I'm back! Thank you all for being so very understanding. I had midterms and had to focus on.. well, the midterms. So I couldn't update fast. But now I have intersession and I'm hoping to squeeze in at least two or three more chapters (including this one). Did I scare you in the last chapter? =^.^=

(That's why I named this chapter JKJK= just kidding just kidding)

Chapter 6

"I'm hungry..."

Luffyko blinked.

Zoro's eyes flew open and his hand rose again to bonk her on the head.

"Baaka. Why would the greatest swordsman die because of something as trivial as this? You need to have more faith in me, captain. I'm just starving, I haven't eaten in weeks you know.. besides the onigiri. There's this bar, take me there. It's-"

Luffyko smiled widely and pulled Zoro to her chest. "Shishishi! I know where the bar is! And you're a baka too! Why would Zoro die? Shishishi!" Luffyko was laughing as if it was her birthday. From the side, Coby felt a twinge of envy. Now I really have to become a great Marine, no matter what. Then Luffyko-san would notice me and... wait, what am I thinking? I'm a marine, she's a pirate. We're going to have to fight each other one day... But I still feel so jealous of Zoro, if only I wanted to be a pirate too! But I made it my goal, I told LUFFYKO-SAN that I WILL become a GOOD, STRONG marine! I will- Coby snapped out of it when he saw Luffyko standing up with Zoro leaning heavily on her. Luffyko turned around and gestured to Coby to follow her.

The forgotten marines were all going crazy. This girl defeated Morgan! They were free! Then all their bottled up emotions exploded. They cheered and jumped up. "BANZAI" The tyrant Morgan would rule no more! One of the marines turned around, searching for their hero. He wanted to at least thank her, even if she was a pirate. But she was long gone. He set out to look for her.

In the bar~~

Zoro leaned back, rubbing his stomach. "That was worth not eating for three weeks.." He was completely satisfied, the food was fulfilling and tasted great too!

"Eh? Zoro, that's all you're going to eat?" Zoro opened his eyes and glanced at his captain's table. Luffyko had ordered so much food that it filled up one whole table. Thus, Zoro and Coby were eating on a separate table. He pointed to the stack of empty plates that was steadily growing bigger. "How are you able to eat more than a man who's been starved for weeks?" He was serious. "Shishishi! Maybe that's because I need to feed all the other spirits? Oh, I know! It's because meat is yummy so meat is good, and so I love meat, and because I love meat, meat tastes really delicious. It tastes better if you eat more meat as a side dish, meat and meat is a good combination!" Zoro and Coby sweat dropped. Her first reasoning was more convincing than the meat one. How many times had she used the word meat?

He shrugged it off. "So, how many shipmates do we have?" Luffyko grinned. "You're going to be the first mate, Zoro!" Zoro was confused at the sudden change of conversation, but he felt dread creeping up his back. "Then..." He pointed to Luffyko and then to himself. "Mmm! It's us two!" Zoro internally slapped his forehead. "But if you're going to be Pirate King, don't you need to have more.." Luffyko grinned. "We're strong!"

Zoro sighed. Then he winced as he realized something. If he was her first shipmate, and seeing how lacking she was in planning ability... "Th-then our ship?" He was afraid of the answer. Coby intervened. "It's that one over there." Zoro peered out and saw a teeny little boat. Coby and Zoro both sighed as they gave each other a look.

Luffyko popped another piece of meat in her mouth. "Shishishi! Zoro, don't worry, I'll get us a real big Ship really soon, and more nakama!"

As Luffyko pictured what the ship would look like, Coby had a nice chat long with Zoro.

"So, Coby. What's this whole thing about Pirate King? Doesn't she understand what that is? I know she's my captain and whatnot but Pirate King?"

Coby's eyes sparkled (not in the anime way) and he managed to offer a smile almost as big as Luffyko's. "Yes, I was surprised too, but Luffyko-san is serious! She will become Pirate King and obtain the ultimate treasure, One Piece!" Zoro smirked. It was obvious how much respect Coby held for Luffyko. It was also just as obvious how much he crushed on her. His eyes were always going back to Luffyko and had semi-distant looks in them. Zoro cleared his throat, gaining the attention of the younger boy once more. "So, why don't you tell me more about this.. Spirit-Spirit fruit?" Coby nodded eagerly and described what he knew to Zoro.

"She has spirits inside her and can summon them, and she can also control other spirits, I think! She doesn't know much, but..." he blushed very slightly. "That's what makes her Luffyko-san. She did say that the spirit is the true form of the being, so that's why you saw a twelve-year old before. Remember?" Zoro's memory stirred. Yes, he had remembered. But if it was a true from.. then why.. how did she turn into a bird? He was about to ask her when the little girl, Rika, interrupted. "Ne ne, where are onee-chan and onii-chan going now?"

