We do not own One Piece. Sue me…oh wait! You can't because I have a disclaimer. HA! -clears throat- we also don't own Dean Koontz's Moonlight Bay series, which is where we got the idea for this story. Enjoy :D

Dim the Lights

September 8th

--

Luffy sighed, looking up at a red-headed girl, about his age, who was trying to get him to dance with her. It was more awkward and annoying to explain that the real reason why he didn't want to dance was that he just wasn't interested in women. Instead, he told her that he didn't know how to dance, and after some persuasion, she'd left him alone.

Luffy shifted on the red sofa that he was sitting on. He'd thought that it might be fun to come here tonight, but now he wasn't so sure. The room was a bit loud for his liking. He felt like he was the only person who wasn't here with someone else. Even though he was naturally outgoing, he still felt like he was imposing if he stopped to chat with anyone, even if they didn't seem to mind his presence.

He shifted again before deciding that he wasn't comfortable, and stood instead. His friends had convinced him to come with them to the Mikan and Pinwheel, a popular club in their town. Unfortunately, they were the owners of the club and therefore had no time to hang out with Luffy. It was a lot of work keeping everything in order, but they loved their jobs, so Luffy didn't protest or try and get in their ways. Now he was left, feeling rather alone in this loud, crowded place.

He stood next to the sofa for a few seconds, feeling like everyone was staring at him. That was ridiculous, the world didn't revolve around him, but it made him uncomfortable either way.

'Maybe I should just go' he thought as he headed towards what he hoped was the exit, allowing his shoes to drag along the dimly lit marble floor. There were no lights in the club save for a few dancing colored spotlights and black lights over the bars. After forcing his way through the crowd Luffy stopped, realizing that he'd gone the wrong way to get out. Before he could leave, someone grabbed his arm.

"Luffy! Hey man, I didn't know you were here" Luffy turned and nearly poked his eye out on his companion's nose.

"Usopp!" He beamed. The two looked happy to see eachother, and Luffy had a sneaking suspicion that Usopp had felt as awkward as Luffy had felt moments ago. Not that he would ever admit it. Luffy continued to grin as the long-nose led him over to the bar.

"Come on, I'll buy you a drink!" He insisted, and sat him down. Luffy ordered a Coke, much to Usopp's disdain.

"I can't drink yet. I'm underage." Luffy said. Usopp waved a dismissive hand.

"Fine, but a Coke? You could at least order something manly. Like Red Bull." Usopp said, earning a grimace.

"That stuff is disgusting and we all know it." Usopp nodded as if Luffy had spoken great words of wisdom.

"Yes. This is true. But it's manly none the less!" He threw an arm into the air for emphasis. Still a little miffed that Luffy had ordered something so wimpy, he turned back to the dance floor. The bartender handed them their drinks, and Usopp returned the trade with a few dollar bills.

"This place looks great, doesn't it?" He motioned to the décor, "I'm surprised that Nami and Sanji pulled it together so nicely." Luffy nodded in agreement.

"Yeah."

The club was separated into two parts. There was the part that they were in, where a live band played every night, and then there was the restaurant that was much better lit and much quieter.

Usopp admired the room as if he'd designed it himself. Luffy sipped his soda, and nearly spat it everywhere when Usopp clapped him on the back.

"Look, there's Kaya! I'm gonna go talk to her… be right back." Luffy frowned and almost pulled Usopp back when he stood, but he restrained himself. He pouted and blew bubbles in his glass.

"You sure you haven't had enough?" the barkeeper asked. Luffy looked up and was about to ask him why he would say something like that when the man sitting next to him laughed.

"Are you kidding? You know damn well I haven't." The barkeep chuckled and handed him a drink that he'd already prepared. He then turned to serve another customer. Luffy raised an eyebrow at the man. He was a good looking guy, for sure, but he was also rather strange-looking.

He was wearing a long-sleeved shirt with the collar turned up, thin gloves, and long pants. What's more, he had a pair of dark sunglasses, despite the fact that it was night time, and they were inside. And to top it all off, his head was covered with a mop of messy green hair. He certainly wasn't the kind of guy you'd want to meet in a dark alleyway.

The guy must have sensed that he was being stared at, because he turned to Luffy.

"What?" he inquired with a crooked smile. Luffy shook his head rapidly.

"Nothing. Nothing."

"Where'd your friend go?" he asked, trying to start innocent conversation.

"Off to talk to his girlfriend." Luffy said, and he blew more bubbles in his drink. The man nodded with understanding and drained half his glass. Luffy glanced up from his drink to look at the stranger before blowing more bubbles.

"You don't look like you're enjoying yourself. Why are you even here?" Luffy glanced at him again.

"I was invited." Luffy said.

"Well that's a stupid reason to come. Whoever invited you isn't even here." Luffy shrugged and glanced at him again.

"What…" The man raised his hand to his hair, "Do you keep looking at?"

Luffy said quickly. "I just like your hair, that's all." The other man frowned, and for a moment Luffy thought he'd offended him, but the green-haired man suddenly started laughing.

"Are you coming on to me?" He laughed. Luffy spit his drink everywhere, startled by the outburst, while his cheeks turned a light shade of pink. This only made the other man laugh harder, and Luffy wasn't sure if it was the alcohol talking or not, but the green-haired man stood, ruffling his hair.

"S'fine. You're not bad yourself." And he turned and walked off, quickly disappearing into the crowd. Luffy continued staring at the place where he'd disappeared until he heard someone laughing behind him. He turned to see that it was the bartender, and his blush deepened.

"What's so funny!" Luffy snapped, rather annoyed. The man behind the counter raised his hands defensively and turned away. Luffy frowned and stood, Usopp forgotten. He turned to leave, glancing at the spot where the mystery man had disappeared and as he did the bartender must have walked up to the edge of the bar, because Luffy could nearly feel his breath on the back of his neck.

"His name's Zoro"

And that's the first chapter. Really I expected it to be longer, but whatever. Review if you liked it. You don't even have to like the story. The summary, the title, whatever. Just review. :D