Chapter Twenty-Nine

Yeah, the streets rose in two perfect waves in the night
Crashes on my left, and one on my right
It's all fire and brimstone baby, so let's go outside
It's all fire and brimstone baby, I got my brand new pistol baby

~Puscifer, "The Mission"

xxx

Sanji lowered himself down the ladder and grimaced as his feet landed in sludge, but then he really couldn't have expected anything else. "Uck. I don't even want to know," he shuddered as Zoro hopped down beside him.

"Sorry about this, lads," Iceburg had a flashlight with him that he turned on, shining it down the old tunnel. "All of the decent railway tunnels have been converted for the SkyTrain, so we're stuck with the disused ones. But if anybody knows this city, it's me, so if Krieg's gone anywhere…"

"One thing I don't quite understand," Law glanced around. "Krieg would have had to either take a vehicle or a boat to get back to downtown."

"Yes," Iceburg looked mildly chagrined. "Nmaa, in all the excitement, I didn't even think about him escaping by water."

"So why didn't he make a break for it? Head toward the border?" Sanji asked.

"Gramps is helping to guard out by Point Atkinson," Ace shrugged. "He wouldn't get far, but we weren't watching the inlet."

"Anyway," Zoro cleared his throat. "We need to get moving."

"We are," came a voice from above and Robin and Kalifa hopped down, both women wearing rather intimidating heeled boots.

"Robin, I told you…"

"I'm not staying at the hospital where I'm useless. He understands," Robin assured them, her eyes softening. It hadn't taken long to find Franky afterward, and by now it could be assured that whatever rift was set up between he and Iceburg was all but mended. The older man had suffered a broken leg, but Robin assured them he'd be up and about in no time.

"Besides, too many men in the same place? Something's bound to go wrong," Kalifa grinned and adjusted her glasses. "And I'm the secretary to the City Clerk. I know this place almost as well as he does."

"Let's get moving, then," Sanji glanced one way and then the other. "Law? Which way?"

"Well, from what I recall, Krieg's hideout should be…" he gestured down the tunnel.

As they began to move, the manhole cover clanked above them and Mihawk all but slid down the ladder, his boots hitting the stone floor as his cape swirled around him.

"Dracule, where…"

"I locked Shanks inside my hotel room," the enigmatic man replied with a harsh smile. "The idiot would only get himself killed, and I am not going to explain that one to Makino."

"So this is all of us, then?" Zoro ran his hand over Wadou's hilt.

"The more people we have, the more difficult it will be. I'm loathe to let all of you go," Mihawk admitted. "But what can I do? You're all stupidly determined to rush headlong into danger, and I can respect that if nothing else."

"We can't just sit back and do nothing," Kaku's voice was quiet, but he was standing on his own and he wasn't quite as pale as he had been. "I have to… no matter what, I have to know."

"As do I," Law nodded.

"And I'm the reason we're in this whole mess, so I'm going," Sanji said with finality.

"I'm not questioning any of you," Mihawk rolled his eyes. "Kids these days," he sighed.

"Oh, I'm sure you and Shanks weren't any different when you were young," Ace winked. "Old man."

"Alright, enough," Iceburg glared at the pair of them. "Sound travels a long way down here, so we have to be quiet."

Ace looked suitably chastised, but Mihawk just sighed and started to walk down the stone corridor.

"So," Sanji kept his voice low and dropped back to walk next to Robin. "When's the big day?"

"Not for a while yet," Robin chuckled. "If I had to say, I'd like it to be in late summer…next August, perhaps," she smiled.

"A summer wedding? That'd be nice," he nodded. "Looking forward to it?"

"Naturally," she glanced sideways at him before sighing.

"What? What is it?"

"I was just…it's a silly question, Sanji, but I was wondering if…seeing as how you are the only one of us that knows how to wear a suit…and since my parents are…no longer with us…" she looked nervous, and Sanji felt bad for her, knowing how much it must have taken to ask.

"Robin-chan, if you want me to walk you down the aisle, you only have to say the word," he reached to take her hand and smiled winningly at her.

"I would greatly appreciate it," she conceded.

"Consider it done. And don't worry about booking a reception hall, the Baratie's yours if you wish it," he said honestly.