Luffyko gave a confident smile. "To the grand line of course!"

Coby spit out his drink. "LUFFYKO-SAN!" Then he went all crazy describing how dangerous the place was. (Deja vu, anyone?) Luffyko smiled. "But if one piece is there, we have to go anyway, and I want to go as quickly as possible. Doesn't it smell of adventure, Zoro?" Her eyes were shining (sorry, not anime-style this time either.) Zoro grinned. "Well, if it's captain's orders, then I gotta listen, right, Captain?" Luffyko pouted. She climbed into his lap, fork still in her hand. She used her other hand to poke his cheek. "Zoroo... call me by my naaaammee." Coby watched silently, heart pounding. When he was going to become a Marine.. he should also become more handsome looking too. Maybe she would pay more attention to him?

Zoro blushed, and then turned his head away. His eyes caught Coby's. He smirked. "So, Coby, care to tell me why you're so concerned for Luffyko? Even though you're not even going?"

It was Coby's turn to blush. "I- I.. It's because we're nakama, right Luffyko-san?" He held his breath, waiting for her answer. Last time.. she hated him because he was an idiot...

"Shishishi! You're such a baka!" Coby's heart felt like it was going to explode. "Of course we're nakama! Even though we're going separate ways, I'm sure we'll meet again, as a great pirate and a great Marine." She smiled at Coby so sweetly, he felt like crying and begging her not to go. But he held back, it was her dream to become Pirate King, he mustn't stand in her way. Zoro laughed. Before he could say something, however, a large group of marines entered.

The "leader" cleared his throat. Earlier, they had been listening on into the conversation, and he decided that this was the best way to do it.

"Is it true that you guys are pirates?"

The hero in front of him smiled. "Yeah! I just got a shipmate, he's my first mate! That means I'm officially a captain now!" She grinned widely, it was impossible to hide her glee.

"Then, we are grateful that you saved us, but now that we know you guys are pirates, we cannot look the other way. We will not contact headquarters, due to the fact that you saved our lives, so please leave immediately." He waited for her reply. The townspeople were furious. Even if the girl and man with her were pirates, they defeated Captain Morgan! They protested, but the girl smiled.

"I know, we were going to leave after we finished eating anyway. Thanks, obachan!" The town was shocked. This pirate girl was nothing like other pirates. She was so... nice and simple...The Marines internally let out a sigh. The "leader" was correct, the pirate girl would not get angry and she would agree amiably. She climbed off of Zoro's lap and stuffed an apple in her pocket. Then she turned to leave. Zoro finished his beer and stood up to follow, bags of food slung over his shoulder.

"Wait, is that boy not with you?" Luffyko turned around. "Him? No, he's a baka. I don't like bakas, shishishi!" Coby's heart deflated. Was all that nakama talk before just lies? "But... I know all about him!" Coby panicked. Luffyko wouldn't! She quickly walked over to him and poked his cheek. "This guy, shishishi! You see, there was this sea monster named Alvida-" Coby slapped her face by instinct. Zoro twitched but didn't say anything.

"AH, you baakaa! Now you've done it!" She hit his head, and then hit it again, and then hit it once more time before Zoro sighed. "Luffyko, that's enough. Leave the poor twit alone." Luffyko smiled and followed after Zoro.

But before she was fully out the door, the "leader" exclaimed. "You guys are most definitely NOT comrades!" Coby's eyes widened. Why hadn't he realized it before? She poked his cheek before hitting him. He internally smiled and said thank you to Luffyko. On the outside, however, he looked up with a determined look on his face. "I want to join the Marines, I'll do anything you want!" The "leader" nodded once. "Permission to join, granted!" Coby smiled. "Yessir!" Then he ran out as fast as he could to the docks. He got help from her till the very end, but he was going to change that now!

Luffyko and Zoro were just about to set sail when a panting Coby stopped them. He saluted them. "Thank you very much! This Marine will never forget what you've done!"

They set sail, with Luffyko at the rear, her arms waving about. "We'll meet soon, Coby!" Zoro smirked. That was hell of an experience. A Marine thanking a Pirate... a pirate befriending a Marine. Then he saw something that made him tense. Behind Coby, all the Marines and townspeople were there. The Marines were all saluting. He smiled and leaned back. Heh, guess there's more from where that came from.

Back at the dock, the "leader" gave an all-too-knowing smile. "What a good friend you've made there." Coby's eyes widened. But he shook his head and said "Yessir!". He was not going to cry.

So yeah, this was sort of a filler but... yeah... don't worry, there's probably gonna be a new chapter soon. I wouldn't want to disappoint you guys! =^.^=

I hope you guys still liked it! Until next time, bai-bai!