Girl Falls Into One Piece

Chapter 29

Though I warn you, fluffiness ahead, you are warned. Enjoy.

As usual, this horrible Alabasta sun beat down on my neck. I was glaring at Ace for the past 20 minutes. I know he felt it because his shoulders would shift and then he would turn to look at me and then roll his eyes, turning back forward. He finally snapped. "What?"

I scowled and panted a little. "I can't believe the heat don't bother you!"

He rolled his eyes, smacking me on the head, making me groan. He said. "Get over that already!"

I made a face at him. "No."

I heard Luffy wail. "Uhh! Ahh! I'm burning up; I don't even think I can sweat anymore!"

He was using a stick to drag across the sand, putting most of his weight on it, tongue out. Nami looked at both of us, annoyed. "Will you please spare us the melodramatics Luffy? You're only going to were yourself out. Mace, stop getting so mad at him, he doesn't have his powers to mock you."

Luffy groaned some more and I glared at her. "Yeah, he does, just to spite me too!"

I glared as he smacked me again. "No I'm not! Stop whining."

I huffed, but tried to keep calmer. "Swordsmen don't whine."

Usopp was too panting. "You and Zoro do it enough."

I and Zoro yelled. "Shut up!"

Ace laughed, giving me a wide and amused grin. I heard Chopper's whimper. "Can't go on, can't take hot weather. I need cold weather."

Zoro was dragging Chopper on this sled as he was in his small form. I whipped my forehead for what felt like the thousandth time. I sighed, take a small sip of the canteen I had full of water. "It's so hot!"

Nami shouted. "Stop whining already!"

I grumbled, but kept quiet. I heard Usopp say. "It's all because of that stupid fur, why don't you take off that stupid reindeer costume."

I snickered as Chopper changed to his big form, scaring Usopp as he screamed at him. Zoro called. "Chopper! Don't make yourself big or I'm going to stop pulling you!"

I figured they would catch up, so I sped up until I was with Sanji, Vivi and Ace again. Sanji asked. "The desert doesn't seem to bother you much Vivi."

"I was born and raised in this country, so I guess you can say I'm used to it."

I grumbled, shoving my hands into my pockets. "Lucky you, then."

Ace elbowed me, his face blank. I tilted my head to the side, what was up with him?

Usopp whined. "What's up with all these hills!? I was expecting a desert to be more flat."

I felt my eye twitch as Luffy whined again, he was giving me a headache and the heat wasn't helping. Vivi then said sand dunes here could go up to 900 feet high. I glared ahead of me horrified, I hope not. I'm tired and hot. I miss rain and snow, anything is better than this heat.

I glared at the groan that came from Luffy. I swear one more time…

"Just one drink Luffy, one mouthful."

I growled as they argued over water, by they I meant Nami, Usopp, Luffy and Sanji. Vivi was shouting for them to stop and I waved a hand. "Don't worry about it; let them get rid of their frustrations that way."

Vivi still look worried and I gave her a cheerful pat on the shoulder. "It's fine, better than the whining at least."

Nami silenced their whining and the water was put away, they don't know I have my own hidden water; it was way too hot without it. We walked through the hills and sand for hours, finally resting at nighttime.

We were tired and wanted to rest. Too my shock it was cold at night. Man, Alabasta weather is horrible and harsh. It's unbelievably hot during the day and freezing at night. We build a fire or more like we grabbed some wood and Ace shot a fire ball at it, smirking all the while, even if he had a distant look in his eyes.

Luffy was already whining about being hungry. Ace was sitting by himself, that thinking look on his face. I looked into the crackling flames, my heart rate actually slowing a bit, but my mind never stopped, it never does. Heh, I heard if you stare into a fire or something, it's sort of like meditation of something. Sanji was cooing over Nami like usual.

Nami was shivering about the cold as the guys (except for Chopper) yelled at Sanji about food. I got up and moved over to Ace and sat down next to him.

He raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"What're you thinking about that's got you so solemn? It's not like you, only when you were…"

We knew what I was going to say, when he hated the world for being the child of the Pirate King, before he met me and Luffy, before Sabo died. I wince at thought, I think about my older brother every day; I'll never forget his memory.

He sighed. "Nothing much, thinking about the Whitebeard Pirates and Blackbeard."

He face darkened in a rage I've only seen him in rare times, a true burning anger. "You'll kill him."

"I might or I'll bring him to Pops."

