Well, sorry this chapter is so short compared to the others. And I would also like to appologize for something in the last chapter. Someone pointed out to me that Luffy was a little OOC. Sorry about that. It's kind of hard to write about him being older because I really have no idea how he would act. So, as a future warning, some of the characters may act a little OOC sometimes for that reason. Thanks for listening to me ramble. Now, on with the story!
Chapter 4
Kelvin kneeled beside Vivi and studied her with a concerned eye. There was a tear in her light blue dress and a deep gash where she had scraped the floor there. Luckily, she hadn't hit her head and she seemed to be conscious. Still, there was a slight trickle of blood coming from the corner of her mouth. "That guy had a nice uppercut." thought Kelvin.
Suddenly, Vivi gave a slight groan and tried to sit up. Kelvin quickly helped her up and into a chair. "Vivi-chan, are you alright? Do I need to call the doctor?" he asked worridly.
"N-n-no. I'm fine." she lied. She didn't want anyone to know what had happened to her.
"Are you sure?" Kelvin asked, not completely convinced.
She nodded. She was now staring at the floor. "Why was Luffy acting that way? Does he really care about me that much? Or has he changed into a violent person? Alot can happen in 8 years." she thought. She placed a hand to her forehead. "I would like some time alone." she said.
"As you wish." Kelvin said and left the room.
"What am I going to do? Even though I am the one who felt pain, Luffy is the one that got hurt. Oh Luffy. What are we going to do?" she thought.
That Night in Alubarna
Luffy sat slumped in an alleyway. He no longer cared about being discovered. Actually, capture by the marines would feel like heaven right now. He felt miserable. There were tear stains on his vest and shorts, even though he was no longer crying. He didn't really have any tears left to cry.
"What happened back there? Why did I do that awful thing?!! No matter how mad I was, I never should have turned to violence." Luffy thought miserably. He pulld his knees to his chest, layed his arms across them, and buried his head in his hands.
"What made me do that? And why is Vivi suddenly saying she loves that man? She said something about her father...didn't she? Something about him arranging a marriage. Wait! Cobra...he's the one who arranged the marriage!!! He's the reason Vivi's acting this way!!!!" Luffy thought. His eyes went wide in realization. He jerked his head up quickly. Now all his pain, suffering, and remorse was being channeled into a different, stronger emotion. One that had caused him to hit Vivi earlier. Anger. "Cobra." he said coldly.
Suddenly, there was a noise at the other end of the alleyway. Luffy quickly looked around and ducked behind a crate. A second later, a tall man walked by. He was wearing what Luffy thought looked like a long, fluffy type of coat. It hung from his shoulders but his arms were not in the sleeves. Luffy could just make out it's dark grayish color in the Alabasta moonlight. Something about this man seemed earily familiar. Curious, Luffy slowly and quietly stepped from behind the crate and began following him.
The man turned out of the alleyway and walked down the deserted, moonlit streets of Alubarna. He didn't seem to detect Luffy's prescence, or if he did, he didn't show it.
All of a sudden, Luffy's stomach growled. His instinct told him to run, that this man was dangerous. But strangely, all he could do was stand and stare as the man turned around.
"Monkey D. Luffy. It's been a long time." he said. He had obviously known about Luffy's prescence longer then he let on.
Luffy gasped. "How is this possible? How is he really here?!!!! Is this a dream?!!!! Because if it is, it's a nightmare!!!!" Luffy thought. He had suddenly found himself in a very dangerous situation.
At the Palace
Vivi, Kelvin, Cobra, Chaka, Pell, and Igaram all sat around the large dining table. Along with them were many prestigious guests who had arrived for the wedding. Terecota was busy serving up many of her wondeful dishes. The mood was cheerful and everyone was happy. Even Vivi seemed to be. Atleast, she was acting like it so no one would know of the earlier events.
"So, princess, what do you plan to do once you have married?" one of the guests asked.
"Don't you think that's a little personal?" Kelvin replied.
Vivi smiled warmly and dismissed his response with a wave of her hand. "Well, I plan on continuing to help this country grow. I also plan to travel to other kingdoms to get some ideas on how to better Alabasta." Vivi said. "And see my friends." she added silently.
Everyone nodded in agreement, obviously impressed.
All of a sudden, a guard burst into the room. "I'm sorry...for interupting." he panted. "But...I have...some urgent news...for King Cobra and Princess Vivi. Please...come."
Vivi and her father politely excused themselves and followed the guard out into the hallway.
"Now, what's so important?" Cobra asked.
"Your higness, it's terrible! They found one of the guards at the Nanohana dock dead. We just got word a few minutes ago. It happened sometime last night. He was stabbed right through the stomach! There are no witnesses and we have no leads. Some of the guards are working on it but so far, nothing!" the guard said frantically.
Vivi bit her lower lip. Cobra remind silent in thought. Finally, he spoke. "Post more guards there tonight and keep looking. I want whoever it was stopped before anyone else is hurt. I don't know who it was or what they want, but until we know if they are a serious threat, I want the whole country to double their guards. Reassure the people though and tell them not to be worried. Now, if you will excuse us, we have some guests to attend to."
"As you wish sire." the guard said. He bowed and then left to carry out the kings instructions.
"Come along Vivi. And don't look so worried. Enjoy yourself. This should be a happy time for you." Cobra said and then led the way inside. Everyone watched them as they took their seat. Cobra spoke, "It was just a small issue. Forgive us for being so rude. We will not be interupted again. Now, who wants seconds?"
As the dinner continued, Vivi tried to act happy. But, with the days earlier events and now the murder of an innocent guard, it was getting harder and harder to act calm. It seemed that once again, the princess was going to have to carry more then she could handle. Except this time, she would have to carry it alone. "What am I going to do?" she thought miserably.
Bum Bum Bum! Who is the man that Luffy met? And why is he so dangerous? Find out in the next chapter!
