I really felt like this chapter was too long and kind of pointless but I could never find a good place to end it. Oh, and the next chapter is definately going to be the last one. I know. I know. I've been saying that for the past, what, ten chapters? Just kidding. But seriously, it's going to end next chapter. Well, on with the story I guess. Oh, and sorry it took so long!
Chapter 24
"What are we doing?" Luffy finally managed to ask.
Vivi grinned. "We're going to get the others and then...well...you'll see." she said.
Luffy shrugged and held on as they sped up. Vivi laughed when he almost feel off his duck when they turned a corner. Finally, they arrived at the guest bedroom.
Vivi jumped off Karoo and gave him a slight stroke on the beak. Luffy attempted to get off his but ended up falling and landing flat on his face on the floor. Vivi giggled as she rushed to help him up. As she reached out her hand, Luffy grinned and pulled her down on top of him. As they sat laughing in the floor, the door to the bedroom creaked open and Zoro stuck his head out.
"What's going-" he started to say but when he saw Vivi sitting on top of Luffy, his face quickly changed. "Oh...uh...er...I'll just leave you alone..."
"Wait Mr. Bushido!" Vivi said as she attempted not to laugh at the swordsman's bewildered expression. "We just...well...Luffy fell and then I-"
"No no. I don't want to know." Zoro said as he shook his head.
Vivi blushed and stood up, dusting herself off as she did so. "Anyway, we were on our way to get all of you for dinner. It should be ready soon." she said, attempting to gain some composure.
Zoro shrugged. "Come on in I guess." he said as he opened the door the rest of the way.
Luffy stood up, straightened his hat, and then followed Vivi and Zoro inside.
"Hey Vivi!" Nami called with a wave and a smile. "I haven't seen you much these last few days."
"Oh...I've been...around. I didn't want to, you know, intrude." Vivi replied awkwardly.
"Intrude?" Nami asked.
"Well...you guys were catching up and since...I was never part if your crew..." Vivi said as she stumbled over words.
"Nonsense Vivi!" Usopp cried upon hearing her reply. "We're nakama! That makes you one of us!"
Luffy chuckled. "Yep! And now she's part of my crew!" he said happily.
The room fell silent as they all shifted their gaze from Luffy to Vivi and back to Luffy.
"She...she...joined?" Nami stuttered.
"But Vivi...what about Alabasta?" Chopper asked.
"Luffy! There was a better way to tell them!" Vivi screamed in her head. Outloud though, she gave them a weak smile and said, "Well...he asked me to...and since I turned you guys down last time...I just thought..."
As Vivi struggled to find the right words, Robin calmly set her book down on the beside table and stood up. "I think I can explain that." she said.
Vivi felt a cold sweat come over her body. "She won't! She doesn't know, right? That means she can't!!! Can she?" Vivi thought.
"Pardon my rude behavior Luffy-san," Robin said, "But I'm afraid the opportunity was too tempting."
"She knows. She knows!!!" Vivi thought.
"I overheard about your plans to meet in the courtyard and just couldn't help listening in." Robin said with a confident smile.
"She's going to tell them everything!!!!!! That conversation was private!!!!! Oh no! What did I say? Was it anything bad?! Oh why can't I remember?!!" Vivi thought frantically, trying to keep up her seemingly calm appearence.
"No need Robin! I'll tell them myself!" Luffy said with a happy grin. "You see, I wanted to know if Vivi-"
At that moment, Vivi couldn't stand it anymore. She pounced on him and they fell to the ground, something she wouldn't have dared to do to Robin."Luffy! Not here! Not now!" she cried as she grabbed his throat and shook him until he felt sick.
"Vivi?" Nami asked.
Vivi immediately released Luffy and blushed deeply. She slowly stood up and hung her head. "I appologize." she said.
Luffy sat up and gave a slight chuckle. "Don't appolgize Vivi. You can tell them when you're ready." he reassured.
Robin just smiled before returning to the edge of the bed and to her book.
In the moment of silence that followed, the only noise that could be heard was the slight rustle of pages being turned.
Suddenly the door burst open and Sanji stuck his head in. "Vivi-chan! Dinner is ready!!!!!" he called with a heart in his eye.
