Chapter 1: Omatsuri

Crimson. That was the color that bled across the darkened and gnarled landscape atop the mountain. It dripped ominously from the vast full moon that decorated the inky sky above them. Heavy breaths ripped from his chest in sharp, spasmodic bursts of air that pushed adrenaline through his veins and caused his thin frame to tremble - shivering in the grim light that cloaked him and the wicked man who had forced on the jaws of this nightmare. It was baffling, how he had gotten to this point, and the fragile fluttering of his heart made him question how everything could have possibly gone so wrong.

It was supposed to be different. Arriving on this island was an intentional attempt at giving his crew a brief reprieve from their chaotic lives on the sea before they reached their next destination. Yet, the moment they arrived - something had been off. It was a subtle note that the island felt as though it didn't belong, as though this entire place was detached from the outside world to the point that it was all but a mere dream. He chose to ignore it, praying that just this once his weird sense of intuition would be mistaken. That one desire had come at a terrible price. This island paradise, a place of rest for Pirates had been something far more macabre than any had anticipated and what should have been a few days of recovery had spiraled down into chaos - into hell.

Eyes of such a deep gray they appeared black stared at the man - no, the monster - that had stolen his greatest of treasures and ensured he watched his attempts at reaching for that which he cherished most was all for naught. The arrows that had shrieked as they flew into the air and nailed his arms and legs to the barren earth had been numbing in comparison to the anguish that bubbled in his chest. How had it all gone so wrong, so quickly? It shouldn't have been this way and though he wanted to scream that to the dark sky above - his throat was parched and dry, and his voice unable to force out a single word. Should it have truthfully shocked him that much?

To be honest, a part of him wasn't surprised. Before he had come to this point, the deeply woven bond he possessed with his crew had started to become strained and steadily unraveled the longer they stayed on this island. It was swift, yet painfully slow - to the point that the young Captain questioned how he missed it - when his friends started to vanish and the meltdown between them began. It was something he should have been aware of. A laugh wanted to ghost it's way from his dry lips - perhaps Sanji was right. He wasn't a good Captain.

His wounded hands clenched. This was a horrible error that he wasn't certain he could fix, and apologizing to his allies was narrowly impossible. The notion stung his eyes. They were gone and had been for a while without his knowing. First, it was Chopper, his dear doctor whose cheerful demeanor and kindness was a remarkable medicine of it's own. Then, it was Robin, the introverted, but kind natured archeologist who once stood against him. She was followed by Usopp. The long nose sniper was a bold faced liar, and could be full of himself - but he was one of his dearest friends. Zoro had vanished next - his first mate, the man who desired to be the greatest swordsman and was bold enough to take a risk on an insane proposal by an unnatural teenager with ambitions that most would deem impossible - and then Sanji left. His remarkable, hopeless romantic of a chef that was always looking out for them - even if he'd never admit it. The last one to vanish, was Nami. His spirited, money focused, beautiful navigator who would never fail to guide them.

This monster took all of them. And, then made him watch as they were consumed. He, their Captain, Monkey D. Luffy - was left powerless to save them. The pain of being alone, of knowing he might never see those he had come to call friends, of his failure to protect them, had drowned him. It was more crushing than the ocean's mighty depths, and more painful than the arrows that had crucified him to the cold rocks beneath him. It was an all consuming agony that he despised more than anything. He wanted to fight it, but it made him submit. And, he decided to give up.

Because being dead was better than being alone.

However, his salvation had come abruptly and unexpectedly in the form of a figure he had only briefly spoken with - it granted him another chance to save his friends from the monster that stole them. However, he hadn't been prepared for the next ordeal of hell he would be put through. Now, the seventeen year old Captain of the notorious Straw Hat Pirates - could feel the creeping chill of death on his back.

Charcoal gray eyes widened, breath seizing within his thin chest as an ominous rattle slithered behind him. A bristling shadow raised its hackles, preparing to bear it's fangs at him. Black hair fell into his dark eyes, his expression showing a rare emotion of unbridled terror that had his crewmates been present to witness it - they would have been equally petrified. Because it wasn't like him to be afraid. He shouldn't have been afraid as his gaze turned to the hissing shadow and watched as it breathed.

