Fire, Ice, And The Blade
Ch. 1

Tied to a Demon

I looked up from my plate as the purple-clad man threw his glass at the woman behind the counter. "This wine is not worthy of me! Get me a better one! I'm Captain Morgan's son you know!"

"That guy could make even the best food taste like shit…"

A little girl with pigtails—the woman's daughter—walked up to him, clutching the edge of her dress. "We don't have anything better! Mommy doesn't have enough money-"
The man cut her off, looking down from his seat. "Are you contradicting me? You are nothing but trouble. The incident with Zoro was your fault too! I should have you executed for-"

I glared at the man's pompous ass, willing it to catch fire. My devil fruit powers obeyed, and a small flame appeared. The sudden burning cut him off mid-sentence, making him jump off his stool with a howl of pain. He quickly patted it out, looking wildly around the room. "Who did this? Who dared to set Axe-hand Morgan's son on fire? I'll tell on you!"

I swallowed the last of my meat and narrowed my onyx eyes at him. "You are a pathetic excuse for a man. Hiding behind your father. I should've burned your entire body."
He pointed at me, raging. "You! You're the traitor! I'll have you both executed!"

I laughed, setting the berries for my meal on the table. "You talk like you could actually catch me! I think you either overestimate your marines or underestimate me."
He gritted his teeth, getting angrier by the second. "Alright, then I'll make you a deal. I arrested Roronoa Zoro not too long ago, and told him I'd set him free after a month. If you are willing to be tied where he is until his sentence is over, I'll release you both and won't kill the girl. Deal?"
I chugged the last of my drink, slamming the empty glass on the table. "The pirate hunter, huh…? Let's go, I wanna get this over with."

I stood up and walked out, my open navy-blue coat swishing softly around my legs. The marines led me to the base's execution courtyard, where a man was already tied up. I could see he was wearing a bandana, white shirt, dark green pants and boots, and a bright green hamaki. Upon getting closer, I could make out sea-foam green hair peeking out from the bandana and three earrings, blood dripping down his face.

"Hm… All things considered, there are worse things to be tied to."

The marines told me to remove all weapons at gunpoint, quaking in their boots at the sight of the man. I chuckled and removed my coat, the red trims brushing the ground.

"No way I'm telling them about my shoes. I don't want to be barefoot."

I glared at the marines as they took my coat, my mouth pressed into a thin line. "Damage this in any way, and I'll make sure you die choking on your entrails."

They nodded, their boot-quaking intensifying. I unfolded my turtleneck and pulled it up to cover my nose and mouth, nodding at them. "I'm all good. Tie me up!"

They moved me to the unoccupied side of the execution cross and started binding me to it, starting with untying one of Zoro's arms and putting mine in its place. I raised an eyebrow in question, but the marines put his over mine and re-tied it there. They set my other arm over his and fastened it as well, then bound our wrists to each other's.

"I thought I was going to be tied next to him, not to him… So… I'm going to be in permanent contact with a rumored demon for who knows how long. Hm. This might turn out to be fun after all."

They wrapped the rough rope around my stomach; the material digging into my skin as my top only ended 3 inches below my breasts. They had to wrap it around the other man as well, since they couldn't get the rope between him and the post. My legs were stretched out in front of me, forcing me to put all of my weight on my bare arms and the binding around my middle. They walked off quickly, eager to get out of our presence. I turned my head as far as I could, trying to get a good look at my companion. "So. You're Roronoa Zoro, the pirate hunter, huh? Rumored vicious demon."
He grunted, slightly turning his face towards mine. "What's it to ya?"
I tried to shrug, not succeeding in the least. "Well, since I'm going to be tied to you until your sentence is over and they set us both free, I'd like to know who I'm dealing with. What'd you do to get sent here?"
He gritted his teeth, annoyed. "Killed that idiot son's pet wolf. I was protecting a little girl. What about you?"
I grinned widely behind my mask. "Set the idiot son's butt on fire to protect the same little girl."
He chuckled, a tired grin appearing on his face. "I would've liked to see that." He shifted. "Anyway, you know who I am, but I don't know who you are."
I chuckled back, shaking my head. "I was pretty fun. I'm Takuda Akane, but you can go ahead and call me Akane."
I grabbed one of his hands—which wasn't all that hard since our wrists were bound together—and shook it. "Nice to meet you."
He grunted and shook it back, his hand covering most of mine. "Likewise. You can call me Zoro."

