"So just where is this Clan of your friend's?" Zoro asked, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed and eyes calmly closed.
"Some ways off," Nami said. "You remember where it was right Luffy?"
"Uh-huh," Luffy said with a smile and nod. "Dad once traveled to all the Clans when I was little, took me along to see them all . . . though I don't know why. Shanks could have looked after just fine back at the mansion."
"You dumba--," Sanji scolded. "He was taking you to show you to all the Clans as the new Blood Prince."
"Ooooohhhh, was that it?" Luffy said, his lips forming a perfect 'o'.
"Sheesh, you really did skip too many classes," Nami grumbled with her fists on her hips looking at her ex-Blood Prince.
"Nee, hee, hee, you should see Ace! He falls asleep in them!" Luffy giggled, unknowingly exposing the secret.
"Really?" Nami asked with a blink. "Huh, never pegged him for the kind of guy to do that."
"That's because he has narcolepsy," Luffy giggled. "It's the funniest thing! Ha ha!"
After Luffy's giggle fit he saw the looks on everyone's faces. They seemed to not share in his humor.
"Seriously Luffy," Sanji started. "That's not something to laugh about."
"Yeah," Nami spoke up. "A Blood Warrior shouldn't have something like that. It could be dangerous for him."
"Oh—you're right," Luffy said rubbing his chin. "Teh! But it's still funny!"
"You said the Head Blood issued an order out to every Blood Warrior to find Luffy right?" Zoro spoke up, opening his eyes and looking at the redhead.
"Uh? Oh yeah, that's right," Nami said with a nod. "So this means, if you want to come with us Luffy you're going to have to keep it on the down."
"Hm, how do I do that?" Luffy asked, a confused look on his face as he cocked his head to the side.
"First of all, by getting you new clothes," Nami said as she came up to the boy and took a hold of the dark fabric of his shirt. "If you wore this nice of clothes they'll surely know you're the Blood Prince. Hey, Werewolves—are there any Wolf Warriors after his head too?"
"Yeah," Zoro said. "That Alpha we ran into told us something about it. Didn't she Chopper."
"That's right," Chopper said, recalling it. "I think Head Alpha Whitebeard issued an order for Luffy's head by every Wolf Warrior."
"I'm a wanted Vampire," Luffy said with a downward sigh as he bowed his head in despair.
"Well, if you don't want no big bad wolves hunting you then come back to the mansion like you're supposed to," Nami said, trying to give him suggestions.
"I can't!" Luffy said, wide eyes staring at the young female Vampire. "What would dad say? Or Ace? Or Shanks? Or Grandpa? He'll kill me!"
"Probably will," Sanji muttered as he fiddled with the butt of his cigarette in his mouth.
"Don't worry Mr. Monkey, now's not the time to return," Robin said with a comforting smile.
"That's right!" Luffy said as he held his fist in the air. "We have to rescue Vivi first!"
"Then what's after Vivi?" Nami asked, raising a brow towards the Blood Prince.
"I dunno," Luffy said but instantly grinned afterwards. "But I will once it's done and over and we save Vivi!"
"Hhh, that's our Luffy," Nami let out a sigh as she shook her head. "Alright, first things first! We change clothes and put on tones of perfumes and cologne!"
"Hm, why?" Chopper asked.
"Isn't it obvious Chopper?" Usopp spoke to the youngest of the group. "We don't want the Wolf Warriors to sniff us out! We need to mask our scent!"
"Oh! I see," Chopper said with a nod.
"So let's get going," Nami said with a nod. "And on the way Luffy can explain to me why he's been traveling with Werewolves who are now apart of our group."
Nami said it so sweetly it was creepy to everyone around and all knew she was going to be scolding Luffy for some time, but still—Luffy did as she said. He told her, she hit him for his stupidity, he got up, called her mean, was hit again, and so on. The group however did manage to make it to a small town to buy other clothing than the ones they were wearing now.
"I still don't get why we have to change," Zoro muttered to himself finding it quite hard to pick out clothing—he never had before—his Sire always did it for him—Zoro just never understood the taste of clothing.
"Because!" Nami said as she glared at the pup while she passed him on her way to the changing room. "Look at what we're wearing! It screams Vampires and Werewolves!"
"Tch, I don't think so," Zoro said as he looked down at his clothing and then looked at Nami and at the black dress she wore. "Yours screams witch to me."
With a hard punch on the head Nami was off to the changing rooms with a steaming fist. Zoro, on the other hand, was on the ground with a large bump peeking out of his green hair.
"Da-- it!" Zoro cursed as he sat up and rubbed his head. "And they say the males are ferocious!"
"Zoro? Did you pick any out?" Usopp asked as his came to his old friend with his pair of clothes he picked for himself.
"No!" Zoro growled. "I don't get clothes! Never have! Never will!"
"That's right!" Usopp said as he placed his index finger on his chin. "Your Sire always picked out your clothes. Hmm, probably because you have such a bad taste."
"You guys never make any sense," Zoro muttered. "Clothes don't even taste like anything."
"Heh, heh, it's just a figure of speech Zoro," Usopp said with a shrug as he bent down and helped the older pup up. "Here, I'll help you."
"Thanks Usopp," Zoro said with a small smile as Usopp led him 'out' of the women's section and towards the men's.
And so after everyone had picked out their clothes Nami so graciously bought them, which she said they owed her for, and told everyone to wear them from now on. Of course Nami also bought the perfumes and cologne so they could mask up their scent from the Wolf Warriors.
"Cough, cough! She can't expect us to wear this all the time!" Zoro coughed as the fragrance was sprayed all over him. "This stuff reeks!"
