"I was. I was a brat back then." He finally spoke to you, his expression softening.

You shook your head.

"You were never a burden to me Smoker. Never. Never have I thought that. But,"you looked at him sadly,"I'm sorry that I was and still am."

The peace when one stares at the moon in silence.

"Stop that." Smoker said with a slightly annoyed but soft tone.

You looked at him oddly.

"Stop looking like that each time I see you. It's not you. You're not a burden. An annoying pirate that doesn't seem to leave me alone, but never a burden. So just get outta here."

You widened your eyes at him and gave a small smile.

"Are you going to arrest me the next time you see me?" You teased.

"What kind of question is that? Of course I am. It's my job as a marine to chase after you."

You gave out a small laugh and looked up at him through your eye lashes as you put a hand up to your cap.

"What do you mean SmoBaka? You've always tried to catch up to me since we were before marines."

You gave a quick and squeezing hug to your old friend, smiling at his warmness. With Smoker hesitantly giving a small squeeze back, his large arms loosely wrapped around your form. You pulled back and held onto your cap as you gave a grin at him.

"Till next time Smokey~!"

And you disappeared, the marines that were coming up before just arriving and beginning to frantically search the Strawhats and the famous Silver Blood. Smoker standing there as he took whiffs of his cigars, a hint of nostalgia and care in his eyes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You looked around the country of Alabasta, you got separated from the Strawhats once again, they probably heading to Aluburna. You were still in Rainbase and from what you've heard from the passing citizens, the rebels are going to fight the Royal Army there.

Dammit. You cursed as you walked the streets of Rainbase, passing the small stands as you went that were more in the corners of the oasis. You miss Drezol's kebabs, the other ones just don't taste the same. But hey, you took a last bite of the meat/veggie kebab you got from another and kept the stick in your mouth to play with as you walked with hands in your pockets, these aren't so bad neither.

You weren't sure if it was perhaps it was a good thing you got separated from the Straw Hats. The last thing you wanted is for them to know that you knew Crocodile, and you've been suspecting him of his actions earlier when you first arrived in this country a few days ago before deciding to leave because of lack of evidence. You should've known that something was clearly off once you first entered his casino during your visits. What kind of Warlord owns a casino?

Croc apparently. You scoffed in your mind.

Crocodile knew about your habit of defeating pirates you didn't like or approve of. Or just anybody really.

Normally, Crocodile would fit in into the category. But you've become slightly fond of the grouchy old lizard throughout the years you've known him but you won't ever say it. You snickered, Crocodile would kill you if he heard you say that out loud.

Or, your eyes darkened, tried to get all frisky with you earlier. He got too close for your liking when he found you by the market and decided to walk with you. It doesn't help that you know what he wants for he always seemed to claim you like a possession when you were around him. It also doesn't help that he almost caused the death of Smoker if it wasn't for the Straw Hats.

You made a noise of annoyance around the stick in your mouth.

You swear, he needs to back off and learn his place. The guy was too arrogant and calm about everything. His head was practically huge too, and says all those weird things...

But, he was also dangerous.

He's not the only dangerous man that you've been acquainted with though.

You facepalm as you thought about a certain annoying pinkie with a love of flamingo's.

The tempest in its destruction.

You felt the sand in the air shift, you immediately put a hand onto your Karasu hilt as you jumped on a roof to a tan building. Your eyes narrowed.

A figure was forming in front of you from sand, and out came Crocodile, his slack look on his face as he looked at you while you looked back with still narrowed eyes and a hand on the hilt of your sword on your hip.

"Crocodile."

"Silver Blood. What are you doing back here?" He spoke around his cigar as he calmly had his arms on his sides. You let go of the hilt of your sword once you realized he wouldn't attack you but you did tap the top of your boot to the floor. "Finally wearing proper Alabasta garb I see. And spit that out before you choke again."

A tick mark grew on your temple as you yelled that you wouldn't and it was just a handful of times and—

A feeling tickled in the back of your throat made your eyes widened as you suddenly turned your head to the ground below you, the stick flying out your mouth and hitting someone in the head and making them fall over but you weren't paying attention. You rubbing the back of your hand to your mouth as you pointedly avoided Crocodile's unimpressed stare before clearing your throat that certainly didn't almost get abused and went back to his earlier question.

