I claim no ownership of anything One Piece. Not much else needs to be said. I hope you enjoy the ride.

1.

People flowed around him in a constant rush as he followed his feet. Horns blared as traffic snarled in the skyways three stories above. It didn't matter that he had lived here for three years already, Zoro just could never get to his favorite diner on the first try. Needing to get his bearings, he tried to stand out of the way of other pedestrians as he searched for any familiar buildings. The heavy traffic of aero-cars humming by overhead were making it difficult to spot any landmarks, and the pushy crowds on the ground weren't helping either. Zoro growled in irritation as yet another passerby stepped on his foot. Wanting to get off the street quickly, he decided to go left. He should have just done that from the start. The diner was south from his apartment anyway, and south was definitely left… He hoped so anyway.

Zoro found himself in an unfamiliar, dank alley. Piles of junk and overflowing dumpsters restricted his vision in both directions. He ran a hand through his short, green hair and glared at the gloom around him. Honestly he was having a hard time picking whether it was best to continue or to go back. While struggling with maybe admitting to himself that he may be a little turned around, the distinct sounds of a violent fight caught his attention. Adrenaline shot through his system in an instant as he gripped the badge inside his jacket pocket and sprinted toward the action. A small squeeze of anxiety gripped his chest as he remembered he was unarmed. Zoro could take of himself just fine in hand-to-hand combat, but weapons were his specialty. He just felt a bit naked when not armed the teeth.

A pained cry echoed off crumbling brick. Zoro set his jaw and mentally prepared to do some damage. He dodged around a moldy dumpster to see a brilliant shaft of light illuminating the opposite entrance of the alley. Sparkling like polished gold in the sun, a lean figure flowed backward onto his hands and lashed out with his feet, felling the last few bodies still upright. Zoro had never seen anyone fight quite like that. Flexibility and sure grace were married with impressive killing power in a way that made his blood burn for a fight like liquid fire in his veins. It was so different from the methods Zoro had been instructed in by the force, and just as distinct from the ugly street-fighting he had grown up with. His heart was trying to pound out of every point of his body, and his concentration narrowed to sight even the tiny glinting lights of sweat misting from golden hair. Zoro was so stunned he hadn't realize his feet had stopped moving. The object of his interest jabbed at one of the bodies with a foot before seeming satisfied the fight was done. He glanced up at Zoro before strolling casually toward another unconscious man. The brief eye contact set the world in motion again. Zoro blinked as his training finally kicked in; blonde hair and light eyes, about his same height, no obvious marks or tattoos… not anyone on the list. The blonde bent and scooped something off the ground and strode off without even a backward glance.

Zoro's limbs finally lurched into action as his feet seemed to follow the blonde fighter of their own accord. He had to catch this guy, to talk to him, to fight him until they were both bloodied and… to arrest him for beating the shit out of five grown men? Zoro spared the unconscious bodies a long enough glance to identify them as part of a well known gang of thugs. So no need to arrest the blonde then; the guy was no doubt just defending himself. He jogged out of the alleyway, head twisting this way and that to try and locate the alley fighter once more.

A distant flash of gold and Zoro spotted his target… handing a purse over to the wrinkliest old lady Zoro had ever seen. Her abundant wrinkles increased further as she smiled and waved to her already retreating benefactor. Zoro felt the adrenaline leave him in a rush. The blonde had fought like that over a pickpocketing incident? It was almost laughable that a fight that had gotten him so riled was over some ratty old purse. He sighed in resignation as he realized he had already completely lost sight of the fighter in the crowded street. Shoving his hands deep into his jacket, Zoro followed the current of the crowd and contemplated his present sparring partners. Maybe it was time to look for someone who could really push him in his hand-to-hand styles.

Coming back to attention, Zoro looked up and found himself in front of a seedy looking bar he'd never heard of before. The name East Blue Baratie flickered overhead in faded neon. Giving up on his favorite diner for the night, Zoro shrugged to himself and went inside. The interior was much nicer and cleaner than the outside suggested. Neat tables with sparkling linens sat ready for guests. Only a few patrons were occupying seats and most of them were at the gleaming, dark wood bar. Zoro recognized a few of his favorite alcohol brands displayed behind the counter. Maybe this place would be his new favorite? A wide grin settled on his features as he eagerly moved to take an empty stool. A massive, blue-haired cyborg eyed him from another stool. Zoro nodded in acknowledgement. The big guy flashed a smile and leaned back to shout at the kitchen doors. "Oi! Sanji! There's a suuuper new customer here!"

"Quit shouting in my fine establishment you ugly pile of rusting junk!" The screaming response was accompanied by the kitchen doors bursting open to the hit the walls with a bang. Zoro's eyes widened as he found himself face-to-face with the blonde fighter he'd seen earlier. A blue-eyed gaze glared into his. "So what will you have green guy?"

Zoro couldn't get his voice to work for a shocked moment. The blonde, Sanji, rolled his visible eye. Zoro noted with interest that he could only see one sky-blue eye; the other was obscured behind a fall of golden bangs. Also he had curly eyebrows. What was with that?

