Can Life Get Any Worse?

A/N- Ok, so here's chapter 7. But before I start it, just a note to my fans. Thank you so much for all the wonderful reviews! Some criticism that will help me is also good. So thanks for all the love and helping you have given me that kept on motivating me for my story! And, to answer RavenOutkast's question, Tashigi is in the story as Kuina's older sister. She's not going to play that much of an important role, since Kuina is more important. Sorry Tashigi! Ok, now own with the chapter!

Chapter 7: A School Assignment!

"Now, now, class please calm down!" Mr. Nahlis sighed. The chattering amongst many students wouldn't stop. Then again, when all of them were called to meet at the lobby at 10 am sharp, and only on the second day of the vacation, who wouldn't be curious?

"Everyone, listen up to Mr. Nahlis!" boomed the music teacher, Mr. Darlio as students quickly quieted down.

"Thank you, Mr. D!" Mr. Nahlis smiled as the children's attention were quickly turned towards him. "Like I was saying at the airport, if any of you listened, there will be one school related project during this vacation."

Moans and groans were received as an answer. No one seemed happy about the sudden news of this.

"Do not worry," reassured Mr. Nahlis, "because it will be a fun assignment!"

Still, not many people seemed too excited. People usually learned not to trust when teachers say that the assignments were fun.

"So this is the assignment. It will start today at sunset, and end tomorrow at sunrise. People will go in groups of two, your roommate. Once I am done, you will have one hour to pack things you will need for this 'survival test' in this here bag." Mr. Nahlis paused as he held up a normal sized backpack. "You will then report back here and each pair will receive a certain place here. There are non active volcanoes, forests, lakes, many things. And remember, only pack the essentials. That means food, water and cloths. Keep in mind that the forest still ahs wild plants and animals. So use your science survival skills, your social studies historical information, and instinct to get past this assignment!"

By the time he was done, many of the students were staring at him in disbelief. One person shot their hand up.

"Yes, Melody?"

"You're kidding, right? I mean there's no way I'm going out there-"

"No, I am not. Don't worry, you'll be fine, as along as you paid attention in class," Mr. Nahlis smiled as still many of the students were shocked and puzzled.

Soon, chatter broke amongst the crowd once more.

"Will we be ok?"

"Is there poison ivy?"

"Are there any animals?"

"What if we can't find food?"

"Please, everyone, please settle down." My. Nahlis smiled once attention was once again focused on him. "If you have questions, come ask me privately. But if not, I recommend that you go and get yourselves ready! You only have an hour and a half left!"

With that statement, almost everyone ran back to their rooms, except for those who had questions. Mr. Nahlis smiled.

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Nami sighed and sat down on the bed. "What are we going to do? We have this tiny bag for the each of us!" Nami grumbled as she stared at the small bag on Luffy's bag.

Luffy gave a wide grin. "It's ok Nami, you can use it. I don't really need anything. Except for meat!"

Nami brought her hand up to her face, shaking her head slightly. "Look, Luffy. I don't want to do this…" She was just about to add on how she didn't want to do it with him, but something told her not to. She shrugged it off. "So, since we have to do this, I say we compromise."

Luffy had on his innocent face as Nami spoke. Was it because he didn't understand, or for no real reason at all? It would be hard to find out.

"One, I am not going with you when you only have one pair of cloths! I don't want you to be smelly. So pack some cloths, a pair of PJ's, deodorant-"

Luffy smiled at her once more, signaling her to stop. "It's only one night!" he reminded her.

"Yes I know! Ok fine, just pack some extra cloths. And don't use up all of the space just for meat!" Nami sighed and looked through her drawers, pulling out some clothing and stuffing it into the bag, along with some paper and a few pens.

"What's the paper for?" Luffy asked as he put in a pair of jeans and a red vest into the bag.

"We're going to map out the area, just so we won't get lost. I know a thing or two about maps, and I've mapped out a few islands before. It can't be that hard." She gave a reassuring smile to Luffy, who thought nothing else of it.

"Ok then! That sounds cool."

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"This will be no sweat!" Kuina said with a large smile.

