Okay, so this came out later than I was expecting, but it's kind of hard to post things when your laptop breaks down and the website's blocked at your school. (Stupid high-school principles and idiots who watch nasty things on school computers.) I still don't know the order for the upcoming characters, so I'll do a couple repeats of some of the crew-members until I make that list and post it for all of you.
Now, I'm not too sure about this chapter, so let me know what you think and I'd appreciate it if you could give me pointers on how to make it better because really, it's kind of awful but you all deserve to see something since it's been so long since I last posted. Anyways, here's the new chapter, Luffy and his crewmates.
"...And then I saw all of you again, and everything was better," Luffy finished with a small, sad smile that was not returned by any of his nakama. They sat there, scattered but still near one another, stunned and angered and unable to grasp all that had been revealed. Tears ran down the faces of Nami, Robin, Chopper, and Usopp as they mourned for the loss of a great man and brother. Franky clenched and unclenched his fists, resentment towards the Marines filling every fiber of his being. Brook quietly watched his captain, thinking back to that night not so long ago when he found his captain mutilating himself. Sanji and Zoro exchanged glances of pure rage and loss, unable to figure out how to comfort the man they had sworn they'd follow for eternity.
"Luffy…" Nami whispered before a hand rose to her mouth and a sob tore from her throat, brutal and painful. Luffy's head snapped towards her and before anyone knew what he was doing, he had flung himself to her side and was gently cradling her, one hand playing with her soft hair. She clung to him, soaking his chest and jacket with her sorrow.
"Those bastards! I'll kill them all, I swear!" Franky muttered angrily, the injustice of it all ripping and tearing at him until he was numb from it all. Luffy shook his head softly, a silent deny of his claim. They all knew what that meant and the realization tore at each of them until there was nothing left. Because Luffy-their brave, stupid, loveable, forgiving Luffy-was telling them that they were not allowed to get revenge on the ones who had hurt their captain and his brother. They weren't allowed to touch the man who had scarred Luffy in the worst way possible.
"Luffy, please," Usopp begged. He was met only with a shake of a head and another soft smile. It baffled them-his ability to smile even after reliving the worst moments of his life, in the light of his brief insanity. He was stronger than he gave himself credit for, stronger than they had realized, stronger than anyone could ever comprehend.
"It's over now. I just need to get past it. I can't forget it, not ever, but I can let the pain go," Luffy murmured quietly as he continued stroking Nami's hair. "I have to let the pain go, for all of you. You need me and I need you and I can't let you down. Not like I let him down. So none of you are allowed to put yourselves in danger to hurt the bastards who killed Ace. I want you all to live," he whispered, revealing more wisdom than any present had thought him capable of. His words ripped louder sobs from Nami as Chopper, Usopp, and Brook clutched at each other, desperately silencing their cries. Robin held a hand over her mouth as tears streamed down her face and Franky wrapped her in a comforting hug, his own tears not quite gone either. Sanji hid his face in his hair as he stared up at the sky, fists clenching in his pockets. Zoro stared at his captain, pain clenching at his heart and making it hard to breathe.
Not another word was spoken that day as the crew held onto each other, the words of their captain ringing in their ears. Words that tore at them and burned them, killing them slowly and painfully. Incinerating their beings into nothingness as their ship continued sailing in the waters that held the secrets of the dead.
It was the story that was told that day and the silent promise that was made shortly afterwards that destroyed the Strawhat Pirates that bright, beautiful day.
