:note:
SO. I was supposed to update Wish (that is slowly becoming a catchphrase), but felt like updating this one :D
If this chapter does not make a bit of sense, then blame my ill-brain. Or the fact I'm too lazy to pre-read it. Yeah. It's one of those things.
Chapter 4
"Z-Zoro?" Luffy barely whispered out, his eyes widened with confusion.
The said swordsman mirrored the same look, only slightly; raising his eyebrow with a grunt. "What is it, Luffy?"
Taking his hand away from his head, the teen continued to stare disturbingly towards Zoro, his breaths becoming slightly quicker. "This- how?"
He wasn't anywhere near Law's submarine, not that he knew of anyway. In fact, he was in a completely different room compared to the lab?- he was previously in.
Gradually looking around the room from the floor's view, Luffy's eyes narrowed hesitantly at the sight of another sleeping person; quickly identifying him as goggled-long nose. The room itself was simple, a couple of hammocks tied up here and there, nothing exactly special.
But he knew one thing.
He had definitely never been here before.
"Oi, Luffy." A hand reached out to the teen's shoulder, waking him out of his trance instantly and looking towards the owner of the arm.
Letting out a deep breath, Luffy relaxed slightly; seeing the recognizable face of the swordsman- as recognizable as he could get with two eyes.
Nodding lightly, the straw-hatted teen's eyes glazed over; brushing the hand off his shoulder and meeting Zoro eye to eye.
"H-huh?"
Narrowing his eyes, Zoro stepped back; tilting his head slightly to the side. "What's wrong?" He re-asked, causing Luffy to flinch to the side.
"Wrong?" The teen questioned, gradually lifting himself off the floor. A sudden voice hit the air, coming from the previously sleeping occupant of the room.
"Well," The voice started, draining all other sounds in the room. "you've just never had a nightmare before!- If you're having nightmare's, then something must obviously be wrong." The goggled-long nose proclaimed drearily, still half asleep.
Sitting up from the hammock he was laying in, the man stumbled out of the bed; tripping up multiple times before reaching the teen and swordsman. "I mean, you look pretty terrified right now."
Swallowing, Luffy's eyes only grew wider; his mind reverting back to when Nami explained to everyone that he had amnesia.
Did they forget too?
Was this amnesia-thing something you could catch?
If so, that would explain why two-eyed Zoro and 'not so Goggled-Nose' thought something was wrong.
But that didn't explain why Zoro had two eyes now.
Did the missing one magically grow back?
Glancing quickly over to the said swordsman with a blank face, Luffy went over should-be-missing eye; his lips pouting with frustration.
Yup. It magically grew back. That's the only logical explanation.
Suddenly, a waving hand blocked the teen's vision, looking over to the slightly concerned Long-nose as he tried to re-win his attention. "Great! Now he's staring at you creepily! Do something about this Zoro!"
Letting out a small sigh, Zoro shoved away the shaking hand; taking a step closer to Luffy with an emotionless face, causing the teen to yelp inwardly. "Is anything wrong?"
Biting down on his lip, the straw-hatted teen continued to stare into the swordsman's eyes; before pulling off his most convincing grin. "It's fine. I just had a, 'what did you say?' Ah. Nightmare. Yup!- I had a nightmare just like goggl- like he said." Catching himself of his words, Luffy continued to smile; his nerves heightening as he saw the shocked looks of the duo.
Breaking the silence, Zoro nodded, before climbing back into the hammock and shutting his eyes. "If you need me, I'll be here."
"W-Wha?" Stuttering, the Goggled-long nose stared at the swordsman pleadingly; before glancing back over to Luffy. "But it was obvious he was lyi-!"
"We'll be here if he needs us." Zoro quickly stated once more, silencing the Long-nose from his words. Gulping, the man glanced back over to Luffy, giving him a little nod and patting him on the shoulder, before retiring back to his hammock.
Awkwardly standing in the same place he had been frozen throughout the conversation, Luffy stumbled slightly backwards, before scanning the place he had fallen out from.
Edgily glancing down to his chest, Luffy was met with a simple red-vest; buttoned up and showing no signs of the impending scar that previously lay there. Forming a discontent look onto his lips, the straw-hatted teen sighed, bringing his hand up to his head with a wince.
