AN: Woohoo, two chapters in two days! Well, not really a big feat, I did say I had three chapters finished already...
Glad to see people seem to like the concept! Even though it's very sad. And this chapter is even more heartbreaking, at least to me it is. But judge yourself. I really tried to keep everyone in character, but naturally it's not that easy with a difficult plot like this. Moreover, everyone's another year older than in the canon storyline. I hope I managed to make everyone's actions believable.
And yes, I had to give Luffy divisions. He's the Pirate King in this, after all!
Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece. (sobs grossly)
Chapter 2:
Pillar of Hope
Vivi felt like her whole world was shattering right beneath her feet.
She felt so numb and hollow, so incomplete and lost. It was only now, walking behind the sarcophagus, that she completely realized that her father was gone forever. He was never coming back to her. She would never be able to feel comfort in his arms ever again. Never again would he smile at her and call her name with all the love of the world. Or scold her when she did something outrageous.
Her father was gone and she was so, so lonely right now.
But one look at her friends, and everything looked a little brighter. As soon as they had left the Central City Square behind, Nami had come to her side and grabbed her hand tightly. That was how they were walking now, hand in hand, and Vivi was so grateful she was here - her best friend, and the only one she had exchanged letters with over the years. Vivi was squeezing her hand so tightly, it just had to hurt, but Nami didn't even wince and Vivi didn't notice. She just needed something to cling to.
And every time she felt like she had to stop walking and break down in tears, she found herself looking at Luffy's back, and her heart swelled. She had been so stunned, so touched that he had offered to carry her father to his tomb with everyone else. Never in her life had she been so sure that she loved another person that much like right then. Vivi couldn't even believe it, but right now, she knew more than ever that she loved Luffy, like a woman loved a man.
She didn't know how, but suddenly they were right in front of the Tomb of the Kings, and the royal guard was standing in front of it, giving their last greeting. All of them were standing tall, their weapons raised, and Vivi could see the sadness in their faces. Some were biting their lips to suppress tears, and she realized then that not only she had lost a father.
The whole country had lost their guardian.
That was why she had to be strong. For the sake of her people, she absolutely couldn't cry. If she cried, they would all break down. Vivi had to be their pillar of hope, the one they could look up and cling to, as the future queen of Alabasta. Even though she was trembling, even though her eyes were hurting, she had to stay strong. She couldn't blink, or else the tears were going to fall out. She had to hold onto Nami, if she didn't, she feared she would faint.
Nami squeezed her hand when she lingered for a moment, at the top of the stairs leading into the illuminated darkness of the tomb. It was only then that Vivi found the courage, the strength to walk down. Her legs felt heavier with each step she took down, shaking so much that she was scared they would give out, and at the last step, they did. Maybe she slipped, or she stumbled, or maybe it was quite simply the fatigue finally taking over after not sleeping for two days, but next she knew she was on her knees.
"Vivi!" she heard Nami yelp in alarm, crouching down next to her and gripping her hand tightly with both of hers.
No one could describe the surprise Vivi felt when on her other side, Nico Robin appeared and gently took hold of her other arm. "Your highness?"
She forced a small smile as they helped her back up to her feet. "I'm alright," she whispered softly. Both refused to let go of her, and the princess bewildered herself, but most of all Robin, when she hesitantly grabbed for her hand as well, for support. She just acted on an impulse, she felt she needed it. "I'm alright," she repeated.
Vivi lifted her head and noticed the worried looks everyone was giving her, and that all of them had stopped walking. All eyes were on her, filled with sympathy, regret and so much sadness, only Luffy's eyes were different. His eyes were steady, encouraging and reassuring. Maybe it was her imagination, but she thought there was a tiny smile hiding in the corners of his mouth. It was filling her up with hope and warmth up to her very core, and she realized that she wasn't a pillar at all.
The only pillar of hope was Luffy.
"I'll be okay," she breathed, very softly, and it was meant for him.
He gave a small nod, and they proceeded. She felt so protected, with Nami to her right, and Robin to her left, holding onto their hands. She didn't care that Robin had worked with Crocodile, none of her crimes mattered anymore. Vivi only cared that Luffy trusted this woman with his life, and not once had Robin done anything not to deserve it. That was why Vivi trusted her, too. And the way Robin was gripping her hand tightly, trying to make it all better by using her other hand to tenderly squeeze her shoulder, let the princess know that she had been in the wrong about this woman all along.
