Chapter Sixteen: Time Bomb

Even though it was a short adventure with him where they were mostly separate, she was glad that they spent that time together. She could still feel his warm embrace around her as she investigated the explosion.

She really wasn't up for a fight right now. Those stupid pirates decided do a number on her while she was hallucinating, and she still had a couple of splinters in her. But if it was one of her friends, then she would risk it all.

She reached the destination, and she saw none other than Bon Clay about to step on an unconscious Sanji. Before she said something he gasped, stopped and ran over to her.

"Sienna!" he exclaimed.

She accepted the hug, smiling as he picked her up and spun her around. It was fun because he was quite tall. He set her down and frowned.

"Someone hit you," he said, shocked. "Look at that knot on your forehead."

Sienna went to touch her forehead, and there it was. Great, where was Chopper when she needed him? That piss ant hit her super hard. She could practically hear her mentor's voice telling her: You were too arrogant. You should've finished the job before gloating. And he's right. It wasn't just her forehead hurting, but her whole body was aching now because of that one blow.

"It's been a day," she sighed.

"Tell me about it. This stupid rebellion just won't end," he said.

"Yeah, I'm over it," she said. "I just wanna go back to The Merry and sleep for about a day."

They both chuckled, and she felt her lungs protest a bit. It was her fault for being boastful. She had gotten the information, and she should've quit while she was ahead. But no…

"Your makeup is all smudged everywhere. You look like a racoon," Bon Clay said.

From seemingly nowhere, he brandished a makeup remover wipe and handed it to her. She told him thank you as he held up his hand held mirror. She blanched at her appearance and then removed the makeup from her face and took out the bobby pins keeping her hair in that shape. Then, she took out a ponytail and made her man bun. Next, she took out peacock inspired clothes in the pouch at the bottom of her bandolier. They weren't ruined unlike the ones she was wearing. She considered chunking the clothes she had on now since she'd never get the stains out of the white.

"Do you mind turning around while I change?" she asked.

"Nope!"

Bon Clay turned around and she quickly changed into her peacock desert clothes, turban and all. It was still hotter than Hades out, and it actually helped keep her cooler. Bon Clay kept to his word and didn't peep on her. He was a good friend. She doubted Sanji would do the same, good thing he was out cold.

She told him she was ready, and he turned around and gasped.

"You like birds too," he said happily.

"I used to have a peacock as a pet. I had several exotic pets actually," she shrugged and then said darkly. "He tried everything to make me happy…."

She tried her best to push down the somberness threatening to swallow her whole. She didn't need to reminisce about anything at the moment. Her friends still needed her, and they still haven't won the day yet.

Bending down, she brushed away the hair from Sanji's eyes, intending to assess the damage, but she discovered that he had two curly brows curled in the same direction. She thought they would both curl towards his ears, but this was a nice surprise.

"Apparently, he can't tell that you and his hero share the same face," Bon Clay chuckled.

"Yeah, he's a dummy," she said jovially, picking him up like a princess just like she did before. "But he's still my nakama. Thanks for not killing him."

"I thought about it though," Bon Clay admitted casually. "He clearly hates okama. I wonder what he'll say when he finds out his hero is gender fluid, and the crew member he hates and his hero are one in the same."

"If he finds out."

"If is funny."

They both started laughing loudly at that notion. She would love to see that look on Sanji's face when that bubble burst, and he had to confront the fact that women aren't goddesses and gender nonconforming people weren't demons but people just like him. He was still a kid. Hopefully, he'll realize it soon. He may find out some things he never knew about himself in the process.

She leaned forward and gave Bon Clay a big, dramatic kiss on the cheek. And the reaction was immediate: he was blushing, twirling, and singing about friendship. It was so adorable.

"I hope I'll see you again," she said.

He was still just aglow, mumbling something as he continued to blush and twirl like a ballerina.

She headed out with Sanji curled up in her arms, mumbling about something while he slept. He was kind of nice like this. He was relaxed and all the bullshit was gone. She didn't know what happened to him for him to hate men and deify women, but she wondered if his dad had anything to do with it. Maybe, his dad beat him and his mom. She hoped not, but it might explain his behavior. It was too funny that he thought of her as his hero when he hated her alter ego as if Silas and Sienna were two different people. She'd treat him just the same; however, he'd probably be into her picking on him as Sienna and see it as flirting. He truly was biased towards women. One day a woman will betray him inevitably, and maybe his tune will change. Everyone is capable of horrible things, including women.

She walked around, wondering where the other Straw Hats were. She didn't remember if they agreed to meet somewhere if they got separated. It was a ghost town at this point with several buildings ruined and reclaimed by the sands. It wouldn't be hard to spot them.

