21~ Loguetown

Mira

"Wow!" Luffy exclaimed as we stood before the harbor entrance to Loguetown. "What a huge town!"

"I'll say..." I let my eyes wander around what I could see of the city as I fixed Zoro's bandana. "Thanks for letting me borrow this again, Zoro."

"No problem." He said as he glanced around. "You'll need a new hat, though. I consider that my good luck charm."

"Eh?" I squinted my eyes at him. "Charm?"

"I always do better in fights when I have it on." He explained.

"...okay then..."

"Listen up, everybody!" Nami drew our attention back to her. "This town used to be full of pirates on their way to the Grande Line. It has everything you could ever need!"

"Alright!" Usopp started off. "I'm gonna get some new equipment for our upcoming great adventure!"

"Looks like I can get some good ingredients here." Sanji scanned the crowd. "Good women, too!" I face palmed.

"I've got something I wanna buy, too." Zoro rested his hand on his chin.

"Oh?" Uh-oh.... I saw that spark in Nami's eyes. "How are you gonna do that? You're flat broke, as I recall!" Zoro scratched his cheek to try and ignore her.

"Then I'm going to check out the execution platform!" Luffy grinned wide.

"Huh?" But he was already running off to who knows where.

"I'm gonna see where the King of Pirates was executed!" Luffy ran right past Usopp.

"H-hey!" He called out. "We still haven't thought of a place to meet up!"

"We can meet back up at the ship." I suggested. "Most pirate gangs I've seen at my island always went back to the ship. Those who didn't in time got left behind because the ship was always hidden. Plus the fact that Axe-Hand Morgan was the leader of that island. They had to keep a low profile."

"Makes sense..." Usopp mumbled. "But man... That guy..." We stared after Luffy as he leaped into the air and cried out happily.

"So!" I turned and faced the remaining crew. "Once we have everything we need, we'll rendevous back at the ship and decide our next course of action. Agreed?"

"Agreed!"

Zoro and I began our walk to find a weapon's store. "Hey, Zoro! Mira!" We stopped and saw Nami running toward us. "Are you guys in need of money?"

"Me?" I pointed to myself. "Nah, I'm good. I have roughly 500 berries on me."

"What happened to the thousand berries you had back at Arlong Park?" Nami asked me.

"E-eh? O-oh.... It, uh....blew away?" I can't tell her I lost it. She'd kill me!

"Sorry to hear that..." Nami raised an eyebrow at me. "How about you, Zoro? Need money?"

"Y-yeah..." He placed a hand behind his head and lookded away slightly. "Would you mind lending me some money?"

"Lend you money? Sure!" Aw, how nice... Wait, there's a hitch with this. "But including interest, you hafta pay me 300% of what you borrow!"

"300%?!?!" Zoro and I exclaimed.

"So glad I didn't borrow anything..." I slumped over slightly.

"Here you are, Zoro! 300 berries! Don't go spending it all in one place!" And then she was gone, off to do her own thing.

"Sorry, Zoro..." I lightly took his arm and pulled his still shocked form along with me. "I'll try to help ya out, ok?"

"Th-thanks, Mira..." He slowly began to recover. "I'm never borrowing money from  that damn girl again!"

"I'll never borrow money from her at all!" I gave a small chuckle as we headed down random streets. "Hey, look!" I ran over to a window display of different swords and katanas.

Zoro came up beside me and placed his hand on the window. "Damn! These are expensive! Too expensive! I can't afford to borrow anymore from that girl... But I can't go into the Grande Line with only one sword..."

"Maybe this window display was a bad idea..." I said mostly to myself. The prices ranged from 100,000 berries to 1 million berries. Honestly, no one has that much on hand! How do they expect to make a profit?! "Come on, Zoro. This place is stressing you out."

"What do I do?!"

"'Monster'? How rude." Boisterous laughter followed that statement. Zoro and I turned to see a young woman holding a rolled up cloth surrounded by a crowd and two men that towered over her. Her petite figure looked fragile compared to the big men.

"Aww, shut up!" One of them snapped. "Our boss is behind bars all thanks to him!" Him?

"Have you still not learned your lesson?!" She retaliated.

"Nope!" One with pigtails brandished a huge sword at her. "We ain't happy with things as the way they are!"

"We're going to bring your corpse to him to see!" His companion sneered.

"Very well." Eh? She's going to fight? Okay, I'm being a little too judgemental, but she looks a bit too small and wiry to fight these massive guys. "I will fight you guys."

They laughed at her. "You will, girlie?!"

