#4rticwrites

It’s not like you meant to be attacked and late… and you definitely didn’t plan on being roughed up during this shitty weather. Today had truly taken a turn for the worse. Letting out a soft curse, you attempt to cover your injuries while walking through the closed off town, keeping your head low.

You spot the docks ahead, buried in the fog, yet you don’t relax yet. For all you knew there could be more of them around, just waiting to pounce on you with a cocky expression. Bastards…

The last thing you needed was bringing them back to the sunny, endangering the others.

“I swear…” Shivering under your clothes, your teeth subconsciously chatter as a cold breeze strikes by.

Stepping forward, the smell of the cold breezy ocean greets you; and when the figure-head of the Sunny practically shines like the heavens up ahead, you finally let out a breath.

Your shoulders slump, and you prepare for the drama that lies up ahead. You can spot the crew tying things down, preparing for the storm all while drooling for dinner… as that’s how late you’d been.

They were all going to have your head. And you really didn’t want any of them seeing you like this..

“It’s fine… everything’s fine..” grumbling softly under your breath, you shakily make your way up the gang-plank.

“Oi.” A deep voice shudders over your head, to your right, “What happened to you?” Zoro looks up from what he’s working on, eyes drifting over your form. Well… shit. Maybe the cook did have a reason to worry.

“Huh?! __!” Luffy shouts, jumping down from the ropes. “What happened?!” He mindlessly grabs your shoulders, making you wince.

“I-I’m fine, it was just some bounty hunters—“ without sparing a glance, Luffy emits a war cry.

“Chopperrr!! __’s back!”

“Luffy—“

“Huh? Where is he, he was just on deck!” Luffy huffs, looking back to you. He sends you a reassuring smile, “I’ll go get him, you stay put! Zoro watch after them!”

You groan tiredly into your hands, leaning against the rail. Of course he was gonna cause a ruckus…

As if on cue, your dashingly elegent prince escapes from the kitchen. He immediately echoes your name, looking down from the higher rail. “There back? When? Are they alright?!”

You jolt, looking up. As you lock eyes with the worried cook, Sanji’s eyes widen as he sees your bruised cheek, and lightly bloodied clothes—wondering if it’s your’s… or someone else’s. Please let it be another’s.

“My love!” Hopping down from the rail, the cook gathers you in his arms—gently grabbing your face.

“Sanji..” you mutter, cheeks squished as you place your hands against his wrists. “What happened an’ amour? Who did this to you?”

“I’m okay, I just ran into some trouble—“.“Trouble?! What kind?”

“Stop smothering them, they aren’t a damn kid.” Zoro’s eyes twitch, and Sanji whips around to send the swordsman a glare.

“I know that! But look at them!”

Sighing quietly, you respond. “It’s fine, he’s just worried… andit wasn’t much trouble.” you mutter, wincing as he grazes a slice on your cheek. “I’m fine..”

“Not much?!” Sanji expresses, emphasizing your face, “And fine?!” As another shiver racks through you, he immediately takes off his coat to gently drape it over your shoulders.

“You are not fine! This—this..” his voice trails off, and his teeth clench—eyes momentarily closing. Now wasn’t the time, but inside; he was seething. “Bastards… I’ll kick their asses for ever laying a finger on you.”

You sigh, tiredly leaning into his hands. “I’m okay, I made it back, and they’re already dealt with.”

Dealt… with?

Sanji blinks, as if you just committed an absurd crime in-front of him. “You dealt with them alone?” He mutters, eyes softening. The thought of you being alone, and in danger without any help was not a pretty image.

His hands rest on your body like glass, mind whirring with guilt. “You shouldn’t of had to,” He mutters softly, cut off by Chopper. “I’m sorry—“

“Hey, Sanji! Oh—__, here bring them up!”

The cook trails off, looking up quickly to Chopper then back to you. He let’s a sigh, offering you his hand for support—never straying far.

“We’ll talk later, alright? Let’s just get you better..”

Your arm wraps weakly around his shoulder, and Sanji helps you up the stairs as you pass the crew with a tired, lidded expression: obviously pushed beyond past your limits.

“__! Oh my god—!” “Woah, what happened to you?!”

“Oi! Don’t crowd em’,” Sanji warns, protectively. Keeping you close, his voice slightly lowers, only for you to hear. “Easy, just up a few more steps…”

“Are you sure you don’t need me to carry, you?” He asks, supporting you as you stumble.

“Mhm, m’ fine..” your head falls against his shoulder, eyes closing.

Sanji sighs, gently shaking his head. “Tch.. sure you are.” His jaw tightens when you turn into his chest, eyes fond with concern.

Stubborn idiot.

Stepping up the last stair, Sanji stops for a moment and scoops you up as if you weighed nothing. His arm runs under your legs, while the other supports your head and shoulders.

“Almost there, just keep your eyes open, love,”

His hand squeezes your arm assuringly, cautious of your injuries.

Looking up, Chopper stands by the infirmary calling your two over.

“Here, set them on the bed!” He ushers, pulling out his medical kit. You weakly recline against the bedding, letting out a weak groan.

“You’re alright, easy.” Sanji mutters, “I’m right here, Chopper’s gonna patch you up.”

Closing your eyes, you nod leaning your head against the wall. You can’t remember the time you came crawling back to the ship like this… and to see him so out of place and worried wasn’t something you liked to see. It felt… wrong.

Sanji feigned calm for you, even though his hand trembled slightly by your beside; eyes never leaving your form.

“You’ve lost a bit of blood, but the exhaustion is wearing you down the most… not to mention this weather, how long have you been out in this cold?” Chopper asks, hopping up beside you; beginning to treat up the worst of it.

He gently lifts your shirt up, making Sanji respectively look away. The cook crosses his arms, never leaving the room.

“Not long,” you mumble, eyes closing.

“Not long?” Sanji huffs, seeing you drift. “You’re about to shiver yourself to death.”

“You’re most likely going to catch a cold at this rate,” Chopper adds, sighing, thanking Sanji as the cook pulls a warmer blanket over your legs. “Speaking of, it’d probably best if Sanji makes you something warm—“

“I’m already on it,” Sanji inputs, looking to you one last time before leaving. At the door, he pauses, knuckles tensing at his sides.

“I’ll be right back, let me know if anything happens.”

As 10 minutes pass, Sanji’s stunned as he enters the room to find you fast asleep and snuggled into some fluffy blankets with clean clothes. Well… that went fast. The girl’s probably brought you clean clothes up… he’d have to thank them later.

“How are they?” He asks, passing Chopper Ashe watches you with a fond expression. Placing a warm bowl of broth by your bedside, the silverware clinks softly throughout the room.

“They’ll be alright.” Chopper beams, placing his hands on his hips. “They’re just exhausted, along with blood loss, but they will recover. The cold weather definitely wore them out, though.”

“Right..” leaning a hip against your bed’s mattress, Sanji brushes a few strands of hair from your bandaged face. Tracing the edge of your temple with the pad of his finger, he sighs.

“I should’ve gone with them.”

“You can’t blame yourself Sanji, you know they brush things off easy.” Chopper says, coming up beside the cook.

“They actually asked if you were mad,” he adds, letting out a chuckle.

“They.. what?” He blinks, frozen.

“Yeah, that was my reaction, too.” Chopper responds, checking your vitals.

“I obviously told them you weren’t…” a beat, “but they didn’t seem too convinced.” “It might have been the exhaustion talking, but they fell asleep after that.” Chopper finished, adjusting a loose piece of bandage.

“…” Sanji’s silent as a ghost, eyes lowering. A shadow falls over his eyes, and he quietly sighs.

“Idiot…” he whispers, lowering himself beside your sleeping form. “I could never be mad at you, not even if you hated me.”

Chopper watches quietly, then jumps as if realizing. “Oh, and I’ll let the others know! I totally forgot, please watch them for me!” The doctor scurries quietly out of the room, leaving the two of you alone.

Sanji watches you a moment longer, before sitting at the edge of your bed. His warm hand encases your cold fingers, before gently tucking it under the covers encased in his hold.

“Shishi—took you long enough!” “Yeah..” Zoro wheezes, stiff as a board. “Missed you too.”

Chopper rushes forward, prying the idiot from his crewmate with an oddly strong grip. “Be careful, Luffy!” He says, eyes worried.

“She just took all that time wrapping him up, don’t undo everything…”

“Eh?! I’m not!”

“You kinda are.” Franky sighs, resting his forehead into his paw. Looking up, he watches you crouch with a curious expression.

“You guys sure are something else…” you mumble, resting your hands on your knees. Tilting your head to the side, you spot the orange cat approaching you. She locks eyes with you, as if communicating something.

Is she finally understanding?! Nami thinks, eyes shining with hope. A row of meows escape her, and the others follow—but it doesn’t make sense to you. They’re just cats, they had to be. There couldn’t be another explanation, could there? No. They’re cats, them being anything else would be crazy-talk.

Shrugging off the idea, you figured they were just… special. Lowering your head, you eventually let out a soft yawn. “I don’t know about you guys but I’m going to bed…”

“Ugh, not again!” Nami groans, “She’s clueless!” “No kidding…”

“Robin what do we do?!”

“Honestly? I’m not quite sure.” She admits, pondering on the thought. “This whole situation is quite absurd…”

“Not even the smartest person on the crew knows what to do…” Brook says slowly, looking to the side as Usopp melts dramatically into the floor. “We’re so cooked.” The sniper mumbles, letting out a long huff into his arms.

“God end me now…”

Pushing up from your spot, you yawn softly. “I have work after tomorrow too..” you say quietly, turning around. Nami meows after you in protest, but you’re already walking into your room, oblivious as ever.

“You’ve, GOT. To be kidding me.”

“How did you guys manage to get caught up with such an airhead?” Ussop mumbles into the floor, absolutely defeated.

“She is NOT an airhead!” Sanji suddenly snaps, aura leaking, and radiating from down the hall. “Don’t ever call a woman that!”

Usopp runs rigid, realizing what he said aloud. Quickly scrambling up, he hides behind Brook for protection… yet the skeleton seems rather rattled himself. “Hey! He’s not gonna save you, take it back and apologize to the lady!”

“Yohoho, I really won’t! Angry Sanji is not my cup of tea!”

“She can’t even understand me! And I was just joking—“ letting out a nervous laugh, Nami can only groan at their antics.

“What the hell are we going to do…” she whispers, looking at her paws in thought.

“Well, we could just get to know her.” Luffy suggests, “become friends, and she’ll eventually understand us!”

Oddly enough… Nami doesn’t immediately shut that down. “You aren’t that far off, perhaps we just act more… human-like, and find a way of contact?” Robin suggests.

“She seemed suspicious just now, did she not?” …

Silence echoes, and Nami painfully blinks. Had Luffy just… created another plan?

Humiliated—and dumbstruck, Nami sits rigid, head lowering yet again. “You know what, why do I even try?”

Zoro walks over to Nami, expression calm. “It’s alright, we can’t all be winners.”

“Says the cat who got babied…” The swordsman face run’s red, and he quickly turns the other way. “Shut up. I did not.”

“You so did, Zoro.” Naz scoffs at the thought, smirking. “And you loveddd it—“

“I DID NOT!”

“Shishi, that’s a good idea Robin! Let’s do it!” “Wait, what are we doing?” Chopper asks, looking up from Zoro’s bandaged arm. He’s must have been fixated on making sure Zoro’s been okay this entire time…

“We’ll just fill you in later, bud.” Franky sighs, laughing quietly under his breath.

_________________________________________

The next morning…

Stirring from the gentle shine of the sun, Sanji’s eyes weakly unglue. He shifts on the couch, crushed by the light weight of Chopper… who’s accompanied by Luffy and Usopp.

Since when had that happened?

Crawling out from underneath the pile, he slips off the furniture shaking the sleep from his eyes. Running off the sleep the schedule from the Thousand Sunny, Sanji felt rather groggy.

“Ugh, what time is it,” he mutters, looking into the kitchen.

“Ugh, I can’t smoke and I can’t cook…” he walks painfully into the room, longingly gazing at the cupboards. “What kind of hell is this?”

Thrown out of his comfort zone, he slowly walks around the tiled island, almost stepping on a pile of shattered glass.

“What the…? When did this happen?” His brows furrow, as he tries to recall what happened last night. Huh, that must’ve been before him and Zoro had caught up with you.

“This world seems to be more stressful than others.” Robin suddenly comments, sitting up atop the counter. “She dropped a glass, and collapsed from exhaustion...”

Sanji’s eyes widen, and he tenses. God, he could really use a cigarette right now.

“So,” Sanji voice drawls, avoiding the mess of shards. “She’s got stuff going on?” He asks, walking around the other way. “An understatement, but yes.” Robin answers, rather bluntly.

“I was looking through her bag, and it turns out she moved here recently. Doesn’t have any sort family connections, either; from what I can tell…”

“And you figured that all out, from just looking through her bag?”

“Correct. It seems people in this world carry lots of information with them, she had an ID and all…”

Sanji perks up at that, eyes curious. “What’s her name? Age?” Personally, he thought you looked to young to be living alone. He atleast expected you to live with a roommate of the sorts… but that wasn’t the case, and you seemed rather lonely.

“Her name’s, ___. And she’s __, everything seems awfully new, so nothing out of the ordinary.” Robin says thoughtfully, looking out the kitchen window. It’s almost as if there was a reason you had everything with you, as if you were prepared for something...

“Hm,” Sanji hums, looking at the mess infront of him in thought. Pretty name… pretty face… nothing out of the ordinary, so you really were just unlucky enough to stumble across them?

Well, that crosses off any doubts he had about you, not that he had much to begin with. It’s just, for some reason, there was this radiating pull towards you.. It was rather strange.

“Luckily, ” Robin suddenly starts, “There isn’t a difference in language, other than us being cats, so if we can just figure out how to communicate with her another way, we should be alright.”

Sanji nods, pushing a few pieces of glass into a pile with the back of his paw. “Sound’s like a solid plan…”

“Not necessarily, but we’ll try,” Robin chuckles, “Nami mentioned trying to write, but she couldn’t because of her paws, yet I have a feeling there’s another way around that.”

“Do you remember that black box she always carries around?”

Sanji perks up at that, thinking back to last night. You’d been scrolling on it in bed for hours, showing endless amounts of videos and messages… (not that he’d been staring the entire time, you’d just been too pretty to ignore.)

“So, we’re gonna try and input stuff on it?” He asks, looking up.

“Precisely, it’s just a matter of being able to get ahold of it.”

_________________________________________

Waking up to the obnoxious sound of your alarm, you groan turning your head further into your pillow. Was it really Sunday, already? What happened to your relaxing weekend… so much for rest.

Shifting your arm, you shut off the clock’s alarm and slowly rise from your bed, tired as ever. Weakly lifting your head, it tilts forward when a dizzying spell washes over you.

Ugh, you could just go back to bed for the rest of the day…

Pushing your frizzy hair back, a soft meow stirs you further awake. Looking down, the long-nosed cat stares timidly at you, nudging your knee with his forehead, then, he gleams at you with excited eyes. “Huh? What’re you trynna tell me, hm?”

Before you can pet him, he hops off your bed heading into the living room. Speaking of cat’s, where was everyone, now? You swore more went to bed with you—glancing back, your clock reads 11am. Wow, no wonder it’d been going off…

How many times had you deliriously hit ignore?

Rubbing your eyes, you decide to get up and feed the cats. Crawling out of bed, you slip on some comfortable socks and a warm sweatshirt; enjoying the dusk of your cozy afternoon.

Looking outside, it’s an on-set downpour. Rain clatters against your window, while a constant wind blows at the willow trees—leaving leaves, to flutter and fall past your home. Checking outside, piles of dark green and yellowish leaves continuously clutter in your backyard.

Truth be told, as exhausting as Sunday’s were, you didn’t mind them. They always felt gloomy one way or another, either because of the horrible weather, or upcoming dread of the week, but you loved them at times.

It may also be, because you felt no-one expected anything of you, as this was everyone’s rest day. No work, no cleaning, just pure good earned rest.

