(A/N: They have arrived at Alabasta! Enjoy!)


Chapter 2: Off to the Desert Kingdom! Find the Rebel Army

"Well, we're finally here," Nami approached Vivi, who was watching the island silently, "I'd tell you not to be too eager, but I guess that's asking too much. But do you have a plan for stopping the rebellion?"

Vivi glanced at her. "I do have a plan, but there's no guarantee it will make things stop." Nami frowned sympathetically, as did the boys behind her.

"So hungry," Luffy groaned, as he chewed on his sandal, with an equally weak Chopper close by.

"So hot."

'Please! Don't make a hasty decision!' Nami thought.

Before long, Merry docked by the island, ready for disembarking. "So this is an Alabasta city?" Usopp asked. It was bustling with citizens carrying pots, and had many round-topped buildings.

"Food!" Luffy beamed.

"Listen, guys!" Nami ordered. "Use self-control, and try not to act on instinct too much!"

"Yes, Nami-san!" Sanji happily obliged.

Just then, Zoro noticed a certain someone missing. "The guy who needs to hear that the most is already gone."

Luffy. "Food place!" He charged in, leaving everyone behind.

"Get back here!" Nami shouted angrily, but went unnoticed.

"He's all instinct," Usopp remarked.

Vivi watched him hopelessly. "What should we do?"

"Don't worry," Sanji assured, standing straight up, "Find where the most commotion is, and he'll be there."

"You got that right," Usopp agreed.

"Ugh!" Nami groaned in frustration with a facepalm. "I wish he'd at least realize he has a bounty on his head! Especially in a big country like this!"

"I hope I get a bounty soon," Venus remarked sadly.

"Why do you want one?!" Nami raged.

Venus glared up at her. "Because! Before I left Loguetown, Mr. Rauru said when I get my first bounty and wanted poster, he'll hang it up in the bar!"

Nami butted heads with her. "That's not important!"

"It is to me!"

"Enough!" Zoro separated them with a push to their foreheads. "Forget about him," He took over, as Chopper strapped his bag on his back, "Let him do whatever." He started climbing down the rope ladder. "Let's just eat first. We can think after that."

Chopper hopped down after him, as Venus started climbing down. "Yeah, I'm starving."

"They're all the same," Nami grumbled.

"Karoo and I can't go with you," Vivi said to her.

"Eh?"

"Huh?" Usopp turned to her. "Are you not feeling good?"

"I'm too recognizable here," She replied.

"That's for sure," Zoro agreed.

"Don't worry!" Sanji beamed. "I'll go shopping for you too, Vivi-chan!"

When Karoo suddenly quacked in terror, the trio still on the Merry turned to him. "What is it?" Vivi asked, and he pointed to a ship bearing "Mr. 3" on one side, and a sculpture of his topknot at the prow. "Mr. 3's ship!"

Usopp looked on tensely. "That creep didn't kick the bucket after all?!"

"There's no doubt about it!" Vivi friwned. "His ship runs on the power of his Wax-Wax Fruit!"

"The bastard's here?" Sanji glared from the ground.

"This is bad," Zoro remarked, "He's seen our faces."

Usopp turned back to the crew, smiling confidently through his nervousness. "It's alright! I have an idea!"

Later on, the crew were walking through Nanohana, with everyone covered by a large green tarp, except Sanji and Chopper. "There's no telling where he is, so we have to move without standing out."

"I think we're standing out quite a bit," Nami griped.

Usopp peeked out of the front, and after deciding the rubble was a safe place, he stopped, and uncovered himself. "Alright! You can come out, guys!" He announced.

"We've been long out," Zoro pointed out, as he, Nami, and Vivi were indeed revealed. "Wait, where's Venus?"

On cue, she lifted the tarp up to observe the area. "Is it safe?"

"Yep! Looks like nobody noticed us!"

"If so, it's a miracle," Nami remarked.