It hadn't occurred to him before now, but he was tired; really tired. All the confusion and madness would surely go away as soon if he slept.
Once more eying the hammock he had fallen from, Luffy hesitantly climbed into it; making sure not to re-wake the others.
"Everything will make sense in the morning." He silently mumbled to himself, letting his consciousness fade away.
It had too.
Right?
"Oi, didn't you hear me?! I told you something was wrong with him last night."
"And we dealt with it."
"Isn't he normally awake by now?! When has Luffy 'ever' not woken up in time for breakfast?"
A slow rumble echoed from the teen's body, causing a slight mumble to go unnoticed.
"Will you two shut up? Nami and Robin-swan are trying to sleep right now! Luffy will be up soon-"
"You didn't see him last night Sanji. He was terrified of something! What if that 'thing' comes after us and Luffy is unable to fight?!"
Slowly bringing himself up from where he layed, Luffy yawned; his eyes instantly making it's way over to the trio lying at the edge of the room.
"Then we'll deal with it."
"He wasn't asking you moss-head."
"I wasn't talking to you either Ero-"
"Oi! Luffy!"
Pointing over to the straw-hat Captain, Long-Nose instantly distracted the Swordsman and Cook from their fight; their own eyes making their way over to where Luffy lay.
Blinking, Luffy stared blankly at the trio who were now frozen in place; causing for a silence to echo the room. "Um," The teen started, his hand slowly pointing at the Goggled-Long Nose. "did you, ugh. Mention..." Circling his hands his in air, Luffy chuckled awkwardly; before placing his palm behind his head. "breakfast?"
A long silence drew out in the room, before Sanji finally smirked; glaring every-now-and-again at the two-eyed Zoro. "See. I told you he would wake up."
"I wasn't worried!" The two-eyed Zoro exclaimed, joining Luffy as he pointed towards the Long-Nose irritatedly. "It was Usopp here that kept yammering on about it, Ero-Cook."
Stepping back in surprise, 'Usopp' yelped, flinging his hands up. "How is it my fault?!"
Jumping down from the hammock with a stumble, the teen's eyes glazed over; ignoring the yammering of the group beside him. Furrowing his eyebrows, Luffy frowned, focusing his thoughts on where he now was.
Getting a better look at the room than before, Luffy's eyes searched the simplistic room which appeared to be the 'Crew's Quarters', which only made the straw-hatted teen more confused.
"Maybe I'm a crew member now?" He questioned silently to himself, though quickly shunned the thought away. Feeling a stare being penetrated towards him, Luffy quickly glanced towards Zoro, before the said swordsman shook his head and exited out the room.
Following him curiously, the teen was instantly met with another foreign space; unable to recognize any of his surroundings successfully. Layed out in front of him was an emptied out deck, though was easily identified different than the previous ship he had been on.
Peering over towards the flag that fluttered above, a small smile made it's way onto the rubber-teen's lips; slightly satisfied to find the same mark painted onto it. Still though, a coldness swept through him as he continued to take in the ship's many unique qualities. Almost like he was looking at something which wasn't supposed to be there.
Shaking his head, Luffy continued to silently follow the trio into a small carved out door; one that leaked an inviting smell to Luffy's nose. Instantly forgetting his situation, the rubber-teen pushed the door open; grinning widely at the sight of a neatly set out dinner-table. Countless amounts of food lay on each set plate, causing the teen to rush to the first plate he could see and dig in.
A relieved sigh seeped out of Usopp, his body lowering tension as he himself sat opposite Luffy. "He's fine." The Goggled-Nose man mumbled out, small tears appearing out of his eyes. "He's our Luffy."
"Of course he was." Sanji instantly responded, casually placing another plate in front of the teen; before slamming his foot down on his head. "Oi-! No eating before Nami and Robin-swan get here."
"It's fine, Cook-san." A calm voice echoed from the doorway, causing the blonde to flail before the said voice. "We're both here."
"Robin-Swan!" A heightened tone bellowed from the cook, rushing over to the woman with wobbling legs.
Slowing down his intake of food, Luffy glanced towards the said woman; his eyebrows furrowing as he saw a forced smile sent towards him. Swallowing the last of his breakfast, the teen tilted his head, easily seeing the difference between the woman he saw now and the Robin he met back on the previous ship. "Your Robin?" He asked himself, causing the woman to tilt her head.
