2. Stranger Danger - is that a candy?

Crying out my feelings worked always better for me than holding back and "staying strong".

I realised the weight of me being here - here, not home - the moment I recognised Garp on the ship. And although I looked calm as the Calm Belt from the outside, I was torn up in the inside. Of course, I read the fanfics. "SI OC" fanfic searches were all across my Google history. I loved these types - they felt exciting, and they always had potential, a really good story. A new adventure I could fantasize about or imagine myself in. With all the Butterfly effects and shit, and the problematic timelines or world-changes, or the dangers from all sides, marines and pirates alike, I always thought that this would be just plain awesome.

But this isn't a joke anymore.

I actually know the future - a future - and the past. I have... I have more information which the Government would want than anyone right now. And as Nico Robin would be just a shadow of Condoriano... what would I be? A human from a whole ass different world and a "catch me" sign on her... This shit is dangerous! And much more frightening than just writing it down and reading it from a page I found on the internet.

"Usopp, please, stop fucking screaming already! Can't you leave me to my inner monologue and dilemma? I'm tryna be dramatic and shit!"

"WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED?", shouted the long-nosed boy right into my face. And ears. "Who are you? You knew my name! Was that the Marine Hero?"

I would've liked to watch his after-panic a little more, but I had no strength left in me from earlier. Crying takes a lot of stamina, okay? And I damn right deserved one. Back to the point...

Eighty percent of the main characters from these kind of stories always went nuts, and the only reason for that was the fact that they refused to tell their worries and situation to anyone. Honestly, I could understand them, but at the same time I couldn't. Interfering in things has many dangers. Many, many dangers. Not to just you, but to the world and the characters itself. But this isn't just a world anymore - and neither are the people just characters from a well written manga. Usopp's calming hand on my back earlier is enough proof for me.

Yeah, I could screw things up real bad, right?

...

So why not, Imma do it. I don't need the worries and going crazy states. I won't really "interfere". Why? Because the moment I arrived here I became a part of this world. I'm not a stranger anymore.

Of course, that would meen that things WILL change, because I sure as hell won't sit on my butt for long. I have strings and fingers, and I want to pull those strings for my and other people's benefits. I'm not gonna worry about changing anything, that's what I'll be trying to do anyway. I'm gonna... be free. Like Luffy. And I'll do what I feel is right.

Or what entertains me the most. Insert evil laugh here.

This is my coping with the situation. At least let me have my adventure and fun. Sooo...

Usopp has been staring at me for a while now.

"Okay, I think I can give you a... pretty accurate explanation", I nodded my head. "You won't believe me first though. So I don't really want to tell you yet", I fidgeted in my seat on the road. To be honest, I had no one with me now. My... family and friends aren't here, and the only one I know something about here is Usopp. If he would leave me because he thinks I speak nonsense or I'm crazy... what will I do...?

Usopp just sat there panting from his shouting earlier. He sat down beside me again and put his hands on his knees. It was the first time I could really take a good look at him. He was wearing similar clothes to the ones he wore when he first appeared in the manga and anime. The only difference was the color of his scarf tied to his waist - it was a bright red. He had his bag on his left side. I could see his sling-shot hanging from the side. I just realized I didn't even take a look at myself since I woke up when Usopp started to examine me too. I quickly looked down to check my clothes and body.

I didn't have a mirror of course but I definitely didn't change body-vise. Or look-vise. My clothes and features were the same. I could see the end of my curly, brown hair - I instantly became happier than before. I loved my hair, it was my favourite part of myself. The other parts of me were the same too - a little bit chubby and hard-boned, pretty decent sized breasts (hahhh, take that, One Piece girls!), long legs and a small waist. I wore a ripped jean and a pair of Nike shoes. I'm pretty sure I still had my coffee themed T-shirt on too.

Neat.

"I'm waiting", fidgeted Usopp in his seat. I could clearly tell that he was irritated and more and more curious with the passing seconds.

