Hey guys!
Long time, no see!
I wish I hadn't taken so long to write to you guys, but I did and I'm sorry for it.
You all know, Christmas is coming up!
This will be my last chapter for awhile, I need to focus on writing stories as my gifts to my relatives this year.
There will be an update for Holiday Adventures, of course.
If you haven't already go check it out! Leave a review as well. Love those!
I'm also delayed cause I was just switched over to a new school! It's so much fun, and now I have anime geeky friends!
Okay, focus... Who am I kidding?! I've wasted too much of your time!
Please read! Leave a review!
Thanks a ton for coming this far! I love all you good readers and reviewers!
Enjoy...
I entered Zeff's room, and wandered over to the giant hole in his wall. I skimmed my hand along the edge, my hand turning black from the charred wood. It was peaceful. The clouds floated by and the blue horizon met with a bluer ocean. I loved sailing, it brought peace to most people. Who was I to complain anyways? I had been born at sea.
"I'd like to offer you a role in my crew." The sudden voice made me jump out of my skin and let out a shriek. I turned to see Zeff standing behind me.
"Please don't do that." I sighed, placing a hand over my racing heart. He had already moved on. He was over on his bed sitting, waiting for me. I walked over in the silence and took a seat.
"You're Nadine's daughter, am I correct?" He asked, placing his hand on my leg comfortingly.
"And you're the great Red Shoes Zeff." I chuckled a bit. He joined in and laughed with me.
"I'm willing to offer you a job here. You'll become the new sous-chef. I tried the meal you made. You were kind to the customers. You also tend to stop the fights that the chefs get in. It would be amazing if you were to join us here on the Baratie." He told me calmly while patting my back.
"I can only work here as long as I'm able. My captain, Luffy, might be a goofball, but without him I wouldn't be working on this ship at all." I stated, standing up and taking a step away. "I'd probably be with my father." I muttered to myself. The thought wasn't all that amusing. I stepped over to the hole in the wall. "You see, I'm trying to find my mother. My father and I have suspected that she's been dead this whole time. He gave up his search, but I just want to see her once." I glanced over my shoulder at him. A big smile grew on his face.
"You're in luck. Right around seventeen years ago they announced the capture of Nadine. It was nearly a year before they told everyone that she had been sentenced to death. I opened my restaurant a few years after with Sanji... I overheard a couple of Marines one day. They spoke of a woman with sky blue eyes. A woman capable of negotiating any situation no matter the circumstances without any harm being done. They told about how she was the prisoner to a Marine captain in Loguetown and he was the only reason she was still alive. If my suspicions are correct, that woman is probably your moth-" I flew at Zeff, my arms wrapping around his neck tightly.
"Thank you so much!" I exclaimed happily.
"No problem." He whispered in my ear as he patted my back. I jumped up away from him and threw my hands up in fists.
"That's the first time I've even got good info on her." I shrieked happily. Zeff laughed quietly at my reaction.
"Is something going on here?" Sanji asked, peering into the room. His eyes were on Zeff, but I didn't notice the scowl as I leapt at him and grabbed the sides of his head. I pulled it down and kissed his forehead. As I pushed his head away I noticed slight surprise on his face.
"I need to go tell Luffy!" I pushed past Sanji and heard him thud to the ground as I rushed to go find my captain.
I was waiting patiently, or at least trying my best to. It had been four days since we had arrived. Four!
I spent most of my time taking orders, cooking minor ones, cleaning, that kind of thing. Today it was awfully slow due to a fog around the ship. I hadn't gotten any new customers in an hour. All the plates that weren't being used were clean and away. I had swept the room about four times. I had lounged around on the roof of the Baratie, but it was too foggy to see anything. Anything I could cook would go to waste...
There was nothing to do! At all! So I was wasting my time trying to clean the stoves that were already clean. I would occasionally move on to cleaning a window, the floor, or some of the tables downstairs. I wasn't getting paid, but I didn't want to just waste my time with something useless! Now I had somehow ended up in one of the rooms that the chefs slept in, cleaning it. I don't know which one, but I was bored so what should I have done?
I ducked down to look under the bed and found a box. I pulled it out and onto my lap. I flipped open the lid and found tons of pictures inside. That's when I actually acknowledged the things on the photos.
"EW!" I shrieked. I shoved the box off my lap, flipped the cover back on, and shoved it under the bed. I then rushed out of the room to a bathroom. I pulled the door open with my elbow and rushed in. I quickly and thoroughly washed my hands the best I could. Once I thought I was good I stopped washing.
"That was just nasty." I mentioned allowed. The pictures had naked woman and men on them. The top one had been a man... Let's just say that, for now, I am scarred for life. There was a thump on the floor above me. "What the..." I left the room and made my way to the stairs, that went straight up to the kitchen.
