Hi everyone! I do apologize for the late post of the next chapter but I set a new goal for myself with my stories. I want to make sure I have the next chapter complete and the chapter after that at least halfway written giving me time to edit and modify any mistakes and corrections. Anyways I wish everyone a happy new year and pray 2018 will be a better year for us all! Now enjoy a new chapter of A Tale of a Nine Tail!
Disclaimer: I do not own One Liece or its characters! If I did Ace wouldn't be dead! I only own my OC's and Jewel Island and anything else associated with my island! Enjoy
A Tale of a Nine Tail: Chapter 4
It's been twelve years after the incident on Jewel Island and right now out on the open ocean of the Grandline, one particular crew was sailing away from Water 7. It had only been three days since they left and at the moment everyone was enjoying the nice calm weather. Luffy and Chopper were playing on the grass lawn, Zoro up in the crows nest being look out while doing a minor weight lifting, Robin reading a book on a lawn chair with Nami sunbathing in the chair next to her. Franky was at the wheel following the log pose, Sanji was in the kitchen preparing some drinks for the girls, and Usopp was on the side of the ship fishing. Fishing out in the ocean for their new tank. The food was nice but he still liked to fish in the open ocean of the Grandline. But at the moment Usopp hasn't caught a single fish in the last hour!
"Come on, give me something... I wasn't this bad before the Grandline!" He muttered to himself as his fishing line moves a little bit catching Usopp's attention. "Finally I got something!" He began reeling it in but the line begins struggling and pulling away from him. No, he was not gonna let this catch get away that easily!
Sanji emerges from below as he came out with the drinks for the girls. "Nami-swan! Robin-chan! I have prepared some lovely drinks for some lovely ladies." He twirls a little with his eyes turning into hearts and holds out his tray of drinks for the only two women on the crew.
"Thank you Sanji." Nani and Robin gladly took the drinks and sip on them. "As always Sanji nothing beats your food." Nami compliments sending Sanji into another infactuation dance.
"Hey pervy cook! You got anything for us to drink?" Zoro called out from his place in the crows nest.
"Make your own damn drink moss head!" Sanji shouted to the swordsman with his teeth all sharp and white eyes.
Usopp on the other hand was finally winning this tug of war battle with this one catch he's got on his line. "Come on! Up you get!" With a final yank a large dark blue fish about the size of Franky was yanked onto the deck and lands smack dab onto Luffy and Chopper.
"Yes! The great and powerful Usopp has caught his best catch yet!" Usopp made a victory pose. "Can somebody get that fish off the lawn before it stinks up the deck!" Nami cried out in irritation with her white eyes and sharp teeth showing.
Robin helpfully used her devil fruit powers to lift the fish off their captain and crew doctor. It's tossed to the side and as it plops onto the deck it spat out a bottle hitting Chopper in the head. "Owie!" He holds his face out of the pain as Luffy picks up the bottle.
"Why was this in its body?" He thought before it was snatched out of his hand by Usopp. "Hey what's the big idea!" He was mad that Usopp took the bottle away.
"We don't need your finger stuck in the bottle again!" Usopp pointed out as Luffy pouted. Usopp then uncorks the bottle and shakes it a bit and it lets out a rolled up parchment come out onto his hand and unravels the paper. His eyes bug out in surprise in the first line he read. "Guys you won't believe this!"
"What is it? Is it a treasure map?!" Luffy asked excitedly jumping to his feet.
"No even better! It's a flyer for Jewel Island!" That made Nami jump to her feet at the mention of Jewel Island.
"No way for real!" She ran and knocks over Usopp to get a better look at the flyer. "I've only heard rumors of that island! And it's said to be free of marine control and a pirate and civilian friendly resort island. But what makes it so famous is the amazing jewels they sell for amazing prices that are affordable for everyone! This island is the main jewel supplier to all of the Grandline!" She was in heaven. This could be the chance to finally visit this dream island resort and get a little vacation! Usopp groans as he sits up from getting knocked over from Nami and he still had the bottle in his hand. As he inspected the bottle further he noticed inside it was an eternal log pose.
"Hey! There's an eternal log pose included in the bottle! It's locked onto the island!" Usopp pointed out and tried to figure out a way to get it out. Luffy walked over to Usopp and grinned.
"Then its settled! Time for a vacation! To Jewel Island!" He proclaimed and everyone cheered for the happy announcement and happy for a chance to relax after what happened at Water 7.
4 Days later...
The Thousand Sunny ship has finally arrived at the esteemed Jewel Island. And the port was already loaded with other pirate, marine, and civilian ships alike on the docks. There was dock workers helping out the civilians and Pirates just minding their own business.
"Alright guys we need to run another supply run." Nami told them
"Yeah cause SOMEBODY ate all the damn meat again!" Sanji practically shouted at Luffy cause he was the cause of the problem even with his new lock on the fridge!
"And as punishment Luffy your coming with me and Robin and carrying our shopping bags!" Nami cheerfully said and pulled out a small bag of jewels that she wanted to get appraised. "The rest of you partner up and go explore and get your own supplies. And please don't cause any fights." She pleads in the last part as they sailed into the docks. Zoro and Sanji throw out the rope to the dock workers who helpfully pulled in the Thousand Sunny and tied it off.
"Welcome to Jewel Island, we hope you have a good time here." One of the workers Simon greeted them.
"Thanks. Never thought we ever get greeted to an island and not be chased off." Sanji remarked.
"Well this island is nuetral ground. We have a truce with the World government and that the marines may visit the island but not to arrest any pirates that come through. Only thing they can do here is have a good time." Derek explained to them as they set down the plank and the Strawhat crew walk down the ramp.
"We also apologize for the inconvience of having to request you all sleep on your ship. The hotels are all booked sorry." Derek told them.
