Well this has been waiting for a while to be done...

[cachinnusi]

Characters: Naruto, Doumeki, and anyone from the Way that wants to greet them.
Content: Doumeki and Naruto are in the port and they have a little talk. And end up being shocked by the Way's condition.
Setting: Shashta and the Way.
Time: After all the shit hits the fan (bombs, etc etc) and the Way docks.
Warnings: The threatening of crewmates,

Comments

[d_luffymonkey]

"Its nice to see you again~!" Luffy almost chirped, huge goofy grin still on his face as he came and patted Naruto on the shoulder once. "Its been a while since you're here; a lot happened while you were away!" He continued, eyes still sparkling with joy at the sight of his fellow friend finally back here. Then he paused when Naruto asked about the ship, and the monkey boy turned to look at its dismayed state as well, one thumb coming up to be lightly chewed on as Luffy thought back about what happened.

He then turned back to Naruto. "Well," he started, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "See, there was this ship, the 4423 that somehow crashed in the Badlands. The captain and all of us decided to go and help them after some of the others said they had family and friends on that ship. But then there was this huuuuuuuuggggeeee ship in the sky suddenly," he paused to spread his arms wide, emphasizing the size of the vessel, "And some old man demanded us to stop or something before they would 'arrest us'," And on that note, why did they want to arrest them anyway? They weren't doing anything wrong!

"But then suddenly all three ships had explosions on them everywhere! They all had bombs inside them, including ours. It just happened so suddenly, we had no idea..." the boy trailed off then, hanging his head low in shame. "I tried to helo by throwing the bombs away with my rubber power, but Hanatarou and Rikku and so many people got injured... that's why we're here, I think."

[cachinnusi]

"I'd say it's nice to be back, but..." Naruto stared at the ship-his home-with dismay, though his attention returned to Luffy at the pat to his shoulder. He mustered up a smile for him, though there wasn't as much brightness in it as there had always been in times before... well, this. However, he still lifted a hand up to pat his shoulder in return, looking back at the Way as he explained what happened.

He knew about the 4423, and from what Luffy said, the other one had to be the Victoria II. No doubt about it. Huge ship, arresting people, old man... "Probably because that's von Karma. The really ancient guy from Ivona's military? They're after the 4423, and if the Way was helping them... They would've been arrested, too, but..." Well, one good thing came out of the bombs, at least. Gritting his teeth, he kept down his anger at the feeling of uselessness.

"It's okay, Luffy," he said lightly, turning his attention back to him and forcing up another smile. "You tried, right? You probably helped a whole bunch of people from getting more hurt than what they already are by doing that..." lifting a hand up to his face, he rubbed at it slowly, growling softly. "But shit, I wasn't here to help at all..."

[d_luffymonkey]

Being from Kropmork for his whole life until he came onto the Winding Way, Luffy hadn't heard much a lot about the things in Vohemar or Ivona, but even von Karma's name was rather well-know through the land, and that was saying something. The monkey boy took a moment to recall the name before he slapped a fist to his open palm in realization. "Oh, you mean the one my mom always called as the old dinosaur?" He brightened a little, grinning sheepishly again as he scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, my mom talked a lot about how he was like a real dinosaur - all old and growly. Raaawwwrrr~" he emphasized the last point by doing his best faux-impression of a really cranky-looking dinosaur thing. It was kind of hilarious, actually.

"Hey, its alright! At least everyone's safe!" Luffy tried to cheer his friend up as he smiled brightly at the ninja. "And everyone missed you too, I bet! It wasn't just the same without you around, Naruto!"

[cachinnusi]

Naruto actually managed to laugh at the impersonation, smiling a bit at it and shaking his head slowly at Luffy. "Yeah, that guy. He sort of is a cranky old dinosaur. It's hilarious to hear about him in the news, a lot of people say that's what he is, too. Papers are always insultin' him and stuff..." He had to admit, Luffy's faux-impression of a really cranky-looking dinosaur thing had to be spot on, from what he heard of the guy.

After a moment, the smile seemed a little like it was going to stay where it was, and he elbowed his friend a bit. "'course it wasn't. I bet Vash was enjoying every second of his ninja-less day by eating his donuts, yeah?" He paused, looking up at the ship, and then shrugged. "I missed everybody too."

