Hullo~
Here's Chapter Four of Aoimoku! *cheers*
Thanks for the wonderful reviews, favs, and follows! It made me soooooo excited and happy~ xD
Warning: unbeta. English is my second language. ASL (American Sign Language) is my first. I'm Deaf. *peace*
I don't own Inuyasha and One Piece.
Enjoy~ :3
Full Summary: Shanks saved Kagome. He knew that its dangerous for Kagome because she's a child. Shanks found an island that will take care of Kagome and even gain a friend, Luffy. Shanks left for adventures and know he'll see them again in the future. Kagome and Luffy gained new friends, Ace and Sabo. Together, they are unstoppable! Until something drastic changed in their lives. Grieving over Sabo's death, three remaining friends decided to protect each other and became, even more, closer than before. They planned to go out to the ocean and have adventures at the age of seventeen. Kagome promised to be Luffy's First Mate. Kagome and Luffy will send out on a journey when they both turn seventeen; after Ace. When Luffy and Kagome are sent out to the journey, Luffy wanted to become a Pirate of the King and Kagome wanted to be the World's Strongest Woman. What kind of adventures they have?
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Aoimoku
Chapter Four
(Pre-ASL Arc)
"Gray Terminal"
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East Blue, Dawn Island
Mt. Corvo
Dadan Family Shack
One Week Later...
The Mountain Bandits are sleeping soundly in their comfortable futons. It was quiet and peaceful night time for them. Until the sounds of kicking on the door is heard that almost instantly wake Dogus. His expressed shows irritated and tired. "How annoying!" Dogus mumbled as he sat up from his futon. He stood up and walked to the door while he yawned. He pushed the door open as he opened his mouth in annoyance, "Why don't you shut up!" he snapped to whoever is at the door in the middle of the night. He blinked and rubbed his eyes few times then jaw dropped in astonished.
He leaned back, "Boss! Boss Dadan!"
Mogus and Dadan woke up at the called from Dogus. They stood up and walked to the front door, "Who is it?" they asked with sleepy tone and shove the curtains away from the entrance. Their jaws dropped as their eyes nearly popped out.
Front of them is Kagome, who is covered with dirt, bruises, small cuts on her arms and legs, and left few rips and holes in her dress. She carries Luffy in piggy-back style. Luffy is covered in dirt, swollen eye, torn shirt, three claws cuts on his bare shoulder, and a couple of holes in his shorts. He is currently sleeping with his drool on Kagome's shoulder.
"You..."
"They came back!"
Dadan walked outside, "You both are fools! And I thought you were different from other brats!" she pointed at Kagome, "Where were you!?" she demanded their answers. Kagome stared at Dadan while she panted from exhaustion. She felt the aura from Dadan, her was filled with worried, annoyed, and relief.
Magus leaned over in concerned, "Where were you and what were you both doing?" he asked.
Kagome sighed, "We were... chased by wolves at the bottom of the Valley." she answered; she doesn't want to relive that memory as she shivered in fear.
"What were you doing at the bottom of the Valley?" Dogus asked with baffled.
There's no need for her to tell him why; because she is planning to handle this situation on her own and deal with a jackass on her own without letting Luffy knows. She knew that Luffy wanted to be Ace's friend and she doesn't have the heart to tell Luffy to reject Ace. She is not that heartless, but she won't forgive him easily though. Her reply ended up in silence that pissed Dadan off. Dogus and Magus glanced at their boss, "Anyway, it's nice that you're both okay." Dogus changed the subject and Magus nodded in agreement.
Dadan's vein popped out of her head, "it's not okay! The pests came back!" then she grabbed Luffy from Kagome and put him over her shoulder. "Come inside brat!" Kagome followed them inside the shack.
When Dadan leads them to the other room and slides the door open, she threw Luffy to the ground and amazingly enough, he is still sleeping. She glared at Kagome, "Why don't you go to bed tonight? You gotta work tomorrow!" then she shut the door.
Kagome turned her head at Luffy then glanced at Ace. She felt anger inside of her, 'You jackass! How dare you harm my little brother!' she mentally hisses at him. She will deal with it when he's awake. Because she wants to see him awake and learn that he shouldn't mess with her family. Kagome remains to calm her temper and observed the room. Her blue eyes landed on the straw blankets in the corner of the room. She walked to the corner of the room, picked up the blanket, and covered Luffy's body. 'I need to treat his wound. We both need bandages and a bath.' she mused as she pushed Luffy's hair away gently.
She lays next to her little brother and fluttered her eyes closed and drifted off to sleep. Unknowingly that Ace was awake this whole time, he glanced at two sleeping siblings not too far from him. He scoffed and turned his back on them and went back to sleep.
