This Is Your Life: Chapter Twenty-Eight
Title: This Is Your Life
Rating: NC-17!!! Yes, you read it right...
Warnings: Yaoi, Modern AU
Pairings: ZoSan from here on out
Spoilers: Recent Chapters
Chapter: 28/?
Word Count: 4532
Surrender every word, every thought every sound.
Surrender every touch, every smile, every frown.
Surrender all the pain we've endured until now.
Surrender all the hope that I lost you have found.
Surrender yourself to me
~Billy Talent, “Surrender”
xxx
The fire department arrived rather quickly despite none of them calling for it, and it took some time for them to get the fire contained, but luckily the warehouse was empty enough that there wasn’t much left to catch fire, and the rain before had helped as it prevented the fire from spreading to any of the other outbuildings.
However, the firefighters weren’t offering any information about survivors or even if they found anything inside the building, and by the time the hotspots were deemed safe for exploration, it was well into morning.
Iceburg walked back from the ruins, not even his position as city clerk enough to get the fire department to tell him anything. He shook his head sadly and went back over to Robin, who was a tad bit more composed than she had been, although her eyes were red-rimmed and she hadn’t spoken in hours.
Sanji was curled up in a blanket Zoro had gotten from the Element, Kaku pulled up into his lap as he leant against the wall. Both Chopper and Zoro had been adamant that he was not to join the search party, and while he grumbled about it for a while, he decided eventually that it was for the best.
“He still asleep?”
Sanji glanced up at Law, who was standing with an unlit cigarette in his mouth and his hands in his pockets. His hat had been discarded at some point and his hair was ruffled, the eyeliner shadowing his blue eyes horribly smudged.
“Probably for the best,” Sanji nodded affirmatively. “It’s been a rough day.”
“It’s not over,” Law sighed and sat down, keeping his long legs splayed out in front of him. “It may not be over for a long time. How many are we looking for?”
\
Sanji sighed and did a mental tally. “Nine? I think.”
“Well, we can only hope. Got a light?”
“Yeah,” Sanji dug into his pocket and passed it over as Law lit up, pulling one knee to his chest. “I just wish they’d let me in there. I don’t care what I find, as long as…”
“They’ll be alright,” Law reached to squeeze his shoulder.
“Sure,” Sanji shrugged, and the movement was just enough to jolt Kaku awake. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to wake you up.”
“It’s fine,” Kaku yawned and pushed himself into a more upright position, blinking against the sudden sunlight. “It’s morning?”
“Yeah.”
“Any word?”
“Nothing good or bad,” Sanji assured him. “They’re going to start looking soon, I think.”
“And we’re banished to the warehouse, are we?” Kaku leant back against Sanji.
“Sure are. Injured souls that we happen to be,” Sanji rolled his eyes before sobering abruptly. “Law, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t.”
“I haven’t even…”
“Look, Mr. Roronoa warned me about your guilt complex, alright? It was my own choice to come, and Mr. Kidd’s own choice as well. Besides, how can you take responsibility for our actions? You barely know me, and you don’t know him at all,” Law reasonably pointed out.
“I know,” Sanji finally conceded. “But both of you have…I mean, I’m the lucky one here, even though I should have been the one in danger and it’s…you…”
“I’m not worried,” Law gave him a brave smile. “You don’t know my lover, Mr. Blackleg.”
“And you know mine all too well,” Kaku closed his eyes again. “Rob’s fine.”
“Yeah,” Sanji nodded slowly. “Sure.”
“Sanji?” Zoro came back into the warehouse, smiling as he took in the sight of the still sleep-tousled blonde.
“You’re going in now?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re still not letting us come?”
“No.”
“Well, you know what I think of that,” Sanji leant his head back against the wall. “But I suppose it can’t be helped. I’d wish you luck, but…”
“Yeah,” Zoro said again, awkwardly.
“Oh, come here, already,” Sanji sighed, and Zoro came over, bending down so he could kiss Sanji, which was a little uncomfortable but somehow they managed it. “Now, don’t you dare come back in here unless you’ve got good news for me, you hear?”
“Sure,” Zoro gave him a last quick kiss before straightening up. “And the three of you just take it easy, alright? Chopper will have my butt if you do anything to hurt yourselves further.”
“Yeah; yeah,” Sanji waved his concern off. “We’ll be fine.”
“Okay,” he nodded, turning around and sprinting back through the empty warehouse.
000
“And that is how you impress a woman,” Kalifa looked smugly pleased, even as completely dirt-smudged and dishevelled as she was.
“It was instinct! And stop that!” Paulie groused as her as she tried to lift up his shirt.
“Look, you just got covered by who knows how many pounds of falling debris. I need to make sure nothing’s broken. Anything hurt?” she asked, keeping her tone gentle, and he grimaced.
“Nothing I can’t deal with. Maybe a couple of cracked ribs,” he finally conceded, and she nodded.
“Well, regardless, that was very brave,” she ducked in to give him a chaste kiss on the cheek while he blushed and stuttered. “Now, we have to get out of here,” she stood up and glanced at the remains of the warehouse, the ceiling half-collapsed and rubble absolutely everywhere. “It’s morning,” she commented, knowing that they’d been out for a while but not realizing quite how long it had been.
“The others’ll be having a fit,” Paulie groused.
“Can you stand?”
“Might need some help.”
“Come on, then,” she reached down and grasped his arm, pulling him upright and being immediately thankful that she was tall as she could support him without it being too awkward for either of them.
“Thanks. You know, for this,” Paulie said quietly.
“You know, normally the fact that you’re hanging off me would be a cause for me to press for harassment, but given the circumstances, I think I can let it slide,” she said lightly, and he gave her a weak smile.
“Hello! Anybody in there?!”
“Over here!” Kalifa yelled back, cursing the fact that the dust in the air and in her throat meant she couldn’t yell as loudly as she’d have liked.
There was a shuffling sound and then the unmistakeable noise of somebody sliding down the pile of rubble. “Kalifa?”
“Sir,” she said, unable to keep the relief out of her voice as Iceburg walked toward them.
“You alright?” Iceburg looked tired, and much older than he actually was.
“Paulie’s a little beaten up, but we’ll pull through,” she informed him as he came over.
“Here, I’ll take him,” Iceburg said, and she nodded as he wrapped an arm around Paulie’s waist and steadied him. “You sure you’re alright?”
“Yes,” she assured him, hugging him as best she could. “How are the others? Have you…”
“We’re looking,” he assured her. “We’ll find all of them. For now, let’s just get you out of here.”
