AN: First off I want to apologize for all those spelling mistakes in the first chapter but that will no longer be an issue because I now have a wonderful BETA her names GekoMoriaShadowLord and she is so awesome you should really check out her stories especially her current one Betting!

I wanted to post a chapter every friday but I don't think I can always do that so instead of promising that, I will get a chapter up at least once a week.

I want to thank the people who sent reviews you made me so happy I jumped for joy!

Enjoy.

After Brook and Usopp sang and another offer of tea or coffee, which we refused; he showed us the apartment up-stairs. I was so tired, I probably would have just picked a nice spot on the floor to fall asleep.

It was a pretty big apartment: three bedrooms, living room, a beautiful kitchen, two bathrooms, beautiful oak floors. . . no carpeting, but that was okay, lots of closet space etc. But because of all that it was damn expensive: $2,000 a month. That was about what I got a month at work but some of it had to go towards food and essentials. Usopp was still in school and though he had an internship at some art museum so he wasn't making anything, and what Zoro was doing for cash right now was illegal on so many levels that if he were ever found out he would be sentenced to 50 years in prison -maybe even more, but he refused to listen to me- he just says 'the money's good so stop complaining'. He can do whatever the fuck he wants; but if the police found out, because me and Usopp knew about it, we would get busted too. Zoro is so brazen its annoying as hell. He has a one track mind and he doesn't think about the risks his actions are putting everyone else in.

We didn't have any furniture- just a bunch of clothes, a couple pots and pans, Usopp's art stuff, and Zoro's weights. So I guess there really was no choice if I wanted to sleep on the floor or not.

Brook said we could always sleep on the couch or something at his house but again we refused, I didn't want to bother him more then we already were, and he may have seemed alright but I still didn't quite trust him.

We grabbed or stuff and picked our rooms. Mine was a decent size and the window looked out at the ocean, yes, the ocean, lucky huh? Turns out this area was so foggy because we were so close to the water. The name really did fit this place. It would probably be nicer in the summer. Oh maybe we could even have a beach party and the girls could come in their bikinis!

"Yehehehehehe." . . .I hope no one heard that.

God, I was so tired just a minute ago and now I'm wide awake, it's probably this cold hard floor -man my ass is killing me! And this blanket is thin as paper! We need some winter stuff. No, we need stuff period -like some shitty furniture.

Sigh*

I guess I'll have to go shopping tomorrow; we'll be needing that shit heads pay check this month.

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These walls are so plain and dull I'll have to decorate or paint them someway if Brook will let me. He seems like a pretty easy going guy I think he will, I'll ask tomorrow. I'm thinking a nice burnt orange in here, give it a western kind of look or Jamaican. Knowing Zoro he'll want something relaxing and earthy and Sanji an ocean blue to mach his view, man he's lucky but Ha! I got the biggest room!

"Hehehe." I'll need it for the drawing desk I want to get. Im gonna fill this room up with all my art and then Kaya and the others can see how good I've gotten. . . . . I wish I could show Merry too- no, stop thinking about it he can see them from heaven, . . . yah, from heaven.

. . . Damn, these blankets are so thin I don't remember them being this light before.

I grabbed a bunch of clothes and nestled into them.

Good thing I have all these clothes to snuggle in.

I hope this apartment works out.

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This place was pretty nice. Usopp and the cook seemed to really like it; I didn't really care what it looked like as long as I had my own room. I don't know how I got the smallest one though, god it was cramped. I could barley put all my weights in here and I had to leave the biggest one out in the living room. I looked around the small room I stopped at the case in the corner. I knew the perfect place to put them though: right above the bed- that way I could always keep an eye on them.

I wasn't really tired and since it was really calm I decide to meditate. I fished out the mat that was buried under all my stuff, spread it out in the middle of the room and faced my widow. It looked out towards the house next to ours so all I could see was a brick wall but that was okay -it meant no distractions.

I got in position and did some deep breathing exercises.

Breath in through the nose out through the mouth in through the nose out through the mouth.

I did about ten sets until my heart was beating at a slow steady pace.

Clump clump clump*

I heard something.

Someone was coming up the front pathway. It was probably five in the morning right now who would be coming here this late or this early? I shut out all other noises around me so I could listen.

There was a soft knocking and the door downstairs opened.

"Mumble mumble with us mumble wants to mumble now."

"Mumble mumble -yohoho- mumble but mumble mumble?"

"I know mumble mumble mumble you."

Damn- they were talking to low I could only catch bits and pieces.

It was quite for awhile I heard the door close and keys locking it then two sets of feet started walking off. What the heck was going on where were Brook and this other guy going at five in the morning? And was this a regular thing or a special occasion?

Brook has a right to do what ever he wants but this is a bit too suspicious. I'd have to keep an eye on him for now.

