In the morning I found myself waking up feeling anxious knowing today would be the day the three would arrive. Would they be mad at me? Would Luffy talk to me? Would Luffy forgive me for the way I acted and what I said? The thought scared me as I built up the courage to fly off in the direction of the shore.
When I arrived at the shore I spotted the two boats that were empty meaning the three were already somewhere in the village. Knowing Luffy he probably would want food first so I went off in search of a restaurant. The first one I stopped at I spotted Usopp rushing out like he was being chased by an angry Pangoro. Curious I peeked through the window spotting the very people I had been looking for. Luffy was stuffing his face, but he didn't have his usually happy look on his face.
His face was strained and I could see the frown even through his stuffed cheeks. Zoro was drinking with his usual stern face and Nami was staring at Luffy in disgust. I wanted to go in and talk to them, but I hesitated. The thought of heading into the restaurant tied my stomach in knots and I felt sick. Several times I was about to enter through the opened window before I would stop a few centimeters shy of entering.
Frowning I looked down at the ground feeling so ashamed of myself for being such a coward. Turning I quickly flew away wanting nothing more than to talk to someone about how I feel. Only the one person I wanted to talk to was the one I didn't have the courage to face.
*At the Restaurant*
Zoro sighed to himself watching from the corner of his eye at the cat-like pokemon struggling with herself to enter the building. He watched at her pitiful attempts to enter and come over to them. He felt bad for the thing, but this wasn't his battle to confront. Zoro had told Luffy before that until she apologized she shouldn't be welcomed back. Luffy was the captain and he needed to put his foot down like a captain.
He shouldn't allow his crew to throw tantrums because they were unhappy with new additions and run of; or fly off in Nyx's case. Luffy wasn't pleased with all of this, but he knew that his first mate was right. Nami had no problems with Nyx not coming back, though the end wouldn't be her call and she realized this. Seeing how out of sorts Luffy was because of their argument she would be lying if she said she didn't feel guilty. Luffy was depressed and that wasn't something either of them were used to seeing.
*Back to Nyx*
After I aimlessly flew around I found myself back at Kaya's mansion. I spotted Usopp on a tree branch talking to Kaya who was giggling and smiling. Not wanting to interrupt them I turned back around when I nearly jumped out of my fur. Luffy was sprinting up to the mansion and I panicked taking cover in another tree. All of this was crazy!
I was hiding from my best friend and adoptive brother. I couldn't really hear from where I was, but I could tell after that butler with the glasses showed up that everyone was mad. Usopp, Luffy, Zoro, Nami, and the kid all left. I wanted to know what happened and even more so I wanted to talk to Luffy. But even as I was following behind them I lost my nerve again.
If Luffy was just there it would have been an easier task. When they had finally stopped I found myself suddenly alone with Zoro and Nami. The kids, Luffy, and Usopp somehow disappeared. I was still hiding in a tree debating whether or not to come out. "How long are you gonna stay up there?"
My heart nearly stopped when Zoro spoke up and I knew he was speaking to me. Looking down I could see Zoro was clearly leaning against the opposing tree with his eyes closed. 'I could have sworn he was asleep' I thought to myself. Nami gave Zoro a confused look, "Who are you talking to?" This time Zoro opened his eyes meeting my gaze from the separate branches.
"Come out Nyx!" he barked. Nami gasped, snapping her head in the direction that Zoro was looking. "Nyx is here?!" Sighing I floated down wrapping my split tail around my form, looking everywhere but at them. "So you were here. How long have you been following us?" Nami pressed.
Did I sense a hint of relief in her voice just now? I shook that thought away, Nami would never be worried about me. "She's been following us ever since we arrived." Zoro huffed, crossing his arms. 'I…..' I trailed off not knowing how to begin. Usopp told me before that I had said some terrible things to Luffy.
He also told me that even if Nami didn't approve of me, sometimes people can be stubborn and take more time to warm up to you. We don't know just what others' lives were like and how we should always give people time even if it does hurt. When he put it that way I did feel guilty for being so hostile towards her. She has her own reasons for thinking and acting the way she does even if she doesn't share it. I just wished she'd respect me a little.
Closing my eyes shut I just let it all out, 'I'm sorry! I know you might not like or even trust me, but hearing so many people call me a monster and fear me hurts! You treating me the same way made me so hostile towards you. When Luffy told us that we'd have to deal with it I felt like he was siding with you and it hurt. Usopp help me realize that I should give you a chance since I never did. So can we at least try to be civil the time we're together.' After I was done I was so scared to open my eyes. Getting all of it off my chest did make me feel a little better. I still had to apologize to Luffy and maybe even Zoro. The silence was deafening and for a hot minute I thought I had just imagined that I said it all.
"I guess you're right." she grumbled. I opened my eyes staring at Nami shocked as she bashfully looked to the side, frowning. "And I admit I wasn't fair to you." she continued. She then looked back at me with a serious look. "So for the time we're together I'll promise to do better if you do."
She extended a hand to me and I stared at it for a second before reaching my paw out. We shaked hands/paw and I felt like I was really getting somewhere with her. For some reason I felt a connection; a weak one but a connection. My attention then went to Zoro who had been quiet the whole time. 'I feel like I owe you an apology too. There's no telling what you two had to deal with after I exploded at Luffy. I shouldn't have acted the way I did. I need to apologize to Luffy too big time.'
Zoro shrugged, "As long as you understand that then I guess its fine. But you need to apologize to the Captain. What he says goes and you need to respect that." I could hear the enfuses he stressed on respect. I nodded, 'So where is Luffy?' The two shared a look and Zoro replied, "We're not sure he ran off." Meaning I would have to hunt him down.
If I had to guess he was probably somewhere with Usopp. Focusing on my connection with Luffy I went where my Luffy senses were tingling the strongest. My senses led me to a cliff where I saw Usopp running like a bat in hell in the direction of town. On the shore I saw three people, two of which I recognized. One was Luffy who was bent over and the other was one of Kaya's butlers.
The disco freak was someone I had never seen before. I was too high to hear what they were saying, but the two didn't stay long. Luffy still wasn't moving so I assumed he was either asleep or unconscious. Lowering myself I floated around Luffy's form hearing him snoring away. 'Luffy?'
He stirred, opening his bleary eyes, "Oh hey Nyx." He wasn't out of it for long since the minute he really registered that it was me I was enveloped in a hug that nearly pushed out all the air in my body. "NYX!" I squeaked. Luffy rubbed his face against my cheek, "I'm so glad you're safe! I was so worried about you!" 'Could you be a little less glad...I can't breathe'
I was released by the iron grip allowing me to breathe once again. "Sorry." I gulped in some air before responding, 'I'm the one who should be sorry.' Luffy went silent so I guessed that it was okay for me to continue. 'I shouldn't have questioned you. When you told us that we'd just have to accept it I had been so distressed then I felt like you were siding with Nami. I had said something I shouldn't have and didn't mean. So I hope you could one day forgive me and allow me to remain on the crew. I promise I won't question you again.'
When I was done I looked back up at him and found myself in yet another hug. "Good," was all he said. The weight had finally disappeared from my shoulders and everything felt right again. There was no telling how long it would take for Luffy to stop hurting from those words, but I was more than willing to try. 'I'll try and get along with Nami for real this time.'
Once that had been settled Luffy turned serious again and relayed to me some news that made my blood boil. Klahadore turned out to be a pirate who wished to kill Kaya for her money. No wonder Usopp was booking it back to town so fast. There was no way in hell that I was going to let something like that happen.
