A thanks to Anime Is Forever for your review! I am glad you like how I write and the way I have Kizaru acting. I do try ^_^

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I do not own One Piece - That is property of Eiichiro Oda

Chapter 4 – Past: Secrets

"Morality is simply the attitude towards people whom we personally dislike" – Oscar Wilde

"Where does she go I wonder…? Sakazuki, you have any idea?"

The bulky man scowled at his friend as he raised an eyebrow. "Anytime we don't know where she is, what gives you the idea that I might know? Just because I don't pick a fight with her doesn't mean I'm privy to her personal life." He made a shooing motion as he was polishing a sword he had picked up for their most recent lessons. "As long as she's alive, I don't care what she does on the weekend. If you do, just ask her out and be done with it."

"And be done with it? No wonder you're so popular with the ladies, Sakazuki," Borsalino teased as he received a rather murderous look from his friend. Unfortunately for him, many of the women found his gruff personality oddly endearing and many of them, particularly from Elyse's group, had made their interest well known in finding out if the grumpy marine had a soft spot for a certain lady. "Eh, don't give me that. Aren't you at least a little curious?"

"No. We tried to follow her like what, a month ago, and look what happened. We looked like assholes that can't respect her privacy." He then crossed his arms just as his friend was about to laugh. "I know I'm an asshole but I'd like to at least have some respect for what she does on her free time."

"Never knew you cared what others thought of you, Sakazuki." Borsalino dodged a half hearted punch before laughing. "It just is seems on the weekends, she vanishes for a bit then shows up happy and relaxed on the weekend. I wonder why."

"She never is truly happy. Just less angry," Sakazuki said quietly. "I know that feeling well."

Borsalino heard the tone in his friend's voice and hummed softly, letting his friend have some quiet while he walked around. He had tried to nose around and find out any details he could about Serenity but it seemed all her former comrades had nothing to say. Without realizing it, he had walked back into the academy and heard a raised voice. "That attitude will hold you back. How can you live with such a blasé and uncaring outlook on life?"

"How can I know what a caring attitude is?" a female voice coolly shot back and Borsalino almost froze when he realized that it was Serenity talking back against one of their senseis. "I don't care about getting used as long as my goals are achieved."

"Goals? What do you want, girl? To be an admiral one day?" Borsalino wanted so badly to listen but he was scared to be caught. However the topic was too intriguing to leave in the middle of.

"Don't care about my rank, Tsuru-sensei. I could be a lowly marine so long as a pirate died at the end of the day." The cold tone was very unsettling. "Why are we even having this talk? Garp-sensei already scouted me for here unless you're going to have me written up for something I haven't done yet."

Written up? Borsalino thought with worry before he peeked in and noticed Tsuru's eyes seemingly go towards him. Shit. She noticed me but has Serenity?

"You know damn well you haven't done anything…yet. But I ask this. Can you put your petty hatred aside when you are needed as a marine?" Tsuru shot back to the recruit.

"Petty? I didn't realize that being made an orphan and having my life ruined by pirates made me utterly loathing any pirates made me a petty person. I thought I was rather justified but I promise you this sensei. If I ever get a rank, the world will not have to worry about a pirate escaping me. I personally ensure this." Quickly there was a shift in the room as Serenity walked out of the room, her brow creased angrily and she noticed Borsalino there and motioned with her head. "Spar now."

"Usually I prefer my dates to start with dinner and dancing," Borsalino started but he barely avoided getting kicked in the ribs. "Okay, okay, sparring."

"Thank you," Serenity murmured as she flowed into the rhythm they had started whenever they sparred during training.

"It seems like you need it. Sensei didn't seem happy and you weren't exactly serene either."

"Very funny," she scowled as she punched him just to have her wrist caught and he tugged her towards him. "I yield," she muttered as he got behind her with that advantage and twisted her arm. "Anything you want so you let me work off some frustration?"

"There are other ways to do that," he attempted to waggle his eyebrows but this only caused the female marine to flush slightly before nudging him in the side with her elbow.

"Pervert," she said in an accusing voice but the lanky man did catch her body language and smirked even more. It had been one of the things that they were drilled on was to observe the subtle and not so subtle reactions. While in lessons or training, the female marine kept herself composed relatively well but it seemed anytime Borsalino was alone with her…

"Let's spend some time together," he suggested before realizing how awkward it sounded.

"It sounds like you're asking me out," she said skeptically. "And no thank you. I have plans all weekend."

