Halloween
"We have to go!" Luffy shouted while jabbing his finger at the flyer he was holding.
"No, we do not!" Nami shouted back.
"Come on! It'll be fun!" Luffy grinned.
"What exactly is it?" Neo asked while running her eyes over the flyer. There was a man dressed in black in the middle of the flyer. He held his cape out to the side, revealing the red underneath it. Around him were several bats, pumpkins, and ghosts. The text read: Come Live the Real Horror of the Haunted Island of Willow. "A haunted island?"
Cora cooed and reached for the flyer. His little fingers curled around it.
"No, no, Cora." Neo pulled him away when he tried to put it in his mouth. "That's not good." She picked up one of his toys from the deck and handed it to him. "Here you can play with this."
Cora took the toy to his mouth.
"Don't listen to him, Neo." Nami turned her back to Luffy. "There's no such thing as a haunted island. It's just a gimmick."
"Really?" Neo looked from Nami to the poster.
"It's done at lot during this time of year," Sanji said.
"Why is that?" Neo asked.
"Because it's Halloween," Sanji said. "People fix up a lot of haunted houses and mazes and stuff. Apparently this guy went all out and decided to use an entire island to do it."
"Oh," Neo drawled. "I guess it is that time of year."
"And it's the best time of year!" Luffy leaned down closer to Neo. "You can dress up as anything you like!"
Cora whined and tugged on Neo's shirt at Luffy's loud voice suddenly right beside them. Neo rocked him.
"Stop yelling so much!" Penguin hit Luffy over the head. "You're upsetting Cora! And you dress up all the time as it is."
"Sorry." Luffy patted Cora on the head. "But he'll love it too."
"Cora's only four months old," Shachi said. "He won't even understand what Halloween is."
"So? Neo and Tra do. And it'll be fun to take Cora there," Luffy said.
"I don't know, Luffy," Neo said. "I think Cora would be scared. Law won't like that."
"Maybe you're the one who will be scared," Usopp said appearing beside her.
"Why would I?" Neo asked.
"You've never been to a haunted island before, have you?" Usopp asked. "Or a haunted house?"
"No," Neo said.
"Then you'll be scared. Take my advice. I'm a master when it comes to ghosts and zombies." Usopp nodded.
"Yeah. A master at running away," Zoro said curling his weight towards his chest. "Like you did on Thriller Bark."
"Hey! I wasn't scared!" Usopp snapped.
The pirates laughed.
"So we're going to do it! Yeah!" Luffy cheered.
"Hold on! No one said yes!" Nami said.
"I'm the captain! So we're going!" Luffy said.
"Hold on, Luffy." Franky walked down from the helm. "We're still with the Heart Pirates. We have to check with Trafalgar."
"But Neo's the captain of the Heart Pirates," Luffy said. "She can make the decision to go."
"Well, I do find it curious," Neo said. "Though I don't want to scare Cora."
"Cora will be fine," Luffy said. "Come on, Neo. Tell Tra we're going to Willow Island."
"You're an idiot, Straw Hat," Penguin said. "Neo's the co-captain."
"As I said, captain," Luffy said.
Law's Room spread out over the deck just before he and Bepo popped into view.
Cora smiled and cooed. His small arms reached out for Law. "Ba…da…"
Law smiled. Walking over to the mast bench he sat down then took their son in his arms.
"What's going on?" Bepo asked.
"Luffy wants to go to Willow Island," Neo said just as Luffy shoved the fly in Law's face. "They're celebrating Halloween there."
"No," Law said.
"Aw. Come on, Tra," Luffy said.
"Get that flyer out of my face before I kill you," Law said.
Luffy pulled it back. "It'll be fun. We're not doing anything right now anyway."
"No," Law repeated.
"Neo wants to go!" Luffy put his arm around her shoulders.
Law looked at her.
"Well, it does sound fun. But I'm not sure about going with Cora." Neo took their son's hand in her finger and brushed her thumb over it. She then gave Law a sheepish grin. "We never have celebrated Halloween before. Maybe it would be okay? We could just keep Cora away from all the scary stuff."
Law twitched.
"He's totally caving into her," Zoro said. "Sad how whipped he is by her."
"You have no room to talk considering how you acted with her in Dressrosa," Sanji said.
"What was that?!" Zoro growled.
