Well, I'm back. Sorry it took so long. I've been busy lately. Actually, I had this done yesterday but didn't have time to post. Sorry!

Chapter 6

A man walked down the crowded city streets. He had to hurry and make his twelve o' clock appointment or there would be serious consequeces. More specifically, death.

His face was covered with one of the Alabasta headpieces and he wore one of the long, navy blue, cloaks. He was practically invisible which was just what he wanted.

He rounded the corner and headed toward the western palace gate. The sun was in the center of the sky. Twelve.

"Right on time." he thought.

Meanwhile in an Unmarked Alley

Luffy sat in an alleyway. He had pulled his cloak and headpiece on and for the most part, people had left him alone. He had barley slept since his encounter with Crocodile. As crazy as it sounded, he was actually considering his offer.

"I've got nothing else to lose. Vivi doesn't love me anymore. My crew has their own lives. Just like Nami said, I've lost everything. And another thing she said, about me not finding my place, that was right too. So maybe, just maybe, this is my place. Why not?" Luffy thought. These type of thoughts had run through his mind a million times already. He slowly stood up and dusted himself off. He looked up at the sun and decided to make his way toward the palace.

"What's there to lose? Does it even matter aymore?" Luffy thought. "Maybe...maybe I'll see what he wants. Then I'll decide. Yeah. That's what I'll do."

He reached the western gates at about five till twelve. He stood there scanning the crowd until he felt a hand on his shouler. He flinched from the touch, one he knew all to well. One that, last time he had felt, had dried his entire body out.

He turned around and found himself face to face with the man he had once hated.

"So you accepted." Crocodile said. It was a statement, not a question.

Luffy nodded. He noticed that Crocodile had on a light brown cloak and dark brown headpiece. He must be trying to stay hidden for now.

Suddenly, a man appeared beside Crocodile. He was wearing a navy blue cloak and light blue headpiece. "I'm here. Who's the kid?"

"That's not important. He's helping us and that's all that matters." Crocodile replied.

"He looks familiar." the man said suspiciously.

"I said that's all that matters." Crocodile said calmly. The man almost flinched. "Now, did you complete your assingment?"

"Yes Sir, Mr.0." the man said.

"I told you not to call me that." Crocodile said.

"Yes, boss." the man said. He was holding his ground fairly well after recovering from his earlier comment.

"Still, we need codenames. You both will refer to me as boss. That's all anyone needs to know. You," he said, indicating the man, "Will still be refered to as Mr.1."

"Mr.1...aren't you the one that...that fought Roronoa Zoro?" Luffy asked cautiously. He knew better then to mention the humiliating defeat. After all, Mr.1 had lost to swords and he was made of steel.

The man frowned. "Yes." he muttered.

"Yeah...I remember you." Luffy said, attempting to break the awkward silence.

"Enough." Crocodile interupted. "Now, your first assingment will be..."

Somewhere in the Desert

Vivi rode across the scorching desert. Having lived here her whole life, the heat didn't bother her at all. Instead, her mind was focused on the murder of the guard. Her instincts told her this was no commen criminal. The murder had been intentional. And if she had learned one thing from Luffy, it was to always trust her instincts.

"Karoo, we should be approaching Nanohana soon. When we do, I need you to stay outside of the city so I won't attract attention. I don't need my father to come after me." Vivi said.

Karoo quacked in response.

They finished the journey in silence. Karoo found a small oasis on the outskirts of Nanohana. When Vivi had made sure he was fine, she then headed toward the city. She was careful to cover her face with her headpiece so as not to be recognized. She slowly walked through the town. Nothing seemed to be out of place. Life was going on like no one had been murdered. In a town like this though, she guessed one person didn't make a difference.

She suddenly heard a comotion in the next street over. She took off running without hesitation. This could be important.

When she arrived on the scene, she found a large crowd gathered around a group of palace guards. She pushed her way through the crowd until she could see what the guards where doing to attract so much attention.

When she saw who they were holding, she let out a gasp. "Kohza!!!" she cried. Her hood flew off and the crowd gasped as they realized that their princess was there.

"What happened?!" Vivi cried as she ran over and kneeled in front of him. He was on his knees with his hands cuffed behind his back.

"Princess! What are you doing here? Stay away from that criminal! He was the one who murdered our comrade! He was the one who killed the night guard! We have a witness that gave his exact discription. We just now made the arrest. We will bring him with us back to Alubarna. As you know, killinging a member of the Royal Army is a serious offense." one of the guards said.

Vivi ignored him and continued speaking to Kohza. "What?! Is what he said true?" she demanded.

"Vivi? You don't need to be here! I didn't do it! They have no evidence because the witness disappeared. I'll be okay. Just get back to the palace. I fear that whoever did this to me and killed the guard may come after you next. Get back to the palace and stay safe. I'll be fine." Kohza said reasuringly.

Vivi nodded fearfully. She stood up, her legs shaking the whole time. She pulled her hood back on and ran through the crowd, looking back the entire time. "Kohza." she said quietly. "You stay safe too."

She soon reached Karoo. "To Alubarna." she said. "And hurry. Kohza may be right about them coming after me next. If they get me, my father will do whatever they say. I can't let that happen!!!"

Karoo quacked his approval and ran faster. No one was going to take Vivi while he was there!

Well that was a boring chapter wasn't it? And short. I had to write it though because it sets things up for later. Thanks for reading and being patient. Bye for now!