So sorry this chapter's a week late! It's been pretty busy around here, and I was barely halfway done last week . But please don't worry, I am still writing! I won't leave you all hanging like I did the original version. I hope you enjoy this update!
Also, due to someone's suggestion, I tried a different format this chapter. This should be a little easier to follow with separate scenes. Let me know if this format's a little easier.
Enjoy!
Zoro yawned, his eyelids drooping slightly. He hadn't gotten anything more than a light nap in the past three days. He had been vigilant in his watch of the Baratie. The bartender came down every morning early, and left work late at night. Zoro guessed he lived above the bar, so the space above must be an apartment. Nami occasionally made an appearance. Zoro watched with some amusement as the two spent unnecessarily long chats outside. He hadn't seen Raven at all, but that wasn't surprising really. She wasn't stupid enough to show herself. If she was here, he would have to be patient.
Sanji stood just outside his apartment door. He took a long drag from his cigarette, blowing a thick cloud of smoke into the light breeze. Neither Nami or Raven had complained of the scent, but he made sure to smoke outside anyway. He turned at the sound of the door opening. Nami walked to stand beside him, while Raven stayed just inside the building.
"How are my beautiful ladies this morning?" He gave them a smile, and Nami rolled her eyes as Raven laughed softly. "So what's the plan so far?" He took another drag, "What can I help you with?"
Nami took a deep breath, crossing her arms over her chest. "We're still trying to figure that out. It would be easy enough to get Raven out of town without being seen. But that cop is the problem, whoever he is."
"Zoro." Raven added, softly.
"Whatever. Point is, him being here has made this a lot more difficult because he's here exclusively for Raven." Nami glanced around at the street below. "He's still out looking for you right now, and I get the feeling he won't quit so easily."
Raven nodded, "He's a lot more determined than the rest of them sent after me." She crossed her arms across her chest and leaned against the door frame. "He's a lot more dangerous too. He's smart. And aggressive."
Nami snickered. "He may have street smarts, but he's also really dumb. It was so easy to get under his skin. He's got, like, zero tolerance."
Raven's lips twitched in a smile, "I think that might have something to do with you too. You probably didn't give the poor man a break. I feel sorry for him." She laughed softly.
Sanji's eyes flicked up at his dark haired friend. This man had chased her into a corner, and she felt sympathy for him? The more time he spent around this woman, the more he was sure she was innocent. She wasn't a murderer. Raven was impossibly honest, even though she always kept up her calm facade. She may not be honest with what she was feeling, but she wasn't a liar. That much was obvious. He took a deep breath. He wanted to protect her. With everything he had. She was so…tired. He could see it so easily. She was so tired of running. Always looking over her shoulder for the people that would lock her up for something she didn't even do. He sighed.
"Come on, Nami my darling. We've got to get down to the store. It's my one day off, and I've got a lot of shopping to do." He flashed her his biggest smile, "It's kind of like we're going on a date!"
Raven burst out laughing as Nami groaned, and shoved Sanji as he headed down the stairs. The two women shared a private smile before parting ways.
Zoro groaned, sliding out of his SUV. He had been sitting for almost a full day, watching the Baratie apartment with vigilance. Today was the weekend, and he had noticed that the blond man hadn't come down for work at the usual time. The bar must be closed. He stretched, closing the car door behind him. He needed to get some food or something. He hadn't eaten recently, and it was starting to wear on him. No buses had come or gone recently, so Raven was definitely still in town. He couldn't say for sure whether or not she was in the bartender's apartment, but he intended to wait either until she showed, or he had the chance to check.
And speak of the devil. He watched the blond appear around the corner, with Nami right behind him. The bartender said something, and Nami laughed, sliding her arm through his. Zoro smiled. Were the two of them a couple? That was new information.
Well, whatever. They were both out of the apartment now. And if Raven was there, she would be there alone. What a perfect opportunity. He watched Nami and her escort disappear down the street before making his move.
