Author's Note: Sorry I took so long with this update. It's been done. It's just I was busy with other things. Anyways, here's the 4th chapter. Enjoy!
Dream Amidst A Nightmare
Chapter 4: Dream Realized
On approach to the large building, Nate looked up at it and felt it had been a very long time since he'd last seen it. He was nervous as hell and extremely fidgety. However, he refrained from it by placing his hands behind his back.
"Everything will be fine, Nate. Don't be so nervous." Desini said, but was just as nervous. She could read the anxiety on his face.
"Yeah, like we've said before, you did make it through that whole hellish year … If they don't grant this, then they're cruel bastards …" Abel muttered the last part under his breath.
"Like Des says, I'm sure everything will be just fine. I'm sure they will realize his commitment and give him a second chance. I'm pretty sure they will be fair about this." Jin said as he also walked with his hands behind his back.
"I hope so …" Nate said as he began looking around. "I don't see Captain Luffy."
"Me neither, but I'm sure he'll be here." Desini said as she also looked around with a smile.
They finally made it inside, following along behind Garp. He stopped at some doors and then turned to them. "You three wait outside. You'll be called for when needed."
"Of course, sir." Jin replied as he bowed his head slightly.
Nate looked even more nervous as he fiddled with his uniform. "You look fine." Desini said as she smiled and brushed his hands away, "And everything will be fine." She said before kissing his cheek. "Just be honest, although, I'm sure that won't be a problem."
"Knock 'em dead, runt." Abel said as he smiled down at him. Nate smiled and nodded.
"See ya in a bit." Jin said as he also smiled.
Smiling wider and nodding again, Nate finally turned to follow Garp inside. Once they walked inside, Nate watched as the council began to enter and take their seats. Some of them actually looked surprised to see him. Feeling a little pride swell within him, he took a deep breath and smiled.
"Vice Admiral." The man in the middle greeted as he nodded his head to Garp.
Garp nodded to the man in return. Suddenly, the doors opened, and Nate turned to see Captain Luffy walk in. A grin broke out on each face as their eyes met. Walking to the front, Captain Luffy then greeted both.
"Jii-chan, Nate." He said as he nodded to both. "It's good to see you again, Nate. A year's a long time"
"Aa, it is." Nate replied with his grin and nodded back.
"Now that all are present … we may begin." The man, whom had greeted Garp said as he looked to either side of him to his companions.
The man, whom had made a big fuss about the Devil's Children the first time, leaned forward as he gave the three a hard look. "Quite frankly, I'm surprised you've all come back …"
"We're you expecting him to run, councilman?" Captain Luffy asked as he placed his hands behind his back.
The man arched his brow and tilted his head. "Yes." He replied frankly.
"Well, I didn't run, because here I am." Nate said, his expression hard as he lifted his chin slightly.
"Yes, here you are …" The man said as he then shifted his eyes to Garp. "You promised … that the hard labor would be … painfully diligent, Vice Admiral Garp." He said, a bit nastily as his lips slightly quirked into a sneer.
"Just because the boy is still here, councilman, does not mean the labor was not diligent. The boy took everything I threw at him."
"And yet here he still stands …"
"My grandfather is not the type to go easy on anyone, councilman. It wasn't his duty to make Nate want to run away, but to serve out his one year of punishment and community service. He has done so, as promised …." L said as his brows furrowed slowly and his chin tilted downwards.
"The captain has a point …" The first man said as he looked to the other councilman pointedly before turning to look down at Garp. "Please, Vice Admiral, give us a report of the service this young man served."
"For the first four months, the boy trained under Captain Jin and two of his subordinates." Garp started, before he noticed his grandson perk considerably.
"Captain Jin …?"
"That's right. You know him?" Garp asked as he quirked a brow.
"Well … kinda of. We met a Captain Jin in the other world. He was … a really good man." The rubber captain replied as he smiled. "He and one of his men helped the other Luffy and me train to defeat the bad one, and even though the other Luffy was a pirate, and he was a marine, he never tried to catch him and turn him in. He'd even given his word to omit him as best he could from the report, or at least concoct a story for him. His lieutenant was named Abel."
