Chapter 7 already! The joys of a weekend and no work!
Can I say a big hello to the person (who I am so sorry have forgotten your name, and I don't know how to find out that kinda thing) who has made me their favourite author! It is amazing, I'm deeply honoured.
Thanks too to all who review or even just read my story, it really makes me happy :D
Review Responses:
Chinksta: Chopper is just the cuetest, always. Im gonna have to write some Chopper fics now :P
Loreta W: Thank you for your enthusiasm, I try my best to involve lots of dialouge and less descriptions, but I'm not too good at it yet!
I Wanna Go To a Place: I didn't even realise Nami was OOC until you said it! So thanks for mentioning it it helped! I gues I was so busy worrying about Zoro and Luffy I didn't realise about Nami. But in my story her circumstances are very different, so all that remains of her personality are things like the fact she is a bit self centred and quite judgemental. I also think she snapped at Luffy because shes jealous of how easily he befriended someone as unusual as Zoro!
As soon as I realised Shanks opinions on slavery I knew Luffy had to be a bit similar to Shabondy, I'm glad it worked out that way. He is just so open minded and caring, Luffy likes anyone unless they actively give him rason not too. I think this attitude rubs off on others, its why Ussop and Chopper so readily accepted Zoro, and why Zoro is so at ease (well, kind of :P) being around people who previously opressed him.
Phoenix Shadow: Yea Nami is mean, I really don't like her sometimes! I felt bad making her the bad guy though. And the fact Chopper is so different was why I knew he had to be the one to accept Zoro first. I'm sure out of all of them, he understands how it feels
Blu Calling: As much as one of the running themes of the story is discrimination, and how Zoro will be affected by it, I didn't want to have it too obvious all the time. So Thanks so much for saying that, I feel like my plan is succeeding.
I didn't really want to have too much death in the story, if all the charcters had horribly dramatic backgrounds I would end up making it an angst fest. So only Zoro and Luffy's will be known in that level of detail (though I haven't mentioned it I will - Luffy's parents are deceased, they both died shortly after he was born. Zoro's are alive, but are living the sheltered like in South Blue. I imagine the Rorooa tribe to be almost a bit animalistic! lol It was never intentional, thats just how it is in my head. So Zoro can't really return, the group ust figure he's dead and he would never be welcomed back. And because I doubt I'll ever mention it in the story - Ussops mother is also dead from a disease, like in the manga. He just lives with his father, and the helpful aid of Shanks and Ben (cause they're so kind to Yassop!)) I haven't decided on the Nami's slaves bit yet, it's currently in consideration
So, enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't Own One Piece
Chapter 7 – Shopping and Swords
"YOU SHITTY RUBBER BOY!" Sanji's cry of anger cut through the atmosphere, along with his kick which landed atop of Luffy's head "You dare to speak about Nami Swan that way! She was right, you know!" His leg was still embedded on the straw hat; somehow Luffy's rubber body had absorbed the impact.
Either that, or the kid couldn't feel pain, because Ussop knew Sanji's kicks hurt.
"No she wasn't Sanji, she was out of line"
"YOU WERE OUT OF LINE! Get outta my kitchen, no, GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!" Sanji seethed, pointed a finger at the door. Ussop and Chopper were at the door before the cook could even point, they didn't want to be at the end of the angry man's wrath. Luffy looked up at Sanji in disbelief
"Sanji"
"Get OUT Luffy! And take that...filth with you." The blonde hand nodded at Zoro as he stared Luffy down. The green haired man snarled
"What did you call me, cook?"
"Don't even talk to me Southerner; just get the hell outta my house. All of you" Sanji turned and kept cooking, but his hands were gripping the pan so tight his knuckles turned white. Luffy brushed past him and headed over two the petrified pair by the door
"C'mon Zoro, we know where were not wanted" Luffy's voice was uncharacteristically quiet as his new friend followed him. His rubber head turned to glance at Sanji one last time
"I thought you of all people would understand what its like living here and being from Blue, Sanji"
The cook trembled in anger as he thought up an answer, but when he turned to say it, they were already gone.
The group of four walked down the street quietly. Luffy's head was still bowed, his cheek swelling from Nami's hand. Chopper walked on his right, sniffing as he tried his best not to cry. The poor thing was too sensitive; he didn't like it when friends fought. The reindeer looked up when he felt a hand pat his hat, and saw Ussop give him a reassuring smile and thumbs up; he was always there to cheer up an awkward situation.
