5- Usopp the "Pirate Captain"

Mira

When the kids found out that I knew about them, they stiffened. "She found out!" They dropped their flags. "RUN!" and they left their captain behind. I held my stomach as I laughed.

"The looks on your faces! Priceless!" I composed myself quickly and fixed my hat. "Bakas."

"HEY!" Usopp shouted. "Don't run!" He looked back to us with fear etched into his face.

Nami bent down and picked up one of the bullets. "A pirate that uses pachinko*... I've never heard of such a thing." She showed it to me, a little black ball. I was able to fix my hat in its reflection.

"You're right." I agreed. "That is strange." Nami blew the dust off the pachinko and Luffy started laughing at "Pirate Usopp".

"You're quite an interesting fellow." He chuckled some more.

"Hey you!" Big lips shouted. Yes, he has really large lips. They're very funny to look at. "Don't laugh at me! I am a man of great pride!" I rolled my eyes as he reached into his bag for something. He pulled out a slingshot and loaded it with another pachinko and took aim. "Because of my great pride," Luffy just stood there with a calm expression. "Everyone calls me... Usopp the Proud!"

"Is that a lie too?" I asked, but he seemed to ignore me. Luffy pulled his fixed hat over his face.

"As you saw earlier," Usopp continued. "My skill with the pachinko is better than a pistol."

"Since you mentioned pistols..." Luffy said seriously. "Bet your life on it." A smug smirk was plastered to his face. I rolled my eyes for the millionth time. Here we go again. Usopp gasped at his smugness. He began to quiver with fear. Is he about to wet his pants? "It's not a tool to scare people."

Zoro caught on with what he was saying. "Hm!" He said with a smirk of his own. He clicked the hilt of his sword and it popped out about two inches, the sun glaring off of it. "This person who stands before you," Zoro called up to Usopp. "Is a real pirate."

Usopp looked ready to snap under the presure that was forming around him. Any minute now... I readied my katana. Anything can happen in these next few seconds. We watched Usopp, waiting for him to make his next move. The only thing you could hear was the rubber from his strings and the gurgling noises he made as he fought with his inner self. Luffy and Usopp seemed to be having a stand off as they looked each other in the eye, though Luffy's was half covered, his face set firm as he waited.

I yawned, growing bored of the situation. I took this time to survey the land with my eyes. The rest of the flags sat in the bushes and lightly flapped in the wind. The waves softly crashed into the shore. Given the situation we were in, all was peaceful. It could have been any other normal day if not for this encounter. My ears pricked up at the sound of something in the bushes, but the aura it gave off let me know it was just a field mouse. Mouse...

No! Focus. I noticed the flags fall over and closed my eyes. How I would love to go into the forest now... The sun was starting to grow harsh on my exposed skin from standing in one spot for so long. I took in a slow, deep breath, letting the green of the forest mix with the distant village smell and the ocean behind us. Just as slowly, I exhaled and opened my eyes. Usopp was scared. Zoro and Luffy were smug and Nami was waiting for something to happen. I was in the same boat as her as I waited for someone to break the silence, but I can be patient.

Sweat was pouring off of Usopp by now as he stood there, half in shade, half in the sun. Luffy repeated what he said earlier and Usopp became even more scared. Luffy's intense stare was making Usopp ever so closer to losing it and breaking down. The question was, when will it happen?

Finally, the rubber went slack as the sling shot flew forward, but nothing flew in the air. My eyes caught the pachinko ball fall to the ground beside Usopp. Not what I expected. When Usopp fell to his knees, I kinda felt sorry for him, but I didn't let it show. Wait, are those hints of tears in his eyes?

"Just as I thought," Usopp said only loud enough for us to hear. "A true pirate's speech is much more intimidating. Incredible."

And this is the part where Luffy looses his serious face and becomes the happy-go-lucky guy he really is. Right on queue, his smirk formed into a playful smile. Zoro seemed to relax as well.

