Without you I just can't breathe

-Kira and Black Beard-

Black Beard held Kira over his big shoulder; she thrashed in the ropes he tied her up with. She looked behind, hoping to see Trace running after them, but she saw nothing. Black Beard put her down next to a rock and sat down at another.

“That idiot isn’t following us anymore.” He chuckled, pulling out some water. “You thirsty?” he asked shoving the water in her face. She felt the ropes getting loose and finished getting them off.

“Yes Please.” She said. She reached forward and licked the top of the bottle sexually. Black Beard smirked and backed up a bit. Kira licked her lips and winked. Black Beard touched her face and moved closer to her lips. She waited, then-

PUNCH!

Black Beard fell to the ground; Kira stood up and ripped off the ropes. He curled into a ball and held his hands between his legs.

“You bitch!” he screamed. Kira kicked his face repeatedly until he went unconscious. She looked around and saw nothing but desert.

“Crud.” She said reaching down and picking up Black Beard’s bag. “This sucks.” She slowly started going through his bag.

-Back to Trace-

Trace walked around in the desert and came to a town. When he went in he ran into his younger brother Luffy and his crew. He agreed to stay with them for the rest of the night. They started walking around and sat down at their camp spot.

“So Trace, What brings you to the desert?” Luffy asked.

“I’m looking for someone.” Trace said.

“Who?”

“My partner.” He started, “She was kidnapped by Black Beard.”

“She?” Luffy teased.

“It’s not like that you idiot!” Trace yelled. “I just have to find her and bring her back.” He said.

Later that night Trace was sitting up on a rock thinking about Kira. Nami and Vivi saw him and wondered what was wrong. They decided to ask Luffy.

“Hey Luffy, your brother seems sad.” Nami started, “Is something wrong?”

“His partner was kidnapped by Black Beard.” Luffy took a big bite of his food. “He’s still looking for her.”

“That’s so sad.” Vivi said. “We should help him find her.” Luffy nodded, his mouth still full of food.

-Now over to Kira-

Kira walked through the desert slowly. She took the last sip of her only water, then threw the empty bottle into the sand. “Damn it Trace!” she yelled. “Come find me already!” she walked over many sand dunes for hours and finally saw a small camp in the distance. She licked her dry lips. “Please let that be you.” She stumbled towards the camp.

Trace was walking around with Luffy, when Luffy pointed to something in the distance.

“Look, a person.” He said pointing towards a figure in the distance. “Do you think it could be your partner?” Trace squinted his eyes to see better, and saw long Red hair. He watched as the figure fell to the ground and ran over quickly realizing that it was Kira. He knelt down next to her and picked her up.

“Kira?” He felt her head and saw her open her eyes slightly. She opened her mouth to say something, but then passed out. Trace looked at Luffy. “She needs water.”

“Lets go!” Luffy and Trace ran back towards the camp. Trace laid Kira down on a rock and went to get some water. He slowly sat her up and put some water in her mouth. He did this a few times, then she opened her eyes.

“Trace?” she asked quietly. “What the hell took you so long?” she snapped. Trace dropped her.

“Excuse me?” he looked at her and watched as she sat up. “I was wandering in the desert looking for you for days! And this is the thanks I get!”

“I almost got raped again thanks to your lazy butt!” she yelled. Trace jumped off the rock.

“Well she’s a charmer.” Zolo whispered to Sanji. Kira and Trace glared at them.

“And how is that my fault!?” Trace snapped; Kira jumped off the rock.

“Maybe if you didn’t take so long getting here then this wouldn’t have happened!”

“Well at least I tried!” he yelled. “I could have just let him take you! And maybe I should have!” Kira raised her arm to slap him, but stumbled and almost fainted again. Trace caught her and their eyes met. “A-are you okay?” he asked. Kira held her head in her hands.

“My head is pounding.” She said.

“You need more water.” He said. “Let me get it.” He walked a few steps, and then heard a thud. He turned around and saw Kira on the ground on her knees. “Kira, what’s wrong?” he bent down and brushed some of her hair out of her face.

“I’m sorry.” She mumbled. Trace smiled and picked her up.

“It’s alright.” He laid her down on the rock and laid down next to her. “You’re just annoying.”

“Oh shut up.” She said smiling.

The sun started to set and everyone began to go to sleep. They were spread out all over the camp, but Trace and Kira stayed on the rock. Kira rolled over and rested her head on Trace’s chest. He blushed and slowly wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer.

“Mmm…Trace.” She mumbled, snuggling up closer to him.

“Kira, are you awake?” he asked.

“Maybe.” She smiled. Trace sighed and let go of her. He rolled over and closed his eyes. Kira propped herself up and rested her head on his shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Go to sleep.” He said sadly.

“Trace, thanks for actually caring about me.” She said. “You’re really nice… for a pirate.” She smiled and leaned down closer to his face and lightly kissed his cheek. “Thanks.” She rolled back over and went to sleep.

-The next day-

“You’re leaving?” Luffy asked.

“Yeah.” Trace said picking up his bag. “I got what I was looking for. Now we gotta get back to the ship. White Beard is probably looking for us by now.” He glanced and Kira.

“Thanks for helping me.” Kira said. “And it was nice to meet you.” They nodded. Trace looked at Kira and smiled. He bent down.

“Get on.”

Kira smiled and climbed onto his back. He looked back at Luffy.

“I’ll see you again sometime.” He smiled and waved, then ran off with Kira on his back.