Give It Up For You
Pairing: Sanji/Zoro Smoker/Ace Usopp/Kaya Franky/Robin
Disclaimer: All one piece Characters belong to Oda
AN: This chapter was so much shorter; I don't know how it got this long. T-T Hope you enjoy.
Check my pulse for me…To see if I'm alive
Yodane watched Akio with half lidded eyes, blood trickling down her red parted lips. She knew she was going to die by his hands, and really...she didn't feel scared. His voice flooded into her ears, where she could only hear the surge of her own blood pumping through her veins.
"You still alive?" His voice sounded cold to her ears, even when having a knife in her shoulder, and haven stabbed her seven times before.
No, she wasn't going to make it…
A smile crossed her lips, the blood their sliding down from her lips, like a single red tear drop when she heard the man over her cough. She blinked before her crystal blue eyes went to Akio, his face in pure hate as dark blood dripped down his mouth. She wondered if he really did love her. If killing her like this really meant nothing to him.
Her body was numb, she couldn't feel anything, and that alone was a sure sign she would die. "You crossed the line when you touched him…" Yodane wince when she felt Akio alleviate the pressure the knife was causing. She swallowed, "Getting drunk and hurting my son like that, that's when you crossed the line. You could have beaten me, spit on me, lock me in our room, but the moment you lay a finger on my son…"
She had gone to Kureha, where Zoro stayed, and like every weekend she brought her son home. Even though Akio acted indifferent towards their child, he had never laid a hand on him.
He had been drinking since the night before, she didn't know what happened, but the moment she heard her child's cry, she abandoned the carrots she was mashing, as she rushed to where she knew Zoro was, only to find Akio over Zoro.
Zoro was crying on the floor. The moment the one year old saw his mother; he raised both his hands toward her, a gesture for her to pick him up, as he babbled incoherent words while wailing, the only understandable word being "mama."
With a frown on her lips, Yodane pushed Akio to the side, taking Zoro from the blanket he was on. "You ok honey?" The moment she saw Zoro's small arm with a bruise making itself known, her blue eyes snapped to Akio.
"You hit him?!"
"I told him to quiet down, but he wouldn't. Now he's making even more noise." Akio placed his hand on his ear, his nose scrunching in annoyance, "Shut the brat before I do something I will regret!"
Yodane felt her anger boil. "You know what, I'm out of here!" She went to pick up Zoro's bag, but Akio grabbed her hand. She had to quickly balance Zoro with her other arm, out of fear of dropping him, as she glared back at her husband. "What?!"
Almost in a threatening manner, Akio slowly broth his hand to Yodane's face, "Don't be rude to me!" His hand touching the side of her neck. "You're staying here where you belong, and cooking me lunch." Akio released her hand when he saw her stop struggling. "And while you're at it, shut him up, he's getting on my last nerve!"
The moment Akio turned his back, Yodane made her way towards the kitchen. "Shhh" She whispered to her crying son. Her eyes momentarily glanced behind her, as her hand went to the door which was in the kitchen. She noticed Akio had seen her when he bolted off the couch, heading her direction.
Opening the door, she ran, holding Zoro tightly in her arms. She could hear when Akio reached the door, slamming it open, and screaming her name, as he followed after her. Tears started trailing down her cheeks, knowing she wouldn't be able to outrun him. By herself, she would have had a greater chance, but with her son…
She ran almost stumbling over her feet. All she could hear as she ran was her child's cry and her own heart and lungs as it starved for oxygen. A cry almost escaped her lips when she heard Akio scream her name. Seeing an alleyway where it led to a mall, the perfect place to get away from Akio, Yodane made her way, hoping Akio wouldn't catch her before she reached.
All the blonde mother felt was someone grab her from behind, a cry escaped her lips as a hand held her mouth, preventing any noise from escaping her lungs, and pull her back till her back was firmly pressed on the person.
Yodane's eyes were huge, her mind trying to understand what was happening, because someone had pulled her into a building, maybe a house. A voice behind her (Which was not Akio's) told her to quiet her crying child. Doing the same, Yodane placed her hand over Zoro's mouth, muffling the noise, and ignoring when he tried to pull his head free of her hand.
She heard when Akio passed by, screaming her name in rage. The three waited in silence , only Zoro's muffled cry disturbing the silence, until they heard him pass. Yodane pushed herself free from the person behind her, her back hitting the door she had passed through, while her hand covered her crying child protectively.
"Don't look so frightened young lady. After all, I was the one who saved you."
