CP9 and Her Promise (I don't own One Piece)
Chapter Two
Raindra's stormy slate orbs blinked open to see darkness. Confusion clouded her mind until it came rushing back to her head. She had been with Lucci and Kaku… She fell asleep… Where was she now? She forced herself to sit up only to be pulled down into a warm chest by an arm wrapped around her. Her eyes widen as she noticed she was lying next to someone. "Clam yourself," his voice murmured deeply with sleep.
"Lucci," she murmured as her eyes started to see the outline of his figure within the dark. Or maybe she thought she saw it. "What time is it?"
"Time for everyone to be asleep," his voice sounded as his other arm wrapped around her. She gulped a bit as she tried to push out of the arms only for them to tighten.
"Lucci," she murmured once more trying to find a way to escape his hold. He sighed one his arms moved away from her to push him up a bit to look right at her figure. She didn't need to see his face to know he didn't look impressed with her.
"Is there a problem?" His voice sounded more awake this time and held a warning to tread carefully.
"This isn't… proper," she spoke nervously.
"What isn't proper about this Raindra," he purred to her and the next second she found herself pinned under his body, his hair falling lightly onto her face. "We are to be married if I recall." Her breath stopped for a moment, as she took in his words and their position. His hands were on her wrist and his legs had been on her own. "It's not like we are doing anything, unless you want to," his breath brushed her face causing her to gasp.
"Lucci," she murmured as she tried to free herself.
"Seriously Raindra," he pulled his face away a bit. "It's not unusual for pirates, is it?"
"You're not a pirate," she pointed out quietly as she stilled.
"Yet you are," he replied sounding bored. "At least I can tell you are completely innocence."
"Don't put it that way," she grumbled out looking away from where she knew he was.
"May we go to sleep or are you wishing to do something else?" He asked and she just could imagine his eyebrow raise as he asked.
"Sleep," she whispered before she felt him roll off of her only to pull her into his embrace once more.
"Just behave," he whispered into the darkness just as she closed her eyes. It wasn't going to be easy to fall asleep once more… or that is what she thought.
(n_n)
The sound of a door was the first thing she heard as she hid her face under a pillow. "Let me sleep some more Zoro," she spoke with no thought to it. She felt the bed dip next to her before hearing his voice.
"Do I want to know who this Zoro is?"
Rain pushed herself up with wide eyes to look right at Lucci. "I forgot I wasn't with the Straw Hats," she squeaked. He looked relaxed and calm from what she could tell but that still didn't mean one thing. He was relaxed and calm when fighting as well.
"Don't act that way Raindra, it doesn't suit you," he commented eyeing her. Her mouth opened and then closed not knowing what to really say to him. No come back came to her head. "Get dressed you are coming with me today," he spoke causing her to blink.
"I'm going to work with you?" She asked moving around him to push herself up from the bed. She bit her lip at a pain in her ankle but it wasn't so bad that she couldn't walk.
"No, you my wife to be are going with me to check on Iceburg since it would look odd if I didn't show up to see him," he replied with little emotion. "Nico Robin shot him last night, and everyone is going to be blaming the Straw Hats." Raindra turned to him looking a few shade paler.
"You said the Straw Hats are safe if I behaved…"
He leaned forward to gently touch her jaw, a smirk to his face. "I'm not going after them am I? Beside who was it that ignored there instructions last night?" Her whole body shivered at his words. "Now get dressed." She nodded moving away from him to turn to see her bag on the dresser. She pulled out one of the pairs of black jean that she brought the other day. As she moved through the rest of the bag trying to find something she'd wear with them, Lucci had moved to stand right behind her. "Something wrong?"
"Eepp," she jumped not expecting his voice to be that close to her ear. "When did you get there?"
"A little side-tracked?" he murmured into her ear as he smirked. "I had gotten you a dress shirt you could wear with the jean." Her eyes widen at this when he moved away pulling out a white dress shirt from the dresser in the room. "Stop wasting time," he commented throwing the top toward her. She turned her back to him, grabbing a black and light blue bikini for her bag. Her slate eyes glance behind her to see Lucci packing up clothes in a suitcase. So she quickly moved to change into the bikini and then threw on the jeans and dress shirt. The jeans fit to her like a second skin, the dress shirt wasn't tight but it wasn't baggy as well. It was nice; she thought as she grabbed her brush from the bag and ran it through her hair to get the knots out.
"Do I have to teach you how to dress as well?" She jumped as Lucci's voice came from right behind her. His hands grabbed the bottom of the dress shirt and he tucked it in to her jeans. Her face flushed as his actions. He was quickly done before the thought crossed for her to pull away from him. "I really don't have time for this."
"I could always go back to the Straw Hats until you do," she suggested looking away from him as she brushed her hair into a high ponytail. His hand grabbed hers fast and a snapping sounded through the room as she felt a piece of metal close around her wrist. She dropped her hairbrush before moving her wrist into sight to see the metal cuff. Dread filled her as she felt weakened. "It's made of sea stone, isn't it?"
"How great of you to notice," Lucci commented dryly. "It's to make sure you don't use your devil fruit power until my mission is over." Her eyes flickered to his dark ones unsure if she should say anything. "I don't know the lengths you'd go to keep them safe. They should be safe if they don't follow us to Enies Lobby but in case I don't need you getting involved."
"Enies Lobby?" Her voice broke as she heard the name of the judicial island. Was… No she couldn't be going there? He wouldn't leave her there? Would he? She's already trapped and that name meant death for some…
"You are coming with me and leaving once my mission is over," he said as if he read her mind. His hand touched her shoulder before he continued, "We are leaving Water 7 late tonight on the sea train to Enies Lobby." She flinched at the name but said nothing. "CP9 will bring Nico Robin there with the blueprints we were sent to find. After that you will be leaving with me."
She calmed slightly knowing it wasn't her end but it was her friends end. Robin was like an older sister to her and she really didn't want to watch her be hurt or worst killed. "Why won't you let Robin go?" She asked before she picked up her brush and dropped it into her bag. His hand tightened around her shoulder.
"Your friend knows too much," he told her. "We aren't talking about this again." Raindra bit her lip knowing he was set on his words. "We are late," and with that she was dragged along and out of the room.
(n_n)
Raindra soon found herself in one of the halls in the Galley-La's main building. Kaku and Lulu sat down while Paulie and Lucci stood waiting for the new. No one spoke just listened to commotion going on outside while they wait for news. Soon they heard the clicks of Kalifa's heels as she walked towards them.
"So what's the word?" Paulie asked sounding slightly worried.
She stopped a little away from them her hand looked to be fixing her glasses. "You may enter," she spoke quietly. "But try and keep your voices down please."
"Then he," Paulie's face lit up. "He's okay?"
"His injuries are still serious, but Mr. Iceburg has finally regained consciousness," Kalifa was trying to not cry as she spoke the last words.
"That's Great New!" Kaku, Paulie, and Lulu exclaimed happily. Raindra looked at them unsure what to do but smiled.
"Come on, let's see how he's doing," said Kaku as he stood up. They all nodded before they followed Kalifa to Iceburg's room. Paulie went to sit right in the chair by the bed. Raindra leaned onto Lucci as he wrapped an arm around her. She was so surprised by all the bandages. He just stared up at the ceiling.
"You're okay," Paulie exclaimed happily leaning toward the man.
"Well," Iceburg spoke, "I've been better, I suppose." Raindra moved slightly close to hear his quiet yet hoarse voice.
"All things considered, you are pretty lucky. Any way you just focus on getting better," Paulie told him looking at the brighter side of things. "In the meantime, you could count on us to take care of the ship yard, okay?"
