I hope you all enjoyed the last chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece.

~The First~

It wasn't long till Sabo reached the island: night had just fallen when he tied the boat to the dock. He tiredly made his way through the town, stopping only when someone called out to him. He heard many thanks and other niceties. He was pulled over to look what looked like the inn, and finally he decided he needed to do something.

"Wait, I need to go to the woman's house."

The woman working at the inn smiled. "Ann is fine, she's been taken care of. You can stay here tonight for free."

"Are you sure?"

The woman nodded. "You went out of your way to save Ann. It's the least we could do."

Sabo bowed his head in thanks. "I'm thankful for your generosity."

Sabo took the key for the door and headed to his assigned room. Once there he gladly went to sleep after he removed his shoes, hat, cravat and coat. As it became morning he had fallen into a sleep that could rival Ace's. He hadn't noticed when someone entered his room and approached him. Not until he felt the hand on his shoulder.

Sabo jolted awake, getting up quickly as the person who touched him moved away. Sabo turned to the person and blinked as he saw Ann standing over his bed. Sabo sighed in relief as he calmed his rapidly beating heart. Ann took a seat in the chair at the desk before watching Sabo. The blonde quickly grabbed his coat to cover his chest some for the girl.

"What do you need?"

Ann watched him. "I wanted to thank you. You had no reason to come after me, yet you did."

Sabo looked at her. "I had a reason."

"What was it? Everyone told me they hadn't asked you. You were just gone the next morning."

Sabo smiled. "I couldn't let a young lady be held hostage and not do something."

Ann looked away, but he knew she was blushing. "I thank you again then."

Sabo nodded in acceptance. "I'll accept that thanks. Now onto more concerning matters."

"Concerning?"

"Where can I get some good breakfast?"

Ann smiled. "My grandma wants to treat you to breakfast."

"Then I will graciously accept the offer." Sabo finished dressing with a laugh.

He followed the girl back to her house, and was greeted happily by her grandmother. As he entered, Balloon called out from his bed and Sabo chuckled before going over to greet the bird. From the corner of his eyes he saw Ann begin helping her grandmother ready breakfast. Soon the women had the food ready they all took a seat at the table, after Ann put Balloon's meal in front of him.

"Thank you for saving Ann." the grandmother began.

Sabo smiled. "It was the least I could do."

"You didn't have to though," Ann pointed out.

"No but I couldn't just leave you in danger. Especially after that bird became intent on reaching you even with his injuries."

Ann smiled. "Still, thank you."

Sabo nodded before frowning. "I hate to be the bringer of bad news."

"What is it?" The grandmother asked.

"Spiel will return for that bird, and I can't stay."

The grandmother nodded as Ann finished her food and got up. Sabo watched the girl sit next to the large bird with sad eyes. She began stroking him as she tried to figure out what to do. Sabo's mind was already filled with an idea for the girl's dilemma. Before he could speak Ann turned to him a frown on her face.

"I'm not letting Balloon go," she stated firmly. "He wouldn't stay away anyways."

"I wasn't saying you should let him go."

"I'm not handing him over either." Ann's frown grew larger if possible.

"Not saying that either."

Ann sighed in exasperation. "Then what are you saying?"

"I'm saying it might be good for you two to leave the island."

The girl stared at him for a few, her look made him feel like he was some kind of specimen. Her grandmother had been unusually quiet during the exchange. Sabo glanced at the elder and was surprised she didn't look to be against it.

Ann glanced at her grandmother. "I can't leave my grandmother."

The old woman looked at the girl. "I can take care of myself dear. What's important to me and will make me feel better is knowing you and Balloon are safe."

"But grandmother, where would we go?"

The grandmother turned to Sabo. "Why not go with this young man? He's looking for people to travel with, I'm guessing."

"I am, I'm starting a crew."

Ann glared. "What kind of crew?"

Sabo looked at the table, deep in thought now. "A pirate crew."

"You're suggesting I become a pirate? They're the ones who did this to us."

Sabo nodded. "But I'm also the one who rescued you. I didn't do it for any reward, just the kindness of my heart. I'm not like Spiel and his men."

Ann bit her lip at that, not having an argument. "But."

"Ann go with him. He's a nice young man. Who knows, you may eventually get what it is you desire," the grandmother spoke up.

"But grandmother-"

"Also, it's the best thing you can do to protect Balloon." The grandmother stared the girl down.

Ann looked back at balloon. "What do you think?"

The bird turned its gaze from his partner to watch Sabo. The blonde waited patiently for the bird's decision, hoping they would join him. The bird seemed to nod as it squawked loudly in his direction. Sabo laughed, Ann not seeming to like the decision but nodding that she understood.

"I guess we'll join you then." She stood before looking at Sabo sternly. "Just until I find a better option!"

Sabo chuckled. "Sure, sure."

The grandmother smiled. "The men worked on your boat yesterday, so it's all ready for you to leave."

Sabo nodded. "I'll go prepare it then." He turned to Ann. "You can say you're goodbyes, I'll be waiting at the docks."

He bid the grandmother a good day and thanked her for the meal before leaving the house. He hurried to the dock, intent on checking on his ship. Once there he placed his belongings inside and began readying it to sail before looking it over. It really was fixed, he could hardly tell what had been done to it before he arrived at the town.

A while later, a squawk told him of the arrival of his new crewmates. Turning, he saw Balloon land on the boat with another happy chirp. Ann climbed in and placed her bag on the deck as she watched Sabo. Sabo chuckled before untying the boat from the dock, and maneuvering them out to sea.

As they set off, wordlessly he watched as Ann ran to the side of the boat closest to the island. Waving at the people she was leaving behind as Balloon squawked out his goodbyes. Sabo continued steering the ship away, not saying anything, just remembering the time when he left his island. That time seemed so far away now even though it hadn't been that long. It was a new day to his journey, and Sabo was ready to start it with his new crewmates.

~End ch. 6~

Sorry it's a bit later than normal, school got in the way this week and I got the chapters to my Beta real late. Again thanks to Lady Spritzy for doing the beta for my stories.

Reviewer's corner:

kunf'you'z-ed: Thanks for the review! This totally made my day, well all reviews make my day but still! I hope I'm doing justice to Ann, since I can't actually find any translations to read for her at all unlike Silk. Thank you for reading!

Till next time and thanks everyone!