Hot Shot's girl: Since you guys have been so good with reading and waiting and reviewing I thought I'd update this early, but the other chps might take a little longer . . . so . . . yeah . . . you know that 'you'll probably like the next chp 'cause I garentee it'? Well that's more like a 'maybe'. It depends what you guys think, I'm just letting you know that your faces will probably be glued to the screen in this chp. That's all I'm saying :} Enjoy!
"He wasn't sick, that bast- - -," Zoro groaned, walking out of the room, rubbing his neck.
"He wasn't?" Chopper asked, watching Zoro grumble. "But he sounded so convincing."
"You're convinced by anyone Chopper," Zoro narrowed his eyes at the young doctor.
"Oh . . . sorry," Chopper bowed his head, but then turned up to look at Zoro continuing to rub his wounded neck. "Want me to take a look at those?"
"Hhh, sure," Zoro sighed out, sitting down next to the doctor who walked on his lap and examined him, placing ointments on his bite marks he had received from the New Fang. "Hhhoh, what time is it?"
"You mean what day is it," Gan Fall corrected him with a chuckle.
"Day?" Zoro blinked before sitting up straight. "What do you mean day?"
"You all slept for a good day's worth of hours. Right now it is 11 in the morning," Gan Fall smiled at the shocked pups.
"Really?" Chopper asked with a giggle. "Wow we must have been tired, we did have a long night last night—er, the night before."
"Shi-!" Zoro stood up, looking a little paranoid. "How the he- - could I sleep through a whole day? !"
"I don't see what's wrong Zoro, you've done it before," Usopp spoke up from the other side of the room.
"What's wrong Zoro?" Chopper asked, a concern look on his face as he reached out to touch his big brother.
Zoro looked to see the young pup, his eyes showing great concern. Zoro closed his eyes for a moment before sighing out everything, all his worries, frustrations—for now. He opened them and smiled down at the doctor before patting him on the head.
"Don't worry Chopper—I'm fine, just startled me that we wasted a whole day is all," he lied, hoping the boy would buy it.
"Heh, heh, okay," Chopper giggled before he hopped off the couch and headed over to Usopp to check on him. "Hello Usopp, how are you healing?"
"Fine, fine," Usopp waved it off, scratching at his bandages slightly that covered his face. "You know there should be a limit to how many times a person can get hit in the face by silver!"
"Heh, heh, yeah," Chopper chuckled, taking off the older pup's bandages and looking at his face. "Well you're healing good so just apply this ointment daily so your face won't swell up like a balloon like last time."
"I'll keep that in mind," Usopp said, snatching the ointment out of the little one's hands.
"Hm, I'm glad you are alright," Conis came in and smiled at everyone who were now waking up and recovering well. "You all went through so much for us."
"Aw Conis, you were concerned for us," Sanji sighed out heavenly. "Of course our intentions were always for you and your Clan."
"I thought it was just about going on a vacation," came Luffy's sudden remark, all now noticing him in the room.
"Luffy!" everyone gasped, suddenly seeing the boy come out of his room.
"Stop being so rude!" Sanji growled, kicking the New Fang into the wall.
"Oh my, should you be doing that when he was recently ill with silver poisoning?" Conis asked, concerned for the Blood Prince.
"He's fine!" everyone spat.
"Hhhoh! Well I had a good day's sleep," Nami smiled before she looked out the tinted window to see the sun was up. "Just how long were we asleep?"
"A whole day," Pagaya informed the redhead.
"A whole day? !" Nami gasped. "We could have been off this mountain by now! Oh now what are we going to do? !"
"We can always leave later," Luffy spoke up, holding onto his black eye.
"That's a good idea," Gan Fall nodded. "Even though I know most of you are Vampires and don't fair too well under the sun there is plenty of shade in the forests. Once you reach the bottom of Jack's mountain it'll be night fall—easy for you to journey out on the lower lands."
"It's a good idea I suppose," Nami nodded.
Hhh, another day to waste, Zoro groaned inwardly, he'd have to pick a time to leave them—especially a time to tell them he was leaving. Just two more days now . . . it's too close.
"Hhh, it'll be glad to get off this mountain and away from feuding Clans and Packs," Nami sighed out with a smile.
"Oh, we are not feuding any longer," Gan Fall informed. "We have struck a truce, the Werewolves and us. Since we are in fact family we will no longer quarrel like children and each and every one of my Clan whom have descended from the Vampires responsible for killing Montblanc Norland have personally apologized for their ancestor's mistakes. We're starting afresh and are now currently repairing the town of the Originals to its former glory."
"Really?" Nami blinked. "That's great! I'm so happy for you guys!"
"Sure," Zoro chuckled from where he sat. "You're just happy you won't get attacked by anymore Werewolves."
"Shut up you!" Nami growled, pointing at the green wolf.
"So then—it's decided," Robin spoke up. "We'll be leaving soon to head back to Cricket."
"Yeah!" Luffy jumped up and down on the couch with Zoro sitting at the edge, slightly annoyed that he was even being brought up with the bounces from the monkey. "I want to see Cricket again! The funny man with the acorn on his head!"
"Hhh, sorry about our short stay but it was nice here—when you guys weren't fighting and being attacked by Hunters," Nami smiled sweetly.
"It's alright," Conis said. "But still—thank-you all so much. We owe everything to you."
"Hhheh, well this seems to have been happening a lot with us," Nami sighed out, remembering the incident with Vivi's Clan. "I'm just glad we didn't have to run into anymore Immortal Lords."
"Thanks to you I can rule my Clan again, thank-you all," Gan Fall said, bowing to everyone.
"Ohho, don't do that," Chopper blushed and wiggled his hips.
