Girl Falls Into One Piece

Chapter 33

"Great job everybody, we really did some good work."

I smirked at what Usopp said, unclipping my sword from my side and leaning it against the bed, close to the head of it. With that done, I lazed on the bed, my head hitting a pillow. I looked to see Usopp sleeping or trying to, but Zoro threw a pillow at him. "Please, you been nothing but lazy this whole trip."

I raised an eyebrow, turning to watch whatever would happen in interest. Usopp turned around angrily. "Why you...quit comparing me to you and all the other super human freaks." He threw a pillow at Zoro's face. I burst into laughter at the look on Zoro's face. I then turned toward him, sitting up a bit and leaning on my elbows. "Hey, what do you mean by super human freaks?"

He narrowed his eyes. "You know what I mean! You're all overly strong."

I shrugged, laying back down. "Then get stronger."

"It's not that easy, jerk!"

I shrugged again as he hit Chopper next with a pillow. "I think blue nose here gets the reward for laziest talking animal in the desert."

Chopper jumped at him, getting in his face. "You try walking around in a fur coat!"

He is right about that. I would hate to be hot like that most of the time. I heard Vivi say. "Sanji, I think that's my bed."

"I know, I thought you wouldn't want to sleep here all alone tonight, Vivi-chan."

I rolled my eyes as Usopp threw a pillow in Sanji's face. "And the biggest pervert goes to Sanji."

I snorted, ain't that the truth. Sanji scowled. "Alright, slingshot boy, I'm going to shove that pillow so far up your throat, you're gonna choke on it."

I grimaced as I got a pillow in the face, but I didn't know who it came from since pillows were flying all over the place. I sat up with a glare at all of them instead. "That's it, you wanna play, I'll play."

I took the pillow from under my head and threw it with decent speed at Usopp's face, making him fall on his back to the ground. Nami yelled as we continued with our pillow fight. "What about the concept of relaxing don't you understand!?"

I smirked at her. "Payback." Her eyes widened and I threw a pillow at her. I grinned as it got her in the face. "Ha! Score!"

With an angry scream, she threw it back and I ducked in time, only for it to hit Zoro and another stray pillow to hit me in the back of my head. I couldn't find myself to get mad, instead I laughed.

A little while later everyone settled down and I frowned when I looked around. "Where's Luffy?"

Zoro shrugged, laying down on his bed. "I don't know, outside I think."

Usopp told me. "Don't worry, he should be fine."

I nodded as I layed down. "Yeah...I know."

It was dark and I was sleeping by the time the door creaked open. My eyes opened and my hand drifted to the sword hilt by my bed. I saw that it was only Toto carrying in Luffy, who looked dirty and tired. he put a blanket over him and said. "Sleep well tonight, you earned it."

I turned over and the creaking of the door showed that he left. I tried going back to sleep, but with twisting and turning, I let out a noise of fustration, sitting up. Vivi's eyes opened slightly as she looked at me. I waved her off and whispered. "Just go back to bed."

She was so tired that she didn't say anything and just nodded. Standing up and clipping my sword to my belt,I quietly left the room we were in. I was hit by cold air right away. I pulled the cloak tighter to my body. I saw Toto digging. I walked forward and waved my hand. I didn't have anything better to do and it looks like Luffy dug up a little bit too. He looked up at me. "What is it?"

" , do you have another shovel?"

His eyes widened as he looked at me. "What? Why?"

I shrugged. "Easy, I'm gonna help you dig a hole. I can't sleep."

He stared at me and I raised an eyebrow back at him. "Well?"

He nodded his head, eyes a little wide. "There is one over there."

He pointed to a really small beaten down wooden shed. I walked over to it and grabbed a shovel that to below my elbow in length. Tossing it over my shoulder, I walked forward. I picked an un touched patch of dirt in the small crater he made. I shoved the blade down, stepping on it a couple of times to make a indent in the dirt.

Soon enough, I was digging a hole. I also did this because I hoped it would tire me out. I started getting deeper and deeper. Even if I was training to make my body stronger, the work still put some strain on my shoulders. A little while after that, I was sweating. I wiped the sweat off my forehead. I looked up to see moon high in the sky.

The digging was getting better, as the dirt I had gotten to was mushy. I really hope I helped rather than just digged for no reason. I crawled out of the hole to see Toto still digging. I smiled, this guy really had a lot of spirit. He was old, tired and most likely hungry and he still kept on digging.

