CH. 14 Home again.

She woke up the next morning early and decided to head up on deck and opened the door only to find a small box sitting on the floor. It was pushed up against the door purposely blocking her step to ensure it was noticed. She paused giggled and then picked it up transporting it into the room and then dropping it on the bed. There were several different pairs of clothes and a shoes with other accessories tucked in the middle of the clothes. She blinked confused as to who would buy all these things for her. It was overwhelming in a way. She pulled out a simple plaid purple shirt and black pants. Whoever had chosen them obviously knew what she liked.

She pulled on a pair of regular black sneakers and strapped her sword to her side then stepped out of the room and onto deck. The sun was just starting to rise when she heard a loud crash and turned just in time to see Sanji send Luffy flying from the kitchen onto the deck. There was no mercy in his kick as he dropped his foot and stalked back into the kitchen angrily. Luffy rubbed the back of his head from the land grumbling slightly until he looked over and smiled brightly.

"Hey Aria!" Luffy called over brightly. "You're up early!" She smiled amused by this kids antics.

"Ya Lu" She laughed feeling better about the day before. It had been frustrating to discover she had missed 10 years but brook had been a good help with dealing with that. "Brook helped me figure a few things about last night...before we tucked you in your bed." This silenced Luffy instantly as he stared at her for a moment then went bright red. She started to laugh and walked over tapping him on his head.

"Just kidding Lu" She laughed even though it was true. "You're still such a kid." This annoyed Luffy instantly as he puffed up in anger.

"Am not!" Luffy retorted "I'm Not a kid!"

"Alright" she said "I believe you...trying to steal from the kitchen were you?"

"No" Luffy said guiltily "Sanji won't give me a snack!"

"hold on" Aria said winking before heading up to the kitchen. "I'll be right back." Luffy tilted his head in confusion as she headed into the kitchen the smell of food already being cooked.

"Yay!" Luffy cheered excitedly. "Ok!"

"Hey Sanji" Aria said stepping inside getting a quick whiff of that alluring smell of cooking food. "You're up early..."

"huh? Aria?" Sanji said not doing his normal tornado walk over. "I thought you..."

"Oh come on! what would you do if you had no memories and woke up to a guy trying to hit on you?" Aria said flatly crossing her arms "not a great first impression if I'd say...Try more of this...I don't mind just talking." Sanji seemed thrown for a loop at her statement. She then walked over grabbing a glass and pouring some water downing the whole thing. She peaked over the stove attracted to the good smelling food.

"Looks good" Aria said "Who taught you to cook"

"The old Man at the Baratie" Sanji replied solemnly unsure of what to do next, but obviously surprised by the compliment. "I've been training since I was a kid."

"Oh?" she replied "Can I try some?" Sanji was quick to scoop out a small plate and a fork. She took a bite and pretty much fell in love it.

"Wow!" she exclaimed in surprise "This is so good! hey do you mind if i take some of this with me? I don't want to miss the sunrise"

"I'd be a pleasure!" Sanji said scooping more out for her puffing up with pride. "be careful Luffy's up! he's terrible for eating!" She laughed and left with the plate. What he didn't know was it was her original intention to take some of this out to Luffy. Now she almost wanted to eat it all herself. She waited until she was out of sight of the kitchen and found Luffy on the figure head waiting for her to return. He turned almost instantly and upon spotting the plate stared in shock. She made sure no one could see as Luffy instantly inhaled the entire plate in the blink of an eye. She just shook her head and turned to watch the sunrise. She wondered just how long it would be till they arrived at Janora and who this important person was.

"Ace told everyone what Whitebeard said" Luffy said after a long silence and the sun was almost fully risen. "I Think everything will be alright" That childish smile of his almost seemed deceiving comparing to how he sounded so adult like now. She didn't say anything but somehow felt like Luffy could read her mind. It was so strange yet familiar.

"You know You seriously remind me of someone" She said after a moment "I don't know how but you do..." Luffy just shrugged and smiled. She then turned and headed back towards the kitchen only to see the others slowly and sleepily arriving on deck for breakfast. Sanji had just appeared in the door way to call for breakfast and smirked as if this was the norm.

She simply followed them until She spotted Luffy and Sanji wrestling at the door. it was now evident with Luffy's display from before that His actions weren't without reason so she just left him be and followed the others inside. breakfast went fast as everyone fought to keep their own food. As soon as Luffy made his move towards her plate she swiftly turned her fork stabbing the table just in front of his hand. he froze staring in shock from a moment before returning to what he was doing only avoiding her plate from now on.