Raven absentmindedly poured herself a cup of coffee before drifting back to the guest room Sanji was sleeping in. He had promptly given his king sized mattress to Nami and Robin, and had moved into the guest room. He used it as more of a storage room, so there were all kinds of boxes and junk scattered all over the place. She knelt by an open cardboard box, and sifted through the few books the house contained. She hadn't been alone in the apartment yet, so she hadn't read any of them. Actually, it had been a while since she sat down and enjoyed a good book.
She had just chosen a thin novel from the stack when the door opened back up. She glanced back toward the kitchen. "Back so soon?" She called down the hall, teasingly. No response came. She took a sip of her coffee and got to her feet, lazily making her way back to the kitchen. "Did you forget something?" She asked, without looking up from her book. When there was still no answer, she looked up at the person standing just inside the door.
Book and coffee hit the floor simultaneously.
Zoro made his way to the apartment with ease, no one else around to think anything odd of it, or stop him. The door was still unlocked, further evidence that someone else was here. He had just opened the door, when a voice called out from a back room. "Back so soon?" It was a woman's voice, but he wasn't positive it was Raven's. He had never actually heard her say anything. "Did you forget something?" He tensed as she appeared around the corner, a book in one hand, a mug in the other. Raven. She was just as breathtaking as she was the other night; but now, she looked so much more relaxed. Peaceful almost. She was an attractive women, he had to admit.
She looked up, her eyes a little curious. He could actually see her entire body shift into defense mode. She stepped back into a fight stance, her book and mug falling as she brought up her arms in front of her. Her blue eyes widened in surprise, but quickly flashed into that cautious mask she always wore. However, he did not miss the split second of fear that crossed her face. She was afraid.
Raven could feel her heart skip a beat, and then suddenly start pounding. What was he doing here!? How could he find her so fast?! She fell into a defensive crouch. What was he planning? He was just standing there inside the door, watching her.
"Well well well." Zoro smirked, leaning against the wall.
Raven's eyes narrowed. "How did you find me?" He was so relaxed, but she didn't let her guard down. She knew how he fought. He moved fast and hit hard. She wasn't taking any chances.
"Nami brought me right to you." He said, looking around the apartment lazily.
Raven blinked in disbelief. Nami had betrayed her? "She told you where I was?"
Zoro laughed, a horrid sound, "No, nothing like that. You're little burglar is actually surprisingly loyal. No, I tracked her. Figured she'd bring me to you eventually." He blinked, slowly. "And here you are."
Raven frowned slightly, "Here I am. Now what?"
She watched his hand twitch. He was just as tensed as she was, even if he was putting on a good front. Was it true, what Nami said about it being easy to get under his skin?
She smiled, "Did you wait until the others were gone so you didn't have to fight them too? Afraid you can't take all of us?"
He cocked his head, "That's exactly it." He said without expression.
Raven paused. What?
He saw her hesitate, for only an instant. Whether it was in confusion, or surprise, he didn't care.
That instant was all he needed.
Raven yelped as something flew by her head, slicing the edge of her ear. She watched in horror as the blade buried itself in the wall behind her. How had he-!?
She gasped as he slammed into her. She was thrown backwards, and cried out as she hit the wall, hard. He was towering over her, his face inches from hers. She struggled for a moment, but soon discovered it was useless. His right forearm was across her chest, holding her there, immovable. She glared up at him, and he grinned.
He sneered down at her, their eyes boring into each other. Honestly, he was impressed by her vitality. In all the reports and files he had ever seen, no one had ever mentioned her intensity. She was so much more lively than he was expecting. People always acted like she was just a mirage, a sort of shapeless phantom. But she met him with a fervor that he couldn't ignore. She was fascinating, the more he saw of her.
Raven's mind was working at break-neck speed, analyzing everything about him. He was intimidating, this close. Their bodies were so close, they were almost touching. She could feel the ferocity emanating from ever inch of him, and it sent adrenaline burning through her. He was staring, his dark eyes boring into her. She wasn't sure what she saw there. Was it malice? Hate? He had this wild look in his eyes. She was reminded of a predator, enjoying the pain of its prey. She bristled, somewhat excitedly. If he expected this to be an easy hunt, he was dead wrong.
