Ang3l: Hey guys! I'm sorry this isn't an update for the main story... I'm sad to say that I haven't really been in the mood for writing very much lately. I wrote this to try and get back into it.
Asa: So there are a few things you need to know about this story! Number one: Luffy and I are dating in this! But its only in this one, NOT in the main story! Second: This is based off of episodes 220-224. This is the first part, there will probably be 3 more. One for each episode.
Ang3l: I think thats all. So, again sorry but I'm trying my best to get back the joy of writing and I may or may not continue this story unless you want me too. I will also work on trying to get the next chapter of the main story up soon!
Asa: Please enjoy and let Ang3l know if you want her to finish this!
Story 3
Who are you?
The Lost Memories!
I rolled over onto my side trying to get comfortable. It took all but five minutes for me to flip to my other side, though that proved useless in my attempt to sleep. Groaning in frustration I rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling of the boy's room. Why can't I just fall asleep already! I had been trying for what felt like hours now but sleep continued to evade me. Something was wrong but I couldn't pin point the cause of it. Was something supposed to happen tonight that I can't remember? I sat up in my hammock and rubbed my eyes.
The boys were all asleep and peaceful. I couldn't help but feel rather jealous of them. Deciding it would be pointless for me to just lay here I went up on deck, quietly grabbing my camera as to not disturb the others. I believe Zoro's on watch tonight, though knowing him, he's probably asleep.
When I got to the deck I looked around at the beautiful night time scene. We were currently anchored off the shore of an island, we had decided to venture on it in the morning.
I spent most of the night taking pictures and practicing night shots. Some of them I deemed good enough to keep but others were deleted without hesitation. When the sun started to come up I went back down to see if I would be rewarded with even an hour of sleep at least.
"Oi! Lady! Wake up!"
There was a sharp poke to the side of my head. I slapped the offending hand away and rolled over, not ready to get up just yet. Not after the long sleepless night I had had.
There was a dull thump that sounded like a body hitting the floor. "Don't poke a lady like that, idiot!"
Well I guess Sanji's up too.
Reluctantly I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes and yawning. Normally if Sanji was up that meant breakfast. I definitely wasn't going to let Luffy eat it all!
I looked over at Luffy and Sanji. Ussop was sitting on the couch looking oddly tense. His hands gripped into fists and resting on his knees as he shook. Luffy was staring at me from the floor, the same happy expression on his face. It was different somehow… more… curious maybe? Even Sanji seemed a little guarded.
I slid out of the hammock. "What's up? Did something happen?" I asked.
Sanji took a drag of his cigarette. "Do you know what's going on?" The cook asked seriously but still politely. I frowned and furrowed my brow. What was that supposed to mean?
Luffy had went to busy himself with searching through some crates and barrels. Did he lose something? I turned my attention back to the cook. "Sorry?" I asked, not really understanding.
He grabbed my hand and kissed it gently. "I'm Sanji. A cook at Baratie, the floating restaurant. I went to sleep in my own bed last night. But when I woke I was with two guys and a beautiful girl I've never met on a ship I've never seen. Do you happen to know anything about that?"
I tilted my head, pulling my hand away as my confusion level sky rocketing. First reason was because normally Luffy got annoyed when Sanji flirted with me and now he wasn't even paying attention, to busy exploring to care. Second reason is because Sanji had just introduced himself like this was the first time we've met, despite all the adventures we've been on together. Something is seriously wrong here.
Before I could answer his question, Luffy turned to us. "What was that? You guys didn't save me?"
Ussop looked up. "Save you?"
I couldn't help but blush when Luffy smiled widely. No matter what the situation that smile still had a strong effect on me! "I'm Luffy! I left Fuusha Village on my journey, but then there was this huge whirlpool! I didn't know what to do, so I hid in a barrel, but then I got dizzy! When I woke up I was here!"
Frowning even further I spoke up. "Wait… So none of you remember anything?" I walked over to the couch and flopped down. Thinking deeply I shut my eyes. How did three people suddenly lose their memories over night? Worst of all, Luffy's not going to remember that I'm his girlfriend so I have to make sure that I lay off the signs of affection for now.
The weirdest part was, I don't remember this ever happening in the anime… but to be honest I might have skipped this in a rush to get to the next arc. Meaning, I'm not going to have the advantage of knowing what's going to happen throughout this.
I looked over at Ussop and he stiffened. It was weird seeing him so nervous around his friends, though, I suppose he didn't know if we were friends or not. "What's the last thing you remember Ussop?" I asked, just to be sure.
He started sweating but tried to put up a brave front. "W-Well! I'm not surprised you guys don't remember anything from before yesterday. We were attacked by that legendary monster whale, after all." I had to bite back a groan of annoyance. "After he swallowed you, I killed him and fished you out."
"Oh, so that's what happened!" Luffy said, believing every word.
"You are all members of my crew! I am Captain Ussop!"
I face-palmed. "So I take it you don't remember anything either."
