Long Term Hearts

by Trafalgar's Pet

Law's childhood friend has gone through thick and thin with him, now after many years of separation, they've found each other in the one place where Straw Hat Luffy slugs a Dragon. Now that the Straw Hats have been split up by the Warlord Bartholomew Kuma, Yukimi ends up in the care of the one and only Surgeon of Death.

8. Arlong Park

~Hey guys here's the next chapter for LTH! Hope y'all enjoy it as it's one chapter closer to seeing our favorite Surgeon of Death again! And Happy Leap Day!

Long Term Hearts

Chapter 8: Arlong Park

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"Open the gates! We have two prisoners on board this vessel!"

Yukimi glared at the new round fishman that had taken places with the big fishman from before. She shifted a little feeling annoyed that the fishmen had confiscated their weapons moments earlier. As the gates swung open for them to pass through, they were greeted by many on looking fishmen who were either in the water or lounging about on the patio. As the small ship sailed further inside, more of the surrounding fishmen became interested in this surprise visit. The slim, and round fishmen stopped the commandeered vessel, swiftly grabbed Zoro, and Yukimi, and hauled them onto the patio in front of a much larger fishman, who was sitting on a patio chair like it was a throne. It was the fishman Arlong.

"Well, what do we have here?" Arlong grinned as the two were forced to sit, though it wasn't like they could do anything else since they were bound. "A little human, and...oh? Well, this is a surprise, we have a kitsune in our midst. Now, why is that?"

Yukimi's ears rotated around for a few seconds as she began hearing murmurings going around the surrounding fishmen. She sat up straighter now giving an unimpressed look toward Arlong. "Why you say? Well, I can ask the same thing with you fishmen. Last time I checked, this island isn't Fishman Island."

Arlong chuckled as he rested his head against his knuckles, elbow perched on his knee. "Nice answer. Well, we came to take over the subspecies here. Oh, where are my manners? Untie our new guest, would you?" Arlong gestured to the round fishman next to her.

After Yukimi was freed she rubbed her slightly sore wrists as Zoro gave her a confused look. She looked back at Arlong as the round fishman moved back to her side, keeping an eye on her still. "Why free me from these," she held up the rope for a moment before lowering it, "and not my friend here?" Yukimi asked slowly.

"Simply because I don't trust this puny human, and why should you be a prisoner like a human when you're a kitsune?" After receiving a confused look from her, he continued. "Kitsunes are higher up in the evolutionary ladder, like fishmen."

"Huh..." Yukimi put her hands in her hoodie pocket as she stood up. "And what order would you put us kitsunes? Below you?"

"Of course. After all, kitsunes maybe higher ranked than these weak minded humans, but in strength, and superiority in water, we fishmen rule overall." Arlong spoke as if he was stating the ocean was blue. "Kitsunes may outlive us, but fishmen are the dominant species on the planet."

"Who're you calling weak minded you bastard!" Zoro growled getting angry.

"Shut up human!" The slim fishman guarding Zoro snapped before kicking him. Only, his foot never made contact. Yukimi tackled him where he ended up on his stomach with her sitting on his pinned arms over his back, ankles hooked around her arm while the other arm curled around his throat. The result was, the fishman being forced into arching his spine while she restrained, and choked him.

"I think, you should lay off the insults to the human, and kitsune race, Arlong. Oh, and I don't appreciate you guys trying to hurt my buddy here," Yukimi growled out as the fur on her tails stood up with her ears strained forward in a show of aggression.

Arlong leaned forward placing his hands over his knees. "Is that so?"

Yukimi raised her brow at him before she was headbutted by the fishman under her. The kitsune yelped as her grip loosened. The next thing Yukimi knew was that she was flipped over then received a kick in the gut.

Zoro watched unable to do a thing as Yukimi curled into herself on the ground before being grabbed by her hood, and thrown into the pool behind them. "Yukimi!"

The moment Yukimi hit the water, the kitsune knew she was in trouble. Because of the kick the fishman gave her, she couldn't breathe at that moment, and now that she was thrown into the water...yeah, not good. Yukimi covered her mouth with her hand to keep from taking in water as she sunk further from the surface. 'Shit! I didn't have much air in my lungs, to begin with, and now this?!' Yukimi flipped herself upward so she could start swimming her way back up to the surface. Her lungs soon began to burn as she let go of her mouth so she could use both hands to move faster, albeit her tails slowed her down from drag. The surface was almost within reach! 'Almost!'

Zoro scanned the water for any signs of Yukimi when a group of bubbles floated to the surface before no more came. He began to grow worried until she suddenly burst through the surface with a gasp. "Yukimi are you okay?!"

The kitsune couldn't answer as she grabbed hold of the edge of the patio where she was originally sitting at. Yukimi hung on as she rested her chin on the concrete, coughing while trying to catch her breath. She looked up at Zoro about to answer him when she was yanked out of the water and quickly tied back up. "...I'm fine...Zoro," Yukimi muttered while her ears lowered, and dripped water as she caught her breath again, giving Arlong a glare. There was a shifting noise next to the kitsune making her glance to her right side, spotting the fishman who tied her back up. He was a large dark gray hammerhead shark fishman. The round fishman from before was now among the others around the area.

"Since you're no longer distracted by your friend taking a dip, maybe now you'll answer my question, human."

