Disclaimer: See Chapter One

Chapter Nine

The best part of 'believe' is the 'lie,'

I hope you sing along and you steal a line

I need to keep you like this in my mind,

So give in or just give up

-Fall Out Boy, "Sophomore Slump or Comeback of the Year"

xxx

It was lunchtime the next day, and Sanji was seated in the cafeteria, still wondering about the strange phone call from the night before. It wasn't as if he didn't trust Kaku…he did, of course he did, but there was something off about the other man. And even though he had only known him for a short amount of time, he could tell that something was wrong.

"Hey. Earth to Sanji."

He blinked and found a hand being waved in front of his face. "Hey, Ace."

"What's up? You look a little lost," Ace seated himself.

"Nothing. Just…stuff last night."

"Stuff with Zoro?" Ace raised an eyebrow.

"No. Zoro's trainer."

"Kaku?"

"Yeah."

"What about him?" Ace looked curious.

"Nothing important," Sanji assured him with a wave of his hand.

"It is, though. You're never this distant otherwise," Ace put a hand on his leg. "Talk to me, babe."

"Ace," Sanji groaned. "Not at school!"

His response was to lay his head on the cook's shoulder like some sort of overgrown puppy, and Sanji heaved a resigned sigh.

"Really, Ace, it's no big deal," Sanji shook his head. "It's just…there's something he isn't telling us."

"Something as in what?"

"About his job."

"Oh," Ace looked thoughtful. "You think it's important?"

"He got this weird phone call from his roommate last night and had to tear off without an explanation," Sanji explained, sliding his arm around Ace's shoulders and letting his head rest against the older man's. He didn't know when, or how, but his relationship with Ace had changed since the last night they had spent together. They both seemed to acknowledge it, and while it seemed that both of them knew they would never be together in such an intimate way again, it hadn't lessened their relationship any. Ace would always fling endearments at him and Sanji would always grumble about it, and yet in the end here they were, cuddling in the middle of the university cafeteria.

And getting odd looks. "Sanji, dear, we're attracting attention."

"Your fault," Sanji sighed. "Oh, I suppose I ought to tell you this: Usopp thinks that Zoro's jealous."

"Of course he is," Ace grinned. "You can't tell me you just figured that out? I knew it from that day in our apartment."

"Really? Well, Zoro's in trouble, then, because everyone's conspiring against him," Sanji was grinning now.

"Everyone being…"

"Well, you and Kaku…and Nami," Sanji added, remembering Nami's promise to help get Zoro to reveal what he felt.

"Somebody say my name?" Nami plopped down on Sanji's other side and leant her cheek against his shoulder, stroking the fabric of his shirt. "And what's this about Kaku?"

"You know him?"

"I've met him. He's got incredible eyelashes," she grinned.

"Good. At least I'm not the only one who noticed that," Sanji looked relieved.

"You noticed his eyelashes!" Nami was giggling. "Aw, does Sanji-kun have a crush?"

"Not…I mean, no, I don't. He's just…so different from anyone I've ever met. I feel like I connected with him," Sanji admitted.

"I think you're thinking too hard about this," Nami patted his arm. "If you're meant to find out, you'll find out."

"You think so, Nami-san?"

"Of course," she smiled at him. "Now. I'm going to eat before that brother of Ace's shows up and ruins everything."

Sanji nodded as she stood to get some food, and Ace looked after her fondly. "She's good for Luffy, don't you think?"

"Yeah," Sanji sighed. "My gorgeous angel…"

"You're so full of it," Ace elbowed him and gave him a quick peck on the lips. "Hey. You work tonight?"

"Yeah."

"Pity," Ace shook his head and was about to continue when a shout of, "ACCEEEE! SAAANNJIII!! FOOOOODDDD!!!" interrupted their conversation, and the next thirty minutes were spent trying to get Luffy to not eat everything in the cafeteria.

