Author's Note: Okay … so I couldn't focus on The Transcending … I also can't seem to bring myself to write the last chapter to my OC fic either … -_- I will just do whichever is coming to mind for now, I guess. I also may take awhile to update again, because there's a book I really need to read, plus I really need to be writing my original story. In any case, I really hope you guys enjoy this chapter. Oh yeah, I wish to share the songs that are inspiring this story. First off, it's still Ten Years-Beautiful, but also Apocalyptica's Path. I love both the instrumental version and the version with a singer. Both are great songs. You guys should check them out. Anyways, read and enjoy!
The Vanity Princess
Chapter 2: Start Of A Journey
The next day, Luffy sat out on deck, his brows furrowing more and more as he sat there. He could hear both Usopp and Chopper a little ways away laughing and goofing off. His lips curved down more and more before he finally slid his outstretched legs towards him and tried to stand.
Looking up from her book quickly from the movement, Nami then quickly tossed it to the table. Then she got up saying, "Oi-Oi! Where are you going!?" and made her way over to him.
"I can't take it anymore! I'm bored, and I wanna do somethin'!" He said, taking a few steps towards Usopp and Chopper, who were now frowning at him.
"Oh yeah? And what are you gonna do, Luffy, huh?" Nami asked while walking beside him, but still a ways away from him.
"I don't know! And I don't care! I'm tired of just sittin' around doin' nothin'!" He stumbled around a bit, his arms instinctively coming out in front of him to feel around for anything.
"Do you even know where you're going?"
"…"
"Well?"
Stopping where he was … 'going', he just stood there with a pout on his face. She sighed and rolled her eyes to the side. "It's a good thing you stopped … You were headed right for the rails."
Face paling slightly, Luffy kept his pout as his eyes shifted from side to side. "Doesn't mean I can't do somethin' …"
"Okay, name one thing you can do without the use of your eyes."
"I … I … I can take a piss!"
"You still have to sit down for that, but that's not something that entertains you …" She frowned and flicked his forehead.
"Ouch … Damn it …"
"I mean name something you can do that's fun without the use of your eyes."
"I could fish!"
"Yeah … I can see that going really well …"
"I could … I could …" He tried to come up with something he could do, his eyes shifting from side to side as he thought.
"Uh huh? You could what?"
His hard frown remained for awhile, but he was silent. After awhile, his expression slowly softened before his frown turned sad. "I don't know …" He said softly and just plopped down onto the ground.
Sighing softly to herself, Nami closed her eyes and shook her head. "Come on … I'll take you back to sit … It should only be temporary anyway. Soon you'll be running around with them like the idiot you are …"
"Will I?" He asked, his eyes resting on the ground and his expression still soft, letting her lift him up.
"Oi, oi … this isn't like you at all …" Nami said softly, frowning reproachfully.
"Yeah …? Well, I've never been blind before either …" He said, pulling away from her and just plopped back down onto the deck, not caring where he was.
Nami frowned down at him before sighing and turning her head away. "Right …" She said before making her way back to her chair so she could finish reading.
Turning his head a bit in her direction, he listened to her walk away before turning back to face forward. Both Chopper and Usopp blinked at Luffy before looking over at Nami. After awhile, Luffy just lay down on his side and leaned his head into his hand, plucking at the grass idly. The two looked at one another with sad frowns. It seemed their presence wasn't helping their captain, so they both walked to the back of the ship to fish. Out of hearing, out of mind … or so it was in Luffy's case since he couldn't see.
Perking slightly, Luffy listened as they walked off before drooping and lying down completely on the lawn. Looking up from her book, Nami frowned softly at him. He did look rather pathetic. Giving a deep sigh, she brought a hand to her head as she stared down at her book. Thrumming his fingers on the grass, he then also tapped his foot as his knee was raised. Then his expression became a little more worried as he sat up a bit.
"Mm … Nami?"
Biting her lip, she closed her eyes and lowered her head before getting up and walking over to him. "Come on … I'll read you a story …"
"R-Really? You will?" He asked as his expression changed to something a bit happier and his lips started to curve into a grin.
"Yeah …"
"Ah, thanks Nami!" He exclaimed with a snicker. Reaching down, she took his arm and helped him to his feet. He chuckled a bit as he walked, trying not to trip or stumble while he followed along beside her. "What kinda story are ya gonna read!?"
"Um, I just got and adventure book I started to read … I think you might like it. It has wars and fighting and stuff …"
"Oooh, really!? That's so cool! You're awesome, Nami!" He exclaimed, a much happier flow to his step as he walked.
