The Window Maker - (OCXCANON)

Chapter 38 (Alabasta Arc)

Luffy burst out laughing, "The giant's cleared a path for us! Hahaha!"

Nami smacked the rubber boy in the back of the head, "After the fish ate us!!"

Ki shook her head and sighed with her hands held up in surrender, "Ya know what? Don't care. As long as we're away from that crazy ass island, that's all that matters."

Usopp pumped his fist in the air, "Guys, listen up! I will visit Elbaf some day! To the village of warriors!"

Straw Hat hooked an arm around the sniper and cheered, "Yeah!! Great!" The boys danced around, arm in arm as they chanted, "Ga- Ga- Giants! Ga- Ga- Giants! Elbaf! Elbaf! Everyone is huge!! They're so huge, cause they're giants! Ga- Ga- Giants! Everyone is huge!"

Ki ran to the ledge as the pair slipped off the railing. A sigh ripped from her throat as the boys pulled themselves up. She groaned, "Geez, you two. Don't scare me like that!"

Nami held her head as she watched her crewmates, "Wow, after everything that's happened here, I'm exhausted."

Ki turned on her heel and nodded in agreement, "No kidding. I don't know how those two still have so much energy," She rubbed her neck but flinched as her palm grazed the bug bite.

The redhead sleepily held up the eternal pose to the princess, "Umm, Vivi, could you watch this for me?"

Vivi took a seat beside the navigator and clutched the item in her palms, "Sure," Karoo trotted over with a hopeful squawk.

The navigator flashed Vivi a soft smile, "You're on your way. Soon you'll return to Alabasta... Well, my rosy outlook is assuming we can make it there safely without any more surprises."

Vivi nodded but kept her eyes locked on the pose, "Yes, I must return. It's my obligation. I am the person everyone in the kingdom is counting on," She stammered, "I will return home, alive."

The sound of Sanji's shoes clicked against the steps as he strode over to the ladies. He regarded the princess, "You'll get home, but there's no need to push yourself so hard," He pointed a thumb to himself, "You've got me!" His arm extended to the trio of women with a tray of pastries in hand, "Here you go. Try these sweets, they'll help you relax. I've made some delicious tarts and your choice of coffee or tea."

Ki snagged one of the tarts and grinned, "You've got all of us, princess. No need to shoulder all that worry," Her eyes flicked to the movement on the upper deck and furrowed her brow. Zoro was already training, with a ridiculously huge weight that he swung like a giant club. She shouted with her hand cupped to her mouth, "You better not tear those stitches!!"

The swordsman paused, midswing and yelled back, "Couldn't if I wanted to! That wax is like stone!" He continued his swings with irritated grunts, "Mind. Your. Own. Business. Witch."

Sanji shook his head, "I don't know why you bother with that meat head, sweet dahlia. You're much too kind."

Ki grumbled as she took another bite, "If no one looks out for the 'protector,' he'll burn himself out."

Vivi nibbled her pastry and peered up at the raven haired woman with admiration. She chuckled, "Careful to not burn yourself out as well."

Ki raised an eyebrow and grinned as she flicked the princess' forehead, "No one can snuff out this flame, princess," Her gaze returned to the swordsman briefly as she thought, 'I need to get stronger too. I shouldn't feel this worn down. Protecting my hands needs to be a high priority going forward.'

Luffy and Usopp quickly crowded the cook with watering mouths. Sanji swung the tray high over his head and pointed to the kitchen with a grunt, "Back off! Yours are in there!!"