“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…”