Zoro shot a glare at Arlong after making sure Yukimi was alright.

"Now one more time. What was your purpose in coming to this island?" Arlong began interrogating Zoro again.

"Like I said before, we're looking for a girl, you half fish bastard," Zoro shot back feeling on edge.

"Hmph, wow for someone that I consider a good meal, you are either really stupid or you got a lot of guts in there," Arlong paused as he raised a webbed hand in a 'matter of speaking' manner. "We fishmen are simply put, the next step up the evolutionary ladder from you pathetic humans," the fishman pirate shifted his gaze to Yukimi, "and kitsunes. We are incredibly resilient. We can breathe both on land, and underwater. An ability that clearly establishes our superiority over you. Fishmen are lords of all creatures. And to defy us is to defy nature," he lowered his hand as a new voice came from inside the building behind him.

"I'm really sick of listening to your ideas, Arlong."

Zoro and Yukimi gaped as Nami walked over to Arlong, not believing what they were seeing.

Arlong raised his hand toward Nami, "Why are you so serious, Nami? You know I wasn't talking about you. You are a very special human, our greatest navigator, and a valuable member of this crew. You always have been."

"Say what you will, but I'm a lot smarter than any of you. That's for sure," Nami deadpanned the last sentence as she glared at the large fishman.

"Why did he call you his navigator, Nami?" Zoro asked suspiciously. "You can't honestly expect me to believe you work for this guy!"

Yukimi looked confused as she tried to understand the situation a bit better, "What's going on Nami?"

"Hold on, are these some kind of friends of yours Nami?" Arlong looked between Zoro and Yukimi.

"Don't be ridiculous," Nami started as she walked over to the two. "These are just some fools who thought I wouldn't steal all of their treasure right out from under their noses." The navigator crouched in front of them with a smirk. "And to think that they would come chasing after me all the way here without knowing that. Just shows how stupid they are."

"So this is who you really are. All along I thought you couldn't stand pirates," Zoro glared.

Yukimi looked at the swordsman hearing this new piece of information. Nami had never mentioned hating pirates around her before. The albino faced the orangette, "How come I've never heard of this before? And what about the time you, and I have spent together, however short?"

"All an act, and I don't care about your problems," Nami coldly replied back as Yukimi's eyes widened, and ears drooped back at her words. "All I'm interested in is making pirates look stupid, and taking their money right out from under their noses. And you guys bought the whole show." Nami moved her left shoulder to where the two could get a clear view of her tattoo, enjoying the look of shock, and realization overcome their faces. "I'm a pirate, plain, and simple," Nami crossed her arms as she stood up, "and a navigator for Arlong."

Yukimi stared at the flag waving at the top of the building in front of them, then back at the blue tattoo stamped into Nami's shoulder. She found herself glaring at the insignia.

"I guess you finally get it." Nami placed her hand on her hip. "I just used you guys to get what I wanted. You were skilled enough to serve my needs but boy, weren't you guys a bunch of suckers."

Arlong barked out a laugh, "See? She had you completely fooled. It's no use, she's cold blooded. She even betrayed her own family for money. So you really shouldn't feel too bad."

Zoro glanced up at the orangette when a strange look crossed her face while Yukimi glared at the grinning fishman.

"If I were you, I would try to forget the day you met her," Arlong finished.

"I don't need to," Zoro said closing his eyes with a smirk, making Yukimi look over to him. "Because I never saw anything in her to be trusted in the first place. If she turned out to be a serial killer, I wouldn't be surprised." The kitsune frowned at what the swordsman was saying.

"Fine! Then why don't you get the hell out of here? I'm tired of looking at your face!" Nami shot back at him.

Yukimi faced Zoro when she noticed him grinning, and gave her a wink. Not a moment later he launched himself into the pool behind them, yanking out a gasp from the kitsune.

"Hey, why did he jump in there? It's not like he can escape," a fishman stated crossing his arms.

"Maybe he just wanted to get away from Nami," another one suggested pointing at the pool.

"I wouldn't blame him," replied the first fishman. "Nami can be real mean sometimes."

Yukimi wasn't listening to them. She only stared at the bubbles coming up to the surface. She tried moving her bound arms but couldn't budge them. Without warning water splashed in her face as Nami dove in after the swordsman. Several seconds passed by as the surrounding fishmen wondered why Nami went in after the swordsman. Yukimi could only hope they would reach the surface quickly. Soon the two came back up with gasps. Yukimi let out a relieved breath as Nami pushed Zoro onto the concrete next to her.

Nami glared tiredly at Zoro, "What do you think you're doing?!"

Zoro coughed as his lungs began refilling with air. "No, what do you think you're doing?" He turned his head so she could see his grin, "You're just a nice girl who can't watch one guy die. Why don't you quit pretending huh?"

Yukimi watched Nami warily as her glare intensified. Nami stood up as he continued, "And maybe you could be a little quicker next time, I thought I was dead!"

"Shut up you bastard!" The orangette stomped on Zoro's bandaged back getting a pained yell out of him.

"Nami! What the fuck-let him go!" Yukimi shouted in anger knowing just how injured Zoro was as the navigator lifted him up by the throat.

Zoro, on the other hand, grinned at Nami as she took a once over at his bandages, "That's a lot of bandages, you must've been really hurt."

