Sorry It's been so long since I've posted. School has started again and with AP World this year I've given up hope of having any more free time. My stress level is through the roof and I have been reading so many textbook pages I can't read anymore without seeing the words "Civilization" and "Agriculture".

If you haven't seen from some of the earlier chapters I'm attempting to edit my story so some minor things have changed here and there.

Lightsbane1905: Lol, classic Sanji

grace-adalyn: Thank you so much! It really makes my day to know that my character is coming out right, and I'm so happy you like my writing.

6BlueSweaters: I'm glad you like Fae, and about your thought it might be closer to my plans for Fae than you'd think ;).

princess-snow510: Thank you for your review!

FIREmizuchi: I'm so glad you do. Thank you for your review!

Kaiya Azure: I hope this chapter answers your question, and thank you for reviewing.

mk0008: Yup, that's Sanji alright.

Adelaide's Anagram: Once again thank you so much for your review! I'm really glad the relationships I've been writing into the story haven't been to sparse and unreasonable, and I appreciate that you take the time to tell me that. Also thank you for pointing out that awkward wording in last chapter, I went back and reread it and you're right it doesn't make sense. I have pretty bad grammar and I do tend to make mistakes like that, so thank you for pointing it out so I can fix it. About Minerva, I'm not really sure if she'll ever show up in the One piece world, I was definitely planning on doing some scenes back with Fable's family and friends, so Minerva will at least show up in the story again. It is a possibility though that she'll make it into One Piece, but if she does it won't be for a while.

Thank you everyone for reviewing, I love hearing all your feedback and please if you see mistakes please point them out to me so I can fix them. I won't get offended, trust me you're doing me a big favor.

POV Fae

I stood there a little dumbstruck taking in the scene. Sanji was here and I felt like slapping myself for forgetting that this was the scene when Sanji had fed Gin.

"Ooo Fae watcha doing here?"

I glanced up, and was greeted to the sight of Luffy waving from a railing on top.

"Uh Hey Luffy, sorry I just came here to…."

"Oh heavenly Godess!" A cry rang out before I could finish my explanation. I looked up in alarm just in time to witness Sanji turn into a whirlwind of fast moving legs and heart filled eyes. I barely supressed a shiver down my back at the frightingly inhuman sight.

"I have been blessed out here in the vast emptiness of the blue seas to set eyes on you." He knelt down on one knee and grabbed my hand nearly throwing my precarious stack of bandages of balance.

"Could someone as fair as you grace me with the knowledge of your name."

I blushed a little, even if there was so much ridiculousness in Sanji's statement, I'd never been flirted with so openly before.

"Um.. Fable Sun, but just call me Fae." I stuttered out still in shock.

"Ah what a beautiful name for a beautiful woman." Sanji lightly kissed the top of my hand, and my uncomfortableness level raised a bit further.

"Yeah, Uh nice to meet you.." I squirmed around eyes darting around. Trust me as a friend of Minerva I was used to seeing guys chase girls with insincere pick up lines, that made me gag. I was just unused to pickup lines being used on me.

I made eye contact with Gin, who already looked a lot better after one meal, my eyes darted to his visible bruises. Mind shifting from flustered teenager to mothering mode, I went into action.

"Excuse me Sanji-san." I spoke curtly and pulled my hand free gently, before turning and crouching before Gin.

"Of course my lovely fairy, I will wait for you forever." This time I didn't blush, but I gave Sanji a small smile.

Focus back on the pirate, I ignored the injured man's stunned look and scanned his body. Placing down the bandages and medical supplies beside me I selected what I needed.

"Fair warning, I'm going to tend to your wounds." I spoke firmly prepared to shoot down any rejections as I already reached forward to an injured spot.

Unlike Zoro, Gin was surprisingly quiet which I credited it to him already swallowing his pride after accepting Sanji's food. He was decorated with scary looking bruises that turned his dark skin shades of purples and sickly blue. There were obvious bleeding wounds which I took care off, but beyond the basic first aid there wasn't much more I could do.

In the background I heard Luffy jump down from the top deck to join us. He provided a distraction for Sanji who had been hovering over my shoulder, and the two sat down to discuss pirate stuff.

"Why'd you attack this restraunt?" I heard Sanji ask as my fingers wrapped cream colored bandages around Gin's leg.

"That was self defense!" Luffy explained

"Huh?" Sanji said obvious disbelief in his voice.

I looked up slightly meeting Gin's shadowed eyes, I offered a brief smile even though his dead stare scared the hell out of me. His eyes softened and he nodded before looking out across the ocean. The corners of my mouth pulled up into a genuine grin.

"Hey join us?" I paused in my work at Luffy's question captured my attention.

As expected Sanji shot the offer down "I refuse,"

Luffy answered with a yell

"NO! I refuse!"

"Huh." Sanji startled at the boy's change in behaviour. "What do you refuse?"

"I refuse your refusal," Luffy stated a petulant look on his face.

I turned back to Gin with an amused smile on my face that earned a questioning look from Gin.

