While typing this yesterday for an update, laziness consumed me.

SHIN: Uh huh, and that's the reason why you stopped at the middle and the updating was delayed.

Yup! Sorry about that! But I have a review from someone named, 12345567890987654345678-san, an anonymous reviewer!

SHIN: What a name!

Yes. (reads the review) Thank you for love it, I'm happy!

DISCLAIMER: Nope, not mine (shakes head) And that's a good thing!



Time changes everything…

Except something within

Us which is always

Surprised by change.

-Thomas Hardy-



CHAPTER SIX: CROSSROADS

"I like that Russian sapphire. Even though it's a grade D." Nami seconded. They are walking towards the exit of the mansion and Nami gave her cents about the woman's sapphire necklace. "I bet it will be sold at thirty-five thousand zenny." she nodded.

Luffy nodded absently at her pricing. Nami looked at him and noticed his lack of clamor and asked, "What's wrong, Eon?" Luffy snapped back to reality and smiled at her.

"Nothing, Ticia." he shook his head. Nami frowned. "I want Shanks to go home."

Nami smiled.

"He will, Luffy, he will."

-----

"Where have you been, Lady Carmen?" a midget man greeted a woman in red.

"Somewhere, Leo."

"Somewhere?" Leo repeated.

The woman smiled. Her hair and eyes, even her gown and shoes were all red in color. "I just asked the Red-Haired siblings about my jewelries." She fingered the sapphire necklace she wore. "He said this was beautiful and these…" She gets the earrings out off her ears. "…are ugly."

"Ugly!?" he other man exclaim, incredulously.

"Yes, Jose. Ugly. He told me I could exchange them at the Red-Haired mansion." she sighed, dreamily.

"But…ugly!?" Jose wailed. He was the one who bought and gave it to her last week.

"Yes, Jose." she glared. "Never underestimate the eyes of a Red-Haired." she lectured them. "They always knew what is valuable and best from trash of jewelries."

The two gawked.

"The two of them are natural born jewelry masters. If they said it is beautiful, it is. If not, then not." She twirled at them. "Never doubt their words."

-----

Sanji yawned. "What a boring party."

At a young age, Sanji was considered as a good investigator. Using his wits, he uncovered many crimes and caught many wanted man. He also can cook mouth-watering foods, thanks to his father's teachings. He also can protect himself just fine with his devastating kicks, thanks again to his father's practical exercise for him everyday. His father, by the way, is Red-Leg Zeff, owner of the famous restaurant, Baratie.

"What am I doing here again?" he muttered to himself, walking to the drinks' table.

Because of his wits and dedication at work, he was assigned to guard the Blades and their diamond from any potential harm. 'Guard, my ass. There's too many guards here.' He looked everywhere and snorted. 'Guard a thirty-eight carat diamond with a silver lining? Why parade it on a party if they don't want anything to happen to it, then?' While reminiscing why the he was here, he saw his associate and called him, "Marimo."

"Dartbrow." he greeted back at Sanji. Even though Sanji is his senior associate, Zoro never bothers to respect his title. "What the hell are we doing here again?" he yawned.

"Guarding." Was the simple answer. Because Sanji decided to drag him here.

While bored out of their minds, they heard a discussion at there near left something about 'Red-Haired', 'siblings' and 'jewelry-masters'. Curious, they eavesdropped at the conversation between the three guests.

"These siblings are very good. They gave me the full details of my brooch." A woman praised.

"At first glance, right? So, is mine. Even the weight." A man said.

"Yes, even though they're adopted. It is as if they have an ounce of a Red-Haired blood in them." The other nodded.

"Now, we know why Lord Shanks adopted them."

Sanji and Zoro ended up thinking deep. They always heard about Shank's adoptive children. Nobody know their true identity, let alone their original names, it is as if Shanks created them out of jewelries and stones. And most agreed to that theory. The so-called gem of wits and beauty, Lady Red-Haired Mortice and her brother, the gem of charms and smiles, Lord Red-Haired Tenon.

Lady Red-Haired Mortice, also known as Ticia to close friends and family, were compared to a Tiger's Eye gem. Orange like her hair, the Tiger's Eye gem burn under the light and Lady Mortice's wrath upon anyone burns like hell. Especially concerning with those she loves. Her attitude and personality are like a tiger ready to pounce anytime.

Lord Red-Haired Tenon, also known as Eon to every people he's closed to, were compared to an Onyx gem. Black like his hair and eyes, the onyx could have a white lining every that could define what type of it could be. Like the Onyx, Luffy's emotions and thinking are hard to predict.

The two of them, they say, are diamond in a field full of rocks. You couldn't get to them unless you decided to examine and check every rock and its parts. And people always wonder how Lord Shanks took hold of them.

Facts and rumors, what they always heard, and all because of it, Sanji and Zoro wanted to meet these siblings.

"I heard that Red-Haired siblings are here." Zoro mused. Upon hearing this, Sanji twirled around to find them and to introduce himself.

Zoro sighed.

-----

An hour later, the both of them found themselves lost.

"Damn, hall." Sanji cursed. Zoro slid down the wall. Seconds later, they heard footsteps. To pairs of footsteps, to be précised. Sanji and Zoro alerted themselves to what will happen. It was coming from the corner and it was accompanied by two voices.

"Luffy, he will." A girl.

"I know, Nami." And a boy.

And the owners of both footsteps and voices rounded at the corner. Suddenly, the girl found herself being wooed by Sanji. "Good evening, mademoiselle." he greeted, kneeling on a knee and kissing the back of her hand after.

"Uhmmm…." the girl said, clearly startled. "Who're you?"

"My name's Sanji, my dear." Sanji presented himself, bowing.

"You could let go, now." the boy interrupted.

Sanji glared at him and the girl frowned.

"Stop that nonsense, perverted cook." Zoro chastised.

The girl turned to him and asked, "And your name?"

"Zoro." Was the answer and the girl frowned. 'Zoro? I heard that name before.'

Sanji bowed to her again. "And your name, mademoiselle?"

"Didn't you hear them just now? Their names are Luffy and Nami." Zoro interrupted yet again. The girl gave him a shocked face and the boy a gaping mouth.

Zoro arched an eyebrow. "What?"

Luffy and Nami calmed themselves. 'Calm down, they don't know anything. Perhaps.'

"So my dear Miss Nami…" Sanji started only to be cut off by Luffy. "Sorry but we need to go home."

"Why?" Sanji scowled.

"We're bored." Nami answered. And Luffy's stomach grumbled. "And hungry."

Sanji's blue eyes turned into hearts, much to Zoro's displeasure. "My dear why don't we go Baratie, then?"

"Baratie?"

"My father's restaurant."

"Oh, food!!" Luffy's excitement about food came.

"Without you!" Sanji barked at him. Nami walked back at Luffy and said, "Not without him!"

"Whatever you say, Miss Nami!" he twirled at his place.

Zoro frowned. "We need to secure protection, cheesehead."

"Secure protection?" Luffy inquired. Zoro turned to him. "For the diamond."

"Don't worry, it won't be stolen!" Luffy grinned.

"Ever heard of Shadow and Silhouette?"

"Of course, who wouldn't?"

Luffy and Nami both twirled at them and smiled. "They won't come to steal the diamond."


MUSIC: LEO by dream

It's Friday here so….

SHIN: It's weekend here tomorrow, therefore no updating for two days.

Yup, yup, yup! But I'll be back at the third day (Monday) for an update.

SHIN: R&R guys!!!!! Tell us what you think!