"VIP or Pirates?" Luffy read out loud to herself, pausing briefly to think about it, despite the fact that Usopp, Zoro and Smoker were all on her tail. "Well, it would be bad to lie!"
With that, she took off down the Pirate hallway, the others following her blindly. Of course, it didn't exactly come as a shock when she and the others found themselves stumbling into a cage. At least, it shouldn't have. That didn't stop the female pirate from letting out a frustrated screech, and reaching for the bars. "Tricked again? What the he..."
She drifted off as her hands came in contact with the seastone bars, and collapsed heavily against them. Instantly, Zoro was at her side. He pulled her away from the bars, holding her carefully as Smoker approached them. Despite holding his captain, Zoro still managed to draw his sword from it's sheath, despite Usopp's cries to not fight. He was surprised however, when Smoker stepped around him and observed their new prison.
"W-what happened to Luffy?" Usopp demanded, a streak of bravery running through him as he faced the marine.
Smoker scowled at the trio of pirates, puffing on one of his cigars slowly before answering. "She's fine. It's just that this prison seems to be made of seastone."
He twisted his jutte in his hands as Usopp questioned as to what exactly seastone was.
"It's a type of stone that gives off a similar wave length as the sea itself. Upon contact, the stone will drain any Devil Fruit users strength completely as well as negate their powers. All in all, it is the same as being thrown into the sea itself," Smoker explained grudgingly. Zoro eyed the marine's weapon after this, not at all pleased with this turn of events. He lifted his sword, only to have Usopp give him a hard shove.
"If you haven't noticed, we have other things to worry about!" The sniper snapped. "It's no use fighting him when he's not in a much better situation."
That was when an unfamiliar voice pitched in, deep and relaxed, but coated in mockery. "He's right you know... You will all die together, so why not make an effort to get along?"
The four prisoners jumped slightly at the addition of this new voice, turning to face the voice. All that greeted them was the back of a chair. Smoker frowned, recognizing the voice before anyone else, but not being the first to react.
"Crocodile!" Luffy snarled, pushing herself away from Zoro and raising to her feet. She was still wobbly from the seastone. She let out a growl, and Zoro just barely managed to pull her back before she came in contact with it again. The Crocodile she had allied wasn't much better than the one before him, but that was in the past - or future, really. Right now, this Crocodile was causing her friends pain.
Smoker seemed slightly shocked the pirate could ever recognize a voice she definitely hadn't heard before, but his eyes were trained on the warlord as well. "You're every bit the lowlife sea scum I imagined," he stated in his usual emotionless tone.
"My, my," Crocodile murmured, a creepy smile on his face as he gazed at the prisoners. "You're every bit the wild dog I've heard you were, Smoker. Unlike most marines, you never really thought I was on your side, did you? You were right, of course.
"You'll die bravely in the line of duty today," Crocodile went on in a musing tone. "I'll be more than happy to inform the government about the fight you put up against the vicious, ruthless Straw Hat here..."
Luffy snorted, completely interrupting Crocodile's little speech. Cold eyes turned to the captain, who looked back innocently.
"What was that, Straw Hat?" He asked coldly, but she only smirked back fearlessly in response. Usopp tugged on her arm, silently begging her not to get them killed. "Do you find something funny?"
"You're just a big stupid bag of wind and sand!" Luffy yelled, shaking her nakama's grips from her shoulder and arm, her hands resting on her hips. "I might be in this cage now but as soon as I'm out, I'm gonna kick your ass!"
Crocodile's eyebrows rose. "You know, I'm surprised you've made it this far, Straw Hat, but I wouldn't push your luck. Don't worry, I'll dispose of you neatly and efficiently. Once our special guest has arrived, of course."
"Special guest?" Luffy questioned, tilting her head. They hadn't captured Vivi, had they? Panic struck her deep, and she forced herself to breath. While it wasn't impossible and she could definitely still fight, it would put a damper on certain plans. She watched as Crocodile sat down at the table, smirking widely as he waited, oh so patiently for his partner to return with-
"It seems," Robin's voice floated over from the doorway. "That the princess was unable to make it."
It was almost entertaining to see Crocodile lose his cool so quickly. He stood sharply, his eyes finding his partner as he scowled. "What?"
Robin's eyes narrowed on Crocodile. "The Princess did not accompany these three here."
There was a long pause, before Crocodile's face fell back into one of composed disinterest. "So she headed to the rebel's camp..." He murmured. "Either way, it doesn't matter anymore. I've had to push plans forward but I have prepared for this. The agents know their mission. Any second, the war will be in full swing, with Mr. 2. Tsk. I'm missing the best part of the show."
Crocodile was talking to himself, and the four could do nothing but listen. Finally, Crocodile straightened. "In that case, I have business to attend to... and have no further use to have you guys alive."
Before he could say another word, another person burst into the room. This person, however, had a flaming fist as he entered.
"Oi, that girl, never stops getting herself into trouble," he was muttering angrily to himself as he stormed into the room. Luffy looked up in shock just as Ace's eyes found her in the cage, and he let out an exasperated sigh. Only she would get herself stuck in a seastone cage. "Of course."