Yodane's eyes were huge, almost like those of a deer in headlights, her blue eyes trying to see through the dark. However, when the light was turned on, she had to turn her face away, as the light burned her eyes. Slowly, when her eyes adjusted to the light, they went back to the person who saved her.
The man was taller than her, but had blonde hair like hers. "Thank you for helping me." She bowed, turning to head back out. But the man's voice stopped her.
"A man shouldn't beat woman." Yodane eyes widen before she glanced back. "What's your name young lady?" Seeming to be thinking it over, she finally told him. "Roronoa Yodane…"
The man smiled. "My name is Zeff, why don't you stay here until he stops crying? I'm sure we can help him feel better. What do you say?"
The man helped her, but she still couldn't trust him. But where would she go with Akio searching for her? Meekly, Yodane nodded. The blonde man didn't say anything as he opened a door, Yodane now noticing they were in a laundry room. Following the man, Yodane stepped into the hallway.
It wasn't long till she was seated on one of the couches in the living room, holding a sniffling Zoro on her lap. Zeff sat as well, leaning forward and placing his forearms on his knees. "How old are you?"
Yodane contemplated lying, but decided not to. "21".
Zeff stood, making Yodane flinch. The blonde stopped in his approach only for a second before he continued. Kneeling on one knee, he gently took Zoro's arm in his large hand. "He's young; he shouldn't be hit this hard."
"I know."
Zeff eyes went to the blonde mother, seeing the bruises that were healing on her tan skin. "Neither should the mother." She didn't say anything this time, but guilt was written on her face.
"Eggplant."
Seconds later, a small boy (at least three years old) ran out the room, an apron wrapped around his waist, a smile on his face, which fell when he saw the two extra guests. "Yes, Zeff." He asked, stopping his advance by the dining room, shyly stepping closer to the wall next to him, in a way to hide himself.
"Why don't you play with…" Zeff looked at Yodane. Understanding the message the mother answered, "Zoro." Turning back to Sanji, Zeff smiled. "Why don't you play with Zoro?"
"I…" Clearly she wanted to protest, but Zeff shook his head. "Tend to his arm, he hurt himself, and make him something to eat. Then you two can play, his mother and I have to talk." Zeff ordered Sanji, his voice sounding smooth as to calm the worried mother.
Finally giving up, Yodane waited for Sanji to reach her side. The moment Sanji was near, Zoro's mouth turned from a frown to a smile, his hands reaching for Sanji. With a smile reflecting Zoro's, Sanji reached for his hand, as their small hands held onto each others.
Placing Zoro on his feet, Sanji held his hand. "He can't walk without your help." Nodding with a smile, Sanji helped Zoro slowly.
"He likes your son. He's never interacted with other small children."
Zeff hummed at the back of his throat, staying quiet so Yodane could start. The blonde mother didn't start right away, but after a short period she started to confess what Akio had done to her over the pass years.
`0`
Sanji had wrapped an elastic band around the small boys arm, and now they were in his room. "My name is Sanji. And I'm a cook." Sanji smiled brightly, as he went around his play kitchen. Zeff had bought him a small kitchen set for his birthday. Each time Zeff cooked, he did too, even if his ingredients were not real.
Zoro nodded enthusiastically, clapping his hands as he did.
Picking up a magazine, Sanji handed it to Zoro. "You have to order something, I will make it!" Zoro once again nodded, looking at the magazine for a few seconds, the child looked at Sanji and smiled again.
"Great, I hoped you would order that!" Sanji went to work in his small kitchen set, where everything was made out of plastic, but that didn't stop the blonde. Finally finished, Sanji handed Zoro a fake hamburger. He watched as the one year looked at it before biting it.
"Wait! You're not supposed to really eat that! Are you hungry?" Taking the plastic hamburger Sanji placed it back. "Baa, Baa." Zoro exclaimed. Sanji smiled nervously. "I'm not sure what the means. How do apples sound? Eh, Do you always nod for every question?" Sanji asked when Zoro nodded again. Shrugging his shoulders Sanji went to get some apples.
`0`
"Why don't you call the police?" Zeff asked when Yodane finished. "Look for help?"
"Because Akio is rich. I did once, but Akio paid him and I got in trouble instead. This time I have another life to think about." Yodane felt defeated, her head hung low. "With money, he can get and do what he wants."
"You can't stay; he will kill you one day. And your son might suffer the same fate." Zeff's said, knowing that if he didn't say this, then one day this young woman will fall victim, and her son might too.
Yodane shook her head, "He doesn't live with me because of fear of what happened today." Shaking her head again, the mother looked at Zeff, "Don't worry about me. He loves me, and treats me like a man should."