She nodded as they staggered through the rubble and across the rubbish-strewn lot into the adjoining warehouse, smiling when she saw Sanji get up to greet them, gently tugging on Kaku’s arm so he could stand as well.
“Sanji, you’re alright!” she left Paulie to Iceburg and walked over to him, giving him a brief hug.
“Of course,” he shrugged. “Not much that can keep me down.”
Kalifa’s smile slid off her face when she looked at Kaku, however, and somehow she knew. “They haven’t found him yet, have they?”
“No.”
“They will. You know him,” Kalifa tried to sound reassuring, although the words fell painfully flat and she knew it. “Don’t beat yourself up over it,” she put an arm around his shoulders.
“I’m trying, Kalifa; I really am,” he told her, obviously trying to keep it together. “I’ll just feel much better if…”
“Saaaanji, my daaaarling!”
“Bon!” Sanji ran to meet the flamboyant man halfway and grunted as Bon easily picked him up, but luckily the other man seemed to notice and held him very carefully. “I’m so glad you made it out.”
“But of course, my dear,” Bon finally let him down and linked arms with him, practically skipping back over to the others. “As if a little fire was going to keep me down,” he sniffed.
“Thank you. For everything,” Sanji clarified. “You’ve been…”
“No need for thanks. I’m not sure I even deserve it, seeing as how Krieg got away,” Bon said slowly, and Sanji shook his head.
“Of course you deserve it! Krieg may be gone, but so are all of his men,” Sanji pointed out.
“True. And now that everyone’s on the lookout for him, he really has no choice other than to run or hide. Wherever he’s got to, we’ll find him,” Law said.
“Well, as long as he’s not after me anymore, I don’t care where he’s run off to,” Sanji admitted, his arm still linked with Bon’s. “All I can hope for is that we all get out of there safely.”
“Sanji?”
“Marimo?” Sanji turned around to see Zoro heading back over, his face pale. “What is it? Zoro?” he was immediately concerned; he’d never seen Zoro looking this pale.
“Can we talk? Somewhere?”
“Sure,” Sanji glanced around, spotting a door that led farther back into the warehouse. “Come on, then,” he held out his good hand and Zoro took it, letting him lead the swordsman through the door and into what looked like a dark storage room. There a bit of light coming in through the high windows, and Sanji immediately locked the door behind him. “Now. What is it? Who…”
“None of ours, thankfully,” Zoro said, although he was still trembling minutely. “Must have been one of Krieg’s, but…he was…Sanji, there was a bullet through his skull and blood everywhere and…” Zoro shuddered. “I went in there prepared to kill, but I’ve never seen a dead body like…like that before! I wasn’t the one who found Kuina, I didn’t have to…and I feel so weak, like there was something I could have done, but…”
“Death isn’t pretty,” Sanji grimaced, remembering Idiot and the sight of him laying there with a sword through his chest. “I’ve seen it, remember? Came too close to seeing it twice that night.”
“I keep thinking that I’m strong, I tell myself I’m strong, and then I see that…that…and it just…I don’t know if I can go back in there, I’m…”
“Then don’t,” Sanji said calmly. “You’re exhausted and you’re over-stressed. At least take a time-out. I can…” he lowered his voice. “Think of a few ways to take your mind off of it, if you’re interested.”
“You…our friends could be dead and you’re thinking about sex?!” Zoro looked incredulous.
“Yup,” Sanji shrugged. “What? It isn’t as if we can do anything to help, not right now. And worrying’s not going to get us anywhere, so why not?”
“It’s unethical!”
“How?”
“Somehow, I just know that it is!” Zoro protested.
“Not good enough, Zoro-kun,” Sanji teased as he let his hand slide down Zoro’s chest until he rubbed it over the other man’s crotch, feeling him harden even despite the protests. “Let me?”
“Sanji…you’re not going to let me win this, are you?”
“Nope. So you’d better give in while you can,” Sanji slipped his hands under Zoro’s shirt, running them up his toned chest and tweaking his nipples as Zoro let out a low groan. “Have I changed your mind yet?”
“Fine,” Zoro sounded resigned.
“Oh, don’t sound so unenthused. I thought you liked it when I sucked you off?”
Zoro could feel his body responding to that even as his mind continued to shout at him that this was wrong, especially now, but a larger part of him just wanted this, this moment of peace with Sanji before the world fell apart again. “Alright,” he finally conceded. “You’re a hard man to say ‘no’ to.”
“I know it,” Sanji assured him, dropping to his knees and deftly undoing Zoro’s fly, pushing his pants down. “Should I make a comment about all of your underwear being green?”
“Don’t,” Zoro growled, and Sanji shrugged.
“Just checking,” he leaned forward and mouthed Zoro’s clothed erection, earning a throaty groan from the man standing above him.
“Stop teasing.”
“One condition.”
“What?” Zoro was breathing heavier now.
“You don’t come until I say you can.”
“Sanji…”
“No, you have to agree, or I walk away. I want you to focus on me, and only on me, and the only way I can guarantee you’ll be doing that…” he shrugged almost apologetically. “And you have to do as I say.”
“Okay, fine,” Zoro huffed a breath out through his nose. “Just get on with it.”
“With pleasure,” Sanji gently tugged Zoro’s underwear down, undoing his own fly with his good hand while he used his other one to brace against Zoro’s hip, careful not to strain his shoulder. “One other rule?”
“What?” Zoro looked exasperated, and Sanji stifled a chuckle at the sight.
“I come first.”
“Just…just go!”
“Why, certainly,” Sanji said congenially before shifting himself forward, lips sliding over the very tip of Zoro’s cock, sucking lightly as Zoro tried to buck into his mouth. “None of that,” Sanji said firmly, pulling back just enough to speak before replacing his mouth, once again just sucking the tiniest amount into his mouth while his tongue dipped into the slit, causing Zoro to emit another drawn-out groan. He started to stroke himself, moaning around Zoro’s cock as Zoro leant his full weight on the wall.
“Sanji, I won’t last long like this…”
“I never asked you to,” Sanji reminded him gently, pulling off and taking his hand off of his own arousal, using his thumb to spread pre-cum lightly over Zoro’s head. He removed his hand and replaced it with his mouth, sucking in earnest this time in tandem with his own strokes.
“Sanji…Sanji, I’m…”
“No, you’re not. Not yet, at least,” Sanji frowned up at him, looking almost threatening despite his reddened lips and lust-darkened eyes. He took his hand off of himself again to stroke Zoro a few times, spreading saliva and pre-cum over his leaking cock. “Tell you what, how about we change the game a little?”
