"Maybe a relationship is just two idiots who don't know a damn thing except the fact that they're willing to figure it out together."

~Unknown

"And then, I punched it right in its blowhole!"

"Woah! And then what happened Usopp?"

"And then… And then what felt like a giant earthquake erupted within the whale, but it was really just him ramming his head against the rocks in order to fight back and make the ship within it sink faster! Luckily, I was able to find a quick escape rout! A hidden trap door within the whale's stomach and got everyone out safe and sound!"

Minette gasped in awe at Usopp, pumping up his confidence further with the simple action. "I didn't know whales had trap doors!"

Her ignorance only boosted his ability to deceive the young girl. "And dark tunnels, and caverns, and rooms, and a HUGE belly that even held living birds and clouds and a sky!"

"A shy?!"

"Oh, you should've seen it, Mouse!" Usopp held out his hand down towards her, she quickly put a long nail in his palm and he went back to work as he told his story. "I - the brave Captain Usopp - saved everyone aboard the ship, single handedly beat up, and befriended the whale!" He quickly looked behind him, towards Zoro only to see him asleep, before leaned over and whispering: "I even held Zoro while he was crying like a baby from fright."

Minette couldn't stop herself from giggling behind sleeve covered hands, "Zoro was crying?"

"Oh!" Usopp chuckled, fully turning towards her giggling form, momentarily forgetting his task of putting the mass back together after Luffy's spar with Laboon the whale. "You should've need him! "Usopp, save us!" "Usopp, hold me!" "Usopp, I'm scared!" "Usopp-"

"I'm gonna kill you."

Minette couldn't contain her laughter as she watched Usopp jump a foot above the deck, dropping his hammer with a loud clatter and spun around only to see Zoro's once shut and sleeping eyes glaring a hole straight through his soul. Poor Usopp was shaking and hiding behind the laughing girl in a matter of seconds.

Out of all the people Minette has ever met in her life, she has never met anyone who lies as much as Usopp.

When Zoro saved Minette from jumping into the water, he walked her around the lighthouse - towards her friends - and told her all that went down in her absence. He told her about the old man - whom she already from got the name of - and how he lived within the whale, Laboon. He told her about the two suspicious characters who tried to hurt Laboon, about how there actually was a real door out, and how Luffy ripped off the mass of the ship and sparred with the whale before making a promise that he'd return to finish their match. It was a fascinating story - and definitely peaked Minette's interests in hearing that whales are natural submarines for humans - but Usopp's version of the whole endeavor definitely took to her liking more. Then again, all of Usopp's stories made her laugh and giggle even in her most depressing moments, she respected and admired Usopp for this but she would never admit it aloud, too afraid she'd accidentally reveal that she knew he was lying and cause him to stop with his shameless acts.

"Hey," Usopp whispered, still hiding behind the girl as her laughter died down. He kept eye contact with the green haired swordsman, afraid he'd suddenly move to slit his throat if he dared look away and continued to speak in Minette's ear, "The mass is all good so let's go see if Sanji has any food before Luffy eats it all."

Minette giggled, "Sure." She turned back and waved to Zoro as they walked towards the side of the ship, "Have a nice rest."

Zoro only nodded in reply, his eyes growing softer as he watched Usopp disappear while he jumped down first but then gave a small wave back when Minette stepped over the edge and disappeared herself. Panic quickly flooded his mind and he swiftly stood to glance over the edge of the ship, but all the fear that was suddenly there dissipated with a sigh as he watched Usopp catch the small girl with extended arms and lower her safely to the ground. He sat quietly before they could see his relieved eyes and held his fist over his pounding heart. He'd never admit it aloud - but Minette gives him frequent heart attacks.

"Usopp," Minette smiled up at the long nose, "Let's have a race! If I win, you have to… Um…" She hesitated, looking around as Usopp smiled down at her, ready for the challenge. After all, no one can run faster or longer than the mighty Usopp! Suddenly, Minette's face lit up as she clapped her hands and smiled brightly with an idea, "You have to confess to Nami in front of Sanji!"

"WHAT?!" Usopp reeled back, shocked among other things that such a clueless girl as Minette would know what confessing to a woman meant, but also because she seemed to know how Sanji would react if he did. But he cleared his throat and put on a brave face, "I thought you were going to make me do something actually challenging, like your chores!"