"Whatever you have to do. So who was the guy he…killed?"

Ace's fists clenched hard, the knuckles going white. "His name was Thatch, close friend of mine who worked in the kitchen, but was a really good fighter too. You would have laughed at his hair, it was this swirly thing." A smile was lighting up his face as he talked about his friend and I felt a burning anger with me too, Ace cared about this person and the guy killed him, his own crewmate.

I looked at my crewmates and just knew, none of them would do it, and I trusted all of them. Sure I didn't know Chopper too well, or that Usopp was cowardly or that Nami was so money grubbing sometimes it was scary, I could trust them. We didn't even have to say anything; I think that's what Ace was trying to look for when he was being solemn. To see if our crew could be trusted.

Sanji called that food was ready and I patted him on the shoulder again. "Come on, you can't say no to food, it don't matter what mood your in." He got up and shoved me, so I fell on my back with a surprised yelp and I laughed, accepting his hand up as we both walked toward the fire, laughing. I was happy to at least make him feel a bit better.

I scrunched my neck at the wind that blew by and heard Chopper sigh. "Ah, just look at those stars."

I chuckled, eating some meat from the stick.

Usopp asked; a shiver in his voice as I stayed by Ace's side. What? He radiated warmth. He asked. "Couldn't you see the stars on your island?"

"It was a winter island; they're almost always covered by heavy snow clouds. So I never been able to see this many before!"

I chuckled as Zoro, Usopp and Chopper were close to each other. I don't know if I miss the hot or cold, naw I rather have cold. I grinned as Luffy jumped on Chopper. I didn't want to sit still though. I stood up and Ace asked me. "Where are you going?"

I shrugged, fingering the hilt of my sword. "For a walk, don't worry I won't get lost. I'm not Zoro."

With another grin I walked off. Zoro snapped. "I heard you, idiot!"

I smirked. "You were meant to, you directionless bastard!"

"Mace! Sh-"

I waved him off, walking off. I went off a bit until I was away from them, but I could still see their tents and fire from the smoke in the distance. They couldn't see me until they came over though, just what I wanted. I haven't trained since we been on the boat, I wanted to get in some now.

I pulled my sword out, adjusting my grip and fixing my footwork. Like usual, I went through the katas again, over and over, changing the speed and complexity of it as I went on. I didn't have weights with me, so I did pushups instead which was weird with the rolling sand under my hands, but I did it anyway.

I then went back to my katas, slashing at an imaginary enemy. I yawned when I finished, sheaving my sword at my waist. Unclipping it from my waist, I lay down and decided to lay down for a minute and continue, today was long. But I was tired and my eyes were closing.

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I woke up to the sun shining in my face and I yawned widely, rubbing my eyes. I sat up only feel sand fall from my hair. I cursed as it got in my eyes. I shut them and shook my hair out. I stood and stretched, man what a good sleep that was. I squinted as the wind started to pick up and I saw that the fire was out. Where is all this wind coming from?

My eyes widened in shock at the tornado like thing coming closer and I ducked for cover, cursing some more at my shitty luck. I lost the others too. As sand and wind came closer, I pushed the brim of my hat over my face and hunched my shoulders, preparing for the worst.

I winced as wind and hard sand hit me, hurting my skin and I felt the sand cover me. By the time it was over, I rose from the pile of sand on me and shook my head again. I let the sand fall out of my hood, groaning when I saw the heat was back, I miss the cold.

I saw a streak of fire come toward me and I tensed, pulling my sword out in a moment, though I didn't know what steel could do against fire. Then a person came out of the fire and to my relief I saw it was only Ace. I smiled, walking over to him. "Hey-"

I winced as his fist smashed in my skull and I backed up, tightening the grip on my sword, the other one grasping my skull in pain. Between him and Nami, it don't compare, that hurt! That was stronger than usual. With a glare at him, I sheathed my sword. "What the hell was that for, Ace?!"

His face was worried and sort of angry. "You wondered off and then didn't come back, and then a sandstorm hit, you were still gone! Idiot!"

I glared darker. "Shut it! I fell asleep out here, calm down. I'm a pirate, I can take care of myself, me and Luffy both can!"

"I know that!"

"Apparently not!"

"I never even saw you fight!"

I scowled darkly at him. "I'm not weak." I hissed the work out like it was poison.

He sighed, walking back toward everyone else. "I know that, Mace. I'm your older brother. I know you and Luffy are strong, that he's a good captain, that you watch his and everyone else's backs."

