*This chapter has underage drinking.

...

Chapter 11: Tequila!

"Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight / Won't somebody help me / Chase the shadows away"
- Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, ABBA

...

Ruka, after the massacre

"Why didn't you take her?" Ruka's friend crossed his arms, gazing at the uncontrolled fire on Enies Lobby. He was in a sour mood after ridding himself of loyal marines on his ship. He was pacing, sighing and glancing out his window. "We should've taken her - she has the pluton!" The captain's cabin was designed in carved wood with a clear finish. Something grand yet old, it had an earthy color range. Green and browns.

Ruka chuckled, bandaging her aching limbs. "Throw away your affection for Ayame," she playfully berated him. "She's too young for you, and she's going to be an important asset to our cause. You should go out and find a woman your age, Jagger. There are plenty of fishes in the ocean."

Jagger stomped his foot like a child. The bloodstains on his marine cast were fresh and vibrant. "There's no one else like us, Ruka! And besides," he gritted his teeth, glaring at her exclusively. "You basically cockblock me with every woman I happen to fall in love with!" Then an idea popped in his head and he casually sat beside her half-naked form. "Unless..." He began, eyeing her breasts.

"I like women," she reminded, pulling on a clean dark shirt and jacket to match.

Grumbling, he pushed himself off the wooden bench by his bed. "Anyway, Freyja would be furious when she hears about your plans with Ayame. And what of her old master? Valarius? He'll hunt us down - wherever he is or if he's even alive. Let's hope for the latter. Just what are you planning, hm? Building a mass of mindless killers? They're merely children."

"Those two..." Ruka dusted herself off. Freyja and Valarius, she thought in simmering rage. "She's the one who wants mindless killers and Valarius wanted Ayame to feel less of a human being so she would not remember. For me, I want to restore what was taken from us. Those kids, Jagger, they don't deserve to not feel emotions or to fight because they're told to. They need to know why we fight, and that will make us stronger."

"Aren't you worried if they, I don't know - turn against us? What about the Black Brotherhood?"

"They won't, and let me deal with the assassins." She assured him before changing the subject. "Ayame's not like the rest of them. A child with eidetic memory... It must be her destiny to find a new home for us. She's our wild card. Our pathfinder."

"You know," he gave her crucial look. "After this day, she'll be a wanted pirate. Then the assassins will hunt her down if they find out her affiliation with Valarius. And here I was trying to avoid that from happening..."

Ruka nodded solemnly. "It's for the best for now." Ruka picked her pocket and brought out an odd log post. It resembled a snow globe, instead of it being a clear glass, it was dark blue. Bringing the hidden map to the sun, the log post glimmered, showing the night sky with constellation stars.

To Elendil's Island.

...

Water 7, days later

"Woo!" Nami shot down her glass. "Another one?" She glanced over at Robin, who placed her shot glass down with a smile, and the woman nodded, unaffected by the tequila. The stars had just begun glimmering in the sky above them. The sizzling of mizu-mizu meat on the grill made people only

"Hell yeah, hit me with anotha!" A voice called beside her, raising her empty glass with a silly grin. "Sogeking, drink, drink, drink!" Ayame tipped the glass higher so all the liquids fell in his puckering lips. Tequila had more of a kick than vodka. "Be a man, king of sniper island! Chug, chug!" While she was busy with Sogeking, Nami filled her glass for another round.

Usopp in disguise slammed the glass down and let out a mushroom sigh. His nose was starting to appear pink. "Ah, I can't take it anymore! No more, no more!" He pushed the glass away before slinking away with Luffy patting his back. "Who's up for karaoke?! Lu lu lala lu! Lu lu lu lu lu lu!"

"Kanpai!" The ladies shouted, clanking their glasses together before downing it all.

"My," Robin giggled, watching the girl in leather attire smile and asked for another. "I didn't know you became a drinker, Ayame-chan."