Relieved to have an escape, Vivi quickly turned around and smiled at Sanji. "Thank you Sanji-kun. Did you make sure to hide...you know...that thing?" Vivi asked.
Sanji nodded. "I did exactly as you asked Vivi-chan!" Sanji replied.
"Thanks." Vivi said as she gave him a quick hug.
This of course sent Sanji spinning into a cloud of hearts. When she let go, he floated out of the room with a trail of hearts behind.
Nami got up and went after him muttering something uncomprehendable, her hands balled into fists.
"Let's go eat!!!" Vivi said cheerfully, trying to make sure they avoided the subject of her leaving Alabasta.
Zoro shrugged. "Sounds good to me." he said and followed Nami out the door.
"Hey wait!!! Zoro's going to get all the food!!!!!!" Luffy cried and took off.
Chopper and Usopp happily followed, both eager to see what great food had been prepared. Franky, who had been sitting in the corner with his guitar, followed them.
"Oi! Wait up you two!" he cried as he attempted to catch up with Usopp and Chopper.
Once everyone else was gone, Robin set her book down and began to leave. Right before she walked out the door, she looked at Vivi and smiled. "You can tell them when you're ready. I'm sure you two will be happy." Robin said and then exited the room.
Vivi just watched her go, unable to say anything. "She really does know." she thought numbly. The sound of footsteps at the door roused her from her thoughts.
"Vivi, you okay?" Luffy asked when he saw her.
"Oh...I'm fine." she said, surprised at his sudden appearence.
"Oh...well...I just came back...because..." Luffy stuttered. He suddenly realized he didn't have a clue as to why he had come back.
Vivi held a finger to his lips. "Shh. I understand." she said softly, and she did. He cared. "Now come on. Don't you want to see your surprise?" Vivi asked.
He immediately brightened up. "Let's go!!!!!" he cried. He grabbed her wrist and took off toward the kitchen.
It surprised her at first but Vivi soon felt herself laughing.
Meanwhile, back on the doorframe, an eye and an ear dissappeared and in front of the dining room, Robin smiled. This was just too easy.
When Vivi and Luffy caught up with the others, Vivi made her way to the front of the group and turned to face them. "Okay guys, I need you to do me a favor. When you go in, just take a seat. I have something to say before we eat." Vivi explained. When they had all agreed, she finally opened the door and stepped aside to let them pass.
They filed in and took their seats around the large dining table. Everyone stared up at the giant mass covered by a white sheet that sat in the middle of the table. There were murmers of, "What is that?" and, "Did Sanji have something to do with this?"
Vivi just grinned as she made her way to the table's head. As everyone else sat down, she remained standing. When she had their attention, she cleared her throat and spoke up."I know you all are wondering what that thing in the middle of the table is but before I show you, I would like to say a few things first. I want to thank all of you for what you've done for this country. I know you didn't have to and I know you did it because you care about me. I want to thank you for that. And I want to tell you something. I want to tell you what happened this afternoon. When you left eight years ago, I often regreted not coming with you. I missed you and...I missed Luffy. Once my country settled and was running smoothly, I decided then that if you ever came back, I would go with you if you asked me to. So, when Luffy asked me this afternoon, I accepted. Then...then he asked me something. He asked me...to marry him, and...I agreed." Vivi finally finished. The room was dead quiet, the object in the table's center long forgotten.
"Did she say..." Nami asked.
"I think she did." Zoro replied.
Robin smiled.
Everyone else's mouths hung open.
Vivi, who hadn't entirely expected this reaction, and she actually hadn't planned to say that much, quickly regained her cool and continued. She turned her attention to Sanji who was standing near the kitchen doors. "Sanji-kun, the toast." she said.
"Oh. Right." he said, still slightly stunned. He went through the swinging kitchen doors and a moment later returned with a large silver platter balanced perfectly on his right hand. On the platter where several crystal wine glasses that were around three quarters full. Sanji went carefully around the table and set a glass in front of each person. When he was done, Vivi continued.
She picked up her glass and raised it above her head. "I propose a toast. To Alabasta. To our futures. To nakama." she said.
