AN: as it says... this chapter is for devlinnreiko.

Chapter 4
Cat and Mouse
Dedicated to devlinnreiko

Zoro fell into bed that night completely exhausted, both mentally and physically. The tension in his neck and shoulders finally dissipated letting him relax for the first time in almost a week. His mind was still reeling from the conversation he had with his cousin in regards to his stupid heroics. No more though, he told himself, because if he did, he'd be sure to be caught. He'd slip up somehow and let that fucking reporter know his real identity for sure. Grabbing his spare pillow, he hugged it tight wishing that he were back in Japan and the pillow was a warm willing body. Sex wasn't everything, but damn it he was used to getting it and being cut off like this was killing him.

He had just fallen asleep when the house phone rang. Wondering if it was his father calling, Zoro drug himself out of bed to silence the annoying shrill ring.

"Moshi, moshi." He drawled out, not even trying to suppress the yawn that followed.

"You know that shit is getting really fucking annoying, kid."

"Logan? Do you have any idea what time it is? I've finally adjusted to the time here and now you're the one that's screwed up." Zoro hung up the phone still mumbling to himself and turned to stumble back to his room when the phone rang again. Shouts from Yuu for him to answer the damn thing had him growling when he picked it up. "What the fuck do you want asshole? It's after midnight and I have class tomorrow."

"Look brat, I wouldn't be calling just to say hello. If I wanted to do that I'd call my mother." Smoker sounded like he was severely stressed to the point of snapping. The faint sounds of a physical struggle could be heard in the background. "Just tell me you know a guy named Portgas."

Confused as to why Smoker would be calling about his coworker he answered hesitantly.

"Um, yah. We work together at the dojo, why?"

"Thank God. Get your lazy ass down here and get him the fuck out of my building!" Smoker half screamed, half begged of his cousin. Was that giggling in the background? "I swear if I have to listen to him for another minute I'll shoot him myself. Fucker can't seem to shut up."

Zoro chuckled as he thought about Ace's first day on the job and how he bounced all over the place after drinking the cola. "Hai. I'll be there in just a few. Let me get dressed first."

"Hurry. I can't have a mark on my record for something stupid like killing a civilian." The detective grumbled.

Zoro laughed and hung up the phone for a second time without saying goodbye to the pissed off man. It didn't take him long to get his clothes on and find his glasses. He shouldn't have to worry about seeing anyone he knew besides Ace, but it was better to be on the safe side. Climbing into the old wagon, Zoro headed out to pick up his newest friend, wondering just what it was that Ace had done to get picked up in the first place.

Earlier that evening….

Ace had forgotten that Sanji was working that night and he couldn't get a hold of his brother to pick him up from the theater. He had met Marco at the movies and the jerk had left halfway through with the girl a few rows down that had been flirting with the both of them since she'd walked in. So here he was, stuck without a way home and not enough money for a cab. Well, the bus it was then.

He sat at the stop waiting for the next bus to arrive and started chatting with a sweet little lady next to him on the bench. Everything had been great until he had fallen asleep in the middle of a sentence and his face dropped right into her lap. The woman had screamed bloody murder and attempted to beat him with her cane.

Smoker had been only a few blocks away when the call came in over the radio about a man in his early 20's attacking an elderly woman at a bus stop on Terrace Drive. He let headquarters know he was close and proceeded to the address. When he got there, the man was face down on the ground being hit repeatedly by the woman's cane while the surrounding people cheered her on. Sgt Tashigi, his partner, helped pull the old woman aside while he investigated the condition of the unconscious man. A snore came from the unmoving figure to startle Smoker and elicit muffled laughter from the crowd. Standing up he pulled out a cigar and placed it between his teeth. A bystander offered him a light and he nodded his thanks. Using the toe of his boot he nudged the sleeping man awake.

Ace woke up on the ground with a huge knot on his head and several people looking angrily down at him. Still confused with what had happened, he was lifted to his feet by the wide belt on his waist and met the most alluring brown eyes he had ever seen. Ace fell in love immediately and began making plans to get to know this smoking Adonis better.

