Hope everyone liked the first chapter. I realize it might of been a bit light, but I promise it will pick up… I think. Truth be told I'm making up everything as I go. F.Y.I in case you didn't catch the hints, this is set right after the water 7 arc.

Chapter 2

The Chat About His Mom

On Dawn Island, in Foosha Village, early in the morning at the local bar, the beautiful green-haired bartender Makino was finishing cleaning up the bar after last nights celebration of Luffy's new bounty. She honestly thought the men would party all night if it wasn't for all of their wives dragging them by the ear. She knew the wives of the village did the things they did as a way to help her out, but also out of habit. Over ten years ago Makino had a responsibility even more important than and that was being Luffy's surrogate mother. She was always asked to take care of Luffy for months on end whenever Garp and his mother were out on marine business. The wives helped her by making sure their husbands never partied too late and she certainly appreciated it. It was hard enough to watch Luffy as is, but she loved every moment of it, but honestly she felt more like his big sister than his mother.

Speaking of Luffy… Makino eyed the wanted posters of Luffy and his crew. They were neatly placed side to side of each other on the bar counter. She first looked at Luffy's poster. It was a picture of him with a big Luffy-like grin. She loved that poster it was her little reminder that Luffy was happy. The next was Pirate hunter Zoro. She had already known about him from luffy's previous bounty and she could really say was that he was really scary looking. After him was Cat Burglar Nami. Makino wasn't quite sure how she felt about a girl like her being apart of luffy's crew, based upon her 'attire' in the poster, but knowing Luffy it probably wasn't a big deal. She hoped. She always hoped he'd maintained his innocence even while on the sea. Next was black leg Sanji.

She skipped him.

Next on the list was Cotton Candy Lover Chopper. He was so cute! Luffy always did have taste for pets. Next was Devil Child Robin. She took a moment to think about her. When she was younger she heard a story about a girl who had got a very high bounty at the age of 8. At the time she thought she was so cool, but as makino grew older she realized how hard a life she must have led, but now she was with Luffy. She'd be safe with him and maybe even happy. The last 2 on the list were Sniperking and Cyborg Franky easily the most 'unique' looking members of the crew. This was definitely a weird crew, but if they made Luffy happy then so what.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden arrival of Woop Slap, the village mayor. "Morning Makino."

She smiled at him. "Good morning mayor. Strange to see you up so early."

Woop Slap took a seat closest to him. "Thought I'd see if you needed any help cleaning up, but I should have guessed you'd be done by now. Sorry you ended up doing it all by yourself."

Makino smiled appreciatively. "That's sweet, mayor, but I like the work and I also love being the bartender."

"Really? Why's that?" the mayor asked smiling.

"Well when I think back so many things might not have happened to me If my parents didn't open up the Party's Bar. Including never getting the chance to meet Luffy."

Woop Slap frowned. "Hmph. That boy… the constant disgrace of our village."

Makino chuckled. "Come on mayor you should just admit you're proud of Luffy."

"Never!"

"So you are proud?"

"What!? No! Ugh. Nevermind." Woop Slap got up from his chair and walked toward makino and then noticed the wanted poster of the strawhats. "Hard to believe…?"

"What?"

"There's a group of kids out there dumb enough to follow that brat."

Makino laughed. "Yes I guess it is a bit of a surprise."

"Hey makino how do you think he's doing" asked the mayor with a small smile."

"Oh do you care?" asked makino mischievously.

"Of course. After all that boy's put me through I think I have a right to know."

Makino smiled. "I bets he's having the time of his life. Although I'd wish he'd send a letter or something saying if he's alright. I'd send one but I don't know how you'd message a pirate."

"Like I'd want a letter from that brat."

"Then why do you alway check the mailbox looking for a letter from him?"

Woop slap blushed. "SHUT UP MAKINO!"

Makino just smiled.

Woop slap took a deep breath. "Oh by the way I got a transponder call from Garp he said he met luffy."

Makino's face lit up. "Really!? What did he say!? Is he doing alright!?"

"One at a time, Makino." said the mayor.

"Sorry." Makino apologized. "So how is he?"

"Garp didn't say much, but he says he's the same."

"So he's doing well." Makino said in a dreamy voiced. "Good I'm glad he's doing fine."

"Makino?"

"Still I'd wish he'd write at least once."

"I wouldn't worry too much. You know how that family is."

"Makino didn't laugh this time and just stood there smiling distantly. "Yeah…."

"One more thing Garp also said that Luffy's going to run into Lilia pretty soon."

"Really? That's great. Mother and son reunited at last." said Makino cheerfully. "Kind of sounds like something from a book!"

"Makino are you mad!" the mayor shouted. "The moment that woman catches up to Luffy he's as good as dog chow!"

"Mayor, there is nothing to worry about." Makino assured. "Sure Lilia can be a bit… intense, but she loves Luffy with all her heart."

"If you say so…" said the mayor not really believing her.

"I'm not saying there won't be drama and fighting. I'm saying that she's a good mom and will do what's best for luffy in the end."

"If you say so…" the mayor said dryly. "I have to go. Bye Makino."

"See you later, mayor" makino waved good-bye. The mayor left.

