Chapter 8

I awoke with a gasp. My limbs were drenched in sweat, I could feel them sticking to the sheets I was trying to rip off. I struggled for a while, and squeaked in surprise when I rolled off my bed and landed with a light thump. Lately my nightmares had been getting worse and worse. The dreams had grown more vivid and were beginning to tear me up on the inside. I thought about going to Redhair, but I thought it would be weird since we didn't know each other that well... But we knew each other well enough now though, right?

I scrambled up from the ground and clutched the sheets to me, whirling around to peer into the shadows. I felt like the faces in my nightmare were hidden there, jeering and taunting.
Well, there was no way in hell that I was going to suffer this one alone. Anyway, he still owes me.

I abandoned my sheets next to my bed and tiptoed to the door, peering out into the hallway. It was eerily silent and dark. I stepped into the hallway, jumping as the floorboard beneath my feet let out a load groan. I dove over to the opposite side of the hallway, darting into the captain's quarters before gently shutting the door behind me. I clambered onto the end of the bed, sitting back on my heels and clearing my throat to gain the man's attention.

The captain jumped, smacking his head against the headboard. I giggled as he let out a string of curses. "Jade? Holy shit! You gave me such a fright, what are you doing on my bed? It doesn't feel like morning..." I internally face-palmed, how did he not hear me come into his room, was he deaf? He leaned over to the bedside table and flipped on the light.

"I had a nightmare." I declared, launching into a detailed explanation of it.

"WOAH! Wait! Hold up, stop!" Redhair shouted, before shutting his eyes, plugging his ears and saying 'la, la, la' loudly in attempt to block me out.

I stopped and stared at him confused. I don't understand, what was he doing? Isn't this what I'm meant to do? Normally, I just sit at the end of the end of Papa's bed, explain what the nightmare was about, getting it all out of my system before returning to my bed.

Redhair opened one of his eyes a crack, squinting at me. When he deemed it safe, he stopped and pulled out his fingers from his ears. We stared at each other for a time before I spoke. "Well, that was childish," I stated. "I have to explain my nightmare to get it out of my system before I can sleep again." I explained.

"Well, don't explain it to me! If you do then you'll give me your nightmares!" He aspirated, flinging his arms about as if to demonstrate how horrid that would be.

I frowned, and put a finger to my chin, thinking. I guess I could just attempt to get to sleep again. Although, that sounded both terrifying and lonely. All well, it wasn't like Redhair would be any help at this point. I sighed, and clambered off the bed, making my way over the door. "Fine, I won't tell you. I apologies for intruding while you were asleep. Goodnight, Redhair."
"Wait, where are you going now?"

"Back to my room, duh. Where did you think I was going?"

"Come 'ere." He flipped over the edge of the blanket, patting the covers next to him.

I eyed him suspiciously, but did as he commanded, walking slowly over until I stood in front of him. He gave me a sly smile, to which I countered with narrowed eyes, arms crossing in front of me. Suddenly, his arm snaked around me, tugged me towards him, I let of a squeak of surprise. He laughed as he dragged me under the covers, I failed my limbs about in attempt to get him to release his hold on me. I felt a triumphant smirk plaster itself on my face as I elbowed him in the gut, earning a small 'oof' from the man. Finally he let go, allowing me to wriggle away from him. I curled up on myself, bathing in the warmth the mattress seemed to be radiating.

I heard Redhair chuckle before the light went out.

I smiled to myself as I drifted into the darkness.

I woke the next morning feeling something heavy weighed down my chest, my breathing restricted. I opened my eyes and glanced down. A muscular arm was draped across me, the fingers on the hand twitching slightly. I turned my head to the side, to come face to face with the snoring- and slightly drooling- captain. He was on his front, his limbs spread out in different directions, making a star shape. I shook my head, this was the exact position I saw him sleeping in a couple weeks ago, only his head had been face down...