It made me feel better about helping him and I know Luffy helped him too. I called. "I'm off, Mr. Toto, you should get some rest."

His head popped out from his hole. "I will, thank you for your-woah, did you dig all that?"

I nodded. "It's no problem, it's the least I could do." I walked back to bed and collasped (putting my sword beside it like before), thankfully I was able to fall asleep.

/ / / / / / / / / / / / /

I was woken up by Usopp and I blinked up at him tiredly, yawning. "What?"

"Wake up, it's time to go."

I sighed, but gave him a nod. "Ah, okay."

He turned to walk away, but snapped at me. "Don't fall asleep!"

I waved a hand. "I won't."

I sat up and secured my sword back to my side. I was still a bit tired, but that's what I get for staying up late. The others were already outside, even if Zoro looked like he wanted to go back to sleep. We met up with Toto and I stood next to Zoro and Luffy.

Toto walked over to Luffy. "Here Luffy, take this with you."

He handed Luffy a small cup sized barrel of something with a straw and string around it to form a necklace. Luffy's eyes widened and he grinned. "Wow, water!"

Usopp yelled. "Water?!"

Luffy asked. "Then you found some then?"

Toto smiled. "Yes, last night. After you fell asleep digging that huge hole of yours. I finally reached a moist layer under the dry stuff. Mace's hole allowed me to fill that up. I'm sorry I couldn't get enough for you."

I smiled, shrugging. "It's fine, don't worry about it."

Toto said. "That right there is genuine Yuba water. It's not much, but it was all I was able to get."

Luffy shot him a determined look. "Right! Then i'll drink it with care."

After saying goodbye, we starting walking in the desert again. I was frowning though, I really hope they are not planning to go to Katarea, we will never get anywhere. We were walking, I wiped my forehead from the heat and sweat. Suddenly I heard a thump and turned around to see Luffy leaning against a tree with his legs crossed and arms behind him head.

I stopped with a raised eyebrow and backed up until I was standing over him, staring into his eyes. I said. "Luffy."

He stared right back at me. "Mace."

Looking into his eyes, I understood and stood a little farther from him, hands shoved in my pockets. I saw Usopp react first. "Huh? Luffy what are you doing over there? Mace, you too?!"

I didn't say anything, but saw a deep frown on Luffy's face. The others walked over and I watched them as Vivi and Nami got off Eyelash. Nami asked. "Luffy?"

Vivi walked over, eyes concerned. "Is everything alright?"

Luffy looked up. "I quit."

I sighed softly to myself, did he have to word it like that? They all looked at him surprised. Nami asked. "What do you mean?"

Vivi asked. "What's that mean? Quit what, Luffy?"

Usopp sighed. "Come on, we don't have time to put up with every little mood you have right now, Luffy. Let's go."

Chopper asked. "Shouldn't we get going?"

I looked at Zoro and Sanji, they didn't say anything. Zoro looked like he got it, but I don't know...

Sanji scowled. "Yes, we should and fast. If we don't get to that Katorea place the way we came and stop the Rebellion that's about to begin, millions of Alabasta citizens are going to fight and it's going to get really ugly, real quick. We're doing this for Vivi-chan, so let's go."

He grabbed him by the shirt and I sighed. "Sanji, let go."

His eye widen in surprise as he looked at me. I crossed my arms over my chest and stared at him. It allowed Luffy to toss him away. He jumped up pissed off. "What the hell is wrong with you!?"

Nami frowned. "Mace, don't you think we should go?"

I leveled her with a look. "Yeah, we need to move forward."

Luffy determined eyes locked on Vivi's. "Vivi?" The princess looked at him. Luffy frowned. "Right now all I want to do is kick Crocodile's ass, you understand me?! Maybe we can keep the people from starting a rebellion, but that won't stop Crocodile. Besides we won't be able to accomplish anything in Katorea. We're pirates, everyone knows they're better off without us around."

Sanji said. "You got to admit he's able to get straight to the point when he wants to."

Usopp said. "Well, yeah, but not often."

I would've laughed if the tone wasn't so serious. Vivi stepped forward. "No, that's not true."

Luffy said. "You said you wanted to work out so nobody dies in this fight. Isn't that right, Vivi? None of the citizens and none of us either. We're up against one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and a million of your own people on top of that. And you still want everyone to end up all safe and sound. You'll never win that way."

