The Chronicler Chapter 3, an one piece fanfic

Chapter 3: Abel's Log

I have never in my life missed the simple joy of alcohol and it's numbing effects until this very day. I suppose I always took it for granted, expected it to be there when I needed it and now that there isn't any...

Anyway, I need some outlet for all... this. Writing always calmed me down, so this is my solution. This journal and the pen will get a lot of mileage, I'll wager. For this pen is my mighty sword and this journal is the place I banish my demons. My own personal Tartarus, where mad beasts roam. My own personal Pandora's Box, to contain all the world's madness and evil.

This page is already wasted on this nonesense, so I'll start properly on the next. And be more calm about it.

Abel's Log, Day 2

After the shock of yesterday, I was a mess. I hate it when I'm in that state, rare as it is. Whenever something get's too much for me I go into a delirious daze, where I try to shelter my mind from what is bothering it by shutting it down. It's like being put in solitary confinement in your own mind. And if you know anything about solitary confinement, you know that is a very bad thing.

I don't deal with with extreme anxiety. Yesterday was just too damn much, too damn fast.

I scared Gaimon and his flock something fierce. I honestly feel pretty bad about everything I said or thought of the guy. Weird he may be, but he's a big sweetheart. And despite being unholy freaks of nature that no amount of cross-breeding can explain, they are pretty well behaved and- this is so embarrassing -affectionate.

I didn't know being nestled in a mound of mix-match critters was so comfy and warm. It actually helped me break out of my delirium. I was, of course, grateful and explained my situation fully to Gaimon. And when I say fully, I mean everything. It must've sounded absolutely crazy to him, but I wanted to explain myself. The man deserved to know. In the end he seemed to at least not think I was completely crazy.

While I was out Gaimon and his animal friends packed up all my stuff and carried me and my new belongings deeper into the forest. Apparently he was afraid I'd get sunburn, due to my ghastly pale skin. Can't say I've ever had that particular problem, but I appreciated the thought.

It's a shame none of the animals are what I'd define as 'cute'. Subjective but... they still freak me out. They just make no damn sense!

Afterwards Gaimon showed me where to find fruit, berries and edible plants, as well as a small spring for drinking water. At least the hunger or thirst will not claim me so easily.

Oh, also something I noticed after coming to. I looked at The Codex again and, despite catching a bullet for me, it was absolutely pristine. Not even as much as a scuff mark was on it. That is, quite frankly, bullshit! The bullet would have, at least, pierced partway through. And I know, it's a round metal ball, guns are primitive here, but even those had serious penetration power! History fact!

Just another thing that makes no sense. Sure! Let's add it to the pile!

So yeah, learned more about where I am, in general. The Codex had some more pages filled. Had to REALLY look to find them, but I'm thorough like that. I swear this thing fills out at random.

Apparently this world, which apparently has no name, is almost entirely ocean. I mean, moreso than Earth. Literally almost all the landmasses are classified as islands. The ocean is split into four parts: North Blue, South Blue, West Blue and East Blue(where I am, apparently). There's also a thing called the Grand Line, which I got nothing for. No context.

The only entry I had was on East Blue, which called it "the weakest sea". Whatever that means. Maybe it's storms are just sissy versions of real storms? I'd ask Gaimon, but I get the feeling he may not necessarily be up to date on things. The entry itself was really vague though, only mentioning a few locations, like the Baratie and Conomi Island.

Again, without context. Context. Is. IMPORTANT!

I hate this thing so much, but my gut tells me I need it. Urgh.

Anyway, today I'm going to do some practice shooting on some birds flying overhead and around the island. I need to figure out how well that modified long rifle functions.

Addendum: Hit three out of seven birds, using nine shots. Pretty good for moving targets, but I can do better. The rifle has a surprising kick to it, but is very stable and accurate. I just need to adjust to the recoil and start priming my head to run math again.

I knew all those times at the shooting range weren't a waste of time!

Addendum 2: A bird tried to snatch my wig. Showed him! Bird is on the menu.

