023

— these violent delights, have violent ends —

DUST AND DEBRIS EXPLODED OUTWARD AS A POWERFUL SHOCKWAVE ROCKED THE BUILDING TO ITS CORE, SENDING CRACKS SPIDER WEBBING ACROSS THE WALLS. Dust burst from every crack as the structure folded under the weight, the air was alive with the sharp, metallic snap of beams bending under the strain.

"Luffy!" Nami screamed his name, but her voice was lost in the roar of the collapsing building.

Each floor gave way in a loud and catastrophic chain reaching, falling in from the top, pancaking on one another. The sound was terrible, thunderous rumbles that seemed to last forever and made Visenya shake. Chunks of brick, stone and steel crumbled inward tearing down everything in their path.

A massive, thick cloud of dust and debris erupted from the wreckage, the grey cloud swallowing Arlong Park in an instant. The others quickly shielded their faces and braced themselves against the force of the blast. The air was thick and they choked on the dust, but through the clouds Visenya could just make out the damaged building.

Seconds stretched into an eternity, the rumble fading into a suffocating silence, broken only by the crackle of settling debris.

Visenya could feel the familiar sense of sorrow creeping up her spine, and the fast pounding of her heart against her chest. She stared at the wreckage with the others, Sanji, Nami and Oaklyn's eyes red with tears.

Then Luffy punched through the debris.

Visenya felt herself gasping in relief as Luffy jumped free of the wreckage, covered in dust and soot, but completely okay. Bouncing back like rubber.

Luffy looked down at his crew through the settling dust. "Nami!" He shouted, his voice voice storing and confident. "You are our friend! We are your crew!"

Luffy smiled and Oaklyn couldn't help it when she laughed in relief, and it only grew when Nami joined her. Oaklyn squeezed Nami's hand tighter before pulling her arm closer and wrapped an arm around Nami. Usopp chuckled out loud and he wrapped his arms around Zoro, jumping up and down for joy and much as Zoro tried to hide his joy beneath his annoyance, his smile was wide.

◈

VISENYA WOULD NEVER REPAY THE DAMAGE SHE HAD CAUSED, BUT SHE COULD TRY. She worked to rebuild a small portion of the wooden houses, helping the other villagers and giving them a proper start to be able to rebuild their homes. Visenya worked with them until the sunset and the celebration began.

Kids laughed and ran around with bright golden sparklers in their hands, people gathered around a small fire telling stories and tales to make each other laugh. Oaklyn took two glasses of sweet tangerine wine and walked over to Nami. She sat on the edge of one of the houses in a bright yellow plaid dress and a wide smile.

Nami took the glass from Oaklyn and moved aside so she could sit closer. Oaklyn wrapped her arm through Nami's and she set her hand on Oaklyn's leg, just below the hem of her gold sequined dress. For a moment they sipped their wine and watched the party.

Sanji and Visenya were off to the side with a handful of others serving food to everyone lined up, Zoro just some of many, Usopp waited his turn to tell a story around the fire and Luffy watched them from the side with a bright smile.

Oaklyn sipped on her wine and leaned further into Nami's touch which she gladly reciprocated. "I'm happy to see you again, that you. . . came back," Oaklyn said with a soft voice, her eyes darting between Nami and her glass of wine.

Nami looked at Oaklyn and smiled softly, "I wasn't sure you would take me back," Nami confessed and Oaklyn's nervous eyes singled on Nami, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "But I'm glad you did."

"We never gave up on you. I never gave up on you," Oaklyn assured with a confident voice. Oaklyn leaned against Nami's shoulder and smiled up at her, and it only grew when Nami's arm wound tightly around her.

Oaklyn sipped on wine and Nami gently nudged her as she laughed. "Don't get too drunk," Nami scolded softy. "I'm not taking care of you again."

"Mmm, yes you would," Oaklyn mumbled.

Sanji smiled and sent another pleased villager on his way with a steamy warm, delicious bowl of curry. Visenya rinsed and washed the other bowls and utensils, setting them aside for the villagers to use.

