Hi everyone! Here's another chapter! I was so annoyed with the last PoF chapter that I had to just write the next one! When I have some time I'll go back and change it, I promise!
Thanks for all who have alerted, favourited and reviewed my story. It really helps and makes me happy! :D
Review Replies
YusekesLover: I always panic I've spelt your name wrong :P Sorry if I ever have or do. Yea, it was Sad Ace left huh? :( I didn't really want to make it a ZoLu fic but if it is coming across that way, feel free to take it like that! It's pretty much just a friendship between the two. But Luffy is the first real friend Zoro has had in a long time, so it's a very important friend. But no yaoi. Sorry
I Wanna Go to a Place: I have no idea what's going on with the spacing anymore :P I tried to change it last night but I can't remember what it's like now! I think it just looks weird to me cause it doesn't look like it does when I write it on word!
Please don't feel sorry for saying it, I completely understand where you're coming from, and appreciate your honesty. My love for him clouds my judgement on how perfect he is! :D I think that so much focuses on him, cause he's the main character, it does make him seem a bit perfect. I just feel that Zoro is a very perceptive individual (its the fighter inside him - always on the look out), and he understands the concepts of honour. If he hadn't sorted out the things between Nami and Sanji himself, then they would have always harboured things against him. And last chapter with Luffy, he had to save him cause he fears losing another friend. The Ace thing I'm unhappy about, and mean to change so he talks to someone else when I edit the chapter. With Sanji, it was a bit far fetched, but I wanted to convey their argumentative relationship somehow. If I just had Zoro go talk to him, I think Sanji wouldn't have listened. The pair resolve things through fighting, and I needed Zoro to talk to him in a way that would get him riled up. And understanding Sanji - I think that would rile him up the most. He wants to be able to argue back, that way he couldn't, and that would annoy him. But this chapter, Zoro isn't really doing much great stuff, he's not even involved too much. I enjoyed being able to write about someone else, and I will from now on try to remember what you said. Thanks for telling me :D
Blu: I tried to convey how tough leaving friends can be - I've done it myself a few times, and it's not easy. It does convey that type of pain, people who build up your life and you're torn away from them. So what you've said makes me feel I've managed to do that a bit. I'm glad the lack of dialouge isn't too bad either!
I like the currently listening to - I will join in!
Currently Listening to: Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour (Radio show) - well he's talking at the moment so no song. If you are able to listen to it I strongly suggest you do - lots of awesome old music. This week's theme is "Hello" - which is a wonderful link to my next chapter as that is what it is named!
So enjoy Chapter 11 - Helloes! This one is better than the last I think!
Disclaimer - I own nothing to do with One Piece, or any other manga for that matter.
Chapter 11 – Helloes
These were bleak times for the Strawhat friends. Their usually most excitable and happy companion was not his happiest.
Luffy had been miserable ever since Ace left. Zoro didn't hear the older brother leave, but figured he must have gone early when he found Luffy asleep by the living room window, still in pyjamas and red eyed from crying.
Usual meetings at the Baratie had become miserable. Ussop had finished his time working there, and Sanji had time off, so all would be found sitting around the table waiting for their sad friend – fake sympathetic smiles plastered on their faces.
It made Zoro's stomach twist in anguish. Weeks had passed at the boy was still sad.
"Um, hi Luffy! How are you feeling today?" Chopper asked as the pair sat down. Luffy sighed.
"I'm okay" Silence rang again while they thought of things to say. Sanji passed a large mug of rum Zoro's way, a fruit drink to Nami and gently sat a plate of meat in front of Luffy.
"Thanks Sanji" The boy's voice was laden with unhappiness.
"Hey Luffy, you wanna go to the Park today? Sanji's made a picnic, and Nami says tonight there's gonna be a firework show!" Ussop tried his best to sound enthusiastic, despite being miserable interally.
"Sure Ussop, sounds great." The way Luffy answered, you would've thought he was being invited to be burnt at a stake. The awkward silence fell again.
They all missed Ace, of course, but they needed to be strong for Luffy. So the group tried to be cheerful, and do things that would cheer him up. Just to take the boy's mind off his brother, even for a little bit. They only wished it was working better.
