First One Piece Fanfiction
Title: The Return Home
Beta: bluewalk (The wonderful person who cleaned up my mess)
Fandom: One Piece
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: One Piece is owned by Oda, Shueshia, Toei, VIZ, and Funimation. I am none of those things.
Summary: After six years of sailing the open seas, Usopp returns to Syrup to see what's changed in his absence.
Pairing: UsoppxKaya
Word Count: 2,315
A/N: Usopp and Kaya were my first OTP for One Piece. I have always loved the idea that Kaya was waiting for Usopp to return and that their reunion would be wonderful so I decided to write how I think it will happen. This is also my first One Piece fanfiction. I would love to know what you think of it.
The day dawned bright and cold. Spring was on its way but winter had yet to let go. There was still frost on the blades of grass and the morning breeze was more cool than comfortable. Though the sun was barely cresting the horizon, the villagers of Syrup Village were already starting their morning. Farmers kissed their wives goodbye as they set out towards the fields while the shop keepers cracked open the awnings and doors. Life gradually came awake.
Unbeknownst to the villagers, a small sloop made land on a beach at the outskirts of town. It was a hardy ship, made of solid, old wood and powered by bright white sails. It looked like it could hold ten people but only one person bounded over the rails to moor the ship.
Usopp surveyed the little beach, smiling fondly as memories surfaced. He could see faint marks in the walls and ground of the slope, leading towards the village. It had been many years since the day the Strawhats and he had fought Kuro. The battle site showed signs of age; the marks soft around the edges, some of the shallower ones almost worn away. Usopp rubbed a finger under his nose and smirked, remembering how Luffy had hit Kuro in the face, how Zoro has fought his way to Usopp so he could protect the others from Jango. He had been so scared then, so in awe of their ability to do whatever they wanted without fear of the consequences. He knew, then, that they were the kind of pirates Usopp wanted to be. And look at me now, he thought, walking up the slope.
~*~*~
Kaya worked in her lab, mixing various herbs while consulting her medical tome. She had completed her medical training a couple of years ago and was now the main doctor in Syurp. She was in the middle of mixing a cure for Mrs. Derew's whooping cough. The woman was in her late 60s but still carried on as though she were in her 40s. Kaya shook her head with a smile. This little village may not be well known for its power but it bred strong people. She looked at the warn wanted poster on the wall, tacked under an article with a picture of smiling man in a straw hat, and her smile turned wistful. It had been nearly six years since Usopp had sailed off with the Strawhat pirates, almost two since the new pirate king and crew had flipped the world upside down. She used to receive letters from Usopp, which she kept in a book along with newspaper clippings and pictures from articles about their adventures around the world, but the last one had arrived almost four months ago. The former Usopp pirates still dropped by every now and then to see if a new letter or article had appeared that day and had been as disappointed as she when there wasn’t.
Carrot, Onion and Pepper were all on their way to fulfilling their dreams. Carrot was an apprentice at the only bar in town, the Drunken Fish. He had started off as a dish washer but was already working the floor, taking orders and serving beer. Onion had taken to rewriting the articles she saved into novels, changing dry facts into wondrous tales of adventure and excitement. He had received an offer from East Blue publishing a few weeks ago and had spent the entire time locked in his room since. Pepper could usually be seen at the carpenters, repairing wagon wheels, ship hulls, and broken doors. He had yet to move on to true carpentry but his repair work was flawless. Kaya had little doubt he would move on to more challenging work soon.
Kaya finished mixing the cure and packed it into a basket alongside several other vials. Though winter was nearly gone there were still several cases of colds and flu stubbornly sticking around. Even Merry was laid up in bed, sneezing and snuffling through the night.
As she was packing away the final things she needed in her basket, Kaya turned to the window with a frown. Was that Carrot's voice I just heard, she thought, brows creasing in worry. She hefted the basket to her shoulder and walked down the stairs towards the front door at a brisk pace.
Throwing open the double doors she spied three teen boys racing towards her. "Pirates!" Onion shouted, "Pirates are coming!"
"Run, Miss Kaya!" Pepper chimed in, "Before they reach the mansion!"
Carrot had a huge grin on his face as he said, "Otherwise the former Usopp Pirates will have to protect you again!" The three boys collapsed into laughter as they stopped, gasping at her doorstep.
Kaya smiled with a hint of reproach. "Boys, what have I told you about lying?"
"That we should do it every day?" Pepper queried, grinning at her.
"Correct." Kaya shut the door behind her and began to walk down the pathway towards the center of the village.
The boys fell into step alongside her, talking a mile a minute about the work they were going to do that day. Kaya listened, humming under her breath. Today was going to be a good day, she just knew it.
~*~*~
Usopp dashed behind trees and buildings as he carefully made his way through the village without being seen. It's not that he was afraid of how everyone would react, not a brave man of the sea like him, he was just a little, well, nervous that they might chase him out of town. It had been several years since he had last seen them and he knew he had changed a great deal. Gone were the shaking knees and loud embellishments. Gone was the little boy with a head full of dreams and stomach full of nerves. He was a grown man now, experienced in the ways of adventuring out on the open seas with a crew of insane monsters. Though, I guess I'm not exactly normal either, he thought with a grin, patting his bag of pop greens and explosive bullets. And while he was proud of who he'd become (who wouldn't be proud of being the top sniper on the crew of the Pirate King?) he wasn't sure how the residents of this sleepy little village would react to seeing him again. He hoped they would still welcome him. He may have a new family now but that didn't mean he had given up his old one.
