I don't own One Piece

Katsu's POV
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I sat on the grassy cliff. A sketchbook sat beside me, my pencil beside it. The wind blew around me, sending my red hair flying around me in ribbons.

Stretching, I let my body lay back on the grass. My eyes closed in relaxation. Today was a busy day, with a new group of pirates arriving at the dock. Mamoru was probably pissed I wasn't at the bar, but he should be used to it by now.

"Meat! Meat! Meat!" I heard a rather loud pirate chant. It brought a small smile to my face, that reminded me of Kimiko.

"Luffy! Wait!" A woman yelled out in anger and annoyance. That must have been one of his crew members.

I enjoyed the breeze that flew by. Days like this were perfect for me to just sit here and sketch. A throat cleared, making me snap open my eyes.

Looking up I saw the black hair and eyepatch. I grinned sheepishly at Mamoru. He gave me one of his famous one eye glare. I'm just lucky one eye was covered with an eyepatch, otherwise I bet that glare would be even more terrifying.

"Ah, hello." I smiled.

His arms were crossed over his chest. "Katsu, I really need your help at the bar. I had to have Yumi watch it to get you. We both know how dangerous it is to leave her in charge of the bar.-"

"Sorry!" I interrupted, quickly standing up while gathering my sketch book and pencil. "I had to sketch something though!"

Turning away from him, I glanced back and grinned poking out my tongue. "Meet you at the bar, old man!" I jumped down the cliff, where I landed lightly in my feet.

Pirates jumped back, my landing apparently scaring them. As soon as my feet met the ground, I took off running towards the bar. I didn't notice the pirate crew that I ran past, nor did I see that straw hat.

"Katsu!" Mamoru yelled in annoyance, prompting a loud laugh from me.

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The chatter of the drunken pirates filled my ears. Grabbing four drinks with each arm I ran by tables serving them.

"Meat!" A pirate shouted, sitting at the bar.

I smiled and turned to look at him. However, my body froze as I looked at him.

A sharp pain filled my mind as my sight wavered in front of me. My sight was changed to a red haired man. At first his eyes appeared shadowed. But when he formed a grin, I could see his friendly eyes. On top of his head he wore the same strawhat.

As soon as the image had come up, it was gone. I blinked, was that a memory? I leaned closer to the boy who was wearing the strawhat. I reached out to touch it, as if in a daze.

"Oi! Don't touch my hat!" He shouted, making me jump.

"A-ah, s-sorry!" I stammered. "It's just... Where did you get that hat?"

His frown quickly turned into a grin. "Oh! I got this from shanks!"

"Shanks..." I muttered, testing the word on my lips.

"Katsu! Get back to work!" Mamoru growled.

Snapping out of the weird daze, I puffed out my cheek at Mamoru. Jumping over the bar I looked at straw hat and smiled. "Okay, what would you like?"

"Meat!" He answered, rather loudly, grinning at me.

I nodded, "Sure thing!"

Turning I placed the order in Mamoru's hand, making sure to slap his hand hard. "You better get started on cooking." I smirked when his eye narrowed on me.

Knowing better than to suggest I cook, he grumbled out a complaint and went into the kitchen. That left me in charge of the drinks and the drunken pirates. "Oi! Lady, bring over some more sake!"

Turning back around, I placed my gaze on the drunken pirates. They were already way past the limit we normally set on our customers, which was quite high as our costumes were pirates who typically drank a lot. Seeing the sight of slight swaying, I knew it was about time to cut them off. "Are you sure? You've already drunk quite a bit, and your bill is pretty high."

Before he could say anything else, he face planted the table. His crew mates were too lost in their drunken mind to pay much attention. I shrugged, as long as they payed the bill it wouldn't matter. Taking out a rag I started cleaning the counter, which was sticky from the alcohol.

"Katsu!" I looked up, hearing the familiar voice. Yumi stood at the bar entrance, out of breath.

"What's up?" I asked, knowing she was in charge of informing Mamoru of any danger.

"There's a fight! Jiro's been shot too!" She stammered, not used to one of our own being injured during a fight.

