One Piece: True Treasure

by Yozora no Hoshi

The ever blowing wind is a contradiction, driving us both forwards towards our destination, but it can also guide us home. What changes can occur for one straw hat-wearing youth if his childhood friend accompanied him on his journey to be King of the Pirates? One thing's for sure, it'll be a lot winder as they set sail for the One Piece. Follows anime, OCx?

4. Childhood Memories: Enter Shanks

One Piece: True Treasure

Summary: The ever blowing wind is a contradiction, driving us both forwards towards our destination, but it can also guide us home. What changes can occur for one straw hat-wearing youth if his childhood friend accompanied him on his journey to be King of the Pirates? One thing's for sure, it'll be a lot winder as they set sail for the One Piece. OC, follows anime. OCx?

Oh. My. God/Kami/Jashin. Four reviews in only one chapter?! Best yet! Thanks to 1loveLuffy, YuyaKnightwriter97, serenity-neko-chan, and Guest for commenting! I'm glad that you think Takara is so original, 1loveLuffy, and that my style's alright, but I doubt the story is that good. ..My poor house (sulks in corner like Shigure Sohma)…Anyways, I'm glad you find my OC quirky and realistic, Guest, and I'm going to hint at various pairings throughout the story before I decide on anything (more about this too come!). Thank you for catching the error, I fixed it right up, if you spot anymore, please let me know. Unfortunately, Takara's amount of tessen is quite extensive (I can understand your confusion) and it will grow a little larger, but this is important as, due to where she was raised and the violence in her life, she knows better than to trust only a few weapons, keeping a large arsenal at all times. I will always be specific to which ones she uses and include additional information at the bottom of each chapter, so hopefully that helps keep everything together! As for you Yuya…wait and see~

Oh, and BIG shout out to NibelungVelocity for allowing me to borrow from her own One Piece Fanfiction, Hanley. Bigger thanks for inspiring and making me laugh with your story. To know which section part of my sort is inspired off of, please check out Hanley, I'll post a link at the bottom.

Sorry about the day of lateness…Stuck in yet another car ride…Didn't get home till late and had to unpack…But I'm back home now so, (judging by my current track record) expect the next chapter a week from this Wensday!

There will be crossovers with other animes later on. And remember, One Piece belongs solely to Eiichiro Oda and any future anime references belong to the companies that created them. No profit is being made off of this Fanfiction, please support the official releases.

~~風~~

Chapter 4: Childhood Memories: Enter Red-Haired Shanks!

The only real treasure is in your head. Memories are better than diamonds and nobody can steal them from you…Rodman Philbrick, The Last Book in the Universe.

~~風~~

Long ago, there was a great man, a Pirate King, who went by the name of Gol D. Roger. Known as Gold Roger by both friend and foe alike, he was the fiercest and most respected Pirate that ever did sail the seas. He had it all, wealth, fame, power. He had conquered the oceans and obtained the greatest treasure of them all…the One Piece.

Alas, his fame, infamy, and life were all cut short when the elusive Pirate was finally captured by Marines. At his execution, before they lobbed off his head in public, his last words managed to inflame the passions of many a man that called for them to take up the Jolly Roger themselves, driving them to the sea.

"You want my treasure, you can have it, I left it all together in one place…The One Piece! Now all you have to do is find it!"

And to this day, every Pirate that takes to sea from any corner of the world weighs anchor and sets sail towards the Grand Line in hope of discovering the One Piece to become the next King of the Pirates, setting the world into the Great Pirate Age.

~~風~~

(The first opening song We Are plays.)

~~風~~

Somewhere within the calm waters of the East Blue, a small boat bearing a black flag of a skull and crossbones sailed. The Jolly Roger had a red nose, that of a clown's, embossed on it, marking it as one of the ships under the terrifying Pirate, Buggy the Clown. Three men, all dressed in a weird fashion, sat inside the modest sized vessel, counting a large pile of treasure with greedy delight. They were the Tightrope Walking Funan Bros, minor pirates that belonged to the Buggy Pirates Crew.

"What a haul today!"

"Now Buggy-sama won't be mad at us with all of this!"

"Huh, what's that?" one of them, the largest man of the group in a black vest, glanced off to the side, spotting something on the ocean. The other two followed the gaze of the first man to see what had caught his attention. It was a second boat, much smaller and more weather-beaten than their own vessel, merely bobbing in the water. The one wearing a black hat with the emblem of Buggy the Clown on it tilted his hat before deciding what should be done.

"We should check it out." Perhaps there was treasure aboard that would only add to their tribute to Buggy-sama.

They quickly changed their course, the pirate ship sailing closer to the other vessel, actually a rowboat with a sail attached, before the oddly dressed trio peeked inside. Devious smiles spread across their faces at what they saw. The girl with orange hair, still clad in the clothes from Shells Town, laid limply over the side of her boat, one hand trailing in the water, seemingly unconscious. To the pirates, they guessed she had passed out from the combination of heat and lack of water.

"Hey wake up, little girl," the hatted pirate said roughly, poking at the girl's arm a couple of times to get the message across. After a few moments, she stirred before lifting her head, blinking her cinnamon brown eyes up at the trio of pirates. A soft smile graced her face before she began to speak in a dazed voice, seemingly weak and gentle.

"Oh! Am I dreaming? Running into someone on this wide open sea…Please, I don't know who you are, but please, I desperately need water. I haven't had anything to drink for two days, all I need is a cup of water. I can give you as much jewelry and gold as you want," she added, waving a dismissive hand towards a very fancy looking chest decorated with a red stone sitting at the opposite end of her rowboat. Due to its grandeur, it was obviously filled to the brim with treasure, just what the pirates had been hoping for. The three of them smirked viciously, pleased with their new found luck. Not only where they going to get a chest full of treasure, a pretty girl was thrown in for good measure. Things couldn't get any better.

That much would prove true for those foolish pirates; things were about to get worse. Much, much worse.

"Don't worry, we'll held you. But first, we want to see the treasure, then you can have as much water as you can stomach," the pirate in the hat, obviously the leader amongst the ragtag trio, said.

Quickly, the three pirates clambered onboard the rowboat, hurrying towards the chest to inspect its contents, completely ignoring the orangette for now. They bent over the highly decorated chest, the one in the hat beginning to fiddle with the lock, finding it's abnormally pesky to pick. He cast that from his mind, most people did keep their valuables locked up tight. Finally, the padlock made a click, prompting the man to throw it to the side and they were about to fling the top open when it suddenly shot open, propelled up a panda head, a long pink tongue attached to it in a comical fashion, sprung from the chest similar to a jack-in-the-box, stunning the men and causing them to fall back to the bottom of the rowboat in shock. They couldn't help but stare at the trick chest in stunned confusion when a mischievous giggled reached their ears. The three of them quickly spun around to see the orangette sitting calmly and relaxed on their ship, already a far distance away and only sailing further off.

"You can keep my entire boat, if you'd like," she said cheerfully, the large chest of treasure that had previously belonged to the pirates now closed at her feet.

"OUR BOAT!"

"YOU THEIF!"

"YOU TRICKED US, YOU BITCH!"

The Funan Bros couldn't believe how quickly their luck had flown south as they screamed curses at the pretty thief who had stolen both their ship and their treasure. A shiver of fear passed through them slightly. Unless they could either retrieve their treasure or find more, their captain was going to be beyond angry and most likely kill them in the most painful, sinful way possible. No one dared to come between Captain Buggy and his treasure. The smug girl turned her head to the right a bit, shading her eyes as she studied the sky.

"Judging by those low clouds moving in from the south, I expect that there will be strong winds and squalls pretty soon!" Barely a minute after she had said that, a large cloud formed above them almost instantly, lighting sparking dangerously as the girl continued her weather report. "With all the wind and expected turbulence, all small boats take caution not to capsize!"

Upon finishing her words, the clouds drew even closer towards the three panicked pirates, all stunned as to how fast the weather had changed and how true the girl's words had been. Rain lashed down from the sky as the wind swept the ship about, the choppy waves not helping matters in the slightest. The three pirates attempted to regain their balance, the rowboat wobbling and shaking violently until they all fell overboard as the ship was flipped over. The entire event barely lasted three seconds, making the girl grin in triumph as her plan was executed without a hitch.

"Bingo!" she cheered, doing a thumbs up in victory before turning her attention towards the treasure, a gleam in her eyes. "See ya! I'll just take your treasure now!"

"GET BACK HERE YOU BITCH!"

"WE'LL GET YOU FOR THIS 'blurrggg'!"

Needless to say, the Funan Bros learned a very valuable lesson that day: don't trust pretty girls in the middle of the ocean, especially ones that seem too welcoming to be true. It was one of many they would learn that day.

~~風~~

Meanwhile, Luffy, Zoro, and Takara had been sailing aimlessly across the unending ocean for two days now and had yet to find an island to replenish the food supplies that had disappeared quickly on the first day due to their large appetites. Luffy had, additionally, accidentally eaten half of the rations during his sleep, including the pineapple Takara had been saving, causing the girl to ram a foot into her captain's skull, knowing it wouldn't harm him. Luckily their water held out; while they could all go for quite some time without food, it only took three days to die from dehydration. Still, the entire crew had their stomachs rumbling painfully as they all tried to alleviate the hunger by distracting themselves. Zoro rested against the spot that had become his designated napping spot near the bow, his three swords resting in the circle of his legs as he watched his crewmates with bored eyes. Takara dangled upside down from her position on the mast with Fuu propped up alongside it, pigtails swaying in the breeze, plum eyes blank while Luffy hung over one of the boat's side, fingers trailing the water as he watched the waves bob.

"So hungry…" the straw hat boy moaned lowly, grunting as his stomach grumbled and gurgled. Takara said nothing, but bobbed her head in agreement, bells jingling even more, still peeved about the loss of her favorite fruit. Zoro let out a sigh, closing his eyes as his mouth twisted into a frown.

"This is just great. We're in the middle of nowhere, not even a scrap of food left on this ship, and, to ice the cake-"

"CAKE?! WHERE?!" Luffy cried excitedly before he groaned again, limply hanging over the edge as hunger overtook him.

"It's a metaphorical cake," Takara responded with a blank face, hopping down due to the blood rushing the opposite way, strapping the massive tessen to her back as she did so.

"Does it taste good?"

Zoro took another calming breath before finishing. "We have no idea where the hell we are." For the millionth time today, he questioned what had possessed him to join this clueless kid and emotionless girl. Okay, there hadn't been much of a choice and there was definitely going to be a lot of adventure heading their way, along with the solemn promise of achieving his dream. Still, being saddled to these two who had no navigational skill whatsoever was annoying.

"Any clue as to when we'll reach land?"

"Don't know, we are just using the wind, the waves and Takara's fans after all…" Luffy said and was about to continue before he was interrupted.

"Isn't it kind of weird that someone whose tryin' to be King of the Pirates doesn't have any navigational skills?!"

"Hey, we don't use the traditional methods," Luffy said casually. "It's not that weird that we prefer to drift around."

"Niisama travels alone on the Grand Line all the time," Takara agreed. "And he never uses a compass…" she muttered, her bangs over her eyes as she recalled the harrowing days of her youth where they got lost as quickly as the wind changed. Zoro shot her a slightly shocked glare before his attention was grabbed.

"But aren't you a bounty hunter who wandered the high seas?" the straw hat boy questioned his swordsmen, slightly confused. Zoro hadn't offered to set a course for them.

"Muu, surely you have some way of finding your destination," Takara agreed.

Zoro shifted uncomfortably as he turned his face towards the sky. "I have no memory of ever even calling myself a bounty hunter. I set out onto the sea in search of a certain man…but then I couldn't even get back to my village. I had no choice, so I just went after pirate outlaws to earn a living." After a few moments, Luffy and Takara nodded in understanding.

"Ah, so you're just lost," Luffy said simply, returning his attention to the water while Takara stretched, silently questioning how he expected to become the World's Greatest Swordsman if he couldn't find his way. Although, it did remind her of someone…

"DON'T PUT IT LIKE THAT!" Zoro snarled, his face turning demonic as he glared at the two of them before he frowned. "Hey, you said you used different methods to navigate. What are they?"

"Oh, Takara's got a cool thing to help us out," Luffy said, nodding to the girl. "Maybe we can use it now to help us."

With a "Muu" of agreement, the pigtailed girl began to shift through her bag before removing a spiral shell from the canvas. Zoro blinked at it in confusion. It was a pure white conch with orange marks, small holes drilled into it with a protrusion sticking up. At the flatter end of it, another shell, this one a lemon yellow and seemed almost dial like. The swordsman questioned how a piece of shell was supposed to help them find their way, but his question died down as Takara lifted it to her mouth and began to blow into it, her fingers dancing along the small holes.

