Saiyans on the Grandline

"How's Kaen doing?" Robin asked, coming into one of the rooms in the still standing Hogback Manor.

"He's better, since I fed him that Senzu Bean, but one wasn't enough for how injured he was." Mina said. "What do you think really happened to him out there that caused him to become so injured, he ended up dying for five minutes?"

"Who knows? But Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Pinach, show no signs of injuries from their fights. It's possible, the Warlord Kuma somehow used his powers to repel the damage from their bodies, and give it to Kaen. We don't yet know the full extent of Kuma's Paw-Paw Fruit, and that's something troubling for all of us." Robin sighed. "You think Kaen will wake up soon?"

"He'd better, I do still have that promise to keep to him." Mina said.

"I know. I heard what you whispered to him." Robin smiled.

"That was supposed to be private." Kaen's hoarse voice said, shocking the two women, as he looked at them, a gentle smile on his face.

"Kaen." Mina smiled with relief, before hugging him.

"Easy, easy." Kaen hissed. "I take it a single Senzu Bean didn't do the trick."

"We had to use Nami's Lightning Tempo to restart your heart before I had to feed you the bean, you dummy." Mina sobbed.

"So I was dead. Guess Kuma was right about what he said." Kaen groaned.

"What did Kuma do to cause this to you?" Robin asked.

Kaen was silent for a moment, before he reached for the bag of Senzu's at Mina's hip, barely grabbing it, before she pulled back.

"No way mister, no Senzu Beans for you until you tell us what happened out there." Mina stated firmly.

"Hehe." Kaen smirked, holding up his hand to show he'd managed to snag one from the bag. "Too bad I already grabbed one."

"How did you?"

"There are a lot more tricks up my sleeve you haven't seen yet." Kaen said, popping the Senzu Bean into his mouth.

After devouring the bean, Kaen's injuries mostly healed up. The gashes from his own power tearing him apart scared up to look like stripes, and he was back on his feet, although a little sore.

"Guess two didn't cut it either. Oh well, this isn't something I can't live with. Pain is just a reminder that you survived." Kaen smirked, getting to his feet.

"Hold up Kaen, what the hell do you think you're doing?" Mina asked.

"You wanna hear what happened out there? Well I want the whole crew to know, so I'm gonna tell the story once." Kaen said, looking for his top. "Where's the top half of my suit?"

"Well, Franky managed to do a little tailoring to it." Robin said, grabbing the suit off the chair by the door, revealing it had been turned into a vest, with the Straw Hats Jolly Roger on the right shoulder pad of the sleeve. "I don't know how, but he managed to make a pair of scissors and a sewing machine strong enough to cut through the Darmanium fabric."

"Your old one was so torn up it was literally falling apart, so I pulled out another from my Duplication Void, and Franky did the rest after soaking it in a bucket of octopus ink." Mina said.

"He did a pretty damn good job." Kaen said.

"I've already stuck the vest in my Duplication Void, so if it gets torn, I can just produce another for you." Mina stated.

"Great. I appreciate it." Kaen said, putting the vest on with his bracers and gloves.

Traveling down through the manor to the open area where the others were, Kaen was greeted with everyone cheering for his great return.

"Kaen, you're finally awake. Great bro. You really had us worried there." Franky said.

"Sorry about that." Kaen said.

"So what happened out there, that caused such serious injuries?" Luffy asked.

"Does he know Kuma was here?" Kaen inquired.

"He was filled in." Mina stated.

"So what happened?" Chopper asked.

"Well… Kuma came, and as you know, he said the only way he'd leave you all alive, is if you gave him Luffy's head. But since you all refused, he attacked, and you all fought bravely. When I fought him though, I was barely able to do damage to him, and when my body wouldn't listen to me anymore, I gave him a compromise. I offered him my head instead of Luffy's." Kaen explained.

"Why would you do that?" Nami asked.

"Hold on, let him finish."

