OK guys, so this is what I have been working on for the past few weeks (in between quitting my job) it's a new idea and I have some more chapters planned out so it's not a short story.
Anyway, read and review what you think of it :)
Edit: I've gone back and fixed the typos I found. It is incredibly likely I missed some, but I'll get them all eventually.
...
"So what if Jack Sparrow wasn't a bad guy?" Luffy asked, sitting upside down on the couch, wiggling his feet back and forth. "Does that mean the East India Trading Company were the bad guys?"
Zoro sighed, "Luffy, aren't you meant to be writing this essay about existing privateers? Not fictional pirates from movies?" He turned back to his own essay, taking a swig from the bottle beside him. "Damn it, this doesn't work either!" Crumpling the newest page and throwing it in the younger boys' general direction, he stood up and stretched. "Come on, let's take a break. My mind is fried in this heat and you're not getting much done either." He scratched his head, frowning at the length and colour in the mirror.
"To The Merry then?" Luffy spun upright quickly, standing fluidly in a way not expected of him. "Or that new ice-cream place? The 'real fruit' one?"
"Sure why not." With a shrug and a second to grab their keys, both left the small two bedroom apartment, eager to relax for a bit.
Going down the narrow flight of stairs, the boys walked past the little bookstore owned by the lady from their neighbouring apartment. The woman smiled and waved back, brushing her long black hair off her eyes.
And… out into the blistering heat of the sun; the light so bright you feel like you can see with your eyes closed. Shielding their eyes, Luffy lead the way to a small stand selling tangerines and making frozen yogurts for passers-by.
"Hi, what can I help you with today?" the friendly woman asked. She had dark tan, almost olive skin, with dyed blue hair and a swirling chest and arm tattoo. "My name is Nojiko, perhaps a fruit ice-cream?"
Zoro nodded and looked at the hand painted board in front of the stall, with the many fruits and berry's she had to offer, alongside their prices. "Boysenberries for me! And Luffy? Just toss in some random fruits."
"Sure thing, would you like to know what we call the 'random fruits' mix?" She asked, starting the yogurts. "We call it a 'devils' fruit mix, because you want more than what you normally get." She quickly finished one and started on the second, continuing "there's an old legend about that, but maybe I'll tell you another day" she smiled and passed over the 'devil mix' yogurt to a grinning Luffy. With a 'thanks' and the passing of money, the two went on their way, enjoying the sun and food.
"Guess what Sanji said the other night?" Luffy was asking, spooning yoghurt into his mouth every time he finished a sentence.
"Don't eat the customer's food? Don't drop plates? Don't sit and talk-"
"No! Well, kinda. But you don't need to list them like that. Nah, he was telling me how he'd really like to meet some of my friends. He says the stories he hears of you guys are really interesting. Hey! You should come meet him! Please? Zorrrooo?" he continued nagging his taller companion.
Glancing at his friend, Zoro sighs. How did I get mixed up with this guy? "Sure, why not. But he sounds really annoying."
...
The Merry Bar – later that night…
The music was loud; a little disorientating, but not 'rupture your ear drums' loud. The lights: a changing system of greens and blues and pinks. At a corner table near the back, almost hiding in the shadows; is a lone blond man with a side-swept fringe and a bouncing knee. He checks around the bar and dance floor, looking awkward. He keeps reaching into his pocket, half-drawing out a packet of cigarettes, only to remember he can't smoke inside the bar. Instead, he plays with his lighter, flicking it open and closed while his foot bounces from the cravings. Finally the door swings open; the man looks up sharply to see a familiar face, smiling under dark hair and a straw hat. Next to him, a scowling figure with noticeable regrowth looked to be arguing with his friend, as they made their way over.
"About time," he says, smiling despite himself. "Honestly Luffy, you're always late."
"Zoro got lost," the one with dark hair says as they sit down.
"Shut up Luffy, I did not. Google Maps lied, said it was down that other street…" the one with the scowl on his face protests. "Besides, we're not late. You're just super early, curly brow." He adds the insult under his breath. To no avail as Sanji seemed to hear it despite the thrumming music.
"What was that?" Sanji asked dangerously, trying to still his foot drumming the floor. On closer inspection, Sanji saw that under the blond dye was a natural brown. He smirks, "Pudding head."
"Hey, can you two stop fighting?" We were meant to drink, and get along; have fun adventures! "Like a pirate crew!" he said suddenly, smiling like a fiend.
The two blonds startled, momentarily forgetting their verbal fight, looked over.
"Eh? What shit are you spouting now Luffy?" Zoro sighed, slapping a palm to his face in exasperation. "Not more pirate crap again?" Sanji merely raised a brow, having somehow not heard about the teenagers' obsession.
Around them, the music changed, bringing a strangely well-timed feeling of excitement and adventure. Luffy's shit-eating grin told Sanji he was better off not knowing. Too late.
"You guys should be part of my crew!" he announced, jiggling, practically bouncing out of his seat.
"Luffy," Zoro let out a sigh. "I shouldn't need to remind you: you are not a pirate. You aren't even a gang member – you don't need a crew." The stern man lectured. He felt bad for ruining his friends dream, but he strode on; "besides, just the three of us together wouldn't be enough. All those Captains you told me about, it would take at least 20-30 people."
"You… you listened to those?" the boys downcast eyes held a hint of shock. As he shifted, the shadow moved across his face with the pulsing of the lights.
"If you boys are done being sappy, I can take your order?" a newcomers voice jolted them out of the moment and Sanji looked up to see an angel. Beautiful titan hair, sparkling smile and a few curves to fill out the seams of her shirt. Confidence seemed to flow from her. While Sanji started to swoon with hearts in his eyes, Luffy held up the menu and asked for half the items. When did he have a chance to read that? Zoro wondered, simply asking for a decent drink of sake. When the girl took off with their orders, Zoro watched her waltz her way to the bar, before grimacing at the bright orange hair of the man sitting on a stool there. But his hair isn't just orange. It's so bright it practically glows in the dark atmosphere of the small bar.
Turning to the others he shook his head. "There's just something odd about people who dye their hair in such extreme colours." Upon receiving raised eyebrows at himself and then to his own dyed hair, Zoro raised his hands to defend himself, continuing "I just- I understand dying your hair to another colour and understand an unconventional colour;but why a colour so… bright?" Society's new standards were causing Zoro a great deal of confusion.
"Some people like their hair that colour." The girl's unexpected voice once again interrupted them, slamming Zoro's drink down in front of him. That was quick. Her eyes and name badge flashed directly at the now blushing and guilty man as he spluttered an apology. Her frown deepened as she glanced back at her station, before looking Zoro square in the eye and announcing clearly:
"The only apology I'll accept is you losing to me in a drinking contest!"
...
A cliff-hanger already? And what will Zoro do next? And has anyone figured out who the mystery waitress is?