[d_luffymonkey]

"Yeah, my mom always said that he's a really meeaaan ol' man. A grouchy dinosaur!" He finished that last part with a childish giggle, beaming as well. It was nice to see Naruto smiling again, that's for sure. He looked so much better with a smile, after all! "He should learn how to relax. Maybe eating meatloaves would help - its makes me happy for sure!" He grinned at that remark, eyes sparkling and mouth watering at the mention of his favorite snack. Yes, meatloaves were always awesome~

The powder monkey made a long 'hmmmm' sound at the next comment, thinking before replying. "Not really! Joshua was there, and he was trying to stop Vash from eating his donuts! He said that it was bad for him, but Vash said if I helped keep his donuts for him he'd let me have ten!" Again, Luffy grinned, clearly excited at the prospect of eating ten donuts. Wasn't that awesome or what?

[cachinnusi]

Snorting, he cocked his head to the side, turning away from the ship to his friend. "That's because you love meat like I love ramen. For all we know, he devours babies. Maybe they keep him alive, if he's so old? We'll have to make sure everyone knows." He laughed, lifting his arm up to put around Luffy's shoulders in a conspiratorial manner.

"I'll give you all of his donuts if you help me steal them," Naruto grinned though this time, it really was mostly forced. Joshua? He needed to talk with him, so maybe it was a good thing his timing was when the bastard was on the ship. He needed to find out what he knew about Kyuubi, and fast. Once he was sure his friends were all right, the guy was next on his list of people to see.

He had no guarantees that he'd come out of their meeting unscathed, though.

[d_luffymonkey]

Luffy grinned at that remark, clearly finding that idea amusing. "Heeeee, yeah, maybe that's why he's always so grouchy! Babies aren't good for your digestive system!" he replied in a tone of false seriousness before bursting out into another huge grin. "He should learn how to eat things other then those then, heh!" His grin only grew wider when Naruto put his arm around him, and Luffy let out a cheerful laugh, scratching the back of his heard again. It certainly was good to have Naruto back, no doubt about that!

And then his eyes widened and sparkled at the offer the ninja came with. "Reaaaaaaally?" he asked, "All of them?" His mouth would have watered if it could right there and then - all of the dounts? Really? That was definitely a whole lot better then ten of them!

[cachinnusi]

"With their stinky diapers and everything. He probably has really bad breath because of it. Maybe that's another reason he's cranky?" Naruto thought aloud, grinning a bit more like himself again before he lifted a hand and ruffled Luffy's straw hat carefully on top of his head. "Maybe if we meet him, we can introduce him to meatloaf and ramen? Now that is a proper diet!"

The grin only widened at Luffy's reaction, and he gave him a firm nod and lifted his hand up. "Ninja's honor. The only box you can't have is the one that I bought him for the holidays. The rest? Alllll yours, buddy."

[d_luffymonkey]

Luffy's grin continued to remain on his face, looking sideways at Naruto with one eye creaked open. "Uh-huh! And maybe donuts too! They're always good too! Or chocolate!" Actually, anything nice and sweet and juicy was good enough; it was clear that von Karma needed more than just meatloaf and ramen, as nice as they were. "Or maybe one day we should try putting meatloaf into your ramen! I'm sure it'd be delicious!" Already his mouth started to water at little at that thought - meatloaf and ramen? What could be better?

The wannabe pirate's own grin widened too as his hand went up and gave Naruto a high-five. "And Pirate's Honor for me! I'll leave that box alone, I promise!" He grinned still, with the promise that he would be true to his word. Ninja and Pirate's honor, after all. The best kind of promise there was.

[cachinnusi]

"Oh, maybe chocolate donuts!" Naruto shared the same expression, looking sideways at him and lifting a hand to his chin. It was good to be back, even with all the damages to the Way. Luffy was definitely helping him temporarily forget about it. He looked rather interested in the idea of meatloaf ramen, rubbing at his chin with a thoughtful look. "Huh. Well, there is beef and pork flavored ramen, so depending on what kind, I think meatloaf would work!" He nodded sagely, as though that was the answer to the universe.