"I knew Mina and Eri would be sad, but I was willing to carry that burden if it meant they were safe from harm. But since Luffy didn't know me that well, I figured it wouldn't hurt him as bad if he lost me, instead of Sanji or Zoro, who tried butting in and doing the same as me." Kaen continued. "However, after I knocked them out. Kuma gave me the price I had to pay to spare you all, and Luffy. He used his powers to repel all the physical injuries, all the exhaustion, anguish, and pain from Luffy, Sanji, Zoro, and Pinach, saying I'd have to take it all on, if I wanted you all to remain. It nearly killed me to take that on."

"It did kill you dummy." Nami said, slapping him across the face. "I had to use my Thunder Tempo three times to start up your heart after Mina's CPR wasn't working."

"Kaen… you JACKASS." Luffy shouted, hitting him with a Gum-Gum Pistol to the face, sending him flying into one of the walls.

"Luffy, be careful he's still recovering." Chopper said.

"The hell was that for Luffy?" Kaen inquired, sitting up and holding his cheek.

"Dumbass, did you honestly think it was gonna hurt me less to lose a comrade like you? To lose someone I call a friend, who's part of my crew?" Luffy questioned. "You're a part of this crew. You, Mina, even Eri. You're all a part of the Straw Hat crew, meaning you're part of our family. Losing one of you, no matter how long I've known you, would be heartbreaking, no matter who you are, or your position in the crew. Everyone who's a member of my crew, is important to me. Do you understand? I'd never agree to what you did, or what Zoro and Sanji tried to do."

"Papa."

Kaen felt Eri hug his arm, and looked down at her, to see the angered and sad look in her eyes.

"Don't ever do anything like that again Papa. I don't want to lose you." She said, pain in her voice as she tried to hold back the tears.

Kaen just looked at Eri, before he pulled his arm from her hug, and brought her into one of his own, gently caressing her in his embrace.

"I'm sorry Eri, I made you a promise, and I broke it." Kaen said. "Can you ever forgive me?"

"Papa." Eri cried, wrapping her arms around him as best she could as she sobbed into his chest.

"Kaen…" Mina paused as she stepped up to him, before she was pulled down, and brought into the hug.

Feeling his embrace, Mina began to let her emotions flow, as all the anger, anxiety, stress, and fear of the night, flowed through her, and she cried, happy to have this moment to relax.

After everyone had calmed down, the celebrations for everyone's victory began, as Sanji was cooking up a feast, and Brook was playing music.

"So, what was it like to be dead?" Franky asked. "I've been close to death, but never experienced it myself."

"I honestly couldn't say. I have no recollection of being in the afterlife." Kaen said.

"Can we please go to a different topic of conversation? I don't like talking about Kaen's death." Mina said.

"True. I guess that would be uncomfortable." Kaen sighed. "Yo Pinach, you gonna join us on the Grandline?" He questioned, looking to his brother.

"Nah Bruv, I'm gonna head out on my own, and have my own adventures." Pinach said.

"You sure? It wouldn't hurt to have another Saiyan on the crew." Luffy asked.

"Trust me, three Saiyans on a Pirate ship is more then enough, you don't need a fourth." Pinach smirked. "Now let's just enjoy the music, and food."

"Oh, I almost forgot." Kaen smiled. "Mina, is my guitar around?"

"I thought you might ask for it after you woke up. It's by the Piano Brook's playing." Mina explained.

"Thank you babe." Kaen said, heading for the piano, and the skeleton playing it. "Mind if I join in?"

"By all means, it's been ages since I've played music with another musician." Brook said.

"So, what song are we gonna be playing?" Kaen asked, pulling his guitar from its case. The guitar was a red and black six string Ibanez electric guitar, finely polished, and well maintained, with a leather shoulder strap. "This is a custom made Ibanez GRGM21 Mikro Series six string model. A guitar my dad got for me when I outgrew my child sized one. Got the notes for me to review?"

"I have a sheet music for the song right here." Brook said, giving Kaen a piece of paper. "The tune is basically the same throughout the entire song, just leave the singing to me, unless you wanna join in on the Yohohoho's."

"Don't mind if I do."

"Before we begin, I'd like to say how brave you were out there, taking on all their pain. I witnessed the entire thing, and I must say, your courage was admirable." Brook stated. "But the cost was too great, even for you to pay."

