7. The brave, the strong and the coward

I was walking slowly towards the shore. The drawing papers layed in my bag, and despite my whole savings from the food place going into the delivery man's wallet, the papers were worth it. I had to fill up the stock if me and Usopp would set out to the sea soon. And that fact gives way to a menacing little thought I had recently.

What if Luffy doesn't invite me to his crew?

I seriously doubt it. He will convince Usopp to join, he definitely wants him on the crew, and with that I will join too - Usopp and I come in one package after all. But...

Do I seriously want to join like that? Like some by-product?

Today I reread the first half of my 'future notebook', just to be sure I remember everything correctly. I instantly became a little stressed, and I remembered my first decision when I got here: no more closing in. If something bothers me or stresses me out, I have to speak about it with someone. Usopp would've been a great choice - he certainly would've been happy to hear about future events so he could avoid getting into dangerous situations - but I had someone else in my mind. For a while now, actually.

Us girls understand each other better than others. And with the newly found confidence I beat into Kaya came a healthy amount of logical thinking too. She wasn't the same weak, bedridden girl anymore.

She was my partner in crime.

I heard a loud yell coming from the sea, and then Usopp's voice. My heart started to beat faster and I started to run - I was there in a few seconds, and I hid behind a bigger tree. Even Usopp couldn't see me from his place. I leaned back to the tree and relaxed - I knew the show would be good and I intended to join in on the fun part. Hmm, what to do, what to do...

Well, I suppose knowing how to sneak around as quietly as possible comes in handy sometimes.

Before I started to move, I suddenly freezed. I was in an anime-designed world after all. Saying the name of your moves somehow is common here - despite the stupidity of that action. So, just this once, I could do that too. It's not like anybody would hear me.

I got into position, tensed my legs, bent down a little and moved my hands away from my body. I whispered with a sly little smirk on my face.

"Silent steps."

Usopp screamed his lies with all his heart. They weren't as ridiculous as in the anime, but still...

My dear older brother, who would believe that you are the secret boss of a pirate hunter organization? You are standing in front of them in fucking daylight, for fuck's sake!

And then the man in the straw hat smirked and spoke in a normal tone. I got shivers just from his words and his stance - his hat meanwhile shadowing his eyes.

Honestly, this is the coolest thing I experienced in life so far.

"Put your life on the line," he said. Usopp was startled and didn't know what to do. His slingshot was in his arms, pointing at the pirate captain, but he didn't move. If I were in his place, I know for a fact that my legs would've been frozen too.

"What?" my brother asked confused and with a slightly trembling voice. Still, his confidence which he gained while training with me in the past months was showing. If not in his moves or words, then in the determination in his eyes - those were the eyes of a man who would die fighting for his beloved village if it came down to it. And he wouldn't back down.

That's my brother.

"If you are serious, put your life on the line. Those aren't for threats," Luffy said as he pointed at Usopp's slingshot. My brother shivered a little at his words, but didn't move, nor did the determination fade from his eyes.

"The people before you are real pirates," added Zoro his own two cents into the game. He pulled one of his swords out just a little, so the reflected light would reach Usopp's eyes.

I have to agree, they can be real intimidating when they want to. But...

"I'm willing to, you know," I said with a sweet, quiet tone to the black-haired boy. Zoro, Nami and Luffy were all surprised and breathless for a moment. Their eyes widened and the cocky, confident atmosphere suddenly turned into a very serious one. And why wouldn't it? After all...

I was standing behind Luffy, holding a knife to his throat and pointing a small, silver pistol at Nami's head.

And nobody noticed how I got there.

My smile widened and I tightened my hold on the knife and the gun. In this situation, they were the unknown, enemy pirates, who could've wanted to raid our village for all we knew. Usopp and I don't know their intentions, so we have one choice - stop them here and get answers. Protect our home.

Out of the three of them, Zoro was the most tense. He was the only one who wasn't in danger by my weapons or me, so the others depended on him. I suddenly saw a little movement. He tried to pull out his swords, huh?

"Don't move, or I'll shoot and cut," I narrowed my eyes at the green-haired swordsman. He froze with a frown on his face. I could easily tell that he was restless and irritated. "You may be fast, but the bullet is faster, and it isn't even pointing in your direction. You wouldn't reach it in time."

Man, the cat from 'Alice in Wonderland' would be really jealous of my smile.

I heard a little gulp from Zoro. Good, remain there. I have to play my part precisely.

"What do you want?" I heard Luffy asking me. I turned to him, but didn't get my eyes off of the terrified Nami. Just in case Zoro tries something.

I spoke with a serious, threatening tone.

