Chapter 14: Arrival at Drum Island! Ciara's Tough Decision!

Dymon D. Ciara

"This is horrible," I said while huddled into myself in the corner. "How is it so cold?" I couldn't believe how much the temperature dropped. It was like it was Summer one day, and Winter the next.

We were sailing for a while. It was a strange time. Nobody played games, everyone was mostly serious. Every night, we'd sleep in Nami's room to keep her company. There was a sense of urgency the entire time that put tension throughout the ship. It was clear that even one person getting sick was enough to get the crew on edge. It wasn't like that in my old crew. It was nice to be with people who wouldn't abandon me at the slightest convenience.

"There could be an island nearby," said Vivi. She made Sanji look for an island. "A Winter island would explain the temperature."

"Ok, I totally understand." I didn't. I was still freezing. It was a good thing I stole Nami's giant fur coat so I wouldn't instantly freeze to death. It covered everything but my hands, or should I say hand? Whatever, I should be fine if I don't lose it. I would be back to my usual self once I'm used to the weather. Which could take a few days. "But can you explain it for the Luffys in the crowd?"

Vivi explained the weather system in the Grand Line. Basically, Winter islands are cold, Summer islands hot, yadda yadda. I zoned out when I remembered how much I didn't care.

"Nerrrrrrrrrd," I said. She looked annoyed and walked away. She clearly didn't respond well to my amazing diss. Something so clever that nothing could top it. Christ, the cold was getting to me. I was losing my mind.

"Land ho," yelled Sanji from the crow's nest.

"Where? Is she hot," I asked as I got up. It was so incredibly funny that nobody laughed. It distracted me from the fact that I was slowly freezing to death.

We went through a canal on the island. The sides of it were cliffs on our sides. It had mountains that looked like drums. It was covered in so much snow. I wanted to set a fire just to melt it all. I would've done it if I could muster the energy.

"E-excuse me," I said while stuttering from the cold. "I-I just realized that I h-have can't-go-into-deep-snowitus it's fatal."

"That's my line," said Usopp.

"Shut up." I dropped to the floor. My shivering shook the boat slightly.

"Somebody pick her up," said Zoro. It was so nice to see someone care for me. "Her shaking is really annoying." Well, I didn't like him that much anyway."

Vivi helped me stand. "What's wrong with you," she asked.

"I-I g-g-get really c-c-cold," I replied. "I-It's all b-because of an i-i-interesting s-s-story." I started to tell her about one of the many experiments my old captain did on me. It made me more sensitive to temperatures if they were extreme enough. I had no idea how she did it. It made no sense, but nothing ever made sense.

"That's far enough, pirates!"

I was unable to tell the story because Vivi dropped me on the floor. I would've been mad if the cold didn't make me slightly delirious. I had to suppress the shivering to look around.

We were surrounded by people with guns. They were aiming straight at us. A part of me wanted them to shoot. Anything would've been better than the cold.

"I-I guess we sh-shouldn't have expected a warm wuh-welcome," I said. I was so funny.

"I'm only saying this once," said a large man in a green jacket. I assumed he was the boss. "Your kind aren't welcome here. Leave immediately."

I wanted to yell, "It's because I'm gay isn't it," but I was interrupted by Luffy. Also, it wasn't the most original answer.

"We're just here for a doctor," he yelled.

"We have someone who's sick," Vivi added.

They didn't believe us. I didn't blame them. I used the same trick a few times. One time with completely innocent merchants. At least I thought they were innocent until I saw their slaves. It didn't matter, all I did was rob them and leave. The bottom line was that pirates weren't the most trustworthy group.

It didn't go well. Sanji got a little upset, it led to one of the guys shooting at us. That made him angrier, so Vivi tried to stop him.

I don't exactly know what happened next. I saw that same guy, pull the trigger again and move without thinking. I pushed Vivi out of the way and took the bullet. It entered between the bandages on my back and lodged under my right ribcage. I could feel it inside of me.

Why did I do that? It was so profoundly stupid. So dumb that I pretended to know what profound meant. It had to be because I wanted money and only Vivi could pay me. Or was it because I wanted to be shot? I couldn't think about it much because of the cold.

I fell back to the floor. I knew the bandages would hide the injury so everyone would think they missed. My coat would have a hole, but the fur would make it hard to see if you weren't looking. I've been shot before so it should be fine, probably. I didn't make a big deal of it.

"Why you," yelled Luffy.

"No stop! Fighting won't solve anything," said Vivi. She stopped Luffy from being stupid. "Ciara's fine, the bullet missed."

The princess bowed to the people pointing guns at her, putting her forehead on the floor. After a little convincing, Luffy did as well. They asked nicely for a doctor.

