And here's the second chapter of tonight's update! It would have been up sooner if I hadn't had to think of that stupid little rhyme you'll be reading. You'll see. Anyway, I'll get right to the two reviews I've already had.

To Macabre Love: Long indeed! hehehe. He certainly is oblivious, isn't he? I'm so glad you like the SanUso bits. I'm trying really hard with those! Thanks a lot for saying that! And thanks for the review!

To The Plushie Bandit: You know, I can pretty much always count on you to be the first one to review. I love you so much for it! (hug) I just had to put that line in there. That one and the sex line. Did you really spit out your pop? I'm sorry! Though that is pretty funny. XD I'm so happy that you're enjoying the SanUso. I think you'll like what I have in store for you this chapter. (cackles) And that won't be the only time you see the title! Though I'm extremely happy you noticed that! It won't necessarily be in the same context though... I LOVE Thanksgiving! Forget the presents and crap that come with the winter holidays (I myself celebrate xmas). Give me some mashed potatoes, gravy and stuffing and I'm totally set. XD I love to eat. But once I've recovered from my turkey-induced coma I'll be writing again! I'd love to get a hint/preview for that story you want to write, though the fact that you cried scares me a little... but entices me even more! If there's any advice I can give, it'd be that if you've got a oneshot you want to write, write it first so you can concentrate more on the longer piece. Thanks again for the awesomereviews!

And on with the story!

Disclaimer: I don't own it. Nuff said.

It's the Onions

Chapter 3: A Blessing or a Curse

After the love cook had retrieved the missing pair, the Straw Hat Pirates assembled in the middle of a wide, heavily decorated avenue. The four crewmember's had remained silent for several minutes, too busy studying the area to speak, but their captain on the other hand...

"San-ji," the boy keened unhappily. "You lied to me! You said there was lunch out here!"

The blonde took a slow drag on his cigarette, exhaling the smoke before replying. "And there is." He gestured towards the several restaurants that lined either side of the street they now stood in. "You just have to get it yourself."

A louder, more desperate moan erupted from the rubber-man and Zoro suddenly found the teen slumped against his back.

"Zoro," the smaller pirate whimpered, blinking up at the strange look his first mate turned his way with wide, pleading eyes. "Feed me?" He questioned hopefully, giving his friend the same smile he'd seen Nami use to get the cook's attention.

"Me?"Quirking an eyebrow at his companion, the swordsman snorted. "What do you want me to do? I don't have any money!" His response was another pitiful moan, and he felt the younger pirate bury his face between his shoulder blades.

"But I'm so hungry..."

Appearing from behind Nami, whom he had deliberately kept between him and Sanji ever since the kitchen incident, Usopp decided to offer his two cents on the matter. "Why don't you occupy yourself until Sanji buys what we need? After that he can make you lunch."

Glaring at the sniper's offer of his services, the blonde flicked the ashes of his cigarette to the ground.

"Occupy?" The rubber-man echoed, moving towards the sniper. "But how?"

"Well..." The marksman glanced quickly around, scanning the heavily decorated avenue for something that might amuse his comrade. "Like that!" Jabbing a finger towards a nearby store, he took note of the open sign hanging on the door.

"A costume store?" Zoro questioned, watching Luffy approach the display window in quiet awe. How convenient...

"That's so cool!" The rubber-man cried, pressing his face flat against the cold glass of the window panes.

The sharpshooter was immediately beside him, sharing his excitement as they poured over the flashy outfits that were on exhibit. "Look at that one!" He exclaimed, pointing out a disturbingly twisted mask. "Creepy!"

Out of the corner of his eye, the green haired young man distractedly noticed the navigator pushing a handful of money towards Sanji and taking the shopping list in return.

"Go keep an eye on those two." The young woman spoke vaguely, the majority of her attention directed toward a flyer she was reading. "I'll get the supplies."

The chef looked like he wanted to object, but the redhead waved him off before ditching them all together, striding quickly down the road.

