Alright, this one's longer than the last one... I think...
The earth was scorched and small pieces of ash still floated in the breeze. Charcoal remains of a picket fence was there to greet them. Blackened beams surrounded by fallen debris sitting where houses once stood. Smoke still wafted lightly from some the remains. Gwenyth was holding her breath with every step. She had to stop walking and attempt to calm the painful throbbing in chest. This happened more than once.
Luffy had the decency to stay quiet each time and wait for her to start walking again. When she started to cry and grabbed his hand for comfort, he still didn't say anything. He simply kept walking; stopping when she needed to, then continuing when she was ready. It was hard to face a pain like this, the fact that she chose to keep going showed courage. Even with the tears falling so steadily from her eyes.
They reached a long walkway and Luffy couldn't keep quiet anymore. The poor girl was starting to shiver and breathe really weird.
"You okay, Gwen?"
She looked up from hyperventilating. "N-no. B-but I gotta k-keep going."
Luffy nodded and tightened the hand around hers in support. They moved towards the burnt building. More of this house stood than of the others around it. Rubble and ash was thick along the porch, half of which had been crushed by the partial collapse of the roof. They stepped carefully over the debris and walked into what was left of the living room.
"M-Maaya? K-Katsuya? Anyone h-here?" She whimpered out, letting go of Luffy and trying to search the room. The boy cupped his hands around his mouth.
"HEY GRAMPS, GRANNY! YOU IN HERE?! HEELLLLO?" There was no response. Gwenyth cautiously navigated down the hall, peeking her head into the different rooms and softly calling out in each one.
"COME OUT, COME OUT, WHEREVER YOU ARE!" Luffy continued to shout from somewhere in the ruins. Gwenyth followed his voice, unable to find either of her caretakers, dead or alive.
"Maybe they got out before the fire h-hit..." She said with little hope once he was located.
"Great idea!" He ran outside through the rubble. "GRANNY AND GRAMPS, COME ON OUT! I NEED TO TALK TO YOU!"
"Where did they go?" She asked herself. Gwenyth followed him, jumping lifelessly from the scorched porch and onto the charred ground.
"Hey, what's that?" Luffy questioned from the other side of the remains. Gwenyth went around to see, not letting herself become hopeful. Without even looking to where her captain was pointing, she knew exactly what it was.
"That's the hill where Katsuya and Maaya got married. They planted an apple seed during the wedding, hence the tree."
"No, not that. That." He emphasized.
"The swing?" Gwenyth asked turning to face it. There was a hunched figure on the small hill just beyond the house. Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open. Gwenyth bolted for the hill, leaving a confused captain behind. She rushed up the tilted slope, tripping twice. Her hurried footsteps and crying breath caught the man's attention.
"Gwenyth..." He said, almost as though he were looking at a dream. These past weeks had not been kind to him. He looked at least ten years older than she remembered. Lifeless eyes, drooping body. This couldn't really be Katsuya, could it? What could possibly have destroyed such a strong man this way?
Katsuya rose steadily with a hunched back. Behind him was a collection of flowers outlining a mound of dirt that had recently been unearthed. Gwenyth stared at the display, then back at the man not wanting to believe it. Katsuya gave a miserable nod. She couldn't breathe again. Her body was trembling and her legs gave out from the shock. Sucking in air that her lungs couldn't use, she began to bawl. Katsuya pulled her into a deep embrace. The burly man began to shake and silent tears fell from him as the child screamed into his chest.
Why? It wasn't fair. Maaya. Gone. Sweet, loving Maaya gone just like that. So simple. Too simple. Dead. But why? Gwenyth couldn't understand. Kind, smiling Maaya gone. It was all too much for her. She couldn't think, couldn't breathe. Only scream. Scream and hope the pain would somehow fade. Until her throat would bleed. Pray her heart drown so she would no longer feel it ripping apart.
Maaya was gone. Stolen. Never coming back. No more soft, overpowering voice. No more tut-tutting or sneaking sweets from Katsuya's plate. No more teaching, no more smiling. No more 'you're getting so much better, Gwen'. No more 'Dear', no more kisses on the forehead. No more 'good morning', or 'good night', or 'I love you's. No laughing. Just silence. A sleep from which she would never wake. Not even to hunt for leftover sweets in the middle of the night like she used to.
