A/N: Hi everyone! I didn't upload the story for a while, I was on vacation, but I'm back. This chapter is still a little short, but I hope you'll like it. I got really good ideas for the plot too, so I hope I can upload more often now. Thanks for the reviews and have a good day!

9. Musician! Wait, we're not there yet

"Haha, so you did sneak onto the ship!" I laughed out loud, when I came face to face with the angelic smile and blond hair I came to adore in the past months. Kaya was in the ship's galley, dragging her things behind her with both of her arms. She huffed and looked away.

"Didn't want to leave Usopp and you."

Oh, God, my Lord, you behind this cuteness?

"Oh sweetie," I hugged her. "I would welcome you aboard, but I'm not the captain. Go, talk to Luffy."

"Are you sure he wouldn't mind me staying here?" she asked. In her place I would've been skeptic too, but knowing how Luffy is, I seriously doubted that he would bring Kaya back now.

"One hundred percent. Now go," I pushed her lightly out of the shadows of the galley.

I heard the loud laughter and Usopp's happy cries from the other part of the ship. I decided to check out the girl's quarters. It was pretty decent. Four beds, if I counted right. Two of them layed on the right side of the room, the other two on the left. I put my clothes and other things in the smaller closet, leaving bigger room for Nami's and Kaya's things later. I put my drawing materials on the nighttable next to the bed I chose. Everything was in place. Sweet.

I made myself comfortable in my new home, and instantly went to take a nap. I wanted to try out the bed and - oh, who am I kidding, I just didn't got my morning coffee yet.

"It's finished! Our new pirate flag!"

I jumped up at the sudden yell. With a yawn, I stood up from my bed and went outside. I was just in time to witness a crime. Oh my god...

"Erm... Captain, is that our new mark?" I asked. Deep down I already knew the answer.

"Yeah! Do you like it? I already had the emblem thought up, shishishi!"

"Maybe it's avantgard..." Nami tried to reason the weird looking lines.

"A pirate flag ought to inspire terror... to be honest, that is pretty scary," said Zoro, looking done with this whole thing.

I stared at the monstrosity for a good five seconds, then had enough.

"Yeah, no. Give me that paintbrush real quick. Usopp, painting time! And not your flag! I know what you're thinking, mister!"

My brother deflated, but came anyway. After a good five minutes of creative work, we demonstrated our new pirate flag. And oh Lord, it was more badass than the anime or manga ever could've made it out to be.

"That... is so cooooool!"

"I like it," Nami smiled at the two of us.

"That about does it," Zoro said and sat down next to the railing.

I grinned and winked proudly at my brother. Kaya was already there, giving him a kiss on his cheaks.

"Now that's what I call art," I stood up and pointed to the sails with my thumb over my shoulder. "What do you say, Captain?"

Luffy excitedly jumped to us and put his arms around our shoulders.

"Great! Let's paint it on the sail, too!" And so we got to work. Finally, after a few minutes, the Going Merry was complete. The ship of the Straw Hat Pirates.

"What are you firing at, Luffy?"

"Oh, that rock over there. It's cannon practice," the raven haired boy said as he shot another one of the cannon balls into the sea. "But this thing doesn't work right..."

My brother jumped at the challenge.

"No way, let me try."

I blocked the sun out of my eyes with my palm while I was staring at the two. This should be good. Basically, this is the moment when Usopp gets his role and title on the crew. I smirked to myself and watched from the side. Stare and be amazed, you lot! These are the sniper skills of my big brother!

"He hit it on his first try," Nami's jaw dropped, and Luffy started saying things like 'cool' and 'amazing'. Zoro watched the two, impressed with my brother, Kaya was smiling to herself while leaning on the railing. Billie was still in her new nest. Maybe I should make one for her in our room, just for the time when Luffy'll have enough and demand his special seat back.

"Alright!" the Straw Hat captain shouted and pointed at my brother. "From this day on, you are our sniper!"

Usopp's face lit up like a christmas tree and he gave Luffy a high five.

"You're amazing, Usopp!" Kaya ran to her boyfriend. My brother tried to hide a little blush, but after that quickly smiled at his girlfriend and hugged her with his right arm by the waist.

"See? I told you I'm the best!"

"That had me thinking," Zoro suddenly grunted out after a big yawn. His eyes lingered on Kaya a bit, then he turned towards me. "We all have a role in this crew, so what will be yours?"

I was surprised that he brought up the subject now, but I wondered that too for a while. What role would be good for me on this ship? I tried to come up with something in the last few months, but I couldn't really decide. Not that this was a pressing issue for me in Syrup village, but still.

Luffy did something which would shock a lot of people who really know him - he was thinking.

I'll stop, okay? I won't be mean, jeez!

My captain hummed a little with his thumb on the chin, then looked at me with wondering eyes.

"Can you sing?"

"I can."

