Chapter 12
Her head was complaining.
Ever since Alexis joined the Red Hair Pirates, she had been drinking a lot more than usual. She was making this a habit and an unhealthy one too but hey! She was a pirate now so she should enjoy herself.
While it lasts.
Reality hit her: she wasn't actually from this world.
Rolling in the Inn's bed, she gazed at the window where sun rays pierced through, blinding her. She would have to return eventually… even if she didn't want to. There would probably be something that would make her return to her world and she dreaded when that moment would arrive.
She was loving being in this world.
She was adoring living with the Red Hair Pirates.
She was falling deeper in love with Shanks and she definitely didn't want to leave him.
Ever.
After a few minutes of twist and turns in the bed, Alexis decided it was time to get up. She got dressed quickly and threw her long winter cloak over her shoulders before rushing down the Inn's stairs, towards the pub where a few of the Red Hair Pirates were already awake. They had tired expressions on their faces but smiles quickly appeared on their faces once they saw the red haired woman walking down the stairs.
She walked up to the pub's counter and ordered a light meal to begin her day: a mug of hot coffee and toasts covered with honey.
She quickly finished eating and got up from her seat. Just as she was about to leave her path was blocked by a figure that descended the stairs: it was Joshua.
-Good morning. – She sang out at Joshua, earning a tired groan from him. – Tell the captain that I'll be right back. I'm only heading to the clinic to thank the doctor that took care of me.
With that she left.
The cold breeze kissed her pale skin as she stepped outside of the pub. Without a second of hesitation, she headed to the clinic that was a few steps away from the pub. Maybe it was strategically placed there in case any drunken accident happened?
She opened the white wooden door and entered the clinic. There was no one at the entrance so she waited for a few seconds.
Still no one.
-Law? – She called and received a distance "come inside" from the only sick room in the clinic. She entered and her eyes set upon a hateful enemy: Midori was sitting on the medical bed. – What are you doing here? – Alexis' voice sounded deadly, much to Law's amusement.
-I could ask you the same thing. – A sudden cold wind rushed in the room, Midori's green hair twirling with the breeze.
-Women, please. – Law placed himself between the two ladies, stopping a clash that would probably take down the town's clinic. – Not here please. If you want to clash those bodies in a bloody fight, please seek to do it outside.
-Fine… - Alexis took a deep breath before looking at Law's grey eyes. – I just came here to thank you for tending to my wounds.
-Ah! I bet it's still not cured. – The woman commented, earning a deadly glare from Alexis. – My shards prevent a quick healing.
-I wouldn't be too sure about that, Midori. – Alexis spat the green haired woman's name before looking at Law and bowing. – Thank you Law-san.
With that she left the clinic as quickly as she could, with a male laughter in the background. She had managed to amuse Law at least.
How was a bandit welcome in this village!?
Then again, it was Law in the clinic so Alexis could expect anything from the Surgeon of Death. Maybe he would even dissect the woman after hearing of her abilities.
A sadistic grin found its way to her lips.
With that soothing idea in her mind, she found her way to the pub where nearly every Red Hair Pirate was now sitting on the large table they had occupied the previous night. They welcomed her with a loud cheer and mugs of ale risen in the air.
-Drinking at this time!? – She commented and earned, as a response, laughter from the men.
Roo walked up to the red haired woman and placed a large, meaty arm around her shoulders and pulled her to the table.
-You should be already accustomed to this Alexis. – Roo spoke before biting down into a large chunk of meat he was holding.
-Still you never cease to amaze me. – She smiled kindly at the pirates and joined them at the table that was filled with all various kinds of meat and alcoholic drinks.
As Alexis was eating, her mind kept trying to find out a way to work with her newfound ability but it was to no use. She needed to physically try it out and not think about it. As her mind continued the tiring process, she only noticed the red haired captain that appeared at the staircase until Yasopp cheerfully gave him a "good morning".
-Good morning men. – He smiled at his crew before heading towards a smiling Alexis. He planted a kiss on the top of her head before taking a seat next to her. He quickly began to fill his mouth with food and alcohol as an impressed Alexis stared at him. He noticed this and raised his head to her. – What? – His mouth was so full that his words came out in a muffled sound, making Alexis laugh cheerfully.
-Nothing captain. – She covered her mouth as she tried to contain her laughter.
Sadly, this enjoyable moment came to an end when the pub's bar was kicked open by a familiar green haired woman. The Red Hair Pirates' heads snapped in that direction and began to comment on the strange yet attractive woman that was standing at the door, searching for Alexis. Midori's green gaze finally set upon Alexis' deadly look and gave the red haired woman a challenging glare.
-You. Outside. Now. – Midori pointed to her back and Alexis slowly got up from her seat. With that, the green haired woman left, throwing her green locks over her shoulder.
Shanks took hold of Alexis' arm when she began to walk outside.
-Is that her? – He asked as an intensive gaze analyzed Alexis' gray eyes.
-Yes. – She answered, receiving a nod from her captain. As she quickly grabbed her weapons that were resting at the side of the table, her gaze set upon Benn who quickly got up and followed her outside, where Midori and Karasu were patiently waiting for the both of them. Alexis' grip on her scythe tightened as she placed herself a few feet away from the green haired woman, ready for any incoming attack. – Finally learned some manners?
-Always had them. – Midori commented, feeling high and mighty. – You, on the other hand, seem to be the savage here. – Slowly, the Red Hair Pirates exited the pub in order to see the action unfold before their eyes. She noticed the pirates and a look of ménage washed over Alexis' form. – They're here to help you out?
-Just to watch. – She answered back coldly. – I can take care of myself.
-Then what about that man next to you? – She pointed at Benn.
-What about that boy next to you? – It was Alexis answer as she pointed at Karasu.
