Ah, it has been too long! I have graduated in the mean time! Sorry I didn't write this sooner but I didn't have the time, with exams and what not, and relationship issues… But I'm still alive! Gosh this chapter killed me btw! I know it's not so long but I wanted to end it where I did :D So I hope you enjoy… and I hope I get good exam grades… because my writing speed suffered because of it!

I'll have another authors note at the bottom, ENJOY

Chapter Eight

Everyone was staring, of course Hancock knew why but they were just clothes! That morning Zoro and Hancock had overslept and arrived together at school quite late which caused gossip to bloom through the halls. It really didn't help that Hancock was wearing Zoro's clothes, because it was quite obvious that they were his. Zoro had a specific style and everyone knew it.

That morning Hancock changed in a blast wearing the Haramaki that he laid out for her, that surprised him but what surprised him the most was how… sexy she looked in his clothes. The very thought angering him.

Once he arrived to class he was questioned by practically every man who had seen them arrive, including his dojo friends and Ace. Most guys were making sure they still had a chance with the woman but Zoro refused to say anything, denying any thoughts of him "banging" her. He wasn't sure how much he was allowed to say thus chose to not say anything. Rumours always went away after a while, this would be no different, and if anyone believed that they had a "thing" then even denying it wouldn't help him either way.

Hancock did a similar thing and said nothing, mostly because hardly anyone asked her. She was as unapproachable as always. The ice queen of the senior year, and for once it came in handy because Hancock really wasn't in the mood to explain unnecessary things. Hancock had however hoped Luffy would ask why she was wearing Zoro's clothes and why they appeared together but the boy didn't even bat an eyelid at her because he was too busy being a lovesick puppy for that stupid Nami girl. She had to admit however they seemed kind of cute together… and why would he want such a tainted woman as herself? No, she was better off alone where no one can harm her.

Hancock walked down the halls briskly feeling uncomfortable without her long bellowing coat that she usually wore. Yes, Zoro's clothes covered her back perfectly but she was always afraid anyway hence she wore his Haramaki even if it wasn't her style in the slightest. Marguerite met her happily in the hallway and looked questionably at her clothes but said nothing, bringing a big sigh of relief to Hancock's throat. She liked Marguerite but she just couldn't drag the sweet girl into her problems. Across the hall she spotted her two lovely sisters and instantly a pang of guilt settled in her stomach forcing her to hurry over to them and fast as a walking pace would allow without alarming others. She walked up to them with her usual fake smile plastered to her face, the smile even hitting her eyes. She had, had years of practice with smiles that she would sometimes feel that she was genuinely smiling even if she was not.

"Sandersonia, Marigold!" Hancock exclaimed in a happy voice, one usually reserved for only her sisters.

Hugs were exchanged and she forced herself to laugh with her sisters. They did not question why she was not home that night but she did explain, to the best of her ability that she had stayed at Zoro's for a project and forgotten her clothing. She hoped it was sufficient and they didn't seem to question her about it at all which was good.

Hancock looked at her sisters for a sign, any sign, any change to see if that demon had touched them, but both sisters seemed as bright and glowing as usual which allowed Hancock to release the breath she didn't know she was holding in, relief taking over her whole being and relaxing her to the tip of her toes.

Slowly the halls were emptying as class was starting to resume.

"Do you have dance today sister?" Sandersonia asked looking up at her sister with respect. She truly respected her sister for what she did dance wise, and she was so good! Sometimes Marigold and Sandersonia would skip tutoring to come watch their sister during practice and each time they stood amazed at how amazing and fluid like a snake she was. They were always considered the snake sisters, Sandersonia's hair a long length but it had a thickness that resembled snakes like medusa, causing teasing whilst she was younger but was now her icon, Marigold was larger than her two sisters in body mass and was considered less like a snake however her attitude resembled that of a snake, more than the attitudes of Sandersonia and Hancock.

