Hot Shot's girl: I am SO sorry I didn't get this up sooner. My com just won't turn on and I'm super sad and scared that I'll lose all my videos I have on there TT . TT but anyways I had to go to the library to update for you guys so enjoy! :D
"Wake up, Wake up, wake up!" came a familiar redhead's voice, making everyone groan but a certain someone melt at the sound of the feminine voice.
"I'm up love!" Sanji immediately jumped up out of his covers with his arms raised.
"I knew you'd be the first one," Nami said with a wicked smile. "Now get everyone else up!"
"Yes my love!" He saluted before turning and coming up to kick Usopp in the side . . . kicking a puppy was such a low thing . . . but Sanji could care less.
"Ayi!" Usopp yelped, waking up immediately to see an evilly smirking Sanji before him.
"Get you're a- - up puppy," the blonde Blood Warrior said, taking out a cigarette and lighting it. "Where's the other pup who was sleeping next to you?"
"Chopper?" Usopp asked, also looking around for his small form.
"I'm right here guys," the little one gave off a loud and wide yawn as he slumped over the back of the couch, rubbing his eyes.
"Hey, when did you get the couch?" Usopp asked, rubbing his aching back from sleeping on the floor.
"I asked Zoro to sleep with him," Chopper answered.
"Is that stupid mossheaded Werepup still sleeping?" Sanji groaned.
"Um, yeah," Chopper said, looking down at the older pup who seemed to be out cold. "Zoro, Zoro wake up."
It was just a gentle and light touch that Chopper so happened to give Zoro. A light pat on his forearm and, as if he hadn't been asleep at all, Zoro opened his eyes and looked at the pup.
"Oh, you're awake," Chopper blinked and straightened. "It's nightfall Zoro."
"Thanks Chopper," Zoro said, getting up and sitting still for a moment.
Without even a yawn from the eldest Werewolf there Zoro looked around. The lights were on and outside the windows night was falling everywhere. His eyes soon came to watch Nami come up and pinch the Blood Prince's cheek until he woke up, tears streaming down his face from the harsh treatment he got from his redheaded friend. Their eyes met in a brief moment before Zoro turned away.
Luffy cast his eyes downward as if in shame. Now Zoro didn't want to look at him . . . it was almost as bad as that one time when he had tried to feed on him without his consent and Ace told him. But this time . . . it felt so much more worse. His heart hurt . . . it did and Luffy didn't know why at the moment.
I'm sorry, Luffy kept repeating it inwardly since he knew the wolf wouldn't want him talking to him outwardly. Just . . . don't stop looking at me Zoro.
The wolf not looking at him was like he never existed at all was hard. Luffy was one to hate to be ignored yes, but this was more than annoying . . . it was hurtful.
"Get up Luffy!" Nami shouted in the boy's ear, catching him out of his thoughts. "We need to get off this mountain as soon as possible!"
"Why?" Luffy turned to the Vampiress and asked, the look on his face was utter cluelessness.
"The Hunters remember!" Nami poked the New Fang in the head to perhaps get him to remember. "I swear you have the shortest memory span ever Luffy!"
"Oh yeah!" Luffy nodded. "Hunters . . . who were they again?"
"The ones pretty much ruling over this Clan," Pagaya spoke up.
"Hunters—ruling a Clan? That's SO wrong!" Luffy stood up with his hands clenched in fists. "Want us to beat them up for you? !"
"Please don't, not on our account Blood Prince," Pagaya held up his hands. "Hunters know how to kill the likes of us. As we've said before—this mountain is full of gold and silver—the Hunters take out as much silver as they need to fend us off."
"See Luffy!" Nami said. "We should just leave—I can't stand it if I get silver poisoning again!"
"I second to that!" Usopp raised his arm, remembering the time when he had been poisoned—quite bad as well. "It's not fun you know!"
"You were poisoned once Luffy," Sanji said, fixing his new shirt he had changed into. "You know it's not pleasant on our kind."
"But I survived," Luffy turned to everyone with a serious expression. "We all did. So what's stopping us from surviving again?"
"Luffyyyy!" Nami groaned. "We came here to vacation NOT fight off Hunters! That's the last thing on my mind! I barely managed to defeat the Hunter who tried to kill me!"
"Luffy's right though," Robin spoke up. "We survived. On top of that those were some of the top Hunters that Blood Lord Crocodile had with him—who's to say these Hunters are any less than them?"
