I'm baaaack~ 'Ere be chapter 2!

Before you read on… LOOK! I GOT ART! *Squeals*

http:/ feral-inari. deviantart(dot)com/favourites/#/d47lvv1 This is from the smexy lady (A.K.A PsychoChibbi) who practically forced me to submit Chapter 1 and instigated my return to fanfic-goodness.

http:/ feral-inari. deviantart(dot)/favourites/#/d49muuh This is from Sarus-crane A.K.A PaMmE13.

Mucho, Mucho Arigatou~ (see look at that… I'm multicultural!) I love these pieces of art so much you'll never know. *clings*

Also, Thanks for my reviews! *noms on the loverly peoples*

Enjoooyyy~


Zoro slowly stripped off his armour starting with un-hooking his shikoro from the heavy iron helmet. He needed a bath and thankfully he could have one. The rebelling clan had been forced back and out of the small village which sat at the edge of the woods, so some of their settlement was to be used for shelter tonight.

They had lost three more men to traps early in the morning as they had made their way to the village… that had annoyed Zoro greatly. He hated underhanded tactics. If you were to confront an enemy it should be an open, face to face fight.

Removing his swords he set them against the wall carefully and lay his helmet on the floor beside them. He then loosened the ties around his waist holding the protective leather and iron scaled armour over his thighs. He set them aside with a sigh and unfastened the sturdy forearm protectors letting them drop to join the rest of his discarded armour. It took almost as long to get into this armour as the actual battle…and when he was tired, dirty and blood soaked he loathed the time it took to take it all off.

As more items were dropped into a pile Zoro was interrupted by a quiet sound of disapproval.

"Shouldn't a samurai be looking after his armour better?"

Zoro's eye twitched as he turned slowly to face the fox spirit who seemed determined to cause him a record level of irritation.

"What do you want? … I'm really, really not in the mood for you right now." The swordsman dropped his shoulder plates to the floor, he didn't look up, instead he continued to untie the various fastenings holding his armour together.

"Moody Marimo." Sanji stated with a mocking pout, "You're no fun when you're plain grumpy." He tapped some ash from his pipe and moved to casually lean against the wall. "I'd have thought you would be full of the victory booze some of the men are drinking…" He trailed off when Zoro looked up at him.

"I'm tired. I'm dirty, covered in other people's blood, did I mention tired? Clearly I'm not in the mood for you. I want a bath, then some saké and then some sleep." He huffed as he dropped the last piece of armour and started work on his garments, kicking off his shoes at the same time.

Sanji looked at the dark eyes usually full of irritation and saw none; right now the guy was just battle worn and weary. Silently he stashed his pipe and moved over to start picking up Zoro's armour, setting it all carefully by the three swords the samurai never failed to take care of. He set aside items that needed cleaning. When he heard Zoro stop moving he looked up to see a questioning look.

"If you leave it here Keimi-Chan will only end up having to sort it all out for you…selfish Marimo."

Rolling his eyes Zoro moved over to the shoji doors and slid them open. Much to his relief someone had heard his request for a bath before he'd been dragged away by Luffy to discuss their next step before he started to celebrate. There was fresh steaming water ready that made him want to just sink into it now. He resisted the urge and slid the door shut behind him stripping off his clothes as he walked over to the bath.

"You could at least have said thank you." Sanji said floating through the door seemingly oblivious to the fact that Zoro was almost completely naked now.

"Will you get lost?" Zoro snarled, "I want to take a bath in peace." He didn't stop undressing, why should he care if the stupid fox saw him naked?

"According to Keimi-Chan's memories getting lost is your 'thing'… I'll teach you manners if it's the last thing I do shitty swordsman. Say thank you and I'll leave." He smirked.

"No." Zoro said flatly before finally lowering himself into the hot water. It was exactly as he liked it – almost too hot to stand. Any small wounds that came into contact with the almost scalding water made him hiss between tightly clenched teeth. Once settled in the water he relaxed back, arms either side of him, resting on the edge of the bath. Letting his head fall back he closed his eyes and let out a drawn out sigh.