Sanji turned to the princess. "Vivi-chan, we're safe from view for a little while now." He was concerned when she didn't answer, and appeared to have a thousand-yard stare. "Vivi-chan?"

She flinched harshly. "Yes?! Yes? You were saying?"

"What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry. I just felt a little relieved, so... at the very least, from what I've seen of this town, things still seem all right. I probably can't rest easy," Her hands clenched into fists under the tarp. "But I think I'll make it in time."

"Yeah, it does seem like a peaceful town," Nami agreed.

"Hey, Vivi." She turned to Zoro when he addressed her. "You said you have a plan for stopping the rebel army, right?" She nodded in response. "What will you do now? What should we do?"

"Eh?"

"If you think you're gonna make it in time, it'd be better to act quick."

"Th-that's true, but the agreement was only to bring me to Alabasta-"

Nami cut her off with a knock to her forehead. "Come on now! Are you still saying that?"

"Nami-san?!"

"We traveled this far together. We can't just leave you now."

"Yeah, Vivi!" Usopp agreed. "Don't act so distant!"

"Plus I'm interested in this Warlord of the Sea!" Zoro added.

"You don't have to mention that!" Nami glared, before turning to Vivi. "Anyways, stop thinking that way!"

"Not to mention people are out to kill all of us, but me," Sanji reminded.

"Sanji-san..."

"So there you have it!" He beamed.

Nami's expression turned dark. "And besides, if this country gets destroyed, we won't get our reward for bringing you here. Understand?"

"Y-yes."

"Very good, then!" Nami brightened up, as Venus facepalmed.

"Go to hell," Zoro grumbled.

"Thank you, Zoro! I haven't forgotten about your debt to me, either!"

"Wh-why, you-!"

"Even if I'm a ghost, I'll still come for my money!"

"You lousy-!" Vivi watched the argument silently.

"You'd better pay the 400,000 berries you owe!"

"400,000?!" Venus exclaimed.

"It's gone up!"

"It'll go even higher if you're not quick to repay!"

"Thank you," Vivi almost whispered.

"Hey, Usopp! Say something!"

"Forget it!" He refused.

"Nami-san is in the right!" Sanji butted in.

"Say what?!"

An irritated Venus decided to fully intervene, and stood between them defiantly. "Stop thinking with your wallet!" She glared up at Nami. "He's not paying your stupid debt!"

"Thank you!" Zoro huffed with relief. At least the witch had his back.

"He is too! Mind your own business!" Nami glared back.

"There are more important things than money!"

"Don't ever say that taboo!"

"Northwest of this city is an oasis called Yuba," Vivi said after the arguments ended, "That's where the rebel army is based. I'd like to go there first to stop the uprising. But to get to Yuba, we'll have to cross the desert. For that, we'll need to stock up on the necessary food and water here, but if Mr. 3 is in town..."

"Oh," Sanji chimed in, "In that case, it's no problem. He hasn't seen my face."

"That's right!" Venus beamed.

"You've met almost none of them so far!" Nami added.

"And one other," Zoro looked down at their newest crewmember.

"Oh, yeah!" Nami agreed. "Chopper too!"

"That'll be perfect," Sanji turned to the reindeer, "We'll have a lot to carry. I'm counting on you!"

"Right!" He nodded confidently. "Got it!"

"Hey, now," Usopp stepped up in concern, "You gonna be okay?"

"It'll be okay!" Chopper assured. "I wanna do what I can!" Usopp leaned back in surprise when he shifted into Walk Point. "There's no problem like this, right?"

"Alright!" Usopp gave a thumbs-up. "Now that's a human reindeer!"

"In that case, your help is appreciated," Vivi added.

"Leave it to us!" Sanji beamed.

"I've listed everything we need," Vivi brought out a small paper, "Oh, and we'll need some clothes too."

"Clothes?"

"Ordinary clothes, so we won't stand out."

"Ah."

"And perfume!" The navigator chimed in.

