Ahh, it's been so long since I last posted! I can only apologise, I'm sure you know how stressful the holidays can be. Add that to my current rather huge yaoi obsession distracting me just into reading that...then I've been thinking up a Chopperfocused story I wanna write...then I stumbled upon this awesome yaoi set in a Mental Institution that made me really want to write something set in that location...so yea, basically my head has been a swirl of other ideas! But I vow never to leave a story unfinished, and I do love CN so! Sorry for the delay, but at least it's finally here!
Thanks for all review or favourites or alerts or even just reading what is essentialy my daydreaming mind.
Crystalbluefox - I do love torturing my readers! Sorry for keeping it this long!
Jenelric - lol its not quite gonna happen like that! But I was, and still am, finding it tough to show Zoros frustration with wanting revenge and his nakama. He isn't one to keep secrets, you know? If he was angry, he'd normally just release it. So he's getting a bit OOC, but oh well.
Santoryuu - Zoro + Angst = A very, very happy Pamplemoose :D
Neo - Many thanks, I am flattered.
Yusukes - I will lead nothing towards the end of my story, I don't want to give it away! The "Capo di Tutti Capi", is the 'boss of all bosses' in a Sicilian Mafia. Well, it was a term civilains use to talk about that person. That is what Luffy wants to be, at a level only Gold Roger had been. "The Capo Di Capi Re" Means 'King Boss of Bosses', or somthing similar. I honestly don't know of the heirarchy, but I use it to describe the current biggest Dons, like Shanks and Whitebeard. My terms to describe the Mugiwara's poisitions come mainly from the questionable source of Wikipedia, that has a lovely article on Sicilian Mafia, who were the originators of what we deem Mafiosa.
DAN88 - Even I wonder how Zoro will manage. Maybe I should plan more before I write.
DaTenshi - lol Sorry for making you wait! Enjoy!
Swami - Man you've been through a bit recently,huh? Hope all is okay. I'm glad you like the pacing and feel of the fic, I do try my hardest to keep it atmoshperic with a mafia feel. It's harly all fun and sunshine, ne?
BecauseIWasBored - Thnk you for your comments. To think I am original inspires me greatly. And I do try my best to keep people in character (I fear I lost it with this chapter), and that twist was the first thing I thought of when I thought of this fic. It's all been leading to that! Zoro did actually quit the force, in a dignified and unZoro like way of handing in his notice. So thats why they didn't bother. And now they know hes in the mafia, but basically Zoro was the only cop with the balls to go after the mafia, so now they just let them take control!
Blu - No matter how late, the review is appreciated! It is all coming together in quite a splendid way, ne? I have never tried Egg Nog, we don't drink it in the UK. Not that I'm aware of anyway. But my Christmas was lovely and gluttonous and lazy. Too much sitting around and chocolate and food and alcohol. Funness
Shaolin - Thanks! I actually gave up on that particular fic, it was awful. But I do plan to write something! Have you read my ZoLu oneshot? It is rubbish, but it's my first attempt at anything in the romance vein (though it is still pretty much angst) so any opinions would be brilliant.
Enjoy!
Chapter 11 – The Trigger
Everyone was definitely on the move now.
Shanks' return spurred Luffy on to work harder, and Kid and Law were both becoming as forward as the Mugiwaras. This kept all members of all families very busy.
Sanji still managed to watch Zoro as they worked, and he was glad he was able to.
The swordsman was continuing to act unusually. He was gruffer than usual to all the family, something the others didn't notice as he was hardly cheery normally.
But he wouldn't do his job straight away either, instead seeming to be deep in thought and wandering off in a daze.
He wasn't coming to the easy as much, wandering off right after a mission instead. When questioned about it he merely said he was busy training. From looking at him fight, it was clear to see he was getting stronger.
Though the most alarming thing the Consigliere noticed was that Zoro wasn't listening to Luffy. Normally, the man followed any order to a T, without question to his boss. But Zoro was more distant, when Luffy asked him to do something it took a while to do it, and sometimes he would say to the Don he couldn't. Luffy didn't seem to mind, the kid was always so damn cheerful, but Sanji could see that was not good behaviour.
