This was starting to become irritating. Each week you got a letter of a transfer request from Garp's ship to Marine HQ. Garp had suggested filing a complaint, but when you pointed out who was in charge of that, he didn't offer that suggestion again.

Currently you were in your office fiddling with your guitar, working on those callouses that apparently you should have. You had just learned the different strings, and were messing around when a knock came to your door.

"Enter!" You placed the guitar down and smiled when you recognized Garp. "Hello Vice Admiral Garp."

Yoru cawed and started to fly around the old man before landing on his shoulder.

"Y/N-Chan I told you to just call my Grandpa when it's just us two."

"Yeah...I don't think that's ever gonna happen."

You started the hot water and began making his favorite green tea, and you even started to keep the rice crackers he loved in your office just in case he ever visited.

"What brings you by sir?"

"Can't I ever just have a social visit with my favorite Ghoul Doctor?"

You raised an eyebrow at him before handing him his tea and crackers.

"Haaa. Koby told you about SWORD correct?"

"He did."

"Did he tell you who the Captain of SWORD is?"

"It's not you?" You were genuinely confused! SWORD seemed like something Garp would come up with.

"Nyahahahaha! Not anymore. Not for a while."

Which meant at one point he was. It made you wonder if he was the original founder of SWORD.

"So who's the Captain?"

"You'll meet him here in a couple of weeks. But for now...what are you doing?"

He motioned to the guitar and you huffed you ran your nails through your scalp, and then shook your head.

"I am trying to teach myself guitar for Saphi's wedding. She wants me to write a song for her and her husband."

"Isn't her wedding in three months?" You nodded. "Gyahahaha good luck with that!"

"You're the third person to say that." You groaned and the old man kept laughing.

He was slapping his knee laughing his ass off at your misfortune, you simply glared at the man before someone came bursting into your infirmary. Your eyes widened in shock it was Admiral Ryokugyu, he seemed like he was in a good mood.

"I don't like this Y/N. He's giving off some serious weird vibes. Like he watched a kitten die and is happy about it."

"That's a strange thing to be happy about..."

"Yeah well I don't think he's all that normal."

Yoru cawed at the intruder and received a glare from the tall man.

"Ah, there you are Ghoulish girl. You're needed at the Seven Warlords meeting. Get dressed you have 5 minutes."

You went to changed while hearing Garp whisper 'I didn't hear anything about it,' but didn't bother to argue. You had to keep up the appearances and do as your told without argument. Most of the time. The only time you ever argued orders was when it had something to do with a medical emergency, or civilian safety.

You quickly changed and Yoru perched on your shoulder and you started to walk out. You didn't bother to ask where the Admiral had gone, you simply started your strides to HQ, and all the while wondering why you needed to be in the meeting.

"Dr. L/N Y/N, reporting for duty." You were announced and then let in. It seems that you were late cause there were things already being discussed.

The moment you walked in all the energies in the room, almost made you throw up. There was so much anger, greed and hate that it was making you physically sick. But you kept yourself standing your face void of all emotion.

Looking around the room you saw everyone and kept your shoulders squared as you stared at everyone under the brim of your hat. Donquixote Doflamingo, Trafalgar Law, Boa Hancock, Buggy the Clown, Hawk-Eye Mihawk, Bartholomew Kuma and Edward Weevil.

All three Admirals were there too, the only one that had offered a little relief was Fujitora. He'd become a sort of tea buddy of yours.

"The air in here is making me weak."

"Me too. You can rest in my hood if it'll make you feel better."

"Nice of you to finally join us filth! We've been made to wait for you." Boa Hancock spewed at you.

You gave a bow to her before walking to the only open seat which was right next to Trafalgar Law you inwardly grimaced but just sat down. He handed you a glass of water with a smirk on his face.

"Appreciate it." You said with a nod. Yoru shrank to the shape of a sparrow, and went into your hood.

"What is that? Mom! Mom! I want it make her give it to me!"

You didn't even notice the small old woman next to the gross Weevil, she was covered in gems and had a cane.

"Not gonna happen." You simply said. "He's my companion and off limits. I didn't even allow a Celestial Dragon have him."

You drank some water and now felt all eyes on you.

