaimed with a grin. Sanji nodded as he smiled.
"Hey Sanji, do you like pirates?! Let's play pirates! Nami hates pirates…Zoro plays though." asked Luffy as they began to leave the classroom.
"Pirates…I always wanted to be a chef." he replied with a smile.
"A chef?! Only women cook! Are you some kind of sissy?!" asked Zoro as they walked out of the door.
"I am not a sissy, Marimo!!"
"What do you mean only women cook?!"
"Shishishi!! You guys are funny."
One Month Later…
All four were on the playground. Luffy and Zoro were on the play set. Sanji was down on the ground and pretending to take over their treasure, which was actually a pile of rocks. Nami snuck around back of them and took every last rock. Zoro turned just as she was about to climb back down. She grinned and winked at him. "It's my treasure now!" she exclaimed as she slid off.
"Oi!" yelled Zoro.
Luffy turned around just as he saw orange hair disappear from view. Then he burst out laughing. "You're always so sneaky, Nami!!" he said as he laughed. Then Luffy looked over as a keeper and a couple walked onto the playground. "Incoming!!" he yelled as he slid down the slide of the play set. The couple looked around until the woman laid eyes on Nami and smiled. She looked over at her mate and said something. The man turned toward Nami and smiled. Then he turned to his mate and nodded. The couple made their way to her.
Luffy furrowed his brows and clenched his teeth as he turned to Nami. She was staring at the pair wide eyed. Then she turned to Luffy. He could see the fear in her eyes. As the couple reached them, Luffy ran and blocked off Nami. "You can't take her!!" he yelled as he stared up at them with furrowed brows and bared his teeth.
The couple looked down at him in surprise. The woman looked up at her mate. Then the man looked at her and nodded. He looked down at Luffy and smiled. Zoro and Sanji approached them also will furrowed brows. "Listen, son, don't you want her to go to a good home?" he asked in a gentle voice.
"Of course I do! But she doesn't want to go! At least, not without us! We go together, or we don't go at all!" he exclaimed as he continued to hide her. Nami had come up behind him and latched onto his shirt. She looked up at the pair with a defiant glare.
"Boy, I knew you would cause trouble!!" yelled Grunpel. He never addressed Luffy by name. Luffy turned to the Grumpy-ossan. "Step away from the girl! If these nice people want to adopt her, then they will!" he said as he finally made it to them. Two other keepers were behind him.
"I will not!" replied Luffy in a low threatening voice.
"Luffy…don't let them take me…" whispered Nami next to his ear.
"Don't worry Nami. I'll protect you." he whispered back.
The woman frowned sadly down at them. She knelt down in front of Luffy. "I promise she will be happy. She is such a beautiful girl. Will you please allow her to come live with us?" she said.
Luffy turned to her. "I will not…" he replied quietly. The woman looked surprised as she stared at Luffy. His expression was hard.
"That's enough! Take him to his room!" exclaimed Grunpel. Luffy quickly turned to the men and bared his teeth in anger. One of the men reached for him. Luffy slapped the man's hand away and pushed Nami further behind him. Zoro and Sanji stood next to him.
Both men looked angry. They came forward and attempted to grab the boys. Luffy punched one of the men and dodged the other's hand. The other man reached again and tried to pin Luffy down. Sanji kicked the man in his ribs. Nami ran towards the play set and climbed on. Zoro jumped on the second keeper's back and wrapped his arms around the man's neck. "This is enough!!" yelled Grunpel angrily. "If you don't stop this non sense now, you will be severely punished!!" he yelled.
"I don't care!! You're not taking Nami!!" yelled Luffy as he punched the other man as Sanji kicked him in his shin. The couple looked appalled.
The woman turned to Nami who was watching them with a grin on her face. She walked over to her. "Please, don't you want to go to a good home? To have a family?" she asked her.
Nami frowned at the woman and backed up. "I won't go! Not without them! They are my family! If you make me go, I will be the worst kid ever!! I will run away! I will find them again! I will not go!!" she yelled as she backed away from them.
The woman furrowed her brows in worry as she looked to her mate. The man frowned and sighed. "I guess…we will find another, Dear." he said as they both turned away.
Luffy immediately stopped fighting as soon as the couple walked away and smiled. One of the men hit Luffy knocking him down. "Luffy!!" yelled Nami as she climbed down. However, she was grabbed by the other man before she could reach him. "Let me go!" she screamed as she tried to hit the man.
"Outrageous!! Lock them up!! All of them!! The girl is to be locked up on her own!!" screeched Grunpel as his face turned completely red in anger.
Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji no longer fought back. They had accomplished their mission. Nami turned and looked toward Luffy in worry. Luffy looked back at her and smiled. Then he nodded. Nami looked surprised, and then she smiled as she nodded in return. They were all carried off, and locked in separate rooms, the boys in one room and Nami in another. They weren't given anything to eat for the rest of the day.
After that, any time someone wanted to adopt any one of them, they protect each other, and each time, Grunpel was furious. At one point, he had Luffy beaten for being the instigator of it all. Nami snuck out to go see him. She went to the room he had been locked into. She unlocked the door, and went inside. She quietly closed the door and went to him. He was sitting on the floor with his hair covering his eyes. As she got closer, she gasped. He was blue and purple all over. 'He must have fought back…' she thought to herself. He slowly lifted his head to look at her. "Luffy!" she cried as she ran to him.
One of his eyes was swollen. "Oh my…Luffy…what have they done to you?!" she cried as she fell to her knees next to him. She brought up a hand and gently touched his eye. He winced from the pain. "I'm sorry!" she cried as she pulled back. She felt tears sting her eyes. At first, she wasn't sure why her eyes hurt. She hadn't cried in a very long time.
Luffy attempted to grin at her. "It's okay." he croaked out. "As long as no one takes you from me…It doesn't matter what happens to me…" he said in a husky voice.
Tears began to stream down her face as she stared at him in wide eyed sadness. Luffy looked at her in surprise and made a soft noise. She was actually crying, something they never did. She reached out and placed a hand on his face. "I don't want to see you get hurt because of me…" she whispered.
"It's okay! I would rather this…than to never see you again! You are my first friend! I will never give that up!" he rasped out.
Nami rubbed her eyes to dry her tears. Then she looked back at him with worry still etched into her face and nodded. She leaned forward and gently gave him a hug. He ground his teeth from the pain, but lifted his arms to hug her back. She moved away from him and then got up and left without making a sound.
Two Weeks Later…
After Luffy's body healed, he was finally allowed out with the others. Nami ran to him and threw herself on him. "Luffy!" she cried.
Luffy just laughed as he hugged her back. "Yo!" he said as he laughed.
Then she pulled away from him and knocked him on the head. "Don't ever do that again!" she yelled as she frowned at him.
"Ow!" he cried as he grabbed his head, and then he just grinned.
"It's good to see you again, Luffy." said Zoro as he grinned at him.
"Aa, it's about time that Grumpy-ossan let you out!" remarked Sanji.
"Aa, I heal fast!" exclaimed Luffy with a grin.
"Nami told us how badly they had beaten you…I wanted to beat them up, but Nami wouldn't let me…" said Zoro as he turned to Nami.
Nami's smile disappeared as she looked down. Luffy turned to her. "Good…I wouldn't have wanted anything to happen to you." he replied as he turned to Zoro. Zoro looked at him in surprise, and then he furrowed his brows and looked away. "Well, let's play!" he said as he ran off towards the play set. The others laughed and ran along behind him.
The next day, a man walked into the facility. He made his way to the Head Master's office. Grunpel was bent over some documents and didn't hear the man come on. Of course it may have had something to do with the man's having not made a sound as he entered. The man approached a chair and sat down. It was so quiet. It was almost as if the man didn't exist.
The man watched Grunpel for some time before finally clearing his throat. Grunpel jumped as he quickly looked up. "Oh, excuse me! I didn't hear you come in." he said.
"Of course you didn't…" replied the man as he smiled.
Grunpel rose up a brow. "Uh…okay…Well, how can I help you sir?" he asked.
"I'm looking for a child." said the man.
"Okay…boy or girl?" he asked.
"It matters not." he replied.
Grunpel stared at the man with his mouth open with his brow still raised. He looked over the man. He looked to be Asian orient, Chinese maybe…He had long black and grey hair. Half of it was up in an elegant ponytail, while the rest flowed freely down his back. He had a long moustache that reached his chest. He also had long bushy eye brows. He was also wearing Oriental attire. It looked to be made of silk and very nice. "Alright…may I ask why you have chosen to adopt…a child?" he asked as he relaxed and leaned forward onto his desk.
"I need a heir." he simply replied.
"A…heir…Alright, so, wouldn't you prefer a boy, then?" asked Grunpel a little confused by the man.
"It matters not." he replied.
"Alright…well, how about we have a look, okay?" asked Grunpel nervously as he stood up. He walked past the man as he also stood up and stood at the door. He let the man pass and then followed him out. "The children are outside at the moment." he said as he led the man outdoors.
