So, so, so sorry for the wait for this chapter everyone!
Franky: (grabs first review) From Uzan Nan-Nan…
Don't hurt yourself…
Franky: (grabs another) From Kyo-kun…
The wait is over!
Franky: (grabs another) From Tori-san…
(giggles)
Franky: Right on! (grabs another) From Dreamer-san…
Thank you!
Franky: (grabs another) From Kami-san…
No worries, it didn't bother me at all.
Franky: Oi, fox dude, you better watch your mouth! (grabs another) From Blu-san…
You know, I really don't remember what happened or what I wrote to you. But if it seems that
way to you, then sorry about that, I didn't mean to sound angry.
Franky: (grabs another) From Tsume-san…
What? Tarzan? Yeah, I watched it on Disney, for whatever reason, and I was struck with the idea… I was almost in a coma too...
Franky: Your ideas can be a little hazardous.
It's all about timing and where you are when you get the idea… Stupid brother hitting me.
Franky: (grabs another) From Kira-chan…
The wait has ended!
Franky: (grabs another) From Mimi-chan…
(giggles) So cute, but it's going to be a little different.
Franky: (grabs last one) From MissChabre…
(giggles)
Franky: Wanna start the chapter?
You bet! Enjoy everyone!
Chapter 2
It took about a week to go around the perimeter, and now the small group was heading into the jungle.
"Keep your eyes in front, Zoro! Or you'll just end up being lost!"
"Can it woman!" He said as he mumbled something incoherent and followed the young woman and their guide at front. "Don't forget who's carrying your crap!"
"This is why you'll be alone for the rest of your life."
He groaned. "Not this again!"
"I'm serious, Zoro, how is anyone going to be with you if you act this way?"
"Has it ever occurred to you that maybe I like being alone? Otherwise I would end up with someone like you… maybe worse."
"Geez Zoro! Get a dog or cat at least!"
"I killed three of your damn house plants, what makes you think I can handle a damn animal?"
She sighed. "I just think a bit of companionship would do you some good!"
"What? So I end up like your damn boy toy?"
"At least Sanji appreciates my company, unlike some people! And he's my fiancé!"
He sighed. "Whatever, you're only in it because you're just a spoiled brat who loves money."
She gave him a major beat down and left him to recover, but careful not to go off too far.
While this was going on, a green parrot-like bird got off from the branch and flew through the trees and to the Elder's stone tower. "Elder! News on the trespassers!"
The elderly, but still strong gorilla looked up from playing with his grandchildren. "Go back to your mothers, I must speak with Tocka." He watched as his grandchildren, ten in total, quickly went out of the room before looking at the bird. "What is it?"
"I've got a chance to observe their nature as they walked into the northern territory."
"And?"
"No doubt they're the same breed that Sha's adoptive son, Luffy is, but…"
"What?"
"These things… they speak in a different tongue, and they shout and yell things that are very threatening. And one, by the tone, a female, seems to be a bit too violent, while another, a male it seems, looks too frightening to observe any longer."
The Elder was silent as he seemed to be complementing something.
"Elder…?"
"Make sure no one goes near these trespassers… Especially that abondimal child of Sha's… This jungle cannot afford if that child were to face the members of his own kind and expose everything of our nature."
"And… if he does by accident?"
The Elder was silent as he contemplated the possible. "If it comes to that, he has to choose… betray all that gave him and go with these trespassers, or stay and make sure to never let these trespassers leave the jungle."
The bird gulped, knowing what the consequences are.
"Now go! I need to rest…"
The bird did and was heading back to his post when he caught sight of the boy and the little monkey, playing vine tag, which the boy happened to look up and wave.
"Hey Tocka!"
"O-Oh! Luffy… Kitori… How are you?"
"We're fine!" Kitori said. "Tag Luffy!"
"Aw! Come on Kitori!"
Tocka chuckled at the behavior. 'Luffy certainly is better off not knowing these trespassers, too violent for him.'
"What's been going on? Anything new?" Luffy asked.
"Oh! N-No! Nothing new going on."
"Oh, okay."
"L-Luffy?"
"Hm?"
"You like staying in this jungle, right? You never thought about leaving to find out?"
Luffy tilted his head to the side. "Well… I do want to know if there is anyone like me out there, but then, how would they react or communicate. That would be way too difficult to do if they really are different from the jungle."
"Y-Yes…"
"Besides, I got Mom, Kitori, Lomo, and you, when you're not getting in trouble. So, I guess it's not too bad."
Tocka nodded. "Well! I better get to my post!" He said as he flew off.
"That was weird…" Kitori said.
"Yeah…" Luffy said as he tapped the little monkey. "You're it!" He quickly got away and swung from vine to vine.
"No fair!" Kitori called as she tried to catch up.
Back with the group, after three hours of walking they rested and had some lunch, which seemed to attract some of the animals in that area, but dared not go near the strangers.
"Wow… There's so many beautiful birds here…"
"Who cares?" Zoro said as he ate his lunch.
She sighed. "I wasn't talking to you."
"So you admit you're a nut?"
She kicked him, scaring off the birds.
"Please you two, I do not want to attract the dangers of this jungle. The jungle is very temperamental when it comes to such a racket or a strange scent."
Both looked at their guide, which the young woman thought of the worse possible while the young man thought nothing of it.
"I just don't get why us and not someone a bit more experience?"
"Because I have the best mapping skill in the nation, possibly the world, and you need the money. So quit being so… so…"
"What?"
"So you!"
He rolled his eyes. "Who else can I be? I don't change for anyone."
She restrained herself from punching the young man as she cleaned up her mess, ready to move on.
Zoro, seeing that the young woman is getting ready to go, started cleaning up as well as he looked up at the vine covered trees, seeing the curious stares of the birds and other such creatures that live up there. He had a memory of seeing trees from a forest, and the peace he felt with being in that place, before coming back to the present and lugging the bag, which grew lighter after every meal.
Unknown to the group and the animals watching them, there was another pair of eyes that was watching the small group as they moved on. The creature licked it's jowls as it moved back into the darkness of the jungle.
Next chapter is when they meet! And I'm not telling you how!
Franky: Now you're making them anxious.
I know… Hopefully I won't be too long this time around.