Chapter 2: Escape;
Ella the Straw-Hat Pirate
Zoro awoke to the smell of something being fried. He looked around and saw Ella and Akemi cooking breakfast in the kitchen. "Good Morning, lazy-ass!" Ella laughed. Zoro sat up and yawned. "Good morning, Miss Bunny." He smirked. "Shut it, you! I'm making you food! Ain't you ever heard don't bite the hand that feeds ya!?" Ella pouted. "Yeah yeah, thanks for the food.." Zoro chuckled as Ella handed him a plate. Zoro dug in. "Mmm, wow, you're a really great cook, Ella!" He grinned.
"Thank you, my husband seemed to think so as well.." She smiled and blushed softly. "Hey now, don't be upset about him, its in the past now. And besides, if your husband loved you, he'd want you to be happy every day."
"Yes, I suppose you're right, but I realized that a long time ago, Zoro. I even tried dating again after he died, but the only guys I ever liked weren't okay with my situation and they ran off.."
"Well, they're all dumb assholes, any man would be lucky to have you as his own! From what I've seen, you are a wonderful women..Beautiful, sexy, a great cook, a wonderful mother, and incredibly talented, nonetheless..Don't let it get to ya."
"Oh...T-Thank you, Zoro.." Ella blushed happily. "T-that means a lot coming from you..." Ella smiled, sitting down beside him as they enjoyed their breakfast. "But whatever ya know? They weren't worth my time..Besides Akako, there was only one other man I truly loved...In fact, I've been in love with him my entire life...But I was always to shy to make a move on him. I think the only thing that hurts now is knowing I will never be with him..." Ella stared at her freshly-painted toenails and adverted her eyes from Zoro.
"Oh yeah? And who was that?" Zoro asked looking into her eyes. She didn't return his gaze. "Oh..No one in particular, you wouldn't know him.." Ella fibbed sadly. "Well either way, whoever he is, I say go for it. You're never gonna get anything in life with an attitude like that. You've gotta work for it."
"I know that!" Ella snapped. "But hes probably taken by now so why does it matter!"
"Ella..." Zoro said gently.
Ella looked off into space, saddened. Zoro sat there quietly with her for a moment, thinking of what to say.
"Look..All I can say is, if there isn't a ring on it, its fair game.." He joked, making Ella smile a little. "And if he doesn't notice how great you are, he doesn't deserve you anyway. You're a wonderful girl, Ella. Don't forget that. So quit your whining and keep trying!" Zoro punched her arm gently. "Right!" She grinned. "Sorry about that."
"Its no problem. We're human. It's normal. Just don't worry about it. Later on, I'll go tell my crew whats up, and we're gonna help you get outta that nasty place. They wont be able to hurt you and Akemi anymore. And maybe after that, you'll have a bit more luck with this guy of yours." Zoro petted Akemi's hair, making her smile. "Akemi could use a father-figure so don't be afraid to go for it. Not that you're not enough..Just sometimes kids feel empty with one parent missing. Right Akemi?"
Akemi nodded, glomping Zoro. "Heh heh, I guess she likes me." He chuckled, finishing up his breakfast. "Yeah, I guess she does..." Ella responding, smiling softly at the both of them. "Well, I have to get going now...Asshole will literally skin me alive if I'm late..." Ella held onto Akemi tightly, kissing her forehead. "I love you, baby...Keep being strong for mommy for just a few more days, okay? Zoro here is gonna make everything go back to how it used to be, okay...?" Akemi nodded, clinging to her mother. She gave Ella a kiss on the cheek as Ella went into the bedroom to change into her uniform. "You know, if you'd like, I can take Akemi with me to the Penthouse today to keep her safe. So she doesn't have to be home alone." Akemi looked at Zoro anxiously, her eyes pleading. "Would you..?" Ella asked. "Yeah, I don't mind. She doesn't seem that hard to get along with."
"I would love that!" Ella grinned. "Thank you so much, for everything..."