Abel's Log, Day 3

Been practicing my shooting. In tough moderation. It occured to me that, indeed, I only have so many bulets. And until I can figure out a way to make more, which I theoretically can, I need to not waste them. My accuracy is improving and I'm getting used to the gun. It really speaks to me. I've been thinking of giving it a name, but haven't figured out what yet.

One of the birds I shot down landed in the ocean. Was eaten up by that stupid big catfish. I call it the Peekfish because that's how it eats shit from the surface. Asshole.

Addendum: I might have forgotten to tell Gaimon that I was practicing, so he's been panicking that someone's come to raid his pad(whatever there is to steal). My bad. Have to get used to communicating with people again. Can only be useful. Now if only I could obtain some sweet vengeance on that prick that ate my way out of this hell. I swear, I should've called myself Dante. That's gender-neutral enough, right? I mean, I'd need a surefire method to get it in a position t

Addendum 2: I TRICKED A BITCH! Baited the dumb fucker to pop out with a bird I shot down and blasted a hole right through the eyes! It was gruesome. Bye-Bye, Peekfish! Maybe I can somehow pull it on shore so I can roast it?

Addendum 3: The Peekfish was just eaten by what appeared to be an even more massive water-snake-thing. I'm not going near the water anymore. What the fuck.

Abel's Log, Day 4

I am mad. And cranky. And starting to feel filthy. The only water I'd willingly go near is the spring, but I don't want to contaminate the water with my gunk. I would kill for a bath, or a shower. I don't care if I have to go medieval, I just want to be clean! UGH!

You know, I've never really thought of how much of a blessing it is that I can't grow facial hair. No scratchy, sruffy feeling needles on my face after a few days. Only my pretty, pretty face.

I'm also tired of pulling twigs and leaves out of my wig. I'd take it off, but I don't wanna. It's my only one. I don't have a spare. They are at home oh damnit they are gonna be thrown away! Damnit, my landlady is a bitch and after she notices I'm gone all my stuff is as good as trash in her stingy bitch-eyes!

Great, now I made myself angrier. This day is ruined.

Abel's Log, Day 6

Didn't write anything yesterday. So bored! Sleeping under the stars was fun only as a novelty, and now I am sick of everything.

Have been training to use my long rifle as a combat implement at close range. It has enough length to function like a staff. Have only gonked my head on the stock thrice. Hurts like hell, but helps me understand what I'm doing wrong.

I haven't touched any of the "special" ammunition. Too hesitant. A massive unknown factor. And I don't want to waste them.

I don't know how much longer I can last.

Addendum: The Rifle has been named Azazel. I also names the derringers. The black one is Lucifer and the white one is Satanael. I don't have fixation.

Abel's Log, Day 9

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Abel's Log, Day 15

I feel disgusting. I think Gaimon is starting to notice something is off with me. I can't blame him. I've been acting weird for a while. I just can't stand this isolation. The Codex is no help. I tried to shoot it to vent. Did absolutely nothing. The thing is invincible to harm. What the fuck.

I needed to stop shooting practice because I've already used exactly 59 basic rounds. I'm trying to keep it together, if for not for mine, but for Gaimon's benefit.

I don't want to go crazy on him. He doesn't desrve to go through that.

I just need something- anything -to get my mind to focus. I need a direction to divert all this pent up mental strain into.

Abel's Log, Day 26

It's almost been a month. I've managed to keep myself sane by reciting every single historical, alchemical or myhtological factoid I've been able to memorise in my lifetime. Every single legend, myth and formula. I think I recited the entirety of my college science catalog, all six volumes. From memory! It's actually very surprising how much I've crammed into my stupidly efficient brain.

I think my mind is calm now. It's finally gotten over the denial and jumped into something resembling acceptance. My psychology professor would be scolding me for skipping steps, but I think you can go feel sexually repressed by your mother, Mr. Lamington. Freud-ed, bitch!

This feels like a good pla e to e d

-o~O-O~o-

-MIDDAY OF DAY 26-

Fuck, the pen stopped working.