As soon as they were outside, the man immediately stepped forward and began to look over each child quickly. He walked forward at a group of children. The all looked up at him in fear. The man continued on to the next, older group of children. They all made weird faces at his appearance. He moved on to the next set. This group of children seemed to find his moustache funny. He again moved on. "Uh…you don't want any of these children…They are unruly and cannot be controlled." said Grunpel as they approached Luffy and the others.
The man ignored Grunpel as he approached them. Luffy immediately looked up and stood as he blocked off the others. The others stood as well. Luffy had a hard and unwavering expression. The older man stared down at Luffy for awhile before his eyes shifted to the others. They all had the same expression. He looked back down at Luffy. He seemed to be the leader. He also seemed to be the youngest. He was impressed with the boy. "What is your name?" he asked.
"My name doesn't matter…" replied Luffy as he stared at the man with furrowed brows.
"Why is that?" he asked.
"You want to know my name, because you're interested in adopting me, right? Well you can forget it! I don't go without them…They are my family…We don't need anyone else!" said Luffy in a decisive tone.
"I see…" replied the man as he grabbed for his moustache. His eyes shifted towards Sanji, then to Zoro, and lastly to Nami. Luffy immediately reached an arm behind him and pulled Nami behind him protectively. The man's brows slightly furrowed as he looked back at Luffy. Luffy's expression had changed. It was now a dangerous and threatening expression.
"Are you willing to fight boy? Are you willing to fight if I try to take any one of you alone?" asked the man.
"Now hold on a second, don't ask him that!" exclaimed Grunpel.
The man turned to him. "Why not?" he asked in an indifferent tone. Grunpel didn't answer him. He only stared at him with furrowed brows. The man turned back to Luffy.
"Of course I will…I've done it before, and I will do it again! I don't care how much I'm beaten or what little food they give me!!" roared Luffy as he scowled at the man.
The man smiled. "Good…you have spirit…" he said quietly. Then he turned to Grunpel. "Alright, I'll take them all." he said.
Grunpel made a loud noise as his eyes widened. "Are you out of your mind?!" yelled Grunpel.
All four stared up at the man with surprised expressions. Then Luffy broke into a grin. "Do you really mean it?!" he asked loudly.
"Aa…you four have spirit and strength. That strength is far stronger when together." he replied.
Luffy began to laugh as he turned to the others. They too had grins as they looked from one to the other. Nami hugged Luffy. "We did it!!" she exclaimed.
The man turned to a shocked Grunpel. "How do we go about this?" he asked.
"Uh…I need you to…sign some forms…and there is a fee per…child…" he explained hesitantly.
"Money is of no concern to me…Let us begin." he said as he began to walk away with his hands behind his back. Luffy and the other three ran after the man happily. Grunpel stared after them in wide eyed confusion. Then he followed them.
xxxx
In Grunpel's office, the four stood quietly behind the man's chair as he signed papers. They stood side by side as they patiently waited. Grunpel leaned to the side to look at them past the man. They were all quiet and…well behaved. After the paper work and the fees were paid, the man stood up and turned to them. "Shall we go?" he asked.
"Hai!" they all answered at the same time.
The man walked past them as they followed along behind him. Luffy stopped and turned toward Grunpel. He grinned and winked before running out.
"Why you little…" he seethed as he growled out loud.
Outside the man continued to walk out of the orphanage gates and then turned right as he continued to walk. All four followed behind him silently. Then the man spoke. "What are your names and ages?" he asked.
"Monkey D. Luffy…I'm seven." replied Luffy.
"Nami…I'm eight." said Nami.
"Roronoa Zoro. Nine." said Zoro.
"Sanji. I'm nine as well." said Sanji.
"I see…I am Koga Gen. From today on, I will be your master." he said as he continued to walk.
"Master?" asked Nami.
"That's right. I will teach you all that I know." he replied.
Nami rose up a brow. "Know? What is it you will be teaching us?" she asked.
"Martial Arts." he said as he continued to walk.
Nami looked around. She realized they were now a block away from the orphanage. "Are we walking to your house?" she asked.
"That's right. I hope you don't mind…Walking is healthy and good for training. My house is only ten miles away." he said.
"Ten miles…?" questioned Luffy as he scrunched up one side of his nose.
"It should only take us about two hours to get there. Maybe less if we pick up the pace." he replied.
"What?!" they exclaimed.
The man stopped and turned. "This is part of your training. I hope you can handle a little walk." he said.
"A little…" whispered Sanji in exasperation.
