A/N: So, here's chapter two, please let me know what you all think and if I should continue (and if I'm staying IC, I struggled with that on this one...I hate introduction scenes like this, but they are a neccessary evil, at times). I realize the acceptance thing happened quick, but I felt that, Brooke being a good example, once Luffy makes up his mind, its done. At any rate, feel free to skip down if you like, or not. Read, enjoy, and stay tuned! I'm rather enjoying this myself.
Tiri groaned again, throwing her arm over her eyes before lifting it and hopping lightly to her feet with a fist at her hip.
"You don't even know me," she huffed, her scowl even deeper now.
"I know you're a good person. You gave back Zoro's beli. Not even Nami would do that," he laughed, running a hand across his nose.
The redhead pounced on him, grabbing at his face and Tiri stepped back in shock when the skin stretched to an unbelievable length before snapping back into place.
"What did you say, baka?" she screeched at him, whacking in the back of his head with a fist, making Tiri wince.
"Owww, Nami, what was that for?" the kid wailed, lifting his arms, but still laughing as the woman chased him across the deck.
It continued for a good ten minutes before the woman, Nami, finally relented and Tiri looked at the kid with his hat and something clicked in her mind.
"You're Straw Hat Luffy, yes?" she asked with a sly smile.
"Yep," he said puffing out his chest with a grin.
She returned the grin, tilting her head as the lavender curls of her hair curved against her cheek.
"Alright, I'll join," she said, shrugging lightly. The other crew members, except the brunette, fell to the deck with loud thuds with a sharp cry.
"Just like that?" asked the guy with the long nose. "She could be a marine for all we know!"
Luffy looked at him with a frown and turned back to Tiri. "Are you a marine?"
"Nope," she answered truthfully. "I'm actually kind of a pirate myself."
The captain nodded and grinned.
"See?" he said, looking at the others with his hands once more behind his head.
"But," Tiri said, taking the packet out of her satchel. "I need to get these as far away from this island as possible. Can you do that?"
"No problem," Luffy responded, not even curiosity in his gaze, which astonished her immensely.
"Alright then," she smiled, stuffing the papers back into her satchel, before stretching her arms high above her head.
The redhead checked the round bauble on her arm and Tiri recognized a Log Pose.
"We need to get going anyway. Let's get ready to set sail. Have you ever been on a ship before?" she aimed the question at the lavender-haired woman, who nodded with a smile.
Nami then extended her hand, which Tiri took in a firm handshake.
"I'm Nami," she said and Tiri nodded politely.
"A pleasure," she responded.
"The pleasure is all mine, Tiri-saaaan," the blond man let out in a sing-song, and Tiri fought not to wince. Suddenly, she was bent backwards, lithe arms sliding around her waist and upper back. She was looking up into soulful eyes, a curly eyebrow arched.
"I am Sanji, slave to your every whim," he purred and it was such a ridiculous statement that Tiri bit her lip trying not to laugh at the man, that was just rude. Just as quickly she was dropped unceremoniously as his nose started to bleed and he was spinning in a strange way.
"What beautiful lips, that she would call my attention to them," he gushed and she furrowed her brow, rubbing her twice thumped rear.
A really burly arm pulled her up and Tiri was rather amazed at the clank she heard when he straightened, the thick chain around his neck clanging against his chest.
"Franky," he said, pointing to himself before striking a pose that Tiri couldn't help giggling at. "Or should I say, SUUUPPA Franky!"
She shook her head, ringlets tickling her ear and she pushed them back. The long-nosed man that was still looking at her with such suspicion just nodded his head and she returned the gesture.
"I'm Captain Usopp," he said with a straight face, but Tiri found herself doubting him, though she didn't show it. Best not to burn bridges.
The tall brunette approached her with a friendly smile that even reached her lovely blue eyes and they touched palms courteously.
"It is nice to make your acquaintance, Tiri-san. I am Nico Robin."
"Yohohohoho, and I'm Dead Bones Brooke, Sooooooul King!" the skeleton cheerily proclaimed and Tiri jumped back, startled.