Everyone else picked up their glass.
"To nakama." Luffy whispered.
Once everyone was holding their glass up, they slowly lowered it to their mouths and drained it's contents.
When that was through, Vivi's face broke into a large smile. "And now for our main event. Luffy, as a thank you present, I have a surprise for you." At this time, she moved around the edge of the table, pushing between Zoro and Usopp in the process, until she could grab ahold of the white sheet that covered the large mass in the table's center. Without hesitating, she ripped the sheet off.
Luffy's eyes went wide and drool slowly tricked out of his mouth.
"How..." Nami gasped.
"Is she serious?!" Zoro thought.
"So cool!" Usopp and Chopper cried.
Franky had the kid in a candy store look.
Even Robin was impressed.
Sanji leaned back against the wall and smirked.
"MMMEEAAAAAAATTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Luffy cried so loud the walls practically shook. And it was true. For in the middle of the table, the sheet had been concealing a scale model of Thousand Sunny made entirely of meat. There were even tiny meat fish in the aquarium.
"It's amazing!!!" Nami cried.
"Thank you Nami-swwwannn!!!!!" Sanji cried joyfully, hearts radiating from every pore.
"Sanji-kun worked on this almost all day. I had him and Terracotta-san make it just for this celebration. Now, let's eat!" Vivi cried.
"Wahoo! Meat, here I come!" Luffy cried. He stretched his arm up to grab the tiny meat flag that hung from the not so tiny meat mast. He stuffed it in his mouth and swallowed without chewing. Then he immediately stretched his arm around the mast in an attempt to bring it down.
"Hey! Save some for us!" Usopp complained.
"Hurry and get some before he gets it all!" Chopper replied.
As the men all jumped at this suggestion, Nami, Vivi, and Robin hung back.
Seeing this, Sanji immediately went into the kitchen and returned with three tall glasses full of fruit. "Nami-swaannn! Robin-chwaannn! Vivi-chhwwannn! I made something special for you!" Sanji said as he danced over to the table. He set a glass in front of each of them.
"Thank you Sanji-kun!" Nami said as she hugged him. When she released him, it seemed as if he would melt into the floor in a sea of hearts.
The meal continued like this long into the night until every last scrap of food had been devoured. Luffy's head lay on his empty plate. Usopp had fallen asleep using Chopper as a pillow. Zoro had leaned up against the wall long before the dinner had been over and fallen asleep in his normal position. Nami had allowed Sanji to fall asleep with his head in her lap, then shortly after had fallen asleep herself. Franky had simply fallen onto the floor and fallen asleep. Robin had left to go to her room and had probably since fallen asleep. Vivi was the only one still awake.
Terracotta stuck her head out of the kitchen. "It looks safe now." she thought as she cautiously entered the room.
Vivi giggled at the sight of Terracotta trying to sneak into the room.
"Vivi-sama!" Terracotta hissed. "Don't do that! You scared me! What are you still doing awake? It has to be past midnight by now."
"I know, it's just, I can't sleep. There's something I have to tell father but I don't know how to say it." Vivi said.
"You're going with him." Terracotta said. It wasn't a question. She knew the answer.
"You heard my little speech?" Vivi asked.
"I always had a feeling that there was something bothering you. I didn't know what it was until that boy showed up. You really do love him, don't you? I can tell. I'm sure your father will understand. Can you keep a secret?" Terracotta asked.
Vivi nodded in reply.
"Your father always knew you were going to leave. I don't know how but he talked to me about it often. He told me he has made a choice of his succesor if that ever happens. Now, it looks like...whoops. I've said too much." Terracotta said. She stood up and began clearing the table. When Vivi didn't reply, Terracotta stopped what she was doing and said, "Go talk to him. He's in his room."
"I...I...I can't possibly..." Vivi stuttered.
"Go." Terracotta ordered. "I'll send them to bed."
"Thanks." Vivi said. She stood up, taking her hair down as she left the room. It fell in front of her face and down her back. She shook her head to get it out of her face and to center herself. "I can do this. It's just father." she thought, trying to reasure herself. She made her way down the hall and stopped in front of her father's bedroom door, her hand resting on the nob. She urged herself to continue and pushed open the door, taking a deep breath while doing so.