“What?” Zoro was panting. “What do you mean?”
“I want you inside me,” Sanji said as firmly as he could, and Zoro shuddered and moaned. “Lie down.”
“What, here?”
“Yes, here. You suddenly have an objection to screwing in a warehouse?” Sanji asked, shaking his head.
“No, I mean, no, I just…”
“Here. Suck,” Sanji prompted him, and Zoro took the blonde’s fingers into his mouth, swirling his tongue around them as Sanji hummed in contentment. “Okay, fine. Now just watch. And don’t touch yourself,” he added, shucking pants and shoes at a remarkable pace before crouching, reaching behind him to slip one and then two fingers inside himself. He pumped them in and out slowly, knowing that he should have proper lubrication but hoping it was enough. He’d done it plenty of times; it wasn’t like he was a virgin.
Zoro was having a hard time following Sanji’s instructions, so he licked his suddenly dry lips and asked, “Can I touch you?”
“Be my guest,” Sanji replied, trying to stifle his moans as Zoro unbuttoned his shirt with shaking hands and leaned forward, sucking a pink nipple into his mouth and lightly scraping it with his teeth as the blonde started to pant, a rosy flush spreading its way down his chest. “You’re far too good with your mouth, you know that?” he asked breathlessly, slipping a third finger into himself and curling them. “I can’t wait until you blow me. It’s going to be insane.” Deciding he’d prepared himself enough, he pushed Zoro until he was laying back on the floor. “Now. Same rules apply.”
“Okay,” Zoro agreed. “Next time I get to set the rules, right?”
“Sure,” Sanji knelt above him and lowered himself onto Zoro’s erection, feeling the swordsman shudder beneath him. “Don’t come,” he hissed as Zoro clenched his eyes shut.
“Won’t,” Zoro promised, although it was hard work.
“Just lay back. Let me do the work,” Sanji told him firmly, squaring himself and staring to move his hips back and forth.
Zoro barely focussed on the pleasure, knowing that he’d come in an instant if he did, and just focussed on the heat and the tightness, the knowledge that he was losing his virginity here, on the floor of a dirty warehouse, not knowing if half of his friends were dead or alive. But Sanji was, and Sanji was determined to make him aware of that fact as he rode him, head thrown back as he braced himself on Zoro’s shoulder with his good hand. “Sanji…Sanji, I…”
“Touch me,” Sanji groaned, and Zoro didn’t hesitate, wrapping his hand firmly around Sanji’s cock and stroking, trying to match his pace to the blonde’s as Sanji moaned through clenched teeth, starting to lever himself up and down, nails digging into Zoro’s shoulder.
Zoro could tell he was close when his rhythm fell apart and he just took to rocking back and forth, sweat dripping off his body, loose shirttails hanging between them. Zoro moved his hand faster, swiping his thumb over the head of the cook’s erection. “Zoro…I…” he got out before shuddering and coming, managing to catch himself before he completely fell onto Zoro, breath coming out in sharp gasps as he stayed there until he was somewhat more composed. “You know, for a first time…that wasn’t half-bad, Marimo,” Sanji chuckled, pleasantly sated as he stood up, wincing a little. “Not bad at all, really.”
Zoro didn’t reply; he couldn’t really, and instead just let out a kind of strangled grunt.
“Oh, I’m sorry, have I been neglecting you?” Sanji was back to business again, looking intimidating despite the fact that he was remarkably dishevelled. “Let me fix that. Give me a sec, though,” he looked around before clicking his tongue. “Here, you’ve got an undershirt on, right?”
Zoro nodded quickly.
“Take your shirt off, then. It’s pretty much ruined,” Sanji held out his hand and Zoro sighed, knowing what was coming. “Thanks,” Sanji wrinkled his nose and cleaned himself up, balling the shirt up and placing it on the ground before pulling his pants back up, taking his sweet time in doing up the fly and buckling his belt. He was halfway through doing up his shirt when Zoro made a noise again, and it was far too similar to a whine for the swordsman. Sanji just smirked. “Well, I guess you’ve earned this,” he knelt down and wrapped his hand around Zoro, not bothering with any teasing this time and just setting up a fast rhythm as Zoro jerked into his touch.
It was hardly any time at all before Zoro knew he wouldn’t last, and he managed to get out, “Sanji…please… ‘m gonna…”
“Oh, really?” Sanji looked thoughtful before bending down, rucking Zoro’s shirt up with one hand before leaning to whisper in his ear. “Well, if that’s the case…then come for me, Zoro Roronoa.”
Zoro didn’t need telling twice, as he groaned and shuddered, Sanji backing off immediately to save his clothing and just using his fingers to coax Zoro to completion as the swordsman came, his entire body shivering before he collapsed on the floor, panting. Sanji removed his hand and sucked on it before shifting around and offering it to Zoro, who gave him a disbelieving look before rolling his eyes and licking Sanji’s fingers clean.
The cook smiled at him before taking the shirt and gently wiping him clean, and Zoro reached up to card his fingers through Sanji’s hair. “Thank you,” he finally whispered.
“Was it good?”
“Yeah. Amazing,” Zoro conceded, and Sanji grinned before chucking the shirt and climbing to straddle Zoro, kissing him furiously as Zoro tightened his grip in Sanji’s hair. “You’re…”
“Say it.”
“I think I might love you.”
“Good,” Sanji moaned into his mouth before breaking away, leaving them close enough to share breath. “I know I love you. And I know it probably doesn’t mean a thing to you, but I had to say it.”
“Well, thank you,” Zoro kissed him softly again. “Now we need to get back out there.”
“Yeah,” Sanji stood up. “See if there’s been any developments, hey?”
“There’d better be,” Zoro held out his hand and the cook rolled his eyes before helping him stand. “I could do with some good news.”
“You just had mind-blowing sex! You should be happy!” Sanji elbowed him, moving to unlock the door and entering the main part of the warehouse again. “Are you going back in there?”
“I’ve got to,” he nodded.
“Well, be careful,” Sanji kissed him lingeringly before pushing him away. “Now go be a hero.”
Zoro took off and Sanji sighed, slumping back against the wall.
“And...mission accomplished?” Law asked with a knowing grin.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Sanji attempted to look smug, but he knew that he was failing horribly.
“I can smell the pheromones from here,” Kaku complained.
