DISCLAIMER: No sir, I do not own One Piece.


Chapter 7: The Celebration

Nightfall had finally settled upon the secret cove in which the Straw Hat pirates were currently residing. The dusk was relatively quiet except for the echoes of laughter and cheers that emanated from the secluded brick house; the sounds seemed to fill the darkness that surrounded the small home. Unlike the previous night, after the sun faded into the distance, a chilling wind had settled across the island. The trees rustled against the cold, fierce wind sending fallen leaves skirting through the undergrowth. The full moon was set high in the sky casting ominous shadows along the ground as the trees swayed, the bitter breeze forcing them to dance.

Ryder looked up at the looming sky with cautious eyes from her spot in the window. Dark clouds were beginning to form in the black abyss, but they did nothing to block the moon's peculiar glow that was bathing the small cove in its light. The assassin's eyes moved from the sky to the swaying trees where she could make out small nocturnal animals scurrying in the undergrowth to escape the harsh winds. Ryder took a long swig from the green-colored bottle before moving her gaze out to the ocean that was oddly calm compared to the current weather. She leaned against the window pane as the wind blew her hair and part of her scarf over her shoulders. The cold wind did little to bother the assassin as her skin was unnaturally cool to the touch due to her abilities and her being primarily made of water.

In all her time living on the island, she had never seen the weather so gloomy. Jaya was a Spring Island, so they rarely had bad weather, the occasional rainstorm but nothing this severe. Goosebumps arose across her skin as she stared out at the sea with a watchful look, her eyes glazing over the dark waters but not being able to spot anything suspicious. Ryder brought the bottle to her lips again, taking a mouthful of the amber-colored liquid. She enjoyed the burning sensation as it slithered down her throat and dulled her senses ever so slightly.

The celebration that Cricket demanded the Straw Hats have before their ascent to the sky had only been going for about an hour or so and within that time period, Ryder was growing more restless. It wasn't that wasn't enjoying herself; it was the feeling of foreboding that had wormed its way under her skin. She could tell Zoro was feeling it too, but whether or not he chose to acknowledge it was another story. Ryder looked over her shoulder at the half-drunk pirates whose eyes were shining with merriment as they talked on about their future voyage to the sky. Cricket had also demanded that they celebrate to their heart's content before they leave his house, and that was exactly what the pirates were doing.

"Oi Ryder." Said assassin turned to look at Cricket who was staring at her with a wide tooth grin, his face flushed from the tankards of alcohol he had consumed in such a short time. "Get out of the window and come enjoy the party!" His voice practically reverberated throughout the small house.

Ryder glanced out the window one final time before taking a seat between Chopper and Cricket who ruffled her hair playfully like he used to do when they had first met. "You don't have to be so damn cautious all the time!" He almost slurred his words but managed to catch himself so he then rewarded his good behavior with another mouthful of rum.

Little did the joyous partygoers know that trouble was prowling just beyond the peaceful ocean waves. The light from Cricket's house acted almost as a beacon to curious onlookers from the sea that could spot the house easily in the darkness despite its concealed location. Gradually, a pirate ship was approaching the hidden cove, the vessel radiating vengeance as it rode the waters in an almost angry manner.

A jolly roger of red lips painted against crossbones with a tongue sticking out waved proudly from the large pink ship. The blonde-haired captain looked through his telescope, his lips curling into a snarl as, he caught sight of the raven-haired boy dancing alongside a large man who resembled an orangutan. His vision moved from the boy to the blue-haired woman who was sitting next to the man, he presumed as Cricket while taking swigs from her bottle and grinning as she spoke.

He removed the telescope from his eye before crushing it in his hand and giving the broken pieces to the navigator who frowned at her now broken scope.

"This has to be the best rum I've ever tasted." Cricket shouted as he raised his bottle to the air.