"Please, come and visit us once again," Pagaya said. "We'd love your company once more. Perhaps even a tour in the town of the Originals."
"That'd be great!" Luffy cheered, his eyes all bright and wide and smile big.
"Then a safe journey to you all," Gan Fall nodded—this strange Clan, or Pack, whatever they were, were blessed in a way that wherever they go they bless others around them—if that was so then may they continue to bless others just like they had been. "And may your presence bless other Clans and Packs."
"Thanks," Luffy said. "We'll definitely come back here again! For sure!"
"Da- - it!" Bellamy cursed. "How the he- - was I supposed to know my brother wanted that da- - wolf no matter what? !"
"What he says goes Bellamy," one of his companions says. "Even if Alpha Doflamingo is your brother you don't go against what he says."
"I just don't understand what the he- - he sees in him that could possibly strengthen our Pack—like our Pack isn't great already," Bellamy said, after he had told his brother of how he let the Blood and Wolf Princes go he wasn't too thrilled and warned him to find the Wolf Prince and bring him to their Pack so he could make him a Wolf Warrior of his. "He said 'or else'—'or else' could mean anything with him!"
"You let them go Bellamy," the other wolves said around him. "How are we going to find them? It's been almost a week since we last saw them. They could be anywhere."
"Wait," Bellamy stopped the train of thought before speaking, "Didn't someone say that they had been spotted at that old cuck's place—Montblanc, right? That human that doesn't live too far from here."
"That human?" his companions said. "Yeah you're right. I'll bet he knows where they went."
"He'd better!" Bellamy growled, if he couldn't find that Wolf Prince then who knows what his brother would do to him for failing!
"I can't wait to see Cricket again!" Luffy giggled as he started walking backwards. "He'll be excited to know we found that old town of his!"
"Yes—he will," Robin smiled softly, she had a few questions she wanted to ask Cricket when they arrived at his home—quite a few concerning his family.
"Well we should be reaching his house pretty soon," Nami said, looking up to see the moon shining down, showing all the night.
She looked back behind them to see someone was lagging—it was their favorite Werepup. He was walking a bit too slow to be keeping up with everyone and so she cocked her head to the side and stared at him.
"Hey! Slowpoke! What's with you?" Nami called to him, but he made no motion to speed up or even look at her, all he did was glance down at the ground with his hands in his pockets and continue his way. "Was he poisoned Chopper?" Nami asked, looking ahead at the doctor who was also staring at Zoro with concern.
"No, that's why I'm concerned," Chopper said, looking at the youngest Vampiress in their group.
"Tch, figures," Nami groaned continuing her way.
"Are you okay Zoro?" Chopper asked, being one of the only ones who waited for him to catch up with the group and walk beside him. "You don't look so good."
"I'm fine," Zoro once again told the little one. "Don't worry about me Chopper—I can take care of myself."
"If you say so," Chopper mumbled, continuing to watch his close friend closely.
Staring at Zoro left no room for Chopper to gaze ahead and notice that everyone had suddenly stopped. Bumping into the person in front of him, Nami, was when he looked ahead to freeze with the others.
"Gasp!" the little one gasped. "What happened here? !"
"Oh no!" Nami gasped, covering her mouth, looking at the destroyed home. "Cricket!"
"Old man!" Luffy suddenly ran off in search for him, he and Chopper running first to look for the wounded.
"I found Mashira and Shojo over here guys!" Chopper called out from behind the house.
"Then where's Cricket?" Usopp called back to him.
"I found him!" Luffy called out, near the side of the house.
Everyone ran up to see his condition. He was laying on the ground, all bloodied up, but he was still conscious.
"Oh," he managed to crack out a smile towards his old friends. "You guys are back—so how did you like . . . Sky Island?"
"It was great," Luffy said, though his features were that of concern as he scanned over the human's condition. "We found that old town and even the Werewolves were there. Somehow—we managed to get them to stop fighting."
"Did you now," Cricket continued to smile as he tried to sit up, coughing violently.
"Chopper! Get over here!" Luffy called out.
"I'm coming!" Chopper called back as soon as he finished up with the two wolves he ran off to check on Cricket, that poor human. "Whoever did this did a real toll on Cricket—he's just a human after all."
"I'm fine, it's nothing I'm not used to," Cricket tried to wave it off, but after violently coughing up blood Chopper demanded he indeed was not 'fine'.
"Who did this to you? !" Luffy asked, he wanted to know—so he could teach them a lesson to never mess with his friends.
"Why" You gonna seek revenge?" Cricket asked, eyeing the young Blood Prince intently.
"What if I am," Luffy said, his tone deep and his gaze was just as fierce as Montblanc's.
"It's your choice kid," Cricket said, taking his gaze away from him. "It was that Werewolf Bellamy and his gang."
"Bellamy?" Nami asked. "They're still around?"
"They stayed in town a while," Cricket replied. "They came over here asking where you guys went. I answered them truthfully—saying you went to Sky Island. They took that as nonsense and so did this to me and my friends."
"Bast- - -s," Sanji muttered, shaking his head.
Luffy stood up, still continuing to gaze at Cricket. He stayed like that for a while, everyone wondering what the New Fang was going to do—but most had a pretty decent idea with what Luffy was about to do.
"Chopper," Luffy said, his tone still deep and serious. "Are you done mending them?"
"Huh? Y-Yeah, why Luffy?" Chopper asked, placing all his belongings back into his pack.
"'Cause we're all going to see Bellamy and his gang," Luffy said, looking up and towards the direction the town laid in. "Does everyone agree?"
"B-But Luffy," Nami spoke up. "Bellamy's brother is an Immortal Lord. If you—"
"Does everyone agree? !" Luffy's tone was now raised, he wanted a yes or no.
