Chapter 2

It didn't take me long to reach the market place again. I needed money. Why? Because I needed clothes, food and of course a pocket knife, and I personally found theft to be immoral... Well in most cases anyway.

I had an idea, though from memory the townsfolk were not particularly rich, which was very unfortunate. When I was younger I used to sing at competitions a lot, I rarely won but I was fairly talented. Here though I had the added advantage of every song I know being original, therefore no one can compare my version of a song with the original artist.

I moved a little way past the marketplace, so the area I was in was still busy but not quite as noisy. I fished through my bag and pulled out an empty plastic container. And began singing some of my favourite songs. After the first couple of songs and I felt sufficiently warmed up I pulled my wallet out of my bag and dropped a few coins and a couple of notes into the empty container.

I've always found people are more likely to give you money if they feel that others around them are giving you money. Straightening up, I took a deep breath, ignoring the sharp pain in my side and began belting out more difficult songs with more energy than before. It didn't take long before a couple of people dropped a few Berri into my container.

I loved the satisfaction I felt when people actually paid me to sing, even though they don't have to. It's very flattering, like being told that you're attractive. After I finished my tenth song a couple of young girls ran up to me, their hands filled with some coins.

"you're really good. I wish I could sing like you" The slightly bigger girl giggled

"You're really pretty." The younger one said smiling at me shyly.

"Thank you," I said crouching down so I was eye level with the girls and grinning at them. "Do you like singing too?"

They both nodded sheepishly. "But we aren't very good." They both stared at the ground.

"Let me tell you a secret," I said leaning forward. "Neither was I when I was little. But I practised a lot, and now I'm much better." I placed my finger on my lips and smiled at the girls, who were both looking at me in awe. I inwardly laughed, amused by their seemingly random admiration.

They both dropped their coins in with the rest and trotted back to their family, smiling and waving back at me. Well I'm done for the day, I feel like I've been stomped on by a dinosaur. I scooped up the no longer empty plastic container and threw it all into my bag. Better catch up with Luffy, otherwise he might forget me.

I began walking down random streets, not exactly sure where I should meet up with him. Maybe I should have gone to the Marine base, I know he'll go there eventually. I turned back around before realising I was now completely lost and had no idea which direction I needed to go. Buts. Sighing to myself I exited the creepy alleyway I had wandered down and once back onto a broader street, I searched above the roof tops for the towering Marine Base.

My eyes locked onto their target almost immediately and I walked straight towards the tower. The street I was walking along veered off to the left so I darted down a dingy alleyway that appeared to just go straight. My heart pounded in my chest when I realised where I was. Oh my god, I just broke one of my biggest rules. NEVER GO DOWN A DARK ALLEY WAY! I shook my head at myself. Calm down moron, you can defend yourself.

I felt a presence behind me and glanced over my shoulder. My feet kept going automatically. All my life I had been split in two. One side was always on red alert and panicking over nothing and the other side was logical and never panicked. Personally I found it interesting how. in times of real danger, the panicked part of my brain vanishes and the calm part rises to the occasion and deals with the issue.

Now was one of those times. I was ninety per cent sure that I was being followed, the threat has their face covered with a dark grey cloak. I chewed my lip thoughtfully. I was injured. That's the main issue here. The alley around me was dank and cold, the brick walls looked mossy and there wasn't anywhere to hide, I wasn't a particularly fast sprinter either and I didn't want to risk running for it.

I spun around and took a step back. My assailant had tried to sneak up closer to me, my sudden movement shocked the blue eyed man before me and he straightened. Now that he was closer I could make out his facial features. He had dark brown eyebrows and a short brown beard. He was quite handsome, unlike your stereotypical alley way goon.

I crossed my arms and tilted my chin up slightly, a clear challenge written on my face. He was taller than me, but I'm used to that. He returned my cold glare with a smirk and opened his mouth to say something, but I beat him too it.

"So what's your plan today? Just a mugging or were you planning on having a little more fun?" I said coolly, "It's important you answer honestly, I need to know how hard I've got to kick your arse."