"All weekend?" Not knowing this much about his teammate and comrade started to bug jovial man. "Squeeze in a little time for me?"

"World doesn't revolve around you," Serenity said dismissively before closing her eyes. "I'll see you Monday," she said as she turned away from him to head towards her room.

-A Week Later-

"Devil fruits were acquired?" Serenity hummed with interest as she looked over the newspaper. The main article was highlighting a ship belonging to Kaido, a rather infamous pirate, being full of cursed fruits. The marines were able to secure the cargo and was making a rather big fuss about it. What better way apparently to celebrate than to motivate with a tournament seemed to be their solution. "You two probably are going to try to qualify, right?"

"Be stupid not to," Sakazuki muttered as he wrote on the paper which fruit he would try for. "The amount of power is crazy. And look at some of these fruits. Having any of those would ensure that you're noticed."

"Some of them look a bit silly though," Borsalino admitted before tossing his paper to the side. "But I'll get one anyway." He noticed Serenity stare down at the paper intently but with disappointment. "You, Sere-chan?"

Sakazuki noted the lack of protest on the nickname and smirked when he saw her unintentionally soften her voice to speak to his friend. "They don't interest me. At least the ones found. Maybe the right fruit will find me. Not really opposed to eating one though. Nor do the stories of how bitter they taste thrill me either."

"Just can't believe that the military brass is planning a ball to celebrate busting a pirate crew out their cache of devil fruit. I suppose it is an occasion but a ball?" Sakazuki scowled with distaste at the frivolous social event. "There have to be better ways to celebrate.

"It's as much political as military power represented by the fruits, remember?" Serenity clarified. "I'm not so much worried about that. We do have our first excursion on a boat soon and that's my first priority."

"Ah yes. The great Sere-chan isn't one for the feminine thrills of dresses, dances, or ribbons," Borsalino teased but did not realize how her eyes narrowed as she balled up the paper and threw at it him before storming off. "What the hell did I do?" he whined to Sakazuki who only shook his head.

"Open your mouth." He finally put down his paper and looked at his friend. "It's obvious she's uncomfortable with it. There are recruits asking her out that have never spoken to her. You should have heard her reaction yesterday."

"Is that what prompted the, 'they act like I just grew a pair of breasts yesterday' talk when the ball was announced?" Borsalino asked. "I was wondering what caused that exceedingly awkward to listen to rant."

"That'd be it. Anyway, it seems this tournament will likely involve the two of us. Think you're ready?"

"Hell yes. You know I can't pass up any opportunity to whoop your ass."

Sakazuki raised a thin brow at the statement. "I'm stronger."

"I'm faster."

"I'm more strategic."

"I'm more moral."

The fuck do morals have to do with a one vs. one fight? Both of them got into a staring contest until Sakazuki sighed, causing his friend to cheer with victory. "If Serenity competes, that throws us for a loop."

"Doesn't look like she cares though. She's more concerned about the upcoming practical than the tournament or the ball."

Sakazuki grabbed the paper that had been bunched up and unraveled it before humming in curiosity. "What does she have against the Kaido pirates?" He pointed to a single dark line in the article referring to the devil fruit cache.

"Sounds like Kaito," Borsalino remembered from when Serenity's former friend had blurted out the name in a rage.

"Who the fuck is Kaito and why would this have anything to do with the infamous Kaido?"

"That's what I want to know," Borsalino scowled. "She won't open up about anything. At all. I'd offered to share information and she says she's willing to listen but she doesn't want to give." He then had a thoughtful look. "She can't be on her monthlies… she's like this too damn often and…"

"Too much information," Sakazuki growled. "Just either fucking ask her or shut up."

-A Week Later-

"Saw you two signed up for the devil fruit tournament," Serenity mused as she looked at the latest posting. "It's a good opportunity for lower ranking marines to get their try but there are a couple captains trying here. Think you two still got a shot?"

Sakazuki crossed his arms in annoyance that she would dare doubt his skill while Borsalino puffed out his chest and laughed. "Look who you're talking to, Sere-chan. Do you really have no confidence in us?"

"Don't have to. You have enough for the both of you and a whole armada to spare," Serenity shot back with a smirk. "You two better do well. I'd be embarrassed otherwise."

"You'll try when there's a fruit you want?" Sakazuki asked just to receive a shrug. "Thought you'd be more interested in the fruits just due to their nature and how rare they are."

