Raffles screamed again, his other fist pounding against the medium-sized boulder that was nestled in the cradle of branches. "The fool mocks me!" Gray eyes stared down at his knife in horror; the weapon had been severely cracked! "Why, oh, why did I buy those cheaper knives in Loguetown?!" The horrible pain of losing his prey only made the situation ten times worse. Furiously, he impelled his fist at the offensive rock-hard replacement he had found, only to regret the bruised knuckle it produced.
Grudgingly, he inspected the boulder closer as he rubbed his aching hand. "How could he get something like this up here, though?" he murmured crossly under his breath. The only explanation he could supply himself with was that the boy's rubber-like flexibility enabled him to bring it up into the tree somehow. Raffles paused as he rubbed his chin's stubble with a rough thumb. "But why…?"
Powder, smeared across the rock from both his beatings and the rainwater, gave him the answer. Upon closer study, the hunter discovered that the powder was actually the residue from some sort of chalk that was abundant upon the island's mountain. "And, look! There seems to be some sort of message…" He peered closer, squinting through the dark and messily scrawled handwriting. Better…luck…next time…?
The botanist gritted his teeth. "The fool purposely mocks me!"
And with that, he swiftly jumped from the tree and landed in the large puddle of mud. Despite the grace of a surly cat he'd acquired through years of experience, sludge spattered his white socks and beige shorts. He shrewdly gazed at the ground beneath him -- the heavy rain had ruined the crisp freshness Luffy's footprints had once possessed. In fact, the water and mud were so deep in places that the trail had been all but lost.
Throwing aside his anger (along with his ruined knife), Raffles decided to take a few minutes to think the situation out. "When it is storming outside," he muttered, "it should be instinctive for some animals - particularly one such as a human being - to take shelter." A pause, his crafty eyes narrowing. "So it's only logical that the dolt would--" The hunter's face lit up. "Ah-hah! I've got you now, you wretched boy!"
He dashed through the sheets of rain and towards the mountain, throwing on his cloak of disguise once more as he blended in into the trees.
Luffy sneezed as he wandered through the damp air of the mountain's caves. He paused in his walking, and turned towards the dark, distant mouth of the cavern. The distinct feeling of someone talking about him shook him for a moment, before he casually shrugged it off.
It hadn't taken him long to decide that he should go to the caves instead hanging around in that silly, old tree. First of all, despite the nap he took, it had become far too boring for the rubber pirate's taste. Sitting around on a few limbs rarely resulted in a heart-pounding, adrenaline-packed adventure. Secondly, the rain had interrupted said nap, and his precious straw hat, along with the baggy shirt Zoro had given to him, were beginning to get rather soggy. (Luffy couldn't understand why so much water had suddenly started to pour from the sky, but decided not to worry about it.) And third, the teenager figured it wouldn't be long before Raffles found him anyway. Grinning to himself, Luffy was glad he left a message informing the botanist of whether he was hot or cold on his trail. Thanks to that "chalk rock" he'd found on the mountain, of course. It pleased him that it was good for things other than drawing portraits of his crew.
For awhile, Luffy had been tempted to locate the cave that he and Zoro had been sharing. Assuming that Nami and Sanji were also there, the future pirate king had especially wanted to talk with them in an effort to find out if Chopper and Usopp were with them, where the ship was, and if he could have a piece of steak for dinner.
His eyebrows lightly furrowed as soon as he vaguely recalled that Zoro had a bit of blood on him the last time they spoke. The swordsman hadn't answered him when asked about how he had acquired his wounds. Maybe Zoro fell and hurt himself, Luffy mused silently. But that really doesn't sound like the Zoro I know.
It didn't take long for the fellow's colorful imagination to create its own spectacular version of what had happened. Zoro probably had a run-in with a giant, three headed bear! Who cared if he had said there weren't any animals on the island? This bear was huge, so it could do whatever it felt like and be wherever it wanted. Anyway, it was very well possible that it had taken sword-fighting lessons from the amazing Mihawk, so it was only natural that it'd give Zoro a hard time. But he wasn't Luffy's first mate for nothing, and he gladly fought the new foe with infinite vigor.
The dark-haired boy nearly trembled as he created the battle within the depths of his racing mind. A slash from the bear -- a dodge from Zoro! But -- wait -- was that a bleeding gash on his shoulder? Zoro lunged, ignoring his wound, and -- and -- whapped that bear good! Yeah!
Luffy made a fist and cast a longing gaze out into the deep dark of the pathway before him. "I wish I could've seen it!" Zoro was so strong, how could he have doubted his first mate and worry about something as silly as some blood? Luffy grinned and inwardly decided to ask Zoro about what had happened as soon as his current game was over. He felt sure he wouldn't be disappointed.
