Chapter 15 - Thank you gift

(Nico Robin POV)

Separating from Emma and Monet I walked into the house and headed towards the living room like I was told to do. Entering into the living room an old woman sitting on a chair facing me with a surprised look on her face.

"Monet betra-." Not letting her finish talking I grew arms from behind her back and snapped her neck mimicking how Geina did it last week. Walking up to her corpse I took the berries that were sitting on the table in front of her and then proceeded to search her body.

'A key? Why the fuck would you keep it on your body?' shaking my head at the stupidity of this woman I started to walk around the house looking for something. Walking upstairs I found what appears to be her study and inside on the desk sat a stack of pictures.

'Bingo.' Approaching the desk and picking up the pictures, there were a total of three of them showing Emma, Geina, and I that looks like they were taken right after that incident on the last island. Putting the pictures in my inside shirt pocket to ensure I didn't lose them I then tried to open the only drawer built into the desk but it appeared to be locked.

'Why? You made everything so easy. Did you never think of the possibility of someone looting your corpse just to get curious when they found a key?" Sighing at the complete idiocy of the dead person downstairs I unlocked the drawer and found two more pictures of one familiar person and one stranger but I had an idea who she was. Also inside is what looked like a message.

'Captain Doflamingo I recently found a promising addition that I'd like to recommend adding to the crew, she has the logia ability to turn her body into snow and after testing her abilities and morals I've found that she has no qualms in killing anyone as long as she is paid for it. Although she is extremely protective of her little sister, however we can ju.' Reading everything that was written it seemed she had to stop before she could finish but it was clear that the person in the other picture is Sugar as I thought but also that this goes a lot deeper than just a random old lady who wants people dead.

'I'll have to ask Emma if she knows who this Doflamingo person is.' Thinking this to myself I took everything in the drawer, putting them with the other pictures, and then proceeded to make my way through the house going back downstairs and leaving as if no one was ever there as I made my way towards the ship.

The first thing I noticed when I returned to the ship was that both Monet and Sugar were talking to Geina but Sugar was hiding behind Monet looking terrified for some reason. 'I wonder if she's scared easily?'

"Oh, Robin, you're back." Nodding to Monet I then reached into my pocket and pulled out the berries that I got earlier.

"Here this is what old lady Shetani wanted me to give you for help you've been to her this entire time as a thank you gift." Understanding what I was doing Monet thanked me silently so that Sugar who was now beaming in pride couldn't see.

"Good job Sis you did so great that you got extra berries as a goodbye gift, the old lady is so nice." Shaking her head Monet then rubbed Sugars and told her.

"Ok, don't get too excited over it. If this small amount of money gets you this riled up then I don't want to imagine what Shandora will do to you." Perhaps getting lost in thought of what the city of gold would look like Sugar seemingly forgot about being scared and zoned out with a wide smile on her face causing Monet to laugh and poke at her cheeks.

Turning to look back at me Monet spoke. "Thank you for bringing this to me. I appreciate it, this will come in handy with getting us some more belongings." Before I could respond to her, Geina interjected.

"Don't worry about having to buy anything you want, as long as the both of you will be staying with us all you have to do is ask and we can get you most things." Being shocked by this Monet was about to deny that being done for them before Geina spoke again.

"It's good you're so conscious about money but for now don't worry about things like that, just focus on becoming stronger to be of help to Emma in the future and I'll worry about everything else." Monet still wanted to reject the help but seeing that Geina wasn't giving her a chance she finally gave in.

"Thank you for all you're doing for my sister and me." Shaking her head Geina responded.

"Don't worry about it, Emma wanted the both of you on her crew so I'll naturally do everything I can to help the both of you. There's no need for thanks." Snapping out of her daze, Sugar grabbed Monet's arm and motioned her to come closer to her mouth. Whispering into Monet's ear only loud enough for her to hear, although the smile that formed on Geinas face suggested otherwise.

Standing up straight and looking at Geina while Sugar shuffled back behind her Monet asked. "Is there somewhere we can clean ourselves off? We don't want to ruin the sheets when we sleep in them."

