Swordsman's Treasure

July of 1958

Two days after Zoro had been intoxicated and brave enough to kiss the mean bitch, Ussop spotted land. It was a large land mass with a warm climate. Zoro watched the island grow as they sailed closer with a smile on his face. His hand dropped to his swords. Time to kick her ass!

Kisa hurried to the bow with Nami at her side and Luffy bounced up into his seat. "Byakugan!" Kisa summoned reaching out to the island ahead. "Miles of shore but there is no port."

Nami grinned. "That's alright. If there's a town we'll find it."

Zoro cut his eyes over to Kisa. "You don't see a town?"

She used more chakra to see ashore. "No, could be people on the other side. It's a sizeable island."

Zoro nodded. Just so long as they didn't land in the middle of some crappy fishing village he could call Kisa out to fight without worrying about wrecking the place up. No mercy. "So we can probably fight there right?"

"I'm sure there's plenty of room to train."

His grin turned devious. "I didn't say train I said fight."

Luffy looked down at Zoro and Kisa looked at him sidelong. "You wanna fight me aho?"

"Yep, sure do."

Nami was suspicious. "Baka Zoro! You can't beat Ka chan. None of your attacks can hit her. She's too fast and she can make more of herself to beat your ass."

Kisa giggled and concentrated on the island again. "What are you in such a hurry to get your ass kicked for ne Zoro?"

Zoro stepped away from the rail with his eyes on Kisa. "I'm gonna kick your ass little girl and send you home with a fuckin rupture."

"Zoro!" Nami gasped. He sounded downright menacing.

Luffy chuckled. "Uh oh, Zoro's serious."

She turned her Byakugan on Zoro. His chakra was nothing to worry about. "What's a matter Zoro? Did I kick you around too hard and bruise that delicate male ego of yours?"

Luffy chuckled again watching his nakama. Zoro was smiling at Ka chan, but there was a look in the swordsman's eyes Luffy had seen before. Zoro is really gonna beat Ka chan. "I wanna watch! I wanna watch the fight!" Luffy shot one hand up in the air.

He stared Kisa down, but his smile never faltered. "When we get to that island, its game time mean bitch. We're gonna get it on!"

She shook her head. He even made fighting sound perverted. Nami sighed loudly behind her. "I'll be glad to beat the crap out of you aho. I could use the exercise."

Luffy was bouncing in his seat. "Ooooh fight! Fight fight fight fight!"

"Shut up Luffy!" Nami bellowed. Nami stepped forward and pointed a finger at Zoro. "Since you're so full of it bucky badass you can take in the main sail by yourself. Move it!"

Zoro lifted his nose. "Keh! No problem." He headed amidships.

They came up on the island and after Sanji and Ussop secured the aft sail Zoro threw the anchor into the shallows. The Merry came to a halt and all hands rushed the bow for a look at the new land. The coast stretched for miles in both directions; beach rock and the beginnings of forest. "Let's check it out!" Luffy bounced off the ship.

Kisa was right behind him. "Let's go Luffy!"

Zoro lifted a hand. "Hey wait a minute!" but they were gone. He hung over the bow looking for them. They were already running toward the woods. "Damnit Kisa come back here! We're supposed to fight! This is no time for monkey business with Luffy! Deme!" They had quite a lead on him but Zoro was sure he could catch up. He leapt over the rail to pursue.

"Oi," Sanji called, but he was too late as well.

Nami waved a hand dismissively. "Eh let them go. Ka chan will come back to tell us how safe the island is and then you can tell her to go find Zoro."

Sanji frowned. "But I wanted to see the fight too." That was a half truth. It would be hard to sit back and watch if Zoro really had to hurt Ka swan to win.

Luffy ran through the forest with Kisa above him in the trees. "See anything Ka chan?"

She did. The landscape changed up ahead. "Sugee…. Come on Luffy!" she put on speed. Luffy put his head down and ran faster giggling. They broke free of the tree line and came to the crest of a hill. The island was full of hills and winding valleys. The pair stopped for a good look around.

Luffy looked over the valley. There were a lot of smaller trees and grape vines. "Is this another wine island?"

Kisa remembered the hangover. "I hope not." She let the Byakugan stretch further looking for signs of a town. It was then she noticed someone trailing behind them. It was Zoro and he was well on his way to getting lost. "Aho Zoro."

Luffy smiled. "Let me guess. Zoro is getting himself lost ne?"

Kisa shrugged. "Don't he always?"

"You gonna go fight him?"

She laughed. "I'll catch up to him later. Come on; let's check out those fruit trees."

Two hours later Luffy and Kisa returned to the Merry with a sampling of the local fruits and nuts for Sanji to check out. He was particularly impressed with the pomegranate and he asked Ka swan to guide him to the grove tomorrow. He would love to take a walk in the woods with his ninja gal; he'd bring the cigaweed and enjoy nature a little. He went in to start lunch and noticed that Zoro hadn't returned with them. "Where's Zoro?" he asked casually.

Kisa heard that. Whoops forgot about him. "I'll go." She was used to the routine. "We'll be back for lunch."

As Kisa leapt off the Merry down into the lagoon Luffy called out, "Oi Kisa! Don't fight Zoro 'till I can watch!"

As usual Zoro's trail was easy to follow. He slashed through brush instead of following any kind of game trail. Kisa kept to the trees and within fifteen minutes she could see him ahead with her Byakugan. She put on speed and caught up to him in no time. Kisa jumped out of a tree and landed behind him. "Yo Zoro."

Zoro turned grinning dropping his hand to his swords. "Yo yourself."

She rested her eyes. "Come on the Merry is this way. Sanji's fixing lunch." Kisa turned to put them on a path back to the ship.

Zoro didn't follow. "Oi, where do you think you're going?" he unsheathed Wado and pointed his sword at her. Kisa stopped and looked over her shoulder at him. "I said I wanted to fight. I'm going to beat you Kisa."

Kisa rolled her eyes. "Maybe after lunch."

"No, now. Right now." He put the hilt of his sword between his teeth and reached for the other two. "Draw your weapons!" I have to get the drop on her!

She opened her mouth to tell him they could fight later when he charged. "Deme!" Kisa leapt over Zoro and turned. She kicked off the back of his head and landed behind him. "Knock it off Zoro!"

He spun and charged again. He still had the advantage, she hadn't drawn her sai and she wasn't making any hand seals. "Tora Giri!"

Shit! Kisa back flipped away and up into a tree. Instinctively she drew her sai. Kisa glared down at Zoro. "What the fuck was that asshole huh? I said enough!"

I have to do this now I have to do this now I have to do this now "Come down here and fight me you bitch! I'll show you who's stronger!"

Kisa grit her teeth. "Deme," she growled. If Zoro insisted on fighting, so be it. "I'm gonna kick your head around like a soccer ball you bastard!" Kisa jumped from the tree with her sai pointed at Zoro's head. He brought up his sword to block and their weapons clanged together loudly. Kisa wrapped her legs around Zoro's waist and forced their arms up with a push of chakra. "Aho!" Kisa brought her head forward hard into Zoro's face.

Zoro was blinded for a second by the pain. Shit my fucking nose! And then Kisa's weight was off his swords. He turned in time to deflect her sai. Kisa came at him swinging an all out assault, both weapons flying at him with incredible force. The swordplay was so fast it was almost memorizing. I'm doing it. I'm keeping up with her!

Kisa was too aggravated to see how fast Zoro was moving. All she was thinking now was that she was having a little trouble kicking his ass. Sweep the legs. "Konoha Shofu!" Kisa spun around and kicked Zoro's legs out from under him. As he fell over she kicked him in the chest and sent him skidding back on his ass into a tree. "Come on! Get up sucker!" she taunted hopping around. She was ready for war now. "Let's dance bitch!"

Zoro got to his feet with a twisted grin on his face. I can see she aint gonna make this easy. "Fine Kisa, we'll do this the hard way. Mean bitches like you always gotta do shit the hard way ne?"

She brought her sai up and clanged the blades together. "You can't beat me Zoro."

"I have to!" Zoro started toward her again. "Ushi Bari!"

Kisa crouched and readied for his attack. Zoro came at her and the weapons in their hands locked together. She bent over backwards and avoided Wado's blade. Kisa swept her right blade down Zoro's sword and jammed the hilt into his solar plexus. Zoro gagged and Kisa pushed him back. She spun and kicked him in the side throwing him off balance. She launched another assault with her sai.

No… Zoro moved faster adding more force to the swing of his swords. I have to beat Kisa, I have to! "Godamnit!" he swung his left hand as hard as he could and Kisa's sai went flying out of her hand.

Shit! Kisa broke off her attack and jumped back looking for her other sai. "Deme!"

"It's over!" Zoro rushed at Kisa. Finish it now. Finish it NOW!

Zoro was charging but Kisa suddenly ceased to care about their battle. Three arrows were headed straight for him. "Look out!" Kisa stepped into their path and deflected them with her sai.

He stopped short watching Kisa knock away arrows. "What the hell?"

"Byakugan!" she let her eyes look around. There are nine…no, eleven of them. She turned a half circle. "We're surrounded," she mumbled to her partner. To her right there was noise in the trees and three were coming at them with swords drawn. Kisa looked again for her other sai. Twenty feet away and stuck in a bush. Godamnit Zoro. You and your childish bullshit!

Zoro straightened and covered Kisa's back. His eyes searched the woods for the enemy. "How many?"

Three tall women stepped into the clearing. The one in the middle addressed them. "You sister, are you alright?"

The woman was addressing her and Kisa looked at her. "Just peachy." She twirled her sai and re sheathed it in one fluid move. The jungle women seemed impressed.

"Your eyes…"

Kisa brought her hands up in front of her and cracked her knuckles. She could fight just fine without weapons. "What about them?"

The tall woman bowed her head. "I did not mean to offend sister. I am Callisto. This is Alti and Io. We're with Varia's tribe. Who are you, what tribe are you with?"

"Tribe?" Kisa took a step closer to Callisto checking her and her friends out.

"You are Amazon are you not? You must be a great warrior of your people."

Amazons? Aren't they those mean bitches that kill men for fun? Shit! "Kisa?"

Kisa ignored Zoro. "I'm not Amazon, I'm shinobi. My name is Hyuuga Kisa. This man is Roronoa Zoro. He's with me."

"We saw your fight," Callisto was disappointed the warrior woman wasn't here to join them. She re sheathed her sword. "Your strength and speed are impressive sister. I was hoping you had come to our aid from an allied tribe."

The amazons were putting their swords away and Kisa had just one more question before she could relax. "You shot at him. Why?"

"Probably because I have balls," Zoro tried to panic quietly.

"We thought he was a scout for the army. Zaon has sent many dogs into our territory to try and sniff us out. We try to let none of them leave alive."

"I see." Kisa relaxed and headed for her sai in the bushes. "Stay your swords Zoro."

After watching the fight, Callisto couldn't give up. "We could use a skilled fighter like you on our side. The Roman army is on the move even now. They've slaughtered our sisters in the north already."

Kisa picked her sai out of the bush. She rolled her eyes over to Callisto. Behind her Zoro was cautiously re sheathing his swords. "What do you mean?"

It was Alti that answered. "The emperor has declared the amazons heretics for abandoning the old gods. He means to annihilate the entire Amazon nation."

"How big are your tribes?" Kisa didn't like what she was hearing at all. Genocide.

