Robin stepped between frozen roots and avoided icy bushes. She had lost the cook but she knew better than to worry, he could take care of himself. She had told him if they were separated, which he refused the possibility of, they would meet back at the beginning of the path. Robin spared a glance under her to make sure she was still on the brick path way. The bricks were in the same weather beaten condition as the cobblestone Harbor they had docked at, leading her to believe they were laid down at the same time.
She shrugged her backpack higher as she walked into a clearing; she took quick glances at the above ankle snow and sky before walking further in. She pondered briefly what had brought her out of Sunny-go, when she could be wrapped cozily in her cabin with one of her books. But she ended the thought with a simple I wanted to enjoy adventuring like Captain-san.
Robin's boot hit something in the snow causing the tip of a somewhat worn and torn brown book to emerge from the snow. She picked it up and scanned the cover that had in running colors L. Asai. Mindful of the wet pages Robin carefully peeled back the cover, messily scrawled on the page was table of contents. Underneath that in a more legible print was a range of titles numbered from one to fifty-five.
She peeled back another page revealing a continuation of the table of contents, tried to flip another page but the soggy paper let out a low tearing noise. She was not going to read anymore of the book until it was dry. She tucked the book away in a compartment in her back pack then continued walking, no, trudging in the snow. Gradually the clearing gave way to a narrow path.
Robin trudged quietly as if not to disturb the winter wonderland. Among the ranks of trees and vines a few flowers bloomed, their petals seemed to reach out to her. She bent down and touched a petal, as soon as the heat transferred the flower burst cutting and burning her fingers. In a chain the flowers around her began to explode.
Quickly she crossed her arms and murmured Viente Fleur, creating a close knit net as the shattered ice and heat rained down on her.
Sanji looked around; he swore he heard a boom. He frowned and hoped that Nami-san and Robin-chan were fine. He started walking again through the underbrush, trying to find his way back to the path. He swooned at the idea of seeing Robin-chan's winter outfit again. It had looked wonderful on her, as all her outfits did. He did a small twirl on his heels as he envisioned Robin-chan.
As he stopped twirling he came face to face with an iced fruit, it had the shape of an apple but the color of fresh snow. He touched it out of curiosity and the ice slid off in a sheet. The fruit burst into a pink shade that flowed from top to bottom. In a wave it changed in to a rich red before darkening into a dark purple. The branch curved downward with a low cracking sound, Sanji plucked the fruit from the tree and the branch snapped back up in a shower of crystalized water. He wondered briefly if he could make a good dish out of the fruit.
Choices rebounded through his head as he picked more of the pulsing fruit. Things like cakes, parfaits, and pies. Deciding on a pie he figured he would give a test slice to that Marimo or shitty captain to see if it were truly edible, He wouldn't leave something like that to the two beauties. As soon as he picked a decent amount he placed them carefully in his bag. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a pack of cigarettes, he lit one only to get one rush of nicotine before it was snuffed out by a cold wind.
He frowned and crushed the death stick underfoot. Pulling out another one he lit it faster and this time it held its light. The rush of nicotine brought a much needed clarity to his thoughts. He hoisted the bag on to his shoulder and continued on in the direction that he was sure to lead to Robin-chan. But something shining in the iced over grass caught his attention.
He walked over; picking up what he could now tell was a sliver bangle. Soon his mind was dancing through thoughts of what beautiful lady had dropped the bracelet. So out of pure instinct, he jumped out of the way of a too green vine's hold. He landed on tree branch and the bracelet lay forgotten on the ground. His eyes scanned the ground to see the vine coming towards him.
The vine twirled around his right leg as he prepared to kick with hi left. Before he could bring his leg down the vine pulled him. Sanji's head meet the branch leaving a small splotch of red; his inertia guided his form to the hard packed ground. Sanji attempted to rise but something began to trace his eyebrow.
"Shitty vine." He began but never finished as he gazed upward. Crouching in front of him was someone who even rivaled Nami-san and Robin-chan's beauty. His eyes traveled up her fair and unblemished skin. Past the curves that could be seen under the flowing white gown. Past even her long golden hair to her face, her face was truly stunning and Sanji will always see it as that of a goddesses' or an angel's.
A face which shone on its own and coal black eyes that displayed just a few hints of curiosity.
"Come with me mister… please. Won't you for a little?" her voice sounded like twinkling bells and Sanji immediately swooned, promising that he would follow her anywhere.
"My goddess, I will do anything for you!" he proclaimed with eyes shining in delight while the woman stood, a smile on her features.
"Follow me, you will not be disappointed." She picked up the forgotten bracelet and tossed into the air. A raven caught it in its decent and began to fly away. Her smile grew bigger and she looked behind her in the direction of the love struck Sanji. "My name is Raven, what is yours?"
Luffy jumped through the trees. He had long since noticed he had left Nami behind but he trusted her. He knew she would be fine. Nonetheless he was getting hungry and no longer had his pirate lunch. So he was hoping he would run into some type of animal. But so far he hadn't heard or seen any trace of an animal.
Then for a moment he stopped and checked all around him. He was sure he had heard something. However he saw nothing. So he began to jump through trees just like his namesake. Then suddenly he stopped again he realized that he was lost. But he let out a small laugh and figured it would be more fun this way and if Zoro had left the ship he'd probably find him.
After all the teen knew the best way to find a Zoro was to get lost like a Zoro. So Luffy began swinging on the trees with even more energy the prospect of adventure and possibly finding a lost Zoro exciting him to no end.
The swordsman grunted as small feet repeatedly tapped his back along with an equally small hand running through his moss colored hair. The owner of the hand and feet balanced precariously on the banister, a smile on her face. Although the aforementioned swordsman had a hand resting on the hilt of one of his three swords he had yet to move from his place.
"Who are you?" the question innocent enough had a clearly darker undertone. But the girl paid no heed to the tone and giggled softly as she progressed into an upright position. Her white gown trailed around her petite figure and billowed off over the sea. Her hair -the color of a smoldering fire- flowed freely down to the hem of her long skirts.
"I'd tell you, but where would be the fun in that? She asked her voice as dark as the swordsman's. She stood up on the railing and acted as though she was on a tight rope. As she took her sixth step she jumped down digging her feet into the grassy deck. A face splitting grin on her face that seemed to grow bigger as worlds came out her mouth.
"Mr. Mossy, if we play a game and if," she placed a heavy emphasis on the word. "You win I'll take you somewhere you'll see is important." 'Mr. Mossy' scowled at the use of the nickname.
"And if I lose?" he found himself asking, as his curiosity prompted him to raise an eyebrow.
"You'll never live to see the Sun." her voice turned feral before returning back to her normally carefree tone. "The game is simple," she drew out a small hourglass from a pocket in the loose dress. "When the sand runs out whoever has the most cuts loses." She placed the hourglass on the handrail with a light tap. The swordsman stood up placing his swords at their places on his hip.
He only unsheathed two of the three as a menacing smile graced his lips. The girl flipped the hourglass after going so a knife appeared in her hand. Just as the two hurtled towards each other a scream pierced through the quiet night.
A scream rang out. All had heard. But only one had answered. But that's alright because things will get better…right?
Hour one end
Sooo long this has been sitting. Laziness can be mean. Please remember to tell me about out of character moments. Well my back hurts so fair well.