"Don't make us laugh! What can a girl possibly do?" Zoro walked from beside me to get a better look.

"Hey! Big meanie! Don't leave me!" I shoved my way through the crowd to stand beside him again. He watched this girl intently.

The two men charged, swords raised to strike her down. Zoro slid his foot forward, hand on his katana, and sprang into the air.

But he didn't need to. I was so busy focusing on him that I didn't see her pull out her own blade and strike them both down, one swipe for each. They sailed past her as she ducked slightly. They fell into a heap behind her, down for the count.

Zoro stood there, shock written all over him at what he had just seen.  I, too, wasn't expecting that.

"She did it!" Someone from the crowd cheered.

"You're strong, lady!" Another added.

"You're amazing!" She lowered her blade to retrieve her sheath, but suddenly tripped over her own two feet, her glasses falling off her face. The crowd laughed, forgetting everything they just said to her. Her glasses landed right at Zoro's feet.

"I can't tell if she's weak or strong!" One chortled as she slid her hand over the ground to find her glasses.

"Hey!" I hissed at him. "Pick them up and give them back to her!"

He grumbled, but stooped over and held them out for her. "Hey, are these them?" She lifted her head and Zoro jerked back a bit. He looked like he had just seen a ghost!

"S-sorry to bother you!" She smiled at him kindly.

"Ah, wait!" But it was too late. I couldn't stop his hand from tightening over the slim frames of her glasses. They snapped, the glass shattering and the frames becoming contorted.

"Thank you," She obviously didn't see or hear them break.

"Idiot!" I smacked his head and he came out of his trance. "Look what you did!" Both looked down at his hand. They gave startled screams.

"My glasses!" She cried.

"I-I didn't mean to!" Zoro held up his hands in apology.

"Those were expensive!" She seemed close to tears. "How could you do something so horrible!"

"Expensive?!" I took a step back. "Hey, what was that about not wanting to borrow anymore money...?" I asked Zoro.

"Don't remind me!" He snapped at me. "Look, girl, I already told you I didn't mean to-"

"Pay me back for them!" She leaned right into Zoro's face. Zoro was frozen, not sure how to answer.

"Erm, how much were they...?" I asked as I wrung my hands together. "If it's not too bad, we can try to pay you back..."

"Obviously too much for the both of you if you have to chip in!" She placed her hands on her hips. "Follow me." She picked up her sheath, slid her sword back inside, and began walking.

"You've done it now..." I followed after her, Zoro right on my heels. She led us down a few streets before Zoro decided to speak.

"Where exactly are we going?!"

"You broke my glasses." She said simply.

"I told you..." Zoro paused for a bit. "I'll pay you back... somehow..."

She stopped but kept her back to us. "You look like you don't have any money. The both of you! Something about the both of you just seems off!"

"Hey, I take some offense to that!" I crossed my arms. "I'll have you know that I happen to have 500 berries on me!"

She snorted and started walking again. "That's not even a fraction of what my glasses cost!"

"Yeah, it's true that we don't have any money..." Zoro and I started following after her. I calculated the math in my head as to how much they could be. So far, no such luck. "But I'll find a way to pay you back."

"Those wrinkles between your eyes!" She got right into Zoro's face, causing us to stop again. I tried to see what she was seeing. "That look of having eaten nothing for days! Do you have a sick mother?!" Zoro was shaking hard at how close she was. "Did your wife run out on you leaving five hungry babies to feed?!" Whoa.... That escalated quickly...

"L-look you..." Zoro tried to defend himself.

"And you!" She rounded on me.

"Me?" I squeaked.

"Those faint scars!" She got into my personal space like she did Zoro's. "Do you have a tragic back story? Do you abuse yourself?! Do your parents abuse you?! What about your boyfriend?! Does he take a crack at you?!"

I glowered at her. "Now look here, missy," I got right back in her face. "Stop trying to understand what happened to me."

"In any case!" She turned her back to us. "I won't ask for details! Come with me!" She began stalking off to where ever she was taking us.

"Can I kill her?" I asked Zoro as we followed her again. "Please? My katana is out of commision for the time being, so can I borrow yours?"

"Mira..." He growled.

"I'll clean it when I'm done!" I pressed on as my nails grew. "Just one good swipe at her back..."

"Mira, just stop!" He placed a hand on my shoulder and held me tight. We stayed like this the entire trip there. I soon found out that he was keeping me from launching myself at her.

Within a few minutes, we reached our destination. "Uh... Zoro? Should... should we even be here?" It was a Marine's building.