Sanji tilted his head at the way he was dismissed so flatly. He'd been prowling about during the battle causing mischief for the opposing clan; usually he enjoyed activities like that. Not today though, he'd been so stressed about not knowing who this 'lost' person was he'd not really had time to enjoy his mischief. Now he wanted to have some fun with the swordsman…and he wasn't even rising to the bait, just flatly refusing to bother with the Kitsune.

"I honestly don't know what Keimi-Chan finds so interesting about you…" Sanji commented as he lay down on his side by the bath, trailing slender fingers through the water to Zoro's left.

"I've told you… I don't care what she thinks is interesting about me. I'm not interested so feel free to let her know that the next time you possess her…I know it was you." Zoro said without lifting his head.

"What was me?" Sanji asked as he smirked knowing exactly what Zoro was referring to.

"This morning, you possessed Keimi and spilled the hot tea on me, making it look like an accident." Shifting further into the bath Zoro still refused to look at the fox. Beginning to scrub at his bronzed skin getting rid of the dirt and blood he wondered why the stupid fox had latched onto him. It wasn't like he was this 'lost' one that the spirit was sent to watch. Sure he had a poor sense of direction but in every other sense of the word he was anything but! He knew who he was, what his purpose was… Zoro wasn't lost in terms of his life.

"Oh come on… it wasn't that hot. Keimi always makes sure it's at a nice drinking temperature knowing that Luffy is likely to just throw it down his neck… Have you noticed her cooking is getting better by the way?" Sanji asked smirking more. This morning since Keimi had been awake before most of the camp he'd possessed her again and made the morning meal… but also left her with a little present – some of his memories of learning to cook. These memories had been carefully disguised as though they were her own and she'd taken to them that well he'd been able to go and nap in a tree halfway through preparing the meal. As it turned out all Keimi needed were a few pointers, she was a fast learner.

"Yes…so have the rest of the camp. Don't screw her up fox. I'll find a way to kick your ass if you do. Luffy wouldn't be happy if something happened to her."

Sanji was quiet for a moment as he watched Zoro stand so that the water only came to his hips. The swordsman had a number of scars on his chest, stomach and arms. There was a scar about the width of a Tanto blade on the left of his chest, the huge scar that started just below his collar bone and ran across his chest to his hip and then there were smaller cuts and bruises that littered his front from today's fight. If you looked at the swordsman's back, it was a different story. His back was completely flawless; there wasn't a scratch on it.

Sitting up Sanji couldn't help but try to get a closer look. He frowned when the swordsman moved to face him.

"What are you doing Ero-fox?" He didn't like people being behind him unless he trusted them…this fox, he didn't trust one little bit. He scrubbed over a particularly tender bruise and scowled at it.

"…Ero…fox…" Sanji repeated before splashing water in Zoro's face. "To be a pervert I'd have to have something worth gawping at you shitty moss ball." He watched with slight satisfaction as the swordsman seemed to be getting irritated. "I was just curious as to why you have a whole collection of scars and injuries on your front and nothing on your back… clearly whoever you fight alongside does a better job of protecting your back than you do protecting your front."

The water in his face wasn't what irritated him. What irritated him was the fact that the stupid fox, who knew nothing about him, was questioning his abilities. Ducking under the water for a moment he quelled the urge to choke the fox with his bare hands and scrubbed any of the mud and grit from his hair. Coming up a moment later he slicked back his hair… ideally he needed to cut it short again…but he'd worry about that later. Right now he had a fox in his face that needed setting straight.

"Perhaps if you didn't wander around playing pointless pranks on our enemy and you actually joined the front of the ranks you would see what the real fighting is like. I don't have anyone covering my back, I protect it myself. My pride as a swordsman would be ruined if I took a wound to my back – it means I wasn't facing my enemy. It is dishonourable for a swordsman to turn his back on an opponent, just like it is dishonourable for a samurai to strike someone's back. Turning your back is running away… and I'll never run away from a fight."

Sanji considered the comments and sat back to regard the samurai.

