Author's Note: Yo… it's been a while… I was in the mood to write this, since I'm kind of doing an RP similar, but with Ara and our book series characters. No telling when I will write the next chapter, so don't get your hopes up, lol. X( Anyways, enjoy this and read it slowly, haha! Also, sorry… it's a short chapter. I know… you can stone me later…

Possession

Chapter 10

After another day and night of remaining within the mansion, Nami announced to Luffy she was ready to move on. So he asked for food to be packed for their journey which the servants readily did, just to be rid of them as well as the witch. Luffy thanked them and packed them up himself. After a few moments, Zoro came out to do the same.

Zoro watched the strange man as Luffy packed things away on the horse he was to ride and Zoro did the same with his, but more slowly. He then glanced inside where the witch was waiting patiently, and then he looked back towards Luffy who pulled the strap tight to his pack. Luffy then turned towards the witch's horse to check the saddle before heading up the stairs. "We're ready to go," he said to the witch inside, and Zoro just turned back to his task.

When Luffy came back down, Zoro asked him, "So, we're just going to leave, just like that, and that's it?"

Looking up at him, Luffy appeared confused, and then he asked, "Isn't that how it's normally done?"

"You honestly have no idea what I mean, do you?" Zoro asked, almost amazed. Was the witch really just going to let everyone within the village live? Was she really not going to hurt anyone else?

Luffy just stared back at him blankly, as if waiting for the man to explain himself. Zoro just shook his head and mounted his horse. He then walked it away from them a bit as Nami came down the stairs dressed in her normal tight leather and cloak. Luffy frowned after the green haired man, but then just mounted his own horse and looked to Nami who also mounted hers. Kicking into his horse's side gently, he urged it to follow after Zoro with Nami behind him. As they were making their way down the road, Usopp emerged from the stables on his own horse with a frown.

"What does he want?" Nami asked with a glare at the long nosed man.

As they grew closer, Luffy asked, "What are you doing?"

"I'm coming with you," Usopp said, keeping his expression determined, even if fear lingered there.

"For what purpose?" Luffy asked before Nami could respond.

"I want to make sure this witch doesn't hurt anyone else," Usopp said and puffed up his chest.

"You can't make sure of that," Luffy said and shook his head. "If you come with us, she'll only use you to hurt others like she did your friend. There's no place for you here."

"I'm right here," Nami said, now glaring at the back of Luffy's head.

"I'm well aware of that," Luffy said, but did not look back at her and instead kept his eyes on Usopp's.

"And I would live anxiously knowing she's on the loose and could possibly come back here to torment us. I want to be sure you can do as you promised," Usopp said, refusing to give up.

"This is ridiculous!" Nami snapped, beginning to lose her temper. "I will not be watched like some specimen to be studied! I will not change, and Luffy can't change me!"

"If that's the case, I'm going to have to kill you," Zoro said, glaring back at her.

Nami glared right back and said, "You can't kill me."

"Oh yes I can," Zoro said with confidence, "and I would have last night had it not been for this idiot here." He nodded towards Luffy. "He saved your evil, bitchy ass, and you didn't even offer him a thank you."

"He won't be able to save yours," Nami said, beginning to move her horse towards him, but Luffy turned his to cut her off.

"Enough!" Luffy yelled as he turned a deep frown on her.

Nami gasped to his sudden command and grasped the reins of her horse more tightly when it cried out in fear, attempting to back away from the man before it. It took her a moment to gain control of her nervous horse again, but her wide eyes remained on Luffy's. Like her horse, she felt fear. However, she did as she always did and shifted that fear to anger. "How dare you!?"

"I dare!" Luffy yelled right back even more threatening, making her horse squeal and moved back quickly. She could only stare at him with a deep frown, but her eyes were large, and again, she fought control of her horse. This time, she was speechless and so said nothing in retaliation. When she finally kept silent, Luffy turned his horse to head out of town and said, "We're leaving! If you wish to come, Usopp, that is your choice! Just know what it is you're getting yourself into!"

"I know what it is," Usopp said and kicked his horse off to follow him.

Zoro just watched the man ride away, not being able to help feeling a bit impressed. He glanced to the stunned and speechless witch with amusement before finally following after this ballsy man. Grinding her teeth, Nami glared at Luffy's back, but then she kicked into her horse hard to make it sprint forward. She passed by all three of them to ride ahead of them. It was the only way she could think to show her displeasure. Why she did not retaliate, she was not even sure herself, but staring into that man's dark eyes in that moment was like staring into a frightening and dark abyss from which one could never escape from again.

Just who was this man she had decided to bring along with her? There were so many different sides to him which made understanding him extremely complex and nearly impossible. He protected her, yelled at her, frowned at her angrily and sadly, became angry with her and even for her… She just did not understand him. And now he was allowing for these men to come along with them. He allowed it! She did not have a say at all, but maybe she had nothing to say. Again she had to ask herself… just who was this man she had decided to bring along with her?

Kaya watched the four riders just outside of Usopp's doorway as Merry locked up. She was worried greatly for her precious friend and had pleaded with him not to go. However, he was determined to see this witch changed, and her protected. He had made a promise to return once it was all done, and she had made a promise to get better. She did not want her illness to get in the way of life, especially after nearly losing it, and so she would live her life to the fullest. In the meantime, she would study on how to help others just like her.

"Are you ready, my lady?" Merry asked from beside her, and she slowly nodded, no longer able to see the riders any longer.

"Yes, Merry…" she replied softly, and then both headed back up towards their home.

The entire town still watched, amazed they were left alive. The witch had not killed a single person, and it was thanks to the man who had the courage to stand up to the witch. None of them would soon forget the dark eyed stranger who traveled with the witch.

To Be Continued…

Author's Note: Welp… that's Luffy for ya… How'd you like them apples? Tee hee! Anyways, hope you guys enjoyed… Maybe don't stay tuned, seeing as who knows when I'll be in the mood to write again… X/