...

NOOOOOOOO! MY WEAPON AGAINST THIS BULLSHIT IS GONE! DAMN IT ALL TO HELL! MADNESS IS TOO STRONK!

...

I groan and store the journal and the now useless pen into my pocket. Back to gazing upwards, I suppose.

"The sky sure is blue today."

That was a fucking lie. Instead of bright, blue and innocent, the sky I was looking at was dark, rumbling and ominous. Like it had just gotten back from the bar and was now angry at the others for making fun of it for not being edgy enough.

"... I've been here way too long," I summarize every train of thought that has occured to me for the last week, but never made quite as much sense as it did now.

Just a while ago it began storming like crazy, so I'd fled deeper into the forest for shelter. The sky sure as hell wasn't nice to look at back then, but I needed to waste my time. So I took a secure vantage point under thick foliage, lied down and watched nature's wrath from the sky go over.

Not the most entertaining or pleasant of hobbies, but fascinating nontheless. At least the rain stopped a while ago.

Well, lying about isn't going to do any wonders on my mental state. With a few stretches, and an alarming amount of bone crunching, I get off the ground and abandon the tree root I had been using as neck support.

I dust by dress, and I can't help but to wonder how gross and messy I must look. I barely took my clothes off, only doing so to air them out. I couldn't wash them, because that'd mean going close to the water. I am not becoming snake food.

But my dress was a mess. Tears and small holes all over, mostly around the hem-area from all the shit it had snagged on. I suppose in any other situation it might've added character, maybe even badass but no, it only looked pathetic and proof of how long this has been going on. At least I'd taken the time to rid my wig of anything that didn't belong. Small victories.

I pick up Azazel and strap it on my back. I'd begun wearing the harness meant to hold the rifle, as well as carrying ammo around in the ammo bag resting on my hip, both to make the sack of stuff less cumbersome to carry, and to get more intimately used to the weight. The derringers are in my dress pockets, loaded but not primed in case of emergency.

I wonder if it looks good on me? Can't tell without a mirror around, but I'll assume I'm always cool. Just... not right now.

Man, I need a bath. Badly.

...

I feel my posture slump as I release a sigh containing all my grief and bottled up despair. "I'm so beyond rock bottom right now..."

I look at my hand. The nail-paint had flaked off a while ago. Shame. I like them black. Just another reminder of how off-rails my life has gone.

Though, if I am to look for silver linings, I've survived for a good while. Likely could continue to do so for the foreseeable future, but I don't think my sanity can take it. Honestly? I am proud of my accomplishment so far.

But... That feeling will always be a bit hollow until I get out of here.

And just for record, Early on I considered building another raft and try my luck. I'm not an idiot. But then I saw that huge sea-serpent and quickly went 'nope'. I am not stupid enough to gample with massive sea-predators.

Which were real here, apparently. I'd quickly come to accept that. Fucking bizarre ecosystem. Makes sense though. If the world is mostly ocean, it reasons that things in that ocean would evolve like crazy. Apparently this is that, on steroids.

But enough musing to myself. I need to start figuring things out, fast. I can't just fall complacent. That way is the temptation to give up. And I am not a fan of that concept.

My mind might be susceptible to bullshit that makes no sense, but it is not weak!

... !

"... Hmm?" I perk up. I just heard something. It was vague, but I was certain I just heard something from somewhere on the island. I closed my eyes and extended my hearing as far as I could with a minor meditation technique I'd learned once.

It was a boring week and college wasn't doing it for me.

...

There! I could hear a gunshot! But the only person with a gun on this island other than me is Gaimon. And he doesn't go around shooting for no reason, unlike me that one time I was... compromised.

I triangulated the location of the sound. Wasn't exact, but I was certain of the direction it came from. Frankly curious, I grabbed my marginally lighter bag of semi-useful stuff and hoisted it over my shoulder, and began power walking.