Katsuya was still here. But he was so broken. He had lost such an important piece of himself. The woman he had loved all his life. The one who was never afraid to take a stand against his booming voice. Who would chastise him and always had to have the last word. The one he stole loving glances from every chance he got. Even as old as she had become, Maaya had always been the most breathtaking woman he had ever seen. Calling him 'Darling' with that loving voice, turning him into putty with the softest touch. The same loving voice, the same soft touch, he would ever experience again. Was there such a thing as life without his Maaya beside him? If there was, he didn't want to believe in it.
"It's nice to meet you, Granny." The mourners turned to the boy, standing before the grave. "My name's Monkey D. Luffy and I'm gonna be King of the Pirates. We got rid of those bad guys, so Gwenyth's gonna join my crew and come with me. She's kind of a crybaby, but don't worry. I'll protect her so you and Gramps don't have to worry. I wont let anything bad happen to my Nakama." Luffy explained, grinning as though the old woman were right in front of him. A warm wind blew against them, and Gwenyth could almost swear Maaya was thanking him.
"I'm n-not a crybaby, asshole." She smiled softly, wiping the last of her tears.
Luffy looked to her with furrowed brows. "Yes, you are. You cry all the time."
"This is an emotional time in my life!" Gwenyth shouted jumping to her feet. "What am I supposed to do, laugh everything off?!"
"Yes."
"FUCK THAT!" She marched up to her captain. "I'm not a stone! I'm a teenage girl with hormones and a lot of shit going on in her life. I can't just laugh my problems away, it doesn't work like that!"
"Why not? Works for me."
"THAT'S ONLY YOU, YOU DUMB-ASS CAPTAIN!"
"Really?"
"Yes."
"How?"
"How should I know?"
"You said it..."
"Doesn't mean I know it."
Katsuya watched their banter silently. That boy? Pirate King? The old man couldn't see it. He looked more like a fisherman. Was Gwenyth really joining a pirate crew? Pirates were the reason Maaya was dead, but this one said he had gotten rid of them. He looked to his wife's grave. Was he supposed to be okay with this? Gwen leaving? And no doubt for the Grand Line if her captain (was this kid really a captain?) wanted to be Pirate King. It would be dangerous. She could get hurt, or worse killed. He will have lost everyone and wouldn't even know it.
'Don't worry. I'll protect her... I wont let anything bad happen to my Nakama.' the boy had said. Well, he better. Katsuya would find him and murder the kid himself if anything happened to Gwen. He could feel his blood boiling just at the thought.
A light wind brushed against his skin, almost scolding the man. Now, now, it seemed to say. Can't you see they'll be fine, darling? Katsuya huffed in response. Even in death Maaya had to put her two-cents in. The old man looked to the still bickering teens.
"And she's right", he sighed. "As usual."
"Who're you talking to, Gramps?"
"WHO SAID YA COULD CALL ME 'GRAMPS', BOY!?"
"Okay," Gwenyth sighed, giving the container to Nami with her one hand. "I think that's the last of it..." She said wiping the sweat off her brow.
"Is it really okay to take all of it?" The redhead asked from her place on the boat.
Gwenyth nodded. "Katsuya said he didn't want to have to look at any of it, so..."
"Right..." She mumbled, looking down at the box of sewing materials. "Well, I'm here if you need someone to talk to. Us girls have to stick together," Nami insisted with a coy smile. Gwenyth sweat-dropped, remembering the night before when her shipmate had run off. Even if she took the larger sum of pirates with her, Nami did technically abandon her. Never the less, Gwen thanked her new friend and told her she'd keep it in mind.
She looked to the other ship, the one that the guys apparently used, and saw Smith Black and his wife handing Luffy a few bags of food. The boy's eyes popped out and Gwenyth had a feeling those bags wouldn't last them long. Doctor Yamata walked up to the girls' ship with a bag of his own and handed it to Gwenyth. She peeked into it, noting a large amount of bandages and a small container of some sort. Dr. Yamata turned to Nami.
"She needs to change the wrapping daily and apply the ointment I've supplied until it runs out. Only a small amount should be needed. Don't let her stretch or use her arm too much for then next week and a half. If she keeps the area clean of bacteria, her arm should be better in two weeks, give or take."