"Then don't doubt me, I get that you've gotten soft…"

"I have not!"

I shrugged, but smirked at him. "Sure."

He shoved me and I rolled my eyes, snickering at his pink annoyed face. "Yeah, you think your funny, don't you?"

"Hilarious, actually."

He snorted and suddenly grabbed at my neck, I scrabbled at his arms, but he moved away, scrubbing his knuckles in my hair. He laughed. "Still my little brother!" His knuckles rubbed harder until I was sure there was a bald spot.

I grunted. "Ow! Ace get off me!"

Luffy came forward, throwing himself on us and I was glad to be free, but Luffy gave me a happy hug with a wide grin, almost bruising my ribs and let me go. I stood up and glared at Ace, ignoring his wide grin.

We came back and Chopper looked at me worriedly along with Vivi. Zoro and Nami gave me annoyed looks. Usopp was used to it by now; he figured I would be fine. Sanji was sprouting off some nonsense about my return making Ace glaring a hole in his back. I glared at Ace and elbowed him. "Don't you start that, I don't think of any of the crew like that, Sanji's like that with everyone!"

He scowled. "So, he a man whore, then?"

I threw my arms up in surrender. "I give up; there is no winning with you!"

We stared walking again, me on Luffy right side. Luffy whined. "Let's have one of those, boxed lunches, Sanji."

"Not until Vivi says so."

I knew he wouldn't last long. I sighed as the heat burned my neck again. "Luffy just wait a while."

I scowled when he ignored me and turned to Vivi grinning. "Come on, Vivi. How 'bout it, let's eat! Doesn't that sound good?"

"We're not even a tenth of the way to Yuba Luffy and we have to make our supplies last the whole way."

"Don't be silly Vivi! Haven't you heard the old proverb, make sure you eat whenever you're hungry."

I let out a bark of laughter, that was funny, even for him.

Usopp snapped at him, using that stick to drag himself along.

"If you're that hungry, we can stop and eat at the first group of rocks we come to."

I panted, whipping my forehead of sweat. "I don't know how long that will take."

Luffy cheered anyway and said. "Ok, anybody that wins at rock, paper, scissors, has to carry everybody's stuff!"

Luffy, my idiotic brother lost and now he had to carry everyone's stuff. I smirked and kept mine, plus I carried a couple others, lugging them on my back. With my strength, It wasn't that hard to do, all that weight lifting paid off and I have a soft spot for Luffy, I'll admit it. By the smirks on Zoro, Ace's and Nami's faces, they knew it too.

Usopp asked. "Why are you carrying stuff too?"

"Training." Was all that I said.

Usopp rolled his eyes. "Jeez, if that all you think about?"

I shrugged, but Luffy gave me a cheerful grin and we were walking in the horrid sun again. The sun was not even close to merciful in any way.

Usopp called that he saw rocks and I licked my dry lips as Luffy ran off, cart and all. I chuckled as Usopp yelled out in shock, dust being Luffy's only trail.

We decided to walk at normal pace and Luffy came back 5 minutes later yelling about injured birds. Chopper ran forward in worry and I followed them. Vivi called. "Wait, Luffy! Those birds aren't what you think they are."

I froze at the horror on her face. "What is it, Vivi?"

We ran forward and my jaw dropped, everything was gone!?

Vivi explained they were bandits; I dropped what was on my back and grabbed Luffy by the robe. "Are you dumber than birds, Luffy!?"

"Hey, shut up!"

"You let them take our stuff!"

"I didn't mean too!"

"That don't matter, you idiot!"

I let one hand go and smacked him over the head in annoyance. He yelped and smashed his hand in my face, crushing my nose, making me grunt and shake him. Nami yelled. "Enough! Mace let him go!"

I glared at her, but she glared back. I huffed, but didn't feel like getting hit again.

Usopp said. "Mace, didn't you have bags?"

I and Luffy turned to look at each at once. We dove for them and saw only two. But all that was in there was my log book, some clothes, and other things, just material things. Another tent and stuff like that. I yelped as Luffy tackled me. "Why don't you have any food!?"

He was sitting on me and I glared. "You're the idiot that got trickled by birds, I bet your stupider than a rock, moron!"

"You're the idiot!"

"Rubberbrain!"

"One sword!"

"How many times do I have to tell you, dumbass! That's not an insult!"