"Thanks anyways." Luffy thanks them
"By the way is there a shop you recommend were I can get some jewels appraised?" Nami asked the two workers.
"Oh that's easy. The Shore Line shop has the best guy to appraise any and all jewels. It's located in the middle of town square. Just head straight down that way and it will take you straight towards town square. But I should warn you, don't go to the shop when Aria's around." Simon warned them and the crew then noticed how pale everyone at the docks got at the mention of the name.
"You idiot we aren't supposed to speak of her!" Derek hit him on the head before dragging away his friend from the crew.
"Wonder what their problem is?" Zoro wondered at the dock workers behavior but he left that matter alone and turned to the crew. "Still let's be extra careful. If this is nuetral ground for marines and pirates I say be on your guard." Zoro warned the crew. And speaking from past experiences it was understandable and anything can happened here on the Grandline.
"No idea but let's get going! I'm getting me some berri!" Nami proclaimed and Luffy just complained while everyone split up. Chopper though noticed Zoro has gotten lost already as per usual. Even if the swordsman stands in place he'll still get lost! So Sanji and Chopper just continued and went on getting their supplies. Usopp and Franky partner up for their supplies as well as they agreed to do a collaboration for a special weapon. What it will be is still on the thinking stage.
Aria had grown a lot in the last 12 years. She was now a good 5' 10" now, she had grown out her hair down to her lower back, she was also quite curvy in the right places and 36C cup breast size. Today she was currently making a supply run of materials for her family's shop.
Even after what happened to her all those years ago she was still ridiculed and stared at like she'll destroy the entire island. And that's only happened once! The damn town just wouldn't let go and see past her devil fruit powers. They can't see that she's still the same little girl before the incident. And ever since that incident their mother has been training her day in and day out to make sure another incident like the first one wouldn't happen again. Now everyone in town loved her younger sister Ray-Ray and most of the time she's the one protecting and defending her big sister from the town. Aria was grateful for that and was happy that her own sister still see's herself as her big sister despite the damn town trying to tell her little sister to stay away from her. Anyways as she was heading back to her family's jewel shop when she spotted a moss green headed swordsman looking absolutely lost. Must be a tourist. Maybe she can help him without the damn town saying anything! This could be her one chance at making a friend!
"Hey you need any help sir? You seem to be lost." She called out to him catching his attention.
Zoro turned to the direction of the voice and found a slightly smiling and concerned brown haired women walking up to him but out of habit he stated he wasn't lost. "I'm not lost!" He stated with the irritated look on his face.
Aria help up her hands in surrender. "Ok, Ok your not lost. Let's say your more like, strayed away from your original path. That sound any better for you sir?" Aria asked him hoping to calm him down and actually make a attempted to befriend him.
"Actually yeah. I do like that better then being lost." Zoro really did like that excuse, he could use it against the crew.
"So I must ask, do you need directions to get to somewhere specific? I grew up here on the island and I know it like the back of my hand." Aria told him smiling a little more. Things were starting to look good for her! One step closer to having a actual friend!
"Well, I need directions to the Shore Line shop." He was really cautious of this women right now. He still didn't trust her. Course he didn't really trust anyone much besides the crew even the idiot cook. The women seemed to brighten up at the mention of the Shore Line shop.
"Well your in luck, that's where I'm headed right now. I can take you there now. If you want?" She offered him the man seemed a little hesitant in taking her offer. But in this case he didn't have any other options to choose from.
"Fine, but no funny buisness." He stated to her and she only kept smiling.
"I promise! Come on it just a few streets away." She urged him to follow her and he does begin following her.
As the two continued walking through the streets Aria could tell today was extra busy for the island. Today was the Jubilee Festival, it's a festival that celebrates the town's founding. It's one of the most important festivals on the island and when everyone gets really rowdy. So this was a perfect chance for Aria to ask him some questions!
"So uh, I noticed you carry three swords. Does that mean you work with the three sword style?" She asked him she was slightly familiar with the style from her mother really.
"Actually I do. I'm surprised someone from the Grandline knows that style." Zoro wondered how much more this women knew about the sword style.
"Actually my momma knows the style. She's originally from the East Blue. She practiced it a little as a side hobby growing up." She told him still holding that nice smile. "So can I get your name handsome?" She teased him. Her foxy side came out a little in that sentence. Her fox side loved to tease other men that might be good enough for her host. He blushed a little letting a light pink dust his cheeks.
"Uh, its Zoro." He replied while not looking at her straight in the eye.
"That's a nice name Zoro. I'm Aria pleasure to meet you." Aria smiled as they took a left turn down a street before she began another conversation. "So what do you like to do in your spare time?" She asked him.
"I work out and practice. That's about it. What about you?" He asked her
"Well I like to hang out with my little sister, and I also like drawing too." She told him smiling.
"Favorite food?" He asked her. He figured he should keep himself occupied while following her through the crowded streets.
"Fried calamari. I just love it's texture and taste." She answered "And yours?"
"Rice balls." He replied and they began going down another street that had thinned out crowds and it wasn't as noisy or busy. But he began noticing some of the shop keepers paling at the sight of them. Maybe they recognized him from his wanted posters. But Aria was beginning to scowl at them as they tried to steer Zoro away from her.
"Sir you should really stay away from her!" The baker Mr Don shouted and dropped some of the bread. He panics when Aria glared at him and ducks down under his bread stand to avoid her glare.
"Sir she's a demon!" Another Jeweler shouted at them
"You should run while you can!" The black smith added
Aria dipped her head down letting a shadow cover her face. Her free hand tightened into a fist while her other hand gripping her bag tightened in frustration. This happened every time she tried to make any friends. The town just wouldn't let it go. They were too blinded and stupid to even let her attempt to make a single friend!
