I am BAAAAAAACK!!! XD With a fic of course...MUAHAHA! Fic: The Connector; Chapter 7: Shaman (Part 2)

[lunaryu]

The Connector
Fandom: One Piece
Rating: T/15+
Genre: Mystery-Horror-Drama
Pairing/Characters: eventual ZoSan (but more to a really close friendship rather than romance)/possibly all will come up in later chapters (only Zoro in this chapter-and he's the main character)
Summary: He can see things most people can't see, and they come to him with various purposes: purely torturing his mind, passing messages, or seeking his help for their unfinished business. How can he help them and who will help him ease them?
A/N: Ugh, finally I can update this… I know I have to say sorry for neglecting this story for shitty quite long. To let you know… I haven't finished my damn proposal yet…, but I take a break from it for awhile and write this to let some steam out and the sudden inspiration is waaay to be wasted if I don't write it right away, so… here I am, back with new chapter of this story ^_^. I hope you enjoy reading it~ XD

Disclaimer and Warning: Same as usual…

Additional Notes: Okay, there will be various POVs in this chapter. Mostly Zoro's, and some Sanji's, but if you find the general POV, it's completely intentional. If Zoro's not around, the POV will be general. I just add it to avoid confusion though…

The Connector

Chapter 7: Shaman (Part 2) A


I want to see you…

I'll wait for you here…

Always… Always…

Zoro-sama…

ZORO-RORONOA-ZORO

Turned out, that ero-Shitty-Cook was incredibly infuriating.

Zoro had stared at the blond teen who was wooing so many girls at the same time without even feeling the slightest disgrace, for almost fifteen minutes now, during the afternoon break in the cafeteria of his school. The more he stared at Sanji, the more he felt pissed off. How could there be a guy as shameless as that curly-brow blond prick anyway?

Zoro snorted in disgust as Sanji spouted so much cheesy nonsense like a prince of the idiots.

"You've been doing that for precisely 15 minutes now," Nami spoke as she drank her tomato juice, face looking amused.

"Doing what?" Zoro glanced at the orange haired girl without turning his face.

"Snorting while staring at Sanji-kun," she said while smirking. Zoro didn't like that smirk at all. It read disaster and catastrophe at the same time after all.

"I am not staring at him," Zoro growled, slightly frowning, not at her though, but at the fact that he appeared staring at Sanji in Nami's point of view. Well, he was staring at the ridiculousness of Sanji's being, but he wouldn't admit it even if that was the reason.

Nami rolled her eyes at that. "Come on, I am not blind, you know? You're just jealous," she said, now biting her bread while throwing more accusing grin.

"Jealous on what, exactly?" Zoro narrowed his eyes at Nami now, annoyed. He? Jealous of that stupid-ero-cook? That was the dumbest indictment he had ever heard.

"Hmm… I'd say 'jealous of whom' rather than 'on what', but… I don't know. Humor me, Zoro. Maybe you're jealous because many girls flock to him and not to you?" Nami guessed slightly with that 'I know everything' expression.

"Such a brazen speculation without any proof. Why would I be jealous on something like that? That's completely irrational," Zoro huffed and drank his iced tea from the glass on his hand.

Nami was silent for a moment before she spoke again. "Then… you're jealous of those girls?"

Zoro spurted his drink in a shocked look. "Wha-!" he widened his eyes at Nami, feeling completely ludicrous. "What the fuck-! Nami, why the hell would I be jealous of them!" That completely made no sense.

"Then, why are you ogling at Sanji-kun in such blatant manner?" Nami asked skeptically, face still totally looking amused at Zoro's reaction, apparently.

"Mother of-, I am NOT ogling!" Zoro protested with totally embarrassed, annoyed look. "Jeez, you and your wild imagination… That guy is just pissing me off, that's why!" he barked lightly, completely irritated.

"Normally, people won't stare at the source of his frustration," Nami said indifferently.

"Who the hell said I was frustrated?" Zoro began to lose his patience here. Nami's question and statement were too absurd he couldn't even follow it right.

"Then why are you so against Luffy's decision to befriend Sanji-kun? You don't even have any reason to begin with," Nami said the matter of fact while frowning.

Zoro flinched slightly at that. True, he had no lucid reason to hate the blond. But… he didn't know why. He just didn't like it. The demeanor, the chivalry things… it was just like… the ero-cook seemed underestimating people around him. Especially the women. Yes, Sanji treated them like breakable jewels, but he couldn't just apply the treatment to all the girls. Zoro hadn't known why, but part of him felt incredibly insulted for some reason he hadn't understood. There must have been something… that triggered the dislike part. Zoro had to find that out first before he could drive Sanji away.