Her eyes lit up immediately, though. "Ace, Ace! Let me out so I can kick Crocodile's butt!"
He rolled his eyes, stepping forward without paying any mind to the angry Warlord and his partner. His eyes traveled to the others in the cage and he sighed again. "You know this is seastone, right? I can't do anything without a key."
"Your brother is still around, Straw Hat?" Smoker asked in mild surprise. Then again, he shouldn't have been. He could tell even from the brief encounter that Ace was quite protective of his little sister.
"Maybe we should leave the marine in the cage," Ace stated with obvious dislike. Smoker scowled at him. It seemed as though everyone had forgotten about Crocodile until the man in question cleared his throat.
"Fire Fist Ace? I must say that this is a surprise," Crocodile said, his eyes narrowing on the pirate. There was no way what Smoker had said was true, right? Even if Straw Hat and Fire Fist were somehow related... "What business do you have here?"
Ace didn't even turn to face Crocodile. "I don't think that's any of your business. I'm not here to fight you, if that's what you mean."
"Yeah, that's my job! Lemme at him!" Luffy cried out, being held back once again by her crew mates. "Ace! Get me outta here!"
Crocodile rolled his eyes, simply straightening up and moving for the exit. "If you have no business with me, then I suppose I'll be going. Good luck with the bananawani's," Crocodile hummed absentmindedly, "If they don't kill you, the flood will. I'm actually quite disappointed I won't be around he see the death of the infamous Portgas D. Ace."
His voice trailed off as left, Robin at his side, and Luffy let out a string of curses. No one was dying here, and not because of something as pathetic as that. She turned to Smoker, breaking free from Zoro's grip, and ripped Smoker's jutte out of his hands. There was no time, and she wasn't join to waste it locked in a cage. Water began to pool around her feet and she took a deep breath. She hadn't done this yet, and hell - she wasn't even sure if it was going to work.
"Armament," She muttered, letting her haki flow through her and coat the weapon until the seastone tip turned a shiny black. Without hesitation, she jabbed the lock with all the power she had. The lock groaned under the attack and she struck it again. And again.
The group watched in amazement as the seastone - a nearly impossible to break material - creaked and cried under the various assaults. It seemed for a moment as though the jutte would snap first, when suddenly the cage lock was broken and swung open. The water was past her knees at this point, and she could feel the weakness start to set in. Not only that, but the bananawani's had decided to join them outside of the aquarium, the monster's hovering above them with a hungry look in their eyes. Smoker was still blinking in awe, despite the fact Luffy not only had his weapon, but the water would soon be pulling him under as well. He couldn't help it. There was no way she could have broken the cage!
"Oi! Get out here, Smokey," Luffy called, turning to glare at the man as she pointed his jutte at him. Behind her, a bananawani hovered dangerously close. It opened it's jaw, only to have Ace kick it away. The kick struck the stomach, causing something to come flying from it's mouth. Luffy ignored the entire thing. "Unless you want to die. Might save me some trouble later."
Smoker was quick to his feet after that, his face falling back into it's usual expression. The water was past their waists and the exhaustion was setting it. Luffy threw the jutte back to Smoker, who caught it with ease as he gazed at her with mistrust.
"Usopp! You have to get Ace outta here, he can't swim! Zoro, you have to-," the demand was garbled over the sound of rushing water, but the first mate seemed to hear or at least understand what she was saying. Finally, she turned to the giant gator, resting a calming hand on it's nose as she was nearly submerged beneath the water. The creature calmed immediately, nuzzling into her hand. She smile, stroking the creature fondly.
Elsewhere, Crocodile grinned to himself. Fire Fist Ace, brother of Straw Hat Luffy? He laughed to himself. He had to admit that the Straw Hat girl had a certain power to her. It filled her and he knew she wasn't someone he could take lightly. He, in all his cockiness and pride, didn't doubt she had been able to get out of that cage. But that was just the beginning. That didn't mean he couldn't defeat her. He thought back to the way she reacted as he mentioned killing Portgas... It seemed, he decided, that he had found a weakness.
It had been at least an hour since the groups had separated. As soon as Luffy had disappeared, Vivi and Nami had instantly cracked down on the maps, pinpointing the exact location they had to be at. There was a minor scare when they were unsure how exactly they would be crossing the river, when they discovered that Sandora lizards were good at more than just digging. Things were working perfectly, and it should only be only another hour before they arrived at the rebel camp. Still, Vivi shifted restless, the worry for Luffy clear on her face.
She nearly jumped out of her skin when Nami's hand rested on her shoulder. She turned to see the girl smiling down at her. "Don't worry about them. Luffy's a stubborn fool that refuses to die, so you can rest assured she'll defeat Crocodile and save your country."
Vivi smiled grimly. If only it was that easy... Still, it was refreshing to see the complete faith that the crew had in their captain. After so long... it was still amazing to see how unwaveringly loyal they were. Because of her, and Luffy's orders, the entire band of pirates were risking their lives, fighting for her. The thought caused a warmth to fill her chest. Nami continued,
"She's defeated the biggest thugs in the East Blue - some of them she never even touched, if you can believe that. If anyone can free your country from this hell, it's her, as unbelievable as it seems."
