#And Sanji just stood there and cried. For a father that didn’t even want him to exist.

[shima-draws]

On my way to skin the Vinsmokes alive brb

[straw-hat-nakama-22]

Snipits from fics I'll never finish. Part 2!

“Cook. Would you join me?” Robin invited him to sit across from her in the galley.

Sanji was caught between tripping over himself to get to the bench, and wondering if this was some kind of trap. Which was ridiculous because this was Robin not Reiju and she wouldn’t hurt him but he felt like she should because he deserved it-

He sat cautiously and Robin’s pleasant expression, carefully arranged as it always was, became a little tighter at the edges.

“Is there anything I can get for you? I can warm up some hot chocolate in no time at all? Or if you’re craving something savory-”

“Sanji.” Sanji’s jaw snapped shut and his head ducked. He’d flinched involuntarily. “Would you look at me please?” She tilted her head to try and catch his eye. He peaked up at her and Robin frowned at the dark circle under his eye. “You’re not sleeping.”

Sanji's shoulders dropped slightly, like he was relieved.

“I’m getting as much as I need. Thank you for your concern, but it’s not something you need to worry about.”

“You mean that you’re not worth worrying about.”

Sanji looked stunned.

“What?”

“That is what you mean, isn’t it? That you’re not worthy of my concern or attention or care.”

“As far as I’ve noticed this is the first time I’ve been offered any of that since I got back.” He snapped. Then, immediately dropped his head into one hand. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“You did say it and I’m glad. You’re right. None of us, myself included, have been treating you as we did before. We don’t understand. I was, hurt, when you left.”

Sanji’s head shot up.

“Robin...”

“I wondered, rather self-centeredly, if I had done something to drive you away. You fought the world government to get me back once, and half a dozen times since to keep me.  And then you were gone. No real explanation, just the promise to come back after you’d taken care of whatever was more important than us. It sounds rather petty to say out loud, but I believe everyone on the crew, sans Luffy and Jimbe feel the same way. After some time and thought, Usopp has decided that the woman you ran off with was secretly a Marine spy who then tried to capture you. Zoro just thinks she was already married. Franky is of the opinion that her father was a warlord of the sea, or someone equally as powerful. I have a different theory.”

Sanji leaned back on the bench. If Robin had taken time to think this through, she was going to be right. There was no fighting it, no hiding it, no point in denying it. There was only waiting to be put out of your misery. She knew he’d been a coward and a weakling and always had been.

Robin stood from her side of the bench and sat next to him. Softly, eyes never moving from the aquarium across from them both.

“When you faced CP9, it was the second most terrifying time of my life. Even just the words, buster call... I didn’t want them anywhere near you. Everytime I considered leaving, letting you save me, I saw you all burning. The words, the words wouldn’t even come to my lips. Instead, I’d spew whatever lie I thought would force you to leave me alone. A lie you’d believe. So I wondered, what lie you might tell and why. After careful consideration of your character I came to my conclusion.” Robin looked at him and slipped her hand over his own clenched, trembling fist. She whispered, brows pinched, “You must have been so afraid. I’m so sorry, for not noticing sooner.”

Sanji bit his lip to fight back tears. He’d cried enough. He’d cried too much. He didn’t want to cry in front of Robin. He felt like he needed to say something, but he didn’t know what would come out if he opened his mouth right now. Instead he took Robin’s hand and several long, deep breaths. Once his lungs stopped burning he chanced to mutter.

“I can’t sleep. Not yet.”

Robin nodded in understanding.

“Alright. Can you eat?”

Sanji looked at her with shock, horror, confusion, and guilt all at the same time. It would be amusing in another situation. Not this one.

“I, I eat.”

“A full portion, with us, at the table.”

“They don’t, they don’t want me there, Robin.”

“Even if that’s true, I seem to remember you telling me that the Captain has final say on matters regarding the crew.” She said it with a little smile in her voice. Maybe that’s why Sanji agreed to give it a go.

“I’ll try.” Robin gave his hand a tight squeeze.

“Thank you.”

Sanji slid out from the bench and started on prep work for the next day. He needed to get pie dough in the fridge chilling if he was going to make Franky’s favorite cherry turnovers for a snack tomorrow afternoon. Plus he’d save time to prep dinner then if he pitted the cherries now. He set about pulling out bowls and ingredients.

He was just about to start the actual work when he realized that Robin had settled into the bench with a thick book in hand and three more on the table. A blanket was draped over her lap. 

“Robin?”

“Don’t mind me. It’s a lovely night for reading.”

“Aren’t you tired?”

“I am.”

“Don’t you want to sleep?”

“Not yet.” She smiled at him softly and Sanji understood. Skipping two nights of sleep was easy for Robin. She would stay up with him for this one. Sanji had been found by a wonderful crew. He didn’t deserve them.

[tatsumessy]

~ op men and their pregnant wife: she’s mad at them - series ~

————————————

pairings: Sanji, Zoro, Shanks

warnings: misunderstandings, kissing,

theme: angst - fluff

synopsis: op men doing things to make you upset.

————————————————

Sanji all day had been in the kitchen ignoring you for some reason. He was gone when you woke up this morning and every time you tried to talk to him about something he would walk out the room or start a conversation with someone else.

You found out you were four months pregnant a month ago from Chopper who urged you to tell Sanji immediately but every time you tried the timing wasn’t right. But today you felt the need to finally just tell him.

You were all sitting at dinner together and being as petty as he was Sanji sat in between Robin and Nami, you just couldn’t stop them. Your tears started to fall, you dropped your fork out of shook while trying to clean your face but it didn’t go unnoticed.

“Oh no, what’s wrong Y/n? I get it, Sanjis food makes me want to cry sometimes too.” Luffy said stuffing his face with the food that you didn’t eat, Sanji looked like his was ready to jump up and fight Luffy but you just smiled. “Is it the baby?” Chopper whispered in your ear but being the reindeer that he is everyone heard what he said.

“I-I’m sorry Sanji if I upset you.” You wiped your face while standing up and excusing yourself out of the kitchen to go downstairs below deck by the fish tank. The one place that could calm you down, even though you apologized you were even more pissed off than you were sad.

Everyone was still sitting at the table at a stand still except for Luffy of course. He wasn’t maying attention and was only eating but Tobin spoke up out of curiosity. “I’ve been noticing something’s with her lately, like the lack of skin she’s been showing, so it’s because of a baby? Huh. Makes sense.”

Are you that bad of a girlfriend that even the sweetest man on the earth could be upset with you? More tears fell as you cried into yourself while keeping your arms wrapped around your stomach. Footsteps could be heard infront of you but you couldn’t be bothered to look at him, you knew exactly who it was.

His arms pulled you forcefully into his chest as he placed a long kiss on your forehead. “Let me go.” You said trying to pry yourself away from him but he wouldn’t listen, you were to weak from crying and not eating as much as you should’ve for two people. “No, Y/n I’m sorry. I overheard a conversation between you and Luffy last night and I was just so upset with myself that I chose to be petty and ignore you.”

You pushed away from him looking at him with confusion, the conversation you had with Luffy last night was over food. Sanji had made you a snack before going to take a shower and Luffy was trying to eat it, he kept clinging onto you and you said, “I don’t need a clingy man on me.” Sanji is naturally clingy so when he overheard you saying this to Luffy he took it the wrong way.

After explaining that to each other you both say there staring at each other until you started crying once again. Sanji started freaking out once you punched him in his arm. “I thought I really did something to make you mad at me, why would you ignore me l-like that-t.” You whined into his chest as he sat there trying to calm you down, he knew it was the hormones causing you to cry like this but it was still a hard sight to look at.

“I’m sorry my love.” He apologized once again and sat there with you until you fell asleep. He picked you up and brought you back into your shared room so the both of you could go to sleep cuddling each other.

“YOU’RE AN ASSHOLE OF A HUSBAND, FATHER, EVERYTHING ABOVE YOU PIECE OF SHIT.” You yelled at Zoro who stood there with his arms crossed with an annoyed expression on his face.

“I NEVER SAID I WANTED TO BE A FATHER IN THE FIRST PLACE, NOR DID I WANT TO GET MARRIED!” He yelled back, everyone on the ship stood there frozen at what he said. You could already feel the tears brimming in your eyes so before anyone could see you break down you used your devil fruit powers to get off the ship.

You disappeared into town trying to find a place to hide and just opted on sitting on a wooden crate box in the back of an alleyway. Because of how big your stomach was you weighed more than the box could handle and it broke causing you to fall onto the ground. The broken wood pieces scratched at your body but that wasn’t what hurt the most, it was what Zoro said to you.

When you think about it Zoro wasn’t fond of being in a relationship with you either, you wonder why he even married you in the first place. Maybe it’s best if you just leave him to do what he wants, to be free. Just to disappear, maybe he’ll be happy if you do that. The log pose already reset so you were supposed to be leaving an hour ago, maybe they left already which would’ve benefited all of them really.

Not to have a pregnant crybaby on the ship. Thinking back on your argument more tears started to form and as they fell so did heavy rain. You were getting soaked but at least with this you can mask how hard you were crying. You basically forced Zoro into a relationship with you and now he was finally telling you that he wanted an out.

You fell in love with him but i guess he just felt sorry for you. The only thing that could be heard throughout the town was the heavy rain and a group of people yelling loudly. It was your crew, they were looking for you.

The rain was getting heavier and before you knew it your body was over exhausted and you passed out. When you woke up you were in a room and just from hearing the rain outside you were asleep for a few minutes to an hour.

Chopper had run back into the room with a bowl of warm water, he placed a wet towel on your forehead breathing heavily. “Y/n, please wake up. The rain was so heavy when I found you, I brought you to the nearest building to take care of you. You have a high fever and this may prove bad to the baby. If you don’t wake u-” you shifted under the blanket and chopper yelled out in happiness.

“We need to get you back to the ship now.” He said helping you stand up, you were still in a pained daze as he changed into a form to where you could lay on his back. He placed a blanket over you and sprinted back to the ship.

You still got soaked through the blanket as you both arrived on the ship, he took you straight to his office to get your fever down. “Sanji, can you bring some soup for Y/n for when she wakes up.” He immediately started cooking something to your liking, when you finally woke back up Chopper forced you to take some prenatal medicine then forced you to eat something.

“Thank you Chopper. Do you think I could speak with Luffy?” He nodded and ran to go get their captain, Luffy showed up worried for you condition but faltered when he saw your expression. The bowl of soup laid in your lap as you looked up at him with teary eyes. “I think it’s my time to go Luffy.” “What?” He asked in confusion.

