-Tangled Web-
A role-play/joint-fic by Digitaldreamer and Constable Remington
Chapter Thirteen: Adopting a Stray
Well, it's time for another Tangled Web chapter. Um…yes. It seems only two chapters after we hit the one hundred review mark, we've passed one hundred and fifty. Wow. Just wow.
Have I mentioned I love you people? I do. I so do. You all rock my sock, and I say sock as I seem to have misplaced one of my socks. Um..yes.
Enjoy the chapter!
Darkness had pushed the glorious sunset aside over the sky of the tiny town, and Roronoa Zoro was more or less enjoying it, sitting out on a bench on the sidewalk of the little ice cream parlor with a soda in his hand. He was slumped back against the wood of the bench, mulling over the events of the day in his mind. Something seemed so out-of-place, but he decided that the day had gone so pleasantly that it really wasn't anything to dwell on. Glancing sideways towards his little roommate, he grinned a bit. So, Luffy was gonna stay with him, huh? He couldn't wait to get home and tell everyone. They'd flip!
Still... Zoro wondered in the back of his mind if Luffy was sad about his apparently deceased family. He wondered if the boy would want to visit their graves. If Luffy's memories did come back, would he freak out? Luffy didn't seem sad, at least, not then, but you never could tell with such a cheerful and happy exterior. About to open his mouth to try and find the words to say something about it, Zoro silenced himself, unsure what could be said.
Tipping back his head, the metal of the soda can met his lips and he tried again to wash the flavor of that weird woman's bubble gum from his mouth.
Luffy was perched on top of the wooden back of the bench next to Zoro, grinning as he licked his ice cream cone. His face was covered in melted chocolate ice dream and sprinkles, but either the boy didn't notice or didn't care.
There was a crunch as he tossed the last of the sugar cone into his mouth and swallowed it. "Mmm! That was yummy!" He said, and then licked his lips in an attempt to get at all the ice cream on his face. Apparently his tongue didn't want to reach far enough to get the junk on his tongue and nose.
Zoro sighed. Luckily, he had been prepared for this. Grabbing one of the napkins he had shoved into his pocket, he reached over, roughly wiping the sticky substance from Luffy's face. "Glad you liked it," he remarked, finishing his soda and tossing the can and the napkin into the nearby trashcan. He leaned into the boy a bit, resting his shoulder against Luffy's, wanting just to stay and talk for a bit. "Luffy," he said suddenly, "Are you happy staying with me?"
Luffy, whose face had been scrunched up from Zoro wiping the ice cream off of his face, immediately nodded enthusiastically and grinned, "Of course! I couldn't be happier!" He said, putting his arms around Zoro's waist and giving him a loose hug.
The man smiled a bit at this, his own arms going around Luffy to return the hug. "Good... 'cause I already promised, so you're stuck with me forever."
Luffy laughed a bit at this, leaning his head against Zoro's chest. "Yay! I'm stuck with Zoro forever!"
Pulling slightly away, Zoro glanced towards his wrist. "We should probably go unless we wanna miss dinner." He grinned. "C'mon." Standing from the bench, Zoro took a few steps towards the side of the street where his motorcycle was parked, keeping a slow pace so Luffy could catch up.
"Meat!" Luffy cried, pumping his fists into the air as he hopped off of the bench. He ran a bit to catch up with Zoro. Just when he reached the swordsman he tripped on the ragged ends of Zoro's jeans, letting out a yell of surprise as he ended up falling towards Zoro.
Zoro turned at Luffy's yell just in time to catch him from falling. He frowned a bit. "Careful, careful..." He sighed. "I guess it's good we bought you all those clothes..."
Luffy laughed sheepishly. "Yeah!" He said as he supported himself on his own feet again, pulling away from Zoro. He stood there for a moment, scratching his head as he glanced down at the ground. "Zoro?"
Thinking that Luffy maybe had something important to ask, Zoro turned Luffy towards him. "...Yes?"
Luffy sighed, eyes still focused on the ground as he tugged absently on the end of the blue t-shirt. "If…well, if it's not out of the way…do you think we could visit the graveyard?" He mumbled without looking up. "I mean…maybe my families…and mine, will be there, you know?"
Zoro bit back his lip a bit, but nodded. "Yeah, sure…" It was a little out of the way, but it was alright... Zoro wouldn't tell him that. Going to bike, he sat down, gripping the handlebars. "Let's go."