"I don't think so..." Was his response. We were brought down the winding halls.

"Wait here." We were left alone as she went to grab something from the supply closet. She came back with two buckets and brooms. "Here." They were given to us. "The cleaning man just quit his job. If you work for the Navy, you'll never have to worry about money!"

"Look her, girl." I took a step toward her. "There is no way I would-"

"Screw this! There's no way I'm working for the Navy!" Zoro handed the things back to her.

"And I didn't even do anything!" I thrust mine back at her.

"You're just going to run off?!" She clenched her fists. "You're insulting a person's kindness! Maybe your poor spirit's more of an issue than you money!"

"Why you-!" Zoro quickly held me back. "Lemme at her! Lemme at her!"

"Stop scratching me!" Zoro yelled at me as I flailed my arms to get at her. "Look you! You've obviously upset my friend! I don't appreciate that! Plus-"

"Sergent Major!" A rookie Marine suddenly joined us and saluted the girl. "It's time for training!"

"Bye!" She called out as she left us. "Work hard you two, okay?" And she was gone.

"Put me down, Zoro." I said once they were out of sight. "I don't need to be held anymore." He let me go and I picked up the things I dropped to get at that girl. "This place isn't going to clean itself..."

"Sergent Major?" Zoro said in disbelief as we began cleaning the hall. "I can't believe this!"

"Neither can I..." I sighed. "I say we ditch this place the second we get the chance."

"And when will that be?" He asked as several Marines passed us in the hall, one right after the other, each one heading a different direction.

I grumbled to myself. "The sooner, the better..."

"Oi!" We looked up. "You there!" He pointed at Zoro. "To the kitchen! We need you to take out the garabege!" Zoro, reluctantly, obliged and left me by myself. I gazed down the long corridor. It seemed to keep growing and growing...

"Damn it!!" I threw my broom down in frustration. "There's no way I can do this all in one afternoon! I need to get my katana fixed! We have to get out of here before it gets too late." I picked my broom back up and sweeped and mopped a little faster.

I dumped water onto the ground and scrubbed. "Ugh! I hate this! Hey! I just scrubbed there!!" I threw my broom down again and the handle broke off. "Idea..." I grabbed another boroom and broke the handle off of that one. I knew there was a reason I kept extra ribbon in my pocket...

I secured my feet to the bristle part of the broom and slid down the hall as if I was on skates. "This is much better! ACK!" I crashed right into someone as I rounded a corner. Both of us laid there on the wet floor. "Ow..."

"Mira?"

"Zoro?" I began pounding on his chest. "You big meanie! You left me to clean that entire hall all by myself! Why would you do that to me!!"

"I was called away!" He stated as he helped me up. "And what the hell is on your feet!"

"I had to improvise to get the floor cleaned faster!" I stared at the three brooms in his possession. "I'm guessing you had to as well? What is this? The Three-Broom Style?"

"Haha, very funny." He took his brooms again and we started on the hall together. We stopped when the sound of wood hitting wood reached our ears. We made our way to the edge of the sparring arena and watched as the girl who made us clean fought with another Marine, wodden swords clashing repeatedly.

Three of them rushed at her at the same time. She defended herself nicely against them.

"You two!" We turned to see two Marine soldiers behind us. "What're you doing here!" They pulled their swords out. "I knew it! You two are Pirate Hunter Zoro and Elmira Hojosen!"

"Busted..." I muttered.

"Why the hell are you guys in here cleaning?!" The other demanded.

"Um..." I thought for a second. "Spring cleaning?"

"Intel has it that you two have teamed up with Monkey D. Luffy's crew!" The first brandished his sword in our direction. "You're under arrest." Zoro sighed heavily.

"I got this..." smoothly and quickly, he made fast work of the Marines.

"Well, now what?" He asked.

"Hey, look." I pulled some cash from their pockets. "We'll use this to pay her back for her glasses! Then we can get out of here!" I gave him a piece of paper and pen that the Marines had on them. He wrote a quick note, set it on the money, then we left as fast as we could.

I stretched my arms above me and made Neko squeaks. "In the end, no one got seriously injured! So, we're off the hook!" I relaxed and stuck my hands in my pockets.

"Don't be too sure about that." Zoro warned. "That girl could easily come back for us."

"Ah, don't be such a worry wart..." I fixed the bandana. "We'll be fine! Lighten up!"

"Man, that freaked me out..." Zoro muttered.

"Eh? What did?" I asked him.

"Nothing..." he sighed. "It's nothing."

