Yes, I have not forgotten this story. Here is chapter 28 finally. Got a nice chunk of Brook in there for all those Brook lovers. Even a little Franky, I felt he was being a little neglected. So read away, hope you all enjoy! And thank you so much to SinisterBug for the read through~!! xDD
Chapter 28
Brook slid his Roles Royce into the parking spot beside Franky's F-150. He took a moment to retrieve his cigarette tin from an inside pocket and light a long, clove stick. He inhaled the spicy tobacco and licked the lingering sweetness from his lips.
Although the musician had managed to unclench his jaw and relax his aching shoulders, his hands still trembled slightly with carefully controlled fury. Brook did not anger easily, in fact, he considered himself one of the most easygoing individuals on the planet. He loved people. He loved playing his music for large, rowdy crowds. He loved the intimacy of playing the piano for a few quiet couples as they enjoyed a romantic dinner. He could look passed bad attitudes and bad spirits when he communicated through his music. With music—with song, Brook spoke to the parts of people that could not be reached with words. With music, everyone was friends and comrades… nakama was the word Zoro sometimes used.
But these hateful people had crossed a line. These people had taken his comrades, his nakama. They had taken his friends and hurt them. When Brook had heard that Usopp and sweet, kind, innocent Chopper had been kidnapped, he had made a decision. There was not a song—not a single note in the universe he would play for these lost souls. There was no redemption here, no soothing of these savage beasts.
The next music he would play would be over their graves.
A tapping on his window brought him out of his brooding, and he looked up to find his best friend standing uncharacteristically still outside his vehicle. The musician opened his door, and unfolded himself from the driver's seat of the sleek, grey Ghost. Standing, he was nearly a head taller than Franky, but the engineer was his only friend that even came close to his height.
"Ace is en route," Franky said simply. "He just dropped Vivi and Robin at the club."
Brook nodded and sucked on his cigarette. The plan was for the three of them to meet up in the hotel parking lot a few blocks down from their destination, and close in on foot. This made them less conspicuous, less of a target, and allowed them a better chance of casing the parking lot without being noticed. If things went well, as in if they found someone with information they could use—like where Blackbeard's men were holding Chopper and Usopp—Brook would text Sanji using the word 'Beef'. If something went sour, he would text a message containing 'Starving'.
Brook had no doubt who had thought up those code words.
"I hope Luffy and the guys break some skulls," Franky said glaring at the ground. "If Little Bro's got one scratch on him…" His hands clenched into fists. His words trailed off, but he didn't need to voice his thoughts. Brook knew his friend was thinking about Usopp.
For the last few years, Franky had been Usopp's mentor. They had grown close as the seasoned architect helped Usopp through his studies. Franky had guided the younger man through his training in hopes of someday maybe working together on their shared passion: boats. To him, this really was like his little brother had disappeared. Unlike Franky, Zoro, and several of the others in their group of friends, Brook was not exceptionally close with either Usopp or Chopper. He could not even begin to—nor did he want to—comprehend what they were all going through.
Tires screeched and Ace's Jeep pulled into the parking lot. Brook pushed off the side of his car and stood straight. Tossing the remainder of his cigarette on the ground, he crushed the butt with his toe, and smoothed the collar of his dress coat.
"We will fix this, Franky," Brook said softly. "We will get them home safe and whole. We just have to trust in Luffy."
Franky nodded as he watched Ace climb out of the driver's seat.
"I hope so… for the kidnappers sakes."
Brook offered a small smile as Ace joined them. "I would think it's more for our sakes. Killing does make for some extraordinarily tedious cleanup."
X x X x X
Zoro gave Sanji's shoulder one last squeeze and stood. He crossed the seating area and leaned against the railing beside Law. The dark-skinned man puffed on a cigarette and glanced at the swordsman out the corner of his eye.
"What's happening?" Zoro asked. "Atmosphere in here just went tight."
Law shrugged. "Blackbeard's probably here."
Zoro's hackles rose. "What?"
Law straightened and turned to lean his elbows against the railing. "While you two were sucking face, a couple of Blackbeard's guys came in and spoke to Lucci."
