Without You, The Beginning of Magic {Magical AU}

Chapter 10: Situation (Part 1)

We spent the last three days preparing for our voyage through the forest to our new campsite where I'll spend the next three months. Getting the carriage through was a little difficult, but was manageable due to their help. We set ourselves up on a cliffside facing out into the vast winter forest frosted with snow. The second I saw the sight I hopped onto the top of my carriage and grabbed my art supplies, ignoring everyone else and just zoning onto the sight to capture the moment.

After drawing I looked down to see them setting up for dinner, so I put it back up then dusted the snow off of me before hopping down. They looked up, but I blushed softly as Minori ran up and handed me a cup of hot soup. "Here you go! Warm up with this!" I looked as I saw Mikeal drinking it, so I smiled softly, "Thanks Rin-san."

He smiled back and pointed to the group, "Call me Minori!" I giggled as I sipped on it and plopped next to Mikeal and leaned on his shoulder. He huffed and looked at me, "Jeez Iri, you're gaining some weight." I jerked then glared, "Says the little brat who can't beat this fatty." He shivered and shot up, "I-Iri, I didn't call you fat! I said you gained weight! I was teasing!" I set the cup down as I got up. I cracked my knuckles, "You know Mikeal... It's been awhile... Let's see if you gotten any better! Gengi!" Gengi placed a field around them so as to not be bothered by me kicking up the snow.

I dashed towards Mikeal as he grabbed his dagger, "Damn it Iri! I don't want to do this right now! Go fight some demon beasts or something!" I smirked as I grabbed my wooden katana and dashed past him and swished it upwards. "I am." There was a small screech as a dog-like figure appeared suddenly, "Mikeal!" Mikeal immediately held out his hand and it glowed as he began reciting and I dashed for my next target.

Before I reached it I heard a loud cry and a flash of light. I looked behind me to see Ethan taunting the pack of creatures. Lea held out a staff and began chanting and Caleb had his bow ready. Mikeal supported me and Minori with damage buffs as we helped with the pack. Minori was quite proficient with his short sword and was calm and collected as we fought. I dashed to behind Mikeal and groaned as a large version of the creature appeared to hurt him.

He turned around and paled as my sword broke and it bit my entire shoulder. Huh? It broke? I coughed as I felt my body beginning to burn hot. I screamed, "Gengi! T-" I looked up to see Ethan and Minori angry and hitting it. Caleb shoots an arrow as Lea was shouting something and Mikeal grabbed me and began healing me. Gengi ran in front of me and began healing me as well. However, the burning never stopped, in fact it seemed to make it worse. I screamed louder as the green gem from Zoro shattered. A green light shrouded me and formed a barrier as the pure mana crystal Zoro gave me glowed a bright green and my body pulsed as I leaned over and coughed up black gooey liquid.

When I caught my breath I saw the group surrounding me. Mikeal hugged me and held me to him shaking as Minori breathed heavily and the other three looked relieved. Gengi hopped into my lap and nuzzled my stomach. I giggled weakly, "I'm ok now." Mikeal yelled, "Damn it Iris! This is the third time already!" He teared up, "There's no point in living if I couldn't save my sister! Don't do it again! Promise me!"

I held him to my neck as I stroked his hair and hugged him, "Come on, don't cry. How can I let my brother take that kind of attack? I'm strong and I can handle it! I have you and Gengi. Law, Sabo, Ace, and Luffy too! I'm fine, so stop being a little cry baby." He looked up and sniffled, "I'm not a crybaby!" I looked up at Ethan as he crossed his arms, "Ms. Iris, you can't just jump in like that. It's dangerous. There's a reason why there needs to be six members." I looked down and patted Gengi, "... It's not on purpose... I don't want people to keep leaving me... It hurts too much. I do it on reflex, to prevent anyone from leaving my side again... I have t-"

I looked up and teared up as Lea hugged me and Ethan ruffled my hair, "That's why you have us. We'll help and save you too, ok? So, promise us to be more careful." I sniffled at the warmth of Lea's hug. It was similar to Makino's. I slipped away and hugged Lea and mumbled, "Aunt Makino... She's just as warm..."

Lea stroked my head as I soon began crying about how much it hurt and accidentally yelled out all my feelings. "I miss everyone! I want to be strong enough to be with them, but I want to go home to see Uncle Shanks and Aunt Makino! I wanna see my new cousin and spend time with him, but I have to be strong enough to protect them, so they don't leave me behind again. It was so lonely when everyone left and I had to deal with everything alone!"

Gengi nuzzled me deeper, "I say I want to be stronger, but the real reason was because if I stayed I would be suffocated in loneliness and the fakeness of the nobles! I want to be the best, so I can be the free-est! I want to help people, but I want to be free from the cage of status and restrictions. I don't want to die, but I don't want to give up! If I give up I can't see them again and I don't want that! I want to be the best, so I can't lose my friends and family to anyone! I don't want to be betrayed or scared anymore, but everything is so different and scary!" Lea held onto me and comforted me along with Mikeal and Gengi until I cried myself to sleep. 

~~~~~~~~

I groaned and held my shoulder as I pried my eyes open. I looked around and saw Gengi curled in front of me and Mikeal sleeping on his bunk. I slowly got up and made my way to the bathroom. After freshening up I covered myself in a warmer jacket and walked out into the cold night. I saw a barrier of some kind and Ethan sitting at a dim fire. As I got closer it seemed warmer and I saw Ethan reading a book.

He looked up and smiled at me as I sat down on a chair across the fire from him. "Hey kiddo, you feeling better?" I blushed softly and nodded as I hid behind my scarf. "I'm sorry... Lea's hug reminded me of my Aunts and I don't really remember what I said or why I cried, but... I'm sorry for s-" I blushed brighter at his smile, "It just goes to show that you're strong enough to dedicate yourself to something so passionately. Most people aren't able to do that."

I grinned, "It's because I truly believe if I work hard enough... I'll have anything I desire! I think it's true for everyone though. It's just about whose will is stronger than the other." He side nodded and put his book up, "Do you want to know better ways to defend without getting hurt?" I nodded so he got up and motioned me to follow. I blinked surprised as Minori was training on the other side of the tent. He walked up to him, so I followed, "Minori! You want to practice with Iris about what I was teaching you?" He smiled and nodded, "Sure!"

So first Ethan instructed me then helped me figure out how to adjust my strength for a spar then to practice the motions throughout the next few hours until sunrise. Once sunrise hit, I grabbed Mikeal and did our daily exercise before breakfast with them. After breakfast, we packed up and made our way through the forest once more, taking out demon beasts as we went. I waited for Ethan to taunt before attacking, per his request. It was practice for fighting as a team instead of me running in. Although it was less efficient, it was still fun.