Chapter 6: You're Welcome

(Hello all. This is my very first published fanfic. Please feel free to leave any comments at all and have a great day.)

Disclaimer: I do not known any of the One Piece characters. This is a non-canon work of fiction.

Warning: I do realize that Kairee comes off like a Mary Sue, yes. Haha, I suppose I just ended up writing her that way. Whether that retracts from the experience or not is entirely up to the reader. I do hope you all enjoy the story, though.

….

Many moments later, the Strongarm Pirates, all having been knocked out with the exception of their captain, who spat and cursed in sequential tirades, were loaded into a large wooden sea kayak fitted with a sail that was eagerly donated by the Harn Boar tribe.

The light of the mid-morning sun shone cheerily on the moss-tinted water, and the Heart Pirates stood in a group at the edge of root-entangled land, with the captain at the front, tossing the frozen heart up in the air and catching it calmly.

Then, without warning, he had stopped his tossing, drew his arm back, and with a strong throw, the beating organ flew across the air in a long arc and fell with a barely audible plop several meters away into the unforgiving ocean. It bobbed and rocked serenely as it was carried inch by inch away to the open waters.

"When you're a pirate, you have to give your heart to the sea." Law stated sarcastically.

Grave, his mouth having dropped nearly to the bottom of the sea vessel, was too outraged to say a word before Law called Kairee's name.

She stepped out, somewhat timidly, from under the boughs where she had been standing close to Bepo, and later Law gestured at the boat. She understood his intention, and blew out a breeze from her lips.

The gust caught the sail and it drifted steadily away. The tribesmen, watching some distance away, seemed to burst in rejoicing cheers that drowned out the spiteful curses of the despairing, defeated captain. The young girl did not stop blowing and the tattooed people did not finish their shouts of joy until the white triangle was only a speck in the blue backdrop.

After their source of troubles had sailed away, a serene quiet passed over everyone standing by the sea, especially the tribespeople. Then, a voice rose up clear.

"Pirate Captain."

Law turned to find Kwai step forward, and a little way next to him emerged an old man, a few inches shorter than Kwai but no less physically developed despite his more careful gait and wizened presence.

'This is the great chief of our tribe, and my father, Airin."

The captain regarded them with his attention but said nothing. The chief was wearing a headdress of feathers and colorful stones, and his face and body seemed to be marked with even more ink than his son's.

The old man started, "Ferrio Grave and his comrades have been an evil presence to our tribe for many days and nights. After arriving on the island, I believe that man must have thought this the perfect place to use his magic that could control the vines, and after fooling our people of his good nature, he set his place on the land and abused other unsuspecting travelers, stealing all their possessions and doing as they wished. His true nature, we soon realized, was one of deceit and destruction, but our people are peace-loving, and though he began his tyranny upon us, we had no courage to harm another man if we could due to our laws, even though Kwai had many times tried."

He paused a moment and said, "It was only after we saw your strength and cunning against that devil, using your own magic, that we found courage ourselves, and Kwai decided to let his dart fly to save the girl's life and the rest followed."

The chief bowed his head solemnly, and his son followed suit, and soon all present from the Harn Boar tribe held their heads bent low towards the crew.

"On behalf of my tribe, I thank you for all that you have done."

The Heart Pirates stood fixed as they received their gratitude, all confused as to how to respond, and so looked to their captain, who all the while had no change of expression.

"There's no reason for thanks." Law said, matter-of-factly. "We simply protected ourselves and I took the chance to get rid of my enemy. I had no intention of saving your people."

"Be that as it may, you are surely the reason that my people are free, and for that, we are grateful."

Law's unimpressed expression only seemed to deepen. "It would be unwise of you to set us apart from Grave and his men just because we beat him. We're still a pirate crew, after all. There's no stopping us from doing exactly as he did and terrorizing your people."

"While you may be correct," the chief replied, with a knowing smile, "In all my years of life I have never seen a man so merciful and yet so cruel to an enemy. You let them live when they would have tortured you if they had emerged victorious. And yet by doing so, you gave Grave a lifetime of troubles, and a fear of death at every moment. I can see that you are an honest pirate, if such a thing exists. Whether or not you decide to bring ruin to our tribe is up to your choices. But I do believe there's nothing for you to gain here, and further, that you do not desire such a thing."

Airin's eyes shined with the resolve of age. "We will be happy to supply you with whatever we can provide until you take your leave from our island."

At this, Law smirked amusedly, as though he could only concede.