Zoro ground his teeth and leaned forward to growl in Law's ear. "You might wanna tell me something important like that next time."
Law shrugged. "Nothing you could do about it, except maybe glare really menacingly in their direction." He puffed on his cigarette and added bitterly. "Anyway, I didn't want to break up your moment with your man."
Zoro looked away. He felt for Law in this respect. He was sorry things weren't going well between the man and his lover. There wasn't much he could do, but he did remember how good it felt to have friends he could talk to. Being a prominent figure in an organized crime ring, not to mention an undercover cop, probably left Law with little or no friends to confide in.
Zoro noticed Kidd watching them intently, but turned away and looked at Law pointedly. "Sanji and I are the way we are because we talk about stuff. We don't keep things from each other." The swordsman almost grinned as he remembered how hard that had been at first with Sanji's pride and his own shortcomings with social interaction.
Law still didn't look directly at him. "I try to, with him I mean. I try to tell him the shit he heard was a bunch of crap, but…" He shook his head. "You know, it's a real fucked up time to be talking about this."
Zoro glanced back at Kidd, who was glaring so hard at him that the swordsman felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. He did his best to shake it off and returned his attention to Law. "You're so fucking distracted by it, it would be stupid not to."
Law straightened and leaned in to speak quietly but viciously into Zoro's ear. "What the fuck am I supposed to say? He just hates me now, okay? He won't listen to a damn word I say. He won't open up, he won't… He just…" Law's voice cracked, but he cleared his throat and continued. "He hates me, and there's nothing I can do, all right?"
"He doesn't hate you," Zoro murmured. "If he hated you, he would be ignoring us and not trying to kill me with his lazer glare."
Laws eyes widened, but he didn't move. That intense feeling Zoro had felt when the two men entered his apartment earlier that day returned. Law was on the defensive again.
"What the hell are you talking about? I never told you-"
""I may look like a muscle head, but I'm not," Zoro said softly. "It's obvious. Kidd's been looking at me like we wants to open up my chest and rip my heart out with his bare hands. If he didn't care about you, he wouldn't care that we're having a close, possibly intimate conversation right in front of him."
"That's stupid," Law scoffed. "Not even two minutes ago you had your tongue down Sanji's throat."
"You think that matters to him?" Zoro asked. "All he sees is you talking to me. Your body almost touching mine. Your lips close to my ear. You wanna see what he does if I touch you?"
"No!" Law barked, pulling back a little. He glanced around, waving at onlookers, curious as to his outburst.
"I have enough rumors going around about me right now," he said through a fake smile. "I don't need another one."
Zoro nodded. "You know, the very fact that he's upset about the rumors at all is a good sign."
"Yeah, but," Law made a face, "that takes us back to the original problem: He thinks they're true."
Slipping his hands into his pockets, Zoro turned to look at Sanji, handsome and debonair as he lounged in the cushioned chair. He was loose, ready for a fight, and he watched Zoro through a curtain of soft blond with his ocean blue eyes.
"Well," Zoro smiled. "A pretty smart asshole once said to me, 'love isn't worth it if it isn't hard'."
X x X x X
Like most clubs in Seattle, the parking lot was exceedingly small. It was really just a space of twenty to thirty spaces in the area beside the building. Across the street however, there was a parking garage that accommodated the surrounding two to three blocks. A ticket was given at the gate, and if you showed it to the bartenders in the nearby clubs, they would punch it when you paid your tab. If you spent more than twenty-five dollars on drinks, the parking fee was waved.
Following Franky as the large man slipped over the waist-high barrier, Brook walked with a flourish. His black lacquer cane swung at his side, and his hat sat offset at a carefully calculated angle. He would never admit this to his friends, but he was secretly hoping that they would run into trouble. He was itching for a good fight, having not been a part of one in some time. His nerves sang in anticipation and he glanced over his shoulder as Ace spoke quietly into his phone.
"Hey, Smoker, we just got to the garage… Yeah, we can see the entrance from here too…"
Brook felt Franky's hand on his arm, and the musician turned to face him.
