Chapter 5
Mystery staggered up on deck. It was beautiful up here and the sun seemed so warm and so nice. She looked around a little uncertainly and then realised the ship was sailing! Hang on a minute! This wasn't right! She panicked for a moment and then shrieked as a blonde haired guy jumped up in front of her. He grinned in her face and then held out a small plate with a little cake on it.
"Here. It's nowhere near how beautiful you are, but, please take it." he said. Mystery nervously took the plate and nibbled at the corner of it. She wasn't one for food really but, this was really nice! She delicately ate the rest of it and Sanji swept the plate away from her just as quickly. Mystery was a little weirded out but she kept going. That Sanji guy was a tad odd. He almost seemed like he was hitting on me. Eww. Mystery held out her hands in front of her and noted they were shaking. Something was wrong with her. Luffy popped up in front of her then and she nearly had a heart attack.
"Hey, wanna play?" he asked. Mystery paused a moment.
"Play?" she said. Luffy nodded. "I don't know how." she said and Luffy looked at her like he was looking at a wounded puppy.
"You don't know how to play?" he asked. Mystery blushed and nodded. "Well, I'll teach you. First of all, you have to laugh." Luffy said and as if to emphasize his point he laughed out loud. Mystery didn't know how to do this but she tried and ended up sounding like a wounded cat.
"No, no." Luffy reprimanded her. Mystery flinched. Luffy laughed again and then tilted his head to one side. Mystery tried again but still didn't get it. Luffy sighed and placed a hand on his forehead. Mystery just simply didn't get it. She had never laughed before, that she could remember.
Laughter? Laughter! That's why she couldn't laugh. Something bad happened when she laughed, something horrible usually went wrong.
"Uh, Mr Luffy sir, I don't think laughing is a good idea." Mystery said nervously. Luffy tilted his head to one side again as if he didn't understand.
"Of course it is. Laughing is good for you. See he he!" Luffy said and moved toward her a little. Mystery shook her head and bit her lip.
"No, I can't"
"Come on." Luffy pressed. Mystery closed her eyes and tried to move back again but she had been backed into the wall.
"No Mr Luffy." Mystery said and clenched her teeth. Now that she didn't want to, it was trying to happen, laughing was bad, very very bad.
"Just try." Luffy asked. Mystery shook her head and suddenly her eyes glowed a vivid green.
"NO!" she screamed. Luffy jumped back, a little unsure of what had happened. Mystery groaned and dropped to her knees, one hand on her head. Sanji, Zolo, Usopp, Chopper and Nami all rushed out of where they were to see what had happened. Mystery took a deep shuddering breath and looked up. She felt tears welling up in her eyes and she bowed down to Luffy.
"I'm so sorry, I don't know what happened, I just…lost control I think I don't really know. I'm so so sorry!" Mystery sobbed and the crew was stunned.
"It's alright." Luffy said and kneeled down in front of her. Mystery looked up, tears still streaming down her cheeks. Luffy smiled.
"Everyone loses control once in a while, it's what makes us human." Mystery gazed at him, then nodded. Zolo smiled proudly. His friend and captain was the smartest person when he wanted to be. No, when he needed to be. That was one of the many reasons Zolo liked him. Mystery stood up and smiled.
"I think I'm going to go and have a lay down. I don't feel so good. Is that alright?" Mystery asked suddenly looking at Zolo.
"Why ask me?" Zolo asked her in return. Mystery shook her head.
"Because you saved me, and I still owe you a debt and until I am able to repay that debt my life is yours." she replied. Zolo groaned and hit his forehead with the palm of his hand.
"You don't belong to me. I appreciate the debt, and all, but, you don't need to pay it back. Honestly, it's okay." Zolo lectured her. Mystery gazed at him, her purple eyes soft.
"Yes." she said and then walked down into the cabins again.
"You like her." Luffy said to Zolo. Ouch. That hurt.
"No Luffy." I like you! Oh for heaven's sake. Luffy can be so stupid! "But, she seems to be a messed up girl and it sounds like she hasn't had too good of a life and I don't think many people have been nice to her." Zolo replied sounding a little softer than he had meant it to be.
This girl was really getting under his skin. He didn't like when people got under his skin. The only one who had been able to do that had been Luffy. He didn't love the girl, that was for sure, but, she made him feel kindly towards her, like an older brother towards a sister. Hmm, he'd have to make sure he watched her as well, that little outburst had been a little strange. Just because Luffy wanted her to laugh. She had even said laughing wasn't a good idea for her. Wonder why? Wonder why.
Laughing will be an important part with the rest of this story. Basically the next few chapters really revolve around that same basic concept, hope you enjoyed! Plushies for reviewers!
