One Piece Fan Fiction ❯ Ruby's Story ❯ Chapter 4
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: valeries26 
Anime/Manga: One Piece Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Fantasy / Comedy / Adventure / Action | Type: Self Insertion | Uploaded On: 06.20.2012 | Pages: 6 | Words: 6.4K | Visits: 245 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: One Piece Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Fantasy / Comedy / Adventure / Action | Type: Self Insertion | Uploaded On: 06.20.2012 | Pages: 6 | Words: 6.4K | Visits: 245 | Status: Completed
Disclaimer: I don’t own the main plotline. I just own Ruby and her sisters. Enjoy!
RSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRS
Ruby rolled her eyes at her captain’s actions right now, she felt like she could fell over at any moment. Who would not want to? She had been running away from Marines for most of the blasted day. Ruby even had missed Sanji’s part in the cooking contest and Usopp’s meeting Daddy.
‘Blast those marines,’ Ruby thought to herself as the sky poured water sown. Ruby almost ducked every time she saw lightening flashed. If it was not for the fact she knew Buggy was going to get strike with lightening, she would have been fired along with the annoying clown.
“What kinda storm is this?” Zoro said, drawing Ruby out of her thoughts.
“If we don’t hurry, we won’t be able to get off the Island,” Sanji commented as the four ran. “Nami-san wasn’t kidding when she said to get back to the ship as soon as possible!”
“Run! Run! Run!” Luffy cheered. Ruby glared at him.
‘That’s what I’m doing!’ Ruby thought. She would have said that out loud, but she did not have the breath for it. A few minutes passed as they continue to run.
“Which way is the harbor?” Zoro asked. Ruby nearly tripped over her feet.
“It’s raining so hard, I can’t tell which direction,” Luffy called out.
“There are they!” Ruby twisted around to see -
“Marines, behind us!” Ruby yelled. Ruby was bound not to get caught again by the damn military.
“Damn! They are persistent,” Zoro said as Ruby ran passed him and Sanji. “Wanna stop and fight them?”
“NO, there’s no time….” Sanji trailed off. Ruby felt her mouth was dry and her side hurt as she ran, but she quickly moved her mind onto others things like getting away from the Marines and found that blasted ship. Ruby saw a side street a head and she turned to view it. An escape.
“This way, stooges,” Ruby called out and the three men followed her as she started to run. She led them in a zigzag pattern that she figured they would lose the damned marines and found the Going Merry. Lady Luck was not going to be on Ruby’s side today. They did found the ship, but they also found the marines.
Ruby saw them at the mouth of the side street and groaned. She pulled the sheath from her belt and held it out in front. Ruby forced her body to go faster. She piled through the group of Marines. She turned to the left and saw the ship about a mile off shore. Ruby started to sprint. Suddenly, a blue haired woman slid in front of Ruby. Ruby slid to a stop.
“Who is that Lady?” Sanji screamed, his eye becoming a pink heart.
“So you are Roronoa Zoro, a pirate,” The woman spoke.
“Are you a marine?” Ruby asked. The woman looked up at Ruby and nodded. The woman seemed to glare at her.
“You lied to me?” Ruby saw her face clearly now and gasped the woman’s name.
“Tashigi.”
“What the hell did you to her?” Sanji yelled at Zoro.
“You never asked my name, that’s all,” Zoro said as he walked passed Luffy and pushed Ruby back toward their captain. “I never lied to you.”
“A scoundrel like you wielding such a magnificent katana….” Tashigi screamed. “Unforgivable!” She paused to catch her breath. “Your Meitou, the Wadou Ichimonji shall be confiscated!”
Ruby blinked in surprise. Tashigi was upset because Zoro did not tell her his name?
‘That in incredible stupid,’ Ruby thought She would think about it later when this crisis was all said and done.
“Just try it,” Zoro said, ready to draw one of his swords. Tashigi and Zoro looked at each other for a moment before Tashigi drew her sword and race at Zoro. He blocked her attack. Their swords made a metal clang as they struck. Ruby watched in awe.
Both swords wielders were trying to over helm the other. Ruby saw their arms shake with effort. Ruby could only assumed Tashigi’s sword slipped upward because she didn’t see what happen. Zoro held his sword above his head and Tashigi was bent low at the waist. Zoro swung his sword down and Tashigi blocked it. They tried to stare down each other. Ruby was knocked out of her wowing as Sanji started to yell.
“You bastard! How dare you attack a woman?”
“Sanji!” Ruby rounded on the cook. “Shut up!” she yelled at the stunned man as Tashigi yelled at him. “Stay out of this, please.”
Sanji looked taken back. He stared at Ruby whom turned back to watch and Tashigi who was still blocking Zoro’s sword. Luffy just stared at the fighting pair.
“It’s just between them, right now, Sanji.” Ruby said softly over her shoulder.
“You heard her,” Zoro said. “Go on ahead.”
Ruby nodded, even though her fellow swordsman could not see it. She grabbed Luffy’s and Sanji’s hands as she started to run around the dueling pair.
“Zoro!” Ruby called out as they passed. “Don’t get lost.” She smiled at him.
The trio ran down the street. A few minutes of running, Ruby saw a man standing in the middle of the street. She slowed down to a stop. She saw the man clearly through the pouring rain. Smoker. He was standing between them and the ship. Ruby steeled herself.
“Here at last,” The cigar smoking man said. “Straw Hat Luffy.” Ruby could sense Luffy and Sanji stopped beside her. “I told you, if you can’t beat me….” he paused. “you will never get to the Grand Line.”
“Oh yeah,” Luffy’s face lit up, remembering earlier. “I forgot about that!”
Ruby snorted lightly.
“You enjoy playing dumb,” Smoker commented and Ruby silently agreed. Her captain may be acting dumb, but she had no doubt he was a closet genius.
“Hey Luffy,” Sanji said.
“Sanji,” Luffy said. “Ruby.” She turned to look at him. “Go on ahead.”
“Aye, Captain.” Ruby said as she started to run away from Luffy. “Don’t have too much fun, Luffy, remember we are close to the Grand Line.”
Luffy grinned at her and Ruby and Sanji sped off to the cliffs that the Going Merry was going to pass.
“I would not bet on that,” Smoker said. He let one of his arms become smoke and grabbed Ruby in mid-run.
“Ruby-chan!” Sanji called out, he held out his arm out straight as she floated away from him.
“Go!” Ruby yelled as she struggled to get free, but she could not move. Sanji did not move. “Go protect Nami-san.” Sanji nodded after a moment before he dashed off.
Smoker drew her in close to him before tossing her to Luffy. Ruby wrapped her arms around her heads, protecting it from harm. She rolled to Luffy’s feet and stopped. Luffy knelt down beside her and helped her to her feet. Ruby noticed his eyes never left Smoker’s. They stared at each other as Ruby walked backward toward a building.
She could now start to wonder why Smoker did not let her pass? Was it because of the portable blow job joke? Or something else? Ruby took both of her hands and ran them through her soaked red hair. She tilted her head back and glared at the sky as it poured.
“I’ll defeat you and enter the Grand Line,” Luffy finally broke the silence. “Coz I’m the man who will become the Pirate King.” Ruby jerked her gazed to him before she drifted her eyes to Smoker.
“You won’t be sprouting that rubbish for much longer!” Smoker said before he attacked. He let his arms become smoke.
“Watch out, Luffy.” Ruby called. “He ate the Smoke fruit.” She felt Smoker’s eyes on her as his arms flew around Luffy.
“Wha---?” Luffy said as his body was engulfed by white smoke. He lifted from the ground.
“My ground entire body can become smoke at my whim!” Smoker said as he tossed Luffy into Ruby. She felt her eyes widen as she saw Luffy flying to her. She jumped to the right and winced as Luffy fell on his head then on his back.
