HELLO EVERYONE! How you all doing? Well I hope. And ready for these new chapters! And I promise that the future will have so much more to give and so much more for you to look forward to! For now please, enjoy this chapter!
Back aboard the Going Merry, an air of mirth enveloped the crew as they wasted no time in setting up their impromptu celebration under the ethereal embrace of the pink snowfall. The pink snowflakes, like nature's confetti, cascaded around them, painting a vivid contrast against the cold and wintry landscape. The ship stood as a beacon of warmth and vitality against the chill, its wooden hull echoing with the promise of shared laughter and joy. The crew gathered food and wine in preparation for their departure to go off in a cloud of festivities as they welcomed their new member.
Chopper, who had once been poised to somberly bid his farewell to his home island, found himself drawn into a whirlwind of revelry. The boys, unyielding in their pursuit of merriment, were resolute in making sure Chopper was not left to wallow. The celebrations were a blend of laughter, song, and the clinking of cups, an outpouring of energy that warmed the winter air.
"The sky's the same as your hair now Sakura!" Luffy pointed out.
"Well she is named after the cherry blossom's Luffy," Nami said.
Sakura, wrapped in a blanket Nami had thoughtfully draped over her shoulders, watched the exuberant scene with a wistful smile. Nami's concern was evident in her voice as she leaned closer to her friend. "Are you really feeling alright?"
Sakura's gaze flicked to the boisterous boys and Chopper, who, after a brief hesitation, had been engulfed in the festivities. She let out a soft sigh, a mix of weariness and fondness. "Sometimes," she mused, "you just have to question your life choices."
Nami chuckled, her voice carrying the camaraderie of shared experiences. "I know exactly what you mean. And now, you've roped someone else into this crew's craziness."
A deeper sigh escaped Sakura's lips as she cast a contemplative gaze toward Chopper, "I wonder if I did the right thing."
"I used to doubt about getting involved with these guys at the beginning too," Nami confessed, keeping her smile. "But, it was the best decision of my life. Just don't tell them that,"
Sakura shook her head.
Meanwhile, Vivi was attending to Karoo, who had been found nearly frozen near the ship upon their return. The poor duck was shivering as the princess attempted to bring the warmth back into his body. They didn't even know how long he had been out there in the cold air and icy water. "Karoo, what on earth happened to you?"
Zoro's laughter cut through the air as he offered his own explanation. "I bet he slipped and fell into the river, he's a clumsy one."
Vivi's patience seemed to wear thin as she admonished him, "Quiet, Mr. Bushido!"
Chopper, who had approached the scene, listened to Karoo's squawks with a peculiar focus. His blue nose twitched as his understanding deepened, and he turned back to the crew, with a curious expression. "He said that Zoro was swimming in the river and disappeared, so he went in after him."
"SO IT'S YOUR FAULT ZORO!"
Nami's swift response to Zoro's amusement was a well-aimed hit on the head, a gesture that had become almost endearing in its regularity as well as its throbbing pain. "That should shut you up,"
Vivi's surprise was evident as she turned to Chopper. "You can understand what Karoo's saying, Tony?"
Chopper nodded, his expression was both modest and proud. "I am technically still half animal."
Sakura's warm smile accompanied her hand on Chopper's shoulder. "As another fellow medic to another, I'll be counting on your help, Chopper."
Chopper, ever so bashful, was quickly flustered and with a bright smile on his face, while tapping his hooves in a patterned dance threw some weightless insults at Sakura, "Don't think you'll flatter me stupid. I'm not falling for it one bit,"
Nami's curiosity was piqued by Sakura's comment. "Medic? What do you mean?"
With a hint of pride in her voice, Sakura explained, "Chopper was Dr. Kureha's assistant. She taught him about medicine. In fact I'm hoping to learn a lot from him.
Luffy's astonishment was palpable as he stared at Chopper. "No way, really!?"
Sakura's bemused frown was hard to miss. "Luffy, did you not pick that up while we were at the castle?"
Luffy scratched his head sheepishly. "Nope. I just thought he was a seven-transforming reindeer."
Sanji's voice joined the conversation, his cigarette momentarily forgotten. "I thought he was emergency rations."