"Actually I forgot my shirt. So I grabbed these instead, thought you'd get distracted otherwise," Zoro joked before getting a fist in the gut by Nami.

"Nami stop it!" Yukimi snapped as the swordsman sank to the ground after the navigator released him. Yukimi glared after her as Arlong began speaking to Nami as she walked away from them. Yukimi scooted closer to Zoro as he took painful breaths. "How is it?"

"Never been better," he groaned.

"Lock them up, I'll deal with them later," Nami dismissed.

Yukimi looked up as the same large fishman from before barged into Arlong Park. "Arlong! Hey Arlong!"

"Yeah?" Arlong turned to the large fishman, "Well what is it? Spit it out already."

"Yes, sir." He jabbed a webbed thumb at the kitsune, and human, "These two didn't come alone. There was another long nosed weird looking guy, but he got away."

"Usopp... But he didn't mention Johnny," Yukimi muttered under her breath so only Zoro could hear her.

"I-I think he escaped into Cocoyashi Village."

"Cocoyashi huh? That's perfect, now I have two reasons to go," Arlong grinned. "It's time to go have some fun."

As he and a bunch of others began leaving, Zoro and Yukimi were grabbed by a couple of fishmen and were roughly thrown into a cell at the back of Arlong Park. Yukimi shook her head as Zoro leaned against the wall after the fishmen left them. "Well, that was something," she grumbled looking at the only window in the room, having bars on it.

"Yeah." Zoro looked at Yukimi's bounds with a raised brow. "Hey, can't you change, and get out of those?"

"Tch," the kitsune glared at the rope around her ankles. "Nope, be too painful."

"Painful?"

Yukimi gave him a strained grin, "Yeah, painful. Imagine having your bones, and muscles twisted when bound, and then suddenly forced into a new position they weren't meant to be before. I had a fractured arm once in this form, and suddenly I got spooked by some twerp and changed back into my fox form on accident. It hurt like a fucking bitch." Yukimi shrugged with a grimace, thinking about the feeling of her body structure being forced into a different shape while being damaged like that.

"Ouch."

"Heh, and know what? That's the same twerp I'm looking for," the kitsune gave the swordsman a lopsided grin. "Talk about a way to meet someone, huh?"

Zoro found himself smirking a little before remembering their situation. He once again tried to get his bounds loose but only found them having been tightened by the saltwater outside.

"If only I had one of my kunai," Yukimi grumbled as she leaned back against the cell wall. At least she could relax a little in the comfort of knowing she was a prisoner of Arlong, and not in Doflamingo's possession. That would have been a living nightmare.

There was a clanging sound coming from the cell's door as the lock was opened. The two turned to a loud creaking sound coming from the cell's door opening up. Nami stepped inside with a knife as she quickly closed the door. She silently walked over to them, and slashed their ropes apart, freeing them. As Yukimi stretched her arms forward in relief, Nami walked back to the door. The navigator stopped when she grabbed the handle to look over her shoulder at the two. "Get out of here quick. Arlong will be back soon." Then she was out of the cell, leaving the door cracked open.

Yukimi rubbed her red wrists as Zoro stared at his cut rope in thought. Both looked back up when there were multiple clattering sounds, indicating things being dropped or tossed. There, lying in the stream of light from the outside, were their weapons.

Zoro stood up to get his sword as Yukimi listened to Nami's footsteps fade away in the distance. Yukimi finally stood up just in time for her pouch to be tossed into her hands. "We're freed, and got our stuff back, now what?" the kitsune asked as Zoro handed her kunai, and holster back.

"I don't know," the swordsman answered as he watched Yukimi get her things back on. He tilted his head towards the cracked door. "I say we take a look around. It's not like we have anywhere else to go but here."

Yukimi hummed in thought as they walked out of their cell room. "Think there's still fishmen here? Or do you suppose they all left with Arlong?" They turned the corner of the outside building only to come face to face with a bunch of remaining fishmen pirates.

"Does this answer your question, Yukimi?" Zoro grinned as he nudged out his sword a little.

"Hey look! It's the human, and kitsune!"

"They're supposed to be locked up! How did they get out?!"

Yukimi sweatdropped as a few fishmen started coming towards them, "Ah shit. A fight huh?"

"Sounds like fun!" Zoro drew out his sword in time to block two downward slashing swords.

Yukimi sighed in exasperation as she dodged another fishman's sword. The kitsune yanked her kunai out of its holster on her thigh, blocked a sword with it, and then slashed at him, killing him. "Why do I have an inkling that now that I've joined this crew, mishaps like these will always happen?" She took out three shuriken before killing the same amount of fishmen charging at her from her left side.

"It looks like it," Zoro chuckled as he killed off more attacking fishmen.

Soon the little incident was over, and here we can see Zoro sporting a new shirt lounging about in Arlong's chair with his hands intertwined behind his head, foot propped on his knee. A few yards away Yukimi could be found gathering her thrown projectiles. "Ah, it's good to get these back in hand. It's not often I'm able to retrieve my weapons after a fight," the kitsune grinned as she put the last kunai away.

"Is that an issue?"

"Well yeah. Do you come across a weapon's shop with ninja weapons for sale often?" Yukimi questioned as she walked back to Zoro.

"Can't say I have," he shrugged.