“Luffy?” Ruby crawled over to him and took off his hat before running her hand over his scalp, making that fall didn’t break any bones as she looked up at Smoker. She did not feel any, but she did not take her eyes of the man.
Smoker walked over to her and she stood up, drawing her sword. Ruby was mentally preparing herself to get her ass kicked by the Great Marine Captain Himself, Smoker. Ruby scowled at herself. She was making sarcastic jokes which meant she was in trouble.
Ruby pushed herself to a running start toward Smoker with her right foot. Her heart pounded in her chest. The blood in her veins sped through. Adrenaline rush. She brought her sword over her head then brought it down with enough force to cause her to hop into the air. She sliced through Smoker. He turned to smoke at the last moment. She cursed. Ruby brought her sword back into the defense position she was taught to it. She walked in a circle, trying to protect her captain. Ruby jumped as she felt a hand wrapped around her left ankle. She twisted around and saw Luffy’s head raising a few inches from the ground.
“Luffy.” Ruby breathed in relief as she knelt in front of him.
“Go to the ship,” Luffy said. He looked at her.
“But, Captain.” Ruby protested.
“Now, Ruby.” Luffy almost growled the order at her. She nodded. She stood, sheathed her sword and started to run down an alley between a couple buildings. Suddenly she was thrown into a building and her eyes widen as she saw she was heading toward a window.
Ruby heard a scream and felt pain. Her head spun, sickeningly. She tried to crack her eyes open, but she barely could. She heard a male voice shouting at her. She fell in to her mind and unconsciousness.
When Ruby woke, she found herself looking down at butt and running feet. She blinked almost stupidly as she pushed her torso up, looking around. First thing she spotted was Marines, Smoker, and Tashigi running after her. She glanced down, wrapping her legs around the person who was carrying her. Zoro glared at her, annoyed. She twisted her head to see Luffy’s rubber arms stretched out to the ship which was about a mile off shore. She jerked her head in the opposite direction and groaned as Luffy prepared to jump the mile between them and the ship.
“Gomu Gomu no Rocket!” Luffy cried.
“Luffy!” Zoro, Ruby, Usopp, and Sanji screamed in horror. Luffy flew toward them. Ruby started to scream and buried her face in Zoro’s neck, holding on tight to the poor swordsman.
Ruby felt herself flying through the air as the wind whip her hair around her and Zoro’s face. Suddenly, she felt like she hit something hit like a cloth. She pulled back her head and saw the ship below. Usopp, Sanji, Luffy, and Zoro were….there was no other way to put it…was really close to her. Then gravity decided to kick in. They began to slide down. They landed in a heap. Ruby groaned as she slowly stood up, rubbing her rear. She looked down.
Zoro was faced down, a hand held the back of his head. Usopp was lying on his back, looking upward. Sanji was, also, faced down with Luffy’s feet on his back. Luffy was facing upwards.
Ruby looked around and jumped over Zoro’s back as Nami came over.
“Guys,” Nami said, looked down at the men. They climbed to their feet.
“It feels like the ship’s gonna turn over,” Luffy cried, sitting on his usually spot.
“Look at that light,” Nami said, standing at the railing, looking forward. Ruby saw it was a lighthouse. The light was flashing.
“The island’s lighthouse,” Usopp asked, hugging the mast.
“That’s our guiding light,” Nami explained. “The light that points to the entrance of Grand Line.”
“The Grand Line is over there?” Luffy asked in wonder.
“What now?” Nami asked.
“But are you really gonna go in a storm like this?” Usopp could be heard asking from the mast. Ruby smirked at no one as she felt stings from the injuries she got from the glass she had landed into. Out of the corner her eye, she saw Zoro nod, Sanji put a thumb up, Luffy looked back at his crew, and Nami’s smile grew.
“Alright!” Sanji said. “Let’s have a little launching ceremony to mark the importance of our voyage!”
Ruby felt nervous. She knew everyone’s dreams on the ship, but what about her own? She would like go back home and settled down there, but she always felt like she didn’t belong there. Maybe….just maybe..
“Oi!” someone cried.
“Yeah, great!” she thought Luffy yelled that comment.
“Let’s do it!” Nami said.
Ruby turned to see Sanji put his left foot on a barrel. “To find All Blue!”
Luffy was next and he copied Sanji’s idea of putting his foot on the barrel. “To become the Pirate King!”
“To be the greatest swordsman!” Zoro declared with a huge grin on his face.
“To draw a map of the world!” Nami went next. Now, it was down to Usopp and Ruby. Ruby started to feel extremely nervous as she began to think of her hobbies….writing…singing in the shower….crocheting -seamstress…..
“I’m….I’m…to become a brave warrior of the sea!!” Usopp said as he put his foot of the barrel. They all looked at Ruby.
Ruby looked at each other faces. Sanji, Zoro, Usopp, Nami, and finally…Luffy.
“To become the best historical writing seamstress and swordswoman!” Ruby grinned as she put her foot on the barrel. They all looked the barrel with grins. Ruby felt at home.
“LET’S GO TO THE GRAND LINE!” Luffy hollered. As one, the crew lifted their foot in the air. Ruby had more difficulty then the others due to her lack of physical activity before her time with the crew. She wobbled on the spot.
“AYE!” the crew shouted. They broke the barrel. Ruby fell to the side into Usopp, whom fell into Nami, then Luffy, then Sanji and Zoro landed with his head in Ruby’s lap. Ruby started to giggle before it became a full blown laugh. Luffy started to laugh along with her.
“Nami,” Usopp said. “How come you are not wearing any underwear?”
Ruby rolled to the side as Usopp was sent flying in to the mast and she laughed harder with the rest of the men.
Dream
Her hands were stretch out in front of her as she ran down a long hallway, in a similar matter to Scooby-Doo and Shaggy. She heard screams and realized it was coming from her. Ruby glanced behind her to see Buggy the Clown and Mr. 3 following her while they were being chased by a huge lion looking creature with a funny looking face.
“Bra!” The lion thing talked. “Panties!” She sweat dropped. “Noodles with pussy.”
Ruby saw her way was blocked by a half-dressed man with green pants and head dress that reminded her of an Egyptian god. She jumped, kicked the half dressed man out of her way and flew over a railing. Buggy and Mr. 3 followed her. They grabbed a hold of each other, screaming. They fell down toward blood colored needles, but Buggy let his feet fall from his body. They landed in between the needles and ran toward a hole in the middle of the room.
Suddenly, Luffy was there, running beneath her as he spirited across the hot sand and Mr. 2 was dancing along their way. She could feel the hot sun burning her back. Ruby jumped to the ground as they entered the burning hell. The air was enough to send Ruby back to the surface, but she could not retreat. Ace need to be rescued.
Luffy, Ruby, Buggy, Mr. 3 and Mr. 2 pressed on into the hot hell. They were racing down a brick bridge toward level 5. They were so close to Ace. Ruby punched a stone cage beside her, drawing blood.
“We didn’t come this far to lose him, now.” Luffy growled. Ruby nodded and turned heading up the spiral staircase.
Ruby blinked away tears. The cocky and proud Ace was reduced to tears a she bowed his head in defeat. That pissed her off. She drew her sword.
“Captain,” Ruby said, softly. “I will fellow you to the deepest part of hell to help you to get Ace back.”
Luffy didn’t say anything to her. “Gomu Gomu no Gatling gun!”
Ruby roared something that was muffled and marines fell to the ground.
She was so close to Ace when Luffy lost his extra energy. She grabbed her captain and blocked an attack. She turned around to see an Admiral punch his fist into her ribcage. She screamed.