Chuckling quietly to herself, she helped him up the stairs and then towards her room. As soon as they were inside, she led him over to the bed and sat him down. Then she turned to get the book. "Let me get the book, okay? Wait there."
"All right!" He said, beginning to bounce on her bed and shift his head around as if he could see.
Selecting the book, she then turned and went to sit beside him, lifting her legs off the ground and onto the bed. "All right … Let's start." She said as she opened it up.
"'Kay! What's it called!?"
"Um, it's called The Vanity Princess."
"Ah? It's about a princess?" He asked as he pouted a bit.
"Yes and no. It has other characters in it."
"Mm, okay! Go ahead!"
Clearing her throat, she turned to chapter one and began to read. "Across the country side … and in the distance, the castle Varsala lay …"
The lone man lifted his head, narrowing his eyes at the castle, and then he closed them, turning away. The last thing he ever really wanted to see was that castle. It was too bad he couldn't bring himself to move further away from it. The countryside was a nice place to call home, but each day he would wake up to the sight of that cursed castle. With the click of his teeth, he brought the axe up high over his head and brought it down over the wood log, chopping it in half.
S-ee … S-i …
"Damn it, I never could pronounce this name …"
"Ah, what name?"
"Mm … S-Y-A-O-R-O-N-A-N …"
"Ah …?"
"Yeah, exactly …"
"Just give him my name then."
"Ah, your name?"
"Yeah, just call him Luffy …"
"Mm, okay … I guess I could do that …"
Luffy continued his daily chores, the sweat glistening off of his hardened, warrior's body. Each day he tried his best to ignore that blemish in the horizon. However, it was hard, and each time, he just wanted to burn it to the ground along with his hatred.
"Ah, Nami? Why's he hate the castle?"
"Would you just let me read it? It'll tell you once I come to that part."
"Um, okay."
"Now where was I …? Oh, right!"
After he'd chopped all of the wood, he set his axe down and began to gather it up and carry it to the side of his house. Taking all he needed, he headed inside the small humble cottage and threw a log into the dying fire. Lunch was to be made, and that couldn't be done with a low flame. Sitting down in a chair he'd built himself, he stared into the flames, but they seemed to only bring back harsh memories never forgotten.
As he sighed to himself, he then closed his eyes and leaned back. It was a lonely existence, but it was peaceful, and it brought him great peace of mind. He had nothing to live for anyway, at least, not any longer, although, it wasn't as if he had anything to begin with. It had all been a dream within his naive mind, and that naivety had been shattered along with his heart. But no longer … No longer was he that naïve young man, who had believed with all of his heart that dreams came true.
"Boo!" Luffy exclaimed as he blew raspberries at the same time. "I already don't like him …"
"Will you shut up and listen to the story, Luffy …"
"Ah, sorry …"
Soon his crops would be ready to harvest. Those were the realities he held onto now. No more dreams, no more adventures, because neither got you anywhere in life. He made a decent living out in the countryside, doing odd jobs here and there for the nearby villagers, and whatever his crops brought in. His warrior's blood was restless, but at least he was comfortable. He should probably get to work on the order of chairs and the table he'd promised his friend Gionni.
"Wait-Wait! If he's his friend, than it should be Usopp!"
"Ah?"
"Well, since he's Luffy, I don't want some weird guy named Gionni being my friend!" His lips curved down into a frown.
Sighing, Nami closed her eyes and shook her head. "All right, Usopp it is then …"
"Yahoo!"
He should probably get to work on the order of chairs and the table he'd promised his friend Usopp. A few of his chairs had broken, and his table had been a little wobbly. So, Luffy had told him he'd build him a brand new set. Standing up, he made his way to the fireplace to set his lunch over the hearth, and then he went outside to start carving the wooden legs for the table. He had to make use of what daylight he had in order to fill that order and promise to his friend.
xxxx
A man quickly made his way down the hallowed halls of the castle. He carefully dodged the many bodies of the servants that got in his way. Bad news had reached their city, and he had to get that news to the princess as quickly as possible.
He made it to the grand hall, quickly opening the massive double doors as he stepped inside. The lovely princess sat upon her throne, so proper with her head turned to the side. No matter how many times he'd laid his eyes upon her, he never could get used to her overwhelming beauty.
"My lady … I bring dire news …"
The beautiful woman sitting upon her throne slowly turned her head to regard this man, a man she knew for a long time now, and entrusted much into. "What news do you bring me, Lord Cyliis?"
