Fifteen Years With Only a Single Star

Chapter 8

The night was clear after the party. Most of the crew were out on the deck, snoring away in the warm night. I for one, was still up and awake. I gazed out at the stars, my eyes glistening. I was thinking of home, thinking of my brother. I blinked them away and looked out to the sea.

"Oi."

I turned around to see Roronoa standing there in all of his green glory, the moonlight giving him somewhat of a godly glow.

"Hello." I greeted quietly, scooting over for him to sit.

"What are you doing up? It's my watch tonight." He told me, resting his arm on his three katana and sitting cross-legged next to me.

"I don't really know." I told him, looking down at my hands.

"Well, you might as well go to sleep. There's no reason to not."

I turned away from the swordsman and sighed.

"If only it were that easy." I murmured.

A disturbance caught both of our eyes. A single whale bobbed up and launched itself out of the water, sailing through the air for what seemed like a lifetime before becoming subject to gravity once again. The crystal water droplets soared everywhere, making a beautiful view. The drops fell onto me and Roronoa, making me giggle.

When the whale had gone, I realized that while the night was warm, the water was actually cold. I rubbed my arms but stopped once I adjusted.

"I kinda remember you from the time Baroque Works tried to get me to join. You sat on the fence, right?"

"Yes. It was funny for you to beat up that man. He was a dick for the whole trip, so thanks. I don't even remember his name now." I said, thinking back.

"So, why can't you sleep?" Roronoa inquired.

"Night terrors."

"'Bout what?"

"Everything!"

Roronoa smirked at my distress.

"Well, why don't you sleep now? If you start screaming in your sleep or something, I'll wake you up."

I debated this. Good sleep was hard to come by.

"Fine." I conceded, sitting against the mast and closing my eyes. "Do anything, and I'll kill you."

"Right, right."

I drifted off.

Zoro's POV

Yuka was certainly an interesting one. She was reserved, but she seemed to demonstrate a laidback attitude and seemed easily amused. But she got a bit clammy when she got crowded.

I think the whole crew liked her. Nami was happy to get another girl, Ussop looked forward to try to fool her with his tall tales, Vivi looked forward to a sensible person, Luffy liked her because of her bird powers, and the curly brow just wanted to perv. I didn't know whether to trust her or not. I knew her, yeah, but she was part of the enemy.

She had charmed the whole crew, and was slowly cracking me. It wasn't good, seeing as I was supposed to be the one with at least a bit of common sense. But looking at the innocent girl sleep, her pink lips slightly parted, her hair askew across her shoulders, I couldn't help but feel something warm. Her head bobbed to the side, landing on my shoulder. I blushed, feeling conflicted, I didn't want to move her, but it was awkward!

My blush instantly disappeared when I noticed the bruises on her neck and arms. Why hadn't I seen this before? Some of them were the normal 'Oops, I fell and hit my knee' but a bunch were yellowish green. I'd ask her about it later. I just hoped she'd answer.

I was supposed to keep watch, but I decided to not. I closed my eyes and nodded off, uncaring.

Yuka's POV

Warm. Nice and warm. My dreams were pleasantly empty, filled with a golden light. It was the first time in a long time that I had dreams that peaceful. I was woken the next morning by the crew talking.

"Ah, we slept outside the whole night!"

"Ooh, my head..."

"Nami-Swan, you look stunning with a hangover!"

"You're too loud..."

My rubbed my eyes, looking around. I flinched, scooting away from the swordsman uneasily. When had I gotten so close to him?

I peeked over the edge, looking down at the hustle and bustle below. It seemed to be time for breakfast.

"Roronoa-San, wake up." I tried, shaking his shoulder. "Wake up!"

Nothing worked. I narrowed my eyes and frowned. It was getting annoying. I bit the inside of my cheek and brought my hand back, slapping him hard.

"Wake UP!" I shouted, slapping him repeatedly.

"I'm up, I'm UP!!!" He snarled, removing my hands. "The hell, woman?!"

I sniffed and turned my nose up, climbing down the mast.

"It's breakfast." I called to him.

I heard him climb down after me. He walked in front of me, his legs longer. He was the one who knew the way. I followed him to the kitchen, where everyone else was waiting.

"Did you two have fun on your little lookout night together?" Ussop giggled.

Vivi chuckled with Nami. Sanji... His eyes were bright with flames as he stared daggers at Roronoa.

"WHAT???? HE SLEPT WITH YUKA-CHWAAAN?! Did he hurt you, Yuka-Chwan? It must have been horrible, sleeping with that barbarian all ni-"

"We did have fun actually." I answered Ussop smoothly.

"There was a whale." Roronoa agreed, sitting lazily in a chair.

Ussop and Nami seemed a bit surprised that we answered so easily. Luffy was just stuffing food into his mouth like a pig. Sanji was a blob on the floor, but he still managed to deliver my plate of pancakes, topped with a strawberries and whipped cream.

"Oi wun whopd kweer!" Luffy shouted, spraying food everywhere.

I ducked under the table, protecting my food.

"YOU DON'T GET ANY WHIPPED CREAM, PIG!" Sanji snarled, pushing his heel into Luffy's rubber cheek.

"Hey, what about me and Zoro?" Ussop whined.

"You don't deserve and whipped cream."

Ussop cried whereas Roronoa took action. He snatched my plate away, scraping off the whipped cream. I yanked the spoon out of his hand and glared at him. In return, he pinched my arm. I scowled at him and kicked his shin. His face showed a devilish smirk with no signs of mercy when he slammed his heel into my toes. I smirked back(not showing my horrible pain), bringing out my trump card. I brought up my leg and kicked him between his spread legs. That's right. I got his balls.

Roronoa's face contorted into a mess of pain, his face bright red. The whole room erupted into laughter, with Sanji winning the title of "Hardest Laugher."

"Way to go, Marimo Head! You got kicked in the balls!"

"Shut... Up!" Roronoa strained. "Dammit, Yuka! I'll get you back!"