Sanji smirked, "Well now, not too bright are you?" Zoro glared and opened his mouth to speak but was completely ignored as Sanji turned away. "The house combo is good enough for you." He glanced back over his shoulder, "You haven't eaten yet, right?" Zoro's mouth snapped shut and he automatically put a hand over his sadly empty belly. Sanji scowled. "Che, I thought not. Dumbass green guy, trying to drink on an empty stomach."

"O-oi I have a name!" Zoro finally found his voice.

"I don't caaaaare!" The irritating blonde sing-songed as he vanished back into the kitchen.

Zoro growled and clenched his fists tight, overcome with a powerful urge to put a dent in that smirking blue-eyed shit.

"Whoa, whoa bro. Calm down okay?" The cyborg from before leaned closer. "Sanji is always like that to men. Don't take it personally. My name is Franky. How'd you come by this hole-in-the-wall?"

Zoro released his anger in a slow breath and firmly shook the massive hand that was offered him. "I'm Zoro. I just ended up here; wasn't paying any attention really."

Franky laughed loudly. "You're something else bro!"

Returning the grin, Zoro leaned back and fully relaxed again. "Hey Franky, are you military issue or something? I don't think I've seen any cyborgs built like you before."

"Well that's a suuuuper long story, but I'm not military. Not anymore. They did some of the work back in the beginning, but most of my suuuuper bod is my own work!"

Zoro rested his arms on the bar and examined the cyborg closely. "Really? You did that yourself? That is impressive."

Franky preened under the praise. "I've always been suuuuper handy with parts and tools, so this was nothing really!" He leaned forward, excitement written all over his features. "You should see the other stuff I build…!"

A plate of food clacked down sharply in between their conversation. Zoro wouldn't admit to startling back at all. Nope. He just wanted to keep his distance from the blonde, that was it. On the plate in front of him steamed a beautiful sandwich, and-oh god, was that real bacon? Zoro had no idea when the last time was that he'd had anything other than government issued substitute. Eagerly he grabbed his precious bacon sandwich, resplendent with fresh tomatoes and lettuce, and took a big bite. Franky sat back and chuckled at his new pal's expressions. He knew from personal experience just how amazing Sanji's food could be. Sanji returned again with a full mug of cold beer and set it by Zoro's plate. Frowning and reaching out, he flicked Zoro hard right in the middle of his forehead. "Are you a damn caveman? Get your elbows off my bartop! Are you even chewing that properly?"

Zoro's eyes were glazed in happiness as he hummed in response then obligingly shifted his elbows off the counter. Sanji raised a brow. "Is it good?" His voice had dropped to a much gentler tone.

Swallowing the last bite of sandwich, Zoro looked sadly at his clean plate. "Is there any more?"

Sanji straightened with a smirk. "Maybe. Ask politely like a good boy and I might think about it."

Zoro scowled and grabbed his beer. "Bite me."

Laughing, Sanji cleared the dishes away only to return a second later with a small bowl of salted nuts. "You're welcome asshole."

Before he could leave again, Zoro set down his beer and asked, "Do you always fight in alleys for old ladies' purses?"

Sanji froze, "Saw that huh? I knew I'd seen that mossy head of yours before."

"Where did you learn to fight like that?"

"What's your name anyway? Should I just call you moss man?"

"No! Fuck you, my name is Zoro! Where did you l…"

Sanji snorted a laugh. "What kind of a name is that? Sounds like a brand of soap!" Zoro sulked over his mug and Sanji just smirked. "Couldn't help myself there. Anyway my old man taught me to fight, and god only knows where he learned it from."

"Oh." Well that explained things some. No military training at all then. Zoro sneered. "I guess I should have known when I saw those dancing steps of yours. Those thugs must have been blind or blind drunk to get knocked out by your pansy ass!"

Sanji flushed with anger and leaned until he was nearly nose-to-nose with Zoro. "You think you can take me? Huh?"

Zoro grinned and leaned back on his stool, crossing his arms. "Oh I know I can."

"Name a time and place!" Sanji's blue eyes were practically spitting out flames of rage.

"Tomorrow, ten in the morning at Logue Gym?" Sanji agreed with a curt nod. Zoro's smile was wide and fierce as he stood and slapped some bills on the bar. He strolled casually to the exit before turning once more, "I've had better sandwiches made by toddlers, shit-cook!"

He ducked out the door just in time to hear the bowl of nuts shatter on the doorframe. He grinned in satisfaction at having gotten in the last jab. Zoro had to admit, fighting verbally with Sanji had been fun, and Franky seemed like a cool guy. He would make sure to come back soon. Maybe he could get another amazing bacon sandwich if he played his cards right. For now though it was time to get back to the apartment. He wanted to shower and change before his shift. Zoro dug out his phone to hail a cab. Unconsciously he ran his tongue over his teeth as he waited. The taste of bacon was still in his mouth. Getting lost was worth it sometimes.