"My lady Cyra," Cyliis knelt before her, "we've news from the west." and bowed his head, "It would appear that Lord Bathil has built an army and is headed this way,"
The princess slowly stood as her worry rose to her beautiful face, "He is headed this way?"
"Yes, my lady."
"Wait! You should be the princess, Nami! You're beautiful like her, right!? And," He paused a bit, brows furrowing thoughtfully, "since that guy is following her around and stuff, he should be Sanji!" He exclaimed with a happy grin, pointing a finger towards her.
"W-Well, I'm not … overwhelmingly beautiful …" She whispered under her breath, her cheeks flushing to his innocent compliment, and she nervously smoothed out her skirt.
"Sure you are! Come on, Nami! You can be the princess, and Sanji can be that loyal servant guy or whatever he is!"
"S-So, are we all going to be in there story then?" She asked, blushing darker.
"Yeah, yeah! And that Bathil guy should be Arlong … or something …"
"A-Arlong …?" She asked as she paled a bit.
"Yeah! I get the feeling we're gonna kick his ass anyways! Why not do it twice!?"
"Uh, I guess so …"
"Re-read it with your names now!"
"Right …"
The beautiful woman sitting upon her throne slowly turned her head to regard this man, a man she knew for a long time now, and entrusted much into. "What news do you bring me, Lord Sanji?"
"My lady Nami," Sanji knelt before her, "we've news from the west." and bowed his head, "It would appear that Lord Arlong has built an army and is headed this way."
The princess slowly stood as her worry rose to her beautiful face, "He is headed this way?"
"Yes, my lady."
She slowly stepped down each step from her throne. Her beautiful robbed gown flowing behind her, "This cannot be," her soft whisper escaped her lips as she continued towards him, "We must prepare for his arrival then."
"My lady," Sanji stood and bowed before her, "I shall personally prepare the men for battle," and then he turned and left.
Watching him go, the worry remained with her as she turned to her window that she'd been looking out of before he'd come and walked to it. "Will that be enough," her quiet question went unanswered to the empty hall as she looked out to her kingdom and beyond it.
xxxx
Luffy made his way out of his yard and passed his opened gate. He'd broken his chisel and needed to see if the blacksmith could make him a new one. A trip to the very small village should do him some good. The walk would be refreshing to him, and he could use the break anyway. As he walked down the path to the village, he smiled as he saw it in the distance, but then lost that smile when the castle also focused into his vision. Closing his eyes and shaking his head, he really needed to stop thinking so much about that castle.
Finally making it into the village, he looked around with a smile as the other villagers greeted him with their own welcoming smiles, "Hello, Luffy!"
"Good afternoon, Luffy," the greetings went on and on as he nodded to each and said his own greeting in return. He continued on towards the blacksmith until a certain greeting stopped him.
"Good afternoon, Lord Luffy."
Pausing, he then turned to her, "Please, Anna, call me Luffy. I am no Lord …" and then he smiled at her tiredly.
However, she merely shook her head, "No, Lord Luffy. You're more than that. You're not like any of us here."
"Hmm," Luffy hummed, his finger tapping his chin, "She should be Vivi since she always calls me Luffy-san!" His face brightened to his brilliance.
Biting her lip softly, Nami shifted her eyes up to him as she found herself frowning a bit. "Yeah, I guess so …"
Then he snickered, "And her name has only two of the same letters that make up her name! Anna, Vivi, Anna, Vivi!" and he snickered again.
"Right, I'm going to keep reading …" She said a bit curtly, shifting her eyes back down into the book.
"Wait, wait! You gotta re-read it with her name this time!"
"Right …"
"Good afternoon, Lord Luffy."
Pausing, he then turned to her, "Please, Vivi, call me Luffy. I am no Lord …" and then he smiled at her tiredly.
However, she merely shook her head with a soft smile, "No, Lord Luffy. You're more than that. You're not like any of us here."
"That's where you're wrong. I'm no different than anyone here. I grow crops and carve furniture to make a living, just like anyone else," he chuckled as he smiled at her, amused at the fact that they've had this conversation before, and just like then, he would just give in and allow the pretty girl to have her way, "There is nothing special about me."
"Aah, but there is, My Lord." She said, giving him a sly and flirtatious smile before turning to walk away, her long and beautiful hair flowing out and around her as she did, "Be sure to stop by the tavern some time. I will be more than happy to serve you, My Lord."
Chuckling to himself as he shook his head, he then reached up to rub over it and then turned to continue on.