Hancock shook her head "No, I'll be heading home with you two" She added a smile to the end of her sentence. Indeed it had been a long time since she had walked home with her sisters and it was a welcome change. That was the only thing she missed because of her constant dance lessons.

Without another word and only an exchanged head nod Hancock's sisters headed off to their class at the end of the hall. They would be sharing this class with Luffy and they were well aware of their sister's crush causing them to sadly look at the stupid boy who never even noticed. Hancock knew they pitied her slightly because of what happened with Luffy causing the pain in her chest to throb slightly, but she pulled herself together because she had been through much worse.

Hancock also headed off to her class, where she sat quietly attempting to concentrate but failing miserably. The teacher had asked to Hancock to collect the homework she herself hadn't done and was forced to explain why. Her excuse wasn't very original, "I'm sorry I forgot", however it worked and she was let off with a warning and a request to get it in as soon as possible. Hancock didn't know what was up with her and her lack of concentration but she was sure it had to do with her demon stepfather and his stupid mind games, the physical body games he played with her were bad enough and it took her a long time to be able to deal with it but now he had taken it a step further and Hancock was sure if she was able to cope.

A piece of paper was pushed onto Hancock's text book, without looking around to who was sitting next to her, she opened the note and read its contents.

You aren't really yourself lately are you, beautiful lady, are you okay?

To the right of Hancock sat Marguerite silently paying attention in class unaware of the exchange of notes next to her. Hancock looked up and saw a blond boy grinning at her; she was unaware of his presence until just then and felt that she was being stupidly unobservant.

She recognized him as one of Luffy's friends but never realized that he was in the same classes and grade as her. She recognized him to be a flirt so why had she never known? It didn't make much sense to her at all, but as if reading her mind Sanji snatched the little note from in front of Hancock and added more to his previous question.

I transferred into your class today. Was in the other homeroom however the classes clashed with my home economics classes and thus I needed to be moved so we now have this class in common but I think it is the only one… anyway ready to answer my previous question?

Hancock stared wide eyed at the paper that was again pushed in front of her. How could he fit so much on such a small paper? She pulled out a clean sheet of paper.

I'm fine.

Sanji looked at the paper for only a second before replying again. Hancock sighed angrily. She didn't want to be talking to him.

Are you sure?

What do you care?

Because you are a beautiful lady!

To this Hancock chose not to reply and shoved the sheet of paper into her binder. She refused to look at Sanji the whole rest of the class and gathered her things to leave as soon as the bell rang. She didn't need anymore "Friends", guys who wanted to get with her but wanted to make it seem they weren't obsessed with her beauty. At least this guy was upfront about how he felt about her beauty…

Zoro was also eager to get away from the crowd of guys who refused to believe anything he said about him and Hancock. They had already invented a story in their heads about what happened between the two of them and would accept nothing but that from his mouth. He really didn't care and was in no mood to deal with this and thus at the first opportunity he dragged Ace out with him, darting towards the lunch hall. School was always a blur for Zoro especially now since no one was leaving him alone like they usually would since he freaked out most of the students that attended that school.

Ace walked slowly behind Zoro forcing him to slow his fast pace to that of a trot. Walking with his hands in his pockets Ace stared ahead at Boa Hancock at her locker talking to some girl towards the end of the hall. Smiling Ace caught up with Zoro and cleared his throat.

"So… You think you are going to ask anyone to prom?" Ace started looking ahead

Zoro shrugged and then shook his head. There wasn't anyone he would want to bring and besides that he never really thought about it.

"I was thinking of asking someone…" Ace stared forcing Zoro to halt in his step and stare at him perplexedly. Ace kept a straight face making Zoro laugh loudly.

"It isn't funny! I just thought that this way I could at least show up with the most beautiful girl in the school rather than the biggest bone head!" With that Ace shoved Zoro forward with force and continued.

