~.~
Luffy frowned as he let his eyes rest on the blank page before a sigh draw his attention to his blond-haired bunkmate.
"Sorry did I wake you?" Luffy asked with a sheepish small smile and Basil shook his head.
"Is the middle of the night, you can write the letter tomorrow." Luffy nodded although slightly displeased before he stood up from the small desk. He walked to the bed the blond was occupying and settled against him. "What is truly bothering you?"
"Do you think they'll be pissed?" the nekomimi asked his face totally expressionless making Basil nod reluctantly.
"Probably, but if I may, I think they are more worried than pissed. I know I would."
"Uhm…" The nekomimi's cuddled close to the blond who smiled indulgingly before putting out the light. Luffy was odd ball full of contradictions. He didn't usually let other people touch him, but was quite affectionate with a small few. Loved the attention but at the same time was a reclusive bastard who didn't like being pestered. Basil was sharing with Luffy a small but homely room on the ship with one desk and one closet and two beds. That's why it had been so weird to find a small ball of adorable kitten sleeping in his bed the first morning he slept aboard the ship. The blond was pretty certain they had both gone to sleep in separate beds. Basil got used to having his bed and privacy invaded on a regular basis; he had been sailing with the Red-haired pirates for months by now after all.
~.~
"I never asked but how are you going to send the letters?" Basil asked finally not even trying to hide his curiosity.
"Hmm" the boy smiled mysteriously in a way befitting of a cat. "Have you even wondered how the morning Coo's work?"
"Well…"
"Is fine I didn't for a long time either. Not until I found a wounded News Coo. You know about my devil fruit, thanks to it I have an ability that lets me communicate with other animals. But even though I say communicate; most animals don't have a sense of self like humans do but that isn't what I was trying to explain. I took an interest in the bird because it was one of the most intelligent animals I have yet to meet. While most animals can only convey to me feelings there are only a few that mange to understand complex sentences that I form. For example if I were to ask an average animal to bring me water most would understand my need, that I desire or that I require something but there are a few that would understand the concept of water at first. That being said if I say to them I'm thirsty they would probably get me something to drink."
"But not necessarily water."
"That depends on the level of their intelligence and on their character."
"Character?"
"Yes animals posses character. Most small rodent are for example high-working, monkey are usually tend to be playful."
"What about felines?"
"Proud. Most felines are proud."
The blond chuckled. "Sounds right."
"Now to answer your first question, I'm going to deliver the letter simply by doing this." The boy held out his hand and a loud screech could be heard before a white flash flew close and landed on the outstretched hand of the nekomimi who smiled gently at the bird "Yo!"
"Is… that's not a news coo!" the bird's sharp gaze turned at him making Basil raise an eyebrow.
"No not exactly, he's a cross between a red-tail hawk and a seagull, which given the red-tail hawks bloody nature is almost impossible. Feathers here is what you'd call an anomaly so he was not welcomed in the colony being so different."
"Feathers?"
The nekomimi shrugged ."I like to call him nicknames. So you think you can take this to Ace and Sabo?" The boy asked with a tilt of his head and the bird screeched in what seemed agreement because the small boy nodded back satisfied and tied the letters to the bird's feet.
"Be careful and no I won't take the morning paper from anyone else till you come back." The bird leveled him a look before he seemed satisfied and took off. He screeched once more as he circled in the air and Luffy shouted "Safe journey to you too!" before the bird disappeared. Basil was looking at the small boy with a curios look making Luffy smirk slightly.
"Believe me this is not even the weirdest thing that you shall see in our journey."
"I'm aware." The blond replied. "Still if you could contact them so easily why wait until now?"
The nekomimi glared at the horizon before he turned to the blond. "That unpleasant news..." he didn't want to say it out loud.
"You know you can't believe everything you read."
"I know… still it's not like I can exclude the possibility. The three of us were after all never supposed to be on the same ship. I only travelled with them to Longue Town and Ace was heading to the Grand Line he made quite a few nakama even while we were traveling the Blues but… "
"You're worried about Sabo."
"He's strong but I can't help but worry. He never made any nakama while we were travelling together and he didn't appear to want to either." If the two truly split up…
"You are worried that he might be out there all alone." It was not a question and they both knew it.
"Basil, you know, I always believed that being alone is more painful than being hurt."
The blond looked start struck for a small second before a gentle smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Is fine, captain. I'm sure he'll be just fine, after all you will be there for him."
Luffy blushed and muttered a small "but…" It was so different from his usual self and Basil couldn't help but find it endearing. It was a face only a few had been privileged to see after all.
"That's what you want." The blond countered. "That's why you should just follow your desires recklessly. After all that's the kind of captain I'm following."
Luffy let out a loud. "Shishishishi" before he nodded with a renewed fire in his eyes. "That's right."
~.~
Shanks and the crew was laughing and Luffy was a blushing and stuttering mess.
"That must be quite flattening Luffy." Shanks said teasing his apprentice who could barely formulate any sentence.
"Tha- that tattoo…." The nekomimi said and blushed even more. The black cross like tattoo on the boy's neck was way too similar to the ones his devil fruit powers made when he accepted a promise to be just a coincidence.
"Why are you so surprised about?" Basil asked with only a raise of his eyebrow. "I pledged my life to you."
"You said you wanted to join my crew-"
"You have misunderstood me. I will join your crew of course but my loyalty only lies with you." Luffy's eyes widened. Basil sighed before he started speaking again. "Very well let's do this the way is supposed to be done. Shall we?"