"Can you take that isle?" Franky motioned with his head. "If we spread out, we can case this whole place in one quick sweep before we go across the street."
Brook nodded, and turned to saunter down the second lane of cars. His steps were light, and he flipped his cane to rest on his shoulder. He wished he had brought his harmonica, so he could play the strange tune that was playing in his head. What was that, B minor? Maybe A flat? Everything should have a soundtrack, especially situations like this.
There was a loud clang followed by a long metallic hum. Brook's head snapped around. It took him a moment to realize the sound was an elevator descending, and when he did he mentally slapped himself. The second floor of the parking garage had been shut down for months due to construction. It had been bad for m on their part to not think of checking that second level.
Oh well, Brook thought to himself, I just want a fight. The where doesn't really matter to me…
The door opened and a tall, black man with short dreadlocks appeared. He wore a brown trench coat and, despite it being well after sunset, a pair of dark sunglasses. He stepped slowly out of the lift and regarded Brook with a tilt of his head.
"Good evening," Brook said cheerfully, tipping his hat. "Hope we're not disturbing."
"You should leave now," the man said in a deep bass. "You don't know what you're up against."
"Brook! You okay!?" Ace called from the next row.
Brook held up his hand to the younger man, signaling for him to stay put. He shifted and rested his weight on his cane. He crossed one foot over the other and mimicked the newcomer's head tilt.
"I don't believe we've met." Brook flashed a brilliant smile. "May I have the pleasure of your name?"
The man stared deadpan, and Brook's shoulders sank with feigned disappointment. "So rude," he commented. "I was hoping we could be friends."
"Brook look out!" Franky's voice echoed across the garage.
Brook was already moving. There was a second man coming at him from behind a car, and he had not concealed himself well. The musician pivoted right, bringing up the cane to crack solidly underneath the attacker's jaw. In almost a continued motion, he spun back around to knock the pistol from the first man's hand. With one last flourish, Brook pressed the tip of the cane to his adversary's throat. "Don't move," he growled.
There was a sound of scuffling, and Brook glanced to the side to see Ace toss a man over his shoulder. The body hit the ground with a heavy thud, and Ace was up and ready for another. Leaving the older Portgus to what he did best, Brook's attention returned to his own opponent.
Franky appeared at the musician's side, dragging two large men by the backs of their jacket collars. They were down for the count, hands and legs dragging on the concrete. When Franky came to stand beside Brook, he released them, letting their heads smack onto the pavement.
"What now?" the architect asked.
Brook cocked an eyebrow and pressed the cane harder into their first adversary's neck. "What is on the second floor?"
The man's eyes flashed warily between Brook and Franky. He opened his mouth to say something, but was momentarily distracted when a cry echoed across the garage and was cut off abruptly. Brook glanced in Ace's direction once more, and saw that his young friend had a blond, dark-skinned man in a choke hold.
"Gahck! Five!" The blond managed to weeze as his throat was crushed by Ace's bicep. "Don't let 'em… ack!"
Brook looked away as Ace increased the pressure, blocking the blood flow in the blond's neck. Another heavy thud sounded and the musician surmised that the man had finally passed out.
"Five, is it?" Brook asked, his eyes returning to the black man. "Why don't you tell us what is on the second floor before someone else gets hurt?"
Five sneered and put up his hands defiantly. "Go ahead. I'm not afraid of your little walking stick, old man."
Brook opened his mouth to reply, but Ace interrupted. "I suggest you do what he says, save yourself a few broken bones." The firefighter retrieved Five's gun from beneath the Nissan two spaces over. He ejected the clip. "Jacketed hollow point," after checking the rounds, he slapped it back into place, "and they're explosive. These are all kinds of illegal."
Franky made a noise at Brook's side. "Dude, does anyone else feel like we've entered The Twilight Zone?"
Ace nodded at the engineer. "Yeah, maybe just a little."
Brook pushed Five backwards towards the elevator, pressing the tip of his cane ruthlessly into the muscled flesh of the other man's throat. "Take us up to the second floor, now. We have no time for this twaddle."
