The pang of hunger broke Ellis out of her slump. It had been a while since she ate enough to count as an actual meal, and Kaya did say she provided enough provisions to last out at sea.

She moved away from the railing, turning her back to the fading island. She made her way below deck to where a bunch of crates were stored, making sure first that Nami was too busy sailing the ship to check on the inventory.

Ellis was sure as long as she didn't touch any gold or treasure she'd be undetected. She took her backpack off and pulled out a crowbar, prying off the lid of a crate toward the back.

Hardtack. This stuff lasts for ages.

She carefully piled the top layer of the dried-to-all-hell bread into her back and replaced the cover. She decided to check one other crate and found dried fish. Ellis took a few and closed the crate, making it look like she was never there.

Ellis took her spoils and moved to the staircase that descended from the storeroom into the bedroom she and Nami would share.

At the sight of two beds she paused.

Hide the food first. I can figure out the sleeping arrangements later.

Ellis moved to the corner of the room and searched for a loose floorboard. Once she found one, she pried it off and made herself a secret compartment.

She hid away the hardtack and ate the dried fish, her stomach sitting comfortably full for the first time in days.

The salty food left her thirsty, so she ate the last apples she stored in her back and took a sip from a flask.

Now, time to figure out the bed situation.

Ellis sat on the bed closest to her.

It's too soft.

She lay down, trying to get comfortable, but it was too disconcerting. She sat back up, uncomfortable with the realization.

I don't remember the last time I slept in a bed. I'd sooner fall asleep on the ground than on a mattress.

Ellis left the room, leaving her backpack next to the bed, but ran into Usopp leaving another room.

A room where she spied an excessive amount of hammocks.

"Do you… do you guys have a spare?"

Usopp stared at her questionably.

Then Ellis took the next little while setting up her hammock right by the porthole in the girl's room. Right as she was finishing up, that's when the fatigue hit her.

How long had I been up at this point? Two days?

Ellis went onto the deck to make sure there wasn't about to be another crisis so she could sleep in peace. When she reached the deck, she saw an approaching storm.

Ellis turned to Nami. "Everything under control?"

Nami nodded. "We got enough people up here to deal with it."

"Great," Ellis responded. "Don't wake me up unless you absolutely have to." Then she went below deck.

Ellis fell asleep to the steep swaying of the ship. Though she was briefly roused from her slumber by someone poking her face.

She grumbled and turned over. The poking continued.

Finally, she muttered, "Somebody better be dying, and if no one is, I'll kill you myself."

The poking stopped and she went back to slumbering.

The next time she awoke, it was to the rays of the setting sun shining through the window and into her face.

Ellis groggily turned over in her hammock, misjudging her balance and promptly fell onto the ground with a thud.

Well, she was awake now. Might as well see what everyone else was doing, since there were no sounds of life. No footsteps, no talking or laughter. Only the sound of waves hitting the ship and the cries of seagulls.

…Did they find another island so fast?

Grumpily hobbling to the deck, Ellis took a moment to look at the sunset in its entirety. The golden sunbeams, the orange and pink clouds–one of the most beautiful things in the world, as well as the most fleeting.

But on the water? Oh, the water magnifies it tenfold–reflecting all the colors, just making the scene more grand than on land.

As Ellis basked, she heard muffled speaking, so she walked to the edge of the ship only to see the crew…talking to a bush-man box-thing… and a crowd of animal hybrids.

…She decided it had to be hallucinations brought on by sleep deprivation and walked back to her hammock to get more sleep.

The next day, she was relaxing in the crow's nest, cloud gazing and keeping an eye on their surroundings, wearing her sunglasses. Usopp ran around the deck with a wooden sword, swinging it around playing pirates.

Zoro was napping, Nami was looking at her charts, and Luffy was crouched over a suspicious black fabric.

Not my business.

There wasn't a ship in sight in any direction. No islands, either, so Ellis just relaxed and enjoyed the breeze.

"I finished!" Luffy exclaimed, ruining Ellis's lazy atmosphere. She deeply sighed before looking down at the deck to see what was going on.