"Is something wrong, Captain-san?"
Crashing down onto the table with a yelp, Usopp winced; slowly peering over to Luffy with a shaky voice. "Damn it. She sees it too?!"
"What's wrong with Luffy?" Another voice yelled out, attracting the attention of Sanji instantly.
Flinging himself directly towards the orange-haired woman behind Robin, the Cook swooned immeadiately; bringing his hand out towards hers. "Nami-Sw-!"
"Nothing's wrong with me. You're the weird ones." Luffy mumbled childishly, refusing to meet anyone's eyes.
Letting out a deep sigh, the orange-haired girl 'Nami' made her way to the seat beside Luffy's, her eyebrows rising as she recognized the distressed look on her Captain's face. "Are you sure about that? Because you're looking pretty suspicious to me." Irritation toning her voice, she quickly glanced over to Zoro; silently asking for his word.
Recognizing the look, Zoro crossed his arms over; sheepishly looking the side. "If Luffy wanted to tell us something, than he would tell us. I'm not one to go round digging in his personal business."
"Personal business?" Robin questioned with curiosity, her eyes narrowing at the swordsman.
Usopp instantly interrupted any type of answer, letting out a huge cough to catch the attention of the crew. "Luffy had a nightmare last night. Zoro said it's nothing, but you should of seen him! He looked like he had just seen a ghost!"
Furrowing his eyebrows, Luffy pouted; his pupils darting down as his hands crossed over. "I'm still here you know, guys."
Biting down on her lip, Nami slowly peered back over to Luffy; slight worry in her eyes. "Maybe, could it be?" Turning herself fully around to meet the straw-hatted teen's eyes; Nami put her hands on her hips sternly, causing the rubber-teen to gulp. "Your not still injured somehow from Enel, are you? Luffy, you've got to tell us these things, we're your crew."
Blinking, Luffy slowly nodded; slightly relieved to know that he was still Captain of this ship- whatever ship this was.
Though the name 'Enel' was new to him. Was he another relative of his he'd forgotten about?
He hoped not.
His reaction to the name just made him want to sneer at the word of 'God'.
Furrowing his lips, the straw-hatted Captain glanced back over to Robin; ignoring the crew's confused looks towards him. Seeing the same slightly confused face on the raven-haired woman, Luffy swallowed; his words mumbled by the countless thoughts in his head. "Hey, Robin."
"What is it, Captain-san?" Robin instantly replied, her shoulder leaning slightly on the cabin door behind her.
"Why-" He started, his lips slowly moving apart. Narrowing his eyes to once more inspect the woman's features, Luffy winced; seeing the emotionless eyes reflecting back on him.
She was different. Different from the cheerful Robin he had met back on the other ship.
All of his crew were different though, slightly.
Heck!- Some of them were even some missing!
Wasn't there supposed to be that reindeer doctor, the skeleton and robot guy? Not to mention they looked similar to the wanted poster's that Law had shown him. And where was Law? And the Big Blue Man?
Had they just disappeared along with the one-eyed Zoro and the three missing crew-members?
Placing his hand on his forehead with a wince, Luffy shouted out in pain; his eyes closing as he tried to ignore the question's that swirled in his mind.
"I told you he wasn't alright!" Was the first thing Luffy heard shouted, bringing panic to himself once more.
He was going to disappear again; wake up in a different reality.
Just like all the other times.
"Sanji, call Chopper now!" Nami instantly asked, her hand making it's way onto Luffy's back.
"O-Oi! Luffy!" As soon as the words were said, the Cook was hastily out of the door, slight panic uttering his features.
Feeling his head becoming numb, Luffy clenched his teeth together; the pain finally fading away. Opening his eyes once more, the teen's eyes widened; still seeing the concerned faces of his crew he was previously eating with.
"I-i'm still here?" Luffy let out with a stutter, before Usopp quickly interrupted his words.
"That wasn't just some nightmare Zoro! See! Why doesn't anyone pay attention to what I have to say?!"
Twitching, the two-eyed swordsman narrowed his eyes, but remained silent to the question.
Sighing, Nami quickly straightened her back; standing up from the chair and stepping away from the rubber-Captain. "Maybe because you lie all the time, Usopp! Why didn't neither of you fetch Chopper if you knew Luffy was in this kind of pain?!"