We let go and I stared up at the sky, slumping against the wooden structure. Some time passed in silence, until two voices floated up from behind the wall. "Look at that person! Oh? There's two of them! Who'd you think the other one is?"

There was a thump, like someone falling.

"What's wrong?"

"Th…Th… That bandana and cloth around his waist… And that intimidating aura…! It's Zoro…!"

"So he's Zoro, huh…? Looks to me those ropes are pretty easy to break."

"S…Stop joking! If you free him, he could make a mess in the town and even kill you!"

"No problem, I'm strong."

I jumped when Zoro spoke, his deep voice echoing in the empty courtyard. "Hey, you guys. You're bothering me… Get lost."

I turned my head towards the wall, looking over our arms. There was a cowering pinket and a brunet with a straw hat. The pink-haired kid freaked out and turned to his friends in panic. "Luffy-san, if you recruit a guy like him, it won't matter how many lives you have."

There was a small sound and another head popped up. The pink-haired boy leaned forward as the new kid jumped down. "That's dangerous! Luffy-san, please stop her! She'll be killed!"
I looked at her, a bit surprised to see the little girl from earlier. "Ah! It's you!"
Zoro looked down at the smiling girl, his eyebrow going back down. "What?"
She held out a package, smiling. "You must be hungry! I made you some rice balls!"
He frowned, staring at the food. "Do ya wanna get killed, pipsqueak? Scram!"
She unwrapped it and held it out to him. "You haven't eaten anything this whole time. Here! This is my first time, but I worked really hard to make them!"
Zoro was taken aback, but quickly recovered his scowl. "I ain't hungry! You're an eyesore! Get the hell outta here!"
She lowered them a bit, her smile slipping. "But…"
He leaned forward, shouting. "I don't want 'em! Don't make me kick your ass!"
The field gate opened, revealing the pompous fool and two marines. "You shouldn't be bullying kids. Looks like you're still energetic, Roronoa Zoro. Enjoying the company?" He walked over to us, swiping a rice ball from the girl. "Oh? Those are some tasty-looking rice balls."
He took a large bite, ignoring the girl's plea, and promptly spit it back out. "Too damn sweet! They're full of sugar! You're supposed to use salt for rice balls!"
The little girl looked down, clutching the other one. "But I thought they might taste better sweet…"
He knocked it out of her hands, violently stomping on it. "Take this! And this!"
The girl fell to her knees, tears welling up in her eyes. "And I worked so hard to make those…"
The annoying man pulled out a flyer from his purple and pink suit. "Did you not read this notice? Those who help criminals will be executed! Navy Captain Morgan."

The girl stared at the ground, shaking. The blond laughed and pointed at one of the marines. "Looks like even little brats know how scary my daddy is! You. Throw this kid out."

I gritted my teeth, glaring at the man. I would've burnt a hole through him if I didn't risk harming Zoro in the process. The marine he had pointed to widened his eyes. "Sir?!"
The captain's son grabbed the front of his shirt. "I said throw her over the wall! Or can you not follow my orders? Don't make me tell my dad!"
The marine nodded, clearly scared for his life. "Y-Yes, sir! Right away!" He walked to the girl, whispering to her. "I-I'm sorry, little girl. Curl yourself into a ball."

I smiled grimly.

"At least some people out there still have half a shred of decency."

He threw her over the wall, where the two boys were. My companion glared at the idiot son, gritting his teeth. "Damn you…"
He walked up to me, gabbing my cloth-covered chin. "And how are you doing? I do feel bad for tying such a pretty girl to a grimy criminal. But you disrespected me, and I can't let that pass."
I gritted my teeth, answering in a sickly sweet voice. "I'm doing well. Mr. Roronoa is excellent in conversation. And rather handsome, if I might add."