"Okay then..." I cast my gaze else where. Weapon's shop... weapon's shop... where to find a weapon's shop? If I were a weapon's shop, where would I be? "Ah! There's one! C'mon, Zoro!" We stepped up to a shop with a sign that had two crossed swords on it. I walked in and admired all the neat looking swords.

We stepped up to the counter. "I'd like some swords."

The man looked up. "Ah! Y-yes, yes! Welcome, you two! Have a look at anything you'd like!" Is he a little on the nervous side? "You see, our business has been going on for 200 hundred years, you see!"

"And your point is...?" I asked slowly.

Zoro placed the 100,000 berried on the counter that we picked up from the Marines. "I have 100,000 berries. Give me two swords."

"Eh?" He looked down at the money. "100,000 berries for two swords?" His face fell into a scowl. He leaned heavily on his counter. "50,000 a sword'll get you ones with dull blades."

"I'll make do with whatever." He raised his hands a bit for emphasis. "I don't got any money."

"I'm saving mine for a black smith. Know of any good ones?" I asked.

The clerks eyes traveled down to our katanas in their sheaths. His eyes snapped open wide. "O-oh. H-h-hold on..." He stared at Zoro's first. "L-l-lemme s-see that sword of y-y-yours."

"What're you all fidgity about?" Zoro questioned as he slowly and cautiously took it out.

"J-just let me see it!" He exclaimed as Zoro set it on the counter.

"Weirdo..." The man took it and examined it thoroughly.

He pulled it out of the sheath an inch, his jaw flapping to the floor. His eyes were huge as fishes as he tried hard to calm his breathing. I tapped my foot.

"N-now yours..." He said to me as he slowly set Zoro's back on the counter. I brought mine out and handed it to him. The second his hand touched the sheath, it went cold. He squealed like a pig and dropped it.

"Hey!" I snapped as I quickly took it from him. "It's already damaged enough! Don't ruin it even more!" Very slowly, I pulled it out to inspect the damage. Just that single chip and scratch.

He screamed even louder. "Put it away put it away put it away!!! I won't have another one in my shop!"

"Eh?" What's wrong with my katana? "You wanted to see it." I held it our to him.

"No no no!!" He shrank back. "Please don't hurt me..." his voice was so tiny... I figured that since he's already on edge, I'll humor him. I slid it back in place and he came back out from his near fetal position.

The clerk cleared his throat. "Sorry about that." He stood and addressed Zoro again. "That's not a bad sword you have." It clicked back in. "What do you say? I'll buy this off you for 200,000 berries! Then you'll have 300,000 berries total! You could get three good swords for 100,000 apiece!"

"Excuse me?" I took a step forward, but Zoro held me back.

"What're you talking about?" Zoro questioned him.

"A-alright! I'll make it 250,000! N-no! 300,000!" He jacked the price up, trying to convince Zoro. He was quietly glaring down at the man. "500,000?"

"Look, raise the price all  you want," Zoro said in a cold tone. "But this sword isn't-"

"Alright then!" He tried again. "I'll raise it to 650,000 berries!" He lost it. "Fine! You damn professional! I'll raise to to 800,000 berries!!" Man, he really wants this sword...

"Hello!" I turned and flipped out. It's her! I turned back to face the man before she noticed us. "Did you finish polishing my Shigure? Huh?" Crap! She saw us! "Thank goodness! You guys're alright! Someone went on a rampage at the Navy outpost! You two were gone too, so I was worried."

"Perfectly fine!" I assured her around a fake giggle and grin. "See? No worries!" Zoro was even stiff as a board around her.

"Thank goodness! What a relief..." she sighed. "But the fact that you're safe and sound means that you scoffed at my kindness and ran off!" Yeah? So? "Here's your money back." She pulled out the money we'd given her and placed it in front of Zoro.

"I can't except money from someone who is heartless!" She snubbed us and placed her fists on her hips.

"Can I kill her now?!" I tried to reach around Zoro to get to her.

"Besides, I bought some new glasses." She chirped and put on some wide framed dark red glasses.

I ground my teeth. "Why I oughta-! Lemme at her!! Let go!!"

Of course, I was completely ignored as she caught a first glance at Zoro's sword. She gave a happy gasp. "Is that the sword Wado Ichimonji?!" She snatched the sword from the clerk's hand. "It is the Wado Ichimonji!"

Why is she and the clerk so excited about this sword? I thought as I leaned a little closer to get a better look at it.

She pulled it out to inspect it further. "What a beautiful straight temper line! I believe it's one of the O-Wazamono swords!" The O-Whadanow? Zoro's sword was placed back in it's sheath. She pulled out a small hand-held encyclopedia on different swords and thumbed through it.