"I do," Sanji lit a cigarette and stepped forward.
"M-Me too!" Usopp nodded.
"I'm in," Zoro rolled his shoulders.
"Yeah!" Chopper nodded, his eyes narrowed.
"Hhh . . . alright," Nami sighed out, why did she feel like she was going to regret this?
"I'll go too, but might I stay with Cricket a little while longer?" Robin asked, looking at Luffy. "I'd like to ask him a few questions. I'll meet with you soon."
"Fine," Luffy said, looking at the oldest member of their strange group. "Everyone—with me."
With a flick of his hand everyone followed after Luffy. Cricket and Robin watched them vanish and Cricket sighed out with a shake of his head.
"Kid doesn't know what he's getting himself into," Cricket said. "But he's got guts—that's what I like about him I suppose."
"I'd have to agree," Robin giggled slightly. "But—I've stayed to ask you a few questions."
"Ask away," he said.
"You knew didn't you? About your ancestor—being related to the Werewolves and Vampires from another brother," Robin said.
"So you could read those old texts," Cricket grinned. "Didn't think a being existed in this world anymore that could."
"I did," Robin nodded. "I even read about his death."
"It happens," Cricket said. "Especially with the Vampires and Werewolves who forget our family . . ."
"You're wrongly killed," Robin said, understanding more clearly now. "Are there—any more of your family?"
"Of course," Cricket said. "Not many, but some are still around. The Hunters want any member of that family for one purpose."
"The Hunters know?" Robin questioned.
"He- - they do," Cricket nodded.
"What do they want though?" Robin asked.
"Our blood," he said, turning towards her, his gaze stern and her eyes widened at the reason why the Hunters wanted it.
"Can you believe that that old fool told us they went to Sky Island? What shi- -y kid believes in that fairytale anymore anyways?" Bellamy chuckled, the others in the tavern joining in in his laughter.
"Yeah but that still doesn't tell us where Roronoa is," a wolf spoke up.
"Sure it does," Bellamy grinned. "Up Jack's mountain. It's got to be. It's just a shame they can't come to us huh? Ha, ha!"
"BELLAMYYYYYY! ! ! !" came cry from outside, the tanned blonde wolf instantly recognizing the voice.
"Heh, well speak of the devil," Bellamy grinned, placed his mug at the bar, stood up and headed out. "We were just talking about you!"
Bellamy grinned to see the straw-hat wearing Vampire standing a few yards in front of him, the others of his strange little Pack standing behind him a few yards. Bellamy stuck out his tongue like the happy dog he was—at least he didn't have to trek over mountains to find them, they were standing right here before them.
"What the he- - did you beat up Cricket for? !" Luffy growled, his fists shaking in anger.
"It's simple—because I wanted to," Bellamy said. "Don't worry, he wasn't touched for long. Strange human that one."
"He didn't do ANYTHING to you!" Luffy shouted.
"So," Bellamy giggled. "He wasn't giving me information I wanted."
"He told you where we were!" Luffy said. "If you wanted to come find us then you could have—NOT beaten up one of our friends!"
"But it's more fun that way Straw-hat," Bellamy teased. "So what . . . you come here to fight to avenge him?"
Luffy said nothing, just continued to gaze at the overconfident Wolf Warrior who rose his hands showing all the wolves around how confident he was that he was standing there as the strongest.
"Fair warning to you my challenger," Bellamy continued to tease. "I am a very strong Wolf Warrior from the Pack of Alpha Doflamingo, my brother, and an Immortal Lord. I'll tell you what though," his eyes then came towards the Wolf Prince who stood by with his arms crossed, watching closely as the events unfolded. "You hand over Roronoa and you all go off scratch free. My men and I won't touch you. What do you say?"
Yet again there was silence. Bellamy chuckled with a sigh before shrugging his shoulders comically.
"Alright, I warned you. Shrimp probably can't even throw a punch."
"Show 'im who's boss Bellamy!" the wolves around cheered.
"Don't worry, don't worry—I will," Bellamy licked his lips as he got down on all fours, shifting into his human/wolf form, gazing at the Blood Prince with crazy eyes.
Still, Luffy just stood there. Unmoved and undaunted. He didn't even move as the wolf charged, his speed was incredible as he moved from one side to the other, going to take the New Fang by surprise from all the different directions he zoomed from.
"Ha! Ha!" Bellamy's voice echoed all over and around Luffy. "You won't know what hit you!"
"Luffy!" Nami called out to him in a loud whisper. "We shouldn't do this! We should just go! Cricket's fine!"
Suddenly Nami was silenced as she watched her Blood Prince slowly raise his fist to where it was almost eyelevel.
"You asked me if I can punch . . ." Luffy's words weren't heard by the others around him, only his friends heard—not even Bellamy cared for what he was saying.
"You're finished Blood Prince!" Bellamy shouted, finally taking his chance to charge.
But . . . it all happened so fast most weren't sure what had happened. Suddenly Luffy's fist came down and suddenly Wolf Warrior Bellamy was hitting the ground with a nice indent in his head. He wasn't moving anymore and most were stunned at what just happened.
"B-B-Bellamy! !" the other wolves gasped with wide eyes, all going to look at the Blood Prince who still looked just as scary as he had when he smashed his fist into the side of Bellamy's head. "The-The Blood Prince took him down!"
"Now look what you've done!" Nami pointed out. "What if his brother comes for you? ! I can't stand another Immortal Lord attack us!"
"Right, there's only one thing to do then," Luffy said with a nod and then turned to everyone. "Let's get out of here."
Everyone chuckled but equally agreed.