Franky snickered. "Twaddle? That's a new one."
Brook made a face at his friend. "I didn't make that one up. Twaddle is like… 'hogwash' or… 'gobbledygook.'"
Franky grinned at him and moved forward to take Five by the collar. "I'll take your word for it."
X x X x X
Law sighed softly and pulled out another cigarette. "You really do sound like Enel. It's almost creepy." He flicked his lighter and lit the end of his stick. "We really should get you and Sanji down South sometime. You guys would be good investments. Can't wait to see you fight."
Zoro snorted and propped his hands behind him on the railing. "Won't happen, but thanks for the offer."
Law nodded and turned around to lean against the railing as well. He breathed in a deep drag and blew a few small rings of smoke up into the air.
"You know," he said, "Luffy's girl, the red head… She's pretty amazing."
Zoro watched Luffy speak softly to Nami as the girl sat next to him. She un-crossed and re-crossed her legs slowly, aware of the eyes that had been glued to her body since the moment she had entered the club. She was playing her part beautifully. She hung on to every word that passed Luffy's lips, her eyes never leaving her lover for a moment. She made him look good, a perfect trophy for the big shot the Portgus was having no trouble pulling off.
A thought crossed Zoro's mind, and surprisingly, he felt his cheeks heating. Was he kind of like a trophy to Sanji? Could he be? He was there for a fight. He wasn't there to be eye candy and hang on Sanji's every word.
But it would be kind of cool, wouldn't it?
"Aren't those your friends?" Law's voice snapped him out of his musings.
Zoro turned and spotted Robin and Vivi descending the stairs. Vivi looked every bit the distinguished heiress in a strapless dress of shimmering, light blue. At her side, quite the opposite, Robin looked like she was part of the mob herself, maybe even a prominent figure. At first Zoro thought her dress was black, but as she moved through a patch of light, he saw it was actually a deep purple. Her left shoulder was bare as the dress only had one sleeve, and a silver band wound around her bicep. The two ladies looked just that: like ladies. Women of class and pedigree, gracing a barbaric establishment like this one for the simple thrill of danger.
Conversation continued, but decreased in volume as every eye turned to the two women crossing the floor. Nami rose and met them at the stairs to the VIP platform. They did that girly kissing of each cheek, and the red head lead them to seats between Luffy and Sanji. Drinks were offered, but only Robin accepted, inclining her head graciously so a tease of raven-black hair fell over here eyes.
"Wow," Law chuckled. "Hell of a sight. This means your guys are in the parking lot?"
"Yeah," Zoro answered, his voice dropping to a growl. "That's the signal."
X x X x X
The elevator rose, making that grinding, squeaking noise that made Brook's ears ring. Franky stood in front of him, the back of Five's collar in his hand. Ace stood at his side, leaning against the lift's wall. The musician could hear the older Portgus flicking his Zippo lighter in his pocket over and over. Ace was keyed up, and that was usually hazardous in itself, but this time the man had a loaded pistol tucked in the back of his jeans.
Brook put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "They'll be fine. They're both strong."
Ace smiled softly and looked at him out the corner of his eye. "Are you talking about Zoro and Sanji, or Usopp and Chopper?"
Brook glanced away thinking, but then his eyes returned to the younger man. "Yes."
The lift stopped and Ace moved forward to open the sliding door. Franky pushed Five out first, steering him by his coat. Brook and Ace waited inside until Franky muttered a quiet 'okay'.
The second level of the garage was cluttered. Broken cement blocks, yellow tape, and large construction equipment sat abandoned and cold ubiquitously. Pillars and drapes of plastic blocked a good chunk of their line of sight, so they moved carefully as they made their way through the debris.
Ace whistled and Brook and Franky turned. The dark-haired man gave a silent signal to keep eyes and ears open, but make as little sound as possible. Brook nodded and continued to follow Franky.
"This is stupid," Five growled. "There's nothing up here you want. Just let me go and we can- ack!"
"Sorry," Franky said as he pulled tight on Five's collar. "Thought I heard somethin' annoying."