"Do what?"
"I believe it is better for me to stay on this island for a while longer. I can not accompany you to Grand Line just yet. I know I lack the power and I do not wish to hinder your progress." The blond started making Shanks look a bit torn.
It was true, the small vacation time in the Blues was coming soon to an end. Beside the main reason for their tour in the Blues was to make sure Luffy was ready for Grand Line, but the boy was stronger than they thought. Not that he'd whine, he enjoyed partying and the freedom but the four blue were just too dare he say boring. Everything was just too easy and they were getting relentless. Their allies assured them that everything was fine but he felt it was time for them to return. Basil was surprisingly insightful. He was still too weak for Grand Line not to mention the island they currently were visiting was a good place to start his training. He saw the boy In combat he wasn't too shabby, quick on the uptake and generally good. But good wasn't enough for Paradise and he doesn't even want to think about New World. It was possible even Luffy wasn't prepared for that.
"I… I understand." Luffy said with a pained voice. There was the reason he let the blond join them in the first place. Getting a nakama and losing him so quickly, it was a painful experience. He didn't want to put the nekomimi boy through it so soon not after the Smoker incident.
"That's why captain, this time you better take my oath serious." The blond said before he bowed in front of the small nekomimi who was about to beg his friend to stand up but was unable to move when the blonde's voice resounded on the entire ship which was too silent at that moment. "I, Basil Hawkins have voluntarily have sworn to my captain, Cheshire D. Luffy, to live and to die for his sake. And till death takes me, to be his shield and sword, I so pledge my life and honor to be always true, faithful, listen and help him, according to the laws of God and the order of the world. Nor will I ever with will or action through word or deed, do anything which is unpleasing to him. So have I swore, so it shall be."
"Basil..."
"My captain, is something the matter?" The blond asked.
"You can't… I will not take away your freedom." Luffy said in a serious voice making the blond smile.
"You haven't. I did as I pleased. I had my pledge selfishly."
"But why would you-"
"Hmm, you have not realized it yourself. My king just how many people would die to be in my position soon." The blond said as he stood up with a dignity and his head held high that made the pirates wonder if what they saw truly happened or it had been just their imagination playing tricks on them.
"King?!" Shanks asked in surprise.
"Of course the man I follow is the future Pirate King, that's why I myself need to grow stronger. I won't allow myself to become his weakness or a nuisance." The blond said with conviction.
"Is it because you believe he will be the Pirate King that you follow him?" Benn couldn't help but ask. While the oath had been nice he couldn't help but be displeased if that was the reason behind it.
"I do not think that's any of your concern however, I do realize that you care for Luffy and him for you so I'd rather not upset him." Basil made it pretty clear that he wasn't telling the first-mate because the man asked. "I don't follow him because he will be the Pirate King. And he will be" the blond had no doubt about it what so ever. "I follow him because he is Luffy. Pragmatic, cute and annoyingly stubborn little bastard. Does that satisfy your query?"
Benn nodded with a small smirk. "You do realize you just blow every chance of becoming a first-mate with that speech of yours." Basil huffed.
"I only spoke the truth. I do not plan on getting along with my crewmates. Luffy is my first and only responsibility therefor I believe I'm unfit for the position of a first-mate."
"At least you are mature enough to admit that." Benn said laughing slightly at the blond's misfortune.
"Well aren't you happy Luffy?" Shanks teasing voice interrupted their chat.
"Shut up." The small nekomimi was blushing so hard that his face resembled a tomato.
~.~
Goodbye's were always the hard there was a good reason he hated them. Basil also made him promise to write him regularly before they left the island, so at least they had a way to keep in contact and on that note he just got his first reply from Ace and Sabo. It wasn't like he hadn't been expecting it, both of them were ragging on and on about how furious/ worried they were that he just left in the middle of the night without so much as a see you and that he could start and prepare himself for an ass-whopping the next time they meet for taking so long to write to them. Ace also added that he was well and that Grand Line was amazing, he was enjoying himself and then confirmed the rumor. Sabo had left the ship on the first island they docked at in Grand Line, it was too be expected after all. His oldest brother was also happy for him for finding a nakama so fast, Sabo meanwhile seemed more concerned about Basil. He kept asking questions about the blond and barely touched the subject about his own wellbeing. It was only two lines almost like a footnote where he said he was fine and he was currently training in hand to hand combat on a rocky island with some monks.
Luffy was happy hearing from both of them and prepared to immerse himself in training even more. Learning Swordsmanship from Shanks was a treat in itself. The man was quite a fighter when he got serious. It was sad that they still couldn't find a blacksmith skilled enough to repair his sword. Shanks had assured him a dozen times that it was no big deal but the sword was the first gift he ever got from the man. It meant a lot to him and seeing it in such a state saddened him to no end.
~.~
Luffy's encounter with the Sea Kings was a different experience for the entire crew. They were just entering Grand Line when it appeared. The boy had a weird gleam in his eyes, the way his ear's twitched and tail moved Shanks could tell that the boy was seconds away from pouncing. So the red-haired captain quickly made a grab for the small chibi.
"No Luffy!" The man said as he stopped the boy by his tail making the boy let out a painful yeowl. "Sorry…" the man said apologetically as he let go of it and grabbed the boy by the back of his cloths instead. Luffy felt a bit embarrassed by being manhandled like that but in the end the anger won over.
