A/N's: So sorry for the wait IRL sucks at times but here it is the final chapter! Also more notes below! Please enjoy! ^.^
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chapter 8 / Sacrifice
As Dr. Morin came at him, Usopp flipped himself around to the sound of her voice his hand landing on his sling shot. He had to do something, had to, but how …what could he do? A sniper was useless if he could not see…right? The long nose man could only look blindly around in front of him shaking in fear and cry.
"USOPP!!!" cried out Chopper getting to his feet shifting forms to Heavy Point, as he in a drunken rage then charged to try and save Usopp.
Morin blinked and watched Chopper run right in front of her and past her and into the wall crashing and falling back on his ass.
She laughed, "Utterly pathetic, do you hones-…" her words got cut off as she gasped out a yelp as hands out of nowhere pulled her arms back behind her.
"Hello, again Dr. Morin. I believe I owe you the return favor of a bit of fear." said Robin in the doorway with Franky at her side, both whom had shadows casting down over there faces given them an ominous appearance.
"Seis Fleur…Slap!" called Robin and six more arms this time on the Dr. Morin's front bloomed and began to take turns slapping her in the face.
The female doctor cried out and pushed her head down to her chest as if to hide her face to her breasts. One of Robin's hands then pulled the woman's hair jerking her head back up. As her face did rise the doctor had a whistle in her mouth and she blew it with all her might. Robin's hands slapped over Morin's mouth to try and stop her but the damage was already done.
From behind the same curtain screen Morin had came from, two large men stepped out. They where huge and looked just like the bondage rejects that had attacked Nami on the ship with one difference, printed on there tank tops was S3, and S4.
The duo seemed to know right away what the doctor wanted and tore off in a speedy run for the two newcomers at the door.
At once Robin tried to slow them down or just trip them with many arms springing up along the ground but it didn't even faze them nor slow them down.
Franky held up his left arm and used his attack of Beans Left sending a rapid amount of explosive pellets machinegun style at the two which they took dead on yet that did not slow them down either. It was as if pain was a foreign concept to them, though they sure could deliver it real good Franky and Robin both soon found out as both took hits and got knocked to the floor, the ground cracking under the pressure of the force of the blows they had taken.
Robin's hold on Dr. Morin snapped in a pop of flower petals and Morin fell to her knees rubbing her sore face. "Don't break her!...That pleasure will be mine." She sneered looking up. "Hold her down Subject Four!"
S4 did as asked picking up Robin and held her in a near crushing bear hug to his large chest making the woman look small and helpless. She cried out in pain as she wiggled in the tight hold trying to free her self as she felt like she might pass out soon from lack of air to her lungs as they where being pushed on so tightly.
"Nico Robin!" Franky called out in alarm and got to his feet pulling off the skin from his right hand and jumped in an attack to hit S4 in the face with Strong Hammer. At the same moment S3 was coming at Franky and just when it looked like he would get creamed again before he could finish his attack off Chopper got in way crunching down on his second rumble ball and shifted to Guard Point taking the hit for Franky. Franky landed the blow on S4 and the man's jaw snapped breaking and then hung limply with in his mask. Yet still he held to Robin not letting her go nor was he even crying in pain.
Franky jumped back with Chopper both panting. "Dammit! ... Its like nothing I do hurts them!" cursed Franky.
Chopper now clear of head with the temporary drug worn off nodded, "I believe Dr. Morin made it so they can't feel pain. You need to go for the joints and tear them down bit by bit." explained Chopper. "Hey... wait Franky where is Zoro?"
"Eh!!" Franky freaked out and looked around. "He was right behind us in the hallway on our way to the lab!" He was not able to think much longer about it as he and Chopper then had to split and dive out of the way of a charge attack from S3.
Dr. Morin was now up again and went right away to Robin this time pulling out a different color needle and syringe then what she had been about to use on Usopp. "Subject Four bring her down and push her head down." ordered Morin.
The monster of the man did as he was told going to his knees with Robin and let one of his arms around her go so he could push down her head. Morin then pulled back Robin's shirt top to expose the back of her neck and stuck the needle in along Robin's spine. "Don't worry am only paralyzing you for an hour. The real fun will come later once I stop all of your friends." promised Morin.
Robin gasped as a searing pain shot down her spine and left her not even able to wiggle a finger. She was completely useless from the neck down.
"Robin!" screamed out Chopper as he tried to help deflect an attack by S3 with Franky.
"It's ok… I just can't move." Robin called out not wanting to set off a panic though things where not looking to good for them.
Luffy grinded his teeth as all he could do was watch as his nakama kept getting beat down.
Zoro with a sweep of his sword took out the three marines who had been foolish enough to attack him then charged on the double doors ahead of him and stormed into the cold metal room. The swordsman then paused as he found himself in the cafeteria on the clear opposite side of the base from Morin's lab.
Many marines looked up from there food as Zoro cried out in frustration, "Where the hell did those guys go, ditching me at a time like this!"
The moment his Nami-swan had jumped from the noise beyond the walls of the med room Sanji knew things where not right. He struggled to get himself free of the ropes that held him as Nami told him she would be back. No! Why, why didn't she just untie him so he could take care of things? She could get hurt or worse!
