I don't own One Piece.
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We were to be setting sail later today. Which I suppose is why Zoro said we would go shopping. I did mention that I needed to get some more art supplies, and I wouldn't be surprised if he wanted to get more sake in case Sanji doesn't stock enough.
As the temperature was perfect, I had dressed in some short overalls with a rainbow stripped shirt underneath. My hair was pulled into a quick ponytail, as I didn't feel like bothering with a braid today. On my belt I still had my sketchbook and fans, however I felt the need to get another sketchbook. This one appeared close to being finished, and with Luffy I'm sure it will be soon.
"Did anyone else mention needing anything?" I asked as I walked beside Zoro.
He cleared his throat and shrugged. Taking that as a no, I shrugged as well and continued walking with him.
"E-Excuse me!" We paused to look at a nervous looking mermaid that addressed us. "Are you perhaps lost?"
We both frowned, "Eh?"
"Well, I've noticed you two have walked past here about four times." She smiled sheepishly.
I stared at her, "What's wrong with us wanting to walk around and enjoy a stroll? Just because we walked past a few times does not mean we're lost."
She blinked and flushed before apologizing. "I'm so sorry! I didn't think that you were just walking around."
Huffing I started walking again, Zoro quickly following after me. "The nerve of some people." He shook his head in disappointment.
I nodded in agreement. "Exactly. I can't believe she would actually think that we would get lost."
"Insanity." He added, making me nod again just before I saw the big paintbrush sign.
"Oh! There it is!"
Had we probably passed this up three times? Yes. Would we ever admit to passing it up or ever being lost? Absolutely not.
I paused before going in and looked at Zoro, who didn't look as interested. "Ah, did you want to keep looking for the place you want to go to? We can meet up later?"
He blinked at me, frowning. "Eh? We'll just go together. Less trouble that way."
I nodded once more in agreement. We would likely get in trouble by ourselves. Together we could likely keep one another out of a bad situation.
Walking in, I first made my way to the wall filled with paint. I needed more of every color. Those paintings I wanted to do will need a lot of paint. Zoro held out his arms as I picked up each thing of paint. Generously he held everything I grabbed, making my trip far easier.
Following the paint, we ran by the prisma colored pencils. I also needed to replace those as well as I have just about used them to the nub. I added in another two sketchbooks, and some more drawing pencils before making it to the counter.
Thankfully, after being with Arisu and having my art in Museums around the world now, I don't have to think at the price. I'm technically rich, as each painting I sold went for millions.
Though I will never tell Nami how much money I have. She'll use it to exploit me.
Zoro frowned at the price, "I was going to offer to pay..."
I shook my head, "Nah, I know Nami gave your both of our allowances but it's all good." I picked up the bag and handed him one before grinning. "Let's go find some sake."
He grinned, walking beside me as we walked out of the store. I glanced up at him, staring at the scar. He must have felt the stare because he looked down at me with a raised eyebrow.
"How'd you get that?" I pointed to his eye.
"Training." He answered simply.
I nodded, "Ah, so the same way I got my abs. Got it."
He chuckled, rolling his eye. "You bring up your abs every chance you get."
"Well of course!" I exclaimed, patting my stomach. "It's so much easier for you guys to get abs. I had to work extra hard to get these!" I poked his arm, "Granted, you clearly worked extra hard too, because I don't think you have a gram of fat in your body. It's all rock hard muscle."
When Zoro opened his mouth to respond, I pointed towards the store which would have the sake. "There! It looks like it's also a bar too!" I grinned.
He nodded, his eyes wondering off for a moment before looking back at the store. "Go on ahead, I gotta grab something real quick."
I shrugged and walked ahead of him. Walking into the store was immediately darkened. I squinted my eyes as I tried to adjust to the lack of brightness.
Walking over to the bar I was immediately greeted by a mermaid, who handed me a menu of the different drinks. I looked it over for a moment, before ordering a huge barrel of sake as well as a glass of red wine and another bottle of sake.
Clearly Zoro would want some sake since we were already here.
I didn't have to wait too long before Zoro caught up and sat beside me. "Ah, I ordered you a barrel of sake, just in case Sanji didn't get the chance to." Or rather in case Sanji tried to skimp Zoro out of his addiction, he had tried to one time before as a way to get back at Zoro for annoying him. "What did you get?"