"Don't encourage him Robin!" Nami bit. "Did you guys forget what Pagaya said? ! This mountain has scores and scores of SILVER! The one substance most deadly to any Vampire, or Werewolf," At that she turned to the pups, Chopper and Usopp were trembling but Zoro stood firm.
"Still though," Luffy bowed his head. "I can't just stand by and let a Clan suffer like this . . . living without a Blood Lord must be hard."
"It is," Conis spoke up with a nod. "Because of our Blood Lord's absence we've been getting attack by the Werewolf pack more and more. It's been hard on the Clan . . . especially since we have nowhere else to go."
"See!" Luffy spoke up, looking at Nami. "We have to help!"
"We can't!" Nami tried to get it through Luffy's head. "Not when fighting against Hunters who probably have so much silver to kill the whole race of Vampires and Werewolves!"
"Please," Conis took a step forward. "The Hunters haven't attacked us or anything since Blood Lord Gan Fall left. We are fine—and don't wish for any of you to get harmed."
"Conis," Sanji whispered out his concern for the poor Vampiress.
"Please continue on with your vacation," she said with a bow. "I can show you a road that leads down the other side of the mountain. It should lead you past the Shandorians' pack and the place of the Hunters."
"Why thank-you Conis," Nami smiled sweetly at the girl. "Guys! Thank the girl! She's going out of her way to get us out off this mountain safely."
"Awh, but I wanna fight the Hunters," Luffy pouted.
"Idiot!" Nami smacked the boy upside the head. "Just because you defeated an Immortal Lord does NOT mean you can take on the world!"
"I always thought it did," Chopper pondered.
"Hush you!" Nami pointed at the youngest pup, scaring him good as he leapt behind Usopp who leapt behind Zoro.
"Might I ask about Shandora?" Robin spoke up, looking at Pagaya and his daughter.
"Oh—you mean the original town?" Conis blinked.
"Yes," Robin nodded. "A human who led us here told us that the place where the Shandorian Werewolves lived was actually the place where the Originals were born."
"We've heard about it," Pagaya nodded. "Before it was a town near this mountain—it used to be a minors town a long time ago."
"Right," Robin said. "Not much is recorded all those millennia ago, but legend says that our ancestors—the original Vampire, and Werewolf, were once human minors who, for a reason still unknown, made a deal with the devil himself for immortality."
"Yes," Pagaya said with a nod, remembering the legend. "And it's because of that deal with the devil a curse was also placed on them."
"'Never again shall ye return to thy old lives as silver minors. No longer shall thy transformed hands touch the substance for ye are of a different race than humans—whom ye once were'," Robin spoke as if she quoted it right out of the texts.
"You know your literature my dear," Pagaya smiled softly at the raven-haired Vampiress who seemed to possess a great knowledge . . . so much knowledge that he could tell she wasn't saying everything she possibly knew.
"My Clan specialized in history," Robin said with a smile. "In fact . . . they were terminated because they sought to look up the records of the ancients—our ancestors, the Originals."
"Some things are better left forgotten then," Pagaya said with a sigh.
"I don't share such ideas," Robin said. "Which is why I'd like to see the ancient town—if it indeed is still intact. 4,000 years of rot could change a town immensely."
"Last I heard it was," Pagaya scratched the back of his head. "But . . . it resides higher up Jack's Mountain . . . where the Hunters are."
"I see," Robin nodded—seeing her only chance to investigate such an important historical site gone.
"Do you really want to see that old town Robin?" Luffy suddenly asked, his features serious.
"Well," Robin smiled at the Blood Prince sweetly, placing a lock of hair behind her ear. "It's alright if I can't see it, though it is an archeologist's dream to see it."
"Alright then—it's settled," Luffy said with a strong nod. "We're going to see it."
"LUFFY! !" protested those opposed to the idea—mostly everyone but Zoro and Robin.
"What?" Luffy asked innocently, looking at his friends. "Robin wants to see it."
"You're doing this on purpose!" Nami pointed at him. "Well I'm not going!"
"Fine!" Luffy stuck his tongue out at the girl like some child. "Then it'll be just me and Robin then!"
"Who all wants to go with Luffy anyways?" Nami looked at everyone, until her eyes fell on the oldest Werewolf who was grinning slightly.
"Well," Zoro said, pondering his thoughts. "Heading straight into danger for the sake of history doesn't sound bad to me."
"Uh, Zoro!" Chopper spoke up. "You'll get hurt, you always do!"
