"OK so let me get this straight," Tani almost groaned. "You're saying that we've just angered a literal God, who has electric powers... And that because of this we are all going to die?" Tani had her fingers fanned out and touching at the tips. Kinda like those fancy looking professors from the movies.

Conis nodded nervously. Tani actually groaned.

"Of course we did, what kind of pirate adventure would this be without causing trouble on literally every island we land on!" Tani complained. "Evoked the God! And he shall smite thee!" she said with dramatics.

"HALT! TRESPASSERS!" a man in a white beret called out from a bush. A few more men followed behind him.

"Oh come on!" Tani shrieked. Robin simply smiled at the ordeal with amusement. How humorous it was when the universe decided the target one individual that wasn't herself.

"You're the trespassers from the blue sea correct?" the leader asked, pointing towards the group. The crew all looked at each other before turning back and in unison, waved their hands in denial and chanting "No, no we aren't," together.

The white beret guy blinked in confusion before apologising and turning away from them with a sheepish frown.

The crew went back to comforting Nami.

"..."

"WAIT A MINUTE!"

The man burst through the bushes again and started shouting at them again. Something about trespassing and all the jazz. The crew was too busy listening to Nami recount her traumatic experience.

"How about we relax on the beach? I could make something sweet to calm your nerves my lovely Nami," Sanji offered kindly.

"Stop you trespassers!"

"I saw plenty of comfortable chairs in a gazebo on the way over," Robin added quietly. Spawning a hand to help Nami back onto her feet. Nami nodded in thanks.

"Hello? Are any of you listening to me?!"

Usopp pointed forward, taking the lead while excitedly telling Nami about the upgrades he was going to make to the clima-tact with the new dials he'd taken (with permission) from Pagaya. Her mood brightened up at the conversation.

"STOP IGNORING ME!"

"Shut up!" Luffy and Zoro called at the same time. Both boys turning and punching the man in the face. Sending him flying back into the bushes he came from, his back up looked at the captain and first mate with fear. Both men had already turned away from them to join the crew on the beach.

...

Tani was relaxing on a deck chair beside Nami and Robin. The sweet smell of those pumpkin melons and other foods being cooked over an open fire dial filled the air. Luffy, Usopp and Chopper happily climbed trees and made sand castles. Zoro was cleaning his swords with a fond smile on his face. Tani sighed with content... Oh maybe she should take a photo!

The girl got off her chair and glided towards the boat... Well until she saw the clouds that she'd have to walk through to get to said boat. She nervously dipped her toes into the white clouds with discomfort. She could already feel her limbs tense.

Tani shoved her foot into the cloud, her foot submerging into the fluffy mist. Her brain screamed at her to get it out, she couldn't feel the ground. It wasn't the same density as regular water either, she would almost certainly fall through.

The girl let out a whimper and pulled her foot out with lightning speed. Shaking her whole body as if flicking the non-existant cloud off her body.

"Tani dearest?" Sanji's voice called to her with concern. He held a platter with several beverages on it. One of them looking far better in terms of presentation. He handed her the prettiest of the drink. "Would you like me to get you anything from the ship?" he asked politely. Tani looked from him to the ship, back and forth.

She really wanted her backpack, but she didn't want to ask for help. Sanji was offering his services to her, but she needed to get over this fear of clouds... Clouds that are hundreds of feet above the sea.

"That would be really nice... Sorry," Tani apologised. Sanji brushed his fringe back a little, though his eye wasn't revealed. Now that she thought about it, she never seen his other eye. No matter how much the man moved around, his fringe always failed to lift off his covered eye. Weird.

Sanji was already back with her bag in tow. He handed it over with a gentlemanly air, before ushering her back to the rest of the crew. The pair only now noticing the annoying white beret guy was back. Policing everything that the crew was doing. Nami looked like she was ready to hit one of the guys with her Waver.

"Oi! Stop harassing my lovely Nami and sweet Robin," Sanji growled at the white beret troopers that surrounded the gazebo. His legs already flying as he left Tani to go defend the other women of the crew with his chivalrous ways.

"Madam, you're standing exactly three inches away from a ghost crab. That's four inches too close to one of our national treasures. That'll cost you 2 million extol in fines." one of the white berets said as he spawned next to the girl. Causing her to jolt and step backwards, a small crab as white as the sand gave a little jump and scuttled away from the pair.

"Looks like the little guys run away, no more fines for me," she said smugly, turning away to ignore the guy. She'd dealt with police officers more intimidating than this guy.