This time, Vivi nodded, and Sanji piped up. "I'd be damned if she couldn't handle Crocodile - it isn't her first time going up against one of the seven warlords," he stated, remembering how angry she had been at Mihawk when she believed the shitty swordsman was dead. He wondered if it had been a stroke of luck, or if she could truly beat him in a battle. "But it's best to not worry about her. These petty reassurances mean nothing right now. We can only worry about getting to the Rebel Army's camp." Sanji flicked the butt of his cigarette behind them, on the ground. "But I swear if that shitty marimo lets her get hurt I'll kick his ass."
"She'll be fine!" Nami snapped at the angry cook, knocking him over the back of the head.
Vivi was able to manage a quiet chuckle at that. "I highly doubt Mr. Bushido would allow damage to come to Luffy, Sanji-san."
She smiled as they spoke quietly, Sanji fawning over Nami, Chopper occasionally adding to the conversation, and Nami bringing up old memories of things their captain did. Vivi enjoyed the little stories, and Chopper seemed just as enthusiastic. When Nami spoke, recalling her first encounter with Luffy, she didn't just hear the emotion. She could feel it. Despite the crew's crazy decisions and the captains eccentric and wild behaviour, every single one of the members loved Luffy unconditionally.
When Nami paused, Vivi finally asked the question she had been curious about since joining the crew. "What's... her past?" She finally managed. "When we met, she knew who I was. I didn't have to say anything about Crocodile or my kingdom. She just knew. After everything I've gone through to hide from everyone, build up these walls... She just..."
"It was the same with us. She never asked, she just... knew. About Arlong, about... everything," Nami interrupted Vivi's rambling with a sad smile. It was quite clear that Nami had no desire to talk about the many years spent a slave to the Fishmen Pirates. "Storming in there and kicking his ass... just because he made me cry. That'll be a story for the future generations."
Despite this, it still didn't sit right with Vivi. How could they be so nonchalant? They acted as though the woman didn't already know everything about them, didn't have execution marks that had to mean something. "The scars?"
Nami fell silent, the smile dropping from her face in an instant.
"I don't know," She admitted, shaking her head. "I mean, she doesn't talk about her past so what's the point of asking about it?"
"Besides," Chopper chirped from the front of the lizard, "No one can survive an execution wound. The blades go through you, all the vital organs. Even in all the craziness of this world, there's no way that she could have survived that. I don't want to think about it, but she had to have gotten those scars from something else. A fight, maybe?"
"Maybe," Sanji agreed. No matter what Luffy had been though, the pain she had seen, she had no reason to share it with them. After all, they all had their own stories they'd rather not tell. "But either way, it's none of our business. We each have out own pasts."
"Yeah," Vivi agreed, still unable to let it go. "I wonder if she'd have told Mr. Bushido?"
Nami shrugs as Sanji looks startled. "Why would Luffy-chan tell that shitty swordsman?"
It was Vivi's turn to look taken aback. "He is her first mate, is he not? Though at times they do seem much more intimate than just a first mate and captain..."
"Luffy's not one to reveal one her past, not even to her first mate," Nami said quickly before Sanji could start his own little sob fest. "Even if they were anything more intimate, I still don't think she would say anything."
"Do you think they are?"
Nami grinned, waving her hand dismissively. Luffy and Zoro? They were both direct, blunt, and to the point, but... "It would take nothing short of a miracle to get them together."
Her eyes widened.
She met his, pained and shocked, filled and brimming over with fear. His were glassy, locked on hers, before slowly slipping shut.
Her breath caught in her throat.
She choked on it, letting out a strangled cry. A suffocating weight set over her, her chest tight. She reached out, but her arm didn't follow any command. It sat limply at her side. No matter what she did, she couldn't move forward.
Her heart stopped.
Surely, it was not beating. Just like his, it was still and motionless, lifeless, within his body. She could not hear it, after all, beating heavily in her eardrums. She wanted to cry. She couldn't bring herself to do so; the tears simply would not come.
It was a dream, she told herself. A dream. A nightmare.
But the scent of blood... it filled her nostrils, her mouth. She tasted it, the taste of metallic rust and death and pain.
She looked down at Ace's body, blood gushing wickedly from a deep hole in his chest. A dream, she told herself, but she couldn't listen. Not when it felt so real.
This wasn't supposed to happen. This was never supposed to happen...
"Luffy? Get it together!"
He was shaking her, the green haired and very much alive man. That was odd. In her nightmares, he was always dead along with the others... And while it was true he was drenched in the blood of her brother, he was alive. It wasn't a dream, wasn't a nightmare.
Ace was dying, and it was all her fault.
Again.
The town appeared on the horizon. First as a tiny dot, but slowly growing until they could see the outlines of the buildings and tents that surrounded the city. Vivi, for the first time, felt herself begin to relax. Nami saw it too, and smiled to herself. It only lasted so long, however.
It looked like a stampede at first, a large group of people walking across the land, kicking up sand and dust behind them. It didn't take them long to realize who exactly they were, before they were urging Sandy to a halt. The army was moving at an alarming rate, but Sandy was more so. When the lizard finally came to a thundering stop, they were only mere metres away from the oncoming army, which seemed to have stopped where they stood at the sight of Sandy.
