One Piece belongs to Eiichiro Oda
Kingdom Hearts characters belong to Square Enix and Disney
OCs belong to me.
-Chapter Three-
"You sure you want me to leave?"
"No."
"Then why did you say it was a great idea?"
"Because it is. Skylar, you can't expect Cloud and I to tell you how to live your life, if you want to leave than leave. You're almost a fully-grown woman, you're halfway there and if sailing across the sea speeds up the process then so be it."
"But, what about-"
"Skylar, I have Riku and Cloud has Leon. We're not alone and sure we'll miss you but this is your life, you have a say in how you live it. Not us."
"I know, I'm going to miss you two. Look at me, already starting to regret my choice and I haven't even left yet."
"You don't regret it, you're just scared that you're going to regret it later. Which I know you won't, now, you better write us and cause up such a fuss that he sees it."
"Yeah, I'll be sure to."
"Oh, and Skylar."
"Yeah?"
"Be sure to give Zoro one big smooch when he figures out who you are."
"Shut up, Sora!"
"You seem distracted, is there something wrong?" I was snapped out of my thoughts by Nami's voice. Looking towards her I shook my head and looked back out at the sea. Towards the island that was slowly getting smaller and smaller the further away we got.
"Just thinking?"
"You know I can't help but think. Wouldn't the islanders be mad that their best fighter just left?" Nami wondered aloud as she leaned against the railing of the ship and looked upwards. I scoffed.
"They won't, but Aaron will. Let him throw his fit, there's other fighters on that island they'll find someone to replace me before you know it" I said. "Hey."
"Hm?"
"Do you know the full reason or better yet the real reason why your captain wanted me to join?" I asked, earning a hum in response.
"Luffy's sometimes confusing with his decisions, but I think what he told you was his honest reason. Though weak and a little confusing, I think he might really have seen something in you" she answered as I nodded my head. It grew quiet between us after that before Nami soon wandered off somewhere else.
"Cause up such a fuss that he sees it."
"Don't worry Sora, I will, though I don't know how, I'll find a way" I mumbled as I continued to watch the clouds lazily sail across the sky.
-Weeks Later-
"Skylar" I hummed the minute I heard my name being said. Turning my attention towards Luffy I saw him and Usopp standing there, wide smiles on their faces as they stared at me. In my time staying with the Straw Hats I've kept up my charade that I was a man, though there had been a few close calls I've been safe so far. Though it would have been nice to go back to being my normal self, it was just too fun to feel that rush of excitement at almost getting found out. I don't mind keeping it up just a bit longer, even if it cost me more time from finding out if Zoro remembers me.
"We were wondering if you'd like to join our game of tag?" Usopp asked. I looked at the two, mulling over their offer before nodding my head.
"Sure, got nothing better to do" I said, getting up from my seat and stood in front of them. "So, who's it?" I asked, before crossing my eyes as Luffy pressed his finger against the tip of my nose.
"You are!" they both exclaimed before bolting off.
"Wha-hey! Get back here!" I exclaimed, my lips tugging into a wide smile as I ran after the two. The minute they split up I found myself chasing after Luffy, occasionally freaking out Usopp by faking that I was going to rush him. I don't know when we had gotten closer to the place Zoro was laying down, but we both seemed to miscalculate just how close we were as Luffy ran right over his stomach and I had soon followed. The grunt of pain that left his lips was loud enough to catch all three of our attention. The minute he sat up I noticed that Usopp started to shake from the corner of my eye while Luffy just stood there seemingly oblivious to the problem.
I had to agree with Usopp's reaction, Zoro certainly did seem intimidating now, that I couldn't help but shiver at the glare on his face. "It was those two, I had no part in it!" Usopp soon cried out as he pointed towards Luffy and I.
"It was-" I cut myself off when I looked back to see that Luffy had disappeared. "You did not just leave me to handle this beast?!" I exclaimed before freezing up at how close Zoro was now. Looking forward, I squealed loudly and jumped backwards while my hands shot up in an act of defense.
"That sounded…very girlish just a moment ago," Zoro suddenly said as he raised an eyebrow and looked at me with a questioning gaze. I looked straight back at him, for some reason feeling irritated at that remark of his.
