Chapter 24:: Road to Glory, the Victory Celebration and That Run-Away "Pirate"
The next day they didn't send someone or many someone's for us, but something.
"Whoa that's so cool!" Luffy jumped up and down in joy at the sight of our carriage.
"That's awesome!" Usopp exclaimed
"He says 'My name is Moniji and I'm here to bring you back. The Marines are gone and now it's my duty to bring you back.'" Chopper translated.
"He~he . . . he said duty." I chuckled.
"'Hop on'," Chopper translated.
"How?" Nami asked.
It was a huge animal about the size of the Going Merry, a cross between a mammoth and a turtle with eight legs. It had a long trunk with small eyes and ears, fuzzy brown fur that looks course to touch covered its entire being. Eight sturdy legs in all with weird tentacle-like feelers atop the joint that had a thin layer of fur on it. On its wide back was a large green and brown shell with eight seats attached to it, all facing at an angle where they face out and forward. A long furry tail thumped heavily against the ground as its glittering eyes were fixed on us.
"He says 'grab onto a feeler and don't let go until your safe on top'."
We did so. It was a strange feeling, soft yet slimy. Like the marimos but dry. He lifted us from the ground with ease and set us on his back with the grace of a crane. From left to right on each row, it was Luffy and Nami, Zoro and I, Sanji and Robin, then Usopp and Chopper. He slowly turned around and went back up the road at the speed of a wandering elephant.
"'Let me tell you, my friends back at the villages are very happy to be released,'" Chopper translated, "'I'm not going to spoil anything, but yes, there will be a party.'"
"What are you?" Luffy asked, tugging on a tuft of coarse fur.
"'I'm a rare animal species known as Kemono. We were originally as common as a crow back in the Jurassic, but most came extinct after the last Ice Age. We live only on this island, keeping to ourselves. When the humans came along, we were taken in a treated wholly. We are now their main source of transportation for Tomoni.'" Moniji, well Chopper, explained.
"That's interesting. I would love to look into more of your islands exotic history." Robin mused.
It was a dreadfully slow ride to our destination, but smooth and cheerful. I had no beef with the whole thing, besides the fact this guy went 5 miles per hour, but other than that Moniji was a pretty cool guy, er- Kemono. He's pretty chill with whatever and was totally okay with the fact we were heartless pirates who were out for blood. I even asked if he was cool with me being a rapist, he said he was okay with that as long as I didn't do anything to him.
We reached a cave entrance about two hours later, our butts hurting considerably. It was a wide gaping mouth that led to darkness, the road we found and had traveled on for the past half hour disappeared right into the Pumice rock mountain.
"'This is it,'" Moniji (Chopper) said.
"Okay thanks!" Luffy prepared to get off but a feeler came around and held him on.
"'Whoa whoa! I'm taking you through! This is the best route for you to take!'" Chopper translated
We entered the large rock, instantly making me feel uneasy.
Zoro sensed my uneasiness from the tightening of my back against his. "What's wrong? No corpses are here I swear." He whispered.
"Not that, this is pumice." I whispered back.
" . . . So?"
"So, pumice is a very low density rock, and since I'm a sound person, this is bad for me. I rely mostly on sound waves for navigation. Battles too."
" . . . So?"
I rolled my eyes, unseen since it was pitch black, "Pumice is a low density rock. Sound waves travel faster through dense materials, and since this is the rock has the lowest density, I can't navigate as well."
" . . . And?"
I sighed, utterly defeated by his utter stupidity, "Mountain. Bad for Rhythm. Sound waves slower so Rhythm can't react as well."
He seemed to get that when Zoro nodded. Then at once, he, Robin, Chopper and I tensed in alarm. They weren't alone in there. The footsteps were light as a feather, unable to be heard over the echoing cavern, Luffy's jabbering, and the thuds of Moniji's heavy foot falls. The footsteps were in front of us, all in perfect sync. I counted them. They were too light for an average human, and twelve in all. Twelve very graceful people in two lines of six leading us.
Then I heard it. I was the first, then Chopper, Zoro and Robin did too. The sound of music. So soft a single long note. It was so faint, but it was there.
Moniji went up a slope and slightly to the left as the music, so soft and low, but still so close. An instrument, string by my guess tinkled in. That caught the attention of the rest. Everyone paused and looked around, tense and ready for something to spring out.
"Oi who-" Luffy began to shout.
"Shh . . . " I slapped him. He did.
A flute, small bongo drums, bells. That's what else joined in. A guitar, low notes picking at strings. It was a gorgeous song, and I wanted to hear more.
Singing. It was directly in front of us, from the strange people no one but Zoro, Robin, Chopper and I noticed. It was the strange language that this island knew.