"I'd do it all again, if I had to." Kaen stated. "But the thing no one on this planet knows about Saiyans is, we get stronger every time we get our asses kicked. It's called a Zenkai Boost."

"Fascinating." Brook said. "Either way, it was still honorable and noble of you, to take on their damage, and risk your own life."

"I appreciate your words. Shall we get started?" Kaen asked, putting away the music sheet.

"After you." Brook smiled.

Strumming the strings, Kaen and Brook began playing the music for Binks' Brew, before Brook began to sing it, making everyone smile and cheer at the musical melody they were playing.

"I thought that was Binks' Brew. It's been ages since I've heard that song, how nostalgic." Robin smiled. "But I didn't think Kaen knew it."

"That's the thing with him. He loves music. If he hadn't decided to become a hero, he could have become a famous rockstar." Mina smiled. "He only has to review the notes on a sheet of music once, even if it's for a song he's never heard, and he plays it like he wrote it."

"That's quite the musical talent." Robin smiled.

"It also comes in handy, when helping Eri to calm down from a night terror." Mina said. "Speaking of Eri, are you still gonna be able to watch over her while Kaen and I have our fun?"

"Oh don't worry, she'll be safe and sound with me." Robin said. "You two just enjoy yourselves."

"Ah-ah. Hold on there loves." Pinach said, interrupting the conversation. "Mina, do you realize what this act means in Saiyan Culture?"

"Yes I'm fully aware of what it means. An' I'm committed to it." Mina said.

"What is he talking about?" Robin asked.

"In Saiyan Culture, the act of intercourse, is the ritual that ties the knot between two love birds." Pinach stated.

"In other words, if Kaen and I do it tonight, we're not gonna be boyfriend and girlfriend anymore. We'll be husband and wife." Mina simplified.

"I got that, thank you. But Mina are you sure about that? You're only in your teens, and you're already gonna get married?" Robin asked.

"Kaen and I both agreed, that for us, marriage won't be by the laws of Saiyan culture, but by the laws of humans. Meaning when we're ready, we'll get someone to officiate our marriage." Mina said.

"Well, if that's what you're doing, enjoy yourselves. I'm heading off." Pinach said.

"You're leaving already?" Robin asked.

"Have to. Kaen's life is going well for him, aside from his temporary death, he's got a great family." Pinach said. "But I have my own life to live. I'll keep in touch with these, if I need help, or if you need help." He stated, holding up a pair of Scouter Sunglasses.

"But you don't have a Log Pose." Robin said.

"Won't need one. So long as an island has a living creature or two, I'll be able to make my way there by following the Ki." Pinach said.

"Well, safe travels. The weather on the Grandline is so unpredictable, you're in the sun one minute, and a snow storm the next." Robin said.

"I'll keep that in mind, thank you." Pinach said, grabbing a bag full of provisions he gathered together, and taking off. "Tell Kaen I said I'll catch him later."

"Will do." Mina said, before the Saiyan vanished into the afternoon sky. "There he goes. Eri's sure gonna miss him."

"I'd imagine she will. She stuck by his side the entire time Kaen was comatose these past couple days." Robin smiled. "Are you really gonna wait for someone to officiate your wedding?"

"Hell no. The moment I swipe my card, I'm changing my last name to Yagi. I just said that to get him off my back and leave me alone about it. I love Kaen, he and I are the only people we know from our world, and we've been dating for almost a year now. I'm willing to marry him, even if it's by Saiyan standards. But who knows, maybe we'll get a big shot pirate captain to officiate our marriage one of these days. Maybe this Shanks guy Luffy keeps talking about." Mina smiled.

"That would be nice." Robin chuckled, before a whole orchestra of music began to play with Kaen joining in with the guitar.

"Huh? If this is the song you're gonna play, we'll all sing along." A woman with big lips and a missing tooth, Lola, said with the others cheering in agreement.

"Yo hohoho, yo hohoho Yo hohoho, yo hohoho. Yo hohoho, yo hohoho Yo hohoho, yo hohoho.

