Beloved Child Chapter 8: I C, I Sea, I See, Icy, an one piece fanfic

Disclaimer!: I DO NOT OWN ONE PIECE! I own my OC(s), and that's just it, we are on a fanfiction site/ story site.

FAIR WARNING! WARNING!

Time for the chapter!

Chapter 8: I C, I Sea, I See, Icy

~ Jeeee~? WHAT THE HELL! LUF…OPHHHH! ~

[ Location: ?x?x? ; January ?x? - Astrid: 12 years old ]

Welp, I'm dead again….aren't I?

Well, no, not really…

Slowly slipping back into consciousness, with the aches and pains as I coughed up the ingested water left over in my lungs.

Coughing and hacking.

Coughing till I can get some semblance of air into my lungs.

I am freezing, my lungs burn, and everything just feels funky.

And I can't see for shit.

Can't see….

My glasses are gone…

I try to get some glasses from my arm, struggling to sit up? Lay up my stomach? I'm doing more of a plank position before my arms give way, face in the sand, and a thought passes through me.

Followed by an immense headache.

My glasses are gone…and I don't have a spare in my arm…

Because I cle…an…ed...

Ahhhh, it hurts…wh…y….do….es….it…h…ur….t?

I'm…m…ad…e….of…s…tudier….st…u…fffffff.

Not even a second later, I passed out wherever I was.

[ Location: Mobey Dick, various other vessels; Sailing to a CERTAIN ISLAND ; 3rd Day – Midday]

"ARE YOU STARTING A FIGHT RIGHT NOW?!" Nami yelled at Killer as he stared at a certain man.

Everyone had turned in fine the day before.

Everyone had come back to Mobey Dick, only to be notified by the Bushy-Browed Man via a suspicious letter that magically appeared about how they would have to wait till midday to continue on with Astrid's story.

There was gripping, complaining, and the overall dissatisfaction from everyone for being delayed, but they all needed a moment of respite before sitting down again without any intermission.

For over six hours straight.

Captains and their crews made sure that each respective ship was in order, others were hanging out and playing games, and lastly, there were those that were catching up with the much needed sleep.

For the good majority was worried….that was certain.

Which lead to some peoples tension being elevated to new levels, besides the fact that some crews were rivals or enemies of each other.

Some of the crews were allies, some decided on temporary truces, and others even decided to have drinking contests way into the night to the next morning to relieve some of that tension. Even when they thought that they would be up and early to continue watching…

It's six pm somewhere, with how people continue to drink regardless of the time of day.

But then, the next day came about, with some becoming more worried than they were before.

Once midday approached, and everyone was shuffling, walking, running, to even crashing into their 'designated' seats, someone…made an unsavory comment, before the Bushy Browed Man arrived.

"Do you think that she's dead? She's not even that strong….right?" Kanjuro commented to Momonosuke and Kinemon, who were within earshot of not only the Heart and Strawhat Pirates…but also the Kidd Pirates.

Kinemon and Momonosuke looked at Kanjuro like he uttered blasphemy.

Many people took offense to that, but none more so than Killer.

Her first brother, the first that she taught to fight, the first that she chose to trust with some of her secrets outside of the Red-Hair Crew.

He stood right up, not a word uttered, not a sound as Kid made a look of pure, unadulterated rage.

When Heat wanted to spit out fire.

When Wire wanted to skewer Kanjuro right then and there.

Standing in front of them, the respective three as Killer looked at Kanjuro directly, he spoke in the calmest voice that brought chills down everyone's spines,

"What did you say?"

The incoming crews that were still coming into the galley could feel the tension as everything stood still, without knowing what caused this incident in the first place.

"I'm voicing what everyone is thinking," Kanjuro defended himself as all eyes were on him, no, on them, "isn't everyone thinking that 'is Astrid-san dead?' or 'she wasn't strong enough and got eaten by a sea-king?'" Kanjuro continued to dig his grave.

Continued to dig, dig, and dig.

Heat piped up from behind Killer, translating for Wire as Wire signed, "Says the guy who sleeps through each Den-Den video," with Heat adding in, "you've never seen her in action, haven't you?"

The good majority of the Kidd Pirate crew was leveling glares at Kanjuro, as the first mate started cracking his knuckles.

"If you actually believe that," Killer spat out, a growing rage laced in his voice, "then fight me."

Nami immediately got up, breaking some of the tension, as she yelled at Killer, "ARE YOU STARTING A FIGHT RIGHT NOW?!"

She looked to her Captain, but even he looked angry.

He, too, stayed silent, as events unfolded, just as others were watching things transpire.

Then, the Kidd Pirates.

Kid looked damn proud, because if Killer didn't start a fight based off of that, he would. The Kidd Pirates knew that their Captain was the worse of two 'evils' in regards to fights, especially when it came to their elder sister. Heat and Wire would have started a fight, too, as their friendship and respect for Astrid was something that they greatly cherished.

Killer spared her a glance, with everyone thinking that he might drop it, when he looked at Kanjuro again, crossing his arms.

"Yes."

Kanjuro sputtered, Kinemon was about to say something in his defense while Mononosuke looked between the three when the side-door was slammed open.

Immediate silence fell upon the room, as all their attention was on one man.

The Bushy-Browed Man didn't acknowledge anyone, he didn't say hi, and he most certainly ignored the tension in the room.

Everyone was surprised that he looked worse for wear, and that he looked to be aged older than what everyone thought he was. He set down his stuff, connecting everything, right before he finally paid attention to the room.

To the individuals in the room.

The Bushy Browed Man sighed, stating in the most dead tone of voice that anyone could muster, "if you start a fight, I will kick you out."

"WHAT!?" Kid bellowed from where he sat, as he shot up from his seat, with Heat, Wire, and some other of the Kidd Pirates following in suit.

It was the Bushy Browed Man's turn to level a glare at the lot of them, as some other people were starting to gain traction to join in what may be an all out fight in the galley of the Mobey Dick.

"We aren't here to fight, we are here for her." He said in the calmest voice that they all ever heard from him, as he looked across the room and met everyone's eyes.

"As the person that has been entrusted with relaying her story to the lot of you," his brow furrowed as he projected to the room, "we should save the fighting for later."

Silence fell in the room.

Killer was still leveling a glare at Kanjuro from behind his mask, with a sigh escaping him, as he made his way back to his seat.

He looked back, saying firmly, "this isn't over," as some of the Kidd Pirates silently agreed with the sentiment.

The people in the room were feeling, thinking, and interpreting this all differently. Sure, some wanted to deal with this now, to scream to the heavens that Astrid is Astrid.

That Astrid….has a fate-defying will.

That she wouldn't…fall that easily…

That no matter what happened, she tried her best, or nearly….

With the tension broken, everyone seated, and a temporary peace ensured for the while, the Bushy Browed Man started the Den-Den video.

Where the two figures were still looking on.

[ Location: ?x?x? ; January ?x? - Astrid: 12 years old ]

"Bro…do….wake….her?" ?x?.?x

"La…wha…who…..are…kay?" ?x?.?x

The drift to consciousness was slow, and most certainly felt a bit painful. The throb being dulled to an extent, as I felt I was being dragged.

I slowly open my eyes, nearly doing a double take on my blurry vision.

Is the sky white, or am I looking at clothing?

I can't see faces, and I don't know if I'm too tall, or the person that is dragging? Carrying? Me is too short….

Random thoughts passed through my head in rapid succession:

This is why not many people are known to have glasses in One Piece, I swear, can't see for shit where people believe in the survival of the fittest….

I really need Observation Haki, dang it.

To where my thoughts even wandered to, I'm hungry….as my stomach agreed with me with a needy 'growl'.

I tried my best not to move too much, to only groan and find my person pressing more into my savior? Captor? Whoever this persons? Maybe.

And I think something is on my head? Hair?

"BROTHER! SHE'S WAKING UP!" I winced at the voice that was near my ears, avoiding the small specs of light that would make it to my eyes, as the light right now was becoming too much.

Sensory overload, who knew.

"Lami, what did I say? Looking at her wounds, she might be concussed." The other voice sounded like he was going to roll into a lecture, about what, I don't know?

"Opps, sorry, didn't mean to do that." The other voice sounded apologetic enough, before continuing on, "Who are you Miss? We found you washed up on the beach," with a much gentler tone than previously.

I kept my eyes closed as I looked towards the voice, managing out, "the names Astrid, twelve years old, and I don't know where I am," I managed to get out as I sighed.

A cold seeping into my bones and an ache in my muscles, I am starting to find it hard to breathe.

The boy? let out a hum in acknowledgement, while the girl? Pressed her hand to my head, causing me to shriek back in surprise. And the boy? groaned?

"Big brother, I think we should hurry. It feels like she's developing a fever." the girl's? voice was laced with concern now.

Ahhhhh, the woes of a concussion and all the other things that may be plaguing me…I really hope that there is a silver lining to this situation.

Never mind, my transport is now jostling me as we go to who knows where with me blind as a bat.

Life is always interesting, at least for me, that is.

I blink rather sheepishly, trying to see while everything looked like some odd Van Gogh-esque painting with dashes of blurry blobs of color here and there, when I close my eyes again as the light still hurt a good amount of everything.

Running and wind was rushing, people made noises of surprise (probably because of the sight of a small boy and girl? carrying someone to what I hope to believe as help?) and finally doors slammed open and closed as I tried to not let the pounding of my head get the best of me.

Opening my eyes again, and thinking I see the light…ten out of ten, not a fun experience to have.

Even more light was flashed in my eyes as a new person introduced themself, "Hello there, I'm Doctor Trafalgar," very shiny light hurts me eyes, "myself and my assistant are going to take care of you."

Not a lot of thoughts are passing through my head at the moment, and who would've known, my brain can be pretty empty at times….

Wait, where am I again?

