I don't own One Piece
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It was amazing. Being surrounded by the ocean, where sunlight filtered down in ripples, and schools of fish swam around us. I haven't been able to go underwater in years because of my devil fruit. Even then, this was better than my memories of swimming as a kid.
Swimming was one of the things I remember loving. Diving into the sea and seeing how far I could go. Testing and challenging myself to stay underwater. Being able to be up close and personal to the fish.
Being down here actually made me realize how much I missed swimming. Though, I can't deny that this was equally as amazing. Here, in the bubble, I could stay down here for days and just draw everything.
"Yo ho ho! Take a look over there, everyone!" Brook caught my attention as he pointed tot he opposite side of the ship.
Turning around couldn't stop the wide smile that lit up my face.
"Trees!!" Chopper exclaimed, "Wait! Those are roots!"
Indeed it was the roots to the trees that surrounded Sabaody Archipelago. The trees that appeared to reach the sky also appeared endless to the ocean floor. Somehow the trees managed to even dwarf the enormous fish and sea kings that swam around.
"Now that I think of it, the Sabaody Archipelago is really just a giant grove of mangroves." Sanji murmured, taking a drag of his cigarette. A subconscious part of me wrinkled my nose at the sight of the smoke, though I couldn't smell it like I used to.
"What a wonder of nature!" Brook admired, looking towards me. "You'll make sure to draw this, right Katsu-san?"
I nodded eagerly, becoming excited at just the thought. "Definitely! I wanna make sure I get all the details. Anyone that sees the picture will feel the wonder we're all feeling."
Zoro shrugged, not appearing as impressed as the rest of us. "I've already seen it."
I blinked, turning to look at him in confusion. However, Sanji quickly turned to yell at our first mate. "Yeah, on a ship you weren't supposed to be on! Now shut up! This is a sublime moment for the rest of us!"
Realization dawned on me and I nodded in understanding. "Ah, they put you on the wrong ship when you went fishing, didn't they?"
Zoro nodded, "I cut it in half when I woke up, I thought they kidnapped me when I fell asleep."
My attention was drawn to Luffy, who literally pulled me over to him. Steadying myself, I blinked at my grinning Captain. Unlike most of the crew, he didn't change physically. Other that the scar on his chest and a decent six pack, I didn't see anything different. If anything he looked more childish.
"Ne, Katsu! You gotta draw all the things I did during those two years!" Luffy grinned, practically hopping in place.
"How the fuck did you get more childish looking? Usopp, Sanji, and Zoro got hot!" I shouted, pointing at the other three then at Luffy, unaware of the passed out bleeding chef. "I thought you would have gotten hotter too, but come on!"
Luffy wasn't the least bit fazed by my rant, as he continued with is own. "Oh! And you gotta draw the island I was on. And the food! The food was great!"
I sighed, listening to him ramble for a moment before holding up my hand. "Ah, Luffy." He stopped to stare at me eagerly. "I don't work like that. Besides, you wouldn't be able to describe everything right." Seeing his blank look, I rolled my eyes. He didn't understand any of that. "Fine, describe Hancock."
"Hancock's a lady." Luffy answered simply.
"Mmhmm, hair color, long or short? Style of it?" I asked, making him paused to think.
"Uh, I think it's long?" He frowned, "Does that really matter? She has snake earrings."
Luffy didn't turn away from me as Sanji gripped him by the collar of his jacket with tears streaming down his face. "You can't even tell us what she looks like?! What's wrong with you?"
"Hand on, Sanji." Luffy frowned, looking at me as he stretched his head a little away from Sanji. "I gotta get Katsu to draw this stuff."
I shook my head, sighing. "Listen, Luffy. I have rules that I try to live by. With my art, I only draw what I've experienced. There's no way for me to draw any of that if I wasn't there to experience it. Especially since you can't relay the right details." Luffy frowned, his shoulders sagging. "I'll be side to draw our adventure from here on, but I can't just draw that kinda stuff."
After a moment of absorbing the information, Sanji's attention elsewhere now, Luffy nodded. "Got it. You have to stick close to me then from no on, because you gotta draw everything I do."
I blinked, processing what was said. Then I opened my mouth to protest, but Luffy's attention had left me. Now my Captain was screaming about some fish that he wanted to grab through the bubble.
A sigh escaped me as I deflated in defeat. I should know now that any argument with Luffy won't end with me winning, he's too damn persistent. Hearing a giggle, I turned to look at the owner, which I found to be Robin. She smiled at me, crossing her arms over her torso in a relaxed manner.
"Clearly Luffy's made up his mind." She looked towards our Captain, who now was clinging to the bubble around the ship.
"Ah, it looks like it." I sighed, "That idiot never lets me get a final say in those things."
"I wonder if he knows you're considered a famous artist now?" Robin mused, making me look at her. "It would make sense then. Since Luffy's a bit simple minded and would only want you drawing for us."
"I don't think he knows, how did you find out?" I asked, to which Robin smiled at me.
"I have a few connections." She teased, then pointed at Brook. "Also, Brook told Franky and I. Apparently he found out while he was doing some concert in Artist Haven, though you weren't there for some art show."
"Oh." I muttered nodding. "That makes sense."
