Akita made her way through the streets of Loguetown, keeping her head low.  [i]"Sorry, Dad, I'm breaking two Loguetown rules right now.  I think Mom would be proud though.  Wherever you guys are."[/i]

She looked through the windows of stores as she passed them, interested by all of the different supplies they offered.  Assuming the material for ships were by the docks, Akita headed there first.  Before she could reach the docks, she spotted the weapons store from earlier.  She knew how many berries she had on her and roughly how much it would take to make ship repairs.  That left her with a little bit of spending money.  Akita smiled and headed straight into the shop.

The young pirate was greatly impressed by the craftsmanship of every weapon in the store.  She pulled a sword out of the bargain barrel.

"Excuse me miss," a voice gently called from behind.

Akita nearly jumped out of her skin as she spun around, sword in hand.  "Whoa!  You know it's not polite to sneak up on a lady!"  She lowered the sword.

The old man chuckled softly.  "I'm sorry about that, missy.  I see you are fond of the sword."

Akita lifted the sword and held it straight out, admiring it.  "No, I'm really not a swordswoman- well, I know how to use one, but I'm not amazing or anything.  This sword is incredible and it's a cheap one!  Do you know who made these?"

"Well I did with my own hands.  In fact I made everything you see in the store.  Go ahead and take a look around- I know we have something here for everyone."

"We?"

"Mhmm!" the old man said and pointed to a picture on the front desk.  It was a drawing of a beautiful woman- except the incredibly large and bulbous nose- surrounded by candles.  "That's good ol' Iris.  She's the love of my life."

"Oh.  I'm sorry for your loss, mister."

"Don't be sorry, missy."  He walked around her, looking her up and down, "You said you weren't a swordswoman, eh?  What are you?"

Akita replied with a proud smile on her face, "I'm a shield bearer!  I've never met a better one around!"

The old man's eyes brightened, "A shield bearer?  Not many of those stop by.  I'll show you what I've got."

He led Akita through the store until they reached a dusty trunk.  "I keep a couple out for display," he explained, "But my finest work is in here."  The man pulled out several gorgeous bucklers.

Akita's eyes widened as she looked at the selection.  "Gee, I've never seen anything like them!"  Quickly, Akita was drawn by a dark wooden shield.  Its edges were plated with wood and an "X"-shaped cross of metal protected the front.  The leather straps were smooth to the touch.  "I need this shield.  How many berries?"

"10 million."

"What?  That's outrageous!"

"That's the price for good craftmanship, missy."

Akita grumbled and looked into the chest.  She saw something at the very bottom and pulled it out.  "Hey, a coat!  I've been needing a new one!"  She slipped it over her shoulders, it was a perfect fit.  "How much for this one?  Please don't say another 10 million."

"No!" the old man shouted.  "You can't have that, it's not for sale!"

"Oh, I-I'm sorry!  Is it important to you?" Akita asked, starting to remove the coat.

"No, it's not that, it's a cursed coat!"

Akita let out a loud laugh, "A cursed coat?  Then it's even better!  I have to take it!"

"Child, you don't know what you're saying, that coat-"

"This coat is nice!" she said, readjusting it over her shoulders.  "How much do I owe ya?"

"Okay, okay, take it!  I don't care!  Just don't try coming back here to give it back!" the old man took Akita to the front counter.  "It'll be 10 million berries.  I won't charge you for the coat, get it out of here, quickly!"

Akita dropped a sack of berries onto the front desk and waved the old man off, "Thank you so much!  Have a great day!"

The old man shook his head, "That girl is going to get herself killed!"  He began to count out the berries.  His eyes grew wide, "Hey!  This is only 10 thousand berries!  Thief!  Thief!"

The old man was thwacked on the back of his head by a beautiful old woman with a rather large, bulbous nose.  "You didn't count the money before she left!  What's wrong with you?"

Akita strolled down the street, new coat buttoned up, shield on her arm.  Finally, things felt like they were going right!