Next Day
After a bath, Kagome took care of her wounds and Luffy's wounds as well. When she is done with her job, her eyes gazed to Ace who walked out of the room with a pipe in his hand. Her blue eyes narrowed, how she wanted to confront him so badly but decided to wait until it's a right time.
Luffy noticed Ace left the house, "Ah!" he turned to his big sister, "I'm going now. I'll be back before dark!" he promised with a grinned on his face.
Kagome frowns in concerned but nodded her head. She can't stop Luffy, and as much as she wants to follow her little brother. She couldn't because she has to do the chores for her and him.
Luffy ran out of the shack, "Ace! Are you gonna go somewhere today? Take me with you? Let's become friends!" Ace glanced at Luffy then ran off.
"Ah! Wait for me!" Luffy chase after Ace.
Dogus saw this as he is outside; doing laundry, "Boss! He's going after Ace again!"
Dadan ran out of the shack as she has a blue toothbrush in her mouth. She grabbed her toothbrush away from her foaming mouth, "Oi! You gotta do chores around the house!" she ordered the rubber-brat.
Luffy turned around and stick his tongue out, "No thank you!" he laughed and continued to run away.
"You little shit! You're out of control!" Dadan snapped in anger.
Kagome sighed loudly, "I'll take care of mine and Luffy's chores." she volunteered.
Dadan glanced at her then huffed, "Fine! You're doing the laundry and cleaning the kitchen!"
Kagome obeyed without any troubles. And with that, Dadan likes her better than other brats.
At the end of the day, Luffy came home with new wounds and Kagome blinked then sighed softly. She placed the broom against the wall and went to get the medical kit aid. 'Something tells me that I'm going to use a lot of medical use for Luffy.' she mused.
A Month Later
"You ran off the cliff, landed on the bird nest, and birds attacked you..." Kagome's eyes lids half-way as she clearly shown deadpanned on her face. She is currently wrapping a new bandage around Luffy's head.
"Yep! Shishishishi!" Luffy laughed happily.
'I'm going to punch that jackass someday.' Luffy has no idea how much anger she is building inside of her because of Ace is still bully her little brother.
Two Months Later
'Not even a rainy or windy would stop Luffy.' Kagome watched Luffy chasing after Ace through the windy day. She leaned her chin on her palm in concerned for Luffy while irritated with Ace.
Then the wind blew Luffy away and Kagome yelped in surprised, "Luffy!" she ran outside of the shack that she nearly forgot her brother is a rubber-made; followed by Dadan and her two men to saved Luffy before he gets blown away in the air.
Three Months Later
"Luffy is still chasing after Ace again!" Dadan grumbled as she grabbed a new cigarette.
"How does he never learn after getting hurt so many times?" Dogus is baffled at this.
Then Dadan glanced at Kagome who is currently cleaning the large cooking pot.
"At least this brat is easier to deal with. Thankfully." Dadan sighed loudly as she crossed her arms. "Damn it! That rubber brat needs to stop making me worry!" they were unaware that they were eavesdropping by Kagome.
Dogus grinned as he picked up his tea, "So, you're worrying."
"N-no way! Stop talking nonsense!" Dadan protected in anger.
A soft smile appeared on Kagome, 'Guess Dadan-san has soft spots on us.' she thought with silent giggled. Kagome felt the familiar aura, she turned her head to greet her little brother but dropped the dirty rag when she saw him.
Luffy's face is swollen and red. Luffy stared at his big sister, "A beehive fell on me." a sheepishly grinned appeared.
Dadan and her two men gap at him, "Who are you?" they blurted it out in shocked.
'...that jackass!' she is silently fumed as she ran to other room to get the medical supplies once again. Good thing that Dogus stocked up new medical supplies yesterday, otherwise they would be in trouble if Luffy doesn't get treated right away.
A Few Days Later
"I'm coming with you." Kagome decided as she stood front of Luffy with serious eyes. It's a rather nice day outside that Kagome chose to wear her a white tank top with dark blue overall shorts and blue flats. Her black hair has grown a couple of inches that is brushed past her shoulders blades.
Luffy currently wears a black shirt with a skull, red shorts, wooden slip-slop, and a straw-hat. He frowned, "Eh? But I want to be Ace's friend without any help." he pouted.
Kagome closed her eyes, "I understand that Luffy.." no, she doesn't understand why her sweet loveable little brother wanted to be friend with a jackass, "...I just want to come with you today anyway. We haven't really spent much time together because I was busy with our chores and you always chase after that jac-I mean Ace." Kagome said.
"Ah! I see! Shishishishi! I understand now!"