Currently the family were at Sanji's, waiting for Luffy to arrive with talk of a plan. Zoro sat restlessly, with a hand itching on his sword with the desire to fight.
If there was one way the blonde could see the swordsman's emotions, it was when he fought. Zoro lost himself to battle.
"How much longer do we have to wait?" Ussop sighed, tutting as he looked at his watch. "What's taking them so long?"
As if they could hear Ussop's complaints, Luffy bounded through the door with Nami hot at his heels.
"…Should knock Luffy! This isn't you house remember!"
"But Sanji doesn't mind." The don grinned as he sat down, looking between both his irate advisors. "Do you Sanji?!"
He was rewarded with a kick to the head.
"Listen to Nami swan idiot! You know you have to knock!"
Luffy pouted and rubbed his head where the foot connected, but brightened as he remembered the rest of the family were in the room.
"Oh, hey guys! What are you doing here?"
Ussop and Franky almost bared fangs.
"Waiting for YOU!!"
The brunette grinned and laughed sheepishly, thankfully Brooke came to his aid.
"I believe you wanted to tell us of something you've been planning, Don."
"Oh yea! Of course!"
Chopper squirmed with anticipation as Luffy paused for effect.
"Well, what is it?!"
"Its time for a big hit. We're gonna take out Kid."
The room was silent, as excitement and fear buzzed in the air. Sanji piped up from the corner.
"…And how are we gonna go do that?"
"He won't fight you without a reason, Luffy-san. There's too much at stake for him to risk that." Robin advised and Nami nodded in agreement.
"But Kid's more temperamental; he'd be easier to take out. Law is too careful to just accept a fight."
"So how do we make him fight?" Ussop was almost shaking already, and the trembling worsened as Luffy answered.
"Zoro, you go. Killer's wanted your head since you were a cop after all."
The swordsman tensed as all heads turned to him; grip tightening on his sword.
"…You want me to kill him?" The room was surprised by the response.
In reality, it was an intelligent question. Though leaving him alive would ease Luffy's mind, it would make them appear weak to the other family. Yet really they already knew the answer, and why Zoro was chosen to take out Killer.
Because Zoro didn't need orders to kill someone; he did it anyway.
Luffy looked lost having to vocalise what he hated, so Nami answered.
"Just do what you have to Zoro."
He growled at the order from the redhead and rose.
"Don't tell me what to do, woman."
"Then just do what you're told by Luffy!"
Sanji was between the pair before anything got out of hand, and Robin was at Nami's side too.
"Calm down, you can fight soon enough. Don't take it out on Nami." Sanji saw the angry glare in Zoro's dark eyes, and knew if they didn't give him something to cut up soon he was gonna get pissed.
"Fine"
"Oi, boss, I'm gonna go with the Marimo too. That okay?"
The anger flashed through Zoro's expression again, but Luffy answered in his carefree voice before he could vocalise it.
"Sure, if you want to."
"What? Luffy! I don't need anyone getting in my way, especially not that bastard."
The hostility emitted from the swordsman in waves, but Luffy didn't notice it.
"But Zoro, he wants to go. I can't stop him-"
"Yes you can, Dammit!"
From the corner of the room, Robin masked her surprise at Zoro's outburst. It was incredibly unlike the young man to refuse a decision of his boss. Sanji was a lot more vocal with masking his surprise.
"Dammit Marimo! I'm going with you so you better fucking accept it!"
Zoro's grip was hovering over his sword, eyeing Sanji with the strong desire to cut him through. But the rest of the family, watching what they saw as another argument between their friends, made his anger ebb. Here is not the place to fight like that. Not now. Might do something to regret.
With a viciously feral snarl, Zoro pushed past the Consiglierge, growling
"Fine."
As the green haired man stormed out in a whirlwind of repressed frustration, Sanji caught the knowing glance of Robin. Seemed like she had noticed too.
--
As usual, Killer was a busy man. It wasn't easy to make good on all the threats Don Kid made, after all. The man made a lot of threats. And as his right hand man, Killer was going to make sure everyone got the message that when Kid said he's kill someone, he meant it.
That dark, cold night was no exception.
They were so close, the top was in sight. But these lowlife scums were trying to get in the way. Killer saw little point in them at all, but an order was an order.