"Wait!" Sanji halted. "What about my Robin? !"
"She'll catch up lover-boy," Zoro groaned, walking ahead of him. "Let's just get going."
"What was that mosshead? !" Sanji growled coming close behind Zoro's heels to hiss at him.
The group had barely managed to make it out passed the town's 'Welcome' post before something large and fast rammed right into the pups, grabbing all three in its grasp tightly.
"AH! What was that? !" Nami gasped, turning quickly with the others to see something taking a hold of the three pups.
"Is it any enemy? !" Luffy gasped with wide eyes.
"I don't think enemies would like them," Sanji nodded in agreement.
"Ah! Ah!" Zoro groaned, a long wet thick tongue licking up his face and then moving on to the other pups and giving them the same treatment. "FRANKY! !"
"AHHAAA! ! !" the older wolf cried, squeezing his three little buddies so tightly as waterfalls poured from under his sun glasses that he seemed to always want to wear. "I MISSED YOU GUYS SO MUHUCH! ! !"
"Franky!" Chopper squealed, a large smile on his face from seeing his old friend again. "I thought I'd never see you again!"
"Hm? Usopp?" Franky suddenly looked down at the long-nosed dog who was still recovering from the licks. "I thought you were dead!"
"What? Who told you that? !" Usopp asked, looking at the blue Wolf Warrior.
"Jyabura!" Franky sniffed, setting all three down.
"Well there's your reason," Zoro mumbled as he crossed his arms, his hair all amess from the slobbery monster.
"You don't know how lonely I've been without my three little buddies around!" Franky sniffed, tears falling anew again.
"Okay, okay, we get it," Zoro groaned, trying to keep the wolf from licking him again.
"Oh—What is this?" Robin asked, coming up beside the Vampires who gazed on at the scene as the older and larger wolf chased around the youngers to bring them into his grasp again and lick their faces off.
"Someone they know . . . I guess," Nami shrugged.
"I still find their greeting ways . . . disgusting," Sanji shivered before looking away at the licking scene.
"Heh, heh, hey guys! Why didn't you tell me you had another friend? !" Luffy ran up to them and looked at the large Wolf Warrior. "Wow, you look pretty strong Werewolf!"
"That's because I am!" the wolf suddenly broke out in a pose causing Luffy to cheer all the more. "I take after my mother—the strongest Wolf Princess in all history!"
"Really? !" Luffy marveled. "I didn't know Wolf Princesses fought. Hey Zoro he's your—!"
"Cousin . . . I know," Zoro groaned, his mood seemed to dampen as the large wolf continued his 'poses'.
"That's so cool!" Luffy gasped in awe, his eyes all asparkle with admiration. "I wish I had a cousin like this!"
"Hey!" Sanji spoke up. "What's wrong with me? !"
"What brings you away from the Head Pack Franky?" Usopp asked, looking at the large wolf who seemed to lose his 'Frankyness' after being asked this.
"I'm going to visit my brother," Franky said, his mood less enthusiastic, making the pups wonder what was wrong.
"Wait—you mean Iceberg?" Usopp asked.
"Iceberg? !" Chopper gasped with wide eyes. "I remember him—when I was little at the time when he would visit the Head Pack but he was always so cool!"
"Yeah, I know right," Usopp nodded.
"What's wrong with him?" Zoro asked, his eyes narrowing, usually when Franky wasn't all hyper things weren't good.
"The town he's come to call home has been coming under attack. Werewolf, Vampire, both I think," Franky shrugged. "I just want to make sure he's alright."
"He's the mayor isn't he?" Usopp asked.
"Yeah," Franky nodded.
"Wait—can't he take care of himself?" Sanji asked. "He's a Werewolf right? What's to worry about?"
"Half," Franky turned to the blonde. "He had a human father so he's not as strong as a Werewolf should be. Don't get me wrong! He always bested me in a fight—but . . . I still worry for him."
"Aww, how sweet," Nami sighed out, clasping her hands together. "Brotherly love."
"Anyways, where are you guys headed?" Franky asked, finding himself a decent sized rock to sit on.
"Out," Nami said, looking back at Luffy. "Isn't that right Luffy!"
"Yep," Luffy nodded. "We just beat the crap out of an Immortal Lord's brother."
"Who?" Franky asked, leaning forward.
"Doflamingo," Sanji replied.
"Ewh," Franky hissed. "That's one Alpha to never mess with. I've met his Pack once before when Whitebeard took his Inner Pack around to meet others. He's quite strong and so are his warriors. You sure you bested a relative of his?"
"Sure did," Luffy nodded.
"Well then! How about you guys come with me to Water 7! The town where my brother mayors!" Franky jumped up in excitement. "It would give us time to bond and catch up!"
"Eh—I'll stick away from the bonding if you don't mind," Sanji stepped away a little.
"Well guys?" Luffy asked, looking back at everyone.
"Well," Nami sighed out. "We were supposed to head back to the Head Clan after our 'vacation'."
Nami was cut off as a puppy-eyed Luffy gazed at her. He didn't want any of them to leave just yet. He really wished they'd stay—forever!
"W-Well what could it hurt, right?" Nami chuckled nervously, looking back at Robin and Sanji who were not banished and could still return to the Head Clan.
"I don't mind continuing," Robin smiled.
"I'll follow you anywhere Nami my love!" Sanji cheered.
"Hhheh, somehow—I knew you would," Nami sighed out—hip-hip-hurray for their continually growing strange Clan/Pack . . . Clack.
"Alright!" Luffy cheered. "Off to Water 11 we go!"
"Seven," Usopp corrected.
"Same thing!" Luffy continued on.