-A little payback.
-Same here. – Benn answered quickly as he eyed the raven haired boy.
-Can't wait to see what you've got up your sleeve. – Karasu commented as he licked a row of white teeth.
-Only my rifle. – With that, Benn announced the beginning of the battle, firing a precise bullet to Karasu's head. He easily dodged it, according to Benn's plan. In an instant, Benn was behind Karasu and, with the handle of his rifle, he managed to hit the raven haired man's temple, sending him flying against the pub's wall.
Alexis casually leaned against a house wall, looking at the fight that was developing in front of her eyes.
She wasn't going to get in it since it was Benn's revenge but… Midori didn't think so. The green haired woman was a few steps behind Benn when she began to summon large shards of ice but, before she could launch them towards the elder man, Alexis was in front of the shards and, with a quick twirl of her scythe, repelled the attack.
-Let them fight fairly. – Alexis commented before quickly approaching Midori in a predatory stance. Her eyes were inches away from Midori's. – This is their fight, not yours. – Midori stepped back from Alexis but only to hit her back against the cold blade of the red haired woman's scythe that was being held right behind her. – You have another appointment with me. – Alexis pulled the woman towards herself with the scythe before slamming her head against Midori's.
The green haired woman stumbled to the floor, rubbing her forehead that was now bleeding. As she looked up, she noticed Alexis' head was bleeding as well, or maybe it was just her own blood.
-Bitch… - Midori mumbled under her breath.
-What was that? – Alexis placed a hand next to her hear in a mocking stance.
-I said bitch! – A smirk appeared on Midori's face and Alexis knew instantly what it was: Karasu was near her and ready to strike. Twirling on her heels, Alexis only managed to get a glimpse of black hair waving in front of her eyes.
Luckily, Karasu was sent flying away thanks to Benn's quick moves. He had managed to land a strong punch on the boy's face, sending him flying. As Karasu was in mid air, Benn raised his rifle in the air and shot him down, successfully.
-You okay kid? – Benn asked, looking at Alexis.
-Thanks Benn. – She smiled at him before returning her gaze to a still smirking Midori. – What's so funny.
-He isn't that easy to kill. – She mumbled and, as both Alexis and Benn looked at the supposedly dead corpse of Karasu, they saw his body twitching and twisting in angles that weren't natural. Seconds afterwards, the twitching figure got up as it let out an inhuman shout before rushing towards Benn. Karasu's "performance" had earned him a large hunchback, longer black hair and long claw-like fingers. Benn was stunned for a second since the creature didn't give him enough time to associate things. Karasu was just inches away from Benn so Alexis reached out her arm, raising her scythe in order to deflect his attack but to no use. Midori had managed to get up and pulled Alexis back, throwing her against the wall. Benn, on the other hand, blocked the attack and launched Karasu's body to the opposite side. Midori placed her high heel boot to the side of Alexis' head. – It's not your fight. – Midori mocked before kicking Alexis across the face. The red haired woman spat out blood and released a low growl.
-Alexis! – It was Shanks that shouted as he began to rush towards her but Benn raised his rifle, making him stop.
-It's our fight captain. – Benn informed, never leaving his sight from Karasu's corpse. – I want my honor restored and I bet Alexis does the same.
Shanks held his ground at these words and stepped away, a serious expression washing over his face.
Joshua wasn't this calm as an enraged wave washed over him. Without thinking he rushed towards Midori, sword in hand, trying to get a hit but his line of sight got block by Karasu that appeared in front of him. Before the raven haired boy could hit Joshua, Alexis's blood began to pump, her hair slowly being tainted white and, rushing towards Joshua, she blocked Karasu's claw with her own arm.
The sound that enacted was that equivalent of a sword fight: steel against steel.
-No one touches these guys! – She growled as a curved, red blade emerged from her arm. She launched it towards Karasu, earning a large slash wound on his chest.
The creature shouted once again and grew in size.
-What the… - Benn mumbled looking at the, suddenly taller, Karasu.
-We're invincible! – Midori commented, cockily. – You will never defeat us! – A sudden insane laughter ruptured out from deep within her throat.
In a split second, Alexis was soaring in front of Midori's eyes before planting an ironed punch on her face, easily breaking her jaw. The answer to this attack was quickly given by a large ice spear flying towards Alexis' chest. She dodged it by the cost of it stabbing and ripping out a part of her arm's flesh. The wound bled out a couple of seconds before being closed by an iron layer created by Alexis' body, preventing further bleeding. Rushing as quickly as she could, Alexis, generated another blade on her other arm and, just when she was a few inches away from Midori, Alexis crossed both her arms, stabbing Midori's chest from one side to another.
Except… it wasn't Midori she had stabbed but Karasu instead.
A large desperate shout was unleashed from Midori's throat as she took hold of Karasu's falling body.
-Karasu-dear… - She shook him lightly as frozen tears began to form in her eyes. – Wake up, please. – Anger clouded her mind as she looked up at Alexis. The, now, white haired woman was standing tall over the green haired one but, deep in her heart, she trembled in guilt.
She had taken a life in blind rage and she was not feeling too fond of that feeling.
Alexis took a deep breath, calming herself and making her hair turn to its familiar scarlet color. She turned her back to Midori and walked away, slightly nodding her head to Benn, giving him a silent order for them to leave.
Suddenly a rush of pain took over her body.
Karasu was alive.
And he had managed to stab those damned claws across Alexis' chest.
A/N:
Fighting scene... AGAIN :D
My god this one was longer! and it will take a bit more in the next chapter! I am already working on that one and (not sure) will post if today! I'm trying to make up for the sudden slow pace at writing new chapters.
Anyways, I do not own One Piece
I only own Joshua, Alexis, Midor and Karasu (Seppen Bandits)