❝ 𝖠𝖭𝖣 𝖸𝖮𝖴'𝖱𝖤 𝖦𝖮𝖭𝖭𝖠 𝖩𝖮𝖨𝖭 𝖬𝖸 𝖢𝖱𝖤𝖶! ❞
𓍼ོ˖ ⸝⸝  𝖾𝗉𝗂𝗌𝗈𝖽𝖾 𝗈𝗇𝖾   ⋮   𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗈𝗇𝖾 ༝༚༝༚
𓏲⋆ ִֶָ ๋𓂃 ⋆ 𝟢𝟢𝟣．   𝚃𝙸𝙳𝙴𝚂 𝙾𝙵 𝙵𝙰𝚃𝙴 ༉‧₊˚.
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖ 𝗼 𝗻 𝗲 𝗽 𝗶 𝗲 𝗰 𝗲 𓇢𓆸 .ᐟ
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THE CLANG OF MUGS AGAINST MUGS echoed across the bar, blending with the low rumble of conversation and the occasional burst of hearty laughter. Chairs scraped against the worn wooden floor, and a Marine's gruff shout punctuated the din, yet another hapless soul was unceremoniously thrown out of the building. A sharp hiss of afternoon heat drifted through the half-open doors, mingling with the stale aroma of spilled ale and brine.

Raina stood at the edge of the bar, tray in hand, balancing a plate of still-steaming boiled eggs. She could feel the humid air pressing against her skin, making the white linen shirt she wore cling to her body. The sleeves were rolled up to her elbows--high-waisted, dark-brown trousers were neatly tucked into battered leather boots, scuffed from years of use. A thin head wrap, deep red in color, rested loosely around her forehead, allowing most of her sandy-brown curls to cascade down past her shoulders in an untamed wave.

Her eyes, a warm shade of light brown, scanned the familiar bar, a mix of pent-up energy and deep-rooted frustration--I'm so tired of this place... The delicate freckles scattered across her nose seemed to shift as she pursed her lips in annoyance.

Behind her, the bar's kitchen door swung open with a creak, revealing River--the woman who had taken in Raina ten years ago. The older woman wiped her hands on an apron dusted with flower, shuffled closer, then planted a quick and affectionate kiss on Raina's cheek. Her other hand gave Raina's face a little pinch.

"Now, Rain, don't you go scowling all day," she teased, tapping Raina's tray. "Seems like these are on high demand today. That's the fifth order."

Raina managed a small smile in response, though the spark in her eyes remained muted. She steadied the tray, trying not to spill any food today. Really don't want to do this anymore... she thought, exhaling softly. I should be out there, searching for him.

A slight pang of guilt tightened her chest as she glanced at the bustling bar, all too aware of the family who'd saved her from that crate so long ago. They'd been good to her, given her a place to sleep, put food on her plate, managed to tame her slightly wild tomboy-ish nature, treated her like a daughter before they had their own. And yet... the longing was too strong to ignore. Her father was out there--he has to be, she reassured herself, pressing her freehand against the shell necklace draped around her neck.

Just as she was about to make her way across the floor, a coworker sidled up beside her, eyes scanning the tray. "That needs to go to that table," he said, jerking his chin toward the front of the bar.

Raina's gaze followed at his nod. At first, she only saw the back of a lanky kid hunched over the table, slurping up remnants of whatever meal he'd devoured. But it wasn't his awkward posture or the way he seemed to inhale his food that caused her to pause. It was the straw hat perched at a slight angle atop his head--a wide-brimmed hat that looked unmistakably worn-in, with a red ribbon band circling the base.

Her grip on the tray tightened, knuckles blanching momentarily. It... that can't be... Shifting her weight from one foot to the other, she could practically feel her pulse thudding in her throat. She swallowed hard, the memory flooding back with sudden, disorienting clarity.

She was eight years old again, standing on the docks of Luffy's hometown, watching her father--Red Haired Shanks--gingerly place the same straw hat onto the boy's head. A boy who she'd eaten a Devil Fruit with, who grinned wider than anyone she'd ever met, who clung to impossible dreams.

      That's my dad's hat... she thought, heart pounding.

Her coworker nudged her gently, reminding her that he was still standing there. "Uh, Rain? You alright?"

"Y-yeah," she mumbled, clearing her throat. She forced her legs to move, boots echoing against the floorboards. With each step, she tried to steady her heart. It had been ten years. Will he even remember me?

