2. Hey Fella, That's My Wife You're Ogling

Story Start: Morning After Card Captors' Arrival

The wings of Fly flapped on Sakura's back as she circled a large search pattern a mile up in the air. Clow's Successor scanned the water beneath her looking for a specific rock spire which hopefully had a boat next to it. A quick questioning of the crew had allowed the pair of Card Captors to determine WHEN they were in the story down more than just 'Left Gecko Island but before Baratie.' Sakura was mildly upset that they had arrived after the events of Treasure Island since she could have at the very least gotten Gaimon out of that chest he had been stuck in for twenty years and Created something to help his no doubt atrophied limbs. Still, nothing a quick use of the Twin card couldn't fix. Sakura's double would get Gaimon free, fix the afro'd pirate's body then return to the original Sakura to be dismissed in a few days.

Meanwhile, the original Sakura was on her own aid mission. If they were in a world close enough to the One Piece series back in the Magician Pair's home dimension then Yosaku was currently in bad straits due to scurvy. If Sakura could find the bounty hunter pair before the Merry reached Usopp's visual range of it, she could put Yosaku on the mend earlier than he would otherwise. (She had five limes from the Merry's kitchen on her person along with a Created Health Potion to ensure it.)

Spotting a likely candidate ten miles out, Sakura adjusted her flight and picked up a bit of speed even as she mused out loud to herself "Still can't believe Luffy didn't want to know about who his future crewmates were. I can understand not wanting to know too many 'spoilers' about the adventures you would have in the future but I know I certainly wouldn't mind knowing who my closest allies would be, if only so I don't accidentally damage them too much in a fight because they were working with my enemies the first time I met them."

After a minute, Sakura snorted and said "Then again, if someone would have told me a week before Syaoran came to Japan that I would have a one sided very antagonistic rival for the Clow Cards and that I would actually marry him as soon as the pair of us were out of high school, I'd be rather skeptical myself."

"Speaking of future allies, hopefully Whitebeard will get my message, and more importantly believe it." Sakura muttered to herself. She had used Create to make a mechanical eagle that could lock onto a person and fly to them at supersonic speeds. So, freaky weather of the Grand Line willing, it should reach the Moby Dick within twenty four hours of being sent, forty eight at the extreme max. Inside the construct she had left a letter warning him about Blackbeard's plans and a Created vial of extra strength Health Booster potion as a sort of bribe to consider the Straw Hat pirates as a crew to if not call Allies then at least be more friendly than neutral towards. (Ace being the Captain's sworn brother could only go so far after all) She wasn't entirely sure WHEN Blackbeard killed Thatch so could only hope that the warning came in time.

Reaching the rock spire and now seeing the boat docked next to it, Sakura shook her head free of those thoughts and dived down. Sure enough, there were two figures at the level where the rock met the sea and they were wearing coats, one blue, the other green. And she hadn't even needed a seeker eagle to find them either.

Scene Change: The Merry, Next Day (Again) En Route To The Baratie

"Thanks again for your help Big Sis!" Johnny said for the fifth time that day as the Merry dashed across the water at 12 knots, half again as her normal fastest speed. The Merry was accomplishing this feat thanks to Sakura's Windy card blowing straight onto her sails no matter what direction she was facing. In his hands, Johnny fiddled with the shrunken form of his and Yosaku's own boat, miniaturized by the Little card. Sakura had used Float and Dash in conjunction to move said boat quickly through the air for an extremely smooth flight back to the Merry before using Little to shrink it so that way the Merry didn't have to tug it behind her. (All with Johnny's permission of course.)

Sakura gave an idle nod from where she was being held in Syoaran's arms while her husband in turn leaned against Merry's main mast. Said husband was smirking in amusement as he listened to Luffy and Usopp singing about a sea restaurant and all the delicious food they would find there. For something the Captain had made up on the spot, it actually was a pretty good tune, good enough for Usopp to easily pick up during the second iteration of it at least.

Nami was not nearly so amused, but she bore with it as she read the day's newspaper. Or at least LOOKED like she was reading it. More likely, she was still considering what the pair of magicians had told her earlier when they had managed to get her alone in the kitchen and told her what would happen within the week, complete with Sakura using Illusion to provide visual proof that yes, they knew what the situation on her home island was and that it should be getting much better soon. Hopefully Nami wouldn't pull a runner during the excitement that should be coming up soon and would instead wait for it to calm down before bringing the Merry to her home with ALL of her crew.