“Meoww!!” Flinching from surprise, you look back to find the calico and pink cat at your door. They looked excited, as if proud to show you something they’d done. Like toddlers showing their parents a newly done drawing.

“What’s gotten into you guys..?”

Following the two out, you half expect your living room to be an utter mess. Especially after last night; as you’d crashed into your table, sending books and cups flying, while glass had previously shattered in your kitchen. However, much to your surprise, there was nothing.

Everything was clean, and not even a single speck of dirt was noticed.

“How…”

Blinking, you shift and to rub your eyes, again. Had you cleaned everything before going to bed? You must have, but.. gosh, everything that happened last night was a blur.

“See, told you she’d love it.” Sanji says, sitting comfortable on the sofa’s ledge, “Women love a tidied house.” He adds pridefully, ego shining and smile lifting. Stars twinkle around him, like he’s some charming prince.

”Yeah! She looks super surprised!” Luffy laughs, jumping up on the counter beside you—along with Chopper, and Zoro who’s already resting at the dining table, situated on a pink fuzzy table cloth.

“Uhh… sure.” Nami mutters, watching you slowly lean against the counter with disbelief. “I think she’s currently rethinking her life choices, but whatever you guys think.”

“Perhaps, it was a bit too much to start with.” Robin says thoughtfully.

”You think?” Nami raises a brow.

”Well, it was a nice thing to do, no?” Brook interrupts, “I’m sure she’ll appreciate it when the time comes…”

Usopp sketchily nods, watching you rub your eyes again. “Uh-huh, sure.”

Despipte your denial, the Straw Hat’s had cleaned your house. The glass had been carefully swept up by Sanji and Franky, while the others tended to the living room. It hadn’t taken long with 9 people, especially since the crew worked well together, even if they were in the bodies of cats…

“I must’ve just cleaned it last night, right?” you mutter to yourself. Letting out a groan, you lean tiredly into your shiny counter-top.

“Ugh, I’m too tired to think.” Pushing up, you stretch your arms overhead. “I’m just gonna take a shower..”

—————————————————————

Later that afternoon, you sit comfortably on your couch while scrolliing on your phone. Today, the cats had been much more chatty than normal, meowing at you as if they were trying to talk to you, attempting to get your attention, but… not like any other normal cat. No, these ones had a mind of their own.

And each of them had incredibly different personalities.

Like earlier, when you’d taken a shower and walked out of the bathroom, with only a sports bra and shorts.

The long nosed cat had screeched, covering his eyes with his paws… while the white colored cat, resembling a skeleton—went completely red… leaving the yellow cat, who’d just turned the corner, burst out in a cartoony nosebleed, collapsing back like some dead rodent. Twitching like one too.

Short to say, you were surprised, but not weirded out. Not yet, anyways. You’ve never had animals before, so you didn’t know what to expect. Perhaps this was just a norm you weren’t accustomed to, right?

Silence…. Right?

The next strange thing you witnessed, was the ‘friendship’ between the yellow and green cat, and the orange one who always beat them up. It’d happened a million times now, but the way she scolded them was something else, even making you drop a sweat, and shudder back. Thank god you weren’t them…

The long-nosed cat seemed to agree, always cowering behind you with the pink one—fearing for their life. Which, honestly, you couldn’t blame them. Every-time it happened, which was a lot, the two troubl makers would always come out with a scratch or two.

The third strange thing that had hit you, was literal. You’d been making lunch for yourself; a simple sandwich with chicken, mayonnaise, mustard and your favorite slice of cheese, when the calico had jumped onto your counter like some wild beast.

The yellow cat appeared out of nowhere, defending your food like he’d done it a hundred times before, pummeling the calico into the ground with an exasperated expression.

“Get out of her kitchen, you stupid rubber idiot!”

The experience left you clutching your pearls, or well, food in your case. However, when watching the cat sulk, and slowly leave, he watched you with pleading eyes across the living room; as if begging for your food… which you’d obviously given into, ripping off a small piece of your snack.

The bread and cheese had been swallowed whole in seconds, which left you questioning if he’d never eaten before, but the calico seemed content nonetheless.

Now, sitting exhausted in your seat, it’s only 3 o’clock. This had all happened in the span of a few hours, and as you read one of your book’s, expecting a small moment of peace and quiet… you feel eyes lingering behind you.

Turning to check, you spot the calm dark, purple colored cat, and she seems to be reading with you, as if understanding every word as her eyes trace the page in-front of you.

“A romantic story indeed…” Her expression narrows, as if focusing. (Meow..)

”Huh?” Blinking, you let out a soft sigh and set down your book with a clasp.

Leaning your head back, you close your eyes…

RING

Your phone buzzes, vibrating again and again until you pick it up. “Ugh, who’s blowing up my phone, now?”

It’s an unkown number, and they seem to be spamming you with messages.

”Hey hun, just wanted to let you know i’m back in town!”

“I’ll come stop by your work place and see how things are, I can’t wait to see you!”

Who…?

”And yes, I know you blocked me, but I got a new number! Aren’t you happy?!”

Going rigid, your eyes widen. When did she—a noise echoes from the kitchen making your phone jostle in your hands. You accidentally click on her pfp, and all the messages she had sent you, show read.

“No, dammit—!” letting out a curse, you toss your phone down and turn away from it.

”Shit, what do I do? She’s gonna know I..”

As if on cue, your phone continues to buzz, vibrating agaisnt the glass coffee table with a condescending urgency. Your eyes fill with tears, and you let out another curse.

”Wait—“ Quickly picking up your phone again, you hurriedly open your phone to call your boss. She doesn’t know where you live, maybe where you work, but if you can just not show up, she’ll never have see you… and you won’t have to lay on eyes on her, again.

”Hangie, please pick up.” you beg, fingers gripping your phone tight. Pacing your living room, your heart races, chest aching.

“Come on, Hangie…”

“Woah, what’s going on?” Franky asks, from the kitchen, ears perking up.

”I’m not sure,” Robin says, watching you with concerned eyes.

”Her phone was buzzing, maybe someone she doesn’t want to talk to, got a hold of her?”

As if on cue, Sanji eyes flare. “Anyone who makes my, __ cry is gonna get it!”

”Hold on, tiger—we don’t even know what’s going on.” Nami quickly passes him, jumping up onto the table beside you. She meows, attempting to get your attention, but you don’t even spare her a glance.

You seemed desperate, and much too fixated on your phone.

“Nono, she can’t—ugh please answer Hangie…” Calling your boss one more time, the anticipation builds, and the gruelling ringtone blares in your ears. Seconds feel like forever, and when a robotic voicemail echoes, your heart drops.

You let out a frustrated groan, throwing your phone onto the floor. Chopper’s ears droop when your screen cracks, his expression worrying when you cover your face, and collapse into the couch with a shaky breath.

The slapping sound echoes throughout the apartment, getting the attention of the rest of the crew… followed by a row of weak curses. Zoro peeks out from down the hall with Brook, as they spot you bury your face in your hands, with a teary expression.

The swordsman goes rigid, looking back to Brook who looks just as confused as him.

“What’s goin’ on?” He asks gruffly, walking into the living room. “Why’s she crying?”

”We’re trying to figure that out, too…” Franky mutters, watching Luffy nudge your arm, attempting to soothe you.

“She won’t even look up.”

”Robin, Nami, can you see anything on that thing?” Sanji asks, watching the two hover over your phone. They seem to be messing around with it, on their paws, eyes focused—and much concerned. It’s not everyday someone breaks out crying from a few notifications on the phone… but, Robin figured it was much more than that.

“It doesn’t say who, but they seem to be wanting to see her,” Nami says, looking back to you. She frowns when you gently push Luffy away, letting out a shuddering breath.

“How did she even get my number?” you mutter to yourself, voice laced with frustration. “I literally blocked her, there’s no way she could’ve gotten it!”

Zoro’s eyes narrow when you mention a ‘she.’

So, some girl was giving you trouble then, huh? Was that what all this living alone thing, was about?

Rubbing your tears away, you let out a frustrated groan. Moving to pick up your phone, you carefully brush past Nami and Robin who watch you expectantly…

“Dammit, how do I get out of this?” you mutter, glimpsing over the screen.

”Oh, you actually read my messages! I’ll see you tomorrow then, hun.” Cringing, you exit out of messages and look to your call-list.

Who else could you contact to try and get out of work? Maybe a friend could clock in for you—maybe… Maddie. She didn’t usually work monday’s, but you could try, and if anything you could just make an excuse on why you can’t go, and she could contact your boss for you.

She’s close with her anyways, and Maddie knows you well. You never skip unless you have to. Quickly hitting her contact info, your phone rings again, echoing throughout the living room.

”Who’s she trying to call, now?”

”I’m not sure, but she looks less worried..”

Luckily, the call get’s answered. “Maddie?” you ask quickly, “Hey, you there?” “__? Yeah? What’s goin’ on? You sound horrible!”

Sniffling, you let out an uneasy laugh. “Nono, I’m fine! I mean—I’m not, I think im coming down with a fever.”

”Fever?” Chopper blinks, looking up at you. “But you arent burning up at all…”

”It’s an excuse, Chopper.” Robin says, “I think she’s trying to get out of work.” “But why?” Sanji asks, “She seems to love being busy…”

”It’s to avoid whoever wants to see her, that girl—or who texted her and said she was gonna stop by her work.”

”Oh..” Chopper mutters, ears drooping. “She seemed so upset about it, I thought it was more than that.”

“It might just be,” Robin says carefully, watching you try and make an excuse for yourself.

“Oh! I’m so sorry to hear, do you need me to fill in, love?”

”Uh—yes!” you answer too quickly, sniffling again. Wiping your tears, you let out a relieved breath, “Yes, I mean yes please, I owe you one!”

”Love, you’re totally fine! That’s why I’m around, to help—don’t worry about it!”

”Still, thank you so much Maddie…”

”Dont. Worry, about it, you’re completely fine.” She says firmly, “Just rest as much as you can, I’ll let Hangie know for you.”

”Thank you!”

”Hangie must be her boss, huh..” Sanji mutters, solemnly, quietly wishing for a cigarette. “Yeah, Maddie’s probably a friend or smth,” Usopp adds, watching you hang up, and slowly set down the phone.

Everyone watches you let out a breath, collapsing into the coffee table again…. A moment goes by before Franky speaks up, “So, someone’s probably giving her trouble.”

”Yeah, but the question is who. And why…”

Zoro sighs, looking away for a moment before speaking up. “You know, it’s not our business. Besides, we’re cats and we can’t do anything about it.”

Sanji tenses, sending a glare Zoro’s way. “That’s a lie, we can always do something!”

”Really?” The swordsman raises a brow, challenging the cook.

”You know for a fact we can’t, look around. Look at yourself in a mirror.”

“You—“

“Remeber you two, she already handled it. The woman wanted to see her at work, and now she’s not going.” Robin interrupts before an argument can ensue.

“Zoro’s right, it’s not our business. It’s her personal life.” Chopper watches quietly, looking up to Luffy who sits beside you rather tensely.

”But, Robin, you looked through her thing with Nami—“

”Yes, to make sure it wasn’t anything dangerous.” Robin says factually, “We know nothing of this world, and nothing of her life. We still don’t know how we got here.”

Usopp shifts, “She’s right, and we still don’t know how to get back…” Silence echoes, leaving an uncomfortable ache to fill the room.

”Man, this sucks.” Franky mutters, “Not super, at all.”

“No kidding…” Sanji grumbles, watching you wipe your tears.

——————————————————————

Later that night, your home was rather quiet compared to the chaotic morning. Even Luffy—who was up and running around, sat moping on your couch with a few others, as they watched a movie you’d put on for them.

You stand quietly in the kitchen making dinner, glancing over your shoulder every now and then.

Even you felt the shift… and you silently wondered if it was your fault. You’d nudged Luffy away earlier, when you were crying, but that wouldn’t explain everyone else.

Shifting the steaming pan in hand, you toss the grilled veggies to put them on some rice. Smoke rises overhead, being sucked into the whirring fan and oven exhaust, overhead.

Clicking softly with your tongue, you offer some treats in a few small bowls you’d placed near the back-door.

But, no one comes, not even the food-crazy Calico. Standing alone in the kitchen, you sigh.

You must be missing something, but nothing has worked. Not treats, pets—cuddles, going outside—nothing peaked their interest. You felt horrible, and you didn’t know why. They were just cat’s so… why did you feel so hurt, and emotional over their apparent struggle?

Could cats get depressed, too?

Well, at-least you could satisfy one of them. Earlier, after that episode of emotions, the calmest cat here had been messing with your phone in the living room, attempting to scroll and click buttons, as if it was a toy. You found it funny, so you let her have it while you kept yourself busy. You didn’t need to be procrastinating on it anyways…

“Everyone, I think I’ve got it.” Robin mutters, clicking on an empty google document.

“It’s hard to maneuver, but I think she’ll understand.”

“Really?!” Brook and Luffy chime, hurrying over. Nami’s ears perk up as she looks up from the couch. “What, how!? This thing’s so advanced, compared to any normal transponder snail…”

”Well it says on the buttons what things are, and the lettering is quite easy to understand if you can get the hang of it.” Her voice trails off in thought, “I think it’s what they call a keyboard.”

”Shishi! You’re so cool Robin!”

”Wow..” Usopp mutters, coming up from behind Luffy.

“So, we can really try and talk to her?” Sanji asks, eyes hopeful. “Do you think it’ll work?”

”Yes, someone just needs to get her attention…” “Oh! I’ve got it!” Luffy beams, immediately meowing as loud as he can.

“Luffy—!“

”Ow!” you wince, covering your ears. You think that’s the loudest you’ve ever heard him, and so out of the blue after everything… and that’s coming from the loudest cat here.

”What’s wrong?!”

Quickly passing the counter, you step over Zoro who sits like a rock—watching you with a flat expression. “Sorry, you wouldn’t move!”

“Meow..” You coulda’ asked.

Rounding the sofa, you see all the cats grouped together in a small circle…

Which reminds you of the time you found the first three; huddled together in a cardboard box, with a makeshift toy candle in the middle of them.

“What’s…”

A few of them meow, as if signaling you to come closer. Curiously, you kneel down and look to your phone, which they still seem to be fixated with. “Huh? How long have you been messing with this??”

Glancing at the purple cat, she gestures gently with her paw to the phone’s screen. Looking down… a written in google doc stands before you, and it’s not one you recognize working on.

Your eyes widen.

”Wait—did you—“ leaning over some of the cat’s, you read what’s typed.

Please don’t panic, we’re not aliens, and we aren’t cat’s either. We’re human, and someone made us this way, and we can’t get home.

Pausing, you read the message before you, again… and again.

Was this really happening? After the last few days, and all the weird things that you’ve experienced with these cats, they… really were, people?

Leaning back, you sit expressionless on your knees. It would make sense, but—god this is too crazy.

“This isn’t real…”

Robin gestures to the phone again, awkwardly moving her paws to type the next sentence.

It is very real, and we need your help.

”Oh.. you understand me. Wait—you’re typing my language of course you can understand me.” Rambling quietly to yourself, you blink, gently shaking your head.

”I’m sorry to hear that, that’s gotta be crazy…” A bunch of the cats nod, but Sanji—the yellow one, seems to be the most irritated. He’s probably missing his entire life right now…

“Uhm, well, Who… turned you? Do you know?” Based off their next reaction, they clearly don’t. The green cat growls—if that’s even possible as a cat, as if grumbling something underneath his breath. “Ok, I’ll take that as a no, then.”

Rubbing the back of your neck, you look around for an answer.

“Well, do you know where you live?”

The cat before you texts again; We believe we aren’t from here.

Huh?

”Like, out of town? Or out of state?” various heads shake, and your voice withers. “…Country?”

We believe we aren’t from this world.

You blink, slowly, and painfully as you process.

”Alright, uh, ok…” you rub your face again, whispering quietly to yourself. “Im not crazy, im NOT crazy, this is happening, and this is very real.”

