#nami will hit the children with the stick or what...

[hauntingblue]

Zoro with tashigi makes me so insane.... "I can't tolerate your existence" "you say all the stupid things she said"

[joyish-little-boy]

One Backstory to Rule them All

Anyone else think about how Sanji's backstory parallels every other Strawhat's backstory?

1. Luffy - Luffy is the most obvious, as they quite literally flashback to Shanks losing his arm right after Sanji explains how Zeff sacrificed his leg for Sanji. It's interesting the parallel here - because Shanks sacrifice is what took Luffy a step further in his dreams and made him determined to be the captain of his own pirate crew rather than simply joining Shank's crew, which is what he wanted to do previously. Now, for Sanji, Zeff's sacrifice had the opposite effect and Sanji chained himself to Zeff and what remained of Zeff's dreams rather than being pushed forward by it.

2. Zoro - I find it interesting that all of the Monster Trio parallel each other in their backstories in that all of them constantly lost when they were kids. Zoro lost 2001 times to Kuina, Luffy lost 50 fights to Ace and 50 to Sabo every day, and Sanji was constantly being beaten by his siblings. Each were called weak by those beating them, and each grew past that. What's also interesting to me is that there's the specific method of losing in Sanji's losing montage that's a direct callback to Zoro's backstory, as Oda includes multiple scenes of Sanji being beat at fights with wooden swords.

The difference being that Kuina is a decent human being and doesn't abuse Zoro. She calls him weak, but ultimately respects him as a rival and Zoro respects her in turn. Luffy also eventually earns that respect, though Sanji never does which leads to a noticeable difference in how Zoro and Sanji see themselves and their places on the crew - Thriller Bark I think being a perfect example of how Sanji believes that he's replaceable in a way that Zoro doesn't.

3. Nami - Nami and Sanji were both kids that found themselves in abusive situations, though at different ages. For both of them, their abuse centered around a man who's belief in their own superiority led them to a sense of entitlement to what was theirs. Arlong believed in his own biological superiority and Judge believed in the superiority of the Vinsmoke name, as well as genetic superiority which led him to experiment on his own children. Arlong values the lives of fishmen, the lives of the rest of his crew over the lives of Nami and the rest of her village. Judge values the lives of his other children over Sanji, seeing him as a failure for the way he was born (although it's also mentioned he blames Sanji for what happened with Sora). I think another very interesting parallel in their stories is the role of their respective older sisters. Nojiko and Reiju both privately support their younger sibling but both cannot stand up to the abusive figure in their lives. Nojiko gets tattoos to match Nami's to help her feel less alone, she listens to Nami, and does her best to try and support her through the 8 years of hell (8 years being another parallel to other members of the crew including Sanji). Reiju for her part laughs along with her brothers, but never lays a hand against Sanji and does her best to patch him up after everyone is gone. Their actions are indirect and discreet, save for the final fights, and that muted care is a very interesting part of each of their characters and it's why, I think neither of them felt it was their place to accompany their siblings on their journey. When Nami leaves, Nojiko lets her go, like she's always let her go. And Reiju pushes Sanji to leave, just as she pushed before. That regret of not being able to help more will stick with them forever.

4. Usopp - Usopp's backstory is all of 5 seconds long and still manages to parallel Sanji's somehow??? If I had a nickel for each strawhat who's mom was sick and died from illness when they were young, I'd have 2 nickels-

5. Chopper - HOO boy the parallel of your biological family hating you for the way that you were born and neglecting/abusing you for it hits right on Chopper's blue nose. Now, it's not all bad for either of them, though - considering they each had someone that accepted them for who they were. Chopper had Hiraluk and Sanji had Sora. Hiraluk inspired Chopper to be a doctor, emphasizing he had the most important qualification - a big heart. Sora meanwhile cried about how kind Sanji was to Reiju and her nurse, when he told her to "get better soon", calling him the "sweetest boy in the world". That kindness - that caring nature, is something that Hiraluk and Sora would do anything to protect and it's so evident that these two cared deeply for their kids. It's why Hiraluk ate that poisoned mushroom and encouraged Chopper to become a doctor and Sora ate the ruined food despite her fragile constitution and asked Sanji to cook for her again! This is love, baby!

These two kids were willing to risk so much to bring nourishment and care to the ones they loved, BOTH standing up to their biological families - Chopper fighting through his old herd of reindeer to get the mushroom, and Sanji sneaking out risking his father's wrath and braving the storm and wild dogs to deliver the food. Hiraluk and Sora are Chopper's and Sanji's source of encouragement which kick start each of their passions. And both of them tragically die which is honestly just heartbreaking. But all hope isn't lost, and both Chopper and Sanji find a new mentor, ones who are strict - but do care a lot for each of them, and help them develop the discipline they need to learn their respective crafts. Kurehara and Zeff are interesting parallels, both tough older mentors who are sharp of tongue and strict with their new apprentices. They can be this way without discouraging Chopper and Sanji, because the passion has already been ignited and so it's easy to see how they're good fits for helping these two live up to their full potential.

6. Robin - the big parallel with these two boils down to these two scenes and I sob about both of them.

Saul and Reiju, telling them to set out to sea, placing faith in the vastness of the world, knowing that they've done everything they can for now and planting that seed of hope that someday Robin and Sanji will meet people that can give them what they deserve is just such a touching moment. While this parallel is interesting, what's also interesting is the ways in which these two characters differ. The danger that Robin runs from is something that chases her, whereas the danger that Sanji runs from is his family and once he's made it onto the boat he's free. Robin thought she would never be safe, Sanji thought he was safe up until the wedding fiasco. And precisely the thing that hurts Sanji - the fact that his family wanted him gone - is so different from what's hurting Robin - the fact that she'll never be left alone by the government. Robin is wanted for the skills she and only she has, her story is (wo)man vs world, her bounty set at 79,000,000 which is the literal value on her head. Sanji is unwanted for the skills he, and he alone (in his family) lacks. There's no bounty, no one goes after him. His story is man vs self and undoing the damage that was done to his psyche as a child. It's so fascinating to me the way that both of these characters are saved by the crew in similar but such different ways, the way that each of them wanted to die, but for different reasons. Robin wanted to sacrifice herself because she's been betrayed and hurt by the world so many times that she couldn't trust in the strawhats' love. She loved them too much to risk being hurt like that again. Sanji wanted to sacrifice himself because he'd rather die than inconvenience the crew. Rather than not believing in their love, he doesn't believe he's worth that love, preferring to solve his problems on his own. And I think that it's so fitting the way that both of their stories intersect in Wano, with Robin being able to protect Sanji and Sanji finally believing in his own worth enough to ask for help. They're such different characters, with Sanji wearing his heart on his sleeves and Robin holding her's close to her chest and such interesting mirrors of each other.

7. Franky - they're cyborgs, what else can I say? The difference here is clear - Sanji's body was modified without his consent, whereas Franky modified himself. They're also both unwanted children, with Franky's parents abandoning him on Water 7 whereas Sanji's father was happy when Sanji left.

8. Brook - the parallel here is in the loneliness that both of them experienced, and really Sanji just got a taste of what Brook went through. Sanji and Brook were both parts of different crews before they were on the strawhats, albeit Sanji as a child and for a very short time, whereas Brook was with the Rumbar pirates for a longer time as an adult journeying very similarly to how the strawhats are now. Both were the sole survivors of their respective crews after being attacked, and though Sanji had Zeff on the rock, neither of them communicated with each other for the first 70 days after their initial agreement. Sanji felt a taste of the 50 years that Brook had to go through, with no food or water or way to escape off his abandoned pirate ship.

9. Jimbei - honestly I don't really have a good comparison for these two, other than they're both people who when confronted with the cruelty of others chose irrational kindness. Jimbe eventually learned how to live with and respect humans, and Sanji wouldn't let his family die, even after everything they put him through. They're both people who derived their codes of honor from others - Jimbei from Fisher Tiger and Queen Otohime and Sanji from Zeff. Idk maybe there's more there, but i don't really have too much to say about these two

Anyways, idk i just think they're neat 👉👈 and the way that Oda threw in parallels to all the other character's when completing Sanji's backstroy is so fascinating to me

[kaizokuou-ni-naru]

The Voyage So Far: Punk Hazard

east blue (1 | 2) || alabasta (1 | 2) || skypiea || water 7 || enies lobby || thriller bark || paramount war (1 | 2) || fishman island || punk hazard || dressrosa (1 | 2) || whole cake island || wano (1 | 2)

nami i love you

i reread nami’s backstory for the east blue post shortly before sitting down to write this one up, and it made her insistence on helping the punk hazard children hit a little different for me. they’re victimized and exploited kids, just like she was. 

law’s devil fruit is genuinely one of my favorites, as well as, in my opinion, one of the visually coolest by far, and i love all the cool displays of it we get both in this arc and the next one

i know law gets clowned on a lot this arc, and that’s fantastic too, but he also has a lot of genuinely cool panels, especially early on

characters that remind me how gay i am

relatedly, i do think monet has one of the best visual designs introduced in the new world, especially for a character who, ultimately, is a minor antagonist. i’m not just saying that because she’s hot, either- her wings and talons flow so well with the rest of her design while giving her a monstery look that will later come out FULL force when she turns into a full-on snow monster.

law saying he’s free to go wherever he wants, and his chopping up anyone who even dares to question that right, hits a lot harder knowing his backstory and cora’s final words and thoughts

alliance time!! this was eight and a half years ago in real time, and these two are still working together. i kind of like thinking about this from law’s point of view, because he allied with the strawhats solely to have a few more hands on deck for his dressrosa suicide plot and definitely never assumed he would be around to actually go through with the ‘fighting kaidou’ part of the plan.

joke’s on him. he allied with the strawhats.

luffy’s smile here makes me very happy 

kinda like thriller bark, punk hazard is another pretty teamwork-based arc, which is something i really love. it’s particularly fun in this case because there’re a bunch of vastly different people and groups thrown together (the strawhats; smoker, tashigi and the g-5 guys; law; kin’emon (and momo)) who are all very different and yet can work very well together when needs must. 

smoker and tashigi get a downgrade in prominence post-timeskip, mostly because the introduction of armament haki means smoker just can’t be the threat he used to be anymore, and i have particular problems with tashigi’s treatment in this arc that i’ve written about before, but- all that said, smoker is still really, really good character in punk hazard, especially in his interactions with vergo and law. 

i really love when little, forgettable details come up in ways you might not expect- of course nami’s heat ball hard counters monet’s powers, at least momentarily. she’s made of snow. oda is really incredible of keeping track of little things like this.

i may have issues with the monet fight but god if this isn’t sexy as hell 

of the strawhats, i think chopper is actually one of the ones who shines the most in punk hazard. chopper has some of his best moments when faced with so-called ‘doctors’ who use science to hurt and dehumanize others, directly spitting on everything chopper values and believes in and everything hiriluk died for. he’s really good in thriller bark for the same reason. 

this is one of my very favorite luffy panels. 

law defeating (and ultimately killing) vergo is highly satisfying just on a first read with only context from this arc, given vergo’s earlier torture of law and his betrayal of the g-5 men’s trust in him, but it takes on an entire new dimension with the knowledge of law’s backstory and just what vergo did to him and cora. 

fishman island might be the first major arc after the timeskip, but punk hazard, specifically law’s new era speech at the end of it, strike me as much more emblematic and a much better introduction of what the entire post-ts era of the story is about. it’s not just about survival anymore- it’s about directly, proactively confronting the old, entrenched systems of power that rule the world and then tearing them down to make room for a new world and a new age.

i’ve written... a lot of meta about the donquixote family, their strange, abusive cultishness and the obsessive love and loyalty they hold for doflamingo and how he doesn’t value them in nearly the same way, but this panel in particular is one that sticks with me. 

i think this is the only time anyone other than luffy is described as “the man who will become the pirate king” (海賊王になる男/kaizoku-ou ni naru otoko). monet is ready to die for doflamingo, and this is her last thought. it ties very effectively into the twisted parallels between the donquixote pirates and the strawhats.

it might be obvious by now, but i’m a huge sucker for group shots

i couldn’t find a good place to mention it earlier, but i really love how kin’emon and momonosuke are introduced in this arc. they’re introduced as fairly inconsequential characters with no real indication that they’ll be anywhere near as important as they will be in the future. 

and yet at the same time, there are a lot of details from this arc that make a lot more sense having read wano- momo’s fear of heights, kin’emon’s dislike of dragons, momo’s unwillingness to eat food given to him that hasn’t been taste-tested (definitely something he learned as a shogun’s son, and also probably what saved him from suffering the same fate as the other kids). oda is on a storytelling level i can’t even conceive.

doflamingo has already been pretty thoroughly established as a very dangerous person ever since his introduction back in jaya, but his absolutely destroying smoker and nearly killing him just for not telling him what wants to know really drives the point home, just in time for him to come to the fore as main antagonist of the next arc.

[crashing-comets]

Making small talk

Hello! I hope everyone is doing well! Just a little note, the signing in this story is American sign language. Unfortunately I don’t know Japanese sign language, so please bare with me. Have a good week!

The Straw Hat crew had just arrived on an island for a supply run. Usopp could get a massive supply of gunpowder from a small shop at the far end of town. The owner was an older child who took over the shop for his father and sold half of the stock to Usopp, who happily took it at half price. The father came back as soon as Usopp started walking away with his wagon full of gunpowder.“That is a lot of gunpowder, young man. What are you using it for?” The man’s voice was deep and crackled with every word. “Oh, I use it to make slingshot ammo,” Usopp said simply, turning and started down the road towards town. Usopp decided to take a route that led into the forest and walked along a nearby river. The river was an average size, but the water created a strong current that could pull the strongest people underwater. Usopp stopped near the river edge, sat down, took off his boots, and placed his feet in the cool water. He could feel the water rushing around his toes, and occasionally a stray pebble hit his foot. He sighed and looked up at the sky in thought. The whole week had been hectic, and it was nice to be able to sit and relax finally. He heard sticks break near his left, and his hand when into his side bag on instinct.“Who’s there?” He said with a shaky voice. His hand found his small slingshot, and he wrapped his hands around the handle. A small child peaked out behind a tall tree and quickly retreated. “Hey! It’s okay. I won’t hurt you.” Usopp’s voice was soft, and he patted the ground next to him. The child peeked out again and took a small step from their hiding place. “Hello!” Usopp smiled and patted the ground again. The child looked about eight years old, and he had short brown hair that barely reached his ears. His clothes were covered in mud, sot, and small holes. He held a small knife in a leather cover attached to his hip and a bow that crossed his shoulders. The child walked up to Usopp and sat next to him. “What’s your name?” The boy shifted into a comfortable position then pointed to his chin, then his ear. Usopp’s eyes widened in recognition, and he smiled, lifting his hands, waving his hands in front of him with his palms facing the sky, then pointed to the boy, then took his index and middle fingers and tapped them on top of each other. “What’s your name?” Usopp said again while signing. He remembers one of the children of Syrup Village was born deaf, and he tried learning sign language so the child could enjoy his stories as well. He was a bit rusty, but he hoped that it would be enough. The child smiled and spelled out his name, Misaki, and the boy then put on a confused face. He pointed at Usopp, moved his index finger in front of his lips horizontally, and moved it in a couple of circles. “Are you hearing?” Usopp voiced. His face lit up, and he smiled, nodding his head. The child tapped his knee and pointed to his wagon. Usopp followed Misaki’s finger to the gunpowder and shook his head. He made finger guns then used his right hand to act like he was sprinkling some sort of powder. “Gunpowder.” Misaki’s eye lit up more and started signing too fast for Usopp to comprehend. He picked up ‘father’s shop’ and ‘happy,’ but the rest was lost. Usopp heard heavy steps nearby and looked around while moving a little closer to Misaki. He finally saw the source of the noise. It was Zoro and Luffy. “Who let them go together.” He sighed, and Misaki tapped harder on his knee. “Oi Usopp!” Luffy yelled, starting to race in his direction. He could hear Zoro cursing under his breath. Luffy came up behind Misaki and tapped on the child’s head, startling him, and he jumped into Usopp’s lap for protection. Misaki buried his head into Usopp’s overalls. Usopp started talking to Luffy, and Misaki could feel his chest vibrate with each word. “What’s wrong?” Luffy asked, sitting in front of Usopp, and Zoro soon followed his lead, sitting to Luffy’s left. “Luffy, I think he is deaf,” Usopp said, patting Misaki’s back. Misaki looked up at Usopp, then at Luffy and Zoro. “What does that mean?” Luffy started picking his nose. “It means he can’t hear, you idiot,” Zoro said, crossing his arms and yawned, wanting a nap. “Right!” Usopp exclaimed and lifted his hands from hugging Misaki’s waist, and started to sign. He placed his palm on his chest, put both his index fingers on his thumbs, and made a circle with them, and his palms now faced Misaki. “My family.” He started spelling out Luffy’s name, then pointed to him and did the same to Zoro. Misaki followed Usopp’s spelling of the words and tried to spell them himself. His face lit up, and he waved to Luffy and Zoro. “This is Misaki. I bought the gunpowder from his father’s shop. I think.” Luffy eyes turned into stars.“Woah! What are you doing, Usopp? That is so cool.” Luffy raised his hands to try and copy what Usopp was doing.“I didn’t know you knew sign language,” Zoro said, surprised. “Of course! The Captian Usopp learn to speak his extraordinary adventures with the youth!” Usopp puffed up his chest in pride. Misaki followed the movement and puffed out his chest and cheeks. The three older ones started to laugh as Luffy began making funny faces. Misaki, Misaki gave muted laughs and claps. “You’ll have to teach me sometime! Please Usopp!” Luffy pleaded. Zoro rolled his eyes and started to stand up. “We better get back before Nami has our heads.” “Yoshi!” Luffy jumped up and babbled to Zoro about what dinner could be. Usopp turned Misaki in his grip and smiled. He thought for a moment before pointing to himself then the forest and then rested his four fingers on his thumb. He moved his hand to his chin and then his upper jaw. “I need to go home.” Misaki nodded and climbed off his lap, then waved to the group before running off in the forest. Usopp got up, grabbed the wagon’s handles, and started to follow Luffy and Zoro towards the ship. Once they got to the ship, Sanji had set up dinner already, and everyone was waiting for them. “Finally! What took so long?” Nami said, sipping some of her alcoholic drink. “Usopp made a new friend,” Zoro said, sitting down in his spot. “Oh?” Nami said, looking at Usopp for an explanation. Usopp sat in his spot next to Zoro, and Luffy sat at the front of the table. “His name was Misaki, and he is deaf. Adorable kid and very excited that he had someone to talk to.” Usopp chuckled.“Yeah, Usopp was using his hands to talk to the kid. I told him he needs to show me how to do that.” Luffy said in between bites of food. “Really? Long-nose you know sign language?” Robin said interested in the topic of the conversation. “Oh yeah, in my village, there was a little girl who was born deaf, and I learned so I could tell her stories.” Usopp smiled and dug into his food before Luffy could. 

[purplehairedwonder]

Hearts With(out) Chains Chapter 11

Fandom: One Piece Rating: PG-13 Pairings: Gen (eventual Lawlu) Words: 3537 Characters: Trafalgar Law, Monkey D. Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Franky, Smoker, Tashigi, Vergo Note: I’m taking my turn at the Corazon!Law AU because my brain won’t leave me alone until this is written down. Tags will be updated as the chapters come out.

The story title is based on the Ellie Goulding song “Hearts Without Chains.”

Summary: Law is reclaimed by the Family when he's 17 and, with Doflamingo holding the lives of his crew as collateral for his good behavior, eventually becomes the third Corazon. Years later, trapped by his impossible situation, Law finds a strange connection to Monkey D. Luffy, which offers a glimpse of something he's repeatedly had ripped away from him: hope.

Previous chapters: Prologue | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

Read also at AO3 / FF.N

Smoker’s eyes widened. “Vergo? What is the head of G-5 doing here?”

“I’m here on business, Vice Admiral,” Vergo replied, inclining his head at Smoker.

“We called for backup but were told you were on leave,” the swordswoman said, frowning.