Nami nodded while Gwenyth sweat-dropped. "You do know I'm right here, right?"
"Yes," he turned to her while patting his hair down," but I also know you wont do such things daily unless someone forces you. And this young woman seems to be the most responsible of the bunch. No doubt she'll want the seamstress' to become better quickly." He said with a knowing look. Nami's face suddenly lit up, as if remembering that Gwenyth couldn't make her free clothes until her arm was well again.
"Don't worry, Doctor! I'll make sure she's back to sewing in no time!" Her eyes aflame with determination.
Gwenyth pouted, wanting to cross her arms. Of course he would tell the one with the alternate motive. She handed Nami the bag, grumbling about the 'unfair', 'cheating' doctor. He laughed and patted the girl's head.
"Oh, I'm going to miss you, Gwenyth."
She hugged the Doctor as best she could. "I'll miss you too, Doc." They let go and walked away from the ship. The remaining islanders were spread out along the beach, ready to see her off. In front of the crowd stood Katsuya and the mayor. The mayor walked forward, meeting Gwenyth and his brother halfway.
"So, you're off now? Well, be sure to have fun. Be safe though! We don't want to hear any bad news coming from the Grand Line."
She nodded, still smiling. "Right. Fuck up while in the East Blue, but be super awesome on the Grand Line. Got it."
The Twins laughed. "The island certainly wont be the same without your sense of humor!" They said together.
"By that I assume you mean my sailor's mouth?"
"... Maaaaaybeeee..." They looked away, smoothing out their clumpy hair while avoiding her stare. She laughed before pulling the mayor into a one armed hug.
"Don't worry, I'll be okay." She promised letting go. Mayor Yamata smiled and rubbed the girl's right arm affectionately.
"I know you'll make us proud."
"Outta my way ya blasted doppelgangers!" Katsuya belted pushing the two men aside.
"Oi! Stop calling us that!"
Katsuya sent an icy glare over his shoulder.
"U-U-Unless that's w-w-what you w-w-want to call us, of course!" They said walking full speed backwards. Katsuya huffed at their antics before returning his attention to the girl before him.
"This is it, eh? Leaving Tabi Island for some adventure at sea? As a pirating seamstress, no less? Hmph. Well, don't come back crying with yer tail between yer legs, kid."
"I'll miss you, too, you old jerk." She chuckled at his attempt to be unaffected by her leaving. His beard fell a little, indicating a frown, and he crossed his arms.
"Feh! Kids from other worlds these days. No respect."
"Yep, I'm a horrible person!" She confirmed before her smile fell. "Are you sure this is okay? I can stay, ya know... If you want me to..."
Katsuya shook his stubborn head. "No. Just because I'm old doesn't mean I don't understand how life works anymore. A taste of adventure's good for young people. Gives 'em interesting stories to tell their grandchildren. And who'd want you here, anyway? Not me. No, sir. Too much of an annoying crybaby."
"I'M NOT A FUCKING CRYBABY, GOD DAMN IT!"
"YEA YA ARE! DON'T LIE AND SHOUT AT YER ELDERS!
"WHAT ELDER?! I JUST SEE A BIG BEARDED CHILD!"
"YA LITTLE RUNT!" He cleared his throat. "Anyway, here. I want ya to take this, too." He said handing Gwenyth a picture frame. "I haven't pulled it out in a long while. Don't imagine I'll be looking at again any time soon, either."
The picture was a few years old and held six adults and one small child. The Mayor and Doctor were smiling in a sneaky fashion, both pulling the bunny-ears on the other. Somehow, their clumpy hair looked more unruly than it did now. Maaya and Katsuya were beside them, holding each other lovingly with a few wrinkles missing. Their eyes shining with love and warmth for one another. The last group of people was much younger. The man and woman were in their early twenties, for sure. The little girl no older than two or three. The man had Katsuya's hight and Maaya's facial features. The girl had his dark hair and the same bright blue eyes as her mother.
"Hannah..." Gwenyth whispered, tears prickling her own sea-green eyes. Her cousin's hair was a lighter shade of blonde than her own. She looked so happy in her husband's arms, holding her child. Life was perfect then. For all of them.
