Chapter Forty: Wait...so...ZORO HAS FRIENDS!?

The voyage had been relatively calm...or as calm as it could be when Luffy was the captain of the ship I was currently hiding on.

One day, I was lounging on the main mast just under the crow's nest, this way I was outside, but still nicely hidden away from my unknowing hosts, and as I sat, Luffy began to pull out paint and created some kind of deformity on a sheet of black cloth. After tilting my head and staring down at it, I figured out what it was.

*THAT THING WAS A JOLLY-ROGER?!*

I hadn't realized I'd been shouting until Tiger looked around skittishly with wide eyes. I still hadn't gotten over the fact that he had told those guys his name and not me...I found him for crying out loud!

But still, it was rather selfish of me to be thinking like that...he'd tell me sooner or later...right? Tiger seemed to be doing quite well here...he talks more often, especially about his home, an island full of shipwrights...he told them how he was an apprentice when he got washed off the island in this terrible storm that happened to his island every year...Aqua Laguna or something like that.

I was happy for Tiger...it was good to see that he didn't fear the sea and he was willing to go against the government that had hurt him...and I was happy that he had Nakama...strong Nakama wiling to protect him if the need arises, but knowing him, that won't happen.

I snapped out of my thoughts and looked down at the little crew. Luffy's entire crew stood in a line looking at the...thing...Luffy had created. Their reactions were quite entertaining.

Usopp dropped his jaw, "To call him artistically challenged would be an understatement!"

Nami rubbed her chin thoughtfully as she had a focused look on her face, "It could be some sort of abstract art..."

Tiger smacked his forehead and covered his eyes with his palm, letting out a sigh.

"A pirate's flag should be a symbol of death, but this flag is...well...I guess it could be terrifying in a sense..." Zoro said, looking at the flag with a straight face.

Luffy laughed and although I only saw the back of his head, I knew he had that huge grin on his face, "Whaddya think!?"

"You're beyond terrible! Leave the drawing to me!" Usopp said, only to reproduce a completely different Jolly-Roger.

Luffy and Zoro both whacked him over the head as they scolded him, "You've completely changed the symbol!"

And so, I watched as a third flag was created and this time I understood right away. A skull and crossbones with a Straw-hat.

My grin slid into place for a moment before I stretched out and got down from my high perch. Usopp would be drawing the sign on the sail and I needed to get away.

I managed to get down and dive behind a barrel just as Usopp walked past. Nami and Zoro helped him as well and after a while, the sail was finished and Usopp, Zoro and Nami were all laying on the deck. Tiger had already flopped on the deck after explaining that he didn't paint.

Not because he didn't want to, but because he was worse than Luffy.

I had managed to calm down completely and I had almost dozed off as I felt the ship rocking as though it was moved by the breathing of the world and the winds catching in the rough sails above howled occasionally, the air being exhaled by the planet.

At times I could hear the sea around my humming a song.

I was completely at peace.

And then a loud BOOOM ripped through the air sending the calm atmosphere into one of confusion and instinctive panic. The scent of gunpowder wafted through thee wind and I held back a hiss. I hated guns, and in this case, cannons.

Too loud and stinky for my taste. And my poor nose.

Still, curiosity got the best of this cat and I looked over to where Luffy, in all his 'brilliance', stood. Apparently, he decided to test out the cannon on a rock that stood out of the water not that far away. I watched in amusement as the newest member to the collection of idiots told Luffy to move.

With an order from the captain, Usopp took aim at the rock. Within a few moments the rock was blown out of the water. I knew something was bound to happen sooner or later, so I forced myself to give up on the idea of ever getting myself a few z's, and made my way towards the group.

I sat on a railing out on the deck, looking through the window inside in the kitchen where the whole crew had gathered. To tell the truth, I was bored out of my mind, even with all the entertainment that this crew gave me.

It was more fun when I was talking to them, when they knew I was there...

While the crew was arguing loudly, I hopped off the railing and moved to the edge of the deck where a man was climbing aboard. It was rather interesting, watching him get ready to attack, pulling his sword from its sheath and standing in the middle of the deck.

I walked and nudged his shin with my head and he looked down at me. I grinned up at him, making him jump slightly. He looked mad...really mad...Kinda like he wanted to kill somebody. Suddenly, I decided to cause some trouble. I didn't have much to work with, but there was an amount of grief in his eyes that promised to make this rather easy.

"If you wanna know where the pirates are, all you have to do is promise with your life to never tell them I'm here." I stared into his eyes blankly. I was sure he knew I was serious, but at the same time he was confused.

He only stared at me with wide eyes.

"Yes, I'm a talking cat. A cat that isn't supposed to be here. Anyways, all you have to do is agree and I'll save you from searching all through this ship...you know, this place is dangerous, the whole craft is covered in traps...and the crew itself, scary...They're heading for Grand-line."

I knew I was getting into his mind. Whatever had happened, he was still in that moment...suddenly, I could smell his fear as he looked down at me.

"Really?"