Ryder let a genuine smile fall onto her face as she noted the older man seemed happier than he ever did in her almost two years of knowing him. Her stomach tightened with a pleasant feeling that she couldn't describe but after several more drinks she decided she didn't really care. It didn't take much to make Cricket happy; Ryder realized. A couple of fools who were idiotic enough to believe in dreams had made him the happiest she had ever seen him, and for some reason; she couldn't come up with a reason on why that didn't bother her.

The Straw Hat's had settled around the room; drinks in their hands, smiles on their faces, and food worthy of kings on their plates. Sanji had prepared a wondrous meal with the help of Shoujou that was spread out all over the floor in an appetizing arrangement. Ryder could barely suppress the moan that dared to escape her lips as she tasted the blonde-haired cook's delightful cuisine. She was going to miss it once she had to go back to Joe' half-assed cooking. The thought had the blue-haired assassin looking over at Luffy, who had his arm draped around Shoujou, the two monkeys swaying happily with smiles on their faces as they drank and talked about their adventures.

How was she going to leave without the Straw Hat captain noticing? He had already shown several times that he wasn't going to take her no for an answer. He was almost as unrelenting as Bellamy at times, Ryder noted, cracking a small smile at the thought. She would figure something out; she was an extremely skilled assassin after all. If she couldn't avoid an idiot like Luffy, then she deserved to be stripped of her title. With that final thought in mind, she took the last swig from her bottle before being handed another one by Cricket.

"Eat up everyone!" Sanji bellowed with a grin as he bit down on his cigarette and laid out another tray of food on the floor that was quickly attacked by Luffy and Masira. "There's still more to come!"

Nami and Robin were seated next to each other, wine glasses in hand as they clinked them together with delighted smiles before taking sips of the purple-colored liquid as opposed to Ryder, who was downing bottles with Cricket as if there was no tomorrow. Proper was not a term commonly associated with the assassin's name. Sanji continued to lay out food in the center of the floor as Luffy, Chopper and Masira greedily continued to stuff their faces while Zoro and Shoujou had taken to a drinking game. While Masira was distracted, Usopp had decided to entertain himself by hiding several of his tabasco bombers in the monkey's food.

Everyone snickered as they watched Masira take a bite from his steak before turning his head to the side and breathing fire at Usopp, who ducked to avoid being burnt. "You fell for it!" The sharpshooter laughed as he slapped his knee and wiped the tears from his eyes before launching into a run to escape from the big monkey's wrath.

"Get back here long-nose!" Masira shouted as he chased the sharpshooter around the room.

When the older monkey finally caught Usopp thanks to Zoro, who had tripped him, he smacked the curly-haired boy in the back of the head unknowing that he had a drink in his mouth that he spat on Chopper who screamed and ran into Zoro whose drink went flying into the air and onto Luffy. The captain looked down at his drenched vest with a grin before picking up his plate and scarfing down the food first before throwing it at Zoro, who merely leaned to the side to avoid it causing it to hit Shoujou, who was standing behind him.

Shoujou then bumped into Sanji, who lost his balance and dropped his plate of food onto Robin and Nami's laps. The navigator shrieked as most of the food fell onto her lap so in a blind rage, she threw her glass at Sanji, who kicked it and consequentially caused it to spill all over Cricket and Ryder. Everyone aside from Nami who busy trying to make sure the food didn't stain her clothes and Sanji, who was apologizing about the whole scene burst into laughter.

"Can you guys not act like idiots for five minutes?" Nami yelled in aggravation as she scrubbed at her now stained shirt. She threw the dirty rag at Luffy, who was still laughing about the whole thing with delight.

Sanji grabbed the navigator's hand and rubbed it softly with his thumb in what he hoped was an apologetic manner. "I'm so sorry my beautiful Nami-swan~!" He whimpered remorsefully before he let go of her hand and moved to punch Luffy upside the head. "You're such a damn idiot Luffy!"

"That hurt." The captain complained as he rubbed at the bruise that was now forming on the back of his head with a pout. He was always getting hit on the head by everybody!

Nami smiled sinisterly as she took her straw between her fingers and took a sip from her drink while looking at Luffy with an evil glint in her eyes. "No worries, I'll just raise your debt another 1000 beli to replace my shirt."

