Hello there fella pirates~

I hope you didn't wait too long for the update. I did apologize if I did make you wait too long but here comes the new chapter~~

Dundun~~~

Enjoy~

Eiichiro Oda-senseistill own One Piece, Hail Oda...~~ \(^o^\)


CURSED or BLESSED [10] : Their Bond

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Billy the leader of the pack smirked cunningly. He then jumped high to the sky, not high enough to reach where Sanji was, but it was enough to send some attacks towards the vampire. By instinct Sanji able to dodged all of his attacks. He eluded to the right, parried it with his sharp claws, or sometimes he flew higher. But by moving around swiftly like that was making his re-opening wound throbbing harder and his breath started halting heavily. He was drained, nearly collapse, but he managed not to.

"Don't run, little runt. I'm not going to hurt you." The dog mocked on him. Sanji didn't answer, though he was beyond peeved. It was better to save his energy than to waste on something meaningless, like a dog bark for example. He breathed deep, gathered his remaining energy and opened his eyes. He flew as fast as he could and sent rampaging bloody flying claws towards the ground, where the packs stood. While the impact was messing with them, creating ruckus, making those dogs covered in dust and smoke mixed with soil, Sanji wasted no time. He pierced into the smoke and grabbing one of the dog Vill by its neck and flew up the sky. He dug his claw into its neck, making the man shrieked in agony, before he slashed its neck with his sharp deadly claws. And his voice died down when his neck was cut open. Sanji then threw him away to the ground. [An eye for an eye] he thought bitterly. His instinct was on high alerted, he flapped his wing, flew back to eluded another flying claw. These dogs sure were a pain in the ass. Closing his eyes, He concentrated more, [here goes nothing…] he thought, opening his now bloodied color beads, summoning some bats to distract those Vills. Dividing his energy into small little bats was actually nothing if he was on his best stamina, but this… this was painfully excruciating. He barely even steadied himself in the air. He heaved a sigh, trying best not to black out. Then suddenly another attack, he managed to dodge it to his right but, that was his mistake. Bigger, deadlier solidified air blade was targeting his neck. He froze in utter shock, his eyes widen, his body wouldn't move. He was devastated. [shit, SHIT!] he heard his scream in his head, but he could do nothing, except accepting his fate. Killed by a low Vill, such a terrible fate he had there. He squinted close his eyes. He just didn't care anymore, though he wished to see that presumptuous dog, one last time, it seemed futile for him. He lost everything, he deserved nothing, a cursed like him.

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A shadow run faster than wind, dried branches and leaves which were scattered on the soil crunched beneath his paws. The shadow jumped, cutting through trees and bushes, ignoring those sticking leaves on it furs. The smell was getting stronger. [He was near.] the runner thought. He was right. He found the idiot blond who was now flying in the air, nimbly dodging flying attacks. [For fuck sakes! He is nothing but trouble!] thought the beast exasperated. He jumped from the ground, deftly he leaped from one branch onto another, higher to the sky to reach the blond who was now frozen in shock from the attack he didn't aware. With a rough quick jumped, he leaped towards the blond, shoved him away from the incoming attack, hugging the blond by his waist in the process. The duo fell down freely onto trees, but the jumper was spry. He hugged the vampire who was now unconscious because of over-rushing his power, he was exhausted, the blond head was on his muscular chest, while his rough hand were protecting the lithe body tightly. They landed on a sturdy branch, credited to the agile jumper then he jumped onto another, leaping away from the scene.

"Th-The fuck was that?!" roared Billy in shock. He didn't realize there would be somebody who would save the Nesatios. This was absurd! Did they make a mistake? They couldn't let this happen. They had to hunt them down, feast on them, eliminated each and every one of them who knew their existence.

"Le-leader… what are we supposed to-"

"HUNT THEM OF COURSE, IDIOTS!" Billy roared on raging fire.

"Bu-but-" but he was cut into half vertically by a sudden air slash, passing through Billy's side. The leader's eyes widen in terror. Abruptly he turned himself to the direction of the attack. Akai still in his apathetic demeanor, pulling his hand from a stance in which the leader was sure he was the one who responsible for the sudden attack.