Pinching yourself sharply, you wince shifting your forearm. You let out a long breath, watching carefully as the cat types again.

My name is Robin, and the two beside you are Usopp and Zoro. Brook is the white cat across from you.

The three cats nod in response, but the only thing you can imagine is the fact that you’d been babying these animals, correction—people for the last few days. Ugh, how embarrassing but, that would explain all the human-like qualities, how had you convinced yourself they weren’t people?

Talk about utter denial…

Shaking your head, you let out an embarrassed laugh. ”Oh—well, nice to meet you?”

“Meow!” Nice to meet you too.

The one yelling beside you is Luffy, and to my right is Nami, and the two to my left is Chopper and Franky in that order.

Slowly, you adjust to their names, instead of just calling them all ‘kitty kitty…’

You’d still been deciding names, calling them makeshift nicknames along the way. The most accurate one you’d managed, was Thing 1 and Thing 2, and that was only for Luffy and Nami.

”It’s nice to know your names—I think, thank you Robin,” you say, looking all of them over. “I’m not really sure what to say, I didn’t even know magic existed until now…”

”Huh?!” Usopp and Nami blurt, “There’s nothing like that here?”

Robin quickly types again; So I’m assuming you don’t know anything about this? You chuckle, gently shaking your head. “No, I’m sorry I don’t..”

The cat in-front of you nods, then she looks to Nami as they seem to discuss something.

Then, as if deciding, she begins to type again.

Will you be willing to let us stay here, knowing we’re people and from another world?

…Would you?

You’ve already had them in your home for awhile, and it’s not like you didn’t mind the company..

But, you knew nothing about these people. Sure, maybe their names, but not where they were from or who they really were…

“I…” your words trail off, and you quietly look to Luffy. In the reality of it all; you never felt unsafe once, even if they were just in the bodies of cats. They had cleaned your home, attempted to comfort you, and never once showed a single sign of hostility…

It couldn’t hurt, could it? Letting out a sigh, you smile softly. “You can, I’m not just gonna kick you out,” you chuckle, resting your hands on your knees.

“I’ll do anything I can to help, but I uhm, don’t know much about whatever’s going on, but you can stay here as long as you need.”

Collectively, the group seems to relax, letting out quiet exhales.

Thank you, we really appreciate it.

Luffy walks up to you, beaming with a loud meow.

“Of course, anytime,” you mutter, letting out a sigh as you gently pet his head. “It’s just a lot to wrap my head around, I mean…”

Looking around, 9 cats—or well, 9 people surround you looking at you with curious eyes.

“Hmm, well what are you going to do in the meantime?” Everyone seems to go quiet at that, unsure of what to say, until Nami walks over to the phone, clumsily inputting a message.

Is thre a library aruond here?

You blink, nodding. “Yeah, there’s actually one down the street from here!” Nami seems to light up at that, quickly texting again.

Do yuo think you could take us?

“Uhh… not tonight, it’s Sunday, and everything’s closed,” you start, watching her face, “But, sometime tomorrow I could take you?”

She lights up, and you smile in relief.

“Alright, then it’s settled! I’ll take some of you guys in tomorrow.”

“So…” Luffy drawls, laying on the kitchen counter. A crumpled Cheeto bags sits across from him, and his paws are lightly stained orange—even though, Nami had shoved him in the sink to wash off. “…Where do we start?”

The stove’s clock reads 10 in the morning, and it tics to 10:01. Originally, Nami had planned to try and write you something to show they weren’t actually cats… but her paw’s made it impossible to do so. And, Franky had mentioned bugging you was a possibility, but neither of them knew how you’d react to a bunch of cats trying to communicate with you.

Besides—you had taken the effort to home and feed them, and the last thing they needed on top of all of this was to be kicked out on the street. Besides, no one knew how you’d react; as they’d just met you. So overall: they were stuck without a clue.

“I don’t know.” Nami says, looking up at the TV with a defeated expression. “We’ll just have to wait till we can get out, and look around…”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea, Nami?” Chopper asks, sitting up. “What if she understands, and— what if we get lost?”

“We won’t, Chopper. And we can’t rely on someone we don’t know, I know she’s taken us in, but… I just don’t want to take that chance.” “…”

“We’ll just have to look on her own.”

Chopper grows quiet, looking down. Luffy looks at the ceiling with an unreadable expression, as if he’s… actually trying to think?

“Why don’t we just sneak out with Bread Lady, when she goes out?” He blurts, a lightbulb appearing over his head. “She’s probably got stuff to do around town, we could just hide in her bag.” “…”

It’s dead quiet for a moment, as if everyone is registering what Luffy has just said. “That’s… not a bad idea.” Nami mutters, looking up.

“Wow, he actually said something smart.” Franky says, raising a brow. “I never knew you had it in you!”

“Hey!” Luffy snips, sitting up. He glares at the two, continuing. “Have a little faith in your captain! I’m not stupid.”

“Sure, you aren’t,” Nami sarcastically replies. Then, looking down at the remote, and peeking past the hall to your room—she forms an idea. You’ve been asleep for awhile, but once you realize Luffy had eaten all your food—you’d probably need to go to the store… and out into town.

“You know that duffle she always carries? We can just sneak into that, when she goes out.” Nami voices, looking at the others. “We—“

“What?!” Chopper squeaks, “There’s no way she won’t notice!” “Maybe, if it’s all of us, but two of us can go. She might notice Franky, though, so you’re out of the picture.”

Franky glares at Nami, his stormy eyes narrowing. “Hey! It’s not like I chose this!”

“I know—but anyways,” Nami pipes, balling her paws into determined fists. “Me and Luffy can go when she leaves, she might think to pick up cat-food, and we’ll get to peek around.”

“Sweet, I can’t wait to explore!” Luffy shouts, yet Nami’s quick to interrupt him. “If you go with me, you need to be quiet. We can’t wander off, and leave the bag!”

“Aww.. but—“

“No but’s lil’ bro, if you’re going with Nami, you need to listen to her.” Franky deadpans, “The last thing we need is you getting lost.” Growing quiet, Luffy presses his lips together with a frown. “Fine..” he grumbles, laying back down on the counter… “Buzzkill…”

“But—Nami, she isn’t even up yet, how are you gonna do that?” Chopper asks, pausing at her cheeky expression.

“Don’t worry, I’ll have her up. You guys will just have to mind some music!”

_________________________________________

Dreaming peacefully, you’re surrounded in a tropical vacation, of luxurious seafoods and sushi boards. The sun is radiant, tanning your skin as you sip a cool mocktail in an open restaurant—yet suddenly, it all disappears. Your ears suddenly ring, as bass-boosted Metallica blasts through the house.

“CRAWLING CHAOS UNDERGROUNDDDD!!“

Jerking up, your heart races. What the hell?!

You a stumble out of bed in a baggy shirt and shorts—tripping over your blanket into the wall. Who the hell turned the TV on?! You cover your ears, blowing your birdsnest of a hairdo out of your face.

“CULT HAS SUMMONED TWISTED SOUND—“

Hurrying down the hall, you use the wall for balance—ugh, you needed to take your morning meds. What even time was it?? Looking into the living room, an orange innocent looking cat covers her ears, while she sits on your black remote. The others sit across the room, minding their own business—but watching you out of the corner of their eyes.

“You—!!” Kneeling to gently push her off, you grab the remote and shut the TV off. “What was that for?” Sending the cat a sharp glare, she casually walks away, and her tail sways.

Looking at your oven’s clock—it’s 10, and your fridge is wide open, registering completely empty.

“No. Fucking. Way.”

With disbelief covering your face, you walk over to the kitchen spotting empty chip bags along the counter—then, you coincidentally lock eyes with the affectionate Calico… who blinks cheekily at you. “Did you do this?” you ask, your tone sharp.

The calico quickly pales, immediately scurrying off the counter and under the kitchen table. “You have got to be kidding me! I gave you a bunch of chicken last night!”

“Well, that’s never stopped him..” Nami mutters, watching your flaming form head furiously into the kitchen. “At least it’s not me...”

“Meow..”

“How did you even open it?!” Grabbing the warm fridge door, you let out a cuss as you spot empty dishes littered in the fridge.

Your leftovers are gone, and your food has been completely demolished. “There’s no way a single cat ate all this, you’re gonna be sick!”

Your frustration grows, and you hit your head against the metal. You feel like strangling him, but you can’t be mad at the cat—he’d probably been starving on the street for days.

Regardless, no normal animal could eat all this! A guiltly meow follows after that thought, and you slowly turn towards the table. Worriedly, you think of how sick he might get, there was so many calories, salts, and junk food—

Looking under the table, the calico looks at you with a guilty expression. “Did you throw up anywhere??”

“Meow!” “I’ll take that as a no?”

“Meow..?”

Groaning, you lower your head. These cats were NOT going to be a piece of cake, not only did they raid your fridge but—your stomach growls, cutting you off…

Immediately, you think of a warm breakfast you don’t have the ingredients to make.

“How come you aren’t the fat one?” You glare, tiredly resting against the table with a groan. “Meow?!”

Least to say, you took a shower and got ready to head out. You hadn’t planned on going anywhere today, as it was your rare day off—but of course the cats you’d brought home had other ideas.

Slipping on your socks, you grab your sneakers and brush your hair out of your face. Looking at the calico and orange cat from the couch, you deadpan. “I’m gonna name you, thing one and thing two. I can’t believe you.”

The orange cat looks offended, her eyes widening—but the multicolored one simply meows tilting his head. Walking towards the front door, you take out your phone out of your pocket and check for any notifications…

Yet—of course, no one’s texted you. Not friends, talking stages, family— absolutely nothing. Not even on a Friday night, did anyone think to reach out to text you… You had a feeling this was going to be a longgg, day.

Taking your lightweighted duffle from it’s hanger, you set it down and look through it for cash—as you don’t find any you push it aside. Where the hell had you put your wallet? Your room?

Letting out a frustrated huff, your patience wears thin as you push off you feet and head into your room. Slipping past your door, you’re unaware of the two cat’s that unzip and sneak into your bag, covering themselves with your gray comfy sweatshirt.

Distantly, your angry shout rings from your room. “Ugh, where’s is it?!”

Chopper curiously peeks down the hall, watching a shoe fly from your room and hit against the bathroom door. He flinches, hopping back. “Nami, are you sure you didn’t go overboard?”

“Yes, I’m sure! And I’m not the one who ate all her food!” Your duffle jerks up, and Luffy suddenly yelps.

“Hey—I already said I was sorry!” “She can’t understand that!”

Franky watches calmly from the couch as the duffle moves. “Maybe Chopper should’ve gone…”

“You think?” The little doctor asks, coming up beside the blue heavyset cat.

Franky shrugs, looking back, “She’ll keep him in check, I don’t know about our owner here though…”

“She’s a lot like Nami.” He mutters, watching another set of clothes fly from your room. “A little too much like Nami,” Franky agrees, stiffly looking back to the duffle.

“Hey—she’s on her way back, keep still!” “But Nami won’t stop hitting me!!”

_________________________________________

Sitting peacefully in the city bus, you listen to music as you scroll through Pinterest on your phone. There are photos of DIY crafts, ranging from beading, to asthetic wallpapers—and banners of your favorite one piece characters.

Some more… revealing than others, and you quickly switch to another app. Setting down your phone for a moment, you look out the window to collect yourself.

Hopefully no one saw that.

(And thank god, Nami and Luffy were tucked away in your bag.)

Watching the roads blur, as houses swiftly zoom by, you rest your cheek against the window. Looking back to your phone, you click open notes and look at your budget for grocery options…

Cat food, for sure. Otherwise you’d starve, and orange chicken sounded good for dinner. You could probably just pick a meal pack up from Safeway’s Deli. Even thinking of the meal made your mouth water..

Closing your eyes, you watch the scenery as you grow lost in your music. Some songs are sadder than others, but you can’t help but drift off.

The longer you zone off, the more crowded and loud the city get’s. You were heading further into town, something you dreaded when you got used to the quiet. Everything began to grew overwhelming as you stepped off the bus, and as you saw a group of teens walking towards you—it definitely didn’t help.

Quickly looking away, you walk the opposite direction on your way to the store… not noticing the zipper that slowly opens from your bag. Nami’s almost as curious as Luffy is, and she can’t help herself. Speaking of the captain, his head comically pops up beside her watching cars zoom by.

“Wow! This place is huge!” Stars light up in his eyes, spotting food carts his mouth water’s, “Nami can we—“

“Restrain yourself.” She glares. “We aren’t here for grocery shopping.” “…”

“I thought we were??”

Nami’s brow tics, and she has to look away to compose herself. “She is, but we aren’t. We’re keeping an eye out for the others, remember??”

“Uhh, oh yeah!”

“Wasn’t this your idea!? Ugh, never mind. Why’d I even ask…” Luffy loses focus, looking back to the loud roads. “Woah—look at that cool yellow one!! It’s looks like Sunny!!”

“Usopp would love this!!” Unaware of how loud he is, Nami clamps a paw over his mouth. “Shh! She can still hear us you idiot!” Looking back, you seem off in your own world as music echoes faintly from your headphones.

“Nevermind..” she sighs, letting him go. “Just be quiet.”

A few minutes pass, and the scenary has changed in an instant. It’s much more quiet, as the buildings look older, and the sidewalks grow messier. Trash litters the walk-ways, and paper bags and plastic straws sit in the grouts between the roads and sidewalk.

You’re aren’t minding the change—much used to it, yet Nami and Luffy aren’t, and they can’t help but eel the shift. You seem far too calm for such a shady street…

“Yo’ headphones!” Someone shouts, coming from a gas stations side-front. “Watch yah up to!?” A man’s voice sounds again, and he wears baggy clothes, with a broken cigarette in his mouth.

Nami grimaces at his poorly done beard, and Luffy blinks watching the idiot stumble over his feet. Was he drunk, or just a crackhead? Finally picking up on a noise, anxiety spikes and your senses prickle. You slowly lift your earpiece to the side, and look over your shoulder.

“Pretty girl, where you goin?” Not bothering to look back, you walk faster and much closer to the road where people can see you. It wasn’t out of the blue to get cat-called, but it still scared you regardless

You assumed it was only so long, till something happened.

“If only I had my clima-tact..” Nami hisses, “Stupid punk.”

“He would’ve been in the ground right now, if I had my fists.” Luffy mutters, glaring at the man as he rests his head on the zipper. He felt like lunging at the man, but he stays back trusting you can handle yourself.

Relying on your intuition, you look both ways before crossing the street. You figured if he was that determined he’d follow you, and worse case scenario you could just book it into a grocery store nearby.

Skipping over the lawn between the road and sidewalk, you look back to see him flip you off and cuss you out before turning away. You scoff under your breath, returning the favor as you put your headphones back on.

“What an asshole… I need to get a tazer.” “Agreed.” Nami grumbles, watching Luffy glare daggers at the man who walks into a darkened alley.

_________________________________________

You’re in and out of the grocery store in seconds, you hate crowded places, especially in-town like this. And you wouldn’t last another minute in that crowded, stuffy store.

However, unaware as you are—Luffy had practically drooled all over your back-pack, which had grossed out Nami, who kept as far as a distance as she could. At least, in the store he hadn’t jumped out…

Walking down the sidewalk, with groceries hung over your shoulder, the plastic bites into your collar and you sigh. You hate grocery shopping, and what’s worse is that they were out of cat food… so not only did you go out on your day off, but you now have to walk further to pet-co. Or, some nearby pet-store.

Passing Panda Express, you walk further down the road and spot a small home-owned pet-shop close to a mall. A large sign says ‘adoption available’ and you can’t help but be drawn towards it.

Stepping inside the shop, your attention sparks. It smells of call litter and musty bird seed—yet a refreshing smell of chamomile, from the incense sticks by the front door, calm the mix of scents. You look at the counter and spot an older man, who waves, smiling sincerely at you.

