One Piece: Seafaring Adventures

Chapter 4

Saphira's POV

It's been two years now. Two whole years and I still don't know where my sisters are. When the mayor and the few people that was left on Melon island have finally found a way to leave the island, and once we reached Logue town, there was no sign of the two ships that was supposed to be there. The mayor started a search party with the help of the marines, but there was no luck finding them. The Captain, although at first glance you'd think he's a brute with that permanent scowl on his face, was nice enough to contact other marine bases by nearby islands if they know anything of the missing ships and the town's people.

With no luck finding them and without any leads to continue the search, the people gave up and prayed that wherever they were that they were safe. And if fate allows it, that we will meet each other again, someday.

...

I was exhausted. The light breeze was refreshing and the warm sun on my back was lovely. Yet, it wasn't enough to keep my mind from wondering. I was far away from any public place right now, further up the hills that can be mistaken for mountains and deep in the forest that surround Logue Town. I was in an open field; the trees were cleared out here many years ago. They were probably planning to build something here, but it seems something must have gone wrong. I didn't care as much for the history of this place, I'm just grateful to have a place to train. Somewhere where I can be alone.

I was leaning against the stump I was training on, the broken bark having the scars that only a blade could make. My two short swords were laying by my side, the sun reflecting off the blades. The long hours of training was showing its results, beathing on my muscles and lungs. If someone was to pass by here and see me, they'd think I was a corps laying there. Fortunately, no one would come here. The people of Logue Town seem to be scared of the surrounding nature. I'm glad that they're scared; it means no one would come searching for me here.

I started training with the duo swords when I got my arms back. Two years ago, that's how long it's been. When we arrived at Logue Town after finding a ship big enough to carry the few people that were left on Melon island, we got the news that the other fleeing ships that was suppose to be here waiting for us, haven't made it. We immediately started a search for them. The search lasted fifteen days when the marine captain had to stop it. People were hungry and exshausted from the attack on Melon island and papers were needed to be filled and signed and ect. Even though the marines were helping us, they were also holding us back. There were rules and laws to abide to and because we weren't Logue Town residents, it made it even harder to continue the search.

I didn't want to stop the search, I didn't care if I had to do it alone, but my condition was holding me back. It took me two whole months before I was considered healthy enough to do anything. Even then, I wasn't to do anything exerting. The mayor was the one that paid for my medical needs, and I was grateful, of course. But, the horror of what happened will forever mock me. I lost my arms, and that was the end of it. The mayor tried to keep my spirits up but everyone knew it, it was right there, as a constant reminder that I was now a burden.

Who would want to take care of a crippled? Who is going to take the responsibility of a depressed teenager that would probably have an attitude and be ungrateful for everything? They didn't say it out loud, but it was written on their faces. No one wanted to do it. It was too much work, too much of a burden to deal with. I was labeled the moment they realized that I was still young and unable to take care of myself. The moment they realized that, there was no hope for me.

I felt it too. The burden. The hopelessness. The realization that I'd have to depend on someone. It angered me. It made me sick. I didn't want this, I wanted to be independend and to do things on my own without the helping hand ready around the corner when they see I can't pick something up with my teeth.

Hope wasn't my friend, it wasn't any bodies, but when the mayor stood up and gave me that look. That look that gave me chills. It wasn't pity or a mocking look he gave me. That look was all it took to change my mind, that I wasn't a burden, that there was still hope for me and I latched onto it with a tight grip, and I wasn't planning on letting go anytime soon. I wasn't going to give up.

The mayor was gentle and patience with me and I was grateful for every moment, even when I didn't say it out loud. We made plans together, plans for the future, and we both worked hard to get where we are now. It was the mayor's idea to find someone that can make me arms. At first, I found it ridiculous, the idea of getting my arms back sounded impossible. He proved me wrong. It took almost an entire year, hard earned money, and wide searching that we finally found someone that could make me my arms.

I returned from my past, a sound that snapped me back to reality. I stood up swiftly, swords in hand and turned in the direction the sound has come from. I took deep breaths and ready myself in a fighting stance, but stopped when I saw the small deer standing in the bushes, it's herd right behind him, minding their own business and gave me no mind. I let out a breathless chuckle and relaxed my stance. The wild life is small here, but there are still some dangerous animals. I have encountered a few before.

I returned my duo swords back into their scabbard. I did some static stretches before gathering all my belongings back into my small shoulder bag. After I was done, I stood there for a minute, looking out to the vast lands in front of me. Right there, just a small distance from where I'm standing, stood Logue Town. It was a beautiful sight, no matter how many times I've seen it. It still takes my breathe away. It's strange, the feeling this place gives. It's a peaceful and joyful place. But, it just doesn't feel like home to me.

The sun was close to setting, it was my day off and I spend it by training. I didn't mind, it was better than sitting and doing nothing. Something my past self would have despised. Although I say that, nothing much of me changed. I still do things the lazy way. Training with my swords is something I started doing when I realized that, if I was going to leave this place one day to find my sisters, I'd need to be strong and be able to protect myself. I know of the dangers out at sea, I know it very well. That's why I'm 'mastering the way of the blade', as the old hag said. She warned me that fighting with a sword is hard, and fighting with two is even harder.

When the old hag gave me a few tips on how to train with my swords, she also told me that the best kind of training comes from experience, that's when she shooed me away and I was to figure the rest out on my own. It was hard, really hard. But, as I see it now, I think I did pretty well on my own. Even so, I still don't feel ready for some reason. I have confidents in my skills, but I know I lack something somewhere, I just don't know what. It was hard enough with figuring out how to work my arms right, but I also had to figure out how to fight alone as well. I felt like giving up a dozen of times, and every time is a reminder for what I'm doing all this for. I'd just stand back up again and continue struggling until I get it right.

It was that constant reminder that got me here now. I'm stronger and faster now, and I can wield two deadly blades without trouble. That reminder, it's when I look at my metal arms. They remind me of what I lost. They also remind me of who's out there waiting for me to find them. It's all I need to keep me going.

Not proofread, sorry. Thanks for reading~