"See, you do not have any reason," Nami pointed out the fact again as Zoro didn't disagree or protest.

"Well," Zoro flushed back on his seat, a bit defeated. "Let's just say I don't like his manner for now," he mumbled lightly while resuming his drinking.

"Luffy likes him very much. Just accept the fact," Nami said while finishing her bread with a satisfied look. She took her handkerchief and wiped the corner of her mouth.

Zoro scowled at her at the undeniable fact. Luffy was indeed a bit attached to the blonde.

"By the way…, why didn't you eat your food, Zoro?" Nami asked as she noticed that Zoro didn't touch his food at all.

"Ah…," Zoro looked away slightly, trying hard not to glance at the thing standing beside him. He had tried to ignore a rei that had been following him around since he entered their classroom that morning. It seemed it was a rei of a student in Grand Line International Senior High School. It was a she. The rei seemed not having any grudge or anything, but her appearance was a bit freaking Zoro out. Her hair was a long mess, her skin was sickeningly bluish pale and her uniform was old, in tatters. Dark rings featured her dead eyes, but the creepiest and the most disgusting thing was the rei was drooling over his food… literally.

Zoro didn't know and didn't want to know what kind of substance a rei could produce; but he was certain about one thing. He couldn't and wouldn't ever bring himself to touch the food drooled by any rei. Heck, he wanted to wretch actually. But if he did that, the rei would notice that he could see her. And Zoro wasn't in the mood to deal with her.

"I am not hungry," Zoro had to lie to fool Nami. He didn't want to be regarded as a freak in his school after all.

"Well," Nami took his sausage and ate it for herself. "Your loss." She shrugged and Zoro paled slightly. That sausage was covered with unidentified disgusting yellow-green substance that could only be seen by Zoro.

That was just plainly sick and wrong on so many levels. Zoro seriously wanted to throw up, but he held it up earnestly, not wanting to alert both Nami and the rei. Blame it on his poker face. "I think I am going to the bathroom. You can have it all," he stood and made a beeline to the restroom, leaving Nami to stare at his back in confusion, and the rei which was still busy slobbering his lunch.

ZORO-RORONOA-ZORO

"Mademoiselle Nami-san!" Sanji made a grand entrance to the classroom just a few minutes before the bell rang.

Nami looked up from her seat after she stopped chatting with Vivi and arched an eyebrow at him. "What's wrong, Sanji-kun?" she asked lightly.

"And Princess Vivi-chan!" Sanji turned his hearty eyes at Vivi, and the blue haired girl waved at him, chuckling slightly, clearly amused by the way Sanji call her. "I am looking for you two, beautiful ladies!" Sanji then walked nearing both girls with a very happy look. "I made this new desert during my practice at home last night, and I want you to taste it for the first time!" He beamed in spirit. "Here, try these." The blond then put two brown plastic boxes on top of Nami's desk.

Nami and Vivi glanced at each other before they opened the caps of the boxes, and immediately frowned almost at the same time. "It's green," Nami stated oddly, deadpanned.

"Yes, I tried to mix the bitter Q with cake and pudding. It's a healthy desert. My shitty old man even hasn't tried it. I want to get a reaction from both of you first!" Sanji said enthusiastically.

"Bitter Q…?" Vivi's face turned pale a bit. The Arabian Princess seemed hating the name even though she didn't know what kind of fruit or vegetable that was. But it was green and she was kind of full just by looking at it. Moreover it was bitter Q. That should give out everything.

"Sanji-kun… bitter Q (1) is not a food for human," Nami said with a slightly threatening grim look.

"Ah, I know it sounds unappetizing, but it's good! I promise!" Sanji said while sweating slightly.

"I am sorry, Sanji-san. But I am kind of in a diet right now, so I have to pass," Vivi said with her soft smile. "But thank you for your effort making it for me, I am happy, really!" she added as she saw the disappointment in Sanji's feature.

"I am also not in the mood for desert right now. I don't know why, but my stomach feels funny. Maybe it's because I took Zoro's food at the break," Nami touched her tummy with her hand, feeling something weird.

"WHAT!" Sanji looked horrified. "That asshole-stupid one celled alga poisoned you, Nami-san! I should kill him at once!" he exploded in rage at the thought of Zoro harassing his dear Nami-san.