Smiling widely at the blushing Sugar, Geina chuckled before motioning the both of them to follow her. "Robin, meet me later, and let's talk. Emma is inside the kitchen right now preparing dinner."

Nodding to her I headed off to the kitchen to assure Emma that I was fine. Walking into the kitchen I saw Emma using her ability to control a whole bunch of utensils to prepare multiple dishes at the same time. Noticing me she dropped it all and ran up to me starting to examine me from head to toe finally sighing in relief when she realized I wasn't hurt anywhere.

"How are you feeling?" Worry showing in her voice as she asked, causing me to smile at the concern.

"I'm just fine, she wasn't any real threat except." Pulling the unfinished letter from my pocket I showed it to Emma who after reading it showed a look of realization indicating she knew something.

"What is it?" Handing the letter back to me to which I put it back with the pictures she started to explain.

"Do you remember when I said that by getting Monet and Sugar to join us we might save a kingdom?" Nodding to confirm I did remember she continued.

"DonQuixote Doflamingo is an ex celestial dragon and future warlord of the sea. He's also the person that the next member of our crew that we will be picking up wants dead more than anyone else." She went on to explain what his abilities are and what he plans on doing in the future including what Monet and Sugar's role in that goal was.

"That would explain why your Mom wants to find the Hobi Hobi no Mi that things abilities are scary." Sighing, Emma agreed before speaking again.

"I don't plan on letting any of that come to pass. Although it isn't for any noble reason like wanting to save everyone in Dressrosa for the sake of it, I just don't think Doflamingo should be left alive with what kind of person he is, besides I plan on taking out all the celestial dragons anyway and even if he's not one anymore he believes he still is." Looking at me in the eyes, changing the topic Emma asked again.

"Are you sure you're ok, you don't need to hide your emotions if you want to cry?" Laughing at how much she's thinking about me I couldn't help but pat her on the head and reassure her again.

"I'm really fine, honestly I don't feel anything for killing her." After continuing to stare into my eyes for a good minute Emma finally let all the tension from her shoulders and complained.

"Why was I so emotional when I did it?" Laughing at that caused Emma to look up at me angrily before stomping away back to finish cooking while ignoring me entirely. Laughing a little more at her I created an eye on the ceiling to see what she does when I walk out the kitchen as I left to find Geina. Inside the kitchen, Emma looked at the door I left through for a minute before letting out a long sigh and going back to cooking, realizing that she was focused back on the food I erased the eye before smiling and heading towards Geinas room.

Once I entered her room I found her sitting on her bed in the process of putting up her den-den mushi. Looking over at me when she was done she inquired. "Did you find what we suspected?"

Nodding to her question I then pulled the three photos we were suspecting along with the other two and the unfinished letter. "There were also these."

Reading the letter and then looking at all the photos Geina took on a contemplating expression before asking a question. "Did Emma know anything about Doflamingo?"

Nodding at her question I went on to explain to her everything that was just explained to me, making Geina fall back into deep contemplation for a while before snapping out of it once making a decision.

"I'll contact Gauge again and get him to intercept that crew while he's on his way to swallow island." Raising my hand I tried to stop her from pulling back out the den-den mushi and calling Gauge.

"Wait, Emma said our next crew member will have a grudge against Doflamino so I think we should keep him alive for their sake." After thinking about it for a minute Geina sighed and agreed to that statement before speaking.

"I'll make sure that Gauge doesn't kill Doflamingo or any members of his crew but there is no chance that I'm letting the Hobi Hobi no mi escape my grasp if there is a chance he has it."

"I agree, if what Emma said about the fruit is true then that things abilities are scary, I couldn't imagine completely forgetting someone I knew even existed." Nodding to that statement Geina responded with narrowed eyes.

"That's why it's one of the fruits I'm hunting for, some fruits are more terrifying than just dealing massive damage like the Gura Gura no mi and just can't be left alone to be found." Reaching for the den-den mushi Geina called Gauge and proceeded to explain what she wanted him to do before meeting us on Swallow island. Getting his confirmation that it would be done before he showed up she hung up again and stood up before motioning me to follow her.

