"You stupid child!" Another smack filled the air along with a cry of plea.
The eldest child known as Elena, hid behind the worn down wall. Her chocolate brown hair hung limply on her shoulder. Another child hid behind the brunette. she was nearly half Elena's size and had short whispy blond hair. Azure eyes watched the scene unfold.
Another girl, similar to Elena was knelt down on the concrete. Her catlike eyes stared at their father in pure fear as he held his hand up, ready to strike.
Elena's eyes flashed in alarm and she stepped forward, ready to take her younger sisters place.
Ester, the innocent 2 year old grabbed onto Elena's ripped, musky shirt.
"Don't go!" her innocent voice whimpered.
Elena knelt down on one knee, "don't worry, I won't get hurt that easily," she smiled brightly and ruffled the blondes hair.
Ester nodded and wobbled off. Elena turned back to her disposable father.
His hand came down, ready to strike.
"Wait." Elena said weakly.
He didn't seem to hear her, she cleared her throat. "W-w-wait!"
Her father heard her and turned to her. An angry face met a scared one.
" It wasn't Sage who didn't do her chores!" she lied. The rule was, whoever didn't finish their chores by 6 would be severely punished. Ester was no exception either. The trios mother was severely sick, and couldn't move. She was in bed all day. She didn't know a thing about her abusive husband. The children didn't want her health even more at risk so they never told anyone.
"It was.. me!" Elena finished, Sage stared at her older sister in awe. It was always Elena protecting them. Always taking the blame, always acting like the tough one.
"Well, I guess I should punish you for lying AND default." he said inching towards her.
She whimpered under his heavy gaze and took a few steps back until her back collided with the wall.
"Bad girls should always be punished." he cackled and reached into his back pocket of his trousers. In his hand was one of those butler knifes you see in horror movies.
Was her father really planning on killing her? Elena gulped and stared at the blade, gleaming in light. Her father never went this far before. Alway a smack, whip or hit.
"Goodbye." he grinned sickly.
He swung down the knife and Elena closed her eyes, waiting for the impact.
A violent gasp brought her to open them again and instantly she wished he hadn't.
Ester was on the ground, her eyes wide open and the pupils dilated. The colour seemed to be sucked right out. Their was a deep gash on her torso. Her short hair was flat against the floor.
"ESTER!" Elena and Sage gasped. Their little sister took the full blow.
"Damn, seems I missed," their father muttered and pulled the knife off, wiping the blood off the wall.
Elena stood frozen in fear and anxiety. Her sibling, dead. She failed. Again.
She was trembling now, "time to finish you off."he finished and swung the blade again.
But before the knife pierced her skin, a young women, nearly in her late 20's had hit her husband on the head with a frying pan.
"M-mom?" the two girls questioned. Their mother looked nothing like she did before. Her blonde hair gleamed in the dim light. Her skin was tan and healthy and her brown eyes showed pure prosperity.
"Your supposed to be in bed, what are you doing?!" Sage gripped the newly leather jacket of her mothers.
"Don't worry kiddo, I wasn't sick." she laughed and ruffled her daughters hair.
"What!?" Elena's eyes bulged out.
"I was healing, internally." she said.
"So, you knew about the abusive and you decided to pretend to be bedridden?!" Elena was shaking with anger.
Marissa, their mother, frowned and knelt down to her daughters height.
"Someday you'll see." she whispered. Elena looked into her mothers eyes for anything, but saw nothing. Marissa pulled both her daughters into a tight embrace.
"You need to go." she simply said.
"Go?" Sage asked. Now her mother was better, she wanted to do all those things that she saw the village children do. Hold hands, shop for dresses and talk about boys.
Sage couldn't do that with Elena. Elena was to dim witted for her own sake, she hated clothing and wearing shoes. heck, she never even had a crush before.
Marissa stood up, the frying pan over her shoulder. "I'll take care Ester." she said numbly. Her voice sounded dead. She glanced at the corpse near her husband. 'Ex-husband.' She corrected.
"Listen up you two," she went behind the over thrown table, next to the broken chair and picked up two duffle bags that looked full.
"These bags both have two sets of clothes, food to last three months if your careful and a weapon." she threw the duffle bags to each girl and they caught it, staring at the bag in wonder.
"Elena," her mother started.
"You remember what I taught you before i ...fell il?"
Elena's eyes hardened as her mother made her way to the mossy cabinet. After a few moments of rummaging, Marissa slowly pulled a hidden string to the children's amusement. The back wall popped open and inside was a sheath full of arrows. The feathers pointed and slick. But what really caught Elena's attention was the bow. It was about 2 1/2 feet in length. It's colour was pure ivory and the string was a long piece of sturdy leather. Made sure not to snap. Of course Elena remembered. How could she not remember the days when her mother took her to the clearing and taught her how to shoot?
