Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece, the story belongs to Eiichiro Oda.
Author's note: My first Lucci story! Warning: May contain violence, and adult themes including possible triggers. Also some cute and uncomfortable fluff, because I'm a fan of cliche' romance, so sue me. Actually don't. Our family doesn't earn much. LOL! I will try and update as often as possible, but I am a mommy of two kiddos so my life gets busy! *edited this chapter slightly*
"He's here! But how?! How did he find me?!" I cried to myself as I raced down the corner of the street. Just a few more blocks and I'll make it home safely! The rain pounded down on top of me, the droplets repeatedly stinging my eyes. My clothes were so soaked that my white bra was clearly visible through my white shirt; though, right now I didn't have time to be modest.
"Almost there!"
I jumped over a narrow canal and finally made it to the big oak door of my house. I tugged on the door and jiggled the handle as hard as I could to open it, but to no avail. I frantically patted down every pocket that outlined my body. "What?! You've got to be kidding me! I must have left my key at work!" I breathed heavily placing my free hand on my forehead, "He could be here any second! I have to find a hiding place!" My eyes darted around desperately looking for shelter.
Coo-coo!
The call above startled me. I looked up and around for where the cooing was coming from, but my eyes kept getting constantly beat down by droplets of cold water. Coo-coo! This time it sounded closer. I started off again running as hard as I could. My hair that had been up in a bun all day earlier was now falling loose, long wet strands stuck to my cheeks and forehead. "Stay away from me!"
I wasn't afraid of the white bird when I had first encountered him long ago. As a matter of fact, he was downright adorable! A snow white colored dove that donned a tiny red tie around its neck. Hattori; I think, was his name, but this time it wouldn't be such an innocent reunion. I once had learned in school as a child that in the wild a raven will seek out prey for a pack of wolves to devour. The reward for the raven would be a tasty meal of carrion. I was Hattori's prey, and…that man, was the wolf.
I was able to slip into a narrow dead end alleyway. A perfect hiding spot! Coo-coo! I finally spotted him, flying low above the city. He was close by, but did not seem to have spotted me. Good. I watched the bird fly around in circles cooing noisily, until finally he flew away. I breathed a sigh of relief; the fog from my breath could tell you how cold it was this evening. The miniscule hairs on my arms pricked almost instantly, my teeth lightly started to chatter. "I need to find some shelter," I whispered. I hugged and rubbed my arms furiously, "but I'm afraid he might be around. If he finds me, he is sure to kill me on the spot; although…"
I sank down to the ground and curled myself into a ball as best as I could to stay warm, "…why didn't he just kill me back then?" I stared down solemnly at the ground, the rain causing puddles to form all around me. My cheeks grew pink as I wiped my drippy nose. I'm sure to get sick after all of this, if I manage to survive. I closed my eyes as I began to remember those events that unfolded nine years ago.
"Get him! Get him!" A boy yelled behind a group of other boys, all of about eight years in age. "I got him!" yelled the one with the shaggy red hair. He twirled a worn piece of cloth faster and faster and with a whip of his arm he flung a large stone from the sling. The boy hit right on target, slamming the poor creature right in its left wing and sending it crashing to the ground. "Got it!" The red haired boy exclaimed proudly.
The five boys ran up to the small animal to inspect it. It was a bird, a white dove. It hobbled on the ground to try and get away and attempted to hop up and take flight, but its wing just wouldn't work. He cried out in pain several times. "Hey, why don't we give it a good wing clipping?" The boys laughed and cheered in unison. The same red headed boy took out a small pocket knife and released a small saw-like blade. The bird looked up at him frightened, and cooed loudly. Before the boy got closer; though, he felt a sharp smack in the back of his skull. Irritated, the boy turned around to face a small girl with a dress filled with stones. "Why don't pick on someone your own size?!" She yelled still chucking the small stones one after another at the group of boys. "Beat it!" She threw another, hitting the boy in the stomach. "Well, you're about my size! We'll get you, and then come back for that dumb bird!" He called to the girl while twirling his pocket knife in his fingers and smiling. The long blonde haired girl with hazel colored eyes decided maybe it was best if she hadn't intervened. She didn't plan past hurling rocks at the boys, she just thought about saving the poor bird's life, but now she was about to be attacked.
Scared for her life; the girl lost grip on her dress and let the rocks fall. She backed away with slow steps, not taking her eyes away from them. The red haired one reached his arm out ready to strike, but before he could he stopped immediately to notice a shadow next to the little girl that was not her own. He looked up and saw behind her was an older boy; in his early teens with raven black hair, black trousers, and a cool grey button down shirt complete with a light shaded necktie. He held a black suit coat over his shoulder.
"Where did he come from so suddenly?" the girl thought.
The taller dark haired boy just stood there like a statue. The shadowed ominous look on his face was so intense; the shorter boy's knees started to quake. The empty abyss of the teen's pupils was like that of the undead. The red headed one spoke up, "d-don't think that this is the last time you'll ever see us!" He pointed his pocket knife in the direction of the girl before he signaled to the rest of his group to move out.
The small girl looked at the older boy behind her with awe, and then sighed with relief. "I'm so glad." She then immediately ran up next to the bird lying on the ground and cradled the lame creature in her arms. Her eyes teared up. "I can't believe they'd do something so cruel to an innocent little animal. Are you alright little Bird-chan?" She ran the back of her knuckle gently over the soft white feathers of the dove's neck. It cooed in comfort, which caused the girl to smile. "What's this?" She asked curiously. She used her finger to lift a long piece of fabric tied rather professionally around the bird's neck. "A neck tie? Oh my, you're kind of a funny Bird-chan aren't you?" She giggled, her cheeks blushed with warmth.
The older boy still stood watching, but remained stone faced. Even if his eyes scared off those boys, it didn't seem to faze Hana at all. The little girl felt the boy's eyes on her and then perked up, "Ah! I almost forgot! Thank you for saving us, Sir!" She bowed deeply with respect. She waited for a response, but nothing came. She had wondered for a moment if the boy was mute. He threw his black jacket back over his shoulder and finally called out, "Hattori!" The bird's head shot up in attention, and it cooed respectfully. "Ah! You belong to that boy, eh? Here…," she ripped off a small piece of fabric from her dress and wrapped it around the bird's wing; a makeshift bandage. "There! All better!" She exclaimed happily before kissing Hattori's wing and running up to the older boy. She held the bird in both of her hands, and reached up to the taller boy's shoulder. He was much taller than her so he had to bring his shoulder down slightly so that Hattori was able to hop there without much effort. "My name is Hana!" She proudly exclaimed putting her hands behind her back playfully. The boy didn't seem as enthusiastic. Hana suddenly felt a bit dejected after the boy didn't say anything again and turned his back on her. "Oh. Well, it was nice to meet you… Hattori-chan!" She changed her expression and smiled cheerfully once again. "I better get back to my house! It's almost time for dinner! Bye-bye Hattori-chan… and Sir!" She waved at the two of them as she headed off quickly towards home. The preteen adjusted his tie and then reached into his pocket to give the bird a small piece of cracker. His expressionless eyes fixed back into the direction of the little girl who was now almost out of sight. Her golden locks flowing in waves behind her. "We have work tonight, Hattori." He gently stroked the bird's breast. The bird cooed in response.