000

He knew that something was off the instant he entered the restaurant for that evening's shift, and the first thing that clued him into the fact that it was going to be a strange night was the man sitting at a table near the door. For one thing, he had his feet up on the white linen, and normally not even the queen of England would be able to get away with that in Zeff's restaurant. For another, he was wearing an incredibly large hat with an oversized feather, and for a third, his coat was a horrible fashion blunder. Sanji resisted the urge to walk over immediately, but found he didn't need to as the stranger glanced up.

His eyes. Sanji felt his breath catch as he stared into them. Not only were they as sharp and piercing as a hawk's, but they were bright yellow. The man was obviously quite a bit older than Sanji, but still evidently in his prime, and he looked intimidating. "You're Sanji Blackleg?" his voice was smooth, but it oozed danger. This was not the type of man you lied to if you wanted to walk away from the conversation without any permanent physical damage.

"Yes," Sanji decided that being polite was a good course to take and inclined his head. "May I help you, sir?"

"There's trouble afoot."

Sanji resisted the urge to laugh and decided that the man had been reading altogether too much Conan Doyle if he normally used phrases like 'There's trouble afoot.' "Trouble that concerns me?"

"Indeed," the man stood, his coat swishing around him like a cape. "If you wouldn't mind coming out onto the deck with me, there are some men who would like to speak with you."

Wondering what this was about, Sanji turned only to meet Zeff's eyes, and the old man's nod of reassurance told him that, as frightening as this stranger was, Sanji had nothing to fear from him. He followed the man out to the balcony, which was now closed for the season due to the brisk fall Vancouver nights. The stranger led him to a table that was still set up in front of a lighted fountain which burbled in the chilly air as the dark-haired man sat down and motioned Sanji to sit on the other side.

He didn't speak, and Sanji didn't have long to wonder because mere moments later another man came out of the shadows. "Dracule, have you started without me?"

And as intimidating as this 'Dracule' was, he had nothing on the new man. His eyes were predatory, narrowed and dark, and the highly arched brows only added to the severity of his appearance. He was wearing a black suit and top hat, and his voice dripped like poisoned silk. A shiver stole up Sanji's spine before he could stop it, and the new man obviously noticed. "You've nothing to fear from me, Sanji Blackleg," the man assured him, seating himself beside the stranger. "Although I suppose introductions are in order. This man is Dracule Mihawk."

"Hawk-eye," Sanji breathed in wonder, eyes locked on the man, who inclined his head. "So you're the one that gave Zoro…"

"Yes, young Mr. Roronoa bit off more than he could chew when he challenged me," Mihawk had a smile on his face. "He's incredibly talented, though. You know him?"

"He's my roommate," Sanji answered slowly, as the second man's eyebrow twitched almost insignificantly.

"I was afraid of some complications," he ruefully shook his head. "But no matter. We shall come to that when we come to it. My name is…"

But before he could say, a shadow flew overhead and a large bird landed on Sanji's shoulder, preening its breast feathers and cooing. All of a sudden things started to click in Sanji's head and he answered the statement. "Rob Lucci."

"More complicated than I thought," Lucci glanced up at the roof. "You may as well come down. This is going to be awkward enough as it is."

Sanji glanced up as another shadow appeared and a man gracefully back-flipped in the air before coming to land lightly on the table, his eyes shielded by a black baseball cap. He glanced up, eyes hooded and stern as he looked around the table before springing lightly off and leaning against one of the lampposts on the deck, arms crossed and face expressionless.

"K-Kaku?" Sanji leant forward, once more wondering where all of this was going. Why would these men come after him, of all people? And why was Zeff not worried? What if they were kidnappers? Or assassins? What if…

"Kaku, you know this man?" Lucci turned to the young man.

"Vaguely."

And it hurt, Sanji thought, although technically 'vaguely' wasn't really a lie. But to have Kaku staring at him indifferently whereas before he was all smiles and good humor; to have him standing there wearing pitch-black like an agent of death was disconcerting. He must have noticed the flinch that Sanji couldn't conceal, because his eyes softened for a second before the mask was back in place.

"And why did you not inform me of this beforehand?" Lucci sounded almost angry.

"It was inconsequential. He means nothing to me; therefore it was not necessary to admit that I knew him," Kaku dipped his head to the side as Sanji stared at him in open disbelief.

"This boy's eyes tell a different story," Mihawk's smooth voice flowed into the conversation. "You've said something to hurt his feelings, young man."

"It's my job," Kaku replied coldly, refusing to look at Sanji as he continued to meet Lucci's eyes. "It was a mistake to think anything could be different. Perhaps training Roronoa is a mistake as well, but so far nothing amiss has come of it. I thought this man was safe, but it appears that he wasn't. Be that as it may, I regret nothing."

"I…" Sanji started to speak but found his throat dry, so he swallowed and continued, "I'd like to know what's going on."

"It isn't pleasant," Mihawk informed him bluntly, and Sanji wished that there was someone he could trust out there on the cold deck instead of these three dark strangers. Zoro, or Ace, or heck, even Luffy or Usopp could break the mood. But this was just too weird. "In fact," he continued as if he had read Sanji's mind, "perhaps we should have conducted this conversation in the presence of somebody young Mr. Blackleg feels comfortable around. He's understandably a tad unnerved by our presence, and it's only bound to get worse."

"Kaku, whatever relationship you have with this man, I suggest that you forget your training for once and reinstate it immediately if we want to keep his heart beating throughout the conversation. Because otherwise I fear we may have to make a visit to the hospital," Lucci sounded entirely unconcerned.

Sanji bristled. What kind of idiocy were they going on about? He wasn't scared! He'd never been scared! The whole thing was weird and freaked him out a little, but to insinuate that he'd faint like…like…Usopp was just plain insulting.

"Forgive him." Once more Mihawk apparently saw into his thoughts. "He tends to be a little on the blunt side, but he means you no disrespect. We wouldn't be telling you in this way at all if we thought that you could not handle the information."

Sanji nodded and reached to pet Hattori, while the bird ruffled its feathers.

"Kaku, I'm waiting," Lucci narrowed his eyes further.

"That's nice," Kaku shrugged, turning so that he was staring at the water, his body completely still.

"You're disobeying me?"

"I'm obeying my original orders."

"This is an order. Kaku." Lucci snarled, a feral growl making its way into his voice as Kaku closed his eyes. "If you want to keep your job, I suggest you sit down on that bench."

Kaku shot Lucci a completely unreadable look before shrugging and moving to sit beside Sanji, who glared at him and shifted over.

"Don't make this difficult, Mr. Blackleg," Kaku's voice became markedly more pleasant, but it was still so fake.

Sanji used a few choice words to tell Kaku where to go, but the long-nosed man remained stoic through his rant. And then, without warning, he found himself wrapped in a pair of arms and pressed against a warm body with a voice whispering in his ear.

"I'm so sorry, Sanji, but bear with me, please. We're going to explain this to you, I promise."

Still a tad disturbed by everything, but above all needing to know what was going on, Sanji finally nodded and relaxed as Kaku held him close. "Kaku, you're a freak, you know that?" he chuckled. "I knew something was up last night."

"Yes," Kaku replied simply.

"Closer than I thought," Lucci looked vaguely amused. "Lovers?"

"No!" they both exclaimed as Lucci let out a chuckle that sounded almost like a purr.

"That would make things interesting, though," he continued blandly. "Wouldn't you agree, boy?"

Sanji had to blink before he realized that Lucci was talking to Kaku, who bristled at being termed a 'boy.' "I wouldn't, Rob, as you very well know. Now, can we get on with this?"

"Easy," Sanji allowed himself to smile. "And don't make it sound like the idea's so horrible."

"That isn't it and you know it," Kaku still sounded edgy, but his body relaxed, and Sanji was starting to feel a little more comfortable. "Who wants to explain it?

"I suppose I should, seeing as how I was the first one Iceburg spoke to," Lucci spoke up. "He would have been here, too, but he's busy tonight trying to find some answers to the story I'm about to tell you. Let me start with this: were you aware that there was a murder close to the restaurant last night?"

"A what?" Sanji's eyes widened as he wondered how in the world the other man could speak of it in the same tone as any other person would speak of the weather.

"Yes. It seems a couple of men came in last night asking for supper, but when the young waiter found out they had no money he unceremoniously acquainted them with the door. When he went on break and never came back, some others were sent to investigate, and they found his body lying beside the building," Lucci continued in the same monotonous voice.

"Wait…what?" Sanji leant forward. "Was this what the phone call was about last night?"

"Yes," Kaku said quickly. "But let him finish."

"But it doesn't make any sense! Everyone and their dog knows that Zeff'll feed anyone, whether they have money or not! It's the first rule employees learn!" Sanji was dumbfounded.

"Apparently this lad had missed the memo," Mihawk commented dryly.

"Whatever the case may be, we know the organization behind the crime, but pinpointing the actual culprits may be a bit more difficult. Mr. Blackleg, have you ever heard of a man named Don Krieg?" Lucci said amicably.

"I don't think so…"

"It's understandable. He runs a rather large and rather ruthless gang in the city, but it's really only been in the last couple of years that their activities have gotten out of hand. They are crass men, only interested in wreaking havoc even if it is over the most miniscule thing. As is evidenced by last night's events," Lucci explained. "In fact, his gang has been growing so rapidly and their crimes have been getting dangerous to the point that the city decided they should create a new branch of the police, as it were. Only we are not police and would never try to be; rather, we are an intensive undercover unit whose sole purpose is to find the members of Krieg's gang and see them put behind bars. It's a dangerous job, and there's always the chance that one day they may discover who we really are, but so far our investigations have been flawless and the people who get captured rarely see hide nor hair of us. But you see why it is imperative that our identity and, more importantly, our occupation remains hidden from all but a select few."

"So you're…what? Spies?"

"Spies is an unflattering word," Kaku had shifted them so that Sanji was leaning against the other man and he rubbed the cook's shoulder. "But I suppose that, in the basest sense of the word, we probably are."

"Say rather that we are a sort of special task force," Lucci suggested. "Regardless, it is our job to ensure that Krieg's men do not get out of hand, and when something this serious occurs, it's also our job to fix it."

"I can understand all of that, but because I'm pretty sure I didn't know this poor guy, I can't see what it has to do with me," Sanji replied truthfully.

"Don Krieg is not the type of man to appreciate justice," Mihawk's golden eyes flashed as he looked at Sanji. "One death will not be enough for him. The restaurant offended his men, therefore the restaurant is now the enemy. He'll be looking to kill, and since Zeff seems to live here exclusively and is surrounded almost at all times, it would be too risky; not to mention I've no doubt Krieg knows we know. And so, what should be his next course of action? Go after the man closest to the head chef; namely, his heir. You," he levelled his gaze on the cook and Sanji swallowed.

"So they…they want to kill me?" It came out a lot higher than he had intended, but really…how were you supposed to react to something like that? "But why? Why would…"

"Krieg's men know no rhyme or reason," Mihawk sounded almost bored. "It's what they do. But this makes things…difficult for you."

"Difficult as in how?" Sanji was thinking he was going to regret asking that question.

"You'll need to be under constant guard," Lucci replied swiftly.

"But if the Baratie's safe, can't I just…"

"No," Mihawk cut in. "They'll expect that, and it isn't as if you can just avoid going to school. As long as they don't know where you live, you're safer."

"But…guard…"

"One of us," Lucci said. "Or Kalifa…possibly Blueno, but I wouldn't trust any of the other fools on a mission this important," he growled.

