a/n- arts, not mine/chapter two will be out in a couple of days... hopefully ^^;;

Brook always somehow ended up with knowing a bit more than he should about people, or well at least something's that don't really need to be shared... The Yomi-Yomi fruit gave Brook a bit more then what he had in store for. This Paramecia type devil fruit was known to give the user life after death. But, no one said that after the resurrection. In which Brook only returned to a skeleton and an afro as his body. That Brook would have little kicks.

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Such as being able to see and communicate with apparitions. Before Brook's spirit was able to find his body. He had met many souls on his journey. But, no it didn't stop there. Once he was finally able to find his remains. The sounds of the lost souls howling in despair, a far distance away in the fog were still clear. Much clearer than the fog that surrounded him. Even though he was a skeleton he strangely acted human-like... He strangely could see, hear, smell, taste, and touch, even have emotion... Despite being a skeleton. His power was quite a mystery, it was intriguing. But with no one to share it with, made it quite depressing and lonely... It was strange because all Brook could do was listen out into the foggy sea, and sounded like hundreds of people where out there.

After years, Brook finally decided to try to call out. Instead of waiting for someone to find him. He was lonely... He missed the interactions with what life had brought him. Brook couldn't bring himself to look at his crewmates bones. I really did hurt too much, though skeletons don't have hearts, it really did pain him. His members that he grew so close to, they were so special, it really wasn't fair that he was alive and they weren't... But, Brook knew he couldn't take this second life for granted. He needs to share his crews and captains stories of greatness. Stories if their adventures, of our journey, and how Brook wouldn't have chosen any other flag that was more prosperous then their own. Laboon would love to hear their stories. Laboon would love to hear them singing to him one more time. And Brook would give the best performance of his life to Laboon. Tell him how Yoki, the captain, was so brave and so selfless that he and some of the other crewmates, got sick and they left only so the others wouldn't get sick. How then Brook became captain, though it was never the same. How Madaisuki and Mawaritosuki, fought well and died with honor. And how most of the crew died with 'Bink's Sake' as their last words on their dying lips. That surely would make Laboon proud. Brook was lonely. He just wanted to have someone to joke and cry with. He had such baggage.

A wailing noise filled up the fog around Brook. The wail was full of pain and agony, it sounded like it belonged to a little girl. Her wails were fragile, sounding as if she was holding back.. And any wrong words could set off her full-blown cry. Her cries were constant, they weren't dulling. She kept yelling the word brother. Brook felt a pang of guilt he had to help this little girl. She sounded so innocent and ignorant, he wanted to protect that. Even though, there was a high possibility she was just a lost soul. He called out to her, saying he would help. Her cries came closer, and there she appeared. She was transparent like, but, she had color. Her hair was light brown, separated into short pigtails, while her bangs parted at her forehead with a little clip holding a part of it down. Her skin was light but parts of her skin had distinct little patches of white. Her eyes were large and black, they held tears as her head turned left and right as if she was trying to spot someone. She seemed so broken, that Brook couldn't help but try to piece her back together. The little girls gleaming black eyes lingered on Brook, as he motioned her to come closer. She slightly hesitated, as a concerned look passed her features. But, it soon disappeared as she moved closer to Brook. She was still sniffling as tears still drenched her pink colored cheeks. Brook looked at her, if he had eyebrows they'd be knitted in concern and if he had eyes, they'd gleam with empathy. Though, the little girl could feel the warmth and empathy reflecting off the skull and bones in front of her. She slightly laughed as she sat at the edge of the boat, her legs slightly swinging over the dark wooden deck. Her laugh didn't hold much amusement and was quite flat, but she had to just let it out. She found it. Funny. The way the skeleton had bigger hair than her own, and how the skeleton still had hair. But, her small laugh didn't last long, as her cries started to continue. Brook, really didn't know what to do. But, one thing always did make him feel better. He walked away from the girl but, soon he returned. But, he now held a worn violin. He brought it up to his shoulder, and he rested his chin on the worn down chin rest. The bones that made up his hands caressed the neck of the instrument, as his other hand gripped the wooden bow. The strings were a bit loose on the bow and they held a yellow tint. While the violin held five silver strings, each a bit discolored and tight. Brook rested the bow on the strings of the violin at its waist.

