Phew! Finally finished this!! Thank you so much for the reviews! I tried to answer them all, if I didn't get to you, I am so very sorry. Sometimes my compy s--ts the bed and my messages and emails don't go through. Just know that I appreciated your comments! XD I hope you all enjoy the new chapter!
Chapter 11
"Sanji," Zoro sighed. "Meet the ninth member of Seattle's CP9... Luffy Portgus."
Luffy gave Sanji one of his maniac grins around his lollypop and waved. The boy seemed to be enjoying the look of stunned defiance on the cook's face. Zoro was enjoying it as well, but not nearly as much. The swordsman's head was still spinning from the soft brush of Sanji's fingers over his skin.
Zoro's heart still hammered against his ribcage like a caged beast, threatening to burst if not released. Every place Sanji had touched him tingled. His cheek, his jaw, his chest, his lower- God! The hand that had held the cook's hip hummed as if charged with electricity. He remembered those hips so well. He remembered the smooth feel of that pale skin under his palms as powerful muscles flexed over him… or beneath him. His hands had found a happy resting place on those hips countless times. They were Zoro's favorite part of Sanji's body… except maybe his eyes…
"This has gotta be some kind of joke!" Sanji's voice broke through Zoro's memories. "Why are you really here, Luffy?"
Luffy turned to Zoro and his grin widened before he turned back to the blond. "Zoro already told you, Sanji. I'm part of CP9."
The shock seemed to be wearing off and Sanji made a face. "Oh hell no, Luffy you're like twelve! You can't be in an illegal fighting club at two o'clock in the morning! Your dad will kill me if he ever finds out! And then he'll bring me back to life so he can kill me all over again!"
Zoro tried not to laugh as Luffy sat blinking at Sanji.
"I'm not twelve, Sanji. I'm twenty-two."
Sanji ran a hand down his face. "I didn't mean literally, Luffy!" The cook seemed to be on the verge of a hysterical fit. He absently started to search for his pack of cigarettes as Luffy slipped off the railing to stand beside him. "Does Nami know about this?"
"Of course she does," Luffy said happily. "She comes and watches all the time."
Zoro bit his lip to keep his smirk at bay as he turned to his young friend. "Are you in tonight, Luffy?"
"I was gonna sign in," Luffy answered, "but I saw your name and thought it'd be cooler to just sit back tonight and watch you beat Enel. Maybe if we have time afterwards, I can fight Lucci."
"Fight Lucci?" Sanji looked at the dark-haired boy quizzically. "Why would you fight someone on your own team?"
Zoro answered for him. "Luffy challenges Lucci all the time. If he beats him, Luffy will have the captain's position."
"Not 'if'," Luffy folded his arms and puffed out his chest. "'When'. I will be captain."
Sanji shook his head and lit a cigarette.
"Captain of an illegal underground fighting division… D. is gonna rip out my heart and eat it…"
Luffy chuckled at Sanji's agonizing. "He won't kill you, Sanji. You know my dad, he probably already knows."
Sanji's shoulders slumped in defeat. "True…"
A bell rang, echoing through the large room and the din of loud conversation switched abruptly into a chorus of cheering, clapping and whistling. Zoro turned to watch a tall man with shaggy brown hair climb down the ladder and enter the pit. His opponent, a shorter, bulkier man with a shaved head, had forgone the opposite ladder and jumped down from the railing. The swordsman watched the two fighters as they circled each other.
"Match number one!" A voice rang out across the fighting ring. Zoro didn't need to look up to know it was Paulie calling the fights. "Harper verses Peterson!"
"Mmm… mell," Luffy said as he sucked on his candy. "Hish'll he huick huh?"
Zoro moved forward to stand beside Sanji against the railing. The cook's face was passive, but Zoro could read the heavy tension in Sanji's jaw and the blond's one visible eye sparkled with excitement. The swordsman recognized the look instantly and knew Sanji's brain was taking each fighter apart piece by piece. He was learning everything he ever needed to know about their capabilities from the way they moved; the way their feet carried them across the tiled floor.
Sanji took a slow drag from his cigarette. "Mmm…" he said softly. "Quick but not that quick. Tall guy's gonna take a few minutes to wear this other guy out and then hit him hard at the end."