An beautiful, haunting melody sprung forth almost instantly breaking the quite air and even the wind stopped as Takara blew into the instrument, her song spiraling up into the sky. Luffy grinned slightly, eyes closed as he listened closely to the song while Takara swayed slightly, spinning the dial shell as she played. To Zoro, it ended all too soon, the wind suddenly picking back up as the purplette lowered the instrument from her mouth. She pressed the part that opened up to the inside of the conch to her ear, listening with closed eyes.

After a minute, she lowered it and opened her eyes. "Muu, there's an island that way," she said, pointing straight ahead with a deadpan look, "Several miles out. Given our current speed, we should reach their by tomorrow morning or maybe this evening if we push ourselves."

Zoro's jaw dropped while Luffy cheered, Takara putting the instrument back into her bag. Deciding to clear it up with his swordsman, Luffy decided to explain to the best of his abilities. "See, Takara's ocarina doesn't just make pretty music, it can help us travel! She just needs to ask the wind for directions."

The swordsman tried to process this for a few moments. Sure he had heard that conch shells let you hear the ocean, but someone who could listen to the wind? Was this girl human after all? Suddenly, a fit of anger struck him, causing him to slam his foot into the bottom of the boat.

"IF YOU COULD HAVE DONE THAT, WHY DIDN'T YOU USE IT YESTERDAY!?"

Takara never got the chance to answer Zoro's peeved question as the sudden rocking of the boat made Luffy jerk forward, pitching his precious straw hat into the air, the wind carrying it upwards. Immediately, onyx and plum orbs zoomed in on the accessory, Zoro's eyes following their gaze with a confused look. Luffy had a panicked look on his face as he cried out, "Shanks!", the boy recalling the words of a certain man he had once met, the very man who had introduced him to Takara and had started their journey together.

"This straw hat is very important to me, it's been with me through many a fight. It's so precious that I can't even give it to you, Luffy."

The three of them ran forward to the front of the ship as the straw hat floated over the top of the mast. With anxious eyes, Luffy and Takara watched it fly towards the edge of the boat when Zoro managed to jerk forward and grasp the rim of it, catching it before it could hit the water. He turned around, finding Takara to be greatly relieved while Luffy cheered happily, taking the hat from Zoro to hold it close to his chest, eyeing it carefully.

"Yay! Zoro, you saved it! You saved my hat!" With that being said, Luffy tackled the older man into a hug, professing his eternal greatness while Takara joined in the embrace, nodding her gratitude. Zoro's eyes bulged to an almost comical degree as the purplette snuggled in, her rather modest (but still big, he added mentally) chest pressed against him. He quickly ripped away from the hug with a blush while Luffy only continued to thank him. After calming down, he couldn't help but overhear more of Luffy's ranting.

"No one but Takara has ever tried to get my hat back before! You're the greatest!"

Mentally, Zoro couldn't help but question why his new captain and crewmate had jumped him so exuberantly over a simple straw hat, much less call him the greatest of anything. Still, it was nice to hear the plain gratitude and relief in Luffy's voice and see Takara nod in agreement, so the green haired man did nothing to stop them, finding it nice to hear such words of praise.

"Thank you again Zoro, really. This hat means the world to mean," the boy explained, carefully setting the object back where it belonged while Takara "Muu"-ed in agreement once more.

"You're welcome, Captain," the swordsman said with a smile back at them. Luffy grinned back and they all settled back in their spots from before, (although Takara merely sat on the mast rather than hung), lapsing into silence before Zoro decided he needed to get some fact straight. It was plain to see that the hat was very important to Luffy, reminding the older male of his three swords, (one in particular), that he prized beyond wealth. There had to be a story behind it.

"Hey Luffy?"

"Nani?" the boy questioned, turning his playful onyx orbs to Zoro and tilted his head in a curious manner.

"You said that you promised someone you'd become King of the Pirates, right? Does that hat have anything to do with that promise?"

Luffy chuckled, pulling the hat over his eyes with a wide smile. "Yeah, it has everything to do with it!" he said, recalling that day ten years ago as Takara leaned her head back, positioning Arashi over her lips as she fell into the echoes of their shared past as well.

~~風~~

Ten years ago…The breeze was gentle and the skies were dotted with white clouds as the wind swept over the peaceful town of Fuusha Village, a town on the small island of Dawn Island, a part of the Goa Kingdom and located near the Red Line in East Blue, a calm ocean where nothing ever seemed to occur. The windmills turned in the calm air as cows munched on grass in the pastures

In Party's Bar, a slightly rowdy, but still polite group of pirates were having a celebration of epic proportions. While the reasons for such a bash were unclear to everyone, even the pirates, they still laughed and chatted merrily, eating delicious food and gulping down sake until their stomachs bulged. Every one of them were doing so, save for three figures at the bar chatting to one another.

The eldest of the group looked to be in his mid to late twenties, tall and strong, dressed in casual clothes fit for traveling across the ocean. His most distinct and striking features were his bright red hair and the trio of scars running across his unharmed left eye. He was grinning happily, his chin decorated with a short scruffy beard, the unforgettable straw hat sitting on his head.

To his right sat none other than the seven year old versions of both Luffy and Takara. Luffy was looking at the older man in awe, his face slightly chubby with remaining baby fat and free of the scar that he would later have, wearing a pair of blue shorts and a white shirt with the words "Anchor" written in blue with the aforementioned item outlined in red. Takara's distinct hair wasn't as long as it would be in the future and her iconic bells had yet to make an appearance, but it still fell halfway down her back in a pair of braided pigtails that had been done for her. She wore an amethyst shirt and white skirt hemmed in purple, a tessen sitting on her lap as her purple eyes watched the redhead with interest, despite the bored look on her face.

"You have to take me on your next voyage, Shanks," Luffy begged pleadingly as he watched his idol chuckle slightly. "You already took Takara with you once!" He said, pointing at the purplette who nodded with blank eyes. "I wanna be a pirate too!"

"Aw, leave Kara out of this," Shanks laughed, rubbing Luffy's short black hair. "Her master saddled her onto us and told me to take her somewhere safe. It was far from her first voyage. And as if you could ever be a Pirate, Luffy."

"Why not?" Luffy whined piteously.

Sitting at a small table nearby, Shanks' first mate, Benn Beckman, smoked a cigarette, tuning into the conversation. His long, pitch black hair was pulled in a ponytail and he smirked at the young boy's endless demand. At the next table over was the ship's sniper Yasopp, a skinny man with shoulder length blonde hair, who watched Luffy and Takara fondly, greatly reminded of someone who was just their age too. Across from him sat Lucky Roo, the roundest member of the Red Hair Pirates crew, gluttonously devouring a leg of meat with a grin, his goggled covered eyes watching the scene with interest.

"Luffy, you can't even swim, kiddo. You'll never make it out there as a pirate," Yasopp chided gently, not trying to hurt the boy's feelings. "Even Takara's not ready to set sail on her own."

"But I'm a great fighter! My punches are like pistols! And I can just stay on the ship," he said, punching the air with his fist exuberantly. The girl beside Luffy "Muu"-ed softly, watching Luffy with her lips twitching slightly.

"Are they now?" Shanks asked in a bored tone, not even watching as he ate his meal, completely ignoring the small boy who was rightfully upset.

"WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!"

"Haha, it means you're too much of a kid, kiddo," Lucky Roo said with a laugh, his boisterous noise stirring up even more from those listening in.

"Serious Luffy, you and Takara are as old as my own boy," Yasopp chuckled.

"I am NOT a kid!" the boy snarled angrily while Takara glanced up in slight surprise, her head rising from her arms against the bar. "I am a grownup!"

"Now, now. No need to be so upset," Shanks said chuckling in amusement as he set two glasses of juice next to the kids. "Have some juice and calm down." It was apple for Luffy and pineapple for Takara, their favorites, and promptly, Luffy's kitten like anger melted away as he grabbed the glass.

"Wow, thanks Shanks!" he said, gulping down the juice while Takara sipped hers as well, the boy humming happily as he set the empty glass down. Suddenly, the entire crew exploded into laughter, surprising Luffy while the purple eyed girl said nothing, still drinking.

"I've never met a pirate who drinks juice," the redhead hollered, slapping the bar with a hand, making the crew holler even louder now.

"Hey, you tricked me!" Luffy cried amongst the laughter. "Stop laughing! That was a cheap shot!" The barmaid and owner of Party's Bar, Makino, couldn't help but smile fondly with twinkling brown eyes at the two children under her wing as the girl leaned forward, trying to comfort her friend. She wore a yellow kerchief over her dark green hair that fell down just to her shoulders and was dressed in an orange blouse with black sleeves and a long light blue skirt.

"Muu," Takara said, amusement in her eyes. "Shanks pulled the same thing on me too, Luffy."

Laughter subsiding now, Shanks turned serious, looking at Luffy carefully. "Look Luffy, we do call you 'anchor' for a reason, you'd probably drown in a kiddy pool and you would have if Kara hadn't been there the other day," Shanks laughed as Luffy blushed slightly, grumbling under his breath. It wasn't a lie, sadly. Luffy had indeed nearly drowned in the small pool and might not have been there today if Takara hadn't grabbed onto the back of his shirt and dragged him back up.

"Now Shanks, it wouldn't hurt if he came on a single voyage," one of the younger members of the crew said, making Luffy perk up happily. Several others voiced in their agreements as Lucky Roo nodded.

"It wouldn't hurt," the big man added. "Takara could come along too for a bit again." Said girl perked up like a rabbit, making several pirates picture her with a pair of white ears like said rodent, swiveled up cutely.

"Hmm…" Shanks muttered, adopting a thinking pose as he leaned in his chair. "Okay then. Luffy and Takara can go if two of you stay behind, one for each," the redhead decided, leaning back in his chair, looking expectantly at his crew, who were silent.

"…Well, nice knowing you, Luffy, Takara!" Lucky Roo shouted, returning to the partying along with the others, making the poor grumble at the unfairness of life, Takara slumping down next to him. Deciding to cheer the boy up, Makino stepped forward, smiling at her young charges.

"Luffy, Takara? Would you two like something to eat?"

"Yeah!" the boy cheered, perking right up, already dismissing his anger at Shanks. "I'll pay you back with my treasure!" he cheered to the older girl while Takara nodded earnestly, both their stomachs rumbling. They were never ones to pass up a meal offered by Makino, who never had the heart to tell them that Luffy's grandfather took care of the children's expenses, letting them believe that the would pay her back with their treasure once they made it big.

"What treasure, Luffy? You're lying," Shanks teased, poking the boy's face while Takara sighed slightly, watching her friend explode once more. Honestly…her Niisama wasn't like Shanks, why couldn't he be her mentor, she wondered idly as two plates were set before her and Luffy. The boy was very lucky to have someone like Shanks in his life, she decided, rather than her gruff, stern master.

"NO I'M NOT!"

Although I could do without all the teasing, the pigtailed girl admitted.

"You seem to be having fun captain," Makino giggled as she ruffled the two children's hair affectionately, Takara's eyes closing in pleasure.

"Of course," the older man laughed, also rubbing the boy's hair in a playful way. "Teasing Luffy's my joy!"

"Told you!" Luffy snarled at Benn, who sighed with a shake of the head. The first mate had been continuously telling the boy that Shanks didn't tease him to be mean, but to rather make him think seriously.

Although right now, Benn couldn't help but think as he muffled a chuckle over Shanks' antics around the kids, Luffy just might be right.

"Luffy, you know Shanks just wants what's best for everyone," the black haired man said, leaning towards Luffy, who turned to glance at him. "He has the responsibility of the whole crew on his shoulder and being a pirate isn't all fun and games. There's a lot more to it than treasure and adventure, you know, and the Captain knows all about the dangers you'll face out on the sea; death can come at you in a thousand ways, right Takara?" Benn asked the purplette, who nodded her acquittal as she ate her plate of sliced pineapples.

Luffy huffed angrily, turning away and chewing on his meat, unable to believe that his best friend was siding with Benn! The first-mate sighed and puffed on his cigarette again, seeing the hardheaded stubbornness of the boy.

"Nee, Shanks?" Luffy suddenly asked in a serious voice, making the red haired captain turn to look at him. "How much longer are you gonna stay?"

He blinked in surprise as Takara nodded, something akin to anxiousness crossing the girl's face. No doubt Benn's words had struck a chord in the kids' hearts. Shanks drowned a bite of food with a swig of alcohol before answering. "Well, we've been using this island as a base for about a year now. We'll come back before we head further north," he promised.