"Yes, of course," Iceburg spoke clearer than before. Yet there was something, she could hear it. It was serious. "Now I need to talk to you about the people who broke into my room last night." The smile dropped from Paulie's face. Lucci's tighten his hold on me.
"Uh, yea. Well that's still under investigation I'm afraid," Paulie spoke sounding more serious as well.
"No, I remember them," Iceburg told everyone. Paulie and Raindra gasped in surprise just before everyone else gasped as well. Their eyes widen. "There were two, one of them was a large man that was wearing a mask," he continued. "The other was a woman, tall with long black hair. I could never forget those eyes," he spoke like he was reliving the night. "It has to be her…."
(n_n)
"One of the Straw Hats did this? Sure about that?" Paulie asked. Raindra couldn't help but wrap her arms around Lucci. She at least knew what set him off but she knew nothing of everyone in the room. Just hearing the information, she was afraid they'd go after her as she was too apart of the Straw Hats. "Of all people," Paulie seemed to have a little of doubt.
"Yes and my personal investigation lead to the same result. To make sure, I had Lucci contact the government to confirm identity and bounty," Kalifa answered her hand touching her glasses slightly.
"Yes, they said she was a notorious criminal. So it's no surprise that she'd do something dastardly to our boss," Hattori spoke for Lucci once more. Raindra gulped at the tension that filled the room. Everyone just was just so quiet.
"Our next course of action is crystal clear," Kaku calmed said with a frown. "We got to find those rapscallions and show them what's what." He was so serious. The way he looked at the ground in thought. Anyone could tell what was about to happen wouldn't be good.
"What in the hell were they thinking?" Lulu growled out in anger. "Don't tell me they were pissed off cause we wouldn't fix there ship." Raindra was about to say something to defend her crew but before she could she felt Lucci's figures dig in her side.
"I wonder that myself," Kaku commented. "But regardless what their motivations might be. The bottom line is that they are the culprits and they need to be dealt with."
"In other words, we should just capture the Straw Hats and interrogate them ourselves. Instead of wasting time trying to figure this crap out," Paulie growled from his seat. "None of this makes sense to me, but anyone who messes with Galley-La, is going to have hell to pay," everyone in the room heard the threat in his tone. The amount of hate in his voice sent shivers down Raindra's spine.
"Let's just put it out there that young Raindra here had nothing to do with it," Kaku commented thoughtfully.
"How would you know that?" Paulie turned to glare at the bluette girl in the room. She made a little noise before hiding her face into Lucci.
"I was with her in the evening," Kaku shrugged.
"She also slept at our place," Hattori added in causing Paulie to sigh.
"HHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYY, THERE'S TROUBLE," shouted Tilestone as he burst into the room. He was one of the hugest guys Raindra had seen working at Galley-La.
"SHUT UP TILESTONE, YOUR THE WAY IN HELL TO LOUD," Paulie, Kaku, and Lulu yelled loudly at the man.
"YOU FOOLS! YOU'RE JUST AS LOUD AS HE IS," Kalifa shouted at them in anger, as her face went to the color of red.
"OOOHHH, I DIDN'T KNOW YOU WERE UP YET MR. ICEBURG! THAT'S GREAT," Tilestone shouted with his arms in the air. He had a huge smile on his face as he laughed loudly. Raindra was to focus on the man that she never noticed Paulie leave his seat to punch Tilestone in the forehead so hard to send him out the door. All you could hear a thud as he landed outside of the room. Paulie moved into the doorway placing his hand against the door as he frowned at the huge man.
"He may be awake, but that doesn't mean you have to scream his ears off. Take it down a notch or two, Okay?" Paulie scolded the man without yelling, yet it was still just as terrifying.
"I'M SORRY," Tilestone shouted holding his head in pain. "I CAN'T HELP IT, I SWEAR!" Tilestone than sat up quickly. "I ALMOST FORGOT. I GOT TO TELL YOU SOMETHING!"
"Fine, but stay outside. You could tell me from over there," Paulie told him as his hand left the door and went to his hip.
"WE GOT TROUBLE WITH THAT STRAW HAT GUY! I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED, BUT HE'S HAVING A BIG FIGHT WITH FRANKY, AND THEY ARE BOTH WRECKING UP THE SHIP YARD. IF WE DON'T STOP THEM, WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY WILL DO," Tilestone shouted out before he sounded like he was crying loudly. From where Raindra stood peeking away from Lucci's chest she could see Paulie's face redden in anger.
"Straw hat again?" Hattori asked from his spot on Lucci's shoulder above Rain's head. "At least we know where to find him." Everyone seemed to tense to this knowledge.
"He's got some nerve," Paulie growled out causing Raindra to gulp. "I'll teach that punk to show his face on our turf." Paulie took off running with Kaku and Lulu on his tail.
"Come on," Hattori spoke as Lucci followed them at his own pace pulling Raindra along, leaving Iceburg with Kafia. She didn't care much too where they went but soon they neared Doc 1 screaming filled the air. She grabbed Lucci's arm without a thought and pulled him along to catch up with the others. Only to catch Paulie punching Luffy's face as Tilestone punched a tall light blue haired man to sending both the man and Luffy flying.
"No…" Raindra whispered letting go of Lucci's hand as he moved to join the other shipwrights.
"I can't see, it seems they both got hit," someone yelled from the crowd behind her.
"No, Look who it is," a woman's voice rang out.
"Who just punched me?" Luffy yelled out in anger.
"This is too easy. If you knew what's good for you, you would have skipped town a long time ago. You're in for it now," Paulie said standing in front of the other shipwright glaring at Luffy.
"Galley-La," the blue hair man spoke with a frown. "Great that's just what I need," he commented quietly as he looked on at the shipwrights. The crowd started to cheer as they saw the group for shipwrights. She looked at everyone only to spot Nami looking happy to see the shipwright. Rain wished she could tell her otherwise. "I'd bud out of this if I was you. Once these fists start rocking and rolling, they don't discriminate between pirates and shipwrights," he called out.
"That goes for other people's property too," Kaku commented back. "Surely you don't expect us to stand here gobsmacked, while you wreck our entire shipyard." He did have a point with that.
"I'M WARNING YOU FRANKY! IF YOU DON'T PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS! YOU WILL PAY IN BLOOD," Tilestone shouted in anger glaring holes at the blue haired man.
"His name is Franky?" Rain asked herself as she took a better look at the man. There was something off with him… Something not human?
"Alright Tilestone, calm down," Paulie held his hand out to stop the huge shipwright. "We can take care of Franky some other time. We got more important business to deal with right now. He moved his attention to Luffy. "Yea, I'm looking at you, Straw Hat. You know exactly what I'm talking about. I don't know if you're brave or stupid, either way you're dead." Raindra moved toward the group only to stop when Lucci sent a glare her way.
"Wait, What?" Luffy sounded completely confused by his words and Raindra couldn't blame him. She knew he hadn't a clue what happened. Yet she also couldn't defend them without endangering them and her family in the East Blue. "We just came here cause we heard the news about Ice-pops," Luffy tried to explain.
"Wasn't enough to wreck my house and beat up my boys, huh? What's wrong? Don't feel like a man unless you're pounding the heck out of shipwrights too? I know puberty can make you do some crazy stuff, but wow," exclaimed Franky loudly only to have Luffy glare toward him.
"I don't even know what's going on, so stop making fun of me," Luffy shouted at Franky.
"Play innocence all you like," Paulie responded before pulling a rope out of his sleeve. His eyes trained only on Luffy. "I won't go easy on ya." Raindra's heart pounded in her chest.
"Luffy," Rain cried out right before Paulie attacked.
"Rope Action Half-knot," Paulie yelled as the rope flew from his hand knotting around Luffy's neck. Raindra screamed in horror seeing her friend's eye almost pop of his head as the room tightened.
