Wow, after such a big dramatic cliffie in the last chappie, I hope this one makes up for it. It has a bit of a twist I don't think many will suspect, well, maybe some of you will have suspected something from the beggining, but that's only because you're smarty pants. XP Anyway, I present to you, the second last chapter, of Palace Guard. (bows)

Chapter 10

Zolo walked out onto the road and then turned and slammed his fist against the stone wall. It had hurt something fierce to leave Luffy like that, but, he had to do it. He knew Luffy didn't love him, heck, the kid probably didn't even know what the hell love was!

Zolo sighed and leant forward to rest his head against the cold stone. He hoped Luffy wouldn't follow him, he didn't want to have to explain everything to the boy. It was all just too complicated and even the swordsman didn't moderately understand it.

"Zolo…" a soft voice said and Zolo's fist clenched. He slowly turned his head to see the prince standing there, a saddened expression on the boy's face. It wrenched at his heart but he frowned instead.

"What Luffy? I have to go." he growled, but the anger just wasn't in it. Luffy blinked and he looked away.

"I don't want you to go." he mumbled. Zolo frowned and turned to look down the road that led to the town, and Sanji's restaurant. He could take shelter there if need be.

"Well, I don't have a choice." Zolo replied harshly. Luffy jumped forward and wrapped both arms around Zolo's waist.

"No, no no no no." he mumbled against the swordsman's chest, shaking his head as fast as he could. Zolo's breath hitched in his throat and he felt his face redden and his eyes prickle.

"Why do you have to go?" came the question and Zolo grit his teeth.

"Because…" I can't stand being around you when I know you don't love me. "I said I would look after the restaurant with Sanji when I got you back safe and sound and…" Can't you tell I'm lying? "you have Shanks and his guards to look after you and you don't need me anymore." But, god do I need you. Zolo replied. Luffy stepped back a little.

"…Zolo, please. I still need you. Sure, Shanks' guards are awesome, and Benn is always willing to play, but, I have never had as much fun with them as I have with you." Luffy explained.

Please, Luffy, you're making this hard. I can't leave if you start doing this to me. Zolo thought, averting his eyes from those deep black shining orbs that showed him the world when he looked into them. Luffy, was his world, and more and more over the last few weeks he had come to realize that.

Zolo, can't you tell what I am trying to say? Luffy thought as he watched Zolo's teeth grit and his face strain under the pressure of whatever it was he was trying to hide. Luffy blinked and then stepped back. He knew it. Zolo didn't love him, like he thought he had… but he could try.

"Zolo…" and the swordsman's face turned slowly back and Luffy blinked up at him, "I love you." and Zolo's heart stopped. The world stopped. He just stared at Luffy and the prince just stared back at him.

"You…" Zolo tried to ask, but Luffy nodded before he could finish the sentence. His head swam, and his brain began screaming at him to do something…anything! Stop standing there and act, you moron! And Zolo's heart knew exactly what to do.

Slowly leaning down towards the prince, he lifted the boy's chin and pressed his lips lightly to Luffy's. Nothing in his life, could compare to this moment. His hands came up to the sides of Luffy's face, and Luffy's arms wrapped around his neck and pulled him down, deepening the kiss but still keeping it chaste. Zolo leant back, the desire to breath overcoming his want to keep them locked together. Luffy's eyes fluttered open and Zolo looked into them as Luffy smiled.

"And you tried to leave." he said. Zolo chuckled and hugged Luffy against him and just laughed. Nothing in his life had ever made him so happy.

"Hey Zolo!" a voice called and Zolo looked up. He knew that voice. He spun around and looked down the road to see a two familiar figures standing on the hill below them.

"It's the guys! From the castle!" Luffy cried and Zolo blinked before his face split into a large grin and he held up an arm.

"Johnny! Yosaku! Glad you guys could make it!" he called. There was a slight yip and Luffy stiffened against Zolo and the swordsman looked down.

"Hey, you okay?" he asked, giving Luffy's shoulder a slight shake. The boy shrugged out of his embrace and began running down the slope. The yipping intensified and a small, light tan dog made it's way over the hill behind Johnny and Yosaku.

"Chopper!" Luffy cried and grabbed the little dog as he reached it. Zolo walked up behind him and clapped Johnny on the back when he had reached him.

"What took you so long?" Zolo asked and the three laughed as Luffy jumped up and grinned as well.

"Yeah, well, we had to stop and look after this damn dog. It was persistent and it looked like a good animal, so, we looked after it until we got here." Yosaku explained. Luffy grinned at both of them.

"He's my dog! Thankyou for saving him. I was so worried!" Luffy cried, hugging the little, blue nosed dog to his chest.

"Your highness! Luffy!" a voice called and Luffy turned to see Benn running towards him. The prince blinked at the concerned expression on the man's face.

"Shanks, I mean, his highness wants to see you this instant. Something important has just happened." Benn said. Luffy blinked and then handed Chopper to Zolo, who took the dog without complaint and then watched as Luffy ran off with Benn.

"Don't you dare try and leave again Zolo! You do, and I'll hunt you down myself!" Luffy called over his shoulder. Zolo smiled and stroked Chopper's head. No way in hell was he leaving now.