"Walking away from an member of the white berets while engaged in conversation is a violation of rules. Punishable by a fine of 4 million extol." he called to her. The girl let out a groan and turned to him with the most deadpan "I don't give a shit about your dumbass rules" expression she could muster. The man stood his ground. She really didn't wanna fight right now, she was still jittery with nerves from the clouds. This guy however was being a total pain.

"Ugh! Fine!" Nami gave in, getting up from her chair and waking towards the Merry. She had steam coming from her ears out of frustration. Stomping past the white berets... Who broke the camels back when they opened their mouths.

"Stomping on the beach is a violation of-"

"THATS IT!" Nami roared. Running towards the waver she'd borrowed, mounting and slamming on the accelerate. She u-turned and sped towards the white berets. Luffy was pissing himself with laughter as she slammed the waver into the leaders body, launching him into the bushes again. Nami was on a rampage, riding towards all of them at an alarming rate. Luffy, Zoro and Sanji joined in. Chasing the men around like a big game of gang up tag.

Tani was watching as the berets would fly around on their waver? Shoes. They would shoot arrows that made streams of clouds for them to float on top of. Tani wanted a pair of those shoes... No... She needed them.

She jumped into action, her yo-yo's flew in circles at her sides, she spun them as fast as she could. Gauging the whereabouts of the pesky beret that was floating around her. She wanted one thing... One thing only.

Come on... Come on...

There!

She twisted herself to face the man that charged her with grabbing hands. Her arms crossing over each other, the yo-yo's dancing over each other and looping around the man's ankles. He tangled and tripped over into the sand, hitting his head on a rock which knocked him out. Oops.

Tani grinned wide, running towards the downed foe, dropping to the ground and unclipping the waver parts of his shoes.

The shoes acted like those clip on roller skates that cost like $7 at home. You would slide your shoes into them and clip them on, keeping your regular shoes while being able to skate around. Tani had those for a while, until she received her first pair of roller blades for one of her birthdays.

She shoved her feet into the free space, clipping them in. She shuffled her feet around for a bit, getting a feel for them. This was going to be like ice skating if she was making any assumptions.

*Swipe*

An arm glided past her, she ducked just in time. Oh right she was still in the middle of some big fight!

Tani turned around to face the guy who had the audacity to interrupt her new tool discovery moment. All she needed was a training montage and she'd be right as rain.

Now how to turn these on?

She hadn't seen any of them start using them, far too busy trying to fight them off to really pay them any mind. The dark skinned girl clicked her heels in thought.

She went flying...

Wind whipped her flailing self as she zoomed forward with unsteady legs, though her balance restored as quickly as she lost it. Tani wants to say that she adapted like a pro and didn't have an issues at all.

But the many Tani shaped sand angels, bushes and cloud trails would say otherwise.

"LOOK OUT!" she screamed as she flew past Chopper, who shrank from heavy point into brain point to avoid the flying projectile that was Tani.

"Watch it!" Zoro yelled when her foot collided with his head. His reflexes allowed him to grab her offending foot and throw her towards an enemy.

At least Tani could say that Zoro would be great at bowling. Her head calling out strike when she bowling balled into the five white berets that approached them.

Tani was face down in the sand, skidding across the ground until someone grabbed her feet and clicked them together. Tani laid in the ground for a moment to catch her breath... Well she couldn't breath but she was frazzled.

She lifted her head from the ground and saw a flurry of flower petals dance past her. Robin giving her a close eyed grin. Tani gave her a thumbs up before smacking her head back into the sand.

"Oi Tani, get up already we gotta get going," Usopp said while poking Tani's head with a stick. The girl gave a tired groan and remained laying in the sand.

"Sand warm. World cold. Tani sleepy." she replied slowly. Today was just... Not kind to her. Usopp continued to poke at her head. She focused on listening to what Nami and Robin were saying while packing up their things to load the boat.

"Honestly, that old hag let us in so why are we getting charged for it," Nami grumbled. Her voice growing distant as she walked away from Tani's spot. Robin laughed calmly.

"Maybe it's an extortion thing, surely you would have done the same for money," she accused with no malice. Nami made a choking noise before agreeing reluctantly.

"Usopp stop poking Tani you moron!" Sanji's voice shrieked. The sound of his leg making impact and the later crashing of a tree plus groaning of Usopp told Tani everything she needed to know.

"Oh Tani dearest," Sanji coddled as he slipped his arms under the girl who was still laying on the ground, accepting her fate. Sanji lifted her off the ground in a princess carry. Her head lolled over his arm so her head was upside down. Facing the boat. Nami, Robin, Zoro and Chopper all stood on the boat. Luffy was sitting on the mast head while clapping his feet together, cheering about their continued adventures.