They were now deep in the tomb, entering a room she knew all too well. The walls were ornated with ancient writings, the language and scripts of the ancients of Alabasta, telling the story of King Cobra and Nefertari Titi, and in the back, there was the dusty but still beautiful sarcophagus of her mother. In front of it was a small podest. It had been there for a long time, waiting for her father. No words were needed as Chaka, Pell, Luffy and Zoro all simultaneously and slowly started to lower the king's last bed onto it.
Then, all of the people down there with her lowered their head in a silent mourning, bidding their last respect and goodbyes. Vivi was biting down on her lower lip so much that it hurt, but she refused to cry. Not here, not now. She could cry to her heart's content later, when she was alone in her chamber. She had to be strong. She couldn't cry. Even when her eyes were clouding over and she couldn't see a thing anymore, she couldn't cry.
Her eyes widened when she felt a calloused, big hand on her cheek, sliding over her skin, into her hair, to the back of her head, and next she knew, her face pressed into warmth - all-consuming warmth that felt too good to bear. The faint smell of rain mingled with a familiar, calming fragrance, and the grip on her hands loosened and vanished, and she was enveloped in strong arms, her face hidden from everyone else.
"Go ahead," she heard, a quiet whisper in her darkest of times, "No one will see."
Luffy held her so tight, even tighter than that day on Pell's back, high above the battlefield. Her hands came up, fingers curling into his shirt and coat, face pressed tightly against his chest as he shielded her from the stares of everyone else.
"You can cry now."
And she did.
lllll
Luffy didn't know how long they stayed like this, but it felt like an eternity. Vivi was shaking violently in his arms, silent sobs vibrating against him, and dampness on his skin. His heart was breaking, and still he held her as tight as he could, his one hand carressing her head lovingly and his other protecting her from the worried looks his crew and her guards were throwing them. It was like time was standing still, and nobody dared to move. And nobody dared to speak.
One by one, they left. And after a while, only Luffy and Vivi were left down there, in the Tomb of the Kings, in front of King Cobra's sarcophagus.
Even now, Vivi was desperately holding onto him, and he refused to let her go until she had cried as much as she needed to. And if they had to stand there for the whole night, him embracing her, he would endure it. He'd do everything just to make her feel better, even if just a little. Just to see her smile, he'd readily give up his life. For her, for her happiness, there was nothing he wouldn't do. She was his most precious thing in the whole world.
She was his One Piece.
He wasn't sure how it happened, but the one thing he was sure of was that he loved her. Not like he loved his nakama. He loved her as a man. And when Nami had informed him of Cobra's death, he'd left everything behind without a second thought and ordered to head to Alabasta. He didn't care that they'd been on the brink of war that moment, or about the battle that was in motion. He hadn't given a damn about any of that. All he'd needed was the smile of encouragement from Sabo when he'd told him that something urgent had come up and they'd have to postpone their assault on Mariejois. And then there was that pat on his back by his older brother, promising to explain everything to his father, and that Luffy should go be where his heart was.
And one look down at Vivi's blue head of hair told him exactly where his heart was. It was where he had left it three years ago. Safe in her hands, and she'd kept it alive and beating through all his hardships. He'd only made it through it all because she had always been on his mind. Her face, her smile, her cheekiness, her braveness, her everything - all that was what kept him going, why he never even thought of giving up.
It was all so he could return to her one day.
No one could describe how much it pained him that it had to happen because of something like this. Luffy had imagined his coming back to her countless times. He would show up out of the blue, shouting that he was back, and she would give out a yelp of joy, jumping into his arms. They would live happily ever after, Cobra would welcome him into the family, and everything would be fine. Her father would promise to be here, and Luffy would be able to take Vivi away to some adventures. None of that was possible anymore.
The torches illuminating the tomb were getting dimmer and dimmer by the second, and somehow, they'd sunk to the ground. Luffy was leaning against the sarcophagus, and Vivi was kneeling between his legs, still enveloped in an embrace. She had calmed down a little, only sniffing weakly, cheek pressed against his chest as he leisurely ran a hand through her azure hair.