Callisto again, "There are between sixty and a hundred sisters in each tribe. There are twelve tribes in the nation. At least there were. Now there are eight."

"And how big is this army of Rome?"

"Huge. Hundreds of soldiers attacked Queen Isolder's tribe. Outnumbered them five to one… and they have very proficient archers. There was no escape."

Kisa twirled her sai and tucked it away. "These Romans are headed here?"

"They haven't found us yet, but we know where they are."

"You're planning an ambush?"

Callisto nodded. "Three tribes are coming together for the attack. We will kill them all and drive the army out of Amazon territory."

"You sure about that?"

Callisto watched as the shinobi woman's eyes changed. "We have to try. We can't let them advance any further. The survival of our people is on the line. We must send a clear message to Rome to stop sending troops into Amazon territory. We must stop the senseless slaughter of our sisters now while there are still enough of us to do so. Of course I think our chances might increase a little with you on our side."

Zoro watched Kisa and the scary blonde jungle woman suspiciously. It sounded like she wanted Kisa to fight with them. Zoro stepped toward Kisa. Bullshit on this! "Oi Kisa. Didn't you say Sanji was making lunch?"

Kisa ignored Zoro. She had some questions for Callisto. "How many of you are there going after the Romans? What's the enemies arsenal like?"

Callisto stepped closer to Kisa. "Perhaps you would like to come back to our village. I'm sure Queen Varia would be glad to receive you. She can answer all of your questions better then I can."

Kisa nodded. It was worth finding out what was going on. It sounded like these women were in trouble up to their chins. "Yeah, okay."

Callisto nodded. "This way." Kisa started following the amazons and Zoro started following Kisa. Callisto stopped and frowned at Zoro. "Not you. Men aren't allowed in an Amazon village."

Zoro froze and grit his teeth. Kisa stepped between Zoro and Callisto. "I can't leave him," Kisa insisted.

Callisto looked at Kisa. "Why not?" She figured the man was probably a valued slave. He had some fighting ability.

Kisa lowered her voice a little. "He's simple. No sense of direction. If I leave him out here he'll get lost. Probably run into those Romans."

"I see." Callisto frowned a little. "Very well, but as long as he is within Amazon territory he is your prisoner to mind." She looked at Io. "Secure him."

Zoro grabbed a hold of Kisa's arm. "Oi, a little help here!"

Io stepped forward pulling scarves from a pouch on her belt. She looked at Kisa. "I won't harm your slave sister, but he's not permitted to see where he's going."

Kisa shrugged her shoulders. "Alright then."

Zoro squeezed her arm. "Nani?"

Kisa sighed and rolled her eyes at Zoro. "Just cooperate would ya?"

Io grabbed Zoro's hands and tied them together at the wrist. She handed the lead to Kisa and stepped behind him. The last thing Zoro saw before the Amazon blindfolded him was Kisa's smile. "Deme Kisa," Zoro growled. "You better not let me trip into shit!" he reached for Kisa and caught her arm. What the fuck? I'm being kidnapped by amazons!

Zoro held her arm between his bound hands. Kisa smiled at Callisto. "Lead the way."

Callisto led them and six other amazons back to her village. The shinobi woman asked more about the queens of the nation and all of the amazons offered up all the information they had. They talked about things that even the retarded man seemed to take interest in. The amazons had strong queens, but there were commanders in the Roman army league with the gods.

Zoro had seen a kami before. God Enel. That bastard. He couldn't quite remember what had happened to that long eared freak, Zoro had his brain fried. He bumped into Kisa again. "Damnit aren't we there yet?"

A short while later they arrived in the Amazon village. Some of the amazons ran ahead to report to Queen Varia. Callisto led Kisa to a tent where she could leave Zoro and Kisa ducked inside with him for a moment. She helped him sit and pulled off his blindfold. Zoro blinked at her. "Keh, what now?"

"Just sit tight Zoro I want to talk to their queen. I want to find out what's going on."

"Why? It aint none of our business!" he lifted his hands. "Untie me."

Kisa frowned at Zoro. "It sounds like these women can use some help."

He was afraid Kisa was leaning their way. "It's not your war Kisa stay out of it."

"The survival of their nation could be on the line." She wasn't surprised he was so calloused, just annoyed by it. "One nation after another are dieing out all over the grand line. The warriors are disappearing."

"Damnit Kisa don't give me that bullshit. They aint shinobi."

Kisa stood up without untying his hands. "Yeah? Well let's just say that I strongly feel endangered species ought to stick together!" She turned and threw the flap over the door out of her way and stomped out.

"Oi!" Zoro saw two armed women take up guard outside the tent. "Deme Kisa, don't go getting yourself involved in their bullshit." He looked down at his hands. "Mean bitch didn't even untie my hands." He sat quietly frowning at the entrance trying to hear what was going on in the village. Voices, hoof beats, the sound of swords clanging together in practice. Just what the hell kind of place is this?

By the time Callisto led Kisa to Varia's tent, the queen was already expecting her. Varia stood as the shinobi woman with pale eyes came in behind her warrior. "I am Varia, queen of the amazons."

Kisa bowed her head a little. "Hyuuga Kisa of the shinobi. Your warriors tell me you're at war. I would like to know more."

Varia looked Kisa up and down. She had heard stories about the shinobi. "My warriors tell me you can fight. I would also like to know more." She swept her and at the pillows on the floor. "Sit with me Kisa of the shinobi tribe. Let's palaver."

Kisa sat with Varia and the double sided interrogation began. The Amazon questioned Kisa about her background, her skill, and about what happened to the shinobi Home. Varia then compared the Kushan army to that of Rome. All either cared about was annihilating their enemy's nation. Shinobi and Amazon being destroyed the same way by the same kind of mad emperor.

The Roman army was massive, their empire spread everywhere through conquest. Amongst their ranks were two generals in particular were a problem. Yunalesca, bitch of Rome and favorite of the god of war Ares and infantry commander Zaon. Ares himself was a problem for the amazons too. They had once worshiped his mother but unbelievably a goddess had died. The amazons lost faith as Rome scrambled to put their pantheon in order. Ceaser usurped the throne from Cassius in the chaos and restored order within the empire through force. Ares bent the ears of the up and coming commanders Yunalesca and Zaon and once they had obtained positions of power in the military and the court they advised Ceaser to destroy the Amazon nation. Ceaser agreed.

"It's not as if we're the only ones who have lost faith in the gods, we're just the strongest. The death of the Amazon nation ensures total domination by Rome." Varia had kept a close watch on Kisa the entire time.

"Ceaser and Ares are making an example out of you?" It was a sick reason to slaughter an entire culture, but not unheard of.

"Such genocide appeases the god of war."

Kisa shook her head. "These gods, how can they really be gods if they can die?"

"That's what we wanted to know." Varia stood and stretched her legs. "As of late the only two gods that have even been seen anywhere are Ares and Aphrodite."

"Aphrodite?" gods that manifest themselves in front of people?

"She is love as Ares is war. We suspect that they cannot exist without each other."

Kisa was wondering how gods could really exist at all. Deities were always some nut that had eaten a devils fruit. "Do you intend to fight Ares too?"

"We'll fight Ares if he fights us. We have yet to discover the secret magic to kill a god though. Facing Ares is suicide but Yunalesca and Zaon can be killed. His army is camped two days journey form here and Yunalesca will be meeting him in five. They'll march on the Amazon nation together and wipe the rest of us out. We must destroy Zaon and his army before Yunalesca gets here. It is out last chance to even the odds."

She could see the logic in it. Take the three hundred or so amazons you have ready to fight and destroy the first wave. "But what about when Yunalesca arrives with her army? She'll still come after you and your warriors will be exhausted from battle."

"Reinforcements are on their way. More amazons are coming to put an end to this war."

Kisa got to her feet keeping her eyes on the queen. "Varia, I have strong nakama. We may be able to help."

The Amazon lifted an eyebrow. "Strong? Like that idiot man you keep as a pet?"

Zoro the pet ne? She couldn't help but smile. "He's not my pet, he's my partner."

"He's a man," Varia couldn't keep the disgust from her voice so she didn't bother to try.

"Among my nakama there are two other women, three men and a reindeer that ate the huma huma fruit. They're pirates with devils fruit powers." Kisa decided brutal honesty was best. Amazons seemed to be a little short of diplomacy; these chicks were all about the fight. The entire village was laid out like one big training ground.

"Pirates?" Men and cursed fruit powers?

"You can trust them Varia. You can trust me."

Varia stared her down. "The amazons have no trust nor need for the help of any man."

"Sorry to hear that because we're kind of a package deal. My nakama and I fight together. Their battles are my battles."

"You sound like a tribe."

Kisa nodded. "I guess we have become our own clan." It was going to have to be all or nothing with the queen. Kisa wanted to help but if there were warriors with cursed fruit abilities in Rome's army Luffy and the others would come in handy.

Varia sighed. She was too smart of a queen to just let a warrior like Kisa go just because of a few men. They would probably be killed in battle anyway but, "I want to trust you Kisa of the shinobi. Would you fight for your voice to be heard by my sisters?"

Great, thought so. "A test?"

"If you show strength and wisdom in battle, you may prove that you can lead your tribe into battle with ours."

Take that Luffy, I'm captain. Her hands instinctively dropped to the handles of the weapons on her thighs. "If it's the only way to prove to you that we can be trusted, I'll fight you Varia."

Varia smiled pleased. The shinobi woman was as brave as she was loyal to her tribe. "Not just me Kisa. You will first face ten of my warriors and then you will face me."

"Just ten?" Kisa laughed a little. It sounded like the challenge she had been looking for. "Alright Varia, I accept your challenge."

Her guest seemed excited to fight. Varia was indeed very pleased. She was eager to see a shinobi fight too. "Alright Kisa." She headed for the door. "Follow me."

Zoro's stomach growled. He was starving. Damnit what the hell is taking her so long? He gnawed at the knot on his binding with his teeth. She could have at least untied my hands. Zoro spit out lint. "Oi! I'm starving in here! Can't I at least get bread and water? Even the marines give ya bread and water."

A scary looking woman poked her head inside the tent. "You're alright, be still and wait for your master retard."

"Retard? Who you calling retard?" The Amazon looked at him pityingly and resumed her post outside. "Keh! What the fuck is this crap? I'm still thirsty ya know!" Nothing from outside the tent. Deme Kisa this is all your fault. I'll bet I missed cheeseburgers. Luffy probably ate them all! His stomach growled again.

Varia sent an attendant to fetch her ten best and led Kisa to a sizeable sparing arena. Varia offered Kisa a sword and Kisa took it. She would show the amazons a little swordplay too just for good measure. Varia's champions arrived one by one and the introductions were made. Once everyone was assembled Kisa stepped into the center of the ring. Varia raised a hand and commanded the attention of every Amazon in sight.

"War often starts off as a small thing," Varia began. "So first you will fight one on one. War is a flame that spreads like fire, devouring all in its path so if you defeat my two best you will fight three on one and then five." Varia smiled at Kisa. "The rules are simple. When your ass hits the ground, you lose. Defeat my warriors and face me."

Kisa nodded her approval at Varia. "Got it."

"Sula, go!" Varia dropped her hand and Sula jumped into the ring whooping a war cry. Sula drew her sword and went after the shinobi woman with her sword up by her shoulder. Sula swung and Kisa blocked.

