Out on the Line

Chapter Nine: Revenge

Nami got her wish two days later in the quaint seaside town of Marietta. Luffy Robin and Chopper were all feeling worlds better. They were no longer bed ridden but were still moving sort of slow. The trio gathered in the galley so Sanji could spoil them with treats. Zoro filled them in on the few things they had missed, not much but taking care of sickies. With the recoveries in good hands it was time to go.

As promised; Nami and Ussop stole Candy for a shopping spree. They disembarked late that morning and headed into town. Marietta had many fine clothing shops and they burned the morning away looking at dresses. Around noon they found the perfect seaside café for lunch. Nami ordered up fruity drinks for all, Ussop was just grateful to sit down for a while. He was already lugging nine bags along and the day wasn't over yet. He chewed through a steak not as good as what Sanji made for him contemplating what he had gotten himself into.

After lunch they hit a surf shop for cute new bikinis. Ussop tried not to look as the ladies paraded around in one swim suit after another trying to decide which best flattered their figures. Nami constantly embarrassed him asking how her boobs and ass looked in the bathing suits she tried on. He was red faced and sweating a bit; Nami just cackled at him. They each bought two new bikinis and Nami found better swim gear for Ussop too.

The next store had a variety of slick men's clothes Nami just had to see Ussop in. That was fine with him; he had lost his dignity in the bikini store. Ussop submitted himself to Nami's fashion sense and modeled some clothes for the ladies with a silly grin on his face. He played up to the navigator gushing that he just loved everything she picked out for him. To his chagrin she bought most of it and poor Ussop ended up with even more bags to carry.

When their shopping expedition was near its end Nami looked over a grocery list Sanji had given to her before they left. Various fruits and vegetables, mostly heavy stuff. They had to juggle the bags around some. Nami and Candy each carried a few so Ussop could shoulder the groceries too. By sundown he was exhausted and ready for a Sanji cooked dinner. They started back to the ship as the light fled the sky. Ussop lagged behind a few steps listening to the girls go on about nail polish as they cut through the warehouse district back to the docks.

It was a lucky thing Ussop was behind them; a cowardly man is always alert. He heard the click of boot heels behind them and turned around just in time to see the dark figure behind them raise his gun. No way, it can't be! "Nami, Candy look out!" Ussop dropped the bags and lunged forward toward his friends.

Nami turned around to face him just as the gun went off. Ussop grimaced in pain. Two more rounds went off and Ussop staggered forward as each one hit him in the back. "Ussop!" she screamed as he fell forward.

Instinctively Candy dropped her gear and called upon Kai as she turned to face the shooter. Nami caught Ussop as he fell forward; his back was stained with blood. Her eyes found the shooter and Candy froze. He was hidden in shadows, but Candy still recognized him. "Trump Card!? No, you're dead!"

"Wrong Cherry bird, your friend there just winged me and left me for dead. Hope you don't mind that I return the favor."

Ussop was bleeding badly, he tried to grab Nami's arm. "Nami, hurry up and run. Get Zoro…Sanji…"

Candy decided to eliminate Card permanently. She pushed her astonishment at his survival aside and charged at him. He shot Ussop! "Bastard!"

Things started to happen quickly. Candy took off after Card and Nami screamed to her collapsing to her knees from the weight of holding Ussop and bags up. Nami didn't even have her weapon with her. Something like this wasn't supposed to happen on a shopping day. "Candy chan!"

She was nearly to him; Candy leapt high and planted her heel down. Ussop!!! "I'm gonna kill you!"

Nami caught the movement from out of the corner of her eye too late to vocalize a warning. A large man shape shot out of the alley and directly at Candy. Nami watched helplessly as Candy took a kick hard enough to drive her through the wall of the closest storage shed. "Candy!!!"

Gigas landed in front of Card looking where his prey had landed. "She's getting up."

"Then hold her," Card ordered. Gigas took off after Candy again. The woman tried to get away but she was too stunned from smashing through a wall to get too far. She made it back out into the alley before Gigas attacked again. A hard hit to the stomach sent her flying again. Candy skidded to a stop on her back not far from her nakama.

"Stop it!" Nami screamed wiggling away from Ussop and her baggage. "Candy!"

The man attacking her wasn't all human. A devils fruit. He was huge, ape like. Candy called the power to her to stand and meet the monster. "Nami, hurry and get Chopper! Get the others!" She went high walking on the air trying to avoid gorilla man's big powerful arms.

Card wasn't just a spectator. He lifted his gun and fired two shots. The whole he put in the birds foot kept her from walking on the air and the shot to her shoulder immobilized her right arm. Cherry bird fell right out of the sky with a startled cry and right into Gigas waiting arms. Card stepped to them as Candy struggled against the beast holding her tightly too him. "Enough of your shit birdie."

The bullet holes in her burned like fire. The monster man was crushing the life out of her. "Run away Nami! Get Luffy!" she struggled to force out.

"Your little boyfriend can't save you now."

Nami stood on shaky legs. She had Ussop's blood on her sleeves. Candy was bleeding too but still resisting the big man squeezing her. Get Luffy… get Chopper… "Hold them off till I get back Candy chan!" Nami tore off up the alley. She could be back at Thousand Sunny within minutes.

