Raya's POV

Water 7.... is not what I was expecting. At all. 

It's a beautiful metropolis that looks to floating atop the water, with sparkling canals running through the entire city, and a gorgeous, huge fountain as the centerpiece. Robin says it's actually built on a sunken island, which makes a lot more sense, but it's still thrilling to see the buildings and homes and such built adjacent to the water. 

What's surprising is the lack of hostility towards pirates.

We passed a man while sailing through a canal, and the first question he asked was, "Are you here to rob us?" But he asked it so calmly, without any fear or derision. When we said we were only here to get Merry repaired, he told us where we were allowed to anchor. 

Despite my surprise, I'm happy they haven't treated us poorly since coming here. It's clear Merry needs the repairs, or she won't make it much longer. Not too long ago, before everyone set out for their own business, Zoro tried pulling up the sail, and the mast came crashing down. 

I laughed, probably harder than I should have, when Usopp screeched like a banshee and forced him to right the mast.

Nami made it her, Luffy and Usopp's responsibility to contact Iceburg, the man in charge of the Galley-La Company. Galley-La is the largest and most successful shipyard in all of the Grand Line, according to Kokoro anyway. Iceburg is the man she told us to give her letter to, though I'm betting it's as ridiculous as the "map" she also gave us. I've seen two year olds with better mapping skills than her!

Anyway, their group left first, along with a good portion of our gold to be turned into cold hard cash. I keep hoping they don't get jumped. The last thing we need is Luffy to go berserk and destroy part of this entrancing city. Nami would kill him if we have to pay fines.

Robin and Chopper left a few minutes ago. They asked if I wanted to tag along, but I declined. I want to explore by myself, at my own pace.

Plus, I needed to get a shower.

Finished, I rub my hair dry with a towel as I make my way out on deck. Zoro is, shockingly, asleep on the upper deck, his three swords beside him. I don't see Sanji anywhere, so he probably went after Robin. I guess he thought I was gone too, or he would've stayed so as not to leave me alone with Zoro.

I cross the deck and climb the steps to where Zoro is. At the sound of my approaching footsteps, he cracks open one eye, then smile slightly. "Where'd Sanji go?" I ask, simply out of curiousity. He snorts. "Ero-cook left," he says shortly, his one eye drifting closed again. "Something about me being the only person on the ship, and how boring it would be...."

"I figured," I say as I lean back against the railing. Looking out over the sea, I can't help but wonder where my dad is right now. And Ace too. Ever since I got those letters, I've been thinking about them nonstop. But I try to push the thoughts away and focus on what I can see for now. "Are you the designated ship-sitter, or something?" I ask, looking back down at the Swordsman. 

"I just didn't feel like going around the city. After a while, they're all the same to me."

"Too bad," I murmur. "I would've asked you to go with me. You know, for protection."

At this, he opens both eyes to give me an incredulous look that almost makes me fall into a laughing fit. I've had too many of those recently, so I'm trying to hold myself back. "Protection?" he echoes, cocking one brow. 

I smile innocently. "Big city like this, there are bound to be big, scary thugs running around," I say, and I find it to hard to keep the sarcasm from dripping over my words. He smirks. "I'm just a little girl, shouldn't I be scared?"

"I'd be more scared for the thugs."

"Aw, thank you Zoro!" Caught up in the "moment", I can't help but attack him in a hug, wrapping my arms around his neck, with my head pressed against his chest.

"Gah! What the hell?!" he splutters in surprise. He's so startled, in fact, that he falls over, taking me with him. I end up sprawled across his chest while he falls onto his back, head hitting the deck.

"Ah, sorry," I mutter, scratching the back of my head. I give him a closed eye smile that just radiates sheepishness. "You really don't like affection, do you?"

He lifts his head to look at me, and my sheepish smile widens. "When it feels like you're trying to kill me, no, I don't like affection," he says. Yet he doesn't move from our semi-awkward position. Hmm...