"A few more times, huh?" Luffy muttered, shoulder slumping a bit before he sat straight up, his eyes flashing with determination. "I'll learn to swim by then!" He turned to Takara, grabbing one of her hands to catch her attention, his eyes shining like polished stones. "You'll help me right?"

"Muu!" Takara agreed, nodding with a slightly dazed look when Luffy grabbed her shoulders, tugging the girl into a hug.

"Great! I'll be a pro by the time you leave then!"

"Good luck," Shanks encouraged, grinning down at the two kids that he never got tired of seeing again. Honestly, he could see why his friend insisted on not allowing Takara to join his crew, she had a much better future with Luffy coming, he could tell. Although it could just be his overprotective side, it was if his friend was the girl's father rather than an instructor, he thought with a laugh before he returned to his food.

The merry atmosphere was shattered when the swinging doors were kicked open, one of them snapping off its hinges and crashing onto the floor, silencing everyone. They all turned to watch a tall man followed up a large troop of mean, grungy looking men stepped into the bar. Immediately, Luffy and Takara recognized the man in the lead as the leader of a group of mountain bandits, having seen his wanted poster numerous times. It was Higuma, a dark skinned man with a black goatee to match his hair, an "X" shaped scar above his right eye. Underneath his long purple coat, he wore a white shirt and black trousers, a golden necklace peeking out from behind his collar. Everyone sat completely still, tense as they prepared for trouble.

Well…Almost everyone, as Shanks simply continued to eat his meal.

"Excuse us," Higuma said in an uncaring tone that meant he wasn't sorry at all as he passed by Shanks' crew, stepping on the pieces of the ruined door as he did so. He noticed the pirates around him, smirking with disdain as he glared around.

"So these are the pirates I've heard so much about," he chuckled, the light not entering his cold, uncaring eyes. "They look rather sad to me." He shoved his way next to Shanks, almost upsetting the man's balance, and slammed a hand on the counter. Makino quickly walked over to him, not wanting anymore trouble to come in her bar.

"Welcome," she said tensely. "What can I get for you, gentlemen?" Despite her polite tone, it was obvious that she did not want any unnecessary violence in her bar. Luffy watched worriedly while Takara's grip on her tessen tightened. If she were in her home waters, the man would probably have his throat slit by now.

"We're Mountain Bandits, but we didn't come here to tear the place apart. We just want some sake. Ten barrels should do it," Higuma expressed as his men, all clad in grey clothes with bandanas wrapped round their heads, chuckled evilly. Shanks' crew didn't shake in the slightest over the thinly veiled threat.

"I'm sorry, but I just ran out of sake," Makino said, trying to keep the mood pleasant, despite the shaking in her hands.

"That's funny, looks like those pirates are drinking? What is it, fruit juice?" he questioned with a vicious sneer, making Luffy and Takara's eyes narrow, sliding their now empty glasses away.

"No, that just happens to be the last of what I had stocked up. I'll have some more next week though," Makino said, bowing in apology, but it didn't have much effect, judging by the darkening expression on Higuma's face. Shanks, sensing the tension, held up a bottle of sake that he had been about to open.

"My apologies. Looks like me and my crew drank this whole place dry. Sorry, but you can have this, if you'd like. It hasn't been opened yet," he said with a smile.

While some would have just accepted the bottle as an apology and been on their way, Higuma was only pissed off at what the man had said, leading him to shattered the bottle with a single punch, spraying sake all over Shanks. Makino and Luffy gasped in surprised over the sudden attack and even Takara wasn't emotionless as her eyes widened and mouth opened. Despite the years lived in such a harsh environment, she had spent about a year in Fuusha Village and the rowdiest things that happened were when the local drunk stumbled around or when Luffy's grandfather came to town (something even a person from the Grand Line couldn't get used to). Still, she could only assume Shanks' reaction would have a huge impact, he had been the one to travel the Grand Line to bring her to the village. Shanks' crew, who Luffy and Takara had thought would have burst into action upon seeing the act…simply sat there, unfazed at what they had seen.

"Who do you think I am?!" Higuma spat angrily. "One bottle is not enough even for a bedtime drink. I'm a wanted man with eight million Beris on my head and I've killed 56 people, all of them fools just like you. Don't insult me."

Shanks sat there, utterly silent as his face was hidden by his straw hat, dripping alcohol down from the material. He almost looked ready to explode, but he simply lifted his head to look down at the floor, slightly upset.

"What a waste, now the floor's all wet," the redhead muttered as he picked up some shards of glass, stunning Luffy and Takara, the boy's eyes widening while the girl's pigtails comically became frizzled, idiots curls on both of them. "Sorry about this Makino. Do you have a rag?" he inquired, beginning to gather up the other shards.

"Oh, don't worry about it," Makino stuttered, holding a cloth as she began to run around to the front of the bar. "I'll take care of it," she promised. Before she could get close to Shanks however, Higuma unsheathed his sword, slashing at the bar. Takara quickly tackled Luffy to the side as their plates were upset, spilling food onto the floor as a large slash mark developed where the two had only been resting on moments ago. Bottles and empty cups were shattered, sending shards and fragments of glass and ceramics everywhere, forcing Shanks onto his butt back on the floor and leaning on the bar frame, sitting amongst the filth and broken glasses.

"Since you like to clean so much, here's some more work for you," the black haired man spat with a smug look, turning his attention back to Makino, who trembled slightly under his gaze. "Geez, a place with no sake is hardly worth our time. Let's go boys, see ya later pansies."

With that being said, the other mountain bandits broke out into rancorous laughter, so different from the merry shouts that were unleashed not even five minutes ago, before they followed after their leader, leaving the bar. Everything inside was silent as a tomb as Luffy, regaining his bearings, ground his teeth together in anger. How dare that man just ridicule Shanks like that? But that wasn't the only reason the boy was upset; not a single member of the crew nor Shanks himself had tried to stop Higuma, not even a good punch to the face. Takara was thinking similar thoughts, eyes narrowed into mere glints of amethyst. Niisama would have had that man's gut decorating the bar in a matter of seconds.

"Captain, are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?!" Makino questioned with worry, bending down over Shanks and wiping away the sake still running down his face. The man simply turned his face up with a smile.

"Oh, it's no problem, Makino. I'm perfectly fine," Shanks replied, bursting out into wholehearted laughter, as though having food and alcohol being spilled on him was nothing more than a personal joke. As if it were a signal, the entire crew joined in the amusement, several raising their tankards up into the air, stunning Luffy and Takara, the purplette developing another idiot curl. At her home, such slander would have been unacceptable!

"He got you really good, boss," Yasopp sniggered, a hand running through his hair while Lucky Roo hooted and hollered next to him, hands on his wide stomach that his green and white shirt couldn't cover.

"Talk about lame!" he chortled, egging the rest of the gang into making jokes at their captain's expense. The pitch and level of noise was so loud that even villagers at the edge of town could hear it, wondering what was so amusing. Unable to take it any longer, Luffy clambered back onto a stool and slammed his fists into the wood, demanding attention.

"WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING?! WHAT'S SO FUNNY? WHY DIDN'T YOU FIGHT THEM?! NO MATTER HOW MANY OF THEM THERE ARE, OR HOW STRONG THEY SEEM, YOU SHOULD FIGHT, NOT JUST LAUGH IT OFF. YOU AREN'T MEN OR PIRATES!" he screamed in utter anger and frustration, making the entire room dissolve into silence as Takara climbed up onto a chair next to him as well. While she didn't say anything, it was obvious from her glare and the aura of disappointment and rage that she had the same thoughts as Luffy. Everyone was stunned by their blatant wrath, but Shanks, blinking at them, understood at once.

Luffy wasn't mad at him for not standing up at himself, but at Higuma for looking down on the Red Hair Pirates, deeming them weak without a cursory glance. He knew all too well what it was like to be ridiculed and thought of as weak, as did the girl next to him. In addition, Takara, who had been born in such a dangerous place and had a rocky, if not traumatic childhood, always believed that a fight was easier done with one's fists instead of words, something her master had encouraged. It was her only way of protection, for her mind, her body, and her heart.

"Ah, Luffy, Takara," Shanks sighed softly, looking at them with soft eyes. "I know how you both feel, but the guy only spilled some booze on me. He's not wasting any time on." Looking into his eyes, Luffy and Takara knew, deep down, that the older man was right, but their childish thoughts wouldn't allow them to admit defeat.

"You're supposed to be a pirate!" Luffy shouted, completely disregarding Shanks' statement as he furiously pounded his fists onto the bar. Takara blinked slowly, a little miffed as well.

"Muu, Niisama would have killed that man for less," she expressed. "You could have at least broke his legs."

"Yeah!" Luffy agreed, nodding furiously.

"Muu, or his kneecaps."

"Definitely could have broken them!"

"Muu, spilled his guts on the floors."

"Yeah!"

"Muu, go for the groin."

"Yea-huh?" Luffy questioned, turning to face the blank faced girl beside him in shock and confusion, as did several other pirates, a bit more uneasy. Takara was on a roll however.

"Muu! You should have cut his balls off, make him a lesser man than he already is!"

At this, Luffy looked at his best friend with horrified eyes as she crossed her arms, a steely glint in mauve orbs. The other pirates gulped slightly and shifted about in their seats, some subtly shielding their manhood, knowing that the girl wasn't just talking big. Benn coughed, gaining the girl's attention.

"Takara, there's something you don't understand that you should know. No man should ever do violence to another man's…manhood," he said, looking slightly embarrassed to have to inform a young girl this sort of thing. Every other man agreed solemnly, nodding their heads, their laughter silenced at the thought of the hypothetical violence to another man's groin, as well as their own. Takara, meanwhile, wasn't moved, given her noncommittal noise.

Shanks cleared his throat before continuing, "Anyways, a little bit of sake isn't enough to kill a man over."

"Muu, whoever said anything about killing?" the purplette muttered under her breath, looking put out as she glared out the window. "Just wanted to get a kick in his nether region…"

"Better you just shoot him where he stands," Yasopp commented as Lucky Roo nodded next to him.

Slowly recovering from his horror, Luffy turned his head away while the other pirates began to convince Takara to put the tessen down and not hunt Higuma down, but his anger at Shanks' supposed cowardice was returning, as well as his hunger. He blinked when he spotted a small treasure chest, sitting harmlessly next to him, the top open to reveal a fruit.

It was round, like a melon, but that was where all the similarities ended. It was colored violet, reminding the boy of a light shade of Takara's hair. Swirl marks decorated the entire fruit, giving it a unique texture, its stem sprouting up before forming a curly 'T' shape, one end curling in on itself. It looked cool, so it was probably tasty.

Without a second thought, Luffy picked it up.

Meanwhile, Shanks was steadying his precious hat, giving Minako a thankful look, glancing over to see Takara, thankfully, tucking away her tessen as Yasopp patted her shoulder. It was good to see the girl being a little less violent, he couldn't help but think as he turned over to Luffy upon hearing a crunching sound. The young boy was eagerly eating something, despite the look of distaste as though whatever it was so rancid it was only his anger that made him continue, no doubt trying to calm himself down and to distract him from the disturbing aura that leaked out of Takara, hinting that her bloodlust still remained.

"Eating out of frustration Luffy?" he asked, glad to see the boy was feeling a little better, but not by much, given his mutter of "Shut up!" Shanks only smiled before he sat up straighter, seeing a flash of purple that was not Takara's distinct hair that made him pale, a look of horror spreading across his face.

"Wait, what're you eating?!" he shouted, causing Luffy to swallow the mouthful of the mysterious fruit, the boy looking at Shanks in confusion. The redhead looked livid with not anger, but utter fear. "That box! Did you eat what was in that box?"

Takara turned her head, spotting the remnants of the fruit Luffy had bitten into, her purple eyes widening in shock. Luffy gave a stuttered answer of, "Y-Yeah," before he was roughly grabbed by Shanks. The straw hat man lifted Luffy by the boy's ankles and began to shake him up and down, trying to make him vomit. Takara stood by Shanks', repeatedly ramming her foot into Luffy's gut to gain the same reaction. All the while, Shanks was screaming at the boy, silently pleading to not have ruined another person's life, recalling a man with who he sailed the Grand Line with, who now damned his name since he had accidentally swallowed the forbidden fruit.

"Spit it out! Right now! Every last bite!"

"Muu! Luffy!"

"W-What are you doing, Shanks? Takara?" the boy shouted, a little dizzy from the shaking and feeling the girl's blows. Strangely, they didn't seem to be as strong as they had been in the past. The crew was horrified, all worried that something tragic was about to happen while Makino's hands were at her mouth. Was the fruit poisonous?