Zeff frowned at that. "A man who can't wipe away the tears from a woman's eye, aren't real men…" Yodane's crystal blue eyes snapped towards Zeff's blue eyes, tears starting to form as she bit her bottom lip. Her eyes went behind Zeff, when she saw Zoro and Sanji walk to the kitchen, (in Zoro's case, crawl).
It was the first time she has seen her son with such a bright smile on his face. It pained her to think her child would not smile with that same spirit towards her. It pained her more, knowing she couldn't protect her child.
Feeling she had said enough, Zeff decided to change the subject. "Sanji will make him something good, and healthy. After all, food can either make someone or break someone."
It was then Yodane noticed she had to do something. Even though Zeff told her to run away, she knew she couldn't. Akio will find her and kill her if she did. Her son needed her help, and she would give it to him. "Food can either make someone, or break them…" She whispered to herself.
"And you spike my food…" Akio wiped the blood that went down his nose with his thumb. A sneer took his lips, leaning down Akio pressed the knife deeper, earning a pained moan from the blonde "The moment I noticed, this is what happens! How could you poison me? And to be spiking my food for such a long time! It makes me so mad!"
"So tell me, what were you going to do after I was placed in the hospital?"
"Take Zoro and leave…" She responded calmly. There was no use lying now.
Is this what you call a family?
That made Akio even more angered, his rage escalating along with his voice "Leave me? How the fuck you gonna leave me?!" A laugh escaped his lips. "When I'm the one who's on TV fighting those matches, famous with these girls screaming to be with me! You're the one that can't keep me!" He leaned down, face almost touching Yodane's "How the fuck you gonna leave me? You know I love you! When we fight and when we argue. When I leave those marks on your skin, showing who you belong to!" A wider smile crossed his lips.
"Every woman needs somebody to beat her to keep her in check, that's what a man does!"
Is this what you call a family?-beating me…
A tear formed in her eyes. "He didn't tell me that…" Akio eyes were on Yodane when she said those words, his lips turning into a frown. "A man who can't wipe away the tears from a woman's eye, aren't real men…"
Akio jolted back, he didn't expect her to say something like that! "Who told you that?" He shook his head, seeming to not want to know who. "It doesn't matter! This is your fault! You slept with that man!"
"I only did it because you slept with any women who crossed your path…" Another pain moan escaped her lips when Akio dug the knife deeper into her flesh.
"You did sleep with him! I just want to stab you again and again, and again!"
Is this what you call a family?-beating your son…
Yodane stayed silent, waiting for Akio to calm down before she responded calmly. "I knew it would hurt your pride… I was hurt too, when you left with those women every night…"
"But that child is-"
"Yours… don't be stupid." Yodane's eyes went to the knife, which was coated with her blood. "The thing that changed you wasn't Donquixote or me, it was money. You were a different man back then; the man who saved me isn't the same man who is over me with a knife dug into my flesh…" Yodane closed her eyes. "When you saved me from my abusive family, and took me, you were a different man. Everything changed when you started boxing… when you became famous and wealthy…"
"Don't make this my fault!"
"You did love me…" Her hand trembled till the tip of her finger brushed the scar over Akio's eyes, the scar he obtains when he confronted her father, and asked for her hand on marriage. "You took care of me, and gave me a sense of belonging. I don't know if you still love me... I loved you… but once I saw you hurt my child... I don't love you anymore."
Akio hand trembled as he slowly pulled the knife from Yodane's chest, knowing if he did so he would instantly kill her. She was already bleeding to death from the other eight stabs. When he found out she was poisoning him, he didn't have control of his actions as he chased her to the kitchen, where he was able to grab a knife and once again mark her skin repeatedly.
A violent cough shuddered through his body, momentarily stopping him from taking out the knife, blood on his hand. "I did love you Yodane… And I still do. But I won't die because of this, you won't kill me."
Is this what you call a family,-killing me?
With a striking realization, Akio didn't notice when Yodane's chest stopped moving in a breathing motion, and her blue eyes, which shone with life behind them, were gone.
"Yodane?... Yodane." He pulled the knife completely from her body, his eyes frantically searching for life on the motionless body. Seeing none, Akio bit his bottom lip, his head hanging low. Slowly and carefully, as if he would hurt her, he picked up Yodane's limp body into his arms, as he pressed her body against his, tears filling his eyes.
/
"Zoro, I'm not going to tell you again, get the door!" Kureha's voice was heard from the other room.
"Alright…" A 15 year old Zoro responded, as he rolled off the couch. He really hated to get off the couch on a Sunday.
