Chapter 2

A New Arrival

Yuki studied her calendar. It was one day before Luffy's birthday, almost an entire year had passed since he left. Garp had returned shortly after he left, and Yuki was unhappy to see that he didn't bring Luffy back. Makino was on her side, and said that she had "properly disposed" of the present Yuki gave Luffy. Garp surprised her by saying that she could only visit Luffy on his birthday, forbidding her from going along with Makino on her trips. He probably hoped this would prevent their desire to become a pirate, but it didn't. It made hers grow.

She had kept to the hope that what Luffy had said to her was true, that he would become a pirate and use her design for his flag. That was the only option she had left that didn't make her feel depressed.

Yuki was going to become a pirate regardless of Luffy's choice. She only hoped he didn't choose to be a marine, because if he did, he would be going after her. She didn't think he would be able to cope with the fact that he would have to hunt her down and watch her die, ignoring the fact that she would have to hurt him badly to keep him from hunting her. Once Luffy made up his mind, he followed through, and no delays.

Yuki put those thoughts out of her mind for the moment and focused on getting ready for the next day. She was excited, and a bit scared of what Luffy would say to her.

Yuki searched for her survival kit and set it out, putting it next to the large bag had given her for her birthday. Her katana, which she had kept locked in the case on her room's wall, was retrieved from its place and gently set on the bed. After packing a week's worth of clothing, she felt she was ready to go, and went downstairs.

She fixed herself a lunchbox full of cream cheese wontons, her favorite snack, and ran out the door, heading for Makino's bar. The people in the town were friendly, as always, and gave her various little gifts, like rice balls or a new book. It saddened her to know she was leaving them, probably for good, the next day, but she knew she had to go.

Makino's bar, when Yuki arrived, stood tall, looking as neat and tidy as always. It cheered her up to see the familiar place, a place she had visited nearly all her life. She had basically lived there, spending some nights camped out in front, waiting to tell Makino something, or getting back really late from some adventure in the surrounding forest.

Yuki, being almost as tall as Makino, towered over the other boys her age at the bar. When she walked in whispers followed her. The girl who hung out with pirates. The girl who could flatten a boy in three seconds. Most of the boys were repelled by these rumors, most of which were true, but some were strangely attracted to her because of it. That day was, like always, full of boring love poems and the older boys wandering after her. No one interested her in the least, despite their efforts.

Yuki stalked up to Makino. That morning, she was in a foul mood, and made no attempts to hide it. Makino, who had acted as Yuki's and Luffy's mother for many years, could always tell there was something wrong. Today, Makino's guess as to what was wrong was spot-on.

"Ah, Yuki! I see you're in a bad mood. Does it have something to do with where you'll be going tomorrow?" Makino asked kindly. Yuki sat down on a stool and was handed a bottle of soda by the woman. Makino rested her hand on Yuki's shoulder, giving warm feelings to her adopted daughter.

"Yeah," Yuki grumbled. "I need to stay in the mountains with Luffy for good, but I don't want to leave the people in the village. They're my family, now. The adults took care of me many times..."

"Ah, so that's your problem. I figured it was something like that, so I arranged a farewell party for you later this evening. Even though Garp might not want you to stay with Luffy, I have no doubt that you'll find a way," Makino replied. True, Yuki did feel better at the thought of a party with all her friends. "And I have surprise for you. It ought to brighten up your mood a bit. Luffy hasn't stopped talking about being a pirate. In fact, he's going on and on about being the Pirate King! Isn't that funny?"

"Really?!" Yuki was instantly happy. Luffy still wanted to be a pirate! She could relax, now that she knew. "So what's his life like? How's he been doing?"

"He's actually having fun. He met two other kids, three years older than he is. One was named Ace, and the other was Sabo. Something tragic happened recently, though. Luffy tried to make friends with the two of them, and ended up being tortured by some pirate crew near the big city, in Gray Terminal. He refused to give up the secret of where Ace and Sabo had hidden their treasure, and Luffy was nearly beaten to death!" Makino exclaimed, a sad look on her face.

"What?! Luffy's not okay?!" Yuki was shocked. She instantly wanted to run into the mountains, to find and protect her best friend and little brother.

"Calm down! He's okay now. Ace and Sabo saved him. Last time saw him, he was eating twice as much as usual, and he looked like he made a full recovery," Makino replied, calming her down.

"Oh. So, that's it? Are they friends now?" Yuki asked.

"Yes, they're all friends. They do everything together," Makino answered, smiling. Yuki was relieved that Luffy had found someone to follow around. He needed a friend, or he would get depressed and discouraged. She resolved to ask Ace and Sabo about how Luffy had been doing when she met them.

"Okay. Gramps will bring me there tomorrow, and I'll do my best to escape into the jungle, preparing to return to the place where Luffy is staying, but the next day, to be safe. I just hope my plan works," she explained to Makino.

"Your plans almost always work out. In any case, you always manage to accomplish your goal. Don't worry, I'm sure it'll be fine." Makino was confident in Yuki's ability to make things happen. Yuki had an intelligent mind, and constantly managed to solve everyone's problems.

"Alright. I'll go back to the clubhouse. What time should I show up?" she asked.

"Oh, about sunset. We'll set off some fireworks at the beginning," Makino replied.

Once she had her answer, Yuki left, happy and joyful, in a much better mood than when she arrived. She had heard mostly good news about Luffy and his life in the mountains, and there was a party in her honor that evening. Everyone she cared about was there to see her off.

The only problem that the rest of the evening had was what she had least expected. Garp had arrived early, and nearly put the party to a halt. One he had found Yuki, they talked for a while. Garp explained his thoughts on the situation, and Yuki was excited to hear them.

"Okay, kid. I know you're probably planning to run off and hide once we get to where Luffy is. You and I both know that won't work," Garp explained. It was like he had read her mind. She was startled, and protested.

"But-" Garp cut her off, and surprised her again.

"But you'll be allowed to stay with them. It's clear that there's nothing left for you in this village, and Luffy's already almost stronger than you. I think you could improve your battle skills more there than you can here, and you also look lonely. I feel bad that I made you stay here, but now we can fix it. Tomorrow you will be allowed to live in the mountains with Luffy, Ace, and Sabo. Don't say anything, just go to the party." As his explanation came to a close, Yuki was crying. Garp panicked, thinking he had said something wrong, but she reached up and gave him a big hug.

"I love you, Gramps," Yuki whispered. Once she wiped away her tears, she left him to join the festivities. The whole village was glad to hear she wouldn't be going against Garp, and partied all night long. Garp had to carry her and her things to the place the next morning.

The sun shone brightly, spreading warmth across Yuki's face. She was lying against a sun-warmed rock when she woke up. Garp held her little pack, standing in the middle of the clearing they were in. A voice drifted across the empty space, calling to Yuki. It was Luffy. They had arrived.