"Exactly," Yukimi deadpanned as she switched forms, and hopped onto Zoro's shoulder, making sure she wasn't on his injured side. The swordsman shifted as the fox settled into sitting on him. Zoro raised a brow at her, though appreciative that Yukimi was on his good side. "What?" Yukimi grinned a toothy grin. "I'm not gonna bite," the fox chuckled.

"Why are you on me?"

"Because it's fun to perch on people. Whether it's to annoy someone or because I like them." Yukimi brushed one of her tails across his face, causing him to push it away slightly annoyed.

"Really...? And what would it be this time?" Zoro inquired with a smirk.

The white fox curled both of her tails around the back of the swordsman's neck to drape over his other shoulder. "I like you. I like your style of fighting. And you seem interesting to be around after the past few days I've been apart of the crew. Even if you were asleep half the time!" Yukimi laughed as she remembered one time she was walking along the length of the ship one day until she nearly tripped over a napping Zoro.

The swordsman rolled his eyes. He moved his hand from behind his head to scratch the fox between the ears, making her lean towards his hand more. "Well you seem to be enjoying this," he commented as he moved his hand to the back of her neck.

"Yes well, it's part of being a kitsune," Yukimi tilted her head a little with a soft sigh. "Or fox in this form. Every species has a quirk or spot or more on their body that makes them relax and feel pleasure. Like a massage therapy if you want to compare it to that."

"You don't say?"

Yukimi nodded before a frown took over her relaxed expression. "So, when do you think Luffy'll be here?"

"Don't know," the swordsman paused as he ran his hand over the fox's back, appreciating the soft white fur under his fingertips. "We promised to get Nami back but, she's making things pretty difficult right now." Zoro looked skyward at the passing clouds. "Man, what is he up to? Things are getting messy around here."

The fox was about to reply when they heard a commotion just on the other side of the sea gate. There were three fishing rods moving about, and it looked like one of them was caught on something. "Incredible! What are you, some kind of super fish? Not even the mighty Hatchan, elite octopus of the Arlong Pirates could pull you out of the ocean! What an epic battle! I don't know who you are, but you're the guttiest fish in the East Blue!"

Yukimi raised her brow as Hatchan somehow managed to pull himself up by his trousers caught on his fishing hook.

"Hey! What the-? It was me all along? Ah!" Hatchan's hook slipped off of his trousers with a snap, letting the octo-fishman fall over with a thud.

Zoro stood up with Yukimi still on his shoulder and walked over to the wall where they were watching the spectacle.

"You are indeed, the guttiest fish in the East Blue, me!" Hatchan paused as he placed his hands on the wall, looking up in thought. "Hold on, that's weird."

Zoro leaned over the edge of the wall, looking down at the octo-fishman. "It sure is," he agreed with a raised brow.

"Huh?" Hatchan faced Zoro with a frown. "Hey! Who are you? Speak up now!" His frown turned into surprise as he pointed to himself with all six hands. "Who me? Well..." The octo-fishman stepped back and jabbed a webbed thumb at himself in a little pose of self introduction. "I'm Hatchan, but all my friends call me Hatchi."

"You a fishman too?" Zoro asked as Yukimi hopped onto the stone wall, taking a seat. She decided to remain quiet, and act like a normal fox for the time being, or at least until the octo-fishman figured out they were the enemy.

"Of course! Of course! I'm an amazing octopus fishman. And it looks like to me you're just a human with a fox," Hatchan stated as he moved his six arms in a waving motion.

"Uh, yeah." Zoro rested his chin in his palm glancing at Yukimi as they both observed the octo-fishman.

"A marine or possibly a guest."

"A guest?" Zoro and Yukimi glanced over their shoulders at the many scattered dead fishmen. "Uh...you could say that."

"Arlong isn't here, is he?" Hatchan asked.

"No, I thought maybe you could tell me," the swordsman answered as he leaned back against the wall.

"Apparently there's some long nosed guy running around causing trouble. So Arlong locked up long nose's friends here, then went to Cocoyashi Village to hunt down that pesky trouble maker." Hatchan finished as he cast his three fishing rods again.

Yukimi looked over to Zoro as he sighed, resigned to look for Usopp. "This Cocoyashi Village," the swordsman jumped down next to the octo-fishman, "how do I get there?"

"Get in." Hatchan pointed with three hands over to what looked like a large floating pot. "You are a guest. Hop in. I'll take you, and your little friend, swordsman."

Zoro nodded before getting in the large pot.

Yukimi leaned on the edge of the wall, ready to jump over to Zoro when a pair of hands grabbed her, lifting the white fox up. She made a growling sound as Hatchan lowered her into his arms.

"Easy there fella, wouldn't want you to get hurt jumping from there."

'Seriously? I am not fragile!' Yukimi thought annoyed as the octo-fishman handed her to Zoro. Feeling a chuckle rumble from the swordsman's chest, she gave him an unimpressed glare. A look clearly stating, 'You wanna laugh about this? I'll give you something to laugh about later.'

The ride over to Cocoyashi was uneventful as it only took a few minutes because of Hatchan's speed. "Well here we are, Cocoyashi Village," Hatchan announced as he let Zoro hop onto the dock. "Arlong should be around here somewhere."

"Oh great, thanks."

Yukimi huffed quietly as she settled back on Zoro's shoulder.