The girl's cries didn't stop, as tears clouded her vision. Her legs stopped swing as her small hands traveled to her eyes. Her vision just held the darkness. She was in despair. She hadn't seen her brother. She needed to see him, he promised to come back. It was so hot, but she waited. It was painful as her internal disease brought pain to her as well. She just wanted to see her brother once again. That was all she really wished for. Her thoughts that were full of her past life, when she was still breathing haunted her. Those thoughts drove her into a bitter feeling... But, the burning pain from her memory's miraculously stopped. She heard high notes, that help patch up her worry yet, these notes were played in a melancholy tone. These few notes, that the girl heard, repeated over and over. And although these notes were the same, they felt as if it was like a different story was being told each time the notes played. They sounded melancholy at first but then turned into glee and giddiness. The girl's worries were nonexistent, as the notes traveled through the quite and fog filled air to her small ears. She was always interested in instruments. She always loved the parades that her town held, with the gleeful drumming, the trumpets, and tubas that shouted out with welcoming notes. She sniffled as the palms of her hands wiped her eyes, trying to get rid of the traces of tears. She blinked one last time and then looked to where the music was coming from. It was the skeleton. His face was the same, but it felt different. It felt as if he reflected a wave of warmth and love... It felt nice... Her lips that held a pout, turned upwards. Though, only slightly.

Tears once again returned to her eyes, she tried to wipe them away with her sleeve. But, they just kept coming. Her slight smile crumbled into a broken one. She slide off of the side of the boat, and her legs brought her closer to the skeleton, who was still playing the three same notes. She started to slightly whimper as she came closer to the skeleton. Once she was only inches away, she wrapped her small arms around the bones that made his leg as well as the black dress pants that hid them. She dropped her head into the skeletons black pants, that surround his lower leg bone. She sobbed, but even through her cries Brook kept the beat and tempo steady still playing the three notes over again. The ghost girl calmed down after a few minutes but still hugged the skeletons lower leg. She indulged in the repeating notes a bit more. Before she pulled away from the skeleton. Her face was relaxed though her eyes still held a bit of despair. The corners of lips twitched upwards as her upper lip moved up, revealing her white teeth that glowed slightly. Brook brought his wooden violin down as well as the bow. He looked down at the girl and then decided to sit on the rotting wooden deck beneath his bones. He movement slightly frighten the girl, but she still continued smiled and she bowed to the sitting skeleton.

«Thank you»

she said, her voice light, unlike the one that screamed out the word brother only minutes ago. Brook let out a laugh as his, "Yohohoho's" filled the boat. The little girl laughed a bit as well, though her laugh was soft and warm and they were much like a normal persons laugh. Her black eyes then burned into the skeleton in front of her. She slightly wobbled and soon her whole face flushed with embarrassment. She bowed once again.

«Parton my rude manners... I'm Lammi. Pleasure to meet you..»

Brook laughed once again, causing the girl—now known as Lammi— to muffle a laugh herself.

«Not a problem.. Yohohoho... I'm Brook, and the pleasure is mine»

Lammi smiled once again at Brook. But, her smile slightly faltered as she looked at herself then back at Brook, she then started to explain to brook what she looked like

«Umm.. I have black eyes and ummm light brown hair in-»

But, Brook cut her off with his laugh once again, causing her smile to brighten... His laugh was funny...

«Yohohoho, I can see what you look like Lammi, Yohohoho»

She slightly laughed herself, and then she came back with the words,

«But, you don't have eyes!»

