When Luffy stepped on the marine ship, she'd been welcomed aboard the marine ship happily, but she kept a safe distance. Her grandfather seemed to have noticed her discomfort and thankfully, he showed her to an empty room. She was sailing with marines. Marines had killed her Mama and all her family. She didn't want to be with them. But this was Papa's choice and Papa wouldn't have let her go if he didn't think she'd be able to handle it.

Luffy rummaged through her bag until she found her whiter bear and clutched it tightly to her chest. "Heya Mr. Snuggles."

The soft silence was interrupted by a knock on the door, and Luffy stiffened but hesitantly jumped of the bed, Mr. Snuggles tucked safely under her chin, and slowly opened the door.

A young marine stood there smiling, and he held out a plate of food. "Luffia, here's your food. Would you like anything else?"

"No thank you." She muttered lowly.

The marine walked away. She willed her wings to appear, her hands full with the plate and her bear, and slammed the door shut with one. Well nearly shut, it was stopped by a large scarred hand. Her grandfather stood at the doorway, and he entered the room with a jolly grin. "Dragon had mentioned that you had eaten a devil fruit." He stated, glancing at her wings.

Luffy nodded, keeping her eyes on him as she back down and started eating. He followed suit and sat at the edge of the bed, eyeing her wings curiously. "You've eaten some sort of dragon devil fruit?"

Luffia swallowed, letting her wings disappear before answering, "Yeah, that's what Rei-san said."

"Ate it by accident?"

Luffia nodded again.

Garp laughed, but stayed silent after that, letting Luffia eat in peace. It was a few minutes later when Luffia spoke aloud, dragging the old man from his thoughts.

"What island are we going to?"

Garp replied instantly, "The name's Fushia Village." He answered, "It's a small peaceful village."

"Oh. That's good.

Garp laughed. "It definitely is."

"How long until we arrive then?"

"It's not long now." He stood up and headed to the door. "I'll let you know when we arrive."

Luffia nodded. "Okay."

Her grandfather laughed as he left the room, slamming the door behind him.

Luffia shrugged, "He wasn't that bad was he, Mr. Snuggles?"

Makino glanced up at the huge marine ship, letting out a small laugh at the villagers whispers. The same thing happened every few months, Garp-san would arrive, the villagers would gossip, he'd spend a few nights in his hometown and then leave again. This time, however, it was different. A small girl jumped from the tall ship, landing harshly on the rough ground. Makino hid her concerned frown behind her hand. "Are you alright?"

The little girl's head cocked up and looked startled at her question, but stayed silent.

Makino let out a soft curious smile, holding her hand out in greeting. "I'm Makino, who may you be?"

It took a few seconds (nearing minutes) of awkward staring between her and her hand before the girl finally held out her hand and cautiously shook it.

"Luffy. My name's Monkey D. Luffy." The girl introduced quietly, and Makino couldn't help but notice her eyes. The child's eyes were old, scarred, and dimmed. Her eyes were too old for a mere child.

But she didn't mention that, and instead smiled. "That's a nice name, Luffy. If you don't mind answering, why were you aboard Garp-san's ship?"

Luffy opened her mouth to answer, but was interrupted by the man himself. "Ah, Makino! This is my granddaughter!"

Makino raised an eyebrow looking back and forth between both, there wasn't much physical similarities between them. Her gaze stopped at Luffy, and she smiled. "Luffy would you like to come and eat some food at my bar?"

Luffy's lips twitched into a tiny, barely noticeable smile. "Yes please."

Makino-san was odd for sure. She was happy, all smiles and after being on a subdued depressed ship for so long in was a startling change. A change which Luffia, or well she had named herself Luffy now, was content with. The island was tiny, it was much smaller than where she used to live, before it was destroyed, and well Luffy wasn't going to relieve those memories right now.

When they had first docked ship, the villagers had gathered about the ship filled with curiosity, obviously not used to many newcomers, officiating Jii-chan's statement of it being a small peaceful town.

"All finished, Luffy?" The question broke through Luffy's thoughts and she nodded, handing the plate back to the barmaid. She quite liked the name Luffy, Iva-chan called her Luffy all the time. A new name, and a fresh start.