"So, then come with me if you're concerned," Zoro looked down at his little friend who froze at his suggestion.
"Uh . . . m-me? Going into Hunter territory?" Chopper gulped, remembering the last Hunters they had ran into and how scared he was . . . though together, with Usopp, they actually weren't that hard to beat.
"If you want—you can leave the mountain with the rest of the pansies," Zoro said with a roll of his shoulders.
"What was that Werepup? !" Sanji groaned, immediately coming into Zoro's space and shoving his face into his, greatly aggravating the Dominant.
"Get the he- - out of my face bast- - - Vampire!" Zoro growled, his skin seemed to rise just at being close to the idiot blonde . . . if he was this close to him once the New Moon's night came then he'd surely rip his head off and not care at all!
"Chopper," Usopp spoke up, gaining the little one's attention. "Are you really going to go into Hunter territory with Zoro and the others? You remember how dangerous Hunters were—remember all those silver fragments you had to get out of my face? !"
"I—I do," Chopper nodded. "But . . . I've decided that I've followed Zoro this far and I'll continue doing it!"
"Wow Chopper," Zoro chuckled a little, patting the little one on the back. "You're becoming a wolf more than Usopp—I'm proud."
"Oh shut up!" Chopper blushed and danced around a little.
"Well I'm sorry!" Usopp cried. "But I don't want to put myself in anymore danger than I have been!"
"Yeah," Nami nodded. "We'll be waiting at the foot of the mountain for you guys—if you return!"
With a 'hmph!' Nami turned and marched out of the living room.
"I'll always be by your side Nami-swan!" Sanji cheered as he and Usopp followed her out.
"Oh dear—I didn't mean to split up your small little Clan like that," Pagaya apologized.
"Pack," Zoro corrected, him and Luffy actually sharing a disagreeing glare.
"It's alright," Robin chuckled softly. "If things turn out the way they have been then we'll end up back together very soon."
"Yeah!" Luffy cheered, pumping his fist into the air. "Up Jack's Mountain we go To beat up some Hunters! . . . and . . . see Robin's old town!"
Robin giggled to herself. Even without this others she knew this would be an adventure for the four of them.
"This is what . . . your 20th time?" Shanks asked, leaning on the grand door that entered into the head mansion, just staring at the two Hunter messengers who kept coming back with the same invitation over and over.
"Actually it's our 24th time Blood Prince Shanks," they said, straightening before the royalty of the Vampire race.
"Hhh, whatever," Shanks sighed and rolled his eyes. "Like I said before—no."
"But Sir!" they spoke up. "Being an Immortal Lord has many benefits. One is immunity to any Hunter attacks on you or your Clan."
"Ha," Shanks chuckled, it was pretty funny what they said—to have protection—from humans of all beings when the best protection lived in this very mansion. "Why would I need that when I live at the Head Clan? Where the Head Blood resides? Are you saying Hunters are better protectors than him?"
The two blinked in confusion before looking at each other dumbfounded. Shanks could barely hold back his chuckles from the sight of the poor confused and pathetic humans. With a sigh Shanks continued—
"You see? Becoming an Immortal Lord wouldn't benefit me one bit. I don't need protection from the Hunters for myself or my Clan. My Head Blood can protect us just fine."
Shanks was about to shut the large black doors on the Hunter messengers again like he had the other 24 times, but he noticed the two still standing at the door, speaking to one another about something. With Shanks' excellent hearing he could hear them talking about the Head Hunter, Sengoku and about something he told the Hunter messengers to tell Shanks if he denied again.
"Uh," they turned to see Shanks still staring at them, his eyes narrowed in curiosity at what they were going to tell him.
Shanks crossed his arms with another sigh. He'd listen to this last plea, but then he was going to slam the door in their faces. It was getting tiring how every day they'd come by—at the exact same hour, and ask and ask and ask!
"Wolf Prince Dracule is seeking out Blood Prince Luffy's head," they said, halting all Shanks' thoughts of slamming the door on them right then and there.
"What? !" Shanks gasped, his eyes widening at what was just told to them.
"What's going on?" Ace came up behind Shanks, he overhead the commotion and came to see what was happening.
"When was this? !" Shanks demanded to know, his demeanor getting darker by the moment, scaring the young messengers into the collars of their shirts.
"A—A few days ago," they said, trembling before the powerful Blood Warrior.
With a growl, baring his sharp white fangs nicely to the frightened Hunter messengers, Shanks grabbed the closest one by the collar of his shirt and nearly pulled him off his feet.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier? !" Shanks growled, his features darkening, he of all people knew if Dracule set out to kill something or someone then he WILL do it!