"I guess get we can't be friends after this... I'm sorry Zoro for troubling you." And she took off with incredible speed and jumped onto the roofs and headed straight back to her family's shop. Leaving Zoro all alone again in the streets.
Chopper and Sanji were out getting more supplies for cooking and medical uses. They also kept hearing some rumors about this Fox Demon Aria person. They were honestly kind of confused at the rumors.
"I don't like how this town is talking down about a woman. It's not proper." Sanji muttered.
"What gets me is what has this Aria ever done to the island. I believe we should research this matter a little more Sanji." Chopper was right. What has this women done to the island? And was she really the bad guy like the town has been saying or is she just someone that is misunderstood?
With Franky and Usopp they were currently looking for materials on a special weapon that was appealing to both man and women. But they were drawing blanks on what the weapon could become! And at the moment they were walking through the smithing and antique district hoping to get some sort of idea for a new weapon.
"Man never thought we would draw up blanks." Usopp complained as they walked down the street. Soon they were looking at more of the antiques then materials. But as they continued walking a young women studying a old antinque oil lamp and is the age of 17 with lavender purple on top with her natural blonde color on the underside of her hair, its length when down reached to her mid back and right now it was in a messy bun, she has chocolate brown wide innocent eyes, her skin has olive tone, she was 5' 8" in height, has a 36 C breast size. She was wearing a nice white lace flowing spaghetti strap shirt that reached down to her hips and had a thin belt wrapped around her midsection, Capri khakis and brown sandles. She also has gray curled horns like a ram which signafies she is a devil fruit user.
Usopp couldn't help but be captivated by how pretty she looked. He felt his heart pounding at his chest and he felt his cheeks heat up. Franky looked back at Ussop and found he had a funny look on his face. Franky wasn't sure if that was a super-normal thing for Usopp to do.
"Yo Usopp, you Ok?" He called out to the master sniper. Usopp didn't respond and kept staring at the young women still studying the old oil lamp.
Franky studied Usopp and looked at where his eye sight lead to and it's to a beautiful women with sheep horns. It made Franky smirk and slap Usopp on the back. He had a great eye for pretty women!
"Looks like Usopp has his eyes on a Super pretty girl. You gonna go talk to her?" He asked Usopp who had snapped out of his stupor when Franky slapped him on the back.
"Wh-What? I-I-I can't talk to her! I-I don't what I would say to her!" Usopp explained still unsure of how to properly interact with a very pretty women that wasn't Robin or Nami.
"Well then, if your not gonna talk to her then I guess it's time for Big Bro Franky to work his Super pick up on the super pretty lady." Franky stated and stretched his arms and began walking towards her. Usopp paled as Franky made his way towards the woman and had no doubt he would creep her out! He then just reacted and ran past Franky to beat him to the pretty women. He skids to a stop in front of the young woman and as she looked up from the oil lamp she was face to face with a young man with a long nose. He had a light pink dusting his cheeks. He was cute looking, she smiled and set the lamp down and faced him.
"Hi there. Do you need something? Are you lost and need directions?" She asked him and he shook his head no still speechless. "How about we introduce ourselves? I'm Ray-Ray. And you are?" Usopp could just practically melt at how lovely her voice sounded!
"I-I-I-I-I'm Us-Us-Usopp." He managed to say through his stuttering.
"A pleasure to meet you Usopp. Is there something you wanted to ask me?" She wondered. The guy with the long nose was actually quite cute in her opinion.
"I-I-I uh-uh like your horns!" He stiffen at what he just spurts out. He could just die right now on the spot! But then he couldn't believe what his ears were hearing. She was giggling! Sh-She had actually giggled!
"That's the first time a guy has ever liked my horns. Most times guys don't like my horns. So thank you for the compliment. Now are you lost and need directions or any kind of information?" Ray offered him.
It was quite common for tourists both, civilian and pirate alike to ask the islanders questions regarding their attractions, festivals, and nature walks through the island forest to the other shores where most of the residents of the island live. So the island residents had to brush up on the history of the island to help the tourists that would come and go from the island.
And now Usopp could only stutter as he couldn't think of anything to ask her. Ray could see his dilemma and thought for a moment before picking a topic herself. It should give them enough information about today's festivities!
"How about I tell you about today's festival?" Ray-Ray suggested. It actually peaked both Usopp and Franky's interests. They had noticed a lot of decorations being put up and some extra booth stalls being set up and women dressing up in yukatas. "Today is the Jubilee Festival. And it celebrates the day of this town's founding and what put us on the map of the Grandline." Ray explained smiling cheerfully. She loved her home's history. "So in celebration we have huge sales on jewel items, great food, and the main event of the festival the Jewel Princess pageant that happens tonight. Any women can join and if you want to know more about the festival or the islands history just ask me." She informed them. Usopp was so mesmerized by her but definitely wanted to know more about the island history! But just as he was about to ask her about the island history Franky cuts in and pushed him aside.
"I certainly would like to know what makes this island super special!" He stayed and it surprised Ray-Ray enough to take a step back to gain a little space between her and this blue haired man. But she also looked for Usopp, she hoped he didn't get hurt too badly. She didn't like it when people, even strangers get hurt.
Usopp found himself stuck in a freaking cannon, how bad can his luck get! "Franky you jerk! You got me stuck in a cannon! Get me out of this damn thing!" He had both his butt and upper body wedged inside the channel and could only flail his hands and legs.
"Now mister Munch, this cannon here is a great edition to your ship. It can shoot quite far. Let me give you a demonstration of the distance." Mr Rubart hadn't noticed Usopp stuck in the cannon and was about to pull on the igniter.