There was the sound of unsheathing swords, a few brave men stepping up to fight the creature as others were warning them of the lizard's partner, which had to be creeping around the area. Multiple men were swearing loudly, claiming that this was ridiculous. Sandy shifted slightly at the sounds of the voices and weapons, clearly believing these people to be enemies. When they stepped forward, you could feel the creature tense underneath them.
With a cry, Vivi jumped up and off the lizard, running quickly in front of it to calm it. Chopper was, albeit scared, right behind her. The monster calmed instantly. Although they could not understand each other, this sea-hair girl was Luffy's friend, and so they would protect her. When the princess turned to face the army, she could feel the lizard happily nuzzling her back, practically purring, or the lizard's equivalent at least.
There were hushed whispers that spread like the wind through the crowd, murmuring under their breath as they watched the girl step away from the lizard.
"Are they from the castle? Is this an attack?" Many asked, tense and bristled and prepared to fight.
"We aren't here to attack!" Vivi cried out, holding her hands up in surrender. Behind her, the Sandora lizard backed up before curling up to watch with a warning gaze. She stared at the army, looking from each person to the next, before her eyes rested on one man in particular. "You need not charge into a war! Please, listen to me!"
Her eyes were still locked on the soldier, and he hesitantly stepped forward. She offered him a small smile, one of which he did not return immediately. "Vivi- is that you?"
The crowd fell silent, instantly recognizing their princess' name. Vivi bit her lip, before nodding and continuing.
"For two years, I have worked undercover as a Baroque Works agent," She announced, feeling much more confident. "They are the reason for this drought, they wanted this war. Their leader has been planning this for some time, you have to believe me. He used dance powder to dry the land."
There were disbelieving looks on everyone's faces. Their beloved princess, claiming such things? True, there was no other way they could explain her two year absence, but surely... She was just defending her father.
"I did not come to make excuses for my father but I cannot allow this war to ravage our home!" Vivi shouted. She dropped to her knees before the group, who looked on in complete bewilderment. "I surrender, in the name of my kingdom, I surrender." On the last words, Vivi's voice broke, and everyone heard her words. She ducked her head and pleaded, "So please, don't fight."
The crowd looked at the kneeling figure and for a long while, no one said anything. Finally, after what seemed like hours, one of the soldier's stepped forward. He hesitated, before running forward despite the army's shouts, and dropped to his knees before her. He reached out, a subtle shaking in his hands that only the Straw Hats seemed to notice, and cupped the princess' face.
"Vivi?" The man questioned, his voice being oddly soft as he spoke her name with a fondness. Nami could swear she heard his voice shake as he continued, and Vivi raised her eyes to his face, "I thought you were dead- we all did!"
Vivi looked almost teary eyed as she gazed at her friend and she nodded. The words she spoke next were only to him, whispered quietly and unheard by anyone else as she offered him a bright smile. He looked as though he might laugh, before pulling her into his arms and hugging her tightly. She let out a light laugh, the happiest one the straw hats had heard from her yet, and practically melted into his arms. They stayed like that for many moments, before she reluctantly pulled away.
"I have to go to my father," she told him, the determination shining in her eyes, along with a renewed hope. "The man behind all this is targeting my father. He plans to take this nation for his own! I have to go before it's too late."
Kohza's hands dropped to his side, and he nodded in understanding. He stood first, reaching out and taking her hands to pull her to her feet. Beside her, he turned to face the rebel army. "As the princess said, we have set our sights on the wrong enemy. You all will return to the base."
Vivi turned to Kohza, a frown on her face. "You will too! I don't want you getting hurt by Crocodile!"
Kohza frowned at the name, recognizing it as the country's "hero", but trusted Vivi above everything. "I can't stay here and let you fight alone."
Vivi managed a smile at that.
"I'm not alone anymore."
Freedom.
That was her first thought, as she felt herself stretch out, no longer contained by her confinements. It was overwhelming, completely overwhelming. To be free, like this, in a body she thought she would never control again.
The next was pain. An overwhelming pain she could have never imagined. It washed over her in a powerful wave, and she writhed in the agony. This was his fault, she was sure, and she had no idea how he dealt with this pain. It wasn't just the outstanding emotional pain that made her want to fall to the ground in broken sobs, the feelings of loneliness, despair and loss. It was so much more. It was a raw pain that ripped through her body, as if every wound she had ever received - including the ones he brought with him - had reopened.
They hadn't.
She was covered in blood, but none of it was from her, nor did she have an unhealed cut on her body. And slowly, ever so slowly, the pain began to fade from her body, leaving her a heavily panting mess.
Her eyes cracked open and she came face to face with him. Green hair, dark eyes, earrings dangling and a concerned look on her face. It was a face she had come to know, belonging to man she had come to love. For so long, she had only seen him through his memories, not able to truly communicate with him, but it didn't matter. Luffy was her, and she was him. Just in the same, Zoro was always Zoro. Some things, it seemed, never changed.
"Ace?" She rasped, tearing her eyes away from the swordsman that she hadn't chosen, but wouldn't have traded for anyone in the world. "What-?"
