Rest & Party

"Luffy!" A tall woman with white and greenish blue ombre hair came running over.

Neo tensed, hugging Luffy tighter, and flared up her fire crystals when the stranger got too close. "Stay away!"

The woman stopped with confusion plastered on her face. "What? I'm not going to hurt him. I'm a crewmate of his."

"You are not." Neo glared, eyeing the woman's clothes and horns that came from her head, noting she was a zoan devil fruit user. Clearly this woman was from Wano. But Neo wasn't in the mood to deal with a stranger. All she wanted was to gather up their babies and return home to the youngest of their babies. "I know all the Straw Hats. You're not one of them."

"I recently joined." The woman reached for Luffy. "I'll take him from you now."

Neo flared a fire crystal at the woman's hand forcing her to jerk back. "Anyone can claim such a thing. You're not a crewmember of his until he says so. Stay away from him."

"Who are you anyway?" Law studied the new arrival.

"I'm Yamato." The woman smiled.

"Hey! Have some respect!" a grunt, who was now tied up, said. "Yamato is Kaido's son!"

"Kaido's son? She's a woman," Neo said as Law eyed the woman with distrust.

"True. I am a woman," Yamato said. "But I respect Oden so much that I decided to be Oden."

"You can't be Oden," Neo said. "It's not possible."

"But I am-" Yamato started.

"Silence!" Neo's royal tone appeared again. Tears blurred her eyes. More of her crystals appeared around her in defense. Her crewmates, that were there, moved closer, ready to assist if needed. "I don't care who you are! You're not going to touch Luffy!"

Law released a huff and tapped his sword's sheath with his finger. "It's best if you back off. Neo's been through enough today already. She won't hesitate to strike you if you try to take Straw Hat from her again."

Yamato looked between Law and Neo, but made no move to take Luffy again.

"Neo!" Chopper's voice then cried out. Neo wondered momentarily when the reindeer had gotten off her lap, but pushed it aside at his next words. "There are so many injured! We need your help! They're bring them in now!"

Neo, keeping her eyes on Yamato, spread her solar crystal's glow outward. With how tired she and Law were, her solar crystal continued to put its magic more on her than everyone else, but ever bit counted as everyone started gathering. She took a second to nod at a wind elemental. "Fetch Healer Zinnia from the sub. We're going to need her help with the injured. And let the others know the war is over. We'll be back to the sub soon."

"Yes, milady." The elemental bowed and flew off through the hole above them.

"Captain! Neo!" Bepo ran to Law. Sitting behind his captain, allowing the man to lean against him, the bear placed a paw on Neo's head. "Are you two okay?"

"Yeah." Neo nodded. Keeping one eye on Yamato, she eyed her family's injures as they presented themselves to let her know they were all alive. She released a heavy sigh. It was amazing no one on their crew received life threatening injuries. Seems her protections of having elementals with them and crystal made weapons paid off. "We're okay. We're all okay."

"Yes, we are." Penguin ruffled her hair then sat beside her on the floor.

Neo swirled water around her crystals so her family and friends could drink. Her eyes fell back to Luffy when he mumbled in his sleep.

"Sanji... meat..."

"Of course he's thinking about food." Neo giggled. "I'll have to send out the elementals to get some fish for the party Luffy will want."

"Sounds good to me," Bepo said, drool already dampening his fur.

A few minutes later, the wind elemental arrived with Healer Zinnia. The healer gave a quick check on Neo and Law before assisting Chopper, the mink doctor, and medics of the crews in tending to the injured.

"Neo! My sweet fairy!" Sanji came spinning up to her. "Are you okay?!"

"I'm fine." Neo scanned the blood and bruises on his face. "Uh, are you okay?"

"Of course I am. Don't worry about me." Sanji took her hand and kissed it, earning an icy glare from Law.

"I see Luffy is well in hand." Robin walked up with a smile. "How are you doing?"

"I'm ready to go home," Neo said. "I want to see our baby."

"Of course." Robin looked around. The medics and doctors were still rushing from person to person. "Looks like things are well underway. I'm sure you'll return to Cora soon."