"Heh, I'm beginning to like the Vampires you hang out with guys," Franky chuckled, looking at them all. "How did you end up with Vampires in your little Pack in the first place?"
"It's a long story," Zoro quickly answered. "Another time."
"Oh, alright," Franky nodded and led the group towards the town where his brother resided.
"Alpha Doflamingo!" a messenger wolf came up to the Alpha as he sat in his chair, speaking to a few other wolves of his. "Urgent news!"
"Hm? What is it messenger dog?" Doflamingo sighed out, waving for the messenger to continue as he leant back in his chair.
"Your brother, Wolf Warrior Bellamy was just reported to have been defeated at Jaya!" the messenger said, bowing and not making eye contact.
"What's this you say?" Doflamingo asked, leaning forward. "By who?"
"Blood Prince Monkey D. Luffy, Alpha!" the messenger gulped, not knowing what the Immortal Lord would do.
All wolves around waited for a reaction for their strong leader but were quite surprised once he broke out into laughter. All flinched away as he slapped his thigh, stuck his tongue out and just laughed.
"Oh Wohow!" he chuckled. "The Blood Prince has struck again! Ha! Ha!"
"Um . . . Alpha?" the wolves around him questioned his behavior. "Are you going to avenge him? He was your brother."
"Ah so what," Doflamingo waved it off. "I have five other ones, but I have to say . . . I didn't expect the Blood Prince to take him out—Roronoa perhaps, but not Monkey. Interesting, very interesting."
"Alpha," a warrior spoke up. "Bellamy's group was the party you sent out to search for the banished Wolf Prince."
"That's true," Doflamingo shook his head. "Seems I'm in a predicament . . . either send out another squad and have them get bested like Bellamy or go myself and do the job of a man . . . hmmmm."
All awaited his decision and watched as he grinned widely. He rubbed his chin a little before saying—
"Well . . . I guess I'll have no choice but to go. If I happen to run into that troublesome little Blood Prince I'll just knock him out of my way—like I always do."
All watched as the Immortal Lord giggled before standing up and going on his way.
"So what is a Dominant and Submissive?" Luffy asked, cocking his head at Franky who was sitting down speaking with Chopper and Nami.
"You mean you don't know?" Zoro asked, who had been standing next to the New Fang. "It's not that hard to figure out. It just means which ones are more aggressive than the others."
"Huh?" Luffy asked, a confused blink given to the wolf.
"Hhh, watch this," Zoro said, motioning for the Vampire to follow as he went up to Usopp who was sitting by himself, minding his own business. "USOPP WHAT THE HE- - ARE YOU DOING? !"
"WAAHHH! ! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Usopp turned and lay flat on the ground before Zoro.
"Now you see right there . . . that's a Submissive," Zoro pointed at the trembling pup.
"I see . . . does it count for Vampires too?" Luffy asked, looking at the green wolf.
"Hm, we can find out," Zoro shrugged, coming up to the blonde Blood Warrior who was currently cooking a meal for everyone as they stopped for the morning. "Hey! Shi- -y cook!"
"You know what!" Sanji suddenly turned to the pup and pushed his face into his, purposely intruding in person space. "I am THIS close to wiping the ground with your shi- -y a- -!"
"I suppose he can count as a Dominant," Zoro backed up and pointed at him.
"What's that? !" Sanji growled. "Some Werewolf joke is it? !"
"Ohho! Show me more!" Luffy marveled.
Zoro shrugged and continued on. He went up to Chopper and shouted at him, which the pup responded with a startled jump and now he looked on the verge of tears.
"You know what!" the pup soon wiped his tears away and poked out his chest like a man. "I'm getting sick of this Zoro! Stop scaring me like that!"
"Well, well," Zoro nodded, impressed. "Looks like this Submissive's turning into a Dominant."
"What are you doing to poor Chopper?" Nami came up behind Zoro, which the wolf responded by turning and snapping at her quite fiercely.
"Cram it witch!" Zoro snapped trying to see if she was a Dominant or Submissive—he wondered if you could tell with Vampire women.
That was all it took to land Zoro in the grass, a large swell protruding from his noggin. Luffy came up to him and knelt beside him asking—
"Which one was she?"
"Defiantly . . . a Dominant," Zoro groaned out.
"Okay, next!" Luffy cheered.
Zoro got up, nursed his wounded head and came up to Robin, trying to the same thing with Nami at which the raven-haired Vampire only read on her journal she was reading.
"Well?" Luffy asked, he wanted to know if Robin was a Dominant or Submissive.
"Neutral it looks like," Zoro shrugged and went on his way to the next person—Franky. "FRANKY YOU DA- - DOG!"
"Now listen here!" Franky jumped up, pointing at the smaller wolf, his attitude screaming Dominant . . . or so they thought. "Don't do that!" suddenly Franky began to burst out in tears. "Because that hurts my feelings every time you yell at me like that! Aha!"
"You said warriors are always Dominants right?" Luffy asked, he and Zoro gazing on at the sobbing Franky who just seemed to not want to stop.
"Yeah," Zoro replied, continuing to gaze at his old wolf friend.
"Then why is he a warrior?" Luffy asked, pointing at Franky, 'cause all he saw was a bawling Submissive.
"I often wonder the same thing," Zoro nodded.
"Wait! What am I? !" Luffy asked with a wide grin as he turned to Zoro who now turned to him.
Zoro looked the boy over for a moment, trying to figure it out, but he just couldn't tell. Luffy wouldn't get scared or intimidated easily so defiantly not a Submissive, but he's not aggressive like a Dominant so perhaps . . . neutral?
"Hey! Luffy!" Sanji called out to the New Fang. "The fire's getting low so if you want dinner go get some wood!"
