Ch. 1
NOTE: As of 6/6/16 Chapters 1-5 are officially rewritten. Once I get done with 6 and 7, I will continue to regularly update. I had to scratch a plan I had in order for this story to emphasis the main point ― LuNa. I will also update one of the other stories soon, thanks for your guys support and patience :)
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"We have to go now!"
His voice got lost between the constant gunfire that never seemed to end.
"No …"
The sound of whizzing bullets became more and more apparent.
"Look! There's just no more time!"
The ground shook with such force that the structure began to crumble.
"No ... I told you I am staying here."
"And I am telling you, if you don't get the hell out of here, you will die!"
Another explosion shook the floor. This time scrap metal pierced through the entrance of the room.
"As much as I hate to say it ... he is right. We have to leave now."
"I can still make it better …"
"What part of 'it's over' do you not understand?"
"I …"
Before he could finish what he was saying, a fire consumed his vision.
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She opened her eyes with a steer. Her gaze remained on the blank ceiling above her. A smile crept to her cheeks, as she reminisced the events of the day before. She moved her covers to the side, getting out of bed to prepare for what lay ahead. Once she got dressed she went into her living room.
There was nothing special about it, other than a cluster of work related things. Papers, binders, and folders lay waste to the apartment, making the once plain room, into a disorganized jungle. She walked over her dirty workplace, unfazed and no longer acknowledging such a large obstruction in her daily life. After stepping over and moving countless stacks of paper, she reached her destination. A small oval glass table. Lying just in reach from it, a green antique couch. The couch remained unaltered by time, keeping the same complexion through the years. On top of the small table lay the remains of a small strawberry flavored cake. She smiled a wide grin at the memory of it.
Her sister came over, giving her unfettered affection. They sat there, the two of them celebrating the moment. "So where are your friends, Nami?" her icy blue haired sister would always say.
She responded the same way she always did, "who needs friends when you have money?" Her sister would always frown at this, though she knew this meant a lot to her, so she kept her mouth shut.
Nami took out the small melted candles that spelled out "C-O-N-G-R-A-T-S-!" One by one, she tossed the cheap decorations into the trash. When she finished she grabbed her purse, ready to go to her ludicrous and insanity filled cycle called work. Closing the door behind her, she stayed until she heard a click. She strolled down the hallway to the elevator, ready to embark on her daily journey. When Nami exited the elevator and out the front door, she inhaled the cold city breeze.
She felt great today. She had just gotten a promotion to lead manager at work, something that she had been working towards for quite sometime. She walked as though she owned the world. Though she couldn't help but sigh in her hurried pace. She worked so hard to get where she is today, and because of this, she didn't have many friends, nor did she have any time for a relationship for that matter. She stopped on one side of the street, standing in deaf silence with the other commuters of the day. Her head led her eyes upwards examining the light fog that cast a blanket over the bustling city.
When the light turned green, she hurried across the paved roads, crunching the fresh paved road under her high heels. She kept a smile on her face, I don't care. I don't need friends, all I need is money! Berry signs replaced her soft chocolate colored eyes.
The thought of money took a hold of her mind for quite awhile, until her eyes locked onto something, or rather someone. She kept walking, though she couldn't stop staring at the slumped over body leaning against the base of a massive granite building. Don't worry about it! You see homeless people all the time! Why do you care? her logical side thought. Though another side of her thought otherwise.
She halted in her tracks, taking a deep breath she turned back around. I guess doing something good wouldn't hurt, she figured. She walked over to the dirty figure, stopping far enough away where he could not reach her. "Hello?" she said. Nami couldn't tell if he was insane, or just a poor soul cast away by society.
Eyes still locked on the ground, the slumped over figure raised his right hand, placing it on top the torn and beaten object resting on his head. He tilted his head towards the source of the unsure voice. The destroyed strawhat no longer hide the fiery eyes the man possessed. His gaze bore into her. In that moment she felt uncomfortable, glancing away as she waited for what he would do next.
She saw into the very being who had seen turmoil far beyond anything she has ever faced. Deep in his stare, she felt the essence of a soul that waited at the front doorstep of death. Prying her eyes away from his story telling eyes, she examined the rest of his apparel. He wore a beaten red vest, jeans long worn and abused, and a sad delicate piece of handwork under his right hand. Why doesn't he have anything warmer? Is he crazy? she wondered.
Just as she finished looking over the dirty man, his eyes once foreseen and shaken, had turned into those of baby like innocence. A wide grin filled his features, revealing an unexpected well maintained set of teeth. He then released a care free chuckle, "Shishishishi!" His laughter lacked pain and sorrow, in fact it felt comforting and uplifting.
What does this man have to laugh about? His life is terrible! He has nothing! He has no money, no home, no car, no clothes, no anything! She frowned to herself. Though his laughter carried such a carefree tone that she couldn't help but join him. She wanted to ponder why he laughed, but found herself laughing along with him. When some time had passed, and she laughed to her heart's content, she came back to reality.
Sitting before her was a homeless man. She snapped out of her thoughts when the rugged man spoke. "My name is Luffy, what is your name?" The smile never disappeared, in fact it looked as though it had gotten wider.
