7- Captain Kuro/Confused

Everyone was stock still. I watched him closely, pushing down my fears. I knew he was pissed beyond belief. Of course, Luffy was oblivious to this due to the fact that he was still trapped under the figure head sound asleep. Will he ever wake up soon? We kinda need him now...

I did a quick glance about the area and almost laughed at every bodies scared still figures. Of course, if I were them, I'd be afraid too. "To think that these brats held you down." He dropped his bag on the ground. "How the Black Cat Pirates have fallen." His veins popped out of his head as he pushed his glasses up. "Right... Jango?!" His voice echoed in the valley before him.

Jango stood still but was able to speak. "B-but.... you said letting the kid go wouldn't cause problems!" He tried to defend.

Luffy was still sound asleep.

"Yes," Kurahdol agreed. "I did say that. But so what? We knew he was going to try and stand up to us. The only thing I didn't count on was your guys' feebleness!"

"U-us?" Jango questioned. "Feeble?"

"Who are you calling feeble!" Butchie shouted. I snapped my head to him. He stood with pure determination. "Watch what you say, Captain Kuro!" His claws clicked together. "You were strong before, but that was three years ago! It's not like we partied while you lived the easy life in the village!" I lowered my head a bit and stared at him through my eyelashes. "We've attacked lotsa towns and sunk tons of pirates!"

Kurahdol blinked once. "And your point is...?" He asked nonchalantly.

"You've done nothing for three years!" He shouted. "There's no way you can beat the Meowban Brothers! Siam!" Silence. "Siam?" He turned around and his eyes nearly bugged out of his head. I lowered my gaze to my feet then to my bloody katana.

"Oops?" I half shrugged.

"I guess I can beat you if that girl can." Kurahdol seemed unaffected by the threat.

"Hn! No matter! I can still defeat you!" He ran right past Zoro and right for Kurahdol.

"Stop Butchie!" Jango warned. But it was too late. He was hell bent on taking down Kurahdol. He picked up his bag as Butchie got closer and closer.

"You're not my captain anymore!" He shouted as he ran. "I'm gonna have t' kill ya!" Kurahdol swung his bag up high and I barely caught his feet doing some fancy steps before he vanished. Butchie cut through the bag and it fell to the ground, nothing left of it but ribbons of fabric. "Huh?"

Kurahdol then, just as quickly vanished, reappeared a few yards in front of Zoro facing Butchie. How did he do that? I was shocked and so was Zoro.

Just then, what sounded like blades being pulled from sheaths reached my ears. Claw like swords were attached to black gloves.

"When did he get behind them? " Zoro breathed. "And those weapons..."

"Who are you going to kill?" Kurahdol raised his blade claws and they gleamed off the bright morning sun.

"He snuck behind me!" Butchie did a complete circle and charged at Kuro again. Captain Kuro did his fancy footwork again and was gone in the blink of an eye. "Eh? He's gone?"

"There it is..." I looked behind me to Jango. Wanting to know more, I walked up to him, Siam's blood dripping behind me.

"What?" I asked him once I was beside him.

"The Pussy Foot Maneuver!" He answered, not caring that I was close to him. Butchie looked around him to find out where Kurahdol had gone. I saw a shadow pass behind him then it was gone again. Then I looked hard, really hard, and saw little tuffs of dirt where his feet were.

"You're right." Blades reflected the sun. In no time at all, he had his claw blades to Butchie's stomach and throat. He looked about ready to wet himself. "I do feel a bit sluggish." He taunted him with the blades.

"That man's 'Pussy Foot Maneuver' is a silent movement technique. Even a group of fifty assassins would be killed before sensing him!" Jango muttered to himself. "And I got the chills after seeing that habit of his again after three years." He shuddered. The crew behind us swallowed and made no attempt to run, for fear that they would be killed.

"Mira," I turned my gaze to Kurahdol. "Anything you wish to say to this fake neko before I kill him?"

I hung my head, a shadow crossing my eyes. "One thing," I paused for half a second. "I am a real Neko, but Kurahdol, you are as much of a fake neko as he is." Veins bulged from his forehead again.