"Mr Rubart wait-" Ray-Ray's pleas were unheard as he pulled on the string and the defining sound of the cannon was heard and both Usopp and the cannon ball shot off deeper into town.
"Oh god! Usopp!" Ray-Ray shouted and ran after Usopp knowing exactly where they were headed and Franky followed the women hoping to help and pray that Usopp doesn't lecture his ear off.
Somewhere else in town...
Robin, Nami, and Luffy were making their way to the Shore Line shop, but on the way Nami and Robin noticed big sales were going on and so they went on a shopping spree. Luffy wasn't happy at all. He hasn't eaten any meat, and he hasn't had lunch yet! They keep passing by so many food stalls and Nami was being so mean to him!
"Naamiii! This isn't fun!" Luffy complained and Nami glances back at him with her anger still written on her face.
"This is all on you Luffy, your the one that ate all the food again. So this is punishment remember!" Nami reminded him and Robin could only chuckle a little at Luffy. It's just how he is. Nami was then struck with an idea that could get him out of his punishment and keep him quiet until they returned back to the ship. "You know Luffy if you keep quite I can reward you with meat~" she told him in a sing song voice knowing food will make that boy do anything!
"What?! But I want some meat now Nami!" He complained and had waterfalls coming down his cheeks with a pitiful look on his face.
"Hell no Luffy! You either stay quiet or no meat at all!" She demanded with her eyes all white and teeth all sharp.
"It seems we have arrived to our destination Nami." Robin pointed out interrupting the argument between the captain and the navigator. Nami's face returned to normal with her and looks over the shop in front of them. It was a bit on the small side and it had a few windows to let the natural sunlight in and it had a open window over the front display case to which Nami was already looking and scoping out the jewels inside the display case.
"Looks like miss navigator is already having fun." Robin states while smiling at her crewmate. "Why don't we go inside and get your jewels appraised Nami?" Nami jumped to her feet and had a huge smile on her face and nodding and they head inside with Luffy still complaining to her that he was hungry.
Inside the displays were just placed just right to where the sunlight hits the display's just right and make them shine on their own. To Robin and Nami this shop was just beautiful. Aria had arrived much earlier after what the townsfolk kept terrorizing her when she was so close to making a friend! Screw them all! Her thought were interrupted when three new customers came through the door. One was a red head with a blue and white tank top, some navy blue shorts and brown heeled sandles. The other one had black hair reaching to just below her neck, pretty cerulean pointed eyes that held such mystery in them, she had a simple white button up shirt with 3/4 sleeves, black pants and black sandals. She was very elegant even in simple clothing. And the last one looked like he was exhausted, he had loose shaggy black hair with a yellow and red ribbon Strawhat on his head, a small scar under his left eye, he wore a simple buttoned vest that had little sunflowers on it, baggy shorts that reached down to his knees and simple flip flop sandals. He was kinda cute in a funny innocent way. She could just tell that he had a good heart. But right now she needed to look presentable and stop staring at the displays! She took a deep breath and placed on a small smiled and turned around and faced them.
"Hi there welcome to Shore Line where every jewel has its own unique beauty. How can I help you all?" It may have been a rehearsed line but it's their family shops motto and her parents drilled that motto into her and her sister since they were old enough to talk.
The red head handed a large clothes bag to the young man behind her who only complained about it and she brought up a small pouch. "I have some jewels that need appraising. And we were told this was the best place to get them appraised." She explained
"Well no doubt they were right. Let's see what you have." Aria then watched as the red head opened the bag and poured out a nice assortment of jewels. "Wow this is a nice assortment." She commented and pulled out her travel sized magnifier glass and began looking them over. "Every jewel item is half off. So please look around to your delight ok?" She told them as she looked over a few rubies. Nami and Robin were delighted to hear there was a sale going on so they looked around while Luffy just rests his head on one of the display cases. The door opens again to Ray-Ray looking a little disarrayed and exhausted with a basket in hand. "Whoa, what happened to you sis?" Aria set the jewels and magnifier glass down and helped her sister sit down. "Oh, nothing much just had to help a few people. Nothing I couldn't handle." Ray-Ray waved off and set her basket down on the back table near he register.
"Hey do you have any meat?" Ray looks down at the Strawhat boy.
"We don't have any meat but I made some Bacon jalapeño and orange glazed scones if you want to try some?" Ray offers and the boy jumps up happily nodding wanting the bacon whatever scones! Aria chuckles at the Strawhat boy retrieving her sister's basket and pulled the cover off revealing the delicious smelling scones. Ray pulled out two and hand them to the boy and just watch him scarf it all down. "You look like you were starving." Ray-Ray giggled out.
Luffy eyes widen as his mind freezes from such a taste. The food burn his tongue sure but, the bacon was sweet and it tasted just as good as Sanji food but... her desert had meat in dessert. Sanji never put meat in dessert before. He looks at the girl and his eyes turn to sparkles as he looks at her horns.
"You are soo cool and it was delicious! Join my pirate crew and make more desserts for us!" Luffy grins as he watches the girls eyes widen and redness shows over her cheeks. She's never been given an offer like this before for just her baking.
"Luffy you just can't ask people to join our crew!" Nami slaps him in the back of Luffy head.
"But Nami try her bread thingy! It so good!" Luffy shoves a scorn into Nami hand and she sighs but takes a bight anyway. Her eyes widen as she enjoy the spicy yet sweet taste. She hands the other half to Robin and everyone watches as Robin eyes widen but she smiles.
