Getting into the yard was simple enough. When the guards weren't looking, I slipped in between the bars of the gate. Because I was so thin from not eating for so long, I barely had to suck my gut in to squeeze through. Now for the hard part—getting into the house.

I scampered across the giant lawn and dove into the bushes that surrounded the house. Wincing as the branches scratched my arms and legs, I wormed my way over to a window and peeked through.

The room was empty. There were a few cabinets that held some expensive-looking things in them and two couches facing each other with a small table on a dark-colored rug between them. It looked like some sort of living room.

I checked the window. It was shut, but not locked. I carefully wormed my fingers under the window and inched it open wide enough for me to slip through. As quietly as I could, I slid into the room, marveling at the hardwood floor under my feet. I rarely ever entered a place as grand as this, and I always paused a moment to drink in what was around me.

I shook myself. Stop it, I thought. You never had anything like this, and you never will. If it doesn't do anything to help you survive, it's worthless to you. Though I always had a nagging feeling that wouldn't go away for a while that I had been born for something—into something—more.

Taking a deep breath and letting it out again, I softly padded over to one of the glass cabinets. I tested the door. Unlocked. This baron must've had a lot of faith in his guards and staff. Or maybe he was just stupid.

I opened the door, relieved when it didn't squeak. A squeaky door could bring the staff, or worse, the baron himself, down on me. Careful not to break anything, I gingerly grabbed a few of the knick-knacks off the shelf and placed them in the pocket on the front of the dress. Most of the good ones, looking like they were made of gold, silver, or very fine glass, were in front, where they'd be noticed. I made sure only to grab two or three of these; hopefully I'd be long gone by the time the baron realized they were missing. I grabbed another four or five from the back, which would be harder to notice at a glance. These looked like they were made of either porcelain or simpler glass, but either way they'd get me quite a few beri.

I carried my treasures back to the window and carefully hid them in the bushes before turning and looking for more. I grabbed another dozen or so from another cabinet, repeating to process. I noticed a smaller cabinet at the other end of the room, closer to the door, and crossed the room to it. I gently pushed back the cloth that hung over the glass so I could see what it held.

I gasped at what I saw. Inside the case was the most beautiful sword I'd ever seen. The sheath was a dark blue with a thin, swirling silver design at the bottom and top. The hilt was wrapped in a blue cloth that was a shade or two lighter than the sheath. I felt my fingers twitch, aching to hold the sword.

I checked the case. Locked.

Damn, I though. I wanted—no, needed—that sword. But the only way I was gonna get it was if I broke the glass. That would no doubt set off an alarm, but I didn't care. I had to have that sword. Zoro had promised me he was going to teach me how to use a sword, didn't he? How was I going to practice without a good sword?

I balled my right hand into a fist and cocked back, calculating where the glass was weakest.

There. The top right corner, where the glass met wood. It was thinner there. If I could crack it, I'd be able to finish the job with another punch or a well-placed kick.

Just as I was about to throw my punch, I hesitated. If I was right and the glass breaking would set off an alarm, how would I get on the roof to get one of the tiles? The entire staff, plus the guards on the roof, would be alerted to my presence and I'd have to leave fast. That meant almost no time to grab the little trinkets I'd stashed in the bushes, and those alone probably wouldn't be enough money for Zoro and Luffy. Luffy had said he wanted meat, and meat was expensive. Booze, too. And if Zoro meant what he said when he promised to get me some new clothes, that could add another thousand beri alone. Clothes weren't cheap, either. It could easily cost 500 beri for a decent shirt for a child my size.

I put my fist down. I had to think. There was an alarm set for the tiles, I knew, because of Troy. But that was only triggered if the weight of the tile went missing. What about for when the guards walked across the tiles? If it was some sort of weight sensor, then why didn't it go off when the guards walked on the roof?

I frowned, thinking. Maybe it only went off when the weight was removed. Or maybe there was a set path of tiles for the guards to walk on where there were no sensors. I hoped it was the first one, because I had an idea.

I hurried back to the window and scrambled out, dropping on all fours behind the bushes. I scanned the ground, looking for a big rock. I spotted one and crawled to it, picking it up with both hands to weigh it. I nodded to myself. It'd be heavy enough for the sensor, I was sure.

I went back to the window and pushed the rock in before me. I snatched it back up once I was back inside and quickly crossed the room to the door. Quietly, I opened the door just a crack and peeked out into the hall. Nobody was there. I spotted some stairs at the left end of the hall and ran to them, making sure to shut the door behind me.

When I reached the stairs, I slowed down. I didn't know this house, so I was going to have to go slow so the stairs wouldn't creak and so I could keep my eye out for people. I had come this far and couldn't afford to turn back now, not with that sword patiently waiting for me.

