Disclaimer: I don't own Catwoman. Don't own One Piece. Enjoy:)

Chapter 3: Staying over

Zolo finally let Luffy pull him into a shop of the kid's choosing and then paid for a big meal that Luffy guzzled down. Zolo watched him interestedly. So this kid had been through a lot and now it was up to Zolo to look after him. It was sad that Trace was leaving and would never see his little brother again and Zolo would have to be careful how he phrased it to Luffy when Luffy asked why his brother wasn't coming to visit. The house he lived in had heaps of room for Luffy to live with him, but, Zolo wasn't sure how he was going to handle the kid's energy. Oh well, if it kept the boy safe than that was the sacrifice he was willing to make. Luffy finally finished eating and then patted his belly with a satisfied smirk, and then winced. It was obviously one of the wounds that Trace had told him about. Zolo gave the kid a smile, which Luffy eagerly returned.

"So, ready to go back to my place?" Zolo asked. He was desperate to be nice to Luffy, after all that seemed to have happened. He would talk to Luffy about that tonight sometime.

Or tomorrow, or whenever Luffy was ready to talk about it. Luffy jumped up, the jacket falling off his shoulder slightly and making Zolo wince at the bruise that was there. It was shaped like a finger and Zolo looked away as Luffy quickly covered it.

"Do you have a car?" Luffy asked. Zolo shook his head.

"Nope, but it's not far. Plus, you need a bit of walking to get rid of some of that excess energy of yours." Zolo joked and rubbed a hand through the boy's soft black hair. Luffy grinned and they walked out of the shop together. Zolo felt his phone go off and grabbed it out of his pocket.

"Hello?" he asked.

"Hey Zolo. You up for a party tonight?" Usopp's voice came though the phone. "No Usopp, I'm going to be busy"

"Hi Usopp!" Luffy cried beside him.

"Is Luffy with you?" Usopp asked. The two boy's had gotten along pretty well from the start and Luffy especially enjoyed Usopp's stories.

"Yeah. He's staying at my place tonight." Zolo replied.

There was an 'ooooooh' from someone that was not Usopp. "Usopp, please don't tell me Nami's with you." Zolo said hoping against hope that he had mistaken the sound.

"Yeah. Umm, Sanji says that they're coming over to your place tonight. They wanna see Luffy as well." Usopp said. Zolo felt his heart constrict and looked over at Luffy who was patting some lady's dog.

"They can't. Look Usopp, something's happened and you guys can't come over." Zolo said hoping that they wouldn't interpret that the wrong way.

"Hey Zolo, this is Nami. What's going on? Are you and Luffy gonna have se-" Zolo hung up before she finished the sentence. Sanji would kick his head in for that later but he couldn't care less about it right now.

"Come on Luffy! We have to go." Zolo called. Luffy looked up and then waved goodbye to the lady, who smiled and walked away. Luffy ran over and began doing some kind of war dance around Zolo. Zolo couldn't help the corners of his mouth from twitching up into a small smile.

They walked along the sidewalk, and Luffy was chatting happily about some movie he had seen at school that involved a lot of ninja's and meat apparently, although Zolo had seen the same movie and he didn't recall seeing either. Oh well. Luffy's imagination was in overdrive and although Zolo didn't know the boy very well, he was pretty sure he wouldn't be able to stop him if he tried. Zolo was watching Luffy carefully, noticing how on the alternating steps he seemed to skip rather than step. He also noted how the boy seemed so carefree, considering what must have been weighing heavily on his mind.

"Zolo?" Luffy suddenly asked. Zolo snapped out of his thoughts to look at Luffy who was gazing at him with a slightly confused expression.

"Yeah?" he asked wondering what the boy could want. Luffy narrowed his eyes slightly.

"When are we going to get to your place?" he asked. Zolo started and then looked around. They were in a place Zolo had never been before.