On the other side of the store Aria watching these pirates ask her sister to be pirates of all things but... she knows how much Ray-Ray wants to leave the island just as much she herself wants to leave. I wont stop her. I want my sister to have a free life from our so called home. She deserves better and I can't always be there to protect her or to see her grow up into a wonderful women. This is it Ray. It's your turn to be free. Aria sighed and shoves the jewels back into the pouch and the action makes her shirt shift quite a bit and it reveals an old scar on her sholder. To Aria she doesn't even realize it was showing as Robin had noticed the scar. It made her mind wonder what had happened to the young women and what kind of events had she gone through to gain such a scar.
"Here you go ma'am. Your jewels worth about 26,000 Belli. And I also must kindly ask you all to leave please." She stiffly hands her the pouch and turns to her sister. "You should go with them Ray. It could be your only chance to leave this accursed island." She whispered to her sister. It broke her heart to say all that to her sister.
"But why should we leave? We're customers aren't we?" Nami asked her. Aria could only curl her hands up into fists and stormed it of the room towards the back of the store passing by her parents.
Ray frowned and turned to the pirates. "I'm sorry but I can't accept your offer. But thank you anyways. I must attend to my sister." And she ran to the back of the store leaving the three of them alone and Luffy stopped eating for once and just stared at the doorway in which the girls left.
Sora hadn't changed much in the last twelve years she still had her beautiful golden blonde hair and just a wrinkle or two along her eyes. She was doing inventory of the shop items when her eldest burst into the room and headed towards the back. "Uh, Aria what's wrong?" She called out to her daughter. She set the clipboard down and went after her. She had just made it out of the doorway only to find her eldest on the ground on top of a man with three swords tied to his waist and had a familiar moss green hair.
"Zoro?! I'm so sorry! I-I-I didn't mean crash into you!" Aria explained as she tried to get back up onto her feet but Zoro was attempting the same idea to which all falls apart as Aria trips over her own feet and falls back towards the ground onto her back and taking Zoro with her. Zoro's cheeks were a light pink when he found himself on top of the same girl that had run off after the townsfolk had driven her off and right now couldn't do anything with his hands since he's never been in a situation like this before! Sora sighed and stepped out to help her eldest daughter.
"Aria settle down." Sora gently called out to her as she approached the two helping her daughter back up onto her feet. Sora then bends down and helped Zoro back up to his feet. "You wouldn't happen to be Mala's son would you young man?" Sora only smiled as he had stiffened at the mention of his mother's name. Sora held up a hand to Zoro stopping him from pulling out his swords. "We were best friends growing up Zoro. And I know what happened to her. May she rest in peace knowing her only son is working to achieve his dream." Aria knew her mother grew up on the East Blue until she was sixteen and left her home island with her crew before coming here to Jewel Island.
"H-How?" Zoro was at a lost for words. This women knew quite a bit about him and she knew his mother. He barely remembers his mother.
Aria right now was on the verge of snapping. She was shaking and she was honestly really scared. Memories of the day her uncle fought off those stupid pirates and her control on her powers was so close to snapping. Ray-Ray stopped at the back door and spots her sisters shaking. "Aria calm down your fine-ack!" She was knocked out of the door way and tripped on her feet and fell face first into the ground. Replacing Ray-Ray's spot was Luffy who was looking down at Ray-Ray.
"Come on Ray! I want you to join my crew!" He whines and Ray slowly lifts her head up off the ground and blood begins slowly trickling out. She held her nose from the pain. It wasn't broken but it was hurt enough to give her a bloody nose.
"That hurt!" She whined looking back at Luffy giving him the stink eye for knocking her over.
Aria on the other hand could smell the blood instantly and she turns her head towards the smell and breath hitches when she saw her sister's nose bleeding. And that was the straw that broke the camel's back. She slowly looked up at the Strawhat boy glaring at him with her fox eyes planing out his murder! Sora felt the air change immediately and turned around and saw her eldest's aura change drastically.
"Shit. Ken!" She called out to her husband knowing this was super bad. Ken ironically busts out the door knocking Luffy out of the door way. He hadn't changed much either and only had some grey peppering his hair a little and just a little more added muscle. When he noticed the air change around his eldest he knew what was happening to her. "Honey get her to the forest now!" Ken called out and Sora charges at their daughter with her left hand turning into a light brown bear paw. "Kuma Kuma Southpaw!" Sora socked Aria in the face and sends her flying into the fence that separates the town line to the forest. Flames erupt around Aria as she slowly gets back up onto her feet. Her hair covering her eyes and Ray noticed her sister's fangs elongating and nails begin to grow.
"Sis no! Look at me I'm fine! See!" Ray-Ray tries to get her sister to calm down but her sister's sight caught the dried blood under her nose and now her sight was now dead set on Luffy. Sora could see it in her daughter's behavior that she was set on the young Straw hat boy. She turned to Zoro who just stood there watching the entire thing go on.
"Zoro!" He turned his attention to Sora. "Please help Aria. She needs to calm down before she burns down the place."
"Me?! Why me?" Zoro couldn't believe someone was actually asking for his help! Why would she believe he could help her?!
Some how in the commotion Ray-Ray had to chase her sister into the forest to keep her sister from entering the town. Luffy on the other hand wanted to go after Ray-Ray to be the crew's baker. And if Zoro could help Ray with her sister she'll have to join his crew! "Zoro! I order you to help on captains orders! I want Ray to be our baker!" Luffy states to the swordsman who just sputters and tried to think of a excuse but he didn't have anything!
"Gaaah! Fine Luffy!" He relents and runs into the forest after Ray and Aria while Luffy follows and leaves Robin and Nami behind at the shop. Zoro though quickly got lost in the forest and lost sight of Luffy and Aria. "God dammit!" He shouted in frustration.
Meanwhile Ray-Ray had finally cornered her sister at the river and she can finally speak to her. "Aria, you need to calm down ok? I'm fine I'm not hurt." She slowly starts to approach her older sister as she felt her aura start to settle down a little. And then the calmness was ruined when Luffy bursts out of the bushes. He was happy to have found Ray-Ray now he could convince her to join his crew.