Trump Card had heard the redhead. "I'm afraid you won't be doing that." He reached for her hand. He slipped her ring and then her bracelet off. He tossed it away and moved to her other hand.

The connection to Kai was severed. Her energy drained away quickly. Card took off her other bracelet and threw it away too. "You…bastard…"

"You're a fighter that requires a weapon and nothing but a weak little bitch without them. You don't think idol slap actually hurts do you Cherry bird?"

She still had the presence of mind to think he thinks its Edelbrock. She started to feel very sleepy. "You…"

"I know your weakness dear. As an entrepreneur I had to exploit it." Card nodded at Gigas. The big man adjusted the wilting woman in his arms so he could carry her. "I just needed Gigas here to stun you long enough to get those annoying bracelets off."

Godamnit I'm going to black out! "Turning me in to the marines you bastard…"

"No. You're worth more on the black market then some pitiful bounty set by the marines. You are going to make me very wealthy though Cherry bird don't worry about that."

"You can't…" her strength was gone and she wanted to choke him. "Sell me you twisted fuck!"

He laughed amused. "Already a done deal birdie. Nothing too unpleasant mind you, we'll all be nobility in a fortnight. Raised to peerage ne Cherry." He grinned at her; she was losing consciousness just like he knew she would. Yes much easier to deal with this way. Card stepped closer to her wanting his face to be the last thing the little snot saw. "You're going to marry prince Quatre and all of Spira will bow to their king."

Marry…. Candy's eyes closed. Luffy…

Nami ran like hell. It was amazing how fast she could move in heels when she needed too. As soon as the ship came into view she unleashed another talent; Nami opened her mouth and started to scream. "Luffy! Sanji! Zoro! Chopper come quick! Candy chan is fighting Ussop has been shot!"

Luffy and Sanji closest to the door heard her. Luffy jumped up from the table and bolted to the door with Sanji in tow. Behind them the others were getting up. "Nami?" Luffy hurried out on deck and his eyes found her on the dock. Nami had blood on her. Luffy rushed to her.

"Candy is still fighting!" Nami huffed. "Ussop is hurt. I think it's bad! Hurry this way!"

Her nakama all disembarked and hurried to follow Nami, even Chopper. Hang in there guys! Nami was sure Candy could hold off the big goon until she got back but as they approached the alley all was quiet. She made the right turn and there Ussop lay in a pool of his own blood just beyond their plentiful shopping bags. Everyone else was gone. "No!" Nami ran to Ussop's side.

Luffy took in the scene quickly. There had defiantly been a fight here. Ussop had moved around after he had been wounded leaving a blood trail. Luffy's heart hit his stomach and he ran to Ussop. "Ussop! Nami! Where is Candy?!"

Nami barely heard Luffy, she was frozen looking at what Ussop clutched in his bloody hands. She started to shake and tears welled up in her eyes as she reached for Candy's Kai bracelets. "Oh no…"

He reached his injured nakama and saw what Nami was taking from Ussop as the others caught up behind them. "Her bracelets…." Luffy straightened trying to look everywhere at once. "Candy, Candy chan?!"

"Trump Card and that gorilla man must have her. They can't have gotten too far. Split up and search!" Nami ordered.

Everyone but Robin and Chopper picked a direction and ran off to find their missing nakama. The doctor hurried to Ussop and examined his bullet wounds. "He's lost a lot of blood, I need to get him bandaged up and back to the ship."

Robin looked over Nami's shoulder. Miss Navigator was on her knees holding familiar bracelets. "Candy's connection to Kai was cut off. That's why she's not still fighting, she can't. That man knew her weakness from the time they spent together in High Roll."

Nami looked up at Robin. "She'll be alright wont she?"

"Eventually," Robin frowned. "But for the time being it's doubtful she's in any condition to make any sort of an escape. She's deep asleep and hidden away somewhere I'm sure."

She got to her feet beside Robin. "How are we supposed to find her then ne?"

"Find out which ship Trump Card is on."

"The registry!" Nami thought aloud. She started off in the direction of the union office. "Please take care of Ussop! I'll find Candy chan!"

Chopper was wrapping Ussop up. "Shot three times in the back, it wasn't even a fair fight. They were ambushed."

She could see where Ussop bleed, there were spattering of blood elsewhere too. "Miss Singer must have fought some kind of a monster here."

"The Lucky Seven had devils fruit users in their group. I did leave Race alive."

Robin nodded. "They waited for this port to make their move knowing that the three of us would still be recovering from seastone sickness. It's still another three hours before our log is set as well. Someone smart planned this."

"You think they grabbed Candy and ran?"

"That is my assumption. Our best bet of finding Candy lies with what Nami can find out."

While the guys ran all over Marietta yowling for Candy Nami went to the office and looked up Cards ship. The Wobegone was cleared to leave port just an hour or so earlier. She berthed down on dock eight and Nami ran for it. On the way she ran into Luffy. "This way to Card's ship!"

Dock six and seven were full, but eight "Nani, they're gone!?"

Luffy saw an old guy shuffling around nearby. "Oi mister! Where did this boat go?"

The old man pointed out at the setting sun. There was a ship on the distant horizon. "Ya missed yer boat sunny."

