I had been in the hospital for two weeks basically, today was the fourteenth day, also the day I got out. Today was another important event too, The Thanksgiving Dance. I walked out of the hospital, wearing black jeans with black slips ons, with a black t-shirt and black jacket. I flexed my new metal arm, another augmentation it seemed. Now I had two metal limbs, both black, both bulletproof. I smiled as I remembered the day after I had been admitted to the hospital.
*Flashback
My door opened, and I saw a very sorry looking Arlong enter the room.
"Chase, I am so so so so so-"
"Arlong, it's truly okay, I did break your arm after all" I winked at him.
"No Chase you don't understand! He's my father, but we haven't seen him for years ever since he walked out on us" Arlong said.
"It's okay Arlong, it really is, I'll just get a new arm" I told him with a smile.
Tears ran down Arlongs face, "Chase...how are you so easily forgiving?" he asked.
"The answer to that question has already been revealed my friend" I winked at him.
Arlong looked at my left arm, that was now a stump wrapped up in bandages.
"I still apologize for him taking your arm and all, and your back" Arlong said dejectedly.
"Arlong it's okay, your father was simply acting as any father would, just more harsh than most" I told him, putting my good arm on his shoulder.
He looked up at me and smiled, "Chase...I think Im going to try to be like you as I grow older. I want to be able to forgive anyone for anything, and be able to make the best of friends no matter where I go!".
"You do that, and like Luffy says, Chase your dream and never give up on it!" I told him, giving him the biggest grin I could give as he left the room, with what seemed like a very big smile on his face.
*End of Flashback.
I walked out to my car, still smiling. I got in the car, looking around at all the candy, flowers, and cards that I had received during my stay at the hospital. I picked out a handwritten card that looked really childish and was made with crayon, and it made me laugh, thinking of the first week I had spent at the hospital.
Flashback
My door once again opened, revealing the nakama barging through, bearing gifts and balloons.
"CHASEEEE" they squealed, making a pig pile on my bed.
"Oi! Calm down guys, Im still injured" I said, waving my stump.
They all stepped back, looking remorseful, even sad.
"Hey guys, cheer up! Im alive right?" I grinned at them.
They managed small smiles, "But it was just so scary" Chopper said in an adorable voice.
I sat him in my lap, "Well of course it was, I was scared too" I told him.
"It sucked, not being able to do anything. I don't like feeling helpless" Luffy said in a serious tone.
"I felt so useless" Sanji siad, his head down.
"None of you were useless, you baka's. You were all in the same situation and couldn't get out of it, no one can blame you for that. I don't blame you, If it was a risk for your lives I wouldn't have wanted you guys to try and help." I told them.
"It was still supppperrrrrr scary" Franky said.
"At least you didn't die from loss of blood" Robin observed.
"How many stiches on the back?" Zoro grinned.
"56" I grinned back, before Nami smacked Zoro on the head.
"YOU HAVENT SEEM HIM IN A WEEK AND THATS WHAT YOU SAY?!" she yelled.
"Sorry..." Zoro mumbled, looking down.
"I carried you into your car, and drove you here" Ace said solemnly.
"Oh, so thats how I got here, thank you Ace" I told him.
I looked at Vivi, who had been silent the entire time, holding my good hand.
In a way that was the cue for everyone to leave, but not before Luffy gave me his card.
"Here, get well soon" Luffy said, handing me the card and running out to catch up with the others. It read "Hey Chase...Im not sure what it's like to loose two limbs, but im sure it sucks. I hope you get better. Im hungry now, im gonna go get meat, bye! from- Luffy" on the front it had a picture if meat. I chuckled and set the card on the stand next to my bed.
Now it was just me and Vivi, and the silence was getting intense.
"Im sorry Vivi, I-" before I could continue, she threw her arms around me, crying.
I placed my good arm around her, "Hey don't cry, whats up" I asked her, pulling her back to look at her face.
She hiccuped, "I hate seeing you like this, out of all people this has to happen to you. You are the sweetest,nicest,caring guy I have ever met, yet you get your arm and leg taken away and a scar that took fifty six stitches to close" she sniffled.
"Oh Vivi love, it's a matter of acceptance. Despite the good I do and try to do, the world an unfair place. As I may be said to be, bad things can still happen to me, it may be unfair, but you just need to accept the reality of it and move on. As long as I can protect you from the bad things in life, then I don't care how many limbs I lose, or how many stitches it takes to heal a scar, for you are worth it all" I told her, with a heart warming smile.
"You...you are amazing" Vivi said, her lips crashing into mine. I kissed her back, feeling the love and passion behind it. We kissed for a couple more minutes, and then she finally got up to take her leave.