"We're just going to have to deal with it," Usopp said as he continued to spray him, Chopper, and Zoro while holding his nostrils sealed tight. "I think they just forgot how strong a smell we have."
"Must have, cough," Zoro said as he coughed and then looked down to see a passed out Chopper. "Poor Chopper's taken the brunt of it."
"Don't worry, I'll help him," Usopp said as he put the bottle down and bent over towards Chopper, holding his nose so he didn't have to breathe it in anymore.
"Uh, Thank-you Usopp," Chopper said with a smile towards the old pup.
"Alright you puppies," Nami came with her hands on her hips. "That's enough, come on—we're getting ready to leave."
With a sigh the three came and stood next to the rest of the group. Sanji instantly noticed the nauseous looks on the pups and took note of it.
"Hm, you guys don't look too good," Sanji said. "Can't stand the smell?"
"No, so how the he-- can you?" Zoro asked, looking quite queasy.
"Simple, our nose isn't as strong as you wolves," Sanji said with a graceful smile, tightening the tie around the blue collar of his black suit he had picked out. "Plus, whatever fragrance Nami dear has picked out is simply lovely!"
At that he was off to spinning around in dreamy circles, a heart replacing his eye. Zoro felt sick to the stomach . . . and it wasn't because of the cologne.
"Hey guys!" Luffy came with a grin plastered about his face.
"What's with you Luffy?" Sanji asked as he raised his curly brow. "Is that what you're going to be wearing?"
"What's wrong with this?" Luffy asked, looking down at his rest vest and jean capris.
"Nothing," Sanji said with a sigh knowing no matter what Luffy was going to wear what he wanted to wear.
"Heeey!" Luffy said with a grin as he trotted over towards the pups. "You guys all look awesome!"
"Well that's because the great Wolf Warrior Usopp picked it out for everyone!" Usopp said with a smug grin and nod.
"Really?" Luffy asked with a sparkling smile. "You're a Wolf Warrior?"
"Of course I am!" Usopp said as he raised his chin to the air and crossed his arms.
"Don't listen to him, he's lying," Zoro spoke up, his voice even sounding queasy.
"Hm? Zoro you don't sound so good," Luffy said as he came up to the pup who was bent forward supporting himself by placing his hands on his knees. "Are you getting siiiick?"
"No, no, just go away," Zoro said trying to wave the boy off, but the boy seemed to not want to listen.
"Usopp was right," Luffy said with a nod as he scanned their clothes. "He did pick nice clothes out for you."
"Oh shut up!" Chopper blushed, kicking up some dirt as Luffy stared at the young pup's maroon shorts and brown shirt.
"But I like Zoro's best! They make him look cool!" Luffy said with a giggle as he slapped the oldest pup on the back hard, the pup being complimented on his white shirt and dark, dark, dark green pants and boots that could often be mistaken for black.
But that hard slap on the back was all it took for Zoro to lurch forward and lose his previous meal. Everyone jumped back as the poor pup let loose.
"Eh! Zoro!" Chopper and Usopp cried as they darted back.
"Ah! So you were sick!" Luffy said towards the pup.
"Hey, Luffy, careful around him," Sanji called towards the New Fang. "He's been sensitive by the cologne lately—I think it's been making him queasy."
" . . . but I'm not wearing any," Luffy said with a confused blink as he turned towards the blonde Blood Warrior.
Sanji said nothing at that remark. He simply blinked once as he turned his gaze towards the oldest of the pups who was wiping his mouth clean of any bile, the other two easily rubbing his back to help him. Sanji let his own suspicious thoughts wander throughout his brain, but kept it to himself always.
"Are you alright Zoro?" Chopper asked. "Do I need to make some medicine for you?"
Zoro said nothing. He wondered if Chopper could accomplish such a feat, for he knew there was no medicine that could cure his sickness. He hadn't realized it was this strong until the New Fang stood next to him.
What the blonde Vampire said was true, he was being set off by the cologne and perfumes heavily laced upon the group, but Luffy wasn't wearing any at the time he had approached him. No, it was nothing but his own scent and yet it was just so strong to Zoro.
He didn't know why this was really. It could be part of that da--ed curse they seem to have buried themselves with, but he couldn't tell. It was just—it was just Luffy's got such a strong smell to him, strange to say but it's neither good nor bad. Just different is all—that was the only way Zoro could explain it to himself.
That smell was just so intoxicating Zoro didn't know how to take it—so his stomach helped him out and suggested disposing of his last meal. What a way to go.
Zoro let out a cough before he stood up and shook any nausea from his head. He turned and inhaled a nice breath of oxygen that wasn't masked over with any liquid fragrances. That seemed to clear his head just fine.
"See Chopper, I told you he'd get better," Usopp said with a proud grin, slapping the younger pup on the back.
"Y-Yeah," Chopper said, keeping close eyes on the older pup knowing Zoro wouldn't just hurl because of a strange smell. "Take it easy though Zoro."
"Right, doctor," Zoro said with a grin as he rubbed the boy on the head and walked back over towards the Vampires, actually glad Nami was spraying Luffy down with cologne while the boy giggled.
"Alright, alright!" Luffy giggled, Nami continuing to spray him everywhere. "That's enough! That's enough! Ha, ha!"
"You of all people need to be masked a lot!" Nami said, continuing to empty the very bottle of its fragrance. "Just think—this way you won't always reek like you do."
"I wanted Nami to spray me too," Sanji pouted as he drew out wavy lines in the dirt below.
"Aye yi," Usopp groaned wondering how someone could grow up with a friend like that.
