Thought I'd take a break from romance. Here's the first chapter in: Taken.
Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece.
"GOMU GOMU NO FUSEN!" I heard as I scurried across the deck towards the other ship, the wind and rain whipping my hair into a frenzy and soaking my bathing suit and capris. Everything around me was utter chaos, which was perfect for what I was about to do. Usopp was attempting to sink the other pirate ship that had decided to attack us when another pirate ship was already attacking us, and he'd already carved a pretty good chunk out of its side despite the limited visibility from the weather. Sanji was kicking all those who were stupid enough to try and board off the railings and into the churning ocean below. Brook and Zoro were facing head on those who had gotten through Sanji, and the screams of horror told me that they were getting the job done. Chopper was in heavy point, tending to some sword cuts Robin had received from sending arms to the enemy ship's side to push their cannons into the ocean. Franky was trying to steer the ship clear of being sandwiched between the other two. Luffy, laughing the entire time, was currently launching their cannon balls back at them and stretching his arm to punch people on the other side. As for me, I was on a mission to steal the treasure off the first opposing ship.
I had no intention of fighting my way through. I was simply going to use the chaos to my advantage and slip onto the ship without being seen, find the treasury, load it up into bags, and then cart each bag back to Sunny. Hopefully it would have to take more than one trip; our treasury was certainly at its end. I needed to replenish it and fast, or we would be screwed when we reached the next island.
I noticed that Sanji had just cleared a boarding plank near the back of the ship, and nobody seemed tempted to try boarding that one again, so I decided to use it as my own personal one. I used my Climatact to balance myself as I crossed and hopped into enemy territory, ducking into the first doorway I found.
It was a hallway with two doors on either side before stairs led further down. I cautiously made my way toward the stairs, noting that all the crewmembers must be needed up on deck to fight our monstrous crew of 9 people. I smiled at that.
As I descended I held my Climatact at the ready. Even though everyone was needed to fight they usually spared at least one or two people to guard the treasure, knowing that people like me will steal it while everyone's busy. Sure enough as I peered around the next corner there were two burly men holding rifles guarding a heavy looking wooden door. I smirked. Found it.
Now to commence the three part plan. It was a foolproof plan that had gotten me through countless raiding's. It seemed that no matter where I sailed in the world, pirate guards were all stupid idiots.
Part one: catch the enemy off guard.
I hid my Climatact behind my back so it was perfectly aligned with my back and leg and they wouldn't immediately see it. I fluffed my hair and pinched my cheeks to give them a little color and, licking my lips to give them that extra shine, I stepped right out in front of two very shocked guards.
Part two: make them lower their guard.
I lowered my voice a few notches and slurred my words together.
"Hello boys~" Work it, work it. "It seems as if I've been taken captive. Could you direct me to a room so I can wait for our dear Captain to come back? Hmm?"
Their jaws dropped. I was putting on my most smoldering "look", twirling my hair as I spoke and drawing circles with my foot. I suppose it also helped that I was dripping wet.
"They get more bold every year don't they?" said the one on the right. "How about you come over here instead and forget our dear Captain for now?" he offered. I looked at his greasy face and almost puked.
Part three: make them realize how stupid they were to let their guard down.
"Well, you're the boss." I shrugged and sauntered over to them. The second man seemed to not be quite as dense as the first, because he was eyeing the hand that held my Climatact behind my back, but his suspicion would be for nothing in about two seconds. Two steps away from grease face's outstretched arm I whipped out my Climatact and sent a bolt of lightning through the both of them, feeling smug at the sound of their unconscious fried bodies hitting the ground. The others may have had strength on their side, but I had cunning.
I stepped over them and tried opening the door. Of course, it was locked. I took a bobby pin from behind my ear and picked the lock. There was a click and I pushed it open to see mountains of gold, diamonds, rubies and jewelry. I almost fainted. It was my dream come true!