"What's going on? !" Ace asked once more, this time his question was coaxed with worry and concern.
"Dracule's going after Luffy!" Shanks turned to the other Blood Prince.
"WHAT? !" Ace gasped, now it was his turn to grab a messenger by the collar. "Why didn't you tell him earlier? !"
"We were—informed to tell him—today—by Head Hunter Sengoku," they said, trembling in the Blood Princes' grasps.
"Da- - it!" Shanks spat; tossing the messenger he had to the ground. "I need to stop him!"
"Is there anything I can do? !" Ace came up to the older Blood Prince who was readying himself to venture out to find Luffy before the wolf did.
"You were with Luffy in Alabasta right?" Shanks asked, looking at Ace as he tied his black cloak around his neck.
"Yeah," Ace nodded quickly.
"Then go back there and cover up as much tracks of his as you can," Shanks told the young Vampire. "If I know anything about Dracule is that he's an excellent tracker. He can track anything as long as he can find pieces of tracks. So do your best Ace and pray you don't run into him while doing this!"
"I can take care of my own," Ace nodded firmly. "If I run into anyone I'll be sure to send them off with their tails between their legs."
"I really wish you'd stop taking Werewolves lightly," Shanks patted the boy on his shoulder. "They're dangerous—just because you'll become Head Blood one day does NOT mean you are as strong as one. Remember that."
"I will," Ace said, grabbing his coat and putting it on.
The two headed outside without a word to the others in the mansion, not even the Head Blood.
"We have to hurry," Shanks said, glancing up at the time of the day it was—well—actually it was night now, but still. "I know you can't transform yet Ace, but try and hurry to Alabasta as quickly as possible."
"I will," Ace said again, with a nod.
Ace watched Shanks transform into his final stage all aged and experienced Blood Warriors could. Their human/bat mode. This gave you the ability to fly, something that was a great advantage to Werewolves.
"Shanks!" Ace called out to the redhead who was now in the air ready to fly off in one direction. "Make sure you keep Luffy safe!"
"I will Ace," Shanks inclined his head to the Head Blood Prince.
With that said Shanks turned and flew off. At times like this he wished he had the nose of a Werewolf where he'd be able to catch Luffy's scent and track him—but no, his nose only smelt blood and so far Luffy hadn't been bleeding and leaving a trail of blood like most victims of Vampires tend to do so he'd have to search from above hoping that Luffy was still somewhere around the Alabasta region.
"To the Hunters territory we go!" Luffy cheered as he and what was left of their group marched up the path pointed out by Pagaya that led up the mountain. "Oh, and to Robin's old town!"
"He's cheerier than usual," Zoro commented, cocking a brow slightly.
"I think it's his want to help these people," Robin nodded with a soft smile, it was her best guess—but usually her guesses were very close to the mark.
"You think so?" Zoro asked Robin who was walking next to him, with Chopper on his other side.
"I do," Robin said. "I'm not sure if you've heard or not, but Luffy was labeled as the weakest Blood Prince in history. I think, because of that he's been trying his hardest to help as much as he can . . . which is why he wants to help this Clan."
"Weakest?" Zoro asked, narrowing his eyes in disbelief at the older Vampiress. "Does that mean the other royalty are a lot stronger than he is now?"
"Well," Robin pondered a little before she chose her words. "He's stronger now. A lot stronger than anyone had ever thought. You see Luffy's mother, when she was pregnant with him, had contracted silver poisoning, and not the kind you get when fighting a Hunter. This seemed like a virus of some sort."
"I heard about that," Chopper spoke up from where he walked beside Zoro. "It affected many a Shewolf back before I was born. And it killed a lot of their pups, very few usually survived."
"That's right," Robin nodded. "Because of this many a Vampire blamed the Werewolves for giving it to them. Most of the time it was women—pregnant at that, and many a Vampire suckling was lost because of it, or became eternally weak."
"It was the same with Werewolf pups," Chopper nodded. "Those who survived were usually weakened as well, though some came out of the stage and later became great Wolf Warriors."
"My mother was part of that percent of Shewolves who were infected," Zoro nodded.
"I see, so then—you were the only one of your litter to survive?" Robin asked.
"No," Zoro shook his head. "I was an only child. I wasn't part of a litter."
"Weren't you lucky then," Robin giggled slightly.