"Well then, I have no objections to that if you really insist."

….

After this exchange of understanding and agreement, most of these from the tribe returned to their village as the crew tread back to their ship along with a few men who were ready to aid them. Kwai, more knowledgeable about the things in the world than his people, informed the crew that the log pose on the island would set in 7 days, to which the navigator was grateful.

Law surveyed the exterior of his ship with the help of the mechanics and found no permanent damage, as it seemed Grave used his Tangle fruit's ability to lift and carry the yellow submarine along the murky, vine-filled waters and tendril-thick trees. He decided that there was no immediate need to dislodge the sub from where it was now, and that he would have to save up his energy til the log pose set and they could set sail so that he could use his ability to move the ship. His crew had no objections to this plan, and though they seemed concerned and complained about having to walk through murky mud just to get to the ship, the tribesmen seemed to find it no trouble at all in giving aid by dragging some fallen logs out from the thickets and setting them up as bridges.

The crew returned inside and assessed the state of the interior, especially after the longarms had ransacked it. Aside from the occasional knocked down piece of furniture and footprints of thick sludge tracking the metal floors, to which Kairee could not help groaning with exasperated futility, damage was at a minimal. The essentials of the vessel were inspected meticulously, the so-called "brain" and "heart" of the ship, and the Captain seemed to be quite concerned over the infirmary's condition, though for what reason Kairee could not fathom other than to ensure the safety of his possessions.

After she watched the crew getting instructed by the Captain and going off to their duties, she realized that there was no longer any reason for her to even be there. Hadn't Law said that as soon as they reached shore, she'd be kicked out of the ship? All she could, or should, do now was take her backpack from Law's custody and walk out.

Despite how logical this train of thought seemed in her mind, she couldn't bring herself to take a step in beginning to do so. After everything that had happened recently, it would be a dead-end to just up and leave. She knew deep down that there was still unfinished business, and felt that if she stuck around, perhaps she could finally put some things to rest somehow.

And so, she stayed, however awkwardly, around the Heart Pirates. While they checked around the ship, she watched them quietly and stayed out of their way. When they left the ship and head on to the tribe's village, led by Kwai and the good, quiet men, she followed. Throughout it all, her presence was regarded, but no one said a thing to her, and she felt relieved, though notably out of place. Even Law had no words to tell her, despite all that had happened.

Kwai and the company stopped underneath a collection of especially large trees, or at least she surmised that they were through the thin fog. He directed them to a wooden ladder supported by green tendrils, and without much discussion, they each started up one after the other, with the Captain taking the head of the line after the tribesmen and Kairee taking the tail end after Penguin.

After taking her last step upon a platform and looking about her, she could not stop the gasp of wonder that escaped her mouth, which had joined many of the other's own.

The sunlight poured in generously from above the treetops, and looking down below they could see the blanket of fog that could not reach that place. The air was filled with a soft bird song, and the sweet scent of fruity flowers. Among the tree's large sturdy branches sat about 30 or so huts, and several rope walkways going hither and thither between them. In the middle of the quaint residences was the largest tree, its branches curved away from the center to form a flat basin such that it looked like the town square where people came together as a tribe.

Kwai showed them around and the villagers- simple, gentle-minded folk of self-sustaining, unchanging tendencies, accommodated their presence graciously, and went on with their daily lives with smiles that seemed to have been suppressed for a long time and were now free to be displayed.

The Captain asked Kwai several questions, about their sources of sustenance, their living habits and their degree of contact with the outside world, to which Kwai all answered with great detail. After their little tour, some villagers offered them food items to be taken back to the ship, which the crew accepted. Law and Kwai agreed to meet again that afternoon, and the crew departed back to their own abode.

After returning to the yellow submarine that had now become so familiar to her and realizing that Puffin would be making lunch, she wondered if perhaps they would bring their attention to her fate. Not knowing what to do and too afraid to speak up, she went back to the only place she thought she could- her prison cell. She sat on the cot a long while, thinking perhaps that they might have thought she left or that they didn't much care about her anymore, til she heard the bars creak, and her heart stopping, turned to find Bepo had entered.

No words were spoken for the long moment that they looked at each other, and the girl realized just how unreadable a bear's face could be, when he went up to her and raised his paw suddenly. He brought it swiftly down on her, and she flinched before she felt the warm fur patting her head softly.

