The Tea Party From Hell

After Story

Last chapter. Kind of sad this fic didn't get much attention, especially on ao3.

"When is Brulee coming back?" Ruffy asked, clenching his teeth. His arm had started to really hurt after the confusion and numbing sensation went away, which came after he had an episode. He had made his arm even worse when he went out of control.

"I don't know. I'm sure Luffy got out. No idea where Flampe has gone," Katakuri said, finishing all his donuts he'd not finished. The bodies of the chefs that witnessed everything were by the mochi blobs Luffy had eaten through. They had seen Ruffy's emotional breakdown, episode, him admitting that he had helped Sanji, and seen Katakuri without his scarf. So obviously, they couldn't live after that much.

"My arm hurts really bad," Ruffy admitted. "I wonder what's going on outside."

"I have no idea. The transponder snails were smashed to pieces. So, we're completely in the dark. It's not your fault, and since Brulee hasn't come back, we're just stuck. I'm sure by now everyone knows Luffy isn't in here with us anymore."

"...I'm bored."

"Why don't we go to some place with mirrors still intact. Maybe we'll come across Flampe," Katakuri said, helping Ruffy up.

"'Cause I so want to see the person who made me have an episode in the first place," Ruffy said sarcastically. Katakuri frowned a him, though understood how he felt. Flampe had openly mocked him in a very emotional and painful moment. He might not really remember her laughing and mocking since he'd been in between knowing what was going on and freaking out.

They walked down the corridor together, both of them a bit tired. Ruffy more mentally, Katakuri physically. Ruffy finally voiced the desire he'd had all day: just to go home and try and forget the whole thing happened.

"That would be nice, but we'll no doubt be feeling the after effects of this for awhile. Not just with the destruction of Whole Cake Island and probably at least one island, but it will affect everyone emotionally from the betrayal. Bege, Jinbei, Chiffon... then the injured. Not to mention that someone besides Opera had to have been killed or mortally wounded."

Ruffy sighed. "Is it my fault?"

Katakuri stopped and looked at him in surprise. "Why would it be your fault?" he asked, confused. Ruffy shrugged.

"Just feel like it is."

"Well its not, and I don't know where you would get that idea from. Just because you're Luffy's brother doesn't mean it's your fault he came in the first place. He came for his friend, so if it's anyone's fault, it's our family's. Don't tell anyone I said that, though," Katakuri said.

They turned a corner and found Flampe against the wall, sitting down, shaking. Her friends were nowhere to be found. She looked up from the sound of Katakuri's shoes clicking. She gasped and jumped to her feet. Ruffy stared at her coldly, eyes narrowed slightly.

"Did you have fun mocking me?" he asked in an ice cold voice. She didn't answer, just had wide eyes. "Are you going to stop being a jerk to me since I would have killed you if dad hadn't intervened?"

Apologizing wasn't something Flampe did. She had told him that before, so he didn't expect it.

"Come on, let's go and try to find Brulee," Katakuri said before Ruffy could tear into her verbally some more. He was in full human form, not even partial anymore. Luffy wasn't around anymore to confuse him with.

Flampe walked a bit behind the father and son. They would eventually find Brulee, but until then they'd keep walking in one direction. "I'm not going to kill you now," Ruffy called from a few yards ahead of the bratty girl.