"NAMI!" Luffy whined.

The navigator gave the young captain a playful wink before returning to her conversation with Robin.

The merriment had yet to fade from Straw Hat crew's eyes as they continued their celebration. Luffy took a gulp from his mug before slinging an arm around Usopp, who was beside him and grinning at his group of friends. They were going to make it Sky Island. They were going to prove everyone that had made fun of them wrong. They were going to accomplish the impossible; they were going to do what everyone said they couldn't. The thought alone had the captain and several of the others smiling as well.

"Oi Nami, come sit next to me." Cricket said as he motioned to the orange-haired navigator and then to his lap with a mischievous grin causing Ryder to laugh at the dirty-minded bastard. He hasn't changed a bit.

Before Nami could even reply, Sanji had shoved his foot into Cricket's forehead and pushed him back while still balancing two trays in his hand. The least he could do after ruining his beautiful navigator's clothes was protect her honor from a lecherous old man. "You're a hundred years too old to be hitting on my Nami-swan." Sanji growled as he bit down on his cigarette and continued to push the older man back with his foot every time he tried to lean forward.

Nami smiled appreciatively at the blonde-haired chef which instantly sent him into a swirl of emotions as he began to compliment her on everything from her radiance to her beauty before moving to do the same to Robin, who had started giggling at his display. Cricket frowned slightly at the two before his drunken stupor made him realize that there were other things to celebrate about. He turned to look down at Ryder, who was talking to the small reindeer beside her before slapping an arm around her back and pulling the assassin towards him, so he could hug her. The action had the assassin growling in the back of her throat as she attempted to escape his constricting grasp. She hated emotional sentimentalities.

Ryder forgot that Cricket turned a bit emotional when he drank.

Zoro swallowed another guzzle of rum before wiping his mouth and staring curiously in the direction of the sobbing man and the snarling assassin as did everyone else. "I missed you, smart ass." Cricket said as he kept his hold on Ryder. "Before Masira and Shoujou came along I suffered in solitary, forcing myself to dive into the dark cold ocean all alone, day after day. It was rough without you and Joe to keep me straight."

His hold on Ryder loosened, allowing her to escape the older man's clutch. Ryder's stomach tightened as she forced herself to look into Cricket's eyes only to see the hurt he normally kept hidden clouded behind the irises. She never thought about the pain it would cause him to have to leave her, Joe, and his home behind all for the sake of a file. She looked over her shoulder at the Straw Hat crew and the two monkey brothers who were watching them with inquisitive eyes.

Chopper watched Ryder with confused eyes as she was beginning to smell of unease. Her facial expressions didn't change, but the small doctor could see her shoulders tense as did Zoro and Robin. She didn't want to show these people any form of weakness; she didn't want them to know a damn thing about her or her history with Cricket. It was just another thing they could use against her. Ryder couldn't tell Cricket how sorry she was for everything because that would only lead to questions from the Straw Hat's The assassin looked to the older man and tried her best to convey her expression of regret through her eyes. "Well I'm glad the monkeys could." She let her lips fall into her smirk to hide the real tension she was feeling. "It's not like you ever listened to Joe or I anyway."

Cricket grinned as he threw his head back in a laugh and smacked his knee. "Yeah you're right! That's how I got thrown out in the first place."

"If you don't mind my intrusion." Robin said carefully. "I was curious as to how you got forced out of town." She was genuinely interested in the story, but it also helped to alleviate the attention from Ryder, who Robin noticed was growing more stressed with each second that passed. The archaeologist was hoping the story would shed some light on Cricket's past as well as Ryder's association to him. The blue-haired woman intrigued her and that only succeeded in making Robin more curious about her.

Cricket beamed. "Sure." He said, oblivious to the look Ryder was sending him.