"Usopp was part of a litter that was affected," Chopper glanced down, remembering Usopp had told him this horror. "He was the only one who survived. He said his mother ended up dying of sadness."
"I heard that happened to many a Shewolf," Robin nodded. "With their litters gone they just ceased to exist."
"Either that or have more pups," Zoro scoffed. "A lot did that as well."
"Yeah, but a lot of Shewolves died during birth as well," Chopper pointed out. "It was devastating to our race . . . ehhuh, I'm glad it's over with. I wouldn't like to see so many young mothers and pups dying. It's horrible. Zoro—didn't your mother pass away during your birth?"
"Yeah," Zoro said with a roll of his shoulders, he hadn't known much about her besides the fact that she contracted silver poisoning before his birth, bore him, and died.
"I heard it was more devastating to Vampires though," Chopper said, looking at Robin.
"It was," Robin nodded. "Because Vampires can't have litters like Werewolves many a time there was no chance for their unborn children to survive."
"But Luffy did?" Chopper asked.
"Yes," Robin nodded. "Though his mother did pass away during his birth, she at least brought him into this world. It's a good thing too—isn't it?"
"Yeah," Chopper giggled, looking on ahead of them to see Luffy looked at a fork in the road before choosing the road next to the fattest tree. "I like Luffy, and am glad I met him."
"So are we," Robin smiled softly. "You would never think he was born that weak would you?"
"No—you wouldn't," Zoro said, watching as Luffy bent down to pick up a stick and start banging it on tree trunks as they continued their way. "He's full of surprises."
"Good surprises," Robin smiled fondly at the boy in the led of them. "If I had any say—I'd say Luffy would make a fine Head Blood."
"You think so huh?" Zoro asked. "Even with nothing usually going on up there," at that Zoro poked his skull, making Robin giggle.
"He's got the heart," Robin nodded. "That's all that counts. The one who'll be Head Blood after Luffy's father was also a victim of silver poisoning."
"You mean Ace?" Chopper gasped. "But he looked so strong!"
"That was because his mother, Queen Portgas D. Rouge, kept the poison from her unborn child," Robin said, holding up her index finger to the young doctor.
"How! How can someone do that? !" Chopper gasped, his eyes all asparkle with amazement.
"It's still a mystery today," Robin spoke. "But many believe it was because her mother was a human."
"What does being half human have to do with anything?" Chopper asked with a curious blink.
"It's said that humans have very strong wills," Robin continued. "So that will passed onto Rouge and because of that she willed the poison away from her unborn child and held it in her until Prince Ace was born . . . he was born without a effect of poison on or in him. Rouge died the very day he was born though—the poison was too much for her, but because of what she did she was held as the greatest Queen us Vampires had."
"Woooow," Chopper nodded in amazement. "She was truly a mother!"
"Yes, but it was very hard on Luffy's mother because of Rouge," Robin said. "The Vampire Elders expected her to be just as strong as the passed Queen. To keep the poison from the child she was to bear as sacred royalty. She couldn't do it and so Luffy was born weak. The Elders were very unhappy with that."
"Tcheh, they sound just as crappy as our da- - Elders," Zoro commented with a snort. "Always pushing all the royalty to bear sons, and have more pups. Pain in the a- -."
"Did they push you Zoro?" Chopper asked, looking up as the elder pup.
"He- - no!" Zoro spat. "I was still just a pup for them to tell me to go out and have pups. If fact, the only thing they pushed me at . . . was to defeat my Full Moon Opponent . . . because my Sire didn't, and they . . . didn't want me turning out like him."
Zoro let out a sigh and Chopper noticed the regret in his features. The shame was there as well. Chopper knew Zoro wanted nothing more than to make his Sire proud, but when he returned defeated, having not eaten his opponent but, in fact, done what his Sire had done. Chopper knew it was hard on him—both him and his Sire.
"You know what I just realized," Robin's voice suddenly broke through the Werewolves dim thinking.
Zoro and Chopper turned to the Vampiress who looked as if she were pondering something. She gazed at Zoro, and with a kind smile said—
"You'd make a great Head Alpha."
"Ah-ha!" Chopper giggled before glancing up at Zoro. "See! I told you you would! I'm not the only one that thinks so!"
"You guys don't know what you're talking about!" Zoro said, walking faster than the two, but Robin had caught site of the blush Zoro was sporting.
"Did you know he was going to be?" Chopper turned to Robin with a smile. "After Head Alpha Whitebeard passes on then Wolf Prince Mihawk would become Head Blood, and then after him Zoro."