Warmly, you return the gesture and look around. The tiles are oddly clean, aside from the faint dusty marks on the floor, and there are only three aisle’s to look through. At the very end, you spot a glass sealed cage, yet it’s covered by a fake plant.

Curious, you make your way to it while looking for cat food. Everything seems oddly cheap—yet legit, and you can’t help but be grateful. Picking up a bag, you read the back and put it under your arm. The plastic is thick, a dark purple plastic that’s slippery, as you struggle to get a good grip.

Letting out a sigh, you drop it down and walk over to the glass—spotting 3 oddly colored cats. You pause, watching one cry as its face is smushed against the glass. The dark purple colored cat—seems oddly calm, gently comforting the brown tabby, while a white one with black accents looks curiously at you.

“Awh, hi there..” you mutter, putting your hand against the glass. You lower yourself, looking up at the cats.

“I just got them in from someone yesterday! They are the sweetest things!” The shopkeeper interrupts, leaning against the counter. “They are running for a discount, too!” He wears a too cheery expression, yet you’re too drawn to the cats to notice it.

“I HATE THIS PLACE!!” Usopp cries, meowing against the glass as he dramatically collapses into Robin. “This is humiliating!”

“It really isn’t.. no one actually knows we’re people, Usopp.” Robin comments, gently patting his head with her paw. “This is the first person who’s stopped by, and actually looked at us though…”

“Right, because who would want a purple cat—and one, that looks like a skeleton! At-least I seem normal!”

“I beg to differ, your nose is oddly long.” Brook blurts, watching Usopp out of the corner of his eye. Seeing the sniper glare, Brook backs up. “yohoho, not that it’s a bad thing—“

“Well the way you said it—it is!”

Struck with the sounds of their crew, Nami and Luffy immediately peek out from your bag, resting their heads on your shoulder.

All-together, the 5 cats freeze, blinking owlishly at eachother…. “L-LUFFY?!” Usopp and Brook shout.

“OH MY GOD ROBIN!” Nami cries, startling you with her loud meow. “I’VE MISSED YOU SO MUCH—“

You flinch, standing up and you quickly turn around. “Oops!—“ Nami and Luffy jump off, as your hands reach back, then, they land clumsily on the floor.

“I thought you said to be quiet!” Luffy says, eyeing the navigator. She glares back, looking at the others—then you. “Well, I was having a moment!!”

“What?! Why are you guys with her?!” Usopp shouts, clinging to the glass. “OH MY GOD—“

“Not the time! We’ll explain this later!” “Oh dear…”

“How the—how didn’t I notice you?!” You startle, shoulders tight. Your heart races, had any of the others snuck out without you noticing? Then, your heart pangs as the shop keeper speaks… spotting your oddly colored cats on the floor.

“Uhm, ma’m you can’t have free wandering pets in the store!”

“I-I know, I’m sorry! I didn’t—I uhm,” your voice trails off, and you groan—leaning into your hands. “Sorry, I’ll pick them up right away!”

Scooping up Nami, she yelps and clings to your arm. Luffy scrambles away, jumping up onto the glass cage to try and get to the others. “What are you doing you idiot!!” Nami snips, hanging awkwardly in your arms.

“Getting them out—“

“That is not how this works!”

“Get DOWN!” You protest, eyes panicked. Luffy hesitates as he sees your expression, yet when you try and grab him—he can’t help but scurry away. He needs to get to his crew… but he doesn’t like seeing you look like that.

“Robin, how do I open this thing?!”

“It’s a slider door, Luffy.” She says calmly, chuckling as she watches you stand on your tip-toes to try and grab the hurried cat. Nami looks painfully through the glass, sighing. “This is normal by the way.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised, but you are lucky you were homed by such a beautiful lady!” Brook says, watching Luffy get caught in your grasp by the scruff.

“I hope I get to see her panties—“

“Not the time, Brook!”

“And he’s going down..” Usopp comments, looking up through his paws. You pull Luffy into your hold, putting him into an iron grip.

“Ma’m, please be careful!” “I-I’m sorry, I am! He just had a lot of energy, I sincerely apologize!”

Underneath all the chaos, you get a hold on Luffy, settling the cat down. “I can’t believe you..” you mumble, looking exhaustedly down at the cat.

The shop owner comes over, assessing the damage with a keen expression, a deal already on his mind. “Well, you certainly have your hands full..” he mutters, “Is he neutered?”

“AM I WHAT?!” Luffy jerks in your hold—

_________________________________________

After a long nice chat with the shop owner, the calico had completely destroyed the shop. The mesh slider had been shredded, and the nearby necessities were damaged and destroyed… you had been brought to tears thinking you’d had to pay for it…

Yet oddly enough, he offered another proposition.

“Well… I do need to get these cats off my hands, and your pet has destroyed a bit of my property, but—I’ll make you a deal.” Your heart lights up, and Luffy looks as guilty as child who knows what he’s done wrong.

“You take them all for a 150, they’ve been a pain since they’ve arrived, and it’ll pay for most of the damage.” The shop keeper sighs, looking to the three cats who watch quietly from the glass.

(He didn’t say how odd he felt around them, nor how human-like they acted, but—he wanted them gone regardless.)

“I—uhm,” you hesitate at the offer, looking to the two cats in your arms—then the ones behind the glass. You already have three cat’s, though what could 3 more on-top of that do? You had your hands full, sure… but—you would have to pay much more; and you wouldn’t be able to afford that, if you didn’t take them.

“I… Alright,” you mutter, setting Luffy and Nami down. “Thank you for your kindness, really—I appreciate it.”

“Great! And no worries, I’m sure this is a blessing in disguise!” Letting out a shaky laugh, you can’t help but agree—attempting to shake away your dread.

For him, sure. But you? 6 cats was a lot… you couldn’t just leave them though. For some reason the two who had come with, seemed far too attached to leave. You silently wondered if they were related in some-way… and as the shop owner gave you a kennel that rolled, you watched them meow and chat away without a care.

Letting out a sigh, you set the crate down and help the shop keeper put them inside… they aren’t cramped—oddly enough, and the rolling kennel is bougie enough almost all of them have enough room to lay room…

Snorting, you watch one hit the other and you close the gate, biding your farewell to the shop-keeper.

He watches—but not with envy. He’s uneased as he watches you leave, as not only were those the weirdest cats he had ever seen… but how well you clicked with them. He had never seen a bunch so odd, and he had seen many pets and their owner pairs.

Walking tiredly through the sidewalk of Oregon, you finally rest at a long awaited bus-stop. After today?… You just wanted to go home.

You’d been creeped on, embarrassed, let-down, exhausted—the list went painstakingly on, and the last thing you needed was for something else to happen.

By the time you’d gotten on the bus with the roll on crate, you collapsed in your seat… your lids drooped and you leaned tiredly into your hands. You didn’t even have the energy to check your phone…

The bus drove forward, and with a soft click and hiss, the sun finally began to set. The lights weakly dimmed a faint blue, and the floor hummed beneath your feet… drifting off, the last thing you hear is a soft, concerned meow.

————————————————————————

“This is oddly familiar,” Nami mutters, looking up through the mesh holes to your form. “When she picked us up from that alley, she passed out like this too.”

“Hmm, I wonder why.” Usopp mutters, watching Luffy out of the corner of his eye. “You didn’t need to do all that!”

“Do all of what? I just wanted to get you guys out… besides,” Luffy looks away, sitting closer to your form than anyone else. “It worked out in the end, just like I knew it would! We’re all-together…”

“Expect, Zoro and Sanji,” Robin interupts, watching Brook fiddle with his nails. It must kill him not having a musical instrument on hand…

“Right,” Nami mutters, grumbling something under her breath. “Who knows where those two are, they’re probably all the way across town by now—and that’s even if they’re together.”

“Who knows, maybe Zoro will get stuck in a chimney, again,” Usopp comments, snorting behind his paw. Nami cracks a smile, shaking her head—her ear softly twitches.

“Yeah, if only…” looking to Luffy, he seems rather quiet practically at your feet.

Shaking her head, she looks back. “Have you discovered anything, Robin?” Nami asks, looking back to the archeologist. The purple cat looks fondly at her paws, for once—zoning… off?

“Robin?” Usopp asks, waving his paw. “Oh, I’m sorry.” Robin mutters, “I was distracted by my paws, they are rather…cute..”

“Ugh, not you too…!”

“Yohoho—she’s right! I feel so warm and fuzzy, compared to my cold bones!” Brook’s voice trails off, as he flexes his paws… his thoughts travel back to when he had skin—a real face, and a bodily warmth…

Brook missed those times, yet if he had never died, he would have never met this crew… and knowing that, he was happy with how everything turned out, even if it was a little rough like his bones…

“Dammnit! We just went in a goddamn circle, moss-head!” Sanji hisses, glaring at Zoro who seems indifferent, until a light yellow paw smacks his green fuzzy head.

“Hey!” He snaps, looking to the side.

“You followed, ME! Not the other way around!”

Sanji scoffs, ignoring him as he walks forwards.

“No, I made sure we stuck together—and you, didn’t listen and ran us back to the same damn place we started!” His tail snaps to the side, and his swirly brows furrow, glaring at the loud buzzing roads.

The two cats sit in a shallow alley, which is a mildewy mess, covered in wet cardboard boxes and dumpster trash. “I hate this place.” He sighs, lowering his head. “I hope Nami-Swan, and my dear Robin are alright..”

Zoro decides to hold his tounge, eye twitching. Of course you’re thinking about women...

“They’re fine, they can take care of themselves.” He manages, voice low. Looking up at the sky, Zoro spots a metal staircase heading to the rooftops. They might be able to see the city better from there…

“Oi, let’s get a better look.” He suggests. “Huh—?“ turning his head, Sanji spots the green cat; clumsily climbing an old, rusty stairway.

“Great idea..” he grumbles, watching the entire thing shake. And It looks like it’s about to give away any second…

Yet, Sanji doesn’t think he’d mind watching the idiot fall to his doom. After waiting a few seconds for Zoro to fall, he finally heads up after him. “Hey, wait up for me!”

“Yeah right! Get lost!”

Hopping up the last grate platform, Zoro parks his head over the building’s ledge, climbing onto the concrete roof. It’s warm against his paws, due to the sun and muggy climate.

“What do you see?!”

Impatiently, Sanji calls Zoro’s name—yet, he doesn’t seem to respond. The view in-front of the green cat left him speechless. It was outlandish, something he’d never seen, nor felt before; as the air was off here—thicker, making his sensitive nose twitch.

Smoke rose from a few buildings ahead, creating who knows what, and like rivers and secret paths; roads stretched for miles, with flickering traffic lights and zooming cars. They were completely lost.

Not only in another world—but different bodies, with zero strength or knowledge of where they were.

Short to say, they were royally fucked. “Woah..” Sanji breathes, letting out a gasp as he climbs up.

“This place is huge.” He mutters, looking around. Subconsciously, he feels the need to reach for a cigarette, yet his paw reaches no pocket—only fur.

“That’s just great…” he rumbles. It’s gonna be a long day…

Suddenly, a familiar shout echoes from below.

“No shit!” Usopp freaks, scooting back into the crates wall. “I’d have strangled you if I was her!”

“Yohoho, I would have thrown you out, Luffy.”

“Is that..” Sanji walks to the ledge of the building, looking down. As he spots your form, his eyes light up in hearts. “Graced by the heavens—“

“Move!” Zoro shoves Sanji out of the way, as if he doesn’t have the whole roof to look from. “What the hell are they doing in a kennel?” He grunts, “And who the hell is that?”

“She almost did,” Nami remarks, thinking back to this morning, “I just woke her up with music, Luffy’s the one who did the real damage.”

“Hey! It’s not like that—I was starving!” He objects, seeing their expressions, he huffs. “Really, I’m serious! Me being a cat has got to do something with it!”

“Oh, sure.” Nami deadpans, watching Luffy try to explain himself. “Being transformed into a cat makes you eat a whole fridge of food..” She looks down to Robin, who seems to be contemplating.

Watching the purple cat drift off across her paws, clearly thinking, she speaks up. “You okay, Robin?”

“It’s plausible,” she mutters, talking to herself.

“Huh?” Usopp blurts, “What’s plausible?”

“Did you figure out something?!”

“All of our bodies changed drastically since we transformed, yet I have a feeling those with devil fruits were affected differently.” She says, reminded of earlier when Brook wasn’t feeling well when they first woke up.

“You mentioned feeling lightheaded, and I felt rather heavy..” she admitted, “Nami, how is Chopper and Franky?”

“Oh? Their fine, Franky’s just been tired, and Chopper’s…” her voice trails off, and she hesitates. “He’s been a bit, scared.” She admits, “Anxious, I mean. Me and Franky had to talk him down the other night, he’s been really worried about you all.”

Usopp looks sad, showing a rather cartoon-like frown on his face. “Awh, poor Chopper,” he mumbles, whiskers drooping.

It’s silent for a moment, as everyone thinks the unsaid—yet, Usopp aims up to change that.

Gently shaking his head, to wipe the sad look from his face, he pipes “Hey—but, it’s okay! We’ll see them in a bit, right?” Usopp looks out the mesh window, then to Nami… and to Luffy, who looks rather impatient and bored.

“..uh, guys?”

“It’ll be a few hours.” Nami sighs, laying down. “What?!” Usopp squeaks.

“Yohoho, not that I don’t mind being stuck with you lovely ladies, but surely our owner here isn’t walking all the way home?”

“It’s getting rather late, and dark..” Brook comments, watching the sun set into a deep orange, and red shade.

“Nope, she takes some car-thing.” Luffy says, rolling on his side. He lets out a yawn, then a dramatic groan as he stretches his arms over his head.

“Car-thing?” Robin asks, looking to Nami for help. “And what may that infer?”

“Oh, It’s just some city-bus that gets us around town.” Nami explains, watching Usopp pale.

“It’s not dangerous, is it?! There’s no—!“ “It’s just a big car! Shishi, you’re such a scaredy-cat!” Luffy laughs, leaning comfortably back into Brook.

“Quite literally..” Robin adds, chuckling as Usopp looks at her with a dramatically betrayed expression. “What? He’s not wrong…”

_________________________________________

“Hurry up you stupid, cook!” Zoro shouts, out of breath. “We’re gonna miss them!”

“Dammit—you’re not the one dealing with a mutt!” Sanji hisses, running from a stray rabid racoon.

It’s gargled screeches sound from the alley, and the two slide off the sidewalk to cross a road, and then take a right. “Let’s try and lose it! Then we’ll catch up!”

“Great idea!” Sanji snaps, dodging the raccoon’s lunge, “I’ll be sure to follow—if it doesn’t eat me first!” The animal misses, tumbling into a pile of garbage.

“Stop being a wuss!” Zoro shouts, not bothering to look back,

“A WUSS?!”

As if boosted with a sudden energy, Sanji’s blue eyes alight like a flame—and he rockets forward surpassing Zoro, with a feeling for revenge. “I’ll show you, wuss! I hope it takes out your other eye!”

Zoro curses under his breath, picking up the pace to match his speed. Their shoulders clash while simultaneously dodging the raccoon, and their foreheads eventually slam together.

“What was that?!”

“You heard what I said! Not only are you half-blind, but you’re deaf too!”

Unaware of their surroundings, the two run straight into a busied road—cars honking as they’re in traffic. The racoon’s still hot on their tail, nostrils flaming and its mouth foaming. The wheels are almost 10 times the cats size, as they weave through the cars, still butting heads.

“When we get out of this, you’re dead!”

“Oh—shove it!”

Running under a large semi-truck, the vehicle hisses beginning to move. “Oi, look out!” Zoro snaps, shoving Sanji out of the way. The two cat’s tumble onto the other sidewalk, loudly hitting a lamppost that rings like a gong.

Exhausted, the two finally collapse back panting heavily. “Moss for brains..” Sanji grumbles, arms stretched.

“Curly brows,” Zoro glares, side-eyeing the cook.

Looking back, he can no longer spot the racoon—as it’s either road kill, or lost. Sanji hopes for the first. “I think it’s gone.” He mutters, crawling back to his feet.

