Happy Holidays Everybody! So here is chapter seven, no more of that copying from the anime! Yay so all original stuff now! I hope you enjoy it and keep reading my fanfic. Also I hope I get more reviews here because I haven't gotten that many. Also as a XMAS gift to all my beloved readers I will put up the 1st chapter of my Naruto Fanfiction on XMAS EVE! You'll have to wait till then hehe. It's called Confined in Me so go look for it it and plz review! Even if it's just a Happy Holidays or Merry Xmas
Chapter 7: Prisoners
Zoro came back to consciousness slowly as many voices swam around him. He was on the floor, well most of him anyway. His feet were being held up by the ankles in a strong, firm grip. He focused on keeping his body still and his breathing calm, so his captors would believe he was still unconscious, and he tried to listen in on the conversation through his muddled hearing.
"She's quite the trickster that Reiko," said a voice Zoro didn't recognize. Reiko, damn her! thought Zoro angrily. It was her fault he was here now. She had betrayed the entire crew; played them all for fools. And he was going to make sure she didn't get away with it.
"Yeah, maybe she's been playing us instead of them. It would be in our best interests to lock her up as well. I'm not sure we can trust her," said a familiar voice. Zoro recognized it; remembering the axe man that had appeared with the Pacifista. He was the one with the grip around his ankles.
"Perhaps. We'll see what she has to say for herself once she awakens," said the unknown voice again. Zoro didn't quite understand what the man meant. Was Reiko unconscious? Suddenly he was being pulled away by two different hands. These weren't as large or as rough.
"Take Roronoa to the prison cells."
Zoro scowled as he was he was dragged down the halls. He carefully opened his eyes, hoping that the men taking him weren't watching. He saw the backs of two rookie marines slightly above him. They were the ones dragging him. He tensed his muscles in his stomach and shoulders as he prepared to lift himself and attack the marines. But as he tried to get up, pain wracked his entire body. He had forgotten how bad he had been hurt, because he hadn't been moving before. He clenched his teeth as every muscle in his body screamed in pain. He groaned quietly as he prepared to move again. This time he mustered enough strength to pull his legs from the grasp of the marines and get up to his hands and knees.
"He's awake!" said one of the shocked marines.
Zoro pressed a hand against his burning chest. He coughed and gagged on the blood in his mouth before spitting it out. He felt moisture on his hand and bowed his head to look at it. He had reopened the wound Admiral Kizaru had given him just upon his arrival. His palm was covered in a thin layer of blood. He was so dazed that he didn't hear nor notice the marine guards approaching him. They pushed him to the ground and held his hands up to his back, making him cough up more blood. They brought him up to his feet, holding him by the shoulders and keeping his arms behind his back. He grunted as he was pushed into his cell. Because of his weakened state he toppled over when he was thrown in. He laid there for a second before sitting up, leaning on the back wall. He closed his eyes, tired. He had to find out where he was and where the rest of the crew was. What had happened with them and with Reiko? He sighed crossed his arms over his chest and began to think of his escape.
x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x
Yamashi watched as Reiko slept comfortably on her bed; thinking, plotting. His mind wandered back to what Sentoumaru had told him.
"She let the rest of the crew go. She said it would be more beneficial to just bring Roronoa in and have the rest of them come to us."
Yamashi frowned. He knew Reiko better than the girl knew herself. It was unlike her to be concerned about how much trouble the marines had to go through to get their targets. And even more unlike her to show any form of mercy to a pirate. They were the ones to bring up the war between the two werewolf clans, Yamashi thought with a chuckle. This also hadn't been her first infiltration mission. Something had changed this time. Reiko has been quite out of character lately. She's gotten too close to this mission, tracking the Strawhats for so long, chasing them, learning about their powers and their personalities, of course it made infiltrating them all the easier, but once she met them she couldn't help herself I suppose. He had suspected it ever since she had poisoned Ankoro after he had hurt the swordsman. That's it! he thought as something clicked in his mind. The swordsman. There's something about this one that's caught her eye. She's not thinking reasonably. Every questionable thing she has done up to this point has revolved around the swordsman.