"What do you think is the diagnosis, Doctor-in-Training Trafalgar?"

"My diagnosis is the patient is concussed and needing antibiotics in order to treat her fever, with bed rest to help in recovery….."

Ahhhh, the voices are fadinnnnng awwwwaaaaaayyyyy…..

[ Location: ?x?x? ; January ?x? - Astrid: 12 years old ]

Warm.

Laying back and opening my eyes, I find that the room is pretty dark, except for what I can tell to be a candle on the nightstand? It's light in the darkness, and it's very much the only thing that can show that much light in whatever this room is.

The smell of antiseptics, rubbing alcohol, the casual drip of an IV being, I feel around to find that I am connected to an IV, fed to my arm…

I'm familiar with Doctors blankets, cause Uncle Hongou usually would wrap me in them after I go be a little reckless…but this one feels warmer for some reason.

Another thing is that I feel is a weight on my right side, which wasn't there before.

I pat around on my right side until I feel something soft….the texture of hair?….a person has been sleeping beside me?

Ahhhhhh, I can't tell if they are a boy or a girl….especially with how dark it is and without the glasses it just adds another level of 'who's that person!'

This is a real bind….how long have I been away? I don't have a Den-Den, and I suck at remembering people's numbers, hence writing a good amount of everything down to be referred to later.

WHAT IF I'M LOST FOREVER? WHAT WILL I DO IF I CAN'T FIND MY WAY? WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH BEING LEFT BEHIND?

"Ast…?"

WHAT AM I GOING TO DO? WHERE AM I? WHERE CAN I GO? DO I NEED TO FIND, MAKE A BOAT? WHAT'S GOING…..?

"Astr..?"

I WANNA GO HOME. I WANNA GO HOME TO THE RED FORCE. I WANNA SEE DAD, MY UNCLES, UTA, I WANT TO GO…

"ASTRID!"

It suddenly became bright as the lights in the room were turned on. The weight on my side is no longer there as the person is…looking right at me?…as I layed there.

I can't breathe, I'm breathing too rapidly, I'm gasping for air.

"Follow my breathing. In," she? Inhaled, "and out. Breathe with me, one and two in, three and four out."

I follow her instructions, breathing in, and then out, dragging me out of my thoughts as I calm down.

Ahhh, Dad if only you could see me now.

"Better?"

I nod my head as I coughed a little, with the person saying, "wait there, I'll go get you some water," as I heard a door open and close.

As I layed there, waiting for the person to come back, I just thought that I really needed to go to the bathroom.

Wait, how long have I been out? Was I in a mini-coma?! I turned over and buried my face in my pillow, carefully with feeling the IV, as I'm trying not to think more than I currently am as I saw where it got me.

A full blown panic.

I am slightly tempted to make a blanket cocoon, but that would be mildly embarrassing, with me being somewhere that I don't know.

Did I mention that I don't know where I am, or who these nice people are? Ahhh, I need to stop fixating on that fact, the answers will come all in due time, all in due time.

How am I going to pay the medical bill, this is probably not going to be cheap? NO, Guerra D. Astrid, ya need to stop thinking!

BUT WHAT ELSE CAN I DO BESIDES THINK?! I CAN'T SEE!

[ "ASTRID-SIS, YOU'LL BE FINE!" Franky did a big 'YEOW' from his seat as some people chuckled.]

I groan as I sink into the pillow, cursing my blindness and nothing to do as to take my mind off of my predicament.

Listening to the sounds of the room, and the sounds around the place, I heard shuffling and multiple footsteps moving towards the door.

I heard the door open, and then close, as multiple people came into the room…

Can I pretend to be asleep? But I have to make my introductions, and this will be better to do now than later.

[ A certain Trafalgar D. Water Law was smirking at the screen, chuckling and muttering, "well, well, well, and then we officially met."

"STOP BEING CREEPY, TRAFALGAR!" Kid yelled at him, as everyone else started to shush them.

Law just looked at the other, an exasperated breath escaping him as he replied, "you just wish she…"

"Both of you brats either shut it, or I'll make ya shut it," the Bushy-Browed Man raised his voice, with others nodding and agreeing with the sentiment.

They both quieted, some people from each respective crew softly laughing at both of their Captain's predicaments as they all watched on.]

"Hey, you're still awake, right?" I think the boy? asked me.

I turned towards them, careful with the IV, and looked at the blobs of color that were people, as I squinted at them to maybe get some finer details.

Squinting did not help.

I stopped as one of the blobs started talking.

"How are you feeling? Any soreness anywhere? I'll give you a general check-up in the morning, but hearing from Lami that you finally woke up, we had to come over right away."

I looked at what I can only presume was this person's face, but who knows, it could be the wall, and I started talking.

"I feel a little tender on my head, and my arm hurts a little, but besides that, I'm fine." I nodded towards the person.

I couldn't tell what type of face the person was making, but they tilted their head, when the other blob, who was the girl? or the boy? started talking.

"Why do you keep on making that face?" I squinted towards the noise, really hoping that I was looking at the person now addressing me.

"Ahhhh, it's because I can't see….at all….I can't tell how many people are in this room as the blobs of color," with my hands motioning towards them, "mesh together. Sorry, my eyesight is absolutely abysmal."

I heard a noise, like someone was choking…when someone coughed, and one of them addressed me once more.

"Stay right there, I'm going to get my eye exam materials from the other room." And one of the blobs of color stood? up and left the room.

Leaving the other blob(s)? here with me.

"Uhhhhhh, I'm going to go out on a limb, and, uh, you are a girl, and you have a brother?" I squinted really hard, I swear, but I really can't tell anything besides the broad color of clothes with a side of no details to be made.

[ "FU, FU, FU! SHE COULDN'T TELL THAT YOU WERE A BOY!" Hancock started laughing while other people joined in (Kid was howling with laughter, while Killer stifled his own).

Law groaned, replying back, "we all know her eyesight isn't the best, and considering that she didn't have Observation Haki back then, it's an amazing feat that she could discern that much when she's practically blind."

Jinbe added in, "Astrid has managed to do so much even when she can't see, she has stated from time to time that no one should be underestimated," nodding along.

Everyone soon fell silent, as they were drawn back to the events unfolding.]

"...I'm the boy. My sister is right next to me."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, although you can't see us that well." The girl chuckled.

I nodded, "it's a pleasure to meet you guys too, uh, if I remember correctly, you two were the ones to get me to…here…right?" I tilted my head.

One of the blobs was moving, I CAN KINDA MAKE OUT THE OUTLINES? HAZZAH? while the other responded back, "we were the two that found you on the beach, and brought you back to our father's clinic."

I smiled at the boy who responded, "thank you both," I bowed towards the both of them, the best I could in the bed, "I really appreciate your help. Uh, um, how long was I passed out?" I fidgeted a little.

Before they could tell me, or that we could go deeper into conversation, the door opened again with the person (who was the Doctor, now I know that this person is both a doctor and these kid's dad) wheeling in what could only be the eye exam machinery.

"Okay, Astrid, let's get your eyes checked out. The faster we can get this done, the faster we can get you fitted with glasses."

I nodded towards the man, with us starting out with the standard stuff of covering one eye, saying out the hiragana, (I could only barely read the top two rows), before doing the other eye and getting to the third row.

Then it was the machine that is usually put against the face, the dear Doctor saying 'one or two', and 'two or three', to even saying, 'three or four', with the lenses being changed.

It was when I had the machine and the lenses calibrated to my eyes, that I could make out the finer details….

I could see all their faces.

Their…faces….which look…familiar….

Oh damn, this is…an interesting development….

But I could be wrong. I can be so wrong. I want to be wrong. I don't even remember their names, I was so out of it. I can only remember patches, like saying my name, but I don't….oh man.

"Umm, I don't…uh, remember you guys' names." I mentioned as Mr. Doctor jotted notes onto his clipboard.

"Oh dear, sorry about that, we didn't all didn't fully introduce ourselves. I am Doctor Trafalgar," he pointed at himself, "this is my son Trafalgar Law," he motioned to Law. The small, not a grownup but a kid that is Law, "and this is my daughter, Trafalgar Lami," he motioned to his daughter, who still doesn't have the symptoms of Amber Lead Syndrome showing on her person.

The good, dear, soon to be ….oh man….they…oh no…and is it in a few months?

Doctor Trafalgar stated it calmly, back to business as he continued to examine my eyes.

Ahhhh, I am. So. Screwed…now aren't I.

We are all screwed, no joke, this…this is bad.

Ahh, ummm….if there is a higher being, is he or she worried for me?

I must have made a face, when Law coughed rather loudly in his hand. It's time to..uh…make an excuse.

"I'm sorry, I don't remember introducing myself either….even though you guys know my name…I'm Guerra…Astrid." I ALMOST SAID MY MIDDLE NAME!

UNCLE MIHAWK WOULD ALWAYS SAY, 'Don't mention you are a D unless," and he really emphasized the unless here, "you are certain you can trust them. If you slip up, let me know." He looked at me and then straight ahead, to the sea, "I'll handle it."

I'm honored that Uncle Mihawk will handle it, but I DON'T WANT TO GET TO THAT POINT WHERE HE HAS TO HANDLE IT!

I DON'T WANT HIM TO HAVE TO GO TO ONE OF THE BLUES BECAUSE OF ME!

Well, with how things are…and probably going to be….Uncle Mihawk and everyone else might never have to worry about that….ever again….

I. NEED. TO. STOP. THINKING.

"Astrid! Are you okay?" Doctor Trafalgar asked as he looked at me, very concerned, whereas I was looking on into space.

I thought about it, I thought about it very hard, before I responded back.

"I…don't think…so….." As I started feeling tears run down my face, "where exactly…am I?"

I need confirmation, I…things might be different…but….I need to be sure.

