Across the Ocean

       Suki's smile slipped. Everyone had grown quiet as all eyes were staring at her. She felt uncomfortable and the fact that her growling stomach could be heard didn't help matters. She looked at the blonde. He stood their with a surprised look on his face as did his friends. She couldn't stop herself from looking at the green haired swordsman. His expression was unreadable and for some reason that bothered her. She looked back at the blonde. "Um, thank you, again. I'll... I'll be going now."


        Suki left the pub as quickly as she could. The cool air outside did little to settle her nerves. She took a deep breath and her stomach growled. She exhaled on a sigh. She pretty much ruined her chance at getting something to eat and drink. Just as well, she didn't have enough money to eat and drink plus bribe someone to get off the island. No, eating would have to wait. She needed to leave the small port town and get to the next island. She'll just get something then. Her stomach growled in protest, man she was hungry.


        "Hey!" Someone yelled.


        Suki ignored the yelled. Whoever it is must be talking to someone else, she definitely didn't know anyone here. A hand clamped down on her shoulder. Suki's instincts took over. She grabbed her black katana and spun around intending to take the arm of whoever had her. The sound of metal clashing against metal filled the air. Suki narrowed her eyes as she reached for her second katana. It was a twin to the other one, only it was a solid white blade instead of black. She brought it around, swinging to cut her opponent in half, but was met with another sword. It was the green haired swordsman from before, the same malicious smile spread across her face as her eyes grew emotionless. He began to move his arms in a repetitive manor, and Suki blocked each attack. About in the middle of the attack, he spun his body to where one blade would hit her head and the other would take out her legs. Suki threw her blades in the air before she dove between the advancing blades. She pushed off of her hands so she could right herself, catching her blades as they fell back to the ground.


        "Whoa, she's keeping up with Zoro!"  Someone said with awed enthusiasm.


        "Zoro?" Suki looked between the guy in the straw hat and the green haired swordsman. Where has she heard that name before? "As in Roronoa Zoro, the pirate hunter?"  


        "The one in the same, and I am his fearless captain, Captain Usopp!" The long nosed guy said as he ran to stand next him.


        "Usopp," Everyone else said flatly as if he has done this before.


        Suki sheathed her swords. She put her hands up in surrender as she took a few steps back. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were the Pirate Hunter. Which makes all of you the Straw Hat Pirates. Ha, should've guessed." Suki said as she pointed to the straw hat. Suki's stomach growled making her blush.


        "Are you hungry?" The blonde asked.


        Suki looked at him. 


        "Food!" Luffy yelled. "I'm hungry, Sanji, make me some food!"


        "Calm down, idiot."


        Suki looked around at the people in front of her, trying to place their faces. There was the "Demon Child" Robin, "Cat Burglar" Nami, "Sniper King" Usopp, "Cotton Candy Lover" Chopper, "Black Leg" Sanji, "Pirate Hunter" Zoro, and their captain, "Straw Hat" Luffy. The excitement she felt was beyond anything she could explain. She had heard all the stories, and she wasn't talking about what the Government wanted everyone to know. She was talking about how they helped the princess of Alabasta by taking out one of the seven war lords of the sea. About how they took on Arlong Park and many more. It wasn't hard if you knew how to listen, and Suki knew how to listen.


        She had spent two years in the brig on the ship of the pirates that kidnapped her. The captain deemed her worthless and ordered her out of his sight, so the crew took her to the brig and left her. There was no contact with the men except for when they fed her, if they remembered. She was lucky to get food once a day, so she put her energy in focusing her mind, learning. Suki was held in that prison for two years until the ship was raided by another crew. The captain took pity on her and took in at the age of eight. He raised her until she was fifteen. She shook her head not understanding what brought those memories on. Suki's stomach growled again. She sighed, well better look for someone to take her off this island. The sooner she does the faster she can get to the next island and eat. Before she took two steps something wrapped around her arms and waist.


        "What the-" Suki was slung backward at a very rapid pace.


        "Luffy!" Zoro yelled in alarm.


        Suki was whirled around until she was slammed into Zoro. They skidded to a stop just a few feet from the docks. She was lying on top of Zoro, highly aware that his arms were around her waist. Suki placed her hands on his chest so that she could push off, when their eyes met. She froze as did he. There was a sight blush that tented his cheeks and confusion that clouded his eyes. It went away when he shoved her off of him only to get kicked in the face.


        "What was that for, dumbass cook?" Zoro yelled as he put his hand on his face.


        "That's no way to treat a lady, moss head." Sanji yelled back.


        Suki smiled in confusion as the two started to fight with one another. "Sorry about that, those two can get a little rough." Suki looked up to see Robin smiling at her. She offered Suki a hand to stand up. As Suki stood, Nami marched over to the fighting pair and hit them both over the head. Yelling at them to give it a rest. Zoro huffed while Sanji said with heartfelt emotion, "Yes, Nami dear."