This is it! Oh boy! It's June 16th! Today's the day! I hope you all enjoy it! X3

Title: Anniversary

Set: Some time after Skypiea

Summary: It's a special day, and a special day is worth celebrating!

Birthday's have never been something I gave much thought to.

I think that's because I'm almost certain that my kind don't have birthdays. It's just not something we do. That doesn't mean that I don't know what a birthday is. I was there for a few celebrations at the Baratie when one of the chef's birthdays rolled around or a customer was having a special birthday dinner, so I know what they entail. Cake, present, and a whole lot of partying.

Turns out the Straw Hats celebrate each other's birthdays whether they like it or not (Zoro), and that's always a lot of fun.

Sanji makes food ten times better than normal if that's even possible. When his birthday rolled around he still cooked but he made food that he wanted and Nami and Robin made a cake for him.

Presents are available depending on where we are. If a birthday happens when we're at an island, we can easily get something. But if we're out at sea, we just have to deal with what we have. Usually, (smart) people like Usopp, Sanji, Nami or Robin will get stuff ahead of time and hide them until a birthday rolls around or sometimes people like Luffy and Chopper will plan out a special surprise.

Long story short, birthday's are a ton of fun when one rolls around. For as long as I've been here, we've celebrated everyone's at least once.

Well, we haven't celebrated Robin's yet since she's pretty new to the crew and her next birthday is a long ways away (in November), but we did have a bit of a celebration when she joined up so there's that.

And again, I really had never given birthdays too much thought, until Luffy changed that. It was about a week after I started sailing with them, after Arlong's defeat.

"Hey Pika-chan! When's your birthday?"

My ears perked up at the odd question. "Pika?" I asked, tilting my head.

"Your birthday! When is it?" Luffy asked while lying on Merry's head. "We gotta know so we can celebrate it!"

I frowned slightly and shook my head with a shrug. "Pikachu…" 'I don't know…'

Luffy tilted his head in confusion, staring at me for a good while when he got up and ran to towards the galley, "Saaaaaanjiiiiiiiiii!" And there goes the Meat Train.

After that, it never came up again. I shake my head and go back to looking out at the sea.

I'm sure that Pokémon don't celebrate birthdays. And even if we do, it's not like I would remember when mine is.

The next day, we docked at an island. A fairly simple place, with a small town and no Marine bases. Finally, someplace peaceful. I smile as I see a good amount of forest areas around the town, full of healthy plant life. I've always felt the most at home in forests, not sure why, but it's probably another memory thing. I doubt that we have time to stay here terribly long, but hopefully I'll get a chance to poke around in there. Maybe I can go now if I ask.

"Pika-chan!" I perk up as Sanji calls me from the galley entrance. I guess he wants me to go with Nami or something to shop-

"You've been cooped up for a while now; why don't you go explore?" ...Wait, what?

I look at him in surprise before frowning in confusion and tilting my head.

"We're running a bit low on supplies, so if you see any fruits or something edible out there, bring it back, okay?" Sanji goes on. Now I'm even more confused; we checked storage yesterday and it was just fine-

"Oh! Pika-chan!" Chopper suddenly jumps in. "While you're out there could you also look for some medical herbs? You know, the ones I've shown you before?"

My ears droop in confusion and I point to Chopper, "Pika-"

"I need to look for things in town, so I can't go!" Chopper blurts out. "And, well, you know how Nami gets when she goes shopping!" He laughs nervously and zooms off before I can get another word in. Even for Chopper that was odd…

"Well, you heard the doctor." Sanji says catching my attention. "Get to it, partner; and be back by dinner!"

"Pika-"

Sanji vanishes back into the galley before I can say another word. What was that all about? I look around the ship but it's already empty, the figures of Chopper, Robin, Usopp, and Nami all heading towards the town. Luffy's Arceus knows where and I guess Zoro's sleeping somewhere.

Well, better get my chores done and take the opportunity to look around. As I walk towards the forest I can't help but think back to what Sanji and Chopper said.

They want more supplies and more herbs? Why? I'm certain that we restocked plenty at the last island a few days back! Well, then again, I guess Sanji wants to have extra food in case Luffy decides to have a midnight feast again. And maybe Chopper wants to be more prepared in case we get into a really bad fight and Zoro does something stupid. I guess that's a good enough excuse.

I enter deep into the forest and immediately take in the cool shade and clean forest air. I scramble up a tree and lose myself among the multiple branches as I move from one tree to another. I climb up to the top multiple times just to take in the amazing view. After seeing the blue ocean for so long, the green plants and brown earth are welcome changes.

