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— what i create is chaos —

HER HEARTBEAT SO FAST IT THREATENED TO CRACK HER RIBS BUT SHE FOCUSSED ON HER STEPS AND FEET IN FRONT OF HER. Visenya followed Sanji and Luffy closely, glancing at Usopp beside her as they marched back to Baratie. Luffy threw the doors open, making a loud bang echo through the restaurant. He walked to the balcony and looked over the patrons below, "Which one of you is Arlong?"

"Who is asking?" A fishman asked. He had a brightly coloured shirt on, matched with tattered pants, a saw-like nose to go with the sickly grey fin poking from his back, and a terrified customer gripped under his palm.

"I'm Monkey D. Luffy," he called Luffy. The Fishman turned his head toward him as Luffy turned toward the stairs. "I hear you're looking for me."

"Why, yes, I am," Arlong snarled. He let the customer go and watched Luffy and the others slowly walk down the stairs. Arlong nearly laughed as he did, "So this is the pirate I've heard so much about?" Arlong walked around the table, his eyes never leaving Luffy. "You know, I was expecting someone. . . bigger."

Luffy smiled, "So was I."

Arlong's eyes narrowed at him and Visenya felt her panic spike.

"Do you know who I am, boy?" He questioned, his voice deep and threatening. "I'm Arlong the Saw. Even the Marines flee before my flag."

Luffy thought for a moment before he quickly shook his head. "Not ringing a bell," he said with a shrug, "How'd you find me anyway?"

Arlong chuckled softly, showing off his sharp, almost sharklike teeth. "An old friend helped me track you down," he said simply. He clicked his tongue twice at the fishmen at the table. Visenya saw them on the way in, but they seemed to be more focussed on the liquor and meals than anything else.

The blue fishman with big lips reached for the black bag and pulled out the head of Buggy the clown. Visenya's face soured as she watched the fishman set Buggy's head in the centre of the table. "Heya, Straw Hat. Did you miss me?!" He called out excitedly,

Luffy quickly glanced at Visenya and furrowed his eyebrows, "Burpy—?"

"—Buggy," Visenya corrected.

"What are you doing here?" Luffy questioned.

"Believe me, it wasn't my first choice either," Buggy scoffed. "But these fine fishy folk. . . persuaded me to point them in the right direction, which ain't easy when you don't have any hands." Buggy laughed comically and Visenya couldn't help the small, annoyed groan that escaped her.

"How'd you even know how to find me?"

"I told you. . ." Buggy said ominously. "I've got eyes and ears everywhere."

Out of the corner of her eye, Visenya saw Luffy's hat move and then an ear slipped out from under the red fabric. Visenya resisted the urge to gag as the ear flexed back into place and flew back to Buggy, snapping into place on the side of his head.

Buggy cackled as he wiggled his ear.

Luffy frantically scrambled to pull his hat off, checking it over for anything else.

"Stereo!" Buggy shouted out and Sanji couldn't help the uneasy glance he sent Usopp.

Luffy's eyes widened, and he stared at the clown's head. "You were listening all along? You heard everything?"

"Everything," Buggy repeated, "And that got old quick, 'cause you shidiots have no idea what you're doing." Visenya shook her head at Buggy, looking up at Luffy with tired eyes.

"Hey, Lips!" Buggy shouted, bouncing his head around to face the big lipped fish man. "How about a scratch behind the old ear, huh?"

"Sorry, honey," the fishman said, setting his beer aside.

Buggy dramatically rolled his eyes, "Oh, come on! Give a clown a break. I—" The fishman cut the clown off when he grabbed him by the top of his head. "Oh, wait! No! Not back in the bag. It's so dark and wet and sandy." Buggy wailed out but the fishman ignored him, drowning out his cries as he shoved him back into the bag.

"Listen here," Arlong said, his voice dark and warning. "I want my map, along with half of whatever you plunder as tribute. And if you bow down to me, I might even let you serve in my kingdom."

"I don't bow down to any man," Luffy said, keeping his voice steady.

"I'm no man," Along countered.

"Or fish." Arlong growled at Luffy, but it didn't deter him. "And you're no king."

"I will be when I get my Grand Line map," Arlong snapped.

Luffy's smile grew, "Then. . ." he pulled his hat back on and set his hands on his hips. "You're gonna have to fight me for it."

"Then let the fighting begin."