"Hello?" a voice called out. A light shone from her father's bedroom where the doors were open.
"Father. It's me. Can we...talk?" Vivi asked.
"Vivi?! It's late for you to be up." he father said as she entered his bedroom. He was sitting up in bed, bandages strapped across his chest.
"I just...have alot on my mind." Vivi reasured him. "How are you feeling?"
"Much better. Tell me what's wrong Vivi. I can see it from the look on your face that something is troubling you." he said.
Vivi silently cursed herself for letting her emotions show so clearly, then took a seat by his bed. She hung her head and then softly said, "Father...I...I'm...I'm leaving." she finally said.
That's when he did something that completely threw her. He smiled. "Is that what's worrying you? Are you afraid that I will be disappointed you?" he asked her.
"Will you be?" was her only reply.
"Of course not. To tell you the truth, I knew this was coming. That's why I told you that you had to marry Kelvin. It was my last attempt to keep you here. Now I see that I was wrong to do that. I knew about you and Luffy all along and I should have let it be. It made you happy and that's all that matters. So, I decided that even if it means letting you go, I will let you have your wish." he said.
"Father..." Vivi whispered. "He...he knew. Now it all makes sense. The arranged marriage. Kelvin. But why did he keep this fact hidden from me?" Vivi thought.
"I'm sorry Vivi." Cobra said. "I thought you would forget him if you had someone else."
"Father, I could never forget him. But...I would have married Kelvin because you wanted me to, because that would have been what was best for this country. That's why I would have done it!" she cried, her voice starting to break.
"No Vivi. It wasn't what was best and that is why I am sorry. It was a selfish act and it almost cost this country it's very life...it's people. I knew that if you stayed here, your mind was somewhere else. I just didn't want my little girl leaving me." Cobra replied.
"So...if I leave now, what will become of Alabasta?" Vivi dared to ask.
"Alabasta will be fine. I already have a plan." he said.
"Terracotta was telling the truth." Vivi thought. Then to her father, "And what would that plan be?"
"I have my successor in mind. He is one of noble birth, even if he does not know it. His bloodline runs with ours. A few generations back, there were two princesses. The oldest declined the crown and so it was given to her sister. This was his great-great-grandmother." Cobra explained.
"Who is he?" Vivi asked.
"Kohza." Cobra replied.
"Kohza?!" Vivi shreeked. "But father, he will never accept the throne! You know he hates the palace! And people still don't trust him after the rebellion..."
"The rebellion is the whole reason I chose him as my successor. He was a great leader to those people, if slightly misguided. He thought he was doing what was best for the people and that's what is important. Only very few people knew of Crocodile's plan and those who did tried to fix it. There was no reason Kohza would have known about Crocodile. Don't you see Vivi?" he asked.
"I guess but...how? How will he ever agree to this?" she replied.
"There are ways." Cobra stated.
"So, you're okay with me leaving?" Vivi asked after a moment of silence.
"Of course." Cobra replied with a warm smile. "When are you leaving?"
"I'm not sure. It will probably be in the next week or two though. Once his job is done, Luffy usually doesn't stick around. He's a pirate."
Cobra nodded. "Well, I suppose you better get to bed. We have a lot of things to settle in the next few days."
"Okay. Thank you father. For everything." Vivi said. She smiled at him one last time before standing up. However, when she reached the door, he called out.
"Vivi, hold on just a second. There is one thing you need to think about...your...farewell speech. The people deserve to know." he said.
Vivi tensed and bit her lip. She had been hoping to slip away quietly but that dream now seemed impossible. She knew better than to deny her father's wishes. "I will think about it." she replied and quickly left the room.
As she was walking down the hallway to her bedroom, thoughts felw through her head. "My home...my people...my country. My father...Igaram...Chaka...Pell...Terracotta...Kohza. A pirate? Me? Am I really going to do this? Can I do this? And how do you explain to thousands of people you want to leave them?" Her thoughts were intrupted when she opened the door to her bedroom and found someone sitting on her bed. She immediately went into high alert until she saw it was only Luffy.
"L-L-Luffy...what are you doing here?" she stuttered.