Zoro spared a short glance at the fighters below but quickly turned back to Sanji. He couldn't care less about what was happening around him, all Zoro wanted to do was listen to Sanji talk about it. Lean in close and listen as Sanji's velvety baritone played in his ears and the smell of spices and smoke filled his lungs. Excitement flared in Zoro's gut as soft blonde hair tickled the end of his nose.
"How can you tell?" Zoro breathed against Sanji's ear.
This was a game Sanji and he had played countless times during the beginning fights. It was their own strange kind of foreplay before one of them went out and defeated another opponent. Sanji tensed slightly as Zoro whispered to him but he didn't become completely rigid or try to pull away. The swordsman took this as a good sign and continued to bait the cook.
"What makes you think the tall guy's got it?" His lips brushed against the back of Sanji's hair. "Baldy's center of balance is better, he's stronger, and he also has all his weight on opposite ends of his feet."
Sanji turned his head and glared at Zoro out of the corner of his eye. His lips were inches away, but the swordsman made no moves. The cook blew out a thin stream of smoke and for a moment, the rest of the room became a haze to Zoro. All he could see was the soft gold of Sanji's hair and the crystal blue of his eye.
"Typical of a swordsman," Sanji muttered, although his ruse was given away as the corner of his mouth turned up slightly. "You obviously don't understand anything about martial arts unless there's large sticks
involved." The blond reached his hand up and grabbed Zoro's chin. He turned the other's face to look at the fighters in the pit.
"Just because you're thicker, doesn't mean you're stronger. Also, watch as the bald guy walks," Sanji instructed. "His center of balance is not better. See how it's all hinging in his gut? He has everything evenly distributed on both feet. You would think that's good, but it's not."
Zoro watched as the heavier man lunged forward. His speed was admirable, but Sanji was right, the taller man easily maneuvered out of the way and fluidly sidestepped around his opponent.
"The even distribution makes him slower," Zoro commented.
"Correct," Sanji took another drag. "Now look at the tall guy. His center is his pelvis. Look at the way he bends. It gives him a larger range of motion and flexibility."
Zoro watched. He had to admit the taller man was indeed the superior fighter. He easily dodged attacks and stretched and bent in ways that reminded him of the way Sanji moved at times. Although the cook's movements were twice as fast and his counters were powerful enough to be offensive maneuvers. Sanji was capable of breaking limbs with a block.
The fact that Sanji was going to watch him this closely, scrutinize every move he made as he fought Enel, keyed Zoro up unlike anything he had felt in a long time. There was nothing in the world Zoro felt more comfortable with than his sword fighting. He knew his form was practically flawless; knew his attacks were fluid and precise. Zoro knew Sanji got off on watching a good match. He knew it aroused and excited the blonde the same way it did for himself. In just a few minutes, Sanji was going to see him at his best, and Zoro's best was fucking incredible.
"Eh," Zoro grunted as he turned back to Sanji's hair. "Tall guy's alright, but I've seen a hell of a lot better."
Sanji turned away slightly but not before Zoro saw the grin the cook was trying to hide. Even though it was a trivial thing, the swordsman's heart soared. That smile made him feel invincible, capable of doing anything, defeating anyone. He hoped Sanji would be smiling like that after his match was over.
"I have to go," he said quietly. He put a hand on the small of Sanji's back. "There'll be two more fights before me. If anyone talks to you, just do what you've been doing, you'll be fine."
Sanji turned to face him. He had lost that smile, but he had replaced it with a rogue's grin. He placed his cigarette between his lips and shoved his hands deep into his pockets.
"Kick some ass," he said simply.
Zoro grinned back as he turned and made his way toward the prep area. His blood pumped through his veins, hot like fire, and his chest filled with anticipation and an intense elation. Sanji was here with him, and even if their relationship wasn't exactly the way Zoro wanted, the cook was still there, and he was still supporting him.
Zoro couldn't lose.
X x X x X
Sanji's heart was still pounding, pulsing so loud he could hear it in his ears. Zoro's words spoken against his neck and breathed through his hair caused the barest tremors to cascade down the skin of his back. He sucked on his cigarette harshly before realizing the cherry was out and he was just sucking air though
the filter. He tossed the butt on the already cigarette littered floor and crushed it underneath his foot out of habit.
He looked up just in time so see the tall man in the pit land a hit on the heavier fighter. His fist connected in the center of the shorter man's chest just beneath his ribcage. The bald man doubled over trying to regain his breath. His hand came up to signal his defeat, and the bell rang merrily.