Oh boy, here we go. I should start from the beginning. Then again, how do you exactly explain what a web page is for people from this world to not seem like a complete idiot? Well... maybe I will leave that part out.

"You have to promise me you won't leave me here even if you don't believe me", I pouted a little.

He lifted one of his eyebrows, but nodded once and didn't stand up, so I started to explain my little... situation.

"So, Rea... let me get this straight", he crossed his arms. "You're from a completely different world with slightly different technology. You don't have this many islands and this big seas, but you have a ton of land in different continents, right?"

I nodded for him to go on.

"You obviously left out tons of details about your life and world, because that isn't important now. What IS, is the fact, that you somehow got sucked in a portal after a chat with an "alcoholic bastard", and ended up here in our world. What's MORE, you know the future."

"Actually, it's just "a" future, because now that I'm here it definitely will cha-"

"You woke up on the ship of the Marine Hero, GARP, and THE FLEET ADMIRAL himself, SENGOKU. And you tricked them to take you here, because I was the closest and safest option. On top of that, this whole world is just a fiction, an imaginary story in your world - that's why you have information on the future."

"The past too, and-"

"You read about me in a book and saw me in the future on a video."

"Y-yeah."

A few moments passed for Usopp to digest all this new information.

Then he started laughing.

"Oh my god! This is hilarious! How are you so gooood?" Wait, did his eyes start to sparkle...?

"What are you talking about?", I asked a little distressed.

"What? Your story! It's so good! My lies are just half this decent when I'm living my best day - say, is it the "different world" part? That's the key, right? Man, she will love these..." Yeah, his eyes definitely were sparkling.

Still, this is just irritating now.

"Usopp, these aren't lies. This is what actually happened!"

"Yeah, and I'm the Pirate King", he looked at me with a deadpan look.

I wanted to slap him so bad... will that make him believe me, I wonder?

"How do you explain me knowing your name then?", I asked him with a challenging look.

Usopp smirked and replied.

"Oh come on, you just had to ask one of the villagers. Everyone knows me here." That's... actually a good answer.

"What about the Marine Hero then?"

"Fake actor of course."

"Well that fake actor", I scoffed "kicked your ass just now because you left your sister with a dangerous man on the seas."

Usopp shivered at the memories - his arms were still sore and his legs hurt for some reason -, but he quickly came back to his senses. He wanted to forget, and he wanted to do that as soon as possible.

"I'm still not convinced", he shrugged, then stood up and held his hand out for me. "But you are pretty good!", he smiled at me.

I sighed and gave up. For now. I will be waiting for the day when Usopp realizes that what I said was all true. That freakout will be amazing to watch and listen to. Let's just let him believe what he wants for now.

The long-nosed boy started to walk away, and for a moment I froze and my fears started to break out from their cell. After some steps Usopp turned back and smiled at me.

"Aren't you coming?"

I stood there with a surprised look.

"I am."

Thank you, "Nii-san".

A week passed since then.

Usopp quickly realized that I didn't really have a home to live in, so he offered the other room for me in his house. It was nice, and it had a really comfy bed too. It may have been his mother's before she died in that illness. I was really grateful.

I didn't want to be a bother though, so I started to work for food as payment in the only bar the village had. Or was it a restaurant? Um... it was a food place. Let's just say that.

Being a waitress wasn't that difficult when guests and customers didn't come often. I had meels for breakfast and lunch there, and me and Usopp started to spend dinner with each other - every time, I tried to flash bits and pieces of my cooking talent. It was well appreciated of course, I'm a natural after all.

Okay okay, I just have four or five good recipes, but I really do enjoy cooking.

In the meantime, I told Usopp stories from my own world - and he told me stories from his. Of course they were all lies, but halfway I came across a thought that they very well may become true someday. With Luffy, anything can happen after all...

