"I'm LEAVING!" a voice yelled, distinctly heard by the aghast captain. Sanji frowned.
"Fine! It's not my fault though!" the chef replied. Nami, Robin, Chopper, Usopp and Luffy were gathered around the fighting men on the deck. During a recent battle with the Marines, Sanji had kicked a Marine straight into Zolo, causing the swordsman to fall overboard. It would have been quite comical if Zolo and Sanji's nerves hadn't been stretched to the breaking point by Luffy being in the clutches of Chaser.
That's right, Chaser had managed to get a hold of the wayward captain and had literally yoinked him off of the ship. But, the two should have known better for as soon as Chaser's back was turned, Luffy rocketed himself back to the ship, where he had found Sanji and Zolo already in major 'asshole, it's your fault!' sparring mode.
"You were the one who knocked that Marine into me!" Zolo responded, one foot resting on the side of the ship, the green haired man poised to leap over the side onto the earth below.
"By accident! But, if you're going to leave, go ahead Don't just stand there talking about it!" Sanji growled before storming back into the kitchen. Well, this shocked everyone into a stunned silence. Zolo's eyes shifted to Luffy, who looked at him with big, sad eyes.
"Bye Luffy." he said gruffly and disappeared over the side of the ship. Luffy ran to the rail and his hands clenched on the wood.
"Zolo!" he called but the swordsman just kept walking. "ZOLO!" Luffy tried again but still the swordsman ignored him and disappeared over the horizon.
Tears began streaming from Luffy's eyes as he thought about that day. He knew he should just forget all this, and he knew he should stop looking but something inside him compelled him to do so. A month ago it had happened, a month since he hadn't been saved, a month since it had happened…
Zolo stopped. The Merry Go was in front of him. He had only been gone from it a week but already he was missing it. Almost joyfully, he ran towards it, hoping Luffy would let him back aboard. He climbed up the ladder and jumped onto the deck, his boots hitting the wood with a thud.
Swordsman, my swordsman…why did you leave?
Zolo looked around and the ship was silent. He walked forward slowly, noticing something was different…and wrong. Severely wrong. There was no noise, there was no movement. He opened the galley door and looked in, amazed to see the rest of the crew there. They all looked ashen, like they had been crying. He tilted his head and slowly entered causing the crew to look up from their places around the table.
Swordsman, my swordsman…how could you do this?
The crew stared back at him blankly. He noticed the absence of the person who made the ship a colourful place.
"Where's Luffy?" Zolo asked slowly. The crew stared blankly at him until Nami gave a strangled sob and got up from the table. She stared at Zolo, deep brown eyes swimming with tears.
"He's dead." she said.
Swordsman, my swordsman…I've lost you forever.
"What? How?" Zolo asked quickly, his heart about to burst. Sanji looked up at him, his usually delicately curled eyebrow almost straight.
"He drowned. The day after you left." the chef said quietly.
Water, rushing in his ears, making it seem like everyone was talking to him at once before silence, so harsh it felt like he was going deaf. He knew nothing would save him from that bottomless ocean and no matter how hard he tried, he wouldn't be able to save himself either.
Swordsman, my swordsman…why didn't you save me? Now I'm a ghost, and I'm all alone.
end
Yeah, yeah shoot me. I just love writing the emotions of the people after someone dies. Anyway, I have a present for all you reviewers. Another ZoLu, it's AU and I think you'll love it. He he. I'm such a tease.