Yamashi was so caught up in his discovery he didn't hear Reiko wake up and sit up, glaring at him. She gave him a few seconds before saying, "What are you doing in here?"
"Hm? Ah, Reiko my dear, you're awake. How are you feeling?"
"Answer the question."
"Really Reiko, is that anyway to speak to your captain?" he asked smoothly.
Reiko rolled her eyes irritated. "I'm not in the mood for your games Yamashi."
"Are you ever?"
"No. Now answer the question."
"Of course. I was watching over you while you rested. You took quite a beating."
"I heal fast, you know that."
"Oh yes, that you do. I still marvel at the gift of your kind." Reiko glared at him suspiciously; talking to her like she was his pet was not appealing at all. "One night and you're almost as good as new. Though, you probably have a nasty scar on your back."
Reiko looked at the hole in her shirt on her back. She was surprised to see that she did indeed have a large burn scar on her back from Kizaru's blast. Her body was still stiff and sore. Her injuries where gone but she was still feeling the effects. And Yamashi knew this. He knew everything about her.
"Well I hope that while your body may not be fully rested yet, your attitude has had time to readjust."
"What do you mean?" she asked frowning.
"You have been acting quite strange as of late. Preventing me from catching the Strawhats only to tell me where you will be landing to continue a sneak attack there. And then right before our attack, you call to cancel the mission. Not like you my dear, not like you at all," he said, clearly unpleased.
Reiko frowned and began to become nervous and concerned. "I told you that there was no way you were going to capture the Strawhats when they were on their ship like that," she said trying to excuse her actions.
"Indeed. And I agreed with your plan of action, seeing as it was the most fitting, but then you sent a message to retire from the plan." Reiko swallowed hard unsure of how to answer. He noticed, and smirked. "I became worried, believing you had called us off because the Strawhats were much too prepared, as that is what you told our spy on the island. So I asked for Kizaru and Sentoumaru to go to your aid, instead of forcing you to stay in the clutches of those filthy pirates for any longer."
She paused, she knew he was lying, he had done it because he didn't want to get his hands dirty.
"Right… and I appreciate it…" she said hoping he wouldn't ask more about it.
Yamashi smirked and stood, prepared to 'ruffle her fur' once more. He headed towards the door.
"Well now that you're up, I'm going to go check on our newest prisoner," he said over his shoulder. Reiko's blood chilled as she remembered Zoro was here as well. She bit her lip; maybe it wasn't such a good idea to bring him with us… she thought tensely. She didn't want to face him, because that would mean facing what she had done. But she knew if she didn't go, Yamashi could spew out whatever lies he wanted and ruin everything for her. But if she did go Yamashi would figure out how she felt for the Strawhats and Zoro. The one thing he didn't know. Reiko sighed.
Yamashi began to count down in his head as he neared the door. Five… four… three… two… one….
"Wait," said Reiko. He did. "I'll go with you."
Yamashi smirked and looked back. "I thought you might say that," he said and then walked out.
Reiko sighed angrily and rolled her eyes. Bastard, she thought and followed him out. When she caught up to him she saw that he was wearing a new hat. This one was purple with a strange shell stuck on the front of it, just on top of the rim of the hat.
"Nice hat," she said.
Yamashi raised an eyebrow and looked at her. "You like it?"
"It's not bad; but I've seen better."
"Ah yes. My other hat has always been your favorite," said Yamashi referring to the large white feathered one he had worn when he attacked the Strawhats. "I do remember it being yours to begin with. I'm still not entirely sure why you gave it to me if you liked it so much."
"I've already told you why. It was a gift for taking me in."
"Ah yes, so then why did you take it back?"
"Well you caught me off guard and pissed me off a bit. It was just a little pay back."
"Ah I see. And where is that beloved hat now?"
"I guess it's still on the Strawhat ship. I must have left it there…"
"And how do you intend on getting it back exactly? Especially after what you just did."
"Like I told Kizaru, the Strawhats will come here for Zoro."
"And for you as well," Yamashi interrupted.
"Uh… yeah I guess," she said, beginning to get suspicious.
