I think that these short stories/drabbles won't come in the same order as they would have if they had been part of the original story, and I hope that it won't be a problem...I also think that some of the stories will be toldfroma certain character's POV (like thisone) while others will betoldfrom a narrator's POV...

Alright, here's another little thing I wrote late one night (or early one morning, whichever you'd prefer). I don't know if it fits into the whole "inbetween" theme, but it was fun to write.

Disclaimer can be found in the first chapter.

One real thing

By KuroKame

He's standing there, and all I can think of is how real he seems. It's a thought I haven't had in years. Everything around me has been a cloudy haze ever since the day she died, but then this damn kid shows up, and breaks right through the clouds.

The only thing that has been real during these years is her katana. The way it warms the palm of my hand when I draw it from the sheath, and the way it always knows exactly what I want it to do, even before I know it myself. It's always there, spurring me to grow stronger, just like she always did. Only… With her, it was the words she said to me after defeating me over and over again that made me want to get stronger, to show her that I wasn't weak. When I do become the strongest, I can't prove to her face, but I can prove it to her katana. One day, my name will reach the heavens, and then she will know that I've fulfilled our promise.

The pirates and thieves I've defeated in my quest to become the strongest of all swordsmen never seemed real to me. They were there before me, but they felt lifeless, like puppets controlled by some invisible force I've never believed in. I've never cared about the bounties on their heads; all I want is to find better, stronger enemies to test my own strength, to see how much further I had reached.

When I met Johnny and Yosaku, it was different. I saw them and knew that they were a bit different from the bounty hunter-scum I was used to run into out on the roads. They are - and probably always were - quite weak, at least physically. But they're definitely strong at heart, and I guess that's always something.

I've never been looking for a way to improve my way of living. As long as I can get stronger, I won't need anything but maybe food once in a while. I don't need friends. I don't need anyone to look after me. And I definitely don't need anyone to lead me.

He wants me to become a pirate. It has to be one of the most stupid things I've ever heard. This kid must have been told way too many wondrous stories about pirates finding treasure and about adventures all over the world. He doesn't know what the world is like today. I've met many pirates just like him, dreaming of finding some great treasure or living an adventure greater than the world. And their adventures all ended at the blade of my katana.

But still… There's something about him that I've never seen before, except for the fact that he seems to be more real than anything I've encountered in years. He speaks to me without a trace of fear, almost as if he knows something about me that even I don't know yet.

He doesn't understand what I'm doing here. Of course a kid like him wouldn't, he doesn't seem to know much more about the world than your average five-year-old. The hunger doesn't feel real to me, and neither does the feeling of the dry ropes digging into my arms. I have to survive a month out here, because of the villagers, and the promise I made. I will never break a vow, not even to a little Marine brat. I don't care if this little pirate kid wants me to become a pirate or not, I'm not interested in chasing his dream - whatever that may be - when I have my own goal to reach.

He's really getting to me, this kid. Damn little blackmailer, using my katana to get his way. He ran off before I could stop him. What a stupid brat. Who does he think he is, taking on a whole Marine base all on his own? At least he's not here babbling about why I should join him and his pirate clan.

… I can't have seen that. No, definitely not. My eyes usually never play tricks on me, but I simply can't have seen what I just saw. But there is of course… But how could a brat like him have got his hands on one of those cursed things? They're so rare to find in this ocean that they're practically just a legend…

Well, it doesn't matter. No matter what he does, I won't break the vow I made to stand here for a month. If that pirate kid can't accept my decision, I'll just have to convince him myself.

They call me a pirate hunter, a demon in human form. I don't care about any of that. The names keep the opponents coming, and that is all that matters. When this month is over, I'll continue towards my goal.

Only a few more days now… I will not die here.

FieryKitsune - I know what you mean. Needles are icky. Ew.

Sulia Shincho - I will continue with this, and I have some ideas for future chapters/drabbles. I'm glad you think I kept them in character, I really wanted to keep the mood of the Krieg Arc in the story.

Bushido spirit - Just wanted to say that I really like that alias. I'll try to keep updating.

Griever5 - Usopp is one of my favourite characters to write about, because he has so many different moods and little things he does. He doesn't always realize how brave he really can be. But then again, to be brave isn't when you're not afraid of anything. Bravery is when you can overcome fear to do what you must.