The redhead waved her off. "Drinker? Please, this is her second shot, Robin-chan. She got drunk just sniffing the tequila! Heh!"

"Tequila makes me feel..." Ayame hiccuped; she was squinting her eyes in thought. "Like complete and utter shit, but I can't live without it." Pulling the bottle to her, she began to caress it like a lover.

"Spoken like a true alcoholic." A large hand clasped over her shoulder. "She's had enough, you two. Hand her some water, geez." Zoro took away the tequila causing two out of the three ladies to frown. He tsked at Ayame, looking her up and down before diverting his eyes elsewhere. The leather skirt was revealing too much curves he did not think it existed until now. Now he understood why there were a few men eyeing her rear; it was a pleasant sight, he admitted.

She was a pleasant sight to begin with. Not too pretty, not too ugly. Very short, yet very becoming. Shaking his head, it must be the alcohol warping his mind. She's demonspawn.

Ayame stood up, stumbling violently and falling to her knees before shooting up. Leaning on the table, she gave the swordsman a disarming smile. "Zoro-kun," her arms trailing around his waist while she nuzzled into his warmth. The two ladies watching tried to hide their snickers and grins by hovering a hand over their lips. "You smell nice." If she was trying to be sneaky, it wasn't working.

"Quit it, I can see you reaching for the tequila." He huffed above her while sending the women a threatening glare. Ayame whimpered, stomping her feet and rubbing her wavy hair into his chest in attempt to guilt him. "You've had enough."

"Oh my gosh, I'm not even drunk, Mr. Cactus-guy. Like I had... two shots? Give or take, and the vile taste is strangely comforting." She whined, glancing up with those puppy dog eyes. "Please!"

"What's this? My lady is crying for help?" Sanji came in, folding his sleeves up and flipping a stray lock back to its place. "My mellorine, what is the matter?" He tugged her hand free from Zoro, whirling her into his arms. Pulling her closer, he hooked his finger under her chin and tilted her head up.

Ayame's blue eyes twinkled at the smooth as fuck action Sanji pulled off (without his usual lovey-dovey attitude). And she began stuttering. "Te... Te..." She would start, staring into his deep blue orbs.

Nami nearly fainted at the drama bestowed upon her if Robin hadn't caught her. The older woman began to fan the redhead's face as they watched with interest. They glanced back at Zoro's gawking face and back at Sanji's suave gestures. Their eyes landed on Ayame, who struggled to say a word as she was lost into his disarmingly charming grey-blue orbs.

"It's... It's too much...!" Nami whispered, hiding behind a fist, gnawing it in anticipation.

"Oi," Zoro started, taking Ayame back into his arm. "What the hell do you think you're doing ero-cook? She's drunk."

Sanji gave his rival a chilling smile. "Same goes for you, you barbaric mossball."

"What was that?" He threatened. Zoro's hands were free from Ayame (and the tequila) so he could grip his katana. The two sent each other a glare as they got in front of their faces, grumbling threats and silently pushing one another to and fro. "Just what were you implying, dartboard - Oi, get down from there!"

"Ayame-chwan! Please be careful!" The chef placed himself in front of her as Nami and Robin copied their spontaneous crew mate. "Robin-chwan?! Nami-swan?! ... Wow, all three of you are dancing on the table! What a sight!" He cooed, his body waving like a paper on a windy day.

She moaned in annoyance, trying to shake off Zoro's hands around her ankles while holding the bottle of tequila and her glass. Turning to her girl friends, she began moving her arms and bopping her head with a vibrant smile. "Who wants a shot?" The two ladies cheered, shoving their empty glasses while she clumsily poured each of their cups. "Drink! Drink! Drink! Alcohol for you and alcohol for me, yo ho ho, a pirate's life for me!"

Is that a song she made up? Zoro couldn't help but smirk at the absurdity. She did not look good dancing with their bottom half stiff as a board.

"Kanpai!" Nami shouted over the music, clinking her glass with the girls. The bass shook everything in an upbeat tune.