"C'mon, it's time to eat." Her anxiety quickly dissipated, and emotion gripped at her throat, though she dared not let her eyes meet his and betray her. She nodded gratefully and the left the cell together.

As they approached the mess hall, a delicious smell wafted out from the room's open door. Inside, she found all of the crew gathered and they had already begun the meal. They looked at her, but mostly with curiosity and expectance, as she went off to her spot by the counters. The Captain's gaze was more subdued and did not linger at all as he went back to his food.

After each had finished and left, she stayed behind, and, finding nothing better to do, helped Puffin with cleaning up. After all, it wasn't something she necessarily disliked to do. He did not object to this, and, in fact, gave her his nervous smile now and again when their yes met. Just as they had done with washing the dishes, she heard her name called, and turning around, she found Penguin at the door, who was smiling quite happily at her.

"Are you finished?" he asked.

"Oh, um, y-yeah, why?" she replied, feeling her face flush at the sight of his enthusiasm.

"Well, if it's alright with you, would you like to go with us to explore the area?"

The surprise showed on her face. "Are you sure?" she couldn't help but say.

"Of course!" he replied with a boldness that made him blush afterwards.

She wanted more than anything to get the chance to wander about the trees and wildlife, but she asked cautiously, her face falling at the thought.

"But what about the Captain? He might mind if I…"

She let the words hang, but Penguin gave a good-natured chuckle, and his obscured face became calm once more as he said, "Actually, it was the Captain who asked me to get you."

….

They emerged from the Deck Enclosure to the warm midday sun that had dissipated most of the cool fog. On the deck waited Shachi, Bepo, Law, Kwai, and another, much older tribesman, all of whom regarded the last members of their party.

They set off without much ado into the warm, humid air of the mangrove forest. The ground was marked with large jutting trunks and sloshy marsh as they made their way. As it turned out, the older man was the healer of the tribe, and Law employed his help in identifying flora and herbs suitable for treating different conditions, and as they walked on, they spoke about illnesses that had come to the tribe over the years.

Kairee had prompted not to speak much during their little expedition, but seeing the wildlife around her made her feel quite relaxed and eager to see and know more. Bepo remarked to her about the healthy state of the tress, and a conversation on forests followed, later joined here and there by Penguin and supplemented by Kwai. She could not help but ask the latter about the types of animals that thrived there, and from there the customs and traditions of their tribe were related to those who listened.

Every once in a while, the Captain would call on her to use her wind ability to retrieve an out of reach branch or fruit that the healer pointed out. And though she did not at all mind being called on for these specific tasks, and was even grateful for the chance to come at all, the Captain's manner and intentions still confused her, though she tried to keep it out of her mind for the moment.

The afternoon passed by slowly but pleasantly, and soon enough they were heading back to their starting point. Fog reappeared gradually as they sky turned orange and the temperature lowered. As they continued to walk on, darkness finally fell, and indigo sheet encompassing the world. They were a little way before reaching the ship, when they hear the clamor of voices coming up from somewhere close by.

Wondering what on earth could be happening, the party rushed to the source of the noise, a steady low drum beat emerging along with the voices, all getting louder and louder. They saw bright orange flicker in the distance, and shadows dancing past the sparse fog beyond them.

Finally, they burst through the misty curtain into a large clearing. There, the fog was dissipated by the warmth of the torches set up all around them, and they were welcomed by the eager greetings of the entire tribe.

Each man, woman, and child seemed to be present. A huge feast was prepared at one end of the clearing, its sumptuous smells filling the air along with the lovely garlands of multicolored flowers that were hung up as decorations.

Airin, dressed in a colorful chieftain's garb, stepped forward along with the Heart Pirates who had stayed behind, all looking very pleased and excited, and welcomed them with a flourish of open arms.

"We have been awaiting your return, good friends."

The newcomers were all thoroughly surprised, and looked expectantly to their local companions, who both had knowing smiles on their faces.

Now that they had arrived, the feast could finally begin. They were led to the table set up for the special guests, which had exotic varieties of fish, meats and fruits, all displayed for their consumption. The crew's mouths watered at the sight, but they looked to their captain, to see how he would react to this surprise banquet, and if he would give the 'okay' to participate.

He gave them his languid smile and sat down at the head of the table with his legs crossed and arm hanging over the back of the seat.

"Well, it wouldn't be polite letting all this food go to waste, would it?" he told them with an approving tone. "You all deserve a good feast like this."

