Boundless Waves - Chapter 10

The waves sloshed against the side of the walls, lapping up and down softly. I floated silently in the waters, sighing to myself and waiting. It had been a few days since I was deposited in here and still those two people hadn't come by to check on me to see if I was okay. I had been floating around aimlessly for a long time now, with nothing but the dark cavernous walls and the occasional small rowboat and ship to accompany me. A few fish greeted along my path and I even met a shark swimming angrily around inside. I'm sure they had been in here longer than me, so I shouldn't have complained… But still, didn't those two people need me? That's why they put me in here and set off on their journey, right? Suddenly, the cavern rumbled and I could see a light coming from where I had originally come from. It looked like a sliver of moon, glowing brightly against the dark walls, illuminating the waters beneath me and the ships and fish I had passed. I wanted to see who was coming now, but I was too far away and couldn't see our newcomer. Perhaps another fish? Or another shark? But, I heard echoes coming from the mouth of the cavern.

"Oi, Luffy… are you sure it was a good idea to store those lemons and oranges in here?" A low voice rumbled across the walls, causing me to quiver slightly. It was a good sound. I liked it. And then a higher and jollier voice joined in, creating a beautiful reverberating harmony across my skin.

"Mm, Laboon's stomach acids are strong but he digests pretty slowly. So, it's okay!"

"I don't understand how that works..." The low voice muttered with a hint of suspicion. But then there was a sharp sigh and the deep voice continued. "Maa, whatever. Let's just find those baskets of fruit. And my fishing rod." The waves were rippling now, as if the two had leapt in and started swimming in the waters. I thought that they were looking for me. They did say basket of fruit, right? I tried my best to swim towards them, but to no avail. Hopefully my thoughts would reach them and they would be able to find me…? Waiting silently, I watched as the two people swam around in the waters, searching and digging around in the ships, looking for me. I really hoped they would find me soon. It was lonely floating around with no way of controlling which way to go. Of course, sometimes it was nice to pass by the occasional fish or ship, but that slowly grew depressing because I could never stay floating beside them for long. Whenever we were in the middle of a good conversation, I would drift away again. And so, I wished that those two people would come and take me out. Take me out and see the blue sky again. It had been days since I had seen that beautiful blue… So, hopefully those two would find me quickly and take me outside.

"Ah!" I could see the black haired boy now. He was wading around in the water, pointing at something in a dark corner. "I found the basket of lemons!" He grabbed it and lifted it up triumphantly. That basket was so lucky, he could leave this empty and dark place…

The green haired man was standing on one of the small rowboats, fishing around for something. I watched him straighten, holding something long in his hand. "Aa, I found my fishing rod and knife, too. We could have sashimi today to go along with those lemons." The black haired boy had joined him in the rowboat and he danced around happily, clapping his hands together at the thought of having sashimi for dinner. Then, he stopped and rubbed his chin.

"What about the oranges?" I considerably tensed. What did the boy mean by those words? Was he thinking of leaving me in here because he couldn't find me…?

"Well, we haven't found it yet. Maybe it got digested." The green haired man shrugged nonchalantly. At those words, I felt myself go limp. They thought I didn't exist anymore. And they hadn't even finished checking all of the cavern yet. We were so close to each other…! Why couldn't they find me?

"Aw…" The boy pouted, tugging on the taller man's white shirt. "But I really wanted to eat those oranges…" The man sighed and glanced out into the darkness. I could see his eyes moving over the waters, studying them carefully. I could feel my hopes rising again. Perhaps he would find me! And then I could join the other basket out in the sun. We could chat for hours on end and become friends, with the entire sky to look after us. Please find me! See me...! I'm right here!

The man's gaze landed on me and I could feel myself stiffen, trying to make myself more prominent in the dark waters. But his eyes passed over me as if I weren't there. I could feel my hopes dwindling, crushed by that mere movement. The pass of his eyes. He had just looked right through me. As if I weren't there…

"I can't find the oranges, Luffy. I think it got digested." The man sighed and started to move off of the rowboat, back into the waters. He was going to leave… and I would surely disappear. Forgotten. The darkness from the cavern was enveloping me. I could feel it creep around me as I floated off, on an endless journey in the deep cave.

"Wait!"

I tensed again, glancing eagerly at the black haired boy. His index finger… it was pointing… at me?

"Wait, I think I see it!" The boy pointed cheerily at me several times and I could feel the swelling of relief in my heart. "Yeah, Zoro! The oranges are over there!"

"Wha…?" The man named Zoro turned around and this time his eyes landed on me. Seeing me at last. They knew I existed…! At that moment, I could almost feel myself glow and the boy dived into the waters towards me. In an instant, his arm enveloped me in a warm embrace and pulled me towards the light from the front of the cavern. I joined the basket of lemons and we shared a small smile, both echoing each others thoughts. At last…!

The green haired man smirked and ruffled the boy's head. Then the two people started out towards the light, carrying the fishing rod, knife, and us in their hands. Light was growing brighter, nearly blinding us and as we left the mouth, I noticed large hill-like white structures above and around us. Could these be… teeth? The glowing light started to clear. And then, the clearest of blue shone down upon us, smiling brightly.

Welcome back. It told us. And glad was I to be back.

END.