"Still go to the dance okay love? I want you to have fun with our friends" I said with a smile.
"Okay" she said with a smile, leaving the room.
I had closed my eyes for a couple seconds when I heard the door open again, I opened my eyes to see Ace sitting at my bedside.
"Your not going to say I told you so right?" I asked him with a wink.
"No, but please be more cautious when people say that kind of stuff to you, I don't want this happening again" Ace said in a serious voice.
"Yes sir" I mock saluted him with my stub, and we both laughed.
"When you getting your new arm?" Ace asked, looking at my stub.
"Tomorrow" I said with a grin.
"Good good...Lucy broke up with me ya know" he said, looking teary eyed.
I sat up and wrapped him in my good arm, he then proceeded to cry.
We sat there like that for awhile, but he finally stopped and looked back up at me.
"Thanks...I don't cry often...I didn't want Luffy or anyone else to see, didn't want them to call me a coward" Ace said shamefully.
"Now Ace there is NOTHING wrong with crying, I spent countless nights after my parents died, crying, and crying. I then cried even more when I was always shunned for something that was never my fault. I cried so much that I thought there would be no way I could cry again, but theres always something that can make you cry. The point is, don't be ashamed, you can't help what you feel, and with friends like us, we won't judge you" I finished.
"Yeah...i guess your right" getting his old grin back on.
"Thats my baka, now get outta here, I need to sleep!" I said, giving him a playful punch with my good arm.
"Have some good beauty sleep princess" he said slyly, getting up and running out of the room before I could punch him.
I sighed and laid back on the pillow, closing my eyes and dreaming of my friends.
*End of Flashback.
I pulled into the driveway of my estate parking my car and getting out. It hadn't changed, so that must mean that Vivi kept the crew under control while I was gone, good. I looked at my watch, it seemed as if the The Thanksgiving Dance was going to start in five minutes, all my friends were probably already there, waiting to get inside our school gym. I hadn't told a single one of them I was coming home today, so they probably all thought I was still at the hospital. I went upstairs to change into my dress clothes. I had decided on wearing a black dress shirt with a black vest over it, with a white tie, also with black dress pants and black slip ons. I know that Vivi was wearing a cute black dress, for I was the one who had bought it for her. What everyone else was wearing was a complete mystery to me. I grabbed my keys and jacket, heading out the door. I sped off and out of my estate, excited to dance with Vivi and have a good time with my Nakama.
I entered the gym, it was decorated in red,yellow,and brown streamers with thanksgiving themed drawings all over the walls. It was dark in the room, for all there were was strobe lights and disco balls. In the corner of the room I found my Nakama dancing, it was a slow song so they were all pre occupied, including Vivi, with another guy. I observed closer to se that this guy was forcing her to do it, with her not being comfortable with it at all. With all my nakama busy, I was the only one could save her, and with the rarely felt rage at the pit of my stomach, I strode over to my friends, fire in my eyes.
I stood in front of the unknowing two, his arms trailing to where they shouldn't have been. "You really should let her go" I said. He turned to me, his hands still on Vivi, "And Who- before he could finish his sentence I gave an angry growl, and heard a satisfying clunk as my metal fist hit his head hard, knocking him unconscious. Vivi stood there in shock, still processing what just happened, when I gathered her into my arms. "I'll always protect you princess, don't you forget that" I told her, pulling her back in my arms and giving her a kiss on the forehead. "Thank you, my knight in black" she said softly, her head on my chest. We finished the song like that, and then went to go sit at one of the available tables. I had just taken my seat when I heard a collective "CHASE" and knew what was coming.
I was once again, pig piled onto the floor by none other by Luffy, Usopp and Chopper. "YAY your back, I thought you'd be in there for so much longer!" Chopper said happily, crying tears of joy like he always did. I gave him a small hug "Course Im back, nothing can keep me away from my nakama" I said, flashing a smile. Luffy saw my metal arm and gasped "YOU GOT A MEDAL ARM?! SO COOL!" He shouted, staring at it with awe. "I the brave Captain Usopp, now have a underling with both a medal arm and leg, be afraid!" he said proudly, giving me a wink. "Now sweetheart, I don't think Chase is your underling" Kaya said, taking his arm in both of hers. Usopp blushed "R-right" he replied.