"So, Sexy, just who are you?" Ace smiled seductively at the large man. "Have you come to rescue me from the mob? Oh, how sweet!"

Smoker snorted at him and began reading him his rights as he turned Ace around roughly and cuffed him.

"Wait, handcuffs, so early in the relationship? I didn't realize you knew I was into that." Ace was practically squirming in delight when the detective threw him up against the car and began searching him for concealed weapons. "You know, you could ask me my name first, or would you just like to make one up?"

Smoker's hand had paused between the spread thighs briefly, trying to process the forward manner of the criminal. Did he not realize he was being arrested? Did he not know what he had just done? Who the hell did this guy think he was? He finished his search and came up with just a wallet and a set of keys. Agitated more than he had ever been in such a short time, Smoker spun the guy around to face him, blowing a stream of smoke in the annoying man's face.

"I bet you've got a really hot name to go with that godlike physique." Ace closed his eyes and let the smoke wash over him. He stepped forward and dropped his voice to a husky purr. "If you whisper it in my ear, I promise I'll scream it later."

Smoker backed up when the dark-haired punk came towards him. He could see Tashigi out of the corner of his eye taking the statement from the witnesses. A squad car pulled up to see if he needed assistance and he waved them off, choosing instead to shove the criminal in his own car. As he shut the door he began to wonder just what in the world was he thinking? He finished half his cigar before Tashigi was done speaking to everyone, taking the time to look at in the wallet for the annoying guy's name. There was a persistent tapping at the back passenger window that was driving him insane, but he closed his eyes and willed himself to ignore it. As soon as he opened the door, the strange 'kid' started in again.

"And, a cigar. How classy. How about you let me light you?" Ace wiggled his brows suggestively and leaned back to relax.

"I suggest you be quiet back there." The young female detective entered the car and scowled at him, immediately quieting at the scornful look she received from her superior as he buckled the seatbelt.

The silence didn't last long before the bored man in the back seat started in again.

"Hey, detective, you wouldn't happen to be married would you?" Ace leaned up against the back of the front seats and tried to look Smoker in the face. "A gorgeous guy like you probably has lovers lined up for miles."

"I really don't think your questions are appropriate. Shut your mouth before I am forced to do it for you." The female detective glared at him through her dark rimmed glasses.

"Hmm, you sure are a little spitfire, aren't you? So does this mean he belongs to you?" Ace pouted and sat his chin on the back of Smoker's seat. "That figures."

"I don't belong to anyone." Smoker growled out and immediately regretted it because his prisoner had perked up and instead of resting his chin on the seat it was now placed firmly on the detective's shoulder. "Hey, get the fuck off me, Brat!"

"Oh, Detective, already starting with the pet names? I like it." Ace giggled as he drew back to avoid the fist coming at his face.

Tashigi screamed in panic as she lunged for the wheel to keep the car from crashing into anything. "Sir, you really need to stop this. You can't hurt him while he's in custody. Sir, please calm down!"

Smoker had lunged over the seat and had his hands around Ace's throat and was contemplating squeezing as hard as he could since the fucker had the audacity to start moaning and licking his lips. Ace puckered his lips and tried to lean forward against the formidable hold on his neck to place a kiss on Smoker's snarling mouth next to the smoldering cigar.

"SIR!!" Tashigi screamed as the light in front of them turned yellow.

"Damn it!" The Lieutenant threw Ace to the far corner of the rear seat and grabbed the steering wheel as he slammed on the breaks. He took several deep breaths before relaxing his vice grip on the abused circle and started to drive.

Ace stretched out as much as he could with his hands behind his back and let out a sleepy yawn. "You know, Detective, they say that sex is a really good stress relief. You should try it. I'm free every night this week after seven."

Tashigi could see the slight tick in the Lieutenant's face increase with every word that was said. She was about to tell the brazen young man to be quiet again when things just went from bad to worse.

"But really, I'd be happy to bend over for you any time."

"If you don't shut the fuck up right now I swear to God I'll make you!" Smoker bellowed.