"I know what you are, what am I?"

"I taught you that don't use it against me!"

I and Luffy were wrestling on the ground, the heat was getting to me and my head hurt. I growled and flung him off. I calmed down after smacking him in the head again and him and Sanji gotten in a fight right after.

Nami rolled her eyes. "Can't you ever grow up?"

I huffed and sat down next to Ace and Zoro. "He started it."

Ace laughed. "You and Luffy never really changed since I left, have you?"

I pushed him. "Whatever, neither have you, you're still mean."

He ruffled my hair and I moved my head from him. Ignoring the laughter from Vivi, Zoro and Nami.

Soon enough Sanji and Luffy stopped as those dumb birds were laughing at us. He chased them and I hoped he did catch them, those dumb birds. I watched him go as Nami yelled for him not to get lost.

I snorted at that. "He's not Zoro, he should be fine."

"Will you shut up about that?!"

I leaned back in the shade of the rocks and closed my eyes, pushing the brim over my eyes.

I heard Usopp say. "Come on Luffy, hurry it up!"

"You don't suppose he could be lost, do you?"

Before I could say anything, Zoro snapped. "Don't say anything, Mace!"

I laughed at that, hearing him growl in frustration. Vivi was worried about the other creatures. I lifted the brim and said. "Yeah, you should probably, from what I heard and seen we've had some close calls."

I watched as her face filled with guilt. "Yeah, sorry about that."

I smiled at her, trying to ease her guilt. "Don't worry, just try to remember."

Zoro sighed. "That guy is so hopeless."

Sanji got up. "You can say that again."

"I'm sorry, I know my brother can be a flake, I apologize."

I snorted at that and Ace said. "My other brother here can also be really stubborn too."

I rolled my eyes; he just had to say that, he always brought it up. I huffed some more when they nodded in agreement, well except for Sanji, but that's given. Zoro and Sanji walked off, but didn't get far.

I sighed, man I'm bored. The ground started shaking and my eyes widened. Shit, spoke too soon! I got up in a crouched position, my hand hovering over my hilt. Chopper called. "What's that!?"

I saw the sand rushing and tilted my head to the side, what the hell? I listened closer and my face went blank, is that Luffy laughing? I shared a look with Ace and Zoro, they looked to be thinking the same thing.

Usopp screamed out. "It's Luffy!"

Vivi gaped. "It can't be!"

I snorted, relaxing. "It's Luffy, sure it can."

Name gaped. "What the-Why is he on a camel?!"

I peered closer and blinked. "Huh? That never happened before, that's new."

Nami snapped. "That's not the point!"

Sanji asked; aggravated. "Someone want to tell me what the hell is chasing him?"

I scowled. "Now that you mention it, I do see something…"

Zoro narrowed his eyes. "I can't tell, but it looks like something under the sand is burrowing after him."

I startled and looked under me, stomping at the sand under my feet a couple of times. They kept on moving closer. I jumped back as Chopper and Usopp screamed. This huge purple lizard came by with green narrow eyes.

Vivi yelled. "It's the Sandora Dragon; they're the biggest dragon that lives in the desert! They wait under the sand for their pray and ambush them. They have razor sharp fangs and claws, but they hardly ever use them! Because they're so incredible huge, they usually end up swallowing their victims whole!"

This thing was huge, close to the size of the beasts in our forest we were raised in.

Ace chuckled. "That boy does seem to get into trouble."

I rolled my eyes, but agreed with him. He went from chasing after birds to getting chased by the jumbo lizard. I then said something I remember Vivi saying. "Wait, that's not a dragon."

Nami spun around and glared. "What?"

"Well, a dragon was wings, bigger teeth and a wider body, plus they have hard scales."

Vivi looked at me horrified. 'Mace, it just a name!"

I rolled my eyes at her. "It's an insult to dragons."

I remembered Game of Thrones and other dragon things like Eragon, I didn't like them insulted.

Chopper, Nami, and Usopp yelled. "THAT DOESN'T MATTER!"

Sanji and Zoro were getting ready to fight and I walked over to them, pulling my sword from my side.

Zoro called as we ran toward the beast and Luffy with his camel. "It get the best of ya, Luffy?"

"Sure, I brought something for dinner!"

He turned around and we all attacked it at once. I swung my sword, giving a downward slice on the neck and, Zoro got his middle while Luffy and Sanji gave it a punch and kick. I jumped back to my feet and watched as it was done for when the dust cleared. Luffy cheered grinning. I sheathed my sword with a satisfied grin. "Lizards are a little weird to eat, but when you're hungry, just eat I guess."