He rested the bags on the bar before answering, "I got another sharpening stone, you need to learn to sharped your blades." I puffed out my cheeks at that, however I blinked when Zoro held up his hand. Resting inside the half of his hand was a curled up flower. The petals looked white and faded into a soft lilac. "How fast and accurate can you draw this?"
"Eh? Is that a challenge?" I grinned, wiping the bar with a napkin before placing my sketchbook down. "Give me ten minutes. I would color it, but I don't want to bust out my colors here where I might lose one."
He snorted, using his free hand to take a sip of the sake placed in front of him. A slight nod was given after he took the first sip, apparently he had approved of said drink.
It didn't even take me three minutes to draw a single flower with some shading. However, I planned to use up all of the ten minutes given to me. That was when I started sketching in Zoro holding said flower. I have enough time to get a good amount of details in.
Zoro glanced over at the sketchbook, but I lifted it and frowned at him. He sighed and looked off to the side away from me in disinterest. His free hand brought back up the sake and he took another sip.
"I have your barrel right here, Ma'am! And as a thank you for saving us, we're giving it free of charge!" The mermaid smiled, rolling the barrel over.
I paused to look up, "Ah, we don't care much for thanks but we'll take it I guess. Thanks." I didn't waste much else and quickly finished up the drawing.
I had just finished the shading when Zoro exclaimed done and snatched my sketchbook out of my hand with a smirk. He dropped the flower in place of the sketchbook and looked over the drawing with blinking eyes.
"Damn, you got the flower and me." He muttered.
I smirked, "I didn't train with the world's greatest artist to not be able to draw a simple picture in ten minutes, Mr. Hottie. Now, what do I get for completing the challenge?"
He glanced at me, placing my sketchbook down then shrugged, "Keep the flower. I'll find a harder one next time."
I rolled my eyes, smirking and placing my sketchbook in the back of my belt. At the very least at least I won his little challenge.
Reaching over, I took a sip of the red wine I had ordered. It was overall flavorless, but the slight tingle I felt at the back of my throat reminded me that it did contain alcohol. Arisu brought me in her routine of drinking at least one glass of red wine a day. She claimed it keeps her skin young.
Considering how well she looks, I believe her. Worst comes to worst, I have a great excuse to drink wine.
"We should get a cat." I said.
Zoro rose an eyebrow, looking over at me. "A cat?"
"I want a pet. Specifically a cat." I stated. "They're adorable, fluffy, and can be deadly. Let's just be honest, a cat would complete the crew. I think a really big one would be best, maybe we can find a giant lion."
Zoro remained quiet as I started on about cats, a small smirk of amusement on his face.
"We can train the cat the attack marines. Plus, you don't feel like giving it much attention? No problem. The cat wants nothing to do with you anyway. It's perfect." I explained, "I don't think convincing Luffy will be a problem. We'll use him to tame a giant lion for us. However, we need to convince Robin and Franky."
"We?" Zoro blinked.
I nodded, "Yes. You're in on it now. I'll get Chopper on board first. He's the first key to getting Robin's approval. Then, we get Luffy on board. With him on board neither Robin nor Franky will turn it down." I explained my plan. "You're already on board, so no problem there. And Luffy won't listen to Usopp or Nami if they're against it. Brook most likely won't care, and Sanji will back me up for anything."
Zoro stared at me for a good minute. "You've.... You've really thought this out."
"I take the possibility of a future pet very serious." I stated.
This was the first time I am actually able to talk fully about my slight cat addiction. Everyone normally cuts me off, or would have shushed me by the first sentence. Zoro and Jimbei are the only two to sit through and not mind listening.
They much be cat people too.
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I had just finished putting up all of my art supplies and was going back up deck, where we were saying our goodbyes. There was also the issue of me giving the rest of my money I had received from the painting to Nami. I did spend some on the stuff Zoro and I had bought, but the rest will go to her.
It's easily about six million, so I don't think she'll complain.
"Katsu!" I blinked, turning to look towards the crying Shirahoshi.
A smile formed on my face as I walked over to the Princess. "Ah, what's up?"
"Well, we realized after you signed the painting that you really did give us a discount." She sniffed, making me roll my eyes.
"Don't worry about it, it helps build my fame and whatnot."
"W-Well, we still feel bad, so we got you a little gift instead!" She held out her hand, showing me two objects which looked tiny in her hand. The rest of the crew glanced over to see it.