Minette laughed along with Usopp. It was so obvious he was so scared to lose now, but he quickly covered for himself once again, "And if I win!" he pointed down as her with an evil smirk, "You have to punch Luffy in the face."

Minette's heart just about stopped and her smile fell. Can she really punch her savor in the face?

Quickly covering her worry with a smile, Minette glared up at Usopp, "Whoever loses can't tell the others why we did what we did, sound good?"

Usopp visibly gulped, instantly able to imagine what Sanji will do to him since he can't provide context for his actions if he loses, but he placed his hands on his hips in fake bravery, "I ain't scared!"

"On the count of three, then! One, two… THREE!"

And with that, they were off. They were spreading through the rocky shoreline side by side, jumping over large boulders and washed up logs. They took turns passing each other but by the very end, they both touched the lighthouse at the same time.

Wheezing, Minette smiled up at Usopp, "I win."

Usopp whipped his head around to glare down at her, "No way!" he gasped, "I did!"

Minette signed, already catching her breath, she didn't want to argue with Usopp and put a rift in their friendship. Standing straight, she smiled up at his panting future, "Then we both lose."

Usopp groaned, "Why can't we both win and not take the punishments?"

Minette giggled, "But that wouldn't be as amusing," and with that, she started walking off towards Luffy.

Usopp's air was momentarily caught in his lunges before he came to a sudden conclusion and hung his head: "I made a deal with the devil."

Jogging towards Luffy, Minette smiled and called out to him, "Hey Luffy!"

Looking up from the food he was quickly scoffing down, and smiled upon seeing the youngest of his crew making her way over to him. "Oh hey, Mouse! Want some?"

He held out an apple to her and she quickly took it from him but without warning, punched her captan square in the face. He instantly fell back, smacked his head against the hard rocks, and bounced right back up into a sitting position while he held his bleeding nose.

Instantly feeling a rush of guilt wash over her, Minette crouched before Luffy. The guilt was so much in fact, Minette started crying and hovered over the bleeding boy. What the hell was she thinking? Luffy was her friend, her captain! How could she just punch her savor in the face like this?

"L-Luffy-!" she sobbed, quickly coming up with a believable excuse for punishing him without a second thought, then crying over it. "I'm sorry! I… I thought that wouldn't hurt since you're made out of rubber!"

"Yeah, that really hurt," Luffy groaned, but then he started laughing, wiping the blood on the back of his hand and smiled up at Minette with astonishment in his eyes, "You're so strong, Mouse! That was amazing!"

Minette could feel her own surprise on her face as her eyebrows raised, eyes grew wide, and her mouth set into a straight line. She spund around in her spot, looking at Usopp with same expression only to see his newly bruised and swollen jaw on the rocks as he stared back at Minette. Neither were expecting Luffy's response at all.

"Anyway," Luffy chuckled, earning Minette's attention again, "We were just about to head back to the ship. Lunch was good. Too bad you guys missed it."

"You ate it all, you idiot!" Sanji yelled, the smoke from his cigarette blowing from his nose.

Nami sighed, "Well, now we can since we have a logue post that works, anyway," she glared down at Luffy before giving him a strong kick to the gut that sent him flying out into the ocean.

"I'll get him," Sanji sighed, then dived in.

Minette looked back to Nami then tilted her head slightly, "Logue post?"

Nami smiled, instantly sending an indescribable warmth through Minette's soul, "It's a compass with a special magnetic field attracted to specific islands we're going to visit. We can't go anywhere without so it's very important."

Though confused on what a magnetic field was, Minette looked to Nami's wrist where a seemingly broken charm was strapped around. She pointed at the device, "Looks broken."

Nami sighed, "This one is but Crocus-" she pointed over her shoulder, towards an old man staring down at Minette, "Is giving us his."

Crocus smiled and waved, but Minette instantly hid behind Nami's legs. "Sorry," Nami chuckled, finding it amusing that the small girl can punch Luffy in the face for no reason but can't handle meeting new people, "She's a bit shy."

Crocus only chuckled, "It's quite alright. I'll go ahead and get you my logue post. Just a moment."

As Crocus entered his lighthouse, Minette watched as the waves crashed harshly against the rocky shore before they retreated and revealed Luffy and Sanji, but what caught Minette's immediate attention was the male and female who also washed ashore.

Hiding behind Nami's legs again, Minette peared around to see Sanji help the familiar woman stand and start walking her towards us. It was only when her and the woman she recognized as Miss Wednesday made eye contact did Nami finally notice them.