All previous thoughts flew out the window as Luffy's leg stretched, causing the boy to ram him head into the ground, a rubbery 'throwng' could be heard as his face met the wooden floor. Numerous spit takes could be heard as pirates spat out their sake, sometimes into one another's faces. Everyone was still, all with varying faces of stunned horror, all eyes on the fact that Shanks still held onto Luffy's ankles while the boy's legs had stretched out like they were made of taffy. No noise was made as his body slowly returned to its previous state, revealing Luffy's utterly confused face, a red mark on it from where he had been slammed into the ground. Even with his world flipped upside down, Luffy could see Takara's face drawn into horror and worry, her tiny hands curled into fists at her side.

After a few moments of silence, Luffy decided to ask the question that was on just about everyone's minds. "What…was that?"

Shanks jerked Luffy into the air, so that their faces were mere inches apart, allowing him to glare into Luffy's scared eyes. "THAT WAS THE GUMO-GUMO FRUIT! IT'S A DEVIL FRUIT FROM THE GRAND LINE! IT CAUSES YOUR BODY TO TURN TO RUBBER! BUT IT MAKES YOU LOSE THE ABILITY TO SWIM FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!"

Makino's eyes were horrified; mere minutes ago Luffy was boasting of how he would be able to swim alongside Takara in a few weeks. What would that do to his dream of becoming a pirate? She was also confused as to what a Devil Fruit was, having never heard of the term before. Takara watched her friend with sad eyes, nodding with a "Muu" of mourning when Luffy sent a begging glance at her. She had seen firsthand the damage the Akuma no Mi had wreaked on the lives of people, both innocent (and not so sometimes) and its users, a familiar face coming to mind.

His fate confirmed by his best friend, Luffy let his jaw drop, where it fell all the way to the floor. Shanks released his hold as they prepared to start another shouting match.

"NO WAY!"

"YOU DUMBASS!"

"Muuuu…" Takara moaned miserably, now glaring at Shanks. "You're the dumbass if you thought it was a good idea to leave a Devil Fruit, in an unlocked chest, on a table in the open with no one watching it."

Only silence and a lone cricket could be heard for several moments before Yasopp coughed, all the pirates in the room embarrassed that a seven-year-old had to have pointed something so obvious out to them.

"It…Yeah…That's a good point…"

Takara sighed, her head bowing down at the stupidity of it all as a hand rubbed her forehead, a migraine settling in. "Muu, I fear for your son, Yasopp. All of you, don't bother breeding."

"Hey now!"

"Muu, you'd being doing the world a favor."

"W-What the hell, Kara?"

"You're joking!"

The crew shouted, horrified at what she was suggesting. One deadpanned look from Takara said everything, however, making the crew pale as she lifted an opened Tenpesuto up into the air, an aura of killer intent leaking from her body before she leaped forward. While Shanks' most trusted crewmates, intent on protecting their fellow crewmembers, jumped forward, dragging the pigtailed girl into a ball of dust amidst 'manly' screams, Luffy could only sink lower into a depression of losing the chance to ever swim before he sat up with a grin, the thought of the century upon him.

"Even if I can't swim," he said, causing the dust cloud to comically evaporate, showing Takara's foot painfully digging into Lucky Roo's chest, a fist yanking on Benn's ponytail, and Yasopp deflecting a tessen aimed at his lower regions with the butt of his gun with a shaking hand. They all focused their attention onto Luffy, waiting to hear what he had to say, all three men silently begging that whatever Luffy said would stop the girl with sharp objects. "I'll become a pirate who never falls overboard!" he cheered, laughing hysterically.

Most sweat dropped at the idea, but Takara "Muu"ed before going over to Luffy's side, causing Benn to fall down and Lucky Roo to groan in relief. "Muu, then I better stay by your side to make sure you don't fall in," she promised seriously, making Luffy grin and yanked the girl into a hug. Meanwhile, the trio of relieved pirates was nursing their "battle scars" and wounded egos of having their asses handed to them by someone not even ten.

Sometimes Shanks thought his friend had taught the girl too well before he sighed.

~~風~~

It had been a few weeks since the infamous Devil Fruit and near castration incidents, as Shanks and his crew called it. Luffy had taken it all in stride, simply grinning cheerfully as he practiced stretching his body, already dreaming up attacks he could use once he became a real pirate. Takara was his constant companion, almost fixed to his side after the incident at the beach when Luffy fell into the surf. Why he had been there was beyond everyone, but Takara had managed to fish him out when his body locked, a panic building into his heart before he was yanked out of the water. Still, Luffy's condition only helped to strengthen their ties even more.

As it was, the people of the village were concerned, but were relieved to see that Luffy's personality hadn't changed one bit. He was still the same bund of uncontrollable energy, the only difference being he was now a rubber ball of trouble, approaching life with his usual cheerfulness. There were no hard feelings; after all, it was an accident, although some members of the Red Hair Pirates shivered whenever they recalled the beating the purple haired girl initiated following the incident. In the month since Luffy gained a rubber body, Shanks and his crew had only returned once and a feeling of boredom and peace blanketed Fuusha Village.

If only everyone knew it was about to be shattered.

~~風~~

The inside of Party's bar was in complete and utter ruins. Tables lay on their sides with smashed chairs littering the ground, shards of broken bottles lay like a carpet of glass underfoot, smears of food and puddles of sake splattered against the floor underneath the shards. There were some slash marks, carved into solid wood, a small tessen wedged in a beam, stuck no matter how much one tugged at it. Makino wasn't in her ruined restaurant, but was instead running furiously up the road, her red sneakers smacking against the dirt road, orange skirt billowing out behind her.

Bursting through the door into a certain house, Makino managed to find the person she had been desperately looking for, the mayor of Fuusha Village, who looked at her in concerned confusion, a cup of tea in hand. Taking in her flustered appearance and heaving chest, he quickly assumed something was amiss, setting the cup away. "Makino, what's the matter?"

"Please!" She begged, grabbing onto the mayor's hand, turning wide and terrified eyes up at him. "Luffy and Takara are in trouble with the bandits!"

~~風~~

The current incident had been caused less than half an hour ago, back when Party's Bar was still pristine and clean. Makino was carefully wiping down the counter of the bar with a smile, her two favorite customers perched on their special chairs in their customary spots. Luffy swirled his straw in his glass of juice, watching the ice swirl and clink, Takara's hands cupping her own cup gently, staring at the yellow liquid contents like they held the answer of life.

Seeing the children's slightly mournful looks, Makino decided to talk, figuring out in one go why they were both so silent. "Shanks and the other have been gone for a while now," she remarked, smiling at them both. "Are you both lonely, Luffy, Takara?"

"No!" Luffy shouted, turning his head away while Takara "Muu"ed, ducking her head. Makino gave a wan smile; the lie was so obvious it was practically tangible. Luffy was a terrible liar and Takara was always so direct that she hardly ever bothered. "I'm still mad at Shanks for letting that guy badmouth him," Luffy spat, the purplette next to him nodding her acquittal.

"Really now?" Makino laughed, seeing their miserableness of being left alone by Luffy's idol. "I thought it was rather brave of him to laugh it off after getting picked on. Fighting back may take courage, but more is used when one completely disregards the enemy." This made Takara perk up, interest plain in her gaze. This was news to her, perhaps this was another moral lesson the barmaid told her whenever she had the chance.

"You don't understand Makino!" Luffy shouted, waving his arms in the air, reminding Takara that a war was won by fists and weapons rather than words. The boy was about to launch into a rant before he was rudely interrupted.

The newly repaired swinging doors opened, making the trio at the counter turn around curious. Luffy and Takara's eyes went wide at the sight of the mountain bandits entered, Higuma leading the way with that cocky smirk of his.

"Well, looks like those pirates aren't here today. Certainly makes the place smell better," he remarked with a twisted chuckle, throwing himself into an empty seat. He sent Makino a dark look as he snapped, "We're customers, bring us some sake!"

Makino flinched slightly but shouldered her courage, taking her serving tray up from under the bar before filling it with tankards of sake. She moved with smooth, even steps, as though they were her normal customers of merchants, fishermen, or even Shanks' lively crew, rather than ruthless cutthroats.

"Luffy, Takara, please stay in your seats," she whispered as she went to serve her 'customers'. The boy's eyes narrowed and the purple eyed girl's grip on her glass tightened, both of them glaring at Higuma.

For a while, the men seemed to behave as Makino handed out the tankards, although the catcalls from some of the men towards the attractive barmaid were disturbing, making her ears redden, if only slightly. The children's glares deepened at that, the men ignoring them as they chugged their alcohol down, Higuma laughing with the rest of them. Makino sighed in relief after finishing her rounds. So far, so good and they'd leav-

"You see the looks on those pirates' faces?" Higuma laughed at that moment, making Makino flinch as the children tensed up. His men began to echo his thoughts, taunting the pirates as Luffy and Takara stewed in rising anger.

"Yeah, he got covered in booze but didn't say anything!"

"Talk about pathetic!"

Higuma peals of laughter were the loudest of them all, throwing his head back. "Pirates are just a bunch of wimpy cowards. They're nothing but big talk."

At that moment, Makino knew there was no stopping Luffy as his body shook at the insult to not only Shanks and his crew, but also his dream.

"OI! YOU BASTARD!"

No, Luffy! Makino thought desperately, turning her gaze towards the onyx eyed boy who stood up on his stool before hopping down, Takara following him like a sheep. The mountain bandits faced the two children as well, the pair ignoring the thugs to focus their hated glares at Higuma, who sneered down at the brats in contempt.

"What did you say, brat?"

Makino stepped forward, trying her best to mediate the situation. "I-I'm sorry, they're just children. They don't understand-"

"Damn straight I do!" Luffy said, stepping forward with a determined glare, Takara's blank face betraying nothing, her eyes more than enough to convey her anger.

No, no, no, please, be quite! Makino begged.

Higuma laughed at Luffy. "Go back to your mamas kiddies."

Takara's head jerked slightly at the remark, a slight growl in her throat now as Luffy's eyes narrowed even more. He knew that Takara didn't have a mother anymore, just like him, and that it hurt to be reminded, yet another reason to hate the stupid bear. "You take back what you said!" he shouted at the big man. "You apologize to Shanks right now!"

"Luffy, remember what Shanks said-"

"I don't care. I'll kick your asses, all of them right now!" the boy screamed, holding his fists aloft. Takara took up a position, on hand itching towards her concealed tessen.

Upon hearing the threat, Higuma and his men burst into renewed laughter, sounding hysterical at what they considered an empty threat. Makino relaxed herself and made to nudge the two kids away when Luffy shouted out something that put the entire bar into silence.

"You're just some stinky, no good bandit! You're lucky Shanks didn't even think you were worth the trouble to beat up, you stupid, ugly bear!"

"Muu, you're cannon fodder where I come from!" Takara echoed.

Makino stared in horror as the bandit leader stood up to slowly stalk towards the unflinching pair, looming over them with a dark shadow. The barmaid whimpered, her hands clutching tightly at her apron now.

"Care to repeat that, brats," he hissed dangerously.

Luffy stuck his tongue out while Takara pulled her eyelid down, both of them making faces. "You won't fight me 'cause you're too scared! Kara told me only a coward hits a man when he's down! Who's afraid of a bunch of stupid mountain monkeys anyways?" he taunted while the purplette nodded.

With a growl, Higuma snatched both of them up by the fronts of their shirts. "I think it's about time someone taught you two some manners."

"Go to he-" Luffy was backhanded across the face by the enraged bandit with so much force that his neck stretched to the side a few feet before snapping back into place. Several of Higuma's crew gasped in surprise while the man's eyes narrowed.

"W-What was that?"

Higuma smirked nastily as he flung the blank faced Takara aside, making Makino screech, his attention focused on Luffy. "Looks like this'll be pretty fun."

"Please," Makino begged, rushing forward and trying to yank the black haired boy from the man's hold, not wanting to see either Luffy or Takara harmed by these men, knowing it could only end terribly. "They're only children-"

Luffy's eyes narrowed at the smack that filled the air, the kindhearted barmaid falling onto the ground with a red mark on her face as Higuma leered down at her, the bandana loose and falling to the ground. Takara focused her enrage eyes on him, her body shivering as she stood up, reminded of a girl with warm amber eyes and a ponytail being shoved aside by an even more despicable person, the image forcing her to her feet.

"Step aside, woman," he spat at Makino. "We'll deal with you soon enough."