--
It was a perfect day to hang out at the park, and they tried their best to enjoy it. Zoro did some training, which Luffy and Chopper watched (marvelled at in the latter's case). Nami read her navigation books, and Sanji twirled about her, proclaiming her genius and beauty whist providing her with drinks. Ussop had brought his sketchpad and paints, and was drawing an array of scenes from the day. Luffy perked up a bit when Ussop let him paint for a while, but when no one could tell what he was drawing (a big whale by a lighthouse), he sank into depression again.
As the sun set, there were indeed fireworks. They lit the sky an array of colours.
"Wooooow! Sugoi!" Chopper's eyes sparkled with awe. Ussop cheered and laughed as he pointed at the sky.
"Yea! Woo awesome!" Nami was smiling as she looked up, and she turned to Sanji as he draped his jacket over her shoulders.
"You looked cold, Nami-swan" He lit a cigarette and smiled at her.
"Thanks Sanji-Kun...How's he doing?" She peered over at Luffy.
"Quiet, as usual. Ussop's been trying to cheer him up, but I don't think its working."
"Well, it's been tough. Chopper wants to cry just thinking of Ace, so seeing Luffy just makes it worse. And Ussop's trying his best, but he's only one guy. What about Zoro?" Sanji exhaled and left a trail of smoke fluttering into the sky.
"Che, the Marimo just keeps his mouth shut. I get the feeling he doesn't know what to do."
"Well, he doesn't look like the comforting type." Nami smiled as Sanji bristled at the mention of their green haired friend. The petty competitiveness between the pair was a source of amusement for them all. She jumped when a deep voice spoke up behind her.
"Humph. Thanks." Nami spun to see Zoro smirk at her, his eyes watching Luffy. Nami turned to the rubber boy also.
"What's he like at his house, Zoro?" She heard him sigh.
"The same. Just sits there, normally in Ace's room. Doesn't eat much, just sleeps and sits." Sanji could be heard tutting in front of him. "Shanks is no help either, he's just as miserable. Sits there with him, wherever he's home."
"So what about you then, Marimo?" Zoro pressed down his irritation at the bastard cook, now wasn't the time for arguing.
"I just stay out the way. Ben's there a lot, so I'm either with him or just training."
He was reluctant to tell them, but Ben was being a big help to Zoro. He was riding out the mourning period by teaching Zoro all about Rouge Town, from politics to sport and everything he might need to know to fit in the city. So far, Zoro had learnt little other than how to write. He fell asleep for the rest, it wasn't important.
Nami stood up as the fireworks were ending.
"Well, I should head home."
"Let me escort you, Nami-swaaaan! It would be my greatest honour!" Ussop, Chopper and Luffy walked over to the three as the cook bowed low at Nami and offered his escort. Nami rolled her eyes at them and helped Sanji up.
"Let's go then, Sanji-kun. See you guys tomorrow?"
"We're heading that way too, we'll walk with you for a bit. See you Luffy, Zoro!" Ussop and Chopper ran off after the redhead and the cook. Zoro and Luffy stood in silence for a while. Luffy's face was hidden under his hat, but after he made no attempt to move, Zoro spoke up.
"C'mon Luffy, you know I don't know how to get back by myself." He nudged the lanky boy and they headed in the direction of the Redhair house.
--
The walk home was as silent as the house was when they entered it. Shanks was still at work then. Zoro headed to the kitchen as he always did, and was surprised when Luffy shuffled in behind him, sitting at the table. The swordsman got himself a drink silently, waiting to see what Luffy would do.
"I…I don't remember my real parents much. They died when I was just a baby." Luffy's words were practically whispers. Zoro leaned against the counter as always, and listened to him.
"I always remember Ace though. When we went to the Orphanage. When he protected me from the bullies, cause of our Devil Fruit powers. When Shanks came for us. He was always right by my side. And I, I always felt safe near him. He protected me, and urged me to make friends with Nami and everyone. It's all because of him."
