Disclaimer: See Chapter One

Chapter Twenty-Six

Your star is due for shooting,

And I'll be watchin' the night sky

In hopes that soon what binds us

Has come untied.

~ Anthony Rapp, "Room to Breathe"

xxx

"So, are you gonna explain, or will I have to worry about the whole schizophrenia act all the time?" Sanji asked a few moments later after they'd split off again. It was decided rather unanimously that if Sanji and Zoro went together they'd fight more than they'd get along, so despite their protests they had split them up. "Because I've told you before, man, but you're freaky when you go all crazed-serial-killer-ish."

"I hope you don't think I'll be making excuses for why I am the way I am," Kaku pressed himself close in the small space between a couple of packing crates. "It's more or less my job to keep you on your toes, you know…and besides, it feels good to assert my authority once in a while."

"Freak. Would you really have…" Sanji paused and stopped, staring upward.

"Do you really want to know the answer to that?"

"I think I need to," Sanji admitted. "If we're ever going to be okay with each other again."

"This is the hard part of my job," Kaku took his cap off and ruffled his hair. "As you can probably imagine, when missions go sour, sometimes death or injury is unavoidable. You've got to realize that…"

"Yes or no, Kaku: would you have killed me?" Sanji cut him off.

"If it came to my life? Yes," Kaku winced as if he was expecting Sanji to hit him.

"You're a strange man," Sanji wrapped his arms around the older man. "But I don't blame you, if your life was on the line. And, you know, I feel like I should be completely uncomfortable around you, but I'm not. I still trust you, but…"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah," Sanji shrugged.

"When this is over and we're not obligated to…to look after you anymore…could we still…I mean, are we…?"

"Yeah!" Sanji grinned. "I mean, if you want to be."

"I think I'd like that," Kaku blushed and nodded. "Sanji, I really am sorry."

"I know. It's…it's fine. We're all a little stressed right now," he assured Kaku before turning around. "So. What's the plan to find everyone and get them out?"

"Dumb luck, I fear," Kaku wrapped his arms around Sanji's waist and let his chin rest on the young man's shoulder. "There's not much else we can do besides stay as far away from Krieg as we can. How's the shoulder?" he rubbed Sanji's arm.

"I'll live," Sanji moved to place his hand on top of Kaku's. "Well, shall we?"

"Yes," Kaku sheathed one of his swords and held the other, grabbing Sanji's hand. "Don't want to lose you out there, right?"

"Freak," Sanji muttered, leaning back into Kaku for a second. "How are we going to do this?"

"Run and hope we bump into somebody. If we see Krieg we get out as fast as we can," Kaku replied evenly. "I'm in no shape to fight anybody one-on-one; not with the way I feel right now."

"Hey," Sanji turned around and held the other man's shoulders. "Do you want to sit this out? I'll be okay, I'm sure."

"Sanji, do you really think that, after that trick I pulled, I would let you do this by yourself?" Kaku sighed and pushed himself upright. "It hurts, but I'll be fine. Stop worrying about me."

"I always will," Sanji assured him. "Don't tell me not to, because I always will."

"Come on," Kaku stood and grabbed Sanji's hand to pull him up, tugging him out onto the smoke-covered floor. "Stay with me; don't let go."

"I won't," Sanji assured him, and they started off, darting and keeping low under the smoke as they weaved through the still-clashing bodies, Sanji kicking at anything that came at them as Kaku kept his sword pointed out.

"Hey!"

They both turned; fighting stances at the ready, as somebody basically barrelled into them.

"Sanji!"

"Ace!" Sanji hugged the older man fiercely before Ace kissed him, Sanji clinging to his shoulders.

"I'm so, so happy you're okay!" Ace's eyes were wet, and Sanji pulled him to his feet.

"I'm…"

"Bleeding?" Ace looked concerned.

"It's nothing. I'll be fine," Sanji kept his arms around Ace's neck. "Just a lucky shot, that's all."

"What's the plan?" Ace glanced from Kaku to Sanji.

"Find everyone and get out. We're not equipped to deal with explosives at this point," Kaku said calmly, and Ace nodded. "Have you seen anyone else around, Ace?"

"Not for a while," Ace admitted. "I've kind of been running aimlessly and waiting for the signal."

"Which may have to be cancelled," Kaku admitted. "If we can't see, we can't be sure everyone's accounted for."

"Says the man who suddenly cares," Sanji snorted as Kaku shot him a glare, but Sanji noticed that the older man was leaning quite heavily on his sword. "Kaku, let Ace carry you. You're going to fall over."