"I told you, I give you ten minutes, didn't I?" Akai said flatly.

"I-.. uh.. I'm sorry, I'll make this up to you."

"Will you?"

"Yes! Yes Akai-san! Please, please spare us. We will hunt them for you." Begged Billy. Akai's features didn't change at all, but he didn't charge another attack.

"I'll give you one day. Bring them to me." With that he moved away.

"Le-Leader…" the left two were trembling in fear.

"Fuck him! We have to search ways to free ourselves from that bastard. First thing first, we have to search for them. What was it just now?"

"I-it was him.." said one of the Farligenete.

"Who?"

"The beast hunter." Answered the other.

"Che! You guys believe in rumor, don't you? Grow up fuckers! He was alone! And the three of us should be more enough to kill him! Hurry up and get your balls up, idiots!"

"Ay-aye aye Leader…" they both said in unison, despite trembling in fear.

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"Oii, Cook!" the blond didn't budge, stayed still on the ground, leaning on a rocky wall. They were in a cave, a hidden cave. Quickly the beast put his hand onto his heart, trying to search any proof the vampire hadn't died yet. He found it, albeit it was faintly there. He sighed, sudden wave of relieve washed his worry away, but not completely. Indeed, this idiot hadn't died yet, but he wasn't in his good condition either. [shit! What should I do?] he thought. He couldn't leave the blond alone. Those bastards were still on the run, he knew it perfectly. Those fucking hyenas. He eyed the vampire who was still unconscious. He clicked his tongue, a little annoyed. He knew he shouldn't do this, but there was no other way. The Nesatios was in need of blood – a good quality one, random animal blood was no good, furthermore it slowed down his regenerative power, nearly not regenerating at all. He got no blood with him, oh well, beside him of course. He let a very hefty huffed. [This will make us in deep trouble, baka-cook. Sorry but I got no choice.] the green head thought. [I'm still not sure about you. I just.. can't let you die].

"You can blame this to Luffy, kuso-cook." He spoke. The beast then bit his forearm, cringed in the process, but he still dug it deeper. Deep enough to ooze the blood from the bite mark. Carefully, he lifted the blond up by his shoulder and propped his body with his knee, so he could steady his head. Then he brought his forearm to the Nesatios mouth, he smeared his own blood to the chapped pale lips. But the vampire still didn't budge. [Oh shit! You really are a pain!] he thought again. [Fuck it! I promised Luffy already]. He sucked his own blood – it tasted like shit! The blood it was – then brought their lips together, before he plastered it on the vampire. [What in the world am I doing?] slowly, he parted those pale lips and the blood in his mouth poured down into the others. He eyed the blond for a while, it hadn't work. He repeated the action. The third times he did it, the Nesatios eyelids were moving trying to open them up. His lips quivered, breathing out some air, before his eyes half opened.

"Feeling better?" the voice asked. Sanji's vision was still blurred. He couldn't recognize who was it or where was him. [Is this heaven? Hah! Not possible. I am a Nosferath, an avare on top of it. How could I end up in heaven? Ahh… but this sweet comforting smell again….] the blond thought.

"Oii… wake up already." Said the voice again. He felt a soft slapped on his cheek. [that's hurt.] he thought.

"Oh, this jerk."

[that's not a nice way to wake somebody up.]

"Kuso-cook! Oi! Guru-guru*1! Oi!"

[asshole. What did you call me?]

"Kuso! Baka! Aho!"

With that Sanji's eyes snapped open.

"What the hell...?" he asked, voice hoarse but his tone slightly annoyed. The beast smirked, he wouldn't miss that annoyed tone.

"Oh, the princess awakes, at last."

"Yo-you!" Sanji spat, albeit his soft voice.

"Okay, you haven't healed. Don't fire up like that."

"Why, are y-you here?" the blond asked, aghast.

"Thanks to you, the troublemaker in my house is nagging like a baby. I have to bring you back. No excuse."