A sharp inhale escaped her, and a flood of memories rushed back. The days of roughhousing with Luffy, the carefree adventures they'd had as kids. She hadn't seen him in years... Could it really be him?

      Raina was deep in sleep, her small body curled up beneath the floorboards of Luffy's makeshift home. Her breathing was steady, her lips slightly parted as she dreamed. Her wild curls, thick and tangled, sprawled out around her head, sticking out in every direction. She snuck out again, away from the kind family her father, Shanks, had entrusted her with. No matter how many times they tried to stop her, she always found her way pack to Luffy, slipping past doors like she was born to be free. The two of them had a habit of hiding under the floorboards, where they could avoid the adults and pretend they were on their own adventure. Beneath the wooden planks, the world seemed quieter, smaller, as if it only belonged to them.

Drip.

A cold drop of water splattered onto Raina's cheek. She scrunched her nose in her sleep, her face twisting in mild annoyance as another drop followed, then another. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open, her vision blurry with sleep. She wiped her cheek, groaning softly. The faint light from the walls and cracks was enough to make her squint as she stretched her limbs, her body still heavy with sleep. She looked to her left and saw Luffy's back pressed against hers, hid body curled into a tight ball, snoring lightly.

Raina stared at him for a moment, then made a gagging noise, dramatically scrunching her face in disgust. She shoved at his shoulder with more force than necessary, rolling him off his side.

"Gross," she muttered, wrinkling her nose in disgust. "You're drooling again, Luffy!" Her voice was hushed, but the annoyance was clear. She sat up, scratching at her head, making her curls even wilder as they puffed around her face.

Luffy yawned loudly, smacking his lips together before rolling back over, his face buried in his arm. "Lemme sleep..."

Raina rolled her eyes as she stretched her arms above her head. She hopped to her feet, ignoring the cool, dampness of the floorboards beneath her bare feet. She was still in yesterday's clothes--a loose, baggy shirt that hung off one shoulder, revealing her small, bony collarbone. Her pants were too short for her legs, frayed at the edges and splattered with dirt. She kicked at Luffy's leg with her foot, blinking down at Luffy. Her eyes landed on the makeshift calendar he'd drawn on a piece of old parchment, using a rock to scrape the days into it. Her gaze sharpened, her heart skipping a beat as she saw today's date with a makeshift drawing of a ship circled.

Her dad was coming back today.

"Luffy, Luffy! Wake up!" She squealed, kneeling down to push at him again, this time more excitedly. She ran over to the wall, her heart racing as her eyes scanned it again. "Dad's coming back today!" Raina jumped in place, spinning around to face Luffy. Her eyes were wide, glowing with excitement. "L-Luffy? Luffy, did you hear me!? My dad is coming back!"

Luffy groaned, rolling onto his back now, his eyes still closed as if he could will her voice away with sheer willpower. "Rain, stop pushing me!" But Raina was too excited to care. She ran over to him, practically bouncing in place as she gave him another hard shrug and a punch against his shoulder.

"Get up, get up, get up!" Her voice was shrill, her words tumbling over one another as she jabbered on. "We have to get to the docks--he'll be there! Come on, we have to--"

Luffy finally opened his eyes, his brow furrowed in annoyance as he sat up sluggishly. "You're so loud," he muttered, rubbing at his eyes.

And with one final push, she sent Luffy rolling onto his back. He let out a yelp, but Raina was already up, scrambling towards the ladder that led to the wooden trapdoor above them. She barely heard Luffy's sleepy protests as she gripped the wooden rungs, her bare feet slipping slightly on the surface due to her uncontained excitement. "Come on!" She called down. She reached for the door, pushing it up just enough to peek through the cracks. Daylight was streaming in now, the warm glow of the early morning creeping over the horizon. She could hear the voices of the villagers, the sound of waves crashing against the docks, and the faint calls of seagulls overhead.

Luffy groaned again, louder this time, but he begrudgingly got to his feet. He shuffled over to the ladder, yawning as he followed her up. "Wait for me," he mumbled, his voice still thick with sleep.

Together, they pushed the trapdoor open, the bright lightly momentarily blinding them. They blinked in unison, looking both ways to make sure no one had spotted them. Luffy was quicker, shoving the door up the rest of the way and hopping out with ease. Raina followed suit, her curls bouncing as she hit the ground beside him.