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It was late… very late. Zolo was sitting in the courtyard again, Chopper having fallen asleep on the grass at his feet. He looked up at the moon and wondered what could be taking Luffy so long, and what had been so important? He sighed and looked for the thousandth time towards the door where Luffy was sure to come at any minute. Zolo watched it for a while and then looked back up at the sky. Johnny and Yosaku had reported to the soldiers ages ago, but Zolo couldn't be bothered. There was a soft sigh and Zolo snapped his head around to see Luffy walking out towards him, his head hanging. He looked very tired, and the bandage on his chest obviously needed changing. The boy came over, and flopped beside him, lilting sideways to rest his head against Zolo's shoulder.

"You okay?" Zolo asked. Luffy gave a soft snort.

"Yeah. But we're going to war." and he let himself drop back into the grass.

"What?" Zolo asked. Luffy shook his head.

"We're going to war. Shanks received a message today from the townsfolk of Merry Go, and they declared war on Shanks' kingdom. Pretty silly, huh?" Luffy asked, turning his weary eyes on Zolo. The swordsman nodded.

"So, why did you take so long?" he replied. Luffy shrugged.

"Shanks was trying to figure out a strategy. He needed me there to tell him the routes in and out of the kingdom. That's all." the boy replied before heaving a sigh and closing his eyes. Zolo watched the younger boy's face for a while.

"When do we leave?" he asked quietly. Luffy shrugged.

"Tomorrow." he replied. "I've been ordered to be at the front with Shanks, but, I don't want to kill my own townsfolk! I can't do that Zolo! Shanks understands, but that damn adviser of his."

"Who, Benn?"

"No, frigging Sir Crocodile. He's such a bore. And a pain too." Luffy replied. Zolo blinked. Now why did that name sound so familiar?

"Sir Crocodile." Zolo said to himself, placing a finger on his chin, and then his eyes widened. "Luffy, he's no advisor."

"Eh? What are you talkin' about?" Luffy asked sitting up again. Zolo shook his head.

"Crocodile. He's no advisor. He's a bad guy Luffy. You need to go and tell Shanks right now that Crocodile is a murderer bent on taking over… he started the rebellion!" the swordsman deducted. Luffy blinked at him, mouth forming a small 'o'.

"Are you nuts Zolo? I think you've gone crazy." Luffy commented. Zolo shook his head.

"No, I haven't. Listen, when I was working in the restaurant with Sanji, I remember seeing this guy there. He was talking about a murder he had committed when I served his table and he was talking about trying to take over some country. I remember he had a woman with him, and she had black hair and a cowboy hat on."

"That's Robin! She's cool!" Luffy cried. Zolo shook his head.

"No Luffy. They're bad people. They have to be." he said and Luffy sighed.

"Well, if you say so Zolo. I don't exactly know what you've got against them, but, I'll go and tell Shanks now. I'll need you to come with me to tell him what you just told me." Luffy said as he got up.

"Oh will you now?" a soft voice asked and Luffy turned to see Robin striding from the castle door. Luffy blinked.

"Hi Robin!" he called brightly. Zolo got up slowly and placed a hand upon the hilt of his sword.

"Luffy…" Zolo said warningly, slowly unsheathing the top of the sword with his thumb. Luffy turned back towards him and then towards Robin. Which one should he trust?

"Sir, I do not intend to rain on your parade, but, I am about to tell you something which may help you." Robin said putting a hand on her hip. Luffy blinked.

"What is it?" Luffy asked. Zolo unsheathed the blade a little further.

"Crocodile is the one who set everything up. He put the ideas into the villager's heads that they were being oppressed, and they killed your family. He came here and put the idea into Shanks' head that his kingdom was under threat."

"Why are you telling us this?" Zolo asked, eyes narrowed as a cloud slowly went over the moon, sending the area into semi darkness.

"Because, he betrayed a promise he made me. I told him never to use my full name, and he did." she replied, crossing her arms. Luffy blinked.

"Crocodile needs to pay." he said, his eyes narrowed. This was going to end here and now. He was going to go up to that bastard's room, and he was going to pound him. Once and for all. Luffy began walking forward, but Zolo grabbed the boy's collar.

"I know what you're thinking Luffy. We can't go now. It's too… dangerous to say the least. We need to get Shanks on our side." he said.

"I don't know why Shanks trusted him!" Luffy growled. Robin shrugged.

"Because Crocodile saved his life I guess." and Luffy paused.

"What? When?" he asked. Robin sighed and put a hand on her forehead.

"Do I have to explain it? It's all so very boring." she replied and then saw the determined look on Luffy's face, "Alright fine. King Shanks was riding through the forest one day, his horse spooked and bolted towards a cliff. The horse stopped at the cliff, and King Shanks was thrown over the edge, only hanging on with one hand as you very well know. Crocodile came along and saved him." Robin explained and Luffy looked at Zolo.

"Hey, we have to go and see Shanks now, can you let go of my collar?" Luffy asked. Zolo blinked and looked down at his hand.

