One Piece Prompts: Hiding

  That’s what Luffy had taught her, anyway.

  There was the occasional game of hide-and-seek where Aika would just start it randomly. She didn’t even have to say when to start the game. She would just give Luffy, or any if not all of the other adult members, this knowing look and a soft smile, and before long, they’d be closing their eyes and counting to 10 before they opened them up and she was out of their sight.

  Counting was the easy part. It was really seeking Aika out that the Straw Hats usually had difficulty with. Someone as tiny as her on a big ship like the Thousand Sunny usually meant there was a plethora of hiding spots for the little wolf girl, who often assumed her animal form because, in her mind, that made the game more exciting. She’d even invite Kumi along as a decoy to throw the others off her trail.

  Luffy would have the most difficulty in finding Aika because he would always look in her room, under her bed, which was her usual hiding spot whenever she was upset, scared, or when a battle was going on. The only thing he would find under there, though, was dust bunnies. For this, he enlisted the help of Nami and Zoro, the latter being more irritated with playing “children’s games”, but agreeing nonetheless.

  When searching the Crow’s Nest and the Men’s Quarters proved fruitless, they decided to search in the kitchen instead (and perhaps Luffy just wanted an excuse to get a pre-lunch snack before continuing the search). Sanji agreed to help as well, since he was finished washing the dishes, but couldn’t search for long because he had to figure out what to make for lunch, soon. So, he looked up in the cupboards, and he did find something, or rather something found him: the wet, slobbery tongue of a certain Akita puppy named Kumi.

  The cook could only laugh as the pup gave him kisses before he handed her over to the captain.

  “Have you seen Aika, Kumi?” Luffy asked, holding the pup above his head.

  “Sorry, Luffy,” Kumi answered, “but I can’t tell you. Aika said she wouldn’t give me treats if I tell!”

  “Darn,” Luffy said as he put Kumi down to the floor. “Thanks, anyway.”

  Kumi smiled, wagging her tail.

  “Try the Aquarium Bar,” Sanji suggested. “Aika’s probably hiding in there.”

  “Thanks, Sanji,” Nami answered.

  They went looking in there, only to find Brook enjoying a cup of tea, but when they searched the cupboard and pantry, no Aika to be found.

  “I have not seen young Miss Aika,” the skeleton started, “but perhaps she could be located in the library.”

  “Thanks, Brook,” Nami replied.

  “Perhaps, in exchange, I can look at your-”

  “Not a chance.”

  Once in the library, they found Robin, sitting at the table, reading a book as usual, while giving her crewmates the acknowledging glance before continuing.

  “You wouldn’t have happened to see Aika in here, would you, Robin?” inquired Zoro.

  “Can’t say I have,” answered Robin.

  “Oh! I have an idea!” Luffy exclaimed. “Robin, could you-”

  “Before you ask,” Robin began, “let me stop you right there. Aika knew you’d ask if I could use my powers to help you look for her, and she told me not to do so.”

  “Jeez, she’s one step ahead, isn’t she?” Luffy asked.

  “I taught her well,” Nami smiled, proudly.

  Robin only chuckled while the others left.

  “Good luck finding her,” she said after them.

  The sick bay was next, but the only people there were Chopper and Usopp, the former bandaging the latter’s nose after it got broken during a bit roughhousing with Luffy earlier today. Luffy looked under the desk and under the bed, but Aika was still nowhere to be found.

  “I think I saw her with Franky earlier,” Chopper said, “in the Energy Room.”

  And so, that’s where Luffy headed next, while Zoro and Nami checked the storage rooms.

  “Hey there, Franky,” said Luffy. “Don’t mind me. I’m just playing hide-and-seek with Aika, again.”

  “Never a dull moment with that pup, huh?” Franky inquired. “Hehehehe!”

  “Is she hiding in here, by any chance?” Luffy asked.

  “Can’t say I’ve seen her, Luffy,” Franky answered. “If she was in here, I’d know.”

  “Well, thanks anyway, then,” Luffy said as he left and regrouped with Nami and Zoro.

  “No sign of her, huh?” Nami asked, causing Luffy to shake his head in response.

  “Kid’s pretty slippery, huh?” Zoro asked, chuckling as he did.

  “She’s gotta be somewhere on the ship,” Luffy said. “It’s not like she got off anywhere.”

  Even though he didn’t show it, the Straw Hat Captain was quite worried. He didn’t really like the thought of not being able to find Aika after a while, and was even wondering if something might’ve happened to his little sister.

 Just then, Blizzard approached Luffy from behind, nudging him with his nose.

  “If you’re looking for Aika, I know where she is,” the wolf-dog said before he turned and walked away, causing Luffy to follow him. The white canine led him right to the door of Luffy and Nami’s room, and when he opened the door, there, lying on the bed, was Aika, curled up in a furry ball, snoozing away, causing Luffy to coo softly at her.

  “Aww, now isn’t that cute?” he asked.

  Blizzard snickered softly before he went over and nudged Aika, who yawned as she blinked her eyes awake, and when she woke up, she gasped happily as she noticed Luffy.

  “Big Brother!” she exclaimed, wagging her little wolf tail.

  “Found you,” Luffy grinned as she jumped into his arms.

  “She fell asleep in here, waiting for you to show up,” Blizzard answered. “Not really what I would call hiding, but you gotta give her an A for effort.”

  “Hey, Big Brother,” Aika said. “I’m hungry.”

  “Me, too,” Luffy answered.

  “Hey!” Sanji called from the kitchen. “Lunch is ready! Come and get it!”

  “Sounds like I found you just in time, Aika,” Luffy said. “C’mon, let’s go and get some chow!”

  “Yeah!” Aika cheered as she turned back into her human form and ran out the room with her older half-brother and Blizzard following after her.

  “Oh, and Aika?” Luffy asked.

  “Yeah?” Aika asked.

  “Think maybe next time, you could find an easier hiding place?” Luffy asked.

  “Aww, but that’s no fun,” Aika rebuked.

  “You got me there,” shrugged Luffy. “How about next time, you try to find me for a change?”

  “Mmm…deal,” Aika nodded with a deal before she and Luffy both headed to the kitchen with Blizzard following along.

                                                   THE END