Doctor Trafalgar looked at me, as I looked at each one of them. "You are in the town of Flevance, in the North Blue," he started out, "with you being in our family owned clinic."

He continued on, as I felt my heart sink even more, "today is the twenty-fifth of February, with you being in a comatose-like state for over two weeks."

Over two weeks….

I've literally skipped the end of January, lost at sea, and then went straight into February….

And not so soon after, I feel the emptiness, the subtle chills run down my body, as the last thing I hear when I black out being,

"ASTRID?!"

[ Location: Flevance, North Blue ; February 27th; Morning - Astrid: 12 years old ]

They probably think I'm dead.

A few days later, my mind was in the gutter.

My hands were wrapped, covering the mark of a Child, my hair was obscured by the bandages over my head.

Between the check-ups, the visits from Lami and Law, meeting , as well as the general healing process, it has been an uneventful few days.

I wake up to another day, and that was where my mind directly went to. With all the things that I thought may or may not happen, I just never thought that I would meet Law…or Lami…or be in the town of Flevance. How does one navigate this, I wonder? Will I die here? Can I even make a difference here?

Or is fate a sealed, clean cut deal?

Amber-Lead Syndrome hasn't made itself known yet…but the mines…the mines are still being used.

Exposed to the people here, for generation to generation….that builds up.

This is going to be bad, this is not going to go well at all.

I…I fear that…

Ahhhh, there is probably nothing I can do to contact my Dad and Uncles….since I don't have ANYONE'S Den-Den number memorized. Added with the fact that there might be confusion as to how I'm alive? How did I even make it past the Calm Belt without being eaten by Sea Kings? Was it the Rainbow Mist, is that what it's called?

Aya…hayaaaaaaa…I'm screwed.

My stomach just unleashed an unearthly gowl, as I hear the click of the door open, and the subtle scree of the door as the voice of one Trafalgar D. Water Law rings out, "I've brought you food, and temporary glasses until my dad can get you actual, proper ones."

Law really goes into business first thing in the morning, huh? Mini-Law, instead of a Doctor, maybe an mini-Attorney at Law. Law and Order. No one is above the Law. Law, Law, Law. Oh damn it, I musn't think of my weeb years, all the puns that I made…or even my lists, that would be terrible.

These are real people, with real problems, and then I suddenly remember my list of all time favorites for One Piece, ahhhhh, ha, ha.

Would Kid be angry that I listed him at number thirty back then, and Law in the single digits?

He will never know, as he mustn't know.

I fear for the day if Kid were to ever find out. Not cause I would be disowned, but the temper tantrum that Kid would make, and the potential for a duel among other things.

Kid would ten out of ten challenge Law to a duel.

Then he would challenge Killer cause of course Killer is listed higher than Kid…from those years.

"Astrid?"

Snapping out of my thoughts, I thanked Law for the food and the temporary glasses. The beauty of sight, to see the spots on a certain hat, seeing myself in the mirror, the particular way that the bandage is wrapped around my head to not reveal my star-filled hair, and the look of concern that this young child has for me, his patient, brings a certain clarity to what I was missing.

Non-verbal cues can help make or break people, I'm a firm believer in this. Lizzie drilled this into me, and Terry drilled it into me, and Jules told me the subtle ways that people use non-verbal cues….to where Lizzie had to give Melly and I classes on non-verbal cues. While Jerry laughed at us, as he had learned this all before.

I miss Melly fuming at Jerry.

I'll continue to miss them for all my life. All I can hope is that they are alive, that they are doing well, and they are thriving in whatever they are doing now.

To preserve the memories that I have with them, and live on. To use my previous knowledge for the better.

Gotta get out of my thoughts, I hope I'm not too rude to Law. Or weird.

I looked over at Law, who was reading a textbook as I was eating soup. The young-Doctor-in-Training did mention that it was easier on the stomach, as I took in more of my surroundings.

The room is a pretty white, kinda cream color, while the floors were a darker gray, not exactly a black color. There were a few pieces of art on the respective walls, like a flower in a vase or a landscape of a younger Flevance. On the nightstand there is a pitcher of water, reflecting light onto the floor due to the window near my bedside.

The room is nice, there are a few more beds, with some retractable curtains for the illusion of privacy, but its so…temporary.

It feels, it oozes the feeling that whoever is in here, it's just temporary, whoever is here will get better and be on their way.

But I'm stuck.

As I looked around the room, Law spoke to me, "so what were you doing before washing up in the North Blue?"

I looked at him, the yellow eyes that were depicted in the manga reflecting me, as I replied back, "I was sailing with my Dad, Uncles, and little sister." I nodded, looking at the bed sheets for a second before looking back at him.

He nodded back, giving me a look that was half-expecting me to continue, and then just looking back at his book, which was probably the silent understanding that it might be painful to talk about the events leading me to be here.

I just silently thought, while he silently read.

I stayed in an upright position for a bit, before laying down. He continued reading, not prying, but from the corner of my eye I would see him peeking from his book to look at me from time to time.

They are all so young, so innocent, so…happy. They shouldn't experience what they may end up experiencing. They were minding their own business, the truth was…

The mind continues to wander.

I guess Doflomingo was right. Everyone has different experiences due to circumstance, due to upbringing, due to the cards that fate has dealt to all us poor sinners.

The turmoil, and the eventual heartbreak. The trauma and the scars of the heart.

The things that people should never know.

But no one should end up experiencing that, no one should be….these people…

I don't want Law, or any of the people here, to have to go through the events of the series.

I really don't.

[ Location: Flevance, North Blue ; February 27th; Mid-day - Astrid: 12 years old ]

"Hello Astrid-chan, how are you feeling right now?" Doctor Trafalgar had knocked on the door a few times, with me saying to come in soon afterwards.

Law had left earlier when he said that he had some plans with Lami, and he was kind enough to add, "when you get better, you can join us in getting ice cream from Lerry's Ice Cream Shop."

Very sweet, very caring, and I greatly appreciate the sentiment. Dad and Uncles don't need to know I'm getting ice cream (and they probably never will know), considering that there was a temporary ban for me getting the sweet due to…

Well, there were reasons, including but not limited to not much self-restraint, and one of the few times where I swam next to the ship for literal hours, passing out, being fished out, and then repeating the process for a few days.

All because I was…grounded…from eating ice cream….due to….a thing….I did….

Everyone was concerned, no one could deter Dad and me, Uta cried saying we had to make up.

Uncle Mihawk came to visit in the middle of it. He was very much not amused, because we both were acting, well, one of us is a kid while the other is a young adult….trying to raise two small kids with his crew.

It ended with a truce…no…..welllll, with Uncle Mihawk he put to a stop to it real quick, with a compromise because something was going to give and not one of us was letting up.

A story for another time.

I told Doctor Trafalgar I was feeling fine, better than a few days prior.

With that out of the way, Doctor Trafalgar did some standard tests at first.

Check the eyes.

Check the ears.

Check the throat.

Standard physical stuff, ya know, with also checking weight, height, and my lovely reflexes.

It then came to taking off the bandage from my hair, and be that as it may, I have kept my hair hidden ever since I gained star-hair.

But then again, thinking logically, who put said bandage on my head?

My berri is on Doctor Trafalgar. And I hardly even bet on things.

Taking off the bandage, Doctor Trafalgar didn't comment on my hair, he just checked the area where they said the bump was on my head. It was gone now, and I'm thankful that my road to recovery was smooth sailing, even though I don't remember much of said recovery.

"You've made a full recovery." Doctor Trafalgar smiled at me, "Congratulations."

I gave a small smile, nodding. Making conversation has always been fifty-fifty for me…I don't want to be awkward.

So might as well ask all the questions that have been brewing in my mind and find out now. To delay…I shouldn't delay asking people things when I'm this curious about why he is doing this from the goodness of his heart.

With the added fact that I'm a quote-unquote 'the strange kid that washed up from the sea'.

"Doctor Trafalgar, why did you guys take me in? Do you notice anything peculiar about me? Like, at all?", I felt my mouth go into a straight line, as I looked at him when he looked at me in surprise.

[ Law chuckled, smirking as he said, "that's just how we were back then," as he shook his head fondly.

"Jeeeeeeee, so you would have brought in anyone, even if it wasn't big-sis?" Uta brought up from her seat, looking in the general direction of Law.

Law was silent for a second, and soon a lot of eyes were on him, when he responded back, "well, Lami was very curious about Astrid-neesan's star hair, and I just thought that we had a patient in need," Law thought more on it, before finishing with, "I also thought she must have been very strong to have made it in one piece to our little island in the North Blue."

"OF COURSE SHE'S STRONG!" Kid barked, nearly jumping out from his seat when Killer just dragged him back down.

"ASTRID-KYUUUUUUUN, SHE'S AN ANGEL FROM THE HEAVENS! OF COURSE YOU GUYS SHOULD HAVE TAKEN HER IN!" Sanji added his own piece to the growing argument.

"SHUT IT COOK, YOU DON'T GET ANY SAY IN THIS!" Zoro was slowly, but surely, getting out his swords.

With the both of them slowly standing up from their seats, it looked like they were going to fight, but before they even could.

"THE BOTH OF YOU," Nami looked at them, with the famous East Blue shark teeth that formed in anger, "EITHER SHUT UP, OR I'll. MAKE. YOU."

Both Sanji and Zoro felt their sweat-drop, grumbling under their breaths as they slowly sat back down.

"I know that I would have accepted Astrid into Amazon Lily in a heartbeat!" Hancock added, managing to look down at everyone by, well, looking up, as she pointed.

Her sisters, Boa Sandersonia and Boa Marigold, on the other hand, had looks that disagreed with their elder sister.

Before anyone else could say anything else, they heard a loud crash from the screen, capturing their attention once more on Astrid's adventures.]