Luffy nodded. "Agreed."

Sanji rolled his eye. "I have a feeling you would of eaten it anyway."

That's for sure. I heard rumbling behind me and felt the shaking under my feet. I spun on my heel and saw another one of those Sandora "dragon" pop up.

I was about to run over, but saw Ace stand. I shrugged and walked over normally, knowing he could take care of it. Nami and the other yelled out his name.

Ace said. "A lot of pests in these deserts. You wanna play? Well alright, if that's what you want."

I laughed as he jumped up and fried the thing, shocking Usopp, Nami, Chopper and Vivi. That just made me laugh more at them. Ace was strong, how many times did we have to tell them that?

I did wonder how Ace could work with fire like that, so close to him. After what happened 10 years ago…

Sure, I used fire, but not like that. We sat down and Sanji grabbed a knife from one of the bags I was carrying. It had his kitchen knives wrapped in one of those tough kitchen knife bags with a lot of pockets and slots. Go figure, we had the kitchen tools, but no food.

I sat on the rock Zoro was, eating a bit block of meat that Sanji cooked on some overheated rocks. I don't think that's sanitary.

Zoro asked. "What's the deal with the camel?"

Luffy shrugged, munching on his own block of meat. "I dunno, I found him when he was getting eaten by the mystery plant I saw when I was chasing those birds."

I snickered, I remembered that. Luffy glared at me, but saw his meat as more important and kept on chewing. Nami said. "It's obvious, it's not a wild camel."

Vivi agreed. "No, not with a saddle and bridle."

Chopped walked over and the camel started making some happy sounds that were most likely in some kind of camel speak only Chopper could understand. Suddenly Chopper exclaimed. "Now I remember! Really good for you!"

Luffy walked over as I moved on the rock, lying on my back. "So, you two know each other."

Chopper nodded happily. "Yes, he gave me a ride when I escaped from Kataria!"

Usopp grinned. "He's a passenger carrying camel. That's sure going to make things a lot easier."

Sanji smirked from where he was still cooking. "That looks like it'll be a big help, looks like he could carry two!"

Zoro smirked. "Camels do go hand and hand with deserts."

I snorted. "I heard they also spit on people. He might mistake your hair for grass."

His head whipped around. "Mace, stop making fun of me!"

I chuckled loudly, snickering as he cuffed me around the head. "Your reactions make it too easy!"

Sanji snickered with me.

I looked to Luffy as he whined in pain. Chopper spoke for the camel. "I'm a freedom loving hard, but yet compassionate son of the desert and I'm very grateful for helping me out of that jam back there and I'll be glad to give some of you a ride, but I don't except male passengers."

I laughed until I was almost out of breath as Usopp, Sanji and Luffy beat up the camel. I snorted, shaking my head. "I can't believe…even the camel…is a pervert!"

I chuckled some more and then they stopped as the camel grinned and Chopper translated. "I'm too macho."

They went back to kicking him and my laughing started again. When they stopped and I calmed down, Nami sucked up to the camel. "I'm sorry my crewmates are a bunch if ill-bred louts. Now, what should be call you, you precious camel you?"

Luffy raised a hand. "Idiot."

Sanji did the same. "Moron."

Usopp copied them. "Doofus."

I smirked. "Pervert." I was not mad; I was enjoying this, but that does not mean I am getting on the stupid camel either, perverted bastard.

Name got on. "Eyelash it is then."

Where the hell did that come from? Zoro voiced my question.

"Okay, climb on Vivi."

Vivi smiled, shaking her head. "No, I'm fine."

Name raised an eyebrow at and I shook my head. "No."

She went back to Vivi. "Come on."

Usopp, Sanji and Luffy insulted the camel and called it a pervert as Vivi got on. Nami was happy. "This is great; we can make better time now."

I muttered. "Yeah, for you maybe."

"We need to get to Yuba as fast as we can so we can talk to the rebel army." Nami was right, but really the camel. I blinked rapidly in shock when the camel or Eyelash, zoomed off. "Shit, that was fast!"

The other yelled after it and soon we had to run, trying to catch up with Vivi and Nami on Eyelash.

It's been about 3 weeks, but I also have school and other stories. I hoped you liked this. A humorous chapter, until next time.