Women with beautiful ly light voices filtered through the cavern, so close yet so far.
" Sakkati busueiwou
Krazare immunerume
Chutturin konineotay yune oi "
A harp! The music slowed with the tinkling of the harp, then a single beautiful voice rang through.
"Kaze ga sasou mirai he to tsuzuku tabi he
Sekai ha ryouude wo hirogete matte iru
Kokoro no me de kanjiru ookina chikara
Wakiagaru kono kimochi shinjite arukidasou"
She seemed to be the leader. We reached another bend, the cave slowly lighting up were we can barely make out our companions faces. The exit shined brightly ahead, getting bigger as we got closer. The music picked up, and so did the people in front of us.
A swishing sound, synchronized into one loud whoosh along with the tinkling of metal on metal. The brushes of soft fabric on stone floor and the shuffle of feet dancing in perfect order. Wait, dancing?
"Hate shinai monogatari no naka he nozonda ijou no deai ga matte... ima"
They were dancing, all of them were singing at different notes and tunes. This was art. I leaned forward to get a better look, to catch the artists at what they're doing. The light was upon us now, and I finally got to see them dance.
The island dancers, one ones the island were so proud od led us out of the cave into the main street of the town. Golden sunlight spun down between the three-story tall buildings where people stuck their heads out of the windows or sat on the roofs to get a look at us, while the street we were marching down was crowded with people, except the center line where the twelve dancers twirled with breath-taking perfection. They were cheering, throwing island flowers, zcho no kinei, into the air. The bright sunlight went through the delicate gossamer petals as they landed on and around us. Luffy was laughing in joy and clapping his hands with Usopp and Chopper, while Nami was waving flirting kisses to some poor gentlemen. Sanji was all hearts as he waved and blew kisses at the dancers and local girls with Robin smiling and waving, bowing her head in respect for the elders.
"Sakkati busueiwou
eiyuu he to tsuzuku michi!
Krazare immunerume
ima hirakareru!
Sakkati busueiwou
shinjitsu he to tsuzuku michi!
Krazare immunerume
ima hirakareru ~!"
My eyes were glued to the twelve dancers in front of us. Their voices were beautiful, and how they danced in perfect order without a flaw. They kept pace with each other as they spun and moved their slim bodies with the grace of a gazelle (AN: I dunno if I've ever seen a gazelle, so it's a fail on my part). The dresses they wore were the same ones as Nami, Robin and I wore a couple days ago. The skirts were long an layers, coming down with below their ankles with matching slippers. The tops were ranging in styles from strapless belly-cut to long, gossamer-sleeved with low-cut cleavage. They had patterns painted on their bodies, with jewelry of gold, silver, bronze, white gold, jet, ivory, jade, uvarovite, schorl, and more. Gemstones and shells, corals and pearls. Their different hair was styled in unique ways, up with metals loops or down with a band of silver or gold around their head or a clip holding it all up. The leading dancer had each lock of her hair braided, held together at the ends with coral beads and feathers. The dresses were in different colors of the rainbows, red and yellows, blues and purples, silvers and golds. Some had trails of gossamer fabrics trailing from their wrists, others with a cape of it or held a blanket in their nimble fingers. The colors blended together, making the overall effect of . . . well, something not of this world. Sanji had fallen back with a nosebleed.
Eight kids, between the ages of six and eight ran around Moniji, a leis of zcho no kinei of different colors in their hands. Moniji's feelers wrapped around their waists and hoisted them up were they can place the leis around our necks. I smiled and gave the little boy a kiss just before he was gently set down. The lei around my neck smelled sweet but a tinge of spiciness to it. I grinned at Zoro's frown to the green and purple zcho no kinei lei around his own neck.
The Tomonias were jumping and cheering for their newfound freedom, dancing for the lost threat, and singing songs of their new heroes. The buildings rose above our heads, the pillars holding the balconies up laces with flowers and ribbons with paper lanterns criss-crossing the street above our heads. Ahead, was the town hall. At the front balcony stood none other than the royal family.
The king was a middle aged man with greying brown hair, a small goatee, and eyes sparkling like the river I jumped in yesterday, and just as blue. The lines around his eyes and mouth were smile lines. Atop his greying head was a gold crown with a red spinel stone set in the center and decorated with an intricate floral pattern that was most likely the island flowers, carved with abalone shell and welded into the crown. His robes were long and ivory with gold and green finishing and a diamond ring on his left ring finger
The queen clearly used to be beautiful with her long black hair braided down her back with the silvery streaks embedded in it. Her blue eyes twinkled like the king to her right. A small silver crown sat atop her head with a blue topaz as its central marking, pearls tipped the crowns top and an intricate pattern wrapped around it in abalone shell, just like the kings. Her slim hands were clasped in front of her white dress with silver and pink padparadscha finishing.