The crew's faces lit up with joy as they hastily took their places and sat down. Directly across Law at the other end of the table sat the old chief. Kairee found herself on the left-hand side to the chief while right across her was Kwai, and next to her sat Penguin. Everyone else around them sat around the other feast table on logs, but nonetheless they looked exceedingly eager and jolly.

Airin stood up tall and proud, spreading his arms out to his tribe.

"Eat and drink the fruits of your labors, my good people! This is a night for joyous celebration, for the evil presence plaguing us all has finally been rid by the bravery and strength of our honored visitors. We are truly grateful to them." He raised his goblet to them.

"A toast! Long life and good graces to all!"

"Long life and good graces!" The tribe cheered and drank deep in heartiness. Even the crew were drawn into the festive atmosphere and cheered as well. They all began to eat their fill of the food set for them, and everyone remarked on how good it all tasted.

Kairee stayed mostly silent as the meal went on, content on just observing both her companions and the tribe, who laughed and spoke together warmly, as well as feeling timid in the immediate presence of the chief. She spoke when spoken to, especially by the chief and his son, who urged her to enjoy herself, and was glad that Penguin was busy speaking to his crewmates, since she felt nervous about chatting with him alone.

Her eyes betrayed her and stole a few glances in the Captain's direction. They had locked eyes a few times, but they never held them for more than a second. Behind his eyes lay no malice, but there was a sort of question in them. She couldn't well fathom what it could be, since there was no chance to study his gaze, but she tried to keep herself looking busy and occupied with her food and the words exchanged by the two heads of the tribe, lest she accuse herself of staring.

After they had all eaten their fill, the chief rose up and looked to his guests.

"Now that you are well-satisfied, there is something we would like to show you." The Heart crew looked confused and curious as they watched Kwai and a few men stand and excuse themselves into the dark forest.

When they emerged, they were heaving a load by vine-weaved ropes sung across their backs. Out of the cover of the forest appeared a large locked wooden chest. The pirates' eyes widened and their jaws hung as the heavy load was hauled next to their table.

The Captain silently stood up, approached the chest, and with a swift slash, the padlock on the clasp fell to the earth and his nodachi was sheathed. He opened the chest, and the dull gleam of gold and the glitter of silver reached the eyes of everyone present. Some of the crew, including Kairee, could not help but gasp.

"While he stayed on this land," Kwai explained, "He had taken all these from other travelers and pirates before giving them an untimely demise. Our people have no use for treasure, and not any taken by dishonesty and bloodshed. Do with it as you please, friends."

The Captain smiled amusedly and closed the chest.

"We'll be taking it off your hands, then" he said, and it was then moved off to the side.

"Now that that business is done, let the music begin!"

Airin clapped his hands and a band of 6 tribesmen, holding various kinds of instruments crafted, as it seemed, from the nature around them, began to take their places around a large stump. One of them began the beat, and, all at once, they started a lively dancing tune. One by one, the tribesmen began to take the large space in the middle of the clearing and dance carelessly and joyfully to the music, as though all their sorrows and fears had been relieved by the beat of the drums and the blow of the horn.

The Heart Pirates sat and watched this spectacle as everyone (save the children) was served a frothy amber liquid.

"Drink! It will help you dance," Kwai urged them.

"Is this alcohol?" Kairee couldn't help but ask incredulously.

"Ah yes, but the alcohol we make in our village is different from those that come from the outside. I beg you, try it."

She smiled and thankfully declined, while the others at the table happily accepted the offer ad tipped the clay goblets into their mouths.

"Wow, this is great!" Shachi remarked with a surprised sort of smile. The others exclaimed their praises as well and it seemed as though a switch had been flipped and they'd all suddenly relaxed together.

Everyone began to clap to the steady, lively beat as the men danced. Shachi, Penguin and tern, who all seemed overcome by the gaiety and overwhelming desire to move, joined the floor as well and danced along with the tribesmen, who welcomed them unabashedly as the pirates followed their movements.

When the song ended, the band switched to a different, slower tune, but not any less lively, and the women were stepping up to the floor and pairing up with a partner before dancing together, or the men themselves were bringing their partners up with them.

Tern, regaining some of his bearings, had sense enough to step out quickly lest he be pulled in with the couples. Shachi, however, had caught the attention of a large, buxom woman and was dragged off for a dance. The crew all laughed at this, and Kairee was quite enjoying herself with the music and dances when she felt a touch on her shoulder.

She started and turned to find Penguin.