"Look! Our pirate mark!"

Luffy was holding out the black fabric, and the jolly roger on it made her snort. She pulled out the spyglass to take a closer look.

It was atrocious.

"Now that Usopp's joined, we got…"

Ellis had to do some deep breathing to keep the laughter in. Some people are new to painting, so it's not right of her to laugh at their attempts. Though, she missed some of what Luffy said.

"...that's almost a whole crew!"

She had to do a few more deep breaths before she looked back out to the deck.

"I think it's about time we got our own flag!"

How… optimistic.

"Uh, Luffy?" Zoro stood up. "Is that really gonna be our mark?

Zoro's fearsome reputation as the Pirate Hunter is going to go down the drain under a flag like that.

"What do you think?" Luffy beamed. "Nice, huh?"

"Our mark should be scary," Zoro said. "It should strike fear into our enemy's hearts."

"If our enemies were terrified infants, then this would be perfect," Nami observed.

Usopp tutted. "You guys really should have told me about this."

Yeah, I don't really need to pay attention to this. I should really make sure no one is in like a submarine sneaking up on us. Wait, do submarines even exist here?

Ellis sighed and returned back to cloud gazing. Not like the conversation involved her, anyway.

…And that's when Usopp climbed up to the crow's nest to put up their new pirate flag. A skull and crossbones wearing a familiar hat.

"I'm gonna paint the sail next!" Usopp boasted.

"Just be sure to rig yourself to the mast properly in case you fall," Ellis cautioned. She had one too many stories of trying to get blood out of wood floors. Not to mention the trauma of watching someone you just talked to die a preventable death.

Maybe I should help him, Ellis thought. I really do miss painting.

Long after Usopp finished the sail, Ellis got bored and climbed back down to the deck. Nami was sunbathing on a beach chair and reading a magazine. Zoro was straight up napping, splayed out on the deck, and Usopp was fiddling with something with his back turned to her.

With no Luffy in sight, Ellis was slightly concerned, but the heavy thuds of overencumbered footsteps quelled that fear. She turned to see Luffy carrying a heavy crate up some stairs.

A crate covered in the word 'danger.'

Great.

Once he reached the crew, he dropped it with a heavy 'thunk.' He breathed a sigh of relief. "Sucker's heavy," he panted.

"What the heck's that?" Nami asked.

"I found it in the store room!" Luffy explained.

Everyone moved closer to the crate.

"It's a crate full of cannonballs!" Nami observed.

"I figured since we have our own cannon now, we can get in some target practice!" Luffy said, pointing to the cannon.

Why do I keep getting surprised at Luffy actually having good ideas?

"Just leave the cannoning to me!" Usopp piped up, wearing a smug look. "I harken back to the time I was three years old and jumped on a passing cannonball, riding it halfway 'round the world–!"

"So how do you work this thing," Luffy wondered.

"Hey, listen–!" Usopp shrieked.

"Zoro! You know how to shoot this?!" Luffy shouted, ignoring Usopp.

Zoro just continued sleeping away.

"Asleep," Nami said. "The guy sleeps constantly!"

He was up all night guarding the ship, Ellis thought. I saw it myself when I went to grab more of the fish and stargaze for a while.

"He's no fun," Luffy pouted.

"You know, just to the south of here's a reef that would make some excellent target practice," Nami said, looking at her charts.

"Then let's go!" Luffy exclaimed, beaming at her. "For real guys, what're we sitting around here for? That sounds awesome!"

Then Luffy and Usopp excitedly chattered over each other, and Ellis mentally sighed.

Guess I've got to show these guys how to work a cannon before they blow their hands off.

And that's exactly what she did.

"-just need to aim before lighting it, and–"

Ellis turned to see the fuse already lit and slammed her hands over her ears just as it fired.

BOOM.

"That was way off the mark!" Luffy exclaimed.

Hey, what's so loud down there?" A now awake Zoro asked.

"Cannon firing practice," Luffy explained. He cupped his chin, "But it's not going very well."

"That's because you didn't aim," Ellis stated.