"No problem, bye now!" Hatchan began swimming away with the large pot but quickly stopped. "Oh, one more thing. I completely forgot to ask your name." He pointed to himself with all six hands. "What do you mean? We've been over this, I gave you my name. I'm Hatchan! Nice to meet ya!" The octo-fishman waved before swimming back to Arlong Park.

"Hm, that was strange," Zoro smirked. Well, that was before he felt sharp teeth nip his ear, dragging out a pained, "Hey!" Yukimi hopped off his shoulder and transformed back into her human form. She crossed her arms with a smirk as Zoro covered his ear in pain. "What the hell Yukimi?!"

The kitsune grinned, "That's for earlier."

"I thought you said you didn't bite," Zoro glared as he checked for blood, finding none.

Yukimi shook her head with a shrug, "Doesn't count if it's revenge, however petty."

"Whatever, c'mon we need to find Usopp." Zoro took off down the path that led to the village with Yukimi right behind. As the path began to spread out to a few houses, they could hear a commotion up ahead. It sounded like a group of people were talking about something that had happened.

Yukimi looked around as they walked into the village, soon spotting many villagers huddled near a house. "Wonder what's going on over there."

"There's only one way to find out."

"Agreed," Yukimi put her hands in her hoodie pocket as they walked up to the small crowd. "Excuse me, we're looking for a friend. Perhaps you might've seen him?"

A woman looked up noticing the two newcomers. "Who are you?"

"I'm Yukimi, this," she gestured to the swordsman next to her, "is Zoro. Have you seen a friend of ours? He has dark hair, wearing brown overalls, has a big bag, oh! And he has a long nose. Have you seen him?"

Everyone's eyes widened at the description and looked nervously amongst themselves.

Zoro stepped forward, "You've seen him, haven't you? Where is he?"

A young man with brown hair raised his hand shakily, "I-I saw him get taken by one of those fishmen."

"Usopp was-?!"

Zoro slammed his hand against the building's wall next to the man's head. "What? What do you mean? You're saying he was captured?!"

The man gulped, "Yeah. They took him back to Arlong Park a little while ago."

"That courageous young man stood up to Arlong and those fishmen. He's probably dead by now," an older man said as Zoro dropped his hand, letting the younger man he cornered slide to the ground.

"Not good," Yukimi muttered with narrowing red eyes.

"They won't be forgiving after what we did."

"You mean after what you did. I was only attacking in self defense," the kitsune said making the swordsman mildly glare at her. "But nevermind that, we gotta go back for Usopp!"

"If he's alive!" Zoro responded as they backtracked toward Arlong Park, leaving the villagers behind.

As they ran down the path, Yukimi thought of leaping into the trees to travel faster through the branches to scout for any fishmen that might be ahead of them. Only for her, and Zoro to stop dead in their tracks when there was a loud rumbling sound. It sounded like it was coming from their left as trees snapped, and broke in the wake of crazed laughter, and screams, all coming from a small green striped ship, barreling down on them.

"Hey, its Zoro, and Yukimi!" Luffy shouted all the while having a blast as Yosaku, and Sanji held on for dear life.

Yukimi at the last moment jumped straight up out of self preservation, and instinct, trying to latch onto a branch to avoid the charging ship on land. Only to belatedly realize the branch she just grabbed was connected to a tree in the line of fire. Not a second later, the striped ship bulldozed through the tree like a twig underfoot. The kitsune let out a scream as she was tossed into the air before hitting the deck of the small ship with a thud. Somewhere Yukimi could hear Zoro screaming as well. Bursting out of the woods they were in, and onto a rice paddy, the small ship slid across the open farmland before smashing into the side of a small cliff. Obviously, the ship didn't survive the land bound voyage, having splintered into many pieces along with food, and other supplies flying everywhere. Luffy began dusting off his beloved straw hat with a content sigh, "That was awesome. We're here guys."

"What...the hell," Zoro grunted as he shoved debris off of himself as he glared angrily at the rubber boy, "were you doing?!"

Luffy patted dirt from his shirt oblivious to his first mate's anger, "We're here to pick up Nami, duh. How come you haven't found her yet?"

While Yosaku was busy with his legs twitching in the air half conscious, Sanji looked around as he stood up, quickly spotting Yukimi covered in pieces of planks, and glass. "Yukimi!" He ran to her side so he could get the debris off her. "Yukimi are you okay?!"

The kitsune groaned with her eyes closed as the last broken decking was removed, "What the fucking hell?" She opened her eyes to see Sanji leaning over her, checking for any injuries.

"Yukimi my love, are you hurt?"

"I'm-" Yukimi stopped when she noticed the branch from her ill fated escape attempt from before was still clutched in her hand. Anger flashed over her red eyes before she stood up. Sanji tried calming her down sensing the anger from her but to no avail. Yukimi growled as she walked up to Luffy, catching his attention.

"Hey Yukimi! Do you know where-" The kitsune didn't let him finish as she whacked him in the head with the broken branch, leaves flying into the air before fluttering to the ground at their feet.

Luffy stumbled back from the unexpected attack. "Hey!" He spat out a couple of leaves. "What was that for?!"

"What the fuck was that about?! How did you even get that ocean bound boat on land-this far inland?!" Yukimi yelled at the rubber boy a little more than just ticked off. She never did appreciate getting spooked like that with possible injury on the line.

