One Piece: Happy Birthday Special

Happy Birthday!

Robin

For as long as she could remember, she had been an outcast of society. Even on her home island, she had been treated differently by the children for her devil fruit ability. Not even her relatives liked her. She had only ever been accepted by the scholars that worked in the Tree of Knowledge and later Saul. She rarely saw her mother, but knew she loved her deeply. Even with the little happiness she had, it all came crumbling down by the World Government and marines. With the sacrifice of her friends, her mother, and a very unlikely ally Robin escaped the disaster at Ohara and was on the run. For many years she lived a lonely life trying to avoid capture and discover the Ponegylths to uncover the Void Century. Twenty years of running, betrayal, hiding, and unlikely alliances she found her special nakama; the Straw Hat pirates. Having nearly gone through hell to retrieve her, Robin realized that this crew was the one that Saul had mentioned to her so many years before; a crew that would accept her and never betray her. She had finally found her happiness again with the Straw Hats and continued to live on following her dream. However, it wasn't long when she found another source for her happiness; from her captain and navigator's child, Mika.

Another day in the Grand Line and we find the Straw Hats docked on another island. It was summer-type island known as Library Island, the (now) greatest source for knowledge in the world. Most of the crew was out getting supplies as the next island they wouldn't be able to reach for some time. While the crew did this, Robin was going to do some research. However, she had a little tag-a-long today. As the young woman walked down the street, right next to her was Mika keeping up with her wearing a large, happy smile. It was quite infectious as Robin too wore a smile. However it was only between the two of them, all those around them seem to be rather grim. Only Mika wasn't aware of this and Robin was content with this.

"So~, where are we going again, auntie?" asked Mika in a rather cutesy manner as she looked up to the woman she saw as he aunt. Robin smiled down on the girl, despite this being the third time she had asked in the last ten minutes.

"We're going to this island's library called the Great Library to the World. It has a wealth of knowledge that might be useful in the future."

"Like for finding treasure?"

"Yes. It could very much so." Mika cheered in joy making Robin's own smile brighten. She often enjoyed seeing the little girl excited as it was so similar to her father. Of course, the idea of researching would never intrigue Luffy, but Robin figured that a combination of Nami's genes would give the girl the best of both.

As the pair walked towards a very large building sitting on top a hill, they were met with a long stairway and continued to climb it. It looked to be a long way up, but Robin was a patient woman and Mika had energy to spar. What Robin was more concerned about was the many looks she had been receiving since they had entered town. She consciously activated her devil fruit powers as she placed ears on several people and listened in on each conversation.

"There she is… 'Demon Child' Robin…"

"What is doing with that child?"

"Doesn't that little girl know how dangerous that woman is?"

"What does that woman want with such a sweet girl?"

"Someone needs to call the marines quickly."

Robin soon had her ears dissipate, she had heard enough. Once again, the common person was far too ignorant to realize or try to understand the truth. It also seemed that her time would be cut short here, but she could make the best of it. It was Mika she was worried about. If she wasn't careful, someone would kidnap Mika in an attempt to rescue her not knowing she was her guardian and figurative aunt. As she and Mika reached the top, the girl marveled over the size of the building. It was at this time, that Robin crouched down to speak with Mika. "Okay Mika, do you remember your parents' rules?"

Mika smiled and nodded. "Yeah! Don't talk to strangers. Always listen to Auntie Robin. Always stay with Auntie Robin. And if the marines catch me, I should act like I'm missing my parents." Robin smiled seeing as Nami's safety rules were well versed by the little girl. However she was sure that Mika's curiosity would overcome the little girl eventually and she would take care of that when the time comes.

"Very good, Mika." Seeing that Mika was well-prepared, Robin stood back up and extended her hand to the girl. Mika accepted her aunt's hand and the two proceeded to go inside. They passed by the front desk, the woman at the desk cringing back in fear, and walked into the library.

