Chrddar: hey! srry that the last chapter was like iron chef... i was bored okay!R&R

Chapter 2

Sanji smiled as every one in the crowd chanted his name, but he couldn't help but feel upset that he'd won, because every one now hated Hikari. Luffy's crew walked down the street and past a noisy tavern where a really big uproar was going on.

"—AND STAY OUT! WE DON"T SERVE LOSERS!" a man with a big anchor tattooed on his right arm snarled as he threw a girl out the door. She landed on the ground several feet away. Tears streaming down her face quietly she muttered.

"Dirty rotten pirates…" The man with the anchor on his arm turned around.

"Just what did ye say gypsy? Never mind I don't even want to stoop to your level." He grinned evilly.

"Well." She said as she stood up and turned around. "At least MY level is three above yours!"

"Hikari! You'll pay for that!" growled the man as he came over and slapped her face. She crumpled to the ground. "What's the matter? Can't you even defend your self?" He asked evilly. Out of the corner of his vision he saw some one run at him.

"WHAT THE!" he yelled as three swords came into contact with him and sent him flying. Zolo sheathed his swords, went over to Hikari and stuck out his hand to help her up.

"Here." He said, but Hikari just smacked his hand away.

"You don't want to help a gypsy like me…" she said "It'd get you in to trouble…" Trembling, she shakily stood up. She turned and looked at Zolo.

"But hey… thanks." She said as she walked over to him and stood on her tip toes and kissed his cheek. Zolo blushed lightly. Hikari hobbled off into the nearby ally. The man with the anchor stirred.

"WHO DID THAT?" He cried out angrily. Zolo turned to him.

"That depends on who's askin'." He grinned.

"Pirate Captain Gama! That's who!" he shouted. Zolo walked over to him, took out his sword and placed it at Gama's throat.

"There are two hundred thousand berries on your throat… but you're lucky I quit that job." Zolo hissed. Pirate Captain Gama's eye's widened.

"Y-y-you're Z-z-zolo!" he squeaked nervously. Zolo grinned.

"If you harm Hikari again and I find out about it or if we cross paths again, the two hundred thousand berries are as good as mine." Zolo said darkly. Gama gulped loudly then crawled quickly back into the tavern.

"Good job Zolo!" Luffy smiled. Then a soft song carried through the air. He couldn't hear the words but it was the most beautiful song Zolo had heard.

"What's that?" Usopp whispered. Sanji shrugged.

"I dunno." He too whispered. Zolo walked over towards the ally where Hikari had disappeared into. The song was becoming clearer.

"—you've saved me."

Zolo looked around the ally but no one was there he looked up.

'They're up there!' Zolo thought curious to know who had the beautiful voice. He looked and saw stairs to his left. He began to climb them. The song was even clearer now that he was approaching the top,

"My head is zoomin' through the clouds,

My dreams are buried under ground,

I only wish people cared

About me

You've saved me."

Zolo came to the top and as he tried to look over the corner the setting sun and the wind made it hard for him to see. As he put his hand up he saw Hikari sitting on the edge of the building gazing out at the sea as her brown hair fluttered in the wind.

"You've saved me…

My head is zoomin' through the clouds…"

She stopped rested her chin in her hand and sighed. Zolo climbed over the top.

"Wow." He said as to alert her of his presence. She turned and looked at him surprised.

"Oh… it's you. You saved me back there… Thanks." She said as she turned and looked back out at the glittering sea.

"You sounded—beautiful." Zolo said as he walked closer to her.

"I think that the song… was for thanking you. I'm not quite sure."

"Well it was nice altogether." Zolo said as he came and stood next to her.

"I… never learned your name." she said as she turned around to face him.

"Zolo." He told her. Hikari stood up and went over to him.

"This is how we gypsies say thank you." She said as she closed her eyes, leaned up and lightly touched her lips with his. "Thank you Zolo."

"Zoooooooooloooooooo" Luffy called as he and the rest of his crew came up the stairs. "Oh! Was Hikari the one who was singing?" Luffy asked the green haired man. Hikari smiled and nodded.

"Wow!" Sanji said as he rushed over to her. "If you sing like that you are from heaven!" he said as he hugged her. Nami fumed.

"Humph!" She snorted. Hikari made Sanji let go of her and she walked back over to the side of the building.

"You're pirates are you not?" she asked. Luffy nodded. "Wow." She said smiling. "You're so lucky."

"HOW?" Usopp demanded "I'M TERROR STRUCK MOST OF THE TIME!" Hikari smiled.

"Well y'all get to go sail and be free! Go where ever you want!" she said as she turned and flung her arms out while looking at the sea. Hikari slowly put her arms back down. "You're not cooped up in a boring city all the time." She said softer.

"Well." Luffy said, "How'd you like to be part of my crew?" He asked her as he smiled big. Hikari shook her head.

"I—I couldn't. I can't swim." She said sadly as she gripped her arms. Luffy looked at her and burst in to laughter.

"I'm a pirate captain and neither can I!" He laughed. "And, I'm gunna be King of the Pirates!" Hikari looked at him funny and then smiled.

"Well your majesty," she said as she bowed to him "may I join your crew?" Luffy laughed.

"Why of course Hikari!" He said. "But the only question is, is can you fight?"