Candy… Luffy's heart skipped a beat. "Was there a woman with them; blonde, asleep?"

"Weirdo," the old guy grumbled.

"Did you see her old man!?"

Nami stepped in. "Easy Luffy. Sir, we think our friend was aboard that ship. Was there someone down here about a half an hour ago? Someone I could ask?"

The young lady was nicer so he answered her. "The last three boarded that ship just as they were ready to sail. Two fellers, one of them carrying a drunk lady. They was laughing about her pretty good miss."

Not drunk asleep. Candy's on that ship. "Thank you." Her eyes went to the vessel disappearing in the sunset. "Candy has been…."

"We have to get back to the ship. We have to catch them!" Luffy turned and broke into a dead run. Candy…they fucking took Candy! He would make them pay for taking her, for throwing away her bracelets and shooting his friend in the back. Godamn you Trump Card! I'll kill you!

It took time to regroup back at the ship. Luffy was anxious and impatient by the time Sanji finally returned with Zoro. "Lets go!" he pestered Nami. "We have to go after them!"

Nami was still helping Chopper settle Ussop when Luffy came nagging. "Wait just a minute Luffy! I need a course, the log isn't set!"

"They're getting away with Candy!"

Ussop came awake; it was kind of hard not too with Luffy screaming. "Nami…I know where they're taking her."

She leaned in closer to Ussop. "Ne Ussop? You know where they're going?"

He had clung to consciousness until after he had retrieved Candy's bracelets. Ussop had heard everything. "A place, a country called Spira. She's going to marry the prince," talking hurt and Ussop had to stop for a minute.

"Like hell!" Luffy heard him. "Nami! Get off your ass and take me to Spira! I'm going to kick the prince's ass too!"

"Spira? Where is that Ussop? Is an island?"

"Dunno." Ussop managed.

Luffy was beyond furious now. "Godamnit Nami we have to go after Candy right now!" he stepped forward threateningly. "Hurry up and get us on a course for Spira!"

That was about all of Luffy's yelling she could take. She got to her feet and turned on him. "Do you have an eternal pose for this Spira place ne Luffy? Do you even know where the hell it is?"

"Its somewhere ahead of that ship Candy is on!"

Robin came in to intercede. "Someone should go into town and find out of a pose for Spira is available."

"I'll go," Luffy stormed past Robin.

Ussop waited until Luffy left before he tried to talk again. "He ditched Candy's bracelets."

"I found them Ussop," Nami reassured him turning her attention back to her friend.

"You didn't get hurt did you Nami? You got away in time?"

Guilt dug at her chest. Nami was alright because Ussop took the bullet meant for her; she was unharmed because she ran away and left Candy to fight alone. Now she's gone… "This is all my fault." Nami moved away from Ussop and started for the door. "I will find the way to Spira; I'll find a pose to lead us to Candy!"

Robin stepped back to let Miss Navigator through. "She blames herself."

"It's not her fault. I suggested it be us three." Ussop tried to shift the weight away from his upper back. "I said I'd carry their bags. I put the idea in Nami's head days ago. This is all my fault."

"No one knew the cheap shitty remnants of the Lucky Seven would come after Candy chwan today," Sanji said lighting up a cigarette in the doorway. "You alright Ussop?"

"He'll live," Chopper informed fluffing his patient's pillow.

"That guy, Trump Card, I thought you killed him."

Ussop held back the sardonic laugh because it hurt. "I thought I did too."

"He shot you in the back, not very sportsman like now is he?" smoke circled Sanji's head. "Was he just gunning for you?"

"No," Ussop dropped his eyes. "He was going to shoot Nami too. It probably wasn't a kill shot he was going for or we'd all have splattered brains."

Sanji swallowed hard. "You took a bullet for Nami swan that's very brave of you Ussop. Too bad your opponents were so cowardly. That guy took off Candy chwan's bracelets to render her quiet and helpless for a while ne?"

Chopper had looked after Candy when her tie to Edelbrock had been severed. "It will take days before Candy chan regains consciousness."

"But the Kai stones weren't destroyed, we have them. We just have to get them back on her. If we can do that she'll be fine right?" Ussop hoped aloud.

"Then we must get them to her at once," Robin backed Ussop. They had studied a lot to try and make Kai safe for their nakama. "Let's hope that Trump Card has not removed her anklets. He likely thinks he's tossed aside Edelbrock and doesn't know she uses Kai now."

Ussop sagged a little. "I hope they leave her anklets alone."

"They better leave all of her alone," Sanji bit down on his cigarette.

Robin was trying to think one step ahead. She addressed Ussop. "You heard something about the royalty of Spira?"

"Card said they were going to be raised to… um something nobility and a fortnight. He said she was to marry the prince of Spira, some Quatre guy."

"Prince Quatre," Robin searched her memories. "I don't think I've ever heard of this person."

Sanji took a fat drag off of his cigarette. Lucky Seven, devils fruit users, princes?! What the fuck kinda crazy shit is Candy chwan in?! "Keh! We have to hurry up and find her. I'm the only prince Candy chwan needs in her life!"

She turned on the impatient cook. "Then perhaps you and Zoro should get us ready to set sail. When the captain and Miss Navigator return we will be going to Miss singers rescue."