"I want him give him to me!" He yelled and started to stalk to you. You couldn't let yourself show fear even though it was all you could feel, before the tall man could continue he suddenly fell flat.

"Now now. Leave our Ghoul Dr. and her angel of death alone." Your brows raised as Fujitora spoke, and you connected the dots. "Let us start this meeting."

You felt a few pairs of eyes on you for the entire meeting. You offered no input merely listening to the arguing. The other one who remained silent was Trafalgar, who eyed your hood every once in a while, but said nothing to you.

Buggy on the other hand who was seated right across from you avoided your gaze altogether, you chuckled remembering what had happened the last time you'd seen him a year ago. Judging by the look on his face and the blush on his cheeks he was remembering that incident as well.

"Something you wish to add? Or fill us in on the joke?" Kizaru lazily cut it and you smirked.

"Just thinking about the ghost that was around when I visited an island a while back. I wonder if she's still looking for the one who killed her."

Buggy spewed put his drink all over the place receiving everyone's glare and you kept your smirk in place.

"Ahem...uh anyway I want to discuss my payment for gathering all those weapons that Germa 66 had left behind. I did give them to the Marines you know."

"Funny how you only seemed to grab the guns, but no bullets. I'm pretty sure that Germa 66 has more advanced weapons than that. I wonder where all those weapons went I wonder."

You stated nonchalantly and in your monotone voice. Suddenly all eyes were on the clown and a knowing smirk appeared on Doflamingo's face.

He seriously gives me the creeps.

He shut up, and looked at the floor now had sweat pouring down his forehead.

"That Mihawk, Doflamingo and Trafalgar are staring at you."

"It's cause your hiding in my hood. They're trying to catch a glimpse of you."

"uh-huh sure. It has nothing to do with the fact that your haki is coming off in playful mocking."

You shrugged your shoulders Yoru's caw came out in a laugh forcing you to keep a smirk off your face.

"Apologies. He doesn't do well in enclosed spaces."

Three hours later and you were mentally exhausted. You began to stand to leave when your name was called.

"Ghost witch you stay." Ryogukyu called out to you and had all the members stop as well. You sat back down and waited for him to tell you what he wanted. "You and Captain Koby are to put a team together and go to the Shadow islands. There are people stranded there, you both are known for your rescue success. You are to leave tomorrow."

Your heart sank into your stomach. The shadow islands were known for their treachery and danger. This was a suicide mission and you knew he hoped you would disappear and was willing to sacrifice men and women to do it.

"This explains my bad feeling. He wants you dead."

"Indeed he does, but I can't refuse this. I'm known to accept any and all missions that are asked of me."

"Understood. Has Captain Koby already been informed about this?"

"No not yet. Here is the information we have. Take it and ship out as soon as possible. Tonight if you can."

The underlying message was clear. Leave now and I hope you don't come back. You nodded and walked out. Only to walk into a hard smooth chest.

"Hello little one."

You rubbed your nose. What is with all the men around you having chests as hard as steel?

"Haha! Sorry is your nose bruised?"

Whoops I guess I said that out loud.

You looked up at the smooth deep voice and your eyes went wide. The World's Strongest Swordsmen was standing in front of you. You couldn't help your eyes nearly bulging out of your skull.

"Easy little one, I am not going to hurt you, your friend caught my attention. His aura is very closely connected to you, and yet he is own complete self. It is fascinating to be around." He went to stretch his hand out to Yoru, your friend surprised you by letting the tall man touch him. "Very interesting." He then looked at you. "What's his name?"

"Yoru."

He smiled again.

"I see. Well safe travels. I hope you return." Then he walked away.

Wierdo. And now I have to tell my boyfriend we're being sent to die!

On your way to the ship, you felt as though you were being watched. You tried to shake the feeling and take a little longer to get to the warship, but nothing you did made that presence leave you alone. You didn't want to risk Yoru tipping them off, but he made sure to memorize the aura. Once aboard you called for Koby.

He came into your office smiling and happy to see you, until he saw your face. Then he became stiff, rigid and frowned. His serious work mode face fully on.

"What happened?"

You went into full detail about everything that happened. By the time you were finished Koby just looked shocked and horrified.

"They're sending us to our deaths."

"Attempting to yes."