"You're far too kind."

"Nonsense; just helping a pretty woman out," he patted her hand before continuing down the hall, glancing at the damp walls. Noticing the others stopped in front, he ran to catch up, finding Law talking to a man with spiky reddish hair. This must be Kidd, then. "What's going on?"

"It's over," the man replied. "You must be Sanji."

"Yes," Sanji replied, accepting the proffered hand. Kidd was an intimidating-looking man compared to his partner, but he seemed amiable enough at the moment. "Wait, what do you mean 'over?' "

"Krieg's caught. Or, he will be. We can't go any farther down the tunnel, though; he blew up some of the wall and it slid over the path, it'd take us hours to dig through the rubble," Kidd shrugged. "He's headed for the States, though; that much is certain, so we've got border patrol on it. He won't get through. And thus the reign of Don Krieg comes to an end," he shook his head. "I bet he's regretting ever deciding to come after you."

"I'm sure he is," Law put a hand on Sanji's shoulder and squeezed carefully. "Well, that's that, then. Time for some well-deserved rest, I'd think."

"Yeah," Sanji blinked. "I can't believe it, really," he laughed nervously. "After so long, to live a normal life again…it'll almost be weird," he scrunched up his nose.

"Sanji, you're friends with my brother. Life will always be weird," Ace had to point out with a wink, and Sanji grinned at him.

"True enough."

"And Rob?" Kaku asked quietly.

"Liaising with the officials to make sure they 'don't screw up,' as he so tactfully put it."

"That's my lover," Kaku rolled his eyes.

"Well, no point in us staying here in this stuffy tunnel, then," Iceburg said. "Let's head to the surface."

000

They had barely gotten above-ground when both Kaku and Kalifa's mobiles went off at the same time, and they both picked them up to check, Kalifa looking thoughtful and Kaku looking resigned.

"What? What is it?" Ace asked, noticing both their expressions.

Kalifa turned to Iceburg. "I apologize, sir, but it seems you have a vacancy in your office."

He regarded her without blinking for a few moments before nodding. "I'll fill it somehow, I'm sure. They won't hold a candle to you, but…"

She hesitated for a second before walking over and hugging him, and he returned it tightly. "I'm sure we'll be back," she whispered. "Vancouver attracts trouble, after all."

"Until then," Iceburg patted her back and released her, giving her one more swift nod. "Stay safe."

"I've got big, strong men to protect me," she laughed. "What could go wrong?"

"Kaku?" Sanji turned to him, and Kaku bit his lip in thought before motioning the blonde to follow him. Sitting on a bench on a nearby street corner, Kaku slipped his phone back into his pocket before reaching to take Sanji's hands. "Hey, what is it?"

"This is goodbye."

"Wait…what? What happened to being friends after…"

"Sanji, I'm not going to apologize for this. Not now. Don't make me," Kaku was almost pleading with him, and Sanji nodded, waiting to hear him out. "Listen, Rob's been tipped off about a major gang operation in Calgary…something led by a man named…"

"Donquixote Doflamingo," Mihawk came over and interjected, not bothered by the glares the two men sent him. "Old friend…well, friend may not be the best word. And I apologize for interrupting, but do you think I could borrow your phone? I need to discuss something with Lucci."

"Sure," Kaku handed it over, and Mihawk nodded and walked swiftly away. "Anyway, we're done here, and so we move on."

"But what about…what about Zoro? You're his…"

"No," Kaku shook his head. "I'm crippled, Sanji. I don't know if I'll ever recover, so what use am I as a trainer? Zoro will be fine. I've taught him all I can," he looked resigned. "And I'm sorry, but we can't allow anything that will let Doflamingo track you or anybody else, so I'm afraid we cannot contact each other. We shall, quite literally, disappear from your lives."

"I…" Sanji stuttered, obviously at a loss for words. "I…you can't," he finally settled on. "Kaku…"

"I know. But it's my job. And it's to ensure the safety of everybody. I chose it, Sanji; I've said it before. I'll accept the consequences, and…"

"Kaku," Kalifa walked up. "Lucci says we have to go. Jyabura and Blueno are waiting for us."

"We will. Goodbye," Kaku stood and went over to Zoro, and Sanji dropped his eyes.