Zoro was looking at the floor, but he heard Luffy's chair creak as he moved. The boy's hat was sheltering his face, and hands gripped the edges of it furiously as he fought with his emotions.
"Now he's not here. And I don't know what to do. I just……I miss him so much." Luffy's words broke into whispers and sobs as tears ran down his face. Zoro stayed silent, just picked up his glass. He moved to sit behind Luffy at the table and drank quietly, fixing his gaze out the window.
Luffy hiccupped and sobbed into his hat, clutching it at his chest as he cried. The peace of night was broken only by this sound. And Zoro, at a loss of how to comfort someone, let alone make them feel better, just sat there and listened to it all.
--
Luffy was alone when he woke up. Shanks had already left for work and the absence of snores led him to know Zoro was at the Dojo. He shuffled downstairs for some breakfast, but upon finding a kitchen empty of food and company, decided to go find Sanji.
It was a Sunday, and the Baratie didn't open for hours. So Zeff was surprised to hear a knocking on the door, particularly at 9 in the morning. When he saw Luffy gazing in, his anger receded.
"What are you doing here, shitty cave for food?" Luffy didn't even smile, just looked somewhere behind the man.
"There's no food at my house." Zeff heard the click of a lighter behind him, and left his little eggplant to answer.
"Upstairs, shitty rubber boy." Sanji ascended to the apartment and Luffy quietly followed him. Zeff sighed and started to get the restaurant ready for business.
Sanji was already cooking a full breakfast when Luffy entered the kitchen. He sat and watched Sanji fry some eggs and bacon.
"There's no one at your house to feed you?" Sanji's question seemed harmless, but Luffy picked up the underlying thought.
"No. Shanks is at the office, Zoro's gone training." Sanji put a plate at the table and another for himself.
"Che, I guess I'll put up with you then." His voice was filled with hidden warmth, even at the harsher statement. Sanji wasn't all that good at being nice. Fortunately Luffy was well practiced at knowing when the man was actually mad.
"Thanks Sanji."
It was quiet for a while as the pair ate. But when Sanji got up to do the dishes, he spoke
"You know, when we moved here I missed plenty of people from North Blue. It was pretty hard." Luffy stiffened. Sanji wasn't one to talk about where he came from, so he knew he should listen. The cook continued
"For weeks, I'd be sad or angry and just want to go back to them. To my friends and family."
"…Why didn't you? If you missed them."
"Because, baka, I met you guys." Luffy paused mid chew, looking bemused,
"Getting to know you lot, having friends to talk to. Nakama. They lift you up, you know? Once I gave you the chance to that is." Sanji turned and dried his hands, smiling at his Nakama, hoping the point got across. He was relieved to see Luffy give him a faint smile.
"Yea, I know." Sanji hid his grin by lighting a new cigarette.
"Come on baka, help me set up downstairs."
--
The Baratie wasn't due to open for another hour, but it was almost ready for customers. Not that Luffy had been much help; he tended to just drop everything on the table and move on. Sanji was at his wits end.
"No! Luffy be careful with those flowers!"
As he said it, water was sloshing about and the flowers were falling to the floor. Luffy quickly grabbed them and shoved them back in the vase. Sanji was about to kick the Rubber boys head in when a gentle laugher rang from the doorway.
Sanji thought it sounded like the bells of angels.
A woman stood at the open door, watching the action unfold. She gave the gentlest, faintest of smiles as she chuckled.
"That was a close save." Sanji's cigarette smoke had turned into hearts.
"My heart! Mellorine! Beauty such as yours has never before graced my presence, angel! Please, how may I be of service to one so lovely as yourself?" Sanji bowed low as he spoke.
"I am aware you are closed, but I was hoping I would be able to get a cup of coffee?" She flicked her straight dark hair from her shoulders and Sanji almost fainted
"Oh course! Please, sit down and I shall return with the freshest coffee for your freshest of beauty!" She chuckled again and sat at the café bar, and Luffy approached cautiously. The woman look at him with her closed amused face.
"Hello, my name is Robin."
"I'm Luffy. That guy was Sanji, his dad owns The Baratie."
"Greetings, Luffy-san. Do you work at this establishment?" Luffy shook his head.