"Shanks~!" The boy said with an annoyed and pleading tone all in one. "Let me at that damn fish!" He ask/ begged the man as he was dragged back leaving small scratch marks on everything he could get his claws on. "He needs to know who's the boss!" Ah so that was it.
"Luffy -animal instincts- try and hold them back!" It looked like Bakenekos were extremely proud animals that didn't take well on being ignored or looked down upon. They considered themselves on the top of the food-chain. They had quite a …god of the… Predators complex?... It was funny, he was sure the kid had quite an interesting future ahead. But back at the problem at their hands. "You can't just attack the Seaking you're like pintsized"
"-Oi!" The boy resented being called that. "Besides my height doesn't really matter, I just need to kick that things ass!" The boy will end up on the top no matter which path he choose, his instincts wouldn't tolerate anyone lording over him that's for sure.
"You ate a Devil Fruit you can't just jump at it on the open sea!" Shanks said with a small frown. "That's common sense." He continued not noticing Benn appear beside them.
"I don't think you of all people should lecture others about common sense. Also we took care of the problem." the man said earning from both an expression of disappointment. Luffy's obviously for not getting a chance to show that thing who was the boss and from Shanks well he didn't like his first-mate saying that. He obviously had common sense…right?
"Cheer up Luffy. Here!" The first mate said placing a blue fluffy clew in his hands making the boy smile a bit troubled. He wasn't a cat kinda; still no matter how many feline instinct he had he just couldn't find anything interesting about a clew…
(5 minutes later )
"Miauuw!" Neko Luffy attacked the clew with a battle cry. Shanks was laughing with tears in his eyes while Benn… well he had his Record Dial now. The navigator sighed, it looked like he was the only one taking this seriously, he adjusted course to the next island they planned on visiting then looked at the small anchor as Shanks lovingly nicknamed the boy. All tangled up in the clew… he stifled a chuckle. Okay he gave up; the kid was really cute all right.
~.~
"Do you think he's trying to shake us off?" Shanks asked over Luffy's head. Ever since they adventured into the Grand Line Shanks and the others grew oddly overprotective of him and Luffy couldn't help but find it troublesome.
"Yup." Benn's answer came immediately.
"I can hear you and I'm not…" Annoyance was visible on the boy's face. "Sides why are you even following me?"
"So cruel!" Shanks said in mock hurt. "Don't you like us anymore?" Luffy's dark glare was enough to make the first-mate step in between the two.
"You didn't really think we'll just let you wonder in an unfamiliar city on an island we know nothing about by yourself?" The tone the man used was enough to make him understand that there was no way that was gonna happen. Well not if they could help it. He was touched that they cared enough to worry about him but, at the same time he was more than a bit annoyed. He was strong damn it, he didn't need to be babied.
They were walking around sightseeing for a while before Luffy got lost. For real… He looked around and raised an eyebrow. For one he should be happy that this happened on the other hand… well Shanks and gang were strong so they will be fine. And he'll just have to make sure not to attract too much attention. It couldn't be that hard… He will think later of the scolding he will no doubt get when he returned to the ship. As he turned his head ahead he was met with a strange sight. The one who cached his eyes was a girl around his age, with long pink bubblegum colored hair held up in two ponytails, wearing a pink/black colored one piece goth dress that ended around her knees with black matching boots. She had a downcast gaze holding close a patched up teddy bear while surrounded by five boys at least two times bigger than him.
'Bullies?' Luffy wondered as he walked a bit closer. They were shouting mean words and clearly picking on her. It reminded him about the villagers' whispers, the calls of monster and freak. He could feel his temper raising already so he fought it down the best he could as he approached one of them and grabbed his outstretched hand, effectively stopping a punch.
"Who-" the boy didn't manage to finish the sentence as Luffy kneed him in the stomach before pushing the boy away with enough power to make him crash into one of his buddies. While those two straightened themselves the third tried to attack him with a loud "Bastard!" Carefully sidestepping him, the nekomimi simply tripped the boy making the bully number three crash into the ground before Luffy grabbed the leader of the bullies that attacked him by his clothes. He twirled him around, then throw him in to the wall with enough force to leave behind and imprint. The second attacker seeing his friend get dispatched so quickly brought out a knife from only god knows where. Luffy assessed the situation carefully. Bully number three was behind him that will try to jump him and hold him in place.
"Gyahh!" The boy shouted as he lunged. Luffy wasn't impressed or scared. He waited until it was time was right, he elbowed the one approaching from behind than simply kicking the knife out of big mouth's hand before punching him with the hand he elbowed the one behind him. The boy was better than most bullies he faced, he was still conscious somehow and trying to get up maybe because he didn't use his full strength? Using his full strength on stupid kids didn't appeal him. Besides he promised Shanks not to get in more fights with the stupid people over stupid things, it just wasn't worth it .
The one behind him didn't fall to the ground either only took a few steps back disorientated. Luffy spin around and kicked the one behind him in one smooth move. The boy was sent flying then the nekomimi turned to the girl who looked at him with an indescribable expression. She just knocked the others out didn't she? The pink haired girl didn't look scared, come to think of it, she didn't seem scared when the bullies surrounded her either, sad yes scared no. 'Whatever, thinking too much hurts.' Luffy dusted off his cloths and turned to walk away but his path was blocked by a …ghost? Was the girl a Devil Fruit user too? Then again he was in the Grand Line something like this shouldn't surprise him anymore.