"Yeah, so what if it did?" I asked, placing my hands on my hips while scowling him for such a remark. For a moment, I thought I had saw something flash through his eyes before it disappeared and he shook his head, chuckling. I felt my cheeks heat up a bit as he ruffled the top of my head, lightly messing up my bandanna and the hair underneath it while he walked pass me.
"Hey you four! Quit messing around out there and get in here, I have something important to discuss with all of you!" Nami called from the kitchen, her voice slightly muffled. We all looked at one another before making our way into the kitchen. Not a second after we had entered she had already order Usopp to handle controlling the ship's steering while we all sat around her at the table. My mind seemed to wander elsewhere as I looked around the kitchen. It was so small and cozy that one just couldn't help but feel right at home.
"It just doesn't make any sense" my ears perked up at hearing our navigator say this. Looking in her direction she looked a bit stressed out, one hand resting on her forehead as she study the map laid out on the table. It seems that Usopp's complaining wasn't seeming to help that oncoming headache she was getting either. What did he mean the steering was stuck? "Ugh! Sanji, can you please help Usopp? He's giving me a headache" the orange haired woman said, rubbing her forehead while scowling.
"Anything for you my darling, Nami" Sanji cooed, his one visible eye turning into a heart. The first time I had witness the blond act this way it was amusing to say the least. But sometimes it just felt sad watching him act this way. Does that mean it stops being amusing? Not really.
My attention turned back to Nami as I rested my chin in my hand, closing my eyes as I listened to her drawn out explanation of how it would be possible for a ship to make its way up a mountain. Both interesting and boring. I flinched as my body jolted around along with everyone else's from the rough currents that started to pick up as the weather quickly changed from a bright and sunny day to a cloudy and raining one. The sudden change was enough to drive everyone out of the kitchen and into the pouring rain. It was both heavy and satisfying as it gave an indicator that we were getting closer and closer to entering the Grand Line.
It was just pass that gate and up the mountain. "I'm not done with you brats just yet, I've waited weeks for this moment!" a new voice hissed out over the pouring rain. I darted my eyes over towards the source of the sound, spotting a slender man with strangely styled purple hair. He seemed upset as his eyes were narrowed and he was ranting about something towards the other Straw Hats. Not really acknowledging my presence, understandable as it seemed he had more history with the others and by the look of it, it was bad history.
The man rambled angrily, as if that's the only thing he knew how to do to express his anger. His words would sometimes get jumbled up as he breathed heavily, as if it'd be a long time before he calmed down. It seems that either Nami was bored or just didn't know what else to do in a state of panic as she rushed forward and knocked the man off the railing he was standing on. "That was harsh of you, Nami" I said.
"Well, what else was a supposed to do?" she asked.
"I don't know, still didn't think you'd be one to take another person's life" I said, raising my hands in defense.
"I'm sure he'll be fine" Nami said, looking nervous as she looked between me and the rushing currents underneath us. "Who am I kidding, he's a dead man even if he didn't have Devil Fruit powers" she said, her shoulders drooping as she heaved a sigh.
"Devil Fruit powers?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow. That named sounded so familiar, wasn't there a tale that revolved around those words? I shrugged my shoulders as my eyes trailed forward, widening slightly as I noticed that something was off. "Uh, guys" I said, catching their attention. "I think we're heading off the path!" I exclaimed, pointing a head which their gazes followed.
It didn't take long for them to noticed as well as Usopp, Sanji, and Zoro seemed to quickly rush to the steering. Though it seemed as if Luffy had a different idea as he rushed over to the side of the ship, jumping into the air and sucked in a large gulp of air. "Gum Gum Balloon!" he called out, his body suddenly inflating up into the size of a large balloon. This time not caused by excessive amount of eating.
"Eh?" I didn't know what to say as I watched the scene in front of me. What was one to say after witnessing their captain inflate to the size of a balloon because he sucked in a large amount of air. Despite this the ship had ended up crashing into him and bouncing back onto track while he deflated, Zoro being quick to help him climb back aboard. "What the hell was that?" I asked, interrupting the others moment of cheering.
"Oh, that's right, you don't know yet" Nami said.
"Yeah, Luffy didn't have any reason to use his powers back on the island" Usopp commented.
"Well?" I asked.
"I'm a rubber man" Luffy finally responded, hooking his finger to his cheek and stretching it outwards in an inhuman way.