It expanded, twisting to fan out in a display of spiked, wickedly gleaming black points. He knew as the shadow writhed and warped what was coming as he demanded the return of his friends. The cruel monster - the Baron Omatsuri - cackled like the demon he had become. It was from bitterness, from grief, from things that the young Captain now felt like weighted shackles upon his body. The pain of loosing someone dear to you. He shook his head, unwilling to surrender to this a second time. A squealing giggle captured his attention and charcoal gray eyes watched the petite flower that was nestled upon the Baron's shoulder. It chewed, and grinned, and bared gnarled teeth as it ripped open.

A painful scream entombed itself within his chest, begging to be broken out as his throat constricted to prevent the bile that rose from coming out. It was a twist, writing mass of dark green, root-like branches that sprung from the impish flora - roaring, gurgling, and grinning maliciously as it dripped a thick, sickly green substance from it's mouth. But, the garish beast was not the source of the scream that desired to rip out of his body. It was the contorted, grotesque mass of his crewmates distorted bodies. His mouth opened in horror - the scream that should have come out loud instead released in a rushed, crackling rattle. The sight made his entire body go cold as a corpse. His form numbing as he shook with the effort it took not to collapse. His mind raged with a sense of urgency. Thoughts scrambled and grasping at quickly breaking threads in a vain hope to anchor his sanity.

Hiss, crack, rattle…

Charcoal gray eyes widened. The shadow opened it's mouth, releasing a bone shattering roar. it was instant. The whistling, snarling, hissing arrows drowned him. The burning pain started at one and bloomed into two, and then a hundred as the wave gripped him. It forced air from his lungs and a different shade of cerise painted the fiendish landscape. The cold earth greeted him, screams surrounded him, and blackness devoured him. It was the rabid maw of death. He was going to die and the others wouldn't survive either. Was everything they'd strived for at an end? He wouldn't be able to face them in the afterlife. What would those who knew him say? What would happen to Ace? What would become of his promise to Shanks?

Not yet. He couldn't give up yet.

Scarlet. That was the color of his blood that painted the ground and his skin that was pierced and marred by the weighted black arrows. Copper and ashen earth laced his tongue, choking him against the cold ground that deepened the ache with each innocuous wheeze he forced his body to take. His vision was blurred, darkened, and occasionally spotted with white bursts. The sound returned and it was the balks of the devil. Charcoal eyes narrowed. Damn him. Luffy ground his teeth together. Damn this island. He gripped the rotten soil beneath him. Damn him and his dark soul.

Crack, hiss, snap…

The gaze of those who had aided the young Captain - one of a comely man with a toothbrush mustache and the tiny four person familial crew of the Tearoom Pirates - were wide, tearful, and frightened. Did their hopes now lay fractured and torn upon the barren black soil? Had they been to eager for this child to save them? For a child to die if it meant their freedom from the Baron Omatsuri? None of them knew the answer as they heard the vile man laugh in delight. He had yet to see someone survive such an attack - not that any had withstood loosing their crew like this child had. If it hadn't annoyed him so, the former Captain of the Red Arrow Pirates would have been thoroughly impressed. But, just like the others, the black-haired boy fell. No matter what he did, his victory was assured, there was nothing more to be concerned about.

And then they heard a raspy voice.

"Give me back my friends."

Eyes lingered, disbelieving of the grotesque, crackling form that disjointedly crept closer. The boy was alive. But so, so haunting. Each motion of his damaged and broken body caused the litany of arrows to twist, forcing more blood out as his ghoulish appearance grew. He breathed in, rattling, cracking, snapping, and hissing as he raised his arm forward - the appendage warped by the black arrows that punctured it. A frightened gasp came from the youngest daughter of the Teacup Pirates as her older sister averted her gaze. It was a horrific sight and felt more nightmarish than what they had already felt and witnessed. But, for as sickened by this as the family of four was, it appeared the Baron was even more terrified. He stepped back, face fixed with an expression of panic. This creature was relentless.

This monster was not of this world.

