Disclaimer: I do not own One-Piece nor any of it's characters. Those belong to Oda Eiichiro.

Nunya Bizniz

Chapter Thirteen: Promises

Ace was running through the town, looking for Sabo or Luffy. He was betting that Luffy was lost, so he would be furthest away from the palace. Sabo, he didn't know what he was like now. He could only imagine that he would still play the mediator out of all three of the brothers. He was about to turn a corner when a shiver went up his spine and nearly caused him to trip.

Ace stopped in his tracks and looked around. He paled when he saw the giant stone man on the other side of the city. "Oh please tell me she's not there," he prayed. Ace had an internal battle at this point. Should he go and see about rescuing his youngest sister or should he trust she would be fine? If he knew anything about the two, most likely Missy was already a step ahead of him. Trusting that Missy was already looking for a way to help Rachel, Ace continued on the path he was on.

Missy felt an all too familiar shiver crawl up her spine. "I'm getting sick and tired of these disturbances," she seethed.

"What was that little sis?" Franky asked.

"One, I'm not your sister. Two, stop for a bit will ya? I just have this sinking feeling in my gut." Franky stopped and looked at her. Missy pulled out her binoculars and started looking in the direction of Pica. "If she knows what's good for her she won't let me spot her."

Rachel was holding on for dear life, okay that was a lie. She was just chilling out until one of her siblings arrived. Her legs were casually swinging back and forth. Although, her grip was slipping little by little. Until she was down to the fingertips, she wouldn't worry yet. "I hope they can still feel a disturbance in the force though," Rachel said to herself. Her eyes shifted to her side at the sound of rocks breaking. She noticed a crack in the ledge. "That's... not good."

Missy scanned the buildings that were closest to Pica. They were taller than the rest due to the distorted ground. She was passing them over quickly. She stopped in her search and went back to the building she just passed over. Missy turned a dial on the side of her binoculars to focus them. Her vision zoomed in on a figure hanging way above the ground, acting like there wasn't a care in the world. "If the fall doesn't kill her I will," Missy promised.

"What was that?" Franky asked.

Missy ignored his question and continued to scan the area. She needed to find a way to either get over there quickly or for someone to save her. Missy stopped her search when she saw Zoro and Luffy running. Luffy was carrying something, but she couldn't make out what it was. Her attention then left the binoculars and towards Franky. "Do you have a baby snail?" she asked.

"Of course," Franky over embellished. He reached into the pocket of his dress suit jacket and handed it out to Missy.

"One other favor," Missy said. "If Zoro has a baby snail, could you call him? It's really important."

Franky had the snail start the call and then handed it over. "What's so important that you need to call Zoro?" he asked. "Also, how do you know Zoro and that I can get a hold of him?" Now curious about what was going on, Franky activated the telescope feature in his eyes. He scanned the area Missy had been focused on. He was quick to find Rachel hanging in a life or death situation. "That's SUPER dangerous," he cried out.

"Hush up," Missy ordered. "I'm trying to reach the grass head." The snail was making the typical ringing noise. When it made the answering noise Missy didn't hesitate. "Don't ask questions just do as I say." She was once again looking through the binoculars. "You and Luffy need to look up and slightly to your right. Your other right Zoro."

She watched as the two followed her directions and skid to a stop. They had apparently spotted what she wanted them to see. "So here's the deal," she continued. "You save, you run or I kill. How's that for an ultimatum?" She watched as Luffy stretched out his hand to grab Rachel. "She's going to freak out," Missy murmured. "Ha, she deserves it with the crab sayings she does."

Rachel was now starting to get worried. Her hands had slipped to the point where only slightly more than her finger tips was holding her in place. She had tried earlier to bring one of her legs up to the ledge she grasped to see if she could stand there and wait instead. Unfortunately, the bricks holding it place were crumbling. On either side the ledge was getting smaller and smaller. She could even feel the stone under her hands giving way. "What a way to go," she cursed. "When I die, I'm going to haunt the Nunya for eternity so that those two can never get a good nights sleep again."

Just as the stone gave and she started falling an arm wrapped around her. "Say what?" she looked down in surprise. An arm had stretched from out of nowhere and wrapped around her waist. She followed the length of the arm to the source and found Luffy and Zoro staring at her. Luffy had a look of pain across his face.

"Don't touch the jacket," she yelled out. A determined look crossed Luffy's face and his arm started to reel back in. Rachel felt the rush of air surround her. She closed her eyes to keep any dust from getting in them. In a manner of seconds she felt herself caught up in a pair of strong arms. Rachel peaked out of one eye, almost afraid to look. Zoro was looking down at her.