He never said whose business he’s here on, Law thought wryly as he sliced through the chains holding the two Marines captive. He stepped back out of the cage, eyeing Vergo. Law didn’t like the sense of satisfaction radiating off the older man. He’d heard what Law had said—but had anyone else?

“Doffy didn’t believe me before that you’re a traitor, but now he’ll have it in your own words, Law.”

Could Vergo have a line open to Dressrosa? Or perhaps he’d recorded what Law had said.

It also confirmed that Vergo had called Doffy with his report on Law’s defection, but apparently Doffy wasn’t buying it; the Warlord knew full well the safeguards he’d put into place to prevent Law from betraying him, after all. If Vergo had proof, though…

Law needed to make sure those words never left this room.

“I didn’t think you’d be so foolish as to blow your cover over a grudge,” Law commented, raising an eyebrow. He kept his tone purposefully light, but he expanded his Room and kept Kikoku hefted in front of him.

With a quick scan of his Room, he found Zoro’s swords and Shambled them into the man’s hands. Zoro let out a surprised yelp (one Law knew he would deny making until his dying day), and Law’s lip twitched as he glanced back and met the pirate hunter’s eye. The other man’s startled expression quickly shifted into a nod of appreciation as he replaced the blades at his side.

“Cover?” the swordswoman asked, following Smoker out of the cell.

Smoker jerked. “A traitor?” he growled, glancing between Law and Vergo. His gaze finally settled on the base commander. He shook his head, and Law could practically hear the pieces clicking into place in his brain. “I can’t believe I didn’t see it. You’re the one who’s been covering up the abductions of the children, aren’t you?”

“Don’t feel too bad, White Chase-ya,” Law said, and Smoker looked back at him suspiciously. “It’s not like Vergo was a traitor to the Marines. Vergo was a pirate from the start.”

“What?”

Law couldn’t help his lip curling into a sneer. “He’s Doflamingo’s most trusted subordinate. He joined the Marines on his orders fifteen years ago and climbed the ranks.”

“A pirate posing as a Marine,” Smoker hissed. “Shameful.” He shook his head, disgusted.

“How dare you,” the captain yelled at Vergo, betrayal tinging the anger in her voice. “Those children are innocent!”

“They’re sacrifices for the greater good, Captain Tashigi,” Vergo said simply. He’d been watching the exchange with a bored affect in place, though Law knew better than to take him at face value; Vergo was always poised to attack.

“The greater good?” the cat burglar snapped. “What greater good could possibly come from experimenting on children?”

“That is super messed up,” the cyborg agreed.

“A world ruled by Donquixote Doflamingo, of course,” Vergo said, as though the answer were obvious. And, Law supposed, for Vergo, it was. “Give me some credit for keeping up my cover, Smoker-kun. I’ve been on my guard ever since you transferred to G-5. It will be good to finally be rid of that concern.”

Vergo turned back to Law. “And who says I’m blowing my cover, Law?” Vergo had completely dispensed with Law’s title, apparently. He’d never respected Law as a successor, no matter how many times Doffy pushed him on it, and now he had the excuse to back it up. “None of them are leaving this island. I’ll file it away as a tragic accident at sea, as always.”

Law narrowed his eyes, reminded once more of the World Government’s coverup of Flevance’s destruction. Vergo, as far as Law was concerned, was proof pirates and soldiers weren’t so different, no matter what people like Smoker professed. Law knew he was no better, but he also never claimed to be.

“I won’t let that happen,” Smoker snarled. He didn’t have his jitte since he’d been captured—and Law wasn’t feeling particularly inclined to return the weapon that had taken him down with Seastone—but he didn’t let that stop him.

Smoker shifted into smoke form and charged Vergo with an outraged yell. He had to know about Vergo’s talent with haki and the effect it would have on his Fruit’s abilities, but he attacked anyway, his fury at his base commander’s betrayal driving him on.

“Smoker-san!” the captain called, worried.

“What is he doing?” Zoro muttered.

Smoker punched at Vergo with a smoky tendril, but Vergo blackened his arm and grabbed the smoke. Smoker cursed as Vergo spun and whipped him into the far wall. Smoker coughed and sagged to the floor. His second and the Straw Hats gasped, but Law took the moment of distraction to Scan Vergo; there was a Den Den Mushi in his pocket.

With a twitch of his fingers, the Den Den Mushi flew from Vergo’s coat toward Law. Vergo’s eyes snapped toward him.

“No!”

Law grabbed the snail from midair, and he pocketed it just as Vergo’s haki-coated stick slammed into his chest, tossing him like a rag doll into the wall behind him. The back of Law’s head hit the metal; his vision briefly went dark, and his stomach threatened to empty itself—another blow to his head was not what Law needed when he already had a concussion—but Law, taking a stabilizing breath, was able to collect his wits and keep his Room from falling. He Shambled himself across the room before Vergo could recover the Den Den Mushi.

“Brat!” Vergo snapped as he turned to find Law slumped over on one of the couches, having swapped places with a pillow. “But I suppose running away is always what you’ve done best.”

Law could vaguely hear the Straw Hats making some kind of commotion, though their words wouldn’t form in his ears; his blurry vision, however, was directed entirely toward the man striding toward him, a murderous intent barely contained beneath his haki-clad skin; Vergo knew he couldn’t kill Law before bringing him back to Dressrosa, but that wouldn’t stop him from beating the shit out of him—again.

Law just needed a moment to bring his vision back into focus…

Suddenly, Vergo was flying across the room. He crashed into the far wall and crumpled. Law blinked, his battered brain trying to comprehend what he was seeing. Belatedly, he turned to see Straw Hat, flanked by his crewmates, standing in the doorway, his rubbery arm returning to him with a loud snap.

Before dealing with that, Law pulled Vergo’s Den Den Mushi from his pocketed and noted in relief that there wasn’t a live line open. That meant Doffy hadn’t been listening in. Vergo still could have recorded his words, but Law would worry about that later. If Doffy hadn’t heard Law, then all Law had to do was prevent Vergo from bringing his words back to Dressrosa.

He pushed himself to his feet and headed toward the new arrivals. His vision was clearing, but his balance was still slightly off. The doctor in him was concerned, but the pirate in him knew he didn’t have the luxury of taking a break.

The two factions of Straw Hats were greeting each other happily. Straw Hat’s expression lit up as Law approached.

“Torao!”

“What are you doing here, Straw Hat-ya?” Law demanded. “We agreed you would wait.”

Straw Hat frowned. “We were talking, but then there was all this chaos on Torao’s end of the line. No one was responding. It sounded dangerous, so we decided to help.”

Ah. Law supposed he had gotten distracted by Vergo’s appearance and hadn’t considered how that would have sounded to the Straw Hats listening in.

“So, what exactly happened to cause this?” the cat burglar asked, gesturing between Straw Hat and Law. Though she’d agreed to trust Straw Hat, she was still suspicious of Law—and she was right to be.

Still, Law ignored her. They didn’t have time for this; Vergo wouldn’t stay down long, even after taking a hit like that.

“If you want to rescue the children, this would be the time to do it,” he said.

“What about him?” Straw Hat asked, nodding back toward Vergo.

Law grimaced as he noticed Vergo stirring. “I can handle it.”

“Because that went so well before,” Black Leg muttered.

Law ignored him as well. He didn’t have Seastone draining his abilities now. “I’ll handle it,” he repeated, looking directly at Straw Hat. Vergo might be taking an excuse to finish what he’d started thirteen years earlier, but Law wasn’t a terminally ill child anymore. It was unfinished business for them both.

“Luffy, what—” the cat burglar started.

But Straw Hat studied Law’s face for a long moment and seemed to find whatever he was looking for because he nodded. “Okay.”

Law felt a measure of relief at the response; it wasn’t that he needed Straw Hat’s permission to take on Vergo—alliance or not, he wouldn’t let anyone take this fight from him—but having his agreement was a lot easier. His crew would follow his lead, and they’d be able to accomplish both their tasks and move on to rescuing Law’s nakama.

“What?” several Straw Hats gasped.

“Okay,” Straw Hat repeated. “Torao will handle the Verto guy, and we’ll go after the kids.”

“You think I’m going to let that happen?” Vergo said. He’d risen to his feet and stood, arms crossed, in front of the doorway the Straw Hats would need to go through to find the children.

Straw Hat made to draw his arm back again, but before he could strike, Law held out a hand. Straw Hat stopped, eyeing Law curiously.

“Go. Caesar and Monet are still with the children. They’re both Fruit users, so don’t take them lightly.”

“But—”

Law Shambled Vergo into the cage, and, with a few twists of his fingers, retwined the wires holding the front of the cage together. The doorway was now open, and Vergo cursed. The cage wouldn’t hold him long, but it didn’t need to—just long enough for the others to leave.

Straw Hat whooped. “Thanks, Torao!” he called as he charged forward, the promise of a fight clearly drawing him like a magnet.

“Wait, Luffy!” the cat burglar called, running after her captain. “You don’t know where you’re going!”

Straw Hat’s laughter echoed against the metal walls as the Straw Hats and, Law noticed, Smoker’s second filed out of the open doorway. Smoker, however, remained where he was; he’d gotten to his feet while Law was talking to the Straw Hats. Law narrowed his eyes at the other man.

“This is my fight, White Chase-ya. Stay out of my way.”

“That man is a traitor to the Marines, and I plan to see justice done,” Smoker said, voice tight, as he strode up next to Law. “Don’t get in my way, pirate.”

Law and Smoker both turned at the sound of a metallic slam; Vergo had kicked the cage’s front out, the metal wiring sliding several feet across the floor before coming to rest. Though Vergo’s eyes were still hidden behind his glasses, Law could feel the anger radiating off the man.

“Enough,” he snapped, stepping back into the room.

“My thoughts exactly,” Smoker roared, charging at Vergo. “Traitor!”

Law sighed but didn’t intervene. Though he thought the man was being foolish considering how his previous attack had failed, Law could understand his rage at realizing Vergo, the base commander of his own unit, was a traitor.

However, Smoker wouldn’t get an advantage on Vergo this way; Vergo’s haki was superior to the other vice admiral’s. The first Corazon didn’t have a Devil Fruit to enhance his attacks, so he’d trained and honed his haki over the years until his masterful control and overwhelming power became what he was known for. For a Logia like Smoker, Vergo was a bad matchup.

Still, if he wanted to wear Vergo down while Law took a few moments to rest, Law wasn’t going to object. At full strength, Law wasn’t particularly concerned about taking Vergo on, but he didn’t want to take any chances when he was unsteady with a head injury. As the two vice admirals clashed, Law scanned the room until he found Smoker’s jitte. He could still feel the ghost of the Seastone tip slamming into his back, causing his Room to fall around him as weakness spread through his entire body. Law grimaced, but, grudgingly, he summoned the weapon into his hand.

“White Chase-ya,” he called as Smoker fell back from a swipe of Vergo’s bamboo stick.

“What?” Smoker demanded, not looking toward Law.

“Catch.” He tossed the jitte in the man’s direction.

Smoker’s eyes flicked in his direction then widened as he saw his weapon flying in his direction. He sent a smoky arm toward it, grabbing the hilt before Vergo could interfere. He grunted a nod in Law’s direction, clearly unhappy to owe Law anything else.

Even with his jitte, Smoker was clearly outmatched. Vergo’s haki-coated arms were able to strike Smoker’s smoke form, forcing him to revert to his base form. They traded blows, Vergo’s bamboo stick with Smoker’s jitte. Vergo’s haki-enhanced hits pushed Smoker into retreat.

“It’s no use, Smoker-kun,” Vergo taunted. “You’re no match for me.”

“You’ve betrayed G-5. The men trusted you. I’ll see you pay for that, pirate,” Smoker snarled back.

Vergo side-stepped Smoker’s blow and looked at him curiously. “You seem to care for those morons. Why?”

Smoker leapt at Vergo, only to be pushed aside by his bamboo. “Because they’re my men!”

Vergo tsked. “And that is your problem, Smoker-kun. Placing loyalty in trash. You will only end up discarded along with them.”

Smoker roared in response, but Vergo kicked out and tripped Smoker. Smoker fell backwards, hissing as his back hit the floor. His eyes widened as Vergo suddenly appeared above him, ready to strike a killing blow with his bamboo.

Deciding he’d seen enough, Law twitched his fingers, sending Vergo to the far side of the room.

“Law,” Vergo growled when he realized what had happened. “Don’t interfere. I’ll have time for you, too.”

Law rolled his eyes and turned back to Smoker. “Enough, White Chase-ya.”

“Dammit, Corazon! I can still—” He broke off, wincing at what Law would guess were broken ribs from Vergo’s many haki-enhanced blows.

“I can see that,” Law replied wryly. “Don’t make me move you, too.”

Smoker glowered but didn’t argue.

As Vergo started charging back toward Law and Smoker, Law Shambled himself across the room, directly into Vergo’s path. He swung Kikoku, but Vergo dodged just in time. A large chunk of the wall behind Vergo came down with a loud clatter. Law swung his blade several more times to create smaller pieces of metal from the fallen wall.

Law turned on his heel and immediately jumped back toward Vergo, using Kikoku to block a flurry of blows. His arms shook under the strain of countering the strikes, but he gritted his teeth then powered forward, driving Vergo back.

Lifting a finger, Law used Takt to lift the metal pieces he’d created and hurled them toward Vergo. The vice admiral cursed and dodged the large sheets of metal, knocking those he couldn’t dodge away with his stick.

“What’s wrong, Vergo?” Law taunted as he ducked under the flying pieces of metal to approach his target. “Not so easy when your target isn’t shackled in Seastone?”

“Don’t flatter yourself, Law.”

Law sent a large piece of metal Vergo had already knocked away back toward Vergo and ducked behind it; Law followed its path, so when Vergo knocked it out of his way again, he jolted in surprise as Law suddenly appeared. He swung his bamboo to push Law back, but Law ducked under Vergo’s outstretched arm, catching the man off-guard.

Law shoved his free hand forward into Vergo’s chest. Mes.

Vergo gasped as his heart was expelled backward. He slumped forward as Law summoned the heart into his hand.

“Bastard,” Vergo hissed.

To his credit, Vergo’s heartrate remained steady as he kneeled in front of Law. Even now, he wouldn’t let his successor rattle him.

“I have your life literally in my hand, Vergo­,” Law said, eyeing the heart. “I’d watch my tongue if I were you.”

“And what will you do with it, boy?” Vergo sneered, looking up. “Kill me?”

As Law felt the heart pulse steady in his hand, memories of Minion Island flashed in front of his mind’s eye.

Finding Vergo as he looked for help for the fallen Cora-san.

Vergo and Cora-san recognizing each other.

Vergo beating the wounded Cora-san, taunting him all the while.

Vergo beating Law, no sympathy for a dying child.

Vergo leaving them both, battered and bloody, in the snow to report to Doflamingo.

Law squeezed the heart, and Vergo writhed on the ground, pained groans coming through his clenched teeth.

Cora-san. Law released his grip on the heart. Vergo let out relieved gasps and slowly stilled.

“Corazon,” Smoker said slowly, as if afraid to spook Law. “He needs to face justice.”

Cora-san had always believed in justice. He hadn’t wanted to kill Doflamingo but bring him in. He wouldn’t want to kill Vergo either but instead, like Smoker, to bring him to justice.

Law wasn’t like them.

“Justice,” he scoffed bitterly, eyes never leaving the heart in his hand. “Where was justice when my little sister collapsed from Amber Lead Disease at seven years old and died as my parents’ clinic burned to the ground? Where was justice when soldiers destroyed my country then covered it up?” Law could hear his voice rising in his ears as he spoke, but he didn’t care. Years of pent-up rage flowed through his veins. “Where was justice when the man who saved me was murdered for it? Where was justice—”

He cut himself off at the sound of Vergo’s choking laughter, throat tightening as he realized what he’d just said.

“There’s no such thing as justice, Smoker-kun,” Vergo said between pained gasps. “There is only strength and weakness.” He turned his head to stare at Law. “And your precious Cora-san was weak, Law. Just like you.”

Fury rising in his chest, Law squeezed the heart again, Vergo’s screams a melody to his ears.

When Law let go of the heart once more, Vergo collapsed to the floor and panted. For years, Law had waited for the chance to avenge what Vergo had done to him and Cora-san that night; Vergo had haunted his nightmares, a looming figure of cruelty. But now, laid out on the ground and trying to hold onto his pride in his defeat, Law thought he looked pathetic.

And just like that, the fury drained out of him, leaving him feeling oddly hollow.

“So now what, Law?” Vergo asked between gasps for air. “You can’t kill me.”

Law raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“What do you think Doffy would do to you if you did? To your crew?”

Law barked a humorless laugh. “If he thinks I’m a traitor, we’re all dead anyway.” He narrowed his eyes. “Might as well take you with me.”

Vergo frowned. “You know how the Family deals with traitors.”

“I do,” Law agreed.

“He’ll never let you go,” Vergo said. “Not until he’s done with you. Wherever you go, he’ll find you.”

“I know.” That was why he’d return to Dressrosa once his business here was done. “Don’t worry, Vergo-san. I’ll file it away as a tragic accident at sea.”

He tightened his grip around Vergo’s heart, watching as the man writhed. He felt… nothing. Vergo coughed blood, but the satisfaction Law had expected to feel at the sight of Vergo dying at his hands was missing, sucked into the hollowness in his chest.

“Corazon, you don’t have to do this,” Smoker spoke up. “I can take him in.”

Law tightened his grip further. “You really think Doflamingo would let his favorite subordinate be locked up in Impel Down?”

“Even Warlords don’t have the power to stop something like that,” Smoker replied with a frown.

Law shook his head. “He has more connections than that, White Chase-ya.” If Vergo left Punk Hazard alive, Law and his crew were assured slow, agonizing deaths. If Law killed Vergo now, there was still a chance this could be salvaged.

Vergo huffed a strained laugh around his cries. “He’s. Right. Smoker-kun. You. Have. No idea. Who. You’re. Dealing with.”

Smoker looked between the two pirates and shook his head but said nothing. Law continued squeezing the heart, waiting to feel something after all this time.

“What’s wrong, Law?” Vergo panted. “Don’t have. The stones. To finish it?”

“Hardly.”

Law closed his fist completely, crushing the heart until Vergo let out a final bloody gasp then went limp.

Still feeling that odd emptiness, he opened his hand dropped the still heart next to the corpse.

“That was for Cora-san.”

Next chapter

[rebelliouslala]

For You

Jimin x reader :3

genre: modern western, cotton candy fluff with some language and alcohol consumption, angst if you lean in reAAAAAl close partner

1.5k words I surprised myself there whoa there

The chirp of midnight birds and the tune of grasshoppers are the background music that everyone chatters over. The entire turnip field, now plucked and withered, had the weeds crushed by the wheels of trucks and cars. It was a week before college, and even though you had a flight tomorrow, you wanted to make a bit of extra cash.

You and your friend operate the first booth at the entrance, a small tailgate, all on your friend’s dusty green truck. Your other cousin, Nami, counted how people were going to be in the field and paying for their entry, waving people off. You, simply, hum and take off your hat and wipe the sweat from the humid evening.

“Y/n, this idea was great! Three bucks each for a ticket and five for the couples? We made almost 300 bucks!” Your childhood friend, Hiram boasts to you. You smile and bend down with him, picking up the popcorn machine that had broken fifteen minutes earlier.

Your other friend, Lily smiles and she comes out in her roller skates, wearing a hoodie and long, boot cut jeans, “Hiram! Don’t lie to her, it’s a fuckin’ mind blowin’ hustle!” She winks at you, before your cousin pushes you, and she skates away.

Before you can make the next round of orders with them, your cousin pulls you away and hisses to you. You sigh, “Nami, you almost burnt me! These biscui—,”

“There’s a huge group. They don’t count as anything, and—,”

“Ma’am?”

You look over to see seven young men in flannels, one wearing a wife beater underneath. They all sit in a truck, one of the men rolling down his window while the others in the back grumble. He smiles warmly, two holes poking in his cheek. “Pardon us, we wanted to pay twenty for our presence. I know we ain’t couples,”

“Okay first of all you can go suck a bull’s—,” says one of the boys in the back, but another one cuts in. “Shut up!” Hisses the driver, a broad shouldered man, pushing his light brown hair back as his lips pucker out in annoyance.

