XIA | (Zoro x OC) - One Piece Netflix FF

12

Half a day later, we land on this Gekko island. At first it seems like a quiet place, the scent of the sea mixes with that of freshly caught fish, there is a small port with fishermen's boats floating on the ripples of the waves.

As we enter the inhabited area, we spread around, panels full of announcements appear, including bounties on pirates. And Zoro locates the bounty on the clown.

"Are you kidding me, 50 million berry" he stares at the piece of paper almost with disdain.

"I would worry more about your own bounty, Zoro. You must have one now that you're a... traitor" I'm sure he accepts the provocation.

"If I do, I'm sure it's so much higher than yours"...and here he comes.

"Childish" I just chuckle. But I was obviously looking for a comeback.

"We're going to Syrup village, lots of options. Are you coming or do you want to keep arguing?" Nami informs us as she returns from her reconnaissance.

When we arrive to the peer of the village, there are indeed a lot of options. But Nami said something true, It can't be too big if we want to sneak away. The problem is, Luffy does not want to steal it.

This makes me respect him even more, and it that very moment he makes me realise that people, even pirates, can be good. So I push away Kleto and any doubt I could possibly have. He's one of the good ones, period.

While I decide about my life, I notice Luffy has his eyes on a ship and goes straight for it. A very weird one, but somehow it suits him. He's staring in awe, with sparkling eyes, while we remain a bit further away.

"We are going to steal it, aren't we?" I murmur to the rest of the 'crew'.

"No, it'll take off by itself once you blow some wind in its direction" I had this one coming. It'll teach me to teach Zoro the art of sarcasm. But he'll soon see who he is up against.

"While you make these poor jokes, ask yourself where I could send you with a little breeze" I already did, actually. When I handed him over to the Marines. Not my finest hour, I might say.

"I just want some more rooms so I can lock myself in while you bicker like this" Nami snorts, then we spot Luffy talking to someone. This guy would be able to find someone to chat even on a desert island.

"Who the hell is that now?" he is a unique fellow, long curly hair and a bandage on his head. Luffy seems satisfied with their talk, so he rushes towards us.

"Guys, I found our ship. He's going to sell it to us" so at first impression this individual doesn't seem capable of selling a ship of this rank. If I were to imagine the owner of this boat I would think more of a nobleman or something like that. We exchange a doubtful look with Nami and Zoro

And our doubts are confirmed when he explains his duties on the ship.

"Ok, he can't help us" Zoro sumps it up correctly. And we're about to turn back until he stops us.

"The owner is my closest friend, you could find a deal with her. She owns the entire shipyard" this last sentence seems to light a spark in Nami's eyes, on whose face a sly and aware smile is painted. And right now I know exactly what's going through her head. Because it's going through mine as well. If my journey is to be delayed, might as well be worth it.

"It couldn't hurt to say hello"

"With you two, it could hurt her finances" Zoro figured it out too, apparently. She and I glance at each other briefly, just to confirm our mutual intentions.

"I promise I'll get you a decent shirt" I tell Zoro, sliding a part of his worn sleeve between my fingers

The house looks so great from outside, full of potential targets. The problem is the guy who took us here. He brags about being best friend and all, but we're entering from the back entrance. And moreover, we don't seem to be welcomed here judging from the knife that one of the staff throws at Usop, our 'guide'.

"I am starting to think coming here was a waste of time" the girl in question appears. A lovely, delicate blonde figure escorted by a butler. And a wave of guilts invades me already. It's pretty clear she's not well. And there's something about robbing an ill girl that just does not seem right.

"Even if she does not grant us the ship, we could still get something out of it" Clearly Nami does not have the same moral dilemma. Luffy introduces us to this girl, Kaya, and she starts talking to him and Usop.

"On second thought, we need to get out of here and I remind you that we're sunk, like literally"

"Why, you in a rush?" Zoro shakes me an indecipherable look, perhaps he sensed my backtracking. I've learnt to understand how insightful he may be and make no mistake, it's no compliment, it's annoying really.

"Last time I checked we didn't come here for a tea party" but here I stand corrected, Usop gets us an invite for dinner. Which, I know, Luffy will never decline. Reason one? Food. Reason two? Win her over to conquer the ship. He made a bet with Nami, too.

We're about to go in, but the butler in question gives Aileen a concerned look. I tent to forget she's not for anyone. I mean, she grows on you fast, but she has a menacing look.

"Is there any chance the... pet could stay outside?"

"No, there isn't" I reply, too fast and too resolved.

It is ok, Xia. I'll enjoy some grass

"Don't mind her, she's like a dog, only bigger" Luffy puts in a good word for her, but KRahador or whatever does not seem too convinced. And perhaps Aileen really needs some time outside, that's the only reason I give in.

"Actually, she might better off in the garden"

We are kindly, so to speak, invited to change and bathe for dinner. The guest suite looks princessy, even more so than my childhood house. My parents were rich, my mansion was great, but not as posh as this, not that I care. It never meant too much for me. I think money is an asset, but should not be a purpose.

I lay on the bed – the most comfortable one I've ever found – just to listen to the sound of calmness. For a second. It's true, I am in a rush, I am seriously thinking about what Aileen said and she has a point. I need to go investigate and take this tingling out of my head.

I pick up the super soft rope laid on the bed next to me and I take a relaxing bath.

Relaxing until I go back in the room to grab clothes and I spot Zoro sitting on one of the chairs. I jump so evidently I almost drop my rope.