As soon as breakfast was over She went out on deck while Sanji and Zoro stayed inside to do the dishes. Although it didn't seem like they liked each other very much they worked well together. Robin had taken her place at a small table on the grassy section of the deck where Franky, Luffy and Chopper sat down to play cards. Ussop swiftly climbed back up to the crows nest. She decided it was about time to see just how good she was with a sword. She knew it would probably piss off Chopper but the wound wasn't that bad and she could move fairly well. She headed up to the wooden part of the deck. She pulled out the sword and started swinging. She had managed to work up a good sweat when she spotted Zoro coming towards her.

"You never give up do you?" Zoro said "Just what are you trying to prove?"

"Nothing" She replied confused "I'm just trying to find out what I know..."

"There's a better way to find that out" Zoro replied pulling out all three swords this time. "It looks you've healed at least enough to try me with all three." She smirked and turned towards him. It was always good to have Zoro around. he made a good fighting partner. Zoro made the first move surprising her at first with his speed. It was faster than last time and his strength was much harder to hold back. -Holy!- She thought -He's been holding back!-

They continued to fight for a good couple of minutes as she with a slight difficulty held him off with only her one sword. he was fast and the fact that He fought with one sword in his mouth which didn't make him any weaker, it only made him harder to beat.

"Let's call it a tie!" Robin laughed from her spot as they both stopped for a minute amazed at each others strength. Aria stared at her hands trying to figure out how she had just made her arms move like that. It was as if everything went so fast she didn't even have time to think her body just acted.

"Whoa" Aria muttered sitting down on the deck setting the sword in front of her. "You held back last time!"

"Had no choice" Zoro replied his shoulders sagging although he was smiling. "I wasn't trying to kill you...it seems you restrain your killer instinct why?" She shrugged this had been one question she hadn't expected. Although she didn't really notice it no matter how hard she fought there just wasn't anything there making her fight to her fullest. She knew it all too well.

"Storm!" Nami called out loudly and She looked only seeing a clear sky. "Everyone get to your stations!" Everyone jumped to their feet leaving whatever they were doing and running to their stations. "Wazoo!" Luffy cheered happily with excitement. "This gonna be fun?"

Nami kept her eyes to the sky until she noticed Aria hadn't moved. "Aria clear the deck!" Nami yelled furiously "This is gonna be a big one!" as soon as the clouds started to form in the sky Aria felt a sudden surge of fear and instantly jumped to her feet grabbing her sword before rushing below deck. Something in her made her shake with fear and she couldn't understand why but as soon as she entered her room and the door was closed she dropped to her knees and curled up shaking involuntarily.

"What's going on?" She wondered out loud although she clenched her shoulders to stop the shaking "It's just a storm!...why am I so scared?" She could hear the wind pick up and rain fall like a river on the roof. It started very suddenly and there was absolutely no warning before hand (save for really damp warm weather). She didn't know how much time had passed as the storm raged on but she didn't move. The lights suddenly started to flicker. Aria pulled herself together just enough to start to get up and moved to a corner where she curled up still shaking. She tucked her head in her arms when suddenly the door flew open.

"Hey Aria..." Luffy's voice said from the door way and she looked up not realizing that she had been crying in fear. "Are you afraid of storms?"

"I...I'm not sure..." Aria replied still shaking. Luffy instantly crossed the room grabbing the blanket off the bed and tossing it over her shoulders before putting his hat on her head. This came to a surprise to her. Since she had met Luffy he never once let go of that hat and now it was on her head. Luffy didn't have to say anything as he just smiled patting her shoulder for a minute until she stopped shaking and crying.

"Don't cry" Luffy said with a smile. "I'll be right back...keep this for me." She didn't know why but This simple hat seemed to bring her a great deal of joy just by the touch. Maybe It was the hat's history or Luffy's smile...She didn't know which but after Luffy left again She felt so much better. It wasn't long before the storm finally ended and Luffy returned with a big grin. Luffy Then crossed the room and took her hand pulling her to her feet.

"Storm is over!" Luffy said cheerfully "Nothing to be afraid of!" she couldn't help but laugh as she handed Luffy his hat back which he gratefully took replacing it back on his head.

"Don't worry" Luffy said winking "I won't tell the others...This will be our little secret!" She laughed as he turned and walked away again. Aria decided to head to the bathroom (dropping her blanket on her bed) where she quickly washed away any signs of tears then returned to the deck.