Still amazed at this man's happy-go-lucky attitude, she once again pondered, He must crazy. He must be mentally ill, that's it! I mean he has nothing to smile about, but ... her thoughts ceased when Luffy waved at her.
Without even thinking, she took a step back. When she realized what she had done, she took a quick step forward. "Sorry …" she gazed away to the side, "I was just thinking about something," she responded.
The man tilted his head to the side, curious he begged the question, "what were you thinking about?"
She forced a slight smile, "oh it was nothing." Her eyes averted pass the man once more, towards the other buildings and people across the street.
"Oh" he said. Though he knew full well who she thought about. "Do you have something to ask? I mean not too many people talk to the homeless you know," his warm smile faded away, it turned dull and the luster in his eyes faded.
She shook her head, trying to put up a hand in defense, "I didn―"
"It's okay. You just went with what your head told you," he said. His complexion remained drained and lifeless. She didn't like the fact that she took away his smile, he seemed like such a happy person until she came along and ruined his day. Just then, she remembered why she approached the man in the first place. She moved the strap of her bag to the side. She unzipped the top of her orange colored purse, fumbling around the clustered thing until she found what she wanted. She took out her wallet, pulling out a small sum of money. She then took a step forward, her balled up fist in front of him.
His eyes widened like a dog getting a treat, and his comical grin reappeared. He stuck a greedy thin palm out. She released what she had in her hand. He snatched it up, just as quick as it fell. He brought it closer to his face examining the gift. He gasped, pulling his hat all the way up to see it all. He shot to his feet, "Thank you!" he said. He stretched his arms outward ready to engulf her.
She almost took a step back, but then she remembered what she had done earlier, so she held her ground. And just like that, she got enveloped in a very pungent scent. He smells terrible! she thought, but he just seems so happy. I don't want to hurt him again... The hug's duration was quite short, she didn't hug him back. He hadn't expected her to, he never did. When he made his gratitude well known, and well smelt for that matter, he took a step back, allowing her to regain her personal space. "I'm sorry. I'm just so happy!" he said.
She gazed at him, still in awe of his kid-like-attitude. Though a part of her spoke out that she didn't know, "Luffy, right?" he nodded with enthusiasm in response. "Can you make me a promise?" she felt pretty bad about what she wanted to request, "can you promise me that you won't spend all your money in one place?" He glanced at her with a puzzled frown, nonetheless she continued. "What I mean to say is. Can you promise me you won't spend that money on drugs?" She didn't know if her request was too much, so she stood there with an uneasy grin.
He couldn't help but start to laugh. "Shishishishishi! He laughed for awhile. Falling on his back, the homeless man's hands held onto his hurting stomach. The longer he laughed the more she got irritated. She felt bad for asking, regretting even talking to him. She couldn't help but argue that it would have been better if she just kept walking. Additionally, she couldn't help but think about something that a lot of people believe. Everybody is the same. They don't care about you, all they care about is how much money you have, and how much money you make. Before she could turn away and walk, he got back on his torn and worn out sandals. His hands still supported his sides. "I would never do that! I was just gonna go buy some meat!" he said.
She smiled back at him. "Thank you Luffy, that means a lot to me." She then pulled out her phone, just like everyone else did going to work. She began to put it away, until she noticed the time. Her eyes widened letting out a gasp. "I am going to be late!" she yelled. Nami started to turn her body to run. Though right before she crossed the street, she stopped herself. She turned back to the rugged looking man, "nice to meet you Luffy." Her lips formed into a small grin.
"It was nice to meet you too!" he replied. He grinned back at her with a much wider grin.
Maybe I should give to people more often ... nah! she thought, as she picked up her pace to work.
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It had been six weeks since she had last seen him. Every day going to work, she would scan her commuting area, trying to see if she could find the homeless man, but to no avail. There were many people that inhabited the streets of the gigantic metropolitan, but she couldn't help but wonder where he had gone.
Nami had just signed out of work today. She worked hard at her job, her coworkers both admired and despised her for her work ethic. By the time she had exited the her workplace, the moon established itself as the lone king of the night. Usually she would call up her sister Nojiko to pick her up, but she left on vacation, so she had no other choice but to walk back. Not a single taxi passed by, dim fading streetlights were her only company. She hated walking alone at night. She wouldn't mind it, though the darkness kept everything in the shadows. It was unpredictable to say the least.
Halfway to her apartment, she still could not shake that uneasy feeling. The cold night breeze stung her exposed skin, goosebumps forming across her body. She shivered to herself, wondering why the night had to be so damn cold. She continued down the uneasy silent blocks. It seemed as though there were was nothing living for miles. She walked until she came to a sparse intersection. She stopped for what felt like a millennium. She continued to feel restless and isolated. That is, until she heard a very raspy voice penetrate her ears.
"Hey baby! What are you doin' up this late? Are you lost? I can take you back to my place if you want!" he said.
At this she wrapped both of her hands on her purse. She crossed the street, not even bothering to wait for the eight-bit white man to signal for her to come. She increased her pace, her breathing started to become labored.
