Chapter 2
First Mate

In an ocean far away lies an island surrounded by mist. A forgotten island that can't be reached by any ship…and on this island is a majestic silver mountain; a mountain so beautiful that the kings of old still remember it from a time before the mist.

It has been said that in recent times a terrible curse has befallen this wonderful isles. The heavenly mountain is now being ruled by a ferocious spider demon, the islanders have never seen more than the monster's silhouette.

However,

every night,

just as the sun sets,

a magnificent red glow light's up the mountain's peak, followed by an ominous gong-like clang that continues until daybreak. No one knows what has called the demon there; only that whosoever shall seek it out is destined to an eternity of suffering.

"That's one interestin' story ol' man," a boy of roughly nine-teen chuckled, his frayed jeans brushing the water that just barely lapped into his dingy. Kicking a blanket over his katana Ryuu turned to the man, but not before he got a glimpse of the outlawed weapons.

"It's interesting aye," the old man answered scratching his stubbly chin, "but real." This grabbed Ryuu's attention and tying his boat to the dock he decided to follow this fisherman into town. After all he'd been sailing for days; it was about time he stocked up on supplies.

"True?" Ryuu questioned, walking in stride with the gramps while taking in the island's scenery. It was a beautiful tropical paradise that had a long tradition in the fish market, having connections and region specific fishing techniques had allowed them to triumph over the growing economic problems. "Ya mean ta tell me dat somewhere there's 'n islan' wit a haunted mountain?"

"What I'm telling you," the man mumbled as he waddled towards the edge of a forest that spans the length of the land, "is that somewhere on this vast ocean there's a rumor of such, aye." Pulling out a small dagger the old man bent down and carved what seemed to be a star into the bark.

"A rumor?" Ignoring the mans strange antics to stare into the green foliage, Ryuu was startled when he saw the greenery move, after waiting a moment to see if it moved again Ryuu noticed the old man staring at him. "Uh, b…but you said it was true," Ryuu spat out trying to divert the man's attention. Hey, what right did he have to stare? He's the one carving figures into trees rather than showing the visitor to town.

"Real," the man muttered, as he sheathed his dagger and, turning his back on the forest, made his way to the village. With one last glimpse behind him Ryuu followed, but not without the unnerving feeling that he was being watched.

"Huh?"

"I said, 'but real' lad, get your quotes right. How am I supposed to know if it's true?" Turning the corner the old man found himself walking under the arch that led to his village, Pêche. "Remember? Whosoever shall seek it out is destined to an eternity of suffering. So how would I know if it's true?" He continued, waving to the passing villagers who were gawking at the bare-chested man behind him. Well he had a vest, but it was wide open revealing the man's completely bare abdomen save his stomach that was wrapped tightly in black bandages.

"Wat d'ya mean?"

"I mean, I know the islands real, I know the mountains real, and I know the thing about the red light and gong-sound is real." The man stated, poking Ryuu in the chest at every 'real' for emphasis. "Whether the islands haunted or not…now that's a rumor lad, and I don't know if it's true."

"Dahaha, I gotta go see dat islan' for myself!" Ryuu chuckled, already stoked for the adventure, after all its common knowledge that you're not a true pirate until you've experienced a crazy adventure of your own. "Hey if there's no ship dat can find it how do ya get there?"

"Hmm, not sure exactly," looking at Ryuu the man's eyes lit up with an idea, "but you could always travel to Khufiya, there's this old quack there…real odd she is, but she was the only one who believed me when I told them the rumor. In fact," the man continued thinking back, "she even said something about traveling there with her father as a kid."

"Khufiya got it!" Ryuu called while making his way to the market to, ah…acquire some supplies. He'd pay for them…if only he had money, hadn't declared himself a pirate, and cared about moral standing. Hey, his hands are tied!

"Hey lad where are you going?"

"The Market," Ryuu called over his shoulder.

"What are you going to pay with?" The man called out-loud drawing the attention of passersby to his shabby attire. No way would he go unrecognized now. Not when the old man had signaled out his lack of monetary riches in the middle of the street.

"Oh, well...I...should-be-going," Ryuu threw-out, edging his way to the market.

"Wait!" The old man yelled. Running after Ryuu and then motioning for him to bend forward, whispered conspiracy-like, "I noticed you had a pair of katanas." A smile making its way on his face he continued, "if you know how to use them I have a job for you."

"Yeah?" Ryuu questioned, it wouldn't hurt to get some belli before steali—ah, acquiring some supplies for his trip to Khufiya and eventually 'hidden-islanda'.

"Yeah." The man nodded before continuing, "ever heard of someone named..."

"Stupid ol' man," Ryuu mumbled as he trudged his way through the surrounding forest swatting mosquitoes left and right, "sendin' me all da way out here jus' for some lousy kid who forgot to pay his bill." The next second Ryuu was sent sprawling all over the forest floor his foot stuck in a root. "Seriously," he spat, sending dirt flying from his mouth, "wat honest ta goodness Pirate can say he was 'n erran' boy, belli my-" just then a tree branch decided to acquaint itself with Ryuu's face, and he spent the next minute coughing his lunges out.

