Okay, new version of "Love Bites, So Do I". I'm taking a new approach, had to rewrite my planning page to fit in Nico Robin and some other things.
I hope this satifies. I really want to try and write what has been bouncing in my head for a long time now.
Anyway, this entire story is about Ash's plans for revenge. and Oda's oh-so handsome Crocodile is caught in the middle.
Please tell me what you guys think, what should I change? Fix, hate, love? I have no problem going back and rewritting if I have too :) This story is so worth it to me. THANK YOU! AND ENJOY!
Chapter One
Click. Click. Click. Grayson A. Asha, or as she preferred to be called, Ash, was positively glowing in her new shiny hooker boots.
The Marines that were passing stopped and did a double take at the woman who strutted through them. Her leather clad ass was swinging provocatively to the smooth skin of her back that was barely covered showing the edges of a twisting tattoo. The woman looked over her shoulder with a sirens smile and winked as she lifted a giant bottle of rum to her lips and chugged half the bottle on the spot. "Ahhh," She laughed as pink flush spread on her cheeks from the booze and continued to strut her way down the hallway.
A large man appeared behind the star struck men. "Look away boys. That woman is a man eater. Get back to work." The men jumped, the hearts leaving their eyes as they met the gaze of Captain Smoker.
"Y-yes Sir," the men stuttered.
A large man with bushy white eyebrows was sitting behind a large wooden desk. However he wasn't facing the desk or the mountain of paperwork on it. He was staring out his ceiling to floor window, watching the sea.
The door to his office opened. No knock. The man rubbed the bridge of his nose, already irritated, as he swiveled his chair to face the woman that had come into his private office.
Ash sneered, "Hello Pops, I knew you couldn't stay away from me for long." She strutted over to his desk and sat on the edge so he had a great view of her long legs and the curve of her ample ass.
Kong's eyebrow twitched and he looked directly into this heartless woman's black eyes. "I have a mission for you."
Ash pouted, "That's all?" She leaned forward to flash the top half of her breasts.
Kong's face flushed, "Would you get off my desk, you damn harpy!" He pulled a pack of paper work she had sat on and pulled it out from under her, causing her to lose her balance and she fell on her side.
"Ouch! Hey, Pops, that wasn't nice. Ash was clutching the almost empty bottle of rum, saving it from the fall. "You almost hurt my booze." She glared darkly before taking a large swing.
Kong cleared his throat as a vein throbbed on his forehead. "Like, I said, I have a mission for you." He shifted through some papers on his desk as the woman hopped to her feet and sat in the chair in front of his desk.
She crossed her long legs to show off her shiny new black boots. Kong didn't bother to look making her pout her lips further. "Pops, you're no fun!" Ash whined. She put the lip of the bottle to her mouth and drank the rest of the heavenly liquid. "So what's it now, huh?" She wiggled the empty bottle at her employer and hiccupped, causing her to giggle uncontrollably. "Finding out who wants to kill a King?" She stood from the chair to twirl and skip around the Spartan room. "Or is it finding the name of a princesses mysterious lover, so he can be executed by her betrothed," She sang and stopped with her arms out waiting for her mission.
The Government Commander-in-Chief twitched, "Miss Grayson, would you sit down and stay still!" His face was red as he ordered her around.
"Awe," Ash whined as she sat down and crossed her arms over her chest. "You know I prefer you too call me by my first name love," She winked playfully.
The woman laughed as Kong closed his eyes as to try not to explode. She could have sworn that if his hair didn't stick up on its own, she'd probably be the cause of it now. She giggled. "Miss Grayson, your mission is of critical importants." Ash rolled her eyes and started to pick at her nails.
"Oh do tell me more," she asked mockingly.
A haze of smoke had built up in front of the Commander-in-Chief's office, causing one of the guards to cough. A long and large man with a long fur coat was leaning on the wall in the middle of the haze. He had his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes closed, and a cigar between his teeth. Crocodile, one of the Seven War Lords, was positively seething. He had been waiting here for over fifteen minutes, after waiting six long days for that old fart Kong to accept his request to be assigned to the Island of Alabasta. "Che…" he growled as his hard flint eyes opened and glared at the door, causing one of the guards to flinch. Dogs, they were all dogs, pathetic.
Finally, a loud buzz filled the corridor. The guard on the right nodded his head and opened the door to let the feared War Lord through. Crocodile sneered at the young man as he passed, and quickly focused on the man in front of him. He walked around the chair and sat down, ready to feel triumph in his hands.
"Have you read my proposal…Sir?" Crocodile gritted his teeth at the term. He would much rather call me pawn, or better yet obstacle. He knew the bastard had probably read his request for Alabasta a 100 times over.