Luffy didn't notice Makino staring at her until she felt something prod at her shoulder. She flinched, her body tensing at the sudden movement, only relaxing slightly when she heard the barmaid's hushed 'I'm sorry.'.

It was only Makino, it wasn't anything else. Luffy shook her head muttering "It's fine," but purposefully moved back. She felt Makino's eyes focused on her, a curious glint in them and let out a small pained smile.

Makino returned the gesture with a bigger more honest smile. She leaned her elbows on the counter, her head resting in her opened palms, "How old are you, Luffy?"

"Six."

"Hm, I see."

Luffy knew that the barmaid wanted to ask more questions but held herself. So she thought of a topic and let out a true smile. "Makino-san, what do you think about pirates?"

Next to them Garp stopped eating so loudly, and Luffy inwardly winced. Maybe it was wasn't such a good idea to bring up her dream in front of Garp. Both her parents had always said he was crazy about pirates.

After a few seconds of silence, Makino sighed. "I don't really have an opinion on them. They make for good business, and fortunately none of the ones I've met have ransacked the village."

Luffy giggled. "I'm gonna be the King of the Pirates! And when I do, I'll come back and pay you with my treasure!"

Makino chuckled. "Oh? You like pirates?" This was an interesting turn of events, Garp-san's granddaughter wanted to be the Pirate King. (Later, in the privacy of her own mind, Makino would remember Luffy's eyes shining bright for the first time, when mentioning her dream.) The barmaid looked over to the marine to see his reaction, and her eyes widened.

Luffy followed her surprised gaze, and she froze. Garp slowly stood up, his eyes darkening, then he walloped her across her head. "Ow! What was that for?!"

Makino winced, "Garp-san…" she muttered.

Garp ignored her, glaring down at his granddaughter. "No grandchild of mine is going to be a pirate!"

Luffy straightened, rubbed the forming bump on her head, glaring back. "What? You can't decide that!"

She received another punch on her head, and she yelped in pain. "Stop hitting me! Why do your punches hurt so damn much?!"

Garp grinned, eyes darkening. "It's a fist of love! I'll give you many more, until your mind is rid of the idea of becoming a pirate! You're going to become a respectable marine!"

"Love?" She echoed. "That's not how you show love, you stupid old man!"

His fist came down again, but before it connected with her head she jumped of the stool, evading the attack. She sprinted to the exit, and ran out shouting, "I'm never gonna become a marine! I'm gonna be the strongest and freest pirate on the seas!"

She didn't get very far, mind you. Just as she exited the bar, Luffy was grabbed by another old man. 'What's up with all these stupid old men?'

Luffy pouted dangling in mid air, held up by the back of her shirt. The small girl craned her neck to see what this man looked like, and raised an eyebrow. He was short, with a scraggly beard and a funny hat.

"Who are you?" She muttered rudely, glaring at him.

The man ignored her, walked into the bar, glancing at the furious marine and then at Makino. "Makino-chan. A beer, please."

Makino nodded, whilst Garp sat back down finishing of his own mug.

Luffy was placed on a chair, and the man sat next to her. "I'm the Mayor of this town." He introduced, "And you, young lady, are not going to ruin this town's reputation by becoming a filthy pirate."

"How will it ruin the reputation? Imagine! 'The Pirate King once lived in our village!' That makes it tons better!"

"Pirate King? You?" He asked incredulously.

Luffy blew a raspberry at him. "Hmph. Don't worry, old man. I'll keep your town and its reputation safe."

"No, you'll tarnish it."

Luffy rolled her eyes, turning her back on the Mayor and her grandfather. She placed her head on the table, and suddenly all her exhaustion crept it. She could feel her eyes drooping shut, she was so tired, when was the last time she had gone sleep? She hadn't gone sleep on the marine ship, too alert on being a ship full of marines. She was just going to close her eyes for a minute. Just a minute.

Makino glanced over at Luffy, and her eyes softened. "She fell asleep."

Garp looked over at Luffy before returning his gaze back at Makino. "Makino, could she stay with you?"

The bar owner nodded. "Of course Garp-san. Will you be off again?"

"Yeah. I'll be back soon to visit." Garp told her, he took the last donut and then got up and walked out of the bar.

"So carefree." Makino said, staring at the closing doors. She looked back at the dozing girl, and came around, gently picking her up. "I'm going to take her up. Will you be alright, Mayor?"