"Mmm, I like the sounds of that, Detective. Just what do you plan on gagging me with?" Ace started to sit up but ended up in the floor as the car turned a corner sharply.

Smoker gunned the engine and squealed the tires as he sped into the parking lot of the station. Several of the officers standing outside scrambled out of the way. The irate detective almost tore the back door off to extract the grinning fool. Everyone gave them a wide berth as the trio walked up the front steps, Tashigi trailing worriedly behind, confused at how angered her partner had become in such a short time.

When they burst through the doors, the Chief took one look at the prisoner and decided to hide. If that kid was in here, he wanted nothing to do with it. Besides, it looked like he had pissed of Smoker big time, and no one wanted to be near the large man when he was upset. Sneaking out the back door to get in his car and head home, Garp prayed that he would have an office to come back to in the morning. Since he had kicked his grandsons to the curb a while back, he only observed them from afar. Maybe if Garp refused to bail the troublemaker out this time he might get the hint to stop getting in trouble.

Ace fell into the seat beside a very messy desk and held back the wince of pain that bit at his wrist from the metal cuffs. He sat there quietly ogling Smoker's backside as he leaned over the desk to yell in someone's face. Ace cringed slightly when he heard the handsome man shout above the bustle of the busy room.

"What do you mean I can't book him?" Smoker's face was bright red with fury as he processed the information. Tashigi stood there holding on to her partner's arm trying to keep him from flying over the desk at the poor man.

"I mean he's narcoleptic and what happened was a pure accident. I've known this kid for years; just call someone to come get him. He can't drive himself." The uniformed officer shook his head at the boiling detective and left the room.

Seeing that her angry partner wasn't going to be attacking anyone immediately, the petite woman finally let him go. She stood there looking between the tall seething man and the grinning fool, completely lost as to what she should do. Tashigi realized that this would have gone over much better if someone had just told him that the troublesome boy was the Chief's grandson. She had never met Ace personally before tonight, only having joined the force recently, but was told by the rumor mill that their eccentric commander had warned everyone that they were not to associate them by name publicly anymore. Even though, everyone in the precinct should know at the very least, right? Exasperated from trying to keep her hot tempered partner in line, the young woman decided to get coffee instead. She threw up her hands and walked away, mumbling about rules and regulations and 'why didn't they let someone else take him in?'

Smoker stood there for several minutes, trying to calm himself so he wouldn't kill the guy as soon as he turned around. Fortunately, when he did look over his shoulder at the guy, he was leaned back in the chair, fast asleep. The detective rubbed his temples, trying to ease the pounding headache so he could figure out what he was supposed to do. He opened up the black leather wallet to see if there was an emergency information card in it and sighed in relief when it was found. Sadly, no one answered and he was forced back to square one in figuring out what to do with the strange brat.

He was kind of cute, sitting there with his head leaned back and drool pooling at the corner of his mouth. Remembering the firm, developed muscles under the shorts and t-shirt, Smoker had to admit that the guy had a very nice body. Shaking his head, he decided it was time to wake the sleeping dragon and chance getting caught in the flames of his ridiculous ideas. Not one for tact, Smoker took the jitte his little cousin had given him as a practical joke and hit the sleeping fool on top of his head.

Ace fell to the floor in a lump, unable to catch himself due to his still cuffed hands. He looked around confused for a moment, before settling his gaze on the annoyed features of his arresting officer. Ace smiled sweetly and decided to stop flirting for just a moment and see if he could figure out just what was going on.

"Hey, Detective, think you could un-cuff me now? I won't run away. I promise." He turned over on his knees and held his hands up behind him. A noncommittal grunt was his only answer, but he heard the shift of the chair and drawers opening before the cuffs were roughly removed. "Thanks, I'll make it up to you later."

"Call someone to get you." Smoker placed his phone next to the dark-haired man, refusing to even look him in the face, least he try to kill him again.

"Trying to get rid of me that quick? How about you just take me home with you?" Ace leaned forward and placed his chin on his hands, bracing his elbows on his knees.

