Title: Cheer Up For Me

Theme: #1 – Bad day

Disclaimer: One Piece and its characters do not belong to me.

Kaya woke up that morning calling for her father. The servants and the guards paused when they heard it, and the inevitable crying that followed. They knew it would be a bad day.

She refused to eat; sat with her pillow pressed to her chest. She didn't want to see anyone, and when Usopp tapped against her window, she barely lifted her head to look at him. He persisted, though, and finally she stood from her bed and opened the window. He smiled at her, albeit, a bit confusedly.

"Hey Kaya, what's going on?"

"Today is not a good day, I'm afraid." She felt somewhat silly saying that, almost certain her visitor could see the tear stains on her cheeks.

"Hmm…not a good day, huh?" He stroked his chin thoughtfully and then clapped his hands together with a quick laugh. "I've got just the story for you! Have I told you about the time I—"

"Usopp-san." Her hands gripped at the windowsill as she tried to keep the quiver out of her voice. "I'm sorry, but I just don't want to hear a story today."

A look of disappointment flitted over Usopp's features, but then he nodded.

"Okay. I gotcha."

Before she could say anything else, he jumped down from the tree branch and ran off. She stood at the window for a moment after he'd gone, fresh tears starting to form in her eyes. Turning from the window, she closed her eyes and fisted her hands at her sides. She hadn't meant for him to leave, and now she felt even worse than before.

"Oi, Kaya!" The call from below sounded out of breath. "Don't close the window!"

Kaya turned back and looked down. Usopp was scrambling up the tree trunk, and in his hand was a quickly gathered bunch of wildflowers. Hastily, Kaya wiped her tears away before he was settled on the branch once again.

"Heh." He grinned and held out the flowers. "I'll save the story for another day, and give you these instead. How's that sound?"

"Usopp-san…"

He looked up and rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly looking embarrassed.

"I just want you to feel better, you know?" He met her eyes again. "So cheer up for me, okay?"

Kaya gently took the flowers from him and held them up to her nose. And hidden against their soft and fragrant petals, she smiled for the first time all day.