After a while, I slide down the tree I'm on and just run through the forest, a wide smile on my face. This just feels so great, so...right. Me running through a forest, not a care in the world...it's like this is where I'm supposed to be.

Before I know it, a number of hours have passed and the sky is barely starting to turn orange. Well, I didn't see any fruit in any of the trees or anything on the ground while I was running so that's a bust. But I still have a little time left to sniff around for any herbs for Chopper.

I wander around for another hour or two but turn up with nothing. Oh well, at least I know we didn't drastically need those things. I climb up a tree one more time and take in the image of the forest against the sunset one last time before climbing down and heading back to the Merry. Though I'd be lying if I said I didn't run back there just to enjoy the atmosphere for a while longer.

When I get back to the ship and board, everyone is mingling on the main deck. Huh, weird; I expected everyone to be in the galley waiting for dinner, or at least Luffy.

Now that I look at him, Luffy looks really excited and his gaze lands on me the minute my head pokes over the railing. "Hey!" I exclaims. He hurries over to me and plucks me right off the railing, hurrying back to the others. "Pika-chan's back! Now we can-"

"Shut up!" Nami yells, pounding him on the head and making him drop me.

"You made it just in time." Sanji says to me.

I tilt my head, "Pikachu?" 'Just in time for what?'

"C'mon c'mon c'moooooon!" Luffy urges, bouncing on his heels. Chopper and Usopp are lingering near him in case he takes off; geez what is with everyone today?

"Alright, c'mon Pika-chan." Sanji says, leading us all towards the galley.

"Pika pika?" I ask.

Chopper giggles and pats my back, "You'll see!" He says gleefully.

We enter the galley and my eyes widen. "Pika?"

The table is full of amazing foods and sweets. A large cake sits in the middle of it all, it's strong sweet smell coming strongly from it hinting that it's fresh out of the oven. My confusion rises as I recognize the pastry and its scent. It's cinnamon-apple cake; my favorite. What on earth is all this?

"Isn't it awesome?" Luffy asks. "Sanji said that it's your birthday today! So we gotta celebrate!"

Wait, birthday? But...I don't have a birthday.

"Sanji sent you out so we could get ready!" Chopper chimes in. "He wasn't sure of your real birthday, so he decided to make it today!"

I am so lost right now. Sanji decided that today was my birthday? Can you just 'decide' a birthday? And why today of all days?

"I must say this is quite impressive." Robin comments. "You must have been planning this for a while."

"Well, it's a special day." Sanji says.

I look up at him in confusion. Not only did he decide on this particular day, but he's been planning this? "Pika?"

Sanji smiles down at me, "Don't you know what today is?" He asks.

I frown and slowly shake my head. Seriously, am I missing something?

Sanji kneels down in front of me. "Today's June 16th, the day we first met." He says, "A year ago today, you became my partner."

My eyes widen; has it really already been that long? And...Sanji actually remembered when we met?

Sanji pets my head. "I think that's a day worth celebrating, don't you?"

I stare at Sanji in awe as a multitude of emotions swirl inside me. Not only did Sanji remember the day we met...he considers that day special. So special...that it's worth celebrating, and in my honor. A smile grows on my face as I feel happiness take over and bloom inside me. "Pika!" 'Sanji!' I cry happily, and leap onto Sanji, giving him a huge hug. "Pika pikachu!" 'You guys are the best! This is amazing!'

I can't help but stare at the spread before us. I'm still wrapping my head around it! All this food and cake...it's all for me! I don't think anyone's ever given me something like this, even in my past life! The food looks expertly done, even more so than usual and he had gotten everyone to pitch in and help for who knows how long! This must've taken so many days of planning...and Sanji did it all for me.

Nami puts a lit candle on the cake and Sanji places me on the table in front of it. Everyone sings 'Happy Birthday' and claps when I blow out my candle.

"What did you wish for?" Luffy asks almost instantly after.

"Luffy, you can't tell someone what you wished for!" Usopp exclaims.

"Yeah, or it won't come true!" Chopper adds.

Sanji cuts the cake and we all dig into the food. The cake tastes like pure heaven with the perfect blend of apple and cinnamon; not surprising considering it's Sanji. The rest of the food tastes just as good and everyone's enjoying it as much as me! After everyone's had a decent amount of food (minus Luffy), Nami and Usopp bring in a bunch of wrapped objects and place them on the table near me.

"Alright, present time!" Luffy cheers.

Presents? I look at the objects and realize that they're all labeled with my name, each one from one of my friends. No way...these guys actually-

"Go on, pick one to open!" Chopper urges.