Nate perked to that named and grinned. "Abel was one of the ones with Captain Jin. Him and … Desini."
Not failing to hear the different tone in how he'd said the girl's name, the captain then grinned and chuckled. "I met her after we'd gotten back. I couldn't help but give her an odd look! I'm sure I left her wondering, but I didn't tell her I'd seen her in another world."
Nate chuckled before flushing a bit. "Ah, yeah … I didn't really tell her about that either … Only that I met her once …" He said as he scratched his cheek, where the Desini from the other world had once kissed him.
"Can we get back to the topic at hand …?" The rude councilmen asked in a slow and annoyed voice as he narrowed his eyes at them.
"Of course, I apologize." Luffy said as he straightened back up and turned to look at them.
Nate also straightened out as he faced the men. Clearing his throat and not really caring, Garp continued on. "After four months of them toughening him up, he then spent another four building a stone wall by himself."
"A stone wall?" The rude councilman questioned as he sneered a bit. "That's it?!"
"Which stone wall, Vice Admiral?" The first man asked as he leaned forward.
"The one surrounding the newest base on the island of Kaibyaku."
A few eyes widened as they sat up a bit straighter. "I-I heard that wall was to be very large in size."
"It is. Each stone weighed in at around one hundred pounds each, and he built the entire wall surrounding the base." Garp continued, causing many brows to rise up high.
"The entire wall … all alone?" A woman asked as she shifted her eyes down to the small man.
"All alone. He has the callous hands to prove it, if you care to see."
"Ah, no … Th-That … won't be necessary." She said as a hand went to her throat slowly.
"And then the other four months?" Another man asked as he also stared down at Nate in some awe.
"He trained with me." Garp said as his face broke into a malicious grin.
Luffy paled slightly and shuddered. His grandfather was indeed … a hard man. He was also in awe of Nate having built an entire wall all alone. It must have been incredibly hard. He had already had respect for the smaller man for what he'd done for the other Nami, but now even more so.
"The service he preformed … was indeed … painfully diligent, Vice Admiral." The first man said as he cleared his throat. "I'm quite impressed that this man … was able to … endure all of that. Did you bring the three here to verify all of this and to give their view on the man, as promised."
Luffy's brows furrowed as he turned to look at his grandfather. He had not been made aware of this. "I did." Garp replied before turning towards a marine standing at the rear and then nodded.
Nodding in return, the marine walked out and then walked back in within a few seconds, the three entering in behind him. Luffy watched as the three walked in. He had wondered why they had been sitting out there and seemed to be waiting when he'd first come in. The three approached the front and then stood in a line next to Nate and Garp.
"So, you are Captain Jin." The first man said.
"Yes sir, I am." Jin replied as he stood stiffly, his hands behind his back.
"What are your views on this man here?"
"My views …" Jin stated before smiling and turning to look down at Nate. Nate also turned to look up at him and smiled as well. Turning back to the men and woman, Jin's smile remained as he continued, "I view him as quite incredible. All that he's accomplished is commendable. Not only that, but he's a great friend."
"Would you trust this man?"
"Without a doubt and in a heartbeat, councilman." Jin replied immediately as his smile widened slightly. "Yes, I do trust this man."
Nate's smiled softened a bit to his words, feeling good about being called a great friend, and that Jin trusted him so much. "I see." The first councilman said as he seemed to be in thought. "What about you?" He then asked as he looked over at Abel.
Abel scrunched up his cheeks in a weird smile as he looked down. "I'm going to be quite honest, councilman …"
"Please do. That is what we want to hear."
Abel was quiet for awhile as he stared down at the ground with his blank smile. "I … could have never done what this man has …" He replied quietly before slowly looking up, his smile seemingly empty.
The councilmen furrowed their brows a bit at his words. "Lieutenant?"
"Abel …" Jin whispered as he frowned softly to his friend.
