Farwell in Pink Snow

HELLO FANTASTICAL READERS! I PAY TRIBUTE THIS HALLOWEEN with a new chapter for my One Piece Fans. 

So, come aboard and bring along all your hopes and dreams! 

As Sakura and Sanji huddled together, they had planned to keep their heads down and remain hidden until they took their chance to escape the castle. However, the distant commotion and familiar voices echoing through the snowy peaks drew their curiosity, coaxing them out to investigate. Much to their surprise and relief, they found the rest of their crew, along with some villagers, including Dalton, who bore the signs of having endured a fierce battle.

Vivi's eyes lit up with joy as she spotted Sakura walking out of the castle with Sanji by her side. "Sakura!" she called out, a mixture of relief and excitement in her voice.

Nami joined in, her voice filled with concern, "Hey, are you alright?"

With a thumbs-up, Sakura reassured them, "Of course, I'm all cured."

"I'm so glad you're okay," Vivi said, her worry melting away.

Curious about their unexpected arrival, Sakura asked, "How did you guys get here anyway?"

Zoro pointed to the ropeway, and Sakura's face paled in surprise. "There was a ropeway up here?!" she exclaimed, glancing at the injured Dalton, who was crouched in the snow nearby.

"What happened?" 

As they exchanged stories, Sakura learned that while Luffy and Sanji had taken her up the mountain to find a doctor, the village had come under attack by Wapol and his men, who were attempting to reclaim the kingdom against the villagers' wishes. A violent altercation had ensued, and after the avalanche, Wapol and his men had fled towards the castle, prompting the crew to give chase.

During the conversation, Dalton noticed Chopper trying to conceal himself poorly behind a tree in the snow, and everyone's attention turned toward the peculiar creature. Shock and concern crossed their faces, but Usopp's fearful cry shattered the brief silence. "Monster, someone shoot it!"

Chopper, reacting to Usopp's outburst, scurried away just as he had done in the castle earlier. Luffy, displaying his typical impulsiveness, smacked Usopp on the back of his head before chasing after Chopper to introduce him to their newfound friends.

Sakura let out a resigned sigh. "Now how are we going to convince him to join our crew?" she wondered aloud, feeling the weight of the task ahead.

Perplexed, the four crew members who hadn't been privy to the events exchanged puzzled glances. "What?" they asked in unison, eager to understand the situation.

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Sakura's body trembled with another heavy cough as the stern but experienced eyes of Dr. Kureha examined her thoroughly.

 "You're a really stupid little girl, aren't you?" Kureha scolded, her tone laced with firmness and exasperation. "I told you not to set foot outside, and you get into a match with Wapol. Now, you're this close to dry heaving out your lungs! I should charge you double my rate for all the backsliding you've caused to my efforts,"

Wincing at the rough treatment, Sakura found herself pushed back onto the mattress, where she lay with a flushed face, the oncoming fever making its presence known. 

Nami and Vivi hovered over her with worried expressions, but Sakura managed to smile reassuringly up at them. "I'm alright, guys."

Nami's deadpan expression countered her words, "Yeah, you don't look it."

"It's not as bad as you think," Sakura countered, though Kureha's scoff betrayed her doubts.

"You'd be fully recovered if you hadn't overexerted yourself like a damn fool," the doctor retorted sharply, her straightforward nature brooking no nonsense.

Sakura's cheek puffed out in defiance. So what if she had gone a little overboard? Her constitution was strong enough to handle this much, and she firmly believed she'd be back on her feet in a few hours, ready to set sail once more. Hence there was no need to waste any more time. Despite her friend's worry for her, Sakura knew that Vivi must be suppressing herself and her desire to leave for Alabasta. She already knew about the dangers lurking within her country and how extreme things have become. 

"Doctorine, I'm also a medic, and I know that I'm on the way to recovery. I'll be just fine by tomorrow," Sakura asserted confidently.

