Chapter 9

A Man's Rage

She practically flew down the path they had made. Her feet felt light and fast. How stupid she was to leave Usopp alone with just a shield. It was just to make him feel better not protect him totally. If he left that shield he would not be able to get back in. He would be hurt. Mari's heart raced with a ferocious speed. She needed to get back to him. She could not allow a single member of this crew to die. Not for her. Never for her.

She jumped over a root, flipped past a low hanging branch and slid into the clearing. The ship was surrounded by pirates. From the sea to the shore. And they had been waiting for her. She stood at the edge several feet away and narrowed her eyes on the leader. She knew him well. He took up his brothers flag and riches. She should have killed him when she had the chance.

"Well well well. If it isn't the demon of the grand line. Back to protect your little ship are you? I'm glad I ran into you. Now I can pay you back for the death of my brother." He stepped up and pulled his blade.

"You don't know what you are asking for little boy. But if you threaten my friends I have no choice but to kill you." She threw out her hand. "Demon demon..."

He threw up a hand. "I would not do that were I you Mariette. Or do you want your little friend there to be blown to smithereens?" He pointed to the ships. Sure enough Usopp was waving at her from the ship. But beyond his ship had several cannons aimed at Thousand Sunny. If she took down that sheild, he would die and Sunny would be blown apart.

"No..." She whispered.

Luffy arrived just as she whispered that and looked at the scene. He instantly caught on. "Mari, you stay back I will beat them all up." He said to her.

"Luffy. I cant fight! If I do..."

"I know. Get back. Robin Nami, keep them away from her." He said as he advanced, he removed his straw hat and threw it towards her. She caught it and held it close to her chest.

"You don't have to do this." She told him.

He stopped and looked back at her. His eyes, they held something in them, something deep. "Yes I do." He told her.

Nami and Robin were at her sides as Zoro, Chopper and Sanji followed after Luffy. She watched them, tears began to push at her eyes. But she would not cry. No, her friends were putting their lives in danger for her. She would protect Usopp and Thousand Sunny from here.

"Eh? Don't know you boy. Well, if that's your crew and your ship I suggest you leave the girl with me and be on your way. Don't wanna fight someone not involved." The leader said with a grin.

"I don't know who you are or what you think you have to settle with Mari. But you will not have her. Nor will you have my ship and my crew at your mercy." Luffy stretched out his arms and faced the leader. "I'm gonna kick your ass."

"Tch! Tough words for a punk kid. If you wanna fight and die for that whore then so be it. I can kill eight just as easy as I can kill one." He was supremely confident.

Luffy was not impressed and even ignored him. He faced off against him.

"You really don't want to fight me boy. You should just walk away. The woman is a danger to you." He tried to reason with Luffy. Why he bothered no one knew. Zoro, Chopper and Sanji prepared themselves behind Luffy.

"Are you going to talk or are you going to fight?" Zoro asked.

"You would protect a known pirate captain killer?" The man asked. His eyes focused on Luffy directly.

Mari held her hands up to her chest and watched him. Please. She begged. Please be safe. Nami looked at Mari with good deal of shock. A known pirate captain killer? She left that part out. But why? Had that been why Spadnam had wanted her? So that he could get her to kill Luffy? She had said no. But why? Mari looked at her then and Nami saw it. Before Mari had been distant. But after a few short days she had become close to them all. Not in the sense that she opened up to them so much. But that some where she had begun to enjoy something for once. It was not obvious. No one else seemed to notice except maybe Robin. But Mari had started to come out of her shell. And it was a very deep shell.

Mari looked at Nami then. Deep azure eyes reflected true worry. She was concerned for Luffy. For Zoro and Sanji. For Chopper and Franky. For poor Usopp on the ship alone. Mari feared for everyone. Was it because she was afraid to die? No. She was not afraid of that. It was because she was starting to get attached. Nami smiled at her.

"We don't care. Mari is our friend. So what if she killed a few pirate captains or more. That is not who she is now. You can't have her." Nami told him while folding her arms.

The man looked at her dumb founded. Friends? With a demon? He sputtered at first, then began to chuckle. Then he laughed out right. Oh this was so much fun. Something of hers to crush.

"You found some friends Devil? I will enjoy taking them from you like you did my brother." He looked at her with dark angry grey eyes. "A beast like you deserves nothing but death in a savage manner. For killing my brother, the former captain to the Jewel King Pirates, you will die like the dog you are."

"Shut up." Luffy growled.

"Eh?!" He looked at Luffy now.

"Shut up, just shut up!" Luffy roared. Everyone looked to him. "You have no right to call her an animal. You, know nothing about her! Shut up!"

"Luffy..." Mari whispered, her eyes growing wide.

"Tch! I know all I need to. She hunts pirate captains for hire. She is a freak, a twist of nature. She has no friends. I wouldn't be surprised to find out she is going to kill your captain and is only pretending to be friends. I am warning you, she is a devil and sheep's clothing. A cold hearted backstabbing whore." The man spat on the ground. His followers all nodded and laughed.

"GummmmGummmm! PISTOL!" Luffy's voice echoed off the trees as his fist flew forward and connected with the mans face. He was sent flying into the brush several feet until he hit a rock and bounced off, leaving cracks in it.

Mari and Nami gasped.

"Don't call her that!" Luffy bellowed with rage. "Don't you ever talk about her like that again! She is a good person! And she is my FRIEND!"

Mari's hands came to her mouth and tears filled her eyes. He meant it. She felt her heart race wildly. Luffy stood huffing in anger, his eyes flashed with unchecked rage. The battle had begun.

So I apologize. I went to see my brother graduate basic training and had no internet access the whole time. So sorry for the lateness. By the way my brother looks awesome in his blues. ^^