"So…what that Usopp guy told Keimi-Chan was completely true? You actually let someone almost kill you to protect your back?" Absently he flicked one of his tails out of the way so he didn't lean on it.

"He chose not to kill me because of my decision - to face my fate head on." Zoro stated. "Perhaps my honour saved my life in that case… As far as I was concerned at that point I was going to die and my choice was to die with or without honour. Why I am explaining to you I don't know…" He finished, moodily sinking back into his bath.

Sanji was a little taken back by the explanation given.

"You're an interesting one…" He said standing and walking without a sound towards the shoji doors. "Ja ne." He waved over his shoulder without turning back.


He watched the Kitsune leave, floating through the shoji doors, shadow fading away. Surprised by the fact he was being left alone Zoro didn't know whether to trust that the fox had actually gone or not. For a few minutes he sat still as if waiting for the fox to do something, then he relaxed into the water fully with a drawn out sigh. All he needed now was a bottle of warm saké and everything would be perfect.

Sanji had left when he felt a strange sense of respect for the samurai's dedication to his honour. He'd known scores of people over the last seven centuries and only handful would truly face their death with such dedication to their honour.

He didn't want to respect the moss brain. He was brash, rude and dismissive. He was full of himself, he was stupidly proud and…and he had green hair. The fox spirit was chewing on the end of his pipe thoughtfully when Keimi walked past him. She was carrying a bottle of warm saké and heading towards the baths. For a second he was tempted to possess her and cause the swordsman more irritation but he soon dismissed the idea.

He needs to rest…

Sanji's ears flattened in irritation as he realised what he'd just done. He'd actually been concerned about Zoro for a moment, just a moment… but it was still a moment. I'll wait until he's had some rest…then I'll irritate the hell out of him. That should make up for my lapse in moss ball irritation.


Zoro had been relaxing with his eyes shut when the shoji door opened quietly. He didn't move, he could tell who it was from her footsteps. A tray was set down beside him, a drink poured and then she left. He smiled softly. Keimi had brought him saké… She was a thoughtful cheerful, sometimes naïve girl, attractive enough…but Zoro could only see her, at most, as a little sister.

Reaching out for his drink Zoro drank it slowly, savouring it. Today's battle had been easy enough; the thing that had made it difficult was his own unease. Since the previous night Zoro had felt that something was off. Usually he dismissed such feelings, whatever was in store for him he'd face it head on. This time it felt different, as though whatever it was that had happened would affect more than just himself…the fact the fox seemed to sense something at that time…

I just need a little sleep. Everything will be fine. Leave it to luck.

Beginning to doze off in the water Zoro hadn't been prepared for the noise, chaos and splashing that was Luffy entering the bath. Opening his eyes slowly as water dripped down his face, some wisps of green hair clinging to his forehead he levelled a bland stare on his so-called superior.

"Luffy…" He growled, "One day you'll do something like this and I'll have my swords at my side…"

The threat was one made regularly so the dark haired man only grinned and splashed more water in Zoro's direction.

"Oi, Oi!" Zoro said standing to shield his saké from the wet onslaught. "Have some respect for alcohol!"

Sanji had been floating around the camp aimlessly when he heard the commotion. Curious he floated on down to the baths, through the roof and sat on the rafter running along the centre of the room.

With a smirk he watched the camps leader drench the swordsman who was stood protecting his drink. He noted that Zoro had fully turned his back on Luffy seemingly trusting this young man. Throughout the dousing Zoro was pouring and drinking his saké, that being the only way he could properly protect his drink without wasting any.

Luffy was laughing his ass off and Sanji found himself grinning.

"Zoooorrrroooo~" He called out without letting up, "Keimi-Chan said you were being broody and boring again~"

"Did she?" Zoro growled before finishing his last drink. Sanji could see the swordsman's hand tighten around the saké bottle. "So you decided that it would be best to come and disturb me?" He turned menacingly, the bottle hidden behind his back.

"Haaaaiiiii"

Zoro's eyes narrowed and he launched the bottle straight for Luffy's face. Much to the fox's surprise Luffy just laughed and knocked it aside into the water doubling his efforts and splashing even more. Sanji had to tuck his tails up and around him to stop them being splashed.

