Silmeria - Thanks for being patient everyone. Enjoy the chapter.

Disclaimer - I claim no rights to One Piece or Sentinel.

Chapter Twelve - The Going Merry!

A calm settled over Syrup Village once the pirates were cleared out but Luffy wasn't fooled by it. It didn't take long for him to notice the wariness that settled in the villagers eyes as they glanced at the sea cliffs wondering if and when another group of pirates would show up. Of course, there would always be the possibility of a pirate attack, but he doubted that many pirates would go out of the way to come to Syrup Village. He was positive that other islands held more riches and could serve as profitable bases. Luffy wanted to assure them that the probability of an attack was close to zero, but the dark side of Luffy's heart wanted them to fear pirates for a little bit longer. For so long, they had teased Usopp and dragged his mother's name through the mud for marrying a pirate and watching him go off to sea. They called Usopp a bastard and his mother a whore and Luffy reveled at the thought of the villagers looking over the shoulders. It was what they deserved for treating Usopp and his mother in such a despicable way.

However, Luffy was never one to let his bitterness settle for long and no more than two weeks later that he let it slide that pirates would most likely pass the village once they saw how little it offered in riches, resources and Guides and Sentinels. There was no need to worry, but Zoro, being the resourceful man that he was, made sure that Kaya had cannons built along the cliff edge and had the men and women train to use them efficiently. There wouldn't be time to train them in swordsmanship or how to shoot properly, but the Sentinel gave them enough knowledge to protect themselves and for that, Kaya was infinitely grateful.

As an Alpha Guide with no Sentinel, she would do all she could to protect her village and people. So much was her determination, that Luffy saw her carrying the flint gun on her person, having it strapped to her back along with a small blade underneath the layers of dress and a smaller one in her boot. Luffy wanted to praise her and embrace her for her bravery, but he doubted that she would appreciate being treated like a child. So, once he saw the weapons, he gave a small respectful nod and continued on his way, making his way to the docks with a light bounce on his step. As promised, the construction for their ship had started and everyday Luffy would go down into the docks and view its progress. So far, they had the skeleton of the ship completed and while it was nothing to scoff at, Luffy was in love with the ship. He couldn't contain his excitement at the thought of setting sail, exploring the seas and finding Ace.

Ace

Luffy stopped, his feet just shy of the edge of the dock and a thoughtful expression flickered across his features when he thought about his Sentinel. Although the older man never left his thoughts, he had been so busy in the Gecko Islands that he had forgotten about Ace's trail which was probably long cold by now. He didn't know where to look or which direction to take. He didn't know anything. The only thing he did know was that he, Zoro, Usopp, Kaya and Merry managed to keep the village safe and the people protected and he supposed that at the end of the day, that's all that mattered, but he still didn't know where Ace or if he was even alive at this point. He had been so happy about finally receiving a ship that almost all thoughts of the hot-headed Sentinel faded into the background-not forgotten, but lingering at the edge. A sharp guilt struck heart at the thought of forgetting Ace, even if it was for a second. He was positive that the older man didn't forget him. In fact, he was sure that Ace thought of him every second of every day.

Well, as long as Ace was in his heart, then that counted, right? Luffy nodded, closing his eyes against the breeze. As long as Ace was in his heart, then he wasn't forgotten, but he wondered if Ace was okay? It had been such a long time since he heard from the Sentinel that Luffy was starting to worry a little. Of course, he was more than aware that Ace could take care of himself, but that didn't stop him from worrying. Where was he? What was he doing? Did he manage to find territory or a crew? So many questions ran through his mind that Luffy felt briefly dizzy before shaking his head and continuing staring at his ship, taking a seat at the edge of the dock and letting his naked feet sway and catching a few sprays of sea water. This village wasn't so bad once you got used to it.

"You really do love this ship, don't you?" Usopp questioned, causing Luffy to jump out of his skin as the man sat next to him on the docks, a small smile pulling at his lips. "Didn't mean to scare you."

"It's alright." Luffy mumbled, a flush decorating his cheeks at being so frightened so easily. "Yeah, as a matter of fact, I do love this ship. I mean, who wouldn't like a ship? To have their very own ship?"