A sharp roar crashed through his ears, momentarily shaking the rubber man out of his thoughts. Ground vibrating beneath his feet at the sound, Luffy abruptly looked behind himself to get a glimpse of where he was. The cave mouth was a distant speck, illuminated only by the spontaneous, dramatic flashes of lightning outside. "Still raining," he mumbled with a quirked lip. "I hope the plants are happy!" He remembered how gleeful they looked when they danced within a shower of rainwater.
In the same moment, another, quick clap of thunder sounded, and Luffy thought of how scared of storms Chopper and Usopp were. Maybe the sniper was telling the doctor an amazing tale to take their minds off of their worries. Or maybe they were running around in a frenzy, panicking. Sometimes it was difficult for Luffy to figure which one would happen. He'd seen them do both.
"I'm sure they'll be okay," he said with a bright smile before turning and wandering along his way.
The rain continued to pour onto to the mushy mud that was now layered over the clearing. Three pairs of eyes gazed out from the cave that had become their sanctuary. Minutes seemed to crawl by, playing the cruel part of what felt like an eternity. No one spoke, as a drowsy air accompanied that constant, horrible rainwater. A soft rumble echoed through the sky, perhaps giving an indication that the storm was drifting away from the island.
"I hope Usopp and Chopper are all right," sighed Nami, her eyes staring out of the cave and at nothing in particular. Her thin arms were hugging her knees to her chest, her chin resting upon them in a contemplative manner. "What kind of monster could cause all of this?"
"A lonely one," replied Zoro gruffly from behind her, leaning against the rough, damp cave wall. The blood that had once been crusted across his chest and head had been cleaned, thanks to Nami, but none of the stranded pirates had any bandages to wrap the wounds with. The swordsman had insisted he was fine, however, and Nami and Sanji had been forced to take his word for it.
"That's true, maybe," spoke Nami softly, in response to Zoro's reply. Her eyes never left the billowing sheets of rain that continued to dance outside. "But…" Her voice trailed off, and her lips pressed themselves into a thin line.
"But what, Nami-san?" prodded Sanji, who was sitting beside the orange-haired girl.
Smiling suddenly, Nami turned towards Sanji. "You know, I've decided to properly map this island when we leave."
"Oh?" asked Zoro, mildly raising an eyebrow.
Nami's face grew vaguely indignant, and she allowed her legs to stretch out in front of her, thin hands resting behind herself to keep her body propped up. "That's right. There's no excuse for an incorrect map." Holding up a finger, her eyes closed as she spoke. "I'll bet it was because of these storms that no one was able to record the island's proper position. I mean, it'd make sense that it'd be hard to map an island if you kept on getting blown off course."
Sanji had taken to mutely nodding through Nami's explanation, but he gave a stout agreement as soon as she had finished speaking. "Of course, Nami-san! That's why we reached the island earlier than expected, right?"
"Very good, Sanji-kun," answered Nami, and Zoro rolled his eyes when Sanji's face seemed to glow at the woman's compliment. Silence reigned their cave for several more moments, the rain continuing to droll on, until Nami spoke again, more subdued this time. "I wonder when Luffy will be back."
"Shouldn't be too long, right, Nami-san?" assured Sanji, smiling. "A game can't last more than a day."
"But I don't want to sit here for a day."
"Well, ah, half a day then!"
Nami sighed suddenly, her arms folding around herself to keep herself warm against the chilly air. "What I want is for it to be over now." She seemed slightly anxious, as she found interest in the hard ground she sat upon. "Maybe we should go look for him."
Leaning over, the blond chef shed his dark jacket and covered the navigator's exposed shoulders with it. She gave him a grateful smile. "You know, Nami-san, that might not be such a bad idea."
"No." The answer was sharp, swift and commanding. But it had been Zoro who replied. Sanji swiftly looked over at the swordsman, a mixture of surprise and irritation evident on his face.
"What do you mean 'no?'" The chef gestured to the orange-haired girl. "Nami-san's right. We can't just sit here and do nothing, especially with some invincible criminal on the loose. We need to fight back."
"Sanji-kun, I never said we needed to do that," stated Nami firmly. Upon the prompt comment, Sanji seemed to grow somewhat sheepish, giving an apology to the navigator. "Luffy's more than capable of taking care of himself, but it doesn't make sitting here and letting him do all the work any easier."