"Silas!"

She turned around and saw the little raccoon with a smile that soon turned to a frown of worry. She knew why. She laid Sanji down for Chopper to inspect him.

"He didn't wear your armor?" Chopper asked.

"I guess not," she said, frowning. "I made him shin armor first because he broke them on Drum Island, and it seemed he kind of used them… on his hands? He's a weird one."

"You have no room to talk," Chopper said exasperatedly.

He pulled out a smelly thing, and then he placed it below their chef's nose. Sanji jolted awake. He looked around frantically for a moment and then he relaxed with an annoyed expression directed right at Silas.

"Oh great, it's you," he said, mildly annoyed.

"Why? Who did you think I was?"

She already knew the answer, but she wanted to play this game. How he couldn't tell that they shared the same face was ridiculous. Granted, she used contour makeup normally, and it changes the face a bit but still.

"Heroic Sienna," he said dreamily and then his tone soured. "But it was you."

"Aw, I love you too," she said sarcastically.

He stood and turned away, pulling out a cigarette and a lighter. He lit it and took a drag. Chopper asked if Sanji was fine, but Silas knew the answer.

"Silas!" Nami and Usopp exclaimed, catching everyone's attention.

She saw them running towards her, and she sidestepped. They tumbled to the floor, still angry, and maybe even angrier now that they fell.

"What?" she said, looking at them as they scrambled to their feet.

"What is with these weapons!?"

"Do you not like them?" she asked.

The possibility was saddening. She didn't have a lot of time to craft it, and she did tell them it was unfinished. She'd tried her best. Please tell her that—

"It's so complicated!" Nami exclaimed, interrupting her thoughts.

"And dangerous!" Usopp said.

She looked over at them and asked, "Did you read the directions?"

Nami and Usopp did actually hit her this time. It was reactionary, and Silas didn't even see it coming.

"Ow, on my wound," Silas pouted, clutching her knot.

"What happened to your forehead?" Nami asked confusedly.

Silas removed her hand, and everyone blanched. Chopper immediately ran over to her and forced her to squat down in order to reach. Just one look, and he had the same reaction.

"That's a hematoma!" he said.

He immediately began to wrap her forehead and press an ice pack to her knot. Silas replaced her hand with his hoof to hold it there. It felt better, and the throbbing wasn't so bad now.

"What happened? Who hit you?" Chopper said, incredulous.

Just before she was going to answer, Vivi and Luffy came by. He was carrying a water jug. She felt kind of badly that she didn't make him something, but at the same time he needed the water to be able to hit Crocodile more than anything she made him in this instance. Logia were tricky, and this far back on the grand line people didn't know strength came from the heart or will… however one wants to call it.

"There's going to launch a bomb that'll blow at 4:30!" Vivi shouted.

"That's in…," Sienna said, looking at the clock tower, "ten minutes."

"Why are you so calm?!" Everyone shouted.

She recoiled at her sudden realization and said, "I didn't even know you were here, Zoro."

"I've been here the whole time, you asshole!"

She chuckled as everyone else got into a panic about where this possible bomb could be. Luffy, however, ran to go find Crocodile and defeat him. Good, that asshole needed to get what was coming to him.

She looked around, wondering where a possible bomb could be launched from. It could be outside of the city to avoid being bombed themselves. She doubted it though. The capital city sat atop of a hill with huge walls surrounding it, might as well be a fortress at this point. She doubted they could fire a cannon with any sort of accuracy outside of the city. Hm, perhaps, it's here, just somewhere hidden. Now, where would they hide a cannon?

"Aha!" She shouted with her pointer finger in the air, scaring their panic into silence. A pause, and then she deflated and said, "No, never mind, that doesn't sound right."

Nami and Usopp went to attack her, shouting, "Don't scare us like that!" but she sidestepped, hearing them fall to the ground.

She went back to thinking as the rest ran off to go and find the cannon. It would have to be a high point, wouldn't it? Damn, she was really out of practice with this. It used to be second nature, but she really thought she was going to be a housewife after being rescued, giving up on her dream for a year. And spending time as a slave to the celestial dragons had broken her spirit for some time. But it seemed dreams and the spirit never truly die, and it was a pirate's life for her.

She closed her eyes, trying to call upon it again today. It was different seeing pirates who were already there but covered in red smoke versus actively looking for a specific something she had no idea where it could be, but she had to try for Vivi's sake. She concentrated, trying to picture a cannon in her head, and where it could be.