"Like I said," Usopp chimed in, "let the expert aim the thing!"

…Wasn't I the expert?

"Judging from the flying distance from the last one," Usopp muttered, aiming the cannon higher, "this should do it!"

Well, I won't be the one to kill his fun.

Then he fired the cannon, blasting the outcropped rock to smithereens.

"Awesome!" Luffy exclaimed. "You hit that thing on the first try!"

"Woah, I did…" Usopp stared agape, before returning to confidence. "Whaddya think? I'm pretty magnificent when it comes to aiming, so are you impressed yet?"

"Yeah, you better believe it!" Luffy said.

"Well, you guys seem to have it handled," Ellis stated, turning to walk away. "Just try not to go around aiming it at people you don't want to kill."

"So it's all settled!" Luffy said. "You'll be our sniper!"

"Wait, I don't get to be captain?!" Usopp shrieked.

"No, I'm the captain!" Luffy whined.

Ellis sighed and walked to the kitchen to hang out with Nami. Unfortunately, the guys followed her. Zoro, for some reason, fell back asleep leaning against the refrigerator as the rest of them sat at the table.

"Whatever, I'll humor you for now," Usopp continued, "but the second you do something cowardly, I'm taking your post!"

Does he think they're playing pirates still, and aren't actual pirates? That… can cause some issues down the line, Ellis thought. At least that won't be my problem to deal with, since I'm not part of the crew.

"I can live with that," Luffy agreed. "But, you know, guys? I was thinking…"

Never a good thing, Ellis mused.

"...there's one other position we have to fill before we can head out for the Grand Line."

There's more than one position you need for a functioning crew, let alone head for the Grand Line. A doctor for one, a cook for another. That's just from the top of my head.

"You're right," Nami agreed. "The kitchen is really nice on this ship. Just… pay me and I'll do it."

"I suppose it is vital for long trips," Zoro tiredly slurred out.

"No decent pirate ship should be without one!" Luffy said.

Ellis had a feeling that he wasn't talking about a cook.

"A musician!"

"Ugh, are you an idiot?!" Zoro complained.

"What do you think you're doing out here?!" Nami barked.

"Just when I thought you were going to say something smart," Usopp groaned.

Ellis just let out a deep sigh.

"But we're pirates, and pirates sing a lot, didn't you know?" Luffy said.

"Where did you get that idea from–?" Ellis got cut off.

SLAM!

THUD!

"Get out here, you damn pirates!" A man shouted.

They all turned to face the direction of the deck.

Luffy headed to the door, opening it with a, "Hey, what the hell? Who are you?!"

"Shut up! Who I am means nothing, you stinkin' pirate!"

Then there was more yelling, more sounds of things getting tossed around.

Ellis moved to peek out from the doorway.

"Hey, guys?" Zoro asked. "How many are there?"

"Uhh, one," Nami answered as she and Usopp crowded around a window. The only notable thing about the attacker was the sunglasses, blue sweatshirt, and symbol on his cheek.

"Then just let him handle it," Zoro said.

"Over the years I've lost count of all the pirate heads we've taken," the man said, "and now you guys think you can kill my partner?!" he screamed.

"That voice," Zoro muttered.

"What do you mean, 'partner'?!" Luffy responded. "Look, I don't know what this is! Just stop wrecking our ship!"

Another thud, this time shaking the entire ship.

Zoro stood up and walked to the doorway Ellis was peeking out of.

"Lost… by a hair…" the attacker groaned.

"Who is this guy?" Luffy asked himself.

"Johnny?" Zoro said, stepping in front of the wrecked railing.

He knows this guy?

"Tell me that isn't you," he continued.

"Huh?" The attacker, Johnny, said. "Who's saying my name like they think they know me or something?"

Zoro stared, shocked.

Johnny shot into a sitting position. "Big bro Zoro?!"

"Johnny!" Zoro repeated. "It is you!"

Luffy stared with a blank face.

"What are you doing here, big bro?!"

"Where's Yosaku? Isn't he with you?" Zoro asked.