Chopper's eyes widened at the memory, a flicker of fear mingling with the recollection of their chase through the castle.
Then he realized something else; that he didn't have the chance to pack his medical bag with his herbs, medicine, and equipment. Nami chided in his panic and showed him a stuffed blue bag. Chopper came to another realization: his mentor had prepared for his departure from the island. Kureha's seemingly indifferent gaze during their escape had taken on a new meaning. It wasn't disdain he had seen; it was an unspoken blessing.
With a weight lifted off his shoulders and a heart full of gratitude, Chopper fully embraced the celebrations, dancing and laughing with his new friends as he sealed his acceptance into their fold.
Observing the scene where Chopper was dancing with chopsticks in his nose that Luffy had prompted him to do, Sakura turned to Nami and remarked, "Looks like he's going to fit in just fine with us."
Nami's sigh held a mix of exasperation and affection as she responded, "Yep,"
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The excitement of the celebration gradually faded into the night, leaving behind a contented fatigue that settled over the ship's crew like a soft mist. And while others were already settled in for the night, Sakura, was still in a state of wakefulness.
She had attempted to find rest, but it insisted on eluding her. Through the excitement of the day, Sakura had become pleasantly exhausted and was looking forward to closing her eyes, she had fallen asleep the same time as Nami and Vivi, but she was barely an hour in before her rest was disrupted by vivid dreams.
Ones that took her back to the war, it was as if she could smell the metal, and debris and taste the blood in her mouth, the stiffness of the bodies that belonged to comrades she couldn't save with her treatment, and the intense bitterness and fear that swelled inside her as she was taken back to her encounter with Kaguya.
She seemed more like a demon than a woman, and Sakura was certain that she wasn't human.
Sakura was looking down at the devil fruit Kaguya dropped and it was as if something tempted her to lift it into her mouth, her throat had burned from the sensation and she pleaded in her dream to stop.
She could hear Naruto calling her name as if he was shouting in her ears, but she couldn't respond. The dream ended with Sakura waking up in a cold sweat and a scream lodged in her throat.
So in turn Sakura went to the ship's bathing quarters in an attempt to leave her torubles in the drain. The night air still held a crisp bite, a reminder of the frigid climate that surrounded Drum Kingdom, even though they were a few hours away now, the temperature was still cold.
Sakura stepped within the confines of the ship, a small room space between the outside of the deck and the washroom. After days of bathing in nothing but her own sweat, she couldn't wait to remove the last remnants of her illness with a warm shower. She would have waited until sunrise, but after that dream, the matter had felt more urgent.
With a towel in hand, Sakura ventured into the bathing area, her footsteps soft against the wooden floor. But she noticed the air was heavy with steam, coming out of the cracks of the bathroom. Had someone else also come to the bath this time of night?
She gave a knock without response and opened the door, her eyes widened at the sight.
Zoro stood before her, his form unadorned and his gaze unfocused. The steam swirled around him, creating an almost ethereal aura as he stood in the midst of it. Shocked by this unforeseen intrusion, Sakura's instinct to scream was swiftly silenced by her determination not to awaken the sleeping crew. Instead, she opted for a more controlled response, mustering all her strength to hurl the towel at Zoro.
The impact of the towel against his skin jolted Zoro out of his reverie, but his startled response sent him stumbling back. The edge of the tub met his fall with a resounding splash, the sound resonating through the room as water splattered in all directions.
"What the hell are you doing!?" Sakura's hiss pierced the air, her hands instinctively flying to cover her eyes as though to shield herself from the unexpected scene.
Zoro's grumble of irritation was muffled by the water, his voice dripping with annoyance as he muttered, "I could ask you the same thing! Why are you here!?"
A tense silence hung between them, the room heavy with steam and a lingering sense of awkwardness. As Zoro clambered back to his feet, the air seemed to crackle with an unspoken tension. Finally, Sakura's voice broke through the stillness, her words measured and laced with a mix of exasperation and embarrassment.
"I wanted to take a shower! Why didn't you answer when I knocked?"
"I didn't hear anything!" Zoro grumbled. "And why the hell are you taking a shower now of all times?"