"Yup! Us two means no problems at all. Too bad for Nami and Kaya though. Kaya has that weirdo and Nami has that idiot." Vivi gave a small smile as she took out one of her favorite green jackets.

"Yeah. You know what? Nami's been acting real differently around Luffy," Kuina said as she stood for a moment, a puzzled look on her face.

"You're right! But maybe this isn't the best time to think…" Vivi glanced nervously at her watch.

"You got a point. We'll talk later. First we should concentrate of packing. Now… should I bring magazines or not?"

Vivi glanced up to see a large pile of magazines stacked in Kuina's hands. "Hey, I think I recall Mr. N saying only pack the essentials."

"But magazines are essentials!" Kuina whined.

Vivi sighed. "Ok sure! Just don't take all of them," Vivi pleaded.

"But… but…" Kuina looked down at the immense number of magazines, dreading the thought of picking only some to take.

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"Look, Mihawk, let's just get this over with." Zoro grumbled as he grabbed a pair of pants and a few shirts. "We both know that you don't like me, and I hate you, ok?"

Mihawk nodded. "Yes." he said with his French accent.

"Good, we got that down. Now as far as packing goes, only pack your cloths and we'll use the rest for food, ok?" Anyone who knew Zoro could tell that he was a in a steaming mood. And people didn't mess with him when he was in that kind of bad mood.

"As long as you stay out of my way, we'll be able to survive there without getting too annoyed." Mihawk pulled out his leather jacket along with some of his black jeans and a shirt or two.

"I actually agree with you on something," said the green haired teenager.

"There we go, this is my stuff." Mihawk jammed his clothing into the bag, Zoro doing the same.

"What! That's so much! How do you expect to fit any food in here!" Zoro yelled as he pointed to Mihawk's clothing.

"I have too much? Did you look at your clothing ever!" Mihawk growled in return.

"Yeah, and I only have about half the stuff you do!" shoot Zoro.

"Then maybe you're blind!" Mihawk shouted.

As they stared at each other with angry looks on their faces, spark began to go from their eyes. Anyone could practically see the chemistry!

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"Ugh, Kuro!" Kaya's scream echoed throughout the whole room.

"Yes, what is it?" asked the black haired boy. His hair gleamed in the light, and though he thought it looked cool, everyone else thought of it as dumb. Plus, those large glasses didn't help.

"Do you see how many suits you're taking!" Kaya lifted the bag which was halfway filled with Kuro's suits and undershirts.

"Well, I don't want to spend all night in a dirty suit," Kuro explained with an all too gentlemanly manner.

"One, it's only one night, and two, I that doesn't mean you need so many!" Kaya explained as she pulled out about half the suits, still leaving about 3 of them.

Kuro sighed, finding no further reason on why to continue the argument. "Ok, fine." He reluctantly took a few of his suits out and put them neatly into the drawer.

Kaya managed a smile of victory. "Good." She then pulled out some of her own clothing which managed to fit into the bag.

I wonder how Nami's doing. Vivi and Kuina are lucky, having themselves. Nami might be better off. I mean she has been acting strangely ever since we left. Hmm… I hope Usopp is doing ok. He's a good friend, that's for sure. But maybe…

Kaya's thoughts were abruptly cut off when the door slammed open.

"KURO!" shouted Butchie and Siam, his best friends.

Kuro grinned and walked over, leaving Kaya by her lonesome, which made her happier.

"Finally!"

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"Ok, Usopp, so it's agreed. Only 2 outfits for each of us. We'll stick in some food and what not also." Sanji pulled out a pair of beat-up long shorts, ones that Sanji didn't seem too fond of.

"That sounds fair! Boy, are we lucky to be with each other. I mean Zoro has to be with his worst enemy! And Luffy, well he has to be with Nami, who isn't exactly an angel from heaven," Usopp observed. He grabbed one of his bandanas, along with a few shirts.

Sanji sighed. "I wish I was with Nami, or maybe Vivi. Kuina and Kaya would nice… And then there is always-"

"Ok, yes I know! You would much rather be with a girl then me. But hey, I could be worse!" Usopp gave a large smile which made Sanji cheer up.