Sage watched her sisters expression brighten. Elena was really gifted in archery, always hit the squirrels dead on which was a surprise for a 7 year old.
Sage had taken over her mothers gift which was the gift of healing. Marissa had pounded years of knowledge and
Vocabulary into her daughter once she found out she had healer hands.
The bow was their mothers, a generational thing.
"Here." Marissa took the bow and sheath down, handing it to her eldest child. " F-for me?" Elena asked. Her mother smiled and nodded. "Take good care of that bow, you know how precious it is to me." Elena obediently nodded.
Marissa reached a hand into her leather jacket and pulled out a worn out leather journal. Embedded on the cover was an oak tree, it's branches turning thinner and thinner, the short ones ending in a spiral.
Sages jaw dropped as her mother handed it to her. That journal had been in their family for years. It's pages chocked full of information on plants and what they do. Now Sage could continue the task left behind their mother.
Their father stirred suddenly and Marissa looked at her children in alarm. "Go." she ordered and made them slip on jackets and such. " But I don't want to leave you!" Elena choked down tears.
" I won't survive!" she told her mom, her tiny hand gripping onto the bow.
"You have your sister and skills. Be brave."
"I have one request, "
Sage and Elena shared a look and nodded, "protect each other."
Sage pulled onto Elena's arm and she headed out. "No, no! Sage, stop!" Elena tried to get out of her grasp.
Elena turned to her mother one last time and her eyes widened once she saw the words form in her mouth, before her husband had got up without them noticing and stabbed her.
"Live"
Elena stood frozen and shock. " Elena, hurry!" Sage once more pulled onto her sisters coat. Elena swallowed and shook her head, following after her sister.
They turned down the path of their old home and headed straight down to the forest that was behind an old creek. Panting, Sage carefully followed her sister, trying not to activate her asthma. Suddenly, Elena's foot caught onto a tree root and she tripped, tumbling down the hill.
"ELENA, Nows not the time to be clumsy!" Sage scolded and Elena turned around so she was on her back. "Why do you have to be such a klutz?!" Sage asked, walking towards her as she held a frown.
"Well, why do you have to be so well coordinated?" Elena shot back as her sister pulled her up.
"We're going to have to get out of Rin Village." Sage stated, a finger on her chin.
"That's like impossible, this place is like a noble place." That was true, Rin village was home to nobles. Sage and Elena were nobles too. Their mothers hated the nobality and much to her husbands dismay, they moved to the old cottage up on the forest.
Elena and Sage never had to attend any balls as long as their mother was healthy, when she supposedly fell il, Dale, their father, forced them into gowns for parties, once they had left, it was back to rags and chores.
"Let's go then."
After hours of trecking, they finally found there way to the exits of Rin.
"Uhm, Sage?" Elena broke the silence and Sage turned to look at her sister.
"Do you have any food? I ate all mine." Elena asked.
"WHAT?YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO PRESERVE IT, YOU IDIOT." Sage yelled furiously and hit her sister on the head.
"You didn't have to hit me." Elena whimpered at the welt growing.
Sage rolled her eyes.
2 years later
"Sh, we'll be caught if she sees us!" A now 8 year old Sage griped onto Elena's shirt. Sages hair had grown past her shoulders, almost to her waist. Her eyes had seemed to grow out of the gold faze and now shown a brilliant green.
Elena was now 9, her hair was way past get waist and her chocolate brown eyes could melt anyone which made it easier to steal. She had grown taller too and had that doll face. Overall she had grown to be really pretty.
Elena was peering over the window a bar called 'party's bar'.
She bit her lip and looked for any signs of on lookers.
"Elena, this is a bad idea!" Sage clutched.
"What's a bad idea?" a soft voice spoke. Elena and Sage turned around to see a women with green hair, it was tied back by a bandana. Two locks were left alone in the front. She wore an orange blouse with black sleeves and a long light blue skirt. She had sneakers with white soles.
"We were gonna take your food!" Elena said proudly, hands on hip.
"Idiot! you don't tell her that!" Sage growled and hit her sister on the head.
"Hehe, why don't you two girls stay and live with me?" the women giggled and offered.
"Really?!" Elena's eyes gleamed while Sage took on a wary look.
"Of course, I'll just need help with cooking meals and cleaning of course."
Elena nodded her head and took her hand while Sage didn't trust the women.
They followed her inside and Elena instantly let go and started exploring.
"My names Makino, what are your names?" Makino said and she went behind the island.
Sage went and hoisted her self onto a bar stool.
"Sage, that's my older sister, Elena." Sage pointed to the bouncing brunette who now joined them.
"Oh?" Makino sat and rested and elbow.
