Chapter One

The Difference between Slavery and Freedom

The sound of rustling chains and loud waves woke the tired girl from her sleep. The girl lifted her head to look out the bars of her cell. Her light blonde hair matted and tangled in front of her face, blocking most of her line of sight. Her eyes felt dry and all she wanted was to go back to sleep, but the bright light of the afternoon sun cast a strip of sunlight directly along the right side of her body. Light footsteps creaked along the rough wooden planks of the hallway, and stopped outside her cell. The heavy grate door opened and someone walked up to her.

"Hey... You awake?" The voice whispered gently.

The girl turned her head towards the person, wishing her hands were free of her binds so she could push her matted hair out of her eyes. As if reading her mind, the newcomer pushed her hair away from her face. Before the girl was a young looking man with slicked back hair, though it was covered by the crew's mandatory red bandanna, and a large x shaped scar on his left cheek. His eyes were a light shade of golden brown. He wore a dark suit jacket with no shirt under it, exposing his bare chest, and matching pants.

"We arrived at a new island. You should eat something before they come down to get you ready. Here, let's get you out of these cuffs." The man leaned over her and unlocked the chains that held her arms above her head. As soon as the restrictions were free, the girl's dark blue eyes seemed to come back alive.

She whispered words of thanks as she ran her fingers through her tangled mane, taking care to not get the strands wrapped around the spiral horns protruding from the sides of her head. The fleece arm warmers that covered her hands all the way to above her elbows felt scratchy as the filthy material brushed against her cheeks.

The man held out a small loaf of bread and a canister of water. The blonde gave him a weak smile before nibbling on the bread. She took a small gulp of water, the cool liquid feeling good against her dry throat. "W-which island are we on now, Oki?"

His sharp golden eyes looked over her weak form. She was a young girl about age sixteen with naturally wavy light blonde hair that fell to about her mid back, although now he could tell that her hair hadn't been washed in a while seeing as it was greasy and pieces were crusted together with what looked like dried blood. Her eyes were a deep dark blue that mimicked the color of the sea, but in the darkness of the cell, they may as well have been black. She was wearing what was once a dress, but now resembled a dirty sack. Her legs were bare and covered in dirt smudges and tiny scratches.

"It's a merchant island called Bazaar Island. I gotta go. I'm sorry I couldn't stay longer Aries." Oki patted her on the head, took the water canister from her hand, and darted out of the cell after closing the large door.

Aries sighed to herself as she moved away from the shackles that held her to the wall. She knew it wouldn't be long until the prep team came down to prepare her for the new auction. She leaned her head back against the wooden wall of her cell, the waves rocking the large boat. Tears gathered behind her eyelids. She could feel the warm liquid spill out and flow down her cheeks. She let her head fall forward, chin almost resting on her chest. Her greasy hair moved with her sudden movement, some pieces sticking to the fresh tears along her face.

"When will this nightmare be over?"


The warm summer breeze drifted over the deck of the Going Merry. The Straw Hat crew was up to its normal rowdiness. Nami was beating Luffy over the head with her newspaper. The captain was still so excited about his new bounty poster. His grin still stretched across his lips. Zoro, the crew's first mate, had drifted off back into his nap. Sanji, the crew's chef and newest official member, was busy in the kitchen preparing lunch. And Usopp the sniper was attempting to fish for dinner, but getting no bites.

"A 30 million beri bounty is nothing to be happy over, Luffy! Stronger opponents are gonna come after us now!" the navigator yelled shrilly as she hit her captain once more over the head.

The dark haired boy rubbed his head, his grin changing into a childish pout. "So?"

Nami growled and went to hit him again when the blonde cook interrupted. "Luffy! Did you eat ALL the food in the kitchen last night?!" The chef's voice was angry, his visible eye glared darkly at the rubber boy.

The idiot captain turned his head to the side, sticking his pinky up his nose. "Yep."

Sanji smashed his heel down on top of the captain's head. "Damn it, Luffy! That food was supposed to last until we made it to Logue Town!" He ran one hand through his hair before lighting another cigarette. "Nami, my dear, we are going to have to stop to restock unless Usopp can actually catch something."

Nami also hit the captain before turning to the long-nosed boy. "Any luck?"

Usopp shook his head, his black curly hair bouncing with his movement. "Nope. Not a single bite. The fish in these waters must not like the bait we have."

Nami growled again and walked inside the storage room and down the steps into the girls' quarters. She returned to the deck with a map of the East Blue. She stared at it for a few moments before pointing to a rather large island towards the south. "We aren't far from Bazaar Island. It isn't off course at all and it's famous for its markets. We'll stop there."

Usopp jumped up, put his fishing gear away, and ran to move the rudder according to Nami's orders.

Luffy stretched his arms and launched himself on the Going Merry's ram head. "Alright! To a new island!"