As they reached the center, Mika ran up to the railing and looked out into the large, impressive room. "Whoa! It's huge!" Speaking rather loudly, Mika's voice echoed throughout the building as it was indeed huge. As Robin joined her, she too marveled at the sheer size of the library. There many levels to the library that went up high as well as down low, it truly was impressive.

As Robin looked around, she noticed they were attracting attention probably from Mika's loud exclamation. Robin then turned to Mika putting a finger over her lips like she was shushing. "Mika, you have to be quiet in a library. There are other people trying to read as well." Mika turned to her aunt-in-name surprised, but understanding her. So she copied her aunt's gesture showing that she understood while also giving a smile. Robin smiled back and then pointed to the stairs, still whispering. "We are going to go down stairs and I'm going to search for a few books. After words, I'll take you the children section where there will be some books that you can read. It is that alright, Mika?"

"Yeah! I mean, yeah." After correcting herself, the two were off as they headed down the stairs.

As the two walked through the bookshelves, Robin collected book after book. Mika tried to help; however, her vocabulary wasn't that extensive being a five-year old. Nonetheless, she had her father's enthusiasm and brought her book after book some relatively close to what she was asking for. Thankfully, Robin was a patient woman. After finding the books she needed, the two went off to the children's section for Mika. While Robin sat at a table nearby, Mika ran off to the ever colorful children's section. Mika between the shelves only stopping when there was a book that caught her interest. She was able to find many, though only to copy her aunt, who always seems to have tons of books surrounding her. Robin checked in on Mika occasionally and noticed this, though she found it flattering. As she returned to her studying, she missed a figure approaching Mika. The figure was a young woman, one of the library workers, as she carefully and cautiously. Mika didn't notice her when she finally reached her.

"Little girl." Mika looked up from her book as she heard someone whisper. She looked around until she noticed a woman next to her crouching down for some reason. Seeing as she had the girl's attention the woman than beckoned her to follow. "Little girl, you need to follow me."

Mika looked at her confused. "Why?" The woman looked at Mika shocked that a child would need to ask. Whatever the case, the woman quickly explained.

"There's a very dangerous person nearby, you need you come with me."

"Why?"

"Because then you won't be in anymore danger. The marines will be coming for that woman."

"Why?"

The woman was starting to get a little frustrated with the little girl. She then grabbed girl's arm as she tried to explain again. "Little girl, you need to understand. You're in-"

"Is there something I can help you with?" Mika and the woman looked over to find Robin right in front of the table and crossed arm. The woman immediately released Mika seeing her expression. While normally Robin would just flash a soft smile that easily frightened normal people, she wore a frown instead. Even knowing the woman had good, though misguided, intentions, she would not have her niece-in-name be taken.

The woman, seeing that she had been caught, was frozen in her spot. In front of her was the dangerous 'Demon Child' Nico Robin, rumored to have sunken several ships at the age of eight, worth eighty million belis. She knew (or believed) that one wrong move and she be dead instantly. "N-No, ma'am, I was just helping her."

Robin stared at the woman with an indifferent gaze. Instead of focusing on the woman, she looked down on Mika to see the girl looking between the two confused. She knew that what the woman had said was a lie, but she wasn't a stone-cold killer as she figured the woman was worrying about at this moment. She then began to hear some rushed steps, most likely the marines already on their tail. They had to move quickly. Robin's expression softened as she spoke to Mika. "Mika, it's time to go." Her speaking caught the girl's attention, though she didn't seem too happy about it.

"Okay..." Mika got out of her seat and walked over to Robin. They both then left leaving the woman to collapse on the ground thanking her lucky stars that she hadn't been killed.

