The Singer's secret

Here we are folks, the first offical chapter is published! I just figured it's going to take a lot more time than I first imagined, but whatever, I'll try to finish it.

The plot is already finished so I just have to type everything down, so please bear with me while I'm trying to get things done!

Dislaimer: You can find it on the first page.

Chapter 1 – The Invitation Card

Four boys were running through the corridors. The two younger one just started high school, and it's their first day at it. Luffy and Usopp were starting 9th grade this year. Zoro and Sanji were already in the 10th grade, and the year without their friends here, was long and boring.

They were running across the old corridor, with flickering lamps on the ceiling – 'cause, why would a school change it's lamps if it just going to wrong anyway – and cracks on the walls. It's almost like an old haunted house, or more like a haunted school? Anyway, they were running via, because they were late on the first day. The raven haired one laughing his head off by now with the excitement of the situation, and as we know, laughter contagious.

They arrive at the two fifteen years old's classroom and before they could go in, the two seventeen years old pat on their backs (AN.: Luffy and Usopp started school when they were 6 years old. Zoro Sanji started when they were 7 years old. So, here's the one-year gap between them making the situation possible. Just saying if somebody didn't think the ages were right.)

indicating that good luck with that particular teacher, because they know her, and it's no gonna be an easy class, especially 'cause they were late on the first day, and not just a few minutes. The two younger both nod at that, appreciating their concern, but they'll be on the teacher wrong side anyway, if things go the way, things usually go.

XYZ

They met a few times during the breaks, but nothing special happened. It's just the first day anyway. They were going home to their flat, chatting on the way about no important things. They were living together, since they were orphans.

They met at the orphanage when they were just toddlers and have been best friends since then. They were living with other orphans, till a mysterious woman wanted to adopt a kid. He saw a raven-haired boy, laughing and grinning like an idiot, and making everyone around him happy, just by being near him.

She liked it very much, so she went to him. Luffy stopped the laughing as he saw a young dark green haired woman approach him. They were playing hide and seek, and it was his turn to find the others. As he saw the lady kindly smile at him, he offered a worldwide grin himself. Not really knowing what's going on he just started speaking with her.

"Hey lady! I like your hair! It's almost looks like Zoro's, but yours a little darker." Said the 7 years old boy while flickering his nose, without a care in the world. Well, why would he be afraid of a lady? No one ever told him about the adopting process, that, if somebody takes him away, he maybe never going to see his friends again. That his life as if now, it's as good as gone.

The girl smiled wider at that. Really liking the boy by now. He's funny, direct, a real sunshine if we count his rounds before, while still playing. She would love to have him around, but see if he'd agreed to it. They started conversing, get to know each other. Luffy just went along with the thing, liking the lady himself, and she always asked about him, so that's a good topic.

The three other was just waiting at their hiding place. Hearing him laughing was always a warning that they should go away before he finds them. He's such a clumsy seeker. But they noticed the lack of laughing, and that got their attention. Creeping out of their hiding place, they saw a lady talking with Luffy, nothing special, Luffy a social man, he can talk with anybody anytime. But what caught their eyes was the sting around her neck, and on it's end was a card. On the plain white card was written, with big black letters 'Adopter'.

The colour left their faces as they processed what's happening. They've been fighting agains adopters while they were younger, but the possible adaption decreased by now, nobody wanted a grown-up kid, not that they mind. It was easier that way.

They should have pay attention more, Luffy didn't know about these things, since the first time something like that happened. He totally freaked out by the thought, that one of them could leave their group. He's a happy-go-lucky guy, but at that moment, he was anything but. For him, his friends his everything, he would do anything for them.

'Flash back'

Once he they told him, that the kind couple is here to take away Zoro. He screamed an ear-piercing scream, started trashing his body in every direction, he was crying real hard, like some kind of attack of despair. Zoro was trying to get away from them, but didn't want to hurt anyone in the process. But as soon as he heard Luffy's scream, he stepped on the man's foot and jerked his hand away, then dashed back to him.

