Oh god, where do I start with this chapter O.O'. Ummmm I do believe in fairies!, I do, I do!. Ok that's not an appropriate start, even though I think Luffy would say something like that. Anime convention rocked, fired up my artistic and creative mind!. Nearly lost my hearing when one girl screamed "ALLENNNNNNNNNN KUNNNNNNNNN!" and then jumped me, so funny. I'm now broke, but have lots of goodies like manga, yaoi and a kick ass crown clown sword. My parents gave me a wtf kinda look when they saw my sword ... it's about the same size as me lol, then again my parents always give me strange looks something about hyperness and stupidity. Anyways about the fic, I plan to continue , though updates may be ages but I'll keep status on my profile page, okay good people of fanfiction ^^. It's funny, if I try to think up plot it doesn't really work but when I sit things spring into my mind and it practically types itself! (not really ... if only). I've always been a person better at doing things than thinking about them I guess, is that a good thing?
Here one must leave behind all hesitation;
here every cowardice must meet its death.
-The Divine Comedy, Dante
"Mmmnn...ramen tomato soup, and the whole tray of meat!, noooo don't take it bad unicorn!", these were the crazy sleep induced ramblings of a certain ebony haired teen.
The drool had long since soaked the pillow his face was currently chewing on. Luffy groggily cracked glazed eyes opened, not making much sense as the room was fairly dark. Pushing himself up Luffy's eyes narrowed briefly thinking he was back in Buggy the clowns company. As recent events fooled his mind his teased body relaxed. Despite this his head throbbed and he felt a sickness inside, which for a super human such as himself was un common. Dizziness overtaking him he fell back into the bed with a soft thump.
'The last thing I remember...I came here with Zoro... he left then Sanji...' his face uneasily heated at the memory, bringing his hand up he rubbed the spot where Sanji's forehead was once pressed. 'And after that?...' Luffy shifted around letting out a puff of air. He may be rather simple but even he knew certain things. He had lost time, he was now in an unfamiliar bed, at least he was alone. Luffy paused,' I am alone...right?' he tensely reached his hand outwards in the darkness feeling around the bed, making absolutely sure he was in fact alone.
When his hands were met with the only the silky sheet beneath him he deduced no one was in the bed with him. The blush that had been constantly staining his features disappeared upon feeling the emptiness of not only the bed but the entire room. Deep down he felt that perhaps maybe it wouldn't be so bad to wake up with someone, 'being alone sometimes is lonely.' Shaking his head to clear his unusual thoughts Luffy turned over, lying on his right side pulling the blanket closer around him.
At that moment a slightly maturer side of Luffy's psyche kicked in, 'who's bed is this?...it's not Zoro's, I can't get a clear scent...in all that time... did anything happen?, whys my head feel so heavy?.' His mind took him back to his beloved memories of Shanks and his crew, sometimes they would drink and wake not remembering events previous. Although at the time Luffy didn't catch on he recalled a few crew mates slapping him on the back boasting about how they'd woke up with a companion. Deep brown eyes snapped open 'sex!, they had sex!, when they were drunk!.' Luffy rubbed the bridge of his nose soothingly '...I got drunk?,...then maybe I ...' letting out a gasp Luffy's mind flew in ever direction.
Clumsily throwing off the now offending blanket he felt around feverishly checking he was still dressed, true his sandals and hat were missing but he knew they were not considered main items of clothing. Forcing himself to calm the tan teen fell back sprawling out 'I'd know right?...if I'd had ...it?, there's gotta be signs!, besides I was with Sanji...so.' His face flushing Luffy pulled the blanket over his head, the possibility was weighing heavily on him. His heartbeat calmed the more he reasoned over things. He wasn't sure exactly what it would feel like but he was sure he would know if something so important had happened. Especially since he'd never done such a thing before.
His mind slightly more at ease, he scanned around, he had no idea what the time was, the absence of light tended to have such an affect on people. Feeling unsettled Luffy gave up trying to rest, making his way quietly to what he hoped was the door he opened it slowly as if expecting an attack or sudden surprise. All that he was met with was an empty hallway, everything was still, engulfed in darkness but a dim light shown further down the passageway. Opting to follow the light Luffy's bare feet carefully padded down on the wood floors.
Zoro had left the living room light on beforehand knowing it was quite likely the teen would wake before him. The last thing the vampire wanted was to scare to boy or have him crashing around in the dark not doubt injuring himself and destroying property. After all Zoro knew as wide as they were the slayers eyes could not see in the dark and he figured Luffy would appreciate if not take some comfort from the light.
