I sat by the cracked window looking out at the dirty streets that surrounded the overcrowded orphanage. My hands blistered and calloused, skin bruised and cut. It was hard to believe I was only nine years old. I was worn and beaten from fights, dirty from lack of new clothes, and skinny as a twig from poor nutrition. The fights weren't my fault really. The other kids made fun of my white hair and green eyes. They said only freaks had dark skin and pale eyes. My skin wasn't even that dark. It was a nice caramel brown.

I was waiting for the old gypsy to arrive. she was the only person who was nice to me. She'd sell her wares here once a week and I would climb down the fire escape to visit her. But this time I had some money that I managed to pick pocket. She always has something interesting and she usually will give it to me at the end of the day if it doesn't sell but I always feel bad when she gives me stuff for free. So this time I will be her first customer.

I saw her round a corner and immediately jumped out the window to help her set up. She had her little tent set up and I was helping her arrange things. That's when I saw what I wanted. It was a very large fruit. It was shaped like a star fruit just it was as big as my head. It was red with a swirl pattern on its leathery skin. I grabbed the fruit and ran up to the old lady. I pulled the money from my pocket and grinned as she laughed and my eager expression.

"I will only let you buy the fruit if you listen to its story little one." I sat through a story about another world that was full of adventure, with pirates, marines, and bounty hunters. Then she told me about this fruit, how it had come from this other world and how although it gave a person great strength it also gave them a huge weakness. They would never be able to swim again. That part didn't bother me much seeing as I couldn't swim anyway.

"If you eat the Ryuu Ryuu No Mi then you will never be able to return to this world and you will carry the curse of the water. The only thing you will gain is the power of a dragon." I smiled widely at the old lady and without a second thought I bit down into the fruit. It was bitter and tasted horrible but I continued to eat it anyway.

I could care less about the power it would give me. Just the thought of leaving this horrid place was enough for me. I finished the fruit in minutes and then I started getting drowsy. I sat in a chair to get off my feet and felt the old lady put something over my head. It was a round lifesaver like you see in the old movies. I wrapped my arms around it knowing she gave it to me for a reason and drifted to sleep.