“With me about to have a baby and being useless for your crew-” Luffy gripped your shoulders urging you to look at him. “DON’T SAY THINGS LIKE THAT. YOU ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO OUR CREW AND EVERYONE WANTS YOU HERE. Just because you’re having a baby doesn’t mean that you’re going to be discarded like trash. We all have been looking forward to a new addition to our crew, Zoro is just a dumbass who says the wrong things at the wrong times.”

He smiled wiping your tears with his shirt before pulling you into a hug. This was the first time Luffy was serious with you so you knew he meant every word he said. That still didn’t change the fact that Zoro definitely meant what he said. Luffy stayed with you while you ate the rest of your soup talking with you about random things.

Chopper advised you to stay in his office so that he could check on you for the next couple of days and as you laid on your side reading a book the door opened. Thinking it was Chopper you ignored it but the large hand that rubbed the back of your thigh grabbed your attention.

“Y/n, I don’t expect you to talk to me but atleast listen to what I have to say.” You closed the book and set it down back where it was on Choppers desk, closing your eyes you laid there waiting for him to speak. “I love you.” He could see you visibly flinch at his words, “I know I don’t say it much but I do love you. I mean how can I not love you, I can’t even imagine my life without you in it now. Every decision I make I always think about how it’ll affect you.”

He paused and watched as you sat up leaning you back against the wall. Your eyes stayed closed but your arms were crossed over your chest. “I’m scared to have a child right now. We’re pirates always on the move on a ship, I’m still weak in many ways and I fear that I can’t protect the both of you. I’m sorry for what I said, I really didn’t mean it.” He looked down at your lap but your grip on his chin made him look at you.

“You are not weak. I don’t understand why you would even say something like that. I’ve never doubted you for a second in the field. Whose the one with devil fruit powers? Me, I can protect myself even if you weren’t here. But we are a team that’s why I know I can count on you to protect me whenever I need you. But this baby has the both of us as her parents and a whole family who loves them with everything they have. I love you Roronora Zoro.”

You were sitting on the deck in your sundress waiting for your husband to come out from below deck. It was your five year anniversary and Shanks promised to take you out on a date and to make the day feel special but as he walked out with your crew mates drunk on end you realized what was going on.

He forgot. He walked over to you dropping onto his knees and kissing your stomach while laughing, “Why are you so dressed up sweets?” You looked at him with an annoyed confused expression, “Are you serious right now Shanks.” He smiled wondering what you were talking about.

“Babe what is it?” He asked as you stood up walking back inside to your shared room, you locked the door behind yourself and changed into some more comfortable clothes. A knock at the door was heard and Shanks was asking for you to open the door for him but you ignored him and stayed laying in bed while reading a book.

You wanted to go on that date before being put on bed rest but he just had to ruin it, especially on your anniversary. He forgot and was acting childish in a situation you wanted him to be serious in. For a week you ignored him only letting the doctor in on his orders, “How long are you going to keep your husband looking like a puppy dog who lost his bone?” “Cause he did. He promised to take a day out for me for our anniversary, usually I let things like this slide but not this time.” You replied leaning back into the pillow as he checked your stomach making sure the baby was okay.

“Don’t leave him waiting for too long, he might bring the mood of the whole crew down.” He smiled leaving the room and you just laid there forgetting to lock the door, while reading there was a knock and you thought it was the doctor so you allowed for him to come in. It was Shanks, he jumped on the bed and wrapped his arms around your waist as his head laid on your stomach.

“Sweets I’m sorry. I promise I had the whole day planned out but then the guys brought on some new sake and I got distracted. I’ll admit I was in the wrong.” You rolled your eyes at his confession, he saw that and made a fake sad face while pressing his body against yours.

“Don’t do this to me. You know I don’t like it when your mad at me.” You scoffed as he tried to lean in for a kiss but you pushed his face away with the book, “You get nothing, it’s a fair deal. I got nothing you get nothing. Now go.” He started pouting and whether you wanted too or not he grabbed the book and threw it on the ground then interlocked his fingers with yours while attacking your face with kisses.

Giving in you started smiling and ended up giving him the kiss he’d been wanting for days. “I’m really sorry sweets, I’ll make it up to you. I promise.” “Mhm sure mister emperor.” He gasped, “I thought I was your husband…”

[salty-says]

Zosan child pt.2

Pt. 3 def gonna be full on family fluff.

“Daddy?!”

Sanji’s jaw dropped and he froze.

“Oh Daddy I was so scared!” Sora threw her arms around Sanji’s neck and cried into his neck.

Sanji’s arms wrapped around her small frame mindlessly and hold her close, rubbing her back. Sanji looked to Zoro looking for any help in the situation. Zoro only mirrored Sanji’s astonishment and confusion.

The child pulled back and looked at her father a little concerned, “Daddy are you okay?” Sora looked over to where Sanji was looking and her eyes focused on Zoro. “Papa?” She squirmed out of Sanji’s arms and ran over to Zoro hugging his legs, “Papa you’re here too!”

Zoro stumbled back, Sora clinging onto his right leg. “Eh?!” He started shaking his leg trying to pry Sora off but she only started to squeal and giggle holding onto him more.

“Papa! Papa!” She giggled and hugged his leg.

Zoro grabbed her off of his leg and held her on his hip, “I ain’t your papa.”

Sora giggled and hugged his neck, “You’re always so funny papa!”

Zoro’s body warmed at her affection. At this point Sanji stood and went over to the two. “Where’d you come from little one?” Sanji asked.

Sora looked over at Sanji her arms still around Zoro, “Well, I was just eating snacks with you and Papa and I got really tired. Papa and you tucked me in bed and then I saw a bright light and I was suddenly in the middle of the street. I was really scared but when I saw you I felt better.”

“So…we’re your parents?” Zoro asked her blatantly while Sanji kicked him softly.

Sora cocked her head at him, “Of course you are Papa!”

“Huh…”

“Papa are you okay? I want..I want to go home. This place doesn’t look like the All Blue.”

Sanji gasped, “All Blue?”

Sora looked back over at him, “Well of course, you discovered it Daddy. And you own the best restaurant ever there! You make me and Papa the yummiest food!”

Sanji stepped back and leaned against the wall a hand over his mouth. “It exists.” He mumbled under his hand, tears pricking his eyes.

“Oi, Curly.”

“Daddy?” Sora unwrapped her arms from Zoro and motioned that she wanted to be put down and Zoro obliged. Once her feet were on the ground she ran over to Sanji. “Daddy don’t cry!”

Sanji ran a hand through his hair trying to calm himself down. And Sora tried to pry his arms open for her to sit in his lap. Sanji looked at her, so many emotions running through his head.

He looked at her and smiled, “I’m sorry little one, but I’m not your father. I mean it. I didn’t even know the All Blue existed until you told me. Zoro and I just found you in the street a little bit ago. But you are named after my mother and have an odd resemblance to us.”

“What do you mean?” She asked, her voice wavered a bit.

“I don’t mean to make you cry sweetheart. I would never want to hurt you.” Sanji brushed her hair softly, “But I’m telling the truth. I may look like your daddy, but I am not, I’m merely a cook on a pirate crew.”

Sora paused and looked at Sanji perplexed. She sat and thought for a bit trying to piece some things together. “Well I did think it was a little weird that your hair was shorter. And that Papa’s left eye was still there and didn’t have a scar…”

Zoro’s eyes widened and he touched his left eye making sure it was still there. Sora continued.

“I know you two used to be on the Strawhats! But you said that ever since Uncle Luffy became King you and papa moved to the All Blue and became husbands. But since you can’t have kids some guy with Devil fruit abilities was able to create me! You own a restaurant and Papa is the world’s greatest swordsman and he sometimes has to go away but he always comes back!”

Sanji and Zoro paused not knowing what to do with this new information. This child, their child?was basically telling them their entire futures.

“Something must have happened while I was sleeping that made me get sent back here to when you guys were younger.” Sora figured.

Sanji nodded slowly and let out the breath he was holding. “I see….then we must find a way to get you back home.”

Sora nodded. “I don’t feel that far away though. My dad’s are right her with me!” Sora hugged Sanji’s neck.

Sanji’s heart melted and he hugged her back. Processing the thought that Zoro and him had a child together, nonetheless got married made his brain short circuit. His mind drifted to how awful it would be to marry the stupid moss head. But if it meant that he was happy and had an amazing daughter, it didn’t bother him all that much for right now.

Sanji stood up with Sora in his arms and walked over to Zoro. “We should send you back to your time. But in order to do that we must find that man that sent you here.”

“You saw the man that sent me here?” Sora asked.

Zoro made his voice known, “Yeah, some weirdo said he knew he couldn’t defeat us but could hinder us and then a big white light like the one you mentioned earlier appeared and you showed up.”

“Oh..” Sora nodded. “Devil fruit users are truly incredible if they have the power to do that! I’ve always wanted to meet the younger versions of you guys and go on one of their adventures. I guess I can now.” She squealed in delight hugging Sanji tighter.

Sanji’s heart was almost about to explode at her affection. To think he had made it to the All Blue and found a loving family took a weight off his shoulders he didn’t even know he had. “Well my beautiful daughter, we must get ourselves a place to stay for the night so we can figure this out in the morning. I’m sure you exhausted.”

As if on cue Sora yawned and nodded leaning her head against Sanji’s shoulder. Sanji started walking towards the inn while Zoro just stayed in place. Sanji tuned to him, “C’mon Mossy, I think she would want both of her dads there.”

Zoro flushed and walked over to join them, “I hope this brat isn’t as annoying as you.”

Sora smiled and fell into a gentle rest as Sanji carried her down the street. Even though he wasn’t the dad she knew, he was still her dad and she felt safe in his arms.

[lemons3ason]

HOW THE VINSMOKE BROTHERS REACT TO LOSING THEIR S/O BECAUSE OF THEIR FATHER!

Warning: Mad Angst, Lowkey long I got kinda a little to into these scenarios, mentions of death and torture, I cried and lowkey need to make a part two for fluff TT-TT

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ichiji Vinsmoke

You were missing from bed this morning, of course Ichiji was curious of it since you were practically 8 months pregnant but he thought you were just back in the kitchen cooking with Cosette again. You were a chef for the Germa Kingdom, the only reason he had met you was because Niji had thrown a plate of food at Cosette and you shielded her from it before striking Niji in a nerve and knocking him unconscious for over 36 hours. Since that day Ichiji had claimed you as his, his cute firecracker, and yet for some reason you were never enough for his father. You made his son human, which in turn made him weak, sooner or later you would’ve had to be dealt with. Judge had summoned him to the throne room to speak with him alone, with his shadow casting over the young red haired man he spoke with a cold heartless tone, “(Y/n) has been executed. She was taken down to the dungeons before daybreak, so you won’t find her.”, he turned to his son to make sure he emphasized his point, “She wasn’t good enough for you anyways.”