Visenya had cleaned the dust and muck from her hands, and changed out of her dirty, soaked black dress. She had put on a rather nice pair of black pants she had taken from Kaya, and a regular black singlet but before she had the chance to take her coat Oaklyn had thrown her a red jacket. The strange silk-like fabric shifted under the light and it was long enough to reach the back of her calves. Oaklyn smiled at her and told Visenya, you need to use some colour.

Visenya still refused to roll the sleeves, even if the golden lanterns around them did not offer much light she didn't want anyone to see her scars. Or maybe Visenya didn't want to see herself. She didn't really know anymore.

But the ends of her jacket had begun to soak with soapy water.

Sanji laughed and shook his when he noticed. "Roll up your sleeves Angel," he chuckled as he watched her.

Visenya glanced up but she shook her head, "It is fine." Sanji wanted to protest but she quickly motioned to Nojiko who stepped forward in line.

"Hey!" Sanji laughed with a smile.

Nojiko smiled and held out her empty bowl for another serving. "I'm gonna need these recipes too," She said almost reluctantly. Sanji took her bowl and filled it with another serving. "You should write a cookbook."

"Well, you know, a true artist never reveals his secrets," Sanji said with a click of his tongue and a slight tilt of his head. "But a pretty girl could persuade me."

Nojiko took the bowl with more of a sneer than a smile. "Nice try," she sighed.

Sanji looked down at Visenya and sent her a quick wink as he grabbed the fresh bowl. Visenya rolled her eyes softly but she smiled as Sanji continued to serve the others in line. "There you go, my lovely. Enjoy." Sanji smiled as he sent the woman on her way, and as soon as Zoro stepped forward, empty bowl in hand, Sanji's grin turned cocky.

"Ooh. Back for seconds. Must have liked it," Sanji taunted his grin wide.

"Yeah, it was okay," Zoro said with a soft shrug and his usual unimpressed voice.

Sanji cocked his eyebrow, "That plate says different."

"Gotta keep my strength up, even with your cooking," Zoro tried to insult him but Sanji's smile didn't falter. It only served to annoy Visenya, making her roll her eyes in frustration. "It's the least you can do, considering I saved your ass from those fishmen."

That made Sanji's head snap up and his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What? I saved your arse," Sanji snapped, quickly correcting him.

"You didn't even get your hands dirty," Zoro hissed, his voice quiet and eyes narrowed.

"At least I don't need three swords to prove I'm a man," Sanji insulted.

Zoro shut his mouth and before he could say another word, Vsenya set the utensils down loudly making them freeze and turn to her. "Will this ever cease?" she asked, her eyes darting between them. "Or has my life become watching the two of you bicker?"

Zoro's eyes narrowed at Sanji but he took the plate and stepped away without a word. Sanji began to laugh but Visenya quickly turned to him, "Do not push your luck."

Sanji laughed but kept his mouth shut and continued to serve the others. Visenya watched him work for a few moments, her mind drifting off as her eyebrows turned. Sanji glanced at her and laughed softly. "What's on your mind, Angel?" he asked and Visenya's gaze quickly snapped up to him. "You furrow your eyebrows." Sanji mimicked her expression, making her laugh softly.

"I just. . ." Visenya took a breath, but she swallowed the nervous lump in her throat. "I wanted to thank you again. I would not have survived without you, but thanking you seems inadequate."

Sanji laughed softly, still half focussed of serving, "You think I wouldn't?"

Visenya paused for a moment and she let her gaze drop. No one had saved her from Niles and Orion, Elowen, Draven. . . she couldn't save them and they could never save each other or even help one another without getting themselves punished.

Maybe she expected no one to come for her anymore.

Sanji looked at her again when she didn't answer him and he saw that far off look in her eyes. Sanji handed the ladle off and set his hand on Visenya's waist. She stopped herself from flinching and let Sanji lead her a few steps away from the tables.