"Ray! I want you on my crew!" He proclaimed to the younger sibling. But unexpectedly he was charged at and kicked in the side and was thrown into a tree.
"Stay away from my SISTER!" She told him with her fox side's voice mixed with hers. Ray gasped and ran towards her sister. "Aria stop it now!" She tackled her sister to the ground. She almost had her sister pinned down when her aura just explodes and sends Ray out into the grass. Aria slowly stood up as her ears and only a single tail had grown out. She snarled and slowly walked towards Luffy. The ruby on her bracelet was glowing faintly and fire was beginning to wrap around her fist.
Luffy was chuckling and smiling like the idiot he is. If he can calm his baker's sister she'll have to join his crew! So he stands back up and throws his arms right at Aria and wraps himself around to stop her from moving. "Shishishishi! Now ya can't move. Listen I didn't hurt your sis. She just tripped." He tried telling her only to feel his limbs warming up. "Why am I so warm?" He wondered and then the heat began to sting until finally it was starting to burn. He screamed a little and unwrapped his limbs from Aria and blew on his slightly burning limbs.
Aria then had two tails swishing side to side and they were swishing angrily behind her as the flames were dancing along her arms. She glares down the man who made her sister bleed. The one that hurt her. Luffy the idiot he is saw the flames on her arms and just reached for a large branch. This should stop the flames! I don't want to make my new member cry if I made her sister catch on fire. Luffy thought as he ran up to Aria and tried to use the leaves to pat down the fire. "Don't worry! I'll put the fire out!" He screeched but his eyes bulge out as the branch itself caught on fire instead of putting them out.
Aria raises an eyebrow as she watches him wave the branch around. The smoke made spirals into the air as Luffy waves the branch around in hopes it will put it out. Of course that just makes the fire bigger. Aria sighs as she watches Luffy almost catch one of the trees on fire. That idiot was going to burn the forest down at this rate. Aria then takes a deep breath and willed the fire to her. Luffy stops and he's in aww as he watched the fire on his branch get pulled to Aria like as if she eating spaghetti.
"Soo cool!" Luffy gushes not realising Aria still wanted to teach him a lesson. He looks back to see the fire pulled off the branch leaving just the burnt wood itself and no leaves. After the fire was swallowed a third tail pops out and swished around with the other two. Aria grins as she can feel the warmth of the fire within her chest. She was ready for another attack to take him down.
"Three Tail: Kit Kit Streamer!" She puffs out her cheeks and sent a short stream of fire towards Luffy. He freaks out and barely had time to dodge the attack. He jumps just in time out of the way and his feet slide along the ground. He comes to a stop and looks behind him to see the fire quickly dissipates. He sighed with relief that after he dodged that attack but he starts to smell something like burning rubber. He then suddenly started to feel hot and a stinging sensation around his butt. He looks down at his pants and finds it on fire. He just stares at the red flames before he figures out his ass on fire.
Meanwhile Aria's anger starts to fade as she watches the straw hat boy running around with his pants on fire. She put her hand to her lips to hide her giggles as he keeps patting the fire hoping to put out the flames. He was either really stupid or really really stupid to not sit in the dirt to put it out. Since her anger started to fade the fire around her arms starts to crawl back down her arm and now they only surround her left hand. Aria watches as he finally figures out how to put the fire out by dragging his butt along the dirt finally putting it out. He sighs in relief and when he gets up she can see that his pants are burnt leaving a hole that revels his yellow underpants underneath. She can't help herself as she giggled again at his actions. She may be pissed at him but at least he was good entertainment.
But now it was time to finally set him straight. She crouches down and pushed off with incredible speed towards Luffy. Aria spots a log and grins showing off her fangs since she just got the perfect idea. Her grin turns to a smirk and uses the log to launch herself into the air above the tree line and descends upon Luffy quickly.
"Third Tail: Kit Kit Southpaw!" She cried out as she falls towards straw hat and swipes at him. Her ear pick the sound of feet along the ground before her eyes face a familiar one. The sound of steel meeting nails caused sparks to fly in the air and Aria quickly jumps back to gain some space. She follows the sword to find the owner to be Zoro. Her eyes widen since he was the last person she thought she would see here of all places.
"Z-Zoro?" She couldn't help but wonder why he stepped in for a pirate. She didn't want to hurt him and she didn't want to ruin the only possible friendship she had with him even if it was minuscule. The wind suddenly picks up and is blowing towards her. Her senses pick up a peculiar and pleasant scent that cause a shiver down her spine. She closes her eyes and inhales deeply to get a better grasp of this scent. Steel, sea water, and bamboo? Her brows furrowed in question to the smell but she can't deny the fact she likes it. Could this be... his scent? She opened her eyes again and they were calmer than before. Aria stares into Zoro green eyes looking for something. Slowly Zoro smirks in a way that screams bring it on. He puts away Kitetsu as he kept out his one white sword Wado.
"Your my opponent now." He told her never letting his eyes off her golden ones that seem to just draw him in. Aria couldn't help but nod in agreement as she gets into her own fight stance and lets her own smirk form to let Zoro know she ready. No one moved a muscle as the wind breezes through Aria's hair making it sway behind her. As soon as the wind calms, she charged at him and makes the first move. She lifts her right arm above her head and quickly swipes down. Zoro blocks her with Wado and neither move away to which would leave them wide open. Then Aria makes a swipe at Zoro and managed to make a few tears into his sash and shirt before the nails met steel once more as sparks are sent flying again as hardened nails meet steel. Zoro couldn't go all out on her. First off he was doing a favor for Aria's mother and second he was hoping in return for doing this favor that she could tell him more about his mother.