Ussop's façade crumbled and he became a stuttering mess. I laughed gently, not noticing Luffy tense a bit. Sanji looked over at me. "You seem to know what's going on. Care to share?"
I smiled politely at him and nodded. "Sure, but let's get something to eat first." Getting up I made my way to the ladder, only pausing to look back when they didn't immediately follow. I gave them a bright smile. "You must be hungry! Come on!"
When I got up on deck, I waited by the mast for them. Ussop was the last one up. Sanji looked around at the Merry, taking in all the damage and attempted repair jobs. "Oi, oi! This ship's pretty beat up."
I nodded. Merry wasn't going to last much longer. "Yeah, she's been through a lot."
Luffy ran to the railing looking out at the island we were docked near. "Oh, an island! I wonder where we are!"
Sanji looked at me and raised a curly eyebrow, wondering the same thing. I shrugged at him. "I don't know the name of the island, our navigator has yet to determine that." The door to the women's room opened. "Speaking of our navigator…"
Robin stood in the doorway with Nami who was taking everything and everyone in with untrusting eyes. "Everyone, we have an emergency." Robin informed. "Miss Navigator has…"
Luffy looked over at them. "Oh, who are they? Are they your followers too, Captain Ussop?"
Ussop stopped shaking for a moment and looked over at Luffy, proudly. "Oh, of course!"
"You've all lost your memories too?" Robin asked.
I moved to stand beside her. "All except me." I told her. "Do you know what happened?"
Robin shook her head. We were interrupted by Sanji's flirting as he gave Robin and Nami a rose. Nami inched away from the cook nervously and a bit disgusted. "Hey, who are these people?" Nami asked. "Where the heck are we? And…"
Everyone looked over to some barrels in the corner. Peeking out from behind one of them was poor little Chopper, looking scared out of his mind. His hiding probably would've been more efficient if it was the right way around though.
I smiled. "Ah, Chopper! There you are, I was getting worried!"
Luffy looked at Chopper with a calculating stare-or as calculating as Luffy can look. "What's that?"
"A deer." Ussop stated.
"Shut up human! I'm a reindeer!"
"IT TALKED!"
Chopper screamed and ducked behind the barrel.
Chaos ensued. Luffy and Chopper were running around trying to catch Chopper, causing a complete ruckus around the deck. Robin sighed and I watched with amusement.
It didn't take long before it started to get out of control however. A few simple words were enough to get the crew to calm down. They all looked at me in shock. "What did you say?" Nami asked, unsure if she heard right.
"We're on the Grand Line." I repeated, crossing my arms. Luffy instantly looked around at the ocean.
"For real!?" He hopped up on the railing and held onto the rigging. Ussop looked at him in horror.
"Oi, how can you be happy about that!? The Grand Line is a dark world teeming with monsters! Anyone would be scared to death if they found out they were here!"
"But, this doesn't seem much different from a normal sea." Luffy said skeptically. "Is this really the Grand Line?"
Robin turned to Nami. "Miss Navigator."
Nami hummed and looked up. "You mean me?"
"Do you recognize that object on your arm?"
Not knowing what she meant, Nami looked at her wrist where the Log Pose sat. "What's this!?"
"It's a Log Pose. Compasses don't work on this sea, so we have to use the magnetic fields between islands to navigate. The Log aligns itself along those magnetic fields. Ii is absolutely essential for sailing the Grand Line."
"By the way, Miss, I need to get back to my restaurant in the East Blue." Sanji said. "Do you know any way to get there?"
I frowned. "You can't leave! You guys went through a lot to get here! Besides, attempting to find your way back alone is suicide. Listen, I know this is hard for all of you. But you all came on this ship willingly, though you may not be able to remember."
"Why would I be sailing with people like you?" Nami asked.
I gave her a large smile before looking up to the top of the mast. "Because of that!"
Everyone looked up to the Straw Hat pirate flag, flapping proudly in the wind. Nami's eyes widened in horror.
"O-Oi! That's a pirate flag!" Ussop exclaimed.
Luffy took in the ship in a new light. "What!? It's a pirate ship!?"
Before Ussop could make up some lie about this being his ship, I jumped up on the railing with Luffy. "That's right Luffy! This is your ship and your crew! You're the captain of the Straw Hat pirates!"
"Really!?" Luffy exclaimed, smiling in excitement. I nodded.
"Tch, like I'd ever be a dirty pirate!" Nami yelled. "I hate pirates! The only things I like are money and mikans!"
I laughed. "Nami, relax. If you want a mikan there are some up there." I pointed to the trees on the roof of the cabin. Robin crossed her arms and used her powers to throw one down to the girl.
"What was that!?" Nami asked having seen the arm come from nowhere.
Luffy and Ussop seemed just as surprised.
Robin waved them off and pointed to the fruit in Nami's hands. "I'd rather talk about that mikan."
"This is Bellemere-san's mikan. I'd know one anywhere. Why would Bellemere-san's mikans be on this ship?"
