Chapter 21

Adella listened to the rain pound outside of her room. "This was crazy. I joined Luffy's crew for one reason, but I got so much out of it. I fought monsters, battled the navy even though my parents are in the navy, waged wars against enemy pirates, and finally put an end to my assailant. I guess I lived a good life. I learned a lot and did many interesting things that other girls like me wouldn't be interested in. Well, I've been different from the other girls like me ever since I could walk and talk. I've always been the odd one out. But that's what made me different. And that's what made Zolo like me so much back then. Hmm…Just seventeen years of existence." She yawned. "Zolo told me to be optimistic again, but my future is questionable. Will I die? Will I live? That medicine seems to be working, but is it reliable? But the most important question is: Will Sanji be in my future?" She looked over at the clock. "Vivi, Usopp, and Chopper are the only ones here watching over me. Everyone else went out to find Sanji." She sighed. "Be optimistic…What should I do?" She closed her eyes. "If one longs for the burning passion of another, then one should do something about it. One should take action…" She opened her eyes. "I should take action then." She weakly got out of the bed and put on her usual outfit. "I can't go out through this door, so…" She opened the window and climbed out. "Sanji went to town, right?" She nodded to herself.

She wandered into town, the rain making her shiver. She sneezed and coughed from the cold rain, and the ice wind nipped at her cheeks. "I hope I find Sanji before I pass out." Her hair was soaked, as was her clothes. Her extremely long auburn hair only became heavier now that it was wet. As she walked, she felt tired. "Oh, I'm gonna catch a cold out here. I'm just making it worse for me…But I have to go on! I have to find Sanji and tell him how I feel! I have to!"

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Sanji meandered through the empty streets in the rain. He seemed to be in a daze to anyone else, but he was actually deep in thought. I've been out here so long. I hope Adella's okay. That's all I can do for her now, hope and pray. He put his hands in his pockets. "Gee, I hope that I don't get sick." I love Adella so much. I want to get her out of my mind, but it's too hard. I just can't forget someone like her. "Adella, get out of my mind." His hair was wet and clung to his face. He looked up to the sky as if he wanted to wash something off. "Water cleanse right? So it can cleanse me of Adella…" He brought his head back to its normal position and opened his eyes. Before him, he could see a far off figure. "Now who would be out here in the rain like this? All of the shops have either closed up or moved inside." He squinted. "It's a girl…She looks lost…Or maybe like she's looking for someone." She stopped. "Huh? Why is she stopping? Is she looking over here at me? I can't really tell…"

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"Who is that guy?" Adella asked herself. She squinted to see if she could discern who that was. "Huh?" He was finely dressed. He had a black suit on and a blue stripped shirt. His black tie was a bit askew and his hair was soaked. Make that blonde hair. Wait, a blonde guy in a nice outfit…? Adella gasped. "Sanji!" She began to run with all of the energy that she had left. She began to shout. "Sanji! Sanji!" As soon as she got close enough to Sanji, she tripped into his arms. He caught her fortunately. "Sanji!" she cried.

"A-Adella!" Sanji was stunned. "What're you doing out here! You're supposed to be back at the ship!"

She clung to him and panted. "I…I…I know."

"Then why aren't you there! Adella, you're ill. I'm taking you back right now!"

"I was looking for you!"

He froze. "You…were?"

She smiled and hugged him tightly. "But now that I've found you, I don't feel as sick anymore. I'm so sorry Sanji."

"What?"

"I'm sorry for all the pain that I've caused you. Nami told me everything and how you feel about me…"

"She told?" He blushed from embarrassment. "Look, Adella, I know that you're in love with Zolo and all-"

"That's not true Sanji! What you saw that night was us trying to see if we actually loved each other after everything that we put each other through!"

"Adella…do you love Zolo?"

"No! I love--" She paused. "Sanji, listen to me. I've been thinking about everything that we've gotten through together. You've done so much for me and I'm so thankful that we met. Ever since I met Zolo, however, I thought that he was my true love. Well, after discovering for myself what type of person you are, I've realized something…" She looked up at him and smiled. "Sanji, I'm in love with you."

Sanji was shocked. "You're in love with…me?"

"Yes! I'm in love with you!"

He blinked back tears. "Adella…" His hand slid over her back, up her spine, and to her cheek while the other arm pulled her even closer. He slowly bent his head down, making sure that it was okay for him to go any further. She said nothing, waiting for their lips to meet. He gently pressed his lips against hers, feeling how soft her lips were. He could smell the scent of French Vanilla Cream that she used often. The smell was so good, he could taste it on her lips. She held onto his shoulders, never wanting to let go. Tears streamed down her cheeks, this was the moment that she had been longing for. They both had been longing for it. They parted for air.

"Sanji, you don't know how long I've waited for something like that. I kissed Zolo, but it didn't feel like this." She buried her face in his chest. "I love you."

He hugged her. "And I love you." He kissed the top of her head. She looked up at him and he wiped her tears away. They were both soaking wet, but they didn't feel cold anymore. They had the warmth of each other, and that was enough to keep the both warm. "Come, I'll take you back to the ship." He scooped her up into his arms.

"Sanji…" He looked down at her and she looked up. She kissed him once more. "I love you so much."

He smiled. "I know. That's how I've felt about you all long."

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They were in total bliss now that they knew how they felt about one another. They wouldn't look at others now and feel jealous that they didn't have someone to love. They felt genuinely happy, happy that they could now spend the rest of their lives with each other. And they did not just love each other, they loved their friends. Their friends made them happy in their own special way, but true happiness came from them alone. For once, everything worked out the way it should be. For the first time in so long, love did not leave either of the two crying.

The End