"Ah….you better be careful! Or we'll tell the cops everything!"
The man – homeless, it looked like – shook as he spoke to the Mafia member. Killer merely watched the three bums with what appeared to be disinterest. It was hard to tell, with the mask on his face.
"So you keep saying. Don Kid doesn't take kindly to threats."
The scythes attached to his hands glittered menacingly, and the bums began to tremble.
"…It was just a joke!...we wouldn't really…Please…don't…"
With a flash of his hand, the three petrified men were on the floor, their blood falling from their throats.
Mission accomplished, Killer cleaned his weapon before turning from the alley. The area was quiet, just some old factories falling apart. While passing through a streetlamp-lit courtyard, he felt the eyes watching him and stopped.
"Hm, you're senses can't be that good, if it took you that long to notice us."
He may not have immediately noticed the gazes trailing him, but killer definitely noticed the killing intent radiating from Zoro as he jumped from the shadows. The clash of sword crossing scythe echoed around the yard.
Zoro glared daggers as his opponent as they parried their attacks. From the shadows Sanji emerged slowly, but did nothing but watch the pair.
"Stay out of this, cook."
Sanji didn't answer, just lit a cigarette and continued to watch as Killer pushed away from Zoro as his scythe made a line for his head. Zoro blocked and countered with two swords heading straight for Killer's abdomen.
"Roronoa Zoro…and Sanji Black. Why are you here?"
Zoro was two busy attacking to answer, so Sanji assumed the role of voice for the outfit.
"We're not here to talk, Killer."
With a grunt, Zoro's swords were again blocked, but the third in his mouth broke free and made contact with the flesh of Killer's arm. He didn't flinch.
"You're here to kill me then?"
"It's nothing personal. We just need to make sure Kid gets the message."
Killer snarled as he spun both of his weapons around and circled with the green haired swordsman, searching for an opening.
"Hm, like you can beat me. I've been looking forward to taking your head for years, Roronoa."
He jumped up, and bore his weapons down upon Zoro's waiting blade. Both blades trembled with force as the pair tried to push the other back, though neither won the standoff. They stood facing again, and Zoro's crazed eyes never left his opponent's face.
Sanji watched from the sidelines intently. He knew the Marimo was never easier to read than in a fight, and this didn't give off good impressions. He hadn't spoken a word, not even a grunt, since the fight began. And his attacks were tense and jerky; he seemed to have lost the calm flow and grace the Santoryuu attacks usually possessed.
A clear sign for the Consiglierge that Zoro was still struggling with some inner turmoil.
The sound of sword meeting flesh drew his focus back to the fight. Zoro was sporting a bloody collarbone; the direction of the cut looked as if it were a few inches higher, it would've taken his head off. But the sound he heard didn't come from that wound, instead the viciously deep cut that had tried to amputate Killer's leg.
Both of the fighters were heaving, the quick but intense battle taking its toll. There was work to be done, and neither had the time to be wasting.
Killer charged forward, scythes spinning as he prepared to cut through Zoro's chest. But the swordsman was ready.
Two blades aloft, Zoro ran with alarming speed and thrust both weapons forward simultaneously. Sanji almost missed the impact trying to watch where his nakama would land at that speed, but his head quickly snapped back to where Killer and Zoro now stood facing each other.
Zoro's swords thrust deep through Killer, holding him upright where they protruded through his stomach. Sanji could see both blades sticking out from the opponents back, dripping dark blood onto the floor.
"Huh…" Killer made to speak more, and the blond cook was waiting for his last words. They were cruelly taken away from him however, as Zoro jerked his swords from the other man's body in a spray of blood and flesh. Killer crumpled without another sound.
Zoro had cleaned and sheathed his swords before Sanji muttered.
"You could've let him finished Marimo. A man deserves his last requests."
The swordsman glowered at the cook and growled. The anger behind it silenced Sanji, who instead moved towards Killer's earlier victims.
The man on the right, though bleeding from the neck, was still very much alive. Sanji nudged him none too gently.
"Oi shit, wake up."
With a panicked stutter, the man opened his eyes and feigned waking from sleep. Like hell he was going to let them think he witness that, no way.
