This is getting crazy, this story has taken 31 pages on word already! After only what, 4 days of writing! I'm amazed at it, and even more so at the fact you guys are reading! Thank you so much! And thanks for the reviews!
PheonixShadow: Thank you for the compliment! This is the first story I have written for pure enjoyment, rather than for a school project. I've always had to write scientic papers for uni so its a nice change of pace to just let it all flow! That's why I'm managing to update fast, because I'm just writing what comes out of my head! But I found this chapter much more difficult to explain, I don't think the next few chapters will be updated quite as rapidly. And I warn you, if you were sad for Johnny and Yosaku, this chapter is also sad. I love making Zoro have a horrible past, is that wrong? :D
Blu-Calling: I am honoured my story has been described as Squee. I have enjoyed previous OP slave fics, but I hope to extend it a bit, add a bit more adventure to it all! I'm glad you're enjoying it so far.
I-Wanna-Go-To-A-Place: Yea Luffy is a noble, but his past will be a bit more interesting I hope. Give it time. Yea the louge town thing, I've changed it all to Rouge Town now. I got really fed up of writing louge when rouge sounded so much better, so I decided to change it! I appreciate you notes, they help make my story better. As soon as I post this I'm going to review your stories! Reviewing is love.
MissChabre: Thank you! I dind't realise my writing really had much style other than my crazed rambling! I can't promise any ZoLu smut but it is nice nakamaship at least. Enjoy your homework, trust me when you finish school you miss it a surprisingly large amount.
Just incase it isn't clear, let me clarify that Italic prose in the story a flashback
Disclaimer - I don't own OP
Chapter 4 – Family and Scars
Luffy awoke the next morning with his usual vigour. A loud cry of 'Yosh!' echoed through the house before he ran down to the kitchen, it was the signal of another brilliant day for the pyjama clad teen. Upon entering the kitchen, Luffy was pleased to see a half naked, freckled, dark haired boy sitting at the table.
"Ace! You're home!" Luffy rushed over to greet his older brother "You're not at the office today?" The older man smiled fondly.
"No, I've been given some time off" Luffy chuckled in glee as he headed to the fridge to get some breakfast. It was nice to see Ace, he was so busy at the office he was always back when Luffy was asleep! He was about to throw a huge chunk of meat in a pan, when an amused voice muttered quietly into his ear.
"Maybe I should cook for you, ne Luffy? We don't want the kitchen burning down." Luffy jumped a mile and spun to see a tall man with only one arm, three scars over his eyes and shocking red hair.
The unmistakeable appearance of his adopted father.
"Shanks! You're home! When did you get back from Drum?" Shanks laughed as he and Luffy hugged.
"Early this morning Luffy, the ship left earlier than expected." Luffy grinned up at his saviour and hero.
Being such an important figure in Rouge's politics, Shanks was away on business a lot. Luffy had long since forgotten when he was meant to return home, despite the fact each time was highlighted in red on a calendar by the kitchen door. How was he meant to remember things like that anyway? As long as he got back, Luffy didn't care. Shanks was the best!
The pan behind Luffy sizzled, and he turned to noticed Shank's advisor Ben cooking his breakfast.
"You go sit down Luffy-kun; neither you nor your crazy father should be anywhere near cooking unless you want to suffer food poisoning." Ben smiled at Luffy as he seared the meat.
Ben and Shanks had been friends since childhood, and when Shanks entered politics Ben followed as his most trusted advisor. The pair was rarely apart; indeed Ben was so frequently involved in Shanks' life that he even had his own room at the Redhair house, in case he stayed there too late. The boys loved Ben almost as much as they did Shanks-he was the smartest man they'd ever met.
Ben placed the plate in front of Luffy just as Ace piped up.
"So Luffy, what's been going on with you lately?" Luffy was so busy eating he almost missed the question, but he soon swallowed and started rambling at his brother about his weeks adventures.
"Oh well I this week I've been hanging out at Sanji's, Ussop's working there over the Summer and Nami taught me manners and then she smacked me cause I forgot them and Chopper bandaged up the bruise and I went to see Coby and OH YEA! I made a new friend! He's asleep upstairs!" Luffy smiled widely as he remembered the green haired teen asleep in one of the spare rooms, who had been forgotten to boy up until that point.
"He's, upstairs? What? What are you on about Luffy?" Shanks sounded confused, and Ben sat at the table the family to listen to the boy's explanation.
"Well his name's Zoro. I went to the station in the City Limits to see Coby in his first week but he wasn't there! But Zoro was so I met him instead!" Luffy was distracted by the meat still on his plate, and stuffed it all in his mouth. Ace looked at his brother in anger.
"City Limits? Luffy we told you not to go out there! What if you got lost, or someone noticed who you were?!" Ace was constantly concerned for his carefree brother.