Brook laughed once again, and his reply was 'your right'. It became quite silent after that. Lammi sat on the deck as well, her eyes wandered left and right. Searching for something. It then clicked, she was searching for her brother. Brook looked at Lammi, her eyes were full of worry. He could tell she cared for her brother, and she was dearly worried. Brook contemplated weathered he should ask about her brother or not. An idea lit up in his mind. So, he asked her. Her black eyes were dull as he asked her the question. The question which was, her past. Her eyes slightly watered but she started talking. She had lived in a town called Flevance. Brook, had heard of this town once or twice. It supposedly was a wealthy town in the North Blue, which was also known as 'White Town'. Brook heard the stories of how Flevance was said to be straight out of a snowy country in a fairy tale, as the earth as well as the trees, and grass were all pure white, and the beauty of the country was so stunning that it left visitors wondering whether the island was real or not. A special and rare kind of ore, called Amber Lead, was discovered underneath the kingdom and was determined to be the source of Flevance's marvelous white nature. With the discovery of amber lead, a variety of goods such as utensils, paint, sweets, makeup, and weapons were made out of the ore. People from all over the world bought the high-quality goods, leading to the kingdom's eventual rise to affluence. It was quite a popular story back when Brook was out in the seas of the neighboring Blues.

As she continued with her story, a small smile settled on her lips as she talked about her family. Her mother, who she shared the same hair color with, father, who she shared the same eyes with, and an older brother who was her protector. As well as the festivals her town held, with the parades that held the drummers and instrumentalists as well as baton twirlers and had multi-colored confetti thrown everywhere. It was a happy time. Her smile faltered, and her gaze hardened at the deck beside of Brook. As her voice turned bitter, she started saying how her beautiful town turned everything to ashes. Lammi's voice was low and barely audible as she started talking about a disease that was caused by the white lead, and how the townspeople were infected and dying of. How she didn't think much of it until she, herself got infected. Lammi then continued on saying how her parents were the best of doctors, but even they couldn't find a cure. Though they found out the disease wasn't contagious, but the world government didn't listen, and they poured lies to the other countries. Causing Flevance to be blocked off from neighboring countries. Lammi then closed her eyes as tears started leaking from them again. But, Brook stayed silent, waiting for her to continue. Lammi inhaled a deep breath and let it out a few moments later, trying to calm herself down. Her voice was a bit shaky but she continued by saying, when she was still alive she didn't know this nor did she know outside of the hospital she was laying in we're people being killed and scorched alive. Nor did she know her parents were shot, dead on the ground while they tried to convince the government that the disease wasn't contagious. She didn't know this because her older brother was protecting her from the truth. Her older brother only said the people of Flevance were as prosperous as always and how.. She cut herself off again as tears once again leaked down her cheeks, but she couldn't hold back a tiny wail of bitterness. Her voice broke as she repeated the line her brother promised her months ago,

«Get well soon and let's go to a festival together again»

Lammi couldn't continue. Her hands traveled to her eyes once again.. She sniffled, she didn't want to think about it. She didn't want to think about his promise, about his worrying smile. About the burning of her skin not from the flames but the illness itself. About her desperation, she wished to see him again. She looked everywhere for him.. But, she couldn't find him only getting lost in this fog. She wiped her eyes, forcefully trying to rid them of her tears but, it didn't work. She tried her best not to cry out again. She saw Brooks' hand move closer to her holding something. Her vision was blurry, but she could see it was a piece of black fabric. She gingerly grabbed it and she dabbed at her eyes. She looked at Brooks' face and soon moved closer to him and dabbed under his empty eye sockets, as rivers of tears shed from both of his eyes. As tears also left his nose. Lammi apologized, she didn't mean to make him glum. His tears seemed to stop, and he slightly laughed.«You remind me of someone, Yohohoho» Lammi's glazed shifted into a questioning one. «Who?» she questioned, full of curiosity.