I quickly started to shove whatever I could get my hands on inside the bags lining the walls. It makes it easy for when the crew wants to take some money out of it, but it also makes it super easy for thieves to steal it as well. With years of experience under my belt I made quick work of bundling every last piece of gold up. Now in a room full of bags I counted how many trips I would have to make. Eight. And that's assuming I could lift these enormous bags. But when it came to money, I'd make it happen. I folded up my Climatact and hefted the first one over my shoulder, making my way up the stairs and back outside. Usopp had managed to sink the other ship before it had even got a chance to board, and almost every pirate on this ship was unconscious or badly beaten. It looked like the battle was drawing to a close; I'd have to hurry.
After six more trips, there was finally only one more. Of course that's when the fit decided to hit the shan. I had made it as far as the boarding plank, making my way across it when the Captain himself decided to make a guest appearance.
"Oh dear, what happened out here? Did my horribly incompetent crew lose again? And to a crew of 9 people no less," he drawled, walking among the unconscious bodies of his crew with his hands in his pockets like he was taking a stroll through his garden and admiring the daisies. This wasn't good. I had learned from experience that the scariest and most powerful enemies were the people who never lost their cool and acted nonchalantly about everything. This guy was trouble, I could tell.
The last pirate being sent flying by Zoro, the whole crew turned their attention onto the man. The grin was off Luffy's face and replaced with a determined look, like he too realized that this guy was bad news. I saw Robin do a head check and notice I was missing. She scanned the ship until she saw me crossing and gave me a look that said, "Hurry". I didn't need to be told twice.
I started to walk faster across the plank with my load, but in my rush to get back to Sunny I slipped a little on the wet wood and almost fell off. It was either me or the treasure, and despite what everyone thinks I value my life a little more than treasure, so I let the bag fall into the ocean as I grabbed onto the plank and held on, dangling 30 feet in the air.
"Nami!" I heard Robin cry in an uncharacteristically worried voice.
"Oho! And what do we have here? A damsel in distress?" Dear Kami he noticed me. And I was in the most vulnerable position right now too. There was no cunning that could get me out of this one.
"Don't you touch her!" I heard Luffy yell from Sunny.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't Strawhat Luffy. Then that must be the infamous "cat thief" Nami I presume? It isn't hard to guess noting the seven bags of my treasure that now lie on the deck of your ship." I felt the plank dip as if someone had stepped on it, and before I knew it the Captain was standing right over me.
His hair was long and brown and neatly combed, dripping off the ends and into my upturned face. He had a little goatee and a large, white smile. He was wearing a suit much like Sanji's, only he wore a cravat instead of a tie. All in all he was rather handsome, but his eyes ruined the affect. They were cold and lifeless, like a beetle's. I shivered.
"You are just as beautiful in real life as you are in your wanted poster. I could use someone of your talent on my crew. You would probably be the only useful one here," he said, surveying his incapacitated crew.
"I already have a crew!" I shouted and attempted to haul myself up. I failed. He laughed.
"Then I'll just have to separate you from them won't I?" He said, smiling down at me. I swallowed hard.
"GOMU GOMU NO PISTOL!" It seemed Luffy had had enough of talking. The man dodged it easily. Then he did something strange; he took one hand out of his pocket and pointed at the sea. At first nothing happened, and then I felt something wet creep up my legs and wrap around my torso, lifting me up in the air. I looked down to see myself wrapped in water like a blanket. I tried pushing it away but, well, it was water. Instead my hands got caught within it and the water rose farther up to my neck, pinning my arms at their sides. I freaked.
"Ironic, isn't it?" He drawled, "that a devil fruit user has control over the very thing that makes him weak? It's quite handy if I do say so myself."
"Luffy! Guys! Help me!" I yelled, writhing in my watery prison. That only seemed to make it tighter. I couldn't understand why they weren't coming to my aid, but once I looked around I understood. He was using me as a shield. If they tried to attack they would hit me. I growled and glared at him, but he only smiled.
"Nami! Hang on! We'll get you out of this!" I heard Luffy saying. I looked back at him to see the crew holding him back. Robin must have already made a plan and told them not to act yet. I nodded to him, trying to look brave and keep the tears from spilling.
The Captain beckoned with his hand and I floated over to him and onto the ship. He kicked the boarding planks over the side. Then with an extravagant gesture with both arms, made a huge wave haul the Thousand Sunny and my nakama far out of sight.
Chapter 2 coming soon! (Probably after exams)