Eyes darting rapidly between the different items, the captain was positively beside himself with excitement, hunger momentarily forgotten. "Look at that," he spouted enthusiastically. "And that cape! And that wig! And that... And those... And that little... Let's go, Usopp! Let's get costumes!"

With a startled squeak, the sniper followed the boy's insistent tugging and bounded through the doorway.

Smiling fondly to himself, the first mate couldn't get over his friend's antics as he watched the boy rush through the store's entrance dragging the liar by the wrist.

Beside him, the blonde sighed, moving forward to the window, absently wiping away the hand and face-shaped smudges left in the captain's wake.

The swordsman briefly caught sight of the two younger pirates dashing around the interior of the store; one brandishing some sort of club, while the other pulled a ridiculous hat over his head.

This place had to be one of Luffy's favorite kind of places. It was full of bright, vibrant objects of all shapes and sizes.

From fake weapons, to clothes, to makeup, it appeared that this store had it all. Anything his playful captain could want to dress as for Halloween. He could only imagine how the shiny, ornate objects would catch his companion's interest.

Ah yes, costumes of varying colors, patterns, styles and themes. Running the gamut from funny to completely disgusting. It appeared that they even ranged in integrity from the strongest of metals to the weakest of tissue.

Yup. His captain was zipping in and out of aisles full of brittle glass beads, flimsy plastic accessories, delicate fabrics... weak... easily broken... fragile...

"LUFFY!"

Startled by the swordsman's sudden lunge for the door, the cook dropped his cigarette. Huffing in annoyance, he crushed the remaining bit with the ball of his foot before following his crewmate through the entryway. 'What was that all about?'

Waiting for his eyes to adjust to the darkness inside the building, Zoro squinted down each line of shelves. "Luffy!" He called warily. "Where are you?" 'Pease don't let him be touching anything...'

"Zoro!"

Jumping in surprise, the first mate turned toward the sound of the younger pirate's voice. "There you are. Now don't go-" Zoro's tone faded out as he took in his captain's choice of attire.

Blinking quickly, the larger of the two scrubbed at his eyes just to be sure he wasn't hallucinating... Nope, it was still there...

"Luffy..."

"Yeah?"

"Why..."

"Cause it's pretty! And it's red!" The rubber-man beamed up at him from beneath the brim of his hat. "I like red," he added quickly, as if he thought that was the reason his first mate was confused.

"But it's..."

"What?"

"It's a dress."

And a frilly, puffy, lacy dress it was. Outrageously so.

And even more astonishing was that, to the green haired pirate, his captain didn't actually look half bad in the elaborate gown. The only part that looked slightly off was the fabric that drooped against his front; the small boy obviously lacking the chest of a woman.

Looking down at himself, the smaller teen nodded before attempting a curtsy and almost toppling over. "I'm a princess!" He explained casually, regaining his balance and motioning off to their right as he added, "Usopp's my prince charming!"

Raising his eyes to the boy who was rounding a corner in the aisle, the swordsman bit back a harsh laugh.

The marksman looked absurd in his medieval garb. The deep, rich color of the cloth didn't look too bad in itself, but the outfit as a whole was outlandish to say the least.

The whole image was brought to completion by the golden crown that was perched atop his head, but it only remained there for a moment before the long-nose tore it from his hair.

"This is stupid," he muttered, crossing his arms and glowering through the growing blush on his cheeks.

Ignoring the boy's discontent, Luffy turned and swiped a sturdy helmet off of a nearby shelf. Reeling around in a whirl of scarlet fabric, the teen placed the hat over Zoro's head and grinned.

"You can be my knight in shining armor!" He suggested cheerfully, latching onto his first mate's left arm. "Like in all those fairytales!"

Shifting awkwardly, the older pirate stiffened. Once again, his captain failed to grasp the romantic implication of his words. "...Yeah."

