A/N : Short chapter sorry! Review if you want to see more and are enjoying the story please
Luffy, Zoro and I walked along the pathway, they were busy studying every person they came across, while I was focused on getting us some supplies. I hope Robin was getting some good information about the town, as well as hopefully making us some money.
"Is that…"
I turned to face Luffy, surprised at his soft tone. Zoro and I followed his gaze, and I gasped. A few feet away from us, stood a very familiar pirate. He had dark hair that fell in waves, and his face was filled with freckles.
"Ace?" Luffy said his brother's name so softly that we could barely hear.
I had a feeling something like this might happen after hearing about the aspects of this island, and I couldn't even imagine what Luffy must be feeling right now, seeing his brother in the flesh - yet it wasn't him. Zoro and I watched Luffy make his way slowly over to the taller man, and our captain reached out to touch him - as if he didn't believe what he was seeing.
"Who are you?" The copy of Ace spoke harshly.
"A-Ace, it's me…" Luffy stuttered, and I felt my heart almost shatter at the sadness in his voice. Luffy must know that isn't really Ace, but his subconscious wishes it was so badly that he is starting to believe it.
Zoro was about to walk forward, but I put my hand out to stop him. "Let me," I said. Zoro wasn't exactly a sensitive guy, and I don't think he could provide the support that Luffy needed right now. I walked slowly up to my captain, who was still staring at the elder man, his face filled with mixed emotions.
"Luffy," I began. "You know that isn't really him…"
Luffy didn't respond, but he backed away from the look-a-like. My captain turned to face me, his eyes were brimming with tears but he refused to let them fall. Not knowing what else to do, I reached out and wrapped my arms around the fragile teen. He seemed to melt into my arms, and I immediately felt immense regret that I had not been there to do this two years ago - when he really needed it. He had been there for all of our toughest moments, yet all of us failed to do the same for him. I held him close for a moment longer, and I began to feel tears soak my shirt.
Zoro was looking away, wanting to give Luffy a private moment to compose himself - I knew he also felt regret, he was the first mate after all. I heard some muffled sniffles, and I let go of Luffy, allowing him to rub his eyes briefly. When we both turned around, the Ace duplicate had gone, and I was glad he could no longer torture my captain.
We didn't see anyone else that we knew, but Luffy was awfully quiet and unenthusiastic throughout the rest of the day. It was kind of depressing, to be honest. Walking with one boy who had just come face to face with a duplicate of his dead brother, and one boy who I had just broken up with. Thankfully Zoro wasn't talking about it - or talking at all for that matter.
Right when I thought we might get by without any other issues, another familiar face popped up in the crowd. An orange-haired woman approached us, her hand linked with a tall man.
"N-Nami?" I spoke, still feeling shocked even though I was somewhat expecting it. After all, it was so surreal to see copies of everyone - and such opposites.
"Oh, aren't you a cutie!" The Nami duplicate replied with a large grin. She dug into her pockets and pulled out a shiny 500 berries note. "Here, take this and go shout yourself to some ice-cream!"
She placed the money in my hands and sauntered off, planting kisses on her boyfriend's neck as they walked away. The three of us stood there, comprehending what had just happened.
"I think I like this duplicate the most," I stated after a moment of silence, and I swear I saw Zoro hide a smile. Looking over to the still gloomy Luffy, I handed him the money with a soft smile. "Want to go get yourself some meat for a snack?" I asked kindly.
Luffy's face lit up and he grinned widely. "Thanks, Sanji, you're the best!" he said and rushed to the nearest meat section. I was glad I found something that could distract him - even if it was just for a few minutes.
Before I could open my mouth again, I felt something soft grab my hand and tug.
"Oh, my sweet, sweet woman,"
I looked down and my mouth dropped. There was…Zoro? I turned my head and saw another Zoro standing to my left, a large scowl on his face as he watched the events in front of him.
The duplicate Zoro from before leaned down and planted a soft kiss on my hand. "You are absolutely amazing, let me take you out for dinner tonight?" he asked in the same rough voice that I loved. Before I had the chance to respond, he leaned up and planted his lips on mine once more - wrapping his arms around my waist as he deepened the kiss. I couldn't resist it, since he felt and tasted and looked exactly like Zoro, yet at the same time, I felt very guilty.
Just like before, I felt a tug on my shirt and was pulled back by the real Zoro, who was even angrier than before. His swords were unsheathed and one was already in his mouth. Not wanting to cause any trouble on this island, I reached and grabbed the sword that was being held between his teeth. I shoved it into its sheath and glared at Zoro.
"Don't start any unnecessary fights on this island, we don't know what powers they are capable of," I spoke.
"I just want to say that you are the most beautiful woman on this island, and I would wait a lifetime for you," the fake Zoro stated, clearly wanting the attention to be back on him.
Even though the words were so cheesy and pathetic, I couldn't help but blush as he spoke them. Imagining Zoro being even a little more romantic, and a little more emotionally invested was just what I had always wanted from him. Although, not to this extreme obviously.
"Can we get out of here already?" Real Zoro asked through gritted teeth. He was obviously holding himself from kicking this guy's ass, and so I obliged. It was getting dark and we needed to find our way back to the ship, where I suspect Robin is waiting. I glanced around, locating Luffy who had his face full of meat. After waving to the fake Zoro, I grabbed hold of Luffy's collar and told him we needed to head back to the ship so that I could cook dinner. That seemed to work wonders, as in a few minutes our captain was out of sight and rushing towards the docks.
I began to follow him, making sure Zoro was right behind me so that he would not get lost. It was a few minutes of awkward silence before either of us spoke.
"Did you like him?" Zoro asked in a quiet voice as we reached the beach.
I turned to face him, "Who? Your duplicate?"
He nodded, "you blushed when he was talking to you," Zoro said and looked away stubbornly.
"I don't know," I confessed. "It's definitely nice the way he gave me so much attention and I like how open about his emotions he was. Although it was a little over the top."
In all honesty, if Zoro could find some sort of halfway point between the way he is now and the way his duplicate was behaving - he would be perfect and maybe a relationship between us could actually work out. But I just couldn't stand how stubborn and emotionless he was being towards me. Besides that one moment of confession in the bathroom, he hadn't shown any emotion towards me besides lust and jealousy. I know he cared. But sometimes you have to show it.
Zoro didn't say anything else on the way back to the ship, and as soon as we arrived he headed up to the crows nest without a word, and I headed into the kitchen to cook. Maybe we could go back to how we were before the two years of separation - before I was a woman. No matter how much I loved him, maybe that was the best option.
Those were my thoughts as I drifted off to sleep. And for once, my sleep did not consist of dreams about the Marimo.
