One Piece: Sleepwalker & Ink
Chapter 2- Lilith
"Join my crew!"
"Your crew?" asks Luka confused, "Are you a privateer or something?"
The large grin returns in full force and for the fourth time that day he says, "My name is Monkey D. Luffy and I'm gonna be King of the pirates." He chuckles, "And I think I need a tattoo artist like you." He points excitedly at the drawing on the cork boards, "These are really cool!"
She blinks at him, blue eyes wide and confused.
Luffy turns to his sniper, "Ussop can draw really well too! Maybe you guys could work together!"
Luka shakes off her surprise, "I see. I'm gonna hafta decline." She laughs, "Sorry."
"What?! Why?" pines Luffy.
"Luffy!" Nami shoots at her captain.
"I'm notta pirate." She snorts, "I'm a tattoo artist, besides I can't leave Lilly. Addict would overrun her."
"Well I haven't met, Lilith yet. But when she shows up I wanted her to join my crew too. So there's no problem. You both can come!" he cheers.
Luka rolls her eyes, "My answer is still no. But you are welcome to visits me here anytime, Mr. Pirate King." She teases.
"Nope I've decided. You're going to come." Luffy jumps up.
She lets out a girlish giggle and grins, "How old are you?" she asks shaking her head.
"Depends on who you ask." Robin says from the couch.
"Join my crew!" demands Luffy unyielding.
"Dinner's ready!" Sanji calls saving Luka from fighting with Luffy.
He and Nanao place every dish in the house on any available flat surface. Sanji then ushers Nanao to the side while the boys attack the food with a ravenous attitude similar to starving piranha.
He openly laughs at Nanao's astounded expression. "This is why we told E, that we had to bring our own food." He grins at the wide-eyed woman.
"I'm glad she let you." Nods Nanao, "I didn't even think twice about the amount. Tells you I work in a kitchen too much." She snorts.
Sanji beams and offers an elegantly laid plate with a bowl of soup salad, bread, and steamed vegetables, "For you my lady."
Nanao raises an eyebrow, but takes the plate, "Thank you?" she asks.
Sanji darts back and brings plates for all the girls, "Nami-swan, Robin-chwan!" he calls bounding over and offering their dinner to them.
"Ah, thank you Mr. Cook." Smiles Robin taking the plate, "It smells wonderful, as always."
"Thank you Sanji." Nami grins accepting her dinner.
Sanji fights with himself for a moment before offering the last plate to a wide-eyed Luka, "Lu-Luka-san." He manages in semi-steady voice.
Luka takes her eyes off the uproar around the food and turns to Sanji, "Oh!" she reaches out and takes the plate, "Thank you, Sanji." She blinks rapidily, "Your companions are… rapacious."
Sanji glares with distain at his companions, "They're savages all of them," and then clarifies, ",at dinner."
Luka snorts with laughter shoving her glasses on top of her head, "I have a little brother like that."
"You do?" Sanji looks genuinely surprised.
"Lordy, do I." she confirms with a smile, "He's about as tall as you, but he's much skinnier: no definable muscle. Even though he eats like your captain Luffy." She laughs, "He's only seventeen, but the Navy's been after him for the last year."
Sanji's eyebrow rises, "What do they want him for?"
"Honestly?" she shrugs, "I dunno. Something about being an 'outstanding young man'." She laughs, "He told them to ' fuck off' and started his apprenticeship as a welder. He loves to help build things, but he's not really motivated right now. My older sister's wife is a welder so she's kind of kicking his ass over it. Hey, he chose it."
"Sister's wife?" Nami asks surprised.
"Yup. She's not into men, never has been." She shakes her head, "Charlotte is cool, though. She was recruited by the Navy to be a welder and now works as a shipwright. When she was station on Ivy Grotto, my home island, she met my sister and they clicked." She gives Nami a smile, "I like her a lot. She has been awesome for my brother. Evangeline, my sister, is really girly and mother-like. Charlotte is also girly, but has a kind of tomboy attitude." She shrugs, "I guess it was what he needed coz he has really come into his own recently."
"And you live away from your family?" Robin asks, "It must be lonely."