"What a shame," Robin sighed, shaking her head. "He would have made a great one, wouldn't he?"
"Yes he would!" Chopper chirped happily. "It's just—he doesn't share my opinion for some reason."
"I see," Robin nodded. "Then who shall be Head Blood if not Zoro?"
"Well," Chopper chewed on his bottom lip a little in thought. "Wolf Prince Marco would be after him . . . but . . . I can't really see him as Head Alpha."
"I see," Robin said. "Then who knows—perhaps fate will change and allow Zoro to fulfill your wish."
Chopper frowned at that. He only shook his head and sighed saying—
"No banished wolf has ever returned to throne. So . . . that's that."
"Don't give up yet doctor," Robin came and patted the little one on the head.
"Hey guys," Luffy suddenly spoke up, catching everyone's attention. "What's that?"
Pointing to the sky Luffy had one arm in the air, and one holding his beloved straw hat in place. All eyes glanced upward to see a strange light coming down upon them. At first it was coming in slow but very soon the light became faster and it wouldn't be long before it struck.
"What is—?" Chopper started, Robin instantly noticing the dangers of it and grabbed the young doctor, pulling him back out of its range.
"Ck! Luffy you da- - idiot!" Zoro spat seeing the boy still standing in awe as the light came down upon them.
In an instant Zoro jumped for the New Fang and lunged out of the light's way. Just barely they managed to dodge the sudden explosion that sent earth and rocks and trees flying everywhere. The sheer impact was even strong enough to force the four flying away in opposite directions.
"Aaaaahhhhh! !" Luffy cried as he tumbled in the air for a moment before landing in a few trees and then tumbling down a hill.
He and Zoro had landed in the same direction, but as soon as Zoro hit a tree, the branches hurled his body in another direction. Hitting the hill Zoro rolled in the complete opposite direction of Luffy.
"ZORO!" Luffy cried, he tried to grab a hold of him before he tumbled off, but Luffy couldn't stop himself as he tumbled farther and farther away—from everyone, and soon it wasn't long before he was all alone.
"What the he- - was that? !" Nami gasped, her eyes widening as she and the others gazed on at the destructive beam of light that name down higher up the mountain.
"Da- - it!" Sanji cursed knowing exactly who the targets where. "Can't they ever stay out of trouble? !"
At that he darted off back up the road. Usopp and Nami watching him in confusion.
"Sanji! Where are you going? !" Nami asked with concern.
"That beam was directed at the others!" he said behind his back. "We gotta go help!"
"Sanji wait!" Nami tried to stop him, but she couldn't . . . but those Shandorians could.
"AH!" Usopp cried in horror as they jumped out of the bushes and held dangerous claws at everyone—even Sanji who had immediately halted.
"Well . . . what are two Vampires and a Werewolf doing out here—all by themselves?" a strong looking Werewolf came up . . . apparently he was the Alpha of the Pack . . . and the one who had attacked them earlier.
"Crap," Nami muttered, wondering how they were going to get out of this mess.
"Father did you see that? !" Conis gasped, both had seen the light outside of their window.
"Yes child, I saw it," Pagaya sighed, shaking his head.
"Do you think . . . the Hunters . . . got them?" Conis asked, covering her mouth and sending off a silent prayer for her friends.
"I'm not sure," Pagaya sighed, coming up next to his daughter to place a comforting arm on her. "But pray . . . perhaps . . . with some divine intervention . . . they'd be so lucky as to survive."
"Uhhuh," Luffy groaned from where he lay—upside down against a rock, still seeing stars dance around his head.
Shaking off his dizziness he managed to roll over onto his side and slowly sit up. He had tumbled for a good long while and now his stomach felt like it was upside down.
"Ooooowwwhhh," Luffy groaned, holding onto his stomach as he stood up. "That didn't feel good."
Looking around Luffy noticed he had landed in a completely different part of the mountain. Nothing but old trees and bushes everywhere. Well—at least he had shade come the day time . . . if he happened to be lost from everyone else that long.
"Guys?" Luffy asked around, then he inhaled and tried it once more. "HEY! ! !"
Nothing . . . nothing but a scared flock of birds flying out of the treetops. Luffy slumped over and sighed. He was hungry . . . and alone . . . and hungry! He turned around and wondered if there was anything he could possibly hunt for food.
Nope, nothing but birds. Couldn't hunt those if he tried. He'd have to fly—which he couldn't.