Usopp shrugged, a mild grin replacing the smile. "I guess people who inspire to be Pirates and Sentinels looking for their own territories, but Guides? You can strike that in the record book for being a new one. Don't get me wrong, I've seen Pirate Guides and those who were looking for their Sentinels outside their homes, but a Guide owning a ship? Nah, that's definitely a new one."

"Well." Luffy grinned, the motion bright against the gleaming sea underneath their feet. "You can strike me as a new type of Guide-an adventurous who doesn't give a damn about opinions. You can thank my grandfather for that one."

Usopp snorted, laying back against the wood and crossing his legs at the ankle. "So? What's next for you? Where are you headed?"

"Honestly? I don't have a clue. I was looking for someone but I lost his trail by now." Luffy's heart jumped at the thought. At this rate, he would never find Ace and he was sure that people who actually knew of his location wouldn't give it up without a stiff price.

"If you don't have a direction then just head to the next island." Usopp said, narrowing his eyes in thought. "That would be Conomi Islands, but I don't know if you'll find the information that you're looking for, but it's better than nothing, right?"

"Right." Luffy didn't sound convinced and Usopp sighed heavily at the thought. "I'm sorry, thanks for the advice, Usopp."

"No problem." Usopp looked hesitant. "Is there a specific place that you wanted to go?"

"Well, after I got some decent information. I was planning on heading towards Alabasta." Luffy smiled at the thought, remember telling Ace and his grandfather that Alabasta was paradise in a form of a desert kingdom. "I always wanted to go and see what it was like."

"Well." Usopp refused to sound impressed that Luffy actually had a plan-a destination. "I hope you find who you're looking for and that you make it to Alabasta." Usopp stood from the dock and dusted his pants off. "Good luck."

"Thanks." Luffy looked thoughtful. "What about you? What are your plans?"

"I don't know." Usopp shrugged, his own expression thoughtful at the question. Khaladore was gone and Merry was all but welcoming him into the manor to visit Kaya whenever he wanted. He had it all and the villagers started to look at him in admiration. He was pretty content. "I think I'll stay here and relax and enjoy the fact that I'm a hero."

Luffy snorted, but found that it was more affectionate than amused. "You deserve it, Usopp. You'll take care of Kaya, won't you?"

"Of course." Usopp muffled the offense in his voice at even letting the thought of him not taking care of Kaya cross his mind. "I'll always take care of her." Usopp turned, spotting Zoro coming down towards the dock, his gait lazy and his eyes bored. "Just like Zoro will always take care of you and your intentions."

Luffy stared, before huffing and turning back to sea, a smile pulling at his lips. "See you later, Usopp. Give Kaya my regards and thanks, will you?"

"Sure thing." Usopp gave Zoro a nod before trudging back towards the village, a lazy gait of his own. What a pair.

"So?" Luffy questioned quietly, as Zoro took a seat next to him, laying back against the dock and enjoying the sun. "How do you like the village?"

"Now that they aren't throwing rocks at us? I like it just fine." Zoro tossed back, struggling through a yawn. "What about you?"

"I got a ship out of the deal. I'm not complaining." Luffy grinned, turning back to the skeleton of a ship. He couldn't wait. He couldn't wait to set sail. "You know, Usopp asked me a question."

"Oh? Was it a smart one?" Zoro chuckled, allowing Luffy to smack him in the shoulder for his remark. "I'm joking, I'm joking. What was the question?"

"Where are we going?" Luffy bit his lip and titled his head to the side in thought. "I mean, I don't have a specific destination in mind, you know?" Luffy shook his head, eyes darkening at the thought of wandering aimlessly until a clue about Ace popped up. It could be days or weeks before they stumbled upon a decent direction.

"We don't have go to a specific place." Zoro began, rising and nudging Luffy in the shoulder in an effort to cheer the Guide up. "That's the fun part of travelling the good old seas, there's no destination in mind, we just go."

"True." Luffy acknowledged with a small nod. "But, Zoro, we do have a destination-find Ace-and well, we sort of need a plan-"

"Nah," Zoro brushed his worry away. "All we need is a map and an island and we're set. You have to remember the end goal to this journey, Luffy." Zoro turned to him, his lips thinning at the thought. "We find Ace and that's it. The journey's over for the both of us. No more travelling or seeing the world. You'll go with Ace and I'll return to bounty hunting and losing my way with my horrible sense of direction."

