The Last One (One Piece x Reader)

Chapter 38: Within his grasp

[A/N: I am back!! Look at that picture~ Daddy Crocy is so hot in that art~ Kudos to the artist (I found this on Pinterest, please don't sue me). I fucking love you!]

You are a powerful woman—dangerous, even. Those who have glimpsed your darker side know better than to act foolishly around you. You read people like an open book, your smiles, teasing, and charm, it's a careful facade that keeps them off guard.

Kind? Perhaps. Manipulative? Absolutely.

Few truly understand you, and even fewer can stay a step ahead. That ability, in the rare few who possess it, is a gift—one you despise when it's used against you.

So, you make these people your friends, your allies. As the saying goes, keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.

•••••

Both you and Shiro glared out at the endless, scorching desert before you, sweat dripping down your (S/C) face, while Shiro stuck his tongue out like a tired dog.

"We're lost, aren't we?" you asked flatly, glancing at Shiro, who gave a resigned nod in agreement.

You sighed, wiping the sweat off your face. "Oh, God, why do you always make me suffer?" you groaned.

You'd somehow managed to get separated from Luffy and his crew—stupidly, thanks to your distracted mind. Ever since Ace left, you'd been so unfocused, worried sick over him even though you kept telling yourself you had to stop. Nothing bad would happen to him... right?

But now you were stranded, heading toward Yuba—or at least, you hoped that was the right direction. Not that you had any way of knowing for sure.

With a sigh, you asked, "Shiro, can you track them? Even just one of them?"

Shiro nodded, lifting your spirits a little. At least you had him with you. Otherwise, you'd be utterly alone in this hot, unending desert. Not that you'd had a choice but to help Luffy and the princess—thanks to that old lizard, Crocodile. If he hadn't started scheming to seize Alabasta's throne, Luffy and the princess wouldn't even be out here in the first place, and she certainly wouldn't be traveling with pirates.

Honestly, if it weren't for Luffy, the poor girl might not have survived this long. She was far too naive and reckless for such a dangerous mission. Talking to the Rebel Army? Please. Crocodile wouldn't let her get that far.

As much as you hated to admit it, Crocodile was a smart bastard. You'd always appreciated his cool-headed intelligence and his ability to see through people's facades, including your own. That's why he was your best friend... unfortunately.

But right now, he was nothing but a jerk. A complete jerk.

"Any closer, Shiro?" you asked as he padded along in front of you.

He nodded, and relief washed over you. Then, up ahead, you noticed something—a rock, no, a huge rock. A shaded rock.