Luffy looked up and smiled softly at Zoro, following him over to the motorcycle and slipping onto the seat behind him. He seemed to have nothing to say for once, wordlessly putting his arms around the older man's waist and squeezing slightly.
Starting the engine, the motorcycle revved to life. The two took off down the streets, until they reached a field behind the high school. It was lined with graves, the lush green grass bordering the marble markers left behind to remember the deceased. Zoro quietly parked his motorcycle outside the field, climbing from it. He had been here so recently, it seemed.
But he didn't want to think of Tashigi. Not now.
"C'mon, I'll help you look."
"M'kay." Luffy said as he slid off of the motorcycle. He walked into the field wordlessly, padding past grave after grave in uncharacteristic silence. The sun was now slowly going into hiding behind the horizon line, casting radiant rays of pink and red over the solemn, silent field.
"'I told you I was sick'." Luffy read aloud. "Bachina Asoppu. 1956-1996." He chuckled, shaking his head and continuing to walk through the rows and rows of marble slabs and statues.
Zoro stopped at it, blinking, but shook his head, deciding not to say anything and simply follow him. He stopped suddenly, though in front of one of the graves, staring down at it in quiet uncertainty. His stomach felt like it was churning inside, and he quickly looked away, forcing the tears to stay in his eyes. He wouldn't cry, damn it.
Continuing down the line, his blurry eyes browed each name on the tombstones…
Luffy eventually stopped at the very edge of the field, where the grass met the forest. The trees, barren now since it was November, overshadowed them a bit, but there they were. Two graves, simple stone stabs with a few elegant engravings in them for decoration, along with two names.
"Portgas D. Ace," He read aloud. "'Beloved big brother and friend 1984-1999. Monkey D. Luffy, 1987-1999, 'Always there to put a smile on our faces'..."
Zoro simply stood behind him, unsure what to say. The gravestones seemed so ominous, but Luffy was standing right here with him. Zoro frowned. How could they have done this? He wondered if he could find an obituary...
Luffy bit his lip as he stared down at them. He knew for a fact that he wasn't dead…but what of his brother? What happened to him….what had he been like? Had he survived too? Where had Ace been for the past six years, in that case? Come to think of it…where had Luffy been for the past six years?
His head was beginning to hurt as he stared down at the simple slabs of stone; they looked so lonely here at the edge of the graveyard. But it wasn't as if they had anyone to visit them…he could hear his heart thumping in his ears, felt his breath quicken a bit.
A five year old Luffy stepped through the doorway of a large house, on tiptoes so he could reach the doorknob and open the door. He blinked, his eyes adjusting to the unusually dim living room. "A-Ace?" He called, feeling tiny as his voice rang through the house. "Ace? Why are there police cars outside? W-where are mommy and daddy!"
The little boy was sitting curled up between the couch and the wall, knees pulled to his chest, head buried in his knees, arms wrapped around his legs, shivering. Only when he heard his brother's voice did he look up, his face red and puffy with tears. "Luffy?" he asked, barely a whisper. "Luffy, they took them away... they weren't moving and they took... them away..."
Luffy dropped his small, multicolored backpack at the door and ran over to his older brother. He crawled into the space between the couch and the wall with him, putting his arms around Ace. He didn't know what was going on, but it looked bad! He wasn't used to seeing his older brother cry.
"They took who away? Who wasn't moving…? Ace, why are you crying?" Luffy cried, his voice rising to a higher pitch as he pulled on the older boy's shirt, his eyes wide.
The older boy instead moved to pull his own arms around Luffy, forcing himself to be strong. He was the older brother, and he had to protect Luffy, right? "Luffy, it's... its okay. But mommy and daddy aren't gonna come back... they went far away. Now it's just me and you, okay? It's okay..." But even Ace couldn't forget what he had seen. He knew what blood was, he had gotten his knees scraped up tons of times playing outside...
...but there had been so much of it...
He couldn't tell Luffy. Luffy was too little. Ace had to protect him... he was the big brother, and mommy had always said that the big brother was supposed to take care of the little brother.
Luffy shivered in Ace's grasp; even as he tried to sound reassuring the boy could tell something wasn't right here. He bit his lip, hugging Ace back, feeling tears begin to well up in his own eyes. He didn't understand what was going on, but he knew Ace wasn't joking. Mommy and daddy aren't gonna come back…
Luffy's eyes suddenly widened, pupils dilating, and he fell to his knees with a cry, clutching at his head.
