Piracy? Unchanging facade in a new world!

Romance Dawn

Author's notes:

I figured I should try this and see how it goes. Let me know if the new layout of chapters with the single spacing is a bit better on the eyes and the like. Or if you prefer the double spacing between text. If there are any questions, then feel free to ask; I will be a bit vague if they come into spoiler territory or cover anything I plan on revealing at a later date.

Finally, apologies for the strange schedule...or well lack of one altogether. From now on there will be at least one new chapter every month (this goes for the four main fics I'm handling: Phantom Masquerade, Scars of White, Class Wars, Piracy! One chapter for each of them every month.) with the word count increasing to at least 3000 words per chapter. Let me know if that's a change for the better as well.

That and a surprise that I'm looking forward sometime in the near future (Probably next month or the month after), I'm excited for it. But I'll reveal more details with that as it becomes relevant.

---

The brilliant yellow light from the sun shone down on the beach swallowing up the entire shore and illuminated the passed-out bodies of my future crewmates after the evening of celebration I was subject to.

A few of the animals approached almost as if they could sense our time together was shortening. I subjected myself to the suffocation that was their presence. If I wasn't already sweltering due to the humidity, then this would certainly exacerbate that. Well, not that I'll have to deal with it for much longer. If this is what they need for a goodbye, then so be it.

"Argh, my head... Nami, what time is it?" Those words escaped from the swordsman, rather tiredly at that.

"Usopp? Luffy? Gaimon?... Blank-faced bastard?" Really, that's what I get? I think I'll just pretend to be asleep.

"Ahhh! Get away, you're too warm! It's too early for this crap... Hold on, maybe he's asleep. Slowly... slowly. Ack! Get off my foot! Hey, I said move!" Is this guy incapable of being silent? Does he seriously think I wouldn't be able to hear him approaching? He should make a habit of drinking less; I think it may be having negative effects on his brain.

Gradually I could feel the cooling sensation from a shadow cast over my face. Ahhh, that's much better.

The overwhelming stench of alcohol and fish erupted from the man's mouth as he neared my person. When was toothpaste invented? Quickly brain think or I'll have to be the inventor of modern hygiene in this world!

"Just... slowly..." Having enough of this tiresome game I decided to open my eyes abruptly in front of my intruder.

"Ack!" Dramatically the swordsman had fallen backwards into the pile of animals crowding me, at least they cushioned his fall. Although, I was kinda hoping for a little damage as payback.

I was hardly happy that the first sight to greet my eyes was the haggard face of an alcoholic pirate, though. Luffy's cheerful visage or Nami's beautiful features made much more pleasant impressions on my eyes. Regardless, I suppose I should arise from my alcohol induced coma.

"So, you were awake blank bastard?" Such a welcoming statement. I'm overjoyed at my new friend.

"...In the future you could do with being quieter, if you plan on sneaking up on someone." It would have taken more effort to have feigned sleep that entire time.

"Ain't exactly my expertise. Usually, I just put someone in the ground if they get in the way." Yeah, that seems pretty apt. Despite obviously being annoyed he was rather gentle with the animals as he attempted to stand back up.