"I thought it awesome."

Yukimi groaned shaking her head before throwing the branch into the debris pile next to her, then sat down on a crate to calm her breathing.

"Oh yeah, where's Usopp, and Johnny?" Luffy asked looking around for the two.

"Usopp...oh no! C'mon we gotta hurry!" Zoro scrambled out of the debris he was in and ran past a confused Luffy.

"Why? What's wrong?"

Zoro turned back to answer but Yukimi had beaten him to it as she too stood back up. "Usopp was caught by Arlong. We were on our way there when you guys showed up. Hopefully, he hadn't been killed yet."

"He's already dead..."

"What?!" Zoro looked down the path the ship made during its land bound voyage to find Johnny falling to his knees.

"We're too...late..." The bounty hunter lowered his head in grief. "Big bro Usopp is dead!" He punched the ground in anger before looking back up at them. "Nami...murdered him!"

This shocked everyone. Nami? Murdering Usopp? How? Why? It didn't make any sense!

"You-you can't be serious!" Yosaku yelled in denial as Johnny walked over to them.

"Yeah, it's true." Johnny sat down with his hands on his knees. "She was a traitor all along. She's been winning Arlong's favor so she could have the treasure buried near Cocoyashi Village all to herself. That woman is some cold blooded killer! Nami won't stop 'till she gets what she wants. Nami had us fooled the entire ti-"

Luffy grabbed the bounty hunter's shirt collar in anger, his straw hat falling off in the process, "Quiet! Say one more word, and you'll regret it!"

"Easy Luffy. This has nothing to do with Johnny," Zoro said trying to calm his captain down.

Johnny looked away for a second then back to Luffy, "Go on, believe what you want. But I know what I saw! Nami killed big bro Usopp!"

"Shut your mouth! Never in a million years would Nami kill Usopp! She wouldn't do that to her friends!" Luffy shook the bounty hunter with every word he said.

"But...I know what I saw!"

Yukimi looked up from hearing a new set of footsteps approaching them. It was none other than Nami. "What was that about friends, Luffy?"

"Nami." Luffy dropped Johnny as he turned around to face the navigator.

"What are you doing here?" Nami asked with her staff in hand.

"What are we doing here? You're our friend." He bent down to grab his hat, "We came to get you."

"What a pest."

"Nami?" Luffy looked up surprised.

"Friends huh? Don't make me laugh. You're just as pathetic enough to deserve each other," Nami stated like it was a normal thing to say.

"Huh?"

"Damn you," Johnny stood up, jabbing his finger at her. "You killed him! I watched you do it! And now...big bro Usopp is gone!"

"Yup, that's right. So why don't you kill me, and get your revenge?" Nami taunted.

Johnny lowered his arm not expecting that reply, "Uh, what?"

Nami twirled her staff steadily as she continued, "Word to the wise, fellas. Because of your friend's stupidity, Arlong is preparing to kill Zoro, and Yukimi along with their entire crew."

"Oh how lovely," Yukimi droned on with a flat look.

Nami continued on as if she wasn't interrupted, "And I don't care how monstrosity strong you guys think you are. You're no match for the real monsters. I promise you, if you stay on this island, you will die. So, you have a choice between life or death," Nami finished with ease.

Zoro glared at Nami in growing irritation as Sanji grinned happily, "Her heartless face is so hot. Hi Nami!" The cook started waving his arms up, and down in obvious eagerness. "Remember me? Let's run away together!"

"Can it Romeo! This isn't the time or place for that!" Zoro nearly shouted at the blonde.

Sanji turned to the swordsman with a glare of his own, "Excuse me? Love is like a hurricane. So back off-hey look at me when I'm talking to you!"

"Nami where's Usopp?" Zoro asked ignoring the chef in favor of moving the conversation on.

"With the fishes."

"Dammit, cut the crap!" Zoro lunged forward hand on Ichimonji when Sanji intercepted him, almost kicking him in the face, making him dodge, and draw out his sword.

Sanji blew out some smoke with a sigh, "How sad. A swordsman striking a lady."

"Idiot! Can't you see what's happening here?! You're starting to piss me off!"

"Heh, if someone had stopped me that easily, I'd be mad too," Sanji grinned.

"What? You...should watch your mouth," Zoro grounded out in growing anger.

"I'll say whatever I want, bastard."

"Big bros! We're all in this together, okay?!" Yosaku pleaded next to them.

Yukimi stepped next to the glaring pair, "I suggest you two ticked off idiots to calm down before I do something you'll regret. I'm not above striking low." The kitsune placed her palm on Zoro's blade before slowly pushing it down away from any smoking cooks.

"They're right, you know. Now quit your bickering, and leave while you still can. You outsiders have no right to butt in other's affairs." Nami turned sideways where her Arlong tattoo faced them. "Don't you get it yet? The only reason why I got so close to you idiots was that I could rob you of anything you had." The navigator lowered her head slightly in disappointment, "But now that you're broke, it looks like the dream's dead. So go, take your ship. Find a navigator dumb enough to join you, and go to the Grand Line. Continue on your quest to find the One Piece or whatever." Nami pointed her staff at them to make a point. "Just leave here! You're an eyesore!"