"Do you like Boa Hancock?" Ace added

There was no exchange of words for a while as Zoro stared at Ace trying to gauge what he was trying to say. It was pretty obvious what was being said but Zoro had hoped he had misheard or something.

"Of course I don't like Hancock! Are you crazy? She is a self-assured bitch!"

"Good! That you don't like her I mean… not that you think she is a bitch… I think she just has a lot of walls up. Things she doesn't want people to know… I think that if she trusts someone then she will let them in. I'm kind of hoping I will be that person… but we shall see"

Ace smiled and strolled towards Hancock who was now only a few meters away but still far enough from hearing distance. Zoro stared at them for a while not sure of what exactly was happening. He didn't like it, that was about all he knew for sure, but why didn't he like it?

There was laughing and then Hancock flipping her hair behind her shoulder. Neither Ace nor Hancock's facial expression gave away what they were talking about and slowly it was driving Zoro insane. Moments later Ace returned. Zoro grunted to get him to spill what happened.

"I didn't ask… we discussed her dance class briefly… it was awkward"

Zoro let out a sigh of relief and his breath he didn't know he was holding in. His shoulders stopped being tense and he felt the dull throb in his chest stop.

What the fuck is this?

He wasn't stupid; he could realize like any person that he was probably having minimal feelings for Hancock. However he could blame it on feeling pity for the unfortunate woman, or just her beauty, but he was neither that superficial nor did he pity people often. He was more likely to have a thing for her because of her strength to fight her issues. He realized he didn't want Ace dating Hancock because he may have feelings for the woman, but did he himself want to date her? That he didn't know.

"Why didn't you ask her?" Zoro asked watching Ace's facial expression carefully.

"I couldn't, she looked like she wasn't in the mood to talk about prom…"

She wasn't, Zoro knew why which made his dull throb in his chest from earlier reappear. He really couldn't do much for the woman. Hancock was the only person who could ever stand up to her stepfather but she couldn't do much if she didn't say anything.

Ace grunted softly realizing he needed to be going in the same direction as Hancock and not the opposite, thus the pair waited for her to move before silently walking after her, to not alarm the woman of course but also not to seem creepy. Ace didn't know what relationship the two had and assumed they weren't as close as they seemed because Zoro was difficult to get close to, thus randomly following her would spook her and ruin all chances Ace may have had to get her to be his prom date.

Hancock knew what Ace was going to ask. It was obvious. It's not that she didn't like him. He was nice and fun but he was Luffy's older brother, also she really didn't want to go with anybody this year. She wasn't even sure she still wanted to go after the trick her asshole stepfather pulled. She felt bad not letting Ace even ask her at all but it was always easier on her this way, less people to hurt because she was hurting. It wasn't exactly fair either. No, she would rather be seen as the cold hearted bitch that was unapproachable. Thus no prom date.

Hancock walked down the hall only to run into the stupid blond man that seemed to think they were best friends now. Close behind her she could feel Ace and Zoro nearing them as well as a crowd.

Oh boy…

Hancock crossed her arms in front of her chest waiting for the blond man to move out of the way but he didn't and neither did the obnoxious smile that took up most of his face, that stupid perverted smile that angered Hancock to see it, to a point where she wished to get rid of it with the heel of her boot.

"Hancock!" He exclaimed coming too close to her for her comfort.

Behind her Hancock heard Zoro grunt as Ace made his way next to Hancock. Zoro didn't want to get involved. It wasn't exactly his business who the woman talked to but she seemed tense and Ace was determined to save the day.

Slowly an annoying crowd was starting to form because of the odd group of people talking. Everyone knew what kind of person Sanji could be thus this was probably an invite to prom, and people were eager to know if she would accept his offer or not. Most people wished for Hancock to say no for different reasons. Some of the girls wanted Sanji to themselves and thus her accepting his offer would be bad, others had already decided she was destined for the cold Zoro so she could "warm" him up. For the guys it was the opposite, they wanted her, and Sanji was a threat but none of them wanted her with Zoro either. She was the school beauty that no one was allowed to obtain.