"But Nii-chan! Coby was assigned there for his training! I'd promise I'd go say hi to him!" Luffy remembered the promise he made to his friend at the end of school fondly, and smiled as he defended himself to his brother.
"You say you met this Zoro at the station Luffy?" Ben asked softly, all too aware of the what probably happened. Ben already knew that with this family, the worst case scenario was pretty much always what had happened.
"Yea! He was all tied up in the back yard; some funny looking man was making fun of him and stuff. He said something about Slaves and Kuro or someone? But he looked hungry and I was too so I let him free and brought him home!" Luffy ended his story with a laugh.
"Sla…Luffy, is Zoro Kuro's Slave?" Shanks tiptoed around the question, though he already knew the answer.
"Yea! Well, no, there was some story, I can't remember it though."
"I do." Ben piped in, recalling his always perfect knowledge of recent events. "Little over a week ago, Kuro, who owns the tobacco plantation over in Whiskey, had a big deal for slaves gong down. Sir Crocodile had travelled over from Alabasta, and bought half his workers. The main piece was this 19 year old from South Blue; he was worth over half of the deal". Luffy interrupted
"Eh? Why was he worth so much?" Shanks took a sip of coffee before answering.
"You see Luffy; people from South Blue are very strong. They're warriors, skilled and sharp, but fierce. That's why no one ever goes to the South. So for one to be caught as a slave is rare. They are strong enough to work hard, and difficult to come across. That's why they cost so much." Luffy nodded as Shanks told him, but no one really knew if he understood. Ben sighed.
"Anyway, the sold ones rioted. Turned over the cart and beat all of Crocodiles men. Half of Kuro's were hurt too. Three men were found escaping; two were apprehended but the one from the South got away. Kuro was livid of course and Crocodile too. Apparently he was looking forward to having a worker who would be able to take his, ahem, treatment" Ben and Shanks scowled thinking of Crocodile, despite his good appearance to the world, they knew how he treated those people he owned. Ace cut the dark atmosphere.
"So this friend of Luffy's, he's the guy who escaped?"
"Roronoa Zoro right? That's him." Luffy nodded and Ben watched him and Shanks, waiting for his boss' move (even though Ben already knew how the whole conversation would play out). Shanks eyed Luffy carefully, making sure he was paying attention.
"Luffy, is it a good idea for us to let this boy into our home? He's supposed to be dangerous." Luffy looked devastated
"But Shanks! Zoro's nice! Besides, he's got nowhere else to go! Someone will just catch him again, and send him to that Croco man!" Shanks sighed as Luffy gave him puppy dog eyes. The kid had him and he knew it, no one would be forced back into slavery if Shanks could help it. Plus, he could never beat the puppy dog eyes.
"Ohh well then fine. But if anything goes wrong I'm blaming you Anchor" The evil grin on Shanks' face made Ace and Ben laugh, and Luffy pouted at his nickname.
The ring of laughter successfully roused Zoro from his slumber. In his freshly woken haze he forgot the previous day's events, thinking he was still in that stupid police yard. Zoro winced as he moved an arm up, and realised that not only could he move it, but the motion sent pinpricks of pain over his sore body. Everything that happened hit him, and he opened his eyes slowly.
"Huh. So I wasn't dreaming then." Zoro muttered to himself. He got up and stretched, the action popping every bone in his back, before heading in the direction of the laughter that rang through the house. He entered into the kitchen to see Luffy pouting like a five year old, arms crossed and glaring daggers at a red haired man, while he smirked and two dark haired men banged the table in amusement. His entrance into the room caused the laughter to cease, and Luffy broke into a massive smile, before waving at him
"Zoro, you're awake! Come meet everyone!" Luffy motioned for Zoro to sit next to him, which he did quietly.
Disrupting the fun like he had, Zoro suddenly felt very nervous. These men looked so important and as Zoro sat there in his rags, it dawned on him how out of place he was. Fortunately for him, the men took it all in their stride as the red haired held a hand out to him.
"Hello Zoro-san, I'm Shanks, Luffy's father" Zoro shook the hand briefly, covering the surprised look on his face when he realised he was shaking the man's only hand. Shanks didn't seem to catch the surprise "This is Luffy's brother Ace, and the long haired man is my advisor Ben." Ace waved and smiled (looking alarmingly like his brother) while Ben nodded in greeting. Luffy watched the interaction warmly
"You want some breakfast Zoro?" The elder boy snorted in amusement
"Do you think of anything other than food?" Ace roared in laughter, and Shanks chuckled as he rose from the table.
