A/N: I want to thank everyone for their reviews. I love this story, and I think it has a lot of potential. I have some ideas for future chapters that I think you will find pretty cool, and I hope for this to be the first multi-chapter story that I write all the way through. So, keep reviewing so that I stay motivated!!
Disclaimer: No One Piece owning for me. Q_Q
"Luffy?" The door creaked slowly as the long-nosed pirate made his way into the small room. He had half-expected his captain to jump up exuberantly at the sound of his voice. They would dance around the room, happy to have come together again. Shouting and singing, they would burst out of the small, stuffy room and surprise the crew with pomp and noise. However, the only thing that greeted him as he crept in through the door was a sleeping young man, and the smell of sweat and wood grain. Looking around, he felt a great emptiness inside him, as the space seemed to match the tone of the situation. The room was dark, save for the small lamp on the corner of the desk that bathed Luffy's face in a dim orange glow, and his token straw hat hung solemnly from the bedpost nearest his head. Usopp made his way quietly to the stool next to the bed, and sat down. He sat in silence at first, head down, unable to look at or speak to his nakama.
"Luffy, you need to wake up." He smiled a little, then, he suddenly jumped up. Standing on the stool, he puts his hands on his hips and looked to the side in his most heroic pose. "If you wake up now, I will tell you about the most recent adventures of me; Captain Usopp!" Standing in silence for a moment, he remained in his hero pose. There was no response however, and he slinked sadly back into his seat.
"That's okay," he whispered. "You can take your time. You don't have to wake up now, but… the sooner the better." Usopp sighed deeply, not knowing where to go from there. He began to reminisce to himself on their adventures. Frightening scenarios played in his mind of near death situations, and glorious victories. Hard fought battles now riddled his recent past, and made him swallow hard at a new revelation.
"You know, when I was still in Syrup Village, I would have never believed it if you told me I would be here today. Halfway through the Grand Line, and ready to fight the rest of the way. Heh, it's kinda funny. I've told so many lies to so many people, that I don't think anyone will believe any of my true stories now. Oi, I don't even believe my true stories anymore. We've fought so many enemies, and I've become so much stronger than before. Sometimes I think to myself, 'Maybe I've already become a brave warrior of the sea." Then you find some way to get us into trouble, and I just end up shaking uncontrollably in a corner somewhere." Usopp stood, furrowing his brow, and never taking his eyes off of Luffy.
"All these things, these… weapons that I carry with me, none of them make me feel any braver. None of them give me courage. Nothing seems to get any easier, and I am so tired of being the one who's always afraid!" He was yelling now, and their nakama outside were probably wondering what was going on, but he didn't care. There were some things that a man just needed to say. "How!? How is it that you're always so happy about everything!? Why aren't you ever afraid of all these things that happen to us?" He felt himself start to cry as his nose began to run. His face cringed, bearing his teeth as he gritted them together in a poor attempt to hold back the tears. Fists clenched he continued.
"I won't pretend to be brave. I can't… I can't lie about something like that. I will be brave. I'll show you. I'll show you I'm not just your nakama. Luffy, I'm gonna be dependable. From now on, I'll be braver. I can't promise it'll happen overnight, but… but I'm going to do it. I won't be protected, and I won't be pushed around. Luffy, don't argue! I know what I have to do." He looked down to the floor. The energy he had felt was suddenly gone, and his words seemed to catch in his throat. "Luffy, I don't… if you keep protecting everyone, you'll…" Usopp thought that it was the hardest sentence he had ever tried to say, but all the courage that he had gathered in his meager heart was flowing through his voice, and he forced the words. Everything he had ever done, and every fight, every struggle he had ever endured had led to this moment in his life. It was time for change.
"I won't be a burden to you anymore. I will be strong, and I will fight with you." He put a foot up on the stool and leaned his elbow onto his knee. The tears had dried and he gave a sly smile. Determination burned in his eyes as he gave a 'thumbs up' with his free hand. "Let's do it together Luffy. Let's go to the New World and show everyone. You'll be the Pirate King. I believe in you, and I'll do whatever I can to help you get there. I'll become stronger. Then you'll see. I'll never give you the chance to regret taking the mighty Usopp as your sniper. I promise."
Usopp brought his foot back to the floor, and stood tall. His brows furrowed immediately, and he could feel a sense of responsibility overtake him. He turned, giving the sleeping captain one final nod before he exited the room. The crew looked up, slightly confused at Usopp's new aura, but said nothing as he passed them at the table.
"Come on Chopper. We have something to do." He said firmly as he marched to the exit. Chopper immediately jumped down from his seat to follow, curious about the new situation with his nakama. Usopp stopped however, hand on the doorknob. Without turning, he gave one last though to the somber bunch.
"You guys should go see him too. I think it's important." With that, he left; small reindeer in tow.
They sat there confused for some time, before the sound of a chair being slid back brought their attention. Soft footsteps made their way to the room where Luffy slept, and a green haired swordsman entered quietly.