Yamashi smirked and looked away. "Sentoumaru told me about how you 'convinced' him and Kizaru to let the Strawhats escape. One more thing adding to your strange behavior as of late," he said pretending, very obviously, as if he hadn't noticed the suspicion in her voice.
Reiko swallowed hard as sweat formed on her temple. She knew Sentoumaru hadn't approved of her idea. And now that Yamashi knew she was in big trouble.
"They could have easily apprehended them. And Kizaru isn't one to show mercy to pirates. I wonder what exactly you said to change his mind."
So do I, thought Reiko. It's not like Kizaru to let pirates get away like that. I'm glad he just fell for my sap story about wanting to finish it on my own turf. I guess pride really is everything to men.
"Who cares what it was? All I know is that I did you a favor," she said.
Yamashi looked at her confused. "Explain," he demanded.
"Think about it. If Kizaru and Sentoumaru would have taken down the Strawhats then nothing major would have happened for you. And of course you wouldn't have gotten any of the bounty. Sure I would get some recognition and all but that's it. Now imagine that Kizaru lets them get away. They get scolded and then the infamous Strawhats show up at your door and you take them down, with my help of course, and get all the glory! Then you could even get promoted, besides the huge bounties on most of their heads."
"Ah you are quite right. But you aren't a saint. What would be in it for you?"
Reiko looked away smirking. "Oh nothing much. A bit of recognition here, some nice rewards there, oh and maybe a few more solo jobs," she said coyly.
Yamashi laughed. "I knew you would ask for something like that. Still attempting to find that precious stone of yours."
"Yes. I'm going to find it no matter what."
"For that you would need to find the One Piece, no easy task."
"Pirates are convinced they can do it. So can I."
"You know it might not even be there."
"Yes, but it's the only clue I've got."
"Right….. Well I suppose all of your actions now in my favor can make up your horrible attitude towards me on the ship earlier."
"Right…"
"When I showed up with the fleet and you came into my office, you were being very rude you know, even if your intentions were in our benefit. I'm not quite sure how to take it."
"I apologize. I was out of place. You caught me off guard. I'd been searching for the Strawhats for so long I didn't expect you to show up and ruin my thunder."
"I was worried about you dear, you'd been gone for quite some time and the Strawhats were beginning to get infamous. I decided that the best way to find you was to find them. Though, I didn't expect your reaction to be so cold."
"It was a mistake…"
"Obviously. Let's just hope it doesn't happen again. I would hate to have to punish you."
"Yeah…" Reiko said as they turned the corner, and entered the jail cell corridor.
"Ah here we are."
Reiko slowly followed behind as Yamashi approached Zoro's cell. He was sitting cross-legged with his back against the wall, head hanged and arms across his blood stained shirt.
"Roronoa Zoro. What a pleasure to have you here," said Yamashi, calmly.
Zoro looked up, a scowl plastered on his face. He looked from Yamashi to Reiko and the scowl deepened. He glared at her for a few seconds and she broke his gaze by looking away. Then he took looked back at Yamashi.
Yamashi noted the quick interaction. "It seems he's held a grudge against you my dear."
"Seems so," said Reiko blandly.
"Strange how a pirate would be so angry about treachery," commented Yamashi.
"Pirates are all traitorous and horrid. He's not mad about that. He's just pissed that I was able to trick him so easily and now he's stuck here because of it," she said, knowing it was all lies.
Yamashi laughed and Zoro growled at the both of them. They were mocking him and his Nakama, and they were going to pay.
"Where am I? And where is the rest of my crew!" Zoro demanded. Yamashi's laugh died into a cold chuckle and he turned to face Reiko.
"Reiko my dear would you mind answering that?"
"Sure. After Admiral Kizaru appeared and attacked you I decided to save you and keep you alive as bait for the rest of your crew. They escaped and are on their way here. Into an ambush of course, but they don't expect that in the least."
Zoro growled. "Why!?"
"Because if Admiral Kizaru had taken you and the rest of your crew down then I would have had to swallow my pride. I've been tracking you Strawhats down since you defeated the Shichibukai Crocodile. It was my mission to take you down and bring you in. It took me a while to get all of my information on you and to reach you, but I finally was able to accomplish my goals."
