Chapter Ten: The lion, the Prince and the angel Part one
still don't own anything but annie and the people of the bear claw oh and Markus
Sanji sat on the roof glaring up at the ship that hadn't moved for the past two days the only thing that had moved was when Shiki was coming down to get supplies for the crew and then sending them back up there had to be some way for them to get down because Sanji would see the crew walking around on the ground sometimes the issue was no one ever saw how so they had to be doing it when they were switching shifts or something because everyone was taking turns watching the ship but so far things weren't working out Sanji couldn't keep his mind off of Annie, he was worried about her he just hoped that Shiki hadn't hurt her if there was any harm done to her, Sanji was going to kill him not that he didn't think about doing it already just for touching her it may not have helped that if he didn't Dracule would.
"Hey Sanji Lunch is ready" Robin said she had a plate for him with a sandwich on it Sanji thanked her and took it proceeding to watch the ship Robin sat next to him and also watched the ship Robin sighed a little noticing how determined Sanji was she smiled a bit it was interesting to see the cook this way on one hand it was sweet but on the other hand it concerned her to see him so worried. Robin wasn't Jealous of annie not in the least but for sanji to be so worried wasn't healthy he was still a little sick according to Chopper and the doctor he still had a slight fever and wasn't as quick as he usually was so Robin was more worried about how that would affect him if he got in a fight with anyone
"Sanji why don't you go take a nap afterwards i'll report anything I see to you" Robin said to him smiling a little bit Sanji shook his head though Robin frowned usually Sanji would do anything a pretty girl would tell him too so to see this sudden change was quite unusual maybe it was the fever
"It's alright Robin-chan I promise" Sanji said Robin shook her head
"No you're not Sanji you're still sick, You need rest otherwise Shiki's going to destroy you in a fight" Robin told him Sanji sighed "And then think of what that'll do to Annie" Robin added Sanji frowned before he nodded seeing her point, turning around and dying was no way to repay Annie for saving his life in the first place he smiled at her and nodded
"Thank you Robin-chan" he said before he headed down stairs Robin smiled a little before a sudden realization of something they could have done hit her she did a bit of a face palm why hadn't she thought of this before?
Robin hurried down stairs to the others
"I know how we can get up to the ship!"
~~~~
Annie leaned back against the wall of room she was locked in she was now in chains her hands bound above her head and her feet just barely touching the ground she was very badly hurt from Shiki's latest forms of torture in the attempt to get Annie to submit and join them which she wouldn't do though things were starting to look tough Annie closed her eyes when she heard the door open she groaned not wanting to have to deal with Shiki or Indigo right now
"You've got yourself in quite a pickle little Anne" Annie's eyes snapped open as she saw Markus never had she been so happy to see him
"Makrus what are you doing here?" She asked him as he hurried over and wiped some blood out of her face
"I joined Shiki" Markus said Annie glared at him but Markus quickly backed himself up "I'm not officially part of the crew yet I only did it so I could come and get you I swear" Markus told her ripping a part of his jacket and tying it around Annie's arm which was bleeding, in case you were wondering Markus had long spikey brown hair that reached his jaw he usually wore a white T-shirt, black jeans and a navy blue Trench coat his skin was a little dark kind of like Robin's he had hazel round hazel eyes, he was tall about 6"2 and when he was Sober he was actually quite enjoyable to be around despite that he was a bit of a ladies man
"See the straw hat's plan was taking too long so I took matters into my own hands and met up with Shiki while he was on a supply run we chatted he thought I was funny, realized how well I did with the ladies, not to mention I slipped that I knew you and here I am" Markus said to her as he picked the lock on her chains when he got them off of her he helped her into a sitting position on the ground before taking his coat off and putting it over her shoulders
"I'll be back later Annie I promise" he told her smiling before he left Annie smiled a little
"For an asshole he's a pretty good friend" She said with a chuckle
~~~~~
"MARKUS YOU DID WHAT?" Dracule and Tom screamed at him as he showed them the tattoo on his wrist that was Shiki's mark Sanji was equally as pissed off
"Your plan was taking to long so I took actions into my own hands!" Markus shouted back
"But now we know how to get up there" Robin said "I'm going to make a ladder using my Devils fruit powers and we're all going to storm the ship"
"Not a good Idea Shiki's got the whole place on lock down just for that not to mention his guys outnumber you" Markus said simply sitting down at the bar Nami frowned at him
