I was falling headfirst, clutching Akumei tightly in my arms, which was difficult considering he was bigger than I was. I flapped my wings to slow our descent and managed to flip right side up. Next forcing my eyes open, I looked down at what awaited us. Immediately fear gripped me. "Oh no…!" I whispered as I stared around desperately but no matter where I looked, all that lay below was water. I was falling quickly into an ocean.
I flapped the wings again, bringing us to a slow downward drift as I thought over my options. Ok, chances are my wings will be coated in oil so I'll be able to lift from the water without having to wait for them to dry. On the other hand, maybe they'll sink in the water and pull me under. I can't depend on my self to stay hovering above because Akumei is too heavy for me to hold for more than little amounts at a time. I don't even see a tiny abandoned island anywhere! Oh crap, what am I supposed to do?
I screamed aloud as my foot touched the water and pulled it up quickly, shifting the slipping Akumei in my arms. Flapping the wings didn't seem to help much at all, as I felt my other foot touch the waves. I pulled it up as well and hovered above for a moment. Suddenly, I felt as if something was pulling on my wing. I glanced down and saw the tip of my right one in the water. The other flopped awkwardly on its own as I was pulled down by the wet feathers. "Shouldn't feathers float?" I screamed uselessly as it was sucked further in. My feet were submerged now and soon my whole body was in with a splash. I clung to Akumei, my arms around his chest and face in his back. My head kept bobbing under but at least he was staying up.
I reopened my eyes and looked around, feeling as if something was slowly advancing. I shivered and screamed as I thought I felt something brush against my leg. You are just imagining things. Stop it. I told myself. Nevertheless, I found myself scanning the surrounding waters and my heart leapt. There was a boat approaching! "Hey!" I screamed, waving an arm frantically over my head. "Over here!" I didn't even stop to consider what kind of people might have been on the ship. All that mattered was getting Akumei and me out of this water.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw it and froze for a second in sheer terror. It was darting towards me through the waves, advancing rapidly with mouth wide open. Row upon row of needle sharp teeth flashed in the sunlight and I recoiled, instinctively reaching for my sword. I stopped myself, realizing I would not be able to use it properly in the water and that, if I happened to drop it, it would be lost forever to the sea.
It was upon me. Holding Akumei weakly in one arm I closed my eyes and kicked out with my foot as hard as I could. It found its mark, slamming against the nose of the shark that writhed and turned away, a trail of blood following it. It's following the scent of blood from my back... I realized.
"Did you see that?" Someone shouted seemingly from above me. "She kicked that shark!"
I turned and opened my eyes, pulling back in surprise and briefly going under. I gagged and came back up gasping. There was a boy with black hair and a straw hat grinning down at me.
A man with green hair shoved him aside, shouting, "What are you waiting for? Pull her aboard!"
"Him first!" I objected, offering Akumei. The man hesitated and then glanced over my shoulder. His eyes widened and Akumei was jerked from the water.
Fearfully, I looked over my own shoulder and before I had time to react, the shark's mouth was in my face. I screamed and flinched back hopelessly, waiting for the teeth to tear my face off. It didn't happen. Hesitantly I opened my eyes and saw the shark swimming away as fast as it could. There was a whole school of them, about ten sharks, all departing rapidly.
"Sharks! They're swarming in!" A man with curly hair and a long nose yelled frantically.
"Must be because of the blood in the water. But they seem to be leaving now..." A red haired girl pointed out.
"Will you all shut up and do something?" The green haired man yelled as he threw Akumei to straw hat. He reached for me and our fingertips met before I was pulled under. Instantly the man threw off his swords and leapt in after me.
"Zolo!" Straw hat shouted but he was already in the water, following the mixture of blood and bubbles.
Below the surface, I was struggling, panic stricken, with the tentacle that has risen from the depths to wrap itself firmly around both of my legs, pinning them together. Deciding to risk it, I drew my sword and swung downward, movement slowed by the water yet still just as effective. The tentacle went slack as its other half twitched slightly and then stilled, floating upwards. I pulled the other half from me, just as another sprang up to grab me around the waist. It squeezed hard and I opened my mouth to gasp for air, barely managing to stop myself from inhaling the water. I swung the sword sluggishly through the water again and sliced this one as well. Another tentacle did not bother to replace it.
When Zolo saw the mutilated limb float by, he had to clamp his hands over his mouth to keep from opening it and releasing all the air in shock. What is that…? He thought as he continued downwards. His eyes widened as he saw something drifting towards him from below. A monster? He looked closer and made out the form of a girl, my form, and what had thrown him off were the two huge feathery black wings and the bloody tentacle clamped around her waist. What is she? He thought before noticing my eyes were closed. He struck out and dove to meet me. Holding me tightly around the waist, he kicked hard and swam towards the surface. He emerged, gasping for air beside the ship. Hands immediately grabbed him and pulled him upwards just as another shark collided with the side of the ship where we had just been floating. It seemed a couple had decided it safe to return.
