Kid had his arms crossed and was glaring. "They're hiding something here."

Killer was staring at the floor, releasing and drawing his blades in. "But what…? We should stay on guard. They said it will take four days for the Log Prose to set, correct? Then they must have something planned for either the third or fourth day."

Kid looked up at Heat. "Go get her bow and arrows from the ship." Heat walked away. "I want her to have some sort of weapon to fight with in case we get attacked."

Kid and Killer walked back up the stairs to the rooms they had reserved. When they opened the one their sister was in, they stepped inside. Kid ran his hand through his hair as he looked down at his sleeping sister.

"She doesn't have a clue, does she?" Kid mumbled.

Killer shook his head. "She could know more than we realize."

I blinked when I woke up. It was colder when I fell asleep. Why is it warm now? I sat up and turned around to see Kid sleeping next to me. That's why. I didn't even hear Brother come back. I must have been more tired than I thought.

I had practiced with Tiki for over an hour last night. I was happy to find out that he could grow a couple feet tall, but we found a catch. He had to have energy from food if he was going to stay big for very long. That meant I needed to get something that I could carry around just in case Tiki needed it.

I slowly got out of bed, careful not to wake my brother. I changed into the light purple dress I had brought with me and left the room. I slowly walked down the stairs and stepped up to the counter. "Excuse me, Miss."

The lady who helped us yesterday leaned over the counter. "How can I help you?"

"Have any of the pirates come downstairs yet?" I wasn't sure if I should say that Killer was my brother.

She pointed to a doorway after sitting back. "A few of them entered the dining room a little while ago."

I grinned. "Thank you!" I span around and ran through the doorway she had pointed to.

I paused for a moment when I entered the room. There were a few wealthier looking people sitting at the tables by the door. I sidled around them until I could see some of the Kid Pirates.

"Killer Brother!"

I quickly ran up to him and buried my head against him. He picked me up and set me on his lap. "Good morning. What were you doing?"

I think he was referring to my hiding. "There are lots of rich people in here," I whispered.

He patted my head and turned back to the men. It was his way of reassuring me, I guess. A waitress walked up to me after a few minutes.

"And what would you like to have today?" She sounded bored.

"Um, could I have pancakes?"

She nodded and walked off. I wonder why everyone sounds bored around here. And I wonder why no one's scared of Brother or Killer Brother… There had to be a reason, I just needed to find out what it was.

I clapped my hands together when the waitress brought my food out. She set it down with little sound, along with the utensils, and then left. I started to eat while I listened to Killer's conversation.

He shook his head. "We should get the rest of our supplies today in case someone decided to call the Marines. And you know Kid will have his fun later."

Heat nodded. Mister Cook scowled. "We need to get some more food for the kitchen. I have a few assholes who like to sneak in and take an extra helping of food."

Killer nodded slightly and placed one arm around me. "Then we will have to talk to them about that."

His voice was hard. I don't think Killer Brother really means talk. I think he means something more like persuasion. I stifled a giggle at the thought. My brothers had a funny way of wording things sometimes.

I pushed my plate away when I was done eating and looked up at Killer. "Can I go shopping today?"

"What do you need?"

"Food for Tiki. He will need it if I want him to fight more."

Killer seemed like he hardly needed to think about it. "Very well. Shall we leave now?"

I grinned and nodded. He set me lightly on the floor and grabbed my hand as we left the room. I could hear the rich people whispering quietly as they watched us. I tried to ignore them.

"Where do you need to go?"

I hadn't thought about that too much. "I guess somewhere that will sell stuff that Tiki can use." I glanced up at a sign and pointed. "Like charcoal!"

Killer looked at the building I was pointing at. It said "Charcoal Burners." We walked over to the door and stepped inside. "Are you sure it will eat that?"

I nodded. "Ella used to feed him sticks and leaves when she swept outside. And she liked to give him little bits of charcoal so he would warm up the house when it got cool."