As they walked into a huge park, Zoro paused and shook his head
"I'm sorry Luffy, guys" The three turned to look at him
"Ne, what for Zoro-san?" Ussop's voice was laden with confusion
"For upsetting you all, for causing the argument, for getting Luffy hurt. For everything, really." Luffy's fury-filled eyes snapped up to Zoro's, why was he apologising for it all? "If I wasn't here, then none of this would have happened"
"You don't have to apologise for anything Zoro-san" Ussop's voice seemed to get louder, his fear of the man replaced with empathy as Zoro looked so tired, and hurt. Then he realised why Luffy got so angry - he just wanted Zoro to have friends.
"That's right, you didn't do anything! 'Sniff'…it's all their fault for thinking that way 'sniff'" Chopper's angry voice was hindered by his heavy sniffs, and adorably large, tear filled eyes.
Luffy didn't even look like he was listening, but he was, and now relief was filling his body. Thank goodness for Ussop and Chopper, if everyone had hated Zoro, he wouldn't have known what to do.
But they accepted him, didn't care about who he was, just like him and Ace and Shanks did. The boy laughed with relief and fell back into the grass
"Yea, stop worrying about it Zoro! It's not your fault. Besides, it's happened now, we just need to think of what to do for the rest of the day now we can't go to Sanji's" Ussop and Chopper flopped next to Luffy when it snapped
"Waaa, that means I can't have any meat!!" The pair laughed at Luffy's grief at the lack of meat, before reminding him he could always buy it. As they began to look at cloud patterns, Zoro smirked, 'so cheerful again, it's as if nothing's happened'. He sat down cross legged next to the trio and had a short nap.
"I know! We should take Zoro to town!" Ussop sat up in exclamation of his idea, Luffy and Chopper quickly following
"Yea! He doesn't have any clothes or anything!"
"And I can go buy some Medical Books!"
"And we can get have a welcome party for him! We can buy presents and decorations and I, the Great Ussop will regale all with his stories"
"Yatta! That's a great idea Ussop!"
"Yea, party!" The three stooges laughed and cheered at the new plan, whereas Zoro yawned, glancing back and forth trying to keep up with the rapid exchange.
"But…" Luffy's long arm stretched from the gate of the park, where the three had already run off to, and grabbed Zoro's (or Ace's) vest
"Let's go Zoro!" Before he had chance to even compose his thoughts, the former slave was colliding into his new found friends and on their way to the shops.
As one would expect from a city full of wealthy people, Rouge Town centre was an extravagant shopping hub. All the top names in fashion, technology and anything else in between had a store here, and everything was of the best quality. Ussop and Chopper chatted excitedly about everything they needed (which, coincidentally, happened to be just about anything they had seen) while Luffy was more commonly found with his face smooshed into a window, looking at the cool things on display. Zoro looked at some stores with interest, but was all too aware of the price tags joining everything.
The wealth of the shoppers was hard to miss. Stick thin women strode down the sidewalk in massive heels, painfully fashionable clothes and perfectly manicured hair and nails. Men in business suits hurried in every which direction, rushing to get to the next business meeting. Each clutched rich leather briefcases, and each one's suit reminded him of that yellow haired bastard cook. Zoro snorted at the thought.
Teenagers chatted on the newest portable den den mushi's; others carried miniature pets inside oversized bags, covered in gold and jewels. Children ran around, clutching huge bags of sweets or the cool new gadgets called iDial (Zoro wasn't sure what they were, but some kids were playing songs out of them). Zoro couldn't help but notice the little group stood out like a sore thumb.
Despite all their money, Ussop was covered in paint stains on his baggy brown overalls; hair messily dragged into a ponytail and hid under a bandanna. Luffy wore denim shorts and a red vest, his shirt bare for all to see. Sandals and his tattered straw hat made him look more like a fisherman than a politician in the making. Add a tiny reindeer and an awkwardly tanned man in ill fitting clothes, and suddenly Zoro realised why they were getting strange looks.
"Oi, Zoro-san, hurry up!" Chopper waved at him from a clothing store, and the tall man stepping inside.
"Just call me Zoro, ne Chopper?" Chopper was left wriggling in happiness until Ussop dragged him over to some clothes rails where Zoro was browsing
"Luffy says they're Ace's clothes! No wonder you look so silly in them!" Ussop squeaked at the glare he got "do you know what size you are?"
