Minawa: It's been sooo looong! I missed you!

Ray: Now you're creeping me out...

Minawa: Oh, hush. Go make out with your boyfriend or something...

Ray: ... -_-

I discarded the man nearing us, falling down next to Kai.

"Kai" I whispered and gently held his shoulder. He winced as I forced his into a sitting position.

"I'll be fine." He assured me before looking at the archer. I followed him and stared at him as well. I must admit I wasn't expecting him to have shot the arrow but then again, I wasn't surprised either.

Exiting the shadows we saw Crony step out, a big grin on his face. He had the same kind of intense and hateful eyes as last time I'd seen him; the night of my disappearance. He had how grown a fashionable beard and grown more muscles but he hadn't changed. I could see it in his eyes, without a doubt. All though he had been a member of Red Blade far longer than most I had never found him trustworthy. He had always been the one bringing trouble or opposing Kai and his better judgement.

I stood and placed myself in front of my friend and shielded him from any more potential threat coming from the man in front of us. At my right I noticed Zoro drawing his swords. I nodded at him, showing my appreciation.

"Well, well, well… what have we here? Two traitors for me to just reel in and be rewarded for." Crony said with a loud and condescending voice. I flinched and lifted my arms in a protective stance, ready to react if a second arrow would come our way. I knew for sure that Crony, despise being an asshole, was a truly skilful archer.

"Why, isn't is Crony? The pain of my childhood. I suggest you run away with your tail between your legs as quickly as you can before I rearrange your face." I said knowing it was very cliché to say. Still, I retrieved a surprised face from him. He quickly schooled his expression but if was noticeable he didn't expect me biting back. I had changed, after all.

"Little girl, didn't you learn your manners yet? Not to talk back at your elders?" He said, even more condescending. Kai rose behind me.

"Why would I pay my respect to you? You deserve it least." I said, disgust in my voice. He snorted.

"It doesn't matter, I just need to bring back your bodies and soon enough I'll be named leader of the Red Blade." He said, raising his small bow. I wanted to look at Zoro, to see if he'd understood what was going on but I couldn't leave Crony or the bow. If I flinched he would shoot and I wouldn't be able to stop it.

"Why leader, Crony?" Kai asked from behind me, taking a step forward. Crony grinned.

"I didn't see you there, Kai. Hiding behind your new girlfriend?" He laughed at us. I noticed Zoro flinch but ignored it.

"Answer Crony" Kai demanded in a steady voice. Crony's eyes grew dark.

"You have grown weaker every year, less of a leader. I know what the group needs and you can't get it for us. You have always placed her in front of everyone else and even when she betrayed us people followed you. Now, you are taking her side, becoming a traitor and a perfect scapegoat." Crony said. Kai snorted.

"You think you know? The Red Blade doesn't need more blood and darkness, Crony. You do and your lust for power will bring the group down. For your information" he placed his healthy arm over my shoulders "she was never on the other side, you only made it look like that was the case." He said. I looked at him surprised.

"You knew?" I asked in barely a whisper.

"I did, ever since the start but you fled before I could stop you." He said.

I felt tears push behind my eyes but looked back at Crony in fear he'd make a move if I didn't keep my eyes on him. The man who had ruined my life…

Back in the days...

I hate Kai. I hate Red Blade. Screw them!

I thought each thought as I threw a stone into the blue water. The hem of my dress was wet and my feet frozen in the spring cold water. I felt tears threaten me but swallowed hard, picking up a huge rock.

"Damn them!" I yelled as I threw the rock, getting a pleasant plump sound as it hit the surface. I instantly heard a giggle and light footsteps behind me. Turning I came to face a young girl of my own age in a bright yellow dress. She smiled at me.

"Are you not cold?" She asked. I stared at her with a dumb expression as my feet once again came into my focus. I looked down at them.

"Yes…" I said sheepishly. She giggled and reached me a hand.

"Come along, it's warmer in the sun." She said. I was surprised at her open trust and kindness. I didn't have friends, certainly not girls in my own age. I grabbed it and she pulled me towards the grass. I stepped up and only now realised what torture I had given my now reddish feet. She looked at me with pity.

"Does it hurt?" She asked. I shook my head.

"No, I have a trick up my sleeve…" I said and bent down. With a flick of my hand the cold water fell of my left foot. Another flick and both were dry and the girls eyes were huge. I rubbed my hands together and started up a modest heat on my two 13-year-old palms. I then placed them on my feet, warming them up.

The girl, to my surprise, sat down next to me and stared in amazement rather than horror. I "Aren't you afraid? I'm a freak you know." I said. She giggled.

"Isn't it amazing? That must be a Devil Fruit, I am rather jealous." She said. I eyed her now.

"You live around here?" I asked. She nodded.

"In a white mansion down at the beach. I live there with my father." She said in a overjoyed voice. My eyes grew dim at my own memories of a family. I stood.

"Bye." I said and walked off. She stood in surprise, following me as I hurried through the forest.

"Wait, let's be friends! You can talk with me, you're angry at someone right?" she said, making me suddenly halt. She nearly walked into me.

