Chapter 13: Fight Fire With Fire

Singing as the audience listened Hikari smiled and kicked the air, now if only she didn't have to worry about her sister still being out in such bad weather. Taking a bow she exited the small stage and flopped down in a chair beside Usopp and Sanji. Inside she was itching to find Hikaru but kept it well hidden—the sharp shooter took the stage next and started singing an old pirate song. Despite herself she laughed as the people began to complain, during the uproar she hadn't even realized that she'd been staring at the door.

What could possibly be taking her sister so long?

A bouncing orb caught her attention and she picked it from the floor, dropping it as a thick mist emitted from it. Soon the entire room was covered with the smog...and one by one people fell to the floor unconscience. Using her shirt as a mask she hurried to where Sanji and the gang were...only to find them asleep. As soon as she reached the door the mist took its hold on her...and she collapsed.

——

Preventing a strike to the shoulder Zoro knocked his attacker back," She's not going anywhere, she's staying with us...where she belongs."

" Touching...but a stupid choice to make if I must be frank..." spoke the female taking a fan from her hip." His decision is now yours...whatever pain he bring upon himself will also become yours. Yet...I will personally make sure you don't die...unlike the man. And since you're unarmed my job is even easier."

Stricken Hikaru knew no makeshift weapon would work with this tag team, she was stupid enough to leave her sword behind with the others. Honestly...was there anything she couldn't mess up?" Here." The red head all but tripped to catch the sword Zoro threw her way, he kept the two black hilted swords.

She knew he was skilled with three swords and even while practicing with one he was unstoppable." But...you're hurt!"

Handling each sword with deadly precision the swordsman frowned," I've fought tougher opponents with injuries more severe than this." This insult started the heated battle, so quickly that it took Hikaru off guard.

Unsheathing the sword she was barely able to block the woman's advance," It's only fair you know...who you're fighting against—since I already know all about you. I'm Ice Fan Yuki...and the man your friend is fighting is my brother—Flame Blade Hono'o. Bounty hunters and your beloved mayor just couldn't bear to lose you...so he paid us to bring you safely home. Sweet isn't it?"

In her attempt to knock Yuki back she received an icy sting across her neck, bringing her hand to her neck Hikaru couldn't help but feel stunned. The woman was using a fan and she couldn't even block a blow from that? What made it more astonishing was that her weapon hadn't even touched her! The wind caused by the force she used create an updraft was what did the damage. Looking at it now...she even had a slit on her hand from where she held the sword as she knocked her away.

" Wanna try that again?"

Secretly steaming the red head tried to channel that anger into her sword fighting, rage seemed to work before so it would again. Letting all the emotions of what happened when she was younger and the desperation of fighting against Koi, Hikaru charged Yuki, who merely stepped aside sending another skin cutting blast of wind her way. This time it tore at her legs, giving her attacker the ultimate advantage—which she took without hesitation.

Hikaru would have blocked but the strangled cry that Zoro let out as Hono'o sliced him near the wound he'd made earlier. Veering Hikaru turned her back on Yuki, the biggest mistake that could have been made—her next attack made contact with the red head's back. Toppling to the ground Hikaru fought back the urge to scream and grabbed the sword Zoro had entrusted to her.

" Hikaru!"

" Well well...down for the count. I do hope you live...what would be the point of collecting the reward if you died on us?"

Listening for a chance Hikaru waited patiently until Yuki gave the order to finish off the swordsmen, taking the only gamble she plunged the blade into the woman's unsuspecting stomach. For a while everything was silent, the two men had stopped fighting, and Yuki was still trying to get over the shock. Hikaru's terrified gaze never left Yuki's, even as her eyes glazed over with death.

Overcome with rage Hono'o raised his blade, which began to glow like flames," Damn you wench! You've killed my sister!" Before he could even carry out his infamous attack known for torching his targets to death, Zoro lunged and drove his sword into the man's chest. Laughing Hono'o used his last ounce of strength to grin and whisper," You're too late...she's already been taken...now...there's nothing you can do...to stop the ritual from happening. A sacrifice...must...be made..."

Frozen by his last words Hikaru was numb, not just from the pain from various wounds on her body but the feeling that he meant Hikari. Raising on her elbows Hikaru tediously got to her feet, fighting to breathe. One step forward and Zoro was already having to keep her up." We've got to get your wounds treated—"

" Hikari...I've got to get to my sister..." Tears of desperation slid down her face." Distraction...the fight was...just a distraction..." Inside she knew the truth...she had felt something from the very beginning...they had taken Hikari. And if what Hono'o said was true...she was going to be some sort of sacrifice.

————

Da-da-da-dum! The major turning point for this story and I made a huge mistake...I forgot that (name excluded) wasn't in Fuyu Village...he's actually in the next village. Well...one thing's for certain the real plot will be unearthed...even if you have to wait a little while longer for the answers to many a question. If I had read through my plot line earlier I would have realized my mistake sooner. Eh...that's just how I am. Just don't get angry enough that you start throwing hard as rock cookies at me! (picks up a shield just in case)

Returning to the others the worst possible scenerio comes true...and Hikaru has a helpful talk with Nami. But is more revealed here then either of them realize? Next chapter—Chapter 14: Quiet Talk

————————————————————————————————————