"Aah, that was a little weird …" Luffy said with a blink of his eyes.
"Yeah, a little bit-I'm gonna keep reading …" Nami said in a rush of words and continued on with the story.
The blacksmith's finally reached his eyes, and he smiled, "Ahoy, mate!"He called as he neared it and looked around in search of his old friend.
"Hey," a voice called back and a head peered out from the workshop, "Oh, Luffy! It's you! Come on in!" He grinned to his long time friend.
Grinning himself, Luffy strolled inside as he gave the place a glance around. "How's business, Levi?"
"Oh! A friend from a long time! That would have to be Zoro! He even has a four letter name! Make him Zoro, Nami! Especially since he's a blacksmith! That's kinda fitting for someone like Zoro since he likes swords and stuff."
Her brow quirked, wondering how he knew what a blacksmith was, but let that thought pass quickly, "All right, Zoro he is … although …" She looked down with her brows dipping a little.
"Although, what?"
"Uh, nothing … You'll see for yourself. And actually, we're nearing where I stopped reading. I actually didn't get that far in this."
"Oh, really!? Then we will both be hearing it for the first time together, Nami! That's cool!" He exclaimed, looking quite excited by this news.
Her cheeks flushed again to his continual innocent comments, and she glanced back down at the book. "So, do you like it so far?"
"Yeah, I like it enough, but I can't wait until it gets to the fighting and adventures and stuff! Although, I would have really preferred to hear about their adventures before they settled." He pursed his lips.
"Ah? How do you know if they did?"
"I dunno, I can just tell. I bet they used to travel around too! I wonder what made him stop, and what made him stop believing in his dreams?" Luffy asked rhetorically with a frown.
"I don't know. I actually haven't gotten that far either." Nami said, keeping her hand on the page, but closed it to look at the back. "I guess we'll find out."
"Yup! Okay, keep reading!"
Nami smiled to her captain, actually surprised he was actually listening and still listening, and even entertained by the story. "All right …"
Grinning himself, Luffy strolled inside as he gave the place a glance around. "How's business, Zoro?"
"Same as it always is. It gets me by and tucks me in at night with a good night kiss." His friend said with a bigger grin.
"Ah? I think I see what you mean. That's not like Zoro at all …" Luffy said as his lips pursed to the side.
"Yeah, well these characters aren't really us. We just gave them our names. So, of course they aren't going to be like us." Nami explained with a soft chuckle to his blank and pursed expression.
"Yeah, I guess so. Okay, continue."
Chuckling again, she then looked back down to continue, but then her cheeks flushed a bit. "Definitely not like us …"
"Ah?"
"Well, does it do more than that?" Luffy asked, his grin also growing in size.
"Ah no, the rest is a self service."
"Ah, too bad. I might have asked to borrow it." He snickered, grasping his friend's offered arm and clamping a friendly hand to his shoulder tightly in greeting.
"Ah? Self service?" Luffy asked, tilting his head blankly.
"Forget it." Nami said quickly, clearing her throat and continued to read with a massive blush on her cheeks. She was only glad at the moment that he was blind. His head tilted further in question, but then she just continued reading.
"Ah, as the good friends we are, I'd have given so willingly." Both men laughed, "And what do I owe the honor of your visit? Are you hungry or thirsty?"
"No, thank you, my friend, I have just eaten lunch." He said, both making their way to his anvil, "I've actually come because my chisel broke."
"Which one?
"Just my carving chisel, actually, although, my paring chisel looks a bit lame. I may need a new one of that one as well." Luffy said, grinning sheepishly.
"Of course, I'll get right on it."He approached his anvil, already beginning to heat the steel, "How are things going for you? Your harvest should be ripe soon," he continued and looked up to grin.
"Yes, they will be."
"Are they doing well?"
"Of course, I take care of my crops," Luffy chuckled while looking around, "Like I'm sure you take care of your shop."
Chuckling as well, Zoro began to bang his hammer over the steel, "If I didn't know any better, I would think you were insulting me."
"Well, I was."Luffy said and laughed at his friend, "That's why I was surprised when you said it still gives you good night kisses."
Zoro lifted the hot steel and pointed it towards his friend with a smile, "Don't insult a man with a molten hot steel blade in his hand!"
Laughing harder, Luffy waved a hand at him, "Right, right, I'll try to remember that."
Satisfied with that response, he lowered the blade with a chuckle, "Will you be needing help again this year?"
"Just like every other year, and you will take your share for the help," Luffy then sat down on a pile of wood as he watched, "They should be ripe next month."
