Red Hair's Daughter

Alone

It was quiet as we walked together. Luffy's hands were jammed in his pockets instead of holding mine like usual. I glanced at his hand in his pockets. I really just wanted to hold his hand. His hat was casting a deep shadow over his eyes. I opened my mouth to speak.

"I hate this." He said. My mouth snapped shut and I looked at him.

"Wh-what?" I asked timidly. Did he want to break up? My heart started beating fast. He sighed and looked up at the sky.

"Aoi has decided to retire from acting so she can be at home with the baby. She's going to do one last movie and it's going to be all on-location in the South Blue... Ace is taking all of us out there. Me, him and her. Sabo is going to stay and take care of the house." He blabbered on.

"Luffy?" I asked. He sighed and stopped. I turned and looked at him.

"I'm leaving, Ai-chan... I leave two weeks after school lets out..." He said. I felt tears rise to my eyes.

"... How long?" I asked. He looked at me.

"How long will you be gone? Are you coming back? Will you be back?" I asked. He stared at me. Slowly, he nodded.

"Two years... I'll be back in two years." He said. I ran over to him and hugged him. He caught me and held me tight in a hug.

"I'll wait for you. I don't care if it's two or twenty years. I'll wait for you. I'll be right here when you come home. I'll wait for you, Luffy. I love you." I said. He nuzzled in to my neck.

"I love you, too, Ai-chan. I'll wait for you. I'll come back for you and we can pick up right where we left off. I will come back for you!" He cried. I pulled away and kissed Luffy with all the passion I felt for him. His grip around my waist tightened as I decided to take things a step further. I licked his lower lip, asking for permission. Slowly, Luffy's lips parted and I slid my tongue in to his mouth.

He didn't fight me for dominance, he just let me explore. I traced over his mouth. His cheeks, his teeth, his tongue. I explored his entire mouth softly until air became demanding. I pulled away reluctantly. I stared in to his eyes. I got lost in those pools of brown. Just like that, he stole my heart all over again.

His hand came up and stroked my cheek softly. I closed my eyes and leaned in to his hand. I didn't want to lose this.

Everyone always called him childish and maybe they were right. But I didn't care. I loved that about him. I loved every little thing about Monkey D Luffy. The way his eyes would sparkle when he was eating meat. The way his grin seemed to light up the whole world. His unique laugh that he shared with his sister. The way he cared for me and protected me. Everything he did and he how did it. I loved it all.

God, I was going to miss him.

My eyes opened and I pulled away. I grabbed his hand and turned towards the school.

"Come on. We'll be late for school." I said. We started to walk again.

"I love you." He said. I tightened my grip on his hand.

"I love you, too." I said. We walked in silence the rest of the way to school. The school day past as normal, and at Lunch, Luffy told everyone he was leaving.

In math, I felt a hand grab mine. I looked up and saw Kaya. She gave me the most comforting smile she could give.

"Don't worry. I'm still here for you. I won't go anywhere." She promised. I smiled and held her hand.

"Thanks, Kaya." I said softly. She smiled at me. I knew Ms Boa was glaring at us, but I didn't care.

Next year, it was going to be just Kaya and myself. Kaya wasn't particularly the type of girl to fight against bullies. Rather, she'd be the one telling a teacher and hoping everything goes okay. No doubt since everyone is going to be gone next year, Jasmine, Yurra and whoever else they recruit against us will be upping their game and making things difficult, trying to drive a wedge between the two of us.