The Baron Omatsuri had fought many people before, but they all submitted before long - but not this one. Why? What drove this broken, fractured creature to keep clambering for him? How did he move with so many wounds? An angered glare appeared on the aged Pirate's face. This boy would not be sway him or make him feel scared. Not when he still held all the power. He sought this beast's end and retaliated. But, so did this boyish demon. A loud crackling scream left him as he fought him off. His dark gray eyes were crazed - speaking of his intentions to Omatsuri. The former Captain was not able to fathom this entity that stood before him. The black haired boy opened his mouth again and blood dripped with wild words, speaking of his frantic hunger for the downfall of the Baron Omatsuri and the safe return of his friends. He snarled, bearing cerise stained teeth as he swung. His unnatural body stretched, crackled and rattled as he aimed at the Baron, his blurred vision causing him to miss the man by a mere inch.

But, that inch proved to be worth so much more.

The father of the Tearoom, in his kindness and in his bravery - took an arrow that the boy Captain had saved them from and notched it into the discarded bow of the Baron. Taking aim before loosing it, praying it would succeed. The black and red arrow whistled, it sang rebellion and redemption as it flew upon the bleak winds of this island and with a deft snap, hit it's target true. The Carnation Lily screamed as it burst.

The nightmare of it's gruesome, mangled hostages breaking as well, freeing them from it's gluttonous grasp. The Baron Omatsuri howled - rage boiling in his veins as he turned from the eviscerated remains of that demonic bloom and onto Brief who prepared for death. But, a willful soul now free of the thorns that bound him - intervened. A snap resounded. The swift sound of attacks coming as the Baron Omatsuri turned with a roar to destroy the monster before him. Luffy gritted his teeth against the ripping pain of his wounds and swung as the man tried to fight.

"You took them from me! My crew! All I have is gone because of you! STRAW HAT!" his voice bellowed, skin turning ashen as he ground his teeth and those dark charcoal eyes narrowed. The Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates had reached the end of his tether.

"You're the one who took everything from anyone that crossed your path! What right did your own bitterness and hate give you to shatter the bonds of others?! That thread of fate IS NOT YOURS TO CUT!"

The seventeen year old Captain swung his fist back. His eyes narrowed and teeth greeted as he threw his entire body weight into the impact of his attack. The resounding force of his fist colliding with the Baron Omatsuri's face caused a flush of blood from his now gaping arrow wounds and as Luffy stood staunchly against the pain of making that impact - bone shattered beneath his hand. Blood decorated his flesh once again as the cool tepidness of daybreak reached forth to break the curse of this hellish night. The man swayed, taking in a broken breath before crumbling to the dead earth that greeted him as his skin took upon the ashen gray hue of a decaying corpse.

The Baron Omatsuri of the Red Arrow Pirates, after sixty years - was dead. Brief and the tiny family of four stared, look at the shakily breathing boy as he felt his vision swim, darkening and speckled with touches of other colors. He greeted the earth not moments later after his fallen enemy. The impact forced more blood from his wounded frame as Brief and the Teacup Pirates rushed, fear on their faces. They were panicked, and Luffy saw that as he tiredly stared at the pink hue of the early morning sky.

"Straw Hat!" Brief called his Pirate title and dark gray eyes rolled to look at him, taking more energy than such a simple action should have.

"A-Are… my friends…" the youngest daughter, Daisy moved to answer, but was stopped.

"Worry about your own body! You crazy brat!" the father warned. He was crying, all of them were. He wanted to tell them not to worry, but it wasn't that simple. Luffy knew he was right. Breathing was becoming difficult, his vision was blurring more, and he felt as though unconsciousness was soon to come. But, he didn't care. The wounds didn't matter to him, nor did the pain that attempted to spread when he moved to attempt sitting up - not that he succeeded as the others gently pushed him back down - all that mattered was his treasure.

"Boy! You have to stay still! What if -" Papa Teacup was stopped as the brilliance of the sun gracefully pulled the blanket of the grim night away from the souls who basked in it's early embrace upon the mountain of Omatsuri island. And with it, a gift was granted.

"LUFFY?! WHERE ARE YOU?!" Usopp's voice called to his Captain from over the hillside. The black-haired boy smiled, relief flooding his every nerve ending as adrenaline began to recede and pain became more apparent. Over the hill of the mountain, the voices of Chopper, Nami, Zoro, Sanji, and Robin greeted his ears. They drew closer, worry and confusion as to where they were bleeding into their voices as finally they saw their Captain and rushed to his side. Luffy gave them his brightest smile, unable to fathom how thankful he was that all of them were safe.