"Because I couldn't bath for days and I can't take it anymore. And you're usually fine walking around smelling like steel," Sakura's cheeks were still flushed, the heat of embarrassment radiating across her skin. She found herself on the defensive, determined not to be outdone by the awkwardness of the situation.
Zoro's response was a mixture of indignation and annoyance. Before he could formulate a retort, Sakura seized the opportunity to escape the room, hastily grabbing his clothes and tossing them his way.
"Just get dressed," she muttered. Without waiting for his response, she made her way out of the bathroom, determined to erase the unexpected tableau from her mind.
After shutting the door, Sakura slinked down against the wall, covering her face to squeal into her hands.
'Oh my god!'
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Time seemed to stretch as Sakura waited outside the bathroom, her heart still racing from the encounter. Her mind raced, replaying the surreal image of Zoro amidst the steam. Her cheeks burned, and the memory seared into her thoughts like a mark. The minutes ticked away, each second echoing in the silence as she grappled with herself.
Finally, the bathroom door opened, and Zoro emerged, fully dressed and seemingly composed. Sakura's gaze met his, surprise mingling with a sense of curiosity as she braced herself for what she expected to be a typically abrasive exchange.
To her astonishment, Zoro's words were unexpectedly calm. "Are you….feeling better now?"
Sakura's surprise was palpable, her features reflecting her astonishment. "I'm fine,"
Zoro's response was a simple nod, and in the sudden lull that followed. Sakura found herself studying him, his features softened by the dim light, his usual intensity momentarily replaced by something akin to understanding.
A sudden realization struck Sakura. "Did you run out of all the hot water?"
"Huh?" His face scrunched and hardened again. "Why the hell do you even think that!? Nami's the one who takes the long ass showers, not me!"
Their navigator had a habit of keeping a good bathing routine, and when they had free time she would take it all to soak in the tub as it was the only place on the ship she could spend a few free times away.
"I'll be sure to tell her that tomorrow,"
"Oh come on! I didn't use up all the hot water! Don't be a brat!" Zoro was already in an interest hole with Nami since she decided to put him in her debt for money he didn't even get to spend.
"What was tha-
A soft cough escaped Sakura's lips, a fragile sound that hung in the air.
Zoro's brows furrowed as he turned his gaze toward her. "Are you sure you aren't still sick?"
The retort was quick and decisive. "I'm fine."
Zoro's gave an exasperated click of his tongue. "Thought you would've learned your lesson by now."
Sakura's narrowed gaze bore into him, her voice laced with an incredulity of her own. "What are you talking about?"
The irritation in Zoro's tone was palpable as he elaborated, a trace of playful annoyance in his words. "You know what I mean."
Sakura's lips thinned, the reminder of her own impulsiveness sending a twinge of chagrin through her. She was well aware of how her illness had nearly cost her life and put the crew's welfare at risk. But there was a reason behind her actions, a reason she wasn't about to surrender without a fight. "I did it for Vivi and I was right,"
"You were reckless," Zoro stated to which Sakura gave him a pointed look.
"I'm not the one who got swept away by an avalanche,"
"I was training,"
"Yeah, and ended up half-naked lost in the snow."
Zoro decided to circle back to retort, "You could've died, and even knowing that you decided against telling us,"
Sakura sighed, raising her hands as if surrendering in the conversation. "I get it, I made a dumb decision, are we done?"
"That's not the point,"
"Then what is it?" Sakura almost groaned.
The room was once again charged with the awkwardness of their initial encounter. Zoro stared at Sakura with an unwelcoming intensity, as if he was trying to burn a hole through her and she wondered if he was creating deliberate suspense or just contemplating what to say next.
Zoro took a step towards her, "The point is you're too tight-lipped,"
"Again-you're one to talk," Sakura stretched out her statement. She strongly thought he was the last person who should be accusing her of such a thing when Sakura was sure she heard more snores coming out of his mouth than words. "Besides that was just one time-
"Then what's wrong?"
Sakura frowned, "What?"
"Just a while ago, you looked ready to pass out on the deck and now you're suddenly wide awake,"
Throwing her head back, Sakura heaved, "Maybe I caught my second wind?"