The solemn man did something Sanji hadn't expected and actually laughed.

"You'll regret it Luffy." He warned moving forwards, which only elicited a more frenzied water flinging response from Luffy. Quite calmly Zoro got close enough to grab Luffy and hold him in a headlock. "I warned you Baka…"

Luffy tried to break free but Zoro's grip was too strong. Spluttering Luffy was ducked under the water before being practically thrown to the other side of the bath, where he splashed and sank. When he surfaced Zoro was nowhere to be seen.

"Ahh… Zoro?" He looked about confused.

Sanji was snickering away to himself as he watched Zoro move beneath the surface, edging closer and closer to the dark haired man. Suddenly water erupted by Luffy as a vice like grip caught him just above the knee, another hand at the middle of his back. Zoro heaved the man upward and out of the water. The force had Luffy rolling across the floor away from the bath.

"Don't interrupt my rest time." Zoro said laughing as Luffy tumbled into the wall and sat up looking disorientated.

If this kind of behaviour had been witnessed in other samurai clans Sanji knew there would have been a green head rolling about within minutes, but it seemed things worked differently with this Luffy guy. The pair were like play-fighting siblings.

Sitting up he just shook his head and grinned, "Well… you're not grumpy now." He laughed and stood up, "Job well done I think." He grinned even wider.

"Baka… get out of here." Zoro chuckled. "Go put some clothes on you shameless idiot."

"No more boring moodiness. We'll be done here and back with Ace and everyone before long." Luffy nodded and strolled away…naked.

Zoro was still chuckling softly after Luffy had left. If there was one thing he could count on Luffy for it was to judge how his companions were faring and knowing how to help them.

Sanji was lay across the rafter on his stomach, tails swaying as he analysed the dynamics between this group, they were certainly an interesting set of people. He wondered how many of them could actually get Zoro to react like that… He figured he might actually like the moody ass more if he lightened up a little. Seeing that the swordsman was frowning that familiar frown Sanji faded away in time to evade the samurai's detection.

Zoro looked around feeling as though he was being watched. He half expected to see the fox again, but there was no one around. With a shrug and a slight smile still tugging at the corner of his mouth he hauled himself out of the bath, dried off and slipped on a thin, plain black kimono. He made his way to his room and gladly lay down to rest. If Luffy felt ok about everything he had no real reason to worry.


Akainu had dispatched a carrier pigeon the very second he'd been forced from the Honnō-ji. He wasn't one to waste time. If he could get the clan challenging the Daimyo's men to join in a treaty they would be able to crush the last of those samurai loyal to the old man. In doing so the power shift would be immense, causing chaos. A chaos he could take control of.

The carrier pigeon would have got to its destination late afternoon the next day, from there he had to rely on one of his runners, though being as cautious as he was, the runner wouldn't be any old man of fleet foot. His network of runners were all from one ninja clan or another. Akainu had to pay dearly for such skill though he was willing to do it, sure that cost now was far outweighed by the benefit in the future.

He needed the treaty to be a success; it would be instrumental in his attack strategy. If it failed, it would all come down to the size of the Daimyo's remaining forces.


Sanji had taken to his tree again; for the most part the samurai were asleep, enjoying the comfort of indoor sleeping. He'd witnessed Luffy's idea of a celebration and felt sorry for Keimi who had been run ragged with cooking requests. He was proud of her; his memories were serving her well. He'd also seen Zoro drink twenty six men under the table and still be able to get up and walk steadily.

He'd hoped Zoro was sloping off to sleep because the drinking had made him ill…but he had no such luck. The swordsman was almost completely sober! He'd just gone to his room to sleep because he was tired… nothing remotely embarrassing there…

About to settle down to sleep himself, movement on the edge of the village had Sanji lightly hopping from his perch to investigate. He originally thought it was the guard on watch, but this was soon put out of his mind when he found the guard.