The morning air was fresh and crisp, the smell of the sea filling their lungs as they looked around. The docks were already bustling with activity. Pirates were unloading crates and chests, and the villagers were huddled nearby, watching in awe as the massive ship swayed gently in the harbor.

"There it is!" Raina pointed eagerly, her voice low but excited. She tugged at Luffy's arm, pulling him toward the ship. "C'mon, let's sneak on board and surprise him!"

Luffy grinned, his tiredness forgotten as the idea of sneaking onto Shanks' ship sparked his energy. The two of them darted down the dock, their feet padding softly against the wooden planks. They giggled and shoved at each other, their excitement bubbling over as they got closer to the ship.

Raina's eyes sparkled with mischief, her wild curls bouncing with each step. She was much faster than Luffy, her legs carrying her toward the gangplank, her bare feet silent against the wood. She looked back, her grin wide, motioning for him to follow her.

"Come on, slowpoke!" She whispered loudly, her heart racing as she reached the edge of the ship. Her hands gripped the rope ladder tightly, her small fingers digging into the rough texture as she began to climb.

Luffy huffed behind her, clearly trying to keep up but falling slightly behind. "I'm coming, I'm coming!" He whispered back, his voice full of anticipation. As the two snuck aboard Shanks' ship, Raina crouched low behind one of the thick wooden pillars, her knees digging into the rough deck.

The salty sea air mixed with the smell of fish and wood tar, making her scrunch her nose for a moment. Luffy was just a few feet away, hiding behind a couple of crates, his wide eyes peeking over the edge. They both had matching grins on their faces, that kind of grin that only kids who were up to no good wore. Raina's heart pounded in her little chest as she peeked around the pillar, her wild curls falling into her face, and she impatiently shoved them back, annoyed with how they always got in the way.

Roux, who Raina instantly recognized, was carrying a heavy pile of crates and other loot, his beefy arms straining as he trudged across the deck. Raina's light brown eyes caught the glint of a small treasure box perched precariously on top of the pile. Shanks turned to him, his signature straw hat covering the top of his red hair, and with a casual wave of his hand, he plucked the treasure box off the stack.

"Easy with this, Roux," Shanks said with a grin, examining the small box. "It's worth more than the rest of the loot put together."

"Aye, Captain." Roux nodded, continuing to walk away.

Shanks chuckled as he turned, heading towards his quarters. "Pretend it's a leg of lamb," he added over his shoulder. "You wouldn't drop that."

The crew burst into hearty laughter, the deep rumbling sound carrying across the deck. Raina clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle her own giggles, her shoulders shaking as she tried to keep quiet. Luffy, however, didn't care about hiding anymore. He popped out from his spot, clearly too excited and happy to stay hidden any longer.

Raina's eyes widened slightly as she shot her hand out, trying to grab the back of his shirt and pull him back. "Luffy, no!" she hissed, but it was too late. In her haste, she lost her balance, her foot slipping on the deck, and she landed with an ungraceful 'oof' as her butt hit the floor hard. She winced, rubbing at her hip before glaring at Luffy, who was already rolling a barrel across the deck like he was part of the crew.

"Dumb dumb," Raina muttered under her breath, glancing down at her dirty hands. She wiped them on her already filthy pants before noticing a shadow fall over her. She slowly looked up, her breath catching in her throat as she saw the familiar pair of boots in front of her. And then, before she could react, a large hand pinched the back of her shirt and lifted her clean off the ground.

Raina let out a surprised yelp, her legs kicking as she dangled in the air, her arms flailing for balance. "Hey! Put me down!" She twisted around, her wild curls swinging, almost punching whoever it was in the face as she swayed mid-air.

Shanks laughed, a deep belly laugh that only made her squirm more as he dipped her swing dramatically before finally setting her down in front of him.

"There's my little troublemaker," he said, pulling her into a tight hug. His large, calloused hand ruffled the top of her head, making her curls even more unruly. "I was wondering when you'd come see me."

The closer Raina got to the boy with the straw hat, the louder her heart pounded in her ears, drowning out the noises in the bar. Every step felt heavier, like her boots were sinking into the wooden floor. Her mind raced, memories flooding back in vivid bursts.

Luffy.

Luffy.

Luffy.

The name echoed in her mind, triggering a flood of memories. Ten years. Ten long years since she'd last seen him. The boy she used to beat in every fight, the boy she had eaten the Devil Fruit with, the boy she had called her best friend... The boy who was determined to become the Pirate King and find the One Piece.