Luffy was on his knees, and elbows. His little hands were pulling on his hair, while his forehead rested on the ground, shaking, Usopp and Sanji tried to shoo him, but his desperation wiped out every sound. The thought of being lonely was overwhelming. If they could take away Zoro just like that, then they can take Sanji and Usopp away as well.

Zoro rushed back, saw Luffy on the floor and dashed in front of him. Grabbed his shoulders and pulled him into a hug. He doesn't really like the whole hugging thing, but Luffy needed reassurance, that he won't go away. Not gonna happen after he saw he reacts like that. Luffy after a few minutes of sobbing calmed down to the point that he acknowledged the situation.

"I dun wanna be left alone..." said Luffy while cracking voice. The pouting face trying to hide the fear. Zoro looked up at the others, then they all nodded. It was a silent agreement, that from here on out, they going to persecute every possible adopter. And so not gonna tell Luffy about it anymore. He's a little more devoted to his friends than they ever thought it before.

'Flash back end'

So here we are, with the three trying to figure out, how to get out of this situation. Once the kind lady held out her hand for Luffy to grab, and probably to lead him to the head office, they lost all sense and just ran out of their hiding place. They grabbed Luffy other hand and together pulled Luffy out of her reach. Not leaving any time to recover, they pulled Luffy behind them, for cover, while they began to list, why she couldn't take him. But in the end, they just shouted out that he's like their brother and she cannot take him away.

Luffy stared at their back, not really getting what's going on, but smiled, when they called him their brother. It felt nice, like you belonged somewhere.

Meanwhile the lady was quite surprised. The carers who worked there, ran out to see what's the commotion. They were going to interfere, but the lady held out her hand, to stop them. She looked back at the four-young boy. They were obviously inseparable. The way they look out for each other is something else. Who is she to break that kind of bond. So, she just smiled at them and asked:

"How about I adopt the four of you all?" The whole room froze, even the kids who didn't even know what's happening.

Usopp, Sanji and Zoro just gaped at her, like they couldn't believe what they were hearing. Luffy still don't get what they were really doing. They got out of their shock as she spoke again.

"I'm not that rich, so you'll be helping me at the work, but if you'd like, I'd adopt you!" She said happily, leaving the decision to them, respecting it's actually their decision, not the officials' or the possible parents'.

So that's the story how did they end up with Makino, who's a bar owner. They have to help her out in the afternoons serving the customers and cleaning the tables. She's different from any other adopter they ever saw. She supports them, helps them if they ask for it, but won't force herself on them, she isn't like their mother, she's like their older sister.

After school they were heading home, Zoro and Sanji were arguing about something unimportant, while Usopp and Luffy just laughed at their insults for each other. At home, they helped Makino with the job. It was a normal day, that's how they daily lives go.

XYZ

A few months later, the winter break were closing on them. Everybody talked about how they'll prepare for the holiday. It was Friday, the last day of school that year. The old styles school ground was decorated with colourful light bulbs. It gave the place quite creepy but at the same time homey mood.

Luffy was eating alone in the base of a tree, it was winter, but the weather never became too cold at winter neither. So Luffy was eating his 3 times bigger sandwich than average, alone outside, because the other had to help the teacher, or the homework wasn't quite done yet… so all three of them got to be somewhere else. This happens, no big deal about it, but when a senior girl started approach Luffy with her gang, that's when things started getting interesting.

Luffy being Luffy didn't see anything wrong into it, quite frankly there wasn't anything bad about them getting closer to him, it's a free to go wherever you want, isn't is?

No, the problem was the look on the girl face, that smug look, that Luffy's innocence completely missed to notice.

"Hello~, you're Luffy right? I saw you before in the corridor, you're quite cute~, you know that?" Asked the girl trying to sound as innocence as she capable to manage and a little with a little giggle at the end. Luffy just looked up, his half sandwich still in his mouth the other half's in his hands trying not to fall apart more, than it already has.

Luffy didn't even know the girl was talking to him, the sandwich took every concentration he had. He just looked up, showing the question through his eyes. The girl just giggled again, and repeated what she said.