Ruby swung up from a laying position so fast her hummock swung to the right and she fell out of bed. Her breath came in pants. She laid there for a moment, thinking about her dream. She knew it was the battle to save Ace before he died. Was that a vision of the future..or an imagination running wild.
Ruby nearly jumped out her skin as she heard a snore. She shifted into a defensive position before she saw who it was. Nami’s beautiful face was facing her. She seemed so peaceful to Ruby. Nami muttered something and rolled over, knocking her blankets off her. Ruby smiled softly. Ruby slowly stood up and reached for Nami’s covers. She covered Nami again before grabbing her own covers and hopped back into the hummock. Ruby covered up and went back to sleep. She would go the rest of the night without dreams or nightmares. Ruby was wrong.
She was standing on a cliff edge overlooking a volcano. Ruby stepped back without thought and glanced around. Zoro was hanging over the lava pit several feet from her. Her jaw dropped in surprise as she scanned the area for a way over there, but she saw Nami. She was also hanging over the lava. Suddenly, Nami and Zoro fell into the lava. They screamed as they were dissolved like salt in a cup of water.
“Why?” Ruby whispered in the scary silence after the screams died. Tears ran down her cheeks and she stared at the boiling lava.
“Matter of the heart,” a strange voice rang out above the bubbling of the lava. She turned around her right hand fell on her sword - ready to draw if it was necessary. A tiny figure’s outline was visible. “Have to choose, you will.” it was strange. The way the figure talked, it reminded Ruby of Master Yoda from Star Wars.
The tiny figure faded back into the fog and Ruby heard the screams of Zoro and Nami coming again.
She jerked up and landed on the cabin floor, again. Ruby groaned as she picked herself and the blankets up. She threw her blankets on her hummock. She went over to her bag and grabbed her Ipod. She slipped out of the door and up to the deck.
Ruby looked around the deck and saw no one before she decided to climb up the crow’s nest. Sanji was awake, smoking a cigarette and looked surprised as Ruby stood up in the nest.
“Go to bed, Sanji. I will take the watch.” Ruby said with a small smile. Sanji blinked sleepy and nodded. He climbed down to the deck and went below. Ruby watched him go.
Ruby listened to her ipod for the rest of the night as she practice Kendo moves, wrote, and song some songs. It was early in the morning when she song her last song she would before the crew woke, but after she finished the song and came to a stop from her dancing, she heard clapping.
Ruby stood rigid and slowly turned around. The entire crew was standing there, watching her. She turned beet red and jerked her ear plugs from her ears.
“I’m terribly sorry that I woke you,” Ruby said with embarrassed look.
“You were beautiful, Ruby-chwan,” Sanji cried and ran over to her.
“You were so cool!” Usopp and Luffy yelled. Nami nodded.
“You were good, but sounds like you still need practice though.”
“Thanks, Nami,” Ruby said. Zoro didn’t a word, but she got a feeling he agree with the others. “When’s breakfast?”
“Coming right up, my beautiful gem,” Sanji said as he raced toward the kitchen.
It was mid morning when Usopp called out to the crew.
“Hey!” Ruby jumped and her hand jerked across the paper she was writing on. She scrawled. “There’s a huge flock of birds off starboard.” Ruby looked up and glared at Usopp. She had been writing a story about her adventure so far. She sat aside her writing notebook and slowly stood up
“Birds?” Ruby heard Luffy ask.
“Yeah,” Usopp said, “and in the water I can sort of make out a pretty big thing...Ah! I can’t tell. What do you think?”
“Maybe a fish?” Luffy said turning around.
‘Or a rowboat?’ Ruby thought to herself. “Could it be a rowboat?” Ruby asked. “That storm last night was pretty bad.” It seemed like nobody was listening to her because Sanji spoke up, saying “I hear that when sea birds flock over the ocean its usually because there’s a school of fish around.”
Luffy’s attention was caught at the word ‘fish’.
“Luffy, catch us some lunch,” Sanji ordered.
“Gotcha!” Luffy stood up. “Gomu Gomu no Amidoni!” Luffy stretched his arm back and let it fly forward. It stretched out over the ocean.
“Whoa!” Sanji said as Ruby climbed the stairs to the upper deck. “Nice stretch.”
Ruby turned her body to watch what Luffy had caught. She saw his hand grab a hold of something and he started to pull his arm back with a snap. Ruby had time to feel her eyes widen at the sight of Luffy letting go of the catch and Ruby fell over backwards, her arms up catching the flying girl. Ruby wrapped her arms around the girl and she fell back onto the sleeping swordsman.
Zoro hollered with surprise and pain as Ruby’s head landed somewhere it should not have. Ruby blinked as she forced her body up in a sitting position. The girl was soaked and Ruby dimly noticed she was getting wet also.
Everyone stared at the unconscious girl. The girl had blond hair that was braided, had a pale yellow dress on with a design, and a hat with the same design as the dress. Ruby guessed the girl could not be any older then ten years of age.
“Why was a little girl in a small boat like that…?” Nami said after the duo of idiots talked about the girl as a mermaid.
“That storm last night was pretty bad,” Ruby said as she looked at Nami. The other red head nodded. “I’m gonna take her down our room and change her before she gets sick.”
Ruby scooped the girl into her arms and got her feet under before she stood up while trying not to drop the girl. She walked below deck with Nami following her. When the two women reached their room, Nami grabbed three towels and helped Ruby to dry the young pre-teen off. Ruby wrapped the girl up in a towel and managed the towel to become a halter top dress. Nami and Ruby grabbed the girl’s wet clothes and took up, above deck to air dry while the girl slept.
Ruby checked on the clothes often. She had a feeling the girl would not be too happy to wake up in a towel that was manipulated into a halter top dress. She also knew the girl would think someone took advantage of her while she was asleep. The sun was setting when the girl’s clothes was dry and Ruby and Nami went down and dressed the girl. Nami went to the kitchen afterwards and Ruby stay by the girl’s side, reading a book.
Ruby breathed deeply and smelt the sweet aroma of dinner. She looked up from her book, closing her eyes and heard her stomach rumble with hunger….or she thought it her stomach. She opened her eyes and looked over at Nami’s bed. The blond hair girl was wake and she was looking at Ruby, a faint rouge color on her cheeks.
“I take it you are hungry?” Ruby asked with a small smile on her lips. Suddenly the girl jerked upward. She looked around with a faint blush on her cheeks. She nodded. “Come on,” Ruby said, “I’ll take you up to the kitchen for some food.”
The girl climbed out of bed and Ruby showed her the way to the kitchen. The girl went ahead of Ruby when they reached the kitchen and pushed opened the door. Ruby saw Nami, Luffy, Sanji, and Zoro staring at them as they walked in. The girl stopped in the doorway and Ruby walked around the girl, nearly stepping on Usopp.
“Usopp, what are you doing on the ground?” Ruby asked, peering at him.
“You threw the door open and hit me,” Usopp moaned.
“It was not me,” Ruby said in her defense. “It was our visitor.”
“So you’ve come to?” Nami said, making it sound like a question. “Seems you’re doing better then we expected.” The girl looked at Nami. “Does it hurt anywhere?” Nami continued.
“You must be hungry. I’m cooking soup right now.” Sanji said.
“She is.” Ruby said. “Her stomach was growling a few minutes ago.”
The girl blushed a bit, but she did not say a word. She just stared at everyone before saying “Lucky!” with a huge grin on her face.
“Were you in a ship wreck or something?” Nami asked as Ruby sat at the table across from Nami. “You could’ve been in big trouble. What’s your name?”
Ruby saw Luffy out of the corner of her eye watching the young girl and she blinked stupidly as she realized she was thirsty. She stood up and went to the frig, opened the door, peered inside and pulled out a glass bottle of soda. She grabbed another one for the girl after she looked at her.