Upon reaching the lit up area Luffy was instantly drawen to the kitchen counter. His bright eyes locked upon a white piece of paper, pacing hurriedly up to it the teen grabbed it scanning the words with speed.
Slayer,
you can't drink for shit you know that?, anyway it was late, you were unconscious so I put you in the spare room. I called your idiot friend and told him where you were. There's a bag of take out food in the fridge if you want it, I got it for you last night so I'm not sure if it's any good to you now so do whatever you want with it. Feel free to do what you'd normally do at your place but do not wake me until later hours. And whatever you do...do not let that bastard Sanji in!, in fact if anyone comes to the door please kill them for me.
- Zoro p.s sandals and hat are next to the door
Tick tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, the repetitive beats of the clock were watched and counted by the vampire slaying teen. Patience and sitting still were not qualities he possessed. His unbridled boredom bore into his very soul, finally he could stand it no longer as he pushed himself upwards. It would still be day for a few more hours and unlike those he slayed he did have a life in the day. Luffy paused momentarily, rubbing his stomach in discomfort, he stomach felt unsettled and his head still felt heavy. Had he been normal the hangover would have been much worse for sure.
Exiting the luxurious building Luffy turned, still somewhat in awe of the fancy structure, continuing onwards a warm smile spread widely across his features. Sure there was an unbeatable quality to the night, but the teen couldn't help but worship the sun. Just feeling the rays on his skin sent a soothing sensation through him. To never see the light and world of day, to only live in a constant night was not something Luffy could comprehend.
Walking up a familiar street Luffy grinned bending down to admire the patch of flowers stretched out before him, brilliant reds and vibrant yellows burst forth amidst the painting canvas of the flower bed. Such colour was extremely pleasing to the eye as the fresh aroma of each flower floated upwards into the air. Quickly scanning to see if anyone was watching Luffy opted to grab a stray flower, an exotic orange one to be precise. Hurriedly continuing onward he jogged down to fairly crowed streets. The hustle and busel of people in full swing, women with shopping, kids laughing and eating ice cream, men carrying more shopping their wives had no doubt forced upon them.
Laughing to himself Luffy shook his head, turning to one building in particular he pushed the wooden doors open. Skipping up to the counter he laughed loudly to announce his presence. A women lifted her head above the bar only to be meet with a flower, which was being waved franticaly in front of her delicate face. Giggling slightly the woman stood dusting herself off from cleaning the lower part of the counter.
"Well hi to you too Luffy, an orange flower caught you eye this time hmm?."
Laughing to herself she gently took the flower examining it's beauty for a moment. Her skin was light in colour, her eyes were a creamy brown, her face was framed by two neat bangs of dark green hair with a patterned bandanna holding the rest in place. Her attire was simple, not exactly highly stylish but practical. A white skirt that ran down to almost her ankles, matched with a white/black shirt and patterned overcoat which matched her bandanna. One of the most charming if not the most attractive thing about her was her kind face, every expression soft and warm.
"Honestly Luffy one of these days that poor gardener is going to catch you."
"Pfffffft no way Makino!, I'm to fast for him" Luffy proudly announced taking a heroic pose.
"And his dumb old mini car" he added as an after thought.
Grinning stupidly to himself Luffy recalled his many great escapes. Calling the gardener a poor man was incorrect, the guy was far to protective of his flowers and had on many occasions chased the teen all over the city centre. Attracting large crowds to watch the bizarre spectical of him running around laughing hysterically while a crazy old man threatened to castrate him. Luffy found such times relatively fun, however even he did not want the deranged man to chop a precious part of his autonomy off. The shears he had proved he planed to make good on his endless threats.
Makino smiled softly placing a drink before the teen, she was used to Luffy drifting off into his own little world. looking down he smiled seating himself on a stool stretching lazily over the bar to get her attention "thank you!."
"No no it's nothing, you do more than enough work here Luffy" she assured as she set about sorting boxes of merchandise.
"So how's things?, is Usopp doing alright these days?."
"Everything's good, Usopp's still really funny!, and...I made a few new friends!."
"New friends?, that's nice what are there names?."
"Zoro, Sanji, Nami and Robin!."
Luffy briefly wondered if friends was the best way to describe the band of vampires. To be fair the correct term to use failed him, the situation between them all was still unlabeled. 'Can a slayer even call vampires friends?, maybe it's illegal or something.' His mind jumped to an image of Usopp dressed as a judge screaming "it's un natural and wrong, against the laws of nature!."