"'Kay!" Luffy called out and suddenly zoomed off into the woods towards their left.
"Hhh, who knows with him?" Zoro sighed out, going over to find a nice patch of grass to sit in and rest—the sun was coming out, which meant the Vampires were going to go to sleep soon and probably the Werewolves too . . . Closing his eyes and sighing out, ready to head into his sleep, but a sudden cry caught him out of his slumber.
Zoro opened one eye towards the direction he heard the cry. It was from the forest where Luffy had darted off to get more wood for the fire. It was Luffy who let out the scream as well.
Not long after another cry was heard—again it was Luffy's.
"Tch, what the he- - is he doing now?" Sanji groaned, stirring the dinner stew and trying to ignore whatever Luffy had managed to find in the forest.
"Is he alright?" Franky asked, leaning forward, narrowing his eyes at where Luffy had vanished into the forest.
"Yeah," Sanji waved it off.
"Hhh, Franky," Zoro sighed out; leaning against the rock Franky was sitting atop. "When you spend so much time with that crazy New Fang you'll start to realize he always finds trouble—he can't not find trouble."
"Do you think he ran into a bear?" Usopp asked, his attention towards Luffy's screams as well.
Everyone heard the sound of something hard hitting a tree and shaking it so hard that the birds in its branches flew off in fear. Still, no one made a motion to move.
"Nah, can't be a bear," Zoro said. "Well . . . maybe . . ."
They then watched Luffy scramble out of the woods in sheer panic, completely dropping all the sticks had scavenged for the fire. It was strange—they had never seen Luffy this scared before as he ran out of the woods in such a speed you'd think death itself was chasing him.
Everyone jumped once they watched a tree—or two, fall over as if something . . . or someone was pushing it over. It was because of this that all the group turned and stood to gaze at whatever it was that was making this.
"Could it be . . . a rhino—elephant maybe?" Franky asked, it was the only animals that were strong enough to knock thick trees over.
"No . . . can't be," Zoro said, his attention now to where the being would exit any moment now right after Luffy. "They don't live in . . . forests."
Luffy gave out one more cry as he glanced behind him and watched his pursuer burst out of the woods, right after him and he was relentless!
"AAAHHHH! ! !" Luffy cried, running as fast as he could back to his group who were now dumbfounded as they watched the being chase Luffy close on his heels.
"AH . . . AH . . . AH! !" Usopp's brain suddenly stopped working for a moment as he gazed, wide-eyed
"EH . . . EH . . . EH! !" Chopper's brain even stopped working, his eyes glazed over with pure horror—he didn't know what to think at the sight.
Franky's eyes bulged as well, his arms falling numbly at his sides. He was at a complete loss and in total shock along with Zoro who stood right next to him.
"FATHER? ! ? !" Zoro gasped, watching in frozen shock his Sire chase down the Blood Prince who was running for his life.
"Wh-Wh-What's going on? !" Sanji asked, noticing the frozen Werewolves and the sudden craziness of the situation only got worse as Chopper and Usopp grasped one another and cried out, Franky shaking his head as if he had seen wrong and Zoro continuing to gaze on in shock.
Luffy soon ran behind Sanji praying to anything that Sanji would be able to fend off the attacker, but what was he thinking right? ! This was an older Wolf Warrior, the likes he had never seen before and now he was scared to death he was going to kill him!
"Sanji! Sanji help me! !" Luffy cried out, grabbing onto Sanji so tightly Sanji could feel the jumpy boy trembling.
"Wh-What's going on? !" Sanji looked at the scared to death boy.
"HE'S GOING TO KILL ME! ! !" Luffy cried out in sheer horror and just when the wolf ran towards them the boy let go of Sanji and tried running for it.
"AAAHHHHH! !" the youngest pups cried out in fear. "It's Mihawk! !"
"What did you say? !" Sanji gasped, his eye widening and trembling as he watched Luffy cry out for his life to be spared as he zigzagged from his attack, trying his best not to get hit from him.
"Father stop!" Zoro cried out, but his Sire wasn't even turning a ear to him, it seemed his sole attention was on killing the Blood Prince—for whatever reason it was his own, but still Zoro was scared, he knew his Sire could kill Luffy, especially if they didn't do something fast! "Franky! Don't just stand there! We have to stop him! !"
"Uh—R-Right!" Franky was still a tad bit confused but he shook it off to go and stop the strong Dominant from sinking his claws into the frightened Blood Prince.
"Ah! AH! Stop!" Luffy cried out, dodging his attacks the best he could, but a few snips off his clothing and hair was close enough for Luffy to feel fear deep down in his belly and to know he was going to be killed if something didn't stop this wolf. "I—AH—Didn't do anyTHING—to you! AH!"
"Da- - it! That's Dracule Mihawk!" Sanji gasped before going into action and jumping in with Zoro and Franky who were attempting to stop him at this very moment.
"GASP! Zoro's father? !" Nami gasped, covering her mouth as she stood next to Robin and watched this.
"This isn't good!" Robin gasped, her eyes wide as she watched the dark wolf attack their Prince. "He'll KILL Luffy! !"
"Get away from him you bast- - -!" Sanji cried, swinging a kick towards the older wolf who nearly sunk his claws into Luffy's back—he was already right on his heels.
Golden eyes were upon the oncoming Blood Warrior and in an instant a clawed hand sunk into his leg and tossed him down to the ground with such force it knocked the breath right out of Sanji.
"SANJI! !" Nami cried out, watching the blonde be easily taken down with just a single swing from the Wolf Prince.
"SANJI!" Luffy gasped, he had seen what the wolf did to his friend and he wouldn't have him hurting anyone! "Bast- - -!" he shouted, stopping in his run and turning to attack the wolf.