"No, I was just helping out." Sanji returned, placing a tray of black coffee and a small jug of milk in front of the woman, who smiled politely in thanks.
"Some help he is though, makes such a mess. Ah Luffy! Those flowers go on the front desk, not the table! Shitty boy!" Sanji was about to go fix it when Robin spoke.
"Please, let me."
Still holding the coffee in her hands, two extra limbs grew from the table and grabbed the vase. They lifted it onto the desk, where more arms caught and set it down gently. Sanji gaped at her, and Luffy looked impressed and shouted louder and cheerier than he had been since he last saw his brother.
"Sugoi! How'd you do that?!" Robin merely smiled and took another sip of coffee.
"I have a Devil Fruit ability Luffy-san. I am able to grow extra parts of my body." She grew an additional arm from her elbow to illustrate.
"Wow!! That's so cool! I have a devil fruit power too! See?" Robin looked to see Luffy hook a finger round his lip and pull it out. Far, far wider than any normal skin would stretch. "WI'm a Wubber Mwan!" The skin snapped back and Robin chuckled.
"A Rubber Man? That is interesting, Luffy-san. Cook-san, this Coffee is delicious."
Sanji, who had been staring at her intently, jumped for joy.
"Thank you, Robin-chwan!! Would you like some more? A snack, maybe?"
"Please, cook-san" Sanji wandered back into the kitchen, and Luffy sat next to Robin and launched into conversation.
--
Hours passed and found Robin and Luffy still at the Baratie, occasionally talking or just eating. Nami arrived an hour after the café was open, and got on with Robin well (particularly when Robin showed her the Jewel she had been investigating in her spare time, and said Nami could have it). They moved to their usual table when Ussop and Chopper arrived 10 minutes later.
"Guys, this is Robin! Robin, meet Ussop and Chopper!" Luffy's cheerful shout surprised them, still expecting a morose Luffy. They two greeted her as they say down. Robin had pulled out a large book, which interested Chopper.
"Ooh, Robin, what are you reading?" Not phased in the slightest that she was being addressed by a talking reindeer, Robin answered.
"It's called 'Artefacts from the Natural World in the First Era', reindeer-san" While Nami and Ussop eyed her in confusion (Luffy and Sanji were arguing over meat), Chopper exclaimed.
"Wow! You study history then, Robin?" She nodded as she opened the book.
"Indeed, I am currently visiting to do some research at the University." Chopper squealed.
"That's where I study medicine!"
"You are a doctor, reindeer-san?" He nodded proudly and Ussop grinned.
"He's the best doctor in all Grand Line." Ussop poked his friend as the creature danced on his seat.
"Shut up! That doesn't make me happy, Bastard!" The table laughed at their animal friend's embarrassment. The addition of this new friend had lifted everyone's spirits, and the group seemed happy again.
Sanji grinned as he laughed and watched Luffy be tickled by hands growing out of his plate. Seems like friends, new and old, really did lift a person's spirit.
--
It was another 2 hours before Zoro graced them with his presence. He entered The Baratie looking confused and just the slightest bit angry.
"Zoro! You're here!" Luffy grinned and waved. That wasn't what he was expecting. Zoro saw Sanji ghost a smile and decided it didn't really matter what had happened to make them all happy.
"Hey." Sanji smirked as the swordsman sat down.
"What took you so long, Marimo?" Zoro glared daggers at him.
"I had practice." Sanij's smirk grew wider, not even attempting to hide the amusement in his voice.
"Luffy says your training ended an hour ago. You get lost again?" Ussop and Luffy sniggered along with him.
"Shut your mouth, curly brow, or I'll do it for you."
"Ha! like you could."
"Try me, Ero-eyebrow."
The pair were up and lunging at each other in seconds.
"Guys, cut it out." Nami spoke sweetly but the look on her face was enough to make the hardest men cry. Sanji and Zoro froze mid fight – a shoe clad foot pressing against a drawn sword, one pale fist gripping green hair while a tanned palm pushed against a face. At Nami's expression they broke apart.