"My oh my Luffy you really have been busy, I'm so glad the more friends you have the better."
Smiling she pulled out a bag of sweets from the box waving it around enticingly at the teen. Seeing the almost desperate look he gave her she laughed handing them over. Luffy grinned taking the treats, looking at her as if she were a god, because in his eyes she was, she was a god of treats and sweets.
Luffy wanted to tell her more but as usual had to watch what he said around her, she did not know about the other darker world that surround them. But the teen would never tell her, she would worry far to much about everything not only him. Inwardly the mellowed teen smiled, no matter how difficult a time he was having seeing Makino washed his troubles away. Thought admittedly Luffy had a couple of close calls trying to explain cuts and bruises on the more visible parts of his body. He laughed them off claiming accidents and play fights with Usopp, she seemed to buy his lies. Now he tended to avoid her if he had any wounds, though it pained him it hurt worse lying to her.
Luffy loved her, not in a romantic sense or family sense, she was simply a warm figure in his life who he felt comfortable with. Makino had looked after him since he was young, despite having no blood relation to him. She was a good hardworking kind woman and Luffy thought the world of her.
"Say haven't you mentioned someone called Zoro before?, is he a friend now?."
Luffy's mind jumped back to a previous conversation he'd had with her concerning the vampire. It was just before the Buggy incident he found himself at the bar wondering what to do next.
"Luffy is everything alright?, you seem...quieter than usual."
Looking upwards the teen strained to smile, he was exhausted, dealing with Zoro was draining him physically and mentally.
'Well theres this crazy strong vampire guy who I just can't beat!'
"Uh well...um it's like...there's this guy, he's really cool an all but he's really good and no matter how much I try I just can't win."
Makino seated herself opposite the teen, "Are you doing sports?."
"...Yeah in sports, I've never met anyone so strong before!."
"Well maybe you should try teaming up with him, get to know him better, a little healthy competition is good for you."
'Not when he try's to kill me it isn't' Luffy thought wirly.
"I can't Makino, besides he's just SO confusing!" Luffy twiddled a stray hair "one minute he's all smiles and nice but the next he's...really mean."
His mind returning to the present he grinned. Scratching the bridge of his nose the teen side glanced to nothing in particular "you could say that were friends now, he's really cool! and he has green hair like yours!."
Makino laughed as she polished a few glasses 'I'm glad he's doing better.' She really did worry about him sometimes, he never did well academically when he was at school and despite his great personality he never seemed to make many friends or worry about social things that other teenagers did. Although Makino couldn't always understand him she never thought him strange, different yes but never in an unflattering light.
"Any thing new here?" the teen grinned tipping his hat whilst glancing around at his home any from home.
"...Well I had a few interesting guys a couple nights ago, they somewhat intimidated my other clientele by simply there appearance. And at times they talked in a strange dialect which I didn't recognise." Luffy visibly bristled, his hand unconsciously tightening around the condensing glass.
"Did they do anything?" he questioned, knowing that the chance that they were human was slim. Luffy had made it abundantly clear the bar was his hang out and that no supernatural beings whether they were vampire human or otherwise were allowed near it. The teenage slayer didn't mind some vampires and demons going in and some did, he just had to protect Makino from the more unpleasant types.
"No, though I heard them talking about some place just outside of the city, apparently a few people have died there..." her dark lashes fell feeling sorrow for those unfortunate people.
"They also said that it was in one of those old abandoned households...and that the place has being condemned for being...haunted." Looking over to the unhappy look on the teens face she waved her hands dismissively. "Haunted, silly isn't it?, still those poor people...places like that just aren't safe, the whole structure is dangerous."
'In more ways than you know...I'll have to check that out...possibly vampires, demons, werewolves, zombies or maybe even ghosts, maybe all of them!.' Luffy felt a surge of excitement pulsate thorough his body, for some un explainable reason that thought alone excited him greatly. It was rare he saw a large variety of supernatural beings, it was mostly just vampires. Well he was the vampire slayer but still a guy can long for variety right?.
"Luffy...you look a little pale, are you feeling ok?, do you need anything?" Makino softly felt the teens forehead soothingly, her creamy eyes laced with concern.
