Anybody else think I'm predictable? I mean all of my stories include Luffy getting captured. I should try something else, but not now. All right, back to the craziness that is my mind. Enjoy.
I don't know how long I lay there, trying to connect thought with movement, but every time I tried the thought would flit out of reach.
Something like shouting, muffled shouting entered my ears. It was just clatter, mumbled up sounds that couldn't be processed by my brain. I felt my body being moved to a more comfortable position and something was poking me, I think. My nerves were kind of on the fritz.
Finally, some sounds made it to my brain that I actually understood.
"Rose, are you ok?"
Usopp.
"What happened?"
Nami.
"Is she all right?"
Robin.
"Her vitals are steady."
Chopper.
"Rose-san."
Brook.
"You are going to be all right Rose sis."
Franky.
"I swear I will go find the people who did this and kick them so hard they will starve to death. Nobody touches the ladies.
Sanji. And finally, the one I was waiting for.
"Wake up Rose."
The deep voice of Zoro convinced me that it was time to get up. I groaned and opened my eyes to a world of blurred lines and colors, like a kid's coloring book. Slowly the world came into focus.
"Rose!"
I heard several people exclaim happily. My head pounds as I try to sit up, only to be pushed back down by Chopper.
"Lay still Rose, you haven't recovered yet."
A giant gaping hole in my memory perplexes me. What happened? And where was Luffy? Surely he of all people would be concerned about—holy crap!
I tried to sit up, my urgency trying to escape me but Chopper pushed me back down again.
"I said hold still."
Didn't he understand? I needed to tell them. My tongue fought to work but I couldn't make something that felt like it weighed a hundred pounds move. I opened my mouth, but no sound would come out. I needed to sit up.
"Chopper, let her up."
I looked gratefully at Zoro. The swordsman seemed to understand. Chopper looked questioningly at him.
"What?"
I sat up, gasping for air. Finally, the urgency allowed my voice to speak.
"Luffy."
I said hoarsely. Robin cocked her head to one side.
"What about Luffy?"
I looked up at them, panic in my eyes.
"They took Luffy. They took him."
That seemed to put the entire crew on alert.
"Slow down. What happened?"
The pain in my head was distracting me. Taking several deep breaths, I struggled to remember.
"Me and Luffy were talking."
I cocked my head. About what? Not important right now. Details. Come on Rose. Focus.
"We were about to go in for lunch, but there was food on the deck. Of course Luffy ate it. Then he fell asleep. It was drugged."
I heard the growls from the crew at such a cowardly move.
"There were three men. One was the same guy that tried to kill Nami this morning. I tried to get you all but they wouldn't let me. Then they put some kind of cloth over my mouth."
I bowed my head as I came to the realization. It was my fault. I had failed my friends. My weakness had cost them their captain. I felt so useless. How could they possibly want me on their crew?
Usopp stood and adjusted his goggles on his face, swiveling his head around.
"Hey look a ship."
I looked up to see a large ship off in the horizon. It had to be Z's. Nami started to make navigation calculations while Sanji and Chopper operated the rudder.
"That rubber idiot."
Everyone dispersed to get ready for the coming fight. Zoro, however, stayed.
"What's wrong Rose?"
I looked up at him guiltily.
"I'm sorry. It's all my fault."
His eye never left mine as he reached down to pull me to my feet.
"It isn't your fault."
I sigh, allowing him to haul me upright.
"Can you honestly say that if any of you all were here when it happened that Luffy would be captured?"
No answer. Yeah, that's what I thought. Zoro's next words brought my mind back.
"So fight hard to get him back."
He's right. I can't mope around and feel sorry for myself. That won't help Luffy. I needed to get a hold of myself and help get him back. Franky yelled from the wheel.
"All right, ready for Coup de Burst?"
"Wait, we need a plan."
Robin said calmly. Sanji bit his cigarette angrily.
"You mean we can't just go in and kick their asses?"
Nami sighed.
"If Z is as dangerous as Rose says he is, we can't do that. He could kill Luffy."
My brain is working overtime, coming up with a plan. I smile.
"I got an idea."
I could tell the Neo Marines were a little surprised when we suddenly burst out of the water, flying toward them at an incredible speed. If I wasn't so nervous about my plan or worried about Luffy, I was sure I probably would have enjoyed it.
We pulled up next to the large boat. I checked the Jolly Roger and yes, it was Z's. Zoro asks quietly.
"You sure about this?"
I gulp as he presses his sword against my throat.
"Yes."
The plan was simple. Use me as a hostage. Nami would be the negotiator. She yelled up at the ship that's deck was crawling with Neo-marines.
"Z! Get out here!"
A silence descended on the ship. I tried to just focus on the sword at my throat. Suddenly, the men parted, revealing Z, Ain, and Binz. I suck in a quick breath. The Neo Marine Commander was larger then life, scowling down at us. Usopp's knees weren't the only ones that were shaking.
"What do you want, filthy pirates?"
The tone was disgusted as he took in the scene. Everyone holding weapons, ready to fight while Zoro and me stood in the middle with Wado tickling my throat. I stand there, putting on a fearful face. I have to play the damsel in distress, even though I hate roles like this, I have to do it. Nami yelled at him, trying to play the role of a typical pirate.