"It's not bad. Charlotte got stationed in the New World. G…1. Marineford." She sighs, "Apparently they need lots of repairs."
Nami chokes.
"You okay?" asks Luka.
Nami waves one hand and smacks her chest with her opposite fist.
Sanji runs into the kitchen grabs a glass of water and his own plate. He hurries to Nami's side and offers the glass.
The navigator takes the glass and downs half of it regaining her ability to breathe.
"Down the wrong pipe?" smiles Luka.
Nami smiles weakly, "Yeah."
Luka chuckles and lifts a spoon of broth to her lips. She swallows and jumps, "Wow! That's amazing!" she applauds.
Sanji flusters pink; "I only added a few spices and added the vegetables afterwards."
"Hm~." She grins spooning more into her mouth.
"Sanji is the finest cook in the world." Praises Robin.
"Whatcha think, Nanao?" asks Luka looking for her companion with a waving spoon, "Oh! Hi, Lilly!"
Sanji freezes and turns.
The girls as well look up and find the same green haired woman, now sitting in the opposite chair.
However, her posture is relaxed, poised, and she has bread and butter in her mouth. Those tattooed fingers are luxurious in their movements and precise. Her dark eyes are calm, cheerful, and unguarded. She pulls her bite free of the bread and chews.
She offers a little wave, then says, "I think it's awesome." The tone is in a hum of warmth. Swallowing, Lilith uses her black eyes to take in the mass of people, conversation, and squawking. Then her eyes cross and she has to give a shake, " I think I'm a little buzzed."
"I bet." Frowns Luka, "You brain wanted a bender."
"Goddamn it." Grumbles Lilith sipping the soup from the side of the bowl. She looks down at bowl with a mock scowl, "This… Really is spectacular."
Sanji smirks, "I am the world's finest chef." He says pompously his poised grin in place.
"Awful confident aren't you?" grins Lilith tipping the bowl back. She swallows with a happy hum. The black eyes find his blue ones, "But when you cook like this, I guess you've got bragging rights."
"A complement like that almost makes my heart flutter." He grins back he lifts his own bowl with a little bow and slurps from the side.
Lilith bursts out laughing. Her teeth clutch at the side of her lower lip trying to stifle her out burst. Her fingers comb through her hair shoving back drifting locks and she shakes her head taking her bread up again.
Luka blinks surprised staring from Sanji to Lilith. She then looks at the women behind her.
Both look at one another and shrug at Luka.
A smile settles on Luka's face, "Lilly, you weren't here, but this is Robin" here she points at the dark haired woman and then to the ginger haired woman, "And Nami."
"Hello… again. I'm sure." She says rolling her eyes and stretching out.
"And I'm Sanji." Smiles the Blonde, "Nanao helped me cook." He adds.
"Oh don't worry." She says, "I got your name before I took back over."
The crash and call beckons Lilith's attention. She swivels around, letting her feet hand off the arm of the chair, "The fuck is going on?" she starts laughing again as a long arm goes whizzing towards a green haired man's plate and is barely beaten off.
Sanji takes a seat on a stool, "Dinner." He answers lightly, "It's a free-for-all." Then motions at the small gathering of girls, "That's why I always make it a priority to serve the ladies."
"How chivalrous." Lilith snorts and then is distracted by the walking skeleton battling with the owner of the stretching arm.
"If you lived on our ship, you wouldn't speak so lightly." Robin chides warmly.
Lilith turns grinning at Luka, "God. Luka, it's like having your brother here."
"Except he's been duplicated." Chuckles Luka shaking a finger while shoveling more food, "I am a little afraid my dinner will be the target."
"Oi Sanij! We need more meat!" cheers Luffy.
Lilith turns at looks at him, "Lordy." She mutters taking a bite of bread.
"There isn't anymore." Sanji rolls his blue eye, "Eat your vegetables." He barks.
"So whose who over there?" Lilith asks Sanji watching the captain's sneak attack on his crewmen's plates.
"The stretching wonder is our captain." Informs Sanji, "Luffy."