"You heard me, stupid swordsman!"
"Don't those two ever get tried of fighting?" Shachi asked.
"Sometimes I think their energy gets renewed by fighting," Neo said.
"So we're going," Luffy said.
"We're not," Law said.
"I don't think that was a question, Captain," Bepo said.
"Yes! We're going!" Luffy leaped into the air.
"We didn't decide that at all!" Law snapped.
Cora fussed. Pulling on Law's shirt he tried to climb up his dad's body before yawning.
"Cora is getting tired. We should put him down for a nap," Neo said.
"Then he'll be rested when we get to Willow Island," Luffy said. "Good plan. Nami, how long before we arrive?"
"You should have asked that before saying Cora would be rested," Nami said sitting down at the table with Robin.
"How long?" Luffy asked.
"A couple hours I'd say," Nami said with a sigh.
"Well, I guess we're going to Willow Island," Penguin said.
Law growled.
"Don't fight it, Law," Neo said. "You know he's going to get his way no matter what we say."
"I know." Law sighed. "Let's go back to the sub. Bepo, you might as well get the sub headed in the right direction."
"Aye, Captain." Bepo nodded.
"Are you two coming back to the sub?" Neo looked at Penguin and Shachi.
"I think I'm going to stay here a while longer," Shachi said.
"I'll stay here too," Penguin added.
"Okay." Neo nodded. "Just call for us when you want to come home."
"We will." Penguin and Shachi waved before Law warped himself, Neo, their son, and Bepo back to the deck of the sub.
Cora yawned and rested his head on Law's shoulder before they stepped into the sub. At the second floor Bepo broke away from them and continued on downstairs to the control room. Neo and Law entered into their room. Law placed Cora in his crib.
"Are you upset about Luffy and going to Willow Island?" Neo asked.
"A little bit." Law turned to her. "But I know it'll make you happy. You were right about us never celebrating Halloween. It just always seemed to come and go so fast."
"Don't worry about it." Neo wrapped her arms around his waist. "How about I make it up to you now that we're alone?"
"That might make me feel a little better." Law leaned down and captured her lips in a slow kiss.
"Maybe I'll make you feel a lot better," Neo said between several kisses. "Cora is asleep after all."
"Thank goodness for that." Law slipped his hands down her sides and around her thighs before pulling her up.
Neo wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her over to their bed. Instantly their bodies were exposed to the warm air around them. "Law, that's cheating."
Law chuckled. "I'm not waiting. We only have a few hours."
Neo moan as Law's lips pressed against the soft spot on her neck.
…
Neo was brushing out her hair when Luffy pounded on their door and yelled at them. "Neo! Tra! We're about to Willow!"
"That guy has no concept of privacy," Law grumbled.
"Well, at least he didn't come when we were busy." Neo smirked at him.
"I would have shredded his body into a million pieces and stuck him into the farthest corners of the sub," Law said.
"Hey! Are you two sleeping?!" Luffy pounded again.
Cora cooed and mumbled from his crib.
"What is it, my heart?" Neo placed her brush down on the nightstand and walked over to their son. She scooped him out of the crib. "You hungry?"
"Neo?! Tra?!"
"He's annoyed that Straw Hat is bothering us." Law grabbed a shirt from the closet and pulled it on.
"He is not," Neo said. "Don't pay attention to Daddy. He's being a big baby."
"I am not being a big baby." Law walked over to them. "I'm being realistic."
Neo rolled her eyes. "Let's just go so Luffy will stop pounding on the door."
"Fine."
"And you're going to behave and enjoy yourself."
Law's lips curled into a smirk. His mind flooded with thousands of painful ideas he could inflict upon the Straw Hat crew, specifically their captain.
"And, no, you cannot scare the lives out of the Straw Hats," Neo said.
"You said I was to enjoy myself. That would make me enjoy a lot," Law said.
Neo rolled her eyes. "Well, I might let you have a little fun with them. But behave until I say you can."
"Yes, Captain." Law chuckled and pecked her lips.
"Hey!" Luffy called.
"We're coming, Luffy." Neo walked over to the door.
Law grabbed his sword and hat before following her.
"Finally," Luffy said when Neo opened the door. "You two were in there for a long time. What were you doing?"
"None of your business, Straw Hat," Law said.