"Right! Get better Ussop." Sanji turned and went out leaving the strange group in Ussop's room. Of course Nami swan would come back with what they needed, he should have the ship ready to go for her. "Zoro, let's get Sunny ready to set sail!"

The man at the cartographer's guild was exceptionally helpful. He had a pose that pointed directly at Spira's port city, Lucca. The old man had a relief map of the land mass almost too big to be called an island. He and his wife were also a wealth of information about Nami's destination. The navigator bought what she needed and listened to the old couple carefully. With questions answered Nami went out to get back to the ship.

Luffy had wandered around in a slight panic making himself even more furious. He had spotted Nami with the old people through the window. Rattled but not stupid he knew she was finding their way to Candy so he waited for her. "Can we go get Candy chan now?"

Nami was only a little surprised to find Luffy waiting for her. He looked about half crazy but at least he wasn't yelling. She started walking and he followed. "Yes we can Luffy. This pose points to Lucca, its Spira's port city. It's south of the capitol where the king lives."

"King?" his stomach turned at the thought of his sweetie being handed over to some evil kidnapping prince. "And the prince too?"

"Yes, Prince Quatre lives in the royal palace in Bevelle. He's the crown prince, King Rathwal's only heir."

Like I give a shit. "Is Candy going to Lucca or Bevelle?"

"Card's ship is making for Lucca. If we miss them there we'll go on to Bevelle."

He frowned moving them along a bit faster. "How do we find Bevelle?"

"It's up the coast from Lucca." They were leaving civilization behind them now as they hurried down to the docks. "Bevelle is also where most of Spira's military is located."

"Marines?"

"There is a garrison in Lucca and one in Bevelle too."

His heart beat started to regulate. Nami found out what they needed to know, she could find the way to Candy. "We're going to get her back."

Nami nodded affirmatively. "We aren't that far behind them. We'll catch them in Lucca or on the way to Bevelle. We can catch them!" She put a little more hurry in her step; Nami wanted a good long look at the map of Spira.

The guys had the ship ready to set sail when Nami and Luffy got back. Nami set their course and the Thousand Sunny made way as the first stars appeared in the sky above.

Miles ahead of her nakama Candy remain deep asleep. Gigas had laid her out in a private cabin and the ships doctor saw to her trifling injuries. He didn't bother removing her anklets, the gorilla man was watching him and Old Doc didn't want Gigas to think he was stealing. Doc bandaged her up and hurried out.

Not long after the doctor went out Pony Race came in with a large gift box in his hand. He nodded at Gigas and turned his eyes to the woman in bed. You little bitch. A grin spread across his face as Race came in and over to the bed. You cost me a fortune in High Roll. He loomed over her. "If it isn't Cherry Candy."

"She's a little roughed up, but no marks on her face."

"Of course not," his grin turned sinister. "It wouldn't do to have a princess with a black eye now would it?" Race cut his eyes up to Gigas. Card trusted him, but that didn't mean Race did. "Card has explained it to you; this woman, the life she took away from us?"

Gigas knew. Trump Card preferred to live as royalty and Cherry Candy fucked that up for him. She and her pirate friends went on a killing spree in High Roll and deposed the ruling class, Card's class. "You'll be nobility soon."

Race straightened keeping his eyes on Gigas. "Yes knighted. You'll be calling me Sir Race and so will she." His eyes went back to Candy and then to the box he brought in with him. He went to it and pulled the top off. "A gift from the king of Spira himself for his future daughter in law."

He produced a long white dress from the box. It reminded Gigas of something the princesses in fairy stories were always wearing. "It's pretty."

"Oh yes, very pretty." He set it down by her feet and stepped toward her head. He grabbed the edge of the blanket covering her. "She's done bleeding lets get her presentable." He yanked the covers back down to her knees.

The big guard lifted a brow. "Are you sure you should do that? Shouldn't Card?"

"What? I'm just going to change her out of these clothes." Race watched Gigas eyes. "You can watch ne?" he turned back to Candy and cracked his knuckles. He had a job to do and he intended to enjoy doing it. Race had popped wood at more then one of Cherry's calendar shoots.

Gigas stood back with his mouth shut and his eyes on Pony Race. The guy was a real weirdo, vindictive too. He sat the prisoner up harder and faster then he needed too. "Careful or you'll start that wound bleeding again."

Race leaned into Candy holding her to him with one arm. He pulled her shirt off with his free hand and tossed it toward the guard. "I'll be more gentle," he pulled her closer and sniffed her perfume. Not so tough without your idol slap are ya sweetheart?

It dawned on Gigas that Race wasn't just creepy he was perverted. He enjoyed removing the woman's bra and laying her back down a little too much. The creep wore a shit eating grin.

"Nice tits. I wonder if she puts out for Mugiwara, ne Gigas? You think that murdering pirate bastard is getting some?"

The tits were quite nice, but Gigas wanted to stay uninvolved. "I wouldn't know."

He moved on to making Candy's lower half naked. Deep in his spite filled heart he wished that she knew he was doing this to her maybe later I'll She had bracelets on her feet. Race threw the rest of her clothing on the floor and picked up her undamaged foot. He looked at the stones. "You suppose this is worth anything?"

Gigas tried not to stare at the naked lady. "I don't know."