“Well, with a nose like that…”
“Hey,” he said in warning, and Sanji shook his head and slid back down to a seated position, pulling Kaku close. “Man, that’s gonna sting tomorrow.”
“Yes, saliva doesn’t make the best lube, does it?” Kaku sounded horribly sarcastic, and Sanji rubbed his arm.
“I know, Kaku, okay? I’m not going to rub it in; far from it. But he needed…something…and I gave it to him in the best way I know how,” Sanji told them quietly.
“So if Mr. Yamakaze or I were to need…something…” Law started.
“Oh, don’t even,” Sanji growled, causing the other two to laugh. “As long as I’m with Zoro, I’m faithful. At least as far as the sex is concerned,” he added, almost as an afterthought.
“Meaning if you want to make out with Ace it won’t weigh on your conscience,” Kaku surmised.
“Now you get it,” Sanji let his head rest on the agent’s. “Do I really smell?”
“Yes,” they both replied.
“Oh. Sorry.”
“No worries. I’m sure Zoro doesn’t smell any different,” Kaku was smiling, now, and Sanji rolled his eyes.
“You three’re hopeless.”
“You’re one to talk,” Sanji glanced up as Ace meandered over. “Anything?”
“Yeah,” Ace shook his head. “They’re coming. But in the meantime…sex, Sanji? Really?”
“Again, you’re one to talk,” Sanji replied sharply, but Ace’s grin made him ease up.
“I’m just kidding,” Ace squatted down in front of him. “So? How was he?”
“A natural, really. But then, I kind of did all the work,” Sanji winked.
“Predictable,” Ace pretended to look annoyed.
“Anyway, who did you find?”
“Don’t get your hopes up,” he looked pointedly from Kaku to Law. “But…”
“Portgas! Don’t go running off!”
Ace rolled his eyes. “Old man’s grumpier than ever, and he’s got no reason to be. Because I saved his life!” Ace yelled the last part.
“Yeah, like I needed your help, brat,” Smoker came up, looking grumpy. “I’m not even hurt.”
“No, but you were trapped, and I did get you out,” Ace retaliated, and Sanji sighed as their conversation disintegrated into a rather pointless argument.
“Did you find anyone else?” Sanji finally broke in.
“Yeah,” Ace looked unimpressed. “They’re outside if you want to talk.”
Sanji shrugged and stood up, walking outside and hearing the bickering before he even got there.
“And you know, you’re not exactly light…”
“Well, I didn’t ask you to…”
“Like I could just leave you there to die…”
“I wasn’t going to die!”
“Tell that to...”
“Shanks? Mihawk?” Sanji questioned, blinking as he emerged into the sunlight.
“Hello, boy,” Mihawk looked less than his immaculate self, covered in soot, but then Shanks hardly looked better.
“What happened?”
“Krieg got away,” Shanks slumped against the side of the warehouse, looking drained.
“I got that part.”
“Shanks here managed to get himself poisoned,” Mihawk drawled. “And needed somebody to take care of him, so Lucci…”
“Went after Krieg. Great,” Sanji didn’t really want to be the one to tell Kaku that. “Are you okay?”
“Never go into battle unprepared,” Shanks grinned, a trace of his normal good humor showing through. “I had the antidote. The problem with stealing snake venom is that normally it gets noticed, so I knew what we were dealing with. In other words, I didn’t need your help,” he glared at Mihawk.
“Yes, because I would have loved to explain your death to your wife.”
“I’m not dead,” Shanks’ voice softened, and he and Mihawk shared a look that Sanji really didn’t understand, but somehow the tension was completely gone from the situation.
“I know,” Mihawk conceded. “Regardless, how’s the search going?”
“Besides Lucci? Just Law’s boyfriend and Franky, I think,” Sanji tried to do a mental tally.
“Better than expected, although that was a cheap move on Krieg’s part, blowing up the place,” Shanks frowned. “I take it his men weren’t so lucky?”
“Not from what I’ve heard,” Sanji dug a cigarette out of his pocket and stuck it in his mouth. “But I don’t know numbers or anything.”
“Shameful loss of life,” Mihawk looked almost remorseful. “Yes, they were criminals, but many of them had no choice: forced into it because otherwise they’d die on the streets. Doesn’t excuse them, but it makes you wonder if…”
“We can’t help everyone,” Shanks pushed himself off of the warehouse and stumbled forward, finding his footing and squaring himself. “And since when did you have a heart?”
“I’ve always had it. It’s just…hidden sometimes,” Mihawk replied. “So. No idea where Krieg went, then?”
“Back underground?” Sanji guessed. “I mean, the entire Metro Vancouver Police Department knows he was here, right? So obviously he can’t be anywhere where he could be found.”
“Maybe you should ask somebody who knows the underground, then?’
Sanji turned and glanced at Law, who smiled at him. “You’re referring to yourself?”
“Recon! I told you!” Law reminded him. “And I have a gut feeling that if Mr. Lucci has gone after him, so has my lover.”
“So you know where they are?” Sanji looked hopeful.
“Not an exact location, but I know where it’s probable they may be,” Law corrected. “And it would explain why his phone isn’t working. Cell signal’s worth nothing that deep under the city.”
“That’s settled, then. As soon as we find Franky, we’re going.”
“Excuse me? ‘We?’” Mihawk gave him a reprimanding glance.
“Yes. Because Shanks is going to come, I’ll wager, and I’ll also bet that you’re not going to tell him ‘no,’ so don’t pull the ‘you can’t come, you’re injured’ line with me,” Sanji crossed his arms defiantly.
“Fine. You can come,” Mihawk nodded. “Now who wants to explain to Kaku that he has to stay here?”
There was silence after that one before Kaku himself walked out of the warehouse, a look on his face that clearly told them that nobody would succeed if they tried.
“Fine, then,” Shanks finally nodded. “We wait for the rest to get back and then we head out. It’s high time we put an end to this entire fiasco.”
And Sanji, for his part, couldn’t agree more. He was more than ready for life to return to normal.
Notes:
1. Why do I keep doing this to myself? I keep wanting to wrap up the story and then PLOT keeps getting in the way. Urgh.
2. HAPPY 2010, EVERYBODY!!! And today also happens to be both Ace’s and Oda’s birthday, so I wanted to get the chapter done xP
3. I don’t have this song on my computer right now, but I’ll post the download with the next chapter. Promise!
4. …Most of you have been asking for some smut, so here it was. I…am not a smut writer. I’m horribly embarrassed every time I write it. So please don’t be too harsh on me!!!