"No, no, it's completely my mistake, Sanji-kun," Nami said, sweat dropping from her cheek. It was bad enough that Zoro and Sanji didn't like each other at first sight. She didn't want to add the oil on the already flaming relationship. "You see, he didn't have any appetite at lunch and let his food go to waste, so I took the pity and ate his share of food. It seemed I got a little too much. That's all." The orange haired girl explained with a troubled look.

"Oh… is he sick?" Sanji raised his eyebrow.

"Well, he was slightly pale when he left the cafeteria," Nami recalled, putting her forefinger on her chin.

"Is Zoro-san okay?" Vivi asked, frowning slightly in worried look.

"Maybe it's because he's still recovering," Nami shrugged. "More importantly," Nami turned her face at Vivi and grinned. "How is the meeting after the fateful day two and a half months ago?"

Vivi blushed slightly at the suggestive question. Sanji looked at Vivi and then at Nami in a questioning look.

"It-it's just the way it is," Vivi said, a bit stammering, but still looking completely cute and regal as she did so.

"Did he say something after that?" Nami inquired further, really interested.

"Ah…, he said he was sorry and asked me whether it would be easier for me if he wasn't around," Vivi said quietly, looking at anywhere but Nami.

"Aah, that guy…. He's completely lost his mind rejecting a girl as beautiful as you," Nami sighed and huffed, slightly annoyed.

"Uh…," Sanji cleared his throat to get attention from the girls. Nami looked up at him with raised eyebrows and Vivi blushed again, forgetting that they had Sanji there. "Did I miss something important?" the blond boy asked, completely confused, not catching their conversation at all.

"Ah, it was just a thing between Vivi-chan here and Zoro before Sanji-kun moved in," Nami said dismissively.

"Wai-, Nami-san!" Vivi blushed even redder at the mention of her personal business.

"What! That Marimo and my Vivi-chan have a history!" Sanji looked completely shocked, too shocked to everyone's eyes actually that both girls thought he was just exaggerating.

"It's not like that, Sanji-kun. There is nothing between Zoro-san and me. It was just my selfish one-sided attraction, but it hadn't grown into love, so I was okay when he made it clear, that I was just a friend for him. He was actually very polite when he rejected me, I felt a bit bad because of that. He looked really troubled when he talked to me just now…," Vivi said with a solemn smile.

"Vivi-chan…," Sanji looked at her with an edgy look. "Ugh, that's kind of pissing me off! Why would a one-celled alga like him reject a princess' love! He definitely doesn't know where he is standing!" the blond then immediately protested and fumed.

"Sanji-kun, Zoro is not you," Nami stated dryly. "At least he isn't a womanizer," she added slightly, not caring if Sanji heard the last comment or not. Vivi's sweat dropped at Nami's words.

"Ah, such a flattering words from Nami-san! I am impressed and honored!" Sanji smiled widely like an idiot again at Nami's clear ignorant words. More beads of sweat rolled down from Vivi's cheek.

"Anyway," Vivi cleared her throat now. "We're good. Zoro-san and I," she smiled again with reassuring look. "Sanji-san doesn't have to be worried about that."

"Oh, okay…," Sanji nodded slightly. "But he's not sick, is he, that marimo?" he asked quietly more to himself than the girls.

Nami and Vivi glanced at each other in shared funny looks. They could have sworn Sanji looked concerned for a minute there.

"Uh, Sanji-kun," Nami called and Sanji immediately beamed at being called by her goddess. "Why don't you give these deserts to Zoro? I believe he hasn't eaten anything since lunch," she continued with a small smile.

"Eeh?" Sanji looked slightly minding it. He made those deserts for his goddess, not for some marimo.

"Yes, I am sure he's hungry," Vivi said, agreeing Nami's idea. Of course, aside for not getting to eat the cake-pudding with disturbing ingredients, she wanted to make sure that Zoro ate something for lunch. He was still recovering from his wounds after all. Not eating was not healthy. It was better to eat something, even if it was a bitter Q rather than not eating at all, right?

Sanji was silent, contemplating the idea for a few seconds before he nodded. "Okay…, but I don't want to give them to him with my own hands, I mean… personally," Sanji huffed. "I still have a grudge towards him because he called me sickening, and those unbelievable insults…," he was slightly angry while unintentionally remembering the clash at their first meeting. If that long nose hadn't interfered with his loud voice, Sanji would have kicked that marimo's ass.

Sanji didn't continue his words because it would make him remember even more, and he didn't like it, at all.

"Ahaha, Zoro is always like that. You don't have to mind him," Nami said while patting Sanji's back.

