Kaede

"I shall listen carefully, thank you." Brook says.

"You must never ever let your guard down during a meal. Not even for a second." Nami says.

"I understand, I will be ever villigant. When an enemy attacks Quick Draw Brook will be ready to save the day." Brook says posing.

"Looks like you're a little to late to save this one." Robin says leaving Brook confused.

"Come here food." Luffy says stretching his arms out to steal Brook's food.

"Hey hold on a minute. Luffy stop." Brook says chasing his noodles down only to fail in getting them back. "I was ever villigant as I said I'd be. No, the less I'll do whatever it takes to proof my worth as your new comrade and crewmate. I shall work myself to the bone although I'm nothing but bones." Brook says.

"So, what are you planning on doing?" Zoro asks and I shrug as we exit the kitchen.

"I was planning on heading to the library for now and grabbing something to read." I say. "Have fun with you're training. I'll come visit later."

"See ya later then." Zoro says and we go our separate ways. When I enter the library Nami's already in there working on her map.

"Oh, hey Kaede." Nami says looking up when I shut the door behind me.

"Hey Nami." I say walking over and spotting a book sitting on the edge of the desk. "Is this the voyage log?"

"Yeah, everything we've been through since Luffy beat up Arlong's in there." Nami says and I sit down to start reading it. I get almost completely through it when a knock sounds on the door.

"Oh, Nami I've brought you your tea." Brook says and I go back to reading.

"Come in." Nami says and the door opens.

"While I'm here would you be so kind to show me your panties?" Brook asks only to get a book to the head from the navigator.

"No stop asking me." Nami yells and I close the voyage log since I just finished it. I rub my head in annoyance at everything that Luffy's done since he kicked Arlong's ass.

"Oh, your map. Updating are we?" Brook asks.

"Yeah, we've been pretty busy lately and since the ship isn't moving it's a great chance to catch up." Nami says taking the tea cup Brook offered her.

"If I remember correctly it's your dream to draw a map of the world." Brook says.

"Yup, I'm going to travel across every ocean of the world and draw this map from what I see first hand with my own two eyes." Nami says.

"What a superb dream. If there's anything at all that I can do to help fulfill your goal, please do not hesitate to ask me but in the meantime, would you care for more tea?" Brook asks.

"Yes, thank you. For now, the thought is more than enough really." Nami says and I walk over towards them to put the log back where it was.

"You are such an amazing an deeply considerable person Nami. Nothing short of an angel." Brook says.

"Oh stop, you're embarrassing me." Nami says and I push the teapot up so it isn't pouring anymore. Both of them look at me confused.

"You were about to overfill the cup Brook." I say and Brook looks down to see I was indeed correct.

"Ah thank you Kaede. If you hadn't stopped me who knows what would've happened." Brook says.

"It's no problem Brook." I say before turning back to the desk and placing the log back.

"You're done already?" Nami asks in surprise.

"Yeah, I'm a fast reader." I say before rubbing my forehead again.

"Are you worried about everything Luffy's done?" Brook asks and I shake my head.

"Not really. He's been like this ever since he was a kid. I'm just happy that he's found such a great crew that cares for him just as much as he cares for them." I say and with that I leave them to they're own thing. I wander around the deck for a bit and I soon find myself up with the flowerbeds leaning against the railing. I watch the crew doing its everyday things and I can't help but shake my head as Zoro hops around the deck with a huge weight on his bare shoulders.

"Enjoying the view?" Robin asks walking up beside me.

"Yeah, we've got such nice weather today." I say and Robin chuckles causing me to look at her from the corner of my eye.

"I wasn't talking about that view." Robin says. "I was talking about Zoro, you were practically staring at him."

"I was not." I say trying to deny it but knowing she wouldn't buy it.

"How long?" Robin asks and I look at her confused.

"How long what?" I ask.

"How long since you've developed feelings for Zoro?" Robin asks and I let out a sigh.

"Truthfully I've got no clue. I kind of got told about it on Thriller Bark and after I got told I realized that I did indeed have feelings for him. I might have started liking him around the time we were on Lovely Island dealing with the bounty hunters." I say before starting to smile.

"Looks like you're remembering something good." Robin says and I shrug.

"Guess so but I was more so thinking that it didn't help me falling for him when we accidently kissed...twice." I say and I see Robin's eyes widen.

"I was not expecting that." Robin says and I laugh.

"We didn't either but it just kind of happened." I say.

"Well I'm most certainly sure he feels the same." Robin says.

"I already know he does." I say watching Zoro stop to talk to Brook.

"Has he already stated it then?" Robin asks and I nod.

"Back on Spa Island." I say.

"I assume Congratulations are in order then. There'll probably be a party for you two." Robin says but I shake my head.

"Do you mind keeping it quiet Robin? I've got some things I want to get out of the way first before telling the others...plus I kind of want to see how long it'll take for someone else to figure it out." I say and Robin smirks.

"I understand, I'm also curious how long it'll take." Robin says and I smile at her.

"Can I assist you with watering the plants?" I ask having long ago spotted the watering can she was holding.

"That would be wonderful Kaede." Robin says and we start watering the flower beds.