When she opened her eyes, it was odd to be in this state again today. This time it wasn't triggered by a blow to the head but her own volition. Everything was wonky and hazy like this. She felt vulnerable because everything felt slower, and it used a great deal of concentration to try and find this cannon.

"Oi, what… eyes are…"

She recognized that voice. She turned around to face him, and he was painted in green with three swords attached at his hip. She'd recognize that aura and silhouette anywhere.

"I can't fight like this. Protect me while I'm searching for the cannon, and I'll make you whatever you want," she said.

"What do you mean? We don't have time for this. There is a bomb , Silas," he said.

"Fine, I'll have to find somebody stronger then."

She could feel that aura sour, and it told her all that she needed. He wanted to prove he was the best combatant on the crew behind Luffy, and since one of his competitors asked for help in the department, he would gloat about her needing it. He'd accept, and she knew he would.

"No, I'll help… what's with your eyes?"

"Tell you later."

She turned around and saw a red mist snaking through the black and white streets and red wheel trails that have long faded that used to mark the sand, leading towards the town square. She followed as fast as she could without getting nauseous. It had been too long.

"Where are you going?"

"Shh, sword-boy," she said, accidentally smacking him in the chest since she wasn't paying attention to him. "It's somewhere here ."

Suddenly, several red figures brandishing weapons showed up. She heard Zoro draw his swords. He left her side to fight them leaving behind strange and colorful streaks. It left her nauseous and vulnerable.

She said, "You can't let them knock me out of this state. It'll take too long to concentrate again."

"Now you tell me!"

She looked at the clock tower to see how much time they had left, and oh… oh, was that it? Was it there? Was that—

Suddenly, Zoro shoved her by the shoulder to get her out of the way as she heard swords clash. She fell to the floor, and she was so nauseous that she vomited. When she stood up again, it was mostly gone. She'd only see traces of it, and normal colors were coming back.

Five minutes left, huh? She could make it. Balancing herself, she grasped the back of her sandal strap to pull it back up. Then, she took off at a sprint.

"What the hell, Silas?"

She heard him running after her, catching up. Good. She still needed him.

"Launch me!"

"What?"

"To the clock tower! We have three minutes left!"

"How in the hell am I going to do that?"

"Two sword style!"

She looked over, and he seemed to understand. He drew his swords again, crossing them to make an x. She smiled.

"Are you sure it's in that clock tower?"

"Yep."

He then gestured for her to hope on. She did, appreciating that he believed her, and she waited before he launched her into the air with a thrust of his arms, sending her up into the air. She brandished his other sword as she grew closer to the clock tower. And then, she stabbed it into the wall, letting it take the brunt of the impact, but her body still smacked into the wall, smarting, but nothing broke. She looked down and saw angry Zoro standing there in the square.

"That's my sword, you son of a bitch!"

"Thank you! Now go find Vivi!" she said, giving him a big smile.

She held onto the brick with one hand, and then she yanked the sword out of the wall and placed it into her mouth with the other. She began to climb. Her muscles were straining a bit, but she could work through it. What was most concerning was the headache that was developing. Not only was she struck there, but the concentration to see things in the colors of observation like that after so long was like working out hard after months of rest. In other words, her brain was sore. She pushed on though. She didn't care about this kingdom, but Vivi did. That was what mattered.

She was getting close, feeling determination. She had one minute left or the place was going to blow to smithereens. A door popped open, and it confused her to see more stupid Barque Works agents that resembled a posh judge and a frog.

"Great," she said sarcastically.

"Silas!"

She looked down to see Vivi at the bottom and her two crew members poking their heads out two different windows on the tower below her. When did that happen?

"Help us throw her to the top," Sanji said.

"Ok."

She saw Zoro launch Vivi on Chopper's back up into the air via his two swords much like he did with her. Then, Sanji gave them a kick to give them a boost in the air, but Chopper fell back into Sanji's arms. Vivi was still soaring towards her. What was she going to do? There wasn't a window or a ledge. She didn't have a sword though.

With quickness, she stuck the sword into the slab next to her, and she hung off of it by the back of her knees. Her hands were open and ready. Vivi came closer, and they held hands before she threw the princess up the tower with a curl of her torso, getting her to the top. She was going to join her and cheer her on, but a bullet grazed her shoulder, and the brick the sword was stuck in fell away.

"Uh-oh."

She was falling down quickly, and she didn't know what she was going to use to break the fall. She saw and heard Vivi scream:

"Silas!"

"Your gauntlets!" she shouted back.

Vivi nodded and looked determined before she turned back to the two Baroque Works agents. She pulled back the sling attached to her glove and let go. Silas wondered if she used the acid rounds or flame rounds. Either way, it'll do heavy damage. It serves those cowards right.