"Should such a young girl be wielding a bow like that?" Makino nudged to the bow that was slinged around Elena's waist.
"Elena's really good at archery, like-" before she had a chance to finish her sentence, Elena kicked Sage out of her barstool.
Sage got up, with a ticked look on her face.
"Why you-"
Suddenly the bar door opened, Elena and Sage stoopped pulling at each others hair and looked to see who it was.
2 boys sauntered in. 1 was taller then the other boy behind him. The first boy that walked in had black hair that framed his serious looking face. He also sported childish freckles and wore a white tanktop. Another boy followed the freckled one, he wore a straw hat that had a red band wrapped aroung the base. It seemed two sizes to big for him. Their was a stitch under his left eye. He also wore a tanktop, it was blue and sported the number 11. He sprouted a childish grin and followed the older boy.
"Ace, Luffy, where's Sabo?" Makino asked.
"He had other things to do." one of the boys replied.
"What's that, Makino?" the straw hated boy pointed to Elena and Sage.
Sage grumbled when he addressed her as 'that'.
"This is Elena and Sage, they'll be staying with me." Makino smiled.
"Elena, Sage, this is Luffy and Ace." Makino introduced them.
"What kind of name is Sage?" Ace snorted and Sage grew with anger.
"Oh? Well who names their kid Ace?" Sage countered back.
"Probably the same crackheads who named their kid Luffy." Elena replied making Sage burst out laughing. Now Luffy and Ace were both fuming.
Ace and Sage were in a staring contest, both angry at each other.
Soon they heard talk beside them, "Well I find steak much better with barbecue sauce!" Elena stated to Luffy who happily agreed.
"NOWS NOT THE TIME TO TALK ABOUT FOOD!" the two kids hit their siblings.
"Well, then." Elena said.
Makino giggled at the four of them.
Soon it was time to go and the two boys led after a meal.
"I have spare rooms you can choose!" Makino said as she dried off the now clean plates.
Elena bolted upstairs and Sage laughed and followed her sister.
Soon, Elena tripped and face planted on the steps.
"Some things never change." Sage laughed at her sister and Elena pouted.
She got up, dusted herself off and headed to the first room. It was spacey and had room. 'At least I won't have to share with ms. snores a lot' . Elena snickered at the thought.
It had a twin bed, the headboard right against the window. The wall was a really nice sea foam that mirrored the ocean, her favourite colour. 4 windows planted the wall, 2 on the front and 1 each on the remaining walls. Their was a treasure chest at the end of the bed and a wardrobe beside the door.
The soft blue carpet rubbed against her feet as she walked and sat on the bed. She set her stuff down and looked out the window. 'That's right, I never had a room like this before..'. she inwardly smiled.
"I CALL THIS ROOM!" She heard her sister call.
"I CALL THIS ONE!" She repeated.
She put all her stuff away. She hid her weapons in the chest and put the old clothing that's a little tight on her in the wardrobe.
She looked at the floor mirror in the other corner and grimaced.
Her hair was matted and stuck together from rain and mud. Tangles and tangles of hair everywhere. Using her fingers, she tried to brush out the knots.
"Are you settled in?" Makino appeared by the door and looked at the 9 year old.
"Yeah, thank you!" she bowed politely.
"Don't worry about it, do you need help with your hair?" Makino smiled a gentle smile.
"Yes, please!"
Makino disappeared and came back with scissors, a bucket of water and a towel.
"Can you cut it..." Elena thought, "this short?" she put her hand a couple inches below her shoulder.
Makino nodded and got to work. She started to damp the towel and run it through her hair, removing twigs and such. After the dirt had been all washed away, Makino started snipping at her brown, long hair.
After several moments later, she was done. Elena's hair was now clean and smelled like roses. Prior to her last name 'Alvarez Rose'. Fingers started to braid through her hair. Leaving two short strands in front, she braided the longer pieces to the side and used the back hair into a bun, connecting with the braids.
"Wow!" Elena gasped and looked at herself in the mirror.
Makino laughed and Elena turned around and hugged her. "Thank you..." she said quietly.
Makino smiled softly at the brunette.
"How about we get you and Sage new clothes tomorrow?" she asked, gesturing to the rags that Elena was wearing.
"That would be great!" Sage suddenly barged in. "Not like I was eavesdropping or anything..." she blushed.
Elena's face paled. "sh-sh-shopping?" she gulped. "Is something wrong?" Makino frowned.
"Elena HATES shopping." Sage rolled her eyes.
Makino laughed as the two children started bickering.
The next day, after a plate of food, the trio set off. Makino did the same hair style for Elena. She fishtailed Sages hair and added a bow.
Store after store, Elena begged for a break. Sage and Makino were really happy with what they had bought.