Makino truly believed that there was nothing to worry about. She had looked up to luffy's mom since she was a teenager. To her she was the ultimate woman. Both strong and beautiful, and also capable of raising a child on her own (even if she was gone a lot). Makino knew every thing would be alright… somehow. This was Luffy's mom after all. This wasn't going to be a smooth job.

Meanwhile, in the grand line Luffy woke up extra early and couldn't go back to sleep so he carefully exited the boys cabin so the others wouldn't wake up (although it would probably take more than a few loud noises to wake Zoro up).

Luffy found himself up on the upper deck. It was a beautiful morning as the began to rise on the horizon. Luffy took a moment to admire his new ship: The thousand Sunny. He had to admit this was a fine ship. He was lucky to find Franky. But he still couldn't help but miss the Merry. She was the first crewmate they lost and he vowed not to lose another.

Luffy looked down and noticed Nami, in a white buttoned shirt and a blue mini skirt, on lower deck, leaning on the rails, gazing dreamily at the sunrise. "Nami morning!"

Nami looked up and smiled at her captain. "Morning Luffy."

Luffy immediately jumped off the upper deck and onto the lower one. He landed in a kneeling position then raised himself to face his navigator.

"You're up early." said Luffy.

Nami shrugged. "I always wake up early. It's more unusual for you to be up this hour."

"I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep." explained luffy as he glanced behind nami. "Looking at the sunrise?"

"Yeah." nami nodded and then turn back to the railing. "I like to savor peaceful moments like these, since I know they won't last."

"What makes you say that?"

"Because they never do." stated nami. "If it's not being chased by the marines it's another crazy situation."

Luffy chuckled. "You have a point."

"And I'm still trying to process what happened with Water 7 and Enies Lobby." Nami continued. "In the span of a few days we got 300,000,000 berries and on the same day lost 200,000,000 of it, got told the bad news about Merry, you and Usopp had that big fight, Robin was taken by those CP9 jerks, we almost died trying to save her, then we said goodbye to Merry, and after that we found out your grandpa is a famous marine..." Nami stopped.

"You know there was more than that, like getting the sunny and usopp coming back."

"Luffy how come you didn't tell us your grandpa was Garp?" Nami asked curiously.

Luffy was taken back by her question. . "Well… um… uhh…"

"It's not like I'm upset that you didn't tell us, it's that I want to know why." Nami continued to push

"well I… you see…" Luffy started to sweat beads. He wanted to escape, but by that point Nami had already caged Luffy on the railings with her arms. and leaned in so close she and luffy's faces were only inches apart.

"Aokiji mentioned your grandpa before when we met him, but you just denied knowing what he was talking about." Nami's eyes widened a bit. "Don't tell me you thought we'd abandon you if we found out…?"

"No it's not that. That never even crossed my mind!" Luffy almost shouted.

"Then what?" Nami said sternly as she narrowed her eyes.

Luffy sighed in defeat. "I didn't tell you because it would brings back bad memories from training."

Nami blinked then laughed and released him from her arm cage. "T-thats it!? Really!? Y-you were scared!? You!? That's-that's priceless?"

Luffy was as red a tomato. "Stop laughing! It's not funny!"

Nami regained her composure. "Sorry. But really fear for your grandpa. That was it?"

"Yeah…" Luffy said dejectedly. He had never felt so embarrassed.

"Sorry for giving you the third degree." Nami said. "It's just that only now knowing you have a grandpa made me realize how little I really know about you."

"That's what bothered you!?" said Luffy surprised.

"Yeah. I mean was one of the first to meet you and I should atleast know a bit about your past, shouldn't I?"

"What do you want to know?" asked luffy.

"You mean you'll give me an answer?" Nami asked back.

"Yeah." Luffy said with a grin. "You're right we should know a bit more about each other as crewmates."

"Ok. Let me think… Oh I know how about this: do you have any other brothers, besides Ace or maybe a sister?"

"No." Luffy said flatly. Nami might get mad if she ever found out about Sabo, but how is she ever gonna know? He's dead. "But I do have two cousins I'm close to. They're both twins and one of them is a girl"

"One more question." Nami said. "What's your mom?"

Luffy blinked. "Why do you care?"

"Because I've got a feeling she's no ordinary lady. Being your mom alone proves she's above average."

"My mom is an incredible woman. She smiled in adversity and laughed at danger."

"Sounds a lot like you." nami surmised

"Me! No way I can't even begin to compare to her." Luffy said as if the idea was preposterous. "She's also really strong."

"How strong?"

"You remember Aokiji?"

"How could I forget?"

"I'd say she's as strong as him."

Nami was shocked. "Seriously!?"

"Yup. My mom also happens to be the most terrifying woman I've ever known."

"Wow…" Nami wondered what it would be like to meet this woman.

"Anymore questions?"

"Nope you're off the hook for now" nami said. "I think I'll head out to draw some maps. See you later"

"Later nami." Nami walked off.

"Bye nami."

Luffy lingered in that spot. He thought about his mom. Would she be mad at him for being a pirate. He'd never regret being a pirate, but he did regret not telling his mom that he left. he was afraid she would be angry at him. After all she is a marine.

So what do you think? Good, bad, great, terrible? Please review.