The Commander-in-Chief linked his fingers together and leaned forward. "Yes I have. After much thought, I've decided to accept your proposal." Crocodile began to grin, "But," The Commander-in-Chief raised his hand stopping Crocodile. The War Lord's eye's narrowed, "In the condition that you write monthly reports on the condition of your assigned country."
Crocodile's eyes narrowed. He nodded. It was an easy thing to accepting, just a small letter amongst many others.
Kong's eyes narrowed at the War Lord before him. He didn't like him. Didn't trust him, and couldn't prove that he was up to no good. Which was the ball twister, wasn't it? That's why he had Miss Grayson though.
The Commander-in-Chief forced down his snarl at the War Lord's smug grin. "Now, we have to set your preparations' for your voyage." Kong shifted some more papers, causing a tower of the evil things to wobble threateningly.
Ash hit the glass case full of food in front of her in frustration. "Come on, old man. Give me some of your booze!"
The old Chef twitched and glared at the terror of a woman on the other side of his counter. "No," he pointed the knife he was using to cut some carrots at her. "The last time I gave you some Rum you melted the cafeteria tables together to make your own dance floor!" His ears had turned red from the angry memory.
The lush of a woman rolled her eyes, "It was an accident old man," the Chef scoffed. "Okay, maybe it wasn't but I said I was sorry 500 times already." Ash pouted and tried to give him puppy eyes.
He laughed bitterly, "and you still don't look sorry while saying sorry."
"Che…that's why I'm sorry," she said this with a hopeful tone.
The Chef ignored her and finished chopping the carrots.
"Come on old man, I'll make it worth your while," Ash struck a sexy pose and winked. The old man didn't even look at her.
"So now you're resorting to bothering the cook, you really got nothing better to do huh?"
Ash turned to see a large man with white hair. "Oh hi Smoker," She crossed her arms over her chest and pouted.
Normally she would have flirted with any man like Smoker, but there was a problem, he was Smoker. He never even gave her the slightest hint that he was attracted to her. Normally even if a man said no they always gave off other signs of interest. The body never lied, and neither did his. He was most definitely not attracted to her.
"You remember what happened last time you got too drunk in the cafeteria," He let out a cloud of smoke.
Ash rolled her eyes, "Yeah I do, kind of hard to forget with everyone reminding me." She yelled the last part over her shoulder at the old Chef.
Smoker grinned, "I also remember having to lock you in the sea prism jail cell, until you slept it off."
"Sue me," she muttered angrily.
The White Hunter snickered, "Don't you have money to buy from him? Or is it just his morals for his kitchen?"
Ash pouted as the old Chef answered, "Morals!"
"So why do you want more alcohol?" Smoker asked while trying to fight a smile.
She shrugged and gave a playful smile toward the large man, "I got a good job and I want to celebrate." Ash batted her large eyes and blinked innocently up at the large man.
The man's brow furrowed, "Sound's interesting, may I ask what?"
Ash looked around the empty room suspiciously. Then leaned in toward Smoker conspiratorially, "I've been assigned to watch a War Lord!" She leaned away with a huge grin and jumped up and down in one spot. "So I actually really need it, because I'm going to go and tell my sister. And I really want to go celebrate!" She then gave Smoker big puppy eyes.
"Just to celebrate," He lifted an eyebrow. "That doesn't give me much of a reason to give you alcohol."
Ashe wiggled, "Pleeeeassee!" She whined.
He leaned away from her, "What do you think I can do?" She clapped her hands together in a pleading way and kept her eyes large. "You want me to buy it for you, 'cause the old man won't. Is that it?"
Her eyes popped with glee, "You're so smart, Smokey!"
Smoker reached into his jacket and pulled out a roll of berries, "You owe me." He muttered and turned toward the kitchen. "Hey, I want your best bottle of," he looked at Ash and she mouthed Scotch, "Scotch, and make it two bottles."
The old man glared between the two as he walked to the back and got the bottles. Smoker paid; grabbed the bottles, gave them to Ash in front of the old man, and took the berries she handed to him to make up for what he lost. The old Chef huffed and stomped into the back of the kitchen.
Crocodile was sitting at his desk in his personal room. He may dislike the location, but he enjoyed the decadence of his room here at the festering sore of the Marines. He had the finest silk sheets on his bed, the best wood for his tables; the colors were red, purples, and deep royal blues. He finished his report to Miss All Sunday, and grabbed a black wax stick to burn. The wax dripped on the lip of the letter and when there was enough he let the wax dry. He was always careful not to leave any evidence that could be directly linked to him. Once done, he stood up and walked to a beautiful painting he had of a ship sailing in a storm where a beam of light broke through the clouds to guide the ship. He admired the painting for a moment then shifted it to the side to reveal a vault. Twisting the knob he opened it and placed the letter inside until he would leave. Once he left he would send the letter via lizard runners.