Some time later, after all the major injuries were treated and everyone with serious injuries were stable, everyone started shifting towards locking up the emperors' grunts that remained and getting cleaned up from all the blood and dirt that was currently caked onto them.

Neo gathered her family into her winds, allowing Luffy's crew to take care of him now.

"Hold on a second," Franky called out. "We're heading to Tokage port. Dock there and we'll fix up the ship and sub after we're well rested."

"Thanks, Franky," Neo said.

"Hold on a second!" Kid's voice came.

Neo tossed him a glance. Vines had been cut from him and were laying on the ground at his feet.

"You owe me some explanations!" Kid stomped over to the Heart pirates.

Neo and Law held their ground as their crew tensed.

"You could have killed those blast emperors from the beginning! Why didn't you?! And what was with that crystal body?! Do you have some secret attack?!" Spittle flew from Kid's mouth.

"I don't kill," Neo said. "As for my crystal body... it's none of your business."

With that Neo took her family home. Kid continued to call after them, but his voice faded the farther they got from him.

"So you transformed into that crystal body form, huh?" Tero asked.

"Yes." Neo nodded. "I don't know why. Also, this time there were two light beams heading in different directions. One was bright green and the other blue gray."

"Element related?" Shachi asked.

"I don't know." Neo exchanged looks with Law.

...

Tears spilled freely down Neo's cheeks upon seeing Cora and hearing his cries. She landed in front of Kailen and took Cora from him. "There, there. We're home. I'm so sorry we have to leave you."

Cora cried for a few more seconds before stopping.

"Poor baby." Neo kissed his forehead. "You missed mommy and daddy, didn't you? I know. It was awful. It won't happen again. Sweet baby."

"How did he do?" Law asked.

"Very well," Kailen said. "He had some fussy moment when he realized you two weren't there, but he calmed down easily enough. Only a few minutes ago did he really start fussing for you." His eyes slid to Neo. "And how did our princess do?"

"Better than expected." Law cast Neo a quick glance then looked back at the elemental. "Though I doubt she'll say the same."

Kailen chuckled. "I don't doubt that."

"I'm glad it's all over and everyone is okay." Topaz scanned the crew.

"Everyone, get some rest," Law said. He slipped his arm around Neo's shoulders and lead her into the sub. "That includes you."

Neo didn't hear him as she continued to mumble promises to Cora about never leaving him again. She only looked up from their baby when they had entered their bathroom. "Uh... weren't we on the deck?"

"I led you down here since you were busy making promises to Cora." Law started to undress. "I know you don't want to stay in those dirty clothes. A relaxing bath will do us both good."

Neo nodded. Using her winds to hold Cora aloft, she undressed. She and Law rinsed off the blood and dirt in the shower before crawling into the tub. Neo settled Cora on her legs.

"Feeling better now?" Law asked as he scooped water and brushed it over Neo's arms.

"A bit," Neo said. "I think I'm going to need some time before feeling up to going back to town. Luffy will want another party and banquet as soon as he wakes up. I'm sure the citizens will want to celebrate too."

"Of course." Law kissed her shoulder. "Though I doubt Straw Hat will be up soon. He went through a lot with his awakened abilities and fighting Kaido alone. My guess is he'll be asleep for five to seven days. Enough time for everyone to rest up from the war. And it'll give you plenty of time to decompress from all the stress."

Neo nodded with a hum. "I'm so glad it's over. Beyond glad. Now there are only two emperors left. Godfather and Blackbeard. I know we won't fight Godfather, but I hope we don't have to fight Blackbeard either." She paused to dribble some water over Cora's hair. "Though with Luffy's history with that man I bet he'll clash with Blackbeard. Hopefully he's not as strong as Big Mom and Kaido are."

"I'm sure Straw Hat will be fine if he faces Blackbeard." Law nibbled her ear. "Not stop thinking about possible future battles. You're supposed to be relaxing."

"I know." Neo cleared her mind and allowed herself to enjoy being alone with Law and Cora.

An hour later they climbed out of the tub and dressed. Neo pulled on their favorite hoodie. Before they could crawl into bed for some snuggles a knock came on the door. Law opened it to find Topaz stand there with two mugs of steaming tea.

