Hi guys! I was having a bit of writer's block, so this chappie took a bit. But it's all good now! It's only been a weekright? Okay, moving on!

mechanical-kitten - Yeah, exams are pretty much creations of the devil...

Mirathin - Inrteresting? Oh the fun is just beginning!

ChainofDreams - I'm out of school now! And the ideas are coming like crazy so prepare for lots of One Piece fun! As for Aly and Mihawk, send me a message. I'll tell you if you're right. Or you can wait for next chapter, because all will be revealed! BANZAI! Oh yeah, I love your One Piece story! It rox my sox!

xX-Avast-Xx - Alright, Aly is related to Mihawk. But how? ...the mystery continues...

Mischievous Sin - Hey, don't worry about it. We all have things to do that can't be ignored. Happy Graduation!

Alright, the big mystery is revealed. Aly is related to Mihawk. But the question is... how? laughes evily Well, either you've got it figured out by now, or you'll just have to wait untill next chapter. Because next chapter, it will be revealed that Mihawk is her... HA! Wait till next time! I luv you guys... Review!

Chapter 13

Figures from the Past

Aly's POV

It had been two days since the incident at Synatra, and life had resumed it's normal pace.

"But I want a snack!"

"Wait until lunch is ready! I'm cooking something special for Nami and Aly!"

"But I'm hungry now!"

I turned in time to see Luffy being kicked out of the kitchen, literally. He did a face plant at my feet as Nami walked by with some maps. Sanji was already back down in the galley cooking some gourmet meal for lunch. Zolo was snoring like no tomorrow near the bow. Usopp and Chopper were up in the crows nest, exchanging tall tales. Yep, everything was back to normal.

Normal being a relative term of course.

"Luffy, can't you wait just one half hour? Lunch will be ready by then." I said, lending the captain a hand.

"But I'm hungry now." Luffy grumbled, dusting himself off. "I'll starve in one more half hour!"

I laughed as we walked up to the bow, Luffy taking his normal seat on top of the goat's head. I leaned against the railing, enjoying the moment of peace while it lasted. Across from me, Zolo woke up.

"Hmm? What's going on?" he mumbled, stretching and yawning widely.

"Luffy's hungry." I said, glancing at the swordsman. "And Sanji won't give him something to tide him over 'till lunch."

That got the swordsman's attention. I chuckled as he sat up straight, staring around wildly. A hungry Luffy was something often encountered on this ship, but was usually solved by way of a fight. Zolo's hand was already straying toward his swords, getting ready for the inevitable brawl.

"Hey! Fish!" Luffy said, leaning over from his perch to watch the fish swim by, holding on to his hat as he did so. And completely ignoring the fact that he wasn't holding onto the wood anymore.

All Zolo and I heard was a splash and Luffy was gone. I had just enough time to sweat drop before Zolo was on his feet.

"Damn that idiot!" he yelled, before diving into the water.

"Usopp!" I yelled, catching the marksman's attention. "Luffy just fell overboard! Can you see him?"

Luffy falling overboard wasn't an unusual thing, sadly. You would think that someone with Devil Fruit powers would have realized they couldn't swim by now. But one time after another, Luffy kept falling into the water, and one of us would have to drag him out.

"I don't see him…" Usopp yelled back.

"Wait!" Chopper yelled. "There's Zolo!"

Sure enough, a green head of hair was bobbing a short distance away, with our captain in tow. I could tell by the look on his face Zolo was cursing to himself, swimming as fast as he could towards the ship.

"Hey Nami!" I waved the navigator over. "Can we slow the ship down for a sec? Luffy fell overboard again and Zolo's got him."

Nami glanced over the railing at the two, then shrugged.

"We've got a good wind going, and the current's in our favor. They can catch up on their own."

I could only stare at the orange haired woman as she walked away. Some days I wondered how the hell she had gotten on this crew in the first place…

"A little help would be nice." Came a voice from the water.