"I let go ages ago." and then Robin's eyes widened as a dark figure walked forward, gold hook gleaming as it held onto Luffy's collar and then the hook flipped around and was curled around Luffy's throat, the sleepy, almost insane eyes dancing with mirthless laughter. Luffy tensed.

"How the hell did you sneak up on us!" Zolo yelled, two of his swords already out and ready in his hands and Wadou travelling towards his mouth as he spoke.

"Let me go Crocodile." Luffy growled but the hook drew back a little, causing Luffy to lean back, his spin bending a little as he did so.

"Now why would I do that? Seems rather pointless, don't you think Nico Robin?" he asked, looking up at the black haired woman, who scowled. Zolo looked from the woman to Crocodile, and made a split second decision. He would trust Robin for now. She did seem as though she sincerely hated Crocodile.

"I don't know what's pointless with you anymore, you traitor." she replied. Crocodile chuckled and pulled back on his hook a little more, causing Luffy to hiss as his wound stretched. Zolo began to take a step forward but Crocodile held up a hand.

"Oh no swordsman, you'll stay right there. Anyone makes a move, and the prince's spine will snap like a twig." he said and then laughed. Zolo's teeth grit together and his arms lowered so the points of the swords were facing towards the ground. Crocodile laughed again.

"What do you want?" Zolo asked. Crocodile pulled back a little more on the hook and Luffy's back began to bend in an unhuman posture. Zolo tensed slightly, knuckles going white on the hilts of his blades.

"I have what I want. You see, I thought all the little rats of Merry Go were dead. But now, my spies tell me that the other brother is still alive and wandering. No matter though, he's going on a quest of his own. And then, Prince Monkey D Luffy shows up. Oh how my heart beat with joy to see him! Not! While one of the royals live, I cannot take over the throne! Do you know how frustrating that is? But, never mind. The boy's here now, thanks to you swordsman. I'll take him back to Merry Go, and give him to the villagers and they'll thank me. And they'll kill him. Then, Shanks will declare war on them, and while he's gone, I can clear out the castle, and I can take over two kingdoms!" and he laughed.

Zolo growled in his throat, but it didn't overcome the strained shout that Luffy gave.

"You bastard!" he yelled and then, rolling his head slightly to the side, he let his knees unlock and fell to the ground, flipping to his feet before Crocodile could do anything to stop him. Zolo blinked. Now why hadn't Luffy done that before? Crocodile blinked and then growled, teeth biting into the cigar in his mouth.

"How did you do that? No one should have been able to escape that." he growled and Luffy gave a short nod of the head.

"I'm a prince. I defend my people. You, are annoying me, so let's go." and he put his fists up. Zolo blinked again. Luffy really knew how to be cool when he wanted to be. Crocodile laughed and Luffy leapt forward and swung his fist towards Crocodile's face.

The man dodged to the side and brought his hook up, catching the back of Luffy's neck with it and then driving his knee into the younger boy's face. Luffy snorted and jumped back, holding a hand to his now bleeding nose.

"Lucky shot." the prince said and jumped forward again, swinging a leg around and smashing it into Crocodile's side and sending him towards the wall on the other side of the courtyard.

"Nice shot." Zolo said and Luffy grinned at him, holding his fingers up in a victory sign before jumping out of the way as Crocodile came crashing past.

"Little weasel." Crocodile hissed, and then swung around, catching Luffy's arm with his hook and driving the point into the soft skin. Luffy cried out and pulled his arm away, blood beginning to blossom from the hole.

Crocodile laughed and wiped his hook on the grass for a moment before leaping forward again. Luffy jumped back and as Crocodile leapt for him, he slammed a knee into Crocodile's gut. Luffy then twisted out of the way, spinning so he was behind Crocodile before cocking his arm, and driving his elbow into the larger man's back.

For such a small boy, the prince sure had some moves. Crocodile coughed slightly as he got up from the ground. In a swift movement, he swept his hook around and cut across Luffy's leg and the prince winced but didn't let it stop him. He was on a roll. Picking up his uninjured leg, Luffy drove his foot into Crocodile's back, slamming the traitor back down into the grass.

Using his toe, Luffy flipped Crocodile over onto his back, and then straddled his chest, holding the man's arms down with his knees. Luffy grabbed a fistful of Crocodile's hair, and slammed a fist into Croc's face.

"This is for my Father!" and he slammed a fist into Crocodile's cheek again.

"This is for my Mother!" and again.

"This is for Makino!" and again.

"And this… this is because I feel like it." and with the last hit, Crocodile fell back, unconscious. Luffy leaned back, sitting on the man's chest and then getting up, he looked at Zolo and Robin, who were watching him with slightly shocked expressions.

"What?" he asked.

Well, did anyone expect that to happen? Huh, didja? See, I had this in mind all the way through, and if you look carefully, you'll notice the little hints I put in every now and again. Or, perhaps you can read between the lines. I don't know. I'm just being a smart ass bitch now. (An arrow flashes over Plushie's head, writing on the side flashes in fluroscent light 'Smart ass!' ) Bet you can guess what I'm gonna say next? Yep, you guessed it. I had coffee... and sugar!

Coffee+sugariNsAnItY! on my part anyway. Isn't that right Mirathin? XP