As soon as he'd recovered Ryuu picked himself up and continued through the dense foliage until he heard a twig snap. "Who's there?" Ryuu called, drawing his twin katana while turning around slowly, "show yourself." Someone stepped out from behind the bushes but before Ryuu could get a good look at them a strong wind blew past him, sending his black hair into his eyes.

"Over here baka," someone called from behind Ryuu. Turning around Ryuu was met with a pair of haunting green eyes. Taking a step back in surprise, Ryuu marveled at the kid who looked no more than two years younger than him. He was dark-skinned with long black braids, his green jacket reached to the tips of his hands and was opened to reveal his long white shirt. He wore black jeans with green flames decorating the bottom. His jacket's golden buttons and shiny black shoes reflected the light shining through the canopy. Finally, he had one hand resting on the green-sheathed katana strapped to his side.

"What did you call me?" Ryuu steemed, loosing his accent in his anger.

"You heard me." The green-clad man answered, drawing his katana. Ignoring him, Ryuu turned and made his way through the forest, sheathing his katana along the way. No use wasting his time on this weirdo when he had an errand to run.

"Hey baka," the kid called, appearing at Ryuu's side, "aren't you here looking for me?"

Ryuu stopped and glanced at the kid. Was it possible? "Hey kid wat's ya name?" he questioned.

"Avrey."

"Avrey huh? Ya know ya got some nerve drawin' a katana on me o' all people." Ryuu called drawing his own swords. After all this kid didn't look like the kind to come without a fight. "As ya punishment I'm afraid I'm gonna hafta take ya in ta town for da reward."

"Reward?"

"Ya that ol' man's offered a reward for ya return, says he gots somethin' importan' ta tell ya," Ryuu called carefully watching Avrey's expression for any changes, and so was surprised by the shocked look he received.

"He has something to tell me?" Avrey mumbled to himself, now that he thought about it hadn't the old man said something similar before? He had something he'd wanted to say, but at that exact moment Avrey had remembered he was broke, and so fled the restaurant. He'd been in the woods for the past week waiting for a decent boat that he could sneak his way onto. His own having been destroyed in a storm.

"Yeah somethin', so ya gonna come o' wat?"

A look of realization dawned Avrey's face as a blade was pressed to his throat. Ryuu had managed to get behind him in a flash and was now pressing his white blade (Shiroi) to the kid's throat. His black blade (Kurono) resting precariously on his shoulder. Being behind Avrey, Ryuu missed the smirk the kid was sporting.

"Or what," Avrey answered right before he turned into wind and blew behind Ryuu only to reappear with his sword to the captain's back. "You let your guard down." He mumbled, "my name's Avrey, and I ate the Kaze Kazeno mi, it allows me to control and turn into wind...you could never beat me."

Sighing Ryuu moved, slowly placing is Shiroi on his shoulder and his Kurono in front of him. "Is dat so," Ryuu mumbled turning his Kurono over and frowning at the deep cracks forming in the blade, stopping just before the sharpened edge, "a devil-fruit user?" Taking a step forward and dodging the slash Avrey sent his way Ryuu turned around with a huge smile. "Well mista 'ya let ya guard down' ya about ta be beat." Ryuu sheathed his Shiroi and placed both hands on his Kurono.

"Weren't you listening?" Avrey questioned while rushing Ryuu, his sword raised above his head, "I'm made of wind!"

Meanwhile back in the village the old man was drinking coffee in the same restaurant Avrey had fled earlier. "Hey boss," one of the chef's called making their way to his table, "the kid return yet?"

"No, I don't think he will actually...too bad I had a message to deliver...to both of them."

"Both of them boss?" the chef questioned, resting his butcher's knife on his shoulder. "I know you got a message for that wind kid, but the newcomer too? Don't tell me he has a long-lost relative as well."

Laughing the old man took a sip of his coffee before turning to face his employee, "no George," he commented, standing up and heading towards the door, "but it seems like he does have some long-lost enemies."

"Enemies?" George questioned, more to himself than anyone, while staring at the half-drank coffee of his boss. The bell placed atop the shop's only door rang, signaling the old man's departure. George turned away, but not before capturing his boss's last statement.

"Yeah, Marines."

"I'm made of wind!" Avrey yelled while swinging downward, Ryuu just side stepped the blow and sent his sword through Avrey who turned into wind to avoid it.

Grabbing a capsule from his Shiroi and sprinkling the powder over his Kurono Ryuu waited around for Avrey to strike and was surprised to note that he had lost sight of his opponent. Scanning the forest he noticed some greenery moving to his right and so struck out his sword.

"When are you going to learn?" Avery called from his left, "your sword won't work on me." Ryuu just smirked and stabbed his Kurono behind him, sending it straight through Avrey's stomach.