"Yes...do you swear?" I asked, leaning forward, feeling my grin grow as I did, my body enlarging ever so slightly.

Reluctantly, he nodded. This was really pointless, I could have watched him blunder through the going Merry, but instead I decided to mess with his head. It wasn't a nice thing to do, but hey, he was pretty weak looking at the moment and my inner predator couldn't resist the chance to play.

I laughed, "Okay, they're just up those steps in the kitchen."

It looked like he was going to kill me, but then I let my fangs grow and my body expand, "And remember, you swore your life."

Eventually, he looked away from me and sucked in a breath before shouting out to the crew still arguing in the kitchen. "COME OUT YOU DAMN PIRATES! I'M GOING TOO SLAUGHTER ALL OF YOU!"

I quickly ran out of sight, shrinking back down to my normal calico size. The man kicked out at some barrels to make the crew come out.

Luffy was the first one to come out. And he didn't look too happy. "HEY! JUST WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!?"

"Who am I?! I should be asking...WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!?" The man with the sunglasses shouted as he slashed at Luffy, making the rubber man jump. "I've killed countless infamous pirates...and yet, a nameless person like you...DARES TO KILL MY PARTNER!?"

With the sword raised in both hands, the man charged at Luffy. The captain crouched down, "Partner?"

Springing up and forwards, Luffy grabbed the real nameless man's head, "I don't know who you're talking about, but..." Luffy pulled the man backwards, and I knew he was going to get thrown over Luffy's head and shoulders.

"DON'T..." And I was right. As almost always, "WRECK MY SHIP!"

Mr. Sunglasses was slammed into a wall. Blood dripped from his nose as he laid on the his back, "A-almost had him..."

Well, that was a bit arrogant.

I watched as Luffy's hat drifted lightly through the air and landed near the black haired boy. "Just what the heck are you shouting about anyways?" Luffy asked as he sat criss-cross on the deck. He looked confused, and I can't really bame him. My curiosity made me want to know what had happened.

The kitchen door opened and Zoro stepped out. A look of recognition covered his face, "Huh? Aren't you Johnny?"

I blinked. 'Johnny, looked up(Or at least I think so, those glasses made it kinda hard...) and he gasped before leaping to his feet, "Z-ZORO!? IS THAT REALLY YOU, BRO?"

I've decided that this Johnny person is a very loud guy. But hey, he draws attention to himself...I slid out of my hiding spot and sat in almost plain sight. People like him made great distractions.

"Where's Yosaku? Isn't he usually with you?" Zoro asked. I was intrigued...Zoro didn't seem the type to let many people call him brother, although there was that one girl back at my home island, but she was a kid...this was a guy older than me...

Could it be?

No, that's impossible.

Nope. Never ever. Can't happen.

"H-HE...YOSAKU IS...sick..."

I wasn't paying attention to what was going on, still bothered by my thoughts. This couldn't possibly be true, perhaps I really did fall asleep and only dreamed of Luffy firing the cannon...

I snapped out of my thoughts and noticed Johnny hopping onto his own ship which was right next the Going Merry. He reappeared with a man who smelt sickly and bloody. I assumed this was Yosaku. Padding closer, but still a bit out of sight, the rest of the crew arrived on deck to see what was going on and meet the man and his sick friend.

"SICK!?" I heard someone yell, but it didn't matter who.

"Yeah...he was just fine a couple days ago, but all of a sudden he turned pale and kept passing out! I don't know what he's come down with." Johnny said and as I got closer, I began to see some symptoms that seemed familiar. It clicked in my head before I turned tail and ran into the kitchen where they had left the door open.

I was quick to put limes out in plain sight, and then I dived under the table as I heard Nami order Luffy and Usopp to get the fruit. What? You never know.

Really...these guys weren't that smart...it was obviously scurvy...I had known a number of my fellow slaves who died because of it...I was too valuable for the Circus pirate to fall ill, but they usually let the others die...

Moments later, I followed the captain and liar out of the kitchen and out on deck. I quickly hid. I was getting too brave and I never knew what would happen if they found me.

Luffy and Usopp began shoving the lime juice down the ill man's throat while Nami explained about scurvy to Johnny and Zoro. "If we're not too late, he should be better in a few days."

"R-REALLY? ARE YOU TELLING THE TRUTH, SIS!?"

"Please don't call me sis." Nami said looking at Johnny. She then explained how scurvy happens and a bit of history. When Luffy and Usopp were finished with giving Yosaku his drink, they started talking.

"Wooow! You're like a doctor!"

"Yeah, I always knew that girl was special. Usopp's eyes are never wrong."

Nami got this terrifying look on her face, "IF YOU'RE GOING TO GO SAILING, YOU SHOULD AT LEAST KNOW THIS MUCH! GOD, YOUR STUPIDITY WILL BE THE DEATH OF YOU ALL!"

I would have smirked if I was human. Instead I settled for a flick of my tail. I let out a quiet mreow of laughter as Yosaku leapt to his feet and began dancing around, "Alright, I'm charged up on nutrients and ready for action!"