"Oi! Oi! Luffy that's mine!" Zoro pulls his bread from his captain's grabbing hands.
"That green haired marimo is Rororona Zoro." Sanji answers with a roll of his eyes, "He's the first mate of our ship."
"Ship?" asks Lilith.
"Gimme! Captain's orders!" yells Luffy.
"Not even for captain orders!" he barks.
Lilith bursts out in a deeper laughter than any of the other alters the Straw Hat Pirate have heard, "Captain's orders? Shit. If you're throwing your weight around for food, I'd hate to see what a daily job from you looks like."
"Don't worry, its only food." Nami informs her, "He's to busy playing around like a child."
Lilith grins, "Really?"
"Really." Promises Sanji and points beside Luffy, "That blue haired behemoth is Franky, he's out shipwright."
Frank bellows something about 'Super' and then proceeds to hide his food in a compartment in his body where his stomach should be.
"I'm not sure what I just saw." Mutters Lilith blinking at the cyborg.
"No one is." Sanji agrees and points to the skeleton, "Brook is beside him. He's our musician."
"Luffy wanted a musician before a cook." Groans Nami.
"Priorities, priorities." Chuckles Lilith.
"His priorities are skewed." Nami rolls her eyes.
Sanji grins, "Ever so eloquent." He teases, but then motions to the tiny reindeer gulping down a bowl of soup, "That's our doctor. Chopper."
"Cute."
"And the guy with the long nose is Ussop." Then in a loud voice, "He's our chicken shit sniper."
"I can hear you Sanji!" roars the bushy black haired male.
The group on the living room furniture starts laughing. As they settle down, the food thief himself stands up and walks over to the side of the chair where Lilith half lays half sits.
"Hello…?" she asks trying once again to stifle her laughter with lip biting smile.
"Hi." He answers, but his voice is no longer childish, "Are you Lilith?"
"How do you know that?" she grins.
"I met Nanao." He answers still serious.
She rolls her eyes, "Ah. So who are you?" she challenges
"My name is Monkey D. Luffy and I'm gonna be king of the pirates." He proclaims.
But unlike the other personas he has met that day, her brow raises, "Why?"
"Coz that's my dream."
"Why?" returns Lilith.
"What do you mean why? Are you stupid?" he asks confused.
"Luffy!" barks both Nami and Sanji.
Lilith snorts and waves at them, "Maybe, but I'm just curious." She lifts the bowl and empties the remnants into her mouth, "Damn that's good."
"Join my crew!" insists Luffy.
Lilith chokes, coughing.
"Luffy don't spring questions like that on people when they're eating!" Chides Sanji elbowing his captain.
Luffy seems unfazed.
Lilith manages to catch a hold of herself, "What?" she asks in strained voice.
"I want you to join my crew." Luffy says a grin spreading over his face.
"No." she answers automatically, "Thanks though."
"Nope, I've made my decision. I want you to join." He states firmly.
Lilith snorts, "So have I." and grin she offers is a little too shark like. However she does not stay sitting long. She bounces up from her chair with empty dishes in hand and begins rolling up her sleeves, "I think we dirtied every plate in the house." She makes her way over to the sink pulling pots, knives, and cutting boards out onto the side.
Luffy's brow furrows with a stab of annoyance and confusion. This is who he sensed before, but its like he's trying to see her through dirty glass.
"Wait just a minute!" calls Sanji, "I'll come help."
"Nah, take a breather." Lilith waves dismissively, "You cooked, I'll clean."
"But you helped." Protests Sanji before he realizes what he's said.
"Nanao helped. I haven't." She smiles back at him, "Besides I know where everything goes in our kitchen. Do you?"
"No." admits Sanji.
Lilith laughs, "So relax. The meal was awesome!" she plugs the sink opening a cupboard below the basin.
The dark green haired first mate yawns, pleasantly full, "I'll help dry." He volunteers.
"Again, do you know where everything goes?" challenges Lilith pleasantly.
Zoro's own dark eyes watch her contented and certain movements, "No." he admits, "But I'm sure you can tell me. Sides' I didn't cook." He catches his captain's eye. Silently he promises to observe the dominant personality.
