Minawa: Yes, it's here! Just so you know, I don't own onepiece, just Kayla.

Ray: you mean Ray. my name's Ray.

Minawa: ...did I say Kayla? Opsie!

Ray: *sigh*

To my surprise the food the cook, Sanji, served looked very fancy and of high quality. Not the kind of brunch a group of pirates normally would have. But then again, I can't really call the crew itself being normal.

The crew consisted of (the…captain) Luffy, his first mate Zoro, the chef Sanji, the navigator Nami, the doctor Chopper (a reindeer), the carpenter Franky (who I think is a cyborg, considering the metal nose…), Usopp, Robin, and the musician Brook.

And if I have to be honest I don't know which one of these pirates is the weirdest, and Brook is a walking skeleton. I think you get my point.

"Enjoy your brunch, everyone. Please eat to your hearts content, Kayla." Sanji said and at the end turned to me. I flinched at my fake name but smiled a natural smile.

"Yes, thank you very much." I said and took a mini spear of fruits.

"But really, to think you would have to pay for Luffys stomach, that's awful." Nami said and tucked a lock of orange hair behind her ear. I nodded.

"But don't you do that, like, every day?" I said. Nami nodded with crocodile tears running down her face.

"Don't remind me…" she cried as Luffy stole some meat from her plate. I had problems holding my laughs but I stopped myself by eating some bread. And what bread!

"Sanji-san, where did you get this bread?" I asked. He turned and looked my way with a cigarrette in his mouth.

"Ah, I baked that myself this morning. Is it god?" He asked and smiled. I nodded quietly and took another bite. It kind of made me remember…home, in a strange way. Since I don't remember much from before mom's death it felt weird. And speaking of death…

"Brook-kun, sorry but how… do you hold yourself up?" I asked and ate some fruit. The skeleton laughed a funny and friendly laugh.

"Thanks to the devil fruit I ate as young…" he said and explained how he'd once died but with the fruit had the power to bring him back. Unfortunately, by the time he found his body it had already become a skeleton.

"That's tough." I said but Brook shook his head.

"This way I was able to meet my nakamas. I'm really happy!" he said and pulled out a violin. First I was a bit shocked to hear his answer but as he started to play I somehow understood his feelings. Having nakamas was great… wasn't it?

"Kayla? Are you crying?" Robin asked. I looked up and noticed my somehow wet cheeks.

"Ah, sorry. I need to use the bathroom." I said and walked outside.

Inside the kitchen it was quiet.

"Was it that bad?" Brook asked.

I walked over to the railing and looked out over the sea and the dock. Nothing's changed. I thought I was over it already and that I wouldn't need something like friends or a family. I was a lone wolf, a bird flying alone. I wasn't supposed to miss anything and what did I have to return to? Nothing.

The family I once had I betrayed so what did I have left except running away?

Footsteps were heard behind me and Sanji appeared. He stood besides me quietly, smoking.

I glanced at him but he made no motion of speaking. I sighed at that and smiled faintly.

"Sorry for interrupting brunch." I said and tucked my hair behind my ears. Sanji grabbed his cigarette and blew out some smoke.

"No one blames you. What kind of troubles or past you have doesn't matter, we all have our problems." Sanji said and drew more smoke. I looked out but not really anywhere as his words sunk in. I sighed and stood up.

"Thank you, Sanji. You're a good person." I said as I walked back to the kitchen.

As I entered it got quiet. But in an instant what I thought were doubting faces became smiled and relived expressions.

"Are you okay, Kayla?" Nami asked and stood up. I nodded and returned to my place.

"I'm fine. I got some fruit juice in my eyes so I needed to use the bathroom. Sorry to interrupt your playing, Brook-kun." I said and smiled at the skeleton. He put his hand on top of his chest.

"Your words make my heart ache Kayla. Wait, I don't have a heart!" He said and laughed his joyful laughter. Luffy and Usopp joined him and soon the earlier relaxed atmosphere was back. But somehow I already knew I wouldn't be able to stay like this, even if I wanted to…

In the afternoon I somehow ended up watching Zoro and Sanji sparring. That with a cocktail (non alcoholic) in my hand. And somehow I had no idea how Luffy had managed to keep me on the ship the whole freaking day!

First, after brunch I had insisted on helping Sanji with the dishes. When I had been done with that Luffy had dragged me with him, Usopp and Chopper on a sightseeing tour. We had stopped by the gigantic aquarium, Franky's workshop and the different bedrooms. Usopp had shown me some of his best inventions and among them different items from Sky Island (who knew there was such an island…). Chopper had insisted on checking my wounds I had gathered the last week. Even though I had protested he'd managed to wrap me up pretty well.

