A/N: Here's the edited version of chapter 2! I also wanted to add that I will be going back and forth from 1st person to 3rd person. I enjoy doing that and I think it's fun to write that way sooooo *shrugs*

Anyway! Please enjoy!

Edited February 18, 2021

I finally made it to the marine base, which was covertly hidden behind a giant wall (sarcasm). Eventually, I figured out a way to peek over the wall, clicking my tongue at what I saw. Zoro was tied up in the middle of their yard. He looked like he was passed out, but I couldn't see any obvious wounds so I guessed he was only sleeping.

I jumped over the wall with an oomph, my short legs making the jump even bigger than it actually was, and casually walked over to Zoro. "Oi," I started, kicking him lightly with my boots. Zoro peaked at me with one eye before opening them fully towards me. "What's up?" he said casually, and I sweat dropped. "What's up?" I repeated. I kicked him more roughly. "Oi!" he shouted at me. "What's the big idea?" "The big idea is that you told ME not to get into any trouble, and look where the hell you ended up!" I finished, shaking my fist at him.

"Hmph," he grunted, sniffing. "Whatever. That idiot Helmoppo annoyed me." "Right," I nodded slyly. "I bet helping the little girl had nothing to do with it." "Whatever," he grunted, and I rolled my eyes. Always the tough guy…

"So a month, huh?" I questioned, and he nodded. "Yeah, guess so." "Well, that's great. You better be glad I've already found somewhere to stay or I'd kick you harder baka! I hope you understand that unless I come feed you, you've sentenced yourself to die." At this, Zoro rolled his eyes. "Thanks for that little sister but I'm good. I've got strong will. You don't need to come feed me and I don't want you near here with dumb-ass Helmoppo liable to come around whenever he wants." "Oh so you're allowed to risk your life and be tied up without food and water for a month, but I can't even come near the vicinity? Yeah, right," I snorted.

"I'll be back to feed you and give you water," I confirmed. At this point I kneeled down and reached inside of my bag for the rest of the cookies. I saved you a piece of cake and the rest of the cookies. "Aela what did I say about too many sweets?" he scolded. "You should be glad I got these or you would be starving right about now!" I argued. "Tch," he replied, but ate the cookie when I offered it to him, and drank the water I had in my bag right after.

"Just watch yourself when you come around here," he relented. "I won't be able to help you if you get into trouble." I made to argue with him again but stopped when I saw that he was truly worried. "I'll be fine Zo-Zo," I said, and he rolled his eyes but nodded.

Eventually I made my way back to the bar. I began working at the bar, and for the next three weeks I waitressed during the day, and after work snuck my way back and forth to my brother, feeding him and making sure he was hydrated. One afternoon at the bar was particularly busy, and I grew upset as I realized that I wouldn't be able to bring food to Zoro. Rika, who'd I'd gotten close to these past three weeks asked me if everything was okay, and I told her.

"I can do it!" she offered, and I immediately shook my head. "No way," I said, and she pouted. "It's way too dangerous." "I can do it Aela-chan!" she argued, and I sighed. I wasn't able to get food to him yesterday either, and I knew he would be starving. "Fine," I said, extremely reluctant. "Be very very careful, Rika! I need you to check around the perimeter like I taught you before you go over the wall. If you see Helmoppo what should you do?" "Kick him in the coconuts!" she shouted, and I grinned, pleased. "That's right," I nodded, and gave the girl a quick hug after supplying her with Zoro's food. I went back to serving the customers, trying not to bite my nails in worry for the girl. If anything happened to her I would never be able to forgive myself.

An hour eventually passed, and I was about to go look for the girl myself until finally, I felt a familiar energy coming into the building. "Rika!" I shouted, rushing towards her. "What took you so long?" I said, kneeling down and grasping her shoulders. "I didn't mean to Aela-chan!" she said apologetically. "I got caught by Helmoppoo and.." "What?" I cried, shocked.

"Are you okay?" I cried, turning the small girl in my hands looking for any injuries. She giggled as I kept spinning her, and I heard another laugh from above, which made me stop for a second. "Shishishi," I heard, and looked up to see two people standing close to Rika. I cursed myself for not being aware of them earlier. I was distracted and didn't sense them. I slowly stood up and slid Rika behind me.

"Hello," I said cautiously. One of the boys appeared to only be a little older than Rika. He had pink hair and glasses and was breathing very quickly as though he were nervous. I moved my sight to the person. He was taller than the boy, taller than me but a bit shorter than my brother. He had black shaggy hair, and a scar under his right eye. He was wearing a red vest, shorts, and a straw hat on top of his head.

"Hello!" The boy with the hat replied, grinning cheerily. "Rika do you know these people?" I asked the girl and she made to move from behind me. I allowed the movement but kept a hand on her shoulder just in case. "Of course! These are my new friends. They helped me get away from the scary man!" I looked up, surprised. "Thank you," I said, reaching my hand towards the taller boy. "I don't know what kind of trouble she got herself into.." "Hey!" the girl said indignantly, but I continued, "but I appreciate you being there for her when I wasn't."