I may have accidentally fallen off the bed and landed on the floor, but considering the answer that Doctor Traflagar gave me, it was warranted by the surprise that I am currently feeling at the moment.

'You are a person in need' and even replying 'it's the right thing to do', and also stating, 'I think your hair is very unique, but I also understand you wanting to hide it'.

This man is very understanding, so kind, and it was at this moment that I just felt angry that Oda went and….ahhh, poor Flevance.

These lovely people of Flevance.

I asked if I could get a permanent hat to cover my hair, and said that he would see what he can do. I also told him if he couldn't find one, that a bandana would suffice for the meantime.

Then came the question that I have been silently dreading.

"So, now that I'm healed….how much berri is the bill?" I looked at him, feeling my face scrunch as I continued on, "Also, I don't mean to impose anymore than I have, so is there any place that has a spare room to rent? My Dad, well, my family, doesn't know that I'm alive, nor do I have their Den-Den numbers. So it leaves very few options on what I can do."

Ara…the face the Doctor made was one of surprise, and a little bit shocked.

He blinked at me, before he replied back, "Astrid, you are more than welcome to stay with us. Considering your situation, no child should have to worry about paying for their room, or having to work at your age. We're not going to leave you to fend for yourself. You can stay with Lami in her room. She, and all of us of the Traflagar family, would love to have you. If your family manages to find you, or you catch wind of them, you are more than welcome to leave."

I felt touched.

So much so, that I started to tear up.

I rubbed my face, trying to stop any waterworks from happening, as I nodded. I looked him in the eye, saying softly, "thank you."

I guess I'm going to be temporarily adopted.

Or, well, I'm adopting them, and they are adopting me, and I'm going to do my best to protect them.

We'll see how it goes.

[ Location: Flevance, North Blue ; February 27th; Past Mid-Day - Astrid: 12 years old ]

"So Astrid-chan is staying with us?" Lami looked at her mom and dad as we all were sitting in their living room.

Doctor Trafalgar had given me a hat, which was very much appreciated, as he came back giving me the all clear. We then made our way out of the infirmary, heading more into the house portion of the clinic. Law and Lami had just gotten ice cream with their mother, having come back as Doctor Trafalgar sat down everyone in the living room.

From what I can see, is already in on me staying with them as Doctor Trafalgar started explaining that I was going to basically be adopted slash Astrid is staying with us, so make nice, type of situation.

"Yes, yes she is." looked at Lami warmly, as Lami was forming a big smile.

"I GET A BIG SISTER!" Lami jumped up and down before she raced over to me, which just put a smile on my face as she went in for a hug.

Law, on the other hand, stared at me for a few seconds before looking at his parents, saying, "fine." before nodding along.

I just feel my face going red, as I look at them all, smiling and saying, "thank you for taking me in," as Lami and I continued to hug.

"Truly, thank you."

And before I knew it, I had another family in the North Blue.

[ Location: Flevance, North Blue ; March 12th; Mid-day - Astrid: 12 years old ]

I soon became an apprentice to Doctor Trafalgar and a rival/fellow-apprentice with Law.

When I revealed the medical knowledge that I had accumulated, and with the answering of questions that most people would find difficult, I managed to answer within a five minute span of time, Law and his father deemed that it would be better for me to study medicine with them.

The thing is, with me being how I am, I never really revealed my dream to anyone. Never really revealed what I wanted to do in life for my person, haven't said anything to my Dad, or my Uncles, or to anyone.

My dream, which I haven't said plainly before, is to be the best person that I can be, which is pretty simple to be frankly honest. Added with the fact that, I want to have a big family. I would protect them to the end, with the scar on my right forearm as a marker to the pledge that I made those many years ago.

I also want to protect the innocent, and well, protect civilians. But I'm still pretty weak, so I can only dream and get stronger now to actually make it a reality.

I remain hopeful.

The Trafalgar family may not know of the pledge, or my Dad and Uncles and Uta, and my dear younger brothers, but they are all included in le pledge.

I dream of the day to have a big, extended family where I understand them and they understand me, and we just get along like a beautiful symphony playing the Holst Suite. Rather weird analogy, I know, and hopefully with me writing this, my writing makes sense to someone who will follow along to this one day.

Going back to the heart of the matter, and where I'm going with this, it soon became known that not only do I have medical knowledge, but I have knowledge on how to run a ship.

That I am stronger than most kids, and I can help with the loading of cargo.

That I know how to help with chores, that I know how to clean things thoroughly, that I know how to tune pianos, that I know how to play the viola, that I know how to draw, to write, to read, that I know so much for someone my age.

I also charge service fees now, because I don't want to be taken advantage of, nor do I want to be berri-less in this capitalistic society.

Not a berri to my name, so let's change that, shall we? Gotta get that berri to treat my new brother and sister, also their wonderful parents.

I also have my quirks too, no one is perfect, like my tendency to fidget when I'm nervous. My tendency to be so deep in thought that I may accidentally bump into something that was avoidable (thank you Law and Lami, they both noticed and now grab onto me when I'm about to bump into something, kinda like what Kid and Killer, and even Ace would do at times, even if I haven't mentioned it much before. Not to forget, Uta as well as Dad and my Uncles would stop me from bumping into stuff, and to think this started to develop again after remembering everything. Old habits really do die hard.) Then there is the tendency to run around the island with so many laps, swim in the ocean so many laps, training deep into the night and waking early the next day, alongside my weight training among the different training regimes that have been imparted to me.

Then there is the fact, where I find it strange, that no one has questioned me on my tattoos either? Being the Trafalgar family. Are they ignoring it? Did they not see it? Or is it some other thing?

Well, I can just hope that they don't mention it, because it'll involve lying.

And I don't like lying to people I love and care about. I become attached too easily, tooo bad.

I recognize that I can only do my best, and hopefully people accept me for how I am. There is only so much one person can do in the grand scheme of things.

Added with the fact that I am keeping my abilities a secret, and training my abilities in a remote location away from the mines and the town was hard to find, but I managed to find it. I can't shirk training when it can lead to life or death situations.

Moving on, everyone knows now that I know how to fight….and I may have proven that with an unruly miner that was trying to pick a fight with Law and Lami.

The incident itself, went something like this:

"Oiii, you kids! Who do ya think yer runnin' into?!" The Miner said, as he certainly stinked, probably had a few too many drinks.

Law was already going into action, having Lami behind him as everyone else was looking at the events unfolding. I most certainly didn't remember an incident like this being mentioned in the manga or anime, but then again, Oda doesn't have to include all of one's life in the series.

I was honestly surprised that none of the adults were stepping in, was it because this man had made a name for himself? Well-respected? Influential? They are just standing there, doing nothing when this guy is literally going to grab two kids.

I go to the bathroom, and this is the sight that I see. Nuh-uh, I gotta do something.

Sprinting over there, I wedge myself between the guy and Law, Lami still behind her elder brother.

Before anyone can even blink, I give the miner the good ol' one-two, followed by knocking his feet from under him, while putting him in a position that he couldn't move.

It was over-kill, considering I knocked him out in the first punch.

The poor man didn't know what hit him, and was out cold in under five minutes. An impressive feat, to say the least, I've almost beat my record.

Looking up at everyone, there were a mixture of faces in shock, while the others looked on in awe. I looked behind me to see the siblings, and Lami had stars in her eyes.

Law, surprising me, looked proud and in awe. Like sure, he was gawking for like two seconds before his expression changed to nearly match his little sisters.

The city guards? The safety task force? Took the man away, I was asked questions, people vouched for me, and soon, a rumor spread around of the newcomer that was very strong.

Lami sang my praises, Law soon stuck to me like glue, and their parents were thankful as well as worried for my safety.

All in all, just doing my best.

Back to the present though.

I have leisure time, and I intend to spend it well.

How, many people may ask?

BY PLAYING TEA PARTY WITH MY NEW YOUNGER SISTER! (UTA! I MISS YOU! NO ONE IS REPLACING YOU! Thinking about her nearly makes me cry, oh dear, I miss her.)

"Would you like two sugars or one, Miss Dingles?" Lami motions to her play tea set (I was surprised that there are play tea sets, but this one is made of glass though), eagerly waiting for my response.

I rub my chin, thinking hard as I reply back, "two please, Miss Traffy. I like my teas on the sweeter side." I nodded.

Lami gets that set up, taking the tea that her mother prepared for us and serving me some. Of course, I try to make sure that Lami is safe while pouring and serving it to me.

[Knock]

Two simple knocks on the door, with Lami and I saying, "Come in!" was when Law graced us with his presence.

"Oi, Astrid, it's ….what are you guys doing?"

I forgot to mention that Lami and I 'dressed up' for our tea party. She was wearing a pretty dress, with a flower crown, I was wearing slacks and a nice shirt, also with a flower crown. Some of the flowers were interwoven in the sides of my glasses.

All in all, we were having a tea party in style.

"Having a tea party. Want to join us, big brother?" Lami was holding up the kettle, having slight difficulty keeping it up to show her brother. I grabbed it along the handle as well, gently helping steady her hand by taking on the weight.

There was a small silence before Law responded back with a "no."

More silence ensues while Law clears his throat, before speaking again.

"Astrid, we're going to go fishing today, right?"

I turned around to look at Law, confused about when we had a conversation about going fishing in the first place. I'm not the type to forget things, and I know that he is finding ways to spend time with Lami and I, but the fishing trip is not turning on a lightbulb in my head.

"Ahhhh, Law, when –"

"Astrid, I need your help catching a big fish." Law had his eyes motioning towards the door, like to say 'right now'.

I sighed, looking at Lami and saying, "I'm sorry Miss Traffy, it seems I had a previous engagement that I have to take care of," I point to the stuffed animals between us, "hopefully, and Miss Croft can keep you company in the meantime."

