One Piece Fan Fiction ❯ Broken, Only to Heal Again ❯ Alcohol reveals all ( Chapter 2 )

CHAPTER 2

 

“Hey Usopp, what happened to Zoro?” Luffy looked around for their green-haired swordsman. “He said he was gonna check out the person hiding in the bushes and then he'd be right back. It's been a long time. Do you think he got lost again? Maybe one of us should have gone with him.”

 

“You're right, Luffy. It has been a long time. I wonder if he got into trouble. Maybe it was a vicious monster with fangs and bad breath and snakes for hair wanting to challenge him. I would have challenged it myself, but we need to get to the inn and secure rooms before all of them are taken.” Usopp stood, feet apart and hands on his hips, trying to look very important. Chopper's eyes grew large, brimming with tears.

 

“Do you think he's ok? What if he's hurt? What if he needs a doctor? Oh, no! We need to find a doctor! HELP! Does anyone know a doctor?” Chopper was running around frantic.

 

“Chopper you're our doctor. Besides, if the marimo gets himself injured, he'll make sure to come to you to get patched up again.” Sanji tried to comfort the poor reindeer. Calming down to sniffling, Chopper looked up at Sanji with hopeful eyes.

 

“I told you that letting him go was a bad idea.” Nami shook her head. That idiot couldn't find his way out of a box without help. Seriously, who in their right mind thinks that north is up?

 

“I'm sure he'll be just fine. Zoro-san can take care of himself. If he gets lost he'll just head for the dock.” Robin was always the level headed one. Leave it to her to bring logic into everything.

 

“I'm not waiting for him this time. If he doesn't show at the ship when it's time to leave, I'm setting sail without him.” Nami stalked off in a huff.

 

“I'm sure we can find a better swordsman on another island. Maybe one with manners and a personality. Don't you worry your beautiful self, my sweet, we'll be better off without him.” Sanji danced around Nami with hearts in his eyes. He'd bash the shitty-swordsman in the head for making her wait. Nothing but the best for “his Nami”. Oh, if only that were true.

 

“Don't worry, Zoro will show up. And if he doesn't, Sanji will find him like he always does.” Luffy tucked his hands behind his head and gave a huge grin. Laughing at the expression on Sanji's face, he turned and began the walk down the street to the inn. “I'm hungry. Meat!! We need to find lots and lots of MEAT!”

 

The group laughed at their Captain's actions. Each one thinking their own thoughts, no one noticed the group being watched again. Pristine white uniforms hid just out of their view. This just isn't their day.

 

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Sanji had been looking for Zoro about an hour when he finally got a lead. An old woman selling flowers had seen him go into a nearby pub. He should have known. The guy couldn't go without alcohol very long it seemed.

 

Sanji entered the shady establishment on edge. The tension in the room was thick. At the end of the bar sat a lone figure slumped over a glass. Bottles were scattered in front of him. There were several customers huddled against the far wall. A small group of seedy looking men were directly behind the man at the bar.

 

“I asked you a question there,” said the first man. He was short in stature. The clothing on his back might have been a Marine uniform at one time, but now it was barely held together with the dirt clinging to it. His hair was greasy and uncombed. The stench wafting off him said he hadn't seen a bathhouse in weeks, maybe months. Snickers were heard from the others. The three men beside him were in a similar state, with old uniforms barely recognizable under filth. None of them seemed to have eaten properly in some time.

 

One of the men decided to try to speed things up. He took his sword, still in the sheath, and prodded the lone figure in the back. Sanji shook his head and sighed. Idiots.

 

“Hey, shit-head. We're talking to you.” The guy had a cocky smile, showing off his missing teeth. Little did he realize, a dark scowl had formed on the figure's face. “I wouldn't ignore the Sergeant if I was you. He doesn't take it well when someone doesn't follow orders.” This brought more snickering among the doomed group.

 

Another brave soul decided to knock the glass out of his hand.

 

Before anyone could blink, the green-haired swordsman had stood up and launched himself at the unsuspecting men.

 

“AAAGGGHHHH!!!!!”

 

Four men lay unconscious on the floor. Zoro stood over them, eyes glassed over with liquor and a slight sway in his stance. The fact that all three swords remained at his side did not go unnoticed by Sanji. Blood dripped from Zoro's fists. It was unknown if it was from the men on the floor or the nails digging into the palms of his hands now.

 

“Come on, I think its time to leave.” Sanji put his arm around the shoulders of the drunken man. Zoro's head fell to Sanji's shoulder and a broken sigh escaped his lips. “Oi, what are we gonna do with you, huh? Can't leave you alone for a minute without you getting in trouble. What were you doin' on this side of town. There's much nicer pubs on the other side where we were. Besides, Nami is payin' for all our drinks since you aren't there. It's not the same drinking without someone who can hold their own. Everyone is probably already passed out, happy and full. Here I am looking for your sorry ass. Besides, without you there, Chopper and I will have to drag them all up there ourselves.”

 

“So, `s just me `n you, eh?” Zoro rolled his head to glance up at the cook. When he received the affirmative nod he asked, “So you gonna just stand there and look at me all night or are you gonna take me to the room and fuck me?”

 

“Wha…?” Sanji about dropped him on the ground.

 

“Watch it! Shitty-cook! What de hell's rong wi ya?” Zoro pushed himself off and stood against the wall. “S'not like 'm declarin my love fer ya or some'n. `Sides, s'not unheard `f. Were pirates `n all.”

 

“Yah! But that was when there is no other option. You know, between ports and stuff. Not to mention I'm a ladies man. Besides, you can't just say shit like that out of the blue. I mean, fuck! What if someone heard you? What the hell is goin' on? You've been acting weird since we got here. Wait…..” Sanji stopped and gave Zoro a questioning glare. “Did you find the guy that was stalking you earlier?”

 

Zoro's head snapped up at that. “Did you see `em? Did you?!? M'be I `as dreamin.” Zoro looked panicked. He started wandering down the alley, holding his head between his hands. “I had t' `ve been dreamin. Couldn't `ve been real. No way. Gone. Left me. Said so. Couldn't be real. HE isn't real. She'd `ve told me.” By this time Zoro had gotten several yards away from Sanji. The thoughts of sex completely driven from his mind

 

“Oi, marimo. Hold up. Where you going? Shit, this can't be good. DAMNIT! COME BACK HERE!”

 

***********

 

Giggling, Nami made her way up the stairs to her room. Everyone, having their fill of rum and food, were trying to get up the stairs to their rooms. Luffy and Nami were holding onto each other singing equally off tune. Robin looked to be the only human able to hold themselves up. Usopp leaned heavily onto Chopper, who had resigned to growing his form to support his friend.

 

“Chopper,*hic* have I ever told you about *hic* the time I rescued the lovely *hic* Princess Kaya?” Usopp thrust his fist into the air. “I *hic* single-handedly *hic* took on the entire fleet myself.” At this, he proceeded to pass out.

 

Luffy stopped singing to look back. His eyes got large. “Nami, I thought Zoro and I did that.”

 

“You did, hun. You did.” Nami kissed him noisily on the cheek. “And I was so proud of you. You're the greatest.” She threw both arms around him and pressed her body firmly against his. “Have I told you how sexy I find you when you're fighting? Hmmm… very sexy.”

 

Luffy grinned, his entire face lighting up. “Really? You think so? I always thought Sanji and Zoro would be the ones to look sexy when fighting. I guess I'm finally catching up to them.” He gave her a quick hug and began walking down the hall again humming.

 

Robin giggled at the shocked look on Nami's face. “I guess Captain-san needs a more subtle hint, Nami-san. Maybe you should offer to tuck him in. I will make sure that there are enough beds for the men to sleep tonight. You go and catch up with him.”

 

Nami gave her an exasperated look. “Wha.. What do you mean? I don't… I mean, I…. *sighs* Is it that obvious? I guess I should drop the drunk-act, too then.”

 

“Hurry, before he gets away.” Robin gave her shoulder an encouraging squeeze, and pointed down the hall.

 

“Thanks.” Nami hurried down the hall to Luffy. He was trying to get the door open but the key didn't seem to be working. “Let me help you with that.”

 

The ship's navigator and captain entered the room and closed the door.

 

Robin noticed that Chopper had finally gotten Usopp into their room. She went back down the stairs to inform the management that Zoro and Sanji would be arriving sometime later in the evening and they would need the key to the last room they had paid for. When arrangements were made, she went to her room to find some much needed rest.

 

***********

 

“Captain, the men have reported that a small group of pirates have landed on the island. There are two women, three men and a strange furry creature. We think they are the Straw Hat Pirate crew. Currently, they are resting at the inn. What do you wish us to do?” The marine stood trembling in the doorway, cautiously waiting for his orders.

 

An angry growl was heard from behind the desk “So he's come at last, has he? Well he's in for a surprise.” The captain smiled. “Bring me the captain and his first mate.”

 

“But, sir. The Pirate Hunter, Zoro, was not with them. We heard them talking about him going off on his own. They were worried that he would get lost.”

 

“Perrrrfect.” The captain began laughing evilly. “Absolutely, perfect.”

 

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