Kagome raised her eyebrows, "You do?" she is surprised to hear that.
Luffy nodded his head, "You want to be Ace's friend too!"
The black-hair girl nearly falls in anime style and sweatdropped, "...no. I do not want to be his friend." she mumbled as she combs her hair through her fingers, "Do you know where to go in this mountain? I haven't explored much." Kagome changed the subject quickly; since she has been quite busy with cleaning, cooking, and treating wounds on her little brother because of that rude jackass.
"Yep! Follow me!" Luffy ran out of the shack as he laughs out loud happily and excited. Kagome followed Luffy quickly, but halted and glanced at the shack, she felt bad that she skip the chores but something tells her that she needs to go with Luffy on this exact day. She doesn't understand why but just in case, she follows her instinct and goes with her little brother. 'Sorry!' she ran after Luffy.
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"You are crazy." Kagome deadpanned as she huffed out in exhausted. She and Luffy have been traveled through the river that was full of alligators, cliffs to climb, avoiding beehives and birds, escaping from bears, and lastly, climb up on the giant hill.
Luffy panted as his tongue stick out while he walks up the hill with a walking stick. Kagome wipes her sweats off her forehead tiredly. Then a bright light appeared on their faces and Luffy perked up in excited, "Ah! It's the end of the forest!" he ran to the edge.
Kagome slightly jogged up to the edge and observed the scene front of her in confusion and wonder. It's a large area filled with a smoky pile of shattered building, metals pieces of equipment, and even few junks of items scattered around.
"Wow! What is this place?!" Luffy's eyes widen in amazed.
Kagome narrowed her eyes in alarming, the auras are filled with greedy, sorrow, hunger, and hint of evilness. She is not comfortable about this at all. "Luffy, we need to head back. This is not safe." she said as her eyes observed the area. However, she was greeted by the silent and she closed her eyes. 'Please... please let Luffy be here and he is in speechless by this junkyard of the site. Please, kami.' she opened her eyes and turned her head.
Next to her is an empty spot. Kagome facepalm, "Luffy!" she groaned; knowing Luffy is exploring in "mystery area".
Now, she has to find her troublesome little brother through the junkyard. Kagome quickly climbed down of the cliff through rocky steps. She jerked her heads around as she attempted to find his aura, "That idiot..." she mumbled fondly yet irritated.
After nearly thirty minutes of chasing after the aura of her little brother. It's ridiculous on how much further Luffy has gotten himself through this area. Kagome's blue eyes spot straw-hat boy, "Luffy!" she ran toward him through the junk.
Luffy turned his head over his shoulder and grinned widely, "hey bit sis! I found Ace!" he laughed excited about this. Kagome huffed when she finally got to Luffy. She grabbed his hand, "This way, we're not separate." Kagome explained to puzzling Luffy.
"Okay!" Luffy leads her to the path where he saw Ace disappeared to.
Kagome immediately felt two auras. One is familiar and another is new. Her blue eyes narrowed at this new aura, its filled with sad, hopeful, and scare. She and Luffy arrived at the large tree and saw Ace and a boy on top of the tree branch with a secret spot opened. They both listened quietly that these boys are talking about collecting money for the journey and talked about pirates.
"A pirate ship?!" Luffy cried out in surprise as he grinned widely. He is so excited when he discovered this news, "You guys! Are you gonna become pirates?! We're gonna become one too!"
Ace and the boy stared at Luffy and Kagome with outrages then they exchanged their glances and nod their heads. They quickly climbed down on the tree and ran toward Luffy. Kagome narrowed her eyes when she felt their auras somehow threating to her little brother.
She pulled Luffy away and pushed him behind her. Kagome held up her fists with a warning in her eyes, "Don't even think about hurting Luffy you jackasses!" she snapped in protective of her little brother.
Ace and the boy halted and glared at her. "You're just a girl! What are you gonna do?!" Ace snapped at her rudely.
"You... asshole!" Kagome kicked Ace's in the chest in alarmingly fast pace and Ace yelped in shocked and fell on his back. "That's for bully my little brother!" her anger has snapped without caring that Luffy already saw this.
Then her blue eyes filled with rage as stormy when it landed on the boy who surrendered himself quietly. He walked to Ace's side and helped him sat up. Ace glared at Kagome in furious."You bitch!" Ace stood up and ready to punch her.
However Luffy step between them with concerned, "Wait! Stop!" he looked at his big sister and his future-friend, "Why are you both fighting?!" he wants them to get along because Kagome is his sister and he wanted to be Ace's friend.
