Disclaimer: I Do Not Own One Piece.

Chapter 22: Iryoku Fights! Part 1

"Killed?" LeStine raised an eyebrow slowly. Aro held a glare at him as she slowly nodded. "Hurt, you mean."

"He's not moving," Aro said in a low voice.

"He's just out of it, trust me."

"Why should I? So you can kill the rest of us?!"

"SHUT UP INSOLENT CHILD!" Aro suddenly fell quiet at the sound of LeStine's anger. "I would NEVER kill one of my friends! I would NEVER even THINK of such a thing! He was the one who pulled me out of the gutters and into the world of medicine."

"Then what is going to happen to him?!" Aro threw his anger right back at him. "Tell me!"

"The poison will wear off in a few hours. Get him into Iryoku, enroll in the tournament, and get Veldoro out of here."

Aro's anger suddenly left at the last bit. "Out of here? Why are you working for him if you want him gone?"

"I don't have the strength to fight him…" he hung his head, stepping back into the tower.

Guzen watched him and lowered the die. "Alright." LeStine turned to him, blinking. "I'll get you bandage her up…"

"It's not your choice though. It's Aro's choice."

"That's fine with me. ONLY you can come out though. The twins HAVE to stay in there." Aro felt her ears lay back.

"That's fine." LeStine walked out, pulling a small bag from his coat. Aro raised an eyebrow. He pointed to one of the log seats. "Sit."

---

"Him?" A little girl asked, looking down at the body of Robrion.

"Yes. Can you bring him back?" Serisha said, hugging herself lightly.

"How long has he been dead?" The girl picked up Robrion's hand lightly, feeling along the skin.

"A few hours—" Serisha was cut off by the sound of ripping flesh. She put one hand to her mouth as a stench filled the room. She felt her face pale as she started to feel a little sick. "Must you do that?"

"Hmm? Do what?" She smelled the skin while watching the lady. She's an odd one, this lady… she thought to herself, Immi should be careful…

The girl, Immi, dropped the flesh and arm, looking the body over. Immi needs to make sure this lady is trust worthy… though, how?

"How much?" Serisha interrupted her thoughts, causing Immi looked up at her. Serisha shivered, for , the girl just gave her the creeps. Again, who wouldn't get the creeps from a girl with skin whiter than the brightest part of a Cumulus humilis on the brightest day on the sea, hair like starlight but was black underneath, eyes bright red that can be seen from across the room and seemed to look into your soul. Her clothes didn't help her frightening look either: blood red dress with pure white lace over the skirt part and black web-like shawl that covered her well to her knees. Serisha frowned some as the girl stood to her full 2' 4" height.

"4,000 Belli."

"4,000?!" Serisha yelled, suddenly shocked. Immi got to her feet.

Immi doesn't think she likes the deal… She looked at Robrion, He has no heart, and he has some odd trances still on his brain… nearly impossible to say the least… Immi could be in a tight spot for this one's life… Immi looked at Serisha, slowly smiling to show her canine teeth that were sharper than the normal canine teeth of a seven-year-old. "So… 4,000 Belli, take it or leave Immi along in peace."

---

"Done." LeStine wiped his hands off on a somewhat bloody rag. Aro looked herself over at the bandages that now riddled her body.

"Wow, you're not bad, LeStine."

"Thank you, though I am the best…"

"Yes, now back in the tower with you."

"I know, I know…"

"Good boy." Aro smiled as she watched LeStine return to the tower. Once inside again, he turned to look at the four, watching them as a young child would watch their parents as they waited for their punishment.

"Don't look at me like that, LeStine…" Aro muttered, turning away from the door as Kise closed it. She looked at Ezerial, who still seemed out of it. "Guzen, Kise, pick him up. I'll get his sword."

"… I don't have any upper body strength…" Guzen looked at Kise. Kise stared at him as well.

"Me? Carry him?" Kise pointed at himself as he spoke. Guzen nodded, "Are you insane, psychotic, demented, deranged, lunatic, mad, crazy, crazed, maniacal, or paranoiac?"

"Stop being smart!" Aro snapped, picking up the sword, and storming off to the entrance of Iryoku. Guzen looked at Kise who seemed he was about to cry.

"… she just likes to yell…" Guzen lightly patted him on the shoulder. Kise smiled at him and suddenly hugged him. Guzen felt the old habit rise: his eye twitched and he froze.

"You're so nice to me, pretty lady!"

"I'm a guy!" Guzen pushed him off and followed Aro. Kise easily picked up Ezerial and supported him on one shoulder as he followed.

"D-don't leave Jane and I behind with the Mr. Loud and Heavy!"

---

"4,000 Belli?" Veldoro settled into the large chair in the room they were renting. Serisha stood before him, back against the door as if blocking herself from leaving. She was use to having to do that when Robrion had to talk to Veldoro. Habit maybe when something important got her attention?

Immi looked at Veldoro in the eye, "That's Immi's offer."

Odd man, this old man is… his spirit is messed up greatly… I wonder if he's like the lady…

"Isn't there a way I can convince you to do it for less?" Veldoro gave her his absolute best smile. Serisha forced herself to keep calm as she stole glances at it.

"Nope." Immi crossed her arms, holding the eye contact. She saw the smile slip from his face. It never came to his eyes, but whatever was in his eyes became anger and frustration. He slowly stood, watching Immi as he did.

Wow… old man is tall…

"I'll ask again… is there any way—"

"Nope."

Veldoro gave an annoyed sigh, running one hand through his hair while the other rested on his hip. "Child, I don't think you understand the importance of this… I need Immi to do this for me…"

"Immi said 4,000 Belli, nothing more or nothing less."

"It better be the best resurrection Immi can offer… that woman is slipping in her old age…" Serisha commented, crossing her arms.

If they only knew who Immi really was…

"It will be great, you shall see." Immi bowed to hid her smile. "So, is it a deal?"

Veldoro thought it over, one hand cradling his chin. He closed his eyes, thinking about it. "Yes, it's a deal. Tell Immi that we shall be attending the resurrection."

"No."

"No? You are not in a position to speak for Immi!"

"Immi works with only one person watching: the dead soul. To have you two watch would throw the whole thing off balance."

"Are you so sure of that?"

"Most positive."

"… All right. We won't step in."

"Thank you." Immi stood up right, smile gone. Veldoro tossed a bag to her. Immi caught it and bowed again. The child then turned and left. Serisha moved away to let her by.

"Vel-kun, is that wise?"

"She's not threat, just a child."

Immi couldn't help but smile after catching the last bit. What fools! Immi is too good for them!

---

"Alright… he said we need to sign up…" Aro looked at the list of fighters hanging outside of the Marine base. Ezerial had woke up slightly, and glared at the gates. Kise still held him up, humming 'Hi ho! Hi ho! It's off to work we go!'. Guzen backed away from the gate slowly, one step at a time.

"Aro… lets just go to an Inn… I'm tired…" Ezerial watched her now.

"Tonight is the last sign-up night though…"

"I'll sign you up."

Everyone turned to see Cap standing with his hands in his pockets and a smile on his face. "CAP!" Aro jumped on him, holding to him tightly. Cap laughed and hugged her.

"Luffy said you wanted me to come here?"

"Yes. I need your help again after all…"

"Well, first thing's first: this fighter thing. Aro, you'll be fighting, as will Guzen… Ezerial won't be up for it, but can be Guzen's back up for fights… and Kise will be yours, Aro."

"How do you know who I am?" Kise asked.

"I'm just good like that." Cap smiled.

Authors Note: Ok, this ended horribly, mostly for my current rush to get this done before work… BUT! Next chapter will be better! I promise!