"Those Skypeans could," Luffy mumbled to himself, recalling the time when Robin said they could transform at young ages—that was why the were called Skypeans, those who took to the sky early.
With a grump Luffy crossed his legs and sat down. Perhaps if he waited here the others would find him. Looking around he found himself in an open area—and near a creek. Shouldn't be too hard for them right? After all, Werewolves could smell out water.
"Hrrrrm, how long is this going to take? !" Luffy shouted out—he was never a patient one.
"Guys?" Chopper sniffed, coming out of a bush and into an open area—no one. "Guyhuys!"
Tears started to stream down Chopper's face. First thing was Robin pulling him out of some mystical beam's path, then the ground vanished and he fell—fell into some thorn bushes—that hurt—and then down a hill into more thorn bushes! He was still so sore from everything and now he was cold and alone.
"Sniff, ANYONE!" Chopper called out, hoping someone could hear him—but no sound came—only small chirps of birds who were settling in for the night. "I'm lohost! !"
Chopper began crying and running around in circles. What was someone like him going to do all by himself—in Hunter territory no less! ? The last Hunter he fought he wouldn't have been able to beat without Usopp so what was he going to do now if he ran into one? ! He was just a 150-year-old pup, what could he do? !
Suddenly a picture of his big brother Zoro's face came into mind. He was always so strong in tough situations. Chopper had always wanted to be like him. It was then he realized why he had thought Zoro would make an ideal Head Alpha—it was because of his caring nature for the uncared for! Yes! That was it!
"That's that!" Chopper suddenly puffed out his chest like a strong Wolf Warrior. "I'm going to prove myself to everyone, especially Zoro! I'll show him I can be a Wolf Warrior! Just like he can be a Head Alpha! Then! Like what Robin said, if fate allows! If Zoro somehow becomes Head Alpha then I'll be good enough to be in his Inner Pack!"
With that proud thought in mind Chopper went off in search for everyone. He caught onto a smell—it was Zoro's, so he'd follow that trail and whatever dangers occurred on his way to him, Chopper would meet them head on. That he swore!
"Gah! Da- - it, what was that? !" Zoro cursed to himself, he finally got himself out of that tree that was hanging off a cliff.
It wasn't easy getting out, but he did. He got out and fell right off the cliff, luckily landing into a creek—though the water was quite shallow, where he landed, so Zoro right now was pretty sore as he marched down the creek bank.
"Some freaky beam?" Zoro continued to mutter to himself, holding his aching back that had took a good land off a cliff. "Were those the Hunters?"
It was a mystery to Zoro and it was going to remain a mystery until he found one and asked. Oh yeah—no doubt he'd run into one. After all, they were in Hunter territory right? He was pretty sure that trespassers would be attacked . . . and that was just what he was hoping for.
Glancing up Zoro could see the moon in all its glory. The rays gave his skin goosebumps, making him want to shift into his wolf form, but he didn't. He looked down at his hands and saw his claws were fully out. He chuckled lightly, he didn't even feel them extent—it was as if his body was starting to have a mind of its own . . . which was just what was happening . . . that reason alone is why he's so scared to be around the others.
His mood right now was darkening. Right now what he really wanted to do was find something or someone to beat the snot out of. He was a Dominant after all and most of those became aggressive turning times like this. He was no exception.
With a sneer Zoro bore a fang. He REALLY wanted someone to beat up now. Perhaps he'd run into that da- - blonde Blood Warrior. That would make him very happy, but that a- - was probably already halfway down the mountain.
"Hunters it is then," Zoro marched on hoping to find someone soon to ease his cravings.
"It looks like we were all separated," Robin took note, looking around in the dark forest to find only herself still standing around. "I have no doubt the wolves can find their way back—but I'm not so sure about Luffy. He's got such a horrible sense of direction."
Robin thought to herself and knew she should probably look for the boys. After all, this was Hunter territory and it could be quite dangerous for their small little group to be split up. She was no excellent tracker though, no, her skills were in ancient texts and artifacts—hunting someone down was for the Blood Warriors, not some archeologist Vampiress like herself.
"I suppose I'll just have to keep walking in a single direction hoping one finds me," Robin shrugged and continued her way.
She kept walking in one direction, keeping her ears alert to any sounds that could sound like a Werepup, or Blood Prince—or perhaps a Hunter. Nothing so far and so she kept on, resting every now and then. She hadn't stopped completely until her eyes met something so grand she didn't know what else to do but stare.