Silas looked down and saw that she was getting closer and closer to the ground, thinking she was going to break every bone in her body. She closed her eyes, bracing for impact. Then, suddenly, someone grasped her wrist, stopping her fall completely. The jolt sent a shock through her system. She opened her eyes and saw an irate Zoro standing outside the window.

"You did save me," she said, surprised and elated.

"Shut up and give me my sword back," he said.

He pulled her in through the window. She stumbled, dizzy, nauseous, and exhausted. Her head was throbbing. Whatever energy she had was gone. She looked up at him through bleary eyes and gave him a sheepish smile as she handed him his sword back. He took it. Just before he looked to leave, she hugged him.

"What the—"

"Thank you."

"Get off me, gigolo," he said.

She laughed into his chest just as everything went dark….

"Sloppy."

She fell to the floor, breathing hard, feeling her head hurt and throb. With shaking limbs, she lifted herself and stood, clutching the side of her head. The tinge of disappointment on that apathetic face was soul crushing. She wanted to make him proud. She wanted to be his best student. She wanted to pick this skill up more than anything at this moment.

"When you came to me for tutelage, you said you wanted to learn the colors of observation haki to understand your weapons better," he said. "You understand nothing. Sure, you've survived unlike my other students, but this is unacceptable. You learn, or I'll kill you."

She swallowed loudly.

X

"Smoker!"

Hina recoiled when she reached him, and he didn't give a fuck. He was hitting the liquor hard like it was the end of the world. It kind of was. His wife left him for pirates. What a fucking joke. He knew she was a wild card, but he had no idea he made her so miserable that she allowed herself to be taken away by pirates. What could he have done differently? He didn't know. He probably should've paid more attention to her and let her be a blacksmith for the marines. Hell, she'd be an excellent fighter if she learned to control the chaos. He'd never forget that wild look in her eyes….

He took a swig. It was empty, so he threw it, heading it shatter somewhere he didn't care.

"What?" he finally asked.

"I'm sorry your wife left you, but you can't ignore the den-den," she said.

"Fine," he grumbled. He picked up the den-den mushi angrily and barked. "What?"

"Is that anyway to talk to your superior?"

"Admiral Akainu."

"I heard you defeated Crocodile. You'll be promoted for it, and his arrest will bring us favor."

What? Where did he hear that from? Was he stupid or something? Why would he openly lie? He was sure Admiral Akainu read his report. It was the Straw Hats, not him or Tashigi. His lieutenant is in her quarters crying right now because she couldn't defeat Crocodile.

"I didn't defeat Crocodile and neither did Tashigi," he said. "It was Straw Hat who did it."

"You'll accept the credit and promotion for Alabasta."

The finality in his voice was memorable, but the reality was he didn't care. He didn't care about Alabasta or any of the credits or promotions. There was one thing he wanted to know from Akainu. He was in part the reason for his current situation right now. He probably wouldn't be in this stupid country if he didn't believe Sienna was kidnapped by pirates.

It really did anger him to know this. She had a past with pirates, a lover of one of them, from what he understood, and yet she thought to omit this when she was with him, a marine. What a fucking joke. Did she think it was funny? She probably did. But then he remembered the shame and hurt on her face when he brought it up. He hadn't ever seen that expression on her before. She was likely just too ashamed to admit it to him. And if he was going to be frank, the damn pirate probably abused her. There was no in hell otherwise given she ended up in the slave trade. Akainu wouldn't inquire about her unless he was a prominent pirate, so that asshole pretty much left her for dead. He'd bet on it.

"I don't give a shit about that," Smoker barked as Hina blanched. "Tell me that damn pirates' name who you think my wife used to be with!"

"I heard she died when you tried to save her. I understand you're grieving, but it doesn't matter now. Why torture yourself with this information?" he said.

"Just answer the question."

"Fine, it's…"

Author's Note: Dun-dun-dun, yeah, that's where I'm leaving it. Smoker knows now. It'll be interesting when he and Sienna meet up again. Also, he's, um, taking their separation well. ?

I feel kind of bad for Sanji in this arc. Kinda. He got his ass beat by Bon Clay, but he also got to be rescued by Sienna which he thoroughly enjoyed.

I super enjoyed Zoro and Silas's interactions in this chapter though. I didn't intend for Zoro being ignored or completely off of Silas's radar to become a running gag, but it cracks me up so much. They make an interesting team up since he tries to be so serious, and she's goofy, chaotic, and gets on his nerves on purpose.

Although, ultimately, her picking on Sanji is my favorite.