I bow my head slightly. "Three... Two... One..." I whisper. Both Luffy and Zoro start laughing their heads off. Am I good or what? I've only known these guys for about a week, and I know them like we've been friends for years. Well, I actually knew Zoro longer, but only by about three days, but still.

"I just repeated what someone said." Luffy informed as he looked back up to Usopp with the smile still in place.

"Uh?" Usopp leaned foreward a bit from the ledge he was on.

"The pirate I deeply respect, Shanks." Luffy elaborated.

"Sh-Shanks you say!" Usopp cried out. "The Red Haired Shanks, you know that great pirate!?"

"Yeah." Such a simple reply. "Yasopp, isn't it?" Huh? I thought the guy's name was Usopp?

"Wait, hold up!" I held up my hands, confused. "I thought this guys name was Usopp, not Yasopp."

"Yasopp is my father!" Usopp called down to me. He then lost his balance and fell from the clift into a bush in front of Luffy. "But how do you know this?" He asked when he sat up and looked at Luffy, a hint of sadness in his eyes.

Long story short, we found a restaurant and Luffy is chowing down on meat. When I say meat, I mean a whole piece of some animal's leg! It sickens me, so I look away. For all I know, the animal could have been some type of cat. I pick at my fish, not really hungry.

"Pretty good, isn't it?" Usopp asked around a bite of food. Luffy nodded.

"I met him when I was young." Luffy started to explain.

"My father was on Shank's ship." Usopp got closer to Luffy. He too spoke with food in his mouth.

I started to get sick. "Guys, not everyone likes see food."

"You do." Luffy pointed out.

I held my stomach. "Wrong sea food."

"Hey, you look kind of green, Mira." Nami said with a hint of concern.

"I don't feel too good." I shoved both Nami and Zoro out of the booth, ran from the restaurant and puked everything up behind the building. Why did I suddenly get sick like that? I never get sick to my stomach. Was it the fish? Or was it the fact that see food is disgusting? No, it's not see food; it's something else, but what? It almost feels like something is not right here. A pit formed in my stomach and I dry heaved, since I had already emptied my stomach of its contents the first time.

----------

Zoro

"Do you think she's going to be alright?" I asked as I got up off the floor and Nami.

"I hope so." I help Nami up. "She did eat a raw fish."

"But she said she could handle them." Since she is a Neko, and they can stand any raw meat.

"You never know." She said with a shrug as she sat back down.

I looked to the door where Mira had ran to. "I'm going to go check on her." I walked from the restaurant and found her behind the building dry heaving. I tried hard not to look on the spilled contents on the ground. "Oi, you alright?" I call over to her from a fair distance, yet close enough to comfort her. I didn't want to catch a whiff of the fishy looking mess.

"N-no." She managed to get out. "I feel like there is something's not right here."

I raised an eyebrow. "You mean inside the restaurant?"

"No." She staggered to her feet. "I mean on this island in general. My gut is telling me that something is not right, but I don't know what." She wiped her mouth. "I need water." She stumbled drunkenly past me, but started to fall. I caught her and steadied her back onto her feet.

"Easy now. Just lean on me." I looped her arm over my shoulder and I wrapped an arm around her waist. When we came back inside, Luffy was just about done with his story on how he knows Yasopp.

"Usopp, I heard the story about you time and time again my ears almost fell off." Luffy said jokingly. I sat down and got back to drinking my sake and Mira just sat there tracing the patterns of the table. "Yasopp is a great pirate."

"Exactly what I thought!" Usopp said excitedly, leaning ever closer to Luffy. "To disregard his own life and indulge himself in the vast and endless sea... I feel so proud of my father."

"This makes our discussion much easier." Nami chimed in. Usopp turned to her. "Hey, is there anyone who can sail a ship or accuire a large ship in this village?" Nami asked.

Usopp gave a breathy sigh. "As you can see, this village is pretty small. I'm very sorry, but there is no way to fulfill your request." He had a look on his face that said otherwise as he got ready to drift off into dream land. It's almost as if he was showing a bit of love for an unknown person.