Hancock said nothing and stood tense. This was annoying. Most guys were too afraid to really come out and say what they wanted from her thus allowing her to easily dodge the question all together, however Sanji didn't really fear rejection and he was too in love with himself to notice her obvious distaste of him, meaning she would be asked either way. She wasn't even sure if a rejection would stop him from hitting on her all together; probably not is what she decided to think in the end.

"So, do you have a date to the prom, or holding out for someone special?"

Sanji put on a large smirk and eyed Hancock up and down giving her nasty shivers. He was an overall nice guy she could admit but this attitude towards her was disgusting and reminded her of her stepfather when they first met. How he had watched her. She knew he wanted her but had secretly hoped he loved her mother too much to ever try anything but one night her wish didn't come true and he slipped into her room whilst she was trying to sleep.

The first time… was the worst time for her. The way he touched her, it was all new. She was still quite young and innocent and he kept telling her he loved her. No one else was good enough and that it was her fault for this. She was bewitched him and now she was going to put out for him because he obviously wanted it as much as him. She didn't understand what was going on. She cried and screamed for him to stop but no one was home to hear them and he didn't feel like having mercy. The only time she allowed him to see such weakness in her. The only time she cried in front of him. At first she did blame herself. Maybe it was her fault, had she subconsciously wanted him as well? Eventually she realized it wasn't her fault, but there wasn't much she could do. He kept coming and she let him. She was scared, and didn't know how to say no. A couple of weeks into it she finally got the courage and pulled a knife on him, telling him to get away from her…

"Get the fuck away from me! Or I'll call the police!"

The room smelled like burnt potatoes as Hancock continued to raise her voice with rage at the man standing before her.

Laughter filled the room and Hancock grimaced at the sight of her stepfather keeling over slightly and shaking with genuine laughter.

"I thought eventually you would try to fight back, too bad"

Her stepfather straightened his stance and his face suddenly took on a stern look.

"I wouldn't stop me if I were you..." He started running his hand gently over the handle of the pan on the stove not really looking at Hancock.

Hancock said nothing and gulped loudly. Her previously found courage was slowly seeping out of her and her face was pale.

"I mean, what about your sisters? Do they have the strength to survive it? Can you really save both? What about your poor mother? Would she believe her slut of a daughter? You seduced me… IT'S YOUR FAULT!"

It's your fault!

Hancock felt as if she had just been shot. Her knife she had been holding tightly clattered to the floor and she slowly started to back away to the door. Her stepfather was fast however and he caught her wrist tightly and jerked her back forcing a yelp of surprise to fill the silent kitchen.

"I will do things to your sisters that you couldn't even imagine… Then when I have had my fill, I will kill them slowly forcing you and your mother to watch. She would blame you for the rest of your life!"

Hancock said nothing and only stared at the man. He was a monster.

"The police wouldn't even be able to get her on time! You and your family would be dead before that. Do you really want to ruin your family's happiness just because I make you slightly uncomfortable? You're selfish!"

You're Selfish!

He jerked Hancock forward forcing his lips roughly onto her and held the back on her head in a bruising manner. Hancock let her hands drop to her side thus bringing her detachment into reality and caging up her emotions to protect her family.

Hancock got pushed forward her hands leaning against the counter.

He is going to have sex with me in the kitchen?

Without warning her shirt was ripped to tatters and her bra joined the shreds on the floor shortly after. Her trousers however were not touched.

"I will teach you to be mine forever, and so you can never forget how you belong to me"

His voice was low and Hancock could never have guessed what he was about to do to her. The pain was something she was never going to forget. Her stepfather placed one hand on her throat making it so she couldn't move, any struggle and she would choke herself. The other hand was placed tightly around the handle of the pan. Hancock stood silent waiting for him to take her trousers off or touch her breasts but the suddenly she couldn't stop screaming.