Arlong slammed his fists together, growling at Luffy. But before he could make a move a gunshot pierced the air. The bullet hit the ground, making a soft metallic sound as it did. Arlong slowly turned to face Zeff who still had the gun aimed closely on the fishman.

The other fishman at the table quickly stood and snapped the wood of Zeff's pegleg, sending him to the ground with a grunt. Shock ran through the costumers and the ones on nearby tables clamoured to get away from the fight.

Zeff looked up at the fishman and without a second through he punched the chef in the chest. It sent him flying across the room and Zeff crashed into a pair of tables, sending stuff in every direction.

"Zeff!"

Sanji shouted his name before he broke into a sprint and kicked the fishman away. People gasped and Visenya watched with wide eyes as Sanji landed on a wheeled table and jumped into a forward spin kick. The bottom of his shoe met the fishman's face making him let out a shout of pain.

The fishman looked shocked for a moment and not a second later Sanji jumped high and sent a flurry of kicks at him. Sanji dropped to his knees and spun, kicking out the fishman's leg. He blew the hair from his face and watched the fishman fall. He didn't even seem to break a sweat, his hair, his tie, it all stayed perfectly in place. Visenya couldn't look away.

Luffy's eyes widened like Visenya's. "Really great fighter," He mumbled.

The fishman stood just as quick as he was put down, but much angrier. Sanji spun and jumped to his feet, trying to land a kick to the fishman's face but he caught it in the wide span of his shoulder.

The fishman dug his fingers into Sanji's leg and began to twist it awkwardly. Sanji groaned out in pain and then the fishman sent a heavy punch at Sanji's chest, sending him flying across the room and crashing into the table Usopp was hiding under.

Sanji coughed, wheezing to catch his breath.

Visenya kicked up a silver tray and sent it flying across the restaurant to slam into the fishman's face. Luffy's eyes widened, and he grabbed her wrist in a panic. "You don't have your sword!" Luffy hissed, keeping his voice low.

Visenya cocked her head to one side, "You think I am unprepared because I do not have my sword?"

Luffy didn't say another word and let Visenya walk out into the open floor— now that the tables had been tossed. "You have been asked nicely and asked. . . not so nicely." Visenya's eyes quickly moved to Sanji, watching him and Usopp find cover. "Leave now, with all your fins," Visenya threatened, her eyes moving between the three fishermen.

The fishman that had thrown Sanji across the room growled at Visenya. He was at least a foot and half taller than Visenya, with arms possibly bigger than her entire body. But all she had to do was be faster.

The fishman ran at her, his heavy feet pounding against the floor. Visenya grabbed one of the sharp knives that had been knocked to the floor, and as she ducked under the fishman's punch she dragged the blade across his tough skin.

Visenya took a step away from the fishman and watched as the blood slowly stained his clothes, the cut running across his chest around his side and up his back. The darkness of his clothes kept the colours of the blood hidden from most of the guest views.

But Sanji saw, and he watched Visenya with fascination.

The Fishman dropped to the floor and Lips was quick to jump to his feet, his eyes narrowing at Visenya. Arlong turned to Luffy who still stood on the stairs.

Luffy's anger quickly surfaced, and he reeled his arm back, his hand balled into a tight fist. "Gum Gum—" Luffy threw his fist out, his arm stretching like rubber. "—Pistol!"

But Arlong caught Luffy's wrist with ease. Arlong whipped Luffy in by his arm and grabbed him by the shoulders growling in his face. Arlong threw Luffy across the restaurant as if he weighed nothing and he hit a supporting pole. Visenya winced as Luffy crashed to the ground and his head hit just as hard.

"Get up!" Arlong shouted, his voice reverberating off the walls.

Visenya tried to take a step forward, but Lips spat out a ball of alcohol that brushed past her head and made a dent when it hit the wall. Visenya narrowed her as the fishman smiled at her.

"Hey girl." Visenya turned at the hushed whisper and looked back at Zeff. The wood of his peg leg was splintered, glass scattered over his chef's jacket and a nasty cut running down the side of his head and one across his arm.

Visenya took a weary glance at Luffy, who was managing to push himself to his feet, but she found her eyes wandering to Sanji. Visenya carefully took a step back before rushing to Zeff's side to try and stop the bleeding. But she kept an eye on Luffy.