Luffy's grin returns and bounces on the sofa besides Luka.
"Touché." Lilith straightens with the bottle of liquid soap in hand. She reaches over and pulls a clean dish towel from the rolled up terry clothe temple, "Here." And tosses him the cloth.
He catches it easily. He gathers up some dishes and arrives at her side as she squirts liquid soap into the metal basin.
The water sprays on high and warms slowly. Bubbles burble up in the quickly steaming water. Dishes from the meal quickly pile up in stacks around the kitchen. Zoro and Lilith separate utensils from the plates, tossing them carelessly into the pool of water.
"You guys sure scrape your plates clean." Applauds Lilith laying another cheap ceramic dish on the pile.
Zoro snorts, "Sanji would kill us if we wasted food."
Lilith only laughs.
Sensing the awkward feeling among the remaining people Luka turns and smiles at the group, "Soooo… you wanna play a game or something?" she offers, "Lilly will probably kick us outta the kitchen if we try to help."
Ussop grins, "We love games." He looks seriously at Chopper who's eyes are sparkling with delight.
"What kind of game?" Chopper asks excitedly.
"A tricky one." Luka looks at the amount of people. Her eyes narrow musingly. "Hang on! Lilly you gonna wanna play when you're done?"
"Nope." Lilith answers automatically elbow deep in bubbles and water.
"Zoro?" Luka tries again.
"I think I'll just watch." Zoro nods to Luka after taking the series of dripping forks from the dishwasher.
"You're missing out!" Luka teases and disappears into the bedroom coming out again with box, "Alright! Let's see your tactical skills." She smirks bouncing onto to the sofa besides Robin.
The roar of mirth is deafening even in the kitchen.
"Why not got join them?" says Lilith, "I know where everything goes."
"Its not polite." He counters finishing drying the forks, "Where?"
"Those ceramic crocks at the end of the counter. They should be labeled." Answers Lilith automatically, "Who cares if its polite? You're a pirate right?"
The ceramic cylinders are indeed labeled and multicolored. Forks go into the red crock, "I may be a pirate," he answers putting the forks, prong side down into the cylinder, "But I am not ungrateful."
She laughs at that, but is covered by the clamor in the living room, "Alright." And offers a sideways smile, "Well thanks for the help."
Zoro good eye looks at her oblique, a confused expression dancing on his face, "You're welcome." He does not turn fast enough.
The dishwasher catches the expression. "What's with the face?" she asks biting her lower lip a particularly stuck bit of food on a serving spoon refuses to come off.
"Its just weird." He answers.
Lilith releases the lip stopping for a second to rummage through the soapy water, "How so?" And offers a series of clean knives.
Suddenly sidetracked he raises a brow, "You just pullin' out all the same utensils like magic?" he asks taking them.
She snorts, "No. I'm feeling for them in the water. Trying to make it easier on my volunteered help." She shakes her head, "If that's the weirdest thing of the day, it's a good one."
"No-" Zoro realizes his mistake, "No. I was distracted by the knives." He dries them going back over to the crocks. Knives go in the yellow ceramic cylinder, "No. I was just thinking its weird how… each person I met today… using your body, was so different."
"They're different people." She shrugs, "Or at least they feel like they are."
Zoro takes another handful of silverware-spoons, "Addict made me angry." He confesses while drying, "Like I wanted to punch her for being so senselessly stupid."
"I've heard that before." Groans Lilith, "Thanks for not punching my body, by the way." She adds with a smile.
He lets out a rueful laugh, "Sure. But you… you don't make me angry." He puts the spoons into the blue crock.
"Or I just haven't said something to make you angry yet." Challenges Lilith good naturedly offering a couple more forks.
Zoro thinks about this and says, "Alright. Are you a heroin addict?"
Lilith hesitates. She seems confused by the change in mood and looks at him, eyebrow raised, "Very much so. Withdraw is going to be a bitch in the next two days." She offers the last of the spoons.
"No I meant… do you go after it?" he tries again and takes the objects.