"Who are you? And where do you think you're going? You can't just show up, beat them and just walk away like nothing happened." The girl shouted annoyed while the boy only blinked.
There was only one word he could use to describe the girl before him. "Annoying…" he muttered loud enough for her to hear. The girl shouted in anger and the ghost moved toward him he stepped away but the thing followed closely.
"Who you're calling annoying?!" Somehow he managed to ignore the question successfully as the ghost attempted to hit him or something.
"… Say…" the boy asked in an albeit monotone voice as he jumped on the roof of the house close by. "…can you stop…" the boy dodged again "…attacking me?"
"Hah?! The nerve! Why don't you stop dodging?"
'She got to be kidding me' "Why would I do that?" He asked truly curios now.
"I know…." She said with a mischievous voice. "I'll stop if you become my servant Horo-horor-horo!" So she totally ignored his question …ah well it seem fair now that he thought about it, he did the same moments ago. Maybe he shouldn't act like that towards Shanks? Actually, he liked annoying the man so that was a big No. " what's your answer?"
Again "No way." The boy said slightly annoyed as the girl become even more enraged. Luffy saw a flash of something else on her face too before it quickly disappeared.
"How dare a commoner like you say no to me? Do you even know who I am?"
"No idea." He replied absentmindedly before mentally chiding himself. Why was he answering this annoying girl's questions?
"Grrr! How dare you- Mini Hollow!" Many small ghost or hollows appeared from her hand and begun moving toward him. Luffy turned into his hybrid form carefully so his neko features won't be discovered.
~.~
Meanwhile on the other side of the city.
"Shimatta! We lost him!" A certain red-haired pirate shouted in panic. Luffy was indisputably strong but this was the Grand Line who knew just what kind of dangers waited at every turn. "What should we do Benn!"
"Calm down. We'll find him soon enough." Benn chided him while shaking his head fondly before his eyes landed on some suspicious people. Luffy managed to get lost or wander off on every island they docked, it was no surprise but this time he just couldn't shake of the feeling of dread and danger always found Luffy after all.
"Well it looks like a peaceful town… he probably can't get into too much trouble" Shanks had no chance of dodging the fist that hit him in the head. "What was that for?"
"You just had to go and say that."
"Oh come on, Benn be serious he fought marines, and an entire cult do you really think he could get in more trouble than that?" The first-mate had to concede the man had a point.
"I don't think either of us had forgotten just how close we came to losing him."
"Not this time." The red emperor said with conviction. There is no way he'd let Luffy go through that again. Not on his watch.
~.~
The boy was good she'll give him that. He kept dodging all her ghosts, not to mention he was quite young too. She never thought there was a kid on this island strong enough to fight her. He didn't even call her a freak. Not to mention looked so cool and composed that it was just simply aggravating. Why couldn't he just act normally and run away screaming? That's what most people do right before bowing to her and her powers. Then why wouldn't he submit to her? She was strong, he should be growling at her feet already why wasn't he? Only one, she needed only one hit but the damn boy dodged every time.
"You tired already?" He asked and she raised an eyebrow. She was panting already, how long has she been using her powers?
"Grrr!" Okay so she was angry. Maybe he should finish it up. Luffy certainly had enough of this game of cat and mouse. Running straight to the tree he jumped up the branches until he reached a level he deemed high enough. He observed earlier that the ghost could go only to a certain range from their creator. He smiled widely making the girl cry out in unfairness and start shouting at him. It slightly reminded him of a scene he saw not long ago of a dog barking at a cat sitting in a tree. He practically toned out every insult, nothing he haven't heard yet and just waited till she ran out of breath.
"Finished?" He asked with the same wide smile making her pout. "…you live around here?"
"Hmph why would you ask that?" before he could answer she got a dreamy look on her face "Ah well yes I do for now but I was born elsewhere in Grand Line. Oh no I got caught up in his pace!"
Luffy sweat-dropped. "So you know where I can find a certain shop in this town."
"Of course I know, I know every shop on this island, just like the back of my hand." She boasted which made him smile gently.
"So you like shopping."
"I'm a girl."
The boy snickered. "I can see that. Nee" the boy's eyes were lit up with excitement as he jumped off the tree and landed right beside her making her take a step back as he got right into her face. "Help me out." The girl first looked shocked but then she blushed slightly. Luffy watched it closely, it was fun to see her make so many emotions before settling on her usual mightier than thou one.
"Horo-horo-horo I see you recognize fine taste when you see it Horo-horo-horo! Don't worry my crude servant Perona-sama will help you out!" She shouted amused while striking a pose. Before looking his way intently as if judging him. "I mean really what material are this horrid clothes made of, totally uncute. I can't even see your face in this thing. " She let out a sigh. "I have my work cut out."
"I'm trying to find only one shop!" He shouted as the girl took him by the hand and begun to drag him toward the finest shops in the area. "Are you listening?" He asked finally but she didn't seem to hear him over her own ramblings. Or maybe choose not to. Luffy sighed, he wasn't this bad, was he?
~.~
"There is no way I'm wearing that!" Shouted an annoyed familiar voice bringing both Yasopp and Lucky's attention to the small pair of arguing teens and the pale shop attendant behind them.
"Isn't that Luffy?" The sniper asked as he and Lucky both blinked at each other.
"Wasn't he with Captain and Benn?" The other asked before he took a big bite out of his meat.
"Maaaybe he ditched them… but who's the girl?"