The man let go, annoyed he couldn't get to me, and moved to stand in front of Zoro. "You sure are stubborn about staying alive…"
The pirate hunter watched him stroll by, glaring. "Yeah! I will live the full month! You better keep your promise!"
The man walked off, laughing again. "Hehehe! Oh, I'll keep my promise alright. If you can live like this for one whole month, I'll keep my words and release you! Good luck!"

I heard the straw-hat kid jump off the wall as soon as the idiot son left. He stopped about halfway between the wall and us. "I hear you're a bad guy."
Zoro looked up. "Are you still here?"
The teen ignored his question, continuing to talk. "Being stuck out here for all to see… Are you really strong at all?!"
My companion growled angrily. "Mind your own business!"
He walked closer, pressing down on his hat. "If it were me, I'd probably starve to death in three days!"
Zoro grinned, looking at him. "I've got more spirit than you. I will live through this… I swear it!"
Straw-hat grinned, and turned to walk away. "What a strange person!"

The pirate hunter stopped him before he could take more than a step, looking at the rest of the rice ball on the ground. "Wait! Could you… pick that up for me?"
The adolescent picked it up, inspecting the clumps. "You're gonna eat this? It's mostly a mud ball now."
Zoro shouted at the kid, opening his mouth wide. "Just shut up and give it here!"

The teen obeyed, tossing it in. Zoro chewed and swallowed, coughing. Straw-Hat crossed his arms, smiling. "Told you so."
Zoro paid no mind and spoke quietly "It was good. Thank for the food."

The teen smiled and walked off. I smiled too, the expression hidden by my mask. "You're a cool guy. Well, not literally, it's actually getting pretty hot out here."
He chuckled, shifting in his binds. "You have no idea. Just wait a few more hours, this courtyard feels like an oven."
I sighed, looking at the clouds. "Well, then it's a good thing I have built-in AC."
He turned his head towards me. "Huh? What'd ya mean?"
I grinned, turning my head as well. "I ate the Temperature-Temperature fruit, more commonly known as the Temp-Temp fruit. I can control how hot or cold something is, which is how I set the bastard son's ass on fire."
He made a sound at the back of his throat. "So you could just burn the ropes off?"
I nodded, looking at the binds. "Mhm. But I'd probably burn you too."
He turned back, looking at the sky. "Tch. Sucks. I really don't want to waste my time here."
I nodded again, turning back to the clouds. "Me either. But I don't want anything to happen to that girl."

We both spaced out awhile, coming back down to earth when the straw-hat kid reappeared. I turned my head, watching him from the corner of my eye. Zoro looked at him from under his bandana, shadows covering most of his face. "You again? You sure have a lot of free time."
The kid looked straight at him, his arms at his sides. "I'll untie you, so join my crew!"
Zoro raised his head. "Say what?!"
The straw-hat kid looked him, completely serious. "I'm looking for people to join my pirate crew."
My companion grinned, shaking his head. "Forget it! Me, stooping to a criminal's level?! Screw that!"
The would-be pirate put his fists on his hips, a curious on his face. "What's wrong with being a pirate?"
Zoro looked back at him, frowning. "Pirates are despicable! As if I'd want to be one!"
Straw-Hat smiled, lifting his head a bit. "Oh, come on! You're already known as an evil bounty hunter!"

Said bounty hunter shook his head again. "People can say whatever they want, but I haven't done anything I regret. I'm not going to start now!"
He grinned, a drop of sweat rolling down his face. "I will live through this and accomplish what I want!"
The teen's smile dropped and he made a surprised sound. "Yeah? But I've decided you're gonna join me!"
Zoro leaned forward, shouting angrily. "Quit deciding on your own!"
The would-be pirate crossed his arms and turned. "I hear you use swords."
The bounty hunter quieted down, still leaning forward. "Hrm… I could use a sword if I wasn't tied up."
The teen raised an eyebrow, curious. "Where is it?"
My companion growled again. "That bastard kid took it. It's what I treasure the most… Other than my life!"
Straw-hat smiled casually "I'll go get it back for you!"
The swordsman straightened. "What?"
The would-be pirate's smile widened. "So if you want your sword, join my crew!"
Zoro leaned forward again, pulling on the rope around my middle and arms. "That's dirty! You're really getting on my nerves!"
I hissed, nudging his leg with mine. "Stop that! You're hurting me."
He slumped back against the post and I turned to the other male. "Hey, straw-hat! That idiot took my coat too. It's dark blue with red trimmings and a lot of daggers inside. Could ya bring it back?"
He looked at me, cocking his head to the side. "When'd you get here?"
I scowled back at him. "I've been here the whole time! The marines tied me up this morning. You saw me earlier!"
He blinked, putting his hands on his hips. "Really? I don't remember seeing you…"
My scowl deepened. "I have vibrant red and blue hair, and I'm tied to the man you've been annoying. How could you not see me?!" I sighed shaking my head. "Nevermind… Will you bring my coat back if you see it?"
He nodded, smiling again. "Yep! A coat and a sword. I'll be right back!"