Luffy fixed his hat on his head before sending a trio of punches at Arlong, landing one on the fishman's face. That only seemed to amuse Arlong and make him grin. "Not bad for a human," the fishman growled.

In a flash of anger, Luffy tried to strike Arlong again but the fishman just grabbed his fist. And when Luffy tried the action again with his other hand, Arlong caught that too. Arlong growled under his breath as Luffy's eyes widened in shock and fear. Arlong dragged Luffy in by his own arms until they were face to face.

"Oh, big mistake. Now I'm gonna have to make an example out of you." Arlong snarled in Luffy's face before tossing him far away again. Visenya's eyes widened in horror as Luffy crashed through the railing atop the stairs. And Arlong was only steps behind with his fishmen in tow.

Visenya cursed under her breath and quickly finished tying the tourniquet around Zeff's arm before rushing to Usopp and Sanji. Visenya grabbed Usopp by his chin, ignoring his complaints and checked him for any injury, and she let out a sigh of relief when she saw there wasn't.

She looked up at Sanji and hesitated slightly before placing a hand on his arm. He looked up at her through the hair that had fallen in front of his eyes. "Are—Are you both okay?" She asked, slightly breathless in her panic. Sanji nodded softly and Visenya let out a sigh of relief.

"Yeah, yeah—" Usopp was cut off when they heard a loud crash. "Go!" Visenya stepped around Usopp and raced up the stairs.

◈

Oaklyn sat on the edge of the wooden crate stool, her fingers nervously playing with the small scarab necklace that hung around her neck. She could feel the boat ever so slightly rocking in the water, and she watched the flame of the candle in front of her flicker wildly. She crossed her arms on the kitchen counter and rested her chin on her arm.

Everything just seemed to press down on her, and she found herself tracing the detailed lines of the scarab's shell over and over again, hoping it would calm her racing thoughts. She wasn't sure how long she had been waiting, but it felt like an eternity.

Nami had warned them that the Arlong pirates were dangerous, but she knew Visenya and Luffy could handle it. She just didn't think it would take this long.

Oaklyn quickly blew the candle out and pushed herself to stand. It somehow felt suffocating standing in the empty kitchen, so when she heard the distant muffled sound of Nami's voice she quickly searched her out.

Oaklyn stopped just outside Zoro's room, Oaklyn could hear Nami's soft voice, a quiet murmur that cut through the otherwise still air. She leaned in, focusing on the sound. Nami was sitting beside Zoro, who still lay there unconscious, his chest rising and falling with slow, steady breaths.

"I told you in the bar I didn't have any friends, but the truth is. . ." Nami's voice trailed off and Oaklyn watched as Nami's hand wound tighter around the map. "I couldn't let myself have them because I always end up hurting the people closest to me."

Nami stared at Zoro for another moment before turning and stepping out of the room. She froze when she saw Oaklyn standing there.

"I stopped you from leaving once before," Oaklyn's eyes wandered over the bag slung from Nami's shoulder and she took a deep breath, "Why are you making me do it again?"

"Oaklyn, I—" Nami cut herself and shook her head, her eyes swelling with guilt and tears.

Oaklyn stared at the map in Nami's hands again and slowly her mind worked to piece the puzzle together. "Why?" Oaklyn whispered. Nami couldn't speak, staring into Oaklyn's heartbroken eyes.

The quiet air broke when the sounds of struggles and pained yells floated through the air. Nami tensed, her eyes staring off at nothing.

Oaklyn took a deep breath and carefully reached for Nami's hand, sliding the bandana of her wrist to tie it around Nami's. Nami watched her with close eyes, but Oaklyn never dared meet her gaze. She secured the bandana in a bow and dropped her arms to her sides.

"It was nice knowing you," Oaklyn muttered.

Visenya raced out of Baratie and onto the docks, stopping short as she faced the Fishmen. Her eyes singled on Luffy and Arlong as the Fishman sent Luffy down the dock. Visenya set her eyes on the fishmen once again and slowly undid the barbed wire jewellery.

"Must we do this again?" her eyes focussing on the fishman with the still tender wound.

Visenya readied herself to fight but they all stopped and turned to stare as Arlong splashed up a tidal wave of sea water that crashed into Luffy. The salt water soaked him and Luffy slammed into the wooden dock. He groaned out in pain even as the sea water drained him of his strength.