"No." Abel replied immediately as he turned his head to him, but didn't look at him and shook it. "I know what you told me … I know you said that you believed in me, but Jin … I meant what I said. I could have never endured what he endured …" He said quietly, but it was loud enough for all to hear. "I would have quit a long time ago … and, quite frankly, I'm grateful I never had to do any of what he did. Honestly, I'm jealous of him, because he's a man I will probably never be …" He said as his lips curled up a bit in his smile as he shrugged and shook his head again.
Swallowing hard, he then face forward, but never lifted his eyes from the ground. He was a bit embarrassed to have admitted that, but the runt deserved for the honest truth to be told. Both Jin and Desini were frowning softly at him. Nate could only gape at him, completely caught off guard by his surprising and deep honesty. The council stared down at him, some astonished as well by his honesty.
"That's absurd!"
"I can assure you … councilman … that it is not …" Abel said as he furrowed his brows and rolled his eyes up to the bitter man, his face marble. "You wanted the truth, and I gave it to you. Is there a problem with it?"
"And are you sure this isn't some practiced speech?!"
"Why would it be, councilman? Is that a way that would make you feel better?"
"Are you insinuating anything, lieutenant?!"
"Ab-so-lute-ly not, councilman. Whatever gave you that idea?" Abel said as he narrowed his eyes, deciding he really wanted to punch this man's face.
"You are forgetting your place, lieutenant!"
"Please, gentlemen." The first man said as he looked over to the other councilman with a frown. Then he turned to look down at Desini, who was also frowning deeply to the rude councilman. "Ensign, please. Give us your opinion and report."
Blinking slowly, Desini lowered her head then before taking a deep breath. "Honesty … I will give the honest truth, just as Lieutenant Abel has done … And in all honesty …" She started very quietly as her brows lifted a bit, but her eyes never left the floor, "I fell in love with him …" She finally replied as she blinked her eyes up to them, a small blush forming on her cheeks.
Sucking in his breath, Nate's eyes grew large as his cheeks also flushed. Even a flush formed on a few of the councilmen and woman, and even on Luffy's face as his eyes grew larger.
"F-Fell in love with him …?" The councilwoman asked as she blinked down at her.
"Yes, ma'am."
"That's even more absurd!"
"Why?! Why is it so absurd, councilman?!" Desini cried as she took a step forward.
"Des …" Jin called softly as he stepped forward as well, holding out his hand.
Obeying the quiet command, she sucked in her breath as her chin tilted into the air, but she stared down the councilman with a displeased frown.
Nate frowned softly at her, remaining in place. "That will be enough of this …" The first man said as he also frowned to the other councilman. Then he looked down at Desini. "Care to elaborate?"
Taking a deep, calming breath, she took a step back and turned to look back at the first man. "Of course." She said as she felt herself calming, "It was my job to see to his injuries, and during that time, I had gotten the chance to talk to him, get to know him a little. After awhile, I had gotten the courage to ask about his change, seeing as he'd not really answered when it was asked of him the first time by Lieutenant Abel. He … then explained to me his reasons, which I then understood his first simple answer. It had been because of kindness. Something … it seems may not be shown much to someone with an ability here in our world." She explained while clenching her teeth a bit, but had to force them open again. "Then, he trusted me enough to tell me why he had done the things he did, and I completely understood him, and why he would do such things. I would have done the same."
Many heads lifted to her words and brows furrowed a bit. "After that point, we had become friends. On one of the days I had been … treating his blistered hands from his building the wall, he passed out from exhaustion … The next day, I had to wake him to go right back out there …" She said softly as she shook her head. "At this point, it was a little difficult for me to watch him go through such hard labor all alone. So … I … took him away for a few hours, just to let him rest for just a little while. When we got back, the Vice Admiral had our punishment. We were to wash the dishes of the day and the men's laundry from the encampment. However, not only that, I was to join Nate in building the wall the next day. However … he … he told the vice admiral that he would take on my half of the punishment in building the wall by working through the evening and skipping his dinner meal."
The eyes of the council shifted to Nate as he took a deep breath, just listening to her. "I think … that might have been when I really began to feel ... for him. When his training started with … the vice admiral …" She started as she swallowed and shook her head. "It had become completely unbearable to watch. To say that his … punishment and service was painfully diligent … is the truth … because it was even painful for me to just watch …" She said quietly as she blinked a few times.