"Muu, don't touch her," Takara snarled lowly, her eyes hidden by her bangs as she stepped forward, trying to shield the older woman with her body.

"Or what, little girl?" Higuma asked in a mocking way. Takara said nothing as she lifted her head up to meet his scorning glare, her amethyst orbs devoid of emotion, although the jaunty air around her reveal her slight amusement. She showed no fear and she knew it, a fact that the bandits also were aware of, just like the boy.

She jerked forward, slashing violently with her tessen at Higuma, whose coat took the brunt of her attack, shredding a bit. With a growl, he caught the little girl's hand jerking her to a stop as he ripped the weapon away from her, chucking it aside. He lashed out, nailing a kick into Takara's abdomen, making her gasp.

With a glare at the prone body, Higuma carried Luffy out of the restaurant, the other bandits following suit. Quickly, Makino staggered to her feet to reach Takara's side. The girl lifted her head, what looked like a slight grimace on her lips while the barmaid swept loose purple hair aside.

"Don't worry, I'll go get the Mayor. Please, wait here," Makino begged pleadingly, unaware of the crossed fingers behind the girl's back as she nodded. Quickly, she ran out the back way, determined to go get help from the mayor. Takara's purple gaze landed on her lodged tessen before they slid to an empty bottle, unscathed by the scuffle from before.

Outside, Luffy was thrown against the wall of the bar before he landed roughly on the ground, surrounded by the bandits who began to take turns stomping on his body.

"We were all just drinking and having a good time. What's the idea boy?"

"Damnit! Apologize! You hurt Makino and Takara and said bad things about Shanks! Take it all back!" the boy snarled.

"Did I say something to offend you?"

"You did! You offend a friend you offend me! Now apologize!"

Luckily for the boy, his rubber body prevented him from serious harm, simply absorbing or bouncing the attacks back with a slight recoil. Still, it was only a matter of time before the bandits grew bored with mere kicks and punches and they would turn towards their cutlasses and swords. Higuma bayed like a donkey, amused by the situation when, in a blur of purple and dark navy, a loud shattering filled the air and the man staggered slightly. Shards of glass littered the ground and the man snarled at the pain that followed, Higuma and the other bandits turning around to see the cause of the blow.

Luffy's eyes widened as he openly gaped as tiny Takara stood there, her eyes blank and face a calm façade, the neck of a broken bottle in her grasp. Seeing the confused look from the boy, she shrugged, as if it were that simple to relay her actions. "Muu, I couldn't get my tessen from the wall. Better move, Luffy."

"You…little…BITCH!" Higuma snapped turning his head around to glare at the girl, giving Luffy the opportunity to fight back. Taking a certain pigtailed girl's advice to heart, he took a deep breath and clenched his fist, preparing himself for doing the worst thing a man could ever do.

"GUMO GUMO PISTOL!" He shouted, swinging his tightened fist upwards, using the propulsion from his new rubbery body to send his fist directly into Higuma's crotch. The man crumpled like paper, groaning as he clutched his balls in pain and agony. All the men surrounding him wince in sympathy-hell, even Takara shifted her weight slightly, one leg brushing against the other, reconsidering Shanks words now that she had seen the pain. Luffy could only laugh as he darted over to Takara, grabbing her hand and beginning to lead her away from the bandits.

"That was awesome!" he snickered as they raced down the alleys towards the center of town, hoping to find cover from the bandits or to even slip away into the pastures just outside of town. While they were both itching for a bigger fight, they knew it was the best option to perform a tactical retreat, as their enemy were taller, bigger, and probably more skilled than the two of them put together.

Unfortunately, while they had made it to their destination, their progress had been hindered. Takara gave a snarl of pain and clawed furiously behind her, a foul smelling bandit dangling her in the air by her purple pigtails while another snatched Luffy by the back of his shirt before both children were chucked forward, crashing against the wooden well. Nervously, people poked their heads out of their heads from the safety of their homes, horrified at the sight of the two young children being struck repeatedly by the bandits. Some wanted to help them, but it would be a pointless struggle; none of the villagers were strong enough to stand up against the bandits.

Luffy and Takara would need a miracle to help them now.

Takara was developing a series of bruises, some blood being spat out of her mouth, purple hair clumping in her eyes as Luffy glared hatefully up at Higuma, whose eyes were hidden by his black bangs. He was beyond pissed now: first the little bitch had hit him with a bottle before he got sucked punched in his nuts by the boy, who should have known better than to do that. He dug his foot harsher into Luffy's chest.

"Leave Takara alone," Luffy snapped. "Only a coward hits a defenseless woman!" While the purplette in question was silently snapping at the boy next to her, the onyx eyed child plowed on. "Hit me all you want, but touch a single hair on Takara's head and I'll kill you!"

The purple eyed girl blinked in surprise, glancing at Luffy out of the corner of her eye in shock, shocked that he would care so much. She didn't doubt the sincerity of his words, any Monkey D. honored their words like others honored their gods. Still, no one had every protected her like this, save for her elder siblings and Niisama.

As if being linked with her mind, Luffy managed a grin at the girl next to him, smiling despite the obvious pain he felt. "Takara's my nakama, ne?" he said, as a statement rather than a question, expressing that no say in the matter whatsoever. Takara blinked, eyes quivering slightly before her face split into a confident smile that she hadn't shown in years, giving a nod.

"Muu, then Luffy's my nakama too."

Unmoved by the astonishing sight of friendship, Higuma snapped his foot harder into Luffy's chest while he yanked on a purple pigtail, smirking at the slight wince of the girl as he did so. "You two better watch your mouths. No one who's ever made me mad has ever lived to tell the tail." With that, his hand grasped the hilt of his sword before all movement was stopped by a shout.

"Wait!" It was none other than the Mayor, an older man in a stripped hat who had always criticized Luffy's decision to become a pirate, saying it would only shame the village. Nevertheless, he still managed dotted upon Luffy and Takara whenever he had the chance, always amused at the boy's playful antics and rubbing purple locks in a fond way. Now, his face was pale and sweating, obvious worry and fear for the little children on his face. "Let the two of them go! Please! I don't know what Luffy and Takara have done nor do I intend to fight you, but I promise I'll pay whatever you ask," he begged, dropping his walking stick as he knelt onto the ground, bowing deeply. "Please, spare these two!"

"Mayor!" Luffy and Takara couldn't believe that the old man was doing so much for them; they were the ones who had gotten themselves into this mess, neither had expected someone to help.

Higuma smirked viciously, sick pleasure brought on by seeing someone bowing to him. "Leave it to the senior citizens to know how the world works. But it's too late for these brats now. After all, these two have made me struck me and made me mad," he expressed, unsheathing his sword with a confident wave.

"You're the bad guys, you rotten apes!" Luffy snapped

"As it was, I was thinking of selling the rubber brat to the circus, keep the girl around, she'd be useful in a few years or so," Higuma stated with an evil smirk, his men chuckling as Makino and the Mayor gaped at the obvious malicious intent. Takara's eyes narrowed while Luffy growled in his throat, neither one wrongly guessing what the man had wanted from the girl. "But you're both lost causes, I'll kill you and your little nakama too," he decided, lowering his sword down to the children's eye level, preparing to lop of both of their heads in one-felled swoop.

"No! Luffy, Takara!" Makino cried as the mayor tried to beg once more, the watching citizens' horrified as the cruel bandit prepared his strike.

"I was wondering why no one came to greet us at the port," a wonderfully familiar voice said from directly behind Makino and the Mayor, making many turn around to find none other than Shanks and the rest of the Red Hair Pirates standing before them. The whole crew had somehow managed to sneak up on everyone in the square. Shanks wore a black cloak, standing between the barmaid and the mayor with a confident grin on his bowed face. The other members of the crew were a little more serious looking, save for Lucky Roo who had his customary smile on his face, all looking ready for action. Never before had Luffy and Takara seen such expressions on the normally easy going, if not party friendly, crew before.

All of them had a look of grim determination, mixed with a healthy dose of anger, their wrath promising pain onto any who dared to harm the two children that had become so important to them. Luffy had known that the Red Hair Pirates were dangerous and Takara had heard tales of their viciousness in battle, but they could never seem to truly link those rumors to the bunch of fun loving fools that inspired the boy and taken care of the girl. Luffy was incredibly grateful that he was not one of their enemies and Takara nearly shivered, reminded terribly of her Niisama when he went into a rage or fell into bloodlust.

"Looks like those nasty mountain bandits from before," the straw hat captain noted, making Higuma snarl at him, the rest of the bandits shifting their weight and grasping their weapons slightly, preparing for an attack.

"So, you pirates are still here huh? Have you been scrubbing the whole village this entire time?"

Ignoring the taunt from the black haired man, Shanks turned his attention to the two captives, a teasing smile on his face. "Luffy, Takara, what's the matter? I thought your punches were like a pistol? And you Kara-chan, you're Niisama'll be so mad when he finds out simple bandits took you down."

Takara's eyes widened with fear at that remark while Luffy grinned despite the situation, ignoring the cold sweat of his best friend who was silently despairing the fact her master would work her like a dog once he found out. She could already hear his words, short and clipped: "Takara, I heard a man with a measly eight million beri bounty defeated you. Your training regime has increased gaki. En guard."

If it were not for the fact that her past had made her heart like stone, Takara would have wept anime tears, her soul silently leaking out from her parted lips as Luffy responded to his idol.

"Yeah! I managed to hit him in the junk, like Kara said!"

Shanks didn't seem to react, although the slight widening of his eyes portrayed his surprise, but the dangerous aura he leaked just like Takara's Niisama didn't decrease a single iota. It was clear to tell that the bandits would not fare well, little more than dead men walking.

Growling under his breath, but the aura of death and danger causing fear to worm its way into his heart, Higuma managed to deliver a scorn filled glare at Shanks. "I dunno why you're here, but you'd better leave before you get hurt."

Shanks said nothing to the thinly veiled threat, merely walking towards the group around the well with brisk steps, even as a bandit ran up into position and placed the barrel of a gun against Shanks' temple.

"Any closer and he'll shoot your head clear off, wimp."

"He said no closer," the bandit said. "Don't make me blow your head off, especially in front of the kids." He taunted, his fellow bandits smirking and chuckling, Luffy and Takara couldn't say a word, helplessly watching the scene play out.

Shanks only smirked, his bangs and the straw hat shielding his eyes from view before calmly sliding his gaze at the bandit.

"Put your life on the line," he ordered.

"…Huh?" The bandit asked intelligently, confused as to why the redhead wasn't trembling in his boots.

"Now that you've drawn your pistol, you've put your life on the line. Are you willing to use it?"

"What the hell are you rantin' about?" The bandit questioned, looking at Shanks like he was a madman.

"I'm simply saying that guns are not for threatening people. They're for action."

Before the bandit had a chance to answer him, Lucky Roo somehow appeared like magic, his large build not making a sound, save for the loud explosion as he pulled the trigger to his pistol, shooting the bandit in the head. He was dead before he hit the ground, Lucky Roo standing over him with that cheerful smile on his face, a leg of meat in his left hand, the other holding the pistol. He took a bite of his meat, as if nothing had ever happened.

Makino, the Mayor, Luffy, and even Takara gasped out loud at the display of quick movements and horror (although Takara had seen far worse scenes in her youth) as the bandit's blood splattered across the ground. Luffy was awestruck, amazed at how fast the green and white stripped pirate had moved, not even catching a glimpse of him, Takara wishing she was as fast. The bandits were outraged, seething at such an underhanded move (to be fair, they had to be the most underhanded of the bunch, so they shouldn't have been surprised).

"You…You're dead men!"

"These bastards fight dirty!"

"Dirty?" Yasopp questioned with disgust plain in his voice, glaring at the men who dared harm innocent children, his hands itching for his gun. "Who do you idiots think we are?"

"Cut the crap," Benn ordered with a scowl, grasping his own rifle. "What, you landlubbers think we're a bunch of saints or something?"

"You folks are dealing with pirates," Shanks agreed casually, as if commenting on the weather, stepping away from the bleeding body to prevent the red liquid getting on his sandals. "We hardly play by the rules."

"S-Shut up!" One bandit snapped. "You got nothin' to do with this in the first place!"

Shanks glared at the man, who instantly pissed himself, Takara reminded greatly of her Niisama even more now; she could see why he and the redhead were such great companions. "That's where you're wrong. Listen up, bandits. You can spray and splatter alcohol or food on me; hell even if I'm spat on, I'll laugh it off and forget about it…But! I won't forgive a single soul who dares harms a single one of my friends, no matter what the reason! That's where I draw the line!" Shanks snapped, his face darker than anyone had ever seen before.