Sanji kept wiggling and trying to get himself free but then froze as he herd Nami scream. She was in danger! I have to get to her I have to put my life on the line for her!
The cook was frantic now and becoming more and more desperate to get himself free but when he herd Nami shriek another scream again he became enraged and gave it everything he had and the ropes finally gave busting from him. He wasted no time tearing out of the med room while removing his gag and ran out onto the deck to see Nami on top of the cliff near by. He jumped from the ship soaring to land on the beach and jetted it up the side of cliff. The steep terrain gave him no trouble as he simply ran up the near vertical path in an amazing speed.
As he got up top S1 was just starting to loom over his Nami-swan who looked so afraid. Sanji's blood boiled and he jumped up above the man raising a foot to deliver a smashing blow to knock S1 away as he yelled at the bastard. "Don't you dare lay a hand on Nami-Swan!"
He made a graceful landing in front of Nami-san and reassured her, "Don't worry Nami-Swan! I will protect you with my life!"
He then turned back to look at her and his heart nearly broke as he saw her laying there all beat-up and dirty. He could only blame himself for not getting free sooner. I will use my very last breath to make sure this bastard does not lay another hand on her.
The cook gave Nami a sad smile. He would never forgive himself if he didn't save her this one last time. Quickly then he turned back around and blocked an attack with his leg.
He herd Nami scream out his name, "Sanji-kun!" Of course he wanted to comfort her but he had to deal with the bastard that did this to her first.
"I will make you pay for hurting Nami-swan asshole!" he growled as anger over took his body and he lashed out in a series of attacks in a fearsome speed. "Collier, Épaule, Poitrine!" he called out then jumped in the air and brought down all the force, all the anger he held with in himself to bring down his foot on S1's head. "Mouton Shot!" and S1 went flying back but not before he reached up and grabbed Sanji by the ankle jerking the cook along for the ride.
In midair S1 flipped Sanji around to hold both of his legs and then wrap is own legs around Sanji's middle and drove the cook's head down to the ground as they landed.
Sanji cried out in pain as his head met with the ground making him see stars. It left him feeling dizzy and with how tight the man was holding him it didn't help maters as the hold was restricting his chest from expanding too much, cutting down on airflow.
With Sanji's knees still able to bend he repeatedly brought down his heels in the man's face. He was sure he was making a bloody mess of the man's face but it was like S1 didn't even care. Two could play that game!
Sanji took in the deepest breath of air as he could then exhaled as much as he could to try and make himself smaller to slip from the man's grasp but the man's arms only tightened around him and Sanji was forced to take on the pain as his ribs started to soon feel the pressure. Still he tried to slide his foot down a little. If he could just get it under the man's chin he would have a shot but it was nearly impossible with how the man was holding him.
"Stop it, stop it!" screamed Nami and came at S1 smashing a rock one handed into the man's head.
It made S1 slump forward for a moment and loosen his hold on Sanji but even better S1 let one of his arms go from holding the cook, the bad part was it now swept at Nami getting her in the gut and knocking her back down to her rear as she held her middle in pain.
"BASTARD!" Sanji fumed and pulled his leg back from the one handed grip that held both. The cook then stomped it upwards under the man's chin making the neck extended. Sanji's leg then came back in a wide split then back again picking up the speed it needed so when his heel came down on the side of S1's neck it gave a satisfying cracking sound as neck broke.
The man went limp right away as his head lolled to the side and then he fell back lifeless.
Sanji rolled himself up to his knees and panted in air as his visible blue eye searched for Nami.
Spotting her he held her graze and smiled once again sadly at her. "I'm so sorry Nami-san I could not get here sooner…even then I still let that bastard touch you again…" he took in a sharp breath as tears started to spill. She would not even be in this mess if it was not for me. My nakama really are better with out me.
Nami forced a smile to her face. "It does not matter Sanji-kun… you saved me that's all that matters."
Sanji stood up and winced at the protest his ribs gave him from the action. "No… not yet I haven't." the cook held that sad smile still then slowly started to walk towards her.
"Ne?" Nami blinked in confusion and worry as she looked up at him.
"Goodbye Nami-san." The cook softly said as he took a step past her and towards the cliff edge that held a beautiful view of a now setting sun over the ocean waters. The rich bright colors the sun still produced tuned the light grey storm clouds a spectacular golden hue while making flecks of ocean shimmer.
Nami's eyes shot open wide as realization of what Sanji was going to do sunk in.
Chopper and Franky fell back to the ground taking yet another blow by a combo from S3 and S4.
"Maybe…maybe if we could just get Luffy out from under that machine we would have a chance." Chopper coughed.
"Eh?" Franky looked over to Luffy and up to the saucer above the captain. "If that's all that's keeping him down leave it to me doctor-bro!" And Franky pushed himself up with force and once more used Beans Left to shoot at the saucer.
"Stop him!" Morin shouted and S3 jumped up to take the hits of the gun while S4 came at Franky giving him a right hook and sent him flying back.
Chopper shifted to Guard Point once again to cushion Franky's fall for all good it would do.
Morin took out her controller once more and another saucer moved into play this time over Franky. "I will not have you going off and trying to ruin my fun tin man!" she smirked and flipped a switch.