"You're really cute! I can't believe a freshman could be this adorable! "she screamed the end with her girlfriends. Luffy just stared at her and the girls blankly, and the only thing he managed to say was "Eh...?".

The girls acted totally out of character, or at least with him. He didn't even see them before, not to mention, he could chat with almost everybody and about everything, but what should he react if a few girls told him he's cute or adorable? So, he said the only thing, he's brain blurted out, namely: nothing.

The tallest, black haired girl out of them, who's name's Hancock - the leader, of them – continued.

"I'd like to invite you to my Christmas party! It's going to be epic, the whole school's gonna be there!" Said the girl, while smiling at Luffy. He just nods again, not really sure what's happening, the sandwich is still intoxicating his hungry mind, so he'd do soon anything, if they let him finish his lunch at peace.

The girls were extremely happy about this, not guessing that his hunger speaking out of him. Hancock fished out of her purse a little red and green card, with golden letters on it and hands it to Luffy. He still didn't move an inch, so she just put it in his bag, but not before scribing something at the back of it. As she walked away, Hancock turned her body back a little, to wink at him, then they finally walked away.

Luffy gazed at their direction, waiting if they'll turn back or not, if he got his peace to himself or not and since they didn't get back, he started to eat again. The card and the invitation forgotten, the lunch time is just Luffy's and his lunch's.

XYZ

At home Usopp looked for his homework sheet, but he totally lost it. He looked under his bed, near somewhere his desk or bag, but nothing. Then his gaze caught Luffy's bag, that was just dropped near his door. He got an idea, he could take Luffy's sheet! Luffy won't get into any trouble by it, somehow, Luffy always managed to get away with things like that, and the worst is that he doesn't even trying to get away with it. It's irritating sometimes, so of course, he's going to use Luffy's luck, to lower the possibility of him getting into trouble.

As he hacked his bag, he found a red, green card, with golden letters at the front. He looked into it and read it through.

"LUFFY !" Shouted Usopp, as soon as he finished. He couldn't believe it. How could Luffy keep a secret like that from them.

"What? What happened? "Came Luffy's voice as he dashed in his room with the others.

"What did I do? I didn't do anything! Did I? I did not! Or mayb-" Started Luffy rumbling, trying to make an excuse against something he didn't even know what it was. Zoro just silenced Luffy with his hand and looked at Usopp questionably. But as soon as Sanji saw what was in Usopp's hands he dashed closer and ripped it out, to look at it himself, not believing they really possessed something as valuable as this. He knew exactly what it was and he was trying do get one since he heard about the party.

"Usopp! How the hell did you get this? How on earth did you get an invitation to her party? "Yelled Sanji into Usopp's face, who by now slightly leaned back 'cause of Sanji's outburst. But as he finished, Usopp just pointed at Luffy. Not understanding anything they all looked at Luffy, whose mouth was still covered by Zoro, if he'd start to speak again.

Not understanding what happening Luffy just shrugged and was about to leave the room, when Usopp shouted out to him to stop. Then ran in front of him and pushed the card into his face.

"Luffy, why do you have something like that in your bag?" Asked Usopp now calmer, but his statement surprised the others.

"I was looking for your english homework to take it but I found this." Sanji ran to them, snatched the thing back and looked it over again while saying.

"Why do you have the school's hottest girl's party invitation for an exclusive party, where only the seniors are allowed?" He was now close to crying.

"Why did you wanted to take my homework?" Was what Luffy's attention caught. Sanji face palmed and went towered over him as his short temper started to kick in.

"Luffy, listen..., follow my voice! Do you hear me?" Sanji started but he hissed out through too quietly, so Luffy just titled his her a little, still didn't understanding anything.

When Sanji snapped and moved to the killing intention, Usopp restrained Sanji, while Zoro took Sanji's place figuring out what's going on. Zoro is a much calmer person, usually he's the one, who can be patient enough to Luffy, at a time like this. So now it's his job to take care.