Grinning upwards softly brushing her hand away he answered "Naaa I'm fine, in fact I'm-" jumping up onto his stool wobbling dangerously he took on a dramatic pose "I'M SUPERMAN!." A small sigh escaped Makino's lips, her smile faltering slightly as she watched the teen erupt into racket as he fought to keep his balance.'You don't have to push yourself in front of me Luffy' brushing aside a stray hair she smiled once more. Both smiles mirriored the other, one not wanting to be a burden the other wishing to be more helpful.
...
A few hours later Luffy wondered around his flat searching for various things he deduced he needed. "Now where did I put that?,...where did I leave that?..oh yeah, no wait...did I moved it?."
"Luffyyyyyy I'm trying the hear the t.v and your drowning it out!" Usopp groaned as his comment went ignored, the teen wondered haplessly in front of the t.v moments later scratching his head as if at a total loss.
"Luffy move!" the hunter ordered throwing a cushion at the stupid t.v show ruining slayer.
Stumbling sideways Luffy dodged it, grabbing it and dropping it back on the sofa "geezzzz Usopp, it's only Buffy the vampire slayer re-runs."
"This show is a freaking guide for us Luffy!, this is need to know stuff!." Usopp protested waving the remote to emphasis each word. Laughing the slayer plopped himself next to the hunter.
"How is watching once more with feeling a need to know thing?" the teen mocked. The hunter merely shot him a go to hell kinda look.
Continuing Luffy teased "when has that happened to us?, when has any of that ever happened to us?."
Usopp shifted clearly a little embarrassed "actually I see a lot of similarities between us and them," grinning wickedly he leaned forward.
"Right Buffy?, who's crushing on Spike who is just like another scary vampire I know." Content with his come back the hunter landed back on the sofa grinning smugly to himself 'victory!.'
"I'M NOT A GIRL USOPP!."
"No unfortunately, if you were the flat wouldn't look like a nuclear war zone all the time" to back up his statement Usopp gestured to the mass devisation Luffy caused whilst he conducted his little search.
Noting a small puff of air escape his flatmates lips Usopp smiled "anyway...what were you looking for?."
"You know that big net we got last summer?."
"...Yes..." Usopp paused, dreading where this strange conversation was leading, no doubt somewhere bad. Yes the hunter just knew it was going to be the start of some ridiculous plan Luffy had though up with his limited braincells.
"Well I need that for sure" Luffy hopped up looking around once more. Following the teens movements Usopp couldn't help but question
"why do you need a net Luffy?."
"Isn't it obvious?."
"Not to sane people it isn't," 'here it comes in three... two... one ...'
"For catching GHOSTS of course!" 'and blast off to loony town', Usopp let his head hit the top of the couch with a resounding thump, admittedly that had been a little harder than he meant as he forgot that was the non padded part.
"Luffyyyy" he grumbled still buried "you know there is no such thing as ghosts!."
Looking back the straw hat wearing slayer fixed the mumbler with a silly stare, a hunter denying the existence of ghosts but knowing about vampires and demons, only Usopp was capable of such denial.
"Course they exist!, I bet they'll be some at those big abandoned households outside of town."
"Those places are creepy and condemned!, why would you want to go there on a ghost hunt Luffy WHY!."
"Makino said some people have died there recently...so I'm thinking-"
"it might be a vampire hangout" Usopp finished his eyes darkening, it would after all be a perfect place. Near enough to the city but far enough to be left alone. Questioning his own sanity the hunter sucked in a breath.
"Ok then I'll go with you, just give me a few minutes to get ready," 'carve my own head stone more like.'
Luffy turned, leaning against the door in total shock at Usopp's willingness to tag along even when ghosts might be involved on top of vampires. 'Usopp must be losing it,' he reasoned, there was no other reason the hunter would volunteer. Normally the curly haired teen had to be dragged kicking and screaming, blackmailed, guilted into it or have something personally to gain from it.
...
Just over an hour later they had reached the outskirts of Windmill city, from there on out it was mostly hills and country side. Luffy pushed on, slowing now and then to allow Usopp to catch up, clearly the hunter did not want to be alone.
"Usopp you look like a ghost buster!" stiffeling a laugh Luffy turned away trying to think of unfunny things as not to insult the hunter further.
"If you had any freaking sense you'd dress up two!" Usopp hissed, it was cold, it was dark and it was defiantly creepy. Animal sounds clawed through the darkness only to be swallowed by the howling wind.