“Twenty sounds perfect!” Your cousin says, nudging you as you take the tall man’s currency, and the other man who drives the kids nods at you, however there’s some chatter.

“Grab us some grub.”

“Why me—?”

“GET. The food.”

The man stumbles from the truck as he flips off the truck that drives around the field, ruining the disturbing weeds already growing.

“Hi! Would you like anything?” You smile sweetly, seeing that Hiram can now operate the popcorn machine again.

The man groans, rubbing his temple and he leans on the table, eyeing you, his flannel open with enough buttons for you to see his toned chest. He says softly, his voice laced with exhaustion of his friends, “Mind pourin’ me a drink? It’s gonna be a long fuckin’ night if I gotta deal with these boys.”

He had a nearly guttural voice, if it wasn’t how smooth he let the words slip out he was. You turn around and quickly fix drinks as Hiram helps him with the food.

“So, you.”

Hiram beams are the handsome man, “Yes—?”

“Not you. Although you’re a cutie. I meant your friend. Are you in charge?”

You turn around from organizing the drinks to the man.

“Uh, yes?”

He pauses softly and he smiles, “Ain’t you tired from this? It’s nearly school season. Why aren’t you gettin’ ready or somethin’?”

You open your mouth before Hiram cuts in, “Listen, if you if you’re trying to hit on my bestie I think, you gotta relax and just grab your shit and go, little man.”

The man stares up at him, smirking slightly before his gaze lands back on you, taking the drink you poured for him.

“Sir, the drink, including the snacks, it's five dollars.” You fib quietly, pursing your lips.

“Y/n—!” You hush your friend and pout at him. Turning to the man, you look up and smile, “It’s just so I get some extra cash before I go, for good.” You take a deep breath and smile, “You know what I mean?”

He leans in, taking in a sip of his alcohol and he continues to smirk softly. “So you are the genius who organized,” he gestures around and leans on the table, around the pretty country view, “this?”

“I am, thank you.” You say simply, helping him with a small and easy take away bag as you shrug, “Nami just likes to take control. She’s organizing everything, even though, it was my idea.”

“Mm,” he takes it and he sighs, “So do my other friends.”

You chuckle and lean forward, smiling at the man in front of you, “Perhaps, we should take control tonight.”

He watches your hand and he takes a sip of his red cup filled to the brim with booze, “Hmm, perhaps.”

You look up and smile, “My name is Y/n, by the way. I have control on that.”

“Jimin, but you can take any alias for me.”

You giggle at his little joke and lean in, “Hmm, anything? How about Jiminie~?”

He laughs, his laughter sounding like the chime of light cowbells ringing in for home.

Making you feel at home.

You giggle with him, and he winks at you, “I like the sound of that, dollie.”

You sigh softly when he waves goodbye. This gives you time to work until the twenty minute mark, at the most boring part of the movie, when the charming young man comes from the back, and knocks on the bar of your booth, his knuckles rapping against the steel bars.

“Jiminie?” You ask softly, making sure Hiram doesn’t see you slack. Even though he’s probably reading a comic.

“Doll, you seem bored,” he says softly.

“Yeah, the crowd is dying down though. What’s up?”

“How about you and me grab some snacks, sneak on the truck, and watch the movie there. No one but you and I.”

Your gut churns, however, you can protest, he smiles, his eyes curving upwards as you softly say, “What about the booth?”

“Well it’s on a truck, darlin’. We can sit on the roof and wait there. Watch the movie and lay on the back. Your friend will be here, and your friend Lily can see us too. My friends won’t know, and I can’t stand them making fun of me.”

You giggle and turn to where he is, ruffling his hair and smiling too. The both of you start giggling like sugar high children, “Then that sounds great, Minmin.”

You follow the young man up, holding the brown bag and soda cans close to you, when he lifts you up to the top of the truck.

From the front of the drive in, the screen is a bit of a distance away from how the first people of the drive in can see the movie, yet you didn’t mind. You shiver from the sudden breeze of the night.

Jimin takes off his flannel and wraps it around you, smiling and rubbing your arms to give you some warmth before he widens his eyes. “Oh, shit, sorry I didn’t mean to—,”

“It’s fine, I’m cold anyways. What a gentleman.”

He smiles, and even in the dark night, you can see his crimson face, “Well, I got the caramel popcorn. It’s my favorite, I love it when it sticks to your teeth, you know?”

You laugh and take a piece, chewing and sighing, your body relaxing at the first piece of food in five hours. “Mm, so good.”

Jimin drinks more and wraps his arms around you. and leans on the roof a bit more, “Almost as sweet as you huh?”

You chuckle at his joke and nod, gently wrapping his flannel around you and buttoning it up. You were almost surprised yet not with how he smells. Like a cloudy day but humid day in the countryside of peaches. You gently sniff his collar and that smelled like the peach had been ripped apart in front of your naked nose and you smile, “You smell good.”

“What a nice compliment, I’ve never gotten that one before, darlin’.”

You laugh and look up, as he starts to snicker softly, “You’re a strange man.”

“And you’re a strange person who let me have a mini date with you.”

“A mini date? Does that mean I gotta walk you home!”

“At least back to my truck, please.” You giggle and lean on him, watching the stars and listening to the old Western voices as he whispers, “Either way, I think this night is the best one I’ve had in awhile.”

You exhale and relax in his arms as he chuckles, and he shakes his empty can once he sips the rest. “Uh, do you mind pourin’ me another one?”

“Maybe, if I get a peck.”

Jimin leans down, and he smirks. You gasp quietly, almost mutely, as his plump lips softly make contact with your cheek, letting a quiet smooch sound echo in your ear, “Just for you, dolly,”

[giyuu-no-tsuma]

Where Do Babies Come From, Papa?

A Giyuu and daughter prompt:

It was the sunset, soon everything else was going to become dark. Giyuu was hanging some laundry, while his children were outside doing their own thing.

Sabito was doodly in the sand with a stick, while Namiko was humming and hopping in one foot around.

When a question crossed the little girl’s head and she trotted to her father.

“Papa?” She asked, hopping over to him.

Giyuu was hitting the sheets with a carpet beater, when he heard his daughter calling for him.

“Yes, Nami?”

The little girl fidgeted with the long sleeves of her blue watery kimono. “I was wondering about something...”

Giyuu gazed at her with a soft look. “What is that, that you have for me?”

“Where do babies come from, Papa?” Namiko asked innocently as Giyuu froze and looked down at his small daughter, unsure of what to answer.

Even Sabito had stopped his doodling and looked over to his sister and father, tilting his head to the side.

“Ah um...ah...” He stuttered, how on Earth was he going to explain such question to a four year old girl? He didn’t ask Urokodaki how to prepared to the asks, when he discovered he was a father and had no idea how to raise children, at mere age of 19.

Giyuu looked around and saw a bird flying off the sky. “From the birds!”

“Giyuu-onii-chan...” Embarrassing enough, the Kamado siblings were there and heard what he blurted out and they snorted.

Giyuu hide his face in his hand, totally embarrassed. From this day on, he wasn’t let alone, by his siblings.

[britishassistant]

But I Like One Piece (4)

Somehow it gets worse after that.

It’s hard enough living with the realization that she’s been reborn with an entirely new circulatory system that parasitizes energy from her training and studying and doesn’t like her.

But then the teacher begins making noises about learning to mold this system to their wills.

Like trying to harness the weird unnatural force for its powers isn’t going to end horror movie style.

Especially since they’re using those dumb hand signs to do so.

She feels a little bad for disparaging it, since Naruto’s trying so hard to form them properly.

But most of them look like they’d dislocate her fingers if she wasn’t careful, her mind recalling videos of howling children who tried a little too hard to copy their favorite show and were left with fingers that dangled the wrong way.

She can’t risk damaging her tools again.

“Ketsugi.” The teacher says. “Demonstrate the Ox sign for the class.”

She cautiously twists her fingers, then drops them when something twinges. “Can't do it.”

“Of course you can, if you bother to try. The Ox sign.” The teacher snaps.

“But these aren’t necessary, right?” She pushes.“They just make using ch-chakra easier. A handicap.”

The teacher sighs. “They’re a tool, not a handicap, which you would know if you were paying attention to the lesson. Form the signs, Rat through Serpent.”

“I’m not doing them.” She snaps. “It’s embarrassing as a human being!”

There’s a moment of silence as what she said sinks in.

“Mizuki-sensei, why does Ketsugi-san look so smug?”

“Because she’s about to serve detention Uchiha.” The teacher growls. “Ketsugi, out in the hallway, now!”

She pouts as she holds the water buckets. They’re not even that heavy after training with Gai-sensei.

And so what if she was smug? She got to say Nico Robin’s line, she deserves to feel proud for that.

“It’s embarrassing as a human being.” She whispers to herself and can barely stifle slightly hysterical giggles.

Naruto and Kiba end up in detention with her after school.

Somehow they managed to turn the teacher’s white hair orange enough to rival Nami’s. It’s almost the same length too, making her snicker.

She thinks of her own hair, now below her chin. It’s too fine and straight to pull off Nami's look. She pouts down at her fingers.

“What is your family symbol anyways?” Kiba says, cracking his knuckles and shaking his fingers out. They’ve been cycling through the dumb signs for the past twenty minutes.

She peeks down at her shirt where there’s a little embroidered grey pelican with its wings raised to almost form a circle and a red tomoe where its beak meets its breast.

“It’s a pelican.” She says. “A sea bird. Their beak can hold lots of water, like a bucket.”

“Oh.” He fidgets, scratching the markings on his face. Akamaru barks. “Is that why it’s your family symbol? Carrying water?”

“Ah, no.” She gestures towards it as covertly as she can. “There’s this idea from a long time ago that pelicans babies are nursed on blood. So the pelican stabs itself with its beak so it can feed its babies. It’s a metaphor for something, like self-sacrifice, I think. I’m pretty sure they don’t do that in the wild.”

Kiba “hmms” and a frown creases Naruto’s face, but he doesn’t say anything for the rest of the afternoon, and that evening he’s back to normal.

She wonders if she should’ve questioned it.

One day a little under half of their class is gone.

She looks around. “Where is everyone?”

“You mean you don’t know?” Ino gasps, looking vaguely ill. Her skin’s pale and there’s bags under her eyes.

She and Naruto glance at one another. She shakes her head.

The blonde leans in close, voice dropping to a whisper. “The entire Uchiha clan was killed last night. Massacred.”

She blinked, looking around at the empty seats. Then it hits her. “What?! Even the—”

Ino shrugged, rubbing her arms. “I don’t know. They haven’t reported any survivors. J-just that the clan compound was—w-was—”

The blonde began trembling violently, breath coming in harsh gasps. Her eyes widen and she slips an arm around Ino’s shoulders, frantically gesturing to Naruto who looks like he’s confronting a bomb instead of a panicking girl.

Between them they got Ino sitting down and nibbling half-heartedly on an orange slice. Shikamaru, Kiba and Choji are in just as bad shape. Chouji is chewing his thumb so hard he makes it bleed, while Shika jumps at the slightest sound. Kiba’s just curled around Akamaru.

Nobody talks much that day.

Eventually the teacher throws his hands up and tells them all to go home early.

All the other civilian kids leave immediately in twos and threes. The clan kids stay seated.

Ino laughs hollowly when Sakura asks what’s taking her so long. Chouji won’t stop trembling. The quiet boy in the back buzzes restlessly. Kiba even lets out a whimper.

She exchanges glances with Sakura and Naruto.

They’re scared stiff.

Naruto stands up, and goes to where his stalker and the quiet boy sit at the back of the room. “Hey,” He says, “Wanna walk home with Mayu-chan an’ Sakura-chan an’ Ino an’ Shika an’ Chouji an’ Dogbreath and me?”

He sounds out of breath once he’s finished.

“U-um,” The stalker stutters. The quiet boy says, “That will not be necessary. Why? Because...”

“Oh come off it and walk with us.” She snaps. “We’ll hold hands and everything. Safety in numbers, right Shikamaru?”

He scoffs, but stares intensely at a spot on the wall. She can practically see the cogs turning in his head.

“Okay.” He says. “Here’s how we’ll do this.”

They run into Lee on the way out, but he gets incorporated into their weird-dodechahedron-chain-thing easily enough.

He and Naruto are at the front, laughing and talking like nothing’s wrong. Naruto holds Kiba and his stalker’s hands, while Lee holds the quiet boy’s and Shikamaru’s.

The clan kids make up a mass in the middle. Kiba (after much grumbling) holds the quiet boy’s other hand, while the stalker holds Ino’s and Shikamaru grasps Chouji’s hand.

She and Sakura take the rear, holding hands and not doing as good a job as Lee and Naruto at pretending everything’s fine. Sakura’s also holding Ino’s other hand and she’s holding Chouji’s.

People stare at them as they walk, barely tripping each other up.

Some snigger, but more look pitying.

She spots a couple of masks following them at a distance and tightens her grip on Sakura and Chouji.

They go to the compound that’s farthest from the village proper first and work their way in.

The quiet boy’s father has glasses like his son, and thanks them with a low buzz for returning “Shino”.

Kiba’s mum gives him a noogie and her dog calls them “good kids” gruffly.

The stalker is welcomed by an attendant who calls her “Hinata-sama”, flicks cold eyes over them and shuts the door in their faces.

Ino’s mum is almost in hysterics and she can’t stop hugging and kissing her daughter.

Chouji’s dad looks on the verge of tears, and he calls them brave for looking after his son.

Shikamaru’s mum keeps it better together, but her voice cracks when she thanks them.

When she closes the door on them, Mayu, Naruto, Lee and Sakura all look at each other, pensive and grave. The four “civilians” with no compounds to hide in.

Not that the compound saved the Uchiha.

“Wanna go cook something at my place?” She asks.

Her parents return with Gai-sensei and a pink-haired man and a blonde woman who introduce themselves as Kizashi and Mebuki Haruno.

They hug their daughter for a long time.

Lee looks longingly at the scene, so Gai-sensei slaps him on the shoulder and challenges him to run 100 times around their garden on his hands. Otou-sama eagerly asks if he can join in, which Gai-sensei enthusiastically agrees with.

Otou-sama repeatedly falls on his face, but he looks like he’s having fun.

She checks to see if the meat is done, then calls out that the food she, Naruto, Sakura and Lee have prepared is ready.

Naruto grabs the extra chairs while Sakura balances a pitcher of ice water and the hot plate and Lee brings out covered dishes of thinly sliced vegetables and rice.

It’s too hot for hot pot really, and they’re all sweltering as they crowd round the dining table Gai-sensei and Kizashi lugged outside, but at the same time it feels like the heat of the dish could almost burn away the horrors that happened today, warm and mild flavors grounding them in the idea of home and family and making it seem ridiculous that such things could be violated.

Her mother brings out bottles of sake, and she can tell by the way Mebuki Haruno whistles that it’s good stuff.

She uncorks one bottle and pours a dish out for everyone, even the children.

Then her father uncorks the other and holds it up in one hand, his sake dish in the other.

“To the Uchiha. May their memory be honored, may they find justice, and may their spirits be at peace in the next life.”

“To the Uchiha.” They chorus, and he pours the bottle out into the grass as they drink.

She’s never had the tongue for alcohol so it doesn’t taste very nice. From the way Naruto’s sticking his tongue out, Sakura’s hacking, and Lee’s pulling a face, they think the same.

Luffy, I know this isn’t really your thing. She thinks. But maybe get Robin or Nami or Brook to help you out. Please, please get those poor souls somewhere they’ll be happy and free. And knock the fucker who did a Buster Call on them out with a gomu gomu no bazooka.

She tosses back the rest of the sake with that silent prayer.

Naruto leans into her side, resting his head on her shoulder, so she rests her head atop his. Okaa-sama sits down on his other side, taking his hand and carding her free one through Mayu’s hair. Otou-sama brackets them on the other side, throwing an arm over their shoulders and drawing them all together, a bit squashed, and adds his hand to the pile.

They watch the sun set and mourn the lives lost.

Nobody goes home that night.

The masks don’t even come for Naruto.

They end up spread out around the living room, futons and bedding haphazardly laid out.

She wakes up in the early morning with Naruto spreadeagled beside her on the floor, one foot in her father’s stomach and her mother curled up behind her and—

The mask that hurt her standing over them.

She tenses weakly, eyes frantically darting around. Her father is at their feet, so he’ll have to go over them to save her, giving the mask enough time to slit her throat.

Gai-sensei is sitting in her mother’s armchair, head thrown back and snoring while Lee is curled up on his lap. He won’t get to her in time either.

Kizashi is squashed on the couch, with Mebuki blocking him in. Sakura is on the coffee table for some reason, cuddling a paperweight. She can’t drag them into this.

She’s not strong like the Monster Trio. Hell, she can’t even hold a candle to the Coward Trio. There’s no way she’ll be able to take the mask and live to tell the tale. She’ll barely scratch him.

The mask looks at her. She curls a hand around Naruto’s arm protectively and glares back.

He raises a single finger the mouth of the mask and bursts into a flurry of leaves.

She can’t go back to sleep after that.

They’re in the morning paper.

Not as the front page headline. No, that’s reserved for a picture of a little boy that’s so much like the anime stills that used to be bandied about in flame wars of her past life, with the headline UCHIHA ITACHI CONFIRMED KILLER above it and the phrase SEVEN YEAR OLD SOLE SURVIVOR OF MASSACRE underneath.

They are halfway down the second page though. There’s a grainy photograph of their hand-holding escort, taken so as to obscure Naruto as much as possible behind Lee.

It doesn’t quite work, because you can see his hair and ear, and his hands holding Hinata and Kiba, the Uzumaki spiral clearly visible on his shirtsleeve.

Naruto eagerly points this out, and bragging about how “We’re famous now, believe it!”

The caption under it reads: Clan and civilian children draw together in historic show of solidarity. Whoever writes for the paper likes alliteration too much for anyone’s good.

Her father peers at it. “That’s quite a scary face you’re making there Mayu-chan.”

She says nothing and eats her rice quickly while her mother gives Otou-sama a Look.

It’s not her fault she was glaring at the masks when the photo was taken.

Everyone’s talking about the photo in class too.

Ino’s even signing copies of it.

At least she’s feeling better. The others seem to back to a semblance of normality too.

All except the stalker. She keeps stealing quick, furtive glances at Naruto, before gazing sadly back down at her hands.

Ino notices her staring and nudges her. “I heard Hinata’s dad blew a gasket at the picture. Said she’s not allowed to associate with Naruto anymore.” She says conspiratorially.

She winces. For a moment she’d been so caught up in the sense of communal mourning, she’d forgotten she lived in a world where Naruto was a pariah.

“Anything we can do?” She murmurs to Ino.

The blonde purses her lips, tapping her chin, but Sakura, with bags under bloodshot eyes from drinking a bit too much and sleeping on a table, is the one who answers. “Have her sit on the girl’s side of the table. That the way she’s close to Naruto without associating.”

“Sakura, that’s brilliant!” Ino gushes.

Instead of blushing and modestly denying the praise like usual, Sakura presses her face into the desk and mumbles, “Fuck yeah I am, shannaro.”

She cracks up at the expression on Ino’s face.

Naruto invites Shino to sit with him as well to disguise their intentions.

He accepts, but seems a little on edge with all the noise, curling in on himself a little whenever Ino or Kiba or Naruto go a little loud in the volume department.

It’s not his fault; some people just don’t do as well with noisy gatherings like this.

Hinata’s perked up a lot though, so there’s that.

She tries to follow Ino’s efforts to make Hinata feel included, but her mind keeps going back to the headline picture.

She knows about him vaguely. She used to participate in many arguments by claiming that Roronoa Zoro would definitely kick his pasty little arse seven ways to Sunday, magic eye or no.

There were enough pictures and videos of him and Naruto fighting online that she knew they were enemies, even if she didn’t know the whys or hows.

She knows his brother killed his clan, and the flame wars over whether this was justified would always take over the thread.