"Hi Robin, Kaede. So, I don't suppose you have anything I could help you with, anything at all?" Brook asks walking over.

"Nothing in particular." Robin says.

"I see," Brook says looking depressed.

"Tell me Brook, what has you so troubled today?" Robin asks.

"Troubled?" Brook replies.

"It seems to me like you're afraid of something. Am I mistaken?" Robin asks.

"Yes, indeed, it is exactly as you say. I am troubled, I'm horribly afraid and uneasy. All those things. When Luffy first invited me to join his crew I was overjoyed, I couldn't believe it. Those words made me so happy and back on Thriller Bark when we defeated Oars together I felt such pride but now I wonder if it truly was alright for me to join. We're setting sail towards the New World, I have no doubt we'll encounter dangerous foes for which likes we've never seen. What would happen if it turned out that I couldn't be of any help to anyone, if I was only holding you back. I would feel obligated to leave the ship. I wouldn't deserve to be among this crew. I'd have no choice but to return to the way I was living before, alone year after year. An eternity of solitude surrounded by nothing but waves." Brook says.

"I see, I once felt the exact same way. I feared I wasn't good enough to be their friends or even a part of this crew. That's why I was willing to throw my life away trying to save them. I thought it was the one way I was worthy of their kindness, loyalty, and friendship." Robin says looking at the sky.

"Oh, Robin. I can't believe you would think something like that." Brook says.

"Well I did. Soon after I realized I made a mistake. Judging your worth through other's eyes isn't what friendship is about." Robin says.

"What do you mean by that?" Brook asks.

"Think about it. I'm sure you'll find the answer soon enough." Robin says starting to walk away and I pat Brook on the shoulder before following her. We put the watering cans we were using away before heading down to the kitchen for lunch.

>>>

I roll my shoulders as I walk onto the deck only to freeze when I spot a giant beetle steal the Elephant Tuna that Luffy, Usopp, and Brook caught. The beetle flies off again eating the fish and everyone starts freaking out as I suddenly feel a pair of eyes on us. Not noticing anyone in the close proximity I use a devil fruit to enhance my vision and I spot a little girl wearing a marine coat sitting on a wooden box with binoculars. She was on a nearby island and before I can focus on anything else I hear Sanji speak something confusing.

"That beetle just breathed fire." Sanji says and I turn to look at the beetle.

"Does that bastard plan on burning the Sunny?" Franky asks and I walk over to them.

"Luffy are you alright?" Chopper yells and I look up to see Luffy who has excitement lacing through his eyes.

"I've decided. I'm going to make him a member of our crew." Luffy yells and I shake my head at him.

"I don't think he'll agree to that Luffy." I yell up and Luffy stares at me.

"Why not? I'll get him to join. Now giant beetle..." Luffy turns back to the beetle who was charging at him and Luffy gets knocked off the beam he was standing on. Luffy stretches his arm and quickly grabbed a hold of the beetle. The beetle comes flying back towards the Sunny and the back of Usopp's shirt gets caught on the beetle's horn when it passes through. Usopp gets lifted up into the sky and I hear him scream help me. When the beetle comes flying around again Sanji and Zoro grab onto one of its legs.

"There they go on a beetle." I say as the beetle flies towards the island.

"They'll be back later." Nami says sitting down on a chair and I sit on a chair beside her before pulling out a book. I start reading it and don't pay attention to what everyone else was doing until a transponder snail's ringing could be heard.

"It's me. Nami you there?" Usopp asks.

"Yeah I'm here. What's up? Did you catch the beetle?" Nami asks and I mark my page in the book before setting it down beside me. I raise an eyebrow in confusion when I hear yelling in the background.

"Nah that's not... SHUT UP! Be quiet for a second, will you? I got it already. Well think you can come over here for a bit?" Usopp asks.

"Huh?" Nami says and I walk over to her.

"There's a village on the other side of the island." Usopp says.

"They really want to meet you. Kaede you should come too." Luffy yells in the background and I raise an eyebrow at that.

"Why should I come too? I'm not a Strawhat." I say.

"No but you're an East Blueian." Luffy says and I raise an eyebrow at his wording.

"Luffy you know I'm not actually from the East Blue. I already told you I'm from the New World." I say ignoring the surprised looks I'm getting from the people on the ship.

"Just shut up and come." Luffy yells before I snail hangs up.

"Why's it just you two?" Chopper asks.

"I think it has something to do with the East Blue." I say turning to look at Nami. "How are we going to get there?" I ask.

"We'll take the waver." Nami says and I raise an eyebrow since I hadn't thought they would have a waver. Nami heads below deck and I follow her to where the waver is located. We head over to the island and as we get closer Nami has to slow down due to all the rocks sticking out of the water.

"Ready and NAMI-SAMA." A mixture of voices say and I spot a group of four on a ledge near an opening in the cliff face. "Here we are. This way, this way." They call as they wave to us.

"What the?" Nami asks and I shrug.

"I got no clue." I say and Nami turns back to the group before pulling into the opening in the cliff. We climb out of the waver and I tie it to a nearby rock.