"Like I could actually kill you, Swordsman." I roll my eyes for added effect. "You're two years older than me, built like a freaking warship, fight using three swords, turn into a monster when you do fight, and let's not forget the fact that you're going to be the World's Greatest Swordsman. How can I compete?"

He narrows his eyes thoughtfully while I cross my arms and lean them on his chest, my chin propped up on my forearms. "You're right," he says eventually. "You're seventeen, scrawny, have a sword you can't use...." Once again, I roll my eyes, to which he only smirks. "It wouldn't take long for me to beat you."

"Are you quite done?" I ask sarcastically, having the feeling that there's infinitely more he can say on the subject of just how more advanced he is compared to me. I don't really mind, seeing as how I never sought to excel in swordplay. Him being better at it tugs no jealousy from me whatsoever.

He opens his mouth to speak, but stops when we both notice the shadow fall over us. In the next instant, there's the clang of steel meeting steel above my head, and I wince when sparks coat my head.

"I thought you were too preoccupied to notice us...!" a surprised, yet mocking, voice says.

"Who the hell are you?" Zoro growls, throwing the attacking sword off. I scramble to my feet as he sits up. The look on his face bothers me.... is that... surprise...? Oh God.

"Honoo." The word falls under my hissing intake of breath, and Zoro takes a half second to glance down at the sword in his hand. It's Honoo. He stands and carefully tosses Honoo over to me, before quickly two of his swords. I try not to think about Honoo clashing with another blade and sheathe her silently, a fierce glare aimed at the men she was used against.

They seem confused as to why I'd sheathe my weapon while they all have theirs drawn. Sucks for them.

"Raya."

I look over at Zoro, one eyes still on the five or so men around us. He spares me a fleeting glance. "She was the closest sword."

I nod, understanding. We would've been sliced if he hadn't acted. I don't hold any anger for Zoro. He saved my life. But I'll enjoy getting rid of these freaks. 

They're all dressed in weird clothes that remind me of metal barrels with red stars on the front. What look like rivets are on either side of the star, almost like buttons. The outfit varies across the men, but each also has a pair of steam-punk goggles that are probably meant to be intimidating. Each carries a sword as well. Good thing I'm used to dodging those.

Damn Marines.

"You asked who were are?" one of the men scoffs. 

"Huhuhuhu.... Pirate Hunter Zoro, Red-Haired Demon, Flynn D. Raya.... We're bounty hunters!"

They each raise their swords high in the air, with the attitude of someone howling a war cry. I find it to be cliche, if anything. 

"Kids cry when they see us! We are the Franky Family! The bounties on your heads are ours!"

"Yeah! Then we'll hide on the ship.... and ambush the rest of the crew!!!! We're going to be so rich! We're so lucky!"

I sweat drop. Overconfidence.... doesn't anyone realize how damning it really is?

"Kill them!" one, who I'm guessing is the leader of this little expedition, orders, pointing to us. Two men spring into action, going for the both of us. I sigh.

Zoro blocks the strike easily, a grim expression on his face. 

I look away from him to the other bounty hunter coming at me and simply side step his sword, before darting forwards and hooking the back of his knee with my foot. He crumbles to the ground with a cry of indignation, and I swipe his sword from him. Can't use Honoo, so I have to improvise.

Zoro, just as quickly, sends his opponent flying off the ship. I don't see where he lands.

"This guy's kinda on the heavy side," I complain, jabbing at the man I knocked down with his own sword. "Would you mind....?"

Shaking his head, Zoro assists me (and by that I mean he does it all by himself) in tossing the big lug overboard. The resounding splash is music to my sensitive ears. 

The Franky Family is looking a little nervous. But nonetheless, they send the rest of their members at us. Zoro doesn't even need to draw Wado. He simply uses two sword style to rid the ship of our intruders. 

I send one of two into the ocean with a well-placed flaming kick, to my satisfaction. It wouldn't be fair if Zoro got to take them all down, now would it?