"Go to Kid; tell him everything you just saw here, got it?"
The man on the floor squeaked, but nodded, and scrambled over his now deceased friends to find Kid and get away from these murdering monsters.
--
The following day saw the family meeting at the closed easy. Sanji hadn't spoken to Zoro since their job last night, while he had headed down to the easy to tell Luffy of a job well done (and spend some time with his beautiful Nami and Robin) Zoro had turned and gone off without a word. Not that he minded, the cook wanted to stay as far away from the Marimo as possible at the moment.
Sanji placed a freshly brewed coffee down in front of Robin as he leaned against the corner of the bar. Luffy, as usual, spun around on the bar seats, Chopper next to him doing the likewise. Nami shared a booth with Brooke, both calmly watching the room while Franky and Ussop were as boisterous as ever as they made their way from upstairs to another table. Barely noticed, Zoro slouched in a corner, watching everything but being involved in nothing.
With Franky and Ussop seated, Luffy grinned and Nami began with the subject none of them wanted to discuss.
"Sanji-kun, I hear everything last night went without a hitch?"
Luffy's face fell and Chopper glanced up at him in support.
"Of course Nami-san, Marimo did his job."
Nami nodded as she began discussing a minor matter with the family, in an attempt to lift spirits. Robin was again watching Zoro. After his minor outburst yesterday, she couldn't help but think something may be the matter. Talking about Killer Zoro seemed to stiffen, but he didn't pay attention to Nami anymore, clearly thinking of more important matters. The stress on his face was the Bar-owner's only clue to his current thoughts.
"Luffy bro, what's gonna happen now we're taken out Killer?"
"Well, Kid's gotta know about it first…"
"There was a witness, Nami-san. I sent him off straight away, Kid probably already knows."
Luffy hid his face as he thought, but when a brilliant plan hit him he looked up and grinned.
"We just gotta beat him up!"
The family paled.
"Ah, Luffy, I think it's gonna be more difficult than that." Ussop stammered while Nami and Sanji both sighed.
"We should do it somewhere we know, Kid can be slippery."
"Brilliant Nami-san, going to his territory could lead to traps. If he's angry he'll be easier to lead somewhere."
"You could always direct him here, Sanji-san." Robin gently placed her cup down as she spoke.
"Robin, is that okay? What about the easy?"
"I shouldn't see a problem Luffy-san. I don't mind closing up a few days, we need to restock anyway. And we know this bar better than anywhere."
The room nodded in agreement, and Robin began drinking her coffee again.
"But how do we bring them here?"
After a pause, Brooke spoke up.
"…Well we are here most of the time. Surely Kid will just come here to look for us."
"If he's pissed, then there shouldn't be a problem. But if he's not angry enough…"
"He'll be plenty angry after what happened Nami-san."
Sanji cooed at the redhead, but in the corner Zoro visibly bristled.
"What, did I do something wrong yesterday, cook?"
Zoro's hostility quickly made the room tense. Sanji looked up in alarm.
"Well...it was hardly a quick and painless way to go."
"I just followed orders, Luffy told me to kill him so that's what I did. I didn't realise there was something wrong with that."
"…It was a particularly nasty way to kill him though, Marimo."
Zoro growled and was about to answer when Luffy's quiet voice spoke up.
"What did you do Zoro?"
"Nothing! I just followed orders!"
Sanji exhaled deeply before muttering to the Don.
"He gutted him."
Luffy turned to his swordsman with a sad expression.
"Why did you do that, Zoro? Couldn't you have done that in a nicer way?"
"Nicer? In case you didn't realise Luffy, there aint no nice way to die."
"…Yea, but…"
"But what? If you don't like the way I do things, maybe you shouldn't be ordering me to do it!"
The rest f the family were too surprised to defend their Don, opting instead to marvel at the swordsman's behaviour. Zoro may not have been in the Mugiwara's for long, but he had never answered Luffy back before. Well, not seriously at least.
Luffy had shrunk back, reeling at the words. Had he been a bad Don, making his nakama do something like that?
Nami scowled as she saw the dejected Don, and glared incredulously at Zoro. He had taken a bullet for Luffy, for goodness sake! Why was he acting so hostile? She needed to change the focus.