He glared at her. "That's not what I meant…"
Reiko's heart skipped a beat at his words hit home; reminding her of the painful nightmare she had had on the Sunny. She blinked regained her composure and glared him down not saying a word.
Yamashi noted her reaction. Then he looked down to his watch and said, "It seems like I will need to tend to some important business soon. Unfortunately enough I won't be able to stay and enjoy the show. I assume you'll be able to take care of things here."
"Of course," she said emotionless.
"Very well. I expect a full report when you're complete," he said, before turning on his heel and walking away.
Reiko stood motionless and continued to stare blankly, for she was listening to Yamashi's footsteps. Zoro watched her, slightly confused at her new persona. She was acting so differently than she had before with them. On the ship she had been energetic, full of excitement and happiness. But now she was emotionless and cold. He wondered how she could have fooled them all so well. How she could have shown such true emotions to him and the rest of the crew on the ship if in reality she didn't know what emotion was. It's true, he had been suspicious of her at the beginning, and he had been right to, but in the short time she had been with them she had, dare he say, become their Nakama. But now she was acting as if none of that had ever happened, as if the events meant nothing. But how could they be nothing but false memories? She had saved his life hadn't she? She risked her own life for the rest of them, shown him her weakness and her vulnerability. And not a day later she betrayed them all. He didn't understand. He watched her trying to figure out what had gone wrong, where she had changed into this cold being.
Suddenly her ear twitched, making the golden hoop earring jingle. She knew Yamashi was out of her hearing range, and she let out a sigh and her body's straight and tall form drooped down in exhaustion. She closed her eyes; it was just her and Zoro now.
"I am truly sorry," she muttered.
x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x
The Thousand Sunny quickly came into view as Luffy, Robin and Chopper approached the ship. They had spent the night in the woods to rest. At one point Luffy had gotten so hungry he almost ate Chopper. Strangely enough, Robin noted, that had been the only normal thing Luffy had done. Well normal for Luffy anyway. He had been very quiet and very, very serious during their whole trip. She wasn't even sure if he had slept at all. He was probably very concerned about Reiko and Zoro. He was their captain after all, and letting them get taken away like that must have been torture to the young pirate.
They soon walked onto the ship and saw that everyone else had already arrived. The entire crew noticed Luffy was out of his normal character and tension was created on the ship. Nami walked up to Luffy.
"Luffy what are we going to do now?" she asked.
He looked at her and blinked a bit confused. "What do you mean? We're going to get Zoro and Reiko back of course. You remember where she said she'd be right?"
Most everyone flinched when Luffy said they were going for Reiko as well.
"Luffy…. She's a marine. She's our enemy. Do you really think we can trust her?" asked Usopp.
"Of course we can. She's our Nakama! What's wrong with you guys?"
"What's wrong with us?!" demanded Nami. "What's wrong with you?! She's a marine! She set us up! She can't be our Nakama!"
"She said she was a pirate!"
"She was lying!"
"How do you know?! She could have been lying about being a marine!" Luffy asked sternly, getting very irritated that no one trusted Reiko after she'd obviously risked her life to save Zoro.
"Luffy those marines knew her…" Nami sighed. "She really is a marine."
He frowned at her. "She saved Zoro. She said she would protect him and I believe her. She saved all of us… Now we have to save her!"
They all looked at each other. He was right, she had stopped the marines so that they could get away.
"It doesn't make any sense. But then when does anything we do ever make sense?" Nami said, sighing and giving into her captain's orders.
Luffy smiled and giggled happily. "So we're heading to the marine base on… uh…."
"Sonic Island," said Nami.
"RIGHT! Sonic Island!"
"Yeah!" agreed the crew.
They all went to their posts and began to set sail for their new quest.
Usopp looked at Chopper and whispered, "How come it's always the women on this ship that cause us trouble? I mean first it was Nami who stole the Going Merry and was actually part of Arlong's Crew. Then Robin gave herself to the world military so we had to go save her. And now Reiko's pretending to be a marine!"