She stared at me, her eyes landing on my tattoo before looking back at me. "Are you okay though? I can imagine when you woke up after we separated you weren't in the best mind."
I let out a breath, remembering how disoriented I had been when I woke up on that beach. How confused and heart broken I felt. Looking back at Robin I gave a small nod. "I'm better. I remembered a good amount of my childhood, the parts with my brothers at least. It is still a bit fuzzy when they disappear though, and I'm assuming that around then is when I was taken."
She stared at me before smirking a little knowing. "You haven't gone to a doctor since you last saw Chopper, have you?"
My face flushed at being called out. Fortunately I was saved from answering by a series of groans and thumps. Both of our attention went to Zoro and Luffy, who laid on the ground with Usopp and Chopper standing over them with their fist held up. Multiple bumps were present on their heads.
"Cut that out!" Usopp shouted.
"You could've popped the bubble!!" Chopper growled, "I'll beat you down! Don't ever do that again!"
"Nami, how about we go over the notes for the coated ship before those idiots do something stupid?" Sanji asked.
Perhaps he was better again, he wasn't acting crazy anymore.
"Good idea, Sanji!" Nami smiled, turning to face us as she held up a piece of paper. "I have a memo from Rayleigh right here."
I gaped as Sanji was sent flying, his eyes turning into hearts and a strong stream of blood coming from his nose. "A real live woman!"
"He's gonna pop the bubble!" Usopp and Chopper exclaimed.
Quickly, I brought the air molecules closer together and caught Sanji before he could hit the bubble. I was familiar enough to know that it wouldn't break the bubble. However I was sure Sanji would have ended up in the ocean at the speed he was going.
"Kyee! He's flying!" Chopper cried in panic.
Not able to stop the smile at Chopper's remark, I slowly lowered Sanji onto the ground. "No Chopper, that was me. I didn't want him falling out into the ocean."
Chopper blinked, then nodded and ran to Sanji in worry.
"What happened to you, Sanji?!" Usopp demanded, leaning down with Chopper. "It's like your weakness for women is worse than ever!"
Apparently I was wrong. Something was still wrong with Sanji. Though with Chopper I'm sure he'll get better soon enough.
Glancing down I realized my shopping bags were still sitting on the deck. Figuring there wasn't much going on currently, I picked them up and headed towards the stairs. I also needed to contact Sato, since he would be wondering if we made it back together.
"Oh! Katsu!" Pausing I looked at Franky, who was grinning at me. "Go down to the workshop, I set up something I think you'll like."
I rose an eyebrow but nodded. "Alright, I'll go check it out."
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I went straight to the workshop. Technically it was Franky's and Usopp's space, but I had adopted a little corner there. It really wasn't much, and I never bothered to do anything extra with it.
Franky and Usopp had often made comments that I could use one of their desks, but I had declined each time. I was already invading their space and I didn't want to push my luck. Especially since it happened to by one of my favorite spots to work as neither would interrupt me too much.
I also liked the crow's nest, since I got great lighting and some quiet company. I typically took advantage of Zoro being there and would get different angles of him. Robin also made good company in the aquarium. Though sometimes she wanted to talk a little more than the others, which I didn't mind as she's a quiet person.
When I opened the workshop I had to blink to adjust to the light. It was brighter in here, which actually made it more ideal for me. My eyes traveled over the room, seeing everything more straightened up than before. Then my eyes landed on my corner.
I stared at it, not completely sure I was seeing it correctly. I even rubbed my eyes for good measure. Once I was sure it was indeed there I couldn't stop the big smile from breaking out onto my face.
It definitely wasn't a small corner with a few notebooks scattered around anymore. More lamps and lights were built around the area, which were the cause on the room being brighter. A white slanted desk, which I realize adjusted, was pushed against the wall and a cushioned chair was pushed under the desk.
Beside the desk was an easel which also had a built in cup holder. One the other side of the desk, against the opposing wall was a bookshelf which already held a few sketchbooks and some supplies. Though most of my supplies were placed on the red metal cart that stood a little to the side.
Perhaps my favorite part was the plush carpet that had been added around my space. It started at the corner and went out to the cart, acting as a border for my space.
There was even a plush purple pillow placed on the ground. I assumed that was there in case I truly wanted to sit on the ground.
With a big smile I walked over to my space and curled my toes around the carpet. Franky had remembered my obsession with soft stuff, more importantly my feet against soft things. With closer inspection, I knew he had also made the furniture for my space as well.
"Damn, he really outdid himself." I grinned, placing my hands on my hips as I looked around. "I guess they really didn't mind me being down here after all."
Placing my bags down, I began unpacking. Placing the supplies on the cart, I placed my canvases on the side of the desk and the shelf, and I placed one on the easel. I could at least get the sketch down on it.
Hearing some thumping above me I frowned but ignored it. No doubt it was related to Luffy doing something. Placing my attention back on the canvas, I began my first picture.
It only made sense to draw Luffy first.
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End of Chapter 54!
So Katsu finally has her own space on the ship! Of course she will still likely wonder around and draw she she pleases, but I think it's important for her to have a space of her own. Plus I think Franky would actually try to do something like that for a crew member.
Any thoughts on the chapter? I'd love to hear them!
This is not edited.