"Looking at the overall picture here, we'll be spending a ton of time near water. Maybe it won't be for the best unless I find a fruit that I really like. After all, someone has to save the two of you from drowning in your ego or sea water right?"

Sakazuki raised his eyebrow in slight annoyance before his friend voiced something that they both wanted. "You'll at least watch us right?"

Serenity frowned and crossed her arms. "Why wouldn't I watch the two of you?" Sakazuki looked relieved while Borsalino grinned happily. "We are comrades, aren't we?"

"See! I know you'd end up caring after all," Borsalino slung his arm around the female, causing her to huff but both men saw the slight pink tint on her cheeks that only happened when the lanky man invaded her personal space. "Maybe if I win, you'd give me a prize?"

"I have no devil fruits," she replied but the waggling eyebrows pointed towards a different victory Borsalino had in mind.

"Then answer a question for me," Borsalino demanded, causing Serenity to become cautious.

What could be so important? "What question?" she inquired, now completely on guard as she noticed even Sakazuki become tense.

"Kaito… that name sounds an awful lot like Kaido doesn't it? Is there a connection?"

"You asked two questions so I'll answer the first. Yes the names sound alike," she responded coldly, any warmth evaporating. "I have plans for the weekend. Train well you two."

"Plans again? I thought you were free," Borsalino protested but Serenity instead used a skill that they had started to learn: Soru. With that, she was gone and that caused the lanky man to sigh. "She's not going to the graveyard so what the hell happens on her weekends?"

"You had a perfect chance to weasel a question out of her and you wasted it with a rhetorical question," Sakazuki shook his head. "She's better at strategy and logic than you are but every person has their weakness. Even her."

-A Week Later-

Serenity made a notation in the book resting in her lap with a smirk before glancing towards the other recruits with a borderline cruel smirk. "Never thought I'd make a profit at the tournament and all without lifting a finger."

"Gambling?" she heard a strict voice sound behind her followed by the bleat of a goat.

"Proceeds to the Sabaody orphanage sir," Serenity reported before showing the admiral the endorsed letter from the fleet admiral himself. The letter caused the afroed marine to frown slightly but he had no choice to allow it, especially with the fleet admiral's signature showing approval.

"Are you betting solely on your comrades? A bit unfair since out of the recruits, you three are the top marine recruits," Sengoku pointed out with a stroke to his chin but Serenity then held up her book for the mythical zoan to read. The amount of detail in it and the bets listed caused his eyes to bulge slightly.

"There are other things to bet on rather than just wins or losses," the female recruit pointed out glumly.

How many strikes? Kicks or punches as the primary means to attack? Time taken? Sengoku adjusted his glasses before realizing how observant and dangerously tactical this recruit was. Garp, what did you bring to the marines? "Your book," he offered Serenity's notes back to her and she nodded her thanks but noticed he hesitated when she touched his hand slightly during the action.

"You dislike me," she said astutely. The calm and certain tone almost made Sengoku flinch. "It's alright, sensei. I'm used to it."

"I don't dislike you but your behavior worries me." Serenity let almost an undignified snort leave her before he continued. "You demonstrate great ability and the interest to do great things for the community but your methods are brutal and will take a toll on your sanity."

Serenity gave a harsh bark of laughter which was timed just as Sakazuki had disabled an opponent with a couple of jabs to the ribs. "Didn't realize I had that left, sensei. Thank you for your keen observations."

"Tell me then. How many young women or men for that instance have their first bounty be their first love?" Serenity flushed darkly in anger and displeasure as she had seen Borsalino approach her before freezing up at hearing those words.

Did I just hear that correctly? Borsalino noticed Serenity turn away from Sengoku rudely but considering the words, he was not sure whether to be concerned at their content or his comrade's behavior. "Sere-chan?"

"Go back to the tournament," she rebuked but she did not push him away when he approached her nor did she say anything about the subtle nod Sengoku gave the lanky recruit before stepping away. "It'd be a shame if you were disqualified for not being in attendance."

"That's why I was looking for you. Sakazuki and I are facing each other in the finals. We both want you there. It's only right," Borsalino muttered. "Please?"

"I'm not in a good frame of mind right now, Borsalino-kun. Please. Let me be. Please," Serenity said with her voice gradually going softer and softer as if it was being squeezed with a vice. "I need to leave before I…"

"It's about what sensei said, isn't it?" She stayed quiet at the words, neither confirming nor denying. "It doesn't matter to me and you know Sakazuki won't care."

