Chapter 6

Walking back onto the ship Sanji started to make barbecue, Luffy was dancing around with Chopper and Franky had a ukulele out. How he played such a tiny instrument with such big hands she would never know.

Robin approached her. "Would you like a tour of the ship?" She nodded. Robin showed her the observation room, the aquarium bar, Usopp's factory, and the library. Her eyes sparkled. She had never had the freedom to read so many books.

"Our library is filled with all the books that hold the crew's interest. Maps, blueprints, history books, cookbooks, medical journals and even a few fiction books."

"Everything I know, I taught myself from books."

"I can teach you more if you like."

"That would be wonderful." Mezumi's face lit up.

"Every morning after breakfast we will meet here. We should head back to the party."

They passed by one door. "This is the mens' bedroom. We don't often intrude on the opposite gender for privacy purposes." She opened the next door and they walked in. "This is the womens' bedroom. You, Nami and myself will share this room."

"There are three beds already." Robin smiled at her observation.

"We knew you would join the crew. So we made the proper arrangements." Three beds sat on the left wall. A vanity and a closet were on the far wall and three soft chairs sat around a small round table. The bed next to the wall had a small stack of clothes. "This is your bed as well as some clothes we bought in town for you."

"They are mine? Really?" Robin just smiled. "All of this freedom is going to take some getting used to. How did you know I would join you?"

"Luffy is very stubborn. Once he asks someone to join his crew there is no changing his mind." She paused. "They saved me too. I became a power holder when I was very young. My home burned to the ground and I was considered a monster wanted by the world government. When I was captured they refused to let me go. When the crew came to save me I realized I found a place where I could belong."

"I'm not sure what to say."

"Shall we go back to the party?"

"Can I take a shower first?" Mezumi seemed a little hesitant.

"Of course. This is your home now."

Mezumi grabbed a pair of her new clothes. A forest green tee shirt, tan shorts that reached just above her knees and a pair of sandals. Robin lead her to the bathroom and left to join the crew on deck. She bathed in a giant bath tub big enough for her tall frame to stretch out and still have room. She donned her new clothes. She felt cleaner than ever before. She had never lived so luxuriously in her life. She hoped she would never get used to the feeling. It felt too wonderful. She stepped on the deck beaming at her new friends.

"It's so strange feeling like I have a family now." Franky put his big arm around her shoulders.

"Get used to it kid. Your stuck with us. OW! Just call me 'aniki'." Franky gestured to himself with his thumb. Mezumi giggled.

"Okay aniki." She tested it out. Franky was delighted.

"SUPA!" Nami grabbed her out from under Franky's arm.

"We took Katsuo to town and made sure everyone knew what kind of man he was. I'm guessing there will be a new mayor by tomorrow." Nami suddenly had stars in her eyes. "So, you can make us some gold. Then we can go shopping together!"

"Nami, ease up on the gold obsession would ya? She still has to get her energy back. Not to mention she still has to fix my sword." Zoro said downing the contents of a mug.

"I can continue with your sword tomorrow." Zoro nodded and left to get another drink. Nami soon followed him for the same reason. Sanji walked up to her and offered his hand with a smile.

"May I have this dance, Milady?" She smiled.

"You are the epitome of a cliche." Her face fell slightly. "I don't know how to dance." Sanji took her hand despite her protestations and led her gently towards the music.

"Well then, it's lucky for you that I happen to be an excellent leader." Continuing to hold her hand in his, he lifted her other hand up to his shoulder. He then placed his hand on her hip. He cringed internally at the reminder of how thin she was. Sanji attempted to lead her into a slow waltz. But after a full minute of Mezumi staring at their feet attempting to follow him, he found that she couldn't move her feet quick enough and was stumbling through the steps. Sanji detached his hands from her. Mezumi looked down embarrassed.

"I'm sorry. I am trying." Sanji paused. She assumed he let go of her to give up on dancing with her.

"No need to be sorry." He was not letting go of her to stop dancing. In fact, he placed his hands on her waist, lifting her up to place her feet on his. He grabbed her hand and waist again as she looked up surprised, taking hold of his shoulder as an after thought. "Just don't lock your knees and you will be fine." He carried her gently through the waltz they had attempted earlier. She was lighter than he expected and due to her condition. He had not expected much. He had carried her all the way to the ship. But at the time he was too focused on her well being to notice she was exceptionally light.

Mezumi was too busy staring at her hand on Sanji's shoulder to notice he was deep in thought. She always knew she was tall. She was taller even than Robin and Nami. But Sanji still stood several inches taller than her. Having his shoulder at her eye level made it much more realistic. With a jolt she realized she had a lot of physical contact with him in the past two days. It was more than the rest of her life put together. She looked up at his face only to realize he had been staring at her already. She blinked and looked away, unsure of the feeling settling in her stomach.

"Thank you. If you hadn't bought me that loaf of bread yesterday in the market... I might be dead now." She still didn't look at him, unsure of herself.

"Strange that such small decisions have such big consequences." She looked back at him as he twirled them gracefully across the deck.

"Mezumi-chan..." Sanji began. But not a second later Luffy grabbed Mezumi and started to dance. Although Sanji thought "flailing" would be a more appropriate term. He scowled. He couldn't blame Luffy for having such a thick skull. Mezumi was laughing with Luffy and he wasn't about to tear her away from anything that made her happy.

"Nami lets head for the next island now." Luffy shouted. Everyone shouted in agreement. Everyone enjoyed themselves late into the night. Only when they were close to passing out did they finally go to bed.