"Its no problem. Well, you heard her, Kid! Lets go!" Akemi clapped in excitement, running to her room to get dressed and grab her dolly and her stuffed bunny. She put on a red t-shirt with a teddy bear on it and a frilly pink skirt with red flats and climbed up on Zoro's shoulders in a hurry. She cuddled his face and smiled happily. "Come on kiddo, what'ya say we walk mommy to work?" Ella covered herself with her black trench-coat as they walked to the bar. "Thank you...I'm counting on you..." Ella kissed Zoro's cheek, making them both blush slightly. "I'll be here later to pick you up." He stated.
"Okay. Bye, Aki-Chan~" Ella gave her one last kiss on the forehead before walking into the bar. Akemi waved bye to her mother as Zoro walked away to the Penthouse.
"Hey, Zoro, nice to have you back! But who's the kid...?" Luffy asked. "She's Ella's." Zoro sighed. "Look guys...I've got some explaining to do..."
Zoro sat down and told Luffy and Nami about Akemi and Ella's situation.
"Oh wow..." Nami replied. "Poor girl...That sounds horrible.."
"So what, you want us to help you save them?"
"Yeah...I can take on the old man myself, but I need you two to protect Akemi and Ella while I do so. I need you guys to make sure they are safe when I go in and strike, because he has their entire apartment rigged with bombs. With Ella working long hours, Akemi has no where else to stay but with us. So I want her with you guys when the time comes, we cant have her staying in that godforsaken apartment."
"Agreed." Nami replied. "But watching her is up to you! I may be a women but babysitting isn't one of my fortes!"
"Akemi is pretty quiet, she shouldn't cause too much trouble." Zoro reassured. Akemi hopped down from his shoulders, sticking her tongue out at Nami and pulling her eyelid down. She took her toys and laid on the couch, cuddling them with her thumb in her mouth. Within a few minutes, she was asleep.
"Huh...That's one weird kid..." Luffy said.
"Shes been traumatized." Zoro replied. "Kids who've seen that sort of shit usually are a bit strange. And this one watched her father die.."
"That's harsh..Oh well! We're gonna make everything turn around for the better for them! And that Ella girl is strong! I'd like to recruit her!"
"I dunno about that...She's always been one to be stubborn. Even more stubborn than you. Just promise me I get to be there when you ask her. It's gonna be hilarious!" Zoro smirked.
"Uh, okay, if you say so.. But if shes half as good with a sword as you are, Zoro, shes definitely joining my crew!" Luffy grinned.
"And like I said, Promise I get to be there when you ask her!" Zoro laughed. "You'll most likely find out right then just how good she is! I know shes kicked MY ass a few times, that in itself is impressive!"
"Okay! I've decided then, shes gonna join the crew!" Luffy was ecstatic about his decision. Zoro on the other hand didn't know how Ella would react to it.
"Uh guys..." Nami asked. "Just in case...Don't you think we should get all of her stuff out of her house for her? I mean what a waste to have all of her precious things blown up.."
Zoro detected a faint smirk on Nami's face. "Now's not the time to be thinking about stealing all of Ella's money, you dope!" He growled.
"Heeeheee...Sorry...Couldn't help myself.." Nami giggled.
"She is right though, no telling what this old man will do as soon as I go in there with swords ablaze...Luffy, can you go in and get all of Ella's stuff and bring it on the pirate ship? We have quite a few spare rooms left, we can put it in there, can't we?"
"Well if shes joining the crew then I don't see why not! But if I save all of her stuff from being blown to smithereens, of course she has to join!" Luffy grinned and chuckled to himself before docking the boat by the bay in Ella's neighborhood and running into her apartment.
"Nami.." Zoro sighed. "Please, go with him and make sure he doesn't break anything...And for the love of god, leave Ella's money alone.."
"Alright alright...Sheesh..." Nami growled, fallowing Luffy.
"Right.." Zoro said, unsheathing his swords. "I should prepare, too.."
That night, Zoro went into the bar and ordered himself a few drinks. He looked around for Ella. She was no where in sight. He assumed she was backstage with another customer. He growled at the thought of another man touching her. "Wait, what?" He thought. "Why the hell do I care? It's none of my business what she does..."
