"We meet back at the boat, right?" asked Nira as the four of them walked down a back alley.

Zoro nodded to her.

"So where's this weapon shop?"

He looked over his shoulder to her and moved his head up slightly.

"This way."

They walked down the alley in a specific formation. Zoro was up at the front leading the way. Madeline and Nira stood side by side each other and Luffy was at the back, making sure that the two of them didn't try to make a run for it, even though they only had one direction they could run seeing as that Luffy still had the rope tied around him.

"Oh wow…" said Nira as they entered the small shop.

"My husband is sick today," said an older woman as she walked out of a door at the back, "Is there anything I can get you?"

"Would you happen to have throwing knives?" the teal haired girl asked.

"Yes. Right over there."

She directed every ones attention to a wall glimmering hand blades.

"Shit…" sounded Zoro's voice.

Nira and Madeline turned their attention to him as they heard loud, running steps go out the entrance. Zoro then jerked around as he reached the outside pavement.

"You two stay here!" he demanded and then ran off.

The two young girls looked to each other, shrugged, and went back to their previous interests.

"Oooo…" cooed Madeline, her eyes shining as she actually found a weapon she liked, "Miss. What are these here?"

"Those are bo staves, my dear," she answered.

A beaming grin crept up onto the captain's face.

"Perfect," she said quietly, "Would there happen to be one that has something special about it?"

The woman nodded and quickly walked over to the red head.

She reached up and gripped one of the closed and locked cases that was propped upon and displayed on the wall. She undid the latches on the side and exposed a light weight staff that had the dark brown, polished wood look. It seemed as if it had never been out of the case. The engraved red and black dragon was as clear as day and it gave off a bright shine as she lifted it out of the cramped container and into the light.

"This one was specifically crafted for a Marine who specialized in melee combat," she told, "but sadly, he died when pirates raided here a few years ago."

"Ma'am!" said Nira, "How much are these?"

Nira held up a box of shining throwing knives that had a metallic dragon for the hilts. The older woman looked over at her.

"Those are on sale today. Half off, so that makes them… five hundred belli."

"I'll take them," she answered with a smile as the lady handed Madeline the staff and walked behind the counter, then she looked over to her captain, "Do you have something?"

Madeline didn't answer for a few seconds. She was too entangled in the look of the staff she held in her hands. Her fingers glided slowly over the carved dragon.

'I think I'm in love with it…' she thought to herself as her brown irises brightened.

"And what about this?" the red head asked as she held it up.

"One hundred belli."

"No way!" she exclaimed.

"I have the money," said Nira as she walked up to the counter.

Madeline grinned as she trotted up next to the counter.

"I'll pay you back. Promise!"

Nira nodded and turned her attention back to the lady.

"We'll take these… And two cleaning kits."

"That will be six hundred and fifty belli."

Nira nodded and dug out the money as the woman retrieved the kits. Nira equipped the knives and placed them all in inconspicuous spots. She turned to Madeline and smiled. Her friend was standing there with a wide smile on her face and twisting and twirling the bo staff around in her hand like she had done it a million times before.

"Come on, Captain," said Nira as she grabbed Madeline's shoulder and gently pushed on it.

"Have a nice day!" said the woman as the two of them exited.

"You too!" Nira replied as she looked back and grinned. She turned around and looked at her comrade. "Now it's time for a ship."

"Yeah," agreed Madeline.

"And since we both can't afford one… I guess we'll go commander one like last time."

"But didn't…" Madeline had to pause to think of his name. "Zoro tell us to stay here?"

Nira's pupils narrowed at her captain's question.

"Pirates, remember?"

"I know. I know," Madeline replied.

They both paused as they looked in opposite directions.

"Let's go 'window' shopping!" the red head suggested energetically.

"Alright then," Nira complied, "Lead the way."

Madeline nodded affirmatively and started walking.

"Oh wait," Nira said as she reached into her small bag of emergency supplies and pulled out a rope, "Here. That way you can tie it onto your back."

"Okay!"

Madeline took the rope in her hands and started to twist it in her grip, but she stopped and stared at it awkwardly. Her eyes showed she was at a loss and Nira knew. Madeline looked at her with an embarrassed smile.

"Help," she said in a cute tone while holding out her arms.

"But of course," Nira laughed as she slung the make-shift holder diagonally across Madeline's torso. She pulled a tight knot in the back and inserted it into the holder.

Madeline grinned as the teal haired girl came back in front of her.