"M-Ms. Soliss, would you like to dance for a bit?" The exposed part of his face flushed from the drinks, but turned progressively darker shades of red as he muttered and blurted the words.

Everyone as the table fell silent at once and looked at him incredulously, especially Kairee. For a few moments, she stared at him, awestruck and blushing.

"I promise I won't do anything ridiculous to you. If that's alright, I mean," Penguin added, a bit more confidently, after a deep breath and a reassuring smile.

"I- Umm, okay. Sure," she answered quite hastily while trying to get up from her seat. She could feel her face was heated and dared not look at the others as she stood. She kept her eyes on Penguin, who seemed gratefully joyful and flustered as he offered to take her hand, and she blushed even redder at the offer. She heard the crew's talk resume as they went up to the dance floor, but she heard not a word as they were swiftly taken up by the group of couples.

It was a bit difficult to keep track with the crowds but eventually they fell into step as they grasped hands and spun and twirled and skipped and laughed. Partners were exchanged as the circle of dancers came together and collapsed upon itself, and the cycle was renewed. All the while, the laughing and music filled their ears.

Before either of them realized, the song had ended, and the pair bowed at each other, their faces flushed, and headed back to the table where the others sat, while a new tempo began to play.

Most of the crew who decided to pay them mind, perhaps more because of the alcohol than not, had begun to tease Penguin.

"Pretty good dancing out there," Shachi elbowed him, his face red.

"Yeah," Tern interjected loudly while swinging his mug around in an exaggerated mimic of the previous display, "You should have been a performer instead of a pirate!"

"Well, I'd like to see you try to take two straight steps right now, you drunk" Beluga remarked, his eyes droopy and voice relaxed.

"He'd at least be a better dancer drunk, that's for sure." Puffin clapped, his nervousness now a distant memory.

"Take a few lessons from Shachi. I'm sure he can show you a few moves," Penguin laughed loudly, joining his friends in the merriment after politely letting his dance partner take a seat first next to Bepo.

The bear turned to her with a large smile, his fuzzy cheeks tinged with a flush of color.

"It's great that everyone can take a break like this." He seemed to remark to the general air rather than at the girl, and seemed in a dreamy haze.

Kairee felt joyful amusement at the crew before her and the ease that fell into place around them. Whether they were friends, comrades or just passing acquaintances took a back seat. Right now, as she studied each of their merry expressions, she could only feel happy for them.

'Wait.' She noticed something that made her heart stop a moment.

"Bepo?"

The bear looked at her dreamily

"Where's the Captain?"

"Oh, I think he went off to the men's room," he replied sleepily. Embracing a mug of frothy liquid close to his face.

A thought- no, a feeling- descended suddenly upon her like a lightning strike. It was a feeling she'd grown accustomed to and had revolved all her travels around. It was the distinct feeling that she had to leave.

A pit of melancholy settled in her stomach as she watched everyone, but that intuition was never wrong. She stood from her seat as naturally as she could manage, and started to walk off into the dark woods.

"Kairee, where are you going?"

She turned to find most of the crew watching her inquisitively. She fakes a chuckle, and hoped it didn't give away the deception she regretted in her words.

"I'm just headed to the bathroom you guys," she assured nonchalantly. They all seemed to accept her answer without much thought, and went back to their merry conversations.

As she tread along a crude moonlight path, it made her heart heavy that she had to deceive them, and that she could not really say goodbye. If she did, they would wonder why she was leaving, and she could not explain her reasons in any manner that they could reasonably accept. This was, for her, the best option.

After a while, she arrived at her destination. The yellow submarine was positioned serenely in the middle of the murky pool, and everything was bathed in the moon's glow. She reflected on her time with the crew as she approached, and thoughts of Law began to fill her mind. She had been trying to put him out of her head when she set her resolve to leaving, but seeing his ship made the feeling in her gut stronger, as if prompting her to hasten her disappearance, and also strengthened her desire for answers that she might never receive, and, however awkwardly, to see the doctor-captain again for the last time before she departed.

The only thing left for her to do, and the reason she was here, was to retrieve her backpack. Despite all that had happened, he still hadn't returned it to her, and whatever it took, she had to get it back.

She jumped onto the deck easily, and then froze on the spot at what she saw. The cogs in her mind stopped completely for a moment, and then swiftly worked into overdrive, as she was both highly amused and embarrassed by her own idiocy and lack of foresight, for she never even once considered, after all her mulling and regrets, that Law had, in fact, been on the ship this entire time.