Her hands gripped the tray tighter as she weaved between the tables. Her legs felt like they were moving on their own accord, carrying her toward him, unable to stop even if she wanted to. She had to see, needed to confirm that it was really him.

And then she was there.

Raina's breath hitched as she reached the table. Luffy seemed oblivious to the world around him as he was enthusiastically licking his plate clean, completely absorbed in the last of his meal. A lanky boy with glasses sat on the side of him, glancing up at Raina with an apologetic look as if he knew the scene Luffy was causing. "I-I'm sorry about my friend," the boy muttered, adjusting his glasses awkwardly.

Raina didn't respond immediately, her chest tightening as her eyes locked on the straw hat. That hat she was used to seeing atop her father's head. Her hand moved to place itself against her hip, fingers twitching, the other hand gripping the edge of the tray. 

The nervous boy's voice broke through her haze. "... uh, Miss?"

She blinked, shaking herself back to the present. "It's fine," she muttered, placing the now-empty tray down. She stepped a bit closer, her other hand coming down sharply on the table.

      Smack!

The table jolted slightly, the force causing a glass of water to wobble precariously near the edge. The boy with the straw hat paused mid-lick, his place still obscuring his face. Slowly, comically, he lowered the plate and looked up.

His eyes met hers, and for a moment, the room seemed to hold its breath.

Raina's breath hitched as she took in the unmistakable scar underneath his left eye, the wide grin forming on his lips. Before she could stop herself, her fist shot out, landing squarely on his shoulder with a satisfying thump.

"Gum-head," she said, her voice low by steady, though her lips curled into a full grin. "I never thought I'd see you again."

Luffy's eyes widened, his face lighting up like the sunrise over the open sea. He looked her up and down, taking in the curls, the shell necklace around her neck--her eyes. Recognition dawned like a crashing wave, and suddenly he was on his feet, laughing with pure, unfiltered joy.

"Raina!" he exclaimed, his voice booming with unbridled excitement. His grin stretched impossibly wide as he reached out, grasping her arms like he needed to make sure she wasn't a figment of his imagination. "It is you! I can't believe it, it's like it's fate!"

Raina snorted, shaking her head and she crossed her arms over her chest. "What are you doing here--please don't ever say that again."

The bespectacled boy--clearly overwhelmed--looked between them, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Uh, excuse me, but... how you two know each other?"

Luffy ignored him completely, his focus entirely on Raina. "I'm here to find a crew!" he said, his voice loud and proud as he sat back down. "And the map to the One Piece."

Raina's eyebrows shot up at his outburst, her eyes darting briefly to the Marines scattered around the bar. They were already watching Luffy with suspicious eyes, one of them muttering something to the other as they sipped their ale. Raina grabbed his ear, pulling him closer to her.

"And you thought you'd just casually mention that here, with Marines everywhere," she hissed, leaning in to whisper slightly. She looked towards the Marines again, sending them a faux polite smile. Her tone was sharp, as if she were scolding a child. "You're gonna get yourself arrested--or worse--before you even get started."

Luffy's grin didn't falter. He simply shrugged, rubbing the back of his head when she released his ear. "Doesn't matter. I can take 'em."

She rolled her eyes, her hand briefly brushing against the shell necklace around her neck. "Idiot..." she muttered, though there was a warmth in her voice now.

As if he suddenly remembered he wasn't alone, he looked towards the pink haired boy that was staring up at them. "Koby, this is Raina! She's my best friend from when I was kid."

"Best friend's a bit of a stretch, don't you think--"

"Oh! You've got to join my crew, Raina!" Luffy interrupted her, shaking her shoulders again.

She stared at him, her amusement giving way to something closer to surprise. "You don't even have a crew."

"Not yet, but I will," he removed his hands from her shoulders, using his finger to wag in her face. "And you're gonna be part of it."

Raina shook her head at Luffy's words, turning away on her heel, muttering something under her breath. A smirk played on her lips once her back was facing the table, unable to fight the giddiness she felt inside. Luffy watched as she walked away, a grin plastered on his face.

As she made her way toward the bar, her steps came to an abrupt halt when the door pushed open. She glanced over her shoulder just in time to see the newcomer--a tall, muscular man with spiky green hair and three swords strapped to his hip. Three swords? Seriously? she thought, raising a delicate brow. Bit on the nose, don't you think?

