Author's Note:

I hate this chapter. I really do, I think this might be the worst one I have written. I just cannot write serious Luffy well. It was a complete pain but now it is done. Hopefully the next one will be better. This is based on episode 35. As always please review and let me know what you like or what I can improve on or if you have any suggestions. Seriously I love suggestions.

This is the remastered version.

I do not own One Piece

The walk was in silence with only Wind blowing, the occasionally bird and their footsteps interrupting. Naturally it was Luffy who broke the stillness.

"Addy," he said. "You said you were hurt?"

"Yeah, on the way here we ran into some poachers. Unfortunately they did get a couple of lucky shots in. They wrecked my shoulder and ankle pretty badly but it's nothing I can't handle. I will be alright when the next serious fight occurs."

"They can't hurt you anymore?"

The question genuinely surprised Addy. If she did lose to them what would Luffy want to do? Track them down himself? She glanced towards Luffy and saw a dark edge to him. Luffy was off ever since they spoke with Nami, like there was a shift in his personality, and something much more fierce was appearing. The last time he acted like this was when he fought the Bandit King, and Addy knew the answer.

"No, I killed them. They won't be hurting me or anyone else again."

Luffy clicked his tongue in acknowledgement before smiling at her with that beaming smile of his though he was still holding something back. He probably wouldn't be back to his regular self until everything was sorted with Nami. Despite that Addy smiled back at him and that empty feeling in her chest filled up again. Her captain was something. She would never find another like him, even if she spent all eternity searching. Nami would soon realize this, at least Addy hoped she would. Outside of being nakama Addy had grown fond of the navigator. Addy hoped Nami would soon have her moment when she realized what kind of person Luffy was. They all had their moments where they realized this, or at least Addy assumed so. One would almost have too as Addy could not see anyone joining Luffy without him causing some change in their lives of some sort. Especially Zoro, unless he was being blackmailed by Luffy and somehow Addy doubted that is what happened. Even if the change was only helping someone regain what was taken from them. Addy placed her hand over her locket. Nami's moment would soon come as well.

It didn't take long before they were walking past where the ship had crashed. Just as Addy suspected there were fishmen investigating. Addy spotted four of them, one of them being Hachi who Addy prayed would not remember her. He was an idiot but the question was how much of an idiot. Out of the three others one was a deflated pufferfish, a smelt-whiting who had a really long face, and a muscular ray. Unlike the other fishmen she ran across or more accurately beat up, these ones looked like they could actually put up a fight. Quickly taking off her tank top and folding it neatly into her bag she was left with her gray sports bra and light blue shorts. She also got out a couple of hair ties and quickly tied it into a ponytail. Just in case they did spot her, Hachi might think she was a different person from a distance. Fishmen were not known for their long distance vision above water.

"Captain," she said. "I am going to go hide in the woods. At least until we walk past the fishmen."

"Okay," Luffy said and she made her getaway into the trees hoping the fishmen didn't spot her. She climbed up the first one she could and watched what was going on. Trees were never really her thing but she managed to get up without too much of a struggle. Which meant that she only fell off once instead of multiple times. Luckily as soon as she was up and hidden the four fishmen quickly noticed Luffy and were now standing in his path. Addy was able to keep up by hopping from tree to tree, careful to not disturb the leaves as much as possible which was much more difficult than she thought it would be. Fortunately there was a light breeze that helped protect her cover. Otherwise even fishmen would suspect something if the trees started moving by themselves.

Luffy wasn't even phased as he walked up to the fishmen. Most humans were when they first met one but Luffy…. He was just himself. He just strolled on past them as if they weren't even there. It wasn't until Hachi called out to him that he even registered that they were there.

"Huh? Were you calling me?" Luffy asked.

"Y-You… who are you?" Hachi asked. A very good question. Addy was still trying to figure out that. "What are you doing on this island?"

"What does it matter to you?"

"W-Well, you've got a point there… Just like you said."

"I'm Luffy. I'm taking a walk."

