Hallo it's Masoyan~ thanks for joining me! Maybe 3 chapters at once wasn't a good idea. Moving along to chapter 10. I thank you all for reading and I hope you continue to do so as this journey goes on.
One Piece doesn't belong to me! Enjoy!

Fare Thee Well

"For the last goddamn time she's not coming Luffy."

"Doggy's gonna show up just watch. And she's gonna join my crew."

The captain of the Straw Hats sat upon a wooden box, waiting for his latest victim of forced friendship while Zoro tried to convince him multiple times it's useless waiting. The rest of the crew were aboard the Merry Go waiting for the last two and getting rather impatient doing so.

"You should listen to your swordsman."

Luffy bounded off the crate at the familiar voice and hopped towards where Akie was standing. She was wearing similar clothing from when the pirates first met her and Zoro could see some strips of white gauze in a few places. There was that chipper puppy like expression on her face again. So very different from the look she had a few days ago while fighting Rhett. Her near colorless eyes didn't have the slightest look of intimidation. Zoro didn't feel as tense now that she's not wearing the dark glasses.

"Doggyyyyyy! You're joining my crew!"

"Firstly my name is Akie. Secondly I never said I was."

"But we're friends now Doggy."

"You can have friends that aren't part of your crew you know."

"But you're really awesome and strong and can turn into a funny looking dog and you're going to join my crew."

Zoro yanked Luffy off the ground by the shirt collar. "She said she's not joining now let's go."

"No Zoroooo she's joining my crew!"

Akie giggled loudly and the two looked at her. "I actually feel quite honored that you would ask someone like me to join your crew and I really do appreciate it. But sadly I'm going to have to decline your offer."

"Whaaaaat?!"

If Zoro didn't know any better, he would have thought he was talking to a princess. The way she had her head bowed in apology and how her hands here held perfectly before her. She wasn't the kind strong-hearted type like Vivi. More of the serious regal type that can make lower class people bow before her in fear with a single look. But it's just an ordinary, happy, friendly girl with an Akuma no Mi talking. That just happens to be able to beat the living shit out of someone with just her fist and is nearly blind.

"You have to join my crew!"

"My apologies really. It sounds like you all have such amazing journeys together out at sea. But my place is here to help the kids live a good life."

"You're my friend! Join my crew! We can go on lots more adventure together!"

"My you're quite persistent, but again I'm really sor-ow!"

Something hard hit Akie in the back of the head and fell to the ground with a soft thump. Luffy and Zoro looked behind her as she turned around to see Silas. He had an expression that was both angry and sad. There was a dark grey travel bag before Akie's feet that looked packed.

"Silas what are you doing?" she asked, rubbing the smarting spot on her head.

"I should be asking you that."

"What do you mean?"

"You belong with them Akie-sa...Akie. Leave this place and don't come back."

"I don't understand."

Silas quickly turned around and brushed her off when she reached out to him. "You're dangerous you don't belong here! You could end up killing someone! You'll scare the kids if they saw you looking like a...like a..."

"Like a monster."

The young boy flinched.

"I heard you and the pirates talking a few nights ago. Calling Rhett and me monsters. Maybe you're right. Fighting Rhett brought something out of me I was scared of. But I couldn't hold it back. I hate people like him; those always thinking they're better than everyone and beating on the frail."

Silas glanced over with tearing eyes. "Akie-san...I didn't mean...I didn't mean it."

She smiled brightly. "You say that, but there is truth in your words. You honestly believe it's better if I leave this island?"

"Well I..."

"You're thinking about the lives of this place and that's good. You want to protect the kids yes?"

Silas faced her, wiping away his tears. "Y-yeah I do."

"Does that mean you're willing to take full responsibility of watching out for them, protect them and help them give a future no one else would?"

"I'll do anything to help them! I mean...I want to help them in anyway I can."

"You sure have grown Silas. When we first met, you were hiding behind Rhett crying your eyes out. It's good to know where your heart lies." She picked up the bag and patted Silas on the head with a soft expression. "If you truly feel like a monster like me doesn't belong here then I'll go. Only if you swear to me that no harm will come to a child that needs help."

Tears started forming again in his dark eyes. "I promise!"

"Jiji told me this before he left. He said 'no matter what, whether someone lost an arm or a leg or is disfigured, has mixed blood within them or was abandoned, don't ever treat them like they are worthless. They're still people like you and me; flesh, blood and bones and they want someone that won't treat them poorly because they're different'. You understand that right Silas?"

