Author's Note:
This is the remastered version.
I do not own One Piece.
Five days. It was five days before they could leave and every hour felt like a century. Mostly because it took five days before Addy could walk around without falling over. The bandits did a number on her and she could still feel it in her movements. It would be awhile before she would be fully recovered but she could not afford to wait that long. Perhaps she could sneak a dip into some body of water once they set off. That would help things immensely.
Every moment she went without her treasure made her tense and agitated. She probably would have gone completely nuts if it wasn't for the Straw Hats. It was still a surprise that Luffy was the captain. She stared at them all slack jawed when they told her and she had to ask three times to make sure.
They rarely left her alone, one of them was always with her. Usually it was Nami, but the others came around every so often as well. As much as she didn't want to admit it, she enjoyed talking to them. It was really strange.
With Usopp, he was always spinning wild stories about the great adventures he had been in. Really drawn out elaborate tales, though she knew he was lying. Didn't stop her from getting invested however, he was a good story teller, and it sounded like he had been doing this for a while. It distracted her for the most part, and she was grateful for that much at least.
Nami by far was the easiest to talk with, though that was not saying much. Apparently she was the navigator for the Straw Hats, though she was only working for them temporarily. Addy ignored that, she could tell from the way the crew interacted that she was far from temporary. From the way that she clicked with Addy, it was clear that she need some girl on girl talk, and Addy happily obliged, it being awhile for her as well. It was nice to talk to someone who understood.
Zoro did not as much talk as drink with her, something else she was grateful for. Sometimes it was good to be with someone without actually talking, something that Zoro provided easily. He either spent his time sleeping, mediating, or training. Watching him train was like looking at a piece of art. Zoro was something to behold, though that could just be Addy's bias talking. She always did like the larger, more muscular guys. The fact that he was a swordsman took the cake.
Luffy… well he was Luffy. Addy had no idea what to make of him. He wanted to be the Pirate King. His hat was his greatest treasure, something that Addy actually understood, and she was nakama, despite how many times she told him that there alliance was temporary, lasting until she got to the next island. He was always bouncing around, and when he wasn't eating, or trying to get her to eat which he said "would make her feel better," he was rambling about something else. Addy had seen little children that were calmer than he was, but it was part of his charm, and Addy found herself looking forward to his visits despite Nami's various warnings. The Straw Hats were an odd bunch, yet they all seem to fit together.
She has grown so accustomed to them, that in the rare moments when she was actually alone, it felt strange. Like they should be here by her side. Or maybe her by theirs. Addy shook off this idea. It probably because she has spent pretty much the last year alone. With good reason. Nakama, friends, family, it's a thing of the past. Something to be buried and not spoken of again. There is too much pain with all that, but for now the Straw Hats were good company at least.
Paisley and Hadley also visited from time to time as well. They were a nice break from the chaos. They seemed to get along with the Straw Hats. Paisley took the time to show Nami around the town while Luffy and Usopp entertained Hadley. It was only because of Paisley that Addy managed to hold it together for as long as she did, by providing her with copious amounts of alcohol to keep the jitters down.
It was the morning of the sixth day, and Addy was ready to leave. Hopefully they would be lucky and find the bandit camp rather quickly. Shouldn't be too hard to find a large group of people. At least that is what Addy hoped for; knowing her luck it would take a month. Luffy did not see like the most patient person… and that was the biggest underestimation she ever made. Luffy was not patient at all. So for all their sakes she hoped that they found them quickly. Considering the fact that the bandits managed to attack them almost every other day or so, it couldn't be that far away, factoring in their travel time. And they always came from the same general direction, South, where most of the mountains and the thick forest lie. Addy figured that was the place that they would most likely be hidden.
Nami agreed with her as well, also saying that they were probably also located near a river, thinking that that they probably sailed up stream. Unlike her, Nami actually remembered that one could sail a ship up the river but you had to either be incredibly skilled or incredibly lucky. Addy hoped it was the latter in the bandit's case. Plus they would need a water source. Addy was grateful to her, two minds were better than one apparently.
While she wished she was a bit more prepared to fight, that would not stop her. That locket was her treasure. The world would end before she would let that go. Slipping on one of her more battle ready outfits, though all this meant was that it would not get in her way while fighting. It was a dark blue tank top with rolling waves embroider on the front. She also donned on light blue leggings, one that was immune to rips and tears, as well as tannish boots that she could quickly slip off if need be. Addy hated shoes, hated the feeling of her feet being confined but if they were going to go hiking through the wilderness she was going to need them. Her tan belt which she equipped her whip fit snugly around her waist. Picking up her bag with everything she need for the trip, she felt at ease. She was ready. Minus the fact that she was still having trouble moving quickly.