Visenya flung the barbed wire out, wrapping it wound the face of the fishman with the hook shaped wound. She slammed her foot into Lip's chest, winding him and knocking him to the floor.

Visenya raced for Luffy, her heart beating harder in her chest as Arlong gripped Luffy by his shirt and held him high. Arlong snarled in Luffy's face and bared his teeth, ready to bite down on Luffy's flesh.

"Arlong, wait!"

Everyone froze in place at the sound of Nami's voice. She walked down the dock toward them, the golden case holding the map gripped tightly in her hand. She also stripped her large shirt off, leaving her in her singlet that showed off her swordfish tattoo. The exact same crest that represented the Arlong pirates.

"I have it!" She called out as she walked closer. "I have the map. I got it for you, just like I said I would."

"Nami?" Luffy questioned through gritted teeth. "What are you doing?"

"I tried to tell you, Luffy. I was never on your crew." Nami brushed past Visenya as she wasn't even standing there and stopped by Arlong. "I only joined up with you so I could steal the map."

Luffy's eyes widened as he looked at Nami, but he gritted his teeth and shook his head. "I don't believe that."

"That's because you only believe what you want to believe. Doesn't make it true," Nami hissed.

"Sister Nami's a loyal member of the Arlong Pirates. She has been for years," Arlong gloated with a deep chuckle.

Visenya's eyes darted away for the first time, blinking away the tears from her eyes. She couldn't believe it, but as hard as she tried to deny it, she could see the tattoo, she heard what Arlong said. Her eyes wandered to the Going Merry and she saw Oaklyn watching Nami as close as she could.

"We have the map, Arlong," Nami said, taking a step closer toward the fishman. "Let's go."

Arlong snarled as Nami stepped around him and he gripped Luffy tighter. "Not until I finish my meal." He tried to snap at Luffy again, but Nami's voice stopped him.

"Why waste your time killing a Devil Fruit eater?" Nami hissed, stopped to look back at Arlong. Nami let her eyes wander over Luffy before they snapped up to Arlong, "Let the sea do it for you."

Arlong and Luffy slowly turned their heads toward her, Luffy's eyes wide in absolute terror. Arlong chuckled at Luffy and held him up high. "Luffy!" Visenya shouted his name as she ran toward him, but Arlong dropped him without a second thought.

Visenya skidded to a stop, her eyes watching the waves and ripples Luffy made as he fought not to sink. Visenya looked up at Arlong and the fishman cocked his head to the side with a sinister toothy grin. As much as she wished to run as him, she was standing before him with the open sea to all sides.

With a clenched jaw she took a small step back and watched as Arlong chuckled at her and turned, returning to his ship at the end of the dock.

As soon as he was at the ship Visenya shouted for help and rushed for Luffy. She reached down into the water, trying to grasp onto Luffy, but he was sinking too deeply too quickly. She couldn't dive after him, they'd both be as good as dead.

Visenya frantically looked around and a surge of relief burst through her when she saw Usopp and Sanji running toward her. Sanji stripped off his shirt and tie, tossing them aside and dived into the water.

"Usopp! Visenya!" Oaklyn shouted their names as she rushed over to them, and as soon as she was close enough Usopp threw his arms around her and squeezed her tight. But Visenya couldn't tear her eyes away from the ocean water, watching the ripples and bubbles, watching for Sanji and Luffy.

Sanji came up with a splash, dragging an unconscious Luffy from the water. Visenya and Usopp pulled Luffy onto the dock and rolled him onto his back. Oaklyn set the scarab on his chest and with a pulse of gold light it pushed all the water from Luffy's body.

He choked and coughed, wheezing to get air into lungs. But it felt like a heavy weight lifted Visenya's shoulders as she heard him breath.

Sanji pulled himself from the water and dropped to his knees beside Visenya. His chest heaved, drops of water rolling down the skin of his abdomen as he fought to catch his breath.

"Where's Nami?" Luffy questioned, still struggling to catch his breath.

"She's gone," Usopp whispered, pulling his knees closer to his chest.

"She's a member of Arlong's crew," Oaklyn added, holding the scarab tight in her hands. "She always has been."

Luffy let out a deflated huff, and then his panting stopped. He dropped his head to the dock and shook his head, "No," Luffy whispered, his voice shallow. "She can't be."

Visenya took a deep breath and hung her head.

What the hell just happened?

— lethal lust —