Zoro flinched as Raven's arm shot up. Had she always been this fast? He grimaced as pain shot across his face, and his left eye stung as she dug her thumb into it. He jerked his head back, twisting away from her.
She shoved against him with everything she had, and he stumbled away. She brought her leg up to his chest, and sent him crashing into the opposite wall. She leapt toward the kitchen, but was thrown off balance as he caught her ankle. She fell forward, and rolled away from him as he got back to his feet. They both came up slowly, eyeing the other warily. Raven's eyes flicked to the door. He hadn't locked it. If she managed to get outside, she might have a better chance getting away from him. It was a gamble, and normally something that she would never try. Not ever where there were other people. They were always so quick to help the police. But here… Here they might be a little different.
Zoro watched her eyes dart over to the door, and the thought process that quickly followed. What was she planning? He tensed, watching her every move. If she managed to escape somehow, he would lose her again. And this time, she would not be so easy to find.
Raven moved before she could think herself out of it. She leapt toward the door, trying to pull it open before Zoro got to her. Hope flickered as she yanked it back, sunlight streaming in.
Zoro snarled as the door swung open. He couldn't let her escape. He wouldn't let her get away from him!
The world seemed to move in slow motion as Raven started to turn the corner to ward the stairs. Would Zoro dare chase her in broad daylight? She couldn't help the smile that slowly touched her lips.
A smile that was violently pulled away. Her head snapped forward, a strong arm wrapping around her stomach and jerking her backward, into a powerful hold. She twisted in his grasp, throwing a desperate elbow and kicking out at whatever she could.
Zoro winced as her elbow slammed into the side of his head. He had managed to grab her before she got away, and now had both arms around her waist and had lifted her off the ground. She had thrashed around and hit him, and he lost his balance as she kicked off the wall. The two writhed around each other as they fell, until slamming into the ground. Zoro managed to break his fall, with Raven trapped underneath him. He paused, his face beside hers. She seemed stunned from the fall, her arms kind of uselessly pushing against his chest. He blushed slightly as he became acutely aware of her body pressed tight under his. She was a lot smaller than he thought. She was actually almost…frail. He pushed himself up on his elbows, looking down at her face. Her eyes were closed, and she looked like she was having a bad dream. She was kind of whimpering as her eyes roiled around under her eyelids. She must have hit her head pretty hard.
Before he had the chance to stop himself, he reached up and ran a hand through her hair. She was beautiful. He couldn't help himself, but stare. He studied her dark hair, the way it shimmered a dark blue in the sunlight. And then he looked back to her eyes.
She was watching him with an expressionless gaze, and he could see that she sensed his hesitation. She didn't move. She didn't say a word. She just stared, her big blue eyes boring into his soul.
And he couldn't do a damn thing but stare back.
Raven watched with a curious caution as Zoro met her gaze. She sensed she was not in any immediate danger here. His aggression had all but vanished, and a look she couldn't read had taken its place. His face was inches from hers, his elbows on either side of her head. She could feel his body close to her, but she noticed he wasn't letting his full weight press against her. It was enough to be clear she was trapped, but he was being careful not to crush her.
"So, what now, 'Pirate Hunter'?" She watched closely as he leaned back ever so slightly, his eyes narrowing back into their usual combative glare.
Zoro stiffened as she spoke. How did she know that name? He mentally shook himself. It didn't matter. Right now, he had to focus on not letting her escape. He had her pinned easily at the moment, but what next? She wasn't just going to let him walk her out to his vehicle to take her in. She wasn't going to stop putting up a fight.
Raven let her eyes travel over him, assessing the situation and position they were in. He had her well and truly pinned. There didn't seem to be a clear way out of this.