Zoro was on his knees at Luffy's side quickly, grabbing the boy's shoulders. "Luffy!" he cried worriedly, beginning to panic. What was going on!
Luffy was shaking, clawing a bit at his head, eyes squeezed shut as a whimper escaped his lips.
He felt as if he had been like this before, but it had been in another time and place, with a different person at his side…
Once again the blurry image from his dream came to mind, but the face seemed to be getting a bit clearer. Freckles on tanned skin, dark eyes filled with rage as he shielded Luffy from another figure that bore down upon the both of them.
And then everything went black again, the gray, murky veil that had been hiding his memories slipping back into place again.
Luffy's eyes went back to normal, his hands falling back to his sides. He just there for a moment and breathed, eyes still wide.
Zoro worriedly brushed his hand against Luffy's cheek. "Luffy... are you alright?" He didn't like what had just happened, not at all. Something felt off.
Luffy glanced over at Zoro for a moment, still breathing heavily with a scared look in his eyes. He gulped and nodded. "Y-yeah…I'm fine." He said, voice shaking slightly.
Zoro's arms wrapped tightly around him, pulling him close in to his chest, "It's alright," he said softly. He didn't know what else to say, though. Poor kid... "It's alright, Luffy. I've got you..."
Luffy let out a shaky breath, burying his face into Zoro's chest and wrapping his arms tightly around the swordsman. He stayed there for a few moments in silence before he finally spoke. "I remembered something." He explained quietly.
Zoro brushed a hand through Luffy's hair. "What... was it?" he finally asked. Luffy didn't have to answer if he wanted to... but if it helped, Zoro wanted to know.
The boy bit his lip, everything he had just recalled seemed so foggy now, but he could manage to figure out the gist of it. "When I was five, I came home from soccer practice to find police surrounding my house. So I went inside and Ace was there…and he said that mom and dad went far away and were never coming back…I think that was the day my parents died..." He trailed off, eyes narrowing.
"No…they didn't just die…I think they were….there was blood on the carpet…I think they were murdered, and Ace didn't want to tell me." He gave a small smile. "Heh…he must have been a good older brother, if he wanted to protect me and not tell me right away…I wonder if he ever told me…" Luffy trailed off into silence again.
Zoro didn't know what to say. He had murdered so many before, just like that, without ever a second thought... could he have made lives like Luffy's? He had no right to be comforting the boy... Luffy didn't even know about it...
His arms loosened around Luffy, forcing himself not to meet the boy's eyes. "Luffy..."
Luffy gave a small smile as Zoro loosened his hold. He took this as a sign to try and pull himself together. "Oh well….at least I remember something now, even if it isn't a very nice memory, right?"
"...I guess," he answered softly. "Maybe the good memories will come, too." He tried to smile.
Luffy laughed, beginning to go back to his usual cheerful self. "Right! If I can remember the bad stuff, something good can't be too far behind! Besides, that stuff is in the past now. I can make new, good memories with you now, ne?" He grinned at Zoro.
"Yeah... sure," Zoro forced himself to grin back, fluffing Luffy's hair. Something inside him yelled that he didn't deserve Luffy, and Zoro knew that... but Luffy needed him. And besides that... he had promised. "Of course, Luffy."
"Great," Luffy smiled warmly at Zoro, but a small shadow still lingered in his eyes, the memory of what had occurred minutes earlier no where near forgotten. The boy stood, brushing blades of grass from his jeans. "Can we go home now, Zoro?" He asked, holding out his hand to the swordsman.
"Sure. Hopefully, we'll have dinner waiting for us, right?" Zoro took Luffy's hand, standing quickly from the grass and beginning to pull the boy out.
Luffy's entire face brightened at the mention of food. "Yosh! Meat!" He cheered. He eagerly followed Zoro out of the grave yard, leaving the lonely tombs behind in the very last rays of sunset.
Once the two reached home, Zoro instantly slipped into the kitchen. Sanji was there, cleaning up from dinner, and Vivi was helping, stacking away dishes as the tall blonde washed them. There were still two plates of food at the table, and when Zoro stepped in, Sanji looked up, waving.
"Hey there, where have you two been? Lover's Lane can't be nearly as interesting on a motorcycle."
Zoro ignored him, sitting and beginning to eat. "We went to the park, then to get some ice cream and check Luffy's records." He paused, deciding not to mention the graveyard.