"There," Nami said with a happy sigh as she tossed the empty bottle away. "That should keep the Wolf Warriors away until we reach Alabasta."
"I'm drenched," Luffy complained, not liking the feeling of being wet and sticky at the same time—and he didn't particularly like the smell of his chosen cologne. "Yuck."
"Deal with it," Nami said with a sigh as she looked towards the path that leaded out of the town. "Alright, so from here we'll run into a couple towns before we can reach the Clan Mansion. Everyone ready?"
"Yep, uh-huh, sure am!" Everyone said, pleasing Nami's ears.
"Alright," Nami said with a smile and sigh. "Then let's get going you guys and hope we can find Vivi soon—oh, which reminds me . . ."
Nami took out a hairpiece and gave it to Usopp.
"What is this?" Usopp asked as he looked at it then at Nami, soon narrowing his eyes. "Oh I get it! You don't like my hair so you want it tied back!"
"Idiot, that's Vivi's!" Nami growled through clenched teeth, baring her nice long fangs towards the now trembling pup. "Use that to sniff her out!"
"O-Oh," Usopp said as he looked at it once more, an embarrassed blush crossing his cheeks.
One sniff and the smell instantly traveled to the dark pup's brain, quickly memorizing it.
"Alright, I got it!" He said with a firm nod as he gave the piece back to Nami.
"Good," Nami said with a nod of her own. "This way we'll find Vivi wherever she be—let's just hope she's safe.
"Right," Sanji said with a nod.
"Don't expect the worst—but don't expect the best either," Robin advised.
"Vivi'll be fine," Luffy spoke up, making all look at his determined face. "She's a strong Vampire. We have to believe in her!"
"Hm, right," Nami said with a smile, glad to have Luffy on the journey just for that . . . the boy could always make someone see the light in the darkest of places—always.
"Hhh, da-- it!" Ace cursed as he came to a halt in a larger town. "I've gotten nowhere!"
With a groan he sat on a nearby crate and placed his pack down next to him. He bowed his head and rested his elbows on his thighs, just deciding to rest for only a bit. He had been searching for Luffy for a good while—some weeks now. The last he had seen his little brother the New Fang had sent him hurling dangerously into splintered trees.
"Luffy," Ace let his name sigh out of his lips almost like a prayer. "Why did you have to go an run away like this? Everyone's after you Luffy—The Hunters, the Wolf Warriors—who can protect you if not your big brother?"
With that thought in mind Ace stood up instantly. That thought alone gave him determination to find his little brother. He was right! Luffy was probably all alone out in the world full of Hunters and Wolves and only his big brother could protect him!
"I'll find you Luffy! I swear it!" he promised as he walked through the town knowing it was time to make himself known.
Ace looked around the town and noted it was a Vampire town. He smirked to himself knowing he was probably near a Clan—though he hadn't taken the time to check which one. It didn't matter—there was no Clan that would rise against him—he was, after all, one of the Blood Princes.
So with a confident smirk he walked openly through town letting every eye of any Vampire that resided outside busy conversing amongst each other or selling what goods they had, look at him. As their eyes met his form though Ace could feel the shock and awe of having seen him of all Vampires walk through their town.
"Gasp! It's the Blood Prince Gol D. Ace!" a woman spoke towards her husband.
"Dear you're not supposed to address him with that name!" Her husband spoke to hush her. "For now, it's Portgas D. Ace!"
"You're right, I'm sorry!" she said as all watched the Blood Prince Warrior walk throughout town as if looking for something.
With a sigh Ace knew it'd be better to start asking around as of now. He turned and came up to a merchant. Ace's very presence seemed to startle the gawking merchant and he seemed to only want to slam his face to the ground in respect of the Vampire Prince.
"Hey, I need to ask you something," Ace said as he set his pack down on the man's stand to grab something in it.
"A-Anything you want Blood Prince—I-I mean Blood Warrior," the man stuttered, trying to calm his nerves by fiddling his fingers together.
Ace eyed the man for a second knowing no Vampire was allowed to call him a Blood Prince out in the open, but it just seemed like a natural reaction so he paid no mind of it and continued to pull out the parchment from his pack.
"Have you seen him?" Ace asked as he placed the picture of Luffy on the man's stand.
"No, sir, I haven't," the man said with an apologizing bow.
"If you respect me any more, man, then everyone's gonna know," Ace warned, making the man even more fidgety and give yet another apologetic bow.
"I'm so sorry sir!" he said, but once realizing he was yet bowing again he lifted his head and said another apology.
"Hhh, whatever," Ace moaned as he turned and moved onto the others.
Ace stopped for a moment and looked at the picture. It was his favorite picture of Luffy. Shanks had tried to take a picture of the two of them, but Luffy—like the goof he was, managed to get his whole face in the picture with that goofy grin of his, leaving Ace nowhere to be seen in the background. Ace would usually laugh at the picture but now . . . just looking at it made him sad—hhh, he missed his baby brother bad.
But he didn't lose hope; he'd continue to ask around no matter what. Throughout the whole town he did this. As he asked for Luffy he told everyone if they ever saw him to come and inform him first. He knew there were other Blood Warriors out looking for him as well—he knew whoever found Luffy first and brought him back to the Head Blood, his father, would be rewarded greatly.
Ace didn't care though. He didn't care about any reward. The one reward he wanted was to see that goofy smiling face of his little brother again.
As Ace sat down eating—or at least attempting to eat, what with his sleeping habits and downward mood and all he quickly sensed Hunters nearby. He turned in his chair and looked out of the restaurant windows to see a suspicious group walking by. Quite a few of them were sporting some minor wounds, the smell of their blood on them letting the Blood Warrior know they were human, and the way they walked—their patterns were clearly Hunters—though not as skilled. Yes, Ace could tell all this, he had been a Blood Warrior for some time and with time came experience.