Ryder's fingers tightened around her bottle as she attempted to act casual over the situation at hand. She hadn't thought to ponder in her anticipation of meeting Cricket again that he had knowledge about her past; knowledge that she didn't exactly want known to those around her. Anger bubbled in her stomach as her thoughts began to take a downward spiral. Ryder was a very private person, and when people tried to pry into her hidden past she made it extremely difficult. It was the only way the assassin could think to protect herself.

"As I told you before, my crew and I set sail for the Grand Line then ten years later we ended up back on Jaya. I decided I wanted to stay to settle things with Noland, but my crew wanted nothing to do with me or my 'crazy dreams.'" Cricket air quoted the word crazy with a booming laugh before taking a gulp from his mug and continuing on. "When I came back to Mock Town, I made a choice. I didn't care about proving Noland's innocence or if the city of gold existed or not, I just wanted to have this settled before I died. I didn't care that almost everyone in town had been convinced to believe dreams were nothing; I talked about mine proudly." He said before looking down at Ryder with a grin. "I was kicked out of nearly every establishment except for one."

"The Wild Cherry?" Nami responded, thinking back to when they first met Joe and the devious assassin.

"The Wild Cherry." Cricket nodded with a grin. "Joe's bar was the only place I was allowed and even then the poor bastard got crap for letting me be there." He explained as he jerked his thumb at Ryder, who was now smirking. "Although smart ass over here always took care of the people that had something to say."

"Go Ryder!" Luffy cheered as he raised his meat stick to the air in an approving manner.

"Be quiet." Usopp whispered harshly as he smacked the captain's arm down.

"Why weren't you allowed to talk about your dreams?" Chopper asked timidly as he looked to both Ryder and Cricket.

"Bellamy believes in this idea called the New Age, where pirate's dreams no longer exist; their only goals are to become stronger and to rule those who are weak. The town won't go against him, so they adapted to his ideas and taunted anyone who dared to talk about their dreams." Ryder explained thoughtfully for the tiny doctor. She didn't see any harm in the questions, as long as they didn't ask anything too personal of her. "This fool here set himself up to be thrown out of town." Ryder's tone changed to indifferent.

"So Cricket was thrown out of town for believing in his dreams, and you did nothing to stop them?" Nami asked angrily. "What's the matter with you?!"

Sensing the tension, Cricket rubbed the back of his head awkwardly before grinning at the pirates. "She's right; I knew it was only a matter of time before that blonde bastard came after me."

Ryder's eyes flared dangerously at the navigator. "You don't know anything."

"Then tell us." Zoro said simply as he watched the assassin. She was keeping a cool distance from them; it wasn't that hard to figure out. The swordsman somewhat understood the blue-haired girl; he didn't exactly like when others tried to pry into his personal life either but that was the way the crew got a better understanding, so they could help. Although it was obvious that the assassin clearly wanted nothing to do with them. As much as he still resented her, he couldn't deny that he wasn't a little interested. The crew could tell that Ryder wasn't the average assassin, no matter how well she presented herself to be.

She arched a blue-brow at the crew before letting a sly smirk fall onto her lips. "I did what I had to do."

Zoro growled at that. "Damn it, Luffy. How the hell do you expect us to trust her when all she does is avoid answers?"

"Don't worry Zoro-kun," Ryder said dully. "You don't have to worry about trusting me because I'm not joining the crew anyway."

"Awh come on Ryder, why not!" Luffy pouted.

Nami took a sip of her wine before throwing Ryder a nasty glare. "Let it go Luffy. We're better off."

"I'll only drag you down." Ryder chirped sarcastically, although no one realized at the time how true her words were.

"I don't care!" Luffy yelled stubbornly. "You're going to join my crew!"

"Luffy!" Nami scolded irritably.

Sanji took his cigarette from his mouth while looking at his fuming captain. "Quit it already."

Even in his drunken stupor, Cricket noticed that things were heading south very fast so he said the only thing that he thought would help. "The kid's a smart ass most of the time, but she's really not bad." He explained. "She couldn't stop Bellamy from kicking me outta town because he got his hands on a Marine file of her that Joe and I thought would help her with her past. I left willingly so she could get that file."