His eyes raked up and down my body, lingering too long on my breasts after he decided I had made an empty threat. Well there's my answer, I thought sourly. He lunged forward, leaving his right side open. Ducking under his reaching right arm, I raised my right leg and kicked him hard with the heel of my foot, right above his hips.

He spluttered and was forced back a few steps. He underestimated me, he won't anymore. He let out an animalistic growl and lunged at me again, this time his guard was better though. I dodged his right fist but was forced to block his left one with my right arm, pain radiated through my ribs but I ignored it and darted forward. I firmly planted my left shin in his groin and, as he fell I grabbed his head and smashed his nose into my right knee, knocking the brute unconscious.

I grimaced at the heap on the ground, well that was easier than I expected, he was really slow, like sleepy snail slow. Huffing I turned and continued down the alley.

Luckily for me I ran into Luffy before I had to risk another turn down another dark alley. With the perfect timing one can only find in the movies or in a book, I happened to walk pass an unassuming restaurant and was knocked for six by a young snivelling blonde boy. I scowled, looking at the offensive piece of trash. What was his name again?.. Helm... Helms deep? No that's from Lord Of The Rings. Helmy, that's what I'll call him.

Getting up and dusting myself off I looked at Helmy angrily, the searing pain in my side putting me in a dangerous mood. Bending down I grasped him by his collar and dragged him up with my left hand.

"You better watch where you're going," I snarled. Releasing him, my hands shaking with anger. Deep breaths Taylor, count to one hundred.

One. He looked up at me, trying to compose himself.

Two. He looked at the Marines that were suddenly beside him.

Three. He opened his mouth, ready to spew some crap about his father.

I punched him in the nose and turned to meet Luffy. Maybe I should have counted a little quicker... I scratched the back of my neck, feeling a little abashed at behaving so violently. Maybe that was a little unnecessary, but in my defence I've had a terrible day.

"Nice punch." Luffy grinned at me, I cocked an eyebrow.

"You should see the last guy I ran into." I replied, following him to the Marine base.

When we reached the fence, Luffy sling shotted himself over the wall and left me standing there. Sighing I waited for about half a minute before shouting after him.

"OI LUFFY! AREN'T YOU FORGETTING SOMEONE?!"

A long stretchy arm reached towards me, grasping the back of my shirt. Oh no, not again. I groaned to myself as I hurtled over the wall and watched the ground approach my face. I curled up into the ball and landed on my left side, the impact still sending shooting pain through my cracked ribs but it wasn't to bad. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

"Is she ok?" I heard a voice question.

"I'm trying to convince myself not to murder him." I said flatly, hoping onto my feet.

"You are an idiot." I sigh, lightly clipping the back of Luffy's head. "Don't you have to get his swords?" I wave my hand loosely at Zoro.

"Oh yea," Luffy said, automatically turning to go the wrong way. I pressed my fingers to my forehead, so stupid, I thought sadly to myself.

"Idiot it's the other way!" Zoro shouted after the moron.

Luffy shot past the two of us and I sat on the ground, smirking in amusement at the pirate hunters look of bewilderment.

"What is that guy?"

"You'll find out soon enough." I answer, searching the Marine bases windows for Helmy's bedroom. "He'll fly out of that window." I say pointing at the one where Zoro's swords are.

Zoro looks at me like I'm crazy, perfect. Did Coby come before or after Luffy broke that guys statue? I thought to myself. A loud bang sounded, answering my question, and I turned to look at the fence. I didn't have to wait long for Coby to make his appearance. He explained to Zoro how Helmy, whose name was actually Helmeppo, was planning on executing him all along.

"Taylor, could you give me a hand here?" Coby said looking at me with exasperation.

"Relax, it'll be fine, I'm busy trying to see how good my memory is." I waved them off, staring up at the window I had chosen. I decided it'd be better if I was standing closer to the boys when the marines tried to shoot us, since Luffy protects them.

I heard an angry shout but ignored the marines, concentrating solely on the window. I openly grinned when I saw the glass shatter.

"Yes! Totally nailed it!" I shouted over the din of guns firing. Zoro spared a glance at the window I had pointed at but said nothing.

