Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Saga saga no mi
Here you found yourself again. Mingled amongst the death cries of another inexperienced crew nearing the end of their journey. Eating that fruit was the worst thing that you've ever done. The saga-saga no mi. Yes... You could 'Find' anything, even intangible things, escape routes, weaknesses. And yes, that has saved you many times. Not eating it, however, would have saved you the heartache of countless pirates kidnapping you and demanding you to find lost treasure, or for you to take them to the One Piece (you abhorred that request). You wouldn't have minded, but the majority of them were incompetent! Take now for instance, as you duck and weave through the debris of this sinking ship. A huge sea king is mauling the whole crew out, you'd at least think one of them would have the balls to at least try to attack it! It always ends like this, some crew getting too big for their boots.
"Aaahhhh!!! (Y/N) Please, you gotta help us! Find us a way out of this!! I'm beggin' ya!" The captain of the ship yelled agitated, his short round leg crushed by debris from the sail.
"Sorry Cap, I did try to warn you," you said deftly tying up some debris to form a makeshift raft, and flinging it off the side of the ship. "I only agreed to show you the way in exchange for my own living quarters, access to warm water and one meal a day." You brought your hand to your brow, squinted and tactfully surveyed the ship, you eyed a large hole where your cabin used to reside. Bobbing joyfully in the sea you spied the remains of the kitchen pantry. "Yeah... Looks like you can't hold up your end of the bargain anymore, so I'm going to cut my losses."
"Please (Y/N), we won't make it out of this alive!!" Tears welled in the captains eyes as he pleaded with you. You looked into his eyes, this part of the journey never got easier. You knew he was using you, that's all they've ever done. Only ever concerned with what they were getting, until something went wrong. "I'm sorry..." you replied, the previous bravado nowhere to be found. Grabbing some nearby provisions you turned your head and made for the blue water below.
Just as you jumped from the ship you heard a loud creaking, the ship had finally hit its limit. The large tentacles of the sea king finally succeeded in splitting the ship in two. 'You don't owe them anything' you thought to yourself as you pulled your knees to your chest and clutched them tightly, trying your best to drown out the weeping of the crew that you left behind.
At least you knew you would always 'Find' your way home. As you drifted through the open sea your mind began to wonder. How many times was this now? "Too many", you answered. When you were younger, you would fight your kidnappers. This would lead, more often than not, to a severe beating for you. Some, of which, were so severe, that you still carry them with you today, both in body and in mind. As time passed you stopped resisting, instead opting for negotiation. A private place, warm water and food, it made the journey more tolerable. In the early days your parents would send search parties to look for you, this often ended in vain. This ceased when, time and time again, you would always 'find' your way home. You could only imagine the expense it cost them. You knew your parents loved you, they've always tried their best. Now they just wait for you to come home. You don't hold it against them, what else can they do? Its funny really. You could find anything and anyone, but no one could do the same for you.
The harsh waves of the Grand Line soon subsided into a calm bob, you knew you were nearing home. As your makeshift raft calmly drifted to the beach of your home town, you felt at ease. How long till you were picked up again? You hoped it would be at least a few weeks. After a few days on that raft you were a bit worse for wear, it took all you had to drag yourself from the raft to the beach. The coarse grains of sand a welcome change to the splinter ridden raft. You let out a sigh, plunging your face into the sand.
"Ah Y/N, you're back. They didn't make it far this time did they! It's only been a week! Haha!" You turned your head, there sitting lavishly, fishing pole in hand was Connie a retiree, who now spends his remaining years catching fish (they never bite). The old man grinned, his eyes creasing. You'd have chewed him out for not helping you out, but you know his legs aren't what they used to be. "There's been some funny people hanging about since you left, mighty funny looking." He called out as you turned to leave. A half hearted reply left your lips, "really?" You weren't in the mood for gossip, just a long warm shower and a hefty meal. "I'll be sure to keep an eye out." You raised your hand as you begun to walk away. Legs wobbling you made your way to your house. The sight of a girl stumbling across the path breathless would have been a rare sight, in another village. Here, it was a sight people knew well and they knew better than to approach you whilst you were in this state. 'I'll check in on her tomorrow' they thought to themselves.