Sanji began swiftly gliding towards the boat, his hold on the girl was steady as a rock. Yet that didn't prepare any of them for the rumbling of the ground, large quakes in the earth? Sky? That bellowed underneath them. Sanji toppled, spinning around so Tani would land on him. Usopp crawled towards them with wide eyes. His arm raised in a point towards the Merry.

"WHAT IS THAT!" Usopp shrieked, Tani finally came to her senses. Sitting up on top of Sanji to watch as two massive claws clasped around the Merry.

The shaking caused Luffy to fly forward and splash into the cloudy ocean. Tani without thinking, ran straight for the captain. His feet poking out of the clouds were slowly sinking, so with a click of her heels she flew forward on the wavers and snagged around Luffy's ankles. Yanking the boy out with a cartoony pop, Luffy snapped back like a rubber band. He collided with Tani, legs curling around her waist while his arms hugged around her head with a childish laugh. Tani flailed her arms and legs, flying without any control. She couldn't even see because Luffy's chest was smooshed into her face.

"Luffy! Let go- ack!" Tani shrieked as she felt the ground disappear from under her feet. Luffy's legs clutched around her waist much tighter as the pair went flying towards the nearing cries of Usopp and Sanji.

*Crash*

Tani clicked her heels so she wouldn't have a repeat of her last landing... That was 20 minutes ago.

The pile of straw hats looked on dizzily as their ship and nakama were whisked away by the massive shrimp that sped away.

Sanji stood up first, dusting off his pink flowery shirt with a huff. He offered Tani a hand, which Usopp took. Sanji groaned but helped his nakama back onto his feet. By the time he could offer his hand again, Luffy already had the girls hands in his with excitement bubbling on his face as he spoke rapidly about how awesome her new shoes were.

"What do we do now?" Usopp wallowed, looking at the disappearing Merry. Sanji shook his head, he didn't know what to do. Not like they had a boat, nor any idea where the Merry (and the rest of their nakama) we're headed.

"We just need to find a boat don't we?" Luffy stated with as if that was the most obvious answer out there. Sanji motioned towards the empty beach.

"Excellent idea captain, pick a boat." Sanji said with the most deadpan tone. He was surrounded by 17 year olds, of course he'd be stuck baby sitting two man children and a lovely darling like Tani.

The sound of sand shifting drew their attention to the rather timid form of Conis. Her hands held together in front of her chest, something was off.

"What's wrong angelic Conis?" Sanji asked with concern. The other crew mates looked at the girl as she took a deep breath and relaxed.

"I can show you to the boats we have. The super express speed shrimp that took your boat and friends is most likely being taken to Upper Yard," she explained. Luffy perked up at the mention of the forbidden island. Conis motioned for them to follow her in silence. The group walked briskly towards her.

Sanji and Luffy were up the front, standing beside Conis while she talked to them about the town they walked through to get to the boats. Tani and Usopp lagged behind a bit, both of them suspicious of the whole ordeal.

"Some things off about Conis," Tani whispered to the sniper. He gave a nod and whispered back.

"The towns people are just as weird, all of them keep avoiding us," he pointed out. That wasn't very shocking, they were strangers. Usopp continued, "Even Luffy can't charm them,".

He was right, Luffy was unable to get a single one of those people to even look at him for more than a second before the retreated or shut the door in his face. Nobody normal could resist his charms! This was a weird place.

"Here we are," Conis said with a wobble in her voice. Her eyes refused to meet any of the straw hats.

There was a row of boats. All of them looking more grand than the last... Until they spotted a smallish wooden boat with no special features. Conis pointed to that one.

"That's my father's boat, he'll let you use it to save your-"

"Why are you shaking?" Luffy asked while interrupting her. She lifted her head and stared at them with surprise. "You've been shaking the whole time we followed you. Why?" he asked again. Conis shakes more, her eyes refusing contact.

Luffy stared at her. Tani and Usopp looked at Sanji with concern. The man did nothing but light a smoke and puff out the smoke. He must have noticed too. Conis let out a cry as she fell to her knees and sobbed.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, please forgive me I'm sorry, sorry, sorry," she wept. Luffy made no move to comfort her. She lifted her teary head up to look at him. "I called the shrimp... I did it... It wa-was me," she wiped her tears away with the backs of her hands. Snot dribbled from her nose. Luffy looked at her with indifference.

"Why?" he asked her. She hiccuped and explained why.

"It's God Enel's will that we lead criminals away from the island. So he may punish them and not us." she cried. Luffy knelt down to her level. Failing to notice the cries of terror from the people, the cackling boom of thunder. Tani let out a scream as lighting struck the spot that Luffy and Conis were standing.