Sitting here with under half the class gone, dark-haired kids whose names she should’ve made more effort to remember, it sure as hell doesn’t feel like it. But she digresses.

The image of the little lost boy staring at the camera like he can’t understand what’s happening to him returns to haunt her. Naruto used to look like that, when he went home covered in rotted produce and belly growling.

Sanji preserve her, but she’s a sap.

“Will the Uchiha go hungry now?” She asks herself, pushing a grain of rice around.

There’s a silence.

When she looks up, the rest of the table is staring at her. Some inquisitive, some suddenly calculating, one despairing.

Naruto groans, startlingly loud. “I’m not sharing my lunch with him, believe it. You can make him food, but I’m not gonna sit with him.”

“I don’t want to either.” She says honestly, and bites into her red bean bun as those around her stare in bemusement.

Naruto suddenly grins, bright and vicious. “You’re so weird, Mayu-chan.” He crows, biting into his own bun.

She shrugs. Well, he’s not wrong.

[eirist]

Little Bits and Pieces of Heaven

THE IMPORTANCE OF NOT BEING NOSY

One-shot #: 13

Disclaimer: One Piece (and its characters) belongs to Eiichiro Oda-sensei.

Reminder: I have no beta-reader. Any grammatical and spelling errors are solely mine.

Warning: OOC possible. One shot.

Rating: M (Not too much though)

Note: Because I always love Zoro-Nami-Usopp interactions, I went ahead placed them in one crazy situation where Usopp, obviously, takes the brunt of everything. And somehow I keep on hitting 7k words and up recently. Though I already toned this one down because the first drafts of this story would’ve ended in a two-shot or even a multi-chap fic and I don’t want to drag it that much. Anyway enjoy.

Summary: “Because poking your long nose in other people’s business, is never a good thing.”  

Soft wind blew from the sea making the white curtains of the open window flitter lazily. The port and the nearby market started to come to life as the townsfolk poured into the street for their afternoon errands. Their noises drifted inside the rather inconspicuous room along with the lulling sound of the waves, making a smile appear on the lips of one engrossed observant.  

“What’s amusing out there?”

Nami spun around to look at the speaker who—very obviously—had just woken up, as he sat up on the bed, sleepily running a hand through his disheveled hair.

“Hmm…” she hummed in answer. “Nothing really.”

“Aren’t you coming back to bed?”

The corners of her lips quirked up at that as their eyes meet. There was that familiar, mischievous glint in his that she always adored as it never fails to send a delicious shiver down her spine.

She smiled impishly at him and he in turn threw a cocky smirk her way.

“Now that you are awake, yeah,” she murmured before sauntering towards bed, never breaking their eye contact.

The moment she was near enough, he reached for her robe’s belt, yanking her brusquely to him and simultaneously untying the knot as well. The silky fabric immediately slid down her shoulders to pool at her feet.

His rough hands grabbed her waist, effortlessly lifting her, only to friskily push her down the bed. The mattress dipped from their movements and she laughed when he playfully trapped her underneath his well-built physique; the blankets tangling around their legs.

He grazed her lips with his teasingly, before kissing her fully.

“We still have time?” He asked huskily against her mouth, before moving to that ticklish spot just below her jaw.

“I think we do…” she breathed, angling her head to give him more access.

“Good.” He muttered before attacking the slender column of her neck with soft, tantalizing kisses.

She moaned when he nipped at her skin, and gasped his name when he deliberately traced the shell of her ear with his tongue. She ran both of her hands through his hair as she felt him grabbed at her thighs, urging her to wrap them around him as he settled comfortably between her legs.

A sudden commotion outside interrupted them as shouting and loud, running footsteps can be heard all over the street. There was an unmistakable sound of explosion somewhere. Followed by another and another.

“Uuuh…” the orange-haired woman groaned irritably.

The man above her stopped his ministrations and stared at her amusedly with a smirk on his face. “Duty calls?”

“I think my captain just got himself into trouble again,” she pouted. Planting a sweet kiss on his jaw, she looked at him slyly as she let her hands caressed his well-toned pectorals. “Too bad,” she said with a sigh as she lightly pushed him away from her so she could sit up.

His deep laugh filled the room and he leaned down to brush one last kiss on her lips. “It’s alright. We can always do this some other time.”

Nami smiled brightly at that. “Well… I guess see you on the next island then.”

-------------------------

The galley of the Thousand Sunny that night was startlingly at its quietest. Dinner was put on hold for the meantime as Nami all but bit off the heads of their two nakamas; who were both sitting soundlessly on the galley’s couch like two children being reproached by their mother.

“That’s it aho sencho!” Nami hissed furiously, gripping the front of Luffy’s red shirt tightly. “The next time you create a ruckus and gets us chased out of town again, I swear I will drown your sorry ass!”

Usopp watch edgily from the sidelines. He was one of the unlucky ones (aside from the cooking Sanji), who was in the galley the moment Nami entered while dragging Luffy and Zoro inside.

Luffy just grinned sheepishly in response to her. “Shishishi! But Nami, we did make it out of there!” He tapped her in the shoulder in an attempt to appease her. But that only served to ignite the orange-haired’s temper more.

“WE ALMOST DID NOT!” Nami roared and clocked him with enough force to plant his face on the galley’s floor, almost breaking it.

Everyone present inwardly winced at the sound it made.

Usopp’s eyes met Zoro’s. The green-haired man seemed unfazed with Nami’s anger. Most probably because he was used to it since he is usually the person at the receiving end of it.

But much to the sniper’s surprise, he was just silent all-throughout Nami’s outburst. Zoro kept his mouth shut with his arms folded across his chest. Not once did he answer back to the navigator.

Though Usopp had seen the way the corner of his mouth twitched slightly indicating that he was trying really hard to stop himself from snapping back at her.

From the way Zoro was looking, he was probably planning an absolutely painful demise for Nami right now… if he still hadn’t killed her a dozen times already inside his head.

He heard a huff from the kitchen. Sanji had busied himself with preparing their dinner, never once butting in like he usually did lest he join the other two morons on the couch.

“Serves you right, shitty gomu,” he finally muttered, peering at them from behind the bar counter. He lit a cigarette and took a drag. “Three times in a row. In every damn island. I can’t believe it.” He blew out the smoke with a slight shake of his head. “Wait I take that back. Actually I can since it’s you.”

Luffy lifted his head off the floor. “But Sanji. It’s not my fault!”

“Shut up Luffy!” Nami snarled. “I don’t care whose fault it is! I swear you piss me off so much right now!” She closed her eyes, fingers rubbing circles on her temples.

She was forced to run all over the town earlier looking for her doofus captain. Much to her trepidation, Luffy was being chased by two different pirate crews for reasons she doesn’t even want to know.  

The navigator nearly got trampled when the idiot cheerfully ran towards her direction, waving at her enthusiastically, with the pack of enraged men still at his heels. If it wasn’t for Zoro suddenly appearing out of nowhere and sending a powerful attack towards Luffy’s pursuers that had them flying everywhere, she would’ve been flattened beyond recognition.

Relief washed over her but it was short-lived. Before she can stop him, Luffy drew his arms back and released a Gomu Gomu no Gatling on the remaining pirates who were luckily at the far back of the horde they were missed by Zoro’s attack.

She looked on in horror as other pirates arrived to help their fallen crew mates. Luffy and Zoro plus a horde of violent pirates in one place…

It was a disaster!

Nami can only watch in dismay as the two dove head first into an all-out brawl before she can grab them by the scruff of their necks.

A vein popped on her forehead, then another and another. Not only did Luffy put a stop to what was supposedly an intimate and enjoyable afternoon. But here he is with the other idiot of the crew, in a scuffle that will flatten this town in a matter of seconds. Summoning Zeus, she unleashed a powerful lightning blast enough to fry everyone in the vicinity into oblivion.

Then she dragged the two by their ears just as the townspeople, who weren’t caught in the crossfire, started amassing with clubs, wooden sticks and pitchforks (much to her surprise); eager to beat up the pirates who nearly destroyed their town.  

The navigator let out an exasperated sigh and announced a bit wearily. “I’m going to take a bath,” she turned towards the blond chef. “Sanji-kun, you can go ahead and serve dinner.”

The cook nodded. “As you wish Nami-san but how about you?

“I’ll eat later.”

Sanji frowned slightly at that. “You know that I don’t like starting dinner if my lovely angel is not going to eat.”

“Uhm,” Usopp choose to intrude this moment or all the boys will starve. “Robin’s probably hungry. She did a lot of book shopping earlier.”

That swayed the cook into action. “Ah my Robin-chwan! Of course!” He cried out. “Go ahead Nami-swan. Take a relaxing bath first! Do you want me to prepare it for you?”

“It’s ok Sanji-kun. I can manage.” Nami said with a dismissive wave of her hand as she proceeded towards the ladder leading to the upper deck.

“I’ll prepare a special meal for you later my love!” Sanji called out after her. “Just take your time and wash away all the stress and worries these two dumbasses,” he glared at Zoro and Luffy. “Gave you!”

Zoro scowled darkly at him.

Luffy automatically pushed himself into a sitting position when he heard the word dinner. Glancing at Nami with a sulky pout he complained, “Nami! Why aren’t you also mad at Zoro?”

The green-haired man stiffened as Nami stopped in her tracks. Zoro glared at his captain for deliberately throwing him straight into the witch’s wrath. He was not in the mood to start a row with her… that is why he kept mum all throughout her rant.

“Luffy, I attacked to save her.” He reminded his captain flatly. “Not because I wanted to start a fight with them.”

“But you also attacked again to fight them.”

Zoro opened his mouth to retort but was interrupted by Nami clonking Luffy on the head. “It’s because I’ve exhausted myself too much on you! I will get to him later once I have enough energy again!”

As Luffy whined and nursed the bump on his head; Zoro grumbled curses under his breath, muttering that he should’ve let the enemy pirates flattened Nami to the ground.

She turned towards him and smiled sweetly. Too sweetly it was actually bordering to scary. “I heard that Zoro,” she said through gritted teeth. “Hold your horses. I will make your fucking ears bleed later.”

“That couldn’t be good,” Usopp mumbled from across the table. A re-energized Nami would definitely wage a verbal war with the swordsman no matter what time of the day it is.

Zoro stood up and met Nami’s gaze directly. “How about some gratitude for saving your ass onna?”

Nami scoffed. “Thank you for saving me Zoro! It should have ended with THAT instead of you two engaging in a fight! Argh!” She shrieked at the green-haired man. “I swear you and Luffy are absolute headaches! I’m not even halfway finished with my shopping…”

“How is that my fault woman?!” Zoro seethed. “You had all day today to—”

“Just shut up Zoro. I’ll deal with you later.” The navigator said exasperatedly. “Just know that your debt and Luffy’s went way past the roof today! Kami, I need a really warm bath to relieve all this stress!”

“You witch!” The tall lad finally snapped at her.

Usopp gulped. Zoro seemed to have reached the end of his rope. From the way the two were now glowering at each other, they’re gonna start quarreling in a matter of seconds. No thanks to their stupid captain and his big, rubber mouth.

He stood up suddenly and before he knew it his hands slammed down the table, louder than he intended. That got their attention. Though he balked a little when Nami and Zoro shifted their gazes to him.

“G-gu-guys! Please,” he stuttered. “Can we just eat? I’m already starving. Aren’t you all?” He swallowed the lump formed in his throat.

Luffy seconded his grievance. “Yeah! Sanji! Meshi! Meshi!”

Nami did not answer. Instead, with one final, furious look directed at Zoro then at Luffy; she turned her heel and headed towards the ladder again without another word.

Usopp exhaled in relief. That was close!

The door of galley opened and the other Mugiwaras started to pile in, probably aware that it’s already safe to venture inside.

A smiling Robin tilted her head slightly when she entered. “Ara… I’m glad we don’t have any fatalities tonight.” She giggled behind her mouth as her blue eyes settled on Luffy and Zoro. “I was afraid Nami will choke the life out of you two from the mêlée you’ve caused in town earlier.”

“Robin… you and your morbid thoughts.” Usopp grumbled.

“Well, disappointingly she didn’t, Robin-chwan.” Sanji said as he stepped out of the kitchen, balancing a tray filled with steaming dishes in one hand. He held out the other to take the archeologist’s own and guided her to her chair. “Anyway, dinner is served!”

-------------------------

“Nami?”

“Usopp?”

The sniper and the navigator ran at each other on the lawn deck a few hours after dinner. Or to be more specific, Usopp was on his way to the galley to sneak some midnight snacks for his watch duty later when he ran into Nami, who looked like she just got down from crow’s nest.

Usopp’s eyes shifted towards the nest then back at her. “Did you seriously climb up there to give Zoro a dressing-down?”

“So what Usopp?” Nami folded her arms across her chest. “You got a problem with it?”

He shook his head. “None actually. I’m just surprised that it didn’t end up in a spat.” He scratched his head. “Kami knows how you two can go all night yapping at each other…”

“I have my ways.” Nami muttered grumpily. “I told him if he piss me off anymore tonight, I’m gonna stab him with his swords while he’s sleeping.”

Usopp looked horrified and scared all at the same time. Nami can be really freaking scary.

“That’s horrible!” He gasped and stepped away from her. “Why are you so mad at them anyway? Are you still not used to them starting trouble everywhere we go?”

The navigator’s face scrunched up into a frown. “That’s not it Usopp! I’m just furious at them for ruining my afternoon!”

“Uhh ok…” Usopp scratched his cheek. “They ruined your shopping or something?”

“You can say that.”

Usopp nodded in understanding. He knows how Nami hates going back to the ship empty-handed whenever there is a chance to shop. “Uh, speaking of shopping… I haven’t seen you in the island earlier. Where were you?”

“Me?” Nami raised an eyebrow at him. “I was exploring the island. They have lots of shops and stalls after all.” She looked at him curiously. “Why are you looking for me?”

“It’s just that I haven’t ran into you. Not once!” Usopp explained. “I saw Robin twice and even she had not seen you!”

“I think I may have wandered a little off the beaten path to survey the island’s layout.”

This time it was Usopp’s turn to lift an eyebrow at her. “With no tools?”

Nami pursed her lips. “Why? Can’t I do an ocular first?”

“Well you can. Did you go alone?” His eyes were wide when he asked her that question. He doubts if she can fair pretty well exploring on her own knowing how much of a coward she is.

“What’s with the hundred questions Usopp?”

“Nothing! I just find it weird that I didn’t come across you earlier,” Usopp explained with a shrug. “I met everyone twice, even thrice, while looking around.”

“Why are you looking for me anyway? Do you need something?”

“Not really. I’m just wondering why no one has seen you on the island. It’s like you disappeared!”

Nami huffed. “Like I said, I was surveying and shopping. Our paths just didn’t cross. It’s no big deal.”

“Well I was worried something happened to you!”

“Don’t be such a drama queen Usopp. But thanks anyway,” The navigator smiled at him slightly. “I’ll just turn in early tonight. I’m tired from all that.”

Usopp nodded. “Alright. Good night Nami.”

“Good night Usopp.” She gave him a small wave as she started to walk away from him. “Oh and by the way, I’m charging you three hundred belis for every question you’ve asked!”

“Oi! You money fiend!” Usopp shouted. “Take that back!”

But his retorts fell on deaf ears as Nami bounded up the stairs and disappeared inside the girls’ room.

-------------------------

It was two islands later that Usopp confirmed something.

Nami was acting really odd whenever they dock.

Just like before, he didn’t run into her the whole time they were prancing around the island.

He didn’t see her anywhere. Literally anywhere.

The only time he laid eyes on her was when she got back to the Sunny a bit later than usual.

And when he asked her about it again, he received the same answer as before.

She was surveying the island and shopping and stated in a rather condescending tone that the island was big that it is possible not bump into each other.

It was rather strange because when he saw her return, she was not lugging any shopping bags nor did he saw her spend some time in the library to sketch a rough draft of the island they’ve been… something that she normally did whenever she does any visual map outs.  

Besides, when did Nami window shop ever?

It was driving him nuts. What the hell is she doing? Why is she disappearing in every island they dock?

And more importantly, why is she not telling the truth?

He had been making lies all his life. The liar of course knows when someone is lying.

He made up his mind to find out.

-------------------------

The slight movement of the waves made the Thousand Sunny bobbed lightly above the water.

Up in the crow’s nest, Usopp can feel the lazy movement of the ship. Usually it lulls him to sleep even when he’s on watch.

But not tonight.

Tonight, a dozen questions were running inside his head. Questions that needed answers, it’s not giving him a moment’s rest. Questions that surfaced because of what he had discovered earlier.

“Usopp?”

The sniper jolted out of his daze at the voice. Zoro had just climbed the nest to relieve him of his shift.

“Oh hey Zoro.”

The swordsman dipped his head in response. He strode languidly towards the bench and placed his swords there. He was grasping a bottle of sake in one hand which he obviously filched from the Sunny’s stock.  

“I’ll take it from here Usopp,” he said while removing his green robe. He threw it beside his precious katanas.

Usopp absent-mindedly nodded but did not move from his position.

“Usopp?”

Zoro tapped him on the shoulder and his head snapped up to look at him.

“Huh?”

“I said I’ll take it from here,” Zoro repeated, the impatience clear in his tone. He regarded him curiously. “Is there something wrong?” He asked when he noticed the sniper was not responding.

Usopp inhaled deeply. He doesn’t know how to begin explaining it.

But the swordsman is a really keen observant. Maybe he already noticed something.

“Say Zoro?”

“What?”

Usopp looked up to him again. Zoro was chugging down almost half the content of the bottle. “Have you noticed anything different with Nami lately?”

Zoro stopped drinking and was silent for a moment. Then he raised an eyebrow at him. “Different?”

Usopp nodded.

“I haven’t noticed anything different with that wicked witch.” He cocked his head to the side. “Why?”

“Nothing. It just kinda feels like she’s hiding something.”

The green-haired lad sat down beside him. “What do you mean?”

“It’s just that Nami’s acting a bit weird lately.”

Zoro scratched his head. “And?”

“She keeps disappearing whenever we dock in an island. When I questioned her about it, she said she was just out shopping and surveying.”

“What seems to be the problem with that?”

“She returns without any shopping bags Zoro! Nor is she drawing any maps as of late.” Usopp explained getting impatient himself.

“Maybe you just don’t see her doing it.”

Usopp stared at him as Zoro casually downed his drink. “Has she been pestering you to be her pack-mule-for-the-day lately?”

“No.”

“And don’t you find it strange?”

“Not really. Works for me.”

Usopp exhaled loudly. Figures. He had forgotten that Zoro have a soft spot for the navigator as big as an ant.

Silence hovered between them for a minute before Usopp choose to break it.

“I think Nami’s meeting with someone Zoro.”

That made Zoro pause with his sake bottle midway to his lips. “Meeting with someone?”

The black-haired lad nodded.

“That’s kinda, uh, vague?”

Usopp glared at him. “She’s meeting with someone. Meeting. Like she’s seeing someone.”

“Seeing someone?” Zoro repeated.

“Yes!”

Zoro let the information sink in before commenting. “First time I’ve heard of it,” he brought the bottle to his lips to drink again. “And what if she is? You jealous or something?”

“NO!” Usopp almost shouted. “No. I’m not!”

Zoro quirked an eyebrow at him.

“More of worried.”

“Worried?” The former pirate hunter looked like he was thinking. “Usopp, what’s it to us if she is seeing someone? It’s her life and her choice.”

“She’s keeping it a secret from us! She’d been lying about her whereabouts and what she’s doing!”

Zoro snorted. “And she can’t?”

“I’m worried Zoro!” This time Usopp pushed himself up and started pacing back and forth. “What if she’s seeing a bounty hunter in disguise or a marine undercover? She could be in danger and she and all of us are none the wiser!”

“Nami can handle herself well.” Zoro barely batted an eyelid as he said that. “You made sure of that when you made her that stick.”

Usopp frowned at him and the way he referred to his invention. “I know you two don’t usually meet eye to eye and that you couldn’t care less if something happens to her…”

“Oi,” Zoro said in a warning tone cutting him off.

Usopp back-pedaled. “Ok, maybe you care a little. She’s our friend after all. But Zoro, what if she can’t handle it like you’re saying? She’s not as strong as you or Sanji or Luffy!”