"I thought Neo would like some tea to help her relax," Topaz said. "Kailen added a herb to aid in that."

"Thank you." Law took the mugs.

Topaz nodded then left.

Law joined Neo and Cora on the bed.

Neo snuggled into him as they enjoyed being home.

...

Neo looked around to find all she could see was fog. Fog was everywhere. Nothing but the ocean, which she was some how standing on, could be seen. Something, like the sound of gentle waves brushing the sandy beach, called to her. The fog rolled back, creating a pathway for her to walk through. And she did. She stepped forward. The water beneath her was cool and somehow managed to hold her weight without the use of her crystals. The voice grew louder, but she couldn't make out what it was saying.

Her solar crystal and each of the four element crystals appeared before her. They radiated with light. That light rushed over her body. When it faded she was back in her crystal form, her wings behind her. She inspected her body, finding she now wore a white dress with the front cut above her knees and the back trailing on the water and off the shoulder long belled sleeves with a slit in each for her arms to come through, then turned her attention back to the voice. It become more like singing than speaking.

She continued to follow it, the fog rolling way as she passed but rolled back into place behind her. Slowly a dark shape started coming into view. Her brow knitted. "An island?"

"Come." the voice was now clear. It sang to her. "Come, pure elemental. Come, make pure gifts of nature. Come."

As she got closer to the island, Neo began to see multiple figures dancing in the mist as the voice kept singing.

"Who's there? What do you want from me?" Neo called out, but no one answered.

The voice, the figures, and the island began to fade.

Then Neo woke. Scanning her eyes over the room she found Law rocking Cora while feeding him what was probably the last of her stored milk. She laid in bed for a while watching them. Law had such a content smile on his face as he watched their baby's face. She wished she could have watched them all day, but with nature's calling she had to get up to use the facilities. When she came out she gave each of her boys a kiss before pulling on clothes for the day as well as keeping their favorite hoodie on.

"That was some dream you had." Law passed Cora over to her.

Neo nodded. "Apparently an influence from yesterday.

Law opened their bedroom door then they headed to the galley where the crew and lunch, according to the food on the table, were waiting. As they ate the crew informed their two captains of what happened to them during the war.

"That stupid Queen!" Neo growled. "I knew he was a jerk, but trying to turn his own crew into monsters?!" She shook her head. "I'm glad Chopper was there to fix everything. Oh..."

"What is it, Neo?" Topaz asked when she didn't continue.

"That reminded me," Neo said. "Wano is still in a poor condition because of all the pollution."

"You're wanting to help out with that, aren't you?" Penguin gave his sister a knowing grin.

Neo nodded. "I know we can't stay in this country until it's all healed up, but we can at least give them a good head start. Do you think the elementals would willingly help with that?"

"I'm sure they would be happy to," Healer Zinnia said. "We elementals don't like it when nature is suffering."

"If you want we could head out later and talk to the other elementals," Kailen said. "I know you want to decompress from all the stress you've been through."

"Thank you, Kailen," Neo said. "I know this will help Momo. It'll be one less thing he has to worry about. He's got enough on his plate as it is now being a man and ruler of Wano."

"Think he's going to be okay?" Shachi asked. "Mentally he's still only a child."

"Right. I almost forgot about that part." Neo glanced down at Cora. His eyes were locked onto her face, his lips puckered. "Will he be okay?"

"Momonosuke has plenty enough people to help him," Law said around a mouth full of food. "His retainers are old enough and his sister has lived here her whole life."

"Not to mention Nekomamushi and Inuarashi," Neo said. "I'm sure they'll help Momo anyway they can."

...

Over the next few days, Neo stuck mostly to staying on Polar Tang, but did make several trips to the palace to check on Luffy and Zoro as they healed. They had the worse wounds out of everyone. She sat between the two, healing them with her solar crystal, as other members of the crew played and cooed over Cora.

On the seventh day Luffy finally woke up and, as always, was starving. When the news spread that the Straw Hat captain was awake the entire country of Wano started celebrating.

Along with the partying new bounty posters were released as were newly updated emperors of the sea. Plus the most shocking surprise at all.