The boy step inside, "Let's all calm down first before we use any violence." he said calmly. Kagome observed the boy front of her, he had round eyes, a missing tooth, and short curly blond hair. He wore a large black top hat with a pair of blue goggles wrapped around it, a blue jacket with the sleeves rolled up, a cravat and a pair of light blue cyan shorts held up by a belt with an elaborate flower-design buckle. "My name is Sabo, I'm Ace's friend." Sabo glanced at Luffy, "I'm assumed that you are Luffy?" he asked politely.
Luffy blinked then grinned widely, "Yeah! You told him about me?!" he turned to Ace with excited.
Ace clicked his tongue in annoyed, "I told him how annoying you are."
"He also told me that you're empty-headed." Sabo added.
Luffy laughed joyfully that Ace talks about him to his friend. Kagome glared at Ace and Sabo. "You... are both jackasses! Stop insulting him!" she defended for her little brother in protective mode.
Sabo smiles awkwardly, "I believe he did mention about you once... I apologize, what's your name?" he asked nicely.
Kagome narrowed her eyes, "Kagome. I'm Luffy's older sister." she crossed her arms.
"How the hell did you both got here? I can get this moron to finally reach me here after three months, but you, the girl no less, first time has actually reached this far. Even though I didn't take any walkable route." Ace said with suspicion on Kagome than on Luffy.
'I knew that jackass did on purposely harm Luffy!' Kagome mentally hisses at Ace as she glared at him.
Luffy walked close to Sabo, "Hey, are you friend with Ace's? Be my friend, too, buddy!" he is determined to making friends with two older boys.
"Shut up! I'm not your buddy!" Sabo snapped at Luffy then he turned his attention to Ace, "This is why I want you to live here with me. Instead, we've got outsiders found our secret base. They're gonna tell someone." Sabo explained with a frown.
Kagome quickly grabbed her little brother and pulled him to her side. She glared at the boys as they stared at them. The boys' faces turned dull, "We're gotta kill them."
"Alright, let's do it." Sabo agreed with his friend's plan.
Luffy blinked owlishly while Kagome gapped at them in disbelieve. The rubber-boy's face slowly turned paled when the words finally hit him in the head, "WHHHHAAATTTT?!" Kagome covered her ears while Ace and Sabo step back in shocked by the loud volume from Luffy.
"Don't kill us! I don't wanna die! Big sis!" Luffy clinging to her while crying a waterfall-style.
Kagome covered Luffy; his snots and tearful face pressed onto her shirt. She cringes in disgusted but shook that feeling off and attempted to calm him down. "Luffy, calm down. I won't let them hurt you!" He continued cries loudly.
"Make him shut up!" Sabo snapped.
"He would be if you two idiots didn't suggest murder!" Kagome snapped back while hugging close to her little brother in protective.
Ace covered his ears in furious, "Why don't you shut him up already then?! He's your stupid brother!" he snapped as well.
"It's your fault you jackasses!" Kagome growled with outraging then she shut her mouth as she felt unfamiliar auras coming to their direction. Around the same times, two older boys heard the voices coming on their way.
"Oh no! Somebody's coming!" Sabo glanced at Ace in panicked.
Ace jerked his head back to Sabo, "We gotta move from here or they're gonna find our treasure!"
Thankfully, Luffy has calm down and Kagome rubbed his back to soothes him down a little bit more. Ace and Sabo ran to the bushes, "Come on!" Sabo called out to Luffy and Kagome to joined hiding from the strangers.
Luffy sniffed as he let go of his older sister and went to them. kagome glanced over her shoulders, the aura isn't very friendly and it is alerting her so she quickly followed them and hide behind the bushes.
Four kids peek through their hiding place and saw a large man with long whitish blue hair, narrow eyebrow-less eyes, and a broad chest with an open red, ruffle-edged vest. He had tattoos on his left bicep and wore an earring on each ear. He also wore a yellow sash with stripes around his waist and a belt over it. He wore regular pants and boots. He is carrying a large sword along with him. And behind him; three men followed behind.
"Damn it! I didn't know those thugs were working for Bluejam!" Ace whispered in curses.
Sabo glanced at Ace in surprised, "You mean that you stole the money from them?" he asked in astonishment.
"I shouldn't have taken that mone. He has a real sword. That's Porchemy who works under Bluejam." Ace explained quietly while Kagome frown and Luffy tilted his head in confusion.
"He's crazy, did you know that? He scalps you alive after you lose a fight with him!" Sabo whispered to Ace in horror. Luffy heard that sentence and gulped nervously while Kagome bit her lip in worried.
Ace, Sabo, and Kagome lowered themselves into the bushes quietly, "Let's just let them pass for now..."