I get up, reaching across to ruffle her hair, causing her to giggle as I was careful about the flowers. I make my way to the door with Law, waving as we both headed out.

It was when we were in the living room, that I voiced my thoughts.

"So. Why did you have to stop our tea party?" I side-eyed him as we soon headed out of the abode.

"I need your help with something. Something important."

I nodded my head, marching on, "with what?"

That was when Law faced me, looking me dead in the eye, before saying.

"I know your secret."

[ Location: Flevance, North Blue ; March 12th; Mid-day - Astrid: 12 years old ]

Blackmail isn't the best thing to have used against you.

But it's blackmail for a reason.

When Law said, 'I know your secret', my mind blanked out.

Guilty as charged, I felt my blood go cold, and Astrid EXE just stopped working. It was when Law pinched me, the sweet little bean that can be a turd at times, that I just responded back with the best comeback ever.

"What secret?" I fucking played dumb, upping it up with, "that I'm a Virgo under a Leo moon?"

Law had a look, a look that just screamed, 'are ya fookin' kidin' me right now.'

He shook his head, taking me by the hand and leading me to God-knows-where…till I recognized the path he was taking.

The turns, the slipping in and out of crowds, then finally, taking the hill, going to the small path to…

My.

Training spot….

How much does he know? Oh man, how to explain my abilities if he saw.

He looked at me again, his eyes staring straight into mine.

"I. Know. Your. Secret."

Law pointed at me, finger on my chest.

[ "Trafalgar, you were a little shit back then as well, weren't you." Kid nearly growled.

"LEAVE ASTRID-SENPAI ALONE!" Barto literally jumped from his seat, running over to pester the Surgeon of Death as he was shooting death glares at everyone.

"LEAVE ASTRID-SENPAI ALONE!" the Barto Club chanted, echoing their Captain.

Law scoffed, pushing Barto away, "I did what I thought was right at the time."

Robin chuckled as she chimed in, "imagine if she thought of you as an actual threat…fufufu."

That was when everyone that knew Astrid's anger shuddered, turning back to the screen in hopes of erasing that image from their mind.]

"Do you know what that means?" Law was really glaring at me now.

I squinted at him, thought really hard, and decided my next action.

"LAW IS A MEANIE!" I looked him dead in the eye, blew raspberries at him, and unceremoniously fell to the floor while crossing my arms.

"HUH?"

Chanting "LAW IS A MEANIE!", and not letting him get a word in, it felt like forever till I calmed down.

["LAW IS A MEANIE" Barto started.

"LAW IS A MEANIE" the Kuja joined in.

"LAW IS A MEANIE!"

Before anyone knew it, the whole galley was chanting, "LAW IS A MEANIE," till the Surgeon and the Bushy Haired man shut them down.]

"Are you done?" Law stared down at me as I quieted down.

I felt myself frowning, staring at the sky as I voiced back, "I don't know? What are you going to do with my 'secret'?"

That was when I looked at him again, this time he looked a bit apologetic? Or was that concern? An emotion that couldn't be described that easily crossed his face.

"I want to train with you. See all your fighting skills. Your abilities…are interesting…"

"That sounds like famous last words." So he does know I have abilities.

Law looked at me utterly confused, "what?"

"Your body can't take training with me right off the bat." I shook my head.

"What?"

"You," I pointed at him, getting up, "do not have the base stamina or muscle," motioning to his arms and legs, "to keep up with me for combat training."

"I can to –"

"Law," I cut him off, "you've seen that besides training here, I run around like a headless chicken around the island, and have swam multiple laps circling the island."

I started to take off my nice shirt.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Law was blushing, while I just chuckled at him.

"I need to show ya my muscles," I flicked his forehead, "it'll give ya insight of how long I've been training for."

I have a crop top underneath (I love crop tops underneath clothes, helps if it's too hot and just take the top layer off), and I flexed my arm, poking the muscle that was hidden underneath the fabric.

"Je…JEEEEEEEEE?! YOU'VE BEEN HIDING THAT MUCH MUSCLE ALL ALONG?!" It seems like Law has some kid-like-qualities, despite trying to act like an adult sometimes.

"Well, it's the reason I was able to knock someone out in one hit." I shrugged, as I flexed my other arm.

Law was soon silent, probably thinking before he continued on, "do you…like your muscles?"

"Do I like my muscles?"

There was a brief pause before I beamed at him, fixing my glasses.

"I LOVE MY MUSCLES!" I started smackin' my arms, "LOOOK AT THIS! SOLID, ABSOLUTELY STRONG," I started punching the air, feeling the wind whoosh from each punch, "I CAN KICK SOMEONES ASS AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY! GAINING MUSCLE AND TRAINING, I LOVE IT!"

"IT'S SOOOOOO COOL!" I finished off, grinning ear to ear.

Ahhhh, this reminds me of the time that I gave the same reaction to Kid, he on the other hand, was grinning ear to ear.

Killer was more reserved, and Ace had stars in his eyes, nodding along happily…

Ahhh, I miss them.

Law then smiled at me.

"Then, if I want muscles like yours…shouldn't I learn from you?" Law was startin' off strong.

"Law I –"

"Think about it," he coughed, "big-sis, if I want to get strong, and, "he coughed again, "spend more time with you…don't you think that you training me will help out a lot in doing that?"

"But..bu…–"

"It'll be a good incentive to keep your abilities a secret from everyone else…but if you don't want to train me…then…" Law slowly started walking away.

One part of me was like….DAMNIT, LAW, I SWEAR…ONE DAY…IMMA GIVE YA A PIECE OF MY MIND…and the other part was thinking, NO, HE CALLED ME BIG-SIS, HE WANTS TO SPEND QUALITY TIME TOGETHER, COME BACK!

Law was already a bit of a bully in his childhood, huh?

"LAW! Wait." I sighed, him just turning his head to look me over from his shoulder.

In my head, I just hoped I didn't regret this. Training him might be good in the long run, but…I just wanted him to spend his childhood with happy memories.

"I'll train you."

Even though I couldn't see his whole face, I could just tell that he was smiling like he just won.

Just wait for my Training from Hell Regime…..just you wait.

[ Location: Flevance, North Blue ; March 13th; Early, Early Morning - Astrid: 12 years old ]

We woke up a little bit before the break of dawn.

I, ever since given the all clear, have been training at the break of dawn, ensuring that Lami doesn't wake up from my movements, along with checking (rather unsuccessfully) that I'm not being followed.

The walk back to Flevance yesterday was met with silence, and going our separate ways. Law had some things to take care of for his Dad before the end of the day, after all.

This time around, since Law wants to train with me now, I woke him up as well. I did tell him the day before that he was going to have to come with me very early in the morning to start training.

What he didn't expect…was that I'm a strict teacher who sticks with my training regime. He also didn't expect that I was going to wake him up that early. I've made sure that, without fail, I'll train to the best of my abilities given the circumstances that I am in.

So here we are, with Law barely doing ten push ups, while I just finished my hundred.

And I hate push ups.

"Hey Law, so what do you know about my abilities?" just as I handed him a towel and a canteen of water.

Law was taking a sip, and when he finished he shrugged, nonchalant in his reply back, "you can store things?, like making items appear and reappear like magic…."

Yup that was something that I did whilst training.

"...the other thing is that you can move from one place to another…teleporting? Or is it something else entirely?" Law looked at me expecting an answer.

Just the basic stuff, huh?

"Okay," I started out, "do you know about Child's? Like, the spooky story, or the myth?"

That was when I heard the canteen drop, water spilling onto the floor.

Looking back at him, his mouth was wide open, while his eyes went wide, looking at me.

"They're real…..you…are you a Child?" Law was looking at me up and down, like in a different light.

"Well, I am a child, and a Child. So, yeah, both." I nodded as I went over to pick up the canteen and closed it, handing it back to him.

When Law accepted it back, I started to unwrap my right hand, showing him the little mark on my ring finger.

"Ta-dah, here's proof, besides all my other abilities." I did some jazz hands for an additional effect.

Without skipping a beat, cause now or never, "also, my full name is Guerra D. Astrid, do what you will with that information. Okay," I looked at him, with Law just gaping at me, "we are going to run laps around the island. Make sure to follow me."

I quickly re-wrapped my hand, the information sinking in for Law, as he soon snapped out of it.

"Wai..WHAT?! OI! OI, ASTRID! COME BACK HERE! WHAT?!" that was how Law was soon running after me.

Because, information is a good incentive.

Let the training officially begin.

x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x

It was within the first five laps around the island that Law couldn't keep up with me. It's to be expected, it's his first day, and I knew he would try his best.

"I….cough…can go….another….lap…" the panting and heaving that Law was doing did not inspire confidence. Also the fact that he was laying on the ground.

I nodded my head, "I bet you can, but it's not recommended. You are building up your stamina, Law, you are already on the path to change yourself."

"If…," he sits up, chugs some water, wiping his mouth, "I do…another lap, tell…me everything?"

I tilted my head as I looked at him, "Law, I was already planning on telling your parents some, if not all, information about my person. Do you want to wait till I tell them? Or rather I tell you little bits and pieces now?"

Law thought about it, it was within two minutes that he was catching his breath that he just, "when are you going to tell them?"

"After you are done training with me today." I smiled at him.

He glared at me, sighing as he got up.

"Bring it on, Astrid."

x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x

Law looked like he couldn't hold himself up anymore.

After another lap, he just layed down while I completed my twenty (I'm aiming for thirty next time), and then we got to the swimming portion.

Law nearly drowned during the swimming portion.

He nearly did a lap, and his legs then gave up….at least he tried.

Not fun, a solid ten out of ten, had to fish him out and more coughing slash hacking ensued for the little guy.

I just told him to wait for me there while I completed my set, and then more muscle training and the like would happen when I came back.

He was frowning, but nodded, not a word uttered from him.