The first was a big jar which held a fuzzy green looking plant and some other things in it. I wasn't really sure what it was, but it looked cute. The second was a rainbow conch shell, which I remember seeing in the castle at some point during my time exploring.
"Robin-san and Nami-san mentioned that you like marimo's, so we got you one." Shirahoshi smiled. My eyes widened and I felt my face heat up bright red as I picked up the big jar first which contained the green fuzzy marimo. "The other is a conch, which is actually really rare. Though I'm sure you know that from how much you begged me to take it." She laughed as I picked up the conch. I had indeed asked quite a bit for the conch, though I really didn't expect her to actually give it to me.
"Thank you, but it really wasn't necessary." I chuckled, picking up the rainbow conch. I already knew where it would be going.
She smiled, "We know, but its just another thank you!"
Turning around I made eye contact with Robin and Nami, both who had big stupid grins on their faces. I didn't have it in me to glare at either of them, as the marimo happened to be cute.
"You know, Katsu," Robin smiled, walking over to me. "A marimo does require you to be responsible and care for it. It's kind of like a pet."
I blinked, then smiled. "Ah! If I do good with this, then can I get Luffy to tame a big cat for me?!"
Nami's smile dropped and she shook her head. "Absolutely not!"
Robin chuckled, "Perhaps."
"Yosh!" I held up the jar, grinning. "Welcome to the family Marimo!"
Turning around I ran back towards the workroom. Marimo would stick with me from now on. The conch shell, however, I had a different place for that.
Hearing Nami and Usopp shouting, I figured I should hurry. Rushing into the workroom, I quickly placed the conch shell down on my desk, right next to the prepped letter I needed to write and send later. That damn old man is probably going crazy since the last time I sent a letter was over a month ago.
Turning around I rushed back up the steps. Going from the loud cheers, I was guessing that we were about to be setting sail. Opening the door, I blinked as Zoro glanced over at me. Grinning I hopped up the last step and smiled at the big crowd seeing us off.
"You bet your tails I will! You girls are the All Blue inside my heart!!" Sanji swooned looking at the mermaids that were waving at him.
"Cheapest dream I ever heard of." Zoro snorted, making me snort as I passed by him.
"What was that?!!"
Looking over the crowd, my eyes zeroed in on a familiar figure in the back. Jimbei gave a nod towards Luffy, then he caught my eye. I started at him for a moment before sighing and giving a smile towards the future crew member. He blinked before returning my smile.
I did buy another canvas to add onto my project earlier today. Though I'll need to figure out what type of pose to draw Jimbei in later.
"Set the sails!" Luffy ordered, "We're leaving Fishman Island!!"
We didn't make it far before the ship was sent rocking as Shirahoshi came up from the water onto the ship with tears still in her eyes.
"Luffy! If we should ever... If we should ever meet again-!" She cried, "I will.. No longer be the crybaby you know now. So I hope you will escort me on another enjoyable stroll."
I smiled at her, she was trying so hard to not cry right now.
"A stroll?" Luffy smiled, "To your Mom's grave again?"
"Someplace further next time... Perhaps the surface!" She smiled, looking more hopeful now. "Pr to a real forest!"
"Oh, right. You've never been out of the water." Luffy nodded, "You're on! Next time I see you, we'll take a trip!"
"You promise?" She held out one hand with her pinky extended as her other hand reached up to rub her eyes as she started crying again.
"You got it! It's a promise!" Luffy grinned, wrapping his pinky around Shirahoshi's.
"Where's our responsibility in all of this, Luffy?" Nami demanded.
"Precisely! Promises are to be kept to the death, remember?" Brook laughed.
"I'll promise you too, Shirahoshi!"
"And me~!"
"So will I!"
"Well, with this many promises..."
I sighed, adding in my pinky and holding up the jar she had given me. "Clearly I'm in, I'll draw you in a forest setting too!"
"... I'm sure it will be fulfilled."
"Hee hee! No more crying, got it!" Luffy grinned.
She nodded, rubbing her eyes. "Of course!"
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End of Chapter 77!
So following this chapter is likely going to be a filler or two. I'm thing a Days With Mamoru for sure as one. The other I'm not sure if you guys would want a Letters to Mamoru or a Days with the Straw Hat? If I do the days with the straw hats, which straw hat would you like to see?
Also, here's a quick drawing of Katsu's outfit. I really just drew the hair and outfit.
Comments? Suggestions, dislikes, likes? I love reading your comments!
This is not edited.