"Thought ya might want something to remember us by..."
"Yeah, I... I'll keep it safe..." She said looking back up at the man, telling herself not to cry. "Thank you. Thank you so much, Katsuya."
He nodded before a little boy rushed up to her, grabbing at her shirt.
"You can't go, Gwen-chan! You can't! You promised you'd sing for us! You promised!" He shouted, tears spilling onto her leg. The other children quickly scurried over, crying as well. Trying to keep her with them for just a little longer. Gwenyth bent down, placing the picture in her lap and swept the boy's hair out of his face.
"I know. I didn't forget. What song do you want me to sing, Hikaru?"
The little boy shrugged pitifully. Gwen looked up to the surrounding children for an answer. None could give one. They just stared up at her waiting for their last song. It broke her resolve, and she felt her heart crumbling.
"No requests? Okay then..." She paused for a moment, and cleared her throat. This song would be for everyone on Tabi Island, not just the children. Was there something she could sing in this state and not cry her eyes out? She wanted to say goodbye, but she didn't want it to be forever. She didn't want anyone to think she would never return. What was happening today was just another part of life. Life moves on, and so do people, but it doesn't have to be forever.
A song popped into her head. It was neither Disney nor a showtune, but it felt like it was perfect for this goodbye.
"Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road. Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go. So make the best of this test and don't ask why. It's not a question but a lesson learned in time." She continued to sing as the children burst into loud crying fits. Gwenyth caressed their cheeks and brushed their hair trying to calm them. She looked out to the adults to see tears falling from some of their faces. Other's, too proud to cry, were biting their lips, unable to look at her.
"For what it's worth, it was worth all the while. It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right. I hope you had the time of your life." She repeated the chorus two more times and held out the last note as long as she could. Nothing but silence. The parents of the crying children came and took them away from the girl, mumbling 'thank you's and 'goodbye's. Gwenyth reclaimed the picture, and stood. She turned around and headed for the boat, wiping her own tears with her right forearm. She stopped right in front of it, not sure how to get in without using both hands.
A squeal escaped her when large, rough hands lifted her up. They brought her to the ship's edge, which she scooped her legs over. She was released once her feet were firmly on the floor. Gwenyth turned around to a teary eyed Katsuya. She placed the picture on the floor and flung herself at the burly man, leaning dangerously over the edge. He held her tight and gave her a kiss on the top of her head.
"You come back safe, ya hear?" He said with a shaking voice she had never heard. She let go and squeezed his hand.
"Of course."
With that, Katsuya let her go and pushed the ship into the sea. The boys' ship cast off right after them. Gwenyth held on to the edge with everything she had. At this moment, she didn't want to go. Goodbye was always the hardest part, but she knew she'd regret it if she stayed. She owed these people so much, she owed Luffy so much. Going with them and offering all she could was the closest she would ever come to being able to repaying them. Nami knelt down beside the crying girl and rubbed her back.
"You'll be back someday." She cooed.
"You gonna be okay, Gwen?" Luffy asked from the other boat. Gwenyth nodded, not trusting her voice.
"OI! STRAW HAT!" The group looked back to the shore. "YOU BETTER TAKE DAMN GOOD CARE OF MY GRANDDAUGHTER, OR I'LL KILL YA, YA HEAR?!" Katsuya bellowed with tears steaming from his eyes.
"THAT'S RIGHT! WE'LL GET YOU!" The Mayor and Doctor shouted as well, jumping beside him. More and more villagers rushed to the shoreline making threats.
"Sure is a nice island you got here." Zoro commented with amusement. A loud, childish laughter rang out above everything and the pirates turned to their captain.
"OF COURSE I WILL!"
A slow smile grew onto Gwenyth's lips. She jumped up to her feet and began to wave.
"BYE EVERYONE! I'LL BE BACK! DON'T FORGET ME LIKE A BUNCH OF ASSHOLES! I LOVE YOU, GRANDPA!"
They all shouted back their own goodbyes and promises, smiles dawning their crying faces. Her grandpa silent, but a smile was etched behind his beard.
"Love you, too, kid."
Not gonna lie. I kinda sorta got a little emotional writing this... Emotions. Yuck.
(Gwenyth you are such an over-emotional, anger-management-needing crybaby. Just accept it.)