“Wait Usopp calm down. And stop pacing damn it!” Zoro rubbed a hand across his face.  “How do you even know of this?”

That halted Usopp’s nervous outburst. “Uhm… I might’ve followed her?”

“Might have?”

“Alright! I followed her earlier! I’m worried!”

Zoro let out a ‘tch’. “And? Is there a reason to be?”

Usopp wiped his forehead with his hand frustratingly. “I don’t know! I’m not sure. That’s why I’m telling you! Maybe you can… help me?”

“Help you? How?”

“You know… that haki thing?

“Haki thing? But you also have it.”

“I don’t know how to use it!” Usopp confessed. “Unlike you, my haki’s not that developed. I can barely sense who she’s with inside the room.”

The swordsman held up one hand to stop him. “Who she’s with? Inside the room?”

Usopp bobbed his head up and down and started to explain.

“Like I’ve said, I saw her in town earlier and followed her. I saw her head towards an inn in the discreet part of the town.”

Zoro was now staring at him seriously.

“She went inside and I did too. I saw her head upstairs and knock on the door of one of the rented rooms. When it opened, she just went inside and that’s that.”

“So you didn’t see who was there in the room?”

“I didn’t.” Usopp shook his head.

The swordsman huffed. “You know, Nami’s business is her business,” he gulped down the remaining sake in the bottle. “If she wants to spend the day shacking up with someone, then she can without us meddling.”

Usopp blushed at that and Zoro shrugged at his reaction.

“You’re worrying too much Usopp.”

“And you’re worrying too little.”

Zoro look irritated at that. “I just don’t like prying in other people’s business. You know that. If you are really worried why don’t you just ask Nami about it?”

“Are you kidding? Usopp gasped. “I don’t want her to sic Zeus on me!” He grabbed Zoro’s arm.

“Have you tried asking Robin? That woman knows everything.” Zoro suggested. “Nami might have told her something.”

“Like she’d tell me if she does.”

“Ok. Point taken,” Zoro said, scratching his chin. “Though she might have an idea if Nami is seeing someone we should be wary of.”

Usopp pouted. “True. But I want to know myself.”

“Now you’re just being nosy.”

“I call that being protective!” The sniper retorted. “Zoro are we going to just wait for the day when she comes back here injured or she doesn’t come back at all?” Usopp argued. “I want to make sure that whoever the hell is that, he is not gonna cause her any harm!”

The former pirate hunter was quiet. As much as Nami always rubs him the wrong way, there’s no way in hell he would sit back and do nothing once she gets hurt.

“Usopp,” Zoro muttered his name with an edge on his tone. “Let me ask you again. You’re really sure she met with someone?”

“Uhm… yeah. I heard her talking to somebody while inside the room.”

“You heard?”

“I kinda tried to eavesdrop.”

“What did you hear?”

“It’s muffled. And they are talking in hushed tones I can barely make out what they’re saying.” His face colored suddenly. “Then I heard her giggle and there was a sound of the bed creaking or something…”

The expression on Zoro’s face was unreadable and they stared at each other awkwardly for a few seconds. “Uh,” Zoro rubbed the back of his neck, looking uncomfortable. “What did you do then?”

“I waited up for her in the bar downstairs. Until she came out of the room and went back here.”

“You didn’t think to wait up on who will come out of that room after her?”

Usopp cringed. Well he didn’t think of that. “It kinda slipped my mind,” he confessed sheepishly.

A snort came from the Supernova.

“That’s why I’m asking for your help!”

“Usopp…”

“We are crew mates! I just don’t want her getting involve with someone who might be dangerous!”

Zoro pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’ll talk to Nami.” He suddenly announced and Usopp panicked.

“No! She’ll have my hide if she finds out I’m suspicious of her and stalking her and her… I don’t know what to call it… lover?”

The Mugiwara first mate grimaced at the word. “Then what do you want to do Usopp?!”

Usopp grabbed both of his arms. “Just come with me and figure out who she’s seeing and if that man is dangerous or not! That way we can protect her if need be!”

The swordsman sighed. Nami will have their asses for this. “You know talking to her is still the best way Usopp.”

“Come on please! It will help me sleep at night! Besides I’m scared of her.” Usopp proclaimed firmly.

Zoro rubbed a hand on his face. “You’re a good friend Usopp. Even if you’re poking your long nose where it’s unwanted,” he then smirked. “Alright. I’ll help you.”

“Really Zoro?”

The green-haired man nodded. “Who else knows about this?”

Usopp looked startled at his question. “Uhm, just me. I don’t want anyone else to know,” he answered. “This is not the kind of thing you tell Luffy or heaven’s forbid, Sanji.”

“Keep it that way,” Zoro advised. “The next time we dock, we’ll see what this is all about.”

The sniper had tears in his eyes. He cannot help but wrap his arms around the tall lad. “Thanks Zoro! You’re the best!”

“HEY! GET OFF ME USOPP!”

-------------------------

“So?”

He was immediately at the receiving end of a sharp glare.

“I can’t sense anyone with her Usopp.” Zoro replied.

“Are you sure?” Usopp whispered.

Zoro’s good eye narrowed dangerously at him. “I’m pretty sure.” He crossed his arms over his chest.

They Straw Hats had just anchored in another island and Usopp all but drag Zoro to follow their navigator as she made her way into town. Honestly, he didn’t know if it was a really good idea to lug the tall swordsman who always gets himself lost after three steps but he needed help.

Just in case it ends in a confrontation and Nami’s lover is someone Usopp cannot defeat. He can just let Zoro do the honors.

And he gotta hand it to the green-haired man, even if he did managed to turn them around wrong corners and streets and almost lost the mapmaker they were tailing. Zoro was still able to find they place where Nami is.

Thank Kami for haki. Maybe Zoro should use it more often and avoid getting lost anywhere they go.

Usopp fidgeted nervously. They were in the inn where they saw Nami disappeared into. They headed straight upstairs, thankful that the innkeeper was preoccupied with a fight that broke out in the first floor bar.

“Maybe the guy she’s seeing found out we’re trailing her!” The sharpshooter remarked fretfully. “And since he doesn’t want to reveal himself, he just stood her up! Oh Kami! She’ll be in a pissed off mood later!”

“Well…” Zoro clicked his tongue. “If you suck at tailing someone then yeah that is possible.”

“I hate you!”

“Look Usopp,” Zoro ran a hand through his hair exasperatedly. “Maybe he’s just late or something. We better not be here in case he finally shows up.”

“But…”

“Tell you what. I’ll do the stake out here until Nami gets back to the ship.” Zoro suggested much to Usopp’s shock.

“You would?” Usopp breathed out.

“Yeah,” Zoro nodded. “But in return you buy me booze.” He pointed towards the bar with his thumb.

Usopp stared at him.

“Favor for a favor.”

The long nosed sniper sighed. He can’t very well stay. If the man Nami is meeting already discovered she’s being followed, then he might not show up in the inn.

Maybe leaving it to Zoro is a much better idea. The man has razor sharp senses and he can sit tight in one bar drinking the whole stock empty but still be aware of everything and everyone around him.

This would definitely burn holes in his pockets. But he made it his mission. So he has to see it until the end.

Besides, if Nami sees him, it would only look like Zoro just randomly ended up in this establishment after getting lost in his wanderings.

“Alright,” Usopp agreed. “But you have to tell me everything you’ll find out.

Zoro bobbed his head slightly. “Sure.”

“And don’t go picking fights with anyone.”

Zoro growled at him. “I’m not Luffy.”

“We have to find out who that man is ok?” Usopp gripped him on both shoulders.

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever helps you sleep at night Usopp.”

-------------------------

The door of the room opened and Nami immediately swiveled around with a huff and marched towards the man who just entered the room.

“So?” She asked, raising one delicate eyebrow.

Zoro locked the door behind him and met her impatient gaze with an amused one.

“What happened?” The orange-haired woman placed both hands on her hips as she waited for him to tell her the details of his afternoon with Usopp.

“Told him I’d do the stake out and spy on you, the swordsman answered. “Then send him off his merry way.”

Nami pouted. Zoro told her that Usopp was getting suspicious of her and her activities and that he followed her on the last island and actually saw her go inside an inn. “I swear his long nose isn’t just for show!”

Zoro laughed as he removed his swords, resting them against the small bedside table. He approached Nami and wrapped his arms around her.

“Usopp’s just looking out for you,” he kissed her forehead. “Even I couldn’t get annoyed with him being nosy with that kind of reason.” He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “He’s a good friend that much I can say.”

“I know,” Nami mumbled. “And I appreciate his meddlesome self just this once.” She rubbed her hands on his shoulders tenderly. “He didn’t need to go this far though.”

“He just wants to know if you are seeing someone dangerous or a threat to your safety.”

Nami arched an eyebrow at that. Then a cheeky smile spread across her lips. “I am seeing someone dangerous.” She patted him on the chest.

“You are?”

She nodded and she pushed him towards the one arm chair available inside the room. He ungracefully plopped down on it and smirked when she sat herself on his lap.

“Yes,” she murmured as she brought her lips closer to his. “Former bounty hunter?” She kissed him light and fleeting. “Supernova?” She kissed him again, deeply this time. “More than 300 million bounty on his head?” She grinned. “Dangerous.”

His hands roamed across her body freely, liking the way her silk robe was clinging tightly against her body and how it feels against his calloused palms. “Guess he really have a reason to worry.” He said in a gruff tone before capturing her lips with his.

She pressed her body closer to his. Zoro’s one hand settled itself on the curve of her hips while the other grabbed at her nape so he can kiss her deeper.

Nami opened her mouth for him, coaxing him to slip his tongue inside and play with hers as her hands busied themselves undoing the sash that held his green robe.

She moaned in frustration when he pulled away to gaze at her. Her hands slid inside his clothing, pushing it down his broad shoulders as he started kissing her neck, his warm lips sending shivers all throughout her already heated body.

“Maybe he deserves a thank you something for this after all,” Nami whispered, raking her hands through Zoro’s green hair. As much as it was irksome, she can’t help but feel lucky that she have friends who looks out for her and has her back.

“Maybe he does,” Zoro agreed as he stopped showering her neck with kisses and instead moved to that ticklish spot behind her ear.

She grabbed a fistful of his hair and whimpered. That spot always drives her crazy.

Zoro suddenly pulled her closer to him, their nose almost touching as he stared at her with raw desire behind his gray eye. “Enough about Usopp, we’ll deal with him later,” his voice was rough that it almost came out as a growl. His hand was caressing her backside. “Are you naked underneath that?”

A Cheshire cat-like grin appeared on Nami’s face at his question. She playfully removed herself from his embrace and stepped away from him.

“Why don’t you find out?” She mischievously walked backwards to the bed as he continued to sit on the arm chair, watching her intensely.

“You take the fun out of undressing you.”

“Well maybe if you are here sooner you would’ve been able to take all my clothes off.”

Zoro just chuckled.

“Don’t fret,” Nami smirked at him, pulling at the knot of her robe. “I saved one for you.”

She turn around, letting the garment drop down the floor and climbed on the bed, giving Zoro a full view of her irresistible bottom in lacy red thong.

She heard his breath hitched and the sound ignited every single part of her body.

The navigator swiveled her head to look back at him, teasingly and sexily, as her wild orange locks fell on one shoulder. Zoro was now on the edge of the seat, his one eye trained on her as he took in the sensuous sight. He was almost devouring her with his gaze as he ran a tongue on his lower lip, looking almost predatory.

Oh she knows how he loves seeing her on all fours, just as much as he loves seeing her spread out deliciously in front of him.

“Come on Zoro,” she called out seductively. “Are you just gonna sit there and stare?”

-------------------------

Usopp grumbled as he trudged glumly towards his factory. The day had been an utter waste. And he was nowhere near getting any answers to his Nami-related questions.

He went back at the inn earlier to check on Zoro and the idiot swordsman disappeared on him.

How can one get lost while just sitting on the bar drinking? Gosh this is a whole new level of Zoro’s getting-lost-talent!

Strangely when he asked the barkeeper if he had seen a green-haired man drinking within the vicinity, he said he did not have any customer like that.

The idiot swordsman tricked him into paying for his drinks and probably went into another bar!

So much for helping him out!

But when he saw Zoro in the Sunny before dinner, the swordsman gave him back his money pouch.

“I wasn’t able to use it,” Zoro said, patting him on the shoulder. “Thanks anyway Usopp.”

“Why aren’t you in the bar earlier?” Usopp hissed at him. “I went back and you’re not there!”

“Well, no one showed up,” the green-haired lad explained with a shrug. “No use staying there waiting for nothing.”

“Oh,” Usopp mouthed. “Oh my god! Nami’s gonna be furious!” He grabbed Zoro by the arm. “Where is she? Is she back here already in the Sunny?”

“I don’t know,” Zoro grumbled.

Their conversation was interrupted by Sanji yelling ‘dinner’.

“I’ll talk to you later,” Usopp muttered and Zoro just yawned in response.

“If I’m sleeping don’t wake me.” The tall lad reminded him as he headed towards the galley.

“But…”

“Don’t worry. We’ll talk Usopp. I just have nothing to tell you about earlier that will be helpful.” Zoro grunted before leaving him on the deck.

Usopp sighed. Now he’s back into square one.

He pushed the door to his factory open and stopped short.

There was rectangular-shaped box, gift-wrapped with an orange bow, resting quietly on his work table with a note attached to it.

He warily approached the gift and studied it. It was kinda heavy. He shook it a little, hoping to get an idea on what was inside. He glanced at the note and was surprised to see what was on it.

It said ‘thanks’ in a very familiar handwriting. And as if to make sure he’s not going to be mistaken as to who it was from, a mikan was drawn on the bottom right part of the paper.

What the hell?

A cold, clammy feeling suddenly enveloped him. And he started to sweat profusely.

Nami had found out! She must’ve caught Zoro earlier. Damn it!

-------------------------

Usopp made his way up the rope ladder to the crow’s nest. He doesn’t care if Zoro’s asleep or not. He had some explaining to do.

He heaved himself up the metal rung and when he reached the top, he called out. “Zo—”

“Hello Usopp.”

The sniper’s eyes widened when he saw who was in front of him and he froze. What is Nami doing here? From the way she was standing near the hatch, Nami seems to be aware that he was on his way up.

His gaze shifted towards green-haired lad sitting casually on the bench, looking at him a bit smugly. Zoro must’ve sensed him and told the navigator.

Usopp all but stammered. “I-I-I’ll just return later.”

Nami suddenly grabbed him by the nose and pulled him inside.

“Hey ouch!” He cried out, slapping her hand away. “Let go!”

The mapmaker relented and placed her hands on her hips, smiling wickedly at him. “So did you like my thank you gift?”

Usopp gulped from his sitting position on the metal floor while rubbing his nose. “I haven’t opened it yet.” Actually, he did not have the courage to open it. He just stared at it as seconds turned to minutes before coming to a decision to head to the crow’s nest and talk to Zoro.

Nami pouted. “Why? You’ll like it. I promise!”

That sentence scared him even more than Nami who was right in front of him.

Zoro was watching them from his spot, the amused expression clearly visible on his face.

“Zoro!” Usopp suddenly yelped. “I can’t believe you told on me!”

The swordsman laughed at his accusation. “I had too.”

“You didn’t have too!” Usopp growled at him. “Did she caught you earlier and threatened you into confessing?”

Zoro scowled at that. “She didn’t.”

“That’s right. I didn’t. He went and told me on his own volition.” Nami suddenly leaned towards him so they were face to face. “So you were following me around recently?”

“Uhm…”

“Because you want to know what I’m doing and who I’m seeing huh Usopp?”

Usopp refused to answer. After all when this is over, they would probably be fishing his dead remains on the sea… that is, if the sea kings didn’t get to it first. He glared daggers at Zoro who was looking so calm for someone who was also involved with snooping on Nami’s afternoon tryst.

Then it struck him. Zoro must’ve sold him out! He cannot believe it! He cannot believe he is capable of that. Wasn’t he a man of honor?

Nami peered at his face when he did not utter any word. “Are you still in there Usopp?”

“I think I’m already dead.”

Zoro snorted at his response.

The navigator laughed. “You’re exaggerating.” She grinned cattily at him. “You really want to know who I’m seeing Usopp? From what Zoro told me, you already know what I’m doing…”

The sniper blinked at her, startled by her offer. Then he blushed at her statement.

“I will introduce you to him,” Nami offered. “So you don’t have to follow me around or exert too much effort spying on what I do. Kami knows what you might see.”

Zoro coughed at that as Usopp turned a darker shade of red.

Then his dark eyes shifted from Zoro then to Nami. And he realized something.

If Nami knows what he was doing because Zoro told her straight away…

…Zoro must’ve known what she’s been up to all along!

“I can’t believe you Zoro,” Usopp unexpectedly cried out, that Zoro was taken aback. “You should’ve just told me that you knew what Nami’s been up to!”

Zoro folded his arms across his chest, leaning back into the bench. “Why would I do that? Do you think I want her pissed with me?”

“Whatever happened to loyalty?”

The swordsman’s face scrunched into a frown at his accusation.

“Of course Zoro’s loyal,” Nami interrupted, huffing. With a roll of her brown eyes, she grabbed Usopp by the straps of his suspenders, dragging him towards where Zoro was sitting. “He’s loyal to me.”

“Huh?” Usopp was dumbfounded. When did Zoro gave precedence to Nami over him?

Nami’s grin was too mischievous for his liking.

“Say hello to the man I’m seeing Usopp.”

Usopp’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped off its hinges.

Zoro barely smirk and shook his head at their antics. He and Nami agreed that maybe it would be better to let Usopp in on the secret rather than watch him spiral down into anxiety.

The sniper spent the whole five minutes gawking at them. “But… but…” he managed to stutter after a long while. “You don’t even like each other! You always fight and never agree to anything! You actually cannot stand each other! How did this happen?!”

Zoro and Nami shared a glance.

“Well…”

“I’m so confused right now.” Usopp declared with a shake of his head. He studied his two nakama who never in his wildest dream would eventually get together.

“Sorry Usopp,” Zoro chuckled as he leaned forward. “But Nami and I agreed to keep this a secret. Though I really appreciate that you’re looking out for her.���

“And I hope this helps you sleep at night,” Nami winked at him before settling down beside the swordsman.

Usopp closed his eyes. It feels like someone’s playing a joke on him. Nami and Zoro? Of all the strangest things to ever happen in this side of the New World…

… THIS tops it all.

“And now that you know our secret,” Nami wagged a finger at him as she tucked her legs under her. “You are going to help us keep it that way!”

Usopp’s eyes widened. For heaven’s sake! How was he going to keep this a secret? It nearly drove him crazy when he was keeping his mouth shut about Nami’s strange behavior. And he actually went to Zoro to talk about it.

Because he cannot fucking keep it to himself!

Now THIS?

This is a nightmare!

And Nami seems to be aware of his dilemma because the grin on her face when she rested her head against Zoro’s shoulder was purely too evil.

This is what he got for poking his long nose into her business—their business—regardless of the reasons.

He’s now in on their secret.

And this secret…

He realized with a sinking feeling.

… Is gonna be hell to keep.

[generaldevi]

Prognosis

Chapter 8: Giving Up

Rating: Mature Pairing: Law x Luffy

Characters: Roronoa Zoro, Nami, Monkey D. Luffy, Trafalgar D. Water Law, Usopp, Donquixote Doflamingo (mentioned), Donquixote Rocinante (mentioned, Dr. Kureha (mentioned), Sanji (mentioned)

Warnings: References to Depression, Emotional Manipulation, Emotional Dependency

My part for the @lawlu-events BigBang 2018/19

The story got illustrated by the awesome artist @novicecomics

Posted here and on AO3

This was Luffy’s favorite place? Law took a look around, sighing softly. They were standing at the very front of the ship. He could feel the brisk breeze caused by the wind hitting the water surface. Sunset was painting the sea in vibrant hues. A mixture of purple, scarlet, orange, pink and bright blue. The last time Law saw a sunset was from Kid’s balcony. Two bodies moving as one. Law pushed those thoughts aside. Their personalities had not been fitting enough.