"What are Hunters doing here?" Ace wondered to himself as he narrowed his dark brown eyes and hopped off his seat to come and take a closer look at them.
He came outside and watched their movements. They were seen asking around for something, or someone. Hm, no doubt Luffy.
With a slight scowl Ace turned towards a person nearby and asked—
"Are those Hunters?"
"W-Why yes Blood Warrior," the man said with a timid nod. "They just came into town this day."
"Why are they here?" Ace asked.
"Same reason you are," the man said as he took out a flyer the men had handed to him and showed the Blood Warrior/Blood Prince. "They're looking for him."
"I see," Ace said as he took hold of the flyer and took note of the picture the Hunters had of Luffy—this one being a more recent picture of Luffy, the picture looked as if it was taken on the day of his Full Moon Fight, but why would Hunters have done that? And why were they there in the first place? "I'd better hurry and find Luffy."
With that Ace grabbed his pack and readied to head out of town to continue his search knowing if Luffy wasn't in this town then he was in another—besides, Luffy had to eat in a town 'cause he sucked at hunting.
"Hm? A town's approaching," Chopper informed the group as he took a whiff of the air.
"That's good," Nami said with a nod. "This is probably a Vampire town so you puppies better keep it quiet, and no changing!"
"That is if you want to wear this again," Sanji gave a sadistic smile towards Usopp as he held up the horrid collar and leash.
With a screech Usopp quickly darted back behind Zoro, his joints trembling.
"N-No, we won't change," He gulped towards the sadistic Blood Warrior.
"Suit yourself," Sanji said as he waltzed away, continuing to hold the leash and collar in hand.
"Alright guys, we're going to go in there and act as unsuspicious as possible alright!" Nami pointed at everyone. "We're already skating on thin ice as it is having Werewolves and Luffy in our group so don't draw attention to yourselves. Alright—any questions?"
The one who raised their hand was Zoro. Nami wondered what he wanted to know and so took note of him and nodded for him to speak.
"Zoro?" she asked.
"Since this is a Vampire town," Zoro started as he lazily rubbed his ear. "Does looking like a witch count as suspicious?"
Chopper let out a cry as Roronoa was once again thrown the floor, sporting nice wounds on his head. Nami just shook with anger wondering why on earth he had to make such stupid remarks all the time. Hmph! It must be a Werewolf thing. No wonder they were such enemies.
"Alright—any REAL questions?" Nami asked with a growl eyeing the group and soon Sanji lifted his hand, Nami knew he wouldn't say anything as ridiculous as Zoro so smiled and said sweetly, "Yes Sanji?"
"Is it okay if Luffy already ran off ahead of us?" he asked.
"WHAT?" Nami screeched suddenly noticing the missing person of the group, oh how could she have let him slip by her? "Why would he run off like that?"
"Eeerrrr, he was hungry," Zoro groaned as he sat up holding his aching abused head.
"And how would you know that?" Nami screeched at the oldest pup.
"Wasn't it obvious?" Zoro asked looking at the others in the group like they were idiots.
"Eh, no," Sanji said. "You and your freaky connection to Luffy."
"Shut the he-- up!" Zoro said, his face turning red with embarrassment.
"Well someone better find him before he gets noticed!" Nami said pointing towards the town.
"Who?" Usopp asked.
"ANYONE!" she shouted, startling most.
"Food, food, food, food!" Luffy chanted, finding a restaurant in his sights.
He couldn't help the fact that he was STARVING! Sanji had told him to wait for his next meal when they reached town and Nami said that if he started whining for food she'd toss him out of the group and let him fend for himself. He didn't want that so tried to keep his hunger hidden from the group—though for some strange reason he thought Zoro knew.
Luffy held onto his grumbling stomach and knew he had to eat something. He's been thirsting for some blood for quite some time . . . though . . . he had to admit he's been craving some of his Werewolf friend's blood. With a blush crossing his cheeks he had to admit he's been wanting some since their fight—he figured it was no fair that he let Zoro feed off him again when the wolf wouldn't let him do such a thing . . . hmph! Selfish bast---!
So now Luffy would have to settle for second best, any raw meat or blood he could come across. It was true that ever since he had a taste of the Werewolf's blood everything else seemed . . . bland. So there was no other way to satisfy his hunger but to find some restaurant and feast.
Luffy grinned once he rushed, almost crashed, right into the restaurant and demanded some raw meat—extra bloody. Everyone there all stared at him with wide eyes. They knew who he was thanks to the Blood Warrior who had showed his face to the whole town, and they just couldn't believe their eyes.
"Come on!" Luffy whined, lifting his hands in the air. "Give me food!"
"R-Right," the cook said with a nod as he turned and quickly prepared the boy's food and gave it to him, later watching the boy carnivorously devour his meal. "U-Uh you know . . ."
"Hm?" Luffy had a mouth full of bloody meat as he looked at the cook who wondered what the boy would do once he told him.
"There's been someone . . . looking for you," the Vampire cook said.
Luffy was about to ask him who when suddenly the door busted down causing quite a startle in the place. Luffy quickly turned around with blood dripping down his cheeks, wondering who it was.
"Monkey D. Luffy!" the group called as they pointed accusing fingers at the boy in the straw hat. "We have been ordered by the Hunters Association to bring in your head!"
"But I like my head where it is," Luffy pouted as he grasped his head.