"LAND HO!" Ussop called from up above "IT'S JANORA!" The island looked familiar and seemed to have a welcoming feeling to it. She could almost see the village by the water's edge and a huge building further up the hills. She rushed to Luffy's side where he stood on the figure head and she leaned forward.

"I know this place!" Aria said turning to Luffy "I recognize this place!" Luffy grinned for a moment but it swiftly went away as he looked ahead. There didn't seem much movement from the village at first until they managed to get closer. It was as if Luffy senses the unwelcome presence from the Island, but still they went to the dock and docked the ship.

She watched as the others tied the ship up until a small crowd of people suddenly appeared coming from inside the village.

"Pirates aren't welcome here!" They called out angrily bearing weapons and scarred faces. It was evident that most of these people did a lot of fighting and had a huge grudge against pirates. "Get out of here!"

"No" Luffy said simply "we're only waiting for someone here"

"You can't stay!" Their leader called as Aria remained hidden behind the figure head listening to them argue. "It's the law!"

"Since when do pirates follow any law?" Zoro said appearing by Luffy's side "We have to stay here..." She stepped out aimed on crossing over to where Robin was sitting and joining her making herself uncaring about what they thought as possible. There was a sudden wave of whispering in shock. Aria just didn't pay attention.

"Miss!" One man yelled over catching her attention as she stopped to have a look at them. Their leader was a tall man with dark hair. He stood by a woman with long blonde hair tied back in a braid and an ugly scar stretching straight across his face. he had an X marked across his face as well that looked like it must have hurt. She didn't know why but there was something about this man that seemed familiar. Even more so for the woman.

"Where did you get that sword!" -again with the sword- She thought half annoyed -What' is with these people...wait they might know me...-

"It's mine" Aria replied "Mine and mine alone."

"No that's not what I mean" he said impatiently "Who gave it to you!"

"We found her with it" Luffy replied "Down by Death pass" The man and woman looked between each other in shock and confusion. It was obvious they were having a conversation with their eyes and had agreed upon something. The man quickly jumped to the rail of the ship paying no mind to Zoro who kept his hand on his sword.

"Aria Canora?" he asked questioningly "Are you..." Aria didn't even let him finish.

"Yea that's my name..." Aria replied "Who are you?" Suddenly the whole group broke out in cheers making both her and Zoro jump in shock and confusion. The woman didn't even wait to be invited as she jumped on board.

"Come on!" She spoke quickly "we need to hide this ship! we can't let Borque find you!" Luffy stood there stunned and the rest of the crew didn't bother moving. Nami was suspicious and Luffy confused.

"This is my ship" Luffy said suddenly "Who are you? I'm the captain!" She turned suddenly and confused by Luffy's angry outburst.

"My Name is Sandra...This is Andy My husband." She said quickly making her heart skip a beat in joy. "We've been waiting 10 years for Aria to return to us! And now she's come home!" Aria just stared. She didn't know weather to trust them or not but considering their expressions it almost made her believe they were telling the truth. She just waited as Luffy inspected them before nodding.

"Alright let's go" Luffy said after a minute. "Show us the way."

"Oh well Aria should be able to do that herself!" Andy laughed "Jeez She knows the Island better than the rest of us! Remember that eh Aria?"

"No..." She said after a minute "As far as I'm concerned I don't remember anything..." Sandra froze turning to stare before noticing something and striding quickly over and without warning started to do an inspection of her head.

"There are remnants of a concussion and she's probably got Amnesia" Sandra said professionally "I Guess we're gonna have to have a talk when we get there!" The others moved quickly to leave as The crew moved quickly to their stations. Andy lead the way around the Island out of sight to a particularly well hidden forest area with a small beach and a path. They docked next to a cliff. There Sandra was one of the first to jump down and turned waiting as Aria followed suit. This place looked so familiar to her She turned to see Sandra's eyes scan her over with disapproval.

"It hasn't healed yet?" Sandra asked in confusion "How can that be? I'm still bemused by how you haven't changed but that wound is the strangest...yet..."

"Hey didn't Borque's old captain give you that scar?" Andy asked "I mean you did give him that scar across his chest 10 years ago. Defending the Island"

"So she used to live here then?" Zoro asked suspiciously "Where at?"

"The old farm on the edge of town" Sandra replied "Andy's been keeping that place ever since Shanks came back and told us you had disappeared. Poor guy was devastated."

"Shanks the red!?" Nami said instantly now more shocked than anything as she turned to Aria. "Just how many connections do you have! First Whitebeard Now Shanks!" Aria just shrugged.