Focusing on his friend Usopp sighed, yet again Luffy had chosen his usual attire. Sandals and shorts, each of which was defiantly not cold weather material. 'Dose he actually own trousers that aren't short?.' At the very least Usopp was glad to note that Luffy did have a relatively warm jacket on, a yellow, orange and white stripped jacket to be more precise, the teen was never dull when it came to clothing. Another vicious wind whipped past the two, bringing the surrounding shrubbery to life.
'Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck, this was a stupid idea, I'm so stupid, stupid, stupid, STUPID!' he was puled from his thoughts as a snapping and rustling sound broken through the air waves.
"WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT!" wasting no time Usopp glued himself to Luffy in a bear like hug whilst shakily waving his torch around at the direction the sound had emitted from.
Wiggling in discomfort Luffy gently preied the hunters grip lose, well looser.
"Relax Usopp."
"RELAX!, don't tell me to relax Luffy do you know where we are?."
Getting a blank look from the straw hat wearing teen he continued "we are on the moors!, you know beware the moors stick to the path!."
Luffy continued onwards "that's a movie!."
"Don't fucking give me that!, werewolves are REAL so I'm right to be AWARE!" Usopp hollered hurrying after the teen nearly tripping with all his heavy equipment.
"It's ok if we just hurry and stick to the path, stick to the path, stick to the path!."
Rolling his eyes Luffy tried to ignore the hunter, his constant chatter and chanting was distracting and there was no comforting the hysterical ghostbuster either.
Luffy jolted as Usopp gave a blood curling shriek "OH GOD WERE NOT ON THE PATH!."
Turning Luffy watched as his friend waved his light at the uneven ground as if expecting it to appear, Usopp's psyche was ordering it too in fact.
The hunters mood was worsened by the fact they had already passed a few ruins of old manor houses but Luffy had pushed on intent they were not "the one."
"Luffy come on already!, we passed some AGES ago, how do you know they weren't the one?."
"I just know, it's still out there...somewhere." Faltering the tanned teen turned upon hearing a dejected sigh from his friend.
"It's ok I have a map were almost there...I think."
Greatly changing his focus Usopp charged up to Luffy, shinning the light on the piece of paper held up before him almost blinding the shorter teen in the process. Almost instantly his demeanor faded further "Luffy.." he groaned out "why is the map drawn in red crayon?."
"I couldn't find a pen or a pencil" Luffy answered as if it were perfectly natural to do so. Usopp shuddered not only was it not a proper map it was drawen in child's crayon, anything Luffy made was a disaster waiting to happen. Fixing the object with a mistrustful stare as if it might blow up in his face the taller of the two lost all hope.
"That's it I'm going to die out here!" Usopp wailed throwing his arms into the air.
Unknown to him Luffy had lost interest, he was already making his way along the hillside scanning for any buildings nearby. Reaching the top of a rugged hill slaying eyes eyes fixed upon a structure in the darkness, the half moon helped show the way but it was still fairly dark none the less.
"HEYYYYYYYYYYY USOPP I CAN SEE IT!, IT'S RIGHT OVER THERE COME ONNNNNNNNN!," without waiting or warning the teenage slayer took off into a dead run, laughing as he heard Usopp call him a few choice names.
Both teens came to a stop in front of the time worn residence, each of there breaths coming out ragged as they panted for breath. Luffy had made it a race, Usopp had simply tried his best to keep up, he figured crazy best friend or not he was safer with the idiot nearby.
It was quite an impressive structure, even more so with its heavenly spotlight, although the house gave off a less than heavenly aura. It consisted of four floors of dilapidated stone that was likely rotting and crumbling to the core and just ready to collapse, worn down by time and the elements. Countless leafless trees littered its surrounding courtyard, like something out of a bad horror story. The tree's branches reaching every direction like talons waiting in the silence for someone to grab. Among other things such as the eerie rotting vines they served to add more substance to the already bleak and thoroughly condemning atmosphere. Regardless of time, the estate was said to always have a dark bleakness clinging to it, particularly in the swallowing darkness of the night hours.
"This is the one for sure!" Luffy grinned, overly pleased with himself for finding it.
"T-this thing is said to have been here for well over three hundred years" Usopp stated choking on his own voice.
He unlike Luffy actually reaserched beforehand and listened to stories from others. Honestly he never really wanted to find the place, it was worse than he imagined. The other households were spooky, this mansion practically screamed death.
"Then it MUST have ghosts!" Luffy declared getting psyched up just thinking about it.
"There's no such thing and will you shut up things might hear us!" the hunters frantic words dripped with the up most seriousness.
