Chapter 6: Practice Makes Perfect

What on Earth was she thinking? For getting lost in her thoughts she recieved another whack ont eh shoulder. Zoro was a tough teacher for sure but he was going easy on her...Hikaru couldn't blame him. If ever there was a rookie horrible at what they put his mind to...she was a hundred times worse.

Shifting positions she went for an attack but wound up collapsing to the ground instead. Hands throbbing and red from the constant action, not to mention the splinters from the wood, Hikaru couldn't help but hold a hand to her chest. In Natsu there was never a reason to overexert herself...only when she was a child.

" That'll be all for today..." spoke Zoro gently but with a slightly firm tone." You can go back to the others."

Back on her feet she smiled, still not able to fully catch her breath," Thank you..."

As she headed up the hill the swordsman gave a sound bit of advice," You need to loosen up, you're way too tense. I don't know what's bothering you but if you're too busy thinking about other things you'll never learn."

" I'll keep that in mind. Good night Zoro..." Taking a moment to think she decided against leaving, wondering if he always trained alone like this." Actually...you wouldn't mind if I stayed and watched...would you? I won't talk unless spoken to! I'll just...keep you company."

" I don't need it...besides if you're gonna train you'll need your rest."

A slender brow arched," So do you..."

" I can endure more..." Zoro stated flatly.

Ignoring him Hikaru sat at the trunk of the nearest tree, intent on watching him train. Plus if she had tried to climb the hill she'd probably give herself away. A content sigh escaped her as she watched his intensity while training. Someone who was completely devoted to what he did...she began to wonder why...

...Perfection...completely perfect...

She jerked and looked around, what on earth...was she hearing things? That voice definently wasn't Zoro's...

Four years...four months...

Fighting off the sudden rush of old emotions the voice brought up Hikaru slutched her head," Stop it..."

Four weeks...four days...

" Shut up."

Four hours...four minutes...four seconds...the sisters are perfect!

" Get out of my head!" Unknowing swinging her sword she heard a painful grunt as her attack connected with Zoro's lower jaw." I'm sorry!"

" I think your aim was better then, then it was when you were actually trying!" Zoro rubbed a thin trickle of blood that trailed down his chin before speaking again." What the hell's happening?"

Hiding her face behind her hands Hikaru tried to remember where she'd heard that voice." That voice...his voice. I know that voice...from when I was little. Something about perfection...uhn...I can't remember. All my memories from when I was young are a blur and everytime I try to remember them I get these horrible headaches..."

Silent but worried the green haired pirate offered his hand," Come on, we're going back. Maybe this lesson took more out of you then you thought—" Taking his hand she saw the relief that came to his eyes." I won't be so hard next time..."

" It's not your fault..." Hikaru said, cheeks flaming." I don't think my training was what brought it on."

——

Running out to hug her sister, Hikari couldn't help but fall to the ground," I was worried about you. I knew you went out training but gosh...you okay? You look pale."

" It's just a headache..."

A skeptical look the younger sibling took her sister's hands," Dang...did you train her like some drill sargent Zoro? Her hands look horrible!"

" I—"

Waving a hand in his defense Hikaru held her head with the other," It was my fault...not his. It wouldn't be soo bad if I had been paying more attention."

" There you guys are!" Shouted Nami coming out of the dining room." We began to think you'd got lost."

" Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Zoro inquired looking rather ticked.

Laughing Hikaru excused herself and retired to her room for the night, Hikari following after—not looking a bit happy. Once inside their room the dark haired girl took on the mature look she very rarely used." You're going to kill yourself! Hikaru, you know your body can't take that much stress! I honestly didn't believe you or I would have argued against it!"

" I'm fine Hikari."

Huffing she crossed her arms," Remember what happened when we were younger? I do and I won't let it happen again! You scared me half to death...you almost died..."

A comforting smile came to the elders lips," Don't worry...if I start feeling bad I'll stop. Everything's fine..."

————

Either in the next chapter or the one after that...there'll be a flashback about the sister's when they were younger and you'll learn the truth completely. As you can tell...Hikaru is falling for Zoro. Don't worry...in the story following this Sanji won't be left out.

It's fun coming up with all these plots for these stories. Heheheh! The sad thing is...and the hardest thing is...this story might go on for quite a while. With the plots twists that I have in mind. (sweatdrop) Which to some people could be a good thing...could be a bad thing.

On the next piece of One Piece(I'm loving this lol)! Money well earned and a powerful reputation that is up held by Hikaru and her sister. Plus day two of training...and because of it a secret is revealed! Chapter 7: A Weak Defense

————————————————————————————————————