"Get down you idiot! !" Zoro cried out, managing to lunge at the Blood Prince and drop him to the ground just as Mihawk came to slice the boy in half with his black claws.
Luffy's life had flashed before his eyes a billion times right there. If Zoro hadn't knocked him down just in time to dodge that slice he would have been killed. Luffy was just so overwhelmed right now at the sheer strength of this wolf . . . this wolf who was supposed to be Zoro's father!
Franky quickly came up to stop Mihawk from descending on Luffy and Zoro who were just at his feet, still recovering from the quick slice.
"Mihawk! Stop this!" Franky said, standing before him, not knowing what to do—he hadn't ever really fought with him before so it was strange.
Mihawk spared only a single glance at the large Wolf Warrior before bringing his claws down upon where Zoro and Luffy lay.
"He wouldn't slice through his own kid would he? !" Luffy gasped, his eyes wide as he watched Mihawk bring his claws down upon them.
"You'd be surprised! MOVE!" Zoro cried, managing to grip Luffy good enough to roll to the right, once again dodging the attack. "GET UP!"
Luffy cried out as Zoro pulled him to his feet. All Luffy could really focus on was the crater where they had been laying at Mihawk's feet. Mihawk's claws were dug into the earth pretty deep and as he pulled his arm out his golden eyes were upon him once more like some Werewolf seeking machine!
"AH!" Luffy cried out as Zoro took him into a run. "He's going to kill me! !"
"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Zoro growled, grasping Luffy's wrist tightly and pulling him along.
Glancing back Zoro watched Franky try to stop Mihawk from pursuing them, but the poor Wolf Warrior was only kicked with a great force that Franky actually flew ahead of them, hitting a lone tree, knocking it down, and laying in waste.
Shi-! Zoro growled inwardly, there was no way in heaven or hell he'd be able to stop his Sire if it was just him protecting Luffy—though they never really had a chance in the first place . . . with him, Franky and Sanji as protectors that is.
"AH!" Luffy gasped, pointing back and making Zoro turn to see his Sire had shifted into his wolf form—the black wolf running much faster than they ever could.
Mihawk caught up with them in no time and rammed right into Zoro's back. Zoro cried out as he and his Sire fell and rolled violently to the ground. After coming to a halt Zoro felt his Sire shift on top of him back into his human form, pressing all his weight on top of him, keeping him going anywhere.
Zoro felt a firm hand push his head into the ground. He had just enough strength to see Luffy some yards away, frozen in fear. Still Mihawk said nothing, not even when he came off of Zoro and started towards Luffy.
"Luffy!" Zoro groaned out, that fall was hard and his body ached, it was hard to even get up . . . there was no way he could protect Luffy now.
"Ah!" Luffy squeaked out, suddenly falling down and scooting as far back as he could until the wolf seemed to be nearly on top of him.
Mihawk's golden gaze paralyzing Luffy to where his muscles wouldn't listen to him and run like they should do! Especially if they wanted to keep functioning!
"Luffy!" Zoro cried out once more, trying to get himself up but his body wouldn't listen to him.
Luffy trembled as he watched the strongest Wolf Warrior raise his arm, his claws fully extended. Luffy knew this was it; he was done for, but why? What had he ever done to him? ! Was it because he bit his pup? Was it because he was the cause of his pup's banishment? What was it? ! If Luffy was going to die he'd at least like to know why . . . but he would never get the chance to even know.
"FATHER DON'T! ! !" Zoro cried out, managing to grip the dirt under him and in utter fear pushing himself to his knees and hands and cry this last plea out—no matter if it was useless.
Mihawk's claws fell and Luffy saw black. It was strange how he saw black—when his eyes were wide open, gripped with the fear of his death . . . but wasn't black death? So why? Why didn't he feel the claws sink into his skin? Was he that numb to the world?
All that was heard was the sound of something heavy hitting the ground and the sound of clods of dirt flying up into the air, a few hitting the stunned Luffy. Golden eyes were now fixed on the being before his kill. Narrowing them Mihawk finally spoke—
"Shanks."
The redhead narrowed his eyes at the wolf who was about ready to strike the final blow to his beloved Luffy. Holding onto the boy tightly with his cloak shielding the boy he continued to stare at the wolf.
"Mihawk," Shanks nodded at the wolf, replying his name in return.
"Wh-What? !" Zoro shakingly gasped, he had never been so scared in his life . . . not ever since he was little and had feared his life to be taken from him—but seeing Luffy's life almost pass before his eyes . . . it was the worst fear in the world. "Luffy!"
Shanks caught sight of the pup who was staring some yards behind Mihawk. It was his first time seeing the pup and my . . . he resembled Mihawk's father almost identically! (With the exception of his mother's emerald hair of course) Shanks looked back at Mihawk who was not moving for he could not hurt the redhead—not fatally anyways.
"You!" Shanks called back towards the trembling pup who didn't know what to think of the situation. "Come and get Luffy!"
Zoro remained there for a moment before he got up and came towards the redhead. He knelt down and came to touch the boy who seemed to be nothing but an empty shell.
"He's in shock," Shanks informed the wolf. "Just try touching him a little and he'll wake up."
"Luffy," Zoro whispered, lightly touching the boy's shoulder before he jumped and looked at the wolf.
"Zoro!" Luffy gasped out, quickly throwing his arms around the older's neck, and thanking the Moon god he was still alive.
"We got to get out of here," Zoro said, glancing at his Sire who was now gazing at him with hard golden eyes, that stare always making it hard for Zoro to move, but he forced himself to look away and pick Luffy up.