"Shouldn't I ask you that, pirates? I want to know what you intend to do here, nothing else. That's my home in the center of the island, you know? I'm making sure that it stays whole, protected, safe, and with the same amount of people that live there, nothing less. Buggy's mark on your sail raises a few red flags for me, you understand that, don't you?" I smiled at the end of my answer. Luffy slightly turned his head towards me and our eyes locked. For a few moments, we just stared into each other's eyes and didn't say a single word. I could see Usopp from the corner of my vision tightening his grab on his slingshot and aiming it at Luffy's head, just in case he tried something with me. Invardly, I smiled and gave him a pat on the shoulder. My man is becoming braver every day. I couldn't help but feel proud about myself too.

Luffy and I smiled at each other cheerfully. The others were confused - especially Zoro and Usopp, because Nami was still glaring with wide eyes at my gun.

"Good enough for me," I said and I moved my knife away from his neck. I put down my pistol too.

Luffy started laughing and put one of his hands on his hat, then turned to Usopp. I hopped down to the ground and watched the interaction with a calm face. Zoro and Nami were still tense though.

"Hey! You're Yasopp's son, right?"

And from here, things went smoothly.

"Another plate!" Luffy yelled with a happy face. And his previously ordered meat still in his mouth.

"Coming right up!" I yelled back as I prepared the twentieth plate for the pirate captain. In one hand I brought Zoro's sake, in another Luffy's meat, and Nami's fruits and water had to take the place on my head. One year ago I was wondering how Sanji could balance all the plates on him and still come to the tables like a born ballerina. Now I know it was routine and practice. It's pretty easy if one gets used to it.

I put the plates and the drinks down on the table and glanced at Usopp. Not gonna lie, his soul started to leave his body.

I told him that inviting them to eat would be a bad idea. Especially if all the orders are on my brother.

He didn't listen, now he has an empty wallet.

"Here you go," I said as I at down to their table with my own order.

"Won't that be a little too much for today, Rea?" asked Usopp with a weird look on his face, noticing the third cup of coffe in my hands. I sipped the heavenly drink once and looked at my brother.

"It won't."

"But-"

"It won't. It's just my third one."

"How many cups of coffee do you drink when I'm not looking?!"

I remained silent.

"Phew, that was good!" Luffy said with a wide grin, his hands on his stomach. I smirked and turned towards him.

"It was, wasn't it? I learned the recipe from a good friend of mine. He is an excellent cook."

I got along with Luffy pretty well after our moment on the shore, but Zoro and Nami were careful around me. The swordsman was constantly keeping his narrowed eyes on me. If Nami's glare could kill, I would be dead by now too.

Meanwhile Piiman, Tamanegi and Ninjin arrived to the food place as well. Well, that's different.

Back to the topic, it's not my fault, I was just protecting my home. Of course they don't know that the whole thing was just bullshit, acting from my part.

"Oh come on," I smiled at the green-haired first mate. He wasn't all that happy. "I don't bite. Why the scary expressions?" I turned towards the orange-haired girl too. Luffy was looking between me and them with curious eyes, munching on his last piece of meat I brought to the table.

"Nothing," Zoro said while taking his drink in his hand. Nami was just plain angry. I sighed and put my chin on my palms.

"If you are angry or irritated about my stunt on the shore, don't be. I can be pretty sneaky if I want to, and hey, I couldn't possibly know if you will be friendly or not. I had to do something, I don't want to let danger come to my home."

"Tch, I get it," the swordsman growled a little and took a sip of his sake. Nami's face softened a little bit and she stopped glaring daggers at me. Well, that's good, I nodded to myself. On the other hand...

"So you are just angry because I was in the lead?" I smirked a little. Usopp was waving his arms around and sending me obvious messages to stop teasing the dangerous swordsman, but hey. I'm the little sister and I won't listen to my brother this time.

Tick marks started to appear on Zoro's forehead as he glared at me.

Luffy's laugh interrupted our little staring game.

"Shishishi, Rea's funny and strong too, right?"

I beamed at the Straw Hat captain and flexed my right arm.

"Of course I am! And what's the secret, boys?" I turned to my three little students. They looked at each other, nodded their heads and stood up with wide grins. All of them lifted one leg up and pointed their fingers at it.

"The secret is... Killer Thighs!"

"Damn right, young Padawans!" I shouted and did the same thing with my legs.

"Ne, what's a padawan?"

"Don't ask," Usopp said to Luffy with an expression that said he heard way too much nonsense from me to care anymore.

After a few minutes of small talk, Kaya came running trough the door. She stopped beside our table and panted with her hands on her knees. Usopp instantly stood up to help her.