She wags her head, "No. I have been clean for three fucking months. God. I hate needles. They leave little ugly bug bites." She pokes her arms to demonstrate, "Makes my arms all itchy and shit." Then she turns a particularly intricate koi fish tattoo, "I've had to have Luka touch up two of my tattoos because I clawed so badly through the skin. If itching is the most mild form of pain, then fuck all the others."
He smiles at that, "How the hell do you get tattoos?" he asks incredulously.
Her grin is back, "Ink is not like heroin. It hurts, but not itches. In a way, I find it more comforting than gross. ." She tosses the least dirty dishes into the water, "Besides I hope you know I meant syringes."
Zoro seems surprised, but nods, "Makes sense." He concedes.
"Let's talk about something else," urges Lilith freezing and glaring at the hairs drifting in her face, "like why the hell you're carrying three swords?" she blow air out of her mouth and up sounding like a horse.
His dark eye looks at her and suppresses a smirk, "I practice santoryu." He answers, "Three sword style." He reaches out and shoves the floating hairs back.
"Thanks." She commends and then, "How does that work?" she asks offering the freshly washed cutting board.
"One sword in each hand and one in my mouth." He answers matter-of-factly. He holds the board over the water for a few seconds letting the excess water drip back into the sink and then begins drying.
"Is it always the same sword in your mouth?" she inquires conversationally.
"It does not have to be." He admits, "But for me I usually keep Wado Ichimonji in my mouth. I want her closest." He holds up the cutting board, "Where does this go?"
"The sword's a girl?" asks Lilith surprised and then catching sight of the cutting board, "Oh! That goes over by the stove." She uses her foot to point at a narrow cabinet, "That one."
He nods, "Thanks you." He goes to the small door, "And yes, Wado is a girl. She is noble soul. She's always been there for me and is very steadfast."
"Hm." Lilith smiles, "So each weapon has a soul?"
Zoro stands returning to take another dripping board, "Yes, especially old katana. They have seen so much that they lend their previous experience to each owner."
"Since you said you use santoryu, tell me about the other two blades." Presses Lilith dumping more dirty dishes into the water, "I rarely meet people who are quiet as passionate as you are."
Zoro is surprised by the genuine interest, but with humble pride begins to tell of the ill-tempered Sandai Kitetsu, wizen and broken Yubashiri, and finally of the hard won Shusui.
Lilith remains an active part of the story, asking about each one's personality.
This prompts Zoro to open up further and tell of his battles with noble blades. He explains how each one helped him conquer in battle and how each sword taught him to be better. All the while he dries dishes, only pausing to swap towels once his current one is too soaked to dry.
Lilith is thoroughly saturated as she leans back on the counter, "You are incredibly passionate." She praises.
Drying his wrinkled fingers Zoro turns to look at her awed expression.
"I love finding people like you." She continues, "You see what you want and go for it without any inhibitions."
A smile tugs on his mouth.
"I'm glad E brought you guys home." She says, " At first I was glad Luka was getting to hang out with some cool people, but now… Just listening to you has me all excited."
"I'm surprised you'd want to listen to the passion of swordsman." He admits.
She raises her brows, "Why?"
"I guess… because nobody I know has ever wanted to hear it before." He nods to his companions deeply engrossed in Luka's game, "They all know it. They were there most of the time."
"Guess you just needed new ears." She grins and stretches with arms overhead.
Zoro watches this strange girl. He closes his eye, hands still feeling the terrycloth against his skin and then says, "Do you want to see them?"
She is surprised, "That would be pretty cool, but you don't have to."
"I want to." He shrugs back at her; "After all you know them now." He walks over to the wall where he lined them.
Lilith trails over to him, hands behind her back.
Carefully, Zoro picks up Wado in her white lacquered saya. He turns and presents it for his audience, "Wado, this is Lilith. Lilith, Wado Ichimonji."
She nods to the blade, "The pleasure is mine." She smiles, "It's a very unusual sword isn't it? Its all white… like snow."
Zoro nods and after a moment extends the sword towards Lilith, "Have you ever felt the weight of a katana?"
She shakes her head, "I'm not a swordsman." She laughs, "I'm a gardener. I know the weight of a shovel."
