Clementine's P.O.V.
Sitting on the stairs overlooking the bustling city I pondered over my next course of actions. I really needed a decent boat but couldn't afford one. All I have is my dinghy and that wouldn't get me far. Sailing on the Grand Line in a dinghy would be extremely dangerous. With these ridiculous seas, she would be sailing on a broken plank by the time she reached the next island.
'Maybe I could hitch a ride with someone.' I thought seeing as there were ships constantly passing through.
"Hey, Clementine!"A voice called out behind me. Turning I saw Zoro approaching with three swords at his hip now.
"New?" I asked pointing to the swords as he took a seat on the stairs a few steps above me.
"Yep, and their cursed." he said in an ominous tone as he unsheathed one to show the pattern or the midareba on the blade.
"A Ryo Wazamono, huh? I'm impressed." I smirked has I slowly ran a finer down the side of the blade. As I admired the blade I couldn't help but admire the large calloused hand gripping the sheath followed by his tan muscular arms that flexed at each movement he made. Realizing that I must have been staring I looked up to his face. 'Chiseled face' I thought. He gazed into my eyes with such intensity that I was at a complete loss for words. Thankfully the awkwardness ended when some kid with a straw hat and a red vest appeared before us.
"Hey! That's a cool sword." he said
"Don't sneak up on me!" Zoro replied indignantly
Looking towards me the kids smile faltered for a moment. "Who are you?"
"Clementine Snow, but you can call me Clem." I replied extending my hand toward the grinning stranger.
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy, Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates and I'm going to be King of the Pirates." Luffy exclaimed puffing his chest out with pride.
"Well it's an honor to meet the future Pirate King." Clem replied with a slight bow of her head.
"I heard you're pretty strong so you're joining my crew." Luffy said
"I am?" Clem chuckled. This boy just secreted confidence. I'm not too sure about being a crewmember but I did need a ride.
"Yep!" was all he said. He truly believed that I would join him.
In the street shouting could be heard as a group of pirates surrounded a cloaked figure. From their screaming you could tell that this man had turned in their friend for the bounty on his head. As the men were coming in to attack gunshots rang out and all but on pirate fell to the ground. In fear the young pirate fell to the ground as the cloaked man turned to him. Snagging the cigarette from the kids vest the man crushed it.
"Why don't you run on home kid and see if your mom's got supper ready?" That was enough to send the kid running.
"Whoa Zoro, that guys totally awesome." Luffy cheered pumping his arms excitedly.
"I think that's… yep"
"Daddy the Father," I said "bounty hunter. You should probably keep a low profile with a guy like that in town."
"Let's just go get something to eat." Luffy suggested, completely ignoring my advice, and ran to a restaurant with Zoro and I in tow
Our table had to be filled with about 90% meat and more than half of it was being eaten by Luffy. I hope he brought a lot of cash because the was no way in hell that I could afford to feed him and Zoro.
"So where you headed anyway?" Luffy asked with his mouth full of food. The boy was shoveling down so much food I'm was surprised he hasn't choked yet.
"Anywhere really. I just want to set ail and see the world but my little dinghy can only handle but so much abuse."
"Well it's a good thing you've got a crew now." Luffy grinned
"I don't know about that. I do need a ride though so while I'm with you I'll think about it."
Luffy snagged a roll of her plate and said as if it were a fact, "You're in my crew."
Glancing at Zoro she saw him smirking into his wine glass. He looked like he just knew I'd give in. Part of me really was tempted to. Maybe it was because Luffy was just too damn charming for his own good.
"So how are we splitting the check?" I asked changing the subject
"I'm out of money." Zoro replied with a shrug.
"Ha, I never had any." Luffy said laughing it off as if it wasn't really an issue, which it seriously was. I could only pay for my food.
Swallowing the wine in his glass Zoro slammed it on the table, "You don't!"
Seeing their argument as my window of opportunity, I put 50 beli on the table then slinked out. 'The can figure something out'
After a few minutes Zoro and Luffy casually strolled out. "Hey Clem! You ditched us!" Luffy shouted
"Sorry, gave most of my money away when Zoro broke some woman's glasses."
"So you ran." Zoro growled, a vain on his head twitched making his frustration evident. Clem only nodded with a grin that could rival Luffy's.
"So how'd you pay."
"Someone else did." Luffy replied
'Lucky, lucky boys.' As we walked the wind began to pick up, blowing Luffy's hat off and down the street. As he chased it down Zoro and I just continued to walk.
"Alone at last!" I gave him a light nudge with my elbow and stood a little closer to him. 'He hasn't moved away so that's a good sign.' I thought. Zoro smirked at me and gave a chuckle. In my time with him I could never ignore how alluring his voice is. So deep and gravelly. I was willing to talk to him about absolute nonsense just to hear his voice.
"That we are." he said coming to a stop. Reaching out he grabbed a lock of my hair, his hand brushing my shoulder as he twirled it around his finger. "So what are your thoughts on our captain?"
I took a step forward holding his gaze. "Our captain?" I asked "I haven't even agreed to that yet."
"You'll give in." leaning forward he muttered "They all do." With that said he dropped my hair and walked ahead. Watching his retreating form I took a moment to breathe and steady my erratic heartbeat before I caught up to him.
"I won't give in that easily." I told him
"Perfect!" he said "The chase is best part." At this point I was quite evident that we weren't talking about Luffy at this point.
"I never pegged you for a flirt Roronoa." Reaching towards my back his hand caressed the sheathe of my Tachi.
"You'll find that I am just full of surprises."