"Can't breathe," she could barely hear Luffy choke out before he was flying toward the air and into the ground. It was the same move Paulie had done on Lucci the day before but she doubted in her mine Luffy would land the same way Lucci had. She wanted to run to see if he was okay yet her muscles wouldn't let her move.
"DAME IT, JUST GO AWAY! I TOLD YOU SHIPWRIGHTS TO STAY OUT OF THIS, DIDN'T I? I'M THE ONE WHO OWES THIS GUY A BEATING, NOT YOU," Franky screamed out in anger. Her eyes trailed back to the shipwright to see them get ready for a full on fight. Her eyes froze on Lucci. He had no emotion yet his eyes looked as cold as the day she had met him.
"What are you doing? I don't have a reason to fight you guys," Luffy coughed as the dust clear. Yet Raindra didn't need to look away from Lucci to know Luffy didn't look to good. "Just hold on." Sound of gunshots filled the air.
"It doesn't affect him," she whispered as a reminder. "He is made of rubber." Her lips barely moved so no one knew what she had said. Cheers filled her ears as she saw Lucci start punching at Luffy, and Luffy blocked with his arms. Hattori had left Lucci to land on her shoulder. She couldn't care, she felt numb as all of this broke out before here.
"HEY! STOP IT," Luffy shouted right before Lucci punched him right into the ground. "Damn, you guys are strong."
"He isn't even using his full power," Raindra whispered as she took a step back for the scene in front of her. Tears forming in her slate orbs yet no one fell.
"I STILL DON'T KNOW WHY WE'RE FIGHTING," Luffy yelled looking up as Paulie walked toward him. Hattori flew off her shoulder to land back on Lucci's. That second she turned on her heels and ran. She wasn't returning to the crew and she wasn't really running at least that's what she told herself as she forced herself through everyone. She couldn't stay standing there and watch.
Raindra closed her eyes as she soon as she got to the bar. "I could hide out here until everything finished," she murmured as a tears slipped from her eyes. Her pale hands came up wiping the tears away as she took a deep breath. Once she was sure she wasn't going to break down she entered the bar. It was pretty early in the day yet there was a good amount of people here. At the bar was Blueno wearing a yellow shirt with purple dots all over it. He looked to be cleaning a glass.
"If it isn't Miss Raindra," he chuckled as she sat at the end of the bar. "Water?" Her eyes flew up to him.
"Yes please," she murmured and the next second there was a glass of cool water in front of her and he seemed to have a new glass in his hands to clean. "Thank You Blueno," she spoke softly not really looking around at anyone.
"So what wrong?" He asked.
"What do you mean?" She asked cautiously.
"You look down," he shrugged though gave her his full attention.
"I just left the shipyard. There was a fight between the shipwrights and my old captain… I couldn't just stand there and watch. You know?" She told him keeping to the facts he'd hear soon enough. Her wrist laid onto the bar with a thud. She narrowed her eyes slightly seeing the sea-stoned cuff locked on her wrist through the dress shirt cuff.
"I bet," he replied.
"I hope you don't mind that I stay here until my fiancé comes to pick me up," she smiled a bit at him.
"It's not a problem," he told her with a smile. They fell into silence listening to everyone chat and all.
"Another one over here," someone shouted raising their mug. Blueno nodded and he turned to fill another mug.
"I could bring it to them," Raindra said as Blueno went to leave the bar. "I wouldn't mind."
"That is nice of you," he smiled passing her the mug. Raindra nodded before getting up from her seat and moving to the man who ordered it.
"Here you go sir," she passed it to him with a smile.
"Thanks," the man whispered as he eyed her up and down. "Here," he gave her some coins for the drink.
"May I take your empty mug back to the bar?" She asked sounding as careful as she could. He nodded and she grabbed the mug before bringing it up to Blueno giving him the coins.
"Nice job," he commented as he pocketed the money and putting the mug into the sink behind the bar.
"It's honestly not a problem," she told him feeling a bit better about helping out. "I don't mind helping out while I'm here. Not that I want to pressure you."
"No, it is nice having help," Blueno told her and she jumped up in excitement. She spent the next hour cleaning tables and refilling drinks. Blueno kept an eye out for the men that eyed her and broke up any fights. "You're doing a great job," Blueno smiled as she sat down at the bar to have him place a glass of water in front of her.
"Thanks," she said taking the glass for a sip.
Blueno was about to say something before the bar's doors were pushed open as everyone went quiet. "Hey there, welcome, how are you?" Blueno spoke after a small chuckle. Raindra turned her head to notice the blue haired guy. It was Franky from the shipyard and he had two girls following him in with black hair shaped into a square.
"How is everything going, Blueno!" Franky stood dancing slight back and forth with one girl on each side of him. "Feeling Super?" He exclaimed with a grin on his face.
"Yea, well I suppose you could say that," he chuckled.
"What do you mean suppose?" Franky asked as he walked to sit at the bar. Raindra was lucky he wasn't in the seat next to her. "You're not a deceptive guy, are you? I'll take the usual," Franky said opening up his chest to pull out three empty bottles to give to Blueno. "Fill her up please."
"He's not human," Rain murmured before taking another sip. "I wonder if he's here, than is Lucci looking for me."
"Do you got any money," Blueno asked Franky as he wiped a glass mug.
"Just fill them up, will ya! Cola," Franky exclaimed looking at the man behind the bar annoyed. She noted the Blueno didn't seem to look worried at all; it almost looked like he was excited? "To think you run an establishment like this with a greedy notion of taking money from customers."
"We do have a little money," one of the girls spoke behind him holding up a bunch of bills.
"About a million Beli," the other girl said hold almost the same amount as the other had.
"WHAT?!" Franky exclaimed as he turned to face them holding onto his head in surprise. "WE HAVE THAT MUCH LEFT! HOW DISGRACEFUL! HOW TOTALLY UNCOOL TO THINK I DIDN'T SPEND IT ALL IN ONE NIGHT!" Raindra rolled her eyes at his overdramatic act. "HERE GIVE ME THAT," he grabbed the money from one girl before stepping onto a table someone was eating at. His foot barely missing the person's food. "WWWOOWW, LISTEN UP! THIS IS YOUR LUCKY DAY, CUSTOMERS! ALL YOU'RE DRINK OUR ALL ON ME, NOW BACK ALL THE BOOZE AS YOU LIKE. COMPLEMENTS OF ME, YOUR PAL FRANKY," He shouted throwing the money in the air so it rain down around the bar. Cheers broke out with happiness.
"That's over doing it," she commented and Blueno chuckled at her.
"So Blueno, where is my cola," Franky asked impatiently sitting back at the bar. "Come on, hurry it up already!"
"Looks like business has been good for you Franky," an older woman's voice spoke causing Raindra to lean a bit on the bar to see Miss Kokoro once again. Franky turned to look at the old woman before screaming.
"OLD HAG KOKORO THAT WAS YOU I SAT NEXT TOO!" His voice lowered as he glared toward her. She simple drank her booze with a smile on her face. "I thought it was a statue of a sea monster." She only laughed as she finished her mug.
"Granny, is it okay for me to get a refill on my juice than?" Her little granddaughter asked from the other side of her.
"Hey kid, this is a bar. It's no place for little shrimps like you," Franky told the girl making it clear he wasn't impressed.
"Business been good, right?" Kokoro said again causing him to groan.
"Fine, Whatever, suit yourself," Franky waved his hand at the girl. "Yea business has been outstanding but I feel terrible," he said resting his elbow on the bar his head against his hand. "In fact this entire week has been a total downer." He slammed his arm onto the bar. "And it's because of that stupid stupid pirate!"