“When you ask someone questions, you should give your name first,” The girl shot back. Ruby grinned at her. The girl had an attitude that reminded Ruby of herself when she younger back when she did not control it.
“My name is Ruby,” Ruby said. She pointed at Nami. “This is Nami,” She shifted her hand to Luffy. “This is our captain, Luffy.” She pointed at Sanji. “The cook Sanji,” She jerked her thumb toward Zoro. “The first mate and our swordsman, Zoro,” Ruby pointed to Usopp who was still lying on the floor. “Our village liar, marksman, and comic relief, Usopp,” Ruby hit the top of the bottle against the edge of the table causing the lid to fly off and hit Nami in her left boob. “Sorry, Nami,” Ruby said as Nami sent her a hurt look. “So, you thirsty, kiddo?”
The girl nodded. Ruby got up and opened the girl’s bottle before handed it to her. “What kind of ship am I on?”
“Pirate.” the crew replied. Ruby sat down and eyed the girl who had a shocked expression on her face.
“WHAT!?” The girl screamed. “PIRATES!?”
Ruby blinked in surprise. Yup, it had been a long while since she had watched the episodes before season 10 of One piece.
“We’re heading to the Grand Line.” Luffy explained. A moment of silence fell in the kitchen.
“What’s wrong?” Nami asked as she looked at the girl’s opened mouth expression.
“She isn’t moving.” Luffy commented.
“What’re we gonna do with this kid?” Zoro spoke up. Luffy looked at him.
“Ahh, well, what should we do?” Luffy asked. Ruby and Nami still stared at the girl. “Let’s think about it tomorrow.”
“I second that!” Ruby said, tearing her eyes away from the girl. Sanji pour each of them a bowl of food and Ruby stood up and helped Sanji to hand them out. Sanji started to protest, but Ruby shoved her empty soda bottle into his mouth. The crew talked and laughed during dinner.
Night had fell. The crew was doing their nightly routine while Ruby grabbed her ipod and shinai. She walked from the room she shared with Nami. She calmly started to practice sword movements, but stopped when she heard the girl saying something. She pressed her ear against the door, listening.
“I went through all that trouble and did scary things to escape from the Navy! Off all things, why did I get picked up by a pirate ship?” the girl said. Ruby blinked in surprise. So, there was a chance that the navy will be after them soon. She had to tell Luffy the first chance she got. Ruby was planning to run down to the men’s quarters to warn Luffy when she heard a growl. She bit her lip to keep from laughing. The young girl did not eat anything when Sanji offered. Ruby had tried to get the girl to eat also. Ruby saw the mistrust in the girl’s eyes. She heard feet pat against the floor.
Suddenly, she heard a gasp then a terrified scream. Ruby flung the door open and flipped on the light. She blinked.
“You again?” Sanji’s voice drifted over the silence. Ruby bite her lower lip again. “You never learn no matter how many times I tell you, Luffy.”
Luffy was caught in a huge mouse trap. Ruby bust out laughing. The sight reminded her of an ending of an anime music video. Luffy tried to get out but he slid back. ‘Now, if we had the chicken dance song, I will lose my control of my bladder.’ Ruby thought.
“Can’t you get it through your thick skull?” Sanji asked, ignoring Ruby rolling on the ground. “Hm?” Sanji turned his head to view the girl. “What’re you doing?”
“Yum!” Luffy began chewing down a piece of meat. Ruby chuckled, overcoming her laughing fit as she sat at the table. Sanji was looking at Luffy.
“If you ask, I’ll make something for you,” Sanji said. “So like I told you, don’t take food without asking.”
“But I’m hungry,” Luffy said around a mouth full of food.
“Don’t talk with your mouth full, Luffy.” Ruby glared at her captain. A growl broke the air. Sanji, Ruby and Luffy looked at the girl.
“What’s wrong? Aren’t you eating?” Sanji asked. He turned his gaze on the girl. The girl looked away. “You didn’t eat this evening, either. Why’re you holding back?” The girl eyed him out of the corner of her eyes. “I’m telling ya, it’s not poisoned or anything.” the girl shook her head before she looked down at the plate in front of her. “If you just sit there like that, he’ll finish everything.”
Ruby stood up and went to the frig. She reached in for another glass bottle of soda. She turned around to see the girl looked up and saw Luffy reaching across the table for a bowl of soup. The girl reaction as she yelled “No!”
Luffy looked surprised. “Huh?” He made a face as the girl lift the bowl to her lips and drink the soup. Ruby hid her smile behind the bottle of soda as she sat back down.
“Yum!” the girl exclaimed after she finished the bowl. Ruby grinned at her.
“I told ya Sanji was a excellent cook.” Ruby said. Ruby realized a second later that was a mistake.
“Oh my beautiful gem,” Sanji cried, slid over her with a red rose. “You are just too much. Your comments are simply beautiful to my unworthy ears.”
Ruby let her head hit the table with a small groan. The girl giggled.
“I’ve never eaten anything this good!” the girl cried out.
Ruby jerked her head up when she heard Nami’s voice “You’re finally smiling.”
“Oh, Nami-san!” Sanji cried and Ruby slid her leg out from under the table as Sanji’s attention switched from her to Nami. Sanji tripped over Ruby’s foot, falling to the wooden floor. Zoro looked amused. Usopp laughed. Luffy looked concerned. Nami smiled at Ruby. The girl peered over the table. Ruby took another drink of her soda.
“You’re eating again, Luffy!?” someone asked as Ruby fought down a blush from Nami’s smile.
“I didn’t eat that much for lunch,” Luffy protested while he looked at the speaker.
“You emptied two pots, didn’t you?” Usopp asked. Luffy looked unsure.
“I did?” Luffy scratched his forehead. The trio walked over to the table.
“You got scared when you heard we’re pirates, didn’t you?” Nami asked, bending over slightly to the young girl.
“W-well…” The girl started.
“Well,” Nami stood up. “that’s a natural reaction towards pirates these days.” Nami commented.
“Yup,” Ruby said. “It’s really sad.” They all looked at her. “The Navy wants to control the sea, but they can’t when pirates like us are just roaming around.”
“But we are not doing anything bad.” Luffy said. Ruby nodded.
“True, but they are other pirates out in the sea that are blood thirsty and have no morals at all.” Ruby pointed it out. “I mean they kill and rape the women and children when those blood thirsty idiots raid towns.”
“You’re not gonna sell me off?” the girl asked uncertainly.
“No way!” Usopp cried out.
“You’re all evil-looking, so..” Zoro spoke up.
“You’ve got a right to talk with that face?” Usopp started to pull on Zoro’s face. Ruby silently counted down to zero from three. Zoro and Usopp started to fight.
“What’re you doing?” Ruby thought it was one of the fighters, but she wasn’t for sure.
“Ahh! That’s enough!” Nami said as Sanji, Luffy, the girl, and Ruby watched the fight. Luffy started to laugh. Ruby glanced at the girl and saw her shoulders shake like she was laughing. She stared at her face and saw uncertainty written there. Sanji bent down, several inches away the girl’s face.
“We have more, mademoiselle.” Sanji said.
“At least, this ship isn’t the kind of pirate ship you’re thinking of,” Nami commented. Ruby saw the girl’s eyes wide and innocent.
“Don’t worry.” Ruby said. She and Nami watched the girl’s face changed from the wide-eyed innocent look to happiness.
“Another plate, please,” The girl asked.
“As you wish,” Sanji smiled.
“Me, too!” Luffy cried out.
“Do it yourself!” Sanji yelled at the captain.
“You meanie…” Luffy whined.
