Chapter Two

I didn't know where I was, but I knew what had happened. And I wanted to cry. To scream. To throw things. To shoot something...my guns! I looked around the room to find nothing but other beds and medical equipment.

God, where was my crew, my family?

This time had been the worst. Never had I been separated from them. Were they all together? Looking for me?

The door opened and a young nurse walked in. "Ah, you're awake!" she said happily, smiling while she wrote something on her clipboard. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine. Where am I?"

"Captain Whitebeard's ship, the Moby Dick. What crew did you come from? I didn't quite recognize your tattoo through, well, the blood." She bit shifted her eyes as if regretting saying that last part.

My eyes widened slightly at the mention of being on the famous Moby Dick, but my shoulders soon drooped and my eyes left the nurse. "I'm the daughter of Gunn T. Sebastian, captain of the Gunnslinger pirates."

It was her turn to widen her eyes. "Let me go alert the captain you're awake." She immediately left but returned within minutes with a very large and tall man with white hair and a matching white beard.

"So you're Gunn's daughter," he said with an unreadable look in his eyes. "What happened to the crew?"

Once again I looked down. "It's a long story."

Whitebeard sat down. "I have time, child."

"When I was a little girl, a witch cursed me for taking something from her. A picture. The curse is that I can't fall asleep while at sea. Not without something horrible happening." I paused, unsure how to say the next part. Hell, I didn't expect the nurse or Whitebeard to believe me. "The ocean tries to kill me. Whether it has to destroy the ship I'm on or pull me into the waters to drown. When I'm asleep, it's like it can catch me off guard. And...I must have fallen asleep again." Tears filled my eyes but I forced them back. Dad would have scolded me for showing weakness in front such a powerful pirate like Whitebeard.

I looked into the old man's eyes. His hands were folded in front of his mouth and his eyes were full of curiosity. "So this has happened before?"

I nodded. "But it's never been bad enough to separate the crew. For all I know, I'm the only one missing. Or the only one left." My lip quivered and I bit it to stop.

Whitebeard had understanding in his eyes now. "You are welcome to join my crew, child. What is your name?"

"Gunn T. Violet," I said proudly.

"Welcome, Violet. You may be a part of this crew and you may stay even after we find your crew if you wish."

Smiling, I thanked him. "You are very kind, captain."

He let out a loud, bellowing laugh. "Not used to one of the crew calling me that. It's usually 'old man', 'pops', or 'father'."

My eyebrow raised. "Seriously? Do they have no respect?"

His smile remained in place while he explained. "Here in my crew, we are family through a bond stronger than blood. They are my sons and even some daughters. You may be my daughter, if you wish."

"Thank you, but I am Gunn T. Sebastian and Thorn T. Maria's daughter. No one else's." I locked eyes with him for the first time, as if daring him to tell me otherwise.

He laughed again. "You have your father's spirit, Violet. And his eyes it seems." My hazel eyes blinked as if knowing they were mentioned. "I'm assuming your hair is your mother's?" I didn't even notice it, but I had been subconsciously playing with a strand of my smoke colored hair.

I nodded at his question.

With a clap, Whitebeard stood and grinned. "Welcome, my daughter!"

Before I could protest being called his 'daughter' he picked me up into a death grip of a hug. "C-can't...breathe!"

"Pops, I don't think she can breathe," an unfamiliar voice spoke up for me.

Whitebeard let go of me as he turned towards the door. "Come in, my son. Meet our newest crew member."

When I caught my breath, I focused on the young man in the doorway. I couldn't believe it. "Portgas D. Ace..." I muttered.

Ace gave me a curious look. "Do I know you from somewhere?"

I laughed. "Doubtful. I have a bounty, but it's not much. But you're a well known pirate yourself."

He scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "I guess so. What's your name?"

"Gunn T. Violet. Daughter of Gunn T. Sebastian." I showed my dad's jolly roger on my shoulder for emphasis, as if needing proof of my identity. The symbol consisted of the typical skull but with a gun pointed to its head with a bullet coming out the other side.