"Anyways you guys can wait here for whoever it is you are waiting for." Andy said before stopping to look Aria over in shock. "I still can't believe this...You haven't aged a day! It's too bad things are so bad now or i'd take you back to the Atlantis for a drink!"

"Atlantis?" Aria said the name sounding familiar. "The local bar?"

"ya!" Sandra said "You just remember that?"

"No I guessed" Aria replied "So...What exactly happened here?"

"well" Andy said choosing a huge rock to sit on "After shanks reported your disappearance to us Pirates started to attack the island like crazy. Everyone then got together to fight them off but a lot of people died. All of the women and children were hidden in the caves in the hills to protect them but even that didn't save most of them. It was hard..."

"About 3 years after that Borque returned determined on waiting her torturing everyone..." Sandra replied "I tried to save as many as I could until you returned but he was determined to get revenge for the scar you gave him and killing his captain...That's what he tells everyone anyways." There was a long silence. Aria couldn't help but feel an overwhelming anger starting to rise within her. It was pissing her off to the extreme.

"That's not right..." Aria muttered tapping her hand on her sword. The sudden urge to just march up to Borque and just kill him starting to well up in her.

She didn't move a muscle simply because she didn't know who she would be looking for and couldn't be sure of anything about him either so she remained planted to her spot although it seemed evident to everyone that something within her was welling up in anger.

"That's the Aria we know!" Andy laughed "The second anyone even touches this island You get mad enough to kill!"

"So that's your trigger?" Zoro said plainly "You love this Island..." She chewed over that thought. She Had to admit she did feel strangely protective over this Island but there was another reason behind it. What? She just wasn't really sure of just yet.

"So gonna introduce me to your friends?" Sandra laughed crossing her arms. "Even though I already know Luffy, Zoro, and Robin's names here...It amazes me to see you with none other than the straw hat pirates!"

"Say!" Andy said suddenly looking deep in thought "What did you mean by found her by death's pass?"

"That's where we found her" Nami replied "Zoro spotted her floating there barely alive. Quite a surprise since there were no remnants of a ship having sunk."

"I should know!" Franky said "I checked the ocean! Not one ship anywhere!"

"Oh?" Sandra said in shock. "That's very strange..."

"Anyways..." Nami said taking charge. "I'm Nami the Navigator These are Ussop our sharp shooter, Sanji the cook, Franky is in charge of the ship's maintenance, Brook who is out back still on the ship is our musician, Chopper is our doctor and Robin is our Archeologist."

"Chopper?" Sandra said giving an odd look towards Chopper. "Isn't he a reindeer?"

"Yes" Chopper declared hiding the wrong way behind Nami. "I am! But I'm also this crew's doctor!" Sandra's jaw dropped in shock as she stared at Chopper.

"Whoa he talks!" Andy exclaimed in shock. "Incredible! just what kind of a crew is this?"

"You know that was my first question" Aria admitted "But they guys are good people...I trust them." this seemed to be all they need and so Sandra and Andy nodded acceptably.

"So who is this person you are waiting for?" Sandra asked curiously "Anybody I know?"

"It seems you may..." Zoro replied "As of right now Whitebeard informed us to wait here for him."

"hmm" Sandra replied "I see...very well...I'd take you around the island...Hey where are you going!" Aria turned to see Luffy already on his way through the trees. She knew that look of exploration and let out a sigh while The rest of the crew assured them that Luffy would be fine.

"No he won't!" Sandra protested "he doesn't know the horrors this guy has done to this island!"

"I think he does..." Nami replied with a look of reminiscing. This had been the first time Aria thought about just what kind of pasts each person had. Where they came from heck who they once were. "This isn't the first Island..." there was a silence between the crew. An unspoken event that seemed to be kept that way. Sandra seemed to sense this as well and just sat down on a rock letting out a defeated sigh. Aria then suddenly started to wonder. Just why was she hiding from a man she once took down before. What had changed? Would her friend know where to look for her? And what if Borque got to him First? This started to annoy her and she stood up intending to go for a walk.

"Hey Aria!" Andy said in shock "Where are you going? what's wrong?"

"Bored" she replied "I want to check this place out...see if i remember anything..."

"Aria! Aria!" Sandra called trying to catch up to her fast pace while Luffy's crew simply let her go without a fuss at all. (this was one of the things she loved about this crew...The freedom...) "If Borque finds you! He can kill you now! he's stronger now!" Aria didn't bother to stop and was determined to continue onwards. Suddenly Zoro appeared at her side. He was carrying a spare sword other than his usual 3. It was black and red with an evil feel to it.