I could hear soft snoring in the other rooms- they had finally gone to sleep.

I turned my attention back to Brook and his "friend" but they were out of earshot.

It wouldn't help to worry about it now, so I started my breathing exercise again and cleared my mind.

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God damn- if I thought my ass was killing me last night, this morning my back just slaughtered me. I looked at my watch- it was noon, uughhh what was I going to do for food?

Ding Dong*

Was that our door bell?

I sat up on my elbows, but quickly shut my eyes- the sun was so strong.

I defiantly have to get curtains, I should make a list.

I got up and poked my head out of the door just as moss head was walking by, I was surprised he was up before me. He answered the door. It was Brook, well-duh- who else would it be no one else knew we were living here-we should probably call everyone and tell them we moved.

I dragged my feet across the cold floor, god, where were my shitty socks? I needed a smoke.

"Yohohohohoho! Good morning Zoro, Sanji."

"Good morning Brook." I finally reached the door and leaned against the frame- I was still tired.

"Sorry to bother you, but I just wanted to ask something."

"What." God, Zoro was so rude.

"Its no bother Brook, what's up?"

"Well I was wondering if anyone of you happened to need a job."

A job? Well that was unexpected.

"No." Shitty bastard at least hear him out before you say 'No'.

"Ok thats good, bye!" He was a leaving a bit too fast.

"Wait! What kind of job is it?"

"Oh its nothing good- forget I asked."

Hay, anything was better then what Zoro was doing now, and he would get steady reliable legal money from it.

"What is it?" I asked again. "Moss head here needs one."

"I already have a job."

"No you don't."

Brook started looking very nervous. "Well its at this club I work at they have an open spot for a bouncer if your interested."

That was perfect for the muscle head!

"He'll take it!"

"Don't I get a say in this?!"

"No! Thank you Brook we'll come down in a minute and talk more."

"But-" I shut the door, I know I'm all for being polite but this was an opportunity that I did not want to get fucked up.

"What the hell?!"

"What?" I asked, looking at Zoro's gaping face.

"You know what- I don't need a fucking job!"

"Yes you do! If you have a real job you can make money regularly and not have to worry about getting caught."

"Im not gonna get caught! Would you stop worrying about it!?"

"No, because it's not just your ass on the line; me and Usopp would get in trouble too, and Im not going to risk that!"

"I'm not stupid enough to get caught by the cops! And if I did, I would make sure you guys weren't included in it. This is my problem, not yours!"

"Fine, what if your not caught; but these things are illegal for a reason!"

"What are you saying?"

"Im saying you could get hurt again or worse!" Shit, why'd I say that!?

That day we were all worried as hell when he came back with a gash the size of my arm. He couldn't even go to the hospital because they'd ask how he got it and there was really no time to get him there, it was a good thing Chopper was there to hold him together until we got him to Nami's uncle-who was a doctor and would keep this on the down low. I didn't want that to happen again worrying everyone half to death especially my ladies.

I didn't like the way he was looking at me.

"What bastard?!"

"A bouncer huh?"

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Ha! The idiot was worried about me. I couldn't help but smirk.

I remember that day when HE gave me my first and last defeat- everyone was so worried, but I knew I wasn't going to die- I just needed to sleep it off. . . it hurt like a bitch though.

I would check out this job but I wasn't going to promise anything about not going to the fight clubs anymore- they were good training.

I knew Brook was up to something and it looked like he was planing on involving us in it. Maybe I could find out what he was trying to do if I played dumb. He was acting so nervous and twitchy though- he really wasn't good at this, unless thats how he normally acts.

"Whatever, Im getting dressed and were going down stairs I'll cook some breakfast and then we can check this place out." I watched him storm off to his room.

Ha.

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"Hay Usopp, wake up." Zoro was shaking me but I was too tired to wake up. I buried my face in a sweatshirt.

"Zoro its to early I don't mumo mak pup. . ." I didn't care that I wasn't making sense I just wanted to sleep more.

"Come on its twelve already, Sanji's going to make breakfast it'll be cold by the time you wake up."

"Fine, fine I'll get up just give me five minutes."

"Ok I'm coming back in five minutes and if you're not up don't say I didn't warn you."

"Yah yah I'll get up don't worry."

I heard him walk out of the room, ahhh now I can sleep a little longer.

Then next thing I know.

"OWWW!"

"I warned you."

"That wasn't five minutes!"

"Yes it was."

"No it wasn't that was way to fast to be five minutes!"

"Even if it wasn't five minutes your wide awake now aren't you?" He walked out of room laughing to himself.

That bastard. I rubbed my sore butt, oww I'll get him back . . . later. But first breakfast.

I got up and searched through my pile of clothes I picked out my paint splattered overalls I loved these -they always made me feel super- and I would need that today. Luffy invited me over to watch movies along with Chopper, Vivi, Nami, and Kaya. If by any chance I sat next to HER I had to look good and be confident.

