The Strawhats from Remnants
Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece, RWBY, or anything made by their creators.
Chapter 6: The Unexpected Happening
"Hm… Hm… Hm…" Sounds of humming reach Luffy's ear as he slowly opens his eyes. It was a dead night at the Grand Line, and everyone was fast asleep. "Hm… Hm… Hm…" That beautiful humming sounds come again! Hopping from his bunkbed, Luffy walked out of Boy's room.
Following the sounds, he discovered Weiss with Brook's Violin on the Upper Deck of Thousand Sunny, "Mirror, tell me something. Tell me, who's the loneliest of all?" She sang with a beautiful voice which made Luffy mesmerized. "Mirror, tell me something. Tell me, who's the loneliest of all? Fear of what's inside me; Tell me, can a heart be turned to stone?" She played the Violin.
Unlike Brook's usual cherry tone, Luffy can feel the sadness inside Weiss's song. Nonetheless, he kept listening, "Mirror, mirror, what's behind you? Save me from the things I see! I can keep it from the world. Why won't you let me hide from me? Mirror, Mirror, tell me something. Who's the loneliest of all?"
She stopped playing Violin, then Weiss, in a melancholy tone, finished, "I'm the loneliest of all…." She opened her eyes and saw Luffy standing there looking at her. She stopped.
Wait, Luffy? Is she singing that loud? Is she singing badly? What is he doing here? How long has he been here? All questions, one by one, pour into her head as she can feel the heat rising from embarrassment builds up, "L-Luffy! What are you doing here?" She stammered with shame.
"Wow! You never tell me you can sing that good!?"
"Have you been listening to me from the beginning?"
"You should sing with Brook! You will make a great duo!?" Luffy said with a very brightening face.
Understanding that they were on entirely different conversations somehow calmed Weiss. As she took a seat on the seat at Sunny's Foremast, "I don't want to," She said plainly.
Luffy raised his eyebrows, "Eh? Why? You are a great singer?" He said as he sat beside Weiss on Sunny's grass Lawn Deck.
Weiss started, "I just…." She stopped. Her father came to her mind. "I don't like singing."
Luffy blinked, "Why? You are good at it!"
Weiss clicked her tongue, "I just don't like it," She dodged the conversation.
Luffy pouted, "But you must have the reason. I heard your voice. It's so good! My friend Uta told me that only people who love singing can have a good voice like that!" He said as Weiss was stupefied.
Weiss kept silent momentarily, making Luffy blink in confusion. Then she started, "… My Father… I always sing because of my father…." She started as she began to tell her story.
As the heiress of the Schnee Dust Company, she was raised from youth to strive to be the best in all she did and excelled at activities such as singing and playing the piano. Although praise was generously heaped upon her by others, she had always lacked the approval and recognition of her father.
Which was she hated singing. For her, singing or playing instruments was a way of impressing her father, yet the person never really answered her. As she keeps talking, she starts to feel disgusted about herself. This is not like her. Sharing her weakness like this was not like her.
Her strict upbringing has taught her not to give up her weakness. When Enel kidnapped her. When she caught Tree Fever. When a Baroque Works officer nearly killed her. She never shows weakness… Yet this guy… Only when she was with this guy did she become like this? Why?
As she kept talking, Luffy sighed, "You are an idiot, are you?"
"Eh?"
"Who cares about your father or your family!?" Luffy said, folding his hands. "You are singing clearly because you like it. You don't sing here to get your father's approval. So why think like that? You are weird," He said as Weiss couldn't find her words.
Luffy hoped from his place, "Look around you, Weiss," He opened his arms. "You're in the sea! Here you're free. You can be anyone you like!?" He said grinningly, whereas Weiss could only look at Luffy silently.
Free? Her? In this world? It was thought that never crossed her. She always thinks about how to go home and be the person her family wants. It never crossed her mind that she could live here in this world.
But then, it came dawned on her.
Weiss, her friends from Beacon, her friends in this world, including Luffy. They were sailing into the horizon. Brook was playing instruments.
Usopp was busy with Ruby and Franky making some stuff.
Yang was fishing with Chopper, and Blake looked at them impatiently from behind them.
Nami and Robin were sunbathing.
Zoro was sleeping.