I lean over the railing, shading my eyes as I try to spot where they ended up. Seeing nothing, I turn away just as Zoro settles back down with a sigh.

"Boring," he mutters, closing his eyes. I smirk, fully agreeing with him. 

"Well, now that that's over with, I think I'm going to head out." Fingering Honoo's hilt uncertainly, I start down the steps to make my way off the ship.

"Don't get yourself killed," are Zoro's parting words.

"Likewise," I call back. I hope off the ship and pick a random direction to take, very much uncaring as to where I'll end up. I'm better with directions than Zoro, so I'm sure I can find my way back here without much difficulty.

Water 7 is alive with people of all types, and it's easy to blend in despite my distinguishing features. There's walk-able roads apart from the usual canals, thank Kami. However, they're crowded with people and it's rather annoying to push through. Not annoying enough to warrent my flaming wrath, but bothersome just the same.

Water 7 is so big, I'm not entirely sure where I am at the moment. Twenty minutes of walking has led me to a part of the city filled with traffic, most of them sporting bags of varying sizes. Market District, maybe? 

I also keep seeing people in masquerade-type masks, and it's slightly unnerving to have so many disguised people surrounding me. They're in the canal too, just drifting along in boats, some plain and unnoticeable, others flashy and extravagant. Shops on either side of the canal hold numerous painted masks that catch my eye, though I wouldn't plan on wearing one even to my own funeral. 

I wonder if there's some party on another going on....?

Honoo's humming makes me pause, and very irritated streetgoers brush past me, muttering complaints under their breath. I pay them no attention and focus on Honoo, who's been much too silent for my liking this past week. 

"You... recgonize someone?" I repeat, tilting my head to the side. A threatening growl shivers down Honoo's blade and I stiffen. "Someone you know I don't like...." 

People stare at me oddly, but just like last time they get none of my focus, except the occasional threatening glare or snarl. 

"You're telling me you don't have a name, but you know this person is close, and that the last time we met, I was threating to kill them?" Well that narrows it down.... Who haven't I threatened these days? "Ugh, it better not be Bayer. It would be just my luck that he's on vacation here or something. Whatever, if you feel them get any closer, warn me, ok?" The answering hum is affirmative, and I resume in my walking.

I swear, everyone on this street must be ready to gag me and shove me off to the nearest mental hospital....

Eh, they probably aren't that far off.

In no time at all, however, all thoughts of Honoo's mysterious not-so-stranger are scattered from my mind when I hear a familiar voice calling out, "Robin?! Hey~~~~ Robin~~~~~?!" 

That's Chopper. Why's he looking for Robin?

I round the nearest corner and spot him, in his lumbering "human" form, just stepping out a bookstore, confused as to why his companion's ditched him. "Chopper!" I shout, hailing him down. He turns and smiles as he catches sight of me, and I quickly close the distance between us. 

"Hey, Raya! Glad you decided to come here after all!"

"Yeah, me too. Uh, where's Robin?"

He face falls, shoulders slumping forwards. "I don't know," he says dejectedly, sniffling. I offer a sympathetic smile and pat his back, once again earning strange stares from those around me. Well, screw them, my friend's upset. So what is he's unnaturally hairy and twice the size of a normal guy? He's just like a fluffy teddy bear!

"I'm sure she's alright," I reassure him. Or attempt to anyway. Glistening tears form in his wide eyes, and I grimace. Chopper crying.... it's gonna kill me eventually. Kami, why is it so effective?!

"C'mon," I say, urging him down the street with a hand on his arm. "We'll find her. She probably just stepped into another store without telling you. It'll be fine, ok?"

He nods and we start our search. And all the while, I have the feeling that those masked people are keeping track of me, despite the fact that their eyes are hidden from my. Shaking off the thought, I put my focus into finding Robin.