There was a clatter and all eyes turned toward a large, hanging piece of grey plastic. "Five!" a voice called out. "What the hell are you doing? What's going on with the guys downstairs?"
Five struggled, but Franky made a fist and knocked him on the head. The tall man's lean body crumpled to the ground, out cold.
A large hand appeared at the edge of the plastic and pulled it back. The man revealed was tall, exceptionally so, with arms the size of tree trunks, and his hair was a blaze of sunflower blond. When he saw Brook and his friends, his eyes widened in surprise. "What the hell?" he growled.
Coming forward, he pushed the plastic out of the way and pulled a small handgun from a holster strapped to his back. Ace was quick to respond, almost mirroring the blond man as he drew the pistol from his jeans. The four stood in a standoff, the blond holding his piece at an angle, and Ace aiming the pistol expertly balanced in both hands.
"Who the hell are you guys?" the blond asked.
Brook bowed cordially, not affected in the slightest at having a gun pointed in his direction. "My name is Brook. This here is Franky, and this is Ace. We've come to extract any information you can give us on some friends of ours. Usopp and Chopper? Perhaps you know them? One has a long nose and the other looks like a doll?"
The blond stood silent for a moment, no doubt bewildered by the musician's polite tone. He blinked finally and lifted the piece, aiming directly at Brook.
"Oh, I get it. You're friends with those guys in there gonna fight Boss." He sneered, his teeth flashing as his lips pulled back. "Get lost man, you don't know what you've gotten yourself into."
Ace stepped forward, his stance steady but wound like a loaded spring. His eyes were cool as he held the large blond man in his sites.
"You tell us where our friends are, or I swear on the Portgus family name you'll wish I had ended you here."
The blond's mood shifted suddenly. His gun lowered several inches, and the color in his face seemed to drain away.
"P-Portgus?" he stuttered. "What the fuck do you mean, Portgus? Who are you again?"
"My name is Ace D. Portgus you son of a bitch. Now, tell me where my friends are." Ace's rage was palpable. As the dark-haired man spoke in his quiet but terrifying voice, the air around him seemed to heat making Brook's dress shirt stick to his back.
The blond stood for a moment, his eyes wide and his breath coming quicker than it had before. There was point where everything seemed to stand still, all movement and sound had slowed or stopped as their adversary's brain took in everything that was happening. Brook felt that if the bead of sweat that had collected on the man's jaw were to fall, it would be suspended as time froze.
"Hey, Morgan!" a voice rang out through the garage. "What the fuck are you doing over there!?"
Motion kicked back in, and sound assaulted Brook's senses as chaos erupted. He saw Ace throw his Zippo, clipping Morgan directly in the forehead. Bullets went flying sporadically as the blond fired wild. Franky threw himself to the ground, and Brook followed. The musician heard Ace charge Morgan, and the sound of flesh hitting flesh rang through the garage as the Portgus laid into the larger man.
"Go!" Brook called out to Franky. There were others, and they needed to get to them before the thugs sent more bullets Ace's way.
Franky stood and sprinted left. If there were more behind the plastic tarps, they could flank them if Brook distracted by coming up the middle. Trusting that Ace would be all right, Brook placed his cane over his shoulder and advanced.
As Brook pulled the plastic aside, he revealed quite a peculiar scene. A large, white van sat facing the musician amongst the rubble and machinery. Brook could see one of the back doors was open and the windows were tinted. Surveillance? He thought at first. Several large men sat around in makeshift chairs, cigarettes and playing cards discarded and replaced with all types of firearms. They looked at Brook questioningly as the musician revealed himself. They lowered their weapons, no doubt confused to see a tall, skinny, black man with an outrageous afro, and nothing in his hands but a cane.
"Good evening, gentleman," Brook flourished the cane and bowed politely. "My name is Brook. Please remember it when you reach hell and they ask who sent you. They're keeping score for me."
X x X x X
Zoro's adrenaline pumped as the music ceased. Even upstairs, the bass had stopped thumping. With the sudden absence of the heavy sound, Zoro's ears rang and his head seemed lighter.
