Fifteen Years With Only a Single Star

Chapter 3

Lun was fast. And when I say fast, I mean FAST fast. We had reached the Lougetown in a matter of hours, which was rather an impressive feat, seeing as how we left North Blue and ended up in East Blue at daybreak. I would be lying though, if I said that I didn't enjoy the salty wind in my face, whipping my hair around and the diamond spray flying through the air. Lun seemed to enjoy it too.

When we arrived at Lougetown, I told Lun to try and lay low for a while and meet me in three hours.

I walked down the street, hugging my nodachi to my chest with my bag at my hips. People shot me weird looks but I ignored them. I could deal with looks and insults.

I found a nice-enough looking restaurant and stepped in, looking around. A boy with spiky gray hair sat with a girl with pink hair, wearing marine trainee uniforms, about fifteen. A waiter made his way over to me, a concerned look on his face.

"Are you lost, child?" He asked kindly.

"No. I'm hungry." I answered. "I can pay too."

I showed him my bag of coins that Nii-Sama had given me.

"Did you steal those?" The waiter asked.

"Nope!" I replied. "Big brother gave them to me!"

"Is your big brother here?" The waiter questioned, looking around.

"No, he's at home. He told me to get food for him and me, though." I lied.

"Oh, well I guess if you have money than it's okay." The waiter reasoned.

"The food will be for to go, then?"

"Yeah!" I said cheerily. "Can I have two large boxes of kalamari and two large boxes of tempura? Oh, and don't forget four blueberry muffins!"

'What? I liked fried food.'

"Coming right up!"

As I waited I could hear the two marine trainees in the corner.

"Smoker-Kun, why didn't that girl's brother come with her?" The girl asked. "Hina suspicious."

'Hm. Must be a speech impediment.'

"Shut up, Hina. She'll catch on to us."

As the food rolled around, I set the money on the table and thanked the waiter guy. I grabbed all of the food and left the restaurant, grinning like a mad woman as the two trainees followed me.

As I crossed the main square, I couldn't help but look up at a large platform. It was big and iron and I couldn't help feeling something ominous about it. I heard a tourist snap a photo and say: "So this is where the Pirate King was born and killed."

I cocked an eyebrow but kept moving. As I walked down an alley leading to the harbor, I turned around to face the marines.

"Come out, already. I'm not deaf or stupid."

"You're not from around here, are you? You're clothes say it all." The boy stated, pulling his friend out into the open.

"Yes..." I mused. "You are right. I come from a cold climate island in the North Blue. I arrived here just today. My brother is nowhere near here. Right now, I believe he may be plotting revenge."

"Is your brother a criminal?" Hina asked.

"Not yet. If anything, the stupid flamingo flamenco dancer idiot Shichibukai is the criminal!" I raged.

"Shichibukai?"

"Stupid flamingo flamenco dancer idiot? I like this kid!"

"Oh, I need to go. But, if a boy with black hair, gray eyes, a hat that matches my scarf, a nodachi, two boys with hats, and a polar bear come by, tell them that 'Yuka-Chan so totally beat them' please!" I yelled, running off. "I'm off to the Grand Line! Wish me luck!"

I reached the harbor and quickly looked around for Lun. I couldn't see him.

"LUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNN!" I yelled.

"What the hell?!"

"Run away!"

"It's a Sea King!"

"We're done for!"

"Lun, let's go!" I yelled.

He lowered his head so I could climb on.

"Did you eat while I was gone?" I asked.

He nodded.

"I got myself enough food to last me about a week." I told him.

"HEEEEY!!!!" A voice called. "YUKA-CHAN!"

I turned around to see Hina and Smoker, who looked pissed. Hina threw me a bracelet and smiled.

"THAT'S A LOG POSE! IT'LL TELL YOU WHICH ISLAND TO GO TO!!!" Hina yelled. "COMPASSES DON'T WORK IN THE GRAND LINE! GOOD LUCK!"

"BYE BYE!!!" I cheer. "SEE YOU LATER!"

And with that, Lun took off.

I looked back until Lougetown was just a black blob on the horizon.

Opening one of the boxes, I hummed quietly. I pulled out a large piece of tempura and popped it in my mouth, hoping it would cease the grumbling of my stomach. Meh. It worked well enough.

After about thirty minutes of swimming, I was able to see the Red Line.

"We're almost there, Lun! We just have to go over Reverse Mountain!"

Lun roared happily and I scratched his head, a wide grin on my face.

"Let's go!"

We battled the waves and entered the narrow canal at a slightly wrong angle, but we fixed it up. I had to pull myself up by Lun's horns, because the canal was now going almost straight up and down! I laughed crazily as I saw the summit.

"ARE YOU READY TO GO HOME, LUN!?!?" I screamed.

'Well, that was louder than I had ever spoken without using my powers.' I thought.

I was normally a really quiet girl.

Lun howled in agreement as we barreled over the edge.