His fear caused a denial reflex, he had not yet witness ghostly activities so he could cling to the hope they weren't real. Usopp knew the probability of ghost existing was high considering all the other things he once believed to be legends and fairy tales. 'This ain't no fairy tale' he reminded himself woefully, in a fairy tale Luffy would be the hero valiantly defeating bad guys and saving the day. The cold harsh reality was they could lose their lives in this place, their bodies brutally beaten and drained, then their corpses disposed of like garbage. Usopp was pessimistic but that was reality and happy endings were much harder to come by in real life.
"I know peoples imagination goes super crazy when they are terrified, but wait till we are inside the house Usopp." Luffy chided waggling his finger at the shaking hunter. If Usopp had any effort to spare from holding himself up he would have interpreted his feelings through sign lauguage, mainly with one finger in particular.
In one of his rarer moments Luffy surveyed the area, slowly he pulled his straw hat further over his ever darkening eyes.
"It doesn't look like anyones around or has been here recently."
"Yeah your right" Usopp squinted in the dim light looking at the upper level windows, he focused intently hard as if expecting to see other eyes looking back. 'God I hope no one is here...but if that is the case then what killed those people?.' It could after all all be coincidence, not everything linked back to the supernatural, humans did enough damage all on there own.
"Maybe they really did just die by accident, I bet the house is a death trap just to walk through."
"We still gotta see, don't you wanna see some ghosts Usopp?."
"No Luffy not now not ever, not even when I'm dead okay, lets just take a peak inside then leave!." Despite saying that the curly haired teen was frozen to the spot, his brain commanded his legs to move his body simply told him to forget it. Luffy strolled up to the massive oak doors, smiling as the door creaked open right before his eyes as if the dead were inviting the living in.
"Your not gonna stay out here alone are you?" Luffy grinned noting the hunter pale sickly.
"No thank you!" freeing his body with more fear he dragged himself up to the door, upon inspecting it he felt a shiver jolt down his spine, through the gap he could see only darkness inside. His mind was screaming for him to simply bolt, Usopp considered that his survival instinct and although often cowardly it kept him very much alive. In fact many of the people who had once laughed and called him a coward were now cold in the ground and Usopp couldn't care what dead people thought, after all they didn't think anymore.
"Abandon all hope ye who enter here" Usopp whispered weakly, he wanted to be funny but in fact the statement just felt more like a death sentence for them both. Luffy pushed through the door unfazed, the hunter rolled his eyes he might as well of said that in Latin for all the good it did.
Inside the house a shadow moved, the shadow belonged to nothing living, it was simply a tarnished old curtain that fell back covering the glass. Throught the limited rays of hazy light in the room an average height woman fumbled with her glasses. 'Intruders!' spinning around she sprinted out of the empty room through the long narrow hall way before jogging up the stairs. Her eyes a crystal midnight blue, similar to her hair, slim and average height. Plain trousers contrasting a brightly floral shirt.
Finally the woman skidded to a stop her hair out out place she tried fixing it before hurrying into another much grander room.
"CAPTAIN SMOKER, THEIR ARE TWO INTRUDERS!."
Ray's of light creeped through gaps of dirty and broken glass, in the corner an eerie smoke emitted from seemingly nowhere.
"What type of intruders?" a deep commanding voice ordered.
"U-uh well lets see...they were both human and they were quite young."
"Fucking kids again" the voice bit out, he never killed children but they sure worked his last nerve.
"N-no sir ummm they were teens I think...but one had strange weapons, I think they mean business."
"Tashigi, tonight we clean up the trash!."
The young woman bounced on her heels in a salute "Yes sir!."
Emitting a loud squeak Usopp pounced onto his slaying best friend, Luffy wouldn't have minded so much accept the hunter had done this numerous times since entering the house.
"Did you hear that they must be everywhere!" giving the hysterical hunter the elbow Luffy shook his head indicating no.
"Pfft and you call yourself the slayer!" Usopp hissed, pointing a strange small machine around in one hand his trusty torch in the other.
Luffy watched in great fascination as the hunter pointed his game boy device around. He had found out that it was not in fact a game boy when he had tried to play it, the noises and flashing lights were fun until Usopp literally freaked out and rambled about the expensive object being fragile and such. The small device was a PKE and it was supposedly for detecting ghosts, Luffy didn't understand exactly how it was supposed to work despite being told repeatedly by the freak out expert himself.