Note the word "were"

A flash of pink swooped down and snagged around Conis' waist. The girl was hoisted into the air by none other than Gan Fall the knight. Luffy was dangling from the beak of Pierre with no signs of harm. People started yelling about the newcomers.

"LEAVE!"

"THEY'VE ANGERED GOD ENEL!"

"THEY'VE DOOMED US ALL!"

"GO AWAY! GET AWAY!"

Tani saw some kid throw a fruit towards Usopp. Though he dodged it before the fruit made impact. Tani sighed, walking towards the boat that Conis had pointed out while Usopp followed and Sanji went to collect Luffy from Gan Fall.

When entering the boat, Tani was hit with a wave of knowing. The controls looked exactly like a manual car. Only the stick was on the left hand side rather than the right side. Her mother had given her driving lessons every opportunity she could, so Tani was confident that she could drive this boat.

Sitting in the drivers seat with certainty, Tani messed around with the peddles, this one's brake, that ones go. She felt at home, turning to her right to give her mother a grin... Only she didn't find her mother sitting beside her with her tired eyes and soft open mouthed grin that lit up the world. No messy brown curls with one bit at the top tied up in a scrunchy because she loved that one time when Tani was 6 and tied it for her... A pit formed in the girls stomach, a feeling of home sickness that she hadn't felt in a really long time.

"Move over!" Luffy commanded, Tani blinked out of her space out to stare at Luffy. Furrowing her brows playfully.

"Can you drive a car?" she asked smugly. Luffy looked at her dumbly.

"What's that?" he asked with a twinkle in his eyes. Tani bopped him on the nose, which he wrinkled like a cat.

"Something I can drive and you can't, let me handle the boat. You guys can kick back and relax," she said calmly. Getting comfy and waiting for Sanji and Usopp to sit down. Luffy wasn't going to move from his spot behind her chair. Arms crossed atop the head of the seat, his head practically on her shoulder.

"Let's go!" Tani whooped, more excited now that she could really show off a skill of hers. Shifting into gear one, she slammed on the peddle and sent the boat flying.

Gear two.

Gear three.

Gear four.

The boat flew fast with controlled ease, the wind whipped Tani's face in a way it never had while she drove in a car. This was freedom, no morons to look out for, no speed limits.

It was pure bliss.

Tani couldn't help but laugh with joy as she shifted into the Fifth gear with a big grin in her face. A sharp turn approached but she didn't care. Usopp's sounds of protest mixed with the boisterous laughter of Luffy as he pushed for Tani to go even faster. Sanji was silent, watching the ordeal with amusement, though his legs were clenched to the ground so he wouldn't go flying.

The boat speeds down the milky road, until Tani noticed a fork in the road. Four paths all of which have some sign atop them. She hits the break hard, Luffy flips over the top of her chair and crash lands into her lap. Usopp went flying and smacked the back of her chair, making her crush Luffy with her top half. Sanji was freaking out over Tani and all her potential injuries. Though the girl was laughing way too hard about the situation to really care about the ache in her ribs. Honestly if it was anyone but Luffy, they'd both be dead.

"And this my friends," Tani wheezes with humour in her tone, "Is why you wear seat belts," she coughs. Luffy is looking up at her from in her lap, laughing his ass off about it. Tani forgot to blush or get flustered she was so winded.

"Why did you stop?" Luffy asked. Tani pointed up at the fork in the road. Luffy examined them. While Sanji read them aloud.

"The ordeal of swamp, iron, string or balls?" he breathed while smoke curled around his words. Usopp shivered at the thought of any of those (but he didn't want anyone to think he was scared so he hid it).

Luffy lifted himself so he was sitting in Tani's lap more comfortably. Now Tani felt her face heat up, luckily Luffy wasn't looking at her. Focusing on the ordeals that they would face... Well one of them at least.

"So captain? Which one?" she asked, her words carrying that fluster as confidently as she could. Luffy leaned his head back so he was resting it on her shoulder, his whole body pressed against hers. She let out a small, whispered yelp.

"Balls sounds funny, let's do that one!" he decided. Much to everyone's relief, the others sounded awfully painful. Though the word balls could mean anything. Balls of what? Bouncy? Sports? Cakes? Who knows at this point. Guess they'd find out soon.

Tani went to lean forward a bit, only to find Luffy was still there... Oh right.

"Hey Luffy? You gonna get up now or-"

"I wanna drive too," Luffy said, putting his hands on the wheel in front of them. Tani let out a sigh. She was gonna have to deal with this wasn't she? "Keep your hands on the wheel, I'll move shift gears and control the brakes an accelerate," Tani accepted. Her arm snaked towards the gear stick. Luffy held the wheel with great excitement.