Ruby groaned as she walked into the kitchen. She headed straight for the coffee. She needed the caffeine to stay awake until after breakfast. Then it would be off to dream land. She smiled at that thought. She poured a cup, added French Vanilla flavoring and sat down at the table. She didn’t notice the young girl by the stove. Ruby took a mouthful of hot, wake-me-up coffee when it happen.
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Ruby rolled her eyes at her captain’s actions right now, she felt like she could fell over at any moment. Who would not want to? She had been running away from Marines for most of the blasted day. Ruby even had missed Sanji’s part in the cooking contest and Usopp’s meeting Daddy.
‘Blast those marines,’ Ruby thought to herself as the sky poured water sown. Ruby almost ducked every time she saw lightening flashed. If it was not for the fact she knew Buggy was going to get strike with lightening, she would have been fired along with the annoying clown.
“What kinda storm is this?” Zoro said, drawing Ruby out of her thoughts.
“If we don’t hurry, we won’t be able to get off the Island,” Sanji commented as the four ran. “Nami-san wasn’t kidding when she said to get back to the ship as soon as possible!”
“Run! Run! Run!” Luffy cheered. Ruby glared at him.
‘That’s what I’m doing!’ Ruby thought. She would have said that out loud, but she did not have the breath for it. A few minutes passed as they continue to run.
“Which way is the harbor?” Zoro asked. Ruby nearly tripped over her feet.
“It’s raining so hard, I can’t tell which direction,” Luffy called out.
“There are they!” Ruby twisted around to see -
“Marines, behind us!” Ruby yelled. Ruby was bound not to get caught again by the damn military.
“Damn! They are persistent,” Zoro said as Ruby ran passed him and Sanji. “Wanna stop and fight them?”
“NO, there’s no time….” Sanji trailed off. Ruby felt her mouth was dry and her side hurt as she ran, but she quickly moved her mind onto others things like getting away from the Marines and found that blasted ship. Ruby saw a side street a head and she turned to view it. An escape.
“This way, stooges,” Ruby called out and the three men followed her as she started to run. She led them in a zigzag pattern that she figured they would lose the damned marines and found the Going Merry. Lady Luck was not going to be on Ruby’s side today. They did found the ship, but they also found the marines.
Ruby saw them at the mouth of the side street and groaned. She pulled the sheath from her belt and held it out in front. Ruby forced her body to go faster. She piled through the group of Marines. She turned to the left and saw the ship about a mile off shore. Ruby started to sprint. Suddenly, a blue haired woman slid in front of Ruby. Ruby slid to a stop.
“Who is that Lady?” Sanji screamed, his eye becoming a pink heart.
“So you are Roronoa Zoro, a pirate,” The woman spoke.
“Are you a marine?” Ruby asked. The woman looked up at Ruby and nodded. The woman seemed to glare at her.
“You lied to me?” Ruby saw her face clearly now and gasped the woman’s name.
“Tashigi.”
“What the hell did you to her?” Sanji yelled at Zoro.
“You never asked my name, that’s all,” Zoro said as he walked passed Luffy and pushed Ruby back toward their captain. “I never lied to you.”
“A scoundrel like you wielding such a magnificent katana….” Tashigi screamed. “Unforgivable!” She paused to catch her breath. “Your Meitou, the Wadou Ichimonji shall be confiscated!”
Ruby blinked in surprise. Tashigi was upset because Zoro did not tell her his name?
‘That in incredible stupid,’ Ruby thought She would think about it later when this crisis was all said and done.
“Just try it,” Zoro said, ready to draw one of his swords. Tashigi and Zoro looked at each other for a moment before Tashigi drew her sword and race at Zoro. He blocked her attack. Their swords made a metal clang as they struck. Ruby watched in awe.
Both swords wielders were trying to over helm the other. Ruby saw their arms shake with effort. Ruby could only assumed Tashigi’s sword slipped upward because she didn’t see what happen. Zoro held his sword above his head and Tashigi was bent low at the waist. Zoro swung his sword down and Tashigi blocked it. They tried to stare down each other. Ruby was knocked out of her wowing as Sanji started to yell.
“You bastard! How dare you attack a woman?”
“Sanji!” Ruby rounded on the cook. “Shut up!” she yelled at the stunned man as Tashigi yelled at him. “Stay out of this, please.”
Sanji looked taken back. He stared at Ruby whom turned back to watch and Tashigi who was still blocking Zoro’s sword. Luffy just stared at the fighting pair.
“It’s just between them, right now, Sanji.” Ruby said softly over her shoulder.
“You heard her,” Zoro said. “Go on ahead.”
Ruby nodded, even though her fellow swordsman could not see it. She grabbed Luffy’s and Sanji’s hands as she started to run around the dueling pair.
“Zoro!” Ruby called out as they passed. “Don’t get lost.” She smiled at him.
The trio ran down the street. A few minutes of running, Ruby saw a man standing in the middle of the street. She slowed down to a stop. She saw the man clearly through the pouring rain. Smoker. He was standing between them and the ship. Ruby steeled herself.
“Here at last,” The cigar smoking man said. “Straw Hat Luffy.” Ruby could sense Luffy and Sanji stopped beside her. “I told you, if you can’t beat me….” he paused. “you will never get to the Grand Line.”
“Oh yeah,” Luffy’s face lit up, remembering earlier. “I forgot about that!”
Ruby snorted lightly.
“You enjoy playing dumb,” Smoker commented and Ruby silently agreed. Her captain may be acting dumb, but she had no doubt he was a closet genius.
“Hey Luffy,” Sanji said.
“Sanji,” Luffy said. “Ruby.” She turned to look at him. “Go on ahead.”
“Aye, Captain.” Ruby said as she started to run away from Luffy. “Don’t have too much fun, Luffy, remember we are close to the Grand Line.”
Luffy grinned at her and Ruby and Sanji sped off to the cliffs that the Going Merry was going to pass.
“I would not bet on that,” Smoker said. He let one of his arms become smoke and grabbed Ruby in mid-run.
“Ruby-chan!” Sanji called out, he held out his arm out straight as she floated away from him.
“Go!” Ruby yelled as she struggled to get free, but she could not move. Sanji did not move. “Go protect Nami-san.” Sanji nodded after a moment before he dashed off.
Smoker drew her in close to him before tossing her to Luffy. Ruby wrapped her arms around her heads, protecting it from harm. She rolled to Luffy’s feet and stopped. Luffy knelt down beside her and helped her to her feet. Ruby noticed his eyes never left Smoker’s. They stared at each other as Ruby walked backward toward a building.
She could now start to wonder why Smoker did not let her pass? Was it because of the portable blow job joke? Or something else? Ruby took both of her hands and ran them through her soaked red hair. She tilted her head back and glared at the sky as it poured.
“I’ll defeat you and enter the Grand Line,” Luffy finally broke the silence. “Coz I’m the man who will become the Pirate King.” Ruby jerked her gazed to him before she drifted her eyes to Smoker.
“You won’t be sprouting that rubbish for much longer!” Smoker said before he attacked. He let his arms become smoke.
“Watch out, Luffy.” Ruby called. “He ate the Smoke fruit.” She felt Smoker’s eyes on her as his arms flew around Luffy.
“Wha---?” Luffy said as his body was engulfed by white smoke. He lifted from the ground.
“My ground entire body can become smoke at my whim!” Smoker said as he tossed Luffy into Ruby. She felt her eyes widen as she saw Luffy flying to her. She jumped to the right and winced as Luffy fell on his head then on his back.
“Luffy?” Ruby crawled over to him and took off his hat before running her hand over his scalp, making that fall didn’t break any bones as she looked up at Smoker. She did not feel any, but she did not take her eyes of the man.