"All right, I'll be there," He hammered away at the hot steel, "and Usopp as well?"
"Of course, he's been a real help to me these past few years." Luffy's face softened a bit at the mention of his newest friend.
"That he is. He helped me out a few days ago when I had a big order. He's a good friend," he turned the blade and began to hammer that side, "even if a little skittish."
Chuckling, Luffy nodded and agreed, "Yes, he is, but still a good man none the less. He seems less and less skittish now though. I think we may be rubbing off on him."
Reheating the steel, Zoro then carefully folded it to bang away on it again, "I have to agree. It would appear less and less scares him, and I dare say we might be able to teach him a thing or two."
Looking thoughtful and vaguely amused, Luffy leaned back with a grin. "He would probably like that," he let his hand dangle a bit as he leaned his arms on the pile behind him, "and I should probably ask him."
"Although, I can't say the same for his wife." Zoro laughed more to himself as he shook his head.
Luffy snickered in response, "She really doesn't help his condition, does she? Constantly pampering him … I should find me a woman like that." However, his voice did not hold any mirth to his words.
Losing his smile, Zoro looked up at his friend before shifting them back down, "And what of Vivi, the barmaid?"
"Sweet girl, but not for me." Luffy replied quietly, and he too lost his smile.
"And no one ever will be." Zoro said quietly as well, still hammering away on the steel.
Eyes softening, Luffy kept his gaze leveled on the hooks above him. "Let's change the subject."
"Yes, let's," Zoro then threw the steel blade into the barrel of cooling water, "you still working on that table and chairs for him?"
Choosing to remain quiet for awhile and despite his asking in change of subject, Luffy allowed himself to linger in the past for a moment, his soft gaze never faltering, "Yeah, that's what broke my chisel …"
"You were probably too rough on it. You have to treat it softly and gently, just like a woman, otherwise it will bend under the pressure," Grabbing another steel blade, he placed it onto the hot coals to repeat the process, "Should remember that for next time."
"I will …"
"Dinner time!"
"Ah?" Luffy questioned, turning his ear towards the voice. "Ooh, dinner time!"
"I guess this is as good a place as any to stop." Nami said, placing a bookmark to mark where they left off, "Come on," Standing up, she then gently took his arm with hers to guide him to the dining room, "let's go."
"Okay! I'm starving!" He exclaimed with a grin and snicker.
Smiling softly at her rubbery and now blind captain, she could see the complete change in him. Being blind was not an easy thing to cope with. She didn't blame him for his frustration and even depression. However, it wasn't like him, and Luffy was a very strong influence to the crew. So, if he wasn't happy, then neither were they. She was glad that she had made him happy again, because she really didn't like seeing their normally happy-go-lucky captain like that.
As soon as they entered the dining room, and he had his usual happy grin, it brought a smile to everyone's faces. Although, they could take it as Luffy just being happy that he was about to eat, which now Nami was beginning to doubt, but she had seen the change long before the mention of food. Every time he asked her a question, she saw that he was no longer thinking about his new disability. Taking him to his usual seat, she helped him find it so he could sit. Then he placed both palms on the table and waited, smile still on his face.
"Are ya feelin' better, Luffy?" Usopp asked with a relieved smile on his face.
"Yeah! Nami's reading me this awesome story-Well it's not awesome yet, but I have a feeling it will be, and it's really good so far, but I don't think I like the main hero guy just yet." He said in a ramble of really fast words as he smiled and frowned to each part of the negative and positive portions of the add on sentence he just performed.
"Oh? You've been reading him a story, Nami-san?" Sanji's one brow rose up high with interest as he asked his question.
"Mm hmm …" She gave Sanji a small smile.
"Ooh, what kinda of book!?" Usopp and Chopper both asked at the same time, looking over at Nami.
"Well, it's about a princess, and it has a main hero. Not really sure exactly what it's about, but it's supposed to have fighting and wars." Nami explained, turning to smile at both.
"What's it called?" Sanji asked, already beginning to place the dishes on the table.
"Mm, The Vanity Princess."
"Ah? Vanity?" Usopp blinked at Nami, even tilting his head slightly.
"Yeah, I haven't quite figured that out yet. The princess is described as overwhelmingly beautiful, but she seemed nice to me." Nami frowned down at the food, wondering about the title.
"Ah! A story about a beautiful princess! That sounds like my kind of story, although, we have a beautiful princess sitting right here!" Sanji motioned his arms to Nami to emphasize what he was saying.