"Oh good, you're okay," Miss. Wednesday smiled down at Minette but she only hid further behind Nami in response.

The motherly redhead shielding Minette from them, took a more protective pose in front of the young girl. "How do you know Mouse?"

Without answering the question, the male stood and brushed himself off before speaking, "That doesn't matter. What does is that we need a favor."

Minette glared at the man, recognizing his voice to belong to the "Mr. Nine" she heard before. He had weird markings on his cheeks, a golden crown upon his head, and a scowl on his face.

His voice from before definity matches his uptight get-up, Minette thought.

"Yes, that's right," Miss. Wednesday nodded, "We need you to take us to our home island, Whisky Peak."

Sanji, Usopp, Luffy, and Crocus - who just emerged from his lighthouse - all stood beside Minette and Nami now, facing the two individuals as they sat on their knees and bowed before them. Minette didn't have the slightest clue what they were doing, or why they were bowing, but she couldn't help but notice how the others seemed unfazed by it. She was confused, was this a natural thing to do when someone is asking for a favor?

Still hiding behind Nami with Usopp stand beside them, Minette looked up to the long nose and tugged on his overalls. Catching his gaze Minette whispered, "Isn't whisky a food?"

Usopp snorted at how serious she was before clearing his throat, "It's a drink. You'll know more when you're older."

"Oh," and with that, Minette turned her attention back to what was at hand.

"Whisky Peak?" Luffy thought aloud, "That's a funny name."

Nami crossed her arms, growing less tense, "How are you stranded? Where's your ship?"

"Well," Miss. Wednesday groaned, "It's destroyed."

"Asking for a ride is pushing it, Mr. Nine, especially after you tried to kill the whale."

"And what's with the wardrobe?" Usopp asked, "What are you supposed to be?"

Mr. Nine seemed to scoff in offence, "I am a king!"

Minette jumped at his raised voice and took cover behind Usopp as Nami stepped forward and pinched the grown man's cheek, "Quit lying."

Usopp patted Minette's head, "It's okay, Mouse," then continued listening, but Minette couldn't shake the woman's gaze. It was unsettling.

"Just trust us," Mr. Nine pleaded, "We'd tell you everything if we could, it's just…"

"Mystery is our company's motto," Miss Wednesday filled in.

"Yes, it is. We have to be mysterious. It's sort of a rule."

Everyone was quiet, but Miss. Wednesday spoke again, "Look, we have confidence in your character. Can't you give us the same courtesy?"

"Please, we're begging you. Show us some mercy!" He was practically crying.

Crocus spoke up, scaring Minette slightly, "Don't do it. These two fools are dishonors to the core. They can't be trusted."

Miss. Wednesday made eye contact with Minette again, "You can trust us! Just ask the girl!"

Minette's blood ran cold as her eyes grew wide, her grip on Usopp's pant leg growing tighter and shaky. Everyone's eyes suddenly shifted to Minette and she grew self conscious in a snap.

"You know them, Mouse?" Luffy asked.

Shaking like a leaf, Minette hid herself from everyone's view behind Usopp. "N-No."

"Lies!" Mr. Nine yelled, earning a hard smack from Nami.

"I-I mean…" Minette stuttered, "Miss. Wednesday saved me from drowning and brought me to shore." Having said that, Minette raised her head and looked to Luffy, "B-But other than that, I've never met them before."

"Alright," Luffy said, "You said your home was Whisky Peak? Then let's go there." Everyone stared at Luffy, not at all expecting this from the pirate captain.

"But Luffy, these two are obviously some pretty shady characters, why should we take them anywhere?" Usopp complained.

"They saved Mouse," everyone could see how serious Luffy was when he said those simple words. "Without them, she would be gone. I can't even imagine that."

Everyone seemed to come over their shock just a little as Sanji sighed, "They were there to save Mouse when we couldn't. It's only fair, even if they are terrible people."

Luffy smiled at his crews understanding, "Okay," he stood, "Now that me and Laboon have an understanding I can leave with a clear conscience."

Miss. Wednesday and Mr. Nine stood, facing Luffy as he stretched. "Just who on earth do you think you are, anyway?"

"What's that?" Luffy turned around to face them and his crew. Minette smiled from behind Usopp, knowing his answer as he chuckled, "Oh, I'm the man who's going to be King of the Pirates."