Kureha didn't seem surprised by Sakura's diagnosis. "Then you'll be here until tomorrow. As for the medical fees, I'll be taking all of the cargo and money from your ship."

"What!?" Nami exclaimed, her eyes wide in disbelief at the exorbitant demand but Vivi gave her a pointed look, reminding her that this was for Sakura's health and wellbeing. That barely softened the blow. 

"That's right," Kureha replied matter-of-factly, unfazed by their reaction. She then turned to Dalton, who lay injured in one of the other beds in the room, She had an idea. "Dalton, I'm sure you know where the key to the arsenal is, right?"

Dalton looked surprised at the unexpected question. "The arsenal? Why would you want to go in there?"

"That's none of your concern. Do you know where it is?"

"Wapol always carried that key with him," Dalton replied, curiosity piqued.

Sakura's eyes glinted mischievously, she brought out the key that had been tucked in one of her pockets. "You mean this key?"

Kureha, taken aback by the sudden change in conversation, interjected, "You have the key? How?"

"I stole it," Sakura answered calmly, her gaze unwavering. "How about we give you the key in exchange for the medical treatment?" 

Kureha's stern expression softened, "Fine then, you don't have to pay any fees." Taking the key from Sakura, she continued, "However, you can't leave until your treatment is complete. I can't, in good conscience, allow you to leave in this condition."

Sakura's jaw dropped in disbelief. "And you only brought this up after you took the key back!?"

"Look here!" Kureha pointed at Sakura, shrugging into her jacket. "I have a few errands to take care of, and there's a chest in the back room with my coats. It's not like I'm posting any guards. But don't you even think about escaping!"

With that, Kureha left the room, leaving three stunned girls behind. Vivi, Sakura, and Nami exchanged pointed looks, watching as Kureha ushered out the other villagers to assist her on the so-called errands.

"So…." Vivi trailed. 

"I also stashed a few medical books I want to take along. Who wants to grab the coat?" Sakura asked, her determination evident in her pursed lips.

Nami couldn't help but grin at Sakura's resourcefulness. "You're becoming more like a pirate," she quipped, impressed by her friend's cunning nature. Sakura just stuck out her tongue.

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Chopper sat on the castle wall, panting heavily as the echoes of Luffy's calls reached his ears from below. The sun had already set, casting a colder front over Drum Kingdom, but the young reindeer's mind was preoccupied with uncertainty. It had taken him the entire afternoon to get away from the persistent straw hat captain. Luffy's tenacity was something Chopper had not been prepared for, and he found himself grappling with conflicting emotions.

The rest of the crew was gathered down below, ready to depart on their next adventure. Chopper wished he could at least bid them a proper farewell. Despite their rough introduction, he knew that Luffy and his crew had played a crucial role in freeing Drum Kingdom from Wapol's tyranny once and for all. He

His gaze then settled on the flag waving atop one of the towers—a skull and crossbones adorned with cherry blossoms. The flag had suffered damage from a cannonball fired by Wapol, but Chopper remembered how Luffy had valiantly defended it with his own body, taking the blow to preserve their symbol of freedom.

Suddenly, Chopper was startled by a voice beside him. Sakura sat there, her presence almost imperceptible until she spoke.

 "Still hiding from them, huh?" she mused, her eyes gently studying the conflicted reindeer.

Chopper nearly slipped from his seat, his eyes darting to Sakura in surprise. "W-What—"

Sakura smiled warmly, her demeanor reassuring. "You don't want to come along with us?" she inquired, genuinely curious.

Chopper fell silent, his gaze drifting down to where the rest of the pirates—Nami, Vivi, and the boys—were searching for Sakura, having thought they had lost her. Vivi carried a sack filled with books, likely collected by Sakura.

"I really thought you would be interested in joining the crew," Sakura continued gently, giving Chopper the space to express himself. "We're a little rough around the edges, I admit but there's never a dull moment," 

With a hint of vulnerability, Chopper finally revealed the truth. "It's not that I don't want to go with you... but I'm... I'm a reindeer, and I have a blue nose and I'm not human..."