"I rubber man?" I inquired, shivering as I watched his flesh stretch. Not seeming to cause him any harm.
"That's right, I ate the Gum Gum Fruit when I was younger" he explained, giving a firm nod.
"Guess that means all those tales of Devil Fruits were true" I murmured to myself while furrowing my brows in thought before staring straight ahead along with the others as the ship started to make her way up the mountain.
-After the Whale Incident-
"I'm still trying to process what exactly happened back there" I said from my spot next to the kitchen window. I was staring out onto the main deck, entranced by the snow that lightly fluttered downwards and started to coat the whole ship. Though Nami seemed to complain about it, Usopp and Luffy looked as if they were having fun as they started creating interesting creations out of the snow.
"You're telling me" Nami grumbled as she turned her attention back towards the two new guest we had acquired, Mr. Nine and Miss Wednesday. Her eyes narrowed as her lips were drawn downwards into a frown as she appeared displeased with hearing them complain. 'It's too cold' they would cry out while making snide remarks about the ship itself. Through their complaints from the corner of my eye I noticed how Nami seemed to study the new compass we had acquired along with our guest, I believe it was called a Log Pose. She was looking through the glass spear and watched as the needled wobbled inside from how it was suspended by a string.
"What the…?" she inquired, her facial expression looking confused at first before morphing into a look of pure horror.
"What? What is it?" I asked, turning away from the window to look towards the orange haired woman that looked as if she about ready to break down. With lightning speed, she seemed to fly right out of her seat and outside where the others were.
"Turn the ship around right now! We're sailing in the wrong direction!" she commanded, her voice strained as the others piped up with their own remarks to this news. I wandered out of the kitchen and outside to stand next to the woman, Mr. Nine and Miss Wednesday both following.
"What do you mean we're going the wrong way? Did the ship just up and decided to turn itself around while none of us were paying attention?" I curiously questioned.
"I'm not sure myself but it seems that's exactly what must have happened" Nami said, her voice strained as she felt stressed. Miss Wednesday appeared to make a remark that further aggravated the orange haired female, but before anything could really happen the weather started to change. The delicate snow that was once falling gently started to pick up before changing into harsh winds and pelting rain. It didn't take Nami long to start giving out orders to everyone. It seemed everything went to hell at that moment from leaks popping up below the ship to everyone rushing back and forth while creating a commotion.
By the time everything seemed to calm down we were on the floor of the deck, panting in exhaustion. There was a loud grunt as a certain swordsman decided to sit up, seemingly just now waking up from his nap he had been taking earlier. How anyone could sleep through, let alone in, that kind of weather is beyond me. The green haired male looked around at everyone, his eyebrows furrowing as he looked at our tired and slumped over bodies. Before looking upwards towards the sky which was now clear and revealed a bright and sunny day.
"Geez, just because its nice outside, doesn't mean you guys have to be lazy" he remarked, earning nothing but glares from everyone around him. I rolled my eyes and pushed myself up into a sitting position. My head tilted backwards as I looked upwards towards the cloudless sky as everything appeared to be so peaceful now. Vastly different from the chaos just a few moments ago. I felt my ears twitch as I heard Zoro's voice, looking towards him it seemed he started to poke at Mr. Nine and Miss Wednesday.
Slight irritation seemed to wash over as I watched him with a tired look. I stood up and quickly made my way towards him, passing by an irritated Nami who looked about ready to lunge at the older male. Coming to a stop behind him, I wasted no time in hitting the back of his head hard enough to earn a small grunt as his hands flew to the back of his head and held it. "Shut up! At least they helped unlike your lazy ass!" I sneered, huffing as I crossed my arms and wandered over towards Nami.
"Thanks" she mumbled.
"No problem" I grunted as I stopped by her. Reaching up and fixing my soaked bandanna the best I could. The water it absorbed from the rain made it feel uncomfortable to wear the piece of cloth on my head.
"Wow, you really 'pissed' him off" I heard Usopp state as Luffy seemed to laugh at this fact.
"Shut up" I couldn't help but smile a little as I heard Zoro grumble this to the two while standing up and wandering off somewhere else on the ship.
-Later-
"We're here, Whiskey Peak!" Luffy loudly stated from his spot at the very front of the boat. He seemed to enjoy sitting on top of the ram's head. I had just walked back out on deck, having just finished exchanging my wet bandanna for a dryer and cleaner one along with my clothes.