Visenya met Sanji's eyes and his eyes were as soft as they were when he looked at her, but he was. . . offended. "Of course I was going to save you Visenya," Sanji repeated his words but there wasn't any underlying flirtation tone or anything. "I always would. Aside from me being a gentleman," Sanji laughed softly, the golden lighting showing off his dimples. Visenya smiled at him and it only made Sanji's grin widened. "I told you, saving the gorgeous girl is my job."

Visenya looked down again, trying to hide her redding cheeks.

Sanji looked up at the village, watching a larger group of people dancing around a small band. "Are you going to dance tonight, Angel?" he asked, turning his eyes back to her.

Visenya quickly looked up at the group swinging, jumping, dancing around with smiles. Visenya turned back to Sanji and shrugged slightly. "I have never danced before," she admitted in a soft voice. She found her eyes wandering the rest of the party with a slight smile. "I have never been to a party, I have never had wine, I have never had curry."

Visenya met Sanji's eyes and he looked at her in a way she couldn't decipher. "You've. . . never danced?" he asked, repeating her words.

"No," Visenya said.

"Never?" Visenya shook her head and Sanji cocked his head to one side. "Visenya. . ." He ran the metal piercing across his teeth and Visenya could see him trying to hide his smile. "Have you ever been kissed before?"

Visenya's eyes widened before she could hide her shock, and she swore Sanji could hear her heart speed up. If he didn't, he most certainly could see her cheeks burning red. "Um—" her mouth dried out and suddenly she found herself craving a tangerine wine. "Usopp is telling a story!" Visenya stated, her eyes catching his standing in the circle. "I am going to listen." She tried to smile at Sanji as she stepped away, but she couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes.

Visenya quickly scurried off and hid in the crowd, finding Zoro and standing beside him with tense shoulders. Zoro glanced at her and nearly laughed, "You look as red as your sword, what did he say?"

Visenya looked at him but Zoro kept his gaze forward. "He asked if I was going to dance," Visenya answered, keeping her voice quiet and turning her eyes forward.

Zoro chuckled softly, "He ask if you been kissed?" Visenya's gaze quickly snapped back to him, and she stared with wide eyes. As if her embarrassment couldn't get worse. Zoro looked at her and shrugged. "You don't even know why Nami and Oaklyn are all over each other. I bet you don't even know what a kiss is."

Visenya glared at Zoro and she crossed her arms over her chest. "I know what a kiss is," Visenya hissed in more of a quiet mumble.

"Did you ask Nami?"

Visenya scoffed as Zoro chuckled again. "You should learn to bite your tongue," she snapped, shooting a dark look at Zoro.

"Shh. I'm listening to Usopp," Zoro said quickly and quietly.

Visenya rolled her eyes, but she focussed on Usopp sitting by the fire, recalling his tale with a few inflections.

"There I was, completely alone, surrounded by fishmen, the Great Captain Usopp staring death in the face." Usopp let his words linger over the crowd and when he looked up at Visenya she sent him a soft smile. "But I knew I couldn't give up the fight, not with the fate of Coco Village at stake!" Usopp raised from his seat and by the time he was standing on it Luffy had joined Zoro and Visenya.

Usopp pulled his slingshot back and the kids at the front watched in awe as Usopp spoke, "So I pulled my trusty slingshot!" He let the slingshot lose with a thwak, and then he fired another two. He had a look of dramatic determination, but somewhere in his eyes was bravery. Right next to fear. "And I fired on 'em till my fingers bled."

Oaklyn laughed softly and Visenya looked back at her and Nami standing beside Luffy in the crowds. Sanji walked over as well, joining the others and listening to Usopp spin the story.

"And I didn't stop until I single-handedly defeated Arlong and his deadly crew," Usopp shouted out with a victorious grin, but when his eyes drifted to Luffy and the rest of the crew he paused. His smile shifted to a much nervous, but still genuine, "With a little help, of course. I mean, I guess I wasn't. . . completely alone." Usopp shrugged softly which only made Oaklyn laugh again.

