One Fairy

Ch 3

10.07.2020

After a few weeks aboard the Sunny, my lungs had adjusted to the atmosphere and I got along great with the crew. We found a few extra bottles and were using them as practice shots, Ussop with his slingshot, and me with my whip.

"Oh yeah! Well, I once shot two hundred men down with a single blow!" He boasted and I chuckled, remembering the first fight reuniting with Grey, and Ezra after the guild had split up. I absently touched the back of my hand. Luffy came up behind me and took my hand studying the symbol.

"Why did you leave them?" He asked I smiled at him sadly.

"I had a little brother to keep in check," I teased ruffling his hair, he huffed and sulked,

"Why did you join the crew? Because of an old promise?" Robin questioned and I sighed walking over to the table where both she and Nami sat,

"Yes, I promised my brothers that I would come back after I accomplished my goal," I told her then turned back to Luffy, "Speaking of where is Ace? How's he doing?" I asked. He froze and I looked around no one was making eye contact.

"He's dead," Luffy said then, his hat covering his eye. I choked back a sob.

"When?" I croaked,

"A little over two years ago," He said I rushed to the side of the boat and throw up. The math fit, I would've been traped, peacefully protect, while my brother. I heaved again. While my brother died. When I emptied the contents of my stomach I turned back to him.

"How?" I said bracing myself against the railing. He put a hand on his hat.

"Protecting me." He finally said and I nodded. Then wiped the tears that had escaped. I crossed over to Luffy and picked him up from where he sat. I took the hat off his head. Everyone held their breaths as I looked at my brother in the eyes. I reached my hand up and placed it on his hair, slowly ruffling his hair I let a small smile cross my face.

"I would've done the same," I said he teared up slightly and I ruffled his hair, "I- I think I'll skip dinner today," I said to the rest of the group. They watched me as I headed to the crow's nest. Even Zoro had peaked his eye to watch me. I watched as the sunset, no one coming to get me for dinner,

"Do you regret it?" I heard a voice behind me ask, I turned to find Loke, I smiled and shook my head,

"No, I could never regret a second with them," I said and he nodded sitting down with me,

"Then why'd you leave? Natsu's going crazy you know," I cringed at that.

"Well, I'd figure it was time to return home, things finally calmed down around home so I thought that now would be the perfect time to get some more book material and visit them," I said softly, he nodded, putting his jacket around me, "As for Nastu," I laughed, "He's so crazy, I'm sure Ezra will be able to keep him in check for a while,"

"Lucy?" A voice called form the trap door, I swiveled towards Loke, but he'd already disappeared. I sighed and crawled to open the trap door. It was Zoro, I offered him a smile,

"Hey, Zoro, what's up?" I asked.

"Damn Cook made me bring up food for you," He grunted climbing in and looking around, "I thought I heard voices?" He questioned, I shrugged

"Just talking to myself," I said accepting the plate of food. Sanji's was good, but it just didn't have that taste of home Mira's did, or that laughter Nastu's and Happy's burnt fish came with.

"About Ace-" He started, then stopped studying me, "Were you wearing that jacket before?" He asked squinting at it.

"Wha-?" I asked looking down, "Oh! I don't know," I said fingering the coat, dazed slightly, he cleared his throat,

"Right," He said, "Goodnight," He said climbing back down. I nodded to him and looked back to the stars.

"Goodnight Zoro," I responded.