Blueno walked back to the bar holding three glass bottles of cola. "Here you go full tank," he said as he placed them in front of Franky.
"Good, it took you long enough," Franky grabbed the three bottle and opened his chest once more to put them in before closing it. "Full, Full, Full," he chanted. "Come on, come on, come on!" Raindra stood up and walked to the side of the bar Blueno was to see him pulse. Before she knew it, stream came from him, and his hair stood up as if he had styled it with hairspray. "Super," he exclaimed a few seconds before he's arm hit against the bar. "Completely restored! That bastard, just waited until I get my hands on him. HEY, HAG, WHY ARE YOU HERE?!" His attention moved back to Kokoro. Raindra saw Blueno move to fill the glass Kokoro had finished.
"I could do that," she spoke and Blueno passed her the pitcher to fill the glass. She started to poor the booze listening to the woman.
"Aqua Laguna is on it's way," she replied.
"Ahh, Is that right? No wonder the wind is blowing so strong today," Franky commented looking relaxed.
"You need to get your house prepped up for the storm," she told him as Raindra finished pouring her glass to place the pitch back where she saw Blueno get it from.
"Well there isn't much to prep really, seeing as I don't have a house anymore," he laughed slight as Blueno placed a mug of cola in front of the man.
"I was going to have a drink with Iceburg but it seems he was shot," Kokoro commented after gulping down half her glass. Raindra tensed slightly at the woman's words. News really does spread quickly in this city.
"Yea, I heard about that. They say pirates are reasonable," Franky replied after taking a sip of the cola. "Galley-La and the townspeople are ragging pissed."
"So a pirate did it huh?" She burst out laughing. "Do you honestly think that's what happened?"
"What do you mean?" Raindra asked just before Franky or anyone could say a thing.
"Hey, you sound like you knew something," Franky commented eyeing her. "If you really do than spit it out you old hag."
"Iceburg is always being hounded but the world government. You ever notice that?" She pointed out.
'I think there was people there the other day," Raindra thought back to the shipyard right before Nami had found out the money was stolen. 'Someone came to talk to Iceburg… but than Lucci's mission…'
"Sooooo?" There was a pause from Franky before you could hear a click in his head. "Wait are you trying to say that government lapdog Corgi pulled the trigger? That little troll isn't cut out to try something like that," Franky laughed at the thought as he recalled seeing the man before.
"You're right. That assassination plot falls more in line with the work of CP9, isn't that right Blueno? Ever heard of them?" The Lady directed he attention to Blueno as he topped her drink once more. Raindra tensed at hearing the name, though she couldn't tell anything from the bartender. Franky had looked bored.
"Only rumours really," he shrugged off the question.
"Gees you village simpletons sure out a lot of stock into stories about imaginary boogeyman shadow organizations," Franky commented sounding bored. Raindra would have thought he'd roll his eyes at the old lady. She honestly felt like she'd be in his shoes if it wasn't the fact she knew someone within said shadow organization.
"Don't be an idiot. Of course they exist," Kokoro scolded him. "They just never show themselves. Can't really work undercover if everyone knows who you are," she explained her eyes trained on her drink in her hand. Once she finished speaking she moved to drown the whole mug. Franky as well as Raindra eyed her.
'You seem pretty sure about yourself. Do you have any proof of this?" Franky looked like he was putting some thought on what she said.
"Nope! Just rumours," she told him as soon as she finished her mug. Her laughter filled the air.
"Stop screwing around Hag!" Franky shouted angrily over her laughter. "Rumours are superstitious nonsense.
"It remained a rumour for such a long time, huh. They're good at eliminating people without anyone noticing. If you mess with them, your dead meat," she spoke is such a serious yet chilled voice that Raindra couldn't stop the shivers from going up her spine. She hung to each word. Kokoro started to laugh like someone would do in a scary story. A part of her wondered why Lucci had yet to show up, than again she knew he didn't know she was there. When would he come?
(n_n)
The rest day flew by for Raindra. She was mostly at Lucci's side since he picked her up at the bar, if she wasn't in his sight line she was always in Kaku's sight than. Now she sat in Lucci's lap as he guarded Iceburg's door with some of the other shipwrights. All of them were guarding the building but only a few guarded his room.
"Is this really what the Straw Hats like?" Paulie grumbled out from where he sat eyeing the bluette on Lucci's lap with what looked like distrust. She honestly didn't blame him.
"I… Never has the Straw Hats hurt anyone without a reason. I can't think of a reason unless it was to protect someone or something. Robin is the newest though so I don't know everything of her past but I don't think she'd do this," she spoke only to stop at Lucci's arms tightening around her waist.
"That's interesting you say that… How long were you on that crew anyway?" Paulie asked sounding a bit interesting in her words. She looked at him in surprise unsure what he was thinking.
"I've been with them since they got the Goin' Merry in the East Blue," she commented as she thought back to that day she left with the crew. A new beginning that was what she had thought of it.
"Sounds like you were there when the crew first started," Kaku commented thoughtfully.
"I guess you could say that," she murmured not really paying attention anymore. They fell silent and she thought of her father. The last days she saw him… Before she had meant her new family, the Straw Hats. How it hurt her when she couldn't talk her father out of killing Kaya. He never did, but she wasn't much help with that. "Lucci," her voice got everyone's attention. It was sad, held so much sorrow. "What if the Straw Hats do come? I don't think I could handle watching their down fall… Not after seeing my own fathers."
"What is that you said Miss Raindra?" Kaku asked noticing they all had their eyes on her. Her slate eyes flashed up to his unsure what she should say. Lucci never hinted that she should keep quiet.
"My father was a pirate that hid in a village while I was young," she spoke with caution. "I didn't know he killed the people that took us in, until he aimed to kill their daughter. I wasn't strong enough to fight him but Luffy, Zoro and Nami came. Even my childhood friend tried. He never had a chance…" She trailed off remember his face.
"And you still joined the Straw Hats?" Paulie exclaimed in shock. "What were you thinking?"
"They said we were friends. My father wasn't the father who raised me," she defended her family. "I didn't think once, until I got here," she paused as she thought back to earlier in the day. "The fight earlier today made me realize I can't see them get hurt."
Before anyone could say anything they heard the door behind them open and Kalifa stepped out. "Excuse me, Paulie," she spoke.
"Huh," Paulie looked at her.
"Mr. Iceburg needs to see you. I assume it's very important," she told him politely.
"He asked for me?" Paulie seemed surprised by this.
"Yes, specifically" she replied. "I have somethings to take care of in my office if anyone needs me." There wasn't any emotion. Why? She turned to walk down the hall.
"Right," Paulie looked unsure.
"Looks like a strange timing for a one on one conversation," Kaku commented out loud turning his head toward Paulie. "What in blazes could it be about?"
"Don't have a clue," he said confused.
"IT'S HIS WILL," Tilestone shouted right before all the four other shipwrights moved to punch the huge man. Raindra had just moved out of the way in time. They sat back down besides Tilestone who stayed on the floor.
"Well," Lulu stood up away from his seat. "What are you doing out here? Go on in there and talk to him."
"Uh sure," Paulie said as he slowly got up. It was like he couldn't figure out what to do. Or what was really happening.
"Don't worry, we can step away from the door if you are concerned about privacy," Lulu commented with ease.
"Good idea," Kaku quickly agreed with the idea and with that both Kaku and Lucci stood up from their chairs. Soon Paulie entered the room while everyone moved a few feet away from the doors as to give Paulie and Iceburg there privacy as Lulu said.
"WHAT THE HECK COULD HE WANT TO TALK ABOUT TO PAULIE?" Tilestone shouted and Raindra sighed wondering if the other's ever got headaches around the loud man.
