Double or Nothing: Chapter 8

Cats and Birds

Under the cover of darkness, she crept across the rooftop quietly, careful not to draw attention as the sound of celebration filtered through the windows of the roof. Grimacing as the roofing squeaked beneath her feet, she leaned in close, peering down to see her quarry. With their rough appearance, the way they swaggered about, and how they openly carried their weapons; it was all to clear what they were; Pirates.

The smell alone had her gagging. "Definitely Pirates," She coughed as she did her best to ignore the unwashed masses below, not when they had something she wanted.

"Ok Nami, remember the plan," She reminded herself as she slapped her cheek, "You're just here to listen and nothing else," Up on her perch, she watched the pirates mill about and celebrate, listening intently to their chatter, "In and out before they know it."

"Good call cause there's a lot of them down there…" Given how they filled the warehouse, it wasn't a hard call to make. There was like what? Two hundred pirates give or take? They had enough men there to call themselves a small army.

"They don't call themselves the Legionary Pirates for nothing," She muttered as she took note of what they wore. It wasn't just their numbers that worried her, it was their gear. Clad from head to toe in metal and sporting various high quality weapons, they made for a formidable crew. "This is dangerous… but I can't let this opportunity pass," She whispered as she remembered her prize.

"I'm not sure what that Devil Fruit is, but whatever it is must be really valuable," She noted as she watched a barmaid walk in with a shaky smile, harassed, but not messed with by the men as she distributed drinks. "Not a single raid since rumors started spreading they have it. They even paid to rent out this warehouse," She whispered.

It was strange, too strange in fact. Pirates were almost never like this. They were animals, monsters in human shape, all too happy to take what's theirs. "You aren't all too far from them given how you lie and steal," A stray thought filtered through her mind, making her frown. She was different though, she stole from these monsters, those that deserved it.

"Must be quite the haul if they're willing to spend this much. Those booze don't look cheap," Peering closer, she'd find that they weren't drinking cheap swill, but vintage from the west blue. Strong stuff which sells at a premium. "They look like a crew that's about to cash out and retire."

"Yeah," She nodded before a cruel smile stretched across her face, "Unfortunately for them, my village needs that money more," Already, she could see the Berris rolling once she found this treasure they were hiding. The question now is where as the captain, the most heavily decorated of the bunch, had nothing. Glancing over to the Trireme in the bay, she scowled; Not there as well.

"Say, wanna split the bounty?" A strange thought suddenly popped up in her mind. Sure, all pirates had bounties but she's a cat thief, not a bounty hunter!

"What bounty? I'm only here for the… devil fruit," She whispered out loud before she paused, trailing off as she turned around and found a handsome girl smiling back at her.

"Hi," She waved, making her jump to her feet and almost rolling off the roof. Catching her, the girl grinned as she pulled her close, "You look like you could use some help." Feeling her strong arms around her, Nami blushed before furry bubbled up her chest.

Pushing her away, she hissed out, "Then why did you sneak up on me like some thief!" Her voice raised in outrage. How did she even sneak up on her like that? The roof creaked every step she took while this girl barely made a sound as she crouched down and leaned against the window.

"Shhh!" The girl scolded her before turning back to observing the gathering. "They might hear you," She added, making Nami's cheeks burn.

"Don't you shush me, I know what I'm doing!" She hissed back before letting out a huff. Ok fine, this girl got the jump on her, but she doesn't look like she was part of them, not with the more traditional clothing she wore. Noting the swords on her waist, she tilted her head. A swordswoman? Strange.

"Now to answer your question," The girl whispered, "I'm just here for their bounties though I admit, I didn't know they had a devil fruit." Panic filled her heart at the others' admissions. Just as she was about to argue, she paused as she heard a loud voice echo from below.

"This is it boys, the moment we've been waiting for! All our hard work is about to pay off!" A deep booming voice shoutes, followed by the loud roaring cheer of the crew.

"We'll talk about this later!" She hissed before she pushed the girl down, trying to peek inside the window. "Move!" She growled, trying to give her some space since the window was only big enough for one person to see through, but it felt like she was pushing against a brick wall.

