Cześć how are you? At the end of the year. Oh boy what will next year be like? Let me know your thoughts. Have fun.

Passage Eight: Brand New Smile

The log had been set at last. Nami and Robin had both come up to the forge to let Kirsi know. They stayed for a bit afterwards while the blonde made tea and brought out cookies Berta gave her. The three girls sat outside in the new sunny day as Nami asked Kirsi about herself and Robin listen quietly.

"You're from the North Blue? And you have a brother?" Nami repeated what Kirst had said. "How did you two end up here?"

"Our mother brought us. You probably think she's a terrible person for leaving her kids here. But it was for our safety."

"Your safety? To just leave you here without saying anything?"

Kirsi nodded. "It sounds bad I know. What was she to do? She couldn't take us out to sea with her nor could she stay."

"How come?"

"She's a..." Kirsi paused for a moment, picking her words carefully. "She's a traveler."

"A traveler?" Nami repeated with suspicion in her voice. "Why would someone that's just traveling need to leave you behind?"

"She dealt with a lot of shady people in the past. So Tahgu says anyway. It would make sense if she left her kids here for safety. That's what I believe."

"But...wouldn't you want to go to sea and find her?"

Kirsi's expression changed to faint gloom as she looked down. "You aren't the only one thinking that. I've always wanted to see what the world is like yet going out to look for my mother sounded like a lame excuse. Whether it's by myself, with Marines or on a pirate ship, I didn't really care. As long as I can see the world." A smile broke across her fair skin. "But being a pirate doesn't sound so bad."

Nami matched her smile. "It really isn't. What was your home like?"

"My home? I don't really know actually. My memory might be good, but not that good."

"You're still here?"

The blonde looked up when a shadow loomed over her. Tahgu was standing behind here with a hammer at hand, giving her a death glare. Nami was up and already heading down the path. Robin was slow to follow, but paused for a moment and faced Kirsi.

"I would like to know more about you Ms. Blacksmith. I look forward to you joining the crew."

While her words seemed harmless, it was the smooth tone of her voice that made Kirsi shiver. Robin nodded her head at her and left with Nami. It was a nice thought that she was going to have people to talk to on the crew.

Before Kirsi had a chance to say anything, Tahgu picked her like a puppy and dragged her inside the forge. She didn't even fight it. This was her last day. There was a very small part of her that didn't want to leave. She grew up here. She made friends here. Even had a one night stand here. The memories of her years here started flowing like a rushing river, making her tear up.

"If you even think about getting emotional, I will kick your sorry ass straight into the ocean."

Whatever tears that might have spilled over suddenly dried up from Tahgu's words. It shouldn't be sad to leave and go out to sea; it was something that she wanted to do for a long time. Kirsi was going to see for herself what it had to offer.

Tahgu dropped her off in her room and stood in the doorway with his arms crossed. Kirsi rubbed her smarting butt before standing. He was acting a little weird again. Was he that desperate to get her to leave?

"Your friends are waiting Kirsi. Stay here any longer and they'll leave you behind."

Kirsi waved him off. "They wouldn't do that. Their captain is a bit too immature to leave his new crewmate behind."

"Just pack your things and get out of here. Now"

He slammed her door. She didn't flinch. Her heart was fluttering instead. In a mad rush, she grabbed a large travel backpack from under her bed and tossed ii into the middle of the room. She emptied her dresser out of her dreary colored clothing and added it to the floor. It was mostly the same type of sleeveless shirts, loose capris and tight undergarments. Not very girly, but comfy and easy to move in. The last of her clothes was a teal short sleeved jacket Tahgu bought her. It was a simple piece of clothing yet it was the only thing Tahgu bought her.

She shook her head to get the sentiment thoughts away and moved on to her desk. Inside were journals with every little bit of information on the plants and animals that lived on this island. She had help with the critters and flora living in the ocean. She loves ecology and taught herself what she could. There was something tranquil about studying how different plants, animals and insects live with one another. But she was limited by just living on Carbona Island. That was going to change now thanks to her joining the Straw Hats. She's going to need more journals.

She decided to leave her filled out ones here and just take the small medical kit with her. Excitement was beginning to bubble. She would miss this place for sure. She was going miss Berta and all the sweets she'd bring. She was going to miss working along side the dockhands. She was going to miss the elders in the pub with their stories. Above all though...

Kirsi was going to miss Tahgu.

Yes he was abrasive. Yes he was harsh on her. But he taught her to fend for herself. He taught her how to survive in the wild. Now it's time to use his teachings for a bigger purpose. She hastily gathered what she planned on taking and shoved them into her backpack, standing with a big grin on her face. She took one last look around the room. The desk pushed up against the window, the messy bed next to it, the dresser with little knickknacks across from the bed. A simple room where she grew up. Found her love for ecology in here. Nursed her calloused hands after working in the forge in here. Cried countless nights for feeling alone after her brother left in here. All memories, but it was what made Kirsi. The sadness of leaving was slowly being replaced by something else. The sense of freedom.