The damn thing was still heavy, but I'd gotten used to it to the extent that it wasn't a massive hinderance. Just don't expect me to run with it. I have limits.

So the following moments I spent walking silently towards where the gunshot originated from. On the way I contemplated what could be the cause of this. Just like me, Gaimon only had so many bullets to go around, only far fewer in quantity.

The only time I'd seen him even prepare to use them was when I first met him. And that led me to one, admittedly exciting possibility.

There was someone here. And Gaimon was fiercely protective of this place. And despite me ribbing his appearance, a gun is dangerous in anyone's hands. I could only hope that whomever it was was still alive, and not too hostile. This was my chance!

Soon I begun to hear commotion, faintly but now much more certain of where it came from. One of the upper regions of the island. Luckily I knew my way around so getting there quickly was in my repertuore. I explored this place to get an idea to my situation early on- and while bored -and memorized some useful routes in case I needed them.

I got over to where most of whatever it was was happening, though soon enough the commotion died down. But by then I was close enough to reach the place. One of the cliffsides which I made a point avoiding. Falling that distance into the ocean by accident was not on my bucket list.

Upon closing in on the treeline was when I saw it. Gaimon, along with some of his animal-hybrids licking his scruffy face. And with them, three others. People. Legitimate ass people.

A girl with orange hair, a boy with a straw hat and red vest, and a boy with poofy, curly hair and a nose that was way longer than it had any right to be.

I could hear some of their conversation.

"You're pretty popular, God." Orange-hair stated.

"Until now you were using them to scare away people who came to this island, right?" said Long-nose.

"But I've seen a person stuffed into a chest before." Straw Hat stated, grinning widely. "Are you a boxed and sheltered son?"

"Yeah, I've always been overly pampered since I was just a little boy..." Gaimon said, with a serious expression that soon morphed to one of outrage. "Of course I'm not! I've can't get out of this box! I've been all alone on this island for 20 years, trapped in this chest!"

"20 years?!" Orange-hair exclaims.

Then Long-nose snaps his purse/satchel open, pulls out a freaking thermostat, pours himself a drink and just drinks it. That is not the appropriate reaction!

Long-nose sighs contently at the drink and turns back to Gaimon. "You've been alone on this island for 20 years?"

I grin and prepare my vocal chords. I can't resist the opportunity!

"Not necessarily alone, per se," I make it my point to butt in, exiting the trees and walking into view, my tone softer and my pitch much higher. I have their attention and I shoot Gaimon a look that I hope he understands. "Seeing as little old me has also been stranded here for almost a month. Sniff~ sniff~." I add some fake sadness in for flavor and wipe away fake tears.

"Who are you?" Straw Hat asks plainly.

"Well someone is a bit tactless," I remark dryly. "Just brush off the feelings of a lonesome maiden, why don't you. But if you must know, I am Abel, a simple stranded person."

"Sorry about him," Orange-hair apologized, showing more manners than Straw Hat. "He's a bit dense. Nice to meet you. I'm Nami."

"Why, hello to you too, dear~." I croon pleasanrly, plastering a kind smile on my face.

"And I'm great Pirate Captain Usopp!" Long-nose boasted, standing up to pose "heroically". "Brave warrior of the sea and leader of one million men!"

"I don't much appreciate liars," I remark, examining my nails while feigning indifference. True, though more specifically, I do not appreciate bad liars. And that was bad. Really, really bad. Absolutely no believability.

Long-nose blanched at my reaction and slumped, looking quite depressed at my off-handed dismissal. Marvelous~.

Though that was soon overtaken by what he said. The only part that didn't immediately smell like a lie.

' Pirates,' I thought, forcing the panic to die down. 'These people are fucking pirates?!'

... Okay. Careful maneuvering. I don't want to cause an incident.

"O-oh... So you're pirates, then?" I ask, just the tiniest quiver in my voice and a mild look of concern. All fabricated, of course.

"Yup!" Straw-Hat affirms with a joyful grin.

Shit, that confirms it! But so far they seem bening enough. Still, proceed with care and caution.