"You don't think… is his girlfriend?" Lucky asked as both of them grew mischievous smiles. "Then…"
"Are they on a date?" If their grin was scary enough to make the people around them jump away they didn't care. "Let's follow them!" they shouted in synch.
~later~
Lucky and Yasopp sighed "Don't matter how I look at this" the sniper begin with a cloud of depression hanging over his head. They have been stalking the pair for over an hour now and it became painfully obvious. "This just isn't right… I mean just what's wrong with the brat? Not once he listened to the girl, or hears her out till the end. Like he couldn't care less of what she says. He ignores her and didn't even hold the door open for her…"
"He practically smacked her in the face with it." The other added unhelpfully.
"He's acting like a real bastard. Gwaah! I'll teach him a thing or two of how to act with ladies!" The sniper shouted with shark teeth while folding up his sleeves, luckily Roo held him back.
"Are you alright?" Luffy asked the girl who was holding her bruised nose. He didn't mean to hurt her she just tripped and ran into him well the door he tried to open. It wasn't his fault that he had good reflexes and dodged.
"Gyahh! Baka! I HATE YOU! "
'She's crying now, great Luffy. Good job' The boy commended himself sarcasm lacing every word. 'Still' "… " His mind was coming up blank, what was he supposed to do in this type of situation?
"Okay you can't stop me now!" Yasopp shouted as the boy walked away leaving the crying girl behind.
"Wait… look!" Lucky pointed out the vendor the boy run up to. "Have more faith in him."
"Here." Luffy practically showed the red thing under her nose as he returned.
"(hic,hic) what's this?" she asked still crying. Kami girls were troublesome.
"You like this kind of…things, right?" He asked as he opened a red cute umbrella shaped as a Mini Devil and twirled it around before he closed it and placed it her hands. The girl's eyes grew larger as she admired the umbrella and spin it around in her hands, then opened it then twirled around before she closed it, opened twirled closed it and repeat. Luffy sighed as she skipped around him happily. This was tiring.
~.~
"Say why aren't you scared of me?" Perona asked finally in a snappy tone. They were sitting in a fancy place Perona liked, which had an open view to the ocean. It was almost sunset so the sky was decorated by many beautiful colors.
Luffy looked at the parfait and the ice-cream he brought for themselves before returning his gaze to the ocean. He truly didn't understand her, the way she asked that question. What did she want to know in the end? "You're not scary."
The girl blushed slightly. "But… then why don't you want to be my servant?"
"I want to be free."
"Free?" She repeated like she couldn't understand the words.
A gentle smile appeared on the boy's face although she could barely see it thanks to his hoodie "Ah…like Gold Rodger."
"The king of the pirates? What does he have to do with anything?"
"Nee Perona what is your dream?"
"Hmm… I…" she hugged the bear closer. "… I want to have a servant. Someone cute who won't ever betray me and will be loyal to me, that won't die and leave me alone, someone who will go shopping with me and listen to me and and… " Truly she had no idea why she just told him that and was half expecting him to laugh at her.
Luffy's eyes widened as he listened to her. Servant she said but wasn't that description more fitting of "Nakamas."
Perona looked at him, Luffy's voice was steady, he wasn't teasing her or laughing at her. Again why was the boy so aggravating? "Nakamas?!"
"Ah. People who will be there for you, look out for you… someone who truly care for you." That was not what she'd describe her shipmates like. They were simply soldiers that wreaked havoc and only answered to their captain.
"And where do I find them, nakama like that?" Her voice was slightly hopeful. Was that even possible?
"I don't know… but I'll find them." Luffy said with a smile as he looked out at the sea. "They are probably waiting for me, out there…" She barely caught a glimpse of it, the longing, care and love in the boy's eyes. She wanted that too. Someone to look at her like that, why wasn't he looking at her like that? Why other people he didn't even met? What was she lacking? Was there someone waiting for her too?
"You talk about freedom and nakama… are you a pirate then?"
"Yes."
"That means we are enemies..." Perona said silently making Luffy hum as he swallowed a bite from his parfait.
"Do you want to be my enemy?" the nekomimi boy asked as he looked into her eyes and the pink haired girl couldn't help but feel as if those golden orbs were judging her with one simple look. The boy's lips stretched into a small but sincere smile and she couldn't her but aggravate her even more.
"Gggahh! You're annoying!" the pink haired girl said before she sent two ghosts at the boy who didn't seemed to be bothered enough to stand up and dodge them, instead he just leaned out the way and let the fly past him seemingly totally unbothered by the attack. "Bastard…" the pink haired girl said with a pout before she leaned back with a small scoff. "Is still doesn't matter. My captain is Moria and he won't hesitate to attack you and the crew you are part of if you cross his ways."
"Is that so, but that still doesn't answer my question."
"I'm part of his crew, isn't that enough of an answer."
"…it is answer" Luffy said with an amused voice. "Do you enjoy being a pirate?"
"Sometimes…" Perona admitted truthfully. "I only joined the crew because I had nothing else to do, But after a time only fighting intruders and having nothing else to do it gets boring…" It is the reason she had come to this island.
"That seems boring." Luffy commented with a small chuckle.
"Hmph. As if a chibi like you should talk."
"I'm might look… young" Luffy admitted somehow pained. He was not small, he was just waiting for the grow-spurt to kick in. "but I'm already 15." And of course the girl started laughing.
~.~
Yasopp raised an eyebrow as they boarded the ship. "What's happening? Why's everyone jumping around?"