"H-hey wait! Don't lean on me!" The girl protested as she glared up at her with a blush.
Snorting in amusement, she told the girl, "Oh hush you," Pressing against her, she chuckled, "Men would pay a good price to feel me up." Her body was a weapon and she wasn't afraid to use it as this swordswoman soon learned. Peering down to the warehouse, she found the captain speaking.

"In just a few more days, we'll have enough gold to last us a lifetime!" The man shouted, raising her tankard high. "There on that island, we'll meet the Donquioxote Familia and sell them the fruit!" Chuckling the man, told them, "It'll be a miracle if anyone finds it there!" Where? Which island? She needed to know!

She scowled as the other girl pushed back, "Damn it, you'll break the-!" Whatever it was that they're saying would be lost to the horrid sound of wood breaking beneath their feets. She screamed as she fell down before the wind was knocked off her lungs as she landed hard on the girl. There she laid, surrounded by the pirates she had just been observing moments ago. "Rafters…"

Nami felt herself pale at the leering eyes on them."My ex wife told me a pair of good tits don't just drop from the sky, but wait til she gets a load of this!" A voice laughed, making her stomach drop as the sound of boots echoed from the doors behind the captain.

"Oh huh, there's more of them in the back…" Her companion pointed out, snapping her out of her shock.

"Run!" She shouted as she got to her feet, picking up the girl as she did so. "Run! Just run!" She screamed at the top of her lungs as she bolted, dragging the girl behind her. Jumping off their seats, the men made a lunge for her, but they were already out the door.

"H-hey, wait!" The girl stumbled as she caught up to her, but there was no time to explain. They needed to run while they still could and she acted not a moment sooner as gunshots echoed behind them.

"After them!" The captain roared as the pirates streamed out of the building and gave chase.

Nami ran as fast as her legs could take her but their pursuers were proving to be persistent. "God damn it, we need to shake them off!" She shouted as she ducked at the sound of pistol shots. This wasn't what she had planned!

"Here, let me help you with that!" The girl shouted before Nami found herself swept off her feet. Looking at the girl in disbelief as the buildings around them became a blur, "Why are we running by the way? You know I could take them all if you want to!" She laughed without a care in the world.
"Are you crazy!?" She shouted back, peering over the girl's shoulder and the mob thinned out, taking side alleys. "They outnumber us a hundred to one! You might be an asshole, but I'm not letting you die on my watch!" She was a thief, yes, but she still had morals.

"Just a hundred? Those are good odds!" The girl laughed as she jumped over a man who burst out of the alley before they started rounding the corner, "But fair enough! Hope you have a good plan then cause they're not giving up!"

"Yup, definitely crazy!" Nami shouted before she screamed as the girl tossed her over back and had her ride her. Feeling her heart jump her chest, she shouted, "If you have any partners, it's about time you call them!" She needed to get off, but there were far too many of them. Cling to the girl for her dear life, she prayed to the high heavens that she survived.

"Oh I don't have any," The girl nonchalantly replied, "I work alone!"

"Oh for the love of god, she's crazy and a meathead!" she screamed, cursing her luck. Of all the time that she could have found a crazy hot girl, it had to be when she was on a job!

"Hey!" The girl protested before they were cut off by the mob.

"Left! To the city! Hurry!" She ordered and the girl nodded as she made an abrupt turn for the city center. Kicking one of the pirate's faces in, she made their way deeper inside town. However, the pirates were not too far behind. Instructing the girl, they tried to make their escape.

Street after street, they were slowly herded in until they ran out of places to run. Finding themselves in the city center and with all avenues of escape blocked, the pirates managed to trap them. "End of the line missy," The captain gasped, grinning as he stumbled forward while catching his breath, "Think you and your girlfriend could just walk away after hearing about that deal!" They shouted.

Nami felt a heavy weight settle on her stomach as she tried to figure out a way off this situation she found herself in. She can't just throw this girl under the ship, not after helping her! Feeling her blood roaring in her ears, she almost missed the girl whispering to her, "Hey, mind if you get down now?"

"I'm not heavy!" She shouted back half hysterically, "And can you take this seriously for once!" She shouted, feeling increasingly exasperated by the girl. Why can't this girl realize the gravity of their situation? They were surrounded by pirates!

Bang!