Grinning, he said, "So a Gunnslinger? What happened to your crew?"

"Our ship was destroyed in a storm and I was separated from them. I'm only here until I can find my crew." I sent Whitebeard a look to tell him I didn't want anyone else knowing about the curse besides myself, him, and the nurse.

Ace nodded in understanding. "Well, we'll find them."

"Ace, since you're here, I want you to show Violet around the ship," Whitebeard ordered. He looked at me. "Ace is my second division commander. You're in good hands."

Said commander nodded before looking at me. "Do you want to get some more sleep before I show you around? You still look tired"

"No!" I said immediately. By looking tired, he must have meant the forever present dark rims under my eyes. With as little rest as I got, even a week straight of sleep on land wouldn't get rid of the dark circles but by a little bit.

All Ace did was lift an eyebrow but didn't question my response. "Okay...follow me. The whole crew is talking about you."

"Wait!" The nurse got our attention. "I have a change of clothes for you. I doubt you want to walk around the ship in a gown."

I blushed, just noticing the horrible medical gown. "Different clothes would be nice." The nurse put a pile of clothing in my hands before shooing the men out. I changed from the hospital attire to a pair of black shorts and a white tank top. I thanked the nurse and left the room to find Ace waiting for me and Whitebeard gone.

We started walking down a corridor in what was at first an awkward silence. "Why is the crew talking? About me?" I asked to break the silence.

Ace looked back to grin again. "Pretty girl found floating in the ocean alone? Everyone's curious on how you're doing, what kind of person you are, blah, blah. I'll warn you right now, though. We have a few perverts in the crew."

Laughing, I said, "Don't worry, we have one in dad's crew. Hell, he's even his first mate. I'm used to unwanted grabbing."

"You have my permission to hurt them," Ace offered.

I smiled. "Thank you...Ace."

We exited the narrow hallway to step outside onto the deck. Many men and a few women were bustling around, busy with work and chores. I awed at the size of the Moby Dick. "Incredible," I whispered.

"Yeah, she's a beauty." He admired the ship with me.

"Hey, Ace! Is that her?" Someone yelled across the deck, catching everyone's attention.

All eyes were on me and I felt more than uncomfortable. I shifted uncomfortably while Ace yelled back, "Yeah. Her name is Violet and she'll be staying with us until we find her crew."

"What crew are you from?" One of them asked.

"Gunnslinger pirates," I answered while pointing at my tattoo like I had done with Ace.

One of the older crew whistled. "Nice, kid. Ya know you're captain used to be part of the Whitebeard pirates years back before he left to start his own crew."

My eyes widened. "Really?" I looked at Ace as if he would know, but he only shrugged as expected. Dad hadn't really talked about his time before becoming captain. And mom hadn't been a pirate but rather a bartender on an island he had stopped at. It was your typical story of love at first sight but it was sweet nonetheless.

I would have to ask Whitebeard about this later.

Ace finished up showing me the ship within an hour. We were stopped in front of the infirmary once again. "I should probably go ask the old man where you'll be staying for now."

My eyes shifted to the side. "Don't worry about that. You showed me where the library is. I'll be spending most of my time in there."

"Well where will you sleep then?" he countered.

I smirked. "I don't sleep much. Thank you for showing me around, Ace. I promise to stay out of everyone's way while I'm here. I'll even do chores if you want. It's the least I can do."

Ace laughed again, his freckles and smile giving a cute little boy look. "If it were up to me, you wouldn't have to lift a finger! But I'll ask the old man what he thinks. I'll see you later?" he asked me with what looked like a small bit of hope in his eyes.

"Yes, of course. You can introduce me to the rest of the crew tomorrow." I smiled and gave the pirate a quick hug before heading in the direction of the library. With what I saw when Ace showed me the large room, I would have plenty of reading material to keep me company.