XI: Delivery Run

A week went by and Zoro was coming out more and helping around the shop. Needless to say it slightly shocked D, knowing the tiger's natural traits and needs.

Luffy didn't notice the happenings as he enjoyed his time with his friend and protector.

"Luffy-chan, Zoro-san!" D called out as he gave Luffy a piece of paper. "I need you to go to a customer's residence and give him this box." He gave Zoro a medium sized box. "He broke his leg sometime ago and his assistant has been caring for his mother up north, so would you be kind to do this delivery?"

"You mean you're letting us out into the world?" Zoro asked, a bit shocked.

"Exactly." D said. "I figured it's about time you two head out to see the big world. Just make sure you come back though…."

"It has been awhile since I wandered around Tokyo…" Luffy said.

"Wouldn't he be a bigger target if he was outside?" Zoro asked.

"That's what you're here for." D said as he patted the tiger's shoulder. "Now move along now, the customer mustn't wait long you know!"

"What are you going to do?" Luffy asked.

"Watch the shop of course!"

"Oh, okay." He said as he grabbed the other's hand. "We better get going."

"Hai." With that they walked out of the shop.

"What are you planning now, Count?" Asked a female with black cat ears, tail, dress, long hair, and golden eyes.

"Just curious of how the little tiger can handle the city world, now that he's seems more accustomed to his human disguise."

"You're feeding him to the sharks, that's for sure." Tetsu said, lounging on the couch. "Who knows how he can deal with so many humans."

"I'm more worried about Luffy-chan." Pon-chan said. "Those men are still looking for him and that stinky tiger will cause a commotion if something happens."

"Only time will tell as they unfold." D said as he poured himself some tea. "I'm quite curious on how those two can work out."

~*~

Back with the two, they were out into the busy streets as Luffy looked at the directions.

"It's some ways from here…" He said as he looked at the street signs and paying attention to the crosswalks.

Zoro felt anxious at all the sudden human activity that was going on as he held the other's hand tightly.

"You okay Zoro?" He asked as he felt his hand being squeezed to death and saw the man looking around nonstop.

"I've never been around so many humans before…" He whispered as he was having a hard time relaxing.

Luffy could see the other was stressed and found an empty alleyway to get away from the crowd. "Zoro, you okay now?"

Zoro took a moment to breathe as he rubbed his eyes. "How much farther?"

"Just a few more blocks. You can do this Zoro." He said with a 'can-do' smile.

He looked and couldn't help but smile. "Lead the way." He said as they marched back out in the street.

~*~

After an hour of walking, they finally found the place where they were supposed to deliver, only to see that the place was guarded by two men in black suits.

"Who are you kid?" Asked one of them.

"I'm Monkey D. Luffy, and this is Roronoa Zoro. We're sent by Count D to deliver this box here."

The men nodded as one of them opened the door. "Go in, the boss is in the room in the far back."

"Thank you." He said as he and Zoro entered the building.

When they found the doors leading to the said room, Luffy knocked. "Hello! Delivery from the Petshop!"

The doors opened, allowing enough space for them to enter.

"Welcome! I'm sorry that I couldn't give you a proper welcome." Said the man in a violet robe.

"That's okay." Luffy said as he looked around the room, which looked like a small museum with many artifacts and what not.

"You say you have a delivery for me?"

"Yep!" He said as Zoro handed him the box to give to the man.

"Ah! I asked D for this supply for a special companion."

"I see." Luffy said with a smile.

"Though I'm surprised that D himself isn't present with us here."

"This is our first delivery outside the building where we work."

"A test I see. You work for D?"

"Yes sir! Cleaning and watching the shop."

"I see…" The man said as he handed a purse to the teen. "Here, my payment to D."

"Okay." He said as he grabbed the pouch, shoved it in his pocket and bowed. "Thank you for your business today."

"Would you like a drive back? It's easier that way."

Luffy nodded. "That would be great. Thank you very much."

"The pleasure is all mine."

~*~

Once they got into the car, they waited until they saw the building, let out and headed their way back to the shop, which Zoro was calling it a day and went to the back room. Luffy handed the payment to D and asked if there was anything else that needed to be done.

"No, Luffy-chan, there isn't. How did Zoro do?"

"He's overwhelmed but he hanged in there." He said as he went to the back room.

D smiled as he placed the pouch into a jewelry looking box.

"So…?" Tetsu said.

"I believe Zoro would be able to walk among the humans as long as Luffy is there beside him."

"You're going to make him do it again?"

"Possibly, but he needs his rest now."

~*~

In the jungle room, Luffy was sitting beside a boulder with Zoro, in tiger form, as they napped the rest of the day.