To the king's left stood Princess Amaya. Rumor has it she's the third most beautiful girl in the entire world. And looking at her in the midday sunlight, I wasn't doubting that rumor a second.
The princess had long dark brown, almost black, hair that reached to her elbows. It shimmered softly in the golden rays, as though it would be as soft as the zcho no kinei's petals. Her wide eyes were framed with thick black lashes, eyes that looked like two sets of the brightest most purest blue hauyne. Her bangs came down and brushed over her symmetrical eyebrows, ivory skin glowing in the midday sun. She a perfect heart-shaped face with full pink lips and a straight pale nose with the slightest bit of [ink splashed across her cheeks and the bridge of her nose. Her perfect body was under a soft blue dress with pearl beading and thin gossamer layers. Tucked behind her ear was a cerulean blue zcho no kinei.
The family stood with bride in their eyes and smiles on their lips, heads held high and shoulders relaxed with the cheering crowd. We stopped in front of the balcony, Moniji big enough for us to look over the railing with ease.
"Straw Hat pirates," the king started. The crowd ceased their cheering and watched. The dancers didn't they spun gracefully into a line in front of the hall, the lead dancer singing softly.
"Tomoni yukou shinjite susumu basho he
Chikara wo awasereba kanawanu koto nado nai
Ima koso saa kizuna wo musubu tame ni
Atarashii tobira wo hiraite tsukisusumou"
"Yes?" Luffy said. Nami whacked him up-side the head.
"The pirates have taken more from us than you can imagine. Our home and people, along with our pride and joy. We would like to celebrate in honor of what you have done for us." The king said.
Before Luffy said anything stupid, Nami answered. "It was no problem. We're glad to help."
"You will be rewarded with what you have done. Our safes our open, and you can take whatever you can carry to your ship."
"Money?" her milk chocolate eyes turned to beli signs.
"And as a reward for your bravery and what you have done to this country, Monkey D. Luffy, I shall give you my daughter's hand in marriage."
Amaya blushed slightly and looked away shyly. Sanji's jaw fell clean off.
"No." Luffy said bluntly.
The king nodded and smiled. "It's quite alright."
"I want to be a pirate, not a husband. I don't want to have a relationship with anyone like that." He stated. Amaya looked a bit down at his words while Sanji was waving his arm around like an eager five year old saying "me! Pick me! Pick me! I'll be your loyal husband!". Nami looked away slightly. Was she . . . sad at his words?
"Now celebrate! The time for mourning has passed and now we celebrate with large grins! Straw Hats it takes nine days for the Log pose to set, and what I've been told you've been for now four days. That leaves five days to relax and do as you must to prepare for your trip!"
At that note, the crowd cheered and started the celebration. Moniji's feelers came around and helped us down, except Luffy who had literally bounced off and ran to the nearest food stall.
"Tatta ichido no jinsei no naka de ima nani wo erabu beki nan darou Oh !"
The dancers resumed their beautiful dancer, gliding in a line that circulated around the stage in the central of the town. We all ran off to our different partying ways. Nami went to the safe with the money, just to faint from the mounds of gold and silver, gemstones and priceless artifacts tucked away there. Chopper was running around, calling for a doctor when he saw her faint, only to realize that he is the doctor. Robin gave him cotton candy to calm him down. Luffy was stuffing his face to the fullest with all the unique island treats, while Usopp and Sanji were dancing their strong hearts out with other Tomonians. Zoro was caught up in a drinking contest with some hard-core drinkers, while Robin was exploring the extensive library the Tomoni palace possessed.
The dancers were finishing their dance
"Sakkati busueiwou
eiyuu he to tsuzuku michi
Krazare immunerume
ima hirakareru
Sakkati busueiwou
eikou he to tsuzuku michi
Krazare immunerume
ima hirakareru"
I watched in awe as they spiraled and waved their lithe bodies around with inhuman grace, almost godlike. I wanted to learn that dance, and I'll be damned and I will learn in five days.
They finished, gracefully posing their bodies as the surrounding audience clapped and cheered for the wonderful performance. The dancers' skirts and gossamer sleeves stilled slower than they did, floating to a stop in a cloud like manner. The lead dancer, the girl with blonde braids with coral beads and emerald green eyes, met my eyes and winked, the smile painted on her beautiful lips like the golden swirls with blue dots painted on them
"Teach me." I stated when I finally got to her. "Teach me how to dance like you."
The lead blinked. "You can't dance like us without being a Tomonian." Her accent was heavy.
"I know, but I want to learn the basics of this. It's absolutely stunning, and I would be honored if you taught me. I won't be an actual Tomonian dancer, but a fraud. It's better than not at all."