"Well it's not just the women. You fought Luffy over the Going Merry and left the crew too."
"UH….. Yeah but….. That was all a secret tactic so that when I went to go help save Robin they wouldn't know I was Sogeking!"
"What! You're Sogeking!"
Usopp looked at Chopper disbelievingly. Then he thought quickly. "What? No! I was just kidding! Hahahahah!" he said trying to cover up.
"Oooh. Ok," Chopper said smiling and went back to his post. So did Usopp.
x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x
"What?" asked Zoro, very confused.
"I'm sorry….. For everything. For tricking you guys, for making everyone believe that I could have actually been part of your crew."
Zoro looked up at his capturer even more confused. She had done it again. She had turned back into the girl who had stowed away on the Thousand Sunny. But this time he wasn't going to fall for it. He knew who she really was now.
"Funny, because I never considered you a part of our crew," he said. It was partially the truth. He hadn't considered her Nakama until the last moment and right afterwards she had gone and blown it all to hell anyway.
He wasn't expecting the reaction he got from Reiko. He could see his words had hurt her, and he realized that maybe when she had said "for making everyone believe that I could have actually been part of your crew," she had included herself in the mix. He began to regret ever saying that to her, but he forced himself to push away those emotions. She was his enemy and he couldn't feel for her. Though she was making it dammed hard for him.
"Zoro, you don't understand…." she said, trying to explain herself but not entirely sure how.
"What is there to understand? You tricked us into trusting you and led us right into a trap!" he yelled, angry that she was trying to make it look like she was still on his side.
"I had no choice! I… I tried! Okay! I tried to stop them, to help you guys get away," she yelled back.
"Oh sure you did," he replied sarcastically, and frustrated.
She scowled at him. "Either way, it was my assignment to capture you. To bring you in. I'm a marine and you're a pirate! It's the natural order of things. Why are you so angry about this?"
He looked away. He was angry at her, and the fact that she didn't understand why made him even more frustrated. He didn't want to tell her why, though. He didn't want to say that he had trusted her, that he had cared about her.
"Most marines don't try their hardest to get all the members of a pirate crew to trust them and then betray them," he finally said, still not looking at her.
"I'm not like most marines," she said looking away.
"No, you're worse," Zoro spat, his head darting toward her angrily. She didn't answer. "Why did you want our trust so bad?"
"You know why. I needed to lead you into the trap."
"You didn't need everyone's trust for that. With just Luffy on your side it would have worked."
"How do you know I didn't have his trust to begin with?"
"He asked you to join the crew. He wouldn't have done it if he didn't trust you."
Reiko remained silent.
Zoro sighed. "Why did you try so hard to get my trust?" he said.
Reiko bit her lip. She quickly checked to make sure no one was around to hear her next whispered words.
"Because you were different."
"What?"
She sighed. "As soon as Luffy gave me the Ok of being on your ship, everyone else gladly agreed, everyone but you anyway. And at first it was all about capturing you. I didn't really care what any of you thought of me as long as your captain was willing enough to follow me around. I wasn't planning on thinking of you as Nakama. But everyone was so nice, and I started to get really comfortable and I was stupid letting myself believe my own lie. So when you didn't want anything to do with me…. It…. it hurt! So I wanted you to trust me, to like me, enjoy my company the way you did with everyone else on the crew."
Zoro scoffed to make it seem like she had been foolish to think he would ever care about her. She noticed.
"Like I said…. I was stupid to believe my own lie, but I did and when Yamashi's fleet attacked us, fighting them felt so good. And then you got hurt and I got angry that Ankoro would dare hurt my friends. Everything was so right, and perfect, I even told you about my past, more than I've ever told anyone, except Yamashi. I felt comfortable with you. I cared about you, but we got to the island and I remembered my mission. I swear I tried to stop them… to get you guys off of the island before they showed up but it was no use…"
"Even if that is true, why didn't u fight them with us?" he demanded.
"And get killed?! You saw how powerful they were."
"So you're not just a traitor but a coward."
