Makino sighed as she dried some glasses, and placed them back on the shelf where they belong. It was so quiet at the moment, and not much going on. It was so much better when they were still here. Back then there was Shanks and his crew, and even after they had left there was Luffy, Ace and even Sabo, Makino often saw herself as a mother figure to them or at least an older sister.

Makino felt a wave of sadness hit her; both Sabo and Ace were dead now. Tears started to stream down her face, and Luffy, how was Luffy coping. She saw a news article of Luffy shortly after Ace's death; it made her happy to know that Luffy was alive, but surely he couldn't' be over his brother's death, was he still suffering? What was he doing now?

It was believed that since the Straw Hat crew hadn't shown up for 2 years that they were dead, but then in the papers just a month ago it confirmed that they were alive, though there wasn't much else said.

Makino wished more than anything to see Luffy, to talk to him, and to meet his crew. Makino looked over at the wanted posters tacked to the wall to her right. They seemed like interesting friends, though Makino still couldn't quite picture Luffy as a captain. When she saw Luffy he was always following Shanks, or Ace around, and he just seemed so innocent. Was he still innocent or have all that has happened with the death of Ace changed that?

A fresh set of tears began to flow, 'oh Luffy,' she said softly.

"Makino?" came as calm questioning voice from behind her.

Turning around she saw it was the mayor. "I miss them, I miss Shanks, and Luffy," she told him.

The leader of the village looked at her with knowing eyes. "One day Makino, we will see them again." "Even if they are a bunch of no good pirates" he added with a joking smile.

Makino returned the smile, "Do you really think so," she replied wiping way the tears.

"I'm sure of it Makino," with that he turned to leave.

"Thanks, Mayor."