When Rachel tried to get to her own feet, Zoro's grip tightened. "I can't let you down," he said. "We're running and I doubt you could keep up."

"You saying I'm slow?" Rachel demanded. Her attention turned to the heavy panting that Luffy was doing. "Are you okay Luffy?" she asked. She was now purposefully ignoring the man holding her. "I would have warned you sooner if I had known you were around and what you planned to do."

"What was that?" Luffy asked.

"My jacket is like a cloak of armor," Rachel smiled. "I had a sea prism stone infused with the thread. It's kind of like the process of those celestrial dragons wearing their clothes made out of gold thread. Only I view mine as more valuable. It protects me from most of the effects of devil fruit users."

"We don't have time to chat," Zoro said. "That stone giant's hand is still coming this way."

"That's right," Luffy stood up straight. He collected Law in his grasp again and they were making their way through the streets again. Since he wasn't paying attention, the chain that was attached to Law caught on an exposed pipe, pulling the two back. Just as Luffy landed on his back, the hand reached its target.

Zoro and Rachel were thrown back by the force. "Luffy!" Zoro yelled out. His concern for his captain showing on his face. He didn't, however, lose his grip on Rachel. Instead, he held her tighter and shielded her face from potential debris.

"Gotta give the man points," Missy mused. She was watching the rescue through her binoculars as Franky watched as well. "If that doesn't make her fall more in love with him, nothing will."

"Baby sis loves Zoro?" Franky asked. His eyes returned to normal when they lost sight of the group. Missy's own pair was placed back in it's case. "Since when have they known each other?"

"We met Zoro a few years back," Missy stated. "She's had a bit of a crush on him since then. It's grown stronger as the years have passed. Especially these last two, with the two of us now having new information."

"What information is that?" Franky asked.

"It doesn't matter," Missy dodged. "It's between Rae and I. There's no need for you to get involved. At any rate, weren't you heading somewhere?" Franky snapped to attention and started running through the streets again, Missy still on his shoulder.

Zoro stood up once the wind had died down. He had landed in a way to take the brunt of the fall, then rolled to protect Rachel from the falling buildings. Zoro took a look around, making sure the danger had passed. He then reached down and helped Rachel to her feet. He took a glance down at her to ensure himself she was fine. Once he was satisfied he started calling out for Luffy. Rachel joined in once she gained her bearings. Zoro's actions had not gotten passed her. She may look eighteen now, but she had more experience than most women that age so she wasn't naive.

The two of them started to search for Luffy and Law. Their attention was grabbed when they heard Luffy calling out to Zoro. They spotted him hanging from a broken building, Law still in his grip. "You can put me down now Straw Hat-ya," Law snapped. He wasn't fond of the way he was being tossed around.

"Oh right," Luffy let out a grin.

Law then had a look of panic as he realized what Luffy planned. "Wait..." His cry fell on deaf ears as Luffy let him drop to the ground. Law fell with a loud thud as Luffy freed himself and landed on his feet. Zoro and Luffy were discussing what to do next when shouting drew their attention. A group of three men were running their way. "They kind of look like they're pissed," Rachel pointed out.

From off to the side a group of people popped out of the alleys. "We've found three of the ranks," one cheered. The group started running towards them.

"What are we going to do Luffy?" Zoro asked.

"No time to worry about that," Luffy announced. He picked up Law and started running away again.

Rachel was about to dash out of the way when Zoro lifted her up and threw her over his shoulder. "What do you think you're doing?" she demanded.

"Making sure you stay out of trouble."

The group was stopped when one of the three 'pissed' off people landed in front of them. "Why did you run Garp's grandson?" he asked.

Before an answer could be made, more and more people started showing up. They all started to declare their appreciation of being rescued by taking down Doflomingo for Luffy. Luffy responded by yelling at them, saying that he was the one that would finish 'Mingo'. A fight quickly broke out between all of them, only to pause and fight those that were ungrateful to the Straw Hats for the rescue when they tried to attack Luffy, Zoro and Law.

Luffy tried to make a quiet escape when he saw a bull. He called out to it with a wide grin on his face. "I have an idea," he announced.

Rachel was once again caught up in a swirl of activity. The four of them were racing through the streets on the back of the bull who was more than happy to give them a lift to the palace. It didn't take long for the group that wanted to express their gratitude to show up as well. The arguing started all over. Rachel scooted closer to Zoro when two of the men got on top of 'Moochi' as well. When they noticed her they shrank back from the glare that Zoro shot them.