Brook radiated with warmth. «He had the same round innocent eyes, and the same cute cheeks of his own. Plus, his high pitched voice... This is someone I haven't seen in a long while. But, I keep the memories by my heart. Laboon. That was his name.. I could never forget him, a small whale who loved this crew..» Brook began talking about the beginning of the crew and how they met Laboon. He told Lammi that this pirate ship was Brook's home. How the crew were all made up of musicians, who thought music was the greatest of treasure someone could ask for. Brook then began telling the small girl next to him, the brilliant adventures the crew had. Lammi beamed up at the tall skeleton next to him, as her smile widened anticipating the next story of Brooks crew. Brook felt as if he was talking for hours. He was joyful, he finally had someone to joke with and tell stories with. But, his joyful stories were cut off when Lammi started coughing, harshly. Concern radiated off of him. Lammi looked at her hands, as her white patches of skin slightly brightened. Her eyes glistened as tears started to form in the corners of them. She then looked up at Brook and whimpered out «It hurts..» she bit her lower lip, as her eyes shined in agony. Her posture faltered, as she fell on to Brooks side. Tears leaked from her eyes as she cried saying how she had to see her brother again. She was distraught. She needed to go to a festival again with him. She wanted him to scold her one more time, she wanted him to hold her hand again. Wanted him to tell her sweet nothings to help her, get through this searing pain of not just the disease but, the pain of being alone.

But, her worries once again vanished as she heard Brook play the melody of the three special notes that now always had a place—even if they were only played a couple of times—, a special meaning. But, the three calming notes ended with a high pitch snap, this sound was caused by a violin cord snapping. Lammi felt tears bead in her eyes again. Not because of her memories, nor the searing pain. But, because Brooks violin's cord breaking because of her. But, the tears didn't get to shed. That's because Brooks delicate bones that would make his hand, tied something to Lammi's pinky. She slowly lifted her fragile arm when brook was done. Her eyes widened as she let out a breath. Around her small pinky was a string like a wire that belonged on the violin that Brook played. She was going to question why he did that. But, before the words could leave her lips, a promise left Brook mouth.

«If you move on, I promise when I get up there. I'll go to a festival with you. Your brother wouldn't want you to suffer, plus when you're up there. You'll be cured of both your disease and your loneliness.»

Lammi's eyes leaked, no not from pain. But, in relief and joy. She looked at Brook with such loving eyes. She nodded happily, tears traveled down her full cheeks, that were tinted pink. She really wanted to be happy to just let go. And with the promise Brook just made, she felt as if it she could, but what if Brook didn't keep his promise? Before that last question had any meaning in Lammi's head, Brook said another line that caused Lammi to breakout a crooked smile, «This cord I tied around your pinky is a promise, as long as it stays tied our promise will be kept» Brook then held up his own hand, a string like wire was tied around the bones that would make up his own pinky. Then he continued saying,

« This wire that made one string on the violin, will connect us. If I untie mine then you will know, and if I do... When I get up there, you can hit me all you want, Yohohohoho... And then maybe we can go to a festival when you're all better if you would allow me... and maybe we find your brother so he could tag along. I think he'd love to see you health as well as hear your lovely laugh»

Lammi giggled a bit and nodded. She really enjoyed that image, of her, with Law on one side holding her hand, and Brook on the other. She was really anticipating the beginning of that story. Her smile grew as her eyes crinkled. Her fragile arms wrapped around Brooks lower spine, where his waist would be. And she leaned in and smiled into his coat. Her feet started turning a light white that was tinted with blue. Parts of her feet turned into particles of the light. It had looked as If she was turning into fireflies. She was disappearing at a quick pace. It was like her body was being engulfed by millions and millions of fireflies. The weight of her arms against his coat was gone... Brook felt her mouth move before he felt her disappear completely. Even though she disappeared in seconds, her words lingered much longer than that.

«I'll Be Waiting, Thank You»

The words were sincere. Full of comfort... Yet, why did Brook feel so alone and scared?