Walking into the room Monet and Sugar will be sharing Geina asked. "We will be going shopping in town tomorrow before leaving for Swallow island so that the girls can get more clothes, hygiene products, and anything else they may want. But I feel like Monet won't mention things she wants or needs so can you take note of everything they have and make sure she gets what she doesn't mention?" Agreeing to help and after looking around their room I was surprised at the lack of anything in the room, just a few clothes, some books, and half a basket of grapes. Looking at Geina I said.

"So basically just make sure they get everything."

"Pretty much, I'm sure Monet will make sure her sister gets everything she needs and then some seeing how she treats her but for herself, it doesn't seem like she cares." Titling my head at her I asked.

"What gives you that idea?" Turning her head to look at the picture books on the shelf I understood what she meant.

"Nothing in here is really for her." Agreeing to that statement Geina then added.

"She also needs glasses, she is extremely farsighted but is so used to it, it doesn't seem to affect her everyday life. I don't even know how she managed to be a hired killer like that." Sighing, I said I'd make sure they got everything they needed before Geina left to check on them and inform Emma of our decision regarding Doflamingo.

(Monet POV)

"Don't splash around so much." Saying this to my little sister didn't seem to do anything to calm her excited mood as she swam around in the bathtub so giving up on it I fell further in soaking up to my chin and got lost in thought before I heard a knocking on the door followed by a voice.

"I'm coming in with a clean change of clothes for the both of you." After saying that Emma's Mom Mrs. Pietas walked into the bathroom with some clothes that I've never seen before. Noticing the confusion on my face she spoke.

"These are extra pajamas that Emma and Robin haven't worn before and I figured that since the four of you are like mirrors to each other in size then these should fit the both of you." sitting them on a shelf next to me me me the tub she then continued.

"Dinner should be ready in about half an hour, so just enjoy your time until then." saying that she glanced over at Sugar and chuckled at the fact she never even noticed her enter with how wrapped up she is in swimming around.

"Just come to the kitchen when you're both done, you should know where it's at." Chuckling even more at my reaction when she said that before leaving.

'Those three are weird, even after I tried to kill them they wanted me to join them. What's so special about Sugar and I?' falling back into thought I finally snapped out of it when it was time for dinner to be done. Ushering the reluctant to stop swimming Sugar I guided her towards the kitchen. Walking in I noticed that there were already five plates of food on the table and a lot of other food to the side with Emma, her Mom, and Robin already waiting for us.

Noticing our arrival Emma gestured for us to come to sit down before she spoke. "Tonight's dinner is baby seaking of an unknown variety that tried to attack us last week on our way here along with an assortment of different side dishes like roasted potato slices, fried rice, and vegetable skewers with banana or/and vanilla cake for dessert." Being slightly shocked at the amount of food I asked.

"Is it normal for you to make so much?" Shaking her head at my question Emma answered.

"Normally Dad and I like to compete on who can make a dish taste better so this is only half of the normal amount." This response didn't do anything to calm my shock but it didn't seem to matter to Sugar as she had been pretty much drooling since we entered the kitchen completely forgetting that she was normally scared around new people as she started eating. I was about to stop her and tell her to thank the person who made the food before eating but Emma stopped me.

"Don't worry about manners too much, just like Sugar just did we normally start eating right when the food is done without thanking anyone or anything." The way Emma said anything made it seem like she knew it personally but that must have been my imagination so throwing the strange thought out of my mind I started to eat.

Later that night when we were going to bed I couldn't control the smile that was plastered on my face while watching my little sister sleep peacefully. 'This is probably the first time you've been able to fall asleep without tossing and turning because those stupid bugs that no matter how much I tried to freeze wouldn't die."

Stroking her hair for a minute I then wrapped my arms around her before also falling asleep. The next morning after waking up I got out of bed without disturbing Sugar and headed towards the bathroom to find Robin walking out. Looking at me she spoke.

"Once Sugar wakes up get ready to head into town so that we can get you both everything you may need." Nodding my head at her I was about to go into the bathroom before she spoke again.

"That includes a pair of glasses for you so start thinking about what style you want." Not letting me respond before walking away, Robin headed back to her room.

'Everything has changed so much in one day.' Thinking about the sudden lifestyle change, another uncontrollable smile formed on my face.