Okay here we go another chapter added to this story. Glad to see that those of you who are reading this love it so much. This is actually my first vampire story so I am quite pleased. R&R please.

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Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story but I do own the story itself so no touchie!!!

The Demon Within Chapter 2: Murder By The Docks

"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD MOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRNNNNIIIING!!!!!" A huge shout rang out through the Going Merry as its captain awoke to greet the new day.

"C'mon Luffy it's six in the morning." Zoro groaned as he rolled over on the couch. He liked the couch better than his hammock.

"You can't sleep through the whole day Zoro! Get up!!!" Luffy shouted as he jumped on top of Zoro.

Soon enough Luffy's shouts awoke the rest of the crew who took in the scene of their energetic captain jumping up and down on their resident swordsman. It was quite obvious that he was not happy about it either.

"Get up, get up, get up!!!!" Luffy shouted over the laughter of the rest of his crew.

"Get off!!" Zoro shouted as he tossed Luffy across the room.

"Good, you're up let's go!" Luffy said with one of his trademark grins. "SANJI, FOOOOOD!!!"

Zoro groaned in aggravation as he stood up and made his way out of the men's quarters, grabbing his katana along the way. He walked out onto the deck and squinted at the brightness of the sun in the sky. He looked to his left to see Robin and Nami walking calmly out onto the deck and then turning towards the kitchen.

He could hear Luffy pounding on the table from out here. He was the last to walk into the kitchen. Zoro took a quick glance around the crowded table, grabbed and plate, a glass of water, and headed towards the crow's nest. He took a small bite of the eggs on the plate thought for a few minutes before tossing the contents of the plate into the sea below.

He quickly drank the water and went back into the men's quarters. Once inside he moved towards his hammock and then kneeled down to the chest beneath it. He cautiously looked around before setting the plate and glass down before opening the chest. It contained many different bottles filled with a variety of liquor. He took one, popped the lid off, and inhaled the scent that wafted from the bottle.

"You'll do." He said and closed the chest.

He took the plate and the glass in one hand and the bottle of liquor in the other then walked back out to the deck. He reached the mast and looked around sniffing the air and listening intently. Once he was sure that no one was on the deck he lifted his foot, placed it on the mast, and walked straight up to the crow's nest.

He sat down squinting once again at the brightness of the sun as he did so and began to shake the bottle of liquor vigorously. He took a deep breath as the wind blew its cool greeting to him. The salty smell attacking his senses and causing him to shut his eyes in comfort. Truth be told Zoro loved the smell of the sea. As wild and untamable as she is she is also one of the most beautiful things in the earth.

He popped the cork off of the bottle in his hands and took a gulp savoring the taste of it before swallowing. He smiled lightly to himself as the fluid traveled down his throat. His eyes began to glow ominously as he took another drink.

Suddenly a scream pierced the semi-silence of the morning. Zoro lifted his head in alarm and winced slightly as his fangs unsheathed automatically from adrenaline. He popped the lid back on his bottle and gritted his teeth as he climbed down from the crow's nest. He quickly sheathed his fangs as he descended. As soon as he was on the deck he ran over to where his friends were gathered by the railing.

"what happened?" He asked.

"We don't know." Nami said as she gazed at the crowed gathered by a nearby shoreline.

"But we're going to find out." Luffy said as he ran off the ship and onto the pier.

Suddenly Sanji threw him a concerned look as they began running after their captain.

"Zoro are you alright?" The cook asked.

At this everyone stopped dead in their tracks and turned towards Zoro.

"Of course. What's wrong?" He said, completely confused.

Robin came up to him and dabbed a finger on the corner of his mouth. He moved back and she showed him her finger. The tip where she had touched him had blood on it.

"Shit!" He thought as a moment of panic came over him.

He quickly wiped away the blood on his lip and moved forward.

"Zoro!" Chopper shouted after him.

"I'm fine! Are we going to find out what's going on down there or what?" He growled as he continued to walk towards the pier.

Everyone simply shrugged their shoulders. Knowing it was useless to argue with Zoro when he was like this. But Chopper had made a mental note to look over Zoro when they got back to the ship. Whether he liked it or not.

The crew ran towards the crowd gathered by the shoreline. After reaching it they began to push their way through. Upon reaching the edge of the crowd they were met with a grim sight. There were a few men gathering human limbs and chunks from the water. They had even found a few pieces of clothing.

"Hmmmm, shark." Zoro stated simply before turning away and walking towards the town.

The rest of the Strawhat crew quickly followed after him.

"How can you be so, so......nonchalant?!" Usopp shouted at him.

"Pfft, I've seen worse." He mumbled as he continued walking towards the town.

He popped the lid off of his bottle and took a drink as they caught up with him.

"What's that?" Luffy asked.

"Mine."

There was silence as they entered the town and more as they walked around in it. The day had not started well at all. First the blood on Zoro's lip and then the dead person by the docks. But Sanji had realized something. Something that had brought out a terrible realization. A shark would have eaten more. They wouldn't have found more than a few good sized chunks of flesh and if any other animal had done it then the body wouldn't have been found near the water. That could only leave one thing left. One possible killer.

Another person.

"Well since we're here we might as well have some fun!!!" Luffy shouted trying to lighten the mood.

"Do you ever calm down?" Zoro said in annoyance as he took another gulp of his drink.

"Nope. But this time's gonna be different." He grinned at his first mate.

"Oh really? Why?" Zoro responded as he rolled his eyes.

"Because this time you're gonna have fun."

"Really."

"Yep in fact you're gonna laugh!" He grinned again.

"Good luck with that."

"What makes you think we can't do that?"

"Because I've had to put up with Sanji and let me tell you nothing is funnier than that face."

This earned round of laughter from everyone but Sanji. Who instead began fuming at Zoro, who simply took another drink with a sly grin.

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Well there you go. I hope this is to your satisfaction. If you have any ideas or suggestions then just tell me. See you next chapter! Chow!!!