".. You mean Luffy?"

"Anyone else?"

"expected."

"How's your feeling?"

"Like shit." Retorted the Vampire.

"Expected." both were engulfed in silence. But then, Sanji broke the unbearable silence.

"Hey, can I ask?"

"Huh?"

"Who are you, exactly?"

"Is that even important?"

"You know about me already. We're not even."

"Keh! You know I am a Farligenete. I am a were-wolf."

"Not that, moron! Your name!"

"Chee…. Zoro. Roronoa Zoro."

"Ah.. No wonder Luffy keep making mistakes."

"Huh?

"Both are your real name."

"Of course it is. Why should I lie about that?" the blond responded with a chuckle.

"Here…" Zoro brought his arm back to the blond's mouth.

"H-huh?"

"Drink my blood. You need this to get better."

"N-NO WAY! Are you trying to kill me?! It's poisonous!" the blond spat.

"It's not! Oh gosh! You've been living all these years but you know nothing about this? I can't believe you."

"! Wh-what is that supposed to mean?!"

"Ah! Oh.. no. My bad." Suddenly the were-wolf became soft. Sanji furrowed his brow in confused. What was this supposed to mean?

"Anyway, believe me. I'm not trying to kill you. Oh c'mon, I save you then I kill you? It doesn't make any sense." He continued. Sanji scanned him for a while. His words made sense. But, how did he know anything about this proscription, except he was… what?

"Are you the one who make the proscription?"

"Hah? Of course not! It was already there when I haven't born. Wait! I thought you are way much older than- OUCH!" he got a smack on his green head.

"Don't assume my age casually. Then how come you know this?"

"… it.. doesn't matter." The green head answered. His features changed a little but he was back to his usual nonchalant face in a split of second. "Besides... You have no other choice. You drank it already."

"Ooh.." eh? Wait.. that was strange, "WHAT?" He asked, voice a little louder than needed.

"You're dying. So, I have no choice."

"I don't need your concern!"

"And I don't need your agreement."

"Fuck you!"

"Oh shit! I should just let you rot here and die."

"Do it! I don't ask you to follow me."

"Luffy asked me to follow you."

"Tell him I don't need his-" Sanji words cut down by a slapped on his cheek. It wasn't hard but it still stung, more in his chest, than his cheek.

"He is worry about you, dammit! After that happened, he assumes you have nobody, and he doesn't want you to be lonely." Zoro barked, his eye glinted with anger, sadness, hurt. Hurt? What the hell? Why was he hurt?

"It's not.. I'm not.. I'm not lonely." The vampire replied faintly. He bit his lower lip. Of course, he was lonely. He got nobody but, what could he do? Nobody wanted him, nobody accepted him as he was and then his cursed, his cursed always made things worse! He brought chaos to his surrounding and it seemed everyone, anyone connected to him got screw up, be it their business, love even life. And he had enough to be blamed on. Partly it might be his fault but.. but he needed a someone whom wouldn't blame everything on him, who would care for him, who would love him. Someone who didn't care about his curse and would stay with him forever. And this Vill beside him, was no different. He had cast him away for good.

"Your eyes seemed to be more honest than your mouth. Quit bitching around and drink it already." Growled the beast.

"No. I don't need your concern." The vampire stayed stubborn.

"Why you.."

"You said yourself! Just leave me here and let me die."

"Fuck it! Why can't you accept my help once in a while? Fuckin stubborn idiot!" Zoro chided in rage. Sanji eyes widen in shock. Why was he mad? It had nothing to do with him? why did he want to help a cursed like him? Why the beast wouldn't leave him alone, stop giving him false hope?

"Why you always drive me away?" asked the beast again, but this time his voice was timid, dejected, defeated. Sanji snapped and saw him. His broad muscular chest slumped down, his manly features darken, his usual cockiness was gone. He looked vulnerable.