"Hang on, what…"

"Rob, you're forcing too much onto him," Kaku berated the older man. "I'll try and slow it down a little, Sanji. Whenever you leave your apartment, you'll need to have a guard. You're allowed to talk to us…"

"And behave in whatever way you normally would. In fact, I'm beginning to think the fact that Kaku here knew you is a good thing. The more comfortable you can be around us, the less suspicious it'll look to Krieg's men," Lucci crossed his arms. "Of course, we shall have to explain the situation to all of your friends. Tomorrow, if that can be arranged."

"I'm sure it can. Where…"

"Vivi Nefertari's place," was the dark-haired man's reply. "At 4:00."

Not bothering to ask how they'd gotten Vivi's father Cobra to agree so quickly, he merely nodded. "Alright. If that's how it has to be, then…" he turned to Mihawk. "But wait: why are you involved in this?"

"I dislike Krieg's men. I was having a lovely nap in the park and they woke me up with their rabble-rousing," Mihawk said, entirely serious, and Sanji decided that Zoro was crazy for wanting to fight this man.

"So you agree to this?" Lucci pulled Sanji's focus again as the blonde sighed.

"I don't have a choice, do I?"

"Not unless you want it to be extremely difficult," Lucci agreed.

"Then yes, it's fine," Sanji groaned. "Just catch these guys soon, okay?"

"We'll do our best. I'll inform Iceburg of your decision," Lucci stood as Hattori left Sanji's shoulder and fluttered to the other man's.

"So Iceburg's your boss?"

"Well, he's our 'boss.' At least, for our normal civic jobs," Kaku grinned. "Technically our boss is a man named Spandam…"

"But he's ten kinds of useless, so Iceburg does most of his work anyway. Besides, one day Kalifa's actually going to sue him for sexual harassment, and she's going to win," Lucci said firmly. "Plus I don't really trust him to keep what needs to be a secret secret. But this is all extraneous. I have to be off," Lucci nodded to Sanji before walking away, only to turn back a second later. "Boy, will you be home tonight?"

"I plan on it," Kaku replied through gritted teeth.

"If you wanted to say with Mr. Blackleg and Mr. Roronoa, I wouldn't have any objections," Lucci raised a hand in farewell and left, leaving Kaku seething.

"I suppose I ought to stay for the duration of your shift, young man," Mihawk clapped Sanji on the shoulder. "Just in case. Kaku will be around, too, but the more hands the better."

"I'm only staying if I can get some food out of it," Kaku sniffed.

"I'll see what I can do."

"Your food."

"I can't. Zeff won't let me…"

"Zeff will let you," Mihawk was fingering the gold cross around his neck before he tugged on it, revealing a small dagger concealed inside. "I'd like to try some of this famous food as well."

"Is that legal?" Sanji raised an eyebrow.

"Perhaps not, but I doubt anyone is going to question me on it," Mihawk replied simply. "I'll take the table near the door again, so long as your maitre d' hasn't given it away to somebody else yet."

"I'm sure it can be remedied if that's the case, Dracule," Kaku had calmed down a little and stuck his hands in his pockets as they walked back to the restaurant.

"I should only hope so," Mihawk responded cryptically before striding briskly into the restaurant. Sanji watched him with interest for a few more moments before he finally got out a cigarette and lit it, staunchly ignoring the signs that proclaimed 'no smoking' littered around the deck. He needed nicotine after that conversation. Kaku was still hanging around, shuffling his feet and scratching his long nose awkwardly as Sanji smoked for a while.

"Oi, Kaku?"

"Yes?" the older man looked up, eyes wide.

"Seriously, man, what was that?"

