finally! after years of struggles and hesitations i have returned with a clean slate (old account from my high school days thoroughly obliterated) and different tastes from when i first started a bajillion years ago. let's just hope my writing has gotten better.
anyway welcome to Clouds Over the Moon:Storm Over Blossoms a ZoroxOC slow burn story. rated M for reasons. One Piece belongs to Eiichiro Oda. thanks for reading.
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Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom.
-Lao Tzu
A Howl of Beginning
"Ladies and gentlemen! I am sad to announce this is the final act of the night! We have saved the best for last!"
Silence quickly fell over the audience which was soon replaced by gasps as all but one lantern was snuffed out. The light shined down in the center of the ring where a young woman in a cage seemed to appear from thin air. Her cinnamon hair was short and unkempt as if the wind tried to style it. Bright blue markings on her grimy olive skin encircled her body like a serpent. A scar starting on the left side of her face next to her nose slashed through her lips and paused under her chin. It continued just above her collarbone and through the valley of her breasts. The dirty rags she wore did little to cover her lithe frame. Chains rattled as she tugged against them and she was snarling like a wild beast. Animalistic eyes darted between the enlivened faces of the audience.
"This young woman suffers from a terrible curse," the ringmaster spoke as soon as he entered the spotlight. "On a night, much like tonight, when the moon is full and at its highest peak, the bounds break and release a horrid form of a flesh-craving creature!"
Excited whispers flooded inside the tent. A cruel smile spread across the man's face. These people were going to have the scare of their lives. He whacked the side of the cage with his cane when the woman was being too aggressive toward him. He then nodded to his underlings hiding in the shadows.
"Now my dear audience, allow me to show you the beast!"
The top of the tent was swiftly opened, revealing a full moon blazing silver. It went quiet again and all eyes were on the woman in the center. She was staring up at the sky, teal eyes widening at the sight. She suddenly screamed a blood-curdling screech that echoed through the night. Her body fell to the floor, limbs twisting and jerking. The audience watched in horror and morbid curiosity.
Then her body began to shift. She grew larger, and taller as white and pale grey fur replaced skin. A muzzle full of pointed teeth gnashed. Clawed hands lashed out. The beast tugged at the chains until they snapped, sending bits of shrapnel flying. Once the creature replaced the woman, a howl rang out. It was an eerily singsong tone.
"This is the beast from Hell! A servant to the Dev-"
The ringleader was suddenly interrupted by the sharp sound of the cage bars breaking. The beast had broken free. It lunged toward the audience, stopping mere centimeters away, and snapped at them. Panic filled the tent and people started to scramble, screaming prayers to not become food for the monster. A few helpers tried to lure the creature away but failed as they were sent flying from a powerful backhand. It roared toward the fleeing mob, its muscles flexing under the smokey fur dyed silvery under the bright argent moon.
"E-Everyone please stop! Panic will only make it worse!"
The beast turned at the ringmaster's shouting and faced him, drool dripping from its hungry maw. It got on all fours, slowly stalking toward him with its predatory yellow eyes dead-focused on him and ears pinned back. He raised his hands and carefully inched away. People who had previously been running away stopped to watch what would happen next. The creature's growls were guttural as it closed in on the ringmaster.
A sudden soft noise caused the beast to lunge, mouth wide open with its teeth ready to tear flesh from bone. The ringleader let out an order and a shot rang out. The beast stopped as a large dart protruded from its neck. Its body clumsily slumped to the dirt floor, still trying to attack the man before it yet succumbed to whatever toxins had entered its system. Silence once again filled the tent.
"Fear not! The nectar of the wolfsbane flower is the greatest weakness of the beast! You are all safe now!"
It was slow at first but the cheers and applause soon overtook the silence. The ringleader reveled in the sound, bowing a few times. His helpers had tied up the creature and were dragging the thing away as he continued to bask in the limelight. He was carefully studying the members of the audience, placing mental markers for who he would kidnap.
See, the ringleader was working as a human trafficker under the guise of running a circus. He had been doing this for nearly two decades, traveling over the seas and meticulously picking his targets. He also had his men with sticky hands steal from the more wealthy members of his audience.
All sorts of people watched his little act. Pirates, nobles, bounty hunters. Even the occasional Marine. All ignorant of his acts. His gaze stopped on a group in the upper seats that hadn't left yet. A group of seven. He was sure to add them to the list. The World Government would be more than happy to have a crew of pirates in their prisons, even if they're greenhorns.
"Sir."
The ringleader paused from his enjoyment of the cheers and looked over his shoulder. "Everything ready?"
"Soon to be, sir."
"Excellent. We leave in two hours."
His underling nodded and vanished into the shadows. A few others began to direct people to leave and the rest made preparations to eventually tear down the main tent. The ringleader hurried away to his caravan wagon. He locked himself inside, satisfied that his servants had already prepared for travel. Two ships were waiting in the harbor. One of which would smuggle his victims to a predetermined island via Eternal Pose to sell. His main ship would leave shortly after to a new island.