"It's no problem!" the boy said. "My name's Roronoa Aela." "Roronoa?!" the boy with pink hair said, taking a step back. "You can't be related to Roronoa Zoro!"

"Yeah, I am," I said nodding. "That's my older brother," I confirmed. "Woah!" the black haired boy said, and I looked towards him to see stars in his eyes. "You both have to join my crew!"

"What do you mean?" I said. "What kind of crew?" "My pirate crew!" he said proudly. "My name's Luffy and I'm gonna be king of the pirates!"

"Really?" I said in excitement, almost bouncing. "That's so cool!" "I know!" he replied, rubbing a finger under his nose. "Shishishishi."

"My name's Coby," the pink haired boy behind Luffy said, and I waved towards him. "Nice to meetcha!"

Luffy opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, I heard the most annoying, grating voice echo through the bar. "I'm hungry! Let us all eat for free! HeaaHeaa! Hey barmaid, bring me some booze!"

I looked over to see Helmoppo and his men entering the bar. Any of the other customers we had quickly got up and fled, making room for the man who plopped down at one of the tables. He leaned back in the chair and propped his feet on to the table, making me grit my teeth. I just washed that table! "Excuse me?" he said again, his voice grating. "Could we get some service around here?"

"Excuse me," I said to Luffy and Coby, who were watching the situation tensely. "Quit dawdling girl! Hurry up!" I grabbed the bottle of wine and made my way over to his table, putting on my waitress face. "Sorry for the wait," I said politely, and made to pour the wine into his glass.

"You should be," he sneered and I bit my lip. I turned around and began walking towards the bar again when I heard it. "I've been rather bored lately..I think I've decided to execute Zoro tomorrow instead of waiting out the full month. I'm looking forward to his blood being spilt. Heaaaheaaaa." I stopped, my blood boiling. Who the hell did that asshole think he is?

I quickly turned around, making my way towards the table, fingers closely tightly around the bottle of wine. I tapped Helmoppo on the shoulder and he turned around, eyebrow raised. Before he could say anything, I took the bottle of wine and slammed it over his head, breaking the bottle over his skull. Wine and pieces of glass went everywhere, and suddenly, Helmoppo was on the ground and I was surrounded by men pointing their guns at me.

"Who do you think you are girl?" the man on the ground shouted, holding his head. "How dare you! I'm going to tell daddy!" I smiled at him darkly and he shivered. Before his men could stop me I reached down and grabbed the disgusting man by his collar, holding him up to my face. He shivered when he saw my eyes, the white iris beginning to glow a little. "I hope you do tell daddy," I mocked, voice low. "I'll beat his ass too. You're a dead man walking for thinking you can kill my brother." "Brother?" he said, and then his eyes lit up.

"Roronoa Aela!" he said. "I recognize you now! Looks like we've killed two birds with one stone, so to speak. Men, grab her!" he commanded, and before I could blink, my arms had been trapped behind me, I was shoved to the ground, and a gun was up to my head. "Aela!" I heard Rika shout. "Stay back Rika!" I shouted and watched as her mother came and grabbed her, shoving her behind her quickly.

I closed my eyes tightly, grunting when a foot dug into my spine. "You're dead you little shit," the man holding me chuckled, shoving his gun tighter to my head and cocking it back. "No!" I heard from Rika again. I had no time to activate my devil fruit. Sorry brother….

Before he could shoot, I heard a loud, "Hey!", and felt a rush of wind fly over my head. I gasped as I was released from the hold, and looked up to see that all the men surrounding me, along with Helmoppo, had been swung into the wall of the bar. I felt a presence in front of me and looked up to see Luffy stepping in front of me. "Are you okay?" I heard beside me, and nodded gratefully when Coby helped me up from the ground.

"I'm fine," I confirmed, looking to Luffy. "Thanks for that," I said, and he glanced back at me. "Thought I was dead there for a second," I chuckled. "No problem" he smiled, looking back towards the men. "I hate guys like him. This guy is scum," he said, and I readily agreed. "Aela!" I heard and looked back to see Rika running towards me. "Hey there!" I said, ruffling her hair. "Go back to your mom okay? Everything's fine." She looked like she was about to argue, but nodded, tears in her eyes, and did as I said. I looked forward and marveled at how Luffy had somehow managed to shove all those men into the wall like that. He had to be crazy strong.

"Don't you know who I am boy? I'm Captain Morgan's son!" "So what?" Luffy replied, and I snorted. "So what? I'll have you executed! You and the wench behind you along with her brother!" I grit my teeth and made to step forward again when Luffy's words made me stop. "I could care less who you are!" he said, and I watched as he stepped forward towards the dumb ass man. "People like you make me sick! How bout you fight me yourself like a man instead of your dad fighting your battles for you, you big baby!" Luffy shouted and I burst into laughter.

Helmoppo's face turned purple with embarrassment and anger which made me laugh harder. I could already tell that being on this guy's crew was going to be one hell of a ride!

till next time!