Ch 6

As the dance draws near everyone is looking for someone to go with them either as a date or simply as companionship to not be alone. Some of these are obvious and come as no real surprise to anyone others come as complete shocks to everyone. Now while this going on the crew has not been idle. Franky and Iceberg have been working on plans to upgrade and fortify the Sunny, Zoro Mihawk and Shanks have been teaching swordsmanship to the crew and those who would learn. Jimbea is busy teaching and to hand combat. Robin is in the library learning all she can about everything here to provide an edge for her family. Whitebeard is teaching two handed weapons classes. Usopp is working on different ordinances for his slingshot with all the fun new things in this world. Everyone else is kind of just doing their own thing.

With Franky & Iceberg

Everyone has been kicked off the Sunny for the day while Franky and Iceberg make improvements. While everyone else goes about their daily activities Ruby takes a keen interest in what they are doing. Having always been interested in weapons and seeing the weapons on the Sunny she was certainly intrigued.

Ruby "Hey guys, do you do you mind if I watch what you guys are doing?"

Iceberg "I don't see a problem with that, in fact why don't you come here and we will teach all about what we are doing and why."

Ruby "Thanks but if it's alright with you guys I'll just watch, for now at least."

Franky "SUPER we can always use an extra set of eyes"

So franky and iceberg begin fortifying the ship. They start with Nami's tangerine grove and Robin's garden, around this they build a beautiful stained glass canopy (think greenhouse only with stained glass) with some of their favorite moments together in the glass. Ruby see's this and can't help but be stunned especially when they tell her about the secret built into the iron bands sectioning off the glass. From there they go down to the third floor. This is where they will add the bulk of the firepower. Ruby can't help but jump in when she hears they are working on big guns that are going to stow away inside a ship. In the mens quarters the put a total of fifteen 16in cannon. The aquarium gets their anti boarding cannons forty five 6in cannons that can swivel and change direction. Up in the crows nest they put a rail gun. When they go to the front and the lions head. Franky has some cool ideas especially if Ace is going to remain on the ship. They end up putting a small room up front that allows the user to shoot either regular fire or Greek fire depending on the situation from the lions mouth where the cannon used to be. They have to put the rest of the upgrades on hold as the day is over and everyone is returning.

Luffy decides he needs a walk as he has been thinking over several things. As he is on his walk he begins thinking about whats next, now that he found the one piece and became king of the pirates what does he want to do next. He feels a responsibility to topple the world government because of all the wrong they have done to him and those he cares about but beyond that he isn't sure. He had never really given it much thought he kind of always figured he would just keep sailing and having adventures but seeing his crew grow up and begin wanting more than just their initial dreams he thinks that may be unfair to ask of them and perhaps it's time he grew up as well not just matured but truly grew up. He always had a spot in his heart reserved for Nami and she would make him happy but would he make her happy that he didn't know. Hancock on the other hand he knew would make him happy and he would make her happy he just didn't know if he could ask her to leave those who saved her and gave her a life after she got free. These are some of the things he has been thinking about on his long walk around nowhere in particular. Eventually he runs into Sanji who is out getting spices and dried herbs. He thinks perfect someone I can ask about these feelings.

Luffy "Sanji wait up I want to talk to you."

Sanji surprised "Sure luffy whats going on"

Luffy "I am having some trouble with my thoughts and I saw you and thought you might be able to help."

Sanji "My pleasure what can I help with"

Luffy "I have been thinking what now, now that we have all accomplished our goals whats next. I know I decided I am toppling the world government and I am glad you guys are going with me on that but after that what happens. Everyone is going to move on with their lives and I don't know what to do."

Sanji stunned "I didn't think you thought about that stuff. I don't really know to be honest with you. Let me tell you this though whatever you end up doing your going to be great at it."

Luffy "I have been thinking I need to grow up not mature like I have been since we started adventuring together but truly grow up and do adult things like date and get married have some kids or something. Defiantly a dog though. I have always had a special place in my heart for Nami but could I make her happy that I don't know, then there is Hancock we would be happy together but could I have her leave her people the ones who saved her, is that even fair to ask her to do?"