I was looking at the shelves, but there were only tools where we were. "Can I help you?"

A big, burly man walked up to us. He had to be as tall as Killer, but almost twice as wide. I bet Killer Brother could still beat him. "Do you have charcoal or anything else that can be used for fires?"

He frowned slightly at my question. "I do, but it is only for small fires."

It sounded like a warning. Does he think I'll use it to start buildings on fire? What a silly thought. Everything is made of stone. There's no way I could do that. "That's what I'm looking for."

He nodded and walked behind the counter before pulling something out from a cabinet. He set it on the counter and Killer had to lift me up so I could see it properly. There were three balls about the size of my fist and they looked like they were woven from cloth.

I looked confusedly at the man. "Cloth?"

He chuckled and cut one ball slightly. I could see something black inside of it. "There is charcoal on the inside; the cloth just holds it together. When you place it in a fire, the cloth catches first, slowing burning away. After the cloth is gone, then the charcoal begins to get used. It makes it easier to start a fire and keep it going for a little while."

I grinned at the little balls. "That's so cool! Can we buy some Killer Brother?"

He set a bag on the counter to answer my question. The man carefully took it and looked inside, like he didn't trust us. I guess we are pirates, after all. I wonder how many people have tried to give him something besides money. The man passed me the two balls that were still intact and pulled out six more.

"One moment," he said as Killer turned to leave. He stepped into the back of the store and brought out a small sack with a string tied around the top. "Here. Put them in this bag so you don't drop them."

I dropped the four balls I was carrying into the bag and Killer put the other four in as well. Then the man passed it to me with a smile. "Thank you, Mister!"

I ran to the door and waited for Killer to follow. I saw the man whisper something to him, but I couldn't hear it. Maybe he's just thanking Killer Brother for the business. I shook my head. Or is it something else?

Killer grabbed my hand again as we walked outside. I was holding the bag tightly in my other hand. "Killer Brother, what did he say to you?"

"Nothing."

I pouted slightly. Now I know that there's something going on. What did he tell Killer Brother that I can't hear? He pulled me back down towards the inn. "Killer Brother, do they have a forest here?"

He paused. "I don't know. Why?"

"I saw a few trees at the end of the street and I want to go exploring."

"You know what happened last time we let you out of our sight."

We continued walking. "But I promise I'll be safe! I'll even bring Tiki out so he can protect me. Please, Killer Brother?"

We entered the inn and he sighed. "Grab your bow from your room then come right back here."

I ran upstairs and opened the door, slowing down when I saw that Kid was still lying in bed. It's just before noon. He'll probably be getting up soon. I saw my bow and arrows and picked them up, quietly leaving the room before running back downstairs. I skidded to a stop in front of Killer.

He crouched down. "Now, you have two hours. If you plan on doing something else or going to a different place, you have to tell us." I nodded quickly. He took the arrow quiver from my hand and put it on my back. "Be careful."

I gave him a hug before running outside and down the street to where I could see a few trees.

Kid walked down the stairs and stepped into the dining room where a few of his men were sitting. "Killer. Where's Presea?" He hadn't noticed her when he entered the room.

"I let her go outside. She has her bow with her as well as the flame."

Kid frowned. "After what happened last time?"

Killer continued to look straight ahead. "Last time happened because she was drugged. You know as well as I do that she took care of herself while we were gone."

Kid sat down with a grunt. Just because she took care of herself then didn't mean he could stop taking care of her now. He looked around at each man sitting at the table. It was just Killer, Heat, Wire, "Mister Cook" (as Presea liked to call him), and himself. "Where the fuck is everyone else?"

"They are getting the rest of the supplies, Master Kid," Heat responded dutifully.

"I took her out earlier," Killer said suddenly. "We stopped at a store so she could get "food" for her flame."

Kid drank the coffee the waitress had set down for him. "And?"

"The man had something interesting to say. Better take care. I wouldn't want them to catch such a sweet little girl," Killer echoed the exact words the man had said to him.