"I…"

"No, I'll do it," came a voice through the smoke.

"Lucci," Sanji looked relieved.

"Hello, boy. How are things?"

"So long as we can find everybody and get out, they'll be fine," Sanji nodded.

"Who changed the plan?" his eyes flashed.

"I did," Kaku forced himself up to his full height and looked his lover right in the eyes.

"And who gave you permission to do that?" Lucci growled.

"Since I was forced to make a decision, and you weren't around, that was what I chose. I am the second-in-command," Kaku reminded him.

"And what if I refute it?"

"Go ahead," Kaku crossed his arms. "Really, go ahead. Try it," he bared his teeth.

"Boy, don't go up against me," Lucci instructed him with a wry smile. "You can't beat me when you're healthy, much less injured. So don't try. I have no doubt that you did the right thing, and I agree with you: the mission's quite obviously changed, and even if you pretend with every fibre of your being that if it came to it you'd kill the boy, you never would. He wouldn't," he looked at Sanji here. "Believe me on this one."

"Okay," Sanji looked unconvinced. "He seemed pretty serious, though."

"Well, it's in his training," Lucci shrugged, sliding his arm around Kaku's waist in order to hold him upright as the younger man leant against his shoulder. "And while I certainly believe that he's physically capable of killing you, even in his current state, I think he'd find that if he truly tried he wouldn't be able to go through with it. He cares too much about you for that to be a possibility."

"Don't speak for me, Rob," Kaku irritably shoved the other man in the chest. "Who are you to tell me what I will or won't do?"

"Somebody who knows you," Lucci replied simply. "And I know you."

Kaku blushed at the obvious innuendo as Sanji and Ace grinned at each other as another explosion suddenly rocked the warehouse. "We need to keep moving," Ace glanced around. "We're sitting ducks if we stay in one spot, plus we're not gonna find anybody this way."

"You're right," Sanji agreed. "Let's go."

"I'll get him outside and then I'll come back," Lucci informed them.

"Wait," Kaku held up a hand. "Put me down."

Lucci looked confused but did as he was told, and Kaku motioned Sanji to come over. "Yeah?"

"Can we…have a minute?" he asked, and Lucci immediately grabbed Ace's arm and led him off around the crates. "Sanji," he put his hands on the blonde's shoulders, his face grave. "I want to tell you that I honestly don't know if Rob's right in his assessment of me."

"I get it, okay?" Sanji rolled his eyes. "You've explained it to me, and it's fine. It's your job, and if I was a liability, it makes sense to get rid of me. Don't worry about it."

"Just…none of us know how this is going to end, and if it comes to…just be careful. I can't lose you," Kaku slid his hands down Sanji's arms before pulling him forward, and Sanji let himself be drawn into the rather casual embrace.

"I'll be fine. And before you contradict me, listen for a sec," Sanji urged him softly. "No, I don't know if I'll make it out of here alive, but I have to believe that I will, or else I'm certain I won't. And, the way I see it, the more people I have believing that I'll make it, too, the better off I'll be," he forced an almost-convincing smile onto his face and held onto Kaku a little tighter, but not so firm as to cause the agent undue pain.

"I'd better keep believing, then," Kaku decided with a rather non-committal shrug, and Sanji rolled his eyes.

"Look, you take care of yourself too. Now get out of here," Sanji prompted him, and he nodded before walking stiffly over to join Lucci. Ace popped his head back around the corner and beckoned Sanji over, the blonde hurrying to peer around the corner. "What's up?"

"The smoke's clearing," Ace said in an undertone, pulling Sanji closer to him and holding him in a position that Sanji would have certainly called intimate if it hadn't been for the dire situation.

"Good and bad, hey?" Sanji noted that Ace was right; he was beginning to see bodies through the smoke instead of merely shapes, and the amount of bodies clearly laying on the ground unmoving was alarming to say the least.

"I don't…see anyone from our side…" Ace whispered, his voice lowering even farther as he held Sanji tighter. "Do you think…"

"For the most part, I wouldn't worry," came a voice almost directly in Sanji's ear, and he jumped, or would have if Ace hadn't had him in a vice-grip. "Calm down, Mr. Blackleg; it's only me."

"Mihawk," Sanji was relieved. "You people need to stop sneaking up on me; my heart can't take it."

"Your heart?" Ace hissed, and Sanji could clearly hear the other man's heart beating rapidly from his place pressed against Ace's chest.