"Good," Usopp suddenly burst, forcing his crown into the swordsman's hand. "You can be his prince charming too, 'cause I'm done!" Yanking at his outfit, he stomped off in search of a more appropriate costume.

"Aw." Releasing his hold on his companion, the rubber-man pouted as he watched his crewmember leave. "But who's gonna be my prince?"

Placing both the crown and his own helmet upon their respective racks, Zoro tousled his hair back into its normal arrangement. "I will," he offered absently.

"What?" Luffy cried in amazement, an elated smile gracing his features. "Really?"

The larger teen nodded briefly, adjusting the swords at his hip. "I'll be your knight or your prince whatever, IF you get the hell out of that dress."

Laughing, Luffy nodded. "Okay!"

Stooping to grab the bottom of the skirt, Zoro sighed in relief. "Good. Now let's get you out of this thing." Moving to pull the dress up and over the boy's head, the first mate suddenly found himself staring at the teen's slender, bare legs, clad in nothing but his underwear.

All but dragging the hem of the gown back towards the floor, Zoro clenched his fists. "Luffy!" He called, voice reduced to a harsh whisper. "Where the hell are you clothes?"

Blinking widely, the boy pointed towards the far corner of the room. "Over there. Why?"

'Oh, no reason,' he thought sarcastically.

Following his friend's gesture, the swordsman caught sight of a small pile of bunched cloth beneath an undressed mannequin, recognizing the boy's red shirt instantly. "So you just dropped your shorts in the middle of the store?"

...and he'd missed it?

Again he received a blank stare, as if it were completely acceptable. "Um... Yeah."

Zoro took a calming breath and decided to skip the lecture on proper conduct while in public. "Just... go get them. You can change back here and I'll keep an eye out."

Nodding in acknowledgement, the younger pirate turned to make his way across the room, and nearly pitched sideways when he stepped on the hem of the dress. He straightened, gathered one side of the skirt in his hands, and took another step only to stumble on the opposite side of the gown.

Frowning in determination, the boy collected the offending fabric, dropped what he had already been holding, and forged ahead into another awkward lurch.

Waiting impatiently, the first mate finally summoned all of his strength not to curse. As his captain faltered again, looking this time as if he were actually going to fall to his knees, he lunged forward, easily crossing the short distance his friend had covered.

Catching the boy under the arms, the swordsman made a split second decision.

Instead of simply setting the rubber-man back on his feet, he swept the teen into his arms. At the rate the boy had been traveling, this was the best solution to save both time and his sanity.

With an odd yelp, Luffy automatically flung his arms around the green haired man's neck. After adjusting to becoming unexpectedly horizontal, he met his first mate's strict frown with a surprised gaze.

Pointedly ignoring the eyes he knew were focused on him, Zoro drew the boy closer. For more stability... "You're too slow," he defended quickly, before his comrade could press for a reason.

Satisfied with his crewmember's excuse, the younger boy hugged Zoro tighter. "My hero!" He cried girlishly, giggling happily at his own interpretation of a damsel in distress.

Mentally wrestling his embarrassment into submission, the swordsman set his face in resolve. To reach the boy's clothes, they'd need to walk right past Sanji. 'Damn it.'

Determined to get this over with, the first mate tightened his grip on the boy cradled in his arms and marched ahead. He kept his eyes trained on the goal and maintained a steady pace; not fast enough to look frantic, but with enough purpose to send a message.

If you don't want a sword up your ass, you'll keep your fucking mouth shut.

...or something to that degree.

They stalked past the sneering blonde fast enough, and the first mate carefully ducked low to let Luffy gather his clothing with one hand. Once every article had been accounted for, they retreated just as quickly, racing for the haven of the back of the room.

After finding a suitably private corner, the older pirate propped his cargo back on his own two legs. "There! Now hurry the hell up and change." Rubbing his forehead in an attempt to ease away the increasing ache, he turned his back on his captain.

Shuffling and the noise of rustling cloth replaced the heavy silence.