The trip up the stairs was slow, long, and tense. I had to be careful not to make the stairs creak, and more than one time I'd gotten dizzy and almost lost my balance, to which the rock wasn't helping. Thankfully, nobody travelled up or down the stairs. I figured the baron didn't have much of a staff. All the better for me.

Just as I reached the top of the stairs, my stomach clenched in a sickening way and the blood seemed to rush from my head, making me feel dizzy again.

Damn it, I thought. Not again… Forgetting I held the rock, my hands shot out to grab the banister so I wouldn't fall. My fingers just fell short and I landed on my side, falling down a few stairs before I managed to latch onto another rail and stop myself. The rock clattered down after me, stopping about three steps below me.

I moaned and used my free hand to clutch my stomach as it twisted into a hard knot, trying to deal with the food I'd eaten. The bread was plain, but since I hadn't eaten very much in the past month or so, suddenly having food in my stomach was causing problems.

I swallowed back the bile that had gathered. I couldn't afford to lose any food. I was hardly more than skin and bones as it was. I didn't know when my next meal would be, either. I needed every bit of bread that was tearing my stomach apart, and I fought to keep it down.

"Father? Is that you?" a voice called from the top of the stairs. I froze, forgetting about my raging stomach. This wasn't good. "Did you fall down the stairs again, Father? Would you like me to call one of the servants to help you?"

I hurried to get up and gather up the rock and hide someplace, but my stomach recoiled as I moved. I couldn't help but let out a grunt of pain and discomfort.

"Father, why won't you answer me?" the voice asked, sounding worried. The footsteps stopped. "Father, what—"

I looked up sharply as the voice stopped short. At the top of the stairs stood a woman. She had long, bright blond hair and mud brown eyes. The dress she was wearing as long and blue like the sky, but simple.

"Oh, you poor thing!" she wailed, and hurried down the stairs to crouch next to me. I flinched away from her touch and regretted it. Another dizzy spell hit me and I put my head in my hands and moaned. I grimaced at my weakness. "Are you hurt?" the lady questioned, her hands fluttering around me.

Weakly, I shook my head. "'M fine," I grunted, and stood up. I picked to rock back up and started to go back up the stairs. This time, I made it up with no dizzy spells, but the lady grabbed my arm, making me flinch and stop.

"You're obviously not," she said, giving me a hard stare. I stared back. "You're skin and bones! Look at you! Look at that dress!"

"I'm used to it," I said, shrugging and not looking away. What was her intention? Who did she think I was?

She looked about ready to explode at my words. "Don't you see?" she demanded. "You shouldn't be used to it! Honestly, I knew Father didn't pay the servants enough, but this is ridiculous!"

I blinked. Was that it? Did she think I was a servant, or one of the servants' kids?

Obviously so. "Who's your parent, little girl?" she asked, placing her hands on my shoulders. "Who's your parent who works for my father?"

"I—I—" I stumbled, unsure what to say. "I can't tell you!"

That only made her even more determined. "Come with me," she said, snatching up my hand and storming down the hall. ""I'm sure Father will recognize you. Or he can call the servants and ask whose child you are."

"No!" I cried. I jerked my hand from her grip. I couldn't let the baron and staff see me. It was already bad enough this lady had. If the baron and staff saw me, they'd know for sure I wasn't supposed to be here. "Please, don't! You—you might get him fired!"

That made her stop. "Fired?" she said softly, like the idea hadn't occurred to her.

I nodded frantically, trying to keep up the act. My mind raced to come up with something. "I—I'll be in enough trouble as it is with you seeing me, miss."

The lady paused. "I'm sorry," she apologized. "I didn't realize my actions could get you and your family into so much trouble. I'm just trying to help." She looked back at me. "Can you forgive me?"

I looked away and shifted uncomfortably. "Just…please don't mention this to the master. If he found out…" I faked a gulp.

"Yes, yes, of course, I understand," the lady hurriedly assured. "Not a word of this to my father, I swear! Go and deliver your…err, rock, my dear. Tell me, what is your name?"

I hesitated. "Riko," I said.

"Riko," the lady said, clasping my hands in hers and looking me straight in the eyes. "Promise me you'll come and visit me once in a while? And you'll bring your brothers and sisters too? I get terribly lonely and would love it if you came to visit."

I bit my lip. "I'm an only child," I mumbled. "And…no promises, but I guess I can try."

The lady's face brightened. "Oh, of course, of course! As long as you try, that's all I care! Now, shoo, shoo! Hurry to your father!" She ushered me down the hall. "And I won't forget!" She winked and pretended to button her lips. "Not a word to Father!" She disappeared into a room, leaving me alone in the hall.