Ichiji felt his heart shatter, something he once never had, and felt his lips quiver at the news. Nothing held him back, so why?! Why didn’t he just kill his father where he stood! Judge had sent you to the dungeons to be executed, all because he deemed you unworthy of the Vinsmoke name. Ichiji’s fist ignited into flames as his rage boiled in his blood. He was always cold and collected but right at this moment he was afraid! Afraid and enraged, Ichiji left his father alone and stormed down to the dungeons. Memories of his days tormenting Sanji replayed in his mind causing his stomach to churn. The dungeons were for the weak, only the strong could laugh from the other side of the bars and unfortunately you were just a weak powerless human compared to the monsters that lived right by your side.

“(Y/n)! (Y/n) answer me! Answer me right now!”, Ichiji’s voice roared through the cold dark cells of the dungeon.

Soldiers in charge of the chambers emerged attempting to calm their leader but their skulls simply met the hard brick walls as he punched them. Flames flickered from his fists and feet with each of his movements, even without his raid suit Ichiji was a force to be reckoned with.

“(Y/n)!”, his screams were desperate at this point, his emotional heart couldn’t handle the stress of the situation anymore.

Then he saw it, in pure disbelief he threw his glasses to the side taking in the pale lifeless battered body that laid before his eyes. Everything stopped, y-you were gone. He was to late. Ichiji didn’t want to believe it not now, not ever, he raced to your side scooping your cold form into his arm and holding you tight almost mistaking his own body heat as yours in broken hope that you were still alive. He was heartbroken, as he stared down at your beautiful sleeping face his vision became blurry. He had lost it, he lost you, tears and screams of agony poured out of Ichiji’s body. He couldn’t handle this, not (Y/n), not you of all people. His wails became louder so much so that his siblings could hear him, even Judge who stared out over the sea with no regret to his decision could hear the heartbroken wails of his precious son. Ichiji’s raw emotions triggered his powers, his tears evaporated from the intense heat his body produced and like an inferno eating at a dry field his flames engulfed the dungeons setting fire to half of the Germa Kingdom. Even as your body seared to ash in his arms he held onto you desperately his wails becoming noiseless gasps until his brothers pulled him out of the flames and away from your ashes.

“(Y/n)! (Y/n)! (Y/n)!!!!!”, He screamed fighting against his brothers strength as soldiers rushed in to put out the flames.

Even if he showed weakness because of his heart Ichiji mourned your death, he couldn’t handle it anymore because every little thing reminded him of you. For a whole week he had locked himself in your old quarters and he wouldn’t budge...not until Reiju appeared with the only thing that would pull him out of mourning. She kicked the door open holding something small in her arms and sighed seeing her brother collapsed by your bedside.

“She’s gone Ichiji, get over it.”, Reiju growled.

“How do you expect me to do that? Tell me Reiju! Every woman I’ve ever seen was merely a toy of amusement for me until I met her! She reminded me what it meant to be human, how do you expect me to get over her!”, the red haired male growled grabbing his sister by the fabric collar until a soft cry caught his attention.

The sudden rough movement had awaken the slumbering (h/c) haired baby that rested in Reiju’s arms. Ichiji’s body trembled from shock and he once again collapsed to his knees. Reiju smiled and kneeled down in front of her younger brother carefully placing his child in his arms, “(Y/n) fought till the very end, I noticed them take her down to the dungeon and the stress from them beating her drove her body into labor. Father’s word was absolute to kill her but nothing was said about the baby. All she asked was that I took her.”, Reiju sighed tears of regret falling from her blue eyes.

This little baby girl, with Ichiji’s curly little eyebrows, and your sweet eyes, was all he had left of you and he wouldn’t let his father take her from him like he took you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Niji Vinsmoke

That night you hadn’t returned to bed, after a heated argument about his cruel behavior towards the staff of the ship you had left Niji alone in his quarters. The young prince waited impatiently for you to return but after midnight struck the clock he decided that it would be best to go find you instead. It wasn’t your first fight but truly he let himself go, he said things that he regretted and sucking it up and apologizing to you only seemed fair. He called your name loudly, not caring about the others and their sleep since he needed to find you quickly.

“(Y/n)? Hey little brat come on, it’s late we can continue this argument tomorrow just come to bed.”, he sighed running his fingers through his blue hair in frustration.

He noticed several guards talking amongst themselves and decided to question them on your whereabouts. All the soldiers froze up once they felt the intense anger radiating off of their general, they quickly stood at attention greeting Niji as he glared down at all of them. He noticed your necklace hanging out of one of their pockets and quickly snatched it back as he began to interrogate the soldier.

“Where the hell did you get this? A piece of gravel like you shouldn’t have been able to get this close to (Y/n) in order to take it. Where did you get this?”, Niji growled electricity discharged from his body with each passing second.

The soldier stumbled over his words trembling in fear as he looked death in the face, “I-I’m sorry sir! I-I found it in the dungeons it’s from the most recent kill. I-I didn’t know this b-belonged to Ms. (L/n)!”, the soldier squeaked in fear as Niji’s electricity made all the lights in the hall pop, his body glowed a dim blue in the dark corridor as he stormed down to the dungeons. Something didn’t feel right, for once an unsettling itch was making Niji nervous. Why would you be in the dungeons of all places? His steps echoed the farther down he went, but the eerie silence of the dungeons made his stomach ache. Something wasn’t right.

“(Y/n)? Hey brat, where are you? Come on this is enough, it’s not funny, (Y/n)!”, Niji yelled, his voice broke as he called your name, “(Y/n), come on I’m sorry! I don’t hate you, I love you so come back.”

For the first time ever fear was coursing through his blood and he didn’t know what to do. Every call of your name drove him crazy, you didn’t respond no matter how loud he got. He searched every sell desperately for you but he couldn’t find a thing, he was clueless on your whereabouts until one of the many prisoners in the dungeons spoke up.

“Niji?”, the old man called quickly grabbing the young prince’s attention.

“Who the hell do you think your calli-“

“That’s the name the young lady was calling when they were beating her. Niji, at the top of her lungs, it was painful to have to hear her.”, the old man sighed tears falling from his eyes.

Niji’s arms reached for his tattered clothes slamming him against the bars as he demanded answers, “What girl? Where did they take her?”

“T-this young lady with short (h/c) hair. They took her to the torture chamber just down the hall!”

“Her hair wasn’t short! Liar!”, Niji growled.

“I-It was! Lord Judge cut her hair with his spear to show her how little she meant to the family. Then ordered her execution, I haven’t heard her voice for the last three hours.”, the man admitted crying in fear of being punished.

Niji released the man and ran as quickly as he could to the chambers, but the pool of blood was enough for him to understand your fate. He stared down at the pool in defeat and fell to his knees as his vision became blurry. Bloodied whips and clubs littered the floor but Niji couldn’t see a thing, he screamed in anguish to the situation. His heart couldn’t take this, his head was splitting to the very thought of your death. His sadness quickly turned into rage, it’s was his fault, his father was the cause of all of this! Using his powers he appeared in his father’s room in a mere matter of seconds, his electricity burning hotter then ever before.

“WHERE IS MY (Y/N)?!”, Niji roared ripping his goggles off so he could see his father properly.

Judge, completely unamused by his favorite son’s outburst, simply scoffed and returned to his paperwork. Having been ignore Niji slammed his fist into Judge’s desk scattering and burning the papers throughout the room. He glared up at his father and repeated his question, “Where is my (Y/n)?”

“Tossed out to sea, it’s not like she was alive anymore. By now she’s being digested by some stray seaking that found her battered corpse.”, Judge sighed in frustration, “It’s not like I would’ve considered someone like her eligible to be your wife. A prince shouldn’t bother with a mere nameless slave.”

Niji was heartbroken, tears that had been ready to fall from his eyes from the past 20 years had finally started to fall. He couldn’t see, not even an inch in front of him as he grieved your death. He was to late, he fought with you and made you leave and when you needed him most he wasn’t there for you.

“It was pathetic how desperately she called your name, she was to reliant on you, it made the torture so much easier when she finally gave up. Hopefully the next woman you fall in love with is more suitable to be a Vinsmoke.”, Judge sighed lifting his son by his collar and throwing him out of his room.

Niji was forced to stumble back to his room, no matter how much he called you you never returned to his side. You were gone, all because he was to late.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sanji Vinsmoke

“What happened to her? (Y/n)!”, Sanji yelled caressing your face as you slept.

Your body was covered in bruises and cuts from your recent fight with Niji, you had snuck onto the Germa ships to find Sanji and drag him back but unfortunately you had ran into one of his monster brothers. Reiju had stopped her beastly brother from killing you but you presence on the ship didn’t go unnoticed, Judge was now aware of you and he wasn’t happy. Reiju allowed you to stay in her room with Sanji but Judge had other plans for you.

“(Y/n) you idiot. You should’ve stayed with the others back on the Sunny.”, Sanji sighed holding your hand in his, you woke up seeing him softly kiss your knuckles.

“Takes an idiot to know one. Come back stupid, I miss you.”, you sighed turning to him.

Sanji frowned at you but he couldn’t help but smile seeing you awake. You were such a handful, always had been and always would be but that’s what he loved about you. He pressed a kiss to your forehead making you smile but once again you both forgot that you were prisoners to the family. Sanji carried you back to his room and kept you there by his side, you both softly whispered to each other declaring your love like children. Having you in his arms again made Sanji forget about his worries, all he needed was you and that’s all he wanted. Eventually sleep claimed you both but you both slept comfortably together sharing dreams that a promising future would hold. The next day Sanji was forced to meet Big Mom. He hoped that you’d be left alone in his quarters but hope was for fools, while he was gone one of the soldier’s had slipped a sleeping drug into your food and dragged you down to the dungeons.