Third Person's POV

Among the crowded streets of Water 7, there are dozens and dozens of masked figures, calmly going about their daily lives. Some, out of mere curiousity, do in fact make a habit of stealing glances at the red-headed girl being led along by a furry behemoth, though no to the extent the girl believes. But there is one that knows who she is, by her hair and eyes. And that masked figure makes sure to keep her in their sights as she moves through the confusing layout of the water city.

"Ok, obviously I was wrong," the girl says, looking up at her companion. "She left to go do something else. Maybe she went back to the ship....?"

"But why wouldn't Robin tell me?" the furry man asks. The masked figure trailing after them tilts their head in confusion. How can such a large man have such a childish voice?

"Uh, emergency?"

"WAH!! ROBIN'S IN TROUBLE!!"

"Whoa, Chopper! Calm down, I didn't mean it like that!" The girl pulls her friend to the side of the street, where she tries to calm him down. After ten or so minutes, when he's deemed presentable, they start their search again. 

"Hmm," the figure murmurs. "She doesn't seem quite as unstable as he described. Of course, this is only my first time seeing her...." 

Raya, only ten feet ahead, suddenly whirls around, narrowed eyes searching the crowd for prying eyes. The stranger continues walking, seemingly oblivious to her suspicious gaze.

"Is something wrong, Raya?" Chopper asks, looking down at her. After a moment, she shakes her head and turns back around. "No, it's nothing," she replies, though her tone suggests otherwise. "I must have been imagining it. Let's just go."

The stranger drops back, pretending to study some display or another. Raya and Chopper pass by, not even sparing the stranger a second glance. When they've turned another corner, the stranger looks up. A smile curls their lips beneath the mask.

"This should be an interesting encounter, to be sure."

Raya's POV

This is what I get for suggesting we split up. 

I asked Chopper to check out the rest of the Market District while I hitched a ride on one of those Bull things and checked out another part of the city. 

Let me tell you, it took a lot of time to convince myself to step foot on the back of these things. They look like sea horses, except, like an actual horse, only meant for the water. They're kinda cute, actually. But the point it, I'm really freaking out over the water. On Merry, I'd have to be an idiot to fall overboard without due cause. Here, I tip over too far, and splash! That's the end of Flynn D. Raya. 

Ugh, don't think about it, don't think about it, don't think about it....

Several twists and turns and rising water chambers later, I have absolutely no idea where I am. Nevertheless, I thank the man who's Bull I hijacked and pay him what I promised. Damn, I really am lucky to have kept my own money with me. Nami's cheap when it comes to giving out daily shares.

"So, this is where you have business?" I ask before the man, who's so forgettable he'll be out of my mind the moment I walk away, can jet off. 

"That's right, Missy," he says, offering me a cheesy smile. He doesn't seem like a pervert, so I return the smile pretty easily. "I'm here to check on my ship. I left it with the Galley-La boys a few weeks ago. Should be done by now."

"Galley-La?" I echo.

"Yup! This here is the shipyard for Galley-La! Whelp, I hope ya find your friend!" And with that, he ties up his Bull and walks off, leaving me to stare at the massive double-door gate, with the giant one painted onto the front. 

"How the hell did I end up here of all places?" I grumble, stalking towards the door. "I'm worse than Zoro! Why the hell would Robin come here? Gah, I'm so stupid! I should've asked that guy where he was going, but noooo I had to be a baka and just hitch a ride with him." I sigh and shake my head. "Oh well, I at least got to check out some other parts of the city, and Robin definitely wasn't there. I hope Chopper's found her. This is starting to worry me."

"Raya!!"

"Huh?" I look up and away from my boots to see my captain, Nami and Usopp, along with an older man probably in his thirties, a beautifal woman in a semi-revealing business-suit-type attire, a man with slicked back blonde hair wih a cigar in his mouth, and another man in a white sleeveless tee and suspenders, with a pigeon on his shoulder. For some reason. 

"Oh, hey Cap'n," I greet, smiling despite my worry. If we don't find Robin before we go back to the ship, I'll tell him. But right now, I don't want to dampen his enthusiastic smile.