"W-well, seeing as you haven't accosted Bush-Box yet, I suppose you are alright," I say, slightly avoiding my eyes, miming hesitance.

"Shishishishi!" Straw Hat laughs in an odd way. "That's a funny name. You're strange, Bush-Box."

"My name is Gaimon!" The short man intersects.

"Oh, you were all here," A new voice speaks up and everyone turns to look at the new arrival. A man with light green hair and three swords. Katanas, to be precise. I narrow my eyes a fraction. Something about that man feels dangerous.

"You! Even with all the commotion you were still asleep until now?" Orange-hair berates the man with a slight tinge of exasperation. At least now I know these people know each other.

Without saying a word, the swordsman picks up the mug Long-nose was holding, sits onto one of the nearby rocks and takes calm, plentiful gulps. After enjoying it for a moment he opens his eyes and sees Gaimon, immidiately falling on his ass.

"What the hell is with that guy?"

"Notice sooner..." Orange-hair and I share a look, having spoken in exact sync. I crack a small smile. I like her. She makes sense.

"He's a man who lives in a box," Straw Hat explains 'helpfully'.

"Are you a boxed and sheltered son?" Swordsman asks Gaimon. This sounds familiar...

"Yeah, I've always been overly pampered since I was just a little boy..." Gaimon explained with a serious frown, before exploding. "OF COURSE NOT! Stop telling me these pointless jokes!"

"Zoro, lend a hand!"

Next thing I know Straw Hat and the Swordsman are trying their damnest to pull Gaimon out of the box. It looks rather painful for him, but I can't but plant my palm on my face at the exhibit. Doesn't last that long before they call it quits.

"Wow, you're really stuck in there, huh?" Straw Hat notes.

"Don't be so reckless!" Gaimon berates the boy. "After spending 20 years inside, my body has perfectly molded to the shape of this chest. If you break it then I'm done for too."

... I... That doesn't... I mean, in theory that makes sense. If you were put there while you were still growing! That just doesnt... Grrrr...

I merely pinch the bridge of my nose and shake my head. Just... need to let this go. Just gonna let Gaimon do the talking.

"Besides, who are you guys? There's something different about you compared to those other pirates that have come here"

Straw Hat grins proudly. "I'm Luffy. The man who will become the King of the Pirates."

That statement, made with absolute certainty. I couldn't sense a lie or a fib. Only certainty in the claim. Either the kid was ambitious and sure of himself, or ambitious and stupid. Whatever being "King of the Pirates" means.

"Wh-what?!" Gaimon seems shocked about it. He must know more than I do about this. More reason to stay silent and listen.

"I'm going to become pirate king and find One Piece." Straw Hat says with the same matter of fact way.

"O-One Piece, you say? You can't really be planning on going to the Grand Line, can you?"

Context! It's important! Damnit, this is The Codex all over again!

"We have a map. See." Luffy says, showing him a piece of paper.

"Don't underestimate it, kid!" Gaimon says, dead serious and a bit mocking. "That place is the hell's coffin. I've seen the pirates who've escaped the Grand Line. Lost their spirits, shambling like the dead. Whatever happened to them or whatever they met. None who returned could say anything."

Damn, that place sounds hardcore. In a really bad way.

"Beyond that, there are so many rumors about the One Piece that no one knows the truth anymore," Gaimon continues. "The Great Pirate Era has lasted 20 years. One Piece is no longer just a legend, but a dream in a dream."

... Huh. That was surprisingly powerful stuff. I know basically nothing about what he said and even I'm having small chills. Though, I must take what he says with a grain of salt. Dude has been alone for a long time.

I cross my arms in thought. Weighing the pros against cons of asking these people for help. On one hand, these are pirates. I can't trust them by definition. On the other, this may be my only chance. I literally have no other option aside from these two extremes.

I was deep in thought, breaking out of it just in time to overhear Gaimon beginning to tell his story. I stopped pondering and focused. Honestly, I too was curious of his circumstance.

