Ch. 11- The Pact

One Piece © Oda

Blizzard, Monkey D. Aika, Kumi, Lucky, and Kuro Diablo © Me

The alarm clock rang on the nightstand, signaling the start of the day. The Straw Hats started off their morning with breakfast, courtesy of Carina, who had bought them burgers from Meccha Mega Burger, and as they ate, they began to discuss plans for the big heist. First, though, they had to pick out some disguises, so they went down to the Miyage Fashion Store to get some materials.

Once they made it back to the hotel, they began to make their disguises, as well as some tools needed for the big caper. However, Luffy, Chopper, and Brook seemed to have different ideas.

First was Luffy, who wore a big, frilly dress that one would see a flamenco dancer wear, and he even had a hibiscus in his hair, which made Chopper and Brook burst into laughter while the others looked absolutely horrified.

Then came Chopper, who had on a pair of sunglasses, a fake mustache and beard combo, and a long, red jacket, which made Luffy and Brook laugh at him, while Blizzard noted that his little brother seemed rather cute, even though the little reindeer claimed he was trying to be serious.

Finally, there was Brook, who wore a flamboyant, purple, glittery dress with tassels on the sleeves, which made Luffy and Chopper agree that it would be the perfect disguise...but they were soon hit on the head by Nami, which, of course, prompted Luffy into yet another argument with her which Robin had to break up.

Despite everyone planning out the heist, there was one thing that bothered them: Aika had not come out of the room she was staying in, all day. Kumi would come out and bring her her food, but that was pretty much it. When Nami tried to ask why, Aika only told her to leave her alone. During the discussion of the plan, Luffy asked why his younger half-sister wasn't a part of it, and Carina answered that it was probably safer if the Pup Duo stayed behind. After all, if anyone saw them, particularly a certain jaguar-man, the two youngsters would certainly be in great danger and the heist would be a bust, something that the Straw Hats agreed with. Thus, they decided to pick Aika and Kumi up once they got the money and Zoro back.

Later that day, as the sun set, Carina stood on the roof, looking as if she were deep in thought as she watched the horizon. That's when Nami approached her from behind.

"Carina," the Straw Hat navigator called. "We're almost ready. All we need now is you."

"Okay then," Carina answered.

"Where have you been, anyway?" Nami asked as she came and stood beside her.

"I just had some errands to run, that's all," answered Carina.

"...You better not be planning on bailing on me again, like last time," Nami said.

"What?!" Carina questioned. "When did I ever bail on you?!"

"Don't play dumb," Nami replied. "I know you remember. Back in the East Blue...when we tried to work together to steal from the Treasure Pirates."

"...Oh, yeah," Carina replied with a smile.

"...Back then," Nami started, "we both got captured and were tortured...by Mad Treasure."

Flashback

THUD! Nami, at 16 years old, and Carina, also about the same age, were both dragged down to the ground, inside of a cave, their bodies bound in chains as they lied on the ground, both of them covered in bruises. That's when they were approached by their captor: the ruthless Mad Treasure.

"All right," said Treasure. "Which one of you bitches wants to die first?"

He then summoned a chain out of his hand and used it to whip Nami and Carina, who both screamed in pain as their blood sprayed into the air. He had and his crew had beating the girls almost senseless all day long.

That's when Carina spoke up.

"Wait!" she cried. "Please...we'll give it back! We'll give back the treasure, as well as all the money I've stolen up till now! If I do that, then please, spare us our lives!"

"C-Carina!" Nami exclaimed.

"Oh?" Treasure smirked. "Sounds good to me. You can go, but you better be back by sundown...or else your little friend's head is gonna roll."

"...Believe in me," Carina said. "I'll definitely be back."

With that, she ran out of the cave, leaving Nami behind. The Cat Burglar waited for her rival to return...but she never came back. By nightfall, Nami was still waiting.

"Time's up," said Treasure. "Looks like that friend of yours was nothing but talk."

"...Carina was never my friend," said Nami. "Look...you like deals, don't you? I hid some of my treasure around here. I'll give it to you in exchange for my life."

XXX

Treasure and his men brought Nami to the coast of the island, where she dug up a small treasure chest. When she opened it, though...she gasped in horror when all she saw inside...was a note.

It read "A girl's gotta survive on her wits, you know? -Carina".

"...No...!" Nami whispered.

"Aww, isn't that a shame?" asked Treasure. "She abandoned and she even stole all your treasure. How pitiful. Jararararara!"

Nami seethed angrily...with tears falling from her eyes.

Flashback end

"Well, you know what they say," said Carina. "The past is in the past."

"Are you kidding me?!" Nami questioned. "How can you be so nonchalant about that?! I could've been killed because of you!"

"You think that if I really gave up the treasure I had, they'd actually spare us?" Carina asked. "We would've both been killed. I had no choice back then."

"You are unbelievable!" Nami hissed...before she sighed and raised her right fist.

"Huh?" muttered Carina. "What's this?"

"...I won't forgive you if you betray me again," Nami began with a smirk, "you conniving vixen."

A pause...but then Carina smirked and bumped fists with her.

"Fine...Cat Burglar."

Unbeknownst to the two former thieves, Aika happened to be watching everyone from behind a potted plant with Kumi at her side. The young D. Carrier glared at the duo, feeling her blood boil...which was rare, considering that the 6-year-old hardly felt any kind of anger towards anybody...but seeing her older sister figure with this girl who just got through telling her last night that Nami never loved her...it stirred something inside her that she never even thought she had: jealousy.

"...Come on, Kumi," Aika said as she walked away with Kumi following after her, whining in concern.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Sorry it's short. Review, please!