Yukimi turned to Nami after making sure Zoro didn't try to threaten Sanji again. The albino rested a hand on her hip, while she pointed an annoyed red glare at the orangette, "You know what I see, Nami? All I see is that disgusting blue shit on your shoulder. That is an eyesore."

Nami shrugged, "Say what you will, but it doesn't change a thing. Get out while you have the chance while the window is still opened. It'll close soon enough." The navigator turned away, "Now, goodbye."

"Nami..." Luffy frowned before he closed his eyes, and tilted back far enough to fall flat on his back.

"Big bro Luffy!"

"Hm sleepy," the straw hat wearing boy sighed as he folded his arms underneath his head.

"Sleepy?!" Johnny stepped closer totally confused.

"At a time like this?!" Yosaku questioned him. "In the middle of the road?!"

"Well, I'm pretty tired. I'm not gonna butt into her affairs, I'm not interested. But I'm not leaving either. Night," Luffy finished by going to sleep.

"Huh?!" Yosaku became slack jawed at Luffy's behavior.

"Uh...big bro?"

Zoro facepalmed with a grimace while Yukimi scratched her temple before leaning toward the swordsman. "Is he always like this?"

He looked her way then back to the sleeping rubber boy, "Simply put, he's just unpredictable...and stupid most of the time."

Nami clenched her gloved hand, "Fine... Just go ahead, and die!" The navigator yelled before running away.

"Na-!" Sanji sighed as the orangette was already gone.

Yukimi glanced over to the cook as he took in smoke from his cigarette before blowing it out. He walked over to a tree on the side of the road, taking shelter in the shade. Taking his example, and starting to feel the heat of the bright sun on her pale complexion, the kitsune sat down next to him, ignoring his sudden interest in her in favor of relaxing quietly against the bark of the tree behind her. Yukimi then noticed Zoro sitting down where he stood in the road near Luffy.

"Hey! Big bro Zoro! What on earth are you thinking? C'mon!" Johnny started not understanding what the swordsman was doing.

"Did you forget the fact Arlong is out to kill us?" Yosaku gestured to himself then lowered his hands. "We should be running away!"

"Now that we know what Nami is really like, there isn't a single reason to stay on this island!" Johnny stressed out.

"My reason for staying here," Zoro started as he gestured toward the snoring Luffy, "is him. I'm staying 'cuz he's staying."

Yosaku scoffed, "Don't be stupid big bro Zoro. Are you saying you wanna bring her back too?"

"What I want to do has nothing to do with this. I don't get to decide who the navigator is, he does."

"Big bro..." Johnny sighed, "Right, understood. You're staying here. Sorry to cut our reunion short but I won't stay. My role here ends here."

"Yeah I'm with him," Yosaku placed his hand on his chest. "I don't wanna deliberately get myself killed here."

"Fine, I'll see you around."

"Until we meet again," Johnny waved as he departed.

"Take care you guys," Yosaku waved as well as he followed his partner.

"You too," Zoro answered back.

As the two bounty hunters walked away, the wind began shifting the palm trees' branches around the pirates as birds chirped about within those wide leafy fans. White black tipped ears twitched from the birds' songs as a couple of leaves drifted down in the wind. Yukimi blew at a leaf that was fluttering about inches from her face. "Well, this is just great."

"Hey." Zoro looked up slightly when Sanji spoke up. "Well, what do you think of this? Why was she crying?"

"I don't know, was she crying?"

"She was in her heart," the cook replied softly.

Yukimi looked over at Sanji with a raised brow.

"Tch, if there was then they were tears of guilt for killing Usopp," Zoro scoffed.

"Yeah right, are you serious? You really are dense. Do you still honestly believe Nami could've killed Usopp?"

"So what you're saying is, Nami didn't kill Usopp?"

"Am I wrong?"

"Huh, well who knows," Zoro said shrugging. "I always thought of her as some small time crook, who wouldn't let a guy die, let alone kill him. Maybe she just snapped."

Yukimi crossed her arms over her chest as she chewed her bottom lip, humming in thought. She opened her mouth to say something but was cut off by the cook's next outburst.

"Wait, what'd you say?!" Zoro blinked in surprise from Sanji's sudden shout. "She's not small time!"

Zoro jumped up to defend himself as Sanji lunged forward with a leg raised. "Is she all you think about?!"

During all this commotion, nobody, not even Yukimi, had noticed someone running to them. Only to realize this someone was the "dead" sniper, now back from the dead. Or well, he seemed quite alive before receiving a double attack by Sanji's boot, and Zoro's sword scabbard to the face.

"Oh shit!" Yukimi jumped up in shock by everything that happened in the span of three seconds. "Usopp are you okay?!" The kitsune hurried over to the three as the nonresponsive sniper dropped to the ground with blood coming out of his nose.

"Huh, wha?" Luffy sat up looking over his shoulder to see Usopp looking beaten up in Yukimi's arms. "Usopp!" He scrambled over to them taking the sniper from the kitsune's grasp, only to shake the poor guy. "Did Nami do all this to you?!"

"Sorry, Zoro, and I did that," Sanji admitted all the while pointing at the swordsman.

"No, you did!" Zoro argued.

Yukimi glared at them before socking the two imbeciles, "You both did!"

"Hey!"