“(Y/n), I’m back. Have you eaten I’ll make yo-(Y/n)? (Y/n)?!”, Sanji’s blood ran cold seeing you missing, you couldn’t move around with your injuries which meant someone had taken you. He raced through the halls of the ship searching for you desperately, not one soldier told him where you were but a feeling in his chest told him exactly where you were. His legs carried him to the dungeon chambers but he found himself unable to even open the door. Memories of the caged abuse he went through drove a cold sweat through his body, but he had to save you. He swallowed his fears and opened the door but his fears were realized when he heard your voice scream his name. He hurried, he rushed, as quickly as he could but he was seconds to late. With his father looming over your battered body Sanji was forced to watch the spear pierce through your back,

“S-sanji.”, you cried as the injury killed you instantly, your outstretched hand fell to the ground as you passed away.

“Why failures stick together I will never know, but at least there’s one less of you vermin.”, Judge growled pulling his spear from your corpse as he turned around to see his mortified son, “It’ll teach you better then to let fools get in the way of my goals.”

He simply scoffed at him and walked back up the stairs while Sanji fell to his knees just inches away from your body. “(Y-y/n)...(y/n).”, Sanji croaked holding the hand that you had been reaching for him with.

“(Y/n)!”, he screamed to no one in the cold depressing dungeon as he pulled your body towards his chest to hold you.

He sobbed into your hair, crying until his voice ran dry. Sanji couldn’t accept this, “Not like this, p-please not like this. Not her!”, he begged staring down at your bruised face that still looked like a beautiful Angel in his eyes.

“(Y/n) please don’t leave me. Not like this my dear.”, he whimpered pressing his forehead against yours.

This dungeon had caused him so much pain and now it was the place that had taken you from him. Why did life have to hate him so much? To be married off to a stranger, to be taken from his crew, and worst of all to lose the only woman he had wanted to marry. His family brought him nothing but agony, he cried until exhaustion forced him to sleep. Reiju was ordered to fetch him for dinner but the sight of her younger brother asleep against the wall while holding your dead corpse was enough to move her to tears. He truly did love you but now you were gone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yonji Vinsmoke

From the start Yonji knew that his father hated your existence, but Yonji just couldn’t help it. He had fallen for you, the way his name rolled of your tongue and past your sweet soft lips made him crave your presence. The way you reached your small hands up to him to hold his face in your hands made his heart face, but your eyes, your beautiful passionate shimmering eyes made him fall head over heels for you. Even when he was disrespectful towards others Yonji would always keep an eye on you smiling when he saw you doing the simplest of tasks. The prince that loved a peasant what a cliche love story. Even if he was a genetically modified human in your eyes he was just him, and you were just the perfect normal little human girl.

“Prince Yonji I made cookies today. Would you lik-oh heehee.”, you giggled watching Yonji eat the cookie from your fingers.

His crumb covered lips pressed against your cheek making you smile, but your soft moment together was spoiled by the all to familiar scoff of Lord Judge. The tall giant glared down at you while you sheepishly smiled up and greeted him, Yonji scowled at his Father’s glare and wrapped his arm around your waist protectively.

“Keep moving old man.”, he growled much to Judge’s disgust.

Cosette called you back to the kitchen, you excused yourself hesitating to give Yonji a kiss in front of his father but the green haired man wouldn’t let you leave without a proper kiss. As soon as he got his kiss he let you go, your face flushed red and smiling as you returned to your duties.

“Why you bother with a failure like her irritates me, you deserve a princess not a dirty servant Yonji.”, Judge growled down to his youngest son.

Yonji scoffed in annoyance to his father and simply walked away leaving his father to his own complaints. Judge decided that if you were the one his son wanted then he’d modify you so that you were actually useful to the family. Every night you would come to find Yonji and kiss him goodnight, it was a ritual that he became dependent on but tonight you didn’t show up. Far past midnight sleep was finally beginning to take over his body but he tried to stay awake hoping that you’d just been busy with chores. He woke up angry the next day because of your absence and went to search for you to give you a piece of his mind but no one had seen you. You always presented yourself to work even if you were exhausted or sick meaning something had happened to you. Yonji growled under his breath knowing that his father had something to do with it. One of the doctors appeared before him asking for his presence in the dungeon chambers, Yonji didn’t want to bother with it but his father was waiting for him. Just entering the room he could hear torturous screams resonating from down below, his father must’ve been furious.

“What do you want old man?”

His father simply pointed into one of the screaming cages and smiled, “Now she’s worthy of you. A soldier ready to give her life for you.”, he chuckled.

That’s when Yonji saw it, his eyes widened in shock seeing your blood stained body killing a prisoner. You held the knife above your head ready to kill them but Yonji’s hand caught your wrist as he called your name. You responded but the look in your eyes was enough to tell him what had happened. Cold, lifeless, dead (e/c) eyes, looked into his there was no spark in them anymore.

“What did you do to her!?”, Yonji growled sending his mechanical arm right to his fathers face.

Judge was unimpressed by his son’s rage and pushed his hand away, “Simply made her worthy of you. An annoying woman like her wasn’t fit to be a love interest for one of my precious sons but with her genetic enhancements now she is. Surprisingly she was able to stay sane for about 7 hours before the electrical charges finally fried what little brain cells she had. The only sacrifice was her mental sanity, her emotions, and her heart. She’s the perfect little puppet now.”

Yonji’s face dropped to the news of your torture, he turned to your frozen form and kiss your lips hoping that you’d react, hoping that it wasn’t true but nothing happened. Your cheeks didn’t heat up, your eyes didn’t sparkle with love, you didn’t call his name sweetly, he lost you.

“REVERSE IT! REVERSE THE EFFECTS RIGHT NOW!”, Yonji ordered holding your head softly in his hands.

“She’d really die this time, if we bothered trying. This is how she stays if you want her by your side, once you’re tired of her dispose of her. She’s no longer human she’s just an empty shell.”

Yonji couldn’t believe it, he held you calling your name over and over until you responded but you never did. You never made a noise you were just silent. “N-no...(Y/n)...n-not like this. Please not like this come back to me.”, Yonji pleaded through his tears but from then on it would never be the same.

[omgsquee2001]

One Piece: Various x Former Slave/Whitebeard’s Daughter Reader: Part 2

This is the second part of the One Piece: Various x Former Slave Reader. Warning! This Story contains feels and angry, protective crew members, brothers and father. Please read at your own risk. 

_______________________________________________________________________

~Luffy’s POV~

Meat. Tons and tons of meat. Beef, pork and chicken! And it was all mine! But then the chicken started to scream and cry. Hmm, that’s odd. Maybe it was screaming because I was going to eat it. Wait a minute, that scream sounds familiar. My eyes shot open, I realized it was Nami who was screaming. I jumped out of bed, along with the other guys in my cabin. We rushed to the Girls’ Cabin, pushing the door open, not even bothering to knock. Robin was up, comforting her friend.

“Oi! Nami! What happened?!” I shouted. I noticed Nami sobbing and Robin trying desperately to hold in her cries. Chopper ran up and took the piece of paper from the red head. Chopper read it over. Tears formed in his little eyes. He handed the paper to me. Zoro, Brook, Sanji and Franky read it over my shoulder. 

‘Hello, Strawhats,’ the letter started. ‘I have been hired by a friend of your little Tiger Lilly. He wants his property back, and so, hired me. If you try to contact the marines in that area, don’t they are for slavery. If you come here with other pirate crew, just be prepared for your little [Y/N]’s life to be terminated right then and there. I hope you all suffer the same defeat as I did. Best, Zeo.’ 

I growled and lowered my head, crumpling the paper up in my fist. Nami looked up. 

“H-how did he make it onto the ship without any of us noticing? Surly someone would have noticed.” She said. Chopper sighed. 

“I-I should have known. I was up later than usual, working on some medicine for [Y/N] and her nightmares. I heard someone walking around, but I just thought it was one of you or [Y/N]. I’m sorry. It’s my fault [Y/N] was kidnapped!” Chopper wailed. I placed his strawhat on Chopper’s head. Chopper looked up. 

“It’s not your fault, Chopper. It’s no one’s fault. We all should have payed more attention.” I said. Zoro looked at me. 

“What do we do now, Luffy?” He asked. I looked up, determination on my face. 

“We’re going to give my brother’s crew and Tra-guy a visit.” I said. Usopp frowned.

“But Zeo said that if we tried to bring another crew [Y/N] would be killed right then and there.” He said. I shook his head. 

“We all know that the world government are just a bunch of cowards. They won’t dare stand up to Whitebeard, let alone Whitebeard AND Tra-guy,” I said. I looked at Franky. “Franky, can you get us connected to Tra-guy’s coordinates? It’s time to make the call.” I said. 

_______________________________________________________________________

~Law’s POV~

I was sitting in my office, just doing paper work, as usual, when my transponder snail started ringing. I sighed and picked it up, noticing that it took the form of Strawhat Luffy (I have no idea how Transponder Snails work. If you know how they work, please let me know in the comments so I can fix it as soon as possible). I braced for a headache. 

“What is it, Strawhat-ya?” I asked in exasperation. What caught my attention was that Luffy’s transponder snail didn’t look like the normal and bubbly face of Luffy. It was a serious face. One only dawned when one of his friends was in trouble. 

“Tra-guy,” Luffy said. “It’s about [Y/N].” He said. I tensed. What happened to her? What was going on? I had helped Chopper tend to the poor girl when the Thousand Sunny suddenly showed up to the Polar Tang, the little doctor begging me for help. After that, I promised myself I would help them protect the former slave should the need arise. 

“What happened? Is [Y/N] alright?” I asked. I heard Luffy sigh. 

“I would be trying to convince myself as well if I said she was fine,” Luffy said. “[Y/N]’s been kidnapped by Zeo, a fishman my crew and I ran into. He took her back to her old master,” Luffy read off the note that was left so that I could hear it. My eyes narrowed. Then, Luffy said something that I would never had thought he would say. “Please, Law,” Never, in the years that I had known the energy filled kid, had I ever heard Luffy call me ‘Law’. “Please, help us find [Y/N] and bring her back.” Luffy pleaded. I closed my eyes and sighed. 

“I’ll help you, Luffy. But we’re not going to be able to do it alone. We need more help if we’re going to bring [Y/N] back.” I said. Luffy nodded. 

“Yeah, I figured as much. That’s why I’m also going to contact my older brother and the Whitebeard Pirates. Considering Whitebeard is [Y/N]’s father by blood and Marco and Ace are extremely protective of her, we should have no problem getting her back. I’ll have Franky send you the coordinates where we will come up with a plan to get [Y/N] back.” Luffy said. I nodded. 

“Alright. I’ll find Whitebeard and tell him the news.” I said. Luffy nodded. 

“Thank you, Tra-guy.” Luffy said. I sighed as Luffy hung up. Guess I was wrong about the rubbery boy. He never changes. I frowned and set course for the Moby Dick.