"Ready?" she asked, Luffy nodded with a hum. Tani gently started to push down on the accelerator, "Gently turn the wheel to the right, we're going towards the trial of balls." she spoke in the soft voice her mother would use.

Luffy being Luffy turned the wheel very sharply. Tani slapped her hands onto the wheel, landing right on top of Luffy's hands. She twisted the wheel back so they wouldn't fly off the cloud road. Sanji let out a yelp as Usopp slammed into him from the hard turn.

"GENTLY!" Tani groaned. Luffy just laughed loudly. Tani couldn't stay mad, not that she was mad in the first place. She did the same thing when she first started driving. Tani kept her hands on his, demonstrating how far they needed to turn. Luffy looked awed at the whole thing.

The tunnel they headed into was dark, and gave off the kind of vibe one would get when going up a roller coaster that had a massive drop at the end. Excluding the clicks of the chain that caught the carts of the ride. Tani felt her stomach rise into her throat, but why? It's not like there was a massive drop at the end of the tunnel.

"The light, I see it!" Usopp cheered with tears in his fear filled eyes. Tani clenched her hands onto the wheel harder than she should have. Luffy didn't complain since he couldn't feel the pain she would have caused him. Though his big eyes turned to her with question.

The light grew nearer, fresh wind blew thorugh the crews hair. Tani's massive ponytail practically floated behind her...

Then the whole boat dropped out of the sky

It took everyone roughly two seconds to realize they were free falling from god knows how high. Though the collective light bulbs all dinged at the same time. Tani let out a blood curdling scream, body frozen in place with her eyes slammed shut, all muscles tensed. Sanji gave a yelp when Usopp who was also screaming loudly, latched onto the chef. Sanji lunged towards the drivers seat, his long arms circling around it to lock onto Tani so she wouldn't float away. Luffy was laughing like a maniac, throwing his arms around the whole crew and looping about five times to keep them all together.

*Splash*

The boat bounced and rocked, showering the occupants with misty water. Tani wouldn't open her eyes, even as her nakama encouraged her to do so. Her body was shaking so violently, she looked like a maraca.

"Luffy could you move her for me, I'll drive," Sanji asked smoothly.

Luffy did as he was asked without question. Hands slid under her armpits and hoisted her to the other end of the small boat. Usopp sat beside them, making small conversation with Luffy while trying to include Tani.

The girl shook her head, she knew she was being ridiculous. They were alive and she couldn't afford to be a burden on her crew anymore. Ugh she hated it! Why was she so scared of heights anyway?! Because of that one time at camp? Really? How pathetic.

"Hey hey Luffy look," Usopp snickered. Tani opened her eyes and looked as the long nosed man changed his body language to that of an innocent child. "Pshh don't compliment me you bastard! That doesn't make me happy at all," he wiggled and happy danced. Just like Chopper! Tani couldn't help but snicker. Earning her a glance from both boys, an idea sparked in their collective brain cells.

"Hey, watch this!" Luffy said. His hand moving up to push his fringe away, he put on a grumpy face with narrow eyes. "Grr will you idiots shut up I'm taking a nap *snore*" Luffy growled in a deep voice, closing his eyes to mimic sleep. Usopp clutched his stomach, Tani snorted. Tani wanted to try.

"Oh, oh my turn, my turn," she chanted before standing up with her hands balled. She walked over to the two boys and lightly bonked them both on the head with her fists. "You knuckle head! Can't you listen to me?!" she shrieked. Luffy and Usopp pissed themselves with laughter.

Sanji looked over his shoulder with a soft smile on his face. His eyes off the road for just a moment, missing the floating orb that approached their vehicle. Tani turned in time to let out a shout.

"SANJI THE ROAD!" She panicked. The blonde chef turned around in time to quickly swerve around the ball. Now everyone noticed the influx of white balls floating towards and around them. Oh its ordeal time...

"Those look fun!" Luffy cheered, jumping to his feet to grab one of the large spheres. His hand slipped inside, causing it to burst open with a loud bang. Exploding soot and heat all over the patrons of the boat.

"They're explosive!?" Tani and Usopp cried aloud, grabbing onto each other with paling skin. Their cries quieted as Tani listened closely... Jovial laughter. Someone was here.

She turned to the left side of the boat, before anyone else realised the rotund man bouncing and giggling atop one of the balls. She quickly dug into her pockets and whipped out her yo-yo's with a glare. This guy was bad news.

Luffy and Sanji thought differently, as both men smirked at the sight of such a weak looking opponent. Usopp hung back, his sling shot at the ready.