Liar. I thought to myself.

"On top of the hill..." I said. Usopp flinched. Mira cast her eyes to me as I stared at the house on the hill over yonder. "There was a very large mansion."

"Hey, do you know them?" Nami asked hopefully. I could see the sweat start to pool on his clamy skin. He knows them. "I wonder if we can ask them to give us some financial support."

"You can't go there!" Usopp said forcefully.

"Eh?"

"Ah-! I just remembered that I still have something to do!" He leaped up from the table.

"So, who are they?" Mira asked, trying discretely to hold her stomach under the table.

"U-u-u-uh, n-no one! Gotta go! I know the owner of the shop quite well, so go ahead and order anything you want." The guy behind the counter was reading a newspaper, not paying attention to us at all. "I'll be on my way then!"

Luffy munched on an apple. "What's going on?" Nami asked. "In such a hurry..."

"We can go follow him?" Luffy offered. At that, Mira heaved and bent over the seat of the booth. "Well, we can and Mira can stay with the shop owner." She coughed.

"N-no, I can make it." She stood up from the booth shakily and waved to the shop owner who was looking at her in concern. She fixed her hat and waved. "No mess on the floor. Sorry to worry you." He flipped the paper and continued reading.

"Yosh!" Luffy cheered. "Let's go!"

—————-

Mira

We headed out from the restaurant and followed the path to the mansion, all the while, the pit in my stomach got deeper. We had to stop a few times so I could dry heave. Nami was nice enough to bring a container of water so I could hydrate my raw throat. Finally, we made it just beyond the gates. There were men in black suits all over the place.

I groaned. "Makes me feel like I'm back on that Marine island." I studied the building. "And I don't know why almost all mansions have to be white. I mean, seriously!" I kept my voice low as we hid in the bushes. "Maybe we can get in around back..." So I led the way around back and found a break in the hedge wall. "I think Usopp was here."  The pit in my stomach grew and I puked up the little amount of water I had in me. Thankfully, it wasn't too loud to attract attention. And it was over quickly.

Then I heard the distant sound of laughter and found Usopp sitting in a tree across from a woman who was unnaturally pale. She had pretty light blond hair and coal black eyes.

"...That's why the captain makes up outrageous lies to make her laugh." I turned around and found the children from before.

"Eh? When did you get here?" I asked.

They blinked. "We came with you guys. Did you not see us at the restaurant and barge in demanding where our  captain was?"

My turn to blink. "No. That must have happened while I was heaving."

Luffy chose that time to speak. "What? He's a good guy?"

"Yeah!" They said in unison. "I like the way he meddles in other people's business." The one with purple hair said.

"I like the way he overreacts to everything!" The dark skinned kid added.

"I like the way he lies!" The kid with glasses concluded.

"I'd like to know why I'm sick." I placed my hand to my stomach again. "It wasn't the fish. It's like a pit has opened in my stomach."

"Don't know what to say." Nami shrugged. She turned to the children. "Has the lady cheered up?"

"Yes, she has." One replied.

"Yosh!" Luffy suddenly exclaimed. "Then let's go in and ask her for a ship!"

"The one that cheered her up is Usopp." Zoro added. No, duh.

Luffy strutted up to them with high pride and happiness. "Sorry to intrude!" Then he felt the need to launch us all in the air to get to him faster. "YAHOO!" Luffy shouted as we all screamed for our lives. Then we crash landed at the other end of the yard under the tree Usopp was in. The kids were in a bush, Nami was half sitting, half laying down, Luffy was face first, Zoro left an imprint in the sidewalk, and I was ontop of Zoro, thus the impression is so deep. "Success entry..." Luffy said weakly.

"No it wasn't!" Nami screeched at him.

"Are... Are you alright?" The girl with blond hair asked, leaning slightly out the window.

"I-I think so." I got up off of Zoro and helped him up.

