"Meeshtah will 'ou pwease shtowp pwaying wid mai fashe…" A groggy Luffy moaned as Lion stretched his cheeks in every which way. It had been rather hectic. Not only did Lion show up on board the Thousand Sunny, dragging a soaked Luffy and Chopper, but they had also set sail without the cook or first mate. It wasn't until much later when Luffy had just woken up and asked for food, did everyone realize they were missing. In the panic, they had effectively made no progress whatsoever, having had to retrace their steps until they found the swordsman and chef floating in the water like drowned rats. After a very pointless frenzy, Chopper finally resuscitated both of them and put them to bed. Lion on the other hand, simply stood to the side, watching the crew run around like crazed chimpanzees, occasionally lending a helping hand to a member. Although once Luffy had woken up, Lion had taken an immense liking to him. He'd been playing with the rubber boy for the past hour and a half. But not in the way Luffy usually preferred, which included, well, running around and looking at clouds. Lion was more interested in Luffy's Devil Fruit power.

"This is absolutely fascinating…" he murmured as he stretched the top of Luffy's lip to above his forehead, almost knocking off his prized hat in the process. "I've seen Devil Fruit users before, but not even the Logia type are quite as unique as this." With a snap, Luffy's face returned to the way it was originally, and the Straw Hat captain rubbed his cheeks. Lion then proceeded to prod Luffy's stomach, pinching and pulling and poking at the elastic muscle.

"Does your ability affect your bone?" He asked curiously. The rubber boy nodded vigorously, somewhat pleased at the attention he was receiving. "Hmm…" Lion sat back, scratching his chin.

"Hey kid, you ever consider a career in smuggling illeg-" his sentence was cut short as Nami's hand shot out from behind him and covered his mouth.

"Don't give him any stupid ideas, jii-san. He's too dense to understand what's going on." Nami hissed in his ear.

"Aww, c'mon! Look at him!" Lion's eyes turned into Berry signs, effectively creeping out anyone who was watching his face. (So basically just Chopper.) "He'd be perfect for the smuggling business. Do you have any idea how much I could fit in him?" He reached his hands out towards Luffy, his fingers twitching at the potential gold mine sitting in front of him, only to have his hand slapped like a bad child caught in the cookie jar.

"Forget about it. I'd rather not see you in prison because that idiot got you caught." Nami shuddered, imagining Luffy dealing with shady characters.

The moron would probably just up and tell a marine, "They put a lot of guns and icky things in my tummy, so if you want to buy anything, I need to throw up." Luffy stared at Lion, and you could practically see the questions bubbling up in his head.

"Hey, ossan, what does smuggling mean?" he crossed his arms and furrowed his eyebrows. He was NOT moving until the strange old man gave him a detailed explanation to this 'smuggling' thing. Lion turned a pleading gaze at Nami, but she adamantly shook her head. She walked over to one of Lion's bags, and opened it, pulling out a large chew toy in the shape of a turkey leg.

"Here Luffy, go play with this." She tossed the toy across the boat, and Luffy was instantly off with a big "Ungyaaaaah! Meeeaaaat!" Lion watched with mild amusement as Luffy chased the rubber toy around the deck, determined to catch his 'easy' meal.

"That thing was five hundred Berries, by the way." He called over his shoulder at the retreating Nami.

"Just add it to my tab!" She yelled back. Lion chuckled as he turned his attention to the rest of the crew. Minus the unconscious swordsman and cook, everyone else seemed to be interested with the strange man who had simply clambered onto the Thousand Sunny and tried to turn their captain to the dark side. The only person who was willingly absent from the little gathering was the dark haired girl. Nico Robin, if he remembered correctly. He made a mental note to talk to her later, and since she seemed more level headed than the rest of the people on this ship, maybe get some information out of her. He was surprised when he found the blue haired man peering into his face with concern.

"Yo, ossan, you okay?" Franky asked him politely. "You were looking pretty un-super there for a moment."

"Oh, uh…" His mind raced through the wanted posters he had seen in his travels. This one was Cyborg Franky. "Yeah, no, I was just a bit caught up in thought Franky-san."

"Woah, you know my name?" The cyborg was apparently unaware of his status with the World Government.

"Umm, yeah? You're…kind of famous." Lion raised his eyebrow at Franky's shocked reaction. "You have a bounty? Remember? You guys declared war on the World Government. Jesus people, this isn't exactly something you can forget!" Lion shook his head in disbelief. These kids were definitely crazy. Not that he was one to speak, but still, not many people can forget declaring war on something. So he did the only thing that seemed reasonable to him at the moment.

He laughed.

Lion threw his head back, and his booming laugh echoed across the seas.

"I like you brats." He chuckled, wiping a tear from his eye, "You're fun. Even if you guys are a bit weird." He pulled out a lollipop, and baited Chopper, who was hiding behind Usopp and Brooke. "I can see why Nami sticks around you guys." He said softly, patting Chopper on the head as the reindeer crept forward like a frightened kitten. Chopper jumped a bit at the contact, but after realizing that Lion wouldn't hurt him, carefully reached out and grabbed the lollipop with a hoof. He sat down and started licking the candy, since it was too large to fit in his mouth. He smiled contentedly as the man's calloused hands rubbed his back.