"Cool," Luffy said crunching on a bit of candy. "You were totally right, Sanji."
Sanji nodded slowly, not caring about the fight anymore. His stomach was doing little rolls and he felt on the verge of nausea. He was at a loss about what to do or what to feel. He knew there was some kind of attraction between himself and Zoro, but he also knew the attraction could be just an intense form of admiration. Sanji felt excited when Zoro was close to him, he felt invigorated and almost high when the swordsman would touch him, but no matter how hard he tried, the thought of actually having sex with Zoro was unfeasible. He couldn't really be attracted to the other man if he couldn't stomach the idea of sex with him. Could he? It was all so confusing, and Sanji's head was beginning to ache from the stress of his worry.
"What are you thinking about, Sanji?" Luffy asked.
Sanji turned and rested his hip against the railing. He had forgotten Luffy was even there.
"I don't even know how to start," he said quietly.
The bell rang again, and two more fighters entered the pit. The announcer called the match but Sanji ignored the fight. He just looked at Luffy, wishing he knew what to say.
Luffy pulled the lollypop from his mouth and moved closer to Sanji's side. "Just start with anything, I don't care. It can even be the middle of a sentence. I'll ask questions until it makes sense."
Sanji chuckled and looked at the floor.
"For the first time in my life," Sanji said softly, "I'm not running after someone, they're running after me. I see everything I could ever want in this person. Love, respect, loyalty... a kick ass attitude…" the blond pulled another cigarette from his pack and placed it between his teeth. "But this perfect person is a man… he's a man… and I'm not…" Sanji pinched the bridge of his nose. "I don't know what the fuck I'm supposed to do…"
Luffy looked at him for a few seconds before he slipped the lollypop back in his mouth.
"It doesn't make you think any different knowing you've already been with him for a year?"
"No…" Sanji looked at the floor again. "I still can't… I don't like to think about that."
The bell rang again, signaling the second fight was already over. Sanji looked over his shoulder and saw two very bloody men limping towards the ladders. A knot of tension pulled tight in Sanji's gut. Zoro would be up soon.
"You know," Luffy said as he turned to face the pit. "It's funny…"
"What's funny?" Sanji asked.
"Well," Luffy bit off the rest of the lollypop and shoved the naked stick in his pocket. "When I first got here and I saw you two, you looked exactly like I remembered you guys. It was like you hadn't really forgotten, and everything was back to the way things were."
Sanji's heart started to flutter. "What do you mean?"
"He had his arm around you and you were looking at him like you used to. It was so normal for me I didn't realize how weird it actually was until I had already interrupted. I'm sorry about that by the way."
Sanji lit his cigarette for lack of anything better to do.
"It's alright, I'm glad you did. I don't know what I was doing."
Luffy looked at Sanji out the corner of his eye. "Sanji…"
The blond looked up slowly.
Luffy raised an eyebrow. "I think you know exactly what would have happened, even though you say you can't be with a guy. I don't get why you're so afraid. You're comfortable with him touching you, and obviously you're comfortable touching him…"
Sanji took a long drag and rubbed his eyes. His head was starting to spin.
"But I'm not comfortable touching him like that," Sanji growled. "My body keeps doing things on its own. My hands… my hands are like magnets sometimes. I can't stop myself. I want to feel repulsed when he touches me… but I don't… it's so fucked up…"
Luffy frowned into the pit, not really watching the fighters. His jaw muscles flexed as he ground his teeth. Several minutes passed and Sanji stared at the ground, drifting as he listened to the roars and cheers surrounding him and his friend, but then Luffy's voice brought him back.
"That actually makes sense though," the dark-haired boy said.
Sanji looked at him bewildered. "How the fuck does that make sense?"
The younger man turned around and hoisted himself up on the railing. How he managed to balance himself with all the wiggling he did, Sanji would never know.
"It's true you don't remember Zoro," he said evenly. "But you only don't remember him in your head."
The cook blew out a long stream of smoke and stared at Luffy deadpan. "What?"
"You don't remember Zoro in your head, but your head isn't the only place you have memories. Your heart has memories too, they're a different kind, but they're still memories. It's just like how you can think with your head and with your heart. It's a different kind of thinking, but it's still thinking. I think your head has forgotten Zoro but your heart hasn't. That's why you don't feel wrong when he touches you, because your body remembers… your heart remembers."