Luffy felt like crying and Takara swallowed, both of them stunned by such a proclamation. Here was Shanks and the rest of the crew risking their lives for them, something most would never consider doing, thinking that a pair of brats had it coming to them. They couldn't believe that Shanks even counted them as his friends.

His fear growing even more, Higuma tried to laugh it off, sounding hysterical and sharp, but still displaying confidence. "HAHAHA, won't forgive me?! Lousy pirates! KILL THEM ALL!" He order to his subordinates. Without any further prompting, although they were shaking though it would be worse if their boss punished them, the bandits charged forward, screaming as they held their katanas at the ready. Benn stepped forward next to Shanks as they drew closer, giving his captain a look as he hefted the rifle slightly.

"Let me deal with them. Should be easy enough," he remarked dryly. As if to echo his thoughts, Benn swung into action, charging forward and lashing out at the bandits, his rifle used as a club. The sounds of pained yells and heavy blows filled the area as the first mate moved with such speed that Lucky Roo was put to shame. In a matter of moments, the entire group of bandits had been reduced to a pile of broken and beaten bodies, groaning at the unfairness of life and the horrendous pain inflicted upon them. One sword was even knocked sky high, wedging itself into the dirt beside Higuma, narrowly missing his foot, making him pale and sweat all the more.

Benn, the only one left standing, idly smoked his cigarette, keeping a careful eye on Luffy and Takara, both silenced by the power they had witnessed, his gun pointed straight at the purple coated man. "Don't overestimate yourselves, bandits. If you wanna fight us, you'd need a warship or something to even hope to give us trouble."

Luffy could only stare in shock; never before had he seen a single man take down at least a dozen other men without a sweat, almost like it was no effort. Takara, less surprised, was none the less appreciative to the elder man's skill, her Niisama and Aniki having done similar actions in the past. Still, it was so hard for them both to believe that these men were the same laughing men, always eager to tell a joke and tease the pair of them, that they had managed to befriend.

His fear growing now, his movements frantic and panicked, Higuma tried to reason with the pirates, although everyone witnessing the fight knew it was too late. "H-Hold on, it was the kids you attacked us!" he said desperately, his eyes darting around for a chance of escape, his sword outstretched in a desperate attempt to defend himself.

"Didn't you say you were a wanted man with eight million beri on your head?" Shanks questioned with a smirk coldly, successfully countering the man. Higuma flinched before he chucked a small capsule at the ground, smoke bursting forth upon the glass breaking. It swept forward at a surprising speed, blanketing the area in black and hindering the pirates' ability to see. Once the smoke had finally cleared, Shanks could only stare in fear and anger at the spot where the young boy and girl he had befriended was empty. All the other pirates glared dangerously upon seeing only a lock of purple hair and some scraps of Luffy's torn clothing littering the ground. Even the happy-go-lucky Lucky Roo was enraged, growling as he chucked the leg of meat away.

"Luffy! Takara!" With that, Shanks' face fell as he clasped both of his hands to the sides of his face as Makino screeched in horror. "Shit! I let my guard down! They're gone! What're we going to do? He'll KILL me if Takara's hurt!" Shanks shouted, thinking of the shadowy form of the purplette's master, the outline of a distinct sword in the image. He glanced around, begging his crew mates to help him come up with something before either of the kids was hurt.

"Quit freakin' the hell out boss!" Lucky Roo shouted, knowing that if his captain lose his head, Luffy and Takara were likely to lose their heads! "We'll split up n' search to find em!"

"I can't believe this guy," Benn snarled as they scattered, darting away in search of the hateful man and his hostages, all looking for those two brats to had managed to worm their ways into their hearts.

~~風~~

Out in the choppy waves a few miles off the coast of Dawn Island, Higuma was in a small boat that he had stolen from the harbor, trying to make his getaway. His two hostages, Luffy and Takara, were curled up as far away as possible from the despicable bandit, who held his blade threateningly at the pair.

"HAHAHA your pirate friends will never find me here," Higuma laughed, taunting the children, whose eyes narrowed at the remark. "No one would expect a mountain bandit out at sea!"

And there was a reason for that, most bandits knew a little about boating, but would never adventure far out into the ocean without the proper equipment. Luffy could only classify Higuma as an idiot in addition to a coward, Takara's narrowed eyes revealing similar thoughts. Quickly, Higuma sheathed his sword and grabbed both children, Luffy by the back of his shirt and Takara by her long, messy pigtails. Immediately, the two began to thrash about, trying to get a clear shot at the bastard.

"Put us down!" Luffy shouted, to enraged to even use his new powers. "I hope you die!" Takara agreed with her classical "Muu!" of rage.

Higuma could only laugh, a sadistic gleam in his eyes. "Unfortunately, you've both outlived your usefulness, you're the ones who're gonna die. After all, you made me mad."

With that being said, he chucked the two of them overboard, launching them high into the sky before they disappeared into the crystal blue water. Takara's purple head broke the surface after a moment, gasping for air before turning her face side to side, looking for her best friend. Luffy was silently cursing the damned bandits as he slowly sank, floundering in the water, unable to even float due to the curse inflicted upon him.

Damn them. I only managed one hit in it! Damnit! His thoughts screamed as he tried to fight against gravity that was determined to sink him to the bottom of the ocean, the sea eager to reclaim the Devil Fruit that the boy had consumed.

Higuma laughed at Luffy's struggles while Takara quickly swam over to him, just as Luffy's head sunk below the waves. Taking in a deep breath, the girl ducked under the water, rapidly swimming in the water like an otter to grasp the onyx eyed boy, fighting the cursed current to drag him back to the surface. Upon breaking through the barrier between sea and air, the two children quickly gasped, Luffy clinging to the purple eyed girl as much as possible, as she was the only one he could for miles. Their eyes glared hatefully at the laughing bandit, only for their eyes to widen at the massive bulge appearing from the waters behind the boat. Once the waters had receded, a massive brown sea monster with a toothy grin, blue fins, and red eyes, complete with orange pupils, glared hungrily down at Higuma, who continued to laugh, unaware at the reptile behind him.

It was none other than the Sea King that roamed the waters around Goa Island, known as the Lord of the Coast by the villagers, a violent creature that attacked ships occasionally. The strangest thing was, only those carrying crews with malicious intents were slaughter, as Shanks and his crew had safely navigated the waters. It had seemed that the bandit had been judged by the Lord of the Coast. Higuma only had a moment to scream before he and his small boat were snapped up in the massive jaw of the Sea King in a single gulp.

Luffy and Takara could only watch in fear as the great being turned its attention on them, a flash of curiosity in its ruby hued eyes. It dove underneath the water, swimming towards them both. Takara tried to paddle away, but carrying Luffy's weight as well as her own so far out in the ocean was no easy feat, the girl only getting them a few feet away as the Sea King grew closer.

"Help!"

The massive Sea King burst above the water, its mouth open to reveal the gleaming teeth, poised to sink into the children's flesh. Unable to help it, the two of them shut their eyes, Luffy despairing at the end of his journey to become a pirate while Takara contemplated the irony of her name, dying at the hands of a sea creature. Something strong gasped at the two children, yanking them both to a large, warm chest and the Lord of the Coast soared past them, its mighty jaws shut.

Luffy with tears in his eyes as he gazed upwards, seeing none other than Shanks holding him and Takara in his right arm, his face a grim look of anger and determination. The purplette stared at him in shock before she smelt something and looked to her left, her eyes widening even more at the sight.

The Sea King emerged from the water, mildly annoyed that his tasting snacks had gotten away before he flinched at the murderous expression and the almost suffocating power that the red hared man was exuding. The look on Shanks' face, coupled with his trio of scars and vivid hair, was enough to make a normal man piss his pants and even the Lord of the Coast was edging back slowly.

"Get lost!" he snarled at the Sea King, which trembled violently with beads of sweat (anime style) streaming down its face before it turned tail and fled, unable to meet the gaze of the older male for very long.

Luffy watched in shock as the eel-like creature fled before he buried his face into Shanks' shirt, sobbing uncontrollably while Takara laid her head into the coarse material, drained. Shanks sighed in relief, pulling the two closer to him in a one-armed hug. Takara's slim fingers dug into the cloth and Luffy's grip tightened, both terrified that if they let go of him, Shanks would disappear in an instant.

"Thank you, Luffy, Takara," he said softly, trying to comfort the crying Luffy and trembling girl. "Makino and Woop Slap told us how you defended our honor, putting yourselves at risk to protect your friends." Pride leaked into his voice as he tried to reassure the hysterical children, managing to rub his hand on Luffy's head before moving to Takara, but neither could be consoled, both of their gazes on a terrible sight to their right.

"Hey you two," Shanks said with a laugh, not an ounce of pain on his face, his tone as lighthearted as always. "Don't cry; you two are tough right?"

"But…Shanks…YOUR ARM!" Luffy screamed, sobbing even harder now while Takara's lip trembled, the sting of tears entering her eyes, yet she did not cry. Shanks left arm was completely gone, only part of the limb still attached to his shoulder with white tatters of his shirt hanging where the body part had once been. The wound still leaked red blood from where the arm had been ripped off by unforgiving teeth. Luffy shook violently, because he had spoken out and gotten in trouble, Shanks had lost the use of his arm; because of him, Shanks was hurt! A wave of fear rushed over him.

If Shanks hadn't been there, Takara would have been hurt instead!

"I'M SORRY!" he screamed while Takara burrowed her own head into Shanks' chest, her little frame shuddering with the tears and sob she couldn't release.

"It's only an arm you two, it's no big deal," the redhead said comfortingly, his voice not even slipping into pain as Luffy wailed his heart out before he saw a tear running down Takara's cheek. With a teasing grin, he said to her, "Kara-chan, I thought a real warrior didn't cry."

Tears streaming down her faces in two rivers now, the purple haired girl shook her head. "I'm not…it's…just raining…raining really hard." So many had been hurt protecting her: Tou-san and Kaa-chan, Onee-san, Aniki, Nee-chan…now Shanks, the only other male role model in her life save for her brother and her master. In truth she wasn't just crying for the man before her, she cried for them all.

With a hearty laugh at the clear blue sky above, Shanks pulled the two even closer, Takara joining in Luffy's tearful sobs now, her icy, stone heart shattered, if only for now. "I'm just glad you two are alright," he said softly, thanking God that everyone had pulled through.

After what seemed like hours of sobbing, bobbing in the water, Shanks heard the welcome sound of oars breeching the surface of waves, smiling as he saw his first-mate rowing towards him and the kids, who were now unconscious, tired out from their adventure that day and their tears. Benn had a look of relief plain on his face as he made his way forward.

"About time you showed up," Shanks joked, gently passing over the fitfully sleeping children to his first-mate, one handed. The bleeding stump on his left arm made Benn paused, eyes wide as the wound leaked out a little as he accepted the soaked bundles. After setting them down with blankets covering their shivering frames, Benn helped his captain aboard before he rowed them back to shore, neither saying a thing as the black haired man paddled.

"Benn…" Shanks whispered, his eyes focused on the children. Understanding what he meant, he quickly turned his attention to Luffy and Takara, passing the two of them over to Shanks, who cradled them awkwardly, a makeshift bandage wrapped around his wound.

"They're okay, captain, just plain exhausted. I'm more worried about you," Benn said with a glare at the redhead, who chuckled slightly.

"I'll be fine," he said, rubbing his sole hand fondly across black and purple locks, the children interwoven as they slept, hands clasped tightly to the other. "I'm just glad we're all okay."

~~風~~

After a week of recuperation from his surgery that removed what was left of his useless arm, Shanks had made a full recovery. Luffy and Takara had not let his side for an instant, dogging his every step like ducklings following their mother. Shanks had, in turn, fondly teased them before he had to break the sad news to him.

He and his crew were preparing for their next big journey, only thing time, they wouldn't be coming back to Fuusha Village. As sad as it was, they had frequented the island too much and were sure to be caught by the Marines if they continued to use it as a base. Villagers were bound to be hurt in the struggle, so Shanks had decided to move his base of operations elsewhere.

To their credit, Luffy and Takara had said nothing, surprising Shanks and the other Red Hair Pirates at the boy's maturity. They had expected the boy to pit a fit and beg to be taken along, yet there were no tears or pleading. Takara was a given though, she hardly ever showed emotion and Shanks hadn't mentioned her moment of weakness, knowing it probably embarrass her.