"Was there something else you wanted, Luffy?" Neo asked heading down the hall.
"No. Just letting you know we're about there," Luffy said.
Cora fussed.
"I know. We're getting you something to eat now." Neo headed down the stairs and led the two men into the galley.
Smiling, Kailen held out a bowl of baby food. "I though you'd all be coming here soon. So I got it all ready."
"You're the best," Neo said. She sat down and placed Cora on her lap.
Kailen sat the bowl in front of them.
Cora giggled and reached for the bowl.
"Someone's impatient," Neo said. She scooped some food in the spoon and brought it to his lips.
Cora opened and chomped down on the spoon.
"He's hungry." Luffy sat down across from them. "Wait until we get to Willow Island. There's going to be a lot of food there. Be sure to save room for it."
"Straw Hat, our son is not old enough to eat the foods we do," Law said.
"Huh? Why?" Luffy asked.
"Idiot," Law grumbled and sat down.
"Because he's not old enough," Kailen said. "He doesn't even have his first tooth yet."
"That stinks." Luffy dropped his chin to the table. "I wanted him to try meat. I'm sure he'd like it."
"Maybe when he's older, Luffy," Neo said.
"There you all are," Bepo said poking his head into the room. "We're about three minutes until we land at Willow Island. Nami just called over."
"All right," Law said. "You know what to do."
Bepo nodded then disappeared.
Cooing Cora grabbed the spoon, causing the mashed vegetables to smear on his hand and fall on his lap. Smiling he rubbed the mush over his face.
"Cora." Neo shook her head. "Sometimes I think you do that on purpose to make me clean you up."
Cora made an unhappy noise.
"Don't worry, Cora." Law tweaked their son's cheek. "Mommy just doesn't know how to have fun."
"Hey! Don't gang up on me!"
"Here you go." Kailen handed Neo a wet cloth.
"Thanks." Neo wiped the food off Cora's face.
Cora turned his head away from her then reached for the bowl. His small hand wrapped around it and pulled it to his face. More mash vegetables splattered his face and legs. He giggled.
"Now I know you're doing it on purpose," Neo said. "And I blame your dad."
"Hey," Law said. "Why me?"
Neo winked at him. "Well, I'm not the mischievous one in the family."
"Yeah right." Law rolled his eyes.
"Never mind that. Let's get ready for some Halloween fun!" Luffy said. He jumped out of his chair and ran from the room.
"Always so full of energy," Neo said. "By the way, are we staying on the sub or getting a hotel?"
"I guess we can get a hotel. It's been a while since we've been off the sub," Law said. The sub pulled to a stop. "It'll be a nice break for everyone."
"Sounds great to me," Topaz said walking into the room. "I think some of the crew have been wanting that too."
"Spread the word then," Law said.
"Sure thing." Topaz nodded. "Any other orders?"
"Do you have any?" Law looked at Neo.
"No, I think I'm good just as long as they check in once in a while," Neo said.
"Of course." Topaz smiled and left the room.
"There. I think you're all cleaned up now." Neo scanned their son for missed food. "Maybe I should give him a bath?"
"He'll be fine," Law said. "Let's get going before Straw Hat comes back and annoys us."
Neo stood up and walked out of the room with him. They meet some of the crew on the deck before Law warped them to the island. A wave of uncertainty washed over Neo when her feet touched the island.
"What is it, Neo?" Law asked.
"I don't know," Neo said scanning the island. The harbor was full of ships but no one appeared to be around. And the town was at least a fifty yards from them. "Something doesn't feel right."
"It'll be fine," Luffy said heading down the dock. "Let's go check it out."
"Apparently he forgot about Neo's nightmares have a habit of coming true," Usopp said.
"Well, I haven't had a nightmare," Neo said.
"Then there's nothing to worry about," Nami said.
"Maybe," Neo said.
The two pirate crews headed towards the town. Happy chatter greeted them as they drew closer to the town. A large carved jack-o-lantern was sitting by an old sign that welcomed people to Willow Island.
"This pumpkin is huge!" Chopper said. "I wonder what they did to grow it so large."
"It's taller than I am," Brook said standing right beside the pumpkin.
"Neo can grown bigger ones," Sanji said.
"True." Neo smiled.
"I wonder if they're going to have a pumpkin carving contest," Kailen said.