"I don't- I don't drive you away. I just... I don't…" Sanji couldn't say anything. He hit the point there. He did push the beast away. He did push everybody away from himself. As much as he wanted friends who were willing to accept him, he couldn't stand the rejection, the possibility to be casted away again. Unconsciously, he built a safe distance from them, especially from this quirk Vill. He was the one whom made Sanji felt comfortable the most, whether the Nesatios realized or not, his defense towards Zoro was firmer, tougher.

"Was I too harsh about the warning? I just wanted them to be safe, they are my only friends. Won't you do the same?" asked Zoro again.

"I do understand your feeling. That's why I decided to leave you for good. As much as I want to be with you guys, I will make you guys in a lot of trouble."

"Don't give me that shit! Whatever trouble you are in, I will – uh.. we will still there for you!" he spat, again his voice was harsher than before, but then again he bit his lower lip, "you're one of us now." he continued with much softer tone. Sanji was taken aback. His eyes widen, gaping wordlessly. He was one of them? Why? How? What reason? Did he even worth to be one of them? Would they still accept him if they knew he was a cursed?

"Hey! You still with me?" asked the green head, waving his hand fervently in front of the vampire face.

"-Am.. Am I one of you?" asked Sanji, trembling. Zoro sighed and let a smile crept onto his face.

"Yeah. You are one of us. Why should I chase you if you aren't?" he answered, giving the blond a wide grin and ruffled the golden mane. Sanji's cheeks quickly tinted a nice color. His eyes started to glaze and he bit his lower lip to halted tears from rolling down.

"Uh… Please don't. I don't know how to stop a crying person." The beast said, ruining the mood. Dense idiot!

"You sure know best to stop them." Laughed Sanji, couldn't stop his tears, both in joy and relieve. Zoro growled and jerked his head to the side. He was also blushing a soft nice color. Sanji was a little surprised to saw the way he ghostly blushed. It was there although it was hard to notice. Sanji snorted and smiled at last, tiredly. [Let the green head won this time.] he thought.

"Your offer, is it still open?"

"If you need me."

"If you insist." He reached the muscular arm, and brought it towards his mouth.

"Don't suck too much."

"You're horrible anyway so, I won't. Itadakimasu." Retorted the vampire then dug in. His teeth sank into the muscular forearm, oozing the blood more to be savor. Zoro growled a bit, feeling the sensation of those sharp teeth intruded in his forearm was a little bit of pain, though he managed to suppress his voice. At first the blond unwillingly licked Zoro's blood, but after he really tasted what it was like, he licked it with more gusto, relishing every oozing drop of that sweet blood. It was even nicer than a virgin blood, oh he tried it once when he was still with his kin. His father brought it for him, how could he forget? It tasted heavenly, but he already made up his mind and it wouldn't change his conviction. But this one? This pompous Farligenete's blood? The virgin blood was nothing compare to this. It didn't even on the same level. Then suddenly his nose sensed something. He noticed that lovely smell again. Wait! Was it him? That smell, but.. but that was impossible.

"Oi kuso!" The beast called. Sanji's head moved, facing him, mouth messed with the green head's blood. Zoro chuckled.

"How come an older Nesatios like you behaving like a child. Really, you are troublesome."

"Oh, shut up! I'm hungry so I better eat whatever served right now." He chided trying to sound pissed.

"Fool mouthed Nesatios."

"Moss head!" Then the blond sucked Zoro's forearm again, savoring what he had been offered.

"Hey kuso.. stay with us."

"I can't."

"Why?"

"I always bring bad luck to my surrounding. Sometimes it costs your life too. So, no, for your own safety."

"Is it?"

"Believe what you want."

"I bet you never live together with other than human then."

"Even my kin drove me away." He said impassively, still focusing on the dripping blood.

"We won't."

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*1 Curly-cue


Gaaahh! I thought half of the chapter was missing. Luckily, after rummaged through the other device, I found the whole story…. I'm so blessed. *phew*

And yeah, yeah, I managed to make Sanji's character was sullen and melancholy and always blaming himself. His insecurity was annoying but I just couldn't stop it! *snickered*

Though, I hope you guy will still enjoy the story~

See you in the later chapter ;)

Jyaa~ ^,^/

HnO