Eight ----
Around nine the next day we moved in on a small island.
The ocean told me what I didn't want to see. We weren't stopping. The Droogs had. I sat on the front deck looking at the place they were, and closed my eyes.
It only took a second, I was able to follow the wind and find him, whispering what I wanted to say to him with my own mouth, whispering it to him and with the winds face I felt him move and look toward the water. He wouldn't see the ship it was far to dark to see a ship this far off land, but I felt like he saw me.
"Hey Blue." I only inwardly jumped. Opening my eyes again, Luffy sat next to me, an almost impossibly large grin on his face. "What'ch'a doin'?" I smile a little and shake my head.
"Just listening in to the wind." He nods and looks toward the island.
"How many people are on that island?" I look at the island and closing my eyes estimate the number. There were nine hundred forty-six.
"About a thousand." My eyes ease open and I look at him and the small prideful smile on his lips.
"You're pretty good Blue. Thanks." I nod.
"I should be thanking you. You could have left me on that island back there. And yet, you didn't. You have my gratitude." He smiles wider. "But there is one thing," He nods again and looks at the island as we had just cleared the western shore.
"I know. You don't belong here, not with us. On the water, yes, but not like this. You belong with those friends of your's. So, how do you wanna work this?" I smile up at him. Luffy had a way of understanding and knowing things. Like Atlas did.
"When you get the first solid clue to one piece when we get to the grand line, I ship out." He nods.
"That'll work." He looks at me again this time his face a little grim. Then a sad smile works it's way onto his face. "I wouldn't be surprised if they missed you as much as you miss them, Blue. They probably can't stop thinking about you." I smile and nod once in gratitude.
"Thank you, Luffy. But for thinking that, I know you don't know the Droogs." They would worry about themselves first and then worry about where I was and what I was doing. Hell, Gloria probably hasn't noticed I am gone yet. Luffy nods and stands up next to me.
"I guess I don't then." He turns and walks back down the deck and into the chamber's. I watched him until he was out of site. Then I turned back to see the small island in the distance. I sigh and look down at the piccolo I had clutched in my small hand. I stand up and with all my might chuck it over the side. It whistled as it hit the water with a small plunk.
Atlas had bought me the piccolo. Then, I had been touched that Atlas would actually spend money on a thing that wasn't food or alcohol. But as it hit the ocean, all I could think was that I would have to let him go for a while now. I had to be incomplete for a while. Atlas had always made sense next to me. Always made sense to me. To see him every day and to be held in his arms was natural to my nature.
By nature wasn't always what we needed. Some times, we just had to let go.