"It's okay!" Usopp said suddenly. "They heard how great I was so they came to join the Usopp Pirate Crew!" Liar... I thought to myself.

Luffy stood up. "That's not it. We have a favor to ask you."

I fixed my hat. "You have a favor to ask." I corrected. To make sure it stayed in place, I pinned it to my hair with bobby pins.

"Favor? From me?" She asked. I think her name was Kaya? Wasn't really paying attention to the kids.

"We want a large ship." Luffy asked plainly.

"You there!" We turned to the sound of a man's voice. "What are you doing here?!" At the sight of him, the pit in my stomach grew so large, I fell to my knees. My vision began to grow blurry as I started to dry heave violently.

"Mira!" Luffy, Nami and Zoro shouted. Kaya gasped fro the window. Finally, I felt something come up, but it wasn't good. My blood started to fall from my mouth onto the ground.

"Oh my goodness!" Kaya cried. "Kurahadol! You have to help her!"

And I blacked out with my blood still pooling around me.

The cause of the pit in my stomach is him, but how does he tie into all of this?

---------------

When I woke up, I was on a soft, fluffy bed. Mm, so soft... I wanna lay here all day...

"Oh, good! You're awake." I sat up at the sound of the voice and saw a man who looked like a sheep standing next to my bed. I slowly sat up.

"A, a sheep?" Who is this guy?

He gave a dry laugh. "No, silly girl. I'm not a sheep. I'm one of Kaya's butlers."

I raised an eye brow. "So, you're not a sheep?"

"What makes you say that?" He asked. I was about to answer when he turned from me and grabbed a shiny blue box with a gold clasp. "Hold that thought. I have to give this to Kaya. I'll be back shortly." With that, he left. I sighed and ran my hands through my hair. Wait, hair? I felt the top of my head and squeeked. My hat was missing! Who else saw my ears?! Was it just that sheep guy, or was it everyone else in this entire mansion?! Did he see them? I gulped.

I found my hat on the table next to me and placed it securily on my head and went to find Kaya. I found her sitting on her bed covered up reading a book. I knocked on the open door. She looked up and smiled. "Glad to see you're awake. Come in." Cautiously, I stepped in.

"Hi." I gingerly sat on the edge of her bed. "May I sit here?" She nodded. I glanced around her room. "Nice place you got here."

The sheets ruffled. "It was."

"Was?"

"My parents died years ago." She said softly.

I looked at her and placed a hand on her knee. "I'm sorry. My parents abandoned me on my home island."

She was about to say something when a rock hit her window. We jumped. "Usopp-san." She got up out of bed and went to her window and thrust it open. I went to the window with her and saw him standing there, out of breath.

"Thank goodness..." She said happily. "I thought you might never come back." The expression on her face fell a bit when Usopp started to climb in the window. He stopped half way in.

"You have to run Kaya." He said between breaths. "They're gonna kill you!"

"Who?" I asked silently. Kill Kaya? Is this another one of his lies?

"Eh, what?" Kaya questioned.

Usopp took in three breaths. Sweat just poured off his body. "You've been tricked! That butler is really a pirate!" A soft breeze blew in the room, cauing our hair and clothes to sway a bit.  What is he talking about? Who's a pirate?

Kaya didn't believe him. "Hold on. What kind of joke is this." All the previous happiness and joy left from her tone as she stared at Usopp.

Usopp  began to back away slowly as he stared at Kaya in disbelief. "It's no joke! I heard it with my own ears!"

"Who?" I asked softly, bringing a clenched fist in front of my chest. My gut told me it was Kurahdol. Is it really him?

As Usopp spoke his next words, Kaya slowly closed her eyes. "Kurahdol's really a pirate and he weasled his way into your mansion so he could get your fortune!" I watched as Kaya opened her eyes again and she seemed close to tears. My gut clenched, letting me know that Usopp was right; he wasn't lying. "He's been pretending to be a butler for three years straight, so he could get your fortune!"