“You would think!” The cook says, rolling to his side. “But no, it has to chase us for a damn mile before it finally gets squashed, and now we have to find the others again!”

“Stop complaining, they can’t be far.” Zoro sighs, shaking the dust from his head.

“Yeah, tell that to the street we have to cross, again…” Sanji grumbles, letting out a tired huff. Standing, the road buzzles with noise, cars roaming as beeps endlessly chatter.

“There’s gotta be another way to—“

“Hey, isn’t that the girl from earlier?” Zoro interrupts, his single eye narrowing.

Sanji pauses, looking left to spot a familiar crate that’s wheeled by your form. You’re currently stepping into a white and blue bus, with the kennel carrying his crewmates.

“Oi, it is! You aren’t completely useless!”

Sanji takes off, passing Zoro who glares as he runs past. With a huff and curse under his breath, he runs after him. “If it weren’t for me, you would’ve been squashed like that damn racoon!”

_________________________________________

“..We...almost, missed it..” Sanji pants, collapsing onto the buses bumper. He’s cushioned near a bike rack, as a few are hooked, nearby; serving as a windbreaker and shelter.

Zoro groans, thumping his head against a blue metallic frame. Tiredly, he stares through the buses back window. “Yeah, tell me about it.” He grumbles…

Looking inside, past the dusty dirty floor—and rusty cushiony seats, Zoro spots your form near the back, dozing off with the kennel resting at your feet. He can’t see inside it, but with every fiber in his body, he knows his crew is there, and… that they’re safe with you. “Wonder how they ended up with her..”

Sanji looks up, eyes curious, and they soften when they see your tired face. You look exhausted, yet despite your demeanor and state, you’d taken the crew into your care, and for that he couldn’t be more than grateful. The cook didn’t know your reason, not even your name—but he would soon.

A strong sense urged him to get to know you, as he felt you were a beloved mystery he had to solve.

“Me neither, but we’ll find out here soon, enough.” He said, resting on his side.

Before the cook could close his eyes, giving into a peaceful doze—a scent of metallic stung his nose. His eyes snap open, and he looks to Zoro who’s ignoring a bloody paw.

“When did that happen?” It’s a small cut, but it’s bled long enough to be noticeable. “None of your business,” Zoro replies, casually resting on his good paw. “I’ll deal with it later.”

Sanji doesn’t argue, but his eyes narrow before turning away. “Fine, but don’t blame me if it gets infected.”

_________________________________________

Waking up from a gentle hand and thick accent, you startle, eyes snapping open. “Miss, your stop?” Your bus driver asks, standing quietly beside you. Blinking away your tiredness, you rub your eyes, and weakly shake your head to clear your bleary vision.

You don’t know exactly what he said, but you reflexively respond. “Uh—yes, yes, I’m sorry..”

Looking up, you meet kind brown eyes and a wrinkly face that’s worn from smiles. He’s a father of two, as his girls rode the bus with him after school, doing homework. You often talked with them, helping with English homework.

“No worry,” he says, consonants slurring.

“It’s ok.” The man smiles, laughing quietly as he begins to walk back to the front.

Getting up from your seat, you tiredly nod—reciprocating the smile. “Thank you for waking me up, I probably would’ve missed my stop.” you fumble to get your things together, grabbing your bag, then the crates handle as you step into the aisle.

“Tough day?” The driver asks, looking back through mirror.

“Yeah, a hectic one for sure,” you mutter, pushing your hair behind your ear. You adjust your hood and begin your trek off the bus.

“I know the feeling! Have a nice night!”

“You too, thanks again!”

Walking home, the air is warm and the concrete beneath your feet feels like a heater. The cats are oddly quiet, wheels clicking quietly as they roll against the cracked roads. You tiredly look back, spotting a few curious heads turned your way.

“You guys are trouble, but you sure are cute.” Stepping into the forest covered path, that diverts from the road, you see the similar boulder that marks your almost home. Your shoulders sag, and you let out a breath.

Oh, how you just wanted a nap…

Opening the gate, the hinges creak and the wood is rough against your palm. Homely, you think, yet it’s rough enough to give you tiny splinters that are impossible to take out.

You really needed to sand and repaint that…

Standing at the front door, you try and leave the memories of the catastrophic day you’ve had behind, but you can’t. From being aggressively harassed, to the pet store, to having nothing to eat today, it’s honestly been a tiring.

Especially because this was your day off, as you’d been working overtime for the past week.

Letting out a sigh, you open the front-door and step inside. A warm vanilla floods your nose, and you close your eyes, shoulders sagging. When had you put on a candle?

Looking to the living room, it sits lit on your coffee table. Great…a fire hazard. Just what you needed.

How long had that been going?

Dumping the groceries off your aching shoulders, you grab the wall for balance when your weight shifts. Standing dead on your feet, you collect yourself before kneeling down to zip open the kennel.

“No fighting,” you murmur, pulling open the trap-door… “Nice kitties—“

Almost immediately, they flood out like a waterfall, meowing loudly.

“CHOPPERRR!!”

“FRANKY!!”

“GUYS!!”

You cover your ears, watching them seemingly reunite. Odd… you think. Well, at-least they’re getting along.

“You guys must know each-other, hm?” You say aloud, picking up the duffles of groceries, bringing them to the counter. Letting out a yawn, you feel too tired to put them away… so, you end up putting them in the fridge to deal with later.

“MEOWW—!!” Looking back at the noise, you catch a pink cat tackle the others into a playful ball.

“I THOUGHT ID NEVER SEE YOU AGAIN!!” Usopp cries, hugging onto Franky and Chopper with all his might. Brook joins the pile, and Luffy eventually launches himself onto them too.

“CAT PILE!!”

“Ow!”

“Luffy—“

Robin chuckles, covering her paw with her mouth, and Nami just lets her head hang tirelessly. “Well, at-least we’re together.” She sighs, looking back to Robin.

“Now we just have to find Zoro, and Sanji.” She murmurs, looking to you. “And who knows where they are…”

You take your coat off, and rub your eyes while draping it over a dining room chair. Nami notices your failed attempt, as your hands slip—your coat falling to the floor…

You let out a groan, eventually throwing it over the table.

“Robin!!” Chopper shouts, running head-first into the archeologist. “Oh, Chopper—“ she startles, ears perking up. Letting out a soft laugh, she gently pets his head with her paw. He’s the cutest little pink puffball she’s ever seen…

“How are you doing?” “Good! I’m just happy Luffy and Nami found you!” He says excitedly, eyes shining with tears. “I was so worried!”

“Well, we’re alright...” Robin assures, looking into the kitchen.

Then, noticing your sunken form her eyes soften. She watches you grab your head, grabbing a water glass before leaning against the counter. She lets out a quiet sigh, silently watching...

Robin wasn’t blind to the tears, nor’ fear when Luffy had caused a ruckus in the store, and she wasn’t unaware of the lingering anxiety around money.

She silently wondered if that was the cause of to your stress, as you didn’t seem to have a car of your own...

“What’s her name?” Robin asks, looking to Nami. “Oh—uh,” she pauses, nose scrunching. “We don’t know.” Nami lets out an embarrassed sound, looking away.

“You haven’t checked her ID or anything?” Robin asks, raising a brow. “There’s uh…been a lot going on!”

“I’m sure there was enough time for you to snag her money though, Nami.” Usopp blurts, hiding behind Franky when she looks his way. “Hey, it’s not even Beli—!”

Suddenly, glass shatters in the kitchen…

It’s silent, and everyone pauses—before Luffy’s the first to check on you. Slowly peeking his head around the counter, you’re holding the counter for balance, while leaning against the tiled floor. A clear cup is broken, smashed beneath your feet.

“What happened?” Franky asks, following after, “She okay?”

“Is anyone hurt?!” Chopper bolts, sliding around the corner. Usopp, and Nami are the next—while Robin walks around the other way, where the glass isn’t. Brook hops up onto the counter with her, black sunken eyes worried.

Shakily sitting against the cupboard, your limbs ache with exhaustion. Anxiety sits heavy in your chest, and it slowly grows. Eventually it hurts to think.

Rubbing your eyes—again, you tearily look to the shattered glass, then let out a frustrated sound. Leaning your forehead to your knees, warm salty tears soak into your sweats.

You only felt like closing your eyes for a minute, now look what happened… you couldn’t even pick up a cup without letting it fall.

“Meow?” Lifting your head, you spot the pink cat at your side, sitting quietly beside your arm. You hadn’t even given any of them a name yet…

More tears well, and you gently reach out to pet his head. “I’m okay...” You whisper, voice breaking. “I’m just tired,” shifting to your side, your head spins.

“Just need water and food…” you say to yourself, using the cupboard for balance. Another meow sounds, and you quietly look down to spot the lot of them around your kitchen.

You snort quietly to yourself, thinking how insane it looks. Oddly enough, they seem worried. Or are just hungry…

Regardless, it wasn’t the strangest thing you’d seen them do. Rubbing your eyes again, you shake your head and look to the glass… then, thinking again, you hesitate. You know, what? This can be a later problem… Right now, you had much more important things to do; and that was sleep and feed your cats.

Walking around the mess, the pink one follows as if observing you—sticking to your side like super-glue. “You hungry?” You ask, watching him quietly nudge your ankle.

Walking to the fridge, the large blue-ish cat blocks your path. He looks like he’s putting his foot down, in the most dad-way possible, as he’s firmly looking up at you. Rest; he thinks.

How human-like…

Tilting your head, you meet his eyes. “Wow, I drop a glass, and now my cat’s are stalking me?” You tease, leaning down to pet his head. “Just a sec,” pushing yourself back up, you open the door and pull out canned chicken and cat food.

“You’ve got to be kidding me..” Franky grumbles, “Can she not take a hint?” He sits at your feet, staring blank.

“You’re a cat, Franky.” Robin observes rather calmly, watching you grab the wrong container.

“Plus, she’s rather tired.”

“Yohoho, tired is an understatement,” Brook laughs, “You could say she’s dead on her feet, just like me!”

Usopp cringes, his brows scrunching. Shaking his head, he follows after your form with Chopper. “Technically—you’re not dead anymore, Brook.” He says, hearing Robin agree.

“Right… cause he’s a cat.” Nami mutters, pinching her face with her paw. “I still can’t wrap my head around it.”

“Neither can I!” Brook laughs, “I have blood and bones! I mean, not that the bone part has changed—“

Stepping over the long-nosed cat, you feel rather watched. The calico eyes you from afar, his expression unreadable… For some reason, Luffy’s been feeling oddly protective, like from before, when that asshole hadn’t left you alone. Even though you took care of yourself, something still pulled in his furry chest, for him to do things for you.

CRK—

Luffy’s ears perk as the can opens, and the smell of chicken floods the kitchen. Ok, maybe thinking could wait… He hops over the counter, bumping into your arm.

“Hey, careful,” you mutter, startling.

You gently push him away, yet his eyes alight like stars. “God, you’re always so hungry.” You murmur, nudging him back, again.

“Yeah, tell us about it…”

Eventually, after dumping enough chicken in a dish to feed two full-grown men, you finally plop down on the couch with a yawn, resting your head against the armchair. Your lids grow heavier by the second, and you felt like walking on air…

You were too tired to get to your room, besides, the soft couch was comfy enough, and you’d camped out in the living room plenty of times before; especially after a long day.

Flicking on the tv, you put on a show before drifting off, yet before you do, 3 few furry forms lounge atop you, while watching it too.

Luffy’s sprawled across your hip, while Chopper and Franky are sitting between the lower of your legs. Robin rests above your head, and Brook and Usopp are between the couch’s pillows, and sofa.

Stretching your arms over your head, Luffy mimics the expression yawning. As Nami catches it from the corner of her eye, she rolls them. The navigator’s perched on a fluffy heart-shaped pillow, like some queen lounging comfortably.

Wow… they sure grew attached n’ comfortable fast, you think. Which you didn’t mind, it was just weird to think how they got along with each-other so quick. It was possible they came from the same litter, but they sure didn’t look it… not to mention they came from difference places entirely.

Taking a deep breath, you shake off the thought and let your mind rest… while the world fades peacefully.

_________________________________________

Not even 30 minutes later…

“Have you tried the upper window?” Zoro asks, scouting from the front door.

“What do you think I’m doing?! Everything’s locked, or closed up,” Sanji huffs, standing on the roof-top. He shakes his head with frustration, then, looking upside down through the front door’s window, he spots your form fast asleep with the lounging crew.

“Not that it’s a bad thing, though, I’m glad she’s careful about safety..” Sanji mutters, slowly looking to his side. “It must be hard living alone, like this…”

Then, spotting Zoro try and force his way through the living room window—he pales.

“Hey! What the hell are you doing?!” Sliding off the roof, Sanji skids into the hanging flower basket, beside Zoro. “Don’t wake her up, moss-head!”

“Well, how else am I supposed to get in?!” Zoro glares, budding heads with Sanji. “Our crew is literally. right. THERE!”

“Oh, I don’t know, maybe a NICER WAY?! When I said use your head, I didn’t mean literally!” Sanji snaps.

“Well how else am I supposed to open it, then?!” Zoro growls, pushing back. As the two shred the last of eachother’s patience, Sanji and Zoro throw claws at one another—unaware that the basket chains, dangerously swings with them.

________________________________________

. . .

SLAM!

Jolting up, your heart races. Claws dig into your thigh, and you see Usopp jump 3 feet in the air, crashing into Chopper and Franky.

“MEOW!!”

You hold your chest, taking in a painful breath—What the hell was that?!

“What the—!“ Nami looks up, following the noise, which leads to the inconspicuous window; appearing normal, as if nothing had happened. Franky shakes a blanket from his head, an annoyed huff escaping his lips. The comforter drags off, creating a messy mohawk across his forehead.

“Not cool! Who did that?! Luffy!”

“Haha—Franky!”

“HUH?! It wasn’t me I was watching TV!” Luffy looks to you, watching you curl into the couch while you hold your chest. His brows knit with concern, when he sees your twisted expression.

“Chopper—” Robin says, slowly coming to your side…

Suddenly, a cat shriek sounds from outside. And you flinch, looking to the window. To you—it seemed like a fight cat, but to the others? Those chaotic sounds were, and are just a norm… maybe not hissing, though.

“You stupid curly-brow, I should’ve let that truck squash you!” Another crash sounds from outside. “Yeah right—I’m surprised the racoon didn’t take out your other eye!”

“I knew you would’ve looked better as roadkill—!”

Chopper’s on his way to check on you, but when you shakily get up—he slips from your legs into the others, tumbling back. As another shout echoes, Luffy looks up. “Is that—?!”

Using the fireplace for balance, you look out the window yet don’t notice anything out of the ordinary. But, you hear whatever’s going on, you just can’t see it. Luffy eagerly jumps up beside you, calling for his crewmates.

“Zorooo! Sanjiiiii!”

You wince as calico meows, and you begin to fumble with the metal latch. Deciding to get a better view, you push the window open—and peek your head out, unexpectedly getting hit with two an oddly colored cats.

They’re still hissing, lost in the midst of a fight, yet the two try and move before you get hit by them, but it’s too late. The damage is done—and you yelp as you stumble against the carpet, tripping back and crashing into the couch’s table; consequently, making another cup fall.

Immediately, your hands go to your head as you wince, shutting your eyes tight. “Shit—Mosshead, look where the hell you’re going!!” Sanji snaps, shoving Zoro off.

As if burned to the bone, the two immediately hop off of you, putting blame on eachother.“You’re the one that jumped in here—!”

“Yeah and you’re the one that followed—!” “You idiots!” Nami growls, pummeling both on the head with her fisted paws, “You could’ve hurt her!”

“That was rather reckless…” Brook comments, jumping quickly over to your form. “Yohoho, are you okay my lady?”

“She can’t understand you, Brook!” “You’re literally a cat, bro…”

“…Meow?”