"Something has been bothering me once again Crocodile. And I'm not sure if I like on what I'm thinking about what's going on in Alabasta."

He didn't seem quite ruffled by your statement(that's Doflamingo's thing anyways), but his eyes turned dark as he stared at you.

"Are you saying you don't trust my word that I said earlier?" He said annoyed.

You gave him a dry smirk.

"Should I trust a man who doesn't trust anyone around him but himself, Croc?"

You saw his eyebrow give a slight twitch at the nickname, making your smirk widen as you looked at him. A golden hook was in your line of peripheral vision, but you didn't move away from it as it moved your face this way and that. The Warlord drew closer to you carefully as your hand moved towards your sword as you stared at him evenly until he was in front of you. His form towering over you as you looked up at him.

"If you suspect me so much, are you going to do something about it?"

You looked up at him with narrowed eyes, his eyes seeming to scream 'Cocky bastard!'. His hook still moving up and down your face, seeming to tickle and tease you with the soft touches as it even grazed your scarred left cheek. You felt your face twitch from all around your face which you couldn't control, Crocodile smirking in amusement at your expressions as he began to lean in.

"Well? Famous daughter of Silver of the Molten Metal, what are you going to do?"

You looked at him and then gave an amused smirk.

"Nothing!"

The Warlord blinked.

"Excuse me?"

"I'll let other people take care of it. They'll deal with you, Croc-y. You got my message didn't you?"

He leaned back as he tried to search your expression for any doubt.

He found none.

"I hope you're not talking about the Strawhats."

Your smirked widened.

"Yup! What? They give you trouble already?"

The Warlord looked at you and then laughed his odd laugh. You're also surrounded by people who laugh weirdly. You didn't particularly like how he was laughing.

"Those rookie pirates? What could they do? I already handled their captain. You've put too much faith in them."

Your eyes narrowed, you searched with your Haki to locate a certain Strawhat. You internally cursed as you thought back at the sandstorm that was just outside Rainbase. That must've been the battle site. You should've known something was wrong.  You found the happy-go-lucky-captain, but it was small. Very small.

Too small.

But...its there, and it's not fading.

It seems Crocodile underestimated Luffy's resolve and will to live.

"It won't matter. If Luffy can't do it, his Nakama surely will."

You can't make it seem you know Luffy is alive and well. He needs the element of surprise, but you do wish to see the grouchy man's face once he sees Luffy's alive. That's what he gets for hurting Smoker, but this isn't your fight. It's the Straw Hats.

The man's lips turned to a frown as he leaned by your ear.

"You're being too naive for my liking Silver Blood (Y/N). I suggest for you to stop before I lose my patience." He rumbled, his breath fanning your ear. "That other part of your message too, you forget that dreams mean nothing to me."

He's threatening you.

But he's also acting like an idiot again.

You felt a tick mark on your temple as you clenched your teeth. The hell is this guy talking about?! His patience? Like you care. You're the one that's angry though. And not just cause Crocy can actually be pretty stupid.

You hated that word.

Naïve.

You're no such thing, perhaps back then, but not now. His stupid plaid vest is making his lizard brain small.

"I'm not naive Crocodile. So don't call me that." You growled out with a glare. "And I think you're lying about that."

He rose an eyebrow, amused.

"Did I strike a nerve? Wasn't aware you saw me as one with ideals like yours."

You used Geppo to get away from him and land a few feet in front of him, a glare still on your face as Crocodile looked on in amusement.

"I was a marine before I became a pirate. Remember that. I've seen what both sides can do with my own eyes, and I've been both myself. So don't call me naive. I know how the world works. I. Just. Don't. Care."

Crocodile just looked at you blankly at your little monologue. When he didn't say anything, you gave him a warning.

"And you should know Croc-y, I wouldn't have forgiven you for what you almost accomplished within your casino. An old friend of mine was there." You stated, your eyes dangerously narrowed behind your Marine cap as Crocodile raised an eyebrow.