"He's not good at this," Kalifa sighed. "But then, he's never been as close to a client as he was to you. I'm sorry it had to turn out this way; we truly had no idea."

"I understand. You have your lives and I have mine," Sanji nodded. "It won't be easy, but we'll make it. We will."

"You're a remarkable man, Sanji Blackleg. And take care of that boyfriend of yours," she grinned. "I have a feeling he needs somebody to watch over him."

"I will," Sanji stood up and hugged her, and she pulled back enough to kiss his cheek. "Good luck."

"We won't need it," she assured him before moving off down the street.

Sanji looked up again to find Zoro glaring at Kaku before he shook his hand, and the agent moved back toward the bench.

"Goodbye, then," he didn't look at Sanji.

"Yeah. Later," Sanji lit up a cigarette, only to have Kaku knock it out of his hand and throw his arms around Sanji tightly, holding him close. "Hey, it's fine. I get it."

"I don't," Kaku admitted. "But Rob's rules are Rob's rules, and I can't…"

"I'll live, nose-boy," Sanji teased. "Go out there and save the world."

"Right," Kaku ran his hands down Sanji's arms and made to leave before Sanji spun him around and quickly kissed him.

"I owe you from last night," he explained, causing Kaku to give an exasperated sigh. "And you'd better take care of yourself. Get back here if you ever can, you hear me?"

"Look after yourself," Kaku retorted. "And if there's a chance, I will."

"And tell Rob he's got himself a wonderful man and he should treat him better."

"Like heck I will. He'll laugh."

"Probably," Sanji exhaled heavily and lit a new cigarette, meeting Kaku's eyes one last time. "Now go."

Kaku nodded and did, jogging to catch up with Kalifa. Sanji stared after them until Zoro came and slid his arms around the blonde's waist. "It'll be weird without him. I'm never going to find another trainer who's his match."

"I doubt he'd want you to," Sanji replied, tilting his head for a chaste kiss. "We should get back to Vivi's; let everyone know we're alright."

Zoro nodded and hugged him lightly before reaching for his hand, letting Sanji twine their fingers together as they headed back to the group.

"Can we still be friends?" Sanji asked Law with his curled eyebrow raised, and the dark-haired man's answering laugh was answer enough for him.

000

After the rather joyous reunion, he was out on his favorite fountained terrace once more when he felt hands cover his eyes and a voice say, "Three guesses who, first two don't count."

"Hey," Sanji leant back comfortably. "What's up?"

"How are you?"

"Good, now. Like I said, it'll take a while to get back to normal, but I'm fine," he tried to put as much reassurance into his voice as he could. "Really, Ace. I'm fine."

"You know you can talk to me if you need to…I know Zoro's not much help when it comes to feelings," he teased, causing Sanji to reach back and lightly swat his hip. "Hey, we're good," Ace sobered immediately, his voice lowering. "We are, Sanji. I mean, I don't think I'll ever fall out of love with you, but it doesn't hurt like it did. I think I'm moving on."

"Good for you," Sanji smiled.

"No, I mean really moving on. I'm leaving."

"What?" Sanji's eyes snapped open. "Ace, you…"

"Not until after the wedding," the older man assured him. "I've got school to finish, but then…"

"Where will you go?"

"Gramps asked that stuffy old Commodore to monitor some Coast Guard-y things out on the East Coast, and I said I'd go with. It'd be good for me to get away, you know? And it'll only be a year at most…heck, you were gone longer than that," he mentioned.

"I know. But did you have to tell me tonight?"

"Figured I'd do it when you were in the right mind-set. Plus, you've got almost a year to get used to the thought of being free of me when it wasn't your choice," Ace was smiling, Sanji could tell.

"But…really, Ace? You and Smoker? Isn't he a little old for you?"

"Sanji, you and I? We're old souls. It's hard to find somebody like us…maybe I just physically need somebody older."

Ace's voice was soft, and Sanji was hard-pressed to tell if he was joking or not. "But you hate him."

"Nah. We gripe at each other constantly, but none of it is serious. We get each other, as strange as it sounds. And he's only fourteen years older…it's not an eternity," Ace reasoned.

"I think it's the hair. Makes him look older than he is," Sanji shrugged.