Soon, the sad day had come as the Red Hair Pirate began to load their ship, the Romance Dawn, up with supplies, joking and laughing as they did so, trying to keep the spirits up. It was still painful, as every pirate aboard had grown close to the villagers of Fuusha Village, a pair of little kids in particular. They bid the townspeople, all of whom even the cranky old Woop Slap watched, a cheerful farewell, who in turn wished them a safe trip, all hoping for the chance to see one another again. Yasopp and Lucky Roo rubbed Luffy and Takara's heads with fondness as they exchanged goodbyes, Benn nodding as they walked up the gang blank.

Shanks had on his pitch black cape, carefully hiding his lack of a left arm from foes. and he was just about to head towards his ship when Luffy, grinning up at him, interrupted his thoughts.

"Leaving, right?"

"Muu, trying to leave without a goodbye?"

With a smile, Shanks turned around to face Luffy and Takara, who hid her lips with Tenpesto. He nodded as he said, "Yeah, we've spent a nice year here, but its time we move on. Will you guys miss us?" he asked with a teasing smile.

"Yeah, but this time, it's gonna be different!" Luffy shouted, pointing his finger at his role model while Takara "Muu"-ed, snapping shut her tessen. "This time, I'm not gonna ask you to take us, we're gonna be pirates by ourselves!" he boldly stated.

With a laugh, Shanks stuck his tongue out the two, making Luffy's smile deep while Takara snapped her tessen back up, her façade unbroken. "Either way, I wouldn't have taken you two up. Your Niisama made me swear on my life not to let Takara join and you'd be such a bother Luffy; you'd never make it as a pirate." Deep down though, Shanks couldn't help but be happy at the two kids, who could continue their childhoods, relieved that they were both still the same, Takara changing for the better with Luffy as her friend.

"No! I will make it as a pirate," the onyx eyed boy declared with utter conviction and confidence. The crew all glanced up from their positions at his yell, all grinning at the boy who would always stand by his word, accompanied by the purple haired girl. "I'll gather the strongest crew that'll rival yours and Takara and me'll find the world's greatest treasure, the One Piece! No matter what, I'll become the King of the Pirates!"

"Muu! The next time you hear my name, I will be the strongest pirate to sail!" Takara boldly stated, her violet gaze fiery. "And I'll make sure Luffy achieves his dream!"

The crew all grinned together. They had heard such claims before, but this time…with that kind of confidence and determination from the two kids, they had no doubt that those two were going to make it or die trying.

"Heh, you think you can outshine us?"Shanks questioned with a raised eyebrow. Luffy ducked his head slightly, unable to meet his role model's gaze when he suddenly felt a weight on his head. He glanced up, stunned to see that Shanks' precious straw hat was resting on his head, the man's hand on the top of the hat. "Then, I better leave this hat with you, Luffy. It means more to me than anything in this world, so take care of it, will you?" he asked, tilting the brim down over the boy's eyes, hiding the boy's tears he was failing to hold back, as well as his own, just prickling his eyes.

"As for you Kara," Shanks said, looking slightly embarrassed as he watched the waiting girl, who was internally eager over her own gift. "I only have one hat, so…catch," he said, his right hand tossing her a small object that he had grabbed from his pocket. The girl complied, staring in shock at the small object. It was the ocarina that she would later use in her life, shining boldly in the light. "I recall you were fond of music," the red head said with a smile to see the tightening hands grip it close, "And the shells are from the Grand Line, a little piece of home for you."

After a few moments of contemplating her gift she gave a soft nod before beginning to speak. "Nee, Shanks?" Takara questioned, looking down at the ground, making the redhead blink, slightly confused. Did she not like the gift? "You won't…You won't tell Niisama, will you!?" she suddenly shrieked, jerking her head up to stare pleadingly into the captain's eyes, fear obvious in those purple orbs.

Quickly turning his head away to hide the blush on his cheeks, Shanks adopted a thinking pose that terrified Takara internally. "Hmm…You did get defeated by bandits and kidnapped by their leader so I'd say…" The purple eyed girl closed her eyes, silently accepting her fate. "Of course I won't"

Shocked orbs of amethyst snapped open to look beseechingly up at the red haired man above her. Shanks laughed upon seeing her face, rubbing a fond hand on her head. "Your Niisama would kill me too if he found out! I don't want to risk that!"

With a hearty laugh that his crewmates added to, he patted the two of them on the heads once more before heading down the boardwalk towards the Romance Dawn. Once more, Takara commented on the terrible rain as water dripped down her and Luffy's cheeks, trying to hold back her sorrow while Shanks couldn't help but smile despite his own tears.

Soon, with their custom jolly roger, with a red slash down the skull's left eye atop two crossed swords, whipping in the powerful wind that pushed the Romance Dawn away from port, the Red Hair Pirates were sailing away. Every villager was gathered at the docks, waving and cheering their goodbyes. Makino was laughing as Luffy, clutching his hat to his chest, and Takara, using Tenpesto, waved their own farewells to their heroes. With a grin, Luffy recalled Shanks' final words as the red haired captain himself waved his sole hand to them.

"I want you to bring me back that hat someday, in pristine condition, and only once you've become King of the Pirates with Takara at your side, Luffy. That's our promise!"

~~風~~

After Luffy had finished his story, with Takara interjecting tidbits or her own opinion, Zoro sank back on his spot at the edge of the boat, a thoughtful look on his face as he stared at the cheerful boy and the girl hiding behind her tessen. He hadn't expected such a tale from them that not only detailed the explanation behind how Luffy got his hat, but also how he received his Devil Fruit powers and how they were both inspired to become pirates. While he was upset that a bunch of pirates had just left a Devil Fruit out in the open, he had to admit they were the reason he was sitting with these two right now. He did smile though as Luffy fondly patted his hat, deep in his thoughts about the man he considered a great friend, the reason for his dream to become the Pirate King…a father-figure to replace the one he had never had and the one Takara had lost.

"Better not drop that hat again," the swordsman suggested to his captain, who shot him a slightly surprised look. Zoro grinned at Luffy. "It's really important to you and Takara, right?"

With a growing smile of understanding, Luffy nodded and Takara "Muu"ed thoughtfully as the black haired boy placed the straw hat back on carefully. "You're right, Zoro, I haven't finished my promise yet, I can't let anything bad happen to it."

The man smiled again before turning to the purplette above him. "So…Is there a story behind those bells of yours?" Zoro questioned, making the girl blink as one hand rose to rub against the metal.

"Muu…You tell me where you got those swords, I'll tell you," she responded cheekily, hiding her lips behind her oldest fan, Tenpesto's slightly worn paint glinting in the sun. Zoro sighed but nodded to her, promising to leave the tale for another day. He could tell though, they were important to her, just like his white katana was for him. Between the three of them, they could probably keep telling tales until long after the sun set.

A rumble in the swordsman's stomach reminded him of his hunger and he groaned slightly, slumping against his spot. "Ugh…I'm so hungry, it's killing me." Luffy sighed in understanding, his head tilting upwards towards the impossibly blue sky before blinking in surprise, a dark shape catching his attention, quickly pointing at the air to make his companions look too.

Wheeling far above their heads was a large, pink bird, reminding them all of their hunger. Luffy grinned, leaping to his feet. "I'm gonna catch it! We'll eat the bird!"

"Looks pretty big," Takara noted, hopping down from her position on the mast, silently wondering how they were supposed to prepare a bird onboard a wooden boat.

"Go for it, captain," Zoro encouraged, not really paying much attention. Grinning, Takara stretched his arms out to place them on the wooden mast, preparing himself for the jump, Takara standing behind her captain.

"Gum Gum Rocket!" He shouted, launching himself upwards towards the bird, Takara adding a powerful "X-Blast" to shoot him higher. Zoro hummed in understanding as Takara backed away, watching her best friend fly in the air. Upon closer inspection, both of them nearly face faulted upon seeing the strangely colored bird grabbed the straw hat boy tightly in its beak, carrying him off into the distance.

"AHH! TAKARA! ZORO! HELP ME!"

…

…

…

"MUU!"

"HOLY SHIT!"

The combined screaming of Takara and Zoro broke the sound barrier and they quickly flung themselves into action; Zoro grabbed the rowing orbs and paddled furiously after the bird while Takara whipped furiously at the mast, creating powerful bursts of wind with Fuu, her movements frantic and jerky, her eyes wide with fright. She doubted the bird would eat Luffy, but if he fell into the water…

"WHAT THE HELL?! YOU DUMBASS! GET BACK HERE YOU OVERGROWN BIRD BRAIN AND GIVE US BACK OUR CAPTAIN!"

"MUU! I SLICE YOU TO RIBBONS YOU FUCKING BIRD!"

Meanwhile for the Tightrope Walking Funan Bros, they were bobbing in the water, depressed that the pretty orange haired girl had tricked them out of their ship and treasure. The one with the curly hair blinked his eyes upon seeing the rapidly approaching wooden boat heading their way. Quickly, all three of them began to shout and wave their arms furiously, trying to get help.

"HEY! WAIT, OVER HERE! MEN OVER BOARD! MEN OVER BOARD!" the man with the black hat screamed, wheeling his arms rapidly.

"Great, castaways, just what we needed," Zoro sighed, not bothering to slow his rowing, Takara not pausing in her fanning. "We ain't stopping! Just jump on!" he shouted at the Funan Bros, who gaped at the pair of swordsman in shock, not seeing Takara from behind the mast. They barely avoided being rammed by the tiny vessel and grasped the edge of the boat, dragging themselves aboard against the harsh current.

"Wow, I'm impressed that you made it on board," Zoro laughed, amused.

"Muu, not bad," Takara said, stunning the Funan Bros with her presence.

"ARE YOU TWO TRYING TO KILL US?!" All three of them shouted at the swordsman while Takara grimaced at the loud noise. They quickly drew their weapons, stepping closer and leering at the purplette and glaring at Zoro.

"Stop this boat; we're members of Buggy the Pirate and we're claiming this ship as our own," the leader said. "Unless you want the woman's throat-"

Before the hatted man could finish his threatening, Takara dropped Fuu and lashed out with Sora and Arashi, both tessen closed to prevent spilling blood onto the only boat the trio had in their possession. A few moments later, all three of the enemy bandits were slumped on the ground before she returned her attention to Zoro. He was staring at her blandly, wondering why she got all the fun, while Takara studied the sky.

"…Muu…I can't see him anymore," she muttered with a growl, turning her blank face to the idiot men lying on the ground.

"I'll handle it," Zoro told the purplette before she could break any necks. He wanted to add some pain to the idiots who had caused the loss of their captain. It wasn't fun if she did all the beating up by herself. Besides, he really wanted to gut them for threatening Takara and maybe they could put themselves to use…

~~風~~

"Hahaha!" the black hat-wearing pirate laughed nervously, rubbing his hands together as the other two men furiously rowed them across the ocean. All three of them were smiling with pained expression, sizable lumps on three of their heads from where Takara and Zoro had easily and painfully beaten them. They had agreed to row the boat forward while the girl filled the sails with her retrieved Fuu. "We didn't know that you were the famous Pirate Hunter Zoro-san and his girlfriend..."

"PLEASE DON'T KILL US!"

"Keep paddling," Takara ordered without glancing back, annoyed with their loudness, not at all bothered by their remark.

"Great," Zoro hissed angrily as he watched the sky. "Thanks to you three, we lost sight of our captain. Just keep rowing us straight." Then, it suddenly clicked in his head and he rounded on the three of them, a furiously blush on his face. "W-WHAT THE HELL?! SHE-SHE'S NOT MY GIRLFRIEND!" he roared angrily at the three trembling pirates.

A foot slammed into Zoro's head, cutting off his ranting as Takara sent him a glare. "Muu…Don't be so noisy," she remarked, returning her attention back to the mast, completely ignorant of the reason he was so upset. They were friends, weren't they? So, wasn't she his girlfriend?

Makes no sense, she thought with a frown. (Sigh…Oh Takara, you dense, dense girl…)

Relieved that Takara hadn't taken offense to the pirate's words, Zoro sighed, rubbing the pain on his skull away. "Luffy, he should be able to take care of himself once he reaches land, right?"

"Muu, most likely. That bird's probably on its way towards the island I mentioned early. It's the only one around for miles. But…" Takara said, frowning at the trio, who flinched slightly under her unique eyes. "What the hell were you three bobbing in the ocean for?"

"E-Excellent question! See, there was this pretty girl who stole our boat and our treasure!" the black hat pirate said rubbing his hands together in a show of humility, even if the girl was less than half his age. The large round one nodded his head, an impressive black eyes blossoming on his right eye.

"That girl!"

"A really nasty one, but cute," the man with weird hair agreed, a large lump on the side of his face, slurring his speech.