"HAHA! MY PARTNER'S FINE NOW!" Johnny joined his friend in the dance.

"Like hell he could recover that fast!" Nami shouted angrily, and she still had that scary looking face on.

The two strange men stopped dancing before they stood side by side in an odd pose. They both had a hand on their chin with the other hand propping up their elbow. Or something like that...I've never been the best at describing those sort of things...

"Sorry for the late introductions, the names Johnny."

"And I'm Yosaku. Zoro used to bounty hunt with us in the past! Nice to meet you all." Yosaku was a weird looking guy, to me anyways, although I had seen odder. He had some sort of red headgear, he wore a black shirt under a green coat and yellow plaid shorts and there was some sort of arm band on his bicep.

I looked back at Johnny. Johnny had a tattoo with the kanji for 'Sea' on his cheek. He had a light blue jacket over a purple shirt with light grey-white pants.

"I don't know how to thank you." Yosaku said, "I though I bit the dust for sure."

"Well, colour me surprised! I never would have expected the infamous pirate hunter Zoro, to become a pirate himself!" Johnny said.

Suddenly, Yosaku ruined the moment by coughing up blood and falling over. I chuckled.

I sat on a barrel out in the open as Tiger helped carry Yosaku into the men's cabin. The rest of them all gathered in a bit of a circle. They were talking about...oh yeah, the dangers of the sea. I wasn't really paying attention to them though...

The ocean was telling my a rather interesting piece of news.

And as soon as she was finished, I tuned into the conversation taking place. I sat in plain sight, yet they were so focused that I as completely ignored. It was great...but also really, really depressing. The crew was talking about future Nakama...a chef.

'hey...isn't that place shaped like a fish somewhere around here?' I thought to myself, just as Johnny raised his hand like a school boy, addressing his 'Bro."

"What is it Johnny?" Zoro asked, looking towards the man, although he only turned his head.

"If you're looking for a cook, I know just the place. Of course, getting one to join you is a completely different matter." Johnny then told them aout the fish-boat-restaurant.

See? Even I know what I'm talking about...sometimes...

We would reach there in two or three days...I hoped it would be sooner, simply because I needed to find another ship to hop on. I know better than to play my trick to long. Soon they would notice the large amounts of food missing, I have to eat enough for a lion most days, so they were running out of food, but I guess they hadn't noticed...and as soon as they noticed the missing food, Zoro would have to tell them about me and then Nami would order the crew and Zoro's...comrade-things...I refuse to call them...ah never mind...anyways, and then Nami would kill me because she is a very terrifying person.

Still, with those thoughts, I debated whether or not I should just tell them I was there. At least that way I wouldn't be quite as bored as I was now. And then, I grinned...I think I would talk to someone. Later.

The conversation had changed slightly, and Johnny was saying something about a 'Hawk-eyed man'.

As Johnny walked away from Zoro, I noticed a look cross the sword-man's face...my curiosity was peaked. Yes, he was the one I was going to talk to.

As the rest of the crew began to move inside, just as the sun began to set, Zoro was told to be the look out for the first few hours of the night. Johnny decided to stay with him. This worked out quiet well for me, since they both knew I was here.

Really, there was only one thing I wanted to ask, and it had been bothering me since Johnny had arrived.

It was dark out when the two of them climbed up into the crows-nest. I followed them up and sat under the nest for a moment...Zoro was speaking.

"You're sure it was 'that' man? You didn't get it wrong again?" His voice came out in a bit of a growl and I found myself confused...Who was he talking about and from the sound of it, Zoro had a bone to pick with him...And Zoro really did seem to be the type of person who got in fights without a reason.

Finally, I hopped up into the nest with them. Johnny jumped back slightly and I let out a chuckle as I sat next to Zoro. I looked at him, "S'up?"

"I knew you were on this boat." Zoro said, although that didn't really answer me.

I shrugged, "Well, how else was I gong to leave? None of the Islanders were leaving anytime soon, other than Usopp, so hey, I thought I'd catch a ride."

"B-Bro? You know this cat?" Johnny asked, looking at me and then back at Zoro.

"Yeah, she hangs around where ever Luffy goes." Zoro said as he placed a hand on my head.

"No, I just end up in the same places. The ocean leads me there." I said, looking at him. "So...why did ya let me stay here? Shouldn't you tell Luffy and Nami that there's a stow away on board?"

"What harm can a cat do?" He asked back. I tried, but failed not to grin. "What are you grinning at? AND SINCE WHEN COULD YOU TALK!?"

I fell over laughing. Oh geez, that guy just realized I could talk? And not like a cave-man? Ah...these guys really were dumb...but, hey, they were alright...

"Yes, I can talk, quite well actually. And I grin when ever I want." I said, still grinning as I stretched out, "But there's one thing I need to ask."

I had a suddenly serious expression as I sat up and stared Zoro in the eye. "Since when did you have friends?"

Sorry its been forever since I updated and also...

*~*~*~*~*~*HAPPY CANADA DAY*~*~*~*~*~*