Sanji stared at his younger friend speechless. It never ceased to amaze the cook when Luffy had his random spells of incredible insightfulness. They happened rarely, but when they did, they hit hard.
"I hate to admit it," Sanji muttered. "But that makes a crazy kind of sense, Luffy."
"Of course it does," Luffy smiled and clapped his feet together. "I'm the leading authority on this. I know in my head I'm kind of stupid, but when it comes to my heart, I'm a genius."
Sanji smiled a genuine smile that touched his eyes. He blew out smoke and turned back to the fight.
"You're definitely not stupid, Luffy."
X x X x X
Zoro leaned against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes closed. He floated softly in a world of blues and greens. He heard no sounds except the steady flow of water, and smelled no smells but the crisp clean air of a mountain mingling with pine and dirt.
Everyone teased Zoro constantly about falling asleep, 'conking out' in the middle of restaurants and movies. Zoro didn't bother to tell them he was actually meditating, for that might just earn him more teasing. So he took the repartee with a grunt and a crooked smile, letting people think he was lazier than he actually was. Ace's jabs were the worst, but Zoro let it go because he knew the older Portgus was hiding his own problems with a true case of narcolepsy. Ace would be discharged from the fire station if anyone knew of his condition, so almost out of an unconscious urge to protect his friend, Zoro let himself be the one known for his problem with nodding off at strange times.
Unfortunately, making people think you were always falling asleep instead of meditating meant everyone always tried to wake you up.
"Zoro!" A voice brought him off his peaceful mountain. "Hey, Zoro!"
The swordsman opened his eyes and turned a fierce glare in the direction of the intruder. He saw Paulie pushing through the crowd towards him, a strange fear in his eyes. He muttered apologies and 'excuse me's as he came closer. Zoro realized his death glare wasn't working and became concerned with the bookie's troubled expression. Something was wrong. Paulie looked almost frantic to get to him.
"Paulie," Zoro said. "What's the matter?"
The blond moved beside Zoro and brought his lips close to the swordsman's ear.
"I tried to stop him, Zoro. I told him the rules of the club but he wouldn't listen. He insisted on talking with you before the fight. I didn't know what to do and I can't find Lucci anywhere."
Zoro frowned. "Tried to stop who? What are you talking about?"
Paulie started to explain, but he was cut off by a deep voice that carried easily over the cheers and hollering that surrounded himself and the swordsman.
"He was trying to stop me."
Zoro looked over the bookie's shoulder to see a tall, pale man with dark eyebrows and a long thin nose. He wore black baggy pants, no shirt, and a black bandana covering his blond hair. His wrists and hands were wrapped in white boxers tape, but his knuckles were bare. Jagged scars decorated the light skin from the tops of his fingers all the way to his shoulders. This had to be Enel, the undefeated boxing champion and underground fighting king of California. No one had ever landed a hit on this man anywhere except his arms. He was rumored to be one of the most ruthless fighters alive and had a brain to match his skill.
"You must be Zoro Roronoa," Enel said with a faint smile. "I've heard so much about you."
Paulie waved his hands, looking slightly panicked. "Enel, sir, it's against the rules for fighters of different divisions to meet before the fight! If you would please--"
"It's okay, Paulie," Zoro put a hand on the blond's shoulder. "If Lucci gets mad, I'll take the blame."
Paulie sighed in defeat and backed away. "All right, whatever you say, Zoro. Do you want me to stay?"
Zoro shook his head. "We'll be fine, thanks."
Paulie disappeared into the crowd and Zoro's attention focused on the tall man in front of him. Enel stepped closer and loomed several inches above the swordsman's head. It didn't really bother Zoro, he had faced off against dozens of men that were almost twice his size, but the fact that Enel seemed completely at ease in Zoro's presence made the swordsman slightly wary.
After several long moments of staring at Zoro, Enel smiled.
"You're shorter than expected."
Zoro cocked an eyebrow and tiled his head to the side.
"Yeah, well you look like Eminem."
Enel threw back his head and guffawed at the ceiling. Several heads turned their direction and when people noticed who was speaking to Zoro, the area around the two fighters suddenly hushed.
Zoro sighed; he hadn't planned on making a spectacle of himself before the fight.
"So what's so important that you had to break the club rules and give our bookie a hernia?"
Enel crossed his scarred arms over his chest.
"Nothing really," his eyelids were heavy as if he was bored. "I just wanted to meet the legend before I defeated him."
Zoro snickered. "No one's defeating me tonight."
