Author's note: Hi guys! So this chapter is shorter I know. But hopefully I'll have the next one out in a shorter time.

In the meantime…

Geniet! (Enjoy)

Land Ho! And Off the Ship for Good?

I can't believe it! Actual land! Actual unmoving hard ground floors? I think I might just die!

I was running. Well that's not exactly true. I was walking, but it was not entirely a walk but more of a speedy stride. Lacking good judgment and speed I zipped across the back alley leading into a series of tighter and condense packed buildings. It would be impossible nearly improbable that they would find me here. They probably haven't even noticed my departure.

My heart was light and my mind sent signals of tingles down my body which resonated at the base of my stomach.

Why was I so nervous?

Was it the feeling that I was being followed?

I slipped next to a cart of what appeared to be apples ignoring the sneer coming from the native elderly woman sitting by. Then I took one of the red fruits in my hand and pretended to examine it while searching the area surrounding. No familiar faces. Good.

Just a sea of unrecognizable bodies passing by.

I stood out in the middle of the bazaar with my over sized plain yellow jacket and sketchy large equipment strapped to my back. The attire here was composed of many bright oranges, yellows, and reds. People dressed warmly and incorporated a number of bright patterns to compliment their tan hues of skin.

I was a foreigner, and the way I uncomfortably fidgeted around made it seem even more so.

"Are you goin' to buy or not?" The lady said using a slightly strange accent.

I put down the apple mumbling a sorry.

"Do you know where I can find ferry service here?"

I asked while looking over my shoulder.

She fingered the string of beads hanging around her neck.

"Ferry? We don't usually have that many visitors around here. But if you want to ask someone about a boat it would have to be Kinu."

"Kinu? Where can I find him?"

She scoffed.

"You don't find Kinu. Kinu finds you."

I blinked.

"Okaaay."

"I hear he hangs around the other side of the island, but I wouldn't go there...it's not safe."

A girl around my age commented. She looked at the display and then eyed me over. Her deep blue eyes were filled with curiosity as she stared at what would be strange attire for her. She wore a red bikini top and wrap like skirt with pink flowers across it. Her long blue hair spilled over her shoulders as she leaned into the cart.

"You're not from around here are you?"

She said matter-of-factly.

I looked around.

There was no use in hiding it was pretty obvious I was a fish out of water.

I nodded.

"I can show you where he is."

"Oh, really?"

"For a fee."

Earlier this afternoon...

"Land ho!" Luffy announced joyfully. He held his hands above his eyes to block out the sun and placed his foot at the top of the rail of the boat. Usopp watched him worriedly in case Luffy began to get too overly excited.

"We should be arriving in 15 minutes." Nami sighed with satisfaction.

She held her telescope to her eye and looked out at the land mass nearing us.

"But it's still strange. You would think that an island that size would be mentioned on the map somewhere..."

"Well shouldn't you know?" Zoro asked. He leant his back against the pole in the middle of the ship. His closed eyes and unmoving expression gave no implications that he was glad to have found land again.

Nami shot him an annoyed glare.

"Well of cour-"

She began.

"Of course, Ms. Nami knows what she's doing. She doesn't need you stressing her out with your stupid questions, Marimo!"

Immediately a flash of anger arrested his features and he brought his previously crossed arms down to his sides.

"No one was talking to you, you shitty cook. I was just saying that as a navigator it's her job to know where we are."

"Pfft. Like you're one to talk about getting people lost. You can't even find your way out of a paper bag!"

"What the hell did you say?"

Zoro took a couple of steps forward.

"I said go jump in a ditch dumbass swordsman!" Sanji growled in between his cigarette.

They stared at each other growling inwardly like two ravenous dogs ready to battle for a piece of meat called pride.

Nami sighed, long forgotten by now, and turned back out toward the calm sea waters.

"I'd rather throw you in one."

"Tch. We'll see who'll be doing the throwing-"

"Will you morons shut up, we're here."

They stopped the borderline childish bickering but there deathly gazes still remained intertwined.

I walked towards Luffy staring warily at the stare down.

Something in my stomach bubbled up as I watched the back of his red half shirt and dirty faded blue jean capris. I stood there for a moment rethinking over what I was going to say.

I had made up my mind even after the octopus incident and even after last night.

I had to think with my head. Thinking with my heart would only get me into trouble.

But what would I say?

Say nothing.

That's what I was supposed to say. I was not entitled to give him a formal goodbye. That was reserved for...friends.

We weren't...friends...were we?

I was suddenly reminded of my conversation with Zoro. How he had referred to me, indirectly, but none the less, as his nakama. That declaration as insignificant as it may have seemed to him carried a slightly heavy weight in my heart. Being someone's friend meant having responsibilities.

What would they think of me if I suddenly up and left?

Not too highly I supposed.

But then again that would be nothing new.

I entered into the ship's foyer. Judging by the movement the ship was steadily coming to a stop and entering one of the docks provided. They weren't a lot of ships around, which was odd seeing how the island had looked relatively big. I would assume that it had a good sized population, but I could not tell with all the palm trees blocking the view.

I rummaged through my coat pocket. All my things had been packed away into my backpack while everyone else was sleeping.

Then I pulled out the letter that Chopper had made. I shoved it back into my pocket.

Then I began to walk to where the ship's exit was located.

Back to the present

I followed behind my not all too hospitable paid guide. We were walking through the forestry part of the island. The green lushness reminded me of pictures found in books about rainforests.

"Are we there yet?" I asked impatiently.

"I feel like we're going in circles."