"Don't be so jumpy. There are a lot worse people lurking around then myself," the swordsman sheathed his human-sized blade in some sort of harness on his back, letting the cross hilt stick up above his head. He looked somewhat more human without the hat and cloak, but just as dangerous, especially considering that blade. "What are we up to?"

"Getting everybody out," Sanji replied simply, and Mihawk nodded his approval.

"Good. I was honestly hoping that those CP9 agents would realize this is all a lost cause and just concentrate on making it out alive," he said. "How are you going to find everyone?"

"Dumb luck," Ace laughed. "We're doing what we can."

"We'll find them," Sanji said firmly. "We'll find all of them."

"Baby, we don't even know how many are in here right now!" Ace protested. "It's impossible!"

"It's not, Ace. We'll find them," Sanji reiterated, staring out at the clearing room. "So let's go over this. Robin and Iceburg are outside; they're safe. You and I and Mihawk are here; Zoro and Law know well enough to get out; Kaku should be outside and Lucci can take care of himself…so that leaves…Kalifa…"

"Smoker," Ace cleared his throat. "Franky and Paulie."

"And Shanks," Mihawk added.

"Five people. We can do this," Sanji said again.

"And…what's his name…Kidd."

"Who's Kidd?" Sanji turned to Ace, his brow furrowed.

"Law's boyfriend. At least, I'm pretty sure they're together. They fight more than you and Zoro, though," he smiled.

"What's he look like?"

"He's hard to miss," Ace thought about it for a second. "He's probably about six feet tall, he's got this spiked up, fire-red hair, and...well, you can't miss him," he finally sighed.

"I'll believe you on that one, then," Sanji patted his arm. "Oh, and…"

"What?" Ace asked.

"Gin."

"We'll look for him, Sanji," Ace decided after a moment. "I know you're close, and even if I don't entirely trust him or the…idea of him, I believe he'd never hurt you. And I know that you won't leave this place without knowing he's alright, will you?"

"Got that right," Sanji smiled. "Well, are we splitting up again?"

"Perhaps it's better if we stay together," Mihawk suggested. "I realize that it makes us a bigger target, but if Krieg's men are able to see us there's also a good chance that those on our side will better be able to see us," he pointed out logically.

"Alright, then," Sanji hugged Ace fiercely. "If we stay together, we'll…"

"We'll be fine," Ace hugged him back, kissing him quickly on the lips as Sanji gave him a small smile. "Let's get going."

000

"The smoke's clearing," Law had his sword in his hand as he peered around the corner, outlined eyes narrowed as he stared around the warehouse. "Where is he?"

"Your boyfriend?" Zoro questioned. "Why? Are you worried?"

"Of course not. Mr. Kidd can take care of himself," Law sniffed, glancing quickly back at Zoro before directing his gaze toward the room again. "You're worried about Mr. Blackleg, even though he's well-protected."

"Sanji…" Zoro sighed. "But I mean…is he really? After what Kaku just pulled…"

"Kaku Yamakaze isn't a normal man, Mr. Roronoa," Law said quietly. "I don't pretend to know what goes on in his mind, but all of those CP9 folk are a little…skewed in their perceptions of what's acceptable. I think it's a prerequisite for joining their organization," he quirked a smile before adding, "Mr. Yamakaze's fairly sane compared to some of them, but he wasn't lying about being second only to Mr. Lucci. He's a capable young man."

"So you're saying I should trust him with Sanji," Zoro surmised, tilting his head to the side and blinking.

"I'm saying that I don't know him very well, but it isn't hard to tell how deeply he cares for your boyfriend, Mr. Roronoa. He's as safe as can be," Law put a comforting hand on Zoro's shoulder.

"Alright," Zoro sighed. "I mean, I trust Kaku, but…that was just freaky."

"Have faith in them," Law put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently. "We have to concentrate on our own end of the mission; we can't get distracted. We have to…"

"Hey, if you're looking for a higher vantage point, I can give you that; no problem."

"Paulie!" Zoro looked relieved. "You're alright?"

"Fine," the older man looked smug. "What; didn't think I could take care of myself?"

"Who's this?"

"Oh, Paulie, this is Law Trafalgar; Law, this is Paulie; he runs the maintenance dock up in the north," Zoro said quickly.

"Pleasure, I'm sure," Law stuck out his hand and Paulie shook it quickly.

"Anyway, Zoro, if you need to get higher, there's plenty of beams and catwalks up in the ceiling that are wide enough to walk on. I can get you up there," Paulie repeated.