During the fighting, Cavendish rode next to them on his white horse. He was quick to spot Rachel among the group this time. "Fair maiden," he called out.

Rachel looked at him to see who was talking to. When she noticed he was looking in her direction, she turned around hopefully to see if there was another woman that popped out of nowhere. A sweat drop appeared on her head when she realized he was actually addressing her. Eye twitching, Rachel turned back to him. "What?" she asked hesitantly.

"A bull is not a creature that a beauty such as yourself should ride," he flirted. Rachel felt bile rising up in her throat. She was never into the sappy crap. "Come," Cavendish held out a hand to her. "A noble, white steed is more fitting for your visage." Zoro was glaring at Cavendish for all he was worth. He stopped and looked at Rachel in stunned silence at her response.

"Some women might swoon at your honeyed words," Rachel said. She had an overly sweet smile on her face now. "But get this through your head right now, mister fairy. I am not now, nor will I ever be swayed into the whole knight in shining armor bit. I'm more of a Harley and leather girl myself."

"Harley and leather?" Cavendish asked.

"Not important," Rachel waved her hand dismissively. "What is important is that I don't like false sentiments. You're far too vain for someone like me. You're all pomp and ceremony with no action. I come from a family where I was raised to enjoy the outdoors, getting dirty and playing with guns. If you think that I'm some sort of sophisticated little poppet then you need to get a clue. Actions speak louder than words and I don't see you doing much of anything." Rachel ignored him after chewing him out. He was all glamour and glitter. Some women liked that sort of thing, but not her. She knew what she liked, but that was her business.

The group continued forward, arguing all the while. Rachel interrupted their little spat with a question. "I'm getting mixed signals here," she said. "Are you going to beat him up or kill him?" She glanced at everyone, looking at Law last. He was glaring up at her, his expression clearly showing which he prefered. "We all know what the quadripelic votes, what about everyone else?" Some of the men snickered, others didn't get it. Law's glare increased in intensity.

Law's look relaxed as a thought occured to him. "How's your brother?" he asked, a knowing smirk on his face.

Onto his game, Rachel returned the smirk. "He's just fine," she said. "Might kill me later for the whole crab thing, but fine."

"What crab thing?" Luffy asked.

"Inside joke," Rachel evaded. The conversation ended when Pica's left arm started coming for them. The two oldest men made short work of the arm, saving them all from being crushed.

"Luffy, stop for a second," Zoro called out. Moochi came to a screeching halt in the middle of all the chaos. Zoro picked up Rachel and jumped down. "Start running away from the palace," he ordered. "It's too dangerous for you to come along."

"Then why did you drag me along in the first place?" Rachel demanded. "You will note that this wasn't my idea."

Zoro looked to the side with a blush. He honestly couldn't explain it. He had felt this sudden urge to keep Rachel with him to make sure she was safe. Now that he thought on it, bringing her along wasn't the best idea. "You get into trouble far too easily," he defended. "I don't want to have to save you every five seconds."

"I was just fine until the giant squeaky toy showed up." Luffy tried and failed to hold in his laugh. Rachel then turned around with a shrug. "I hadn't wanted to get involved in the first place," she went on. "So I'll listen to you this once. I'll start heading back the way we came. Though I can't guarantee I won't get in a scruffle or two."

Zoro grabbed her shoulder and turned her to face him. "You have to promise me one thing," he said. "Don't go anywhere near the palace until you're sure that Doflomingo has been beaten."

Rachel stared at Zoro for a moment. He was being completely serious. Rachel smiled up at him sincerely, her eyes closing peacefully. It caused Zoro's blush to deepen. "I won't go anywhere near the palace."

Rachel opened her eyes again, she blushed this time when she saw that Zoro was staring at her intently. "You have to promise," he pushed.

"I promise," Rachel said as she made a hand gesture across her chest. "Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye."

"What's that about?" Zoro asked.

"It's an oath to go along with the promise," Rachel said. "It basically means I would rather kill myself than break my promise to you."

Zoro grunted in his throat and turned away to hide his red cheeks. "As long as you promise," he said. Zoro then jumped back on the bull without another word. The group of men were once again on their way. Luffy laughing and cheerfully waving his farewell to Rachel.

Rachel smiled and waved back to him. Once they were out of sight, Rachel turned back to head for the docks. "I promised not to go near," she said to herself. "That doesn't mean that I can't offer them some help." Rachel then disappeared into the smoke that was filling the streets closest to Pica.