Disclaimer- I don't own any of this 'cept Reia and Tor.

A/N: About the One piece currency....I hear "berries", I hear "Belli". I choose the latter, pardon me for the errors. Correct me if you will. I'd appreciate it.

---Chapter Three---

"What did you say?!" Nami exclaimed. The night air was crisp and crickets chirped quietly. No camping on the beach tonight, not after what Reia told Nami. Sanji clenched his fists while Usopp and Chopper made strangled noises. Zoro shook his head, holding his katanas closer. Nami ran a hand through her hair while looking at Reia.

"Guys attacked you, but never got hurt when you hit them? And they...disintegrated in the sunlight?!" Nami repeated in bewilderment. Reia nodded quickly, brushing some crumbs off her blue blouse.

"MONSTERS!!!" Usopp wailed, pulling his hair, and Chopper screamed, "What? Monsters, really!" He half-fainted and hit the wooden deck. The wind blew around and gave everyone the shivers. Well, almost everyone. Nico rubbed her bare arms and asked quietly, "Where's Luffy?"

A faint tune suddenly became audible to the Straw Hats' ears.

"Berries, Berries, Berries!" Luffy sang as he stepped out onto the sand with a large sack over his shoulder. Ambling over he extended his arm and grabbed the ship's rail, snapping forward and landing with a satisfied sound. Usopp and Chopper looked at Luffy from the floor. Luffy sighed.

"Eya, it was so hard finding the ship in the dark!" Nami leapt up and clasped her hands as she skipped over to Luffy.

"Luffy, what's in the bag?" she asked, looking at it expectantly. Reia stood up and opened it, taking a small, round, yellow object. She smiled and took a handful, stuffing her pockets, then walked away casually, popping one in her mouth. She turned and threw a few to Zoro and Sanji by the stairs. They looked at her in bafflement, and she gave them a smile, then gestured to the things in their hands. "Berries."

"2,500 BERRIES!!" Nami roared, and Luffy nodded.

"You wanted berries," he said bluntly. Nami shook her head as if to clear her thoughts and walked away.

"Everyone on the Grand Line should know the difference between 'berries' and 'belli'..." she moaned. Reia laughed, but suddenly started to choke on her berries. She gripped the ship's rail, knuckles turning white. Zoro rushed to her side and hit her on the back, but to no avail. Chopper called out to him urgently, "Zoro, hands around abdomen, squeeze hard!"

Zoro nodded grimly and circled her torso with his arms. Reia's face turned pale as she convulsed, when suddenly she flickered and disappeared for a moment.

"Whiff." She resumed laughing and everyone sighed with relief. They returned to their activities and Reia smiled and walked away, but found out she couldn't. She froze and looked down slowly at Zoro's arms around her waist, then turned her head to look at him suspiciously, blue eyes narrowed. Faces a few inches away from each other, Zoro looked at her cluelessly. Suddenly, his eyes widened and his cheeks took on a darker, if not pinkish, hue. He backed up quickly and folded his arms, sitting on the stair below Sanji with a scowl on his face. Usopp and Nami chuckled, then the latter resumed scolding the captain. Grinning, Nico took out a book and began reading.

Reia seated herself next to Zoro, who avoided her gaze. She propped her elbow on the stair above her and held up her head with it, looking at him. "What's wrong?" He looked at her from the corner of his eyes, then back to the darkness.

"Nothing." Reia raised her eyebrows in disbelief. "And when did you become so self-conscious?" He turned sharply to look at her and pointed to himself.

"Me? Self-conscious?! I was just..." He swallowed. "Uncomfortable." He harrumphed to himself. Then he added in an after thought, "Actually, it felt kinda good." He grinned slightly when her jaw dropped.

"Uh-huh..." Reia said slowly. She leaned over to him. "Thanks for trying to save me, anyways," she told him. He shrugged, putting his hands behind his head.

"I did what Chopper told me, me being the closest to you."

There was silence.

"...Closest? ...In what way, may I ask?"

"Huh? Oh, next to you. And who else is going to cover me in a fight? Sanji's too unreliable, 'specially if the enemy's a woman," he said disdainfully. He suffered a blow from Sanji up above them.

"Watch you mouth, lazy ass."

"Go to hell."

Reia grinned as she watched the two yell recriminations at each other.

"Ah, you flatter me," Reia told him, knowing that he wasn't listening. She stood up and took more berries. They tasted like pineapples and lime. The air took on a citrus scent, Reia's favorite. She breathed in deeply, then noticed how menacing the night was this time. Frowning, she recalled the troubling event that happened that afternoon.

"Okay, ship meeting, everyone! Let's go!" Nami called out. The crew stood up and settled around her table, relaxing in the moonlight, Sanji's cooking resting in their stomachs, and the lantern flickered in the cool breeze. "Since we all split up, let's hear what happened in your day." She added in a soft tone, "And how much Belli you got."