I sighed in relief. I thought I'd never get rid of her. It had been a very close call.

Speaking of which, I didn't want to get caught again, so I hurried down the hall until I came across the window that jutted out from the roof of the house. I set my rock down and looked out, waiting for the first guard to pass by the window.

I was rewarded quickly. The first guard went by and I started counting silently. One thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three… When I reached one thousand thirty, the second guard passed by, and I started over. One thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three… The first guard passed by again at one thousand thirty again. I restarted my count again. At one thousand ten, I opened the window, scrambled out with the rock, and closed it, still counting. At one thousand fifteen, I started walking in the same direction the guards had been going, hurrying to catch up with the first guard. I followed him around the back and to the front again, only about three steps behind him. Miraculously, he didn't notice my soft footsteps behind him.

When we reached the other side of the window, I sunk close to the roof and scooted over. Making sure the other guard couldn't see me, I worked fast. I set the rock on top of a loose-looking tile and, with one hard tug, yanked it out from under the rock. The rock took the tile's place with a dull thunk.

I didn't wait for an alarm. I scurried over the top of the roof, following the first guard before the second could see me. He was just about to turn past the other window when I got below the crest of the roof, I caught up to him and followed him to the window I'd exited from. Counting steadily again, I opened the window, slipped in with the tile, and shut it again with five seconds to spare.

I sunk to the floor, relieved. The alarm hadn't gone off. My idea had worked. No guarantee how long it would take for the guards to notice the rock, but it was somewhat hiding in a shadow, so hopefully I'd bought plenty of time.

I let out a tense breath I hadn't even known I had been holding and stood up. I took off back down the hall, running as quietly as I could. I had the tile—now I could get the sword!

I skidded to a halt in front of the lady's room. An idea had hit me—I needed something to carry all the little trinkets in. I set the tile down off to the side and knocked. "Come in," the lady said.

I opened the door and peeked in. "Um, miss?" I said hesitantly.

"Oh, Riko!" she said, looking up from her book on her bed. "You're back to play already?"

"No," I said, and her face fell. "But I was wondering—do you have a sack or something I can carry stuff in? Mum needs to do the wash and needs something to carry the clean clothes in."

"I don't have a sack, but here," she said, yanking the cover off one of her pillows. "She can use this. I won't need it back."

I snatched the cover before she could change her mind. "Thanks!" I dashed out of the room, grabbed the tile, and ran down the stairs.

Either by sheer dumb luck or the baron's own stupidity in having a small staff, I made it back to the room without incident. I shut the door behind me and set to work. I shoved the tile in the bag (easier not to get stopped if no one could see it) and climbed through the still-open window. I threw all the other trinkets in after the tile, being careful not to break any of them. I tied a knot at the top of the sack and left it in the bushes where I could easily grab it when I made my escape.

I went back into the house and ran to the case holding the sword. It was still there, waiting for me.

The moment of truth. I drew back my fist, took a deep breath for courage, and punched the glass where it was weakest. It spider webbed out from where I'd hit.

I braced my hands on the hardwood floor and with two swift, hard kicks, the glass shattered. A second later, an alarm went off.

I didn't hesitate. I snatched the sword and ran for the window. I could already hear feet pounding around outside the door. No time to stop.

I dove through the window, grabbed the bag, and ran for the gate. I could hear the guards on the roof shouting and the front door slam open. I forced myself to run faster, my feet slapping the ground hard. When I reached the gate, I shoved the sword through, followed it, and then maneuvered the bag through after me. I picked the sword back up and took off down the street, losing myself in the crowd so no one could follow me while remembering Troy's instructions on how to get to the pawn shop.

I made it to the pawn shop in record time. No one had followed me after the first few blocks, but I hadn't slowed down. I didn't want to risk being caught. I cut through alleyways when I could and still managed to not get lost. After a quick glance at the sun, I figured I had plenty of time to haggle with the people inside before I had to get back to Zoro and Luffy.

I swung the sword over my shoulder and entered the shop. A little bell chimed when I opened the door.

A slender man looked up from behind the counter. "Hello there," he said. "What can I do for you?" His voice was nice, soft, but I could hear the haggler behind it.

"I got some stuff to sell," I said, walking up to the counter and setting my bag down gently. A few of the trinkets clinked and I saw the guy spare a glance to it before looking at me again. "I hear you don't ask questions and give pretty fair prices."

"Depends on what you're selling," the man said. "I'm Joshua. What's your name?"

"Do you need to know?" I asked suspiciously.

Joshua smiled. "I like to know the names of my clients. It helps break the ice, so to speak."

I looked him over warily for a minute before deciding. "Riko. My name's Riko."