Franky then cried out as he went flying up into the air to the metal saucer above him which rang out with loud metal ting sound upon impact. Once the stars cleared from Franky's head he tried to pull himself from the saucer but couldn't.
"Try all you like but all that lovely metal in your body will hold you firmly in place thanks to the magnetize ray." She smirked.
Usopp inched along the floor crawling with one hand in front of him patting about to make sure his path was clear. "Rrr-robin." He whispered out in a sniffling whisper.
Robin's eyes looked around from where she lay then spotted Usopp and at once she could tell what was wrong with him. "Here long nose-kun." She answered with caution not wanting to draw attention to them.
Usopp moved in the direction he herd her voice come from till he found her his hand patting over her face. "Robin…can you see the machine above Luffy?" He asked.
Across the room Chopper screamed out in pain as he was getting double hits now from both S3 and S4. He could hardly stand and as he took yet another blow he unwillingly shifted back to Brain Point fell to his side in pain.
"You know…I really don't have any need for animal testing… why don't you boys just finish that one off." grinned Morin.
The steel doors then where carved open and flew inwards into the room knocking S3 and S4 clear across the room and smashed into the wall.
"Bastards! How dare you go off and ditch me like that!" yelled a very upset green haired swordsman.
"W-what?! Don't lie you got lost again!" accused Franky getting mad now too.
Zoro blinked and looked up at Franky. "Ne …what are you doing up there Franky?" the swordsman asked his anger and the matter of him having been lost or not forgotten in favor of confusion of Franky's predicament.
A tick formed at the side Franky's brow. "Don't ask unnecessary things! Just get me down!" Franky yelled.
Zoro shrugged and crossed his swords about to do as asked when S3 and S4 got back up and came at him. "Hang tight for a moment and let me deal with these two." He told Franky and took up a defense stance.
As Zoro battled across the other side room Robin was trying to guide Usopp with direction on where to aim his slingshot.
"No more to the left." whispered Robin and Usopp tried once again to adjust his aim.
"Oh? What do we have here?" Dr. Morin asked moving up on Usopp and Robin.
At the sound of the Morin's voice Usopp turned, his other senses now heightened in compensation for his lack of sight and he just acted on the moment and fired getting a direct hit on the woman. She cried out flying back to land on the ground hard.
"Wonderful shot!" praised Robin.
"I got her?!" Usopp asked in disbelief.
Morin rolled over to her side and coughed out a puff of smoke of gunpowder. "You will pay for that!"
Once again Usopp shot once he herd her voice but this time Morin pushed her self out of the way.
"To your right!" Robin cried out and Usopp turned and fired and missed again but now he was listening closely to the sound of Morin's wooden sandals as they clacked along the floor and skidded. He took another shot and nicked her arm making her cry out again.
"It can't be helped then!" Morin turned and ran back to a table and yanked off a sheet from it reveling a huge needle and syringe as big as a normal size person's leg. Carefully she picked it up avoiding Usopp's attacks and ran to the curtain screen. She pushed the screen out of the way and in her haste knocked the whole thing over to reveal a midget of a giant strapped to the wall with many tubes running in and out of him who was dressed like just like the other men but his tank top said S5 on it.
Morin climbed the ladder next to S5 and punctured his neck with the needle and slowly pushed in the light green liquid from the syringe.
Zoro flew back to the wall his lip split and his tongue ran over the wound. He then pulled his black bandana from his arm and tied it around his head and charged once more at the pair after drawing his third sword.
Swords flashed in quick strokes, swinging steel cut into flesh that went unnoticed as S4 drove his fist onwards anyways to Zoro's gut knocking him back into S3's hold as his arms came around Zoro trapping him.
Zoro gritted his teeth holding to the one sword in his mouth as the tight pressure bore down on him. With a flick of Zoro's hand though he cut into one of the very arms that held him making half of the limb fall away to the floor now useless.
Still the man didn't cry out or even seem alarmed at the missing body part he just held tighter with what grip he still had on Zoro as S4 came at Zoro again. This time S4 clocked him in the throat making Zoro slump forward in S3's hold for a moment.
There was no time to waste however and Zoro cut away the other limb that held him and stumbled away from the two coughing and gasping in air that burned on its way down his throat.
Bloody stumps smashed down on Zoro's back making him fall to the ground as a black boot then kicked in the side punting him across the room.
Zoro rolled onto this knees quickly using one of his swords to steady himself and watched the two came at him. Suddenly then almost as if random S3 fell over, having lost so much blood and taken so many wounds he finally just dropped dead. S4 kept on unfazed by the turn of events.
Zoro pushed himself to his feet and readied himself to finish this not sure if he could keep going like this if it didn't come to an end soon and by the look of the substitute sword he had been using, (since Yubashiri was destroyed on Enies Lobby), that was sporting a large crack in it, it looked like it would only be good for one more attack anyways. So Zoro put it all in one last attack on S4.
"Gyūki Yuzume!" Zoro called out as he positioned his swords pointing them at S4 and then lunged forward as S4 came at him as well dead on, unworried for his safety. The impact was great but S4's body was not able to hold up with it and fell back sliding off Zoro's swords to thump onto the ground. Zoro's spare sword then shattered and he let it drop to join the now just as useless S4.
The swordsman then turned around and his eyes widen as Dr. Morin removed the needle from S5.