"Why? So you can win by using your crystals?" Topaz asked.
"I never said I would enter," Kailen said. His tone was serious but his eyes sparkled with mischief. "I was just wondering if they did."
"Sure you were." Topaz shook her head.
"He wouldn't be able to beat Neo," Penguin said. "She's the best."
"You're biased," Kailen said.
"Of course I am." Penguin wrapped his arm around Neo's shoulders. "She's my girl after all."
"She was my sister first," Kailen challenged playfully.
"Well, I've know her longer," Penguin said.
"Technically, I have since I was there for her birth," Kailen said.
"Oh!" Penguin kicked at the earth elemental. "Run up an alley and holler fish."
"Good way to end a conversation," Kailen said. "Then how about we have a little carving challenge?"
"You're oh!" Penguin said. "But you can't use your crystals."
"Deal!" Kailen held out his hand for Penguin to shake.
"Pumpkin carving." Neo scanned her eyes over the large pumpkin in from of her. "Sounds like a waste of food."
"Don't worry, Neo," Sanji said. "I won't let them go to waste. It's been a while since I've made anything with pumpkins."
"Thanks, Sanji," Neo said. "Pumpkin treats sound nice."
"Well, let's find a hotel before it gets dark," Law said.
The crews walked forward. The town was bustling with people fixing up last minute decorations. Children ran by, talking about what they were going to dress up as. A few were already in their costumes.
"Are we supposed to wear costumes?" Neo asked.
"We don't have to," Law said.
"What?" Luffy popped up from out of nowhere. "We have to dress up! It's part of the fun!"
"No," Law said.
"I think it'll be cute," Neo said with a smile. She fluttered her eyelashes at him. "Please, Law? We can even dress Cora up."
"Fine." Law sighed.
The women pirates giggled.
"Anything for the one he loves," Shachi said.
"Welcome to Willow Island!" a man bellowed out. There was a pop before a cloud of smoke appeared in front of the pirates. When the smoke cleared a man was bowing to them. "I didn't know we would be entertaining celebrities."
"Celebrities?" Zoro asked. "What are you talking about?"
"Apologies." He straightened up. "I guess celebrities isn't the right word to describe pirates."
Neo recognized him from the flyer Luffy had shown them. The man was wearing the same outfit. A shiver ran down her spine when he looked at her with his yellow eyes. Her arms tightened around Cora. She pressed her nose to his hair and breathed in his scent.
"You're the man on the flyer," Nami said.
"That would be me," he said. "My name is Blade. I am in charge of this Halloween fun. I assume that's what you all are here for."
"We are," Usopp said.
"Wonderful." Blade smiled. "I hope you all are ready for wonderful time full of fun and frights. But beware because when witches go riding, and black cats are see, the moon laughs and whispers, 'tis near Halloween."
With another pop and more smoke the man was gone.
"What was that about?" Usopp asked.
"It was kind of creepy," Brook said. "And that coming from a living skeleton."
"What do you think he meant by what he said about witches, black cats, and the moon talking?" Chopper asked.
"Just Halloween mumbo jumbo to try and scare us," Zoro said.
"I hope so," Neo said. "I didn't like him."
"I wasn't fond of him either," Law said.
"You don't like him because he looked at Neo." Sanji smirked.
Law didn't reply.
"Well, let's find a hotel," Nami said.
The pirates nodded and moved farther into town.
Neo continued to scan the area. Despite all the pumpkins lining the grounds, bat and ghost shaped figures hanging in front of stores, and spices filling the air from locate foods nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong with the island.
…
"This place really goes all out for Halloween, don't they?" Neo asked as she ran her finger under some cobwebs hanging from the fireplace in their hotel room. She looked up to the corners of the room. Spider webs and cobwebs were all over their room, in the hall, and in the reception room. Smaller pumpkins had been carved out and lined the top of the fireplace. Bat and ghost decorations clung to the window. "I hope all those webs doesn't mean this place is infested with spiders."
"Relax, love," Law said. "I haven't seen a single spider since we've entered this place."
"Just because we don't see them doesn't mean they're not here," Neo said with a frown. She tightened her hold on their son. "I don't want Cora to get bit."
"Cora will be fine. Remember you're married to a doctor." Law kissed her forehead. "I can warp the poison out of him if it happens. And it won't."