Until Zoro was suddenly thrown off of her. "Raven!" Nami was instantly at her side as Sanji put himself between them and the detective. The ginger helped her sit up, "Are you okay? He didn't hurt you did he?" Raven laughed a little as her friend's worried eyes searched her up and down, "Not too badly."
Zoro rolled away, and came up into a crouch as the tall bartender stepped between him and Raven. Great. His one chance, and it was practically blown. He snarled at the blond man.
"You bastard!" Sanji growled, glaring at the crouching detective. Raven didn't look too badly hurt, but there was blood drying over her right ear and she looked a little shaken. And that was enough to make him really angry. It was all he could do to stay put and not tear the man apart. His first duty was to protect Nami and Raven.
Nami worriedly checked over Raven, helping her into a sitting position. She didn't look too bad, thank god. "Let me see that." She muttered, tipping Raven's head over to find the source of the bleeding. It wasn't a lot of blood, but it was clearly from a wound of some sort. "We'll need to get that cleaned off. Can you stand?"
Raven laughed, a little nervously. She wasn't used to someone being so eager to take care of her, "I'm alright, really." She let Nami pull her up, and the two watched the men face off.
Zoro stayed low in a crouch, his eyes never leaving his opponent. He didn't know a thing about the blond's fighting style. He was so thin and tall, he didn't look like much at all. But he had sent Zoro rolling across the floor somehow. He hadn't pushed him. He hadn't kicked him…or had he? He glanced down at the other man's legs. The more he thought about it, the more it made sense. The bartender was on his toes. His legs were tensed and ready; unlike his hands, which were lazily stuffed into his pockets. What kind of training had the small-town bartender gone through?
Sanji had brought himself up to his full height, and stared down at the moss headed idiot. He was practically boiling over with malice, and he sensed a similar bloodlust coming from his adversary. The two of them were just itching to fight.
And fight they did.
Sanji leapt forward, arcing his leg up, and bringing it down in an axe kick. The cop blocked it with relative ease, taking the full force of the blow with his bare arms. Sanji was thrown off balance as his other leg was swept out from under him. As he fell, he brought his leg around in a windmill kick that knocked the other man back. He managed to get his hands under him, and handspring away from the detective Zoro, he remembered Raven calling him.
Zoro was caught completely off guard as the thin man's kick smashed into him. If he hadn't blocked with both arms, that might have been a lot more serious. As it was, both his forearms were throbbing. He had swept aside the leg the bartender was standing on, but it barely even phased him. He had just flipped back around, and landed another kick before coming back up in a semi crouch. Zoro barely managed to block the strange wheel-like kick, and even so, it knocked him back a bit. Who was this man?
Raven almost held her breath as the two men faced off. Sanji's kicks were impressive, and she could tell from Zoro's reaction that they were far stronger than he had been anticipating. She was a little surprised herself. Even while Zoro was completely focused, Sanji still managed to push him back. Nami was holding Raven's arm, and she felt the ginger's grip tighten ever so slightly. She glanced down at Nami's anxious face. She couldn't disagree, she was somewhat worried herself.
The bartender was still set between Zoro and Raven. Zoro scanned the two newcomers. They would definitely prove to be a problem. He had already had a run in with Nami. She wasn't nearly strong enough to beat him, but she was trained enough to get in his way. And her annoying personality did nothing to raise his opinion of her. It was the blond man he was mainly focused on. If Zoro was fully rested, and well fed, he was sure he could beat him. But as it was, this fight might be a struggle. He had to finish this quickly.
Sanji tensed as the detective rushed him again. He managed to dodge a strong hook the man threw, and brought his knee up hard as he could.
Zoro winced as the wind was knocked out of him. The bartender's leg smashed against his stomach. Thankfully, Zoro's every muscle was tensed, and his abs absorbed most of the force. But running on low energy was starting to wear on him, and his barely stayed on his feet.