"Really?" Sanji looked skeptical. "He gets along fine with Luffy and those guys from the other class," he reasoned.

"Well, Luffy is special, since he's our boss, and Johny and Yosaku are Zoro's childhood's friends. Other than that, Zoro isn't close to anyone. Not even to me and Vivi except for the general friendly thing since we're cute." Nami grinned confidently at Sanji for her exclaim. "He has that mysterious air around him, right? Nobody actually knows the real Zoro. He has those walls that make him secluded from the world outside," she continued, slightly looking afar now.

Vivi looked at Nami with a small smile and squeezed one of her hands. "But Zoro-san is a good guy. We're certain of it," she added softly. "You can take your time to get to know each other, and maybe one day, you will understand things we don't about him."

"Vivi-chan…, Nami-san…," Sanji looked convinced by their explanation. "Uh…, then I suppose, I can forgive him for this morning incident," he said while scratching his cheeks a bit sheepishly.

"Good. He's just not used to Sanji-kun's behavior," Nami replied, smiling.

"I am sure he will warm up to you if you give him something. Consider it as a peace offering?" Vivi added again.

"Great idea, Nami-san! No wonder you're such a wonderful girl! Vivi-chan is also amazing with her magnificent diplomatic thought!" Sanji beamed again, completely ecstatic hearing the girls' smart, intelligent suggestions. Indeed they were very-very marvelous and generous for thinking to make Zoro and Sanji stand on a better ground, for each other at least.

Still, even for Sanji, it wouldn't be that easy to approach Zoro directly. He didn't want to give out any impression that he initiated things between them because he honestly didn't. It was for Nami and Vivi, he convinced himself. And maybe Luffy, he mentally added. But certainly not for the marimo. So, he thought he could do it more… discreetly. No one had to lose, right?

ZORO-RORONOA-ZORO

Zoro walked leisurely on the corridor, but of course appeared in guard as he passed in front of the music room. He stopped for a minute to check out the room. He had felt a bad feeling when he stood in front of the door earlier that day. First the nausea, and now the pounding headache. He was still not immune enough to the bad hives emanated from the reis, especially the ones that were threatened to turn into ayakashis.

Now what…?-Zoro thought while sighing in defeat. He had to make priorities now since it didn't take long for human's reis to become ayakashi. He had taken a note from his experience with Kuro and the times when he was under Ryuuma's training. He had to make the reis leave to the other side before they turned into ayakashi, or he didn't have any choice besides giving his Sandai Kitetsumore nutrients.

But doing anything with a real katana in this age, especially at school, was impossible to carry out unless no one saw him, or at least wouldn't report him to the police for katana possession. He was still underage for God's sake. More importantly, Sandai Kitetsu was a historical katana with a very dark past. If the world found out he possessed a katana as controversial as that, he didn't know what the media would say. He couldn't risk his family's name, and honestly didn't want to. He had betrayed his father's trust once; he wouldn't do it again unless it was a life and death situation.

No choice but to ask the rei to leave then-Zoro shrugged while sighing lightly again as he thought about going psychic. Connecting wasn't exactly a good memory for him after all. His body still rejected the process. He didn't know about the reis, but it was painful for him.

Zoro opened the door slightly and took a peek inside. There, right beside the black grand piano, a boy in the same uniform as Zoro-only there was the stain of blood on the rei's, stood with dead eyes, pale sickening skin, looking very sad and angry for some reasons. He stared at the grand piano with unexplainable hatred.

Zoro sighed. A bake-neko wannabe…-the green haired teen opened the door further and went inside the room before he closed the door lightly, not wanting to surprise the rei. Well, it wasn't like the rei would give any attention to him. Sometimes, reis didn't see anything beside their want and need, and sometimes it pissed Zoro off as well.

Zoro then imposingly walked nearing the piano, slightly fighting the cold feeling and nausea around him. He stopped just close enough, so he could touch the rei, but he did it without alerting the being. He only brushed his hand slightly at the rei's side while pretending wanting to touch the grand piano, but he stopped as the rei glared at him. It seemed the rei didn't want him to touch the piano. Zoro could feel the danger. Even though it was still rei, it seemed he'd been there long enough to develop some power to influence things around him. No wonder there were some accidents involving the students that played this piano. It was just some rumors from the upper classmen when he was still a freshman. He thought it was just a ridiculous coincidence back then, but now he knew the exact reason.

Well, wise mind comes together with age and experience-Zoro rolled his eyes. He indeed already experienced the taste of the other world. Didn't mean he had aged that far.