His presence commanded attention, though Raina doubted he wanted it. He moved with a deliberate, unbothered stride, boots heavy against the floor. His broad shoulders were squared, his posture rigid, and his expression was sharp and unapproachable. A worn, dusty bag dangled from his hand, and when he dropped it onto the bar with a dull thud, the shape within wasn't hard to decipher. She didn't even need to see inside to know what it was.

Welp, my appetite is ruined.

Raina blinked slowly, busying herself with collecting the mugs from an empty table. Her attention shifted as she saw the familiar body of Rika--her surrogate sister--approach the man with an innocent smile and a balanced plate carefully in her small hands.

The green-haired man looked down at the plate with an unreadable expression. "What's this?" His voice was low, Raina found herself inching closer to try and get better hearing.

"Rice balls!" Rika chirped, pushing out the plate in her hands towards him. "For you!"

The man inspected the rice balls, tilting his head low slightly. "Made them yourself?"

"Mhm," Rika said, nodding her head eagerly.

Raina slowly found herself walking closer, stuttering in step when the green-haired man looked away from Rika to look over at her. "What's the brown stuff?"

The corners of her lips tugged upward into a small smirk as she watched Rika's bright, confident expression. "It's chocolate," Rika announced proudly. "It makes everything taste better."

Raina couldn't stop the snort that escaped her, the sound drew Rika's attention. She looked to her surrogate sister and smiled brightly. Before the man responded back, however, Raina heard Rika's mother, River, call out to her daughter. Rika turned at the sound of her name, her small frame colliding with someone behind her. Raina's smile slowly faded from her lips the moment she saw who it was.

Helmeppo.

The blonde brat with the awkward haircut had walked in the place like he owned it--because, in his mind, he probably did. Marine Captain Morgan's son, and an arrogant little weasel who took full advantage of his father's authority. Raina's blood boiled just seeing him, and the moment he looked down at Rika.

"You stupid, stupid girl!" His voice rang out, sharp and cruel. His lips pulled back into a sniveling sneer as he looked at her, his face twisting in exaggerated disgust, as if the little girl had just ruined his entire existence.

Raina quickened her steps, making her way next to Rika and shielding the young girl from Helmeppo's gaze. Her grip on Rika tightened, her fingers curled protectively around the small girl's shoulder as Helmeppo's polished boot ground the chocolate rice ball into the floorboards with a squelching crunch. Her jaw clenched, her light brown eyes narrowing as they locked onto his smug face.

He was loving this--this little display of power in front of everyone. His sharp, condescending tone grated against her ears as he continued to berate her little sister, his words like knives cutting into the sweet moment Rika had tried to create.

"Why don't you watch where you're going," Helmeppo sneered, his voice dripping with venom.

From behind the bar, River called out, her voice firm. "Rika, apologize to our guest."

Raina's lips parted, the rebuttal already forming on her tongue. Apologize? To this asshole? Her stomach twisted at the thought, every fiber of her being screaming to stand up for her sister. But she knew better. The Marines weren't just customers--they were the kind of guests who could destroy everything if provoked. She bit down on her tongue, her jaw aching as she forced herself to swallow her words.

Rika stammered softly, pressing her side against Raina's hip as she looked up at Helmeppo. "I-I'm sorry..."

Helmeppo's lips turned downward as he mocked Rika's stutter, "I-I'm s-sorry..." He leaned downward slightly, his voice high-pitched and exaggerated. "Next time, I won't be so nice."

Raina's nails dug into her palm, her free hand tightening into a fist at her side. Her jaw clenched as she fought the urge to punch that smug grin off his face. But she held herself back, biting down on the inside of her cheek hard enough to taste blood.

Helmeppo's gaze flicked to her as he stood up straight, the sneer on his face morphed into a creepy smile. His eyes raked over her, his posture shifting as he leaned closer. "I think you should be the one to make it up to me."

She tensed, her body rigid as she prepared to slap his hand away--consequences be damned.

"You dropped my food."

❪ ✎ᝰ ❫ 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗦 ：𝟦𝟣𝟪𝟣.

📌 𝓜 𝘚𝘗𝘌𝘈𝘒𝘚 ᝰ.ᐟ
Thank you for checking out this story,
so sorry it took like months for me to get
the first chapter out, but yk that's life 😭
I'm in the midst of making chapter 2
rn, so it's not gonna be as long as this
one was i promiseeee 🫶🏽