"Fine. But if it does I'm leveling this hotel," Neo said.
"That'll show them." Law chuckled.
"Hey! Neo!" Luffy called out before busting into the room with Usopp and Chopper following.
"Don't you know how to knock?" Law asked. "We could have been doing something private."
"Huh? Why would you want to do that? We're here to have fun," Luffy said.
"Sometimes I wonder if you even have hormones," Law said.
"What is it?" Neo asked.
"We found a list of what's happening on the island," Chopper said. "They have a lot of events and foods. They even have cotton candy!"
"Cotton Candy on Halloween?" Neo asked. "I thought that was more of a summer time snack."
"Who cares?! This place is amazing! They even have a costume store," Usopp said. "Some of us are heading over there now."
"You have to come with us!" Luffy said.
"Okay." Neo nodded. "Sounds like fun."
A loud creak passed through the room.
Chopper and Usopp screamed and grabbed onto each other. "What the heck was that?!"
"The building was probably just settling," Law said.
A cold breeze blew through the room.
"And that?!" Usopp and Chopper demanded.
"The window's open," Neo said.
"You guys are funny!" Luffy laughed. "Getting scared over an open window and a gust of wind."
"But it's warm outside," Usopp said.
"And none of us opened the window," Chopper said.
"They probably rigged the hotel to give the guests a scare," Law said. "Don't be stupid."
"He's right," Chopper said. "We came here for fun."
"Let's go shopping then," Usopp said.
"I hope we can find something really cute for Cora to wear," Chopper said as they walked out of the room and down the hall.
"Cora should be a little ghost," Luffy said.
"You're not dressing our son up as a ghost, Straw Hat," Law said.
"I think he should be a little pirate," Usopp said.
"That's a bit cliché, don't you think?" Neo asked.
"Cora would look cute as a pumpkin," Chopper said.
"I like pumpkins." Neo looked at Law. "We could go with that. Or an animal costume. Cora really does love Bepo."
"Cora loves all animals," Law said.
"Well, I guess I've figured out your costume already," Neo said.
"What would that be?" Law looked at her.
Neo smirked. "A grumpy old man."
Law frowned.
The Straw Hats chuckled.
"A grumpy old doctor!" Luffy said.
"Sounds good to me!" Usopp said.
"Yeah!" Chopper nodded.
"You three are so lucky Neo's right here," Law said. "If she wasn't I'd slice you all up into bloody little pieces. And what happened to being cliché?"
"Well, that's true. A doctor dressing up as a doctor would be cliché," Neo said. "Let's just see what they have when we get there."
"So what would you dress Neo up as, Tra?" Usopp asked.
"Something she wouldn't be allowed to wear in public."
"Law!" Neo flushed.
Law grinned. "What? You said you wanted me to have fun. I could have fun with that."
"Fun out in public!" Neo said. She ducked her head when the people in the lobby looked at her.
"So you're objecting to fun in private?"
Neo twitched. " N-no…"
"Then it's settled. You'll be getting two costumes." Law walked ahead of them.
"Why would Tra get Neo two costumes when she can only wear one at a time?" Luffy asked.
"Seriously. You really don't have hormones do you?" Usopp asked his captain.
"Hormones?" Luffy blinked.
"I'll explain it later." Usopp left the hotel. His eyes landed on a group of people surrounding Brook. The musician had his violin out and was playing a creepy tune.
"Brook seems to be having fun," Chopper said.
"So do the people around him. I wonder if they think he's part of the decorations," Usopp said.
"At least he's having fun," Neo said. She turned and rushed to catch up with Law. Her eyes scanned the town and people. They looked to be overly happy. "Everyone seems really happy here."
"Is that wrong?" Chopper asked.
"No," Neo said. "Not usually but I still feel like there's something wrong with this place."
"It'll be fine," Luffy said. "There's the costume store!"
The small group turned to the building. Just as they reached it Nami and Robin came walking out.
"Hello," Robin greeted them. Cora cooed and reached for the dark haired woman. She smiled as she pulled him into her arms. "And hello to you too, Cora."
"Finally going shopping for costumes, huh?" Nami asked.
"We sure are." Neo nodded.
"This place is great. We found costumes in no time," Nami said. "But…"
"But what?" Usopp asked.