"So what do you suppose we do?" She asked Markus grinned
"You've all heard of the Trojuns right?" he asked everyone gave him a skeptical look as he took a sip of water he had to stay sober so that he could help Annie so that's all he was drinking right now
"Of course who hasn't heard of them?" Dracule said he still didn't see where this was going no one really did except for Markus well so far any way
"Well now that Shiki knows the straw hats are in town he's going to be looking every where for them I offered to come down here and find them for him" Markus said Robin smiled she was starting to get the idea
"you're thinking of an attack like the Trojun horse"
"Except with out the horse"
~~~
Annie was led out of her room my Indigo she had been patched up quite a bit and given a rather nice dress it was emerald green long sleeved and reached a little below her knee's with a black corset like pattern around the waist Annie didn't know what was going on but she knew she didn't like it something was up she was led above deck Shiki grinned seeing her
"Hey there Angel-chan you look great in that dress"
"Save it, what's this about"
"I thought you might like to see what became of your beloved cook" Shiki said Markus walked onto the deck then Sanji in front of him with his hands tied behind his back Markus held a knife to his back Annie's eyes grew wide
"We found him trying to sneak onto the ship with the supplies" Markus said shoving Sanji forward so he fell to his knees Sanji glared at him, giving him a look of hatred
"Bastard how could you do this!"
"Simple, I get rid of you I get Little Ann" Markus said grinning at him Annie was pissed she tried to march over to attack Markus but Shiki grabbed her by the shoulders to stop her but she tried to get away
"Markus how could you!"
"You know it could end if you just join the crew" Shiki said Annie looked at Sanji who just shook his head Annie glared at Shiki
"Not on your life"
Shiki sighed before shoving her into Markus's arms
"Lock them up," Shiki demanded Markus nodded before pulling Sanji to his feet and leading the two down stairs Annie was shouting at him the entire way down there once they were out of ear shot of the others Markus sighed
"Ann-"
"I trusted you!"
"Ann"
"After everything that has happened to us over the last couple years"
"Ann"
"And you turn around and you throw it all away-"
"Ann shut up" Markus said Annie was caught off guard and was just silently shocked until she noticed Sanji was out of his ropes and smiling at her a little he hugged her relieved that she was alright she was still a bit hurt but he could pay Shiki back for that later
"It's alright my angel, this is all part of the plan" he told her before kissing the top of her head Markus then lead the way to the storage room and opened a hatch that was usually sealed tight below were some floating crates that made a trail down to a near by rooftop when Annie looked down she saw that all of her friends and nakama were waiting for them Dracule immediately started climbing up the crates he hugged her when he reached the top
"Thank god you're alright"
"Yeah i'm fine Geesh quit being so out of character" Annie said shoving her brother off of her with a smile Dracule smirked
"I'm sorry would you prefer me to go on killing Markus for joining Shiki and not running this plan by us before we started it?" Dracule asked her Annie pretended to think about that until Terry handed her, her Sai swords Annie hugged them while they were still in the sheaths
"Last time I ever leave with out these" she said strapping them to her hips before hugging the rest of her friends the group then all went into the hallway but Markus grabbed Annie before she could follow either of the other groups
"Oh no you and I are going back to the tavern" Markus said Annie glared and pulled her arm away from him
"Like hell I am"
"Annie, i'm not pulling you back for your safety i know you can take care of yourself but once Shiki realizes what's going on he's going to go after the Tavern" Markus said Annie realized he was right she looked to where Sanji was waiting in the hall he walked over and smiled at her
"Don't worry my angel I promise we'll be come back" he said before kissing her forehead Markus turned away at this going to start heading down so they could have their moment Annie hugged Sanji
"I thought I'd never see you again"
"trust me you're not going to get rid of me that easily" Sanji told her Annie smiled up at him sense he was only a little taller than her she blushed a little realizing how close they were she tried to pull back but Sanji pulled her tighter to him before placing his lips on hers once more for a passionate and longing kiss which Annie returned before pulling away the two just stared at each other for a moment before Sanji let her go and began to follow the straw hats above deck Annie watched him leave then turned when she heard Markus clear his throat
"Your Chariot awaits little Ann" he said smiling at her Annie took one last look to where Sanji had disappeared and smiled a little bit
"you better come back love cook" she said before following Markus.