"Yes, Nami-swan!" Sanji twirled to the kitchen and Zoro just snorted.
"Whatever." He sat down next to Chopper, and for the first time noticed the dark haired woman sitting next to the rubber boy, and smiling at him. Zoro nodded i her general direction.
"Who the hell are you?" Nami answered for her.
"Zoro, this is Nico Robin, she's new in the City. She's come here to study." Luffy swallowed his meat so he could talk.
"She has this AWESOME ability Zoro! Show him, Robin!" Robin kept smiling and obeyed, making two hands grow from Luffy's hat to make him look like Chopper. Ussop and Chopper joined Luffy in rolling round with laughter, but Zoro's gaze never left the new woman.
"New, huh? And where exactly have you come from?"
"I usually reside in Alabasta, swordsman-san."
"Alabasta? Have you met Vivi?" Nami jumped in, looking interested. Sanji reappeared from the kitchen with some drinks for everyone.
"Ahhh, the beautiful Vivi-swan. Her hair is as blue as a clear sky." Robin turned to Nami.
"Nefertari Vivi, the princess? I'm afraid I've not had the honour."
"She's a friend of mine!" Zoro almost choked on his rum.
"You know a princess?" He blocked the kick aimed at his head by Sanji on instinct as Nami explained.
"Bellmere - my mother - used to work at the palace in Alabasta for a while; she stayed in touch with the family."
"Vivi's awesome!" This was all Luffy had to offer to the conversation, before rejoining Ussop and Chopper's tickling fight. Robin regarded them with amusement.
Zoro didn't like her smile, it was small and hiding something. And her eyes sparkled but were empty. Like a mask.
Zoro didn't trust her.
"And what do you do in Alabasta, Robin?" His voice was as neutral as his unreadable face. And Robin's kept the same mask of mild amusement.
"I work for The Bananadile Corporation." Sanji looked impressed.
"For Sir Crocodile? That must be a tough job."
"It can be demanding cook-san"
The conversation was cut short when Zoro rose from his seat.
"Crocodile" the words were bitter, spoken like they tasted bad on his tongue. His hand gripped the hilt of Sandai tightly, and the stare he levelled at Robin was one of utter horror and distaste. Sanji frowned.
"Something wrong with that, Marimo?" The tickle fight stopped as tension settled over the table. Zoro didn't even recognise Sanji's words.
"You work for him, that…that Bastard." His voice was a growl, and the Southerner looked more feral than his friends had ever seen him. Robin didn't flinch.
"Indeed. Is something wrong with that, swordsman-san?" He growled at her and stepped forward, but soon felt a tight grip on his shoulder. Sanji was leading him outside. He was too mad not to obey
--
As soon as the door was shut, Sanji turned on his friend.
"What the fuck, Zoro? Don't treat Robin-chwan like that!" Zoro tore his gaze from his friends at the table, who were back happily chatting with the woman, and met Sanji's eye.
"Shut up, cook. Can't you see she's no good?"
"No good? What do you mean, Robin-chwan is lovely! A vision of intelligence and perfection."
"She works from him." Zoro snarled it out, as if it explained everything (which, to him, of course it did), and Sanji sighed.
"That means nothing; Bananadile Corp is one of the biggest companies in the world! Sir Crocodile is a hero! There's nothing wrong with it." Zoro hit the wall so hard the glass it contained cracked, and made everyone in the cafe look at them. His voice was cold and quiet.
"You know nothing. Just forget it."
Sanji was left confused as he watched his angry friend storm off home in the wrong direction.
-.-.-
Well I'm alot happier with this chapter than I was with the last. Once I got past the Luffy angst it all went fairly easily. It's just too hard writing Luffy sad, it's so unlike him!
So Robin is introduced! She was fun to write, she's polite and frienly but at the same time so closed, it was good. I got to use her as kind of a replacment for Ace in Luffy's eyes, to help lift him from his sadness. It was fun to write it. I wish I'd been able to write her introduction with each member of the Strawhats, but that would've taken far too long.
I'd love it if you sent me a review, it'll really help my writing improve.
Thanks for Reading! - Pamplemoose