"You don't know much do you Gigas?" Race assumed them worthless but decorative. He would leave them for now. He let go of her foot and picked up her dress. Race moved back toward her head. "It's a shame to cover her up. I'm sure the prince would much rather have her delivered to him like this. I know I would."

It took some doing and some considerable pawing for Race to get the prisoner into the princess dress. Gigas frowned at the way Race fussed and groped to position her breasts in the gown. He took his time straightening her out and then stepped back to inspect his work. Gigas got a good look at the princess. She was pretty with clothes on too.

"Very nice." The thought crossed his mind again I'll see you later Cherry. "My work here is done." Race turned and walked out without another look back.

Gigas shuffled around and picked up the prisoner's clothes. He folded them together and set them on the chair. He resumed his post watching her unnatural sleep. The big man wondered if he should tell Card about the way Race had been acting; he supposed he would.

It seemed as if there were no dreams and then suddenly there was. Candy walked alone through a glade. All around her was green and long lived flora. Ahead was a clearing, she was drawn to it. The sky went on forever in that open space. A bright azure accented with white fluffy clouds; picture perfect. She stepped out into the warm sunshine and that is when she saw him.

A man stood looking at the sky. He was taller then Luffy; his fair hair fell past his shoulders and lifted on the breeze. He was handsomely dressed in his pale blue waistcoat. The man turned to Candy and fixed his blue eyes on her. He smiled and then

Feathers? White feathers rained from above blocking out everything else. The dream was over and there was only darkness.

Sometime after midnight Zoro staggered out on deck. Luffy was at the bow still watching the sea with Ussop's goggles. He made his way to his captain slowly; Luffy had been in a mood since they left port. He was worried about his girlfriend and pissed at her kidnappers. Zoro greeted Luffy on the approach. "Oi Luffy."

Luffy was trying to find something other then waves out on the dark sea. "We fell too far behind. I haven't seen another ship out here all night. They've got a big lead."

"Think they'll run day and night?"

"Wouldn't you if we were the ones chasing you?" Luffy lifted the lenses away from his eyes. "I'm gonna beat the shit out of that guy. He's a coward that shot a man in the back and cheated in his fight with Candy. I'm gonna kick his ass!"

He thought Luffy looked even crazier with Ussop's goggles on. "He fights dirty Luffy, keep that in mind."

"Candy needs her bracelets." Luffy felt the weight of them in his pockets, the weight of their reality. He could remember the death like sleep she fell into after separating from Edelbrock. She's helpless right now. They could be doing anything to her! "Keh!"

"Are you so sure you should give those things back to her? Not exactly safe are they?" Zoro wondered why he was the first to point this out.

"Kai is her weapon."

"Then maybe she should get a new one. Look at the trouble she's in cuz of Kai now. Those stones are her strength, but they're also her weakness."

"You think I don't know that? You think Candy don't know it?" Luffy's frown twitched. He was well aware that the god stones were much the double edged sword; power and vulnerability all in one.

Zoro folded his arms across his chest. "Trump Card knew it too."

"What do you want me to do ne Zoro?" he looked back out at the dark sea. "Candy can only keep up with our strength; me you Sanji, because she has Kai."

"Nami and Ussop do alright without any super powers. What's so wrong with Candy being a normal?"

Normal… He recalled arguing with Ace over Candy after the battle at Mormosa. "She has to be able to defend herself Zoro."

The swordsman agreed and nodded. "Then if she can't get rid of Kai we need to make it harder for those stones to get lost. Chopper can probably cut her open and put the stones inside of her somewhere."

Luffy blinked at his friend a little grossed out. "The stones have to go on her hands and feet. That's nasty."

Shrugging Zoro argued, "So what? It's a good idea."

"How is Chopper supposed to put stones in Candy's little toes ne?" Luffy shook his head. "Ussop can just weld the damn bracelets closed on her. Make it pretty if she wants him too but she aint takin em off again."

"Well I suppose that might work too."

His friend was always eager to cut something up or off. "It will."

"If she's still got the ankle thingies on. If the bad guys chucked those I guess we're kind of fucked ne Luffy."

"Don't say that; don't even think that!" Luffy snapped at Zoro. "They better not take anything else off of Candy or I'll kill them all!" Candy wasn't even conscious right now. Was she alright? Was a doctor tending to her like Chopper did? Just what were the bad guys doing to his comatose girlfriend? "Godamnit!"

To his distress Zoro had opened another can of worms; what have the kidnappers done to Candy. "An old grudge from High Roll."

"If that bastard lays one hand on Candy," Luffy's hands tightened into fists that shook. High Roll bastards, Alucard's flunkies!

Zoro had learned young that sometimes it was hard to be a woman in this, a man's world. "We'll execute the motherfucker's. All of em," he finished for his captain. "Nobody fucks with our nakama and gets away with it ne captain."

He took a deep breath to try and calm down. "Yeah that's right."

That was good enough for Zoro.

The Wobegone was quiet as it crept up on two in the morning. Race kept to the shadows as he made his way back to Cherry's room. No one was watching her at this hour but the big goon was across the hall. Race was quiet as a mouse sneaking in and creeping up on his sleeping fortune. His mean smile slipped loose again. "Well don't you look like something the dwarves laid out, all seven of them you bitch."