Sakura sighed, her understanding gaze meeting his. "So what?" she said matter-of-factly.

Chopper's nose twitched as he looked up at her in surprise. "Huh?"

"We already know you're a reindeer. It doesn't matter to us," Sakura emphasized, her voice carrying conviction.

Looking down at his hooves, Chopper still harbored hesitance in his eyes. He had dreamt of the vast seas and yearned to experience the adventures they offered, but fears and doubts had clouded his vision. Would he ever be accepted as he was?

"I'm a monster," Chopper whispered, the words weighted with self-doubt.

"Good," Sakura countered with a soft chuckle. "You'll fit right in, trust me. No one on that crew is normal. No matter how much they want to deny it," she reassured him.

Chopper looked up at her, his curiosity piqued. "I'll fit in?"

"Chopper, you can't let others' opinions get in the way of what you want. That's not living. So, for a minute, forget about everyone and everything else and just answer this: What do you want to do?"

For the first time, Chopper allowed himself to truly ponder the question. The allure of the unknown sea and the thrill of adventure beckoned him, and in that moment, he felt a spark of courage within him. It was time to make a choice.

"I want to go with you," Chopper declared, his voice steady and resolute. "I want to go out to sea, and have adventures!"

Sakura's smile widened, as she patted the reindeer affectionately. "Alright then, let's go tell the captain,"

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Luffy's voice echoed through the crisp air, punctuated by the urgency of his argument with Usopp and Zoro. Chasing Chopper until nightfall, the young captain was now embroiled in a heated debate, his determination unwavering despite the voices of reason around him. To Luffy, these matters weren't logical decisions to be weighed.

Zoro's voice carried a note of frustration as he attempted to reason with his stubborn captain. It was a familiar role for him, the one who often found himself reining in Luffy's impulsive whims. "You can't just force someone to join the crew," 

"We need to get going soon," Nami asserted, her eyes scanning the surroundings. "Where did Sakura go?"

Usopp's attention was momentarily diverted from the argument as he busied himself crafting a snowman, attempting to pass the time. "You still can't find her?" he inquired, his focus on his snowy creation.

Zoro's exasperation was palpable as he sighed. "Great, don't tell me she's lost."

Luffy's fixation, however, remained firmly on Chopper. "We gotta get the reindeer too!" 

Zoro made another attempt to reason with his captain, his patience wearing thin. "Just because you want him to join the crew doesn't mean he's interested in being a pirate," 

"No! I WANT HIM TO BE A PIRATE WITH US," 

"And I said you can't force him to!" 

A flash of movement drew their attention, and Sakura's voice cut through the air like a melodic note. "What are you guys doing?" she called, her tone carrying a hint of mischief.

Zoro, his arms crossed in annoyance, addressed her immediately. "And where the hell have you been?"

Sakura's grin was wide, almost sly, as she stepped aside, revealing Chopper standing behind her legs. "I'd say we need to save a proper celebration for our new crewmate," 

Luffy's face lit up with joy, a wide grin spreading across his features. He threw his hands up in the air, an exuberant gesture that spoke volumes more than words ever could. 

"LET'S GO!" Luffy's voice reverberated with fervor, a rallying cry that resonated through the snowy landscape.

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"It's great that were were able to convince Chopper to join us Sakura, because it looked like Luffy was ready to resort to kidnapping," Usopp remarked

The crew had been on edge as Luffy relentlessly pursued Chopper, refusing to yield even when the rest of his companions insisted that Chopper didn't seem interested in joining them. In the end, Sakura's persuasive words had swayed the young reindeer. And now they were all but one step away from leaving for Alabasta. 

The crew had gathered, poised to leave Drum Island, while Chopper prepared to say his goodbyes to Doctorine privately. The doctor's standoffish demeanor had led them to believe that a public farewell might not be well received. But Sakura said that Chopper deserved to have a proper greeting and farewell with Kureha who had been his mentor and only companion for so many years. 

