Chapter 8: Midnight fight

Quiet. Thump. Zolo opened his eyes and looked around.

Watch was so boring, and while they were on the sea there wasn't really the possibility that they would run into trouble, but, oh well. Another thump and Zolo laid a hand on the hilt of his swords. That wasn't usual noise of the night. He frowned and let himself melt into the shadows.

Mystery walked out of the cabin area. She swayed as she threw her head back and stared at the sky. Zolo sighed and let out the breath he had been holding. He was about to walk out when something way freakier than Luffy eating happened. Mystery's body contorted in an unnatural way and her hair flickered into a different colour. The strange thing was, she looked like she was screaming, but there was no noise.

"Gah!" Zolo cried in astonishment as blades sprung from each of Mystery's fingers. She finally stopped and her hair was a deep red and her eyes were glowing green. An evil smile spread across her face and she looked straight at him.

"Come on out, I know you're there…Roronoa Zolo." Mystery said and then giggled. Zolo carefully stepped out, his hand on his swords. Mystery winked and then put a hand on her hip and pointed the other at him. "There ya go." she said. Then she seemed to shiver and held her stomach. It was over in a second and then she smiled again.

"What's wrong with you Mystery?"

"Mystery? Who the hell's Mystery?" she asked. Zolo frowned.

"You are."

"Ohhhh, so that's what she called herself while I've been away. Heh, what a stupid name. I prefer my old one, Saccharine Peril." she said.

"What the hell does that mean?"

"Sweet danger. Now, let's play." Saccharine said and then laughed. Zolo had barely a moment to draw his swords before she was on him, swinging the dangerous blades from her fingers through the air like ten scythes.

"What the hell are you doing?" Zolo yelled. Saccharine laughed and sent one blade straight at Zolo's face but he blocked it by crossing his swords in front of him.

"I'm playing." she said and then her eyes darkened and she shivered. The blades retracted into her fingers and her hair flickered back to dark green. Zolo watched her, uneasy. This was weird and unnatural. Once again her body contorted and her eyes flashed back to purple. She swayed and dropped forward, her forehead resting on Zolo's chest. She took a deep shuddering breath as sweat poured down her face and she shook. Zolo sheathed his swords and gripped her shoulders, pushing her away from him.

"What the hell was that?" he asked. Mystery gazed at him with glazed eyes and she shook her head.

"What was what?" she asked in response. Zolo's brows furrowed.

"You just turned into something else. You said your name was Saccharine Peril. Your hair and eyes changed colour and everything!"

"Saccharine Peril?" and then Mystery's eyes widened, " Saccharine Peril was here? Damn it!" Mystery cried and put a hand over her face. She pulled out of Zolo's grip and walked up to the front of the ship. Zolo waited a moment.

"Zolo." he heard her whisper. Zolo walked up behind her, still wary. "I-I'm starting to remember."

"That's a good thing, isn't it?" he asked a little happiness seeping into voice. Mystery chuckled sardonically.

"If only. I remember the reason I forgot." and she looked up at him. "I'm dangerous. I can't stay on this ship or you'll all be in danger. Saccharine is an all out monster and she has access to my mind and she kills anyone I get even marginally close to. But, I can't get to her mind, I don't even know what she does when she makes an appearance. I don't know what she is, or, how she operates, but, all I know is she twists my gut like some foul thing and makes my life a hell." Mystery said and sobbed, putting a hand to her head and knocking the green bangs out of her eyes. Zolo watched her, a little unsure of what to do.

"Zolo, I need to leave." Mystery whispered. Zolo tilted his head to the side and opened his mouth to tell her it would be alright but at that moment, two arms snaked around his waist and then Luffy peeked up over his shoulder.

"Hi! What's happening?" he asked happily. Mystery glanced at him and Zolo, and then smiled.

"Nothing Luffy. G'night you two." she said and then hurried away. Zolo sighed. This has to have been the strangest night yet. Luffy watched her go.

"Is she alright?" Luffy asked. Zolo hummed in answer and then realised Luffy's arms still hadn't left his waist and probably weren't going to leave any time soon. Zolo sighed, thinking that they had to come off or he was going to do something he would regret.

"Hey Luf, you wanna let me go?" Zolo asked. Luffy's arms came off and then Zolo turned to find Luffy's face inches from his, the straw hat pushed back to rest on the boy's back. Luffy smiled at him and Zolo thought that this could only be a dream, Luffy seemed to be leaning in closer. Is he really…? Bang! Luffy jumped and turned at the sound of the kitchen door slamming open.

"Alright Moss head! Off to bed, my turn to watch." Sanji said and then stopped at the sight of Luffy and Zolo together. Luffy grinned and then yawned.

"Night Sanji." he said and bounded off. Damn you stupid Love Cook! Zolo thought and then glared at the blonde haired man as he walked past. Sanji raised an eyebrow, wondering as to why Zolo had given him such a vehement glare. Oh…OH! Sanji chuckled, so that's what had happened! Zolo and Luffy together. Oh he had to tell Nami, she would absolutely flip at this. But, he couldn't tell her now, he'd have to wait until the morning.