Luffy's ear twitched from a distance. "IS WHAT I HEARD RIGHT?!" He yelled with that strong voice, sending himself to them as he joined arms with Ayame. "Ayame's becoming a true pirate! Drink! Drink! Drink! Eat! Eat! Eat! Pirate's life for me! And you! And you!" He pointed at each individual.

These four... Can't believe they got Robin dancing up on the table too... He glared up at them, watching them flail, chug or sing, or all of it. But his eyes drifted too far, causing him to blink and look away from her rear next to his face. But he couldn't help from glancing up at Ayame, she was pouring another shot. "Ayame, put that down." He ordered, still flushing and holding her ankles still. "Put it down!"

She tossed him a "make-me" look and slowly inched the glass to her lips.

"Ayame. Ayame. AYAME!" He warned, trying to buckle her knees. "Don't you even-" Slowly angling her wrist, the liquid poured down her throat, making damn sure he was watching. Since when did he care if she was drunk or not? Ah, right. It's because she'll probably end up butt-naked, lost and crying in a corner. He huffed, letting her do whatever.

What a gong show. He thought, dodging Ayame's heels at one point. And she's never going to find that shoe again.

"Ah, I'm sweating." She tore her shirt off, flinging it across the crowd, blinding Iceburg momentarily. Men and women gaped until they noticed it wasn't that revealing of a bra. However, to Zoro, it was enough for him to pull her to solid ground and block the view. "Oh? Zoro, aren't you hot as well?" Her warm hands clumsily gripped his t-shirt, trying to rip it off.

"Quit it, you pervert!" He turned around, fighting her assaulting hands. "I said, quit it, woman!"

Sanji glanced back and rushed in the speed of light. "Ayame-chwan! You can take off my clothes! Take it off! I'm hot! So hot!" He went down on his knees and displayed his upper body to her. "Very, very hot~!"

Ayame gasped, letting go of the t-shirt to help the chef. "Sanji-kun, don't die from the heat!"

If this was heaven, Sanji's never leaving. She called me Sanji-kyun~!

Ayame's sun-kissed hands went to his buttoned up blouse. His blue eyes seemed to trail down to her chest, ogling the simple black bustier bra. He nearly drooled. Such humble breasts! They could fit in my hands! Eehehe! Closer! Closer! Almost there! Then the music changed to something more soothing.

Eh? Eh? EH?! Ayame-chwan?! Where are you going?!

Following her feet, Ayame stopped to a clear space and began to dance along to some slow song one of the shipwrights were playing. The skies were dark and the stars twinkled as the party played on. She was swaying her hips to a soft song. Beautiful and soulful. Barefoot, she went up to the balls of her feet and down in slow enchanted grace.

Zoro sighed in contempt. He let his fingers relax against his swords. It was too close. He was too close on hitting the ero-cook on the head.

The men around her had stopped what they were doing and watched with a smile tugging at the corner of their lips. They sighed, entranced by her fluid movements. A lone dancer, although drunk and staggering, it was still a sight to behold. Leaning on their hands, their eyes followed and anticipated her moves from afar. It was like watching their nonexistent daughter dance for the first time.

Lean arms were flowing into the wind, her movements were fluid like a calm river. Her eyes were shut as she swayed back and forth, to and fro. Others joined her on the dance floor. Some were alone like her and holding a bottle of rum, swaying like leaves on an autumn day, and others with a partner.

Zoro nearly missed his lips and spilled his alcohol on his pants. He was distracted. His heart picked up the pace and his sights on her slowed. It was as if she was the only one he could see. The vulnerability she had when she's drunk. However, the spell broke when her eyes opened and spotted him.

A smile broke out. Something out of familiarity. "Sanji-kun, dance with me." She offered, causing the blond to freeze up and blush madly. While he was caught up in his own internal conflict to notice a shipwright had taken her offer from him.