So hungry… Zoro lay back. Outside the women were getting excited about something. Zoro heard swordplay. Somebody's going at it pretty good.

It took less then a minute to knock Sula's sword out of her hand. A quick Konoha shofu and Sula went flying back landing on her ass. The amazons watching the fight cheered and more came running over. Alti leapt into the arena with her sword already drawn. She attacked with everything she had driving Kisa back some with the force of her strikes.

He turned his head and peeked out the bottom of the flap that was a door. He could see a lot of feet all moving in the same direction. There was cheering going on and Zoro tried to make out what the amazons were cheering. Mostly it was Get her! or Fight!

Alti was pretty tough; she could take a hit way better then Kisa's first opponent. Kisa flipped over Alti and kicked her in the back of the head. Kisa tossed her sword and took up her sai. She attacked from behind driving her sai hilts into the pressure points on Alti's back. Alti spun and Kisa got her in the solar plexus. Kisa never stopped moving. Alti bent a little and Kisa brought her knee up hard into the woman's chin. Alti fell over on her ass.

The cheering was getting more excited. Some of the feet Zoro saw were running. It didn't sound like they were under attack. Zoro rolled over on his stomach and elbows peeking out the bottom of the tent. I bet a couple of these mean bitches are getting it on. Zoro wiggled forward. He wanted to see a fight too.

Using her primary weapon the next three amazons to jump Kisa were easy to take out. At five it got a little tougher and impossible to avoid all of their strikes and blows. She couldn't give up here though and Kisa re sheathed her sai as she moved evasively. She hastened her hands through the seals. "Kage bushin no jutsu!" She made three more of herself to help win this fight. The crowd gasped and cheered Two of her clones were destroyed but the match was hers.

The amazons were freaking out, but Zoro couldn't see why. There was a crowd gathered but all Zoro could see was feet, legs and dirt. He wiggled closer to the door trying to be stealthy. He didn't want to make that big ugly broad mad at him. She'd probably crush his balls for fun.

It was down to Kisa and Varia. The Amazon queen also used sai as her weapon of choice. She destroyed the last shadow clone quickly and went after the shinobi woman. The amazons chanted for their queen as the fight became more intense. Kisa had been keeping her flow of chakra steady so far, but she was tiring. She fed more chakra into her sai and increased the strength of her blows. She sent one of Varia's sai flying and the queen responded by using her free hand to punch Kisa in the face.

Kisa never stopped moving but neither did Varia. She threw the shinobi woman over her shoulder and roundhouse kicked her before she could hit the ground. Kisa rebounded quickly and charged again. The two women were a blur of flying fists and feet and steel. Varia grabbed Kisa's wrist and slammed one of her sai out of her hand while their other two weapons collided. Without a pair the sai fight seemed pointless and it became a taijutsu match. They had no choice but to pummel each other so they did.

Finally Varia caught Kisa's hands with her own and it became a contest of brute strength. Varia knew the shinobi was using special magic to be strong so she decided to break the shinobi's concentration to win. The Amazon grinned deviously leaning her face closer to the shinobi. "I like you. You should stick around. I'll make you my bitch." Varia licked Kisa's lips and she startled. It was enough of a break for Varia's final move. She kicked sweeping Kisa's feet out from under her. The surprised shinobi landed on her ass in the dust. Varia raised her hands in triumph and her tribe cheered.

"Keh!" Kisa wiped at her mouth with the back of her hand. Pretty clever bitch. I see why she's the leader. Varia smiled down at her and offered her a hand up. Kisa took it and the Amazon pulled her to her feet. "Nice trick Varia."

Varia laughed. "Just had to break your concentration little sister." She dusted herself off and addressed her people. "Here me sisters! Kisa of the shinobi survives the right of passage. Tonight we welcome a new sister to our tribe." She took Kisa's hand and lifted it. "Tonight we celebrate!"

There was a big round of cheering and Zoro thought he heard someone say Kisa's name. His stomach growled again. So hungry…

Varia gave Kisa instructions and once things had settled down again Kisa went back to the tent to check on Zoro. He saw her feet coming; they were the only feet in the village with pink toenails, and slithered further into the tent on his belly. Kisa came in and looked at him funny. "What are you doing Zoro?"

"Starving my ass off!" Zoro snapped his head up to look at her and froze. "Nani!" Kisa looked a little battered. He got to his knees. "Oi Kisa, what happened?"

She looked at the scrapes on her arms. "This is nothing. I'm fine."

"You're bleeding." Was that fighting I heard…? "You fought the amazons? Was it because they were going to kill me? Are they man cannibals?"

She didn't know where the hell Zoro came up with some of this stuff. "No Zoro, nobody is going to kill you or eat you, but I did get Varia to listen to me." She dropped to her knees beside Zoro and worked on the soggy knot binding his hands together. "Did you chew on this? Eww."

"I'm hungry but it tasted like dirt." She freed his hands and immediately he grabbed her by the arms. He focused on a cut above her eye. "We better get back so Chopper can look at that."

Kisa shook Zoro's hands off. "I'll get it looked at but we aren't going back to the Merry just yet."

Shit. Zoro frowned. "Yes we are, I'm starving and sick of being here!"

She flat eyed Zoro. "If you really insist I'll take you back, but I'm staying the night here. They're initiating me into their tribe tonight so that they can accept our help."

He flat eyed her right back. "You gonna drag us all into a war cuz you found some other mean bitches to play with?"

"Varia told me here there are gods. It sounds like there are masterminds with cursed fruit powers behind this."

Shit and double shit. Zoro was having Alabasta flashbacks."Not our problem."

"I can't just let the Amazon nation disappear. We should help these women if we can."

"Why?"

She sat back on her heels. "Because it's the right thing to do, because it's my duty as a shinobi and because tonight they will become my sisters."

Exchanging the shinobi nation for the Amazon nation ne Kisa? "What about Nami and Robin? Aint they your sisters? You gonna ask them to die for total strangers?"

"No, not Nami. She should stay at base camp and study the maps. The rest of us can…"

"No! I aint doin it! I aint helping mean bitches that tie me up and call me retarded!" Come on Kisa; let's just get the hell out of here!

"Fine, then I'll take you back to the Merry and I'll do this myself."

Zoro's hand shot forward and he grabbed her wrist. "Like hell you will and don't even think about ditching me! If you insist on staying here and getting in the shit then so am I but I aint gonna fight for all your new friends Kisa. The only one I'll fight to protect is you." Stupid bitch getting herself in trouble! Damnit!

She valued Zoro's loyalty but, "I don't need you to protect me Zoro."

"Keh! If we had been able to finish out fight I would have beat you Kisa."

Kisa snatched her arm back away from Zoro. "You can't beat me and you can't protect me but you can stay out of my way. For just once Zoro, stop being such a selfish egomaniac and help someone that isn't you."

It took him a minute to figure out what those big words meant. "I sit here starving to death why you roughhouse with killer bitches and I'm selfish?"

Sighing Kisa got to her feet. "If I get you some food will you settle down and be a good boy ne Zoro?"

"Keh!" Zoro crossed his arms across his chest. "Maybe if you eat with me and tell me what the hell is going on around here. Maybe then I'll be a good pet retard for you master," he jabbed.

Kisa tried to stifle a laugh and it came out a snort. That just cracked her up even more. "Alright Zoro, I'll explaine everything."

He got to his feet and adjusted his swords. "Get yourself looked at first. I don't wanna eat lookin at you like that. You look like something the cat dragged in."

"Gee thanks." Kisa turned toward the door. "I'll be back."

Zoro watched her go frowning with concentration. "This is gonna suck, I just know it."

A short while later Kisa returned with a basket of lunch for her and Zoro to share. He calmed seeing her wounds properly tended to and dug into the basket. While they ate she explained the situation to Zoro in a way that he could understand. The big guard listening outside felt sorry Kisa was responsible for such a helpless man.

She stayed with him until the sun began to sink and then Kisa had to go. She informed Zoro that he was going to have to stay put for a while longer and she promised to bring him back some good booze from the party. Kisa left and Zoro lay back with a full belly for a nap. There wasn't much else to do in this place besides sleep. Kisa went to Varia to prepare for the ceremony that would make her an Amazon.

As the sun set and the moon rose a huge bonfire was set ablaze in the center of the village. The amazons gathered around the alter and waited for their queen. Varia came out of her tent with the shinobi woman behind her. Kisa had ditched her clothes for Amazon gear. She was dressed much like Varia and had even pulled her hair up in a ponytail like the queen. Varia stepped up to the alter and the drumming started. She gestured for Kisa to join her. Kisa stepped up beside Varia and Alti handed her queen the ceremonial dagger.

Varia took the knife in one hand, Kisa's left arm in the other. The amazons started to chant. Varia laid the knife across Kisa's palm. "I bring you sister Kisa!" she drew the blade across Kisa's palm and the blood flowed. Varia raised Kisa's bloody hand up with her own. "To a strong Amazon nation!"

"To a strong Amazon nation!" the crowd cheered back.

Callisto bowed before Varia and offered her a challis of absinth. Varia took it and drank. She passed it to Kisa who took it and drank before passing it on to Alit. The amazons cheered again and the celebration began. There was drinking and ceremonial dancing. The artisans of the tribe circulated with their henna pots and quill pens drawing symbols of protection and bravery on their sister's bodies. Kisa danced with her sisters. The night became a blur of drums and fire.

Zoro was trying to sleep when things outside got too rowdy. He woke up drums and shouting. He looked around and saw Kisa was not in the dim tent with him. Outside a huge bonfire illuminated the night. Keh, where's my booze ne Kisa? Mean bitch. He settled his head against one of the plethora of pillows I guess even violent killer bitches just love throw pillows and waited for Kisa. It was late and things had quieted down outside when Zoro heard her stagger in. He cracked one eye open to look at her and for a moment Zoro just stared.

Is that… a loin cloth! Zoro sat up and stared at Kisa. In the dim he could she was dressed like the amazons. There was writing and blood all over her. Kisa swayed on her feet grinning at him. "K-Kisa!"

"Yo Zoro." She dropped down on her hands and knees beside him in the pile of pillows. "I forgot your booze." She smiled drunkenly at him.

Holy hell…I can see…! "What the hell happened to you?"

Kisa rested her cheek on a pile of pillows. She didn't even care if Zoro was ogling. "Sleep. I just need sleep."

Zoro couldn't help but stare at her ass; it was still up in the air. "Oi oi, you better put that thing down woman." He reached over and tentatively pushed on her mostly naked hip. Kisa flopped over and lay on her back still grinning.

Kisa giggled. "Sorry Zoro but that wasn't an invitation."

He wasn't exactly sure what she meant but he thought it had something to do with sex. Zoro swallowed hard as his eyes moved over Kisa's body in the gloom. A lot of her was exposed and she had weird symbols painted all over her. The blood had come from a cut on the palm of her hand. Zoro carefully took her hand and brought it closer to his face to see better in the dim. "It doesn't look too deep. You should have bandaged it."

She blinked at Zoro trying to keep her eyes open. She was beyond tired and what she had consumed with the amazons was fucking up her thinking. "I was busy."

"Busy ne?" Zoro grabbed the scarf that had been his blindfold and wrapped Kisa's hand. "Looks like you were busy getting fucked up."

Kisa laughed at him. "You have a terrible bedside manor Zoro."

A slobbish grin slipped loose. Zoro couldn't resist being a smart ass. "I'm better in bed then beside it." he wiggled his eyebrows at her flirting a little.

