Chapter Thirty-Eight

Disclaimer: I don't own OP.

A/N: So I may actually shorten this six chapter thing to a few chapters. I don't know but with some good ideas from the nakama, I sort of see the ending of this fic slowly slipping away little by little but you know, it may be a good thing, considering that this is my longest fic but a bad thing because I also have to update some of my other fics. I need to quit procrastinating… Anyways, on with the fic. Enjoy.

Cracks in the walls, some deep enough to have bird nests in, others so shallow only a centimeter of finger could fit. After getting out of the metal box and being reintroduced to the world outside, or rather outside the box inside the prison, Niri began her own private training and she'd start out with the wall. She had heard that many have escaped from the island and though a few got caught, she began to think of ways she could escape. If she could get off the island, she could go back to those waiting for her at the hybrid port.

True, she had a hearing and a trial but due to her false imprisonment, she was sentenced to death, had it not been for a general coming to her rescue, pleading that she be given a life sentence instead of having her pain and suffering end so soon. As if that made it any better. That only made her plans of escape that more tangible. Though, through-out the whole trial, her father was scrutinized, put down, had his name dragged through dirt and mud until someone commented that they were surprised that someone as talented as him would have a rebellious, insubordinate, murdering daughter. That's when they found the "reason" why she killed Baron: he was trying to replace Giles.

Niri put her hands on her head, wishing she could escape and leave this place far behind, away from those who hurt her father's name, who point fingers and call names, away from those who would do her more harm than good. If she were to leave and go home, she'd only get caught. She couldn't ask her adoptive aunt and uncle to leave their life to spend it with her out in the open, that would just be selfish and would put them in danger. She defiantly couldn't ask her brothers even though they'd help and she wouldn't even think about asking Siamon. He was still in the Marines, still working for the World Government. Besides, aiding a fugitive was against the law and they could get into some serious trouble if she should be caught.

Biting her lower lip, she sighed, looking up at the cloudless sky above her. A fire began to burn in her eyes as she began to think about her escape. Granted, she didn't have any weapons but that doesn't mean she couldn't train in her own special way. Out of sheer habit, Niri started every day with the basics: sit ups, pushups, stretches, but with the prison as her own training grounds, she had to think of a drill sergeant.

Prisoners were allowed yard time between breakfast and lunch then lunch to dinner before they were trapped inside their cells. During the free time, Niri vowed to make her sixteen year old body as strong as she could make it with the limited amount of time, resources and equipment. With pirates and thieves of every size in the prison with her, she had a lot of sparring partners with different techniques but she'd rather have her gun.

To feel the handle in her hand, the whiplash it gave her after firing a round, the smell of the smoke erupting from the gun and the large sound that showed up as soon as the flash from the barrel hit. Closing her eyes, she could remember racing towards her "enemies" in the training exercises, dodging a few bullets before hiding behind either a pillar or a wall, watching as chunks of what she was hiding behind would disappear around her before turning to the side quickly, kneeling or standing, firing off a few rounds, hitting her targets before dodging more bullets as they flew by.

Or being on a building or tower or anywhere high up with a high powered rifle in her hand with a 500 scope, watching her targets fly by as she had headshot after headshot, usually shooting the flies around their heads idly. Thinking back, she soon realized that she'd never have that again.

Though, there was one day were her hope was restored, if only a little.

Niri, who had just came out of solitary confinement, again, this time for pick-pocketing a guard, was to be held in her cell for a duration of a week. Being bored silly, she sat upside down on her cot, her legs parallel with the wall as her head hung upside down off the edge. With all the blood rushing down from her toes, down her legs to her head, she began to wonder if they would let her out if she didn't move. Almost as soon as she had finished the thought, she heard boot steps resonate throughout the halls of the cells.

Pushing her hips up, placing her hands on the floor under her head, she pivoted herself to be fully upright on her feet. Moving her hips back down, she felt her cold feet touch the floor first as she rotated her hands to stand upright in the correct fashion. Looking at the bars, she patted her hands together, getting the dust off of them before she rubbed from her hips to her ankles, trying to get the blood flowing again.

Boot steps came closer and closer. Two people, one of them heavier than the other, either that or they were trying to make their approach known. Sitting in the middle of her cell, Niri drew her legs near and crossed her legs, resting her elbows on her knees as she stared out. The man across the hallway peeked his head out from behind his wall before he stood, making movements near his waist before rushing waters resonated in his cell.

On the floor before the cells were two shadows, one taller than the other, maybe a foot taller but her math may have been off a bit. All around, the other inmates began whispering amongst themselves before one shouted out. "SHARK! SHARK! SHARK!" It echoed throughout the hallway, stirring the others as they peeked out through their bars. Niri's heart felt like it skipped a few beats as she stood up, her eyes wide as the boot steps sounded like they were right outside.