Turns out he too was a pirate who arrived on this island 20 years ago. But in what turned out to be his folley, he separated from his crew in search of treasure in the one place they hadn't looked, the very peak of the island, only to fall into the chest imprisoning him to this day and being left behind by his crew, likely completely forgotten.

Instantly finding a silver lining in his situation, he reason that all the tresure would be now his, only to be unable to reach it due to being stuck in a chest. Left with no way to reach the treasure, and no way to leave the island.

Honestly, it was a sad story. A cautionary tale that spoke to me about greed and poor decision making. But I still felt for the man I knew somewhat. It's not like we were friends or anything. Fairly early we got into an unsaid agreement to let each other be, and that we did. Only briefly did our paths cross and we'd share a short talk.

Then something came to me. Something I'd read in what seemed like forever ago.

'Try not to make an enemy of a man protecting his long-lasting dream.'

So that's what the damn book was talking about. Sure as hell explains his initial hostility and his insistence that there was no treasure. But to cling to it for so long...

"For all these years, that one glance at the treasure hasn't left my mind." Gaimon finished history. "So when pirates came to this island seeking that treasure, I used these guys to scare them off." He gestured towards his animals.

"In this manner I've guarded the treasure for 20 years." Gaimon contined passionately. "They are mine!"

... Damnit, that kind of persistence and dedication is super admirable. Stop making me respect you, you weird box-man!

"There's no question about it. They are yours." Straw Hat states, simply and soundly.

"Old man, I understand," Nami says. "I'll help you get those treasures."

"You h- *cough*You have been very hospitable to me, so I suppose this is a fitting repayment. I'll help also." Shit, I almost slipped. Play it cool.

"Where'd you come from?! Who are you?" The Swordsman exclaims, paying mind to me for the first time since he arrived.

"Please dedicate some time and brain power for your surroundings, good sir," I scold him with a suryp-y smile.

Gaimon looked surprised at the offers. "R-really?"

"Could it be..." Long-nose whispers, looking at Nami.

"Aren't you a thief of pirates?" Straw Hat asks from the girl. So wait, is or isn't she is pirate?

"You! That's rude!" She snaps at the apparently simple-minded boy. "Even I got emotionally moved."

"Well~..." I say and with a quick movement have Azazel in my hands, wearing a sweet smile. "I suppose I'll just be an enforcer of that promise, m'kay?"

A credit to my acting, everyone, sans Straw Hat, seems a bit cautious of my proclamation. I've never been more happy that I took those acting classes and more proud of my female impression. This is so much fun!

-o~O-O~o-

One trip later, on board a damn cow-tortoise- I try to ignore it, but it's so. Damn. Hard! -the crew of Gaimon, the four and I arrive to the peak of the island. I am just happy I didn't need to carry my stuff the entire way.

The cliff-face of the peak is rough and easily climbable, if you have functional, normal proportioned limbs. Alas, poor Gaimon, I get your frustrations.

"Here, huh?" Luffy wonders out loud.

"I haven't been here for a long time," Gaimon does the same.

"Makes sense. Keeping distance can alleviate bad memories or feelings," I mumble to no one in particular.

A moment of silence was shared, everyone keeping an eye on Gaimon. It wasn't a pitying look, but one of anticipation.

Gaimon cracked a smile and looked up at the pillar of rock. "It's finally time! Today is a good day. I'm counting on you, Straw-hat!"

"Okay!" Luffy exclaims, cocking his hand back. I raise a brow.

"What does he-"

"Gum-Gum..." The boy punches up, his arm stretching to reach the very top of the rock formation. My eyes widen considerably, beyond their conventional means. "Rocket!" Luffy exclaims as he is rocketed up to the top.

Long-nose says something, but I can't hear any of it. My eyes just glued to where Straw Hat disappeared on to, wearing a dumb expression of shock.

"Surprised, huh?" I snap out of it momentarily when someone places an understanding hand on my shoulder. It's Nami. She shoots me an understanding look.