"Cricket." Ryder's voice took on a threatening tone. The older man looked to her with apologetic eyes after he realized he probably shouldn't have mentioned anything about the file.

"Why do the Marines have a file on you?" Nami asked skeptically.

Robin seemed to be the only one who caught the 'help with her past' bit as no one mentioned anything about it which only raised the raven-haired woman's interest in the assassin tenfold. She was a very perceptive woman. She could read a person easily just by the way, they moved or spoke. Ryder, however, was fascinating because Robin hadn't been able to conjure anything about the blue-haired girl. The assassin was incredibly reserved, almost as much as herself. She briefly wondered if Ryder suffered from a haunting past like she did; it would explain her lack of being open about anything and her somewhat cutting way with words.

"Do you have a bounty?" Luffy asked excitedly.

"No." Ryder's harsh reply did little to calm the captain's delight.

"Now you definitely have to join my crew!" Luffy yelled ecstatically.

Usopp waved his hand dismissively. "Did you not hear her the first time?" He did not want to have the assassin on their bad side.

"Probably shouldn't have said anything." Cricket mumbled as he looked to the displeased Ryder.

"I don't understand any of this." Masira whispered to Shoujou, who nodded his head in agreement.

The more everyone talked the more cross the assassin grew. She should have just left when she had the chance then all of this could have been avoided. She silently cursed Joe's terrible cooking under her breath. "Look," Ryder started, not bothering to hide the irritation in her voice. "Just forget what the old man said and leave it at that." She briefly met the eyes of every Straw Hat member. "I did what I promised and took you to Cricket. Now as much as I loved our little bonding trip, I really should be going." The assassin stood and headed for the door.

"Ryder!" Luffy yelled. "What are you doing? Join my crew!"

The assassin's eye nearly twitched in exasperation. She changed her mind; he was definitely more unrelenting than Bellamy. "I'm not a pirate, captain. I'm an assassin and I have jobs to do, people that need killing."

Usopp and Chopper gulped.

"That," Nami pointed at Ryder. "Is why we can't trust her."

"All Nami is trying to say is that she's scared of me." Ryder smirked as she looked over the navigator with a malicious glint in her eyes. "I get it. I would be too."

Nami scowled at first but then let a sly smirk claw its way to her devious lips. "It's really going to be a shame when you're gone."

Ryder grinned at that. "Finally growing some balls at the thought of me leaving huh Nami-swan?"

The navigator's face turned red as she narrowed her eyes at the assassin. She was about to retort when Luffy stubbornly spoke again, despite the blue-haired girl's many no's already. "I thought we were friends!"

"Friends?" Nami barked bitterly. "She probably killed all her friends."

Everyone aside from Zoro who was watching Ryder to see if she would actually make an escape, turned to look at Nami with wide eyes. The navigator had crossed the line by saying that but Ryder didn't particularly care, in fact; she was slightly impressed at the jab. She didn't think the feeble navigator had it in her.

"Ryder?" The archaeologist called.

The assassin turned to look at the raven-haired woman to let her know she had heard her.

"Why did you become an assassin?" Robin asked. She didn't expect Ryder to answer such a personal question, but she didn't see any damage in asking. The question had several members of the Straw Hat crew looking to Ryder for an answer. They were curious as well.

Ryder's cold eyes glazed over in a half lidded smile as she thought of a proper way to word the answer to a question she herself did not know. When she first woke up in Mock Town, she had no recollection of who she was, and she still didn't have a clear opinion of herself to this day. All the blue-haired girl knew was that somehow she had been able to retain her assassination skills despite her lack of memory. "I'm not nearly drunk enough to tell anyone that story." She remarked sardonically. On that final note, the assassin walked out the door without so much as a glance back at the Straw Hat crew.

"Wait Ry-chan!" Sanji all but cried as he flew out the door after the assassin who kept walking but did turn her head slightly to acknowledge the cook. She may have only been on the ship for a day, but she was as good as accepted by most of the crew, the key word being most. Everyone respected Luffy enough to trust his decision in wanting her to join so Sanji couldn't just let her leave even though he could clearly see that's what she wanted. "Don't leave yet."