Damnit, he had been too distracted to watch where the hell he had been going. Something about here seemed to make him edgy and Luffy seemed even more so.

"Come on Luffy, we need to go back." Zolo said quickly. This place was really beginning to scare him. If he had had his Santoryu swords he wouldn't have been worried, but, he didn't have them. Luffy hurried up beside him as he turned and then a black figure appeared from an alleyway beside them.

"Well, well, well." a voice said as a man appeared out of the darkness. He was taller than the two, and was very muscle bound. He was wearing a white jacket that was open at the front revealing a well muscled stomach and chest. He had silvery white hair and seemed to have a constant frown pasted on his face. He was wearing jeans and big black boots. He had a cigar in the side of his mouth and a thin veil of smoke was wafting around his face.

"Chaser." Luffy whimpered and hid behind Zolo.

"You know this guy?" Zolo asked. Luffy nodded and then gasped as another figure appeared from the darkness. This one was tall and slim and he was wearing a pair of silver glasses that flashed in the sun. His black hair was slicked back and shone slightly in the sun, he was wearing a black suit with gold trim and had a pair of black gloves that had long cat like swords at the end of each finger. He used the heel of his palm to push the glasses further up his nose as he appeared, a sadistic smile present on his face.

"Kuro." Luffy whispered. He seemed scared half out of his mind. Before Zolo could stop him, he bolted running in the opposite direction as fast as he could. Kuro leapt after him, followed by Chaser and then Zolo was after all three. Kuro tackled Luffy to the ground and held his swords over the back of Luffy's neck.

"Let me go Kuro!" Luffy yelled thrashing about, trying to get loose.

"Stop moving, or my claws just may accidentally slip." Kuro said and scratched one across the back of Luffy's neck to emphasize his point. Luffy immediately stayed still. "So, where's your uncle? He still owes us a heap of money."

"I don't know where he is!" Luffy cried, the ground slightly muffling his voice.

"Hey!" Zolo yelled and then kicked Kuro in the ribs, sending the well dressed man flying. He helped Luffy up and then turned to see Chaser's fist fly at him. It hit him square in the jaw and knocked him and Luffy to the ground. Zolo rolled back onto the higher part of his back and then flipped himself onto his feet. Kuro got up from where he had hit the wall after Zolo's kick. He laid a hand on Chaser's shoulder.

"Leave them alone…for now. But listen here little monkey, if your uncle doesn't come up with our money, then we're going to find both him and you and make sure we get our money's worth out of beating you up." Kuro threatened and then the two walked away. Luffy shivered and Zolo turned to him.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah." Luffy replied. He sighed and touched the back of his neck, wincing at the sting of the wound.

"Can we go home now? I'm kinda hungry." he said. Zolo nodded and they hurried back the way they had come. They walked in silence for a few minutes before Zolo noticed that it was indeed…silent.

"Hey Luffy? Are you sure you're okay?" he asked. Luffy looked up at him and winced at the sight of Zolo, then he looked away again.

"I'm sorry." he said with a quiet sniff.

"For what?" Zolo asked.

"For getting you involved. For getting you bruised." Luffy said with another sniffle.

"It's okay. It didn't really hurt anyways."

"Really?"

"Yeah, no problem. Besides, that weird sword finger guy was going to hurt you, I couldn't let that happen."

"Thanks Zolo." Luffy said and seemed to regain a little of his energy. Zolo smiled.

"No worries." he said and then he looked up. "Well, here's my house." and he walked up to the door. Luffy peered at it. It was small, but not too small, and it seemed like it would be wicked awesome on the inside. It was a two story house and it had been painted light green. Zolo looked back at the awestruck boy.

"Hey, it's not that cool." he said. Luffy nodded and grinned.