Two days later:

Forty-eight hours. That had been the period of which the Going Merry was silent. The shadow of Omatsuri island was still present as the Straw Hat Pirates took advantage of the now abandoned facilities to resupply, and more importantly recover and process what had occurred. The five individuals whom had been with Luffy on that mountain had helped them with getting their Captain safely back to the caravel ship they called home; however, the black-haired boy's severe injuries were confusing to even Chopper who had claimed them as arrow wounds, but no one had seen any of them anywhere. That wasn't the least of what happened though. When they had inquired what had happened, they were told a story so outlandish that if Brief and the Tearoom Pirates hadn't been speaking with a band of Pirates who had been to an island in the sky and battled a pseudo-wanna-be God of Lightning - they would have never believed them.

In knowing all of the events that had taken place, the others were still unsure of what to do. Two days ago, Luffy had been able to greet them, and had stated his relief that they were safe. But, that hadn't changed the gravity of what followed. Their brave, energetic, and at times downright insane Captain - had been covered in wounds that opened like the gaping holes they were when he tried to move. It had been by the miracle of Chopper's medical prowess - and Brief having the same type of blood as Luffy - that saved their friend's life. But, they had still narrowly lost him.

Luffy's unnatural body spared him as it had many times before from dying of immediate blood loss; however, he had still suffered massive physical damage, and had still lost a great deal of his own blood. During those six hours of touch and go everyone was worrying, those who believed in a higher power prayed and others meditated in thought for their Captain. Two days later, the black-haired boy was still sound asleep, but they were given the good assessment that Luffy would recover on his own - as he slept and according to Chopper, it was the best means to heal - but would require more time to recuperate before they left the island. It was good news, but this didn't change the fact that the longer they stayed at this island, the more their blurred memories returned and the sense of guilt, of doubt, and of fear festered inside them.

Chopper had been the most upset. Not having been able to spare his Captain from being in his current state due to a lack of immediate medical care. Robin felt guilt over walking off and being a bit to trusting of the Baron Omatsuri - something she would have never done normally - and that notion left her unable to focus on her reading as she considered her Captain's well being. Nami felt remorse for letting her own pride and frustration get the best of her. Usopp was just angry that he'd put himself in a position to be targeted. Zoro was quiet, confident in Chopper's ability, but everyone could see he was displeased with himself for not being there to support his friend. And then, there was Sanji. He blamed himself the most.

The blond man had started off cooking whatever he could in hopes that Luffy would wake and he could let the normally bottomless pit of a teenager eat whatever he pleased - just so long as he would wake up. Then, when that wasn't enough, he started stress smoking and had taken several packs from the casino to puff threw almost a pack a day. Eventually, Chopper banned the health hazard and made it an official declaration that until they left the island Sanji wouldn't be smoking. He hadn't been able to argue. Honestly, he didn't have the right to. Not after what he had said to his friend.

"You're not fit to be the Captain. All of this is your fault!"

The memory of those words churned his stomach. Sanji couldn't believe he had said something so cruel to the bright-eyed teenager. He wasn't just his cook and friend - he was also older than Luffy. While the eager boy was always seeking adventure and had a childish air it was up to Sanji and the others to look out for their Captain as much as the black-haired seventeen year old did them. They had promised Ace to do so in Alabasta after all. However, his biggest issue wasn't just the guilt after recalling his own experiences on the hellscape that was Omatsuri island. It was in knowing that he deserved to be punished - but his golden hearted Captain would forgive him without it. Luffy's compassionate nature was a powerful force and claimed them many allies along their way too and through the Grand Line. It was apart of his natural magnetism that drew others in. The power of a ruler, of a leader. It was one of the many reasons that Sanji became a Straw Hat Pirate.

But, none of this changed what he'd done.

The notion was abrasive and cold, but he couldn't stop the feeling of guilt. And, neither could anyone else. This dismal atmosphere that hung over the Going Merry seemed unwilling to relent until the precious ship's Captain awoke. Thus, the crew found themselves sitting around for the time being, noting that they had barely spoken to one another since they'd returned to the ship. Chopper came in and out of the infirmary every so often, carrying bandages both new and bloodied alike before returning to monitoring his patient. The poor little reindeer was fretting over his Captain. He knew that he'd be fine soon enough due to his own care and Luffy's absurd healing rate - but the concern still came. The worry stemmed from the black-haired boy's labored, uneven breathing, and moderately high fever that had only eased slightly in the last forty eight hours. They'd tried to assure him, but even the others couldn't deny that didn't worry them as well.