"You're a little young to be selling things, aren't you, Riko?" Joshua asked.

"I thought you said you didn't ask questions," I grumbled.

"Concerning the items, no, not usually," he replied, "but I like to know a little about my clients."

"I'm seven," I said, "and that's all I'm going to tell you about myself. Can we get on with the stuff?"

Joshua nodded. "Alright, if that'll make you feel more comfortable," he said. He pulled out a weird eyepiece and placed it on his face. He set a black cloth on the counter and gestured. "Go ahead. Show me what you got."

I opened the bag and began pulling out trinket after trinket. As I set each one on the black cloth, Joshua carefully picked it up and squinted at it through his eyepiece, setting it down after a quick inspection. Some he'd set to the left, others to the right, and the rest in the middle.

"Well, Riko," he said once he'd finished looking at the trinkets. "I've got some news. These ones—" he pointed to the left pile "—are of medium quality and aren't worth two much. For all of these, I can give you about ten thousand beri." He pushed them farther to the side. "For these ones over here—" he pointed to the right side "—these are very high quality. Overall, the entirety is worth about thirty thousand beri." He pushed them to the side. "And these, here in the middle, aren't worth much at all. I could give you maybe five thousand beri, but that'd be stretching it. So, about forty-five thousand beri total."

"I've got one more item," I said.

Joshua cocked an eyebrow. "That sword on your back? At first glance I'd say it's worth about thirty thousand beri, but if I could look at it closer—"

"Not the sword," I said quickly. "That's not for sale. Period."

He stared at me for a long moment. "Then what is?"

Wordlessly, I pulled the gold tile out from the bag and held it up.

Joshua immediately blanched, bug-eyed, before quickly recovering. I saw him change into his "haggler" persona. "And what is that?" he asked in a neutral voice.

Please. He knew exactly what it was, the cheapskate. I decided to tell him anyways. If he was going to play the unimpressed pawn shop owner, I was going to play the witless seller who "thought" she could trick him. "It's one of the tiles from the baron's house."

Joshua raised an eyebrow in mock curiosity, but I could see the eagerness in his eyes. And the way his hand twitched—a sure sign he wanted this tile, badly. "Is that so," he said. He held out the hand that wasn't twitching, tucking the one that was under his counter. "May I see it?"

I handed it to him and he looked it over for a minute, turning it this way and that and looking at it very closely. I could tell it was all a show. He knew damn well he held the real thing. But then he chuckled and set it on the counter. "Well, Riko, it looks like you've been had. This is no more than a flat rock painted to look like a shingle from the baron's house. Now, if I were you, I'd hurry and find the sleazy guy who sold this to you, so you can—"

"Bullshit," I interrupted. Joshua stopped midsentence and gaped at me. I could see the hints of fear in his eyes. "You know as well as I do that it's real, and just how much it's worth. Now either give me a serious offer or I'll take my business elsewhere."

We locked eyes for a long time. My vision never wavered, while his kept twitching, like he was trying to read me through my eyes. Good luck with that.

Finally, he relented. "Alright," he sighed. "How does forty thousand sound?"

"Fifty thousand," I said. "You'll still double your money, and I'll get what I want."

He bit his lip. "Forty-two."

"Fifty."

A small pause. "Forty-three."

"Fifty."

A much longer pause. "Forty-four."

"Fifty."

He paused for a while this time. I decided to play on his nerves a bit. "Fine. Since you don't want my stuff, I'll just take it somewhere else." I reached for the tile.

"Wait! Wait! I'll go fifty!" He dived for the tile.

"You'll go fifty?" I asked, not removing my hand.

"Yes!"

"And the other forty-five you already offered for the trinkets?"

"Yes!"

I stared. I could tell he wasn't lying; I just marveled at how a seven-year-old street rat like me could render a grown man like him to being this desperate.

I removed my hand. "It's a pleasure doing business with you," I said. Inwardly, I winced. I still remembered the boy who'd taught me that phrase. Tatsuo-nii...

"Ninety-one, ninety-two, ninety-three, ninety-four, ninety-five! There! Ninety-five thousand beri, as promised!" Joshua said, pushing the mountain of cash to me.

I took the cash and counted it carefully while Joshua hurriedly collected the stuff I'd sold to him. It was all there, like he said.

I glance up, remembering him saying that five thousand would be a stretch for the cheaper trinkets. I frowned, biting my lip. Tatsuo had said to always try to be fair when dealing with our kind and pawn shop owners, because they were kinda like grown up versions of street rats…

I set five thousand on the counted and hurried from the store while Joshua's back was turned. Ninety thousand was still more than I'd promised Zoro and Luffy. I didn't think (actually, I hoped) that they'd care about the other five thousand beri.