Although Usopp still didn't believe a word I said, I wasn't down. I enjoyed his company, and he would always make me smile and laugh whenever my thoughts would go back to my family and friends, or the world I came from. It was hard not to, this whole thing didn't even seem like it was real after all... I could be dreaming for all I know.

Deep down I knew it wasn't the case. But I couldn't do anything. Not yet. First I had to... to accept that I won't go home for a long time. That this, this new life here... this matters too. That it isn't just a simulation or a fanfic... that this is reality and not just a story.

"Soooo Usopp-nii... who is the lucky lady?", I asked with a teasing tone and smile. My new housemate looked like a tomato after he heard the question. He started to stutter a bit then pointed his fingers at me.

"How do you know about that?"

"Oh please", I scoffed. "The question is why do you still take me for an idiot! What other things could you do at the mansion? Planning the funeral of the buttler?"

Man, there is something ironic in that sentence.

"Her... name is Kaya". Finally! Now, with the embarrassing questions...

"Oho..."

"I don't really like that look you have." He started to back away from me and he eyed me warily. If he saw an evil entity in my aura and was frightened because of that, nobody had to know. "And you already know her, don't you? You know about the future after all", he started to mock me. Oh, tha little-

Once my time comes... I'm gonna have fun with my revenge...

After a long silence I spoke again.

"Say, Usopp, do you know how babies are made?"

"REA!"

"Don't shout, it's a serious question", I started to rub my aching ears.

"One which I don't intend to answer for you", he grumbled.

Another silence.

"I hope you two use protection at least."

"REA, FOR GOD'S SAKE!"

I turned back to the heated pan and started making our dinner. A small smile appeared on my face.

The owner of the food place I worked at gave me a day off. For what, I don't know, I didn't really had to make much of an effort being a waitress after all. In any case, I didn't want to follow Usopp - even if it was tempting to catch him flirting with his little girlfriend -, so I planned to take a walk first across the vilage and the shore. I wanted to see the sea I landed on once more.

The villagers quickly accepted my presence. I always had someone saying hello to me and asking me if I settled in and if Usopp gave me any trouble. They were really nice. The three boys with Usopp, Ninjin, Piiman and Tamanegi really liked my stories too. I would always run into them at one point and play with them a little. It was nice and it took away my attention from my worrying thoughts. The sea did the same - one reason I was headed that way.

I walked down the little slope and sat down on the ground. I was silent - the sea and the waves were playing a calming song.

In these moments I understood the pirates' love for the sea. Whitebeard's words too... this calming and caring blue, which could be upset, angry and dangerous at the same time if the situation demanded, was really like a Mother. And us - people who once have been traveling on her - her children.

Mother nature - do I have two symbolic moms now? - chose this emotional moment to hit me in the head - and hard.

I started to rub the aching part of my forehead and looked down at my feet to see what could possibly have a shell this hard.

I did a double take at the sight.

There, at my feet, layed a fruit. Its peel was a deep red with different swirls all over it. It greatly resembled a strawberry, it wasn't even that big. If I didn't know any better, I would have thought that it was some kind of tropical fruit from this island. Oh boy.

There on the ground was a whole ass devil fruit. Man oh man, what should I do?

I kept staring at it for several minutes. For some reason I didn't found it appealing. I don't really know how to explain the feeling I got from it... it was just a bad vibe.

I swer to God that this fruit is being a dickhead. And disrespectful. It doesn't matter that it can't speak! Just look at it! I almost can imagine the smirk on that thing... I oughta throw it in the sea if it doesn't stop!

Rude.

I was so deep in my thoughts that I didn't notice the little boat approaching.

The waves rocked it a few times, but eventually the dinghy came to a stop and arrived at the coastline. I instantly snapped my head up at the newcomer. I couldn't believe my eyes.

There in the boat stood a man with a kind and childish smile. He wore white pants, and a white coat with some buttons on it. Around his neck was a yellow scarf tied in a knot at one side. I saw a brown belt too. His shoes were black like the night.

Like the nightmare that purple thing in his dinghy will bring to him, his crew and the whole world. To Luffy.