The grand piano had been influenced by bad energy around the rei that it gave an unlucky trait to people that touched it. Zoro noticed the faint misty cover around the piano. The rei seemed very much attached to it and he was definitely on the verge of turning into ayakashi. Zoro had to move faster. He closed his eyes to see the rei's experience and memory.

The rei's name was Osamu Takehito. He was the first candidate to go to national tournament of recital piano from their school. But he got in a nasty accident and died on the way to the recital. He was regretting it so much and got trapped in his desire and obsession to play the piano in that recital and he wouldn't leave before he could win the tournament.

"Ck…," Zoro pulled his hand and ran it through his hair in a troubled look. "This is troublesome," he mumbled quietly. He couldn't help the rei if that was what he wanted. It wasn't like that rei could touch the piano anyway. He had to find another way to help him. He couldn't make the rei play piano, but if he could persuade him using something else….

Someone suddenly barged inside the room, surprising Zoro and the rei slightly. The green haired boy looked over his own shoulder and found the sulking stupid ero-cook there on the doorway. "What are you doing here, Marimo?" he asked suddenly, one hand holding a plastic bag.

"I can ask you the same thing," Zoro's mood turned sour immediately. Seeing the blonde's face made him agitated. He didn't like the way Sanji see his eyes with intruding curiosity.

"I come here because I have business in this room," Sanji walked slowly nearing the piano and Zoro caught a look from the rei that saw Sanji.

Zoro suddenly felt cold when the rei widened his eyes with impossible wideness. His pupil dilated and creepy expression made way on his face. Uh-oh!-Zoro thought slightly. He didn't know why, but he felt a very bad feeling when he saw that kind of expression.

That rei lifted his body from the ground slightly and flew closer to Sanji. Zoro froze on his spot, fascinated by the way Sanji could pull the rei nearing him without even knowing. But it wasn't the time to be amazed. If the rei touched Sanji, he didn't know what kind of bad thing would happen to the blonde. Not that he was worried, Sanji couldn't see the rei, and probably he wouldn't blame the rei for the unlucky accident he would get after the touching, but still! Zoro knew it would happen, and not preventing it didn't sit quite right in Zoro's principle. That's why; he brazened himself and cut the way before the rei could touch Sanji.

"Oh? And what business does a guy like you have in this room?" Zoro was pretending to challenge Sanji with the way his body leaning so close at him to block the rei from touching the blonde. In result, he had to tilt his face closer at Sanji's as well. Too close to his comfort, but he didn't have any choice! Damn, their noses were almost touching!

Zoro appeared cool and challenging with over-confident smirk, his poker face characteristic, but the close proximity actually bothered him to the high uncomfortable level. He couldn't believe he had to do something like this only to block the contact between the rei and Sanji.

"Not your fucking business," Sanji replied coldly. "Step aside, Marimo." he commanded with sharp, annoyed look and tone.

"And if I don't want to?" Zoro's voice almost threatening, but somehow, inside the twisted part of Zoro's mind, it sounded infuriatingly close to flirting. Zoro wanted to back off hurriedly, but he couldn't because the rei was still behind him, and if he backed off, the rei would touch Sanji. He chose to suck up the humiliation rather than endangering other people's life.

"Then I'll make you," Sanji's voice was low, almost whispering if Zoro knew better, his tone was a bit sensual and bothering even for Zoro's annoyed and panicked mind. He also narrowed his eyes and his body tensed slightly, appearing wanting to do something which probably would infuriate the hell out of Zoro-yet he wasn't sure-, but of course Zoro wouldn't let it.

"Try me," Zoro challenged more with a cocky face, but it was halted by the sudden loud sound of stomach growling.

Sanji blinked once while Zoro was deadpanned.

"Are you going to kiss?" Luffy's face came between the two from the other side of the grand piano.

Zoro and Sanji turned their faces at Luffy. "luffy!" Zoro was surprised and freaked out by Luffy's sudden appearance and comment.

"Why would I want to kiss this marimo!" Sanji protested heatedly, face slightly blushing.

"Well, you looked like almost kissing though," Luffy grinned widely.

"No way!" Both Zoro and Sanji shouted in unison and glared at each other after that.

Just then Zoro realized something. Huh?-he looked around. The room was surprisingly cleaner from before. And HOLY SHIT! Luffy touches the grand piano!-the green haired boy widened his eyes in disbelief. Not only that, the bad hives were already dissipating and somehow… the rei was….

Zoro was fascinated as he saw the cleansing process. Slowly, the room was being washed by something emanating from Luffy's air. The rei was having trouble nearing them.

