"Are you sure you're okay?"

I nodded numbly, eyes now dry of tears, shock weighing in heavily. Here I was, woken up from a nightmare and shoved into a strange world, being forced by crazy people to do something, all the while bumping into people that only existed in anime to me.

It was all like a bad fanfic, and it left a poor taste in my mouth.

I knew this was bad. I couldn't be involved with their lives at all. If I did, I'd be roped into something no one like me should be involved in.

As soon as I could, I knew I had to get as far away as I could from these people. Until then, my manners got the best of me.

"Thanks for saving me." I mumbled hoarsely, throat scratchy from the screaming I had done earlier.

"It's all right." Koby said, patting my shoulder. He meant it as a comfort, I know, but I still tensed. It weighed heavily on my shoulder, as if emphasizing with each pat that what shouldn't be real, was real.

"Hey, hey!" I looked up at Luffy, who was sitting with his legs crossed in front of me. "I'm Monkey D. Luffy, and I'm going to be king of the pirates! That's Koby! What's your name?"

Should I give them a fake name? It'd be easier once we went our separate ways for me to leave them knowing I had given a fake name.

"Amelia Blancard." I muttered before I could stop myself.

"Well, it's nice to meet-." Koby starting, getting cut off as Luffy burst out laughing.

"Amelia!" Luffy laughed. "What a silly name!"

I huffed. "Well, so is Luffy!"

I began to mentally berate myself at this. This guy was probably going to be the future Pirate King at some point, let alone the fact that he saved my life, and I just made fun of his name.

But he seemed to ignore it as he grinned at me. "Hey, do you have any food? I'm starving!"

Well, it could be seen as payment… "Lemme check my bag…"

With that, I reached for my backpack, pulling it into my lap and opening it. As I reached in, I noted that the necklace that started all this was tangled in my fingers. With my other hand, I shoved it into the bag without a second thought. I then proceeded to search through it for food.

Despite the plunge it took earlier, the items inside of it were surprisingly dry. It had some shirts, a brush, a notepad and pencil, some strange pouches which I could only guess what they contained, a canteen, and what I was looking for: food.

…Well, more like a couple apples, oranges, beef jerky, and a few bundles of cookies.

And they were chocolate chip. My favorite.

Deciding to hide the cookies, I pulled out the rest, noting that whatever I set out seemed to disappear the moment I put it there.

The beef jerky and a couple of apples were what disappeared first, and I saw Luffy had taken them, assaulting the jerky first. Koby hesitantly took an orange.

"So, Amelia-san…" Koby muttered as he peeled the orange. "How exactly did you wind up in the middle of the ocean like that? If you don't mind me asking…"

A couple of assholes zapped me from another world and left me on a boat, then promptly destroyed it. That's what happened, but I knew better than to actually tell them that.

"I just had a bad boat." I muttered, closing my backpack and putting it aside. "It pretty much fell apart when I got to that point."

"Why did you leave in the first place?" Koby asked again around an orange wedge.

"I was kinda forced to…" I said, shrugging. "I don't really wanna talk about that…"

"Oh, okay. I'm sorry…" I cringed at this. Dammit, I shouldn't care, but I do!

"Don't be." I said. "It's not like it's your fault or anything…"

It was then that Luffy made a noise and we looked at him. He waved a finger at me and I blinked. Was he choking? Did I say something wrong?

Finally, he swallowed, bits of jerky around his mouth, and he grinned. "That's such a cool tattoo!"

Tattoo?

"What…?" I muttered, feeling around my face and neck. I then got on my knees and leaned forward, seeing my reflection waving around in the water, and I paled.

On my neck, like a strange collar, was a tattoo, all right. It was a simple black one, with three lines wrapping around my neck and dots in-between them.

I never had a tattoo in my life, never even wanted one! And here I had one as plain as day.

Somehow, even though it was unlikely, I had a feeling it was Daniel's fault, that crazy jerk. None of this would've happened if he didn't randomly approach me in the school parking lot.

I knew I should've stayed home that day.

And my parents were really going to kill me now…

I then saw Koby and Luffy appear in the reflection. Koby was turned to me as Luffy just stared in the water, as if wanting to see what was so interesting about it.

"Did you not have that before?" Koby asked as I heard Luffy make a noise akin to a whine.

"N-No… I didn't…" I whispered, falling back into the boat, Koby following suit. Luffy started doing the same, then paused, whooping again, causing me to jump and face him.

"What's this!" He asked, holding up the ukulele.