Usopp sighed as he watched everyone go about their day from the shadows of a shop. Though the village was still small it had grown somewhat in the six years he'd been away. There were more shops around the town square and from what he'd seen of the school when he'd peaked in, it could no longer hold all of the kids in one classroom. He'd seen Mr. Johanson, the local carpenter, talking with some of the masonry men and architects. They had been gesturing at a blueprint that looked like the school with several rooms added on. Guess life goes on, even way out here.
He had already been to most of his favorite places on the island: his old house, the valley where he would train the ex-Usopp Pirates (who were mysteriously absent from the daily bustle of the village), the forest where they would hunt for treasure. He'd even looked in on the bar where he'd first had a meal with Luffy, Nami and Zoro. He'd almost gotten teary eyed when he remembered how that meal had gone, leading to the first real adventure of his life. However, he was putting off the most important place for last. I hope she still remembers me...
Tearing his eyes away from the people in the square, he looked in the direction of the mansion and swallowed. Then he shook himself. I am the brave pirate Usopp! I'm not scared of talking to a girl. Even if that girl is Kaya! Beautiful Kaya who I left behind six years ago and haven't talked to since... He took a breath, squared his shoulders and began to march towards the mansion.
~*~*~
Kaya was listening to Onion regale the other two boys with a story, arms flailing as he emphasized his words. They had just finished dropping off a powder for the Karin family whose youngest child had an itchy rash the covered her entire body. The young girl had nearly bowled Kaya over when she had hugged the woman in gratitude. Kaya had stuttered out a "You're welcome" and was glad when her mother had pried the little girl off. She still wasn't used to praise from others, preferring to just drop of the medicine and disappear. She was still getting used to dealing with strangers even if they were people she had watched from her window growing up.
Usopp and my servants were the only people who would talk to me then. No wonder I have such trouble with other people, she shook her head in amusement at her own discomfort. I'm an adult now, shouldn't I be past this?
Kaya hummed a little laugh and looked back up at the pathway, then stopped, startled. Someone was standing in the middle of the dirt road, just close enough to be distinguishable. He was tall, wearing heavy canvas pants and dark shirt under a red cloak. He kept his kinky black hair back with a wide brimmed hat, which cast a shadow on his long... nose...
Kaya dropped the basket with a gasp, covering her mouth with her hands. It can't be, she thought. There was no way he was here, not now. It had to be a dream, a hope turned cruel.
She felt something bump into her. "Why did you stop, Miss Kaya?" Onion asked then looked beyond her and froze. She heard three gasps then, "Usopp!"
Kaya was running then, convinced that she wasn't hallucinating, that he was there, in front of her. She reached him in record time and leaped towards him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him square on the mouth.
~*~*~
Usopp grinned wildly when he realized who was walking towards him. Damn, they got big he thought, looking at his former pirate crew. Then his gaze moved towards the other and his lungs froze. She was more beautiful than he remembered, glowing with vitality and a ferocity he knew she didn't have before. Then his eyes widened as she ran towards him, his arms reaching out automatically when she jumped at him. When her lips touched his the world disappeared, narrowing down to that simple connection. He had hoped she would be happy to see him but even in his wildest fantasies he never expected this kind of greeting (though he had hoped…). He slowly raised his arms and wrapped them loosely around her back, cradling her. He tilted his head and closed his eyes, savoring the precious moment.
"Ooooooh, look at them go at it!"
"Usopp, what kind of a man are you, accosting Miss Kaya in full daylight like that?"
"Yeah, we thought you were a gentleman!"
Usopp startled back from Kaya glaring at the three teens who were whooping, whistling and catcalling behind her. The teasing turned to laughter as they started running towards the couple, stopping within arms’ reach. Kaya untangled an arm from Usopp's neck to drag one of the boys closer while Usopp caught hold of the other two. The five of them stood in a circle of camaraderie, basking in the understanding that they were back together again.
~*~*~
Kaya laid her head on Usopp's shoulder as they walked hand in hand behind Carrot, Onion, and Pepper. The four of them had decided to drag Usopp to the village to show him off to everyone. Usopp had seemed reluctant at first but had given in when she had begged, saying everyone would love to see him. She grinned at him now, barely believing this was happening. Her heart was fluttering in her chest and she clenched her hand around his again, just to make sure it was still there. He squeezed back then leaned over to kiss her again, just a quick peck. Her smile grew wider. She didn't think she'd ever get used to the feeling of his lips on hers. Or anywhere...
"What? What is it?" Usopp asked, staring at her red face. "Are you getting sick?" He raised his hand to her forehead, checking for a fever.
Kaya gently grasped his hand and squeezed it before releasing it and saying, "I'm fine Usopp. I'm just... really glad you're here." Her expression turned thoughtful. "And not to be rude but why are you here? And where are Luffy, Zoro, Nami and the rest? Did something happen? Are they okay?!" Her brows creased in worry, stopping to stare Usopp in the eyes, looking for any signs of grief.
Usopp chuckled and took both of Kaya's hands in his, kissing her knuckles. "Everyone's fine, Kaya. Nami thought it'd be a good idea, now that Luffy's become Pirate King and most of us have reached our dreams, to go home for a while. For some weird reason, Luffy agreed and said for us to split up. We're supposed to meet at Foosha Village in six months." Kaya's eyes widened. Six months? He was going to be here, with her, for six months? Her grin grew impossibly huge and she said, "Well, we'll have to make the most of those six months, won't we?"
Usopp blushed as he grinned with her. He was looking forward to it, more than he had expected to. Today was turning out better than he had imagined. They turned back towards the town, still hand in hand, and began skipping towards the village, laughing all the way.