Blinking through blearly eyes, tears subconsciously well from the pain in the back of your head. You slowly blink, watching the orange colored cat hiss and pummel at the green and yellow one.

Oh god… why is there more?

Mortified, you groan and lean your head back against the coffee table. You loved cats—with all your heart, but why so many? And why you?

“Ugh…” You already had enough going on… and you still had glass to clean up.

Chopper hops up beside you, nudging your ear with his little soft fuzzy one. You look to the side, blinking quietly up at him. He stands above you, looking down at you like you’re some mental patient.

It’s like he’s picking apart the little things you didn’t even know about yourself…

“Meow..”

“Well, she’s not bleeding…” Chopper says, letting out a sigh of relief, “But there’ll definitely be a bruise, so just watch it—“

Leaning up, Chopper’s interrupted when you sit against the table—looking to the two new cats…With a tired and teary expression, you gently lock eyes with brown ones…

Or—should you say brown one, as it’s the green cat, who only has one good eye while the other seems to be injured; yet long healed over.

He stands on a bloody paw, while the yellow one—with curly brows, seems to be perfectly fine despite a few new scratches…

Which, you could ultimately guess was from the green one.

Zoro tenses as he sees your watery expression—a pang of guilt shooting through his chest. From afar, he hadn’t thought much of you, but from up close… everything he antically assumed flew right out the window.

There was no way you had ill intentions, you probably didn’t even know they were people… you just looked, rather… innocent? Immediately he shakes the idea from his head, looking away as he grumbles a muffled apology under his breath.

“Damn cook is getting to me…”

The moment you shifted to see Sanji—was the moment his eyes lit up and transformed into gushing hearts. Your tears looked like waterfalls from the heavens, as your face was beautiful —if not prettier than treasured gold.

“Ahh—my heart! I’m so sorry, that brute made you fall!” The yellow cat quickly made his way towards you, his meow sincere, despite his gushy expression.

“Meow—meow!!”

Staring blankly at the cat, you sloly reach out and pet him on the head, rubbing your thumb gently behind his ear. “You guys are all so friendly…” you murmur, feeling the yellow cat turn to mush under your palm. He melts into a love struck puddle on the floor…

“You’re shameless, Sanji… absolutely pitiful.” Usopp deadpans, sitting beside Nami who’s dragging her paws down her face. “This is really a hard watch.” She groans, “I can’t even, we were better off without you guys.”

“I heard that.” Zoro glares, side-glancing Nami.

“Great, I can say it again if you’d like?” Robin shakes her head, letting out a sigh. “Look, what matters now is we’re all together. But, the real question is, what will we do next…?”

Silence echoes loudly throughout the living room… accompanied by Sanji’s satisfied purrs. Truely, the cook never thought being a cat could be this good. He absolutely NEVER wanted to go back.

“Maybe tell her?” Chopper suggests, “She might know something…”

Suddenly, Sanji jerks up. “Wait, she doesn’t know?!”

“You haven’t figured that out already??” Nami and Usopp snap. “She wouldn’t be petting you right now if she did!” She continues, seemingly genuinely offended.

“I’d, honesty cry if I were her…” Usopp says, watching you pick up Chopper and put him in your lap.

“Atleast she’s not pissed like earlier..” Franky sighs.

“Wait, what happened earlier?” Sanji asks. “Uh… nothing!”

Zoro sits still, silently watching the scene. His brows furrow when he comes to the realization of how obvious you are, “…So she just blindly adopted 6 cats out of the blue?”

“Pretty much!” Luffy beams, “And she’s awesome!”

“Awesome is an understatement..” Sanji swoons, collapsing dramatically aside your thigh. “Ew! Knock it off!”

“Hey, you’re hurt…” you mutter, scooting past the yellow cat, which meows sadly under the coffee table.

You scoot to Zoro on your knees, and he pales as you head towards him. “Oh hell no—“ Extending a gentle hand, you don’t yet touch him, noticing his frozen posture.

In the softest voice you can muster, you assure him. “It’s okay, I’m not gonna hurt you…” But… it doesn’t seem to help. If his face could—it’d grow bright red, yet you only see him inch back slowly.

“She’s absolutely clueless…” Nami groans, leaning her head into the carpet. “Ugh, I can’t watch..”

“Tell me about it,” Usopp cringes, looking away.

“Uhm, guys, I think Sanji’s jealous,” Brook calmly comments, backing away from the coffee table that emits a dark aura. Sanji’s eyes aren’t flames, but they’re mimicking the slits of a snake’s.“Creepy..” Chopper whispers, sitting beside Robin.

“Oh wait—I’m a doctor! Zoro, I can help—!” The pink hairball sprints past Nami, and she only burrows her head further into the floor. “Ugh, I can’t..”

“Shishi, Zoro’s face is so red!!” Luffy laughs, rolling on his back, unable to contain himself.

Now, lifting Zoro up and over your head, you smile as his ears pin weakly back. “You’re so awkward,” you laugh, “It’s kinda cute..”

“Somebody kill me..” Zoro manages, his voice tight.

“Now let’s get your paw fixed up,” you mutter, holding him to your chest as you walk down the hall and into the bathroom. “Hey, wait up for me!” Chopper calls, meowing loudly, “I have little legs!”

“Ugh, where did I put the peroxide?” You say from the bathroom, “Hey, hold still—“ A gruff hiss follows after, and Sanji finally growls out a few words.

“Agreed..” Robin chuckles, flipping through one of her books. The archeologist wears a soft airy purple shirt, and black bikini bottoms with comfortable wooden sandals.

“Adventures are fun, but it’s nice to relax once in a while, no?”

“I couldn’t agree more, Robin!” Brook inputs, walking up from behind Nami. “Living life is all about balance,” he says, peeking at the girl’s swimsuits.

“My—you both look lovely!” with red hearts in his eyes, the skeleton clutches his chest.

Nami rolls her eyes, turning on her side to face the sun. “Yes, we know.”

Robin smiles, shaking her head. Looking over her shoulder, she spots Luffy chasing Usopp and Chopper around the deck with water guns.

“YOU’RE GOING DOWN!!” Luffy shouts, making Usopp scream. “Run for it!” Hopping over some ropes, Usopp slides on his heels across the grass, using the mast for defense.

“Hurry Chopper, hide behind something!”

“I’m trying!!” The doctor squeals, ducking for cover under some crates. “He’s gonna get meeee!”

Zoro’s brows twitch, as he’s resting on the very mast Usopp hides behind. “If you spray me, I’m throwing you overboard.” he deadpans, making Luffy stop in his tracks.

Letting out a laugh, he grins. “Is that a challenge?” Loading his water gun, Zoro glares.

“Don’t you—“ with a click of plastic, a waterfall of bullets is launched towards the swordsman.

“Water-gun… attack!!” Zoro blinks, and he’s drenched in milliseconds. A gruff growl escapes his throat, and slowly, almost painful, he wipes his face with his palm. “…Really?”

Audibly, Usopp swallows, paling.

“Shishi! You look like a wet dog!” “LUFFY!!”

“Uh oh—“

_________________________________________

BANG!

Sanji startles, almost dropping his skillet and cigarette. “What the hell was that?!” Whipping around, he looks to Franky who reluctantly shrugs at the dining table.

He tinkers with a metal shiny object, looking up through his glasses. “Who knows, I mean—I did give them water guns…” as if realizing, the cyborg pauses. “Ok, maybe that wasn’t the best idea.”

“You, think?”

BOOM!!

Now, the two both flinch, looking to the ceiling.

“Ok, that definitely WASN’T a water gun!”

Franky bursts up from his seat, and Sanji’s already flying out of the room. Hurrying up the Sunny’s stairs, the cook flings open the kitchen door, quickly stepping outside. “Nami-swan! Robin my love, are you both alright?!”

Looking across the deck, everything seems fine— except the crew’s shocked expressions, and a blue glow emitting from the sky?! “What the hell is that?!”

As if on cue, the wind grows sharp and gray clouds creep in, while the Sunny is pulled forwards.

“Uh, Nami?!” Usopp yelps, “What do we do?!”

Nami’s already up from her seat, eyes wide. “I don’t know! Let’s just get the hell away from it!”

“Already on it!” Brook pipes, quickly heading towards the stern. “Chopper, Luffy—manage the sails!” Nami calls, holding her sun-hat tight.

Quickly, Usopp yanks his binoculars from his chest, taking action. He feels Sunny lurch to the side, and his heart pangs. “Guys, it’s starting to suck us in!” He yells, holding onto the rail.

Looking through his binoculars, the sea is clear as glass and there isn’t a soul in sight. “What is this thing?! I don’t see anyone else around!”

Zoro unsheathes his sword in a second, as he scouts the right side of the ship. “We’re on our own! What’s the plan guys?!”

“Franky can you coupe’de burst, us out of this?!” Robin asks, “It won’t be strong enough, but it’ll give us some time!”

“Yeah—good idea! I can try!”

The blue light shines brighter, and as Luffy’s holding the sails with all his might—he pauses. Looking back to the blue light, It’s almost like… haki? But… different?

He blinks hard, shaking his head.

His vision grows blurry, and out of urgency he looks to his crew. It feels like Sabaody all over again…

It’s the same fear, the change—and dark truth he can’t always protect his crew. No matter how hard he tries.

His grip loosens, but he fights the urge to succumb to the aching dread. Watching Franky hustle inside, there’s still hope. There is always hope. Climbing down, Luffy hops beside Zoro who stares at the light with an annoyed expression.

“I’ve never fought a blue orb before,” he mutters, looking over to Luffy. “Have you?”

“Shishi, nope!” He smiles, readying his fists. “But I have a feeling I’m about to!” Luffy takes a deep breath, steadying himself.

“Franky’s got a few more seconds before I punch this thing!”

“Luffy don’t, we have no idea what it is!” Over the wind, Robin’s voice carries with faint panic. She’s never seen anything like it, not in any papers—not in any poneglyphs—and nothing in the books of any type of devil fruit.

Regardless, It feels ancient, and so very old and powerful. “It’s gonna get us!” Usopp pales.

“Franky’s not gonna make it!” Nami holds her breath, bracing against the rail by Chopper.

“I don’t wanna dieee!” He cries, his deep brown eyes full of tears. “You’re not going to! Everybody hold on!”

“GUM GUM—“ Before Luffy can take another step, or pull his fist further back, a heavy presence crashes upon his form.

BANG!

The light suddenly grows blinding, and the sounds of warping metal ache throughout the sea—coming down as a shrill noise upon the Thousand Sunny. Luffy’s vision turns to static, and strange horns and beeps flutter in and out his ears.

A flash of strange looking vehicles and colorful lights blind his vision. Imagines of reds, yellows, and greens all transpire into an empty black.

His body feels light, then numb, until the deck no longer touches his feet…

Finally, everything feels… furry?

_________________________________________

In a small quiet cafe in Oregon state, you quietly work as a barista and assisting cashier, when needed. It’s a family owned business, and you couldn’t be more than happy with how they treat you, and that’s not being sarcastic.

It’s rustic, and green atmosphere is welcoming in every way, and it’s a place you’ve never really thought of as work… besides coming into work in the morning—and dealing with rude customers, it got on your nerves, but that was besides the point.

Walking around the counter, you head into the cafe’s storage to grab your bag and coat.

“___! Are you heading out?”

“Yep! I’ll see you Monday, Maddie!” you call, unzipping your bag, you take your black headphones out and put them around your neck. “Are you sure you’ll be fine? It’s Friday, tmr?”

“Oh—I’m sure, baby!” Maddie says, wiping down a table. The woman is in her mid forties, a friend of the owner who likes to help out around here. Her hair is a black, and her eyes are hazel with grown out brown roots.

She was heavy set, and had the sweetest personality, like a cool aunt. Maddie always covered for you when you were sick n’ unwell, she truly was a blessing.

“If you say so,” You murmur, shrugging your bag over your shoulder. Rubbing your eyes, you let out a sigh; you still have to take the bus to get out of town. “Goodnight, ___!” Maddie smiles, waving as she watches you slip past the glass cabin door.

You tiredly smile, waving back as it shuts with a soft jingle. It was around 8pm, as the sun had already begin to set, while the sky sunk in deep oranges, and pinks. However, enjoying the view you notice gray clouds rolling in from the distance.

Well, that’s weird… you thought. The weather forecast said it wouldn’t rain for a while, you had just checked your phone a few hours ago..

It was supposed to be in the ninety’s—I mean, not that you minded. You didn’t care for the heat, and a warm drizzle was always nice once in a while.

Pulling your phone out of your pocket, you simultaneously turn on your headphone’s. While walks towards the library’s bus-stop, your shoes hit softly against the concrete, and before you can turn your music on—a sudden sharp, meow caught your attention.

You pause, blinking as if hearing things, then look around on the side-walk. Where the hell had that just come from? Peeking down the quiet alleys nearby, you hold your keys tight, just in case it was someone messing with you…

Honestly, you never know what could happen in Oregon, as it was always a hectic place. But it sure had it’s charm. Quietly walking towards the next alley, you slowly peek your head around a an old building’s corner. The walls are cracked, and they’re covered with moss and rust—so you avoid touching it.

Stepping past, you hear another different meow echo.

Would the stray cat distribution finally happen to you? Pleasepleasepleaseplease—

Staying quiet, you listen for the sound, again. Your landlord didn’t care for pets, but if you kept his property well tended to, and sucked up to him—like always, you were sure he wouldn’t mind.

Holding your keys tight, you turn your phones flashlight. Just how many cats were in here? Slowly stepping into the chaotic atmosphere, you look past the random boxes… to see an orange cat with brown eyes?

The cat let out a weird squeak, seeing your form, and quickly scurried into an opened box. The ginger shuts the box’s flaps quick, yet strangely enough a light emits from the it’s cardboard cracks. What the hell…?

“Hello?” You murmur, “Pspsps, kitty kitty…”

_________________________________________

“I told you not to go out there, Nami!” A pink, small fuzzy little cat pales, “now they’re gonna eat us!” “Wait, do people eat cats here??” A blue, much bigger cat blurts.

“How the hell, am I supposed to know?! None of us are from here, Franky!” Nami snips.

“I wonder if the meat tastes different here…” A calico—but mainly brown cat mutters, stars practically forming in his dark doe eyes. “Not the time, Luffy!—“

“I’m not gonna hurt you..” your soft voice echoes from above, and your footsteps sound like a giant’s. “Ugh, we’re so dead!”

“Hey, maybe they can help us!” Luffy says, “I bet she’s nice!” “We don’t know that!” Chopper and Nami, snap.

“I doubt she can even understand us—.” “Here kitty… kitty..”

Audibly groaning, Nami leans into her white paws, “I was just sunbathing, and now I’m a stupid cat, in a stupid crumpled box, in a stupid scary alley with a—“

Suddenly, the doors Nami had taken so much care to close—open, revealing your kneeling curious form. The wind knocks from Nami chest, yet Luffy only seems curious, casually locking eyes with you. Franky raises a gray bushy brow, standing somewhat in front of Chopper.

“Wow,” you blurted. “That’s a lot of cats.” No shit…

From your pov, you’d randomly stumbled upon 4 oddly colored cats, but to them, a very tall woman kneeled over them.

“Uh, hi,” you mutter, keeping your voice low. Looking around, there was a plastic toy candle placed in the middle of them…. Ok… odd.

“Meow!” The calico steps forward, suddenly nuzzling into your knee. You tense, then hesitantly extend your hand to pet him. “Well, you sure are sweet…”

“LUFFY!!”

“What the hell are you doing?!” “Ok, so not cool, bro!”

“Hey she smells like food, so she’s gotta be nice!” “That’s not how that works!!”

You smile as the other cats meow, carefully picking the calico up by the armpits. “Who dumped you on the street?” Tilting your head, the cat tilts his back.

“Meowwww..”

“Uh, sure.” you mutter, “What else are you supposed to say?” letting out a quiet laugh, you set the cat down, gesturing your pointer finger to the pink one.