"Feel." He offers.
Lilith rolls her sleeves down on the sides of her body and pull them over hands before holding out her hands.
"You say you aren't a swordsman." He says quietly placing Wado on the polite hands, "But you know-"
"I've met a few swordsmen." She interjects, "And all of them are like you. Very careful with their swords." Her hands sink a little as the katana settles, "I got reprimanded the first time." She grimaces, "So I try not to piss anyone off."
Zoro gives her a more relaxed smile, "I wouldn't have reprimanded you." He says, " You're not a swordsman. I don't expect you to know."
Lilith turns the hilt up so she can admire the wrap, "Wish you had been the first swordsman I met." She laughs nervously then offers the sword back, "She is beautiful."
Pleased, Zoro takes his most trusted companion and the blade pulls itself from the saya striking out at Lilith's arm.
She slices cleanly through the thin fabric of the long sleeve shirt across the nearest forearm. The wound is deep and cuts through the radial recurrent artery. The blade is so sharp; Lilith does not feel the pain or know what has happened until Wado lands on the floor pointing at the stove.
In the next second there is too much blood. Her ears become stuffed and her vision becomes black around the edges. Her knees wobble and she slides to the ground, caught in the next instant. There are several moments of black and silence before her vision starts clearing a little. She is aware of an agonizing pressure on her arm.
Lilith looks to where the pain is most and sees a bronzed hand tightly grasping her pale arm. The long deep gouge is bright red with streaks going down her arm. Then there are tiny hooves suturing her arm shut and she shakily lifts a hand to pat the little doctor on the head.
Her roommate Luka's hand grabs it first, clutching at it desperately. Her face is scared, cheeks flushed red and her grasping hands are hot.
Lilith leans back as the world starts spinning and comes in contact with her storyteller who is being a human tourniquet.
Zoro's face is worried, drained of color, with confusion darting around in his eye. He lifts his free hand placing it on her neck.
"I'mmmmm…not. Dead." Promises Lilith watching the tension ebb somewhat from his face.
His hand drops and he asks something.
"I… can't. Hear you." Says Lilith squinting at him, "And you're sota… fading into… black." And then he does.
Lilith wakes when the first heroin cravings force her awake. She is cold, shaking, and her stomach has a strange hunger. She shoves it back and settles up on her elbows, pain throbbing in one, aching in the other. Her long fingers twitch and jump as she stares at them blankly for several moments. Then, as if she is being tuned into life, she is aware of the noise.
"Zoro its okay!" Luka's voice says reassuringly, "I looked over, I saw the whole thing." She promises, "You handed her your sword, she handed it back and it was like… an invisible hand shot out pull your sword from it sheath! This wasn't your fault."
"If your friend dies, it will be." Says the swordsman seriously. He lets out an exasperated sigh, "Why can't she go to the hospital for blood?"
"This time of night? Please. You will get shot. The drug baron's men patrol this island. They don't want snitches or thieves after their work. Anyone is suspect."
"Is lab quality heroin that expensive?" Nami's voice asks.
"Hell yeah, but that's the only kind they sell here." Says Luka, "Its bad shit, but its better than what happens to it further away from the island. Once it gets cut and sold it causes big problems in the human body."
Lilith gets out of her bed and stumbles to the door, opening it. The world sways dangerously, but she says, "Do you… always talk outside people's doors?"
"Lilly!" Luka's arms reach out and hug her roommate, and notice the slight wobble to her friend's body, "Don't stand if you can't handle it!" she chides. She looks to her left.
With one arm, the swordsman grabs Lilith and takes her over to the sofa. Carefully he places her on the cushions and there is a strange amount of worry on his face.
Other weights settle on the sofa and blurred shapes gather around, "Hi there…" she says shaking her head a little trying to clear the spinning.
"How are you feeling?" Zoro asks automatically.
"Dizzy, cold, craving dope and nicotine, and disoriented. Pretty normal I guess." She makes an extended blink, "I don't think your girlfriend likes me though."
This earns a chuckle from Nami and Robin.
Zoro winces, "No. I think somehow I must have let her side out."