"Yeah, there is that," Ace agreed.

"Don't know how I'll do this without you and Kaku around," Sanji casually started. "I mean, what fun is it making Zoro all jealous and protective when I've got nobody to flirt with?"

"There's always Usopp…"

"Oh, please, no. Kaya scares me," Sanji admitted. "Sure, she may act sweet and innocent, but I have a feeling that she'd be as catty as Nami if somebody was stalking her turf."

"Speaking of Nami, she loves you…so I'm sure if it was my brother…"

"Oh, God help me, I am not flirting with Luffy," Sanji said vehemently.

"I'm just pulling you leg. Law?"

"Law could work," Sanji mused. "Again, Kidd kind of scares me…I'll work it out," he decided, and they both burst out laughing. "Look at me. I've got the greatest boyfriend and all I'm thinking about is ways to make him jealous."

"That's only because Zoro takes it so seriously," Ace replied. "Look, we should get back inside. Not much of a victory party when the man of honor isn't there, is it?"

"Right," Sanji nodded and Ace let him go, turning when Sanji put a hand on his arm. "Look, Ace. Thank you. For everything. I don't know if I could have gotten through all of this without you…and everyone else," he added.

"But mostly me. I know. It was my pleasure," Ace kissed him lightly before holding out his arm, and Sanji groaned before taking it as Ace patted his hand and guided him back inside.

000

The next few months went by quickly without the fear hanging over them. Zeff eventually relented and let Sanji back into his appointed role as sous-chef, although he still wasn't keen on the discounts that Sanji offered to everybody who had helped them out. Zeff was glad he was safe, although of course he'd never say the words out loud.

Krieg, as Kidd had predicted, never made it past the border thanks to Lucci. And, also thanks to Lucci, what would normally have been a lengthy trial got him directly in jail. The perks of being what Smoker had taken to calling 'those blasted special-ops', but Sanji was just relieved it was over. Finally over.

Admittedly, he sometimes went by City Hall on his downtown trips to see if CP9 really had moved on, and once he swung by Kaku and Lucci's Kitsilano apartment, but it was impossible to tell if it was occupied and he wasn't going to risk getting closer. He and Zoro were by this point an official 'couple' and although they still got on each other's nerves on a regular basis, none of it was all that serious.

And with Robin's wedding looming ever nearer, preparations were well under way. The older woman was smiling more than Sanji had ever seen her, although she was getting a tad annoyed with her husband-to-be as he tended to announce their engagement to the world no matter where they were. Got a strange glance from a group of homeless people before Robin ignored him and they all assumed he was just another half-crazy street-dweller.

Regardless, because Sanji was as good of a fashion consultant as any woman, he and Robin had been busy coordinating for the past few months, and as the date drew nearer Sanji could tell Robin was equal parts anxious and excited. A mere two weeks to go and the long-term forecast showed sunshine, and though Sanji realized that the last time he'd spent any extensive time on the deck where the ceremony was to take place was the night he learned he was being hunted, he thought this was fitting closure: it all started with a murder, it should end with a wedding.

Heck, he was almost as nervous as Robin, and he waited for the day with anticipation, hoping for sunshine and warm August weather.

Maybe this was what he needed to close the door on that chapter of his life, and although it felt a little selfish that he was thinking of it for him, another part of him knew that if this was what he needed to move on, then he would accept it gladly.

Just fourteen more days, and he'd leave the shadow behind him.

All things considered, he couldn't wait.

Notes:

1. I've just decided to lump the songs from the last few chapters together to make it easier, so expect them up after the Epilogue. That being said…

2. ONE MORE CHAPTER!!! This story has consumed my life for about a year-and-a-half, now, so it's sad that it's ending, but also a relief that I've completed this epic.

3. Regarding the events of last week's OP chapter: I am still firmly in denial, and since this is an AU, IT NEVER HAPPENED. That being said, it also inspired me to write (in particular a specific section that is fairly obvious), so I guess it was an okay thing?

4. If you want to see Vancouver in more than my digital camera pics, watch the Olympics. They go crazy with the scenery xP

5. Keep reviewing/commenting! I love them, and they'll give me fuel to survive the plane ride to Orlando next week. I'm headin' for sunshine, baby!!!