“Who gave you a hairdo, hm?” It was the smallest cat, and the curliest. The thing practically looked like a fluffy pink hairball, which was the cutest, really. But, who would abandon four cats on the street like this?

Letting out a breath, you pick up your phone and check the time. It was 8:25, the bus would pick you up at 9 at the library. So, you had some time to waste, but what could you do, then? You couldn’t just leave them. “What do I do with you four…”

“Take us with you!” Luffy pipes. “You smell like bread!” In other words, something you could only understand as; “Meow! Meow!” “Are you crazy! We don’t even know her!”

“Huh?! she’s the only person who stopped by! I don’t want to sleep in a box, and I’m hungry!”

“I don’t mind going home with a pretty lady,” Franky interjects, rubbing his face. “Plus, I’m SUPER hungry too!”

“Nami, pleaseeee!” Luffy begs, unaware of Chopper being picked up behind him.

“AHH!! Put me down!” Chopper screams, struggling in your hands. As he squirms, you can’t help but laugh and lift the pink fuzz ball over your head, “You’re so cute!”

“I AM NOT!! Put me down, now!” “MEOWWW!!”

Nami sighs, lowering her head with a groan. “What other choice do we have?…”

“Hey, maybe we can make her understand, you know? Maybe she knows something about this!” Franky says, walking past Nami to sit by your form.

“You’re a big cat, someone must’ve fed you a lot.” You mutter, “Or, you’re just lazy,” reaching a hand to pet Franky’s head, he’s still as stone. You can’t see it, but his brow twitches. “Pfft—Shishi! She called you fat!”

Nami couldn’t help but snort, looking away to muffle her laugh. “Okay, maybe she’s growing on me…”

_________________________________________

In short, you scooped the cats in a box to take them home. You just couldn’t help yourself, as not only were they cute, but they seemed relatively behaved, and something had just tugged your heart to take them.

Now, you are waiting quietly at the bus-stop’s cover, dozing off. The clear plastic is cold against your cheek, yet the warmth of the night makes you drowsy.

Beside you, the box of cats you’d nabbed is rather quiet. Your hand casually rests inside, gently brushing the calico’s cheek. Luffy of course nuzzles into the affection, sleeping without a care in the world. Chopper was resting atop Luffy, yet he couldn’t help but notice your slumped form.

“She looks tired…” the little doctor mutters, resting his head against the box’s wall. “Probably was workin’ or smth,” Franky yawns, stretching his arms over his head.

“Maybe…” Chopper agrees. “Meat… Sanji’s food.” Luffy mumbles in his sleep, letting out a soft snore.

“Of course, he’s sleep-talking about food.” Nami grumbles. “I still can’t believe this.”

“This? You mean the part where we were turned into cats, and thrown into another world, this kind of this?” Franky asks, rolling onto his side.

“No, never…” Nami deadpans, rolling her eyes. “That’s crazy talk.”

Chopper lets out a breathy laugh, looking to his paws. “I just hope everyone else is okay, we were lucky enough to wake up in an alley, and have her find us,” he murmurs, but his voice trails off.

“You okay, bud?” Franky asks, looking up. “…Yeah. I think so, I just, what if the others weren’t as lucky as us?—“

“They’re okay, Chopper.” Nami interrupts, already knowing what he’s thinking. “I know they are. You don’t need to worry,” she continues, “We’ll find everyone, and we’ll find a way home.”

“How?” He askes quietly, sniffling.

“I don’t know. But, we’ll be alright.” “Aye, lil bro! Don’t worry,” Franky adds, “I’m sure this lady’ll help us out.”

Chopper slowly nods, resting his head back on Luffy’s fuzzy arm. “Okay…”

“Being a cat’s kinda comfy though,” he mumbles, looking at his pink paws. Franky agrees with a hum—a meow in your ears, but a content sound regardless. “Never felt better, bein’ so lazy.”

“Of course, you’d say that.” Nami blurts. “Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing…”

As if on cue, Luffy let’s out a loud snore, muttering something under his breath. Chopper squeaks when he moves, groaning ad Luffy shifts and lays atop him.

“…Meat.” he drools, dangerously close to the little doctor. “Ew!” He let out a soft disgusted ‘yuck,’ squirming. “Nami, Franky—help me!”

Eventually, the shrill wheels of the city bus came and you awoke to a chatter of meows. Shifting your arm, Luffy’s head slips from your hand, and gently hits against the box with a gentle thud. Groggily, he wakes. “Oh—sorry,” you voice, patting his head.

“Meow..”

“Shoot, I’m gonna have to cover you guys, I don’t think I can take you on the bus,” Quickly pulling off your thick gray hoodie, you tuck it over the box and grab your bag, throwing it over your shoulder.

Grabbing the box’s handle, you look up as the bus’s lights dim. Then, the vehicle hisses with a soft exhale—assuring it’s arrival.

Standing you, you step up the dusty stairs and the doors close behind you with a click. You’re greeted with an earthy, metal smell, combined with weed and cigarettes. Oh how you loved, the city bus. Well, it was at least cheap and took you home… you couldn’t really complain about that.

Looking up at the aisle’s blue lights, you sigh and make your way to an exit row. Resting your head against the cold window, the metal frame bites into your cheek, yet you don’t mind. You were used to it by now.

If anything, you’d grown comfortable with it, as it meant you could finally go home and rest.

Rubbing your eyes, you sneak a peek inside the box, to see the cats looking at you with curious expressions, and you can’t help but smile. Reaching inside, you brush the orange cat’s head, rubbing gently behind her ear.

She leans away, but you don’t take it personal. If anything, you’d probably have done the same. You knew what it was like to not be a people person.

“It’s alright, me too.” letting out a yawn, you close your eyes, and listen to the hum of the bumpy road… drifting off.

You feel one the cats shift, resting against your hand yet again.

_________________________________________

Stepping off the white and metallic bus, you are greeted with a gentle warm breeze. Your hair ruffles in the wind, and the dusty gravel crunches beneath your feet.

You live in a secluded neighbor-hood, located near the coastal regions of Oregon. The beaches were beautiful here, yet you lived further back in the forest away from others.

You preferred a quiet setting, even if you loved the city at times. Walking forward, you make your way home passing houses and trailer parks on your way. The houses here are old, and rustic, some currently being renovated for rentals while others have been abandoned and left behind.

About a half-a mile down, the neighborhood finally ends into a forest infested path-way. Stones litter the ground, mixed with large pine cones and prickly pine-needles. You cringe at the thought of touching one, holding the box tighter to your chest.

Speaking of, how were the cats doing?

Looking down, the four of them had already peeked their heads out—enjoying the scenery as much as you are. “Pretty, am I right?”

A combination of low and high pitched meows sound, as if agreeing with you, and you can’t help but smile. “You guys are so noisy, I’m surprised I didn’t get kicked off the bus.” Letting out a light laugh, you hear the orange cat meow in response. “Yeah, me too.”

It’s quiet for a moment, and you close your eyes to focus on the peaceful atmosphere. Letting out a sigh, you lightly kick a rock.

“It’s quiet out here, but it’s home. Even if my landlord’s an ass.” You mutter, walking down the hidden path. “All I have to do is keep his property clean, and suck up to the guy n’ my rent is cheap.”

The orange cat nods as if understanding, yet it goes unnoticed. “It’s expensive to live, and it gets tiring, but you only can do it once.”

The cats look at you with an unreadable expression, yet you keep talking as a sudden weight lifts off from your chest… yet you don’t know why. “Even if it’s hard, I want to make the most out of it.” you admit, looking up to the mossy trees. The stars from the sky peak through, and the moon begins to shine.

“I want to see the world. I’m sick of being stuck in one place.” Stretching your neck to the side, you finally look down to lock eyes with the calico. He seems oddly serious, yet you don’t think hard on it. You let out a groan, dropping your shoulders. “I must seem crazy talking to a bunch of cats…”

“You do.” Nami says, yet you only register it as a meow. “Don’t agree with me,” you blurt, as if feeling what the cat is saying.

“Anyways…” you grumble, shifting the box in your hands. “Hopefully you guys are outdoor cats, because I have a nice yard with a safe fence.” Walking a bit further, you finally spot a dark wood gate and pale red roses.

“Here’s home…”

With a creak and faint lock, you begin your trek up the stairs into your abode. The walls are a warm yellow, and it’s more of a cozy looking cottage than anything. It’s a two story, with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. Setting the box down, your close and lock your front door letting the animals roam.

Shrugging off your bag, you groan in relief.

“I just wanna lay down…”

“Woah, this place is awesome!” Luffy pipes, trotting in the kitchen. “Where’s the food at?!”

Chopper and Franky practically zoom into the living room checking out your couch, and TV. The sofa is a soft velvety gray, and soft fuzzy heart shaped pillows decorate it.

“SUPER Couch! I’m passing out on this tonight!” Franky launched himself onto the sofa, laying back. “This is the life…”

“Mmm! It smells like vanilla in here,” Chopper pipes, poking his head around a chair. Spotting the tv and flower colored stained glass, his eyes light up. “Woah! Nami this is so pretty look at this!”

“Franky can we do this in the Sunny?!”

“I don’t see why not,” Nami mutters, looking around. She sits down, watching you walk down the hall into another room. “I didn’t expect such a nice place…”

“And I didn’t expect such nice food! What the hell is this?!” Luffy shouts, startling Nami. Looking around, the calico’s head is stuffed in an orange Cheeto bag—munching on stale chips. “Thfish stuf is ashome! Sanshi’s gotta make shis!”

“What the—LUFFY GET OUT OF THERE!”

“Ooo, I wanna try!” Chopper says, his eyes lighting up with stars. He zooms around the corner already hopping up onto the counter. Spotting the weirdly colored chips, he suddenly hesitates—changing his mind.

“Why do they look like chemicals? Hey—Franky, it looks like they used Usopp’s bolt grease!” “Wshat Geese?” Luffy muffles, paling as he sees Nami’s demonic glare from across the room.

“Luff—“

SLAM!

Everyone startles, looking down the hall. It’s sound’s as if you dropped something, as glass shatters over the floor. Your frustrated cussing confirms it, and Nami sighs.

“Great, now there’s more of you idiots…”

“Well, are you going to say something?” his voice is final, sounding torn as his back faces you. He’s faced towards his desk, rummaging through useless newspapers and reports. “Or are you just going to pretend this didn’t happen?”

Your heart squeezes. “I—“ your words die in your throat, chapped lips pressing tight. The thought of speaking felt like sandpaper against your tongue, dragging ever so slowly up and across it.

Law crosses his arms, and lets out a sigh. He sounds tired as he turns to you, though there isn’t a hint of bite in his tone, only guilt. ”You, what?” he asks, eyes softening. However—from your eyes, his gaze hardens and you feel yourself crumble underneath it.

Swallowing, your mouth opens but nothing sounds. He must be angry. Growing more disappointed by the second, and you can’t help but only assume the worst. Right now, he probably thinks you’re playing a game, ready to throw yourself into danger again and again—recklessly, without a worry.

“___. I’m talking to you.”

I know. Your hands tremble, fisting the sheets. Panicking.

“Can you at-least look at me?” his voice rises, but not in the way you think. Law steps closer, balling his fists against his elbows. The unsteady beep of your monitor rises, and he sighs gently reaching up to pinch his nose.

It’d just be better if you never said anything at all. It’ll be over soon anyways, you think. Shame and disappointment lurk, yet Law’s only replaying the moment your heart had stopped; as you’d taken a hit meant for him.

”You almost died, and you can’t even talk to me?”

Silence.

“What you did was reckless, and you of all people should know that.” His eyes grow to sting, the thought of losing you too much.

”How many times are you gonna end up here in my infirmary, beaten and bloody? I cannot, keep running after you.” I can’t lose you, he thought. You scared me. Why couldn’t it have just been me? You’re my responsibility.

You hate me. I’m a liability.

Law can’t see your face, only your hair that shadows over it. His hands squeeze and fall lifeless to his sides, as if he’s giving up. “You aren’t invincible, and if you can’t see that I don’t know what you will.” his breath shakes.

Beep..Beep.Beep..Beep

Law didn’t say what he thought, he knew it was wrong the moment it had left his mouth. Something sour curdled in his chest, and it left a lingering ache. Law felt like he couldn’t protect you because you don’t let him, you’ve always thrown yourself away like you’re nothing—and your not.

If only you’d just say something…

”Fine. I’ll leave you be, then.” He murmurs, heading towards the door. As the metal hinge creaks when he opens it, he waits as if there’s a slight chance you’ll speak—yet you don’t… and he steps out. Ever, so slowly.

“I’ll be in my office.” The infirmary door clicks shut, and the sound of his footsteps haunt you, as you hear him walk down the Tang’s hall.

Silently, tears begin to fall. You weakly breathe, and it feels like ice shooting through your lungs. Shaking, you cup your hands to your face and quietly cry, a sob muffling through. You’d felt so afraid, you couldn’t even move.

He hated you, now. You hadn’t even looked at him.

You didn’t understand that he was terrified of losing you, only seeing the worst and assuming that was all you’d ever get. Little did you know, Law didn’t know how to show his love. He didn’t know how to be gentle, even if it was the only things in the world you needed…

In your mind, you’d screwed everything up. Just like always.

_________________________________________

The day after is a nightmare for the crew. Law is stuck up in his room, and you won’t eat a thing.

It was out of character for the both of you, as not only did you love dinner and meal times—but Law often followed, joining you. Now, he resided in his room, thinking as he always did… working alone even though he knows he shouldn’t.

He’s been keeping an eye on you from afar, but never checking up on you in person; always asking the others how you’ve been, awhile keeping track of your state and recovery.

Logically, he assumes you need space, and he’s giving you exactly that, as he works the same way. He doesn’t know how your brain works, and he can’t read your mind, so Law only goes with his instinct…

As he doesn’t have the gut to ask you what you’re really feeling.

The surgeon of death took your silence for a need of quiet. However, you not eating or speaking wasn’t something he was aware of. At least, not yet anyways.

In truth, you were caving in on yourself like you did the other day, turning away physical needs as a form of punishment; feeing the ominous guilt as if you’d failed Law.

Ikkaku, Shachi and Hakugan had stopped by your room for lunch, bringing you a sweet snack and filling you in on what had happened while you were out. Least to say—it wasn’t much. Other than Captain acting like a total prick, nothing else had necessarily happened…

You didn’t say much when they talked to you, and that was what worried them the most. Ikkaku was blunt, but she knew whatever had happened between you two was a touchy subject, so, she let it be.

Penguin had no place to say, and Hakugan was much too terrified to ask what had happened. The crew looked up to Law, yet they couldn’t always agree on how he approached… emotional things.

They still remembered the disaster the two of you had originally been, before it was resolved and well.

Regardless, you numbly zoned off in conversation, nodding ever so slowly—with a faint smile. Even though you said you were fine, everyone knew you clearly weren’t.

“You need to rest,” Ikkaku murmured, gently brushing your hair from your face as you lay on your side.

“I will.” You respond, tiredly rubbing your eyes. “I have.”

“I know, but I mean real rest.” she sighs, grabbing a blanket to toss over your form. “Like actually closing your eyes and sleeping, rest is your best friend, hun.”

“Mhm!” Clione inputs, throwing away your dirtied bandages. The two had been helping you change them every few days, “So is food,” he adds, washing his hands.

Silence roams after that, and without your response—not even a smile, Ikkaku’s eyes linger before she gently gestures Clione to step out.

It was honestly heartbreaking to watch, when there was only so much one person can do. She’d never seen you so out of it. You’ve always been the type to cheer others up, even getting Law to participate in extroverted things he wasn’t used too.

Ikkaku didn’t understand what happened between you and Law, but whatever it was, needed to be resolved between you two alone. And nothing could convince her otherwise.

Love tore people apart, and this was the perfect example of that. One walked on eggshells, while the other was utterly lost…

_________________________________________

By the fourth day, Law was still keeping his distance. You were struggling to keep up with your injuries, as the lack of food or rest in your body finally began to show. You were dehydrated, tired, and sore, and you were growing nowhere close to healing the way you needed to.