Seemingly as long as the device stayed silent and dark the hunter was calm, well calm as can be whilst hyperventilating. Luffy giggled, it really was a sight to see. It was understandable though, apartenly ghosts were a particular dislike to the hunter. Other things scared him, ghosts terrified him senseless.
Trying to calm his erratic heartbeat Usopp opted to make conversation, the silence was getting to him.
"Y-you k-k-know I heard t-this place was a duke household once, t-thats why it's so big" he had hoped to distract his fear with chatter, needless to say it didn't work. Not getting so much as a noise out of the other boy Usopp turned to investigate, what met his eyes very nearly stopped his heart altogether.
Nothingness, Luffy had vanished without a trace, 'oh my god!, for how long?, when?, where?.' He wouldn't just leave, besides he was far to noisy in general. Then the curly haired teen came to the only logical conclusion 'ghosts have taken Luffy!.'
Elsewhere the ebony haired teen jumped onto a fancy four seater, coughs erupted into the air as dust exuded from the cushions filling his lungs. Pouting Luffy waved the dust away, scanning with narrowed eyes 'wheres that shiny thing?.' He had lost Usopp a while ago, the simple person he was he had stopped in his tracks as something shined in the darkness of a room. Since he was young Luffy had been attracted to bright shiny things, despite being well into his teenage years it had never left him.
Without a word he entered the room in pursuit but before he could locate it the light simply disappeared as if never there at all. After ten minutes of feverish searching he huffed, "oh welllllllll I'll just go catch up with Usopp, maybe he's found a ghost!."
Walking up to the door Luffy paused as he tugged on the door handle, it refused to open. 'Funny I don't remember closing it, did Usopp lock me in?,' as if answering his question a door on the far side of the room partially hidden in shadow creaked open.
Excitement flooded his senses "is that you ghost!, do you want to meet me!."
Luffy grinned running through the door without looking back as it shut behind him. His leg's continued to move rapidly as stairs appeared before him. Without thinking he charged up the large winding stairwell, his footsteps the only sound ringing out amongst the heavy silence. Reaching the top he continued to run down a hallway, turning through a maze of passageways and doors before charging once again up more seemingly endless stairs. Luffy didn't know how he knew where to go all he knew was that something was drawing him in clear as day. If he had been more self aware the teen would have realised his slayer instincts were driving him towards a dark beckoning aura.
Finally the tanned teen skidded to a stop, unsettling the dust once more. His eyes narrowed, searching in the dim light, everything was still and silent. But unmistakeably the presence of another weighed heavily in the thick air. Slowly Luffy made his way down the hallway, his focus on the door the far side, the others were of little interest to him. Upon entering the grand room the teenage slayers eyes widened, tarnished marbled floors stretched out like a sea of black and white. A chandelier hung upon the rafters, it dull crystals reflecting in the timid light. Large windows litered the walls, many of which were cracked and broken. On the walls faint pictures painted long ago, from what Luffy could make out the scences were of people dancing, perhaps a history of past events.
Pulling in a deep breath, Luffy cupped his hands in an O shape around his mouth "HEYYYYYY COME OUT, COME OUT, WHERE EVER YOU ARE!." His high energetic voiced bounced off the walls fading into a faint echo. The silence resumed undisturbed, a frown covered his features. Luffy knew without a doubt something was there. He could not see it but he could feel it, every fibre of his being tingled in warning.
Taking a few confident strides forward the slayer smiled enticingly "I know your here, I can feel you!."
A misty smoke arose from the darkness "so your not an ordinary brat after all."
Luffy watched as furniture that had previously been empty filled with a dark figure. Judging from his well built stature and commanding voice the teen knew the dark presence belonged to him and only him. That was one thing Luffy now noticed, the man wasn't just haunting he was completely one hundred percent see through.
"Ghost!, I found you!," the ghost gave out a grunt, his calculating eyes catching the faint light and reflecting in the darkness.
"You found me" he stated evenly "now what boy?."
Luffy hummed, fiddling with a stray strand of hair that poked out from under his hat. In truth he'd never thought the rest of his ingenues plan through. Remembering the real reason why he was there the straw hat wearing teen shifted into a fighting stance.
"Did you kill those people that came here a while ago?" Luffy said lowly. He shifted his weight forward, ready to attack at a moment's notice.
"They were not people, they were trash, I simply disposed of them as nothing more" the gravely authoritative voice answered.