Kaya was unsure as she spoke. "What are you talking about, Usopp-san?"

He put more determination in his voice. "He said his crew is going to attack and kill you at dawn tomorrow!"

I cast my eyes over to Kaya and saw her make a fist in her night gown as she processed this new information. Her head was tilted down and slow, even breaths was all that could be heard from her as she weighed her options.

"He's really a bad guy! You gotta escape, quick!" He begged. I saw in Kaya's eyes that she had made up her mind.

"I admit, he did say too much earlier. But lying like this..." She fell silent for a few seconds. "It's not like you, Usopp-san!"

Sadness fell over his expression. "No... It's not a lie..." I could tell he was fighting back tears. I was about to say something when he continued. "It's the truth... It's the truth!" His last word echoed for a short while before it faded away.

I remained quiet as the two relived memories of the other. I may not be an expert at love, but I can see the blossom has been planted between the two and they don't even know it. They stared at each other for quite a while, Usopp in horror because she wouldn't believe him and Kaya in shock at the "lie" he told to her.

She staggered foreward a step and placed her hand in the window sill. I gasped quietly and went to help her, thinking she was going to fall. I stopped mid-stride as she spoke. "I... I loved them." She gazed at Usopp as she spoke, ignoring everything and anything. "I loved the lies you told... Yet, why are you saying this?" She seemed about to faint so I went and caught her.

"It's not like that," He defended. "I'm not trying to get back at Kurahdol..." I tried to help her sit, but she just clutched onto the curtains as if they were her life line.

"Why do you say it?" She asked.

"He speeks the truth..." I whispered softly, but I don't think she heard me.

"Kaya..." He said with a great deal of sadness. "I'm..."

Suddenly, the door opened to reveal sheep guy. "Is something the matter, Miss?" He asked. His eyes scanned the scene before him. My eyes widened as he held up a gun. Usopp leaned back a bit. I thought he was going to leave, but was slightly shocked when he leaped onto the window sill. Kaya backed up a bit. She tried to run, but he took a hold of her wrist.

"You gotta escape, Kaya!" He pleaded once more. A flower vase broke as he pulled her close to him.

"Stop, Usopp-san!" She begged.

Sheep ran into the room on the other side of the bed and pointed his gun at Usopp. "Let her go!"

"Just trust me!" He told Kaya as he leaned back. "Come on, Mira!" I watched in horror as they started to fall. "You gotta get out of this village!" He said to Kaya. "Before the butler gets back!" At the last second, he grabbed onto a branch and let go, landing on his feet, letting the balls of his feet absorb the impact. Kaya gasped and her head flopped back. "Mira!"

"R-right!" I flung myself onto the branch he was on and landed beside him. I looked up and saw Sheep run from the window. Three guards seemed to have came out of no where. Usopp expertly handled them with more pachinko balls. I held onto Kaya's arms as we watched him; watched his determination to save her fuel him.

"Stop!" She cried. The guards fell to the ground and Usopp ran back to us.

"Come on!" He grabbed her wrist and pulled, but she didn't move. She held onto the tree and wouldn't let go.

"Kaya, I can tell that Usopp isn't lying." I begged softly. "Please, just listen." She shook her head.

"This'll all make sense tomorrow!" Usopp held out his free hand to his side. "But you gotta escape for now! Please listen to me!"

Kaya gasped and ripped her hand from his grasp, slapping him across the face. I was stunned at her actions. She seemed surprised that she had done it and Usopp had a hint of hurt in his eyes as his cheek instantly became red. Kaya regreted her action, but turned her head and started to cry silent tears. "You're pathetic."

