Wow, there's not far to go now. I think people are gonna try and throw random Luffy's at me at the end of this chappie. -cowers in her special corner- I am scared.
Umm, I will probably finish this story with the use of the dub names, as many of my readers and friends know, I am going to start writing with Zoro and Ace rather than Zolo and Trace. I am going to finish this chapter with the current characters, but, I may go back and revamp it. Depends if I get enough motivation to do so.
Wow, sense of Deja vu for those of you who read Lightning. Anyway, on to the chapter!
Chapter 9
A cold shiver went through Zolo's body and he opened his eyes and looked around. Something was wrong.
"Luffy?" he muttered and cleared his throat. Zolo looked around and then sat up a little straighter.
"Luffy?" he asked again. Still no response. This couldn't be good. Making sure his swords were strapped firmly around his waist, he stood and began to scout through the trees. There was nothing. No noises, and no indication of Luffy having been there… until he heard a yell.
"TRACE!" Zolo jumped and spun, looking out to the river where he saw Luffy and an older boy. The older boy had no shirt, black shorts and an orange cowboy hat with a leather strap that went down to his chest. Zolo blinked and paused just behind the bushes. It was prince Trace.
"I thought you were dead!" Luffy cried, hanging off of his brother's shoulder. Trace chuckled.
"No. I escaped before the villagers began their rebellion." he replied.
"Well… why didn't you take me with you?" Luffy asked, pouting slightly. Trace put a hand on his hat.
"I didn't have time. Besides, I knew you were safe because you were with the soldiers." the older boy replied. Luffy blinked.
"Oh, I guess that would explain it." he muttered. "Oh well. I got to spend time with a really cool guy!"
"Oh yeah? Who?" Trace asked, smiling slightly. His brother was so enthusiastic that it was hard not to smile when he talked about something.
"A guard. His name's Zolo! He was so cool, and nice to me!" Luffy replied and Zolo, who was watching from the bushes, smiled and suddenly felt a little self conscious. Luffy really was a special boy.
"A guard huh? Well, where is he? I need to thank him for looking after my little brother." Trace said giving Luffy's hair a quick scruff. "By the way, what happened to your chest? You're all bandaged up."
"Oh. It was just an accident. The doctor said I'm gonna have a scar there." Luffy replied as he began walking forward. Zolo blinked and then realized where he was and scrambled backwards.
He hurried back through the trees, managing to avoid the brothers and then jumped back next to the tree he had been sleeping against. Just as he closed his eyes, he heard Luffy crash through the bushes.
"Hey Zolo!" he cried. Zolo opened an eye and then yawned.
"Luffy." he replied. Trace blinked as he walked behind his brother.
"He calls you Luffy?" the older prince asked. Luffy turned and nodded.
"Yup. I gave him permission to. Anyway, Zolo. Look! My brother survived!" Luffy cried. Zolo looked towards Trace and stood up. He bowed towards the older male and Trace raised an eyebrow.
"You're Zolo then? Luffy spoke highly of you. You don't need to bow. It really isn't necessary seeing as our kingdom is overrun at the moment." Trace said. Zolo stood straight and smiled.
"Whatever you wish your highness." he replied. Luffy grinned and then scratched at the bandage around his chest.
"Stop it Luffy." Zolo warned. Luffy pouted but took his hand away and let it drop to his side. Trace blinked and then chuckled.
"Prince Luffy listening to a guard?" he asked. Luffy grinned.
"He's better at it than I am. He should be prince!" the boy cried and then looked at Zolo who raised an eyebrow.
"I don't think so. Especially if it means I have to wear that." and he gave a soft, teasing tug at Luffy's hair. The boy blinked,
"That's my hair." he said. Zolo smiled.
"Oh? I thought it was a wig." he returned and Luffy gave him a playful shove. Trace was watching them carefully.
"Well. I can see my brother is in good hands." Trace said with a smile. Luffy blinked.
"Yeah. But, aren't you going to come with me to Shanks?" Luffy asked. Trace paused and then his smile fell slightly.
"No. I… I'm going away for a while. You remember Blackbeard? He stole a heap of our treasure. Well, I'm going to find him." Trace replied. Luffy's face fell.
"But, treasure doesn't mean anything. We had heaps of it. What does it matter?" Luffy asked. Trace sighed.
"I'll come back Luffy. I promise you." Trace said and then looked at Zolo. "Thankyou, for taking care of my little bro. He can be a bit of a pain, but, he's alright."
"Yeah. No problem." Zolo replied with a short glance at Luffy. Trace gave his brother a hug.
"I'll see ya around little bro. You become a good king now. Don't go being silly." Trace said, holding Luffy tight against him. Luffy nodded.
"Bye Trace." Luffy said as the older brother let him go and turned to walk away. Luffy blinked and then grinned and raised his arms high into the air and waved.
