Ashes To Ashes | One Piece

𝟗|Rainbase

( Alabasta Arc )

Ashes feet dragged through the sand tiredly as she marched on through the dunes. She was fanning her face with her right hand, sweat trickling down her temple. It had become so much hotter around midday and the white haired woman wasn't the only one that was suffering. The heat was wearing everyone down. Usopp and Luffy especially. They two boys were dragging themselves as if they were zombies, using sticks as staffs, with their tongues hanging out of their mouths. Ashe pitied them to be honest.

"Okay!" Nami snapped from her perch on Eyelashes saddle "did I, or did I not, tell the two of you to quite with the pathetic whining already!"

The two boys instantly began to groan and complain viciously as they glared up at the ginger girl. They begged her for a turn at riding the camel but it all fell on deaf ears.

"Hey Chopper" Zoro's voice came from Ashes right "you managed to make all day without collapsing"

"Yeah" the doctor panted softly "I'm trying hard not to"

"Then we'll done, sweetheart!" Ashe chuckled as she leaned forward slightly to look around Zoro at Chopper. She winked at the reindeer playfully as she gave him a thumbs up. The deer smiled as his ears flicked happily. The chef chuckled at the two as he smiled as well while the swordsman only smirked.

"Vivi" chopper called "does this Rainbase have a water supply?"

"Yeah, no shortage there. It's a gambling town almost completely isolated from the fighting"

"Gambling!" Nami called excitedly as stars floated around her, eyes comically shifting to money symbols.

"No way Nami, we're not going there to gamble!" Zoro huffed only to sweat drop at the sight of the smirking woman beside him. Stars floated about her, lips pulled into a shit eating grin, while her eyes held this dangerous glint of confidence. He rolled his silver eyes as he let out a huff.

"Not you too"

"Hey, not my fault I have the devils luck when it comes to card games" Ashe chuckled with a smirk as she shoved her hands in her pockets "but you can never beat a good ol' game of Blackjack"

"I guess people need places to relax, even here in Alabasta" Sanji said, almost surprised.

"Gum gum no way!" Luffys voice echoed as he stretched his arms holding a small water bottle out of Usopps grasp. The long nosed teen begged for a small sip as he reached for the barrel over and over, each time missing, while his captain chanted 'no' over and over.

"The old guy from the sand storm gave it to me, he had to dig all night to get just this much of it! We can't just go drinking it like it's regular water or something, no way!" Luffy huffed.

"Wow, you can restrain yourself sometimes!" Nami said in wonder as she stared down at her captain.

"That sure is a surprise" Ashe added as she stopped beside the camel.

"Well yeah! Of course I can! That was a rude thing to say you know, you both are rude!" The boy huffed.

Ashe rolled her red eyes and shared a look with Nami as she stroked the camel "you're calling us rude?"

Luffy ignored her and instead pounded his fists together "so, how long till Rainbase Vivi"

"Hey Luffy" Vivi called as she slid off the saddle and landed in front of Ashe "thanks a lot, I never would of been able to make this decision on my own"

"Okay, then give me food"

"Huh?" The princess let out a confused sound while the bounty hunter raised a dark brow.