The two continued to argue to the point where they were now screaming in each others faces, Sanji threatening Luffy's hat sparking a violent reaction from the captain. Pondering the pros and cons of intervening I was saved when Gin interrupted.

"Kid you say you're a pirate?"

"Yeah!" Luffy chirped.

"So what are you aiming for?" Gin's eyes took on an even more haunted look.

"Obviously as a pirate I'm aiming for the One piece and heading for the Grand line!" Luffy replied with a signature grin.

Gin froze and my fingers tightened unconsciously around the bandages I was wrapping around his injury.

"Don't move," I scolded looking back down before I could see his expression.

A pause filled the air before he continued on, "You don't' want to do that," He spoke in a low voice, "You seem like a nice guy so I'm going to warn you, The Grand line is the one place you should avoid."

"The Grand line is only a small part of a large Ocean it's better to start out there," Gin's serious expression accentuated his bagged eyes.

"Oh you know about the Grand Line?" Luffy grinned widely in answer.

"No.. I-I don't know anything or understand that ocean at all." Gin's voice stuttered and his eyes glassed over with what could only be traumatic memories. He started to tremble in terror, and I resisted the urge to pat the man on the shoulder, as I tied up the last bandage.

I tuned out as Sanji and Luffy discussed Krieg. Gin brought up a good point, The Grand line was dangerous and seeing the grown man tremble in front of me whole body dripping with sweat arose terror within me far worse than I could ever experience watching through a computer screen.

"Hey Fae!" I snapped out of my thoughts.

"Huh?" I looked up to questioning eyes.

"You hear what I said?" Luffy's question caused guilt to rise at my unawareness.

"Sorry Lu, I zoned out a little." I smiled sheepishly.

Luffy smiled, "Ah it's Okay, you're already from the Grand Line so I guess this doesn't interest you."

Still unaware of the earlier topic, my question was cut off by choking noises from our other companions.

"You're from the Grand Line!" Gin's eyes bulged, as Sanji continued to gasp like a beached fish.

"Uh yeah," I nervously covered my own lie, "I lived there."

And finally Sanji recovered.

"WHAT YOUR PART OF THIS MONKEY'S CREW?!"

-o-

"So long then," Gin stood in a small rowboat, a smile of gratitude on his face. After dealing with the backlash of surprise at my origins I quickly gave them the rough outline that somehow I'd been separated from my homeland and now wished to return. Things had calmed down especially when Sanji decided to call me his beautiful Fugu which apparently meant pufferfish, since it was a delicacy to eat but highly dangerous and poisonous if prepared wrong. I was expectedly not very happy with the nickname, but not knowing Sanji very well I refrained from hitting him.

"I'm still going to the Grand Line." Perched on the Baratie rails Luffy informed Gin of his plans.

"Well I guess that's your choice," Gin smiled far more relaxed than his earlier reaction. " I just wanted to warn you."

I smiled resting my arms on the rails, "Have a safe journey!"

"Thank you," Gin looked me in the eye conveying thanks for more than just the well wishing, before shifting his gaze to Sanji. "And thank you Sanji, I will never forget your kindness!"

"Yeah no problem," Sanji grinned around his cigarette, "You're welcome to come back anytime."

"Hey chore boy!" I looked behind me at the loud yell. On the second floor of the Baratie stood Chef Zeff with his enormous white hat, and trademarked peg leg.

"Eeeh!" Luffy visibly startled at the call.

I took the time to investigate the strange man as Sanji dumped Gin's dirty dishes in the sea.

Zeff was an intimidating man for sure with his gruff face and mustache. His eyes twinkled with something akin to fondness as Sanji delivered his conclusion of not being blamed without evidence.

"Oi Sanji, Chore boy! Get back to work!" Zeff yelled as Gin sailed out the sea. Sanji and Luffy turned to the chef right as I turned back towards Gin. Waving a hand in farewell, I smiled when he returned the gesture. Now all I have to do is prepare for when he brings Don Krieg and his crew here, and threatens our lives.

I chuckled grimly at my own thoughts realizing that my reaction was far to muted from what a response should be to an impending death threat.

"Ah my beautiful and dangerous fairy, do you care to join us inside!" Sanji whirled around me with heart eyes, and I resisted the urge to giggle seeing how his actions were less on the embarrassing side and more humorous now.

"Oh actually.."

I suddenly froze as I remembered what happened when I'd raced back to the ship for the first aid kit. Nami had been summoned by the forces of bad luck, and nearly chewed my ear off for running around the ship. Seeing how I'd been in a little bit of a hurry I kind of blew her off….

"Sorry Sanji," I patted his arm depression rolling off me in waves, "Maybe after I get myself killed."

I walked off after that, I'm so dead! I wailed internally.

-o-

"I can't believe that idiot," Nami fumed as we sat at a table for four.

"I don't understand why he didn't just blame the marines, he's too honest for his own good."

"I'm more worried about how long we have to stay here." Usopp joined in as Zoro took a swig from a sake bottle.

