I opened my eyes, my vision blurry. Immediately tensing as I noticed the people in the area around me. I reviewed them with hidden eyes and noted that they were all significantly strong, only three that I would have trouble with. With caution, I spoke quietly, "Where am I?" Something started running over to me, not able to suppress my instincts, I appeared behind it in an instant with a scalpel at its neck. "I said… Where am I." I let my hatred flow from me like smoke, they should know that I'm a threat so that they won't do anything.

"On a ship. The Going Merry." Someone said. I still couldn't see the owner of the voice.

The creature I had threatened suddenly enlarged in size and grabbed my shoulders. I attempted to wrenched myself out of his grasp. Damn, so strong. My vision worsened, becoming even blurrier. My knees buckling underneath me. The creature picked me up and took me to the bed. I had no more strength. "We found you passed out on a raft," a calm voice said. Obviously female. "Chopper, our doctor, said that you were sick. And that he could treat it. That was a week ago…"

"Come to think of it you almost starved to death too." Another voice cut in, higher than the ones before, "When was the last time you ate?!"

Before I could answer, someone burst through the door, "Nami! Chopper! Usopp! Did something happen?! I sensed a really strong blood lust." He looked around the room, his blonde hair whipping around at every turn.

"No, we're fine… You're a little late though, if we hadn't cleared things up, all three of us would have been dead before you came." The newcomer kept silent. Still looking at me.

"So anyway~… When was the last time you ate?" The strange brown fluff ball asked. I was silent for a few moments, deciding it was alright to trust them for the time being - but still resolved to keep my guard up.

"Two months ago…" They stopped their small talk as they stared at me in shock. The silence was deafening.

Looking at the blond man that walked in somehow triggered something from my subconscious, my stomach burned. I couldn't help it. I screamed, not as much from the burning sensation as from the memories, that I've kept locked away, flooding back. And a feeling I've never felt before…regret.

After what seemed like forever, I passed out again and fell into a dreamless sleep.

[line]

According to the doctor, named Chopper as I later found out, I had some kind of ocular disease. I wouldn't be able to see for the next day or so. He told me to rest, but I insisted on walking around, to gain my strength. He led me into the kitchen and helped me sit down.

"So, what would you like to eat?" The blond man followed us into the kitchen and announced, "I can make anything you request." I could hear the pride through his words, from never being proved wrong.

"Anything that will help me recover faster." There was a pause. "Preferably seafood…" I heard him walk away and start to make preparations.

As I was sitting there, someone sat down, "Uh...Hey, I'm Usopp. I heard that you won't be able to see for the next few days…" I could hear the nervousness in his voice.

"You have no reason to be nervous. I have no reason to kill you… for now." I heard him gulp. Good. Be intimidated. After a few minutes there was a plate set in front of me.

"Anything to drink?" Another pause as I thought.

"Sake."

I could hear the irritation in his voice as he retorted, "That's not the best thing to be drinking to recover," he sensed that I wouldn't back down as I let out another wave of blood lust… mixed with irritation. "I'll let you have some when Chopper gives the 'Okay'. Until then…?" I gave in.

"Tea." I muttered, starting into my food.

"So, where ya from?"

I sighed and asked, "How do I know I can trust you?" My defenses skyrocketed at the mention of my past.

"You can trust us, we aren't like most pirates." Usopp said with a bit of trouble, probably wondering if I was a marine.

I questioned him, "Pirates?"

"We are the Strawhat Pirates, our captain is Luffy," he cautiously replied.

I gulped. "Bring me to him."

We left the kitchen and Usopp led me to the bow of the ship. A minute later, I was surrounded by people staring at me. Some with caution, others with interest. "Which one of you is Luffy?" I asked boldly and after a few seconds, someone responded in a loud, cheery voice from the other side of the room and introduced himself - stating his dream and everything.

I got on my knees and bowed.

"Thank you for taking out Arlong." Silence reigned. Deafening silence. Memories started coming back.

I cringed, my breath caught in my throat, and started choking on my blood. Chopper carried me back to the infirmary. Luffy followed behind - as did the rest of the crew, suddenly having an air or both seriousness and curiosity. "Thank you so, so much…" I attempted a smile, it ended in failure.

Someone stepped infront of the strawhatted captain and asked in a cold voice, "What did Arlong do to you?"

I attempted another smile, still failing. "He killed my family."

"At least he didn't reign over your town, taking all your money."

"You're right, better to get your village destroyed, and have everyone die…right?"

Silence. Deafening silence. Too much silence. A void that sucked everything into the pitch darkness of the world.

"You lived on the Conomi Islands?"

"Yes. I was raised in Gosa."

More silence. Deafening silence.

This second reminder of what once was and the awful memories of the day when I lost everything...was too much for me to handle as the memories began flooding in and overwhelmed by the pain and bitterness festering inside of me, I lost conciousness.

XX..o..XX

So, I finally got around to updating/rewriting this. There wasn't really too much in this chapter that I wanted to change. Most of it will be seen from the next chapter onward.

So, I hope you liked it. Review and give me some ideas if you feel like, or if you have any. Or it you see any grammatical or spelling errors let me know:)

I, unfortunately, do not own One Piece.