Another chapter, same story. Funny how that works, isn't it: ) I'm glad so many people like my story! I got three reviews for my first chapter and now five for this one! Yay! Okay... moving on...

gothshadowdragonofhell -You're back! gives a cookie Oh, by the way,that's a really good idea you had. I might play with that for later in the story. Thanks

13thShadowKnight - I'm glad you like it. And I know you're a person, cause you reviewed: )

ChibiMishaSan - Yay! I got a cookie! Here's your update!

Luffy rox - Thanks. At least something is as creepy as my looks... well, maybe that's going to far...

OffTheWalls33 - Update, update, update... man, what a life. : )

Just a note to all. My schedual is crazy as heck. It's amazing I've found time to update as often as I have been. So if things get stretched a week or so, don't panic. I'll post more asap. Okiees? On to the story!

Edit : Since I have now been told three different times by three different peolple, I have finally fixed the Oni Giri mistake. Zolo is yelling Demon Cut, not Rice Ball. Although that would be funny...

Chapter 3

That sounds familiar...

Zolo's POV

"So, now what?"

Good question.

We sat on the deck of the ghost ship, talking about what we had found. Luffy and Nami had explored the captain's quarters, finding the ship's log. It had suddenly stopped about two weeks ago.

"I think we should leave." Chopper said, looking at Sanji's head. "We tried to help, but that girl obviously doesn't want to be found."

The quality that made Chopper useful was that he got calmer when he had someone to care for.

"We can't just leave her here!" The cook brushed Chopper away. "We've got enough food for about another week and a half. We can wait until she comes out."

"Sanji, it'll take that long to reach the next island!" Nami exclaimed, getting up and pacing the deck.

I watched them argue through half closed eyes. Things were getting out of hand. This ship was dangerous. It was rotting away, a floating wreck. We shouldn't stay here any longer than we had to, even if it meant leaving the girl behind.

"I have an idea. You could all just leave me alone."

A very different voice came from behind us, causing us all to jump. I was on my feet with my sword half drawn before I had turned to face the sound.

The girl stood before us, blade in hand, a slight breeze stirring her hair. Cold blue eyes stared back at us, chips of ice set into her pale face. She glared at us with distaste.

"Oh maiden of song, how your harsh words trouble me-" The love cook started toward her but quickly stopped as the sword was pointed at him.

"I said leave me alone pirate." She growled.

"Hey." Nami came to stand beside Sanji. "We don't want to hurt you, just help out."

"Yeah. That's exactly what my 'friends' said before they sold me into slavery!" She yelled.

With that, she attacked. I met her with all three swords in place, stopping her in her tracks. She glared at me.

"Don't get in my way." She said.

"Then don't attack my friends." I growled around my katana.

The only response I got was a flash of steel for the next few minutes. Finally, I drove her back enough for me to glance at my crewmates. Chopper and Nami were back on the Merry Go, Luffy not far behind them. Just a few more minutes and we could sail away, and leave this demon girl to rot.

"Why do you try so hard? What drives you?"

I turned back to the girl. She was panting slightly, the battle taking its toll on her. She was excellent with a blade, but not enough for me to worry about.

"To be the greatest swordsman in the world." I said.

A moment of silence, then the girl began to laugh. I felt a vein pop out on my forehead.

"You? The greatest swordsman in the world? Not a chance! Not with such heavy handed swordplay!" She said, regaining her breath.

"What did you say?" I said. She smirked, realizing she had hit a nerve.

"Your a little frog croaking in your puddle. You have no idea just how big the world is."

Somewhere in the back of my mind, a little light went off, telling me I had heard those words before. But I wasn't paying attention. I felt myself shaking with fury. This pathetic, shipwrecked wench had insulted my dream, Kuina's dream. I was not going to take that.

"And what would you know about being the world's greatest?" I asked, barely keeping myself under control.

"Obviously a lot more than you do. Care to find out more?" She taunted. I shifted into a ready stance.

"Gladly!" I yelled.

I charged forward, holding my swords in an X in front of me, completely forgetting who, more like what, I was fighting. I dimly heard Sanji yelling at me, but I didn't stop. Time to show her what it meant to be the future world's greatest. I yelled out my attack as I charged forward.

"Oni Giri!"

Clang

The force of my blow sent her skidding backwards. I heard assorted gasps from the crew. Even Sanji muttered a very amazed 'no way'. Shocked, I backed off, lowering my swords.

She had stopped my Oni Giri attack.

There was only one other person who had done that. 'Hawk-Eye' Mihawk. But for some girl to stop it…

"Heh." Her sword dropped to the deck with a clatter. "Not bad at all. I'm impressed."

Time slowed down as her eyes closed and she bean to fall. Before I could think, I had sheathed my swords and caught her in mid fall. Why, I didn't know. After what she said I should have let her fall on her face. Even so, I lifted her into my arms, only to almost lose my balance. The ship listed to one side.

"Let's go!" I yelled to Sanji, who already had one foot on the railing.

Together, we jumped off the sinking ship, landing hard on the deck of the Merry Go. As soon as we were on board, the sails unfurled, and we sped away. I looked just in time to see the wrecked ship sinking into the water, erasing all evidence that it had ever existed. Except for the girl I was still holding in my arms.

"Nice one swordsman." The love cook said, gaining his feet.

"Hmph. You and your womanizing ways must be rubbing off on me." I said.

"What was that cabbage head?!"

"You heard me!"

"Zolo!"

I turned from the argument to see Chopper waving at me from the cabin, which served as Nami's room.

"Zolo, bring her in here." Chopper said, waving a hoof at me.

I did as he said, laying the girl down on a couch I didn't know was in here until now. For a moment, I stared. There was more to her than she appeared, dressed in rags and pale as a ghost. Something else stirred my curiosity, like how she knew swordplay so well.

"Hello! Earth to swordsman." Nami waved a hand in front of my face.

"What?" I said, blinking.

"Go take a nap or something. You can stare at her later." Nami said, pushing me towards the door.

"I wasn't staring." I said. "And why are you staying?" Nami winked.

"You don't expect Chopper to get her out of those rags, do you?"

With that she closed the door, leaving me standing there. Yawning, I settled down on the deck, letting the sun warm me. Something told me it was the last moment of peace I was going to get that day.

It wasn't until dinner when Nami and Chopper reappeared. We all listened, some more eagerly than others, as Chopper gave us the news.

"She's going to be okay." A joint sigh was let out. "She's suffering from malnutrition and dehydration. When she wakes up, I'll let you know what she can and can't eat at first." The last comment was directed toward Sanji, who nodded.

Nami muttered her agreement around a mouthful of food. Eating resumed as normal, which was basically a war over food. When you have a captain with a rubber stomach, you learn how to protect your food pretty fast.

"Okay!" Luffy left his food for a moment, a first in history. "When she's better, we can hear her story! Maybe she needs some limes…"

Before anyone could react to that comment, we were all thrown from our seats. The ship rocked violently as the kitchen door flew open. Usopp, who had been on watch, stood shaking, tan face turning white.

"It's a storm!" He managed not to stutter as he spoke.

"What?" Nami exclaimed. "A storm? No way!"

"Not just a storm." The marksman chattered. "A typhoon!"