"An ukulele." I stated. "I kinda… found it…"

He looked at me, eyes sparkling. "Do you play!"

Oh, crap.

"Er… I dunno…" I said. "Never tried to before…"

"Then try now!" He cried, shoving it into my hands. I blinked owlishly at it like it was some kind of alien life form that was thrust into me. Like a squid-baby…

Movie references aside, I really didn't know how to play. Granted, my father had a guitar, and I played with it, maybe teaching myself a song or two, but that isn't what I would call "knowing how to play". Plus, an ukulele is not really like a guitar.

Still, I held it the way I thought it was supposed to be held, shaking hand drawn up to strum, and I thought of what to play…

… Oh to hell with it, I'll just strum and hopefully get them off my back about this…

With that, I began to strum, a bit surprised at how it sounded, hearing Luffy's excited giggles in front of me as he bounced in his seated position.

Strangely enough, I was reminded of that one song that someone redid from the Wizard of Oz… and the line "Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore", wrung loudly in my head.

Oh, the irony.

"Hey, Hey, Amelia!" I paused, looking up at Luffy, who still grinned. "Can you sing, too!"

I blushed. Really, I sang by myself in my bedroom to music or in the shower, or even in the car. Those who dared to overhear me wondered why I wasn't in choir or something because I was actually kind of good at it.

Still…

I did not want to egg this guy on with my supposed "talents".

"N… not really…" I finally muttered, strumming lightly on the ukulele now, something of a comfort. I should've hated the thing, since when Daniel tossed it to me, it felt like he was adding salt to the wound he caused himself. But still, it was something for my hands to do…

"Aw, I bet you do!" Luffy said. I felt my face heat and I was about to retort when he suddenly jumped, whooping about once again. "Whoohoo! We've arrived!"

I blinked. We arrived? Where exactly?

I looked over as Luffy and Koby did, eyes wide as I saw a little island with a HUGE building on it. It was then that it clicked. I had recently started watching this damn show, only getting to Arlong Park, anyway, and I knew what was happening.

I knew better, though. I had to act dumb.

"W-What the hell is that!" I cried, cursing my stutter.

"That's the Marine Base we were looking for!" Luffy cried, and I looked at him.

"Didn't you say you're a pirate!" That's it. Still play dumb. "Why the heck do you wanna go there!"

Luffy grinned down at me. "Koby wants to become a Marine, and I'm here to find Roronoa Zoro and see if he's nice enough to join my crew!"

I could only blink. Well, at least I was told that, just in case I slipped up or something.

"You can join, too!" He said happily.

Now, normally, when you're in my situation, you'd probably say, "Yes! Of course!", or even say no and eventually join up when they leave.

Neither was going to happen. I was going to guarantee that.

"Absolutely not." I said plainly.

He pouted. "Why not? You seem like a nice guy!"

…

…Guy?

I felt my brow twitch. "Did you just call me a guy!" I spat.

Luffy laughed. "Of course! You are one, right? That's why your name is so funny!"

I snarled, standing up and punching him in the face. "I'M A GIRL, YOU ASS!"

Now, I thought his head would snap back a bit, but I did not mean for his head to go flying to the distance, almost taking his body with him if not for Koby and I to hold onto him in shock as he eventually snapped back into place.

I had let go with Koby, who was giving me a petrified look as I stared at my trembling hands.

Did I really just do that? Was I really that strong? Maybe it was just a fluke! Yeah, that's right! A fluke! There's no way that, on top of all the shitty stuff I've been forced to deal with, I was also a super human.

I fought a whimper. I really just wanted to go home now…

Koby seemed to notice my shock and gave me a concerned look, stopping as Luffy began to laugh.

"Wow, Amelia! Nice punch!" That's it. I really hate this guy now…

Eventually, we did reach the island, Luffy not wasting any time and jumping onto land as soon as we were close enough. I kinda helped Koby tie the ship to the dock, and then gathered up my things, finding it easy to slip the ukulele into my backpack now that most of the food inside was gone. The handle stuck out of it, but I didn't care.

Luffy was still whooping as Koby seemed to scold him for needing a proper navigator if he wanted to be a good pirate when I decided that maybe it was best to be rude and just get the hell out of dodge. Luffy was already interested in me joining his crew, and I somehow became a super human. I was not sticking around.

"Oy, Amelia!" Crap. "Where are you going?"