"I see" without warning Luffy charged, his sandals rapidly tapping on the marble with each step. A small dark grin crossed the paler mans face, rising from his seat in acceptance of the challenge he moved forward to match his rivals.
Usopp jumped a good three feet into the air as a boom and shock wave pulsated throughout the mansion. The already unstable structure groaning under the added pressure.
'Luffy!'"LUFFYYYYYYYYYY!" running blindly the hunter took of at light speed, he just knew his flatmate was either behind or part of the disturbance. However running around blindly in the dark has it's problems, tripping on something Usopp gave a girlie shriek as he fell skidding along the floor on his face.
Unbeknown to him he been tripped into a room, the door closed behind him as he finally stopped hissing profanities about the pain. Rubbing his face soothingly he got heavily to his feet, his breaths coming out in great puffs. He was not like Luffy, he did not pose endless energy or optimisum. Allowing his eyes to adjust in the limited light that filtered the room he took a few unsteady steps forward. Upon reaching the other side of the room his worst nightmare sprung to life as the curtains were pulled shut and he was left in total darkness.
He cut off his own scream, his breaths coming ragged and painful 'OH GOD, oh god, oh god!, OK just go back the way you came, turn around!.' Forcing his rigid limbs to obey he hurriedly paced across the room, his plan was interrupted as he hit something solid. Which in itself was not entirely unusaul considering the room had many objects such as wardrobes and tables. No Usopp's problem was that it had not been there moments before and he knew that to be a fact. Fear welled up inside threatening to erupt like a volcano at any given moment. 'This is NOT beauty and the fucking beast!, wardrobes do NOT move by themselves in real life!, it can only mean...'
"OH FUCK!."
...
Elsewhere a sleepy vampire awoke, rubbing his messy hair roughly he groaned "crap I over slept, bloody stupid slayer keeping me awake-" his mind snapped to life 'shit he's here!.' Pacing over to the spare room Zoro pushed opened the door with unease "slayer, you up yet?."
Getting no response the swordsman flooded the room with light with the flick of a switch, an unmade bed suffered under his cold stare. Curiosity eating away inside he moved back through the hallway, reaching the living room he called out once more "slayer!..." he paused considering something.
"Uh I mean...Luffy you around?." Using the teens first name still seemed strange to him but by no means unpleasant.
Met once again with silence Zoro sighed, bringing his pale figures into his green bangs, 'maybe he's in the can' he reasoned. But really the vampire knew he'd of gotten a response by now, never mind he would be able to feel the slayers presence which was currently lacking. His face showed a hint of sadness, Zoro would be dammed looking weak in front of others but by himself he was far more honest.
"Tch why should I care if he's not here, it's not like we had an agreement or anything right?" he asked the empty apartment.
Walking to the bathroom he splashed himself with cold water, looking up into the mirror he frowned at his reflection. Grabbing a towel he dried himself off, he didn't want to think about it but Luffy was having a great impact on his happiness and health. Without his idiotic slayer he felt a sense of emptiness.
Shaking his head Zoro groaned "I am not some love sick teenager!, serious swordsman do not fall in love, I don't fall in love!."
Coming to a stop in front of huge glass windows he once again caught his reflection. "It's not love" he tried to reassure himself, to think it was perposterus, to say it was unthinkable.
He been over this, over and over in his head, it was not love, it was simply fascination. Zoro was after all an adult and had lived for many years, at first he thought it was perhaps just lust he felt for the feisty teen.
'Would all theses...feelings go away if I had him?' the vampire wondered. 'No the slayers not like that he's...' Zoro sighed 'he's different' his mind offered.
"One night with you wouldn't be enough, a thousand nights with you would never be enough slayer." The soft whispered words spilled so naturally from his lips, smiling softly Zoro rested his head against the cool glass. His eyes sparkling, reflecting the lights from the sleepy city below.
"It'll never be enough...Luffy."
Awww that's quite romantic, I know Zoro's kinda rough in the anime and manga but I think he shows a softer side to Luffy. So I'm trying to reflect that but stronger. Sorry there was no interaction between Zoro and Luffy but I don't want to rush, like writing an ending without filling in the middle, you know?. I tried to clean up the grammar a bit, dose it show?. I hope you guys are enjoying the story and I know at least some people are reading this cause I clicked on the traffic button by accident. I had no idea it was a data report *laughs*, you know that silly infectious grin Luffy gets when he's happy well that was me. If you like Mind Of An Error give a review, after all every writer likes to know their work is enjoyed!