In Memory of Those We Lose
It's not every day that we gather in front of a piece of stone and bow our heads in respect. Even less often that Luffy cries like he did when we lost Ace, albeit not so loudly. But then again, today's special. Today is the day we remember the one man who meant almost everything to us; the man who gave us our dreams. This morning we all bow our heads for the red haired captain, Shanks. Honestly, sort of saw this coming after all the liquor he drinks... um, drank.
"Hey."
That voice, always so amused, annoyed, or bland, sounds so empty to me now. Then again, it doesn't really surprise me. The last time he identified with an emotion of mine was when I refused to eat anything to do with chocolate.
"Hey," I mutter over my shoulder.
Feeling his arm around my shoulders brings out the immediate reaction of leaning into him. Sometimes he really shocks me with his shows of affection. Note to self: make him that Sea King stir-fry he loves so much. Hopefully Mama doesn't find out about me stealing the instructions again.
"How are you handling this?" he asks, his voice still dead.
"... I don't know," is my completely frank answer.
The squeeze he gives my shoulders has me looking up at him, tears streaming freely down my face.
He gives me a glance before saying, "I'm here if you need me. Alright?"
My ears catch something else in his words but I say nothing about it. "I know."
A kind smile, one only I ever see, crosses his face before he directs me back to the ships. His crew gives me warm smiles and assuring glances as we pass them, all returning that yellow submarine they call home. After that is the now empty Thousand Sunny, followed by a now captainless Red Force. Reaching the Fortunate Future never seemed so difficult before now. Part of me wonders how the hell anyone managed to actually get to the grave. Another prays we won't have to do so ever again.
"Bed time," he commands when we stop at my ship.
With a weak smile and nod, my feet carry me up the plank where my first mate waits patiently.
¤TO THOSE WE LOVE, OUR LIFE IS PRECIOUS AND THEY WOULD DO ANYTHING TO PRESERVE IT¤
"Captain!"
My body bolted up from the bed, every inch covered in a cold sweat. Next to my bed, both staring in concern, is my first mate and Luffy. The first reaction my mind can come up with at this point is to tackle my brother into a hug and break out in tears. When Lutfy sends my first mate off, it barely registers what she was told to find. Something on another ship, for sure.
"It's okay," Luffy mutters to me. "We'll miss him, but we won't let him down."
After a good half hour of tears and sobbing, the door opens with rushing footsteps.
"I've got this Straw Hat-ya. You need some sleep."
For some reason, Luffy doesn't even respond but agrees nonetheless. He lets go of me slowly, someone else taking his spot and forcing me lo lay back down in bed. That other person is soon laying beside me and holding me close. Still teared up, I bury my face into his chest and listen to the heartbeat.
"Get some sleep," he whispers with a kiss to my hair. "We'll all be here when you wake up."
One more sniffle. "Good night, Law."
¤WE STAND UP AND FIGHT BACK, FOR WE LOST THEM AND NOW REFUSE LO LOSE ANOTHER.¤
The sounds or guns and swords echo everywhere. Those who step onto this field must be wary of the path they try to make through the endless bloodshed. And to the one man forcing everyone else out of his way, being wary is en unaffordable luxury. When he reaches the far side of the plain, blood covering almost every inch of him, he barely has time to scream before engaging. His eyes are dark and focusedon the form atop the execution platform.
Why did she have to hunt them down? What good did it do?
The last thing he hears before the blades drop are those four words she swore she'd never tell him. 'I love you, Law.'
¤DAMN, WE'RE LUCKY!¤
"Never... Again," Law growls. "Never, ever, again."
Sitting on the bed in the medical bay, she can't help but grin.
"Or what? You'll kick my ass?" she laughs.
The sadistic smile she fell for appears on his face, a blush now crossing over hers. Of course she would say something totally almost innocent that would turn out as a kickstart to his libido. Life just loves fucking with her like that.
"You gave me an ultimatum," he whispers leaning closer. "I think it's only fair I give you one." The dark chuckle that follows has her shivering.
"My luck is weird," she murmurs as he pushes her down. "Keeps me alive but dragged me to you."
His laughter to the statement is light, easing her worries about the number of marks she'd have to hide the next day. The last thing anyone needs to do is explain this relationship to Luffy. Even Zoro called 'not it' for that one. And he's one of the few people who can hold Luffy down during one of his rages.
In remembrance of Dan. Those who know him will miss him greatly and keep fighting to live. Those who do not... well, that's your, uh... whatever.