He turned toward the stairs and let his hand move to Wado's hilt. "Where is he?" he growled.
Law crushed his cigarette between his fingers and dropped the butt into the ashtray at his side. "Keep your panties on."
Lucci appeared. He stepped to the side and offered a hand in welcome as several figures stepped through the doorway. The first two were unremarkable with easily forgettable faces, average heights, and identical haircuts. The third, however, was a man Zoro knew all too well. His size and height set him apart from most men in the room. His hair was buzzed short and graying. His vest was open, revealing the large tattoo on his chest, and dark, smooth skin shone when he passed under the hanging florescent lights.
Zoro saw red. His blood pumped so furiously through his veins it was a marvel his arteries didn't explode. The swordsman's lips pulled back in an unrestrained snarl, his teeth bared as he fantasized tearing into that dark-skinned neck.
This was Bones, the man that had almost ruined his life; the man who had almost taken Sanji away from him. Because of this man, the swordsman had almost lost everything. There was not enough pain in this world to inflict that would make Zoro feel justified.
Just as he thought he would lose it, cool fingers slid over his, capturing his hand as it gripped Wado mercilessly. A smooth mixture of tobacco and cologne filled his nostrils and warm breath cascaded over his ear and down his neck.
"Zoro, calm down, you're shaking," Sanji's voice broke through his rage, quelling his fury so his vision cleared. "Look at me, Zoro."
The swordsman turned his head, letting those cool fingers rest on his cheeks. He let his eyes lower to watch Sanji's soft lips as he spoke.
"Just wait, love, just calm down… Clear your mind and focus."
Zoro breathed in and out slowly, his heart still racing. "I can't. I wanna kill him."
Zoro felt Sanji's hands slide up into his hair, the cook's lips brushed across his brow.
"Tell me about the time we were at Usopp's. It was stormy outside and the power was off."
Zoro's heart skipped. Sanji was remembering something else. Bones was slowly forgotten as the swordsman racked his brain to remember what Sanji was remembering.
"Uh… I think that was last fall," Zoro said softly. He closed his eyes and slipped his hand from Wado and onto Sanji's hips. "Usopp had a bad flu and the power went out so Kaya called and asked if we could come over. It ended up being a party and Nami won thirteen hundred dollars from us playing Texas Hold."
"Jesus," Sanji chuckled.
"We didn't care," Zoro continued, nuzzling his forehead against Sanji's. "We'd just made ten times that here in the pit."
Sanji was quiet for a moment as Zoro held him. The swordsman let himself relax, calmed by the blond's soft words. From the moment the two of them had changed from enemies to lovers, nothing could soothe the beast within Zoro like the sound of Sanji's voice, or his gentle touch.
"So many memories are flooding back," Sanji finally whispered. "They don't have any context, but they're all so happy. Especially the nights by the windows… I think I love those windows."
Zoro nodded. "You always did like to smoke and watch the city."
Sanji kissed his forehead. "Don't you? That view is spectacular."
Zoro opened his eyes and met Sanji's. "I just like watching you."
Sanji froze for a moment, then opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted by Law's hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry," Law said softly, "I don't want to break this up but…" He nodded his head toward the VIP area against the opposite wall. "They're all here, and they're gonna announce the fight any minute"
Zoro didn't look where Law had indicated. He felt himself coming back to his senses and he wanted to stay that way. Balance was crucial in a fight, and he didn't need the sight of Bones and Blackbeard fucking his up.
"Thanks, Law," the swordsman murmured. "We'll be ready."
Law nodded to him and moved to descend the stairs. Kidd followed, shooting one last glare Zoro's way.
Sanji chuckled. "What'd you do to him?"
Zoro shook his head."Talked to Law."
Sanji rolled his eyes and nodded in understanding. "Could they make it any more obvious? They just need to kick the shit out of each other and then fuck 'till they're raw. Wham, bam, thank you man."
Zoro chuckled softly, and kissed Sanji's lips. "Thank you," he whispered when he pulled away.