"Taking a walk?"

Luffy turned right back around and continued walking.

"Have a pleasant one!" Hachi called out waving his various arms.

"Smartass, where are you headed?" The smelt-whiting asked.

"How should I know?" Luffy responded. It was the truth. Technically Luffy had no idea where the path he was taking headed. Addy just kept following through the trees until eventually Luffy was far enough away that they couldn't see him. For some reason the fishmen elected not to follow him. Perhaps there was something else going on. She jumped back out at that point and rejoined him.

"You weren't phased at all, were you?" she asked him.

"No. Should I be?" he responded. "They are just fishmen."

"Right but most humans when they see one for the first time usually recoil or are at least are taken aback. Even Zoro looked surprised when they first ambushed us."

Luffy laughed and patted her on the shoulder. Addy arched an eyebrow before shaking her head fondly. Luffy was an odd one, that was for sure. Though if her captain was this loony what did it mean about the rest of them? Not that she regretted her choice of joining she just worried about her sanity down the line. After all what would Riley think of…

Riley.

Addy chugged down what was left in her flask feeling the cloudiness overcome her making her feel numb. Good it was all good… what was she thinking about? She swore she saw Luffy give her a concerned look but with everything going on with Nami that is to be expected. Right Nami was in trouble and wanted them to leave. That made Luffy unhappy. Unhappy Luffy is a bad thing.

"Don't worry Captain," she slurred slightly. "We will get Nami back. She will come too."

"I know," he said. He sounded so sure Addy could not help but believe him. It was almost an automatic response. They were going to get Nami back and she will create her world map. Luffy will be Pirate King, Zoro the Greatest Swordsman, Ussop a Brave Warrior of the Sea, Merry traveling with them forever, Sanji would… whatever he was looking for and she…. She would make it to the end and see Luffy become king. She would sail under the pirate king just like they promised they would do. And perhaps maybe she would get to hear the Song of the Sea before the end.

She noticed Luffy stop right in the middle of the path and just look at her. She stopped as well wondering what was going on. Luffy lifted his hand to her face and brushed something off underneath her eyes.

"You're crying," he said. Addy took a step back and rubbed her eyes. Ocean what was wrong with her? Here Nami was going through so much pain and here she was crying about trivial garbage. This is why she needed to carry more booze with her. If she could just forget than she wouldn't be breaking down in the middle of a path about absolute nonsense.

"It's not nonsense," Luffy stated angrily. His brows were furrowed and he had a finger pointed at her chest. "It's about Riley."

"What how do you…"

"She was your soul. Of course you're allowed to be sad." Addy felt like her eyeballs were about to jump out of her head. How much did she drink? Was she hallucinating? How could he possible know? Or perhaps he understood it differently, in human terms rather than…

"You told me," Luffy said before taking her hand and pulling her along. She felt like she was stumbling after him. When did she do that? It was probably one of the times she got blackout drunk, which to be fair happened almost every other day with her. Addy remembered talking with Luffy late one night after dinner during his watch while the others were asleep about Riley not long after leaving Tobio and his grandfather. Was it then? Maybe she should think about cutting back if her newer memories had these many holes in them. Oh who was she kidding? There was no chance of that ever happening. At least not in her current state.

"What's never happening?" Luffy asked.

Addy sighed. She really needed to learn to break that habit. "Me, not drinking," she said.

"Do you want to stop?"

"It's not that I want to it's that I can't. It makes my brain all fuzzy and fuzzy is good. Fuzzy means I forget and I don't have to remember all the bad stuff."

"But what about the good stuff? Don't you forget about that too?"

"I guess. But it's worth it for not remembering the bad stuff."

Luffy hummed but did not say anything. Addy got the feeling that he disagreed with her but the point was moot. Unless he directly ordered her to stop she wasn't going to and even if he did Addy would consider disobeying. She would follow him to the ends of the earth but to ask that of her. That was something else entirely. He still held a tight grip on her hand as if he was afraid she would fall over if he let go. Which to be fair she probably would have.