"Hey where are going baby?" he complained. She could hear him getting closer, at the same time she heard laughter and whistling from several different places.
Is there more of them? ... this is not good ... I have to get out of here now, she decided. She planned her next course of action. Before she could, she felt a strong hand grab a hold of her right arm.
''Sweet cheeks! Let me take you back to my place. It's close by," another said.
At this point she knew exactly what was about to happen. She brought up her free arm, socking the man holding her still in the middle of his ugly face. She broke into a sprint, leaving the group of men behind her in shock.
"Awwwaaaaahhhh fuck!" he yelled. He brought a hand up, touching the bloody and broken nose. "What are you standing around for? Get that bitch!" he said.
Snapping out of their shock, the rest of the men chased after her. She knew if she didn't get help, something very bad was going to happen to her. Adrenaline pumped through her veins, each step she ran faster and faster as the pressure in her head, chest, and legs felt like they were going to explode. Though try as she might, she could hear the raspy yells and hollers of her attackers growing closer and louder. Even though she ran as fast as she could, it just wouldn't cut it.
The yelling got to such a life threatening level, she couldn't even hear her own breathing. This is my last shot, at this point she didn't care about getting robbed, at this point she was protecting her body. Hearing them and there lustful threats, she did the only thing she could do. She took off her purse, chucking it back at them. The bag hit the closest one in the face, slowing him down. She jumped out of her high heels, and continued to run for her life. Chest heaving in great pain, she lost her strength in seconds, giving into fatigue. With such long hours at work and little sleep, she was running on her last will to survive.
At that moment she thought she could make it, but that thought quickly dissipated. She felt a strong tug at her ankle, causing her legs to give out from underneath her. The top half of her body continued to move forward, as she fell chin first on the concrete. She slide across the pavement, until she felt many eager arms grab her limbs. ''She was a bitch getting! This is gonna be a fun one, right boys?" one said. All the other men cheered between labored breaths, snickering all the while.
Owwwww my head hurts ... fun one ... wait? Are they going to― her eyes widened as she attempted to scream. Though somebody had a tight hold on her mouth squeezing her face as she screamed with what frenzied breath she had left. The pain became too unbearable to the point where she had to stop.
"I don't want the cops showing up. Let's take this bitch into the alleyway," one said. All them agreed, hauling her out the street, into a dark alleyway. When she got placed on the ground, she took immediate advantage. Ripping her wrist out of one of the men's grip, she punched the assailant holding her legs in the face. With both her arms and her legs free, she rushed to her feet, racing towards the street. When her hope soared thinking that she could get away from them, her hope got destroyed. Just then the burly man from before got in the entrance of the alleyway.
"Well, well, well. Sweet cheeks didn't want to come home with daddy, huh?" A devil like smile crossing his disgusting blood ridden face, "I guess we have to punish you," he implied.
When she lost all hope, and when she saw all the hands reaching for her, she closed her eyes shut.
There standing in the doorway was a homeless man.
Seeing a shadow appear in the alley, the large man turned around. "Get the fuck out of here before I kill you! You useless piece of shit!"
"Shishishishishi," he laughed. "Good one" a slight smirk crossing his face, "you see you can hurt me or you can kill me, but if you hurt my friend ..." he cracked his knuckles while squatting his knees, "I will make you pay," he stated with the utmost seriousness. His eyes lost visibility under the brim of the torn straw hat.
At this all the thugs laughed aloud, the burly man said, "you taking on all of us? Hahahahaha! Have you been smoking too much crack?" He threw his head back, oblivious to the quicksand they found themselves in.
They would know the error of their ways.
Within a second a fist connected with the man's jaw, breaking it with relative ease.
The rest of the men stood there shocked. Though one of them charged at him, screaming with a knife in his hand. The dirty man smirked at this, dodging the thrust without worry. When a long thrust passed him, he brought a heavy fist down on his wrist, shattering it on impact. As the man cried in pain, he brought his other fist up, connecting with his jugular.
He made quick work of the other men. For those that could still move, he made sure that they joined those that were unconscious.
Ten seconds passed, and she wondered why nobody assaulted her. She blinked open her eyes. Lying around her were all of the street thugs from before. She turned to her left only to find the same thing. She then turned to her right to be sure it was the same thing, but what she found caused her to jump back in disbelief.
"What are you doing here?" Nami asked.
"Here are your things," the homeless man gestured, giving her the high-heels and purse that she had left behind. As soon as she grabbed her things, he said, "I have to go now." He started to turn back outside the alleyway, when he heard somebody yelling at him.
"Wait! Luffy right?" she asked. She looked at the ground with uncertainty. "How can I repay you?"
He turned around looking at her for a brief fleeting second, "don't worry about it," he replied. He then turned around nearing the exit of the alleyway.
Her eyebrows furrowed, "wait!" she screamed once more. When he turned, her furious facial features remained. "I am paying you back whether you like it or not!" she gritted her teeth, "what do you want?"
He stood there for some time until he said, "a shower would be nice."
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AN: I hope you enjoyed! Did you like the strawberry cake reference? Straw as in strawhat, and berry as in beli. Good one right? No? Ok then…