And then, she whispered, like she couldn't really believe it, "You're here." As if she needed proof, to make sure this was real.
"I'm here," he whispered back, barely recognizing his own voice.
She snuggled closer against him. "D-don't go," she sobbed.
"They'd have to kill me."
Her hands were gripping at his black button-down shirt so fiercely that it might rip any second, but he couldn't care less. Her body was trembling again, and Luffy was never so sure he'd done the right thing than in that moment. Leaving everything to Sabo was a safe bet anyhow, but Luffy wouldn't have turned his back on a battle for anyone but Vivi. Only for her. Only for her, he'd go so far. Only for her, the Pirate King would abandon everything, and rush to her side. If that wasn't love, he didn't know what could be.
They were so young back then, when Crocodile corrupted this country. They were young, and stupid, and only children. How could he have known that all the admiration, the awe, the amazement he felt, were really just the beginnings of love? How could he have known that the reason he had cried, when they'd left her behind on the shores of that island, was just his own regret? He had been too naive three years ago, too focused on becoming the Pirate King, too absorbed in his idea of freedom and his yearn for adventures, to think of something trivial as love.
He probably realized it when Ace died. Because that was when he almost died as well. At the very least, that was what brought it on. His life had been flashing before his eyes, and it had been filled with Ace, and Vivi laughing, Sabo, and Vivi crying, his grandpa, and Vivi shouting at him, Shanks, and Vivi taking care of him, his nakama, and Vivi, Vivi, Vivi. What he'd been left with was regret, disappointment, anger, emptiness. And when Jinbei asked him what it was he still had, and he thought of nakama, and when Jinbei asked him what he wanted to do, and he thought, becoming king of pirates so I can go back to Vivi, he knew for sure.
She was the reason he still existed.
How much was that worth? There was no estimation to that. There was nothing in the world he could give her in return except his whole being. He knew that now, knew it with all that he was, now that she was in his arms. And if he could take just one ounce of her pain by simply holding her, he would do it forever. As long as she needed him, as long as he was just one tiny bit of use to her, he'd do it. Whatever she asked of him, he'd do it. If she asked him to take on the world, he'd absolutely and without a doubt do it.
Vivi was silent now. No more crying, or sobs, sniffs, she wasn't even shaking or trembling anymore. She was still, calm, breathing evenly. Was she asleep?
"Vivi?" he whispered.
"Mmm?"
Luffy gulped at the sound of her hollow voice. It sounded so foreign. "I'll be here forever, you know."
"Really?"
Her voice was so hoarse, but hopeful, he didn't know what he felt. "I promise."
Vivi's breath ghosted over his neck and he got goosebumps. "I-I'm so scared, Luffy-san," she whispered, burying her face in his neck.
He squeezed her tighter. "I know, but you don't have to be," he uttered back, his hand pressing her head closer against him. "We'll be by your side. We're backing you up, no matter what happens."
"B-But..." Another fit of sobs shook her body. "I'm all on my own now! Without my father, what should I do? I-I'm only 19, and I'm all alone-"
"Hey!"
Acting on reflexes, he grabbed her face with both hands, forcing her to look at him. It was the first time he looked at her ever since she had started crying, and he couldn't even begin to explain how the sight of her despaired expression broke him in half, but he forced himself to look, to make her see, to make her understand.
"You're not alone," he said firmly. "If there's anything you shouldn't worry about, it's being alone. I won't allow that. Me and my crew, and all of the divisions under me, we'll have your back, always. Listen to me, Vivi," he took a breath, stroking her right cheek with his thumb, "I'm always gonna back you up. There's nothing you can't ask me to do. Ask me anything, I don't care what is. Ask me, and I'll do it for you!"
Vivi's eyes were wide with awe, and Luffy realized what he'd said, his face heating up in embarrassment. That had been practically a confession. Had she realized? It didn't really look like she did. She just welled up with tears again, burying her face in his chest once again and crying loudly. Luffy didn't know whether to feel relieved or disappointed.
So he just held her.