She felt nothing but something hard placed against her back, then she felt pain before she felt the heat. It felt like everything was going slow and the pain was slowly creeping over her whole body and forcing her to shake and convulse. Despite choking herself with movement Hancock wriggled and shook and shied away from the heat but she was held firm and forced to choose air or pain. Her body shook and Hancock wasn't even sure if she was screaming anymore. Her whole body was on fire and then there was only black.

Hancock fell limp in her stepfather's arms. He placed the hot pan back on the stove and admired his damage. A large circular burn was placed in the middle of Hancock's pale smooth back. The skin was burnt away and a thick sheen on blood had risen to the surface to attempt to protect her. He bandaged and placed her in bed happy with his deed.

From then on his obsession with scaring her back got worse and worse. He found new ways to make sure she could never leave him. He had gotten desperate and resorted to physiological pain as well. He wanted her to be so scared to leave him but it was difficult because she was so strong of character.

Her scars had become somewhat of an arousal to him and slowly he was feeling himself become more and more sick each day. He wanted her so badly that he was willing to destroy her so no one else could have her.

Hancock awoke shortly after, stiff and in pain. Her door had a lock now and her family had been told she felt ill. For days she waited for the burn to heal but soon she was forced into a routine of sex and school. She was stuck in a cycle and felt she could only blame herself like he had said.

"It's your fault you know, that you are so beautiful" Sanji said with a small chuckle

It's your fault!

"You shouldn't be so selfish; you should share yourself with admirers of love, like me"

You're Selfish!

Hancock could feel herself shake slightly. This man meant no harm but he was a man. Like her stepfather. A man who had touched her in a horrible manner, a man who wouldn't stop no matter how much she begged, no matter how many times she closed her legs, he would just force them open again.

Slowly she started to shake her head and back away from the blond man. He reminded her too much of her stepfather. He seemed nice at first as well…

"Hey you shitty cook, stop it!"

The voice game from her right and Hancock slowly turned and saw it was a very pissed off looking Zoro.

"What does it matter to you Marimo?"

The two looked at each other angrily forcing an exasperated sigh from the crowd. Those two never got along and now it was going to be about woman… great…

"It matters because Hancock already agreed to be my date to prom"

Without warning Zoro grabbed Hancock's wrist and yanked her into his arms. She looked up at him with a shocked expression but didn't stop him and he slowly lowered his face down to hers. His lips were on hers in no time and he wrapped his arms around her neck. The kiss was tender and better than anything he ever had before. It meant something to him.

"What are you doing?"

Hancock pushed Zoro back and slapped him hard. She couldn't be doing that. Her sisters were in danger!

"I thought you understood!" Hancock screamed losing her cool for the first time in a long time in front of a crowd.

"How could you do this to me? You are just like every other man!"

Tears stung at her eyes and she couldn't keep them in. She turned on her heel and ran fast in the opposite direction away from the crowd. How could he like her? He was just like every other man, only out to get her beauty. He didn't really like her! He didn't really sympathise with her! He just saw it as a good opportunity to get close to her! He tricked her! The tears came fast and Hancock had trouble seeing where she was going but she continued to run. She needed to get away from all the men.

I hate them! I hate them! I hate them!

Zoro stayed and stared at the back of her head, the dull throb in his chest turning into a big ache.

What have I done?

Of course things wouldn't be so simple. God! I'm such an idiot!

Hancock was gone in an instant. Zoro said nothing and merely strolled in the opposite direction away from the silent crowd.

AHHH! Cliff hanger… see I would kill the writer if I was reading this… Sorry… it needed to be done. And now you know exactly how she got the burn mark… . Sucks don't it? Again sorry the chapter is kinda short. I don't seem to have the right attention span atm and what not with the stress I have been through but I promise now that it is summer, I'll update more! I SWEAR! LOOOOVE MEEEEE!

Anywho let me know whatcha think :D