It was now much later as Robin and Mika swiftly ducked into an alleyway and hid. They had been dodging marines left and right since they had left the children's section at the Great Library. Robin's experience in dodging people came in quite handy as they lost marines in several spots. Unfortunately, Mika had some mishaps that ruined many attempts to escape quietly. She didn't blame Mika; the little girl wasn't use to this kind of activity. Luckily, this time they were able to escape without further unforeseen accidents. As the marine squadron passed them, Robin checked to see if they were clear. Seeing it was so, the two traveled down the alley as they headed for the ship. As they walked, Mika gave off a quiet snicker of joy and excitement.

"Shishishi, this is fun." Robin then gave off her on soft chuckle. Despite many of their quiet escapes failing, she had noticed that it was never the same mistake twice. The first was Mika had shouted too loudly, the next was she had been a little clumsy and knocked over a trash can, and another she had tried to mock the marines as they passed them. It was interesting as she seem to be learning quickly, almost too quickly. Nevertheless, she would have to test it later, for now they had to reach the Sunny-Go.

A metallic click suddenly made Robin stop, and in turn stopping Mika. A man then shouted. "Freeze, Nico Robin." Both turned to see one lone marine soldier brave or unlucky enough to find them. He was holding a loaded gun straight of Robin as he shouted out more orders. "You are under arrest, pirate. Release the child and give up." Despite being in range, neither girl was afraid. Nonetheless, she kept her eye on the marine while she spoke to Mika.

"Mika…" The little girl looked up at her aunt seeing how serious she was being. She then saw her aunt cross her arms in a familiar pose and spoke to her again. "Cover your eyes."

The marine then reacted. "What are you telling the girl?!"

Mika looked at her aunt confused. "Huh? Why?"

"Please Mika. Listen to me and-"

The marine then had enough and shouted. "Little girl! Whatever she is saying, don't trust her. She is a wanted criminal of the World Government and-"

"Quattro Fleur." Acting quickly, and a bit frustrated, Robin activated her powers. Four arms then appeared; two on the marine and another two on Mika. Both Mika and the marine were confused, though the marine was also very frightened. While Robin concentrated, the two hands on Mika then moved to cover her eyes.

"Hey! What's going on, auntie?!"

Robin didn't answer the girl immediately as she was now focused on the marine. As the marine freaked, Robin's arms then went over his mouth and she spoke. "Clutch." Robin's arms then bent the man back until a bone cracking sound came from the man. She then released her power off the marine, now unconscious and broken, and Mika. The girl, who had been trying to get the hands off her eyes, then turned to Robin. The older woman was already walking up next to her and grabbing her hand. "Let us hurry, Mika."

Mika looked at her aunt confused. She then looked over to the defeated marine. "What happened to him?" Robin just smiled.

"Oh, he has a bad back. Let's keep moving." Mika accepted this answer and the two were off. Only a few minutes after the two left did the marines come looking down the alley only to find their comrade unconscious.

It was now night and everyone was back on the Thousand Sunny after having a hectic day of their own. However, many of them had gotten their before Robin and Mika had finally shown up. And so, they prepared a little something for the archeologist. "Happy birthday, Robin/-chwan~/-Sis!" Yes, it was indeed her birthday, and she knew this. And she especially knew that they were planning this for her only having to watch Mika was a throw-off somewhat. Nevertheless, she was grateful to her crew for throwing a party for her. To her knowledge, it was probably her first.

As the night was still young, most of the crew was enjoying the party as they were always looking for an excuse to have one. Though invited often for games and such, Robin decided only to watch as Robin said, "…There's enough amusement for me to fill a book." The crew respected her wishes and continued to party. While she sat at the table watching on contently, she was soon joined by Nami, having had enough fun to actually fill that book. Robin soon commented as she observed that someone was missing. "Where's Mika? I thought she be the center of all this attention?"

Nami just smiled. "Oh, she said she had to do something that was 'really important'. She quite focused on whatever it was.

"Hmm, much like her parents."

"Hmm-mm, yeah." Silence fell between women as they watched the others play their games or argue about something mundane. Both women seemed content with the show going on before them. However, it wasn't too long after when Nami spoke up.

