I awake to a dull ache pounding at my head. I groan internally.

Aching pains hurt like hell.

It takes me a few minutes to realize the warmth of something radiating onto me. I open my eyes and meet a mass of red hair. My eyes widen in complete shock.

What the...

His head is nuzzling into my shoulder, the side of it visible. An arm slung around my waist, the slight, barely noticeable smile on his face startling me. I notice that a leg is wrapped over mine as well.

What's going on?!

Flashbacks of the night before rush through me head in a whirlwind. I try to catch my breath, becoming dizzy. I look at his thick eyelashes and peaceful face. Though a small frown etches his lips. My brows furrow in confusion. Why's he in my bed?

I remember him catching me when I didn't need saving. I scowl softly at him a bit.

Abruptly, his eyes fly open. Dark orbs look up into mine, registering shock. He pulls away immediately landing on the floor with a thud. I burst into laughter.

"What the hell?!" He screeches.

I raise an eyebrow. "Guess we're both thinking the same thing."

He scowls at me. "You know, you could thank me for saving your life."

I glare at him. "I didn't need saving." I say through gritted teeth, my demeanor abruptly shifting. I swiftly stand up and tower over him, hands on my hip, waiting expectantly for an explanation.

He glares at me. "What?"

"Explanation. Now." I demand.

"What for?"

I narrow my eyes at him. "Why did you catch me?"

He sighs, standing up. He's taller by a whole foot but that doesn't falter my confidence.

"Well I was hanging around the campus at night and heard a scream and the sound of a window shattering. I made it just in time to see you flying out the window, covered in blood." He frowns. "Speaking of that, after all the battles you've participated in, why don't you have a scratch?"

I look away. "It's nothing. And I didn't need saving like I said before. I'm perfectly capable of handling myself." I turn on my heels towards the bathroom.

I need to escape as soon as possible.

~

I grit my teeth, hoisting myself up on to the roof. I huff out a breath, holding onto my left arm which popped out of its socket by the pressure. Closing eyes, I push it back in, though it's painful. I open my eyes and look into the dark of the night. My eyes scan the campus. I can dimly see the light of the Arcademia where almost everyone currently is despite having classes the next morning.

I sigh. I know there's tight security around on the weekends but I'll take my chances.

I have to escape.

Time is starting to run out.

But a part of me doesn't want to leave. These past few days I've made friends. And I feel like staying a bit longer even though I've made enemies as well.

No.

I can't.

This place has been softening me too much. And I haven't been here for that long.

I crouch low on the top of the Main Castle, dressed in my typical outfit. Not in cliché black spy clothes. Though my shirt is a dark army green. I stand a bit to walk over to the front of the roof when I hear a voice.

"Going somewhere?"

I whirl around, my eyes widening. I turn to face a smirking Law. He leans against his sword, casually with a guarded expression on his face.

"Nothing that has to do with you." I shoot back.

He raises an eyebrow. "Escaping?"

"Obviously."

"It's not that easy."

I roll my eyes. "You think I didn't know that?"

"You can't do it alone." He says.

I scowl at him. "I don't need help from the likes of you."

"I'm not saying I'll help." He glares at me. "But some of us would."

"I'm not going to help anyone else." I say through clenched teeth.

"Then no one's going to help you."

"I already told you! I don't need help."

He turns to leave. "But if you're ever stuck in a situation, no one will come to your aid." With that he jumps down swiftly from the stone building.

His words knock the breath out of me, making an impact.

He's right.

But I've already been delayed far too much. I curse at myself for being so stupid. This is a task I can't do by myself.

I have to stay a bit longer.

I'll need allies.

I huff out an annoyed breath and turn to leave as well. Turns out I'll be staying in this hell hole for a while. But not for too long. I have to do what I'm supposed to.

Time is seriously running out.

I need to escape.

~

I walk into class Monday morning, completely exhausted. I collapse in my desk, laying my head down, starting to doze off.

A horn blasts in my ear.

I scream bloody murder, knocking over my desk and flying onto the floor. I look up, glaring at the person. The man has red hair and three scars over his eye along with only one arm. He bursts into laughter, holding a blow horn in his hand.

"No sleeping in class!" He says cheerily.

"Who the hell are you?!" I scream, standing up as people start to pool into the classroom.

"Shanks." He grins goofily, reminding me of Luffy. "Your teacher."

My eyes widen. "Teacher?!" I screech. "What kind of a teacher acts like a five year old?!"

"I do." He says simply, walking over to the front of the class. I mumble profanities, picking up my desk and taking a seat, all while glaring daggers at the red haired man. Once everyone is seated, he begins. "Do any of you know what Haki is?"

I hear a mumble of no's and one yes. I glance over and see Luffy being the one who said he knows. I furrow my brows in confusion.

What's Haki?

"You there!" Shanks shouts, pointing at me. "What's you name?"

"(Y/N)." I state, frowning at him.

"Who is your friend in this room? Name only one person."

I look around the room and notice that I don't recognize anyone but Luffy, who waves at me frantically. I turn back to face Shanks.

"Luffy." I say.

Shanks nods to his comrades who stood by the door and they suddenly lurch for Luffy. My eyes widen as one of them holds a knife. Suddenly, I'm grabbed too as the other man holds the blade up to Luffy's neck.

I scream, and try to kick the man holding me. My eyes widen further when I see the blade start to dig into Luffy who I now realize has a seastone shackle that was hastily clamped onto his wrist, draining his energy.