The young man was slumped against a building on the edge of the village, right by the woods. Sanji bent to see what was wrong with him and drew back in shock. The young man was mid-way through drawing his sword, clearly having spotted the person Sanji had seen moving around. This person didn't want to be found… how did Sanji know? The poor guard had a knife stuck through his throat; handle protruding from the front of his throat, the rest of the blade was wedged in the man's neck and partially embedded in the wall of the building he was awkwardly slumped against.

Shit…

Sanji had gone straight to Zoro's room, knowing him to be sober and knowing he'd not end up with someone sat dumbly looking at him when he woke them.

Taking the swordsman's shoulder he shook gently and had to quickly turn into his less solid form when Zoro lunged at him with a drawn blade from beneath his pillow.

"What the hell are you doing fox?" He hissed withdrawing the blade from Sanji's ghostly apparition.

"You need to hurry up, there is someone moving around in the village."

"Tell the guard, and tell him if he's let someone in I'll wedge his sword so far up his ass he'll need to swallow a whet stone to sharpen it." Zoro shook his head and began to settle back, "What do you think a guard is for Baka…leave me to sleep." He waved the fox off.

"He'll be no use, he has a knife through his throat pinning him to the building by the woods. Someone is moving through the town towards your enemy." Sanji tugged at Zoro to get up, pulling the thin black kimono loose, revealing a tan shoulder.

Zoro was up and on his feet, retrieving his swords as soon as the spirits words had sunk in.

"Do you know where they're heading?" He asked running out of his room and shouting for people to wake because there was an intruder.

Keeping up with the swordsman Sanji was silent for a moment as he listened out with his keen ears. …Sounds like they're heading straight through towards the enemy. This way!" Sanji passed through a thin wooden wall.

Rolling his eyes Zoro drew a sword and cut his path through anything standing in his way. As he followed the fox he was able to make out the figure running ahead… one man, average height, dressed in black. He watched as the person looked over his shoulder, seeing the swordsman. The figure darted into a small building.

Coming to a stop at the door Sanji barred Zoro's way. "He's in there… prowling… waiting for you to enter."

He watched the fox's ears twitch and adjust to catch the sound made by whoever this person was. To his amazement Sanji's figure changed slowly, sinking down to the floor on all fours. Standing by him was a seven tailed fox; a small ball of fox fire was conjured and left to float lazily above the foxes head. The fox nodded towards the building as though the swordsman should enter, the little ball of fox fire heading in before them.

Sword drawn Zoro stepped inside, the first thing coming to his attention was the strong smell of rapeseed oil… The lanterns had been snuffed out and the oil spilled. In the darkness the fox fire produced an eerie blue-green light over the corridor they had stepped into, distorted shadows moving oddly across the walls. Both fox and swordsman advanced slowly and silently. Zoro's bare feet sliding slightly as he stepped into a pool of oil. His hands tightened around the hilt of his sword, straining his senses to try and figure out where the intruder had moved to.

Hearing sound to his right Zoro lashed out savagely, only coming into contact with the corridor wall. The fox shook its head and rolled its eyes at the swordsman's noisy behaviour. The samurai had obviously disturbed the intruder hiding in the darkness as hurried steps could be heard. Zoro crashed through the damaged wall without a thought. Skidding in more rapeseed oil the swordsman struggled to follow the sounds of the intruder. Sanji kept pace beside the samurai easily in his fox form, his fox fire shone more brightly ahead of them, the intruder's shadowy outline becoming visible as they caught up with him.

The intruder halted by a set of doors, a broken lantern held out in front of him, rapeseed oil leaking from it. Zoro had a hard time stopping on the slicked floor, sword held ready as he glared at the man illuminated by the fox's blue-green fire.

"What the hell are you doing? Who are you?" Zoro snarled as he took in the man's appearance and analysing him as quickly as he could. They were roughly the same size and build… the other man was clad in black ninja gear, a selection of kunai and shuriken were strapped across his torso, glinting menacingly in the eerie light.

The only reply was a snort of laughter as the man's chin was tilted up defiantly. The man dropped the lantern and quickly held up another object. It took Zoro a second to recognise what it was, on recognition Zoro swore under his breath as the ninja blew on the object making it glow more brightly. The man held a glowing slow-match from one of the new guns which were increasing in popularity. He threw the lit taper towards Zoro and hurled himself backwards through the thin screen doors behind him.