5. That being said, I think that’s it, so drop me a review :D
Previous Chapters Are HERE
Rating: NC-17!!! Yes, you read it right...
Warnings: Yaoi, Modern AU
Pairings: ZoSan from here on out
Spoilers: Recent Chapters
Chapter: 28/?
Word Count: 4532
Surrender every word, every thought every sound.
Surrender every touch, every smile, every frown.
Surrender all the pain we've endured until now.
Surrender all the hope that I lost you have found.
Surrender yourself to me
~Billy Talent, “Surrender”
xxx
The fire department arrived rather quickly despite none of them calling for it, and it took some time for them to get the fire contained, but luckily the warehouse was empty enough that there wasn’t much left to catch fire, and the rain before had helped as it prevented the fire from spreading to any of the other outbuildings.
However, the firefighters weren’t offering any information about survivors or even if they found anything inside the building, and by the time the hotspots were deemed safe for exploration, it was well into morning.
Iceburg walked back from the ruins, not even his position as city clerk enough to get the fire department to tell him anything. He shook his head sadly and went back over to Robin, who was a tad bit more composed than she had been, although her eyes were red-rimmed and she hadn’t spoken in hours.
Sanji was curled up in a blanket Zoro had gotten from the Element, Kaku pulled up into his lap as he leant against the wall. Both Chopper and Zoro had been adamant that he was not to join the search party, and while he grumbled about it for a while, he decided eventually that it was for the best.
“He still asleep?”
Sanji glanced up at Law, who was standing with an unlit cigarette in his mouth and his hands in his pockets. His hat had been discarded at some point and his hair was ruffled, the eyeliner shadowing his blue eyes horribly smudged.
“Probably for the best,” Sanji nodded affirmatively. “It’s been a rough day.”
“It’s not over,” Law sighed and sat down, keeping his long legs splayed out in front of him. “It may not be over for a long time. How many are we looking for?”
\
Sanji sighed and did a mental tally. “Nine? I think.”
“Well, we can only hope. Got a light?”
“Yeah,” Sanji dug into his pocket and passed it over as Law lit up, pulling one knee to his chest. “I just wish they’d let me in there. I don’t care what I find, as long as…”
“They’ll be alright,” Law reached to squeeze his shoulder.
“Sure,” Sanji shrugged, and the movement was just enough to jolt Kaku awake. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to wake you up.”
“It’s fine,” Kaku yawned and pushed himself into a more upright position, blinking against the sudden sunlight. “It’s morning?”
“Yeah.”
“Any word?”
“Nothing good or bad,” Sanji assured him. “They’re going to start looking soon, I think.”
“And we’re banished to the warehouse, are we?” Kaku leant back against Sanji.
“Sure are. Injured souls that we happen to be,” Sanji rolled his eyes before sobering abruptly. “Law, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t.”
“I haven’t even…”
“Look, Mr. Roronoa warned me about your guilt complex, alright? It was my own choice to come, and Mr. Kidd’s own choice as well. Besides, how can you take responsibility for our actions? You barely know me, and you don’t know him at all,” Law reasonably pointed out.
“I know,” Sanji finally conceded. “But both of you have…I mean, I’m the lucky one here, even though I should have been the one in danger and it’s…you…”
“I’m not worried,” Law gave him a brave smile. “You don’t know my lover, Mr. Blackleg.”
“And you know mine all too well,” Kaku closed his eyes again. “Rob’s fine.”
“Yeah,” Sanji nodded slowly. “Sure.”
“Sanji?” Zoro came back into the warehouse, smiling as he took in the sight of the still sleep-tousled blonde.
“You’re going in now?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re still not letting us come?”
“No.”
“Well, you know what I think of that,” Sanji leant his head back against the wall. “But I suppose it can’t be helped. I’d wish you luck, but…”
“Yeah,” Zoro said again, awkwardly.
“Oh, come here, already,” Sanji sighed, and Zoro came over, bending down so he could kiss Sanji, which was a little uncomfortable but somehow they managed it. “Now, don’t you dare come back in here unless you’ve got good news for me, you hear?”
“Sure,” Zoro gave him a last quick kiss before straightening up. “And the three of you just take it easy, alright? Chopper will have my butt if you do anything to hurt yourselves further.”
“Yeah; yeah,” Sanji waved his concern off. “We’ll be fine.”
“Okay,” he nodded, turning around and sprinting back through the empty warehouse.
000
“And that is how you impress a woman,” Kalifa looked smugly pleased, even as completely dirt-smudged and dishevelled as she was.
“It was instinct! And stop that!” Paulie groused as her as she tried to lift up his shirt.
“Look, you just got covered by who knows how many pounds of falling debris. I need to make sure nothing’s broken. Anything hurt?” she asked, keeping her tone gentle, and he grimaced.
“Nothing I can’t deal with. Maybe a couple of cracked ribs,” he finally conceded, and she nodded.
“Well, regardless, that was very brave,” she ducked in to give him a chaste kiss on the cheek while he blushed and stuttered. “Now, we have to get out of here,” she stood up and glanced at the remains of the warehouse, the ceiling half-collapsed and rubble absolutely everywhere. “It’s morning,” she commented, knowing that they’d been out for a while but not realizing quite how long it had been.
“The others’ll be having a fit,” Paulie groused.
“Can you stand?”
“Might need some help.”
“Come on, then,” she reached down and grasped his arm, pulling him upright and being immediately thankful that she was tall as she could support him without it being too awkward for either of them.
“Thanks. You know, for this,” Paulie said quietly.
“You know, normally the fact that you’re hanging off me would be a cause for me to press for harassment, but given the circumstances, I think I can let it slide,” she said lightly, and he gave her a weak smile.
“Hello! Anybody in there?!”
“Over here!” Kalifa yelled back, cursing the fact that the dust in the air and in her throat meant she couldn’t yell as loudly as she’d have liked.
There was a shuffling sound and then the unmistakeable noise of somebody sliding down the pile of rubble. “Kalifa?”
“Sir,” she said, unable to keep the relief out of her voice as Iceburg walked toward them.
“You alright?” Iceburg looked tired, and much older than he actually was.
“Paulie’s a little beaten up, but we’ll pull through,” she informed him as he came over.
“Here, I’ll take him,” Iceburg said, and she nodded as he wrapped an arm around Paulie’s waist and steadied him. “You sure you’re alright?”
“Yes,” she assured him, hugging him as best she could. “How are the others? Have you…”
“We’re looking,” he assured her. “We’ll find all of them. For now, let’s just get you out of here.”