"Bye!" he called. Trace looked back over his shoulder and gave a jaunty wave before disappearing into the trees. Luffy let his arms fall to his sides and he watched the spot where Trace had disappeared for quite some time. Zolo watched the prince and then looked up at the sky. The sun was already past midway. They had better get moving.
"Come on Luffy. We had better go. We'll reach the castle tomorrow most likely." Zolo said. Luffy heaved a deep breath and then turned with a big smile.
"Right, let's go." and he started walking forward. Zolo blinked.
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The castle. They had reached it.
At last!
Luffy's eyes widened as the tip of it appeared on the horizon. His pace quickened and Zolo had to lengthen his strides to keep up. When half of the castle had come into view, Luffy began to run. He leaned forward and Zolo smiled as he ran after the prince.
Luffy was obviously excited. Luffy stopped short at the gates, the red shirt flapping around him as he still hadn't bothered to do it up. Zolo stopped beside him and Luffy looked at his guard excitedly.
"We did it." he said and Zolo smiled. Luffy pushed the gates open and walked along the road towards the front door of the castle. Two men stood outside the door and Luffy walked up to them, their lances crossed across the door in front of him.
"Prince Luffy of Merry Go. I wish to see King Shanks." Luffy said and Zolo was surprised at the authority he heard in the boy's voice. The two men looked at each other.
"We need you to prove you're royalty young man." one of the guards said. Zolo looked down at Luffy who didn't even glance at him. He reached over and took the bag from Zolo's shoulder and then rummaged in it and drew out the gold belt.
He held the belt forward, pointing at the picture of a ram's head, carved in the centre of the belt. The two guards bowed and their lances were drawn back and the doors opened. Luffy ran in, his sandals clacking on the stone floor.
Zolo walked behind him, looking around interestedly. The place was enormous! Luffy looked around for a minute before running towards a door to the right of him. Zolo blinked and wasn't sure whether he should follow.
Luffy's safe now… what do I need to be here for? Zolo thought and his face fell slightly. Luffy skidded back into the room.
"Are you coming Zolo? I want you to meet Shanks!" and he ran back through the door. Zolo followed, a little miserably, but he put on a smile as he walked through the door and into the room.
A tall man stood in the centre of the floor, other men with swords and soldiers epaulets stood around the other side. Luffy was standing beside the man, looking down at something. The prince turned and waved an arm at Zolo, signalling for him to come over. Zolo walked forward and stood beside Luffy, his hand on his swords.
"Shanks! This is the guy who got me here." Luffy said, hands on his hips. The taller man turned, his black cloak swirling slightly with the movement before revealing a smiling face and three long scars going vertically over the left hand side eye.
Shanks had red hair that protruded from under a straw hat. He had a rather rugged appearance for a king, and Zolo got the impression that this guy was fairly laid back. Luffy grinned happily at Zolo.
"So, you're the one who helped Luffy get here?" Shanks asked and as he turned he used his left arm to hold the cape closed. "I'm thankful. I thought he was dead. What's your name? " and Zolo nodded his head and gave a slight bow.
"Roronoa Zolo, your highness." Zolo replied making Luffy smile.
"Sir, we need to finish this strategy or the people are going to overrun this kingdom as well." a man with tied back, black hair said. Shanks sighed.
"Well, thankyou Roronoa Zolo, and feel free to use any of the castle's resources, but, I am afraid I am going to need you to stay here and tell me what you know please Luffy." he said. Zolo bowed while Luffy whined in the back of his throat.
"I don't want to stay here Shanks. I wanna go with Zolo." Luffy whined and Zolo turned and gave Luffy a reassuring smile before walking out of the room and closing the door behind him.
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When Luffy came out of the room, he went in search of Zolo, hoping to find him and play a game. But, wherever he looked, Zolo was nowhere to be found. Luffy ran out into the courtyard at the back of the castle, and he looked around desperately.
"Zolo!" he called. No answer. "Zolo! Come on, I don't want to play hide and seek!"
"I'm not playing." a voice said beside him and Luffy spun to see Zolo looking at him, a strangely sad look in his eyes.
"There you are. I was looking for you everywhere." Luffy said happily. Zolo smiled.
"Yeah. Luffy, I… can't stay here." he replied and Luffy blinked.
"What do you mean? Shanks'll let you stay. He's cool."
"No, Luffy. I just have to go. You have a kingdom full of soldiers to look after you now and you don't need me anymore."
"But…"
"I'll see you around Luffy." and he turned to walk away. Luffy stood in shock, watching as Zolo hurried towards the gates that led out of the courtyard… and out of Luffy's sight.
Ha! What a horrible cliffie there. Wonder if I shocked anyone. He he he. -starts waving her fingers around teasingly- I know what's gonna happen, I know what's gonna happen.
Yeah, well, if you're saying I should because I am the writer, then, you're a smart arse. XP