As for Zoro? Well, he was currently napping after sparring with Syaoran for the last hour, the pair only having taken minute long breaks every ten minutes. Syaoran may not have been as physically strong as Zoro was, even this early into the Straw Hat crew's voyage, but he had the skill not to mention elemental techniques to keep up with the Santoryu user for a spar. (That and he may have received one or two Created energy boosting potions from his wife during said hour) Being able to stream one's own body and occasionally their blade with electricity was certainly a useful trick in that situation. Johnny had joined in at some point in the latter half but had dropped out only five minutes in rather worn out from having to block the extremely strong blows of Zoro and deal with the tingling in his arms contact with Syaoran's blade occasionally left.

Sakura gave Johnny a smile that was like a beam of sunshine that yet again made Johnny blush a little as she said "Like I said before, it was no problem Johnny, you and your friend were in trouble and I could help so of course I would aid you two."

Johnny absently rubbed the back of his head and said "Heh, well I don't think many other people would put as much effort into helping us as you did." He then looked down at his shrunken boat and said "Then again, before today, I didn't think magic was real either so maybe they would if they could do what you can, though I still doubt it."

"Hey! I think I see it!" Usopp called from where he and Luffy were on the forecastle next to Merry's figurehead.

Syaoran pushed himself off the mast and Sakura shifted to his side instead of in front of him as everyone made their way to the bow of the ship. Well, everyone except Zoro who was still snoozing. Sure enough, there was the floating restaurant, looking just a bit strange with the giant fish tail rudder and fish head at the bow.

A quick look around to ensure that they had arrived BEFORE Fullbody's vessel had Sakura sighing and said quietly to her husband "Looks like we managed to avoid blowing a hole in the restaurant's roof."

Syaoran nodded before he said "Hey Luffy!"

"Hm, what is it Li?" Luffy asked. (After the first time butchering his given name, Syaoran told him to call him by his much easier last name)

"This is just a suggestion mind you, but it'd probably be a good idea to take down the pirate's flag. Just so that way any Marines visiting don't getting any bright ideas of sinking her while no one is aboard to defend her."

Luffy's face turned stormy at Syaoran's first sentence but then at Sayaoran's explanation took on a still angry but considering look. He looked up at the flag a moment later with a conflicted look for a solid minute before he sighed and said "Usopp, take off Merry's flag, we'll put it back up when we leave."

"Aye, aye Captain." Usopp said with a salute though he too looked a bit reluctant as he climbed the rigging.

Nami actually put her hand on Luffy's shoulder as she said "For what it's worth, I think it's a smart decision."

Luffy nodded before he looked at his magician guests and said "You guys said we could look forward to good fight here in a few days right?"

The pair nodded and Sakura said "I'm pretty sure we're a day or so ahead of when you guys got here in the source material thanks to Windy but I thought it best to avoid you accidentally deflecting a cannonball into the roof of the Baratie and having to work off the debt of that."

"Good Call." Nami and a just returned Usopp said, said sniper carrying a carefully folded flag in his hands. Then the sniper looked up at Merry's main sail with a frown and said "I'm kind of regretting painting Merry's sail right now."

Sakura gave a dismissive wave and said "Don't worry, I've got a solution for that." Pulling out a card, she released her staff and tapped it as she said "Illusion, please hide the Jolly Roger on the main sail of this ship."

The card faded away and a moment later so did the Straw Hat insignia on the main sail. Grinning, Nami said "Wow, it sure is useful having you on board Sakura, which I had met you earlier, we would have made a LOVELY team on some of my heists."

Syaoran wrapped an arm around Sakura's waist and tugged her closer as he playfully glared at Nami and said "Mine, you can't have her."

That got laughter from most of the people on the forecastle except for Luffy who cocked his head in visible confusion before just shrugging it off.

Soon after that, all of the awake people got to work bringing Merry in close to the Baratie and dropping the anchor, tying the Merry off to provided cleats on the Baratie's deck just to be sure. Then rousing Zorro and Yosaku from their respective naps, the group headed for the main entrance of the restaurant.

Walking through the open double doors revealed Baratie's large dining room filled with about three dozen tables spread in a circle around the staircase in the middle that led up to the kitchen. They were quickly met by Patty who had his hands clasped together as he said "Ah, valued customers, welcome to the Baratie! If you'll please follow me to a table our waiting staff will be with you shortly."

Soon led to a table that was at the nine o'clock position of the entrance, Patty placed the eight menus he had gathered at the front down and said "Please look over what we have to offer, someone will be back momentarily for your orders."