The old man came out from the back and went behind the bar and began washing cups. He smiled to Zoro who was sitting at a stool drinking beer. "Back again, I see? Would you like another dance? I got some sexy girls here, for ya~" He suggested, holding out one of his arms, signalling for a few of the girls to come over to him. They stood shyly with their hands folded and their heads hung, starring at the ground. They seemed a bit fearful. Zoro concluded they must had been working there against their will as well. One of them was very tan with bright brown hair and bright blue eyes dressed in a teal bunny-suit and the other, very pale with silver eyes and dark purple hair dressed in a black bunny-suit. She glanced at the swords at Zoro's side and gasped slightly. "I..Is that...?" She whispered to the other girl, who nodded. "He must be Zoro.." She whispered back. "Hm?" Zoro asked them. "How do you know my name?"
"E..Ella.." The purple hair girl whispered. The old man glared at her when Ella's name was mentioned and the women hung her head in shame. Zoro became suspicious.
"Who are you two?" Zoro asked.
"Forgive me." The old man chuckled. "These two babes Janice.." He placed his hand on the purple-haired one's shoulder, making her flinch. "And Kallula." He placed the other hand on the brunette's shoulder. She glared at him then dropped her eyes back to the floor. "Ella is...Off duty tonight.." The old man chuckled. "But these two babes are just as sexy, huh?"
Zoro glared at the old man. What did he mean, off duty..? He had watched her walk into work this morning. She had to be there. Both of the girls looked sad and worried when the old man said that. Zoro figured they knew something. "..Sure.." Zoro said, still glaring at the old man. "I'll take both..."
"Oooooh, you drive a hard bargain young man!" The old man chuckled. "Alright then, but you're paying double!" Zoro threw a bag of gold at him, making the old man ever-so-happy. "Alright, you got yourself a deal!" The old man ran off cackling happily while Kallula and Janice escorted him to one of the private dance rooms. They sat him down, but before they could do anything, Zoro stopped them. "Girls, no, please..." He sighed. "I've had enough lap-dances for my entire life..."
They both looked at him confused. "So it is you.." Kallula stated. "Roronoa Zoro!?"
"Yes, it's me..Now where's Ella!? I saw her come in this morning!"
Janice and Kallula both looked at each other worriedly. They turned on some music to block out anyone hearing their conversation. "Its Douglas.." Janice replied. "He found out about your plan!"
"What!? How!?" Zoro exclaimed.
"We don't know...We believe he has his men posted all over the town..They must have overheard you somehow, and reported back to him.."
"So hes on to me?" Zoro asked.
"Afraid so.." Kallula replied.
"You guys still aren't answering me..Where the hell is Ella!?"
"We don't know!" Janice cried. "But when he found out, he tied Ella up and dragged her to the back room and beat her!"
"That was the last we heard of her.." Kallula said. "Shes always been a very good friend...We're worried about her...Please find her, Zoro.." Kallula was almost in tears. Janice was already crying. "Please...We don't want her to die..!" Janice whined.
"Okay okay, calm down, girls! I'm sure shes fine. Ella is a strong women, there's no way shes dead.." Zoro said. "If I know Ella, I know she wouldn't go down without a fight! So don't worry. I will find her." Zoro stood up and took his bandanna off his arm and tied it around his head. He walked slowly around the backstage with his hand on the hilt of his sword. He heard someone beating on the closet door and ran over to it. It wouldn't budge. "Ella is that you!?" He yelled. A muffled voice came from behind the closet door in response. Zoro took out one of his swords and sliced the lock, making the door swing open. There sat Ella in her bunny-suit all tied up and beaten. Scars and bruises covered her and her hair was halfway pulled down. She looked like she had a rough night. Zoro pulled her out and began to untie her. "Holy crap, Ella! Are you okay!?" He pulled the bandanna tied around her mouth off of her so she could speak. "Ugghh...I could be better.." She groaned weakly. Dried blood was on her mouth from where she had been hit. There was a large gash on her thigh and a few on her arms. She had lost a lot of blood and was half-way out of it from the bloodloss. "Don't worry..I'm gonna get you out of here..."
"Zoro.." Ella said weakly, "Just leave..."
"No, not without you."
"Zoro...get out of here..." Ella was slipping in and out of consciousness. "Hes coming.."
Suddenly, Zoro heard a clicking noise behind him. He turned to look. The old man had a gun pointed at Zoro's face. He grinned slyly. "Thought you could double-cross me and steal my girl, ah?" He cocked the gun. "Well you slimy little scumbag, I think not..Any last words, Roronoa Zoro...?" The old man mocked. Zoro smirked, jumping over the old man and landing behind him, Kuina's sword in his mouth and his own two in his hands. "Yeah...Bring it, ya old sonovabitch!" Zoro taunted. The old man chuckled. "Well now, what's faster...Three swords or a speeding bullet? I guess we'll find out.." Zoro stood ready, the old man began to pull back on the trigger, but had forgotten about Ella behind him. Ella spotted her own sword she had smuggled with her tossed carelessly to the side of the closet door. Right as he was about to fire, Ella stabbed him straight through the kneecap. He fell to the ground screaming. "OWWWW! YOU BITCH! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU DID THAT!"
"I can..." Ella laughed with what strength she had left. "I...Hate you...You stupid, fat, ugly motherfucker..! Burn in hell..." Ella spat.
Zoro looked at her shocked. Ella fell to the ground un-conscience. "E..Ella.." He mumbled. The old man pointed the gun at her with the intent of her never getting back up. But the wound made him too weak to move quickly. Zoro quickly gathered himself together and readied himself to strike. "Oni...Giri..!" Zoro shouted, cutting the old man's hands off and slicing the rest of him to bits. The old man screamed. "AAAHH MY HANDS! MY HAANNNDSSS!"
"Go on, strain yourself more...You'll only die faster." Zoro looked down upon the old man with a cruel and icy gaze. The old man shuddered in fear. "Just...Just end it already...!" The old man begged. "You're not worth it..." Zoro spat, picking Ella up bridal style and leaving the bar. Before he walked out, he looked back at all of the girls. "You're all free now. The old man's dead meat." They all cheered and ran off while Zoro carried Ella to the dock.
"I think that's all of her stuff." Luffy said. Akemi tugged on his arm and shook her head. "No? Hm, well, what did we miss?" Luffy asked. Akemi dragged Luffy to her bedroom. "Oh, I didn't even notice this room. Come on Nami, we got some more stuff to get!"
"I'm coming.." Nami yawned.
"She doesn't have a lot in here, I think most of her stuff was in Ella's room." Luffy replied.
"That's good, beacause I'm tired of this.."
Soon enough, they had everything of importance out of the small apartment, such as bedding and clothing and Akemi's toys. But they had seemed to forgotten one thing; Akemi's stuffed bunny that her father had bought for her the day she was born. Akemi looked around the ship for it frantically, then spotted it sitting in the living room floor from the open door in the small apartment. Ella became conscience around this time. "Zoro.." She mumbled, hugging him closer. He sat her down on the floor of the ship. "It's alright now, Ella. Get some rest. Nami here is gonna patch you up."
Nami got out a first aid kid and sat by Ella. "Wow, you got banged up pretty good...Don't worry now, I'll take good care of you."
Ella smiled a little at Nami. "T..Thank you..." Ella sighed in relief. Zoro saw Akemi walking back into the house to get her toy. He heard a ticking noise. "Huh..What's that noise..." Zoro thought. "Oh crap..." Zoro realized that the old man must have set off the bombs. "Akemi, get out of there!" Zoro yelled, running in after her. Ella jolted up, looking out towards her home as she heard the boom of each room exploding one by one. "ZORO! AKEMI!" Ella cried. "NO!" Nami and Ella watched in astonishment. The entire apartment complex caught fire. Luffy ran around evacuating everyone out of them. Ella got off the ship, using her long Katana to aid her walking all the way to the door. Akemi wouldn't stop until she grabbed her stuffed bunny. The entire apartment was up in flames. The ceiling began to collapse, one of the boards was heading straight for Akemi. Zoro ran over to her as fast as he could. "Akemi! Roll into a ball!" He demanded. Akemi obeyed and Zoro shielded her with his body so that the board fell on him instead of Akemi. "ZORO!" Ella cried, too weakened to have the courage to run into the flames, and suddenly seeing no point since her daughter was safe. He growled in pain and shoved it off, then hurriedly picked Akemi up and darted out the door. The entire place crumbled down as soon as they came out. Akemi sat on Zoro's shoulders, tears sliding down her face. A picture of her father and mother sat on one of the tables left behind. It was crushed and burned by the debris. Ella hugged Zoro tightly, thanking him over and over as she grabbed Akemi from his shoulders and cuddled her in her arms. "Akemi...My baby.." She cried. "I'm so glad you're safe.."
