Silmeria - Thanks for being patient everyone. Enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer - I claim no rights to One Piece or Sentinel.
Chapter Ten - The Sea's Betrayal - Part One
Usopp's cheeks were flushed, and his heart was racing against his chest, but as his booted feet reached the first step of Kaya's mansion, he let out a sharp breath as his senses evened themselves out and his sight returned to its usual sharpness. He leaned against the column to catch his breath before entering and meeting Merry's displeased face. He opened his mouth when Merry interrupted him, his tone cold as ice and his eyes dull with boredom.
"What do you want, filth?" Merry inquired, sniffing at the sight of Usopp's sweating and flushed form. "I don't have time to-"
"Pirates!" Usopp burst out, finally regaining his breath, leaning on his knees as sweat dripped down his nose and on to the once pristine floor. "Pirates are coming from the cliffs-"
"Oh dear." Merry cut in swiftly, grabbing Usopp's arm, stopping momentarily when Usopp tensed against his hand, but Merry pressed on, his smile tight against the Sentinel's rebellion. "I do apologize, but I'm afraid that Lady Kaya has no time for your trivialities nor your vicious lies about pirates invading." Merry looked vaguely regretful before continuing. "Besides, she's becoming ill as of late, all of this rabble she keeps as company-"
"Listen!" Usopp pleaded, pushing back the anger at being called rabble and the lie about Kaya being sick. Honestly, did Merry think he was that stupid? "Pirates are coming from the cliff! I've already warned the townspeople-"
"And did they believe you?" Merry questioned, a smirk on his lips and his eyes full of amusement. "Because I doubted if they did at all. After all, you always have those troublesome children going around and screaming that there's pirates about. So, do you honestly think that people are going to really believe you?" Merry smirked and it was quickly followed by a restless sigh as he reached for Usopp's arm only to have it slapped away. "What are you-?"
"You listen to me." Usopp began, his eyes narrowing and darkening to the point where Merry took a fearful step back, sweat sliding down his face and into the collar of his pristine shirt. "I can take you insulting me about my lineage and my parents and I can take the fact that you think I don't deserve to be around Kaya, but this is my home and the fact that you're standing here berating me as if I'm some idiot and wasting time speaks volume about your honor and how you feel about Kaya. She's in danger, Merry and if you don't go up those stairs and put her in a safe place then I'll throw you out the window and do it my damn self!"
Merry's cheeks were an enraged red as Usopp let out each insult and he opened his mouth to retort and return the insults with just as much venom when the whole floor shook and both men were thrown to their feet with a sharp cry escaping their throats. Usopp was up to his feet when the floor shook again forcing him to grab the banister to stop himself from falling to the floor again. He looked down before holding out a hand to Merry who took with a wary but shaky stare. He kept his grip on Merry's hand and stared down in the man's frightened eyes.
"Gecko Islands don't have earthquakes nor do they have eruptions." Usopp stated quietly, gripping Merry's hand tightly. "You and I both know who and what that noise is and I think it's time for us to stop arguing and check on Kaya, right?"
"R-right." Merry muttered, snatching his hand away and racing up the stairs with Usopp close behind. Kaya's room was open and the woman was already stepping out, her pale face white with tension. "Lady Kaya." Merry greeted, his smile tight and worried. "Are you alright?"
"Quite." Kaya murmured, noticing how anxious Merry looked and how harried Usopp was with sweat dripping down his face and his eyes scanning the hallway as if something was going to jump out at any moment. "What's happening? I heard a loud shaking noise a moment ago."
"It's nothing-"
"Pirates are attacking your island, Lady Kaya." Usopp explained, ignoring Merry fierce glare. He returned the look in Merry's direction. 'There's no need to hide it from her, Merry. She's going to realize it sooner or later and don't you think she would take offense to how delicately you're treating her? She's the Alpha Guide of this village, this island, and she needs to know the happenings and going of it." Usopp looked up and met Kaya's eyes and was met with admiration and mild relief. "We need to get you to some safe place before they get any closer to the village."
Kaya nodded, her expression flickering with worry. "You've always jested about pirates and I've always taken that with a grain of salt, but the fact that they're actual pirates attack us is frightening." she looked up, glancing around with a tight frown. "Where are Zoro and Luffy? Are they okay? What about the villagers?"
"Zoro and Luffy are holding the pirates back as best they can and I told the villagers to get to safety. Although, I have no idea if they took my advice or not-Kaya? Where are you going?"
Kaya gathered her skirts and moved towards the stairs, her gait purposeful and her eyes determined as she shot Merry and Usopp a look of anger. "I'm checking on my people." she responded. "I'll not let pirates hurt them. Come or don't, the decision is yours."