"Whatever it is, it's between them. We got enough to deal with. I think we need to say focus on our pirate problem," Lulu commented as he took charge.
"Right," Hattori spoke from Lucci's shoulder. "Okay, according to Kalifa, it's a small group with only seven people apart of the crew. The ones to watch out for are Straw Hat Luffy, Pirate Hunter Zoro, and Nico Robin." Raindra's slate orbs glance to see everyone with a straight face.
"I wouldn't underestimate the girl traveling along with them or the other guy with the long round nose," Kaku spoke up seriously.
"Usopp isn't someone to worry about," Raindra muttered looking to the ground.
"Yea, there are those two you just mentioned. Along with two others," Hattori pointed out. "It doesn't matter what those pirates are after. They set foot on this property tonight, they're done for. Every single last one of them, Got it?" Raindra shivered as each word seemed to drive a blade in her heart. Dread filled her as she hoped they'd stay away, but even she knew it in her heart that they'd show at some point.
"RIGHT," Tilestone yelled. They went silence and a few minutes later Paulie stepped out of the room with a grim look on his face. At the sound of the door closing cause them to turn their heads toward him.
"He'd done talking to you?" Hattori was the first to break the tense silence.
"Yea," Paulie didn't look at them for a second before a determined look came to his face. "Hey, listen guys," he finally looked to them. "I… Uh… Got to head out and take care of something, cool?"
"No problem, that will be fine," Lulu commented right off the bat. Raindra tilted her head as she picked up that he was sounding a bit unsure. What was it that Iceburg told him? "The four of us and Raindra will keep watch here." She turned on her heels to eye the shipwright. She hadn't expected to hear her name said.
"Thanks," Paulie replied. "Just keep Iceburg safe you guys." Raindra turned to look back to Paulie only to see he was looking right into her eyes now. Like he was trying to find something out from her, but less than a minute he turned away walking down the hall away from them.
"That was strange," she murmured feeling Lucci wrap his arm around her. His lips touched her ear.
"Behave," was all she heard him breathe as his attention move to the others. The part of her that had been quiet finally seemed to kick in as she tried to move away from him only to feel his nails dig into her side. Her heel moved to dig into his foot yet he didn't react to it besides his dark orbs narrowing down at her with a silent threat.
A loud bang rang around them causing Tilestone and Lulu to be startled and not notice the silent fight between the couple. "BOSS, ICEBURG ARE YOU OKAY?" Tilestone yelled as he pushed pass the two and into Iceburg's room.
"Yea, just a bit shocked," Raindra was able to hear his answer both she felt herself jerked to the side.
"There they are! It's that guy in the costume! Get them!" Other shipwrights yelled out around them. Yet she was face to face with Lucci.
"THOSE BASTARDS! I'LL POUND IN THERE FACES," Tilestone yelled stepping out of the room before dashing down the hallway.
"I got your back," Lulu commented as he chased after the huge man.
"Wait, hold on," Kaku yelled after them as she felt herself moved to be pushed against the wall of the hall. "For peat sake," Kaku comment angrily. His eyes flickered to Lucci and Rain. "Will you two relax?"
"I'd keep out of this," Hattori commented for Lucci not wanting to blow the cover yet.
"Let me go," Raindra growled out quietly.
"Are you going back on your word?" Lucci whispered causing shivers to go down her spine. "You know it's not only the Straw Hats I'll go after." The threat cause whatever fight that came out of her to freeze as her father's face flashed in her head and then of her Uncle Jango.
"I only promised to marry you not that I wouldn't protect my friends," she whispered out only to be slapped by him. Raindra only blinked as she was dragged to sit at the chairs that guarded the room.
"I'm warning you Raindra, I have no problem getting your Uncle killed," Lucci remarked quietly his eyes toward the room seeing the doors were closed.
"I understand," she murmured looking away. Lucci got to his feet and Kaku did to.
"Time to go," he commented he eyed her though. "Stay here." And with that Kaku and Lucci went and dressed up two people who they knocked out to look like each one of them before placing cloaks and masks off heading the same direction as Paulie had. She stood up and watched as they left. A gun shot went off in the room behind her not even a minute later. Raindra moved toward the door with wide eyes. Voices were heard through the door, yet she couldn't make out any words being said. Other shipwrights started to run toward the room just as a huge person with a bear mask steps out. Raindra's eyes widen as she pushed herself against the door as he steps past her to fight the new shipwrights. She took the moment to slip into the bedroom just before the door closed behind the person.
Nothing prepared her when she stepped in to see Iceburg shot once more and Robin in a green cloak standing in the middle of the room. "Well what a surprise. After all this time, I never thought we'd be meeting here, Nico Robin," Iceburg rasped out looking at her. They didn't even notice that Raindra had entered the room.
"Am I supposed to know you?" Her voice was cold.
"No, last night was the first night we met, but for a long time I wanted to see you," he rasped out before groaning in pain clutching his shoulder tightly where the shot wound was. "I even put your wanted poster up in my room so I'd never forget."
"Shall I give you an autograph then?" Her voice showed no really emotion, and left a chill to the air. It made Raindra stay froze in her spot by the door. Iceburg's cold laughter filled the silence.
"If you sign it in blood," he growled out as his hand pulled out a gun from in his jacket. Only for Robin's eyes to widen and four arms came out of her cloak with guns pointed at him. Her devil fruit, Raindra had seen her use it before. Raindra finally moved pushing Robin on to the ground causing them to freeze.
"Please, Robin, This isn't you," she cried as she hugged the older woman. "It's not worth it."
"Raindra," the older woman's voice broke as she looked as the bluette girl on top of her. "What are you doing here?" Her eyes searched the room for any of the CP9 members only to find none in sight. Iceburg let his gun drop as he looked at each of them.
"Aren't you mad at her? She framed your friends?" Iceburg spoke deeply.
"How could I? I'm the one that put them in the danger they are in," Raindra commented dryly shocking the two in the room.
"No, That's not… I was the one," Robin shakily spoke once she got over her shock only to see Raindra shake her head. "I was the one that the government was after…"
"They own my life Robin," Raindra spoke just as a ring filled the room. "A transponder snail," she gasped out in fear just before the click. Everyone froze in the room.
"It's me," the deep voice filled the room. Her heart dropped as realized it was Lucci speaking. "He hit a snag in the plan. Everyone head to the bedroom immediately! Don't shot Iceburg yet. Do you understand? I absolutely need him alive."
"You have to leave," Robin tried to push her friend off of her and toward the door yet Raindra didn't let herself be pushed out of the room. The doors opened and four people walked in wearing masks with tension in the air. The masks were of a bear, skull, bull and a golden one. The person under the bull mask tilted his head slightly toward the girls causing Robin to pull Rain behind her as if she could protect her.
"Go home," Iceburg growled out before cringing in pain. "I have nothing to give you people."
"Then we have a problem don't we?" Lucci's voice rang through the room as he bull head tilted toward Iceburg. A flapping of winging was heard before the white pigeon was seen. Hattori flew straight away to land on the bull's shoulder. "What does one say for a man that is marked for death?" His hands went up to remove the mask as Iceburg looked on in horror. It was like she was in a horror movie. Her heart pounded as she stood behind her friend unsure what she could really do to help anyone. "First let me be frank, you disappoint me," Lucci said emotional as he put his black top hat back on once again.
"Lucci," Iceburg gasped out in shock.
"This is your own fault," Kaku commented as he pulled the skull mask away from his head. "You should have handed over the blueprints when the government asked nicely." Kaku had a slight smile on his face unlike Lucci who showed no emotion but his eyes promised something was going to happen as he looked right at Raindra. She didn't know if it was a good thing, or if it was a silent threat.
