Hi everyone! So, it's midnight and I really should be studing for this Global test I have coming tomorrow (today?), but writer's insperation doesn't come around everyday soo... here's a really long chappie for all of you. On to the reviewers!
DreamergirlxXx - Yes! Finally, the homework guy gets what's coming to him! Angry school kids of the world unite! Anywho, isn't it always better when it's obvious that they like each other, but it's news to them? Yeah, the crew's gonna notice real soon. Trust me, they won't let it go uncommented. Yes! Pixie Stix!
Mirathin - I stopped there so you would come back for more! And it worked, didn't it? Cookies! I love cookies! Or any kind of delightfully sugary snack!
BinkWV - Thanks! You get a brownie cause you read my fic and you've never reviewed before! Good for you!
Mischievous Sin - Update update update. Such is the life of an author...
Garra's Pyro RACCOON - The thought of Garra having a pyro raccoon is still funny, so sorry if I laugh randomly while I write this. laughs okay, I'm done...
xX-Avast-Xx - yes, no snogging...yet... It will come, I promise! Just... later...
cloudaisha10 - Here be the update!
Whoot whoot! 10 chapters, 58 reviews! That's a new world record for me! Even though this is my first (continued) story on this site... yeah... okay, cookies or desert of choice for all! Enjoy and PLEASE REVIEW!!
Edit: MAJOR Damage Control on the OOC ness in this chapter. I had to beat myself repeatedly because of the utter fangirl-ness. Hope this is better.
Chapter 10
Fighting off Hate
Aly's POV
I charged toward the on coming beast, my grip on the sword so tight my knuckles were turning white. With a yell, I dodged a paw swipe and sliced open the pad. Whining, it began to lick it's paw. Big mistake.
Drawing Yubashiri, I ran full force and skidded under it, running my blades into it's underside. But as soon as I started my attack, the extra sword broke under the pressure. Swearing, I let go of the hilt and kept hold of Yubashiri as I shot out from under the beast and into the rock wall next to Zolo.
"Hi." I said breathlessly, turning so I could watch the wolf. It was still trying to figure out why it's paw hurt and why it's underside was bleeding.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Zolo asked, never taking his eyes off the giant wolf thing.
Glancing at him, I felt my eyes widen. I had to keep my hands firmly on Snow Chaser in order to keep myself from wrestling him to the ground.
Zolo was a mass of hurt, covered in deep scratches all over his body. His right leg had huge puncture wounds in it and his skin was unusually flushed under his tan. In other words, he wasn't in any shape to fight. But not enough so that he forgot to glare at me.
"What the hell are you looking at?" he asked, somehow managing to glare at me and follow the movement of the now extremely pissed off wolf-thing.
"Me? What the hell are you doing still standing?!?!" I exclaimed, almost yelling because of the excellent control I had over my voice.
"What the hell are you talking about?" he yelled back.
"You're the one bleeding everywhere, and I do mean everywhere, and you're asking me what the hell my problem is? You're such a-"
Our little squabble was broken up do to the fact that Zolo flying tackled me to the ground, only a few feet away from the wolf that had pounced on the spot I had been standing in moments before.
"If you're going to be in a fight, then at least pay attention!" The swordsman yelled, slashing at the wolf as it backed off for another go.
I scrambled to my feet, searching for a proper response but found none. The wolf howled and charged towards us again. I dove towards the rocks as Zolo made for the trees. Quickly untying empty sheaths from around my waist, I stuck Kitetsu III into the ground.
"Zolo! Catch!" I yelled, throwing Snow Chaser in a wide arc over the wolf.
Hoping the idiot would catch the sharp, now flying object, I snatched up Kitetsu III as the wolf swung a paw at me. I quickly ducked, bracing myself against the rock wall as I lashed out at it's face. It howled as I managed to slice it's nose, but was distracted by something else. Namely, Zolo hacking away at it from the other side. It crouched, made a flying leap towards the trees, then began to pace back and forth. Zolo glanced over at me, catching me shedding my sweater-jacket and clutching the cursed sword with one hand.
"Now what are you doing? Don't tell me you're planning on fighting with a cursed sword." Zolo growled, scowling at me. Probably because I was using his swords. Oh well, he'd get over it.