Merry and Usopp shared an exasperated look before running after Kaya with the thought of protecting her on both of their minds. Never did they imagine they would be at the heels of their Alpha Guide, but then again, the world was full of surprises.
For the first time since leaving Dawn Island, Luffy felt a margin of fear as he stared down the crew of the Black Cat Pirates with Khaladore at the head. The man stared at him through his glasses with a dreadful smirk and Luffy tightened his grip on his Quarterstaff and clenched his jaw while Zoro took a step closer in his direction with his sword drawn and his gaze never leaving the men in front of them. If this situation were any less dangerous then Luffy would have shook his head at the irony of it.
Who knew that Usopp's tales of pirates would come true?
"You were in the long con weren't you, Khaladore?" Zoro spoke up, his grip tight on the hilt of his blade, his teeth set in a snarl. "Pretending that you cared for Kaya and Merry and the entire Syrup Village. You're nothing but a damned dog after a bone."
Khaladore said nothing, merely tilting his head to the side as if the scene and the opponents before him were mere curiosities and it set Luffy's teeth on edge. Bastard. Khaladore smirked down at Luffy, licking his lips and a shiver of disgust raced down the Guide's spine at the thought of it.
"I've always wondered what it would feel like to fuck a Guide." Khaladore murmured, causing Zoro to draw a sharp breath and curse whilst taking a step closer to Luffy. "Is it just like fucking a normal man? Or do you have a special little organ or kink that you use to increase the pleasure?" Khaladore licked his lips at the thought and Luffy felt bile rise in his throat. "Once I get past your little guard dog, I'll be happy to sate my curiosity."
"You're not sating anything." Luffy took a step forward, keeping a close eye on the crew members. "Why did you do this? Why attack this island?"
"For the beri, of course." Khaladore snorted as if the answer was obvious. "Do you honestly think that I stayed because I cared about Kaya? Or, that idiot Merry? Do you honestly think that enjoyed three years of servitude." Khaladore swung his arms wide, a crazed look coming to his beady eyes. "You think that, Captain Kuro of the Black Cat Pirates, is privy to servitude! That I enjoy licking the boots of some pathetic, sickly girl who can't even think for herself, let alone run a small island like this?" Kuro snorted, waving the thought aside as if it meant nothing. "However, such hard work and dedication can lead to even greater rewards." Kuro nudged his head forward and one of the crew members brought suitcase over, flicking it open with a turn of the wrists to reveal a set of gloves with blades.
"First, I'll kill the both of you." Kuro began sweetly, slipping on the gloves and testing them before grabbing the crew member and slitting his throat, much to Luffy and Zoro's shock. "Then I'll get rid of that mutt, Usopp, and that sheep, Merry and then...then I'll get rid of Kaya." Kuro stepped forward, the blades on the gloves covered with the blood of his former comrade. "Who knows what I'll do first? Didn't I say I wanted to know what it was like to fuck a Guide? I guess I can take care of that little fantasy twice before I burn the island, or, maybe I'll use it as a base, first-"
"Shut up." Luffy snarled, gripping his Quarterstaff and taking another menacing step forward and Zoro had to take a step to the left to get out of the range of emotions Luffy was displaying. It was hard to believe that this small man was an Omega Guide instead of an Alpha. If that's the case, then where in the hell was this power coming from?
"Shut up you depraved monster." Luffy continued. "How dare you kill your comrade and then talk as if Kaya, Merry, and Usopp and the villagers mean nothing! They're living, breathing, people and you're talking as if you're putting down a dog!."
"They are dogs, you fool." Kuro commented idly, turning to his last crew mate who was still looking at his comrade on the ground with a look of horror. "Useless thing, go towards the manor and secure it. I'm sure you can take care of three measly villagers, especially if one thinks he's a damned pirate instead of a bastard of one."
"Usopp is more of a pirate than you are, asshat." Zoro commented nonchalantly. "Honestly, who likes easy treasure? Who picks on children and elderly and a sickly girl to get what he wants? Where's the fun in that? Did you not like a challenge? Must not because this is a pretty sorry thing to do even for an asshat like you to do."
"You best be quiet, hunter." Kuro stated coldly, pushing his glasses up with his palm. "Or I'll give you something to scream about."
"You can try." Zoro muttered, jaw clenching as he watched the crew member scurry off and he nodded towards Luffy who returned the gesture and went off to find the man and leaving Zoro and Kuro to themselves.
"Quite a mistake allowing the Guide to run off like that. What if my crew mate rapes him? Bonds with him?"
Zoro narrowed his eyes at the thought, but he knew that Luffy could take care of himself. Always had and always would. He was a damn good Guide in Zoro's eyes and more than earned his respect. He didn't have to worry.
Not anymore.
"I won't let that happen." Zoro pointed the blade in Kuro's direction, grunting when the man smirked. "You, on the other hand? You're about to die."