"Oh? Where is he?" Sabo noticed that Luffy is missing from his side. Kagome paled and jerked her head when she felt Luffy's aura surrounded by the awful dark auras. They saw Luffy carried with his collar by Porchemy.
Kagome curses mentally as she was about to jump out of her hiding place however, Sabo gabbed her legs as Ace wrapped his arm around her shoulders and used his free hand to cover her mouth to prevent her from making any sounds. Kagome twitched in annoyed that two older boys trapped her while she fears for Luffy.
"Let me go! What do you want from me?!" Luffy waves his arms in the air.
Ace and Sabo stared at Luffy in dumbfounded, "How could he got caught?" Ace asked as he blinked slowly.
"Let me go you bastard!" Luffy tried to get free from the tightly large fist.
Porchemy bring Luffy close to his face, "Who is this little shit?"
"help me! Big sis! Ace!" Luffy cried out to Kagome and Ace.
Kagome struggled as she wanted to help her little brother but Sabo and Ace held onto her tightly. "That fool! He's calling my name!" Ace gritted his teeth in harsh whispered.
Porchemy hummed as he blinked, "Did you just call for Ace?" he asked interestedly.
"So what?" Luffy frowned at the large man.
"Do you know Ace?" Prochemy asked with serious eyes.
Luffy blinked, "I'm his friend! Oh, but then he just tried to kill me and my big sis." he blurted it out honestly.
Behind the bushes, Kagome is still trapped by Sabo and Ace. Ace is glaring at Luffy, "That fool! He's such a bigmouth!" Kagome glared at Ace silently, 'Don't blame on Luffy! He's just an honest person!'
Porchemy opens his mouth, "I don't know if you know about this, but I heard that Ace stole some money from us and ran today. You don't know where is it now, do you?" Luffy stared at the man, "So? What do you say?"
Then Luffy started to swat, his eyes glanced from the corner of his eyes, and his mouth puckered up, "I-I don't know..." he obviously lied.
Kagome sweatdropped, 'That's why Luffy is an honest person. Because he can't lie.'
Porchemy huffed and smirked, "Alright, alright! It can't be helped that you don't know. Don't worry, I'll help you bring back the memory!"
Three kids who are hiding behind bushes paled when the large man taking Luffy with him, "What are you doing?! Let me go! Where are you taking me?! Damn it! Stupid! Let me go!" Luffy kept shouting until they are out of sights and his voice tunes out.
Sabo and Ace glanced at each other, "What should we do?!" Sabo asked in worried.
"You know what we have to do..." they glanced up at the tree branch where they've hidden their treasures in. Kagome saw this and made muffled offended that they are not going to save her little brothers. 'If they are not going to save Luffy then I'll do it myself!' Kagome then bit Ace's hand as he was still covering her mouth.
Ace yelped in pain and surprised. He jerked his hand back away from her mouth and glared at Kagome who gladly glared back. "Let me go you jackasses!" she pushed the boys away from her and stood up on her feet.
"I can't believe you two! Because of you, Luffy is going to get harm by those terrible people!" Kagome snapped at them in anger.
"It's his fault!" Ace snapped back in anger while Sabo watched them both back and forth in silently.
"His fault?! Do I need to remind you that it was your mess that gotten him in trouble!?"
"He's the fool one who let himself get caught!"
"Shut up you jackass! It's not his fault! Luffy has terrible luck when it comes to danger!"
"Well, that's not my problem!"
"Ugh! I don't even know why he still wants to be your friend! All you ever did to him is keep getting him hurt!"
"Well then control your foolish little brother then!"
"I don't control human being! Luffy is his own person and I won't stop him from what he wants!" Kagome huffed, "I don't even want to argue with you! If you both are not going to save him, then I'll do it myself! I hope you both are satisfied that Luffy is getting beaten because of you!" she snapped and ran through the bushes in hurried as she is disappointed in Ace who held responsible for this mess.
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"NO!" Kagome arrived at the half-broken down warehouse when she heard his voice as she found his aura. Then she heard a loud punch and she ran into the broken house and gasped loudly that caught the pirates attentions.
Luffy is tied up in the air with blood drips from his head. Prochemy is standing front of Luffy with his spikes gloves full of blood.
Luffy's blood.
Kagome's eyes widen, "You..." her blue eyes harden, "You bastard!"
"Big sis..." Luffy called out to her weakly.
Porchemy hummed, "Tied her up." he ordered the pirates who were watching them.
"Hai!" two pirates quickly catch Kagome who kept struggled against them. Another pirate grabbed a rope and tied around Kagome against the wooden pillar. Forcing her to watch her little brother getting beaten by the terrible large pirate. "Luffy!" Kagome cried out with frightening for him.