Ryder stopped walking, her eyes glazing over the waters carefully before she turned to look at Sanji. "As much as I love being chased down by handsome men such as yourself." She said in a rather silky voice which had the cook grabbing his nose just in case a nose bleed was soon to follow. "I have to go."

"Why?" The blonde questioned.

She decided to enlighten Sanji a bit so he would maybe take the hint and return to his crew, though Ryder knew the possibility of that happening was slim. They were a very persistent band of pirates with an even more insistent captain to match. "I've told you before, my presence is dangerous and with a captain like Luffy, you don't need any more risks."

"Ryder." Sanji's voice had taken on a grave tone as he bit down on his cigarette and looked at her with one calculating eye. "If someone is after you, tell me. We can-"

"What is it with you pirates?" She growled impatiently. "Look, I'm not joining your damn crew, and I don't need anybody's help so spare me, cook."

"So someone is after you." Sanji deduced.

Ryder's eyebrows arched in surprise as her lips twitched upward in a brief smirk. "You're a lot keener than I originally took you for, handsome." She said teasingly, which caused the cook to grab for his nose once more. However, he managed to control himself just for the mere fact that Ryder had subtly admitted that someone was after her. Sanji may have not known anything about Ryder as she preferred to keep it that way, but he wasn't going to let a beautiful woman such as herself leave his sight knowing somebody was after her, and he could help prevent it.

"No one can do everything alone; we all need a little help sometimes." Sanji said as he took a short drag from his cancer stick before releasing the toxins from his lungs and into the air around him. He wasn't implying she was weak; he knew just as well as everyone that Ryder was not someone to mess with. All the blonde-haired chef meant was that even the strongest of people needed help from time to time. His mind reeled back to several battles where Zoro, Luffy, and even himself needed support when things spiraled out of control.

"You can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped." She said as she crossed her arms over her chest. Ryder wasn't one to form friendships; she was a solitary creature by nature. She had discovered that when you were alone, you only had yourself to take care of, not only was it easier, but it suited her far better. She was able to protect herself from all sorts of disappointments, and her heart had hardened because of that. Ryder didn't have time for pathetic things like feelings which she realized the Straw Hats were all about.

"THIS IS BAD!"

Sanji and Ryder looked back to Cricket's house where they could see the old man, Masira and Shoujou running back and forth while shouting something incomprehensible as the rest of the Straw Hats sat in a confused silence. In a matter of minutes, Cricket had pushed them all outside while explaining to them the significance of the south bird they needed to catch so they could sail towards the knock up stream that was located south of his cove. Shoujou had handed them all nets while clearing up that they needed the south bird so their ship could stay on course as they ventured towards the knock up stream

"That means animals have a better sense of direction than Zoro." Luffy laughed hysterically as he pointed to the now red-faced swordsman which roused laughs from several other members who snickered in agreement.

"You're one to talk!" Zoro shouted heatedly.

"You better hurry," Masira urged. "You'll never to make it to Sky Island without that bird."

"Why are you just telling us this now!" Usopp exclaimed as he pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.

"In hindsight, we probably shouldn't have had that party." Cricket rubbed sheepishly at the back of his head as he looked to the Straw Hats. "You have until morning to bring back that bird. In the meantime, we're going to fix up your ship."

"It's the middle of the night and he wants us to go looking for some dumb bird." Nami murmured under her breath irritably as she rolled her eyes. Men are such idiots. A forcefully chilled wind decided to blow in that moment, rustling the orange-girl girl's clothes and compelling her to rub her arms softly in an attempt to regain some heat back in her skin.

"Let's get this over with so we can get back to drinking." Zoro grinned as he threw his net over his shoulder, ignoring the cold winds and rested his bad arm against the hilts of his swords before making his way towards the murky forest followed by Chopper, Robin and Usopp. Luffy looked over at Ryder with a grin, momentarily forgetting that she had once again refused to join. A pout then formed on his lips as he remembered. He hoped somehow Sanji had been able to convince her to stay.

