Arrival at Kenonee Island

Avisa woke to the sound of a bird chirping outside the infirmary's window. It was a strange sound out in the middle of the ocean and usually meant land wasn't too far. She realized they had probably made more progress on the present current than was originally expected. Nami had mentioned it was a possibility if the wind direction changed a little overnight. As Avisa contemplated this, she turned over to see Sanji in his sleep next to her. She smiled as she watched him sleep peacefully. His mouth was open slightly and his hair was ruffled. She noticed both of his eyebrows were visible. They both curled in the same direction. She had seen the covered one before briefly, but it was a little strange to view them up close.

Her heart ached a bit as she watched Sanji. More than anything, she wanted to stay with the Straw Hats and go on adventures with them. She especially wanted to stay with Sanji. She had tried to push past the thought more than once lately but now her heart hurt so much she wanted to rip it to shreds so she wouldn't feel anything anymore. She knew her family needed her and that she still had to make sure her brothers were provided for. She had been the one building their business back up and paying for her older brother's medical training so he could become a doctor. If she left them now, she wasn't sure that they'd be okay. Her guilt at what she did to their dad too was part of it. She felt like she didn't deserve to live happily when she had been the cause of so much pain. She agreed with Sanji that she couldn't be responsible for Lord Dinero's choices, but she was still responsible for her own.

Just as Avisa wiped a stray tear from her eye, she felt Sanji take her hand in his. His eyebrows furrowed in concern as he asked, "What's wrong my love?"

Avisa smiled sadly. "We're almost to the island."

"That's good news, isn't it?"

"Sanji, I-" She paused as she looked at him through her tears. She tucked her head to his chest as she said, "Sanji, I'm scared."

Sanji held her and rubbed her back soothingly as he replied, "It's all going to be okay. It's best to take each moment at a time, okay?"

Avisa nodded and sniffled a bit before she said, "You know, I've always wondered, why did you feed me the first time you met me? You thought I was a guy and you still treated me kindly even when I tried to whack you over the head with a gun."

Sanji chuckled a bit. "That's true, isn't it? That feels like so long ago now." He looked down at her and said, "I just noticed you were hungry and hurt. I always feed the hungry even if they're my enemy. I think everyone should have the right to food."

She smiled at him a little as she said, "I was indeed hungry. I hadn't eaten in a few days because I was trying to stay low. I'm surprised you knew."

"I can always tell."

"How?"

Sanji sighed a little before he said, "I myself have had my fair share of starvation. When Luffy found me at the Baratie, I think he maybe asked me to join because he saw my compassion for the hungry." He grinned a little before he added, "And because he learned how good of a cook I was."

"That makes sense. I remember you guys talking about that a bit. Do you miss Zeff very much? It seems like he was like a father to you."

Sanji nodded. "Yes, I miss him."

"Do you-" Avisa hesitated as she looked at Sanji thoughtfully.

"Yes?" Sanji asked.

"What about your real family?"

His mouth twisted a bit in a grimace as she asked this.

Avisa quickly added, "I don't want to dig up old wounds if you'd rather leave them buried."

He smiled sadly as he said, "I don't think I ever had a real family. But I do miss my mother."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Avisa brushed some of the hair from his face before she added, "Just as people deserve food, they deserve love. To not receive it from family is about as great a wound as one can endure."

Sanji's eyes seemed to tear up a bit as he nodded and said, "I agree."

Avisa kissed him softly and put her forehead to his before she said, "You deserve love Sanji. Don't let anyone ever make you believe otherwise, alright?"

She felt him nod his head and discreetly wipe a tear from his eye.

They laid there for a moment in silence before he said, "I should probably go start on breakfast. We likely have a busy day ahead of us."

She nodded and shuffled into a sitting position as Sanji got out of bed. He was still naked from last night and she admired his muscular body. His back muscles curved down into his slim waist and, due to his lower body strength, his ass was toned and round. His legs were muscular and his thighs especially made Avisa drool a bit. Sanji started gathering his clothes and put a cigarette in his mouth before he noticed her out of the corner of his eye. "What? Is something wrong?"

Avisa smirked. "No, just admiring the view."

Sanji smiled and blushed. "Is that right?" He walked over to the bed and jumped back on before he grabbed her and pulled her down to start attacking her with kisses. Avisa squealed with delight just as they heard footsteps start coming down the hallway and she covered her mouth quickly. They heard a light knock on the door. Sanji sighed as he picked up his trousers again and put them on before opening the door.

"Nami-san! What can I do for you?"

Avisa watched as Nami pushed past him explaining, "I came to talk to Avisa actually. You know, the one who is actually supposed to sleep here?"

Nami froze for a second as she noticed the clothes littered across the floor and Avisa covering herself awkwardly with a blanket.

"Sorry, I didn't think-" She shook her head and said, "What I came here for was to tell you that we are a few hours off from Kenonee Island. The current ended up being a very lucky one. I guess fate is on our side."

"Oh, thank you Nami. That's good to know. Sorry about all this." Avisa blushed as she gestured to herself and the room.

Nami sighed. "No, that's on me. I should have known." As she was leaving the room she added, "Someone should tell Franky to make the walls on this ship more soundproof."

...

After breakfast, Avisa stood at the edge of the deck as the Sunny approached Kenonee Island. She could feel her heart starting to thump more rapidly the closer they got. The island had nothing truly distinctive about it except its numerous farms and a tall mountain that was visible from almost any point. The mountain's peak was almost completely flat and gave the appearance of a very large table. Some legends said that if you stayed on the top too long, you started to gain visions from another realm. Of course, when she was younger, she wanted to try to figure out if this was true, and her grandmother explained that the legend was likely due to a type of hallucinogenic plant that thrived there and released spores that would make one go mad over time. It was one of Avisa's favourite plants though because it reminded her of the times when her dad would tell her stories of the mountain. Though they weren't true, she loved to imagine what kind of mysterious worlds or realms may exist beyond this one and how they might affect people in magical ways.

"We're almost there. Do you have everything you need?" Sanji wrapped his arm around her and kissed her head.

"I think so. I have all of you at least, and I think I need the Straw Hats more than anything right now."

...

When they arrived at the side of the island that was least observed, it was quiet except for the calls of birds in the nearby trees and the sound of waves as they softly crashed against the beach.

She watched as the rest of the crew decided who would stay with the ship and who would go. Franky, Ussop, and Nami decided to stay while the rest of the crew determined to go with Avisa to her family home and make sure they were safe.

Now that she was here, Avisa felt a calm determination to get to her home quickly and face whatever was ahead. She no longer felt helpless. She felt protective and impatient.

"That's a weird looking mountain." Luffy scratched his head a bit in confusion as he stared up at the flat mountain towering over the island.

"It's called Lamesa Mountain. I wouldn't go exploring there if I were you. It's a strange place with a lot of dangerous plants and animals. Just follow close behind me and go only where I tell you, okay?"

She heard Zoro scoff as he crossed his arms. "Asking Luffy to follow you and listen is like asking a Zebra to lose its stripes."

Sanji rolled his eyes. "You're one to talk, moss-head. When was the last time you ever followed and listened to directions?"

Avisa sighed and said, "Guys, as much as I find this highly entertaining, we should probably get walking to my family's farm before sundown. I don't want to have to deal with leopards or any other predators in the dark. Plus, the sooner we get to them the better chance there is that we beat Lord Dinero and his men there."

"Leopards?!" Chopper looked at her shocked and he hid behind Robin's legs in fear.

"Don't worry Chopper, I know how to deal with them just fine. I'd just rather not have to." Avisa patted his head comfortingly before she started to walk into the jungle. "Now, are you guys coming?"