"What're you doing here?" Luffy asks when they reach me. I shrug, looking back up towards the gate. "I went sight-seeing, and kinda just ended up here. I should've paid more attention to where I was going," I say with a slightly laugh. 

"Is this one of your nakama?" the older man in the pinstripe suit asks, directing the question at Luffy. My captain nods vigorously, the biggest smile on his face. "Yup! This is Raya!" he exclaims while jabbing a finger in my direction.

"I'm guessing your the Iceburg guy Kokoro sent us to find, right?" I ask, holding out my hand. He shakes it, but doesn't get a chance to answer my question. The blonde-haired man tugs me from Iceburg's grip and wraps an arm around my shoulders. "See?!" he says. "This girl isn't shameless! She's covered up!"

"What are you talking about?" I ask. He, after scowling in Nami and the other woman's direction, looks down at me with a wide smile. He just pats my head before shoving me off into Luffy, who, thank Kami, manages to keep me from face-planting. 

"Forgive him, he's unstable," the pigeon says.

Yes. The pigeon said it, not the man whose shoulder it's perched on.

This place just keeps getting better and better. 

"Lucci! You better shut the hell up!" the blonde man shouts back. But he's talking to the man, not the pigeon. So his name is Lucci.... I'll try to remember that. 

"I'm not even going to bother asking," I mutter as we follow Iceburg and the others through the gates of the Galley-La Company. The Dock is huge, sporting hundreds if not thousands of men, and all kinds of ships they're working on. It makes all of us newcomers completely awestruck.

A bunch of men working all call out to Iceburg in greeting, smiling and waving and just.... It's obvious they love and respect the guy. A smile twitches at the corner of my lips; I can't help it, the atmosphere here is just so.... inviting.

"Wow. Iceburg is really popular here," Luffy comments. He's smiling again, looking at anything and everything, though he too seems impressed by how Iceburg is treated. It kinda reminds me of our relationship with Luffy, in a weird way. 

"Of course!" the woman responds, fixing her glasses. Why, I'm not sure. They didn't look crooked to me. Maybe it's a habit. "In this town, one's skill is everything. Since long ago, this island has been specialized in carpentry and there were seven competing shipyards. Then Iceburg came and amazed everyone with his genius carpentry skills. Five years ago, he united the seven shipyards into one company. His love for carpentry and his techniques are still the same he became the leader. So the workers respect him even more." She smiles proudly, looking down at the book in her arms. "The only thing the carpenters respect is skill. They won't bow to any pirates or political powers. That is the way in the carpenters' world."

I stifle a laugh. Such a touching speech, yet the person who she was speaking to isn't even listening.

"Hey Mister," Luffy says, patting Iceburg's shoulder. "Everyone says you're a really good ship repairman. Want to become a pirate with us?"

"Wh-What did you just say?!"

"ill-mannered brat!"

I just smile and job up to my captain, who's still speaking with Iceburg.

"Nma, you don't have a carpenter on your ship?" he asks.

"Nope," Luffy replies plainly. "We came here to repair our ship and find a carpenter to be on our crew."

"There are plenty of carpenters here," Iceburg tells us with a pleasant smile. "But I don't know if one is willing to become a pirate. But if you do find one who is willing, I don't care if you take him with you."

"Really?" Luffy and I chorus. He's excited, I'm bewildered. Such an easygoing guy.... Reminds me of Shanks a bit. "You're so nice!!" Luffy continues. "But can't you come, Mister?" I'm beginning to think he's already forgotten Iceburg's name. It's not like it's common either, but Luffy does have a short attention span...

"Nma, I'm the Mayor so of course not."

"Oh well, then."

"By the way, there's a girl named Nico Robin on your ship right?" I stiffen in surprise. He's just turned serious for the first time since I've seen him. And it's about Robin. But Luffy, oblivious idiot that he is, sees on harm in answering the question.

"Yeah, she's smart!" 