I swallow to keep my tears back and I pick the one from Sanji, a tall skinny looking thing. I rip the paper off and my eyes widen to see a shiny new bottle of ketchup. "Pika?!" I exclaim happily, looking at Sanji, my eyes practically sparkling.

"Hopefully this will keep you from stealing ketchup from the kitchen." He says, grinning knowingly. I squeal happily and hug the bottle to my chest; maybe I won't use this now, but I definitely will later!

I pick the present from Chopper next and find a thick blank journal with a smooth leather cover, along with three brand new pencils. "I noticed that your other one was getting full." Chopper comments.

"Pikachu!" I say, nodding my thanks to him; good to know that I won't fall behind on my memory recovery!

Nami's present is next and I unwrap it to see a vest. It's a stormy blue color with big royal blue buttons and light grey along the collar and there's even a pocket with a small lightning bolt sewn on.

"I made it myself." Nami says. "Just in case you feel like dressing up when we go somewhere."

"Pika!" I squeal happily and I put it on. It fits perfectly, and looks amazing! "Pika pikachu!"

Nami beams at the praise and I pick up the next present. This one's from Robin. I unwrap it revealing a decent sized book. "It's a collection of Fairy Tales from all four Blues." Robin explains. "You seemed to love stories when we read Noland the Liar, so I thought this would be good in case you got bored."

"Pika pika!" I say with a nod; this is definitely up my alley, mostly since Robin reminded me how cool reading can be.

I grab the next present and see that it's from Zoro. But before I can open it, Usopp gets up, "Our presents actually go together." He says. "I'll be right back; you go ahead and open that." I nod and Usopp disappears out the door.

I open the present to find...marbles? I tilt my head and take out one of them; it's a decent sized metal ball that is bigger than my paw but I can still hold it easily. What are these for?

Just then, Usopp opens the door, his chest puffed out proudly, "Presenting…" He steps out of the doorway. "The Special Edition Usopp Training Dummy!" Standing in the doorway is a two foot tall thing made of metal. It has a weird frowny face drawn on it and is standing on a sturdy podium.

"If you ever want to practice your moves, or let out some aggression, the Usopp Training Dummy is just what you need!" Usopp goes on. "It acts as a lightning rod and is completely durable!" He gestures to the ammo. "Go on, give it a try!"

I give an entertained smile; why not? I put the bag of metal balls down and pick up one. I throw it up in the air and make my tail iron. I give a hard swing and the ball hits the dummy with a loud clang. The dummy bends back, but springs right back up.

I smirk and sparks fly from my cheeks, I let loose a decent electric attack and the lightning is immediately drawn towards it. The lightning hits the dummy, but leaves it without a scratch. "Pika pi, pikachu!" I cheer. This is awesome! I never imagined that Zoro and Usopp of all people could come up with such a cool gift, let alone think of one together!

Well, that just leaves one more present. "C'mon, hurry and open mine!" Luffy urges, bouncing up and down at his seat.

I pick up the present and realize that it's pretty light and not that big. I unwrap the paper and my eyes widen. It's a stuffed crocodile toy. It's a light tan color with black beads as eyes as well as fabric for fangs on its mouth; but it's also stuffed with sand.

I stare at the toy and Luffy grins, "Do you like it? I know you and that lizard from Alabasta were friends so I thought-"

"Luffy!" Nami snaps.

"What?"

I continue staring at the toy for what feels like forever. My paws run over the toy and I feel a warm feeling wash over me as I feel the familiar feeling of sand under the soft fabric. I slowly hug it to my chest, looking at Luffy with joyful eyes. "Pikachu…" 'Thank you, Luffy…'

Luffy gives me a big grin.

Sanji gives me a pat. "Happy birthday, Pika-chan." He says.

Luffy then walks over and places his straw hat on my head like a birthday crown, "And thanks for being our friend." He says.

I look at all my friends, smiling around me and I finally let my tears of joy leak from my eyes. "Pikachu!"

My birthday wish came true...I'm loved and wanted by a family who accepts me for who I am and love me unconditionally, and I love them all in return. Despite my missing past, today does mark the day of a birth.

Today, I lost my past, but I gained a partner, a crew, and a family in turn.

Today is the day I was reborn.

Reborn as Pika-chan, of the Straw Hat pirates!

HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

Man, it seems like only yesterday when I started 'The Smallest Straw Hat'. Ever since that day, it's just taken off and I couldn't be more grateful to you lovely people for giving this story all your love and support! Pika-chan has become such a big figure in my writing life now that it just felt right to give it an official birthday!

So there you have it! June 16th is Pika-chan's birthday! Like I said, it's a special day, and I can't wait to see what these stories bring in the future! HAPPY BIRTHDAY PIKA-CHAN!