Chapter 10: Secret Agenda!

Still holding onto a small, but sharp, piece of the rod Hikaru waited until the captain started laughing before plunging it into his shoulder. This, in turn, earned her a breath taking slam against the wall. As she sunk to the ground the red head looked towards her sister...

" You little brat! If you had come along willingly things wouldn't have come to this!" Screeched Koi, jerking the object from his shoulder then crushing it in his hand." No harm would have come to either of you! And this is how you thank me?"

Grabbing her head Hikaru tried to get to her feet," Thank you..? You expected us to thank you for taking us back against our will? We didn't, and still don't, want to return to Natsu!"

" Foolish girl...so very foolish..." Gently grasping her shoulder the fish faced man shook his head." Are you that blind to the world you've been born into? Have you not ever wondered about the things that have happened in your lives?"

Knocking his hand away Hikaru stood tall, the very flames of the under world blazing in her eyes. It was true, she had always wondered but at a time like this...getting answers from the enemy wasn't going to help." What...will it take for you to leave us alone?"

" Hm..." Koi pondered but just smirked." You'd have to pay more than the mayor...and you don't have that much money...do you? It was a little shocking that he had that much...Natsu is such a small village. If you guys weren't so vital—" Processing this new information Hikaru knew whatever it was...wasn't going to turn out good." Here...I'll make a deal with you...best me in swordsmenship and you'll have nothing to fear of me."

If it hadn't been a serious situation she would have screamed, why today of all days...was it such an important day for swordplay? It wasn't as if she were any good...once she took up the sword would be the moment of her defeat. Still...with her sister in the shape she was and the thought of their dreams being cut short...there really wasn't much else of a choice.

" I accept.." With ease he tossed one of his swords in her direction, which she barely managed to catch. Hikaru hadn't planned on a real sword being this heavy. Using all the strength in her arms she got into position, no sooner had she when Koi went on the offense. It was a miracle that she was still holding her weapon with the brutal onslaught.

The next thing either of them knew Koi yelped as Hikari landed a kick across his knee," Why you little—" Taking the only opening she knew she'd have Hikaru swung, even though he saw it coming, she managed to nick his side." I should have known you'd cheat...no matter, you're still not a match for me." Firmly planting her feet on the ground Hikaru readied herself for the next move and when he struck her blade went soaring into the air, landing at her feet." Now, the duel is over...I've won. You will come willingly? I—"

" Onigiri!"

Wide eyed and stunned, Hikaru stumbled back almost falling to the ground as Koi collapsed right infront of her. The swords falling from her hand the red head was a little relieved to see that the man was still alive.

" About time!" Grumbled Hikari, crossing her arms with a defiant expression.

" How was I supposed to know you'd both be in some sort of danger?" Countered Zoro, looking throroughly ticked." Lucky for the you guys I did come!"

" Wanna know what—" Blinking she looked down at her sister who just knelt beside their attacker." What are you doing?"

Determined to know the truth Hikaru knew she'd get her answers from the captain one way or another," You said...the mayor sent you, right? Why? You also mentioned that we were vital...for what?"

Coughing the fish captain kept his gaze awat from her," Perfect...he said...something about you two being perfect..."

" Perfect...?" The mortified look on the red head's face gave Zoro all the answers he needed. Remembering the first day that she'd trained, the voice she claimed to have known. Perfection, she'd said something about it then, this just made more questions replace the old ones.

" What do you mean?" Hikaru demanded, desperate to know all the answers before the questions consumed her very soul. But all her hopes of knowing the answer faded as he passed on. What was even more surprising than the knew discovery was...that the man chaged into a large japanese carp.

Mouth open in shock Hikari rubbed her eyes," I'm seeing things...I have lost my mind!"

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Screaming pirates were all the group heard as they approached Luffy and the others. As shocking as seeing a man transform into a fish...seeing their captain with rubber-like arms just further overworked the sister's minds.

Rubbing her forehead Hikaru wanted to think there was some rational explaination for the day they'd had...but nothing rational seemed to be working. By now Hikari had broke out into laughter, equally as disturbed by their adventure to last her a lifetime.

" Hahaha...I'm going to bed..." Patting Hikaru on the shoulder the younger sibling started in the direction of the inn or ship...whichever was closest, she didn't care." Wake me when this dream is over..."

Just as Luffy was about to use the Gum Gum Bell on Kip all the Fish Pirates, like their captain, turned into carp. Hikaru watched ready to call it quits when the next strange events occured," I can tell...there won't be a dull moment while traveling with you guys..."

" You'll get used to it," Zoro assured, although he was still a little freaked by the situation." Luffy...I think we should just set sail...it's been a very odd day for all of us."

" They just turned into fish!"

" Young lady..."

Turning Hikaru faced the merchant from the market, the one that owned the sword she'd wanted." Hello." As he offered his treasure to her Hikaru smiled." I can't take it...it's your treasure. You told me so yourself...I wouldn't feel right."

" You fought so bravely...and I realized just how much like my daughter you were...tell me, what is your name?"

" Hikaru..."

Smiling warmly the man just nodded," I am not surprised...Hikaru was the name of my child. Captain Koi was the pirate who had ransacked Aki Village a short while back...she used this sword to defend the villagers. Because of that she was killed...it would be an honor if you took her sword as your own."

Red in the cheeks Hikaru carefully took the sword inot her hands," Thank you...I won't let any harm come to it. I promise."

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Yes! If I've gotten past chapter ten it just means this story won't be forgotten and never finished! lol But I'm always glad to get past this point...even though I know this story won't be finished for quite a while. To many mini plots to write which just lead into the main plot! Phew...now onto village number three! Woohoo! I counted Natsu as the first by the way, but bet you can't guess what seaon it rules over! (gets hit over the head) Owwy...

Hikari: As you can probably guess...a lot will be explained in the third village. The seriousness of the story is kicked up and so is the bond between my sister and Zoro! (snicker)

That pretty much sums up the next couple chapters...thank you Hikari. Chapter 11: First Snowfall! It's the first time the sisters have seen snow but will this excitement lead to a little romance? Well I guess you're just going to have to wait and find out!(evil laughter)

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