"How many more days?" Usopp asked as the others remained quiet. Chopper sighed.

"We can't leave until Luffy's regain consciousness and his fever has decreased. It's been steadily going down and getting better, but…" he trailed off, and Robin gave the small reindeer a worried look.

"Is there something the matter, Chopper?" she asked. The animorphic doctor frowned.

"Luffy is anemic… he lost enough blood to send his body into shock, but was lucky enough to survive. At current, he won't be able to do much until we reach our next destination at Water Seven, which is two weeks away." Nami bit her lip.

"So, he would be an easy target if we were attacked. I get it," Zoro mentioned. Chopper nodded as the ginger-haired girl fidgeted where she sat.

"It's scary… to think about what he went through… because of us." the others gave her a mournful look. They couldn't help but agree.

"If we hadn't come here then he wouldn't have been hurt," Usopp stated. The minute the words left him though, Sanji turned and snatched him up by his overalls.

"You ass! That means you think this is Luffy's fault! He's the one who decided to have us come here! Or did you fucking forget?!" the sniper put his hands up in defense.

"W-What? No! Luffy isn't to blame! I mean hell, how could he have known this was going to happen? It's not like he can see the future of something!" Usopp defended while Sanji remained tense. This didn't go unnoticed by the others. Especially by a certain swordsman.

"Oi! Shitty cook! Did you do something to Luffy?" Zoro's question had Sanji fuming internally. He noted that the green haired swordsman wasn't goading him, nor was he being cruel - it was an honest question. And, that made it all the more frustrating.

But, Sanji was unafraid of being honest to those he cared for.

"On the island… when whatever made us act off happened… I said that he wasn't fit to be the Captain and that everything was his fault…" he said those biting words with a tense form, teeth grinding together and self loathing upon his face. Nami slapped him. He didn't have the will to fawn over her aggression like he normally would have.

"You son of a bitch! How could you? After everything he did to help you? What in the ever loving fuck is wrong with you?" she bristled as she took in tense breaths. Nami was livid.

"Nami, we're all upset, but please! Don't hurt him! That island did something bad to all of us!" Chopper pleaded. Sanji averted his eyes.

"I know what I said was wrong. I'm guilty of doing something cruel… and I want to apologize to my Captain." Zoro sighed.

"Look, we're all feeling like shit. Once Luffy is feeling well enough to travel, we'll sit down and talk with him," he said. The others slowly nodded. That was their only option. But it would be two more days before they were given that chance, and during that time they found themselves ceaselessly worrying. Hoping that soon their friend would wake.

The sunlight of a new day began to crawl across the horizon as the crew aboard the Going Merry slept. It had been ninety-six hours since they had heard their Captain laugh or seen his smile. But that notion didn't keep the sun from coming, from ghosting across the island near them. It was quiet, eerily so as shadows were cast across it's structures, forests, and graveyard. The soft light touching the deep blue waters to spark color in it that gleamed off the surface in a dance of life in shades of pink, silver, and flickering flame tones. It was a beautiful morning, despite the worries of the crew who had fallen into an uneasy slumber for the night roughly five hours ago.

In the infirmary, the reindeer doctor of the Straw Hats was asleep near his patient, having cycled through a vigil and sleep for the last four days. He had eventually come to rest upon the bed beside Luffy - granting him extra warmth to sweat out of the fever. The room was silent for quite a while until a slight nudge came to Chopper's cheek. His blue nose twitched. Another poke and he squirmed. Yet again something prodded him in the cheek and he attempted to continue sleeping, but it didn't work. The annoyance continued until finally he briefly cracked open his eyes.

Charcoal gray met dark brown, Chopper blinked, and so did Luffy. A moment later the tiny doctor screamed. The abrupt shout had been loud enough to alert the others as they shot up from their beds, prepared for a battle. However, when they'd tumbled out of their beds and crashed through the doors of the sleeping quarters, expecting to be met with an an army of enemies - but instead it was the sight and sound of their Captain, sitting on the deck with Chopper who had clearly forced him to sit down so he could be examined. They stared, watching in slight disbelief as their Captain laughed and smiled, assuring the panicking doctor that he felt fine enough to get up.