"Quit blaming yourself." Snaps Luka's voice to her right, "I told you it wasn't your fault."
Zoro's blurred expression does not change.
"I think I just pissed your sword off." She smiles and looks down at the sore and bloody bandaged appendage, "Does this, "she holds up her arm, "Count as something that makes you angry? That your sword doesn't like me?"
"Wado would never be so rash." He counters, "I must have hurt you."
"I dunno, Zoro." Says Luffy's voice, "You both were standing right there, wide eyed when I turned. I don't think you did it."
"It doesn't matter." Lilith says dismissively, "I'm alive, your fine, and I'm sorry I must have killed your guys game." She looks at a blurry Luka, "Were you winning?"
"For your information I was. But I would have lost next turn." She sends a smile to Robin, "Robin here was a move away from cutting down my pedestal."
There is light laughter.
A fluff ball bounces into Lilith's lab and she takes a moment to realize it's the little reindeer, "Chopper…right?" she asks raising her good arm to rub her eye.
"Yes." He nods.
"Thanks for closing me up." She says.
The little doctor nods again, "Lilith, you keep closing one eye. Is your vision blurred?"
"A little."
Chopper nods seriously, "Can you still move your fingers?"
She lifts her injured arm and wiggles her fingers with sharp shooting pain, "Ow…"
Chopper look relieved, but says, "You were out for three hours. Its close to midnight-"
"It is midnight." Corrects Franky.
Chopper sighs, "IS, midnight. Do you-"
"I'm okay, Doc." Protests Lilith, "I just need to be careful for a bit."
Chopper sighs, pursing his lips together with a frown, "Where have I heard this before…?"
"All the same," Luka inhales, and then says, "I know you guys said you were going back to the ship, but can I persuade you lot to stay till morning?"
This idea pleases Chopper; "I think that is a good idea. Just in case you feel worse." He states looking at Lilith.
She waves with her good hand relenting.
"Come on." Luka says, "I keep all sorts of linen's and things in the closet."
Lilith helps Chopper off her lap and watches the blurred shapes follow Luka.
That is everyone but the swordsman. He remains sitting off to the side with furrowed brow.
Lilith's unsteady gaze observes him, "I'm okay." She promises.
He exhales unsteadily, reaches into his jacket a pulls out half a pack of Blue's, "Cook said you could have a few."
"Can't smoke in the house, but thanks." She takes the offering.
"You can't?" he asks, "So where do you?"
"The greenhouse, upstairs." She answers sleepily. Her brain is on auto pilot and she gropes around inside her tunic until she finds the small built in pocket with a lighter, "Can't get up there right now, but maybe in a few."
He extends his hand again, "I'll take you up."
"You don't have to." At his expression she adds, "I'm not even mad. Shit happens, ya know?"
"I do." He agrees, "But that was unwarranted." His hand remains out in front of her.
She sighs, but the temptation of killing a nicotine craving is too much, "Carry me." She says in a resigned tone.
He scoops her up gingerly and she points to a door by the kitchen, "White door by the kitchen." She instructs.
Zoro looks before he moves to where she is pointing. His eyes catch on his swords he has left by the wall. A burning shame and anger makes him walk to the door, open it and climb the stairs.
It is not far up and he emerges into a garden like nothing he has ever seen. Trees with strange fruits reach for the top of the glass, small bush like plants with tiny little pumpkins lounge down the neat path that breaks up the sections of garden. However he notices a cement bench with an ashtray and makes for it.
He sets her down and looks around in disbelief, "You grew all of this?" he questions.
"Yup." A touch of pride is in her voice as she puts a cigarette in between her lips, "There was a hurricane right before Luka bought this building. Tore off the top floor. She was pissed. She never did anything with it until I became her roommate." She fumbles with the lighter.
The flick of the lighter pulls his attention back to her, "Oh?"
"Yeah." Her hands shake too much and she quickly becomes angry with her instability. She chooses to throw the lighter in a fit.
Zoro cannot help but chuckle. He stands up and retrieves it without being asked, "How did the pair of you end up as roommates?" he inquires scooping up the plastic object and coming back. He takes a seat beside her and with steady hands lights the cancer stick.