"The phone." Smoker deadpanned.

"Fine." Ace let out a long sigh and picked up the receiver, pushing the numbers for his home knowing that he wouldn't get an answer. He let it ring several times until the answering machine picked up. "See, there's no one at home to come get me. I'd be left all alone."

"Then try someone else." Smoker slammed shut the notebook he'd been trying to write in and walked away. He could hear Ace leaving a message on someone's voicemail as he moved out the door. He needed a drink, and another cigar. He'd pushed it enough with the no smoking policy inside the building so he trudged out to the parking lot to light up.

He came back in to find Ace passed out on his desk and drooling on his paperwork. He grabbed him by the back of his shirt and threw him back into the chair beside his desk and sat down in his warm seat. Ace pouted up at him through sleepy features and whined.

"I think you may frown more than Zoro, and that's saying something. Both of you just need to get laid. I wouldn't mind offering, but he seems to be too bent on school right now to think about stuff like that. He'll manage for the moment. You on the other hand really need it." Ace stood up and walked behind the angry detective and started massaging his shoulders. "If you don't lose some of that tension in your shoulders you'll snap the next time you try to move."

Smoker was about to respond when it clicked in his head what the brat had just said. He knew Zoro, or at least a Zoro. Seriously, how many of them could there be here in the US. Oh, there was hope after all. Picking up the phone, he hurriedly dialed his uncle's number and waited for someone to pick up.

"Moshi, moshi," was the sleepy answer.

"You know that shit is getting really fucking annoying, kid." Smoker growled. He was so tired of unintelligible gibberish right now that he wanted to scream.

"Logan? Do you have any idea what time it is? I've finally adjusted to the time here and now you're the one that's screwed up." Zoro's voice was cut off as the line went dead.

"What the fuck! Damn kid's got some nerve hanging up on me like that." Smoker hit redial and batted Ace's wandering hands away as they tried to creep over his shoulders and down his chest.

"What the fuck do you want asshole? It's after midnight and I have class tomorrow."

"Look brat, I wouldn't be calling just to say hello. If I wanted to do that I'd call my mother." Smoker grabbed Ace's hand and bent it back, making Ace fall to his knees on the floor beside him.

"If you wanted me like this, all you had to was ask, Detective." Ace let the fingers of his free hand walk up Smoker's black pant leg.

Shoving the obviously horny guy away, the detective tried to keep the stress out of his voice the best he could. "Just tell me you know a guy named Portgas."

"Um, yah. We work together at the dojo, why?" came the hesitant reply.

"Thank God. Get your lazy ass down here and get him the fuck out of my building!" Smoker kicked at the giggling man crawling towards him on his hands and knees. "I swear if I have to listen to him for another minute I'll shoot him myself. Fucker can't seem to shut up." Smoker growled at the laughter that came from the other end before his cousin hung up on him. Again. Praying that someone would be here soon, he drug the handsy man to the waiting room.

He deposited the pouting flirt in one of the chairs, and couldn't help but notice the way the other seasoned officers regarded him like it was a normal occurrence. His headache prevented him from asking questions about it for now, currently worried about just getting the infuriating guy out of here and away from him. He nodded his thanks to his partner as she handed him a cup of steaming black coffee. Assuring her that everything was taken care of, he told her to go home for the night and he would wait until someone came to get the vagrant. Zoro had better hurry up.

Smoker had gotten only two forms filled out when his savior entered whistling. Zoro caught his irritated glare and just smiled a knowing little smirk that said he knew exactly what the detective had been through and he didn't feel a bit sorry for him. Avoiding the empty chair completely, Zoro leaned up against the side of the desk and shook his head at the poor lieutenant.

"So what did you do to get his attention?" Zoro chuckled as the dark cloud over Smoker's head seemed to increase. He remembered comments Ace had made about officers one night when they were out drinking, and had a feeling that his new friend's perverted mind had taken control tonight, landing him in a precarious situation.