S5 awoke at once and pulled away from the wall, tubes tearing off from him as he roared out.
"Dammit you all are like cockroaches. Take care of one and more come in!" hissed Dr. Morin.
Zoro grinned, "Could say the same for your lackeys." He stood tall unwilling to show any signs of weakness.
"Subject Five wipe the smirk of that bastard's face then take care of the sniper." Morin ordered and S5 obeyed.
The ground lightly shook with his steps as S5 came at Zoro. Suddenly he was then swinging down a large hand onto Zoro as if he was swatting a bug.
Zoro thrust his swords up and kept his arms locked trying to push back the large hand.
S5 simply used his other hand to punch Zoro in the side and it sent the swordsman flying back and unable to get back up this time. Try as Zoro might his body was just unwilling at the moment.
S5 then turned to Usopp and started towards him.
Usopp had been working once again with Robin trying to shoot at the saucer above Luffy but with no sound to help use for aim it was proving most difficult.
"Run long nose!" Franky yelled out.
Usopp turned his head left to right not sure which way to go and before he could ask he was in S5's grasp and being thrown over to land on top of Zoro, to which both men groaned out in pain.
Chopper panted in his own pain and tried to stand, "I won't be beaten by a person like you. I have to save Sanji!"
"Save Sanji?" Dr. Morin question then laughed out. "But he is in no harm …that he does not put himself into."
"You made him try to kill himself! What kind of doctor does that?!" yelled Chopper back in anger getting to his feet though finding himself shaky on them.
A curl of a smile came to her lips. "You don't know what my drug has done to him do you!" she laughed. "Oh my you really should leave the medicine to the humans." She mocked. "But I feel generous…I will tell you what I did to him since its now to late for any of you to do anything about it being so beaten." She paused and took a moment to push her hair back and into place before she went on.
"I simply administered a formula I have been working on that attacks ones emotional state and tips the balances to a state of depression to which the user starts questioning almost everything in there daily life …however and I find it extremely amazing with the test subjects I have so far used it on, that if there is even the slightest hint of suicidal tendencies that it will result in them taking there own life. Yes …but Mr. Blackleg is a bit different. He is the sacrifice type…the fool… yet I can't wait to examine his brain to see if there is a way I can copy something like this and put it in others. Not a mindless lackey with out pain sensors but someone willing to put everything on the line who can use judgment as well as power yet still risk it all due to his stupid loyalties. He is human shield by his own will…my drug just maximized it to the fullest extent. So really you only have yourselves to blame. If he was not so more then willing to give his life for you all, then you all.-…" her speech was cut then.
"SHUT UP!" Luffy yelled burning with raging anger, the veins on his neck straining. His breathing was coming out hard, his fury so very clear to be seen. "You messed with Sanji's mind! Do not mock him for being willing to die for a nakama!" Slowly Luffy pushed on one of his hands making his elbow raise. "You could never copy what Sanji has!" Slowly Luffy's other elbow came up off the floor as he pushed on his other hand. "His willing to sacrifice gives us all strength to fight because it's true, it's from his heart!" Slowly Luffy's chest rose up from the ground.
Dr. Morin paled and pulled out the remote increasing the pressure to max and the ground around Luffy dented in from it. Yet Luffy kept moving to rise, now placing one foot to the ground and started to stand up. His utter rage at Dr. Morin's words about Sanji fueled him with the power he needed to overcome the pressure the saucer beat down on him.
"Someone like you could never know the kind of sacrifice that is in Sanji." Luffy then stood up straight his fists clinched at his sides. "I'm going to kick your ass for what you have done to him!" Luffy called out making it a promise as he took his first step out from under the saucer.
Time seemed to freeze for Nami as Sanji took that first step past her. His words of goodbye echoing in her head as her heart speeded to beat rapidly with in her aching chest and fresh tears came down her cheeks cutting through the blood and dirt on them. Then time suddenly caught up with her all at once and she turned around to see that Sanji had taken a few more steps past her since he had spoken. She had to do something, but last time it had taken Luffy and Chopper both to stop him not to mention Zoro's efforts. Yet she didn't have that kind of inhuman strength or any sedatives with her.
As Sanji took another step Nami did the only thing she could think of. She pushed off on her knees and jumped at Sanji letting her body crash into his legs and her one good arm curl around one of his long powerful legs. "No!" she screamed out. "Please Sanji don't!" she sobbed begging.
Sanji stumbled in step but with his legs so strong he was easily able to hold his balance and not fall over. Shock appeared over his face as he looked down at Nami. Her tearful dirty face stared back up at him looking so very sad.
"Please Sanji! …" her mind rambled at things she could say "Who will take care of me and Robin with out you? Who will cook for all of us?! Who will come to my rescue?!"
Once again Sanji's sad smile retuned. "Ah… Nami-san is so kind." He then shook his head. "It does not have to be me to do those things. They will get done with out me being there, but with me there I will bring misfortune to you all …I just cant risk putting you all in harm anymore for dead weight like me Nami-san. Please don't be sad it makes me happy to give my life to you all. I could ask for no greater gift then for my life to give you, or Luffy or…or even that shitty swordsman's life a few extra minutes." His smile seemed to for a moment turn truly happy at that last name.