_______________________________________________________________________

~Third Person POV~

The Whitebeard Crew were doing what they normally did. Whitebeard was connected to the many tubes that kept his health up. He watched over his ship with his sons moving about on a peaceful day. Marco was up in the crow’s nest, keeping watch. He noticed bubbles forming. The First Division Commander frowned and turned to his captain. 

“Pops! There’s something coming up close to the ship!” He shouted. The crew froze and got ready to fight what ever was coming up. The Polar Tang appeared and Law walked on. Whitebeard frowned. He stood up and disconnected the tubes. 

“Trafalgar Law, what brings you to my ship?” Whitebeard asked. Law walked up. 

“I’m not here for a fight, Whitebeard. I’m here on behalf of Strawhat Luffy and his Crew.” He said. Ace frowned and stepped forward. 

“What’s happened to my brother? If something has happened, I demand you tell me now!” Ace shouted, fire engulfing his form. Whitebeard glanced down at his son. 

“Ace, calm yourself. Let Trafalgar speak.” Whitebeard said. Ace calmed down, per his captain’s request. Law sighed. 

“You all might want to sit down for this,” he said. The crew took a seat, the division commanders sitting in a circle around Trafalgar. Ace and Marco sat on the left and right of Whitebeard. “Well, for starters, Strawhat-ya found your daughter, Whitebeard. [Y/N].” Law said. Whitebeard’s eyes widened. 

“T-that’s impossible. My daughter, [Y/N] disappeared three years ago. She was lost to the unforgiving sea.” He said. Law shook his head. 

“No, she wasn’t. About a weak later, [Y/N]-ya was picked up by a World Government ship. Instead of returning her to you, they took her away and made her a slave,” Law explained. Whitebeard’s eyes went wide and tears fell from them. 

“Strawhat-ya, Usopp-ya and Tony-ya all found her and took her back to their ship, tending to her until she was back to health.” Law said. Whitebeard wiped the tears away with his large fingers. 

“Where is my daughter now?” Whitebeard asked. Law sighed and looked down. 

“She’s been kidnapped. By a fishman the Strawhats encountered a while back. His name was Zeo and he has the powers of invisibility. He snuck onto their ship and took [Y/N]-ya away.” Law explained. Whitebeard grit his teeth, looking down. Shadows covered his eyes. Ace frowned and placed his hand on his Pop’s large leg. 

“Pops?” Ace asked tentatively. Whitebeard looked up. He glanced down at Marco and Ace. 

“Marco, Ace, how would you both like to kick some World officials butts?” Whitebeard asked. Ace smirked and lit up his hand.  

“Hell yeah.” Ace said quietly.

Marco smirked and sprouted his wings, landing on his Pop’s shoulder. 

“We’d be glad to, Pops.” Marco said. Whitebeard nodded and looked at Law. 

“Strawhat-ya is sending me the coordinates of where to meet to come up with a plan. If you don’t mind, my crew and I would like to keep the Polar Tang close to your ship.” He said. Whitebeard nodded. 

“Of course. Once you have the coordinates, we’ll set course.” He said. Law nodded. They were going to rescue their beloved [Y/N] even if it costed them their lives.

~Here is Part 2 of the One Piece: Various x Former Slave/Whitebeard’s Daughter Reader series. This series might have more than three parts, I don’t know yet. Anyway, stay tuned for the third part. Please feel free to leave notes and follow me. Thank you all and I hope you are having a great day/night and staying safe.~

[genogenocrazycatman]

Stillwater - Chapter 7

Stillwater [Archive of Our Own, FanFiction.Net, Mibba]

Characters: Original Female Character, Monkey D. Luffy, Rorona Zoro, Vinsmoke Sanji, Nami, Usopp, Tony Tony Chopper, Nefeltari Vivi

***

"We build as only children know to build

We made a way where there's a will

No slowing down or standing still

Innocent and reckless

"How did we get so old and never notice

How did we gain the world and lose the moment

Rise and fall, the tide surrounds us

And drowns us all"

-Hands Like Houses

***

Little Garden was a whole lot harsher than it looked like from the sea. It was hot and humid. The jungle was dense, so much so that your visibility was only about ten feet. In addition, its name betrayed its nature.

So far, nothing about this island had been little. The trees and other plants were fully grown, leaves and branches spread as far as they could mange in the dense jungle, taking over other plants.

The air here was purer. Well maybe not purer exactly. There were volcanoes pumping smoke and ash into the air, but the oxygen levels were higher. I could feel it every time I took a breath. It felt like the island that my father resided on and I knew for a fact that the air there had a higher concentration of oxygen.

That explained why the bugs were so large. A dragon fly had flown over the Merry. It had to be at least a foot and a half in length, and its wings spanned over two feet. Nami and Usopp had screamed, while I had looked on in awe. Bugs hadn’t been that big, since the days of the dinosaur, way before my time.

That caused me to take a closer look at the plants. They were tropical plants, most of which had been a around for millions of years. I couldn’t be positive. I wasn’t close enough to get a good look, but I could’ve sworn that some of them shouldn’t have been there, having gone extinct. They sure looked like the plants, I had read about in my lessons with my aunt, Persie, and Cal.

As we sailed inland, a massive rodent that resembled a capybara stood at the edge of the tributary river, drinking from the banks. It was a strangely peaceful scene. That is until a monstrous saber-toothed cat pounced on it from out of the jungle, sinking its lengthy canines into the rodent and wrenching its neck. Once the creature was dead, the feline dragged the carcass back into the depths of the jungle.

It was amazing really.

Of course, what was amazing to me was absolutely terrifying to Nami and Usopp who were convinced that the island was going to be the death of us all.

I shook my head. For as smart and as innovated as those two were, they were just as cowardly it seemed. I had figured that they were both fairly easily frightened, having seen their behavior during the storm, but they had managed to deal with that fairly well, all things considered. They weren’t cool calm nor collected, but they hadn’t been near tears, jumping or screaming at every little thing, like they were now.

Luffy was practically vibrating with excitement, the new environment and prospect of an adventure fueling his desire to go out and explore.

I wanted to go out as well, to get a better look and confirm some of my suspicions, but opted not to, because of my leg. It wasn’t terribly painful, and I wasn’t too concerned about pulling my stitches. I was pretty sure that I would’ve been fine. Even if I wasn’t, I could always fix them. I was honestly more concerned about my pants. I hadn’t brought much with me, so until I could get the stain out of the pair from the night before and stitch up the hole, I was going to have to work to preserve the clothes I did have.

I settled for hearing all about the island from Luffy and Vivi, who had chosen to accompany him, along with Carue. I was happy to see Vivi taking the time to explore, and enjoy the moment. It wasn’t like she had anything better to do. We were stuck here until the log set.

Zoro had left after that, deciding to take a walk. That plan lasted about all of five seconds, before he and Sanji somehow found themselves in the middle of a pissing match- I’m sorry.  A hunting competition.

That left me with Nami and Usopp. They were too afraid to go out. That was fine with me. This crew attracted trouble. I knew that the others could handle themselves if something went wrong, but it was 50/50 with Usopp and Nami. At least with me around, I knew that they wouldn’t die.

I didn’t want to sit around and do nothing though, so I decided to do an inventory of the ship to see what I could do to help out. That way, when my leg was fully healed I could get to it.

I let Usopp and Nami know. “Hey guys, I’m gonna head below deck and see what needs cleaned and organized down there, start making a list.”

“What?!” the two echoed each other.

“You’re just gonna leave us up here?” Nami cried.

“What if some giant bird tries to take off with us?” Usopp asked.

“What if a lion pounces onto the deck?”

“What if we get surrounded by a bunch of ship eating piranhas?”

I rolled my eyes at how dramatic that they were being. “Oh for goodness sake. I’m below deck, if something tries to kill you scream, and I’ll come up and save you.”

Usopp looked at me skeptically. “What about your leg?”

“It’s fine. I can climb up and down with my arms. If I need any help, I’ll holler.”

“You’ll holler, but what if…” I tuned the two out, heading inside to start my work. I started with the kitchen/helm. I had honestly meant to make a list at the start, but as I was writing things down, I realized I could just do them. After all, the pain in my leg wasn’t that bad. As long I didn’t pull my stitches I would be fine.

The crew had a fairly decent stock of cleaning supplies. I went to work. I tidied up everyone’s things, dusted, polished furniture, disinfected the surfaces that needed it. I found comfort in the task. Everyone in my house shared chores, but cleaning tended to fall on me the most. I wasn’t bothered by the mess, but Cal was. With everything she had done for me, I felt that the least I could do was make sure that the house was in order.

I finished up the helm and headed to the bathroom. It was fairly clean, but only because Nami made sure it was, and she only did that because she also used it. I sanitized all of the surfaces, threw any dirty towels into the hamper to be laundered, sorted through the various toiletries just strewn about. As I worked, I kept note of what needed restocked.

I gave the cannon deck/anchor room similar treatment. I went through all of our, weapons, munitions and equipment tucked away in there, keeping an inventory and making a shopping list, before heading to the bedrooms.

The room I shared with Nami and now Vivi wasn’t so bad, because again Nami cleaned, and I made it a point to keep things neat. It looked better once I was done, but it hadn’t been too drastic of a transformation.

The boys’ room on the other hand was like night and day. I had raised boys before. I knew how they were, and the state of their room didn’t surprise me. After all there were four teenagers living in it. I would’ve been more concerned if it didn’t look like a war zone.

I gathered up all the laundry, picked up everyone’s belongings, which were scattered about. I tried to put them back in their places, but ended up giving many of them new homes, when I couldn’t figure out where they went. I mopped the floors, dusted, and polished furniture.

I was extremely proud of myself, when I looked around the finished room.

By that point, I was really starting to feel the ache in my leg, so I took a break. I returned up to the deck, but Usopp and Nami were no longer there. I found them in the girls’ room. Nami was tossing books off the shelf over her shoulder, Usopp behind her dodging them.

“Nami, what are you doing? You’re gonna hit me,” Usopp whined.

“I just cleaned in here,” I said from the doorway.

“I’ll put them back, when I’m done,” she said. “I could’ve sworn I read something about this place before.”

A mysterious island with lots of crazy creatures and plants sounded like the basis of a number of fairytales to me, but I let her go, deciding that it was time to finally sit down. I headed up to the deck, grabbing myself a glass of water and dragging out one of the chairs with me, so that I could relax in the sun.

I flopped onto the lounge chair and stretched my legs out in front of me. I leaned back, folding my hands under my head.

