I don't own One Piece

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Once Chopper had checked me I was allowed to leave the room. While my injuries were quite severe, it appears that I have made a full recovery. The speed is obviously because of the experiments that took place on my body, but Chopper also believes it's why I was in such a deep sleep. He tried to give me this long explanation, but I've shrugged it off to me just being tired.

With my sketchbook back, and some free time, I began to sketch our latest adventure. Though I barely made it to the deck before an arm was wrapped around my neck.

"You've been sleeping the whole time!" Luffy grinned, shoving a mug in my hands making me fumble with my sketchbook. "You haven't done it yet!"

I blinked, looking down at the mug then back at Luffy. "All right! Let's make it official!" Usopp shouted, gaining my attention as he shoved his own mug in the air. "Here's to our crew mate, the musician Brook!"

A grin tugged at my lips as I was pulled forward with Luffy to smash my mug against the others. "Kampi!"

"You guys are too kind!" Brook laughed, raising his mug as well.

The grin settled on my face as I looked to the skeleton. "Ne, I'm glad you officially joined the crew! I look forward to drawing you!" My eyes turned to sparkles. "How lucky am I? I actually have a live model for Anatomy!"

"You're making me blush!" Brook placed his hand on his cheek. "But I don't have any skin! Yohohoho!" He clapped his hands together. "Skull joke!"

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It had been a few days since Brook joined. Each day had its own adventures, which I was just finishing sketching now. Today had been much calmer, allowing me to keep in the Franky's workshop and sketch. I typically liked the lighting in his workshop better, and it was nice to have some company that wouldn't demand me to play tag constantly.

Taking a breath I held my book out in front of me and squinted at the picture. The sketch lines were removed, leaving clean bold lines with defined shapes. Shading was yet to be added, as I was planning on adding color to the picture. There are certain drawings I don't color, those mostly being memories. Some only receive a splash of color.

Such as the picture I drew of us meeting Brook for the first time. The picture included the backs of the crew all facing the large ghost ship surrounded by fog. The only part colored in was the lone figure standing on the ship. A tall skeleton with a large afro. The only color on the picture was a splash of blue and orange, which Brook wore.

"That looks great Katsu!" I looked over my shoulder towards Franky, who was standing over my shoulder now.

A small smile pulled at my lips, "Thanks Franky," I paused, looking back at the picture. My smile faltered a little. "There's just something missing."

He raised an eyebrow, frowning as he rubbed his chin. "Hmm... I think it's super how it is now."

A violent rock of the ship paused our conversation. Both Franky and I looked above us, a big scowl present on the shipwrights face.

"What's he doing to Sunny?" Turning on his heel Franky ran out the room.

"What did Luffy do now?" I muttered, softly placing the sketchbook down. Standing up from the desk I took a moment to stretch my tense body.

I jumped when screams came from above me.

"Mermaid?!!"

Another voice, this one not as familiar. "Wah!! I flattened a human!" A pause, then. "WAHH!! I'm surprised there are lots of humans!"

Blinking, I quickly ran up the steps. However I paused when I saw two new figures standing on the deck. Neither of which were human.

The female, who has short green spiky hair and a dark pink fish tail. She wore a big friendly smile, despite her screaming earlier, assuming she was the one screaming. Beside her stood a starfish, who wore a big round hat.

"What's this?" I blinked.

The mermaid said something to Luffy, which had made my captain quite thrilled. However the starfish quickly stepped in and slapped the mermaid.

"There is no store!" He yelled.

Humming in thought I nodded to myself. "Right," I muttered, "Maybe I'll go back to the workshop." Turning around I placed my hand on the door.

"Katsu!"

"Damn it," I whispered, glancing over my shoulder. Luffy stood grinning at me.

"We saved a mermaid! And her Starfish friend!" He grinned.

"I've gathered that much." I wrinkled my nose when I saw Sanji dancing with hearts for eyes.

"Meeeeermaids~!" He sang, twirling around the fish lady. "Mermaids the dream of mankind! Mermaids, jewels of the ocean! I have finally met with a real mermaid!"

"He's an idiot." Zoro rolled his eyes, a smirk falling on my face.

"I've wondered why guys like mermaids. Only the top half is human." I muttered, seeing a small smirk fall onto Zoro's face. "Ne, Sanji wouldn't get far, huh?"

The Chef didn't appear to hear our remarks, as he continued happily.

"Soooo cute! I've never seen a real mermaid before in my life! Did you say your name was Caime-chan?!" Sanji cooed.

"Oi!" Usopp crossed his arms. "What the heck happened to Kokoro-baasan, huh?"

Immediately Sanji collapsed to the ground. I blinked as I could have sworn there was blood dribbling from his mouth.

"You killed him," I patted Usopp on the shoulder, my voice full of sympathy. "Now Luffy's likely to kill you, since Sanji's his source of food."

My long nosed friend paled as he looked at me, then at Sanji. "Okay, okay!" He gripped Sanji by his shoulders. "We'll pretend it never happened! This is your first mermaid!"

Nami frowned at both pirates. "You guys are so rude."

"Huh?" Luffy looked to Franky. "Kokoro-baasan was a mermaid? But she walked around and stuff."

"You do know that mermaids tails split when they reach thirty." I muttered, sighing. I looked to Franky, who was rubbing his chin with a frown.

"Oh, right. You never found out, huh?" Franky said.

"Kokoro-baasan, a mermaid?" Luffy frowned, his nostrils flaring in disgust. "That's really gross."

Nami was quick to jump in and land a punch to the rubber captain's face. "Don't say things like that!"

I crossed my arms thoughtfully, narrowing my eyes as I looked back at the mermaid. After a moment I looked towards Franky, who was standing by me.

"I don't see the appeal." I said, which gained not only the cyborgs attention but Robin's as well.

"What's there not to get?" Franky grinned, crossing his arms as well.

"I know she's pretty, and I've seen plenty of pretty and handsome merfolk. But, half of her is a fish." I answered, making Robin smile in amusement.

When neither responded I groaned. "Okay, yes the upper half is human, but their lower half is fish. If the whole thing is, you know, then I don't get it."

"You know?" Robin smirked, a teasing tone in her voice.

"Well," My cheeks burned for a moment before I cleared my throat. "When Mamoru explained it to me. A female and a male need certain parts. Mermaids don't exactly have that, do they?" I wrinkled my nose, then opened my mouth to say more.

"Stop," Franky frowned, "We're not getting into this. All you need to know is some men, most men, like mermaids. Don't think too much into it." He patted my head and walked off.

I looked to Robin, who giggled and smiled at me. "I've had similar thoughts, Katsu. Don't feel bad. Men are strange sometimes."

I frowned, then nodded in agreement. "They're really strange if even you think so."

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End of Chapter 24

this is not edited.