"I'll take better care of those kids than you or Jiji could ever do."

"That's perfectly alright with me."

Akie gave him one last pat on the head and turned away from him. Luffy looked like he was going to pee his pants from excitement. Zoro on the other had didn't have an accepting look on his face. They already have a dark mysterious person on board their ship. Akie let out a heavy breath when she stepped before the two and bowed her head again.

"It's a pleasure to be apart of your crew Captain."

"Whoo-hooooooo! Doggy joined our crew Doggy joined our crew!"

Luffy dashed of towards the ship, yelling like a moron. The swordsman stared down at Akie who was just smiling at him in her usual way. She was like a completely different person from that fight and that's what he found to be the most unsettling. A nice gentle person that can easily turn into such a deadly beast is scary. But her gaze is nothing compared to Mihawk's piercing cold eyes. She smiled more brightly with a nod and walked past him.

"You better not die Akie-san!"

Silas's shout made the two of them stop and Akie glanced over her shoulder. The younger boy was trying to look tough through the veil of tears. She was a little surprised at how serious he was which isn't normal for him. It made her happy that the little scaredy-cat she cared for has become a young man.

"All of you people are weird here," Zoro muttered.

"That's rather rude to say."

"It's true. Come on we're going."

He grabbed her by the backpack and just about dragged her towards the ship as she waved goodbye at Silas. She didn't feel sad in a sense of wanting to cry her heart out. She felt sad for leaving the kids behind yes. But there was a sense of relief. Akie wasn't sure why though.

When they reached the harbor, Akie twisted herself out of Zoro's grip and glared up at him with a pout before climbing the ladder up to the deck. The ship was welcoming when she stepped onto it. She saw the other five members along with Luffy who was still bounding around. The blond man jumped at her will arms wide opened and making a kissy face. Akie stepped aside and Sanji sailed past her right into Zoro, sending the two of them crashing into the ocean which was followed by loud arguing and swearing.

"So Luffy forced you to join didn't he?" Nami asked as she stepped in front of Akie.

"I wouldn't say he forced me. He was very persistent and I suppose it was time for me to leave. Part of me has wanted to leave IOTA for awhile, but never had a reason to."

"Just watch yourself. It get's pretty wild here."

"You all seem like a fun bunch of pirates."

Nami shrugged. "You can say that again."

The smile Akie had vanished when she felt someone place a hand on top of her head and yanked it back. She met the rather pissed gaze of the green haired swordsman glaring at her. He was drenched in seawater just as Sanji was who climbed up, looking pretty mad too.

"You little...what the hell was that for?!"

"What was what? Oh that. It's a natural response to dodge when someone jumps at you isn't it?"

He squeezed her head a little harder. "Dumbass puppy you knew I was there. That was on purpose!"

"I don't know what you're talking about. You can let go of my head now."

They glared at each other until he finally let her head go and stormed off. Akie giggled. Despite being a soggy mess, Sanji knelt before her with the cheesiest looking smile and hearts in his eye.

"It's such an honor to be graced by another beautiful young lady. If there is everything you ever need Aki-chan, please don't hesitate to-ack!"

A barrel come flying out of nowhere and smashed right into Sanji, flattening him against the railing. Luffy came jumping around, giggling like crazy. Until Sanji kicked him into next week.

"It really never stops with these guys," Nami said with a sigh.

"Entertaining if I don't say so myself. I think I'll have fun aboard this ship."

"Otay guysh. Les welcome Doggy," Luffy mumbled through a black and blue puffy face.

"Welcome me to what?"

Nami pushed her forward towards the rest of the crew gathering with mugs of booze. "To welcome you to the crew obviously. You're one of us now."

Akie looked around at the Straw Hats. 'I'm one of them now...' Nami handed her a mug of amber liquid that smelled both bitter and sweet. She saw her blurry reflection in the alcohol then looked up at the crew again. All but one was holding their mugs up with broad grins. Zoro was already drinking and glaring at her over his shoulder.

"Welcome to the crew Doggy!"

"My name is Akie..."

Tada! Tenth chapter finished! Made it to the double digits. I'm actually impressed. Thank you for reading this and staying with me as long as you all have. I hope you all continue to do so too.
Ciao amici!