And with that, Luffy must feel the conversation is finished, because he goes off to play in the shipyard, leaving me with Iceburg. Thankfully, the man says nothing more about Robin, as we've got another distraction.

A man with a rectangular nose jumps down from someplace high (I didn't see where) and jogs up to the rest of us. 

"Hm? Kaku? Where did you go?" the blonde man (I should really ask his name) asks the new arrival.

"I went to check out our customers' ship. Are they here?"

"I think that'd be us," I say, lifting a hand in a friendly wave. "So you saw our ship?" I sweat drop, thinking of how Zoro might've reacted. Oh man, I would not have wanted to be there. Not only did he probably interrupt Zoro's nap, but we'd already had the Franky Family to deal with.... I hope he didn't try to attack this man.

"Yes, I did," Kaku says, before noticing who else is with us. "Iceburg is here too?" he asks in surprise.

"I already spoke to them, tell me what you found," the Mayor says, gesturing for Kaku to go on. 

"Hey, Cap'n, get your rubber butt down here!" I shout. Hearing me, Luffy, who's been playing around on some steel supports above us, jumps down lightly with his trademark grin. I sigh, but smile at him as he rejoins our group.

"Where's Usopp?" Nami asks, causing me to look around in confusion. I'd almost forgotten the sniper was with us in the first place. He hasn't made so much as a peep in so long. Huh.

"Dunno," Luffy answers.

"Oh. He left the money here, so never mind," Nami says. She drops the black briefcase I've only just noticed she's carrying next to two identical cases that Usopp must've been in charge of.

"How much will it cost? I have tons of money to pay!" Luffy announces. He pats the cases with the air of someone petting a prized kitten. Meaning, he's just an overenthusiastic baka. But when he taps the cases, I.... I don't know. It sounds almost.... hollow. How odd. How much money did they get anyway?

"If possible, please make it super strong and then add some cannons and make it go faster," Luffy adds. Once again, I feel the need to sweat drop. It's truly amazing how much thought he's put into the Going Merry's repairs.

"Please also do some decorative remodeling on the exterior and some remodeling for the rooms too," Nami says politely.

"I wouldn't mind an actual shower," I mutter, mostly to myself. Our shower has to be manually pumped, and it gets annoying as hell to do it every time. Only Nami, Robin and I actually take regular showers, because the boys are too lazy to do it and aren't very hygienic. But still.

We all look to Kaku, who's now sitting against what looks to be a pile of timber covered by a tarp and held together with ropes. Both Lucci and the blonde man are sitting with him, and I can tell by the expressions on their faces they've already read Kaku's intentions.

It gives me an uneasy feeling.

"Allow me to speak frankly," Kaku begins seriously, "but your ship suffered significant damage. Your trip here must've been very eventful."

A certain trip on the Knock Up Stream comes to mind. Not to mention falling back into the Blue Sea with the aid of a giant inflatable octopus. Eventful is a freaking understatement.

"Sure was!" Luffy says, voicing my thoughts. "We climbed a moutain"--I wasn't there for that...--"and went into the sky! So please repair it good!"

"Will it take a long time?" Nami asks.

"....No," Kaku says after a long stretch of silence that has me gritting my teeth in anticipation. "The truth is... even we aren't able to fix your ship."

The three of us blanch, and my breath hitches in my throat. He.... he can't be serious... The Going Merry... can't be fixed?

"Even if we patch it up as much as we can, the probability of you making it to the next island.... is zero percent."

"What?! But we've been sailing perfectly this whole time!!" Nami argues.

"Is something wrong with the keel?" the blonde man asks Kaku. "Yes," he replies. "It is severely damaged."

"The keel....?" I echo softly, frowning down at my scuffed boots. That sounds.... I know I've heard that somewhere before. From Dad, maybe...? Someone on Red Force must've mentioned it, even if just in passing. Hold on I.... Yeah, that's it. We were passing an island that was known for it's dangerous coral reefs, and Benn was worried about the keel being damaged in the shallows. But that's all I have. Is the keel really that important?