The first man slowly blinked as he looked down at his desk. Then he turned to his colleagues as they began to speak amongst themselves. The rude councilman seemed to whisper vehemently and angrily, but then just sat up straight as the rest straightened as well.
"Vice Admiral Garp …" The first man started as he looked down at him, "… what is your view on this?"
Garp grinned and chuckled. "Any man who can take that kind of punishment and not even hate me for it is okay by me."
The first man smiled and even laughed softly along with three of his colleagues. "Enough said, vice admiral. Give us a moment." He said as he turned to his other colleagues.
Again the rude councilman seemed to be whispering loudly and angrily while the others frowned at him and whispered back. Desini and Abel glared at the man while Luffy and Jin frowned considerably. Nate's expression, however, was concerned. Would they grant their proposal?
"Bah!" The rude man suddenly exclaimed loudly as he quickly stood and stormed from the room.
The first man was frowning at the now shut back door before sighing and turning to look down at them again. "We apologize …"
"It's all right, councilman." Garp replied as he eyed the door with a smirk.
"We've decided … that this man has done his service and will grant Captain Luffy's wish for custody."
There was a quiet cheer from Abel and Desini while the other three merely chuckled. Nate just stared at the man in utter disbelief before he finally released his breath and began to grin.
"However!" He said loudly as he leaned forward. "We've said custody, Captain Luffy. That merely means he is under your watch. If something goes wrong, he will be removed from under your custody. He is still a criminal, Captain, and is now on probation. Are we clear, Captain?"
"Yes sir, perfectly." Luffy replied with a grin and bow. "Thank you."
"There is also … one other condition."
The captain perked up and blinked. "Yes, sir."
The councilman turned to a door to the opposite side, just as it opened up and a figure stepped out. Both Nate and Luffy perked up in surprise.
"Robin!" Luffy exclaimed in his surprise to see her.
The woman seemed completely confused that this man knew who she was. There were only very few who knew who she was. The councilman quickly looked over at Luffy in just as much surprise.
"Y-You know this woman?"
"Ah! Yes! I mean no! I mean, haha …" He laughed nervously as he scratched the back of his head. "I've met this woman in another world."
"I see … This woman will be joining your crew for the time being to report back to us as well as you on his progress.
"Yes sir! That's fine with me!" Luffy said as he grinned and chuckled. He was just happy that he had finally found one of the other crewmates belonging to Luffy. Now only the reindeer and cyborg remained, if he could find them.
Walking over curious, Robin then stood beside Luffy, wanting an explanation, if possible, later for his reaction to her.
"Nate." The first man called as he looked down at Nate. "Your progress and conduct will be under close observation. Reports will be made daily by Captain Luffy for us. Let's hope that you really do want to change for the better."
"I already have changed, Councilman. I changed over a year ago, sir." Nate replied as he smiled big. "I won't let you or anyone down. Thank you."
The first man gave a small smile before nodding, and then they stood and left the room. Desini jumped up in excitement before running to Nate, cupping his face to give him a quick kiss before embracing him.
"You did it!"
Nate chuckled and hugged her back. "No, we did it." He said as he closed his eyes in relief with a slight flush on his cheeks.
"Awesome job, runt." Abel said as they stepped up to him.
"Yes, great!"
Nate turned to see Garp grinning down at them. "Thank you, sir." Nate said as he bowed.
"No need for thanks, boy. You did good." He said as he slapped a hand down on his shoulder. "I'm sure you'll do great things." He said before turning and walking out.
They all watched his back as he left the room before turning to one another. "I'm glad the council made the right decision. Looks like you're home free." Jin said as he smiled down to Nate.
"Yeah, looks like." Nate said as he grinned.
"You have a high pain tolerance, runt …" Abel said as he smiled and shook his head.
Nate chuckled as he turned to Abel. "Thanks." He said before losing some of his smile. "About what you said …"
"Don't even worry about it."