"Thank you."

"No problem," Nira replied, "Now that you're done and set, shall we get going?"

"Alright!"

--

"LUFFY! GET BACK HERE!" screamed Zoro as he sprinted after his captain.

"Why?!" yelled back Luffy with a loud laugh, "This is fun!"

"Luffy!" the green haired man exclaimed, "We need to get back to the girls or they'll leave!"

"AHAHAHAHAHA! Girls?! When did you start calling them tha-"

Luffy skidded to a stop as he reached the intersection.

"Uh-oh…"

Two marines were patrolling the area and weren't paying much attention, but the sound of Luffy's sandals scratching against the stone pavement caused their heads to turn. Their jaws dropped as they looked upon Straw-hat Luffy.

"HEY!" screamed one.

"It's Straw-hat!" screamed the other.

"DAMN IT LUFFY!" yelled Zoro as he joined the hat wearing boy.

He grabbed the collar of Luffy's red, sleeveless shirt and dragged him along behind him roughly. The marines looked at each other, nodded, and chased after the two wanted pirates. And Luffy had a huge goofy grin plastered on his face as Zoro held him in his grip as they retreated.

'Why does this always happen to me?!' groaned Zoro's mind.

--

"That's a nice one," said Madeline as she pointed to a pretty, shining, wooden ship, but both of them shook their heads together.

"Too big…" they said in unison.

They sighed and kept on.

"Hey Nira…" started Madeline.

"Hold that thought," she interrupted, "I have a feeling of impending doom…"

"I'm getting a weird vibe too," added Madeline with a slight agreeing nod, "One I haven't felt in a while…"

"Anyways…" said Nira as she shook her head, wanting to shun that feeling, "What were you saying?"

"I was gonna ask… was it just me or did you see that odd cloud too?"

"The one that seemed to be moving on purpose?"

Madeline nodded as the two of them connected gazes. Both of their eyes showed worry.

"I… I think we should get back," Nira suggested with a worried voice.

"Y-Yeah…"

--

Zoro slid in front of the entrance to the weapon shop. Him and Luffy were able to lose the two marines thankfully. Zoro was frantic and Luffy was still as carefree as ever.

"Hey lady," Zoro panted, "Did the two girls leave her?"

The woman nodded and pointed.

"They went that way."

"GAH!" he exclaimed then ran off yet again still pulling his captain along.

--

"I think we need to…"

Nira stopped her sentence and looked up at the sky with an expression of wonder. She lifted her hand up and pointed upwards.

"There's that cloud again…" she trailed, "Is it bigger or is that just me?"

Madeline looked up as well and her expression also turned to one of wonder.

"Hm… I think it's bigger."

"I thought so."

The cloud began to descend to the ground and the two girls froze. Both of their heads turned to the other and they blinked cluelessly.

"Um… N-Nira…" muttered Madeline as her voice shook.

"I know," she replied, "If that's what, or should I say who, that is then I think we should run."

Nira pointed yet again as the cloud floated above the ground and started to form. Madeline's eyes followed quickly to the huge cloud of smoke. Her eyes widened and her irises flashed.

"Oh shit…" Her hand whipped to Nira's wrist and gripped on as tight as she could and she turned on her heels. "Come on!"

The two girls bolted off in a quick retreat, attempting to escape the wrath of the being. He formed completely into the massive Marine beast he was. The two lit and smoking cigars and all. He turned his head to the direction the two girls had run off in and his eyes widened.

He recognized them.

"HEY YOU TWO!" he screamed in a rough tone.

The two of them yelped as his rough voice reached their ears and they sped up. The muscle built Marine growled and easily trailed after them with a tail of smoke behind him.

--

Zoro and Luffy were now quickly walking down a back street as to not draw attention to themselves as they searched for the two girls they had lost.

'Where had the two of them run off to…' Zoro questioned as him and Luffy approached the opening of the alley.

Suddenly two young women rushed right in front of them and a huge Marine was rushing right behind. Zoro's eyes widened in realization that the two ladies were in fact Nira and Madeline and the Marine was Smoker.

"Aww shit…" he mumbled.

"Oh no!" Luffy yelled as he realized the sight also.

"Luffy. We need to catch up!"

"Okay!" complied Luffy with a grin. He reached out and grabbed Zoro. "Gomu Gomu no…" His free arm stretched suddenly evading all contact with Smoker and easily gripped Nira's shoulder.