I looked over the railing to see Zolo clinging gamely to the side of the ship, Luffy hoisted over his shoulder. Reaching down, I grabbed the back of Luffy's shirt and lifted him onto deck.

"Thanks!" he sputtered, clutching his hat for dear life.

"No problem." I said, throwing him casually over my shoulder, where he made his second face imprint on the deck.

Turning back to the railing, I held out my hand to Zolo. He glared at it like it was a wild animal. I rolled my eyes at his stubborn male pride.

"You're not going to get back on the ship without some help." I said, practically reading his thoughts. "Better to be from me than someone who'll hold it over your head."

He paused for a moment, then accepted my hand. Grabbing his wrist with my other hand, I pulled him up to the railing, where he climbed onto deck by himself. Leaving him to it, I turned to our so called captain.

"Luffy, how many times do I have to tell you? You can't swim, so don't fall off the ship!" I sighed, running a hand over my face.

"Look!" Luffy said, holding out his hat. "I caught a fish!"

For a moment, I was caught between beating the idiot within an inch of his life and laughing hysterically. Too bad for Luffy, Zolo had no such hesitation.

"You idiot!" The swordsman yelled, punching Luffy upside the head. "Are you completely insane? You jumped into the water for a damn fish?"

"Hey Aly!" Nami called. "Can you come here for a second?"

I followed her into the cabin where she had a few maps spread out on the desk.

"What's the matter?" I asked, looking over the maps. They were all of the area surrounding Synatra and a little beyond.

"I was looking over our route to your island and look." She put a finger on the map, right where a long, thin piece of land stretched across the water. "This is in our way! If we sail around it, we'll be going a day out of our way. I wondered if you knew a shortcut."

I smiled, tracing the thin line of land across the paper.

"Actually Nami, the map doesn't show this, but you can't sail around this sandbar. If you did, you would completely bypass my island." I said. Nami gasped.

"But the map says-"

"The people of Synatra know there's an archipelago nearby, but all they know is that they never come to trade. This mark on the map is more for guidance, not accuracy. It simply states that after this place, you can't sail onwards." I said shortly. "And that's all they've ever needed to know."

Nami narrowed her eyes, as if trying to see through me.

"What are you hiding?" she asked. "Why doesn't anyone know about your islands?"

I paused before responding, trying to find the correct sentences to describe my home.

"Nami… there's a lot of things about my home that are… out of the ordinary. Like half the population being able to control the elements, or extraordinary swords being forged there. But there's also a lot of… supernatural things there. Things that… aren't supposed to exist in this world…" I looked at Nami, to find her looking confused. I smiled. "You'll see when we get there. For now, don't change course. There's more than one way to get across a sandbar with an Elemental on board."

"Nami! Aly! Lunch is ready!" Sanji's heart filled voice drifted to us. Nami and I grinned at each other as we left the cabin.

"He'll never stop, will he?" I questioned.

"Life would be boring otherwise, wouldn't it?" Nami said, shrugging. "Besides, I don't see you complaining when Zolo gives you extra attention."

I scowled as she smirked. I didn't like the look on her face.

"Alright. What is it now?" I said, stopping short of the galley. Nami came back to where I stood.

"Well, I couldn't help but notice how much you two hang out together since Synatra." She said, a sly smile on her face. "What happened out there?"

"We…found some common ground." I said, folding my arms in front of me. What the hell was she getting at?

"Ohh… common ground huh? Was that in this alleged cave or amid the trees?"

My eyes widened as I realized what Nami was getting at. For a moment I was completely speechless, Nami just standing there grinning.

"What the hell?!?!?!" I exploded. "You're getting as bad as Sanji! Get your freaking mind out of the gutter! Do you honestly think I'm so shallow?" I scowled at the navigator, who had the grace to look embarrassed.

"Sorry." She muttered. "You guys just suddenly started getting along so I.."