"Kaya, what are you doing?! You just got better, don't overextend yourself!"

Meanwhile I was chatting with Nami about the two. She watched them with a curious expression.

"Aren't they cute?"

"They certainly are," she smiled. "When did they get together?"

"Just a few months. And it was my beautiful, smart and cunning self that got them together. Good work, eh?"

Nami finally cracked a laugh and was calmer than before.

"I'm right here, you know," Usopp glared at the two of us.

"Your point?"

"Rea-san!" Kaya shouted suddenly with wide eyes. "The hypnotist you mentioned is here already! I jus saw him walking backwards in the village."

My eyes widened and I got up quickly. I stretched my arms and legs a little next to the table. The others were watching my moves curiously. They didn't know what the hell was going on.

"What, who? What hypnotist, Rea? What's happening?" Usopp glanced at me nervously. He knew already that the 'important event' before our journey must be the one that's happening now. I looked around the restaurant I worked in for the past few months and then at every person sitting or standing in front of me individually. I smiled and I answered Usopp's question.

"We have to stop Klahadore, Kaya's buttler with 'bitchass striped shoes' and wreck his plan... to kill Kaya and gain her entire fortune and the villager's trust. We already thought out a plan."

"I can't believe you two. I absolutely can't believe you left me out of this."

Kaya and I looked at each other and then at Usopp apologetically.

"We're sorry."

"You don't sound like it!" Usopp shouted and then took a deep breath to calm down. "If I knew that Kaya was sleeping next to a pirate captain who is obsessed with cats, wants her fortune and plans on killing her and everyone in the mansion with a raid by his crew, I would've dragged her to my house!" He pointed at Kaya. Then turned to me. "What's your excuse?!"

I looked away innocently.

"Nothing."

"And why are you three following us?!" he looked at Luffy, Zoro and a nervous Nami, who were watching our argument from behind.

"I don't know," sighed Nami.

Zoro pointed at his captain.

"Captain's orders."

"You all gave us food and I like you!" beamed the boy in the straw hat. Oh my god, let me hug him this instant!

"You came because of the food?!" Usopp shouted in his face. Luffy just laughed and put his hands on the back of his head.

"Well I know you two are strong," he glanced at me and Usopp. My brother was surprised by his words. "But we will be here for help if you need it."

"Don't you understand what will happen? It will be dangerous! I don't need your pity!" Usopp said while being upset. Luffy looked him in the eyes and became serious.

"Do you really think we would risk our lives because of pity? We are pirates," he said then adjusted his hat on his head with a smile. "We came because we respect you. And you are cool too."

Usopp stood there on the road dumbfounded. I felt a wave of admiration washing over me. In this moment I knew.

I could follow this man to the end of the world and back if he wanted to go. It wasn't just his words, his confidence, cheerfulness, strength or charisma... His whole being screamed the one thing I wanted in this life.

Adventure.

Lost in thoughts, I didn't notice that we arrived at the hill where the pirates were going to dock. Suddenly I remembered something.

"Ne, Kaya, did you see Billie this morning?"

The girl in the white dress mused on my words, but shook her head after a few seconds.

"No, I didn't. Is something wrong?"

"Now that you mention it," started Usopp. "I didn't see her either..."

Worry started to form in me at these words. The day was almost over and I haven't seen Billie either.

I decided to look for her. Looking at everyone next to my brother I knew everything will be fine even if I couldn't get back before sunrise.

"I'm gonna look for her, okay? I will be back," I said to Usopp with pleading eyes, asking if he would let me go look for her. He was worried a little too, but he nodded his head. I turned round and went into the forest.

The Usopp I knew from the anime would've started to panic because I left him alone. My brother though didn't start to tremble or shout. As I was looking for the little furball, I thought about how much we improved and came from when we first met. But now wasn't the time for nostalgy... The three claw marks on my face were calling the one who put them on my left eye.

I was at the mansion in the middle of the night, panting in front of the door. The reason? The little paw prints in the dirt. I swear to god, Billie, if you are in there...

Kaya wasn't home, obviously, but Kuro was. Merry too, the other butler I think. And Billie was in there, fuck my life.

I could leave, but I can't tell if Kuro will hurt Billie if he notices her or not. That temper of his is unpredictable. And Merry... I can't just leave him inside. He got lucky in the anime, but who says that he will survive now too? Me and Kaya thought about everything besides this. We assumed that Kuro would just leave the mansion if Kaya said that she will sleep over at my house. Clearly this wasn't the case if the shadow in the window was anything to go by.