"Oi Zoro, this one is so cool!" Luffy held up a hideously coloured shirt and waved it in his face
"No Luffy, I don't want this" The shirt was lowered
"You don't like it? Do you like Ace's clothes? Even he doesn't like them; I mean they were a gift from Ben…"
"No, Luffy, I mean yes, it's okay, and Ace's clothes are fine, but...I can't afford any of this stuff"
"That's okay; I'll buy it for you!"
"Eh, I can't let you do that Luffy, really" Luffy laughed, slapping Zoro on the back
"Its fine Zoro, Shanks always give me more money 'cause I loose most of it and I need to buy meat, so today I'll just not buy any meat and then I can give some to you!"
"But, I don't have any money, I can't pay you back" Zoro stressed, and looked guilty. It really seemed the kid didn't understand he had no money at all
"Hmmm, well...how about I buy this stuff for you now, and when you get money you can pay me back, ne?" Luffy nodded his head, proud of his method of solving the issue. Zoro meanwhile sighed, looks like he was never going to win
"Fine, but not here, this stuff is all disgustion and weird…ah, sorry Ussop"
The long nosed man abruptly turned back into the changing room, his face beet red. He thought the clothes were cool.
A few hours later, the group were walking through a decidedly quieter area of less fashionable shops, laden with many bags. Ussop was peering at his new pair of goggles; Luffy was munching on some meat and carrying a bag of party decorations and some boots. Chopper was carrying one bag full of white t shirts; having swapped his heavy bag of textbooks with Zoro, who was laden with many bags full of books, food, trousers and weird bits and pieces. Not that the muscled man minded the weight; he was currently busy in a heated discussion with Ussop about the final purchases they had made
"But it's weird Zoro. Only old people wear them"
"Gah Ussop, I don't care! I like it!"
"It's all green, like your hair!"
"Good point Luffy, it'll look odd! Why do you like it anyways?" Zoro shrugged
"I dunno, it just seemed cool, so I got them. I'm sorry I'm not as fashionable as you, overall-boy"
Luffy howled with laughter, pointing at Ussop chanting Overall-boy, overall-boy! Chopper quickly joined in, and the long nosed boy pouted
"Oi Zoro, now look what you've done!"
The man wasn't paying attention in the slightest – he was staring intently at the window of a shop, laden with weapons.
The place was calling to him.
"Ne, Zoro? Sugoi! A weapon's shop! Let's go in!" Luffy and Ussop bounded through the door before they realised Zoro hadn't even listened. A tug of his vest brought him back to attention
"Zoro, we're going inside, you wanna look around?"
"Hm? Oh, Chopper, yea, yea lets go"
The pair walked in and joined Ussop showing Luffy some guns and bullets
"Soooo cool, can you shoot with this Ussop?"
"Of course, the Great Ussop can shoot with anything! Why..." Chopper became enraptured with Ussop's delusions of Grandeur, and Zoro wandered off. Something in here was trying to get his attention, he could hear it…
As he looked, Zoro remembered his childhood in the South. Boys of his tribe were taught to hunt and fight from a young age, so he knew his way around weapons well.
But one method of fighting he excelled in – it seemed as he stood in front of a collection of the weapon in question, that sword fighting was in Zoro's blood
"Woooooow swords, they're so cool! Can you use them, Zoro?" Luffy asked; one finger up his nose as he eyed some of the swords. The hand extended to pick one up
"Don't touch those! They're precious swords!" The shopkeeper shouted from his seat at the counter "They're not for amateurs to play with!" Luffy sighed
"But they're so cool!" Zoro was only just recognising the exchange; his mind was foggy with the shouts of Sensei, the clashing of blades, and the hours of training. It all rushed back. He picked up the closest sword and eased it out of its sheath
"Oi, you! I said those are for experts, no fooling around!" But the owner stopped when he saw the glint in Zoro's eye, the softness of his touch. "Ah, but you are no amateur, it seems sir"
Ussop and Chopper joined Luffy, all watching Zoro hold the blade up, examining it.
"Che, no, I guess I'm not" Zoro replied softly as he slid the sword back and placed it down. The objects on display were all beautiful, but that wasn't the one, the one whispering to him, laughing at him.
"Well, feel free to look sir, I don't get too many customers these days." Luffy and Chopper took this as permission to get nearer the swords, and started peering at the intricate details on them.
"How come you know about swords, Zoro?" Ussop asked
"When I was a kid, everyone in the tribe was taught to fight. I preferred using swords. Heh…haven't trained in a while though"
"Ne, why Zoro?" Luffy enquired innocently
"I don't think Kuro wanted to give a disobedient slave a weapon, baka" Zoro snorted and Luffy chuckled
And then he found it.