Gather up all of the crew, it's time to ship out Binks' brew. Sea wind blows, to where, who knows? The waves will be our guide. O'er across the ocean's tide. Rays of sunshine far and wide. Birds they sing, of cheerful things, in circles passing by.

Bid farewell to weaver's town, say so long to port renowned. Sing a song, it won't be long, before we're casting off. Cross the gold and silver seas, a salty spray puts us at ease, Day and night, to our delight, the voyage never ends.

(interlude)

Gather up all of the crew, it's time to ship out Binks' brew. Pirates, we eternally are challenging the sea. With the waves to rest our heads, ship beneath us as our beds, hoisted high upon the mast, our jolly roger flies.

Somewhere in the endless sky, stormy winds are blowing by, waves are dancing, evening comes, it's time to sound the drums. But steady men, and never fear, tomorrow's skies are always clear. So pound your feet and clap your hands 'til sunny days return.

Yo hohoho, yo hohoho Yo hohoho, yo hohoho. Yo hohoho, yo hohoho Yo hohoho, yo hohoho.

Gather up all of the crew, it's time to ship out Binks' brew. Wave goodbye, but don't you cry, our memories remain. Our days are but a passing dream, everlasting though they seem. Beneath the moon we'll meet again, the wind's our lullaby.

Gather up all of the crew, it's time to ship out Binks' brew. Sing a song, and play along for all the oceans wide. After all is said and done, you'll end up a skeleton, so spread your tale from dawn 'til dusk upon these foamy seas.

Yo hohoho, yo hohoho…Yo hohoho, yo hohoho… Yo hohoho, yo hohoho…Yo hohoho, yo hohoho…

Yo hohoho, yo hohoho…Yo hohoho, yo hohoho… Yo hohoho, yo hohoho…Yo hohoho, yo hohoho…"

With the song ending, Kaen and Brook looked to each other, smiling as Brook put the Tone Dial back in his skull.

"You're quite the musician Kaen, you'd have made an excellent Rumbar Pirate." Brook said.

"Thanks for the compliment, but I'm nothing compared to some of the musicians on my world." Kaen said.

"Still, you sang with your heart, and put all your emotions into the song. That would have qualified you to join the Rumbar Pirates. All you'd need is a love of music, and a big heart." Brook stated.

"Glad to hear I passed the test." Kaen smiled, before Mina grabbed his hand, and pulled him away.

"Kaen, I believe its time to give you what I promised." Mina smiled.

"Oh… Sorry Brook, but love waits for no one." Kaen smiled, following Mina through the dinning hall. "I've had my fill of food and booze, now it's time to have my fill of something else."

"Where are Mama and Papa going?" Eri asked.

"It's best you don't know until you're older. It's some fun, only adults can have." Robin smiled, keeping Eri close. "But while they're gone, you're gonna be spending some time with me. Doesn't that sound fun?"

~2Days Later~

"Yohohoho." Brook laughed joyfully as he stood in the graveyard on Thriller Bark, in front of a memorial Franky and Ussop made him, with the two carpenters, as well as Chopper and Eri standing behind him. "How splendid, thank you Franky, Ussop. It's perfect."

"No prob bro. I can make one of these, any day of the week." Franky said.

"But it was my design, just so you know." Ussop stated.

"Yeah but we picked out the flowers." Chopper said, with Eri nodding in agreement.

"Thank you so much Chopper, Eri, they're lovely." Brook said, bowing to them while taking off his hat.

"Oh you Bony Bastard, flattery won't get you anywhere with me." Chopper said, before he stopped as Eri held her swear jar to him. "Alright, alright, fine I get it." He sighed, dropping two coins into the jar.

"Truly, it's a beautiful memorial. An' it was for the best, since I could scarcely bring all of those bones onto Mr. Lion with me." Brook sighed.

"Okay, but it's Thousand Sunny, not Mr. Lion." Franky stated.

"You know, by a happy coincidence, Thriller Bark originally came from the West Blue, just like the Rumbar Pirates. Despite the troubles this ship brought me, I… I hope my friends will rest peacefully in the soil of their homeland."

There was a moment of silence, before Ussop spoke up.

"We're gonna head back now Brook. We'll see you soon." Ussop said.