"Good thing you're taking hold of a helping hand now," he said to her, gently. "Your dad would be proud."
lllll
They were greeted by puzzled stares when they exited the King of Tombs. His crew was still there, as well as all of the heads of the royal army. Maybe they were simply surprised because Vivi refused to let go of Luffy. She still had her hands entangled tightly in his shirt. Only Robin flashed him a gentle, knowing smile, that he returned in kind. On the bright side, Vivi had stopped crying. On the dark side, her eyes were so empty and lifeless, it made it hard to look at her.
"Mah-mah-mah!" Igaram was the first next to them. "The people were worried! It's been three hours, you should-"
As soon as Igaram tried to pry her off the Pirate King, Vivi only clung onto Luffy tighter, screaming, "NO!"
Igaram was stunned, to say the least, as was Luffy and everyone else. He could just stroke her back in a comforting gesture, at a loss of what to say. It was moments like this that he was proud to have a sixth sense for people, because Zoro was just reliable like that. His precious first mate, his unannounced vice, and right hand stepped forward, sure of himself, unwavering like a fortress made of iron.
"Can't you see she's were she wants to be?" Zoro snarled, gruff as usual. "All of you, leave it, and try to make a way to the castle without her being seen." He gave a deep sigh. "I speak for my captain, and I'm sure he wants her shielded. Your new queen needs privacy."
His eyes met Zoro's, and he knew his first mate saw what he was feeling.
"Isn't that right, Captain?"
Luffy couldn't help a small smile. He could always count on Zoro. "That's right," he said, firmly, and because his crew knew that tone of voice, they perked up. "Guys, our mission is to get Vivi into the castle without commotion. I'll be with her, so listen to what the Royal Army says. We'll be here for them, so I don't want anyone questioning Bull, Falcon, Curly-Ossan or the ex-Rebel's orders, you got me?"
His crew gave him firm nods. "Aye, Captain!"
"Good." He smirked. "I entrust Alubarna to all of you. This is our turf, so I want you to behave, for Vivi's sake. Don't wreck anything. That means you, Sanji."
Sanji almost blew up. "Bastard! Just because I blew some holes into the walls last time-"
"Anyway, Zoro's in command," Luffy grinned, interrupting him, "So everyone, listen to him."
"Aye, Captain!"
"Tch..."
Pell slowly, carefully approached them, and even if his hand was stretched out, he didn't dare to touch Vivi. "Luffy-kun... is she...?"
Luffy smiled at him. "She's the bravest woman I know," he told him. "She'll be fine. I'll take care of her. I promised her old man."
The falcon man blinked, taken aback. But slowly, a small, reassured smile spread across his face, full of relief. "When you say that, do you mean...?"
Luffy, realizing what he wanted to know, immediately grinned, "Of course."
"Then I will say no more," Pell uttered, taking a light bow at Luffy and Vivi and then turning back towards his squad. "See that you make way for the Pirate King and Princess Vivi-sama!"
Luffy watched, proud, as Zoro took over Kohza's squad, Sanji worked with Pell, Jinbei with Chaka and Robin with Igaram (who she'd blown up, mind you). He was so amazed at how his crew could take matters in their own hands and let him focus on what they knew was most important to him - shielding Vivi.
She'd gotten so weak by now. Luffy looked down at her, a little happy that she wouldn't let go of him, but concerned of her at the same time. Fatigue was clouding her hollow eyes, she was breathing heavily by now, and Luffy could swear she had a fever. He knew he was only estiminating it basied on his own body temperature, so he couldn't be sure since he was still a little damp from the rain, but he had a feeling she was sick. It was the way she was pressing up against his body, hot beyond belief, and he had to hold her up straight. Just as he thought it, Vivi's legs gave way and she collapsed. Good thing Luffy had her in his arms already.
"Vivi-sama!"
"The princess fainted!"
"Hey! Hey, Vivi!" Luffy shouted out, gently patting her face, but she gave no reaction. He looked up at some guard. "She's out cold. Will you listen to me?"
The squad leader saluted. "Strawhat-sama! If Vivi-sama trusts you, your wish shall be our command!"