"So you jumped to conclusions." I finished, sighing. "Nami, I told you before. There's a lot more to being attracted to someone than what's on the skin."

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Nami asked, losing her false look of shame. "You keep saying it like you actually had a romance life before! What happened to you that you're not willing to share?"

What is it with this crew and opening up old wounds? I took a deep breath and walked past Nami, not knowing if I could face her for this one.

"Nami." I said slowly, my back to her. "According to almost everyone on my island… I'm… engaged." I heard her gasp, but I continued. "It happened right before I left. It was one of my best friends, Liam, who heard about my plans to leave. He thought he could keep me at home if he got me to settle down, so he confessed to me he loved me and proposed."

Nami ran around to face me, a shocked look on her face. I looked at the deck, trying to hide my wet eyes.

"What happened?" she asked softly.

"I turned him down. I considered him more of a brother than anything, but his feelings for me were sincere. Somehow, the day before I left, word got around the village that Liam and I were betrothed and to be married. And then I left." I swallowed hard, willing myself to stay in control. "I don't know what happened to Liam, or what ever became of our so called relationship. I can only imagine what the villagers think, let alone what my family will do to me once I get home…"

"Aly," Nami said softly. "If there's so much at home to run away from, why are you going back?"

"Because I have a right to follow my dream." I said, looking up at her. "And no one can deny me my birth right. I might lose everything else in the process. My place in my family, my place among my friends. Heck, I might even lose the privilege to call myself part of my village. But I made a promise, and I have to keep it, at all costs."

Suddenly, I found myself caught in the arms of the navigator. She hugged me tightly before pulling away and looking straight into my face.

"Look's like we have more in common than you thought." She said, once again smiling. "Come on! Let's go get some food!"

I allowed her to pull me into the kitchen, but my thought's were far away. Away with the life I could have lead, if I hadn't run away from it.

"Hey."

I cracked open one eye to see Zolo sit down next to me. Closing my eye, I responded.

"Hey."

"So, what now?" he asked. I opened my eyes, squinting against the sun.

"What what?" I asked, turning towards the swordsman.

"You're distracted." He stated. I chuckled.

"Thanks for noticing." I said, leaning against the railing again. "But so are you, because you're talking to me instead of training for the afternoon."

"That devil woman wouldn't let me until I talked to you." He said, scowling as he spoke of Nami. "She said something was bothering you so out with it."

"Well, aren't you the kind and caring one." I chuckled, but humored him anyways. "Nothing's bothering me. Simply thinking of home."

"Oh." He said. "How far away are we?"

"Two days. Give or take." I said.

Saying the words put them into a very unpleasant perspective. I had about 48 hours to prepare for the biggest trials of my life, and what was I doing? Conversing with a man sworn to defeat Mihawk and lying about on deck. Oh yeah, I was real concerned.

A small pinprick moving across the horizon caught my eye. Grabbing the binoculars I had lifted off Usopp, I looked out towards it. I raised my eyebrows at the sight.

"What is it?" Zolo asked, already on guard. Handing him the binoculars, I called to Nami.

"Hey Nami! You got your newspaper already, right?"

She waved the paper around in confirmation. I frowned. If she already got her paper, then what was a messenger bird doing heading towards our ship? Turning, I found it had perched on the railing, pecking at Zolo's head in hopes for food. Holding in a chuckle, I put my arm out and it hopped on.

It was a hawk, plumage a brilliant mixture of brown and white. Talons dug into my skin, as a curved beak turned towards me, golden eyes staring at me. Birds of prey were an unusual choice for messenger birds, but the insignia on the hat couldn't be mistaken, even at the jaunty angle it was perched on it's head.

"Okay. Who are you looking for?" I asked, gently stroking it's feathers with my other hand.