"How can you tell?" I asked, squinting my eyes as I tried to peer through the fog that had settled around us.
"Just can" was the answer I received. A sweat drop appeared on my head as I looked at the rubbery man.
"Sure" I mumbled as I straighten my bandanna, double checking to make sure all strands of hair were safely tucked inside. The minute the fog did start to clear up was the minute we all noticed the amount of people that were crowded around the docks we were heading towards. Everyone was on their guard as we drew closer and closer before confusion swept over us from the sounds of cheering. When we finally docked, and stepped off the ship we were greeted by the island's mayor, Igaram. The way he spoke wasn't like someone speaking to pirates, but a man speaking to old friends that were getting together for a little reunion party.
'Okay, something has to be up, what town cheers for pirates?' I thought as we all were being lead towards the local bar. I didn't know if any of the others felt the same way or were too distracted by the feast that was presented to us. It felt weird, being surrounded by people who looked like they're having fun during a party. Scratch that, it was weird seeing a party that was this loud and excited. The others seemed to enjoy themselves in their own sections, Luffy eating all he could, Nami and Zoro drinking away cup after cup of alcohol.
Sanji looked as if he was in heaven now with the number of women that surrounded him and Usopp seemed pleased to have someone to tell his tales to. Though I found them interesting when he first approached me with one of his stories, it was far too exaggerated for me to take seriously. But, then there was me, what was I supposed to do? Events like this wasn't my forte. I found myself tucked away in the corner, giving nervous smiles at the people that tried to speak to me.
Their over the top smiles and looks of interest felt all so…fake. Something I was so familiar with that it made me uncomfortable but in the end I shrugged the feeling off. It seemed my actions of refusing to interact with others and politely declining any alcoholic beverages seemed to catch the mayor's attention as he came over and gave a wide smile. "Care for a drink?"
"No, thanks. I'm not much of a drinker" I declined once again, shaking my head. "I wouldn't mind taking a nap though" I mumbled lowly to myself as I looked around me at the people who had taken it upon themselves to sit nearby. In the moments when they didn't talk to me they looked as if they were genuinely happy, in fact now that I thought about it. It seems all the other villagers seemed to do the same thing with the others.
"Is that so?" I shook myself out of my thoughts and looked towards Igaram the minute he spoke.
"Excuse me?"
"Come along, it seems the young 'lad' would like some peace. I'm sure our other guest wouldn't mind some more company though I don't think they'll last much longer either" Igaram said, giving a heartfelt laugh as he looked around as everyone started to grow tired from all of the excitement of the day. I watched as everyone around me nodded their heads and disburse into separate groups, wandering over to one of the other Straw Hats that were still semi awake.
"Wait, you didn't have…to do…that…" I said my voice growing smaller as the white-haired man left to go somewhere else, leaving me alone. Sighing I leaned back and tilted my head upwards. "Well then" I huffed, staring upwards before sliding further down in my seat and pulling my bandanna down over my eyes and relaxed.
-Later-
I don't know how many hours passed by before nightfall came and everyone around me passed out asleep. Or at least my crew mates did as I heard the villagers all stand and whisper to one another while they exited the bar. Peeking out from underneath my bandanna, I stood up the minute I noticed the coast was clear and started to stretch. Moaning a little as I heard my back pop in a satisfying way. "Skylar, is that you?" my ears perked up as I heard Nami's voice.
"Yeah, it's me" I responded, stepping over everyone's body and making my way towards the navigator. Who was seated at one of the tables surrounded by alcohol. As I was making my way over to her, I noted that Zoro seemed to be missing as he was nowhere to be seen on the bar's floor. "It seems that the villagers here are all bounty hunters, quite a surprise, don't you think?" I asked, sarcasm dripping from my voice as Nami snorted.
"Yeah, seems so" she said, as she stood up and exited the building through the back door with me trailing behind her.
"Where are you going, anyways?" I questioned as I followed closely behind, the both of us sticking close to the shadows cast by the buildings. Instead of an answer she only motioned for me to stay quiet as she snuck into one of the houses, immediately going through the occupant of this home things.
"I use to be a thief before I became a pirate, well technically I still am" Nami commented, searching through the drawers by the bed as I nodded my head.