"I told you I was strong." Luffy said to the Marine Captain. Dammit why am I so bad with names.

"What the hell are you?!" Zoro exclaimed.

"I'm Luffy, the man who will become the Pirate King."

"He's a rubber man," I whispered to Zoro.

Deciding that I'd feel more comfortable with Zoro untied, I began pulling at the knots holding him to the wooden post. My knot pulling was unsuccessful though I persevered as the boys had a conversation. Really, you guys are gunna discuss all this shit right now. I thought in exasperation. I'm surrounded by fruitcakes.

Zoro agreed to join Luffy began celebrating, before untying Zoro's ropes. I stared at him momentarily, unable to comprehend his stupidity, just give him his swords back you crazy bastard, I thought shaking my head at him. Growling to myself, I grasped Zoro's white sword and pulled it from its sheath, stuffing it unceremoniously into his mouth. I turned to grab the other two and place them in his hands but it wasn't necessary.

With lightning quick reflexes he managed to cut himself free and grasp his other two swords, blocking a group of armed Marines from striking our small group. Deciding I was no longer of any use, I moved off to the side. I felt kind of useless to be honest, I was unarmed, injured and most definitely not up to scratch with Luffy and Zoro.

The fight was fairly boring by one piece standards, but I was prepared for that. There were no major injuries, despite Helmeppo's random attempt at taking Coby as a hostage. One marine did attempt to grab me from behind, but I moved out of his way and put him out of action with a well placed boot to the groin followed by a knee to the face (my favourite combination). Then Luffy won and that was that.

While Luffy and Zoro stuffed their faces, I decided to just have one regular meal, (which Luffy ate half of). Eww, I thought as I watched the two boys gorge themselves, I have to share a boat with them for god knows how long.

"So how many ship mates do we have?" Zoro asked. I giggled and he gave me an odd look. Luffy continued chewing and looked at Zoro with a blank expression. "I remember you saying you were gathering a crew, so how many have you got?"

"Just you," Luffy answered.

I clutched my ribs as I burst into a fit of laughter. Oh god, that face was priceless. I groaned in pain after I managed to control myself.

"What?! So..." He pointed to himself.

"Yep us two, oh and we are giving Taylor a lift." I grinned at him.

"Our boats gunna be nice and cosy," I smirked before removing myself from the conversation, I don't think my ribs can take much more of this.

"See you later Coby," I gave him a hug, "you'll be a great marine, don't worry." I said before telling Luffy that I'd meet him at the boat. I had one thing to get before our next adventure.

I didn't have to go far before I found a shop that sold knives, I chose one I could afford and hurried down to the harbour, smiling when I saw Nami hop into her boat. She looked up and I waved at her before continuing to the boat I'd be calling home for a while, she was confused by my actions, which I found amusing.

It didn't take long for the two boys to catch up with me. I was leaning against the side of the boat, observing the cheap and crappy knife I bought. It wasn't particularly sharp, but that was ok, I worked on the theory it hurt more to be stabbed by a spoon than a knife. The handle was a simple wooden hilt, no decoration and I doubted it had even been lacquered properly. It wasn't going to last very long, that was for sure. I flicked the knife back in my hand so I was holding it with the dull side against my forearm, it was comfortable enough. I placed it back in its sheath and looked up, just in time to witness the marines saluting at us.

All three of us watched in amusement .

"Well," I snickered, "you guys better not get used to that sort of treatment."

Zoro looked at me suspiciously. "You knew exactly which window Luffy would break through."

"Well..." I said, "not really. I was surprised I got the right window."

"But you knew he'd break through a window."

"Yup."

"How?"

"I'm intuitive." I reply giving him a cheeky grin.

a/n: soooo, I said soonish but apparently I didn't mean it. Sorry about that, I all of a sudden adopted a social life and drank two and a half bottles of wine on monday.

P.s Guys I'm so excited, I've finally started writing my other one piece fanfiction, Also I'm going to put a link up to my tumblr on my page, just in case you wanted to see my attempted drawings of Taylor or other OC's

please review :)