"Anyway, if Kid'll be angry, then they'll be no problem getting him to come here. So we'll stay here then, as much as possible. Try not to be at home too much, just come here."
"Is there much business to be done at the moment?" Sanji asked.
"I had a few deals, but they can be postponed." Brooke muttered, and Nami agreed.
"Please do, and tell the guys to stay low until it's over. Franky, Ussop, you go tell your boys as well."
The three nodded, and Chopper shuffled.
"Uh…should I stay here too?"
"It'll be best. Can you get some medical supplies are bring them here?"
Chopper nodded, face set as he shone with purpose. He would protect his nakama. From the depths of his thoughts, Luffy jumped up.
"Ah, Nami! I can't stay here!"
Yet again, Nami sighed.
"Why not Luffy?"
"I'm gonna meet Shanks!"
"What?!"
The word was repeated by Nami, Sanji, Franky, Chopper, Brooke and Ussop simultaneously. Robin looked up from her drink, and Zoro's hand gripped the hilt of his sword in the shadows.
"Yea! Tomorrow, he's staying at some old house in the Projects. I'm gonna go visit him and show him how strong I've got!"
Ussop almost fell from his chair.
"Shanks…oi, Luffy, do you think…"
"Yea, Yassop should be there too, and Ben and Lucky! We're gonna discuss business!"
Ussop's broken laugh shook as he dreamt of yet again seeing his father. It had been years since they last saw each other. It was Sanji who spoiled the sniper's dreams.
"Sorry Luffy, but it may have to wait. We can't risk you running around alone with an angry Don on the loose."
Luffy pouted but nodded, and the nine began to prepare for the upcoming battle.
--
It was surprisingly busy at Makino's that afternoon, many at the café were muttering about something big happening between Mugiwara and Kid. She couldn't help but remember the grinning boy she knew and prayed he would be okay.
"Manager-san."
The calm voice of Nico Robin roused her from her thoughts.
"Robin! What a surprise! How can I help you?"
The pair moved towards the rear of the café as the exchanged pleasantries. Makino normally only saw the easy owner when she had business to attend.
"I was hoping you would be able to store some of my supplies for me, manager-san. I fear they may be harmed at the easy."
Makino frowned but nodded.
"Something is going to happen?"
"Don Mugiwara plans to take out a major rival. I fear if they fight in my bar, my precious stores will be ruined."
Makino nodded as she began opening the rear door. She already knew Robin expected this answer, and sure enough a van sat patiently waiting to be unloaded.
"Many thanks. It shouldn't be for long."
"Not a problem, I'm happy to help Luffy."
The pair began unloading crates in silence, both being so different they had little to say. As they neared the last of the crates Makino remembered something they shared.
"Oh, I met your new friend a few weeks back. He is a very interesting man."
Robin paused.
"You met Roronoa-san? How?"
"He came into the café; we had a pleasant discussion about one of his interests."
When Makino noticed Robin didn't understand, she elaborated.
"History, on where he's from. Project, right? We talked about what happened at the Dojo all those years ago."
With her incredible mind for remembering things, the information suddenly clicked and the facts hit her like a train wreck.
Project, Dojo, Swordsman, Shanks. Every piece of information she knew about the matters (which was a huge amount), from her reading on the events to Zoro's unusual behaviour and Luffy's connections with his Hero, everything fell into one horrid, horrid realization.
Zoro must have connections with the Dojo. He must be after Shanks.
Dropping the final crate, Robin smiled graciously at Makino, albeit slightly hurried.
"Thank you for dong this, Manager-san, but I must be hurrying back."
Makino waved goodbye as Robin hurried back to the bar. Night had long set, but Robin had to hurry, she had to get there and warn Luffy, had to confront Zoro before he did something he regret.
Unfortunately, Robin was barely two steps inside the easy when a crashing upstairs signalled the arrival of Don Kid.
-.-.-
Ahhh! Kid arrives! What will happen next?! As usual, Im not happy with this fic. Mainly as I've been writing it sporadically over Christmas, so I worry about the flow. But rereading it it seems okay!
Next chapter - The Big Hit. We're nearing the end of things!
Thanks for reading! - Pamplemoose