"Or you've got something weighing you down so much you can't sleep,"
Her eyebrow quirked and her head tilted, "I'd say you sound worried about me,"
He countered in a way she was not expecting.
"You're a part of this crew aren't you?"
With the dynamics of the crew, it was easy to forget they each had another side to their coins that just wasn't flipped as often. Zoro was no exception.
She could have made up something. Just put on a smile and reassure him that she was okay, even thank him for his concern with sincerity. Nothing about nightmares that include war, fighting against the dead, or monstrous humanoid creatures. A simple lie to placate his suspicions would put them at peace with each other.
And yet instead, Sakura chose to become stone, her lips closed. Starring off with Zoro for about a minute before the swordsmen turned away and left.
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Sakura's encounter with Zoro had left a lingering unease that clung to her like a shadow, even as she stood beneath the steady stream of water in the ship's shower. The water pelted against her skin, offering a fleeting respite from her racing thoughts. Usually, these moments in the shower allowed her to escape her problems, if only for a few minutes, but this time, her mind kept circling back to the unexpected encounter with the swordsman.
Sometimes, the silence could amplify the weight of one's thoughts, but on the Going Merry, those moments were a rare commodity. The crew's daily routines were a whirlwind of activity, from Usopp's tall tales that blurred the lines between fact and fiction to the playful battles that erupted during chores. Luffy's late-night kitchen raids and Sanji's never-ending shifts between being a chef and guard dog for their food and the crew's collective focus on Sakura during her illness ensured that the ship was seldom shrouded in silence.
Still, Zoro's presence had stirred something within her. He wasn't the type to make a fuss, and she doubted he'd bring up the incident. In retrospect, it didn't seem like a monumental issue. After everything Sakura had been through, including the war and its aftermath, it was unsurprising that there might be some psychological repercussions. It didn't make Sakura feel any better about experiencing them, but she was only human, even if she was a shinobi.
The water began to lose its warmth, and Sakura reluctantly stepped out of the shower, her skin flushed and tingling from the heat. She dried herself off, wrapped a towel around her head to contain her wet hair, and ventured back into the ship's interior.
To her surprise, she found Zoro seated at the entrance, his arms folded casually, two small glasses, and a bottle of sake arranged before him. Sakura paused, her gaze locking onto the unexpected scene. "Isn't it a bit early for a drink?"
Zoro, never one to mince words, offered a simple response. "There's no such thing."
Sakura couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "Normally, after a hot bath, you offer a person milk, not alcohol."
Zoro's lips curled into a knowing smirk as he poured the two small glasses of sake. He slid one toward Sakura and looked at her expectantly. Sakura was somewhat perplexed by this gesture but decided to play along. She settled herself cross-legged in front of Zoro, her eyes scrutinizing him with a hint of suspicion.
"Do we have to talk for this?" Sakura inquired, her voice laced with curiosity. She genuinely wondered if he was trying to get her drunk so she could talk.
"Just drink,"
After another brief reminder that the fact she was now consuming alcohol would be a well-hidden secret she would leave behind in this world if she left-when she left. Sakura took another chug at the thought and gestured for Zoro to pour her another cup full. Her senses started to tingle, but she wouldn't be the quickest to get drunk.
So was a few good minutes and almost killing more than half the bottle before she was feeling any effects, but it was enough to make a crack in her defenses as Zoro kept to his word and held his tongue.
"I'm surprised," Sakura said. Her cheeks flushed red as the alcohol settled in her system. Assisted with her empty stomach.
"Huh?" Zoro looked at her for an explanation as a small smile stretched across her face.
"What?"
Sakura just shrugged. "Nothing,"
Aside from her being sick, this was the longest they had gone without biting each other with words and she wanted to keep the atmosphere.
As the night wore on and the sake flowed, Sakura couldn't deny that she felt a certain warmth in her chest. Perhaps it was the sake that made her more conversive, she didn't know if that was Zoro's goal, but she felt a sense of obligation to pay Zoro back for keeping her company and maintaining a respectable distance from her.
"It was just a bad dream," She thought he might argue against her for a variety of reasons, keeping such a simple thing to herself, maybe even causing him unnecessary concern, but he didn't even pry her for details.