This is…! Luffy has a very strong haki!-Zoro realized then that Luffy's presence there purified the room and created barrier around Sanji and Zoro, strong enough to exclude the rei away from them. Luffy couldn't see or hear, but Zoro knew that haki was latent ability and didn't have any to do with the ability to see or hear. Luffy was born with strong haki and he didn't even know he emanated it out like breathing out carbon dioxide.

"Why are you hanging your jaw open like that, Zoro? Playing dead fish?" Luffy asked, getting curious for being stared at oddly by his best friend.

"Huh? Uh…," Zoro snapped back from his train of thought and he slowly grinned. "You're really an interesting fella, Luffy," he then laughed while Luffy was staring at him back peculiarly. Really, Luffy fitted the nickname of wondrous boy. He was just surprising in every aspect, Zoro never got bored around him. Even in this crazy un-living being world, Zoro still could counted on him.

"Freak," Sanji rolled his eyes, looking completely bored at the weird scene in front of him.

"What did you say!" But of course, the ero-cook had to ruin the atmosphere. Zoro glared at Sanji once again while Sanji dismissively flailed his hand at him.

"Anyway, what are you doing here, Luffy?" It seemed the blond haired cook decided to ignore Zoro completely and started his conversation with Luffy.

Zoro cursed at the blond boy through his teeth.

"Sanji, I am hungry! Give me some food!" Luffy demanded childishly and Zoro wanted to laugh at Sanji's flabbergasted expression as he threw a dirty look at Luffy.

"I am not your goddamn refrigerator, Luffy!" Sanji hissed.

"Eeh, but that's the requirement of you to be included in our circle! You have to cook for me!" Luffy pouted cutely and Sanji looked baffled.

"Yeah, or you won't be able to get closer to that witch and Vivi," Zoro added thoughtfully, knowing it would add Sanji's misery.

"Don't call Nami-san like that!" Sanji snapped at Zoro and attempted to kick him in the head, but of course Zoro could dodge the attack fluidly, while wondering why Sanji recognized the nickname he gave for Nami despite his first time hearing it from Zoro's mouth.

No way would he think like that as well, right?-Zoro narrowed his eyes at Sanji again, trying to analyze him.

"Stop dodging!" Sanji had begun to screech now and his attacks became more vicious that Zoro needed both hands to deflate some of them.

"Cool! Do that backward flip, San-chan!" Luffy cheered now, encouraging the blond to attack more.

Zoro had to gasp in surprise when Sanji tossed the plastic bag to the piano, jumped salto-ing backwards, bent his body impossibly low and put his hands as groundings before lifting his legs up, and then started the incredible roundhouse kicks that caught Zoro off guard.

"Whoah!" Zoro couldn't help yelping as he crouched down to dodge, but not fast enough and one blow of kick effectively sent him two meters behind. The green haired boy had to grab the tip of the grand piano to lessen the flying impact.

Nami wasn't joking when she said this guy was strong!-Zoro had to admit despite not wanting to. The blow was quite painful... especially on his healing wound.

"Cool! I know you're awesome, San-chan!" Luffy cheered again enthusiastically. It seemed he was excited seeing Zoro's ass kicked by the blond boy. That irritated Zoro a lot.

Good thing I'm not holding any of my katanas right now. I really want to cut that asshole in pieces!-Zoro narrowed his eyes dangerously at Sanji who looked rather smug after successfully landing a blow to Zoro's body and his ego for some reason. He was caught off guard because he thought Sanji was just a skinny pompous jackass without power. It seemed he had made a slight mistake regarding his strength.

But the thing that pissed him off more was the fact that Luffy seemed on Sanji's side rather than on him. "Why are you taking his side, Luffy?" Zoro scowled at his best friend.

"Huh? What are you talking about Zoro? I am not taking anyone's side. I am taking my stomach side," Lufft grinned completely amused at Zoro's dismay. Sanji snorted at.

Zoro rolled his eyes at Luffy. "You and the black hole called your stomach…," he grunted in annoyance subtly before he poured his attention back to Sanji, who was still maintaining his smug face and his stance. "You've got some skills there, pretty boy. I'll make sure to take you seriously," he smirked at him then, full of challenge.

"Huh, got a last word?" Sanji mirrored Zoro's expression, and when both were about to attack each other, the bell suddenly rang… again.