The mayor nodded, waving her away.

Makino left the Mayor, and placed the small girl on a bed. "Sleep well, Luffy."

Luffy awoke hours later, in an unfamiliar bed. She walked out of the room, still half asleep, and found her way back to the bar. She could hear a familiar ringing sound, and figured out what it was when she spotted Makino.

The bar owner was sitting on a chair, staring at Luffy's loud, vibrating bag. Luffy rubbed the sleep away from her eyes, walking closer. Makino turned around, and laughed sheepishly. "Sorry, Luffy. I was going to wake you, but you were in quite a peaceful sleep."

Luffy opened her bag, and rummaged about before grabbing what she was looking for.

Makino stared as she brought out a pale yellow snail, the source of all the noise. "That's what's been making all the sound? What is that?"

Luffy smiled, rubbing her tired eyes. "Papa said I'd be able to call him through it. He showed me how to work it and it actually worked!" She answered with stars in her eyes, the snail was totally awesome.

"Oh? So are you going to… answer it then?"

Luffy nodded, and then lifted the receiver. "Hey, Papa!"

A deep voice came through. "Luffia. Are you alright?"

Makino stared in disbelief but Luffy just grinned. "Yep! Jii-chan took me to this island, one that has a good reputation or something. The mayor said he doesn't want me to become a pirate cause that'll tarnish it. But Makino-san is really nice and she makes yummy food. And I fell asleep, and I didn't have one nightmare, that's good right?" Luffy rambled, her face brightening in delight.

Makino's eyes widened when she heard that Luffy had slept without nightmares. What had happened to the young girl? She was glad that she hadn't woken her up then, the poor girl had looked to be calmly sleeping.

"That's good, Luffia."

Was her full name Luffia? Makino wondered to herself. This young girl was shrouded in mysteries.

"Was Garp around when you mentioned you wanted to be Pirate King?"

Luffy pouted. "He was. Jii-chan's crazy, Papa! He punched me on the head like three times, saying that it was a fist of love! That's not what love is, right Papa?"

The snail's face winced, "No, that's not how you show love Lu. Garp is just… crazy. Try not to rile him up too often, he's going to put you through much worse the more you say it."

"I'll just beat him up!"

Makino frowned, that wasn't going to happen.

"That's not going to happen, Luffy."

Makino nodded approvingly, at least Luffy's father had some sense.

"He's far stronger than you, Lu, don't do anything too absurd. Where is he right now?"

Luffy shrugged, looking at Makino. Makino spoke up, "He's gone again. Said that he'll be back soon too visit though."

The snail's eyes narrowed. "Are you Makino?"

"Yes."

"Ah. If it isn't too much trouble, could you take care of Luffia?"

Makino smiled, "I was already planning to do so."

"Thank you. Lu, I'll ring again soon. Take care of yourself."

Luffy nodded. "You too, Papa!"

The snail smiled, then the line went blank. Luffy placed the receiver back on top, and turned back to Makino.

Makino ruffled her hair, "Your name's Luffia?" She asked, genuinely curious.

"Yes. But you'll still call me Luffy, right?"

"If that's what you want."

They lapsed into silence, and it was broken when Makino stood up and carefully picked up Luffy's bag then motioned to Luffy to follow her. "Where are we going?"

Makino smiled, "To our room. You need to rest, you still look dead tired."

Luffy smiled softly at hearing Makino's room being called our room. "Oh... Does that mean I'll be sleeping in your room?"

Makino nodded, she wanted to keep Luffy as comfortable and safe as possible, and to have the least amount of the nightmares mentioned. "Yes. Here we are, this is our room."

"It looks very nice, Makino-san."

"You plait looks beautiful too." Makino complemented fingering the braid in her hair.

A hint of red appeared on Luffy's cheeks. "Really?"

Makino giggled. "Yes, really."

Later when Luffy was fast asleep, Makino silently studied her. Even covered in mysteries, and all arrows pointing to her having an awful past, Luffy seemed to be a nice, sweet girl with a huge dream. Makino placed a soft kiss on Luffy's head, eyes softening at the bear clutched tightly in her arms. She was just a small child, stuck in a horrendous part of life.