36. Brothers- Part 1; Reunion

One Piece © Oda

Blizzard © Me

Once again, we've landed on an island. It was called Willow Island. It was a Springtime Island with a bit of snow on it.

Works for me!

When we got closer to the island, we realized that this island had a Marine base at the Eastern coast, so we had to dock on the Western coast.

Thank God Nami had pointed that out, otherwise Luffy, who had been steering, would've gotten us all into a crap load of trouble.

XXX

We stayed in this old house, using it as a hideout of sorts until the Log Pose set. Nami told us that we had to lie low whenever one of us went into town and even in the forest because of the Marines crawling about.

Luffy got bored so he went off to do some beetle-hunting. Usopp and Chopper went with him. I know I should've gone with them, but I was too tired from the long walk to the house.

Just as I was about to lay down for my nap, I heard a bunch of panicked screams coming from the forest, but I knew that the others couldn't hear them.

It was Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper.

Damn it! I knew those three couldn't stay out of trouble!

I ran out of the house and headed into the forest where those three ran off to. I followed their scent, and as I did, I smelled…a dog. A big dog.

I can't believe those three are running from a dog. They could've handled it, themselves!

Well, I better go get them, anyway.

As I was running, I couldn't help but feel that this scent was a bit…familiar, somehow.

I found Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper, cowering as they were cornered by this big Husky dog. He had tan fur and a white underbelly, like my Mother. He also had a blue collar with a Marine dog tag.

In any case, that dog was about to attack my friends, and I wasn't gonna let him.

I growled until I leaped out at the dog and pinned him to the ground so easily.

We're gonna get into it, now.

We jumped at and clawed at each other, trying to bite at each other's throats.

I heard Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper cheering me on as I was fighting.

"Get him, buddy! Get him! Bite his head off!"

"Watch out for his teeth!"

"Go for his jugular! His jugular!"

As the dog lunged for me and pinned me down, I flipped ourselves so that I was on top of him. At that moment, I finally got a good look at his face.

I couldn't believe my eyes…

It was my long-lost little brother…Ken, of all dogs!

"K…Ken?"

He looked real surprised. He obviously didn't recognize me. I wouldn't blame him. Three years apart can do that to you.

I let Ken back up, but he backed away from me, like I was a weirdo.

"Ken, is it really you?" I ask him.

"Who the hell are you and how do you know my name, pirate?"

"Ken, it's me. It's Blizzard!"

Ken narrowed his eyes at me.

"Blizzard?"

I nodded my head, smiling.

He smiled back at me.

Then, we just started screaming our heads off and jumping at each other, romping around like we used to do when we were pups.

I was happy to see that he hadn't changed very much, and I could tell he felt the same.

"Uh, hey Blizzard?" Chopper asks. "What's going on? You know this guy?"

"You bet I know this guy! He's my little brother, Ken!"

"Your little brother?"

"That's right!"

Once Chopper started to translate everything I've been saying to Luffy and Usopp, needless to say, they were pretty dumbstruck.

"This guy doesn't look like he could be your brother!" Usopp says. "He's bigger than you are!"

"You forget that he's the runt of the litter, Usopp," Chopper corrects him. "Blizzard may be shorter than Ken, but he's the oldest out of his brothers and sisters. Right, Blizzard?"

I nodded my head.

Oh, man. I feel like I could just fly, right now! To think, I'd actually run into Ken, here, on this island! If this is a dream, I don't wanna wake up!

"So, Blizzard," Ken says to me. "How've you been, all these years? I missed you!"

"I missed you, too, Ken."

I suddenly turned to Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper.

"Hey, could you guys give us some time alone?" I asked. "I'll meet with you guys back at the hideout, later."

"Sure, Blizzard," Chopper says. "We'll leave you two alone and we'll see each other back at the hideout. We're pretty sure that you and Ken have got some catching up to do."

"We'll meet you back at the hideout, buddy!" Luffy says before he left with Usopp and Chopper. "Be sure to be back for lunch!"

I barked out at him in understanding before I turned back to Ken.

"So, brother," I say. "Let's chit-chat."

"Gladly," Ken says.

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