"It seems I have grown a bit good-natured myself, for I would have killed him instantly. During my last three years on dry land..." He grew silent. "I'll give you five minutes." Huh? Me or Butchie? He removed his blades from Butchie. "If you can't take care of things in five minutes," Butchie had tears in his eyes and he was breathing heavily. "Then I'll kill every last one of you!" Oh, he was talking to his crew... "With my own two hands!" He raised them high to make a point.

Jango chuckled softly. "Five minutes... Five minutes should be enough time!" Before I could react, his ring blade was to my neck and his other arm was around my torso. My tail twitched, but I kept calm, having faced a greater danger back when I was on my home island.

"No!" Kurahdol shouted. "Leave the girl." I was released. "She's mine."

"T-then if we just beat him," He motioned to Zoro. "We can get past this hill."

Kurahdol nodded. "Before anything else, I want the girl." Jango shoved me hard towards him. I hissed but walked, a pit forming in my stomach. I tried to ignore it the best I could as I got closer to Kurahdol.

"Watch my back," I whispered to Zoro as I passed him. "And I'll watch yours." He gave an almost inaudible grunt. Soon, I was right in front of Kurahdol. My tail swished back and forth a bit. "What do you want?" I asked, my voice hard.

His claws reached out and snagged in my clothes, holding me in place. "I want to have a little chat, see if you're the one he was talking about." He smirked evilly and the battle started below. "What is your full name?"

I glared at him. "Elmira Hojosen."

His smirk grew wider. "Just as I thought." He pulled me closer. "Your eyes are just like his. Your hair, though. I've never seen anything like it. Must be from your mother."

I tried to jerk away, but it only resulted in my clothes threatening to rip. My tail twitched uncontrollably. "What do you mean?" I spat in his face.

He used the heel of his hand to wipe it off. "Your father, Josten Hojosen warned me about you. Three years ago, your father betrayed me. He sold me to the Marines. It's a good thing I had a flawless plan back then, other wise I would be dead. Before I came to this island, I found your father and killed him. With his last breath, he said, 'My daughter, Elmira Hojosen, will defeat you. Tell her what you did if and when she finds you.' I just laughed and watched him bleed out."

I should have been upset, but I was more confused than angry. "What?"

His smirk fell a bit. "I killed your father." He pressed. "Aren't you going to avenge him?"

I held my head and shook it three times to clear it. "How did you kill him?"

"Like I always do. With my-"

"No," I interrupted. "I know how you killed him, but how? Buggy the Clown Pirate got him five years ago. How can you kill him if he's already dead?" I'm so confused! How is this possible?! He was killed when he faced Buggy, so how could he have faced Kurahdol?!

"Well, he was very much alive when I faced him." He grinned mischievously. "And let me say, his blood was quite interesting to watch spill from his body." He looked up to the crowd behind us. I glanced back and saw one of Jango's rings mere feet from slicing off Nami's head as she tried to wake up Luffy. "Two minutes." Already?

Just in time, Luffy grabbed her ankle and pulled her to the ground. "Nami! Why did you step on my face?!" While his big mouth was open, the ring went right into his mouth. I gasped.

"Now, Mira," I turned back to Kuro. "Would you like to be the first to die? Their time is almost up." I gulped, but pushed down my fears. I've had worse. I've had much worse than this.

"Dream on," I smirked and did a back flip, the blades sliding off my clothes without ripping them, and I landed a good ten feet from him. "I have a quest to fulfill."

"OUCH!!!!" I turned back and saw Luffy holding the side of his mouth. The ring had split into many pieces and Nami was laying on the ground. When did she get over there?

"H-he's alive again!" One of the crew members cried. That's Luffy for you. "This is bad! Five minutes is impossible now!" Damn right it is.

I looked back to Kurahdol. "You lose. Game over."

"Nami! That hurts, you jerk!" I heard Luffy shout at her. Her response was too quiet for me to hear.

"One minute."

"Give it up, Kuro." I told him. "We win. Just give up and leave."

"I won't." He said seriously. "Not until I get what I want. I want Kaya's fortune!"

"You won't have it!" I shouted back at him. "There's no way you'll get it! Luffy woke up and you'll lose! Mark my words!"

I heard whimpering and screaming behind me and knew that Luffy was heading this way. We can win this. I know we can. There is no way we can lose this fight.

"I'll kill Straw Hat!" Jango yelled behind me. Which means Butchie will be after Zoro once again. Can this fight last any longer? One minutes has to almost be up by now. They don't stand a chance.