Enel nodded appraisingly. "We shall see…" Abruptly, the boxer's eyes flashed and he no longer seemed bored. "I hear that partner of yours is awake. Congratulations."
"Thanks…" Zoro said suspiciously.
"I know it's only been a few weeks, but is he well?"
"He's doing great," Zoro shifted uncomfortably. He couldn't decide if this guy was fishing for information, or if he was just asking to be polite.
"I hear Bones is trying to get a hold of him," Enel continued. "Some kind of blackmail thing going on. He really is that determined to take you out of this year's competition isn't he?"
"You seem to hear a lot of things," Zoro narrowed his eyes.
"The whole thing seems ridiculous to me," Enel rolled his eyes and tilted his head to the side. His bored expression had returned. "Why doesn't he just train hard and beat you like a normal person? This whole steal your lover to publicly humiliate yourself is so old-school. It's like a bad mafia movie."
Zoro nodded. He was still guarded, but hearing words that had passed his own lips coming from this man, settled his worries a little.
"You wouldn't happen to know where Bones is, do you?" Zoro asked hopefully.
Enel shook his head. "I'm sorry. If I knew I would certainly tell you. I think it's appalling what he's done, and he's giving the martial arts community a bad name by continuing. He's a coward."
A chorus of cheering echoed off the low ceiling as the fight in the pit came to an end. Zoro glanced that direction before he pushed off the wall and turned to directly face Enel.
"You seem like an okay guy," Zoro said. "And I appreciate your concern for my partner. I have a feeling this will be a good match."
He reached out his hand to Enel and the boxer took it.
"I believe it will also."
They shook quickly before Enel flashed Zoro another smile and disappeared through the crowd. Zoro stared after him, trying to decide if that encounter was more strange or enlightening.
X x X x X
The last two fighters left the ring and Sanji's heart crawled up into his throat. Why was he so nervous? He never got this nervous! Not even when it was his own fight! It wasn't like he needed to be nervous for Zoro, hell no. The guy could probably take care of himself. It just didn't make sense. Well, then again, nothing much made sense in Sanji's life at the moment…
"Sanji," Luffy tapped his arm. "Hey, Sanji, your fingers."
Sanji looked at the younger man confused and saw his dark-haired friend pointing to his hand. The blond looked and found his cigarette starting to burn the flesh of his pointer finger.
"Oh shit!" He threw the butt on the floor and crushed it out. He carefully blew on the reddening skin and made a soft whining noise.
"Hey, Sanji," Luffy chuckled. "Do you remember that time in high school when that teacher found you having sex with that girl in the broom closet?"
Sanji looked at his friend, confused as hell, but unable to stop himself from laughing softly at the memory.
"Yeah, why?"
"Well, 'cause I remember seeing you sitting in the office waiting to find out if you were going to be expelled… You kinda look like that right now."
Sanji blinked. "I look like I'm going to be expelled?"
"Yeah," Luffy said. "Well, I mean you look like you're waiting for something bad to happen."
Sanji looked away and sputtered. "I'm not waiting for something bad to happen. I'm fine, I just… I was thinking about the fight and how this Enel guy's supposed to be really good and-"
"Don't worry about Zoro," Luffy patted Sanji's shoulder. "He's awesome."
The blond shoved his hands in his pockets and mumbled under his breath.
"I wasn't… worrying about him…"
The room erupted. Everyone around Sanji and Luffy started cheering or roaring at the top of their lungs. Sanji heard several excited screams from girls and the music from the speakers ceased. The cook turned around and gripped the metal railing tightly in his hands. He watched as a very tall, muscular man climbed down the ladder into the pit. His head was covered and he wore no shirt. His hands were wrapped and his arms were heavily scarred.
Oh shit, Sanji thought to himself. Look at those scars. He moves so confidently… perfect balance, graceful movements… This guy is a pro.
Then the noise in the room became deafening. The screams from the girls increased ten-fold and Sanji had to cover his ears to drown out the ear-shattering cries from the spectators. Sanji's eyes moved to the other end of the pit searching for his green-haired friend. Suddenly the world dropped out from below. Sanji's heart refused to beat as the cook froze, trying to decide if he was dreaming.