I rushed to do my thirty laps in the ocean (more laps on sea than land, that's just how I am), like sure, people are out and about when I'm usually training (other crazy people that wake up to the sun, adds more hours and more fun, I'd like to say), but I can tell from my blurry goggles that Law was chatting with some of the townsfolk.

Gotta love water on my, bum-dun-duh-dah, prescription goggles! I DIDN'T KNOW THEY WERE A THING, but whoever invented them, big hearty thanks.

I am so glad that Doctor Trafalgar got me these, and the whopping ten pairs of glasses. I really, really needed them, given my track record of glasses breaking slash shenanigans.

Once done, Law handed me the canteen, with me just gulping it down with reckless abandon.

I motioned for us to go back to my not-so-secret-training-spot, with Law nodding along. The walk over there took more time, since I kept looking behind me and Law was lagging behind.

When we arrived, I started to tell him the rest of the agenda for his training.

"Okay Law," he was seated down on the ground, but soon I got out a stool from my arm, handing it to him while he looked at me like some crazy person, "this is what I would like to do for your training."

He was soon seated, paying rapt attention to me.

"We did push ups, laps around the island, laps in the ocean around the island, but these are the things that I am used to. We should be building you up on your foundation so that later down the line, you don't get winded like you have been today. With that in mind –"

"Astrid."

I looked at him, he was staring at his hands.

"Have you been training like that all your life? Even younger than me?"

I felt my eyes raise.

"Yes, I've been training like that for nearly all my life. I started off with the basics, and then I kept on doing crazier and crazier things. Before I knew it, I was able to take on people twice my size and three times my height." I tilted my head, as he was shifting around, "Why's that, Law?"

Law looked up from his hands to look at me, "I won't be able to catch up with you soon."

That's when I felt myself frowning.

"Law," his eyes staring into mine, "you've barely started, and to reiterate, I've been training since I was five or six years old. One does not gain all the knowledge of the teacher in just one day…cough, unless you're a college student, cough, it takes time to build a solid foundation and go from there."

I started patting his head, his hat dry since he kept it out of harm's way, "you'll get to my point eventually. There's no need to rush. Progress is progress, no matter what obstacles you may face."

I looked up to the sky.

"No matter the trials that you impose on yourself."

Then I looked onto the sea, the vantage point that we have letting me see the sun reflecting the waves clearly.

"No matter how far away we are from our loved ones, or the memories held in one place, we'll always find a way to overcome and persevere. Even in the darkest hour that we find ourselves in."

I looked at him once more.

"Trust in that, and trust in me," I smiled at him, "I'm going to do my best for all of you."

I turned away, gathering my thoughts on what may be the best thing to do for training Law, with me getting out a stored stick to write on the ground.

What went unnoticed at that time, for me, that is, was that Law looked at me with respect, a newfound hope, and…well, an admiration for someone that he was starting to look at as an actual older sister.

[ Location: Flevance, North Blue ; March 13th; Early, Morning - Astrid: 12 years old ]

Training finished, and both of us taking turns in the bath or just showering, we made our way to breakfast.

To Lami pouting, the dear was shooting angry eyes at the both of us.

So much so, that their parents had to address it.

"Lami, eat your rice balls dear." Her mom was patting her head, fixing her hair as I unintentionally made eye contact with the little bean.

My eyes darted the other way, which didn't go unnoticed by the younger.

I SHOULDN'T FEEL GUILTY, LIKE LOOK AT LAW, HE'S AS COOL AS A CUCUMBER, EATING HIS RICE BALL WITHOUT A CARE IN THE WORLD.

Lami then slammed her hands on the table, "ASTRID-ONEESAN AND LAW-ONIISAN ARE DOING SUPER-SECRET STUFF AND LEFT ME OUT."

I choked and nearly spit out my food, Law had trouble swallowing and was gulping down water, and the Trafalgar parents were looking at the both of us, and their daughter, in concern.

What a fun time.

I managed to breathe, taking a deep breath before Law beat me to the punch.

"Astrid-oneesan has started training me," Law glanced at his parents, "I want to grow stronger, and Astrid-oneesan is going to teach me." He continued eating as normal.

I felt my eyes widen, as that was the first time that he referred to me in that way.

Nodding along, I corroborated with, "I started training Law since he asked me," my eyes wandered to him, and then to the Trafalgars, " I can assure you, I'll do my best to keep him safe and monitor him in his training."

Law then, of course, added one last thing, "And?"

He kicked me under the table.

Ow.

But I know what he probably meant by that.

I relinquished a deep sigh from my body, "I also have something that I need to tell all of you."

X0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x

After eating, we headed into the living room.

I really don't want to do this, but I have to, well, no, want to do this, as to give insight on myself…

We were all seated, the Trafalgar parents on the couch, Lami between them, Law on the recliner, and me, on the other recliner.

"Okay, where to start…where to start…well, let's get this out of the way. Mr. and Mrs. Trafalgar, do you guys know what a Child is?"

Both of their eyes went really wide, silence falling into the room.

Mrs. Trafalgar broke the silence, "they are bedtime stories," she waved her hand in the air, "they aren't real, right, dear?" Mrs. Trafalgar looked at her husband.

Mr. Trafalgar, on the other hand, was looking at the ground, anywhere else besides his wife.

"Dear, my love, having done Astrid's physical, and drawing my own conclusions, a lot of evidence points to –"

"What's a child?" Lami slid her way in.

"No, dear, a Child." Mrs. Trafalgar corrected her.

"Aren't they the same thing?" Lami was starting to look very confused.

I started to shake my head side to side, "it's a yes and no, cause I am a child right now, but I am also a Child." I smiled at her.

"Cause look, I can do this," I started to get out an apple from my arm.

Then a mini-stove I bought after getting my first check.

Then a bag of milk, traded some bacon for it.

Then a Sora: Warrior of the Seas figurine that I found, guess that surprise for Law is ruined, I saw how Law's eyes widened when I got that out.

Lastly, I just got out a pitcher of lemonade and some biscuits that I made like a week ago, but they are still fresh from when I put them in.

"Please, have some." I motioned to the biscuits and lemonade, taking out some glasses as Mr. and Mrs. Trafalgar gawked at me.

Lami had the twinkle in her eyes.

"Uhhhh, I can also do this?" I just teleported on the arm of the chair that Law was on, then just teleported myself to sit upside-down on the chair that I was on previously, then teleported to stairs and then back again.

They were gawking less? now. The surprise was still there though.

"Next to last, I can also do this," tapping my hands on the little holes on the sides of my shirt, I touched the X's and got out my staff.

Law did not know this one. He was just as surprised as his parents while Lami was nearly jumping up and down.

I could swear that a word bubble was over her head chanting, "MORE, MORE, MORE!"

"Last, but not least, I am an apprentice on my Dad's pirate crew….and my full name is Guerra D. Astrid." I had a sheepish smile on my face, as I took off my hat to show off my hair.

My star filled, twinkling hair.

"It's a pleasure to fully make your acquaintance", I politely bowed towards them, rubbing the back of my neck and putting away the staff.

[ Location: Flevance, North Blue ; March 15th; - Astrid: 12 years old ]

They took it very well.

No screaming, or yelling, or yelps of surprise.

No demanding that I get out of their house, never to be seen again, or any type of disownment.

They were understanding, caring, and said that it didn't change anything. If anything, it caused them to be a bit more protective of me? I don't know how to describe it, but the both of them stated, and I quote,

"You and Law are not allowed to be outside after dark, no exceptions. The both of you need to stick together when going out. No matter what, Astrid, you are not to be alone."

Besides that, as long as Law is with me and it's light outside, we are fine. Also with me having on a hat, and keeping the mark of a Child hidden.

I had to explain my abilities, of course, and my training regime. I explained what I am going to do for Law, and how I am going to cater to his needs for training.

Great, good, fine, all that jazz.

Then, the Trafalgar's trusted me with a secret of their own.

"Law and Lami's full names are Trafalgar D. Water Law and Trafalgar D. Water Lami…" Mr. Trafalgar started out, explaining that they are a family also containing the will of D.

Fun, fun, fun, I am a trusted person and I am not going to betray their trust.

I'm going to take care of them, like how they are taking care of me.

Moving on to the present.

Law has to accompany me to my odd jobs, and he doesn't mind as long as he has a book with him to study.

Adorable, absolutely adorable.

Lami is hanging out with us, but not when we do early, early morning training.

She is happy that she is being included though, and always brags that, "my elder siblings are amazing!" to even, "My big sister is going to shake the world!" and also to, "My brother is going to be the world's best doctor!"

I wish that I had that amount of confidence for myself, like how I inspire confidence in her to say such things about myself.

Lami, she helps me cultivate hope, and inspires me to be better, as to not betray her expectations. The same could be said for Law, and their parents as well.

All I can do is try to be better, even when my better may one day not be good enough.

I've gained the trust of many adults on the island.

Many kids ask us out to play, we pass by the orphanage and the church, playing and having fun.

I sometimes play on the organ, although I am a little bit out of practice for that type of piano. It's the type with the steps and the upper and lower keyboard.

All in all, the days feel like they are going by rather rapidly.

Well, I just hope that these peaceful days last for a good, long time.

[ Location: Mobey Dick, various other vessels; Sailing to a CERTAIN ISLAND ; 3rd Day – 5pm]

Everyone in the Moby had a short intermission, where they could stretch their legs, get some air, and get things in order so that people could man their ships for a bit.

The Bushy Browed Man didn't give much of an explanation besides, "I need to do something, I'll be back at six." Disappearing once he passed through the usual doors.

Law went to go discuss some things with Chopper, Marco, Hongou, and another dear doctor from the Kidd Pirate Crew, Max.

Kid and Killer went to go talk with Uta, something about a secret stash of items that Astrid hid in her room in the Red Force, or the rumor that the Red Haired Pirates had spread.