I scream. Louder than before.

Everything goes silent.

Everyone around me start to collapse, falling limp. Including the men who held Luffy and I. But Luffy falls too because of the seastone.

I breathe heavily, my world spinning.

What the hell just happened?

I look up at Shanks in shock as he grins wildly. "You have Conquerors Haki!" He exclaims.

"What?" I seethe, anger coursing through me.

"You have Haki!" He grins. "That was a test!"

I glance at Luffy who's now on the floor. My anger burns worse. I look venomously at Shanks whose expression falters as I march over to him.

"What kind of a test was that?!" I spit out, and slam my fist across his face, sending him flying into the chalk board.

"Ow." He whines. "That hurt."

My eyes narrow dangerously at him. "Never mess with my friends."

With that, I lift Luffy up, throwing him over my shoulder. Without a glance, I walk out the door without being dismissed. In the hall, I meet Zoro who catches sight of me.

"Oi! (Y/N)!" He shouts.

"What?" I demand in a flat voice. still in a sour mood.

"What's wrong with Luffy?" He asks.

"Seastone shackle. Stupid teacher." Is the only explanation I provide, obviously not in the mood to talk.

"Well anyways, do you know where the hand to hand combat room is?" He asks, scratching his head, obviously confused.

"You know class started twenty minutes ago?" I inquire, raising my eyebrow.

He scowls at me. "This school is so confusing!"

I raise my eyebrow further. "And that all the classes are in the same building. Along with the fact that the Combat room is on the other side of the Castle?"

"Shut up." He mumbles, clearly embarrassed. "I was walking with Ussop but he got lost."

"He got lost?" I burst into laughter, completely forgetting my anger from moments before. "I bet he made it to class on time."

"Are you going to help or no?" He huffs sheepishly.

"I will. I have to bring Luffy's to the infirmary anyway. Do you think they have a key for the seastone?" I ask.

"Probably. This school isn't normal."

I laugh, shaking my head in amusement and lead him down the hall. We walk in silence but multiple times Zoro turns into a different hallway causing me to yank him and pull him in the right direction. In the end, I just hold his hand.

"Here." I say, pushing him into to the classroom that he's thirty minutes late for.

"Thanks." He mumbles and walks in.

"No problem." I mumble at his retreating figure.

The people here sure are weird.

I smile a bit and turn in the direction of the infirmary. Time to free Luffy from these stupid sea stone shackles.

~

Laughter rings out all around the table. People throw food at one another, while another steals. Another person tells wild, hilarious stories causing us to erupt in laughter as someone swoons.

I smile. The Strawhats sure are fun.

"(Y/N)!" Ussop smiles, after telling a ridiculous story that Chopper believed. "What kind of adventures have you been on?"

I think for a minute. "Real or fake?" I ask bluntly, referring to Usopp's fake stories.

"Real!" Luffy shouts, in glee.

"Hmm." I pretend to be in thought. "I have none."

"Ehh?" Luffy exclaims in surprise. "Have you never gone on an adventure?!"

I sigh. "I've always wanted to become a pirate. I never got to though."

Luffy stands up on the table. He clambers over in front of me and outstretches a hand, his wide eyes staring straight into mine. "Join our crew!" He demands.

I look away. "No."

"Yes!" He urges stubbornly.

Nami shakes her head. "There's no point in saying no, (Y/N). Once Luffy says yes, there's no changing his mind."

"But our crew is SUPER!" Franky yells, striking his super pose.

Brook the living skeleton laughs. "YOHOHOHO! Luffy-san has said yes. You must join now!"

"Don't worry, (Y/N)! ~" Sanji says, heart eyed. "I'll protect you from any danger!"

"Oh!" Chopper exclaims, excitedly. "You and I can teach each other about medicine!"

Robin smiles. "You don't really have a choice anymore, (Y/N)."

"We still have a match to settle." Zoro grins.

I look up to face them all as they stare at me expectantly. I glance at each one of their faces that are filled with hope. They await eagerly for my answer. I sigh, but smile softly. "I'll think about it. But I have to do something first. Then I'll join." All of them cheer, happily and begin to celebrate by eating and drinking. I laugh, smiling.

"What exactly do you have to do?" Zoro asks me, leaning back in his chair, a drink in his hand.

I continue to look at everyone else. "It's important." I reply quietly, no one else paying attention. "A matter of life and death."

"As a crew we have to help you." Zoro says, taking a sip of his beer.

I turn to face him, puzzled. "But I haven't exactly joined yet."

His lips curl up in a smile. "We still help out all of our friends no matter what."

My gaze softens for a moment as Law's words of advice come back to me.

All my troubles can be forgotten.

I smile brightly, taking a drink as well. "Thanks." I mumble.

"Come on, (Y/N)!" Luffy shouts, standing on the table with Ussop and Chopper. "Let's dance!"

He grabs my hand and pull me onto the table, everyone else in the cafeteria watching. I laugh and ignore them, joining Luffy and the other two in their silly dance. If you can even call it that.

I look happily at the people around me.

My friends.

✥

A/N

New Chapter!

I actually managed to put up another chapter earlier than I said I would! :D

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Question:
Is the story going too fast?

Am I revealing too much already?

It's just that I don't want to expose that much information but I don't want to drag out the story either.

~ mwzxxx

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