He was sitting up, clutching the wound. Her eyes hardened upon seeing the blood, and she jumped to her feet, It hurt, burned, but she stepped forward, facing where the hook had appeared in the desert. "I'm fine, Luffy."
She nodded in acknowledgement, but fury still burned bright inside her. At Crocodile, at him. Who did he think he was anyways? "I'm going after him." She jumped off the Sandora lizard, ordering the others to continue to Alabasta. The last thing she wanted was anyone else getting hurt because of her.
She observed her sandy surroundings, a deep frown on her face. Crocodile had hurt Ace... He could have killed him! "CROCODILE! COME OUT AND FIGHT ME!"
There was a rush of swirling sand, and Crocodile's form seemed to materialize before her eyes, and angry and bored look on his face. Upon seeing him, memories instantly rushed up. Losing three fights, winning the last, a poison hook and something about water, blood - Luffy pushed these away. They weren't her memories, and she had no desire to use his to fight this battle. Just like this was her life, this was her battle.
Without hesitation, she flung herself forward, flinging attacks at Crocodile left, right and centre. It was nice to just let go and release everything that had been building up inside her since she had seen her father again. To not be trapped, to have some ounce of control over her own rubbery limbs... "You hurt my brother and you hurt my friend! Don't think you'll get away with this!"
She had been so sure. So sure she could beat him, using her experience and knowledge independently. Of course, she had been a fool in thinking so. Her entire body... he had been training, had made it foreign to her. She was stronger, more resilient, but she wasn't able to control it, to tame the power. Not without his help. He, who had become comfortable in this body... in her body.
Beyond that, she hadn't fought in months. Locked within her body, she had become rough in the fighting area. She couldn't even hit Crocodile, for heaven's sake! He would know. He had lived it, she had seen it. In the hours of boredom, locked within her body, as she sifted through his memories. But this was her fight, not his.
Luffy struggled as she sunk in the sand, flailing her limbs every other direction. The wound in her chest opened with each movement, spilling blood until she felt someone grasp her arm. She flinched, until a familiar face swam into view as she was freed from the sand.
She gazed up at Robin, feeling fondness rush through her. These were his emotions, but she didn't mind this time. Through his memories, she had come to love each and every one of his nakama.
Above her, Robin sighed heavily. "So I was wrong," She murmured. "In that case... how..."
Her murmuring drifted off into silent thoughts, until the flapping of wings could be heard. Pell landed, seemingly unharmed. He watched Robin untrustingly. "What do you want, woman?"
A small smile crept onto Robin's lips. "Now, now. That's not a very nice tone you have there. I want you to bring this girl to the palace. As it stands, she's the only chance this nation has. After you drop her off, there is a bomb in the plaza that needs to be taken care of."
Luffy landed softly before her nakama, all of which had fought a hard battle. Many were injured, covered head to toe in bruises, cuts, and blood. It hurt her to see them like this. They had all fought hard and won, and stood here as proof. She, however, had lost. But she wouldn't again.
"I lost," she confessed, and she could feel their eyes on her. Her wound ached as she said it, a blaring mark that showed her failure. "But I won't again, I promise."
Nothing Chopper or anyone else said could make Zoro wait around. He knew she could handle it. He really did trust his captain, but... her actions today worried him. He had to make sure she was alright, no matter what.
Zoro sighed heavily, following the trail of defeated marine's until he came to the entrance of a tunnel that looked as though it were about to collapse. Of course his captain would be in there. He raced in, not caring in the tomb did collapse. He would just cut his way out, if it came to it. Finally, he found them. Crocodile, blasted through the ceiling of the tomb, was no where to be found, but the other three...
"Red Hawk..." The black haired woman murmured beneath her breath. She sat beside Luffy, bloodied and injured. She drained a vial into Luffy's mouth as she spoke, "But... that attack..."
Zoro gave her a look, showing clearly that he didn't trust her, before scooping his unconscious captain up into his arms. He didn't even regard the other two, just turned to leave. He had only gotten a few steps, however, when Luffy seemed to wake up. It took her a few seconds to process everything going on around her, before she started to panic.
"Zoro! The king and Robin! We can't leave them there, they'll die!" Luffy started to struggle in his arms, until the cool voice floated over to them.
"You have nothing to worry about," Robin assured them. The devil woman herself joined them, the king of the kingdom they fought to protect draped over her shoulder. The man looked as startled as Zoro felt. After all, only mere moments ago, this woman had been their enemy, had she not? Only making him more surprised, the woman smiled brightly in a heartfelt and genuine manner. It was only a flicker, however, and she composed herself. "How about you rest now? You've been through quite a lot in the past while, Captain."
It took Zoro a while to comprehend what she had just said, but Luffy's eyes widened in acknowledgement first. A small smile appeared on Luffy's lips as her eyes slipped shut. "Thank you, Robin."
When Luffy awoke, a good two days later, Zoro hadn't left her side. He had been treated, but even Chopper had been unable to pull him from his Captain's side. Not that the rubber girl gave him much choice, either. The moment the swordsman went to leave her, the nightmares would start up. Ace and the others came by often, but his presence seemed to be more soothing, seconded only by Ace. When she woke up, however, he knew something was off.