"Hold on a second" Zoro said so she stopped in her place and turned to him. "Sandra take Aria's sword back to the ship if you're so worried...She can used this one with a warning... this boy has an ugly thirst for blood..."

"Isn't that..." Sandra started to say examining the sword "But that still is letting her go on into danger! And Now with a VERY DANGEROUS SWORD!" Aria could feel the tension in the situation. It was obvious that This Sandra was the woman that she remembered slightly and that she obvious did care for her safety.

"Would you have recognized me right away without my sword?" Aria suddenly asked deciding this would help Sandra calm down. "Think about it...It's obviously been 10 years...Look at Luffy! he was just a kid before all this happened!"

"Luffy? what does he have to do with this?" Sandra snapped before realizing her point. and turning to Zoro "...Very well...Zoro goes with you! and I swear...If anything happens to you There WILL be CONSIQUENCES!" Zoro seemed to take the hidden message behind her words seriously and just nodded.

"Alright follow me Zoro!" Aria laughed "I hear you have a terrible sense of direction so I'll lead the way!"

"Hey!" Zoro protested "Just what has that Ero-cook been telling you!"

"Not much" She laughed as they started to walk in what felt like a familiar direction strapping the sword to her belt while Sandra returned to the crew with her sword. "He doesn't know more than you about me! ha ha anyways This will be a good way of learning more of my past...I have a feeling like you have a good sense about people too" This made Zoro flush slightly as he turned haughtily away almost turning off into the woods in a random direction before she grabbed his shirt dragging her with him. The Island she had to admit was beautiful with it's variety of plants and trees.

It didn't take long for her to reach town boasting to Zoro that he should be glad she lead the way. This only pissed off Zoro and she took off running from him down the street.

"Get back here!" Zoro yelled after her in anger. Suddenly A tall man appeared from inside the bar laughing heartily as he pushed a small girl onto the dirt without a care and strode out in front of her. She suddenly turned just in time to see him looking in almost shock as he turned.

She spun carefully around him with a quick step then did a quick hand spring over the little girl on the ground before her. He froze in shock and confusion as she took a deep breath in and sighed. -Damn that was close- She thought -that guy shouldn't have pushed this poor girl!-

"Whoa there little lady!" He said with a bursting laugh "Do I know you from somewhere?"

"Not likely" Zoro said for her stepping over in sight. This only seemed to foil whatever plans this guy had intended for her as he turned sharply towards him. "We just arrived..." Aria stood up and turned to see this strange man. He had a look of malice on him and a scar that could be seen going from his chest and up his face. It was ugly. He was ugly.

"Oh?" He said now fuming with anger. "I wonder why I was never told...How did you get here?"

"Small boat" Aria replied being sly because of his malicious nature about him. She instantly didn't like the old man. He looked to be about 30 with bad skin and dark hair. His eyes quickly wandered back to her almost seeming to scan her. "We won't be staying long..."

"Good!" He said still eying her up like his prey. "...Now get your ugly face out of my way!" This was almost like a slap in the face to her as he stepped away ignoring her very existence. Zoro watched her face turn red with furry and gave her a hard stare. She remained still although she could feel the black blade calling out for blood from her side. She just set her hand on it's handle and waited as he walked out of sight.

"Geez Lady are you ok?" The young girl said breaking Aria from her stance of anger. "You're lucky he didn't charge you! he charges everyone who comes to this island!"

"He does?" Aria said after taking a deep breath to calm down feeling a disappointing pull from the sword. "Who's he?"

"That's Borque!" The little girl almost whispered as if that name was a curse. "He's got spies everywhere! mommy says not to get in his way! How about You come to my house Mommy can tell you more about him!" She nodded although still edging to take that man out but this girl at the moment was more important. Zoro watched hesitantly as Aria stood up and lead the way Nodding for Zoro to follow. They continued in the opposite direction of the hills towards towards the dock where one small run down house that should have been condemned stood. It was as if this was a new norm for the village. Everything looked worn and worse for wear.

"What's you name by the way?" The little girl asked "My name is Lisa!"

"Aria" Aria replied "And this is my friend Zoro..."

"Oh" The little girl said in excitement "Just like the girl in the story mommy tells me about so cool!"

"Honey who are you talking to?" Came a familiar voice from inside. "Come inside..."