"Ho Ho hooo!" he giggled. Tani instantly thought Santa Claus and started to giggle without thinking. The man bounced from one foot to the next. His big sunglasses making it hard to see which person he was looking at. A wide grin graced his face.

"So the criminals chose my ordeal, hoho how exciting!" he chirped shrilly. The ball he was bouncing on floated closer. Tani tensed up, spinning her yo-yo's faster. "Won't God Enel be pleased," the guy bubbled with joy.

"Just shut up already," Luffy barked. "Gum gum pistol!" he called out. His arm flew towards the guy, who gave a manic grin and dodged with ease. Luffy's arm flew into a tree branch, shattering it to bits. He retracted his arm quickly with a snap. Glaring at the joyful man who bounced happily.

Sanji lit a smoke, his focus narrowed on the man with relaxed features. He didn't predict much from this fight. So he waited for Luffy to just get on with it.

Luffy shot another gum gum pistol, then a bazooka. The man slid like butter to dodge every shot fired. Luffy was visibly growing annoyed. He fired another bazooka at the man. Who's grin widened.

The man bounced off the ball, landing on Luffy's elongated arms. He ran towards them with his palm facing them all. His hand collided with Luffy's face. A blast like no other blew Luffy out of the boat with the force of a bulldozer. Everyone stared at the bouncing man on their boat.

Sanji was the first to engage. His legs whipped out to hit the man. Yet just like Luffy, the man dodged with no sweat broken. He was having the time of his life! He flipped over Sanji and pressed his palm on the guys back. Knocking Sanji off the boat and into a tree with a slam.

Usopp and Tani quivered. Their two best fighters were out for the count! How the hell were they gonna beat this guy?!

The round man turned to them and grinned. Usopp fired a bunch of random stars at the man. Once again he dodged everything the sniper hurled at him.

Tani jumped forward with her yo-yo's ready to attack. The man turned to face her with a faltering smile. His eyebrows raised above his sunglasses. She flicked up, her yo-yo narrowly missing the guys face. He fumbled backwards a bit, before regaining his composure and focusing on removing Usopp from the battle.

He pressed his palm on Usopp's forehead, sending the man flying into a tree branch way up ahead. Tani felt herself pale as much as her dark complexion would let her. She was a alone now, the man turned back to her. The boat humming under them as it trudged along the milky road.

"Strange..." he said, before charging at her with no remorse. She jumped out of the way. Though he watched her moves with great intensity. His palm aimed at her side. Though before he could fire, Tani lifted her leg. Knocking his palm away, he fired into the air which knocked him backwards as the force was too great for him.

Tani rolled back to her feet. This was so weird, why could she land hits yet her crew mates (all of which were much stronger than she was) couldn't even touch the guy?

The man let out a groan before he bounced back up and smacked his palm into the distracted girls side. Sending her flying off the boat. She let out a loud scream as her body hurdled towards the mossy ground bellow. She shielded her face in an X shape.

Arms looped around her, she glanced up to find Sanji cradling her in his arms with a miffed expression. The bouncy man was annoying.

He let Tani down, the girl stood beside him with her arms pressed into the side that was hit. That was going to bruise so bad in the morning.

"Ho Ho hooo! You little criminals are no match for me! Satori! One of Enel's trusted priests," he hooted. Bouncing onto a ball, the boat trudged along the road without its occupants. "With only a 10% survival rate, you lot will be dead before you know it ho ho!" he giggled before turning his focus to Tani and launching towards her quickly.

Tani dodge rolled away from Sanji. The chef cried out her name with fear in his massive blue eye. Tani ran away from him.

"Get the boat!" she shrieked as she bolted away from Satori.

Sanji nodded at her, though she couldn't see him because she was running for her life. Blasts from what she saw was a dial that was stuck to his palm, were aimed at her.

Satori let out a laugh as he chanted something. A bunch of the exploding spheres entered her field of view. Though she was running to fast to stop in time. Colliding with the closest one, she was showered in.... Flowers? A rainbow of petals fluttered around her. Distracted, Satori took the chance to throw another ball her way. This time it burst on a root that stood beside her, exploding into a pile of large snakes. Venomous snakes from the looks of it.

Tani screamed for the millionth time today. She hated this god damn island so much! Stomping her feet to avoid the snakes that snapped at her waver clad feet. Oh right the wavers!

Tani clicked her heels and was sent flying, Satori clearly didn't predict this because his jaw dropped. The girl was out of control but at least she was in the air.

"GUM GUM PISTOL!" Luffy roared as his fist came flying towards Satori. The priest gave a laugh, right at the last minute he dodged in time for Luffy's pistol to bounce off a tree trunk and ricochet towards the flying terror that is Tani. Luffy's eyes widened in horror as his fist collided into her. Knocking her out easily. Now Luffy was pissed.

