The Secret of Me

Departure Of Two

The next day I stand watching my little brother bob among the waves solo. He was off...to become a pirate. I wave, standing next to Luffy, "Take care Ace!" Yells Luffy, waving, "Yeah! See you Luffy! Nyx! I'm going now!"
"Uh-huh! I'll be a lot stronger when I leave here in 3 years!" Responds Luffy, hands on his hips.
I couldn't speak. Only smile. If I spoke I'd cry. And that I shall not do. Ever.
Everyone yelled their biddings, and I just stood hand raised waving.
"You just wait!" he says, voice fading, "I'll make my name soon!"
I knew that much without a doubt.
He's my little brother after all.

He turned in his small boat, facing the ocean, and I knew I was losing my last chance to say something to him.
So I used my last bits of restraint to yell this:
"ACE!! HOW DO YOU SAY GOODBYE TO SOMEONE YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT?!"
He stops moving and turns his head oh so slightly to respond, "NYX, IT'S NOT A GOODBYE...IT'S SEE YOU SOON, UNTIL THEN. . ."
And that's when I start to cry.
"Until then..." I whisper, even though he couldn't hear me, I knew he knew.

I realize then, the only true way to become strong, is not through endless battles, and hard training, it's when you have no other choice but to be strong.

And that's what I have to be.

Strong.

I then follow Luffy, watching him train, my hand resting on my palm, not saying anything, just thinking.

13 years.

13 years ago I woke up on this strange planet not knowing much more than my name, now I train next to pirates, I run with the sun's flames licking at my heels, and a determination burning in my heart. Nothing can bring me down. At least I think so. I guess I'll just have to wait, and see how the next three years play out.

I may join the Marines before that.

Then as if the mere thought had summoned him a booming yell cried, "WHAT DO YA THINK YOU'RE DOING BOY?!"
Followed by the skull cracking pound on the head.
I stand, hands clasped behind my back, an innocent and pure smile on my face. "Hello Garp-san!"

He turns around and his scowl transforms into a smile, "Nyx!" He cries, his large hand ruffling my short hair. "Have you decided?"
He's asked me this every time we've seen each other for a long time. . .

But this time I had a different answer.
"Garp-san, I think I have."
And Luffy's jaw drops. . .

The look Garp then got on his face was truly terrifying.

"THAT'S MY GIRL! GONNA BE A MARINE! JUST LIKE HER GRAND-PAPI" He yells, while I sweat drip with half open eyes.
"Garp-san, you know very well that I'm not-"
"SHUT UP! WE NEED TO START TRAINING YOU! YOU'VE LOST VALUABLE TIME ALREADY HANGING ABOUT HERE!!"
I don't think I have any say in the manner. . .
"Please help..." I mouth to Luffy who doesn't catch on, causing me to sweat little bit harder.
"Garp-san I can't breath!"
"I KNOW YOU MUST BE NERVOUS, BUT A MARINE'S LIFE INVOLVES DARING AND DEADLY SITUATIONS!!"
If only I could move my limbs to facepalm.
I finally wiggle out of his grasp and say, "Garp-san, I meant in several months, even years. Not today."
"Tomorrow then! We start your training!"
Now I can facepalm! Which I do...
"Garp-san, I'm not leaving today, tomorrow, or next week. I'm staying with Luffy for now. Someone has to keep an eye on him."
"NOW LISTEN GIRL! YOU SAID YES, NOW I'M TAKING YOU AND YOUR GOING TO BECOME A MARINE WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!" He yells, "I KNOW THE OTHER LITTLE BRAT LEFT TODAY! AND IF WHAT HE SAYS IS TRUE HE'LL BE WANTED IN NO TIME! AND WHEN THE GOVERNMENT GETS..."
He didn't need to finish the statement.
"I'll get my stuff.." I mutter, grabbing Luffy by the arm and dragging him with me, behind me Garp yelled, "THATA GIRL!" 
I rolled my eyes in response.

Once we were safely away, "Luffy, I'm doing this to keep Ace safe." I say quietly.
"BUT ACE CAN TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF!!" He yells, and i restrain from adding another goose egg to his head.
"I never said he couldn't but I just want to make sure, and when you become the great pirate you're beyond to become, I'll keep an eye on And you as well. Okay? It won't be long, and when your Grandpa sees you so will I."
"But you're more fun than Grandpaaaaa....." he whined.
It was like talking to a four year old.
"I know..." I sigh, giving up.
"You promise you won't hurt any nakama Ace and I make, even if there a pirate?"
The question catches me off guard.
"Of course not!" I respond, looking at him surprised, "I'd never do anything like that! I'm just the... the little birdie watching you from afar, making sure you don't get into too much trouble."
"But I can handle myself!!!" He cried as a golden butterfly flittered by, causing him to become quickly distracted.
I think the hand motion of the day is a facepalm...

Later I lug a small black bag, overfilled, out to the docked Marine ship. I slink, like a cat, amongst the shadows, trying to go unseen.
Then Garp's huge hand slammed onto my shoulder, causing me to flench black ink lines forming beside my head.
"WHY SO SHY?! BWAHAHAHA!" He yelled, obviously pleased with my recent decisions. "IT'S ONLY YOU AND ME HERE! AND YOU KNOW YOUR OLD GRAND-PAPI!"
"Garp-san... you're not my grandfather, so could you please-"
"I KNOW, I KNOW, YOU MUST WANT TO GET STRAIGHT TO TRAINING!"
No... no... please god, no... that's just to scary...training with Garp...
"Actually, Garp-san, I was wondering if I could spend one last night here."
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! BACKING OUT NOW IS OUT OF THE QUESTION! YOU'RE ALREADY ON THE SHIP!"
I look down, and indeed, one foot was on the ship.

I sigh, stepping the rest of the way onto the ship, turning to face the ocean, meanwhile, Garp was talking non-stop.
Then I was scared to the point where I quite literally fell from the boat, Garps strong hand stomping me from the paralyzingly dangerous fall.
"Who's he?" Asks a tall man in a hat and long coat.
"SHE, is my Grand-Daughter! She's training to be a marine!" He said proudly, causing me to sweat drip, but not because of the gender mistake (that happens all the time), because of Garp's clingy I-just-got-a-kitty excitement.
I'm far from a cat.
Of any kind.
"Oh. Since when?" Asks the guy in a calm quiet tone. He's more of the type of person I'd rather be around . . .
"Today!"
We both give Garp a similar look.
I stand expressionless. Quiet. It felt odd. Not being around Luffy or Ace.

No one but Luffy knew I was leaving the island.
I turn slightly, once again facing the ocean, leaning over the railing, watching the waves splish splash below the now moving boat. The island moving further and further away, the sun beginning to set.
Then I see him.
Running along the edge of the cliff like drop off, yelling and waving, "BYE NYX!!! SEE YOU SOON!!"
A smile breaks onto my lips, raising my arm high, yelling, "BYE LUFFY!!! I'LL MISS YOU-"
Then the fist slammed down onto my head, causing me to crumble to my knees, clutching my skull. "Garppp-san? What was that for?!" I moan in agony.
"YOU ARE NO LONGER ALOUD TO TALK TO ACE OR LUFFY WHILE YOU'RE A MARINE! GOT IT?!" He yells, and all I can do is nod.
"SAY 'AYE SIR' NEXT TIME!" He screeches, signing the statement with another skull rattling blow.
"AYE SIR!" I yell, nodding vigorously, and Garp grins, something shining in his eyes as the stars begin to show and moon begins the glow.