She sat up, looking around groggily, and wiping her eyes. And then she spotted him. "Zoro!"
He had closed his eyes, leaning back in the chair he ha pulled up , but even he knew peace was impossible at this point. She pouted for a moment, before trying again. "Zorooo!"
She had waited this long for this, and she could feel him stirring within her. She knew in mere moments, her consciousness would soon be smothered by his presence. She was sick of it. For months, she had lived silently and powerlessly within her own body, his power far to much. She fought at first, but he didn't notice her. So she slept. Somewhat. She was still present. She saw what he saw, lived what he lived, felt herself grow tangled in his memories and the love they both had for their nakama. She had hated it, resented him at first. Because of him, she had no control of her own fate. But then, loguetown had happened. She had seen her father, for the first time since he had taken Sabo away, she had seen him and... She had gotten through.
Luffy didn't know she was there, it seemed, until that point. But everything clicked and she felt his confusion and rage and hurt and regret. She understood. She didn't forgive him. This body was still hers, and while he may have been her in another life, he would never be her in this one, never belong in this world the way she did.
"What do you want, Lu-!" He was cut off as her lips suddenly pressed against his. Usual of his captain, she had jumped into it with no warning, and was anything but gentle. Her lips moved against his, and he felt his hands come up on her sides. He gave a gentle push, careful of her injuries. Ignoring the way his lips tingled, the way he definitely wanted more, more, more of his captain, he gave her a hard look. "What the hell, Luffy?"
She pouted up at him, a look similar to that of a kicked puppy, and he stared back. "Zooorooo!"
Zoro decided she was definitely still being loopy, that the poison was definitely still in her system. There was no way his captain, oblivious as she was, would come out and kiss hime just like that. Blunt and reckless, she might be, but this was pushing it. "You're- you're still tired from the poison or something. Go back to sleep."
Luffy's eyes saddened, that way he knew it would be impossible to say no to. "No, I'm not," She said defiantly, her hand reaching up and hooking into her first mate's shirt's collar. "I just really wanna kiss Zoro."
The second time she pulled him forward for a kiss, he didn't resist. This one was different from the first. Still rushed and not at all careful, her lips moved against his as her fingers tightened around his shirt. She pulled him in closer, his own hands pressing against her hips as she opened her mouth-
"Yo, is Luffy awake yet? Dinner is-!"
Zoro instantly broke the kiss, both pirates turning to face the third - one with a grin, and the other with an almost horrified expression.
"Ace? You're okay! Long time no see - did you say food? Really?" Luffy cheered, hopping from the bed in one fluid motion. She ran forward, tackling Ace in a hug that had far too much energy in it for how hurt she had been up until this point. "Ace, I'm so glad you're okay! I'm gonna eat now - I'll see you there, right?"
He nodded, and the captain raced out of the room, laughter ringing down the hallway as she went, and leaving the two pirates. Zoro stood, watching Ace and wondering what he would do. He moved towards the door with little to no response from the Whitebeard Pirate. Finally, when Ace remained quiet, he spoke up.
"She'll eat everything if you don't hurry up."
He went to step past the protective brother. A flaming hand stopped him.
"She won't talk to me, but she's been through a lot since I left. She's changed in ways I never imagined my little sister could change. She's growing up and she's seen so much pain." If Zoro was expecting anything, this wasn't it. He stepped back, and the flames stopped. Zoro took the opportunity to turn his gaze to the pirate's face. Ace looked more than a little hurt and confused, but his face was surprisingly void of anger. "I don't know what happened to her, but I know she will do anything in her power to protect you all, regardless of the cost.
"She might not ever tell me what happened. She might not tell you. But she... loves you. I've never seen Luffy look at anyone the way she looks at you. You know Luffy, there's no stopping her and I'm not going to try. Just... protect my baby sister, and don't go dying on her, okay?"
Zoro paused, looking at Ace in complete bewilderment. Then, a smirk spread across his face. Ace was never something he feared. Big brother? No problem. He didn't need Ace's acceptance, acknowledgement. It was Luffy's that he needed. Over time, he had come to know his captain well. He could read her face, her emotions, even if he didn't know what exactly was going on in that head of hers. He had been surprised with what she had just done. Zoro snorted, crossing his arms. "Luffy's the only one who can tell me what to do. Still, I'll protect her. "
He turned and walked out of the room, pausing in the doorway. "Besides, if I died on her, she'd probably follow me to the next life. There's no peace with a captain like her."
Robin was... confused, something that was rather odd for her. The woman had been allowed into the castle to join the festivities after they discovered she had not only saved the king from the crumbling tomb, but was also one of the Straw Hat Pirates. The crew itself seemed to regard her with distrust, which was to be expected. She made no move against them, however, and Chopper eventually wandered forward to attend to her wounds.
Besides that, she seemed to walk around the castle, not speaking to anyone, and remaining close to Luffy's room. So when the girl had burst down the hallway, she had definitely been taken by surprise. Halfway down the hall, Luffy spotted her and came to a complete stop, frozen in her spot.