"Mm …" Nate hummed as he shook his head. "I thank you for it. It meant a lot, but … I have reasons as to why I did what I did and endured what I did, very good reasons. I couldn't quit." He said before smiling wider again. "If you had reasons … you'd be able to do it too, I know it. You just don't have any reasons or motivation right now. Once you do have a really good reason, I'm sure you wouldn't hesitate to walk through fire."
Abel gaped down at him before he smiled softly and looked down with a nod. "Thanks, Nate …" He replied quietly.
"What's this?! You didn't call him runt?! Abel, I'm shocked … Do we have a little crush on our Nate here?"
"Man! Shut up, Jin!" Abel exclaimed with a frown. "I oughta kick your ass!"
"Yeah, yeah, try it!" Jin said as he smirked at Abel.
Both Nate and Desini broke into laughter as Luffy smiled at them from the side. He had managed to make friends with all three of them. He had been able to tell upon meeting him for the first time that he hadn't had much experience with people. He was glad that he hadn't been alone through his trial. As if sensing his smile, Nate then turned to face Luffy, smile still on his face as well.
"I also owe you a thanks for all of this."
Luffy shook his head. "No, you earned it all on your own, Nate."
"But I wouldn't have been given the opportunity if it hadn't been for you, so thank you."
"You're welcome." Luffy replied as he smiled.
The first councilman smiled as he listened to the group before chuckling and walking out. He did feel as if he and the others made the right choice. Robin watched them all curiously, thinking she might like them. The six made their way out of the room to find the others. Nate then turned towards Luffy.
"Are the others here?"
"Aa, they're waiting at the front." Luffy replied as he looked up and smiled wider.
"Onii-ch-an!"
Freezing up completely and stiffening, Nate sucked in his breath as his eyes widened to the voice behind him. Everyone else looked over and their eyes widened at the girl running towards them. Shifting his eyes to the side, Nate then slowly turned just in time for a body to jump right onto him.
"Onii-chan!!"
Remaining stiff and staring out past her shoulder, his face began to lose all color before finally and slowly shifting his eyes down to the girl hugging him so tightly. As he did, his eyes met with bright red hair, before the girl finally pulled away to stare up at him with the same green eyes as his.
"Eh? Onii-chan? I thought you'd be happy to see me! Why do you look like you've just seen a ghost?" She asked as she pouted up at him.
"Na … Na … Natalie …" He whispered almost breathlessly as he stared down at her in completely shock.
Desini's lips parted with wide shocked eyes before a hand came up to cover her mouth. "Des …?" Jin questioned quietly at her shocked expression, not understanding in the least, but figured she knew something they didn't.
Even Luffy was slightly confused by Nate's reaction, having thought he would be happy too.
"Of course it's me! What's wrong with you, Nate?" His sister asked as she reached up to move his hair out of his face and check for a fever or something.
"Y-Y-Y … You're … a-alive …" He finally managed to whisper as tears came to his eyes quickly.
His sister gasped as she pulled back slightly, her frown turning more concerned. "Of course I'm alive! Nate … why would you …?" She started before gasping louder and her eyes widened. "Don't tell me …" She whispered.
"That man … That man … he … he told me you died …" Nate whispered as he started taking deep and ragged breathes and sank to the ground.
"Oh my God …" His sister said softly as her face turned slightly more pained. "Oh my God, Nate … No … No, I didn't die …" She said as she enveloped him in another tight embrace when they both reached the ground. "I can't believe that asshole told you I died! No wonder you did what you did!"
The rest of the crew walked up behind them with frowns as they watched the two. Tears immediately began to stream down Desini's face as she closed her eyes and took a shaky breath.
"I tried finding you, but I couldn't!" His sister continued as she kept her hold on him.
It was finally sinking in that his sister was right there, very much alive. More tears gathered, and before long they were gliding down his cheeks. His face contorted painfully before he immediately wrapped his arms around her, burying his face into her neck and hair and began to weep silently.
"Nate …" His sister whispered as her face also turned pained and began to cry. "I'm so sorry …"
Desini covered her mouth with both hands as she watched them cry together, but was relieved for him. Nami's frown saddened, understanding now his shocked reaction. They had actually had no idea that Nate believed his sister to be dead. After awhile, Nate finally calmed down, but kept his face buried.
