CHAPTER 1
He clapped along, swaying to the beat with a smile on his face. He watched the drummer nearly snap his sticks in his excitement, he watched the bassist arch his back in the heat of the moment. He heard the raw emotion in the singer's voice. It went right through his bones, sending shivers up and down his spine as he was blown away by the sheer impact of the music.

"Sir?"
He turned around, snapping back to reality when the young redhead tapped his shoulder.
"There's trouble at the bar, sir." She said, her eyes glancing over her superior's shoulder back towards the stage. The blond man turned back around, and following her gaze, he spotted the troublemakers.

"Wake up Franky, tell him he is to settle things down," he said in his ever so calm tone as he got distracted by the band once again.
"Yes, sir," she said as she went to do just that.
"Oh, and Nami?" he smiled gently at her when she turned around, her hair gracefully following her movement.
"You look great, tonight."
She smiled a small smile, nodded and left to get to her duties.

Sanji turned back around, once again facing the band. His foot tapped along to the drummer's sticks, his lips synced those of the singer.

He remembered this band from when they'd just started out. He'd done his best to help them get started and he'd done everything he could to get their name out to the public. He truly believed they were amongst some of the best he'd had the pleasure of working with.

The members were some of the loveliest guys out there, that is if you got to know them, he grinned to himself. The drummer was about the size of a small closet; broad shoulders, a wide neck, arms that dwarfed John Cena's. His face remained a mystery though, as he always wore a half-faced mask, covering up his nose and mouth. His long, blond hair, usually pulled up halfway hung down his shoulders and jaws. Loose strands swinging along to his excited headbanging. His name being a perfect paradox with his personality that would always make Sanji smile. Killer's intimidating physique completely contrasted his kind and caring person. The Big Friendly Giant, they called him as a joke. And that's exactly what he was.

This was completely different from the band's two guitarists. A muscled red-head, and a somewhat skinny, tattooed brunet. The two were always at each other's throats, calling each other names and such. Eustass Kid, the hot-tempered of the duo, was an impulsive and a somewhat idiotic man to be around. He managed to act at the speed of his thoughts, thus resulting in him often speeding ahead of the rest of the band during rehearsal. This to the immense annoyance of his so-called rival, Trafalgar Law. Law was a man who usually let others do whatever they wanted, as long as it didn't mess up his ideas. Which was the one thing Kid loved doing more than anything.

Then, the bassist. Sanji had always found it hard to handle the kid. He was a jumpy ball of energy that didn't seem to be able to think like a man his age. He'd only just reached his twenties, but Sanji often forgot this, due to the guy acting like a 15-year old. However, that did make him a loveable guy. He was a sweet, kind-hearted guy who was a joy to be around. Someone who made sure your day wouldn't be boring. Let's say, Monkey D. Luffy was the life at a party.

That leaves the lead-singer. For some reason the man just couldn't get along with Sanji, or really anyone in the team of producers. He preferred to be on his own, in his studio, writing his songs. You see, the genius behind the band was right there on stage with them. Roronoa Zoro wrote his own songs, his own music and his own lyrics. He needed Sanji for the production of albums sure, but apart from that, he was a very independent man. However, that did make him a tad bit cold. He was great with Luffy though, he managed to keep the guy under control without being crude or harsh. Sanji quite liked watching Zoro deal with the younger man.

He liked watching Zoro in general, if he was honest with himself.
Something about the man was mesmerizing to him. The way he sang or talked to himself, the way he talked to each individual band member, the way he tested whether the instruments were working properly. Anything really, he had some sort of aura that attracted others. This didn't just work on Sanji after all, many more had been allured by the man's mysteriousness.

"So where did you sleep the night before?
I doubt that your phone was dying,
I'm supposed to believe that was what you wore.
Said you were alone, I don't buy it."

The band had finished the previous song and had started a new one right as Sanji watched Franky's huge body manoeuvre through the crowd towards the troublemakers. His bright blue hair stuck out like a sore thumb.

He focussed back on the band, watching Zoro cling to the microphone stand as he forced his voice lower than usually. It sent chills over Sanji's spine as he listened to the accusations. He frowned a little, Zoro usually created his songs from his own experiences, or even his dreams.

"You might as well just stop crying.
It doesn't mean much to me anymore.
A little too late to start trying.
I'm taking this love of the life support."

Sanji's eyes went wide as he heard the last line, which was accompanied by a swung of Zoro's arm as he kicked in the chorus again.

"Now I can't stay,
Surrounded by,

Every lie that won't come true
Now you wanna take the time
But why would you
Think you're gonna make it right
But how could you
So I can't stay
(surrounded)
Surrounded by
(surrounded by)
Every lie

Law leaned into his mic as he provided the background vocals, slamming his fingers over the snares and swaying along with the melody. Kid lost himself in the song, his movements were all over the place, his head thrown back in his neck. Killer too completely surrendered to the harsh beat, a big smile hiding behind his mask as he too, threw his head back, his hair struggling to keep up with the banging of his head.

Zoro clung to the mic stand, his eyes cold whenever they were open, always staring at one specific spot in the crowd. Sanji, having noticed the shifting of the mood, followed his gaze.
His throat felt dry when he saw a female figure rush back through the crowd out of the concert hall.

Sanji glanced at the green-haired singer.

He was grinning.

The last chorus was so powerful. Zoro ripped the mic off the stand and screamed,
"Who haven't you lied to?!"
The ad lib tore through the room, sending everyone over the edge. The room was a screaming, chaotic mess as Zoro and Law finished the song together.

Sanji was struck by the raw emotion radiating off the singer as he signalled for a break. It took him a second to snap out of it and he quickly rushed to get his things together.