A/N- Thank you all for your reviews, ClaireMaxwell1992 and MsPatricia! I went on vacation and had the best idea for the third chapter. I hope you enjoy! I believe this fan fiction will happen a little AU because I've watched through season 7 where FUNimation has episodes, but not beyond that. So this will go along with it's own story line.
Chapter Three: One Piece? Gold D Rodger's Crew Mate.
Stupid Woman. I'm glad you're safe.
She blinked into the bright sunlight, the pressure of seeing her father burn in front of her choked her awakening breath. A small reindeer on two feet, who was sitting only a few inches away, rushed to her and checked her pulse and tried calming her.
"It's okay, you're safe. Zoro brought you to our ship. I'm Chopper!" The small, furry doctor worked her over once more, checking for any wounds on the small woman. It had only been minutes since Zoro charged up the ship's ladder, warning the crew of an impending attack. Even with his exuberant healing, Zoro was still long from waking, and Chopper hadn't even moved them to his office yet. He wasn't sure, but the fresh stitches on her leg seemed to be holding together healthy flesh.
"My… My dad. He's gone. Where are we?" Emi looked toward the deck as a few more tears fell, and as her eyes finally focused, they locked onto the unconscious swordsman. "He saved my life. Twice. My dad told him I hold the key to One Piece? I don't know anything about it, I swear. My Mother is a pirate but I haven't seen her since I was small. She left me to go back to the sea and I'm wanted by the Marines now, they burned down my home." Her hands wiped at her eyes as she continued to scan the ornate ship; grass and trees lined the area she was sitting in, but yards away on the bow there was an amazing lion sculpture, not sunflower as she had originally thought. On top of the lion sat a man with a straw hat.
That must be their captain. I wonder what he'll do to me, will they let me go? Where would I go? Will they let me stay? What if they want my help to find that treasure. I don't know anything about it, on second thought, why did I tell this little deer so much?
Looking back at Chopper, she put her hands in her lap, defeated.
Now that they know I'm no use to them, surely they'll throw me over. There's no point anymore, my home is gone. My father is dead. I'll meet him soon enough.
Seeing the worry and fear in her face Chopper started, "Well, I don't know anything about One Piece either, but our Captain would never leave anyone in trouble, And as a Doctor I took an oath to help everyone in need!" Emi gasped at his exclamation, eyes widened, and she found herself smiling a little in relief. She moved to stand, but Chopper stopped her. "Don't move yet, I need to check you for wounds. I didn't expect you to even be awake yet."
"My father was a doctor and a great craftsman of medication. Or he was." She stopped momentarily but as her new friend started to bow his head, she continued. "Oh. Well, anyway! He created this elixir for me when I was little. When my Mother left I was so angry. One day, I ran into these men who were mocking her and my father. I stood up to them and, of course, they beat me to the brink of death. My Dad gave me a brew of Heal Heal fruit and it did get me back on my feet rather quickly, and sometimes lets me heal others. I assume you are a Devil Fruit user, too?" Emi smiled as sweetly as she could, wanting him to know how much he had helped her.
"Oh yeah, me too!" Chopper almost sang with his hands behind his head.
"Ay, Chopper is the moss head awa— OH! MY BEAUTIFUL MAIDEN I DIDN'T SEE YOU THERE TO WHAT DO I OWE THIS MAGICAL PRESENT?" A tall blond man in an all black suit folded himself over to Emi, taking her hand. She blushed and didn't know what to say, it was all a bit over whelming.
"Uh.." The brunette girl pulled at the hem of her torn and burned wrap dress, the medical gown became even more uncomfortable under the gaze of this man.
"SHUT UP, Sanji! Can't you see you're totally psyching this babe out?" A large man with blue hair pushed the other man away. "But I am curious, what did have Zoro bringing you back here?" Searching for the words she finally spoke up, her words small as she got used to the growing crowd.
"I'm Ueda Emi. The navy attacked my house when they found out I warned Zoro about the attack. He brought me back when my father told him I could help you guys find One Piece but I honestly don't know where it is. I'm sorry."
"Ueda you say? Like Ueda Kohaku, the Gol D. Rodger pirate?" Franky narrowed his eyes, sizing up whether this girl could really be the daughter of such a notorious pirate.
"That is my mother's name, but I don't know about her being a Gol D. Rodger pirate. My dad wouldn't talk about it, he just said she went back to the sea. I never pressed much."
"A Gol D. Rodger pirate lived on this island? That must mean we're getting close, right? HEY, LUFFY! THIS GIRL IS THE DAUGHTER OF UEDA KOHAKU OF THE GOL D. RODGER PIRATES! ZORO WAS RIGHT BRINGING HER HERE!" Franky yelled toward their Captain, still sitting on the Lion.
Emi recoiled at the thought of their captain. He must be incredibly strong and dangerous to have the marine's take them so seriously. Tension built as she watched the figure turn and her heart jumped from her throat when a hand came crashing beside her. Before she had time to think, Luffy came crashing into the deck beside her, causing her to lose her balance and fall to the deck. She covered her face in fear, bracing for impact, expecting a big booming voice to question her presence on his ship. Tears started flowing down her cheeks.
This is it. I'm going to die.
"Your mom is a Gol D. Rodger pirate?! COOL!" Luffy's soft and sweet voice practically hugged the girl in it's innocence and child-like wonder, but she didn't relax.