The sight of your picket fence gave you a short reprieve from your fatigue, you dashed towards the front door and flung it open. "I'm home!!!!!" It was a shout that shook the eaves of the house, you made a beeline for the kitchen. "Mom, Dad I am starving." The strength left your legs again and you found yourself stumbling through the door frame. You met the cheery faces of your parents and collapsed onto the nearby chair reaching for whatever fruit adorned the centre table. So gleeful you were to finally sink your teeth into some fresh produce, that you neglected to notice the stranger in the corner of the room.
*cough cough* the gangly man made a bid for your attention, he'd have to wait. You. Were. Enamoured. The smooth, creamy texture of the fruit was heavenly! Involuntarily your eyes to rolled back and you let out a guttural moan. Were custard apples ever this good?
"(Y/N)???"
Ah, I'm dead aren't I?
"(Y/N)!!!"
Yup, and I went straight to the good place.
*THWACK*
You were awoken out of your daze with a start. You looked up to find your mom, knuckles white clutching a frying pan exasperated expression on her face. "Ouch! Mo.."
She cut you off, "you have a visitor", she motioned to the corner of the room with the frying pan. Your eyes deftly followed her motion and you finally laid eyes on the strange visitor. There stood a (very) colourful lanky man clad in a bright yellow coat that extended down to his ankles. He held, in his left hand what you could only describe as a huge candy cane. He seemed oddly familiar. Noticing your surprise at his appearance he broke into a toothy grin and gave a most audible lap to his cane. *Lick.* You shuddered at the gesture, only then noticing his extraordinary large tongue. "Kukukukuku," his laugh grated on your ears and you immediately put up your guard. This man was dangerous.
"What do you want?" You questioned him, rising out of your chair, standing tall to face the man. He gave another audible *lick* to his cane, that gesture unnerved you and you found yourself covering your mouth to prevent the custard apple from coming back up. "Kukuku, forgive my intrusion. My name is Perospero, eldest child of the Charlotte family and an officer of the Big Mom pirates." He paused, taking a step towards the table you were leaning on. "I have come here to..."
Again? You thought to yourself, the rest of his introductory speech fell on deaf ears. I've only just returned! Not even a few days to recover and now another crew have appeared to whisk you away and the Big Mom pirates at that! What did they need you for? Big Mom could find anything, the woman was a walking tank, everyone knew that! Would she want you to find the One Piece for her? No surely not, she had class right? She wouldn't 'cheat' to get her hands on it.
Perospero had halted his speech, it was apparent from the glazed look in your eye that you hadn't heard a word he had said. Why did Mama choose him for this errand? A whole 5 days he'd been on this island waiting for you, he is an important man you know. How dare you stand there and ignore him! He'd love nothing more than to give you a piece of his mind, but he has to be on his best behaviour. His already wide grin widened still. Yes, Mama said you were... valuable.
Finally rousing from your daze you shouted your terms at the leering gentleman. "Okay! I will guide you to what you want to find, on three conditions. One! You shall give me a private cabin, so I do not have to room with the crew. Two! You will give me access to warm water when I wish to bathe. And three! You provide me with at least one meal per day." During your stupor you had an epiphany. Big Mom was a Yonko, her crew had to be strong. If she did want you to find the One Piece, they'd probably succeed. Then you'd have helped the new King of the pirates! You'd be affiliated with her, then people would think twice about whisking you away. 'You want to kidnap me and force me to find something for you? I wonder how my dear friend Big Mom would feel about that?' This was your big break, maybe after this you'd get what you've been yearning for. Safety.
Persoperso stood dumbfounded. She really wasn't listening was she? That insolent woman! The grin disappeared from his face and he began to open his mouth, before he was interrupted by your father. "(Y/N), please listen. He's come to propose marriage."
"MARRIAGE?! TO HIM?! You gave an audible retch, that custard apple wasn't so heavenly anymore. *Lick* Perospero's cold eyes looked down on you. "Mama wouldn't be so foolish as to marry me off." He turned his head to look out of the kitchen window as to mask the hurt look on his face. "Marriage would distract me from my important duties", he muttered to himself.
You pondered the proposition. You weren't dwelling on the fact that you had never seen your betrothed. He couldn't be too bad, right? You looked towards Perospero and shook your head. It was one thing to be used and to use in return, but this was different. This wasn't a negotiation, this wasn't a partnership, this wasn't equal! Big Mom would be free to use you as she pleased, under the guise of family. She would own you in a sense, you couldn't let that happen!
"I refuse." Your cold voice rang out in the now silent kitchen.