And simply told her, "Alright,"
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Sakura settled back into her routine aboard the Going Merry. Although she and Zoro had never spoken about that night, it seemed that an unspoken understanding had formed between them. Most of her time these days was spent helping with the ship's chores and assisting Chopper as he adjusted to his new life as a pirate.
Her interactions with Chopper were particularly rewarding. They exchanged eager conversations about medicine, working together to create recipes to craft pills and elixirs, listing ingredients they would need to stock up on with their next stop. These activities consumed much of their time. Chopper was also able to learn a little more about his new friends and their dynamics.
Chopper quickly learned about the eccentricities of their captain, Luffy. The young pirate had a penchant for lounging on the figurehead of the ship, bouncing around his crewmates when boredom struck, and perpetually sneaking food whenever Sanji's guard was down. Luffy's voracious appetite often led to the crew losing a significant portion of their supplies. However, his reckless antics also occasionally brought unexpected benefits, such as when he was nearly carried off by a giant bird, providing the crew with meat for a day.
Chopper's integration into the crew was not their sole concern. As they drew closer to their destination, Vivi felt the need to brief them on Baroque Works and the dire situation in Alabasta. Chopper, now a full-fledged crew member, required a comprehensive understanding of the challenges they faced.
Vivi began by detailing the threat posed by Crocodile, a Warlord of the Sea bent on taking control of Alabasta. She explained how he manipulated the citizens into a civil war and had even managed to present himself as a hero by repelling attacks from other pirates. To stop him, they needed to dismantle Baroque Works and prevent the impending civil war.
As Vivi shared more information about Baroque Works, it became apparent that their task was formidable. The organization ranked its members from 0 to 12, operating in pairs. The most elite missions were entrusted to Officer Agents, who held ranks 1 through 5 and possessed formidable Devil Fruit powers. Each Officer Agent oversaw 200 agents called Billions and 1800 subordinates known as Millions.
"In total, we'll be going up against about 2000 agents," Vivi concluded, her expression serious.
Sakura absorbed the information, her thoughts churning. "And they're all likely heading to Alabasta for this big takeover, right?" she asked, receiving a solemn nod from Vivi. The weight of their impending mission settled upon her shoulders, and she couldn't help but reflect.
'Done with one war and onto another,'
That's all for now but the year isn't over yet and there's going to be much more to come! You can check out the full month's schedule on my Tumblr. And EARLY CHAPTERS are available for members.
Of course here's something to look forward to as well: SNEAK PEAK!
KUNOICHI AMONGST PIRATES CHAPTER 20
"STOP FISHING WITH MY DUCK!"
"What happened to the bait?" Sakura asked, leaning over the rails.
"Luffy ate it!" Usopp answered.
"Luffy!"
"Usopp ate some too!" He argued back.
They sailed through the billowing smoke, expecting to emerge unscathed on the other side and they did aside from inhaling a bit of the nauseous steam. However, as they cleared the haze, they realized too late that they now had an extra body amongst them.
A peculiar silhouette appeared atop Karoo. A lanky man with a face caked full of makeup, clad in a pink overcoat, and donning an outrageous blue outfit had seemingly materialized out of thin air.
"Who the heck is this guy?" Sakura was unable to hide her startled expression.
The man in question was looking at Karoo just as surprised. "Why did I jump on this duck!?"
He then lost his grip and dropped into the ocean, calling out for help and declaring he couldn't swim.
"Do we fish him out?" asked Usopp.
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MEMBERS NOW:
-SPECIAL HALLOWEEN CHAPTER: Shinigami amongst Shinobi
-Kunoichi amongst Heroes chapter 54, 55, 56
-Kunoichi amongst Heroes WHAT IF SPIN OFF: Dorms and Exams
-Kunoichi amongst Pirates chapter 19, 20, 21, 22
-Crossroads of Fate chapter 14, 15
-Through the Looking Glass chapter 17, 18. 19, 20
-(SEQUEL) Through the Spyglass chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Public post 15 December
-Kunoichi amongst Heroes chapter 54
-Crossroads of Fate chapter 14
Well that's it from me, I hope you look forward to the next chapter! See you lovelies!