“Stop thinking about the past Torao!” Luffy had noticed the absent staring of Law. He wrapped his arm around the other one, pulled him closer to the railing. “Look! The sun is going down! When it is dark, you can see the reflections of the ship’s lights on the sea, that looks cool!”

Law sighed, staring at the Strawhat in annoyance. He could feel his body warmth. By now the other one had mentioned something looking cool quite a few times. How easy it was to fascinate the boy. Law had always thought that only children were blessed with such a curiosity and that it perished as soon as people grew up and realized how bitter the world could truly be. Seeing that type of wonder in a grown man was weird and fascinating at the same time. Curiosity had died down in Law rather quick. He could not remember when something sparked interest in him last.

“You are thinking again! Shishishi.” It took the breath out of Law’s lungs when the scrawny body of Luffy suddenly rammed against him. The boy was still grinning, looking in his usual curious manner at him. All goofy.

“If thinking makes you feel bad, stop it!” Law huffed in annoyance. Easy to be said from the perspective of a non-caring youngster. With a sigh he reached into the pocket of his jeans, pulling out a little box with a few cigarettes and a lighter. He was unsure what to do.

“Oh? You smoke? Sanji also smokes!” Luffy noticed.“- but Sanji also smells like food and smoke, mostly food, though! I did not smell cigarettes on you! You smell like antiseptic and clean linen. Why you smoke now then?” Law looked dumbfounded. Okay, Luffy was definitely too close if he could …. scent him.

“No, I do not usually smoke. Only under certain circumstances, like now.” Law did not care to explain further. He put the smoke stick into his mouth, lightening it. Luffy merely observed him before nodding. “Alright!”

For a few minutes it was silent between them. Law inhaled the smoke, experiencing the burning sensation in the back of his throat, closing his eyes slowly. It was nearly painful, his lungs not used to the sensation. Could one ever get used to this? Law wonders how Cora-san had managed to smoke one or two cigarette boxes a day. A little but bitter smile appeared on his face. He had started to smoke right after Cora-sans death. Only a few cigarettes when he felt incredible lonely and helpless. When he lacked the feeling of reassurance that Cora-san had brought upon him. Smoking had brought him closer to Cora-san. Funny how he took after him, starting to smoke right after his death, while he had fought Cora-san’s smoking habit as long as the other one was living. Luffy examined Law. It seemed like the other one was staring into a void, again.This time a bit happier, though. The sour looks on his face had softened down a little bit and there was a soft smile on his face now, barely noticeable. Whatever Law was thinking about, it was better than the thoughts from before. “I wonder what he would think of me, if he could see me today.” Law broke the silence. It suddenly felt too heavy to bear. What would Cora-san think if he could see, what he had turned into. A man in solitude, working as a doctor while trying to stay as far away from Doflamingo’s business as he could. A man failing at completely pulling away from the man harming him, taunting him. What would he think about Law isolating himself further and further. Losing all his friends, because indulging work was so much easier than human companionship. Easy way out.

“You mean your father?” Luffy frowned, remembering the picture frame and the way Law had looked at it. “Yes. Cora-san”

For a moment Luffy followed the others gaze into the sea, humming while thinking. Cora-san? That sounded like a nice name.

“Who cares!” He suddenly exclaimed. “Who cares what he or others think of you! Hn, what do you think of you?” Wasn’t that far more important?

Law twitched. The intensity behind these words, the conviction. He felt goosebumps on his arms.

“Who cares, huh?” But Cora-san had been there for him. Cora-san had helped him to get over his hatred. Why was he then again thinking of the world as a dark and bitter place again? Wasn't he saved already?

“You know Torao. Thinking too much won’t help you, won’t help him. It will not help a single person!” There was a more of a serious look on the boy’s face now. Law did not like it. Goofy looked better on him. It twisted something in Law's guts. Fragments of memories of the Donquixotes brothers fighting. Goofy Cora-san spitting venom from his lips, calling out his brothers cruelties.

“Worrying won’t help too! You wanna do stuff, do it. If you do not wanna do stuff, don’t do it then! And if you like something, you do it, and then realize that you do not like it anymore, well- then you can think of alternatives! But not beforehand! Won’t help! Easy as that!” The smile on Luffy’s face reappeared. Stretching over the slightly sunburned face, reaching his dark eyes, making him appear all warm and friendly and reassuring and … trustworthy?

Law was still in thought, when he felt the other's warm hand on his. Luffy had grabbed his hand, interlacing their fingers and tilting his head to the side.

“So Torao. Do you wanna stay with us, with me? I can show you how to not overthink stuff! Or do you wanna be alone?”

Law stared at their hands then at his face. His mouth suddenly felt very dry. He hesitated, unsure of what to do, what to say. What could happen, what would be, when the trip ended? His thoughts began to trail of, while he looked at Luffy. The grin, the resemblance, same warmth.

At first, he had disliked Cora-san too, being annoyed by his warmth. He had stood out compared to the other Donquixote members. Being all dorky and welcoming in a non-threatening way. No expectations, no over-analyzing. With time and non-stop trying Cora-san had managed to worm his way into Law’s heart, breaking through his protective wall of isolation. Maybe that was the reason the Strawhat felt so familiar? Persistent and welcoming.

Slowly Law took a step into the direction of Luffy. He nodded. Maybe he needed someone to teach him how to be warm again.

“Yes.” I do not want to be alone.

[pingo1387]

'time' for the writing wip game

This got pretty long so it’s under a cut! 

From A Dream Whose Name I Dare Not Mention 

“Did I lose track of time?” he muttered. “It was noon just a minute ago . . . wasn’t it?”

~ 

The man smiled. “You are the first man I’ve met in a long time who would say something like that, Roronoa Zoro. Very well.”

~ 

He charged and swung his sword down at the same time as the man, and they passed each other, and for a moment they stood there, facing away—

~ 

Zoro turned and snatched the flung item from the air just in time. He opened his palm to find another warm, shiny object.

~ 

“About time you got something through that rock head of yours!” Sanji snapped. “Hurry it up!”

~ 

The man raised one arm and swung it at Zoro, who dodged just in time. With clumsy handiwork, he ran forward and sliced, cutting him down. As he did so, Vivi’s face came to him in a flash, and he fell to his knees. He spotted a shiny object on the ground next to him and took it with weak fingers.

~ 

“This can’t be heaven,” he said, placing a hand on his white-sheathed sword; as awful as his skills were at the moment, they were better than nothing. “Have I been dead this whole time? What a cliché twist.”

~ 

Zoro stepped forward and caught her just before she hit the ground. Giving himself no time to wonder how he knew to do such a thing, he looked at Enel.

~ 

Zoro tilted his head. “That woman, Robin . . . she was on the ship with me and the others. And it looks like it’s been a long time since all this happened. So . . . we must’ve succeeded in getting her back. I may not have that, but I think I can trust those other guys, and if this woman’s important enough to them to go through all this for . . . then that’s what I have to do. And that’s why it’s not ridiculous at all.”

~ 

He looked around again, and then back at this huge man who had nearly killed him (he was certain he had nearly died at that time).

~ 

A violin came flying from the crowd and Brook caught it just in time. The music started up again. Brook raised the instrument to his shoulder and dragged the bow across the strings, producing a sound like a banshee being strangled.

~ 

When Brook returned, he shrieked in surprise, for he found himself on the same ship as before, but this time it was hurtling down a mountain river like a roller coaster, with everyone clinging to the rails and masts so as not to be hurled off. 

~

Sea mist sprayed all around them, obscuring their views for some time. When the clouds finally cleared, the ship made a mighty splash into the end of the river, coasting into open sea; someone had the sense to drop the anchor, slowing them until they came to a halt portside of a cliff. A few crewmembers vomited overboard, and several collapsed to the deck, but soon cheers filled the air—they had made it at last.

~ 

“Aye,” the man said after a moment. “Wouldn’t be the first time.” His eyes moved around the crew and came to rest on Brook, and he grinned after a moment. “Brook, old friend. Do you remember me?”

~ 

That same evening (so it seemed, for time had no real meaning in that place), Brook stayed away from the raucous drinking Yorki and Crocus and the others were participating in, and sat on the low part of the cliff’s edge. Laboon floated in the water next to him.

~ 

Yorki sighed. “Listen, knucklehead, you’re Laboon’s favorite. Everyone knows. He might listen to you this time.”

~ 

Yorki gave him a bitter smile. “Give it time,” he said. “You’ll find out sooner or later.”

~ 

Brook raised the old violin for what seemed like the fiftieth time, and for the fiftieth time, he could only pluck out tuneless sounds.

~ 

The doctor bowed his head, surrounded by the crew, who stood in stunned silence. Brook’s memories between leaving Laboon and this time had been spotty, filled with flashes of sailing through bad weather and good weather alike, running through jungle and city, and now—

~ 

The Rumbar Pirates, under Brook’s clumsy command, had been sailing for some time (at least a year, Brook guessed) after Yorki’s passing. It was smooth sailing, and Brook had collected a few more shiny objects, which were pocketed with the rest.

~ 

“I really lost track of time, going through all that,” he explained, rubbing the back of his neck. “Not that I expect anyone to have a watch, but . . .”

~ 

“Got that right,” Zoro said. He grinned. “Do you have any stories to pass the time?”

~ 

“I think . . . I must have spent a very long time here.”

~ 

“I wonder why I spent a long time in this place,” he mused aloud, going to the ship’s steering wheel at last. “This fog is thicker than molasses, true, but even sailing in a straight line should . . .”

~ 

Brook stood and went to take a proper look at the island. He was sure his ship could not have moved very far, even in all that time (however long it had been), and yet . . .

~ 

Brook stared into space, leaning against the railing of his ship. He sensed that some time had passed since he had departed Thriller Bark; his shadow was still missing, so he couldn’t yet leave the Florian Triangle. But it seemed he could not meet that island in such thick fog . . . and therefore, to pass the time . . .

~ 

He followed the three down the rope ladder and landed upon the deck of the Thousand Sunny, where he came face-to-face with everyone for what felt like the first time in a very long while. Looking around, he noticed everyone appeared different—but Zoro was the same as he had been after returning from his door.

~ 

By the time Brook was running into the maze of the castle, having explored the grounds to no avail, there had been several distant commotions and shouts, leading him to think that the Strawhats had landed upon the island.

~ 

Ryuma readied his sword with a dusty laugh. “Is that so? I hope you’ve improved since last time. I would like a challenge.”

~ 

“That little whale,” Brook said. “He’s waiting for me. Even if he’s also died by now, I promised to return. I have a duty to go back there one more time, don’t I? No matter what I may look like.”

~ 

“I . . . must return to Laboon,” Brook said, voice hollow. He clutched his ribcage, beginning to understand. “It’s as Luffy-san said. Despite that I do not know why I must keep this promise, or why I made the promise in the first place . . . if the person I was before all this fought this hard for his word, I will do the same in his honor.” He stared at Ryuma with some rudiments of defiance. “This is perhaps the third time you’ve asked me ‘Why,’ Ryuma-san. Desist and let us duel.”

~ 

Brook’s next memories came by in a blur, and he watched like an outsider as he retrieved an enormous salt bag and proceeded to watch the Strawhats fight until Moria was defeated at last. The shadows flew into the sky and Brook watched Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Robin begin to burn away, only to have their shadows returned in the nick of time.

~ 

He removed the Tone Dial from his head, ignoring another shocked yell, and pressed the button to replay his memory. Despite that his playing that time, too, had been horrendous, the melodies and voices flowing out were beautiful, and one of the voices was—

~ 

“Certainly,” Brook said, making a miraculous recovery and sitting up. He reached over and pulled Chopper into his lap, holding him with stick-thin arms. “Why, I’m sure that, were you not affected by this Nightmare Syndrome as well, you could devise a cure in no time.”

~ 

The memory faded again, this time around Kaya’s soft, sad smile.

~ 

“That was us,” Luffy said after successfully swallowing the food this time. He laughed. “We actually came here looking for a proper ship. D’you know where we could get one?”

~ 

“Yes,” Nami said. “She’ll be disappointed if you stop visiting her after all this time.”

~ 

“You came here last time, too.” Luffy sat next to him. “But that was after you punched that butt-ler.”

~ 

Just in time, several of them went flying back the way they came, and Usopp looked behind him. Zoro and Luffy stood there, breathing hard.

~ 

The children looked crestfallen. “Why?” Onion repeated. “’Cause, ’cause they’ve always called you a liar. And this time you were telling the truth. They’ll think you’re so cool!”

~ 

“Nami?” the saw-nose fishman said. He grinned. “Don’t tell me you’ve decided to betray us after all this time.”

~ 

But holding up the glowing ball, heavy and light at the same time, showed him nothing new in the darkness. He tilted his head and lowered it again, staring at it and holding it close to his chest, trying to push the warmth inside of himself.

~ 

“He also picks the worst time for lies, it seems,” Brook added, but Sanji, preoccupied, did not notice.

~ 

“With your words, idiot! What have we been saying to you all this time?!”

~ 

“Usopp-san!” Brook exclaimed, seeing him still standing there as the bear-like man approached with all the time in the world. “Usopp-san, please run!”

~ 

Usopp found himself in total darkness again. This time, no Cheshire Cat appeared before him, and this time, there was a door with a key and a glowing object in front of it. Usopp frowned and picked up the glowing object.

~ 

and criticisms. And yet—and yet, he wanted to know. But his throat was paralyzed, the words weighing on his tongue and making it impossible to speak, and by the time he thought he could do it, could force the words from his

~ 

There was a man in the restaurant, a man thin and shaking and on the brink of death from starvation. Sanji watched as he was treated with disdain, tossed out of the dining hall in spite of his weak threats, and without knowing why, he found himself walking into the kitchen, and rinsing and boiling a cup of rice, and chopping vegetables—and chopping his hands in the process, but every time he thought he’d lost a fingertip, he looked down and his hands were clean.

~ 

Luffy turned and grinned at him, and as he rushed towards the pirate crew, he tossed a glowing object back at Sanji. Sanji barely caught it with clumsy hands, and he shoved it into his pocket, not wanting to look at it this time.

~ 

Sanji walked next to him, and then ran to keep up. All the while he stared at Luffy’s face, so determined as he muttered reassuring things under his breath, and at Nami’s face, flushed with fever and lips cracking in the cold. Maybe the pang in his chest at that moment was pity, but it was gone in an instant, as if he’d merely been sitting wrong and fixed his posture. Had he chosen to reflect on the feeling, he wouldn’t have had the time, for at that moment, the snow from the mountain ahead began to bear down on them.

~ 

Sanji thought. “Yeah,” he said, truthful this time. “I know. I don’t understand, but I know.”

~ 

Sanji felt something in his hair and plucked it out. He examined the shiny object, and barely had time to stow it away before the memory blurred around him, twisting and turning like the view from a roller coaster.

~ 

From Sealed with a Kiss 

“Faintly as tolls the evening chime . . . our voices keep tune and our oars keep time . . . soon as the woods on shore look dim . . . we’ll sing at St. Anne’s our parting hymn. . . . Row, brothers, row, the stream runs fast . . . the rapids are near, and the daylight’s past . . .”

~ 

“Faintly as tolls the evening chime,” he sang idly, “our voices keep tune and our oars keep time! Soon as the woods on shore look grim, we’ll sing at St. Anne’s our parting hymn! Row, brothers, row, the stream runs fast, the rapids are near, and the daylight’s past! The rapids are near and the . . .”

~ 

Law turned the jacket this way, and seeing it was similar to his coat, he slipped his arms in, one at a time, before pulling the front closed, fiddling with the buttons until he managed to slip one into its hole. He felt the pockets and slipped his hands inside, wiggling them around. The coat just barely covered his thighs.

~ 

A delicious smell wafted towards him, and he sniffed the air. It was surely meat, but it was something he didn’t recognize—no time for that now.

~ 

“Good time to start, because I’m all out of meat. I’ll bring it out in a little bit!”

~ 

“Fur coat,” Robin repeated. She glanced at Luffy again; he was busy passing his finger through a candle flame on a shelf, grinning every time he succeeded.

~ 

“I’d love to ask you questions, but . . . there’s not much time.” 

Right on time, the door in the back flew open, and someone strode out. It was a man, taller than Robin and hair painted light and shaved short on the sides. He wore weather-inappropriate attire from top to bottom and his shiny hands were covered in grease.

~ 

“Dunno,” Luffy admitted. “I go there all the time, but I usually run. Also, I have no idea how to tell time.” 

“Time? Use the sun.” 

~ 

“Telling time.” Luffy glanced up at the sun. “Like, right now it’s not right above us, right? But we know it’s not morning, which means it’s past noon. Noon’s when it’s right above us.” 

~ 

“Our voices keep tune and our oars keep time,” Law continued, trying to match Luffy’s tempo.

~ 

He narrowed his eyes and sat up, leaning forward and straining his ears just in time to hear Usopp say in exasperation, “What do you mean, ‘Him?’ Your friend Law.”

~ 

“I’ll show you!” Luffy exclaimed. Usopp hung back in a cloud, the spotlight taken from him, and Law went back to the stove, far more prudent of the front this time as he craned his neck again to stare into the pot.

~ 

“Sometimes I don’t have time to cook, or I run out of firewood!”

~ 

He became so distracted with watching the steam rise and condense that he didn’t realize it was time for food until Usopp tapped his shoulder and said, “Hey, move, I ought to put out the fire.”

~ 

Law stared at them as they clopped along. After a moment he turned his gaze forward again, taking his time gazing at the street and people around them. Folks of all shapes and sizes milled about, some clutching their hats in a hurry, others stopping in their tracks to examine something, others entering the buildings surrounding them.

~ 

“Okay, yeah. Brook, I’ll come back another time to talk about work, I promise,” Luffy said. He hurried after Law, flinging the door open and sprinting out.

~ 

Luffy seized the small wheelchair handles and dashed down the street. Law reached behind him and clutched Luffy’s arms as the chair bounced up and down the old pave at high speeds, sending him into the air for seconds at a time. A loud whistle, much closer than before, reached them as Luffy skidded to a halt.

~ 

The pulling on Luffy came again, and this time Law allowed the foreign hands to take Luffy from him. He watched Luffy’s trembling form as detached hands held him, and detached hands wrapped a long, long strip of cloth around Luffy’s neck, and felt his forehead, and felt his chest. Someone said something, and then Luffy was gone, being carried by another person, away, away, away . . .

~ 

“Then you mustn’t worry. When the time comes, you can track them down, and find your coat.”

~ 

“I smell the ocean,” Chopper said, lowering his hands from his nose. “And something else . . . okay . . . okay, it’s a little better now.” He rubbed his nose and bowed his head. “I’m sorry for being rude. I have a sensitive sense of smell. You must’ve spent some time at the beach before coming here.” He blinked back tears and took in the wetness of Law’s shirt, pants, and chair seat. “Um—”

~ 

“Someday, you’ll learn who’s nice and who’s not, and then you know who you shouldn’t waste your time on. Trying to make friends, I mean.” Chopper suddenly covered his face. “Oh! I’m sorry if that was out of line!”

~ 

From Two Households, Both Alike 

Kilo raised his arms, and the rocks flew into the air once more. This time they hurtled towards Aubergine—but they stopped short, hovering in a threatening circle around him.

~ 

Admiral had just turned around when she was struck with a harsh jet of water. By the time it died down, she had gone down on one knee, battered and bruised.

~ 

Admiral stood on shaking legs, bringing one back and raising her arms to her head. Aubergine eyed her as the air trembled around her, energy gathering. She closed her eyes, and then they flew open as she lunged forward, flinging the concentrated blast to Aubergine, who couldn’t even run in time to avoid the attack.

~ 

“Hey, I’m not mad at you guys,” Zoro said. “I’m sure we’ll do better next time. It’s just one battle, and it’s not like we lost.”

~ 

“Yeah, I’m not mad at you guys,” he said with an encouraging smile. “We didn’t exactly lose, and we’ll do better next time. Speaking of which, I’ve agreed to meet that guy tomorrow night for a rematch.”