I went in through the door, like every normal human being - Garp, that's for you, feel my sarcasm.

This action in this situation was dumb as hell though.

The first thing I noticed on the ground was Merry's body, covered in blood and big, deep marks on his back. Damn it. Damn it...

"Meow."

I turned towards the sudden sound from the corner and I noticed Billie, sitting on the ground, her yellow fur now a bright orange because of the blood that's on it. I ran towards the two, checking for any more wounds. Billie was okay, she just got blood on her fur. Merry on the other hand was unconcious. I clicked my tounge frustrated with the situation, but quickly pulled out some bandages and other things for first aid. I've gotten to work as quickly as I could. So much blood...

Then Kuro fired his gun and I fell to the ground, next to the feral looking Billie and the unconcious Merry.

"Rea still isn't here!" Usopp said for the hundredth time. Nami swung her bo staff and hit a pirate who charged at the sniper in the head. Kaya was throwing things from the sides, being protected by all the others and the three boys who refused to go back to the village. Zoro finally finished the fight with the Nyaban Brothers and was now resting on the ground. The attacking pirates were defeated with the last one being struck down by a big rock that Kaya threw from the bush. And althogh her boyfriend was proud that she is this good with aiming, Usopp couldn't drift away from the thought that his sister still wasn't here. She should've found Billie by this time.

The smirking ex-captain heard his words and stopped in his fight with the Straw Hat. He chuckled darkly as he used his technique again and again.

"You're waiting for the curly-hair? Hah, such foolishness..."

Luffy's and Usopps eyes widened at that. They were the only ones who heard Kuro's whisper. The ex-pirate swung his fist again, but kept on with his speech, now a little louder.

"She knew what she was doing, alright. I saw her expression through the window. Such a brave soul. But everyone knows that between the coward, the brave and the strong, the brave is the first one to die." He cut a deep whole into the rock standing next to the long-nosed sniper. Usopp was strangely quiet.

"You didn't."

"Oh, but I did. She was so cute too... trying to stop the bleeding of that other fool, meanwhile patting that little freak for moral support! She didn't even notice that I came into the room!" Kuro started laughing like a maniac, looking into Usopp's eyes. Luffy was standing a few metres away from him, not moving.

"No... You coudn't...!" Usopp was starting to get more and more upset by the fake butler's words.

Kuro's smile became wide and hysterical. Evil.

"I shoot her from behind."

"You bastard!" shouted Luffy and Usopp at the same time. Meanwhile Zoro, Nami and the others were frozen. Tears started to pour from Kaya's eyes as she watched the fight. The three little boys weren't better either. Nami and Zoro were just quiet and tense.

Usopp was out of rocks and spikes for his slingshot, but he didn't even acknowledge this little fact. He was just running, charging towards the man who dared to speak those words about his sister. Who dared to shoot her...!

Luffy was standing in one place. Kuro used his technique again. He was fast... almost invisible. The raven-haired boy just stood there with storming eyes.

"She was just as useless as his brother. Just as useless as pirates, as my underlings, those weak rats! She was useless and weak, so she deserved to be dealt with! Pathetic, all of you! Following foolish dreams and doing reckless, useless things! Fighting for a girl you barely know," the ex-captain said to Luffy, still trying to cut him with his moves. "You don't know a damn thing about life. Being a pirate," he shouted at Luffy. "protecting the weak," he aimed his words at Usopp. "smiling, laughing and living with these kind of people," he screamed at the crying Kaya on the ground. "is just fucking pathetic."

The claw-like weapons found their target and Kuro stopped in his technique.

His eyes widened.

The boy with the straw hat grabbed him. He grabbed his arm! He could see through his speed-

And then both of Luffy's fist and Usopp's arm collided with the butler's face, from both sides.

"Shut up!" they shouted at the same time.

"Pathetic? Weak? Your crew is made out of cowards and weak people because you abandoned them and let them be! And you dare to judge them? They are your followers, yet you beat them to the ground! Usopp is a better captain than you'll ever be!"

Kuro was enraged.

"You dare to compare me to that fool? You must be joking!"

Footsteps were coming from the forest.

"That fool is nothing! He will always be nothing!"

Her right leg was lifted from the ground.

"Pathetic! Pathe-"

And with a frightening glare, messy hair and an angry looking little furball on her shoulder, the girl smashed his foot into the man's head. He was out - just like that, with one kick.

"Shut up, moron," Rea said as she put down her foot on the ground again. Usopp's eyes widened and a relieved, wide smile appeared on his face.

The girl then scratched her bloody face and growled at the unconcious man.

"I didn't get my morning coffee yet."