She nodded as they staggered through the rubble and across the rubbish-strewn lot into the adjoining warehouse, smiling when she saw Sanji get up to greet them, gently tugging on Kaku’s arm so he could stand as well.
“Sanji, you’re alright!” she left Paulie to Iceburg and walked over to him, giving him a brief hug.
“Of course,” he shrugged. “Not much that can keep me down.”
Kalifa’s smile slid off her face when she looked at Kaku, however, and somehow she knew. “They haven’t found him yet, have they?”
“No.”
“They will. You know him,” Kalifa tried to sound reassuring, although the words fell painfully flat and she knew it. “Don’t beat yourself up over it,” she put an arm around his shoulders.
“I’m trying, Kalifa; I really am,” he told her, obviously trying to keep it together. “I’ll just feel much better if…”
“Saaaanji, my daaaarling!”
“Bon!” Sanji ran to meet the flamboyant man halfway and grunted as Bon easily picked him up, but luckily the other man seemed to notice and held him very carefully. “I’m so glad you made it out.”
“But of course, my dear,” Bon finally let him down and linked arms with him, practically skipping back over to the others. “As if a little fire was going to keep me down,” he sniffed.
“Thank you. For everything,” Sanji clarified. “You’ve been…”
“No need for thanks. I’m not sure I even deserve it, seeing as how Krieg got away,” Bon said slowly, and Sanji shook his head.
“Of course you deserve it! Krieg may be gone, but so are all of his men,” Sanji pointed out.
“True. And now that everyone’s on the lookout for him, he really has no choice other than to run or hide. Wherever he’s got to, we’ll find him,” Law said.
“Well, as long as he’s not after me anymore, I don’t care where he’s run off to,” Sanji admitted, his arm still linked with Bon’s. “All I can hope for is that we all get out of there safely.”
“Sanji?”
“Marimo?” Sanji turned around to see Zoro heading back over, his face pale. “What is it? Zoro?” he was immediately concerned; he’d never seen Zoro looking this pale.
“Can we talk? Somewhere?”
“Sure,” Sanji glanced around, spotting a door that led farther back into the warehouse. “Come on, then,” he held out his good hand and Zoro took it, letting him lead the swordsman through the door and into what looked like a dark storage room. There a bit of light coming in through the high windows, and Sanji immediately locked the door behind him. “Now. What is it? Who…”
“None of ours, thankfully,” Zoro said, although he was still trembling minutely. “Must have been one of Krieg’s, but…he was…Sanji, there was a bullet through his skull and blood everywhere and…” Zoro shuddered. “I went in there prepared to kill, but I’ve never seen a dead body like…like that before! I wasn’t the one who found Kuina, I didn’t have to…and I feel so weak, like there was something I could have done, but…”
“Death isn’t pretty,” Sanji grimaced, remembering Idiot and the sight of him laying there with a sword through his chest. “I’ve seen it, remember? Came too close to seeing it twice that night.”
“I keep thinking that I’m strong, I tell myself I’m strong, and then I see that…that…and it just…I don’t know if I can go back in there, I’m…”
“Then don’t,” Sanji said calmly. “You’re exhausted and you’re over-stressed. At least take a time-out. I can…” he lowered his voice. “Think of a few ways to take your mind off of it, if you’re interested.”
“You…our friends could be dead and you’re thinking about sex?!” Zoro looked incredulous.
“Yup,” Sanji shrugged. “What? It isn’t as if we can do anything to help, not right now. And worrying’s not going to get us anywhere, so why not?”
“It’s unethical!”
“How?”
“Somehow, I just know that it is!” Zoro protested.
“Not good enough, Zoro-kun,” Sanji teased as he let his hand slide down Zoro’s chest until he rubbed it over the other man’s crotch, feeling him harden even despite the protests. “Let me?”
“Sanji…you’re not going to let me win this, are you?”
“Nope. So you’d better give in while you can,” Sanji slipped his hands under Zoro’s shirt, running them up his toned chest and tweaking his nipples as Zoro let out a low groan. “Have I changed your mind yet?”
“Fine,” Zoro sounded resigned.
“Oh, don’t sound so unenthused. I thought you liked it when I sucked you off?”
Zoro could feel his body responding to that even as his mind continued to shout at him that this was wrong, especially now, but a larger part of him just wanted this, this moment of peace with Sanji before the world fell apart again. “Alright,” he finally conceded. “You’re a hard man to say ‘no’ to.”
“I know it,” Sanji assured him, dropping to his knees and deftly undoing Zoro’s fly, pushing his pants down. “Should I make a comment about all of your underwear being green?”
“Don’t,” Zoro growled, and Sanji shrugged.
“Just checking,” he leaned forward and mouthed Zoro’s clothed erection, earning a throaty groan from the man standing above him.
“Stop teasing.”
“One condition.”
“What?” Zoro was breathing heavier now.
“You don’t come until I say you can.”
“Sanji…”
“No, you have to agree, or I walk away. I want you to focus on me, and only on me, and the only way I can guarantee you’ll be doing that…” he shrugged almost apologetically. “And you have to do as I say.”
“Okay, fine,” Zoro huffed a breath out through his nose. “Just get on with it.”
“With pleasure,” Sanji gently tugged Zoro’s underwear down, undoing his own fly with his good hand while he used his other one to brace against Zoro’s hip, careful not to strain his shoulder. “One other rule?”
“What?” Zoro looked exasperated, and Sanji stifled a chuckle at the sight.
“I come first.”
“Just…just go!”
“Why, certainly,” Sanji said congenially before shifting himself forward, lips sliding over the very tip of Zoro’s cock, sucking lightly as Zoro tried to buck into his mouth. “None of that,” Sanji said firmly, pulling back just enough to speak before replacing his mouth, once again just sucking the tiniest amount into his mouth while his tongue dipped into the slit, causing Zoro to emit another drawn-out groan. He started to stroke himself, moaning around Zoro’s cock as Zoro leant his full weight on the wall.
“Sanji, I won’t last long like this…”
“I never asked you to,” Sanji reminded him gently, pulling off and taking his hand off of his own arousal, using his thumb to spread pre-cum lightly over Zoro’s head. He removed his hand and replaced it with his mouth, sucking in earnest this time in tandem with his own strokes.
“Sanji…Sanji, I’m…”
“No, you’re not. Not yet, at least,” Sanji frowned up at him, looking almost threatening despite his reddened lips and lust-darkened eyes. He took his hand off of himself again to stroke Zoro a few times, spreading saliva and pre-cum over his leaking cock. “Tell you what, how about we change the game a little?”