Two figures stopped outside the cell before one saluted to the other and walked away. Sad and surprised eyes looked in before shame replaced the shock. "I thought the reports were wrong, that it was a sick joke amongst the cadets. But here stands the proof to it all, making everything true."

Tears welled up in Niri's eyes, falling down in fat drops. "Si…Siamon, I…I…I…I didn't…" Her head shook from side to side slowly as her vision blurred. Putting her hands to her face, Niri dropped to her knees, trying hard not to let her once commanding officer hear her. The door opened, making the girl flinch at the sudden sound but two arms wrapped themselves around her frame, holding her close as she clung to his shirt, sobbing in his chest.

One hand on the small of her back, the other on her head, Siamon closed his eyes, rubbing the girl's back as she trembled. Sobs slowly faded into hiccups and hiccups turned into sniffles as the two separated. Opening her eyes and wiping away what tears stained her face, Niri saw the mess she made. "I got your shirt wet…sir."

The merman looked down at what she had meant, his webbed hand touching the wet spot before looking back at her. "Tell me what happened."

Lowering her gaze, she shook her head. "You're not going to believe me. No one does."

"You don't know that for certain, guppy." Niri's head rose as she looked at her father figure. "Now, tell me."

"A visiting vice-admiral had stopped by Tristram. Naturally, that visitation made power go to Baron's head a little bit. I was given custodial duty and he took my father's gun. I was heading to my bunker when I heard people in his office. I was curious to find out who it was but I also wanted my gun back but this woman in a cape and hat pointed a gun to his head. I rushed in but was stopped by something holding my neck. Something furry. I think they were asking about someone but when he went to retrieve something, he pulled out my gun instead. He was killed before he could aim."

Siamon nodded. "He was never that good with firearms." Petting her head, he thought for a bit. "I think I can have your belongings transferred here."

Niri's head shot up as she caught Siamon's wrist in her hand. "I'm a guardian," she whispered. "I have Bite of the Shark."

The merman's eyes widened slightly before he nodded. "I'll be sure that it's in there as well." Seeing confusion in her eyes, he smiled slightly. "I'm still a Marine. I can't take possession of it or a human will take it from me."

"I was told that I couldn't give it to you. I suppose that's the reason." Looking at him, she bit her lower lip. "But…do you believe me?"

Standing up, Siamon pulled Niri up by her hand. "I don't think you're crazy or would make up a story like that." Hope filled her as she smiled. They both nodded before he let go of her hand. "I don't have much time but I had to see if it was true. I'm upset that you're here but I understand."

As he turned away, Niri put a hand to a scar on his arm, stopping him. "Permission to ask a question, sir."

The merman smiled sadly. "You're not a Marine anymore, Niri."

"It's about Ashton."

Laughing, Siamon nodded. "He's sore all over." Niri just smiled before nodding. "Guppy." She looked up at him. "Don't give up."

He walked through the cell door before closing it. Niri reached a hand out from the bars as his met hers. Sighing and closing her eyes, Niri slipped her hand away. "Go. I don't want to see you leave." A hand ruffled her hair before she heard steps leave her cell. Opening her eyes, she went back to her cot and curled up. "The next time you see me, I'll be stronger," she whispered quietly.

-.-.-

Prisoners entered the yard before a voice sounded through the air from a Den Den Mushi Speaker. "Prisoners, the World Government has had counts of all prisons on the Grand Line. As of this morning, prisoners are now fighters." Niri blinked as many around her began questioning what the warden had meant. The thought hit her hard as she suddenly understood. "Fight as if this was the last day you live. Fight to see another dawn. Shorten the lines for meals, clear out cells and earn titles in the prison yard. Prisoners, I hereby make you all fighters. Kill or be killed."

Backing away from everyone, the former Marine shook her head. No, no, no, they can't do this. This wasn't any form of Justice. This was murder! Thinking, she began to estimate how many would die, how many would be beaten so badly from their wounds they couldn't fight. How many of the weaker pirates and thieves would die as their friends watched on helplessly? How many would die for the old men to satisfy their blood lust? Gritting her teeth, Niri shook her head. She couldn't fight, she wasn't strong enough to even draw blood…wait. Her nails. She remembered fighting Bret.

Looking up at the warden's window, she curled her hands, feeling her nails marking her palms. She could fight but it wouldn't be how they fight. Curling her fingers into claws, her vision sharpened. They wanted blood, they'd have to watch it fall from their own bodies.

A/N: Thank you Dude and kilnorc for the ideas because now, there is a mini arc. Anyways, review please.