Sanji was bringing drinks to Nami and Robin.
And there Weiss and Luffy at the top of Sunny head. They looked at their next destination with huge smiles, "… You mean I can stay here forever…." She muttered, her bangs hiding her teary eyes.
Luffy grinned, "Of course! I want you to stay with me forever!"
"Eh?"
"Yeah, you can cook delicious food and sing like that. Adventuring with you would be awesome!" He explained as Weiss sighed. For a second there, she thought it was a proposal… Wait, what was she thinking? Why does she feel like she hoped for Luffy to propose to her? Scatter that thought.
She needs to retort fast. "S-So you want to be with me for a long time?" She asked, half teasing.
"Yes!?" Luffy answered with a huge smile. "To be honest, I like you, so I wouldn't mind if you stay with me for a long time," He said, earning a considerable blush and strained smile from Weiss.
She swears this idiot… She knew he didn't mean it in that way, but still… He is more dangerous for women than she ever thought. She wonders how the others can cope with Luffy like that…. Picking Brook's Violin. She asked, "So, while we are here? Do you want me to sing something?"
Luffy grinned, "The usual!" Weiss nodded with a smile as she started to play Binks Sake, and the duo started singing, unaware that several eyes were peeking from Kitchen. It was the rest of the crew!
"Luffy, that idiot… Playing with a maiden heart like that!" Nami sighed.
"Luffy is quite a charmer, huh?" Robin giggled.
"Never know he has it in him," Zoro said in disbelief.
"Yeah…" Sanji agreed at Zoro.
"Luffy, that idiot, acting lovey-dovey with Weiss…" Usopp muttered with sweat dropped.
"What is lovey-dovey?"
"That's for when you're an adult, Chopper!" Ruby said.
"That Weiss… If she is less Tsun, she will surely advance her relationship faster…." Yang smiled.
"You sure, Yang? It's Luffy we are talking about."
"Oh, right…" The rest of the crew discusses the Sous Chef and Captain's love story. But they were also unaware that Weiss was hearing and gritting her teeth. "Those idiots…" She muttered in her mind angrily.
"Wait, that's your sister's ship?" Ruby asked as she and her partner ran up the main avenue toward the docking bays. The sky is dusk, and there are still people in the courtyard.
Weiss nodded, "Yeah…." She said with nervous sweat on her face.
"And she is problematic. Why?" Ruby asked, tilting her head in confusion.
Weiss sighed as she started, "My Sister is the one who taught me everything: combat and semblance…."
"So she is the reason why suck on it?" A smack comes toward Ruby.
"That's not my point, you dolt!" Weiss growled. "She should know how good I'm at this stage and after what we showed in the arena. She must be suspicious!" She said as Ruby blinked.
"And?"
"She might be the culprit of that crow earlier…."
"OH!" Ruby finally connected the dots as Weiss sighed. "So what should we do?" She said as she stopped with Weiss.
"Well, for once, we have to deceive her!" Weiss said, pumping her fist. "Winter is stiff. Like Smoker though cuter and more pleasant to look at. So what we should do is focus on what we've done as a huntress! Or a huntress-in-training! Like how we do splendidly at the breach! Or how we are doing in school!" She explained.
Ruby nodded, "Got it!" She said as she just realized something. "Why bring me then? If you want to lie, bring Blake. She is better at it than me," She said as Weiss slouched.
"I want to bring Blake… But unfortunately, I rarely mention Blake in my letter to her," Weiss said with a sad voice. "But I mention you a lot…." She facepalmed at her past self. Oh, how innocent are you past Weiss that you can be exhilarated at this idiot over here?
"Wait, you write in your letter to her about me?"
"Yeah…"
"Me too! I write in my letter about you too!"
"Really? What do you write?"
"About how you're a bossy and unpleasant girl!" Ruby laughed, earning a light smack from Weiss. "Then what do you write about me? How cool am I? How good a leader I am!?" She blushed while saying this as the Sous Chef sighed.
"As if! I'm only writing about your role in our group…."
"The Good thing?"
"Mix. But more in an unpleasant way."
"Aww…" Ruby slumped, but then the door of the ship opened. Straighten themselves. They walked forward calmly as they could. As they approached the boat, Winter descended on a ramp, escorted by crimson-colored Atlas soldiers and Atlesian Knight-200s.
