Cure my nightmares
Disclaimer: Please note that I do not own One Piece.
Chapter 10:
Takara's POV
I'm going to be too late...
The calm front I showed my aunt has completely collapsed. Panic causes me to run even faster, ignoring my sore muscles. The stabbing pain in my side has returned in tenfold, trying to warn me I'm overdoing it.
Again my vision gets blurry. Is it a sign that I am going to faint? The wet sensation on my cheeks soon points out the real reason. Why am I crying? A sudden realization turns my stomach in a knot… It's because I regret leaving Luffy.
Will he forgive me for hurting him? Can I still join the crew? I swallow a sob, knowing his reaction doesn't even matter.
To be on time… That's what counts. I only need to warn him. I don't care what happens to me afterwards. I just need him to be safe…
The hill gets steeper, putting more strain on my legs. Good… I'm nearing my destination. Soon several marines come into my view. Swiftly I pass them, creating surprise and chaos. Someone yells, while another tries to grab me. I ignore their attempts to stop me and continue my path.
Behind me I hear the heavy paces of a pursuer. Luckily he doesn't seem to be closing in, making it possible for me to finally reach the top. An amazing panorama meets my eyes, but my gaze is fixed on only one thing, or rather one person. Luffy…
Stopping in my tracks, I take a last deep breath…
Luffy's POV
We have been walking in silence since we left the ship. It's not like us… I understand why I'm acting like this, but does my temper really affect my nakama this much?
Some movement in the distance catches my attention, immediately lifting my sour mood. Takara... She came back… My grin falters the moment I take in her appearance. Out of breath, puffy eyes… the sight of it makes worry rise within me.
"Luffy! Run! It's a trap!" The words barely left her mouth, when a marine pops up and roughly pulls her back. Everyone's attention is on the scene. Immediately I reach out to halt Usopp's attempt at fleeing.
"Oi! Let me go! I'm suffering from the 'I-can't-run-into-a-trap-disease'!"
"We're not leaving Takara!" I throw him a warning glare.
"I will save you, my lovely flower!"
I narrow my eyes at Sanji. "I'm going to save her!"
"Luffy. You always take care of the strongest opponent. That's your job!" Nami reasons.
Suddenly I'm not sure what to do anymore. Fight or save her myself…
"Chopper! You take care of Takara! I will fight!" I couldn't keep in a wicked grin at the thought of the upcoming fight. I stretch my arms and take hold of some sturdy looking branches. Just before I shoot away I hear a soft chuckle.
"Let's follow captain-san's lead."
Knowing I have back up, I direct my focus on Takara and the man holding her. She is jerking and twisting her wrist in an attempt to escape his grip. Her effort seems in vain, since even from this distance her exhaustion is clearly visible.
The man soon has enough of her struggling and retorts to violence by knocking the poor girl mercilessly on the head. Takara's yelp causes my fury to bursts out. How dare he hurt her! Gritting my teeth I make a promise to myself… The man is going to pay… Now!
In his distraction the marine didn't notice how fast I was closing in. Takara looks more aware of this as she quickly throws her body backwards, allowing me enough space to land a hit. "Gum-gum Pistol!" My punch hits the marine straight on, causing him to release his grip.
In reply the man turns his full attention to me and challenges me with a smirk. "Is that all you got?"
"Gum-gum Bazooka!" With a growl I strike the opponent with my both hands, causing him to roughly crash against a nearby tree. Not expecting the force of my attack, unbelief crosses his face. He straitens himself immediately, but is still left unprepared for a new attack.
"Gum-gum Gatling gun!" A barrage of strong punches land rapidly, all of them successfully striking the opponent.
A hand on my shoulder brings my illusion of multiple arms to an abrupt stop.
"I think he had enough." The words are followed by a puff of smoke.
Carefully I observe the marine and realize that Sanji was right. The man is numbly leaning against what was left of the tree. Okay… Maybe I did go a bit overboard…
Looking around I notice all the marines were defeated. The cook and I are the only ones standing.
"Where's the rest?"
"They left a few minutes ago while you were using the poor man as a punching bag."
Ow… I didn't realize I was fighting the man this long... I felt as if it were only seconds.
"Yosh! Let's follow them to the Sunny!" Upon my words Sanji starts walking in the right direction, obviously absorbed by whatever is crossing his mind.
The silence is only brief as the blonde cook soon figures out what to say. "Luffy… You never tried to stop me in saving a woman. Why did you step in now?"
"I don't know."
At my short response he takes an annoyed swig of his cigarette. "Never mind... Can we hurry? I want to make a cake for my three lovely flowers." The words just left his lips and hearts already replace his eyes.
"She's not one of your 'lovely flowers'!" I snap.
My reaction causes him to drop his cigarette in shock. After a short pensive silence he seems to have gathered his thoughts. "Luffy… Would you prefer it if I don't treat Takara as other women?"
"I would…"
He sighs. "Ok… You have my word."
His promise unlocked the brightest grin I had in days.
Hi everyone! I'm back! Sorry for the wait! Somehow I'm not completely satisfied with this chapter. Nevertheless I hope you still liked it. C&C Welcome.