She laughed again. "You think so?"

"I'd be more then happy to show you ne Kisa?" Zoro pushed his luck a little leaning in closer to her.

Sucker. "Alright."

N-nani! Zoro's jaw dropped. "Really?"

She shook her head. "No." Kisa laughed and took back her hand. "We have to get up early Zoro." She rolled over putting her back to him. "Get some sleep."

Zoro's heart finally beat. Tease! Mean bitch! "Keh!" he grit his teeth together. He could see the paintings on Kisa's shoulders and back. He looked lower and noticed the loin cloth skirt thing she was wearing had slid off to one side. That's a thong godamnit! "Tease!" Zoro hissed, but Kisa was already snoring.

The swordsman threw himself back down on his waiting pillows tearing his eyes away from Kisa's mostly naked ass. "Deme Kisa," Zoro growled in the dark. "I'll pay you back for this torment teasing mean bitch. Bet on it!"

Sanji stood to port smoking a cigaweed and looking at the island in the moonlight. So they've disappeared together again ne? Sanji blew out a gust of smoke. Have you beaten Ka swan marimo? Enjoying the spoils of your victory perhaps? His smile turned lecherous. You're such a lucky scumbag marimo.

Zoro was dreaming. In his dream he woke up next to Kisa in their bed to the sound of waves hitting the breakers. It was almost dawn and he heard early morning birds. He rolled over on top of her and snuggled himself against her warm naked body. He knew exactly how to wake his woman. He slipped one arm beneath her and held her close while his other hand slid up her thigh. Zoro tickled at her neck with his lips. Kisa…

Kisa was also dreaming of a past that never happened. She was in bed with Zoro. Outside there was a storm. He held her close. She felt his warm body on top of her, his hands sliding over her skin, his soft kisses on her neck. Kisa sighed longingly and wrapped her arms around her lover. Zoro…

The dreams took on a surreal quality as they both started to wake. They had moved in their sleep. Zoro had rolled over on top of Kisa. She had put her arms around him. He nestled his face against her neck and felt her soft skin against his lips. The dreams should be falling apart as their bodies started to shake off sleep, but it didn't seem to stop. Zoro's hand moved up Kisa's thigh to her waist to her breast. He kissed her neck. Kisa moaned.

The sound of a real noise made in real world was enough to bring her up and out of sleep. Nani…? As Kisa came awake she realized Zoro wasn't just touching her in her dreams. He was kissing her neck and groping her boob. What… the fuck?

She sat up quickly throwing Zoro off of her. Kisa was hitting him before he hit the pillows beside her. "You slob! Just what the hell do you think you're doing ne?"

He came all the way awake to bitching and slapping. "What the hell is your problem ne? You like getting some in the morning too."

She whipped a pillow into his face and got up quickly. "Wake up Zoro." Kisa kicked him in the side.

Zoro blinked up at Kisa tiredly. Mean bitch sure knows how to ruin a good dream. "Keh what's your problem?" She was mad alright. Her cheeks were red.

"You were molesting me!" she kicked him again for good measure.

He frowned a little. "I was sleeping."

"You were grabbing my boob and kissing my neck!"

His idiot grin slipped loose. "I was?"

She wasn't sure if he was boasting or if he couldn't remember doing it. "Zoro," she growled a warning.

"Keh!" he lifted his nose. "It aint my fault."

She glared at him. "How is you attacking me not your fault ne aho!"

Zoro waved a hand at her. "Look at you. You crawl up next to any guy in bed with that much skin showing and you're gonna get grabbed. Guys can't help it, morning sex is awesome."

"Why you…!" She kicked him again.

Zoro grabbed her ankle. He didn't like waking from a good dream to getting kicked. "You loved a good morning tumble even more then I did Kisa."

For a moment she was too shocked to speak. He was a little too right and she felt her face heating up. She kicked at him again and he let her go. "You better wake up from that dream world you're living in Zoro." she stepped back toward the door. Now that she was up, she might as well get busy. At the very least she had to get away from Zoro. "I'm going to check in with Varia. Be ready to head back to the ship when I get back." Kisa turned and stomped out of the tent.

Zoro lay back and rubbed the ribs Kisa had kicked. "Yeah good morning to you too mean bitch." He sighed tiredly and stared up at the peak of the tent. He remembered grabbing Kisa in his dream; he remembered it feeling pretty damn real. He raised his hands and looked at them. His finger tips were smeared with paint. So I'm touching her in my sleep now too am I? Keh! It's her fault for being such a tease! He dropped his arms to his sides and closed his eyes. "Damnit Kisa, what the hell are you doing to me?"

Sanji was finishing breakfast when Zoro and a wild looking Kisa returned to the Merry with a small trope of jungle women. Callisto and Alti were among them. Sanji was instantly in love and pledged his life to the Amazon nation. He hugged at Kisa offering to be her pet retard and man slave anytime. Nami looked at Ka chan funny. She had gone Amazon. "Are you wearing dead animals?"

The amazons stayed for breakfast and between them and Kisa they were able to make the Luffy pirates understand the situation. Luffy finished his juice and let out a long satisfying belch. "I wanna meet queen Varia."

Alti wrinkled her nose at Luffy. That bloated bastard is really sister Kisa's commander? "Varia is with the war council this morning, but perhaps this afternoon."

Kisa leaned toward Alti. "Look, I can't lead all of these guys back to the village tied up and blindfolded by myself. Can't I just…"

"An Amazon for a day and already you want to break the rules?" Alti did not approve.

Sanji was grinning from ear to ear. "You can tie me up and blindfold me Ka swan"

Zoro glared at Sanji. "It aint the fun you think it's gonna be love cook."

"Shut up marimo, you had your turn." Sanji offered his clasped hands to Kisa. "Tie me up baby I'm ready. Just don't spank me too hard ne?" he winked at her.

"Are they all retarded?" Callisto wondered aloud looking at the tall blonde man.

"They certainly are," Nami answered the Amazon. "Except Ussop."

Ussop puffed with pride. "Why…thank you Nami!"

"He's just a coward," Nami finished.

"Keh! Like you never hid behind me while I was hiding behind Zoro ne?" he defended.

"Which one of your retards is strongest?" Callisto asked Nami.

Zoro got to his feet. "Oi, I might be a little slow sometimes, but I am NOT retarded!"

Kisa sighed and shook her head. "Luffy is the strongest. He's our leader."

Luffy smiled at the amazons. "Amazon ladies sugee sugee! I'll help you!"

The amazons exchanged a nervous glance. "It's alright sisters," Robin eased. "They may be simple but these boys can fight."

Callisto stayed behind to help Kisa guide her clan back to the village while her sisters went on ahead to report back to queen Varia. She watched her new sister Kisa with her tribe. The kitchen slave seemed to adore her most of all. The retarded pet with the green hair seemed irritated by the cook's devotion to his mistress. The fat captain just wanted to find more food. Can these people actually help us? She saw the reindeer go to Kisa and look at her hand. The animal cleaned and bandaged sister Kisa. Maybe it would be alright after all. Sister Kisa trusted them. They were her family, a new addition to the Amazon nation.

Callisto let the men go on free for as long as she dared. With the village just a valley away she halted the party and started to remove bindings from her bag. Sanji immediately clapped his hands together waiting to get tied up. "Do with me what you will!"

Chopper nervously watched the women tying the men's hands together. "W-what about me?" The Amazon looked down at him.

"You're not a man. You're a beast. There is no need to bind you." Callisto replied.

Zoro grinned evilly at Chopper. "They're gonna eat you lunch meat."

"No their not," Kisa glared at Zoro and turned to Chopper. "It's okay Chopper. Here, lead Ussop for me." She handed Ussop's lead to Chopper.

"Oi oi Chopper," Ussop fret. "Don't let me fall okay?"

"I'll be really careful," the doctor promised.

Kisa saved Luffy for last. "Come on Luffy, it's time for the surprise. When you can see again you'll be in the mystery Amazon village."

"Sugee sugee!" Luffy let himself be tied up and blindfolded. She handed him off to Nami. Callisto grabbed Zoro's lead and Kisa took Sanji's. They headed down into the valley and Luffy started singing a song about digging up potatoes and eating them. Kisa rolled her eyes and Nami shook her head.

The Amazon led them to her village and to a tent that had been prepared to receive the male visitors. Once the Luffy pirates settled in; Sanji and Nami both loved all the pillows, Varia and Alti came in to palaver with Kisa's clan. Varia wasn't as quick to dismiss Kisa's male nakama as her sisters were. Sure they all acted a little retarded, but the leader had steel in his eyes. He had enough of a sense of justice to readily agree to help the nation on the brink of extinction.

Varia explained their strategy to Kisa's nakama. Their first wave of Amazon warriors was setting out to catch Zaon tonight. They were counting on a fight in the dark. It would take the Romans by surprise and give the amazons some advantage. The latest reports counted five hundred soldiers under Zaon's command. The amazons would surround them and make it a priority to attack the weapons station first; the Romans had catapults and archers. It was going to be a difficult battle by the numbers. The Luffy pirates were willing to help so Varia decided to allow it.

Luffy had just one request. "Varia, since we're all friends now can I get a tour of your cool village?"

"You're pretty bold for being such a small man," Varia towered over the grinning pirate. She looked from him to his other male clansmen. "It's never been done before, but I'm queen and I can do what I want. I grant all of you men special permission to leave this tent. You may speak with the sisters you will be fighting beside. Weapons and armor are also available if you so require."

"Varia, I want Nami to stay here. She's a cartographer and an excellent strategist. She can help the sisters that will be arriving to find the best place to fight Yunalesca's troops."

Nami blinked stunned. "You want me to stay behind?"

Kisa knew Robin could easily fight from the shadows and the guys could all handle fighting a group of armed soldiers all at once, but Nami… "You're the most competent person I know when it comes to reading maps," Kisa kept her voice even.

Sanji could see what Kisa was doing. She didn't want Nami in this fight. "You should listen to Ka swan Nami swan. You're brilliant mind is needed here."

She knew what this was about too, but if Kisa wanted her here, "Alright. I'll stay here."

Varia seemed satisfied. "Come then all of you and meet the sisters." The rest of the morning the Straw Hat pirates mingled with the amazons in the village. Varia offered Kisa and Robin warrior dress. Robin refused but Kisa followed Varia back to her tent. Afternoon came and it was time to mount up and head out.

Callisto had given Robin a horse and the rest of her nakama were wondering if they were going to ride too when Kisa and Varia came to join them. Sanji lifted a curly eyebrow at Kisa in the Amazon battle gear and Zoro's mouth fell open. Her skirt and top were fringed black leather; she wore an ornate looking silver breastplate. Her long hair was pulled back into a viciously tight looking ponytail and the length of it was braided. She was armed with her sai but Varia had also given Kisa a gladius and a Roman short sword. They sat in sheaths on her right hip.

Kisa's got swords…and she's all leathery and tough looking. Holy crap. Zoro closed his gaping mouth and swallowed hard. Kisa looked totally bad ass which just made her incredibly sexy. "Oi, if we're riding double mounted I'm riding with you," Zoro directed at her trying not to grin like a slob.

"Captain, you can ride with me if you like," Robin offered.

Luffy immediately jumped up behind Robin. "Yosh! Let's ride!"