Smoker walked over to her and she stood up, drawing her sword. Ruby was mentally preparing herself to get her ass kicked by the Great Marine Captain Himself, Smoker. Ruby scowled at herself. She was making sarcastic jokes which meant she was in trouble.
Ruby pushed herself to a running start toward Smoker with her right foot. Her heart pounded in her chest. The blood in her veins sped through. Adrenaline rush. She brought her sword over her head then brought it down with enough force to cause her to hop into the air. She sliced through Smoker. He turned to smoke at the last moment. She cursed. Ruby brought her sword back into the defense position she was taught to it. She walked in a circle, trying to protect her captain. Ruby jumped as she felt a hand wrapped around her left ankle. She twisted around and saw Luffy’s head raising a few inches from the ground.
“Luffy.” Ruby breathed in relief as she knelt in front of him.
“Go to the ship,” Luffy said. He looked at her.
“But, Captain.” Ruby protested.
“Now, Ruby.” Luffy almost growled the order at her. She nodded. She stood, sheathed her sword and started to run down an alley between a couple buildings. Suddenly she was thrown into a building and her eyes widen as she saw she was heading toward a window.
Ruby heard a scream and felt pain. Her head spun, sickeningly. She tried to crack her eyes open, but she barely could. She heard a male voice shouting at her. She fell in to her mind and unconsciousness.
When Ruby woke, she found herself looking down at butt and running feet. She blinked almost stupidly as she pushed her torso up, looking around. First thing she spotted was Marines, Smoker, and Tashigi running after her. She glanced down, wrapping her legs around the person who was carrying her. Zoro glared at her, annoyed. She twisted her head to see Luffy’s rubber arms stretched out to the ship which was about a mile off shore. She jerked her head in the opposite direction and groaned as Luffy prepared to jump the mile between them and the ship.
“Gomu Gomu no Rocket!” Luffy cried.
“Luffy!” Zoro, Ruby, Usopp, and Sanji screamed in horror. Luffy flew toward them. Ruby started to scream and buried her face in Zoro’s neck, holding on tight to the poor swordsman.
Ruby felt herself flying through the air as the wind whip her hair around her and Zoro’s face. Suddenly, she felt like she hit something hit like a cloth. She pulled back her head and saw the ship below. Usopp, Sanji, Luffy, and Zoro were….there was no other way to put it…was really close to her. Then gravity decided to kick in. They began to slide down. They landed in a heap. Ruby groaned as she slowly stood up, rubbing her rear. She looked down.
Zoro was faced down, a hand held the back of his head. Usopp was lying on his back, looking upward. Sanji was, also, faced down with Luffy’s feet on his back. Luffy was facing upwards.
Ruby looked around and jumped over Zoro’s back as Nami came over.
“Guys,” Nami said, looked down at the men. They climbed to their feet.
“It feels like the ship’s gonna turn over,” Luffy cried, sitting on his usually spot.
“Look at that light,” Nami said, standing at the railing, looking forward. Ruby saw it was a lighthouse. The light was flashing.
“The island’s lighthouse,” Usopp asked, hugging the mast.
“That’s our guiding light,” Nami explained. “The light that points to the entrance of Grand Line.”
“The Grand Line is over there?” Luffy asked in wonder.
“What now?” Nami asked.
“But are you really gonna go in a storm like this?” Usopp could be heard asking from the mast. Ruby smirked at no one as she felt stings from the injuries she got from the glass she had landed into. Out of the corner her eye, she saw Zoro nod, Sanji put a thumb up, Luffy looked back at his crew, and Nami’s smile grew.
“Alright!” Sanji said. “Let’s have a little launching ceremony to mark the importance of our voyage!”
Ruby felt nervous. She knew everyone’s dreams on the ship, but what about her own? She would like go back home and settled down there, but she always felt like she didn’t belong there. Maybe….just maybe..
“Oi!” someone cried.
“Yeah, great!” she thought Luffy yelled that comment.
“Let’s do it!” Nami said.
Ruby turned to see Sanji put his left foot on a barrel. “To find All Blue!”
Luffy was next and he copied Sanji’s idea of putting his foot on the barrel. “To become the Pirate King!”
“To be the greatest swordsman!” Zoro declared with a huge grin on his face.
“To draw a map of the world!” Nami went next. Now, it was down to Usopp and Ruby. Ruby started to feel extremely nervous as she began to think of her hobbies….writing…singing in the shower….crocheting -seamstress…..
“I’m….I’m…to become a brave warrior of the sea!!” Usopp said as he put his foot of the barrel. They all looked at Ruby.
Ruby looked at each other faces. Sanji, Zoro, Usopp, Nami, and finally…Luffy.
“To become the best historical writing seamstress and swordswoman!” Ruby grinned as she put her foot on the barrel. They all looked the barrel with grins. Ruby felt at home.
“LET’S GO TO THE GRAND LINE!” Luffy hollered. As one, the crew lifted their foot in the air. Ruby had more difficulty then the others due to her lack of physical activity before her time with the crew. She wobbled on the spot.
“AYE!” the crew shouted. They broke the barrel. Ruby fell to the side into Usopp, whom fell into Nami, then Luffy, then Sanji and Zoro landed with his head in Ruby’s lap. Ruby started to giggle before it became a full blown laugh. Luffy started to laugh along with her.
“Nami,” Usopp said. “How come you are not wearing any underwear?”
Ruby rolled to the side as Usopp was sent flying in to the mast and she laughed harder with the rest of the men.
Dream
Her hands were stretch out in front of her as she ran down a long hallway, in a similar matter to Scooby-Doo and Shaggy. She heard screams and realized it was coming from her. Ruby glanced behind her to see Buggy the Clown and Mr. 3 following her while they were being chased by a huge lion looking creature with a funny looking face.
“Bra!” The lion thing talked. “Panties!” She sweat dropped. “Noodles with pussy.”
Ruby saw her way was blocked by a half-dressed man with green pants and head dress that reminded her of an Egyptian god. She jumped, kicked the half dressed man out of her way and flew over a railing. Buggy and Mr. 3 followed her. They grabbed a hold of each other, screaming. They fell down toward blood colored needles, but Buggy let his feet fall from his body. They landed in between the needles and ran toward a hole in the middle of the room.
Suddenly, Luffy was there, running beneath her as he spirited across the hot sand and Mr. 2 was dancing along their way. She could feel the hot sun burning her back. Ruby jumped to the ground as they entered the burning hell. The air was enough to send Ruby back to the surface, but she could not retreat. Ace need to be rescued.
Luffy, Ruby, Buggy, Mr. 3 and Mr. 2 pressed on into the hot hell. They were racing down a brick bridge toward level 5. They were so close to Ace. Ruby punched a stone cage beside her, drawing blood.
“We didn’t come this far to lose him, now.” Luffy growled. Ruby nodded and turned heading up the spiral staircase.
Ruby blinked away tears. The cocky and proud Ace was reduced to tears a she bowed his head in defeat. That pissed her off. She drew her sword.
“Captain,” Ruby said, softly. “I will fellow you to the deepest part of hell to help you to get Ace back.”
Luffy didn’t say anything to her. “Gomu Gomu no Gatling gun!”
Ruby roared something that was muffled and marines fell to the ground.
She was so close to Ace when Luffy lost his extra energy. She grabbed her captain and blocked an attack. She turned around to see an Admiral punch his fist into her ribcage. She screamed.
Ruby swung up from a laying position so fast her hummock swung to the right and she fell out of bed. Her breath came in pants. She laid there for a moment, thinking about her dream. She knew it was the battle to save Ace before he died. Was that a vision of the future..or an imagination running wild.