"What happened …?" He whispered softly against her.
Shaking her head, she used the back of her hand to wipe at her eyes, still keeping her hold on him. "He put me up for adoption … He didn't want the responsibility of taking care of me and making me better. So, he just passed his problem off onto someone else. I guess he couldn't just let me die, so he got rid of me …" She said bitterly as she closed her eyes.
Clenching down his teeth hard, he tightened his hold on her as he shook his head. "When I asked him where you were … he said he'd taken you somewhere and then you'd died … He sounded like he didn't even care!"
"He probably didn't …" She whispered as she sighed. "He probably told you that just so you'd leave too … Asshole killed two birds with one stone …"
"After being in that place for two years, and enduring the ridicule of being different … I ran away and tried to find you again, but you were gone … When I found out you had a bounty, I didn't understand … So, I tried to find you … but damn it, Nate, you're hard to find!" She said as she leaned back to frown at him.
He gave a soft laugh as he wiped at his eyes. "I'm sorry …" He said before perking a bit and looking up at everyone and flushing. "Ah, sorry …"
Luffy chuckled as well as everyone else. "It's quite all right …" He said as he smiled down at the two.
"How?" Nate asked as he frowned.
"Well, I remembered you talking to the other Nami about a sister … from the way you said it, it seemed like you'd not seen her in a long time, but I had no idea you had thought her dead. I did a search and pulled some contacts together and we finally managed to find her two weeks ago. She had already been on her way here after reading about our return, but she was having trouble getting here." Luffy explained as he chuckled.
Nate's expression softened as he stared up at him. "Thank you …" He said in a voice that really did show his appreciation.
Luffy's expression also softened as he smiled. "Of course, Nate."
Abel stared down at the little bit of a thing, thinking he'd never seen anything so incredibly adorable ever. Then she smiled and laughed before glomping her brother again, and then he thought, now he'd never seen anything so adorable. She had to have been the cutest little thing he'd ever seen. To even think such a thought caused his face to flush a bit and look away. He would never live it down if Jin knew what he was thinking. Nate also laughed before standing up, helping his sister up as he did, for she was still attached to him.
"Natalie, I want you to meet my other friends here." He said as he turned to Jin, Abel, and Desini.
Natalie smiled brightly as she bowed to Jin first. "Hello."
"Hello, Natalie. It's a pleasure. I'm Jin."
"It's nice to meet you Jin." She said as her smile widened. Then she turned to Abel, who bowed a bit.
"Abel." He said simply as he looked back up at her.
"Oh, you're a handsome devil, aren't you? And a man of few words." Natalie said with a soft chuckle, which caused Abel to frown as a very distinct flush appeared.
"Abel?"
Abel turned to frown at Jin. "What?"
"Abel?" Jin asked a little more pointedly as he began to slowly smile.
"What about it?!"
"That's it?! Just … Abel?!"
"What's wrong with that?!"
Everyone except Nate and Desini looked confused by Jin's outburst. Desini slowly grinned and chuckled as she looked over to Nate, who was also smiling.
"Holy shit! For the first time since I've met this man … he's actually completely speechless in front of a woman!" Jin exclaimed before throwing his head back and bellowed in laughter.
Face slowly turning into a scowl, Abel bared his teeth before scoffing and looking away from Jin while fighting a blush. "I don't know what the hell you're talking about!"
Natalie's brows rose up, completely interested in this man now. "Oh I see. Are you usually a ladies' man?" She asked as only one brow remained raised.
Brows furrowing deeply, Abel's throat seemed to make a noise, but his mouth remained closed, not seeming inclined to reply, which confused him greatly. Jin and Desini were finding great amusement due to his speechless state.
"What's wrong?" Natalie asked quietly as she stepped closer to Abel, who found himself stepping back. "Nat got your tongue?" She almost purred as her eyes hooded, but her lips curved up in amusement.