The War Lord went back to his chair and leaned back after taking a long pull on his cigar. He had to plan for every occasion. So, if he were Kong, what would he do?
He studied his golden alloy claw. He twisted the hook watching as the light gleamed around its curves.
If he were Kong, he would have someone watching him. He just had to find out whom.
That Night On an Island in the Grand Line
Ash looked around her to be sure no one was following her. Never trusting just her eyes, she threw out all her other senses. No one was around. All the villagers were sleeping in their cozy beds. Completely unaware that a predator lurked just outside their doors, a smile touched her lips at the thought.
Quickly, and silently she ghosted through and alley way until she reached what looked like a rundown apartment complex. Rumors had spread that the building was haunted, rumors that she herself had superciliously birthed and raised.
Pulling a key out of her tank top, she spirited away inside and climbed the stairs two at a time. Once at the top she walked down six doors to the right, turn, three doors down. She opened the fourth door on the right.
"Hello, little sister," a smooth voice greeted along with blinding light.
Ash blinked away the light till her eyes adjusted and out of instinct, doubled checked to make sure the windows were covered.
A tall woman with black blue hair, stunning blue green eyes, and sharp aristocratic features stood before her with a teasing smile on her lips.
Ash smiled and strutted to sit down at a small table under the covered window. She reached into the satchel at her side and pulled out two bottles of Scotch. "I got a job today." She watched as Robin walked to the chair opposite her and sat down also. Ash slid one bottle to her friend as she cracked open her own and drank the heavenly liquid. "Yeah, it was the Marines who gave it to me," Robin made a face. "But you're not going to believe who the target is!" The fair haired woman leaned into the table, her black eyes glittering with mischief. Robin made a silent "O" face and then continued to smile, indulging her younger friend. "It's your employer."
Robin's eyes widened, stopping the bottle that was half way to her lips. "Asha, I know why you would want to accept a job that would include him, but you can't."Robin placed the bottle back down, untouched. Ash frowned at the use of her name and her friend's disapproval. She opened her mouth to retort but was cut off by Robin raising her hand. "How do you even plan on getting close to that man?" Her eyes narrowed sharply at the still glittering black orbs across from her. "I will not be your bridge to that. I made an agreement, ah"- she raised her hand again to stop Ash from interrupting her. The younger woman pouted. "I made a deal with him, and I'm not going to break it." Robin sat back in her chair as she absorbed her friend's scowl. "We've been able to live in relative comfort and peace since I agreed to his terms a year ago. I don't want to return to that life yet."
Ash watched as Robin's eyes started to fade past her as if she were seeing into a picture past her. The look made her seem older and tired.
Ash looked down at the table and started to scratch into the wood. "I get that, I do. You and I haven't had easy childhoods. We've been hunted, and even though my job as an information broker has changed that slightly for me." She watched as her nail dug a small crater into the wood, deeper and deeper. "This is my chance at revenge," the crater grew into a hole. "Everyone will get what they deserve, the Marines, everyone."
The older woman across from Ash studied her friend's harsh features. Her face had contorted in a rage that Robin knew she wouldn't acknowledge if she pointed it out to her. Robin's eyes refocused on the hole Ash was making. Ash was seeing her targets, her victims, piled in that hole. Robin, on the other hand, saw her sister.
A few hours later on a ship set to Alabasta
Crocodile hung up the receiver for his personal transponder snail. He leaned back in his chair, enjoying the way the sea made the ship he was on sway. It had been years since he had been on a ship. His eyes wondered back to the snail.
It had been relatively easy to find out who was assigned to watching him. Kong had chosen wisely. He had heard her name before, she was the best in her field, but all people could be bought. Power had many names. Money was only one of them.
He rocked his swivel chair back in forth as he sucked on his specially made Baroque Work's cigar. He smiled as smoke lifted from his lips. It had been even easier, however, to reach said woman. She was living with his Miss AllSunday.
His grin widened as he recalled the shock in Miss AllSunday's voice when he had called for Miss Grayson. Silly woman should have known he would know about her long time roommate. He made it his business to know everything about his employees.