"Luffy was fine." Zoro instantly stated, the corner's of his teeth grinding slightly. "He wasn't in pain back then. If he was, we would have obviously done something about it."
Tilting his head, Luffy watched the exchange between the crew-member's in silence; the confusion still rampaging in his mind. "Guys,"
Ignoring the suttle attempt from his Captain, Usopp continued on; his fists clenched as he shouted towards Zoro. "That's what I was saying the whole time! We should of done something about it! When was the last time you saw Luffy screaming and kicking his way out of bed, only to see him look at us like we were strangers?"
Hearing a small chuckle sound a few meters away from Luffy, Robin smiled; placing a hand over her mouth."My, my. It seems your crew becomes quite enraged when their Captain's in trouble." The darkened-hair woman said with a hint of amusement, catching the attention of the rubber-teen.
"...Aren't you part of the crew?" The teen asked obliviously, his eyes blank with curiosity.
"What kind of question is that?" Nami sputtered out, ignoring the surprised look on Robin's face. "You're the one who accepted her into the crew Luffy- don't start forgetting important stuff like that now!"
"Hey, everyone." A small voice echoed out from the cabin door, causing all eyes to look towards the figure.
"Why are you all shouting?" Walking through the crowd was a recognizable face to Luffy, causing the teen to pull out a small smile. "Luffy!" Looking up towards him with the same concerned eyes as before, the reindeer (now known as Chopper) frantically searched the Captain's body; breathing a sigh of relief to see no damage. "What happened?" He finally asked, looking towards the irritated swordsman for answer's.
"Luffy was in pain just now." Zoro stated, his arms still crossed over. Catching the teen's eyes glancing at him, Zoro sighed; bringing his hand up to his hair, shaking it with another sigh. "And it's not only that. He's not acting like himself."
Furrowing his eyebrows, Luffy grimaced; thinking over his previous actions.
He had been quiet, that's for sure- but had he really been that different?
Turning back over to the rubber-teen, Chopper narrowed his eyes; his questions plain and simple. "Have you been suffering any headaches?- Seizures of any kind? When was the last time you had slep-"
"A seizure! He had a seizure just then!" Usopp shouted out, pointing towards Luffy's head with panic.
Mumbling under her breath, Nami looked away from the Goggled-Long Nose; her mouth drawn in a taut. "And how would you know?"
"Hey! At least I'm trying to help!" Exchanging his hands in the air, the sharp-shooter glared at the woman; before looking away.
Seeing the exchange, Sanji quickly interfered; sending his own glare towards Usopp. "Don't glare at Nami-Swan like that!"
"I'm fine!" Luffy finally stated, raising his voice over the others.
"I'm fine..." He whispered out once more, ignoring the surprised looks thrown at him. Clenching his finger's together, Luffy stumbled off the seat; his shoulder's shaking along with his pupils.
"It's just- Don't you remember?" His tone rasp and quivered, the teen looked pleadingly into the eyes of his crew; hoping for some kind of recognition, that this was a joke.
"Remember what exactly, Captain-san?" Robin asked through the silence, her eyebrow's furrowed. "What is it that you remember?"
Blinking at the quick response, Luffy mumbled countess words; bringing his hand up to his forehead. "I was with this frowning man in the forest, I think his name was Law. Oh yeah! And this Big Blue Man was there! Though I think Law said his name was Jimbei. But he was huge and blue and attacked me for not knowing this Ace person."
"Then he and Law tied me onto this operating table and showed me different pictures of you guys, telling me that I was wrong and that I had just come out of this war-or-something. And you guy's weren't even there! Or I think you weren't there. The last time I had seen you, you were all so different and on this amazing lion ship!- Not saying this ship isn't amazing. Though I have no idea why you would get rid of it, this one's such a cool ship!"
"And Zoro- He had one eye! And there was this living skeleton who wore a feather boa and loved to sing songs, as-well as a huge robot guy who thought everything was 'super!'. And you all looked at me strangely when I said I didn't remember you, and Nami told me I had amnemia. Or was it Altemia? Well she told me I had something! And each time I got this splitting headache I would end up somewhere different, but this time I ended up in this hammock with two-eyed Zoro and Goggled-Nose over there! D-do-" The straw-hat Captain tumbled on, his words becoming breathless.
"Do any of you remember that?"
Silence.