After a little bickering with Sanji Zoro got his way and shared a horse with Kisa. None of the amazons wanted Sanji with them so he got a horse to command. To his dismay he was stuck with Ussop behind him. Chopper hitched a ride with Sanji and Ussop and they headed to the outland of Amazon territory.

Kisa rode beside Callisto a length back from Varia and Alti. They talked a little here and there. Occasionally Varia would call for Kisa to use her Byakugan. Alti took Kisa on ahead as day gave way to darkness. They found an acceptable campsite for the troops to rest until dawn. When things seemed settled for the evening Kisa went to join her nakama by their campfire.

For a while they sat and made small talk about the upcoming fight. Kisa wondered how Nami was doing, if the other tribes of amazons had arrived in Varia's village yet. Robin talked what little history she had of this island. For generations this land was supposed to be the domain of gods. The amazons had given her what information they had about the two gods that seemed to reign in these times. Ares god of war and Aphrodite goddess of love. In times of war and crisis like these both were widely worshipped. Gods wouldn't be a problem unless they came to fight.

Kisa knew that her friends weren't afraid of anything. She smiled a little. "Oi mina, thanks for coming with me. Sorry to get you involved."

"Ka chan," Luffy looked at her across the fire. "We're your nakama, of course we'd come with you. Your fight is our fight." He settled his hat. "You fight for the Amazon nation as a representative of your shinobi nation ne?"

Kisa blinked at Luffy. "Luffy…" It was true shinobi were hired for battle all the time. Their involvement hear was a jonin level mission. There was more to this mission then just a battle though. This nation was facing the same fate as the shinobi themselves.

"We'll make sure that the Amazon nation is still standing strong when we sail away from this place. They can spread the word that the shinobi have also survived and that they're just as strong as ever, ne Ka chan. You can still be a shinobi and our nakama at the same time." He smiled at his cool ninja friend.

Her nakama looked from their captain to her. So my nakama are my shinobi team now, my new clan. Kisa smiled at Luffy. They would make a name for themselves here. Griffith who was behind them was sure to hear of their strength and aid to the Amazon nation in the name of the shinobi. "Right Luffy." She lay back and looked up at the stars. Zoro was to her right, Robin to her left. Thank you guys.

Zoro sat staring at the fire for a little longer. He was the last one to lie down and get some rest. He thought about what Luffy said; Kisa could still serve the shinobi nation as one of their nakama. Her involvement in the war to save the Amazon nation was proof enough of that. She didn't need to be stuck with Griffith to be doing something to serve her nation. He wondered how far behind them the Rasengan was.

Eventually Zoro too lay back for a nap. He cracked one eye and looked at Kisa. She looked asleep but Zoro bet it was a light one. He didn't think the Romans were going to be a problem. Zoro Sanji and Luffy would send them all home with a fucking rupture for picking on girls even if they were violent bitches. He sighed and closed his eye. When this was all over he'd get back to kicking Kisa's ass. Zoro relaxed and dropped off to pleasant dreams in no time.

The next morning dawned gloomy and shortly after they resumed their march the rain started to fall. Zoro pulled a tarp free of the saddle and threw it over his and Kisa's heads. It kept them a little dryer but the wind kicked up a bit. Zoro took a chance and slid closer to Kisa. He wrapped his arms around her middle and spoke calmly in her ear. "Oi, don't go getting all evil I just wanna get warm."

Zoro was warm and she was freezing. She dropped one cold arm over his and tried to steal the heat. His breath was warming her neck too. "Just till we warm up."

Her hand was freezing. Zoro tucked it between his arms. "You shoulda said you were cold. I can't tell from behind you ya know."

Kisa pinched his arm. "Aho."

Zoro flinched at her mean pinch. "Keh, I woulda warmed you up sooner if I knew you were cold." He let a silence fall between them. Kisa's concentration was ahead of her, she was focusing on the battle ahead. "Kisa, when the shit gets started I want you to stay close to me. Don't get out of my sight. I don't wanna get lost on this crappy island in the middle of an enemy camp."

It sounded logical enough. "Then keep up with me Zoro."

He squeezed her a little. "I mean it Kisa." he doubted Kisa would need protecting from a bunch of stupid soldiers, but if someone with a devils fruit power showed up it could be a problem. He wanted to keep her close just in case. "Don't get out of my sight."

She frowned at his squeezing. "I don't need you to baby sit me."

"Keh! How about a little teamwork ne?"

That sounded alright. At least then she could make sure he didn't die or get lost. "Alright, alright just stop squeezing me."

He smiled a little. He was holding her pretty tight. "It's warmer this way." He settled comfortably against her watching the rain from behind her shoulder. "Looks like it's going to keep raining for a while. We'll just have to endure this ne?"

Kisa looked at Zoro sidelong. There was a hint of a smile on his lips. Endure it ne? "What are you thinking aho? I can see you grinning about something."

Zoro laughed, "Really?"

She wondered if he was thinking about the kiss they shared out on deck before they came to this island as she did sometimes when they sat close. "Keh, whatever it is you should forget about it and concentrate on preparing for battle."

Her hair was a little wet. It made the smell of her shampoo stronger. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Smells like fruit or something. He concentrated his attention on her cold hand between his arms. He could feel the shape of the ring he gave her around her finger. Santoryu. "Kisa, how good are you with those swords Varia gave you?"

"I prefer my sai but I'm proficient with two swords as well." Zoro seemed to be calming, doing some kind of meditative breathing. He's so freaking weird sometimes.

Zoro wanted to see Kisa fight with swords especially in that outfit. "That's some nice armor you got there battle Kisa. Leather looks pretty damn good on you." His smile had returned but Zoro didn't open his eyes to look at her. If she hit him so be it.

Kisa turned her head for a better look at Zoro. Look at that idiot grin. "Oh, you don't say? This is a good look for me ne Zoro?"

Zoro chuckled. It had been a while since Kisa had hit him, might as well say something stupid and get it over with. He opened his mouth and said what was on his mind. "Are you kidding me? It's like something out of a wet dream. I can't wait to see the way you hold a sword." He opened his eyes and looked at her shocked face. She was getting mad alright, her face was turning red.

For a moment she was too stunned to speak. Slob! "De-deme!" Damnit Zoro quit provoking me! Kisa concentrated some chakra in her feet and grabbed Zoro's arms. She pushed off the stirrups and launched them into the air. Kisa let go of Zoro, spun around and kicked him, grabbed the tarp and landed back on her horse. She slowed a little and found Sanji in the mix watching Zoro pick himself up out of the mud. "Oi Sanji kun, you can ride with me for a while."

"Hai Ka swan" Sanji hurriedly took Zoro's spot behind Kisa. "Allow me to hug you for warmth my lady. It is my duty as a man to keep you from getting cold."

Ussop steered the horse to Zoro. "Oi Zoro, hurry up and get on."

"Keh! Stupid love cook, mean bitch!" Zoro looked from Sanji and Kisa riding away to Ussop. "How come you get to drive ne?"

Ussop rolled his eyes. "Get on Zoro."

Zoro hopped up behind Ussop under the tarp. "Oi Ussop, catch up to Kisa."

Ussop gigged the horse. "Don't worry about it Zoro, we'll catch up."

"I don't trust that love cook. He was hugging her."

"The rain is cold," Ussop eased. He peeked at Zoro from the corner of his eye. The swordsman looked agitated. Ussop sighed and shook his head. "It's your own fault for making Ka chan mad Zoro. She hits you when you piss her off. When are you going to learn? Ka chan is scary when she's mad."

"I aint scared of Kisa," Zoro frowned staring ahead trying to find Kisa and Sanji.

"So what then, you like getting hit aho?"

Zoro frowned at Ussop. "It isn't like that. I get lost and she hits me, we fight and she hits me, I say something dumb and she hits me. She's a mean bitch to me."

Ussop had the sneaking suspicion that Zoro kind of liked it that way. "If you stopped making her mad Zoro Ka chan might be a little nicer to you ya know."

"Keh, she'll be a lot nicer once I kick her ass."

"You really think fighting is the only way you two deal with each other?"

"It's not like that either aho. If I can beat Kisa then she at least has to listen to me. I'll show her that her nakama are just as strong as the shinobi and I'll give her the choice; stay with us or go with Griffith."

He blinked surprised. He hadn't given Griffith too much thought. "You don't think Ka chan is really going to leave us? She likes being with us, we're nakama."

"Kisa wants to stay with us. We have to show her our strength. If it comes to it, I'll kick Griffith's ass too."

Ussop's eyebrows shot up. "You'd fight a scary ninja for Ka chan?"

"Wouldn't you dumbass?"

"Well I guess, but I wouldn't go picking the fight." Ussop chuckled nervously. "I'll just leave Ka chan to you Zoro. You're her partner. You'll do what's best for her."

Zoro's eyes found Kisa and Sanji ahead. He pointed. "That's them there. Get up next to them Ussop. I think what's best for Kisa is that somebody keep an eye on that damn love cook riding behind her."

He was sure Kisa could handle Sanji just fine. Ooh is Zoro jealous! Ussop smiled and gigged the horse again. "Sure thing Zoro."

They rode up beside Sanji and Kisa and Zoro stared. Sanji had his legs around Kisa and he was massaging her shoulders. "Deme! Oi love cook what the hell do you think you're doing ne?" Zoro grit his teeth and Ussop cringed.

"Shut the hell up marimo. You have poor Ka swan so aggravated she's tense all over." Sanji went on with rubbing Kisa's shoulders but peeked once at Zoro. He looked furious.

"Keh! So you just put your damn hands all over her ne?" Zoro snapped. The love cook was touching her bare skin, Kisa's long ponytail was over Sanji's shoulder. Damn you Sanji you sleazy bastard!

"You can relax marimo," Sanji returned his attention to Kisa's shoulders. "It's not a sensual massage." He leaned a little closer to Kisa. "But I do know plenty of those too Ka swan I'd be more then happy to show you."

Zoro leaned out over the horse closer to Sanji. He was ready to throttle him. "Deme Sanji! Aren't you the one who's always saying don't be a slob to Kisa ne?"

"I'm not being a slob I'm taking care of Ka swan."

"Oh really? Well ya look pretty damn comfortable there Sanji!"

Lucky for Kisa she was saved from the stupid fest when Alti summoned her to scout ahead with her white eyes. She gigged the horse and Sanji waved Zoro off. "Ja ne."

"Damnit," Zoro growled watching them go.

"Take it easy Zoro," Ussop didn't want his passenger upsetting their horse. "Ka chan can handle Sanji. She won't let him get away with anything."

He already is. He's touching her! "Keh! Damn that Sanji."

Ahead of the brooding swordsman Sanji worked out the tension Zoro had put in Kisa's shoulders. He smiled a little. Marimo is a really jealous guy after all.

Eventually the rain let up and the troops rested and prepared for battle. Zoro reclaimed his spot next to his partner. Kisa used her Byakugan to time when the soldiers were most sluggish and the amazons moved into position for battle. They surrounded the camp and waited for the signal. The sky began to turn pink and the amazons attacked.

The Romans woke to war cries, shouts of confusion and slaughter. The Luffy pirates had fanned out within the amazons. Kisa rode behind Callisto into the camp. Callisto slew every roman she saw from atop her horse. Zoro jumped down into the fray with his swords drawn and Kisa followed Callisto a little further before dismounting herself.