Luffy nodded, relieved. "Thanks. 'Cause she's burning up, so I'm gonna need you to show me the quickest way into the palace," he mumbled while simultaneously wriggling himself out of his black coat to wrap around the princess, and then slipping his hand beneath the hollow of her knees to pick her up. Which was when he remembered her words to him in Drum, so he bowed slightly to the guards. "Uh, please."
The guards exchanged bewildered and a little flustered looks, before the squad leader said, "Th-this way, Strawhat-sama."
He couldn't suppress a small smile. Vivi's country was really awesome.
lllll
Somehow, they'd all made it into the castle, without being seen.
Luffy put Vivi down on her bed as gently as he could before he was swarmed by Igaram, Pell, and above all Nami. He was pushed away by them all, worried as they were, but the most worried one was Nami, gripping at Vivi's hand tightly. The princess was unconscious, and not only from exhaustion. She was still burning up severely, her breathing ragged and quick, and when Nami realized that, she whirled around in a panic.
"She's got a really bad fever!" she yelled out, her voice shrill and worried, "Chopper!"
The little reindeer ran over, in his human form, to be able to push Igaram away. "Outta my way," he uttered, stetoscope ready. "Nami, you too, I need space here."
"But-"
"Scram, Nami!"
"What was that?!"
Luffy was at a loss of what to do. All of a sudden, everything was in a chaos, Igaram was wailing and yelling how they couldn't let Vivi die, Nami was vainly shouting at him to calm the hell down, Pell and Chaka were agitatedly discussing their next steps seeing how Vivi was sick, someone was constantly asking what Vivi had, and he was just standing there motionlessly. His eyes were wide, he felt numb, limp, his arms just hanging down and shoulders slumped. His chest clenched painfully at her sight, and there was suddenly a knot forming in his stomach. He couldn't do anything for her. He was completely powerless, and the noise, everything, was far, far away.
"-ain."
Something curled around his shoulder. Luffy flinched, and then everything was loud again. He turned towards the thing on his shoulder, saw bony fingers, and Brook's face appeared before him. "Huh?"
"Captain," said his musician, worry in his words as he held out a shirt to him, "You should change out of your wet clothes as well."
Luffy blinked at the cloth for a moment, still a little dazed, and shook his head to snap out of it. "Yeah. Yeah, thanks," he mumbled, taking the shirt from Brook's cold hands.
He didn't bother leaving the room to change. The only time he took his eyes off of her was during the second that he pulled the warm, dry shirt over his head. Chopper had finished his examination, and it got quiet while he explained that Vivi was simply exhausted. All she needed was a good night's rest, and she'd be back on her feet in no time, so there was no reason to worry. Luffy released a relieved breath that he didn't know he'd been holding, his lips tugging up in a small smile.
A presence suddenly appeared next to him, nudging his shoulder, and smoke tickled his nose. "You saved her, Luffy." Sanji's voice was oddly soft. "Even more than back then, you saved her today. Lucky bastard."
"But I feel helpless."
He didn't need to turn around to know Sanji's eyes widened. After all, Luffy had never said something like that before. But Sanji, and Zoro, they were his most trusted friends. They were there, whatever insane request he'd had, never questioning him, always following whatever order. They trusted him, with all they had, trusting Luffy to catch them when they fell. And now, Luffy felt like falling, and they were there. He felt stupid. So stupid. They had known it before he knew. They knew what Alabasta meant to him. It was embarrassing, really, but more than that it was pride that welled within him. His men knew him good enought to tell. And they valued him as much as to risk their lives to get him back to his queen.
Sanji sighed. "Sure you do," he uttered, "You're a man in love. I know that feeling. Welcome to my world."
Luffy bit his lower lip. "It hurts."
"Of course it does. If it weren't so, nobody would do it."
"But," he muttered, "If it hurts, and everyone knows it, why would you want it?"
Sanji smiled widely at him, throwing an arm around his captain. "Because even if it hurts, isn't there someone who's worth it?"
For some reason, it almsot made Luffy cry. "Yeah," he answered. "More than that."
Sanji grinned, patting his back. "So there you have it."
"Sanji! Are you crazy?" Chopper snapped, and snatched the cigarette from the cook's mouth. "You can't smoke in here! Vivi's sick!"
