Chapter 7: Land!

Serving the last meal that she would prepare Momo silently ate along side Kyoko, who was digging in like the best of them. Little Kyo had grown used to living amoung Shanks and his crew...and so had she. But that amounted to little of nothing...even the kiss.

The slightest remembrance and her face flushed red which worried Kyoko," Momo...do you have a fever?"

" Huh? Oh, uh! I'm fine..."

" You've been actin' weird ever since yesterday...after you left the kitchen!" Despite being young she tried to sound firm." Your face was red then too...but it was different from today. You really don't look well..."

Ruffling the girl's hair a bit Momo stood," I'm fine, I promise. But I am tired...so if it helps you feel any better I'll rest a while before we arrive at the village."

" Good...I'll wake you before we get there!"

" You do that, just make sure to stand aside or you might be facing a wrath of terror!" Both friends laughed whole heartedly." I'm not easy to wake up..."

Watching as Momo left Kyoko stood and pulled Shanks' pants leg," Can I talk to you..about Momo..?"

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Kicking her feet back and forth innocently the small girl couldn't help but be overwhelmed by all her emotions." I think...Momo's sick...she's been acting weird ever since yesterday. She looked really tired this morning...I don't think she's slept much...and she didn't eat last night! Her face was red just about all morning long and when I felt her head it was warm...do you think she's got a cold?"

" Well...it sounds like it..." the red head agreed, scratching his chin.

" But she hasn't talked to me about it at all...what if it's a grown-up thing...?"

Taken aback by the question the captain gave a sigh but smiled in hopes of brightening the child's mood," I'll talk to her...if it's adult related then I'm sure she'd talk to me."

" You will?" Hugging him around the legs Kyoko smiled brightly." Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

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Land was right in sight, it had been ages since she was allowed to leave her former captain's ship...and now she was getting a second chance at life. What a world she lived in!

" It's Akmei Village."

Startled Momo almost lashed out until she realized it was Shanks," Don't sneak up on people like that! UH! You're impossible!"

For a moment she swore he almost laughed," Yasopp was telling me what a nice little place it was. If you're looking to start your life anew Akmei would be a nice place to start. Earn a living doing whatever you want to pursue..."

" A chef...its what I'm good at...so I should stick with it."

" Yeah...you'd have to hire a lot of workers..." Teased Shanks with an innocent grin." By the way...Kyoko's worried about you. Said you wouldn't talk to her about something...assuming it was a grown up situation. I'd be willing to listen if you ever feel like chatting."

Sighing softly Momo waved her hand," It's nothing you would understand..."

" Might if you'd tell me."

" Captain!" Shouted Yasopp running from behind." The cook's complaining about the lack of supplies...and we're low on other things besides food too."

His grip tightened around his cloak," We'll rest here for tonight, restock on our supplies, and set sail tomorrow."

Just hearing him talk about leaving made her heart tighten, why was that? Why could she not stand the thought of never seeing him again? Feeling tears rush to her eyes Momo turned and headed towards an inn...she wanted to be anywhere but there.

" Momo..?"

Stopping dead in her tracks she couldn't help but let a small cry escape her," I'm okay Kyo...don't worry about me...I just need some time to think."

" Why...are you crying...?"

Ignoring the question as if she'd never heard it Momo walked past the inn and towards a small dirt trail. Only to hear Kyoko's tiny foot steps following closely behind. She was thankful for the child's constant support...always eager to please. Using her sleeve to wipe away the tears Momo was about to turn when painfully strong arms grabbed he, pinning her arms to her sides. Strugglign against the overpowering strength she spotted a man making a mad dash to get Kyoko.

" Kyoko! RUN! Find Shanks!"

What little relief she felt when the girl escaped down the trail turned to fear as the full reality of the situation set in. In her attempt to bit the hand, arm(whatever she could reach) a hard smack across the face made her efforts cease. There was no way...how could it be...?

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Yeeeaaahhh! Conflict finally arrives! Wait...ish that a good thing? (blink, blink) Ah...whatever. Just because the villan is kinda' showing up now doesn't mean the story will end in a few chapters. I intend to go to twenty just like all my stories will! Heck yeah! (listens for dramatic music) Eh...can't expect the best all the time.

Chapter 8: Fighting Perplexed! Momo already knows her captor but doesn't like the thought of facing him and the bitter truth of her past. To make matter worse Shanks appears and things kinda' get out of hand from there...

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