"B-but…but what about our happiness Sanji?! Do you think we will be happy with out you? We all would miss you and be so sad. Please Sanji, please don't do this, please. If you just wait a little more the others will come back soon with a cure for you and you won't think these crazy things anymore." Nami tried to reason with him.
"Nami-san…I'm sorry… I have to do this. Maybe one day you can forgive me in time." Sanji then took another step forward but ended up having to drag Nami as she held all the tighter now to his right leg with her good arm
"No!" she cried out. "I won't have to forgive you because you are not doing this!" she screamed at him.
A soft sigh left Sanji's lips and he looked up as the first few drops of a spring shower started to fall down from the golden lighted clouds. "Nami-san…let go." He softly said.
"No!" Nami sobbed. This was it; he would not hurt her because she was a girl so she could just keep holding onto him till the others got back!
Sanji now squatted down keeping the leg Nami held to out a bit so not to crush her arm in the bend of his leg. "Nami-san." He said softly again. "Its starting to rain if you don't get back to the ship where it's dry you will catch a cold."
She blinked up at him as shock and anger came over her. "Baka! You're talking about killing yourself and expect me to go away from worry over getting a cold!" She glared up at him, "If you so worried then take me back to the ship right now… in fact I demand you do just that! Getting up this cliff was a pain and as you see am all banged up so you have to help me!" If tears would not work then she would order him to do as she wanted.
He gave a soft laugh. "Nami-san is so lovely when she is mad…and you were very brave, again I'm so sorry I…" He was cut off by Nami as she yelled at him once more.
"Don't you dare say your sorry one more time Sanji! Not unless you're willing to make it up to me!"
Sanji sighed again and looked into her eyes wishing she would just understand. "Nami-san I can't go back to the ship with you."
Nami bit her bottom lip at his words. If he did get away from her before the others got back…She had to find a way to get him back on that ship! If only he had never met Dr. Morin. At that thought she then had it, she knew how to save Sanji!
Nami shook her head no. "That's not what I want Sanji." a small smirk came to her lips.
The cook raised a curled brow, "Then what could I do to make it up to you?" he asked.
"A kiss." She said.
Sanji's eyes nearly bugged out of his head. "A kiss?!"
Nami nodded. "If your going to go and die the lest you can do is kiss me goodbye…ne?" she asked with a sly grin.
"A Nami-san kiss? A kiss with Nami-san and me… our lips together?!" Sanji's face seemed to be heating up at the idea. He would literally never get another chance at something like this. Surly just one more little indulgent sin would be ok since he was going to make up for it all and give his life to protect his nakama.
"Hai hai…so you will …won't you…give me a kiss?"
"HAI!" Sanji could not help but cry out. Oh how romantic to kiss Nami-swan then to give his life for her and the others.
"Good now close your eyes and pucker up." She instructed as she let go of his leg and reached behind herself.
"HAI!" he nearly sang out and did as he was asked closing his eyes and puckered up his lips. He could hardly wait to feel what her lips would be like to his or the taste of her… Pain throbbed through out his head just a moment before he lost consciousness.
Nami let the rock she had used to hit Sanji on the side of his head in his temple drop from her hand. "Told you, you needed to learn to wise up to women's motives. Oh well, lucky for me." She smiled and got up and took Sanji by the coaler of his shirt and started to drag him to the cliff path being extra careful due to the rain making the path slick now.
Surly that extra hit to the head would not cause anymore problems or if it did Chopper could fix it, she thought as she limped with only one shoe on slowly dragging Sanji down the cliff side. Nami then winced as her bare foot scraped on a rock in the process.
"You are so buying me a new pair of shoes after this is over with." She informed the knocked out cook.
When she did finally get Sanji back to the ship she used chains to keep him down this time and the last sedative. Surly the others would be back soon, if not Chopper was going to have to treat more lumps to Sanji's head cause she sure as hell was not going through that again!
As Luffy was getting so mad he was over coming the saucer's pressure Robin wiggled a finger and her eyes turned to Chopper who was now over by Zoro and Usopp helping them, Chopper giving Usopp drops for his eyes and treating Zoro's wounds.
"This is impossible there is no way you should have been able to get out of that!" cried out Morin as Luffy brought his other foot out from under the saucer's ray.
Luffy panted breathing hard nearly worn out from the strength he exerted from just stepping out from that ray.
"S5 get him! Get him! Get the Straw-hat!" Morin yelled nearly jumping up and down. Things most certainly were not looking good for her now.
Luffy pulled himself together as S5 came at him and the midget of a giant used the same move on Luffy as he had with Zoro. First he put his hand down as if to squish Luffy but Luffy blocked with his hands then S5's other hand came in for the blow to Luffy's side but the rubber captain tossed up a foot and pushed with his foot and hands making S5 stumble back.
The mini giant grunted and then as Luffy was recovering bending over panting S5 kicked Luffy sending him back into the wall making it crack under him.
Luffy dropped to the floor going down to one knee and put his fist to the floor as well breathing in deeply and called out, "Gear Second." His legs pumped his blood starting off the change till there was a rubber shine all over him and he stood up with steam coming off him. He was not playing around now. He rushed at S5 jumping up into the air calling out his attack, "Gomu Gomu no Jet Gatling!" and his arms moved in rapid speed to make it look like many at once hitting S5 all over at one time causing S5 to step back a few times from the sheer force Luffy put into each hit.