She examined me with those piercing, and familiar, green eyes. All the way from the top of my inky hair, down my black and white striped cut-off hoodie, down my dark blue ripped skinny jeans all the way to the tips of my black, purple, grey and white Nikes. "I will teach you, and on the last night your hear, you will perform for the village of what you have learned."
I nodded my head like a wild bobble head. "I will!"
"You will be my pupil. You will do what I say and when I tell you to do it."
I nodded like an innocent child, waiting to go play. "Ooh this was going to be sweet!" I pumped my fist into the air. "Thank you" I hugged her and ran off.
"Meet me here tomorrow at five am sharp! I have a lot to teach you for you to be anything " She called after me just as I disappeared.
%Narrator%
"Tsukiakari, what was that about?" Nikko came up and hugged her older sister.
"Just a new student is all," she wrapped her arms around the smaller girl and pressing a kiss to the top of Nikko's golden hair. "I'm glad you're okay. Thank you for what you've done for us."
"Anything."
Robin sat in the empty library, absorbing anything she could on the island. She turned the page and found and interesting discovery. At that, she shut the book softly, placing it under her arm as she left.
She trekked through the jungle of Tomoni Island, the book firmly in her grasp as she searched. Finally she found her treasure.
There, in the middle of a clearing and covered in years of plants and dirt, was a Ponyglyph. The face with the description on it was brushed off clean, as though someone had recently come through here and read the description. Robin smiled and made her way to the old rock. She brushed her hand across the surface as she began to read, her smile turning to a frown, then her eyes widen as she put the pieces together, the last unsolved pieces of this whole puzzle that Witch had spread out for him before his demise.
"So that's why he wanted her," Robin removed her hand, turning to go and find the others.
~Rhythm~
I munched happily on a chocolate covered apple, almost to the core now. I looked around at the different venders and stalls, selling different souvenirs and unique foods that would catch any tourists eye. I had bought a pair of small jet hoops for my second lobe piercing and a blue topaz choker. I also got a V-neck shirt made from the island flowers, a wonderfully soft cerulean blue fabric only marred by the stiches it was used to hold it together. I swung my purchases happily, looking around to see if there was anything else. The island was rich with not only these rare flowers and animal species, but in the mining business too. A simple set of emerald studs caught my eye and I bought them, along with a leather watch with an ivory face and blue coral arms. Katsu would love this.
"Hey get back here you thief!" an old man shouted from his Inn door, waving his fist like an old man in the cartoons. I looked around, thinking I'd see Nami. Neither hide nor hair of her was seen since we got here.
"Excuse me sir, but can I help you?" I asked, throwing my now empty core into the trash can.
"That thief did an eat and run! Your young, I'll pay you if you catch him." He said.
"What did he look like and which way?"
"That way, towards the dock. He had blonde hair and a top hat, and he's missing his tooth here," he pointed to the tooth behind his left canine. "he also had boots and a coat and-"
I didn't hear the rest, I took off running as fast as I could to catch the thief. I reached the docks but nothing was leaving, scanning the seas, there was so ship leaving. A small speck further along the shore was though. I ran at the speed of sound towards there along the rocky Cliffside path, the village left in my dust as I ran as hard and fast as I could, my purchases left at the old man's inn. I reached the cliff side, as close as I could get. Sailing towards the horizon was a tiny fisherman ship with a black flag waving in the sea breeze. A lone figure stood at the help.
"SAAAABOOOOO~!" I screamed, using my Devil Fruit ability to magnify my voice to carry out to where he sailed.
My heart stopped. The figure turned at his name, eyes shaded at the brim of his top hat and his missing tooth obvious from where I stood. I looked around, no boat in sight to catch up to him. No one to take me, and no way to swim to him.
I fell to my knees, eyes wide and to stunned to move. My shoulders were slumped in defeat as my heart raced in my chest. Images flashed into my head.
Meeting the ten year old in the In-between forest, stealing gold with him, Ace, and Luffy, doing eat and runs at Goa Kingdom restaurants, watching him follow the Bluejam pirates back to his home.
Wacthing his tiny vessel blow up right before my eyes at Goa's harbor by the hands of a Celestial Dragon.
My breathing was uneven, my hands shook and all blood left my face as I watched the boy-no man I had thought was dead for the past ten years sail away, just out of reach by the ocean waves.
For the first time in my entire life, I cursed my Devil Fruit powers.
AN: oh crap that was fast. I'm on a roll here! Okay so they song their playing is a real song (like everything else) that you can listen to here (which I suggest you do) watch?v=bTKXLf6UMR8 its pretty badass. I described it best I can, now I'll leave it up to your imagination :)