Chapter Text
I was on The Going Merry again, standing as a silent crew member. Since when did I start calling myself a Straw Hat? Was it back in the East Blue or here in the Grandline? Maybe even earlier than that, when I was growing alongside Luffy. It made no sense, as I couldn't even talk to them, but I had a feeling that if they knew about the ghost on their ship, they would want me to join.
I turned my attention to the island we were sailing to, watching as we approached a large castle. Or at least that's what Luffy and Usopp thought. I giggled as they shouted.
"That's his house?!"
"He must be loaded!"
Zoro sighed, "Look more closely, fool."
As Luffy and I ran around the house, he shouted, "Hey, it's only plywood! There's only half a house, the rest is fake!"
"WHAT A CHEAPSKATE!" A few members of the crew yelled.
Nami turned to Robin as the rest of the crew worked on anchoring the ship, "What kind of dreams did he have that they kicked him out of town for? Was this-" she said, motioning to the house, "one of them?"
They must be talking about the owner of the half-house.
Robin sighed, "I don't know all the details... But apparently, he claims there's a huge hoard of gold somewhere on Jaya."
Hmmm... What was gold again?
The crew shouted out in shock, asking Robin questions about the gold, if it was a lost pirate treasure, and even more.
I laughed out loud as Nami ordered Chopper to start digging in the ground to find the gold.
Ah... yes, if Nami wants it, gold must be the blue sea thing that is often traded for money.
I watched as Chopper dug and dug for gold.
***
"A story book? It looks really old." Nami held an old book in her hands as I walked closer to her and peeked over her shoulder.
"Noland the Liar," we said in sync, not that she could hear me.
Sanji's head popped up, "Noland the liar. That brings back memories. I read it as a kid, when I was in the North Blue."
If I remember Nami's map, the North Blue isn't the same sea that they met in, how odd.
I sat down on a stump as they began reading the story of Nolan the Liar.
***
"Sadly, the liar died... without ever becoming a brave warrior of the sea." Nami finished.
After they read Noland's story, I felt inclined to believe him and his outlandish tale, for my own isn't the easiest to believe either.
"WHY ARE YOU LOOKING AT ME WHEN YOU SAY THAT! AND STOP ADDING YOUR COMMENTARY!" Usopp screeched.
Suddenly, Luffy fell into the ocean, and my vision went dark, leaving me only black.
Time to wake from this dream, I guess.
I felt a violent lurch in my chest as I was pulled back into the waking world.
***
"M-m-miss, it is time to wake up."
Slowly, I opened my eyes. I saw a woman, presumably the one who was shaking me awake. She held beauty and grace that only came with someone who had watched their posture every day of their life. Something I could never achieve even after I bore the title of goddess.
Sitting up, I asked, "What time is it?"
"Almost 6 am, miss." The servant walked to my window before turning around to ask, "Would your highness like the windows to be opened?"
"Uh.. Yes, please, and you can call me Y/n." I slipped out of bed, expensive silks parting like the sea as I rose and stretched. I heard pops in my lower back as I straightened, "It really is fine, just use Y/n."
The servant stared at me, mouth agape, "I could not address the goddess in such a common way." Her eyes lingered on the wings attached to my back, large, white, with golden dipped tips.
"Then just 'miss' is fine," I muttered, turning away from her gaze. Why does everyone look at me like that?
The servant interrupted my thoughts, "Miss, pardon me for the rush, but God Eneru requested that you be dressed and present at 7 for breakfast. I have already drawn a bath for you."
***
I entered the dining room as the clock struck 7, draped in the finest of fabrics, a long dress hugging my body.
An annoying voice sounded from the head of the table, "Cutting it close, aren't we, my wife."
"Good morning to you, too, Eneru." I lowered myself into a seat across the table from him.
He snapped his fingers while raising a glass to his lips, and a servant rushed forward with a plate of food and a cup of tea. The small woman placed the plate and cup in front of me before backing away to the wall.
"Why was my presence needed at such a time of day?" I sighed, "You know my displeasure in waking during the morning hours." I lifted the teacup to my lips, sipping the warm beverage. I soothed my dry throat and warmed my body down to my toes.
He slammed the glass down on the table, "Leave," he said to the servants. They rushed out of the room in fear of 'god's wrath'. Eneru stood, "You mustn't disregard my authority while subjects are in the room."
He walked around the table until he stopped before where I was seated, "Or perhaps, I have to teach you another lesson on how to behave."
"No, sir," I whispered.
"What was that?"
"N-no, sir, you don't have to teach me again." I cursed myself for the stutter. "I wouldn't want you to take time out of your busy day."
"Good, now as for the reason I called you here... It is because of my busy day, today in particular, there are intruders on Skypiea."
"Intruders?"
He walked back to his seat at the table. "Yes, some blue sea people illegally made their way to the island. This, paired with the Shandians stirring up trouble in the upper yard."
"Hmm, that does sound..."
"Like something that shouldn't be a problem for God. But there is an issue... With you."
Me? What did I do?!
"I don't want to have to worry about these horrible pirates kidnapping my wife, you know how blue sea pirates are. So I am going to take you to the Ark Maxim while I get rid of the threats."
Why is my vision getting blurry? "Eneru?"
"See, you are also a threat to yourself, I know about your... er, curiosity, for lack of a better word." He waved his hand in the air, "You'll be sleeping peacefully, and before you know it, the blue sea people will be gone."
The blurriness slowly morphed into dark spots, and I felt myself falling onto the table, unable to lift my head. Breath became slow and lingering; my eyes fluttered in an attempt to clear the haze.
"Goodnight, my wife."