"Yeah, speaking about Nami," Usopp began warily, "you seem to be pretty close to her." Lion glanced at him, and Usopp panicked, instantly hiding behind Franky and Brooke. "W-w-what, you want to fight?"

"No, no, I'm not stupid enough to pick a fight with the mighty Usopp." Lion smirked at the quivering man.

"T-that's right, no one h-h-has the nerve to fight me!" Usopp stuttered, "I c-command a legion of-"

"Thirty thousand fighting men, I know, I know." Lion laughed a little, "and probably a few giants, right?"

"Y-yeah, so you've heard of me." Usopp pointed a shaking finger at the man and glared. "Since you know of me, you should know that you can't escape me! Now answer the question, you fiend!" Lion cocked an eyebrow.

"Fiend, eh?" He scratched his chin and leaned back against the mast. "Well, I don't see any harm in it." Lion stretched out his arms, and rested them behind his head.

"This is going to be really good." Chopper whispered to Brooke, eyes glimmering in anticipation as he licked his candy.

"Yoho?"

"Let's see…" Lion sighed, thinking. "It was a long, long time ago." The crew leaned in to hear his epic tale. "I went to a little island in the East Blue, called Cocoyashi Village." Everyone nodded excitedly. "And I met a bunch of kids and played with them. The end."

"The end?" Chopper questioned, and Lion could practically see the excitement shatter in his heart. "B-but, what about the dragons, and pirates, and monsters?" Tears began welling up in the little reindeer's eyes. "What about the adventure where you save Nami from the evil three headed ogre?" Lion chuckled softly.

"Well, I'm just a merchant, guys. I trade for a living." He patted Chopper on the head. "As cool as having an epic encounter would be, I'm afraid it just wasn't like that."

"So…what, you just met Nami when she was a kid, played some games, and grew attached?" Usopp sat down, cross-armed. "What the…that's a perfectly normal meeting!" He closed his eyes in thought, "Actually, if anything, it's kind of dull."

"Well, maybe for you guys." Lion grinned, "But for me, I found just a little bit more meaning to life that day. And that meaning grew every time I visited that little village." He sat up and stretched again. "And to me, that's one helluva adventure." Everyone was silent for a bit, as they watched as the old man reminisced about the past.

"Woah, ossan…that's pretty cool bro…" Franky whispered. "Finding a little meaning to life on a small island in the form of a little girl…that's…that's just…that's just so SUPER!" Franky began wailing, covering his face with an oversized arm. Lion jumped a bit at the sudden outcry, and smiled awkwardly. It's not everyday you get to see a huge man made of steel burst into tears. Most of the crew was satisfied with his story, and began to drift away. All but one. Chopper still looked crestfallen at having his adventure torn away from him. So as the little reindeer began to turn, Lion stopped him.

"Y'know," he started thoughtfully, "My meeting with Nami might not be interesting, but how about I tell you about the time I fought off an army of snake-men to save a country's princess?" he said with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Really? AWESOME!" Chopper bounced up and down happily, and Lion laughed, his booming voice echoing across the seas again. He returned to his original spot against the mast, and began his tall tale.

Nami smiled to herself as she glanced out the window to see Lion bouncing Chopper on his knee, probably telling him some out of the world story. Brooke was playing his violin, Franky had disappeared below deck, and so did Usopp. Robin was in the aquarium, most likely reading, and the idiot combo was KO'd for now. She pushed up her glasses and returned to her map. She carefully stenciled the outline of the last island, careful to keep the shape of the land in mind. She remembered that the reefs were high, so she quickly sketched that out as a warning. It wouldn't do for someone to run into those because her maps were half assed. She picked up her ruler, and measured the island to the scale. Perfect. She took a sip from the cup at her side, and grimaced. It was her first time trying to make a fruit drink, since Sanji was usually the one who brought them, and she had made quite the mess. Well, she'd just have to have the cook clean up later, he probably wouldn't mind. Nami looked up as she heard the door open and close. Luffy walked in, gnawing on the fake turkey leg, and sauntered towards the fridge.

"Luffy, no…" Nami sighed, taking off her glasses and getting out of her chair. "That things is a toy, Luffy, it's not for eating." She walked over to her captain and attempted to wrestle the rubber chew toy from his mouth. "Give-give it. Give it to me." She struggled as the rubber boy's teeth clamped down on his prize. "Give me the freaking toy, Luffy!" Nami's fist came down on his head, effectively knocking him to the floor.

"Ooow." He pined, sitting up. "What was that for, Nami?"

"This. Is. A. Toy." Nami snarled, waving the turkey leg like a club. "You can't eat it, it's rubber."

"Sure I can." Luffy rubbed the bump growing on the back of his skull. "I mean, it's a little tough, but that's what I came to get milk for." Nami's newfound weapon smashed into the side of his face, and he crashed back into the floor.