"No, It's awesome!" Luffy exclaimed and then ran up the stairs after Zolo. Zolo looked to the side and saw a small backpack hidden in the bushes. He fished it out and found a note pinned to the top.
Zolo,
These are Luffy's clothes and uniform for school. His books are in the other bag on the other side of the stairs. Crocodile is on my trail and I can't say goodbye to my little brother. I hope to see him again one day. Hope he doesn't end up being to much trouble for you, but he's a good boy and I'm sure he won't be too much of a pain. Don't go near the other side of town with him, keep him away from there. (Don't I know it. Zolo thought.) Look after him well, and tell him I love him. See ya around.
Trace

Zolo looked up from the letter and watched as Luffy tried each key in the lock, trying to open the door. He smiled sadly.

"It's the green one." Zolo hinted. Luffy grinned and then placed it in the lock and the door opened. Luffy ran inside and Zolo looked in the bushes on the other side of the stairs. There was Luffy's schoolbag sure enough and Zolo fished it out. He took the two bags inside as Luffy ran from room to room checking the house out.

"Come on Luffy, you can stay upstairs." Zolo said and then walked up the stairs that were situated practically in the middle of the house. Luffy raced up after him, his energetic enthusiasm in place once more.

Zolo opened the door to the spare room. It was still clean and tidy, from when his friend Kuina had stayed with him and then left to go and live with her father in another country. Zolo kind of missed her at times. Luffy ran in and jumped on the bed.

"Weeee, it's springy!" he cried as he jumped up and down. Zolo laid the two bags on the floor of the room and went over to where Luffy was bouncing.

"Luffy." Zolo said and the boy stopped bouncing to look at his friend. "There's something I need to tell you." and then he paused. Luffy waited expectantly.

"Well, what is it?" he demanded.

"Trace isn't coming back." Zolo said. Luffy tilted his head as if he didn't understand. "He left. You're going to stay with me now." Luffy was silent and then he downcast his eyes and sank back against the pillows. Zolo felt a slight twinge of anger at Trace for not telling the boy himself, but he dismissed it.

"Oh. Well, I guess it's for the best." Luffy mumbled.

"How do you figure?"

"Trace always knew best. He always kept me out of trouble." Luffy said and then smiled a little sadly, "I'll see him again one day"

"Yeah, I'm positive you will." Zolo replied and smiled back. "Well, there's the things he dropped off here earlier. It's your clothes and uniform and your books for school." he said pointing towards the two bags. Luffy nodded and then his stomach growled. He put a hand over it a little embarrassedly.

"Uh, have you got any food?" he asked. Zolo laughed.

"Sure, I'll cook you some dinner." he said and walked out. Luffy followed. Zolo cooked some steak and chips for the two of them, easy and simple, but still tasty.

Luffy was practically bouncing out of his seat as Zolo laid the plate in front of him. Luffy was polite enough to wait until Zolo sat down and then he commenced inhaling his food. Zolo ate his considerably slower than Luffy and when Luffy was finished, he was eyeing Zolo's plate. Zolo pulled it away slightly and continued eating. Luffy sighed and waited until he was finished and then got up. He took Zolo's plate and placed it gently (which was a grand feat for Luffy) in the dishwasher and turned the machine on. Zolo was a little surprised.

"How did you know what to do?"

"I had to wash the dishes every second night for…my stepfather." Luffy said and winced when he said stepfather. Zolo then realised that the stepfather was the guy Trace had told him about.

"Okay. TV time." Zolo said. Luffy brightened and Zolo got up to go out. Luffy followed him into the downstairs lounge room and they sat down on the couch. Zolo handed the remote to Luffy who gazed at him uncertainly.

"Am I allowed to choose?" he asked. Zolo snorted.

"Of course. Go for it." he said. Luffy grinned and turned the TV on. He flicked through the channels at light speed until Zolo shook his head, a little annoyed and put his hand over the front of the remote so, although Luffy was still pressing the buttons, the channels weren't moving.

"You wanna actually see what's on the channel instead of just flicking the button?" Zolo asked. Luffy grinned.

