MY ARM

Deep in the woods, birds chirped, and the wind played with the leaves, making it sound like they were softly chatting with one another. As I walked, every corner seemed to hide a new secret, making me excited. But then, I felt a weird feeling, like someone was watching me.

I stopped and looked around. And there it was: a pair of bright, golden eyes staring right at me. A cheetah. Its sleek body looked ready to pounce, and I could see its muscles moving under its fur.

"Uh, hey there," I said, trying to sound cool but feeling anything but. I could feel the power from the Cloud Cloud Fruit buzzing in me, telling me to get ready.

Suddenly, the cheetah raced towards me. Man, it was fast! In a hurry, I tried making a cloud wall to block it, but the clever cat just dodged it.

"Okay, not what I planned," I muttered to myself. I then got an idea and tried to make a thick fog to hide in. For a moment, everything was quiet, and all I could see was white mist. But then, those shining eyes found me again.

Before I knew it, I felt a sharp pain in my arm. Looking down, I saw the cheetah's teeth deep in my skin. In a panic, I made a big cloud under my feet and flew up into the air, escaping its grip. As I went higher, the cheetah's growls got softer until I couldn't hear them anymore.

High up in the sky, away from danger, I looked at where my arm used to be. It was gone. The cheetah had taken it. This beautiful, wild world had just shown its sharp teeth.

I felt a mix of sadness and anger but also determination. I had to get better, smarter, tougher. As I floated among the clouds, I whispered to myself, "I'm gonna be stronger."

--

The world below seemed so distant, a patchwork of greens and blues, as I drifted amidst the vast expanse of the sky. The sharp pain from my lost arm was a constant reminder that I wasn't ready. Not yet. I needed time, a place to train and heal. With that thought, I guided my cloud towards a remote-looking island below.

Landing gently, I found myself on a quiet island, with tall trees and clear streams. The air smelled of fresh pine and wildflowers. It was peaceful, the kind of place you'd imagine for a fresh start.

Over the next days, I dedicated myself to mastering the Cloud Cloud Fruit's abilities. I created clouds of various shapes and sizes, learning to manipulate their density and movement. I even tried forming a makeshift arm out of clouds, a pale imitation of the real thing but functional.

I practiced jumping from cloud to cloud, using them as shields, and even crafting weapons. Each day was a routine of pushing my limits, falling, getting up, and trying again.

When not training, I'd sit by the stream, watching the clear water flow, lost in thought. I remembered the cheetah's fierce eyes and swift movements. I knew that if I ever faced it again, I couldn't afford any mistakes.

One day, while practicing, I managed to create a cloud so dense and solid that it almost felt real. With a grin, I shaped it into a mirror-like arm. It wasn't perfect, but it responded to my thoughts and movements. I felt a bit more whole.

Time seemed to blur on the island. Days turned into weeks. I could feel myself getting stronger, my connection with the clouds deepening. Yet, along with the strength, a deep-rooted desire to face my past grew within me.

One cool morning, as the first rays of the sun painted the sky, I stood on the highest peak of the island, looking at the horizon. The cheetah, the creature that had taken a part of me, waited somewhere out there.

Taking a deep breath, I whispered, "I'm ready." And with a strong push, I launched myself off the peak, riding my cloud, determined to face the challenges that awaited.