~ 

“We can’t leave it like this, Nami-san,” Sanji exclaimed as Brie wandered over to join Franky’s Croconaw and Poliwhirl. “One of us has to win this time.”

~ 

Sanji sat next to him and released his own Pokémon. After assuring them it wasn’t time to battle, Brie sat next to Admiral to meditate with her, and Admiral cracked open an eye to check on her for only a moment before closing it again; Aubergine sat next to Kilo, silently judging him, and Cerise settled down to nap next to Sanji.

~ 

They fell silent for some time, listening to the rain beating a tattoo outside, and the river rushing as it swelled.

~ 

Zoro pulled his hood over his head, tugging it down to hide his face. “So it was love the whole time,” he said, voice muffled. “Damn it.”

~ 

“I won’t fall asleep this time.” Zoro grinned up at him. “Gardevoir.”

~ 

By the time the trainer with the straw hat wandered into the cave, the old man was beating Franky into the ground as quietly as possible.

~ 

“Not only is it powerful, but now, next time she levels up, she’ll evolve!” Usopp ran a finger over Betty’s head, petting her. “And I think Betty’s close to evolving, too!”

~ 

Zoro jumped when his Pokénav beeped. He glanced at Robin and Usopp and held up a finger, hurrying away to another part of the caves. Since anyone could overhear a call, they’d promised to contact each other only in emergency or at an agreed time.

~ 

“Can’t be late if we didn’t set up a time.” Sanji stared at him in disbelief as he continued, “Either way, I need to head back.”

~ 

“Oh,” Sanji said, catching his breath. “Right—um, we stopped fighting. Seemed a waste of time to draw over and over.”

~ 

“Better luck next time,” Robin said, smiling.

~ 

Sanji sprayed his head and sighed in relief, tossing the bottle. “I’ll get you one next time I’m out. Archie got carried away, that’s all. He was pissed I went on another walk.”

~ 

“Right—Cerise, to Fallarbor,” Sanji ordered. Cerise took off properly this time.

~ 

“Perk up!” Nami said, punching his shoulder. “You can finally face off against that asshole you talked about, and win this time!”

~ 

“We’ll get you next time for sure,” Usopp threatened, pointing at Sanji and Franky as Nami rejoined them and Robin came out from around the corner. “Team Magma forever!”

~ 

Chopper stuck out his tongue at Magma and Aqua one last time before following Luffy into the ashy forest of Mt. Chimney.

~ 

“You take these,” she said, shoving them at Sanji. “We’ll relay it. We can use your Pokémon to take one across the water at a time.”

~ 

“Sure,” Zoro said at the same time Robin said, “I don’t.”

~ 

Cuddlebug passed under Robin’s face in the darkness, his rings glowing in the eerie, magma-lit darkness of the hideout cave. Robin held him in her lap as she spoke, and Zoro and Usopp sat in front of her, Zoro repeatedly checking his Pokénav for the time, and Usopp biting his fingers, staring at Robin.

~ 

“Winter is the time for scary stories,” Robin said.

~ 

Their conversation was put to a halt as they stalked Sanji directly to Route 118, where Nami made Franky carry her across the shallow water. From there he turned left at Mauville onto Route 110, dodging the Oddish and Electrikes in the tall grass—like most of Team Aqua (and Magma), he preferred to walk or ride on his Pokémon rather than ride a bike. Meanwhile, Nami had to physically stop Franky from inventing a super-fast bicycle right there and then. They argued for so long they almost lost track of Sanji, but remembered their mission just in time and caught up to him on Route 103. He passed through Oldale Town, and then Route 102, and then Petalburg, and finally—

~ 

“You weren’t. I told you the wrong time on purpose because I knew you’d get lost on the way. You were right on time.”

~ 

Sanji pulled away slightly to laugh. “Alright, sure. Maybe next time I’ll make some and bring it to you.”

~ 

“I saw mochi one time at a seaside town,” Zoro said. They went down the vines, Brie bringing up the rear, and as they landed on the tiny island again, Zoro took out a pen and knelt in front of the sign, writing something. He capped the pen and stood, pocketing it again. “It had a beach and a market. I think it was north of here.”

~ 

A noise made them look over, but it was only Chopper glaring at them, and Robin turned back to Luffy and let his shirt drop. She pulled down the neck this time and found something over his heart: A faint pink circle, perfectly symmetrical.

~ 

From Your Princess Is in Another Castle 

A long, long time ago, in a strange and faraway land, a big, bustling town thrived. It was a town whose citizens all lived long, happy lives, and was said to be lovely and prosperous. But one day, tragedy befell this wonderful place. A great cataclysm struck the town and its people.

~ 

Nami snatched up the bag and smacked him one more time for good measure before leaving the broken-down shack with Brook close behind. “Who are you, Luffy?” she said, tossing him his coin purse. “Be more careful.”

~ 

“Oh?” Professor Frankly said, lowering the book and squinting at Franky and Nami. “You look very suspicious, but if Gabriella trusts you, I suppose it’s fine. She’s one of my best students, you know. I remember a time when—”

~ 

“There wasn’t much information on this in our research, but it did come up once or twice,” Gabriella said as Nami held out the Map again. It glowed when she moved it closer to the lower level, so she made a beeline for the stairs close by. “This place might have existed hundreds of years ago, as a city that came before our modern time.”

~ 

“Seriously, I think Nami’s right,” Franky said. Luffy’s face fell. “Cheer up, I bet there’s nothing in the town at all. We’ll go see that dragon in no time.”

~ 

“Is this a bad time?” Usopp asked, standing in the doorway with Nami.

~ 

He broke into a jog. Nami and Usopp paced him, smiling at each other over his head. Tall grass brushed their calves as they ran, some of it flattened as if a small tank had plowed through, and in no time at all the three of them stood before the great doors of Hooktail’s castle.

~ 

“No time to waste,” Usopp said, grabbing his hand and pulling him along. He stumbled, making Usopp stumble. “Our friends are probably making their way to Hooktail as we speak.”

~ 

Hooktail took in a deep breath and breathed fire on her attackers, ridding the room of the mist Nami had created. Luffy leapt out of the way just in time, and Franky grabbed Nami, rolling to dodge. Usopp and Kory inched along the wall, trying to find a place where they would be out of the danger zone.

~ 

“I made it up here a long time ago, and I fought that beast,” Kory’s father said, hugging his son in return. “But it played a trick on me and ate me up. I stayed alive by eating pieces of my clothes and bits of whatever Hooktail swallowed. How long has it been? How is everyone?”

~ 

Thank you for playing! 

[luffysmeat]

if possible could i have ace law and sabo reactions to sharing an indirect kiss with their crush like the crush lets them try from their food or drink for example or vice versa and they just realize it once one of them is hit ny reality aka teasing of the wb crew maybe? XD

Oh booiiii of course you can! They got a bit long, hehe sorry

Ace

You’ve always been the favorite of the Shirohige’s cook, so he always gives you the best looking lunches and Ace can’t stop looking at it

His mouth is literally watering at how nice and tasty it looks, so he just asks something like “h-hey, [Name], can I have some of it too?”

You just look at him and smile because fuck Ace is too cute so you say yes of course

He makes a victorious sound and all and is ready to take some with his own chopsticks, but oh dear you’re faster and soon enough you have your own chopsticks with a little piece of food at the very end

Ace beams, he opens his mouth and then closes his lips around the chopsticks tips

You giggle and continue eating

He barely has time to process everything, seeing you closing your lips around those things just as he did a few seconds ago, before he has Marco with an arm around his shoulders

“Woah, Ace!”, he teases, close to Ace’s ear so you can’t hear. “I know you have like a huge crush on [Name], but go easy there, man!”

Ace’s face is bright red by now, but he’s like “what do you mean?!!!”

“Sharing indirect kisses with the sweet [Name]? In front of everyone? Tsk tsk tsk, that’s not very gentlemanly~”,

Ace literally combust in the spot, excusing himself about wanting to go to the bathroom

The dork looks at his lips for ages and thinks about what happened a few moments ago

Law

Cute baby Law thinks he’s very discreet about his massive crush on you, but all of his nakamas know and all of the strawhats noticed by now, except you. Jeez he’s very obvious

Anyway, you both are at the Thousand Sunny going to Dressrosa, okay? And as always, Law is being a grumpy man as he leans against the mast, you making him company of course, while watching the interactions of the strawhats

“[Name]-swaaaaaan~!”, Sanji suddenly comes making one of his tornadoes and even blowing away little chopper, you giggle and Law opens one of his closed eyes to look at the over excited Cook. “It’s lunch time, [Name]-swan~”, Sanji gives you a lunch box and another one to Law.

Stupid Law is slightly jealous and Sanji knows it, anyway you both are silently eating your lunch and you suddenly are like “oh wow, Law Law! Try this, is delicious!!”, he looks at the food you’re offering him and then up to you “C'mon! It’s bread free!”, he sulks but opens his mouth and you smile, giving him the food out from your chopsticks.

He just hums in agreement and you giggle, resuming your lunch. Suddenly Sanji, Nami, Zoro and even Luffy are latching onto Law, making you both surprised

“Wh-What’s going-”

“Shishishi, Torao! We saw what you did there~”, seriously, even Luffy noticed

“Torao-kun your crush is going out of control!”, Nami said and Law is turning slightly red, looking at you to see if you were listening, but you’re busy talking with Robin now. “Oi, Law. Giving indirect kisses is for children you know?”, Zoro mumbles, a smirk on his face and that’s when Law suddenly noticed what happened

“That’s not- Get o”

“Oi, [Name]!”, Luffy is suddenly right infront of you, his mouth watering. “Can I have some of it~?”, you giggle and stick your chopsticks with the food towards his mouth

“Sure thi-”

“ROOM!”

Luffy’s yell is heard from the kitchen and with a gasp Sanji goes running towards it.

Poor Law can’t take a little teasing

Sabo

You're watching Sabo training with Hack outside of the base

Sabo was winning of course, until Dragon-san kicked him away with a smooth and quick movement of his leg

You can't help but giggle when the rest of the people there laughed at him, even Koala joined the fun

Sabo sighed and say beside you, because there wasn't room anywhere else, of course. OF COURSE

So he sits beside you and he's panting and sticking his tongue out as he cleans up a bit of sweat from his forehead with his sleeve

He has a cute smile, though, that makes you blush a little. However you are worried about how exhausted he looks.

"Hey, Sabo-kun", he looks at you with a brighter smile. "Do you need some water?", you lend him your water bottle and he beams

"Oh, [Name]! Yes, please! Thanks!", he gulps the whole thing but you don't mind. You do pout a little bit when Hack calls you to practice "Good luck, [Name]!", you smile and go away

"Sa-bo-kun~", Sabo flinches at the teasing tone on Koala's voice. "What are you doing giving [Name] indirect kisses?", she ask, punching him in the arm. "Isn't it better if you confess already?"

"What are you talking ab-", his face goes bright red as he looks down into the empty bottle and up to your running form. "Oh... God...", Koala is laughing at him without mercy, making you look at them

He looks panicky and he tries to shush Koala, but when he locks eyes with you he sees a smirk growing in your lips

Oh shit, you planned this indirect kiss

Dragon-San, please kick the conscious out of Sabo? Please?

[peccolias]

Nonny here again! My prompt if you got the same is Namie meeting the next gen team 7

You meant Boruto, Sarada and Mitsuki by next-gen, right? Here it is…witha SUPER aged-up Namie because I couldn’t resist writing her as a crotchety middle-agedninja dealing with children (especially bratty Boruto).

Genfic

No rating warning, brief alcohol mention

~1,300 words

Standard disclaimer: these extras are AU/closer to canon and unrelated to the Laterality continuum because it would never go this far into the series lol 

“Konohamaru, you dragme away from my morning nap, you seriously betterhave something important to say.” Namie leans against the door frame, rubbing attired, lined eyes half-glaring at the young man standing on the other side—the manwho just wouldn’t quit knocking at the door until someone answered. Mostly,he’s grown into a well-mannered adult thanks to his parents, but the annoyingsides of Naruto’s persistence and stubbornnessdefinitely rubbed off on him over the years. No amount of decent child rearing could change that.

“A morning nap? That’s just—” She reaches for the door and he stops that complaint immediately. “Wait, I do! I do, I promise. You know I have a team of genin now, right?” Konohamaru holds up his hands,hoping to ease the tension, because while her glare is mean, her words hold noanimosity. Still, bothering his aunt without good reason is like poking at asleeping bijuu—he knows this from past mistakes.

“Yeah?” She crosses herarms, still giving the stink eye.

“Well—I know this issudden, but everyone else got called away. I thought it’d be a goodidea to bring in a specialist for a lesson, and, y’know…” his voice trails offas she raises an irate brow and he hurriedly gets to the point, pleading. “Look, I wouldn’task if I wasn’t desperate, okay? I’ll even buy you that liquor you like if youhelp!”

He almost flinches whenher eyes turn to the blue scarf tied around his neck and he subconsciously reachesup to tug at its edge, hoping she isn’t thinking of strangling him with it. When her handsreach out he really thinks this is it, this is his last day on earth as aliving shinobi, and being an honorary nephew won’t even save him from herwrath.

But all she does ispurse her lips and straighten the scarf until it sits just right on hisshoulders.

“…You can spar with ‘em,if you want?” he ventures, glad to be spared, cheeks coloring just slightly fromall the embarrassing mother-hen-like fussing. Better than getting kicked into thestreet. But really, the offer is a crapshoot, because getting her to interact with anyonethese days is like pulling teeth.

“Forget the liquor,”she grumbles, setting her hands on her hips. “I’ll do it as a favor, I guess.”

The mention of sparringseems to catch her interest well enough.

“Konohamaru-sensei’sweirdly late today,” Sarada comments, turning to the two teammates sitting onthe grass and leaning against a wooden training log, respectively.  

“Not really a problem,”Boruto shrugs, too engrossed in his handheld gaming device to see the exasperatedlook she sends his way. He curses under his breath when the level boss gets thebetter of him and a series of beeps signal gameover. He sticks his tongue out and glances across the field where Sarada’slooking. “Hey, no, there he is!” He freezes. “Wait—who’s that with ‘im? That’snot…is it?” He jumps to his feet andsquints as they come into view.

“He did say he’d bebringing a specialist in today. Do you know them, Boruto?” Mitsuki asks, pushingaway from the log and approaching his teammates, shielding his eyes from thesun as he watches the two approaching figures. No—three. There’s a dog loping alongat their side, too.

Boruto doesn’t answer,and groans under his breath instead.

Namikaze Namie—better knownas his unsociable hermit of a great aunt who’s only ever been to maybe two family celebrations and doesn’t do much to prove that his dad’s side of the familyis anything but distant—follows behindKonohamaru, and she doesn’t look any more pleased to be here than he is to seeher here. 

When they stop, she crosses her arms, and it’s clear to see she hasno ninja equipment on her person whatsoever. An easy thing to tell because allshe’s wearing is a pair of old grey sweatpants and a tank top. Why even bother, then.

“Oh, it’s you. I thought you didn’t do this kindof thing anymore?” Boruto cuts in with a frown, before Konohamaru even has the chance tointroduce the guest. She turns to him, and narrows her eyes ever-so-slightlybefore grinning. She doesn’t speak just yet, even as Sarada elbows him in theside and gripes at him for his rude greeting and tone.

“Soyou do know her,” Mitsuki comments, afaint smile on his face.

“Yeah,she’s my great aunt,” he huffs out, crossing his arms in a similar way, not breaking the gaze.

“‘Great Aunt?’ Way to make me feel old,Boruto.” Despite the faux-wounded tone of voice, her lips are still set in a wrygrin.

Boruto narrows his eyes.“Whatever. You do look like an oldbum. Why aren’t you in uniform? Put some effort into this, at least, ‘ttebasa.”

“What,you expect me to show up in my Sunday best for a spar? Gimme a break.”

“You—”

Konohamaru clears histhroat and quickly intervenes, but not without some amusement. It isn’t oftensomeone can match Boruto’s attitude. At this rate, though, it might just fan theflames. “Now, now. Sarada, Mitsuki, this is Namie. She’s here to showcase aspecially-developed jutsu since we’ve been studying the creation of newtechniques.”

“What kind of jutsu?”Sarada asks, blinking slowly behind her glasses, eyes shrewd. A realizationhits her. “Actually, you’re not justrelated to the Seventh, you—”

“Who cares? Just show it already,” Boruto interruptswith a scoff. He uncrosses his arms and sizes her up, wondering just what kindof special jutsu his aunt created. None he’s heard of, for sure. Can’t be tooimpressive—no matter who she is.

Mitsuki looks betweenthem, slightly apologetic as Sarada fumes. “Wait, I’d like to hear this, too.”

“No—I agree. Let’s justget into this.” Namie turns to Konohamaru. “Mind if I take over from here?” Itisn’t really a request.

“Ah…no. Go ahead.” Reluctantly,he takes a few steps back, careful to step over the big brown dog snoozing inthe grass, giving the lesson over to her. Watching from the sidelines won’t beso bad. Hopefully.  

“Alright.” The grindrops from her face as she turns back to the three genin who return the starewith varying degrees of wariness. “You three come at me with your best shot. Don’thold back.”

“Just like that?”Sarada’s eyes widen, and she and Mitsuki remain still, caught off guard by therequest, but they’re the only ones.

Boruto breaks into an immediate lunge, hands forming the seals for the Shadow Clone jutsu, duplicatinghimself threefold.

He and the group ofclones close in with echoing yells—some throwing kicks, some striking with kunai.

But none make contact.

Soles of sandalscollide with a shimmery yellow-gold surface radiating from Namie’s palm. Kunairicochet off. Nothing breaks through, and the collision shocks the clones intoevaporating, leaving nothing but smoke behind. And Boruto, lingering in the haze. His foot remains planted against the chakra shield—her hand shoots out to snag him bythe ankle.

Before she can get a firm grip,he substitutes away and she’s left with a wooden stump at her feet. She kicks it aside as her eyes follow his retreat.

“Well, you’re fast,” she praises,and if he hears, he doesn’t show it—only crouches a safe distance away, eyeswide. He doesn’t move to attack again.

“…You’re the creator ofthe Shining Golden Chakra Shield, also known as Aura. And you gained quite abit of fame during the Third and Fourth Shinobi Wars!” Sarada completes herearlier sentence, hands clutched in front of her chest as she takes a stepforward, eyes filled with admiration.

“Ah, yeah…been a while since I’ve heard that,” Namie nods, lowering her hand, dispersing her chakra shield. She rubsat her shoulder for a moment before taking a deep breath. “Anyway, what about you two? Mitsuki, Sarada, right? How ‘bout you threemake a joint effort this time? Land a hit on me and I’ll tell you the specificsof this technique.” The grin returns. “Ifyou think you can.”

Both look back toBoruto, who breaks out of his daze and walks up to join them. The three exchangea nod and charge in with determined smiles.

[petite-neko]

Boyhood Blues - 13

Fanfiction: Boyhood Blues Story Summary: Actions, and inactions, have their repercussions. It may not be immediate but somewhere down the line, the effect will be seen. Chapter Characters: Law, Luffy, Garp Pairing: LawLu Rating: T Warnings: Swearing, Universe Alteration, angst, A/N: Finally! Again, my apologies for the long hiatus. Thank you all for your patience and get wells.

In case any of you were wondering: Well, after my arm went out on me, and with my girlfriend visiting and lawlu week occurring, well, I fractured my leg a week later. It kind of killed my inspiration, on top of being doped up on painkillers and exhaustion. And I also couldn't really sit for prolonged periods of time. My life pretty much was: Wake up, go to work, get home and go back to sleep.

I'm back now -- although my posts might still be hit and miss because I'm still having trouble with inspiration. I'll try to get back to weekly updates however!

.xxx. > Time/scene skip

.+++. > PoV change

Check the source for Ao3 Link!

Chapter 12 || Chapter 13: Determination|| Chapter 14

“Torao!”

Law started up at the stars that lit up the night sky as Luffy’s voice reverberated in his mind.

“Torao!”