"Actually, Nami is the princess!" Luffy announced with a massive grin on his face.
"Ah?" Sanji's annoyance was evident as he turned to regard the rubber man.
"In the story, Nami's the princess, and you're the loyal servant, who follows her around everywhere." Luffy snickered to himself as he began trying to find food.
"Ah, to be Nami-swan's most loyal servant! A man can dream."
"Ooh, are we in the story too!?" Usopp asked, turning to Luffy with a grin.
"Mm, well, you were mentioned a few times, Usopp, but you haven't actually showed up yet. Zoro's in it though! But he's weird …"
"Maah …?" Zoro questioned lazily, looking over at Luffy in boredom.
"I'm not in it?" Chopper's face drooped, his eyes turning doe like and sad.
"Mm, not yet, but I'm sure you will be! Shishishi!"
"Really!?" Chopper's eyes instantly changed to sparkles.
"Aa, really!" Luffy replied with his overly exaggerated grin, causing the little reindeer to laugh happily and clap his hooves together.
"Who are you in the story, Luffy?!"
Luffy snickered as he turned his head towards Usopp, "I'm the hero of course!"
Both Usopp and Chopper burst into laughter as they slammed their hands and hooves onto the table. "Are you gonna save the princess or something!?"
"Ah? Umm, I dunno. We haven't gotten that far yet, but I do know there's a bad guy trying to attack Nami's kingdom! I have a feeling we're gonna kick his ass! We named him Arlong!"
"Ooh, Arlong!" Usopp's lips extended exaggeratedly to his words.
"Yeah, but like I said, I'm not sure if I like the main hero guy yet. He no longer believes in his dreams, is always sad, and hates the castle for some reason." Luffy shrugged with pursed lips and looked to be in thought.
"Mm, that is weird." Usopp agreed with a nod of his head.
"Also, Zoro's guy's weird too. He talks as if his blacksmithing shop was a person and gives him kisses, but then said something weird about self service when my guy asked if it did anything else."
Zoro snorted, spewing the drink he'd been drinking all over Usopp and Chopper, while Sanji almost dropped the dishes he'd been holding and making a great deal of noise getting things under control.
"Ah? You guys okay?" Luffy tilted his head to the loud commotion. Nami's hand immediately went to her forehead, attempting to hide her blush.
"I-It's nothing … I got it …" Sanji quickly took the empty dishes into the kitchen and put them into the sink.
"Uh, yeah, I'm all right. D-Drink tasted a little funny-Now what kind of book was this?" Zoro asked, shifting his eyes to Nami.
"It's just an action/adventure story. It was just friendly … comments to one another. Th-They're good friends or something …" Nami replied rapidly while clearing her throat and quickly started to fill her plate.
"Yeah, Zoro we're good friends and Usopp too!" Luffy snickered, looking extremely pleased.
"R-Right …" Zoro said, pouring more for himself to drink.
Shaking her head and closing her eyes, Nami was really beginning to think his innocence could really make for awkward moments sometimes.
'Seriously, Luffy …'
To Be Continued …
Author's Notes: Poor Luffy and his innocence. He really doesn't know when to not say some things! XD Anyways, what do you guys think of the story so far? And I don't mean the fic. I'm actually referring to the story Nami's reading! X) And yes, I mean what Nami says. Since they are just other characters, and only the SHs in name only, they are going to be completely different from their counterparts, so be prepared for some somewhat OOCness, haha. So, I hope you guys enjoyed chapter 2! XD
P.S. Oh, and yes … Syaoronan is a form of Syaoran. I loved the name, but didn't want to actually use it, and by looking at it, if you didn't already know how to pronounce it, would be a very hard name to pronounce. ^^; For those who don't know the name, Syaoran is the main character from the CLAMP series of Card Captor Sakura and Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle. It's pronounced Shao-ron. I love that name … X9 And how to pronounce Syaoronan is Shao-rO-nan.
P.S.S. Woops, sorry. I forgot to change out Bathil's name for Arlong's! XD But, I have done so now.
May: Heh, it was the heat of battle that heightened what little senses he had. When he said he couldn't smell anything, it didn't mean he couldn't actually smell anything, like the outside or the grass and trees. He just meant he couldn't smell anything to indicate his opponent was nearby. Once he was no longer in battle, his senses just reverted back to their normal state. So, why didn't he smell her when he woke up? Because for starters, he was in a panic, and he wasn't really trying for it, and he had just woken up too. X) I hope that clears things up for you.