"Pressing the buttons is fun." he said. Zolo shook his head.

"So is actually watching what's on the channel."

"Ok. I'll pick something." Luffy said and Zolo pulled his hand away. Luffy went slowly through the channels until he found a movie that looked kind of cool. It was called Catwoman and it was about a woman who had been endowed with special powers that allowed her to move like a cat, giving her a rather Ninja like quality. At least, that's what Luffy thought. The kid was really into it. He watched with wide eyes and sat slightly forward in his seat and awed expression on his face as catwoman beat up the bad guys in a jewellery store.

"I wanna learn to fight like that." Luffy said when the movie had finished. He was standing beside Zolo on the couch and was trying to jump up onto the back of the couch like catwoman had.

"You're gonna fall off and hurt yourself." Zolo said. Luffy jumped up and sure enough, did. Zolo leaned over the back to see Luffy laying on the floor giggling. He looked up at Zolo and frowned.

"You jinxed me." he said. Zolo laughed.

"Did not"

"Did too." Luffy got up and tried to stifle a yawn. Zolo checked the time. Whoa, ten o'clock. Was it really that late?

"Time for a bath and bed kiddo." Zolo said.

Luffy yawned again. "…kay." he said and walked up the stairs. Zolo yawned and heard the door to the bathroom door close upstairs. Obviously Luffy had found it during his venture through the house. Zolo smiled and then a thoughtful expression took over his face as he remembered what Trace had told him.

"Luffy and I live with our stepfather Crocodile." Trace said watching Luffy carefully through the window. "Crocodile isn't a very nice guy. He took an instant dislike to Luffy and I don't know why. It started a year ago and I didn't even realise for a few weeks because Luffy hid it so well. He wore big jackets and I thought it was just another quirk of my brother's, nothing to worry about. One day it was raining and I was walking back from work when I heard a scream. It sounded so much like Luffy but I dismissed it, thought it wasn't him, couldn't be him. Then the scream happened again and I heard Crocodile's voice. I ran towards our miserable little house that Crocodile made us live in because he didn't want us fouling up his big mansion in the city. I didn't even reach the house when I saw Crocodile dragging Luffy down the stairs. Luffy looked bad, real bad. That's how he got that scar under his eye. Crocodile had broken one of his arms, two of Luffy's ribs and his nose. There were bruises all over him and it was horrible. Crocodile saw me and flung Luffy at me. 'Take him to the hospital, and if you or Luffy tell anyone what happened, I will kill you both.' he said. So, we lived in fear. Crocodile would get his goons to take me out or hold me while he beat up Luffy, even after Luffy was unconscious, he just kept hitting him. I would be left to take Luffy to the hospital and soon the doctors there knew us by name. It was the worst time of our lives. Luffy, I don't know how he can still be so happy. He just is a joyful person." Trace trailed off as he watched his little brother pull at a strand of material hanging off the side of his jacket. "That's horrible. Why didn't you report it?" Zolo asked, and then realised a moment later that Trace had already told him why. "Oh, sorry. Well, if there's anything I can do to help." Trace's head rose up and he smiled.
"Actually, there is. Do you think you could take him home and look after him? I have to go somewhere, I have to get away and find someone. He's the only guy that I think can help, but, I don't know where he is or how long it is going to take for me to find him." Trace said. Zolo glanced at Luffy and then back at Trace.
"Well, I…okay. I guess I can take him." Zolo replied. Trace's face brightened and he smiled.
"You'll save his life if you do. Thanks Zolo"
"Sure, no…no problem."

Zolo gazed at the TV, not even noticing what was playing. Poor Luffy. He needed to do everything in his power to keep Luffy safe.

"Night Zolo!" Luffy called. Zolo started and looked around to see Luffy's happy face peering at him from the top of the stairs.

"Night Luffy." Zolo said back. Luffy grinned and skipped away.

Poor Luffy. If you review, oh, you know.