Sanji had no problems kicking a path through the soldiers for the Amazon ladies. Ussop's smoke bombs added to the confusion. Luffy also cleared a path with his gatteling gun. Robin snapped necks from the shadows. Chopper's horn point tossed the soldiers around. Varia and Alti went looking for Zaon directly cutting their way through the crowd. Zoro tried to keep an eye on Kisa as his tornado blew the soldiers around. Kisa and five of her clones were pummeling their way toward Callisto. More soldiers woke and took up arms.

All great planning aside it was Callisto who found Zaon first. She got the drop on him and dropped from her horse with her bloody sword pointed at the heartless murderer. Zaon was taken by surprise and was unable to block. Callisto's sword stabbed through his chest. Callisto pulled her sword free of his chest as Zaon fell to his knees on the mud. She turned swinging her sword and lopped his head off.

Kisa was nearly to Callisto and she saw the decapitation. The Amazon's prancing horse kept most soldiers back but Kisa saw one man step forward to face Callisto. Oddly enough he wore no Roman armor. Kisa watched as the dark haired man moved closer to Callisto. The Amazon attacked and the man didn't bother to dodge. Her sword passed through him as if he was ether. He put a hand on Callisto, there was a flash of blue light and Callisto went hurtling backwards. "Callisto!"

Zoro saw one of the Kisa's, the real one, moving further away. Zoro turned that way too. He didn't want to lose her in this confusion. The light was still bad; the sun was yet to rise over the hill. The camp was filled with smoke, Ussop's bombs and tents lit afire. He swung his swords again and cleared himself a path. Zoro took off running after Kisa.

Kisa reached Callisto. There was blood leaking from her mouth nose and ears. Kisa felt for a pulse and there was none. "Shit Callisto." She pressed her ear against the Amazon listening for heart or breath. Nothing. Kisa sat up and her eyes found the one that had killed her. He was standing apart from the fighting watching it all. She got to her feet and charged. "You bastard!"

Ares let the woman the woman come. She launched an assault on him with her sai. Ares easily deflected her strikes smacking her hands around like they were of little consequence. Ares smiled a little. She's good and those eyes.

She stunned how fast this man was blocking her before her sai could touch him. Kisa stepped back to try a different attack, one too fast for him to stop. She raised her sai ready to impale Callisto's killer when she suddenly found herself unable to move. "N…nani?"

Ares took two steps closer to Kisa. ""You're pretty dangerous. I like that in a woman, but I just hate to be pointed at." Ares waved his hands and snapped the woman's sai blades in half. Her eyes widened in disbelief.

What the! "Byakugan!" Kisa turned her eyes on the man; surely he was using some kind of binding jutsu. What she saw was alarming. "No chakra… how…"

"Those are some really nice eyes you've got there Hyuuga Kisa of the shinobi. I bet they can see a lot."

How does he know me? "Who are you?" What are you?

"I'm a god, Ares god of war." Ares looked into Kisa's heart and soul. There was anger there, fear and hate. How nice. "Allow me to show you something that your eyes have never seen Kisa." Ares lifted his hands to Kisa's face. "Allow me to show you what happened to the shinobi."

Zoro could see Kisa ahead. Some guy had her by the face but she's just standing there? What the fuck? As he dashed closer he could see that the tips of her sai were missing. Nani! That guy? "Oi you son of a bitch!" Zoro hollered charging at the pair. "Get your god damned hands off of her!"

Ares looked down into Kisa's eyes. They were wide and the woman was panting. His work for now was done. "Think it over Kisa. I'll be around." Ares disappeared in a flash of dark blue light.

Kisa wavered and fell to her knees in the mud. "Kisa!" Zoro was to her in a flash. For the moment the fighting was going on away from them. "Oi!" He dropped to his knees beside her. She was staring at her broken sai with horrified eyes. Damnit, she's freaking out. "Oi Kisa," he put his hands on her shoulders and shook her.

She forced her mind to push back the images that Ares had shown her. "My…"

Zoro looked around again to make sure they were still safe. "Can you get up or what? Are you alright damnit?"

She could get up alright. Kisa stood and re sheathed her broken sai. Zoro snatched up the broken tips and pocketed them before getting to his feet beside her. Kisa drew both swords and pointed them back in Varia's direction. "Let's end this."

There was a cold look in her eye and maybe just for a moment Zoro was just a little afraid of her. He shook off his case of the creeps and went for his swords. "Let's go!"

The majority of the army was slain in under an hour. The camp was raised, their weapons and horses confiscated. The Amazon queens were merciful enough to let the injured live if they could. When it was over the mostly unscathed Luffy pirates rode out with the amazons each with their own horse.

Zoro rode close to Kisa. He wasn't crazy about riding horses. His never wanted to follow directions. He peeked at Kisa. Her eyes were still full of an eerie darkness. She looked like she was thinking about something pretty hard. He wondered if killing so many soldiers bothered her. He thought about that guy that vanished using some flash bomb trick. He broke her sai? How? He didn't even have a sword.

The party made camp once more late in the afternoon. Everyone was exhausted from battle and lack of sleep. Varia and Alti dined with the pirates as a sign of their appreciation for their help. Kisa retold her account of what happened to Callisto. She had cut off the commanders head and was approached by a man calling himself Ares. He killed her in one hit. Kisa went after him and he broke her sai with his bare hands. He had her bound in some technique. She frowned talking about him.

"Ares?" Alti lifted a brow.

"Not surprising," Varia sighed tiredly. "Zaon was one of his pets. He must have been furious Callisto killed him."

Robin addressed the queen. "Do you mean Ares the god of war?"

Varia nodded. "I have no doubt he's bending Yunalesca's ear right now."

Luffy looked at Kisa. "Do you think he was a god?"

Kisa frowned. "It has to be some trick."

"There is no trick to it," Varia sipped her mead. "Ares is a god. Did he not do something to show you his power?"

"He disappeared in black light," Zoro offered.

This was unsettling. "He had no chakra circulatory system. It was as if he wasn't even a living thing." Her frown deepened. "He touched me and I saw visions, fighting, slaughter. I saw Home and the shinobi…" she couldn't say anymore. It was too horrible to think what she saw could be real.

Zoro frowned. "Aint you the one always saying don't believe in what other people put in your head ne Kisa?"

Varia and Alti were watching Kisa. "Stay away from Ares," Alti advised.

Kisa looked up and stared Varia down. "Is what he showed me all bullshit?"

"Ares sees all sorts of acts of violence." Varia hated to be the one to tell her shinobi sister this. "What he showed you is probably true."

For a moment she couldn't breath. All real? Then Home is…her hands dropped to the hilt of her broken sai. Tamahome sensei had given Kisa her sai many years ago. Tamahome sensei… did you know? Did you know what happened to our people to our Home! You were keeping this from all of us? Why! "I see."

"What did he show you Ka chan?" Luffy wanted to know.

"Home fell to the Kushan Empire. Thousands slaughtered, our villages destroyed. Many that fled home were lost in shipwrecks. Shinobi have been hunted… enslaved." Kisa swallowed hard. How could I not know this?

"I'm sorry sister," Varia consoled, "but its best not to think too much on anything having to do with Ares."

"Ares feeds on the darkness in the human heart." Alti hated him. "He'll turn your soul black in a heartbeat."

Robin was watching Miss Ninja. The shinobi…how tragic. "We'll find other shinobi and straighten this out Ka chan. We'll get to the truth of it."

Shit. If her people are wiped out that's just one more reason for her to go with Griffith damnit! "Keh," Zoro grumbled. "Don't believe what that guy showed ya. If other shinobi are like you I'm sure they're just fine."

The problem was a lot of the shinobi people weren't like Kisa. It was a lot of women and children that fled Home. Not all of them could fight or lived long enough to learn to fight. For now she had no choice but to take Robin's advice. She'd find other shinobi and ask them. "Right." She picked up her cup of mead and downed a generous swallow.

Luffy picked up his cup too. "I'll find you some shinobi Ka chan I promise," he said quietly to his friend and sipped his drink. One way or another, Luffy would.

The next morning with their group slightly refreshed they set off on the long march back to Varia's village. By now reinforcements should have arrived. Plotting the fall of Yunalesca's army was under way. They broke shortly after mid day for a meal to keep their strength up and to tend to the wounded. Chopper rushed around busily changing bandages and stitching up bad cuts. Kisa helped to mind the horses as they drank from a nearby stream. Her mind was heavy with thoughts of Callisto and of Ares.

"How nice, you're thinking about me," Ares voice came from nowhere, everywhere.

Kisa turned looking for the body that went with that sinister voice. "Ares," she hissed. Kisa drew her gladius. "Where are you monster?"

Ares appeared in a flash of blue light behind Kisa. The woman turned swing her sword at him. Ares caught it between two fingers. "Settle down Kisa, I didn't come here to fight." She clenched her teeth and glared at him. Ares smiled.

"Why did you show me that shit? What do you want from me bastard?" Her Byakugan was worthless against Ares. Is he really a god?

"You're pretty angry. I like that." He let go of her sword and stepped closer to the dangerous shinobi. "I'm here to make you the offer of a lifetime."

The sword was no good against this guy either. Kisa re sheathed her sword keeping her eyes on the dark man. His eyes were so black she could see no pupil. Freak. "I don't want anything from you. You killed Callisto."

"And she killed Zaon. He was a buddy of mine you know."

"Like I care." She took a chance and turned away from him. Kisa got three steps away from Ares before she found herself unable to move again. Damnit! This again!

Ares stepped up behind Kisa and rested his hands on her shoulders. "Zaon's not really that important anyway but you," Ares fed some power into his hands. "I like you Kisa. I want to help you."

He was putting some kind of energy in his hands. Kisa felt it affecting her. She felt hot, on the verge of breaking into a sweat. "Get away from me," she growled.

"You're so tough," he teased changing the pulse of energy in his hands. Ares toyed with her senses as he slid his hands down her arms. He leaned in close and spoke into her ear. "Don't you want to avenge your people? Don't you want to take revenge against the Kushan Empire and all the bastards that have sold and murdered your people? All of those women and children; so many innocent lives lost."

What the hell is he doing to me? Kisa started breathing harder. She was sweating. "Why should I believe any of that was real?"

"I'm a god Kisa. What I showed you is the truth. Now do you want to avenge your people or do you wanna keep playing the goody two shoes with your pirate pals. Think about it." Ares started to feed her dark heart visions of revenge and slaughter. Kisa leading an army to victory over the Kushans with Ares at her side. He used the energy in his hands to excite her body. "I can make you the hero of a massacre."

The hell is happening to me? Her heart was pounding in her chest. She was consumed with a burning desire to kill, to see her hands stained with blood. The idea of it all was arousing. It's a trick… just some kind of technique!

Fortunately for Kisa it was almost time to go and Zoro and Sanji had come looking for her. They stopped short not far from Kisa and Ares and saw the guy all over Kisa. Zoro recognized the bastard at once. "That's him!" his hands dropped to his swords.

Ares turned and faced the two men that had come looking for their nakama. They'll make good bodyguards for my queen. He kept his eyes on the men but spoke to Kisa. "I can make it happen Kisa. I can give you your revenge. You can make the shinobi the most feared nation in the grand line or you can let them all die. Choice is yours."

"Deme! Get away from her you bastard!" Zoro charged but before he took three steps Ares vanished in a blast of dark light.

"Nani?" Sanji startled for a moment. A second later he sprinted past Zoro. "Are you alright my Ka sawn?"