"Kaku," betrayal filled the blue haired man's voice as he looked to the other shipwright.
"Pity, I was hoping we'd walk away from this story without resulting in violence," Kalifa's voice spoke as she brushed her hand through her hair taking off her mask with the other one. Raindra gasped as she saw the bear mask removed to see the owner of the bar.
"Kalifa," Iceburg said her name quietly.
"It's a shame you are hard-headed as your master," Blueno spoke deeply.
"Blueno," this time it was both Raindra and Iceburg saying it.
"From the bar," Iceburg added. "That means you have been with the government this whole time."
"No, I can't believe it," Raindra stepped back as she took in CP9 standing in front of them. "You seemed so nice." Her eyes trained on Blueno as she thought back to the person she talked to in the bar and how she helped him earlier that day. He had given her no hint that he was one of the members working with Lucci. Not even when Lucci had picked her up.
"Indeed," Lucci's voice was ice cold. "Needless to say going uncover was like second nature to us. Now since everyone is being so honest with each other, let's try this again. I don't have time to play games." Her eyes went from Raindra to Iceburg. She knew the last bit wasn't just meant for the blue haired man but to her as well. She was pretty sure that she was messing his mission up.
"Lucci," Raindra spoke up only to have everyone's attention go straight to her. She gulp and opened her mouth to speak.
"Raindra, come here," he ordered her coldly with a glare. She shut her mouth before slowly stepping around Robin shakily as her mind thought quickly for a plan. She didn't expect Robin to pull her back in fear.
"You said the Straw Hats would be safe," Robin commented fearfully holding tightly to her friend. "I went with you quietly and behaved. Why isn't she with them?"
"Because she isn't a Straw Hat," Iceburg raspy voice spoke causing Robin to turn to him.
"How would you know? She has been a part of the crew longer then me!" Robin snapped out angrily.
"Raindra," Lucci's voice held warning, a promised threat.
"Robin," she whispered. "It's okay." She tried to move out of the woman's hold only for Robin to use her devil fruit power and have more arms come around her to hold her there.
"No it's not okay!"
"Nico Robin, let go of my fiancée," Lucci ordered taking a step toward the two. He really was done with the games messing with his mission. His hand grabbed onto Raindra's arm as he jerked her out of her friends hold and into his. "I'm not playing games anymore," he commented darkly and that was when Raindra felt a jab in her neck. Just then everything faded slowly to black as her body went limp. Her last thought was what was really going to happen to her if she kept defying Lucci?
(n_n)
A sharp pain shot through her head as she felt herself gain consciousness. It got worst as she heard a loud train whistle. "So loud," she murmured as one hand reach to touch her head. Her head laid against something soft and warm. There was the sound of someone breathing close to her face. Her body tensed up as her slate eyes peaked open to see his pale neck. Her head was on his shoulder which was covered in a furred coat. Raindra moved her head to look up for her slate orbs to meet his burning black ones. "Lucci," her voice whispered catching the attention of the other three people in the train car.
"Raindra," he spoke with a normal tone causing her to gasp her head a bit hard to stop the pain, though it didn't really help much. "I see you woke with a headache," his lips turned upwards on one side to reveal his smirk as she glared at him in pain.
"This isn't fair…" She whispered feeling drained. "Luffy will come for Robin."
"He already tried," Kaku's voice came from the seat next to them.
"No," she gasped shaking her head in shock. "Please tell me they are alive…"
"We have taken out four of your crew," Kalifa informed causing the bluette to look behind to see the blonde and Blueno sitting in different seat behind them. "Monkey D Luffy, Roronoa Zoro, that oranged hair girl and reindeer had been disposed of. We also have Franky and the long nose friend in the train as prisoners."
Lucci smiled in dark pleasure as he felt her lose tense. Hope was fading from those stormy eyes. "It's not the whole crew," he commented. "Besides you are mine remember." His cold voice rang through her ears and the pain didn't seem to bother her now she felt numb.
"Zoro," her voice murmured as she recalled standing by him on the ship looking onto Water 7. That was the last time she'd seen him. "There still is a member," she whispered as her mind went to Sanji. He would be the only one they wouldn't have had a clue about.
"You think that would help Raindra?" Blueno commented and she bowed her head.
"Does this mean our deal is off Lucci?" Her voice was full of pain.
"No," he replied as his face turned emotionless. "Think of this as punishment for what you've been pulling."
"I was trying to protect my friends! They are a part of my family too! I have my own rights, Lucci. I'm my own person, not your pet or doll," she said looking him back in the eyes to see something burning within them. He could see the storms form once more in her eyes. "I wish to go back to the Merry and forget this."
"The Merry was destroyed," Kaku commented and froze as if time stop all around her. Kaya had given that ship to the Straw Hats. It came from her first real home. It was her home since she set off to the sea.
"You're lying," she whispered.
"It was destroyed while you were a sleep," Lucci told her.
"You knocked me out," she exclaimed angrily at him as tears fell from her eyes. "You knocked me out, took my childhood friend as prisoner, and are bringing my other friend to her death. You hold a threat to hurt my family and the crews I've been a part of. And I feel like there isn't much I'm getting out of this besides being trapped knowing my family is safe from only one person!" He sat there as she ranted not seeming to really care about what she said. "Am I anything to you?"
"Raindra, would I have made that deal if you were nothing?" She looked away from him hurt. A part of her hoped he'd show emotion or say something that showed he care a bit about her.
"Can I at least talk to Robin if it will be my last time?" Her voice sounded so broken as she felt the tears slide down her cheeks to fall on her dress shirt.
"Kaku, please escort Raindra to the first car," he requested.
"This way Raindra," he got up same time as she got off Lucci's lap and followed him to the next car. There in the middle of the car sat Robin looking out the window. Kaku nodded to her before he turned and returned to the other train car. Raindra wiped the tears away the best she could as she walked up to Robin.
"May I sit with you?" Her voice shook a bit. Robin gasped as her head turned to look at her nervous bluette friend standing there waiting for an answer.
"I would love that," Robin gestured to the seat across from her. Rain gave a sad smile as she moved to sit in front of her friend her hands rested against her lap. "Are you okay Rain? You look like you were crying?" Her voice was calming.
"I'm doing better then you," she commented trying to keep her smile but tears filled her eyes once she thought about what was to happen. "Sorry, that didn't sound nice."
"You're right," Robin told her with a sad smile. "But what is going to happen to you?"
"I'm safe from the government as long as Lucci is alive and in the area," she said shrugging.
"You said they own your life?" Robin brought up as her mind thought back to the last time she talked to Rain.
"Yes," Raindra replied looking to her hands before taking a deep breath. "I promised I would be Lucci's wife when I was younger for him to spare my family and crew. The problem is that being the wife to someone with this much power means your life is theirs until the end but it was the only way I could think of to save my father and family. I was reminded that my family is still safe due to the deal and that the Straw Hats should have been safe as long as I went through with my promise. He was going to kill everyone I would protect with my life. I mean the crew showed me how to face my fears and what it is like to grow with the new sights each place we go. Usopp and I never been a part since I met him. I really don't want to leave them," she rambled to herself as she tried to explain her actions to Robin. Tears fell from her eyes. Anyone could see she was breaking into pieces.
Robin sat there stunned unsure what to say after hearing her friend ramble about her past. She never heard much of the crew members past and where they came. But she was relieved to know it wasn't only her past that caught up to her. "I never would have thought," Robin murmured thoughtfully.
"Usopp has known me longer than any Straw Hat and my Uncle Jango known me my whole life and both didn't even know about everything," she cut in quickly before sighing. "Why did you turn yourself in?" Robin's blue eyes widen for a second before she was able to control her emotions.