The pushy Kai had made me work on my powers for hours on end, not listening at my pleads for a break or my desires to spend time with me after work. He had given me a look, gripped his own chin and mouth with a weary face before walking off. It had hurt, real bad.

I glanced at the girl next to me. I sighed.

"What's your name?" I asked, extending my hand.

Jennie and I grew close very quickly during the following two weeks. She was the first girl of my own age who I could bond with based on just being alike and having the same troubles. The more Kai had drifted away from me the closer to Jennie I came. Sleepovers, tea in her backyard, dinner with he dad or shopping in the city was things we'd do together and have a blast. I truly enjoyed my time with her but soon enough reality fell down on me.

I entered the base like usual when I noticed more people than normal moving about and packing up things. I hurried over to Kai.

"Hey, Kai-Oni-san. I want to ask you something real quick." I said. He nodded as he directed people around.

"I've gotten a friend lately and I was wondering if she and I could sleep in one of the outer houses. We won't be even close to the base!" I said. He shook his head.

"Not tonight, we have a job." He said. I sighed.

"Really? But then I'll be alone anyways." I pouted, getting his attention. He grabbed my shoulders.

"You will have your first job tonight. We're taking out a meeting of several business men who's been messing around in the wrong parts of the market. Your job is to take care of his daughter." He said and led me off to my room.

My mind didn't connect the dots as I was filled with different emotions of excitement, fear and pressure of doing well. Kai was expecting my best and I had to live up to that.

I sent Jennie a message of apology before getting ready and by nightfall we headed out.

As we reached Jennie's house I froze on the spot. No. It couldn't be.

The group separated and I hurried off towards Jennie's balcony. I didn't have to explain myself since the team thought I was following orders and soon enough I knocked on her glass door. She opened the curtain in surprise, already dressed in her sleeping wear. She smiled and opened the door, letting me in. It took her a second to take in my outfit; black clothes and a vest filled with knives and other weapons. On my side hung Hime.

"What is this, Ray?" she asked in a weary voice. I grabbed her hands, showing my concern.

"I am so sorry but we have to go. Now." I said and tried to grab some of her stuff. In that moment noises and screams were heard from the floor under us. I cursed and dragged Jennie with me out on the balcony. We quickly dropped down from it, landing and sneaking through the bushes. Jennie cried silently as I held her hand and led her to the top of the island. My mind was froze, confused. I couldn't do it, I couldn't hurt my friend.

Jennie panted hard but I couldn't stop. I could already hear them on our trace.

As we reached the highest point; a cliff leading down to the water I noticed the man exiting from the bushes. Crony.

I stared at him, hiding Jennie behind me as he closed in with his bow lifted.

"Finish the job, Princess." He said, nodding at Jennie. I heard her wince behind me.

I lifted my arms in defence as the rain poured down hard now. The drops felt alive on my arms and power filled me.

"No!" I said. He looked angry but suddenly satisfaction was shown on his face. I was ready to speak up when he suddenly aimed at his own left shoulder and shot himself. I flinched and took a few steps towards him, concerned.

"What are you doing?..." I said but realized my mistake too late. An arrow flew past me, slightly scraping my chin. I turned in horror but Jennie was already falling down the cliff.

"JENNIE!" I screamed, reaching out for her in vain. Tears pushed as I turned to Crony furiously. He grinned as he threw over the bow at my feet.

"Wait for it…" he said. Moments later several other members came out from the bushes, led by Kai. He looked at Crony and his shoulder, at me and the bow and my teary face. His face showed confusion and distrust. No…

I cried harder now, wanting to tell him but in confusion I took a step backwards, slipping on wet soil. I grabbed the air, desperately trying to keep myself up as I fell towards a sure death.

Or, at least, that's what they thought. I had in a last try managed to make the waves catch me and even though I hurt myself on the rocks I didn't die.

I rested two hours in the water, growing cold. Still, it was the only way for me to stay undetected. I wasn't stupid; Kai had trained me well so my best card to play was to stay down.

Closer to morning hours I snuck back to base, staying in the shadows. I had to talk to Kai. That had been my intentions but I was in for something else. A meeting was occurring in the main hall and as voices grew clearer I found a nice hiding spot.

"She didn't follow orders, she helped the target and she shot my shoulder!" Crony yelled so that everyone in the room could hear. I clenched my fists in anger.

"She betrayed us! She will be given the traitors punishment! Death!" he called. The room was quiet but people was whispering. Kai looked angry.

"She will be brought back first." Kai said coldly. A shiver went down my spine.

"The search party didn't find anything and she hasn't been spotted on the island. She could be…gone, Kai." Neal, Kai's right hand said. I bit my lip. They thought I was dead.

Kai stood and walked out the room. The meeting was closed but I knew for sure. I was now a traitor walking a death row.

I quickly snuck into my room, took everything important without making it obvious I had been there. Suddenly I heard steps and barely made it outside the window in time. In through the door stepped Kai with a grim look on his face. I glanced in as he walked over to my bed and grabbed a shirt of mine. He held it to his face, covering it as he sunk to a quivering pile. I felt my whole body shake in frustration as I left before the sun rose.