Pretty much a prologue right here. Hope you guys enjoyed my short little foray into Brook's mind… I sure enjoyed it! Man, I love that skeleton.

After their return Brook had taken to singing 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' almost every night in the men's cabin as everyone drifted off to sleep. He did so without Luffy's prompting, and would do so even if he was told to stop. In his own way, he was honouring two wonderful young men whom had died far too young. The crew, while not totally partial to everything that had happened on their spiritual journey, understood that it had some great significance, and never dissuaded him. Indeed, from then on, if Brook failed too Chopper and Usopp would often beg for Brook's gentle melody.

For every single crewmember noticed that every time Brook played the lullaby at bedtime, a small but soft smile would play on Luffy's face, and he would close his eyes to hide to the tears building, but would remain smiling contently the rest of the night.

Weeks after he and Luffy had embarked on their spiritual journey had Brook settled thoughtfully on the prow during the early hours of the morning. The mess of Punk Hazard had passed and they were now dutifully en route to Dressrossa. This was, not surprisingly, Brook's first chance alone. There were things that had been eating away at him ever since the start of this whole ghost business, and now finally, in the calm before the storm, he found he could not delay any longer.

He remained hauntingly silent as he calmed himself, readying himself the only way he knew how. His violin rested nearby, leaning upon the deck like a waiting spirit, yearning to play, yet unable to without her master.

Brook had chosen to forgo sleep for the night; he was simply far too restless, and troubled. He had spent a large amount of companionable silence with Zoro, who was now cuddled up in the tower on watch.

The dim orange glow on the horizon brightened, and a strong breeze buffeted Brook. He remained completely still, save for his afro, which rustled against his dry skull. Sucking oxygen through his nose cavity, he allowed his vision to fade. The world darkened, then reappeared in vivid colours and sharp focus as his mortal body lost it's soul. His swirling spirit rose, but continued staring blankly at the glowing colours in the deep blue sky.

Brook concentrated, reaching for the familiar presences and chill now. He had no clue how long he might have resided there, calling silently into the morning, but by the time he felt an answer, it felt as if it had been a small eternity.

The presence he felt far off grew stronger and brighter within his consciousness, and as soon as Brook could roughly identify it, he found himself exhaling in deep disappointment.

'Yeah, I know I wasn't who you were expecting, but that's a bit of a disappointing hello, isn't it?'

Despite himself, Brook laughed softly, restoring his vision to see a handsome young man with blonde hair and a top hat hovering fondly close to his soul form. 'I apologise, Sabo-san,' he softly intoned. 'But as you are already aware, I was expecting someone else…'

Sabo's smile faded as he drifted down to perch in front of Brook, relaxing casually against the wood. He took a moment to watch the rising sun before smiling softly. 'Indeed,' he said without turning. 'But as you are probably already aware, he is the reason I am here to talk to you.'

Brook nodded softly, waiting.

'You know there's only so much I can tell you, being an agent of up there and everything, but I can tell you that you won't find him up there… if you know what I mean.' And Sabo turned a large grin on Brook, whom missed it in his dismayed reaction. 'You mean he has moved on? I cannot see him until I join him? How can this be-'

'Tt-tt-tt-tt!' Sabo shushed impatiently, laughing. 'When I said that to you, what did you think I meant? When I said "he ain't up there," he isn't up there!'

Brook stilled and trained his gaze on Sabo for a moment as he thought. Sabo patiently waited, nodding slowly and grinning. When Brook remained still and silent Sabo broke, 'Annnnnd? What should that mean…? C'mon! I thought you were smart!'

'But…' Brook faltered, bringing his hands to his face self-consciously. 'Could he… really still be alive? Is… it is possible?' He turned his gaze to his hands as they shook. 'Can I dare hope?' he asked in a haunted whisper.

Sabo smiled gently, looking towards the sunbeams shinning down on them. 'He is waiting for you. Enduring until you meet again.'

Brook stared at Sabo in disbelief until, in a sudden wave of uncontrollable emotion, he started dry sobbing. On his stationary body tears pooled heavily within his empty sockets and spilled out like a mournful waterfall. 'Yorki-san… Oh, Yorki….'

Sabo reached a hand out and touched it to Brook's floating soul form, and reassuring love welled through Brook. The tears ran down his dry skull quicker.

'Dressrossa! To the North!'

'Til the day we meet again…' Sabo smiled and disappeared.

Brook snapped back into his body.

An enormous cliffy island dominated the horizon in front of him. 'Oh my...' he whispered over and over. He heard Zoro give a another grumpy shout from the tower, but found himself unable to react, still blinking back the shock of his realisation as the crew suddenly crowded around the helm in a rush, all eager to see Dressrosa.

'Wow, Brook! Move over! It looks amazing! And full of… adventure!'

'Woooah, it's huge, Usopp!'

'Of course, Chopper!'

'Hopefully our deadly plan shall work…'

Luffy-bro! Quite hogging the view!'

Brook was hustled back in the clamour for the best seat in the house, ending up next to Zoro in the back. Zoro took in his distraught appearance and moved closer. 'You alright, shitty bones?' he asked lowly. Brook accepted Zoro's shoulder and leant heavily upon it, wiping the worst of his sorry state away as best he could.

'It is alright, Zoro-san. Completely fine. Just… I just… such a bright and glorious day it is! I cannot wait to get started!' Higher and higher his voice grew, until he was shouting with exuberance. 'Come now! I must play a song to celebrate our landfall, and all the adventures to come!'

'Yeah, Brook! Sing!' Luffy twirled on Sunny in excitement. Chopper, Usopp and Franky joined in. 'Sing! Sing! Sing!'

Zoro watched as Brook retrieved his violin and started to sing happily. His voice rose to join the din the crew was making. After a few moments, Zoro smiled.

Brook had indeed never felt happier. It was the start of a new adventure, a new chapter with his crew, and dear Yorki was out there somewhere, waiting. For possibly the first time since he first lost his original body, his crew and Laboon, he felt completely and irrevocably whole.

The New World could throw everything it could at him. He was ready.

Til the day we meet again, Yorki-san...

…And he could hardly wait.

I truly believe Yorki is alive and we shall see him again, somewhere. Maybe he found his way back to Laboon and is waiting there. Or went looking and accidentally got stranded on an island in the New World, I dunno… I just would very much like to see him again, all ancient and wisdom-filled!
So that's all folks, have a lovely rest of day and yadda yadda, see you next time! And as always, hope you enjoyed~ :D