"What?!" the crew shrieked after the shocking news has been read.

There on the front page was a personal message from the five elders themselves to the Princess of the Elementals.

"The five elders want me to come to see them?" Neo eyed the words with suspicion.

Law hummed. His brain was working over time trying to figure out the elders' motive for putting such an article in the newspaper.

"Could it be a false article?" Neo asked.

"I doubt it," Law said. "You're bounty also went higher, but you're wanted alive."

"I can't believe Neo's bounty was also raised to three billion!" Penguin screamed as he stomped around the deck of Polar Tang.

"Calm down, Penguin," Shachi said as he and Bepo follow the man around.

"The elementals and Godfather are not going to be happy about this. So much for me going unnoticed for the most part." Neo looked down at Cora and tapped his nose. "Isn't that right, Cora? The elementals and Godfather won't be happy one bit."

"It was bound to happen since you were here and helped take down two emperors," Law said. "Let's not forget your connection to Red Hair and him being connected to the Fearland family."

Neo nodded. "I wonder if they want to kill me personally or make me a celestial dragon." She shivered at the thought of the latter.

"Either way, I'm sure we'll learn the truth soon enough." Law lowered the newspaper and looked at Neo. "You should talk to Red Hair about this."

"Hey!" Archer called up to the sub deck before Neo could answer. "The party's going full swing now! Can we go?!" He was joined by several other crewmates. They all looked up at Neo with puppy eyes as they said, "Please?!"

Neo laughed, her bells filling the air. "Sure. You've all been patient enough. Go have some fun."

The crew cheered before heading off with Usopp and Franky, the only two of the Straw Hats who stuck to the port as Sunny and Polar Tang were repaired.

"Do you want to go or call for Red Hair?" Law asked.

"I think we should go. If we don't Luffy will probably come looking for us. Then I won't be able to talk with Godfather at all." Neo bounced Cora. "I want to see Mao, Erika, and Tsuki. And, of course, Sora. I'll send a message to Godfather that I want to talk."

Law nodded.

Neo picked them up in her winds then gathered the others as they headed into town. Once there, Neo let everyone else go while she and Law lingered closer to the edge of things as she preferred to observe everything for a while.

"Neo!" Mao's voice called out from the revelry.

Neo stood as the woman, along with Sora, approached her. She swayed backwards as Mao grabbed her in a hug. Sora jumped upon Neo's shoulder, purring as she rubbed her head on her cheek.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" Mao said, her voice and eyes fill with tears. "Thank you for keeping my husband safe! For returning him home to me and Erika! And for freeing Wano! And for having all the elementals help clean this island up!"

Neo patted her friend on the back. "You're welcome. I'm glad we could help."

"Sorry she is being so forward." Tsuki walked over with Erika in his arms. "She has been like this since I arrived home after the war."

"You look good, Tsuki," Neo said.

"It is all thanks to you, your crew, and the Straw Hats," Tsuki said with a bow of his head. "Wano will never be able to thank you all enough."

"We didn't do it for gratitude," Law said. "We're pirates not saints."

Neo shook her head at her husband.

Tsuki put a hand on Mao's shoulder.

Mao pulled away and brushed away her tears. "Well, we only wished to thank you since we don't know when you will be leaving the country. If there is anything we can do for you, name it."

Neo pat Sora on the head then scratched under her chin. "Well, you could make sure Sora is well taken care of. I can't take pets onto the sub."

"Of course." Mao nodded. "Sora will have a wonderful home with us."

"Thanks. That puts my mind at ease." Suddenly, Neo's hairs stood on end. A feeling of being watched washed over her like a wave. Brow knitted she glanced around, looking for the source of the feeling. With a quick glance at Law, she found he felt the same thing.

"What is it, Neo?" Mao asked.

"We're being watched," Law said.

"That is not a surprise," Tsuki said. "You are the heroes of Wano. Many citizens want to thank you."

"It's not a citizen of Wano," Neo said.

"Are we in danger?" Mao stepped closer to her husband and daughter.

Neo hummed in thought. "No, I don't think so. But someone is definitely keeping a close eye on me and Law."