"Luffy, have you ever seen that red card in Sanji's hand?" As Luffy's brain worked, the hard work reflected on his face. But the light bulb flashed above his head, and he nodded while smiling.

"So, do you remember, how did it get to you?" Zoro continued in a relaxed voice which indicated that they patiently waiting for his progress. Luffy's face looked just the same, the unimportant things leaving his mind too soon, so recall it quite hard for him, but in the end, he got his answer and nodded yet again.

"Can you tell us about it?" Still on his low and unfaltering voice audible only in the room.

"About what?" Asked back Luffy, with blinking his huge puppy eyes at them, which caused all of them to fall face first against the floor. His bad memory's killing them sometimes. Zoro recovered fast, if they got that far he won't give up now!

"Luffy, we have been talking about, how did you get that card? Can you tell us how did you got that nice red card?" Zoro said back to his work at hand. Luffy nodded again and told them everything about the girls, about the that strange conversation he didn't even take part of, and that the girls gave it to him, the girl wrote something at the back of it too.

At that, all of them looked at the card again, didn't even noticed something on it. Sanji cautiously turned it around, as the others crowded around him. At the back of it was: 'Call me! 00-4565936 H.' After Sanji finished the read out, he passed out, his brain, couldn't process the things he just heard at the last 10 minutes.

"WHY ON EARTH WOULD I WANT TO CALL H.? I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHO THAT IS?" Shouted Luffy, absolutely missing the point, why the others were freaking out, why should've freaked out him too.

Sanji faster than lightning, got up, his confusion was already gone, now the anger remained, and a lot of that. It's true that Luffy was the younger of them all (borned a month later that Usopp, but you get it), but he should still, at least realise, if the hottest girl in school was trying to flirt with him! For crying out loud!

He rushed to Luffy, pushed him to the wall, kept him there by his collars and said his next sentence as low and frightening as he possibly could.

"You are going to call Hancock up! You are going to ask to invite us too to the party! And finally, if she doesn't want to agree, you are going to say, you won't go-"But Luffy cut in and said, trying to get out of this situation.

"But Sanji, I didn't even wanted to go, or at least definitely not without you al-" Sanji cut him off by saying it a little louder.

"You won't go! Do you agree to it, or should I convince you about it at the hard way?" The two in the background said simultaneously "Oi.,." trying to disagree with Sanji's plan, but with little success. Luffy still just blinked, but his paling was telling them, he got the point.

"Oo-k… Don't worry about it! But..., how do I get Hancock's num..ber..?" Started Luffy in a weak voice, still not putting two and two together. Sanji didn't said anything. If he would, then Luffy'd end up with a lot of new bruise, at the end of he conversation.

Sanji knew, that he was slow, so he just didn't say anything. Instead he just pulled out Luffy's phone out of his pocket (maybe still a little roughly, but who knows at this point), then turned around looking for the card, which was laying on the ground. Sanji picked it up, typed the numbers into Luffy's phone and handed it to him. Luffy titled his head, but didn't say anything.

As the other side of the line picked it up, they all heard a shouting. "Who the hell are you to call me at this late? Do you know who I am?"

"No, not really, but I'm Luffy!" At this the shouting lady on the other side immediately stopped and squealed, like some kind of little fangirl.

"Luffy! I'm so glad you called me~! You have so~ adorable voice through the phone too~. Did you decide if you'll come to my party?" Zoro's head snapped up at at that. There's something really wrong with this chick and it was quite unnerving the she was so obsessed with Luffy. His blank face didn't help the matters. Only Zoro could read into his expressions well enough to know what hides behind his empty face and what he saw was not good, not a whit. But Luffy continued anyway.

"No, not really, or at least, I don't wanna go without my brothers, so-" But Hancock interrupted.

"THEY CAN COME!" Shouted Hancock a little too fast. Luffy still with his blank expression, but winced a little from the phone being too close to his ear. Sanji nodded fanatic, that's exactly what he wanted, one of his dreams going to come true.

Luffy too nodded, while saying "Ok, then we'll go. Me and my three brothers." Finally

To be continued..

Thanks for the reads! See ya next time!