"It only proves how depraved we are then. Borsalino-kun, you have no idea what you're saying. Please. While ignorance is bliss, don't toss that away so quickly without regard of what you'll find out."

"You talk too much," he muttered before touching her cheek gently with his hand, startling her out of the depressed stupor she had tossed herself within. "Now, I expect to collect a victory kiss but it's only worth it if you're there cheering me on."

"I'd rather cheer on Sakazuki right now. He won't get a big head out of this," Serenity retorted with a half smile as she felt Borsalino trace her lips with his fingertips, as if in deep thought. "Although I might give a victory kiss is one of you wins."

"And I'll be collecting. Let's go. My fight is about to start," the thin man crowed happily…

Until the fight ended up in a tie.

-A Week Later-

"They really are delaying on giving you your fruit, Sakazuki-kun?" Serenity murmured with a frown. "That's bullshit to be honest."

The bulky man's jaw was set in displeasure as he shrugged his shoulders. "Used to it. I'll get it eventually if I have to wade through a river of blood."

"Am I navigating on this trek then?" Serenity chuckled but this only caused their comrade to shake his head at the two.

"You two scare me sometimes," Borsalino whined. "And it was shaping up to be a good, uneventful day. I mean look where we are about to set onto! Our first trek really away from headquarters for a spell and you two have to be morbid as all hell."

"It was a joke," both of them muttered at the same time before Serenity started to laugh and Sakazuki chuckled darkly, only making Borsalino sweatdrop.

"Come on. The captain won't be patient like our sensei, right?" Borsalino muttered in an attempt to compose himself from his friends' odd behavior. I swear the two of them do this to me on purpose. "Especially since you creamed him in the tournament, Sakazuki."

"Maybe if he spent more time actually going through his katas properly, he would have known the forms of the techniques he was using," the bulky man sniffed despite the vicious grin he now wore. "It won't be a complete waste of time. I can think of this as practice for my devil fruit."

"I still am keeping my promise, Sakazuki," Borsalino assured his friend with a smile that actually made the grin Sakazuki wore become a bit warm. Even Serenity could not help the peace she felt at the simple words.

After all, it was not every day that a friend held off on eating the devil fruit he won fair and square just because of their friend being delayed due to questionable morals. "At this rate though, I'll have a fruit too," Serenity commented lightly before giving a reassuring squeeze to Sakazuki's shoulder.

"Then we could eat it together?" Borsalino suggested before Sakazuki snorted.

"I'm not that patient. Once I get mine, all bets are off," the grumpy recruit informed his friends but he received chuckles in response. "Here comes the captain now."

"Get to work, you three. Just because Admiral Zephyr believes in your potential doesn't mean you can slack off," the marine captain scolded with a sneer before turning away.

Serenity shook her head before glancing at her comrades… no, her friends. "That means back into the kitchen for me. That sexist pig didn't even ask if I could cook before shoving me there."

"But you do cook decently well," Borsalino told her, causing the retreating female to half heartedly flip him the bird before descending into the kitchen. "We're growing on her, Sakazuki, I can tell."

"Yes. She can actually tolerate your presence but I wonder how you cause her to blush lately. And it's only you. Haven't you noticed?"

Borsalino blinked before grinning widely. "Really?" Before he could preen due to the news, he tensed slightly. "Sakazuki, tell me you feel that?"

He gave a terse nod before gesturing to the sea ahead of them. "I didn't want to say anything earlier. I had assumed that's why the captain was up here but it's obvious he doesn't know about it." He motioned towards the marine captain yelling at some of the other recruits. "Look. Instead of tearing down his crew, he should be preparing them and rousing them towards battle."

"We'll be better marines than him, Sakazuki." The bulky marine gave a tense nod as he headed towards the crow's nest while Borsalino sighed and stared down the pirate ship that he knew was there. "I hate just standing here, waiting for shit to happen."

"I agree." Turning around, he saw Serenity looked a bit more annoyed than she had been moments ago. "I told them down below deck to prepare for a fight. Gut feeling, that it is. Sakazuki felt it too?"

"Of course. He does have pretty powerful instincts. Like a damn animal sometimes I swear," Borsalino chuckled before motioning towards the crow's nest where his best friend was now gripping the edges and staring towards where they knew the hostiles to be. "The captain isn't going to be happy we're skipping out on duties."