Hancock and some of the Kuja were hanging around the Strawhat Pirates, exchanging pleasantries amongst the exchange of information about the New World.

The Revolutionaries were talking to the Whitebeards, Dragon and Iva-san talking to Whitebeard himself while the Commanders talked to the corresponding personnel.

Crocodile and Daz Bones went to go talk to Buggy and Mihawk, where the Red-Haired Pirates were presiding at the same table, moving once the intermission started.

Bon-chan and some other okama were talking to some of the nurses, while others went to greet Sanji, who mysteriously disappeared once the intermission started.

The Heart Pirates were about, talking to the Kidd Pirates and the Strawhats as others went back to the Polar Tang.

The dear people from the land of Wano, although confused as to why Kanjuro and others would fall asleep right away, tried not to disturb them too much.

The colorful band of people cohabited to the best of their ability, where we tune in to the small happenings that some were doing.

X0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x

"Okay, Kid, Killer, this is Astrid-neesans room. I heard from Shanks that she might have hidden something here that might give us a better idea on what she was thinking." Uta had opened the door, the familiar space of the room and the objects in it bringing back memories for her. She stepped in sitting in the chair that was next to the bed.

Kid grunted, making his way into the space while Killer took in the room, before going in himself.

The same chest at the foot of the bed, the same bed, with a newer mattress and sheets, the same desk, organized and cleaned. A basket filled with spare blankets right next to it, the same porthole with a small curtain to protect those from the bright light. A clock, hanging over-head the desk, the time showing five O' ten. A closet, when opened, sparsely filled with clothes and boxes that held items.

What type of items, some of the boxes held the names such as, 'sketchbooks', 'music scores', and even 'ideas', while others held no name. About fourteen different boxes littered the floor of the closet, with one under the desk.

They got to work.

Taking out the boxes, and setting them out in the open room, they started to delineate who went through what.

Killer began with, "This box holds sketchbooks, so I'll –"

"Gimme." Kid held out both of his hands, one of flesh, and the other of a cool, stainless metal.

"Kid~, I should -"

"Not in your life, Miss Diva, I want to see Neesans drawings."

They both stared at each other for a hot minute, before Uta sighed and Kid just grinned.

"The both of you, I swear…" Killer shook his head, "we can't be like this for each box, we have less than an hour."

"HE STARTED IT, –."

"IT'S NOT MY FAULT THAT –"

"HE'S LIKE THIS." / "SHE' LIKE THIS."

Uta and Kid both nearly started growling at each other when Killer clapped his hands.

"Guys, guys, remember. Either we…"

"...Flip a coin…."

"...Or paper rock scissors…."

"No fighting."

"No fighting." / "No fighting."

They all looked dejected, in their own ways when they said the last part.

Uta, a sad look in her eyes.

Kid, looking away, gaze softened a little bit, but a frown mired his face looking at the box.

Killer, although expression hidden behind the mask, sighed as he picked up another box.

"Each of us grab five boxes, and we'll see if she left anything for us to know about."

Kid and Uta nodded along, choosing the boxes in relative silence.

The work is only beginning.

X0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x

In the Medbay of the Moby Dick, a group of doctors were conversing and exchanging information that they knew all too well.

"Looking at Astrid's medical charts gives insight on how reckless she is." Max sighed, as the doctors were holding a rare, in person medical meeting about their most notable patient.

Law looked through each page, listing some things off from her past injuries, "fractured rib cage, dislocated shoulder, punctured organs, broken leg, broken arm, near–"

"WHY IS ASTRID-CHAN LIKE THIS?!" Chopper nearly burst, interrupting Law as he was seeing the pictures and the extent of her past injuries, "DOESN'T SHE CHERISH HERSELF?!"

"Doctor Chopper…," Marco started out, "...Astrid has a complicated view about herself. We've all seen glimpses of that, have we not?" Marco could only pat Chopper on the back as everyone else sighed.

Hongou was shaking his head, "the thing is, she may have been reckless when she was little, but later on in life, she became reckless to the extreme."

Hongou looked at every single doctor in the room, "And nobody knows why she changed to be that way."

They all looked at her medical chart.

They all knew her medical history now, even when it was harder for others to see what was ailing her.

Some knew her a little bit better than others, while others thought they knew her better.

They all wished they knew the full truth.

The things left unsaid.

What was plaguing her mind, to where she became like this. A person moving with reckless abandon while doing her best for others.

Most importantly,

Where was she now?

X0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x

"Oii, cook, what are you doing on the Sunny?" A relaxed Zoro saw the cook shuffling onboard, the man in question looking each and every way besides the swordsman.

Zoro wanted some time to be alone, to enjoy the small break with a jug of sake.

"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS MARIMO!" Sanji left in a huff, running inside the kitchen while Zoro scoffed.

Zoro just shook his head, enjoying the sun and the breeze, as he prepared to nap.

X0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x

"Guys, do you this is what it actually is?" Kid turned the sketchbook cover over, revealing the title.

N0DEZ, DO NOT OPEN IF NOT ARTIST!

"NEECHAN?!" Uta looked at the sketchbook with horror in her eyes.

Killer was thinking about it, and just shrugged, "open it."

"KILLER, NOT YOU TOO!" Uta was getting up to take away the sketchbook when Killer grabbed her, shaking his head as his shoulders started to go up and down….with withheld laughter.

It wasn't noticed by Kid, as he was focusing and struggling to flip the page, but Uta looked at Killer confused, before she started to smirk, sitting back down.

Seeing the first page, Kid sputtered, confused one second, processing the next, and then yelling for all to hear,

"THESE ARE CAKE DRAWINGS!"

Kid flipped it to the back of the sketchbook, seeing the note that Astrid usually leaves on that designated page.

"Just kidding~! Tee-hee~! Hope you like cake, and other sweets~! Maybe one day you'll find that sketchbook, whoever you are!"

Astrid had left her signature on the bottom, a mini-chibi of herself with a peace-sign right next to it.

"NEEEEEEECHAAAAAAAAAAAN!"

Uta and Killer could only laugh in the background.

X0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x

"I have a feeling that the kids are having fun~" Shanks laughed as some of the Red-Haired pirates smiled.

Crocodile blew out some smoke, causing Buggy to cough and hack "what gives you that idea, Red-Hair?"

"Looking at the Strawhats," a good majority of the table looked at the other table, "they are definitely having a blast."

Overhearing little bits and pieces of the conversation from the other table, it seemed like Usopp was regaling a tall tale of when he was younger.

Robin and Franky were giving some stories and input themselves about a different tale that involved Astrid.

Luffy was eating, talking about Astrid and her many exploits.

The table was having a good time reminiscing.

X0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x

"She left us….letters?" Uta opened up the next box, each envelope addressed to a different person.

The time was now five forty, all three tiring as their search was near-fruitless.

There was one letter in particular that was left on top, thicker than the others as it seemed to hold more than just the letter.

Kid and Killer looked up immediately, both about to say something when Uta held up the one envelope.

The envelope was addressed to:

Everyone.

X0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x

People were shuffling back to the Mobey Dick, the time nearly up for the intermission.

The doctors taking their place, everyone heading back to the spots that they claimed as theirs from the last few days of sailing.

Uta, Kid, and Killer, on the other hand, were up on the mini-stage with a box, from what all can see.

When the Bushy Browed Man came back, seeing the three of them standing there while everyone else was seated, there was some confusion.

"What are ya three kiddos doin' there?"

Killer brought up the box, with Uta motioning for the Bushy man to come closer.

Whispering in his ear, she explained what the three of them had found.

The Bushy Browed man tilted his head, his eyebrows hiding his eyes that were squinting at them.

"Would you like me to announce this?" The man looked at the three.

Kid huffed, Killer made a so-so motion with his head as his hands held the first fruit of their labor, and Uta said," we want to read the letter, but we think you should announce there are letters."

The Bushy Browed man nodded, soon announcing what the three kiddos had found.

The Mobey's galley erupted with noise, with the man quieting down everyone.

Many looked on in shock, others wondered what each letter's contents held, and some just wanted to know.

To move along.

"I'll start with the letter addressed for everyone before we pass out the other letters!" Uta began, gladly accepting the microphone from the Bushy Browed man.

Clearing her throat, she opened the letter, and began,

"Guerra D. Astrid, twenty seven years old,

HELLO! If you are reading this, that means you went through my stuff!

I guess…shame on you?"

Some made a face, others chuckled, and others just sighed.

"IF you found this, that means I'm not there…right?"

The silence in the room soon became deafening.

"I'm sorry for not being there. Circumstance and other forces are at play for I imagine a maybe, potentially, probably sudden? departure….

I can't reveal too much, but please know that I didn't….want…to…leave….

It's…hard….to…write this letter.

I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry…

I….I….I'm not..allo…can't…ex….

I'm sorry. *tear stain* Since the last letter…the….it's….I…

Please know, please know that I love all of you so much.

Please….know…I'm sorry."

The last bit of the letter held her signature, as she soon took out the rest of the contents held within the envelope.

Pictures of everyone, with Astrid posing with each respective crew and groups of people that she made friends with along the way.

Uta was rubbing her face, being handed a tissue from Kid, as Killer started passing out the letters to the addressed person or persons.

Once situated, everyone took a seat, calming down as they continued on with the her story.

[ Location: Flevance, North Blue ; March 30th; Mid-day - Astrid: 12 years old ]

After a long day, Law, Lami, and I are just moving about with their mother, on our way to get ice cream.

Nice, calm, and peaceful.

We go in the ice cream shop, get our cones of our chosen flavors (I ended up choosing cookies and cream variation), leaving and eating as we headed back to the clinic.

Biting into the ice cream, I just think, 'I hope these days can continue forever'.

That.

That was when I felt a pang, an all too familiar bad-gut feeling starting to form.