"And they said there are people there who need rescuing? But no one goes there...everyone knows better and avoids that charted way on purpose."

Again, you nodded your cranium for what felt like the thousandth time. He walked over and claimed your face in his hands, before bringing your foreheads together.

"What do we do?" You were anxious. Whoever went with you, you were basically asking them to die for you.

"We'll do it on a volunteer basis. If no one volunteers, we'll make Ryokugyu assign people. People can hate him."

"That's rather cunning of you Captain Koby."

"I learned from the best Notte."

You wrinkled your nose at his stupid nickname for you. He, gave his signature chuckle that always warmed your insides and made you smile. You leaned forward and placed a light kiss to his lips. His face was no longer serious for work, or his normal cheerful self. His eyes stayed on your lips and then, placed his hands on your hips, and pulled you closer. Lost in the kiss, you didn't notice or sense the person spying on you with contempt and hatred.

<2 Days Later>

"Have you made progress with your guitar playing missy?"

You rolled your eyes at your friend. She had been the first to volunteer, she said she wouldn't let you go there alone. And she could listen to you practice. 

"I know a few songs by heart. I am still trying to figure out what chords sound good together, so I am trying to figure out the lyrics and the music that'll fit it."

She chuckled and then grew somber. She looked out on the horizon and then frowned.

"Y/N-chan, why is the flower man trying to kill you?"

"Flower man?"

"That's right you've never seen his devil fruit in action yet. Yeah...I don't like him at all. And judging by how upset he gets whenever Akainu compliments you or asks how you are...yeah he looks like he's about to explode."

"I don't know. I am not overly fond of him either. But it's not my place to question him. As for why he wants me dead? Maybe he's in love with Akainu?"

"Hahahahahahaha! Ah? Hahahahahaha! Oh my goodness! That would be such a weird pairing!!"

Her laughter caused everyone to look at you both and give you weird looks. No one understood your friendship with the cheerful giantess. But she didn't care, one of the giants who tried to get with her before said something bad about you and she kicked his ass. By the time you had come to see your friend she was standing over him.

"I don't give a shit what you say about me! You DO NOT insult Dr. L/N in front of me! She is my friend, and someone I care about! Call her that unsightly name again, and next time I will crush your skull beneath my foot!"

Everyone went wide eyed, and you were one of them. Yoru had then allowed to let Saphi hear him and he flew around her thanking her. 

A sudden thump to the starboard side of the ship caused you all to fall over.

"What was that?"
"What hit us?"
"Oh god what is that?"

"Everyone don't panic!" Koby's voice rang out. "Get your lifelines on and prepare for a battle!"

But no one could do what they had been told, another bang on the opposite side happened. And then it felt as though you were being dragged everyone fell over.

"YORU! CHANGE YOUR SHAPE! DON'T LET ANYONE FALL OVERBOARD!"

Yoru wasted no time, and changed into a giant serpent and coiled himself around the deck to make sure everyone bumped into him instead of falling into the dark depth of the sea. The banging lasted for maybe 5 minutes but it felt like it had been an hour.

Luckily no one fell into the water, and Yoru shifted back into his raven form exhausted. 

"Yoru! You okay?" Koby was the first to go over to him, and gingerly picked him up, and allowed some of his own haki into Yoru to help him recover faster. When you went over to Koby he scanned your body and let out a relieved breath. 

"Captain Koby...you uh may want to see this."

He went over to where the young soldier had called him over to the front. He motioned for you to follow behind him, and you did Yoru was still cradled in his arms. When you arrived your heart sank...what awaited you was indeed something resembling death."

"Captain Koby! We need to get the island to make repairs! We're sinking!"

"Shit! I need 20 people down below to the oars and row! We cannot let this ship sink!"

Another 15 minutes and you were "safely" ashore.

"Y/N...we're not alone. There is something on this island with us."

"What is it? Pirates?"

"No. Whatever it is. It isn't human, it isn't of this world. And it knows we're here."

What is that saying? Bad things happen in 3's.

1st: being attacked by an unknown creature.

2nd: a massive hole in the ship that would need to be prepared, and who knew how long that would take.

3rd: you were faced with an unknown creature, that one knew you were there. And two, it was lying in wait and who knew what it would want.