The cook pulled back, his grip on Zoro's shoulders tightening. "It's nothing." Sanji's body language was cool and collected, but his eyes betrayed his concern.
"Be careful," he finished, his voice less than a whisper. "Please be careful."
Zoro nodded, kissing him once again on the lips; the cheeks; the forehead. "I got this."
Sanji pulled away, slipping a hand in his breast pocket and retrieving his pack of cigarettes. He put one between his lips and flicked the lighter.
"Now," he said, his supercilious mask back on and fastened tight, "go whoop the fucking piss out of someone."
X x X x X
Three lay at his feet as Brook charged another. It was not his fault that they were horrible shots. It was also not his fault that Franky could knock them cold with one hit. The architect had vaulted over the van, taking the men by surprise, and making quick work of two of the largest. Brook stepped through their midst with a light step and a twirl of his cane—in between cracks to their jaws and skulls of course.
As Franky wrestled with an enormous man with grey hair and bandages around his head, Brook stopped before another with thick glasses, wearing a stylish black suit.
"Evening," Brook found himself greeting the man once again.
""Good evening, Brook was it?"
Brook nodded. "Correct, and you are?"
The man smiled condescendingly. He raised a hand and pushed his glasses up his nose with his palm. Brook thought this strange but said nothing.
"My name is Kuro," he said softly, his tone as patronizing as his smile. "It is rare to find a gentleman of such caliber as to introduce himself before a fight."
Brook inclined his head. "I am honored."
Kuro stepped away from the debris and into a relatively clear spot on the concrete. He pulled a long, rapier from a side scabbard and swung it expertly in a criss-cross fashion. "Now, may I suggest we partake in a more civilized fight than Kreig and your friend there?"**
Brook smiled wide and took his cane in both hands. He pulled the handle and slid the hidden sword free, flourishing the blade in his own ostentatious fashion.
"A most excellent suggestion," the musician crooned.
X x X x X
"Ladies and gentlemen!" a voice called over a loudspeaker. "Distinguished guests and colleagues, I am pleased to announce that tonight's activities are about to take place! If you would be so kind as to make your way over to the pit, we will introduce tonight's host and announce our fighters! You're all in for a real treat this evening, I assure you! So settle in and get ready for the rumble of your lives!"
Cheers erupted through the basement. The sound was deafening as the screams and shouts echoed off the concrete walls. Zoro was impressed at the turnout. He knew that CP9 attracted quite a crowd, be he had never seen anything like this before.
The swordsman stood on the platform above the pit, swords clasped loosely in his hands. He felt the thunder of cheering and the stomping of people's feet through the floor. It pulsed in his body and vibrated in the air against his skin. To feel the energy in the room on the inside and out was euphoric, almost like a drug.
He closed his eyes and waited through the announcements.
"Your hosts tonight, as you know, are none other than Seattle's own CP9!" There was a short pause where the screams erupted to almost earsplitting levels. "Let me say hello and welcome on their behalf, and we hope you are all enjoying yourselves!" Another pause for effect. "Their guests tonight are a troop from down South! Please put your hands together and welcome…"
Zoro tuned out the rest of the intro as Law moved up beside him. "Sanji is at the railing on the North side. You'll be able to see him as you start because you're placed at the South. Shirt and shoes have been removed, and you're only allowed one weapon."
Zoro passed his swords to Law, pulled off his shirt, shoes, and socks, and took Wado back from the dark-skinned man's arms.
"Take the other two to Sanji," Zoro instructed. "No one else holds them unless he says."
Law nodded. "What about the bandana?"
Zoro ran a few fingers over the cloth that covered his head. "If they have a problem with this, tell 'em to come see me."
Law nodded again. "Good luck… oh, and watch your right."
Zoro stood quiet as Law left the platform and a new presence moved in beside him. The swordsman stared straight ahead, thinking of nothing but Sanji's skin. Sanji sighing softly as he slept. Sanji kissing his neck in the morning and telling him it was breakfast time.
"I see your lover is healthy, once again," a deep voice murmured from his right side. "He had me worried for a while."