Tani laid in the ground, completely unable to move. Gasping for air with black spots dancing in her vision. She clicked her feet so she wouldn't drag across the ground. Satori had stopped paying her any attention, clearly happy that she was out of commission.

"hohooo you're no match for my mantra. I know every single move you do before it even happens," Satori gloated. Tani blinked slowly, her eyelids heavy with a need to sleep. She couldn't though... She needed... To... To watch... To help... To...

...

Tani let out a gasp, coughing as she choked on the rush of air that filled her lungs. She looked up to find Usopp knocked out beside her. The pair having been placed next to each other. She blinked the blur away. Spotting Luffy latched onto Satori, his giggles holding no concern at all while Satori was panicked beyond belief. So her crew got the upper hand... Where's Sanji?

"I'll have you know that I have half of my nakama in danger right now," the blonde spoke with suave. Tani could practically hear the jazz playing. She leaned her head against Usopp. A smile gracing her face.

"You've hurt our sniper and dearest tracker, you've prevented us from getting back to our boat, prevented us from saving our lovely navigator, gorgeous archaeologist, doctor and the shitty swordsman," Sanji monologued. The familiar click of his lighter setting ablaze. Satori whimpered as he tried to squirm out of the captains hold.

Tani noticed the boat was still chugging along on the road. The boys too distracted with taking out the threat. Wobbling to get onto her feet, she stood with determination.

She's got this, Tani you've got this!

*click*

She zoomed forward, though found herself able to stand straight. Jumping over roots with a bit of a wobble, she ascended. The extra air she got from the wavers let her float higher when jumping, she just needed to land on the milky road.

She bounced up, zooming passed Luffy and Sanji in what felt like slow motion. The both of them staring at her with shocked amazement (Sanji) and prideful joy (Luffy) there was also Satori but he was scared out of his mind. Luffy wrapped around the priest a couple more times so he wouldn't slip away and attack their tracker.

"I NEVER SAW HER COMING! HOW IS SHE BLOCKING MY MANTRA?!" Satori shrilled. Luffy told him to shut up, head butting the guy. Sanji continued his monologue.

"Well look at that? Our dearly beloved tracker is up and running. Now let's get back to serving this dish," Sanji said coolly. Standing on the ball he was floating on. "Punishment for the likes of you are best served cold, however I'm feeling rather fiery right now," the chef tilted his head back. Smoke danced passed his lips. The blonde tossed his used cigarette, launching off the sphere. His body curled into a ball, with his leg stuck outward. He spun as fast as one of Tani's yo-yos.

"THE ORDEAL OF LOVE!" Sanji roared when he hit peak height. Spinning faster and faster until!

"CONCASSE!" he called as his leg smashed into Satori's head. Shattering his glasses and teeth.

KO!

Tani landed on the boat as Sanji dealt the final blow. She hit the brakes, swiping the sweat from her forehead with a big grin. Leaning over the edge of the boat she smiled at her companions. Who smiled back at her with tired grins. Sanji lifted Usopp into a princess carry, using the same care he would when handling a woman.

Luffy looped his arm around Sanji's waist, his other arm launching towards a branch just above the boat. Luffy slingshot them towards Tani at rocket speed. Letting out a Tarzan howl as he swung through the jungle trees. Luffy dropped Sanji and Usopp onto the boat, he continued swinging around the trees having the time of his life. Tani stood on her feet and bounced around with excitement. That looked super fun, even if she would have been suspended above the ground from god knows how high.

Luffy saw the want in her eyes, as he swung back towards the boat he held out his free arm and handle barred the girl. Lifting her into the air with him. Tani's arms looped around Luffy's neck, her legs circled the captains waist.

The initial fear wore off of Tani, Luffy held her tight around her ribs. They swung back and forth, circling the boat. Tani felt free. The fear of heights being pushed back into her mind. Her lungs filled with air as she prepared to let out a mighty roar.

Luffy joined her call to the jungle. Tarzan and Jane would be so proud of these wild children. Tani couldn't stop laughing, Luffy too.

"Oi! We got a crew to save you moron. Tani dear we need to get driving," Sanji called. His voice laced with sugar when directed at Tani. Luffy pouted but dropped to the boat. Sanji had taken the wheel, saying that Tani needed to rest a bit more before she was able to take on that role again.

So here she was, sitting beside Luffy and the now awoken Usopp. All three of them continuing their game of impressions.

"Alright who am I?" Tani asked. She grabbed curled the fingers on one of her hands into a hook shape, her eye lids drooped as she gritted her teeth and let out an iconic laugh "Ahahah, Straw hat brat. I'll rule all of Alabasta ahahah," she giggled during her speech. Luffy and Usopp slapped the ground at that.