"R-robin! What are you doing here?" She asked, confusion covering her face. "You'll be in trouble, if they find you! Robin! You need to-"
"You don't remember?" Robin asked, tilting her head, before offering Luffy a small smile. The captain in question just continued to look at her in confusion. Perhaps she had made a mistake? She sighed. "Luffy, I don't know why, but it seems that I have come back... in time, or perhaps into a different universe. In my world, we were nakama. I was-,"
"You remember? Like Bon-chan?" The outburst was so sudden, her eyes met the captain's in shock. Luffy was pale, looking worried. "You... actually... remember?"
Robin froze. What caused her Captain to act like that? If anything, she expected to be met with confusion similar to her own. Perhaps... Luffy had something to do with why they were here? But that would be ridiculous... Luffy had... She remembered each moment in painful detail. It wasn't fair, for her and everyone to be so close to their dreams, for her to have finally found friends - family even, only to have them torn away. "I remember everything up until falling unconscious at... your execution. Do you know why this happened?"
Luffy shook her head. "No clue!" Luffy said, clearly lying. Robin didn't push it. If Luffy didn't wish to talk about it, there was no way she could force her, after all. But she wanted - needed - to learn more. Luffy was quick to change the topic. "But it's good, right? This way we can definitely protect our nakama better."
Robin sighed, before nodding and smiling. "Yes, I suppose we can."
For the rest of the night, Luffy stayed rather close to Robin. Seeing the trust their captain had in the ex-baroque agent had the pirates trusting the stranger much more. Sanji, of course, was more than willing to accept yet another beautiful woman into their crew. Zoro was the only one who seemed truly hesitant and untrusting.
"Ne, so much has changed already," Luffy told Robin later as they sat in the bathroom. The captain closed her eyes and smiled as Robin ran her fingers through her long hair, spreading the bubbly soap. As she washed Luffy's hair, the girl continued to ramble about the adventures she had up until they reunited, and Robin was just glad to have Luffy back. She had grown so fond of her crew, only to lose them, and wake up without them once again...
"Are the other's aware of our... situation?" Robin asked when the girl finally fell quiet for a few minutes. The girl tensed slightly, before wildly shaking her head. The movement sent bubbles flying everywhere, and Robin laughed as she grabbed the rubbery girl and forced her to calm down. "Okay, okay. Why not?"
Luffy froze at that. She just couldn't tell them what she had done. But at the same time... she really didn't have much of an excuse after all. Not one that could get past Robin, at least.
"I don't want them to know," she admitted, her eyes downcast. "Besides, what's the point of worrying them?"
Robin sighed, her hands resuming the washing of Luffy's hair. Her eyes found Vivi and Nami, laughing and washing each other, in complete ease. "You know you need to tell them, eventually. You can't hide something like this forever."
Luffy ducked her head, out of Robin's grasp. She didn't want to be reminded of that. It hurt just thinking about the day, let alone telling them what she had done. After all, if she told them about their situation, she would have to admit what she had done. Perhaps she never would, either. "I know. But right now... I'm just glad I can have you all by my side... a little longer..."
Robin grew worried at Luffy's tone and her words. But instead of bringing it to attention, she simply nodded and smiled again. "I can't wait to see Franky and Brooke again."
The mention of their nakama brightened Luffy's spirits immensely, and she settled back again for Robin to continue washing her hair. She resumed her lighthearted chat of everything that had happened, and when Robin rinsed her hair, Luffy had finally reached talking about meeting Vivi again. She moved onto her back, the scars that covered Luffy not escaping her notice, but neither of them mentioning it.
Luffy broke off mid rant, surprising Robin so much she paused. "Luffy? Are you okay?"
"What happened to Crocodile? I don't remember anything!" Luffy said, looking beyond panicked. The note her voice had taken seemed to startle Vivi and Nami, who looked up in concern. Robin waved them off.
"It's fine. Everything worked out well," Robin said with a quiet laugh. "You weren't nearly as injured... But your fight with Crocodile is what tipped me off. You used 'Red Hawk' to send Crocodile flying."
Luffy tilted her head, turning to look at Robin with a pout. "I don't remember anything! But if it all worked out okay..."
Robin looked, if anything, more curious. "What do you remember?"
Luffy pondered the question for a minute, thinking back as far as she could remember. "Ace... Crocodile attacked Ace and used him to get to me. It worked, and then... I don't remember anything until I woke up and..."
Luffy drifted off, her face turning the most interesting shade of red that Robin had ever seen on her Captain.
"And?" She prompted. Luffy murmured something under her breath that Robin was quite sure she didn't hear properly. "What did you say?"
When Luffy repeated herself, Robin was quite sure Luffy's face was about set on fire. "I - well, not me, but the other Luffy - kissed Zoro. I don't know why but I wanted to, and I kissed him again and... and then I ran out when Ace came in and I just don't know!"
Robin lifted her finger and shushed the girl. "Shh, it's alright."
Luffy frowned, apparently thinking the exact opposite. "B-but... I kissed Zoro, Robin! Now he probably hates me and even if he doesn't... it'd only be because of this body that he wants to kiss me!"
