Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece.
Chapter 8
The last weeks we were getting along better.
We fell in a relative peaceful routine.It was a simple and relaxing lifestyle.
I was even getting along with the bandits, who were scared of me after my kind words ,when I first arrived.
One thing that bothered me is that Ace was a little uneasy of our future.
Every time we talk about sailing in the sea he seemed a little tense.
Probably because we might not be together.So one day he came with some cups and sake.
" What is this Ace?" asked Luffy.
"It is Dadan's sake. I stole it from her" he commented.
" Why? " Sabo inquired .
" Did you know if men exchange cup of sakes, they become brothers?
So even if we sail under differents flags, in different seas we will be brothers" he exclaimed excited.
He placed three cups in the ground. With little hesistation, he gave me the fourth one.
" Gender aside ,I am not becoming your sister " I said as a mother of fact.
He seemed a little hurt at my exclamation.
" Why?" whined Luffy.
" As I said before I am not into incest. I want to marry Ace, not be his sister.
But don't worry Luffy I will always be your sister and Sabo' s sister in law if I marry Ace" I grinned.
Ace became a little pink.
" In your dreams ,stupid "he huffed .
" Wouldn't you like to know ,what I do to you in my dreams? " I grinned.
Both Sabo and Ace looked me with disbelief.
They didn't except me to say that but they should have known better.
Luffy of course was oblivious.
Ignoring my teasing,they raised the cups and said "We are brothers "
Well after the new acquired status things didn't change so much.
Well at least for me.
They were more protective of each other and more close.
Sometimes they didn't include me in their activities, that enforced their bond.
Like the tiger lord's hunting.
Not that I complained.
Sometimes the things they did ,were crazy and dangerous.
As I doctor , I was there to tend their injuries and make sure they were fine.
There was also a voice at the back of my head that whispered that I was an outsider anyway, that I was intruding.
Even if this is my life now, I feel sometimes that I don't belong here.
I was raised differently and with different standards.
Sometimes I wonder If I could find a way to return to the old world would I take the chance?
And if I could return ,could I return as the same person I was?
Or I would become someone else and still felt like I don't belong?
Was I dead in the previous world or did I fell in a coma and this universe is my imagination?
So many questions were born ,from simply looking at the sky and the clouds.
' And I thought Shikamaru said that cloud-watching was relaxing!
I am more confused now'
I sat down for a little longer and watched the clouds shifting shapes.
When the sky started to change color, I stood up and left.
I returned to the house and I was alone.
The guys didn't return yet.
I sighed and went to sleep.
To my surprise when I woke up, the guys weren't there.
Even if I didn't mind their new relationship, it is a bit lonely.
Instead of continuing being gloomy, I decided to go sleep at my home for a couple of days.
I would help mom at the bar and have some company.
I gathered my stuff and left, without leaving a note or anything.
The guys probably built the tree house ,so they might not return for a few days at least.
With my new found determination I started walking towards the village.
When I told my mother i was going to stay a few days, she was ecstatic.
I helped her with the jobs so she could finish earlier.
We spent some quality time together.
I also found my book where I have written all the stories and things from the other world.
It was nostalgic seeing it.
I wrote some new things in it and even wrote my new founded questions, in English of course.
It was peaceful at the village, the people didn't make much noise.
Mom also encouraged me to meet more children at my age.
Especially girls as I didn't know any here.
Surprisingly I got along really well with a bookworm girl.
She liked my stories and liked to read.
I really had fun talking to her.
I even invited her to the bar and she agreed excited.
It was my fourth day here and I was sitting along with Naomi, my new friend, chatting.
" Makino! " a voice yelled, a really familiar voice. Or more specifically Luffy.
He burst through the door looking worried.
Sabo and Ace were behind him.
" What is the matter Luffy?" asked mom worried.
" Tsukiko disappeared! We went to Dadan's and said that she hasn't seen there for four days"he said panicked.
Mom relaxed and pointed at me.
" Tsukiko is right over there"
Luffy looked at me and came towards me while shouting my name.
He hugged and he seemed relieved that I was fine.
Ace and Sabo came after him and didn't say anything but they relaxed after seeing me.
Naomi looked at me curiously and asked
"Who are they? "
" They are friends of mine. Luffy is the one hugging me, Ace is the black haired one and the last one is Sabo "I explained.
"Hello! I am Naomi and I am Tsukiko 's new friend. Pleased to meet you" she smiled.
" You seem weak" commented Ace.
Naomi stared in disbelief,her mouth opened and then closed not knowing what to say.
I hit Ace in the head.
Everyone looked at me like I have grown a second head.
" Don't mind their rudeness Naomi! They still call me weird and delusional " I smiled.
She gave me a weak smile " It's okay Tsukiko. I am going to leave now, my mother is waiting for me. Come visit me tommorow "
" Oh okay! By Naomi " I waved her off.
When she left I turned my head and a sadistic look was on my face.
The guys froze when they saw me and paled a little.
" You chased her away! Why were you rude? " I glared at them, especially Sabo.
" Why are you glaring at me? " he held his hands in surrender.
" Explain all of you" I commanded.
" Well I missed you Luna, I didn't say anything to her" said Luffy with puppy eyes.
" I just stated the truth. She isn't going to survive at the mountains in her current state" said Ace nonchalantly.
"That's because normal people don't survive in the mountains. Why would she go to the mountains anyway? I asked.
" How can you see her then? You live in the mountains. How will you see her then?" asked Sabo.
" Simple I will visit her as long as I will stay in the village " I shrugged.
Silence fell over the room.
Luffy looked at me with wide eyes " You are not coming back with us? "
"I will stay here for a couple of days. I promised mom that I would stay for a week. You guys can stay too, you know"
I said.
"Can we? " pleaded Luffy and looked a the other two.
The others seemed reluctant and seemed to have a conversation with their eyes.
" But what about our base lu? It is not completed yet and it could be destroyed if left alone " said Sabo with a tight smile.
' Oh? Are they avoiding me now? Did they think that I am following them all the time? They are the ones that came here!Let them see if I care'
" Sorry Luna! The base will be destroyed! We can't stay " said Luffy sad.
At least Luffy still wants to be with me.
" It is okay Luffy. You can come visit me when you have finished your base! " I patted his head and gave him a warm smile.
Luffy nodded and the other two seem to understand my implication that I am staying here longer.
But they didn't commented.
" Well goodbye Luffy. Also goodbye Ace and Sabo" I said and waved them off.
A/N: i apologize if there is any mistake but english is not my mother tongue. This is the first time Tsukiko felt lonely because Luffy was always there ,or at least seem like 't worry it won't stay that way for very long, i think in the next chapter the problem is solved(I don't really remember, i wrote that chapter in August or September i think)
See you next time.