Sanji truly shocked at this isn't really sure what to say. "Luffy you know how protective I have been over Nami part of that was because I didn't think anyone was worthy of her let alone myself, I also hoped it would help heal her. I may not be the most unbiased person but I don't see why you can't have them both. I mean Nami may not want to be your wife but she will always be your friend and sister."

Luffy "Thank you, this means more to me than you could ever know."

And so they finish Sanji's shopping together talking about less heavy things.

The day of the dance

The dance is finally here and everyone is busy getting dressed Nami tells all the ladies to meet her in the treasure room after they get their dresses on for some jewelry. While the girls all get ready together the guys all have already put on their nice outfits and are patiently waiting for the ladies to be ready. When all the girls are ready they head down to the treasure room for jewelry. Nami shows them where the jewelry is stored and opens up this massive section of the wall and just never seems to end. Inside is all manor of necklaces and earrings and bracelets and rings anything one could think of is inside here.

All the girls eyes just expand in that wow this is to much kind of way. When Nami tells them they can pick anything they like most of them don't even know where to start. Weiss having the most experience with fancy jewelry goes first and volunteers to help anyone who is wanting it. So Nami and Weiss step up to the case and go first. Nami decides to go with a silver necklace with tangerine shaped stones along the length, a silver bracelet made to look like it was entirely made of small swords and lightning bolt earrings that change color in the light. Weiss elects to go with diamonds, a diamond encrusted chocker simple diamond earrings and a diamond tennis bracelet. They proceed to help everyone get ready.

Coco "I am not really sure what to do here there are simply to many options'

Nami "Here lets start with necklaces and build our way out, since it's the biggest piece it should be the centerpiece." Coco is nodding her head "Now what do you want to be the focus for tonight?"

Coco "Well me and Edward are going together so something that will simply wow him."

Nami smiles "I have just the thing" she walks her over to a small case on the end off set from everything else inside is a silver necklace that has the word family written in Japanese as the center. "here try this on he will love it"

Coco tries it on and it fits almost as though it was made for her "What does it say?"

Nami "Family"

Coco hearing that can't help but smile. "You where right Nami it's perfect."

Everyone is looking around for things to wear some are trying different things others are simply afraid to touch them for fear of them disappearing or breaking. Blake is staring at the tiaras and she is trying to get herself to move but her body simply isn't willing to. Weiss see's this and hurry's over.

Weiss "those are beautiful aren't they"

Blake hearing her kind of wakes her up to someone being there with her "Yeah they are, seeing them bring back memories not all pleasant ones."

Weiss "if anyone here can understand that it would be me…"

Blake "yeah I guess you would understand best, back home my family holds a position of power and I was often referred to as the princess of menagerie and while I didn't have anything like these tairas we where treated like royalty then I went and messed everything up. I started dating this guy and eventually I left my whole family behind telling them I hated them. I haven't talked to them since."

Weiss "When I decided to come here I did so against my fathers wishes see he wanted me to get married off and bring more money into the family. Growing up I was treated like a princess because everyone feared my father. Recently I decided that I was going to be my own person and he could either get board with that or not. He chose not to and I lost everything, I couldn't be happier I am finally free to be myself and live my life. I'm sure your parents would forgive you for what you said. Now lets try these tairas on princess"

Blake after hearing Weiss's tale can't help but smile at that comment "Yeah lets"

Ultimately Blake ends up with a silver circlet and some fun cats paw earrings.

Ruby is talked into simple ruby earrings. Yang gets diamonds threaded through her hair. Velvet elects to go with a simple set of sapphire earrings and a matching necklace. Hancock gets a gold snake to run up one forearm and a silver on the other. Baby 5 elects for no additional jewelry. Nojiko does something similar to Nami. Kaya goes with turquois necklace. Nico Robin elects for no jewelry. Pyrrah chooses a charm braclet with various fun things on it a set of sapphire earrings. Nora in a move that surprised everyone goes with pearl earrings and a simple white gold necklace that has different colored pearls threaded in it. When everyone is done they all head up stairs to pair off and head to the dance.

