+x+ Thanks for meeting me here in chapter 2. I made sure to comb through and look for mistakes so if there are any sorry about that. So! Time for the pirates to show up!
Disclaimer: One Piece belongs to Oda-sensei! +x+
Chapter 2
Guardian of the Jungle Meets the Straw Hats
Nearly 45 minutes have gone by since the pirates left their ship and wandered onto the island. And they haven't even gotten close to Kirei's village. Those fake warning signs really helped. She carefully watched them from the thick branches of the trees, studying them. Only seven people. The guy with the straw hat hopping around from one plant to the next Kirei figured was the leader because of the Jolly Roger having a straw hat. Two girls, one with orange hair and a taller dark haired woman. What looked like an upright deer with a blue nose and a long nosed guy hiding behind a blond smoker and a swordsman with green hair. Those two were bickering with each other.
"It feels like we've been in this stupid jungle forever!" the orange haired girl complained loudly. "Is there even a town here?"
"These signs look recent so I believe there are people here Navigator-san," the taller woman replied.
"Well still. This place is giving me the creeps. And if you two morons don't shut up, I'll beat you!"
The blond and swordsman instantly fell silent, the blond making some lovey-dovey remark to the girl. Kirei couldn't really believe these guys were pirates. From the books she read and from the stories Folger told her, pirates were big and scary people that could destroy a village in a matter of minutes. They all looked around the same age as her. She carefully crawled along the branches, staying close behind them. Without help, it could take them a very long time to find the village. So Kirei decided to do something about it. She flipped back on the branch, holding on with her legs and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Guys need help?"
Most of their reactions were them freaking out. She flinched back when a sword was pointed right at her throat and noticed a few others stand ready to fight. She held up her hands in a friendly surrender before letting the branch go, landing in a soft crouch with her back to them. When she turned, the swordsman lowered his blade and sheathed it, but didn't drop his guard.
"Sorry about the scare. I've been watching you guys for quite awhile."
"Then why are you helping us now?" the redhead asked her slightly annoyed.
"Ah well it was entertaining watching you guys wandering through the jungle."
"Entertaining?!"
Kirei backed off. "S-sorry. But we don't get-"
"Your eyes are so cool!"
"Eh? What's so cool about my eyes?"
The straw hat kid got close to her face. "They're different colors! Say little boy how'd your eyes get like that?"
She blinked a few times. "Did you just call me...little boy?"
"Well yeah. You're a boy right?"
Her cheeks reddened. "What part of me looks like a boy?"
"Because you look like one duh. And you're short."
Kirei barely passed 5'4". "Y-you...you butthead! I'm a girl and I'm 18!"
Almost everyone looked surprised which made Kirei redden even more. It wouldn't be the first time she was mistaken for a boy because of her height and appearance. The straw hat started laughing loudly until the smoker in the suit kicked him into next week before kneeling down in front of Kirei like some prince.
"My beautiful young lady, please forgive the insolent brat for his rudeness," he said and took her hand, kissing it which made her skin crawl a little. "Your eyes are quite stunning my dear. Would it be rude to-heblegh!"
Kirei just watched as the orange haired girl punched the blond's head into the ground and apologized for him. She then went through the introductions of the crew and Kirei nodded at each name. The orange haired girl is Nami and the taller woman is Robin. The reindeer, not deer, is Chopper and long nose is Usopp. The straw hat captain is Luffy and Sanji is the blond smoker and Zoro is the swordsman. Robin stepped before Kirei, staring intently at her without saying a word.
"W-well it's nice to meet you guys. I'm Clover Kirei."
"Kirei right? So where's the town?" Nami asked, getting Kirei's odd eyed attention. "There is one here right?"
"Oh yes there's one. There's actually quite a few, but I only know Tinia, the village I live in."
"What do you mean 'only know'?"
Kirei titled her head to the side. "I'm not from here. My teacher brought me here five years ago. Let's go to the village and I'll tell you what you'd like to know on the way."
She turned on her heel and led the pirates down the path they recently came down from. Nami stayed next to her while Kirei answered whatever questions she asked. Mostly about this island and how long it'll take for the log pose to set. Then Nami asked how she came to this island.
"My teacher Folger brought me here. He said that it'd be safe for me here. Didn't really get what he meant by that, but I haven't seen him since."
"He just left you here?"
"Yeah saying that the oceans are dangerous and that I should get stronger. So that's what I've been doing." She crossed her fingers behind her head. "You know, if you had noticed those sighs were fake, you wouldn't have been wondering around for a long time."
"The signs were fake?!"
"Yup all fake. The villagers put them up just in case any newcomers, like you guys, are dangerous."