Before Sanji had a chance to re-chamber for another kick, Zoro had a tight grip on his leg. The detective swung him around, and threw him across the kitchen. "Sanji!" He heard Nami call out as the blond man crashed against the wall. Was that his name? Interesting. Not that he cared, he kept on turning until he was facing the two women. "You are coming with me!" He growled, reaching toward Raven's shocked face. He almost had her. She was almost caught!
Raven was frozen in fear as Zoro's hand loomed closer and closer. Time slowed down again. All traces of the Zoro she had glimpsed earlier were gone. He was overflowing with anger again, his dark eyes burning with hate. He was so close. She couldn't dodge him!
Zoro's hand shot by Nami's face, and she barely had time to blink. "You are coming with me!" The cop hissed, reaching behind her. Raven! She had to move fast! If she didn't, this man would drag Raven away. Raven's face surfaced in her mind, her eyes clouded with a sad, resigned gaze. Nami's jaw tensed. She wouldn't let this man hurt Raven anymore!
Zoro's near victory shattered right in front of him as he stumbled backwards. Nami was right in front of him, pushing him away from his prize. "You aren't taking her anywhere!" She cried as the two of them fell backwards. Zoro growled, tossing her away from him. She yelped as she was thrown sideways. She hit the floor, tumbling over to the wall. He climbed to his feet, glowering down at her. How dare she get in his way again!
Raven let out a shocked breath as Zoro fell away from her. Relief flooded her, but concern quickly followed as she saw Nami crumple against the wall. The ginger groaned, pushing herself into a sitting position. But Zoro was already standing, towering over her with a wild look on his face. He growled down at her, "I've had all I can take of you!" Raven felt like she was watching a film as he pulled a handgun from under his coat, bearing down on the motel owner. She saw the fear in Nami's eyes. Sanji's anguished cry seemed to echo from another room. No. Not again. She wouldn't stand by and watch the people she cared about be killed. Not this time.
Her body moved on its own, running toward Nami. The entire world seemed to focus on that single item, the pistol glinting in the daylight. Nami screamed as Zoro's finger tightened around the trigger. Raven had to get there in time. She had to!
Everything froze as the gun fired.
The sound seemed to echo in a dreadful silence.
Nami's eyes were shut tight, her hands over her head.
Sanji stared, shock written all over his face.
Zoro's jaw dropped in surprise.
Raven took a shaky breath, her hands falling away from the barrel. She took an unsteady step, blood seeping through her shirt. She glanced down at her stomach, her face a mixture of confusion and relief. She looked over at Nami, then back to Zoro, black swimming on the edges of her sight. "No one-" Zoro was looking down at her, his eyes wide with shock. "Gets to hurt my family" She blinked, darkness swarming her thoughts. "Again." She whispered, falling backward.
She barely heard Nami scream her name before sinking into sweet unconsciousness.
Thanks for all your reviews on last chapter! You little tips are really helpful, and I love hearing your thoughts on my work :) I would say sorry for the cliffhanger...but we have to live with no regrets, don't we? Heh heh hehhhh
XsAkUrApeTaLsX: There are a few scenes that I removed/changed up in this version. I had forgotten about that scene. But I'm glad you still like this version :)
Guest: Zoro is actually very smart about certain things. He's never struck me as a stupid person. I feel like he's got really good practical/survival skills, but social/people skills are practically nonexistent xD I'm glad you like it so far! I hope I can continue to write an enjoyable story for you.
Anyone: I will definitely be continuing with this story, no worries!
Guest: I'm really glad you love this :D I'm loving it too, honestly.
JJ: Yes to another update! Although this chapter's late . Sorry about that. And yeah, Zoro is actually pretty smart. Street smart anyways. I'm trying to incorporate his kind of dumb side that he has in the anime...not sure if I'm doing a very good job tho. Nami is actually pretty gutsy. In the anime, she looks really weak next to the Monster Trio. But in her own right, she's one tough cookie.
And I tried a different writing format to help differentiate between scenes. Let me know if this is easier to follow. I think last chapter, I completely forgot the breakers O.o My bad...