Nami, on the other hand, was praying to whatever god existed that Ryder would not join the crew. She had to try to contain her joy when the assassin declined Luffy's offer for what seemed like the thousandth time. Her happiness was short lived however when she remembered that Luffy very rarely gave up on someone once he decided they were to join his crew. Almost everyone except Usopp and Robin were a testament to that fact, even herself.

"So you're really not going to come with us?" Sanji asked the blue-haired assassin who hadn't spoken since the rest of the crew appeared.

"No." The assassin said once again as her eyes met Luffy's. "The answer isn't going to change, captain."

"But-"

"We don't have time to deal with her Luffy." Nami glared in Ryder's direction even though she was smiling on the inside at her once again refusal. She just hoped that the captain would take the obvious hint and give up. "We have to catch the south bird, or we're not going to make it to Sky Island." She said as she looked up at the troposphere with unease. The black sky did little to ease the navigator as she could have sworn she saw lightning streak through the dark clouds that swirled above their heads. She knew long before the sounds of thunder would hit that a storm was approaching. "Come on Luffy, we have to go before this storm gets too bad."

"Or we could just skip Sky Island altogether." Usopp laughed nervously as he looked into the daunting forestry with anxiety rattling through his body.

"Y-yeah." Chopper agreed as he shakily latched onto the sniper's leg and peered into the woods. He didn't know why he was so frightened because as far as he could sense, there were only nocturnal animals dashing through the thickets of trees, none of them larger than him. The doctor was predicting his fright came from the way the forest lit up under the moons unnerving glow.

Zoro watched Luffy bite his lower lip in frustration as he looked at him then back to Ryder. He knew Luffy wanted her to join, but he also knew he wanted to reach Sky Island more. Luffy was trying to think of something he could say to make Ryder understand that he wasn't leaving without her, but he knew nothing would work. He would figure it out somehow. He always did. With that thought in mind, Luffy ran into the forest with a grin on his face followed by the rest of the crew. Sanji glanced hesitantly back at Ryder before shoving his hands in his pockets and following behind Nami.

"You're an idiot you know that?"

Ryder looked over at Cricket who was shaking his head in disbelief while rubbing his temple. The assassin let an amused chuckle tumble from her lips as she observed the chestnut-headed man. "How so?"

"The straw hat kid was practically begging you to join! What the hell is wrong with you?"

"A lot, I'm afraid." The blue-haired girl admitted drearily, causing the older man to narrow his eyes at her cynical response.

"You know Ryder; you could use a crazy bunch like them as your friends." Cricket responded. "That kid could probably take you a hell of a lot farther then Bellamy could ever promise you."

"I don't need friends." Ryder remarked.

"Why do you insist on being alone?" He asked, exasperation tinting his words. Sometimes the blue-haired girl made him want to bash his head into a wall because of her stubbornness. He could only imagine what her mother was like.

Ryder ran a tired hand through her hair with a sigh. "It's just the way I work old man, you know I've never done well with people." She answered truthfully. "Besides, it's my problem, not theirs. They have adventures of their own they need to achieve. I can't afford to waste time on that."

"But maybe they could help."

"I doubt it." Ryder retorted. "Not even Bellamy could."

Cricket's eyes widened slightly. "What? But what about the file?"

Ryder's blue eyes suddenly narrowed at the two monkeys who she realized were listening very intently to their conversation. They scratched the back of their heads awkwardly at being caught before muttering that they would go work on the Straw Hat's ship while Cricket finished up his conversation. She nodded contently once before looking back over at Cricket. "Barely told me anything aside from a few details." She grit out. She was livid when she found out the file contained hardly any information, it was her only shot. She had hoped the file would be able to shed some light on who she was, or at the very least reveal something as to how she lost her memory. She knew the Marines had something to do with it; there was no other logical explanation. "It was filled out like they somehow knew I would get it."

