Okay! Second one coming right up!


Follow the sun

Follow the sun

We're leaving the rain behind

Together we'll be in harmony

Taking the time

We will find our way

Sunshine

I feel the energy

I need sunshine

Pouring down on me now

Sunshine

Don't you hide away

I want sunshine

Each and every day

Sunshine

I feel the energy

I need sunshine

Pouring down on me now

Sunshine

Don't you hide away

I want sunshine

Each and every day

Sunshine

I feel the energy

I need sunshine

Pouring down on me now

Sunshine

Don't you hide away

I want sunshine

Each and every day – by Triple J


Chapter 7: Speak

Then next day, Luffy wasn't his usually happy self. In fact, he was sore as hell, bruises covered his body, he didn't sleep well at all… needless to say he looked like crap.

"Whoa…" Whispered one guy.

"Isn't that Luffy? The guy that beat Bellamy in a single punch?" Whispered another.

"Yeah… And it looks like he fights outside of school too."

"That's creepy man… You think he's actually in a gang?"

"Wouldn't be the first someone could pull a good student act… I mean, he's not normal at all!"

"I hear ya! He has to have some insanity thing going on…"

"Even that Roroanoa guy isn't this scary to think about."

"No kidding, he's just scary to look at."

The teen could hear every guy, except Usopp because he was called in sick, whispering things about him. He would usually brush it off and not let it bother him, but he was sore and tired, and felt drained in everything of the aspects, making him unable to ignore the whispers about him.

Then Zoro came in, causing a hush in the room, for he was in at his earliest time on record: ten minutes before the bell, and before the teacher. His usually icy stare sent all the guys at unease as he headed to the teen, who had his head down, hoping to get some sleep in before class started. He tapped the other by the shoulder, causing the teen to look up and managed a small, weak, but honestly happy smile.

"Morning Zoro…" He said as he managed to get up, despite the small sore pains in his body.

Zoro held out his hand towards the other, making the other look at his hand and up to him for a hint. He moved his hand up and down in a shaking motion, making the other realize and shook his hand.

Luffy felt his usual cheerful spirit lift up as the other wanted to shake his hand, when he denied his on the very first day of school.

"Roroanoa Zoro…" The man said, it was quiet, but was loud and clear enough to be heard in the silent and tense room.

Everyone was shocked to hear the man after so long, while Luffy quickly recovered as he chuckled.

"Monkey D. Luffy!"

"I know…"

"So… Does this mean we're officially friends?" He tilted his head to the side.

The man grinned as he used his other hand to ruffle the other's hair. "Yeah, we're friends."

The teen laughed full out, spirits lifted to their usual max.

Zoro then looked at the guys in the room. "Oi! If any of you bastards say anymore crap about him," He grinned evilly. "I'll show you a hell beyond your deepest nightmares." The lighting of the rays behind him gave him a demonic appearance as his aura was known as all the guys backed up to the wall, all the time Luffy laughed like it was a comedic act.

"What's going on here?" Franky asked as he just walked in with an armful of papers.

"Morning Cyb-sensei." Zoro said loud and clear.

Franky dropped the papers as he jaw hang open and eyes wide from shock. "Y-You spoke!"

"I know…"

"It's a miracle!"

The green-haired man rolled his eyes as he went to his seat. "So, Luffy…"

"Yeah?"

"How the hell did you know where I live?"

"Na? It was in the phone book."

"Seriously?"

The teen nodded. "Hey, I've been meaning to ask you something, but I keep forgetting."

"Shoot."

"What was the deal with the tape recorder back in gym?"

Zoro shrugged. "I learn better through listening, so I secretly record the teacher's lectures and listen to them when I get home."

"Oh!"

"But now I have to do the old fashion way."

"Sorry."

"No biggie."

"Oi! As happy we are to hear your voice Zoro, we have a test today-"

"TEST!?" Luffy called out as he groaned. "No…"

Zoro patted on his back. "Don't worry, I didn't study either."

The other guys looked at the skeptical before them and thought the same thought: 'The world has ended…'


Lunch

"So she beats your ass 2001 times when you were little." Luffy said as he listened to Zoro's past.