As she was being dragged along this path her mind drifted back to Nami. Addy hoped that she was okay. Nami seemed pretty upset when Luffy fell asleep though it also gave away how much she cared. Ocean they have barely known each other but Addy already feels like they have spent a life time together. She wondered if the others felt the same way. Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, Merry and now Sanji. Whether they felt the thread that seemed to connect all of them together. Not that it mattered. It wouldn't last forever, but for the time that it does, Addy thought that she could possibly be happy. Perhaps, maybe. If she kept herself together long enough. And even then….

Addy closed her eyes for a second calming her mind. It would do her no good to become over emotional though with all the alcohol running through her veins that would be easier said than done. She felt Luffy's grip on her tighten. It felt like she was legitimately squeezing rubber. It was smooth without any nicks or scratches, and warm. So very warm. But that was Luffy for you, he just radiated warmth. Whether it was the blazing sun or just a cuddly blanket he exhibited true warmth. There was no way she was going to let him or any one of her nakama go.

"Captain," she said catching Luffy's attention.

"Yep?" he responded.

"We are heading towards the village right now. However if we turn around right now we can make it to Arlong's rather quickly."

"Who?"

"The fishmen that is causing Nami such grief. If we go defeat him now then Nami will be able to come with us."

"No."

Addy stopped, stunned or at least attempted to as Luffy kept on walking causing her to almost trip over herself.

"I'm sorry Captain. What? It wouldn't be difficult. He would probably be a tough opponent but nothing you can't handle."

"No."

"Why?"

"Because she doesn't want our help."

Again Addy was left speechless. What he said was absolutely true and it was clear that Nami needed their help but would it mean as much? Would Addy have joined the Straw Hats if Luffy just went and got her locket back? She would be grateful yes but would it have the same impact? It then dawned on her. No it wouldn't because in the back of her mind she would always wonder whether or not she could have taken care of it herself. Luffy did more than recover her locket, he saved her when she was at her lowest. When there was nothing more she could do, Luffy took up her burden and succeeded when nothing else could.

Addy let out a chuckle. "I understand Captain."

"I knew you would."

"Though I am curious. What happens if she doesn't ask for our help?"

"She will."

Addy chuckled. Luffy sounded so sure of himself. Of course he would not be Luffy if he wasn't. However even from what little time she had spent being a Straw Hat, Luffy more often than not tended to be correct about these sorts of things. When it came to people Luffy was some sort of idiot savant. Addy wondered what his family was like. Probably chaotic, insanely powerful. They would have to be to produce a kid like Luffy and Addy was certainly grateful. Luffy was a man who could perform miracles, dream and do the impossible. Not for the first time, Addy thought, traveling with him was going to be an adventure. One of a lifetime and in the end that is all Addy could ask for. A lifetime of adventure with her family, what more was there? Why? Why? Why could Nami not see that? They were never going to leave. Not as long as one of them was still here. As long as one of them was in pain they would not rest until that pain was gone and a smile could be brought to their faces.

Family. It's messy, chaotic, and they don't always get alone but at the end of the day they are there for each other. No matter the consequences, they will help Nami and any other nakama who might find themselves in trouble. Because that was family does and that exactly is what the Straw Hat pirates are going to do.

"Let's bring her home," Addy said determined. Her brain felt like mush and she was pretty sure Usopp could react faster than her but she was going to give it her all. Nami did the same for her when they went to get her locket back because it was important to her and from what little Addy knew, this village was Nami's treasure. As a nakama's treasure Addy was going to defend it. Because after all the bickering, squabbles, fighting, abandoning, that is what family does.

Addy looked at Luffy who was walking steadily forward with his straw hat resting on his head. He would fix everything. She had full faith in that.

hellspam- Oh there will be lots of completely directionless Zoro. That I can guarantee. We still have a couple of chapters till the really big fights but I think they are going to be good.

RedHairedOctavia- I am glad to hear it :).