--

Nira looked back with a scared expression as she felt someone grab her shoulder. Her eyes widened at the sight she got.

--

"NO ROCKET!"

He and the swordsman shot forward.

"YOU BAKA!" Zoro screamed as they flew towards the two girls.

--

Nira started to fall back as the snap of the rubber arm pulled her back slightly. Madeline took notice of her friend and turned around to see what had caused it after she stopped. Her eyes widened as Luffy and Zoro approached the two of them. Zoro picked Nira up and the girl frantically reached and held her friend securely as they kept moving.

The half cloud man stopped as he saw the four of them speed off.

"Shit…"

He changed completely and quickly and soared to his own ship.

He reverted back to his original form once he was over the deck. The sound of his soles slamming on the upper floor shook the boards.

"FOLLOW THAT SHIP!"

--

The four of them landed on the ship's deck with a loud smack. Madeline jumped to her feet.

"GET US MOVING!" she screamed, her hat slipping somewhat, "NOW!"

Everyone was aboard and actually took the command from the foreign captain. Zoro was up on his feet and jerked the anchor up. Nami rushed to the steering wheel and Usopp released the sails and the ship began to move.

Sanji walked out of the kitchen while twisting his hands around in a towel. The commotion had brought him out and his gaze went straight to Madeline. He opened his mouth, but Nira's voice sounded above his.

"Smoker's coming!"

"No… No. No. No. No…" the red head repeated as she backed up to a wall.

Nira looked to Sanji who started walking towards her and she did the same, but she reached Madeline first.

"Come one Madeline," she whispered as she bent down, "I'll hide you."

"But… But… Doc… I… I just can't leave…"

"Madeline," said Nira in an authoritive voice, "Oi, cook."

Sanji turned on his heel to them.

"Yes?"

"Where's your biggest storage room?" she asked, "We need to hide there for a bit, or Madeline will be even worse for wear."

Zoro walked up to them and knelt down.

"I'll take you," he said.

"Why?!" screamed Sanji, "I know where it is as well, you shitty marimo!"

Zoro looked over to the cook and glared and even though he was ready to attack him he knew that that would have to wait until some other time.

"B-B-But…" the red head stuttered.

"Come on Madeline," she cut off as she stood up, "I don't want a repeat."

"Let's go," said Sanji, suddenly being right beside Madeline, "They're getting closer."

Nira nodded and followed Zoro as he started to walk down the stairs that lead below the deck. Sanji reached down and picked Madeline up in his hold. He held her close to his side as they followed close behind Zoro and Nira while guiding her gently.

"In here," said Zoro as he opened a door.

The room was wide and was full of cargo.

"You first Sanji."

The blonde nodded and walked past the swordsman with a slightly violent step while still easily pulling Madeline behind. Nira went in after, but was stopped by a firm grip and was pulled backwards.

"I promise, those Marines won't make it on the ship," Zoro assured.

"And if they do?" she questioned.

"They won't be for long."

She stared at him for a few moments then smiled gratefully.

As soon as Sanji loosened his grip on her waist, Madeline automatically moved to a corner. She pulled her legs up to her chest and her hat slipped down onto her face and hid her eyes. Nira strolled over to her friend and looked down at her, knowing the exact cause of her fear.

"Come on Sanji or you'll miss the fun!" told Zoro in an impatient yet excited tone.

"Hold on," replied Sanji in a soft but aggressive voice as he bent down in front of the captain.

He put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed reassuringly.

"Now don't you fret, Madeline," he told her sweetly as he lifted her hat back up to where he could see her chocolate brown eyes, "Everything will be fine."

Madeline looked up to him and stared with slight fear in her gaze, but she smiled anyways feeling the promise and reassurance in his.

"Alright," he said with a sweet smile and patted her head.

As he ran out of the room, both Nira and Madeline watched as the door slammed shut. The teal haired girl sighed heavily and began to barricade the entrance.

"I'm worried Madeline," said Nira, "What if they don't…"

Madeline shook her head.

"Nira…" she started as she looked up and smiled, "I think they can do it."

Nira blinked in thought for a few seconds and smiled as well.

"I think you're right," she agreed, along with a nod.

"I'm always right," said the captain with a wide smile.

The long haired girl chuckled at her friend as she kept stacking the crates.

"Yeah. Just keep telling yourself that."


DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN ONE PIECE IN ANYWAY!!

Please review everyone!! I would really appreciate it!! And so would my co-author!!

-Love Maruri