Elena jumped onto her bed and sighed, 'the torture is over'.
"Elena!"
Sage burst into the room, "thanks for knocking." Elena said sarcastically and Sage rolled her eyes.
"Makino wants to know if you wanna come with us." Sage continued.
"where are you going?"
"To see Luffy and Ace."
"sure, let me get dressed though." she replied. Sage obliged and left the room.
Elena kept her hair in the same bun and switched into her new clothes. She put on her mothers leather jacket and jeans. She slipped on some normal sneakers and went downstairs.
"Ready?" Makino asked with Sage by her side. "Yep, what are the bags for?" she pointed to the 2 duffle bags in Makino's hand.
"Sleepover." was Sages reply and Elena squealed. "Really?I never been to one!"
Makino laughed and they all made there way up the mountain.
Soon they made it to the clearing.
3 boys were fighting in the front, two the girls recognized. 'that must be Sabo.' the girls thought.
The boys stopped fighting and then Luffy started to glance at the girls.
"Oi! Elena!" Luffy ran towards the girls and Elena chuckled at the boy before running to him. Luffy and Elena jumped in the air at the same time and hugged each other before falling down and laughing out loud. " There laughing like they're good friends even know when they've known each other for only a few hours" Sage sweat dropped.
Elena jumped up and then ran towards the blonde boy. "you must be Sabo, Ace and Luffy talked about you a lot!" she grinned and shook his hand while Sabo sweat dropped and blushed once he saw her up close.
"let's just of hunting already." Ace said, turning around with Luffy at his heel.
"hunting?Can I go with you!?" Elena exclaimed.
"No, we don't need a weak girl like you to drag us behind." Ace insulted.
"Come one Ace..." Sabo pleaded, laughing half heartily.
"No." he objected. "What, you scared a little girl is better at hunting?" Elena said in a baby voice and he got a tick mark.
"Fine, but you have to pass a test first." he said with a sly smile.
"Bring it on."
Ace took Elena to a river that had targets.
The other children quickly followed and Sat on a tree branch. Sabo helped and hoisted Sage up.
"Thank you." she said with a genuine smile and he blushed slightly, "no problem."
"Pick your weapon girlie." Ace said and went to join the others.
Elena glanced at the weapons on the small trunk.
Their was 2 steel poles, a set of wooden daggers, a home made spear and then there was a bow and sheath of arrows. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw it.
She picked it up and slung the sheath over her shoulder blade.
"This one!" she called out to Ace who nodded.
The bow seemed to be made of an old curved branch with the string seemed to be worn out. The sheath was really just a blanket tied in the end and the arrows were long carved sticks.
"Hit that target on the spot and we will let you join us, girlie." Ace smirked. The target was held by a rope and seemed to swing back and forth. It had taken nearly years for Ace and Sabo to hit it dead on.
"Kay," Elena agreed and stood on the mark. She nimbly took a narrow out and rested it on the side of the bow, she pulled back the string and aimed. Once she released the string, the arrow cut through the air and hitting the trunk. Missing the target dead on. Elena froze, something felt off, the bow was too choppy. She heard laughter coming from her right and decided to ignore it.
She slid another arrow out and repeated the process, small breaths in and out. She focused on the target. 'Back, forth, back, forth, watch it, timing is everything here.' she thought.
She pulled the string back and aimed. She adjusted her stance and let the string rest by her lips.
Without pausing she shoulder rolls forward, coming up on 1 knee and sending an arrow into the target hitting it dead on.
Cracks riddle through out the target and the string breaks.
'It's excellent shooting' she turns to the boys. Sage is nodding with approval but the majority of the boys are fixiated on a roast pig that Ace just brought in.
Suddenly she is furious. They don't even have the decency to pay attention to her that she's being up staged to by a dead pig. Her heart starts to pound, she can feel her face burning, without thinking she pulls in arrow from her quiver and sends it straight at the boys.
Sage catches sight of what happens, "Elena wa-" but it's too late.
There are shouts of alarm as they stumble back, the arrows skewers the Apple in the pig's mouth and pins it to the tree behind them, Ace stares at her, his eyes widening in shock. The others stare at her in disbelief.
"Thank you," she bowed mockingly, "For your consideration."
Before turning on her heel and walking off, leaving the 4 children shell shocked.
Finally got my story out! Who hoo! I've been planning this story for a few months now and I can't wait to write more! btw this does include romance ace x Elena ace x sage sage x sabo Elena x luffy . btw this story is also available on wattpad. In future chapters, i will be posting pictures like elena's leather jacket, the journal and pictures of elena and Sage growing up With a link
Lots of love! remember to vote, fav and comment! I'll need all the inspiration for the next one!
~randombutloved