"Marines aren't just to sail a ship. We repel and destroy pirates," Serenity retorted with fury so swiftly that Borsalino even raised an eyebrow at how vehement her response was. "If he pulled the ship's mast out of his ass, he'd realize we're potentially in danger."

"Potentially? A pirate crew putting the three of us on edge, an inept captain and other green recruits are here. This is more than potential danger." Borsalino shivered at the fact he felt almost worried about the situation. "As fun as this could be, it's not safe."

"Fun has nothing to do with the situation. With our captain's utter ignorance, we're on a collision course. Anyone paying half a brain's worth of attention in our navigation course could tell that. I will tell you one thing, Borsalino-kun. None of those pirates will walk out of an encounter with our ship alive."

"Serenity-chan…" Borsalino began slowly but she stiffened. "I don't like pirates either but this… You need to talk about this or it'll consume you whole."

"And what is this, you're speaking of?" She angrily went back down below deck before casting him an angry look. "My family is dead because of pirates. My hopes dashed because of pirates. I will stop at nothing, Borsalino-kun. Nothing." She was intercepted however by the captain who whispered a few words into her ears. She quickly nodded and a cruel smirk graced her face. "It seems I shall see action before you two."

Watching her eagerly walk towards where the ship's weapons were held, Borsalino scowled at the captain. "Why would you tell her to lead a team towards those pirates? We shouldn't even engage them at our skill level!" His eyes were narrow as he observed the shifty behavior of his superior officer. "Why are you sending them to their deaths on a simple scouting expedition?"

"So we can get away," the captain muttered simply, causing Borsalino to do something truly impulsive: literally jab his captain in the stomach. "I'll have you written up for insubordination," the man hissed but Borsalino did not care.

"One of my friends might die. Fuck being insubordinate. You played on the fact that she hates pirates just to push her to go, aren't you?"

"So what if I did? We get to live and that cold bastard who couldn't even pull his punches loses a friend too. Sounds like a win to me," he sneered before he motioned towards the little ship heading towards the pirate ship. "And it's too late unless you can walk on water."

Shit! Part of him drifted towards the devil fruit he was given, sitting innocently in his jacket's pockets but he frowned. There's no way to know if it would even help me get her and those fools back. And if I miss and fall in the water, I'm fucked. "When the others find out…"

"And who will they believe? Me or the cocky bastard who'd rather flirt with the female recruits?"

"I haven't flirted with anyone lately," Borsalino growled before storming off to find Sakazuki. He did not have to go far as the bulky man jumped down from the mast to land onto the deck.

"I heard what he said. Now, what do we do about it?" Sakazuki motioned towards the captain quickly. "The rest of the small ships are too secure for us to use quickly and it would be disgraceful to go against a superior office."

"It's a good thing I don't care about my reputation," Borsalino smirked as he noticed his friend nod approvingly. "And a good thing for you as well." He paused as he glanced at the small ship and his eyes widened. "Fuck. The pirate ship fired on it."

-Meanwhile-

"Holy hell, I'm dying," Elyse shrieked as she flailed in the water.

"Compose yourself," Serenity muttered darkly as she floated in the water next to her flailing fellow recruit. The other recruits kept their cool and floated alongside the females. "Now our boat is sunk and our captain obviously has no intentions of retrieving us."

"What?" Elyse shouted again, causing the rest of the sunken recruits to regard her with annoyance. "But I slept with him and everything right before the mission!"

"How do you deal with her, Serenity-san?" one of the recruits named Taka asked as he looked down at the panicking female with disdain.

"By not being around her," Serenity responded as she nodded towards the kind but annoyed male. "Now, let's figure out what we can do. We can either float in this dangerous sea and wait to die of exhaustion or a creature eating us or we can attempt to board that pirate vessel."

"Why the fuck would we board the ship that fired on us?" one of the other recruits argued before lowering his voice slightly as if in apology. "No offense made but really…"

"We take over their ship," Serenity said simply. The matter of fact way she responded made even Elyse stop squirming. "Kill those pirates, get our shitty captain written up for abandoning fellow marines and go home."

"Don't want to rain on your parade, Ty-chan, but the pirates are about to…" she fell silent as a strong, Seastone net fell over both of them. "Yup, we're captured." She then cast a glare towards Serenity. "You could have acted, you know."