"Mika told me about her adventures with Auntie Robin." Robin didn't say anything. Instead, she took a sip of her coffee prepared by Sanji earlier. She wasn't too worried; after all, she was sure that Nami wasn't angry that marines had come to arrest her and take Mika away. Nami then continued on. "She said it was fun going to library and then dodging the marines." Robin looked at Nami wondering where she was going with this conversation. If she wasn't mad, why bring up her day's events. Nami then turned to Robin revealing a very worried expression that surprised Robin. Nami then went on to speak. "But she was…concerned about something."

"Really?"

"Yes, she asked, 'Why that library lady was trying to lead take me away from auntie' and 'why did Auntie Robin cover my eyes'?"

Robin seemed to little bit surprised by Nami hearing Mika's questions. However, she had guessed that the little girl would have questions pertaining to some of the events of today. For some time after Robin joined, she and Nami had been like sisters thus it made sense that Mika saw her as an aunt, but they often shared things that they normally wouldn't share with the men in the crew. What she was about to say was one of those things. With a sigh, she set her cup down and looked at Nami. "I guess, you could say I was protecting both her and myself."

"How so?"

"The obvious for protecting Mika would be from the marines and that librarian, but I was also protecting her from myself."

"From…you?"

"From the person I am and was before Mika's birth. You must admit, Nami, my past to a child would be a little scary."

"Yeah, but-"

"For the marine, you and all the crew know that many of my techniques tend to make people feel…uncomfortable when watching."

"Well…yeah, that is true…"

"And protecting myself…" Nami looked at Robin as the older woman paused in her speech. While she understood clearly why Mika had been left in the dark about Robin, she didn't understand why Robin needed to protect herself and state it clearly. Eventually, Robin spoke again. "…I was protecting an image."

"An image?"

"Mika's image of me."

"I don't understand."

Robin frowned. "I've been on the run for a long time, being called a demon, even before then. At one point, I was your enemy until a certain captain saved my life when I didn't want him to." Nami made a soft smile as she knew who exactly Robin was talking about. Luffy was never one to turn his back on someone who needed it, even if they didn't. Robin then continued on speaking. "And though many of you were uneasy about it, everyone started seeing me as nakama." Nami became a little depressed hearing Robin's sentence. They all, with the exception of Luffy and Sanji, were pretty suspicious of Robin when she first joined and somewhat distanced themselves from her for a time. They had since made up for it, but Nami still felt bad about that time. Nami then looked back up wanting to say something, but stopped. She noticed that Robin's frown and changed into a smile. She then continued on. "And then, there is Mika. A little girl, who had only been born recently into this world, that doesn't see the demon, the enemy, the assassin, only the aunt. It's a bit selfish, but that is the image I want her to know and never the others. That is what I wanted to protect."

Nami then understood. In a world that had rarely accepted this woman, one child, who had no knowledge of her previous doings or crimes beyond the stories they both told her, did without even second guessing it. And even then, they were edited somewhat by Robin's asking. In some sense, she could relate as she herself had some things in her past she didn't want her daughter to know. However, being Mika's mother, she did know one thing about her daughter. Nami smiled and stretched over to Robin placing a hand on her shoulder. "I get it, but I think your overthinking this a bit. Mika loves you no matter what."

Robin stared at Nami rather surprised by her sudden action. What the navigator said was definitely reassuring, but she still felt the same. She was about to speak to Nami when suddenly Usopp shouted out. "Hey, Mika, where have you been?" Both women looked over to see Mika exiting the cabin with something in arms. Having heard the sniper, Mika shouted back.

"I finished auntie's present!"

The group immediately cheered. Nami looked over to Robin wondering if she was surprised. It looked to be so, or at least the older woman was curious as to what her present was. Seeing her aunt, Mika rushed past the party group and headed straight for Robin looking very excited. As she stopped right in front of Robin, the rest of the crew gathered around wanting to see what the little girl had made for the birthday girl.