She glared at him. "I was able to save your life and the life of your crew by siding with them. And besides… Sentoumaru and Admiral Kizaru helped me remember who I was and who you were. You were pirates and I was a marine. No matter how kind and sweet you were, that fact would never change. You will always be pirates."
"So?" asked Zoro angry. He couldn't believe that was her reason for betraying them.
"So? So you're pirates and I'm a marine. Don't you get it?"
"What I don't get is why you betrayed us! You said it yourself; you liked us better than your own captain and crew, so why betray us? You could have stayed with us!"
"No, I couldn't. It wasn't Yamashi or any of that that made me leave. I hate pirates Zoro, more than anything else in the world. They ruined my life and the lives of my family. And because of that even if I tried to stay with you, something inside me would always want you dead."
"What!? Just because some random pirates screwed you over, you have to kill the rest of us? That's crazy!"
"What choice do I have Zoro!? I don't exactly know who the pirates that enslaved my people were! Only one of them escaped the massacre and he could be any damn pirate on the seas!"
"But you know it wasn't us. So why turn us in?" he asked again.
"Because it was my assignment to get you! I couldn't just come so close to capture and then return empty handed expected to be welcomed back with open arms! I need to be here, to be a marine so I can hunt down that pirate bastard and get my stone back! I can't do that with you. Not if you keep getting hunted down and stopped. People want you dead, and I can't risk dying before I bring back my stone and find that monster!"
"How do you know you haven't already found him?"
"I interrogate every captive pirate here, and I can smell a lie."
"You aren't the only marine base in the world. He could have already been caught."
"Maybe, but no one has reported discovering my stone so it most likely hasn't been found. And I have to keep looking! That's my only clue."
"Isn't it at the One Piece?"
"Part of it is, but he's got the other half."
"Why do you want it so bad? What did he do to make you hate him so much?"
Reiko looked down, not wanting the memories that were surfacing.
"He ruined my life. Isn't that enough for you?"
Zoro just snorted and closed his eyes, tired of listening to her whining.
"You don't think that's a good reason?! Why do you have to beat Mihawk?! Why does Luffy have to become the Pirate King?! Why does anyone do anything?! You guys have your reasons, why is mine any worse than yours!? You would do anything to fulfill your dream right? Why are you judging me so harshly?"
"I would never betray my crew," he said sharply, hoping it hurt her.
She paused, frowned and looked at him. "That's right. But I'm not part of your crew remember. I'm part of Yamashi's crew. So I guess I haven't betrayed my crew either."
Zoro glared at her. "Right before we were attacked you told Luffy you were going to take him up on his offer. But I finally see what you're really like Reiko. And I thought pirates were supposed to be the bad guys, but you… you're in a whole league of your own."
Reiko paled a bit. "You don't understand. You never will…"
Zoro scowled. He was going to argue with her but someone else interrupted him.
"Understand what, cupcake?"
Reiko froze as Zoro looked to the side to see who it was. He quickly recognized the face. It was Ankoro, the man who had gutted him days before. Zoro and Reiko scowled in unison.
"Nothing Ankoro, you wouldn't understand either. And how many threats do you need to quit calling me that?" she said, the same way she had spoken with Sentoumaru and Yamashi. Zoro frowned at the change in personality.
"As many as you'd like to give sweetheart. Anyway, Yamashi sent me down here to help you get information out of this guy."
"I don't need your help."
"Yeah obviously you're doing a fantastic job getting him to talk when you're the one blabbing," he said laughing.
"Shut-up."
"By the way, I never did thank you for the nice taste of poison you gave me back there after I beat up your poor boyfriend."
Reiko fumed at him, sending him deadly glares, her shadow prepared to attack. "Quit complaining. You're all better now aren't you?"
"Just because I'm all fixed up doesn't mean I didn't get my fair share of pain first. Mind explaining yourself?"
"Not to you."
"Fine, I'm sure Yamashi would love to hear it. Let's get back to business then. Did you get anything out of this guy?"
"Nothing I didn't already know."
"Fine leave all the hard work to me," he said rolling his eyes.
"Do you really think you can break him?"
"Do you really think I can't?" countered Ankoro. She scowled at him. "What's wrong with you? You know I can handle these punks," he said getting frustrated at her.