Humans were so gullible and since many hardly ever leave the safety of their homes, he could sell his lies. He could bring a large snake from a tropical island and say it was a baby dragon. People would believe it. He could capture a red and orange bird, saying it was a phoenix. People would believe it. He could say a woman with a curse that caused her to turn into a horrific beast was in his midst. People believed him.
He wasted no time removing his flashy clothing, changing into darker tones then shoved the discarded outfit into one of his chests. He turned his attention to his small desk. Upon it were scattered papers of wanted posters, newspaper clippings, a couple of revolvers, and his little black book. He sat on the stool and flipped through the pages until he reached his latest entry. In it was a list of names, mainly rich people that had joined him tonight. He quickly added another to the page.
Straw Hat Pirates
That group he would hand over to the Marines with a clean ship, claiming to be bounty hunters. He's done that before and had gotten away with it several times. As for the rest...well that won't be his problem anymore. They're just a way for him to make money. He could care less how horrible their new lives would be.
He closed his little black book, tied it up, and placed it inside a hidden pocket in his trench coat. He checked to make sure his guns were loaded then hurried outside, locking the wagon. People were bustling about, unaware of what was to come. He always waited until dark during the final night when the crowds wanted to see the attractions one last time and take food for their trek home. He plastered a fake smile on his face when he passed people. They were nothing more than beri signs to him.
"There's the man of the hour!"
The ringleader came to a halt when a portly man addressed him. He was wearing fine clothing and had several bodyguards around him. The ringleader recognized him as one of the noblemen of this island. And one of his targets.
"My Lord! I hope everything was to your liking."
"Of course of course! I heard your traveling circus was quite the spectacle and dare I say it was far better than what others were telling."
"Your words are too kind, My Lord."
"Oh! I have something for you." The portly man gestured to one of his guards to come over and he presented a small box. The guard opened it revealing an Eternal Pose. "I would like for you and your fellow entertainers to return in the future. If it's not too much trouble."
He gratefully took the little box, his smile a little more real. "Of course, My Lord. I'd be more than happy to return."
The nobleman let out a jovial laugh before saying his farewells. The poor man was oblivious to the sinister intentions of the ringleader. It happened quite often, receiving Eternal Poses from lords who were entertained by his little show. He was always careful to take only what he needed. As long as the cargo was in good condition, he got his pay.
His attention turned to his right when someone from his peripheral emerged from the shadows. It was one of the newer workers that joined a few months ago, the same time his prized final act came to him. The underling bowed his head.
"Your ship is stocked and fully ready to depart. Several of the workers are keeping a close eye on the targets and are awaiting your order. The crowds are starting to thin."
"Have the sleeping drugs be placed in the food?"
"Yes, sir. The cage is prepared in the main tent."
The ringleader nodded slowly and turned away. "Make sure you have seaprism cuffs ready."
"Understood."
Nothing else was said as the man left to follow his orders. A sickening grin spread across the ringleader's face. This was such an easy job for him. Maybe after this, he'll go to one of those lawless islands and surround himself with women and alcohol. Take some time off with the lump of beri he'll soon receive. Hell, maybe he'll retire this time. A menacing chuckle left his throat. Perhaps not. He enjoys this too much.
With his hands clasped behind his back, the ringleader sauntered through the waning crowd again for his final walkthrough. Ignorance sure was bliss. He absentmindedly nodded to those who greeted him. Pretended he cared for the opinions of the little crotch goblins that swarmed him in awe. He paused for a moment when something interesting caught his eye.
Among the receding sea of people, he saw a young man wearing a straw hat and a young orange-haired lady following him. The boy was gazing at the stalls with hungry eyes and the sellers were adamant he give in to his desires for food. How easy it would be. The ringmaster could lure the two away with promises of VIP service and have one of his men sedate them.
Yet he decided to wait. He was going to wait until he would have the entire crew in his palm. Some of the members might be a bit more difficult to capture like the swordsman and the black-haired woman, but he assured himself it was going to be worth it. A little extra beri in his pocket and gratitude from the Marines. He watched the two young pirates a little longer before turning around. His precious "cursed woman" should be awakening. Her hunting skills are going to be needed again. Especially with this big haul.
Oh, what a wonderful time for human trafficking!
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She waited.
With her eyes closed and her ears slowly swiveling, she listened carefully to her surroundings. There were sounds of the other members dismantling the wood and canvas structures. Chatter from the townspeople was distant. Her nose twitched at the familiar scent of her small tent. She carefully opened an eye, taking a glance around. She sat up once she was in the clear, pulled the stupid dart from her neck, and tossed it aside. Then she reverted to her normal naked human form.
First things first, she needed a shower. Some food too. She hadn't eaten or showered for a few days as per order from the ringleader. To give her a more ragged and believable appearance of someone tormented by a grisly curse. That's what her "Boss" always told her. She stood up and stretched her arms high above her head.
"Time to get to work then."
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