"Those soldiers…"
"Winter work directly under Ironwood, so let's be prepared…." Weiss whispered as she cupped her mouth and shouted, "Winter! It's so good to see you!" She said in a cheerful tone and the widest smile on her face.
Winter slowly turned around as they approached them. "Beacon… It has been a long time. The air here feels… Different." She said as Ruby chuckled.
"Maybe because of its fall?" Ruby asked, earning her a punch in the shoulder from Weiss.
"So, what are you doing here? Providing more security for the tournament?" Weiss asked, trying to start the conversation.
"Classified."
"Oh, right. Well, how long are you staying?" Weiss tries to be friendly again.
"Classified," Winter repeated with emphasis.
Ruby sweatdropped, clearly seeing a tick mark on her partner's head. She was really pissed, "Of course…." Weiss said, nodding in understanding.
"Well…" Ruby said awkwardly. "This is nice…I think…" She muttered with an awkward smile.
Weiss sighed in her mind. She has always been like this. So stuffy and formal. She loves her, but this attitude starts to piss her off after going to another world. But this is not the time to get outbursts as their plan hangs around in this woman, "You're going to love it here!" Weiss said, trying to be excited. "I know you travel a lot, but so much of Beacon differs from Atlas! For example, there's the fact that we don't—"
"I'm more than familiar with this kingdom," Winter interrupted. "That is not why I came."
Weiss and Ruby twitched a little, "Right... Sorry…" Weiss muttered as she tried to study her sister.
"Nor did I come here to watch my blood fail in battle. But it appears that I have no choice in the matter."
"But we won!" Weiss said in apparent confusion.
"Only a novice would refer to that as a victory, Weiss. It would be best if you understood that. As the heiress of the Schnee family, you should finish those hunters and huntress better …" Winter kept mumbling with closed eyes, unaware that Ruby was holding back Weiss that wanted to smack her beloved older sister.
"W-Weiss, calm down…" Ruby said while holding Weiss that anger from her face.
"This bitch just keeps saying whatever she wants as she pleases…" Weiss muttered under her breath, irritated at her sister's higher-than-thou attitude.
"Well, let's finish the lectures here." She stopped her rambling as the two quickly positioned themselves as before. "Leave us," Winter said to her security. The AK-200s obeyed, walking two steps backward into formation. The elder Schnee sighs and smiles a little warmly at Weiss. "How have you been?"
"O-Oh, splendid," Weiss said, but Ruby pinched her, snapping out of her funk. "Thank you for asking. I've made my way up to the top of our sparring class! The rest of my studies are going wonderfully, too! I'm—"
Weiss stopped just in time to grab Winter's arm as it came down to bonk her on the head. The AK-200s shifted and aimed their rifles at her. Weiss seemed to realize what she had done and withdrew her hand.
Weiss glared at the AK-200s a little, but she smiled, "I'm so sorry," She apologized. "It was a force of habit! It won't happen again!" She said.
"Don't," Winter said. If one were perceptive, you could hear the surprise in her tone. She waved off her security, and they lowered their weapons. "It may be a good habit to have. Also, I didn't ask about your ranking. I'm asking how you've been. Are you eating properly? Have you taken up any hobbies? Are you making new friends?" She said that she had taken Weiss aback.
Ruby glanced at Weiss, who quickly put on a warm, much better smile than before, "Well, there's Ruby here," Weiss said, pointing to her leader.
Ruby raised her hand, "Yo!"
Winter nodded, "I see…" She said. "So, this is the leader you wrote of in your letters. How appropriately… Underwhelming."
"Uh…thank you!"
"Greetings, Ruby Rose," Winter said. "I wish to thank you for taking an interest in my sister. Also, I would like to say that I've never seen a match end so quickly like that."
"Oh! Uh, yes, of course!" Ruby attempted to salute and curtsy. "The honor is in my…court!" She nearly lost her balance with the gesture, waving her arms until she got back up.
Weiss sighed as Winter turned back to Weiss, "I have business with the General and Ozpin, your Headmaster." She explained. "But seeing as I'm early, why don't you take me to your quarters?"
"Really?"