"This sword wouldn't dare hurt me." I said, sliding my feet into a ready stance. "Just try not to get killed in the next five minutes."
"Yeah right." Was his response before we flew back into battle
We charged towards the wolf, which was growling, pawing at the ground. I tried to ignore the trenches it was making with it's claws. Surprisingly, the swordsman and I worked rather well together. I would distract it long enough for Zolo to get a good hit in, covered him when the wolf managed to get a hit, and generally just helped each other along. Then that damn beast got lucky. And that's when thing just started to get bad.
In one quick motion, it batted Zolo away, dodged my sword, and had it's teeth lodged two inches into my free arm. I screamed, I'll admit it, but that didn't last long. Swinging Kitetsu III in an upward arc, the wolf pulled away at the last second, but not before I could slice off half it's ear. Letting me go, it swung it's head around, howling in agony. I fell to the ground as Zolo ran up next to me.
"You alright?" he asked. I opened my mouth to respond, with a smart comment or an honest answer I'll never know because I saw the beast coming before he did.
"MOVE!!!" I yelled.
For once, the swordsman wasn't quick enough. The wolf's paw made contact with Zolo first, sending him skidding towards the rock wall, swords flying though the air. It batted me away next, sending me straight into a tree. Kitetsu III spun through the air, burying itself a mere inch away from Zolo.
"…holy crap…." I managed, attempting to untangle branches from body parts.
No sword on the face of this world is as particular as a Kitetsu. It used to be that only my family could wield one, mostly because we were the ones who created them. But if one had found it's wielder, chances are that even I couldn't fight with it. If Zolo was it's chosen person… That was just too weird…Too coincidental for my tastes. Then I realized something important.
The wolf had shifted it's attention to Zolo.
Now normally, I wouldn't be concerned. The idiot could take care of himself. But this was not normally. The swordsman was losing blood a lot faster than what could be considered healthy, if losing blood could be considered healthy. He was weaponless, the closest one almost slicing his arm off a moment ago. Plus, he was still a bit dazed from his head meeting the rock wall behind him.
Creeping forward like it was stalking prey, the wolf paused for a moment, then pounced.
"NOOO!!!" I fell out of the tree with my hands to the ground. "TERRA!!!!"
All at once my necklace shone green, the earth shifted beneath me, a loud rumbling suddenly drowned out the feral screech of death.
Then, silence…
It took all the will power I had to unbury my face from the grass, afraid of what I might find. But it wasn't what I expected.
A huge pointed column of earth protruded from the wolf's back. Blood pooled like a lake beneath it, it's face frozen forever in a snarl. Gasping for breath, I made the ground below it open up. The wolf creature was lowered into the ground and instantly covered by the dirt. My necklace stopped glowing, my hands clenched in the grass, and my breath came in short bursts. I was shaking, partly because of the shock and partly because of the energy I just expended. Tearing my gaze from the spot where the beast was, I gazed over at the swordsman.
He looked just as out of breath as I was, glaring at me from across the clearing.
"Hey." I called, my voice shaking almost as much as I was. "You okay?"
"Yeah." He called back. "Just great."
"Brilliant." I said. Falling backwards onto the ground, I willed myself to stop shaking.
We sat there for a while, me lying in the grass trying to calm down and Zolo settled against the rock wall. I watched the lightning lace it's way though the clouds, the thunder shake the heavens above.
Thunder and lightning storms… according to the priests and priestesses at home, such storms dictated change was too come, whether good or bad couldn't be told. But if it rains along with the thunder and lightning, the event would be the greatest life changing thing so far in your life.
A drop of rain hit my face, stirring me out of my thoughts.
Sitting up, I gained my feet and wobbled over to Zolo, who at this point was asleep. Shaking my head, I sheathed his swords, which he must have gathered before he fell asleep, and tied them around my waist, including his white katana. I had to pull the sheath for that one off him, but he didn't even so much as stir. Throwing my jacket on, I tossed my bag over my shoulder and crouched down in front of the swordsman.
All in all, he looked pretty beat up, and that wolf that attacked him must have been a million times tougher than the one I fought. Either that or it caught him off guard and tried to bite his leg off… Reaching out a hand, I rested it lightly on his forehead. Instantly, his hand wrapped around my wrist, eyes flying open. For a moment he just stared at me, like he couldn't remember what I was doing there. Then he let go of my wrist with a half hearted chuckle.
"Actually thought you were a threat for a second."
"I'm glad I got my second of fame." I said, and then pointed to the sky. "It's starting to rain. Is there shelter nearby?"
"Over there." Zolo pointed along the rock wall, forcing his body to stand.
I let him walk a few steps. He didn't even so much as limp, even though his leg had puncture wounds deep enough to cripple someone. I shook my head and followed him, resisting the urge to cradle my injured arm. If he could stick out his hurts, then damn it so could I.
Together, we stumbled into the cave. As Zolo sat down against the wall, I looked around.
It was a natural cave, hollowed out in some ancient time. Amazing that Zolo even found it at all, given how directionally challenged the man was. Must have been by accident…
Dropping my bag with a sigh, I untied the swords and leaned them against the wall. Once again shedding my jacket and plopping in front of Zolo, I began rummaging through my bag.
"So," I said. "Mind sharing why you've been out here for four days and you don't even have your wounds bandaged?"
"When you have a pack of giant wolves chasing you for hours on end, then I'll answer that." He said, watching me unpack. "Why are you out here?"
"Luffy sent me to find you." I said, laying medical supplies on my jacket. "At least I can do my job right." I looked around. "I need some water."
As if on cue, rain began pouring from the sky, soaking the world in a matter of seconds. Grinning, I set out a bowl Sanji had packed me and let it fill with water.
"Why didn't you just use that power of yours?" Zolo asked, still glaring at me. I could feel it even though my back was turned.
"You're full of questions." I said, gazing out into the rain as I spoke. "But if you must know, I have to have something to manipulate before I can use my power. It's not like I'm a magician. I can't make something appear yet, just use it like I want." I sank down at the entrance of the cave. "And even that has limits. Everything I do has consequences. That storm I blew away probably caused damage to nearby islands. The trick I just pulled with the earth probably caused a minor earthquake down in the village. I can't just go flaunting my powers like a freak show. That's why it was so bad when the pirates discovered them…"
I turned back to the swordsman only to find him asleep again. For a minute, I was tempted to hit him for falling asleep while I was talking. I even had my arm raised, until a small smile crept on my face. Shaking my head, I collected the bowl full of water from the entrance and sat down to tend to Zolo's wounds.
Crazy cabbage head. Injured beyond belief and still acting like there wasn't a care in the world. Just as well he fell asleep. It wouldn't do for me to go around spilling the secrets of my powers to every random person I met. Soon, I became so absorbed my thoughts, I didn't even notice when the sun began sinking into the sea. I just kept bandaging until I was done. Stretching the kinks out of my back, I practically jumped out of my skin when Zolo mumbled something.
"What?" I asked, leaning in closer.
"Cold…" he said, obviously half asleep.
Cold? I suddenly shivered, noticing the goosebumps on my arms and my breath in the air in front of me.
Fire. I needed a fire.
Pulling out the blanket in my pack, I draped it over the sleeping swordsman. I began to pull on my jacket, but realized I was about to go gallivanting through a downpour. Common sense declared I should have at least one piece of clothing that wasn't soaked.
Walking toward the entrance, I gazed out into the twilight of rain. I didn't want to leave Zolo alone, but I needed something to burn. And as unlikely as it was I would find something dry, I couldn't start a fire from stone.
I looked toward the sea. The Merry Go was clearly visible from here, a lone pirate ship docked in the midst of small fishing boats. I could imagine everyone sitting in the kitchen, tucking into dinner, and who ever was unfortunate enough to be on watch would be in a rain slicker, looking any sign of my return. Our return.
"God of Air, Aero," I whispered, hearing the air whisper back. "Tell them I've found him. Tell them to send their thoughts to keep him safe while I'm away."
Feeling the air carry my message away, I ran into the forest.
I didn't want to be away a moment more than I had to.
An hour and an armful of soaking wet wood later, I stumbled back into the cave, looking like I had been wandering the bottom of the ocean instead of wandering the forest in search of fire wood. Dropping the tinder on the ground, I wrung out my hair and clothes, creating a puddle. Taking off my shoes, I turned them upside down and created a small waterfall. Shaking out as much of the water as I could, I set them aside and picked up the wood, which was possibly wetter than I was. Dropping it in a pile near the still sleeping swordsman, I sank down next to him with a sigh. Running at top speed though a forest while it was raining looking for dry wood kinda took it out of a person. I pulled my jacket around my shaking shoulders. Not only was that tiring, but damn that was cold!!!
"About time you got back."
"Holy crap!"
I jumped and almost fell over when Zolo stood up. Or should I say attempted to. The slowness of his movements reminded me of his wounds and I got him back down to the floor with an audible whack to the head.
It was unlike him to let anyone see his wounds were bothering him. Overwhelming worry tickled the back of my mind, but I gave it a smack too. It would have to wait it's freaking turn. Trying to care for the irate swordsman and keep my teeth from chattering was taking all my concentration.
"You shouldn't be moving with all your injuries." I said, glaring at him. I went put my hand on his forehead.
"I'm fine." He said, brushing my hand away.
"Right." I said, drying off said hand on the corner of the blanket. "And I'm supposed to believe that?"
Placing my hand on his forehead again, I noted that he didn't have a fever, but my ice cold hand was a poor judge. Once again, he brushed away my hand.
"Fine? I'd say that was an over statement." I said, trying to find the best way to arrange the wood.
"And who made you a doctor?" he growled. At least he wasn't moving and agitating his wounds anymore.
"Don't give me that." I said, noticing his glare even with my head stuck in my bag. "Just because I'm not a doctor doesn't mean I don't know when someone's sick."
He watched silently as I rummaged around the bag a bit more and finally came up with a lighter. I smiled. Good old Sanji.
"Like that will do any good with soaking wet wood." Zolo muttered, drawing the blanket closer around him.
That was the last straw.
Throwing the lighter on the ground, I stood up, my jacket falling from my shoulders. I curled my hands tightly into fists. Shaking like a leaf in the wind, I opened my mouth, but only shook my head because I couldn't find the words. Storming outside into the rain, I stopped at the tree line, took a deep breath, and screamed.
No words, no nothing. Just pure pent up frustration, anger, and confusion. When I ran out of breath, I took another one, and another one, until I felt like I was going to pass out from hyperventilation. Still shaking, I punched a tree, making a dent in it and my hand hurt, even through the numbingly cold rain soaking me. Again. Cursing, I stomped back into the cave, not done with my little therapy session.
"WHY THE HELL DO YOU HATE ME?" I yelled, my voice seeming twice as loud in the little space. I was full out shaking now, mostly from anger and partially from freezing. I swear my hands had a blue tinge to them as water dripped off me onto the floor. Zolo flinched, at what I don't know but I kept on going. "So I stopped your little attack, so I made you look like an idiot in the kitchen, so what? Get over it! You're big enough not to hold a grudge! And when I come all the way out here to save your ass, what do I get? Nothing! That's what I get! Even though if I hadn't come you possibly could have died out here, what do I get? Gratitude, or even a small thank you? No! I get an idiot asking me why the hell I came after him! Do you want to know why Zolo? Do you?" I paused for breath, long enough for Zolo to get a word in sideways.
"Yeah! I for one, would like to know why the only person on the damn ship who truly hates me drags her ass out here to find me! So go on, Miss. I'm so hated. Tell me why you came out here. Because Luffy told you to? What a good little witch you are-"
"I came because I was worried about you! Because the wind had told me someone or something had died out here and it mentioned a swordsman! And I was worried! Hah. Why would anyone need to worry about Zolo, the greatest swordsman in the world? Even though he's backed against a rock cliff with a giant wolf trying to eat him, he can take care of himself! But stupid little Aly had to worry about you! So here I come, into the woods, driving myself nuts after finding sword after sword, following a trail of freaking blood to find you! But oh no, Zolo doesn't need my help. Oh no…"
I sat down and tried to light the fire, but the flame wouldn't spread along the wood. It tried it again, but the shaking of my hand wasn't helping matters. Feeling my frustration build, tears pricked at my eyes.
"SCREW IT!!!" I yelled, throwing the lighter aside. "PYRO!"
Immediately, there was a bright fire casting a glow on the both of us. Drawing my knees up to my chest, I buried my face in my arms, willing my shoulders to stop shaking as tears found their way down my face.
I was soaking wet, worn out from my trek up into the mountains and my little run in with the giant wolf, exhausted from all the running around I had been doing, freezing to the point that my fingers were beginning to numb, and frayed and frustrated from the fear that Zolo would… well, die. You'll excuse me if I cry uncontrollably in front of the last person on earth I would ever want to catch my tears.
"I don't hate you."
I looked over at Zolo, who was staring back with a strange look in his eyes.
"I don't hate you." He repeated. "I thought you hated me."
For a minute, I couldn't speak. Then I buried my face in my arms again as my shoulders began to shake. Trying to hold it in, I found I couldn't and burst out laughing. The moment was just so absurd. First, I accused him of hating me. Then he said he thought I hated him. The classic case of misunderstanding was so out of place I couldn't help but laugh. I even heard Zolo chuckle.
"Alright." I said, looking up at the swordsman. Suddenly the little cave didn't seem so forbidding anymore. "I don't hate you and you don't hate me. So where does that leave us?"
"Don't really know." He said, shrugging.
We sat in silence for a few moments. Comfortable silence at that. I stared at the fire, feeling weak waves of warmth coming from it. The warmth was enough to make me start shivering again, my body realizing how cold it was. I scooted closer to the fire, almost on top of it as I spread my hands out over it.
"Here. You almost dropped it in the water."
I looked over to see Zolo holding out my jacket. Taking it from him, my ice-cold hand registered brushing against his warm one.
"Thanks." I said, the single word about as much as I could manage without my teeth chattering. I wrapped it around me, turning around so my back was to the fire. "So… why did you think I hated you?"
"I should ask you the same thing." Zolo said, his voice holding a bit of a challenge. I didn't rise to the bait.
"Well, for one thing, I was on a ship full of pirates and wasn't dead, so I was a bit confused." I began, counting things off on my fingers. "I hate it when people ask me about my past, so that really didn't earn you any points. The fact that you ignored me or acted like I was some dreaded disease kinda put me off too. Umm…."
"Alright, I get the point." Zolo mumbled. I stared at him. "What?"
"Fine. Don't tell me." I said huffily, turning my face away from him as I pretended to ignore his presence.
"Hmph. If you must know, I don't trust people who have ulterior motives." He said. "Especially women."
"Really?" I responded, raising an eyebrow. "That couldn't have worked out well with Nami. And no wonder you don't like Robin."
"I've seen enough friends turned traitors to be careful." The swordsman glared at me. "Nami and Robin, they're nakama, they've earned my trust."
"Even if you don't like giving it?" I tried provoking more conversation but Zolo merely grunted.
I suppose I should feel honored. I think that's the most in depth conversation I've heard out of him since I came aboard the ship. Shifting slightly, I let out a soft hiss as the material of my jacket chafed on my bitten arm. Gingerly removing myself from the jacket, I saw the bandages I had sloppily applied before had fallen off. Probably a combination of the water and trying to wrap bandages with one hand. Damn it all. I picked up fresh bandages when they were snatched from my hand. Zolo simply deadpanned at me.
"Well come here." He said, nodding to the spot in front of him.
I sat down in front of him. He made me unbend my arm, and began bandaging it. He was quite good at it too, probably from all the injuries he had acquired over his years of bounty hunting and such. I had to hold in gasps every once in a while, but I couldn't keep myself from wincing. Finally, he was done, allowing me to take my arm back. I admired the handiwork.
"Wow. Thanks." I said genuinely.
He 'hmm'ed as I looked around the cave. It was too small for one of those wolf things to get in, and if something smaller came in, we'd probably know it before it got far.
"We should get some sleep. As lovely a vacation as this has been, I really would love to get back to the ship." I said, grinning.
"Sounds good." He said, leaning back against the wall, getting comfortable.
Suddenly, I felt the wind whisper in my ear. Tuning myself to the air, I heard it's message.
They know. They are happy, and await your return. Be well, daughter Alondra.
Smiling at the message, I guess Zolo didn't know I had better hearing at this moment, because he picked this moment to say softly.
"You should smile more often…"
Before I could speak, the swordsman was already snoring softly, taking my advice for once about getting some sleep. Shaking my head, I touched the white katana next to me.
Wado Ichimonji, the straight road of peace.
Feeling the spirit stir inside the sword, I smiled as I yawned. Half asleep already, I spoke before I completely drifted off.
"Watch over us… Kuina."