That was when we all heard a gasp, with me turning around seeing Law grabbing onto Lami as she tumbles onto the floor, clutching her chest. A faint white splotch can be seen on her tiny wrist.

She's in pain. It's here, it's beginning, it's….

It's Amber-Lead Syndrome.

[ Location: Flevance, North Blue ; March 30th; Evening - Astrid: 12 years old ]

"I want to help Doctor Traflagar."

We barely get back to the clinic, Law helping carry his sister to the infirmary as the examination begins. I may already know what is ailing her, but who would believe me?

Who would believe an outsider that knows of what the mines are causing? I may have some credibility due to helping out, but this…this is new, and unknown.

So unknown….that it was believed to be contagious by the surrounding islands….that ends up causing…

Why? Why do people have to be cruel in the face of not understanding?

The only thing I can do is help. That is what I must do.

I shall help.

With that in mind, that was the first thing that came out of my mouth when we arrived back.

"But Astrid…..if you reveal your abilities…then…" Mr. Trafalgar started out.

I shook my head, "I'll just have to try and see if I can heal people first," I looked off to the side, "I'm not even sure if I can fully heal anyone who has been exposed to Amber Lead all their life…"

"Amber Lead is the cause of this…..?" Both myself and Mr. Trafalgar turned towards Law, who stared at us wide eyed.

Wait…oh shit, my brain went and said it when I don't have any concrete evidence yet!

But these people…they trust me….maybe…just maybe.

I looked down, averting my gaze, "yes," I said in barely a whisper, "continued inhalation of Amber-Lead from the mines and the surrounding area have led to what we see now…Amber-Lead Syndrome."

I heard Law barely whisper, "is it contagious?"

"IT'S NOT CONTAGIOUS!" I looked at the Trafalgars and Law, all of them taken aback from my outburst, "It's not contagious, not by a long shot. It's only from prolonged exposure over generations that causes it to be present in people."

"Like us residents of Flevance." confirmed.

I nodded my head, as I laid out what I knew of Amber-Lead Syndrome.

Maybe, with my knowledge, we'll have a chance?

They deserve a chance.

[ Location: Mobey Dick, various other vessels; Sailing to a CERTAIN ISLAND ; 3rd Day – 7:30pm]

Everyone was looking on, many seeing the struggles that Astrid had while trying to help the people of Flevance.

First, she tried to heal Lami, trying to abate some of the symptoms with her staff, only able to lessen the pain and delay the inevitable.

Astrid tried to help other people, sneaking into the sick ward and trying to abate multiple peoples symptoms, but her power…her power was not a cure all.

She tried to heal…

Astrid could only heal so much, but she could only alleviate some of the symptoms, the Amber-Lead still present in the patients bodies.

Astrid wanted to see all options available to her….

She tried to purify where the Amber-Lead was stored in the body.

Astrid….fainted….after the first try….

She didn't stop trying, she didn't want to give up.

It was when the blockades started, when the surrounding islands started to hear of Amber-Lead syndrome, refusing to trade and isolating Flevance…..

Astrid started to tell all the residents to evacuate.

To leave immediately.

The Trafalgar family took her seriously, but were unable to leave….unable to abandon the town, the research on the disease.

Everyone else…..everyone else didn't believe her.

"Look, it's her, the person that wants us to leave."

"Look, it's the girl that believes that we should all go, not like anything would happen to us."

"Why are you telling us to leave?"

"Where would we go?"

"This is our home."

"There's a blockade."

"Liar."

"LIAR."

"LIAR!"

Astrid ignored them, training and preparing for what was to come. The gut feeling was growing more and more by the day.

Each and every day, she would try to help, she would do traditional medicine, and use her abilities in secret in order to do anything.

Some people refused her treatment in the daytime, and her abilities would only be used at night for the people that were off worse with the disease.

There is only so much that can be done, before fate moves its hand.

[ Location: Flevance, North Blue ; April 30th; Morning - Astrid: 12 years old ]

"Look, it's the little girl who cried wolf." One of the miners began to laugh.

I ignored him, Law was right beside me as we were finishing up the last of our errands before heading back to the clinic. We had finished training an hour prior.

Another miner laughed, "I can't believe that the Trafalgars haven't kicked her out yet, causing so much trouble around the island."

Just because I know what is to come, doesn't mean everyone else will believe me.

"OI!, WHAT DO –"

I shut Law down quickly, covering his mouth as he was tense. He looked at me with wide eyes.

I shook my head no, leading him away as the miners and some of the other townspeople continued to laugh.

Law was in front of me, with me guarding his back.

Some people have decided to throw things at me….for being a disturbance over the last few days. I need to be able to protect him.

"Astrid-oneesan, why?"

We continued to walk, with him in front of me, unable to see his face.

"Why let them continue to say such things?"

I sighed, "you can't lead a horse to water and expect it to drink it….even if I warn everyone, that doesn't mean they'll believe me."

"All the signs are there….all that you've said has been true….so…." Law growled out.

I patted his head, still pushing him, trying to change the subject, "at least there is one evacuation boat…"

"How are we sure that they actually evacuated?" Law turned towards me, "how are we sure that they were taken to safety from that boat….it was a World Government ship….and…"

I looked at him, a sad feeling in my chest, "we can only hope, Law….we can only hope."

[ Location: Flevance, North Blue ; May ….; Night - Astrid: 12 years old ]

The city….the town of Flevances streets are ablaze.

I went to get some food from the other side of the island, I went to get some more water, supplies being so low…

I ran and I ran…

Dodging, taking out my swords as I slashed down weapons and knocked people out.

The people with the gas masks…the ones up in arms to…to…..

People, once so happily walking down these streets, now lay on the streets…

People I knew…

People I cared about…

Age…why?….WHY?

Passing the orphanage, running to the hospital…

Each building, burning….

Each place….no more…to be ash…and soot, and dust.

The stench, the sounds, the sight, so overwhelming.

Run, run, run…

The clinic…barely burning…

I find the Trafalgars….I wasn't able to say goodbye…I….quickly take some pictures from the clinic, a first aid kit, and run from the building.

Run, run, run…

Run, run, run….

I hear a scream, and I run towards it…

Law.

LAW..

I HAVE TO FIND LAW.

Run, run, run…

Ignore everything, you see nothing, you smell nothing…

Run, run, run…

Law, crying his eyes out, looking on at a burning hospital.

I pick him up, he struggles, he doesn't recognize me.

Confused and in pain.

"LAW, IT'S ME." I shake him.

He sees me, he takes a good look at me…

"Astrid-oneesan…" I hurriedly pick him up, seeing from the distance a reflection of metal.

Run, run, run….

Run, run, run…

Dodging, running like no tomorrow.

Wounded, but just one pass through, will be tended by the morrow.

Counter-attacking, disarming, careful with my small little brother that I have grasped in my arms.

Run, run, run…

Run till you can't no more…

Run and hide…

For you are in the storm.

[ Location: Mobey Dick, various other vessels; Sailing to a CERTAIN ISLAND ; 3rd Day – 9:30pm]

"They hid….you guys hid…" Kid's anger, the tension in the room, as everyone saw how Astrid and Law had to hide on the vessel in such a manner.

Astrid bleeding out, Law applying pressure, hiding between the others as the vessel took the residents of Flevance far…far…away…

"Yes," looked down at his hands, as everyone looked between him and the screen, "yes we did. We did what we had to do to survive."

Everyone watching the screen starred, and when the Bushy Browed Man pausing the video, calling time…

What else was in store?

Many stayed seated, beginning to open their letters….

Others left, to turn in for the night..

Others stayed, processing, understanding….

And others… well…after twenty minutes and some thought….

"SANJI! I WANT MEAT!"

"DAMNIT LUFFY! NOT NOW!"

"MEAAAAAT!"

– 3rd Day: DONE –

HELPFUL STUFF!

Astrid's Abilities:

Abilities to Confuse a Child:

- Teleportation

- Space Hair?

Chosen Abilities:

- Spatial Storage

- Tri-Staff from the X's

A/N:

Yo, Yo, YOOOOOO!

That happened within the time frame of a few months? Man, o' man, that was just….ophhhh. To think I would make her cry wolf, she's telling the truth, and no one believes her….

Like Noland….but everyone believes Roger, even though no one besides the Roger Pirates has even seen the One Piece! NEVER SKIP SKYPIEA, I TELL YA.

Gotta love Goda-sensei, ya know. The parallels.

Anyways, she's in a pickle….what can ya do? Ya know…..

It took many edits, deleting, adding, then just wondering where I'm going and then finding where I wanted to be all along for this chapter. I went with the flow, easy, simple, and sad.

OH, I found the old first chapter…like the OG first chapter that started the juices for this fic, there were two prototypes and I mashed it into one document, and re-reading it now….

My writing is surprisingly better in the past than in the present, so way to go past me, give me back my creativity. Also, to think that I started brainstorming this fic in 2020, then came the lore, then the…OCs…and then actually posting…ophh, past me is so proud of present me, so, so proud….ahhh, let me shed some tears.

ANYWHO, hope all of you guys are enjoying this? Still? I know I don't update often, but I am also an avid fanfic reader, video game nerd, and well the personal and private stuffs are keepin me busy…kinda…maybe…

I have recognized that some people may not like this fic, and I should count myself lucky that no one has been negative! A big hug to all those who do enjoy my fic, from the bottom of my heart, thank you!

Wishing all of ya the best, and peace out!

With a FIST OF LOVE,

-DH

Oh yeah, the next update should be June or July….or maybe August…lookin' at my track record, give or take? BHAHAHAHA, I AM TERRIBLE for posting late, forgive me *cries* (50 pages later – ~16,000 words)

Also, probs will edit some of the older chapters in AO3, since some of the formatting didn't transfer over *wink*