"You-you talk?" she squeaked, her skin crawling in an unpleasant way.
"He sings too!" Luffy crowed happily. "You're almost as cool as he is."
Tiri took that as the compliment it was meant as, before discarding her cloak with a flourish, her hands resting on her hips comfortably. She glanced up at the building at the top of the mast, where the swordsman had disappeared to.
"I take it that man is the infamous Roronoa Zoro?" she asked softly.
"How'd you know?" asked the little furry creature and she whipped her head around, surprised for the umpteenth time that day.
"There are wanted posters of you guys, Doctor Chopper-san," she said as respectfully as possible, watching him squirm in delight at her tone.
"You'll never make me happy like that, idiot," he squealed, wriggling his hips in obvious pleasure.
She turned her attention back to the mast, looking up before rubbing the back of her neck sheepishly. She really had to work on her manner or she was going to wind up in even more trouble next time.
"I guess I didn't exactly make the best impression on him, did I?" her silvery eyes hesitant and it looked strange on her.
"He'll forget by dinnertime, the marimo is like that," Sanji said, lighting a new cigarette and flicking the match casually. "Especially towards someone as lovely as you," he grinned.
Tiri chuckled and pivoted on her heel, her gaze landing on the navigator.
"So, what's my first task, Nami-san?" she asked with eyes that sparkled. This had worked out better than she could have planned.
Within the hour, the Thousand Sunny had smoothly slid out of the harbor, sails unfurled and full with a westward wind. Tiri had followed orders to the letter, moving about the ship like she had been a sailor all her life. Luffy laughed and Nami smiled at her easily, complimenting her on her quick learning.
"I've spent some time with people who were pirates," she said simply, not elaborating, but it explained enough.
Curious, but not really feeling comfortable enough to climb up the mast where the crow's nest lay to speak with the green-haired swordsman, she instead allowed the furry doctor to lead her about the ship, a small smile curving her lips. At least she'd made a good impression on some members of the crew. She noticed Sanji with tears running down his face and decided the man, while flattering, was just too emotional. Chopper led her to his office first, then all over the ship and Tiri was highly impressed by the ingenuity of the design, telling Franky so at dinner when she learned that he had built it.
"Aw, that's nice of you to say," the big man said with a bright red flush in his cheeks.
Zoro walked in then, his brow arching when he saw her sitting at the table with the others. Sanji immediately jumped him.
"You're late, you shitty marimo," he yelled, but Zoro just grunted and sat down near the end of the table.
"What's she doing here?" he asked of Luffy, jerking his head in her direction, which immediately pissed her off.
"I'm right here, bonehead, you can ask me," she snapped but he ignored her, which only made her madder, but Luffy cut her off unintentionally as she was opening her mouth.
"She's nakama," he grinned and Zoro grunted again, eyeing her sourly before shrugging and digging into his plate.
Tiri could feel the heat rising into her cheeks and bit her tongue hard. She'd deal with it later. Pushing her fury into the back of her mind, she instead forced herself to begin a pleasant conversation with Robin. The woman was incredibly intelligent and Tiri was soon genuinely enjoying herself. She had interests in a wide variety of topics and Robin invited her to spend time in the library and borrow some of her books.
'That's very kind of you, Robin-san," Tiri said with a pleased smile.
"Not at all, it would be nice to have someone else to talk about books with," Robin chuckled.
"Marimo, since you were late, you get to clean up the dishes," Sanji snipped as he placed the dirty plates and utensils in the sink.
"Since when did you start giving me orders?" the swordsman snarled back.
"I'd be happy to take care of them, Sanji-san," Tiri offered cupping her chin in her palms and smiled at the heart eyes she received for her toubles.
"You're so sweet, Tiri-san, but the shitty marimo gets that dirty job. Besides, I couldn't stand myself if you're beautiful skin got wrinkled from the water," he cooed at her and she shook her head, lilac curls covering her eyes and she pushed them back impatiently. Then the cook's nose started to bleed and she looked at him bewildered as to what she had done to get that reaction when Zoro's voice cut through her thoughts.