"It's about time for everyone to die." Kurahdol stated. "I'll start with my crew then I'll be after you, Elmira Hojosen." He spread his claws open and touched the tips to the ground. I stepped out of his way, though I doubt that'll help me as the time ticks down... All was silent...

And I was able to hear what Luffy said. "Huh? That bad butler is here too?" I face palmed.

"BAKA! He's trying to kill us all!" I shouted.

"Isn't he..." I looked back to Kuro. "Didn't he fall off the cliff?" Is that was Luffy did? Baka.... "No matter." He got into a ready position. He leaned up onto the tips of his toes and I watched, hoping to replicate it and do it myself. I knew their five minutes was drawing to a close...

Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw someone running this way. I turned just my eyes to them and they widened. What's Kaya doing here?! She was running full pelt (well, she's not feeling well, so full pelt for her) at the battle field holding a gun.

Kurahdol was about to attack when he heard her feet pounding the ground. "Don't approach me from behind!"

"Usopp!" I cried. "No!" but it was too late. He got between the blades and Kaya and took most, if not all, of the damage. He tackled her to the ground and fell right on his face, Kaya right next to him.

"U-Usopp-san. Are you alright?"

He ignored her question. "Kaya... What are you doing here?" He asked, barely managing to get it out.

She turned away. "I'm so sorry, Usopp-san..." She whispered. "I know you may not accept my apology, but I just couldn't believe it."

"Do you now?" I asked.

She didn't answer. "Kurahdol, a pirate..."

"N-never mind that!" Usopp half yelled. "What are you doing here?!" Tears formed in Kaya's eyes. "I-I told you to run away! Your life is in danger!"

"But you're fighting!" She screamed. "Even after I treated you so badly and you got hurt so much, you're still fighting for me! So I..."

"Miss Kaya," Kurahdol interrupted. "Why are you here?"

I saw something snap in her eyes. Her face scrunched up in a nasty scowl and she shook with rage. "S-stop this." She turned her entire sitting frame to him. "Stop this, Kurahdol!" Her burst of anger made everyone freeze. She earned a great deal of respect from me.

Kaya stood on her feet and faced him. "Merry told me everything." Who's she? "Kurahdol, stop this! If you want my fortune, you can have it all!" No! I thought you still had some sense?!

Murmurs rang out along behind us on the slope. I caught something about killing Kaya, but I couldn't be sure. Kaya continued. "Just please leave this village! Right now!"

"I will gladly accept it, but..." He trailed off a bit at the end. "There's one other thing I want, you see. What I want is peace of mind." Eh?

"Peace?" She was just as confused as I was.

"Yes," He held his glasses with his hand. "I want simple peace. I find the villagers trust I've fostered over these three years to be nice and comfortable now. So I want to have that peace of mind forever." His eyes started to water up. Kaya backed up and reached into her coat pocket, right where I saw the gun. "And I," He continued. "Will have that peace! And your fortune!" He drew his hands out beside him in triumph.

"In short, pirates will come to this village!" To make it seem more dramatic, he gestured to his crew, fingers spread wide. "And," A mad look crossed his eyes as he turned back to face Kaya. "You will leave your will and die!" He pointed his claws at her. She stood her ground. "These two things are absolute."

"N-no..." She half whispered. Her hand was shaking as she slowly pulled out the gun Sheep guy had used on Usopp. "Y-you're not..."

Usopp grabbed her leg. "Run! Run away, Kaya!" He pleaded.

"Go now!" I shouted as I charged Kurahdol, katana raised and ready. He caught my actions and met me blade to blade. As we clashed, I felt something cold bite my left ear. It hurt so much that it brought hot tears to my eyes. "Ouch... Ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch....." I spared a glance beside me on the ground and saw the very tip of my ear laying there. That won't ever grow back.

"Aw, does kitty not like the blade?" He taunted.

"Th-that was n-nothing..." I fought so hard to keep from breaking down.

"STOP!" Kurahdol turned his eyes to Kaya who now had her gun out. "Y-you're not... You're not Kurahdol. You're not Kurahdol." The gun was shaky in her hand, but at least she was holding it right, aiming it right at her target. I had to get away before she shot. I shoved Kurahdol, unlocking our blades and leaped back. Soon, Kaya was holding the gun with pure determination.