Zoro shook his head, recalling that time, long ago, when Luffy had stayed still and watched during his fight with Cabaji the acrobat. The swordsman had been severely wounded then, and Nami had scolded the pirate captain for not helping his friend. Perhaps a seemingly indifferent attitude such as that would seem cruel to an outsider, but Zoro took it to be one the ultimate signs of confidence and respect that a captain could bestow upon one of his crew. He fully intended to extend the same courtesy to Luffy. "He'll be fine."
Sighing, Nami stood up and walked several yards towards the back of the dark cave. "Well, in that case, I'll just go to sleep." It was obvious that Zoro was going to stay no matter what she and Sanji did, and there was no telling if they would be able to reunite again if their group was separated.
Stopping in her tracks, however, she whirled around and drew a straight line into the ground with her foot. "This," she said coolly, "is a boundary that marks an invisible wall." Eyes narrowing, she uttered her next sentence slowly. "Anyone who even thinks about crossing it should consider himself dead."
"Hm."
"YES, Nami-san!"
And with that, the orange-haired girl allowed herself to fall onto the ground and roll onto her side. "Good night."
"Night."
"Good night, Nami-san!"
A strained silence followed.
"Oi," came Zoro's voice.
"What do you want?" Sanji seemed to have lost all of the delight he had possessed when he addressed Nami.
"You're a moron."
"What!? Why you little--!"
An exasperated, feminine sigh. "Will you two just grow up!?"
Sanji almost did a salute. "Yes, Nami-san!"
Zoro grimaced and turned his eyes towards the rain, his mind apparently drifting elsewhere.
And with that, an uneasy peace reigned the cave for what would hopefully be the remainder of the night.
In Usopp's opinion, however, he and Chopper were far from okay. The ship was acting like it was going to tip over with each gargantuan wave that crashed into her side -- a cruel joke that often threw the sniper against the rail of the ship. But he pressed onward, bravely making his way across the deck -- despite his shaking legs -- with full intention of checking on the steering doctor. His wet curls whipped against the back of his neck, as the wind raged with an awe-inspiring fury, but Usopp's fists only clenched tighter in an effort to alleviate the tight knot in his stomach. He had to take even the simplest movements one painstaking step at a time.
He was almost to the kitchen when a sharp movement caught the corner of his eye. Jerking himself towards it, the long-nosed man realized with horror that the protective cover that had once rested so comfortably over one of Nami's orange trees was beginning to slip away from its charge. With a pang to his chest, Usopp remembered how dear those trees were to their navigator, and he abruptly bit his lip. He wasn't sure if he could make it, but he knew that trees had the natural inclination to resist storms.
Then again, the storms from the past few days had been sudden, unusual and severe.
Although he was about to continue his journey to the kitchen, he stopped, sighed, cursed Nami and her silly trees and completely changed his course. It was difficult to maintain his balance, as another clap of thunder ripped through his ears. Even so, he continued to bite his lip with sincere hopes that he wasn't living his final moments.
It seemed like an eternity for him to reach the portion of the ship that held the trees. Stretching his arms forward, his fingers clutched onto the partially free cover. His large eyes beheld the seemingly mythical dance of the half-exposed tree. Most of the bright, healthy oranges that hung from its branches were nearly ready for picking. All the more reason for me to do this, he inwardly said, teeth gritting all the while.
Throwing his weight backward and against the wind, he fought with all of his strength to pull the cover back into place. Minutes crawled by, but it was well worth the wait when Usopp was finally able to ensure that the lush tree was sheltered. Although he was severely out of breath, he surveyed his handiwork with a proud smile. The storyteller added this latest incident to his collection of tales to tell -- with his own, special additions to it, of course.
The long-nosed man wasn't able to bask in his victory for long. As the ship gave another, mighty lurch, his feet were thrown out from under him and he went tumbling across the deck. Despite how hard he tried to get a grip on something, anything, he continued to slide towards the edge of the ship, legs tangled within his yellow poncho. Colliding against the rail with a heavy thud, he let out a yowl of pain that swiftly drowned within the raging roar of the storm.
Usopp faintly tasted blood in his mouth, perhaps from biting the inside of his cheek upon the impact of his fall. Even so, he reached a shaking hand towards the rail, clutching it with determination. As he faintly pulled his body to a wobbly stand, however, his side of the ship suddenly dipped closer to the ocean.
Wide, fearful eyes cast a frightened glance towards the raging waters that were eager to gobble him alive. Getting a tighter grip onto the rail, Usopp looked back towards the kitchen one last time before it happened. Something barreled into him from the side -- as if it were a giant's hand made from the very water of the sea -- and the teenager's slick palms slipped from their grasp on the rail.
That horrible giant known as the ocean ate him whole.