"Will you ever forgive me, Yukimi my beautiful lady?" Sanji pleaded as the albino rolled her eyes before Usopp coughed.

"Luffy...you're here now..."

"Yup, I sure am!" Luffy laughed, relieved to see his friend was alright.

Sanji grinned with his hand raised in greeting, "I'm here too, hi there."

Usopp jumped up into the cook's face angrily, "One of these days, I'll kill you!"

"Look at that! You made a full recovery!" Sanji said not at all deterred by the scrawny sniper's heated glare as he placed his hand on his shoulder.

"SHUT UP!"

"Oh, and by the way, we kinda heard you were dead," Zoro mentioned nonchalantly. "Killed by Nami."

"Stupid Johnny! He was spouting nonsense the entire time!" Luffy piped up not happy.

"In any case, it's good to see you're alright, Usopp," Yukimi sighed smiling slightly as she placed her hands inside her hoodie pocket.

"Well, in a way, it is the truth." Usopp gazed at the ground as he recalled what happened to him.

"Hm?" Luffy tilted his head in confusion.

"But...I'm alive. 'Cuz you see, she saved my life."

*^.^*

"So that's it, that's how Nami pretended to kill me so I could escape from Arlong Park." Usopp paused to look back up at the other four with him, "Looks like to me she's got some hidden motive to hang out with a bunch of renegade fishmen."

"Obviously," Sanji frowned.

"Fine, what next? We're gonna destroy Arlong Park?" Zoro asked with arms crossed.

"Woah! Just hang on just a second! Don't you think we should find out what's going on with Nami first?" Usopp waved his hands about in a clear wait gesture.

"It's no use either way," came a new voice only the sniper knew.

Everyone turned around to see the newcomer, a young woman with pale blue hair with tattoos around her collarbone and down her right arm, hand on hip. "No matter what you guys do, Arlong's rule won't come to an end."

"Nojiko..."

"Who's she?" Luffy asked pointing at her.

"That's Nojiko, Nami's big sister," Usopp answered.

"What?! She's Nami's big sister, no wonder she's so hot!" Sanji exclaimed as hearts floated above his head, his visible eye becoming a heart as well.

"What do you mean 'it's no use,'" Zoro questioned the newcomer.

"Just trust me. Don't get yourselves involved with what's going on here. Leave poor Nami alone. I'll explain the situation," Nojiko finished.

"Situation?" Sanji asked confused.

"Do you mean you could explain why Nami joined Arlong's crew?" Usopp asked.

"Yeah. And if that doesn't get you to leave, I don't know what will."

Yukimi shifted on her feet, "Sounds like a plan. So what's up anyway?"

"No thanks, I'll pass," Luffy said as he began walking away from the group. "I don't care about her past."

"Where are you going, Luffy?" Sanji asked.

"For a walk."

"A walk?!" Usopp shouted surprised. "Do you mean you're not gonna listen to any of this?!"

"Nope."

Nojiko stared over her shoulder after Luffy walked past her, "Who's he?"

Zoro sighed as he walked over to a shady tree to sit under, "Nevermind him, but we'll listen to what you have to say. We'll hear you out, but I doubt it'll change anything."

"Well, I'll listen too. It might help me make some sense out of everything that's going on here," Usopp offered.

"Me too! I wanna know all about her," Sanji grinned excitedly.

Nojiko glanced over to Zoro, hearing him snoring away. "Now he's asleep," she pointed out.

"Hey! You'd said you would hear her out!" Usopp shouted.

Yukimi rolled her eyes at the swordsman when she briefly heard Nami's older sister murmur something under her breath as she watched Luffy walk away.

Nojiko shook her head before she started speaking to the small group of pirates again. "From the beginning then... It all goes back to eight years ago. Up until that day, when we were still little children...she lived here in the village. Nami, and I will never forget her as long as we live. Her name was Bellemere..."

*^.^*

Yukimi nibbled on her lower lip, her eyes twitched as memories flashed behind her closed eyelids. Corazón goofing off whenever he could to brighten Law's day. Corazón always easily stumbling and tripping over, falling on his face in the most comical way possible daily. Repeatedly practically torching hospitals that failed to help them. Then she remembered the last time she saw his face. The snow was just beginning to cover parts of his face when Yukimi had gone to his side. Corazón had smiled at her as he told her to look after Law. That alone made a tear roll down the side of her face.

"Yukimi what's wrong?"

Red eyes shot open to see Sanji kneeling next to her, gently wiping away her lone tear, "...What?" Yukimi shifted in her seat against the tree she had sat against earlier. The kitsune then remembered where she was, and what was just told to them.

"Hey what's wrong Yukimi?" Usopp asked.

Zoro looked over to her, brow raised, wondering what was up with her.

"A beautiful lady should never have to shed a single tear. Tell me, what's making you cry? Was it what Nojiko said?" Sanji inquired.

Yukimi gave a soft chuckle before standing up, making the cook stand as well. "In a way, yes. But only because I once knew someone like this Bellemere. She sounds a lot alike him." Yukimi looked down the road where Nami's older sister had walked off shortly after the tale was finished.

"Really?"

"Yup." Yukimi nodded at Usopp as she stuffed her hands into her hoodie pocket.

"Well if that's all, we should get going," Zoro turned away from them toward the direction of Cocoyashi Village.

*^.^*