"Ewww!" The girl screamed, recoiling as she saw the thing around my waist. "And she's getting blood all over the deck!"
"Shut up Nami!" Zolo said impatiently as he laid me out on my back. Placing a hand on either side of it, he pried the tentacle from around me, tossing it back into the ocean. The sharks swarmed, ripping it to pieces. Zolo looked at my hand, marveling at the sword I clutched. Why does she… have a sword? He shook his head and moved closer, trying to pull it from my hand. Finally he gave up, deciding there was no way he was removing my unyielding grip from the handle.
Now, almost reluctantly, he placed a hand on my chest. There was a pause and then he set his ear near my mouth, feeling for a breath. "She's not breathing…!" He cried suddenly, pulling back. Then, without even thinking, he pushed hard on my stomach and held my nose, pressing his mouth to mine. Everyone else stared in stunned silenced and he breathed into me and pressed again on my stomach before breathing again. He lifted once more and thrust both hands downwards.
I lurched upwards, gagging and coughing as the salty water dripped from my mouth and then stared around stupidly. "W-what happened…?" I managed weakly.
The girl, Nami, gave me an amused smirk. "Zolo here just revived you with mouth to mouth." I felt my face instantly turn bright red as I stared at the one she had referred to.
He was sitting slouched with his back to me in embarrassment. "You weren't breathing…" He finally said after a long silence.
I smiled weakly. "Thanks…" I whispered as I sat up fully, feeling the pain in my back greatly increased because of the salt water. I gritted my teeth as my eyes swirled gray and then closed them, focusing as best I could. After what felt like forever, I finally felt the warmth of spirit energy in my hand. With a relieved smile, I placed the glowing hand on my shoulder to allow the torn skin around the wings to heal. Turning towards Zolo I asked quietly, "You aren't hurt anywhere, are you?"
"N-no…" He stammered, staring with wide eyes.
I nodded and released the energy back into my body. I noticed the sword lying beside me and sheathed it, afterwards collapsing with an exhausted sigh. "Akumei is safe, right?"
"Yes, he's right over here." Straw hat answered, pointing to Akumei who lay limply beside him. I nodded my approval and then drifted into sleep.
I awoke slowly, regarding the room with roaming eyes. It was wooden and I was in a small bed. Akumei had been set against the side of my bed and I felt another out of range of my eyesight. Holding my stomach, I forced myself to sit up, supporting myself with one arm.
"Hey, you probably shouldn't move too much yet." Someone advised me.
I turned and saw the boy with the straw hat sitting on a backwards chair so he could face me. "Why? Am I badly injured? I just feel sore…"
He nodded. "Your stomach and legs have bruises all over them from whatever grabbed you."
"Oh…" I said in a near whisper as I looked down at myself. My eyes flew wide. "Hey, these aren't my clothes!"
The boy laughed loudly. "Yours were wet! And don't worry, Nami was the one who changed you."
"O-ok…" I murmured, blushing. Slowly I pulled back the covers and stared at my legs. The pale skin had broad strips of bluish gray circling it around the knees. Reluctantly I looked at my stomach and saw the same bruises around it and my waist. "Yeah, I feel sore…"
The boy laughed again, offering a hand. "I'm Luffy."
I smiled and took it. "I'm Kira."
"Are you able to walk?" I nodded and he pulled me to my feet. "Well then, lets go meet the rest of my crew!" I was almost dragged out the door and Luffy looked around as if searching for the others but there was no need. As soon as we stepped from the room, they swarmed around us. "This is Nami, Zolo, and Usop!" Luffy said, indicating each one, last being the curly haired one. "They're my pirate crew!"
"It's an angel!" Someone cried out and I felt them grab my hand. I turned in surprise and saw a tall blonde man kneeling in front of me. He smiled and kissed my hand causing me to blush crimson.
"Oh, and this is our cook, Sanji."
"Hey, I'm part of the crew too Luffy. How could you just leave me out?" Sanji said, glaring at him as he stood again.
"But I didn't… You were busy cooking!" Luffy replied.
"So what? I would've gladly stopped for her." I stood self consciously blushing as Sanji circled me, tugging lightly on one wing. "What exactly is this damsel you have saved Zolo?"
"I'm not exactly sure…" Zolo replied and they all began to stare expectantly at me.
I sighed and smiled nervously. "Well I'm actually a wolf demon with dog demon and human in me as well."
There was a long silence, which Luffy finally broke. "Are you sure you didn't just eat a forbidden fruit?"
"A… what…?" I asked, blinking.
"Gum-gum fruit. If you eat it, it gives you strange powers. It made me a rubber man!" To prove this he stuck a finger in the inside of his cheek and pulled, stretching his face with the hand. He released and it sprang back into place.
I remained staring for a moment and then laughed aloud. "Wow… But yeah, I'm sure I didn't eat any strange fruits to get like this."