"They saved us the trouble of getting onto the ship," she replied dismissively. "Now we have about two minutes before we are fully on the ship and thankfully, none of us are fruit users. Anyone have a plan or are we going to do what I had in mind?"

"All ears," Taka grinned and everyone nodded, Elyse last of course but she still nodded.

-Meanwhile-

"They fucking got fired on and caught and you still won't budge?" Sakazuki roared at the captain, spittle flying from his mouth. "That's it. I'm getting the Den Den Mushi."

"You're an orphan with no connections that the senseis barely tolerate," the captain said stubbornly until he noticed Borsalino holding up the ship's snail.

"But I have connections, all of our senseis love me, and I'm someone that definitely will be missed if I mysteriously vanish. For goodness sakes, grow a pair and allow us to rescue our comrades," Borsalino sneered as he watched the captain sigh in defeat.

"I suppose we have no…"

What no one anticipated was the pirate ship's cannon going off with not a traditional cannonball but one filled with shrapnel exploding onto the marine ship. Every other recruit had given the captain a thankfully wide berth and this ended up saving their lives as the explosive ball shattered right next to where he was. Sakazuki and Borsalino jumped back thankfully in time as the captain took the brunt of the hit and just stood there for a moment, the shards of charred metal piercing his skin before he fell over, dead from shock rather than his own injuries. "Disgusting," Sakazuki sighed before glancing at the pirate ship. "Let's go save our comrades before we lose anyone else. From the way the ship looks, if we attempt to flee, they will be able to fire on us still and catch up nonetheless so we have no choice but to fight."

"Let's go everyone. Kick some pirate ass and rescue our friends," Borsalino attempted to rouse the other marine recruits and thankfully between the two of them, the ship was completely calm with raging but controlled fury as it was steered towards the pirating vessel.

-Meanwhile-

"Fools," the pirate captain muttered as he watched the marine vessel approach them after the warning shot. "Why would you approach a pirate ship, head on?"

"Why would they flee from a faster ship that also has cannons?" Serenity fired back with a sneer. She looked at ease despite being tied to the ship's mast in a rather provocative manner, the ropes highlighting her feminine features. They don't look happy on the net but I'd rather the pirates take out their frustrations on a person who can handle it rather than cave in under pressure. "So why fire on a marine vessel after all? We don't have anything of use."

"Indeed, a mouthy female like yourself has almost no use," the captain smirked as he stood in front of Serenity, causing her lip to curl in distaste. He was rather husky but not in a muscular manner and his stomach hung but not due to muscle tone but rather from an excess of drinking and caught on his beard were a few particles of the meat he was eating. "But I suppose I can make do with you. The other one in the net isn't my time. You see, I prefer to break my women in and she doesn't look any fun at all. Without any fight in them, it's like taking a cold fish to bed."

"I pity the fish," Serenity replied coldly as she tensed her muscles slightly to get a feel of the rope before she cursed mentally. Shit, the ropes seem to have slight Seastone woven in. Even if I'm not a fruit user, it still makes it much stronger than regular rope. "And I think I'd rather die than lay with a pirate."

"I don't know sweetheart," the man chuckled as he stroked her face, causing Serenity's eyes to narrow dangerously but he merely laughed more and caressed her more. He chose to ignore Elyse's gagging sounds in the background. "It's hard to deny the charms of a pirate."

"I didn't quite find it to my taste," Serenity fired back as she lifted up her nose. This triggered gasps from many of the marine recruits but surprisingly Elyse sighed in light of the news. "I have the stench of death around me enough apparently. Don't need another damn pirate adding to it."

"I was right… you do have a certain darkness about you. It's a bit alluring on a marine I must admit," the pirate chuckled. "Do you want to know the name of your new master?"

"No thanks," Serenity responded almost cheerfully. "I would rather have the flesh shorn off my bone than ever allow you to be any master of mine.

"Bitch," the pirate hissed and he attempted to backhand the bound marine but she bit hit hand just as it was about to strike her face. "Filthy whore!" he proclaimed as he finally pulled back his hand.

"Sleeping with only one man that I never charged wouldn't make me a whore," Serenity mocked as she spat something towards the pirate. After it touched his face did he realize it was a bit of the skin she had bit off his hand.

"Let those marines come," the pirate captain intoned darkly. "So they can see what happens when a pirate is truly in his element." He then grabbed Serenity's chin and made her look at him. "I'll break you into pieces right in front of them and you won't be able to do a damn thing to stop me."