"Lucky, Yasopp did you see Luffy?" One of their crewmates asked (read shouted) in panic.
"Ah yes." Lucky said before he took a bite of his meat.
"WHAT?!" Everyone shouted in disbelief.
The sniper grinned "He was on his date with this cute girl…"
"WHAT?!"
There was something suspicious about the way their crew was reacting. Yasopp repeated his sentence just to make sure nobody misheard it. "Like I said he was on a date with his girlfriend, anyway what's with your reaction?"
"Grrr! That brat!" Shanks said with gritted teeth. "I can't believe him!"
The sniper turned away from the fuming captain to the trust-worthy first mate. "Okay Benn explain please. What are we missing out?"
The man sighed before he let out a long puff of smoke. "He apparently ditched us. And the rest of the crew has been searching for him this whole time."
"Wow… talk about luck and contradictions. He was able to avoid all you who were searching for him yet us the ones who weren't searching saw him…" the sniper said with a small laugh.
"Yeah thank you for your observation now mind telling me where you saw him last time and why you didn't stay with him." The others around Shanks took a step back at the dark aura he was emitting.
"Take it easy~ He was only on a date, Captain no need to worry and act like a kid's father who grounded said kid only for the boy to sneak out on a school night. And he didn't even finish his homework, he's going to throw his whole life away and why just for a date!" Now everyone was gapping at the sniper. Sometimes his imagination worked overtime and made no sense what so ever. "Anyway how the hell could have we known that he ditched you? At the same time we couldn't intrude on his date any longer, following them around felt wrong, like we were violating the chibi's intimacy." Yassop asked finally turning his attention to the their captain.
"I don't act like that! I mean I would never stop my son from going on a date! who the hell calls himself a man and chooses good grades instead of a hot chick?!" Shanks shouted making the crew shout back a "That's what you're angry about!"
Benn shook his head. "I'm afraid we still have to find him…or them. The situation have changed."
"What do you mean?" Yasopp asked worried.
"We aren't the only pirates on the island." Shanks said with a serious voice.
~.~
"Perona if you don't enjoy sailing with Moria why don't you just quit the crew?"
The pink haired girls face grew cold. "What do you even know, you barely even a pirate. Moria is one of the Warlords he's strong."
"Is that so. But Warlord or not, doesn't it make you miserable."
"Shut up, I don't want your pity!" The pink haired girl shouted as she threw the ice cream to the floor and as the girl hastily jumped to her feet. "You are nothing compared to real pirates just a mean idiot!" She shouted before she run away.
"W-wait!" He quickly jumped back but too late, the ghost Perona send his way hit him full force. But he didn't feel pain instead. "If I'm reborn… I want to be flea… " Why the hell was he depressed?
~.~
"Perona-sama you are already back?" One of the servants asked slightly shocked, while one of the core members of the crew the pink haired girl was quite a troublemaker. She used to skip on her duty and go the different island and she usually won't come back before Moria forced her to or she either destroyed the city in a rampage.
"I have meet a truly infuriating person today. Prepare to set sail, I want to leave this island as soon as possible."
"Hai, as you command." The pirate shouted before leaving quickly to notify the others.
"Running away so soon? I still didn't hear your answer." The monotone voice sounded so dangerously tempting at the moment. The pink haired girl spun around to face her aggressor. The boy was standing right in front of her with an unmovable gaze that seemed to reach deep into her soul.
Someone who knew so little about her had no right to judge her, all he was speaking of were but the devil's sinful temptation, a dream she'd been yearning for but it was just that; a dream. A place where she could truly belong to? who doesn't search for it. Who doesn't dream of escaping and who doesn't yearn for freedom? She thought she had it, once a long time ago. But then she realized, she only changed her golden cage to another one. Bigger and shinier but still just a jail to the end of the day. The chains binding her to Moria while invisible were much heavier than the ones she had before. But she was still hoping, something inside her had been still wishing. Maybe things were just fine the way they were, the warlock treated her good. She was already part of the Mysterious Four, a privilege that had never been given to someone so young and all her achievements were rewarded. Gold, pretty clothes and everything she could wish for. She never knew hunger or had to worry about the lack of a roof over head yet why was her heart still left unsatisfied. Like a big gaping hole in her stomach and with every passing day it just grew bigger. She felt more and more sick of trying, more tired of smiling and with every fight something inside her felt like it was just dying. Battle after battle, there was no end was there? There was no turning back? Even the days she spent in peaceful small towns indulging in her cravings she felt useless, lost and frightened, scared and alone. Was her only reason of living to fight? Was she really just a monster? Was there truly no one to care about her, no matter how much she tried, was she still not good enough?... It was all fine. She repeated to herself, she had accepted it after all, didn't she? There was no reason for her to try and no more tears left to cry. It was useless to try and change things that couldn't possibly be changed.
"Stop talking like there was anything you could offer me beside empty words." That's right. Dreaming with eyes open, when every waking moment seemed like a nightmare was tiring after all who wanted to remember all the things they could not have after all? Wasn't it better to just forget everything, that way the pain that tugged at her heart tickled away and slowly everything just turned into numbness.
"I guess there are not many things I could offer you, I am not a warlord after all nor am I my own captain yet, I have no fortune to speak off." The nekomimi said with a humorless chuckle "Apparently I'm just a stubborn idiot that has nothing but his dreams to share with you. It's true I barely know you and I have no idea where my journey will take me. I can't promise you anything and the road to fulfill my dream will be dangerous, full of hardships and challenges. I could die even tomorrow and if that happens there is no guarantee you won't share my fate; even still won't you keep me company?"