Morin a woman who knew when to cut her losses rushed to her desk and pulled out her bag and began to fill it with her recent research. With all she needed she made a run for the door.
Zoro newly bandaged jumped up and cut the pole and cords which held the saucer that imprisoned Franky.
The large saucer came crashing down blocking Morin's path to the door. Then she gasped in fear as Zoro and Franky landed in front of the saucer, the men back to back and looking over there shoulders to her with menacing glares.
Luffy took a hit and went crashing to the ground that shook the whole building but got back up and called out "Gomu Gomu no Jet Rifle!" and knocked S5 back making the large mammoth of a man almost fall.
Morin turned from Zoro and Franky and ran for the window on the side of the building but came to a skidding halt as Usopp now with sight again, and Chopper at his side crossed there arms and glared at her blocking her path from the window.
Luffy flew back from another attack of S5's but used his legs like springs to the wall making him bounce half way back and land safely to the floor then charged and jumped at S5 to make his final attack. "Gomu Gomu no Jet Bazooka!" and both his fists went to S5's face cracking the skull and making S5 fall back in defeat.
When Luffy landed he fell back as well to the floor and puffed out a breath of air as it all had taken a lot of out of him.
Morin clenched her hands to her bag and turned on her heel running from Usopp and Chopper to head for the back door but once more was stopped as Robin now stood there giving the other woman a icy cold glare.
"MORIN!!!!" Luffy yelled out from where he lay on the floor then rolled over getting to his feet once more still panting.
Morin backed up to a wall holding her bag tightly to her chest as they all now closed in on her.
Morin slide down the wall to sit on her knees as Zoro cracked his knuckles, Franky pushed up his shades to rest on his head, Chopper shifted to Heavy Point, Usopp tighten his grip on his slingshot, Robin crossed her arms in a stern teacher like manner, and Luffy stood in front of her and punched a fist to his open hand.
Morin one for more self preservation held out her bag. "Here just take it and go then!" she cried out hoping it would be enough.
Chopper grabbed the bag jerking it from her hold.
"You have what you wanted … just take it and go!" Morin yelled her face growing paler by the moment.
They all stood still around her in a half circle watching her.
Fearing for her safety all the more she used the old, "You would not hit a woman would you?"
Robin raised a slender brow at this.
Morin put her glasses down on her face, "How about a person with glasses?"
Zoro made a grunt of annoyance.
Morin pushed her glasses back up, "Dammit he was just the cook what does it matter?!"
"Sanji is nakama!" Luffy yelled at her. "And I won't forgive you for what you did to him!"
Morin pressed her back tightly to the wall.
"For Sanji!" Luffy called and lifted a leg.
"For Sanji-kun!" Usopp agreed and lifted a leg.
"For ero-cook!" confirmed Zoro lifting a leg.
"For cook-san." said Robin as clam as always but with a deadly aura like the others and lifted a leg.
"For cook-bro!" shouted Franky and lifted a leg.
"Anti-Manner Kick Course Reproduction!" Luffy called out the attack and they all then brought there feet down on Morin bringing on an instant victory for the Mugiwara crew.
With Morin's research Chopper had been able to make an antidote for Sanji but it was not a straight fix right away and had to be giving in doses in a span of a few days. It was two days before Sanji stopped begging for them to let him sacrifice himself and four days till he was allowed out of the med room. Even then the crew were taking Sanji suicide watch turns as the cook was not allowed anywhere by himself not even the bathroom as even he admitted now and then the thoughts would return and sometimes the desire seemed rather strong to act on it. Chopper said it would be awhile before they fully disappeared but demanded Sanji speak up if they started to come more often. It was still an in testing drug they where using to cure this with after all and Chopper didn't want to take any chances.
The marines at the training base turned out to be surprisingly grateful to the Mugiwara crew. After Morin had made the Subject project (her five goons) she had taken over the marine base and started testing on unwilling marines even a village now and then when pirates were rare. The marines allowed Chopper's help on the recovery of Morin's victims but could not give him nor any of the rest of the crew credit for the help against Morin for the obvious reason of them being marines and they were pirates. It didn't matter to the crew of course they where just happy they would not have to worry about the marines anymore when they went to town.
Meanwhile Sanji feeling guilty as all hell did everything he could to make it up to the others and had been doing so ever since he had been allowed out of the med room.
He gave Luffy extra helpings at dinner which where of late mostly meat dishes and even would make Luffy little snacks during the day if he complained enough. Even weirder still he now and then let himself be roped in to Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper's odd childish games.
He would also listen to Usopp's stories and didn't even give the man grief over bluntly clear lies.
He put up with all of Chopper's questions, demands and tests never once complaining and for snack time would always give Chopper his favorite sweets.
With Franky he helped the man out in tasks he would normally have deemed a waste of time and always made sure to have cold cola on hand.
With the ladies, he doted on more heavily then ever praising them for anything they did when he was around them but also gave them a lot more space. He also bought Nami three pairs of shoes and the outfits to go with them and Robin some books and flowers.
For Zoro he didn't wake the swordsman anymore and when he had to give out snacks he just would leave good quality sake by Zoro with rice balls, he even went as far as to avoid fights with the man bowing out in gentlemanly manners. Even if Zoro purposely grabbed the cook's pricy cooking wine and drank it right in front of him the cook would just smile and act like all was well.