Usopp made a thoughtful noise as he placed his chin in his hand. He said lightly, "Well, for starters, I got no Belli." Nami frowned and he spread out empty hands and shrugged. "I couldn't find any methods. 'Sides that, this place seems run by a...crime syndicate of some sorts."

"What?" Nami bit her lip and asked, "How'd you know that?" He talked in a soft voice, and the Straw Hats gathered closer to hear.

"After a bit of snooping around, I heard from a few citizens that the 'outrageous' taxes by the local demons--"

"Demons?!" Reia exclaimed. Nami gasped and Sanji exhaled slowly. Zoro, with his eyes closed, drawled out, "Aren't you supposed to be freaking out by now?" Usopp shrugged and grinned.

"They looked so cool!" Reia made a disgusted face from her perch on the ship's rail and Chopper sat up.

"No, they look scary..." he murmured. Usopp turned to him, curious.

"You saw one?" Chopper nodded his pink hat bobbing.

"Long, black hair. He was pale and wore a cloak and--

"Mine had a trench coat and a scarf around his purple---

"Hey, that was the one that talked to me!" Reia cut in with recognition in her voice.

"He was?" Reia nodded solemnly, gazing out into the darkness. Usopp pursed his lips, then continued. "Anyways, I also heard that if someone didn't pay the taxes, he would...disappear without a trace." The crew began to murmur softly. Nami scowled.

"Reminds me of someone dear to me," Nami muttered, clenching her fist. An image of Arlong popped into Reia's mind.

"But how could they afford it?" Sanji wanted to know. Usopp grimaced.

"The demons made it just affordable. The island's economy is mainly fishing and trade, and lately the fishing hasn't been that good..."

"Demons....No wonder the place smelled like death," Chopper murmured. All the Straw Hats quieted. "It wasn't like a dead body smell," he told them. Everyone shuddered involuntarily. "It was a different smell...dead, but not really dead..."

No one made a sound, and the lantern flickered again, making the crew's faces seem ghostly. Not that Reia's face was ghostly enough...

"Oh, I've got the Belli," Chopper added in an afterthought, breaking the silence. He took out a sack and tossed it to Nami, who checked the contents carefully. Coins and bills were stuffed in it, and Nami looked up to him, amazed.

"How did you get it so fast?" Nami asked, incredulous. The others grumbled or congratulated Chopper. Reia put her hands behind her head and looked up at the stars.

"I sold some medicine to the people. They wouldn't accept it for free," Chopper told her sheepishly. Nico closed her book and a hand sprouted next to Nami. Nico threw a bag to it and Nico's arm handed it to Nami. Nico smiled to her and resumed reading. Taking the bag, Nami checked it and nodded, putting it aside.

"I lent a helping hand," Nico explained to her. Everyone grinned at the pun and the tension lessened a bit. Reia raised her hand as if to speak. Everyone looked at her and waited, but she just looked very thoughtful. Suddenly, a levitated bag floated in and dropped into Nami's lap. She smiled and counted the bills and coins. Affirmed, she placed that aside also and opened her mouth to question Reia, but Reia beat her to it.

"No, I didn't steal it, I helped a farmer with weeding his crops." Nami raised an eyebrow.

"And you left the ship alone?" Reia grinned and shook her head.

"No, of course not." Looking a bit unnerved, Nami scratched her head in confusion and shrugged. Sanji straightened and looked at her.

"Then how did you..?" Reia's grin widened and Sanji's cigarette starting doing loop-de-loops in the air before he caught it. She looked at him nonchalantly.

"Just like that." Chopper laughed as he was propelled into the air and flew around, arms spread. Luffy jumped up and down, clapping his hands. Usopp leapt up.

"Hey, us too!" Reia laughed wickedly and twirled two of her slender fingers. Usopp and Luffy spun wildly in the air.

"Whoa...Whooo, wow!" they shouted, pretending they were birds. "Cuckoo."

"No Belli for me, nope," Zoro said. Nami scowled, and Sanji added, "Me too. I'll get it soon though, Nami-san!!" She sighed and shivered from the settling cold. Suddenly, she snapped her fingers and took out a piece of rolled up paper.

"Here's a way for you 'unfortunate' to get some Belli," she bit out, unrolling the paper. Reia frowned and dropped her hand, unaware of her fellow crewmates falling to the ground. She plumped herself down on the deck, joined moments later with Usopp, Chopper, and Luffy, all groaning except the latter. Nami turned the paper around.

---The Bloodthirsty Battle: Enter at "The Bloodless Tavern". Participants battle others tournament specified by participant. Choose from the mud arena, sand arena, jungle arena, or beach arena. Multiple winners get 2,500. Many will enter,four will win. Good luck. Sponsored by local group. ---

Usopp "ooooed" and Luffy "Aaaed". Reia looked interested and propped her chin on her closed fist. Nami scowled and kicked Zoro awake.