"See!" She showed it to us. "It says here it's worth no less than 10 million berries!" She looked up at Zoro, eyebrows furrowed slightly. "But what are you doing with a legendary sword?"

"Curse you!" The clerk suddenly snapped and slammed his hand on the counter. "You just had to blurt that out! I'm sueing for obstruction of business!"

"O-obstruction of business?" She lowered her glasses to talk to the man.

"Pst!" Zoro looked down at me. "I'm going to wander around the store. Let me know when this is over." He nodded and I left them be. I found a small barrel full of play swords and began browsing. Some of these are replicas of great ones I've heard about in stories and legends. Others I know are just for play.

Zoro met up with me at a barrel of swords for 50,000 berries. We sifted through them together. Nearly all of them are crappy.

"What's he so mad about?" The girl asked. Wow, I really need to get her name! "You must really like swords if you carry around three of them!" I turned a bit to get a better look at one of the swords. I nearly jumped out of my skin when I heard a scream.

"Where's the fire?! Who's getting murdered!" I glanced around, but only saw the girl on the floor, pale as a ghost. "Oh, it was just you. What's gotten under your skin? You know what? I'll ask a different question and fuse it with my original question. Who are you and why did you scream?"

She gulped. "I-I'm T-Tashigi.... a-and I screamed b-because of the sword you're carrying around!"

"Eh?" I lifted it into our line of vision. "What about it?"

Tashigi pulled out her encyclopedia again. "C-can I see it real quick?" I held it out to her in the palms of my hands. Her arms were shaking like leaves as she reached for it. Again, just like the clerk, the katana went cold as soon as she touched. She screamed again and I had to juggle to keep it from hitting the ground.

"My God! Can you people be a little more considerate of other's property?!" I pulled it out to check the damage. The black blade had a light sheen to it. No further damage was done.

"Th-that proves it..." She flipped through the book and held her glasses up. "It's one of the legendary Forbidden swords, T- No! If I even say it's name, I'll be cursed!" She snapped her book shut and stuffed it away. "Please excuse my rudeness!" she pushed past me and went to Zoro for protection.

I just stared at her. "What is with people nowadays?" I muttered as I went on the other side of him.

Tashigi was inspecting Zoro's sword again. "You know, that one almost looks like the sword a bounty hunter carries!"

"Bounty Hunter, huh?" Zoro smirked.

"He's famous!" She pressed on. "His name is Roronoa!"

"I hear that name a lot." Zoro's smirk grew wider as he searched.

"Yes." Tashigi sighed. "He's a famous swordsman all throughout the East Blue, but he's a notorious person!" Her tone shifted to one of hate. "Using swords as bounty-hunting tools is unforgivable! Why is evil so strong in this era?" She whined. "All the famous swordsmen are pirates or Bounty Hunters... And almost all the legendary swords are in their possession. It's a real shame..." Does she ever stop talking?

I caught a light smile on his lips. "I dunno, maybe everyone has their own circumstances and such? All jobs need to keep up with the times now."

"In my case," Oh God, there she goes again. I held back a groan. "With my Shigure, I'm going to polish my skills as a swordsman and somehow gather all the legendary swords that are in the hands of crimminals throughout the world! The top 21 O-Wazamonos, the 21 O-Wazamonos, the 50 Rya-Wazamonos, and the 5 Forbidden swords! I'll risk my life for them!"

"You gonna take this sword, too?" Zoro asked as he half faced her. "The Wado Ichimonji, was it? And hers? The Forbidden sword?" He flashed the blade at her.

Immediately, she cowered back. "No, it's not that I want legendary swords. I'm just saying I don't want them in crimminals' hands!" Zoro turned back to the barrels.

His hand twitched when it touched the hilt of a sword. Something sparked between them as he gripped it and slowly pulled it out.

"That sword..." Tashigi breathed. "I think it's..." Again with the book?! "It is! The Kitetsu III! It's predecessor, the Kitetsu II, is an O-Wazamono sword, and the Kitetsu I before that is listed as a top Wazamono sword!" Zoro pulled it out.

The bottom half of the blade was a rich, deep violet, and the other half a very light violet. Down the center of the blade has what looked like purple dancing flames.

"Mister!" Tashigi called out. "Is this sword really worth 50,000 berries?!"

"Y-yeah..." He shied away from it slightly.

"It's beautiful..." I lightly held my fingers over the smooth blade. "The design on both the hilt and the blade are magnificent!"