"What have I told you about not picking up your feet as you walk?" Zoro could hear Kureha from inside her room shout again. Rolling his eyes, Zoro did what was told to him. Seriously, she was hard to please. "And don't roll your eyes!"
"What the- How did she?" Shaking his head the green hair teen finally reached the front door and opened it. "What do you want?" he asked dryly.
"Hello." Zoro raised an eyebrow, clearly annoyed. "My, you do look like me."
Zoro frowned; now realizing the tall man in front of him had a striking resemblance to his. "Where is Kureha? I would like to speak with her."
Without taking his eyes off the man, Zoro called for the nurse. Zoro didn't miss the face Kureha made when she saw the man standing by the front door. "Zoro go to your room now." The green hair teen gave the man one last glare before doing as Kureha ordered.
Once he left, the nurse looked at Akio. He didn't look like she remembered him. He seemed thinner, smaller in built, and pale. "It's been 14 years, what are you doing here?"
"I'm here for my son."
A small smirk worked its way to her lips. "And you think I would give him up? What? Feeling like a father all of a sudden?"
"You can keep him once I'm finished with him." Kureha didn't say anything, however, she did move closer to the door, almost blocking it now. What did take her by surprise was that Akio seemed to sway on his feet before he straightens himself again.
"Are you sick?" Kureha asked. Seeing all the signs that there was something wrong. Akio closed his eyes. "This is all Yodane's faults. No matter where I go, I get the same results… I need Zoro to come with me to see if we are compatible. I am in need of a kidney."
Kureha could feel her anger rise. "This is why you come? Because now your life is in danger. This whole time you didn't care about him. Even when you killed his mother, you have no shame coming back and showing your face around here!"
"Did you tell him?"
"What? That you took his mother's life with your hands." Seeing Akio frown deeper, Kureha didn't wait for an answer. "Of course I told him. He's a strong boy. I didn't tell him you used to abuse her, or how she died. All he knows is that his father killed his mother."
"He doesn't even know you are his father. Please leave, he is not going with you."
The sound of a bang brought Zoro from his room, only to see the green hair stranger with his hand wrapped around Kureha's throat. Zoro didn't hesitate to push Akio back, hard enough to make the bigger man stumble back and almost lose his footing, releasing his hold on Kureha.
"What the fuck! Don't you touch her!"
"Zoro, Language." Kureha still reprimanded through clinched teeth, one hand on her neck. Zoro glanced back at her, before his green eyes went back to Akio, the man fixing his tie, his green eyes on the teen. A smile took his lips. "Kikiki" He laughed before he spoke.
"All I need is a blood sample to see if we are compatible. Turns out there are genetics in my genes that won't allow me to take any other donors." Seeing his son look back at Kureha for answers, he decided to shed some light. Taking a few steps, Akio was over Zoro, a grin still on his lips. "You see brat. I'm the man who took your mother's life."
That provoked the desired effect. Zoro's eyes widen, as he realized several things at once, this man was the one who killed his mother, and this man was his father. "I won't hesitate to repeat my action with this "mother" as well."
"Fucking try it!" Akio moved faster than he reacted. Akio swiftly took a hold of his son's neck, pushing him onto the wall next to them. "You can't beat me like you are now. A man like me would never get beaten by a weak child like you." Akio tightened his hold, making Zoro try to pull free and struggle for air.
"Stop!" Kureha ran by Akio's side, only for the man to push her to the ground, making her land on her side. His eyes slowly went to Zoro when he heard him speak.
"Do you really want me dead? Or alive, cause a living…" Zoro spit the blood that was in his mouth, which was when he bit his tongue when his father bashed his body against the wall. "Cause a living donor is better than a dead one. Just don't touch her and I will give you some of my blood to see… if we are compatible." A satisfying smile took his lips, which only made Zoro want to punch it off his face.
Zoro ignored Kureha who was shaking her head, saying no. "Deal?" He rasped out, feeling like his lungs were not getting enough air.
"Nurse" Akio addressed Kureha without changing his glance. "Go look for the things needed for a blood sample."
/
Zoro was now 19, he hadn't seen Akio since then, and in all honesty, he didn't want to see him. He never did find out if he was compatible with the man who was his father. He didn't even know if he was still alive. It wasn't until Chopper, whose parents died and Kureha adopted him, came to live with them that Akio decided to make his appearance. This time with another claim.
"I'm not giving you anything for you to be able to live! You're the one who should be dead right now, yet you're still alive! I'm not giving you shit!"
This time Zoro was older, and stronger, and Akio couldn't use his size and strength to intimidate him. "Zoro, you don't seem to understand, in a few years I will die if I don't have your precious kidney."