Eyes widening, he stepped back more as she approached him. Her eyes almost even looked cat like as she looked at him through her lashes. Nate's smile widened as he shook his head. 'Same old Natalie …' Jin and Desini were still laughing their asses off before Natalie grinned and stepped back, joining their laughter.
"Anyways …" Nate started as he turned to Desini. "And this is Desini." He said as his expression warmed a bit.
"Ooh!" Natalie exclaimed as she turned to the other girl. "From the sound of your voice … this girl is special to you." Natalie said as she smiled brightly. "It's definitely a pleasure indeed. So pretty too!"
Desini's cheeks erupted into a blush as she blinked at her. "Th-Thank you … It's nice to meet you too." She said before shifting her eyes to a blushing Nate.
"Ha! I was right!" Natalie exclaimed as she giggled.
Luffy chuckled as he tilted his head. "Well, we made a promise once a year was up." He said making everyone quiet down.
"Mm." Nate replied as he turned to look at him. "We did."
Then Luffy turned to the others and walked towards them while beckoning for Robin to follow. She looked at the others curiously as they all perked at the sight of her, and all smiled at her.
Once Luffy and Robin walked away, Nate turned and approached Abel with a grin. "Ah, sorry about that … I guess I should warn you now though …" He said before smirking big. "I was the good twin …" He said as he pointed to himself.
"We're ready to go whenever you are, Nate." Luffy said as he turned to Nate.
"All right!" Nate said as he chuckled and walked away from a frowning, and even surprised Abel.
"Ooh! Where are we going?!" Natalie exclaimed as she whirled around with a big grin.
Jin nudged his elbow into Abel's ribs as he walked over to the others. Abel frowned deeply, quite displeased before following. "We're going to visit the Straw-hat Pirates. They are just like them." Nate replied to his sister as he nodded to Captain Luffy and his crew. "Only, they are pirates instead."
"You're really going to go visit them now?" Jin asked as he stepped forward.
"Aa, we promised to come and see them in a year. It's been a little bit longer than that, but they should be expecting us." Luffy replied as he chuckled.
"That's … very interesting. Is it all right if I come along?" Jin asked as he tilted his head a bit.
"Of course! You're all welcome to come if you like." Luffy replied with a grin.
"I wouldn't mind seeing this for myself." Abel said quietly.
"I would love to come too." Desini said as she smiled, stopping to stand next to Nate.
"Then it's settled. Shall we?" Luffy asked as he turned to Nate.
Nodding, Nate then smiled. "I've been wanting to try out something I stumbled across. Captain Luffy, I'll need you closest to me to find the other Luffy. Also, I need everyone to either be touching me, or any one touching me for everyone to make it there together."
"Right." They replied as everyone grabbed a hold of someone's shoulder or onto Nate.
"All right …" Nate said as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Everyone looked at him curiously as he seemed to be concentrating. Next thing they knew, everything went black for a split second before they found themselves on a ship.
"Whoa!" Abel exclaimed as he looked around him. "What the hell …?!"
Nate just laughed as he opened his eyes. "I don't have to use portals anymore. As long as I focus enough, I become the portal."
"Very impressive, Nate." Nami said before grinning. "Look! It's their ship." She said, but then frowned when she didn't see anyone.
Captain Luffy looked around before chuckling and grinning. Then he sucked in a great deal of air. "O-i! Luffy!"
Three seconds past before a door flew open and Luffy ran out with a massive grin on his face. "L!" He cried before jumping down to greet him as he laughed. "You're finally here!!"
Nami came out from the same room and then smiled down at them. "Everyone!" She called as she came down the stairs. Then she grinned bigger when she saw Nate. "Nate!" She cried as she went to him and immediately hugged him.
Nate flushed a bit with a laugh as he hugged her back. "Nami!"
"It's so good to see you again!" She said as she stepped back with a laugh.
"Aa! It's good to see you too." He said as he grinned back.
Desini blinked at them as she bit her lip softly. Then suddenly, Luffy's crew began to come out of different places with grins on their faces. Jin, Abel and Desini looked around in extreme awe to the people that looked so familiar and exactly like the people standing next to them.