The Straw Hats agreed to meet her down stairs and for a moment she was actually looking forward to going on an adventure with them. It's been a long time since she has been on an adventure. But the gravity of the situation hit her and she opened the door and left the room, walking carefully so not to aggravate any of her injuries.
When she got down stairs Luffy was all raring to go and frankly Addy was right with him.
"Yosh, lets go," he called out causing the other patrons to stare at him like he was some kind of crazy person. Which to be fair he was.
"Is he always like this?" Addy whispered to Nami.
"You have no idea," she whispered back. Apparently in that brief time, Luffy had already run out the door leaving the four of them.
"Should we go find him?" Addy asked the group.
"Nah he'll be fine," Zoro said. Addy looked at him like he had grown two extra heads. "He does this a lot. He will catch up later." With that Zoro left as well, leaving Addy to wonder what exactly she had gotten herself into.
"Idiots," Nami said. Nami turned towards her. "So where is the nearest river?"
"Follow me," Addy said walking out the door, but not before waving good bye to Paisley. Paisley walked up to hear and embraced her in a hug. Startled, Addy hugged back.
"You be careful now," Paisley said. "Don't do anything too mind boggling stupid"
"No promises," Addy replied.
Paisley let out a laugh, and turned towards all three of them "Keep each other safe, I would like to see all of you come back with your limbs attached."
After an exchange of promises, including a couple to Hadley that they will be back, the three of them walked down the main street, passing by the rest of the village including the market place, where Nami stopped to pick up more supplies. Addy wondered just how much meat they actually needed.
"Are you sure all this is necessary?" Addy asked. "How much do you expect to eat?"
"With Luffy around, you can never be too careful," she responded, which made Addy more nervous than she should be. Leaving the outskirts of town behind them, they walked closer to the forest. A river snaked itself out of the trees and made its way to the coast. They decided to stop and wait by the river for the Zoro and Luffy to catch up. Addy hoped they would not take that long. Kicking off her shoes, she sat down on the grass and let her feet dangle in the water. Nami sat next to her. Usopp was looking around as if something were about to jump out and eat them which Addy started to figure was a pretty common look on him.
"So Addy, umm there is not like any danger in the forest, right?" Usopp stuttered.
"Not as far as I know. Haven't been here all that long to find out. Most dangerous thing we will run into will be the bandits," Addy answered.
"Ah of course, well bandits are nothing compared to me. When I was seven there was this massive bandit camps, housing thousands. All I had was my trusty slingshot but that did not stop me from storming in and…"
"So how long do you think we have to wait?" Addy asked Nami. Usopp was still rambling in the background but she was tuning most of it out. Apparently Nami was doing the same.
"You are assuming that they are ever going to find us," she answered dryly.
"Honestly that wasn't the answer I was hoping for." Addy laid herself down on the grass and watched the clouds roll by. Each moment they were not looking for the bandits was a moment wasted.
Eventually after what seemed like forever, Zoro and Luffy appeared with Luffy carrying meat in each of his hands.
"Took you long enough," Addy snapped frustrated.
"Well it's your fault for giving bad directions," Zoro argued back.
"Directions? All I told you to do was follow me. How could that be… You know what never mind let's just get going."
"Let's go," Luffy yelled. But Nami managed to grab his shoulder before he ran off again.
"Right, let's just keep quiet and follow me so the bandits don't ambush us."
"Ambush, you never said anything about ambush," Usopp yelled. "I think my Don't-Go-In-That-Forest disease is acting up."
Addy brought her hands to her face and sighed. What was she doing? She barely knew these people. How strong could they be really? Well Zoro was, but Luffy? He looked like he never been in a fight in his life. Not to mention Nami and Usopp. Nami did not seem like a fighter and Ussop looked like he was going outside for the first time. She wasn't even sure what their skills were.
Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder and removed her hands. Luffy was looking at her with the stupidest grin on his face, but she couldn't help but smile back. It was contagious. Perhaps that was his power. He just made everyone his friend.
"Lead the way Addy," he said full of confidence. And so she did, they crossed the threshold into the forest, following the river. It was the largest river on the island. While the currents surrounding the island would normally not allow for a ship to sail up, every once in a while, they aligned perfectly. At least that is what Paisley told her. Addy suspected that's how the bandits got here in the first place.
Most of the walk was silent, with the occasional chatter from the Straw Hats. About the Grand Line, bandits, and just general other oddball stuff. Addy occasionally interjected in the conversation, and laughed along with them. Nami seemed frustrated with their antics but could not help laughing now and again, while Zoro occasionally cracked a smile and laughed at the opportune moments. For once in a long time Addy at peace. If only she had her locket then things would be fine, more than fine. It would be great.