An old friend...White Hunter? Crocodile thought with a puff of smoke from his cigar.

"Also," you continued, "Don't underestimate the Straw Hats cause whatever is coming for you...it'll be delivered by them. And maybe with this..." You used Soryu before you were able to see Crocodile snap his cigar in half between his teeth.

Maybe with this, your tempest can go back to sea.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You arrived in Aluburna already with the smell of gunpowder and the cries of swords against each other.

You made quick use of Mando the red Great Sandora Lizard on the other side of Alabasta after leaving Rainbase, but you had to swim the rest of the way. Thankfully the beasts in the river were wise enough to not bother you again and you had to run the rest of the way as fast as you could. You leaping and scaling the walls of Aluburna to enter the beautiful city with its white stone buildings and palm trees flowing in the wind.  Only for the sounds of war and some buildings and houses looking worse for wear.

You were now running through the streets and analyzing the situation when you spotted three figures running.

"Oi!" They turned towards you as you caught up to them, Chopper calling your name in surprise!

"W-we were wondering where you went (Y/N)!"

"A-ah! (Y/—(Y/N)!" Usopp called from his heavily bandaged form atop the camel besides them making you question in concern as he blinked in surprise. "Eh? This? T-this is just my efforts of fighting two agents all by myself!"

Chopper raised a hoof, a tick in his face.

"EH?! I helped too, Usopp!"

"(Y/N)-chwan~!" Sanji called to you, his legs looking like they were swirling as he ran next to you. "Your concern for everyone is so kind! I fought too! Look at my injuries and how hard I worked!"

"Oh." You said, a smile on your face with a sweatdrop before laughing. "You guys really are pretty funny. But what's happening now?"

They have you the rundown of the agents they took out and they were planning on continuing the route to the main plaza in front of the palace. Usopp stating the agents they fought said something stupid like saying Luffy lost and Chopper even looking concerned despite Sanji's words to them.

"Ehhhh, what am I hearing? You guys don't believe in your captain?" The reindeer and long nose looked at you with Sanji continuing to stare straight ahead as they ran along with you. "You think he's going to be the King of Pirates right?"

"Ye-yes!"

"Of-of course! That idiot...he's fine!"

You smirked at their words, satisfied. You can spot Sanji giving his own smile as he looked ahead. You than noticed some areas in between buildings where first aid seemed to be given as well as noticing others trying to recover unconscious bodies to said areas. Taking note that some civilians are still trying to escape still. And who knows how many more are stuck in their homes.

You turned towards them.

"Guys, you guys go on ahead. I need to help save lives over here." Your senses tickled as you motioned your head towards the palace, then moving their heads to that direction. "You guys have to go that way. If you guys keep going straight and make a right after passing two blocks, it'll take you straight towards where you need to go. After I do what I can here, I'll meet you guys later, yeah?" You threw them a wry grin their way. "Ya guys have Vivi-Hime depending on ya!"

"Yes, (Y/N)! I-I would help with the injured here too but..." Chopper shook his head and had a small tired smile in his cute face. "We have to help!"

"(Y/N)-chwan your words of inspiration can make my heart skip a beat!" Sanji than threw a thumbs up at you, his cigarette smoke curling along with the cook's smile. "Don't worry, we'll see you!"

"Y-yeah!" Usopp exclaimed as he sat up more on the camel, new vigor in his eyes as he did so and clenched his bandages hand that looked more like a volleyball than a hand due to how bandaged up he is. "Y-you know you don't seem that scary anymore—EH?! SHE DISAPPEARED?!"

You heard Usopp exclaim when you used Soryu, laughing to yourself that he must've heard as he heard him shriek along with Chopper.

"AHHH?! A GHOST?!"

"I TAKE BACK WHAT I SAID!"

"Why am I stuck with you two again?"

You shook your head as you turned towards the soldiers and civilians as the Straw Hats ran to where you guided them. Them quickly accepting your help as they gave you little supplies they have as the unconscious bodies laid on the floor with blankets below them. Minor to severe injuries, but still able to be fixed with. You've injured yourself countless times from fights as well as training, especially when you trained under Mihawk back in his island. Although you did injure yourself a lot as well when you attempted to cook during your stay. The looks he would give you...

