Chapter three
Terrified. Arson Ruri was absolutely terrified.
Ruri was eight when she found out who was funding the orphanage. With that knowledge she had to get as far away from that accursed place as possible. Normal children will think nothing of the name. Unfortunately for the matron she knows exactly what kind of monster that man is.
All her plans had to be thrown out of the window.
It is a good thing that she is one paranoid woman (little girl). Or else she wouldn't have known what to do.
His visit is right around the corner. There is no time for hesitation. Or she will be under that man's dumb for the rest of her life. And she has no desire in throwing her future away so carelessly. She shudders just thinking about it.
Once was enough. She would rather die again, than live chained down.
She does pity the children. No one deserves whatever he has in mind for them.
Truly a waste.
(Ruri had been suicidal in her past life for reasons that she did not like to reminisce about. Yet somehow it this world, where she doesn't have a family supporting her. Nor does she have a healthy environment to grow up in. She is more alive than she ever has been. How backwards. She had to die before she could appreciate living.)
"Ruri, come on don't think about it." She told herself harshly while changing in some boy clothes she had stolen from another orphan. "First get away." Afterwards she can feel as guilty as she wants. As long as she is out of his reach. She tries not to think about what he would want with children. But she can easily imagine several scenarios from what she knows about him. Lastly she put on a grey scarf and cowboy hat to obscure her face. She nodded at herself. She looks as unassuming as she can make herself.
Damn those good looks of her.
It's not paranoia when people are out to get you. That's why she even refuses to think that man's name. Knowing her luck. She will speak of the devil and he will appear. Better not to take any chances at all. No matter how crazy it seems. She doesn't care how irrational those thought are. After what happened with that damned devil fruit she will take no chances.
When Ruri got to the dock she made sure to hide away in one of the barrels on the merchant ship leaving port. It was a few hours before dawn. Then she will be home free. Ruri feels nervous thinking about it. She really, really didn't want to have anything to do with one of the most dangerous characters in the manga. He is like all of her worst nightmares thrown into one package. No. Now that she knows the truth about that place she has to get as far away from it as possible. She no longer cares about what is happening in that place. It certainly can't be anything good.
Ruri has a one track mind in this case. She waited impatiently for the merchant ship to leave Bezoom town. She would be happy to see the last of that place. It didn't take long for her to fall asleep. She had been so anxious, that she has been stressing herself out following her normal routine. So not to make anyone suspicious. Not something she could afford to do when trying to make a clean get away. Her body needs rest. She has been driving herself to the brink of exhaustion.
The only two books she ended taking with her is the encyclopedia on devil fruits. Far too useful to leave behind. And a logbook of an old pirate named Maverick D Damian. A change of clothes. 14.000 beri, a bottle of water and a dagger. Not much to speak of in the grand stage of things. In the end it is all she needs. When she is on another island she will be able to plot away safely. Her final destination will be the East Blue.
Some would say that all the time and energy she has taken in becoming stronger is counterproductive. Since she is planning on living in the weakest of the seas.
Then again, most people are fools with no education to speak of. They don't realize that for as long as the World Nobles are in control, there is no save place. And that is how they want it.
Then we have the bandits, pirates and corrupt marines. You only have to look at how Nami's life went to see that it isn't a good idea to be defenseless even in the weakest of the seas.
Without realizing it she had fallen asleep. Dreaming of a life once lived.
"Pallas, what's wrong. Have you been crying honey."
"Mommy, will you forget about me when the baby is born." The six year old child asked her mother with tears starting to gather in her grey eyes once more.
"Oh darling." Her mother dried her tears with her hands. Dragging her daughter into her lap. Putting their joined hands on her slightly bulging stomach.
"How could i ever forget my little star." She pouted at her adorable daughter. She should have knows that her daughter as an only child would have some trouble with the situation. Once upon a time she too didn't want anything to do with her unborn sibling. Taking away her parents attention.
"Shall I tell you a secret."
The girl looked at her mother before nodding curious.
"This unborn child will never replace you. You will always be my daughter. But in six months you will also be a big sister. And that is a very hard job."
"Why?"
"Well your little sibling will annoy you at times. And will cry a lot. Nor will he be able to do much when he is a baby. So it will be our job to protect him. Till he is big and strong just like you. Even then as the older ones it will be our job to protect him."
"Ehh, why should I. It sounds awful." Pallas whined "That's not much of a secret."
