"Luuufffyyy!" She called helplessly. "Where did that idiot run off to…"
"Maybe he smelled food somewhere." Zoro said, frowning.
"How did he run off without any of us noticing? He has our luggage!" Nami pouted, "And our money…"
"Don't worry Nami-san, he'll show up sooner or later." Vivi reassured her.
"He better…"
"Ahhhh, it's toooo hoooot! Han, help a man out would ya?" Usopp begged me, as he collapsed onto the sand.
"Sure, if you could find me a man." I retorted jokingly.
"Ha-ha, very funny."
"Looks like his weak little body can't take much more." Sanji spat out sarcastically, as he released a puff of smoke.
"I was just kidding Usopp." I laughed. With a quick flick of my wrist, a strong current of wind blew through us, intertwining between our bodies. Everyone let out a little sigh of relief.
"Much metter." Usopp thanked. It seemed like the wind had almost given everyone a slight boost in motivation to keep going.
"I can't take this heat, I'm only made for winter…" Complained Chopper, as he was being pulled along.
"It's cause you're so damn fuzzy," Usopp grunted. "Why don't you take off that animal costume of yours?" Chopper frowned and stood up,
"What did you say?" He transformed into his heavy point and hovered over Usopp, menacingly.
"Oi, Oi! Chopper, don't change like that! I can't pull you!" Zoro yelled. Chopper ignored him.
"Who are you calling a monster, big nose!"
"Y-you are! I-I'm not scared of you!" Usopp's legs quivered in fear as he tried his best to keep volleying back insults.
"Why you-"
"Just change back already!" Zoro growled. A little chuckle escaped my lips and I looked away; I always found it funny when they bickered like this.
While the rest of us were dragging our feet and sweating waterfalls, the only one who seemed to be unaffected by the weather was Vivi.
"Vivi, how are you able to stand this?" I asked her, wiping my forehead.
"Well I grew up here. I'm used to this temperature." She replied.
"Oh, right." I nodded, embarrassed. Obviously.
"Han-san, is it too hot for you? Maybe it'd help if you took that shirt off-"
-bonk-
"Keep walking, love-cook." Zoro huffed.
"Why you-" He replied, setting down the bags; a newly formed bump was throbbing on the top of his head.
"I'll change once we camp out, Sanji-kun. No need to worry about me." I quickly spat out, in efforts to prevent them from fighting.
"Actually, it's better for you to sweat. It's a natural way for your body to cool itself down." Vivi stated.
"Ahh, okay. Well, whatever you think is best for Han-san!"He replied, and flashed Zoro a grimace before he resumed walking.
I stood at the back of the group, where I usually did when we traveled. Each of my nakama seemed as though in their little world. Sanji was carrying the large sack on his back, while the other half was with Luffy; Wherever he was. Nami and Vivi were walking at the head of the group, discussing which way we should go and how long it'd take to get to our destination. Zoro was pulling poor Chopper along on a little sled-like object that we'd built for him. He wasn't used to the hot climate since he was born and raised on a winter island, and his fur didn't make things much better for him. Usopp of course was second to last, looking as if he could collapse any minute. He dragged his feet in the sand as if chains were weighing them down, and his tongue hung loosely out of his mouth. I had my hair twisted into a high bun to keep it off my neck, but I was still sweating like a pig nonetheless.
"Whew, it is getting pretty hot. When are we going to rest?" I asked, placing my hand on my neck.
"Up there!" Nami shouted suddenly, "There's rocks we can hang out under." She pointed at an area of tall, almost mountainous boulders off in the distance. I could see there was plenty of shade, and let out a little sigh of relief. Any longer and we would've all fried to a crisp
"Thank god."
"Shade!" Cried Usopp. "Ahh, someone give me the canteen please... I'm dying."
"No more for you," Sanji snapped. "At this rate, we'll have none left by the time we reach the city!"
"Oi Sanji don't be so bitter! Give it to me!" Before he could reach for the canteen, Usopp received a loud smack on the head and collapsed to the ground.
"No need to kick him," Zoro sighed
"Well I'm not gonna let him drink all the water!"
"Who's gonna carry him now?" I asked
"I know I'm not," Scoffed Zoro.
"Oi, Usopp, wake up." Sanji nudged at his side with his foot. "I didn't even kick you that hard.."
"Ahhh " He groaned. A large bump had formed on the top of his head.
"Usopp, just hang on till we get to the rocks over there, and we'll let you have some water."
"Ahhhhh," He ignored me and groaned some more.
"Eugh…" Sanji sighed, "I'll carry him."
"Thank you Sanji-kun."
"Noooo problem Han-san!" He grinned , as if he had a sudden moodswing. He slung Usopp over his other shoulder, opposite to the bags.
It was fun being around them. I never really had many friends growing up. It wasn't until I began taking aikido that I began to talk more. The boys would always tease me for being so weak and not pretty like the other girls, but once I learned how to kick their asses, they backed off. The girls on the other hand would mock me for being so athletic, but I shrugged it off most of the time, realizing that I could keep myself out of danger while they couldn't. They were exactly the reason why everyone considered women to be so vulnerable. I never tried making friends with them in the first place, knowing we were too different to ever get along. Instead, I realized my true nakama were at the dojo. Seeing as my father believed in being strict, but loving, everyone in the dojo learned to be like that too. It was my home, atleast until it was closed.