"Yes," Winter said as she and Weiss walked towards the Academy, followed by the androids. "I wish to inspect them and ensure they are up to my standards."
"Of course," Weiss said before leaning in. "So that you know, the bunk beds only look unstable."
"Bunk beds?" Weiss mentally sighed in relief. So far, as she is concerned, Winter might not be the person that sent that crow from before.
"So, your sister is in the military?" Nami asked. To which Weiss nodded.
"She's the best sister anyone could've asked for," Weiss said proudly. "She taught me combat and my glyphs. She was the heiress to the Schnee Dust Company before she ran off to join the military. She rose through the ranks and became part of the Special Operatives Unit."
The navigator and heiress are sitting in the mess quarters. It has been several weeks since Team RWBY arrived on their ship and the Grand Line. They are still sailing for Alabasta, and the crew is doing what they desire. At one point, this conversation came up.
"She must be pretty strong," Nami commented. "I have a sister as well. Her name is Nojiko."
"Nojiko?" Weiss asked with curiosity. "Is she a pirate too?"
"Nope," Nami said with a small laugh. "I wish that were the case. She owns a tangerine farm back at my home village."
"That explains the Tangerine trees," Weiss said. Their ship has three tangerine trees at the top of the deck. She had to admit that they provided them with a source of Vitamin C. Nami had Sanji in charge of protecting them from anyone who would try to steal any of them, namely Luffy. After tasting one, Weiss found the reason why.
"They're delicious."
"Thank you," Nami said. "It used to be run by my mother. Fair warning, if you ever insulted them around her, she will kick your ass."
"Your mother, huh…" Weiss muttered, looking forlorn. Nami seemed to have noticed this.
"Something wrong?" Nami asked.
"It's nothing," Weiss said a little too quickly. She could feel Nami's gaze on her. Concern etched on her face. "It's just…what's your mother like?" She asked.
"Her name is Bell-mère," Nami said. "From what the villagers had told me, she was quite the troublemaker. Even when she joined the Marines, she remained troublesome."
"Your mother was a marine?"
"Yep, and that was how she met me and Nojiko," Nami continued. "She was fighting in a battle and lay wounded and dying. When she was about to give up and die, she saw Nojiko carrying me. I was only two years old then, so I was smiling blissfully. Seeing us gave her more life, and she took us back to Cocoyashi village. She even demanded that we are treated before her."
"Really?" Weiss asked with genuine surprise. By the sound of it, Bell-mère was a good mother. Then she realized something. "You said that your mother found you…does that mean…"
"That we are adopted? Yes," Nami said. "Belle-mère, rather than send us to the Marines for adoption, decided right there to adopt us. You wouldn't believe the protests that the villagers had with that."
"I'm sure that she is. You're lucky to have a mother like her," Weiss said. Nami looked at her with a puzzled expression.
Winter could already tell that something was up with Weiss.
As they walked and talked, she studied her body language. Despite being glad to see her, Weiss' twitched with nervousness. She would talk about something like the breach that happened nearly a few weeks ago and the Vytal festival match her leader won. It was like she was trying to hide something.
This has the specialist concerned.
"Weiss?"
"Yes, Winter?
"Is there something—" She is interrupted by the sound of metal. Behind her, she also heard metal scraping against the crowd. "Hey!" When she turned around, it took all the will she had not to groan in frustration. The man standing over a decapitated AK-200 is someone she is familiar with. Unfortunately.
"Yeah, I'm talking to you, Ice Queen!" Qrow Branwen shouted as he tossed the machine aside.
One of her automated soldiers advanced, but Winter ordered it to halt. From behind her, Weiss muttered, "Who is that idiot?"
Ruby popped up behind her, "Oh! That's my uncle, Qrow."
"Ah, no wonder you look as shabby as him…" Weiss muttered as Ruby blushed and smiled as if Weiss was complimenting her. "That's not a compliment, you dolt." She muttered as Winter walked toward Qrow.
"Saw that gaudy ship of yours in town. I guess you're here, too." Qrow said
"I'm standing right before you," Winter said coldly.
Qrow squinted through his hazy state of mind. "So, it would seem."
"You realize you've just destroyed Atlas Military property." She said calmly.