Nami hung her head and mumbled to herself as she fell into step behind the rest of the group. Kirei kept marching along up front, humming to herself. She didn't notice that Robin was right next to her until she spoke to get her attention.
"Whoa! When'd you get here?!"
"Is Clover your family name?"
"Family name? Oh no it's a name I gave myself. Sorta. My teacher said that I don't have a family name."
"Where do you come from?"
"From an island on the other side of the Red Line. Don't really know anything about it. Why the interest?"
Robin narrowed her eyes a little. "I've never seen anyone with odd eyes before."
"Hm it's more common in animals than people right? If I knew more about myself I'd tell you, but I don't. My teacher never really told me about my home. He said it's something I shouldn't worry about until I'm older and stronger. I am a bit older now. Not sure how strong I am though."
The taller woman fell silent, but stayed close to Kirei. She felt a little strange having Robin study her like an exotic animal in a cage. Now she has a stranger examining her. It's probably worse than the villagers whispering about her behind her back sometimes. She pushed that aside and slide down a muddy hill that was a close to a gate of Tinia. The pirates were right behind her as she jogged through the open gate and to an empty town. Luffy stepped next to her, glancing around with a hand held above his eyes.
"Where is everyone?"
"Good question. They all know you guys are here. I told them myself."
"So you brought them Kirei."
Kirei and the pirates turned their attention towards Ridian who had a few villagers with spears behind him. The odd eye girl pouted and stood in front of the pirates in a slightly protective manner.
"Do you really need to have guys with spears?"
"It's just a precaution."
"Come on Ridian. These pirates only have seven members on their crew! Stupid old geezer. They hardly look dangerous."
"Pipe down Kirei. Since you're the one that brought them here, you're in charge. But first...since you didn't bring back your gatherings, you have to bring back twice as much. Now."
"But I was just-"
He held up a hand, his sharp gaze silencing her. "Now."
Kirei growled at him, but said nothing and stomped out the village gate.
"What is her story exactly um...?" Nami asked.
"Ridian. Kirei's a special case. Don't bother yourself with her. We can offer you a place to sleep and food for your duration of your stay. If you need anything specific then ask Kirei. I'll show you to your huts."
He walked off and the pirates followed. The villagers with the spears only glared as they passed before leaving the area. There were some other people poking their heads from windows and doors of the huts, watching the pirates carefully. Almost of these people have never seen pirates before. Ridian stopped before a relatively large hut and faced the pirates.
"This can be used for you gentlemen. There's a smaller hut by those pools that can be used by the ladies. I suggest you stay indoors."
With that, he left. The pirates all looked at each other, slightly confused. It was dead quiet in the village, save for a few chirps of night animals. And it was pretty dark. Even with the fire lamps.
"I guess we go to sleep then. Say Chopper are you feeling alright?"
The reindeer jumped a little when Nami spoke. "I-I'm fine."
"You sure? You've been pretty quiet for awhile now. Did something happen?"
"It's that girl."
Nami looked over at Zoro who answered. "Kirei you mean? What do you mean?"
"She doesn't have the presence of a person. It's like a dangerous animal," Chopper replied.
"You ar right, talkin' deer."
The new voice made the pirates tense as an old white haired lady walked out of nowhere. She stopped before the pirates, looking at each one of them with dark eyes.
"Dat child you speak uf is no odinary child. She et not liek oters 'ere."
"Who the heck are you grandma?"
"Child wit da straw hat. She es much liek you. Strong. Evin dangerous. You are corect talkin' deer wen you say she es liek a dangerous animal. Et es no wonder why da people 'ere ar 'fraid of 'er."
The old lady wobbled passed the pirates saying nothing more. Everyone except Chopper, Robin and Zoro were confused. Chopper still looked slightly afraid. Robin has become even more interested. And Zoro has a really serious expression. He had really thought the thing following them in the jungle was just some animal. He was partially surprised when it was a person. A short messy haired, odd eye grinning female brat. He hasn't taken a hand off the hilt of Kitetsu.
"I wondered what that old lady was talking about," Usopp said. "I really don't get it."
"Who cares? She's got really cool eyes. Maybe I should ask her to join!"
"This isn't a freak show Luffy!" Nami shouted, smacking the captain on the head. "Well anyway like Ridian said, we shouldn't bother with that Kirei girl. Come on everyone, off to bed."
Sanji started making some comment about how he wanted to sleep with Nami and Robin to keep them safe while Usopp dragged him off. Zoro was last to follow, looking around at the village. It was only that girl that has the presence of a dangerous beast. Everyone else felt normal. He paused for a moment, looking out the gate where that girl ran out of. Her presence blended in perfectly with the other animals. He "tch"ed loudly and headed inside the hut.
+x+ Here we are at the end. Thank you for the reviews and I'll do my best!
Until next time bai bai! +x+