"Croc, it's Croc!" Luffy spat through his snickers. Usopp waved his hand in the air. He wanted to go next.

"Luffy can I borrow your hat for a second? this one's gonna be good," the sniper asked. Luffy looked a little hesitant to hand over his treasure, but got over it because this was his nakama. He handed the hat over, to which Usopp placed it on his head and took on a hot shot persona.

"Luffy sure is a handful, thanks for taking care of him," Usopp said while flicking the rim of Luffy's hat up with two fingers. He then started to make shooting noises with his fingers as he 'shot fire balls' from his finger tips. Luffy and Tani snickered.

"Oh oh don't forget 'What do you mean you can put a fire out?!' hahaa," Tani wheezed. Luffy was hunched over while banging his fist on the decking.

"What about-"

"Will you lot shut up? Tani could you please quiet down darling I think we're here," Sanji called out to them.

They arrived at a big opening of water, the Merry was sitting there in all her glory... Well except for her mast which was missing... There was also a whole load of burn marks on her. What the hell-

"WHAT HAPPENED?!" Nami cried from off the boat. Tani looked over to find Nami, Zoro and Robin standing on the land around the pocket of cloud ocean.

"Where's Chopper?" Tani whispered. Luffy and Usopp looked around from where they were and couldn't see the little reindeer doctor. Tani's ears caught onto the faint panting of a tired child. Chopper's tiny head popped up from on the deck of Merry.

Everyone was here.

Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief. Sanji drove over to Merry to pick up Chopper. The sun was setting and with this jungle around, Luffy decided it was time to go camping! Camp fires and sleeping under the stars. The crew all agreed, as it would be safer for them to have more fighting room if they were discovered. Everyone had a really rough day.

...

The crew was sleeping... Well everyone except Tani. She couldn't rest, something was bugging her mind though she didn't know what. Maybe she just needed to go to the bathroom? No she already did that... Maybe she was hungry? No that's not it either, Sanji's food always filled her up... What was it?

Two voices entered her head. Their words muddled in her brain.

"Ring"

"Ring... Ring..."

Ring what? Wedding ring? Ring a round a Rosie? Wring your neck? Ring a bell? Ring ding ding? She didn't know!

"Trouble sleeping?" came the calming voice of Robin. Who's piercing blue eyes softened at the sight of Tani. Tani jolted, but gave her a nod. The woman leaned on her hand, giving Tani a reclusive smile.

"I think I'm forgetting something important? A word keeps repeating in my head and I don't know what to do with it," she said with a whisper. Robin gave her a thoughtful expression.

"Are you troubled by these thoughts?" she asked in her level tone. Tani nodded. It was bothering her that she didn't know what her head was asking her to do. What does ring mean?

"Often when I'm plagued with troubled thought, I think of those that bring me joy. It always manages to fight away the negative thoughts," she whispered. Tani frowned, she'd already tried that. Her gaze travelling over her crew mates. All of whom she loved dearly, all of whom could handle themselves and bring out the best in each other...

"Do you think I'm a burden?" Tani whispered with a quiver in her voice. Her large green orbs staring into the frosty blue of Robin's own eyes. The woman sighed, holding her arms to her chest. A pair of arms bloomed from Tani's side and began tickling at her. She gave out a sputter of laughs though tried to stay quiet.

Robin let up, leaving Tani a mess of giggles. The woman closed her eyes and relaxed.

"If you were a burden, you would have surely been forgotten, abandoned or betrayed." her voice held a hint of melancholy. "The crew loves you dearly. I can see it in the way they look at you. The eyes are the window to the soul after all," she said softly. Tani gave a nod. Giving the older woman a soft smile.

"We love you too Robin," she said with sleep in her voice. The events of today having finally caught up with her. "You haven't been here long, but it feels like you've been a part of the crew forever," Tani smiled with a sleepy expression.

Robin gave a very very soft and quiet laugh. Though this one didn't sound like her reserved laugh... This one was more like Luffy's but with a "Dera" at the start.

"Derashishi," Robin laughed sweetly. Not waking anybody. "Miss Bell, it's time for you to sleep," she said with a motherly tone. Arms sprouting from the ground and pulling the blanket over the tired girl. Tani let out a yawn and whispered.

"Goodnight Robin,"

The girl drifted off to sleep, missing the black haired womans glossy eyes. The laugh she inherited escaped her lips.

"Derashishi, good night Miss Bell, deradera,"

Her laughter was carried through the whispering winds. Maybe... Just maybe... She could find home here.