I'm going to die. He's going to throw me over board and I'm going to drown.
"Heeee-lloooo? What's your name anyway?"
I wonder if there's any chance of survival. I should have known better. Here it is. Wait. What's my name? His voice doesn't sound scary. Maybe I should just take a peak.
She poked her face just over her hands, to eye the captain carefully. He was tall, slender. He had a red open vest and denim shorts on, his stomach was rippled with subtle muscle.
His face was radiating... kindness. His eyes were bright with kindness and it was then Emi let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Her fingers fell from her face and she went to stand, more confident now. Chopper didn't stop her and she rose up, making sure her singed clothes didn't expose her.
"My name is Emi. Your crew mate saved my life and I don't think I can ever repay him. My house was destroyed and my father was killed by the Marine's who came after us and I don't know where I could possibly go. I'm a trained nurse and I worked in a restaurant, too, if you let me stay I can help your doctor or I can cook if you need me to." Her confidence betrayed her, as her voice cracked at the mention of her home.
Luffy's eyes were shadowed by the rim of his hat and he said, matter of factually, "You'll be a member of our crew. Chopper, can she work with you?"
Chopper nodded happily and tears fell from the cheeks of our heroine once more, but these were tears of relief and as close to joy as she could muster. Without being able to stop herself, she hugged her new captain, "Thank you so, so much! I won't let you down, I'll pull my own weight and I'll do anything to help you find the One Piece." She prattled and Luffy laughed while trying to stretch from her tight embrace. Emi was just so relieved to have somewhere to belong, so soon after losing her home and family. Remembrance hit her like a ton of bricks and she surrendered Luffy to look once more at Chopper.
"Oh! I have to thank Zoro somehow. Chopper, I've only done this once and if something happens to me, will you please help?" With a small nod from her new mentor, Emi took a few steps toward the unconscious man and got down on her knees next to him. The tips of her fingers ran very lightly over his chest, the other crew members look curiously and she concentrated.
Emi closed her eyes and focused on the muscle tears and broken bones in his body. He gave so much to save her, even if it was under the impression she could find some treasure. She knew this would take a lot out of her so she moved slowly, weaving muscle and resetting bone. The energy flowing from her fingers intertwined with his own, strong energy and soon she felt his body returning to work. When his eyes fluttered open, she almost missed it. When his hand grabbed her wrist and pushed her away, she couldn't believe it.
"Don't. The pain makes me stronger."
"Moss-headed freak! Don't push such a beautiful woman! She was only trying to help you!" The blond man went to pick Emi up, but a pink headed woman pushed him out of the way. Emi was weak, but wasn't going to pass out this time. He had pushed her away before she could have over exerted herself.
"No, It's okay. Mamoru said the same thing." She smiled again at the swordsman, knowing they didn't know who she was talking about.
"THAT IS SO COOOOOOOL!" Luffy yelled at his knew crew member, knowing he had made a good decision asking her to join his ship. Zoro sat up, holding his chest.
My injuries are almost gone, that's incredible. If she had this ability, why didn't she use it when she got shot? She could've healed herself and she didn't have to get involved with any of this mess. Stupid woman.
"Why didn't you heal earlier, when the marine's shot you?" He pushed out, monotone, and a little annoyed. She chirped under the pressure of his voice, a little embarrassed herself. Chopper was amazed, and looked desperately for a gun shot wound anywhere on the woman.
"I don't know, the bullet hit me and felt as if I had been swallowed by the sea. I couldn't move, I didn't heal. I couldn't even think straight." She ran her fingers over the wound still held together by stitches, sore by the memory.
I'll have to take these out soon.
They all nodded knowingly, "Sea prism stone."
"What is that?" Emi said, unnerved by their in unison response.
"The navy uses this stone, the 'essence of the sea' to create shackles for those with devil fruit powers. I guess they're making bullets with it now. I'm Nami, by the way, I'm the navigator. That's Franky, the shipwright cyborg, Sanji the cook. You met Chopper our doctor, and those eyes belong to Robin, our historian. Somewhere around here is our marksman Usopp." Nami pointed to everyone, and then to a set of impossible eyes attached to the haul of the ship. Emi twitched away, freaked out momentarily, until a woman with black hair came around the corner and they disappeared.
It's her devil fruit power, still that's kind of creepy. I wonder if Zoro feels alright…he is looking at me. Wow, those eyes are intense. He's only looking at me because everyone else is, right? I mean, he's not like, checking me out is he? No, no such luck I'm sure. I mean… Oh, who am I kidding? He's hot.
"Anyway, Emi. I'll show you to your room, it'll be near mine. Maybe I'll even show you around, for the right price, of course." Nami chided, poking Emi with her elbow.
"I'm sorry, I don't have any money."
Nami's face fell, "Man, another free loader." Emi frowned and apologized repeatedly. Luffy just laughed and told her not to worry he was broke, too.
Zoro's eyes followed her until she disappeared. He didn't understand why he felt so protective over this girl. She obviously could take care of herself. She HEALED for God's sake, but there was something there that made him stand up.
"Wait, Zoro. You should let me check you, I don't know how far Emi got before you stopped her." Chopper lifted his hand to Zoro, but he pushed him away.
"I'm fine, Chopper. Thanks."
Why was he going to follow this girl? It wasn't like Nami was going to rape her. Zoro's eyebrow twitched.
Stop it. Stupid woman.