"That's impossible!" Perona shouted outraged, was the boy mocking her? Trying to make fun of her weakness, and there was it again, like a cockroach she trying stamping on, that thought was back. Was it hope? She was sure she had killed if off long ago. But it just kept ringing inside her ears. 'What if he could accept her? What if the boy was speaking the truth? What if someone truly wanted her? What if there was a place for her to belong? What if? What if?'
"Impossible?" The boy asked tasting the word on his lips with a small frown. "You never know until you."
"But… all this time" the pink haired girl said as she clutched her head. It couldn't be possible. There was just no way, this couldn't be, shouldn't be so easy. It hurt, her head she felt dizzy and couldn't help but fall to the ground.
Luffy voice was incredible gentle as he started to speak again. "Every adventure requires a first step." The boy said extending his hand. "Yours is just to take this hand."
It's impossible, her mind kept repeating. Nothing good will come out of this, Moria would never let her leave, what of her loyalty and pride? Even if they managed to get away, it was all too risky, Moria was a warlord after all, he had resources he could easily find them, he'd crush them, he wouldn't forgive her betrayal, and yet… she couldn't help it. Her heart and her hand reached out for Luffy's and she couldn't stop it, didn't want to stop it. Just like that, the boy smiled and she felt that nothing mattered anymore. If they will be hunted or persecuted she wished to stand by his side until the very end.
"You truly are the devil aren't me. You tempt me with my sweet lies and an angelic face. Ah but didn't they say, that the devil was an angel before he fell… but it doesn't matter in the end. Since there is nothing left for me to lose" there was nothing she hold dear after all. "I rather chose to believe in them, in your lies so even if just for a little while please turn those lies into realities. In exchange take whatever you wish for, my soul, my body, my abilities. Use me however you want to just don't leave me numb anymore if you have to; either kill me, I'd prefer to die instead of going on like this for even one more day!"
"It's alright." The boy said as he hugged her close making the almost hysteric girl's breath hitch as her tears started to overflow. "Everything will be fine I'm here." The boy let her cry her heart out, while whispering gently in to her ear. He was no good when it came to consoling someone but he tried his best. It must have been real hard on her. It took some time and he was ashamed to admit it, for him to realize what those flashed in her eyes were. Loneliness… he thought he knew what it looked like, but she was good at hiding it. The pain of being alone had been slowly eating her up from inside, he knew that pain all too well couldn't forget it even if he wanted to. And her character was damaged so badly only a shell of her true self remained. He wouldn't be surprised if even herself wouldn't know who she was behind all those mask of expectations she had been hiding. No reason to live for, he was like that once. She needed something, a reason to keep her going, to light a fire in her eyes. It wasn't old age or wars that killed most people, most people die because they simply give up.
"If you have nothing left to live for then" Luffy started and the pink haired girl looked up at him with curiosity making him smile at her. "Live for my sake."
The girl blushed as her brain registered those words and then returned his smile "Yes, my captain."
~.~
The whole thing seemed surreal to the pirates. The small hooded kid just appeared on the deck, right behind Perona-sama and before they could step in an almost see through wall appeared and surrounded the two from every direction. They couldn't breach it. The hooded figure was probably a Devil-Fruit user so they had no choice but to stand by and prepare for the inevitable fight that would follow when the wall came down. Perona-sama was too after all a Devil Fruit user and while she herself was quite young she was also one of the strongest fighters they had. She could surely win… but it didn't happen. The two seemed to argue for a few minutes but that was it, Perona-sama just collapsed to the floor and started to cry? Just what was going on?
Was that guy bullying their ghost princess? Or were they maybe lovers? They fact that Perona-sama hugged him back surely pointed that way. By the time those blasted walls disappeared all the pirates were just standing there with weapons in their hand and staring awkwardly at the two.
"Perona-sama… what is happening?" One of them asked and the hooded figure smirked.
"I decided to steal her from you guys and make her my nakama."
"Whhhat?!" the pirates shouted as one.
"Perona-sama, please don't tell me you agreed to this?"
"Ah, this is embarrassing…" the pink haired girl said with a small blush. "But we're eloping. That's how it is so see you guys!" Perona said with an eyesmile.
"W-wait! I can't let you leave. Think of what Moria-sama would say." One of the pirates argued and many murmured in agreement. "This will count as a betrayal!" / "Perona-sama please forget about this madness and just come with us." / "We won't tell Moria-sama." / "Ah, just leave the chibi!"
"No." Perona replied stubbornly making the pirates sweat-drop. It was impossible for them to argue with her, only a few people could make her change her mind after all.
"You know the captain will demand blood in retribution. He will not let this insult go unpunished even if it's you Perona-sama" one of the pirates started but before he could speak another word there was a hand around his throat.
"You dare and threaten my nakama in my presence." Luffy's voice was cold but his hands they were hot enough to burn the man. The rest of the pirates all attacked at once and Luffy simply let a burst of his flames envelop the entire ship save his new nakama. It didn't take too long for the people to start dropping to the ground like flies. The man in his hand was utterly terrified. The man in front of him was dangerous. As the flames subsided Luffy let the man drop to the ground.