Sighing in relief, the first mate relaxed knowing that the whole 'princess' ordeal was almost over.

"Uh... Zoro?"

Alarmed by the timid manner in which his captain spoke, the older teen refused to turn around. "Yeah?" He replied hesitantly, hoping against hope that the boy wasn't...

"I'm stuck."

Damn.

Slowly moving to aid his friend, the swordsman was pleasantly surprised to find that the boy had had the presence of mind to slip into his shorts before removing the costume.

"What do you mean 'stuck?'" He questioned, taking in the scene before him.

The rubber-man was doubled over, legs now exposed due to the fact that the gown was twisted up around his shoulders and head. His arms too were pinned within the tightly wound fabric.

"Help!" Came his muffled, more desperate plea.

Smirking slightly Zoro halted at his companion's shoulder and began trying to untangle him. "What did you do?"

"I was trying to pull the dress over my head but I got halfway and remembered that there was a zipper so I went to pull it back down but it's too tight and now I can't get free!"

Why was it so hard to stay mad at this kid?

Allowing himself a quick laugh at the boy's frantic explanation, the older pirate took his captain by what he assumed was the boy's shoulders under layers and layers of cloth. "Alright, alright. Stand up."

Straightening slowly, Luffy whined, squirming impatiently to show just how trapped he was.

Steadying the boy as he wobbled, dizzy from being upside down, the green haired young man chuckled fondly again. "Hold still. Let me see if I can fix this thing."

Obediently doing as he was told, the smaller boy remained in place as the gown was gradually unraveled. No longer than a minute had passed when his first mate had freed him from the shoulders up.

"Almost done," the swordsman spoke absently, pulling experimentally at the dress still snugly binding his friend's narrow chest. "I think I can get you loose as soon as I-"

'Don't worry, Zoro. I think I've got it from here." Hooking his fingers in the top of the dress, the raven-haired boy braced to rid himself of the outfit with one good tug.

"Wait, Luffy-"

"Here we go!"

"Hold on! You're-"

"Free at last!" Grinning, the younger of the two gathered himself to wrench off the irritating garment.

"I said stop!"

With a gasp, the rubber-man suddenly found himself pinned within his first mate's strong arms. "...Zoro?"

Having effectively restrained his captain, the older teen sighed inaudibly. Keeping his hold steady, Zoro leaned forward over the boy's left shoulder, frowning as the boy shot him a curious look.

"Your hair's caught in the zipper." As if in demonstration, he pulled one arm from where it trapped the boy to his chest, and tugged on the snagged portion of the boy's mane. "See?"

Flinching at even his comrade's gentle pull, Luffy laughed in a relieved manner. "Wow! Thanks, Zoro!"

Nodding distractedly, the swordsman set to work releasing his friend's unruly mop. Once the strands had been liberated, he coaxed the zipper open and let the boy slip out of the feminine attire.

Shrugging the sleeves from his arms, the rubber-man heaved a loud sigh. "Whoo! I can breathe!" He shouted happily, stepping fully out of the gown as it pooled around his feet.

He lifted the garment from the floor again, shaking his hat from where it had gotten trapped among the yards of fabric. As he dropped it to the floor again, he gave the mound of cloth a kick for good measure. "Stupid dress."

Smirking, Zoro stashed the 'stupid dress' while his companion threw on his shirt, not feeling at all inclined to neatly return the item to its origin.

He was about to turn and wander back towards the front of the building when he felt two lanky arms wind around his torso.

"Thanks, Zoro." Luffy squeezed his first mate firmly around the middle. "You saved me again!" Peering up at his friend, he gifted his crewmember with a delighted smile.

Grinning in return, the larger teen reached up to ruffle his captain's hair. "Well, I am your knight in shining armor," he joked. "Remember?" Drawing away from the boy, he gave the rubber-man an affectionate nudge towards next aisle. "Go find a costume."

Laughing, the boy followed his companion's order and dashed off in search of new ideas.