"She should do it, ero-cook, since she's the one who took my beli," he grumbled, crossing his arms stubbornly.
"Who asked you," she whipped around, her face resembling something evil and fanged, making Usopp and Chopper cower from her with fear.
"She-She looks just like Nami," they said together, their eyes wide with fright.
Zoro, however, was unfazed, and Tiri gritted her teeth in irritation. It wasn't like she had an option about it, but, then, they didn't know that. She let out a breath. She'd try to explain it to him.
"Why don't I help Bonehead with the dishes?" she tried again, but Zoro just glared at her. She felt a small bit of satisfaction that she'd gotten to him at least a little rise out of him. She squelched it though. The last thing she needed to do was antagonize any of her new nakama.
The others went their separate ways, preparing the ship for the coming night on the open sea and Tiri frowned. Zoro went to the sink, grumbling the entire time and ignoring her presence. Well, she could be stubborn too. She stood, carrying her plate and glass to the sink. Standing near him, she placed them in the soapy water, and then moved to the other side of the swordsman, picking up a nearby dishtowel. She began drying and Zoro turned his head and shot her a glower.
"I didn't ask you for help, witch," he snarked at her and she returned his stare.
"So I didn't hear, Bonehead," she returned. If he was going to resort to name-calling, then he started it.
His scowl deepened and he started washing the dishes in his hand with more vigor. He practically threw the next plate at her and she caught it, the slickness of the soap making it almost too slippery to grip. She slowly dried it and placed it neatly on top of the other.
"You're not rinsing them," she pointed out, but he didn't respond, just kept scrubbing.
The next one was too slippery and it slid from her hand to fall to the floor, shattering. That tore it. She threw down the rag, silvery eyes flashing.
"What is your problem, Bonehead?"
"Nothing," he grumbled, not lifting his head.
Grumbling under her breath, she picked up the cloth again, careful to grasp the plates firmly. Something wafted across her nose and she wrinkled it in reaction. She leaned closer to Zoro, the smell emanating from the water. He jumped when she leaned across his arm.
"Hey, what's the big idea?" he yelled at her, but she paid him no mind, dipping her finger into the water and closing her eyes. Suddenly, the fragrance of lilacs filled the kitchen nicely and he sniffed.
"What'd you do?" he asked suspiciously, taking his hands out of the water.
"I made them smell better, Bonehead. Something wrong with your nose?" she retorted, a hand on her hip and scowling.
"No," he groused back, rubbing damp hand against it before carefully putting his hands back into the water.
She huffed quietly and resumed her chosen chore, wiping the inside of a glass thoroughly. Without warning, he looked at her sharply.
"What are you, witch?" he asked and she raised a brow.
"A woman, obviously. You must have a bad eye if you can't figure that out, Bonehead. Or maybe you're just that thickheaded," she really hadn't meant that as viciously as she had made it sound, but he had a knack for getting under her skin that was matchless.
He growled at her then and she saw that eye she had just accused flash dangerously, but she didn't care. The mercurial color of her eyes glinted in a way that was akin to heat lightning over the sea. Tiri was pushing the swordsman and she knew it. His gaze slid over here at her words, making her stomach flip in a really weird way, but then they snapped back to lock on her face. What was with that look?
"That wasn't what I meant and you know it. Are you a devil fruit user?"
She let out a breath, setting down the glass and crossing her arms, leaning a hip against the counter. It was a fair question, considering they were supposed to be nakama. She looked at her boots, crossed casually at the ankle and then lifted her head, meeting his stare with a frown.
"Yes, I ate a Hana Hana no Mi," she answered finally. There… that was civil and gave him exactly what he asked. He didn't seem satisfied though.
"Why?" he asked and she knew he wasn't referring to her abilities.
"Because I needed a distraction," she replied, very cryptically, if truthful. She reached past his chest and plucked a dish from the warm water, rubbing it gently with the cloth, still leaning against the counter.