"Actually, that might be useful," Law broke in when Zoro hesitated. "We'd have to be careful; I've no doubt that Krieg has weapons with range, but what are the chances he'd look up in the ceiling anyhow?"

"I guess you're right," Zoro conceded. "Alright, Paulie. Get us up there."

Paulie grinned and unhooked a rope he had clipped to his belt. "Stand back," he ordered as he began to swing the heavy hooked end around, getting enough momentum before releasing it and expertly aiming it to tie itself around a beam in the ceiling. He gave the rope a couple of tugs before nodding.

"Will that…" Zoro pointed and Paulie chuckled.

"You're not that heavy, Zoro. It'll hold," he assured the swordsman.

"If you say so," Zoro still looked sceptical, but Law took a firm hold of the rope and quickly made his way up, hopping onto the beam and smiling down. "Well, nothing for it. You'll stay here?"

"If you want me to," Paulie nodded.

"I think that'd be the best. At least we can find our way back," Zoro nodded before sheathing two of his swords and digging a black bandana out of his pocket, tying it around his green hair. He stuck Wadou between his teeth and pulled himself up, climbing onto the thick beam beside Law, who smiled at him. "How's your leg?"

"It twinges," Law admitted, glancing down with a grimace at his blood-soaked pant-leg. "But it'll be fine. I've been hurt worse."

"Alright," Zoro glanced over the edge of the beam, glad that the clearing smoke gave him an almost-clear view of the floor. There were a lot of bodies down there, but he didn't see anybody that he recognized as being among them, which made him immensely relieved. Of course, it was also hard to tell who was on his side in the mayhem, and Law was obviously feeling the same way.

"It's no good staying up here when we have no other way down. I say we just head out and hope for the best," he suggested.

"You're right," Zoro admitted. "Let's go."

000

"I'm loathe to admit it, but I'm beginning to get a little nervous," Robin glanced over at the door, her arms crossed as she idly twirled a knife between her fingers. "I dislike being on the outside."

"Somebody had to do it," Iceburg supplied, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Franky will be fine, Robin. I know you're worried, even if you'll never admit that."

"I know," she nodded. "I do. That's not entirely it. I just…"

"Robin," he moved so he was standing in front of her and set both of his hands on her shoulders, forcing her to look at him. "You're a very strong woman, and I know that at least part of what you're feeling is because you know perfectly well you could be in there with the men and be just as proficient. However, you're also one of the most rational people here, which is why we need you outside. If something happens and we need to make a quick exit, having you here to coordinate without worrying about getting you here might prove to be the difference."

"Iceburg, just tell me that Franky said he wanted me out here and cut the drivel," she looked unimpressed and he couldn't help but smile.

"Alright; yes; that was part of it. But what I said was also true. You're a remarkable woman, Robin Nico, and quite frankly I'm glad you're on our side," he said honestly, and she finally smiled.

"I know. I just hope that we get an indication of what's going on, soon, or else…" she trailed off as Lucci ran through the doors, a protesting Kaku being carried on his back.

"At least I'm not carrying you bridal-style," he snarled at the younger man, who dramatically rolled his eyes.

"Lucci; what's going on?" Iceburg asked hurriedly.

"The mission's been compromised. Krieg's packing more firepower than we can deal with right now, and in order to ensure everyone's safety we're finding anyone who's with us and getting them out," he replied, just as quickly. "I need the two of you to look after the boy. Hold him down if you need to, just don't let him go back in there."

"I can take care of myself, Rob!" Kaku protested loudly.

"I'm going back in," he set Kaku on the ground and turned as the other man caught his wrist. "What?"

"Be careful," Kaku urged him softly, and Lucci glanced over at Robin and Iceburg once before grabbing the lapels on Kaku's jacket and yanking him so that they somehow ended up in a rather violent kiss. "I mean it, Rob," Kaku pulled away but kept himself pressed close to Lucci. "Don't do anything foolish."

"I never do. I'll be fine," Lucci pulled away and ran back through the doors.

"You're worried," Iceburg said simply.

"It's Rob. Of course I am," Kaku took off his hat and scrubbed a hand through his hair. "He insists that he's careful, but I know he's impulsive. And I don't want to lose him so soon after…after proverbially 'getting him back,' you know?"

"You hate the fact that you're on the outside, too, don't you?" Robin knelt down and settled her arm around Kaku's shoulders as he leant back against her.

"Of course I do, but I'm not stupid, Robin. I know that right now I'm in no shape to fight, and I know that there's not one person in there who can spare the time to watch over me. It's better for me to be out here, no matter how much I may dislike it." He made a face that illustrated quite clearly the extent of his dislike and Robin chuckled.