"You have our captain Z and we want him back. Deliver him to us, and you can have the lady unharmed."
She pointed to me. I felt Z's eyes on me and felt no pity whatsoever. I could see the doubt in his eyes; he wasn't going to buy it.
Nami continued talking but I didn't focus on that. I focused on the person holding a sword to my throat.
"Zoro, can you hear me?"
I felt his breath in my ear as he whispered.
"Yes. What is it?"
I kept my eyes on the ship and tried to keep my mouth from moving too much.
"Nami isn't convincing. Make it convincing."
I could tell he heard me. Zoro called over to Nami.
"Nami, this isn't working."
She whirled around, her eyes wide.
"We haven't even tried it all yet."
Oh, she thought the entire plan. Zoro tightened his hold on the sword and suddenly I felt it. The aura around Zoro had changed to something dark, sinister. This was the demon of the East blue. This had murderous intent behind it. I took a deep breath, trying to calm down. Zoro won't hurt me. He won't hurt me. Zoro leered behind me.
"All of the hostage business is a bunch of crap. I say we kill this witch and get Captain Luffy back by force. Isn't that how we always do it?"
I saw the spark light in Nami's eyes. She understood. The navigator shrugged.
"Your right. She was useless anyway. It was about time we got rid of her."
I tried to keep my fear at bay, but I realized that's what I needed. I needed to look scared and act scared to make it more believable. I begged sobbingly.
"Please no, I did everything you asked."
Zoro kicked the back of my knees, making me fall to the ground. Good, don't pull punches. Make it believable. Make them think we are normal pirates. He roared, making me flinch.
"You scum! You let our captain get captured by the enemy. I ought to have killed you right then."
Usopp joined in the fun.
"Yeah, she was starting to get annoying. Finish her off Zoro."
Robin nodded.
"Completely worthless actually. It's better if she's dead."
I look up at the crew to see dispassionate gazes at me. They were pretty good at acting. Now I had to do something. I let all my doubts about Zoro killing me leak into my head. He will do anything to get Luffy back, including kill me. Real panic descended on me as I turn my gaze to Zoro.
"Please, give me another chance."
He stomped his foot on my back, making me gasp in fake pain.
"No more."
He looked up at the Neo Marines, pointing Wado at them.
"Let this girl's death be on your heads."
I gulped as he lowered his sword to the back of my neck.
"A beheading is clean way to die. Be grateful."
I shuddered and looked up at the Neo Marines, despair in my eyes. They all had growing panic in their eyes and I was glad to see some were trying to jump over the ship to try to save me. Z however, held an emotionless look on his face. Was he so immune to pirating that he didn't care if they killed in front of him anymore? I shrieked at them with fear.
"Please, save me!"
"Shut up. Enough talk. Time to die."
Zoro's words brought on sheer panic. I really was going to die in this place. Zoro was really going to kill me. I squirmed underneath his boot.
"Let me go. I beg of you. I will do anything."
I saw Wado rise. I struggled harder and just as I saw the sword swing down I screamed shrilly.
"Help me!"
I had to be grateful to Zoro because I know it must have pained him to do that sloppy, inaccurate sword swing, being the perfectionist and smooth moved person he was, but nevertheless I was grateful for it.
The Neo Marines took the bait.
Suddenly, Z was standing over me, his metal arm blocking Zoro's sword. Then he back armed him, throwing Zoro into the main mast with a sickening crunch. I let a relieved look cross my face but inwardly I cringe at the sound. I hope he's ok.
I am thrown awkwardly over Z's shoulder as I pretended to be in shock. The Straw-hats immediately leap into action.
"Don't let them escape! She's our bargaining chip."
Nami yelled as all the pirates rushed the Neo Marine commander. I could tell that they really did put all of their effort into this, not because of the bargaining chip, but because they didn't want me to be captured too. I smile inwardly as I remember the words I spoke to them.
Look, Z will probably not give Luffy back for a simple hostage. He is too dangerous and famous for that. So they will try to backstab you. They will probably try to take Luffy and me. That is fine because I will infiltrate and help Luffy. You all just need to follow in the Thousand Sunny and wait for my signal.
Everything was going according to plan. It was happening perfectly.
Z easily defeated the Straw-hats, making me ache for them. I wish it didn't have to be so painful. After that, Z surveyed them with disdain.
"You all are weak pirates who cannot stand up to the fist of justice."
I felt my anger flare. What a jerk. My eyes caught Zoro trying to stand near the main mast. I could tell he was in pain, or maybe he was faking. His eye met mine and I could see him asking 'you sure?' I nod slightly. It was too late to turn back now.
Z leapt back to his ship, carrying me. He turned to Ain.
"Sink it."
I felt a panic as I remember the last time Z had said those words. The Thousand Sunny had almost sunk. Nevertheless I played it cool, viewing the pirates with fake anger.
The cannons started to fire, shooting holes in the side of the Straw-hat ship. It took my friends no time to admit defeat and used Coup de Burst to get the heck out of there. I watched them go with nervousness, but with a steely resolve.
My real friends were gone, leaving me in the lion's den. They counted on me to bring back Luffy, and that's what I would do.
Infiltration success.