Kisa was shaken, but with Ares hands off of her she started to return to herself. She caught her breath as Sanji and then Zoro came to her side. "I'm okay."

Zoro was still looking everywhere for Ares. "Where the hell did he go?"

Sanji was more concerned with Kisa then Ares. "Did that bastard do something to you Ka swan?"

Kisa was still trying to get her mind around Ares "offer." She swallowed hard and started at her hands. She still had some blood under her fingernails. "No."

Zoro's lip curled into a snarl. "Came to gloat ne?"

"No. Ares …he wants to…" She stopped herself and took a deep breath. "He wants to make me a mass murderer to avenge the shinobi. He showed me armies, fleets of ships, my bloody victory over the Kushans."

"He wants you to lead an army?" Sanji fished a cigarette out of his pocket. He didn't like the sounds of this at all. Kisa was devoted to her people perhaps devoted enough for Ares to use the darkness inside of her to make her listen to him.

"An armada."

Zoro was slow not stupid. He knew how tempting an offer it must be to Kisa. There was only one way to deal with it, with cruelty. "Lead an armada like the one that attacked your Home and killed everyone?" he flat eyed her.

Kisa startled and Sanji bit down on his cigarette. "Oi marimo!" Sanji snapped. "Watch what the hell you're saying you ignorant ass."

For the moment Zoro ignored the love cook and kept his eyes on Kisa's angry ones. "So what Kisa? Are you going to do just what your enemy did? Gonna take Ares up on his offer and become the thing you hate? Will you slaughter and enslave the innocent in the name of revenge? Will you let your heart turn black?"

Sanji could understand what Zoro was doing, but he just couldn't watch it. He grabbed the swordsman by the front of his shirt. "That's enough asshole!"

Kisa rested a hand over Sanji's. "Stop it Sanji, it's alright." Sanji let Zoro go and both men straightened frowning at each other. "Zoro is right. Ares just wants a champion, a puppet that kills for him. I won't be that puppet." Kisa started toward her horse. "If and when the time comes that I can do something to avenge my people I'll do it. I don't give a shit if my soul turns black, but I'll do it without Ares help." She headed back toward the mare. It was time to get the hell out of here.

Zoro and Sanji watched her walk away. Sanji had a bad feeling about all of this. "Marimo, I think that guy is feeding her dark side."

Zoro's eye twitched annoyed. "Kisa's fine. I aint gonna let that guy fuck her up." Zoro took off after Kisa. He still insisted on riding beside her.

Sanji lit his cigarette watching his friends go to their horses. He couldn't shake his bad feeling. I better talk to Luffy. Sanji headed back to the group to find his captain and ask his lovely historian some questions about the god Ares.

The troop started up again and didn't stop until they were back in Varia's village. Kisa and Luffy went to meet with Nami and the Amazon queens. Robin assisted Chopper in tending to the wounded. Sanji immediately started cooking for the lady warriors. Ussop went to the weapons store to look for something he could use in the next fight. Zoro wandered off by himself. He needed some time to think.

Zoro watched the Amazon village from the forest. He was tired and miserable but wasn't ready just yet to be in that damn tent again. He leaned back against a tree and stared up at the sky. He replayed the battle again in his mind. The Romans weren't so tough but Ares… "That guy," Zoro growled. "Just who the hell does he think he is?"

"The god of war," Aphrodite answered the mortal from behind. The swordsman craned his neck around to look at her. Aphrodite struck a pose and readied for him to fall in love.

"Who the hell are you?" Zoro grumbled at the new woman. She wasn't dressed like an Amazon. She was wearing fancy pink pajamas.

Aphrodite blinked at him. "You really are retarded." She sighed and shook her head. "Aphrodite; goddess of love and beauty." She stepped around in front of the man. "Looks like my brother is after your chick ne Zoro?"

"Nani?" Zoro frowned. "How the hell do you know something like that?"

She pointed to herself. "Hello, goddess here. Are you paying attention?"

He wasn't sure about the whole goddess thing but, "Ares is your brother!"

"Twin brother, fraternal of course. I came from the sea…"

Zoro cut the strange woman off. His hand dropped to his sword. "Why is that bastard bothering Kisa ne?"

Aphrodite rolled her eyes. "Wow… you really are stupid." She bent closer to the scowling mortal. "Ares is into her because she can kick ass. That turns him on."

Why that son of a …! Zoro scrambled to his feet. "Well that's too bad for him. Tell him to ice his balls!"

The goddess laughed and flowers bloomed. "You poor shmuck! You've really got it bad for her don't you?"

"Keh," he hissed through his teeth. "It aint like that."

"Oh yes it is Zoro." Aphrodite smiled deviously. No one can hide their feelings of love from the goddess Aphrodite. Not you and not your warrior woman either."

Zoro startled and assumed the worse. "Shit! Are you saying Kisa's in love with Ares?" he panicked. "No way! She hates him!"

Aphrodite had to take a deep breath. She hadn't dealt with anyone so stupid in at least a hundred years. "She doesn't love Ares."

"Of course not!"

"Well, don't you want to know who your would be girlfriend has got the hots for Zoro?"

Zoro stared at Aphrodite. There was a weird light surrounding her. Not like Ares, this one was bright and warm. "I already know who stole Kisa's heart. Umino Griffith."

"Naw," Aphrodite flapped a hand at Zoro. "He just took her virginity."

He frowned. "Like I need to hear that shit!"

"What? Lighten up Zoro. It was just a sexual experimentation kind of thing."

He brought his hands up over his ears. "Shut up! I'm not listening to you anymore weird bitch! Go shine someplace else. This whole damn island sucks!"

She didn't need his ears. The goddess spoke right into Zoro's head. You certainly are temperamental. He startled and jumped back. "Yeah, I can talk in your head. I thought you knew that." She shrugged.

"What do you want?" Zoro lowered his hands. "Did you come here to torment me for your stupid brother ne harpy?"

"I'm not a harpy I'm a goddess." She patted her chest. "God-dess. Understand?"

"What the hell do you want?" Zoro was exasperated. First Griffith and his love ninja crap, now some weird guy that called himself a god that could disappear.

Aphrodite put on her best sympathetic face. "Aww Zoro, take it easy. I want to help you."

"Help me?" he frowned suspiciously. "Why?"

"I guess it isn't obvious. Oh well, whatever." Aphrodite took Zoro's arm and started walking them further away from the Amazon's village. She wasn't particularly fond of women that sweat so much. "Look Zoro, I happen to like it here on this sucky island. I'm worshiped by the masses. I unite people with the power of love every day. It's a great gig and I don't feel like giving it up."

"So then don't."

"I won't have to worry about it if you can keep your girlfriend away from Ares. You see Zoro, for Ares or even me, to leave this island certain conditions have to be met. In this case my brother the god of war has to take a mortal bride. Of course no one would marry Ares if her heart wasn't corrupted… which is why he's doing it to your girl friend."

Zoro stopped short. "What do you mean? What the hell are you saying?"

Stupid. Way stupider then Joxer. "Ares can see the darkness in her heart."

"Kisa's a mean bitch, but there's no darkness in her heart," Zoro bickered.

"Darkness is born out of many things and it begets those things. Hate anger fear. Kisa has all of those things inside of her, how can she not right? Her people were slaughtered. What's left of them have been picked off or sold into slavery. And Griffith," She sighed dramatically. "She's scared to death of that guy."

Scared of… "Kisa afraid of Griffith? No way."

"She knows what he's capable of. She's afraid Griffith will kill you all."

"Keh! I aint scared of that love ninja!"

"Suit yourself." Aphrodite got them moving again. "But surely Kisa is aware that if she was married to Ares she wouldn't have to worry about Griffith anymore. Ares could make her powerful."

Zoro's hand moved to his sword. This glowing chick was weird but she seemed to be pretty smart about stuff. "Kisa aint gonna marry neither one of them guys."

Aphrodite smiled and clapped her hands together. Happy birds took flight. "Ooh I just knew you'd say that!"

Zoro looked at her sidelong. "What the hell are you so damn happy for?"

"You keep Kisa from marrying Ares, he has to stay here and I can continue to live in the manner in which I am accustomed. Oh, and I'll help you get the girl too."

What the…? "Get? You mean Kisa?"

"Duh! You want to be with her don't you?"

"Keh! I never said that."

Again she gestured to herself. "Goddess here. All knowing perfect being."

Bullshit, there aint no real gods. Certainly not one just for love and peace and that happy shit. "All knowing ne?"

"Yes!"

"Bullshit."

The goddess sighed growing impatient. She would just have to prove it. "You spent years with Kisa alone on an island. You even had a family, but it wasn't real."

"Deme!" Zoro had enough. He reached for her throat but his hand went right through Aphrodite.

"Goddess!" she waved her hand and the mortal was blown back. He landed on his ass glaring up at her. "Look retard. I'm gonna do you a favor and help you out with your woman."

"Help me? You just hit me!" Zoro never even saw the blow.

She put her hands on her hips. "How does she put up with you?"

"Urasaina witchy glowing bitch!" Zoro got to his knees. "I don't need no help from you. Why would you help me anyway?" What the fuck is with this crazy island?

"That's what I do. Aphrodite goddess of love." She rested a hand over the place mortals had their hearts. "I bring lovers together."

Zoro shook his head. "Kisa and I aint lovers. Sorry lady but you've got it all wrong."

The poor fool looked as depressed as he did confused. "I'm never wrong about matters of the heart Zoro. The man that Hyuuga Kisa loves is you."

Kisa… his heart skipped a beat. No, it can't be true. "We're nakama."

Aphrodite laughed. "You're so in love with her you're willing to fight the god of war."

"Shut up!" Zoro got to his feet. "Of course I'll fight for my nakama."

A hilarious thought struck her. "Don't tell me that you don't even get it yourself? You lust after like a dog…"

"She's a godamn tease!" Zoro immediately defended.

"You can't go a day without getting close enough to smell her," Aphrodite went on amused. "And you're insanely jealous of any man that puts his mitts on her."

Zoro was flustered. "She smells good, like fruit or something. I can't help it! She teases me all the time! She came to bed in a loin cloth!" Zoro brought his trembling hands out in front of him. "It took all of my self control…"

He was stupid, but pretty funny too. She enjoyed laughing at the mortal. "Zoro, do you not understand that you feel like this because you're in love with her?"

"How the hell am I supposed to know what it's like to be in love ne witch? I've never been there!"

"You're there now buddy boy. Downtown Lovesville, population Roronoa Zoro and Hyuuga Kisa." Aphrodite grinned watching understanding come into the swordsman's eyes. It was amazingly slow. She could actually see it happening. What a dummy!

Love her…I really love Kisa? Well yeah but…she means… he gawked at Aphrodite. "Holy shit… I'm in love with Kisa!"

"Bingo!" the goddess pointed at Zoro and a bouquet of red roses appeared him his hand. He shrieked startled and dropped the flowers. Aphrodite laughed again. A rainbow appeared overhead.

"Wait a minute. I can't love her, she'll kill me!" Zoro felt his heart pounding in his chest. Love her? Really love Kisa? Holy shit!

"Don't worry so much marimo. Kisa's not going to kill you, but I can't guarantee that she won't beat you up." The mortal was in a tizzy. This is a blast!

Zoro didn't find this funny at all. He was really in love with Kisa. He had just never thought of what he felt as love before. "This is terrible." He brought a hand up to his temple. It had started to throb.