"Yes, Nami-san!"

"No thanks," Venus grimaced, "None for me, please."

"Food and water!" Zoro ordered.

"Tabasco!" Usopp added.

"Who cares about you!"

"Hey!" Venus snapped angrily. "I do! Just go already! We can't waste time!"

"Yes, Venus-chan!"

"Still," Nami grumbled after Sanji and Chopper left, "Where could that idiot be, and what is he doing?!"

Venus leaned against the wall. "He oughta turn up eventually. All we can do is wait until Sanji and Chopper come back, so we can blend in." She then gasped, catching everyone's attention. "Oh no!"

"What?!" Nami was on alert.

"I forgot to ask Sanji and Chopper to look for a book on sand spells!"

The furious redhead started pulling on her pigtails, as Vivi could only watch in concern. "Will you get your damn priorities in order?!"

"Ow! Stop it!" She shoved her away, and rubbed her aching scalp. "I need to learn as much as I can! You know that!" She tightened her hair bands, but her pigtails had become crooked from the attack.

"How do you even know there is a sand book?!"

Venus pulled her first spell book out of her backpack. She had kept her purse safe in the Merry. "Here's how," She showed the back, "See right here? A list of all the spell books, by Toribia Hekate." She pointed to a title for a book with spells involving heat and soil underneath the first. "This here is what I was talking about!" Underneath it were titles for spell books involving wind/clouds, water/cold, light/shadows, and plants/bubbles. "I need to find them all, in order to become the best."

Nami looked over the list, before rolling her eyes. "Just look out for it. And don't cause any more false alarms."

Venus sneered silently, as they returned to waiting. Didn't she realize how important it was for her? "Hey, Venus-chan?" Usopp caught her attention. "Your hair is getting loose."

"Yeah," She pouted, "Figures."

"I can redo it for you, i-if you want," He offered.

"Thanks," She smiled, and sat in front of him, her back to him. And she sat pretty closely.

Usopp hesitated for a moment, not knowing exactly where to start. He caught the faint scent of lemon from her shampoo and conditioner; even without perfume, she smelled good.

Being gentle, he took one of her pigtails, and pulled the band out, letting that side flow down. It reached the bottom of her ribs; getting an idea, he started twisting the strands into a partial braid parellel to her line, trying not to think about how soft her hair was. "I-i-it's not too tight, is it?" He nervously asked.

"Nope," She replied, keeping still, "It's nice and secure. Though it does feel different; what're you planning?" She joked, and giggled lightly.

"Y-you'll see. But I know you'll like it."

"I trust you." He blushed deeply, as he secured the band on the shorter tail. With that, he began working on the other side to make it even.

After tying the second tail, he leaned back to marvel at the result. To his delight, they both came out perfectly even; and more importantly, they looked adorable on her. "Done!"

Venus fished her mirror out of her purse, and had a look at the front, and the sides. "Wow, they look great!" She shook her head, and giggled. "Very secure!" She absently laid one hand on the back of her head, and was surprised at what she felt. "Are these braids?"

"Sorta," He shrugged.

"Wow, you're great at this!" She beamed, and turned around to hug him. "Thanks, Usopp!"

The stunned sniper patted her back. "Y-y-you're welcome." Just then, they saw Sanji and Chopper returning, with a horde of bags in tow.

"Wow!" A delighted Nami, whose short hair was in an updo, a reluctant Vivi, and an embarrassed Venus were now donned in traditional outfits to blend in, as were the boys. Though the girls' were... different from them. And they had yet to see Venus in hers. "This is wonderful! I love these kinds of clothes!"

"I know I asked you to shop for us, Sanji-san, but aren't these outfits for dancer girls?" Vivi nervously asked.

"Come, now!" Sanji gushed, as Zoro and Usopp chowed down. "It looks marvelous on you!"

"I asked for commoner clothing-"

"Dancers are commoners too!" He insisted happily.