Both Zoro and Sanji groaned at the same time. What's with this school bell timing? As much as they wanted to continue to test each other's ability, skipping class wasn't an option. Of course, Zoro realized that Sanji was a new student, and he definitely wouldn't want to get in trouble for being only for a month there; and Zoro was just recovered and came back to school. With the number of classes he already missed during his recovery time, he couldn't afford to lose more or he would have to repeat a year.

"Aww, too bad the class almost starts again," Luffy whined at that before he ran out of the room immediately, leaving Sanji and Zoro alone in the music room.

Zoro often wondered why Luffy could be accepted in their prestigious school in the first place. He was the synonym of trouble maker all the time. How come he hadn't been expelled yet after all of the mischief he (and his gang) had done? Aah… probably because they had Vivi in their circle, Zoro should have known. That princess could always clean up their mess after all… with her power of course.

"You're lucky marimo, saved by the bell." Sanji put down his leg and turned around to leave the room shortly after Luffy was no longer in sight.

Zoro wanted to retort back that Sanji was the lucky one that Zoro wasn't with his katana or he would have minced the guy, but decided it wasn't worth it, wasting his breath on a womanizer like him. He then noticed the plastic bag on the piano, and quickly called him before Sanji was gone as well. "Oi, curly eyebrow!" Yep, Zoro refused to call Sanji by his name for his amusement sake.

"Who are you calling curly eyebrow!" Sanji yelled from the corridor, face turning at him in visible anger for the insulting nickname.

"You left your bag on the piano," Zoro didn't bother to care about the displayed furry instead, reminded the blonde's forgotten goods.

"That's from Nami-san and Vivi-chan for you," Sanji scowled. "Be grateful and finish them," he added before he was also gone from Zoro's sight.

Zoro was stunned for a second before he took the plastic bag and peeked on the inside. He saw two white boxes and took one of them to examine it before he opened the cap. He raised his eyebrows in a confused look as he saw the green cake. "I never knew those girls can cook, let alone, make dessert like this," Zoro said oddly to himself despite the suspicious green color. Was desert-or cake in this case-usually in green? What an unappetizing color.

Indeed Zoro had never recalled seeing Nami or Vivi cook. Nami could probably cook the basic stuff since she was living alone with her surrogate sister, Nojiko, but he doubted she could make a desert like a patisserie; and Vivi was a princess for earth sake. She didn't even need to cook for herself with hundreds of chefs in her palace she called a house.

These can't be from them. Moreover, Nami will make me pay for this treat…-Zoro couldn't help thinking slowly; trying to guess what was the meaning of the gifts. Still, his thought was momentarily disrupted by the growl of his stomach. Shit. I haven't eaten yet… no wonder I am hungry-the green haired teen then remembered about his cancelled lunch due to the certain disgusting rei. Anyway, if the cake was for him, he didn't want to waste it. Well, even though the color looked bitter.

Zoro took a bite of the desert and widened his eyes in supreme surprise as he felt the cake melt inside his mouth. He couldn't resist groaning at the exquisite taste of the food as he ate that first bite. It wasn't really sweet, just right and precise for him since he didn't really like sweets, and the minty flavor was rich, fresh, and very delicious. It was the first time he tasted something as wonderful as that cake. It's purely heaven and downright orgasmic.

"I can't believe that word even crosses my mind, let alone associates with food," Zoro groaned again as he seemed unable to stop from taking another blissful bite of the cake. He would make sure to thank Nami and Vivi later for the treat. Well, it was from them according to the blond idiot, even though Zoro was 100 percent sure that there was no way in the hell that those girls made the dessert. It was beyond their capability. It was truly masterpiece. He should ask them from where they got the stuff. He'd like to buy some and take them home for Smoker as well later.

Zoro was quite satisfied when he left the music room after finishing the second cake in lightning speed. The rei he encountered earlier was momentarily forgotten as he hurriedly got back to his class, trying to catch the time before his teacher arrived for the next lesson.

ZORO-RORONOA-ZORO

Zoro hadn't had chance to talk to Nami or Vivi as the rest of the day went by since the lesson schedule was pretty tight, at least for him. Apparently, the teachers were pretty concerned on how long (and how much) Zoro had missed their lessons, and decided to drill his brain with lots of stuffs and formulas to catch up with the others. He had no problem with math and physic since his logic was pretty awesome, but he had a lot of trouble with history. As Ryuuma had mentioned, even though Zoro didn't want to admit it, he wasn't really strong on that subject. He couldn't help it. They're totally boring!

Zoro had to stay longer in school for extra lessons and his extracurricular activity. He wasn't allowed to touch shinai (2) for sometime though, since his sensei was still concerned about his wound. Of course Zoro didn't tell him about the illegal match, he just settled with the story of assault with sharp weapon. He couldn't tell him even if Zoro wanted to. He would be expelled if he did that.

