Moderating Manners // One Piece Various x Female Oc

Regretful Reliance

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Keys:-

"Talking"

'Thinking'

Emphasis/Emphasis

The day had been eventful, to say the least. After reaching Alabasta -- thanks to a passing ship -- Hiriko intended to keep a low profile, staying out of the spotlight until she was ready to depart from the island once again. She had even switched out her usual wardrobe for something less flashy.

However, as she ran away from a horde of marine soldiers, she knew all hopes of being invisible during this visit had flown out of the window. Looking to both of her sides, she saw the group she had only recently been introduced to run beside her, a few of them heaving heavily due to exhaustion -- they have been running for a while after all.

'This won't do.' she thought, steeling herself before turning her head around to look at Nami -- who held her hand tightly, squeezing her hand every once in a while in reassurance. It was endearing.

The orange-haired girl was really kind, Hiriko learned. Her outgoing nature was one Hiriko immediately found herself growing fond of.

"Nami-san, please leave them to me." she requested raising her voice slightly so she could be heard over the yelling of the soldiers. Nami looked at her with wide eyes, lips parting to let out a protest but Hiriko didn't give her the chance. Gently, she removed her hand from Nami's grasp, giving her a squeeze of her own before doing so. Flashing her a big, reassuring smile that she hoped conveyed a promise, she continued, "I'll catch up to you soon!"

With that she halted, letting the group speed past her. She saw the members look back, some almost stopping as well and turning around to face her but she heard Nami shakily tell them to move forward.

With her smile still in place, she twirled around to face the quickly approaching crowd of marine soldiers, absentmindedly noting that the crew had turned a corner. They were out of sight, though that won't be a problem for her.

A few of the marines stopped in their tracks, though most continued running, obviously intending to run past her and continue to chase after the group -- she couldn't let happen, now could she?

Ripping the cloak from herself, Hiriko let the thick material drop to the floor, her hand reaching behind her to clutch her weapon as she faced her enemies.

"I apologize sincerely, but I can not allow you to pass. I assure you though, I will not be inflicting any long term damage onto any of you. I understand that it is too brazen of me to ask for forgiveness for what I am about to do, but I do hope you hold no grudge."

"..."

"..."

"...huh?"

"I shouldn't have let her go!" Nami screamed, her hands pulling at her hair in desperation as she paced across the deck of Going Merry. Her eyes were wide with worry, her hair a mess from how much she had been threading her fingers through it, and her legs threatened to give out from under her due to exhaustion, yet she refused to stop pacing. Across from her, Vivi was doing the same thing, her hands in her mouth instead, biting at her nails nervously. The same thoughts were running through her head.

"Then why did you?" Zoro snarkily remarked, expecting a sassy retort but was shocked when he received none -- at least none from the person the remark was aimed at. The dumb cook was screaming his head off, though.