"Incredible!" Tashigi squirmed, but I barely paid any attention to her. I watched as Zoro gazed hard upon the sword, his reflection matching his expression perfectly on the mirror-like blade. Zoro nodded as Tashigi spoke, but I didn't hear her. A purple flash crossed his face.

"N-no! I can't sell it!" The clerk suddenly said.

"What?" I turned and faced him.

"Yeah! Selling this for 50,000 berries is strange!" Tashigi said.

"No, that's not what I mean!" He placed his hands on the counter. I heard Zoro flex his hands and test the swing a few times.

"A cursed sword, huh?" He asked in a low, chilling tone.

"You knew?" The clerk asked.

"How?" I got down in a squat and stared hard at its blade, my reflection looking back at me.

"No." Zoro said in the same tone. "I can just tell."

"Starting with the very first one, all of the Kitetsu have been superior swords, but every last one of them is cursed!" The clerk began in a voice you would normally hear from an over-dramatic story teller. "Many of the famous swordsmen have met tragic deaths after taking up Kitetsu swords." A sharp shiver raced up my spine, but I was eager for more. "These days, there isn't a single person who uses a Kitetsu!"

"Tell me more, o wise shop keeper!" I was now on my knees before him.

He glanced down at me before he finished his tale. "You'll leave this world even if you use them unknowingly! Even I wanna get rid of it, but I'm afraid it'll curse me."

"I'm sorry!" Tashigi bowed to Zoro. "I had no idea it was such a terrible sword! I should've minded my own business!"

Tell me about it... I thought as I stood and brushed off my knees.

Zoro raised it high in the air, grinning like a mad man at it. "I like it! I'll take it!"

"Whoa, whoa! Hold up there, buster!" I held up a hand. "That's some bad ju-ju right there if you take it."

"Are you a fool!" The clerk agreed. "I can't sell it! If you die because of it, it'll be like I killed you myself!"

"You're the fool!" A plump woman came out of no where and conked the man on the head. "Just sell the stupid thing off!"

"Then let's do this." I faced Zoro again.

"Do what?" I asked as I took a small step closer.

"We'll test it." He explained. "My luck against this sword's curse."

"Y-you aren't serious, are you?!" But something in his eyes told me otherwise. "Be reasonable!"

"Let's see which one's stronger." He said, completely ignoring me.

"Wait!" But he already tossed it in the air, giving it a back-spin. I gulped as I watched him step forward and hold his arm out right in its path.

"Stop!" The clerk yelled. "Its sharpness is serious! It'll take your whole arm off!"

I wanted to freeze time to help him, but I, myself, couldn't move as it got closer and closer to his arm. I stood there, horrified. The blade swished through the air, the sound taunting me. In mute terror, I followed it with my eyes as it went completely around his arm before finally sticking itself in the ground clear to the hilt.

No one dared to move. It must have been a trick of the eye. Any second now, Zoro's arm is going to fly off in a shower of blood. But it never happened.

"I'll take it." He repeated, a triumphant smirk in place.

I let out the breath I was holding. "Don't ever scare me like that again!" To make sure of it, I went over to him and socked his right arm.

Both Tashigi and the clerk fell to the ground, faces blank as they stared at Zoro.

"Hey," Zoro knelt down and took the Kitetsu from the ground. "Can you choose me another one?" He asked Tashigi.

"S-sure..." She barely whispered.

"Jeez..." I placed my hand against my neck. "You really had me scared there... I was just waiting for your arm to fall in a shower of blood..."

"Sorry..." He placed the Kitetsu back in its case.

"Hold it!" We looked up to the clerk as he ran out of the room.

"He tells us to wait, but leaves the room?" I questioned. "Rude much?"

He quickly came back with a long, covered object. I nudged Zoro to get his attention. The cloth was pulled off, revealing another, well made sword. "The make is black lacquer," He explained. "And the blade's temper pattern is uneven!" He held it high in the air to show off its majesty.

"The Ryo-Wazamono 'Yubashiri'." I awed at its smooth blade and sharp edge. "My shop may not be much, but this is the finest sword I have!"

"I can't buy that," Zoro glanced over his shoulder at the man. "I already told you that I got no money."

"Oh, c'mon, Zo!" I whined. "I'll help! I have a little on me!"

"No, you need that for the black smith. And did you seriously just call me Zo?" Okay, bad choice of words... "That's a girl's name!"

"Hehe... Sorry..."