Qrow looked at the wreckage he'd done with faux surprise. "Oh, oh, I'm sorry. See, I mistook this for some… sentient garbage." He said with mocking time as Winter sighed.
"I don't have time for your immature games, Qrow," Winter said.
"Geez," Qrow drawled. "You Atlas Specialists think you're so special, don't you?"
"It's in the title."
"Well, you know what you are?" Qrow asked. "A bunch of sellouts. Just like your boss."
"I'm not sure what you think you're implying," Winter said dangerously. "But I've heard enough."
"Oh, I heard, too," Qrow retorted. "I heard ol' Ironwood finally turned his back on Ozpin."
"Ozpin?" Weiss asked.
"Weiss, it's time for you to go," Winter said as she shoved her aside.
"Winter, wait-"
"Listen to big sister, Weiss," Qrow cut Weiss at the display. "She'll protect you. Just like Atlas is going to protect all of us, huh?" He shouted so the crowd could hear him.
"If you won't hold your tongue," Winter growled as she drew her sword. "Then I will gladly remove it for you!" She glared at Qrow.
"Alright then…" Qrow said as he slicked back his hair. He gave her a challenging smile. "Come take it." The square is clear by now. With a burst of speed, Winter charged at Qrow. She thrusts her sword forward to put this man in his place, and Qrow also draws his weapon to block it, but before their weapon could clash, a white and red-black blur suddenly came between them and blocked their weapons.
"What!?" Winter and Qrow shouted in surprise as Weiss and Ruby quickly blocked their weapons and pushed them back. Winter watched as her sister sighed and looked at her in disappointment.
"Winter…" Weiss started as she smacked Winter's head lightly. "Calm yourself," She sighed. "You are an Atlesian Specialist," Weiss spoke as if scolding a child. "Is attacking somebody over petty insults what they teach you in the Atlas Military? You could very well start an international incident!"
"Weiss," Winter couldn't believe that her younger sister was scolding her. "He's destroyed Atlas property and insulted our homeland and my general."
"Winter," Weiss spoke sternly. "There are some things that are worth fighting about. Getting into a fight with an idiot isn't one of them. If he wants to rant about his views on Atlas, let him. Please, let's leave before this escalates. We're already drawing a crowd with your verbal joust."
She gestured to the crowd around them. They are taking pictures of the four. "Or," Weiss said. "I could make it an incident if you prefer." She said, readying her weapon with a sigh.
"Alright," Winter said after taking a deep breath. She sheathed her sword. "But I will be reporting this to the headmaster."
"Of course," Weiss conceded. She also sheathed her sword. Together, the Schnee sisters continued their course to Beacon.
"Saved by your little sister, huh, ice queen?" Qrow laughed after them. "Not to mention she gave you a good scolding! Aren't you supposed to be the older sister?" Winter would've retorted if it weren't for Weiss. Despite the insults, Weiss didn't acknowledge him or even respond. As they walked, Weiss glanced at Ruby. Ruby gave a thumbs up.
Then, with a burst of her semblance, Ruby sped over to Qrow and latched onto his arm. "Hi," She said. "Oh, it's so good to see you! Did you miss me? DID YOU MISS ME?"
Qrow stared at her and gave her a playful noogie. "Nope."
Ruby giggled before unwrapping her arms. Her joyful expression became severe, "You were drunk again? Seriously?"
"Can't help it."
In the depth of Emerald Forest, a loud voice could be heard as black lightning crackling from the clash between Yang and Neo. The two was beaten up with bloods dripping from their face. They should be in a lot of pain, but they have the biggest smile for some reason.
The clash of their punches blew away the two as Yang laughed, "Girl, what did you train that you can punch this hard!?" She said as Neo spat out blood and raised her scroll.
"Just beating up an old ship."
"You must be kidding me?"
"No."
Yang laughed, and Neo giggled, "Well, lie or not, it doesn't matter!" She said as her black and crimson fists emitted black lightning. "IF I can defeat you here, you will become my lackey for our operation!" She said as she rushed toward Neo.
"That's not gonna happen because I won't lose to a half-baked person like you!" Neo shouted as their fist clashed again.
From afar, Blake was watching the two fighting with a blank look. Around her, all things that they want to bring into another world, "Can we go home now?" She said.