"A-Anyway, the three of us were minding our own business after we had robbed a ship when we say a little boat in the water, kinda like yours actually now that I think about it…There was a girl slumped over the side of it." Takara and Zoro shared a look, having an idea where this was getting to now.

"She looked like she was dying and she asked us for some water in exchange for money. Now, of course we were very concerned and promised to help her (doubtful Zoro and Takara thought as one), but when we went on her boat to check out her jewels, she hopped onto our and sailed off!

"But the weirdest thing was, she predicted that a story was coming and, sure enough, a storm broke out and sank our ship! That's why we were stranded, it was terrible," the pirate said, finishing his heavily embellished sob story, making them seem like the victims but neither the swordsman nor the girl were fooled.

"Muu…So you saw a defenseless girl and decided to rob her, but were robbed instead?" Takara offered.

"Bingo!" The man said with a snap of his fingers, the other two eagerly nodding.

Zoro, however, was contemplating. A girl that could predict the weather, huh, that actually sounded pretty interesting. They hadn't mentioned she used any tools to help her, so she must have been pretty talented. Maybe Luffy would like her to join the crew.

"Think she wants to join up?" he decided to ask Takara, who tapped Sora against her head in thought.

"It's crowded, but if she has her own ship we could work something out," she agreed. Knowing her captain, he'd be ecstatic to gain a new crew member, especially one with such skills. Still, if she stole from these pirates, who's to say she wouldn't steal from them?

"No way! We have to kill her and get our treasure back!" the pirated screamed in opposition.

"Muu, if we find her, you can't kill her," Takara scolded to the trio of pirates, holding an opened Arashi in front of them, causing them to break out into a cold sweat. "You made us lose our friend, then we get to keep the girl. Payback."

Slightly impressed with the girl's negotiation skills and terrified of her, the Funan Bros agreed. She was still pretty scary, although she was even cuter than the girl who had tricked them. Actually, it made sense why she was so scary, they had tried to threaten her. "Still, we can't just return to Buggy-sama without our treasure…He'll…" The leader broke off, all three of them shuddering.

"Whose this Buggy guy?" Zoro questioned, guessing what would happen to the three of them due to the looks of horror on their faces.

"Y-You don't know Buggy-sama?"

"Muu, never heard of him, how high's his bounty?"

"Ten million-"

"Too low for me to bother with," Takara decided, focus on the ocean, making everyone sweat drop. What the hell kind of bounty would impress her anyway-30 million?! they all wondered.

"Well, he's the head of our pirate ship. He's even eaten one of the Devil Fruits, and he's just a plain terrifying person…Buggy the Clown…"

All was silent, Takara and Zoro exchanging looks. Knowing Luffy like they did, they instantly knew they were going to become involved in whatever struggle Luffy was likely to start and this Buggy person was probably going to be their next opponent. Takara questioned which one of the innumerable Devil Fruits did this Buggy eat and what ability he had.

"Ex-excuse me, miss?"

Breaking free from her mulling, Takara turned her head slightly, a fine eyebrow raised at the hat-wearing pirate sitting behind her. "Muu?" she questioned, irritated with him and the rest, it was their fault she and Zoro had lost sight of Luffy!

"W-Well…We all decided to tell you that you're…"

Suddenly, the other two pirates joined in, hearts in their eyes as they shouted, "REALLY CUTE!" Zoro nearly choked as he jerked around to face those idiots, but Takara merely raised her eyebrow once more, a note of confusion on her face.

"C-Can you tell us your name?" the curly haired one asked, unused to the unusual violet gaze resting on him. The purplette stared at them with disinterested eyes before she turned her head back to the front of the ship as she answered, "Mizuno Takara."

"Takara-chan~ You're so beautiful~" the trio of idiots chorused with a flurry of pink hearts surrounding them, making the girl wish she had a pack of ear plugs. They were so…weird, even more so than Luffy. They should be cowering beneath her and Zoro, not fawning over her. What was with them? Takara decided she would never understand the male species, save for Luffy and Zoro, those two were easy to figure out as their minds were hardwired: Eat, sleep, fight, pursue dreams, drink insane amounts of sake. She gave a slight sigh and turned her attention back to filling the sails with wind, catapulting their boat forward.

Zoro, on the other hand, was visibly growling, his deadly aura terrifying the trio of pirates, silencing them. They didn't have the right to call Takara beautiful damnit! They barely knew her and they had tried to kill her when they boarded! Of course, they had gotten their asses handed right back to them and it was hard to see Takara in action and not become-

The swordsman flushed slightly and shook his head to rid himself of those thoughts. He didn't have time for this! Their captain was who knows where, which reminded him of the three pirates once more.

"Better keep rowing, got it," Zoro ordered, making the trio nod furiously, screams of "Sir yes sir!" filling the air as Takara went back to filling the sail, setting their course towards the distant island where Luffy had to be.

~~風~~

Meanwhile, on a certain island that Zoro and Takara were only a few miles away from by now, the entire town was deserted, the homes abandoned and empty of people. Belongings were scattered about on the street, with the occasional barrel or cart left lying on its side. In the harbor, was a massive pirate ship, painted a multitude of colors with a large circus tent set up on the deck. High above, waving in the wind, was none other than the Buggy Pirate's Jolly Roger. It was because of this flag that the civilians who had inhabited this town had fled, unable to fight back against the pirates.

There was a person in the ghost town, actually, running like their life depended on it, panting and breathing heavily. It was none other than the tangerine haired girl, darting through the empty street like she had wings on her ankles, a bundled up treasure map in her hands.

Yes! I finally found it!

Chasing after her were a trio of enraged pirates, dressed up like circus performers and holding cutlasses. It was not only anger at the girl that made them run, but also fear of their terrifying captain.

"Get back here you bitch!" One man with several series of stitches complained.

"Wench! Give that map back or else!"

"We just stole that chart of the Grand Line," one remarked angrily, as he had been the one to disguise himself and slip into the Marine Base to retrieve it. He didn't want his hard work to be wasted. "She's gonna pay."

"DAMNIT! If we don't get it back, we're gonna be dead meat!" All of them feared the possibility of their captain firing one of his deadly cannonballs at them if they failed to return the map.

The girl spared a glance back, a smug expression on her face as she slipped the rolled up parchment under her shirt, pressing it against her stomach. It had almost been too easy to steal from them. There was no way she was just going to give it back!

~~風~~

High above the town, resting atop the town hall building, a tent of white fabric bearing the Buggy Pirate flag had been erected. Within the cool darkness of the tent, Captain Buggy himself relaxed on a chair, impatiently waiting for the group he had sent to retrieve both the map and the thief. Once she was caught, he swore she would know true pain for her insolence.

As he seethed with rage, the blood vessels in his eyes straining now, a man ran up to him, his eyes on the sky, a giant creature flapping above them in the sky, a curious bundle attached to it. Upon looking at it in his binoculars, the man realized a bird was holding a…person?!

"Captain Buggy, I spotted something above the port!"

"Shoot it down," he ordered, hoping for something to distract him as he continued to wait.

~~風~~

The girl was still running, unable to find a temporary place to hide nor even an open doorway to duck into, the three pirates gaining on her tail when a powerful explosion from high in the air rocked the very foundations of the city. All of them staggered and turned their heads up to the sky, confused to see the explosion mark so high above.

"What the…?"

From the ground, the girl and her pursuers watched as something…no, someone was dropped from a pink bird into a cloud of dark smoke, falling through the sky, right towards them. It was a boy, frantically waving his arms and screaming at the top of his lungs.

"AAHHH! TAKARA! ZORO!" He screamed before he smashed into the ground, a plume of dust and dirt flying into the air and hiding a good chuck of the street from view. A crater formed between the orange haired girl and her pursuers, all of them shielding their eyes from the dust.

"What the hell?!" The girl cried, opening a cinnamon brown eye in surprise.

"That kid…fell from the sky…" one pirate said with uncertainty, as though unable to believe his own eyes. One of his companions reached out and smacked him on the head.

"Don't be stupid, that's impossible.

As he said that, Luffy appeared from the smoke as he clutched his aching head, otherwise unharmed from the unprovoked attack as he sat in the crater. "Damnit…Why'd they fire a cannonball at me," he wondered as he stood up, shaking dust from his clothes, surprising the group watching him. "Well, at least I'm okay. That was actually pretty awesome!" How the hell could a person have fallen from the sky and turned out okay?!

"Huh, I wonder how Takara and Zoro are doing?"

~~風~~

Luffy: Whoa! Being alive after being chopped up is definitely not normal!

Zoro: What? As a rubber guy, you're plenty of a monster yourself!

Takara: Muu, can't really argue with that…

Nami: Nothing makes sense anymore! A rubber guy, a chopped-up guy…Who are these people?!"

Luffy: Pirates.

Nami: No! That's not what I mean!

Takara: Muu, better get used to it if you're going to be on our crew.

Nami: I never agreed to that!?

Zoro: Funny, I said the same thing, look where I am now.

Luffy: In the next chapter of One Piece: True Treasure! Coulrophobia I: Enter Captain Buggy, a Terrifying, Mysterious Power! I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!

~~風~~

Hello readers, and thanks for being patient with me. Sigh…I hate car trips…From now on, expect the next update to be a week from the following day, as my track record seems to work out like that. How was the flashback scenes? I figure Takara would be quite violent in her youth, which has carried out into her teen years, but she dropped castration…I think…Anyways, whose ready for the Buggy arc? I'm including a tidbit here, as an apology for making everyone wait another day:

"But I'm interested though. Killing you would certainly boost my reputation,
the clown pirate remarked with great confidence, no doubt believing he could beat Zoro. Luffy frowned from his spot in the cage and Takara cocked her head to one side; Zoro wouldn't be beaten easily, they had seen him fight first hand.

"If you try, you die," the swordsman threatened, his voice filled with forewarning and his gaze alone could have killed a puppy.

"Muu, if he'd died so early, I would have put him down," Takara said callously, purple eyes blank and void of emotion, but the grip on Zoro's arm told him she was telling him to be careful before she stepped away, an aura of malicious intent flowing off of her.

Nami shivered at the dangerous aura as Zoro addressed Buggy. She was suddenly very grateful that the swordsman and the purple hued girl didn't know she was the reason why their captain was locked in a cage. She didn't want an ounce of that combined anger directed at herself.

Remember, reviews are love and for each review received, Takara gets a pineapple.

Takara: Nani?! Muu!

Yup! So, I get a review, Takara gets a pineapple! Win-win situation, along with the fact you'll get the next chapter.

~~風~~

Pineapple-You've probably already noticed it, but Takara is extremely fond of this tropical fruit, as it greatly reminds her of home and family, along with its sweetness. It also symbolizes friendliness and graciousness, as the exotic fruit is often presented to new friends, representing Takara's grace and her friendliness, despite her cold front, to her friends. The fruit has had a long history and was taken from its native lands of Brazil and Paraguay, transported and planted in various new environments where it thrived, greatly reminding me of Takara's own struggles. Unfortunately for Luffy, he also has a fondness for the fruit and this can cause strife between him and Takara if she doesn't feel like sharing.

Ocarina-a wind instrument that Takara owns. Made of shells from the Grand Line, it's made for and can handle a great deal of abuse. Not only used to play recreational music. But Takara uses the seashell to listen to the wind, which can 'tell' her what's ahead and what's going on. It can only tell her about air-pressure, changes in weather, and the like, so she can't tell if a sea calamity, such as a whirlpool or rocks on a shallow bottoms, is approaching, severely limited to wind readings, which is why Luffy's boat sank the first time. I imagine that the song she played in this chapter similar to the wind instrumental in the Celtic song Winds of Freedom, watch?v=hTLEbErPl9I I based the design of the ocarina off of the one featured in the Pokémon movie, Pokémon: The Movie 2000 where I fell in love with Lugia's song.

More on Niisama-I'm keeping his name a secret, but I've dropped a few clues in this chapter, so I hope you can piece it together. You can still be surprised though when I finally reveal his identity.

Mizuno-Takara's last name that she adopted at a young age. The joke is that 'Mizuno' means 'of the sea' so of course Takara would find it ironic if she was eaten by a Sea King or through drowning. Despite her indifference, she does have a sense of humor due to Luffy.

Romance Dawn-This a fake name for the ship Shanks and the Red Hair Pirates use, as the original boat is never named in either the manga or the anime. The name comes from the fact that the first arc of One Piece is called the Romance Dawn-Arc.

Once more thanks for reading, and BIG thank-you to NibelungVelocity for allowing me to borrow upon some themes and aspects from her own story Hanley, s/5123221/1/Hanley

Ciao Ciao~