Chapter 15: Spring Souls

The ritual...must go on...we can't stop it. Hikaru...join me...and say goodbye...to a world that never meant to keep us...or will you forsaken the world...

Screaming Hikaru wasfroze in fear, seeing the dead look in her sister's eyes was more than she could handle. Luckily Nami hadn't woken up, which was rather surprising. Hugging herself she couldn't stop a cry that worked its way up her throat. Inching her way off the bed she walked up the stairs, stopping evey once in a while to ease the discomfort it caused her, since her wounds weren't healed.

Face wet with tears Hikaru would have fallen to her knees if Zoro hadn't been there to catch her," I'm sorry...I didn't wake you, did I?"

He shook his head but didn't released his hold," Was it a nightmare?"

" Yes..." Fighting back the urge to cry she gave a sorrowful smile." I saw my sister...and she was asking me to join her in some sort of ritual...to die together. I don't know what to do...I've thought so much over this but I always come to one conclusion—Zoro if I lose her...I'll never be able to live with myself! She's my little sister...I can't...I just can't lose her..."

Taking care not to touch her wounds the swordsman held her a little tighter," We're going to get her back...I promise."

" Zoro..." New tears coursed down her cheeks as she tried to hide her face in her hands." I'm so sorry..."

Tenderly he wiped away her tears," No...I should be the one apologizing. If I hadn't stormed out we'd both have been there to stop it. Instead you were hurt and Hikari was kidnapped...I'm sorry."

Before she even had a chance to speak she was brought against his chest, in an embrace that she never expected to receive. Hands shaking Hikaru wrapped them around his waist and remained silent, no longer holding back her grief. To be held by the one man she cared for just as much as she did her sister...was a dream all its own.

Perfect children should never be permitted to live! No one in time should ever be perfect! Perfection belongs only to time!

Grabbing the material of his shirt Hikaru was overcome by a surging fear—all those dreams...what happened when they were little. The dream she had Hikari had mentioned something about forsaking the world...the man that came the night their mother left...had said something about that too.

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Biting the hand of one of the men that forced her from the ship, Hikari glared in the direction of the man who was seemingly behind it all. He stood tall, hidden behind a black cloak, with some of his blonde hair visible—along with his exotic looking blue eyes.

As he moved forward the younger sibling lash out, scratching his hand," Next time I'll kick you where the sun don't shine!"

" Why must the younger of the two be so troublesome...?" ground the blonde, rubbing his face." You wouldn't get near enough to me to prove your point."

" Oh yeah?" mocked Hikari with a grin, turning innocently around before kicking the nearest guard just as she planned to do to her captor." That proves my point enough."

The other men started laughing at the young girls insult, mainly because their captain was speechless afterwards. Growling her grabbed her wrist and she slammed her fist into the side of his head, knocking the hood from his face. Surprising she expected someone butt ugly but...he looked like a forgiener!

Giving a pouty look she grumbled," This is boring...I expected some sort of fish man...but you're normal...exotic but normal."

" Well I wasn't meant to be a source of amusement for you!"

" Done a good job so far."

About to say something her shoved her to another of his men," You know where to take her...if need be shackle her feet and hands. We don't need sunshine where it isn't meant to be."

Snickering Hikari rolled her eyes," You got a sense of humor...odd for a villian."

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" Ah, what a view—" Before Usopp could finish his sentence Nami covered his mouth.

" Don't wake them up..." Looking in the direction she indicated sat Hikaru and Zoro near the mast, fast asleep." Apparently they fell asleep while talking."

A low grumbled caught their attention," That's enough gawking, I just happen to be awake." As the two scampered off the swordsman sighed and combed through Hikaru's red hair with his fingers. They had talked until they ran out of things to talk about...that's when she fell asleep. A small whimper every now and then assured him her dreams weren't all pleasant.

" We'll get her back...I promise."

" There's the ship!" shouted Usopp, turning everyone's attention to the village that lay in wait.

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Another chapter finished! Not many are left I'm afraid...most of my stories end at chapter 20 and I predict that for this one. Everything's coming to an end...sadly, all things must. But you guys have another story to look forward to! Yay!

I really suck at fight scenes...(sweatdrop) Hikaru was cut on her back...and other places as well. lol But I really do...I'm not on eto do them.

Chapter 16: Perfection! Many a secret is revealed but can the crew handle all of it?

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