"Why?" he repeated. Damn the persistent bastard.
"I told you," she said with a tone that implied the conversation was over. She placed the dish with the others and then grunted with surprise.
She had blinked and then he was right in front of her, so close that she could smell him, metallic, like steel. His gaze hit her like a peal of thunder, his arms crossed over his broad chest. Tiri sniffed, refusing to be impressed by the power rolling off him in waves. He was trying to intimidate her, make her back down, back up, retreat. Not for all the treasure on the Grand Line, she thought with a scowl. She crossed her own arms loosely beneath her breasts, watching his eye twitch and she tilted her head. His lips thinned and she found herself thinking that must have been impossible for the man not to be handsome in some fashion. Her eyes widened a fraction; where the hell had that come from?
He must have seen her reaction, but misinterpreted it as her caving under his haki, immediately towering over her and pressing his perceived advantage.
"Why?" he asked for the third time and her gaze narrowed, the hands resting on her arms tightening their grip.
"I was bored and thought a good-looking man chasing me would be a nice distraction," she replied, sarcasm laced in her tone.
He seemed to have missed it though, his face registering shock, taking a step back, as if in caution. Feeling the tension, but also that the tables may have turned, she pushed herself off from the counter and moving forward, their arms brushing and she felt a tiny shock at the contact. Hmm, that was interesting. Maybe he felt it too, but his face became even more unreadable than before. Silence hung between them heavily, staring at one another for many heartbeats. Then, without a word, he turned on his heel, shoved his hands in his pockets and started walking towards the door that led to the deck.
"He-hey, the dishes aren't done yet?" she sputtered uncrossing her arms, but he just waved his hand over his shoulder at her.
"You can finish them, since you offered," was the lazy reply and she clenched her fists, fury lashing through her like a whip.
She darted after him, stepping in front of him and preventing the swordsman from passing the table. Most people would have wilted under her glare, but he just looked at her with that grumpy expression she was quickly becoming used to as his normal face.
"Not by myself, Bonehead," she ground out, her mercurial gaze narrowed.
Something passed behind his eye, but as soon as it was there, she blinked. Just like that, strong hands had grasped her arms, picked her up and set her on the table. She squealed in surprise, then indignation, but he didn't release her right away, his grip holding her still.
"What do you go by?" he asked her in a low tone.
"I thought my name was 'witch'," she sniped but his face didn't change, so she relented.
"Tiri."
He nodded and she tilted her head, curiousity filling her and she bit her lip. His eye flickered to her mouth but then he released her, shoving his hands back into his pockets.
"Tiri, finish the dishes and go to bed," he muttered, giving her a look from under a lazily hooded eye that she found captivating.
She blinked again, and he was gone. Tiri cursed under her breath and hopped lightly from the table, stomping back into the kitchen. A few minutes, and everything was clean and neatly put away. She breezed across the deck, moving towards the cabins. She hadn't picked one for her own use yet, so she strode to the library, spotting the plush sofa in the moonlight and tugging the blanket that draped across the back down over her with a grunt. The sound of the waves lapping the side of the ship was comforting, memories from a time long past flitting through her mind and she sighed.
Rolling onto her side, she curled her legs up and closed her eyes. She was too tired to deal with the bonehead swordsman and the rest of the things swirling in her head. Willing the tangled mess to the back of her mind, to untangle later, she let sleep drift over her. The sound of the ships soft creaking and the call of seagulls was the last thing she heard before she allowed herself to quietly slip into slumber.
A/N 2: I felt it was necessary to point out here at the end of this chapter that Tiri says she ate "a" Hana Hana no mi fruit, not "the". I'm working from the premise that, just as there are different species capable in dogs, thus different species of the dog dog fruit, then there could be different types of the flower-flower fruit, and that they bestow different abilities. I hope this clears up any confusion on the matter. I'm happy to hear any opinions on it, however. I hope you enjoyed, next chapter should be up tomorrow evening. :)