While they were sparring Ray ran over to Luffy to check up on him. Instead of a bloody customer like she thought he would be, all she found was that his shorts are burned, and his shirt slightly singed, and he pouting like a five year old. And at the sight of his yellow boxers she blushes but she can't help but wonder what happen while she was out. "Why are you pouting?" She asked him in questioning manner. She wasn't sure why he was upset. He should be happy that Zoro intervened before her sister's fourth tail came out. If that had happened all hell would've broken loose and there would've been a slim chance of her regaining control!
"Zoro gets to fight fox girl! I want to fight her!" He replied which made Ray-Ray sweat drop. Seriously?! He's pouting because he wasn't fighting her sister? "If you had fought her when her fourth tail came out it would've been the end of my sister and maybe even this town! I can't lose her!" Ray-Ray clench her fist but refrained from hitting him for his whining. He was still a customer on this island and need him on her good side.
Aria was for once having fun. She has not spared like this since fire for brains was her teacher years back. The thought of him sparked the fire around her to grow for a second in anger but the smell of steel calmed her back down. Zoro was definitely holding back and so was she, it felt like they were both gauging each other's power but that was ok for them. They aren't trying to kill each other after all. Testing their abilities in a simple spar is perfect. Slowly though Aria was beginning to tire out and had to give herself some space to settle herself. She did get a hit from mama and went after Luffy as well before Zoro showed up. Zoro didn't drop his guard once for this, he had to be careful of the young women. Even he can tell she been holding back a lot. Ray-Ray could finally approach her sister again and took the opportunity to get close while they were separated. She raised her hands to try to divert her sister attention towards her.
"Sis? I'm right here, and I'm completely fine." Ray-Ray spoked softly and walked towards her at a slow pace to make sure she doesn't provoke her big sister. "I only got the nose bleed because I fell onto the ground." She was finally in front of her sister and she carefully grasped her hands and intertwined them together. "You don't need to worry anymore sis, I'm fine." Ray-Ray says softly while giving her big sister a soft smile. Aria finally drops her half form and returned to her human form. She nearly faints and drops to the ground but Ray-Ray was right there to catch her. She will always be there to catch her. She grabs Aria around her waist to keep her up. "Let's go home big sister." She whispered to her and looked over to Zoro with a nod in thanks before guiding her sister back to their little home in the forest leaving the two pirates alone.
Later the crew had managed to gather back together on the Sunny and were sitting on the lawn to discuss their little trips. Though some of them were in a bit of a disarray. Usopp had soot, dirt and scratches all over him and was glaring at Franky. Luffy was only in his yellow underpants for the back of his shorts had a burned hole and the shirt he was wearing was laid next to it with burned edges of the shirt and Zoro had a small tear in his shirt from the spar he had in the forest.
"What the hell happened to you?" Zoro questioned Usopp as he was covered in soot and bandages. His glare only intensified at Franky.
"Why don't you ask mister super cyborg?" He asked incredulously and glared at the cyborg. "He knocked me over and got me stuck inside a cannon and I was shot halfway across town because of him!" He screeched with his eyes white and teeth all sharp.
"I said I was sorry! Besides that pretty girl was gonna tell us more about the island's history! I just wanted to listen!" Franky complained and he turned his attention to Luffy who was still sitting on the lawn with just his shirt and underpants on. "Well what still peaks my interest is what happened to your shorts and shirt Luffy?"
"Oh well, they got burned silly. See!" He held up his burned shorts and shirt so the rest of the crew could see. "The fox girl burned them." He told them and Usopp pales at the mention of the fox girl.
"A-Are you talking about the Fire Fox demon Aria girl?" He asked his captain and the crew stiffen slightly at the mention of this fox demon of the island. Luffy nods not understanding the tense air around him and his crew. "The slayer of a thousand pirates? The demon that will destroy the island with a flick of her tail?!" Usopp paled and he was shivering at the thought of the rumors he just spoke about.
"Well I don't believe in those dumb rumors about a beautiful women." Sanji stated as he held up a lighter to his cigarette and lights it.
"Course you wouldn't the rumors you idiot cook." Zoro muttered and he pulls out Wado to block a kick from the pervy cook. "You want to say that to my face moss head?!" Sanji asked angrily as little flames replace his eye. "Nothing else could burn that ego of yours pervy cook!" Zoro replies. Zoro and Sanji glare at each other and went at each other and before that could happen Nami stepped in and hit them both in the heads. "Will you two stop fighting for one moment!" She shouted at them and her eyes were white and had sharp teeth again showing her anger. "We are trying to discuss a critical matter here if you both haven't noticed!"
"I'm not sure if the rumors are true about this fox girl. But the some rumors seem exaggerated. They say the demon girl is actually a man. But I don't believed that one. But some of the other rumors we've heard seem all too true." Franky voices out his own opinion on the rumors he had heard throughout the island.
"Actually we've invested a little into these rumors. The demon they speak of is a young woman by the name of Aria Mitsu, a native to the island that had ate a devil fruit at the age of seven and its power had gone out of control due to a incident that happened 12 years ago. A bunch of pirates invaded the island hoping to take control of it. She had slaughtered a bunch of the invading pirates and even killed the captain here on the docks." Chopper explained to them.
"It sounds like the town itself is traumatized from the events. And rather blame the killing on the pirate they blame it on a single person. And that person had to of been Aria." Robin pointed out. It sounded a lot like how her own childhood went.
"But that's not the Aria we met." Nami voiced out. "She was really nice. And so was her sister Ray-Ray. One hell of a baker too."