"If I knew, I'd undo it immediately." Smoker rubbed his face to possibly wipe away some of the tension, knowing it was a moot gesture. "I should have just let one of the black and whites handle it."

"I've only known the guy a few weeks, but from what I've seen, when he sets his sights on something, he doesn't let up until he gets it. Either show him you're straight or fuck him and get it over with. He won't go away unless you do."

Smoker looked up in shock at his little cousin and wondered just when it was that he had mentioned that he was gay. No one knew, not that he really cared, and he intended to keep it that way. His mother would have a fit if she knew he wouldn't be giving her any little bundles of horror to smother with candy and affection. Smoothing out his expression, he wondered if Zoro leaned the same way, and if he knew what that freckle faced body looked like under those lose shorts and t-shirt. Shaking his head to clear the unbidden image, Smoker tried to focus on the current problem.

"Just take him home."

"First tell me what he did. I need to know what happened since he works for Jiji." Zoro crossed his arms and waited for the explanation.

"The idiot fell asleep on an old lady at the bus stop. She thought he was attacking her and called us. I happened to be just a little way from the scene and answered the call. Now get him the fuck out of my sight before I kill him."

Zoro laughed whole-heartedly and turned to see why he felt someone staring at him. There in all his glory was his gorgeous blonde, completely confused and walking his way. Zoro began to sweat and turned to look at his cousin for help. Smoker looked back and forth between them and just put his arms behind his head, smiling around his fresh, unlit cigar.

"You're on your own kid. Unless you want to take care of my little problem for me, I'm not lifting a finger for you." Smoker loved the betrayed look on Zoro's face and looked back to the approaching blonde. "Better hurry, he's almost here."

Too late, Zoro pushed off the desk to look for his friend. A firm hand closed around his upper arm and forced him to stop.

"I know you. You're in my Microeconomics class." Sanji pulled slightly on the very firm arm to get the green-haired man to look at him. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm just doing a favor for my cousin here." Zoro pointed to Smoker who stood up and shook Sanji's hand.

"Lieutenant Smoker, and you are?" The detective played dumb, knowing that this was the reporter that was currently making his cousin's life hard. What better way to get back at the little pain in the ass than to goad his own problem.

"Sanji Black. It's a pleasure to meet you. I've been trying to catch your elusive cousin here for quite some time. I noticed he's new at the college and wanted to see if there was anything I could do to help him settle in." Sanji noticed that the young man kept avoiding looking him in the eye. How cute, he was shy. Up close, Sanji could see just how much this guy was trying to avoid standing out. The glasses were several years old and needed to be replaced, and his clothes were way too big.

"You'll have to try really hard to get to know Zoro here. He tends to be a bit secretive and keep to himself." Smoker grinned through the pain when Zoro kicked him hard in the shin. The dirty look he got was well worth it when Sanji nodded in understanding, a new look of determination seeping into his eyes.

"Fuck you jackass." Zoro grumbled and tried to turn away, only then realizing that Sanji's hand was still on his arm. He raised an eyebrow in question to the blonde and Sanji released him quickly. Zoro thought back to his original question he had when first seeing the blonde. "What are you doing here?"

"My moronic neighbor got picked up for something and asked me to come bail him out. The guys at the front desk directed me here. I wonder if he's in his…" Sanji's wonderings were interrupted by a joyous shout.

"Sanji, baby! You got my message!" Ace had gotten bored and wandered back into the office to bug his favorite policeman when he saw his cute blonde neighbor standing next to the older man's desk.

Ace wrapped his friend up in a big hug and kissed him fully on the lips, giggling when Sanji gave him a sharp slap to his ass when he lingered too long. The blonde pushed him away slightly and began to frown. Sanji crossed his arms over his chest and did his best to look down on the taller man despite the reversed height difference. Neither noticed the jaws dropping on both of the men standing by the desk.

"Ace? I thought you said you'd been arrested." Sanji watched Ace grin sheepishly and rub the back of his head as he tried to give the blonde his best innocent look. "Your grandpa said he wouldn't bail you out anymore, so how'd you get out of this one?"