"Do you think they did?" Cricket asked. He couldn't believe the file contained nothing; his efforts had been for naught.

Ryder shook her head lightly. "I'm not sure." She replied. "Bellamy said he got it from a man who has connections at multiple Marine bases."

"Say who?"

Ryder shook her head again but let a half-smile grace her lips. "Bellamy wants me to join his crew more than anything, so I don't think he would risk double-crossing me, especially because he thinks having me will make his crew the strongest."

Cricket crossed his arms across his chest as he nodded his head a few times. Something about her story didn't add up. Why would the Marines keep a nearly blank file on a prisoner they were desperately trying to get back? He would look into it when he got the chance. Despite the fact that he was exiled from town, he still had some contacts on the Grand Line from his time as a pirate. He could ask around. "So you're really leaving?" He finally asked.

"Yeah," She nodded with a smirk as she arched her back, drawing a crack from her spine. "The other old man is probably growing restless thinking about where I am." She teased.

Cricket chuckled at that. "Take care of yourself, smart ass."

"Look after him for me." Ryder said as she turned to look at Shoujou and Masira before walking towards the forest. "He can be pretty thick-headed sometimes." She glanced back at the old man who was smirking at her masked affection.

Masira laughed as he looked to his little brother. "Don't we know that, Shoujou?"

"We'll watch after him for you." The younger monkey smiled. "Come back and visit again so we don't have to hear him repeat the same stories about you!"

"Yeah he talks about you and Joe all the time." Masira agreed.

"Quit your yapping and get working on the ship." A red-faced cricket commanded.

Ryder chuckled lightly to herself as she waved one hand lazily to the side to signal her good-bye before disappearing into the mouth of the forest. She put her hands behind her head, letting her eyes adjust to the blackness and her ears on alert as she made her trek through the swaying timber towards Mock Town. Blue eyes on the ground, Ryder watched as her boots made imprints in mud as she walked. The assassin was not particularly looking forward to meeting with Bellamy and his crew again. An unpleasant realization made Ryder aware that she would have to admit to the blonde-captain that she was defeated and captured by the Straw Hats.

In addition to also failing at an assassination, which Ryder had never done before. First time for everything. The thought made her bark a resentful laugh, what would the Marines think of her now?

The assassin wasn't under any allusions to her situation. She couldn't join the Straw Hats, even if she wanted to, it was too dangerous for both them and her. Ryder's life was like an hour-glass, and it only allowed her to stay in one place for so long but not forever. She knew eventually she'd have to leave the solace of her and Joe's place to throw off her scent and protect him. It was only a matter of time before the Marines grew smart and realized she was hiding in plain sight.

She somehow was able to remain hidden in Mock Town for almost two years, despite her known reputation of being a lethal assassin. It wouldn't be that much longer until she ended up with a wanted poster or worse, the Marines were sent to investigate. Either way, the Straw Hats had inadvertently given Ryder the push she needed to move on. It was time for her to leave the senseless town of idiots and try to figure out her past.

Dead leaves crunched under the assassin's boots as she stopped in her path to look up at the endless black sky that was dotted with unwelcoming gray clouds. Icy blue eyes narrowed as she turned to look into the shadowy thickets behind her distantly making out the silhouettes of what she presumed to be the Straw Hats, however, they weren't what caught her attention. Ryder took a cautious step forward, her ears finely tuned to pick up on the unmistakable sound that she hoped she hadn't heard. An unsettling feeling bristled within the assassin as she took off in a run towards Cricket's house, the undeniable sound of Bellamy's laughter haunting her mind.


If anyone is interested, I actually drew a picture of what I imagined Ryder to look like (minus her face because I can't draw those for crap) I have a link to it on my profile so go check it out if you like! Also, feel free to do your own renditions of our favorite blue-haired girl and send them to me! I'll link them to my profile as well!

And finally, a very special thank you goes out to my friend Maggie for just being a great person and helping me sort my erratic mind out when came to writing. (: