Title: Loyalties
Author: AstroKender
Pairings: nothing clean cut. You can pretty much see what you want to see. Though I confess that I'm a rabid fan of Zoro/Luffy, so that might sneak in a bit.
Warnings: Angst and Blood and Violence. And did I mention Angst?
Spoilers: Not really.
Notes: I like Usopp, and I guess that shows by how big of a part he has in this chapter (It wasn't so long in the outline but i really like his character so that influenced me a bit as i was writing) Ummmm....don't shoot me for this chapter. (at least wait till the end of the fic to burn me alive with flames) This story does have a happy ending, scouts honor.
Feedback: or use the comment bar at the bottom of the screen.
Archived: Ask and ye will probably receive.
Disclaimers: I don't own One Piece or it's affiliates. This fic is written for entertainment purposes only and is not meant for sale. Don't sue.
Chapter 3
Usopp darted quickly behind a nearby barrel as Zoro's head turned in his direction. He had been following the swordsman for close to three hours now. Tailing him with all the stealth he could muster through the thick crowd of the market district. As an expert in evasive tactics-i.e. running away - the dark skinned boy found many nooks and crannies in the bustling town that allowed him to slink behind his tall friend undiscovered. And right now Usopp could not afford to get caught. Not yet. Not before he could figure out what was going on.
Something was wrong with Zoro; that much the sharpshooter could tell just by looking. The Going Merry's first mate would often stumble unexpectedly as if drunk, covering it up by cursing at the hard to tread road of sand. But his body was covered in a sheen of sweat unnatural even in this humidity. And at the bar, Usopp noticed that Zoro's skin had a yellow tint to it that had nothing to do with the pub's bad lighting. Zoro could cover it up all he wanted, but it was clear to anyone who really looked that something was seriously wrong with the former bounty hunter.
But the swordsman didn't look injured, as far as Usopp could tell. Maybe the wound Hawk-Eyes Mihawk had given him was once again bothering him? That happened quite a while ago, but normal men didn't recover from such a wound so quickly-- if they recover at all. Usopp's intuition, however, told him that something else was amiss with his green-haired friend.
Sanji was as clueless as he was, and far less inclined to anything about it. As far as the cook was concerned, Zoro could take care of himself. But Sanji hadn't been around the swordsman for as long as Usopp had. Zoro would just as soon cut off his legs rather than admit to needing help-- and he nearly had, back on Little Garden. Nami had ranted for days about what a stupid idea that was and had been double incensed about the fact that Vivi was going to go along with it.
Usopp would have go to Nami for help-nobody could drag the truth out of a person like their navigator could-but the redhead was so deeply immersed with Vivi's plight that she had little patience in dealing with anything else, including stubborn swordsmen and their stupid man-problems. So that left Luffy for help, which was no help at all, so Usopp didn't bother even asking. Nope, this mission was up to a real man. Only a very brave and powerful warrior like himself could confront a man like Zoro with such steely determination as to gain the first mate's confidence.
Which was why he was crouched in the mud behind a barrel of what smelled like pickled fish, as he watched Zoro go shopping.
Yes, shopping. Though the long-nosed boy knew from association that Zoro had a tolerance for pain that bordered on masochism, this was a little ridiculous. Here the man was, obviously ill, yet strolling about as if he was just taking a pleasant afternoon off.
Zoro had gone into the town's pitiful excuse for a weapon's shop first. It was a small building no larger than the room the boys had to all squeeze in together on the Going Merry. Usopp had been there earlier in the day and knew that the shop had nothing more than a bowgun and a couple of rusty swords.
But regardless of the small selection, the swordsman was inside the shop for quite a few minutes. And when he finally did come out, he didn't seem to have anything new on him. In fact, it looked like he had one less sword. Didn't Zoro always carry three katana?
Usopp had scuttled after the swordsman as he walked into the general store. Zoro was in this shop less than five minutes and stepped out with a huge wetskin that sat across his back, heavy with water. He took great gulps of the clear liquid, making Usopp's mouth feel a little dry in envy. After all, here he was baking in the afternoon sun while Zoro got to take refuge in the cool interior of the various shops in town. And now it seemed the next stop on the swordsman's little sundry trip was the butcher's shop.
"Now he's hungry," Usopp muttered sarcastically. He leaned against a crumbling wall across the street and cracked his fingers in boredom. Already the sharpshooter's curiosity was waning and he mulled over whether or not to just return to the others. Zoro returned into view, looking no more laden than when he went in and Usopp began to get frustrated.
"What's he doing, window shopping?" But he immediately checked his tone as Zoro's body began to reverberate with a wracking cough. Zoro's knees appeared to give out on him and Usopp almost blew his cover by rushing over to the swordsman. But, propping himself against the butcher's shop, Zoro seemed to slowly recover. He raised a trembling hand to his haramaki and pulled out a small pouch that Usopp dimly recognized. Pouring out a handful of some sort of black substance, Zoro threw the stuff into his mouth.
Coughing and sputtering, the swordsman made a disgusted face but nevertheless upended the bag into his mouth, shaking it until it was empty. Usopp watched him doggedly chew for several moments before washing down the stuff with many sloppy gulps from his wetskin. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, Zoro gave one last weak cough before pushing himself to his feet and resuming his unsteady gait down the merchant street. Usopp jumped up and hastily followed him.
Which had all lead to Usopp squatting behind the aforementioned barrel of fish as Zoro walked into what appeared to be a metalsmith's. "I'm not going to find anything out like this!" Usopp exclaimed, exasperated. "I gotta get closer so I can hear what's going on." The long-nosed boy left his sheltered hiding place and crept up to one of the shop's soot-covered windows. Zoro's low baritone filtered through the ill-fitted glass and into Usopp's ear.
"Come on. It's not like I'm asking for anything of quality. Just something nice and serviceable. Don't you have something rusting away in the attic or something?"
"I'm sorry Mister," A voice that must have been the shop owner's gave an apologetic reply. "But I don't have anything like that for less then eight thousand beli."
"I knew I should have asked for more from that sword guy, Damn it." Zoro cursed. "Look, this is really important. I need one of those chest plates. Just a little one!"
Chest plate? Usopp's mind echoed in bewilderment.
"Listen, good metal like this is hard to find on this island. I can't sell it to you for any less than what I've stated. If you want, go down to old Hana's place. He's a tanner and could probably give you something like you want for about four thousand beli or so."
Usopp blocked out the rest of the conversation as Zoro asked for directions. His mind raced through the facts as his head idly rubbed back and forth against the scratchy surface of the building. Things just didn't add up. Why visit all of those different shops? What was Zoro buying? What was he looking for? All the sharpshooter knew was that, from the exchange he just heard, Zoro was expecting a fight. And quite a big one if he felt the need to wear armor. Usopp swallowed past the lump of fear that formed in his throat.
Catching a flash of green out of the corner of his eyes, Usopp shook himself back to his senses and scrambled after the Going Merry's first mate. Zoro darted in and out of the crowd as he made his way down the street with a swiftness that was quite a change from the slow trodding pace of before. All attempts at stealth were thrown to the wind as the sharpshooter tried desperately to keep up.
"Where did he go?" Usopp paused and looked about desperately as people jostled and pushed him from all directions. Seeing no sign of his quarry, Usopp's shoulders slumped. He ran a hand through the tangled curls of his hair and heaved a great sigh of defeat.
"Why are you following me, Usopp?"
Usopp nearly jumped out of his skin as he whirled around to face the object of his search. Zoro stood before him, arms crossed in front of his chest. Usopp tried desperately to calm his racing heart as he laughed nervously.
"Ah! Z-zoro. There you are! U-uh, I just came to tell you t-that Nami said we were gonna stay on the ship tonight and h-head out first thing in the morning." Usopp stuttered out the first thing that popped into his head. He was pretty sure that Zoro hadn't been around for that conversation so it wasn't like he was lying.
"Uh huh. So why didn't you tell me that five blocks ago?"
Usopp winced at how easily he had been discovered. "Just killing time, I guess. Eh-heh."
Zoro rolled his eyes and pushed past him as he began walking down the street once more. After a couple of steps, he paused. "Well?"
"Well what?" Usopp's dark eyebrows rose in confusion.
"Are you coming or not?" Zoro demanded.
"Oh! Uh, yeah." The sharpshooter hurriedly closed the distance between them.
They walked in silence, Usopp trailing a few feet behind so he could watch the swordsman unnoticed.
"What are you staring at?" Zoro growled out.
Or so he had thought. Usopp cursed the astute swordsman's instinct but did not lighten his own scrutiny. "You're sweating." He announced. Indeed, Zoro's white shirt was practically transparent as it clung to his back, completely soaked.
"It's hot." Zoro snorted as he stated the obvious. Behind him, Usopp sighed in frustration. Talking with Zoro was always like this.
"You're sweating A LOT."
Zoro only shrugged. They walked for a couple of minutes more and the sharpshooter was beginning to think that the tanner's place was maybe located on the next island when the swordsman paused.
"We're lost." He looked at the shorter boy accusingly.
"We're lost? I was following you!" Usopp fumed.
Zoro looked about in frustration. "I don't have time for this." He coughed slightly. Usopp sighed.
"Where did the metalsmith guy say this place was?"
Zoro turned and shot him a level stare. "So you were spying on me."
"W-what m-me?" Usopp silently cursed himself. "I only-I was just-Ah, shit, Zoro. I was just worried about you, okay?" The sharpshooter was too hot and exhausted to spit out anything but the truth. "You haven't been acting right."
Zoro frowned. "I'm fine. You should just mind you own business."
"Fine. Yeah, right, if by fine you mean about to drop over dead. And your business is my business." Usopp tapped his long nose pointedly. "We all depend on you in a fight, you know. As annoying as you are, you occasionally come in handy in battle." Usopp turned away with a huff. Unable to help himself, Zoro let out a small chuckle.
"You should speak for yourself."
Usopp was about to stick his tongue out in reply when his sharp eyes spotted a weathered sign about a half a block back. "Hey, I think I found the place."
They backtracked their steps and soon stood before the leather worker's shop. The long-nosed boy started forward, but Zoro put a hand out, stopping him from entering. Usopp looked at Zoro questioningly.
"Just stay here. I'll be out in a minute." He stepped into the shop before the sharpshooter could protest.
Usopp kicked at the sand under his feet in frustration. He still didn't know what was going on. It was getting late and the sun was just starting to crest the gnarled trees that reached their twisted arms into the air. The black marsh birds that so frequented the skies earlier now headed to the safety of the swamps to sleep. Nami and the others will be wondering where they were.
Pacing back and forth in front of the shop, Usopp tried to decide what to do. Visions of holding Zoro at pachinko point until he talked flashed through his mind. But these visions were quickly replaced of ones where Zoro kicked his ass. Sighing, the boy's large lips pulled into a frown. Maybe he should just ask the guy, point blank, what was going on. It wasn't like Zoro was the type of person to lie.
Unlike other people, Usopp admitted to himself shamefully. The sharpshooter glanced up as Zoro emerged from the building. He looked terrible, Usopp noted to himself. Squaring his shoulders, he was about to demand to be clued in when he noticed Zoro's hands were empty.
"Didn't they have what you wanted?" he asked.
"I'm having it delivered." Zoro told him as he rubbed at his bloodshot eyes. He glanced up breifly, noting the position of the sun. "It's getting late." He commented dully. Grabbing his waterskin, he took a large swig as he stared at Usopp thoughtfully. Usopp shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny, for some reason unable to speak.
Motioning him to follow, Zoro suddenly slipped into the crack between the tanner's place and the building next to it. It was a tight fit; Usopp could have reached out his arms and touched both walls. Opening his mouth to ask where they were going, the words died on his lips.
Zoro stood before him, katana in hand. The swordsman's face was grim and his eyes heavy with regret. "I didn't want to do this." He said softly.
Usopp's eyebrows rose up to meet his bandanna and a tremor ran up his spine. "D-do what?"
Sighing, Zoro dug his katana, point first, in the ground. "I've been hired to kill you. If I don't, I won't live to see the sun set tomorrow."
"K-kill me? But why? Who hired you?" Usopp tried desperately to get a handle on the situation as his knees threatened to give out on him.
"It doesn't matter." Zoro muttered. "I let him out-smart me and now..." He raised his sword.
"Z-zoro you can't! I mean, w-were friends, right?"
"I don't have a choice!" The green-haired man growled out. "I have to survive to fight Mihawk again! I made a promise."
"B-but!"
Zoro's hand clenched around the katana's hilt until his knuckles turned white. "Run away, Usopp. This guy isn't really concerned with you anyway. Take the ship and Vivi and Chopper and get out of here."
Usopp first instinct was just that-- to run. But, looking at Zoro's shaking hands, he couldn't seem to get his legs to work. Bowing his head, he smiled sadly.
"Hey, your life depends on this, right?" Usopp murmured after a long moment of silence. "I mean, you probably can't afford a mistake like letting me go. If this fellow backed a guy like you in a corner, someone like me doesn't have much of a chance."
Zoro looked at him incomprehensibly and Usopp to a deep breath to help push the words out.
"J-just do it!" The sharpshooter's hands balled into tight fists. "K-kill me!" he shouted.
"What?" Zoro stared at him, amazed.
"A guy like you wouldn't be doing this if he didn't have to." Usopp explained, his voice surprisingly steady, if not a bit high-pitched. "And if I ran away, I may have to carry your death on my conscious for the rest of my life." He stared at the ground. "I-I just couldn't do that."
"Usopp...." Zoro whispered.
"I-I just want you to know that I kinda looked up to you." Usopp scratched his nose evasively. "You are what I wanted to be. You're strong, brave and-and you never let anyone get the better of you-well, except this time," he amended hastily.
Looking up, he met Zoro's bewildered stare with an intense one of his own. "But your code of honor was what I admired most. You are what a brave warrior of the sea should be like. B-but I can be brave too, see?" He shouted out, tears in his eyes. "Just do me a favor and tell Kaya-tell Kaya that I died like a pirate." Extending his arms, Usopp's whole body shook as he closed his eyes.
Usopp heard an in-drawn breath and tensed. He could still run, a voice screamed in his head. But the sharpshooter had already decided his fate. Usopp tried not to scream as he felt something hit his stomach. Something thick and wet quickly soaked through his overalls. Usopp then saw a bright flash of pain behind his eyelids and then knew no more.
OOVVVVVOO Nami paced back and forth in front of the Swampwater's Brew angrily. The sun was about to set and not one of her companions was in sight. The redhead was about to tear her hair out in frustration. They didn't have time for these kinds of delays. The ship needed to be prepared to set sail for Alabasta first thing tomorrow morning.
Peering through the creeping gloom of dusk, Nami's eyes strained to find any form of life. The streets were suspiciously deserted tonight. Not one customer had come to the bar to parch their thirst from a hot day of hard work. Nami ignored the nervous twinge seizing the back of her neck and turned her head to look down the other end of the street.
She saw a figure approach and covered her relief by opening her mouth to start a screaming tirade, but it wasn't one of her crewmates. It was just some man carrying a large package. The guy nodded to her politely before entering the tavern and Nami sighed.
"Maybe I should just head on back to the ship." She whispered tiredly.
"I can't let you do that."
Nami glanced up in surprise as Zoro suddenly stepped out of the shadows of a nearby building. Frowning, she crossed her arms in front of her. "Where have you been?" she called out.
"Usopp ran off right after you did and Luffy disappeared right after lunch. I sent Sanji out to look for him but no one has come back! I-Zoro?" Nami frowned as the swordsman silently stalked closer. Her arms fell to her sides as she noticed that her green-haired friend was holding one of his katana, and it was dripping with blood.
"What's going on, Zoro?" The swordsman said nothing and Nami instinctively began backing away. "T-this isn't funny you know. If you're trying to get me back for not loaning you money earlier I'm gonna-" the words cut off in a gasp as Zoro darted forward. Nami felt something slam into her stomach before darkness filled her vision.
Zoro wiped the blood from his blade, his dark eyes shadowed. Hearing a gasp, he turned to see the tanner, Hana, step out of the inn. Sheathing his sword, he stared the man down.
"If you want to live, go home and forget what you've seen tonight."
The tanner nodded frantically. Terrified, the man practically tripped over himself in his haste to get away.
Zoro cracked his neck idly before bending over and scooping Nami up and over his shoulder, ignoring the sticky blood that ran down her body to stain his white shirt. He walked down the deserted road as steadily as he could manage, given his condition. Zoro hastily swallowed the bile rising in his throat as nausea threatened to empty what little was in his stomach. The swordsman growled as he stumbled and paused to adjust the girl's body over his shoulder. Nami's small weight would not have normally phased him, but now if felt as if he were carrying the higher pairings of Baroque Works on his back. Frowning, Zoro forced himself to mentally throw off his weakness. He still had one last person to deal with; and this one wasn't going to be a walk in the park.
OOVVVVVOO
Sanji reclined on a bench located in a small park a few blocks away from the pub. He had been unable to find Luffy and knew he should probably getting back before Nami started to worry. But the sunset on this otherwise dismal island was truly awesome and the cook couldn't help but bask in it as he nursed a cigarette.
He was down to his last pack and Black Feather was too wet of environment to properly grow tobacco. Sanji wondered if he would survive until his next island. If they don't have any smokes there, I'll really be in trouble, Sanji thought to himself. I had better ration what I've have left.
Carefully stubbing out the half-smoked cigarette, he stored the butt in his pocket to be finished later. Standing, he extended his lanky body in a gratifying stretch before jamming his hands in his pockets and beginning the short walk back to the tavern. He hoped Nami and the others had waited for him.
As if called into existence merely by his thoughts, the blonde spotted Nami sitting on a low step in a lamp-lit doorway. The navigator leaned against the wall with her eyes closed, as if resting. Smiling, Sanji stepped closer.
That smile quickly disappeared as he noticed a large red stain on the front of Nami's shirt. Fear seizing his breath, he dashed forward only to slam into a solid object that suddenly appeared before him. He fell backwards, the air knocked from his lungs. Sanji looked up to see what hit him and stared.
"Zoro?"
The swordsman nodded, his green hair covered by the black bandanna that signaled he was ready for a fight. Quickly remembering the reason for his earlier panic, the blonde jumped to his feet. "Zoro! Nami-"
"I know." Zoro stated calmly. "I'm the one who did it."
Sanji stared at the warrior uncomprehendingly until his eyes noticed the dark stain that lay over Zoro's right shoulder. A shoulder that was whole and unharmed. Sanji's blonde locks dropped down to cover his eyes as his hands clenched.
"What have you done to Miss Nami?" Sanji did not recognize his own voice but he clearly heard the voice coming from the man across from him. The man that the cook once considered as a friend.
"The same thing that I'm going to do to you."
No signal was given as the two men rushed each other. Zoro drew his two katana quickly and slashed forward, but the cook was no longer in front of him. A heavy, shoe-clad foot slammed into the swordsman's ribs with bone cracking force.
Zoro stumbled but quickly recovered as he swung his arm backwards, ramming the hilt of Sandai Kitetsu right into Sanji's chin.
"Bastard!" The blonde cursed as he spit out a mouthful of blood. Flipping agilely into a handstand, he let lose a whirlwind of kicks that threatened to take off the swordsman's head.
Zoro was breathing heavily as he jumped back to avoid the brunt of the blows. His vision swam for a moment and he found himself seeing double, looking at two Sanji's before a ferocious kick sent him ploughing into the ground.
Zoro's joints ached as if they were on fire and he struggled to regain his breath. He jumped to his feet, swinging his swords wildly in order to keep the furious kicks of the blonde cook at bay. All attempts of finesse were hopeless as his arms only barely obeyed his commands. At this rate he was in danger of losing. He needed to finish this fight quickly.
Lacking the comfort of Wadou between his teeth, he nevertheless crouched into what he hoped to be this battle's finishing move. A black shoe was headed with lightening speed for his skull and he made his move.
"Oni...giri!" His swords flashed out faster than what could be seen by the naked eye.
Sanji's eyes widened as he fell to his knees. Zoro stepped up behind him, swords at ready.
"You were always the stubborn one, you shitty cook." The swordsman growled out as he slammed the hilt of his katana down onto Sanji's head. The blonde's wavering vision caught one last glimpse of Nami's slumped form before he fell face first into the sandy street.
Zoro stood over Sanji; his breath leaving his lungs in short gasps. Reaching into his haramaki, he pulled something out and threw it onto the fallen man's back. The cook didn't make a sound as the pirate hunter's sword flashed downwards, splattering blood in a long arc across the sand.
Zoro sheathed his swords and wearily bent over and grabbed a handful of the Sanji's jacket. He dragged the blonde over to the bloodstained body of Nami and, in closing the distance, revealed the limp form of Usopp. Hefting the redhead over his shoulder once more, he grabbed a hold of Usopp and began the long trek out of town.
The dragging bodies of Sanji and the sharpshooter left shallow trenches in the road as Zoro headed south. To his right, the last rays of the setting sun turned the horizon the color of blood.
"Here I come, Uragi." Zoro whispered.
Warnings: Angst and Blood and Violence. And did I mention Angst?
Spoilers: Not really.
Notes: I like Usopp, and I guess that shows by how big of a part he has in this chapter (It wasn't so long in the outline but i really like his character so that influenced me a bit as i was writing) Ummmm....don't shoot me for this chapter. (at least wait till the end of the fic to burn me alive with flames) This story does have a happy ending, scouts honor.
Feedback: or use the comment bar at the bottom of the screen.
Archived: Ask and ye will probably receive.
Disclaimers: I don't own One Piece or it's affiliates. This fic is written for entertainment purposes only and is not meant for sale. Don't sue.
Chapter 3
Usopp darted quickly behind a nearby barrel as Zoro's head turned in his direction. He had been following the swordsman for close to three hours now. Tailing him with all the stealth he could muster through the thick crowd of the market district. As an expert in evasive tactics-i.e. running away - the dark skinned boy found many nooks and crannies in the bustling town that allowed him to slink behind his tall friend undiscovered. And right now Usopp could not afford to get caught. Not yet. Not before he could figure out what was going on.
Something was wrong with Zoro; that much the sharpshooter could tell just by looking. The Going Merry's first mate would often stumble unexpectedly as if drunk, covering it up by cursing at the hard to tread road of sand. But his body was covered in a sheen of sweat unnatural even in this humidity. And at the bar, Usopp noticed that Zoro's skin had a yellow tint to it that had nothing to do with the pub's bad lighting. Zoro could cover it up all he wanted, but it was clear to anyone who really looked that something was seriously wrong with the former bounty hunter.
But the swordsman didn't look injured, as far as Usopp could tell. Maybe the wound Hawk-Eyes Mihawk had given him was once again bothering him? That happened quite a while ago, but normal men didn't recover from such a wound so quickly-- if they recover at all. Usopp's intuition, however, told him that something else was amiss with his green-haired friend.
Sanji was as clueless as he was, and far less inclined to anything about it. As far as the cook was concerned, Zoro could take care of himself. But Sanji hadn't been around the swordsman for as long as Usopp had. Zoro would just as soon cut off his legs rather than admit to needing help-- and he nearly had, back on Little Garden. Nami had ranted for days about what a stupid idea that was and had been double incensed about the fact that Vivi was going to go along with it.
Usopp would have go to Nami for help-nobody could drag the truth out of a person like their navigator could-but the redhead was so deeply immersed with Vivi's plight that she had little patience in dealing with anything else, including stubborn swordsmen and their stupid man-problems. So that left Luffy for help, which was no help at all, so Usopp didn't bother even asking. Nope, this mission was up to a real man. Only a very brave and powerful warrior like himself could confront a man like Zoro with such steely determination as to gain the first mate's confidence.
Which was why he was crouched in the mud behind a barrel of what smelled like pickled fish, as he watched Zoro go shopping.
Yes, shopping. Though the long-nosed boy knew from association that Zoro had a tolerance for pain that bordered on masochism, this was a little ridiculous. Here the man was, obviously ill, yet strolling about as if he was just taking a pleasant afternoon off.
Zoro had gone into the town's pitiful excuse for a weapon's shop first. It was a small building no larger than the room the boys had to all squeeze in together on the Going Merry. Usopp had been there earlier in the day and knew that the shop had nothing more than a bowgun and a couple of rusty swords.
But regardless of the small selection, the swordsman was inside the shop for quite a few minutes. And when he finally did come out, he didn't seem to have anything new on him. In fact, it looked like he had one less sword. Didn't Zoro always carry three katana?
Usopp had scuttled after the swordsman as he walked into the general store. Zoro was in this shop less than five minutes and stepped out with a huge wetskin that sat across his back, heavy with water. He took great gulps of the clear liquid, making Usopp's mouth feel a little dry in envy. After all, here he was baking in the afternoon sun while Zoro got to take refuge in the cool interior of the various shops in town. And now it seemed the next stop on the swordsman's little sundry trip was the butcher's shop.
"Now he's hungry," Usopp muttered sarcastically. He leaned against a crumbling wall across the street and cracked his fingers in boredom. Already the sharpshooter's curiosity was waning and he mulled over whether or not to just return to the others. Zoro returned into view, looking no more laden than when he went in and Usopp began to get frustrated.
"What's he doing, window shopping?" But he immediately checked his tone as Zoro's body began to reverberate with a wracking cough. Zoro's knees appeared to give out on him and Usopp almost blew his cover by rushing over to the swordsman. But, propping himself against the butcher's shop, Zoro seemed to slowly recover. He raised a trembling hand to his haramaki and pulled out a small pouch that Usopp dimly recognized. Pouring out a handful of some sort of black substance, Zoro threw the stuff into his mouth.
Coughing and sputtering, the swordsman made a disgusted face but nevertheless upended the bag into his mouth, shaking it until it was empty. Usopp watched him doggedly chew for several moments before washing down the stuff with many sloppy gulps from his wetskin. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, Zoro gave one last weak cough before pushing himself to his feet and resuming his unsteady gait down the merchant street. Usopp jumped up and hastily followed him.
Which had all lead to Usopp squatting behind the aforementioned barrel of fish as Zoro walked into what appeared to be a metalsmith's. "I'm not going to find anything out like this!" Usopp exclaimed, exasperated. "I gotta get closer so I can hear what's going on." The long-nosed boy left his sheltered hiding place and crept up to one of the shop's soot-covered windows. Zoro's low baritone filtered through the ill-fitted glass and into Usopp's ear.
"Come on. It's not like I'm asking for anything of quality. Just something nice and serviceable. Don't you have something rusting away in the attic or something?"
"I'm sorry Mister," A voice that must have been the shop owner's gave an apologetic reply. "But I don't have anything like that for less then eight thousand beli."
"I knew I should have asked for more from that sword guy, Damn it." Zoro cursed. "Look, this is really important. I need one of those chest plates. Just a little one!"
Chest plate? Usopp's mind echoed in bewilderment.
"Listen, good metal like this is hard to find on this island. I can't sell it to you for any less than what I've stated. If you want, go down to old Hana's place. He's a tanner and could probably give you something like you want for about four thousand beli or so."
Usopp blocked out the rest of the conversation as Zoro asked for directions. His mind raced through the facts as his head idly rubbed back and forth against the scratchy surface of the building. Things just didn't add up. Why visit all of those different shops? What was Zoro buying? What was he looking for? All the sharpshooter knew was that, from the exchange he just heard, Zoro was expecting a fight. And quite a big one if he felt the need to wear armor. Usopp swallowed past the lump of fear that formed in his throat.
Catching a flash of green out of the corner of his eyes, Usopp shook himself back to his senses and scrambled after the Going Merry's first mate. Zoro darted in and out of the crowd as he made his way down the street with a swiftness that was quite a change from the slow trodding pace of before. All attempts at stealth were thrown to the wind as the sharpshooter tried desperately to keep up.
"Where did he go?" Usopp paused and looked about desperately as people jostled and pushed him from all directions. Seeing no sign of his quarry, Usopp's shoulders slumped. He ran a hand through the tangled curls of his hair and heaved a great sigh of defeat.
"Why are you following me, Usopp?"
Usopp nearly jumped out of his skin as he whirled around to face the object of his search. Zoro stood before him, arms crossed in front of his chest. Usopp tried desperately to calm his racing heart as he laughed nervously.
"Ah! Z-zoro. There you are! U-uh, I just came to tell you t-that Nami said we were gonna stay on the ship tonight and h-head out first thing in the morning." Usopp stuttered out the first thing that popped into his head. He was pretty sure that Zoro hadn't been around for that conversation so it wasn't like he was lying.
"Uh huh. So why didn't you tell me that five blocks ago?"
Usopp winced at how easily he had been discovered. "Just killing time, I guess. Eh-heh."
Zoro rolled his eyes and pushed past him as he began walking down the street once more. After a couple of steps, he paused. "Well?"
"Well what?" Usopp's dark eyebrows rose in confusion.
"Are you coming or not?" Zoro demanded.
"Oh! Uh, yeah." The sharpshooter hurriedly closed the distance between them.
They walked in silence, Usopp trailing a few feet behind so he could watch the swordsman unnoticed.
"What are you staring at?" Zoro growled out.
Or so he had thought. Usopp cursed the astute swordsman's instinct but did not lighten his own scrutiny. "You're sweating." He announced. Indeed, Zoro's white shirt was practically transparent as it clung to his back, completely soaked.
"It's hot." Zoro snorted as he stated the obvious. Behind him, Usopp sighed in frustration. Talking with Zoro was always like this.
"You're sweating A LOT."
Zoro only shrugged. They walked for a couple of minutes more and the sharpshooter was beginning to think that the tanner's place was maybe located on the next island when the swordsman paused.
"We're lost." He looked at the shorter boy accusingly.
"We're lost? I was following you!" Usopp fumed.
Zoro looked about in frustration. "I don't have time for this." He coughed slightly. Usopp sighed.
"Where did the metalsmith guy say this place was?"
Zoro turned and shot him a level stare. "So you were spying on me."
"W-what m-me?" Usopp silently cursed himself. "I only-I was just-Ah, shit, Zoro. I was just worried about you, okay?" The sharpshooter was too hot and exhausted to spit out anything but the truth. "You haven't been acting right."
Zoro frowned. "I'm fine. You should just mind you own business."
"Fine. Yeah, right, if by fine you mean about to drop over dead. And your business is my business." Usopp tapped his long nose pointedly. "We all depend on you in a fight, you know. As annoying as you are, you occasionally come in handy in battle." Usopp turned away with a huff. Unable to help himself, Zoro let out a small chuckle.
"You should speak for yourself."
Usopp was about to stick his tongue out in reply when his sharp eyes spotted a weathered sign about a half a block back. "Hey, I think I found the place."
They backtracked their steps and soon stood before the leather worker's shop. The long-nosed boy started forward, but Zoro put a hand out, stopping him from entering. Usopp looked at Zoro questioningly.
"Just stay here. I'll be out in a minute." He stepped into the shop before the sharpshooter could protest.
Usopp kicked at the sand under his feet in frustration. He still didn't know what was going on. It was getting late and the sun was just starting to crest the gnarled trees that reached their twisted arms into the air. The black marsh birds that so frequented the skies earlier now headed to the safety of the swamps to sleep. Nami and the others will be wondering where they were.
Pacing back and forth in front of the shop, Usopp tried to decide what to do. Visions of holding Zoro at pachinko point until he talked flashed through his mind. But these visions were quickly replaced of ones where Zoro kicked his ass. Sighing, the boy's large lips pulled into a frown. Maybe he should just ask the guy, point blank, what was going on. It wasn't like Zoro was the type of person to lie.
Unlike other people, Usopp admitted to himself shamefully. The sharpshooter glanced up as Zoro emerged from the building. He looked terrible, Usopp noted to himself. Squaring his shoulders, he was about to demand to be clued in when he noticed Zoro's hands were empty.
"Didn't they have what you wanted?" he asked.
"I'm having it delivered." Zoro told him as he rubbed at his bloodshot eyes. He glanced up breifly, noting the position of the sun. "It's getting late." He commented dully. Grabbing his waterskin, he took a large swig as he stared at Usopp thoughtfully. Usopp shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny, for some reason unable to speak.
Motioning him to follow, Zoro suddenly slipped into the crack between the tanner's place and the building next to it. It was a tight fit; Usopp could have reached out his arms and touched both walls. Opening his mouth to ask where they were going, the words died on his lips.
Zoro stood before him, katana in hand. The swordsman's face was grim and his eyes heavy with regret. "I didn't want to do this." He said softly.
Usopp's eyebrows rose up to meet his bandanna and a tremor ran up his spine. "D-do what?"
Sighing, Zoro dug his katana, point first, in the ground. "I've been hired to kill you. If I don't, I won't live to see the sun set tomorrow."
"K-kill me? But why? Who hired you?" Usopp tried desperately to get a handle on the situation as his knees threatened to give out on him.
"It doesn't matter." Zoro muttered. "I let him out-smart me and now..." He raised his sword.
"Z-zoro you can't! I mean, w-were friends, right?"
"I don't have a choice!" The green-haired man growled out. "I have to survive to fight Mihawk again! I made a promise."
"B-but!"
Zoro's hand clenched around the katana's hilt until his knuckles turned white. "Run away, Usopp. This guy isn't really concerned with you anyway. Take the ship and Vivi and Chopper and get out of here."
Usopp first instinct was just that-- to run. But, looking at Zoro's shaking hands, he couldn't seem to get his legs to work. Bowing his head, he smiled sadly.
"Hey, your life depends on this, right?" Usopp murmured after a long moment of silence. "I mean, you probably can't afford a mistake like letting me go. If this fellow backed a guy like you in a corner, someone like me doesn't have much of a chance."
Zoro looked at him incomprehensibly and Usopp to a deep breath to help push the words out.
"J-just do it!" The sharpshooter's hands balled into tight fists. "K-kill me!" he shouted.
"What?" Zoro stared at him, amazed.
"A guy like you wouldn't be doing this if he didn't have to." Usopp explained, his voice surprisingly steady, if not a bit high-pitched. "And if I ran away, I may have to carry your death on my conscious for the rest of my life." He stared at the ground. "I-I just couldn't do that."
"Usopp...." Zoro whispered.
"I-I just want you to know that I kinda looked up to you." Usopp scratched his nose evasively. "You are what I wanted to be. You're strong, brave and-and you never let anyone get the better of you-well, except this time," he amended hastily.
Looking up, he met Zoro's bewildered stare with an intense one of his own. "But your code of honor was what I admired most. You are what a brave warrior of the sea should be like. B-but I can be brave too, see?" He shouted out, tears in his eyes. "Just do me a favor and tell Kaya-tell Kaya that I died like a pirate." Extending his arms, Usopp's whole body shook as he closed his eyes.
Usopp heard an in-drawn breath and tensed. He could still run, a voice screamed in his head. But the sharpshooter had already decided his fate. Usopp tried not to scream as he felt something hit his stomach. Something thick and wet quickly soaked through his overalls. Usopp then saw a bright flash of pain behind his eyelids and then knew no more.
OOVVVVVOO Nami paced back and forth in front of the Swampwater's Brew angrily. The sun was about to set and not one of her companions was in sight. The redhead was about to tear her hair out in frustration. They didn't have time for these kinds of delays. The ship needed to be prepared to set sail for Alabasta first thing tomorrow morning.
Peering through the creeping gloom of dusk, Nami's eyes strained to find any form of life. The streets were suspiciously deserted tonight. Not one customer had come to the bar to parch their thirst from a hot day of hard work. Nami ignored the nervous twinge seizing the back of her neck and turned her head to look down the other end of the street.
She saw a figure approach and covered her relief by opening her mouth to start a screaming tirade, but it wasn't one of her crewmates. It was just some man carrying a large package. The guy nodded to her politely before entering the tavern and Nami sighed.
"Maybe I should just head on back to the ship." She whispered tiredly.
"I can't let you do that."
Nami glanced up in surprise as Zoro suddenly stepped out of the shadows of a nearby building. Frowning, she crossed her arms in front of her. "Where have you been?" she called out.
"Usopp ran off right after you did and Luffy disappeared right after lunch. I sent Sanji out to look for him but no one has come back! I-Zoro?" Nami frowned as the swordsman silently stalked closer. Her arms fell to her sides as she noticed that her green-haired friend was holding one of his katana, and it was dripping with blood.
"What's going on, Zoro?" The swordsman said nothing and Nami instinctively began backing away. "T-this isn't funny you know. If you're trying to get me back for not loaning you money earlier I'm gonna-" the words cut off in a gasp as Zoro darted forward. Nami felt something slam into her stomach before darkness filled her vision.