His pompadour was absolutely ridiculous.

Because there, at the coastline, stood proudly the commander of Whitebeard's 4th division, Thatch himself. With a little boat as his travelling companion, an excited smile, two dual blades and... and the Yami Yami no Mi, the devil fruit which started that whole mess.

The devil fruit which wasn't covered enough with the brownish material for me not to notice it immediately.

I stood there completely frozen, mouth open and with a dropped chin. The size of my eyes were the size of two plates, I'm not gonna lie.

Then Thatch spoke.

"Hello there!", he smiled at me as he got off the boat, leaving the devil fruit there for the whole world to see - my GOD, Thatch, couldn't you be a little more careful? -, and coming up to me. "Sorry for disturbing you, you were in deep thinking, I could tell from afar. Do you know a place with food? I'm dying for something edible... If you tell me directions, I will leave you to yourself."

Then the man beamed at me more brightly then the sunshine and wondered if fate had any play in this.

Oh, this is gonna be good.

I pulled out my own devil fruit from my pants and I watched his reaction. Thatch became surprised at the sight of another devil fruit and unconciously, his eyes wandered back to his own.

I had a devilish smile on my face. Way to go for first impressions.

"The place is this way. How about I invite you for a meal and we can get to know each other better?", I beamed at him too. Mine was manipulative, and my intentions were obvious enough. Still, Thatch nodded with a dumbfounded expression.

I took his hand happily and started to drag him away to the food place I worked at. Fuck my day off, this is way better.

"Then this way, please!"

The fact that I just dragged Whitebeard's 4th division commander away from his dinghy to bargain with devil fruits was a line crossed out on my bucket list. My devil fruit being a little brat at heart absolutely didn't have anything to do with this decision.

"And that's why you should swap with me", I finished my several pages long presentation on why Thatch should swap his devil fruit with mine. I was damn proud of myself too - there were few things I could speak about this long. My teachers would be proud. If only this would've been the subject of my mid-term essay.

Thatch wasn't impressed though.

"So... what you are saying is that the devil fruit I found some days ago will bring misfortune and danger to me, my life, and everyone around me, but since you found another devil fruit this morning, we could just swap and everything would be fine", he said, munching on the last biscuits I brought him. I nodded my head happily that he understood my offer and words. "Bullshit."

"Yes, so we can just go ba-, wait, what?"

"This just seems suspicious to me", he narrowed his eyes. Still munching on the biscuits. It was rather cute than intimidating.

"Oh, come on!", I pouted from across the table. "I'm trying to save your life and your crew! At least give it some thought!"

"Wait", he stopped eating. "You said crew. Then... that means-"

"Yeah, yeah", I sighed. Here we go again. "4th commander of the Whitebeard pirates, Thatch. I knew who you were the second I saw you."

...

"That just makes this whole situation more suspicious."

"Oh come on!"

"Wel,l what do you want me to do? You could be an assasin for all I know, or an enemy of Pops - although you look a little young and... not very strong -"

"Hey!"

"- So why should I trust you?"

I frowned upon his words. He was right, he didn't have any reason to trust me. He just met a girl this morning asking for directions. The same girl dragged him away to try and swap their devil fruits, telling him that the future will be doomed if he didn't do so.

"Yeah, when you put it like that..."

I sighed and put my head with a sad expression on the table. I had to come up with something that makes Thatch believe me - or at least makes him agree to swap our fruits.

But I didn't have anything. I couldn't tell him the same thing I told Usopp - Thatch isn't just a liar from a little village after all. That would rise up problems for me the size of the Grand Line. But the man waited across the table. It was a miracle that he didn't ditch me already, really. So what shoud I do?

"Usopp, please take care of yourself until I get back", I hugged him with all my strength, speaking gentle words. We already cried our hearts out at home because of our separation. We didn't really know, why, but these weeks changed us in many ways. That little act I pulled before Garp wasn't just lies anymore.

