"Yeah!" finished Brook, striking a final chord on his guitar. The crowd went wild. Screams and cheers resonated in the concert hall. Dozens of panties rained onto the stage. And the chant began.

"Encore! Encore! Encore! Encore!"

Brook rushed offstage to meet his managers.

"Do we have time?" he asked, readjusting his guitar straps.

"They didn't pay for encores," replied his manager, sternly.

"But the fans—"

"Can just buy your CD if they want to hear your music again."

Brook sighed and went back up on stage.

"I'm very sorry everybody, but that's all we have time for tonight!"

Th crowd 'Awwed' simultaneously in dissapointment. Brook thought about it for a second.

"You know what?" he shouted, "Maybe just one more song!"

The crowd cheered.

"Now have I ever told you guys about the man who will become Pirate King?"

Brook ran offstage, bidding his fans goodnight.

"What the hell was that?" growled his Manager, grabbing Brook's wrist.

"I gave them what they desired," said Brook, wrenching away from his manager.

"This'll come out of your paycheck y'know!" yelled his manager.

"I'm very sorry to say this, but I DON'T CARE!" said Brook, slinging his guitar onto his back and exiting the concert hall.

Brook rushed to the nearest café, and quickly took a seat. He was upset. Very upset. Touring around the world was allowing him to meet new people, as well as enthrall them with his music. But the commercialism was strictly against his morals. Music should come from the soul, not a heart of greed. He didn't care much for the money. He wanted to keep playing, but he didn't want his music or his soul to be tainted. Soon enough, a waitress walked over to him.

"What can I get for you, SOUL KING!?" she exclaimed, dropping her notepad. "Oh my goodness I love your music!"

"Is it that so?" said Brook, smiling, "Yo-ho-ho-ho! Why thank you, young Ms."

"My favourite song of yours is the one about the Pirate King! It's really moving!"

"That one is special to me as well."

The waitress shifted uncomfortably.

"Um… I know it's not my place to ask this, but would you mind doing a set for the shop?"

"Of course not! It would be my pleasure!"

"Oh thank you!"

Brook rose from his seat, and the waitress directed him to the small stage at the corner of the café. There was only a small amplifier, and no cord at all.

"Oh jeez!" said the waitress, "I'm so sorry! I forgot that our cord was missing!"

"That's not a problem!" said Brook, "I'll do an acoustic set. Do you have a violin?"

"Um… We do have something," said the waitress, hurrying to the back of the store.

The girl retuned with a dusty violin, and a frail-looking bow.

"This was the owner's," she said, wiping the violin with a cloth, "my father's. I know he wouldn've been happy to see it get some use!"

"Thank you young Ms," said Brook, taking the violin gently. As soon as his hands touched the wood, he felt it. The violin contained soul. It was the soul of a man who was passionate about music. Though he was unable to sustain himself with it, the man played everyday till he died, leaving the instrument with a fragment of his very being. Brook felt his hands loosen, and his shoulders relax. This… This was what music was about.

Brook tucked the violin under his chin, and raised the bow to the strings.

"Ladies and gentleman!" said the waitress, calling her customers' attention; "I'm honored to present to you the wonderul Soul King, who will be serenading us acousticly today!"

The café clapped politely, and Brook gave them a small nod before beginning.

He began slowly, unsure of how the strings would test under the bow. But once he found they were stable, he began quickening his pace, reaching a steady and solid tempo. It was then that he found the soul of the violin urging him to play a specific set of patterns and notes. He obeyed, and when he did, he saw the waitress's eyes widen and tear up in disbelief. 'Her father must have played these songs' thought Brook, carrying on with the piece. The soul of the violin pressed Brook to slow down, and he submit to the instrument's will. The notes lessened, and finally, song closed on a trill.

The café applauded him loudly, and Brook returned the violin to the waitress.

"Thank you," she said, tears running down her cheeks, "but how did you know?"

Brook could only smile at her.

"Your father was a passionate man. I suggest you keep that violin and continue his passion."

With that, Brook tipped her his hat, and strolled out of the café, renewed and ready to take on the world that lay before him.

A.N.: Mmm... I love writing music prose, and Brook is probably the best character to work with for that. He's so passionate, and so soulful, it makes for a great combination. I love the idea of him being able to sense the fragments of the souls of the deceased. I just feel like it works. Reviews, Favourites, Subscriptions, and Requests are welcomed and much appreciated! I'll see you tomorrow for Shirahoshi and Foxy!