She bolted from the room and towards the forge like a cat high on catnip. Before she jumped out the forge door, a hand grabbed her backpack and yanked her back inside. She stumbled for a few steps, but caught herself on the counter. There was Tahgu again with his looming presence.

"I thought you wanted me out of here," she told him with a jab in her tone.

"Don't worry your pretty little head I still do. There's something I need to give you."

Kirsi didn't notice until now that he was holding a worn out, leather bound journal that was tied. That was her mother's journal. She suddenly remembered what Tahgu said when she asked if she could have it years ago.

'When you decide to leave this island, I'll give it you then.'

She nearly forgotten about that. She straightened her posture as he stood in front of her with the journal held out towards her. Kirsi was hesitant to take it now. Her brother never had any interest in it. He said it was a stupid and pointless waste of paper. A thought popped into her head.

What if I meet my brother out there?

She felt like she had something stuck in her throat when she tried to swallow and an uneasy feeling crept up on her. It wasn't a nice feeling. They left on sour terms. Why was she thinking about? She took the journal from Tahgu and held it gently in her hands. It was a plain, dark leather logbook. No indications of what was hidden inside.

"If you do find that dumbass sibling of yours out there, give him a good beating for me."

Instead of answering him, Kirsi gave him a tight hug. Mostly to hide the tears that were threatening to fall again. He awkwardly patted her head and tried to pry her off him. When she finally backed away, she quickly rubbed her face to hide the evidence and placed the journal on top of her other belongings in the backpack. This was it.

"Another thing, if you die I'll laugh."

One more pat to her head and he was gone. Kirsi couldn't move from her spot. She just stared at forge, reminiscing about her days here. Okay I have got to stop now, she thought to herself. I've got friends waiting. Kirsi bowed before her now old home. It was difficult with the realization that this was the last time she was going to see this place and the people.

But she has a new home and new friends. With a new surge of eagerness to start her journey, she took off towards the harbor. The world she only heard about in stories was soon to be open to her. Dangers included. But first, she'll worry about getting to know the other members of the Straw Hat pirate crew.

"Heading out already?"

Kirsi skidded to a stop, almost passing by Berta who was sitting on a damaged bench next to the path to the forge. She was wistfully staring out to sea with a cup of tea at hand. She smiled gently at Kirsi when she noticed her.

"You look...down Berta. Is something wrong?" Kirsi asked carefully.

"The recent pirate attack made me realize how little protected we are. If it weren't for you or the Straw Hat crew, it would have been a lot worse."

She did have a point and Kirsi wasn't sure what to say to that. She knew the Straw Hats were just fighting for themselves and helping to protect the town was just an added bonus. The blonde made a worried face and Berta must have seen.

"Oh don't worry about it dear," the mayor said in a sunny tone. "We'll rebuild Dustan Town into a better more protected place. Just in case something like this ever happens again. Now then, I suppose you're finally leaving us."

Kirsi rapidly shook her head an excited yes. "Hopefully Tahgu won't be too harsh. Thank you for everything Berta."

"No no thank you Kirsi. With you help in the forge and helping the dockhands. Do watch yourself."

"I will. Take care."

With a curt nod of her head, Kirsi took off again. She passed by several people cleaning up the town that thanked her and wished her well on her adventure. Some of the dockhands that jumped her in a massive hug were sobbing like babies that had candy taken away from them. She was definitely going to miss these guys. She was slightly concerned for their safety since they would have to deal directly with Tahgu now.

It took several attempts to get the younger workers off her before she was able to finish the last legs of her beginning. In front of her at the end of the dock was the Going Merry ready to set sail. Luffy was the first to notice her, like he was waiting for her arrival.

"Flower Lady!"

Kirsi jogged to the ship where the rope ladder was. "Ready to go?"

"Yup! Come on come on come on! Let's go!"

His enthusiasm was contagious. Kirsi climbed up the ladder in a happy rush onto the main deck. The only other people she saw were Nami, a very happy dancing Sanji and Robin. Once she was safely on board, Nami ordered the boys to set sail. Kirsi hurried towards the back of the ship to watch the island go in the late afternoon sun. The tears were welling up once more.

But when the thought of setting out into the vast blue sea, Kirsi smiled the brightest and biggest smile ever.

Please pardon my dumbass brain and the mistakes I missed. I try \Q^Q I really do I swear. Thanks for reading though. Should I start another fanfic? Have a weebtastic day you lovely snowflakes owo/