"Yeah she made this really yummy bacon bread thingy! She put meat in a dessert! It's almost better then Sanji's cooking! And I want her on my crew!" Luffy praises but Zoro hits him in the head.
"We can't you idiot remember? She's not leaving without her sister." He reminded him
"Oh yeah... well then I want them both!"He proclaimed and this time Nami socks him in the head. "Ow! What the hell was that for Nami?!"
"You do realize we have enough crew members already!" Nami pointed out. "But I'm the captain! And there's never enough crew members and what captain says goes!" He shot back at his navigator causing her to be stumped in trying to reason with the rubber idiot.
"Wait wait! You guys are saying this fox demon Aria is Ray's big sister she kept praising about?" Franky asked Nami. Nami turned her attention to Franky and nods in confirmation.
"Yeah they're sisters believe it or not." Nami answered.
"I don't believed that!" Usopp cried out. "Ray is so sweet! She even treated my injuries after that cannon shot me half way across the town!" He just couldn't wrap his mind around the fact that the sweet girl he met earlier was this demon's little sister!
"Well I know something that can lighten up everyone's spirits!" Franky voices out with a huge grin on his face. "There's a festival going on today in celebration of the town's founding. And they have a pageant every year and they have a mighty fine prize for the winner. And I think Robin and Nami should join the pageant." Robin hummed in thought at having a little bit of fun then just shopping here on the island.
"Sounds fun to me. What do you think Nami?" The archeologist asked her friend. "Nah, I don't want to compete in a silly pageant. Besides the prize is probably not much belli. Plus I can just enjoy myself with the huge sales going on!" Nami said as the sea breeze picked up a little more and smacked a flyer into her face. She grumbled at the annoying piece of paper and yanks it off and almost started to crush it before something on the bottom of the flyer caught her attention.
'Winner of the Jubilee Pageant will receive the title of Miss Jubilee as well as receive a 1,000,000 belli prize plus a custom one of a kind jewelry piece from Ken Mitsu himself! Good luck too all participants!'
Nami's attention turned to Robin and her eyes were belli signs. "Robin let's double our chances to win that pageant!"
"You just want to damn money!" Usopp pointed out with his eyes all white and teeth sharp again.
"Then we all better get ready for the festival then it starts this evening." Robin reminded the crew as she got a good look on the time of the festival starting.
Earlier at the Mitsu house, Ray-Ray had finally made it back home with her sister. They had a extremely close call and Ray-Ray was extremely lucky to have the Luffy guy and that swordsman to help her sister out of that state. Though that Luffy fellow was pretty funny and a little on the slow side. But somehow that green haired swordsman, he managed to get her sister to calm down through a really good spar. She honestly couldn't think of a reasonable explanation for that! They enter their home through the front door and Ray sets her sister on the large couch while she went and got a wet rag to place on her sister's forehead and grab her some comfort snacks.
Aria groans as her head started to hurt from from where her mother socked her. Where was her sister? Was she alright? She barely even remembered what happened behind the shop aside from her mama using her Southpaw attack on her. And it still hurts even with her high pain tolerance from training with mama and daddy. Ray-Ray finally returns with a bowl of warm water, a rag on her shoulder and a small tray of Aria favorite orange glazed scone treats.
"Just lay down sis, you'll be fine." Ray whispered and placed a pillow under her head and dipped the rag in the warm water and wrings it out and placed it onto her forehead. She got back up and retrieved their mother's herbal remedy for headaches and sores. "What happened Ray? What happened... after mama used her Southpaw attack?" She managed to ask as her sister lays a thin blanket over her.
"You slipped into you Foxy state. I had to lead you into the forest before the town got a look at you in your state." She then gave her sister the water and some of the herbal remedy. "I tried calming you down but, that straw hat boy Luffy came in and his presence just made you even more mad." Ray explained with a sad frown looking at her elder sister.
"I'm starting to remember now. That idiot tried to use a dead and dried up branch with leaves on it to put out the fox fire." She said with a chuckle. "I may have been mad at him but, he was good entertainment." She smiled remembering one time their dad did something similar to that on a camping trip to the deeper part of the forest to help her train with her devil fruit. Ray-Ray giggled at the memory of Luffy beating her sister with that branch. "And the way he was running around with his pants on fire, forgetting he could sit in the dirt to put it out." Ray-Ray added which caused both girls to fall in a burst of giggles at the memory.
"But, I remember a scent. It was oddly calming. A-And I really liked that scent." Aria smiled at the memory of the scent unaware it was Zoro's scent.
"Oh! That was Zoro, that swordsman you crashed into. He came and helped you calm down." Ray-Ray explained while taking the rag and dipping it in the warm water again and rings it out before placing it back on her sister's forehead.
"B-But why would he save a pirate? I mean he can't be a pirate himself can he?" She wondered in question making Ray hummed in thought about Zoro being a possible pirate. But she'll keep this to herself in fear of her sister losing the only chance she had to making a friend even if he was a pirate. And the way her fox side reacted to the swordsman's scent it could give her the idea that she may like this swordsman with how quickly he had calmed her down during that spar. For now she'll put those thoughts to rest. Her sister needed her at the moment.
"Onto another subject sis, do you... plan on going to the festival tonight?" Ray-Ray asked her big sister. The Jubilee festival was something they both loved and Aria has been able to slip in and enjoy the festival with her sister as long as she wore a disguise. To which was the only way for her to truely enjoy the festival without the town trying to chase her out.
"Yeah? I always go to the festival with you Ray." She opened her eye giving her sister a questioning look. "Why are you asking that all of a sudden?" Her little sister was up to something. She knew her sister too well.
Ray sweats a little getting nervous to ask her sister this question. But, she had to ask her she just had to! "Wo-Would you please enter the Miss Jubilee this year?"
To be continued...