Through Darkness

Drum

It's been a couple days since Nami got sick. Vivi and I have been taking turns watching over her, ensuring she'd be okay throughout the day and night.

The temperature had been stabilising outside, slowly getting colder and colder. Winter was good besides the fact that I didn't have suitable clothes and had to borrow some of Nami's.

The ship begins to shake and I frown when the others started yelling. "Oi, Sanji."

He was already on it. "Mei-chan, Vivi-chan! Keep an eye on things here!" he orders, jumping to his feet. He ran up on deck, leaving the princess, Nami, and I down below.

A couple minutes later, there were gunshots. I groan and murmur, "Those idiots better take care of whatever the hell is happening because Nami can't hold out for much longer."

Vivi's eyes crease in worry. "How long do you think?" She wasn't as well versed in the world of medicine as I was.

I shrug. "A day or two."

Vivi's jaw drops open in shock. "What?!!"

"Don't worry, we're near an island, I think. The weather has started to even out so it's probably a winter island," I hum in thought. "Hopefully they have a doctor there. And a boat."

"A boat?" Vivi questions in confusion. "Why would you need that?"

"I'm leaving," I state, dabbing Nami's forehead with the damp cloth. "I've overstayed my welcome."

Now Vivi looked even more puzzled. "What do you mean? Aren't you part of their crew?"

"Hm? No, of course not."

There were more muffled shouts and gunshots.

"What are they doing?" I mutter, rolling my eyes. "They bring trouble wherever they go, don't they?"

Vivi smiles. "It's apart of their charm, though, isn't it?"

"They're fucking idiots."

"And yet you say so fondly."

"Huh? Do not," I argue, huffing and crossing my arms.

The door to upper deck opens and footsteps follow. Sanji had returned.

"What happened out there?"

Sanji shrugs. "Nothing of importance. How's Nami-chan?"

"No better," I reply. "Is the island in sight, yet?"

Sanji raises an eyebrow. "Island?"

I nod, dabbing Nami's forehead again. "Haven't you noticed? The weather, I mean," I clarify and Sanji's eyes light up in understanding.

"I'll go check." And he was off again, but this time to look for a nearby island.

Vivi takes this opportunity to interrogate me. "Why are you leaving?"

"Because I have to."

Not because I want to.

Luffy bursts into the room. "You're leaving?!!" he scowls, bouncing around the room. "You can't leave! Captain's Orders!!"

I deadpan. How long was he eavesdropping...? "Luffy, you aren't my captain."

"Hah?!!! Of course, I am!!"

"Are not."

"Are too!"

"Not."

"Too!'

"Not."

"TOO!!"

As Luffy continuously raised his voice, mine remained steady. "Not," I repeat. "And you can't stop me from leaving once Nami gets better."

It's for your own good, I wanted to say. This is the only way you all live to achieve your dreams.

"IT'S SNOWING OUT HERE!!" Go D. Usopp unknowingly saved me because not a second later, Luffy sprinted out of the room to see the snow.

I don't want you all to hate me.

I stand to my feet, flashing Vivi a small smile. "Can we switch for a moment?"

She nods, taking my place and I walk to the other side of the room, my bag nestled in the corner.

I pick it up and unzip it, finding what I need.

Samui Island was written in big bold letters across the Eternal Pose. The very thing I had hidden from my mother in that wretched house. The very thing she had looked for for years.

I had it in my possession and I'm going to find whatever she had been searching for.

We had arrived on the island, been shot at by the residents, was granted allowance to enter, and Luffy and Sanji had gone to find the witch doctor with Nami in tow.

I was currently rugged up in Nami's winter clothes and searching for a boat. I had been informed of its location by the Dalton guy not too long ago.

It's freezing.

It felt like my nose was about to fall off.

But the cold was better than the heat.

A boat was finally in sight. I could leave.

But not now.

Knowing of its location was my only intention as of now. I had to know Nami was okay before I left.

Soon, I promise myself. Soon I can leave.

For good.

--

Surprise, I'm alive!! Updates will still be super slow and chapters will be short, unfortunately. If the chapter seems a little choppy, I'm sorry!! I haven't written first person in forever. And for those of you who don't know, I published another fanfiction a while ago if you wanna check it out :))  It's called The Black Blade Assassin. And for those of you who love a good ASL fanfic where the mc tries to save Ace, I've also published A Mission to Change the Future.