She continued walking hoping over a large tree root jutting out of the ground. I copied her action except with a little less grace and a bit more tripping and ouching.

"I know this area like the back of my hand." She assured.

I was silent.

Through the palm tree trunks was a bit of concrete. We were nearing a road like structure which meant civilization again.

The trees thinned and we entered a shoddy looking area with small concrete structures. This side of the island was a lot more 'modern' per se than the other ones, yet...

The atmosphere seemed to be...

"All right," She turned to me. Then she placed her slender hands on my shoulder.

"Follow the road until you get to a building called the 'Sexy Shabu Paradise' then go directly to the bartender missing his right eye."

Right eye, why was that detail important? And 'Sexy Shabu'? I better not be going to some strip club.

"Say you're a foreigner looking for a man named Itomimizu-"

"Itomimizu? I thought I was looking for Kinu?"

She narrowed her eyes in confusion but then opened them widely again.

"Oh, right." She laughed.

"Itomimizu is Kinu's...secret name."

Why does he need a secret name? And why do I feel like we're conducting a drug trade?

"But what should I-"

"Don't' worry about it. Just ask him. I have to go now." She looked over her shoulder before disappearing back into the trees.

"Don't look anyone in the eye!" She called behind her.

Why with the uncalled for behavior all of a sudden? It made me doubtful for some reason but maybe that was just paranoia rearing its ugly head again.

I sighed. There had to be a more roundabout way of doing this.

But I was here now. I walked into the mildly busy roads. People were sitting out in chairs on the sidewalk talking casually or drinking .I felt their eyes follow me as I trekked further down the walkway. I clutched onto by backpack straps more tightly. At least I was away. It would probably be a while before they noticed I was gone. And even then they may have just thought I was getting supplies. And if then they still did not realize I was leaving then I would already be gone. Besides, I left a letter on my cot. They would read that eventually to at least know I had not been captured and murdered. It was the least I could do but the most I wanted to do when it came to leaving.

Five minutes later, I approached a large concrete building with a sign over it reading "Orange Top Paradise' in orange letters.

Things were better this way I repeated in my head.

I entered into the bar like area. The dimly room was at odds with the cheery environment outside. A few tables lined the room here and there. And different mismatch chairs accommodated each. A woman passed me holding a plate of cups in each hand. I walked past her towards the bar in the middle. It was decorated with seashells and random crusty rusted objects.

A tall lean man stood at the bar in a floral t shirt while wiping a glass halfheartedly. He literally reminded me of a pen with his pointy head shape. As she had stated e was missing an eye apparently due to an eye patch adorned to his face. His sodden face lit upon my arrival.

"What would you like traveler?" He asked before I even got to the counter.

"Uh, I actually,"

I leaned in closely causing him to lean in too.

"I'm looking for a guy named Itomimizu or Kinu, I think. I'm a foreigner, someone told me to tell you."

"Itomomizu? Oh, well, I'll get him. Just wait here I suppose..."

"And here is some water then, if you're just thirsty." He placed a cup in front of me. He threw his towel on the counter behind him and disappeared into another room altogether.

I stood in front of the bar awkwardly before taking a seat on one of the limestone stools.

I sipped on the drink casually. My fingers beat on the bar top impatiently.

Finally the tall lean man reemerged.

"He will see you, behind the building."

I looked at the man who continued to wash the cups. His eyes darted across the bar nervously. He avoided eye contact.

"Fine," I sighed.

I got up from my seat and walked out of the bar. Then I went behind the building entering an alley way. Two large men were playing cards outside of its entrance and did not give me a second look.

The alley way led out to a clearance surrounded by palm trees. A group of men were gathered around in a circle with their backs turned to me.

One of them seemed to be paying some game that involved marbles and shells.

"Hello?" I called out wishing to get someone's attention.

The sound of clinking marbles stopped and the largest of the group turned towards me. He wore black mask, blue gloves and blue pants. His chest was left bare. He was rather large in comparison to any of the other natives; he was actually quite large for a human and quite hairy all over. It made me question if he was a foreigner too.

The rest of the group seemed to all share the mask and striped hats in common.

He approached me slowly sizing me up and down then eyeing the baggage I held. His face resembled that of a gorilla and I questioned in my mind if he was human at all.

"Can I help you?" He asked cheerfully.

"I'm looking for Kinu...or Itomimuzu. I need a ship that can sail me to some islands off to the west probably of here."

He rubbed his chin and some men behind him burst out in laughter.

Then he began to laugh.

Then I began to laugh.

It was a joyless confused laugh but a laugh none the less.

"So, the ride..." I reminded the gorilla like man. He stopped holding his stomach and his sounds quieted.

"Right, the ride. Hey, let's show the foreigner a ride shall we."

"W-wait," I stammered.

He placed his arm over my shoulder and motioned for the other members of the group to gather around. I tensed and wondered for some reason whether his idea of ride would be synonymous with my own.

Why had I not used more discretion! I should have known something was up when I swathe masks.

Well I wasn't planning on becoming another statistic any time soon.

I unlocked myself from his grasp and turned to sprint. Then a large blunt force impacted with my head and-

Darkness.

Author's Ending note: So tell me what you guys think so far. And now you all may start to see some familiar one piece characters. But we will see how that goes…

Next Chapter Eleven:

Naked and Left To Die

I clutched onto his arm for support. I could not remember the last time I had felt such emptiness and loss. It was like having an extra limb completely removed from my body.

And the fact that I had forgotten to breathe only made it worse.

Release Date: 3/15?