"You can't fix Going Merry?!" Luffy demands. "Why?! Aren't you the best shipwrights in the world?! If it's money that you want, I have lots!!"

"That's... not the problem," Kaku interjects. "The ship cannot be repaired no matter how much money you have. It's already a miracle that you sailed here safely with that ship... I'm really impressed about that...."

"What do you mean?" Nami asks. "What's wrong with the Going Merry?"

"Do you know what a keel is, shameless girl?" the blonde man questions.

"It's on the bottom of the ship..."

"Correct. It's the support that goes from the head to the tail of the ship. it's the most important part of the entire ship. When you build a ship, you have to start with the keel. Then the head, then the tail, then the spine... the rib, the pillar.... Every piece of wood in the ship is put together with the keel at the center. That is the basics of ship construction."

"So what you're saying is," I start, breaking into his explanation with the least amount of vemon I have, "since the keel is basically the backbone of the entire ship, the starting point, something as simple as replacing it is impossible. You'd have to start from scratch."

"Right," he agrees with a nod towards me. "Thus, no one can repair your ship. Your ship is nothing more than a pile of wood waiting to be scrapped."

"Way to ease us into it," I hiss under my breath, furious eyes once again on the ground. I'm afraid if I look up at these men, I won't be able to stop myself from lunging at them with Honoo. Well, maybe I can stop myself, but Honoo's out for blood at the moment. She loves Merry as much as I do, and even though she's weak and brittle, Honoo wants recompense for the way this man is degrading our beloved Merry.

"Hey.... How could you say that?!" Nami demands angrily, her eyes still wide from shock and disbelief.

"I'm only telling the truth," he says calmly, reasonably. It only makes me want to slap him more.

"Then... just remake the ship from the start!" I look over at Luffy, head tilting to the side in confusion. He'd want to completely remake the Going Merry? "Remake Going Merry!"

"That's not possible, either, koo koo," the pigeon informs us.

"Why not?!"

The pigeon holds up both wings, with one curling its feathers to resemble someone pointing a finger in an explanatory gesture. "While it is possible for us to build a ship that looks like yours, it's still not technically 'remaking" the same ship. In this world, there are no two identical ships."

I sorta zone out while the pigeon explains the whole concept of "there are not two ships that are exactly the same". It doesn't interest me. All that matters is the fact that the Going Merry.... the Going Merry is a lost cause. It pains me to admit that, so much so that I wince just at the thought. 

Merry's been with us through thick and thin, in good times and bad. Mostly bad, but that's beside the point. Merry's been my home, my friend.... Even with Dad, Merry was in my thoughts all the time. It really wasn't just her crew that I missed, it was the ship itself. I was only on it for little more than a week before I left, but it had already become something I cherished and loved. 

To think, our journey together ends here...

I abruptly spin around and start walking away, hands shoved deep into my pockets. I don't want to hear anymore about this, because there's absolutely nothing I can do about it. Luffy and Nami shout after me, asking where I'm going, if I'm alright. Well, the answer to both those questions is "I don't know."

The walk out of Galley-La's Dock is short, and I make my way back into the city with ease, though I'm only letting my wandering feet carry me where they please. My head is too muddled to care much about where I'm being led. 

Going Merry... 

I duck my head, nervous tears will force themselves from my eyes and down my cheeks. I don't want to cry. Vulnerability is a side effect from my usual sobs, and who really enjoys feeling vulnerable in the midst of strangers?

I just.... can't believe it. My heart was so light in coming here, thinking we'd finally give Merry the attention she so desperately needed. And now, it's heavier than lead, or one of Zoro's weights. It's sunk deep down into the pit of stomach, and I feel nauseas. Those damn shipwrights.... Couldn't they have broken the news to us a little easier? I'm sure Luffy won't accept this until we sink along with Merry on the way to the next island. And for him, Robin, Chopper and myself, we really would be following Merry to her watery grave. As much as I'll miss her, I really don't want that.

