Hallo it's Masoyan again~ thanks for joining me. Now for a kinda calmer chapter. Wow this fanfic has gotten pretty far even I'm impressed. And let's not forget how awesome you readers are for supporting me!
One Piece doesn't belong to me! Enjoy!


Innocent Monster

The bandaged up body of Akie was sprawled out on her bed, sleeping her pain away as Silas and the pirates gathered inside her house. Chopper was careful with her in fear she might break with all the damage she took. There weren't any serious injuries other than the huge slash over her right shoulder, cutting through her collar bone at an angle and stopping just above her breasts.

"She must have been in a lot of pain," the reindeer doctor said quietly as he placed a damp cloth on her forehead to help cool her mild fever. "But she still fought that guy."

"She's a crazy strong doggy that wears glasses!"

"No she's a monster. They both are."

The pirates turned their attention towards Silas who was sitting in the corner with a dark expression. Zoro does have to agree with him. Watching her fight reminded him of his match with Mihawk and how he was blinded by desperation and the greed to beat him. The difference was that it wasn't desperation in her eyes. It was an overwhelming desire to defeat Rhett. And then that kingly presence she gave off when fighting him. That made his view of her change from a overly friendly ignorant girl to a dangerously dark and mysterious figure. Just like their archaeologist.

"Whaddaya mean Doggy and that jerk are monsters?" Luffy asked, rocking back and forth on the floor.

"You saw it didn't you? How the fought filled with blood lust. I could feel that coldness from within the forest. I've seen my brother fight several times against other pirates when we were younger. But no one as strong as her. She's a real monster. The hatred I saw in Akie-san...it's terrifying yet she's so calm and always smiling. How can you say that's human? No one knows anything about her on this island other than Jiji and he left."

The last sentence caught Robin's attention. "No one knows anything about her?"

"No one. A couple years ago, some strange person wearing a dark cloak showed up and asked about her, wondering how she was doing. Who ever it was didn't even stay a whole day."

"Did you see any symbol on the cloak?" Robin questioned him again.

Silas shook his head. "It was just a plain black cloak and never saw them again. I just don't get it. All the kids here love Akie-san and look up to her. But almost no one knows anything about her and she doesn't talk about herself at all. I tried to ask her once, but I...I froze. She has this presence around her. It's almost like...like I was being stared down by someone of royalty."

The pirates minus Luffy and Zoro looked at each other confused. The swordsman knew what he was talking about. He stared at her while she slept. Such an innocent looking person hides such a dangerous monster. The more she fought, the heavier her attacks became. In a similar manner to Luffy. A small part of Zoro wanted to know what the reason was behind her fists. It wasn't just to stop Rhett from killing him and the crew. It was something else entirely.

"She carries a burden on her shoulders that she doesn't want anyone else to bare," Silas muttered loud enough for the others to hear. "There's always a smile on her face when she's around people and they all love her. She's like a beacon of calm and happiness that people want to be around. Even I like being around her because I don't feel scared. But Akie-san's in pain. There are times where she looks so lonely. But she just keeps smiling."

"But Doggy is also really strong. She totally beat that guy's ass."

Silas stood up angrily with his fists clenched. "How can you not be afraid of her? She's more terrifying than that madman of a brother."

"Cuz she's my friend."

"You know nothing about her!"

Luffy jumped up to his feet. "We're still friends. And I want her to join my crew."

"You what?!"

The young captain faced around at his crew, all except Zoro looked surprised. "I want her to join my crew and when she wakes up she's joining."

Nami sighed. "Here he goes again."

"I've been around her longer than you and I don't know anything. After yesterday...I don't know if I can trust her anymore."

"Talking sense in Luffy once he's made up his mind is impossible," Nami told Silas. "She's a nice person even if she was pretty scary fighting."

"See? That's what I mean! She turned into a total monster when she was fighting Onii-san!"

"You little jerk. Stop calling Aki-chan a monster! She's a beautiful and passionate young lady that is kind."

"And she protected us and she doesn't even know us," Chopper said.

"Seeeeee? Doggy's an awesome person and joining my crew when she wakes up!"

Silas slammed his fist against the wall behind him. "You guys are pirates. You're use to dangerous things. We aren't. Maybe it is a good idea for you to take her. Monsters work better with other monsters. Not with humans."

He left the house without saying anything else. It went back to being quite save for the light snoring of Akie. Luffy already had his mind set and has had it set every since she gave him free food. It was obvious Sanji enjoyed the thought of having another girl join and the others weren't entirely sure on the idea. Yet they were arguing with their captain's choice. Zoro didn't think it was great. An unknown person who's always smiling to hide a dark secret isn't his idea of someone he wants to join. At least Robin doesn't seem that bad of a person now.

"Sanji! Make some food while we wait!"

"Don't you think you're eaten more than enough food these past few days?"

"I'm hungry! And when Doggy wakes up we'll have a big feast! But make me something now."

"Fine if it'll get you to shut up. But ladies first. You jerks can wait."

"Aww but Sanji I'm hungry!"

Luffy complained about having to wait for Nami and Robin to eat first as he followed the cook out. Chopper changed the cloth on her forehead before leaving with the others. Zoro stayed back for a moment, staring down at the sleeping girl with his arms crossed and his gaze narrowed. Not once did he feel any intent to kill from her compared to Rhett who just wanted everyone that wasn't following him obliterated. Even with that anger, she only attacked to disable him. A merciful beating he'd call it.

Though watching her try to rip his arm off and the sounds of the man's screams and flesh ripping made him think otherwise. She seems to be the type to rip a man apart, but keep them alive to suffer. He thinks that's worse than killing someone. If she does join, he'll need to watch her carefully. He looked at her for a moment longer before leaving to get himself lost while attempting to follow the others.

When the house became vacant, the snoring stopped and pale eyes opened.

"A monster huh?"


Tada! Ninth chapter completed! Noooooo it's short! Sorry for the short chapter! But that's plenty enough chapters for a bit? No worries there's plenty more to come. Also if I missed any mistakes which I'm sure I did I'm super sorry for that too. Check out my other fics too maybe. Review? Nicely please thank youuuuuuu!
Ciao amici!