Ever since the little discussion they had, Luffy hadn’t left his side. Like it had been on Amazon Lily. Pestering him. Laughing. Smiling. Calling his name and once attempted to drag him away until Law tore his hand away. (Although he still followed. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to be shown things, but he hated the physical touch. And, no, that damned pout on Luffy’s face had no influence on the matter.)

“Torao!”

The guy was such a clingy bastard – even if he finally seemed to understand that he couldn’t physically be clingy. (Well… most of the time.) In fact, Luffy had given him the grande tour of the ship. From the observatory to the workshop. Although, there was one room that he hadn’t been shown. (Law had noticed that they had skipped over it at first. And apparently Luffy had noticed that he had noticed before babbling some nonsense about Nami. From that, Law was able to understand that that was probably their treasure room. Although… there definitely had been something Luffy was being elusive about. His transparency hadn’t changed in the last two years – although should he have expected it to? It hadn’t changed in twelve years either.) Law didn’t pry however. In fact, he only really allowed the tour itself because Luffy had been so insistent on it, and that it was a way to pass the time.

And, eventually, the sun had set. But not without yet another insistence from his new ally.

“We have an extra bunk for you to sleep on!”

Law declined the invite of joining the crew in the men’s quarters however. The aspect of sleeping around so many other strangers was daunting in of itself. Certainly, yes, Luffy didn’t fit into that category, but the others? Most definitely.

Probably, he could trust Luffy’s crew, considering that his crew seemed well mannered and respectful of their captain’s wishes and happiness. (Which, going against him would certainly negate those two things.) But the fact remained: he didn’t know them. And sleeping in such close quarters with people he didn’t know unnerved him.

Not to mention he was far too accustomed to sleeping in only his own company. Back on the Polar Tang he had his own room. Punk Hazard, too, was a private room, even if it was more than likely recorded by the security cameras.

(And, hell, if it weren’t for the obvious connotations and if Luffy had his own quarters, Law wouldn’t have been too opposed to sleeping in the same room as the other captain, trust wasn’t an issue at all here. But, he’d still rather have his own area, or in this case, an area open enough that his personal space wasn’t invaded. Not to mention, Luffy would have probably done something stupid or ridiculous – like wrap his entire fucking body around ‘Torao’. Already, the younger man was pressing in on his space far too much for comfort. Who knew what the idiot would do while he was unconscious of all things?)

So yes, while he trust Luffy and knew Luffy well enough, Trafalgar Law would much rather sleep on the bench under the tree.

…Although, just how well did he know Luffy, truly?

(His mind rewound to when that idiot tackled him back on Punk Hazard.)

Certainly, he hadn’t been expecting that. It was new. Or, at the very least different. Because back on Sabaody when they had reunited, Luffy hadn’t been that exuberant. (Well… he was pretty excited but, obviously not enough to tackle him in the Auction House. Just enough to blab on and try to take his hand.) Maybe an excited wave, some laughter, and some attempt at a hand shake. Not to be tackled while he was battling Marines.

That in of itself was baffling.

And so while yes, yes they had history with one another, yes Luffy told him about his adventures as a pirate, and yes it was he who saved Luffy and his brother’s lives when they would have otherwise, it was not as if he really knew the other captain. As children, he didn’t bother to really interact much with the child Luffy had been. (The child he had simply been stuck with.) And even though they had been together for awhile on Amazon Lilly, it was Luffy who did most of the talking and story telling. It wasn’t he who said things, while Luffy reacted. No, he had just nodded and hummed in response. Not to mention that while, sure, he had taken an interest in this particular pirate’s career, it wasn’t as if he exactly studied it.

If anything was to be reassuring however, was that there wasn’t much to Mugiwara no Luffy. He was transparent, and, aside from the few things here and there (which, in all probability, was miniscule in nature) he kept no secrets. Nothing about Luffy spoke of major secrets or plans or schemes. That if he wanted to do something, he would just do it. And if he didn’t? Well, he refused to do it.

“You’re a guy who will do anything to get what you want, aren’t you Torao?”

Law resisted rolling his eyes as he remembered Luffy stating that. It wasn’t as if he had influenced Luffy’s behaviours. No, that was something that Law had begun to realise all those years ago about Luffy. That was just who Luffy had been his entire life. In fact, imaging a Luffy who wasn’t like that was…

“I don’t want to!”

The young child was seemingly hiding behind Garp’s legs, sticking his tongue out defiantly. And while the action was, well, immature the child – Luffy – seemed to be unmoving. A determination shining in his eyes.

“Luffy,” Garp sighed and placed his hand behind Luffy’s head, ushering him forward, “this will be good for you.”

And Luffy was fighting him, clinging to his legs as he was being pushed forward. There was something… off about it but Law was quickly distracted by the expression Garp was wearing.

It was torn. Sad even. There was a pain behind his eyes as he looked down at Luffy. “Luffy, you need to start interacting with other kids again…”

Law’s gaze switched back to the kid. While, at first, he had just been trying to look as if he was paying attention, the ever-changing expressions on Luffy’s face had indeed caught his attention. And now? Now that defiant, proud expression had faded. Those shoulders had fallen and his head had faced the ground.

“…Okay Gramps…”

The way that the boy had just easily gave in unsettled his stomach in a way he didn’t quite understand, but Law pushed that away and knelt a bit, deciding to just finish this up.

“I’m Trafalgar Law.”

Law closed his eyes and shook his head.

…Okay, maybe he knew Luffy – or at the very least, a side of Luffy – in ways not very many people did. But that wasn’t the entire story. That wasn’t the whole of who Luffy was. It wasn’t the smiling, bubbly, spontaneous side of the captain that he had only begun to realise two years ago. And, sure, okay, Law had a general understanding of who that was. Of how unpredictable and crazy he was. Of how Luffy and plans mixed as well as oil and water did. But there were still those few peculiar things, those things that Law still had yet to learn about his ally. For one, he didn’t know how affectionate Luffy could be. Or clingy. (And, in his opinion: it was annoying as hell.) And then there was that whole idolisation thing that Ace had shocked him with. (Even now, it was still baffling.)

At the very least, they still seemed to get along, and Luffy still seemed to enjoy his company…

And him? Well, Law was glad to have somebody he could trust. Could have that somebody help him achieve his goal. (Even though he wasn’t exactly willing to tell him that this was his goal. The one he fought for. The one he lived for.) It was nice to have somebody from his past not triggering horrendous memory after memory. It was refreshing to have somebody treat him as an equal. Not look down or up at him enough to put them on different levels. Especially when he was about dive deep into the pile of shit that had, quite literally, shaped his life.

(The Marines. Cora-san. Doflamingo. His disease. Flevance…)

And, sure, yeah, he didn’t tell Luffy the entire truth, and was misleading him as to the objectives of what they were going to do, but as he said before: Luffy and plans did not mix. Nor did Luffy and secrets. (And the last thing he needed was for Doflamingo to figure out just what he was up to.) And he didn’t exactly trust Luffy fully. He couldn’t. (It wasn’t a fault of Luffy’s – no. It was one of his. He had been fed lies and betrayal his entire life.) So while Luffy was so obviously trying to help him and be friends with him, Law couldn’t dive in head first as the other did. And hence the guise of bringing down Kaido. Luffy desired to be the Pirate King after all.

As he thought back to their discussion about their alliance, Law found himself almost chuckling. It had gone in a strange direction due to Luffy’s outburst. He hadn’t intended on making Luffy appear responsible for the apparent loss of his title, because he, quite frankly, couldn’t care less. (Because he was just using the Government. Fighting fire with fire. Just like he had with the Marines.) In fact, retrospectively speaking, it was actually quite hilarious that Luffy was impacted in some way for both events involving the Government or the Marines. (Although being the cause for the latter and an effect for the former.)

Law sighed and looked up at the stars again, not realising that his gaze had wandered over towards the door leading into the men’s quarters.

A lot had changed in two years, hadn’t it? And yet, many things still seemed to stay the same. Back then, it was Law who was Luffy’s saviour, and now – he supposed that in a sense it was Luffy who was helping him, even if he didn’t truly realise to what extent. Their roles reversed, although he truly didn’t mind. Even despite what had happened during the War of the Great, Law did not view Luffy as weak or helpless. (In fact, it was the complete opposite. Not anybody would go to challenge the world alone like that and come out alive – even if severely injured in the process.)

(And, of course, there was the situation with Sabo – but Sabo was a different story. They were still very much green behind the ears, not even knowing about the New World until days before the war, while Sabo was far more experienced and accomplished than they. A man who had survived in the chaos that was the New World, a man who had access to abilities they had only just begun to grasp at the concept of…)

Along with the tentative trust Law held for Luffy, respect was beside it. A healthy dosage that told him: Luffy as an enemy would be a very, very, bad idea. But Luffy as an ally? Well, that was an interesting prospect indeed.

(One which, given his personality, could go very wrong, very fast. But Law was willing to take that risk.)

And now, now Luffy was his ally.

“…So, why did you ally yourself with me?”

As he remembered the expression on Luffy’s face and his tone, he found himself staring at the hand that the other captain had clung to. Why? Even now, he couldn’t quite understand just what was going through Luffy’s head at that moment. (Yet another thing he did not know.) Why had he looked that way?

…Whatever, it wasn’t something he should be concerning himself with anyway. Because, despite the respect he held for Luffy, his own goals still came first.

He was a selfish bastard after all.

[eirist]

Little Bits and Pieces of Heaven

ONE PERFECT MOMENT

One-shot #: 7

Disclaimer:  One Piece (and its characters) belongs to Eiichiro Oda-sensei.

Reminder: I have no beta-reader. Any grammatical and spelling errors are solely mine.

Warning:  OOC possible. One shot. Song fic.

Rating: T

Note: Scenes are not necessarily happening while the lyrics are playing. My suggestion is to keep the song on a loop until you finish reading or you can just totally ignore it and just read the fic. TDs stands for tone dials. Italicized words are song lyrics.

Summary: The swordsman and the navigator share a moment with no pretenses.

I found a love for me Darling just dive right in And follow my lead…

It was Brook who brought the blasted tone dials on the Thousand Sunny after attending a music festival in a jovial island, where the Straw Hats momentarily docked to replenish their supply and stretch their legs.

Almost everyone was excited with their musician’s newest acquisition. Brook may have been a rock star during the crew’s separation but had overlooked (or deliberately overlooked) to bring any of his tone dials on board for the others to enjoy.

After a boisterous debate between the loud members of the crew, it was eventually decided to place the TDs inside the aquarium bar. And when said dials started playing, a hush fell over the rambunctious crew and even their high-spirited captain paused momentarily to listen to the melody.

 Brook was thrilled with his friends’ reactions right down to the bones (since he IS only bones after all). He had personally picked the songs recorded on the dials from the artists and musicians who were at the festival and thought his nakama might like it.

And like they did.

For the next days the door of the aquarium bar stayed open as the tone dials played all day long, filling every corner of the Thousand Sunny with different melodies.

Well I found a girl Beautiful and sweet I never knew you were the someone waiting for me…

Zoro’s ears grew accustomed to the sounds that were playing. He did not participate in the crew’s current fascination with the music. Each Mugiwara had his or her own favorite and depending on what is playing, the swordsman can distinguish who’s got their hands on the TDs.

That one particularly bouncy song playing all morning ‘til noon would be Luffy’s. Said captain got hooked on it so much that he played it over and over again, subjecting the crew to a humming marathon of that particular ditty as they go about their daily tasks.

Except him, of course.

Not more than once his ever attentive ears caught Usopp or Chopper humming theirs. Twice he heard Franky singing under his breath during dinner. Even that pathetic excuse of a cook was not excluded from the madness; crooning as he prepared their meals, his feet tapping in time with the music.

Though it seemed like Robin did not get caught up in the music craze, he stand to be corrected when he heard the dark-haired woman humming while tending to her flower bed as he secretly tried to nap under Nami’s mikan trees.

And the navigator was just as bad as the rest of them. When the Sunny was anchored for the night and everyone is asleep, he would hear the tone dials playing Nami’s favorite song.

'Cause we were just kids when we fell in love Not knowing what it was

For three consecutive nights, he kept seeing the navigator stealthily crossing the lawn deck to head to the aquarium bar. Her long, orange hair glinting under the moonlight that it easily caught his eye.

And for three consecutive nights, he would silently follow her to check what in the world she’s up to.

A brief glance at the porthole and he would find the same scene as the previous nights: the navigator sitting on the floor with an open bottle of wine, a glass on her hand, eyes closed, singing softly.

She was totally immersed with the melody that he decided not to bother her and simply chose to walk away, letting her be alone with her wine and her song.

I will not give you up this time

Before the week ended, Zoro—who thought he was resistant to any influences—succumbed unconsciously and found himself humming that certain song, much to his horror.

And it didn’t help that he can actually hear it as he made his way up the ladder of the crow’s nest to relieve Nami of her watch duty.

He wisely shut his mouth to refrain himself from humming again. If she finds out about it, he’ll never hear the end of it.

He approached the open trap door and peered inside. It was the same scene as with the aquarium bar. He noted the tone dials turntable lying on the crow’s nest’s floor along with a bottle of wine and one, unperturbed navigator.

But darling, just kiss me slow, your heart is all I own And in your eyes you're holding mine

Nami acknowledged his presence with a soft ‘hmmm’ and a slight tip of her head as she sipped her wine.

“That thing had been used too much,” he drawled as he made his way inside. Nami angled her head towards him, a smile pulling at the corners of her lips.

“It’s a wonder it hasn’t snapped in two,” Zoro continued. “Luffy’s already abused it a lot these past few days.”

“Debts and threats did the trick.” The orange-haired girl replied flippantly.

“And scheduled uses?”

Nami’s lips quirked a little at that. “Yep. Or Luffy will hog it all day.” He raised an eyebrow at her. Lately he noticed that her mood seemed to improve whenever she hears that song or whenever she hums it.

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark with you between my arms

“Well time to hit the sack, witch. It’s my shift now.”

“Just a few more minutes.”

“It’s already an hour past midnight. Don’t you need your beauty sleep or something?”

Nami laughed at that. “Gee, thanks for your concern. But I think I want to listen to this a little more.”

“You know me, always keeping an eye out after your well-being.”

That made the navigator laugh more. “Pun unintended?” She winked at him, half-teasingly and half acknowledging his scarred eye. “Of course I know Zoro,” she stated, tilting her head so she can stare at his face and see his reaction. “You always look out for me. It’s a nasty habit of yours.”

He smirked at her in agreement.

Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song

“Now run along swordsman,” she inclined her head towards the trap door; her soft, orange curls swaying with the movement. “I’m still good here, give me a few more minutes.” She switched the TDs on and her song started playing again.

Sighing, he decided to settle himself on the floor just inches away from where she was sitting. It would actually be nice to fall asleep near her surrounded with scents and sounds he can only associate with the navigator.

Placing his hands behind his head, “Just wake me up when you’re going down.” He muttered before closing his eye.

“Sure you don’t want some first?” Nami slid the wine bottle towards him. Zoro muttered a ‘no’ and mumbled something about ‘sake’ that she didn’t quite catch, before drifting off.

When you said you looked a mess,

Nami stole a glance at him, her pretty face lighting up in amusement when she saw what he was doing. It wasn’t really that surprising to her. Zoro must have heard the song a dozen times already, mostly from sticking his nose in her nightly business (of course she’s aware that he’s following and peeking), that it’s bound to affect him sooner or later.

He may not admit it. But apparently the usually stoic man got ensnared too by the crew’s current obsession, rather unconsciously. Because there he was, lips moving on his own accord in what one can classify as singing, albeit silently, hoping she wouldn’t notice.

But she did. She always does. Especially when it comes to him.

I whispered underneath my breath

She brought her knees to her chest and closed her eyes, breathing the salty sea air deeply. Resting her head on her knees, she basked in this rare moment where she has her music, her wine and her swordsman in one place as the Thousand Sunny bobbed lightly on the ocean.

But you heard it, Darling, you look perfect tonight

Well I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know She shares my dreams, I hope that someday I'll share her home

A light breeze blew softly playing with the docked ships’ flags as they swayed back and forth in a steady rhythm. The night was still and the port silent as Zoro finally made his way towards where the Sunny was anchored.

The other Mugiwaras were still at the town’s pub drinking and eating to their hearts’ content. It was the perfect opportunity for the swordsman to catch some sleep without his rowdy crew mates to disturb him.

He left amidst Luffy, Usopp and Chopper dancing on the top of the table, chopsticks jammed in their nostrils as the whole bar drunkenly cheered them on.

With a bottle of sake in one hand Zoro ambled towards the ship, looking forward to some time alone with his drink and nap.

I found a love, to carry more than just my secrets To carry love, to carry children of our own

There was that song again, randomly playing inside his head. He winced a little knowing that he will not be able to stop himself from humming that blasted ditty.

He blames Nami for this. He thought, taking a swig from his bottle before nonchalantly making his way up the ladder leading to the deck.

We are still kids, but we're so in love Fighting against all odds

He stilled for a moment before hoisting himself up on the deck. So that wasn’t all in his head. Halfway up the ship he realized the reason why he suddenly had the urge to hum it.

The song was playing from the Sunny.

Come to think of it, he hadn’t seen Nami in the bar earlier after dinner.

When he finally reached the railing, he stopped short to take in the scene before him.

Moonlight bathed the lawn deck of the Thousand Sunny, making the grass glimmer every now and then. The aquarium bar door was open and from inside, the tone dials were playing the one song that’s been plaguing him day and night. Everything was kind of surreal. Like inside a dream. In the midst of the deck, there was their orange-haired navigator. Her eyes were closed and a serene smile was on her face as she languidly twirled in circles in some sort of dance, her bare feet grazing the grass.

I know we'll be alright this time Darling, just hold my hand

Zoro leaned back against the railing and watched her with concealed amazement, sake momentarily forgotten and absently placed atop the railing.

It might be that to others the scene he was witnessing was kind of crazy…

But not to him.

This was Nami in her unimpeded; no walls up, no hindrances, free from the restrictions she imposed upon herself.

Nami just being the real Nami and not just the money loving cat thief.

This is her most open, her most vulnerable.

Be my girl, I'll be your man I see my future in your eyes

This is what she would’ve been if the pirate’s life did not manage to grasp her at such an early age. If she had grew up to led a normal life and enjoyed living it.

Maybe that’s the reason why she was so attached to the song. It brings back the lost childhood desires of the girl who grew up too quickly to survive the world.

Without a second thought, he pushed himself away from the railing to join her in one moment of openness.

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark, with you between my arms Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song

She didn’t flinched when he suddenly enclosed her in his arms and he realized that she had been aware that he was watching her for some time.

Instead, she tilted her head to look at him and let out girlish laugh. She wrapped her arms around his neck, tiptoeing slightly. And his hold tightened around her waist.

When I saw you in that dress, looking so beautiful

It wasn’t like he was intruding with her privacy by being there.

More so, if anyone should see this openness she rarely show, it should be him. The one who had understood who she really is right from the start.

I don't deserve this, darling, you look perfect tonight

The skirt of her yellow dress brushed against his legs as they moved. He had forfeited his yukata in favor of a white t-shirt and was distinctly aware of Nami’s hands leisurely sliding up and down his shoulders and arms in a soothing gesture before entwining themselves around his neck again.

His eye studied her face carefully. She was always beautiful.

Even more so under the silvery moonlight that seemed to make her glow.

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark, with you between my arms

He rested his forehead against hers and her eyes closed to bask in this rare moment with him.

They swayed languorously in a sort of dance but not quite so. The soft ocean breeze blew, playing with the long orange strands of her hair, unfurling the intoxicating citrusy smell in them…

Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song

Zoro lifted a hand to tuck an errant lock behind her ear, letting it linger beside her cheek in the softest of caresses, the arm around her waist pulling her closer to him. A contented smile spread across the navigator’s lips as their eyes met.

No words where needed to confirm what they both know right from the start.

I have faith in what I see Now I know I have met an angel in person

She tilted her face so that her cheek was resting against his. He breathed deeply, taking in her scent as he turned his head to let his lips touch her face in lightest of kisses.

And she looks perfect

The world around them cease to exist. There was only them, the song and this extraordinary moment of tranquility where they both wore their hearts out in their sleeves.

I don't deserve this You look perfect tonight