Ruby nearly jumped out her skin as she heard a snore. She shifted into a defensive position before she saw who it was. Nami’s beautiful face was facing her. She seemed so peaceful to Ruby. Nami muttered something and rolled over, knocking her blankets off her. Ruby smiled softly. Ruby slowly stood up and reached for Nami’s covers. She covered Nami again before grabbing her own covers and hopped back into the hummock. Ruby covered up and went back to sleep. She would go the rest of the night without dreams or nightmares. Ruby was wrong.
She was standing on a cliff edge overlooking a volcano. Ruby stepped back without thought and glanced around. Zoro was hanging over the lava pit several feet from her. Her jaw dropped in surprise as she scanned the area for a way over there, but she saw Nami. She was also hanging over the lava. Suddenly, Nami and Zoro fell into the lava. They screamed as they were dissolved like salt in a cup of water.
“Why?” Ruby whispered in the scary silence after the screams died. Tears ran down her cheeks and she stared at the boiling lava.
“Matter of the heart,” a strange voice rang out above the bubbling of the lava. She turned around her right hand fell on her sword - ready to draw if it was necessary. A tiny figure’s outline was visible. “Have to choose, you will.” it was strange. The way the figure talked, it reminded Ruby of Master Yoda from Star Wars.
The tiny figure faded back into the fog and Ruby heard the screams of Zoro and Nami coming again.
She jerked up and landed on the cabin floor, again. Ruby groaned as she picked herself and the blankets up. She threw her blankets on her hummock. She went over to her bag and grabbed her Ipod. She slipped out of the door and up to the deck.
Ruby looked around the deck and saw no one before she decided to climb up the crow’s nest. Sanji was awake, smoking a cigarette and looked surprised as Ruby stood up in the nest.
“Go to bed, Sanji. I will take the watch.” Ruby said with a small smile. Sanji blinked sleepy and nodded. He climbed down to the deck and went below. Ruby watched him go.
Ruby listened to her ipod for the rest of the night as she practice Kendo moves, wrote, and song some songs. It was early in the morning when she song her last song she would before the crew woke, but after she finished the song and came to a stop from her dancing, she heard clapping.
Ruby stood rigid and slowly turned around. The entire crew was standing there, watching her. She turned beet red and jerked her ear plugs from her ears.
“I’m terribly sorry that I woke you,” Ruby said with embarrassed look.
“You were beautiful, Ruby-chwan,” Sanji cried and ran over to her.
“You were so cool!” Usopp and Luffy yelled. Nami nodded.
“You were good, but sounds like you still need practice though.”
“Thanks, Nami,” Ruby said. Zoro didn’t a word, but she got a feeling he agree with the others. “When’s breakfast?”
“Coming right up, my beautiful gem,” Sanji said as he raced toward the kitchen.
It was mid morning when Usopp called out to the crew.
“Hey!” Ruby jumped and her hand jerked across the paper she was writing on. She scrawled. “There’s a huge flock of birds off starboard.” Ruby looked up and glared at Usopp. She had been writing a story about her adventure so far. She sat aside her writing notebook and slowly stood up
“Birds?” Ruby heard Luffy ask.
“Yeah,” Usopp said, “and in the water I can sort of make out a pretty big thing...Ah! I can’t tell. What do you think?”
“Maybe a fish?” Luffy said turning around.
‘Or a rowboat?’ Ruby thought to herself. “Could it be a rowboat?” Ruby asked. “That storm last night was pretty bad.” It seemed like nobody was listening to her because Sanji spoke up, saying “I hear that when sea birds flock over the ocean its usually because there’s a school of fish around.”
Luffy’s attention was caught at the word ‘fish’.
“Luffy, catch us some lunch,” Sanji ordered.
“Gotcha!” Luffy stood up. “Gomu Gomu no Amidoni!” Luffy stretched his arm back and let it fly forward. It stretched out over the ocean.
“Whoa!” Sanji said as Ruby climbed the stairs to the upper deck. “Nice stretch.”
Ruby turned her body to watch what Luffy had caught. She saw his hand grab a hold of something and he started to pull his arm back with a snap. Ruby had time to feel her eyes widen at the sight of Luffy letting go of the catch and Ruby fell over backwards, her arms up catching the flying girl. Ruby wrapped her arms around the girl and she fell back onto the sleeping swordsman.
Zoro hollered with surprise and pain as Ruby’s head landed somewhere it should not have. Ruby blinked as she forced her body up in a sitting position. The girl was soaked and Ruby dimly noticed she was getting wet also.
Everyone stared at the unconscious girl. The girl had blond hair that was braided, had a pale yellow dress on with a design, and a hat with the same design as the dress. Ruby guessed the girl could not be any older then ten years of age.
“Why was a little girl in a small boat like that…?” Nami said after the duo of idiots talked about the girl as a mermaid.
“That storm last night was pretty bad,” Ruby said as she looked at Nami. The other red head nodded. “I’m gonna take her down our room and change her before she gets sick.”
Ruby scooped the girl into her arms and got her feet under before she stood up while trying not to drop the girl. She walked below deck with Nami following her. When the two women reached their room, Nami grabbed three towels and helped Ruby to dry the young pre-teen off. Ruby wrapped the girl up in a towel and managed the towel to become a halter top dress. Nami and Ruby grabbed the girl’s wet clothes and took up, above deck to air dry while the girl slept.
Ruby checked on the clothes often. She had a feeling the girl would not be too happy to wake up in a towel that was manipulated into a halter top dress. She also knew the girl would think someone took advantage of her while she was asleep. The sun was setting when the girl’s clothes was dry and Ruby and Nami went down and dressed the girl. Nami went to the kitchen afterwards and Ruby stay by the girl’s side, reading a book.
Ruby breathed deeply and smelt the sweet aroma of dinner. She looked up from her book, closing her eyes and heard her stomach rumble with hunger….or she thought it her stomach. She opened her eyes and looked over at Nami’s bed. The blond hair girl was wake and she was looking at Ruby, a faint rouge color on her cheeks.
“I take it you are hungry?” Ruby asked with a small smile on her lips. Suddenly the girl jerked upward. She looked around with a faint blush on her cheeks. She nodded. “Come on,” Ruby said, “I’ll take you up to the kitchen for some food.”
The girl climbed out of bed and Ruby showed her the way to the kitchen. The girl went ahead of Ruby when they reached the kitchen and pushed opened the door. Ruby saw Nami, Luffy, Sanji, and Zoro staring at them as they walked in. The girl stopped in the doorway and Ruby walked around the girl, nearly stepping on Usopp.
“Usopp, what are you doing on the ground?” Ruby asked, peering at him.
“You threw the door open and hit me,” Usopp moaned.
“It was not me,” Ruby said in her defense. “It was our visitor.”
“So you’ve come to?” Nami said, making it sound like a question. “Seems you’re doing better then we expected.” The girl looked at Nami. “Does it hurt anywhere?” Nami continued.
“You must be hungry. I’m cooking soup right now.” Sanji said.
“She is.” Ruby said. “Her stomach was growling a few minutes ago.”
The girl blushed a bit, but she did not say a word. She just stared at everyone before saying “Lucky!” with a huge grin on her face.
“Were you in a ship wreck or something?” Nami asked as Ruby sat at the table across from Nami. “You could’ve been in big trouble. What’s your name?”
Ruby saw Luffy out of the corner of her eye watching the young girl and she blinked stupidly as she realized she was thirsty. She stood up and went to the frig, opened the door, peered inside and pulled out a glass bottle of soda. She grabbed another one for the girl after she looked at her.
“When you ask someone questions, you should give your name first,” The girl shot back. Ruby grinned at her. The girl had an attitude that reminded Ruby of herself when she younger back when she did not control it.