Feeling tears prick the back of my eyes, I duck into an aley between two store fronts and press myself to the wall on one side. "Dammit," I hiss. My fist hits the wall, and I feel blood soak into my knuckles, trailing down my fingers, but I don't care. "Just... dammit!"

I'm acting childishly, and I know that. But losing something as precious as Merry.... It's bound to stir up these kinds of feelings. This feels like losing a crew mate, and that's something I will never accept. "I can't believe this is really happening.... Merry is so--"

There's a flash, blocking out the world in front of my eyes, coloring it with new images. I stumble backwards, in total shock as I see, very clearly, a masked figured appearing in the mouth of the alleyway I've just entered. 

Then it's gone and I'm returned to staring forlornly at the stone wall in front of me. What the hell....?

I blink several times, looking over at the entrance. People pass by it without giving me any looks, whether they're masked or not. What was that just now? Am I going crazy? That wouldn't be very surprising, seeing as how I've been waiting for it for years now. But still, I'd rather keep my sanity intact for as long as possible, because I really don't think--

"Ah, it seems I've found you at last."

Shit.

The same figure from my "vision" is blocking the light from the streets, and the only way out of the alley, as this is a dead end. They're slightly taller than I am, and decked out in a black cloak with a silver underside that shines when the cloak swishes with each of their movements. Their pants are simple black leggings, and their boots leather and polished to perfection, with silver chains adorning them. Under the cloak, I can't make out their shirt, but that's not really my concern. An intricate painted mask sits over their face, half hidden by the wide-brimmed black hat atop their head.

Wait a second.... why am I getting deja vu here....?

"Are you incapable of speech, little Demon?"

That jolts me from my troubling thoughts. "The hell?!" I whisper-shout, conscious of attracting attention from the streets. "Why does everyone call me that?! And you have the nerve to add little into that stupid epiphet?! You're barely taller than I am!"

While I can't see it, I swear this person is smirking at me. "That temper seems to have been noted correctly, then," they say. I narrow my eyes. Who's been talking about me?

"I don't have a temper," I mutter unconvincingly. The person chuckles lightly, and the lilting accent sounds so familiar.... I wonder why....

"I've been wanting to meet you for some time, Flynn D. Raya."

"Wish I could say the same, but quite obviously, that's impossible."

Another rhythmic chuckle. "Of course, you don't know me. How rude. I should have introduced myself. Please forgive my lapse in manners."

"Ah... okaaay?" I say, head tilted to the side. This is really weirding me out. "Just who are you? And why have you been wanting to meet me?"

One of their hands sweeps up, somehow graceful even in this small gesture, and fits over the mask. "I believe you'll recognize me the moment I remove this. Once more, forgive my rudeness, I only wanted to remain anonymous in such a large city. It's something I'm sure you can understand, being the only daughter of such an influential man."

"Right," I mutter, crossing my arms over my chest. It's annoying how everyone seems to know about my parentage. I don't mind being seen as Shanks' daughter, because I'm ecstatic over the fact myself, but it comes up in conversation much too often for my taste.

The mask slowly falls away, held tightly in the black gloved hand. Against my wishes, my eyes focus briefly on the glove, pulling my attention away from this person's identity. It appears to be leather, skillfully crafted, and fitted to this person's rather petite hands specially. A symbol is set on the back of the hand in shimmering gold. It's nothing more than a simple crucifix, but it bothers me all the same. This person...

I look away from the glove, to their now-revealed face, and I feel my heart skitter to a stop. Piercing yellow eyes stare back at me, bright with interest yet hard with their own anticipation. Without my realizing it, I slip taking a step back, and tumble to the ground on my ass, which releases my held breath in a strained hiss. 

Their hawk-like eyes narrow as they study me, not dampened in the slightest from the shadow cast over them by their simple yet extravagant hat. If anything, they seem to glow among the dark.

Shit. Just plain shit.

"Mihawk...."