"Everyone get out of here!" Shanks called out to the others who quickly nodded, gathered their belongings, helped their wounded friends up, and darted off with Luffy and Zoro.
"Why do you stand in my way?" Mihawk asked, narrowing his eyes at the redheaded Blood Prince who only smiled, making sure to not let Mihawk pass and continue his pursuit.
"I will not let you harm Luffy," Shanks said, holding out his clawed arm to show he will fight him if he tried to get past him. "Before I landed upon Luffy to shield him from your deadly strike I saw what you did . . . to the others . . . to your own kind . . . to your own son. Why would you hurt your pup to just try and kill Luffy? I don't understand you Mihawk?"
"Of course you don't!" Mihawk spat. "How could you? ! You don't have any children! You wouldn't know what I have to go through just to protect him!"
"Protect him? !" Shank spoke up, his tone loud but firm. "You were trying to kill Luffy! To protect your pup? What madness have you fallen into? !"
"That is exactly what I'd like to know," came a deep voice, both turning to see Head Alpha Whitebeard come up with his Wolf Warriors in tow—Shanks recognizing many of them.
"Head Alpha Whitebeard . . . what are you doing here?" Mihawk asked, he hadn't even noticed his presence in his attack.
"I heard you were hunting down the Blood Prince relentlessly and I wanted to know why," Whitebeard said, narrowing his forever silver eyes at the wolf and then turning towards the Vampire whom he hadn't seen in some years. "Well—if it isn't Blood Prince Shanks . . . I'm surprised to see you here . . . and with Mihawk no doubt. Breaking rules are we?"
"Head Alpha," Shanks inclined his head in acknowledgement of the large white wolf. "I was just protecting a loved one."
"You mean the banished Blood Prince?" Whitebeard asked.
"That's the thing I want to clear up," Shanks said, turning his gaze towards the Wolf Prince. "Luffy is not banished! Just lost. Head Blood Dragon wants his son back but is finding it difficult with all the wolves and Hunters out after him." Shanks' gaze then turned towards Whitebeard and his accompany—Smoker, Jyabura, Yasopp, Wolf Prince Rob Lucci, Wolf Prince Marco, and others that the redhead recognized. "So please stop your attacks so us Blood Warriors can do our job and find our missing Prince."
"You had him with you—why didn't you take him?" Mihawk asked.
"Because I was busy blocking you from him," Shanks said, gazing at the dark Wolf Warrior.
"I will not stop hunting him," Mihawk shook his head.
"Why?" Shanks asked, Mihawk's reasons for hunting Luffy were still unknown and it was bugging Shanks to know.
"I can't," Mihawk said, gazing intensely at the redhead. "You couldn't possibly understand my reasons."
"If he can't then perhaps I can Dracule," Whitebeard spoke up, turning towards the Wolf Prince. "Explain."
Mihawk looked hesitant to tell. Everyone could see it with the way he looked at Head Alpha Whitebeard and then at Blood Prince Shanks who was also waiting to hear.
"Explain," Whitebeard demanded, crossing his arms.
Mihawk shut his eyes tightly before letting out a heavy sigh.
"I f I don't . . . kill Luffy," Mihawk spoke, opening his eyes, his glare slowly coming to meet the Alpha's. "Then Doflamingo will take Zoro and force him to become his Wolf Warrior."
"By domination?" Whitebeard asked, his eyes widening at this fact.
"Yes," Mihawk said, glancing down, even Shanks understood this as well and now could see the wolf's reasons for seeking Luffy's death.
"This is outrageous!" Whitebeard spat, the look on his face was that of rage. "That fool knows the Law! You cannot take in a banished wolf!"
"He doesn't care!" Mihawk said. "The Hunters have given him permission to so do!"
"And just who do the Hunters think they are? !" Whitebeard growled, shaking his fists, his wolves around him could tell he was angry and so moved away from him a little—just in case. "They did not bring forth the Law and so cannot change it!"
"As long as their treaties with us remain they can," Mihawk said, his face showing his dislike to this law. "That is why I must get rid of the Prince . . . they said it is too dangerous for a Blood Prince and a Wolf Prince to travel together. The Hunters Association wants them separated someway or the other."
Shanks watched Mihawk's face distort into bitter sadness. Such a rare emotion to see on his face, but it was there . . . right now, and Shanks knew that he would continue to go after Luffy until that was no longer an option. A faint smiled graced Shanks' lips as he watched this strong father fight for the pride of his child since he child was nowhere strong enough to do such a thing on his own.
"I understand your predicament Mihawk but I cannot allow you to hurt Luffy," Shanks said, looking at him with a serious face. "Just as you care for your pup I care for Luffy—the feeling is mutual."
"If you will not allow me to kill the Blood Prince then what of Doflamingo's pursuit on my pup?" Mihawk asked, looking at the redhead, Shanks strangely swore he could see the look of longing help in his eyes for a second—but could that really be?
"I don't know," Shanks said, glancing down slightly in thought before looking back at Mihawk and the other wolves staring at the Blood Prince. "But I'll speak to him."
"Speak to him?" Smoker scoffed. "Since when do you see Werewolf Alphas Vampire?"
"I don't," Shanks admitted to the silver wolf. "But I will . . . at the Hunters Association."
Mihawk's eyes widened at what the redhead had just said—at what he had just implied, but of course so did the other wolves' eyes behind him.
"You mean—?" Whitebeard started, surprised in the Blood Prince's actions.
"I'm considering becoming an Immortal Lord," Shanks replied.
Hot Shot's girl: Vote! Vote! Vote people! He's considering, that's all I'm saying! If you want him to join better say so now, if you don't you'd better speak up! ^_^ Well until next chp people! Bye! ;D