Chapter 38: Potential Purpose

Sienna dreamed about an epic cake fight. She wasn't fighting her fellow crewmates, but a bunch of children, all with strange personalities and appearances. It was the most fun she has ever had. She awoke reluctantly. She pulled the blanket over her head and curled back under it.

"If you're awake Luffy wants you to open your presents," said Zoro, surprising Sienna.

"Why are you in here?" she asked grumpily. Now that he mentioned presents, she wouldn't be able to back to sleep. Plus she was sure that he was being another babysitter. "Seriously, why do they think I need a babysitter all the time?" she thought.

"I'm here in case Teal decides to fight you again," he responded. Then he got up and stretched.

"So you're not here to babysit me?" she asked suspiciously.

"If they didn't want you to hurt yourself, why would they put me in here? It's not as if I'll stop you," he said.

She didn't believe him but let it go. "Okay," she said then she got out of bed and followed behind him to join the others in the dining room. On the way he gave her blade back.

"I cleaned it for you," he said.

"Thank you," she smiled thankfully. Zoro didn't respond back, but he had a small smile on his face as he walked into the room.

"IT'S TIME FOR PRESENTS!" Luffy yelled. He jumped up and grabbed a poor wrapped gift from the pile. "This is from me!" he said.

"Clearly," Sanji mumbled.

Sienna remembered celebrating Ace's birthday years ago and how Dadan had given him a wrapped gift. He was told to just rip it off, so she did the same. Inside was one of Luffy's old shirts that he had attempted to sew a design on (Brook finished it for him). It was a blue shirt that had SIENNA with a straw hat on top on the back. She thought it was awesome.

She got a journal from Robin and silver arm bangles from Nami. Usopp and Franky redesigned her blade's sheath and added some extra features that no one was excited about. Sanji took an old apron and dyed it and added pockets. He also unveiled a hidden book of recipes that were only for Sienna. Zoro just wished her a Happy Birthday and since he had taken the time to clean her blade for her, she considered that to be his gift. Brook gave her sheet music and told her to "make her own sound," whatever that meant. Chopper's gift almost made everyone cry. He had made a collage using their wanted posters and he colored it using paint.

Luffy declared that it deserved to be where everyone could see it and they hung it up on the wall outside the room.

The rest of the evening turned into a continuation of the party. They still had some cake left from earlier and Sienna stuffed herself full of sweets.

Before the night ended, Teal woke up. He was extremely sore and could barely move, but he had to pee. He staggered out of bed and out the room. He went to the railing and urinated over the side. That's how Sienna found him.

"You know we have a bathroom," she said.

"At least wash your hands," Sienna said disgustedly.

"Nope, I didn't use 'em," he said taking the opportunity to wave his bandaged arm.

Sienna sighed and then leaned up against the wall. "So what do you want to do now?" she asked.

He leaned against the railing. "I could go for something to eat," he said.

"Do you still want to kill me?" she asked.

"I tried, I failed. I was only given one chance to do it. I wasn't told to keep trying until accomplished."

"Are you going to get in trouble?"

"If I go back to my master, I will."

"So don't go back," Sienna shrugged.

"Where will I go then? Should I stay here? Should I be a pirate like you?" he asked.

"You should be whatever you want to be. I suggest you think on it."

"Do you know what you want to be? You can't stay here. You're wanted dead by the world government. The next Angel they send might not be affected by your charm as I am," he said casually.

Sienna smiled. "I'm affected by your charm as well."

He gave a watery smile back as tears flowed silently down his cheeks. She went to him and pulled him close. She didn't cry, but kissed the top of his head, pouring all the love she got from the crew into it. "Stay the night. Eat some cake. Take a bath. You don't have to leave yet," she told him.

Luffy was fine with Teal staying the night on board. He trusted Sienna's judgment. The others didn't bother trying to change their minds. Sanji made him eat actual food (Sienna snuck him chocolate chip cookie with salt sprinkles afterwards). The ladies tricked him into a bath and he got to join the straw hats in the party. Turns out he has the voice of an angel (pun intended) and knew a lot of songs from his travels around the world. He became fast friends with Brook.

Sitting back and watching Teal, Sienna had an epiphany. She took out her journal and wrote: Angels Have Birthdays Too.