Race sat at the edge of the bed and took Candy's chin in his hand. He tilted her face his way. "You've been a real pain in my ass. Your little reindeer friend nearly crippled me. I could care less for Jack or Bruno, but the boss. That bothers me birdie. You killed Alucard and fucked up our comfortable life." That was why the bird was going to marry the prince; she would still serve the Seven. "But you see, you're going to give that back to us. You're going to stop being a selfish murdering pirate and do what Dark Alucard wanted you to do, make us all prosper."

He let go of her face and her head drooped to one side. His hand went to her cleavage and Race grabbed a handful. "You can't fight us without Edelbrock. Roulette isn't here to protect you." One handful was nice but two was even better. "You're going to do what we tell you to birdie." Race leered at her. "Anything I want you to do."

There was no strong wind this night, the window shouldn't have been shattered inward by a sudden violent gust but suddenly it was. Glass sprayed out of the hole not far from Race's face. He startled raising a hand to cover his face. Shards impaled his hand and cut his cheek. Race cried out startled and hurting. A moment later he heard noise in the hall. He checked Candy for cuts before turning to face the door.

Gigas burst into the prisoner's room. Race sat on the bed glaring at him and dripping blood. There was glass on the floor and in Race's hand. "What happened?"

"Can't you see the window has shattered you fool?! Don't just stand there gaping at me fetch the doctor. I'm fucking bleeding here!"

Without replying Gigas turned and went down the hall. His brows knitted together in a frown. He had suspected the creep to sneak in on the prisoner tonight. It was probably lucky for her the window broke. Injury should keep the pervert away for a while too. Gigas would fetch the doctor tonight and speak to Trump Card in the morning.

Luffy couldn't sleep. He tried a few times to lie in bed for a while. Once he fell asleep once for about a half an hour, but couldn't do it again. He went back to the bow with Ussop's goggles and dozed waiting for the light. Luffy searched the sea again at dawn but all he found was easy sailing ahead. Candy he missed her. Please be alright.

Sanji noticed Luffy out on deck when he was started on breakfast. He was willing to bet Luffy hadn't got much sleep. Sanji lie awake with worry quite a while himself. The guys that kidnapped his chwan were low life scum, the kind of guys you could really kick the shit out of, but they weren't stupid. If Candy was to be attached to royalty the pirates would have to hand her over unmolested. At least for the time being her virtue was safe, but all bets are off when they hand her over to prince Quatre, the future king of Spira.

The cook knew what kind of men had kidnapped his chwan and wondered what sort of a man they were taking her to. A spoiled self absorbed womanizer no doubt Sanji thought dicing onion for omelets. But what if he wasn't? What if the prince was a nice guy whose only wish was to treat Candy chwan like a queen?! "Damn prince," he grumbled finishing the onion and reaching for a cigarette.

He lit up and had a few sips of coffee before returning to his dicing and pan warming. Sanji stared out the window at his captain. Luffy was playing with the lenses on the goggles again. "A little lost without her ne Luffy?" for as worked up as Sanji was over losing Candy, it must be worse for Luffy. The poor slob couldn't even stand to be away from her when he took to his sick bed. Luffy was already a mess, he didn't sleep and he was real bitchy. Luffy shook a lot, fury Sanji supposed. He wondered what would three or four days or more of separation from Candy chwan be like for the poor rubber bastard. Sanji was sure Luffy had to be rippin pissed over the whole 'marry the prince' crap. Chwan already promised Luffy her dainty hand in marriage.

Nobody messes with our nakama, not Mugiwara's girl. Sanji didn't pity the bastards whose asses he would beat into the ground for fucking with Ussop and Candy. He frowned at his captain and set his cigarette in a nearby ashtray to let it burn up. "You aren't the only one missing Candy chwan, you just got dibs." Sanji got busy with breakfast.

Card had summoned Race to the bridge after breakfast but it was almost noon before he showed. His left hand was wrapped in a bandage and he had a few band aids on his cheeks. "I sent for you two hours ago Race."

"I've been busy; a wounded man receives a lot of attention."

He didn't care what kind of attention Race was getting. "Why were you in Cherry bird's room last night?"

Race lifted a brow. "I thought I'd check on her before I turned in. Make sure she hadn't woke up."

"I already told you she'll sleep all the way there."

"I was being cautious. We have a lot riding on her."

Trump Card straightened and looked down at Race. "Yeah we do so if I catch you trying to stick your dick in her I'll have Gigas throw you overboard. You'll be sleepin with the fishes Race, you don't want that." He took a threatening step closer to the younger man. "You don't want to fuck me over on this one, I'll fucking kill you. Our sweet Cherry bird is going to be the princess. I will be nobility and live thusly."

The only one who thought they deserved the world on a silver platter more then Race himself was Trump Card. It worked a laugh out of Race. "Well played. Very well then, I'll just have to visit the princess as a knight of the court after the wedding."

"I don't give a fuck what you do after I've been raised to peerage. I intend to settle into a comfortable life in the court with my millions. You can do whatever you want Sir Race," Card reminded.

Race lifted his eyebrows at his old friend. "Right," money and all the perks that came with it had consumed his dreams.