Sanji returned his smile. "You got a point! At least I'm not with that green haired idiot," stated Sanji as he carefully tucked in his shirts into the bag.

"You mean Zoro? Sometimes I really wonder why you two always fight," thought Usopp out loud.

Sanji just grumbled in response.

"Oh sorry, did I say that out loud? I meant to say it in my head!" Usopp quickly corrected himself, hoping Sanji wouldn't get mad.

"Well anyway, we'd better get packing. We only got an hour or so to go!" Sanji reminded Usopp as he quickly grabbed a bottle or two of hair gel and stuffed them into the bag.

"Wow, you're right!" exclaimed Usopp. He ran over to his bed and grabbed a few cereal bars, throwing them into the bag.

"Do you carry those everywhere?" Sanji questioned.

"Eh, sometimes…"

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"Good, we're done! And we even have room to spare!" Nami held up the bag in victory.

"That's great! Now we can pack some meat!" Luffy gave his large goofy grin as he stared at the empty space in the bag.

"You know what, Luffy? I think it's too heavy already. You really have to use that brain of yours sometimes!" Nami sighed and plopped the bag done onto the bed.

"Aww, come on. Just a little?" Luffy whined as poked his head into the mini refridgorator. "Ooh, look! Here's a good piece!" Luffy pulled out a small drumstick of meat.

"Luffy, since when was there meat in there?" Nami questioned as she walked over, seeing tons of meat jammed into the fridge.

"Oh, I got it from home!" Luffy said with a wide smile.

"What! You brought this much meat!" Nami stared in astonishment at the large piles of meat.

"Yup! Pretty smart, right?"

"Smart? What if the teachers see all of this meat here? They'll get mad probably," Nami said as she sighed.

"No we won't! Besides, they won't come over here." Luffy reassured the carrot-headed girl.

"Woah! It's already noon. Come on, or we're going to be late!" Nami quickly rushed over to grab the bag, finding it to still be heavy.

"Don't worry Nami," Luffy said as he walked over towards her. He gently picked up the large bag from her shoulder and set it over his own. "I'll carry it!"

Nami blinked once. "Th-thanks, Luffy." Nami gave a small smile as she quickly walked towards the door, pushing it open.

The two walked towards the lobby, where they could already see kids crowding around and talking.

"It is now noon," began Mr. Nahlis, "so we shall give you the places you will be camping out. And do not worry, teachers will be monitering the area for a bit and then we will leave you alone for the night." Mr. Nahlis smiled.

"So everything will be safe?"

"No animals or monsters or anything?"

"Are there really that many places around here?"

Questions seemed to be asked non-stop, but the teachers managed to quiet everyone down.

"Please come up here to receive your designated spots. And remember, you get what you get." Mr. Nahlis held up a handful of slips of paper, as students came rushing over.

"Sandy beach peninsula?" Kuina stared at her sheet of paper with Vivi looking over her shoulder.

"Sounds beachy!" Vivi said happily.

"Rigid mountain peaks," said Zoro with a grin. Mihawk just chuckled.

"Volcano base?" Sanji said, a puzzled look on his face.

"Sounds d-dangerous!" stammered Usopp, practically shivering.

"Monkey jungle?" Kaya stared bewildered at the paper. "Monkeys!"

"Hm, the Forest of Miracles," Nami said. "Sounds… interesting…" Nami thought for a moment.

"Sounds fun!" Luffy said with a large grin.

"Now class," Mr. Nahlis said once the last sheet was handed out. "Go outside and there will be teachers and hotel people to direct you to the places to go. Now enjoy!" The 11th grade class pretty much ran outside, each anxious, excited and worried at the same time.

This wasn't just an assignment to test their science survival skills and social studies historical knowledge, but much, much more. And it would do a lot more than just educate. It might bring them closer together…

A/N- Whew, done at last. Loads of assignments this week, but I did it! On Saturday, I'm going to see Harry Potter the 4th movie, and I can't wait. Well I hoped you enjoyed this chappie. I'll try to get the nest one up soon. Until then, bye!