"You checked them?" Vivi asked, looking towards the swordsman, her eyes anxious.
"Yup, we checked them!" Luffy nodded as he hopped into the seat beside Zoro, once again taking the 'inhale everything' approach to eating.
Nami, whom was once again watching one of her reality TV shows, immediately perked up. "So what's the story? Are you taking him home tomorrow or what?"
Zoro swallowed his food, raising his voice a bit so Nami could hear him from the other room and over the TV. "No. He's staying here."
"What?" Vivi blinked some. "But what about his family?"
"He doesn't have any. They're all dead."
"But then wouldn't he have to go to an orphanage?" Sanji asked, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against the cabinet.
"Apparently not," Zoro murmured. "Then again, I, ah, ensured some special arrangements." He felt no need to elaborate.
Luffy nodded again, still shoveling food into his mouth. "So that means I'm staying here! Whoo!" He cheered after he swallowed, punching his fists in the air.
Nami's eyes widened and she charged out of the living room into the kitchen. She skidded to a stop on the linoleum, skirt swishing with her movements. "Wait a minute, wait a MINUTE! He's staying here?" She cried.
Once again the boy nodded.
Nami grinned. "Cause you wanna stay with Zoro, right?"
Another nod,
"Yes! I knew it!" Nami cheered, punching her fists in the air. "You want to stay because you love him! That is so sweet!"
"Nami-san is so wonderful when she's jumping to conclusions!" Sanji cried, practically falling at woman's feet. Zoro only snorted, finishing his food and tossing his fork carelessly on his plate with a clatter.
"He's staying because he's got no where else to go," Zoro stated bluntly. "And he likes all of us."
"Sure, sure, you just keep telling yourself that Zoro." Nami said, waving her hand dismissively.
"Who's staying?" Usopp asked, peeking into the kitchen.
Luffy waved from the table, mouth still full.
"Oh!" Usopp grinned, coming fully into the room. "So I guess that means Zoro can't hog you all to himself anymore and we'll be seeing you more often!"
Luffy nodded as he took a big gulp of water.
The long-nosed teen laughed, snapping an ink-covered hand in the air. "Great! Now at long last I can tell you the wonderful Adventures of the Great Captain Usopp-sama!" He said, posing dramatically. Luffy gasped in amazement and clapped.
"Wonderful," Zoro groaned, sounding far less-than-thrilled. Really, he'd rather just eat his damn dinner in peace. "I wasn't hogging him," he suddenly added, but his words pretty much seemed to go unnoticed.
"We don't have any extra rooms," Vivi said, sitting beside Luffy. "You don't mind staying with Roronoa-san, do you?"
Luffy shook his head as he pushed his empty plate aside, smiling widely. "Nope, not at all; Zoro already said that's where I'd stay."
"He doesn't mind because Zoro gives him kinky hot man sex." Nami whispered loudly into Usopp's ear. Usopp doubled over laughing, and Nami burst into fits of giggles.
Zoro pretended he didn't hear that, because it was just so much easier that way. He stood, taking both his and Luffy's plate to the sink.
"You came home late, so do your own dishes, marimo," Sanji said coolly. Zoro grunted in response. He kind of figured that was the case. Turning the water on, he began to wash them.
Luffy hopped up as Nami and Usopp continued to laugh. "Can I help?" He asked ask he rushed over the sink, sliding on the bottoms of Zoro's jeans so instead of stopping in front of the counter he ended up crashing into it. He propped himself up on the counter and grinned, apparently not caring that he had just slammed into it.
Zoro glanced sideways at him, knowing what Luffy's idea of "helping" in the kitchen was. "No, its fine," he said quickly, scrubbing the first of the plates clean. "I've got it."
Luffy pouted. "Awww….but I'm gonna be living here now, I've gotta help with something!" He whined, tracing an odd pattern on the countertop with his fingers.
Watching him warily for a moment, Zoro finally handed him the wet plate and the nearby dishtowel. "Alright, just dry the plates."
Luffy stood up straight and cheered as he took the plate, beginning to rub it with the dish towel. "Yaaaay, I get to help!"
"I bet I can think of something else he can help Zoro with…" Nami said in a singsong voice. Usopp cracked up again.
Zoro handed the other plate calmly to Luffy, turning to glare at Nami. "Very funny," he remarked shortly, crossing his arms around his chest.