Tears fell out of her eyes as Porchemy kept punching Luffy in most brutal ways. She couldn't take her eyes off at the horrible sights front of her. Her heart sank, 'I... I can't do anything... it's like Shanks all over again.' This time, she knew that she won't be saved by Shanks. He is not here and only she and Luffy is all alone in this awful situation. And that hit her head, she can't always be depended on people to always come and save her. She needs to find a way to save herself and her loved ones to protect. Feeling determined inside of her heart as pink started to glow from her hip that is hidden by her clothes.
Meanwhile
"I didn't realize it was almost night." Ace crawled out of the hiding spot in a different large tree. He glanced up at the sunset sky. "Finally, all the treasure are in different place!" he said in relief. Then Luffy's happy face image appeared in his head and then Kagome's protective glares in her eyes also appeared in his images as well. He frowned, 'They are weird people.' he mused.
"Ace!" Ace snapped out of it and glanced down where Sabo called him.
"Sabo, what's wrong? Have they shown up to look for the money?" Ace asked with curious.
Sabo panted from running, "No they haven't, and I bet they won't!"
"What do you mean?"
Sabo furrowed his eyebrows, "That kid, Luffy... he hasn't told them anything! And I don't know what happened to Kagome either! I'm positive that they're torturing Luffy! I thought that he'd just tell them because he's dumb and cries so much! It doesn't make sense! If nothing's done... he'll... and Kagome... she could be captured by them as well!"
Ace's eyes shrink in stunned as his fists are shakingly, 'Those...idiots... they are fools!' he went to grab his pipe.
Gray Terminal
Abandon Shack
"Spit it out!" Porchemy demanded as he continued punching Luffy.
Kagome gritted her teeth as tears running down, "STOP IT YOU BASTARD!" Her throat is dry and raspy that she has been shouting at the merciless pirate for the past hour. One of the pirates who has been watching in the background shows concerned and guilty.
"P-p-p-porchemy-san... It's no use doing it anymore!"
The large man stopped and panted slightly. He glared at Luffy who is barely clinging to his consciousness. Then he shifted his eyes on Kagome who still is tied to the pillar. "Fine. I'll try that bitch." he walked to Kagome.
Other pirates wanted to protect but kept their mouth shut as they watch it quietly. Porchemy stood front of Kagome as he stared down at her emotionless. Kagome's blue eyes shaking with fear. "Where's the treasure!" he demanded Kagome with his spikes gloves raise in threatening manners.
"Screw yourself!" Kagome spat out on him.
CRACK!
Kagome gritted her teeth in agony as her eyes widen in shock from the pain in her rib. Porchemy has kicked her straight in her chest with his foot in most the brutal way. 'I think... one of my ribs is broken...' she shut her eyes; tried not to make any noises to bring the torture any satisfied.
"P-porchemy-san! I don't think they are going to tell you anything! He doesn't have any energy to scream and this girl won't say anything either! I don't think it'll make any difference! And I can't watch this any longer, it's too cruel! Have mercy on them! They're just kids!" one of the pirates with blonde hair said with guilty that he couldn't watch this any more longer.
Then the pirates were kicked away by Prochemy who is pissed off and scared, "Look for Ace and Sabo if you have time to speak for the brats! We're the ones that are in danger of death! Can't you see?! We're already too late to give that money to Captain Bluejam!" then he turned around and glared at Kagome, "Say it!" he demanded in frustrated.
Kagome opened her eyes half-way as she felt two familiar auras coming to their direction. Her heart started to beat in hope, 'Are they...' if they are, then it's possible that her little brother will be saved, so she needs to make sure to keep Porchemy's attention on her before he decides to go back on Luffy. "...I refused to tell you..." Kagome half-grin at the man, "...you sick sadistic guenon ape!"
Porchemy's vein popped out in a deadly way that his patience has finally snapped. He turned around, walked to his sword, picked up, and walked back to Kagome. "You little bitch! You pissing me off! Die!" he held his sword up in the air and Kagome boldly stared straight at the man's eyes in deadlock.
Luffy struggles to lift his head; "B-big sis..." he whimpered in suffering from pain and scare for his big sister.
CRASH!
Then the wall of the abandoned shack exploded by two boys, "Don't!" The pirates halted and jerked their heads to them in surprise. Ace ran through pass Sabo in a fast pace and jumped high in the air as if he is light as a feather; smashed his pipe against one of the pirates, "Outta my way!" and the pirate flew away from Luffy. Ace landed on his feet gracefully and glared at the pirates.
"It's him, Porchemy-san!"
"He stole the money from us! Damn you, brat!"