"No it isn't! It's wonderful. Don't you see? She loves you too!"

"Oh yeah? Then why is she always hitting me and calling me slob and aho? Why is she planning to make baby shinobi with Umino Griffith?"

Aphrodite stepped closer to the swordsman. "Kisa's one of those sweaty mean girls that needs a man stronger then she is."

"Like Griffith?" he sneered the other mans name.

"Or Ares." She stepped behind the mortal and spoke in his ear. "You want to stop my brother from having his way with your woman don't you Zoro?"

Zoro wanted to stop everyone that wasn't him from having their way with Kisa. He snapped his head around and looked at he goddess. "I'll kill that bastard."

"You can't kill him, he is a god. You can do something about Kisa though. Make sure she tells Ares no."

"She already decided not to have anything to do with that guy."

"She won't keep saying no if he gets to her again. Ares is pretty convincing. He can manipulate humans easily feeding their dark emotions."

He stared at the goddess. "So I gotta keep that guy away from her."

Aphrodite nodded. "Shadow her Zoro and while you're at it, nothing counters hate like love. Remind her of who she really is; keep her grounded in reality. If you don't, you'll lose the Kisa that you love."

Zoro swallowed hard. This was a lot to take in all at once. "I won't lose Kisa to nobody not even herself."

"I'll count on you then Zoro." Aphrodite vanished in a burst of golden light.

I have to protect Kisa. Zoro started back toward Varia's tent. I won't let her out of my sight again. I won't let that freaky bastard have another chance to do his brainwashing bullshit. Zoro stayed true to his word. He stayed at Kisa's side until the end.

Nami had been busy planning out the next battle with the Amazon queens. They had selected the perfect valley to attack Yunalesca's army. It was about a day's ride from the village and Yunalesca's army would be marching through there any time now. Fresh troops and those that could still fight headed out for the valley after a decent nights sleep. Nami went with them this time and the Strawhat Pirates stayed close to each other. Zoro didn't let Kisa out of his sight. Not long after they made camp near the plotted valley scouts spotted Yunalesca coming. The Amazon army lay in wait and readied to attack.

Kisa stayed close to Varia and Alti as the amazons attacked the soldiers flooding into the valley. Alti spotted Yunalesca and tried to fight her way to her with her queen in tow. Kisa followed Varia with Zoro at her side. With her sai broken Kisa had opted for fighting with two swords instead. Ussop and Nami both used their weapons to create confusion, Sanji and Chopper stayed close to Nami and Robin. Luffy moved in with the frontline charge. Yunalesca's army was bigger and wide awake, but there were more amazons fighting in this battle and they had the pirates on their side.

It got harder to keep up with Varia as Kisa and Zoro took out masses of charging troops. The sunny day was filled with war cries, death cries and the sounds of clashing steel. The pirate partners fought their way closer to Varia as the queen and Alti closed in on Yunalesca. It took some time and many were slaughtered in their wake. As the battle raged on it swung in the Amazon's favor. Varia made her way to Yunalesca and the two warrior women battled to the death. In the end it was Varia that was victorious.

Taking out the commander is a lot like cutting the head off the snake. Some of the men threw down their weapons and fled, others fought to the death. Before the sun began to set, the amazons had won the day. The amazons worked their way through the battlefield sacking what they could and finishing off the mortally wounded. Kisa trailed behind Alti with Zoro somewhere off to her left.

"So how about it Kisa, have you thought over my offer?" Ares sent his voice into the battle ravaged woman's head.

Kisa stopped and looked around. Ares… where is he?

"You sure killed a lot of people today my little shinobi. You're quite bloodthirsty."

Instinctively Kisa drew a sword. "Ares," she growled.

Zoro looked at Kisa from the corner of his eye. Something seemed off. "Oi Kisa, you see something?" He started her way.

Ares appeared behind Kisa in a flash of dark light. "I'm in need of a new commander now that you and these bitches have taken out my pets. I want you."

Kisa whirled around to face Ares and jumped back before he could touch her. "I will never serve a monster like you!"

Shit that's Ares! "Kisa!" Zoro broke into a jog reaching for his swords.

Ares narrowed his eyes at Kisa. It's those friends of hers. They've quelled the hate and fear in her heart damnit. It was too bad really, the shinobi was a hottie. "Sorry to hear that." Ares raised a hand and aimed it at his unwilling beauty.

It felt like he was running in slow motion. Ares and Kisa appeared to be having some kind of stand off. "Oi you bastard get the hell away from her!"

"If I can't have your loyalty then I will have your soul." Ares let the blast fly. The woman couldn't dodge it and it hit her dead on. For a moment she was enveloped in a bright light that caught the attention of many of the amazons as well as the pirates Kisa had come here with. Too late fools. Ares ripped her soul from her body and Kisa fell over lifeless. With her soul in the palm of his hand Ares vanished.

"Kisa!" Zoro screamed watching her hit the ground. He dashed the rest of the way to her and rolled her over onto her back. "Kisa oi! Can you here me?" he pressed his ear to her chest to check her heartbeat. Zoro froze hearing nothing. He sat up wide eyed staring at her. No…no it can't be… "Chopper!"

Their nakama weren't far and they followed Alti to Zoro and Kisa. "Ka swan!" Sanji saw her unconscious on the ground. He lifted his eyes to Zoro. Sanji's blood ran cold; the swordsman was on the verge of tears.

"Her hearts not beating!" Zoro hollered to Chopper as the reindeer hurried over. "Do something god damnit!"

Chopper hurried to Kisa, Nami rushed to assist. Zoro stepped back with the others watching as Chopper transformed and began CPR. Alti stood watching for a moment and then she shook her head. "It's futile. Ares has taken her soul. You cannot revive the body without the soul."

Zoro was on the verge of panic. "What the fuck do you mean?"

Chopper kept at his patient but he was listening to what the Amazon said. "I mean that she will not revive without a soul in her body. Ares took her soul so that she could not be saved by our hands. He didn't just stab her, he took her immortal soul! You can do nothing for sister Kisa without her soul!"

As he stood his shaking hands balled into fists. Can't do anything… Ares took her soul… Zoro erupted as the first angry tears leaked from his eyes. "Ares! Ares you bastard give it back! Give Kisa her soul back right now you son of a bitch!"

Luffy looked up from Chopper and Kisa to Zoro. This isn't supposed to happen. My nakama aren't supposed to die! "Ares! Give her back or I'll kick your ass!"

Sanji didn't think yelling was going to get them anywhere. He looked at the Amazon. "Is there some way to get Ka swans soul back from that bastard?"

Zoro was a step ahead of Sanji. If Ares wasn't going to listen to him he had an idea who might. "Aphrodite!" he wasn't even aware that he was crying now. "Oi Aphrodite! Get your ass down here and help me godamnit!"

Sanji opened his mouth to tell Zoro to hush up for a minute but no words came. There was a flash of golden light and suddenly a beautiful radiant woman was standing beside marimo. Just looking at her eased the pain in Sanji's heart. Goddess Aphrodite… can she help Ka swan. Oh please goddess save my beautiful Ka swan!

"Calm down Zoro, I'm here." Aphrodite looked from Kisa's lifeless body to Zoro. All of his nakama except for the reindeer were looking at her. All of them were teary eyed.

"Fix her," Zoro insisted stepping to Aphrodite. "Fix Kisa right now!"

The goddess frowned. "What do you want me to do? She's mostly dead."

"Mostly?" Nami asked hopefully. "Ka chan can still be saved?"

"Sure but not that way," she rested a hand on Chopper's shoulder. "You can stop beating on the body anytime now."

"Deme," Zoro growled. "Just tell me how to save her!"

The deer stopped and returned to his normal form. Aphrodite looked at Kisa's eager and hurting fiends. "Look, Kisa's soul has been taken to Tarturus."

"Where is it?" Luffy hurriedly asked.

The goddess raised a hand. "It's the underworld. Right now Kisa is atoning for her sins in hell."

It was almost more then Zoro could bear. Not only was Kisa mostly dead but her soul was in hell. I have to do something. I have to save her!

Luffy looked the goddess in the eye. "So all we gotta do then is go to hell and get Ka chan's soul back right?"

All eyes went to Luffy. Ussop sighed in awe. "Luffy…"

Aphrodite straightened. "You would willingly go into hell to save your friend?"

"You're damn right we will!" Zoro answered for them. His nakama nodded their agreement.

The goddess smiled. There was a lot of love here. Good, they'll need it. "Alright, I'll help you then, but I want you to listen to me very carefully." She had their attention so first she addressed the woman on her knees beside Kisa's body. "Someone is going to have to take care of her body. Treat it like a coma patient I guess."

"Chopper and I can do that," Nami insisted. Her eyes still stung with tears. I don't want to lose my friend…

"I'll take care of Ka chan," Chopper said between sniffles.

Aphrodite nodded and shifted her attention to the others standing in a bunch. Zoro and Luffy were at the head of the pack. Her love and her captain, how appropriate. "I can take you to the gates of Tarturus but let me warn you first. There are countless souls roaming in torment there. It is such a sight of despair it may drain you of your will to live and finding one amongst the thousands will not be easy. The gates are guarded by a three headed hydra with a taste for living flesh and the gate itself is stronger then steel."

Zoro wasn't afraid or intimidated in the slightest. "I've cut through steel before."

"And we've taken out sea kings," Sanji added lighting up a cigarette with a hand that shook ever so slightly. Ka swan, we can save her. We have to!

Luffy nodded. "We aren't afraid to fight for our nakama, especially Zoro. Ka chan is his partner. He can find her I know he can."

Does the captain know their in love? Aphrodite snooped through Luffy's mind a little. His thoughts were simplistic yet clear. He honestly believed Zoro would save Kisa. "Alright, you've convinced me." Aphrodite held out her hand. There was a flash of light and then she was holding a very special and very old oil lamp. "You'll need this to transport her soul back to her body."

Zoro reached out and took the thing that looked like a genie lamp. "So we just find her and put her soul in here."

"It doesn't work that way. Kisa must want to come with you. Like I said, she's in hell. She may not even be able to see you through her torment."

Zoro swallowed the lump in his throat and tightened his grip on the lamp. "She'll see me. She has to. I'm not leaving there without her."

"We're not leaving there without her," Luffy stepped up beside Zoro.

It felt like his heart was broken. Zoro took a deep breath noticing for the first time that his cheeks were wet with tears. I can't accept your death Kisa. It shouldn't have ended like this. I'm going to make it right. I'll bring you back or I won't go on living without you. Either way, we'll be together again soon.

Aphrodite looked over the Strawhat Pirates. "Okay then, who is going to hell?"

Sanji, Robin and Ussop all moved to join Luffy and Zoro. "We all are," Luffy replied.

The goddess nodded. "Are you ready then?"

Luffy looked back at Nami. His navigator was still crying. "Nami, take good care of Ka chan. We'll meet you back in Varia's village with Kisa's soul." Nami nodded and Luffy looked back at the goddess. "Okay, let's go."

"Yeah," Zoro had stopped crying but his eyes still stung. "Let's go get Kisa back."

The goddess waved her hand. Nami and Chopper saw her and the others disappear in a flash of golden light. As soon as the others were gone Chopper burst into a fresh round of anguished sobs. "It's alright Chopper," Nami sniffed back her tears. "They can do it. They'll rescue her soul and Ka chan will come back to us." With all of her heart Nami wanted to believe in her friends; so she did.