"Be safe, little sister", he whispered to me. We didn't really wanted to let each other go, but we both knew we had to.

I had an idea after Thatch's and my lunch. He needed proof that I spoke the truth, but he couldn't trust me. I had to do something - had to offer him something.

I didn't have anything other than myself. So I came up with this idea: to prove my point, I'm gonna go with him. I'm gonna travel with him all the way to the Grand Line, to Whitebeard himself. The world's, this world's strongest man. And I'm gonna show him the reason I wanted to replace his devil fruit with mine.

He was still suspicious, but after several hours of convincing and self-sacrificing words, he agreed with a tired groan.

I was a mess inside.

I didn't expect things to get so serious so soon. I didn't have time to prepare for anything. Anything. I was thrown in the deep and I had to learn how to swim, before things went downhill because of my acts - or lack of it.

Usopp didn't really understand me. He still thought that my stories were incredible - and therefore so was I. We became really close. And although he still didn't believe how I got here - to him -, deep down something told him, the things I said to him weren't all lies. He started to realize that, but time didn't slow down, and I had to go. He didn't understand, why, and he was wary of Thatch the whole time he was in his presence, but he let me go.

He had to.

Us two really became something closer than just two friends living in the same household, huh? Is that even possible with this little time?

"I will. Tell the boys that I will miss them."

I gave him one last squeeze, then we let each other go. He eyed Thatch behind me with narrowed eyes, for some reason all the fear gone. I told Usopp who he was, but I expected him to freak out at least a little. He was strangely quiet around Thatch. And careful.

I had gotten into the boat and waited for Thatch.

Poor man just stood there with a nervous expression, changing looks between me and Usopp. I started to feel sorry for him a little bit. I knew I was a handful sometimes.

Usopp and Thatch went away to a distance I didn't hear either of them so they could speak alone. I left them to themselves.

When Thatch came back, I turned to my... brother's direction. We looked into each other's eyes for a long time. Then the dinghy started to move.

"Usopp!", I shouted with tears in the corner of my eyes. "One year! I'm gonna come back after one year - when you will be seventeen! I'm gonna be okay! So... please, be careful! And train hard! The sea calls you too, doesn't it?"

Usopp's eyes widened, then he nodded with a crying face. Just like mine.

"Then... after one year, brother! We will set sail together! Don't forget me!" Please... please don't... don't leave me...

He formed a funnel with his palms and shouted back.

"I won't! I won't ever forget you! So... so come back one day! Come back as you promised! I'm... I'm gonna be here! And train! And wait for you! So please, please come back safe, Rea! I...", my breath left me as I saw Usopp's form getting smaller and smaller. "I love you, sis! Come home safe!"

And then we parted ways. Both of us being a crying, emotional mess.

Thatch sat there, examining all of my movements with crossed arms. After several hours with me, he came to understand that all I could be was either an evil mastermind who planned his funeral - and that plan involved talking his ears off and making him blush as many times as I could -, or just a girl with too many hormones and teasing, mocking, annoying jokes. And I probably still planned his funeral - this time with dad jokes as the speech at the event.

He was a little concerned for himself, to be honest. From time to time I looked more like a girl who would kidnap and bribe him with candy - this time devil fruit -, then never letting him go, or anyone to find his body.

He was doomed.

Just as he finished this thought and shivered a little at the image, I started to dig around in my backpack I brought with myself.

I looked at him with a sweet smile.

"Do you want some candy? It's peach flavoured - my favourite."

Thatch paled for some reason.

"I think I'm good for now."

I shrugged and started eating the sweets that I found.

Heading to a famous floating restaurant of the sea, Thatch suddenly remembered the long-nosed boy's words as he watched the curly-haired girl eat happily in the other side of his little boat.

"If I see even one scratch on her body or on her mind, you are dead. Understood?"

Yeah. Even for that little second, Thatch was scared of the boy's presence.

He was doomed indeed.