Fic post: Absence, chapter 1 (prev. Fine)

Um. I’m ready to repost another anonfic previously seen on op_fanforall, now in updated post-beta state. For this one, however, I feel a couple of warnings are in order.

First, this has a lot of angst and dark, heavy stuff in it, since it contains the death of a character of the central cast (and my favourite to boot).

Second, this is the first chapter of a work in progress. Previously I’ve never posted fics before I was sure how to finish them, but this is an exception. I’m honestly not sure where this fic will go. I’m hoping for something life-affirming and not terribly depressing, but I can’t promise it.

...also, I’m sorry I couldn’t come up with a less ironic title.

Edit as of Feb. 2010: Title change./edit
Edit as of June 2010: Changed some details in the back story (removing reference to Blackbeard) Also, changed the setting to a divergent storyline (see below)./edit

Working title: Fine Absence
Rating: PG-13 for mentions of gruesome violence and death, plus some bad language
Pairing: None
Characters: All the Strawhats
Spoilers/setting: Behind the cut. Warning for vague spoilers on Sabaody and Marineford arc in the explanation.
Genre: Angst; deathfic
Betaed: By tonko and wendytigges who have both offered invaluable input and criticism. Any remaining mistakes are my own fault alone. On that note, concrit is very much welcome!

Summary: From a prompt on op_fanforall asking for angstfic in which Luffy has to deal with Usopp being dead.
( You did read the warnings, right? )

Continued in Chapter Two