"I thought so," Sanji grinned, snickering. Still, he was already sliding his jacket on, digging around his pocket for a lighter. "I need a smoke," he explained, ducking from the room to get outside. Zoro watched him leave with annoyed eyes.
Luffy turned around to look at Nami and Usopp, blinking in confusion as he dried the second plate. "What can I help Zoro with?" He asked, cocking his head to the side.
Nami opened her mouth to speak, when music was heard from the TV in the living room. "Ack, my show!" She cried running back into the living room.
Luffy blinked in confusion. "…Whaaa?"
"Nothing," Zoro said quickly. "She doesn't know what she's talking about." And hopefully that would be the end of it. Zoro grabbed the dried plates, setting them in to pantry.
"….Okay then!" Luffy chirped, cutting off Usopp's attempt to keep the issue going. He walked over to the refrigerator and took out a Pepsi, popped it open, and took a drink. Usopp watched this and sighed, deciding to let it go.
"So, Luffy…have I told you the story of how the ferocious demon rat attacked this house a year ago and how the Great Captain Usopp-sama defeated it?" Usopp began, grinning at Luffy.
Luffy's eyes widened. "A ferocious demon rat?" He repeated, eyes wide with childish amazement. He rushed over to the table and plopped down onto a seat, still watching Usopp and waiting for him to continue like a kid waiting for story time.
Usopp's grin widened before he forced a serious look onto his face. "Yup, that's right… A ferocious demon rat!"
"For the love of…are you telling that story again?" Nami called from the living room. "It was just a tiny little mouse, Usopp!"
"YOU LIE!" Usopp snarled, pointing at the living room before turning back to Luffy with a secretive expression. "She's just saying that because she's embarrassed that she was so terrified by it."
"You were the only one that was screaming!" Nami shouted.
"SHUT UP! YOU'D SCREAM TOO IF YOU HAD SENSED HOW DEMONIC AND EVIL IT WAS!"
"Whatever!"
Zoro had absolutely no interest in hearing this story again, so he instead cautiously shuffled into the living room to see what Nami could be so interested in. He settled on the couch beside her, blinking faintly at the television.
"Is this really all that entertaining?"
Nami turned to stare at him, eyes wide. "YES! Greg just proposed his love to Gloria, but he's going out with Megan, who actually loves Todd and Todd loves Gloria, but Gloria's a lesbian and wants to be with Megan! It's so SAD!" She then focused on the TV screen once more.
He stared forcefully back at her before deciding that was enough quality time with Nami for the night, thanks. Standing wordlessly from the couch, he decided he'd at least go tell Robin the news about Luffy staying so she wouldn't be kept in the dark.
Chances were good that she already knew, though... Robin was so strange like that.
Climbing up the stairs, he soon found himself down the dim hallway and knocking on the older woman's bedroom door.
"Hn…? Who is it?" Robin's voice came from within, sounding distant.
"Zoro," he responded shortly, a hand going to the handle. "Mind if I come in?"
There was silence for a few moments, and then she replied. "Come in."
He frowned, twisting the knob and pushing the door open. He didn't exactly step into the room, not really wanting to enter Robin's territory. "...hey," he began, as a forced, awkward greeting. "...Ah, I just... came to tell you that we checked Luffy's records today... and he doesn't have any family... so he's staying with us."
Robin was sitting at her desk, probably correcting some poor soul's homework judging from the red pen in her hand. She glanced up at the teenager as he spoke, her eyes narrowing a fraction. Staying with us…no…that's not good...
"Staying with us?" She repeated, interestingly enough not bringing up the fact that Luffy's family was dead. "Meaning with you, I assume?"
"Yeah," Zoro raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, with me, technically," He certainly hoped it wasn't his homework that was getting the nasty treatment.
"How's he going to pay the rent? If there are two people staying in the room, the rates would go up yes?" Robin murmured as she propped herself up by her elbows on her desk.
Wondering why she cared so much, Zoro frowned, leaning slightly against the doorframe. "Vivi didn't say anything about it. Besides, he doesn't have a job."
"So you'll pay for him and yourself until he gets one?" Robin drawled. He can't stay here…it's dangerous. Things are difficult enough without the object of his search living a few rooms away from me…I can't just report him, nor can I betray that man…
"Of course," Zoro shrugged. "It's not that big of a deal..." But Robin sure seemed to be making it one, and the conversation was putting Zoro on edge.
Robin frowned, her gaze boring into Zoro's. "What of the school? They're going to want a parent or guardian to send things to, he has none. Until he turns eighteen he'll need to be under the legal care of someone." She pointed out.
