Hancocks knees couldn't have been further from her chest. She had only known the man for a short time, but it was enough time for her to warm up to the only man- to the only person beside her sisters and her saviors- and trust him with her undeniable secret.

Her breathing came heavy, and her chest felt both hollow and yet unforgiving. It shouldn't literally hurt someone when another dies, should it? Despite her trembling fingers, she clutched at her heart until she could even feel her fingernails piercing her through her clothes. Was this it? Hancock wondered, for the second time since meeting Luffy, whether this pain would kill her. Was she really dying? The thought had once frightened her, but now she even considered it welcoming.

'If I died, I could see Luffy again...'

Even her sobbing was quiet. Unlike Luffy, who had lived his childhood loud and free, Hancock had lived hers in fear- if she had ever dared to cry too loudly, it would mean her life. It seemed that this trait had passed on to her adulthood; she was screaming and yet no one could hear her. It was like things had never changed.

Falling backwards on her large lonesome bed, she clutched a pillow so tightly that it wasn't long before her sweat began to drench it. Well, it wasn't just sweat. Tears too.

Boa Hancock was in love with a dead man.

She wanted to see him again. Hancock closed her eyes, hesitant. She wanted to see him, his smile and his trust, his strength and his kindness; she wanted to see everything. It took her only minutes to sleep- she herself was tired from battling in the war.

Elder Nyon wasn't as naive as the rest of Amazon Lily, she had presumed what had happened even before the Kuja pirates came back with a newspaper. As Hebihime had locked herself in her room without a word, it was Elder Nyons duty to care for the people in her absence. Most of the village were standing before her now, waiting for answers to their questions. The Kuja pirates stood behind her, already aware of what had happened.

A woman near the front of the pack shouted, "What's wrong with Hebihime-sama?! Is she ill or wounded?! What has happened?!" Noise erupted momentarily as they all agreed anxiously.

"Hebihime-sama has locked herself in her room, but she is not injured. Unfortunately, a grave pain has descended on her heart. She is dying from Love-sickness. Many Emperors have fallen before her for the same reason. Hebihime is in terrible pain, we must let her rest."

The crowd had gone still, but it would only be moments until they would begin to panic. Shock had numbed them for now.

"What about Luffy? Is he okay? Did he save his brother?"

Margaret stood alone among the rest, having been the only one in her worry to remember about the boy.

If it was any more possible, Elder Nyon looked even graver. "Monkey D. Luffy has...he was able to save his brother Fire Fist Ace." Margaret smiled brightly- "-however, he did...not survive. He was killed by the admiral Akainu. It is his death that burdens Hebihime so much."

Margarets smile faded, and now she was just like the others- numbed by the shock.

It was Sweetpea who was the first to cry. She had her arm pushed into her face, her tears streaming down the remainder of her face as she cried "The saga of 'why did have to happen?!'"

Others followed in their grief.

As usual, Elder Nyon was the last to join in, letting her grief show among the women.

"Sister! Please come out, you need to eat!" Hancock stirred as she awoke, but she still ignored the calls from Marigold. If she ate, it would only come back out again.

"Please let us come in sister!" That was Sandersonia. "You need to see a Doctor, or at least let Elder Nyon in!" Still, Hancock ignored them. She didn't even have the voice to speak out if she wanted to. She just wanted to be alone right now.

No, that was wrong. She didn't want to be alone; she wanted to be with Luffy.

Her eyes drifted to the floor, where trays of food had been swiped under the door. She saw it. A knife left there to cut her dinner last night, unused.

For the second time that day, Hancock had considered how much better she would be with Luffy, the man she loved.

Hancock stood, but she fell down instantly with a thump as her fever overtook her. Yet again, her eyes went dark as she fell unconscious. 'Maybe after I wake up...'

Despite her wishes, Hancock lived for many years onward. She had become a more distant, a sadder Emperor but she never forgot about Luffy until the day she was killed. It was funny actually. After Akainu became such a success, he decided that there was no need for the Seven Warlords of the sea.

Boa Hancock had lived a numb hollow life; she had been a strong stern woman who survived slavery and her lovers' death, but she had not wanted to.

However, as Hancock lied in her own pool of blood that warmed her cooling skin, she smiled for the first time since Luffys death. She could finally see him.

'Luffy...'