"Well, I suppose we're both stuck waiting for our men to come out all heroically, aren't we?" she said wryly.

"Robin, don't talk like that. You're stronger than most men anyway," Kaku assured her. "So what about you, boss? What's your excuse?"

"I'm too important to lose, apparently. After all, what sort of message would it send if the city clerk got killed in what is essentially a gang war?" he asked lightly. "Especially since I'm going to run for mayor in the next election," he added. "I need to keep up my immaculate image."

Kaku snorted at that one. "Yes, we all know the little old ladies love you, Iceburg. At least until they find out what a rebel you are with those tattoos."

"It was a fad. I was young. Besides, you're one to talk, with your boyfriend…"

"Rob is ten years younger than you, if I may remind you," Kaku said, closing his eyes.

"I know. I'm an old man."

"Hardly. Shanks and Mihawk are in there," he reminded Iceburg, and at the mention the light mood was gone and they all stared at the warehouse again, each lost in their own thoughts.

000

"Sanji!"

"Gin!"

Sanji rushed at the perpetually ill-looking man and enveloped him in a rather firm hug which Gin gratefully returned. "I'm so glad you alright; I was worried…"

"I'm fine," the blonde assured him, moving away but still keeping his hands on Gin's shoulders.

"What're you up to?"

"Getting out. It's too dangerous in here to try and stage the arrest now," he mentioned, and Gin nodded.

"Probably a good idea. I didn't know Krieg was planning on bringing all of his top fighters along, and Pearl has those infernal exploding pellets…"

"Was that what's been causing the commotion?" The dark-haired man behind Sanji said this, and Gin noticed that he had a hand on Sanji's back, and while the contact could have been casual, it very obviously wasn't. This was probably Ace, then.

"Yeah. But I think getting out's the best bet," Gin nodded. "Can you find everyone?"

"We're working on it," was all Sanji could offer. "We can only hope, right?"

"I guess."

"Come with us?" Sanji asked, and Gin hesitated. Truth be told, he knew the question was coming, but it was something he had yet to really consider…mostly because he didn't want to consider it, because it would mean that his life as he knew it was over. Sure, it probably wasn't ideal being the right-hand man to the most notorious gang leader in the lower mainland, but at least he knew that he'd been with Krieg long enough that as long as he didn't completely screw something up, his position was secure. But then…it wasn't as if Krieg had ever been particularly kind to him. No, Krieg took for granted the fact that Gin wouldn't leave, and so he treated him accordingly.

Now Sanji…Sanji was different. Sanji didn't ask for anything from him; he had given him that food out of the goodness of his own heart and had never asked for anything in return, and Gin was too noble of a man to let something like that go without acknowledging it. But was he really ready to give up everything he knew and live an honest life in the real world? The thought was…daunting, in a way, and even though he was pretty sure Sanji would be able to help him find a job or something, he still didn't know if…

"Gin? Are you coming?" Sanji had a hand on his arm. "I'd really like it if you did. You know I worry about you with…" he shrugged. "Please?"

"I…Sanji, I just don't know if…"

"Excellent work, Gin!"

Gin cringed. He should have known that while he was wasting time pondering, Krieg would show up. Sanji dropped his arm quickly and backed up as Ace pulled Sanji close to him.

"Of course, it's only natural that my right-hand man would be the one to corner this little slut, isn't it?"

Gin cringed at the word and looked at Sanji, but the blonde was remarkably emotionless.

"Oh, yes, blondie, I've seen you trying to work your magic on old Gin, here, but you're never going to turn him. He's my man through and through, and now you're going to die," Krieg pulled a rather impressive gun out from under his layers of armor, and Sanji finally gritted his teeth and closed his eyes.

"Do it and you die as well."

This time Gin was the one who involuntarily took a step back, because Dracule Mihawk was a man he knew by sight, and also one he knew that it would be a good idea not to cross.

"Ah, Mihawk; come back for more? It wasn't enough for you to destroy my van?" Krieg snarled at him, and Mihawk's eyes narrowed.

"Leave the boy alone, Krieg. He's done nothing to you, and I don't care what grudge you have against me or CP9 or even Sanji's father; this isn't about him. If you want to fight me, fight me, but don't pull him into it," Mihawk had his sword pointed at Krieg. "Sanji, get out of here."

"But…"

"I can handle this. Go."