I blinked, jumping over the bar. Glancing at strawhat, who was currently staring at me, I said, "Mamoru will bring you your meat." Turning to Yumi I ordered, "Which way?"

"That-" She started to point, then shook her head. "I'll just lead you there!" She corrected herself, remembering I was a little bit directional challenged.

Yumi was one of the younger ex-pirates here. Granted of course, I was the youngest that actually lived here. She was in her young thirties, and actually started to live here when she was in her late twenties. When she moved here she was actually pregnant, and it was decided from the father and her that she should settle down. However, she had a 2 million beli reward for her capture, so settling down in a small town was not possible. She decided to stay here, since it was as safe as a pirate, who wanted to settle down, could get. However, on her way here, her husband, who she has yet to actually reveal, was captured in a marine attack. Later that week he was executed.

Along with that marine attack, she had been injured. Upon arriving here it was discovered that she had miscarried. The reasoning behind the miscarry was obvious, it was her injury that had happened. Though she could have continued on her career as a pirate, at that time she was too overcome with grief. In a matter of a month and a half she had lost her husband, and their child.

Perhaps that's why she was protective of me. She doted on me like, I would imagine, a mother would. She got on Mamoru for being too harsh on me. She showed me how to fight with daggers, her weapon of choice. She voiced her dislike for me taking part in Mamoru's job in protecting the island. She even voiced a small complaint in me becoming a pirate, but soon changed her mind as Mamoru reminded her of her freedom. Yumi treated me like I was her child. She was like the mother I didn't remember.

The shouting from the distance grew louder as we got closer. Yumi shoved people away as we neared the fight, one of her daggers firmly in her hand. A loud voice stood aside from the others.

"We'll be taking over this island now!" He shouted.

I grabbed onto Yumi's shoulder to stop her. Giving her a small smile I ran ahead, ignoring her shout. Making it easily to the front I glared at the man.

His black hair was thinning, and he wasn't the best built. He did have a little beer belly, but I didn't let that fool me. He wore a red shirt and black pants, which were decorated with rips in the knees. Like most, he stood taller than me, though I believe for a man he was on the short side.

On the ground beside the man was Jiro. He had been shot in the chest and now laid on the ground bleeding. I don't believe the injury was where his heart was.

"Jiro." I muttered, staring at the doctor who had cared for me since I've been here. He was the only doctor I had really warmed up to, with the exception from Taro's crew doctor. I clenched my fist, noticing the pirate's crew was standing beside him. I bet Jiro had been overwhelmed with too many people, he didn't go down easily. Pulling my throwing knives I broke from the crowd.

The man smirked, "What's this?"

"You bastard." I growled.

He raised an eyebrow. "What? You want to fight or something? I'm taking over this island, and I can't have any rebels trying to fight me."

With irregular breathing, Jiro tried to sit up. "K-Katsu... Don't fight."

"Jiro." I muttered, taking a step towards him. A sword was placed in my way, the tip of the blade inches away from my eye. Narrowing my eyes I looked at the man, who I assumed to be the captain.

"Out of my way." I ordered.

"He's staying right where he is." He smirked, his crew let out snickers from behind him.

Without another though, I brought up my knife to his sword. My other hand drew the sword that stayed at my waist, I quickly then brought up my sword to stand beside his blade. As soon as my sword replaced my knife, two of his crew mates placed their weapons at me. One with a sword, and the other with a pistol.

I bit the inside of my cheek. It was one thing to take down one man, but it seems like I might have to take on three at one time. It may depend on his bounty.

"What's your bounty?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

"Two hundred million." He smirked.

My grip tightened. I've dealt with a hundred million, but this man was a hundred million out of range for me. Mamoru normally dealt with the higher bounty pirates. I can't even tell if he's bluffing or not, Mamoru knows all the pirates that come here. He typically studies the wanted posters, something about wanting to keep tabs on his old crew mates. I looked back at the crowd, it mostly consisted of people who lived here. Sure everyone here knew how to fight, but it was decided Mamoru and I would protect this island.

"Two hundred, huh?" I muttered, putting more strength behind my blade as if challenging him. "I've fought higher." I bluffed.