"Don't be so sure," Ryuu called as he unsheathed his Shiroi and crossed his blades spinning on his heal so that both blades met at Avrey'sneck. "You see these aren't ordinary swords," rubbing them against each other Ryuu produced some sparks. "My Kurono is made of a careful combination of Flint and charcoal...so it's rather flammable." Once again Ryuu produced sparks, however this time Avery inched away from Ryuu's Kurono.

"S...so," Avrey called with false bravado, "even fire will be useless if I'm wind."

"That's not entirely true," Ryuu called a smile evident in his voice, "you see fire feeds off wind, so as long as I can trap the fire within you you're screwed." Backing away and sheathing his two swords Ryuu placed his hands in his jean's back pockets. "The powder I sprinkled on my blade, that mixed with you when you let it stab through you, was explosive powder."

Avrey blanched and backed away from the lighter. "Y...you're kidding...right?"

"O' course," Ryuu chuckled while grabbing Avrey's hand and dragging him towards town, "wat kinda erran' boy would I be if went an' blew up my package?" Not sure what to believe Avrey allowed himself to be pulled...kind of.

"H...hey, let go of me!"

"Nah, I decide ya is gonna be my first mate, win' an' fire 'tis destiny!" Ryuu called over his shoulder. Avrey was shocked...first-mate...him? He couldn't be a first-mate, could he? Well, even if he was qualified, what with his unique skills, it doesn't mean he's going to listen to the baka.

"I suppose," Avrey started choosing his words carefully, "that I could hitch a ride for a while."

A few minutes later the two arrived at the edge of town. They were about to walk through the gates before Ryuu noticed a Marine vessel docked off shore. "Kuso," he mumbled to himself looking at his pitiful dingy with a standard Jolly Roger flowing. "I probably shoulda taken dat down."

Following his stare Avrey let out a small laugh. "Is that supposed to be your ship? What, are you playing pretend or something?" he motioned towards the flag, "you know it's a felony to fly those, wether you're serious or not."

"I'm serious!" Ryuu yelled racing towards his ship, he got about five feet before a cannon ball was launched, sinking his 'vessel'. Avrey just smirked. At a loss Ryuu made his way towards the rubble before he heard a voice calling for him. Looking up Ryuu noticed the old man from before waving at them. Once again grabbing Avrey's arm Ryuu made his way to the old man.

"Good to see you found him," the man stated glancing from Ryuu to Avrey then back, "I guess I won't feel cheated now if I give you a new boat." He continued pointing towards a small fishing boat, a little bigger than Ryuu's had been, hiding behind a rock. A smile broke across Ryuu's face, and with a hasty 'thank you' he made his way to the ship, beaming at the included supplies.

"Uh...about the other day," Avrey started scratching the back of his head, only to be cut of by the old man.

"Don't worry about it, I've been waiting to repay my debt to your brother for a while."

"My...brother?" Avrey questioned.

"Yeah, that's what I wanted to talk to you about," the old man stated reaching in his pocket for a piece of paper, "your brother showed up on this island a couple years ago, helped us out with a bandit infestation." Handing the paper to Avrey he continued, "he asked me to give this to you if we ever met."

Avrey opened the parchment and stared blankly at the corner of a paper that seemed to have been ripped from a very old map. Scribbled in his brother's sloppy handwriting were three letter's: S H L. "Does that mean anything to you?" the old man questioned. Avrey just shook his head and placed the note in his jacket pocket.

Noticing that Ryuu had already set sail he grumbled, and sending a goodbye over his shoulder turned into wind and chased the boat. Avrey had barely gotten ten-feet before the sea-foam hit him and he instantly reverted back. Hitting the water like a ton of bricks he began to sink until a hand reached in and fished him out. The next second he sat coughing inside Ryuu's boat.

"Took ya lon' enough." Ryuu commented before dodging a punch to the face, "hey is dat any'ay to treat ya cap'n?"

"Captain? Please, baka I told you, I'm just hitching a ride for now." Ryuu just shot Avrey a huge grin. After all there was nothing to left say. He was having a ball, he'd washed up on shore in a small dingy and left in a fully stocked fishing boat...with a first-mate. Nothing would get his mood down. "Hey were are we going anyway?" Except that.

"Uh...haha," Ryuu laughed nervously, "you wouldn't happen to know were Khufiya is...would you?"

Thank you guys soo much for your reviews! I'm honored! I had hopped to get this out sooner, but it is the Holiday season so I've been busy. Avrey is the sole creation of PhantoMNiGHT321 so I hope I did him justice (I am new to this). Now for you anonymous reviewers...

rc 1121

Kinda, but he's not quite as serious as Zoro or as naiive as Luffy, and his fighting style's different than both of them...so not really (sweatdrop) and thanks for your character!

full on 124

Ryuu is the captain, and thank you! I was really at a lost without a shipright, I mean pirates can only get so far without a proper boat.

Well, I hope you guys liked it, if soo please review! (you can review if you hated it too)