"My…my job," Kaku swallowed. "It's obviously in my profession to get close to people without them knowing my true nature, and while I wasn't keeping anything from you because I was afraid you were a criminal; far from it; it's important that we don't give our information away to anyone in case they unwittingly let something important slip. Our job is a dangerous one; as you've seen, Krieg's men are ruthless, and if they suspected that the men putting them in jail all this time were posing as potential allies…"

"I get that," Sanji waved a hand. "But what about tonight? If you knew the plan, why…why did you pretend like you'd never met me?"

"Because I don't have any friends," Kaku almost snapped before wincing at the harshness of his own voice and dropping his head. "My relationships are almost exclusively based within my task force, and meeting Zoro was only a stroke of luck. I had permission to train him and befriend him in the loosest sense of the word, because obviously Dracule acknowledged his power, and in all honesty we had to make sure that somebody as talented as that, if they ever chose a side, chose ours. It was purely strategic. And it's not that I don't enjoy working with him and meeting all of your other friends, but it was still a part of my job."

"So you've been lying from the start."

"We all have. Kalifa was in Japan on a hint in order to catch a criminal that time," he added.

"So was sleeping with me part of the plan, too?"

"No, that was merely one of her whims."

"Well, it's nice to know that somebody in your little group acts on instinct," Sanji snorted, turning around and chucking his cigarette butt to the ground before stomping out the embers. "I'm going inside."

"Wait."

It wasn't even a command, Sanji thought as he half-turned. It was almost a plea. "What?"

"You. You were real," Kaku said simply. "And Kalifa saw that, it's why she was so amused that morning."

"Me," Sanji lit up another cigarette almost impulsively and puffed away.

"Yes. The connection I felt was real, and I thought that maybe, for the first time, I had found a friend who I could just be myself around. Not Kaku the undercover agent, but just…me. I guess I was delusional to think it would all be so simple," he hung his head.

"Yeah. Guess you were," Sanji stubbed the cigarette out and stuck it back in the carton. "I've gotta get to work. See you around."

"Sanji, I'm sorry."

Sanji paused and turned fully this time, looking at how wide and honest Kaku's eyes were in the moonlight. He looked so young; younger than even Sanji himself, and the blonde felt an immediate pang of sympathy shoot through his chest. Yes, the other man had chosen his job, but probably without knowing how much it would prevent him from leading a normal life. He couldn't really stay mad at him anyway, not without giving himself a guilty conscience. "I know. It's fine."

"Truly?" Kaku looked overjoyed.

"Of course," Sanji held out a hand and Kaku hesitantly took it, allowing himself to be drawn into Sanji's embrace. They stood like that for a while until Sanji breathed out heavily and said, "I really need to go to work."

"I understand. And I'd really like some dinner."

"Don't push it…boy," he couldn't resist adding.

"Oh, stop it. Lucci gets far too much pleasure out of belittling me, and I wouldn't want you to start," Kaku informed him bluntly as Sanji slung an arm around his shoulders and they walked into the restaurant together.

"Oi! Eggplant! I don't care if someone wants to kill you, you'd still better work!" Zeff yelled as soon as he entered the kitchen.

"I've got food to cook, so lay off, you stupid geezer!" Sanji shot back as he rooted around for some pots.

"Who said you could cook anything?" Zeff stomped over, the stiffness in his fake leg the only testament to a fishing accident that had nearly taken the old man's life.

"He did," Sanji gestured to Kaku. "And Mihawk," he added for good measure.

"Well, I suppose if Mihawk says so…" Zeff muttered and clomped off as Sanji smiled and shook his head, knowing that he was one step closer to regaining his position as sous-chef even if Zeff would never admit it out loud.

Maybe having strange acquaintances was of some use, after all.

000

It was nearing 1:30 by the time he finally got back to the apartment, and he was bone-tired because even after his shift he had had to text or e-mail everyone using the restaurant's computer to inform them of the meeting at Vivi's the next day. Zeff was angry at Mihawk for intimidating the customers, even though Mihawk protested that he was doing the restaurant a favour for keeping out unwanted rabble. So it was late, he was tired, and he couldn't tell Zoro what was up until tomorrow. Oh, joy.