You could barely walk to the bathroom on your own… taking care of what you needed to, left to mindlessly stare of into the reflection your empty eyes.

You looked pitiful, and that was a word you hated—but it was the truth. Anyone in their right mind could tell you were struggling, and not till recently—had you wished everything to stop.

Your face was pale, and your mind and body was tired. You didn’t have the effort or energy to explain yourself, and Law didn’t want you anymore.

He probably never even loved you in the first place. He only needed you for what you could do. It’s not like what happened between you mattered, you protected him and the crew—it was your job. This was reality.

And it was all you were good for. You had acted on a whim, and that was your mistake… even if it felt like it was meant to be. However, the look on his face when you’d fallen, was something you’d never forget.

You’d never seen such a scared expression before…

Law was always so calm, rational, and logical—but not like he had then. It didn’t make sense. But nothing did now.

Sliding down against the cupboard of the infirmaries bathroom, your knees slid and press into the tiled floor. Sitting down, your head rests back against the sink, tiredly leaving your eyes closed.

Your chest aches, to the point you couldn’t even think. Every-time you breathed, you thought of Law and it hurt. You’d ruined everything.

____________________________________________

“Captain, I’m worried..” Bepo mumbles, standing aside his desk. “Don’t you think you should talk to her?” He questioned, eyes soft.

“She needs space, Bepo. She’s made that clear.” Law mutters, shifting his glasses on his face. The pen in his hand drags mindlessly against rough paper, creating notes from an anatomy book he was studying.

Law was taking extra precautions on what injuries you had, what backlash they might cause in the human body, and what he could do to treat it further. You needed time—rest, and the last thing you needed was him breathing down your neck about physical therapy. You had other things to focus on, and so did he.

Letting out a sigh, Law doesn’t look up. “Why… do you ask?”

“She’s… tired, Captain.” Bepo admits, “And I don’t think it’s the kind rest can fix.” He mumbles, holding his paws together.

Law’s own freezes, and he looks up. “What?”

“I-I heard Ikkaku and Clione come out of the room the other day, and they looked like they saw a ghost.” He rambles, eyes darting. “I just—it worries me, and she isn’t.. well, she’s not..” his voice trails off, and he nervously looks to Law. “She isn’t herself, and she’s not eating.”

Silence and tension spreads throughout the room, so thick not even a knife could cut it.

“…What?” Law asks, “Why was I not informed of this sooner?”

Bepo doesn’t answer. Because we thought you knew. We thought you’d check on her, but we were wrong… and we’re all at fault for that.

“Captain, what happened between you?”

A sharp pang runs through Law’s chest. Was this… what caused it? How could he have been so blind, of course you were being quiet, you were shutting down. Your vitals were low, but that—

Law’s jaw clenched, and the pencil creaks in his hand. This was all his fault. He’d pushed when he shouldn’t have, and turned your reckless sacrifice into a lecture. You’d only done it to protect him…

Imagine if it was you.

Law doesn’t answer his first-mate. His eyes only lower as he takes a stand. “Is she still in bed?” He asks slowly, questioning himself for all he’s worth.

You hadn’t even been able to look at him, then, imagine what time had done to you now…

Bepo hesitates. “I’m not sure, I just know she hasn’t left the infirmary, Captain.” he mutters, watching Law walk around his desk.

“Oh, are you going to see her—?”

“How long?” Law asks, pausing at the door. If what Bepo says he thinks he will…

“Since… whatever happened Captain.” He answers truthfully. “Please be gentle—“

“I will. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.” Like I should’ve done days ago…

_________________________________________

In a slur of voices, you hear your name being called. Lights flick on over-head, and you can barely make out what’s in-front of you… weakly wiping dry tears from your face, you realize you’d fallen asleep on the bathroom floor

Your eyes flicker shut, when a familiar tan suit catches your eye… and you’re too tired to keep them open. The floor feels to comfortable to move…

“Shachi, go get captain!”

Your body feels like led, and you feel yourself drift off again until gentle hands rest on your shoulders. A man softly says your name, and another higher pitched on flies through.

Your head weakly turns to the voices, as if submerged in mud…

“Hey, come on, ___.” Clione mutters, taking your pulse. “Stay awake, alright?”

“What’s wrong? Does anything hurt, ___?” Ikkaku’s asks, trying to get your attention. When you don’t respond, she looks to Clione. “Can you see any blood? Maybe her wounds reopened from the fall—“

Too tired to speak, your voice dies in your throat. I didn’t fall… I just fell asleep.

“Her body must have just given out…”

Your chest begins to ache as they talk about you as if you’re not even there, and slowly, tears begin to well. You wish you weren’t here at all.

“___, hey what’s wrong?” “What’s going on, sweetheart?”

Moments pass before they realize. You can’t even speak, can you?

“Oh, hun—“

Closing your eyes, you can already feel their worried gaze, and you mistake it for disappointment. Your mind spirals, flickering over Law’s scared expression and the crew’s looks.

You’re weak, useless. You can’t even take a hit to defend your Captain’s life.

Your ears begin to ring… and slowly your vision darkens again. Your chest burns, and you groan in pain turning into the floor.

“Shit—she’s not, ___, I know it hurts but you need to breathe—“

As if on cue, the bathroom entry swings open. Law stands stuck in place, hand frozen on the door’s knob, but only for a second. The wind knocked from his chest. Dammit.

“I cannot keep running after you.”

The words burn like hot iron in the back of his throat, and he immediately kneels beside you, gesturing the others away.

“Give her space, I need—“

Your senses cloud with static, and the presence of Law makes your heart race… ears ringing. Just like it did before. You can’t open your eyes, you can’t even see—but you know it’s him. You know that touch from anywhere, as a gentle calloused hand grounds your shoulder.

“You almost died and you can’t even talk to me?”

“I’m here, ___. Im right here, you’re alright…” Law’s voice is soft, low enough for only you to hear. He’s never sounded so… gentle before. Oxygen claws at your lungs, yet Law is the only thing you can focus on…

For a moment, his body had run frigid with a burning guilt, lips pressing tight and shoulders tense. Then, he was at your side in a second.

Kneeling beside Clione, Law scanned your teary expression and gently placed his hand on your bandaged arm, murmuring your name. Your face was pale, and your eyes were sunken. He didn’t deserve to be near you, not even close after what he’d pulled.

Law had misunderstood your silence for a need of space, un-aware you’d been suffering this entire time. God, he should’ve known better. He knew you went quiet when it mattered, especially when you were in pain.

You’re my responsibility. He’d thought, then, and now. And that would never change.

Now, kneeling by your unconcious form, Law checks for your breathing. Too slow. Not enough oxygen—

“Clione, get me a mask ready! She’s going through syncope!”

“On it, Captain!” The medic hurries out the door, followed by Shachi who watches with a worried expression. Ikkaku is kneeled on the opposite side of Law, watching with a teary expression.

This shouldn’t have gone this far. It shouldn’t have even happened. How could she had been so blind?

Law begins to pick you up, with the utmost gentle of care, cautious of your injuries. His hand cups the back on your head, holding it over the steady beat of his chest.

“Captain, I don’t know what happened but you do,” Ikkaku suddenly speaks, rising from her spot.

Law freezes for a second, looking quietly down at you. “Help her, fix this, do whatever you can!” She wipes her eyes, “This is unprofessional of me, but we’re family! And, and… we just want her back.”

“…Alright.” Law says, his voice final, yet tender. Determined. He doesn’t explain himself, only taking accountability for his actions.

“I will, I’m sorry.” He leaves the bathroom, quietly heading into the infirmary with a shadowed expression.

_________________________________________

By the fifth day, you were fast asleep and hooked up to the monitor with IV’s. Law hadn’t left your side, not even to eat. He wanted to be there for you when you woke, as he knew he hadn’t been there for you, then.

He slept in that chair beside you, reading, and thinking endlessly on how he was going to apologize… and fix this, if he even could. You weren’t something he could just, ‘mend.’

You were precious, and in such a fragile state the wrong word—even tone could break you. Watching your pale face with a solemn expression, in a baggy tank and jeans, Law sighs tiredly into his hands.

“What I did was unforgivable, I should’ve realized you were shutting down sooner.” He mumbles, “I don’t expect you to forgive me,” Law looks up, leaning back. “But… just forgive yourself.”

His eyes soften. “Please.”

The rhythmic sound of your heart monitor beeps throughout the room, like a constant reminder of your current mental state.

Law could not linger on what he should’ve done, he needed to be straight, and present. And there weren’t going to be any excuses.

Letting out a deep exhale, Law pasues when the infirmary door opens with a soft click. Looking over his shoulder, he see’s Bepo with a plate of food and a gentle expression.

“Any changes, Captain?” he asks kindly.

Law’s tired look told him enough, but he still felt the need to ask. “I see.” Bepo mumbles, “Well, I brought you some food. Please try and eat, otherwise Lavi might kill me.”

With a little laugh, he places the dish on the infirmary’s bedside table and rests against the wall beside it. “It’ll get better.” He promises, keeping hopeful.

“I think she’ll just need time.” “…”

Law stays quiet, tracing your weak features. It’s not that he wasn’t hopeful, he was more than determined to do whatever he could for you… but he couldn’t decide for you. He wasn’t you.

Law’s mouth opens, yet for the first time he hesitates to speak. Bepo’s small ears perk up, and his eyes widen. Was he opening up? Law never… and I mean never talked about things. He was always so closed off…

“I snapped when I shouldn’t have.” Law says, voice tightening at the end. He rests his elbows on his knees, looking at the floor… posture exhausted.

“Oh,” Bepo whispers, face dropping. “Is that why—?”

“No.” Law admits. “There’s more.”

Silence spreads throughout the infirmary, and Bepo’s heart aches. Not only for Law, but for you. What had his captain said? You already looked up to him so much, and even after everything…—

Suddenly, the ship’s comms crackle on, Penguin’s voice running through.

“Yo, Bepo! We need you in nav, can you come up?!Please and thank youuu!” With a sharp click, the noise shuts off, emitting a tension of unsaid words and feelings throughout the room.

Law sighs, when Bepo sadly looks to him. “You can go, I’ll be alright.” He leans slowly up, resting against the chair.

Bepo’s ears flatten at his captain’s dismissive tone. “Are you sure?” Without hesitation, Law answers. “Yes. I’ll let you and the crew know if anything changes.”

“Ok, well…” Bepo slowly walks back towards the infirmary door, “We can talk about this later! Also eat that—Or the kitchen threatens to make bread—!” Turning to hurry out the infirmary, Bepo looks back one last time.

“…Yes?”

“Thank you for opening up to me Captain, It really means a lot!”

…

Law stops for a moment, mind going blank. Why…was… he thanking him? Had he not…

This crew was too good for him, even if he was the Captain. The Surgeon of Death still had a lot to learn…

_________________________________________

Coming to, the world was slowly like a morning’s fog. Your limbs felt heavy, despite the weightless linen sheets draped atop you. Wherever you were, smells of antiseptic and… gentle vanilla? Wait, was that one of your candles?

Weakly opening your eyes, the infirmary’s lights are dimmed to a gentle yellow glow overhead, making it gentle on the mind. The steady beep of your heart monitor sounds beside you, making you look weakly left…

Looking at the black screen, a set of green, white, blue and red vitals draw your attention.

65 36.98*C 98 14 110/85

Wait… when had you…?

Weakly shifting up, you go to rub your eyes but an uncomfortable pull in your right arm stops you…

An IV. But, you thought you had that taken out days ago? Not to mention, the plastic needle and medical tape was neatly wrapped, on your forearm with precision… not too tight, and not to loose.

Did Law do that?

”You’re up.” A deep voice snaps you out of your daze, making you spot Law across the room. He’s at the infirmary’s sink, rinsing off a dish under warm running water.

“How are you feeling?” he asks, setting down the plate. It clinks softly against the bottom of the metal, making your heart pang. Flinching at the noise, you hesitate. “I…”

How did you actually feel? You felt tired, sure; exhausted and slow, thought that wasn’t anything new. Wait, but what about Law? Why was he… right. You passed out in the bathroom, and he and the crew was there.

“I’m… okay.” You mumble, looking down. How long had you been out?

Law watches you with a gentle expression. He figured you’d say that. You always assured others, even when you were at your lowest. Letting out a sigh, he slowly walks to your bedside keep a respectful distance. You were always the type to uplift others…

“I’m not mad, ___.” he says quietly, watching you look down. He sees the way your hands anxiously squeeze at the sheets, mentally noting how scared you are. How scared you’d been then, too.

”I lost my temper, and I said things I shouldn’t have. That is on me, not you.”

As if on cue, your eyes filled with tears. Why was it that you didn’t believe him? And why did hearing that hurt so much? “But I…” your voice breaks, and you weakly shift your knees to your chest.

”No. You didn’t do anything wrong, and you have nothing to apologize for.” he murmurs, tone final—as if he believed it with all his heart. You felt at a loss for words, like your whole world had flipped.

”Y-you were…”

”I was scared.” Law admits, before your mind can spiral.

Looking up, you blearily locked eyes with the surgeon. “When you took that hit, and didn’t get back up, I thought I lost you… and I didn’t know what to do with myself.”

Tears silently roll down your cheeks, and Law takes a breath, looking you straight in the eyes; and they shine with a vulnerability he’s never shown.

”You’re mine to protect, and you are mine to care for.” he murmurs. “It was unacceptable, what I did, and it will never happen again. I can promise you that.”

Wiping your eyes, you force yourself to look away. “But you said I was reckless and—“ a weak sob cut’s you off, and Law didn’t interrupt. He listens, giving you the chance to speak.

“T-that I’d never learn, I thought you hated me for what I did!” you mutter, voice breaking.

…

Hate?

“___,” Law starts, his voice betraying him.

“I couldn’t talk, n’ I froze, and all I could do was just sit there like some pathetic freak and take it! and you hate that and I—“ letting out a muffled soft cry, Law slowly comes to your side.

“I don’t hate you.”

“B-but I couldn’t do anything, and this entire time I’ve just been screwing everything up!“ Law gently grabs your wrist, forcing you to look at him.

“___, I don’t hate you.” He grounds. “You have been injured, and unwell, you don’t punish yourself for something that’s not your fault.”

Your eyes widen, and you force yourself gaze down… yet Law’s two gentle fingers tilt your chin back up.

“I took my anger out on you, and that is something I will regret for the rest of my life. You have done nothing wrong, stop blaming yourself.”

“But y-you said you wouldn’t keep running after me,” your voice trembles, heart out in the open.

“I did. But it wasn’t meant—!”

”Then how did you mean it?” You snap, hiccuping. “Y-You can’t just expect me to read your mind, Law!”

”I know.” He mutters. “And I’m sorry.” I’m sorry.

Suddenly, Law’s calloused—yet tender hand, cups your cheek… gently moving to wipe away your tears with his thumb. “___, look at me.”

Sniffling, you meet his gaze. “I didn’t mean to snap…” You whisper.

”I know.” he responds, “But you’re allowed to yell at me, especially if I’m being an ass.”

Law leans closer, gently resting his forehead against your’s. “I’m sorry that I wasn’t there for you sooner, I will never let this repeat. And I will… communicate… and I…” his breath catches, and his hold on you tightens.

“I’m sorry, ___. I can’t imagine what I put you through.” he whispers, slowly leaning back.

“You mean the world to this crew, a-and… you mean the world to me.” A beat. Law slowly leans back, locking eyes with you. “You don’t have to forgive me, but… please, forgive yourself. Don’t make yourself so small that I… that I can’t reach you.”

Sniffling quietly, you look down with tears clouding your vision. “Okay,” you mutter, leaning your head against his shoulder. “I-Alright, I will…”

Law stills, silently feeling you cry against him. His hand slowly rises, coming to cup the back of your head…

Even the brightest of stars don’t know how much they shine.

“You’re too good for me, ___.” he mumbles under his breath, hugging you gently. You sag in his hold, letting your eyes flutter… eventually falling shut.

——————

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