"I'd like a dance with you," Paulie scratched the back of his neck with his index. He was intoxicated enough to ask.

Zoro huffed and chugged down an entire bottle of red wine. This was difficult to watch. She was a completely different person. And she could smile. That damn girl could smile and his stomach would flutter.

He silently hoped that she would turn the shipwright down-

"Mm'kay." She smiled, placing her hands on his shoulders and they swayed into the music.

That damn girl. Zoro smacked his forehead, he was suddenly filled with secondhand embarrassment. The shipwright was too old to be asking for a dance.

Sanji fell apart when he saw his cute darling dancing off with another. His bottom lip quivered and a sigh fell out from his lips. But his eyes held determination that he would swoop in and be the Prince Charming he is.

Upon her approval, Pauline looked over at his pals with a childish but triumphant smile. His pals, in response, wolf-whistled and gave him the thumbs up. Iceburg raised his glass to him. Shyly, placing his hands on her hips, he followed her. She swayed, he swayed. She pulled away, he reeled her back in. She twirled, he kept her balanced.

When she left his arms again, she found herself in another's embrace. The subtle cologne with a hint of nicotine instead of the harsh cigar was a change. The warmth of his chest against her cheek and the way he embraced her, it made her feel secure and safe. Ayame leaned in as much as she could.

"Pardon my intrusion, but your Prince Charming has come to swoop you away, my lady." Sanji was well aware of her drunken state of mind and he would feel much more better if she was in his arms rather than someone else.

"Oi-" Paulie started, raising a fist.

Sanji slowly turned his head and gave him a chilling smile. "Get lost."

"So warm." She mumbled against his chest, sighing and tilting her head up. "Oh Sanji, it's you." She wobbled with a silly smile.

Taking her by the hand, he guided them into the dance floor and away from the angry shipwright. I'm dancing with Ayame-chwan! Sanji had her step on his shoes in order for them to sway accordingly to the music.

Ah, Zoro screwed his eyes shut, letting out a frustrated growl. This damn kid... getting herself drunk in front of a pervert like that. Why I oughta... He released a deep, long sigh as if this had always happen, and then he dusted his pants as he got up. Dark orbs went to Ayame and he marched over there with a sour look on his face. Once she twirled away from Sanji's grasps, he fluidly picked her up with one hand and slung her over his shoulder. Her head collided against his back and her hands accidentally smacking his rear. "Oi, hands to yourself back there!"

Sanji, even in his bliss, had noticed his lady love had went missing. "Ayame-chwan?" He called in that sweet voice he'd use for the ladies. His eyes surfed through the crowd, who were busy doing the do-si-do, and then his eyes caught on a certain mosshead heaving a woman over his shoulders. That shitty marimo! The chef pushed through the crowd, only to have Usopp suddenly fall onto his side. Just my luck.

"Urk!" Usopp started, holding his hand over his mouth. "I'm not feeling so good." He managed to say.

"Wow, they're so firm. What did you do?" She mumbled, lifting her head before dropping it against his back. "I want a firm butt too. Can you show me? Oh, I'll show you mine if you show me yours-"

Releasing a heavy sigh, he uttered. "Shut it."

A/N

I'm a huge fan of slow burning love stories, so I apologize if it isn't fluffy at first. I'm just not into love at first sight when it comes with strong, stoic characters. They've been damaged before, you see, and trust must be earned. But you'll see that Zoro is slowly seeing her more of a woman and less of a burden. As for Sanji, he's trying. Ahahahah

But now it is the starting of the romance!

Next chapter should be coming out soon! I was planning to upload two chapters but I malfunctioned.

Reviews~

rycmika: I wanted to include Foxy's arc, but I think I'll write it on the first book "Shades of Cool." But the next arc is a made-up one and it'll center Ayame's fighting skills and a certain someone is going to teach her the way of the blade *wink wink* *nudge nudge* (Finally, some action, amirite?)