Sorry this chapter is shorter than most. I was going to wait and figure out what Arc I was going to do before writing this chapter, but polls came in slowly… also, I changed it so it is not a blind poll anymore. I decided I didn't want to wait for results, and to just wing this chapter. Maybe that's why it's so short?

J.J psycho: Thank you!

Kura: Thank you!

Berry: Hopefully there's nothing to worry about!

Dark Prime0: I would like to make the stories longer, but so far, I'm debating on arcs. I really like the points you made about the Skypiea Arc, and Enies Lobby Arc, now I want to do the Enies Lobby Arc, and the Skypiea Arc! xD I'm probably going to do what you said, and write in both 1st and 3rd person POV. Thanks for the tips!

Nemo-chan: Haha, I hope to get some fighting in there soon. But I'm not sure how it's going to turn out. xD

Shiary: Thank you!

Violentyetawesome: Her skillz are pretty awesome right? xD


As I was eating dinner with the Strawhats, I got to know more about them… kind of. I have to admit, eating food with them was way more fun than eating in the Marines HQ. Luffy managed to steal everyone's food except for Nami's and mine. Nami kept stabbing her fork into his hand each time he would reach for her plate, same with mine, but I used a spoon!

"So Rikku, how do you know Luffy?" Chopper asked as he ate some bread.

I nibbled on my piece of meat as I plainly answered. "I don't."

"What do you mean you don't know him? He seems to know you." Usopp looked up at me from his plate.

"That's funny Rikku! I've known you since we were little!" Luffy laughed with food overflowing his mouth. "Remember Ace and I? Our p-" But he was cut off.

"I don't know anyone named Luffy!" I was starting to shout and unknowingly I stood up from my seat. Everything became silent for a while. "Please excuse me." I quietly said as I quickly walked out the door.

After dinner I retired to the women's quarter, there were only two hammocks in the quarters, so I had to sleep on the couch. I lay down and placed my trembling hand on my forehead. Why was I shaking? What was I so afraid of? Maybe I'm just cold…yeah that's it. I'm just cold.

Quickly, I took the blanket that Nami had laid out for me on the couch and wrapped it around my body. The trembling ceased. I shut my eyes as I heard the sound of light footsteps coming towards the room. I heard the voice of Nami, and Robin coming down.

"Geez! That Luffy, he shouldn't get into other people's business! He probably mistook her for another person!" Nami angrily whispered.

"Probably, but sencho-san seemed to know her name before she told us." Robin quietly pointed out.

"Yeah, but he probably heard one of the Marines say it on Daiya Island." Nami whispered as they both crawled into their hammocks. Robin silently agreed, and the two shut their eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

When I shut my eyes, I didn't know that I fell to sleep.

The darkness slowly faded, and I could see vegetation, I was on a cliff, and the ocean was down below me. I've had this dream at least once every year, sometimes even more. This was a dream that I remembered the most.

Next to me were a two others, their faces shadowed, I was never able to see their faces. My body moved on its own, I couldn't quite control it. I couldn't hear anything, but I could tell that I was talking, I could feel my jaw move. I could never quite figure out what I was saying, and just like those before, I spit in my hand, and placed my hand in the middle with the others.

A pact.

Everything vanished, and it became dark once more.

Before getting up, I waited until I heard the two breathing synchronize into a calming rhythm before I sat up on the couch. The two had just finished talking, I took one look at them and saw that they both seemed to be dreaming, both with a delighted look on their faces. A small smile graced upon my lips. I couldn't help but slightly envy them slightly, living such a free life with no worries.

I let the blanket fall onto the couch as I headed out to deck. The cool wind danced on my skin making goose bumps appear. I was still in my white t-shirt and black capris, when I thought about it, I've been in the same attire ever since I got on this ship. I breathed in the refreshing air as I look to the mast, the tall one where lookouts are usually placed. I didn't see anyone on duty so I decided to climb it.

As I made my way to the top I thought I heard noises coming from the crow's nest.

An enemy?I thought to myself.

What do I do? Should I run for help? Scream? Wait... I'm part of the Marines! Why am I worried?

As jumped into the nest, and there I saw Strawhat sleeping soundlessly on the job.

Slacker.

Was the first word that came into my mind. I was about to retreat back down the mast until I felt something grab a hold of the corner of my t-shirt. I turned to see that Strawhat was unconsciously holding onto it. I pulled, but he only tightened his grip. I turned to face him and was about to yank the shirt out of his grip before I heard him mumble a few words.

"…Ace…Stop her…Leaving…" Were the only words I caught as I slowly bent down, and sat on my knees.

"…Rikku…Promise…" I stared blankly at the boy who could hold the answer to my prayers… to my past.

I placed my cold hands on the hand that held on to my shirt. Once again, they were trembling. Did I really want to know? I've lived 7 years without it, but the thought has always been with me.

Strawhat started to stir under my frigid hands, quickly I pulled away, and jumped off the nest as he opened his eyes. I landed silently on the deck and hastily pressed my back against the mast on the opposite side of him. I could hear movement above, and pressed myself closer to the mast as I listened to the paced breathing. Taking a fast glance upwards I could see that he was moving sluggishly my way.

I tip toed the other direction, and as he got to the other side I took another look. He stopped and placed his hands on the edge. It seems he's going to stay there for a while. I sighed as I slid down into a sitting position. I cradled my head in my hands as my head felt like it was going to explode. What if it's not how I thought of it? Or dreamed? Will I be happy? Slowly my eyes started to droop, and everything became black.

When the first light from the sun reached the Merry Go, Rikku awoke. She was still sitting under the Crow's Nest lazily she started to stand up, and was about to walk back to the quarters before her eye caught on a blue piece of fabric that fell off from her. It was a blanket. She stared at it for some time before she bent down and picked it up. It was the one from the couch in the women's quarters! She walked back to the room, with the blanket in hand.


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PLEASE go take the poll~ ^_^ It would really help, and if I must! I will wing another chapter, in wait for results.

I would like to thank all my reviewers, and readers…