"Oh…shit…" Zoro snapped as the taper hit the pool of rapeseed oil and ignited. He watched as the fox leapt easily over the flames before they could take hold chasing down the ninja making his escape. Shielding his face automatically Zoro prepared for the burn of the flames as he forced himself forwards… though no heat came…

Moving his crossed arms he saw that the flames weren't making contact with him, a faint blue-green haze surrounding him and seeming to keep the heat of the flames back. He didn't have time to think about what this odd experience was as a pained shout came from outside. Running outside he watched as the fox dragged the ninja to the floor by the arm, jaws locked tightly around the limb as he snarled.

The ninja tried to shove the fox off only to find after a few seconds he was fighting against a blonde man who had him pinned painfully to the floor. Struggling harder he knocked Sanji off balance and grabbed for a knife.

"Stay. Still." Zoro growled, not giving the man chance to do any different as he drove his sword through the intruder's upper arm and into the ground. "I don't take kindly to people killing my men…" The deep voice was laced with hate as Zoro moved to stand on the ninja's uninjured arm, preventing him from moving. The sound of approaching samurai grew louder.

Zoro watched as the Yokai straightened up, a look of distaste clear on his pale face. The swordsman quirked a brow as the fox spirit stuck out his tongue.

"Urgh… It's official… Rapeseed coated ninja tastes like crap." His ears twitched towards the sound of the incoming samurai. "Better make myself scarce." With that Sanji faded out of sight.

Zoro could still sense the fox but said nothing as the first men reached him. He had them search the ninja and disarm him before pulling his sword free. The man was carrying a message destined for the rebelling clan. What caught Zoro's attention was a seal he recognised well. Quickly hiding it from view he let the men deal with securing the intruder and dousing the flames threatening to consume the small building they had crashed through moments before.

Sanji had seen the green haired swordsman quickly hide what looked to be a message. Deciding he'd seen far too many ninja captured over the years he followed Zoro to a quiet corner of the village. Seeing the man squinting at the writing Sanji appeared by his side.

"Here…" Holding his hand out the fox spirit blew gently on his open hand. Small blue-green flames appeared eventually intertwining and forming a small ball of fox fire.

Zoro looked at the fox for a moment and grunted what could almost have counted as thanks. He settled to reading now that he could see properly.

Smirking that he'd managed to get some kind of thankful response from the stoic moss ball he was ready to set to teasing him about a fox doing his dirty work when he noticed the violent shaking of the swordsman's hands.

"No… This isn't right… It can't be right." Zoro mumbled as he read, re-read and read again. The code this message was written in was one he was very familiar with, just as he was familiar with the seal. It didn't matter how many times he read it, the message was always going to remain the same. Numbly, silently he began to walk towards the one man he didn't want to see…the one man he never wanted to give this kind of news.

Sanji tilted his head and frowned in concern as the swordsman seemed to be in a daze. He didn't know how to work whatever code was used to write the message, so he was oblivious to what had the samurai so shaken. Snuffing out his fox fire and hiding his presence again, Sanji floated closely behind the samurai, stopping just behind him as he came to a standstill in front of Luffy.

"L…Luffy…" He held out the message. "I'm … Gomen Nasai…" He said quietly. Dark eyes stayed on Luffy's face as he watched him read the message.

"Aww, Zoro, you know I hate codes. What does it say?" He asked in his usual unconcerned tone. Whatever it was they would deal with it like they always did. He grimaced knowing the seal to be Akainu's. If Akainu had sent it, it was probably another rant about how Luffy needed to bring his men up to date with their weaponry… it wasn't going to happen. Simple as that.

When Zoro didn't make a sound Luffy looked at him properly and grew worried.

"Zoro?"

"Gomen Nasai… Ace-san…" He faltered before forcing himself to continue, "Luffy, Akainu has betrayed us. He killed the Daimyo…" He felt sick; he shouldn't be breaking this news to his long-time companion. "He killed the Daimyo and Ace, now he wants to join forces with our enemy and crush the Daimyo's remaining forces – Us." He finished on a whisper, his voice struggling out of him as he watched the young man begin to break.