His emotions were in balance, his energy ready and checked. Nothing was going to break his concentration now. Not even Bones.
"Eleven months in a coma," Bones clicked his tongue. "Hard to imagine there was no brain damage."
Zoro said nothing. He studied the tiles of the pit floor, stained with thousands of fighter's blood. In a few minutes, the swordsman knew that floor would have fresh coat added, and it wouldn't be his.
"Well," Bones continued to try and rattle him, "you must think you're pretty lucky, huh?"
Zoro heard the announcer call his name and the crowd erupted once again.
"And now, if the fighters would take positions in the pit, we will start the match!"
Zoro spared no energy looking at his opponent. He moved off the platform and took his position on the South side. He closed his mind off to the howling screams of the crowd, and pulled Wado slowly from her sheath. He set the white and gold saya tenderly on the floor by his feel and straightened, letting loose a few practice swings.
He glanced up and saw Sanji, his hands gripping the railing so hard his knuckles were white. His stance was tense, but when Zoro looked up into his lover's face, he saw the cook was grinning at him. It opened up something inside Zoro's heart, and he felt at peace.
The cook trusted that he would win. So he would.
X x X x X
There was blood on his collar. Brook's crisp, white ruffles were splattered with red and the warm, sticky mess covered his neck and jaw. He pulled a handkerchief from his inside pocket and dabbed at his face. Franky met him among the bodies of knocked out and injured henchmen. The architect's face was flushed and he was smiling like it was Christmas.
"That was awesome," Franky panted. "Too bad there ain't more."
Brook chuckled, wiping his blade down and sliding the weapon back into the cane. "As much as I'm enjoying myself, I'd like to find our friends." The musician looked around him at the mess beneath their feet. "Of course, I don't think there's anyone here that will be able to tell us where they are now…"
"Guys!" Ace called out to them as he made his way through broken concrete. "Careful!" He made furious motions with his arms, pointing to the van.
Brook turned, and Franky slipped behind the closed door. If there was anyone inside, they were no doubt waiting for them with firepower. The approach would have to be extremely careful. Ace moved in beside Brook, pistol in hand. He nodded to Franky and the architect reached out to grab the right side handle.
Suddenly Brook froze. His sensitive ears picked up a sniffle; a quiet sob from inside the van through the open left door. "Wait!" he called out.
Ace turned to look at him, startled at his outburst. Brook paid him no mind and pushed passed the Portgus to rip open the right side door.
"Brook wait!" Ace screamed.
Panting, his heart leaping into his throat, Brook bent and thrust his head inside the van's interior. What he saw caused him to smile a brilliant smile and brought tears to his eyes.
Usopp—bound and gagged with strips of electrical tape—pushed himself as far away from the doors as he could. Tears ran down his cheeks, but his eyes were a blaze of fury. Chopper huddled behind him, sobbing uncontrollably, and bleeding from a gash in his forehead. Both of them did not recognize Brook at first, but then Usopp froze and sat forward.
"Mmmf! Mmmf!"
Brook called over his shoulder to Ace and Franky. "It's them! It's Usopp and Chopper!"
The musician leaned in and pulled the tape off Usopp's mouth as Ace pushed into the van to help Chopper. The little doctor wailed and clung to the dark-haired man when his bonds were untied. Ace sat, holding his friend close and whispering comforting words into his ears.
"It's okay, Chopper. It's okay… I love you, I love you too… You're all right… you're all right now…"
"You okay, buddy?" Franky asked Usopp as they helped the young engineer out the back.
Usopp smiled and hugged Franky tight. "Yeah… yeah, I'm super."
X x X x X
Zoro finally let his eyes settle on his opponent. Bones stood ready and waiting, a long daichi with a grey hilt rested calmly in his hand. The sounds of the crowd faded as Zoro's focus narrowed; his heart rate slowed as he readied himself.
"Okay, men! All out! Anything goes!" The announcer cried.
"FIGHT!!"
TBC
**I decided to have Kuro fight with an actual sword instead of invisible Wolverine claws. Deal with it.
