Chapter 17: To Me You Are—

Don't you dare die...I can't lose you too...Hikaru...

The crew sat inside the only house that wasn't destroyed—luckily enough, no one seemed to have lived there for at least a few months. They had taken turns watching over Hikaru but she hadn't moved since the attack. Not a whimper...the only thing that let them know that she was even living was her breathing, however unsteady it was.

Hopelessly, Zoro sat near the bed, afraid to guess the outcome of the situation. Even if she did wake up that didn't mean she'd be okay...or that she'd even make it. And if she did...what could they do about Hikari? No telling where they had taken her...or that she was even still alive.

Ever since they'd taken them onboard they were constantly a target for whatever it was these people wanted them for. It hadn't helped that he'd probably played right into their hands, which only earned them more pain.

Taking Hikaru's hand the swordsman wasn't sure that he'd be able to handle losing someone else dear to him.

Actually...you wouldn't mind if I stayed and watched...would you? I won't talk unless spoken to! I'll just...keep you company.

"Un...hurts..." It wasn't the most pleasant feeling Hikaru recieved once the numbness left and her eyes opened. Her entire body seemed to be throbbing with the most unbearable pain. If it weren't for a strong hand on her shoulder, she would have bolted straight up when all her senses returned." Hikari! Let me go—I have to save my sister! Let me go! Let me go..."

"Calm down Hikaru...calm down!" Holding her down gently, Zoro was relieved when Sanji came in." If you keep moving you'll reopen your wounds!"

A strangled cry was followed by another, until it was all he could do not to hold and comfort her. Zoro combed back her bangs then looked up at Sanji," Is there anything left of the food?"

"Yeah...I saved enough for her, I'll warm it up a bit and be back..."

Listening as the cheif's footsteps turned to silence, Zoro felt powerless when Hikaru tried to raise up," Zoro...my sister...is...is she okay..? I imagined it...didn't I? She didn't do this to me...right? Please tell me I'm right..."

"I...I don't know...I just don't know..." As more tears came to her eyes, the green haired pirate wrapped his arms around her shoulders." I promised you that we'd get her back...and we will, you can trust me."

Hiding her face in his chest, Hikaru shook her head," She was right...the fortune-teller was right...she said that death waited at my door...great dangers. If it's too late...I'll do anything to keep Hikari alive."

"But—"

"You'd die for your dream...and I'd die for my treasure..."

For a moment both were silent, wondering what the future had planned for them once they dared to moved forward.

———

That dark room was a prison, but his safe haven from the outside world, from the memories that it created. He knew one thing though, if those girls were permitted to live the balance of time would be thrown off and everything would know perfection—something that isn't ever to be. If the ritual came to failure then only he would be to blame.

"Lord!" addressed a man of tall stature and exotic eyes, as he kneeled before the child." One sister is with my men, the youngest of them Lord, the other...is injured beyond our liking."

Another man, fairly smaller but more mysterious appeared beside his Lord." Calm down." Like he had appeared, the man slowly transformed in a woman." I did go a little too far but...now the prize will be easier to grasp."

"You should have warned us of your plan, Nova!" ground out the other man." What if you'd have killed her? The ritual would have been a failure and the backlash would have been horrific!"

"Silence..." spoke the child." Nova, retrieve the other sister while she is weakened." They foreigner and the small boy watched as the most sinister of their group departed." Dosier...follow her, make sure that nothing comes to the worst. If an opening appears, grab the sister and retreat, Nova will take care of the rest."

Dosier stood a moment longer before kneeling," Yes Lord...but what if Nova's intent is to kill the elder sister?"

"Stop her...by any means."

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Please don't do me bodily harm for not updating!dodges things that are being thrown Forgive! Life got hecktic for a while and I've been low on inspiration, but I'm picking up the pace as of now!

I plan...pace To draw a cover for this story, that has the main characters(or the ones that my story actually revolves around), with the child-like villan in the background. It'll be fun and I'll give the link whenever I get it done!

Next chapter, Hikaru starts to gather the courage she needs to confess to Zoro. Meanwhile, Nova is sent to get Hikaru but does she have a secret agenda up her sleeve? Chapter 18: My Bleeding Heart. ————————————————————————————————————