"Tell your captain this. My name is Cheshire D. Luffy and I'll fight him whenever he wants to but if he dare and harm my nakama; death will seem like a relief for when I'm done with him." Those poisonous green eyes seemed to glow and the man didn't dare even breath until the hooded figure turned around and left with Perona-sama in tow.
~.~
Luffy breathed in relief as they left the ship and he couldn't help but yelp slightly as she was glomped from behind.
"That was so awesome, What are you?" The girl asked as she glomped him while rubbing her face into his shoulder.
"I'm… I ate the devil fruit like you." Luffy replied a bit flustered by her reaction.
"I know that silly." She said with a smile as she petted his hair gently.
The boy smiled at that, it felt good. Also she was more intelligent that she wanted to look like. "I believe I ate the Neko Neko no mi type Bakeneko."
"Isn't that a mythical creature?" The boy nodded making her hold on him tighten. "So you're like super strong and can turn into a cat?"
"No my strength is from training with my grandpa. And yes I can turn into a cat but more importantly I can do this-" He said holding out his hand and letting his particles become visible around it. The girl watched with awe.
"So pretty." She said as she put her hand through it and giggled as it tickled her.
"This isn't all" he turned his hand and the mist flew in front of him and become a platform in the air, it had a glass like appearance. Perona touched it gently, it was soft but it hardened. She took her hand back gingerly while Luffy grinned than snapped his fingers and the structure seem to combust and burn in blue flames that evaporated in a brilliant blue mist again.
"Wow!"
"Yeah pretty neat right?" He asked before realizing that they were nearing people again and put up his hoodie.
"Yes!" She chirped happily. "Hey hey is that why you wear your hoodie all the time?"
"Yes… I sometimes when I get excited or sad or startled my ears pop out without wanting too." He admitted a bit embarrassed. "Benn said is because…"
"?"
"Shit!" The boy swore making the girl beside him panic slightly. "I forgot, and is so late already… Shanks is going to kill me!" Luffy shouted while clenching his head in despair.
"Who's Shanks?" Perona asked quietly.
~.~
"So Luffy had a good day?" Shanks asked with a twitching eyebrow as he greeted the two teens. Two teens which was suspicious in itself last time he took someone back to the ship it was Basil and the boy become part of Luffy's crew and then ended up travelling with them for a good while… It surely wasn't like that. That was an unique situation that wasn't going to be repeated. Right? Luffy probably just wanted to introduce his girlfriend, he shouldn't jump to conclusions.
Luffy knew there was no way saving his hide this time so why not make it amusing at least? The nekomimi shrugged and started speaking in a bored manner.
"Pretty normal, I explored the city, got lost -unintentionally" he quickly added. "meet new people got in a fight, eat some delicious parfait and ice-cream, made a nakama and an enemy, Oh and I may have threaten a Warlord after stealing his nakama. So pretty normal I guess. How about your day Shanks?"
A.N.: Hey everyone, hope you liked the new chapter. Luffy is finally in Grand Line and he just made himself a pretty strong enemy. I know Perona is OC but this is an AU.
Now to answer the questions:
There was a saying that the eyes are the windows to the soul. Luffy's powers of persuasion and such are strongly relates to this. It was also believed back in the times, when people thought cats were related to witches and devils that one shouldn't look in a cat's eye because they were bewitching or so I heard. You probably start to get the picture till here. Luffy can hypnotize other with weak will to do his binding, or influence them at least by transmitting Subliminal Messages. The promise thing is actually not a different power then that being amplified. It all started by Luffy's desperate attempt to cling to something, to believe in something. Then he and Kaze made a promise, and I already explained that his powers are highly reliant on his emotions. His strong desire together with a power he could barely use but strongly influenced by his emotions resulted in a simple hypnosis but a quite strong one that both fell under. It simply stimulates pain akin of a heart-attack when a certain action takes place instead of a keyword being heard. Now about the visual part of the promise Bakeneko have control over something called Ghost Light/ Fox-fire or Will-o'-the wisp, that is the cause of the cross like mark that's left behind. If the promise is fulfilled it simply disappears, if it's broken it burns the skin and while it's being yet to be fulfilled it looks almost like a tattoo. Why is black? Well Luffy can't control it yet but in his two-tailed form he has access to three types of flames so yeah it's the key to controlling his black flames. Not why didn't he simply die when he broke the promise? Let's just there is a safety switch, a self-preservative instinct that slowed down the process, I mean people usually have a threshold of pain that they are not willing cross and just quit. Of course in Luffy's case he is stubborn enough to cling to life even if he's body is starting to give up on him his powers were working against him. If they wouldn't had find the dude Luffy would have succumbed to the pain sooner or later but thanks Shanks quick thinking they managed to avoid it.
Hancock… she loves Luffy, I don't think that would change. I also think Luffy will be more sympathetic toward her as he had to suffer through slavery and knows those horrors too, but of course only as long as she doesn't try to harm any of his nakama. He is fiercely protective of them after all.
Basil will explain it but only when they finally set sail. That being said, I will probably publish a different sequel for his actual journey to become the Pirate King. This is after all just the Beginnings. As for Basil's oath, I felt it suited his image, his of a noble descendants and all that, also the reason he won't be the first-mate I hope become clear.
Also I do understand the confusion. I have stories I didn't update in years not for the lack of interest I assure you, I simply have too little time between work and college to even breath sometimes.
But I will do my best and thank you all for your lovely reviews they are quite motivating and great 'pick-me ups'. So thank you very much again and see you next chapter ^^