"I'm not even sure what I did to get here in the first place. On minute I'm sitting there talking to this sweet old lady and the next I'm waking up on the ground with a lot of angry people around me." Ace pouted and shoved his hands in his pockets, effectively resembling a child being scolded.

Smoker couldn't figure out why there was a slight twinge in his mind at seeing the raven idiot kissing the blonde reporter. All he knew was that for some strange reason, he wanted to rip that pale hand off the instant it hit that firm ass he had been unconsciously watching since it had entered the room. He looked over to see his little cousin deep in thought and obviously focused on the blonde. With a sly grin, the detective snuck out of the room and went home.

Zoro watched the two in awe, realizing that he just might have been mistaken about Sanji's sexual preference. It wasn't like they were shoving their tongues down each other's throat, but that kiss was beyond chaste. Not to mention, men didn't just kiss each other on the lips that casually to begin with. It was something that women got away with easily, but men tended to be less touchy feely with each other. He watched as his blonde continued to chastise the childish man for not paying attention to his surroundings and wondered if maybe things like fate really did exist.

First, he got kicked out of Japan to come to Grand Line, and then was given a job by his grandfather doing something he loved. The first club he goes to immediately lets him in without questions and he sees the blonde for the first time. After that, he just so happens to get lost long enough to arrive at the perfect time to rescue said blonde. Ace happened upon the dojo and got hired on the spot and now turns out to be the neighbor of the guy Zoro has been lusting after for the past several weeks. There had to be a reason for this all to connect so quickly.

He had been so lost in his thoughts that he didn't realize that someone had spoken to him. A quick movement to his side had him reaching out for the incoming hand that appeared at the side of his head. Ace's arms were thrown over Zoro's shoulders and the taller man draped himself on Zoro's strong back. A sloppy wet kiss was placed on the tanned cheek, and a nice rosy color flooded Zoro's face as he tried to shake the older man off.

"Aww, come on man. You know you love it." Ace laughed as he gave the blushing man his space back. "But really, what are you doing here? I never told that hottie we knew… oh wait I guess I did. I might have compared the two of you when you're mad. You two have such a similar expression it's almost like you're related or something."

"Yah, the lieutenant is his cousin." Sanji found the blush that had made its way onto Zoro's face endearing and couldn't help but smirk now at the half scowl, half pout that had taken its place.

"What! You've got to be kidding me. So does he look as good as you naked? Oh God I wonder if he's as gifted as you as well. Oh, I've died and gone to heaven." Ace sank down in Smoker's empty chair and closed his eyes, letting his mind run away with the combined image of Zoro's naked body with Smoker's face.

Zoro went from blushing to fire engine red in seconds as he sputtered to find a way to safely comment on what secrets were just revealed. He looked over to see Sanji laughing at him and had a strange urge to punch the guy in the face. He might be fucking sexy, but he was also fucking annoying. Shoving his way past the two idiots, he left the office. The only reason he had even come was to make sure that Ace was OK, and Sanji was taking care of that just fine. The engine of the wagon struggled to turn over as Zoro turned the key. A few tries later and he pulled out of the space and headed home. He needed his sleep for school in the morning and hopefully no one would interrupt him on his way home.

The radio had stopped working in the death trap his grandpa called a classic and left Zoro to just listen to the sounds of the city as he drove back to the house. If the radio had worked, the unlucky man would have been humming along with music instead of hearing the screams of a panicked person being attacked. Banging his fist against the dashboard, Zoro let out every curse word he could think of in every language he had ever learned and a few that he decided to just make up on the spot. The wagon skidded to a stop by the curb and Zoro threw the car into park, looking back towards the spot where he had heard the desperate cry. Glad that he was nowhere near campus, Zoro grabbed his handy black hoodie and slid it on. He left his glasses in the front seat and drug his feet as he argued with himself about this being a really bad idea.

Taking out his sword, he began banging his head against the back door before a gunshot rang out, pulling him into action. He pulled the hood over his head again, praying that no one would be able to see his face and rounded the corner to assess the situation. There were four guys surrounding an older couple in a small parking lot between the buildings. The woman was huddled into her husband's chest and cried as the thugs teased the frightened man.