I sighed placing my head down on the table, still recovering from the tongue lashing I'd gotten from the navigator I lacked basic function to participate in the conversation. Seriously I could now see why half the crew lived in constant fear of Nami.

"Well as long as we're here, we should order something." Nami's voice broke me out of my thoughts.

Usopp smiled "That sounds, good I'm starving!"

"Yeah food sounds nice." I seconded perking up in my seat at the idea of being able to try Sanji's legendary food.

"Sure." Zoro grunted, and Nami smiled before flagging down a chef.

I glanced down briefly at the menu Nami handed me and placed my order. The menu was obviously seafood based, although there were some turf options available. My dad had always told me that local food was always the best thing to get, so I placed an order for some dish using fish I'd never heard of before.

It was only a few seconds afterwards that I heard a shocked yell.

"Ahh! Guys what are you doing!" Luffy stormed over. I covered my mouth quickly to resist from breaking out laughing, as the crew started to tease Luffy.

To distract myself I focused on the food that had been placed in front of me. In no way was I a picky eater and while thankfully exercise kept me from being overweight I very much enjoyed eating. I took a small bite of the food and lost myself to bliss; it was delicious, the flavors just right and everything perfectly balanced.

Stuck in my small corner of heaven I tuned my surroundings out and dug in with gusto. I had polished off my plate feeling stuffed to the brim, when I focused back in on the current conversation. I was just in time to watch as Zoro made Luffy drink water with his booger in it. I cringed at the scene, Ugh that's really gross!

"Ah my beautiful Fable-chan!" a familiar voice drew my attention. Sanji in a whirl of hearts sped over to our table, bending down quickly to take and kiss my hand.

"Ah hello Sanji-san." I said with a small smile, no longer entirely flustered by his forward advances.

"It warms my frozen heart to see you once again my precious fairy, every hour of your parting was pain to my soul." I giggled a little at the ridiculous use of language.

"It's good to see you to." I smiled.

He returned the smile and turned slightly to my left catching sight of Nami, I watched as he fawned over the orangette who looked very pleased with the situation. After watching her con him into a free meal I excused myself and stepped outside for a breath of fresh air.

The boards of the ship creaked as I stepped, and the smell of salt filled the air. It was quiet out on the ocean and for miles all you could see were endless rolling waves. I watched the calming waves a little longer before letting out a sigh and turning back to rejoin my friends.

-o-

Another downside of living in an anime: time skips don't occur. I spent the next two days in complete and utter boredom playing on my phone for a bit and writing in my journal soon grew old. My only brief repireves of boredom were harsh weapons training which left me with a lot more aches and pains then positive outcomes.

Out of sheer necessity to do something I decided to join Luffy and help around the Baratie. The idea of working as a waitress had always seemed somewhat appealing to my movie and fiction oriented mind; It turned out a lot less fantastical as I imagined. My inability to carry more than two plates of food at a time was disheartening, but thankfully the cooks didn't seem to mind especially since unlike me Luffy's food never even made it to the table.

I couldn't really remember when Gin was supposed to return with Don Krieg so now all I could do was play the waiting game. Recently Nami had started to act closed off and although I couldn't quite remember why I had a sneaking suspicion it had to do with Arlong. Which is why on the third night I went to go visit her.

Standing outside her door, I hesitated. What if talking to Nami now only made it worse, what if I screwed something. I paced back and forth running scenarios in my head. I'd attempted to plan out the conversation last night, but when I'd sat down to write my mind went blank.

Don't be a baby Fae, just do it. I berated myself scowling before taking a deep breath, I raised a hand to knock on the door.

"Come in," I heard the faint call from inside following my knock and I steeled myself, opening the door.

Nami looked up from her desk that was covered in maps. She had a pair of reading glasses on and intense frown on her face which turned into a smile as brown eyes met mine. I returned her smile with a shaky one of my own.

"Hey Fae what can I do for you?" She paused in her writing putting down the pencil she'd been using.

I stood in front of the door shifting nervously from one foot to the other, "Well..uh." Come on just spit it out I mentally screamed as I continued to stand there making unintelligible noises.

"You okay Fae because…"

"I know you're planning to leave!" I blurted out cutting off Nami's sentence. Her eyes widened and they filled with emotion fear, wariness, and sadness before going blank.

She looked away from my own and I took hesitant steps into the room towards my friend stopping when she flinched away.

I bit my lip but my resolve didn't waver, "It's okay you know.." my voice was quiet, like I was speaking to an animal in an attempt to not scare it away, "I understand, It's something you have to do." I looked up and made eye contact with chocolate eyes, attempting to convey all of my emotion to her from that single stare.

Her lip trembled before she gave me a weak smile, "Thank you." It was a shaky gesture, but it meant the world to me. A weight felt like it'd been lifted of my shoulders and I nodded, no more words needed to be said. Turning around I mechanically headed back to the door but my hand hesitated before the handle. I looked back over my shoulder at the orange head who was looking down at her desk on what looked like the verge of tears.

"Nami." She looked up at my call.

"Come back safe." I didn't wait to hear her reply, simply turning away and walking back into the night.