Even though it wasn't aimed at me, I felt as if it had been. All those times of being call worthless, pathetic trash haunted my mind.

~~~Flashback~~~

I fell to the ground and held my injured cheek. "How dare you talk to my son, you worthless bitch!" She kicked my side. "Make that a lesson to stay away from our house!" She grabbed her child by the arm and dragged him back to their home. Home... I never had one since my parents left...

I stood and wiped the dirt as best as I could from my stained clothes. "Never talking to them again. I'll find someone new to talk to!" Then I stuck my tongue out at her. Yes, it hurt, but I didn't show it. I added it to my bottle of emotions. I'd have to empty it again soon, for I could feel it was close to the top again. A good cry in the woods should help me out.

I was just about to do that when Helmeppo walked up to me. "I see you got caught again." He teased.

I glared at him. "That's none of your business."

He sighed dramatically. "You're right. Why would I care about the business of a dirty, pathetic girl? Why should I care if you get in trouble. You're no better than week old trash." He cackled and left me where I was. I held back the tears as best I could as I ran from the village to cry my soul out.

Once I collasped on the ground a fair distance from town, I uncapped my emotions and spilled everything over the edge like a waterfall. I sat there for an hour before I was able to compose myself and get my face cleaned up.

The next day was no better than the last...

~~~End Flashback~~~

I snapped back to reality to see Usopp running off. His arm was bleeding and the townsfolk were searching for him. "Please catch him!" Sheep shouted to them. "He roughed up the lady of the house!"

Usopp paused to gaze at them in shock and disbelief.

"How could he?!"

"How horrible!" Angry voices rang out around the mansion as they prepared to chase after him once more. He took off running and leaped over the hedges. I couldn't let him go alone, so I went after him.

"There he is!"

"Get him!"

I ran right next to him. "Hey." I huffed.

"Don't you think I'm lying?!" He questioned.

I smirked. "No. My gut tells me other wise. I believe you." He grinned back then stared a head, lost in thought. He was like that the entire time we were running from the townsfolk.

~~~~~~

We finally lost the mob and were currently wandering on a hill outside the village. He gave a sad smile as he rubbed his arm, staring out at the sunset. It turned the sky orange and purple. Just as soon as him smile came, it vanished and we continued walking. I let him think in silence, not wanting him to be interrupted. I was content with the silence.

We stopped again and I saw tears running down his face. He turned back to look at the village.

I stepped up beside him. "Should we find the others?" I offered. He didn't seem to be listening.

"Captain!" Three voices shouted. We looked a head and saw the three boys from before. Usopp quickly wiped away his tears and pulled his arm band around his wound.

"Oh!" He called with fake cheer. "Hey, guys!" Luffy, Zoro, and Nami were soon behind the boys as they waved to us. I cast my gaze to Usopp and saw that he was trying hard to keep his emotions in check.

"Everyone deserves a good cry." I whispered to him. His eyes met mine and he gave a slight nod.

"Mira!" Luffy shouted. "You're okay!"

I scoffed. "Of couse I'm okay. Just had an upset stomach."

Usopp gasped in fright as he stared at Luffy. He ran up to him. "You're alive?!"

"Alive?" Luffy asked. "Yeah, I just woke up." Okay, I definately missed something.

"This guy was asleep the whole time." The kid with brown hair added.

"Anyways, Captain," Purple hair continued. "We heard everything!"

The third one concluded with, "Let's tell everyone about the pirates!"

Usopp stiffened. "Tell everyone?" I knew his mind had wandered to the angry mob that chased us as he slid his arm behind his back. He lowered his head and everyone waited for him to answer.

I was about to speak, but he beat me to it. He began to laugh! "I'm lying like usual, obviously!" He still laughed.

"Liar!" I shouted. "I was there! How could you lie about something like that!" Everyone froze at my outburst.

Usopp stumbled to find a cover up. "Hey, you can, uh, drop the act now, Mira..." He took in a deep breath and chuckled, but it was filled with nervousness. "That damn butler really pissed me off!" I ground me teeth, furious at how he could say all of this. "So I decided to claim he was a pirate!"

Luffy didn't seem to believe him as he watched Usopp with a blank stare. The kids started in with their Captain, but I could see through it. So could Nami and Zoro. They knew something was up. They kidded around with the joke a little longer before the kids went back down the hill back home.

Suddenly, the laghter stopped from the kids. Usopp turned around to face them. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"I think less of you now." One said. Victory dance! They saw through it too!

"Me too."

"Me too!" the other two chimed in. "Even if that butler is a jerk, I never thought you'd lie to hurt someone. We really respected you." Usopp was in shock.

I placed my hands on my hips and shut my eyes half way. "Give it up, Usopp. We all saw through it." The kids left, saying how they couldn't believe him and other mean stuff like that. The five of us stood there and watched them go as they chatted easily about dinner.

