33:: Shinjutsu No Uta

:3

AN: oh shit im so sorry! Go back and read the end of chapter 32, now! I forgot a really important part and didn’t remember until 3:30 AM a few days after I posted it. Stop before you go on! I beg of you!

i drew the pic on the vid to the right. check out my dA if you haven't already.

~Rhythm~

“Well, I better get going,” I said, jumping gracefully atop the railing of the beaten Going Merry, “I got things to do and you gotta ship to fix up.”

“Wait what?! No you’re not!” Luffy said.

“Yeah, I am,” I fixed my fedora and pulled my bag higher up my shoulders, “Nice meeting you all! And thank you for everything!” I waved cheerily.

“As your captain I command you to stay on this ship!” Luffy yelled.

“Rhythm, don’t go!” Chopper cried.

“She’s not going so unpack your bags and sit down and have fun!” Luffy ordered. I jumped down.

“Luffy come here,” I reached out my hand to him and wiggled my fingers. He grabbed my hand and I pulled him over.

In a low voice, I told him everything. I told him how I caught a glimpse of Sabo and my leads on him. I kept it as simple as I could, since he is an idiot. When I was finished, he stood straight and pushed the brim of his hat down, a grin on his face.

“Do what you need to do,” he said.

“I’ll bring him back, I promise,” I bowed my head to my ex-captain.

“See you later, don’t die, okay?” his grin got bigger.

“Oh I won’t. I can’t be killed off like that. I need to go with a bang,” I grinned along with him, one side of my face fuller than the other.

“You are leaving? No!” Chopper cried and barreled into my legs, almost knocking me over. “Stay!”

“You can’t leave like that! I thought we finally had another female in the crew!” Nami pleaded. Or pretended too.

“Sorry, but like I said, I got things to do, people to see,” I un-peeled Chopper from my legs as he bawled into my arms. “Oi Luffy, do you still have it?” I questioned.

“Wha-? Oh yeah that! Uh huh, I’ve always had it,” he reached into the band of his hat and pulled out-

“Luffy! Where the hell did you get that aquamarine?” Nami wacked him, “You better not have stolen that from me!”

“No Nami! Rhythm gave this to me before she left years ago!” he stretched his hand out of her reach.

“Really?” she asked sarcastically.

“Yes Nami, leave him alone. I found that as a kid and gave it to him before I left. I thought he’d need it more than me,” I crossed my arms over my chest. I can’t see them, but the ruckus they were making, I could guess pretty accurately what they were doing.

She sighed, “Fine.”

“It’s my treasure,” I explained, “An aquamarine is what sailors believe a token for safe passage across stormy seas and at one point was thought to render soldiers invincible.”

“A good choice,” Robin nodded, “I probably would’ve used a moonstone, turquoise or a garnet.”

“It’s so pretty!” Chopper examined it.

“Oh I know gemstones like the back of my hand. I was once trained by an expert genealogist in the field of gemstones for their medical and spiritual properties-“

“You mean gemologist?” Sanji asked.

“Yeah, that. So we went on an adventure to find the biggest diamond in the world-“ Almost everyone tuned him out by then.

“Now Luffy, remember our deal. I want that back, but not until you become King of the Pirates, okay? Just like your hat with Shanks,” I grinned and jumped back up the railing.

“Good-bye Rhythm! Hope to see you soon!”

“Rhythm-dwono please stay safe <3 I love you!”

“Have fun, Rhythm-san.”

“Don’t die!”

“Whatever, don’ get yourself killed. I’m not saving you again.”

“No! Rhythm I’m going to miss you!”

“See ya~!”

“Oh shit, I almost forgot,” I sprung off the railing and ran straight to Zoro, crashing our lips together in a kiss. A couple gasps of surprise followed suite. Luffy whooped and Sanji bawled out, “Rhythm-dwono how could you?”

Zoro was stiff at first, and then he softened up and opened his mouth to mine. His robust arms pulled me closer to deepen the kiss. As soon as we clashed, we broke apart.

“Have fun and don’t die!” I jogged back to the railing without a second glance. “I just made out with your first mate,” I half whispered to Luffy as I passed him. He laughed and patted, no, slapped my back.

I jumped gracefully over the railing, landing perfectly on the sea bike (AN: need to think of a proper name for this coolio thing. Any ideas?). I fumbled a second, tying my fedora to the strip of cloth around my hips. I revved the engine, letting it rumble too life.

“Nami!” I yelled.

My crescent moon earring soared through the air, followed by a couple curses from her as I caught it and put it back on.

“Another thing you guys, take care of Luffy! I don’t want to hear about him getting blown up in a freak toaster accident!” I looked directly at Nami at that (I think).

I set off from there, letting the strong wind whip my hair back. The bandages around my eyes were loosening as the cold ocean spray lashed against my face and sprinkled my clothes. I felt the warm sun soak into my skin, cooled off by the cold spray. I whistled, checking my Log Pose to make sure I was heading the right way. I grinned and navigated the bike slightly.

I was off to my own adventure. I left the Straw Hats to finish my job, in finding Sabo. To go back to Loud Silence and take back my place as Vice, and to take down the World Government, little by little.

But for now, I’ll just stick with finding Sabo.

“Please teach me how to live a little more vulnerably than i do now won't you taint me just a little? That way, even if i get hurt and lose everything around me this song of truth will flow through my heart~”

 

~~

%Narrator%

Cheers and congratulations to Zoro followed suit after Rhythm left. Usopp wanted to try shipping the two, but was scolded, no scared by Zoro. He’d do it in secret. Robin would help him with it.

Later that day, they found a giant frog swimming freestyle. They chased after the poor thing, Luffy wanting to eat it.

One thing led to another and they were on the shores of Water 7.