I frowned deeper as Vivi's fists shook. It's a hard thing to say and hear, but It's the truth. It's war, people are going to die. The Gray Terminal, so may people died that day. Austin. Sabo. All the residents of that dump heap. That was only a couple of days. Alabasta's war has been going on for who knows how long. Not everyone is going to live, hell, plenty will die.

Nami shouted. "Come on, Luffy! That's a little rough!"

I shook my head. "It's what's needed to be said."

Vivi steped forward. "And what's wrong with that?! What's so wrong with no wanting to see people die or get hurt?"

Luffy looked her straight in the eyes. "Because people die. That's why."

To my surprise, she punched him in the face. My eyes widened is shock and I felt a bit angry. What is wrong with her?

Vivi yelled. "Quit talking like that, I won't listen to it! Say that again and I will really hurt you!"

My eyes widened again and took a step forward, only to feel a hand restricting my arm. It was large enough and calloused so I had a good guess to who it was. I looked to see Zoro staring at me impassively, eyes as hard as mine. He said lowly. "Stop."

I glared at him, but he just looked me in the eye. I growled. "Let go."

His grip on me tighened. I scowled darkly at him. I hissed out. "Dammit Zoro."

Tensing my arm, I yanked it out of his grip with a growl of fustration, looking back at Luffy and Vivi. She yelled. "That's the whole point of what we're doing here, don't you understand?! Not the Royal Army, the Rebel Army or the people are to blame for this! They haven't done anything wrong! Why should have to pay for what's happened? When every last bit of it was Crocodile's fault!"

I watched as Luffy stood on his feet, scowl in place. He rushed forward, punching her back. I relaxed a bit from how tense I was.

"So, your saying it's alright for you to die!?"

Usopp and Sanji yelled at him and I barked out. "Shut up!"

Sanji stared at me in shock and Usopp sputtered out something. I switched my eyes to Luffy and Vivi. She tackled him. Luffy said. "I've been in this country for one day, taking a look around I can tell!"

I scowled once more as she started punching him in the face. Did she even hear what I promised her in Drum?

Luffy told her he knew what this country needed more than anything. She was still attacking him. Luffy yelled. "DO YOU THINK JUST PUTTING YOUR LIFE ON THE LINE WILL STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING?!"

Vivi yelled. "What else should I be putting in on the line with it?!"

"I don't have anything else I can put on the line."

Luffy grabbed her wrist and twisted them over. "You can at least try putting out lives on the line together! Aren't we friends, huh?! Well, aren't we friends? There, now you see, now you understand. Hey, you can cry, I know how much you hate this, how much you want to defeat Crocodile the most."

Nami hugged her and I was calmed a bit, but the anger at my brother's disrespect, no my captain's still filled me with anger. I crossed my arms tigher across my chest. My eyebrows were furrowed tightly across my eyes.

Vivi calmed down and I spoke calmly. "Vivi, I made you a promise."

The others were staring at her and she looked at me, confused before her eyes widened in surprise. "But, I didn't-"

"You did, thank about it."

She looked at me and a saw a look of guilt, where her emotions from earlier explained why she was so pissed at Luffy. "I'm-"

I grumbled. "A promise is a promise."

I hated this as much as she did, but I didn't go back on my word and I was mad. I looked at her as my friend, so this bothered me.

I took a step forward not knowing what I was going to do, when Luffy's voice stopped me. "Mace."

I looked at him with narrowed eyes, I think he had a thought of what I promised her. His eyes were telling me to let it go and I gave him a head shake. Nami asked. "What's going on?"

I didn't look at her, but continued to stare my captain down. His own look didn't waver. I let out a scowl. "Luffy."

"Mace."

I shook my head in anger, feeling my face heat up in that anger. I clenched my fist tightly, knowing the knuckles would be white. I scowled deeper and turned. "Fine, are we goin' or what?"

I looked away from Luffy with narrowed eyes. Vivi spoke up. "Mace-"

I huffed, not looking at her. "Are we goin' or what?"

I felt a couple eyes on me and I knew one of them had to be Zoro. I shook them all off. It's best if I just cool off. Vivi then led the way toward Crocodile.

/ / / / / / / / / / / / /

I sighed angrily as I breathed out of my nose. Vivi said. "Luffy was right, change of plans. We're going to find Crocodile."

Luffy nodded, getting back up to his feet. Nami said. "That does seem to be the quickest way to stop it from happening."

