Chapter 13: Free to fly
Mystery carefully lowered the quiet body into the ground. The grave had been dug with her own hands and blades and she was all alone. Not because everyone hated her, because she chose to be. This was her doing, and no matter how much anyone told her that what she said wasn't true, deep in her heart of hearts, she knew it was true. It was time to admit the truth to herself. The person she had killed so long ago, no matter how much he had hurt Skip, had been a valued person in the young boy's life and she had taken that away. She gently pushed the soil back into the grave, burying someone she had considered to be a friend, even thought he had tried to kill her. He was a twisted person, and his good side was getting slowly changed to suit the bad side of him. She patted the soil down and then placed a small twig in the centre. She bowed.
"I'm sorry. But now, you can be with your father, and I sincerely hope he is there for you. Because you deserve to be in heaven. I'll see ya around." and she sighed as her tears fell on the fresh earth. Getting up, she pulled her scarf off her neck and tied it around her wrist instead. She sent a quick salute towards the grave and disappeared into the bushes, a whisper.
Luffy looked carefully around the ship.
"Where's Mystery?" he asked. Zolo looked back at his captain as the black haired boy strolled up.
"She's just finishing burying her friend." Zolo replied as the wind rippled around them. The sun was coming up slowly in front of them. It was turning the sky a gorgeous light orange. Before Mystery had left the ship, Odium's body, or as she insisted on calling him, Skip, in her arms, she had whispered something into Zolo's ear.
"Take the chance." she had said and Zolo had looked at her as she disappeared into the forest. He smiled at Luffy and thought, I will.
"Luffy, if I told you something, would you promise to stay friends with me?" Zolo asked. Luffy tilted his head.
"Of course." he said and smiled. Zolo fidgeted, looked out at the forest and with his face set, he turned back to Luffy.
"I love you Luffy." he said. Luffy paused a moment and then smiled.
"I love you too silly! I thought you knew that?" he replied.
"No, Luffy, you don't get it-"
"Yes I do." Luffy said cutting him off. Zolo stared at Luffy as the boy pushed his hat back so it fell onto his back. He came close to Zolo and the older man could feel Luffy's breath as he leant in close. His captain paused, and Zolo, afraid that Luffy had backed out, swiftly brought his lips to join with Luffy's. They were silent for a while, until the need to breathe forced them apart again. Luffy smiled up at Zolo.
"I was going to kiss you the other night, but Sanji disrupted me." Luffy said a little annoyed as he leaned against the older man's chest. There was a quiet whisper and the two looked around to see Mystery standing beside the ladder.
"So, where are we off to…Captain?" she asked and smiled, her white hair blowing in the breeze. Luffy grinned.
"To find One Piece?" he asked. Mystery shrugged.
"Groovy." she said and walked toward the two older men. She gave Zolo a questioning look and Zolo nodded. Mystery smiled and winked. She was free to live her own life. Free to do whatever she pleased and not have to worry about hiding from everyone around her just so she didn't cause harm. Her two minds were one, she was a whole person, how she was born! Ha, she was free!
"Free at last."she whispered as she stared at the rippling sea, tinted orange in the light from the sun. She grinned.
The end
There you go my wonderful readers. How did you find it? Was it good? It ended up being longer than I expected, not to mention I got in trouble for being on my computer too much, but, hey, what are ya gonna do? Well, hope you enjoyed this story and as Luffy says.
"ZOLO, time to GOLO!" (eh, english dub. Only one piece I can get my eyes on, as I think I have mentioned. I apologise if the names make you shiver, but that's how I know them. The only thing I really think they shouldn't have changed is that fact that Sanji smokes.) thanks for reading! Bye.