Nami and Robin had shown me their rooms and some interesting books and maps.

And lastly I had agreed on being the judge while the chef and the swordsman spared.

So… I guess it was my fault too…

"How's that?" Zoro asked. I nodded and pointed at Sanji.

"He won with two points." I said and returned my attention to the drink. Zoro walked away cursing as Sanji walked over to me.

"Don't mind him, he's just stubborn." He said and looked over at the swordsman. I looked as well as Zoro started do push ups.

"and impatient…" I said under my breath. Sanji looked at me.

"Did you say something?" he asked as I got up. I shook my head. Looking at the slightly lowered sun I handed him my unfinished drink.

"I should get going. You've been too nice already." I said and smiled a gratefully at him.

Sanji sighed and nodded.

"You should at least say goodbye to the captain." He said with a smile before he walked away with the drink towards the kitchen. I glanced back at him and then at Zoro before looking for Luffy.

It really was a nice crew they had, rare, in this world. I mean have you ever met nice pirates? Don't think so.

Minutes later I found Usopp and Luffy sitting and fishing at the front of the ship.

"Hey, you getting anything?" I asked. Usopp frowned.

"Not really." He muttered while Luffy laughed. I smiled too but decided based on the setting sun that I didn't have time for fun.

"Luffy." I said, catching his attention. I gave a small bow before smiling at them both.

"I had really fun today and I hope I didn't cause you any trouble. I should get going if I want to catch the cruise ship tonight." I said and showed them my backpack. For a moment no one said anything, causing a slightly awkward situation.

"Well, I just wanted to say goodbye. I'll tell the others and I'll be on my way." I said and turned to walk away.

Thanks to Sanji, soon the whole crew was on deck. I am really bad at goodbyes, if I can, I avoid them. But since I own these people a fun day, a proper goodbye's worth it.

"Thank you everyone for taking care of me today. Um, if there's anything I can help you with in the future, I will." I said and gave them a big, and probably, fake smile.

They all looked kinda disappointed in an odd way and yet they nodded, understanding.

The only ones not moving or nodding was Zoro and Luffy; Zoro not even looking at me and Luffy looking kinda expressionless. I sighed at their behaviour but I guess everyone's different.

"I had a good time. I need to go now or I'll be late." I said and turned to climb the ladder attached to the railing.

"You are going to the cruise, right? Are you heading to Akintra?" Nami asked. I looked at her but shook my head.

"No, I'm going to Alfara. It's a pichstop on the way, I heard they will have a festival there in about 10 days so I thought I was going to check it out." I said. Nami smiled and glanced at Sanji who nodded and glanced at Luffy. The fact that they were speaking with their eyes sent chills down my spine.

"Why?" I asked, uncertain. Luffy grinned.

"Then why don't we drop you off? I'm sure we could all enjoy a festival." Nami said. I looked at her, not really sure I heard her right.

"Yeah, it could be fun. There will booze, cola, herbs and fireworks as well as…meat." Sanji said. The fact that he had just counted things the crew liked made me sweat dropped but obviously it was working. Only seconds after he'd said the word meat drool was running down Luffys cheek.

"Agreed!" he said, raising his hand. Nami too raised her hand.

"Agreed!" she said, followed by Sanji. Soon the whole crew held up their hands, giving some kind of approval. Seriously, even Zoro held up his hand casually.

I pointed at myself.

"You mean, you want me to stay?" I asked. Everyone nodded.

Somewhere deep inside I felt happy that they in one way accepted me. But this was bad.

I looked down into the grass-covered flood.

"Thank you but I don't think that hanging around with me will be any good for you… you could get hurt since I know some dangerous people…" I said but got interrupted as a blade appeared in front of my eyes. Looking up I saw Zoro holding his sword out towards me.

"Then, are you looking down on us? You don't think we're strong enough?" he asked in a serious voice. In slight shock I looked at him, letting his words sink in.

I smiled.

"No, I know you are strong." I said. Zoro closed his eyes and grinned.

"Then, end of discussion. You stay." He said as he turned and walked away.

And somehow, even thought it was getting colder as the night crept closer, the bleeding sunset gave me a warmth I hadn't felt in a long time. It's such a beautiful feeling, it almost made me want to cry. Because, as the others smiled and pulled me along towards the rooms I realised, I'm only human.

Minawa: There! Was it good?

Ray: *reading* You totally make me look like a softly.

Minawa: ...I didn't ask you. I was talking to the readers.

Ray: Yeah, as if they can answer you.

Minawa: *teary eyes* That's not true! I love when people leave comments, reviews and criticism!

Ray: I know, I know... *pat shoulder*