"I'm not really sure exactly," Nami said. "But everyone here just keeps saying what a great guy Blade is. It's like they're brainwashed or something."
"Maybe they just like him," Chopper said.
"Maybe," Nami said. "You'll see what I mean when you get around the townspeople. Well, we'll see you later. We're going back to the hotel to change."
Robin passed Cora back over to Neo before walking off with Nami.
The group walked into the building. A cloud of fog passed over their legs. Sitting in the fireplace was a large cauldron bubbling with some kind of dark green liquid. A lady dressed as a witch smiled at them. "Welcome. Feel free to look around. And don't hesitate to ask for assistance if you need it."
"Great. Thanks." Usopp nodded at the woman.
The pirates scattered around the room.
Neo and Law walked towards the kids' section. Several costumes were hanging on the racks just watching to be picked. "Great. Now that we're here I have no idea what to get for Cora."
"It doesn't matter," Law said. "Get what you feel like."
"They're all so cute." Neo picked a cat costume up. She smiled then placed it back on the rack. "Maybe we should do a family theme or something."
"That would be absolutely adorable!" a woman said.
Neo turned. The woman dressed as a gyspy was smiling brightly at them.
"This is your first time on Willow isn't it?" she asked.
"Yes," Law said.
"You'll love it here. Blade is amazing," she said. "He's the best guy in the entire world. You'll all love him." She turned and walked off.
"Nami was right. That was odd," Neo said.
"She might be part of the attraction," Law said.
"I hope you're right," Neo said.
Cora cooed. Looking down at him they found he was reaching for a pumpkin costume.
"Looks like Cora has made up his own mind," Law said.
"It would seem so," Neo said.
"Let's get your costume now." Law took her hand and pulled her over to the adult section.
Neo glanced around for their friends. They were close by trying on different masks. She smiled then turned her attention back to the costumes. Law already had one in his hand. It was a sexy nurse outfit. Her cheeks flushed. "Law!"
"If I'm dressing up as anything you're dressing up as this for me later," Law said.
Neo grumbled. "Fine. But not until we get back to the sub."
"Deal." Law pecked her lips. "Now pick out one to wear now to satisfy Straw Hat."
Neo exhale. Heat still radiating from her cheeks she scanned the costumes and picked out a fairy one.
"Cliché." Law smirked.
"I'm most comfortable with this." She lowered her voice and added, "And I can use my real wings. They've been twitching lately."
"So I've noticed." Law rolled his shoulders.
"Then let's get your costume and pay for it," Neo said.
Law nodded. After grabbing a white coat they paid for their purchases then looked back to the Straw Hats. The three pirates were still goofing off.
"Hey! We're going back to the hotel now," Neo called to them.
"Okay. We'll catch up with you later," Chopper said.
Neo and Law left the building. Reaching the hotel they found a large crowd gathered around it. Among them were some of their pirate friends.
"What's going on?" Law asked.
"Haven't you heard?" a woman said. "Two guests have gone missing."
"What?" Neo asked.
"They were in their room this afternoon. But when their friend went to have lunch with them they were nowhere to be found," she said.
"That's insane," Franky said. "No one just disappears without a reason."
"Perhaps it's part of the fun?" Robin asked.
"It could be," Nami said. "Let's not let this ruin our fun."
"This could be part of the fun," Shachi said. "Maybe they'll show up later dressed up as zombies or something."
"That would be fun," Penguin said.
"So how did shopping for your costumes go?" Kailen asked.
"Great." Law grinned.
"He made you buy something sexy, didn't he?" Penguin asked.
"Maybe." Neo flushed.
"And what about Cora?" Bepo asked while taking the baby from Neo's arms. He rubbed his fur against Cora's cheek, earning a happy giggle from the baby.
"He picked out the cutest pumpkin outfit ever!" Neo showed them the outfit.
"That is cute," Topaz said.
"So what are you all planning on dressing up as?" Neo asked.
"I'm not going to," Topaz said.
"Kill joy," Penguin said.
"It's my choice." Topaz crossed her arms.
"Okay," Penguin said. "We won't force you."
"Like heck we won't." Shachi grinned.
Topaz rolled her eyes then smiled. "I'd like to see you try." She summoned a fire crystal and lit it. "Did you forget about these?"
"Shoot. I did forget," Shachi said.
