Bound by Blood and Sea || Sanji || Zoro

New Crew

"So, how about you introduce your crew to me, captain?"

"That's a great idea!" Luffy yelled out with a big grin plastered on his face.

"But first we need to get everyone here!" Luffy continued, bouncing on his heels. His eyes sparkled with the anticipation of making me known to everybody. So these weren't all the members? Who else would be part of the crew? 

"Chopper! Robin! Come into the kitchen!" he screamed at the top of his lungs. His voice boomed through the ship, echoing in every corner.

I expected a lot. I really did. But I would've never thought to see a reindeer walk into the kitchen on two feet, only moments after my brother told everyone to assemble.

Was this precious being actually part of the Straw Hats? I kneeled on the ground so that we were eye-to-eye and I gave it a warm smile.
"Hello there, I am Aileen, Luffy's sister."

It took everything in me to refrain from wrapping the adorable animal in a hug. This thing was just too cute. Its big, round eyes and tiny, blue nose made my heart melt.

The rest of the crew looked down at me as I spoke to the cutie; a black-haired woman seemed to have joined us. Her presence was calm and composed; a stark contrast to the bustling energy around her. She gave a small nod of acknowledgement, her eyes curious as they met mine.

My big brother grined at them. "Well, say something, you bunch of morons!" he exclaimed, his voice breaking the brief silence.

Everyone seemed to snap out of their trance, but they still were at a loss for words. The crewmembers just stared at me, some of them mumbling incomprehensible words. Only the raven-haired woman was tranquil. However, she appeared unwilling to talk. 

"Why are you guys being so weird? It's just my little sister," Luffy chided playfully, his words breaking the tension. He flashed a reassuring grin at me, then turned back to the crew. "Just act like regular human beings!" 

Slowly, the crew started to relax. After I shook the hoove of the little guy and nearly got a heart attack at the fact he could speak and rose to my feet, the redhead stepped forward. She greeted me with a warm smile extending her hand. "Nice to meet you, Aileen. I am Nami, the navigator." 

I took her hand in mine and shook it gratefully. "Nice to meet you too."

One after the other stepped forward introducing themselves. After Chopper and Nami followed Usopp and Robin. To my surprise - since he already introduced himself earlier that day- Sanji walked toward me. 

He bowed down and once again planted a kiss on the back of my hand. "Welcome to the crew, love," he said with a charming grin.

I gave the man a soft smile, then turned to the rest of the Straw Hats. "Could someone please show me my room?" I asked, my voice tinged with exhaustion. "I'm really tired, and it has been an eventful day. I truly hoped they wouldn't take it the wrong way; I wanted to get to know them better, but right now I just needed to rest. 

Before anyone else had the chance to answer Nami grabbed my hand and dragged me after her. "Of course, Aileen. I'll show you," she told me.

"Thank you," I whispered, giving her an appreciative smile. I followed Nami through the bustling ship, down a corridor, where the sleeping quarters were. 

The day had indeed been eventful. My emotional reunion with Luffy and Zoro had really drained my energy. I couldn't wait to settle into my new room and rest, after this exhausting evening. 

"This is your room, right next to mine," she told me, gesturing towards the door with a warm smile, "Oh and Luffy's is at the other end of the deck," she told me with a playful wink.