They all looked pretty fancy, Luffy having a maroon dress shirt with a black tie, and of course his straw hat. Nami had a maroon dress to match. Sanji had his usual suit on, plus a red tie. Hancock had a black dress to match. Usopp had a interesting one on, it was a green plaid suit, with a green plaid bowler hat. Kaya had a green dress to match. Zoro had a complete black suit on, and with what seemed like a new piercings on his ear, three gold earrings that looked like drops of water. Robin had a black dress with a white scarf to match. Franky had a normal suit on, Cana seemed to have shown up, with a nice red dress to match Franky's. Wendy had also seemed to come, she had a blue dress on. Mira also came, she had a red dress to match Brooks suit. I grasped Zoro's arm in greeting, "Training tomorrow?" I asked with a grin, "Sure" he grinned back, we then unclasped arms. I put my medal hand on Sanji's shoulder "Looking good as always friend" I told him. "You too, fellow gentlemen" he winked, going back to kissing Hancock.
I greeted the three fairy tail girls that had came "Nice to see you all again" I told them. "Nice to see you too Chase-sama" Wendy said, she was adorable so I couldn't help but smile. "Nice to see ya" Cana greeted, turning back to talk to Franky. "Hello Chase" Mira greeted sweetly. "Yohoho! Chase-sama, good to see you" Brook said. "We performing tonight?" I asked Brook. "Actually yes, were up right now, lets go Yohoho!" Brook said, grabbing my arm and dragging me up to the stage where Zoro and Franky awaited with their instruments. I strapped on my guitar, Brook doing likewise. "Welcome to the Dance everyone, it's good to be back!" I said, people cheering. "Were gong to perform Can't keep my hands off you by simple plan" I told the crowd, stepping back from the mic to prepare myself.
Franky starts the drumroll, and Brook starts the guitar riff.
Me and Zorro: Ohx6
Me: Lets go!
I take part in the guitar riff.
Me: My Fender strat sits all alone collecting dust in the corner
Brook and Zoro:Oh!x6
Me: I haven't called any of my friends I've been MIA since last December
Brook and Zoro: Oh!x6
Me and Brook: My blackberry's filled up with E-mail, My phone calls go straight through to voicemail.
Me: Cause on the street or under the covers, we're stuck like two pieces of velcro,At the park in the back of my car, it don't matter what I do, no, I can't keep my hands off you!
Brook and Zorro" Can't keep my x2
Me: Can't keep my hands off you
Brook and Zoro: Can't keep my x2
Franky: There's fungus growin in the ice box, all I got left are fruit roll ups
Me, Zoro and Brook: Oh! x6
Franky: My clothes are six months old, but I don't care no no no I don't notice
Me,Zoro and Brook: Oh! x6
Franky: My Bills pile's so high it is shocking, the Repo man just keeps on knocking.
Me: Cause on the street or under the covers, we're stuck like two pieces of velcro,At the park in the back of my car, it don't matter what I do, no, I can't keep my hands off you!
Brook and Zoro: Can't keep my x2
Me: Can't keep my hands off you
Brook and Zoro: Cant keep my x2
Me: Can't keep my hands of you!
Franky's drum solo starts
Me: Sorry to all my friends and to anyone I offend,
Me and Brook: But I can't help it, No, I can't help it
Zoro: Oh! x3
Zoro and Franky: Can't keep my x2
Me and Brook: Can't keep my hands off
Zoro and Franky: Can't keep my x2
Me and Brook: I can't keep my hands off
Zoro and Franky: Can't keep my x2
Me and Brook: I can't keep my hands off
Zoro and Brook: Can't keep my x2
Me: Cause on the street or under the covers, we're stuck like two pieces of velcro
Zoro and Brook: Stuck like two pieces of velcro
Me: At the part in the back of my car, it don't matter what I do, no, I can't keep my hands off you!
Zoro and Brook: Can't keep my x2
Me: Can't keep my hands off you!
Zoro and Brook Can't keep my x2
Me: Can't keep my hands off you!
Zoro and Brook: Can't keep my x2
Me: Can't keep my hands off you, you
Me,Brook,Zoro,and Franky: Can't keep my hands off you!
I strummed the last chord, a grin on my face. There were cheers and whistles as we got off stage to get back to our friends and fiance's. I clapped my bandmates on the back, "Good job as usual" I winked at them. "Yeah" Zoro said simply, never really one for receiving compliments. "You were superrrrr too Chase, we'll have some cola later" he said with a grin. "Yohoho thank you Chase-sama!" Brook said. The DJ had since gotten back on the stage, playing a racy song and headbanging to it. Me and Vivi wern't for racy songs, so we just sat at our table, her in my lap and her head nuzzled in the crook of my neck. "Im glad your back" She said softly "It was lonely at the house, and kinda cold without you sleeping with me" she smiled. I chuckled, "Yeah, tonight I'll snuggle extra close" I winked at her, giving her a kiss and looking up at our friends.