I wanted to power wash the deck, but didn’t want to waste our fresh water. We weren’t far enough up the tributary for the water to be pure. Here the river was tainted by the salty sea, making it absolutely useless to me at the moment.

I couldn’t say that it was quiet, but the sounds of the jungle seemed to lull me towards sleep rather than keep it from me. A mid day nap seemed like a pretty solid idea. Plus, it would probably help my leg loads. I settled further into my chair and closed my eyes.

My peace didn’t last long. It took less than ten minutes for Usopp to scramble out on to the deck, worriedly pacing and muttering about the dangers that lurked past the river’s banks.

“Are you looking for something to be afraid of?” I asked, cracking an eye open to look at Usopp, who was staring into the woods intently. “Why don’t you just hide inside until we leave? I can practically feel you shaking from here.”

“THE GREAT CAPTAIN USOPP NEVER HIDES!” he declared loudly, his shaking limbs and quivering voice giving away him away.

A bird flew above the Merry, letting out a terrified cry as a much larger bird chased after it. Usopp whimpered and darted behind my chair.

“Uh huh. Never.” I tried not to chuckle. There was no need to insult the kid. I patted his head, affectionately. “Relax, I’m not gonna let anything get you.”

My amusement was cut short, when I felt the water in my glass begin to move. I stared down at the glass. Normally, I would attribute the effect to the movement of the ship, but this was different. It was rhythmic. With each pulse the water was a little more active.

“Mira?” Usopp asked, looking between the glass and I.

“Something’s coming,” I said, standing up.

“What?!”

I hushed Usopp, before he could start panicking, heading over to the railing.

Nami ran on out deck, book in hand. “Guys this is bad, really bad!”

“No, it’s big,” I corrected, realizing the pattern was that of footsteps. “Really big.”

The tremors got stronger, shaking the land and the water we were in. I could hear the trees falling in the distance, branched cracking, leaves rustling, and the thump of trunks hitting the soft earth.

Something that powerful and that large would be visible soon.

I prepared myself for a fight, just in case. I didn’t have the advantage of freshwater, so I was gonna have to rely on strength and skill if it came to a fight. Durability if it got bad.

“Either be ready to get the Merry out of here, or be ready to run,” I warned the two.

It was pointless. They were frozen in fear, whimpering, eyes full of tears that just waiting for the right incentive to brim over.

The trees cleared, revealing none other than a giant.

Usopp and Nami screamed bloody murder, while I relaxed a bit. I was still wary of our visitor, never having met him before, but at least it wasn’t some mindless killing machine.

The giant let out a loud laugh. “Gababababababa! Why hello there,” he greeted, smiling down at us. “I thought I saw a ship come in. Any chance you guys have alcohol? I drank all mine.”

I allowed my tense muscles to loosen. “Hi,” I returned his greeting. “We do, but it’s the crap for cleaning and cooking. I’m sure, you could probably stomach it, but it’s not all that great. You’re welcome to it, if you’d like.”

“Good thinking, Mira. Give him what he wants and maybe he won’t eat us,” Usopp whispered in my ear.

I had forgotten how little humans really knew about creatures other than themselves. They dismissed truths as myths and accepted myths as fact. Giants were horrible man eating beasts, mermaids were beautiful maidens, and dwarves only went after your socks.

“He’s not going to eat us regardless,” I hissed back at him, not that there weren’t man eating giants out there. There were man eating humans out there too. It was clear that this giant wasn’t after our flesh.

The giant cried out in pain. The sudden shout startled me. It terrified the other two.

The giant turned to glare at a t-rex, which had bitten his back.

“That is… a surprise,” I said, looking at the reptile. I don’t know why I was so surprised. If the plants were anything to go buy, the existence of a dinosaur should’ve been a very real possibility in my brain.

The giant pulled out his weapon, an axe fit for a man of his size, slicing the head clean off the animal.

Usopp and Nami were huddled together, bawling their eyes out. “Will you two stop it?” I snapped. Their behavior was ridiculous and insulting.

The giant lifted the head of the creature, raising it high in the air. “I’m Broggy. Elbaf’s strongest warrior, the invincible!”

‘Just like I thought.’ “I’m Zale Mira Kai,” I introduced myself. “These two crybabies are Nami and Usopp.”

“Now I have dinner, and you three are invited as my guests.”

Nami and Usopp fell back onto the deck. They held perfectly still. I could hear that they were whispering to one another but couldn’t make out what they were saying.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized, creating a mental reminder to smack them later. Clearly they weren’t going to calm down any time soon. “My friends have never seen a giant before. It’s seems that they’re a bit overwhelmed. We would love to, but I’m in no shape to carry them. I’m still recovering from a bullet wound, and I can’t just leave them here alone.”

“No worries, little lady. I’ll gladly carry both you and your friends. I’m sure some food and drink will help break the ice.”

I glanced at the pair on the deck, deciding that if they would come around eventually. Broggy was nice enough, and now that I knew giants resided on this island I was a lot more curious.

“Sure. Let me go grab that alcohol for you.”

I headed down and grabbed a barrel of alcohol. There were other things we could use as a disinfectant until then. I hoisted it up on my shoulder, returning the deck.

Broggy took the barrel from me, tucking into a pouch he had been carrying. He grabbed the tail of the dinosaur with one hand and scooped the other two into the palm of the opposite hand. He set it down on the deck, so that I could get on.

It had been decades, since I had been carried around by a giant. The thrill was the same as it had been. Being up that high was like nothing else. There was just so much to see, to take in. There were volcanoes and dinosaurs and weird looking rock formation that looked like bone. It was beautiful. I would say that it was ironic considering how dangerous the island was proving to be, but that tended to be the case. The most beautiful things in life were usually the most dangerous.

I glanced at Usopp and Nami. They still hadn’t moved. Unsure of what their plan was, I decided not to bother them. Again, they would come around.

“This is gorgeous.”

Broggy laughed once more. “I guess it is a lot different to someone tiny like you. So Kai was it?

“Yep, but I prefer Mira.”

“Mira. Pretty name. You know there’s legend of a sea witch of that name?” he teased.

I chuckled, ignoring the way my heart seemed to stop beating. “No, I haven’t heard that one before.”

“Just a story I heard years ago, they say she was stranded on an island all by her lonesome and that she sinks the ships of anyone, who sails to close stranding them there with her.”

“Interesting. Well let me assure you that I am no witch, just a pirate.”

“A pirate? I guess that explains the wound.”

“I got a little distracted.”

“Rookie mistake.”

I nodded. “Yeah, but if you knew my crew, you’d get how easy it is to become distracted.”

Broggy was a very upbeat individual. He hummed and sang as he walked back to his camp, pointing things out to me as we passed and answering my questions about the island. Apparently, Little Garden was so isolated that it just stopped evolving, which was why it was still stuck in the dinosaur days.

Once, we got to his camp, he set Usopp and Nami down on a bed of hay, and me on a large stone, so that I could continue our conversation, while he broke the dinosaur down and roasted it.

“I think you’re the first human that I’ve ever met, who hasn’t been surprised by a giant,” he said, sitting down and turning the meat.

Human.  If he only knew.

“Actually, I’ve met a few giants in my life. Some lived on the same island as me. Other’s just passed through as part of pirate crews.”

“You don’t say. Where are you from?”

“There’s no translation of it for me to give you.”

“Oh well then.”

“How’d you end up a pirate?”

“I ended up in the East Blue and needed a lift back. Luffy, my captain, offered me a spot on the crew, said he’d take me home after we’d sailed the Grand Line. I’m the newest member, though we do have a guest at the moment.”

“The other two are on your crew as well?”

“Yeah, they-“I stopped, having glanced over Broggy’s shoulder to check on them. “-Are missing. Damn it,” I swore.

A pair of terrified screams came from the jungle nearby.

“They’re easy to find,” I said, moving to stand.

“Sit. I’ll get them,” Broggy offered.

“Thank you.”

He returned with the two cowards in tow, sitting them on a log that I had brought over for a bench and dropping a large piece of meat in front of the three of us.

“Mira, you’re alive!” Usopp had cried, when he saw me sitting there.

“I was never in danger of losing my life. You two are just obnoxious, and even if I was in danger, you just left me. Next time I might let whatever’s after you have you.”

“You told us you weren’t going to let anything get us. He got us,” Nami snapped.

“We were invited to dinner, and I accepted on your behalf. No one took you. I agreed in your proxy.”

“Go on. Eat hearty my friends. It tastes delicious.”

We were further up the river, the water here fresh. I pulled it over, through the flames, until it boiled and then used it to slice off, three pieces of meat.

“I think I’ve lost my appetite,” Nami said, sounded dejected.

“Don’t be shy now. Dig in.”

I took a bite and was surprise by how good it was. Sanji would definitely have had fun with this. I thought about him and Zoro, wondering how their hunting was going. I had no clue, where Sanji was, but I could very faintly feel, Sandai Kitetsu. I could feel Luffy as well. He must’ve been a good ways away, because it wasn’t as strong as usual.

I couldn’t pin point either of them, but knew their general vicinity.

It would probably be handy if I could feel them better, but it had been so long since I opened up to that. I didn’t even know if I could. I had spent long closing off my mind to the world around me, its energy, I didn’t even know if I could open it back up again. I didn’t know if I wanted to. I had spent so long created that dam in my head, just to stay sane. The idea of loosening that hold was terrifying.

“Mira,” Broggy said, catching my attention.

“I’m sorry. I spaced out. What?”

“Do you like it?”

“It’s really good.” I emphasized my statement by taking another bite. “It’s sweet. I didn’t see you put anything on it.”

“Nope. Natural sweetness.”

Usopp and Nami were still crying.

“For the love of- He’s not going to eat you,” I said, sternly. “Now, quit your crying, pick up your dinner and thank Broggy for such a nice meal.”

“Eat you?”  Broggy asked, before laughing. “I’m not going to eat you.”

“See. I pushed food into their hands. Eat.”

Both looked between each other, and then bit into their food.

“Sorry about them. Like I said. They’ve never met a giant before.”

“Like you have,” Usopp scoffed.

“A few of them,” I elaborated, taking another bite. “Enough to know that the whole, giants are man eating barbarian things is a stereotype, spread through ignorance and pure stupidity.”

Usopp and Nami winced at my sharp words.

“Not to say there aren’t some bad ones out there, but not all of them.”

The two cowards looked ashamed.

“Apologize.”

“We’re sorry, Mr. Broggy,” they chorused.

