Chapter 7: A Weak Defense

The sweet melody of an angel's voice carried over the chirping of the birds, followed by a seductive harmony. A sirens song...that's what most pirates would call it, Zoro thought almost tripping down the stairs. In a way the song could almost induce fear into the hearts of people. Standing at the bottom the former pirate hunter watched as the muscian's song their song, leaving the crowd speechless.

" What beauty! I've never heard anything like it!" complimented Sanji, standing from his seat." I could get lost in your voices."

" They really are the Voice of the Sea..." commented Nami, still shocked at what a difference this song was then the first they'd heard. Singing like angels and sirens...Hikari with the melody and Hikaru with the harmony.

Luffy was obviously impressed, nothing was better than the best, he remembered Hikari stating sometime after they'd met.

When the song ended the ever growing crowd appluaded, some gathered around them for autographs—money was even being given to them. While Hikari loved the attention just as much as she loved singing, Hikaru politely excused herself. Singing had only added to the discomfort in her chest, all due to the training she'd recieved from Zoro. Speaking of which was standing at the bottom of the stairs," Good morning." Not since the time she protected her sister from being bullied by a group of kids, had she felt so wore out...

" You and your sister...you sing great."

Smiling even as her face lit up, Hikaru fanned herself," Thank you." Hurriedly she rushed to her room, standing inside she leaned against the door with a sigh...oddly she was still having trouble breathing.

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Breakfast being over she stood and left along side Zoro, mentally preparing herself—not that she'd lost her determination and drive to fulfill her desire to fight.

" Whenever you're ready...come at me."

Rolling her neck and loosening her shoulders Hikaru got into the stance that Zoro had taught her yesterday. Her hold on the wooden sword a little tighter then he would have wanted. There just wasn't a way for her to relax...so much was plaguing her mind that it made it impossible. For a split second Hikaru could have swore she saw two Zoro's but shook her head and charged. She wasn't surprised when he easily blocked it, what else was new? Hikaru was still making rookies look better prepared than she was!

Yet something snapped inside her, seeing the blurred face of the man who had driven her mother away. Suddenly Zoro was on the defense, feeling that something just wasn't right. Getting a chance to look her in the eyes he found that they were clouded, tears ready to fall.

" Hikaru?" Before her next attack had the chance to connect the rage that had been building up inside faded and she fell to the ground, struggling for air." Hikaru!" Not only was she fighting for her breath but she was slowly losing conscienceness. Carefully taking her into his arms Zoro raced back to the others, where Hikari was talking to Usopp.

Instantly, after seeing her sister limp in the pirates arms, Hikari knew what had happened." Take her inside, Usopp get a bowl of cold water and some wash clothes if you can find them."

" Right away!" Usopp shouted heading inside.

After getting Hikaru in stable condition Zoro sent a chilling stare in the younger sister's direction," You know what's going on, don't you?"

Looking as if she'd been struck by an arrow Hikari slowly looked at her sister," Yes...I was going to tell you sooner but...she didn't want anyone to know."

" Know what?"

She now faced everyone in the crew," Hikaru has asthma...it's because that her immune system doesn't work like it should...she can't fight off illness like a healthy person can."

(FLASH BACK)

The sound of children giggling bounded down the narrow alley, giving away the location of her sister and the bullies that always enjoyed tormenting her.

" Hikari!" Cried the young red head, only ten years old. Spotting her sister, with new bruises on her arms and legs, Hikaru felt her anger rise." Get away from her!"

Everyone looked in her direction and the main girl behind the bullying just grinned," Look...it's the other orphan." The group of kids just laughed." Must be sad without having your mom and dad around...I heard it was all your fault."

" It wasn't!" cried Hikari, only to recieve a whack over the head." Mom didn't leave because of us!"

Pushing away the girl standing infront of her little sister Hikaru kneeled beside her," It's okay...don't listen to them." The more she tried to comfort her sister the louder the teasing became until not even Hikaru could stand it." Leave us alone!"

One shove led to the group leader slamming her against the wall, everything after that faded. Fearing that they might get caught, after realizing that she wasn't moving, the bullies panicked and fled. Hikari shook her sister in hopes she'd wake up," Karu...Hikaru...open your eyes...Hikaru!"

(END FLASH BACK)

Uncomfortable, Hikari rubbed her arms," The impact was stronger than anyone thought and it caused her to stop breathing...it jarred something. We don't exactly know how she got it but...the doctors said that she already had it but it wasn't effecting her until that happened..."

Usopp looked away," That's horrible..."

" For some reason...after that...her body didn't fight off infection," Taking a moment to recollect her thoughts Hikari smiled weakly." She almost died the first day...and everytime I tried to apologize she would just smile at me."

" It wasn't your fault," spoke Sanji, putting his cigarette to his lips." She knew that..."

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Had to have them singing together, they are the Voice of the Sea after all. I always have Hikari hanging around with Usopp...I think they like trading tall-tells(lol). If ever you've wondered why the youngest doesn't want to fall in love, or why I don't want her to, let me explain. In the begining I had a very sad plot in mind...but overtime it changed. So be thankful for that. Or...I may not have ruled out that possibility completely...(thinking)

By now, although it took a while, this story has the same number of chapters as Raiding My Heart. Yay! Unlike RMH I already have this story plotted out to the third village they stumble across. And then I already know how it ends...I knew that from the start. (sweatdrop)

On the next piece of One Piece(still cracking up over this for some odd reason)! will Zoro refuse to train Hikaru anymore, after learning the truth? Whoa! What are pirates doing in Aki Village...looking for Hikaru and Hikari? Does this all play into the weird voice Hikaru? Chapter 8: Fish Captain?

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