Finally Zoro had, had enough of it all; he wanted his Sanji back already. So the night before they were to leave the island at dinner Zoro spoke up about it.
"Oi shit-cook?" Zoro said looking to Sanji as the blonde served Luffy his sixth helping.
"Yes Zoro-kun?" Sanji questioned. "Need more sake?"
Zoro's brow twitched. "When are you going to stop it already?"
Everyone looked up now and the room went quiet till Sanji pushed a smile to his face. "Stop what?"
Zoro frowned. "That!" and he waved a finger at Sanji. Seeing the cook still puzzled Zoro elaborated. "That fake happy shit. Waiting on everyone acting like nothing bugs you and not even having the guts to fight me!"
"Zoro…" Chopper warned.
Sanji went to open his mouth but stopped as a faint nagging voice whispered, You can never make them happy no matter what you do.
Sanji stood a little straighter, "Sorry I didn't realize I was…asshole." He added a little late. With all eyes still to him he could not take it. "Excuse me I need some air." and hurried out of the room.
Luffy stuffed the rest of his food in his mouth then got up turning his head to the swordsman. "He is trying Zoro, give him a break." And Luffy headed out after the cook. It was his night on Sanji suicide watch and it would not due to let the cook go off by himself after such an incident, even still if it was not his watch Luffy would have probably have gone after Sanji. He had been hovering a lot around the cook of late.
Chopper frowned wondering if maybe he should go too or maybe he should stay and talk with Zoro. As the little doctor looked up at the man it seemed to him Zoro was having a hard time dealing with this all too.
With all eyes on him Zoro felt the need to say something. "I just…I want things to go back to how they were already." He huffed.
"It will take time bushido-san. You can not rush these things. I'm sure the generous attention is just cook-san's way of saying sorry." Robin offered helpfully.
"Why can't he just say it then and not do all of this stupid crap." grumbled Zoro.
"He is probably ashamed of himself. The drug didn't take his memory away of it all right doctor-bro?" Franky added.
"That's very true. Humm maybe we should add a group therapy time in ships regular activities?" questioned Chopper.
"Wow look at the time!" Nami stated and quickly got up as the others too suddenly became very interested in offering to help clean up or get away leaving a very confused doctor.
"Was it something I said?" Chopper asked.
Luffy found Sanji at the back of the ship leaning on the rail looking out at the vast ocean as he smoked a cigarette. Luffy joined him and sat on the rail half turned to Sanji and the water.
They stayed like that for some time till Sanji finally spoke up. "It's confusing sometimes… the memories of those days. I almost feel like it was not me."
Luffy turned his full attention to Sanji and shifted his hat back on his head. "It was not you."
"Wasn't it? Chopper said himself that it would have not worked if….if that part of me was not already there." Sanji sighed blowing out a puff of smoke.
"Sanji…you would never…" Luffy tried and Sanji now looked at him with a clenched jaw and cut him off.
"I would and you know I would. If it meant saving any of you I would kill myself in a heartbeat." Sanji stated with conviction.
Luffy frowned and looked down. "You always mean well Sanji but… as your captain and your nakama I won't let you throw your life away. You can count on me Sanji; we all will be there with you for the times ahead to come. You don't have to try and take the weight of it all by yourself. If we work together there will not be a need for sacrifice. It means a lot you're willing to go that for me and the others but there is no reason to be so quick to use that last effort."
Sanji looked away after Luffy's words and flicked his used up cigarette out to the dark waters then reached to jacket pocket for another but was stopped by Luffy, a hand over Sanji's and Luffy leaned his face to Sanji's making it so the cook could not look away. "If any of my namaka died for me I would lose a part of me, forever gone. Please Sanji don't be in such a hurry."
Sanji's one visible blue eye watered at Luffy's words. To know he meant something so much to make such an impact on someone's life it was so gratifying and so overwhelming.
"I…I'm so sorry." he shut his eyes tightly and felt the tears burn onto his cheeks. "Arg! Those words are not enough for the misery I caused!" I should have just died. "If I had of died it would have been ..."
"It would have been worse!" yelled Luffy at him and took Sanji's head in his hands now. "Look at me Sanji…" when Sanji didn't open his eyes Luffy added. "That's a captain's order!"
Sanji open his eyes that time.
"I need you! This ship needs you, your nakama needs you. We need you more then for some sacrifice of your life…we need you to live your life, to live and be with us." Luffy's dark eyes bore into that one blue eye.
Luffy's words struck so deeply at the cook's heart he threw his arms around the captain and cried into his shoulder. It was not very manly but he could not help it. The doubt of his own value of life other then self sacrifice the memories had left him with seemed to just wash away at Luffy's reassurance.
Luffy smiled and the seriousness on his face vanished as let his own arms go around Sanji and hugged him tight.
Zoro pulled back from around the corner he had been watching from, and had been since near the start of it all, and headed up to the crows nest to train. Why, why could he not say those things to Sanji? Why could he not give that kind of comfort to the blonde? Why… why could it not be him hugging the damn shitty cook?
The next night as they were once again out at sea, the cook and the swordsman were doing the dinner dishes together.
