I'm so far behind in updating this. -_-

Title: Giant Hat

Theme: #15- Goodbye

Claim: Robin

Words: 528

Rating: K+

Warning: Not a warning, but there's no OCs in this one (thankfully)

Robin always found the dead hours of the night to be the most relaxing. It was the time when everyone else was fast asleep and the moon shined brightest. Even the obsidian waves seemed to calm down and rest, nestling against the side of the ship.

Something bumped against the ship. It was hardly a noticeable nudge, but Robin's alert senses detected the faint vibration. Robin sighed and stood up, allowing her blanket to fall from her shoulders. She set her book down and walked to the railing.

"... It's you." Robin said, looking down at the massive reptile swimming alongside the ship.

"Mmm."

"How did you find us all the way out here?" Robin asked, leaning against the railing.

"..."

"Hm." Robin rested her chin on her fist and regarded Banchi. She hadn't seen the giant turtle in months and had nearly forgotten about him. "I thought Crocodile released you ages ago."

"..." Banchi stared up at Robin with sleepy eyes.

"There's no reason to follow me. You're free to go." Robin waved a hand. Banchi continued gazing at Robin with his half-lidded eyes, water dripping down the side of his shell.

"Ah, I see." Robin smiled, nodding. Several arms took the large cowboy hat from Banchi's head and lifted it up to the ship. Banchi blinked gratefully. He must have been wearing the hat ever since his departure from Arabasta, but his cigar was long lost. The fabric was soggy and various barnacles and lichen had begun to cultivate on the frayed rim. As the arms dropped the hat on the deck, a crab scuttled out from beneath it and leapt overboard.

With one last blink, Banchi submerged and quickly disappeared into the dark waters. Robin waved vaguely at the spot where ripples were already fading away.

"Goodbye." Robin quietly said. She retreated back to her corner by the mast to retrieve her blanket and book, leaving the old hat in the middle of the deck.

--X--

"WHOA! GIANT HAT!" Luffy shouted as he stepped outside the next morning. He immediately leapt down and crawled beneath it. "It smells like fish!"

"Where the hell did that thing come from?" Usopp wondered out loud. Luffy flung the hat up and it hit Usopp, knocking him over. "AH! LUFFY!"

"Hahaha! It smells terrible!" Luffy said in glee, putting the hat on. It covered his entire head and most of his shoulders.

"Oi! Let me wear it!" Usopp laughed. The two boys began to squabble for the giant hat, failing to notice Robin watching them from the upper deck with a little smile on her face. Nami walked up from behind her and frowned.

"That thing looks familiar. It's like I've seen it before..." Nami said uncertainly.

"AAH! STOP PULLING, YOU'LL BREAK IT!" Usopp yelled as he began to play tug-of-war with Luffy for the hat. Usopp suddenly let go and the hat flew into the air, dropping down into the water. Luffy ran over and watched in dismay as it sank.

"Aww, it's gone." Luffy pouted.

"That's too bad." Robin murmured. She smiled brightly and looked out to the sea, Nami glancing at her with a puzzled expression.

Banchi FTW.
Reviews will be greatly appreciated.
I've still got my eye on you fave'n'runners.