"Three cheers for Captain Usopp!" Luffy shouted, raising his fist high and cheering "We couldn't have done it without him! Whoo!" Luffy screeched out and the crowd joined in with cheers and chants, shouting Usopp's name. Visenya whistled through her teeth as she clapped for him.

Usopp tried to cross his arms and hide in himself, but he couldn't help his proud smile growing on his face.

"Marines! Form lines!"

Everyone turned and watched as a horde of Marines walked through the gates, forming their lines and cutting off the exits. Visenya shifted back along with the crowd, trying to hide in the swarm of people. The lead Marine walked forward and Visenya cursed to herself as she saw Luffy's grandfather.

"Family reunion," Oaklyn chuckled in a nervous voice. Nami sent her a look and she quickly pulled her lips tight into a smile.

Zoro reached for his sword but the man beside Garb quickly shook his head, "I'd rethink that if I were you."

Zoro reluctantly sheathed his sword and took a small step back. "Can you take 'em?" Zoro asked, shooting a glance at Visenya.

"Not without casualties," She whispered.

Koby stepped out from the crowd and stopped beside Garp, his shoulders slumped and eyes full of regret. "So these are the Straw Hat Pirates," Garp said, his eyes wandering over the mismatched crew. "Huh. Marines, arrest them."

"Sir, the Straw Hats didn't destroy Coco Village," Koby spoke up, "It was Arlong."

Garp turned to Koby but his face never changed. "You have your orders, cadet," he said simply, turning back to Luffy with a glare.

Koby stepped out in front and held his head high. "No."

Garp paused for a moment before his features finally shifted to confusion. He slowly turned to Koby, "What did you say?"

"I said no, sir," Koby repeated, his voice more confident and stern.

"You do realize there are severe punishments for disobeying direct orders?" Garp questioned, his voice far more bewildered than either anger or disappointment.

"I disagree with those orders, sir," Koby started, making his words clear.

"Me too," Helempo added, stepping out beside Koby.

Garp scoffed softly, hanging his head. "Huh. Anyone else like to follow their lead?" Garp shouted, looking over the lines of Marines. "Or do you all want to follow orders instead?" Garp spared one last look between Helempo and Koby before moving his attention back to the straw hats.

A handful of Marines broke away and raised their rifles at the crew. The towns people flinched and jumped away from the others as the Marines closed in. "Any of them move, make sure it's their last," Garp ordered.

Visenya watched the rifle in the hands of the closest Marine and carefully shifted further back. Sanji noticed and turned his body to shield her.

Garp stepped away and slowly walked toward Luffy. "Come here, boy," he ordered. Luffy turned and stepped away, his eyes never leaving Garp for even a moment. They stopped a meter apart from each other and Garp's shoulder's dropped just an inch. "I gave you every opportunity to follow my path, to become a respected Marine. But instead. . . you chose to become a pirate."

Luffy's lips twitched into a smile, "No, Grandpa. I've always been a pirate."

"No more running, boy. Last chance. Give it up." Garp's order's were loud and proud, but Luffy never budged.

"That's not really my thing," Luffy said, with that same smile.

Garp took a breath. He grabbed his coat by the collar and flung it far behind him into the lines of marines. He flicked his arms out and nodded once at Luffy. "Then show me what you've got."

Luffy's face quickly shifted as he focussed and he threw a punch at his grandfather. But it was almost like Garp could see Luffy attacking in slow motion and he dodged his punch by simply leaning to the side. His fist balled up and he sent a hard punch into Luffy's stomach sending him flying across the yard.

He crashed into a table and seats, breaking the wood.

"This is what you wanted, right?!" Garp shouted, stomping toward Luffy. "To be a pirate. Well, I'll show you what Marines do to pirates."

"I don't want to fight you, Grandpa," Luffy said through gritted teeth.