"Then it's decided! You will be our musician!"

And he thought that with this statement, the matter was solved. I sighed and put my arms on my hips.

"You know, Captain, I don't really have any instruments right now... and even if I had one, I only know how to play on the flute. I can't really sing while doing that."

Luffy visibly became depressed. Oh man, how do you make a pirate captain who just lost his musician and is sulking happy again? I smiled at him and gestured with my hands to let the matter go.

"You'll find a musician, Captain. It will be a talking, walking skeleton with an afro. How's that sound? Pretty amazing, eh?"

Silence.

"REALLY? SO COOL!" And the jumping child with stars in his eyes was back. Billie gave a nod as her sign of being proud of me. The others weren't really having it.

"Really? That's what you could come up with? Now he won't settle with less," grunted Zoro.

"True," sighed Nami and gave me a sharp look. "Your lies are even worse than your brother's!"

"I wonder about that..." Usopp muttered to himself with a worrying look on his face. Kaya just giggled into her palm. It's easy for someone who knows the whole truth, huh, girl?

"I'd be thinking about how to find this sceleton instead of talking Luffy-san out of it if I were you."

"Oh, these aren't lies. I know a version of the future, and I can guarantee you that you will meet a talking, walking skeleton with an afro. He even has a violin and a suit. And is a pervert."

Nami didn't even know what to say to this. She gave me a flat look, stayed in silence and threw her hands in the air.

"I'm done."

"Aw, it was a lie?"

I gave Luffy a reassuring smile and shook my head a bit. "No, it wasn't. I wouldn't lie to you all. Ever. Keep that in mind."

Luffy tilted his head a little to the side, then nodded and crossed his arms.

"Okay." And he went back to daydreaming about the skeleton.

I was surprised at the fast answer. I know that Luffy isn't stupid. Naive now, yes. But not stupid. What I said was a bunch of nonsense to others - who would believe that there even exists a creature like that in the first place? So I was moved by his simple answer and the look he gave me.

That was trust. Deep fucking trust.

While I stood there, frozen in place and with wide eyes, I suddenly heard a cry from the other side of the Going Merry. I quickly jumped and ran towards the noise. Luffy was following me, the others stayed behind, letting us handle the situation. I wouldn't butt in either, but I had some things I wanted to do.

"Come out and fight, dogs! I'll murder the lot of you!" And that was the beautiful voice of one of the bounty hunters from that duo Zoro was travelling with in the past. Which one was it again?

Ah, yes, Johnny.

"Hey! Who are you?" The captain yelled and charged at the swordsman. I quickly moved behind his back and waited for the impact. Johnny was yelling again and ran towards luffy.

Focus, Rea. It's a simple thing, but...

The new passenger of our ship had his sword over his head. Then he swung. Luffy jumped up to avoid the attack, but I stayed in place.

"Rea!"

I had to move quickly. Speed is a necessity in my fighting style. Speed and stealth. The latter isn't important now though. I arched my back, put my two palms on the ground behind me and did a backflip. But instead of just moving away from the attacker, my legs made contact with his sword, thus pushing the weapon out of Johnny's hand. The sword was thrown away and I finished my move with a jump, bending my arms and pushing myself up off the ground. I landed on the railing behind me. My left arm felt a bit of my whole body's pressure and weight, but... it was still alright. Luffy gave a few punches to the guy after that, and the danger was over.

That was close, phew.

Luffy gave me an annoyed look and crossed his arms with a pout.

"I could've handled it."

"I know, Captain. I just wanted to protect the ship," I pointed at the railing as I sat down next to the bruised swordsman. "This would've broken if I didn't do something."

The raven haired boy stared at the place I was pointing at, and gave me a smile.

"I get it. Good job!"

I squealed and beamed at my captain. Hey, a girl like me likes to get compliments every now and then!

To be honest, I don't think that my efforts for protecting the Merry would save her. Still, I want to do at least this much for her. When I look at any point of this ship, I always get a warm feeling. Kind of like having a child... but also having a parent? How do I explain this?

Well, for now, this is enough. I'll try and do as much for her as I can.

"Johnny, is that you? Where's Yosaku?" Zoro came to the three of us. Kaya was already heading our way with her medical box for potencial bruises, Usopp was walking behind her with Nami.

"Zoro-aniki?"

Yes, we're almost at our first, bigger stop in our adventure.

...

Oh gawd, Sanji and Usopp will be at each other's throats for sure. The former flirting, and the latter protecting. Now that I think about it, I shouldn't have told Usopp about Sanji's attitude towards women and the eternal flirting capabilities... did I just create a hate-triangle with Zoro, Sanji and Usopp? If the swordsman still won't 'vibe' with the blond...

Oh well, we won't be bored for a while. You shouldn't underestimate a green moss-head, a lovey-dovey cook and an overprotective brother with a slingshot tied to his belt. The party will soon begin.