Before she could even blink, the girl's sword was already out and sparks rained around them. She felt her jaw drop as she stared at the girl. Did she just block that shot? Turning to an equally shocked pirate, the swordswoman glared at them. "I'm kicking you ass first," she said, making the man drop his gun as the rest aimed their weapon at them, "Piss poor trigger discipline if I've seen one."

Seeing how outmatched she was, she quickly decided it was best to unmount. Rolling her shoulders, the girl groaned, "Much better," Pulling out a much shorter sword, the girl gave her a smi;e, "Now if you'll excuse me while I'll deal with some trash~"

"Well what are you waiting for?!" The captain roared as he pulled his pistol, "Fire!" Before he could even finish his words however, the girl was already on him, carving him up with a brutality that had Nami's stomach turning.

She watched in muted horror as the girl launched her at the mob who desperately fought back. Dancing through the shots and slashes, the girl was like a whirlwind, reaping through the crowd like scythe through chaff. It was brutal as blood spilled, but utterly mesmerizing at how graceful she moved.

It was over before it even began, the town square filled with the broken and groaning bodies of the pirates that had surrounded just earlier. Flicking her sword free of blood, she wiped it clean with her sleeve before sheeting it. "I'd rate it a two out of four," The girl said with a bored tone.

"W-who are you?" She asked, wondering if she was face to face with a monster or an angel.

Flinching as the girl walked over, the swordswoman paused before slowly crouching before her. Extending a hand to her, the girl introduced herself, "The names Kuina, Kuina Shimotsuki. Part Time Bounty Hunter. Nice to meet you!" Reaching up numbly, she shocked the girl's hands as she told her, "I know we didn't get off the best start, but I hope we can still be friends."

Nami felt laughter bubble up her chest as relief flooded her form. "Have I told you you're crazy?" She chuckled as she wiped her tears. Monster, Demon, or Angel? It didn't matter. This girl was just crazy and that was just fine for her.

Shrugging with a smile, the girl replied, "A few times, but I don't mind if it's coming from a beautiful girl." Was she really hitting on her?

Shaking her head, she replied, "Nami, My name's Nami." Trying to get up on shaky legs, she requested, "This might sound embarrassing, but can you help me up? Still shaking off the adrenaline," She laughed, unable to help herself at the absurdity of it all.

As she got up, Kuina would ask her, "Hey, wanna go grab something to eat? Man, I'm starving!" Feeling her stomach, Nami blushed. She was hungry… maybe she could get a free meal? Before she could answer however, both of them would hear the captain groan out as he clutched his chest.

"You'll pay for this," The man gritted out as he glared up at them. For a man sporting a scar from shoulder to hip, they were still quite spirited.

"Oh that reminds me," Kuina perked up as she gestured at the bleeding pirate, "We kinda missed where he said they'd meet the Donquixote Familia." Nami felt her mood sour at the reminder. They kinda missed that… then again, he was here.

"Hah, as if I'll tell you" The captain coughed out, giving them a defiant look even as his men laid around him unconscious and beaten.

"You're lucky I need you alive for a bigger bounty," Kuina sighed, seemingly annoyed at how the Government seemed to want Pirate alive. They wouldn't remove thirty percent from the bounty if they didn't. Grinning, the girl offered, "Want to make him squeal?"

"Torture before dinner? My my, you really do know how to treat a girl," Nami laughed. A bit bloodthirsty, but she looked too cute with how eager she was.

"I take that as yes," Kuina replied, making Nami roll her eyes.

"So long as you pay, ok?" She told the girl. If this girl was so desperate to make up to her, then she'd let her. Besides, the best meals were the ones that weren't paid for by her~ She was going to make this girl regret ever offering her a meal… right after they deal with this pirate.

"So," Nami asked as she walked over one of the bodies and picked a hefty looking stick. "Ladies first?" She asked, batting her eyes at Kuina.

"By all means," The girl replied as she bowed back and offered the pirate for her to mess with.

As Nami approached the captain, the man paled. "N-now hold on, I didn't mean what I said!" The man tried begging for his life, but she wasn't feeling merciful today; Not after what he and his men had her live through.

"Too late~" Nami smiled as she raised the club up high. The sound that the pirate made was like music to her ears and with the dinner right after, this might have just been the best night of her life! Perhaps meeting this girl wasn't all bad. She's certainly fun to be around~