"I guess we did the right thing by collecting all of your belongings. I sort of figured this would happen.." Zoro coughed up ash and soot and flopped over on the ground, exhausted. Luffy and Nami helped them all back on the ship.
"So now that we saved you- and all of your stuff- you're gonna join my pirate crew!" Luffy exclaimed.
"WHAT!? Ella exclaimed. "WHEN THE FUCK DID YOU DECIDE THIS!?"
"When I put all your stuff into your room on my ship!" Luffy grinned.
"WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE TO TELL ME WHAT TO DO!?" Ella growled.
Zoro couldn't help but chuckle. He knew Ella wouldn't take it well.
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy, and I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!" He exclaimed.
"YOU'RE FUCKING CRAZY, KID! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW HARD THAT IS!?"
Luffy grinned. "Yup! But I can do it, I'm strong!"
"WELL WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU TO DECIDE MY DESTINY!?" Ella growled.
"The guy who just saved your life and all of your stuff and even made a big room for you on his Pirate ship! So get used to it miss, caz from this day forward, you're a Straw-Hat Pirate!" Luffy argued.
Ella fell back on the floorboards and groaned. "Oh please..! I guess you do make a good point though...Fine, kid, I'll be one of your pirates.."
Luffy petted Akemi's head as she cuddled her stuffed bunny. "And this ones gonna be a pirate in training!" He chuckled. Akemi grinned. She thought that sounded fun.
"So from this day forward..." Ella said, standing up in front of Luffy. She held out her fist with blood seeping from one of her wounds. "I take a blood-oath. From this day forward, I, Ellaesiah Rodriguez, will be a Straw-Hat pirate and fallow you anywhere you shall go. I swear my undying loyalty to you, Captain Monkey D. Luffy! And honor your name for saving me and my daughter.." Ella got down on one knee and bowed. "Thank you..."
Luffy simply grinned to her. "No problem! Welcome to the Crew!"
Ella grinned. "You're one strange dude."
"I know!" Luffy chuckled. "Thanks for noticing!"
"Welcome aboard." Nami said.
"Here, let me show you to your room." Zoro offered. Ella fallowed him downstairs. "Wow..This is pretty nice for a ship...But where's my furniture from the living room?"
"Luffy thought it was cool and he put it down in the Lounge."
"Sweet!" Ella grinned. "This is actually kind of exciting, I've always wanted to travel around the world! I'm so glad to be out of there...And it's all thanks to you." Ella smiled, blushing, and softly kissed Zoro's cheek. He blushed right back. "N-No problem.." He studdered, starting to go back upstairs. "And hey..." She smirked. "Don't get used to this sweet, loving, 'thanks for everything' Ella...She'll be gone by tomorrow.."
"I kinda wondered when you'd go back to normal.." Zoro smirked.
"Oh please, don't mistake my pity for kindness...I could've done all of that myself..." Ella giggled.
"Sure you could..." Zoro grinned. "Welcome aboard, Ella."
"Now then.." She said in a devious tone. "Get the FUCK out of my room..!" She shoved Zoro out and laughed wickedly. "No more Misses nice girl from here on out!"
"Fine by me!" Zoro chuckled darkly. "I like em feisty." He gave her a playful wink and shut the door behind him. He slid down and sat against it, sighing. "Seriously...!? Did I really just say that!? Stupid, Zoro, stupid..!" He scolded himself. "Wait, why do I care..?" He pouted. "Ah, fuck her! Shes just a dumb women.." He scoffed, walking back to his own quarters.
Ella swooned once she was alone and sighed nostalgically. "Its great to have you back again, old friend.." She whispered in a sad tone, breaking the bitter silence of the quiet night.