"Gin, stop them," Krieg sounded bored, and Gin realized that this was it. If he agreed, he was proving that he was just Krieg's lackey, just a yes-man, but if he said no…if he said no, he could start over. He could be whoever he wanted to be. And one look at Sanji's face decided it for him: he couldn't stay with Krieg and ever expect to feel good about himself again. If Sanji died and he did nothing to prevent it…no, he couldn't do it. He couldn't.

"No."

"See, what did I…" Krieg turned to him, his eyes immediately turning feral and dangerous. "Did. You. Say. No?"

"Yes," Gin swallowed, feeling his hands beginning to shake. He had to keep it together. He had to.

"Why?"

"Because Sanji saved my life, and I owe him as much. He's my friend," Gin emphasized the last word, and Krieg started to lunge toward him but a black blur somehow ended up between them and the next thing Gin knew the gun Krieg had been holding was skittering across the ground.

"Get out of here."

"Lucci," Sanji looked relieved.

"Ace, take him and go."

"I'm staying!" Ace said stubbornly. "I can fight!"

"…Fine," Lucci shrugged. "Do what you will. You," he turned to Gin. "Can I trust you?"

And Gin knew that coming from Rob Lucci those words meant that the man already did, because otherwise he wouldn't have even been asked the question: he would have been dead.

"Yes."

"I'd better be able to. Listen: Robin, Iceburg and that insufferable brat are already outside, so take him and go. Whatever you do, do not come back into this building, and do not let him come back in. Understand?" Lucci kept his eyes on Krieg the whole time.

"Got it," Gin nodded.

"Sanji, be careful," Lucci's tone markedly softened, and Sanji nodded stiffly. "Go."

"I love you; remember that, okay?" Ace turned Sanji's chin so that their eyes met, and Sanji let out a strangled-sounding sob and pulled himself close to Ace, kissing him quickly on the lips. "Sanji, it's fine. Just go."

"I love you, too," Sanji pushed himself away with an obvious effort and Gin went over to wrap his arms around Sanji, who leant against him.

"Sanji?"

"Yeah?"

"If I don't make it…remember to thank Usopp for me, alright?" Ace gave them a cocky smile and threw a small pellet at the ground that erupted into a cloud of smoke.

"Come on!" Gin started running, pulling Sanji along, and they burst out of the warehouse and into the cool night.

"Sanji!"

"Robin!" he threw his arms around her, crying openly now, and she held him close.

"What now?" Iceburg looked at Gin, who sighed.

"We're not to go back in until it's over," Gin said simply, and Iceburg nodded, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Thank you. For helping," he clarified, and Gin nodded and breathed a sigh of relief, slumping to the ground as Sanji came over and hugged him.

"Sanji?"

"Thank you so much, Gin. I just…thank you," he sniffed, and Gin awkwardly patted his back.

"It's fine. You're okay. It'll all be okay."

Sanji let go of him and nodded, but he still looked obviously worried.

"Sanji, come here."

Gin watched as Sanji scurried over to the man seated on the ground and huddled up close to him, practically crying into his shoulder.

"Did you…"

"Lucci's fighting Krieg," Sanji replied brokenly. "He and Mihawk…and Ace…I can't even…Kaku, if they die, I…"

"Shh, it's okay," Kaku rubbed his back. "No amount of tears is going to change the outcome. We just have to stay strong and believe in them. It's all we can do."

"I know," Sanji admitted, his shuddery sobs finally calming down as he curled up against Kaku. "But it's hard. I want to help."

"We all do," Kaku assured him. "Believe me, we all do."

Gin tore his eyes away from the two of them and looked up at the sky. He didn't know these people, but Sanji obviously cared about them all, and Gin knew that if Sanji cared about them, they had to be special.

He had no idea how this was all going to play out, but for Sanji's sake, he hoped that, one way or another, everything turned out alright.

Notes:

1. I'm back! Hi! I was wanting to wait until Zoro's b-day (Wednesday) to update, but I figured you'd all waited long enough to read it. Happy Early B-day, Zoro!

2. In case anybody missed it, I posted two things: one was a post with pictures of the locations in the fic: aoitsukikage(.)livejournal(.)com/26143(.)html#cutid1, and one was a link to a sendspace package with all of the songs featured in the chapters so far: aoitsukikage(.)livejournal(.)com/26577(.)html#cutid1. I've also put this chapter's song in the a sendspace file, so if anyone wants to give it a listen, they can: .com/file/gfopkr

3. Review; review; review! I need to know people are still reading this; it gives me motivation to get the next chapters out faster :D

4. That's it! Hope everyone enjoyed!