“What?” Zoro was panting. “What do you mean?”
“I want you inside me,” Sanji said as firmly as he could, and Zoro shuddered and moaned. “Lie down.”
“What, here?”
“Yes, here. You suddenly have an objection to screwing in a warehouse?” Sanji asked, shaking his head.
“No, I mean, no, I just…”
“Here. Suck,” Sanji prompted him, and Zoro took the blonde’s fingers into his mouth, swirling his tongue around them as Sanji hummed in contentment. “Okay, fine. Now just watch. And don’t touch yourself,” he added, shucking pants and shoes at a remarkable pace before crouching, reaching behind him to slip one and then two fingers inside himself. He pumped them in and out slowly, knowing that he should have proper lubrication but hoping it was enough. He’d done it plenty of times; it wasn’t like he was a virgin.
Zoro was having a hard time following Sanji’s instructions, so he licked his suddenly dry lips and asked, “Can I touch you?”
“Be my guest,” Sanji replied, trying to stifle his moans as Zoro unbuttoned his shirt with shaking hands and leaned forward, sucking a pink nipple into his mouth and lightly scraping it with his teeth as the blonde started to pant, a rosy flush spreading its way down his chest. “You’re far too good with your mouth, you know that?” he asked breathlessly, slipping a third finger into himself and curling them. “I can’t wait until you blow me. It’s going to be insane.” Deciding he’d prepared himself enough, he pushed Zoro until he was laying back on the floor. “Now. Same rules apply.”
“Okay,” Zoro agreed. “Next time I get to set the rules, right?”
“Sure,” Sanji knelt above him and lowered himself onto Zoro’s erection, feeling the swordsman shudder beneath him. “Don’t come,” he hissed as Zoro clenched his eyes shut.
“Won’t,” Zoro promised, although it was hard work.
“Just lay back. Let me do the work,” Sanji told him firmly, squaring himself and staring to move his hips back and forth.
Zoro barely focussed on the pleasure, knowing that he’d come in an instant if he did, and just focussed on the heat and the tightness, the knowledge that he was losing his virginity here, on the floor of a dirty warehouse, not knowing if half of his friends were dead or alive. But Sanji was, and Sanji was determined to make him aware of that fact as he rode him, head thrown back as he braced himself on Zoro’s shoulder with his good hand. “Sanji…Sanji, I…”
“Touch me,” Sanji groaned, and Zoro didn’t hesitate, wrapping his hand firmly around Sanji’s cock and stroking, trying to match his pace to the blonde’s as Sanji moaned through clenched teeth, starting to lever himself up and down, nails digging into Zoro’s shoulder.
Zoro could tell he was close when his rhythm fell apart and he just took to rocking back and forth, sweat dripping off his body, loose shirttails hanging between them. Zoro moved his hand faster, swiping his thumb over the head of the cook’s erection. “Zoro…I…” he got out before shuddering and coming, managing to catch himself before he completely fell onto Zoro, breath coming out in sharp gasps as he stayed there until he was somewhat more composed. “You know, for a first time…that wasn’t half-bad, Marimo,” Sanji chuckled, pleasantly sated as he stood up, wincing a little. “Not bad at all, really.”
Zoro didn’t reply; he couldn’t really, and instead just let out a kind of strangled grunt.
“Oh, I’m sorry, have I been neglecting you?” Sanji was back to business again, looking intimidating despite the fact that he was remarkably dishevelled. “Let me fix that. Give me a sec, though,” he looked around before clicking his tongue. “Here, you’ve got an undershirt on, right?”
Zoro nodded quickly.
“Take your shirt off, then. It’s pretty much ruined,” Sanji held out his hand and Zoro sighed, knowing what was coming. “Thanks,” Sanji wrinkled his nose and cleaned himself up, balling the shirt up and placing it on the ground before pulling his pants back up, taking his sweet time in doing up the fly and buckling his belt. He was halfway through doing up his shirt when Zoro made a noise again, and it was far too similar to a whine for the swordsman. Sanji just smirked. “Well, I guess you’ve earned this,” he knelt down and wrapped his hand around Zoro, not bothering with any teasing this time and just setting up a fast rhythm as Zoro jerked into his touch.
It was hardly any time at all before Zoro knew he wouldn’t last, and he managed to get out, “Sanji…please… ‘m gonna…”
“Oh, really?” Sanji looked thoughtful before bending down, rucking Zoro’s shirt up with one hand before leaning to whisper in his ear. “Well, if that’s the case…then come for me, Zoro Roronoa.”
Zoro didn’t need telling twice, as he groaned and shuddered, Sanji backing off immediately to save his clothing and just using his fingers to coax Zoro to completion as the swordsman came, his entire body shivering before he collapsed on the floor, panting. Sanji removed his hand and sucked on it before shifting around and offering it to Zoro, who gave him a disbelieving look before rolling his eyes and licking Sanji’s fingers clean.
The cook smiled at him before taking the shirt and gently wiping him clean, and Zoro reached up to card his fingers through Sanji’s hair. “Thank you,” he finally whispered.
“Was it good?”
“Yeah. Amazing,” Zoro conceded, and Sanji grinned before chucking the shirt and climbing to straddle Zoro, kissing him furiously as Zoro tightened his grip in Sanji’s hair. “You’re…”
“Say it.”
“I think I might love you.”
“Good,” Sanji moaned into his mouth before breaking away, leaving them close enough to share breath. “I know I love you. And I know it probably doesn’t mean a thing to you, but I had to say it.”
“Well, thank you,” Zoro kissed him softly again. “Now we need to get back out there.”
“Yeah,” Sanji stood up. “See if there’s been any developments, hey?”
“There’d better be,” Zoro held out his hand and the cook rolled his eyes before helping him stand. “I could do with some good news.”
“You just had mind-blowing sex! You should be happy!” Sanji elbowed him, moving to unlock the door and entering the main part of the warehouse again. “Are you going back in there?”
“I’ve got to,” he nodded.
“Well, be careful,” Sanji kissed him lingeringly before pushing him away. “Now go be a hero.”
Zoro took off and Sanji sighed, slumping back against the wall.
“And...mission accomplished?” Law asked with a knowing grin.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Sanji attempted to look smug, but he knew that he was failing horribly.
“I can smell the pheromones from here,” Kaku complained.
“Well, with a nose like that…”
“Hey,” he said in warning, and Sanji shook his head and slid back down to a seated position, pulling Kaku close. “Man, that’s gonna sting tomorrow.”
