I took a step back, still unable to grasp the fact that it was her. Zoro looked at me strangely and I knew I had to do something. She's my best friend, not an enemy. The sun was beginning to rise and the sky got painted in orange. Vickie smirked and scanned our faces. I tried to cover up who I am by standing behind Zoro, but it didn't help, because soon Sugar started to bark and wiggle her tail. There was no doubt we'll be recognized. My friend isn't stupid.

"Vickie, just stop." I said and pushed Zoro away. Her eyes widened, but she pretended not to know me.

"Who is this Vickie you speak of?" She chuckled and waved her hand in dismissal. I was about to try and convince her not to hurt anybody when she sighed and grabbed Mr. Blue Forest by his hair. "Forget it. I'm too tired for this bullshit. Grab the princess and let's go!" She crossed her arms and glared at me.

"Please, don't do this!" I pleaded, but she ignored me. Her partner was about to create vines to catch Vivi and I panicked. I grabbed my necklace and snapped it off my neck to lift it in the air. "Remember this? We promised to protect each other's dreams! This isn't the way to do it." Vickie turned around, refusing to acknowledge I was there. She moved a few strands of hair from her eyes and lifted one eyebrow.

"What are you waiting for, the next summer?! Get the girl already and let's get out of here!" She yelled at the scrawny man next to her.

"W-which one?" He gave her a confused look and she sighed.

"I really have to do everything myself, don't I?" She rolled her eyes. I've seen her do that plenty of times, but now it seemed different. Like an act. "Useless idiot." She jumped off the railing and pulled a huge spiky chain out of her coat. After one swift swing, the chain was wrapped around Vivi and the princess let out a pained cry. Everyone tensed and was ready to help her, when my friend's voice echoed loudly through the air. "Move a finger and she becomes shark bait!"

I gritted my teeth and wanted to say something, but the words died in my throat. I shook my head, holding in tears and squeezed the necklace even tighter. I murmured something, not even sure myself what, and dropped it. Although the waves were crashing into our ship and the crew was yelling, the sound of it landing one the floor was the only thing I could focus on. The dried blood on my fingers was washing of because of the tears I was trying to wipe, but it only made my face messier.

Vickie pulled Vivi towards her and then pushed her in Mr. Blue Forest's direction, who captured our crewmate and dragged her to their own ship. Luffy tried to punch Vickie, but she dodged it and launched her chain in his direction. The boy moved away, but it still scrapped his neck. She laughed and without taking a glance at me, disappeared to where she came from. Nami had to stop our captain from following the now distancing ship, because the action could make pirates hurt our companion.

"We're going to save her, don't worry!" The red head assured him with a not so genuine smile. "I'm sure Miss Blue July doesn't want to kill her. If so, she would've done it already. Right?" It looked like the question was meant for everyone, but the moment she said it my heart sank and the crew's eyes dug into mine. I was still shedding silent tears of betrayal and the last thing I wanted now was to be questioned by my friends. I wanted to apologize for everything that's happened, but I knew it wasn't my fault. I had no idea my best friend was behind this. If I did, I never would've come along.

I'm just a simple candy maker, who's trying to follow her dreams. I'm not a killer like the blood on my hands says. I'm clueless about the pirate world. I miss my family. I want to go home.

I hugged my shivering body and let out a loud sob. My eyes closed since I was too scared to face the tired faces of the people I spent this last two weeks with. I was sure they were all glaring at me with judging eyes. I waited and waited for them to break my sobbing. Just to do something so I wouldn't have to listen to myself. The cries which reminded me of how stupid and narrow minded I was.

Of course none of them did that. They let me cry it out. Not a word, not even a simple grunt. Nothing. That was, until I felt gentle arms wrap around my shoulders and the smell of a fruity perfume hit my nostrils. Nami stroke my tangled hair and whispered soothing words in my ear. It calmed me down and made feel less alone. I hugged her back and stayed there, feeling like a little girl again.

"Candy..." Nami started, her voice soft. "If you know anything that you think could help us save Vivi, you've got to say it." I took one step away, still looking at the floor, and shrugged.

"I-I'm not sure..." I wiped my eyes to make them stop stinging.

"Think!" Her outburst startled me and I woke up a bit. I bit my lip while trying to remember anything unusual Vickie might've said. I sighed disappointed when I realized there was nothing. I shook my head and stared at the horizon.

"I'm sorry." My voice was still hoarse from crying and I sniffed when Sugar bit my pants. She growled, barked and when none of that ended with my response, she resulted to scratching my leg and pushing me on the floor. I whinced, but didn't scold her, because I felt like I deserved it. Chopper on the other hand yelled at her and ran to my aid, but before he could kneel beside me, the dog started howling.I tensed up at this, now more than confused at her behavior, when I realized it.

"Sugar, stop!" My tone held much more power than I intended and my husky cowered behind Chopper. My glare was replaced with a sad smile and I stretched my palm towards her. "I'm sorry for yelling at you." She lowered her head so I could pet her. "And thank you for being smarter than I am." Sugar laid down on my lap and I looked at everyone, now feeling a little better. "I know where they are, but it's gonna take a while to get there... The wolf island."

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Hey, guys.
This chapter is really depressing for two reasons: 1. I wanted to show how much friendship means to the character. 2. I'm really tired and wanted to write angst.

I want to thank you all for reading and tell you that I might not update for a while, because of school. (We've got a LOT of exams coming up and a few presentations + tons of assigned reading and a history contest.)

I hope you like this chapter although I know it didn't have much interaction with the crew, but I promise that's coming and when it does, it's gonna be juicy!

Love

~ChocolateLuffy ٩(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)۶