Chapter 9: Desperate Offense

Ducking into an alley the sister's had to get their breath and figure out a plan before something worse happened. Resting her head on her siblings shoulder Hikari stared into space.

" What...does he want from us...?"

Resting her chin on her hand the elder tried to reason with the possibilities," He said he was going to take us back to our village...so maybe this has something to do with the mayor. He wasn't willing to let us go...remember?"

" Ladies...don't worry, you'll have all the time you want to chat on our way back to Natsu."

" Bug off!" screeched Hikari before Hikaru grabbed her hand dragging her down the alley. It was all too obvious this had something to do with the mayor...and possibly with what happened to their mother. Jerking free of her sister's grasp Hikari glowered at her," We can take him you know! You've been studying swordsmenship...I'm pretty good with hand-to-hand!"

" But—"

Yanking a rod from the side of a building she offered it to her sister," Come on...we can't run forever."

No matter how confident Hikaru knew her little sister was...she didn't share the same assurance—but she took her would-be weapon with a wavering smile. She wasn't good...far from it actually but...running wasn't always the answer.

——

One of the men onboard the ship, lugging supplies stopped after hearing someone's constant laughter. Looking to another crewmen he walked a distance up the hill to find the source.

" What's so funny?" The 'fish' man had large lips, painted bright orange and his face white. Seeing this only caused Luffy to laugh harder, not to mention Zoro, Sanji, and Usopp who had just met up with him. Face aflame with anger the crewman snapped," You just wait until Captain Koi hears about this! By laughing at me you've insulted the Fish Pirates!"

" You definently look like fish.." snickered Zoro despite himself, which sent the group into fits of more laughter.

" How dare you!" Just as the man went to attack a buccket crashed into his head." Ow! What was that for Kip?"

The one address as Kip put aside a crate of supplies, looking rather irritated," Don't be pickin' fights...we're here for one reason. As soon as Captain Koi finds them we'll be off."

" Who're looking for? questioned Zoro with tears in his eyes from laughing so hard.

Shrugging his shoulders to his fellow crewmen Kip frowned," We're lookin' for two girls—sisters. Apparently they joined up with some pirate crew...the man who sent us here was from Natsu, said they were real important."

" Paid us real well!" Added the other man before turning a little red." Think he said their names were Hikari and...Hikara...Hikaro—"

" Hikaru," mumbled Zoro." You were sent after Hikaru and Hikari! Why?"

——

Leaning around the corner Hikaru sighed in relief, smiling towards her sister," The coast is clear...come on." The pouty look she recieved made it perfectly clear that Hikari really wanted to fight." I'd rather live to face another day then—"

" Hahaha...well, well." Spoke the captain with amusement." You do realize I can chase you all day if I have to. I won't tire easily." Either the man was completely taken off guard or just blind Hikari made a kick, sending him reeling backwards.

" Well..." She said innocently." Uh...that was easier than I thought—ah!"

Clutching Hikari's wrist to stop her from colliding into the wall as Koi kicked her, only brought back memories of that day when it happened to her as a child. Her siblings faint cry let her know that she'd be alright, even though she'd probably have a headache when she gained conscienceness.

Tightening her hold on her makeshift weapon Hikaru glared down the man that was intent on taking them back to Natsu harmed or not." Don't you ever come near me or my sister again..."

" Aren't you supposed to defeat me first and then say such a thing?"

To hear him mock her was all it took before she was on her feet, ready for a fight," Ridicule me all you want...at least I don't look and smell like fish."

" W-what? D-did you j-just say?"

" That you're a fish!" Swinging the rod she almost screamed when it shattered into pieces, which went flying in every direction. The impact had smashed her substitute weapon. All the hopes of beating him were suddenly thrown back in her face." Ah—"

Lifting her by the neck until her feet no longer touched the ground Koi gave a bitter smile, mixed with the blood dripping down his face just made him appear even more frightening(in an almost comical way)." That moving speech and you have nothing to show for it..."

——

" You're the pirate crew they joined up with!" screeched the fish pirate, alerting everyone to the threat." Attack!"

With a grin Luffy slung his arm back," Gum Gum Rocket!" In one simple move he slammed his fist into the stunned crewman's chest, sending him flying into the horizon. Rolling his shoulder the pirate captain gave his signature laugh," Who's next?"

Kip, still out of it after watching the odd display of poweress looked nervously back to the boy in the strawhat," You...ate...the devil fruit..."

" That's right! I'm a rubber man!" Still rolling his his shoulder Luffy glanced at Zoro, who ran off in search of Hikaru and her sister.

————

I guess I should have mentioned this earlier...this story takes place AFTER Arlong..but I guess that was actually kinda' obvious. (sweatdrop) And my Fish Pirates aren't mermen...just guys that look like carp, so they look rather ridiculous. lol At least the way I visualize them. Heheheh! I love Luffy's laugh, english and japanese.

I bet..Hikaru seems rather pathetic...but she'll manage to put up with Koi for a little while. (sweatdrop) Sooooo! Chapter 10(WOOHOO!): Secret Agenda! Hikaru comes to a painful conclusion that Koi isn't afraid of hurting his prisoners, as long as they're alive! To protect her sister she stands to fight again!

————————————————————————————————————