“Yes, saliva doesn’t make the best lube, does it?” Kaku sounded horribly sarcastic, and Sanji rubbed his arm.
“I know, Kaku, okay? I’m not going to rub it in; far from it. But he needed…something…and I gave it to him in the best way I know how,” Sanji told them quietly.
“So if Mr. Yamakaze or I were to need…something…” Law started.
“Oh, don’t even,” Sanji growled, causing the other two to laugh. “As long as I’m with Zoro, I’m faithful. At least as far as the sex is concerned,” he added, almost as an afterthought.
“Meaning if you want to make out with Ace it won’t weigh on your conscience,” Kaku surmised.
“Now you get it,” Sanji let his head rest on the agent’s. “Do I really smell?”
“Yes,” they both replied.
“Oh. Sorry.”
“No worries. I’m sure Zoro doesn’t smell any different,” Kaku was smiling, now, and Sanji rolled his eyes.
“You three’re hopeless.”
“You’re one to talk,” Sanji glanced up as Ace meandered over. “Anything?”
“Yeah,” Ace shook his head. “They’re coming. But in the meantime…sex, Sanji? Really?”
“Again, you’re one to talk,” Sanji replied sharply, but Ace’s grin made him ease up.
“I’m just kidding,” Ace squatted down in front of him. “So? How was he?”
“A natural, really. But then, I kind of did all the work,” Sanji winked.
“Predictable,” Ace pretended to look annoyed.
“Anyway, who did you find?”
“Don’t get your hopes up,” he looked pointedly from Kaku to Law. “But…”
“Portgas! Don’t go running off!”
Ace rolled his eyes. “Old man’s grumpier than ever, and he’s got no reason to be. Because I saved his life!” Ace yelled the last part.
“Yeah, like I needed your help, brat,” Smoker came up, looking grumpy. “I’m not even hurt.”
“No, but you were trapped, and I did get you out,” Ace retaliated, and Sanji sighed as their conversation disintegrated into a rather pointless argument.
“Did you find anyone else?” Sanji finally broke in.
“Yeah,” Ace looked unimpressed. “They’re outside if you want to talk.”
Sanji shrugged and stood up, walking outside and hearing the bickering before he even got there.
“And you know, you’re not exactly light…”
“Well, I didn’t ask you to…”
“Like I could just leave you there to die…”
“I wasn’t going to die!”
“Tell that to...”
“Shanks? Mihawk?” Sanji questioned, blinking as he emerged into the sunlight.
“Hello, boy,” Mihawk looked less than his immaculate self, covered in soot, but then Shanks hardly looked better.
“What happened?”
“Krieg got away,” Shanks slumped against the side of the warehouse, looking drained.
“I got that part.”
“Shanks here managed to get himself poisoned,” Mihawk drawled. “And needed somebody to take care of him, so Lucci…”
“Went after Krieg. Great,” Sanji didn’t really want to be the one to tell Kaku that. “Are you okay?”
“Never go into battle unprepared,” Shanks grinned, a trace of his normal good humor showing through. “I had the antidote. The problem with stealing snake venom is that normally it gets noticed, so I knew what we were dealing with. In other words, I didn’t need your help,” he glared at Mihawk.
“Yes, because I would have loved to explain your death to your wife.”
“I’m not dead,” Shanks’ voice softened, and he and Mihawk shared a look that Sanji really didn’t understand, but somehow the tension was completely gone from the situation.
“I know,” Mihawk conceded. “Regardless, how’s the search going?”
“Besides Lucci? Just Law’s boyfriend and Franky, I think,” Sanji tried to do a mental tally.
“Better than expected, although that was a cheap move on Krieg’s part, blowing up the place,” Shanks frowned. “I take it his men weren’t so lucky?”
“Not from what I’ve heard,” Sanji dug a cigarette out of his pocket and stuck it in his mouth. “But I don’t know numbers or anything.”
“Shameful loss of life,” Mihawk looked almost remorseful. “Yes, they were criminals, but many of them had no choice: forced into it because otherwise they’d die on the streets. Doesn’t excuse them, but it makes you wonder if…”
“We can’t help everyone,” Shanks pushed himself off of the warehouse and stumbled forward, finding his footing and squaring himself. “And since when did you have a heart?”
“I’ve always had it. It’s just…hidden sometimes,” Mihawk replied. “So. No idea where Krieg went, then?”
“Back underground?” Sanji guessed. “I mean, the entire Metro Vancouver Police Department knows he was here, right? So obviously he can’t be anywhere where he could be found.”
“Maybe you should ask somebody who knows the underground, then?’
Sanji turned and glanced at Law, who smiled at him. “You’re referring to yourself?”
“Recon! I told you!” Law reminded him. “And I have a gut feeling that if Mr. Lucci has gone after him, so has my lover.”
“So you know where they are?” Sanji looked hopeful.
“Not an exact location, but I know where it’s probable they may be,” Law corrected. “And it would explain why his phone isn’t working. Cell signal’s worth nothing that deep under the city.”
“That’s settled, then. As soon as we find Franky, we’re going.”
“Excuse me? ‘We?’” Mihawk gave him a reprimanding glance.
“Yes. Because Shanks is going to come, I’ll wager, and I’ll also bet that you’re not going to tell him ‘no,’ so don’t pull the ‘you can’t come, you’re injured’ line with me,” Sanji crossed his arms defiantly.
“Fine. You can come,” Mihawk nodded. “Now who wants to explain to Kaku that he has to stay here?”
There was silence after that one before Kaku himself walked out of the warehouse, a look on his face that clearly told them that nobody would succeed if they tried.
“Fine, then,” Shanks finally nodded. “We wait for the rest to get back and then we head out. It’s high time we put an end to this entire fiasco.”
And Sanji, for his part, couldn’t agree more. He was more than ready for life to return to normal.
Notes:
1. Why do I keep doing this to myself? I keep wanting to wrap up the story and then PLOT keeps getting in the way. Urgh.
2. HAPPY 2010, EVERYBODY!!! And today also happens to be both Ace’s and Oda’s birthday, so I wanted to get the chapter done xP
3. I don’t have this song on my computer right now, but I’ll post the download with the next chapter. Promise!
4. …Most of you have been asking for some smut, so here it was. I…am not a smut writer. I’m horribly embarrassed every time I write it. So please don’t be too harsh on me!!!
5. That being said, I think that’s it, so drop me a review :D
Previous Chapters Are HERE