"Do you really believe that, Luffy?" This time, Robin frowned. She sighed before shaking her head when Luffy gave her a clueless look. "I'm surprised you never noticed..."
Luffy cocked her head. "What... are you talking about?"
"Oh, Luffy," Robin sighed, "What are your feeling for him?"
Luffy looked startled by the question. "What are my feelings? He's my swordsman, and my best friend, I guess. And my nakama, of course!"
"And?"
"And?" Luffy repeated, her face flushing further and a pout on her lips.
"You said you wanted to kiss him again."
"And I did! And I liked it! So what?" Luffy ducked her head into her knees, and Robin almost looked exasperated. Luffy was moody and emotional on a good day... but a female Luffy was almost twice as bad. It seems that mentally being male didn't change the estrogen levels at all. "It doesn't mean anything if Zoro-"
"You haven't even let him say anything about it," Robin pointed out, now understanding why Luffy seemed to avoid Zoro like the plague that evening, conveniently sitting between Ace and herself through dinner, clinging to Robin... "Besides, the body you're in changes nothing. I'm surprised that you never noticed before. Zoro's feelings have always been glaringly obvious, to all but you, it seems..." She paused. "Not that he would admit it."
Luffy looked at Robin, feeling beyond confused. Zoro had cared about her, even before she became a woman? But then... it did make sense... She flushed again, scolding herself for acting so... girly.
Robin offered her a small smile. "And you care deeply for you first mate too, don't you?"
Luffy nodded numbly, seemingly shocked by the sudden truth. She stood abruptly, clenching her fist as she posed in a determined stance. "I have to apologize!"
"Perhaps after bathing... now isn't really the best time, Luffy-"
She was cut off as Luffy ran forward, not hesitating in the least as she launched herself over the wall separating the baths. It all happened in bad timing, really. Just as all the men, save Zoro and Ace, climbed the wall to sneak a peek, Luffy blasted herself over it, giving them more than an eyeful. The men released the wall in surprise and fell instantly into the water beneath them.
"Zoro!" Luffy shouted, landing somewhat awkwardly on the wet floor before falling on her face. She didn't even have a chance to recover before thick steam seemed to fill the room, a familiar grip wrapped around her waist, and she was dragged from the bathing chamber.
"You idiot!" Ace growled, grabbing a nearby towel and wrapping it around his little sister, whom he had dumped unceremoniously onto her feet. "Honesty, I don't care if they're your nakama. Bathes should be kept separate!"
"But I used to bath with you and Sabo all the time!" She didn't even know why she said this. Of course he had, when he was a man, but he wasn't actually sure if she did. Not that it mattered, really.
"Luffy, that was years ago. Last time we had a bath together was when you were... thirteen? Fourteen?" Luffy pouted, not at all satisfied with his answer. Ace sighed and grabbed two more towels. One he wrapped around himself and the other he threw over Luffy's head, effectively blocking the pout.
"You probably burnt everyone up with the steam," she pointed out, her voice slightly muffled by the towel. It lacked the bite her earlier words had disappeared, it seemed, her original goals completely forgotten. Instead, she basked happily in her brother's attention.
"They'll survive, I'm sure. Your nakama are rather resilient." Ace laughed, reaching out and ruffling the towel as to dry her hair. He could see her lips turn up in a grin as he spoke. "But that's not surprising. They have to be, to survive dealing with you."
"That's not very nice, Ace!" Luffy said, mockingly offended at his words. Her grin hadn't disappeared. Ace was different, sure. That was almost to be expected, since he was looking after a little sister rather than a little brother.
"You should cut your hair. It's gotten wild since I left," Ace finally muttered, pulling the towel away and carding his fingers through the dark mane. "Remember when Sabo used to cut it for you? Then I tried to take over after he left and nearly cut off all your hair?"
She wanted to say no, but as she thought about it, the pictures formed in her mind and she seemed to remember them in perfect clarity. She nodded and grinned, the picture of Ace all flustered from screwing up still in her mind. "I got angry, but I still couldn't beat you up. Bet I could now."
"You really haven't changed that much." Ace laughed. With such simple words, dread settled in her stomach. She had changed. A lot. Considering that she wasn't even the same person... She tensed when his hands rested on her shoulders, directly above her scars. Would he realize? That not only was she not his sister, but he was a stranger who had stolen his sister from him? There was a pause before Ace spoke again, "Luffy... these scars. Who-?"
"It's nothing," she said quickly - too quickly - cutting him off. "Please, Ace. Everyone gets hurt fighting, right?"
"Yeah," He agreed, not as all satisfied with the answer, but well aware that Luffy was in no mood to tell him anything. Perhaps, just maybe, Sabo would get some answers. He had always been the better of the two at dealing with her moods, after all. Ace had never managed to get a crying and distraught Luffy to shut up, but Sabo... "Let's get dressed."
Luffy was more than happy at the change in subject. She nodded, grinning at Ace once again. She threw the towel from her hair on the ground, wrapping her own towel tightly around her. Ace was already dressed, much to her surprise. She hadn't even noticed him grab his clothes... "Hey, Ace?"
"Mhmm?" He hummed in response as they made their way for the women's room so Luffy could change.
"You should cut my hair tonight!"