Author's Note #1: So I don't own One Piece. I might be changing my schedule a bit again. I may just finish Speechless and take a break from One Piece (again. I know, so soon after returning) and then come back sometime in like ... March? It's that I can't do too much and I'm getting overwhelmed by plot-bunnies for non-One Piece stories that just need to be done or else I can't move on. I'm really sorry about this.
Speechless
By: Setkia
Full Summary
Sanji is a cook at the Baratie who, for a reason not fully understood by all the other cooks, has not spoken a word in three years. He goes through his life normally, communicating through paper and pen. He hasn't felt the urge to speak since he's decided he would never speak again. Things change though when one day, while taking out the trash, he accidentally runs into the "Demon the Streets".
Roronoa Zoro, the "Demon of the Streets" is a mystery but he's feared by everyone who hears his name. He's on the run from the police with a wanted poster and a big prize if he's found and captured. With an accidental wrong turn, he encounters a strange man with long legs and blond hair. Zoro learnt pretty early on that in his line of work, you don't get attached to people and yet somehow this cook is working his way through his barriers.
PART TWO: GOOD FIGHT
Even in the road blocks (yeah)
Even through the rough spots
When you're feeling you've given all that you've got
I'm with you in the next step
Giving you in the next breath
I'll be the voice saying "You're gonna make it"
When you're out there on your own
You are never alone
-Good Fight, Unspoken
XXV
Zoro's worried. It's quite clear that he's worried and he's sure he's biting his nails (which he should really stop doing, he knows it) but suddenly after hearing Sanji tell him he believes him, Zoro can't seem to stop shaking.
Suddenly the desire to make it out, it's overwhelming. He just wants to be able to be with Sanji, he wants to be able to be free.
And he supposes as a past convict his words mean nothing, but of course he knows the way court works. The only thing that count for anything is evidence. Evidence and swearing under the name of God that everything that shall be said in the courtroom shall be true.
So the next day Zoro goes to Robin and tells her he wants to testify.
"I don't think it's a good idea," says his lawyer with a frown on her face. "With a past criminal record, even before your jailing, you were kind of … rebellious, weren't you?"
"You're saying they won't believe me."
He knows that. But he has to try.
"I'm not saying that, it's just that a jury, which is highly judgemental, may not be swayed by the words of a convicted felon."
What's he supposed to do? Even if the whole trial is being done for his sake, is being had so that his sentence may be determined, he has no word in anything. He doesn't decide who testifies, doesn't decide anything. It's almost like a child who is taken on vacation by his parents; it has everything to do with him, and yet he has no say in the matter.
"I want to testify," he tells Sanji when he comes to visit him in his cell before the trial.
Sanji shakes his head.
Is every one against him?
"Why not?"
Sanji takes Zoro's hand and he tries to ignore the feeling that sparks up his spine. "U … un … unray— unreas— It's not unreasonable," he says, stopping Sanji before he can finish his word. "You know I'm innocent, you've said it before, to me and to the judge. So what's the problem?"
"B-bad," says Sanji in a shaky voice. "Bad idea."
Zoro shakes his head. "But—"
"Bad idea," Sanji repeats, a little louder.
"Did you change your mind? Do you think I'm guilty?"
Sanji shakes his head.
"Say it."
Zoro just wants to hear it, know that someone still believes in him but Sanji is silent.
"Sanji—"
"Please leaver the defendant alone."
They both turn to see Smoker watching them with a glaring eye.
"Just a few more—"
"No, do you think you have any rights at this point?" demands Smoker. "Get Vinsmoke out of there and go to bed. The judgment comes tomorrow."
Zoro can't stand it.
"Pu—punishment?" says Sanji in a shaky voice.
He's asking what Zoro might have to face. He wants to know.
Smoker takes a deep breath, his eyes turning a sad shade and he glances away from them before spiting out the word.
"Capital."
And with that, Sanji is forced to leave and Zoro is staring at the ceiling again
Author's Note #2: The thank-yous!
Miss Meep-A: I try.
Guest: So I'll tell you this: yes, I know a lot of this story is just responses. It's not that well constructed, I'm well aware. It's not everyone's cup of tea. I get it. If you don't like it, don't read it, alright? You have that much control at least. Anyway I've written better things, I know I have. But I started this so I'm gonna finish it.
Megenehason ZOSAN-LAWLU LOVER: Yeah. I know the chapters are short. Really quite frankly, it's not my best work I know that. But I'm glad you like it anyway.
Raigon: Yeah. Fluff. Gotta love fluff.
EmperialGem21: But I like impolite characters who should keep their mouths shut in social situations but don't.
Shizuka Taiyou: Yeah I know close to nothing about the law (outside Ace Attorney games) so yeah ... Sorry about that.
lilcutieprincess: Yeah, working on it.
Um ... question for this chapter ... Why do you think Sanji can't answer Zoro?