"What's going on?" Luffy asked. "You guys know each other or something?"

"What are you doing on a pirate ship?!" Johnny asked. "What's going on around here?"

This conversation is starting to feel a bit circular.

"Hey, relax," Zoro soothed. "Everything okay? Where's Yosaku?"

Johnny ran over to the side of the ship.

"Hey, look," Usopp said. "Zoro knows that guy."

"What's going on here?" Nami asked.

Zoro followed him and looked over the side.

"He–he's been sick," Johnny whimpered. Zoro put his hand on his shoulder before helping him bring his friend on board.

"What is it?" Zoro asked, laying him on the deck.

Ellis finally walked out the doorway to get a better look. Nami followed her.

"Up until a few days ago, he was healthy and full of life. And now," Johnny's voice broke, "he's fainting and getting really pale! I have no idea what's causing it!"

Nami walked down the stairs to stand near the two guests.

"His teeth have been falling out and his old wound opened up and started bleeding!" Johnny continued. "He just got worse and worse, I didn't know what to do!"

That sounded a lot like scurvy. Ellis turned back into the kitchen. I know I saw limes in here earlier.

She dug around for a bit, checking a couple barrels before finding them, grabbing a knife, and heading back out.

Luffy and Usopp now stood over the injured partner.

"...but then, a cannonball came flying from this ship!" Johnny cried.

Usopp and Luffy gaped at him.

Now's not the time for an 'I told you so,' but I really meant it when I said not to go around aiming it at people you don't want to kill. Don't aim a cannon unless you're willing to hit someone with it.

"We're very sorry!" Luffy and Usopp bowed.

Ellis started walking down the stairs carrying the armful of limes.

"Sorry isn't good enough," Johnny sobbed through his tears. "Isn't that right, partner?"

Johnny rested a hand on his partner's bandaged stomach. "Big bro, give it to me straight. Is he gonna die?"

Zoro looked pallid, gritting his teeth.

"So dumb," Nami said.

"Watch it," Zoro barked.

Nami bent over the sick guy, lifting his eyelid and pulling out his tongue.

"Stop it!" Johnny grabbed her arm. "Whatever you're doing, stop! You're mocking his death, damn it!"

Nami pushed his face away from her, before turning to face Ellis as she approached.

Ellis noted the tears falling down Usopp and Luffy's faces as she walked past them, sitting next to the sick man. She dropped the limes and pulled out her knife, cutting one in half before squeezing it over his agape mouth.

She had to be sure not to squeeze too tightly or else he could choke on the dripping liquid. Luffy and Usopp rush to stand over her, watching what she's doing with rapt attention.

"He's got scurvy," Nami explained.

"Scurvy?" Johnny repeated.

"If we weren't too late, he'll be just fine in a few days," Nami assured.

"Really, big sis?!" Johnny exclaimed. "Really? Thank you, big sis!"

Nami pushed him away from her. "Please, don't call me that." There was a dangerous edge to her voice. "It sounds so dumb. Besides, I'm not a magician, this used to be a hopeless disease that used to plague sailors."

Ellis handed a half lime to Luffy to help her squeeze. He enthusiastically grabbed it and continued where she left off.

"We just know how to deal with it now," Nami continued.

"Here," Luffy said. "Drink up, sick guy."

"This was caused by a simple deficiency of plant-derived nutrients like Vitamin C," Nami said. "Ships didn't carry fruits and vegetables because they weren't storable, but we know better now."

Ellis turned away for two seconds before realizing Luffy and Usopp were now shoving the squeezed limes into the sick guy's mouth.

"A little is good, a lot is gooder," Luffy said.

She immediately slapped their hands away.

"Are you trying to get him to choke? Because you don't feed solids to someone unconscious!"

"Nami, you're smart!" Luffy said. "You're like a doctor!"

"Doctors need to pass years of schooling, though," Ellis stated, confused. "Nami's too young."

"Well, now, how 'bout that!" Usopp said, ignoring her. "I was right! She isn't dumb!"