Trump Card could see something Alucard must have figured out early on; protecting the bird was a real pain in the ass. The Lucky Seven had been assigned to keep the guys off of her not jump her themselves. The master had much bigger plans then that for his starlet. Things only a few of the Seven knew. Roulette again he wondered where she had gone. Life without her had been too quiet.

I want things back the way they were. Card walked away from Race and looked out at the sea. It never should have gone down like that in High Roll. He could still picture the hulking Bruno escorting the bird around. Jack laughing at the poker table as he won hand after hand. The image that haunted him most though was Alucard smiling with Roulette at his side. Dead and scattered all because of a pirate.

Card sighed. He wouldn't let all of the effort the master put into Cherry bird be squandered. She was nothing but a little woman without Edelbrock to put some shock in her slap. Card would control her for a time, with an iron fist if need be. It was time to reign in Alucard's unruly brat. It was time for her to return to the high society for which she was groomed; time for Trump Card to go back too.

"I hear the gardens if St Bevelle are lovely this time of year."

The day seemed to pass unbelievably slowly for Luffy. He had breakfast with his nakama and checked in on Ussop. He was beyond disappointed he hadn't spotted another ship. Being tired didn't help his mood either. He got cranky as his fuse grew shorter and shorter. By late afternoon he had insisted on burst of speed via venting the ship to cover more sea more quickly. After the fifth time Nami had to put a stop to it.

That night Luffy slept lightly for a few hours on deck leaning against the rail. He sleepwalked into the galley for breakfast. Ussop sat amongst them this morning. Zoro and Sanji gave him a weird look. "What?"

"You look like five pounds of shit in a one pound bag. Sit down Luffy I'll feed you," Sanji sighed.

"He's right," Zoro backed Sanji up. "You look like hell. You need sleep Luffy."

"I sleep," Luffy grumbled taking a seat at the table.

"Cat naps on the deck don't count. I mean sleep in bed through the night."

Luffy frowned at Zoro. "You know all about napping on deck ne Zoro?"

Zoro was only slightly offended by Luffy's pissy attitude. "Yeah I do."

Sanji set a heaping plate in front of Luffy. "You haven't lost your appetite too have you?"

"Like that would ever happen," Luffy picked up his fork and dug in.

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we're out of cola." Sanji stepped back and lit a cigarette. "This is as caught up to Candy chwan as we can get before we hit Lucca."

Nami had been studying the map she bought of Spira. "It's not a problem to find them should they leave Lucca before we get there, which would be impossible. We aren't that far behind. We'll catch them in Lucca."

"Do you suppose the crown prince will be present to greet the ship carrying his bride?"

The fork in Luffy's hand twitched and he swallowed pancake hard. "She's not his bride. He had her fucking kidnapped. If prince asshole is there I'll kick his ass too."

Ussop cringed. He sought a change of conversation with Robin. "Do you have any books about this Spira place?" Maybe it was blood loss but something about the name stuck out in his mind.

"I'd be glad to look." Robin saw something familiar in her nakama's eyes.

"Can I help too?" Nami offered right away.

"I'll help too Robin," Ussop joined. "I can sit and read. No big deal."

Lost in his miserable state Luffy couldn't see why his nakama were so interested in the next island. "We aint tourists, we're just going there to get Candy."

Robin glanced up at Luffy. He didn't even look like he was enjoying his meal, most unusual for their captain. "Miss Singer will be with us again soon captain."

Zoro kept on Luffy. "She's right Luffy so just chill out."

Nami frowned at Luffy trying not to feel guilty. "You aren't the only one that misses her you know. We're all worried about Candy chan."

Luffy could read Nami's feelings just looking into her eyes. Both she and Ussop felt they were responsible for Candy being kidnapped; they had been unable to help. He thought about what Zoro said about the Kai stones and his sweetie. It was an inconvenient truth, but if Candy was going to stay at Luffy's side she had to be strong. Strong enough to protect herself and our nakama. Stronger then Nami and Ussop.

"I'm sure she's alright," Ussop tried to defuse the situation. Luffy was in a bad mood alright. He had kill written all over his face.

Sanji wasn't looking at Luffy's face and seized the opportunity to add his two cents. "The swine that abducted her wont touch her," Sanji exhaled. He smoked and fumed, "It's that sleazy prince we've got to worry about. Bastard just had to have Candy chwan at any cost. There's no way a selfish prick like that is a gentleman."

The swordsman saw his captain's eye twitch as he turned to Sanji. Aho! "Shut your face love cook. Nobody wants to hear your perverted fantasies."

"I'm the only prince Candy chwan need!" Sanji pointed his cigarette at marimo. "She'll see that when I come to her rescue!"

"Like you're the only one doing any rescuing?" Zoro leaned forward to glare at the cook better. "You're such an asshole Sanji."

He was offended by that. "Fuck you marimo. At least I'm not acting like a miserable fuck head," he jabbed at Luffy. He didn't like the look his captain was giving him. "I can understand that everyone here wants chwan back not just me."

"Fuck you Sanji." Luffy got up and looked at Nami. "I'm throwing the rest of the gold overboard. Its heavy and its slowing us down. You got a problem with that?"