Kid turned swiftly to look at Killer. "So they are planning something here."

Killer nodded. "And it will happen within the next two days." He suddenly thought of something. "How far away is the nearest Marine outpost?"

Kid swore when he understood. "That's something no one would mention. Damn it, there must be one two days sail away." He glared at his men present. "You'd better make sure everyone else knows. We're going to have to fight our way out of here."

Killer could vaguely remember seeing another island a fair distance away when they were at the top of Reverse Mountain. "So that's why no one's afraid," he mumbled.

I ran until I finally reached the trees. There is a forest here! It wasn't very big, but there were trees nonetheless. My smile hadn't faded yet and it was bound to get bigger. I climbed the first tree I reached and sat down near the top.

Tiki was summoned swiftly. "Tiki! They have a forest here, just like home!"

It looked like he rolled his eyes. "I can see that myself." He flickered and looked around. "What is that strange smell?"

I looked around and sniffed the air. "I don't smell anything." I stood up and looked the way Tiki faced. "Where is it coming from?"

He popped loudly. "That way."

I jumped across to the next tree. I was curious about what could be bothering Tiki, but I would have to wait until we found whatever it was. I tried to stay in the trees the whole time, but I had to climb down eventually. The branches were thin sometimes and there was getting to be too much space between each tree.

I stopped at the bottom of the biggest tree in the forest. "Is it up there?" I asked Tiki.

He popped again. "Yes."

I started to climb. This is the biggest tree I've ever seen! The trees at home were only half the size of this one! I got a little over half way up when Tiki crackled to tell me to stop. I looked around carefully and saw a funny looking fruit hanging on the end of a branch. It looks so pretty… It's almost like it reflects the sunshine.

I crawled over to the fruit. I almost dropped it when I pulled it off the branch. "It's so heavy. What do you think it is, Tiki?"

Tiki crept down my arm until he was sitting right next to it. "I do not know. It appears to have a surface that reflects. Such a strange fruit. I have not seen one with angles before."

I had to agree. All of the fruits I have seen were round and smooth. This one looked like someone pasted flat surfaces all around until it was covered. "Should we hold onto it for now?"

"We may as well. It could be useful later on, perhaps."

I moved to put it in the small bag when I remembered what Killer and I bought. "Look, Tiki! Killer Brother let me get this for you!" I pulled out one ball to show him. "It's charcoal wrapped in cloth! The man said it helps keep a fire burning for longer."

Tiki crackled and popped. "That is good. We will be prepared for whatever these people have planned for us."

I forgot about that… "Hey, Tiki, do you think my brothers are trying to hide it from me? I know the man said something to Killer Brother, but he won't tell me what it was."

"Perhaps you do not need to know. He is older and knows better than you. He could just be protecting you."

I nodded slowly. "I didn't think of that. Okay then!"

I started my climb down. I wasn't very worried about what Killer had been told, I was just curious. Tiki always knew what to say to get me to understand, though. There will always be things that Brother and Killer Brother won't want to tell me, so I have to get used to it. I stepped on the ground and brushed my dress off.

"Where to now? We've only been here for an hour." I wanted to use my free time to the fullest.

Tiki seemed to think for a moment as he sat on my shoulder. He started to sizzle. "Let us go further into the forest. You can always create a second flame if we go too deep to get back in time."

I nodded. "Okay! Let's go!"

I marched into the forest, listening to the crunch of leaves under my feet and the occasional hiss as Tiki flickered. I talked about anything and everything that came to mind: the sunshine, the trees, my brothers, and home. I talked a lot about Ella and Mister Baker, especially how I missed Ella. I knew she was happy where ever she had gone though, and I wanted to be able to always smile for her.

I stopped at the same large tree I had climbed before. "Um, have I been walking in circles?"

Tiki crackled angrily. "I have been waiting for you to notice. It's about time we headed back anyways. Now this time, walk straight that way."