Zoro stood a few feet from the ladder; his eyes were shadowed, giving him an almost demonic look as he calmly faced off with the boxing champion. The swordsman held all three swords unsheathed. Sanji felt that if he listened hard enough, he would be able to hear the weapons singing with their own excitement to begin the fight. Zoro had kept the haramaki around his waist but had taken off his shirt, letting his tan, scarred skin glisten with sweat under the room's glaring lights. Sanji's eyes couldn't look away from the long, gnarled scar across the swordsman's chest. It stood as a reminder that Zoro would fight like the Titans of old before he gave in. The scar in itself was frightening, even without the accompaniment of the raw power that radiated from Zoro's body.
Sanji's mouth went dry almost instantly. He found it hard to swallow as he watched Zoro step slowly and gracefully across the tiles. He licked his lips as he watched the swordsman place Wado's hilt between his teeth.
"Wow," A voice startled Sanji out of his gaping. "If I was gay, I would definitely hit that."
Sanji turned his head to see Jyabura followed by Kumadori and Kaku. The three pressed themselves against the railing, squishing Sanji in between Jyabura's left shoulder and Kaku's chest.
"Yeah, y'r right Jya. Zoro does have that kind of effect on folks." Kaku ruffled Luffy's hair as he leaned his head over Sanji's shoulder to get a better view. "Not that I ever had any of those kinda thoughts 'course."
Sanji turned back to the two fighters slowly moving closer to each other. Zoro seemed to be waiting for something. Biding his time as Enel bounced on the balls of his feet. The cook watched the easy way the boxer moved as he cracked his wrists and smirked at his sword-wielding opponent.
"I…" Sanji swallowed. "I really don't like this guy…"
"You're not worried are you, Sanji?" Kumadori put a hand on Sanji's shoulder. "Aww, you know Zoro's style of fighting better than anyone and you're still fretting over him getting hurt! You're so cute!" The large man made to pinch Sanji's cheek but Kaku batted his hand away.
That's just it, Sanji thought. I don't know his style of fighting. I have no idea if he stands a chance against this guy…
Below them, Enel moved; a quick lunge to ascertain Zoro's speed and reaction time. The boxer's hand aimed for the swordsman's upper arm. Zoro deflected Enel's jab with a quick swing. The blade moved up and around almost too fast for even Sanji's sharp eyes. The move was simple, but spoke volumes for the swordsman's skill. He really was good, the evade had been effortless. Enel backed away unharmed, but it had been close.
Enel was full on grinning now. His pearl white teeth flashed as he side-stepped back and forth, zigzagging to throw Zoro's eye and balance off. Sanji watched eagerly as Zoro did nothing but watch and follow the boxer's feet.
Good, Zoro, really good. Sanji chewed on his thumbnail. Watch his feet…
Enel moved in again, his speed was uncanny. His right fist pulled back, aiming for Zoro's side. Sanji saw the pull in the muscles of the boxer's back and gasped.
Shoulders, Zoro! Shit shoulders! He's bluffing!
Zoro brought a blade up to block the supposed strike and steadied himself for the impact. Sanji wanted to scream for Zoro to watch out as Enel started to change his attack to the other side. For one brief moment, the cook was positive he was going to watch Enel break several of Zoro's ribs.
But then Zoro's body twisted. He angled at the hips and bent backwards to move out of Enel's reach. Both of the swordsman's hands came up at the same moment, slicing the inside of the boxer's arms before Zoro pulled himself into a graceful back flip. He landed several feet away, not even slightly out of breath and smiling at his bleeding adversary.
"Holy shit!" Sanji cried before he could stop himself.
Kumadori laughed at his back. "Yeah, he's gotten better at that since you were here last. When did you teach him that? On our trip to Texas wasn't it?"
"Yeah," Luffy butted in. "I think it was. They were fighting and Sanji got so mad, he grabbed two knives off the table and scratched Zoro's arms. Zoro got all silly and asked if Sanji would teach him how to do it."
"Silly?" Kaku asked.
"You know," Luffy bounced on the railing. "That lovey dovey eye he gives Sanji when Sanji kicks his ass."
"Oh, right."
Sanji tuned them out. He was more interested in watching Zoro and Enel dance around each other. Blood flew from Enel's arms, splattering across Zoro's chest as the swordsman swung and lunged repeatedly. The two were very evenly matched. For every punch or kick Enel delivered, Zoro had an impressive block or counter attack to bring against him. In contrast, Zoro's fluid attacks were parried and countered easily by Enel's quick movements. It was one of the best fights Sanji had ever seen and the cook felt a delightful shiver run down his spine. His fingers began to tingle with excitement and his legs started to twitch with a
need to move. The cook hoisted himself up on the railing, pulling his legs over and sitting on the cool metal. His feet rested on the lower bar and his legs bounced to compensate for the adrenaline coursing through his system. He raised his hands over his head and joined the mass of people cheering for the green-haired swordsman.