Nami with Zoro

Kaya with Usopp

Coco with Whitebeard

Hancock with Luffy

Pyrah with Juane

Ruby and Franky

Yang and Bartolomeo

Velvet and Chopper

Nora and Ren

Baby 5 and Sanji

Robin and Shanks

Blake and Jimbei

At the dance

The dance is going well everyone is having a good time and at some point Blake tells Jimbei she needs to go outside and be alone for a minute and clear her head. He understands and lets her go. It's around this same time that Luffy tells Hancock he wants to talk to her outside where its quite and they just talk. She hopes this is what she has been waiting for and agrees.

Blake is walking through the garden below just trying to clear her head. While she is doing this Luffy and Hancock are talking upstairs on the balcony overlooking everything.

Luffy "I am not really sure how to do this but I have been thinking about the future quite a bit recently and what I want to do after we topple the government."

Hancock "Yeah and what does that look like?"

Luffy "Well after we take down the government everyone is going to move on with their lives at least from what I can tell. I have never really thought about the after of getting the one piece."

Hancock "Well youll come up with something you always do. Perhaps you settle down with your crew and retire."

Luffy "Funny you should say that" His danger sense kicks in knowing someone is trying to hurt his Nakama. "I'll be back to finish this Blake is in trouble" with that he leaves Hancock on the balcony and suddenly appears next to Blake.

Blake had been having a really nice night and then a nice walk just clearing her head and processing everything from the time she left her family, when suddenly Adam appears and she feels terrified. She knows she can likely take him out but she is so scared of what will happen should she loose she can't bring herself to do anything.

Adam "Blake how nice to see you again."

Blake "What do you want you you monster."

Adam "Monster? Really? Me? Come on we all know I am only what the SDC made me and I heard you are getting friendly with one. How disgusting, don't worry once you come back with me I'll have all that fixed in no time."

Blake steps back scanning the area looking for somewhere to run when suddenly Luffy appears.

Luffy "I heard you threaten Blake that can't be allowed to happen again."

Adam surprised by the sudden appearance of this wildcard "Who are you and what is Blake to you"
Luffy "I am Luffy and I am the freest man in the world. Blake is my Nakama. I say again what you said can not be allowed to stand. If you insist on taking Blake against her will then you will fight me"

Adam "Nakama? What are you guys dating? You want to fight I suppose we can do that pathetic human."

Blake "No, Luffy you can't fight him he will kill you."

Luffy takes his straw hat off his head and puts in on Blakes head "Shishi no he won't have faith in yourself and in your friends."

Luffy gets ready to fight as does Adam. Luffy rushes Adam and he tries blocking with his sword and using his semblance to catch the force. GOMU GOMU SNAKE and Luffy's arm bends like a snake around the sword and delivers a quarter force punch to Adams face sending him across the garden crashing into a tree. Luffy looks at Blake "See have faith"

Adam is truly stunned unsure of what just happened he slinks into the darkness and disappears.

Luffy "Lets go back to the sunny I'll make you some hot chocolate or something stronger and you can just relax. I am sure you don't want to go back in there and I know they will understand."

Blake "that would be nice thank you."

So they go back to the Sunny because that is what Blake needed. The only one who saw the fight was Hancock and understands her Luffy has a heart that simply is to big for one. She understands Blake needs Luffy right now and so she doesn't mind sharing.

Not sure the next update will be I have been getting busier and busier and it's getting harder to get something out every week. I do read your guys reviews and take them into consideration when I am writing. I am still not sold on the idea of pairing anyone in story but I will be pairing people off in the finale. If it wasn't obvious before things will be changing from cannon. I am not sure what all will be but I don't believe Beacon will fall and I have a cool idea for that fight. If you have any ideas feel free to send them to me I always appreciate it. This story is cross posted on my Deviantart under the same username