"Luffy?" Nami called his name and he looked at them.

He smiled, bright as the sun.

"Oh! Hey guys! Did Chopper and I wake you?" charcoal eyes twinkled. He laughed again, banishing the dismal cloud that had hung over them.

"LUFFY!" his crew jumped, coming to circle him in a carefully placed group hug while Chopper was left with no choice as he was promptly squished between Luffy's slim frame and Nami and Zoro. They were so relieved that their Captain was awake.

"Jeeze, you guys are acting like I was done for. I bounce back quick. I mean, I'm made of rubber," he mentioned. Nami tightened her hug on him and the others followed suit.

"You idiot! Please don't scare us like that again, dammit!" she didn't hit him, but did lightly smack his upper arm as they all released their friend.

"Hey! He's still wounded!" Chopper snapped as he finally dropped back to the deck.

A laugh left the black-haired teenager as he sat down next to the doctor again, letting him examine the wounds to appease the reindeer. However, as Chopper spoke about Luffy's injuries and how they were healing as he assured his crew that he would be fine with something to eat and more sleep - the guilt returned. That bright smile they had missed so much during these last four days now made a bitter taste form in their mouths as they looked at the boy Captain with his messy hair, bandaged, thin frame, and rascally grin they were reminded that their beloved leader was one of the youngest members of the crew - and he had nearly died trying to save them. All of their eyes glanced to one another, a silent agreement spoken between them.

"Hey, Luffy? Can we talk about - " Sanji was cut of by a bandaged hand going up. His Captain had stopped him.

"All of you blame yourselves… so you want to talk about it and apologize, right?" he asked. They were left stunned. It wasn't the first time it had happened, but each time it was no less surprising to them. That strange ability to read people for who they were despite his overtly trusting nature.

"How did you know?" the black haired boy laughed in an almost impish manner as he cast those dark gray eyes onto them.

"Because, I know my crew," he said calmly. Usopp frowned. He always said that, and while the observant nature of their friend did sometimes unnerve them - they couldn't debate his statement because it was the truth. Luffy did know them.

"But, isn't this important? I mean…" Sanji lit a cigarette as Usopp trailed off.

"Shouldn't I at least apologize for the things I've said?" he asked. The seventeen year old Captain shook his head.

"No! You can't." Sanji glared.

"And, why not?! Explain it to me because I thought it made sense for my Captain to punish me for what I did! Do you hate me? Are you trying to say that I should pack up because I'm no good to you because of that?! or just -" the blond was grasping at straws now. He felt he deserved to be punished by some means. But then, Luffy stood, his legs seeming to argue this action, but he ignored it. His bandaged arms reached out, and his normally strong hands touched both sides of his chef's face gently as that smile was aimed at him.

"No silly. None of you have to apologize, because I never blamed you for it." Sanji blinked. He stared into the wide, dark eyes of the young man before him and found himself lowering his head in defeat. Luffy would never accept the apology, but he was strangely at peace with his decision. He did, however wonder what the reason truly was. Thankfully, Zoro asked the question he couldn't.

"So, why'd you decide not to let your crew take responsibility?" the green-haired man asked, frowning. Luffy smiled, laughing lightly to himself as he let Sanji go and crossed his bandaged arms over his thin chest.

"Because, all of you are my treasure. And, a Pirate always keeps his greatest of treasures close." the group stared at him. It was a silly statement. Something that shouldn't have really affected them. But, it did and before they knew it all of them had embraced their Captain once more. This insane, brave, and kind hearted young man was really no different to them. He was their treasure too.

{.…..}

Author's Note: So, originally, this was a one shot that I never intended to expand upon. But, what I'm going to do instead is as they come to me, I'll be updating it with similiar little one shots in a series under this one particular story's title. They'll mostly not add up to anything much but my own notions and expansions on certain points in the story. In addition, it'll have a few theory scenarios in here sometimes. Nothing to crazy, I suppose. Also, at some point, there will come a chapter that crosses over with the Kingdom Hearts series I've been working on, but as it will be a one shot most likely, I will add it here, if not you'll know it when you see it.

Enjoy the one shot compilation.

Sincerely,

ShadowDragon94.