Author's Note: Thanks for all your reviews! Sorry for the delay in posting. I didn't mean to leave you guys hanging for this long. Life just got crazy but hopefully things have calmed down now.
Again, this has gone past the anime and now in the manga section. If you have not read past Zoro and Pica's fight, SPOILERS AHEAD! There, you've been warned.
Chapter 49 - A Trade
Zoro was the one who ended the kiss. His hand was still on the back of her neck but it didn't need to be there as Rei was as stiff as a corpse. He didn't know if he expected her to be angry or happy with his sudden gesture. To be honest, he was quite surprised by his impulsive move himself.
He had everything under control. That Admiral guy, or whatever his title was, agreed to throw him at Pica. He was going to save Usopp and former King Whats-His-Name. It was all part of Plan E - fly through the air and slice the bastard up. As soon as he heard Rei's laugh, his blood had turned cold. Yes, she did it to save Usopp but damn it! Couldn't she just stay out of trouble for just one second?!
When he landed onto the plateau, there was not even a trace of worry or fear on her face. She looked at him as if she knew he was going to come all along. He felt relief and a swell of pride that she had complete faith in him. But he also felt something else. Before he knew it, his hand was at her neck and he was kissing her. He realized that he had caught her off guard and this was probably not the right time but he didn't regret a second of it.
He lifted his head and his lips left hers. He expected her to be either angry or in shock. He wasn't much of a gambling man but if he was, he'd bet that this was her first kiss. So when he ended the kiss, he braced himself to be pushed away, slapped, or even screamed at. However, when he opened his eye, he saw that Rei's face was a complete blank and she was staring at him in quiet contemplation. Her face was still red but other that, he couldn't decipher what she was feeling inside.
"What was that for?" she asked.
"What do you mean what was that for?" Zoro snapped back. His pride stung a bit that she was not reacting as outwardly as he thought. This might've been her first kiss but it was also the first time he did something like that to anyone. Sure, he's kissed girls before. It wasn't often and in the rare times that it did, it was not intentional on his end. Girls were usually the one trying to get his attention.
He released his hold and turned his back on her as he pretended to re-tie his swords to his side. He scowled to himself. "Isn't it obvious?"
"Well social protocol-"
"We're pirates, damn it! Social protocol doesn't apply to us so I don't care what your stupid manual states!"
"I know that. I was just going to say that given the current situation, that is not part of any social protocol," Rei rationalized, "So I would like to know why you just….just…"
She could feel her face get hotter but she willed herself to remain in control of her emotions. "Do something like that," she finished.
He turned around and glared at her. "You're a genius. Figure it out."
Rei clasped her hands behind her back and tilted her head to the side as she studied Zoro's face. She wasn't sure why he was annoyed at her. Her heart was beating wildly and her mind was going a mile a minute. She didn't understand what just happened. She wondered if this was something Sanji would be able to explain because it didn't seem like Zoro was going to.
Kaboom! The sudden blast in the distance distracted her from replying back and she ran towards the sound. She stopped at the edge of the plateau and saw the remnants of a smoking building.
"Franky?" Rei asked out loud to herself, "Did he destroyed the SMILE factory?"
"Cyborg Franky-senpai?!" Bartolomeo shrieked. "You mean he's here as well?!"
Rei turned to look at Bartolomeo. For a minute she had forgotten he and Cavendish were there with her and Zoro. "Yes. We're the only ones still remaining on this island. Nami and the rest are away on the Thousand Sunny. I hope they're safe."
She looked up at the Royal Palace above. "Speaking of which, I need to get up there and check on Robin and Rebecca."
She started to run towards the center of the plateau but Zoro's arm shot out in front of her and blocked her way.
"Zoro. What are you-?"
"You're coming with me. We need to find Usopp." He looked over his shoulder at Bartolomeo. "Oy, you and Cabbage guy! I'm leaving Robin and whoever else is up there to you."
"What did you just call me?!" Cavendish exclaimed.
"Zoro, I think-" Rei started to say but Zoro glared down at her.
"There's nothing left for us to do here but there's plenty for us to do down there. The island is still in danger and there are people who are playing Doflamingo's game and hunting Usopp and them."