Kurahdol turned away from me and faced her right on. He seemed bored. "Leave this village!" She shouted.

"Oh..." He shrugged. "You'd point a gun at me..."

"Leave this minute!" She pressed, finger pulling the trigger slightly.

"I see," He sighed. "You've grown a lot these past three years, Miss Kaya." she softened a bit and the gun inched down.

"Kaya..." I hissed. "Don't listen to him..."

"Do you remember?" Don't listen to him! "So much has happened in these three years." Don't listen! He began to take off his gloves. "We spent so much time together," His right glove came off. "Even before your parents died and you became bedridden. So much time..." He pushed his glasses back up.

"Kaya! Don't listen!" I finally shouted, but Kurahdol talked over me.

"So many memories. Together we suffered... Together we rejoiced..."

"K-Kurahdol..." It was sinking through. I thought she was stronger!

"I would visit the village with you," I imagined his carrying all of her things. "And when ever you had a fever, I always watched over you. You listened to my stories so happily... I devoted myself to you." He seemed happy that he was reliving the memories, but I could see he was smug that he moved her to tears to relive them with him. If he kept this up, Kaya will forget all about him being a bad guy.

"For so long," He reached over and started to take the gun from Kaya. "Yes, for so long I endured it." I knew he never meant it! I ran over and kicked him in the back and he lurched forward, his back arching inward. He grunted and released the gun.

"Go, Kaya! Shoot him! He never meant those things!" I shouted at her. He seemed immobile, so I kicked him to the ground. He held his back and the gun shook violently in her hands. "He was planning your demise from the very beginning!"

"Yes, I did it all so I could kill you today!" With his other hand, the one that was still gloved, he swung out and lashed at me. I jumped at the last second, but he still managed to cut my ankle. I landed again and felt the steady stream of blood flowing onto the dirt ground, staining it red.

Kurahdol stood, lightly holding his back. "I, a man once know as Captain Kuro, had to smile humbly for a snot-nosed girl. I went against my nature to suck up to you." Kaya started to cry steadily but made no noise. The gun slipped from her hands onto the ground. I snatched it up and pointed it at him.

"Damn you...." Usopp growled.

"Do you understand these daily insults?!" He continued on. "Do you understand this man once known as Captain Kuro?!"

Usopp sat up and snatched the gun from my hand and pointed it at Kurahdol. He jumped to his feet and shot. "Kuro!" The shot echoed, but Kuro used his fancy foot work and dodged. As he did so, he slipped the glove back on. I missed it!

"Come to think f it," He smirked as he came back into view. "I still owe you for hitting me." In less than blink of an eye, his claws were surrounded around Usopp's head coming to a point at the end.

"Usopp-san..." Kaya squeaked, though it was barely heard.

"You hit me with all your might, as I recall." I watched him closely, waiting for my turn to intervene. He peeled the bandage back with his claws on his other hand. I heard something stretch and looked just in time to see Luffy's fist connect with Kurahdol's face, making his cheek twist. He grunted and his cage around Usopp's head broke as he fell backward to the ground.

The arm retracted and Luffy stood proud. "If you hate getting hit, then I have a hundred more punches for you!"

That's the Luffy I know.

----------

***No one's point of view***

The woman looked away from her crystal ball and went to work over her companion. "Mira is doing well." She said to him. "But you always make enemies." She smoothed his hair away from his closed eyes. "I told you going against Arlong was a bad idea, but did you listen? No. You just walked right in there and got killed. When will you learn?"

She knelt over him and began to clean the blood from his face and lips, arms, and legs with a special healing leaf. It sealed up all his cuts and gashes and left nothing but thin scars. She then removed his shirt and examined the gouge in his chest right where his heart should be.

She shrugged. "I've seen worse when you faced Number Zero, and you still lost. What are you trying to gain?" She placed a leaf in his wound and wet it with a light blue potion. She quickly pulled the leaf out as the wound started to heal and his heart began to beat again, pumping his much needed blood through him.

His eyes started to flutter open and she wrapped his chest so it wouldn't get infected. Soon, his topaz eyes opened fully and he stared at the woman. "Thanks again, Kira."

She smiled and kissed his lips. "Take it easy, Josten." She rested her hand on his forehead. "No more fights for a while." He nodded and fell asleep.