"Thanks…" she hums relieved. Exhales, then answers his question, "I'm not always sure how we did. I don't remember a lot. Addict must have been on a bender for at least two weeks, but she slipped. I woke up in a cascade of rain, with a beautiful pink haired woman standing in front of me." A smile creeps onto her face, "She told me, You're going to be my model."
"Are you serious?" blinks Zoro's one good eye.
Lilith nods, "I was homeless because my alters were so out of control. I wasn't present most of the time so it didn't matter. Not until Luka was there." She laughs, "I blatantly told her I was heroin addict and would most likely rob her blind." She snorts at the memory, "She told me she would 'take her chances'. And I went home with her. She tatted me up and I ended up staying."
"Just like that?" he asks.
She nods, "Yeah… I'm not always here or stable, but she made the others stop taking over so suddenly. She helped in a lot of ways." She chuckles at a thought," But ya know what sealed the deal? I found out she had the stuff to cook… but she burned water."
Zoro offers a grin.
"Her excuse then became she needed a cook. So I stayed as her cook, but nothing like Sanji!" Zoro nods, and she sighs inhaling nicotine, "Then it turned into because I like you." She rolls her eyes fondly.
"I Like you?" he asks wonderingly.
"When Luka makes you as a friend, she'll tell you from time to time, I like you." She snorts, "I think it's a… way to remind you that she still cares." Lilith looks at Zoro who is wonderfully attentive.
"Guess that was little more drawn out than you wanted, but I'mma girl. Whadda expect?" she inhales as if smoking is the healthiest thing one can do and hands the pack back, "As wonderful as nicotine is, I have a feeling I'm going to be sick if I smoke anymore these."
"Can't imagine why." He says humorlessly, but there is an odd undertone that says his mind is elsewhere.
"Are you still hung up on that?" she asks serious.
He looks at, "Yes, I am. That-" he points at bandage over her left forearm, " -should never of happened!"
"Not your fault. There's no way, at least from the angle we were standing, for you to do what Wado did." Lilith sighs.
"Then it still should never of happened because Wado does not behave like that. Its Kitetsu is the one who craves blood." He sounds confused and wounded.
Lilith leans on his shoulder, "So what? Maybe you need to learn something else. Maybe they were listening to our conversation over dirty dishes and are trying to be unpredictable. You know, like they wanna train you more."
This explanation drains more tension out his body.
"All your worrying is making my goddamn tired. Geeze."
He laughs softly, "Normally I am accused of not worrying enough."
"See? Training." Says Lilith, and sighs sitting up and dashing the last of cigarette into the ashtray. "Alright I'm done." She grumbles tiredly, "Can I request a lift back down stairs? I can wobble to my bed." There is a distinct buzzing in her head. Its not pleasant but she finds it to mingle with the blood loss causing the heroin cravings to lessen and dope sickness to wash over.
"Of course." Zoro stands and picks her back up.
"Thanks." She tells him, and they go back down the stairs.
Zoro makes a beeline for Lilith and Luka's bedroom. Having taken Lilith to her bed earlier he knew where it was.
"Oh… thanks." She offers a smile as he slides her onto the mattress.
"You're welcome." He says, but his one good eye betrays his anxiety.
Lilith reaches out and grabs his coat stopping his hasty retreat, "Remember," she says, "You're being trained."
His lips turn up into a smile as she reassures him, "Right." He agrees.
She lets go, and the swordsman leaves.
No one asks Zoro why or where he took Lilith. There is no teasing, not even an acknowledgement that anything has changed. Everyone is made comfortable with blankets and pillows.
"Thank you again for staying the night." Luka says shyly.
Nami waves, "Its not a problem at all. Besides who wants to walk back to the ship?"
"Where'd you dock?" Luka asks curiously.
"East bay." She answers.
"Good choice." Laughs Luka, "Everyone here thinks its haunted. No one will touch it."
They laugh.
"Well goodnight. I'll see you in the morning."
Please review and tell me what you like or don't. Keep in mind I warp anything and everything to make a second story. lol Most of its cannon.