For the first time since his father died, Sanji felt truly alive.
X x X x X
Zoro couldn't be happier. He had seen Sanji sitting on the railing cheering for him out the corner of his eye. Did the cook know he used to always sit like that? Had Luffy told him? Or did he just do it? It was like the old Sanji was back, everything was perfect. The fight, the atmosphere, Sanji-- everything was clicking into place to make this one of the best nights of Zoro's life.
He ducked out of the way of another deadly punch and brought his swords up. The time for analyzing his opponent was over. He understood Enel's style enough to break his defense. It was time to stop playing around. It was time to fight for real.
X x X x X
Sanji hollered over the roar of other spectators. The swordsman had flipped a switch. The cook realized as Zoro started to pick up speed and his attacks became less defensive and more forward, that up until now, his friend had been messing around. He felt buzzed as he watched Zoro's true form unfold before his eyes. Zoro's hands moved so fast, the steel of the swords glinted like the sparkle of the sun as it reflected off the ocean's waves on a clear day. The swordsman's muscles rippled as he bent and twisted in ways Sanji knew so well. The cook felt pride and a fierce exhilaration knowing he had been the one to teach Zoro how to move his body like that.
Enel kept up with the fanatical speed, but Sanji could tell he was becoming fatigued. He was also becoming desperate. He was pulling out moves that were expending too much energy and not landing him any hits. Pretty soon the boxer was going to drop from exhaustion.
A lucky turn of events left Zoro's right wrist in Enel's grip. The boxer cried out in triumph and began to twist Zoro into a fall. The swordsman pushed on Enel with his free hand, driving the hilt of Shuusui into the meat of his foe's shoulder. It looked like the swordsman was about to go down, but a flick of Zoro's head, and Enel was stumbling backwards. Sandai Kitetsu flew from Zoro's right hand and clattered several feet away. The crowd's cheering died down as the two fighters stood still staring at each other.
Sanji leaned forward, not understanding what the sudden hush was about.
X x X x X
Zoro looked apologetically at the form of Kitetsu lying lonely on the floor. It had been a sacrifice, but well worth it. He took Wado from his mouth and grinned at Enel.
Enel lifted his hand to feel out the wound that Zoro had inflicted. The flesh of his neck, jaw and cheek had been graced with a shallow gash. The cut was clean, but it would leave a scar.
"You'll finally have a scar in a place that matters…" Zoro said. His voice echoed in the nearly silent room.
Enel gingerly touched the cut and smiled softly. "You're right…"
Moments that seemed like hours passed as Zoro and Enel stared across the fighting pit at one another. The tension in the room was so thick it almost had a taste. Everyone waited to see what these two famous fighters were going do. What was Enel going to do now that he had finally been marked with a losing strike.
Slowly, Enel lowered his eyes to the floor. He raised his hand and signaled his forfeit.
X x X x X
Sanji nearly jumped off the railing. The room went wild. Sanji felt claps on his back and cheers from Luffy behind him. He wanted to run to Zoro and congratulate him but he waited for Zoro to shake Enel's hand and retrieve Sandai Kitetsu from the floor. The cook felt someone tapping his back and he turned to have Zoro's sword sheaths and tank top thrust into his face.
"Kaku had them," Luffy explained as he deposited the items in Sanji's arms. "Go meet Zoro at the top of the ladder."
Sanji nodded and pushed through the crowd. He tingled with excitement as Zoro pulled himself up out of the pit and met his eyes. The people around them cheered but Sanji noticed they stayed a good four or five feet clear of the swordsman. Zoro smiled at the cook and took the tank top to clean Wado's blade. After replacing all three weapons back into their respective saya, he slid the swords back under his haramaki, and pulled Sanji against him.
The cook tensed as the swordsman's arms slid around his waist, but then Zoro mumbled into his neck.
"I know this is hard for you, but this is where I usually kiss you. May I do this instead? Just this… please?"
Sanji slowly relaxed and put his arms around Zoro's neck.
"Yeah," he whispered back. "Here, in this moment… it's all right…"
TBC