"Aww come on now. I know you got more than this old man." One taunted.

"If not, we could always take it out of your lady there." Another laughed as the woman's cries increased.

"Who'd want that shriveled up bitch? I'd rather just puke." The shortest grabbed his gut and pretended to throw up.

"Maybe we should kill them and get it over with. Besides, they've seen our faces. We can't exactly let them just run off now." This man seemed to be the only one holding a gun and apparently was in charge judging from the way the others gravitated towards him.

"P-p-please." The shaking man said, doing his best to shelter his wife from the leering gaze of the advancing men.

Zoro studied them as they moved to surround the couple on all sides. Damn it, there was another one of the guys that had been in the alley with Sanji. What was this, bad karma now? Here he was thinking that all of his chance encounters had a positive outcome and now this. Zoro knew his main objective was to take out the gun first, so he crept along the wall in the shadows until he was only a few feet from the armed man. Steadying his breathing, he centered himself and collected his energy as he had been taught and focused on the gun, letting everything else fade away for the time. In a sudden burst of speed, he launched himself towards the unsuspecting bastard and cleanly sliced off his index finger as he knocked the pistol out of his hand.

The fool began yelling and clutched his injured hand to his chest. The short one turned to see what was going on and paled as he recognized the intruder. All he could do was stand there pointing and screaming as Zoro carved the now very familiar kanji (三) into the thug's t-shirt. The noise continued, grating on Zoro's nerves so he brought his fist to the idiot's face and knocked him out. At least he didn't run off pissing himself this time, the swordsman thought as he rounded on the last two. They immediately dropped their weapons and helped the two incapacitated members of their group out of the open space. With his back to the scared couple, Zoro tried to mask his voice as he checked on their condition.

"Are you alright?"

The man nodded and realized that the stranger couldn't see his movement from that angle. "Yes. Thank you, young man."

Zoro could hear him whisper comforting words to his wife and decided it was time for him to leave.

"Wait," the woman called out, her voice strained from her fearful crying.

Zoro froze and tried to remember just how far it was to the car and if he could get in it and drive away before they had a chance to follow.

"You're the Dark Knight aren't you?" she asked

Zoro felt like beating his head against something hard for the second time that night. The fucking name had stuck. He was so going to kill that blonde bastard. All this shit he was his fault anyway. Apparently the woman took his silence as confirmation because she continued.

"Thank you, then. Not only for tonight, but for the young woman you saved last week as well. Vivi is very special to us. And even the young reporter. He's such a gentleman, and well liked by everyone. You are truly a hero." Gone were the tears, replaced with solid admiration as she poured her heart into every word.

"We owe you our lives, son. If we can ever repay you, let us know. We can be found in the administrative office at the college. My name is Igaram and this is my wife Terracotta. Don't worry; we won't speak of you to the police. Vivi told us that you want nothing to do with them. She came to visit us after speaking to that sweet reporter. Sanji is such a wonderful young man, and letting him do that article was very gracious of you." Igaram said affectionately.

Zoro groaned inside his head the entire time they talked to his back. Things had just gone from horrible to detrimental in under 60 seconds. Logan would hear of this, his grandfather would find out, and Sanji would probably have a hay-day writing it for the entire school to read about. F U C… K E D… A G A I N. The Mickey Mouse theme played in the swordsman's head.

"You should hurry now, I'm sure the screams and gunshot alerted the police." Terracotta said hurriedly. "Go, and we'll cover for you."

Zoro paused for a moment and looked over his shoulder at the thankful couple. Seeing them safe made his chest swell with pride and he allowed a small smile to grace his features before running out of the dimly lit parking lot. He had just pulled away from the curb when the first police car appeared in his rear view mirror. Thankful it was a uniformed officer this time, Zoro continued home to clean the blood from his blade and clothes before anyone noticed. Oh shit, there was a severed finger back there at the scene. So much for Logan not making the connection.