Red Hair's Daughter

Goodbye

It felt unfair.

Time had passed too fast. We had our party to say goodbye. School ended. Two weeks passed. And now here I was, walking behind Ace and Aoi as they talked. Ace was still wearing a boot for his broken leg. I walked beside Luffy. Sabo was behind us.

Too soon, we reached the gates. After this, Sabo and I couldn't follow them any more, since I still lived here and Sabo was staying for his job and to take care of the house and Chopper.

Luffy turned and stared directly in to my eyes as we reached the part where I had to stop. He bit his lip and looked ready to cry.

"Ai-chan... I... I'm... I'm gonna.. I..." He stumbled over his words, desperately trying to find the right thing to say.

"Do you have it?" I asked. He looked back up at me.

"Your promise ring that I gave you. Do you still have it?" I asked. Luffy raised his right hand, showing the promise ring on his finger. I smiled and raised my hand, the matching ring on my finger. I grabbed his hand and laced my fingers with his, stepping closer to him so I could rest my forehead on his.

"As long as you have that, you'll know I'm here. You'll know I'm waiting for you. You'll know I love you." I said. He smiled and wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me against him one last time.

"I'm going to miss you, Ai-chan." He said. I fought back my tears as I cupped his cheek with my free hand.

"I'll miss you, too, Luffy." My voice cracked. Luffy frowned at my voice crack.

"Don't cry." He whispered.

"It's only two years. Then you'll be back. We both have to work hard for these next two years and come back to each other with new stories to tell." I said. He smiled at me.

"Don't have too many adventures with out me, okay?" I whispered. He closed his eyes and I did the same. We just enjoyed each other one last time.

"I'll see you in two years." He whispered. I nodded.

"Call me when you land. I want to know when you're there." I said. He nodded. We opened our eyes and stared at each other. I lost myself in his brown orbs.

"Luffy, come on. It's time to go." Ace said. Luffy slowly started to pull away.

I jumped on him and kissed him passionately, needing to taste his lips one more time before he was gone. He leaned back in to the kiss, his tongue darting across my lower lip. I parted my lips and let him in one more time. Our tongues danced together in a heated goodbye.

I held on as long as I could, but air became too demanding and forced us to part. Luffy gave me one last peck on the lips before stepping away.

"Wait for me, Ai-chan. I'll be back for you in two years." He said. I nodded, fighting tears again.

"I love you, Monkey D Luffy." I said. He grinned at me again.

"I love you, Aisuru LeRoux." He said. After that, he walked away. Ace was holding his collar because he was walking backwards so he could stare at me a little longer. Finally, he was out of sight.

I felt Sabo's hand on my shoulder.

"Come on, Aisuru. Your Dad and Makino are waiting." He said. I turned and nodded. I didn't dare speak because I was afraid I'd start crying.

Sabo walked me out to my Dad's car. Dad stood outside of the vehicle. Makino was inside with Kai. I walked over to Dad as Sabo went to his own car, telling me that I could still come over and hang out with him, Yue and Chopper whenever I liked.

"Aisuru?" Dad called. I looked up at him. He frowned softly and held his arms open to me. I ran in to his arms and hugged him, finally letting myself cry.

"It hurts so much, Daddy! I miss him!" I cried. He hugged me tightly as I cried in to his chest. He rubbed my back.

"I know, princess. Come on. Let's go home." He said. I sniffled and wiped my eyes.

These next two years were going to be lonely.

Stay tuned for a sneak peak at Fearless. The sequel to Red Hair's Daughter.