Perospero stood dumbfounded for the second time today. He could not believe his ears, how in the world did you think this was a request? "Mr. Perospero, I think you have overstayed your welcome. I'd see you out, but I am dreadfully tired. I would appreciate it if you would not call again, my parents tolerate enough hardship as it is." With this final remark you left the kitchen and retired to your bedroom. Honestly 3 days at sea on a makeshift raft and you come home to this? Can you not be left to live in peace? Your brooding was interrupted by a knock on your door. "(Y/N)?" Your mom slowly opened the door to your bedroom.
"You must be thirsty, here." She set a glass of water on your bedside table. You looked up and began to thank her, but the gratitude caught in your throat. How did she get to look so old? Her eyes were dark and puffy, no doubt from sleepless nights where she lay away crying, wondering if her daughter would ever come home. Just then you imagined the stress you put on their hearts, it was aging them, killing them slowly. For the first time you seriously considered Persoperos offer. One thing remained, the Big Mom pirates were strong. Yes, she would be free to use you, but you would be family. Wouldn't that mean she would see that no harm would come to you? Maybe then your parents would sleep soundly at night. As if reading your thoughts your mom smiled. It was a knowing smile, it indicated that she knew you better thank you knew yourself. This apathetic attitude of yours was a rouse, underneath lay a kind hearted girl who's only wish was to spare others the hurt that she feels. "Which way did he go?" You questioned. Your mom smirked to herself "He never left." Heaving a heavy sigh you lifted yourself off of the bed and reluctantly began the decent downstairs.
Sitting pride and place with his back to the doorway was Perospero, contently digging in to one of your mom's cream puffs. When he heard footsteps he halted what he was doing and turned to face the opening. Upon seeing you his face contorted into the most condescending grin. 'Kukuku. Come to her senses has she?' He turned back to the cream puff and licked his fingers *lick*, again you shuddered. "Can my..." Before you could finish your question he interjected.
"No, your parents stay here."
"Can I..."
"Yes, you may write to them. After you've settled in mama might even permit a visit."
"When do we..."
"Immediately", he replied.
"But.."
"Either you come now, or the offer is void." He was bluffing, of course, but he couldn't bare to stay in this town any longer.
"Okay, give me a moment to grab my things." Dejected, you walked upstairs to pack your few possessions.
Your parents accompanied you to the docks where you said your tearful farewell. You were surprised they did not speak up when you agreed to the proposal. You thought that they'd accepted it because they knew you were doing it for them, this was however, only partly true. Your parents knew there were things you could not tell them. The traumatic things you've experienced that return to plague you night after night. The sweaty palms and anxious breathing when you hear unexplained noises. You thought you hid it well, but they saw straight through you. Everyone knew the notoriety of the Big Mom pirates, even your parents. They only entertained this idea, because they thought you could find safety. They thought you would finally be able to find peace. As you made for Perosperos ship you waved a solemn goodbye to your parents. "I'll write to you everyday!!" They smiled and nodded "we look forward to it", they called back. They watched you depart with one wish in their heart, that your husband-to-be had a caring and kind soul to match yours.
Perosperos' ship was lavish, though you weren't too taken with the figurehead on the front. The trip to Totto land was uneventful, nothing bad happened, no Sea Kings, no Marines, nothing. During the journey you thought how to win favour with big mom, this whole situation would run smoothly if she thought fondly of you. That and you needed to make physical contact with her to find her weaknesses, if she had any. This would be easier if she trusted you. You called out to Perospero, whom you have learned to tolerate during the voyage. "Perospero?"
"Yes???" He replied. His attitude towards you, too had changed. You were hardworking and helped out however you could. He realised that the irritable exterior that he witnessed was most likley a defence and that as you felt at ease on his ship, you became more amicable.
"What desserts does big mom like?"
"Mama??" He pondered. "She likes all desserts, why? What are you planning?" He looked at you quizzingly.
"I was hoping to make her something, I can't meet with her empty handed."
"Kukukuku, what a nice thought. I'm sure she would be happy with anything you make for her." After ending his remark he gave a habitual lick to his cane and you shuddered. That's something you could never get used to, but it reminded you of the day you left and instantly you knew what you'd make for Big Mom.
And so the long voyage came to an end, you found yourself in Totto land. The huge archipelago that was home to the Big Mom pirates. With the dessert held firmly in your grip, you disembarked from Perosperos' ship ready to navigate the new life that awaited you.