Not one person said a word.
All eyes were directed straight onto the rubber-teen's head, a completely unexpected look passing through each of the crew-member's eyes.
Blinking, Nami slowly brought her mouth agape; her words stuttering in confusion. "W-What?"
"Oh god." Usopp echoed in the background, his back sliding down the cabin's walls. "He's gone crazy. He's finally gone crazy."
"That's," The blonde mumbled out, his eyebrow's raised and cigarette unlit. "...some nightmare to have."
Gritting his teeth, Luffy stepped further towards Sanji; his pupils looking directly into the Cook's. "It wasn't nightmare!"
Instantly making his way in front of the teen, Chopper smiled nervously at him; his arms stretched out to halt Luffy's steps. "O-okay Luffy. We believe you. It's just hard to take that all in."
"You said that you had Amnesia?" The raven-haired lady asked, catching the attention of the Doctor and the crew.
Nodding confidently in response, Luffy crossed his arms over one another. "Mhm. Yep, that's what it was called."
Catching onto what the woman was referencing too, Zoro gulped, his eyes widening as he took a step back. "He couldn't have forgotten us." Attaching his glance towards Robin, the swordsman narrowed his eyes. "You don't actually believe that, do you?"
"And since when do you have such disbelief in your Captain, Swordsman-san?" The woman replied with her features stern. Closing her eyes, she breathed out deeply; before staring at Luffy with curiosity. "Do you remember us, Captain-san?"
Blinking, Luffy glanced down; his mind reverting back to the crew he met before.
They were different- but they're still them.
"Yeah. A little."
"A little?" Usopp whimpered out, regaining his posture from the wall. "You only remember us a little?"
"It isn't just that," Luffy continued on, earning a collected gulp from the crew before him. "the Law guy. I think he said, that the way I was describing you guys- that it was like I was describing the older versions of you. Not the ones he knew."
Flinging her arm's out to the teen's shoulder's, Nami desperately looked in the teen's eyes; though regained her composure. "Luffy. You think that you saw the older version's of us?!"
"The Grandline is known to be a mysterious place, Navigator-san."
Twitching at Robin's statement, Nami let out a deep sigh; caressing her finger's through her hair before turning back to Luffy. "How far in the future were you?"
Not expecting the question, the straw-hat captain furrowed his eyebrows. "I- um." Glancing at the crew's appearance's, Luffy nodded to himself. "I'm not sure. But I think we had two other members."
"The Skeleton and the Robot?" Chopper questioned with a wobbled tone, his face becoming more worried as the teen nodded.
"And this Law," Lifting up his hand to finally bring fire to the edge of his cigarette, Sanji breathed out; his eyes narrowed towards Luffy's eyes. "he knew us?"
Pouting out his bottom lip, Luffy gave a small shrug, sitting back onto the seat bellow as he crossed over his legs. "I think so. Well, he knew me and the fact that Zoro had two eyes."
"Sounds like a close friend." Zoro sarcastically commented, earning a snort from the blonde-cook in front of him.
"Because all close friend's tie their friends to operating tables."
Rolling her eyes, Nami fell back onto the chair behind her; her pupils still glue onto the slightly awkward-looking Captain beside her. Narrowing her eyes as she tried to memorize her Captain's words, the navigator's eyes widened instantly; her head tilting slightly to the side. "Did you mention an Ace?"
"Hmm?" Leaning his head back to face Nami's, Luffy filddled with the rim of his hat; blinking in time with it. "Yeah. The Big Blue Guy kept going on about him."
Letting out a small gasp, the sharpshooter's lips straightened into a taut; his head colliding softly with the wall behind. "Man, you don't even remember your brother?"
My brother?
Before Luffy could reply, an echo of the cabin door shutting rang through the room; all eyes turning to see that Robin has silently left the room.
Raising his eyebrows, the straw-hatted Captain slowly lifted off his seat; making his way over to the door despite the questions being flung at him by his crew.
Hesitantly pushing the door open, Luffy was met with an unexpected gentle breeze. Scanning the deck for any sign of the woman, the teen was quickly met by the sight of Robin leaning against the rail; looking over the ocean.
Frowning at such a saddened posture the woman held, Luffy slowly made his way over, though didn't say a word.