"It's pretty much his main focus! Would you like some coffee, or some toast?" He began making the food before Zoro even answered, secretly concerned at the boy's slight frame. Even if it were hidden by muscle, Shanks could tell he was malnourished. Zoro couldn't think of what to say, so quietly thanked him as the food was placed infront of him. He ate quickly, trying to ignore the other eyes upon him.
A clock chime broke the silence, and Shanks looked at Ben
"Look at the time, we should be heading to work Shanks" Ben got up and headed out "Boys, I'll see you soon. Nice to meet you Roronoa-san." Shanks also stood, before addressing his friend
"I'll be there in a minute Ben; you head to the office without me." He looked down at Zoro before looking up at the freckled brother
"Ace, why don't you help me find some clothes Zoro can wear before joining him and Luffy in the bath out back? Looks like you could do with the soak. I'll see you later on tonight Luffy." Shanks left with Ace to hunt in his wardrobe, and Luffy jumped out of the chair.
"Yosh! Let's go in the baths Zoro!" He followed inquisitively as Luffy ran out the back door of the kitchen, and was confronted by a large natural pool of water.
Steam rose from the surface and Zoro stepped back in alarm. This was more than he was expecting.
"Isn't it cool Zoro? Ace said the house was built by a hot spring, so Shanks had the pool made!" Luffy began to undress, grabbing a few towels from a rack against the wall. Zoro still hesitated, but Ace walked out with a bundle of clothes and sensed the confusion.
"Luffy isn't all that good at explaining things, Zoro-san. You've not seen a bath before?" Red crept across Zoro's cheeks as he shook his head, ashamed of his ignorance. Ace just smiled "it's like a big bath, men go in together. The natural minerals are good for you, they'll probably soothe your muscles a bit"
Luffy jumped in the water with a splash, and Ace soon followed (he seemed to undress at a lightning speed, that Zoro never understood). Seeing the two brothers sat chest high in the water made Zoro's earlier embarrassment fade, he faced the wall and took off his clothes. This was certinaly different to the cold tickle of a shower he was used to. Zoro grabbed a towel and headed for the water.
As he turned Ace had to clamp his hand over Luffy's face to prevent the younger boy from shouting out in surprise. Neither knew what to say when they saw the state of their new friend's body.
When Ace's hand slowly slipped, Luffy stared at his friend, and a sad voice whispered
"Zoro, what happened to you?"
The brothers had never seen anything like it. Zoro's skin was marred with scars. Shallow cuts covered his arms, legs and torso, and the heavy bruises around his wrists, ankles and neck were characteristic of heavy chains used to bind him. Other bruises covered other parts of his body, and deep cuts and welts sunk into his back. But the worse by far was the huge, deep scar than seemed to cut Zoro in two. It ran from his shoulder and stretched to his hip, diagonal across his chest. Zoro shrunk under the pairs gaze, and he climbed slowly into the water.
And as soon as he did, he thought he was in heaven. Who knew water felt this good?! The ache in his muscles dissipated as he sank into the water, and he sighed in pleasure. Luffy and Ace just kept watching him in disbelief as he gently washed the dirt off his body, revealing more cuts and bruises. They'd never seen so many marks on a person before.
"Stop staring, you two. It's annoying." Zoro's deep rumble seemed to snap them out of their shock, but not off the subject.
"Are,...Did Kuro do all that to you Zoro-san?" Ace enquired quietly. Zoro closed his eyes and snorted.
"Hm, him and his lackeys. That's what happens when you don't do what you're told" Zoro cracked open an eye, and peered at the pair "Slave's aren't treated too nicely, you know?" Luffy shifted, as if he didn't want to ask the question
"How did you get the big scar?"
Zoro instinctively raised his arm and touched the deep mark, feeling the broken skin under his fingers. He was quiet, remembering a time he tried to forget.
Three years had passed since Zoro was brought to Kuro's. He'd grown up, into a taller but scrawny 11 year old boy. And not for the first time that week, he was currently busy fighting with a highly annoying 13 year old he called his best friend
"I am NOT WEAK! Bitch!" Zoro lunged at Kunia, attempting to tackle her. But she was too quick, and sidestepped him whilst tripping him with the broom she was sweeping Kuro's hallway with. Zoro slid halfway down the corridor before he clambered up.
"You flew far this time, weakling" Kunia giggled as she watched Zoro fume. They both charged at each other, but before they reached their brawl, three men shouted at them as they reached the top of the stairs
"You two! Fighting AGAIN!" Kuro's men ran over to them, one grabbed Kunia round the waist as the other two held Zoro as he growled and struggled
"Get the fuck off me, dammit!" The boy's outburst resulted in a crack over the face with a cane, and he yelped as he kept fighting free. Kunia kicked against the man as he picked her up
"Put me down!" She fought, and the guards tutted
"Kuro's gonna be mad to hear you two are fighting again. What is it, third time this week?" A fourth guard appeared at the top of the stairs as Kunia was put on the floor
"No, it's the sixth. Three fights were broken up in the fields as well" This guard was taller and more muscular than the other three.