"Oh my!" she gasped, her eyes widening at the sight . . . a sight she had always dreamt of seeing ever since she was little girl.
"What is this? !" the Alpha asked once more, coming up to the group who were now rounded together by the Wolf Warriors.
"AH! What are we gonna do? ! What are we gonna do? !" Usopp cried, his arms still high in the air in surrender.
"Will you stop doing that!" Sanji spat at the cowardly puppy. "You're embarrassing to watch!"
"I can't help it!" Usopp cried. "These are my 'scared reflexes'!"
"You wouldn't happen to be Skypean Vampires would you?" the Alpha asked, crossing his arms.
"Of course not!" Nami defended herself. "We were just passing through. All we want to do is get off this mountain!"
"Vampires of any Clan aren't welcome here," the Alpha sneered. "You mind telling me why the he- - a single Werepup is with you? Were you kidnapped pup?"
"If I say yes then what will you do?" Usopp asked, cowering behind Sanji.
"Tch, we don't have time for this!" Sanji spat, not caring if he was outnumbered he'd definitely fight them all off to find out what happened to his dearest Robin. "Our friends need our help!"
"There's more of you?" the Alpha asked, narrowing his eyes. "Where?"
"Up the mountain," Nami pointed toward the spot where they had seen the beam hit—now all that was seen was dark smoke. "There were two more Werewolves, and two Vampires."
"Strange Pack of yours," the Alpha muttered. "Your friends are probably dead."
"What? !" Sanji gasped, his eye widening.
"Yeah, that da- - Hunter Enel got 'em," the Alpha chuckled lightly. "Served you right for coming up here in the first place."
"We didn't mean to!" Nami said, looking around at the others and soon correcting herself. "I didn't mean to! We were just supposed to be going on a Vacation and our idiot Prince decided it'd be fun to go up Jack's Mountain."
"Prince?" the Alpha asked, eyeing them suspiciously. "What Royalty leaves the comforts of his mansion to come wandering here?"
"Luffy," Nami and Sanji said at the same time, their expressions shown that they knew this was a 'Luffy thing' to do.
"B-But what happened to our friends?" Usopp got up the courage to ask.
"I already told you, Hunter Enel did them in," the Alpha said, glaring at the pup. "Anyone stupid enough to go higher up Jack's Mountain ends up being fried."
"Wait—you mean they used lightning?" Nami asked, trying to understand.
"That's how Hunter Enel kills his victims," The Alpha looked at the Vampiress. "He electrocutes them to death—while his other Hunters use the regular—silvered weapons."
"ROBIN! !" Sanji cried out. "I'll save you! ! Let us go dogs!"
"We have no intention of holding you," the Alpha said, waving his warriors off the strangers. "Let the Hunters get you.. . . then you can join your friends."
The three watched as the Werewolves backed away into the dark forest and left them alone. Usopp was trembling more than ever at what they had told them last.
"Hunters? !" Usopp gasped. "I thought they resided higher up the mountain? !"
"They do," Sanji nodded. "Which is why we're going up there! So we can kick their a- -es! COME ON! !"
At that he grabbed Nami and Usopp's wrist, zooming off and dragging the two reluctants up the mountain to avenge their friends . . . if indeed they were dead as the Werewolves had said.
"Heh, heh, looks like there are more fools coming up this mountain," the lead Hunter chuckled.
"How many are there Enel?" a Hunter.
"Oh shush, there are plenty for all of you," the one known as Enel looked at his four Hunters who were placed under his command for this secret mission given to them from HQ itself. "There are 3 Werewolves, two looking like pups, and one looking as if he's close to becoming a wolf. 4 Vampires accompany them, two Vampiresses, and a Blood Warrior, the other, why, is none other than the lost Blood Prince Monkey D Luffy himself."
"Ha-haha, Shall we play with them Enel?" a round Hunter asked, bouncing around.
"Sure," Enel smiled with a nod. "If it'll bring that old fool out in the open so we can finally be done with him then by all means do so. For six long years we've been after that Gan Fall, no doubt a disturbance like this will bring him out."
The Hunters all smirked. It had been a while since they had killed any unfortunate soul. Now was as good a time as any.
Hot Shot's girl: P.S. there was a lot of you guys who wants Shanks to join and a couple that don't and then quite a bit that don't know. So, to ease my confusion, I'm placing a poll up so go to my profile page and vote there!(whenever I get it up, lol) Thanx! :D