As Usopp headed to prepare the ropeway for their departure, he cast a curious glance at Sakura. "And how are you feeling now?" he inquired, genuine concern in his eyes.

"I'm feeling great." It was partly true; she was on the path to recovery despite another episode of overexertion. She hoped that once she was back on the ship, she could finally rest properly.

Zoro's gaze lingered on Sakura, and she quirked an eyebrow. "What?" she asked, puzzled by his scrutiny.

"Nothing," Zoro replied, his tone gruff.

"Don't believe me?" 

"I said nothing didn't I?" 

"Right…" 

 It seemed that the crew's dynamic was slipping back into its familiar rhythm.

"Once Chopper returns, we'll set sail for Alabasta," Nami announced, offering Vivi a reassuring smile.

Sakura felt a sense of gratitude toward Vivi for her patience during this unexpected detour. While she hadn't divulged the severity of her condition, she was thankful for Vivi's understanding. Sometimes, leaving certain truths in the past was the wisest choice, and she hoped the topic would remain closed. 

There were some rumblings and shouting that could be heard from inside the castle, it sounded like a few panicked screams of the villagers that had come up to the castle with Dalton. But why were they suddenly panicking when the danger had been removed already? 

"Is something happening in there?" Vivi asked. 

"EVERYONE!" Chopper's voice cut through the air, drawing their attention. The young reindeer came bounding out of the castle, a sled already strapped to his back, closely followed by an irate Kureha, who brandished a ball and chain weapon.

"Everybody, onto the sleigh! We're descending the mountain now!" Chopper called out, his urgency palpable.

As Kureha's weapon landed nearby, their crew sprang into action, following Chopper's directive with a sense of controlled chaos. They piled onto the sleigh, Chopper running onto the rope of the ropeway that led down the mountain. The accommodations were a bit awkward and rushed, with Usopp holding onto Luffy like a flag flapping in the wind and Sanji precariously hanging off the side before finally being hauled up.

With the icy wind brushing against her cheeks, Sakura's gaze drifted back toward the mountain's peak. She couldn't help but question Chopper, her curiosity piqued. "Why was she chasing you?"

Chopper's reindeer form seemed to hold a hint of sadness as he responded, "Doctorine didn't want me to leave and become a pirate. I had to escape."

Sakura frowned, puzzled by this revelation. Kureha had initially granted permission for Chopper to join their crew, so why this sudden change of heart? 

Unkowbist to them, Kureha didn't want to endure what she considered to be a 'sappy' farewell, a send-off with heartfelt words and tears was something she had grown tired of and found it a waste of youth. Or that's what she would tell anyone who questioned her for her actions, which at the time had only been Dalton. 

But if they had looked back to the start of the ropeway, the crew might have caught a proper glimpse of the doctor's face and realized that something more was afoot. 

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Chopper navigated the ropeway down the mountain with remarkable agility as was his landing as he made his way to the strip of ocean where they had parked the Going Merry. The journey was swift and uninterrupted, each turn and descent bringing them closer to their ship. The world seemed to blur around them as if the very landscape were a mere backdrop to their destination. Yet, amidst this momentum, a sudden change caught their attention.

Luffy's sharp eyes detected the subtle shift in the snowfall, a change in the rhythm of nature's dance. Nami's observant gaze followed Luffy's, and she pointed to the sky, her curiosity piqued. "Hey, what is that?"

Chopper, sensing the shift, glanced back, his expression a mixture of surprise and recognition. The sled came to an abrupt halt as Chopper processed the sight that had unfolded before them.

Above the castle, the sky seemed to burst with an orchestrated symphony of sound and color. The resonance of cannons echoed through the air, the sharp reports carrying a sense of both celebration and finality. And then, the snow falling around them underwent a breathtaking transformation. The once-pristine white snowflakes were now kissed by a vibrant pink hue as if they had borrowed the blush of cherry blossoms.