"Happy birthday, Auntie Robin!" Mika then held out her hands as she revealed the present to be a book. Robin was a bit surprised by the gift, but accepted it happily. As she looked it over, it looked to be handmade as the cover and back was mostly blank with the exception of the title, 'Auntie Robin and Mika'. A simple title, but definitely one she liked.

"Thank you, Mika. Where did you take the time to make this?"

"Recently! I know it's not as good as those big books you have, but-"

Robin quickly interrupted the little girl. "You're right, it's much better because it's a gift from you. Thank you very much, Mika. I'll be sure to read it soon." Hearing her aunt compliment on her gift, Mika immediately hugged Robin, who happily returned it. All around them the crew could feel the love and were smiling proudly. With the exception of Franky who was crying manly tears as he was touched by the scene.

Happy Birthday, Robin!

Epilogue

Later that same night, mostly everyone was now in bed with the exception of Robin. Like always she would be reading a few books from her library, but this time she had something new to read. As soon as she had collected all her books and sat down, she began to read her birthday present from Mika. The simple title of 'Auntie Robin and Mika' definitely intrigued her though it was far from the reason she would read this first. Her first present from her loving niece certainly outweighed any book written by any professional.

As she read through the book, she was unable to lose her smile. Though the book was filled with misspelled words, cutesy pictures (actually very well-done pictures thanks to Usopp showing her how to draw), and many of errors that any teacher could catch, Robin loved every aspect of this book all the way down to its plot. It seemed to be a story of an adventure with her and Mika along with the crew making the occasional appearance, but Luffy and Nami definitely had the most. It seems that Mika was helping her in a quest to find something of great importance. They had gone through traps, avoided dangerous creatures, and taken down marines and pirates alike. She loved how their enemies would just collapse spontaneously, proving that Mika didn't know how she took out opponents, much to her happiness.

In the end, they had finally made it to their goal, which surprised Robin greatly. In the book, she and Mika had found a Ponegylth, which she wondered how she knew what one looked like. "Hmm, probably from her father as he is the only one that has seen one." As Robin turned the next page, she froze and stared at the new page wide-eyed. The entire page, with the exception of the characters of Robin and Mika being just in front, was covered in the ancient writing that was on all Ponegylths. Though it wasn't much, it made one simple sentence.

Mika loves Auntie Robin no matter what everyone else says, Happy Birthday!

And while touched by the message, Robin was utterly shocked. "Who did she…" Wanting – needing – to know how, Robin had crossed her arms and activating her powers. However, it wasn't within her room. After some time had passed, the door opened as Nami walked in, wearing a robe, confused.

"What is it, Robin?"

"Where did Mika learn this?" Robin raised the book showing the ancient writing to the tired navigator. Still confused, Nami walked up for a closer inspection of writing. While she could not read it, she had certainly seen something like it before.

"I'm not sure about all of it, but Mika had been messing around your study looking for something related to those Ponegylths you are searching for. I certainly didn't know anything, but Luffy recognized some symbols that looked like the ones he saw in Alabasta where he fought Crocodile. It wasn't much, but Mika said that it be okay. Strange that I don't see any of those symbols in here."

Robin was surprised by Nami's story. She then turned the book back to herself and looked at it again. A complete sentence in this ancient writing from someone who hadn't even seen nor could read, it reminded her of the message she found from Gold Roger in Skypiea. Yet, how did Mika know the other symbols when she was given only a few from her own personal study and how did Mika know how to use them? Robin turned to the next page to see if there was any more from the little girl. Unfortunately, there was none as it seemed to be the end of the story as she and Mika hugged and the crew cheered in the background next to the Ponegylth.

"Is something wrong, Robin?" asked Nami as she wasn't sure what was going on with the black-haired archeologist. Robin just looked up from the book with a very neutral expression.

"I'm…not sure. But there is definitely something about Mika we, maybe even she herself, don't know…"

End