"H-how..." I manage to croak, somehow managing to maintain the act, while pointing at the top of the peak.

"He ate a Devil Fruit." Nami explains, expecting me to understand.

I didn't.

Before I can ask further, I'm brought back to the situation at hand.

"How is it? Do you see anything?" Gaimon yells up, expectantly and excited to finally have answers to what must've plagued his mind for years.

There is no response.

"What is he doing?" Swordsman is the first to ask.

"Luffy!" Nami shouts, trying to get an answer, Long-nose miming her afterwards. "What is happening?"

"Keeping silent isn't very becoming, you know!" I add my two cents.

Finally he steps into view, holding a chest under his arm. The angle and the time of day makes shadows hide his face.

"I've got it! Five treasure boxes!" He yells down.

"Go... Got it!" Gaimon speaks, beyond excited and barely holding himself back. "Finally! I've got the treasure! Treasure! Can you bring them down? My treasure?"

I can see a faint grin from Straw Hat. "Nope."

"What!" Gaimon exclaims, as do I.

"...Ecxuse me?" I shout, eyes narrowing dangerously.

"I said no. I don't want to give then to you." Straw Hat said with a tooth-bearing smile.

My eye twitched dangerously as my grip on Azazel tightened.

"What nonesense are you saying? Stop joking!" Nami yells at the boy.

"Yeah, those treasures are Gaimon's! Hand them all over!" Long-nose foes the same. At least I am not alone in my outrage.

I shoot a dangerous glare at the damned kid. How dare he have the nerve to lie and go back on his word... to... to... Wait a second... I inspect his features, what little I can see. I see... something else there. I can't quite place it, but... I get a concrete feeling...

"You! Stop this nonesense!" Nami shouts, angered.

"Enough!" Everyone looks at Gaimon, who sounds very much defeated and sad. Yet... "It's okay."

Nami and Long-nose voice their complaints, as my mind is picking up these pieces and arranging them. The picture is becoming clearer, and I can't hold onto my anger. I simply close my eyes as everything makes sense.

"Straw-hat, you're..." Gaimon starts, sounding broken up. He is crying. I can tell. "You are a really nice guy!"

"What do you mean?" Nami asks, confused.

"I'd thought of it before. That maybe..." Gaimon sniffs. "That even if it's unimaginable and unbearable to think it."

Gaimon is very much crying now.

"There's nothing inside, is there?"

There it is. The only logical reason Straw Hat would make a claim like that, yet seem so conflicted under the surface. To either lie and be thought a monster, or tell the truth and break a man's heart. How very noble.

Completely unfitting of a pirate.

"Yeah." Straw Hat says calmly. "They're all empty."

"No way..." Nami says. I can hear the sympathy in her voice. "Those treasures you protected for 20 years... are just empty boxe..."

"It makes sense, though," I say, somberly looking at the ground. "Compared to what is inside, the chests themselves are often of little value. Why take the cumbersome container when you can just take the contents? Besides, it is likely this treasure was found ages ago, and no one ever knew of it."

Gaimon nods, awknowledging my point to be true. "Many pirates go out of their way to seek treasure. Risking and wasting your life, only to get nothing in the end. There are many pirates like that."

Such is the cruelty of life. Sometimes the strongest dreams that pull us are merely us chasing ghosts.

Then Straw Hat starts laughing. "Don't be so sad, old man! Good thing we got here on the 20th year! If no one showed up for another 30 years you would have ended up dead." And I would have long since lost my sanity...

Still, the words seem to reassure Gaimon.

"Straw-hat..." He looks up in mild reverence.

"You just got distracted by all this. Now all that is left is the One Piece. Become a pirate with us once more!" The boy wearing a straw hat says, emitting positivity.

I look up at him also. That was an inexplicably nice and inarguably the right thing to do. I grin despite myself. 'You've earned my respect, Straw Hat... No, Luffy!'

"You! Are you inviting me?" Gaimon asks, now just plain blubbering. "Till now there's been no one who would talk to me after seeing my condition. I don't know how long it's been since I've trusted someone."