All the gold!? Nami's heart leapt into her throat. The golden bars that had once caged Candy were sitting in the hold, a lot of them. Yes they were heavy, but it was all they had. We'll be broke again! She couldn't breath. But Candy chan… Nami grit her teeth. "Do it Luffy."

Ussop and Zoro stared at their navigator. "Nami…" Ussop breathed awed.

Luffy started out of the galley. Zoro got up and followed him. "I'll give you a hand Luffy." They stepped out together. The swordsman had no problem chucking the gold bars into the sea. He suspected such things were bad luck anyway. "Money is the root of all evil," he pondered aloud.

Maybe Luffy thought the gold was a curse too. "It's slowing us down. It's either a pile of gold or Candy, I choose her."

"We all do Luffy. Candy is our nakama. We want to get her back too."

His cook had rattled Luffy's cage about the prince again. He almost hoped he did meet the guy in Lucca so he could kick his ass. All of this was prince asshole's fault anyway. It was as Sanji said; the guy had to have Candy regardless of what had to happen or who it had to happen to. Because of that guy Ussop had been shot by a coward, Nami had been traumatized and Candy had been stolen away from them.

They went to the gold in the hold and Luffy's mind turned to Dark Alucard and the Lucky Seven. The gold bars he was about to throw into the sea had once protected Candy from pirates and bad guys. Alucard was a bastard, but he and the Seven had kept Candy safe. Luffy was realizing what a difficult thing it must have been to do. There were weirdoes all over the Grand Line with Candy calendars.

Things had changed. It was now the surviving members of the Seven that were Candy's most dangerous adversaries. They knew how to exploit her weakness; they knew about her bracelets and used that knowledge to subdue her. Luffy carried an armload of the heavy stuff topside. The gold sparkled in the early morning light. With his friend beside him they tossed the first load into the sea.

"We have to kill Trump Card and anybody else that might know about Candy's bracelets." Luffy turned away from the rail and looked at Zoro. The swordsman was calm.

It was about time Luffy came to this conclusion too. "That's what I was thinking. Kill em all and let their kami sort them out."

"Chopper, Nami and Ussop won't like it but I'm not taking any more chances with Candy. I'll do whatever I have to do to protect her. No one but us should know the secret to her strength."

"That's the way it has to be if she's going to keep using those bracelets."

If Luffy started back for more gold. Candy's bracelets seemed to gain weight in his pocket. "Yeah, I know."

Their hold was almost barren and Luffy was sure they were moving faster. By late afternoon he was slumped over the rail to stay on his feet. Luffy was exhausted. The sky darkened and reluctantly he sat down. Still no sign of Candy's ship. He missed her terribly. Eventually Luffy's eyelids were too heavy to hold up and he couldn't fight sleep anymore. Luffy closed his eyes and fell into another foreboding dream.

The prince of Spira stood at the bow of the flagship Ifrit. Quatre liked the sea, it was peaceful. The wind pulled his sandy hair back and out of his face. It smelled like salt and freedom. Father what have you done? Cherry Candy awaited him in Lucca; his bride. Quatre was eager to speak with her. He wanted to know why she had consented to their wedding so quickly. Was she really that fond of someone she had only met twice?

He was curious to hear her version of what happened in High Roll as well. Trump Card and Pony Race insisted that the Mugiwara pirates went on a killing spree and took Cherry Candy with them under duress. Card bragged that he had rescued her from the bastardly crew. He claimed to be her guardian as Dark Alucard once was. The Lucky Seven honored their master's wishes for the young woman.

"Please put this on master Quatre," Balthier came up behind his prince with a coat. "The temperature drops quickly when the sun goes down."

Quatre turned to the guardian that had all but raised him and took the coat. "Thank you Balthier." He slipped it on and turned back to the sea.

Balthier had been with the prince for a long time; he knew when something was troubling him. "Nervous about seeing her again?"

"I guess. I have many questions for her."

He rested his elbows on the rail beside Quatre. "Edelbrock."

"Yes I know."

"Your father and hers were friends."

"I know Balthier," Quatre leaned next to his friend.

Cold feet ne Quatre? "You were quite taken with her if I remember correctly."

"I was a stammering idiot. I even stepped on her feet when we danced. I completely humiliated myself." The prince shook his head. "Still willing to marry me after all of that? She must be brave."

Balthier had hit up the Broken Barrel in High Roll. It was a fun place, a commoner's place where the future princess had hung out. The mentor had seen her slam more then one beer. "Cherry Candy just looks sweet and innocent. She's pretty tough way down deep. I'm sure she's a right normal girl once you get to know her."

A huge grin covered Balthier's face. "Yes, I'm sure she is."

"You're just nervous Quatre. They were already decorating the palace for the wedding when we left for Poseidon's sake. It's a lot of pressure to put on a man."

"My father," Quatre tried.

"No sir. King Rathwal let you choose your bride. You're twenty one Quatre, its time to wed. The people of Spira must see prosperity in their future king."

Quatre frowned. He knew what Balthier meant by 'prosperity'; an heir to the throne. The only living child of the king had a lineage to continue. "I know."

"Doing what's best for your country won't be so bad. I bet your kids will be real cute." Balthier dropped the young prince a wink.

He turned his warming cheeks back into the cooling breeze. Me and Cherry Candy…. "I'm sure they will."