I walked through the kitchen... It was completely empty. I heard a chorus of noise below in the floor where we had the customers. Could we have more customers? I decided to not take the chance. I pulled my apron on tighter. I pulled my hair out of it's ponytail so it was nice, fluffy, and curly. I made my way to the top of the stairs. The stairs were crowded so I slid along the rail all the way to the bottom. Once I had landed I took out a small writing pad and a pencil. I pushed past all the chefs and stopping beside Sanji. Before me sat Don Krieg himself, eating a bowl of food. I took note on the amount and type of the food before bending down to his level. I ignored the chef behind me making an announcement about how evil this man was. I heard him stop and start shouting at me with the rest of the chefs.
"Oh shut up!" I yelled. "We have a customer here, and it seems you don't understand the proper ways of treating guests." I glared back at them "Now, take notes, cause you won't have another chance, and before you know it I'll be gone." I stated simply. I turned back to Krieg.
"Pardon that little incident just now." I apologized sweetly. "My name is Takara and I'll be your server today. I'll lead you to a proper table, but first let me offer you some of the deserts we have on the menu." I smiled. "Today's special is a three layer fudge cake with vanilla ici-" Before I could finish my sentence I was picked up off the ground by my neck. Sanji was thrown back by Krieg's other arm.
"No, pardon me." He mocked with a smile. I motioned to the chefs behind me to stop their attempt at coming towards me.
"I don't need a knight in shining armor." I growled to them.
"Then how do you expect to escape me?" Krieg questioned.
"Krieg... sir. I'm not one for violence. I'm better with words, but if the time comes I will use all my force to get what needs done, done." I stated. "Now, please let me go before I use force."
"You have about thirty-seconds to escape my grip before you lose all your air. Impress me." He snickered. Bad choice.
30 seconds.
I flipped my legs up, wrapping them around Krieg's arm. I pushed my legs away from me and his hand released from my neck. I quickly made my bones high density so that he lost his balance for a moment.
20 seconds.
As I had just given myself momentum I pulled his arm back behind him. I planted my legs on the ground and pulled his arm back so that his hand was now gripping the back of his own head. Since he was taller than me and I was on my tiptoes I made another plan.
10 seconds.
I kicked at both of his knees and he collapsed, completely incapacitated for the current moment. I leaned forward and placed my head next to his ear.
"Learn to respect your hosts and hostesses." I whispered. The customers at the other side of the ship began cheering.
1 second.
"Takara! You've been working too hard. Go take a break." I heard Zeff shout.
"Have a nice day everyone!" I stated as I stretched my hands up and apart above me. I began walking out as I stretched. I quickly pulled my little and ring fingers into my hand so I was holding up three fingers on each hand. A symbol Luffy and I used as kids. It was a secret hand symbol we used to tell each other we were gonna be home. Home was wherever at the time. The bar we hung out at, my father's ship, the Going Merry. It all depended on where we were.
"See ya soon Taka!" Luffy called. I lowered my arms and joined the fog outside. I suddenly realized seeing Gen. I popped my head back in to gaze at the crowd inside.
"Nice to see you again Gen. Come say 'Hi' before you go." I smiled before disappearing.
Once I had left the Baratie I had gone home, the Going Merry. I quietly sneaked onto the boat. I entered my room and groaned. Nami also shared the room with me. I pulled off my tight pants and shorts, grabbing a loose tank top and a pair of shorts that looked like junk. I pulled them on before digging in the trunk we shared. I pulled out my gloves and slipped them on. I stepped over to the bookshelf. I pulled out my mattress that was kept between it and the corner.
I rolled it out onto the floor. I stepped over to Nami's bed. I grabbed an extra pillow and blanket. I tossed the blanket over the mattress and dropped my pillow as well. From there I fell onto the makeshift bed. Within seconds I had fallen asleep.
Nami's POV
Thousands of thoughts raced through my mind as I examined the Arlong poster in my hand.
"Hey! What's the matter Big Sis?" Yosaku called out. He and Johnny were still on the ship? Yosaku walked up and stood next to me by the railing of the ship. "I don't mean to pry or anything, but what ya looking at?"
"Oh, well it's nothing really." I told them innocently. I had to get back to Arlong, but I couldn't have anyone on board when I left. I watched as Johnny leaned closer to the paper I was holding.
"Nice! Now that's a big bounty pirate. I gotta say I'm impressed." Johnny commented. I folded the paper to hide the writing on it. "But Big Sis I think you're aiming a little too high going after Arlong." Johnny raised up his hand and pointed a finger at me. "I'm not kidding. That guys really bad news. He was playing it cool and laying low for awhile, ya know, staying outta sight."
"These days that maniac is causing all sorts of trouble." I quietly walked away, coming up with a plan to get those two off the ship. I slipped into my room and grabbed an extra shirt, unaware of the mattress set up in the corner. I walked back up the stairs and by that time the two were done with their story. I walked over and placed the shirt on the railing.
"Big Sis Nami?" Yosaku asked, he and Johnny turned to me. I turned to face them. I pulled the top of my shirt out and put on a weak smile.
"Hey, do you guys mind turning around while I change into something more comfortable?" I asked politely. They would turn their backs and I would knock them over the rail.
"Yea, sure! I don't mind!" Yosaku smiled. He had a heavy blush on his cheeks.
"Changing? Like right now?" Johnny stammered. He had the same look as Yosaku.
"It's so hot..." I tried another approach.