Kagome and Luffy looked at Ace and Sabo; they couldn't believe they came for them. "Ace!" Luffy cried out tearfully in relief to see him. Ace glanced at Luffy and then at Kagome then he glared at Porchemy. He went head-attack to the large man by jumping up in the air as he raised his pipe. However, he was caught with a hand on his throat by Porchemy, "You made it easier for us by coming here voluntarily." Prochemy said with a smirked on his face.
"We were having a hard time making your friends talk." he added while Ace attempted to escape from the large man's hand.
"Ace!" Luffy called out to him in worried.
Ace gritted his teeth, "L-let me go! Sabo!"
Sabo jumped behind from Porchemy and raised his pipe in the air and hit straight on Porchemy's head. The large pirate immediately released Ace from his hand and Ace fell on the ground. Sabo glared at the man who turned his head to him as the blood drip from his head. "That hurts... do you know what happens when you mess with adults?!" he snapped once again.
Ace stood up and held tightly onto his pipe, "I'll take him on, get her and Luffy!" he said and Sabo nodded his head.
Kagome watched the older boys fight in awed by their flexibility, strength, and brave. 'This... this is what a fighter is like...' she mused. Ace effortlessly jumped around the large pirate as he continued swinging his pipe and dodging the swinging sword. While Sabo easily fights against three pirates and stole a knife from one of the pirates. He grinned in victory and jumped over to Luffy to cut the ropes.
Luffy fell free from the ropes and Sabo caught him in his arms. He glanced at Kagome; he is hesitant because he doesn't want to leave Luffy frail all alone. And he doesn't want to reach her with Luffy because then the pirates will harm more to Luffy.
"Sabo!" Sabo jerked his head to Ace; "Give me the knife!" he threw the knife to Ace who caught it with his one hand as he dodges the sword once again. Ace jumped over effortlessly then threw the knife in Kagome's direction.
The knife clattered close to Kagome's feet. She was surprised to see it, but instantly use her foot to push the knife closer to her fingertips. Then reached her fingers to grab the blade; ignored that it nicks one of her fingers. Then she shoves the knife up on the ropes. When the ropes loose which gives her more space to shift around and finally she is released from the rope. She hitched in pain when she felt her broken rib, 'Definitely broken.' she mused as she stood up shakily.
"Let's go, Ace!" Sabo called out his friend when Kagome gotten closer to the exit from the opposite direction.
Ace dodged the sword and landed front of the large pirate with a glare, "Go ahead... I'm not running. Not when I come face to someone, I won't run!" he said with determined.
Kagome raised her eyebrows, 'His aura... its full of resolved...'
"Don't do it! He's not like the thug in the city!" Sabo protected as he carrying Luffy over his shoulder.
Porchemy smirked widen in madden, "you got that right! Enough playing around! That's our money! Give it back to us peacefully, you brat! You must be possessed by some evil spirit, right? Give the money back so you won't regret it." he lifted his sword to Ace's face.
However, Ace smacked the sword away from his face with his pipe, "We have better plans for that money!" he refused to give up on his and his friend's treasure. Porchemy narrowed his eyes at Ace in furious and confusion.
Sabo clicked his tongue in annoyed, "Wait here for a minute." He placed Luffy down on the ground near the large hole in the wall. He ran next to Ace's side, "You're so reckless! Why are you always like this?!" he glared at the large pirate.
"I won't run." Ace simply replied and Sabo's teeth grinned widely.
Porchemy twitched, "Stop talking crap!" he swings down his sword and Ace clashed it with his pipe and jumped back. A new cut appeared on his forehead without flinch any pain.
Kagome made sure she was in the shadow when she walked around the battle area until she reached her little brother. "Luffy..." she whispered in concerned. Luffy glanced up at Kagome and tears peaking out his eyes.
"Bit sis..." he sniffed as he reached for her hand. Kagome grabbed his hand and glanced at the battle in front of her.
Porchemy growled, "If I'm beaten by kids, I may as well quit being a pirate!"
"We'll make sure you quit!" Ace and Sabo shouted union as they jumped above the large pirate.
"I'm going to kill all of you!" Porchemy promised.
Kagome and Luffy watched the battle in stupefaction. '...their auras... so much strength.'
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The grey clouds shifted passing by the large full moon in the night sky. The group of kids is sitting around in the area of the forest away from the Gray Terminal. Luffy is currently sobbing on his big sister's chest while Kagome has her arms wrapped around his shoulders. Ace is fixing his broken pipe while Sabo wrapping his bandage around his wrist calmly.
