*All characters in this story are fictional, including the OC. Any relation to real people or places are purely coincidental. I own nothing. All rights and credit go to the original author, Oda Eiichiro. This is a fan production, written purely for fun.

Author's Note: This story started as a sequence of several dreams I had while reading the One Piece series. It adds a character to the main story under the pretense that she's always been there, but she's managed to avoid public recognition. This story starts just after Captain Kuro attacks Syrup Village and Usopp is recruited into the Straw Hat Pirates. There may be some inconsistencies with names due to the fact that I read the Viz Media manga line.

The Scarlet Secretary

Ship Log 1: The Maiden Voyage of the Caravel Merry Go

My name is Valentine W. Karmen. I am the new secretary aboard the Merry Go, Kaya's gift to the Straw Hat Pirates, as I'm sure they're soon to be called. The captain is Monkey D. Luffy, the first mate is the famous pirate hunter Roronoa Zoro (apparently he's a pirate now?), and the navigator is Nami. She has not given me a last name. Joining the crew today is Usopp, a story telling sniper and a dear friend, and me, the girl who can only clean and keep a decent record of the going-ons of the crew.

I can understand Usopp being allowed to join, but I'm still baffled that I was allowed to come at all. I have been a resident of Syrup Village for about a year and a half. I lived with a sweet old woman named Tantonia. I made a living by cleaning houses for people who were very busy in farms and shops. I'm sure they'll get by without me, but I did enjoy making their lives just a little bit easier for them while they worked so hard for the village. I'm sure going to miss them. There is no reason a girl like me should be anywhere near a pirate ship, but here I am.

Anyway, I was cleaning houses when the pirate attack happened. Like the rest of the village, I didn't even know anything until I went to visit Kaya and found her house in shambles. I had helped her butler keep the house for months and never suspected he could be capable of such brutality and cunning. I mean seriously. Working for three years as a butler in order to gain someone's trust and steal their fortune? That's downright nasty. I'm sure, being on a pirate ship, we can expect more of his kind.

Kaya told me that Usopp was leaving to become a pirate like his father. She said the villagers didn't know, but she knew I'm almost as close to Usopp as she is. If I wasn't cleaning houses all day I probably would have joined his pirate crew for fun. At first I thought it was one of his stories. He was always helping me come up with stories to aid my game with my father. Luffy and his gang, I knew, were the kind of people who could inspire our dear Usopp into following his dreams. (I met them briefly when getting my lunch from the diner). I'm glad he took the chance. That we both did.

As soon as Kaya told me I packed a small bag and ran after him. It took me a little while to find the ship, so he was already climbing aboard the Merry Go when I got there. I didn't have a plan. I just ran to the shore, looked into Luffy's eyes, and yelled, "My name is Valentine W. Karmen. Please take me with you. I'm no good in a fight, but I can clean and keep your logs." Usopp was surprised to see me, and even more surprised that I wanted to join a pirate crew. Kaya just grinned.

Usopp spent five minutes babbling about my character and work ethic. Any more and he would have made me blush. Nami said that they could use someone to keep track of everything and Zoro had no argument. Luffy gave that huge smile of his and said "Welcome to the crew." And that was it. We drank some beer to initiate us as new members. Well, Luffy, Usopp, and I drank one mug. Nami drank five or six and Zoro finished the barrel off. How is that guy still standing?

So here I am, sitting in the dining hall recording our first sea bering log. I haven't asked where we're going. I just hope it's somewhere grand.

Valentine's Personal Log: So it Begins

I find myself surprised by the evils that man can create. I thought my surprise over the cruelty of the world was long since left behind.

I had found something peaceful on that island. I had let myself grow complacent. The pirate attack was a heavy reminder. If it had been someone other than pirates I wouldn't have known to look for them. I let my guard down and now I see just how far I've let myself slip. I need to be more observant.

It's odd to find kind pirates on the seas. Luffy may be easily distracted, but he has big dreams. He wants to be the king of the pirates some day! He's an airhead, for sure, but there's a fire in his eyes and a strength to his heart that no one can deny. This crew. Maybe I can allow myself to hope, just a little, once more.

I had already been thinking it was time to move again. I stayed far too long in that beautiful, wonderful village. Who thought an opportunity like this would place itself in my lap? What better way to stay on the move than on a pirate ship? Running into the navy might be problematic, but surely I can talk my way out of most of it or let the crew handle it.

It seems Zoro and I are the same age, 19. Captain Luffy and Usopp are 17, and Nami is 18. I find it strange that I'm older than the captain. He is immature at times, but when it counts, he seems to have one of the clearest senses of justice I have ever seen and the strength to carry it out. Nami is delightful, but she gets distracted by money and often has a distant look in her eye. Her heart lies somewhere else, I think. Sometimes I look at her and wonder if I have the same look in my eye when I stare out at the ocean. I must have had it on the island every time someone wandered into the village or when I stopped to read the newspaper. I don't think that feeling ever went away.

Staying in one place for too long makes me nervous. And if I were to let my story teller leave on some grand adventure, who would be left to help me to embellish the letters to my father? Maybe I can keep something this time. Luffy and Zoro are strong. Can I rely on others stronger than myself, even if they know nothing about me?

After all that has happened I can't believe I'm even entertaining the thought. If I can continue growing a friendship that I made in this year and a half it could be a sign that I don't have to face the dark times alone. I don't want to involve anyone in my troubles, but the thought of being on my own again is almost too painful to bear. Maybe I'm being selfish, but I can allow myself this one selfish act, at least for a while.

Karmen shuts two logbooks, making sure one is securely tucked away in her bag before allowing herself to smile out at the commotion on deck. Luffy has his arm around Usopp's neck while he tells embellished stories of his bravery and accuracy in battle. Kaya sure is going to miss that guy, she thinks to herself.

Zoro is yelling about something, but she can tell by his face that he's really enjoying the atmosphere. Nami's laugh is pealing over the commotion in melodic tones that make Karmen glad she's not the only woman on board. She smiles. Stoppering the ink, she goes out to join them. Just maybe.