The smug grin he wore dropped a few inches as he thought of the other voice on the line. It had been slightly deeper, in a way that only a woman's voice could be. It was husky, almost rough, as if she didn't talk very much. Or maybe that was just how her voice sounded. Either way, striking a deal had been easy, expensive, but easy. The cigar in his mouth rolled to the other side. He couldn't believe how much those Marine's were paying her. It didn't matter however, he could afford her. Buying her would ensure his safety, though he would have to put up with another woman. And this woman, he had a feeling, was going to be trouble. He didn't like her plan to fool the Marines, even though it was plausible. He also didn't like how pleased she seemed with it. She had been practically purring on the other end.
The War Lord watched the line of smoke from his cigar rise to the ceiling. His sharp eyes landed back down on the file in front of him.
Grayson A Asha, it read. Age twenty one. Occupation information broker; and a small summary on her work with the Marines for the past five years. There wasn't much, he couldn't find anything on her. The farthest back he was able to find, was that five years previous to her work with the Marines, Grayson A Asha didn't exist. He reached out and picked up the file to re-read it again. A woman who officially didn't exist until ten years ago, his eyes narrowed at her name as if that would reveal her secrets. Who are you really? He asked himself, lost in thought.
A Week Later
Robin looked over at her friend. Her younger sister, sure they weren't related by blood but that kind of thing didn't matter when people had to survive under the conditions they had together. The fellow hooded figure turned as if sensing that she was watching her. Robin nodded, giving the signal.
Two dark figures ran along the line of the crowd that had gathered around the docks in Erumalu. Excited talk and energy thrummed through the crowd with its own heartbeat, the thump-thump of the beat said the same words. A War Lord is coming. A War Lord is coming. There was a Sand Car waiting at the edge of the crowd. It looked like a Bananawani with a gazebo on top. The two robbed figures slipped in unnoticed.
In the front of the throng of people a man with a fur coat emerged from a ship. Cheers rang through the crowd, followed by whispers of excitement.
Crocodile smiled down at the stupid infestation that crawled on his land. He calmed his disgust by reminding himself that they would all be dead and he would be King. His sharp eyes landed on a man wearing a robe, speaking of King's.
"Welcome to our humble land of Alabasta Sir Crocodile," King Cobra extended his hand in greeting.
Hiding his sneer behind a toothy grin, Crocodile shook the King's hand. "It's a pleasure to be here."
Crocodile closed the door to his sand car and sat back, ready to enjoy the heat and dry sand on the long ride to Rainbase. He focused his attention on the two figures on the opposite end of his gazebo.
They sat in silence as the sand car started to move. Once out of town, the women removed their cloaks. The one on his left he knew to be his Miss AllSunday, or Nico Robin. His eyes focused on the other woman sitting across from him. This must be Miss Grayson, he reached into his coat and pulled out a cigar. Their eyes met and he felt a shiver of excitement travel down his spine. He liked her eyes; they were cold, sharp, and intelligent. He studied her from her short mess of blond hair to her black strappy sandals. She was wearing jean shorts that barely covered her ass to a short black tank top that cover only a part of her rib cage, leaving the rest bare. He coldly appraised her outfit. He could admit she was an attractive woman. He wouldn't mind the rumors that would fly at the facade they were to make.
He lit his cigar and relished the first inhale. He looked up and noticed she was studied him with the same air as he had her.
Ash leaned back and rested her arms on the top of the long couch in the Sand Car. Well well well, Sir Crocodile indeed. She sent the man in front of her a smile, "It's nice to know that I'll be pretending to be the lover of a handsome man such as you." The large man sneered at her compliment. "Almost makes a woman sad that it's pretend," she cooed.
Robin watched silently as her friend flirted shameless with Crocodile. The man didn't seem to know how to deal with it at first. But he was a smart man and he took the compliment and flirting well. He seemed to be enjoying it, though he kept himself distance from it. She knew he would. Robin had filled in Ash everything she knew about Crocodile, excluding his search for the fabled Pluton. Crocodile himself was self centered and looked out for number one, himself. He was a cold, calculating and intelligent man would didn't believe in loose ends. That fact alone made her nervous about her friend's involvement with this man. Even so, she couldn't deny that Asha had every right to reach her goals just as much as she herself did. Who knew that fate would play such a card their way again?
Crocodile hid his pleasure as the woman before him leaned forward to give him a show of the top half of her breasts. He had to admit, he was enjoying this. Even so, he didn't let that cloud his judgment. This was an information collector, a harpy of the underworld. He fully planned on getting this woman to show all of her secrets to him. He didn't like that he didn't know much about her. It meant that he had to keep a closer eye on her than he did his other employees. The man in him didn't mind that he would be watching her closely. But he didn't get where he was today by letting his more basic instincts rule his decisions.
His eyes focused on her mouth as she smiled a secret smile. It was like she knew something about him that he didn't. It made him frown. Who the hell was this woman? And more importantly, what the fuck did she want from him?