Without You, The Beginning of Magic {Magical AU}

Chapter 3: Feelings (Part 1)

I huffed as I took a bite of my strawberry cake. I nommed on it upset, "Zoro! I'm right, aren't I?!" He sighed softly, "Do you want an actual answer, or do you want to hear what you want to?" I looked at him, then down, then him. "Both..." He sighed, "You're always right princess..." I nodded softly, but flinched as he continued, "However, I also think you are eating too much sweets... You have them every snack time and after every meal..."

I stood up and grabbed the cake before walking off, "Go away!" He sighed, "You know that I can't do that Iri..." I took it and plopped on my swing and looked down, "Then go wait far away, but still in view or something... I don't wanna see anyone that thinks that way!" He sighed and bowed, "Of course." I looked away as he turned and walked off. "... Law will be here later... Surely he'll tell me that I'm not having too much..."

I glanced at Zoro then the cake before looking at my stomach. I teared up and set the spoon down, "I-I'm not fat though..." I cried softly as I rubbed my eyes. "I still kick all their butts, s-so... How is it too much?..." I started crying louder, so Zoro and Ace ran over. Ace kneeled in front of me, "I-Iri? What's wrong?" I just continued crying and sniffling, so he looked at Zoro, "Go get Makino or Shanks." He sat next to me and rubbed my back as I cried.

Makino, Shanks, Zoro, Law, and Corazon ran up. Law watched wide-eyed at my bawling and shook slightly. Shanks kneeled in front of me as Makino sat on the other side. Shanks took one of my hands and handed the cake to Zoro to put out of the way. "Iri, what's wrong?" I sniffled, "I-I'm... I'm still healthy... I'm still strong... I'm not fat!" They froze as I cried, "I still out run and fight everyone a-and I can do everything normally, I don't have a bump, so why is everyone saying to stop eating so many sweets? I brush my teeth and I take care of myself! So, if I work out all the stuff I'm eating, why does it matter that I eat a lot of sweets?"

Makino sighed softly and rubbed my back, "Iri, I understand that you can do those things without stopping." I looked up and sniffled, so she wiped my cheek, "It's just that later down the road... When you're much much older... Everything you do now affects you then. We don't want you to have it so hard." I looked down sniffling, "Why can't I just work hard then too?... I work really really hard to stay stronger than Zoro, Ace, and Sabo... If I can't beat them I can't get into the academy... Or I'll be looked down on and compared to them... I don't want that..."

They looked at each other before Shanks asked, "Who said that?" I sniffled and looked up, "Eustass-san... I heard him talking to Marshall-san about how girls are weaker and inferior to boys..." I sniffled, "I... I have to work harder, so can't I have something to enjoy while I relax between working hard?" Shanks looked down and then up at me, "Iri... Females are not inferior to males... No one is inferior to another. It's good to work hard, but not because of a reason like that..."

He smiled softly, "If you enjoy something, naturally you should do it, but everything you do, even the things you love, you have to do in moderation... I love drinking and hanging out with the old man at his pub, but I can't do that. I want time with you, Ace, and Makino too... Why don't you just keep rotating the things you like? How about just at tea times and dinner? Not having it after breakfast and lunch."

I looked to the side, "... I want cinnamon rolls and stuff for breakfast, so... How about breakfast, afternoon, and dinner..." He stroked my hair and nodded, "Alright... We'll let them know, ok?" I sniffled as Makino helped me up and began walking me to my room as I didn't notice Law. Shanks looked at Law, "She'll be right back... Why don't you and I have a talk, alright?" Law looked at me worried, but nodded, "Of course..."

As we walked Makino handed me a handkerchief to clean up with. "Iri... Shanks is right. Working hard is rewarding, but not if it affects you like this... You can beat them all you want, but their strength has nothing to do with your ability as a battle mage. Please remember that." I nodded as she walked me into my room and into the bathroom to clean up a bit.