"Why did you hit me again?" he moaned from his spot on the floor.

"Because I could." Was the simple reply. Suddenly, Nami felt something wet in her hand. She looked down and nearly threw up. Luffy, being Luffy, had of course, slobbered all over the toy. And she was gripping it in her hand. She screamed and threw the thing across the room, where it bounced off the wall and rolled on the ground, marinating in a small puddle of drool.

"Luffy, that's disgusting!" Nami exclaimed as she walked towards the sink, making sure she stomped on the idiot's head as she went by him. She could hear her captain get to his feet and brushing himself off.

"Honestly, can't you have some decency?" She muttered, lathering her hands with soap.

"Hey Nami, how did you know that the meat was in Ossan's bag?" Luffy inquired curiously.

"Hmm?" Nami looked over his shoulder where the boy sat at the table. "Well, I've known Neko ojii-chan my whole life. He always has something fun in his bags." She rinsed her hand with warm water, scrubbing the soap off. "I figured that there would be something distracting enough to get rid of you."

"So you've known him for a really long time then?" Luffy inquired.

"Yeah, pretty much. My whole life is a really long time to me." Nami reached up and grabbed a towel, drying her hands and inspecting them, making sure they were slobber free.

"So what is he to you?" Something about Luffy's voice was dark. Nami turned around in surprise. Luffy was actually deep in thought, which never happens.

"Umm, a fun uncle I guess." Nami thought about it for a second. "Maybe like a grandfather or something." She looked back at Luffy. "Why?"

"…Nothing." Luffy was still trapped in his own thoughts. "Just something about him, I guess."

"What? What about him?" Nami stared at her captain. He wasn't exactly the brooding type.

"He just feels…dangerous, I guess." She frowned. Neko ojii-chan was the nicest guy she knew. Ever since she was a kid, she could remember his laugh, his smile, and his cart loaded with toys and treats.

"Tch, you're an idiot Luffy." She walked away; annoyed that she had even bothered listening to this moron. "Neko ojii-chan's not like you guys. He's just a normal person who wouldn't, and probably couldn't, hurt a fly." She waved her hand dismissively. "I mean, I've seen him get kicked around by a five pound tabby. It was hilarious." The door swung open, and a flushed Chopper ran in.

"Luffy! You should totally ask Lion-ossan to join our crew! He fought off over five thousand snake men and climbed the Red Line with nothing but his hands! He's awesome!" Chopper said all in one breath. Nami chuckled at the ridiculous story, remembering the first time she had heard it.

"Nope."

"Eh?" Chopper's face fell and he clung to the Straw Hat captain's leg. "Why? Why not Luffy? He's so strong though!"

"Don't wanna." Luffy got up and stuck his hands in his pockets, mimicking Zoro's walk. He strutted out of the kitchen, a whining Chopper still attached. Nami watched them leave, and glanced out the window, where Lion was sitting against the mast, humming to himself.

"Like he could be dangerous…he lost a fight to a cat, for crying out loud."

Night had fallen, and Lion yawned, leaning against the wall. Technically, he was supposed do watch in the crow's nest, or in this ships case, the observation tower. But it was too troublesome to climb all the way up there, and just come back down. He pulled a large pistol out from his holster, and flipped the cylinder out. He checked that all six shots were loaded, and flipped the cylinder back in, spinning it out of boredom. He cocked the hammer and walked towards the edge of the deck whistling as he went.

A pair of red eyes glowed beneath the water. As the creature ascended, in search of its next meal, everything moved out of its way. Nothing could stop it, for it was a King in its domain. It had the right to kill, because it was powerful. And that was how things went in the sea. Only the strong survive. It spotted a pod of whales, obliviously traveling in its turf. The monster practically smiled as it stealthily swam up behind them, and opened its enormous mouth. Half of the pod was gone in a few bites, and that was but a morsel to him. Nothing but an appetizer, for the true meal would be the hunt it would savor for the whole night. Suddenly, it spotted a speck on the surface world. It was a vessel, containing creatures inside of it. They were weak and unfulfilling, but extremely entertaining to hunt. They would panic first, mewling in fear as they tried to fight back, shooting strange orbs at him. But it was never effective. The orbs would simply bounce off, and they would cower in fear, attempt to flee. And they would die. Why? Because that was the hunt. It zeroed in on the vessel, and swam up. The surface of the water ballooned as the humongous Sea King reared it's head out of the sea. But before the water had even cleared its eyes, before its nose could even breach the surface, it froze. Something chilled it to the very bone, refused to let it move. The animal in it told it to run, flee, and hide like the creatures it hunted. But it couldn't. It moved it's blood red eyes up towards the top of the vessel, and noticed a small creature standing there, smiling at it, with one of the strange weapons in it's clutches.

"Hi."

……

Wasn't really satisfied with this one, not sure why. I think I rushed the beginning, but I didn't really feel like retyping the entire last chapter, figured you guys probably already read it. Well, whatever, might come back and fix it, I'll let yah know.