Hey guys! I hope you all aren't too mad at me for not updating soon enough. I ve just been a little busy with other fics. As an apology, here's the next chapter for you! I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 15: Happy birthday

"Hm, something's wrong." Zoro's voice echoed softly through the corridor. "The kiseichu aren't attacking anymore."

"I think we beat them up pretty good to have them running for the hills." Sanji said taking a drag from his cigarette. They're group had infiltrated the hide out. Zoro hadn't realized how big this place actually was. It was like a fucking maze!

"They're has to be a logical reason why they've retreated. Maybe they're planning something and I don't like the looks of it." Zoro was on guard for anything that came their way. He used his sensitive nose to try and pick up Luffy's scent.

He knew he was in the building because the scent was faint, but still there. "D-do you think they'll stop at-tacking?" Usopp asked timidly. The sharpshooter was hiding efficiently behind Sanji with his slingshot in hand.

Zoro's got to admit, the coward had a good aim. He even took down a few of those blood suckers.

"We've got to stay on our toes. You never know what these guys have got up their sleeves. Hopefully we can just get Luffy then come right back out of this scary place." Nami said. She also knew how to fight with that power pole of hers. Zoro has been hit with that thing so many times that has actually witnessed her strength.

They continued to move through the corridors until they came across a wide and round room. There were inconvenient passage ways that led to four different places. Everyone exchanged looks. "I think we should separate." Zoro said first.

"I knew you were going to say that! I'm too young to die!" Usopp wailed.

"I-I kind of agree with Usopp. I mean, we're just humans. We can't fight alone." Nami fretted. Sanji and Zoro frowned. They knew they couldn't leave the two alone. Sanji was the least willing to let them go by themselves.

"I have an idea. If you guys are in any inevitable danger, just whistle." Zoro suggested.

"Oh haha, Zoro." Usopp huffed skeptically.

"Hm, that's actually a good idea. Zoro and I have a good sense of hearing so no matter where you both are, we'd be able to hear you." Sanji said thoughtfully. Usopp and Nami echanged nervous glances.

"Ok, we'll have to trust you on this."Nami said. Usopp pulled an obviously fake brave face.

"The great captain Usopp isn't afraid of a couple vampires…I-I mean demons!" he announced with his legs shaking profusely. Sanji chuckled at his pretend bravery. The blond put a hand on his head pushing down his bandana a bit.

"Just do me a favor and don't die, you two."

"Almost got it…" I struggled to pick the lock of his cage. I almost immediately couldn't stand sitting here knowing that my friends could be in danger. It was nerve racking!

I learned a thing or two about picking locks from Nami. Ever since that incident when Jii-chan locked me in a dog's kennel the day he came for a visit.

"Yes! I did it!...more or less…" I actually broke it off. Oh well! I pushed my way through the cage door then stretch comfortably. Going up to the door I pushed it open slowly, silently thanking that the door was open and there was no one standing outside. "So far so good." I whispered.

The outside was a bit bright but my eye adjusted quickly. Outside was a long carpeted corridor like some kind of haunted house. You would have imagined that no one lived there due to the mold and cobwebs.

I made my way out the door and down the hallway. I began to sprint then made a turn, then another turn. To be honest I had no idea where I was going, but I had to do something. It seemed like I was running for a whole half an hour trying to find either my friends or someone to beat up for keeping me here.

As I reared another corner, I ran into something. Stumbling backwards I fell onto my butt. Groaning, I opened my eyes to see what was in my way. I realized that the thing I ran into was a person. It was the same guy who came to retrieved Kaku.

I gasped scooting back a bit. His face had a scarily neutral expression as he looked down at me. This guys emanated power and seemed like someone you didn't want to run into.

He reached down at me and grabbed my neck then pulled me up off the ground so that I was eye level to him. "Looks like a little mouse has escaped its cage." His voice was at a monotone. I kept my expression defiant as I clawed at his sleeve. I began to kick at him but the guy didn't flinch one bit. "Hmm, you don't seem at all frightened by my presence." He connected my head to the wall. I yelped painfully.

"Tch, humans. What a fascinating race you are. Despite your lack of power, you always have the will to fight." He moved closer to me and whispered in my ear. "Now why is that?"

I was starting to lose air very quickly but I was thankful when he let go of me. I slid down the wall, but I refused to collapse.

"Tell me, Straw hat. Have you ever dreamed of becoming one of us?" he slid a finger up from my neck to my chin. I swiped his hand away and glared at him. "I don't know what you're talking about. What do you mean, 'one of us'?" I questioned.

"A demon of course. Just like you're the coven you've joined. You and your other human friends." He smiled in a sinister way.

"Why do you care? Humans can't turn into demons anyway!"

The pigeon bastard raised an eyebrow at me. "Is that what your little coven told you? Humans are actually quite capable of turning into one. However, not many of us can convert humans. It's something you simply have to be born with. Either that…or have the poison to do so." For emphasis he licked his overly sharpened fangs at me.

I tried to make a break for it, but he grabbed my wrist before I could do anything. He pinned me to the wall. "I'm not one of those few who can covert humans into demons, but I have enough venom in my fangs to change at least one. Thanks to that is." He forcibly moved my head to expose my neck.

This can't be happening! If what he's saying is true, he'll turn me into a demon like him. Without hesitation he sunk his teeth into my bare flesh. I screamed as it was like two hot needles being hammered into my skin.

The experience was nothing like when Zoro did it. It was painful at first, but then the pain quickly turned into something else as it flared my endorphins. I couldn't accept the pleasurable tingle that I got from the drainage of my blood. My limbs fell to my side as I became limp.

Before I knew it, he pulled his fangs from my neck and let me fall like a ragdoll. My body began to shake uncontrollably. The veins on my neck arms darkened, becoming visible through my skin. My whole body was on fire!

"Hmm, the poison is spreading quicker than I thought." The other observed. He watch me writhe in agony for what seemed like hours. My eyes that were currently squeezed shut opened dramatically. My whole body froze. My heart stopped for a good three seconds before it started back up again.

Lucci lifted my chin making me look at him. "Your irises seem more gold than brown now." He said. After a moment I blinked and snapped out of my daze. Wh-what just happened to me.

"Happy birthday, Straw Hat."