"Apparently he's under the legal care of me," Zoro finished. Though he wasn't sure how that had happened, and strangely, the secretary hadn't asked. "I think."
"Ah." Robin eyebrow rose at this. That could change this… "And you're sure that you're capable of handling the responsibilities of this?"
Zoro wasn't aware there really were any responsibilities. "It's nothing I haven't already done over the past couple of days," he said certainly.
Robin chuckled, shaking her head. "I suppose not…how amusing, you're sure you can handle a simple stray, when in reality you may getting into something a bit more complicated. But how am I to know these things?" The last part wasn't really addressed to Zoro; it sounded more as if she were musing to herself. It may be better this way...I can protect him much easier if I know where he is, and the swordsman seems attached to him…it could still work if I play my cards right…
Why was everyone in the damn house acting so weird tonight! Zoro shrugged gruffly. "He's no trouble," he answered shortly. "Night," And with that, he took a few steps back, closing the door and beginning to walk down the hall and into his own bedroom.
Robin waved him goodbye, turning back to her papers. However, instead of going back to grading she pulled out her laptop and began to boot it up. "I'd better get moving…after they took the DNA sample he'll already be tracking…" She murmured, beginning to click away.
"Mr.0?"
"Aren't you supposed to be tracking the boy?"
"That's the thing sir…the signal, before we could home in out it, it disappeared."
"What?"
"Someone might have shut it down…"
"…Damn it. We still have the city, correct? That's the one with one of our mercenaries?"
"Yes sir, Roronoa Zoro."
"…Interesting. Thing's could still work out…"
To be continued…
Um..le gasp! I suppose this chapter is a bit of a turning point. Luffy is no longer just the kid that Zoro found on the street, he lives at the house now. Things will only get more complicated from here! Anyway, reviews!
Griever5: The lady was indeed weird, but she was so fun to play!
KuroKame: I got some sleep, and now I'm feeling better! Thank you for deciding that I would sleep. X3
Ie Lanner: Ohhh, One Piece is your new fandom? I'm happy this fanfic doesn't disappoint you. And I'm not tired anymore..so..um…yay!
storywriter10791: Well, I hope this chapter was good!
Lamia Metisou: o.O What fandom is that from?
MeraNova: Yes, it's about to get even more interesting…
WhiteTigeress666: Um…Luffy's a weapon? O.o Where did you get that idea?
FreeAnimeSpirit: Thank you.
Griffingurl: So many questions! And to think many of them won't be answered for so many chapters…(cackles) Just keeping reading, you'll find your answers eventually!
Katiiey: Oh yes, Crocodile is so Luffy's uncle. "Luffy…I am your uncle!" "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Hasuko: Wow, this fic has moved you several times? Wow…I feel really special! That must mean Constable and I are writing pretty well…nothing wrong with the fic moving you, it just means we're doing our job! Glad you like this fic.
YuugiLover3: Well, I could always IM you or e-mail you or something and give you my address so you could mail it to me…but only if you want to, of course. You don't have to make one for me if you don't want to.
ChiKoiDoji: Wow, this fic made you fond of Luffy X Zoro fics? Ha! We've converted someone! (dances for joy) As for the mysterious Luffy-finder…he's actually a villain from One Piece, but you're probably not far enough to know who he is. Well, you'll see who he is soon!
Dark Angel Kira: Spike's in denial? That makes me sad. I hope he stops being in denial soon. Glad you like the fic!
Ryu Meijjin: You seriously thought we were nearing the climax of the story? HA! Now THAT is funny. This fic is nowhere near the climax, trust me. We've got a loooong way to go.
AlibisDragon: XP No one likes the secretary. Yes, Luffy'd better get more Zoro lovin!
KairiQueen: Well, Crocodile's not technically BACK, but whatever. I'm playing him. As for Luffy's bonds with the others, it doesn't take long for him to decide he's friends with someone. He just does, and that's that. The others may not be so bonded to him, but he's already decided he's attached to them, and he cares for them. That's how Luffy works. You live for the day when we update? Um..yay?
Icy Sapphire15: Yes, Luffy is special.
Illusion Of A Lunatic: Heh…we're special cause our fic is…different I guess. Glad you like the fic!
NEXT CHAPTER: Nightmares in sleeping, nightmares in waking…a midnight walk and the repercussions of one of Nami's simple actions.