"Unfortunately, I don't know very much about that. Why don't you try reading the logbook in your room?" Robin suggested calmly.
"Eh?"
"I think there was a picture of that Bellemere-san there too."
Without another word, Nami walked back into the cabin and headed for the girls room. Almost immediately Luffy and Ussop went back to harassing Chopper. They ended up catching him but Chopper turned into his heavy point when they considered eating him. The now very large reindeer spun around and punched Luffy in the head, throwing him across deck. He then turned to Ussop who was peeking out from behind the mast and did the same to him.
His fist also hit the ship and the mast creaked dangerously. I gasped and ran up to Chopper. "Hey! Stop it! You're hurting Merry!"
In a blind rage, Chopper swung his fist down to hit me as well but I brought up some darkness to use as a shield. Chopper shrunk back down in shock when he saw my power and ran to hide again. Luffy stood up, completely unharmed and looked at me with stars in his eyes.
I dropped the shield and reabsorbed the darkness. "Wow! Cool, how did you do that!?"
I scratched the back of my head sheepishly. "I don't know, it's just something I can do."
Luffy suddenly tilted his head to the side. "What was your name again?"
"Asa."
"You're on my crew right?"
"Yep."
Luffy broke out into a huge smile. "Good! You're cool!"
My face turned beat red. I had gotten used to hearing compliments from Luffy but when he couldn't remember who I was or that we were together it seemed different.
Robin looked over at Sanji, who had suggested we eat Chopper. "You can't eat him. He's our doctor."
"Doctor?"
"Yes, he is a great doctor with skills beyond any human's. Isn't that right?" Robin turned to the small reindeer and he smiled and did a little dance.
"Shut up! I don't get happy when humans compliment me, you asshole!"
"Wow, he sure looks happy." Sanji mused.
Robin continued in explaining. "He is a reindeer who ate the Hito Hito no mi and gained several human abilities. By the way," Robin sprouted multiple arms from her original. "I ate the Hana Hana no mi and also have one of the powers of the Devil's Fruit. Luffy also ate one of the fruits, I believe."
"Yeah, I ate the Gomu Gomu no mi." He pulled his cheeks to unnatural lengths. "I'm a Rubberman!"
Chopper gave us all a horrified look. "So you're pirates!? Real ones!?"
"You bet Chopper! But you're a pirate too!" I said, crouching down in front of him. He pushed his back closer to the box behind him. "You don't need to be afraid." I told him softly noticing how he flinched away. "We're all nakama here!"
Behind me, everyone seemed to relax a bit, they were all focus on one word. Nakama.
"Anyway," Robin continued. "counting the other member, we seven pirates have been sailing across this sea."
"The other member?" Ussop asked.
I turned to Robin. "Oh right, Zoro!"
Robin smiled at me then looked up at the crow's nest. "How about coming down, Mr. Swordsman?" She called.
Not a moment later Zoro jumped out of the lookout and landed hard on the deck. "You sure enjoy making noise early in the morning." He grumbled, his usual grumpy face on.
Ussop pointed a shaky figure at the green haired man. "W-W-W-Who are you!? What's your name!?"
Zoro straightened up. "When you ask for someone's name, it's proper to give you own first."
"Okay. I'm…"
"I'm Luffy! Nice to meet you!" The raven haired boy interrupted. Zoro turned to him.
"I'm Roronoa Zoro."
Sanji looked up, recognizing the name. "The Pirate Hunter?"
"I've never called myself Pirate Hunter. Things just turned out that way."
"Last I heard, you were a bounty hunter." Sanji said.
Zoro shrugged casually. "I was only in that line of work so I could eat. It was never my goal to become one." I looked between the two men. Wow. This is probably the longest conversation they've ever had without fighting!
"But, since you're here, you must have been after this pirate ship."
"I don't know. I have no idea what I'm doing here. Are you guys famous pirates?"
I quickly slapped a hand over Ussop's mouth to stop him from saying something he'd probably regret. "We're on our way to being pretty well known." I answered. "But you're a part of this crew too! Actually you were the first official member!"
Before any of us could react, Nami suddenly came speeding out of the cabin riding the Waver. Everyone jumped out of the way in order to not get run over. Luffy looked at the Waver and put his hand on his hat. "What's that!?"
Nami revved the engine and shot off to the railing, using Ussop as a ramp. She landed in the water and sped off towards the island. "W-Wait! Nami!" I yelled.
Luffy watched her go. "Hey, she took off. That looks like fun!"
A splash on the other side of the ship caught my attention. I ran to the railing. There was Zoro swimming towards the island with his swords tied to his head so they didn't get wet.
Luffy noticed this as well. "Huh? He took off too. I wonder what's gotten into them."
I smacked my forehead against the railing. "Damn, this just got really complicated." I looked over to Robin and she seemed just as troubled as me.
What are we going to do?
Ang3l: Well there you have it. To be honest I still find the first Story of this collection to be my favourite.
Asa: Agreed.
Ang3l: Let me know what you think!
Until Next Time!