I tried to walk in a straight line this time. But, I had to walk around big boulders and fallen trees. "I don't think we're going the right way," I mumbled. I climbed the tree closest to me and looked around. I could see the top of a tall building in the distance and I sighed. "Tiki, I went the wrong way again."

I could tell he was getting angrier with me. "Can you not follow one direction without changing to another? You should call your brothers, else they get anxious of your disappearance."

I held my hand out for Tiki to sit in and concentrated hard to summon a second one back at the inn.

Kid sat down on the bed. "She should be coming back here soon," he grumbled.

It was making him impatient to have his sister gone for more than an hour at a time. And it was worse now that she was wandering on her own. He was about to snap something at his silent first mate when a flame flickered into life on the ground.

"What the fuck is that?"

Killer knelt down next to it and whispered, "Presea?"

Kid moved closer when he heard it say something. "Brother…? This is… Presea… I'm still in… the forest… A little lost… but I'll be… back in half… hour. Okay?"

Kid scowled at the small flame. "Presea! Hurry up and get back here before it gets dark."

The flame nodded once before disappearing. Kid sat back on the edge of the bed.

"That damn thing is too hard to hear."

Killer leaned against the wall. "At least you know where she is."

I climbed down the tree and walked in the correct direction this time. I climbed a couple trees along the way to make sure I hadn't changed directions. I was lucky this time; I was walking the right way the whole time. As soon as I could see the buildings through the trees, I let out a breath of relief.

I wanted to run back to the inn, but Tiki told me I should be more careful since it was getting dark. I agreed with him and walked. I chose to walk down the center of the street instead of the sides because I didn't trust the dark alleys. But with Tiki on my shoulder and my bow in my hand, I should have known no one would try to bother me.

As soon as I walked into the inn, Kid picked me up. I let out a short scream. "Brother! Don't scare me like that!" He held me closer to him and walked to his room without answering me. I felt a little worried. "Brother…?"

He shut the door behind him and set me on the bed. "Do you know how late you are?"

I hung me head. "I'm sorry, Brother… But I did get my flame to tell you I would be late…"

He sat down heavily beside me. "I know."

"He was just worried about you," Killer interjected.

"Killer Brother?" Wait, what? "Why would you be worried?" I asked Kid.

He glanced at Killer before looking at me. "We found out what their plan is. They're waiting for the Marines to get here."

My eyes widened. "But we should leave then!"

Killer shook his head. "We have to wait for the Log Prose to set and the Marines will be here by that time. It's why the people aren't afraid of pirates."

I got it now. "So they tell the Marines when pirates come, and because the pirates have to wait for four days, the Marines can come and pick them up before they get too far."

Killer nodded in agreement. Kid just sat on the bed and stared at the floor. Before I could say anything he looked up and stared at me closely. "I want you to stay close to us at all times until we leave the island. I refuse to give those assholes a chance to catch you."

"Okay Brother. I will." I could see him calm down significantly when I answered. Brother must be really worried about the Marines taking me… I would try my best to stay with him, just like I said I would. Kid laid down on the bed and closed his eyes. "Brother, do you want me to stay with Killer Brother so I don't wake you in the morning?"

He grunted. "Do whatever you want."

I got off the bed. "Okay then. Goodnight Brother."

I grabbed Killer's hand and we left Kid's room, shutting the door quietly. "He started drinking about half an hour before you were supposed to show up and stopped ten minutes ago."

I frowned at Killer. "But I was an hour late. That means… he drank for over an hour?" I shook my head. "I didn't mean to worry him…"

Killer picked me up and continued walking. "There's no reason to think about it. He's bound to worry because he's not used to having you around without being able to watch you. He'll get used to it eventually."

"If you say so…"

He opened his door and set me down. It looked the same as the other room, but I guess that was to be expected. It was an inn. Tiki fell off my shoulder and onto the bed. "Are you not going to show him the fruit?" he hissed.

"Oh yeah!" I span around and pulled the funny fruit out of the bag. "Killer Brother, Tiki and I found this when we were exploring. Do you know what it is?"