It lifted it's wing in response, revealing a leather bag. Not a purse for payment, just a bag. Frowning, I pulled the letter from the bag, finding it addressed to…me? The hawk spread it's wings, eager to be back in the air. Throwing it into the air, it took off into the sky, leaving me with the letter in my hand.

"Who's it for?" Zolo asked, approaching now that the bird had gone. The rest of the crew joined as well, curious to see who got this special delivery.

"It's… for me…" I said, turning the letter over in my hands. My full name was written on the front in big, blocky ink press letters, not giving me any hints as to who it was from.

"Well come on!" Nami exclaimed. "Open it! Maybe it's a letter from home."

"In that case," I muttered as I opened it. "I should burn it now and save myself the trouble."

Unfolding the letter, I was greeted by elegant, spindly handwriting. I could feel myself grow pale as my eyes skimmed over the writing, not even reading the words. Ignoring the worried looks of the crew, I forced myself to start at the beginning. Each word I read, a little more color drained from my face. My eyes grew wide and I began to tremble.

No… no, this couldn't be right…it was too soon to face this problem! And not only that, if this was right, Zolo would want to fight, and then…

I found myself on my knees on the deck, the letter fluttering from my hand. I buried my face in my hands, taking deep, calming breaths. I heard Nami pick up the letter and begin to read it aloud.

"A contact of mine in Synatra recently informed me of your arrival. I now await you at the first barrier. Let us finish what we started." Nami paused, squinting at the symbols at the bottom. "I don't know what this says…"

"It's the script of my island." I said, taking the letter back from Nami. "The writing of our temple. Only those who grew up on my island know how to write it, and we use it when sending messages, in case it falls into wrong hands." I smiled grimly, shakily gaining my feet. "He must think I'm rusty, not writing the entire message that way."

"Who?" Luffy asked, peering into my slowly coloring face.

"You'll know soon enough." I said, turning towards the bow. The sandbar was in sight, quickly approaching. The first barrier. "Everyone!" I snapped, making them jump. "Get ready to pull up alongside the sandbar. Don't worry about getting too close, it's a sheer drop off from the edge." As everyone scurried away, I stopped Zolo. "I need a sword."

"Why?" he asked, instantly half drawing one. I rolled my eyes.

"To kill you all in your sleep. To fight with, you moron! I can't walk into this battle unarmed, especially being as unprepared as I am." I said. He was about to respond when his gaze focused over my shoulder.

"It can't be…" he whispered.

Cursing, I snatched Snow Chaser from around his waist and ran to the side of the ship. Leaping up onto the railing, I tied the sword around my waist as the ship pulled up next to the sandbar. Directly across from another ship.

It was a small ship, complete with black sail and candles along the edges. It comfortably fit one person. That person was sitting calmly in the center of the boat. Black cape billowing without a breeze, he stood, face covered by a huge black hat. The only thing that could make him more imposing was the huge black sword strapped to his back.

Behind me, I heard the collective gasps of the crew, as well as Zolo's growl next to me.

"Give me my damn sword." He said, barely spitting out the words. I shook my head.

"You'll get your turn." I said shortly, then jumped from the ship.

I landed with a soft thump in the sand, crouched down to soften the impact. Straightening, I drew my sword.

"Well," I said. "I'm here. Are we going to get this over with or what?"

I didn't so much as wince as the man raised his head, catching my gaze with his own, Golden eyes hid the flicker of a smile that crossed his face as he drew a sword similar in size to mine.

"Yes, let's begin."

And with these words, he began to run towards me. Tightly gripping my sword, I charged. In a clang of steel and a flurry of sparks, I crossed swords with the one man I never thought I would have to fight again. Glaring at my opponent, I saw him looking completely bored, golden eyes never leaving my own.

"Nothing's changed has it?" he said, quiet enough for only me to hear.

"On the contrary." I spat through gritted teeth. "A lot has changed."

"Then let's find out how much is different now Alondra."

"With pleasure."

And my fight with Hawk Eye Mihawk truly began.