He waved and ran off laughing. Zoro watched him go in disbelief. "Is he planning to bust into the base by himself?" He blinked a few times, then yelled at the boy. "You idiot! The base is in the other direction!"

Straw-hat stopped, looking around. The swordsman sighed and slumped even lower. The teen suddenly shouted, making me look in his direction. "Gum-gum… Rocket!"

He then flew by us, going in the other direction. Zoro stared, wide-eyed. "W-Who the hell is that guy?!"
I blinked several times, my eyes just as wide as his. "More importantly, how did he fly by us?!"

The pink-haired boy from this morning jumped the wall after a few minutes, and ran towards us. He immediately started untying Zoro's right arm, which was on top of my left. "Please escape, Zoro-san."

"What am I? Chopped liver?"

Zoro looked down at him, frowning. "You'll be killed for doing that, you know."
The pinket ignored him. "I can't stand to watch the navy like this anymore. I want to be an honorable marine!"
The swordsman shook his head, looking a tad worried. "Stop! I can't escape! I only have to last a month, then- "
The boy cut him off, still working on the knot. "You're going to be executed tomorrow!"
The bounty hunter's eyes went wide, then narrowed. "What?!"
The boy shook his head. "Helmeppo never once intended to honor your agreement! So Luffy-san got angry and punched him!"
Zoro looked at the horizon, disbelief in his voice. "He did?"
"The navy is after Luffy-san now." Said the pinket. "I won't ask you to be a pirate. But please, help him! He's the only one who can save you. And I think you're also the only one who can save him now."
Several marines, including the famed captain, put a stop to the conversation. "End of the line. For the crime of treachery against me, I'll now execute you three where you stand!"

All of our eyes went wide, a mix of surprise and fear.

"Sure, now people acknowledge me."

All ten marines clicked the safety off of their guns. "This is some interesting stuff you guys've pulled! Were you three and that straw hat kid plannin' a coup or something?!"
Zoro looked at the captain, clearly angry. "I've always fought alone. Unlike arrogant bastards like you who use soldiers as cronies!"
Morgan, who was in fact standing behind the marines, lowed his axe. "Roronoa Zoro… Don't you dare underestimate me! You may be strong, but before my authority, you're as good as scum! Men! Ready! … Aim! … Fire!"

Shots rang out, but none reached us. Luffy was standing before us, in the path of the bullets. Zoro looked at him, astonished. "What are you-?!" The pink-haired kid started crying. "Luffy-san!" My jaw dropped, eyes going wide. "What the hell?!" Morgan gritted his teeth, officially beyond angry. "Straw hat?!"

The would-be pirate raised his head and grinned. He then stretched, bouncing the bullets back with a laugh. "That doesn't work! I told you I was strong!"
Zoro's eyes widened as his jaw dropped, our expressions matching. "W-Who the hell are you?!"
Straw-hat looked over his shoulder, smiling and giving a thumb up. "I'm Monkey D. Luffy! The man who's gonna be King of the Pirates!"

Author's Notes:

1. I LIVE~ yeah, I know, I haven't done anything in a while. Sorry.

2. Akane will have more lines as the story goes on, I promise. There's not a lot of room for me to have her do things the first few chapters, but it'll get better!

3. GO READ CHAPTER TWO (and review)