"I-" Luffy's brow furrowed. That was true. He was almost positive that Ace would take over and settle him into whatever ship he had obtained and Zoro, with his mission of keeping an eye on Luffy finished, would be dropped off on the nearest island and continue on as if he had never met Luffy at all. Their time together would be over and Luffy felt his heart tug at the thought. He didn't want Zoro to leave. At least, not yet. To be honest, he was having too much fun with the Beta Sentinel. But, he couldn't wander forever, could he?

No, but he could stall it. Actually enjoy travelling the seas and actually make way towards Alabasta and even gain some crew-mates along the way. It sounded fun and exhilarating.

Ace, well, Ace could wait for a little while, right? It wasn't as if the man wasn't capable of taking care of himself, right?

"Look, I'm not telling you to diverge from your original goal of finding Ace. I just want you to remember that it doesn't have to be all about finding Ace. It's okay to enjoy yourself and meet new people and see new sights. As controversial it is to say, a Guide isn't nothing without a Sentinel. A Guide is a living, breathing human being with thoughts, feelings and dreams just like Sentinels are. There are few of us out there that realize just how precious Guides are to us and this world. Fewer still realize that Guides and Sentinels hold the world in a delicate balance. Without Guides, Sentinels are nothing but useless sacks of meat and without Sentinels, Guides are nothing but dolls that lack a soul and a heart. So, Luffy, decide on your next move and make sure it's something you want to do, yeah?"

"Yeah." Luffy breathed, staring at his friend as if he had grown another head. This man could be amazing if he wanted and Zoro could impress when the need arouse for it. "Thank you, Zoro."

Zoro grinned, the motion blinding and full of mischief. "Not a problem and I'll admit, travelling with you has been interesting to say the least so I wouldn't mind doing it for a little bit longer and whose to say who we'll end up with? Might make an interesting story to the grandchildren one day, you know?"

At the mention of children, Luffy cheeks flushed at the thought of having children with Ace. He couldn't get pregnant, but adopting children and having a small litter running around seem like the idealistic life, but not yet. Definitely not yet.

"Jumping the gun, aren't you?" Luffy grumbled, a smile struggle to take hold on his lips. "I'm not thinking about kids and you certainly shouldn't be thinking about kids."

"You'll have cute kids though." Zoro chuckled, taking a step back when Luffy took a threatening step forward. "They'll have your eyes and cheekbones and cute little feet-whoa!" Zoro ducked when said sandal from said cute feet was launched at his head, smacking him square on the forehead. "What was that for!? It was just a joke."

"Yeah?" Luffy tossed off his other sandal, waving it and giving Zoro a smirk as the man gulped and began backing away from Luffy and his threatening sandal. "I don't find it funny, but you getting knocked out by my shoe is definitely funny, Zoro."

"Guides." Zoro grumbled, ducking when the second sandal was thrown at his head, missing by a large margin, but Luffy made up for it by all but running full force towards him, forcing Zoro to retreat back into the village with his tail tucked between his legs.

So much for having a relaxing day.

Two months later found Luffy one inch taller, a deeper tan and more moderate clothing meant for sea travelling. He couldn't say that he felt mildly comfortable in the three quarter sleeve shirt that was a deep red color and black cargo pants that covered part of his booted feet. He felt constricted, so used to having worn sandals and sleeveless shirts and shorts that stopped at the knee.

"You look refined." Zoro complimented, his own clothing different with a deeper green for his kimono top and deep black pants and boots. "You look more like a Captain rather than just a passenger."

"Isn't it about strength and character of heart rather than appearance that makes me a Captain?" Luffy questioned, staring up Zoro from underneath the rim of his straw hat. "Besides, they'll probably think you're the Captain more than I."

"And I'll be quick to remind them that I'm not." Zoro countered quietly. "Need I keep telling you that this is your show, Luffy? I'm just a part of the crew. Nothing more and nothing less."

