Chapter 27: Nikka

Disclaimer: Don't own One Piece.

"I think she's cute,"

"Wonder who she is...,"

"I feel so sorry for him...,"

"Devon, go help him,"

"Hell no, I already got a kid attached to me and that's Austin,"

"Excuse me for interrupting but...," Axe lifted his leg high into the air, the little girl with white hair still clutching pant leg, "Could someone please get me the Jaws of Life?" he asked, eye twitching. Niri grinned and Kirsty walked over to him, "I thinks he likes you, Captain,".

Axe grunted and waved his leg around in the air, trying to get the girl off, "Well unfortunately, I think there's a law against a guy my age and a girl her age! GET OFF!" he yelled. After he stopped shaking his leg, the girl let go of Axe and backed away, a large grin on her face.

"Thank...you...for coming...," she whispered before collapsing on the floor. Kirsty gawked at her, then grabbed Axe by the collar and shook him around, "YOU EVIL EVIL EVIL MAN! YOU MADE HER COLLAPSE! SHE'S JUST A LITTLE GIRL NOT SOME SORT OF TOY FOR YOU TO TOSS AROUND WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE IT!" she screamed.

Night fell and the crew had retreated back to their ship. They couldn't ask around about how the girl was, because that would raise questions on how they found her, and they didn't want to bring up the Corps. incident. Axe had some light bruises from Kirsty, but he was glad for them. If he hadn't calmed her down, he would've gotten a lot more.

Speaking of Kirsty, she was in the infirmary, watching over the little girl. She gave her a full look over and knew that she would be ok. The little girl hadn't had anything for a few days, and she had some bruises, but with some food and some rest she would be just fine. She sat at the desk, reading a book while the little one slept.

Wonder who she is. She must've have a lot of trouble with the law, otherwise those men wouldn't have grabbed her like that. Unless the law here is different than most places. Come to think of it... she turned and looked out the window, and looked towards the village lights, We haven't seen one little mark of Marine Authority.

"Lovely town, isn't it?"

Kirsty nodded, "Yes it is,". She spun her chair around to see that the little girl was awake and sitting on the bed, "Oh you're finally up,". Kirsty put down her book and walked over to her, "How are you feeling?" she asked. The little girl shrugged, "Better. Just a little hungry," she said quietly. Kirsty smiled a bit, "Well that we can fix, c'mon I'll get Devon to whip you up something,".

The whole crew watched in amazement as the little girl with white hair scarfed five plates of food in about three minutes flat. Niri grinned and eyed Dusty, Axe and Devon, "She's gonna beat your records soon," she giggled. Dusty sat down mumbling under her breath while Devon rolled his eyes. Axe smiled and sat down across from the girl, "What's your name, kiddo?" he asked.

She looked up, fork in her mouth, "I'm Nikka. Nikka Aluka," she replied. Axe nodded, "Well Nikka Aluka, my name is Axe, nice to meet you," he jerked his thumb behind him to the others, "This is my crew. The blonde guy is Devon, the foxxy one is Dusty, the kind looking one is Kirsty, the little one is Austin, Devon's brother, the red head is Chizuru, and the greedy looking one with the gun is Niri,".

Nikka looked at each one of them, "Pirates...," she murmured. Niri walked over, "True, but you don't have anything to worry about us attacking the village. We don't do that sort of thing, we pretty much consider ourselves to be treasure hunters," she said quickly. Nikka nodded, "I know. I sensed that you were telling the truth when members of the Corps confronted you,".

"Why did they confront us? I mean, sure I can understand that they were being cautious 'coz of our boat, but still...," Dusty trailed off.

Nikka lowered her head, "They were sent by Azala," she said quietly.

"Azala?" Niri asked, confused. Nikka nodded, "Yes. Azala. He's the one in charge of this island. He lives in a mansion a few miles away from Phlan. People look up to him and show him great respect...,".

"What did you mean by, it's against the law to known the truth?" Chizuru interrupted her. Nikka put down the fork and pushed the plate away from her. Kirsty looked at Devon and he closed his eyes in thought.