Zoro crossed his arm over his chest. "And we can stop wandering around the desert. It's beginining to get old."

I nodded, not saying anything. Sanji said. "So, where is he anyway? This damn Crocodile guy."

We all crouched down as Vivi took out a rolled up map, spreading it out on the sand."This is the capital city Alubarna, where my father rules. The Rebel Army is camped here, ready to invade Alubarna."

Sanji said. "So, we just need to get to Crocodile before the rebels get to Alubarna." She then took her finger and went across to a point that said Rainbase. "This is where Crocodile is, Rainbase. It's a city to the north of us, maybe a day's journey from here."

Luffy nodded, standing up. "It's agreed, let's go kick Crocodile's ass!"

I nodded too. "Sounds good to me." I needed to talk to Vivi later.

We all got ready to go and after we starting walking for a bit, I think we forgot it was going to be hot. So after a half an hour, Luffy was panting and dragging along a stick. Usopp was doing the same thing. I walked behind everyone else, doing my best to ignore the head pounding on my back. Nami snapped. "What did I tell you about that pathetic whining."

Luffy and Usopp snapped back at her, calling her lazy. Zoro smirked. "Chopper, you managed to last all day without colasping."

Nami was happy at the idea of Rainbase being a gambling town and I rolled my eyes. Zoro agreed as he shut the idea of her gambling right away. I heard. "Gum Gum...No way!"

I looked to see Luffy using his arms to stretch away from Usopp, who was trying to take the water away from him. "GUM GUM...LEAVE ME ALONE!"

I allowed myself to smile, but then was annoyed and scowled. I rubbed my forehead with my fingers. "Shut up already."

Luffy said he wasn't going to drink it because Toto gave it to him. Nami said. "Wow, you can restain yourself, sometimes."

I could picture Luffy's annoyed look. "Well yeah, of course I can Nami! That was a rude thing to say. you know?!"

Luffy asked as we stopped for a moment. "How long until Rainbase, Vivi?"

I heard her say. "Hey, Luffy? Thanks a lot. I never would've been able to make this decision on my own."

"Ok, then give me food."

I snorted and Luffy said. "After I beat up Crocodile, give me food. I'll eat until I explode."

With that, we starting walking again. I shoved my hands in my cloak pockets, walking forward. I felt a sharp nudge and looked to see Zoro. I frowned and raised an eyebrow. "What?"

He raised an eyebrow and said quietly. "Stop spilling out killing intent."

I stiffened. "I'm not."

"I know what killing intent feels like."

I frowned deeper. "Whatever, I'm annoyed."

Zoro gave a grunt, but didn't say anything else. I decided he was right. I could feel that things were going to get serious real soon and I couldn't just be pissed off. I needed to prepare for a fight. I nodded and calmed down, but didn't say anything back to him. I was still upset with Vivi, but decided to push that away for later, I still cared about her, I didn't want her to get hurt.

We walked on and as the day grew longer, I could see a shadow of a brightly colored town in front of us. Luffy and Usopp were wailing. It made my eyebrow twitch, they were giving me a headache. Luffy spoke up. "Huh? Are we here?"

I walked forward until I was in the middle of the group, beside my brother. "I think so."

Luffy suddenly raised his arms above his head and screamed. "Yeah! Time to kick Crocodile's ass!"

I flinched at the slight ringing in my ear that Luffy's shout gave me. I slapped over the head. "Don't scream like that when I'm next to you."

He waved a hand. "Sorry."

I scowled at him. "You don't sound sorry at all!"

Usopp muttered. "Now you know how we feel."

I gave him a half hearted glare. "Ah, shut up."

We started walking some more until we were in town and we saw a towering building thing toward the back with some kind of golden figurehead, but I couldn't see the shape of it. Luffy asked. "So, this is Rainbase, huh?"

Zoro walked forward until he was in the front. "So after all this happened, are we opperating on the assumption that Baroque Works know that we're here on the island with them?"

I nodded in agreement, they had to know we were here. Nami said. "That seems likely, we did run into Mr.2. So, I think it's safe to say they had some idea that we were headed to Alabasta."

Luffy crossed his arms over his chest. "Who cares about that?"

I said. "It's always good to know what we're getting into."

Usopp nodded. "They know what we look like, so we shouldn't spend too much time in Rainbase. So we should just lay low."