He stopped in front of the apartment door and mumbled something incoherent as Kaku chuckled at his eloquence. "Oi," he finally stood up and managed to form a complete sentence, "You wanna stay? I mean, you're welcome to."

"No, I…I'd best be going," Kaku admitted. "It would just give Rob more rumors to come up with, anyway."

"Alright. Are you gonna be there tomorrow?"

"Probably not," he shrugged. "Rob said that he and Iceburg would do it, so there's no reason for me to be there."

"Fine. I'll…see you around, then," he made to open the door.

"Sanji, I really am sorry."

Sanji rubbed his temples and blinked, trying to keep his eyes open long enough to finish the conversation. Didn't the other man get tired? "I know. It's okay. I told you that."

"Well, yes, you did, but…"

"Kaku, you worry too much. We're fine," Sanji put his hand back on the doorknob. "Now get out of here before I fall asleep on you and you're forced to stay."

"Right. Goodnight, then."

" 'Night," Sanji yawned, opening the door and immediately being set upon by a worried swordsman.

"It's 1:30 in the morning! Where were you?" Zoro looked grumpy.

"Aww, did the little Marimo stay up to wait for me?" Sanji ruffled the other man's hair. "You're so sweet."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing!"

"Don't lie to me, cook," Zoro glowered, his eyes dark.

"It's nothing. I had a hard day at work, and if I don't get to sleep soon I'm going to pass out on the floor," Sanji brushed by him and hung up his coat.

"Sanji…"

"Zoro," Sanji let out a resigned sigh. "We're all meeting at Vivi's tomorrow at 4:00. You'll find out then."

"But…"

"I can't tell you. I would if I could, but I can't," Sanji shook his head, his eyes pleading to Zoro not to ask any more questions. "Alright?"

"Okay," Zoro exhaled heavily. "You want to sleep with me tonight? On the couch?"

"I'd like that," Sanji replied truthfully. "But…oh, forget it, I'll wash this stuff tomorrow," he gratefully followed the swordsman as he lay down and curled up on top of him. "It's nothing bad, Zoro, so don't worry," he said as the other man's fingers trailed almost unconsciously up and down his spine, stopping every once in a while to stroke through his hair. "I mean, things are gonna get a little weird, but we'll get through it."

Zoro grunted in response before starting to speak again. "Kaku didn't show up for practice tonight. That phone call last night must have been really serious."

"Yeah," Sanji tried to sound nonchalant, but he knew that Zoro wasn't buying it. The swordsman may have been extremely thick-headed about some things, but he was a lot smarter than most people gave him credit for.

"I know he was there tonight, Sanji."

"Yeah, he was," Sanji yawned. "Can we talk about this tomorrow? I promise that I'll tell you everything, but you have to promise me something in return."

"What?"

"Don't be mad at Kaku, alright?"

"Why would I be…"

"Just don't. I'll tell you later," Sanji closed his eyes and burrowed into Zoro's warmth as the larger man grabbed a throw and laid it over them.

And just before he fell asleep he could have sworn he felt a gentle brush of lips against his forehead.

But it was probably just his imagination.

Notes:

1. I promised they would be longer, didn't I? Unfortunately, this story lacks inspiration at the moment, so I'm stuck a little ways into Chapter 20, but updates will remain regular in the hope that my muse wakes up again *prods muse*

2. It's actually true that gangs are becoming a large problem in Vancouver and the surrounding area, and we get some of that on the news where I live. Granted, this isn't your 'normal' gang, but the idea remains basically the same.

3. Off-topic (but not really), this fic is named after a song by The Killers (the song is about a drug addict, but that's irrelevant) and I went to see them in concert last week (wonderful show) and they played it, so I thought of my little fic :P

Please don't be afraid to comment; I really do love reading them!