Luffy sank to his knees but kept his eyes on Zoro's. The man wasn't lying. He wanted him to be, but he knew in his heart of hearts as he heard the news…that it was true.

"…Ace…" Shaking he clenched his hand around the parchment, "…Ace…"

Zoro crouched beside him unable to do anything other than be by his side.

"AAAACCEEEEEE!" Luffy howled, the sound making people moving around go deathly still. It was a cry of pure, heart-broken anguish that only came from the deepest loss. The scream carried out into the silence of the night. The group were watching their leader, all of them, every single one of them, wanted to do something to stop the pain they could see on that young man's face… That much was clear to the Kitsune.

A grunt drew Zoro's attention and he stood sharply, dark eyes on the ninja over powering one of his men despite his injuries. He was making a break for it. Zoro wasn't going to leave Luffy's side, so his mind was made up quickly.

"Usopp! Shoot the messenger… Shoot him or so help me, you'll never be able to pick up a gun again." He snarled.

The long nosed man stepped out of the shadows he'd been cowering in. Zoro never liked the fact he'd trained to use a gun. As far as the samurai was concerned guns would be the end of honourable battle. Zoro had sworn he'd never use one, and that he'd never allow an enemy worth even a grain of respect to be killed by a gun on his order.

"Now Usopp…" Zoro snapped when the man hesitated. "He doesn't deserve any respect. None, none at all. He turned his back…Coward!" He bellowed the last word.

The shout shook Usopp out of his daze and he lit the slow match and levelled the gun, taking aim.

Sanji didn't believe the trembling idiot would be able to hit the ninja. For a start it was dark.

Holding his breath Usopp steadied himself, squeezing the trigger the sound of gunpowder being ignited followed by a loud crack echoing out over Luffy's sounds of anguish. The group's only marksman was suddenly enveloped in a cloud of smoke.

The next sound was a dull thud. The ninja fell to the ground.

Sanji had seen it all, his keen eyes catching what only a few others would have been able to see in the darkness. The Ninja's head had jerked, his body moving disjointedly as a haze of crimson hung in the air for a second before his body slumped heavily to the ground and became still. It looked like the long nosed man had skill.


It had taken a few hours, but Luffy had finally drifted off into a fitful sleep. At first even Zoro couldn't get the young man to move. He just sat there staring at the night sky, broken, silent tears sliding down his cheeks.

The men had become tense and unsettled. Luffy had never been like this, not even in the face of the most deathly situation. It felt as though the heart of their group had been cut out.

Now Zoro sat by the open doors of Luffy's room drinking saké to calm his unsettled thoughts. Ace had been a huge part of Luffy's life, they'd fought together, survived together, been brought up together… Though they weren't blood brothers they were closer than most.

"Who was Ace?" Sanji asked as he sat by Zoro without making any sound on the wooden flooring.

"Luffy's adoptive older brother… closest to real family the guy had." Zoro replied sounding completely subdued.

"Will he be ok?" The fox spirit looked over his shoulder into the room where the young man slept, even now, tears leaked from his closed eyes.

"Don't know." Zoro said before draining his drink. "He's just had a big part of his life torn away. Feels guilty for not being there… He's… lost." Zoro mumbled dark eyes fixed on the moon. "He's completely lost in grief right now… I don't know that man… He's a shell. We need him back."

"Lost?" Sanji repeated quietly, blue eyes lingering on the sleeping man.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~TO BE CONTINUED~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shikoro – A neck guard that was hooked onto the helmet (or Kabuto) to protect the samurai's throat.

Shoji - A door, window or room divider consisting of translucent paper over a frame of wood which holds together a lattice of wood or bamboo.

Tanto - Referred to as a knife or dagger, the blade is single or double edged with a length between 15 and 30 cm. This blade is flat, and has no ridgeline (unlike a katana).

Hope enjoyed Chapter 2 and that you'll stick with me & keep reading~