Rei stood silent for a minute before she pushed his arm down and started to move forward again. He raised his arm back up. This time he wrapped it around her waist to hold her in place. She looked over at him and placed her hand on his shoulder.. "You're right. I'm just going to leave a message for Viola-sama."
"And then you're coming with me."
Rei nodded and he withdrew his arm. She pulled out one of her daggers and started to carve a large message on the side of the plateau. Viola-sama, We're coming to you. - Rei
When she was done, she put the daggers back into her utility belt and nodded again at Zoro. He swiftly turned his back on her and ran out with her following behind. He grabbed her hand at the last minute and pulled her over the edge as he jumped off the plateau. Zoro stuck his Wado Ichimonji into the side of the plateau to slow down their fall.
"DOOOROO-ZENPAI! SO COOL!" Bartolomeo's congested cries rang out overhead.
"Zoro, aren't you afraid of breaking your sword?" Rei asked.
Zoro smirked at Rei. "A chip on the blade is a sign of shame. I would never let that happen."
Rei looked at his blade, which had turned pure black from his Armament Haki, and then back at Zoro. "Mihawk trained you."
Zoro raised his eyebrow, "Have you met him?"
"No but I've heard stories from Uncle Shanks...He says his worst nightmare would be being stuck on a ship with me and Mihawk and no alcohol because no one would ever laugh at his jokes."
Zoro shuddered at the thought and silently agreed with the Red-Haired Pirate. He was interested in hearing the stories Rei knew of Mihawk, though. If it involved any fights between him and Shanks, than that would be a very interesting story indeed.
They made it to the street level and Rei raced ahead. This time she was the one pulling Zoro as she ran towards the King's Plateau.
"Zoro, can you sense how many people are up there?" Rei asked when they arrived at the bottom.
"Can't you? You're Observational Haki is sharper than mine."
"I don't have much Haki left. I can't sense anything right now."
"What?!"
Rei didn't respond because she was already busy climbing up the King's Plateau. Zoro grunted and followed behind her but she had quite a lead on him already.
"How come you can climb so fast?" he called up to her.
"Only someone who never guarded the Wall during hurricane season would ask that," Rei responded without looking down.
Usopp's head poked out from the top. "Zoro! Rei! Give me your hand! I'll help you guys up!"
"We're fine,' Rei said as pulled herself to the top. She wiped her hands on her pants leg and waited for Zoro to appear.
"Rei!" Usopp shouted with relief as he gave her a big hug, "I'm so glad you're okay! I thought it was going to be the end for me and then you distracted him."
Zoro arrived at the top and he scowled at his nakama. "Pretty stupid, if you ask me. I had everything under control. I didn't need her to interfere."
"Uuuuh," Usopp breathed in a sob before launching himself at the swordsman, "ZORO! Thank youuuuuuu! I thought I was going to die!"
"That was splendid, Zoro-dono!" Kin'emon added from behind.
"Yes! Thank you, Pirate Hunter! We thought we were imagining things when we saw you cut that statue in half," shouted a man from a large mob next to Kin'emon.
"Quite the crowd," Rei said she surveyed the sea of faces.
"Wait, you guys!" Zoro pushed Usopp off of him and looked up at the birdcage, "You can be happy once this cage is gone. The fact that it's here means that he's still undefeated."
"Where is Former Princess Viola-sama?" Rei asked the crowd, "Who's left besides Doflamingo?"
"Rei, you can stop with the formalities!" Usopp reminded her.
"It's just 2 left," Viola's voice came from the other end of the plateau. Rei rushed over, pushing people aside to get to the former princess.
Viola was staring ahead towards the Royal Palace but she continued to speak to Rei. "Just Trebol and Doflamingo now but we've lost people on our side as well."
"Who?"
"Bellamy and Trafalgar Law."
"WHAT?! Tra-guy is dead?!" Usopp cried.
"The Hyena guy?" Zoro asked, "I thought he was on Doflamingo's side?"
Viola gasped and her face turned pale. "The cage...it's shrinking. It's cutting through the island."
"Ah!" Usopp screamed, "What the hell do we do? Will the cage be coming here too?"
"Most likely," Rei looked over at the Royal Plateau. "We can't assume the center of the island is the center of the cage. It's safer to assume that the center is wherever Doflamingo is."