She began to walk away. "Nothing! Do what you want." He smirked. "Just don't kill him. That pleasure is mine and mine alone. And if there's anything about my stones…"
"Yeah, yeah, I know, send it back to you," Ankoro cut off before opening the door to Zoro's cell and swiftly stepping in shutting it.
Stones? I thought it was just one. Zoro thought suspiciously. He watched as Reiko walked away angrily, oblivious to Ankoro. That was until he brought his attention to him.
"Well Roronoa, let's get started, don't you think?"
Zoro glared as Ankoro got closer. He couldn't quite move, since his injuries were still severe and his muscles very sore. Ankoro chuckled to himself as he imagined the wonderful torture he was going to dish out on the pirate.
x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x
Reiko stormed up the stairs. She couldn't stand any of them. Everything and everyone was against her. Yamashi was driving her crazy, doing everything possible to screw her over. Damn you Ankoro, damn you Yamashi, damn you Zoro, damn you all! You're ruining everything! She thought frustrated.
In a matter of minutes she had reached the door to Yamashi's office. She could easily smell his cheep cologne and knew he was in there. She paused, calmed herself and knocked on the door.
"Come in," Yamashi called.
Reiko did so, shutting the door behind her. She saw Zoro's swords leaning on the wall behind Yamashi's desk, but she calmly made it look as if she was looking around the room. Then she looked at Yamashi.
"What is it you need Reiko?"
"Why did you send Ankoro down to torture Zoro?"
"He is the best at getting information, besides you that is."
"Besides me is the point! I can handle Zoro on my own. I don't need that idiot bothering me."
"I'm not quite sure that you could. Roronoa is different from others."
"So?"
"I know well enough that you're not willing to harm him, more so than you already have," Yamashi said calmly.
Reiko scowled at him and said, "You don't trust me?" she finally asked.
"OH I trust you my dear. It's that darned pirate I don't trust. I don't want him convincing you to help him escape."
"I'm not that stupid."
"No but other things might tempt you. He's a fairly strapping young man."
Reiko blushed deeply and looked away so Yamashi wouldn't see. But she knew he had, which meant he knew her feelings for him, or at least half of them.
"I'm going to my room to get some rest!" she quickly stated as she began towards the door.
"Rest? You were asleep for over twelve hours last night."
"That was for my body to heal. My mind needs rest too, plus, as you already said before, I'm not in tip top shape. I've still got that nasty scar on my back," she said, pointing at it with her thumb
"I'm not so sure that one is going to go away. It scarred you deeply, even through your thick hide," Yamashi said solemnly.
Reiko stopped. She couldn't imagine having that scar forever, or any scar. She guessed it was fair enough punishment. It would always remind her of the day she betrayed the Strawhats and it would remind her of Zoro, once he was dead.
"Reiko my dear, are you alright?" asked Yamashi noticing her paralyzed state.
"Yeah fine. I'm going now," she said opening the door.
Suddenly she heard a pain wracked cry coming from the prisons. She recognized the voice to be Zoro's and a chill ran down her spine. Her tail bristled and she couldn't make herself move. Yamashi noticed this too.
"Is something the matter?"
"No….. Everything is fine. I'll be in my room if you need me," she said before walking out and shutting the door.
As she remembered Zoro's agonized scream it took all of her will power and more to not run downstairs and kill Ankoro. What is wrong with me? I can't let him get to me like this. Not if I want to keep my life anyway, she thought before forcing herself to her room and tried to forget about Roronoa Zoro.
x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x
There you have it I'm not exactly sure when chapter 8 will be coming out, but I have like half of it already written on paper so it should be sometime in January, probably near the end since that's right after midterms for me and I'll have more time :D hehe. So yeah I hope you enjoyed it, plz review oh and the Naruto fic, as I said earlier, will be out on XMAS EVE so yeah. Review plz XD oh and in your review give me any ideas you have for any fic you would want me to write (note I am already doing a Naruto and DBZ fic) or what ideas you have for a Wolverine and The X-men fan fiction. :D hehe thanks guys