Once the men brought out their weapons Luffy then noticed they were indeed Hunters. They all bore large silver knives—quite deadly to his kind. Luffy's eyes widened and wondered just how they had found him, and how he was going to get out of a situation like this.
Just as soon as the Hunters charged him Luffy quickly jumped onto the table he was sitting at and over their heads. With a goofy grin he said—
"See ya."
And then he landed on the ground and started out in a run to get out of there. He looked back wondering if they were the only Hunters in town. Though he did frown at the thought of them being in a Vampire town—it seemed cheating to him.
In his thoughts though, and his knack for running backwards he hadn't noticed the awaiting Hunters behind him ready with their silver knives. Luffy didn't even have time to look behind him before they struck.
"YAH!" Luffy yelped with wide eyes bending over just enough and in time to see the silver knifes swing down at his form.
Trying to dodge though Luffy fell on his back on the ground with no way to escape the falling knifes that would surely end his short-lived life. Though he could have sworn he saw his life flash before his eyes at least 20 times he couldn't help but noticed the group of Hunters above him quickly fall to the side of him with loud cries—as if they had been hit by something—or someone.
"Huh?" Luffy blinked in confusion as he looked at his savior . . . who happened to his own brother!
Ace smirked at his work. He straightened his hat and then looked down at the poor victim of the Hunters . . . who happened to be his baby brother!
"Luffy!" Ace gasped with wide surprise but a glad face seeing him once again.
"Uh!" Luffy gasped, quickly scooting away from him. "Ace!"
"Luffy!" Ace was now sniveling with open arms wanting his little brother to run into his arms.
"S-Stay away!" Luffy cried as he turned, got up, and ran off.
"Uh . . . Luffy . . ." Ace gasped watching his little brother run off like he was enemy now.
Ace shook his head and quickly got his bearings. Luffy was running away because he thought he was banished, that and he probably knows he's being hunted—by all three races.
"Luffy! WAIT!" He called out to him as he attempted to chase him down.
Luffy on the other hand was thinking the EXACT thing Ace was thinking . . . he was being hunted.
"Not good, not good, NOT GOOD!" Luffy cried trying to find his way back to his group and escape.
"Luffy! Wait!" Ace called behind him, continuing to keep on his heels. "I just want to talk!"
"AAHHH! STAY AWAY!" Luffy cried as he took a turn down an alley and ran as fast as he could.
"Huh, he's fast," Ace gasped not noticing the speed his brother seemed to have gained since they had last raced.
Ace looked up towards the rooftops and that is exactly where he went. He jumped on some stands before landed on the tops of the buildings. That way he was free to watch Luffy like a mouse in a maze—Luffy was always one to get lost anyways and once he hit a dead-end then Ace'd take the chance to try and approach him.
That thought was quickly pushed aside seeing some Hunters coming the way Luffy was heading. He was going to run headfirst into them. Ace'd better do something.
"Da-- it!" Ace cursed as he quickly jumped down in front of Luffy, startling him.
"WAH!" Luffy squeaked seeing his brother land right in front of him.
Before Ace could even speak he quickly turned and punched the nearest oncoming Hunter. Luffy blinked a few times before he realized his brother was protecting him more than hunting him like he should be.
"Well don't just stand there!" Ace called behind him, glancing for a moment at his dumbfounded brother. "You can help out!"
"Oh, right!" Luffy said as he pulled his fist back and hit a Hunter that had the guts to come at Ace's side while he fought three at his front.
"Nice punch little bro," Ace smirked as he watched Luffy fight along side him—like good ole days.
The two Blood Princes fought off the Hunters and soon it was them who were being hunted. They were a weak level of Hunters in the first place, probably looking for a nice promotion by the Association by killing the rogue blood Prince. Once the fight was over Luffy found himself at a loss for breath—fighting Hunters and running from your Blood Warrior brother can wear you out.
"Hhhaa, nice job Luffy," Ace said with a grin as he turned to his brother who was catching his breath.
"Are you here to catch me?" Luffy asked, his eyes serious as he asked his beloved brother this.
"Well you see," Ace said with a chuckle and grin, scratching the back of his head. "That's what dad wants—but I just wanted to see you again Luffy."
"So you're gonna take me home huh?" Luffy asked, his eyes strangely dark.
"Hhh, I'm gonna have to Luffy," Ace said as he let his arm fall back to his side, knowing there was no getting around Luffy. "But not right now."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Luffy asked.
"What I mean is—" Ace started but suddenly he was cut off and let out a loud 'GAAAH!' as someone slammed into him from behind—leaving no room for Luffy to dodge the oncoming hit.
"GAH!" Luffy cried out as he too was hit, him and Ace flying out of the alley they had fought in and into a stand on the main street.
Everyone gasped seeing the two Blood Princes fly out and smash roughly into a stand. All backed away seeing a figure rise from the smoke, and by the look of the landing the two Blood Princes took—it wasn't either of them.
"GASP! It's a Werewolf!" the townspeople gasped as the dust cleared and revealed a silver Werewolf who quickly shifted back to human form and stared at the Vampires around him and then at the ones he had hit.
"I've found you now Blood Prince," He said as he pointed down beneath him, but as the dust cleared he noted it was nothing but the Blood Warrior Portgas D. Ace, looking quite dazed—wrong Blood Prince.
The silver Wolf Warrior quickly tossed him aside to look upon the being who had been smashed under him. There he was, the banished Blood Prince—waiting to be beaten by this Wolf Warrior.
"Monkey D. Luffy," he said with his gruff voice. "Your head is mine!"
With that said the Wolf Warrior brought out his claws and quickly brought them down at the dazed New Fang. His brother was just as dazed as he and so had no time to defend him, the townspeople, psh, even though they be Vampires they were nowhere near to being Blood Warriors—ones that could compare of him of course.