"I can handle it!" exclaimed Luffy as he brought up a fist. The man smiled and then nodded as he turned and continued walking. After about thirty minutes, Nami began to lag behind. Luffy stopped walking and turned around. Zoro and Sanji past him, Sanji turned to him as he passed.
"Are you okay?" asked Luffy to her.
Nami looked up at him. She looked tired. "Just not used to walking…" she replied as they both started to walk side by side. Luffy pulled ahead and stopped in front of her as he knelt down. Nami stopped and looked down at him in surprise. "Luffy, what are you…?" she started to ask.
"I'll carry you." he said as he turned his head to look up at her.
"Luffy…you don't have to do that for me…" she said as she frowned down at him. Gen as well as Zoro and Sanji stopped walking and turned to the two.
"It's okay. I can handle it. Just climb on." he said.
"Then you will carry her burden?" asked Gen.
Luffy looked over at him. "Aa, I will just be adding to my training!" he exclaimed as he grinned. Gen smiled and nodded as he turned and continued walking. 'I was right about him…He is strong, in mind and body…He protects those he sees as precious to him. He will be a great leader.' thought Gen while he kept his smile as he continued to walk.
Still frowning, Nami climbed onto Luffy's back and wrapped her arms around his neck. Luffy stood up and grabbed her legs to hold her up. He walked fast to catch up to everyone and then slowed his pace. Even though he was carrying extra weight, Luffy kept up to the others.
It took them an hour and a half to get to Gen's house. It was a very big house. All four stared up at it in wide eyed awe. It had a huge gate around it. Gen opened the door to the gate and walked inside. Luffy set Nami down. "Thank you…Luffy." she said as she smiled at him.
Luffy just grinned at her and then turned and walked to the house. It was a Japanese style house, seeing as they lived in Japan, Tokyo to be exact. All three looked around at the beautiful garden to the right. Gen opened the door and stepped inside. "Please, come inside. Make yourselves at him. This is after all, your home now." he said as he removed his sandals and continued inside.
All three followed him in. "Gen-san, where is the bathroom?" asked Nami.
"I will show you. Ah!" exclaimed Gen. He turned to the three. "I will be needing to buy you essentials…will I not…? After dinner, we will go shopping." he said as he smiled warmly. Nami grinned. "Ah, yes, the bathroom." he continued as he turned to guide Nami to the bathroom. "I will also show you to your rooms." he continued.
After Nami came out, Gen guided them upstairs. "There are four bedrooms up here. Choose whichever one you want." he said as he stood at the stairs.
All four took off and began opening doors as they laughed. Gen smiled at them. "Oh, this one is mine!!" exclaimed Nami as she ran into a room.
"I've got this one!!" called out Zoro with a grin.
"I guess I will take this one…" said Sanji as he circled around his room.
Luffy was in the room next to Nami's. "I like this room! The window over looks the garden! I'm right over the pond!" he said excitedly.
Nami walked into his room and looked out the window. "Mine does too!" she said as she smiled at the view.
"Our's has a view of the dojo out back! Can we go see it, Master?!" asked Zoro eagerly.
"Aa, of course, all in due time. First, we must eat dinner." he said as he made his way downstairs, the four following along behind him.
"May I help you, Master?" asked Sanji.
"Aa, of course you can." he replied as he smiled at Sanji. Sanji grinned big as he followed Gen to the kitchen. Gen stopped and turned to the remaining three. "I have a television set in the living room." he said as he turned and continued on.
Luffy grinned and ran toward the living room. Then he stopped. "Where's the living room?" he asked as he scrunched up his face. Both Zoro and Nami shrugged. "Let's make it a game to see who can find it first!!" he exclaimed as he took of running through the house. He slid door after door open to find it. The house was enormous and had a lot of rooms. He opened a door and grinned. "I found it!!" he called out as he went inside.
A few seconds later, Zoro and Nami ran in and sat next to him. "I've never actually seen a television!" exclaimed Nami. Both Luffy and Zoro turned to her wide eyed. "What? I was a baby when I was sent to the orphanage…I've never left it…" she explained.
Luffy frowned. Then he turned on the television. They sat and watched until Sanji came and called them for dinner.
To Be Continued…
Author's Note: I actually had a dream where all four were playing on a playground and got adopted by an old Chinese man…Shishi, so I decided to turn it into a story. I'm not sure why my dream only consisted of those four, but it did. I also have no idea why it was an old Chinese man who adopted them, but then after I had woken up I thought…That's kinda perfect that it was. Actually Gen is of Chinese/Japanese mix. His mother was Chinese, his father Japanese. Anyways, that is the first chapter! XD Hope you all enjoyed it.