“And?”

“Thank you for the meal.”

I grinned, satisfied.

“No problem, young lady, young sir.”

Nami and Usopp were still nervous, but that was to be expected. After all this was a giant. He could easily kill them. They didn’t know him. They had settled considerably, which was enough for me.

“Mr. Broggy, sir? Can I ask you something?” Nami asked.

“Sure, what’s on your mind, young lady?”

“How long will it take until the log resets?”

“One whole year,” Broggy answered.

I cringed. Nami and Usopp both fell over backwards in shock.

“Yeah… That’s… Bad.” We didn’t have a year. Alabasta’s people could go to war any day now. Not only that a year on this island was sure to completely fry Usopp and Nami’s nerves, and by extension mine.

“A BIT OF AN UNDERSTATEMENT DON’T YOU THINK?!” Nami yelled at me. “WE’RE GOING TO DIE HERE!”

I forced her to sit back down. “Screaming about it doesn’t help the situation.” I looked up at Broggy. “Do you have-“

I was cut off by the eruption of a volcano.

Broggy rose to his feet, throwing the remainder of his meat in the fire. He features shifted. The easy going smile replaced by fierce determination.

“Broggy?”

“Please forgive me, but there is something that I must attend to.

“What? You’re leaving?”

“No choice. That’s the signal my opponent and I use to mark the beginning of our fight,” he explained. I had earlier inquired as to why he was on the island, so I knew the story, but to the others, it really didn’t explain anything, leading to more questions than answers.

“A fight?”

“With who? Where? And more importantly why?” Usopp asked.

“Why? I don’t remember.”

I laughed with Broggy. Oh what time does to the memory.

“Why are you laughing?” Nami snapped at you.

“I don’t remember,” I said, cracking myself up further, Broggy seeming to also find my joke funny.

“You’re a funny girl, Mira. I look forward to finishing our meal, when I return.”

“Confidence is good, but don’t get too cocky.”

“My opponent and I have been fighting for over a hundred years. I am aware of and respect his skill.” With that, he charged into the jungle towards his opponent, another giant, who had risen from his hiding place.

“A hundred years?!”

“Giants’ lifespans are three times that of humans,” I explained. “A hundred years doesn’t mean much to them. The giants of Elbaf believe that their god chooses, who wins and who loses. A loss means that they have fallen out of their god’s favor. In this case they’re fighting to see, who their god deems worthy enough to return to their home land.”

“Still a fight to the death? Why doesn’t one of them just go somewhere else? Surely someone could lose without dying.”

“Death before dishonor,” I said, watching the two behemoths go at it. The force of their blows sent shockwaves through the air, pushing us away from the epicenter of the fight. Their steps rocked the island to its core, shaking the dirt beneath our feet.  Trees were torn from the ground like nothing.

A fight between giants. I had heard stories of their epic battles, but had never gotten to experience one for myself. It was a sight to behold.

“What an incredible fight! Every one of those attacks is aimed at a vital spot, just one slip from either of them and that’s it, they’re dead.”

I nodded in agreement. It was clear that these two knew each other well. That was expected after a hundred years. Each move was precise and deliberate. There was no wasted motion, no wasted effort.

“You’d think this would get old,” Nami said. “This is a good thing. This is our chance to get away.”

“You’re not still convinced he’s going to eat you are you?” I asked.

“You may trust him, but I’m not taking my chances.”

‘Ridiculous,’ I thought, turning to watch the giants again.

Unlike Nami, who was walking away from the camp, Usopp was frozen in place. I thought he was scared at first. I was fully prepared to defend Broggy once more, but then I saw his face. He wasn’t afraid, he was in awe. His eyes were wide, his jaw practically dragging on the floor.

“Usopp!” Nami called, when she realized that he wasn’t following.

“Amazing. They fight so seriously, and they don’t even know why.”

“This fight is getting annoying,” Nami whined.

“Don’t you see?” Usopp asked. “This is an example of a real battle, between real men.”

“Say what?”

“Maybe an analogy will help. It’s as if they each planted a flag in their hearts that says ‘I am a warrior.’ This flag is more important than anything, more than their lives even. They will never allow the flag to be destroyed by someone else. That’s why they’ve both continued this fight for a hundred years. Do you see it now? This is a proud duel, a legendary fight between two dedicated warriors!”

“Yeah. Whatever. That warrior stuff doesn’t really interest me in the slightest,” Nami said, dismissively.

“That’s because you can’t put a price tag on honor,” I shot.

She ignored me. “You coming?”

“No. I’m still watching this. This is my ultimate goal, this right here, to be a brave warrior, like each of these titans. Really though one day, I’ll be a proud warrior of the sea.”

I smiled at Usopp. “A proud warrior of the sea, a perfect companion for the king of the pirates.”

“So what you’re saying is you want to be a giant?”

I snorted at Nami’s interpretation. Usopp stomped over to her, yelling about her missing the point, before returning his attention to the fight.

The pair both managed to disarm each other, leaving them with only their shields and fists to fight with. They each went for a finishing blow, the punches landing at the same time, knocking them both down.

Broggy returned from his battle, battered and bloody, but alive.

Usopp began to fawn over the giant, as soon as he was near, explaining his admiration and ambition to Broggy. Broggy was surprised by Usopp at first, but seemed to accept his new found title as master well.

I idly wondered what Luffy and Vivi were doing. According to Broggy, they had befriended the other giant, Dorry. Luffy was probably just as enthralled with the epic nature of their battle of Usopp was.

The volcano they used as a signal erupted once more. “Well, there’s the signal. It’s really been active today.”

“You’re really going? But your wounds from the last battle haven’t healed.”

“Please,” Broggy scoffed. “Dorry can’t be doing any better than me. A few scratches won’t take me out of a duel. That surely would be a poor excuse for a brave warrior.”

It was a fair point.

“I guess so,” Usopp conceded.

“Alright then.”

“Now, Master Broggy, go and show this guy!” Usopp cheered.

“You bet, Usopp! I’m gonna beat him for sure this time. He hasn’t got a chance.”

“Go get him, you great warrior of Elbaf! The mighty Broggy always defeats his opponent! You can do it Broggy! You’re the mightiest warrior in the world! You can destroy him any day! Go Broggy!”

“Why does he continue this pointless fight?” Nami asked.

Usopp turned and exploded on her.

Nami was unfazed. “Well now we can get back to the ship. Waiting for a year. No freaking’ way it’s completely unacceptable. We need to get everyone on the ship and come up with a plan.”

I was in agreement as much as I wanted to watch this play out, we didn’t have time. There was never going to be a clear victor. They were too evenly matched. Plus, we had to make sure that the others were alright, and figure out how we were going to get to Alabasta.

“Now hold on a second. I for one don’t think that we stand a chance against dinosaurs. Cutting through the jungle to get back to the Merry won’t so us much good if we get killed on the way, will it?”

“Such bravado from our brave warrior of the sea, afraid of a big lizard,” I teased, standing up.

“I said that come day I’ll be a brave warrior of the sea. Besides even a brave warrior has to have enough sense not to get himself killed. Mira, Nami, listen. Even if I should lose everything someday and have to face a horribly tragic death, along on a deserted island, I will proudly say this about how I have lived, “I am Captain Usopp and know that I have been a great brave warrior of the sea!””

Usopp hit the ground with a hard thud, his fear causing him to go stiff as a board.

“Yeah. Yeah. For now can you just settle for being a dependable warrior?” Nami asked, dragging him by his satchel.

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

I shook my head, following the two. “Well then I guess I’ll be on dinosaur duty. I expect you to return the favor, when you’re a brave warrior of the sea.”

***

Notes:

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[forcedapotheosis-blog]

Gloomy Days VII

“I do not know what makes a writer, but it probably isn't happiness.” - William Saroyan, The Bicycle Rider In Beverly Hills

Disclaimer: One Piece and its characters do not belong to me.

Chapter VII – The Graceless Knight / Two Minutes To Midnight

This is it. How it’s going to end. Goodbye, my dreams, my family, my love. I could never have imagined that this would be the tragic extent of my failings. The woman said that I’ve arrived at the crossroads, and my actions could change the course of things, but the only way to win this game is not to play at all. Just .. just let it be over quickly.

After the conversation at the bar, his mind was torn apart. The moment he went there to talk to the mysterious woman, he had already decided to take whatever was coming head on. But she, that woman, whoever she was, had managed to make things more complicated. She had shown him a tiny spot of hope, but in truth, she just led him to an even higher cliff to jump from. There could be no hope in this wonderful hell-hole. No hope at all. After taking his seat on the side of the bride, as far away from his former crew mates as possible, he was left with his own thoughts again. Struggling not to care, fighting his inner demons in a last, defiant stand. One that he was about to lose for good.

What has become of me? I can’t even look them in the eye. Chopper .. Chopper even seems to be afraid of me. Am I really that broken of a man? Vestigial in all but outward appearance? I need to leave this place as soon as the ceremony is over. Can’t take it anymore. Memories are a terrible thing, and I remember everything. Every tear she cried, every night of drunken stupor to numb the pain of leaving her behind. If I had known that the way would lead me here, I .. I might have ended it all. Me being .. just being, is no more good to anyone, least of which to her.

He finally forced himself to look around for a moment. On the side of the groom, he could see no familiar faces. On Nami’s side though, all of their former nakama had arrived, at least those that could make time for the event. Those that were still alive. If he hadn’t known it better, he might have thought that denial could be found in all their faces. What they denied, he did not know. Maybe him being here? Some of them had already left when he clashed with the swordsman and had to flee from the love of his life. Word, though, travelled fast and far. He was sure that they knew about all the things that had transpired. He was sure that they knew how much he hurt Nami on their last day, and even if they found it in their hearts to forgive him, he could never do.

I’m sorry that you wasted your time, madame. After you left me at the bar, I felt invigorated. If even for a moment, I saw a chance that it just might work out. But moments vanish like summer rain. I will not do it, I can not do it. This is Nami-san’s chance for a good life, a wonderful life even. She will have security, she’ll be a wonderful mother, she might even have true love. What could I offer to her that’s worth more? Nothing. I’m a broken man, unable to give her anything but more wounds on her soul. She was so wonderful .. she .. she might have loved me. Why did I ever leave her behind?

Mere thoughts alone did not have the power to change the world. And after tens of thousands of words, the clock finally struck the hour and the band began to play the wedding march. Heads were turned in the supposed direction the bride was coming from and voices were raised in collective awe.

She .. oh my god .. Mere words and thoughts failed Sanji at the sight he was given.