Pushing his off my sword I kicked him in the chest. He staggered back a few steps. He glared at me for a moment before smirking and raising his hand to his two crew mates. "You've got fire in you. How about you join my crew?"

I scoffed, "Please. I've got standards on what pirate crew I'll join. And it's not going to be a loser one like yours."

This angered him as he slashed at me. I quickly brought my blade up to block his. A loud clash echoed through the street, causing an uproar in the crowd.

"Katsu!" Yumi shouted, trying to make it to the very front. Her red eyes were wide with worry as she saw me engaging in the fight.

"Yumi!" I shouted, "Get everyone out of here!"

She didn't listen, instead she tried to point at something. "Katsu!" She shrilled.

I looked back at the man I was fighting to see the other two pirates running at me. Though the one that had a pistol had changed his pistol for brass knuckles. My eyes widened as they neared me and brought down their weapons.

However, two figures appeared. One with two swords blocked the swordsman, his green hair blew in the breeze that was summoned. He showed no effort in blocking the man's attack. On the other side there stood a man, who balanced on one leg while blocking the pirate's attack with his leg. A cigarette was lit in the blonde pirate's mouth.

The crowd hushed down at the sight of these two pirates. I didn't hear Yumi's whimper, then her ordering everyone to leave. I guess she was still going to listen to my order.

"I'll take you on." The green haired swords man grinned.

"Don't ever lay your hands on a lady." The blondie growled.

"Ah, thanks, whoever you are!" I smiled before looking back at the captain. "As for you. You hurt Jiro, so I'm gonna have to kick your ass. This island is under my protection, and I won't let a smug pirate like you take it!"

Pushing him away I pulled three knives and threw them at him. With the change of direction of the wind, they were sure to hit him. He wouldn't be able to dodge it.

His eyes widened as my blades hit him in three different spots. His shoulder, and both of this thighs. Blood dripped to the ground.

"I-I dodged those! How did they hit me?!" He shouted, falling down as his legs were unable to support him with the wound.

I smirked, pushing my hair out of my face. "Let's just say I never miss a target." While he was distracted,I ran at him. Before he could blink, I swiped my sword across his chest and was behind him. As soon as I returned my sword to my side, he shouted out in pain and fell to the ground.

Turning around I placed my foot on his back. Reaching to my belt, I pulled out some rope that I had connected to it. Quickly, I tied his hands behind his back. After making sure it was secure I looked at Jiro. He was now passed out, laying in a pool of his own blood.

I bit my lip then looked at the two behind me. To my surprise, they had both finished their fight as well. However, they were now fighting each other. "Oi! Stop fighting!" I ordered, causing them to blink at me.

"I really don't want to bother you, but could you two help me with those three? I'll give you free food or whatever. I just can't leave them in the middle of the street." I sighed.

"Anything for a beautiful lady!" The blonde swooned, picking up two right away.

"Sake." The swordsman ordered, picking up the captain I had just beaten.

I nodded, "Sake then. Thank you." Then, after grabbing Jiro's weapons, I swung one of his arms over my shoulder before lifting him. "Please follow me."

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Kicking open the door to the bar I walked in. My whole side was covered in Jiro's blood, staining my white shirt. The few remaining here looked over towards me with worry.

"Mamoru!" I shouted, spotting the man behind the bar. "Jiro's-" I bit my lip, looking at the older man I carried.

"Shit!" Mamoru cursed, running over to me.

"Hey! Zoro! Sanji!" I looked up at Straw Hat, who was waving at the two who had helped me.

"Oh!" That reminded me, "Just dump those three over there, and help yourself to some sake."

Turning back to Jiro I applied more pressure to his wound. "Mamoru... We need to find a doctor." I muttered.

"We won't make it in time." He clenched his fist. "He's already lost so much blood." He looked over at me. "Katsu."

With clenched hist I stood up, not caring that Jiro's blood was all over me. "I'll make it. I'm not going to let Jiro die! Not after.. Not after everything he's done for me!" Turning, I bolted out of the bar, not caring for Mamoru's objections. I was going to find a doctor, one way or another.

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End of Chapter One!

This is not edited.