"Azala is not who people think he is. Everyone think he's a great man who brings peace and wealth to Phlan...but that's not the truth at all. He's a cruel man, Azala...

-Flashback-

"Azala, this has gone far enough!"

An elderly man walked up to a large man sitting on a golden throne, "I demand that you release your so called servants and leave this place!" he barked.

The man on the throne grinned and glanced around, "I see...you want me to leave my home? I don't see that happening, old man. You see, this is my sovereign and as ruler, I can't leave. Haven't I given money to build most of the new buildings in Phlan? Have I not protected you with my Corps Soldiers? Why would you want me to leave?" he asked, crossing his arms.

The elderly man glared hard at him, "Don't give me that shit, Azala! I know what you've done! Those people that serve you in this mansion of yours, I know they're slaves! You've taken them from ships that have passed by here and forced them to work! Slavery is against the law, and once the Marine's get here, they'll-,"

He was cut off when the large man grabbed him by the throat and lifted him off the ground, "The Marines? Those idiots can't do anything against me! This island is not a part of the World Government, so I can do what I very well please, you old shithead!"

"LET HIM GO YOU FREAK!"

Azala looked behind the old geezer to see a small white haired girl, aiming a small pistol at him. "Eh? Who the hell is this now?" he asked walking over. The girl backed away, the pistol shaking in her hand, "Back off, ugly!" she shouted. Azala chuckled and threw the old man to the side, "Oh, you got some spunk kid...what's your name?".

"Nikka Aluka! The one who's gonna stop you from making this island disgrace to East Blue!"

Azala glanced down at the shaking firearm, "Go ahead, Little Nikka...shoot me. I dare you,".

BANG!

-End Flashback-

The crew looked at her in silence while tears flowed from Nikka's eyes. Kirsty walked over to her and hugged her while Axe stood up. "Is that why you've welcomed us so well...you want us to help you?" he asked quietly.

Nikka nodded as she sobbed, "Yes...I know you probably have your own things to take care of...but I need you to help me fight him!" she looked up at them and wiped her eyes, "I've seen you fight and I believe you can take him down. Please, help me! If it's money you want...I can pay it! In his mansion, Azala has a whole room filled with gold and jewels!".

Niri's eyes turned into Beli dollar signs and she waved her gun around, "OKIES LET'S GO DO THIS!" she shouted. Devon slapped himself in the face, "Well we've lost Niri...," he muttered.

"What about the map you have with you?"

Nikka turned to Chizuru who was running her finger along the edge of one of her daggers, "How did you know...?". Dusty shook her head, "She's good at things like this. How she does it, we don't know,". The little girl reached into her shirt and pulled out a rolled up piece of parchment, "I snatched this from one of the mansion rooms before I got chased out. I don't know it's for really, but I know that Azala considers important, so as long as I can keep it from him...,".

"Can I see that please?"Axe asked quietly, holding out his hand. Nikka nodded and handed it to him, "Here,". Axe walked over to one side of the galley and opened the map up. For a few long minutes, he stared at it. Devon could see that Axe's knuckles were turning white and the map was shaking slightly.

"Devon, Kirsty, Niri, Dusty...grab your gear...,".

Nikka's face lit up as Axe said those words, "You'll help me?" she whimpered. Axe tucked the map into his shirt, took off his hat and placed it on Nikka's head, "Don't think I'm doing this just for you and your village, Nikka...I got my own reasons for doing this," he murmured. Nikka looked up from under the brim of the hat and saw that Axe had a dark look in his eyes and she felt a chill go down her spine.

Axe turned to the four, "I said grab your gear...we got a thing to do!" he yelled.

In a tree near the beach, a woman in black watched the group of five left the ship. She smiled and let her legs dangle from the branch she was sitting on, That got his attention... she thought before looking behind her, Time to watch some fun...

Kilnorc: Okies...um...hope it's good -rubs back of head- writer's block again. Don't worry, next few chapters, much much fun! oh and in case the backstory of Nikka didn't quite catch ya, it'll be explained more in the future! ja ne!