"You will only be able to understand when you hold him. I used to be just like you, my little star." The mother told her daughter patiently.
"Until I held your aunt Phoebe in my arms, that is."
Startled awake Ruri opened her eyes. Dammit, someone found her.
"Well, well, well. It seems we have a stowaway." The rather strange looking man told her smiling mockingly at her. What is it with people in this world and their ridiculous hairstyles. Why would anyone want to wear an Afro Ruri thought blankly looking at the ridiculous blond abomination on the sailors head. She can't even bring herself to take this situation seriously.
"The Captain will decide what to do with you, boy."
Never mind she has more important thing to think about than Afro's. Like being dragged out of the barrel. She made sure to keep a hold on her bag. What with the guy seemingly intent on carrying her to his Captain. Not even letting her walk. How rude.
There is really no point in fighting him. She still has an ace in the hole if the meeting goes sour. For now she will cooperate.
The man knocked on the door.
"Come on in." Said a female voice.
"Captain, I found a stowaway among the cargo." Showing the woman the tin child he was carrying. Surprisingly enough the boy didn't even try to get away from him. Smart boy.
"Shesheshe. A little twig managed to get on the ship without anyone's notice?" The woman ended up banning her hand on her desk laughing uproariously.
Ruri almost felt insulted. Little twig, really. It's not her fault the bastards hardly fed her.
Then the woman got serious. "It seems every one of you still need more training, big hairy."
Big hairy started sputtering while his Captain ignored him.
What kind of woman calls people with such ridiculous nicknames. Of all things the woman could have chosen she came up with little twig. Well excuse her for being malnourished. At least she wasn't named big hairy of all things. She almost found the situation almost funny.
"Tell me little twig. Why are you on my ship?" The middle aged woman asked her. It was disconcerting having those black eyes focused on her.
Somehow Ruri doesn't think it would be a good idea to lie. Not With those eyes seemingly being able to lay her soul bare.
"I.." What is this feeling Ruri thought while sweat ran down her back.
"I had to get away from Bezoom town. And i am not going back." Ruri spat out.
She has the sinking feeling that she knows what ability the woman had just used on her. Suddenly it was like she could breath again. "I would rather die."
"You are serious about that aren't you." The black haired woman said absentmindedly tapping her fingers on her desk.
She suddenly smirked at big hairy standing next to the curious little boy. She loves mysteries.
Ruri had completely forgotten about him.
"Big hairy, Meet our new cabin boy. Little twig, this is big hairy. He will show you around. Now get out. I still have to finish my paperwork before fairy will let me eat my pudding."
Ruri would be a fool to try something. Knowing that she is on a moving ship with no way of out. Becoming their cabin boy is an blessing in disguise. That way she would be able to put her theoretical knowledge into practice. Still she can't help but feel suspicious. Is this really the same woman who made her feel so insignificant just moments ago.
Her new guide just signed seemingly resigned to the whims of his captain.
"To be fair i will warn you. Our captain is a bit erratic in her mood swings."
No kidding Ruri thought snidely.
"Yeah. Just agree with whatever she has planned. There is no talking sense into Sin D Sonya." Another sailor told them when they walked past him.
"Oh, and don't ever touch her pudding." Big hairy told her. "Don't tell me, i never warned you."
"Also don't ever call me big hairy my name is Marty, just Marty." But Ruri already had tuned him out.
A, to honest to god D Ruri thought paling at that piece of information. Please, for the love of God, Allah, Buddha, Odin. Please, don't let her be anything like Luffy. She begged silently in her head to any Divine being that may be out there.
She should have known that there would be a catch somewhere. But for the captain to be a D of all things. Aren't they supposed to be a rare species. Why is her luck so extreme. Just like the situation with her devil fruit.
She had eaten one that let's her move things with her mind. She is ashamed to say that she pulled a Buggy the clown. Trying to hide the fruit in her mouth when she heard the matron coming into the kitchen. Ruri got punished for it because the old woman taught that she was stealing food. If she had known that it was actually a devil fruit. She would have been whipped mercilessly. Or worse sold off.
"Hey, are you all right?" Ah, she had ignored him too long.
No, she is not alright she thought while outwardly she calmly answered big hairy putting on a false front.
"Nothing is wrong." Expect for being on a ship with a D of all things. If that's not bad enough she is the Captain.
"Everything is just peachy." Hear the sarcasm there.