You shook yourself once more with a small smile, moving to another area where there were injured by dashing closer to the plaza where the battle was occurring as the people behind you shouted their thanks. Your senses continue to itch at you with everything going on. Even just the citizens, soldiers and rebels energies seeming to shout towards you.

Desperation. Hope. Save the country!

And those weren't the only ones.

Protect the country's blood.

Vivi.

The storm won't stop.

Luffy.

A nick to the sword.

Tashigi.

Calm anger.

And...

Words meant to be read.

Your mouth twisted, feeling their locations. You huffing and stopping from your dashing through the streets, seeing others with injuries and them blinking at you as you suddenly appeared to help. Being resistant at first but stating that they're wasting time by talking instead of saving. You moving to help someone with their broken arm as you thought seriously. You...gotta do more than this. The Straw Hats should accomplish this, but the others around need help too.

After finishing the bandage on the rebel's arm, you stood and used Soryu after a hasty goodbye and warning they should leave a little more down to be safe from any stray gunshots. Getting atop the roofs of the building and heading towards the one who feels as if their ideals shattered.

You spotted the navy haired woman upon the ground, calling her name in concern as she lifted herself up and put her glasses on as wide eyes turned towards you.

"Ah...Silver Blood (Y/N)?" You landed upon the ground as you assessed her, seeing despite her wounds—she's relatively unharmed. You moved to lift her up with your arm around her shoulder as Tashigi stared in anguished confusion as you looked at her in concern. "What...why? Is this...I never understood when you came to us on purpose. I think I know your feelings but they're so....We're supposed to...why...pirates are...is this what Smoker-san meant...?"

You stared at her from the corner of your eye as you held her, her expression scrunched as her eyes shone with tears going down.

"I told you back than not everything is black and white, remember?" Tashigi started in your arms, lifting her head slightly for her eyes to turn towards your face—your lips slightly quirked into a semblance of a smile. "Why I left. Why this is happening...why the Straw Hats are helping. I don't know what that Smobaka said but...he can sometimes say some wise things." Your lips lifted more into a genuine smile as you turned back ahead in front, Tashigi's eyes wide in realization as she looked at the side of your face as you made a move for them to move. "Now, let's go! We got people to save Tashigi, I can't show off Karasu to you with me lugging you everywhere like this."

Tashigi continued to gape at you, earth orbs shaking. (Y/N)... Tashigi straightened, you looking and muttering in concern but Tashigi waved you off, fixing her glasses and having a glint in her eyes that made you smirk.

"We have to hurry and evacuate others," Tashigi stated in between panted breaths, moving to put a hand to the wall to steady herself. "There's a bomb about to hit in—" she moved to check her watch, her breath hitching, "In four minutes!"

"A bomb?" You repeated before shaking your head. That crew can do it, this is how you can help. Instead looking at Tashigi sternly. "I've done my best before I got here but let's keep doing this than!"

Tashigi gave a a strong affirming yes, pushing herself off the wall and doing a light jog that surely made her injuries cry out as you kept her pace before moving on ahead to see the stragglers you can find. You pointing others you've passed to Tashigi as she nodded and quickly calmed any citizens that are stuck in the middle and with your guidance on where to go—moved them. Soon enough, you turned towards a crowd of marine soldiers came to the both of you as Tashigi calling out to them as they stared at you in surprise.

"Eh?! It's Silver Blood again!" A marine called while holding his rifle.

"What are you doing to our sergeant?!" Another one shouted, taking aim as you looked at them blankly.

"Sergeant, are you okay?" An additional one called as he turned towards as Tashigi tried to calm them down. "Silver Blood, you really like messing with our Sergeant and Captain!"

"You guys sure like pointing first and not asking questions later, huh?" You said as you pushed a gun muzzle out of your face casually as they blinked at you as you rose a brow. "You guys don't knock before you come in either? You'll get flashed like that, ya know. Or a foot to your face. Or a scream that will make your ears ring. Or learning a life altering secret. But mostly you might