"Zoro." said Sanji and passed a plate.
Zoro took it and dried it and sat it to the side.
"Zzzzoro.." another plate passed.
Zoro did the same again.
"Zoroooo." another plate held out to the swordsman.
"Oi, shitty-cook?" Zoro said and turned to the blonde not taking the plate this time.
A curled brow raised and Sanji looked at him.
This was it, it was now or never to tell the cook how he felt, to make the bastard understand. Zoro's fists clenched at his sides. "If you ever try to sacrifice yourself for me I will kick your ass!" CRAP! Of all the things he could have said that comes out?! What the hell was wrong with him? Zoro's jaw clenched and he wanted to run out of the room for the stupidity he had just sprouted but he held firmly in his place.
Surprise showed on the cook's face and he just stood there for a moment. Slowly then one of his old cocky grins came to those rosy lips and he turned away. "Tch like I would for you." He mocked jokingly.
Ease rushed through Zoro at that reply…that reply from HIS Sanji. He was cheering with in himself but outwardly he just took the plate the cook still held to him and dried it. So it had not been some deep heartfelt admission of love for the cocky bastard but it was a start.
"Zoro." said Sanji and handed him another plate and as Zoro took it the dishwater splashed from some dishes shifting with in the sink and got the front of Zoro's shirt wet a little.
"Oi! Watch it ero-cook." grumbled the swordsman.
Sanji smirked; "Hn you worried about melting?" teased the cook and splashed Zoro this time meaning to.
Zoro frowned looking at the wet spot on his shirt. "Oh real mature." he grumbled out and turned to set the dried plate down.
Sanji let one of his legs bend backwards and brought it up towards himself then let the side of his foot kick Zoro in the ass not so lightly.
"OI! Cut it out shit-cook!" Zoro yelled a tick forming on the side of his head.
Sanji leaned against the counter and lit up a cigarette and blew out the smoke before replying. "And what are you going to do to stop me shitty-swordsman."
A grin came to Zoro's face. He most defiantly had his Sanji back.
And so there fighting echoed out over the ship drawing in everyone to come see as shoes and swords clashed together. No one said anything at first due to the clear happy smiles on the swordsman and cook's face but when a chair got busted in the mix Franky started yelling at them which got the other male members of the crew laughing and Robin smirking and Nami groaning in annoyance.
And so life retuned back to normal …well as normal as things ever got around this group.
A/N: Yay and its finished! My first short story! *weeps* Thank you all who stayed through this with me and those of you who read it!
So yeah this was a long chapter xD I'm really surprised I did so much on fighting senses. Were they enjoyed?
Also if you remember my 'maybe more pairings' statement I made at the start of this…I think I did there at the end toss in a little LuffyxSanji xD I kinda didn't mean to it just happened.
For this end chapter to tie it all together I tried to put in a little something from all the previous chapters so the story kinda came around full circle and yeah I know no hot SanjixZoro nookie or even kissing wtf?!
BUT! If you enjoyed this story tell me cause I have plans to make a sequel to this story as a up in coming Main Project! It will be titled 'These Hands' So it will be a long story and there will be boy on boy sex …won't say who is getting some but there will be some! As for what it will be about! A Pirate Captain sets his sights on Sanji! Wanting him to join his crew, (and his bed xD) and tries many ways to get the cook to join him from wacky plans to plain out scary fights! All while Sanji and Zoro try and come to terms with there feelings for each other and it all starts on….Candy Island! Lol shoot me once I write it xD I swear it will be starting off really silly but will get into deep drama too and…maybe even a death of one of our fav pirates! *gasp*
Also I'm thinking for one of the villains of this other pirate crew to put in Sophia Morin's younger sister. She will have some talents as big sis but have a lot of defaults too. Though to help me make up more villains I would love to hear what you guys thought of the villain Sophia Morin in this story. It will be awhile before I get a chance to even start on 'These Hands' as I'm still working on 'You're Mine' and also have some other ideas for some more stories too so a lot to do xD
Oh speaking of 'You're Mine' I will be putting up the first two chapters sometime tonight so if you enjoyed this story maybe you will enjoy that one as well.
Anyways please review! If you can answer any of the questions I asked too that would be most helpful…and if you do? Then I will add an epilogue blurb of ZoroxSanji to this story! No not nookie jeez perverts xD
Anyways review! And thanks so much for reading. It has truly been a pleasure. ^.^
Chapter Review Replies:
tazx x x – Hehe of course Sanji makes the best entrances. Glad ya enjoyed and yay for FrankyxRobin love 3!
datErdbeerschn – Lol awe don't worry I nor Nami would let that happen as you see I didn't! Nor did she! *pushes the bloody rock with her foot* Erm… Don't worry Chopper said there was no brain damage … ^.^; Ah the Usopp vs Perona! That was fucking a great battle! xD Yeah I used that for inspiration for that fight with Usopp and Dr. Morin.
AllBlueChaser - *falls over* You see all my twists! I guess I really need to work on them lol or maybe your just that good ^_~
Ah well I hope the ending was not a let down and at lest a bit of a surprise?
bed of nails and sandpaper - Awe but he has the hair and black clothing for it.. I joke I joke! Tee hee But yush see Sanji gets all better and happy ending!