He picked it up and looked at it, slowly turning it around. "It could be a devil fruit." He handed it back to me. "Don't eat it, just in case it is. It would kill you if you tried to."

I nodded slowly. It could kill me…? I placed it back inside the bag. I was a little afraid of the fruit now that I knew that. "How would it kill me?"

"It's said that if you eat two devil fruits, the devils will fight for control until it kills you."

That sounds like it would be a lot of suffering before you finally died… I got into the bed and Killer laid next to me. "Night, Killer Brother." I moved until I was against him.

He brushed my hair back. "Goodnight."

I sat up slowly and stretched. I really need to do more stuff besides going out for a little bit and then coming back to sleep. I doubted I would be able to do very much today. Especially since my brother wanted me to stay next to him and Killer until we had left the island. I sighed and got out of bed. Killer had already gotten up and was probably downstairs with some of the crew.

I walked carefully down the stairs and into the dining room. There were a lot of rich people sitting at the tables again. I tied to walk past them again, but one of the older ladies saw me.

"Are you lost dear?"

I shook my head. "I'm just going to meet my brother."

She beckoned me over. "Now dearie, there are pirates in the room. You shouldn't stray far from your family."

I frowned at her. "But my brothers are the pirates."

The lady gasped. "And you live with them? Don't they hurt you when you do something wrong?"

I crossed my arms, my frown still present. "You're being mean. My brothers were the ones who always protected me from the mean boys in our village. They would try to beat me and my brothers up. Those boys were the bad ones."

I walked away from her as she stared at me. She isn't a very nice lady. My brothers are not bad to me! I stopped when I was next to Killer.

"What's wrong?"

I was still mad at the lady. "The rich lady said you guys must hurt me when I do stuff wrong."

I could hear him sigh before he set me on the seat next to him. "Ignore them. They don't know anything about us."

I let out a breath of frustration. "Okay then." It was hard, but I ignored the lady. I thought I could see her looking over at us, but I was trying to pretend she wasn't there. Killer was helping keep me distracted and so was Heat. Killer would ask me questions and Heat would show me how to play with the fire I created. It was lots of fun!

I jumped up when I saw Kid enter the room and I ran up to him. "Morning, Brother!"

He picked me up and I hugged him. "Hey," he grumbled back.

I giggled at his voice. He must still be tired! He sounded so funny when he just woke up. I could see the lady staring at us as we walked past. Killer Brother said to ignore her, so I will ignore her. I took a deep breath and grinned.

"What's up with that bitch?" Kid grumbled.

I covered my mouth with my hand, but I still burst out laughing. "Brother!" I couldn't believe he said that!

He half glared at me, though I could see him holding back a grin. "What?"

I wrapped my arms around his neck. "You're so funny sometimes."

He chuckled as he set me down. I moved back onto his lap when he sat down on the chair. He frowned slightly down at me and grinned up at him. He rolled his eyes and put his hand on my head. I turned back so we were facing Killer.

"So, what are we doing today?" I chirped.

Extras:

.log- You will have to wait to find out more about Eric, and yup, Presea will be learning how to fight more. Though, it'll be Tiki that does most of the work! :p

Miss Doflamingo- Thank you! I'm so happy that you like my stories that much!

MsWildLuck- I agree, but I hope this chapter explains why the island is so weird!

Girl-luvs-manga- I don't think Presea would grow to Kid's height… That's a little too extreme for me…

Rejar- I'm glad you liked the part about Doflamingo. I hardly know anything about him, so it's a little hard to write about him in the story. I kind of see what you mean by monotone, though it's a little hard to get Presea to go out and do crazy things when she really is still like a child. I am working my way up, so she will be changing soon. I don't really understand what you say about the flashbacks, though. They are meant to explain things, and it wouldn't feel right to randomly place them when they aren't telling the reader anything. Thank you for the review, and you don't have to worry, I'm not discouraged.