"LUFFY!" Usopp shouted towards the palace, "Hurry! Take Doflamingo out! It's the only way!"
"Now this is a little harsh to think that Luffy-dono has to shoulder the fate of the entire country…" Kin'emon said before shouting at the Royal Plateau as well, "Luffy-dono! Do your best!"
"All of this falls on Luffy? Like hell it is," Zoro growled as he reached for his swords instinctively.
Zoro's words caught Rei's attention and she looked at him just in time to see him grip his swords. Her eyes widened. Zoro caught her stare and he cocked his head. "What is it, Know It All?"
"You trained with Mihawk."
"So?"
Rei put her hands on his and pried them from the sword hilts. She pulled them out and left his palms facing upwards before putting her daggers into his hand. "Earlier, I was able to cut one of the Doflamingo's puppet strings as long as I used my Armament Haki." She paused and looked up. "The birdcage strings are thicker so I don't think I'd be able to cut them even if I did have all of my Haki restored but you...You trained with Mihawk."
"Huh?"
She closed his fist around her daggers and then looked up at him. "A black blade with Sea Prism Stone. It's worth a shot."
"Rei, you don't think Zoro could-" Usopp started to say.
"Besides defeating Doflamingo, this is our second best option," Rei answered without taking her eyes off of Zoro, "We can't leave it all to Luffy."
Zoro swung the chains over his shoulder. "Kin! Bring your friend. We're going to stop the cage," he shouted to the samurai.
He looked back at Rei and ignored Kin'emon's alarmed response. "If I can't cut it, we can at least push against it and maybe hold it off. Give Luffy some more time."
He hesitated for a moment but then pulled out his Wado Ichimonji and placed it in Rei's hands.
"I'm not leaving you completely weaponless," Zoro said softly so only Rei could hear him, "I know you can use a sword so use this one. This was entrusted to me by Kuina's family and now I'm temporarily entrusting it to you."
Rei eyes widened. She recognized the name and she started to protest, "No. This sword is too important. I can't-"
"You're important to me too." Zoro hissed. He pressed his forehead against hers and glared into her eyes. "I wouldn't give this sword to you if I didn't think you could handle it. It's a trade, that's all. You gave me your weapons so I'm giving you mine."
"Are you sure?" Rei whispered.
"Ah." Zoro smirked and he lifted his head. "Kuina might actually prefer to have a woman wield this sword for once anyways."
"I'll return this to you," Rei promised, "I won't let anything happen to it."
"How much time do you think we have before the whole island is sliced?" Zoro shouted at Viola, ending the conversation.
"30 minutes but that's only if it keeps at this rate," Viola replied back, "It might speed up."
"Then we don't have much time then," Zoro said as he turned to walk away, "Kin! Come on!"
"Zoro-dono, climb down this way," Kin'emon called out. He gestured toward the opposite direction, "Kanjuro can draw us ladders."
"Kanjuro? Draw?" Zoro asked.
Kin'emon pointed at a large man dressed in a kabuki make-up and attire. He held up a large paint brush. "Allow me, Zoro-dono!"
"So you found your friend," Rei said to Kin'emon, "Now we just have to get you to Zou and Momo."
"Ah, Dragon Rider! Thank you for remembering my situation during a time like this," Kin'emon said gratefully.
"Why are you thanking me?" Rei asked, "We need to reunite with our nakama just as much as you need to get to your son. It's our mutual interest."
"Just say 'You're welcome' like a normal person," Usopp hissed at Rei.
"There! The ladders are done!" Kanjuro said as he pointed over the edge of the plateau.
Zoro looked down. "Huh?! Those ladders are the most crooked ladders I've ever seen. Do you not know how to draw in a straight line?!"
"I'm climbing down too," Rei said as she tucked the sword so that it hung on her utility belt.
"Know It All-"
"I'll help the townspeople run towards the center for safety. If you are able to cut the strings, I can lead them to the opening too," Rei said.
Viola stepped forward. "I'll come too and let you know if they are successful."
"Don't leave me alone up here!" Usopp added as he rushed to Rei's side too.
"Alright," Zoro growled, "We don't have much time. Let's go!"
"Yosh!" Rei and Usopp said in response as they followed him down the plateau.