He carried a machete type knife, and looked down at the pair of troublemakers with contempt. "Kuro said just this morning if anything else happens, we're to take them to him for punishment" Kunia and Zoro both stiffened in anticipation of the attack, but Zoro's sharp tongue and proud spirit quickly got him into trouble again
"Like we care about anything like that. Give us your best shot muscle head. Surely you're fed up of following a loser like Kuro? Or are you too stupid to get work anywhere else?" The guard got mad, and he strode forward, unsheathing his weapon and threw Kunia out of his way as he lunged for the cheeky green haired slave.
But Kunia was thrown backwards, and a short scream was all that was heard as she fell backwards down the stairs.
Zoro stared wide eyed and helpless as she fell. He saw her hands struggle to grab him, or something, to stop her falling, saw the fear flash in her eyes as she tumbled backwards.
The guards loosened their grip on the boy as the one who had held her peered over the top of stairs
"Oh jeez, she's not moving. I think she's dead" The machete wielding guard looked at the girl's body at the bottom of the stairs.
"Serves the kid right. Good for nothing brat got what she deserved." Zoro was frozen in shock, staring at the space his friend had previously occupied. Slowly, his vision faded into red and then he knew no more.
The Demon had awoken.
When Zoro's mind returned to him, he was pinned to the floor, staring into the dead eyes of the big, muscular guard. His chest heaved and the reek of blood was heavy in the air. Other guards had arrived, and they were talking about what had happened. Zoro could tell the guards were all dead. How many, he didn't know. But the blood over his hands made it clear he was the one who did it. He tried to get up, but hands pinned him firm and he felt a needle enter his neck. The blood drenched world infront of him faded as the tranquilizer went into effect. The last he remembered were guards muttering about madness.
The next few days passed in a haze. Zoro was left hung up by his wrists in one of Kuro's storage barns. The barns were regularly used for torturing the slaves, it was far enough from the house to not hear what was going on, but close enough for the slaves to be terrified into obeying him.
Kuro was with Zoro for most of this time, but the punishment didn't seem to do anything to the crazed boy. Zoro felt the cuts run across his body, felt the blunt objects thrust into his back and sides. But none of it really registered, all he could see was her falling, how he did nothing but watch. He heard the guards tell Kuro about her, that the others had buried her. He suspected it was Johnny and Yosaku who did that. Kuro lifted up Zoro's head and looked at him, but his eyes were still crazed, still dangerous. He frowned,
"This is what people from South Blue are really like then, Zoro?" He walked back and Zoro's head fell to his chest. "You really are the Demon aren't you? Uncivilized beast, that's all you are...Well, I'll bleed the fight right out of you" Kuro approached Zoro with a sharp knife, and without warning dug it deep into the boys shoulder.
Zoro yelled and bucked away, but Kuro slowly dragged the weapon across his chest. Blood poured over his body as he cried out bitterly in pain. Kuro cut the ropes above Zoro's head and he fell to the ground into his own pool of blood, heaving for breath. Blood pounded in his ears as he felt his life drain away out of his huge cut. Is he going to die here?
Guards dragged Zoro out into the slave yard and left him there. He could only assume Yosaku patched him up. He was near death for days, but the guards eventually threw him back into work. Terrified whispers of the Demon followed him, but the anger was gone. Only grief remained
Where she should be.
Ace and Luffy were quiet as Zoro was lost in his thoughts. Eventually he replied softly.
"This was penitence, for letting my anger take over. And a reminder of a promise" Zoro smiled softly to himself, and remembered the promise he made that day, the promise to her
'I'll be strong for you; I'll be the strongest in the world'
--
Ahh, I had to stop writing after the flashback, I got too sad! This chapter ended up being so long! I though about cutting it in half, but I've opted instead to end the chapter earlier than planned. I love Ben being in the Redhair household, he's such a cool character. I hope him and Shanks didn't appear too coupley, because I wanted to avoid that for now. One day I will write some ShanksBen shonenai, but not yet!
That's it for Zoro's story, pretty sad huh? Nothing ever works for the poor marimo. I'm having a great time writing some more dialouge, but it's getting harder! I noticed when reading it that after she died, I never mentioned Kunia's name. I liked it, I think I thought it was too hard for Zoro to say it.
Chapters aren't gonna come as rapidly now I'm afraid, I start work tomorrow so writing times will be reduced.
I'd be so happy if you reviewed and told me what you thought.
Next Chapter: The introductions continue
Thanks for reading - Pamplemoose