"Let's say I believe you." Zolo began, arms crossed. "Why would a wolf demon have wings? In addition, where did you come from? There's no land in sight, unless you were on a ship that sunk…"
I shook my head. "First off, I got my wings while in a fight. He threw some gas he made at me and when I inhaled it, wings sprouted from my back. This is the part you're really not going to believe. I was transported here from another world. Akumei is too heavy for me to hold up for long so I was pulled into the water."
"Transported… from another world?" Nami said, unbelieving. "That makes even some of Usop's stories seem realistic!"
"Hey!" Usop shouted.
I just laughed. "Well, believe what you want. I know it's true." I replied, shrugging.
"Akumei… That was the man you were with?" Zolo asked and I nodded. "He was unconscious when you handed him to me and still is. Is he ok?"
I nodded again. "Yes, he's just tiring himself out. When we are transported, it takes energy from us. In order to keep me fine, he is taking all of it upon himself so I remain unaffected. He however, barely awakens for more than five minutes at a time as a result."
There was another long silence as everyone just stared from me to the room where Akumei lay. "Do you think my clothes are dry yet?" I asked, breaking the emptiness. I was told where they had been hung and then went to change. I laughed at myself as I pulled on the one sleeved black shirt and then the rapidly fading blue jeans. Firmly tying Kaidoh's bandana into a belt loop of my pants, I returned to the others.
Before anything could be said, a beeping filled the air and Sanji excused himself before rushing off.
"Looks like dinner is almost ready…" Zolo said, turning towards me. "When's the last time you ate?"
"Truthfully…?" I laughed. He nodded and I paused, thinking about it. "Umm… I guess a few weeks… maybe over a month now. I can't keep track."
"What?" I jumped as Sanji cried out in horror from behind me. "You have to eat, now. I'm amazed you're able to move!" He took my shoulders and steered me into a room, plopping me down in a chair. "Eat." He commanded as he set a bowl of steaming soup in front of me and then set more at intervals around the table.
Zolo laughed as he took the seat beside me. "It's not poisoned or anything." As if to prove this, he spooned a load into his mouth.
I smiled softly, suddenly aware of how hungry I was. Slowly I lifted the spoon and scooped a taste into my mouth. "Oh wow…" I laughed. "It tastes as good as it smells!"
I saw Sanji beaming proudly out of the corner of my eye as he sat down on my other side. "So you like it then?" He asked. I nodded and I ate another bite.
It took all of my willpower to keep from sticking my nose in the bowl and slurping it up like a dog. I laughed at the image it brought to my head and forced myself to eat normally with the others. Once everyone was done, I stood and pulled the camera out. Somehow, it had stayed perfectly dry inside its case. I don't know what I would have done if it had broken. "Hey, can I get everyone's picture please?" I asked aloud.
"Why?" Luffy asked.
I smiled. "Because I'm trying to keep track of all I meet during my travels." They all agreed and the picture was snapped with me in the middle of the group of five.
As if on cue, my head pounded once and I crouched low, holding it tightly.
Kira? It was the girl again.
Yeah, I'm here.
Ok, I'm about to transport you again. Are you ready?
Yeah.
Wait… you're hurt!
I laughed quietly. Don't worry about it, I'm fine. But don't tell Hiei ok? He's the mean short one.
All right… Get well soon. She murmured and then her voice faded.
I stood, still holding my head, and smiled at the shocked faces, which all stared at me. "It always seems to happen right after a picture is taken…" I said as I placed the camera in the bag again.
"What just happened…?" Luffy asked in confusion.
"I'm about to be transported again. The girl who's doing it just warned me."
"You mean you were serious about it all?" Nami exclaimed.
I nodded, jumping as I began to glow. "Oh man…" I looked up, suddenly almost panic stricken. "I have to get to Akumei right now!"
Zolo took my hand and started pulling me away but I tripped and stumbled on my bruised legs. Glancing at my face he new immediately how important this was and he grabbed up my glowing form without further thought. He ran from the room with the others following quickly behind and burst into Akumei's room. Zolo set me down gently beside him and backed away.
"Thank you…" I smiled, red faced. Suddenly my entire arm flickered. "Bye! Thanks all of you for everything!" I cried hurriedly as I threw my arms around Akumei. In another instant, we were gone.
"She really wasn't kidding…" Nami whispered in disbelief.
"I've done it again…" The girl whispered, jumping fearfully as Hiei yelled at the same time.
"Where do you think you're going?" He snapped at Kyoshi, who had gotten to his feet.
"I'm going for a quick fly and I have to find something to finish this…" He grinned and faced the girl. "And I have complete confidence in her ability to bring Kira back so I don't even have to worry at all." She smiled at him gratefully but Hiei just glared venomously.
"Don't be long…" He spat.
"Yes mom…" Kyoshi laughed as he soared off into the night sky.
Hiei clenched his fists, shaking in silent rage. Forcing calm, he stared up at the moonless sky. Why did you have to revive him…? He thought hopelessly. He remained for a long time after, just looking straight up.
The girl watched him warily and then, deciding he had himself under control, relaxed and closed her eyes again. Once more, she started the tiresome process of seeking me out.
