Chapter 6: No Worries?

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece.

Kirsty, Austin, Devon, Dusty, and all the pirates that were fighting stopped what they were doing and looked at the source of both the hatchet and the voice. Standing at the end of the street was a young man wearing a black duster jacket and black, wide brimmed hat. In his hands were two more hatchets and he wore a grin on his face.

"You know...I don't like a very large number of armed men attacking women and children. I also don't like the odds here. So...how about we even the odds?" he suggested. The stranger raised a finger and counted the number of pirates that were there, still grinning. "Ok, how's this? Half of what's left of you, fight them," he pointed to Kirsty and Devon, "and the rest of you fight me?".

Dmitri laughed loudly, "You are either the bravest dumbass or the most stupid hero I've ever seen!". The stranger shrugged, "I really don't care. So, are you guys gonna fight me or are y'all yellow-bellied?" he taunted. That did it.

Every pirate that wasn't fighting Devon or Kirsty screamed in anger and ran towards the stranger, weapons poised. Loud rings of steel were heard just before most of the attacking men flew through the air, either screaming their heads off or unconcious.

What in the world...? Kirsty raised an eyebrow.

What the hell... Devon's jaw dropped.

AWESOME! Dusty grinned.

Dmitri's spear shook as he watched in amazement as the stranger lifted his men into the air and flung them against the nearby buildings or rocks. "What...what the hell are you?" he barked, pointing his jagged weapon at the man who was finishing up his work. The stranger shrugged, "Just a guy who's looking for a new start," he said simply.

He walked over bits and pieces of broken steel, cracking his knuckles. "So...you've used your turn. Now, I'm a nice guy, so I'll give you one chance to leave this nice people alone and get the hell off this island...," he said slowly. Dmitri glanced at him, then at the people that he was supposed to be fighting. "This ain't over!" he yelled, throwing his hand down to the ground.

As he did, a plume of black smoke erupted from the dirt and filled the street. Everyone coughed as it covered the area. "Bas-bastard! That's one of my moves...how dare he ste-steal it!" Dusty wheezed. The smoke finally cleared and every pirate, concious or unconcious, was gone.

"Well...that's taken care of...,"

Kirsty turned to see the stranger walking away, his hands in his pockets. "Hey wait!" she called out. She ran up to him and stood in his way, hands clapped together. "Thank you, thank you, for helping us!" she said gratefully, bowing with every thank you. The man ignored her and walked down the street.

"Well that was certainly rude...," Kirsty murmured as she poured tea for her guests: Dusty the fox girl, Devon the "Demon" and his little brother Austin. Dusty ignored her and looked at the tea while Devon flipped through his book of swords. The doctor sat down and looked at them both, "Something wrong?" she asked them. Dusty prodded the teacup, "Um...what's this?". Kirsty looked at her, surprised that this girl had never seen tea before.

Austin looked at the tea and was about to put his finger in when Devon's hand shot out and grabbed his wrist, "Don't...it's hot," he scolded. Kirsty looked at him, "How did...you're reading that book, how did you know he was going to try that?" she asked. "Believe me...I just know," Devon replied as he turned a page.

Well this is certainly off to a great start... Kirsty said to herself. She cleared her throat, "So, um...what brings you three to Tristram?" she asked, hoping to start a new conversation. Dusty looked up at her, her fox ears twitching, "I just came to make some money...,".

"We're just passing through," Devon mumbled as he stopped his little brother from putting his finger in the tea again, "I said no, Austin,". Kirsty nodded, "I see...so Miss Fox," she turned to Dusty, "Why did those men want you?". The fox girl held up two fingers, "One...call me Dusty. Two...they're just trying to get me to come back to my old crew and captain," she explained.

"But why, Miss...I mean, Dusty?"

Dusty shrugged, "I left because even though I loved being a pirate...going anywhere and meeting so many people and finding lots of treasure...I've always been an entertainer at heart," she sighed. Kirsty propped her head on her hand, "Didn't you entertain on your ship?" she inquired. Dusty folded her arms across her chest, "Yeah...but not the way I wanted. Most of the men were perverts and they...'persuaded' me to entertain them by dancing around in skimpy clothes...," she muttered.

"Oh my...that's horrible! Well don't worry. I may not like pirates myself, but I can promise you that no one in Tristram will know that you're...or was a pirate!" the good doctor promised. Dusty grinned a goofy smile and leaned back in her chair, "Cooly...,". A small cry made Dusty fall backwards and Kirsty look at Austin who currently had his finger in his mouth.

Devon sighed, "I told you, Austin. Now you know, right?" he asked, putting his book down and looking at his little brother. Austin nodded in silence while Dusty picked herself up from the floor. "Ya know...I've been wondering. I've seen a lot of one-sided fights in my day as a pirate, but I've never seen anything like that guy that helped us out," she said thoughtfully, straightening her chair.

"What do you mean?" Kirsty asked. Dusty looked at her, "You know...all of those guys against ONE man? He ain't normal...because if he is normal, he doesn't have normal strength!". Devon grabbed his cup and drank his tea in one gulp, "I know what ya mean. You think he's one of them Seven Warlords of the Seas?" he offered Dusty.

Before she could answer, a loud knocking made Dusty fall out of her chair again. "Aiya...," she groaned while Kirsty got up from her chair. "It's my front door," she explained before walking out of the room. The small room was quiet for a few minutes, then she came back. "One of my patients coming to say thank you," she said casually before taking her seat again.

The blonde man hmphed and reached for his book, only to find that was missing and in Dusty's hands...er...paws so to speak. "Ya mind givin' that back?" he asked quietly, hand outstretched. Dusty waved him off as she looked through it, "Nya nya...I'm looking at this...," she answered. Devon's right eye twitched as Dusty flipped through the pages.

He felt something tug at his jeans and he looked down to see Austin hopping up and down, his legs crossed. "Oh...hey doc," he turned to Kirsty, "Where's your crapper?" he asked. "My...my what?" she asked. "Ya know...throne, craphole...the toilet?" the Demon asked.

"OH! Of course. It's down the hall and the first door to the left," she pointed behind her and like a shot, the little boy ran off towards the restroom. Kirsty couldn't help but smile at the boy, but she did have a question about him. She turned to Devon and cleared her throat, "He's mute...isn't he?" she asked quietly.

Devon nodded slowly, "Yeah...he wasn't always like that though,". Kirsty leaned forward, "How did it happen?". The blonde man snatched the book away from Dusty and began reading it again, ignoring her. Dusty yawned and stretched her arms out, "MAN, I'm tired...you know any good inns in town?" she asked her host. Kirsty nodded, "Well, yes, but you don't have to pay to sleep. You all are welcome to stay here at my home tonight,".

Dusty's eyes grew big while Devon glanced at Kirsty, "You sure you don't mind having a couple of strangers, one who is a pirate I might add, sleeping in your home?" he asked slowly. Kirsty nodded and stood up, "No I don't. I have this sense about people and I can tell that you aren't trouble, so I have nothing to worry about!". The fox eared girl squealed as the Demon stood up as well. He laid his hand on the blade at his side and looked hard at Kirsty, "Believe me...you're going to have a lot of things to worry about if you help out people like us...,"

Kilnorc: there ya go! hope it's good. if not, gomen.