"And I give a shit because?" The way his father's mouth slowly turned into a smile disturbed Zoro more than what he would like to confess. Kureha was behind him, a crying Chopper in her hand. This wasn't the first time Akio had reached their doorstep, and this isn't the first time he had said no.
Akio didn't take that answer lightly. With his money and power, he was able to make their life a living hell. Kureha was forced to close the clink because he gave Kureha a bad reputation, no job wanted to hire her. They still didn't know how, but Kureha couldn't even get her retirement money, Akio was rich and doing anything he wanted was easy. Too bad he couldn't heal his illness with money.
Akio leaned his weight on the door, a clear sign they were pushing his patience, and he would most likely make a threat he would follow through. The man placed a hand over his face, covering his eyes. "I didn't want to do this, but if you leave me no choice… Chopper was his name?"
Both Kureha and Zoro frown, this was not going to be like any other threat. They didn't respond, watching Akio closely.
"Chopper, kinda reminds me of Chop, don't you think?" Akio laughed. "A chopped Chopper, how does that sound? A small child is so fragile, cutting thought his flesh would be like cutting through butter" His cold eyes went to Zoro. He could see as fear started to settle in his son. "I haven't gone back on any of my threats, and I'm not planning on doing it now… It's either my life or Choppers. Think about it, you will be saving two lives."
"Zoro don't listen to him." Kureha's voice sounding doubtful, even to her own ears.
"Don't listen to her." Akio stepped closer to Zoro, pushing him against a wall. "I'll give you three seconds to make your choice. 3…" Zoro bit his bottom lip. 2…1- what a shame, he was such a cute ba-"
"FINE!"
"Zoro no!" Kureha pleaded, her hands tightening around Chopper. But Zoro couldn't do this, keep hurting Kureha and Chopper. Their house was falling apart, they barely had money. He was working three jobs and that was not enough. Chopper was a baby, he deserved better than this.
He couldn't do it anymore, hurt his family like he was doing now. "Fine" He couldn't take it anymore. Seeing Kureha suffer because of him. "Fine…" Chopper… Not anymore, not because of him.
Akio snapped his fingers, a man appearing behind him with a paper. "Smart choice. At least Chopper will live." Zoro bit his bottom lip, his eyes still on Akio. "Here, sign this. It's to guarantee you won't back off. In exactly one week, I want this over with."
"Zoro, please. Don't."
"No, give me time." Zoro ordered.
Akio raised an eyebrow, a smirk working its way to his lips. "How long?" He asked casually.
"Four years."
"Ha, you think I will wait that long. Sign the pape-"
"What? Scared you won't make it? Are you that weak? If I am giving my organ to someone, that person has to be worth giving it to" Zoro taunted. "4 years, or nothing."
Snapping his finger again, Akio spoke. "Change the contract. 4 years. In four years I have the right to take what is mine."
"Deal."
/
"I signed it."
Sanji didn't know what to say. Zoro almost looked destroyed just telling him what will be happening soon.
"It's been four years." Zoro leaned his forehead on Sanji's knee. "Any moment he will come for me. And I don't fucking want to give him a part of me. Not to the person who killed my mother, hurt Kureha and threaten Choppers life."
"What does that have to do with this?" Sanji asked, looking at the junk food in the Marimo's room.
"On the day of the surgery, if I am not physically for it, I won't have to go through with it."
"That's the reason you asked for so much time?" Sanji asked, placing his hand on Zoro's head, his fingers griping the strands of green hair. All of a sudden it made sense. If his father was coming back to get him and Zoro was in no condition to go into surgery than the contract would mean nothing. But the only way that could happen is if Zoro is sick. And it can't be something the doctors can keep under control during the process. It has to be a sickness where it would be impossible for Zoro to be a donor.
"I can't let him have my kidney. I'm the only person he will be able to get it from. If he doesn't, then my mother's death would mean something. A man like that should be six feet under."
Sanji couldn't say he didn't agree. A man that beats a woman was to suffer and die. But then there was a man like Zoro, who didn't deserve that. But Zoro preferred to hinder himself, so he could see his father die slowly. And Zoro couldn't do anything about it, since he was forced to sign that contract. Not only that, Akio had money on his side, meaning Zoro is powerless.
"Cook, you have to help me. You're the only one who can." Sanji's eyes slowly widen. "Sanji, right now it's in your hands. Please! Help me."
Sanji didn't know what to say, if he didn't help Zoro, then Akio would get what he wants. If he did, he would be killing Zoro...
A/N: I wonder what Sanji will choose.
Oh, some of the sayings in this Chapter I got from the awesome band "sleeping with sirens!"