“My name is Ruby,” Ruby said. She pointed at Nami. “This is Nami,” She shifted her hand to Luffy. “This is our captain, Luffy.” She pointed at Sanji. “The cook Sanji,” She jerked her thumb toward Zoro. “The first mate and our swordsman, Zoro,” Ruby pointed to Usopp who was still lying on the floor. “Our village liar, marksman, and comic relief, Usopp,” Ruby hit the top of the bottle against the edge of the table causing the lid to fly off and hit Nami in her left boob. “Sorry, Nami,” Ruby said as Nami sent her a hurt look. “So, you thirsty, kiddo?”
The girl nodded. Ruby got up and opened the girl’s bottle before handed it to her. “What kind of ship am I on?”
“Pirate.” the crew replied. Ruby sat down and eyed the girl who had a shocked expression on her face.
“WHAT!?” The girl screamed. “PIRATES!?”
Ruby blinked in surprise. Yup, it had been a long while since she had watched the episodes before season 10 of One piece.
“We’re heading to the Grand Line.” Luffy explained. A moment of silence fell in the kitchen.
“What’s wrong?” Nami asked as she looked at the girl’s opened mouth expression.
“She isn’t moving.” Luffy commented.
“What’re we gonna do with this kid?” Zoro spoke up. Luffy looked at him.
“Ahh, well, what should we do?” Luffy asked. Ruby and Nami still stared at the girl. “Let’s think about it tomorrow.”
“I second that!” Ruby said, tearing her eyes away from the girl. Sanji pour each of them a bowl of food and Ruby stood up and helped Sanji to hand them out. Sanji started to protest, but Ruby shoved her empty soda bottle into his mouth. The crew talked and laughed during dinner.
Night had fell. The crew was doing their nightly routine while Ruby grabbed her ipod and shinai. She walked from the room she shared with Nami. She calmly started to practice sword movements, but stopped when she heard the girl saying something. She pressed her ear against the door, listening.
“I went through all that trouble and did scary things to escape from the Navy! Off all things, why did I get picked up by a pirate ship?” the girl said. Ruby blinked in surprise. So, there was a chance that the navy will be after them soon. She had to tell Luffy the first chance she got. Ruby was planning to run down to the men’s quarters to warn Luffy when she heard a growl. She bit her lip to keep from laughing. The young girl did not eat anything when Sanji offered. Ruby had tried to get the girl to eat also. Ruby saw the mistrust in the girl’s eyes. She heard feet pat against the floor.
Suddenly, she heard a gasp then a terrified scream. Ruby flung the door open and flipped on the light. She blinked.
“You again?” Sanji’s voice drifted over the silence. Ruby bite her lower lip again. “You never learn no matter how many times I tell you, Luffy.”
Luffy was caught in a huge mouse trap. Ruby bust out laughing. The sight reminded her of an ending of an anime music video. Luffy tried to get out but he slid back. ‘Now, if we had the chicken dance song, I will lose my control of my bladder.’ Ruby thought.
“Can’t you get it through your thick skull?” Sanji asked, ignoring Ruby rolling on the ground. “Hm?” Sanji turned his head to view the girl. “What’re you doing?”
“Yum!” Luffy began chewing down a piece of meat. Ruby chuckled, overcoming her laughing fit as she sat at the table. Sanji was looking at Luffy.
“If you ask, I’ll make something for you,” Sanji said. “So like I told you, don’t take food without asking.”
“But I’m hungry,” Luffy said around a mouth full of food.
“Don’t talk with your mouth full, Luffy.” Ruby glared at her captain. A growl broke the air. Sanji, Ruby and Luffy looked at the girl.
“What’s wrong? Aren’t you eating?” Sanji asked. He turned his gaze on the girl. The girl looked away. “You didn’t eat this evening, either. Why’re you holding back?” The girl eyed him out of the corner of her eyes. “I’m telling ya, it’s not poisoned or anything.” the girl shook her head before she looked down at the plate in front of her. “If you just sit there like that, he’ll finish everything.”
Ruby stood up and went to the frig. She reached in for another glass bottle of soda. She turned around to see the girl looked up and saw Luffy reaching across the table for a bowl of soup. The girl reaction as she yelled “No!”
Luffy looked surprised. “Huh?” He made a face as the girl lift the bowl to her lips and drink the soup. Ruby hid her smile behind the bottle of soda as she sat back down.
“Yum!” the girl exclaimed after she finished the bowl. Ruby grinned at her.
“I told ya Sanji was a excellent cook.” Ruby said. Ruby realized a second later that was a mistake.
“Oh my beautiful gem,” Sanji cried, slid over her with a red rose. “You are just too much. Your comments are simply beautiful to my unworthy ears.”
Ruby let her head hit the table with a small groan. The girl giggled.
“I’ve never eaten anything this good!” the girl cried out.
Ruby jerked her head up when she heard Nami’s voice “You’re finally smiling.”
“Oh, Nami-san!” Sanji cried and Ruby slid her leg out from under the table as Sanji’s attention switched from her to Nami. Sanji tripped over Ruby’s foot, falling to the wooden floor. Zoro looked amused. Usopp laughed. Luffy looked concerned. Nami smiled at Ruby. The girl peered over the table. Ruby took another drink of her soda.
“You’re eating again, Luffy!?” someone asked as Ruby fought down a blush from Nami’s smile.
“I didn’t eat that much for lunch,” Luffy protested while he looked at the speaker.
“You emptied two pots, didn’t you?” Usopp asked. Luffy looked unsure.
“I did?” Luffy scratched his forehead. The trio walked over to the table.
“You got scared when you heard we’re pirates, didn’t you?” Nami asked, bending over slightly to the young girl.
“W-well…” The girl started.
“Well,” Nami stood up. “that’s a natural reaction towards pirates these days.” Nami commented.
“Yup,” Ruby said. “It’s really sad.” They all looked at her. “The Navy wants to control the sea, but they can’t when pirates like us are just roaming around.”
“But we are not doing anything bad.” Luffy said. Ruby nodded.
“True, but they are other pirates out in the sea that are blood thirsty and have no morals at all.” Ruby pointed it out. “I mean they kill and rape the women and children when those blood thirsty idiots raid towns.”
“You’re not gonna sell me off?” the girl asked uncertainly.
“No way!” Usopp cried out.
“You’re all evil-looking, so..” Zoro spoke up.
“You’ve got a right to talk with that face?” Usopp started to pull on Zoro’s face. Ruby silently counted down to zero from three. Zoro and Usopp started to fight.
“What’re you doing?” Ruby thought it was one of the fighters, but she wasn’t for sure.
“Ahh! That’s enough!” Nami said as Sanji, Luffy, the girl, and Ruby watched the fight. Luffy started to laugh. Ruby glanced at the girl and saw her shoulders shake like she was laughing. She stared at her face and saw uncertainty written there. Sanji bent down, several inches away the girl’s face.
“We have more, mademoiselle.” Sanji said.
“At least, this ship isn’t the kind of pirate ship you’re thinking of,” Nami commented. Ruby saw the girl’s eyes wide and innocent.
“Don’t worry.” Ruby said. She and Nami watched the girl’s face changed from the wide-eyed innocent look to happiness.
“Another plate, please,” The girl asked.
“As you wish,” Sanji smiled.
“Me, too!” Luffy cried out.
“Do it yourself!” Sanji yelled at the captain.
“You meanie…” Luffy whined.
Ruby groaned as she walked into the kitchen. She headed straight for the coffee. She needed the caffeine to stay awake until after breakfast. Then it would be off to dream land. She smiled at that thought. She poured a cup, added French Vanilla flavoring and sat down at the table. She didn’t notice the young girl by the stove. Ruby took a mouthful of hot, wake-me-up coffee when it happen.
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