Ozpin mentally sighed at the exchange going on before him.
After taking a tour of Team RWBY's room, Winter reported Qrow's unruly behavior. Ironwood got mad at this and even madder when Qrow came to his office unrepentant. Then he complained that they didn't bother to tell him about how the enemy was already in their midst.
His thoughts drifted back to the incident that occurred before the festival. Something had happened with Team RWBY. Not just the depression but the way they acted. When they were in the arena, they faced the opposing team as if they knew they would win. And their conversation with Neopolitan….
The old wizard needed answers.
"Before you leave," Ozpin said to Winter when General Ironwood ordered her to leave at the bequest of Qrow. "There's something I want to tell you."
"Oz?" Qrow looked at him like he had lost his mind.
"This concerns you as well, Qrow," Ozpin said. Qrow looked surprised and points to himself. "It's about your nieces and Specialist Schnee's sister."
"Weiss?" Winter's look of annoyance became one of concern. "Has she done something wrong headmaster?"
"No," Ozpin shook his head. "Though it has been resolved, something happened a week before the festival."
Qrow's face became serious. "What happened?"
"In one night, the dorm was destroyed," Goodwitch explained. She held the disciplinarian at arm's length at the huntsman. "Don't even think about it."
"Wasn't going to," Qrow said, failing to hide a snicker.
"Anyways, I brought them here for lecturing. However, as Ozpin pointed out they seemed…depressed?"
"Depressed?" Qrow asked. He's going to have a word with whoever made his nieces miserable. "Maybe you didn't hear me ask this, so I'll repeat it. What happened?"
"I would like to know as well," Winter said. For the first time, she didn't mind Qrow's presence."
"We don't know," Ozpin admitted. "At that day, Team RWBY showed little effort in their studies and then they suddenly overcome it." Winter is a bit reliefed. "But then something weird happens," He started. "The four don't even care about their studies, the fours keep bickering at each other, but they are significantly stronger than before."
"Maybe they're training in secret," Qrow said.
"As much as I want to believe that, it happens in one night and just recently…" Goodwin showed pictures of the four and Neopolitan. "They talked with wanted criminal." This showed a concern in Winter's face. "I just thought that you should know."
"I know, thank you," Qrow nodded. "I'll talk with them after this. In the meantime, shouldn't someone be leaving?"
"I was going to talk to my sister," Winter said as she walked to the elevator. Both of them are concerned about their families. They needed to find out what happened.
Unaware to the four that on the top of Winter was small summon creature.
"Well, that's settle it, then. It was Ozpin that spying on us," Weiss said as Ruby sat beside her.
"So what do we do?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing?" Weiss hopped from her bed.
"We are going into that world anyway, so it doesn't matter to us if Ozpin and the others are suspicious at us or not." Weiss said, stretching out. "It's shame that we need to trick Winter and your uncle, but it's what we neeed to do to get back then we should do it."
"True." Ruby grinned.
"I'm telling you I saw him."
Cinder walked back in forth as Mercury gave his report. Qrow had been the same man who interrupted the process of getting what was hers. Thanks to him, she only had half the power. Which is why she needed to find her.
"And you're sure?"
"Bad hair, used a scythe, and smelled like my dad after a long day," Mercury said. "It was him."
"What should we do?" Emerald asked from the bed.
"Nothing," Cinder said. "We stay the course. They have no idea who we are, so we have no reason to worry. Besides, the last of the heavy lifting is being taken care of thanks to our clever little friend."
She picked up her scroll as it flashes with a black queen chess piece. "Speaking of which…it appears we have a new access point."
"Anywhere good?"
"You could say that. Go to your rooms. I'll prepare everything for tomorrow."
"Yes, ma'am," Emerald said. Then she asked a question. "What about team RWBY?"
"They are, Neo's problem now. Neo said that the four already betraying Ozpin and will help us." Cinder said, unsure what Neo means about that and what Neo planning with them. "But first, I believe that you have a match."
"Got it," Mercury said.
"Let's give the crowd a good fight," Cinder said as she began to rig the match-up screen.
I'm sorry for such a long update, but I'm really busy and only now have time to post this one. I'm planning to rewrite the whole fanfic before updating the next one, so please keep eye on the rewrite.