"But we're gonna cross a desert-"

"Don't worry! If you get tired, I'll carry you!"

Vivi turned away with a smirk of defeat. "There's no getting through to him."

Sanji then turned to the boys, now condescending. "But compared to them, you two clearly look like bandits."

"How're you any different?!" Zoro sneered through eating a chicken leg.

"Chopper!" Usopp turned to the traditionally-clothed reindeer, who was holding his nose while laying on his back. "What're you doing?"

"The smell is killing me."

"That reminds me, where did you go?" Sanji asked.

"Various places!"

"Is he not feeling good?" Nami asked.

"Oh, the perfume's gotten to him."

"Perfume?"

"Oh, right!" Vivi remembered. "Tony-kun has a sensitive nose!"

Nami sniffed herself on her arm with a smirk. "Oh, this."

"Some of it can be rather strong."

"Like this?" Nami spritzed some more on her neck.

"Stop!" Chopper screamed.

"Mellorine love into the abyss!" Sanji swooned.

"What're you, an idiot?" Zoro grumbled, earning an unnoticed glare from the cook.

The witch stayed hidden behind the rubble; Sanji saw her peek out for a brief second. "Hm? Venus-chan!" He swooned, and glided to the wall. "Let me see you in all your beauty!"

"Forget it."

"Hey, short stack!" Zoro turned to where she was hiding. "What's the holdup?"

"I feel ridiculous."

"Don't be modest, Venus-chan! I'm sure you look lovely!"

"Come on!" Nami glared in her direction. "Just quit being stubborn, and get out here already!"

"Fine." She hesitantly stepped out to let everyone see her, standing stiffly with her hands in fists with a frown. Like Nami and Vivi, she was in a dancer outfit; it consisted of a black tie-front, cap-sleeved top, and a dark blue skirt that was quite short in the front, yet went down to her ankles in the back, with a black spiky-hemmed waistband with purple trimming, and a thin, black choker with a silver moon on the front. She still retained her black, knee-high buckled boots under the skirt.

"See? You look titillating!" Sanji gushed, ignoring Zoro's side-eye, but was responded with a grunt of embarrassment.

Nami rolled her eyes. "At least it's in your style. Quit moping."

Usopp timidly stepped up to her, as her gaze stayed on her feet. "Um, V-Venus-chan?" She looked up at him, as he touched his pointer fingers together. "I think you look amazing."

She finally smiled, shyly fiddling with the waistband. "Really? Oh, th-thanks. I guess it isn't so bad."

"Why couldn't you have said that earlier?!"

Usopp ignored Nami's angry shout. "In any case, we've accomplished our first goal of gathering supplies!"

"Yes," Vivi agreed.

"We're going to a place called Yuba, was it?" Nami asked.

"Yes, but first is a trek through the desert. It will likely be much more difficult than you imagine right now. There's no telling what might happen. One wrong step in this burning land, and there's no guarantee you'll survive. I'm still a little uneasy, and unsure about taking you to such a place, but I want to return peace to this kingdom! So I, I ask you again! Everyone! Please lend me your help! I beg of you..." She trailed off, and stayed quiet.

"You finally said it." Vivi looked up at Nami, who was giving a wink, and a thumbs-up. "We've been waiting for it!"

"There's no telling what happens on the sea either," Sanji smirked, as Zoro stood up, "Right, Vivi-chan?"

"Yeah!" Zoro agreed. It'll be no different from before!"

"Yeah!" Venus cheered.

"I can't wait to see the desert!" Chopper said to Karoo.

"Alright, guys!" Usopp announced. "Whadya say we get going to Yuba now?!"

"Yeah!" The crew pumped their left fists in the air.

Vivi watched them, feeling choked up. "Everyone..."

"Don't we seem to be missing someone?" Usopp asked after a moment of silence.

"Luffy!" Everyone exclaimed at once.


(A/N: Oh dear, better find Luffy! You know the disclaimer.)