The source of this extraordinary spectacle became apparent as their eyes turned to the castle. Upon the drum-like mountain, a vivid shade of pink sprawled across the sky, melding with the landscape like an ethereal cloud descended. The mountain itself seemed to be transformed into the very embodiment of a cherry blossom tree in full bloom. A sight that wouldn't be seen on a winter island. 

Chopper, overwhelmed by the scene before him. Tears welled up in his eyes as he witnessed the pink snowfall like delicate petals around them. This was no ordinary phenomenon; it was a spectacle carefully crafted over years, a culmination of dreams and efforts. The late Dr. Hiriluk had poured his heart and soul into this creation, a powder that now produced the illusion of cherry blossoms cascading upon the snow.

An experiment he had dedicated his entire life to achieving, in hopes of curing this country. 

Kureha, too, had played her part, orchestrating the cannons that now sent the pink-hued powder into the atmosphere. It was a sendoff, a poignant farewell to her beloved student. Chopper realized, with a deep and resonating understanding.

Emotion gripped Chopper's heart as he comprehended the significance of this gesture. He had often been seen as an oddity, an outsider. Yet, at this moment, he saw clearly how he was embraced, how he was cherished. Kureha's actions spoke louder than words, revealing the depth of her affection for him.

As the pink snow continued to fall like a gentle embrace, Chopper's tears flowed freely. The camaraderie of the crew, the legacy of Dr. Hiriluk, and the affection of Kureha all converged in this ethereal display.

That's all for now! If you want to know what's coming next, just go on to my TUMBLR BLOG. Find my schedule, fanart. 

Of course here is your…..SPECIAL SNEAK PEEK! 

KUNOICHI AMONGST PIRATES CHAPTER 20

Zoro's brows furrowed as he turned his gaze toward her. "Are you sure you aren't still sick?"

The retort was quick and decisive. "I'm fine."

Zoro's gave an exasperated click of his tongue. "Thought you would've learned your lesson by now."

Sakura's narrowed gaze bore into him, her voice laced with an incredulity of her own. "What are you talking about?"

Zoro decided to circle back to retort, "You could've died, and even knowing that you decided against telling us,"

Sakura sighed, raising her hands as if surrendering in the conversation. "I get it, I made a dumb decision, are we done?"

"That's not the point,"

"Then what is it?" Sakura almost groaned.

The room was once again charged with the awkwardness of their initial encounter. Zoro stared at Sakura with an unwelcoming intensity, as if he was trying to burn a hole through her and she wondered if he was creating deliberate suspense or just contemplating what to say next.

Zoro took a step towards her, "The point is you're too tight-lipped,"

"Again-you're one to talk," Sakura stretched out her statement.

"Then what's wrong?"

Sakura frowned, "What?"

"Just a while ago, you looked ready to pass out on the deck and now you're suddenly wide awake,"

Throwing her head back, Sakura heaved, "Maybe I caught my second wind?"

"Or you've got something weighing you down so much you can't sleep,"

Her eyebrow quirked and her head tilted, "I'd say you sound worried about me,"

He countered in a way she was not expecting.

"You're a part of this crew aren't you?"

If you're looking for more treats this Halloween, memberships are always open. 

Here's the current LINEUP: 

MEMBERS NOW:

-SPECIAL HALLOWEEN CHAPTER: Shinigami amongst Shinobi

-Kunoichi amongst Heroes chapter 52, 53, 54

-Kunoichi amongst Heroes WHAT IF SPIN OFF: Dorms and Exams

-Kunoichi amongst Pirates chapter 19, 20, 21

-Crossroads of Fate chapter 13, 14, 15

-Through the Looking Glass chapter 17, 18. 19, 20

-(SEQUEL) Through the Spyglass chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Public post 15 NOVEMBER

-Kunoichi amongst Heroes chapter 52

-Crossroads of Fate chapter 15