Luffy snapped. "And why is that?!"

"Crocodile could probably find a bunch of nasty ways to get rid of us."

Zoro nodded. "Asassinations is they're area of work."

Luffy screamed. "Laying low, but we're coming Crocodile!"

They got him hit and I rolled my eyes. "Luffy couldn't be discreet if his life depended on it."

"I can so!"

I opened my mouth to answer him back, but Nami snapped. "Don't even start!"

Sanji went on saying he would protect Me, Nami and Vivi. I snapped. "No one needs to protect me!"

I ignored his sweet talking. Usopp and Chopper whined about water again. Zoro snapped. "There is none, let it go!"

Luffy ran forward, screaming. "I'm going!"

Usopp followed him and I sighed, running forward. I wasn't losing him in this desert again, espically since we were near Crocodile. I followed the both of them to a place called the Sand Cafe. Luffy called. "Finally, we can get to a place with water!"

I walked with them to a counter, that they started banging on, shouting for water. I smacked them both over the head. I held up a hand. "We want some water."

The lady scowled and each gave us a barrel. I grinned to myself and sat at Usopp side. My tongue was dry and I was thirsty. I easily picked it up and drank down the cool liquid, I knew the other two were doing the same as me. I set it down for a moment and stiffened, I felt that someone was watching me. I put my barrel down and put a hand on the hilt of my sword.

My eyes widened in shock when I made eye contact with the guy with slicked back white hair and an opened jacket with cigars in his mouth. A blue haired girl was next to him. I smacked Usopp shoulder. He looked at me with puffed up cheeks and I pointed to out that marine captain, Smoker. His eyes widened in shock and fear, Luffy noticed him too, Both of them spit the water in the marines faces. I gave a short burst of laughter.

They took their barrels and ran. I went after them, but knew the marines would start to chase us. I really didn't want to loose this barrel, but...

I snatched the barrel and Smoker came forward. I tossed it behind me, hearing him trip. "Not today, Smokey!"

I laughed as I ran off, easily catching up to Luffy and Usopp. Luffy shouted. "What are the damn marines doing here?!"

I shouted back. "No clue, run!"

I heard the footfalls of marines following us. Usopp yelled. "I don't know, let's keep running for now!"

I shouted back, picking up speed. "Agreed!"

Luffy called. "Mace! Wait up!"

Me and Luffy called. "The marines are here!"

Zoro snapped as he and the rest of the crew started running. "Thank you! We haven't noticed that already!"

Usopp was screaming. "This is bad!"

Luffy said. "It's decided, let's go! To where Crocodile is! Ready!"

Vivi called pointing. "Do you see that building up ahead, with the alligator on its roof? That's the casino that Crocodile runs! It's called Rain Dinners!"

"I see it, that's where Crocodile is."

We decided to split up and I ran to the right and I saw Luffy go up. I followed until I ended up in this empty street and I scowled at what had to be the Millions of Baroque Works in front of me and I turned to see Marines behind me.

The Marines shouted. "Stop there, Strawhat!"

The Baroque Works guys shouted. "We got her, that's her!"

I pulled my sword out and sighed. "Looks like I have to do this the hard way."

I darted forward, stabbing and slashing at the Millions, barely getting touched. But then the Marines ran forward and got involved, I avoided some really close calls.

In the end, I had some cuts along my body, but the Marines and Millions were taken care of. With a grin, I shealthed my sword and ran forward, planning on getting to Rain Dinners. I saw Zoro, Usopp and Nami. I skid to a stop in front of them

Nami called. "Mace! Your here!"

"Where's Vivi, Chopper, Sanji and Luffy?"

Zoro said. "We lost Chopper earlier and Vivi might of went inside already."

I frowned worriedly. "Alright them, let's-"

"Come on guy, let's go inside!"

I turned at Luffy voice and saw that Smoker was still chasing Luffy. Luffy ran ahead and I ran forward too, all of us following him. Smoker was behind us. "Faster!"

Until we found how to defeat him, I didn't want to be anywhere near him. He was like Ace, most attacks went through him. We ran inside the casino, looking for where Crocodile was, Smoker still on our tail.

There done, I liked the way this chapter turned out. The next part was actually one of my favorites to the Arc.

gamelover41592: I'm happy about the input on this. I hope you like it.

Hellfire000: It's great that you like it and I'm happy that you do. Thanks for reviewing and hope you like this chapter.