"Yeah!" They both turned around together. "Your hot! I mean, it's hot!" They failed at agreeing with me. I pretended to change as I quietly walked over to them.
"Have you ever met a woman that's that daring?" I heard Johnny ask.
"No." Yosaku giggled.
"Well, Takara's better." I was thrown back for a moment by Johnny's comment. How on this planet was she better than me? I loved her, but I was interested in this sudden change.
"No way! Takara's too young. She's not as full!" Yosaku retorted.
"But, she is almost as full as Nami and she's two years younger! Imagine her when she's Nami's age." I felt my eyebrow twitch at Johnny's remark.
"You're right!" Yosaku finished, I felt the smile on his face. They were totally done for now! I wouldn't let anyone talk about Takara like that in front of me.
"Hey, what do you say we turn around and see if she's done yet?" Yosaku suggested after a moment.
"Good idea." As the two started to turn around I shoved forward. The two tipped over the railing and let out a scream as they fell down into the water. It saddened me to do so, but I didn't have any other choice. I turned away and plastered a fake smile on my face as the two resurfaced.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Johnny yelled at me. I turned to face them, leaning on the railing.
"I'm doing business of course." I smiled the best smile I could. "Use your heads guys. I'm a thief who only targets pirates and my next score is this ship." I watched the two gap at me. "I never said anything about being a member of this crew. I was just traveling with them. Now one thing more, even though I only spent a short time with Luffy and the gang I sure had a lot of fun. Make sure to tell them that I said, if it's truly meant to be I'll see them real soon." I waved to them before turning away. I walked to the main mast and put it down. The mast caught air and before long I was sailing away. I sure would miss Takara.
Takara's POV
I woke up to feel the ship moving. There was no yelling or screaming. No thumping of people running. Absolutely nothing except the crash of waves. Where was everyone? I jumped up and quietly walked over to the door. I peered through the door to see a dark figure leaning against the railing of the back of the ship. I made blades come out of the tips of my fingers. Whoever that was, he had just messed with the wrong ship. One should know better than to take a ship from a pirate.
I pushed open the door and stepped out. I quietly sneaked up the stairs. In an instant I was behind the man, my blades on either side of the man's head... It wasn't a man. She turned towards me. Her eyes filled with sorrow, but she had a smile across her face.
"N-Nami?" I stuttered, stumbling backwards. I tripped and fell to the ground.
"You've gotten in the way of my plans. Now you have to pay the consequences." She smiled.
"B-But you're part of the crew. You can't do this to us!" I screamed at her.
"Wrong. I was never part of the crew. I was just in it for the money. Everything I've told you is a lie. My only captain is Arlong." She swung a brown pole at me. She had just lied again. I couldn't think long on that as I rolled out of the way. I jumped back to my feet to face her. There was a small hole where I had been laying. This sparked a slight anger in me.
"You were with us when we met Kaya... You were there when Kaya gave us this... you're the one who got told about all the mechanics of it. As a member of the crew that sails with this ship I cannot allow you to harm it, especially since you are honored to be one of it's members as well." I growled.
"I'M NOT A MEMBER!" She screamed another lie, raising her pole at me.
"Then, tell me about yourself if everything so far has been a lie." I asked sarcastically. She folded up her pole and slid it down her shirt.
"You'll find out in due time. Until then you'll have to be my prisoner." She stated, taking a step towards me.
"Uh... How about no?" I offered.
"Come quietly or I will use force." She ordered, trying to size me up.
"I can't believe my own siste-"
"Stop calling me that!" She screamed again, turning her face away from me.
"But that's what you are to me." I stepped over and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Well you better find someone else." She mentioned, walking away from me.
"I've never had anyone I could call that before. I can't just find someone else! It has to be you." I turned my back to her. "I've never made friends easy s-" There was suddenly a sharp pain on the back of my neck and my world went dark as I collapsed to the floor.
Nami's POV
"If only it were possible. After you hear my past you'll most likely hate me..." I muttered as I looked down at Takara's unconscious body. I left her there for awhile. I entered our room and grabbed a green tank top. I pulled off my shirt and pulled the green one on.
"I'll need to pack up all the money on board." I began going through the list of things I needed to do. I walked back out of our room. "Make sure to get the ship anchored away from the village..." I stopped and peered at Takara. I gave a loud sigh before going over to her. I grabbed a rope that was set off to the side.
I tied her ankles together, and cut the rope. I tied her wrists and her arms to her back so she wouldn't be able to get out by using her gloves, which were pinned between her shoulder blades. She wouldn't be able to reach the rope. From there I tied her hands to another rope that I used to drag her to the main deck. Arlong park was now in sight in the far distance. I'd turn Takara over to Arlong, and from there she would be able to free herself. I know she can, she did it before with Buggy. That or she'll talk her way out. Either way I know she'll be safe for now, she'll be fine without my help... hopefully.
This took me two days to write!
The website I use spazzed and died on me for all of yesterday.
Thank ya for reading.
Review for me please!
I won't be able to write on this for awhile. Christmas, guests, and gifts OH MY!
Kay, that's it.
Love you guys!
Thanks for reading.