Gyo-Jin Pride
Chapter Nine:
Straw-Hats and Fish Stories
Stone Town Port; Stone Island: Chuu was headed for town. It was time to celebrate, he'd just purchased his first home, his own home! It was a small 3-room stone building, a combination living room/dining room/kitchen, a small bedroom, and a bathroom. He didn't have much to fill it, a bed, a small desk and lamp, a dresser, a table with four chairs (three for guests), and a wicker chair by the window. Chuu found he didn't need much, he was happy with what he had. Two pictures hung on the wall of his living room, one of his friends from the Harvester's salvage crew, the other a framed wanted poster, of himself, with the word PARDONED boldly stamped across the front, just in case any overzealous Navy officers weren't aware of his new status...
Chuu was now headed to the Stone Town restaurant, The Siren's Call, to meet up with his friends for a congratulatory party. His new home was a short walk from town, and an even shorter walk to the soothing waters of Amber Bay. It was a ways from Togorogiri's house at Boulder Cove, but not too far, and the Tatsu (who's broken ankle had finally healed) and Katarina had helped him set up his new furnishings. His path now took him past Stone Town Docks, where most incoming vessels harbored during their stay. As he turned to look over the new vessels, Chuu noticed a strange ship with a ram's head figurehead and an odd, familiar banner, a skull and crossbones, not so unusual, save for the humongous straw-hat perched atop the skull...
The Siren's Call; Stone Town: "They're were fifty, no one hundred of them! I was surrounded! But was I afraid? NOT THE GREAT CAPTAIN USSOP!" Ussop was practically shouting at the other patrons as a tiny, furry being sitting at the same table let out a cheer, "One hundred of Arlong's fiercest men! I turned and told 'em to bring it on!" Ussop looked at a group of girls sitting nearby, "I took 'em down, one after the other and two at a time! I used my awesome Karate skills and matchless marksman's abilities, and I killed all of them!" Ussop was in full swing now, and he was about to begin his six-hundred odd verses of The Great Captain Ussop when he saw a shadow fall across his table from behind..."That's very impressive, you must be quite the fighter. Chu."
Ussop's face went bone white as he turned to see who'd spoken, hoping he was wrong...he wasn't. The 'Great Captain Ussop' promptly hit the floor and curled up under the table. His friends immediately lept up from a table in the back, Nami, with her staff, Zoro, holding a very large sword, the black-clad super-chef Sanji, the Straw-Hat Boy,( Chuu vaguely remembered his name as Rupi or Ruffi or Luffi or Monkey or something) poised to attack, a gigantic ham still held in his bulging rubber jaws, and the small furry thing that had been sitting by Ussop, spellbound by his lies, was suddenly a seven-foot tall human-animal thing Chuu didn't recognize. Each had a weapon, fist or foot pointed in his direction...
Suddenly most of the other patrons got up, guns and blades drawn, ready to take on the Straw- Hat Pirates, to defend their new friend. Chuu waved them down gratefully, surprised that these humans would defend him. "I'm not here to fight,. Chu." he said quietly, "I left that behind when I left Arlong."
Chuu looked down, under the table, at the cowering Ussop, "But you...I owe you something!" Ussop started whimpering, and his friends moved menacingly closer..."I owe you..." Chu extended his hand, and helped Ussop up. "My thanks. Chu."
Chuu sat down with Ussop and the furry thing at their table, the Straw-Hat Boy laughed that weird laugh of his, and everybody stood down. "What do you mean, "'your thanks'"?" Ussop asked in a trembling voice. "If you hadn't defeated me..."Chuu began, "And your friends hadn't defeated Arlong, I'd still be a pirate, miserable and on the run. Hatchi too. Now we're starting over. Chu. Hatchi's got the restaurant he always wanted, and I've got an honest job and good friends. We're happy, and I bet most of the others are too."
"Well, of course! That was my intention all along! THE GREAT CAPTAIN USSOP is always ready to help the wicked change their ways!" Ussop was at it again, "That's a part of being a hero like myself, Chopper," He turned to furry creature, "Making the world safe by reforming criminals!" Chopper looked at him with awe on his face "You're INCREDIBLE Ussop!" "Yeah, he's incredible alright..." Zoro spoke up, "An incredible LIAR!" At that the whole restaurant erupted in laughter, save for Ussop, and the Chopper thing, that seemed to believe every word Ussop said.
Chuu got up, and headed toward Nami, he had no idea what he could say to her, if she could ever forgive him. He'd been there, when Belle-Mare, Nami's mother, had been killed by Arlong. He hadn't laid a finger on her himself, but he hadn't raised a finger to help either, and for eight years he'd stood at the left hand of the man she saw kill her mother, the man who'd kidnaped her, lied to her, and forced her to help in his goal of conquering humanity. She had every reason to hate him. He walked over, noticing Sanji suddenly tense up, ready to protect her, though Chuu knew Nami needed no protection, "Nami, I..." he began, but he knew there was no way to say it... Before either could respond, Togorogiri and Katarina came in "Chuu, who..." Togorogiri began, but he'd seen the wanted posters, he knew who they were, "Is everything alright?" He asked, concerned. Chuu could see the spiny, colorful fin on his back starting to rise in preparation for a fight, and Katarina readied herself as well, she was a human, but she was as bold and proud as any Gyo-Jin woman. "Everything's alright. Chu." he assured them, then turned back to Nami. Their was mistrust in her eyes, and anger, "You expect me to believe you've changed?" she asked, "I know what kinds of things you've done, I was there!" At that she walked out, with Sanji running to catch up.
Chuu let out a sigh, and then introduce his friends to the Straw-Hat Pirates. As the rest of his friends from the Harvester and from town arrived for the celebration, Chuu sat silently, wondering what he could possibly say to Nami...
To Be Continued...