It has been silence for a while. Kagome still couldn't believe that two ten years old actually defeated the ruthless pirate on their own. Her blue eyes glanced up at Ace and Sabo who are whispering to each other. She ignored them and combing Luffy's hair, "Luffy..." she called his name out loud gently.
"That was so scary! I thought we're gonna die!" Luffy continued sobbing as his arms tightly wrapped around her torso. Kagome flinched when he is pressed on her broken rib.
Ace's jumped off the rock and glared at Luffy, "Shut up already! You're so annoying! Stop crying! I don't like cowards or people who cry a lot!" he snapped at Luffy with shark-teeth.
Amazingly enough, Luffy shuts up which surprises by others. The straw-hat boy leaned back, break his hug from his big sister and turned around. He bowed his head at them, "Th-thank you." he is grateful that he is alive, "Thank you for saving my big sis too."
Kagome's blue eyes soften then walked around her little brother and stand front of them. "I...still don't like you..." she blurted it out shamelessly; influences by Luffy no doubt as Ace twitched in annoyed while Sabo sweatdropped. Kagome continued, "...but... thank you. You two saved Luffy. He's one of the very important people in my life. And now he's alive, thank you." she bowed gratefully as she made sure not to put pressure on her broken rib. She needs to get her rib treat by Dogus, since he's more experiences with this type of wounds.
Ace and Sabo stared at Kagome quietly. They watched Kagome stood up and hugged Luffy back to her chest with lovely embraces between siblings love. Ace clicked his tongue, "Why didn't you two cough it up in the first place? They're' the kind of people who'd kill women or kids without hesitation."
"I thought if I said anything... you wouldn't be my friend." Luffy explained his reasoning.
"It's better than dying, isn't it? Why do you want to become my friend so badly?"
"Because..."
"Didn't I gave you a hard time until now? How could you follow me this far?"
"Because..."
Kagome felt his tears once again and she glanced at Luffy. The rubber-boy turned his head as his tears spilling over once again, "Because I'm lonely, even though I have my big sis! But its different! I don't have a friend to spend time with! I can't go back to Windmill Village! I don't like the mountain bandits! And... and...Ace seems so lonely! I thought I can be his friend because... because... because being lonely is more painful than getting hurt!"
Ace blinked as he is taken aback by this. He stared at Luffy in silent with a blank face. Kagome felt his aura changed, it filled with sorrow, distrust, anger, and little bit of longing. 'I wonder what he is longing for?' Kagome still doesn't understand why his aura is so complicated for such young ten years old kid.
"Do you want me to live?" Luffy blinked owlishly while Kagome was baffled by this question.
Luffy frowned, "of course I do!"
Kagome tilted her head, "I don't like you but that doesn't mean I want you dead." she answered truthfully.
"I see..." Ace mumbled then he turned his head away, "I don't like spoiled kids like you though."
Luffy jumped away and walked close to Ace, "hey! I'm not spoiled! I'm strong!"
Ace huffed, "Strong?! You're not strong at all! You cry like a girl! And she-" he pointed at Kagome, "She is a girl and she didn't even cry!"
"Have you ever gotten by a spiky thing?! I'm only seven! When I become your age, ten, I'll stop crying and become stronger!" Luffy snapped at Ace; feeling insulting.
Ace snapped back irritated with Luffy, "I wouldn't cry even if I was seven, stupid! I'm not like you!" he headbutted Luffy's.
"I'm gonna become stronger than anyone! I promise Shanks I become a great pirate!"
"You? Become a pirate?"
"Yes!"
"No way!"
"Yes way!"
Sabo crossed his arms as his eyes closed calmly while Kagome sweatdropped. 'It seems Luffy gotten a new friend with Ace. Impossible for anyone but possible for Luffy.' she mused with a small smile on her face.
Then Sabo walked up to them and pushed them away from each other, "Okay, that's enough. Right now, we have a little problem." he said.
Kagome frowned, knowing where he is going with this topic, "They're going to find us and kill us, right?" she walked to them and Luffy grabbed her hand. Sabo nodded his head, "Correct. The Bluejam and others will search for us and kill us, right?"
"Yeah, I think so." Ace confirmed.
Sabo sighed, "This forest is I've been living is close to where they are... the Cove of Pirates. What if they attack me when I fall asleep exhausted?"
"You're gonna die." Ace blunted.
"Yea, you're gonna die." Luffy agreed with Ace.
Kagome sweatdropped and even Sabo agreed with them easily without any offended. "So that's why I need your help. Guys, huddle up!" Ace and Luffy went in a circle with Sabo and even Kagome is dragged in by her little brother.
'This is going to be a wildlife.' she mused after she listened to Sabo's plan. 'Will Dadan handle another kid in her care?'
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End of Pre-ASL Arc.