What about Nami gives off the impression of being dumb? Ellis decided to ignore the conversation and start getting those whole-ass limes out of the guy's mouth.

"You're as smart as a tack!" Luffy continued.

"You guys are morons!" Nami shrieked. "Every sailor should know about scurvy!"

Then the sick guy spat out the limes, coughing, before sitting up. He took a moment to take in his surroundings before jumping to his feet.

Johnny ran to him, and they started jumping in a circle, shouting, "Hooray, hooray! Hooray, hooray!"

Over, and over, and over again.

"Nutrients cured me!"

"Hooray, hooray!"

"All better!"

"Hooray, hooray!"

Nami had enough. "You can't heal that quickly!"

The partners stopped.

"Allow us to introduce ourselves," They said simultaneously.

"My name's Johnny," Johnny said, striking a 'cool' pose.

"And I'm Yosaku."

Where did Yosaku get a cigarette?!

"Together, we're the baddest pirate bounty hunting duo in the world," They said together.

Ellis had never heard of them.

"Big bro Zoro over there used to be one of us," Johnny said.

"Glad to make your acquaintance," Yosaku added.

Zoro approached them, smiling. "Small world. Never thought I'd see you guys again."

"Well, if you think you're surprised," Yosaku said.

"We never imagined Pirate Hunter Zoro would become a pirate himself," Johnny finished.

Zoro stopped in front of them. "Tell me about it!" He gave Johnny a handshake. Yosaku reached out to join in, but grew pallid and fell slowly into the ground.

"Hey, partner?" Johnny called out.

What a clown show, Ellis thought. We should probably let the dude rest.

They all, minus the resting Yosaku, found their way back into the kitchen, sitting at the table to continue the conversation.

"Let this be a lesson to you," Nami said over the ship's creaking.

"Yep, this is the kind of trouble you run into when you choose a life on the sea," Zoro added.

"Which means when we're at sea, we really gotta think about how we get the right amount of nutrients with very little food," Usopp said.

"It's absolutely necessary that someone on this ship knows how to do that," Nami continued.

Luffy chowed down on some semi-fresh bread. "It's necessary?" He asked with a full mouth. He chewed, then swallowed. "Right! Ship needs a cook!"

"Hm?" Usopp and Nami hummed.

"Let's go find us a cook!" Luffy exclaimed.

Usopp stood. "I'm in! Good idea! We'll have yummy food even while we're out at sea!"

That's not likely. Having a cook that'll keep you alive on a ship is way more likely than finding one that actually knows how to make it delicious. Especially on a pirate ship.

"That's right, you got it!" Luffy affirmed, laughing.

"A cook?" Johnny chimed in. "I know just the place, and the food is gonna blow your mind!"

That sounds like a pricey place. Is it going to be worth the cost, I wonder?

"All right!" Luffy said. "Let's go! Where to?!"

"Consider yourself warned!" Johnny said. "This place is close to the Grand Line, and I've heard a lot of rumors lately." He turned to Zoro. "That a certain hawk-eyed man you're looking for is there."

He doesn't mean…?

"Set a course for north-northeast!"

We're getting closer to the Grand Line than I would've liked. I wanted to spend a little more time with Nami, but the closer we get, the sooner I'll have to get off the ship.

Everyone else, however, had the opposite mood of Ellis. And, as they sailed through the dusk, she was mentally preparing for sooner goodbyes than she thought.

Hopefully it'll take them longer to get a cook. I don't know if I'll see Nami again if she goes with them, leaving East Blue.

She always hated goodbyes.

A/N

3.6k words.

A little bit of filler this chapter! I didn't want to write about Gaimon's island because there just wasn't enough I could add to justify writing all of it out, so I just had her sleep through it lmao. That'll just be how I do movies: if I can add something with Ellis being there, I'll write it. If it's just her reacting to everything, it's kind of a waste of my time. There are some movies I have a lot of ideas for, and there are some movies that just won't jive with my OC. I am going to write most of the filler, though. I'm feeling diabolical just thinking about it! Also, Ellis doesn't know she's part of the crew yet, shhhhhhhh

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed!