Usopp's POV
He stared at her unmoving for a moment. She stared back at him, her blue eyes filled with sorrow. Now that her hood was out of the way, he could see that her eyes had cat-like slits in them instead of normal pupils.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"My name is Shiro," she said. "I'm sorry if you feel that you've been deceived. I don't mean you any harm."
"No, it's not that," Usopp shook his head. "I just can't believe that anyone could force someone into serving them."
"It's complicated," Shiro sighed, looking away. "I've been a slave for a long time."
Usopp was silent. No wonder she said that she couldn't buy a slave. She was one. She said she was a slave for a long time. He shuddered. How could she live her life like that?
"You should leave, before the Master gets angry at you," Shiro said, walking away. "I don't want you getting hurt. It was nice talking to you."
"Wait!" Usopp shouted. She stopped, but didn't turn to face him.
"Yes?"
"Come with us!" he suggested. He must be out of his mind, he had no idea how the others would react!
"I can't," she turned around, pointing at her neck. "This collar has a bomb in it. If I disobey my Master or try to leave, I will be killed."
"I know, but I've got friends who can help you! We're pirates! We can get you out of here!" Usopp begged her.
"A pirate?" she asked quietly.
"Yeah, the Straw Hats!" he said. There was no recognition in her eyes. "You haven't heard of us?"
She opened her mouth to respond, but was cut off by another voice.
"Leave? You are trying to steal my slave?" It was the man form earlier, the one that Shiro called the Master.
"Master!" she gasped. "I'm sorry! I shouldn't be speaking with him!"
"Quiet!" the Master roared, striking Shiro along the side of her face with the back of his hand.
"Hey!" Usopp shouted without thinking as the girl fell to the ground. "Don't hit her!"
The Master turned to Usopp, his eyes burning with rage. "You will be executed for this treason!"
"No!" Shiro gasped. "It's my fault I was talking to him, I gave him the idea!"
"Silence!" the Master shouted. He lifted his hand and three men rushed over. Before Usopp had a chance to react, they struck him on the back of the head, casting him into darkness.
Shiro's POV
Shiro shot down the streets yelling out. She had no idea who that man's friends were, but if they were a pirate crew, they should be together.
Straw Hats. she thought. Maybe one wears a straw hat.
She looked around desperately. She could hardly see anyone through the thick crowd. She wished she had her glasses with her, but when her Master hit her, they broke. She cursed her bad luck and her bad judgement. She shouldn't have told the man that she was a slave. He should be safe now, but she had gotten him in trouble. If he died, she would never forgive herself.
"Straw Hat!" she shouted. "Where are you?"
"Huh?" a boy looked towards her voice. He looked young, with shaggy black hair. She gasped in relief when she saw the hat on his head.
"Are you a pirate?" she asked.
"Yeah, why?" he asked.
"Is your friend a man with a long nose?" she prayed she wasn't wrong.
"Yep! Sounds like Usopp!" the boy smiled.
"He's in danger! The Master is going to execute him!" she explained.
"Who is?" a woman asked walking over. She was tall and elegant with beautiful blue eyes and black hair that fell to her shoulders.
"Usopp's ion trouble, Robin!" the boy told her. "We have to help him! Get the others!"
The woman named Robin nodded, and rushed off in the direction of the pier. Shiro looked at the boy in front of her nervously. Would he be angry with her? After all, it was her fault that his friend was in danger.
"What's your name?" she asked him
"I'm Luffy," he said. "Lead the way to where Usopp is!"
Shiro stiffened. She hadn't thought about what she would do once she found Usopp's captain. If she helped Luffy, she'd be killed, but if she didn't, she could never forgive herself.
"Okay," she said, steeling herself for what was to come. "I'll take you to him."
Thanks for reading! Reviews are greatly appreciated!
~FoxEmpress