"Shit, you're right! Vivi-chwan, I'm so sorry!"
He couldn't stifle the chuckle as Chopper continued to reprimand Sanji, and then went over to scold Igaram to keep it down, since the big guy was now crying rather loudly about how relieved he was. Luffy glanced back at Vivi the moment she started stirring, moving strangely in her sleep. Then her eyes went open in a flash, and she started screaming so loudly and desperate as if someone was trying to murder her, startling everyone. Nami was vainly trying to grab her and calm Vivi down, but was hit by a swatting hand - not that his navigator really cared.
Nobody tried to hold him back when he ran forward, squishing himself through the people surrounding her. He gently pushed Nami back by her shoulder, pulled the covers up and then lay down next to Vivi. Her arms were wildly thrashing about, hitting him, but he payed no mind to it, his arms coming around her. The moment he held her, she calmed down instantly, her breathing evening out, and soon she was sleeping quietly again.
"What kinda magic trick is that? Seriously," he heard Nami grumble.
"Well, I think," Pell spoke up, and Luffy could practically hear his smile, "It's for the best if Luffy-kun stays with her tonight."
lllll
Vivi was still feverish an hour later, and still sleeping soundly. She had wriggled herself out of his arms in the meantime, so Luffy was just lying next to her, his head supported by a hand as he absentmindedly played with her hair, loving how smooth it felt between his fingers and how it glistened in the soft light like the azure water of the ocean. Her naturally tan face looked so pale and beaten, covered in a thin layer of sweat, and her plump lips had lost all color. Yet he still thought she was beautiful, how weird. He vaguely made out Nami smirking at his actions and stares, and he immediately let go of Vivi's blue locks, cheeks hot and a flustered frown on his face. He forgot that she had stayed behind to take care of Vivi.
Nami giggled softly as she wringed out a white cloth in a bowl of ice water. "You were always kinda weird when it came to women. It all makes sense now," she said to him, gently placing the cold and wet cloth on Vivi's scorching hot forehead. "I gotta say, I'm glad you're normal."
"What the hell," he mumbled awkwardly.
She sat down on the edge of the bed on the other side next to Vivi. "No need to be embarrassed, Luffy. We all knew," she smiled, winking at him.
"Huh?"
"C'mon, it was so obvious." Nami rolled her eyes at him. "You didn't think your own crew wouldn't notice, did you?"
Luffy blinked at her, but then gave up and started chuckling hoarsely. "I can't ever fool you, Nami, eh?"
She laughed, flicking his forehead. "Me? Never."
His gaze dropped down on the sleeping princess. She looked more peaceful now, with the coldness on her forehead. His eyes softened, and he let his breath out in a deep sigh. It was maddening. There was nothing they could do for her, other than being next to her. But maybe that was enough. Maybe it was enough that all of them were here with her. Support and love was all they had to offer, and they wanted nothing in return.
"She'll get over this, right?" he asked Nami, furrowing his brows. "I mean- she- she'll be okay, won't she?"
Nami's lips tugged up in a warm smile. She stood up, slowly, walked over to Luffy and bent down to press a soft kiss to his temple. "She's got you, doesn't she? Thanks to you, all of us got over our traumas, so just stay right where you are. I'm sure she'll be happy waking up next to you," she said to him, ruffling his hair, and he felt his cheeks flush with heat. "I'll leave you guys alone now. Try to get some shut-eye, too. And don't you dare raid the kitchen, we're guests here!"
Luffy pouted at her, scowling. "I'm not leaving Vivi alone!"
"Heh." His navigator smirked, clearly amused. "I'm counting on you, Captain."
When the door to Vivi's room fell shut, Luffy turned his head behind to blow out the candle on the nightstand. As soon as the room was completely dark except for the soft moonlight shining through a tiny gap in the curtains, he felt his eyelids grow heavy and his head landed on the pillow. Stirred by his movements, the princess turned her face and body towards him, made a small noise of content, and he smiled wearily, his fingers grazing over her cheek. He pulled up the covers over her more, and it took all of his endurance and will not to kiss her.
"Good night, Vivi," he simply whispered to her and closed his eyes.
tbc