Eventually night fell and it became too dark to see where they were going. Addy was reluctant to stop, but she knew that they had too. It was one thing fighting bandits during the day, but at night on their home turf, Addy wasn't willing to take that chance. Luffy and Zoro were more than happy to continue walking until they found them but the three of them managed to talk them down.
"Ah Addy don't you want to find your treasure?" Luffy asked in a pleading tone. He had been trying to convince her for the past half hour. She was sitting by the river, feet dangling in, while Nami and Usopp were setting up the fire to cook the fish she was going to catch soon. There is no point in wasting supplies being so close to a food source.
"Of course I do Luffy, but I also don't want to die stupidly trying to get it. We need to be smart about this. Otherwise I might never get it back."
"Those bandits did not seem that tough, you managed to handle yourself against them," Zoro answered. Addy wasn't sure if that was a compliment or an insult. Judging by the way Zoro was looking at her with some respect in his eyes, it seemed like a compliment.
"Don't kid yourself. The ones that we have been fighting have basically been the underlings. The real threat stays at their hideout."
"Meaning?" Zoro asked, looking at her intensely.
"Well there leader is a man known as the Bandit King. I don't actually know his real name but apparently his bounty is 16,500,000."
"That's more than Kuro!" Usopp said. Addy had no idea who Kuro was but from the way he was shaking, he wasn't the nicest of people.
"However he is not the only threat. His lieutenants are also very powerful," Addy said.
"So all I have to do is kick the bandit kings ass?" Luffy asked. That wasn't the reaction Addy was expecting.
"Well… I guess so. I mean I assume as there leader he would go through all the treasure."
"Let's go then." Luffy made a move to dash off… again, but Nami grabbed ahold of him."
"Remember dumbass. We are waiting here until morning so that we don't walk into a trap," Nami said.
"But it's so boring here!"
As the group started to bicker Addy noticed that Usopp and Nami basically had the fire set up. All that was needed was the food. Standing up, Addy stretched out her arms and then took a short running leap into the river. She heard shouting, something about injuries in the like but that did not matter. Right now she was free.
Swimming in the water almost like a seal, she was twisting and turning. Enjoying the sensation of the water flowing across her body it was slick against her skin. Her injuries were no longer bothering her. Movement was completely unhindered. Gliding across the bottom of the river it was almost like she was dancing. Surrounded by fish of various shapes and sizes she just started grabbing those that looked the most delicious along with the occasionally crab or two. Hoping that someone up there was catching all these she continued throwing them up aiming so that they would land on the shore. She even managed to wrangle one that was her size. It was no problem for her. Here she was the apex predator, the queen of the water. Even Sea Kings had to be careful.
She wanted to stay down here for a while and relax. It had been a long time since she had a swim. But she knew that the others were waiting. Surfacing, she swam to the shallower part and walked up back to the shore. The water rolled off of her and she was basically dry in an instant. Her clothing was also dry as soon as it hit the air. Sea King leather did wonders when it was properly treated. She saw that they were already cooking the fish, though if they kept looking at her than it was going to be more ash than fish.
Usopp and Nami were looking at her terrified. Zoro more curious than anything though he did have a grip on his sword. Not a good sign. Luffy on the other hand looked at her in absolute amazement like stars were sparking in his eyes, as if she came down from the heavens riding a rainbow. They continued looking at her, even as she rifled in her bag for her stash of alcohol, courtesy of Paisley. After taking a long drink, she turned towards Nami and Usopp.
"You know if you keep that on the fire much longer it's going to turn into dust."
Nami yelped and took the fish out from the fire. Usopp continued to stare at her wide eyed. Addy rolled her eyes.
"Okay is there a problem here? Do I have a giant bug crawling on me? Did the world end and I haven't noticed?
"You were in the river for half an hour." Zoro stated bluntly. Addy looked around and everyone basically confirmed what he said. Shit, she was in trouble now. Her intention was only to stay in a few minutes. She was hoping that they would never find out. Always caused problems when someone did. Right now she had to think of some excuse quickly.
"Well, you see I…"
"Hah look at what we found here boys." Addy praised her luck. Well luck in the minimalist sense. They were surrounded by Dagmar and his goons, a lot of his goons but at least she didn't have to explain why she can breathe underwater. Apparently Dagmar was still talking though not for much longer as Luffy got up and punched the guy.
Now this normally would not be strange, but Addy stood there dumbfounded for a moment before joining the fight. Zoro got into as well and the three of them were fighting the bandits off. Nami and Usopp were hiding behind a rock, with Usopp occasionally taking potshots at the bandits from what looked like a slingshot. All of this could be considered normal, except for one tiny detail. Luffy apparently can stretch. Whatever devil fruit he had eaten, it was certainly a weird one.