Zoro wiped the blood from his blade, his dark eyes shadowed. Hearing a gasp, he turned to see the tanner, Hana, step out of the inn. Sheathing his sword, he stared the man down.
"If you want to live, go home and forget what you've seen tonight."
The tanner nodded frantically. Terrified, the man practically tripped over himself in his haste to get away.
Zoro cracked his neck idly before bending over and scooping Nami up and over his shoulder, ignoring the sticky blood that ran down her body to stain his white shirt. He walked down the deserted road as steadily as he could manage, given his condition. Zoro hastily swallowed the bile rising in his throat as nausea threatened to empty what little was in his stomach. The swordsman growled as he stumbled and paused to adjust the girl's body over his shoulder. Nami's small weight would not have normally phased him, but now if felt as if he were carrying the higher pairings of Baroque Works on his back. Frowning, Zoro forced himself to mentally throw off his weakness. He still had one last person to deal with; and this one wasn't going to be a walk in the park.
OOVVVVVOO
Sanji reclined on a bench located in a small park a few blocks away from the pub. He had been unable to find Luffy and knew he should probably getting back before Nami started to worry. But the sunset on this otherwise dismal island was truly awesome and the cook couldn't help but bask in it as he nursed a cigarette.
He was down to his last pack and Black Feather was too wet of environment to properly grow tobacco. Sanji wondered if he would survive until his next island. If they don't have any smokes there, I'll really be in trouble, Sanji thought to himself. I had better ration what I've have left.
Carefully stubbing out the half-smoked cigarette, he stored the butt in his pocket to be finished later. Standing, he extended his lanky body in a gratifying stretch before jamming his hands in his pockets and beginning the short walk back to the tavern. He hoped Nami and the others had waited for him.
As if called into existence merely by his thoughts, the blonde spotted Nami sitting on a low step in a lamp-lit doorway. The navigator leaned against the wall with her eyes closed, as if resting. Smiling, Sanji stepped closer.
That smile quickly disappeared as he noticed a large red stain on the front of Nami's shirt. Fear seizing his breath, he dashed forward only to slam into a solid object that suddenly appeared before him. He fell backwards, the air knocked from his lungs. Sanji looked up to see what hit him and stared.
"Zoro?"
The swordsman nodded, his green hair covered by the black bandanna that signaled he was ready for a fight. Quickly remembering the reason for his earlier panic, the blonde jumped to his feet. "Zoro! Nami-"
"I know." Zoro stated calmly. "I'm the one who did it."
Sanji stared at the warrior uncomprehendingly until his eyes noticed the dark stain that lay over Zoro's right shoulder. A shoulder that was whole and unharmed. Sanji's blonde locks dropped down to cover his eyes as his hands clenched.
"What have you done to Miss Nami?" Sanji did not recognize his own voice but he clearly heard the voice coming from the man across from him. The man that the cook once considered as a friend.
"The same thing that I'm going to do to you."
No signal was given as the two men rushed each other. Zoro drew his two katana quickly and slashed forward, but the cook was no longer in front of him. A heavy, shoe-clad foot slammed into the swordsman's ribs with bone cracking force.
Zoro stumbled but quickly recovered as he swung his arm backwards, ramming the hilt of Sandai Kitetsu right into Sanji's chin.
"Bastard!" The blonde cursed as he spit out a mouthful of blood. Flipping agilely into a handstand, he let lose a whirlwind of kicks that threatened to take off the swordsman's head.
Zoro was breathing heavily as he jumped back to avoid the brunt of the blows. His vision swam for a moment and he found himself seeing double, looking at two Sanji's before a ferocious kick sent him ploughing into the ground.
Zoro's joints ached as if they were on fire and he struggled to regain his breath. He jumped to his feet, swinging his swords wildly in order to keep the furious kicks of the blonde cook at bay. All attempts of finesse were hopeless as his arms only barely obeyed his commands. At this rate he was in danger of losing. He needed to finish this fight quickly.
Lacking the comfort of Wadou between his teeth, he nevertheless crouched into what he hoped to be this battle's finishing move. A black shoe was headed with lightening speed for his skull and he made his move.
"Oni...giri!" His swords flashed out faster than what could be seen by the naked eye.
Sanji's eyes widened as he fell to his knees. Zoro stepped up behind him, swords at ready.
"You were always the stubborn one, you shitty cook." The swordsman growled out as he slammed the hilt of his katana down onto Sanji's head. The blonde's wavering vision caught one last glimpse of Nami's slumped form before he fell face first into the sandy street.
Zoro stood over Sanji; his breath leaving his lungs in short gasps. Reaching into his haramaki, he pulled something out and threw it onto the fallen man's back. The cook didn't make a sound as the pirate hunter's sword flashed downwards, splattering blood in a long arc across the sand.
Zoro sheathed his swords and wearily bent over and grabbed a handful of the Sanji's jacket. He dragged the blonde over to the bloodstained body of Nami and, in closing the distance, revealed the limp form of Usopp. Hefting the redhead over his shoulder once more, he grabbed a hold of Usopp and began the long trek out of town.
The dragging bodies of Sanji and the sharpshooter left shallow trenches in the road as Zoro headed south. To his right, the last rays of the setting sun turned the horizon the color of blood.
"Here I come, Uragi." Zoro whispered.