A Pirate's Heart (One Piece fanfic) [EDITING]

17:: The Underground Entrance and Nikko's Plan

~Rhythm~

“How did I lose both Robin-chan and Nami-san?!” Sanji cried, pulling a handkerchief between his teeth. “Rhythm-dono! I’ll protect you from the shitty bastard! Oh and Witch too.”

“Um thanks.” I said. We were back at the Going Merry, sun now replaced by the moon. The high tide lapped the small ship gently as Sanji cried, Zoro napped, and I tried tuning out Sanji’s moans with Lady Gaga. Her music really isn’t suiting the mood. And no one here was taking this all too seriously.

“Guys! Guys!” Nikko came stumbling onto the ship, out of breath and twigs caught in her hair.

“Nikko-chan!” Sanji said, stemming the flow of his tears and instantly snapping back into . . . non pervy Sanji mode.

“Usopp was taken too!” she said.

“Any other gems of wisdom, Captain Obvious?” I said. I’m starting to get a migraine with all this island shit.

She threw a glare at me.

“So that makes Nami, Robin, Luffy, Chopper, and now Usopp.” Zoro yawned.

“Who would’ve thought? So pretty much we’re the ugliest and weakest? I mean, I’m not ugly.” Screw the strength, this was a low blow on my self-esteem.

No you’re not Rhythm-dwono! <3” Sanji started.

“Shut up, Sanji.”

“’Kay! <3”

“I guess he’s going by whoever they can catch.” Nikko said.

“So we’re the strongest?”  Zoro said.

“I think it’s just random. But I have news! Before Usopp was taken, we found a secret passage that may or may not lead to his hideout. It does look like people have been there recently.”

“Ooh! Secret passage you say?” That cheered me up.

“Yeah. And I have a plan.”

~~

Much to Sanji’s dismay, we were once again split into groups.

“I shall protect you, Rhythm-dwono!” he yelled.

“No Sanji I need your legs and cooking.” Nikko said.

“Wait, I get leftovers again?”  I argued.

(AN: I can’t help putting them together. This is the last time, I swear.)

“Che,” Zoro muttered.

“Not until tomorrow. Get some rest and then we’ll head out.” Nikko said.

“Who put you in charge?” I grumbled, “Shouldn’t it be the first mate? But since he’s a useless ball of moss and alcohol-“

“I couldn’t agree with you more, Rhythm-dwono <3” Sanji said happily.

“Oi, oi!” Zoro said, starting to sound annoyed.

“And the cook can’t help but fawn over me, I guess I’ll be in charge! Now get to bed, you bastards before I kick you over board!”

Nikko just shook her head.

“I’ll take first watch,” Sanji said, climbing up the crow’s nest. Zoro climbed down the men’s quarters to get some shut eye, while Nikko and I stole Nami’s bed in the women’s quarter.

“Hey Nikko, what happened to your family?” I asked softly. I sat on the bed brushing my long hair into a pony tail.

“My. . . family?” she asked.