High-five done, he gave him a thumbs up with his fox-wide grin. "Then it's a deal! As soon as everything is back to normal, we'll have ourselves a meatloaf, ramen, meatloaf ramen, and donut feast!" And that was on the same Ninja's Honor promise: he would have this place back to normal, no matter what.

[d_luffymonkey]

"Chocolate donuts are equally awesome!" Luffy returned with an equally excited grin. "They're the best kind of donuts there is! Besides the ones that Vash has, I mean," he added the last part as an afterthought. Somehow it was always the donuts that Vash gave him that always tasted the sweetest - maybe it had more sugar on the glazing, or had some secret ingredient inside the paste. Whatever it was, it just tasted a whole lot better than the usual donuts. "And I'm sure it'll work out somehow! Meatloaf is awesome with anything!" Well, to Luffy at least it was. Meatloaf was just the best there was!

Luffy returned the thumbs up as well, winking back playfully. "Sure thing, Naruto! Once we're done we'll have the bestest feast between two powder monkeys ever!" And that, the monkey boy sure looked forward to it - Pirate's Honor, Pirate's Code. He'd do whatever he can to help the friends he made here, especially Naruto.

[cachinnusi]

"Vash's donuts are strangely always the best. I don't know why, really..." He often wondered that, himself, but never quite got an answer out of it. "But chocolate donuts? Take a close second place. Then there's bavarian cream. That's really good. Maybe in combination." Damnit, now Naruto was getting hungry. Perhaps this topic was a bad idea, considering the fact he hadn't eaten much during training. And he definitely didn't have the money to go to a ramen stand-he'd probably end up giving it to the ship repairs anyways. "Right! And ramen is just as awesome with anything!"

Well, he thought so anyways.

Patting Luffy's back before pulling his hand away and shoving both into his pockets, he looked up at the Way and nodded. Anything for the ship, anything for his friends. It was good to have people he agreed with on board. "We'll sit back and enjoy the spoils of our victory in the guns room! No one would bother us in there, I'm sure."

[d_luffymonkey]

"Maybe because they're Vash's donuts! You know, maybe the donuts he has got some sort of special, secret ingredient that nobody else knows about," Luffy replied seriously, brows furrowing in deep thought. Yeah, the possibility was really plausible. How else would his donuts taste so much better then? Then the monkey boy nodded in agreement to what Naruto said next, beaming. "Agreed! We should ask Watanuki to make some for us one day~" he grinned at that prospect - oh, how couldn't he wait to try them!

And with all this talk of food, Luffy sure was getting hungry; he couldn't wait until he could eat all those donuts! "Right! We'll get to it once the ship is all better and flying again! Vash needs to cut down on his donut intake after all!"

[cachinnusi]

"That just might do it, actually." Naruto would have to talk to Vash later about where he got his donuts, and if they were possibly laced with drugs. Ha! Vash in a drug trade with donuts! That was a priceless image, really. He pulled his hands out of his pockets to rub his hands together, grin returning full force now. "Well, you can ask Watanuki. I think that guy still wants to kill me for the spoons incident. Maybe we can just have the whole cooking staff make some?"

One hand went to his stomach at the continuing thought of food, and he glanced to where his bag was sitting. He knew he had some in there, but he wasn't sure if he should eat any. Vash's donuts were out of the question, he knew he'd notice, somehow. "He does. How about we make a toast on that?" All right, he'd dig out a couple cups of ramen.

[d_luffymonkey]

"Well, it never hurts to ask him now, does it?" Luffy responded with another grin, a finger absently stuffed inside one of his ears as he picked the inside. "And maybe if he ask him enough, he'd tell us just what inside he donuts!" Of course, it surely had to be something inside them after all that make them so delicious and irresistible - there was no other logical explanation for this now! "And sure, I'll ask him next time~ I'm sure everyone will like donuts too~" Everyone liked donuts, right? So everyone on the ship would have a chance to eat them!

Luffy's own stomach growled as well at the continuous mentions of food, looking about again in the hopes of a nearby place to eat when Naruto spoke, and the pirate grinned at the suggestion by the ninja. "A toast? That sounds great!"