Chapter 22: Roguetown: Clowns and Fire Hair

Disclaimer: Don't own One Piece, just OC's.

"Dusty, c'mon, we have to meet back up with the captain!"

The kitsune girl waved absentmindedly at Kirsty and looked around, sniffing. Kirsty sighed as she followed her nakama. "I swear, Kirsty, I'm smellin' something really good here!" Dusty assured as she turned multiple corners.

"You've been saying that ever since we seperated from Axe, now where exactly is this good smelling stuff?" her blonde friend asked. The two of them came across a pathway that split into two streets, one going to the left, one going to the right.

"Well...which way?" Kirsty asked, looking at both streets. Dusty sniffed around, then frowned, "I can't tell...,". The two of them stood there looking from side to side for a few moments. "Yatta!" Dusty clapped her hands together. Kirsty hugged her, "You found the way!" she cried.

"Nope...we split up!"

Kirsty fell over and Dusty looked down at her, "Why'd you fall down?" she asked. Kirsty sat up and crossed her legs, "I can't believe this. I should've just stayed with Axe, but no I had to come with you and make sure you don't get into trouble...,".

Dusty knelt down and poked her friend in the forehead, "Hey, I never get into trouble!" she protested. Kirsty slapped away the finger, "Then how do you explain Dmitri and that woman, Rose, who you owed money to?" she challenged.

"Uh...bad luck?" the kitsune offered. Kirsty groaned, "Look, we just need to find a way back. Let's just do the split up plan and then we meet somewhere? You remember what dock the ship is at?" she asked, looking straight at Dusty. The kitsune girl nodded, "Yep yep, I do!".

"Good. Now help me up and we'll get going!"

Axe stopped walking and looked to the side. He was in front of an eatery and outside, was a very big, odd colored lion. The large feline growled at him and made it's way over. Axe looked into it's eyes, "Back off," he ordered in a quiet voice. The monster stopped dead in it's tracks, then quickly went back to it's original place.

"Good boy...,"

He entered the eatery and scanned the area. There must be someone here who's willing to be a navigator for a pirate crew... he thought. The diner had some odd customers today. A small group of them wore hooded cloaks over their heads and Axe could see a large red, ball poking out of one.

Grinning, he walked over to the hooded and shoved one of them to the side and took their place. The cloaked person in front of him stopped eating, "You got five seconds to get up and apologize in a flashy way, kid...or else we're gonna kill you flashily!".

Axe smiled and lifted the brim of his hat, looking straight at the threatening person, "You still got a problem with that word, eh Buggy?". The cloaked person dropped his fork and lifted a small bit of his hood. Besides the large red nose, he could see beady eyes and a face with colorful markings underneath.

"What are you doing here, Axe?" Buggy the Clown asked quietly, looking around, "You're not too bright kid, coming to a town filled with Marines,". Axe nodded, "You're one to talk, Buggy. Mohji," he turned to the cloaked person sitting next to him, "Ritchie needs to stop growling at everyone that comes near the diner...,".

Buggy leaned in close, "How did you know it was me, anyway, Axe? We haven't seen each other in years, plus I'm wearing a disguise!". Axe chuckled and glanced at the big nose Buggy had, "Let's just say I see a few easy marks. So what are you doing here, you gonna try and go for the Grand Line again?".

The clown pirate stuffed a piece of steak in his mouth, "We're trying to find a punk kid who flashily insulted the Buggy Pirates!" he hissed. Axe smiled, "Wow, a kid did that huh? You guys must be losin' your edge...what happened?" he asked. Buggy took a swig of grog and wiped his mouth, "Kid ate a Cursed Fruit so now he can stretch himself because he's a rubberman! He and this first mate of his, Zolo, made fools of us all!" he roared, banging his fist on the table.

A few people stared at them, then went back to their business. "Zolo? Roronoa Zolo? Hang on...," Axe reached into his jacket pocket and brought out a folded peice of parchment. After unfolding it, he held it in front of Buggy's face, "This the kid?".

Buggy stared in shock at the sight of Luffy's WANTED Poster. He shrieked and pointed his fork at it, "THAT'S HIM!". Axe waved a hand slightly, "Keep it down, baka...you want the Marines to come and get us? This is the kid?" he asked in whisper, pointing to the poster. Buggy nodded, "Oh yeah, that's the punk,".

Axe snorted, trying to stifle a laugh and his head hit the table, "Oh man, this is great...whoo...,". Buggy glared at him, "Listen boy, either shut up and tell me what you're doing here in Roguetown or leave...,". Axe wiped the tears from his eyes, "Ok ok ok," he took a deep breath and leaned back in his seat, "I got myself a new crew and I'm headed back to the Grand Line...but the problem is, I don't have a navigator and we're in town trying to see if we can find one," he explained.

The clown pirate snickered, "You're screwed in a flashy way then, Axe. There's only one I've heard of since we got here, and she doesn't work for anyone. She just stays in a hidey hole and looks at maps all day...,". Axe raised an eyebrow, "Then how do you know she navigates?" he asked confusedly. Buggy swallowed another piece of steak, "Just a feeling kid, alright?"

The black clad pirate captain shrugged, "Ok, so tell me where this hidey hole of hers is,". It was Buggy's turn to chuckle, "I've told ya kid, don't bother,".

"Buggy...please. I don't ask you for anything unless I need it. Tell me where I can find her,"

Clang! Clang! Clang!

"SONOFABITCH!"

Devon landed on his feet and crouched while Sancuro flew back against the wall of the alley, a large gash on his chest. The blonde swordsman slid the Water Moon back into it's sheath and stared at the young bounty hunter. "Give up kid. Don't throw your life away for money," he advised as he turned around.

"SHUT THE HELL UP!" Sancuro screamed as he threw one of his axes. Devon easily ducked the spinning weapon. It soared over him, hit the wall, and clattered against the street. "I will kill you, Demon. If it's the last thing I do...," the wounded hunter wheezed. Devon bent down and picked up the axe. He tossed it over his shoulder and it landed at Sancuro's feet.

"If that's the case, get stronger kid...maybe some better gear. If you're having a hard time now, there's no way you could kill me in the future,":

Sancuro watched bitterly as Devon and Austin left the alleyway, leaving him wounded on the ground, "Shit,"

I wonder when he will come. Shouldn't be too long...he needs one if he's to reach his goal.

A young woman with long hair like that of fire sat hunched over dozens of books and maps. She idly ran her pencil along the edges of the maps, humming quietly as she did so.

His heart is filled with both hate and love. Hate for one nakama, love for the other. Should he come across his old nakama while in the company of his new one, he will have to make a very difficult choice. But I won't speak of it...no. It's not my place.

She leaned back and adjusted the hat on her head, I've kept myself hidden from other pirates and their crew, just for this one moment. My place is among this man and his nakama...I must help him while I find my own goal in life.

Her golden-brown eyes shined in the firelight of her desktop candle and she smiled a small smile as a loud knocking echoed through the room.

Come in...Captain Axe

Kilnorc: hope this was good. Surprised to know who he knows eh? Wonder who this person ih? -shrugs- hehehehe. ja ne.