"You've been fighting me your entire life," he argued. He slammed his fists down at Luffy, who just managed to roll out of the way and miss the strike that broke the wooden stairs.

"When are you gonna learn that you can't win?" Luffy tried to fight back, but Garp landed another hard hit that sent him flying again. He crashed through a house and burst through the other side in a cloud of dust and debris.

Visenya flinched but she and the others couldn't do anything, they just had to stand there, watching and listening as Garp tossed his grandson around.

Luffy set his hat right on his head, teeth gritted and eyes dark as he stepped out onto the track, facing his grandfather. Garp flicked his suit out and raised his head high. "I thought I trained you better than this," he shouted.

Luffy took a deep breath, "You did."

Luffy stretched his arms out, gripping the houses on both sides with such force they started to crack. "Gum Gum—" His arms stretched like rubber as he took a few steps back, his teeth still gritted tight. "Rocket!"

Luffy shouted out, and slingshotted himself flying down the path. Luffy's fist was clenched tight and swung to gain extra force to strike his grandfather. But Garo held his arm out, clotheslining Luffy before he had the chance to touch him.

He spun and hit the hard ground with a painful thud and loud shout.

Garp turned to Luffy, taking a moment to look at Luffy lying on the ground. "You don't know how dangerous the world is," Garp said, his voice cracking under the emotions. He took a breath and began walking toward Luffy, "The Grand Line isn't some child's game." Garp grabbed Luffy by his collar and hauled him high into the air, dangling him so Luffy's feet couldn't reach the ground. "I told you, you aren't ready."

"You can hit me all day long. . ." Luffy said through jagged breaths, "but I'm never giving up on my dream."

"Is that so?"

"I'm going to the Grand Line," Luffy stated, his voice filled with confidence. "And I will find the One Piece. And I will be. . ." Luffy trailed off; he almost began to laugh as his smile grew. "King of the Pirates."

Garp stared at him and then Luffy began to chuckle, his smile growing. Garp dropped Luffy, his knees buckling as he fell at Garp's feet. Garp raised his head to the sky and then, to everyone's shock, he began to laugh. An actual, whole hearted, deep from the chest laugh. He even had to press his hands to his knees to keep himself standing upright.

Once his laugh trailed off he took a deep breath and shrugged at Luffy, "Have it your way." Garp began to walk back to his Marine's, a small pep in his step. "Lower your weapons!" On his command the Marines lowered their weapons.

Garp strolled past them, his eyebrows creased, "What are you all standing around for? Arlong's pirates are still on the loose. Hunt them down and arrest them." Again the marines turned without arguing and left the clearing.

But a marine with mouse whiskers and ears stormed towards Garp. "What about these Straw Hats?" He questioned, his voice demanding.

"What about them?" Garp shrugged.

"Arrest them too! They are the real criminals." He tried to argue but in a second Nami whipped out her staff and struck the marine across his head. He hit the dirt with a thud and Oaklyn couldn't help the small smile that grew as she stared at Nami.

"Ooh," Usopp chuckled. Nami turned and just shrugged.

Luffy slowly walked his way over and when he was just a meter away from his grandfather he stopped. Garp turned to Luffy and nodded, his eyes full of pride. "I knew I'd never be able to change your mind. You're stubborn. Just like me." He took another deep breath and offered Luffy a smile. "But I know who you are, boy. I just needed to make sure you knew it too."

Luffy's eyes furrowed in confusion, but his eyes were scanning his grandfather's face as he pieced it all together. "You were testing me? Couldn't you have gone a little bit easier?"

His grandfather just shrugged, "Where's the fun in that?"

Garp took a few steps toward Luffy and placed his hands on his grandson's shoulder, looking into his eyes. "You're on your own now." Garp patted Luffy's shoulder softly, and offered him one last smile before he turned and walked away from Luffy.

Luffy stayed in silence for a moment but then he looked up. "No. I'm not." Garp turned to Luffy and he smiled. "I have my friends."

— lethal lust —