"Yeah, and I haven't won once."

"No way!"

"Way." He sighed and looked up at the leaves of the tree. "When I challenged her to our last duel, and lost, we made a promise that both of us would be the best in the world… The next day she fell and broke her neck, instantly killed her… Wado is her sword, and with it, I carry her dreams with me. But when it was stolen, I couldn't face Sensei and I only went to the cemetery to escape the noise of the city."

"Then I got it back and you started talking."

The man had a small grin. "Yeah… I thought about if it was a good idea to be a friend to someone completely crazy and so damn happy all the time to the point that it got annoying…"

The teen waited patiently for the other to continue.

"So, then I thought 'What the hell? He got Wado back by himself while I was being an ass'. So here I am."

"You weren't being an ass. Yeah you were giving me the cold shoulder the first couple of days, but you seemed to by okay with me after that."

The man looked a little taken aback, but he grinned again. "I figured if I go along with it, you wouldn't be too interested. But that's not you."

"Nope!" He said as the bell rang, making them get up and head over to the building. "Usopp isn't gonna believe that you're talking when he gets back to school."

The man ruffled the other's head. "I know… Everyone seems to be getting over it by now, especially the one with your fight."

"That's good! I'm only like that to jerks who deserved it."

"Sounds about just."

The teen giggled as they went their separate ways. "See ya at gym!"

"See ya Luffy!"


Later: Luffy's Room

He ran into his room, grabbed a pencil and journal, flopped down on his bed and started to write.

'Dear Journal,

Since I didn't get the chance to write in you the other day, I'll write in yesterday and today's events. Well, yesterday I didn't have school, so I went to this old dojo that Kurina's dad lives and works as a sensei for, and asked about Zoro. The guy was really nice, but he didn't want to give out information until he knows that he knows he can trust me. Once I figured out the root to the problem, I went back to the city and found Franky and asked about when Robin comes out. He said I was insane to go to a Nighthunters' hideout alone, but like I told Robin, I wasn't just any average Daywalker. Fortunately all the Nighthunters were pretty low leveled and one of them gave up and told me where to find Zoro's katana, because those Nighthunters, though the enemy, they know the ins and outs of what goes around in the city. But I dragged the guy with me, so I know he was telling the truth. When I found Zoro's katana, I let him go and went back on the streets, where everyone seems really alarmed about me being covered in blood. I went to find a phone book and found his name and address and headed over. When I got there I was so hungry that I collapsed on Zoro when he opened the door. But, being the really cool and nice guy he is, fixed something up for me and I felt better. He seemed a bit lost and pissed at me for getting his sword back, but I told him that , like it or not, he's my friend and I want my friends to be happy! After that, I went back home, Nami yelled at me for being late, and I had a hard time falling asleep. So today, I felt like crap. All the guys, except Usopp because he was sick, at school started whispering things about me, but I was too sore and tired to defend myself. Then Zoro came in and went up to me, held out his hand to shake, and I would've been set for the whole day until he said is name! Yeah! He's not mute anymore! Everyone in the whole school was in a state of shock, but he and I had a blast talking about different things like his past. Well, that's all I have for now, I'll write in you tomorrow. See ya!'

He placed his stuff down and started on his homework.

"Luffy!" Nami called. "Dinner!"

"Coming!"


Don't ever stop, don't ever quit

Don't ever

Don't ever

Don't ever

Don't

Don't

Don't ever, ever, ever, ever

Yes, if I win

Then you are my friend

You are the best thing that ever happened to me

Don't ever

Don't ever

Don't

Don't

Don't ever, ever, ever

Yes, if I win

Win, win

Win, win

Win, win

Don't ever stop, don't ever quit

Don't ever quit your love for me

Yes, if I win

Then you are my friend

You are the best thing that ever happened to me

No one could ever come between you and me, baby

Because we know what friends should be

Don't ever stop, don't ever quit

Don't ever quit your love on me

Yes, if I win

Then you are my friend

You are the best thing that ever happened to me – Dr. Vibe feat. JP Miles


Need to recuperate now… See ya guys!