Everyone was dancing, Nami and Luffy were actually doing pretty well considering Luffy's lack of dancing ability. Robin and Zoro were like dancing with the stars over there, they were just having a field day with that. I wasn't surprised considering Zoro is a warrior with amazing balance and such, and Robin's just Robin. Chopper and Wendy were dancing, both looking quite embarrassed but doing well none the less. Mira and Brook danced together, they looked quite good actually, I doube Mira would want him as her boyfriend, but hey, you never know. Franky and Cana were also doing pretty well, considering Cana looked a bit dazed(probably drunk). Usopp and Kaya also appeared to be having a good time. Of course Sanji and Hancock were kissing, but we both knew that they were still good dancers. "Would you like to dance?" I asked her. "Sure!" she said, stepping off my lap, taking my hand and leading me to the floor. "Far away" by Nickelback came on, I wrapped my arms around her waist, her arms wrapping around my neck.
"Chase...I feel like Im not good enough for you. No matter what I do I can't seem to protect you from bad things. I don't want to protect you from all the bad things, but I still want to help!" she said, her voice getting shaky. "Honey, you are every bit good for me as I am for you. You do help me from bad things, like sadness and loneliness. Without you I would be sad and lonely, but since I have you I don't feel those things. You do in fact deserve me, and I don't know where I'd be without you!" I told her. Her face lit up immidiately, she stood on her tippy toes and gave me a kiss, "I love you". "I love you too" I replied, as the song finished and we made our way back to our table. The dance went on like that for another two hours but it was then time to go.
My friends and I were making our way out to the parking lot when the guy from earlier and three other guys blocked our path. "Hey pal she's my girl, back off" he said directly at me. This was the kid I had knocked out earlier, but I couldn't really tell who he was under the strobe lights and lighting and such. He had red hair and freckles, and looked muscular. He also had pure black eyes, that looked like they were staring into your soul.
"You must be new here. My name's Chase Carver, and Im actually her boyfriend. "Liar!" he bellowed, charging at me. He was then punched in the head again, but by Luffy this time. "Your the liar you freckle faces red head" Luffy said, looking angry. "Is that all you've got?" he asked, charging at Luffy this time. Me,Zoro,and Sanji looked at eachother at the same time and gave quick nods, picking an opponent out of the three underlings that appeared to follow the red haired kid. I took on a kid with long blond hair,his bangs covering his eyes so it appeared he couldn't see.
He lunged at me, with a surprising amount of speed. He was going for a jab to my windpipe, but I swatted his hand away with my medal one, and giving him a good punch in the gut with my good arm. He jumped back, but was still caught by the punch. We faced eachother, each in a fighting stance, though the blond haired kid seemed to be breathing hard, for I had knocked the wind out of him. He lunged at me again, going for an all out punch to the face. I stepped slightly to my right, catching his outstretched arm with my medal one, pulling him forward so that the fist of my good arm crashed into his face. He crumpled to the ground, my friends foes falling to the ground shortly after.
"Don't you ever mess with my friends again!" Luffy yelled at the red haired kid, turning and walking back to us. "That'll teach him eh?" I said with a smile. "If it doesn't then I'l do it again" Luffy said seriously. "That I have no doubt of...my captain" I said, giving him a wink. "What are we like a pirate crew now?" Zoro joked. "Hmmmmmmm...I like the sound of that...WE ARE NOW THE STRAWHAT PIRATES" Luffy shouted, putting his hand in the middle of our little friend circle that we made. Despite his joking, Zoro was the first to put his hand on Luffy's, giving a rarely seen smile. Then Usopp and Kaya put theirs hand on Zoro's giving a grin. Sanji and Hancock put their hands down together, smiles on their faces. Nami put her hand on top of Hancocks, giving Luffy a kiss on the cheek. Chopper stepped in the middle and put his hoof under Luffy's since he was too short to reach otherwise. Vivi put her hand on, a happy smile on her face. Robin was next, giving a giggle. Franky put his large hand on top of Robin's giving a large grin. Brook put his hand on top of Franky's, giving a "Yohoho!". I smiled at everyone, putting my medal hand on top of everyone else's, we then lifted our hands all at once and shouted "STRAW HATS" to the heavens above, where I was sure my parents were watching with smiles on their faces.
A/N: Hey guys! Sorry for not updating as quick as I usually do, trying to find inspiration;p. Anyways I think you guys saw that I took a different directin with the song lyrics, though next time Im probably just going to post the lyrics, unless you liked it of course. Don't worry, I mnot going to pair Brook up with Mira, I just couldn't see that. Same thing with Wendy and Chopper. Though Cana and Franky will be paired up. I dunno how long the next chapter is going to be, so I apologize if it's short. Cheers!