Loss
AN: I own nothing in this story and sorry for the long hiatus.
Kuro approached Usopp with a large box in his hands. Usopp coughed weakly, blood dripping from his mouth.
"We're almost out of time. Your little friends are here and it's too late for me to escape but there is one last thing I'd like to give you. Be sure you tell Kaya all about your adventures Captain Usopp." The door was then ripped off its hinges and Sanji, Nami, Zoro, Luffy, Robin, Franky and Chopper came in. Luffy took one look at Usopp's beaten up body and struck out at Kuro with all his might. The former captain was sent flying until his head met the ground and his brains splattered all over the floor. After he was freed from his shackles Usopp looked at the box.
"Could someone please open this? My arms are broken." Nami nodded and opened it up slowly, ready for any traps Kuro might have rigged it with. What met her gaze was a pair of terrified dark eyes, much like her own. The eyes were set in a pale face that Nami remembered and blonde hair framed this face. Kaya's severed head rested in the box. Dropping it in shock, the grisly body part rolled towards Usopp, his eyes widened at the sight and then he started screaming, a scream of such loss and pain none of his nakama had ever heard him utter before. Then he passed out.
The first thing Usopp became aware of was the familiar sound of the waves rocking against Thousand Sunny's hull. Then he opened his eyes. The entire crew was standing around him and all were wide awake. Concerned looks were in their eyes but they brightened when they saw Usopp wake up.
"Welcome back!" Luffy shouted, his optimism returned.
"What did you do with…Kaya?" Usopp asked, his voice nearly breaking.
"Nothing. We wanted to wait until you had woken up." Nami said quietly.
"It's all my fault. If I hadn't left maybe I could have protected her. Why? Why did this have to happen to her Nami? She was so innocent; she never deserved something like that!" Then he started crying and Nami enveloped him in a tight hug.
"We're here for you. You're going to survive this." The navigator whispered in Usopp's ear. Usopp didn't reply. He just allowed himself to be held as the waves continued their incessant beating against the hull.