With a cry from the townspeople the Wolf's paw went down on the boy—but the claws did not sink in—why was that? The silver wolf blinked in confusion before narrowing his eyes at the 'pup' that blocked his attack.
"Roronoa," he lightly growled seeing the pup again was nothing less but a surprise—especially since he decided to help his old opponent from his fate.
"Smoker," Zoro inclined his head in acknowledgement, but continued to keep his glare at the older and stronger wolf.
Smoker noted the arm Zoro had used to block his claws with. They were doing a nice job in sinking into the pup's tanned skin—hm, it let them know they were still sharp. With a groan Smoker retracted his claws from Zoro's arm and stood back from him with an annoyed look.
Zoro let out a slight growl as the older's claws left him. He felt his blood start to drip down his skin, but now was not the time to care for one's wounds. Zoro bared his sharp teeth at the Wolf Warrior knowing it wasn't going to faze him, but did it anyways to show he wasn't going to let him touch the Blood Prince.
"Why do you always get in the way Roronoa?" He asked with a heavy sigh, exhaling the smoke from his two cigars he carried in his mouth.
"Uuuuhhhh, what the he-- happened?" came the dazed voice from the other Blood Prince as he gripped his head and slowly stood up to behold what was going on. "What the? Two Werewolves?"
Ace quickly bared his fangs, his eyes turning a nice shade of red knowing they were after Luffy's head. He hissed threateningly at them but noticed something off about the younger one. If Ace hadn't known any better he'd say that was just a pup. Wait . . . Ace quickly noticed blood on the older wolf's claws and began to panic thinking he had hit Luffy with those deadly claws but sighed in relief upon seeing the pup's arm covered in blood—sporting the claw marks of the Wolf Warrior . . . Wait! Why the heck is that the case?
"What the he-- is going on?" Ace demanded, baring his sharp long fangs.
"So the other Blood Prince is awake," Smoker said as he exhaled more smoke.
"Hm, you know who I am—you must be part of the Head Alpha's Inner Pack," Ace said with a smirk knowing this one was going to be a strong one.
"Got that right Blood Warrior," Smoker said with a slow nod. "You should know I've been trailing this little brat for some time. I have to kill him, but this banished pup decides to get in my way."
"Sorry for being such a nuisance to you," Zoro said with a smirk.
"Tch, you always have been—ever since you were born," Smoker scoffed. "I don't understand how Dracule ever put up with you."
"Wait—You're Dracule's puppy?" Ace asked with a blink as he looked at Zoro.
"Yeah, so?" Zoro groaned wishing they'd just stop talking already and give him a way to get this dumb New Fang out of there.
"Why the he-- are you with Luffy?" Ace demanded to know, knowing he should be the LAST person Luffy should be seen with.
"Long story," Zoro said as he turned and picked up the still dazed New Fang. "Now if you don't mind making a clear way so I can get this idiot out of here."
Ace couldn't tell how actually, but he just knew this pup meant no harm to his little brother. Perhaps it was the way he was slightly holding Luffy in a gentle manner. Either that or his eyes were playing tricks on him on this lazy sunny day. Well whatever it was something inside him told him to trust him—even if he had to watch a Werewolf take his brother away.
"Sorry Roronoa, but you're going to have to hand over the Blood Prince," Smoker said as he stood in front of him. "Orders are orders."
"Yeah I know, but I'd watch your back if I were you," Zoro said with a smirk.
"Why's that?" Smoker asked, his mood always seeming so sluggish.
"I've heard Vampires are somewhat nasty for sneak attacks," Zoro said holding his smirk on his face.
"Huh?" Smoker said as he turned around just in time to dodge a nice slash from Ace's sharp nails.
Ace let out a hiss as he continued his assault on Smoker. This gave Zoro enough time to toss Luffy more securely over his shoulder and dart for it. Smoker growled in frustration knowing his job was meant to go after Luffy, but with this Blood Warrior attacking him like this it'd be even harder to get away alive.
"Da-- it!" Smoker cursed as he quickly shifted into his wolf/human form and attacked the Blood Warrior.
"Uuuuuhhhhh, what hit me?" Luffy groaned trying to shake the stars from his eyes as he sat up.
"I think it was something like your brother and Smoker," came Zoro's voice, instantly snapping Luffy out of his daze.
"Huh? Zoro?" Luffy asked as he turned to see the Werewolf sitting a few feet from him on a nearby rock. "What are you doing here? And who's Smoker?"
"A Wolf Warrior from Alpha Whitebeard's Inner Pack," Zoro said soon hissing from his wound he received from Smoker, he could seem like such a newborn pup at times with wounds like these, but Smoker's wounds can really hurt!
"Hm, are you alright Zoro?" Luffy asked, trying to peek to see what Zoro was hiding as he sat with his back turned to the New Fang.
"It's nothing," Zoro lied as he held onto his arm, trying to stop the bleeding, knowing all about what those Vampires could do. "Let's just find the others—alright."
"Why do I smell blood then?" Luffy asked, his voice more deeper when serious, Zoro knew he's been caught.
Zoro decided it was no use in hiding it anymore. Besides this should teach Luffy not to run off by himself anymore. Zoro calmly turned to the Blood Prince and with a solemn face he held up his arm to reveal his wound he received that was originally meant to dig out Luffy's very heart.
"Ah! How did you get that?" Luffy gasped as he came up to examine the deep claw marks. "Whoever made this must have had some thick and long claws!"
"Smoker did this," Zoro said rather monotonously.