I looked back, flushing from being caught in the act of fleeing. "Well, since we reached land, I figured this is where we part ways." I said. "Um… thank you again for saving me. I'll be leaving now…"

With that, I turned and started to walk away, only to gag as someone latched onto my hoodie and held on tight, making me jerk back.

"No way! Not yet!" I berated all the gods that existed as I heard Luffy state this from behind me, that bastard. "Come on! Let's get food first!"

With that, he moved to hold my arm and I glared at him as he proceeded to drag me with them, Koby seemingly just going along with it. Just who the hell did this guy think he was! Yes, he's the main star in this world, even though he doesn't know it, but so far he's eaten my food, almost choked me twice, and he called me a boy!

And I think he still thinks I'm a boy, too!

My mental tirade halted and I blushed fiercely as my stomach promptly growled at me, causing Luffy to laugh as he continued walking, and I glared down at my stomach.

Curse you, stomach! Curse you for roping me in with these guys! Now it'll be a lot harder to get away, thanks to you!

Eventually, the dragging ceased when we reached a restaurant, and I grudgingly joined them for a meal. A meal that had food spanning the entire table that was mostly consumed by Luffy. I had managed to eat my own plate full without any getting stolen, which I was thankful for, and I hoped that after all this, I could just go.

"Ah! That was delicious!" Luffy said happily, rubbing his stomach. He then looked at Koby. "Well, Koby, this is where we part our separate ways!"

I perked at this. Thank god! I could go now! I would have to make sure I had money so I can properly obtain a new boat and some supplies that I would probably need. I had an inkling that I was going to be on a long trip. I had to find a way to get back home, after all, crazy nutcases or no, and that could take a while.

My thoughts were momentarily derailed at the screeching and bangs of chairs and I looked around, seeing everyone in the restaurant cowering against the walls. I blinked, glancing at Luffy and Koby, who seemed equally confused. I could only guess that Luffy brought up Zoro's name in public.

The patrons then seemed to calm down, going back to their seats and continuing on as if nothing happened.

It was then that Koby decided to open his own big mouth. "I saw on a notice that a Lieutenant Morgan was at the…" He started, jumping as they leapt back to the walls. I felt my brow twitch. If they kept mentioning taboo names and causing this ruckus, I was gonna have to smack a bitch.

And that bitch was gonna be Luffy, because I'm still pissed at him.

Thankfully, I didn't need to go smacking people, because thankfully they got up, and I took this as my chance to leave them behind. As they talked amongst themselves, heading off in one direction, obviously towards the Marine Base, I veered sharply into the opposite, hopefully to find a boat and more supplies.

Despite the poor luck I had earlier, it had seemed to change as I found some vendors. I managed to by some fruit, more jerky (didn't really expect to, though), and I made sure the canteen in my bag was full, along with a compass, which I was going to need…

Just… also needed a map…

Damn…

Despite lacking the idea of where I was gonna go, I managed to find someone who was selling ships. I had bargained with him and eventually struck a good deal. I was lucky to find that Daniel had put money in my bag, though I wasn't exactly sure it was the right currency. There were a bunch of flashy gold coins that I gave as currency, and strangely enough, the vendors all seemed quite all right with that.

I wondered why…

As I put my slightly lighter money pouch back into my backpack, I started to untie my ship from the dock. It was at this point where I paused, frowning.

I knew I was supposed to leave. To get off this island and not turn back. To not get involved with Luffy, Zoro, and Koby. I wasn't part of this world, and I couldn't possibly interfere…

… But I was worried.

I was fricking worried.

Even though I knew that Luffy and Koby could handle themselves just fine, and that Zoro would get out of the mess he was in and become a pirate, I couldn't help but be worried. Not to mention I was curious to see it all.

I began to curse at myself mentally. I knew that if I went back, the possibility of me leaving without getting myself too involved would pretty much slip away. Leaving right now was something I was supposed to do.

But maybe, if I stuck around for just a little bit longer…

I snarled at myself. I shouldn't be thinking like this, dammit! I should just stay away, leave, and hope that I don't see them again!

If I left now, I wouldn't interfere anymore than I already have… Unfortunately, the guilt of leaving during this point in time would gnaw at me, knowing that I could've helped, even if I wasn't supposed to…

I thought for a bit longer, knowing that the man that sold me the boat said that I could leave at any time and that there was no rush. I could just pop there, observe a bit, make sure all's going well, then get out of here…

With that final thought, I tied my boat back up to the dock, grabbed my backpack and started heading to the Marine Base.

I was probably going to regret this later, but right now, I'm just sating my curiosity.