YAY! New chapter! I finally got my lazy bum in gear and finished a new chapter for the story. Now if only I could stay like this and get started on the next chapter... -_-

Anyway... thanks to all of you, my reviewers, I've decided that Aurora will be the crew's scout.

Enjoy the newest chapter and don't forget to review!


Chapter 13

"IT'S FIXED…!"

Aurora winced and covered her ears at the sound of her captain's loud, booming voice. Nami, who was putting her sewing supplies away, turned to Luffy.

"I just mended the cuts. I think that should do it, try not to poke it too much."

"Right! Right! Thanks!" Luffy said, doing the opposite of what Nami told him. "You did a great job in fixing this hat."

Aurora flinched when Luffy's finger went straight through the top of his straw hat, and moved to the far end of the boat, away from Nami's oncoming wrath.

"Didn't you listen to what I just said?" Nami shrieked, jabbing her needle at Luffy's forehead.

"YAAAAAAA! Stop poking me with that needle, it hurts!"

"It's useless if I hit you, so I have to use the needle!"

"Ah, that makes sense!"

From his spot on the other boat, Zoro sat up with a grumble. "You guys are too noisy! I can't sleep with all this noise. Hey! I'm hungry! Share some food with us!"

"Oh, please! You need to be more prepared! You don't bring food or water and you dare to go to sea, you underestimated the sea!"

"Ah! I see something!" Luffy interrupted.

"It's a miracle you've survived up to now!"

"There's always a way!" Zoro told her, wolfing down the food she had given him.

"Hey! There's an island!" Luffy exclaimed.

Nami looked at it through her binoculars. "That island is no good! It's unpopulated, so it's useless! Let's just keep going!"

"Umm… Nami…" Aurora began, tentatively poking the other girl's shoulder. She pointed to the boys' boat, which was rapidly heading for the island.

"WAIT!" Nami roared. Aurora sighed, releasing her wings and taking off toward the island. She heard Nami screech at her as well, but ignored the other girl. Aurora slowed once she caught up with Luffy and Zoro, hovering above their boat.

"Let's see if we can find someone who would join us there."

"And let's look for food too. You know, Nami was right, we seem to have no plans!"

Nami grabbed the oars in her boat and hurriedly rowed after the two pirates and the half-angel.


Island…

"We've reached the isolated island!" Luffy stood in silence, observing his surroundings, before speaking again. "There's nothing here but forest!"

"Like I said, this is an unpopulated island! It would be weird if you found someone for the crew here!"

"Hey! Zoro, Aurora, come over here!" Luffy shouted.

"No thank you, Luffy." Aurora politely declined. "I'll stay and watch the boats."

Luffy turned his attention to Zoro. "Hey, you're sleeping!"

Nami reached out, grabbing Luffy by the back of his vest. "Let him sleep. He's still injured."

"You're right! Well, let's go!"

Aurora waved, watching the two head into the forest. Once they were out of sight, the half-angel glanced over at her sleeping companion.

'He'll be fine by himself.'

She spread her wings once more, taking to the skies above. The wind rushed past Aurora, tousling her berry-colored hair into disarray, but she could care less. It had been so long since she'd been able to fly just for fun.

Laughter bubbled up to the surface and Aurora began to perform all sorts of tricks as she soared high up into the clouds. Finally stopping, the half-angel smoothed her hair down, reaching out to touch a cloud. Like she expected, her hand went right through. These clouds weren't like the ones in Skypiea.

'Home…' Aurora thought sadly, clutching her necklace. Glancing up at the endless blue sky, Aurora closed her eyes, memories beginning to surface.


A young girl peered shyly around a corner, glancing at the sole woman that occupied the room. Rose turned from her cooking, feeling the gaze on her back.

She gestured for the young girl. "Is there something you need, Aurora?"

The 9-year-old went up to her mother, keeping her gaze on the floor and wringing her hands in front of her. "Mommy… why am I different from all the other Skypieans?"

Rose seemed surprised by the question. "What do you mean?"

"Well… my wings are different. They're bigger and I can fly with them. Nobody else can. And I can hide them."

Rose smiled softly, kneeling in front of her daughter and making the younger girl look at her. "You're a different kind of angel, sweetheart."

"A half-angel?"

Rose shook her head. "No, we just tell that to everyone else to hide the truth. You're actually a very special kind of angel. While we Skypieans look like angels and live in the sky like them, we're not truly angels. You, my dear, are a true angel. They are very rare, and maybe one or two are born each century, or none at all. You have what Gan Fall called "Holy Powers". They are meant to protect you and purify anything evil or bad."

By now, Aurora's eyes were wide in wonder. "I'm that special?"

Rose chuckled. "Yes, you are. This is why Gan Fall and I kept it a secret. If anybody found out that you were a true angel, they might try to take you away and use your powers for all the wrong reasons. So remember, this is our little secret, okay?"

"Okay!"

"Good. Now why don't you go ahead and set the table. Dinner's almost ready."

Aurora grinned. "Yes, ma'am!"


Aurora's eyes slowly began to open, the memories fading away. For years she had kept that secret and to this day she still did. The story was the same as it always was; she was just a half-angel. Some even took it as meaning that she ate a Devil Fruit. It didn't matter to Aurora how her words were interpreted, just as long as she kept her secret safe.

Deciding that it was time to head back, Aurora slowly began to descend from the clouds, the sea coming into view once more.


When Aurora got back to the ships, Nami and Luffy had come back as well, and… were talking to a guy in a chest?

Aurora raised a brow at this, but said nothing. As she got closer, the conversation going on between the three began to get clearer. The angel jumped into the boat whilst they talked, pretending she'd been there the whole time.

"Yes! Thank you for inviting me. But I still want to be the Forest Guardian." The man, Gaimon, answered.

"Why?"

"Because there are many rare animals in this forest…"

"You're right! We saw a strange snake and pig!" Nami said.

"There were many people who came to this island to get those animals, and living here for 20 years made me grow to love those animals. I can't leave them behind!"

"You're a rare and precious animal too, Uncle!"

"I'M GONNA KILL YOU!" Gaimon roared at Luffy. "Now that there are no more treasures, I feel somewhat relieved, I can now live on this island more comfortably."

"It's too bad, you are an interesting person, Uncle!" Luffy said.

"I'm sure you'll find good companions for your crew! And also find the "One Piece", then buy the whole world!"

"That's right! I can do it! See ya!"

Nami and Luffy hopped into their respective boats and the group of four began to sail away.

After leaving Gaimon-san, the boats sail towards the "Grand Line" once again.


I know it's short, but I got important information about Aurora in there, so I feel accomplished.

Don't forget to review! ^_^