"Why'd you get into a fight with a Wolf Warrior since they're so strong?" Luffy asked as he straightened and placed his fists on his hips, looking at Zoro like he was stupid one. "Are you an idiot or something?"
"It was either this or have him dig out your heart," Zoro said as he gazed up at the dumbfounded Vampire who quickly slumped forward.
"W-What?" Luffy asked, his tone lighter at the revelation. "So you . . . were protecting me?"
"That's the idea," Zoro let out a sigh as he let his arm fall gently back into his hand. "But the bleeding won't stop. If I don't get it to do that those Vampires will come after us."
"That's not good," panic began to rise in Luffy's voice as he hopped up and down from leg to leg—he didn't want to be caught just yet!
"No, it's not so why don't you find the others in case that happens. I can find you guys later," Zoro said as he looked at the panicking Vampire.
"Huh? Me go by myself?" Luffy asked, halting his jumping.
"You're going to have to," Zoro said. "Vampires can smell blood, you aren't the one bleeding, I am. So go on ahead."
"No!" Luffy rejected rather loudly, looking like a young child throwing a temper tantrum quite often. "It's my fault this happened so I wanna help!"
"Tch, like you can help!" Zoro bit out a growl. "If you try and help I'll only get hurt worse! You're a curse!"
"I am not!" whined Luffy, stomping his foot like a child, denying anything Zoro said. "I can at least help to get rid of the blood."
"Yeah, how idiot?" Zoro snapped out again, becoming quite frustrated with the New Fang.
Zoro froze and blinked for a moment before he narrowed his eyes and shook his head.
"Oh no!" he said seeing Luffy point to his mouth. "I can do that myself if I wanted to!"
"Yeah, but it's all I can do," Luffy said as he glanced at the ground and kicked up some dirt—by the look of things he looked like he felt bad about what had happened to Zoro because of him. "I just want to help."
Zoro let out a hard sigh inwardly. He felt like he was dealing with a young brat pup . . . who knew how to get their way by cute childish looks. And da-- it Luffy looked childish right about now.
With a roll of his eyes and head Zoro held out his arm and groaned annoying as he said—
"Oh alright, but hurry up will you! I don't want any Vampires coming this way and catching us!"
"Right!" Luffy chirped optimistically, secretly inside he was praising himself for sounding and looking so convincing—he had actually got the Werewolf to give up some of his blood, if only a little, just because Luffy had asked.
Luffy took hold of the thick arm of the Werewolf pup and had to hold back his victory grin. He had been wanting his blood for quite some time. Isn't it funny how circumstances happen this way?
Luffy opened his mouth and had to remember not to bite this time. Nope, this was just cleaning a wound—that was all. Before his tongue could even touch a drop of blood though something appeared out of nowhere and hit him right in the face.
"Gah!" Luffy yelped as he landed back on the ground with a hard 'thud!'.
Not too long after his back hit the ground he felt a shadow rise over him and once his eyes opened again he looked up to see his brother standing over him.
"A-Ace!" he gasped, not really expecting to see him so soon and then mentally cursing himself for not cleaning Zoro's wound fast enough—Ace must have followed the scent!
"Just what do you think you're doing?" Ace hissed at his little brother, Luffy noticed Zoro in the background on his feet and glaring at the Blood Warrior standing over him.
"U-Uuuuhhh," Luffy's eyes glanced around looking for an excuse but in truth he was a bad liar and his brother knew it. "I-I was trying to clean Zoro's wound that Wolf Warrior gave him." At that Luffy gave Ace a toothy grin that he wasn't buying for a second.
"He was trying to feed off you if you must know," Ace said rather plainly as he turned his head towards the Werewolf.
"What?" Zoro growled, glaring daggers at the New Fang.
"I'm sorry!" Luffy whined, kicking his legs like a child. "But I've been craving his blood. It tastes reeeaaaally good Ace!"
He tried smiling at his brother but Ace was content at looking at Luffy with an unsatisfied face, while Zoro on the other hand was behind Ace blushing up a storm. Luffy's smile instantly dropped as his brother continued to stare at him like so . . . that stare one older sibling uses on you to let you know they were so going to tell mom or dad about what you did and you were certainly in trouble.
"Accceee," Luffy whined wishing his brother would let him up, and hoping the puppy eyes would work on him—it seemed like it wasn't working this time.
Ace continued to stare down at him with his fists on his hips, his brows slightly raised letting his little brother know any antics that he'd try using were so not going to work this time.
"Want me to kill him for you?" Zoro let out a growl as he brought out his dark claws and came to stand next to the Blood Warrior.
"No," Ace said, holding his arm out before the young pup. "He's already dead enough as it is."
At that Ace stepped off Luffy who now sat up and looked at the two who continued to glare dangerously at him—especially Zoro. It was awkwardly quiet and Luffy always hated awkward silence so he kicked his feet some before glancing around and asking—
"So—Ace, how did you escape that Wolf Warrior?"
"Mind your own business Luffy," Ace said, pointing his finger at his brother, his eyes narrowed. "You're in trouble! I search all this time for you to only find you breaking more laws? You know—I actually thought he was the one forcing you to feed off him when in reality it was you!"
"That's not entirely true," Luffy pouted, refusing to meet his brother's eyes.
"Oh then inform me on the 'truth' Luffy, I'd love to hear it," He said as he leaned back against a tree, continuing to glare at Luffy.
Luffy was silent for a moment wishing to avoid the subject that he had to tell way too often for his liking, but he knew his brother wasn't going to leave any time soon. Luffy held it off as long as he could until he couldn't bear the silence anymore. He bowed his head and let out a defeated sigh as he said—
"Well . . . it's like thi—"
But before Luffy could say anymore the three were startled as others came out of the trees to where they were. In an instant two little ones threw themselves Zoro's way.
"ZOROOO!" Usopp and Chopper cried as they clung tightly to their friend. "We were so worried that you were lost forever!"
"My sense of direction isn't that bad!" Zoro groaned, that fact alone getting on his nerves.
"Yeah, what took you so long?" Nami asked as she crossed her arms. "I hope you found Lu—"
She halted upon seeing Luffy and Ace—everyone had.
"AAAHHH! It's a Blood Warrior!" Usopp screeched as he and Chopper hid themselves behind Zoro's legs.
"Relax will ya?" Sanji groaned. "That's just Luffy's brother, Ace."
"Hm? Luffy has a brother?" Usopp asked as he and Chopper blinked in confusion. "There's another Blood Prince?"
"Oh, let me introduce myself. My name is Portgas D. Ace, Blood Warrior and Blood Prince, and older brother to Luffy," Ace said with a polite bow to the young pups.
"Wow," Usopp admired. "Are you sure you're Luffy's brother?"
"Yep . . . he is," came Luffy's groaning voice.
"Quiet Luffy!" Ace said as he spun and pointed at the boy. "We're not done talking yet and so the only words I want to hear out of your mouth is explanations!"
Luffy mumbled to himself from where he crouched to the ground as he drew sloppy figures in the dirt. Ace quickly switched attitudes as he plastered a smile to his face upon looking back at everyone else.
"So—why is everyone out of the mansion?" he asked looking at Sanji, Nami, and Robin. "That and why are you traveling with Werewolf pups?"
"Hhh, to make the long story short we're going to rescue Vivi," Nami said with a sigh.
"Vivi?" Ace gasped, his eyes widening. "What happened to Vivi? Rescue? Luffy! What happened to Vivi?" At that he turned to his brother and grasped him by the shoulders, giving him a few good shakes. "Why won't you answer me?"
"Because you said not to talk unless I explain," Luffy moaned, glancing away from Ace.
"Oh," Ace said realizing he did say that. "Since when do you listen to what you're told?"
"You scare me," Luffy muttered.
"Good," Ace said with a firm and proud nod. "But for now, forget what I said. What happened to Vivi?"
"She was taken from the mansion," Robin spoke up.
"That can't be!" Ace said, turning to the older and darker woman. "Dad wouldn't let that happen."
"Not if she didn't go freely," Robin spoke. "Which Vivi is like that."
"Yeah, I know," Ace said with a hard sigh as he came to sit on a large rock. "I've known her for a long time and she's always been that way."
"Vivi's in trouble," Luffy spoke up. "So we're going to save her."
"Even if you're banished Luffy?" Ace asked.
"Yep!" Luffy said with a grin. "Zoro's banished too but he's helping."
"Don't mention me Luffy!" Zoro groaned, still sore about earlier.
"Sheesh Zoro I said I was sorry—how long are you gonna hold a grudge?" Luffy asked, puffing up his cheeks.
"As long as I want!" He growled dangerously at him, even his eyes seemed to be growling and so Luffy looked away.
"Sheesh," Luffy said once more.
"What's wrong with them two?" Nami asked, pointing towards Zoro and Luffy.
"The idiot there was trying to get a free snack off the Werewolf," Ace said plainly suddenly noticing Zoro's anger rising at the remembrance.
"Tch, Luffy you know better," Sanji said.
"Just leave me alone," Luffy moaned, leaning against a tree and scooting towards the ground.
"So . . . are you guys heading towards Alabasta?" Ace asked, his voice somewhat quieter than usual.
"Yeah," Nami said with a nod. "That Werewolf there can smell Vivi out—we'll find her."
Ace glanced at Usopp who was still a little unnerved about such a strong Vampire looking at him. Ace glanced away and thought to himself for a moment before he sighed and clapped his hands together before standing up.
"Well, I guess that means I'm coming with you guys," Ace said as he slung his pack over his shoulder.
"Huh, why's that?" Chopper asked with a confused blink.
"Because Vivi's been an honored guest at the Head Clan for over a year now, and as a Blood Warrior and Blood Prince it is my duty to see her through safe and sound," Ace said with a firm nod and smile as he placed a fist on his hip.
"Jeez . . . what's with all these Vampires?" Zoro groaned with a roll of his eyes seeing they were getting greatly out numbered. "Vampire, Vampire, Vampire—there's too many."
"Gonna have to get used to it Zoro," Luffy chuckled as he slapped the wolf on the back.
"Don't touch to me," Zoro groaned as he walked away from the boy.
"I said I was sorry!" Luffy moaned as he followed the wolf attempting to make him accept his apology which only earned him some 'don't follow me's' and 'don't talk to me's'.
"Is your little Clan always like this?" Ace asked.
"Mostly," Nami said with a sigh. "But don't call us that?"
"Why?" Ace asked, and then chuckled. "You're not called a Pack are you?"
"Not that either," Nami said with a sigh. "But if you bring either of those names up—those two—" at that she pointed towards the two arguing ones known as Zoro and Luffy. "Will get into an endless argument."
"I see," Ace said as he turned to stare at the two who continued to argue—Zoro about Luffy trying to cheat and feed off him, Luffy about Zoro not accepting an apology when given one.
"Think you can get used to this strange group Mr. Portgas?" Robin asked with a smile as she looked at the eldest Blood Prince.
"Yeah . . . I do," Ace said with a smile knowing Luffy was actually in well enough capable hands of keeping him safe . . . even without his big brother there to protect him.