"Couldn't sleep, so, I decided to come find you. You weren't here so I thought I would wait until you came back." he replied.
"Oh...okay." she said, having nothing else to say. She shut the door and went to sit beside him on the bed. The room was well lit with the light from the full moon so she found no need to light a candle.
The two sat in silence for what seemed like an eternity until Luffy spoke up. "Vivi, I've been thinking. I pirate shouldn't stay in one place for too long. And, I miss the sea. The freedom it brings. Plus, I've got my job to do..."
"You want to leave, right?" Vivi guessed.
"Yeah. I don't feel comfortable in this palace, even if it is with you." he replied, causing her to blush.
"Well, we can't leave now. I have some things to take care of." Vivi said quickly.
He looked her in the eyes for a long time before speaking. And when he did, it was slow and clear. "Vivi, my friends are ready. I've promised them rides and they have places to be. I have nothing to take with me. You can gather a few things and then we can be out of here before dawn."
"But...but my father...and all the people..." Vivi stuttered helplessly.
"You're a pirate now. This is how we leave." Luffy stated simply.
Vivi was to stunned to reply.
"Do you want to change your mind? It's not too late..." Luffy said, not trying to hide his disappointment.
Vivi turned away, no longer willing to look at him. "What do I do? I'm torn between my love for my country and my love for Luffy. I thought I would have more time to prepare for this...not just minutes. And what will father think? If I don't go...I'll give up my second chance to go with him. No! I won't make that mistake again!" Vivi thought. She looked at him and in a sure voice said, "I'll go."
He broke out into one of his famous grins, one only possible for a person made of rubber. "Okay! Let's go! I'll give you a few minutes to pack and then we'll-"
"Luffy. Wait." Vivi said, cutting him off. "I can't just up and leave. I'll go with you tonight but I need to take care of a couple things first."
"Okay." Luffy said, pouting slightly. "But, Nami told me to be ready in an hour. You know what happens when I'm late..."
Vivi sighed. "I guess you're right." she replied quietly. "Give me twenty minutes. That should give me enough time to do what I need to."
Luffy nodded. "Do you want me to help?" he asked.
Vivi shook her head. "No. This is something I have to do on my own. But, you can go find Karoo for me." she said.
"Okay!" Luffy said, eager to help. He lept up off the bed but stopped when he reached the door. He turned around and noticed that Vivi was still sitting on her bed, her head hung low. "Vivi...you okay?" he asked softly.
She looked up at him and nodded with a faint smile. "I'm alright. I'll meet you in the courtyard, okay?" she replied.
"It's okay to be scared you know." he told her.
Her smile widened. "I know." she said.
He acted like he wanted to say more but he didn't. He lingered in the doorway for a second then left.
When he was gone, Vivi's smile faded. "Can I do this? Now? Tonight?! Yes. If I don't, I may never see him again. I may never get another opprtunity to be with him. I'm a pirate now. This is what we do." she thought. Her mind made up, she stood up and walked over to her desk in the corner. She quickly picked up her pen and scrawled a quick note on a small scrap of paper. She folded it and layed it gently on top of her pillow. Then she quickly found a bag and started shoving things into it. Her green striped shirt and white shorts. An pair of blue shorts and pink and purple shirt with x's on the front. White boots. Her peacock strings. An old photograph. Her purple cloak. A maroon shir and long white skirt. Blue pants, a t-shirt, and her coat. A pair of sandles. When she reached the dress she had worn for her speech when she was 16, she frooze. As she felt the tears start to form, she shoved it back in the drawer. Then, thinking twice, she took it out and shoved it in the bag. She buttoned it and then took one last look at her room. Then, deciding the dress she was wearing was not appropriate travel wear, she quickly slipped it off and changed into a simple wite shirt and blue pants. Knowing it was time to go, she headed toward the door with her bag on her shoulder.
"Goodbye." she whispered as she quietly shut the door. It was time to leave this life of luxury behind. I was time to become a pirate. The only question that remained was, in the end, would all this sacrifice be worth it?
I think Sanji had too much fun in the beginning of the chapter. What do you think? Anyway, hope you enjoyed it!