The leader of the villagers looked at us. It was intense, his face was like stone. "We'll show you to our village. Follow me." He turned around and walked away."

"How c-can we follow," I asked. "He's on a cliff."

We arrived at the village after a short walk. There were multiple identical buildings covered in snow. The group that was with us left when their leader said to. His name was Dalton. He led us to his house.

I volunteered to help Nami find a doctor. I didn't want to stay behind with Zoro, he would've asked me to arm wrestle again. I wasn't scared of losing, the last time we arm wrestled my hook got stuck in his hand and it was a whole thing. He didn't take it as a lesson.

The only doctor in town was described as 'a witch.' He didn't say more than that on the walk.

We were all in his house. I was warmed up by the fireplace. I had my coat open so the fire could warm my body. Nami was in bed, Vivi was by her side, and Sanji was there too. I couldn't find Luffy and Usopp, but I didn't care.

"May I ask you a question," said Dalton. Vivi looked nervous. "You just look very familiar."

"No, I think I just have that kind of face," said Vivi. "Anyway, can you tell us about that doctor? Nami's temperature is already 107 degrees."

Dalton explained all about the wicked witch of the mountain. She's a doctor who lives far away on a mountain. She's super old and only helps people occasionally. She also steals what she wants as payment. She's the only doctor on the island. There was no way to get her down to us. We had to go up to meet her. At the top of the tallest mountain on the island.

"Hey, Nami," Luffy slapped her to wake her up. "Wake up, wake up Nami."

"You idiot," yelled Usopp, Sanji, and Vivi. They went on to do nothing about Luffy slapping Nami. Nami woke up.

"We're climbing a mountain to get you to a doctor." He just up and said it. I had to give it to him, he didn't sugarcoat it.

"What are you an idiot," asked Sanji. Did he meet the guy? "How are you gonna get her up there?"

"She'll ride on my back."

"That'll only make her worse," said Vivi.

"Why, I thought we needed to hurry?"

"You'll never make it up there. Look how steep the mountain is."

They kept arguing about it. I didn't really listen. I was still trying to heat up by the fire, and putting my ear out when something interesting happened. Eventually, Nami told them to shut up and she was fine with it. It was pretty cool, they high-fived and everything.

A little while later, we were all set to go out. I closed my coat and felt the heat envelop me. The coat was the best thing ever. As long as I didn't miss it, I could stay in the snow. Nami had a blanket around her and was tied to Luffy's back.

The group was me, Luffy, and Sanji to go up the mountain with Nami.

"Listen, Luffy," said Usopp. Who was extremely close to Luffy's face. "You can't fall once or Nami will die."

"Aw, not even once," said Luffy.

"Hold still," said Vivi. She was tying a rope around Nami and Luffy. "I'm making sure this is tight enough." She pulled it and stood up. "I'll wait here. I'll only get in the way." Usopp said he'd stay back too.

I raised my hand. "Does that mean I get to... you know?"

"Don't even think about it. I'll know." Her look of rage was so potent that I felt it in my empty soul.

"Fiiiiiiine," I said while rolling my eyes. I didn't know why I cared. It wasn't like I was a bloodthirsty maniac. It was simply terrible to not be able to do something.

"Hold on tight, Nami," said Luffy. She said nothing.

"It seems you're set on going," said Dalton. "I won't try to stop you, but at least try to go up on the other side. That way you could avoid the Lappins on this side. They're fierce carnivorous rabbits. Run into a pack of them and you're as good as dead."

"We'll be fine," I said. "I almost got eaten by birds." I pointed at my eyepatch.

"You can't be serious. You know how easily those things can kill you?"

"Nah, we'll be fine," said Luffy. He ran. "Come on Sanji and Ciara! Before Nami dies!"

Before we could start following, someone arrived with a yell. "Dalton! Dalton! We need your help!" We turned to see who it was.

It was one of the villagers who almost shot us. He looked terrified, his face was pale, and he was shivering. "Pirates! Pirates are terrorizing the security squad!"

"Take me to them right now," said Dalton. He looked at us. "You better get on your way. We could deal with these guys. We'll keep your friends safe." I looked for them, they went inside.

I thought about it. What if it was the Kinslayer Pirates? They were so weak that one of them might die in a fight. "Maybe I should stay behind and help."

"Wait," said Sanji. He was clenching his teeth. "I'll help with these pirates. You help Luffy."

"Why do you think you should do it?"

"I can't explain right now. You have to catch up before Luffy gets himself killed."

I had to think about it for a second. Why would he leave two girls to go on a dangerous trip with Luffy of all people? It had to be something important. I trusted him, so I listened.

"Alright, cool." I ran to help Luffy. He would need it.

TO BE CONTINUED...