X: The Call to Brother
The next morning Taizuu stomped his way into the shop, startling some of the animals with his dramatic entrance.
"D!!" He called.
"Ahh!" Luffy said as he tried to grab the birds that got out of their cage. "Thanks a lot!" He managed to get one when D came in.
"You called, Taizuu?"
"Do you have any idea who the man was that was found in your shop?"
"All I know that he had threatened Luffy-chan while I was out."
"The coroner said that he was mobbed by a large animal!"
"And why would you think I would hold such a thing?"
"I know you D…"
"Do you now?"
"Are you two going to make out or something?" Luffy said plainly as he got the birds in the cage.
Before either of the men could say something, someone else called.
"Oi! Luffy-san…"
The three look to see Zoro, in human form and wearing a plain white shirt with the petshop logo and dark brown pants.
"You done cleaning yet? We have to grab that damn box."
"Coming!" Luffy said as he ran out, leaving the smiling owner and the confused boss alone.
"When did you hire him?" Taizuu asked.
"Just this morning." D said with a smile. "He didn't have a place to go and Luffy had to beg me to let him stay."
"Why wasn't I notified?"
"I figured you were busy with other important things than this." He sighed, showing more of his female persona than normally. "You're usually in such high spirits when you're well rested."
"Cut the crap, D! I know you have something that can kill that man, and that guy is in on it!"
"You're certainly spirited today."
"You'll be lucky if I don't fire you on the spot!"
"On what grounds?"
"Are you two fighting again?" Luffy said as he and Zoro brought in the crate.
"You! With the green hair. I have to ask you some questions." Taizuu said as the crate was set down and the man straightened and looked straight at him.
"My name is Roronoa Zoro. I'm nineteen years old, non-smoker, blood-type AB positive, I drink on occasion, home-schooled, parents abandoned me at the age of three, served time for stealing, and was in and out of some gangs before I got bored and decided to make do with my life and found myself here."
Taizuu was speechless as he sat down in the plush chair when D brought out some tea.
"You really need to loosen at least some tension off your shoulders."
"Can't… There's always work to be done. And I'll have plenty of rest when I'm dead."
"That's not good." Luffy said. "That means you don't enjoy your life."
"Not everything is a happy fairytale plot." Taizuu said as he took a sip.
"I'm not talking about fairies, I'm talking about you not enjoying life, living in the moment."
"What are you? A hippie now?""
"No, I'm Luffy."
D giggled as Zoro grinned.
Taizuu finished the tea and sighed. "I believe I found a way to contact your brother."
"Really!?"
"Unfortunately…" He mumbled. "I'll call here about closing time and transfer the call. You only get at least a few minutes to talk to him."
"Just enough." He said as he hugged the man. "Thank you!"
"Oh Taizuu! You really are kind hearted!" D said while clapping his hands.
"Shut up…" He said as he looked uncomfortable with the other hugging him and waited until it was over and left the shop.
At that moment Zoro yawned. "I'm going to take a nap."
"Okay Zoro, see ya!" Luffy said as the other went through the back door and D told him other jobs for him to do.
~*~
Before closing time the phone rang and Luffy was there to pick up. "Hello?"
"I'm connecting you now." Taizuu said as the teen waited until he heard a familiar voice.
"Hello?"
"Ace, it's Luffy."
"Luffy?! Are you okay?"
"I'm great, what about you?"
"Tired and worried about you."
"I'm okay Ace, really. I got a job and the owner lets me stay in the shop since I started working."
"Where?"
"I can't say."
"Right… Is it safe?"
"Safe and honorable. I even made a few friends that help out a lot."
"That's good to hear."
"I miss you…"
"I miss you too… Stay out of trouble."
"Yeah…"
"I have to go now."
"Okay…"
"I love you."
"I love you too. I'll talk to you when I can."
"I'd like that. Bye."
"Bye…" With that he hang up the phone and didn't move for a moment as he felt two arms wrapped around him. He looked back to see Zoro. "Zoro?"
"It's late."
"Right…" He said as he felt the other's thumb wipe his tears away.
"You'll talk and see him again, Luffy, he's your brother."
He nodded as tears fell freely from his eyes.
Zoro moved the teen so he could see the other's face before leaning down and licked them away.
"Z-Zoro…?" he whispered, a bit taken aback on the licking.
"Hm?"
"Why?"
"What?"
"Why are you licking me?"
"To take the tears away."
He was a bit surprised but he held the other in a tight embrace. "Thank you." He said.
Zoro wrapped his arms around the other and rested his head on top of the mop of black hair.
D had been watching and smiled sadly as he quietly sipped his tea. 'How much longer I wonder?' He thought as he slipped into the shadows, leaving the tiger comforting the teen.