"Forget the money!" The clerk said over me. "And I don't need any for the Kitetsu, either! I'm sorry for trying to cheat you earlier." He smirked and held the sword out to Zoro. "It's been a while since I've seen a good swordsman's eyes. They say the sword chooses the owner. I pray for your good fortune! And you, with the Forbidden sword!"

I pointed at myself. "Me?"

"Yes, you." He eyed my katana. "Be careful with that. Forbidden swords always, and I mean always, kill their owner in one form or another. Be it in combat or suicide!"

"Interesting..." I rested my hand in the hilt. "But you needn't worry about me. I can handle myself."

"Good." The clerk gave Zoro the swords and we walked out of there with our heads held high.

For a short distance, at least. "Ah, crap! I forgot to ask him where the nearest blacksmith is!" I hit myself upside my head. "Stupid Mira..."

"Then we'll wander around until we find one." Zoro suggested.

"But this town is so huge!" I complained loudly. "We'll never find one before we have to meet back up with everyone!"

"There's one."

"Oh, well how convenient." We walked right in and I rang a brass bell.

"Be right with ya!" A rouch male voice called from the back. I leaned against the counter and pulled my katana out and rested it on the counter. "What can I do for ya?" He wiped his hands on his soiled apron.

"I need this fixed ASAP." I told him. "I need it back before we leave today."

"Hm!" He chuckled. "A rush delievery, huh? That'll cost ya extra."

"How much we talkin'?" I leaned forward.

"Well, a sword like this is fine, so I'll need to slim the rough part down a bit." He explained as his meaty fingers found the chip. "And a chip this badly may take extra-" His fingers touched the blade and goose bumps ran up the entire length of his arm.

"Wh-what the hell?" He picked it up carefully. "It's so cold..."

"Cold?" I inquired.

He gulped, his Adam's apple bobbing twice. "How about I charge you just the starting price so I can get this out of here?"

"How much is that?" I asked again.

"300,000 berries."

I nodded and counted what I had. "I have enough." I set the alotted amount on the counter.

"Come back in an hour. And don't be late!" he rushed off to the back.

"Sheesh..." I ran my hand through my hair. "What is it with every body today? First the clerk, then Tashigi, now this guy?!"

"Don't think anything of it." Zoro sighed as we left the shop. "At least it'll get done quick."

"Yeah, that works out alright..." I looked to the ground.

"Now, about my bandana..." Zoro ruffled it on my head.

"Hey, hey, hey!" I swatted his hand away. "It took me forever to get this right! Ugh! Fine! I'll get a new hat so you'll stop bugging me!" We quickly found a shop and I went straight for the hats.

"Ah! Here's one! Nice and cheap, too." It was simple and black; nothing fancy. Once I purchased it, I had Zoro cover me so I could make the switch. "Here," I held his bandana out to him. "Thanks for letting me use it again.

"It was nothing." He shrugged.

"You sure?"

"Positive." And then we lapsed into silence. We soon found a place to sit on some stairs somewhere within the city. Zoro pulled out his Kitetsu, staring at it in the sun.

"It was nice of the man to give it to you for free." I propped myself up, my elbow resting on my knee.

"Yeah..." He seemed... distant. "A cursed sword, huh? Didn't that girl say yours was cursed or something, too?"

"Yeah, she said it would curse her if she said it's name." I felt for mine, but didn't feel it there. "Right... It's being fixed..."

"Oh! That's a cool sword you have!"

"Ack! Luffy where did you come from!?" I took my tail out from under my skirt and tried my best to get the fur straightened out and flat again. "You made me fuzz!"

"Don't scare me like that!" Zoro growled at Luffy.

"What're you doing here Zoro, Mira?" Luffy asked.

Zoro put his sword away. "No, what're you doing here?"

"Me?" He questioned. He scratched his nose and smiled. "I'm lost."

"Don't be proud of that." I shook my head at him.

"Why're you so cocky about that?" Zoro gritted his teeth.

"Tell me how to get to the execution platform." Luffy begged.

"I don't know where it is." I leaned back a bit. "I've never been here before, so I have no clue where it is."

"It's him! That bastard!"

"Eh? What's going on over there?" I stretched my head to see around Luffy. A man in a long, dull tan coat was walking casually down the street. People ran in front of him as well as behind, as if trying to corner him. The man kept walking, not paying them any attention. Soon, he was surrounded by five men.

"What's that?" Luffy wondered as he sat on the steps.

"You bastard!" One shouted at the man. "How dare you sell our buddies to the Navy! You're gonna pay big time!" A gun was pulled on the man in the center. "Die!" I flinched at each gunshot.