Luffy and everyone made me feel like I was their nakama for the first time since my father had been taken away by the marines. And even though I never thought I'd necessarily be sailing with pirates, how could I say no?
I smiled to myself, and suddenly I felt a sudden burst in energy, like I was ready to take on anything this desert had to throw at me. After all, I was surrounded by people who I knew would catch me if I fell.
We were all glad to be greeted by the shade of the rocks. Everyone collapsed onto the sand.
"C-could I have some water now…" Usopp sputtered, obviously overdramatizing.
"Fine," Sanji took the canteen off his neck and threw it at Usopp, who immediately drank it up.
"Not too much! Save some for the girls too!" Sanji growled, snatching it away from him. "Would you like some, Nami-san? Vivi-chan?"
"I'm fine, thankyou." Replied Vivi.
"Yes please," Nami grabbed the bottle from him and happily took a few gulps.
"Hey , how come she gets to drink so much!" Complained Usopp.
"Because she's a lady!" He received another blow to the head.
"I'm so-orry." He replied in broken syllables.
"Quaaackk!" Cried Carue, who had also collapsed besides Usopp.
"Would you like some, Han-san?" Nami offered me the water.
"I'm good, thankyou."
She screwed the cap back onto the canteen and handed it to Sanji.
"Wonder where Luffy is," Zoro said, closing his eyes. "Idiot's probably gotten himself lost." He got himself into his usual napping position; Hands behind head and his back leaning against the rock.
"Like you should be one to talk." Sanji scoffed, as he took a long drag from his cigarette.
"What did you just say?"
"Nothing, nothing!" He smiled, and crossed his arms, releasing a puff of smoke.
"I'm gonna go look for him," I said, getting up.
"Uh, Han-san, it's probably best if we stick together. This is a huge desert. He'll show up sooner or later." Nami told me.
"Don't worry, I'm not leaving." I pointed to the large rock behind her, the one that was providing us most of the shade. "I'll probably have a good view from up there." I explained. She nodded her approval.
I hopped from rock to rock by creating tiny bursts of air from under my feet, and finally reached the top. The sun was beating down harder on the rock than on ground, and I shielded my eyes to get a better look around. At first I could see nothing but barren land, but something soon caught my eye. Two figures, both wearing hats, were heading our way. I squinted my eyes in efforts to see more clearly and I could definitely tell one of them was Luffy, judging by his red vest. But who was that man beside him?
"Lufffyyy! Over here!" I yelled, waving my arms.
"Did you find him?" Zoro asked, cracking open one eye. I leaned over the edge of the rock and replied,
"Yeah, he's walking with someone else. I don't know who it is though. Help me get their attention." Everyone nodded and stood up, brushing themselves off. Then, they walked around to the front of the rock and all began to call for him. All except Zoro, who remained seated with his eyes shut once again.
"Luffy! Luuuffyy!" From atop the rock, I could barely make out his little figure. Luffy soon spotted us and began waving his arms in the air. He began to stretch his arms very far back, and suddenly sprung them towards us, dragging along whoever it was that was with him. They came flying at an unbelievable speed.
"Here he comes!" I warned.
Bam!
The two of them smashed into the rocks below, and large puffs of smoke covered the entire area. Zoro overhead the ruckus and stood up to join us.
"Eh? What happened?" He coughed, fanning away the smoke.
"Yo guys!" I heard someone call lightheartedly . I could recognize the giddy voice to be Luffy's.
"Luffy! Be more careful next time!"
"You idiot, you could've hurt Nami-san or Vivi-chan!" Sanji growled, coughing at the dust.
"Hahaha." I heard a familiar chuckle. "Same as you've always been, Luffy." That voice… It couldn't be…
"Tornado kiss~" I whispered, as I blew the remaining sand into the distance. Then, I hopped down from the rock , jumping from stone to stone and joined others.
"Han? Is that you?" I looked up to see a tan face, warmly smiling back at me. His freckles were scattered in random patterns, and his mid length black hair blew loosely in the wind, under the tan hat he always wore. He was just as I had remembered.
"Ace!" I yelped, "It's been a while!"
"Certainly has," He replied, pulling me into a tight embrace. Tears I thought had dried up long ago began to pour down my face, and I smiled, knowing they hadn't been completely forgotten.
"Ohhh! Ace, you know Han?" Luffy questioned curiously,
"Wait, Luffy, who is this?" Nami asked,
"Ah, how silly of me. I forgot to introduce myself." He softly pulled away from me and I wiped my tears before anyone could see. "My name is Portgas D. Ace." He grinned.
"Yup. He's my brother!" Said Luffy.
"Your brother?" Everyone exclaimed.
Soooo, yeah :'D I changed it a little bit
Yaaay! Ace ! C:
ohhohoh but how do they know each other?
You'll have to wait till I write the next chapter LOL It's like three in the morning XD;;
I hope you guys enjoy ~