Zoro felt the aura around the sword – dark and domineering. It whispered to him, promises of power and strength. But the sneer and laughter behind it he could sense; this is the sword that was calling to him. Zoro picked up the sword, and was instantly captivated by it. Blood red and gold, there was no doubt it was beautiful.
But as soon as he drew the sword an inch from the sheath, Zoro was overcome with bloodlust. This thing was deadly, evil.
It wanted his soul.
"Oh, no. You should leave that one be, sir. Please"
"Huh? Why's that Mister?" Luffy watched the man sweat with nervousness while Zoro admired the sword
"You shouldn't, you can't have it"
"But Why?"
"...It's cursed" Zoro spoke to nobody in particular, but all heard it.
"You've heard of it, sir?"
"No…I can just tell." The owner looked terrified at the blade (and Ussop adopted a similar position), but Zoro was obsessed. The sword hummed in his hand, fighting for control of him, wanting to fight.
It needed blood, and Zoro needed it.
"I'm afraid it's not for sale sir, that curse will lead whoever wields it to a painful death. It is the will of the cursed blade, Sandai Kitetsu"
Ussop almost burst into tears as he saw the manic grin on Zoro's face
"Hm, how about I test it? See whose will is stronger?" Before Luffy or Chopper had the chance to stop him, Zoro swung the sword in the air, and held his arm out in its path.
Seconds later, though it seemed like an eternity, the sword was buried in the floor and Zoro's arm was still attached to his body. Ussop had fallen trembling to the floor in shock, Chopper's hooves were held over his mouth in a silent scream, and Luffy had stars in his eyes; marvelling at the bravery of his new found friend.
"Excellent, I'll have it"
The shopkeeper stumbled back "amazing…you are a true swordsman indeed. Just wait here!" He ran through a door into the back, and Zoro lifted his new sword off the ground, re-sheathing it
"That was AMAZING Zoro!" Luffy was practically drooling with joy "How did you stop it cutting your arm off?" The boy held Zoro's arm, as if he expected it to harbour the secret to the trick, and a fake arm pop out or something
"Tha…ho...a, are you crazy?!" Ussop was at a bit of a loss for words, still dumbfounded. Chopper still seemed a bit frozen in shock.
"Ah, Luffy get off!" Zoro muttered irritably "I didn't trick you!"
The shopkeeper returned and placed another sword on the counter. It was similar in size to the cursed sword, Kitetsu, but it was black and sleek.
"This is Yubashiri, a family heirloom. It's light and swift like its name. A great sword, please take it, free of charge. The other sword too." Zoro raised an eyebrow in question "Most of my swords are sold for display these days, people prefer guns. These swords deserve an owner who is skilled enough to use them correctly. Please, take them"
Ussop wandered back to the guns, insulted at the comment, while Chopper gasped in surprise. Zoro picked up the sword and inspected it – it was indeed very light. He look at the clean blace and hilt, before placing it back on the table. Smiling, Zoro bowed respectfully at the man
"Thank you very much" Zoro took both swords and hooked them into his belt loops.
"You look so cool!" Luffy bounced around in happiness as they started to leave the shop. But Zoro still felt empty, like one more thing was missing. And he soon found it.
It was shorter than his other swords, and its sheath was a beautiful, pure white. The man couldn't take his eyes off it. He slowly lifted it, revering its beauty. Luffy noticed and sidled up to him
"You like that one, Zoro?" He didn't answer, just kept looking at the white sword, drinking it in with his eyes
"Why don't we buy it?" Luffy went to ask the price, but Zoro laughed softly, masking his sigh of longing
"No Luffy lets just go. Clothes are one thing, this is something different entirely" He walked out to meet Ussop and Chopper, trying to forget that white sword. After all, he still got these two, and they were amazing things indeed.
Luffy looked at the white sword curiously one more time before he waved to the owner and ran out to meet his friends.
--
So another chapter down! I was so happy to give Zoro his swords - he seemed so un-zoroish without them. At first I wanted to extend the whole shopping trip thing, but when I thought about it I realised how boring that would be (I can't really write the comedy that well yet) so I just skipped it :P
I'm sad for the lack of Nami, but don't fear, she returns next chapter!
Please, review with opinions so I can write better
Next chapter : the crew celebrate, and Zoro confronts some people?!
Thanks for Reading - Pamplemoose