~~~~~~~

It was dark and we were on the beach. "Oww!" Usopp cried. Nami was cleaning his wound from earlier today and I was helping her by handing her the necessary tools. Luffy and Zoro just stood there. Some help they are. She ripped a piece of the fabric so she could tie it to his arm and Usopp was trying hard not to scream out in pain. I gave him five extra points for that.

"There, all done." She said as she stood up. It wasn't that badly done.

Luffy still had his blank stare. "Why did you tell them that?"

"Because I'm a liar." Was his answer. The moon was a cresent shape as it shined on the water. It would have been a peaceful night had I not heard all that was happening tomorrow. I was on edge. "They were never going to believe me from the start. I was too optimistic."

Zoro stepped foreward. "Even so, the truth is the truth." There was silence.

Nami broke it. "Pirates really are going to come, aren't they?"

"Yeah," He answered. "They're definitely going to show up. But everyone thinks it's a lie. They think tomorrow is going to be another normal, peaceful day..." He shut his his eyes and leaned on his fist.

"We believe you," I took a step toward him and held out my hand. "We all do."

He then sat up with new, fresh determination. "That's why I'm going to stop the pirates at the beach tomorrow, and make sure it stays a lie! That's the only logical thing for a liar like me to do!" Luffy stared at him with his arms crossed, Zoro's hands resting on his swords, and Nami's on her hips. "Even if I get shot in the arm," He clutched his wound. "Even if I'm driven off with brooms, this is my village! I love this village!" This sounds familiar...

Tears streamed down his face. "I want to protect everyone!"

I heard the sounds of sword hilts clanking together and saw Zoro with a big grin on his face. "You're one hell of a nice guy, pushing your henchmen away and going into battle alone."

Nami made an O.K. sign with her hand. "Just so you know, I have dibs on all the pirates treasures!"

"Alright! We'll help you!" Luffy added in.

I gave a half laugh. "This is just more reason to prove I'm not useless." I met his eyes. "I'm helping for the both of us."

Usopp tried to wipe his tears away. "You guys... are going to fight with me?! Why?!"

Luffy was warming his hand up by opening and closing his fist. "There's a bunch of bad guys, right?"

" 'Scared' is written all over your face." Zoro said to Usopp.

"We can't let you do this on your own." I added. "There's probably going to be too many for one guy to handle by himself."

"Me?! Scared?!" Usopp jumped to his feet. "I'm perfectly fine with lots of bad guys or whatever! Because I'm Captain Usopp, brave warrior of the sea!"

I scoffed. "Your knees are shaking,"

He began hitting his legs. "Damnit! Damnit! This isn't a show! These are Kurahdol's pirates we're dealing with! Of course I'm scared! What's wrong with that?! I don't want your sympathy! You guys can leave! Leave!"

"No," I shut my eyes half way and slightly ducked my head. "We're staying."

Zoro stepped towards Usopp. "We ain't laughing! We're helping 'cause we think you're honorable!"

Half of Luffy's face was covered in a shadow. "As if we'd risk our lives for sympathy!" Usopp stood straight and looked at us; really looked at us. If I were him I'd be so filled with joy right at this moment.

I resisted the urge to face palm myself when tears of joy spilled over Usopp's face. "You... guys..."

"We aren't backing out. We're staying to the end." I lifted my head. "What's the plan?"

--------

*pachinko= Japanese pinball