"All well," Penguin said. "It was fun while it lasted."
"We should get going," Shachi said.
"We're going to figure out our costumes." Penguin kissed Neo's cheek before walking off with Shachi and Franky.
"What about you, Bepo?" Neo asked.
"I'm not sure what I want to do," Bepo said. "It's kind of warm here. So I don't really want to wear much of anything."
Neo nodded.
"You could also be a pumpkin," Nami said.
"A pumpkin?" Bepo looked at the navigator.
"You're already dressed in orange," Nami said. "All you need is the stem part of the pumpkin."
"I think that would be cute. You would match with Cora," Neo said.
"Okay." Bepo nodded.
"And I'll help you," Nami said. "Making that won't take very long at all."
"Thank you," Bepo said.
"We should get dressed as well," Neo said. "I'm ready to check the festivities out."
Law nodded. They headed into the hotel. Stepping into their room, Law started undressing Neo.
"Law, what are you doing?" Neo asked.
"Helping you dress." Law kissed her neck. "I have to wait to see you in the nurse outfit. I'm keeping myself entertained."
"You are so horny," Neo said.
"You do it to me." Law chuckled.
Neo rolled her eyes but allowed him to continue undressing and redressing her. Fifteen minutes passed before they finally got dressed and headed back outside.
"Oh! You all look so cute!" Nami gushed. "That pumpkin outfit for Cora is so adorable!"
"He does make a cute pumpkin." Robin smiled.
"Bepo makes a cute pumpkin as well," Neo said.
"Thank you." Bepo blushed.
Neo scanned her eyes around her friends. Robin was dressed as a cat. Nami was dressed as a witch. Topaz and Kailen didn't dress up at all. Brook didn't dress up either but with how everyone was complementing him on his costume one couldn't tell that if they didn't know him. Penguin, Shachi, and Franky decided to be zombies. Luffy dressed up like a mummy. Zoro had a fake scar down his temple and wore a scowl. Neo figured Luffy forced him to wear the scar. Sanji was a vampire. And Chopper was dressed as a bat. "You all look so cute."
"If anyone looks cute it's you, Neo," Sanji said. "You look so cute in that fairy outfit that I want to suck your blood."
Neo laughed.
Law scowled.
"I'm just kidding," Sanji said. "With those marks on her neck I'm sure you've done plenty of sucking."
Slipping his arm around Neo's waist, Law smiled.
"Don't look so smug." Neo elbowed him.
"Okay. So where do you want to go first?" Law asked.
"I don't know. I guess we can just walk around for a while," Neo said.
A pop. Smoke filled the air. The wind picked up and blew the smoke away to reveal Blade. He was bowing.
Neo flinched. She didn't know why but she felt like he was bowing to her, especially when he looked up and smiled. She frowned and tucked into Law's side.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" Blade boomed. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to look at him. "Now is the time! So frolic and be merry! Because you never know when you'll receive a fright. So beware. When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam, may luck be yours on this Halloween."
"I really don't like him," Neo said after Blade disappeared once again.
"He does seem to have a habit of appearing and disappearing when you least expect it," Nami said.
"I don't like that he bowed and looked at Neo." Penguin crossed his arms and frowned.
"You don't like guys breathing the same air as Neo," Shachi said.
"So? I'm her brother. I'm suppose to be over protective," Penguin said.
"Not liking someone for breathing Neo's air is beyond over protective," Shachi said.
"Kailen agrees with me on this," Penguin said.
"I do?" Kailen asked.
"Kailen!" Penguin said.
"Sorry." Kailen chuckled. "I agree with you."
"Thanks." Penguin nodded.
"You two are pathetic," Shachi said.
"Something smells good." Neo sniffed the air. "Smells like caramel."
"There's a booth of caramel apples not far from here," Sanji said.
"That sounds amazing," Neo said. "I just hope there's not too much caramel on the apple."
"Only one way to find out," Sanji said. He took the lead.
Neo exchanged looks with Law before they headed into the festivities. "So where do you think Blade is in all of this?"
"Who cares?" Zoro asked. "I'm sure he'll pop up soon."
Neo glanced around. She hoped he didn't pop up at all. But she was sure he would be.
…
Author's Note: Just a little Halloween fun with my favorite pirates. It might not be the best ever. And it won't be very long either. But enjoy it.