'Finally, that's over.' Tucking his hands into his pockets, Zoro made his way towards the front of the room. Settling himself against a display counter, he kept an eye on his captain as he and Usopp rushed from one row of shelves to the next.

"Careful, you two," he warned. "Don't break anything."

Sanji, who had busied himself with the smaller props available, looked up as the moss-head spoke. "So, done playing pretend are we?" He smirked at the glare he was offered as a response. "I gather that's a yes?"

"Fuck off."

Sneering, the blonde turned his attention back to the table in front of him. Scanning the assortment, he felt something the marksman had said earlier pulling at his mind.

What are you, a vampire?

His smirk widened into a grin, and he lifted a pair of plastic fangs from the tabletop. 'Perfect. Now all I need is a cape.'

Warily eyeing the chef's smile, Zoro shifted uneasily. 'What the hell is he-'

"Zoro! Zoro! Look, Zoro!"

Wincing at the his captain's tone, shrill with excitement, the swordsman sought out the boy and found him standing beside a large bin full of hair. 'What the..? Oh, wait. They're wigs.' "What is it, Luffy?"

"No! I'm Usopp!" Pinching his nose with one hand, the smaller pirate stretched it until it was vaguely the same size as the sharpshooter's. Grinning like a madman, the infamous straw hat pulled a wig over his head . "See?"

The first mate cocked an eyebrow at the boy. Well, the wig was pretty similar to the sniper's hair... "Uh... sure."

But why couldn't the boy just stay in his own clothes? Be himself?

The marksman, who had been drawn by the boy's imitation, now stood with one finger tapping against his chin, humming as he scrutinized the other teen.

"Hold on." Preening the mass of fake curls now donning his companion's head, the sniper took the bandana that covered his own hair and arranged it on the captain. "There!"

Retreating several steps to study Luffy from a distance, the liar paused in consideration before flashing his friend a thumbs-up. "It's definitely not as great as the original, but it'll do," he boasted.

Sharing a laugh, the younger pair seemed to slowly come to a silent decision.

Their excited chatter gradually died off as they looked down at what they were each wearing. At the same moment, smiles spread across their faces.

"Let's dress up as each other!" They bellowed in unison, both slinging their arms across the other's shoulders. "Yeah!" And with that they turned to plow through the various shelves with a renewed enthusiasm.

Watching the duo with subdued amusement, Zoro chuckled fondly. "What are we going to do with those two..." He wondered idly to himself.

Sanji just rolled his eyes towards the ceiling, propping himself upon the checkout counter as he tried to hide his own affectionate smile. "Morons."

"Friends of yours?"

The new voice that suddenly piped up managed to startle both of the older pirates, and they whirled around to see a young woman.

Shifting instantly into his more enticing tone of voice, the cook quickly straightened. "Only by force," he quipped smoothly, arching over the countertop towards the girl.

Now it was the swordsman's turn to roll his eyes, the blonde's typical response never failing to irritate him.

Smiling at his response, the woman, who appeared to be the store's clerk, slouched over the display and propped her chin in her right hand. "They look like a handful," she ventured, tone thoughtful.

"That's putting it lightly," the love cook supplied, tidying the folds in his jacket.

The girl's laughter was soft and melodic as she pushed herself upright again. "Never a dull moment though, huh?"

Sanji's expression, brightening even further upon hearing the gentle giggling, eased into a reverent, albeit aggravated frown, but it was Zoro who spoke next.

"That's one way to put it," he commented, grinning slightly as he caught sight of his captain stealing the sniper's goggles. "Still haven't figured out whether that's good or bad though."

Turning to address the green haired young man, the clerk sidled up behind him and gave his muscular arm an inquisitive jab. "Oh really?" She questioned, quirking one elegant eyebrow at him as he shot her an odd look. "I think I can tell."

Zoro stiffened noticeably as the woman bent around him to look into his face, which flared a subtle shade of pink. Clearing his throat uneasily he fixed his gaze pointedly on the far wall.

Positively livid that the dumbass had stolen the girl's attention, Sanji knocked one knuckle faintly against the glass of the display counter. "My lady, perhaps I could impose upon your dazzling presence for a moment?"

Offering the clerk one of his patented you-know-you-want-to smiles, he waited expectantly.

'Huh?' Blinking widely at the blonde for several seconds, the young woman angled towards the swordsman for a translation. "What does he want?"

Quite stumped himself, the first mate scowled at the chef. "I think he wants to ask you a question," he suggested.

Scratching idly at his neck, Zoro settled his eyes back upon the rubber-man; currently peering through the marksman's pilfered eyewear while fending the liar off with his free hand.

"Oh," was the woman's surprised, brief response. Refocusing upon the cook's hopeful expression, she tilted her head in acknowledgement. "Shoot."

"Excellent," the chef gushed, inching closer. "Now, what on earth is going on at this port? I keep hearing people mentioning some sort of festival."

"Oh! Is that all?" She laughed again. "It's really just one big Halloween party! Surely you've seen the flyers and decorations all over the place." Tucking a lock of auburn hair behind her ear, the girl twisted to glance out the store's front window.

"How can I not? Almost everything's orange!"

Watching their exchange out of the corner of his eye, Zoro was distracted long enough not to see the bundle of energy hurtling towards him.

"Oof!" Winded when a small, yet solid force caught him square in the stomach, the first mate reached out to encourage his captain back onto his own two feet. "Luffy! What is it now?"

"Did someone say something about a party?" He pressed eagerly, adjusting the load of costume pieces within his arms. Parties meant food and fun and food and games and food and people and food and music and food! Food! 'Which reminds me...'

"Zoro, I'm hungry!" He whined, bending forward to bury his face in his friend's crossed arms.

An exhausted sigh. "Luffy, the fact that I have no money hasn't changed since the last time you asked." Glancing down at the top of the teen's straw hat, the first mate shook his head.

Drifting into another bout of laughter, the woman behind the desk took an immediate liking to the newcomer. Brushing a tear from the corner of her eye, she directed her next statement at the blonde. "You guys obviously haven't been here long. So I take it you haven't heard about the curse yet?"

"Curse?" From all the way across the room, the long-nose caught a hint of good story-telling material and bustled over with his own selection of props. "What curse?"

Welcoming the fourth visitor with a drop of her chin and a smile, the girl continued. "Well, it's not so much a curse as it is a superstition." Sighing in a wistful manner, she clasped her hands together. "It's pretty romantic actually," she amended longingly.

At the mention of romance, the chef's interest was peaked. "Well," he urged, gaze locked on the brunette. "Go on!"

Zoro groaned internally, not wanting to interrupt the clerk, and Luffy still hadn't raised his head. The green haired young man was beginning to wonder if he'd nodded off.

Usopp was instantly repelled by the word 'romantic,' and paused to consider whether or not he should run while he still had the chance.

"Well," bowing her head in reflection, the young woman hummed absently to herself. "Many people say that on Halloween, the boundary between the world of the living and the dead is at it's thinnest."

"Anyway..." The girl hesitated for a moment, making certain she had their full concentration. "I don't really know many of the details, but basically, on this date many years ago, a young man fell in love with the soul of a girl who had passed on."

"All in one night?" Questioned Luffy, who finally raised his head from where it was pillowed against his first mate's chest.

"All in one night," echoed the girl.

The sharpshooter grimaced, huffing in mild irritation at the way things were heading. 'It's just one of those lame whirlwind romances...' Skeptical, the sharpshooter narrowed his eyes. "What does that have to do with a curse?"

"I'm getting there," countered the clerk, waving him off. "Anyway..."

All hope of following the dramatic tale that the young woman began relating soon disappeared, and all four young men stared dumbly at her as she rattled off word after animated word.

'What happened to her not knowing the details?' Wondered Sanji. Continuing to feign interest, the blonde let his focus slip to the marksman.

Having long since given up on digesting the finer points of the brown haired girl's fable, Usopp now stood before a mirror propped upon a nearby table, trying to wrestle his hair into cooperation.

The cook chuckled quietly as the teen struggled to tuck his thick tresses under a straw hat that looked remarkably similar to Luffy's.

"Stupid hair," grumbled the sniper. He hated his hair. It was thick and dark and curly and stupid. Nami had told him once that women would kill for curls like his, but he sure as hell couldn't understand why.

Not considering the consequences, the younger pirate gave a clump of his hair a vicious tug, immediately regretting it as his scalp protested with a sharp twinge. "Stupid-"

With a gasp he froze. Warm fingertips, familiar now after the onion ordeal, settled against his hairline while another hand snatched the hat from his head. 'Sanji..?'

Holding the brim of the hat between his teeth, the chef used his right hand to rake the boy's hair upward, gathering it in his left on top of the sharpshooter's head.

Rooted to his spot, Usopp fought himself not to shudder as those soft fingers worked up and around his head. Why did it have to feel so soothing? His earlier confusion was returning...

Watching the blonde's image in the mirror, the sniper noted how the man frowned in concentration; mumbling out an apology, obstructed by the item in his mouth, whenever his fingers would catch on a snarl.

After almost two minutes of diligent work, Sanji had collected every lock of his companion's hair. With a series of deft movements, he wound the dark mane around his finger until it settled into a tight knot. And with one more graceful motion, he'd thoroughly trapped all of the liar's mop within the confines of the hat.

Leaning forward so he could peer into the glass as well, the love cook smiled absently. "There."

Startled at how easy the older pirate had made that look, the long-nose fumbled over a quick thank you, staring oddly at his own reflection. Man, did he look weird...

Instead of moving away, the chef paused, brow creased as he scrutinized the boy in front of him. "It looks better down," he offered, giving the single curl that had escaped a small tug.

He graced the marksman with one last grin before finally returning his attention back to the young woman behind the counter.

Still stunned, Usopp let out the breath he'd been holding. Maybe his hair wasn't so bad...

Zoro, who remained trapped beside the girl as she rifled off her story, was beginning to wonder when he should expect his ears to fall off. He would've at least put some distance between them if, well...

If Luffy hadn't still been leaning fully against him, now with his chin hooked over his shoulder.

The boy's hands were clenched around his arm, tightening reflexively every once in a while during what the swordsman could only assume was an exciting part of the narrative.

Luffy listened intently, wide-eyed, nodding against his first mate's neck. Turning away only to acknowledge the return of Sanji and the sniper, he eagerly turned back to the brunette. "So how does all that add up to a curse?"

Taking a moment to catch her breath, the clerk smiled. "Well, the night had been so dark that the young man and woman had to use the jack-o-lanterns as their only light. The poor guy didn't even know that he had fallen in love with a ghost!"

"But as the hour of midnight approached, and the border between the worlds had disappeared almost entirely, the apparition confessed that she would have to leave. She never told her love that she had to return to her own world, only that she would be gone for an entire year, with no way to return until the next Halloween night."

Usopp was drawn closer by the fact that this story might not end happily ever after. The tale had a certain appeal to him because it was plausible. Realistic...

The girl paused, collecting her thoughts, and plunged onward. "Heartbroken that they would be separated for so long a time, the young man proposed that they make a promise. A pledge to meet in the very same spot they had that night. To never forget. And to seal their agreement, they shared a kiss in what little light there was; in the flickering glow of a jack-o-lantern's eyes."

"A kiss?" Luffy suddenly burst. "Ghosts can't kiss! They don't have bodies. You can't feel them."

"Ah," extending one finger the brunette nodded. "Normally you would be right, but because they acknowledged their love at the stroke of midnight, and the line between the living and the dead was so blurred, the girl's soul had become as tangible as any human body. The young man would never know he had given his heart to a spirit."

Zoro shifted his captain's weight against his chest. "So what happened?" He wondered aloud. Even he had to admit that the idea was intriguing.

Shrugging, the woman moved to begin adding up the items the young boy's had left piled upon the counter. "No one knows."

"So what about the curse?" Questioned Sanji, eyebrow arching as he pondered over what little of the tale he had heard.

"As I said, it's not really a curse so much a superstition," the girl began. "But either way, the legend says that if two people share a kiss in the light cast by a jack-o-lantern, while the clock strikes midnight, they will be bound for the next year whether they are together or apart, until they can make or break the same promise on the next Halloween."

Faltering as if something had just occurred to her, the girl suddenly straightened. "Now that I think about it, I think there's a rhyme that goes along with the story... Oh, it's been years since I've heard it last. How did that go..."

Drumming out the rhythm with one hand on the counter, the girl began to hum until she could supply the words.

"If your body should ail,

Or your waking mind fail,

Should the heart within you bleed dry.

With a kiss you are bound,

To this one you have found,

By a seal that you cannot defy.

Be it blessing or curse,

For better or worse,

It is only a fleeting goodbye.

For when one year is spent,

You will cross again,

In the light of the lantern's eye."

Usopp blinked, mulling this verse over. "Wow," he started, pausing to search for the right words. "That's really..."

"Romantic?" Gushed the girl, who by this time had finished ringing up their purchases.

"Corny?" Suggested Sanji, earning him a glare from the young woman behind him.

"Weird?" Offered Zoro, who stretched upright now that Luffy had gotten bored and wandered off halfway through the song.

"No," the sniper spoke slowly. "I was thinking something more along the lines of really creepy."

Busily shoveling their items into several bags, the brunette laughed. "Oh come on, you're telling me that not one of you fine gentleman has someone you'd like to try that out with tonight?"

At their blank stares she quirked an eyebrow. "What about that young woman I saw you guys with earlier? The redhead? None of you are together?"

"Together?" Repeated the marksman, face even more clueless than before.

"You know," she began hesitantly. "Like... in a relationship with her?"

All three pirate's exchanged the same stunned expression before shouting an unquestionable "NO!"

Startled, the woman glanced between the four teens. The smallest one with the straw hat - Luffy was it? - was obviously attached to the one with the swords. And she had definitely seen the blonde one playing with the that younger boy's hair...

"Oh," she said simply, a subtle, secretive smile playing across her lips. "That's too bad."

The first mate narrowed his eyes in suspicion. He did not like that tone at all.

The chef leaned over towards the young woman again, a smirk firmly settled on his face. "So, you're saying that if we kiss someone in front of a jack-o-lantern, while the clock strikes midnight, we'll be bound together for a whole year?"

Nodding, the clerk took the money he offered her and pushed the bags across the countertop. "Yup."

The swordsman frowned in thought. The idea had some merit, if not legitimacy. His plans were interrupted however, when the rubber-man ambled back his way and began moaning about food.

The blonde, after receiving his change, promptly leaned over and asked the clerk if she might be interested in testing the accuracy of that superstition with him.

Usopp pulled the bags from the counter, waiting patiently for Sanji to be rebuffed so they could leave. All of this romantic, bound forever talk as making him uneasy.

Unfortunately for the sharpshooter, the cook chose that moment to twist around, pinning him with a steady gaze and a suggestive grin.

The long-nose swallowed hard, his eyes wide.

'I am so doomed.'

And there you go! Hopefully I'll get the rest up soon. Though I have no idea how long this will end up being. Chances are that it'll be a lot longer than I'm expecting, but whatever. XD I'm sure you don't mind! Please leave a review!

Thanks again for reading and reviewing!

Next time: Luffy puts his foot down and decides that they're joining the festivities. Nami's off to a party and the boy's split up.When they finally happen upon a haunted house, those little onion's make another appearance.