"Because I have a wish I would sacrifice anything for," she told Rain calmly. "When we got to Water 7, CP9 gave me two conditions. The first was to pin Iceburg's assassination on the Straw Hats and leave there crew. The second was to turn myself over to the government and follow every order without question. I only agreed to it since CP9 was given permission to activate a buster call against the Straw Hats."
"A buster call," Raindra spoke listening to the words as they left her mouth in hope to know what she was talking about. "You're going to have to explain a bit more…."
"It's an emergency order that summons five vice admirals and ten battle ships to the same location. No matter how strong you are, no one could survive a full scale military attack of that calibre. Under normal circumstance, only the three admirals and the head of the navy, the fleet admiral, are allowed to exercise that kind of authority. However, this is a special case. Just this once Admiral Aokiji has given CP9 the right to make the call. When I heard his name, I surrendered. If I hadn't agreed to their conditions we and the rest of the Straw Hats would have been annihilated. For the past 20 years, I've been able to run away and survive. No matter the circumstances. That was only because I had nothing to protect…" She trailed off as she explained. Raindra felt her heart drop as she listened to the words. Her skin paled as Robin had trailed off.
"Robin what was your wish?"
"That excluding me, all the other Straw Hat Pirates will be allowed to leave this island safely," Robin replied in a quiet voice.
"I don't think Lucci would have used the buster call… It's not him…" Raindra trailed off as she thought of her fiancé in the next train car. He was an emotionless killer, but he liked to kill himself then use that type of power. He had taken her father's crew down with little trouble.
"Why do you say that?"
"He likes to deal with things himself. Something tells me he would rather take out the Straw Hats one by one then use that buster call," Rain shrugged as she looked up to meet blue orbs.
"I guess it's something only you would know," Robin commented before they fell into complete silence.
"I never thought this is how it was going to be…" Raindra broke the silence after a few minutes.
"Us sitting in a train," Robin commented.
"No, I never thought I had much going for my life so it was easy promising it away. It takes away choice that could have been scary. I've always thought once I left it was to be married and a life of love… I guess love is a bit of a long shot now I think of it. Luffy, Zoro and Nami they showed me there was an open sea and more to live for…" Raindra mused as a smile touch her face as she recalled her first meeting. "Zoro was so shocked to have me running at him with a sword after he and Luffy scared poor Usopp."
"I would have loved to see that, but I know what you mean. They picked up the life I gave up on. Returned the heart I lost and continued the dreams I no longer believed in…" Rain reached over and grabbed Robin's hands in hers.
"You're the older sister I never had. I just want to let you know that," she told her as a tears came from her slate eyes. But in her eyes Robin saw the love and truth.
"Rain," Robin started only to stop hearing a tapping from the window next to her. Both women turned their head to gasp at the sight in the window. A person with a long nose wearing a yellow mask looked in at them. "Longnose is that you?" Robin found her voice first. "Why are you here?"
"Let's get him inside before he kills himself," Raindra spoke as she quickly opened the window to help him in. Robin nodded as she helped drag Usopp into their train-car. As soon as Usopp was in and Rain closed the window Robin sat back down glaring at the man.
"What is going on? How did you get here in the first place? This is dangerous you know!" Her voice tried to get out how serious she was.
"How did you get free?" Raindra asked as she recalled hearing he too was caught.
"Free?" Robin turned to her with a brow raised.
"Ma-am' I can hardly answer if you keep asking questions like that," he chuckled before Rain could tell Robin what she heard from CP9. "Let's calm down and take this slowly." He turned and saw the tea cart. "Ah, Can I pour you coffee perhaps?" Raindra fell back in her seat glaring at him for not answering there questions.
"Stop fooling around," both women comment angrily.
"What are you," Robin started to speak as Raindra moved over letting her friend sit beside her and more in front of Robin.
"Please to meet both of you. I'm Sniper King, the king of the snipers," he told them leaving Robin speechless. Raindra could help but notice her friend's voice was deeper than usual or how his arms crossed over his chest. "To make a long story short I came to rescue you girls."
"You got to be kidding me," Raindra commented looking at him in concern.
"You're really serious," Robin said as she took in his tone.
"I'm not alone, of course. Your friend Sanji and a cyborg thug named Franky are currently engaged in a battle on this train. They kept the enemy busy enough for me to come here. Furthermore, Captain Luffy and the other Straw Hats are following closely on another sea train. I hear that he is bring a small army with him," he told them and Robin looked to the window with a straight face. Raindra looked down at her hands helplessly. Neither one wanted to get there hopes up at his words. Both knew what everyone was truly up against. "On my way here," he continued as he noticed both weren't going to speak. "I peeked inside the other train-cars. Frankly, I believe the four agents in the car behind us may prove too great of challenge. If possible, I would like to escape with you both before Sanji has to face them." Robin gasped as she got out of her thoughts. It was unclear if it was due to his words or the thoughts themselves. "Come let's run away! Together!" Raindra noted Robin's hands fist against the green cloak she wore. Usopp noticed this a few seconds after. "What's the matter?'" He couldn't understand how both of them weren't happy or ready to get away. "There is no need to worry. I made all the necessary preparations," he moved to grab something from his bags as Rain reach over to hold onto Robin's tanned hand.
"Robin," her voice murmured unsure what to say.
"Here," Usopp said holding out what looked like pink squid shoes. "These octoshoes are for you. If you use them on your hands and feet you can climb out of the window and stick to the outer panels of the sea train. Quickly put them on before they notice."
"You can go Robin. I would gladly take the blame," Raindra spoke quickly ignoring the fact Usopp had met her as well. "I don't want to think this will be my last time seeing you alive."
"I won't go," Robin told them sharply before she pulled her hand away from Rain's. Her blue eyes burned angrily at Raindra.
"Why not?" Usopp seemed confused by the two once more.
"I don't know why you are doing this. I told you very clearly that I wouldn't be seeing you again! I said I would never return to the Straw Hats!" Her voice raised slightly as her eyes move off of Rain to Usopp. He just stood up and took a few steps away from them with his back turned. "And you Rain," Robin turned her attention to the bluette once more. "I can't believe you think I'd let you take the blame." Raindra's cheeks turned pink as she looked to the window feeling ashamed.
"The situation has changed. They know why you turned yourself in. That Ice gentleman from the shipyard clarified everything," his deep voice spoke to them.
"He wouldn't have told you much on me though," Raindra commented sadly as Robin gasped out.
"You really think I don't know you well enough," Usopp said right after Raindra finished commenting.
"So he survived after all," Robin whispered out once she found her voice again. She sounded relieved. "But still that doesn't change my mind."
"Robin," Rain said in a pleading tone.
"I won't go with you no matter what," the tone she used made it clear she wasn't leaving. Nothing he said would change her mind.
"I made a promise that I can't turn my back to either," Raindra spoke feeling her heart sink.
"Enough of that already, don't you get it?" He dropped his deep voice as he started to get annoyed by them refusing him over and over again. He turned to look at them and even though neither woman could see his face Raindra knew he was getting angry. "They aren't so weak that they need you to worry about them! What were you thinking? Accepting such a stupid deal before talking to the rest of the crew! And you Raindra could have told us the truth before you covered it up with that lie! You think they would be happy to go on knowing two of their friends thrown their lives away for them. Now that they know why you left, they will follow you both to the depths of hell if they have to and they will bust every soul on their way there," he exclaimed as he looked into each of their eyes trying to make his point get through to them. "You don't get it do you? That is the guys Luffy is!"
Raindra stood up quickly and slapped him with watery eyes. "It's not about just the crew. I would escape with you if it was. But I'm not willing to let harm go to my father, my uncle or my old crew," Raindra spoke quietly and they could hear the pain in her voice yet the love too.