I calmly rolled out from under the arms and caught myself just before I rolled off the bed. Quickly and quietly, I exited the room. Diving back into my own room, I begin to prepare myself for the day.

Today was the second of my ten days off, and I was going to enjoy them as much as possible. 'Eat, drink and be merry,' that was the saying, wasn't it?

Humming I marched into the bathroom, and started brushing my teeth while doing a small sorta dance.

I was in a good mood today. I pinned the crime it to Redhair's way of dealing with nightmares. It was slightly strang

e, but it was effective, and these were the results. I grinned at my reflection. There were only slight bags under my eyes and the eyes themselves were bright and sparkly, full of life.

I decided that I like the feeling of starting a day in a good mood, it rarely happens but these were one of those few.

I danced out of the bathroom and changed into the clothes I felt like chilling in today. Grey fat pants and an orange hoodie. Because, hey, why not?

I pulled my hair into a rough top knot and quickly grabbed a bunch of beris, disposing of them in my pockets. I pulled on a pair of white sneakers and then I was out of the door, outside and on dry land.

"Where to go?~" I sung, to no one in particular. Hmm, that bartender from the bar was nice to chat to. Her name... Makino? Yeah, that sounds right.

I whistled a tune as I pranced through the streets, heading in the direction. I pushed the swinging doors open and skipped it, still whistling.

I heard a groan from one of the tables and a masculine voice broke through her good mood. "Oh no, Jade's in a good mood, the worlds gonna end, boys, I'm telling ya." I turned and glared at Yasopp, who began to laugh at the comment that who-was-the-little-fuck said.

I jumped up onto a stool, calling Makino over.

"Ah, Jade, was it? Good to see you again, same as yesterday?" She smiled kindly at me.

"Please." I said, my eyes still roaming around the room, trying to pick out which idiot it was that ruined my mood.

I reached and picked up the mug that Makino placed on the counter, without looking away from the tables, and took a gulp.

I heard the woman take a seat on the other side of the counter. "Did you answer my question yesterday?" I glanced at her, confused. "Do you find it strange to travel with a bunch of strangers?" She answered my unspoken question.

"I said it was weird having so many people around. Although, it isn't unbearably strange, they're all kind and welcoming, and they instantly recognised me as one of their own. Also, they don't feel that much older, I swear most of them have the mentality of a 3 year old. Most of the time I feel like I'm taking care of them, not the other way around."

Makino laughed at that, her eyes lightening up. "Yes, they do seem a bit immature at times don't they...?" Suddenly, she seemed to get an idea, her entire face lighting up like the sun. "Hey, Jade. You said that it was only you and your papa on your island, right?" I nodded. "And then you started sailing with the Redhair pirates?" I nodded again. "Is this the first island apart from your home island that you've been to?"

I thought for a second, putting both of my arms on the counter surface and laying my head upon them. "We did go to two others, but I didn't get to go on them... So, kinda, I guess. This is the first one I get to explore."

Makino smiled. "Does this mean that I'm the first female you've met, apart from your own mother?"

I paused. "I suppose so."

"And does that mean you've never met anyone your age before?"

I laughed lightly. "No, but like I said, the Redhair pirates have the mentality of kids so isn't that the same thing?"

"Oooooh, this is so exciting! Jade, there are lots of kids your age in Foosha Village that you can become friends with. There's this one kid who always hangs out at the bar, he's always alone here because his grandad's always off on marine missions. I think you two would make the best of friends! I have to introduce you." Makino rambled.

I laugh. "That's ok, Makino. I'm not too lonely, and after a few days break I'm back to training. Hey, but where was he yesterday? I don't remember seeing a kid here..."

Makino nodded. "That's because he wasn't here, he was meeting up with his grandad, but now his grandad has left again, so he'll be back here today. He gets along well with Shanks and the others, I saw so the other day."

I sighed. There's only one reason why someone would get along with the Redhair pirates and captain. And that reason is that person is as stupid as they are.