Hearing his arrival, Robin turned around gracefully, her chin held in her palm. Tilting her head curiously, she once again sent Luffy a fake smile; causing for the teen to grimace once more.
"What brings you out here, Captain-san?" She asked softly, her words just about making sound over the crashing waves beside her.
Continuing to stare at her blankly, Luffy stayed silent; causing for the woman to raise her eyebrows.
Seeing this, Robin sighed; her eyes closing as she turned back to the ocean. Keeping the small smile planted on her lips, she spoke once more; though this time her voice was less expecting. "There must be something you've come out here for, so if you want to ask; I'd be happy to answer."
"You were different." Luffy stated bluntly, his eyes still narrowed. Letting a brisk of silence follow after his words, he continued on. "The future you. She was a lot more happier."
Keeping her sight frozen towards the sea, Robin chuckled weakly. "Is that so?"
Frowning, Luffy continued to be silent; though was surprised to see Robin turn towards him, her face tinted with worry.
Of course, the teen hadn't remembered enough of her to say it was unnatural to see the woman feature such a look on her face; but it discomforted him.
Gazing up to the sky, the archeologist let out a sigh; clutching the rail's tightly as she breathed out. "How," She started, her lips wobbling in the slightest way. "I just can't see how I would still be with you- why would you. Nobody would want-"
"Because you belong here."
Ending his statement like it was the most obvious thing ever, Luffy split his lips into an honest grin; forgetting his previous situation completely. "I don't know what happens, and I don't remember much of anything." The teen stated, leaning onto the rail softly. "But it felt right."
Her pupils widened and shaken, Robin stuttered; her mouth agape as she stared at the straw-hatted Captain in silence. Gritting her nails into the wooden rail further, a small but genuine- smile uttered out onto her lips; leaving the rest of her face to shadow over.
"Could that really be possible?" Her voice whispered and rasped, Robin chuckled before turning back to the rubber-teen.
Her eyes widening instantly at the vacant and distant look plastered to her Captain's face, the archeologist hastily reached out for his arm; only for it to slip from her fingers.
Feeling his head droop back towards the ocean, Luffy stumbled; his feet directed towards the opposite side of the rail. Screaming out for him look out, Robin barely succeeded in waking the straw-hat Captain up; though realized it was too late.
"LUFFY!"
His head stung. Scratch that, everything hurt.
There was noise- lots of it. It surrounded him tightly, nearly suffocating him of any space to think or understand where he was right now.
It smelt of blood. Tons of it. Nothing compared to the stench on the operating table before.
His feet were tired; he was tired. His body ached from unknown scars from unknown battles, and that scared him.
Though throughout all of this, Luffy felt happy, more happy than he'd ever before.
"Luffy-san! You have to keep up!"
"Keep up?" Luffy mumbled out, his eyes opening hesitantly. Wincing at the light, the teen stumbled; feeling his feet land harshly onto the ground with as shout.
"Luffy!"
It wasn't Robin's voice; not the one that shouted out to him before the fall. So, who was it?
Feeling his feet automatically move on the floor, Luffy looked around his surrounding's; his pupils widening in shock at the sights.
"...A war?"
"Damn it, Luffy!"
His steps slowly started to falter, unable to take the strain of standing up more more. He couldn't breathe; his breath's hitching against the ash-filled air surrounding the crowded area he had found himself in.
Confusion uttered his mind, unable to make out where he had found himself; though clouded memories of battles echoed in the back of his mind.
"LUFFY!"
A hand instantly reached out to him, catching him from falling onto the ground bellow; and drawing him closer to the figure's body.
"Ace! We need to keep going!"
...What did he just say?
Glancing up to get a look at the man, Luffy's pupils unconsciously widened; tear's started to swell up in his eyes.
Nami and Usopp's voice echoed swiftly through Luffy's ears, though their words were still fresh in memory.
"Did you mention Ace?"
"Man, you don't even remember your own brother?"
"..."
"Your brother died in a war you escaped."
Gulping, Luffy stumbled back; pushing himself off the man's chest as his eyes searched the familiar freckles dotted on figure's face.
"Ace?"
thAT ENDING.
So for anyone whose still confused.
Luffy has amnesia. But for some reason keeps travelling to different points in his memory. One minute he's with Jimbei after the war, the next he's on the Going Merry just after Skypeia.
And now he's at Marineford :D
-KayaaHiko