"Quite the contrary." Luffy murmured, turning back to the face the now completed ship. It wasn't the size of Whitebeard's Moby Dick or Red-Haired Shanks, Red Force, but it was adequate enough to get them where they're going. And for that, Luffy was grateful. "You're more than just the crew, you're my First Mate, right?"

Zoro choked, a flush of red coming to his cheeks. "Are you serious?"

"Of course." Luffy chuckled, when Zoro shook his head in disbelief. "Who else am I going to choose? It's just you and me-"

"And me!" Usopp came up from behind them and wrapped his arms around both their shoulders, earning groans and half-hearted glare. "I decided that I'm coming along!"

"You can't really just decide such a thing, kid." Zoro shrugged off Usopp skinny arm and pinned him in an headlock, earning a cry of despair. "Besides, what's a skinny Sentinel like you can do?"

"Well." Usopp grunted. "My sense of sight is one contribution that you're going to need." Usopp pulled away, grinning into Zoro's disgruntled gaze. "My father was a Beta, but his sense of sight wasn't as near good as mine is. Why, I can tell what that woman down the road there is wearing."

"A red shirt, tan skirt and she's three months pregnant by the look and smell of it." Zoro listed out as if the facts were simple trivia. "We have sight covered, thanks."

"But-"

"Why do you want to come along?" Luffy gave him a curious stare. He knew full well why Usopp wanted to come along. The man having confessed to wanting to be like his father and Red-Haired Shanks, two brave men who were rulers of the Sea. However, Luffy wanted Usopp's personal reason, not just some run of the mill dream that sounded like a child's fairy-tale.

"Huh?"

"What's your reasoning for coming with us? Like Zoro said, we have no use for a Sentinel with one main sense when Zoro has four. So, what's your reasoning for joining us?" Luffy raised his hand when Usopp opened his mouth to respond. "Other than Red-Haired Shanks and your father, of course."

"I would like to prove to myself that I'm not a coward." Usopp stated quietly, all pretense of humor and bluster gone and Luffy found himself pleasantly surprised at the honest response if Zoro's approved look was anything to go by. "I want to show the village and Kaya that I can protect them and they can feel safe and content with me protecting them."

"They'll also have to feel that way once you're gone." Luffy murmured, watching when Usopp's eyes lit up at the response which was as much as yes one was going to get from Luffy. "We'll make sure the cannons on the cliffs are secure before we leave and Kaya has proper control of that flint gun she carries around now."

"Right." Usopp was practically vibrating with excitement. "I'm going to tell her right now! Thanks Luffy."

"You sure about this?" Zoro murmured once Usopp was out of earshot. "He seems like a liability rather than an asset."

"That's because he is a liability, but that'll change once he starts travelling with us and I'm sure you could polish him up, right? The man's a son of a sniper, I'm sure we can put that to use."

"Right." Zoro blew out a tight sigh before turning back to the ship again and looking down at Luffy who had a thoughtful expression. "Come up with a name yet?"

It had been bothersome that as the ship was built, Luffy was at a loss as to what the name of the ship was going to be. He tried many names from silly ones like Lost Wind, Typhoon, Maiden's Blade, or Flame, but one night, while Luffy was setting dishes away with Merry, a name struck him so fiercely that he had to hold back a laugh when the butler had asked him what was wrong.

The name he wanted, which was so ironic, was Going Merry. Granted, it wasn't named after the butler, but with the same name, it was could been as thus, but Luffy would let sleeping dogs lie if that was the case. More amusement for him, he supposed.

"The Going Merry?" Zoro looked scandalized, as if the name has physically slapped him across the face. "Really? That's what you're going with?"

"Of course." Luffy murmured, turning on his heel and heading away from the docks and ships. It wouldn't be ready for another day or so, so it would be best to get his good-byes out of the way while he still had the time.

"But why? Why that name?"

"Zoro, Zoro, Zoro." Luffy sung lightly, glancing over his shoulder and shooting the man a smug look. "It's because this journey is going to be merry and full of delight so we're Going Merry."

"Really." Zoro deadpanned, but knowing the Sentinel, Luffy felt a rush of amusement press against his mental shields. "Only you, Luffy, only you."