"How many times do I have to tell you this? Even if you think you could save me, I don't want your help! Don't you care how I feel?" Robin shouted standing up behind Raindra. Her emotions were getting to her as well. "We aren't leaving!"
"Come on, give me a break," Usopp yelled back and just after there were two bangs on the door. All of them tense up and suck in there breathes. Raindra's eyes widen as Robin grabbed Usopp quickly hiding him under her cloak. She pushed him down and sat on his lap covering him from view.
"Keep it down in there you," a man's voice called out as the door opened. Raindra looked horrified as she saw the man from the shipyard. The one that had come to see Iceburg the day she ran into Lucci once more. "What's the matter? Now that we are getting close to Enies Lobby, is that cold exterior of yours finally starting to melt away?" He had a huge smirk on his face before he continued into their train-car. Raindra's heart beat quickened as he got closer to her. "Well you could cry all you like, but there is no point in limiting your fate after it's been already sealed." He stopped right in front of Rain eyeing her.
"Really I'm fine," Robin replied coldly as Usopp's arm waved the man away. He looked surprise at her reaction and just stare at her. "I said I was fine," she replied once more as she noticed his stare. Usopp's arms moved weirdly above their heads without Robin noticing or if she did notice she didn't let it be known.
"I'm sorry sir," Raindra spoke up causing him to look at her. She blushed looking down to her feet. "It was me that was yelling. I'm a bit nervous with my deal to Lucci and might have over reacted," she covered and he smirked as he noticed her hand grip her other arm nervously.
"I'm sure Lucci has great plans for you," he replied before turning his attention back to Robin.
"I said I was fine and she explained… Now please leave us alone," Robin spoke sternly as Raindra moved to sit across from her once more. His eyes widened at her words as he watched her for a few more seconds. With a sigh he turned to walk back towards the door with the slate eyes watching his movements. She tensed as he stopped not even opening the door. He then turned quickly on the spot just as Usopp moved the arms once more in a crazy pose. "Is something wrong?" Robin coldly comments as her eyes moved toward the area she knew he was around yet her head stayed straight toward Raindra. He started once more toward them his steps seeming louder than before.
A huge bang was heard from another train-car which caused Raindra to jump slightly. "What was that?" She looked past the man for a moment hearing a second bang, though this one sounded a bit louder. It got her worried.
"Just like all the other government officials, you have extremely bad manners," Robin commented bring Raindra's attention to the man not even a few feet away looking closely at Robin. Usopp's arms posed in an x formation.
"Just doing my job," he replied coldly, just then Usopp moved his leg bring the man's attention to it. He jumped in surprise before laughing. "Ah-ha, I knew it! My intuitive sense of smell has never let me down. "Enough of this nonsense now, take off that cloak. Do It! DO IT! DO IT!" He got louder near the end as he moved closer and Robin moved slight away sliding off of Usopp.
"Ah-ha!" Usopp exclaimed jumping out from beneath the cloak grabbing his weapon and aiming directly at the man's face. Raindra jumped up in shock as Robin gasped with wide eyes. They hadn't thought Usopp would really pull this.
"Wait, hold on," the man held his hands up as he looked wide eye at the sling-shot in his face.
"My name is Snipper King," Usopp stated using a deeper voice once more. "I'm a mysterious hero from Snipper Island. You got that." He spoke in such a threatening way.
"Snipper King," the man spoke quickly not taking his eyes off the weapon. "Let's settle down here. You don't think you're going to get away with this, do you?"
"Actually I do," Usopp responded calmly. "You should never underestimate a man that is willing to go the distance." The man started to shake and sweat as he backed away slowly, before he broke into a run towards the door.
"Lucci help!" The word spiked fear into Raindra's heart just as Usopp aimed perfectly knocking him out.
"I can't keep dealing with this," Raindra said as her brows lowered in concern, her hand went to her racing heart. Robin stood up with a sigh grabbing hold of Raindra's hand before leading them to the door. Rain's eyes widened s she weakly tried to pull back. "Please Robin, I don't want to enter there den," Raindra pleaded as she saw where they were going.
"Wait, Robin! Please don't go in there! No, seriously! That's a really really really bad idea. STOP," Usopp yelled as he grabbed on to her arm that held Raindra's hand trying to pull Robin away from the door. "Wait, not keep going," Usopp groaned as Robin pulled the door open for them to see CP9 all standing up looking at Sanji, and Franky. There also laid two people on the ground badly beaten up.
"Ahhh! Raindra, Robin there you are," Sanji exclaimed happily as his eyes landed on the two girls.
"We're in deep trouble," Usopp muttered hiding slightly behind Robin. Raindra was gently pushed by her friend toward Lucci. Her eyes strayed to the blond chef that looked happily at them.
"I'm so happy! Are angels okay? Say something," Sanji yelled happily with joy filled eyes. It was like a child given a bunch of candy, Rain thought as she stopped right behind Lucci.
"Why are you doing this? I went through all that trouble to sneak in from the outside, I even took out that snoopy government guy," Usopp complained in a scared voice as he held tightly to Robin's arm.
"So that's Nico Robin, huh," Franky commented eyeing the blacked haired woman in the door way. "I'd buy that. Looks like the girl on the wanted poster, for sure." Lucci turned around slowly to face both women.
"Lucci," Rain whispered fearfully as she reached out to touch his arm. Just then Sanji started to walk closer.
"Let me knock these guys out, then we will escape," Sanji told them not noticing Rain's hand on the Lucci's arm. "We'll run away together and leave all this behind us. K? It's going to be alright." Lucci chuckle darkly as his arm moved to wrap around Rain's waist and pulled her out of the way of a flying Usopp. He went right into Sanji feet. "Usopp! Robin what are you doing?" Sanji yelled in shock. Rain's slate eyes shot over to see Robin using her devil fruit, her dark bangs hiding her eyes from view.
"It seems my words mean nothing to you people," Robin looked up her as she stopped using her devil fruit power to emotionlessly look at them. Rain didn't even know why she did but she moved back into Lucci's chest. As if she was trying to protect herself from the fight that looked to be ready to break out between everyone. Lucci started to laugh causing everyone to notice her hiding in his hold. The looks of horror crossed Sanji's face and Rain was sure if she could see Usopp's face, he'd have the same look.
"Rain," Sanji whispered in shock. He'd never seen the bluette this way before.
"Franky quick," Usopp pulled his cape dramatically pointing to Franky. "Detach the third car."
"Why? What are we going to do?" Franky and Sanji looked utterly confused.
"Run," Usopp replied. Lucci made an amused snort causing his chest to move against her back.
"We're going to run?" Franky asked him.
"What the heck are you talking about?" Sanji snapped at the snipper.
"You too Sanji, get ready, it will all be over in a flash." Usopp said as Raindra gasped. She had a pretty good idea what he might do. Honestly though she was unsure since she hadn't seen him this way since they were kids pretending and all.
"Make sure Franky doesn't escape," Kaku ordered pointing at Blueno who was the closest to Franky.
"Right," Blueno replied cracking his knuckles.
"Sniper King," Usopp called out slowly as he did a spin causing Rain's eyes to widen. "Smoke Star!" Once the words left his mouth the whole place filled with pink smoke making it hard to breath. Raindra felt Lucci get a better hold on her as she gasped out for air. In her weaken state it was hard for her to fight for air to get into her lungs. Her heart beating rapidly as anxiety kicked in, her knees buckled under her and blackness started to creep into her sight. The last thing she heard was Lucci's growl.
Raindra: Here's the second chapter. I hope you all enjoy it and hopefully I will have the last chapter up soon. Leave a review and tell me what you think... Until Next Time (n_n)