A few minutes later, Sanji came over, giving both Nami and Sakura grandiose bows as he said "Welcome, Ladies, to the Baratie, and to your hanger ons as well, how may this humble chef serve you?"

"Hanger ons?" Usopp asked angrily.

Syaoran though merely cocked an eyebrow and said "Well for starters, you can look at Sakura's and my left hands."

Sanji gave Syaoran an annoyed look but did so. When he spotted the wedding rings the pair sported, the group heard something metaphysical cracking from the area of Sanji's heart. To his credit though, he quickly regained his stride and said "Duly noted sir, now then, do the lovely ladies know what they'd like?"

Sakura nodded and said "I'd like the #5 Combo please, with a pitcher of your Applewood Julep to split between me and Syaoran." She then snapped her finger and pointed at Yosaku as she said "And he needs something full of Vitamin C as well, he's still recovering from a brush with Scurvy."

Sanji's eyes flicked over to Yosaku, his gaze taking in Yosaku's still slightly pale skin and a few other indicators before he nodded seriously and said "Very well Madam." Turning to Nami, he asked "And you, lovely swan?"

Nami smiled beatifically and opened her mouth only to twitch as Sakura gave her foot a light tap. Seeing the disappointed look in Sakura's eyes, Nami coughed into her fist and said "Um, yes, I'd like the #10, water is fine."

"Right away, my Ocean Goddess!" Sanji said with a smile before he turned to the males and his face went flat and he asked "And what will you six be having?"

Once the Males had given their own orders, Sanji closed his book and said "I shall have these out for you with post haste!" As he walked past Syaoran, the Former Card Captor heard their Server mutter lowly "Lucky Bastard."

Syaoran snickered lowly to himself even as he put his arm around Sakura's waist, his wife readily leaning into his side with a content smile, causing Sanji to mutter even more under his breath as he left.

Once he was gone, Sakura giggled and said "It's not nice to taunt the poor man like that Syaoran."

"Well then he should be professional enough to treat all customers equally, no matter what gender they are." Syaoran said with a smirk.

Sakura giggled and said "It's a good thing we convinced Kero and Yue to stay at home, Kero probably would have gone Guardian form and knocked him into the water outside if Sanji talked to him like that."

Syaoran's smirk twitched upwards and he said "That'd be one time I'd actually agree with the stuffed toy."

"Um, who's Kero and Yue?" Usopp asked.

Sakura smiled and said "You can think of them as my magical bodyguards. They WOULD have joined us here but Syaoran and I managed to convince them to treat this adventure as our second honeymoon. They weren't happy, but Kero knows the One Piece Universe just as well as I do and he reluctantly agreed that so long as we're with you guys we should be alright."

Syaoran cackled and said "He told us to bring lots of Souvenirs back, preferably from Tottland."

Nami paled and asked "Isn't that the Yonko Big Mom's territory!?"

"It is, but she has a few things that Luffy will need to reach where the One Piece is." Sakura said with a nod.

Luffy made a face and said "Guys, I said no Spoilers!"

"Oh relax Luffy, it's obvious you'll be going against the Yonko on the route to becoming Pirate King and this is at least three years in the future anyway. Besides, I didn't give any specifics." Sakura said, waving Luffy's agitation away.

Luffy huffed at her but settled down easily enough as he leaned forward and his eyes lit up as he asked "Ne, ne, Sakura, after lunch, could you do that thing with your cards you talked about earlier?"

"You mean use Create to make a combination amusement park, obstacle course, arcade, and training area?" Sakura asked with an amused smile.

"YEAH!" Luffy said eagerly, actually bouncing in his seat a little.

"Oh, I suppose I'll have nothing better to do so I might as well." Sakura said with a theatrical sigh causing Luffy to cheer and Usopp to give Sakura a big thumb's up. Even the others at the table looked interested in what Sakura would make for them to explore.

Syaoran chuckled and kissed the crown of his wife's head as he said "You are going to absolutely SPOIL this crew, you know that?"

Sakura giggled and said "I know, but I can't help it. It's something about the energy of this world that makes me want to metaphorically stretch my wings and show off a bit."

"Hmm, just remember we've got a schedule to keep." Syaoran said and Sakura nodded, turning serious as she thought about just what this group would be facing in the upcoming months. Still, having a pair of Magicians aiding the crew could only be a good thing at the end of the day.

But for now, everyone just had lunch to look towards.

END