... I'll graciously let that slide since he's clearly in emotional turmoil. I can't even be upset, since I never really trusted him fully either.

Now I seem like the asshole again. Great.

Nontheless, I allow myself to smile at the man whose heavy burden has been finally lifted.

"Thank you!"

-o~O-O~o-

Later, after everything has calmed down, Gaimon most of all, I decided now was as good a time as any. Since I wouldn't be breaking the mood anymore.

"Hey, if I may ask, who is the captain of your vessel?" I ask the four strangers I met today.

"Him," all three say, pointing at the straw hat wearing boy, currently picking his nose. I can kind of understand their blank expressions.

"Very well then," I say and face the boy. "If I might ask something of you, could I get a ride on your ship off this island?"

"Sure."

"That easily?!" I snap back in shock. I... honestly expected I'd need to at least bargain a bit. I quickly right myself, cough into my fist and pretend like that outburst never happened. "Very kind of you. I hope to enjoy my time with you all. Please take care of me." I bowed in appreciation, this time not as an act, but to convey my honest thanks.

No one seemed to have any objections.

Gaimon declined the offer to join Luffy's group. He wouldn't explain why until we reached the ship of these so called pirates. And it was... Uhh... Small-ish and...

"... It looks like a goat."

"Oi, don't talk bad of the ship miss Kaya gave us!" Long-nose exclaimed.

"I do not know who that is. And it is not the ship, per se. The figurehead just... muddles the image for me." I weakly explain my feeling on the matter.

Anyway, Gaimon couldn't leave his beloved animal friends behind, and chose to stay to protect them. That was fine. It was a noble goal. After 20 years he'd come to make the island his home. Good for him.

Me, I can't wait to be away from here.

Still, no reason to be rude right now. I walk over to Gaimon.

"It has been brief, but my stay here was far less terrible with you around. Thank you kindly, Gaimon," I say, extending my hand and coverly winking at him. 'Play. Along'.

Seeming to catch my meaning, he grips my hand as well. "It was my pleasure. I hope the best for you."

We didn't need more than that. It was a fully acceptable set of goodbyes.

Without further ado, I picked up my things and boarded the odd-looking pirate ship. Immediately I was overcome with an indescribable feeling of ease. My mind felt clearer than it had in years.

I kept eye contact with the island for as long as I could. Weird as it was, I looked upon that hell semi-fondly. It made no sense, but at the moment I don't mind.

An evil grin overtakes my mental space.

"Now then," I speak up, gathering the attention of my four hosts. "I suppose it's a time for more formal introductions."

Luffy grins widely. "I'm Monkey D. Luffy! I'll be the King of the Pirates."

"I'm Usopp! Brave warrior of the sea!"

"I'm Nami. Pleasure to meet you." Nami was the only one to properly come and shake my hand. "And that grumpy swordsman there is Zoro."

"Let me introduce myself, damnit! The Swordsman grumbles. "And I'm not grumpy!"

"A pleasure to have met all of you. My name is Abel." I smile widely, and innocently. And then the coup de grâce. I wink, stick my tongue out slightly and bop myself on the head in an overt attempt to look cute and say in the deepest, most masculine tone my highly talented vocal chords can manage, "I'm a guy."

Silence. Absolute silence as everyone present lets that sink in. It was a calm before a thundering storm.

It is absolutely beautiful.

"WHAAAAAAAAT?!"

I ignore their shocked expressions as I let loose a laugh I haven't had reason to let out for a good, long while.

"Khehehehe! Kheheheheee!" I bust my gut out, cackling at yet another group of dimwits fooled by my "feminine" wiles.

Life was, finally, starting to look good.

-o~O-O~o-

And that's a wrap!

Though not a member on the crew yet, he is on the boat! Now let's hope this trip won't take seven years to amount to anything.

Miura...

Oh, and one word of that repetetive mad rambling in Abel's Log is misspelled. Have fun!

-Laughing Lark, C-Hablerie