"Glad you like it." Franky added.

"Bye-bye." Chopper finished as the trio left.

Brook looked to them, before noticing Eri still standing there, looking at him.

"Aren't you gonna leave to?" Brook asked.

"Nu-uh. Papa always told me, that it's not right to let someone grieve alone." Eri said, coming to Brook's side and grabbing his bony hand. "So I'm gonna stay with you Brook. Your music makes me happy, just like my Papa's."

"I'm glad I haven't lost my touch." Brook said, his voice indicating he was smiling happily.

Getting Eri to sit down, Brook pulled out his violin as he sat next to her, and began to softly play Binks' Brew, as a final farewell to his far gone comrades, with Eri singing the song softly with the sweetest voice, Brook ever heard, as memories of the time spent with his crew, flooded the forefront of his mind, only to stop as Zoro came up from behind them, before he stepped up to the memorial and stuck the black sheathed katana into the ground, bowing as he paid his respects.

"Goodness you gave us a fright." Brook said. "What is that?"

"A dead sword, Yubashiri. I'm laying it to rest here, too." Zoro stated.

"I'm gonna go see Mama and Papa. They've been locked up in that room for two days, I'm starting to get worried." Eri said.

"I wouldn't worry Kitten." Zoro smiled. "Knowing those two, they're probably just having the time of their lives."

~Thousand Sunny~

"Hey guys, sorry we held you up." Mina said, hobbling over to the ship with Kaen by her side. "We've had a crazy couple days."

"Mina, are you okay? You're walking kinda funny." Chopper asked.

"Hmm? Oh it's nothing Chopper, Kaen was just… a bit more then I expected to handle." Mina smiled, making Kaen blush.

"So that's it." Robin snickered.

"Kaen and Mina are finally out of their room. Let's get going onto our next adventure." Luffy cheered. "Come on, it's time to set sail."

"Yeah." The rest of the crew cheered.

"Setting sail already?" Lola questioned addressing Franky. "I'm sorry you can't stick around."

"Whenever you feel like leaving Thriller Bark, you just take Brook's old ship. I repaired the rudder and the sails for ya." Franky explained.

"It's wonderful, I can't thank you enough for all you've done." Lola said. "It might take the rest of my life to pay you back, but I'm willing to try. In other words, what do you say you and I get married?"

"Do it Bro, marriage is awesome." Kaen smirked.

"Shut it Saiyan." Franky called back to him. "Sorry babe, you're a gem, but it won't work out. I'm afraid I'm just too super to settle down."

"Come on Franky, we're shoving off." Mina called out.

"Hey, before you go, take this." Lola said, giving Mina a piece of paper.

"What's this?"

"It's a Vivre Card. A special piece of paper that won't burn or get soggy no matter what you do. It'll lead you to my Momma in the New World. If you're ever in trouble, and need help, use this card to find her, then give it to her." Lola said, writing something down on it. "When you see her though, let her know I'm doing alright."

"Thanks, I appreciate it very much Lola. I hope we'll meet again some day." Mina smiled.

During the time spent treating the injured, Lola and Mina connected, finding out that the warthog in the wedding dress, was the Zombie with her shadow, and they bonded, with Mina telling her how she and the Zombie met one another, and they became friends.

Setting sail, the Straw Hat Pirates made their way through the gates of Thriller Bark, saying their goodbyes as they left those they helped, survive and see the sun again.

"Set Sail." Luffy cheered, standing on the head of the Sunny. "Full speed ahead. Let's get things moving with a Coup De Burst."

"Yeah." The crew cheered.

"A what?" Mina questioned.

"Oh, that's right we've never done a Coup De Burst with our four newest members." Franky smiled heading to the controls. "No time like the present to show you now."

"You might wanna hang on to something you four." Robin smiled.

"Coup… De…"

"What's going on?" Kaen asked.

"BURST." Franky called out, before the ship went sailing into the air over the waters of the Grandline.

"AAAAHHHHH." The three Saiyans, and Skeleton cried out.

~A/N~

Bit of a shorter chapter this time, but I hope you enjoyed it.