"Oi!" They all called in greetings with grins as everyone began to talk at once.
"Oi! It's Jin!" Luffy cried as he pointed at Jin, who only blinked.
"Aa, it's Jin, but the Jin from my world."L said as he chuckled.
"Oooh!" Luffy exclaimed as his lips shaped into an 'O'. "And Abel too!" Then suddenly he perked. "Ah! It's that girl! The one that helped us back in that asshole's world, and the one that kissed you, Nate!"
Desini's eyes widened with a gasp as she quickly looked over to Nate. "Oi, Luffy! That's rude to say that!" Nami exclaimed as she popped him on the head.
"Ow! But it's true!"
Nate's face broke into a massive blush as he turned to Desini a little nervously. Desini gaped at him for awhile before her lips quirked up and she burst into laughter. "No wonder you gave me such an odd look when we first met!" She exclaimed as she laughed.
Nate chuckled nervously as he scratched his head. "It was a little weird … I would have told you if it hadn't been so weird …"
"It's okay." She said as she smiled warmer. "She had the right idea." She said as she walked over and kissed his cheek, causing him to blush further, but smile warmer.
"Ah, what's this? Are you together?" Nami asked as she grinned at the two.
"Ah, yeah …" Nate said as he gave a sheepish grin and chuckled.
"Ooh!" Nami cooed as she laughed, as she looked over at a blushing Desini. "That's awesome!"
"Thanks." Nate said as he laughed softly.
"Oh! You found Robin!" Luffy exclaimed as he grinned at the other Robin. Luffy's Robin also smiled quite happily to the other woman, who had been staring at her other self quite nervously.
"Ah! Just now! The council gave her to me just today!" L exclaimed with a snicker.
Robin approached her with a kind smile. "You will like them very much. Do not be so nervous." She said as she chuckled softly.
The other Robin seemed to relax as she also offered a smile. "Thank you."
Robin chuckled softly again as she nodded. "Shall we call her Ms. Nico?" She asked as she turned to the others.
"Ooh! Ms. Nico! No R?"
"Ms. Nico will be fine." The other Robin replied as she smiled at Luffy.
"Okay!" Luffy replied with a massive grin.
"Oh, there's someone I would really like you to meet, Nami." Nate said as his smile brightened, and then he turned to a girl who'd been slightly hidden behind everyone.
Upon seeing the girl, Nami gasped loudly as her eyes widened as far as they could go. "Oh …" She breathed in nothing more than a whisper as the girl stepped forward. Stepping forward herself, Nami then looked over at Nate in her shock. "Th-This can't be … but I thought …?"
Ah? Nami?" Luffy questioned as he looked a little confused.
Nate's smiled warmed as he turned to his sister. "That's right. She's my sister. I had thought her to be dead, but she wasn't, and Captain Luffy-Ah, I mean L, found her and brought her to the trial today."
Nami released a shaky breath as tears slowly gathered in her eyes. "Oh … That's … That's wonderful …" She said before turning and embracing Nate. "That's wonderful!" She said a little louder.
Nate chuckled as he also teared up a bit. "I know. It's great."
Nami pulled away with a laugh before turning to Natalie. "It's so good to meet you! I'm Nami!" She said as she extended a hand to her.
Smiling big, Natalie took her hand exuberantly. "It's nice to meet you too, Nami! I'm Natalie!"
Suddenly, everyone went quiet when the sound of a baby's cry sounded through the air. Both L and N perked as their eyes widened.
"Eh?"
To Be Continued …
Author's Note: Buwahahahaha! XD I know~! I'm so mean for ending it there! XD I promise I won't take long bringing out the last chapter! In hopes of making up for this nasty cliffy, I have some pics to show you guys! X) Here's my photobucket profile. The first few pics are of my OCs, plus Luffy and Nami! Enjoy! XD
http ( : ) ( / ) ( / ) s245 ( . ) photobucket ( . ) com ( / ) albums ( / ) gg49 ( / ) Confession68 ( / ) Just remove the spaces and ().
Buwahahaha! Jin is the Angel, and Abel is the Devil! XD