The man in the center held up two guns and four of the five men fell backwards to the cobblestone street.

"He's fast!" I observed. "I didn't even see him move!"

The last guy standing took a couple staggered steps back before he, too, fell. What's a chain supposed to do in a gun fight? The man in the center stepped up to the remaining kid and pulled out a cigarette from the kid's vest pocket.

"Run on home and have your mama bake you a cake, kiddo." He said calmly as he crushed the cigarette. The cigarette was flicked back to the kid. He got up and ran away, screaming, as fast as he could.

Luffy started freaking out. "That old guy's cool!" He looked like a funky chicken running with his head cut off; his arms were flapping all over the place and his mouth was wide open.

"I think that might be..." Zoro barely whispered. "Daddy the Parent."

I snickered.  "Doesn't sound very intimidating..." Daddy stepped away from the downed men and walked off, disappearing into an alley. "Well, that was anti-climatic. I expected there to be a better show-down."

"He's awesome!" Luffy laughed loudly.

"Well," I sighed and stood. "I know it'll take us at least an hour or so to find the black smith again. How's about we head out now, Zoro?"

"Yeah, yeah." He stood.

"Wanna join us, Luffy?" I asked him as I put my foot on the next step up.

"Coming!" He raced after us as we headed up the stairs. "Hey, can we find something to eat?"

I groaned. "Do you have a bottomless pit or something?" He simply chuckled. "Well, first thing's first; we gotta find a restaraunt."

"Look!" Luffy practically crawled onto my shoulder and pointed. "There's one! Let's go! Let's go!"

"Luffy, get off! Ah! Don't pull my arm off! I don't stretch like you do!" Just before Luffy dragged me off to who knows where, I took ahold of Zoro's shirt, forcing him to come with us. He gave a startled cry and tried to help me reign Luffy in. Of course, we had no such luck.

Within thirty seconds, Luffy was shoveling in food.

"Man!" I stared, my fork half way between my mouth and my plate, at Luffy's huge stomach. He looks to be at least nine months pregnant the way it was all hanging out there. Of course, he'll be hungry again in a few hours. "I'm stuffed. We have to eat good before we leave Loguetown. I was starving!"

Zoro leaned back and finished his drink. He picked up his bottle and poured another glass. "To be honest, so was I. I would've eaten, but I don't have money. I'm glad we ran into you."

"Hm?" Luffy glanced between us. "If you mean money, I don't have any."

My eyes popped wide and I began choking on my food. Zoro pounded on my back until I could breathe again. "Y-you mean to tell me... you wanted to go eat... but didn't have a way to pay for it?!"

"Yup. I thought you guys had some." Luffy picked at his ear.

"I'm gonna kill you!" I leaped across the table, but was held back by Zoro. "Let me go! I have to kill our idiot of a captain!"

"How are we going tp pay for this?!" Zoro grunted as he fought to hold me back. Luffy leaned away a bit.

"I don't know! I didn't think this far ahead!" He whimpered. "Just don't let Mira go, please!"

"If you don't find a way for us to pay for this in two seconds, I'll let her go and tear you to pieces!" Zoro threatened.

Just at that exact moment, a small bag of coins flew and landed on our table.

"Zoro, you need to threaten Luffy more often." I pulled out of his grasp and sat myself back down.

"Oh!" Luffy pulled out a gold coin."Guys, we're lucky!"

"No, Luffy. You are." I flicked a piece of food at his face. "Had that bag not landed in front of you, we'd have to find a new captain."

"But I'm captain!" He pushed his lower lip out. "You can't replace me!"

I shrugged. "It wouldn't be that hard." Luffy, not wanting to hear anymore from me, placed the coin on the table and went to return the sack to the table behind us.

"Thanks for treating us!" We left and was able to get out the door without any issues.

"While we're at it, we gotta get my katana back. I don't wanna leave without it and realize I don't have it when we're already out on the open ocean."

"Right!" Luffy grinned.

After a few minutes of walking around, I came to a stop and glanced around. "Damn it..."

"Ah?" Zoro stopped a little ahead of me. "What is it, Mira?" He reached a hand out and stopped Luffy.

"Do you remember how to get to the blacksmith's?" I asked a little too hopefully.

He thought for a few seconds. "Nope."

I slumped to my knees. "Double damn it... We're screwed..." My ears suddenly twitched at a sudden change in the air. "Oh great... Just what we need..." I mumbled and continued walking at a faster pace.

"What?" Zoro followed after me. "What's up?"

I shuddered. "The only thing a Neko hates most... Rain."