"Did you hear any of that?!" Zoro woke up with a start and wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth. He looked cluelessly at her, eyes half opened.

"Huh?" She pulled on her hair, then breathed deeply.

"It's settled, then. Usopp, Sanji, Luffy, and Zoro will have to enter tomorrow. An arena to each of you." Her statement was greeted by a medley of love proclamations, tired complaints, and excited whooping. The crew drifted to their quarters, the meeting ended. Nami joined Reia by the ship rail.

"Do you want night watch?" Nami asked her. Reia turned to look at her.

"Yeah, sure, that's fine with me." Nami waved good night and went into the storage deck. Nico paused next to Reia. She tilted her head and the moon light illuminated half her face.

"You're new, just like me. Why did you join?" Reia lowered her head in thought, then looked into Nico's eyes.

"Y'know, just your every-day adventurer looking for some fun!" Reia told her, grinning. Nico frowned slightly and crossed her arms.

"I don't find a person like you every day, though."

"No, of course not. I still have to find the limits of my powers..." Nico nodded patted Reia's back encouragingly and walked into the deck, saying good night. Reia waved and lifted her hands to receive a floating blanket. Jumping next to Nami's trees, she settled herself in and gazed at the moon, heart leaping. The ship rocked as the waves gently soothed it, and the breeze kissed Reia's pale cheeks. She smiled prettily into the dark.

---------------------------------------

"All of them. Gone?" Alucard murmured dangerously. Torikki looked at him placidly and took off his sunglasses, pocketing them. The cold breeze swept in, but the men talked on, unperturbed.

"Obviously. See any of them here?" he drawled, gesturing to the empty place. Alucard stood up from the couch and paced around in the sitting room of his flat. All black, and even the windows were tinted to filter the sunlight. He paused and stroked his chin thoughtfully. About six feet tall, he towered above Torikki by a few inches, still not enough to look down his nose at him.

Torikki sighed and sat down, smoothing his trench coat's tail out of the way. It was made of shiny leather, black, of course. Alucard looked at it displeasingly and tucked his raven-black hair behind his ears, it's length all the way to his arms. A high nose gave him a haughty look, but it was nothing compared to his black, empty eyes. Those eyes looked straight into Torikki's pale yellow ones.

"You did nothing to prevent my minions from being...distracted? How could you?" he said softly. Torikki shrugged and placed his hands behind his head.

"They should've handled themselves. And besides, she fought wonderfully. Quite a representative of the Straw Hats," he said approvingly. Alucard looked at him sharply, interested.

"She? Hmm..." Alucardmurmured.Torikki groaned.

"I'll be gone in a few days, cousin. Shouldn't you be planning my demise, not womanizing?" Torikki said shortly, glaring at Alucard, who avoided his gaze.

"No, my minions can take care of that. But why the rush?"

"You remember what you did, you creep. I like a challenge," Torikki snarled with a smirk. Alucard tut-tutted, all the time rolling and unrolling a piece of paper. He handed it to Torikki, indicating to him that he should read it. After a few moments, Torikki tossed the paper back to him.

"What's the meaning of this?" he asked, uninterested. Alucard leaned onto the wall, examining him coolly.

"I'm expecting a few guests tomorrow. Four is the least, as you've read on the paper. They could bring friends...and I can guess who will come, can't you?" Torikki frowned.

"What do you want."

"Oh, just make sure they get to the castle without any trouble. Victoria and Dimitri will accompany you." Torikki swore vehemently.

"Those two?" he said in disgust.

"Yes, Torikki, us two," a voice purred as Victoria materialized next to Alucard. Wearing an elegant cape and a tight-fitting gleaming body suit, her pitch-black hair fluttering in the wind. Her hair clip flew and was caught by a man, muscled, yet graceful in his moments. He returned it to her and looked up, his piercing, steel eyes boring into Torikki's.

"And you were saying?" Dimitri let the question speak for itself. Torikki grimaced and folded his arms, not breaking eye contact. After a few moments of tight silence, Alucard sighed, like a parent and his children.

"Dimitri, Torikki, this isn't new. Now, get yourselves prepared. At dawn, set out." Victoria pursed her red lips, batting her eyelashes.

"Oh, we were ready from the beginning, weren't we, Dimitri?" Dimitri smirked at Torikki, the latter regarding them with contempt from the couch. He stood up and stalked out to the balcony, jumping off and blending in with the darkness, the whip of his scarf and trench coat the last to be seen. Victoria straightened and turned to Alucard. Dimitri did the same, standing next to his accomplice in crime.

"Your bidding, master?" Alucard's smile did not reach his cold eyes.

"Watch him carefully. Wait for the moment, then strike," he told his eager minions. "And please, don't underestimate the Straw Hats. An amassed bounty of 239,000,000 Belli? Let's be careful here, shall we." Victoria and Dimitri laughed darkly and bowed, then walked out.

Unseen outside, Torikki looked on stonily and flew away.