So, was Alley really jumping to conclusions, or has Luffy really moved on? It's time to find out!

Chapter 7

"Here's to our newest crewmember!" Luffy shouted as he raised his bottle of grog, proposing a toast. He put his arm around Vivi.

At first, she was surprised. Then she let out a small laugh as she realized that he was slightly drunk. She hugged him. It was her way of thanking him for letting her into the crew.

Luffy smiled and hugged her back.

Farther down the table, Robin turned to Nami. "Someone was watching us." she said quietly.

Nami turned to look at Robin. The smile on a her face turned to a frown. "Where are they?" she asked.

"They left. I didn't hear them until they did. But there's no doubt about it, we were being watched. Whoever it was was in that bush over there." Robin said pointing.

Nami looked over her shoulder. "I wonder what they wanted. And more importantly, why did they leave?" she wondered.

"It's not important now." Robin replied. I'll listen more closely and I'll tell you if they come back." Robin said. They ended the conversation and went back to having a good time.

The party lasted well into the night. It only ended when the last person had fallen over from exaustion.

At the Mountain's Base

When I stopped crying, it had been dark for almost an hour. I wiped the remaining tears from my face and stood up. What was I going to tell my crew? I slowly started back in the direction of my ship. My footsteps were heavy but not nearly as heavy as my heart.

I walked up to the edge of our boat. I knew what I was going to tell them. I climbed up on deck. Even though it was late, a few of them were still on deck.

"You're earlier then I expected." Sandra said.

"Well, it took me a while to find the beach where they were supposed to be. Then, when I finally got there, I couldn't find them. I think they must have gone off with the tide. I guess my surprise idea wasn't a very good one. I guess we'll be on our way in the morning. We'll head in the direction of the closest island. Maybe they went there." I said.

Sandra must have seen through my fake cheerfullness because she gave me a look. But instead of giving me away to the rest of the crew, she just said, "That's a good idea. I'll make breakfast early so we can get going."

"Thanks." I said. I really meant thanks for not ratting me out.

She must have gotten the message because she gave a small nod.

"I think I'll go to bed. It was a long day and I'm tired." I walked to my quarters and sat on my bed. I wanted to cry but the tears wouldn't come.

I heard the door open. I figured it was Sandra coming to bed. Sometimes I wish I had my own cabin. But I felt like talking.

"So what happened?" she ask as she sat down on her bed, which was across from mine.

"Am I crazy?" I suddenly ask.

She seemed surprised at the question. "No. I...don't think so. Why?" she said.

"I actually believed that he would still love me after two years." I said. "Why did I believe that?"

"Because you love him." she said simply.

"But now he's with another girl." I said.

"So that's what this is about." she said. "Who is it?"

"You've heard of Alabasta, right?" I asked.

"Yes. I know alot about it." Sandra replied.

"It was Vivi. She joined his crew. He had his arm around her and then they hugged." I said.

Sandra thought for a minute. "So what are you going to do? Are you just going to let him slip away like that after the two years you've waited for him?" she asked. When I didn't answer she blew out the candle. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight." I mumbled. I sat there for hours trying to think of what to do. I finally just fell over and slept by force. I woke up before the sun and I knew what to do. I got up and got dressed. Then I quietly slipped off the boat and into the jungle. "I'm coming Luffy." I said with a look of determination on my face.

At the Strawhat's Beach

Vivi woke up. She had been using Luffy as a pillow. She looked around and discovered that she was one of the first up. The only person missing was Robin. Vivi stood up. She had fallen asleep in her bathing suit. She walked over to her small boat and changed into a pair of white shorts and a green and blue striped long sleeve shirt with her white boots.

The sun was just beginning to rise so she decided to take a walk. She needed to work out some of her feelings. She took her peacock slashers with her.

She decided to walk along the beach until she found the river she had followed the first day she got here. She had seen it again when she and Luffy had come around the island. It wasn't far from the camp. When she found it, she followed it along into the jungle. A little way from the beach, she stooped down and washed her face with fresh water from the river. When she was done, she sat down on a nereby log to think.

When she had been unpacking her stuff on her journey to this island, she had found something extra in her suitcase. It was a small box. She figured she must have throne it in her bag without thinking. Vivi hadn't remembered seeing it before though. So, she had taken it out, thinking she would look at it later. When Vivi had finally looked at it, the day before she had arrived at the island, she had gotten the shock of her life.

Inside had been a ring. There had also been a letter in the box. It read:

Dear Vivi,

I am sorry I did not come and assist you on your journey. I was afraid that if we went together, your father would find you before you found your friends and I didn't want you to be unhappy. So I am staying behind to stall him long enough for you to find them. After I hear news that you have made it safely to them, I will give your father your letter and then I will flee the country before he finds out my part in your escape. I will then come join you, if your captain will have me. Then we can be together. When I arrive, will you take me as your husband? Will you marry me Vivi? I have loved you all these years, but I waited until you were 18. Even though you are now a pirate, I love you just the same. We will talk about this when I arrive. For now, take this ring and my love.

Love,

Kohza

Vivi sighed. She remembered the shock she had felt at finding the ring and the proposal. She was sure that Kohza would have asked her sooner if her county's law had allowed it. She stared at the ground. She did like Kohza, but since she had been back with the Strawhats, she had been developing some feelings for the captain. She hadn't realized how much she liked him when he was in Alabasta. It wasn't until after he left that she had realized just how much she liked him. On the other hand, she liked Kohza too. Things were so confusing.

Vivi shook off her problems and stood up. She continued her morning walk. She followed the river until she found a clearing. She wished Karoo had come with her. He had been fast asleep next to Chopper when she left and she hadn't wanted to wake him.

Suddenly Vivi heard a noise in the forest behind her. She whirled around with her peacock slashers ready.

"Don't bother with those things." I said as I stepped out of the forest and into the clearing. "Thet won't work against me. I don't know if Luffy has mentioned me yet, he probably hasn't, but I've learned a few tricks since I last saw him. Get ready to fight Vivi. I won't hold back!"

"I don't know why you want to fight me and I don't know how you know about me or Luffy, but don't underestimate me. I'll give you a fight to remember!" she yelled.

I smiled. "Just what I wanted." I said calmly.

Vivi has finally come face to face with Alley, but she has no idea who Alley is or what she wants. How will things end?