I put my orange T-shirt on underneath and my blue converse.

Now what should I do with my hair leave it down, wear a headband, bandana, hat, or put it in a pony tail. Man, I sound like a girl but that was the problem with long hair- I didn't know what do with it in situations like these.

I finally decided to put it in a pony tail I thought it made me look older.

"Usopp did you go back to sleep?!"

"No!"

I guess I should hurry up.

I slipped my arm warmer on, ran to bathroom, did my business, brushed my teeth, washed my face, and ran out to the living room.

"Finally." Sanji was leaning on the kitchen counter smoking a cigaret and Zoro was leaning against a wall by the door.

"Come on, I'm going to cook breakfast downstairs seeing as we don't have anything here we can eat."

"Oh good, I was going to ask Brook something anyways." I said.

When we got down there Sanji insisted he would cook breakfast and Brook gratefully gave in saying he hadn't had a decent meal in years. He practically cried when he tasted it but thats what kind of affect Sanji had on food.

I was also stuffing my face with eggs and bacon -it was all he had- "Hay Brook, I was wondering if I could paint the rooms upstairs, they're just so plain and dull."

"Yohohohoho! Of course. Are you an artist?"

"Only one of the best. I've been painting my whole life and people come from all around just to see m-"

"So Brook where is this club?"

Club? They were going to a club?

"Oh its just a few blocks down the street." Brook answered.

What were they talking about?

"You really don't need to do this just to please me though."

Do what?

"This isn't for you; it's for him." Sanji pointed to Zoro who just scowled at him.

"You guys want to fill me in on what your talking about?" I demanded.

"We're trying to get Zoro a job as a bouncer at the club Brook works at."

"Get Zoro a real job? And you work at a club?! Doing what?"

"I play the piano for the stage actress."

What kind of club were we talking here?

"Oh cool well good luck with that Zoro." I'm glad this was pissing him off. Ha, pay back for earlier, but I really did hope this worked out- I didn't want Zoro doing what he was currently doing, just in case. . .

"Well, we'll have to take the car anyways we have to go shopping afterwards and I want to get that done before it gets too dark."

Oh yah, that reminded me. "Hay Sanji, Im going to Luffy's- can I have some money for the bus?"

"Uh yah, sure, do you know how to get there?"

"Hay Im not Zoro! I don't get lost easily." I couldn't help it- it was too easy, he was fuming Heeheehee I win.

After breakfast Brook gave me a map and Sanji gave me bus fair for there and back and a little extra for just in case.

Sometimes I swear Sanji and Zoro act just like a mom and dad, but I guess it was alright since they were really the ones taking care of me, which I was really grateful for. Since I lost my mom and my dad left, I really didn't have any one like that.

It would take a while to get to Luffy's pad so I packed a bag with a sketch book, some snacks, and made sure I had my cell phone. That seemed to be the biggest problem with this new apartment we were so far from everyone else it would probably take an hour just to get there.

After about fifteen minutes on the bus I got out my sketch pad and started doodling. After about five doodles I notices they all looked kinda like Kaya. I flipped the page and started drawing her from memory. I couldn't help it I couldn't get her off my mind she was just so wonderful. Beautiful, nice, smart, care free, just fun to be around and she liked my stories- you can't say that for everyone.

Time sure did fly because when I looked up to see if we were close to Luffy's we were in a place I hadn't been before I looked down at the map.

Crap! I went to far! Im in Loguetown, now I have to take another fricken' bus. I guess this extra cash came in handy after all.

I requested my stop got off and waited for the next bus.

I got it right the next time and walked down to Luffy's house. I checked my cell phone it was 2:40 he invited everyone for three so I had no idea if Kaya was there already or not. I checked myself to make sure everything was good, satisfied, I took a couple of breaths. I can do this- I'm the Great Usopp! I knocked on the door and waited. I could hear Luffy laughing- probably all the way from the living room. Ace opened the door after awhile.

"Luffy! Usopps here! Hi Usopp, come in." I smiled at him and walked in.

"Oh Happy Birthday Ace."

"Thanks."

Luffy rushed up to me and pounced, gosh he had to stop doing that my back was going to break one of these days.

"Yah! Now all we need is Chopper and we can start!"

Oh man, that meant Kaya was already here.

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Sanji's car was nice and warm a bit cramped since I was so tall -yohohohohoho- but still nice I wanted to stay here with the two of them for awhile longer but of course the drive was short we only had to go three blocks down. The fog was already starting to roll in, this place always left a chilling vibe in my spine- like I was straining it.

I wish I didn't have to do this.

Sanji parked I got out of the back seat and looked up at the dark looming building.

"Thriller Bark."

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