Even at the worst, the most stygian of days, the red-haired goddess that went by the name of Nami was a light in the darkness. Even when the universe seemed uncaring and ignorant of humanities insignificant existence, even the most callous of beings must have felt the heat that she was radiating. If mankind ever ceased to exist, if only one human being should remain as the precursor for its renewal, it should have been her. In the light of this angel - no -, this goddess, mankind should be reborn. When Sanji talked to the mysterious woman at the bar, he thought that she might have been the most physically perfect being he ever witnessed. Now, all thoughts about her were forgotten. The bar for human perfection had been raised. No one could ever be her equal, a bride fit for the progenitor of all the things that men looked upon and felt tenuous.

He was paralysed with awe. Senses went numb and even if he had tried, he wouldn’t have been able to battle down the thought that pictured himself as the groom, not the man who was waiting for her at the altar. Dying wouldn’t have been half bad right now, gaze set upon the most beautiful sight that he could ever think of. Unfortunately for him, the story didn’t end here and a silent death was too easy a way out.

After a moment that seemed like an eternity in the light of the celestial plains, his mind returned and he was able to witness the shock that went through the groom’s side of guests. Shock, murmur and whispers became prevalent were awe had been just a moment before. It took him a surprising amount of time to find the source of it, and when he did, his heart stood still a second time, the mind that was racing to show him pictures of what could have been came to an abrupt stop.

“Is that ..”, he focused to understand the whispers.

“Yes, it’s him!”

“I thought he died?”

“This cannot be. Absolutely not!”

“Is this a crude joke?! What an impudence!”

“I vividly remember his wanted poster, it’s definitely him!”

“Her father is the infamous Strawhat Luffy?!”

“The son of the Dragon?!”

“Was she a member of the Revolutionary Army?”

“No, idiot, he was a pirate. Does that mean that she was one, too?”

“That’s enough of a reason to stop the wedding, isn’t it?”

“Cassian seems to be perfectly comfortable, maybe he knew?”

“Might be that she was forced to stay with the Strawhats. It might not be her fault.”

Cassian .. the cook’s eyes moved to the altar and focused on the groom.

He indeed seemed to be the very embodiment of serenity, as was befitting his overall appearance. Sanji couldn’t deny that he was a handsome man. Not tall enough to be towering over everybody else, but it was still an impressive size, possibly around 1,88m (around 6ft2), his dark brown hair was combed back to not take away anything from his face. His cheek bones were clearly visible and his broad, distinctive chin was radiating virility and masculinity, even more so because he was cleanly shaven. His eyes might have been the real catch for the ladies, though. They were of a lighter tone of brown and perfectly comfortable with reflecting the smile he had on his lips. When everything else about his face said that this man was better than his peers, these eyes made him approachable, friendly, gave him the look of a caring man, the ideal partner.

I want to hate him. I really do. But .. he knows about her past. He knows that she was a pirate under our captain and he doesn’t care. Even in front of his friends and his family, he doesn’t care. Oh, I want to hate him ..

Moments passed and somewhere along the line, the murmurs subsided. The guests saw that the groom was comfortable with this show of affiliation and, at least for now, went with it. Meanwhile, Sanji was finally able to avert his gaze from Nami for more than a few seconds and he began to examine the clergyman or whatever he was, who as accompanying the groom at the altar. Or is it his best man? I really can’t tell. As he would soon find out, his first assumption was right. The long-haired man that was standing beside the groom was, indeed, of the clergy. From his clothes alone, no one could have said. Clad in a tailored suit with a red tie, he could have been just another guest. Not a person of consequence, probably. His eye began to wander again, this time coming to a halt when it met his former captain.

Were all these past years just a dream? It’s as if nothing changed, nothing ever happened. Brook’s still alive and we’re on our way towards the next adventure. Back again on the Sunny, living for our dreams alone. No .. no, no. Idiot shitty dreamer, that’s what I am. These days are long gone by. We’re no longer nakama. No longer family, our dreams are buried and forgotten, nothing could ever bring them back. Purpose failed us, fate was no longer on our side. Our bonds are shattered, we’re acquaintances, not family anymore. All of us have our own lives to live. We’re done. Not even seeing him with his greatest treasure again can make it undone. Years of living apart, an eternity of not talking to one another, a lifetime of existing with a broken heart. We’re done, we’re through. She’s getting married and I should be here to support her, yet I cannot. She mustn’t see. She mustn’t see that I’m torn, that it’s killing me to just be here, to see her. All of them must not know. Keep up the act, idiot! Tear your eyes from him, from them. One last act of duty. Be here for her, wish her all the best. She’s happy. She must be happy, will be happy. The most important thing of all. Luffy has his hat again, so what? Maybe it was her request. Just to have the impression of being family one last time until she starts her own. There’s nothing left. The only thing that remains from our shared past are wounds to be tended, lessons to be learned. STOP! LOOKING! AT! THEM!

His mind was screaming as so many memories came back to haunt him. She cried because of him, she cried because she feared that he’d leave her. He didn’t want to, never wanted to hurt anyone. Yet he did, in the cruellest way imaginable. He ran away from her, broke her heart and his own and never tried to mend it. If suffering was the price, he’d gladly pay it. Seeing her with this man was just the beginning of it all, it must have been. Under these white ceilings, she would say ‘yes’ to a man he could not hate. A man that must have been better than him, if only for the reason that he managed to fight his demons instead of giving in to them, whatever they were. Everybody had these demons.

All of a sudden, the bride and her surrogate father had reached the altar. The maiden of honour was waiting to bring the rings. The stage was set, the troupe was ready and as the clergyman began to speak, Sanji felt as if he was finally drunk on all the shadows that his fragile soul carried for so many years.

Dazed, reeling, about to break.

The sonorous voice of the long-haired man filled these opulent halls with ease, demanding attention and silence. Even the erratic energy of the present children was not enough to successfully struggle against it. There was no way to stop all of this from happening, his darkest hour was the hour of her ascension. The heavenly bride was about to be united with a worthy husband. A husband that would not make her cry.

“Honoured bride, honoured groom,

Take a look around. In this decisive hour of your lives, you are not alone. You are surrounded by people who are close to you, who were close to you for years on end. Looking into each and every single face that gathered here, I can say with the utmost certainty that the bonds that run between all of you can be felt, can even be seen.

It is these bonds that make a human lifetime so precious.

Some philosophers say that life has no intrinsic purpose. That the universe is vast and dark and uncaring towards our very existence. But it is their conclusion that the uncaring universe is a good thing. Sometimes it might seem that the Gods are ignorant about humanity’s very existence, as they left their creation in a stygian void.

What better place but this void, though, to struck the match? To bear a blazing star? To make the shadows afraid?

These philosophers might be right, a life might not have intrinsic value, but the greatest gift bestowed on us is opportunity! Where there is no destiny, there are no bounds, no rules. Every life is free to find its own worth in the world. We all find bonds that might last for a whole lifespan and even longer.

This is what keeps all of us alive. This is what’s the most wonderful thing about living without a cosmic purpose, we are free to pursue what’s most important to us. If no one lends us a torch, we are free to find our own. To live the exact life that we are dreaming of.

The indefatigable search for our own, personal purpose, our own dreams and their fulfilment, the bonds forged in fire that accompany us for our whole life. All these things nourish the flame that stands between us and the darkness of the void.

Looking at all of you, honoured bride, honoured groom, dear guests, even the endless void is trembling. Within the uncaring nature of the cosmos, one can see that it’s eternal premise is to drive us apart, as one alone might not always find the strength to stand against the ever-growing darkness. This eternal adversity, though, fosters resilience. Within it, we find the heat that is necessary to temper the bonds we share.

I ask you, all of you: Is there a better way to laugh into the growing abyss’ face, than to be a part of this communion?

We are gathered here today, in the face of this illustrious company, to join together Cassian and Nami in traditional matrimony; an honourable estate, instituted by our forefathers, since the first men and women walked the earth.

Therefore; it is not to be entered inadvisedly and lightly, but reverently and soberly.

Into this venerated estate, these two persons present come now to be joined.

If any one can show just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”

I .. I can. Because I love her more than I love myself. Because she’s worth more than a thousand dreams to me, her eyes are deeper than the All Blue, the Grand Line and all the Blues together are but puddles compared to how vast her heart is. Because she is a goddess, a goddess that needs proper veneration. Because I shall never tire in trying to make her happy. Because I’d gather all the stars in the sky if she just asked for it. Because .. I love her. Truly, madly, deeply. Having known her, I can never, ever fall in love with another woman. Having met her, I know that she’s both the Alpha and Omega to all the things I yearn for. Having known her for so long, I feel that she’s the brightest beacon in an endless night, the most wonderful being in existence. Nothing can ever, will ever be able to compare. I love her. I will never stop loving her, even if it drives me insane. In the reflection of her eyes, I can see myself being reborn into a light I had never known existed. I can not .. even though I have to let her go. Goodbye, Nami-san. I’m yours, forever.

Tears were filling his eyes, blurring his vision. The end was nigh, the words were about to be spoken. Despair filled his heart, breathing became increasingly difficult and death, right in this moment, would have been nothing but relief. His broken heart would never be able to recover. But she would be happy. She was everything that mattered. She would always be everything that mattered. Her smile. May she be happy.  The hour struck midnight. The clouds gathered and unleashed a furious storm. His mind drifted away, may the roaring thunder be the witness of their communion. He was no longer able to control his sobbing, the frail picture of masculinity that he so carefully cultivated throughout his life was crumbling.

He was alone. All alone within an endless void. The one reason to live for was taken away from him, never to be found again. He could not speak, he could not bear witness to their union. Just being here, knowing what was about to happen, tore his heart and mind apart. Desperation and madness took over. There was no hope in this Hell. No hope at all.

The old tales and stories told of heroes that journeyed to Hell and back, emerging victorious. In this moment of perceived clarity, he knew that all of these stories told nothing but lies. One person alone could never emerge unscathed from facing the abyss.

“Yes.”

A female voice. Nami-san .. gods .. she said it. She said yes. All is lost. I should have never come. I'm vermin. Nothing but. I .. I .. I can't take it anymore. No one should be forced to endure a situation like this. All I asked for was forgiveness and love. All I ever wanted was her.

Were men allowed to cry? Were they not? Did anything matter anymore? His uncontrolled sobbing found its climax. He finally broke down and began to weep bitter tears.

The groom's side grew louder as the moments passed. They were happy. He was sure. And no one would ever pay attention to this broken man.

The End.

Or was it?