A Pirate's Heart (One Piece fanfic) [EDITING]

26:: Chouwa Ota

To hear th song its on the right. this is the song that inspired this story arc. it helped me come out of my writers block some months ago :)

%Narrator%

“Ladies and gentleman! Tonight we celebrate one last time with our heroes! We helped them restock on supplies for their long journey ahead and help repair their ship so it can sail more seas. Now the Tomonian dancers will like to open up this beautiful evening with a wonderful dance they put together in honor of their good deeds!” The announcer finished. The crowd clapped respectfully. They were in a large courtyard. Long tables were set around the stage where the Straw Hats and many important people of the island sat around. Heaping plates of food, ranging from the simplest dressing to the most exotic platter. Strings of paper lanterns hung over their heads and the smell of the island flowers blended into their food. The sun was setting, giving a golden glow to everything.

“Where’s Rhythm-dwono?<3” Sanji asked, swiveling his head around like a lost puppy.

“Oh yeah, where did she go?” Nami finally noticed.

“Probably where she’s been disappearing too for the past week,” Zoro huffed, poking at his own food. Luffy on the other hand was gobbling up anything within the range of his rubbery arms, leaving him at an entire table to himself. The palace cooks were struggling to keep up with his black hole of a stomach.

“And now, may I present to you the Tomonian dancers in Honshitsu!” the announcer finished, stepping off stage and taking his seat.

“Whoo~!” Luffy yelled over the cheering.

Every light went off, including the paper lanterns. The setting sun was almost gone, leaving a crimson hue to the sky, fading to a blue and purple.

“Shizukesa no naka hitotsubu ochita dake
Hirogaru hamon ni nami utsuido no soko

Zawatsuita watashi no kokoro no mori wo yusaburu kogarashi yo
Kyouzon dekiru mono nara
Sono mama de”

Silhouettes were on the stage, thirteen in all. Thirteen women in long skirts and jewelry that glittered in the sunlight. They moved slowly to the soft music; over exaggerated movements that looked more like slow motion. Not one finger twitched out of place as their strong bodies danced

“Rhythm-san’s up there. She’s been practicing with the dancers for the past week,” Robin said.

“And how long have you known this?” Nami asked.

“Since she snuck out the first morning.”

“Then which one is she?” Usopp asked. “They all look the same.”

“Second row, three in from the left.” Zoro and Sanji said at the same time.

“How do you know?” Zoro and Sanji asked each other.

“Her three sizes,” Sanji stated while Zoro said, “I just do.”

“Dare mo ga kono mori de shizuka na koe wo kiite
Zatsuon ni namida shita”

It was the same singer as five days ago.

Zoro jumped slightly when he realized where he heard this song before. It was the song Rhythm was singing through their little trip. The same song from that weird dream he had the first night here.

“This is the island’s song, ja,” a soft voice said.

Zoro pivoted around to see princess Amaya standing behind him, her snowy white dress glowing slightly in the dimmed light. She looked like some beautiful ghost.