"And you never thought to tell be me this before because…?" I asked, motioning for her to fill in the rest with her answer as we made our way to the next house. The orange haired woman frustrated a little as she didn't find what she wanted at the first house.
"Didn't find it all that important to share, maybe I'll tell you the full story someday but not today" she said as she started searching this house, gaining the same results as before. The minutes ticked by as we seemed to have checked almost all the houses, they weren't that big to begin with, and the results were the same for each one. There was nothing a value in any of them. "Damn it!" she hissed as she slammed the desk drawers in frustration. "You'd think with a village filled with bounty hunters, there would be at least some treasure lying around!"
"Well that depends" I piped up from my spot by the window. My ears twitching at the sound of a commotion going on outside, what was it? Well I had my theories. "Perhaps these people are just terrible at their job and we just sadly mistaken them to be good" I suggested, shrugging my shoulders. Nami opened her mouth, ready to respond before quickly shutting it as an ear-piercing scream filled the air along with the echo of a gun being fired.
There was also the faint sound of running that could be heard through the commotion. Nami and I looked to one another, questioning and worried looks exchanged between each other before we both found ourselves racing towards the direction the sounds had come from.
"Please, you have to help the princess. I promise you'll be rewarded greatly" was the first thing I heard as we drew closer to the spot the commotion had taken place. Skidding to a stop at the scene in front of us.
"A reward you say?" Nami butted in before I could open my mouth to ask what had happened. "Just how much are we talking here?" she asked, her eyes lighting up and almost looking exactly like beli signs. 'Well she did say she's a thief and thieves do love anything valuable' I thought, a sweat drop appearing on the back of my head as I stared at her. Despite her lack at caring about anything else other than money, she did decide to hear the mayor out as he explained everything he could. "Right" Nami nodded her head once he was finished before turning her attention towards Zoro.
"Zoro, go after the princess and save her" she ordered, motioning with her hand for him to move along. This didn't seem to bid well with the moss haired man at first as an argument broke out between the two. I walked over to Igaram and bent down, helping to sit him up and lean him up against the side of the building.
"There that should be more comfortable" I said, smiling as I looked at the man. "How are you feeling? Looks like moss head did a great deal of damage, but I don't think it's enough to be considered lethal. Still might want to get it looked at, though, I'm not a doctor" I commented the minute I spotted the slash across his chest.
"Is there a reason you're being so kind? We did just try to kill you and your friends" Igaram remarked as he panted heavily, his body shivering at the pain.
"That may be so, but it was for a good reason. Can't stay mad at someone that does what they need to, to protect the place they call home" I replied, shrugging my shoulders as I sat fully down on the ground and leaned back against my arms.
"Skylar."
"Hm?" I hummed as I looked towards Nami, noticing that Zoro was already gone. "I see you finally convinced him to do your bidding" I noted, watching as she gave a devious smile.
"Blackmail is such a wondrous thing" Nami commented. "But, what I wanted to tell you is to go on and join Zoro in protecting the princess" she said, motioning her head towards the direction Zoro probably had run off in.
"Why's that? I'm sure Zoro can handle such a simple task?" I questioned, chuckling at the look in her brown eyes. "Alright, I'm going, I'm going. Don't get your panties in a twist" I laughed as I stood up and walked in the direction she was pointing in.
"Just go!" she fumed, as I felt her glare on my back. It wasn't until the sounds of explosions did I really pick up my pace and started to run. I came to a stop right beside the princess, Vivi I believe is what Igaram referred to her as, and the duck she was currently on. What?
"Didn't know ducks could get this big" I muttered, causing the blue haired princess to flinch and put her attention towards me. "Princess, are you alright? You're not hurt, are you?" I inquired the minute I had her attention, giving a firm nod when she shook her head. Her attention was soon drawn back towards Zoro and I couldn't help but follow her gaze. He had his swords out, all three of them as he stood there in front of two people. A dark-skinned man with sunglasses and a blonde-haired woman dressed in all yellow.
I placed a hand on my swords, straightening my posture and staying alert just in case. I had faith that Zoro could take them both with ease, you just never know if one of them would slip by him or not though. "Zoro!" we all stopped in our movements as the enraged voice of Luffy echoed through the air. "I'm going to kick your ungrateful ass!" he shouted.
A/N: Enjoy
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