Around 08.30 p.m., Zoro was done for the day. Actually, he had past the school hours. The school guard would probably yell at him for staying after hour, but he didn't have any choice. Blame his teacher for it. He sighed as he changed his indoor shoes to his outdoor shoes in front of the locker just before the building entrance. "What a day," he said, feeling a bit tired while wearing his dark green cotton scarf. It was kinda cold outside. After that he was all set and ready to go home to Smoker's house.

Zoro walked out the school building, and was about to leave the school ground when he heard something from behind. He stopped and looked back at the building. He was momentarily disoriented as the building began to blur.

"Huh?" Zoro blinked once and rubbed his eyes. "What was that?" He was a bit confused. He was sure the other scenery wasn't blurring, so it couldn't be his eyes. Why was the building blurring?

Suddenly wind was blowing hard on his face and he heard that sound again. Music? Then he saw the light from the window of one of the classroom, and suddenly remembered about the rei he had left this afternoon. "Crap!" He totally forgot about the cursed piano in the music room! Zoro heard a piano playing. That wasn't a good sign at all.

The green haired boy hurriedly came back inside the building, not bothering to change his shoes again and went straight to the music room where he could hear the source of the music. He tried to open the door; surprisingly not feeling any nauseating feeling which was supposed to be coming from inside the room. However, it seemed the teacher already locked it since the door wouldn't open. "Shit!"

Zoro contemplated to kick down the door, but decided against it since he wouldn't be able to explain why he would do something like breaking the door in school ground, to the teacher tomorrow morning. Well, unless he didn't tell anyone that he was the one who broke the door; that was. He then remembered his lesson with Ryuuma. His sishou had taught him to pick the lock. Zoro didn't understand why he taught Zoro that technique, but it was necessary for survival, he said.

Now Zoro understood. It was in a case like this that lock-picking was necessary.

Zoro took out a paperclip from his pants pocket, and then straightened the string to get a pointed part. He probed the keyhole, twisted and tweaked it until he heard a 'click' sound. He hurriedly opened the door and widened his eyes as he found 'who' was inside the room not 'what'.

"Curly eyebrow!" Zoro pointed at Sanji who was calmly playing the piano, with a shock. "What in the world are you doing, playing a piano at a time like this?" he was totally confused. He didn't find Takehito, the rei, there, and found Sanji instead.

What the hell?-Zoro didn't know if Sanji didn't hear him or he purposely ignored him (Zoro had a strong suspicion that it was the later), but Sanji didn't even flinch as Zoro barged in and started yelling at him.

"Hey, you hear me! Stop playing the goddamn piano!" Zoro didn't want to sound concerned or worried about the blond, but his voice betrayed him slightly as it came out higher and tenser than his usual calm tone. He didn't know what kind of accident would befall Sanji if he kept playing the piano. He only knew that the rei would be pissed off and it would endanger Sanji.

Sanji didn't stop playing, didn't even show any indication that he heard what Zoro was saying. It was really weird since Zoro already shouted at him. "What the fuck-! Are you deaf!" Zoro began to get frustrated for not getting any response from the blond. "Hey, answer me dartbrow!" He was getting angry by seconds. Sanji was really an asshole for ignoring him like that despite his concern-, shit, scratch that. He was totally unconcerned about that blond womanizer, ever!

However, when Zoro saw Sanji still playing undisturbed, never seeming to acknowledge Zoro's presence there, Zoro couldn't decide if he was concentrating or he was in trance. Or he was plainly autistic. Anyway, it wasn't normal. It was weird in Zoro's eyes. Something felt off. Sanji's visible eye was indeed focused on the white toots, and his playing was… well… too incredible. Even though Zoro wasn't a big fan of classic music, he knew what piece was being played. It was The Ninth Piece by Beethoven. Zoro couldn't believe Sanji could play that well. It was entrancing and beautiful, but still, it was weird! Like… totally, absolutely weird! Something was definitely wrong with that picture.

Something…!

Then Zoro realized what was wrong as he looked at Sanji in scrutinizing gaze. The one playing the piano… it wasn't Sanji. He didn't know where the crazy thought came from, but his guts told him it wasn't him. It was different. Something was totally alien there.

By the time Zoro was about to yank Sanji's shoulder to stop him, the blond had already finished his playing and turned his face at Zoro. Zoro didn't know why, but in his eyes, Sanji's eye color was different from before. It wasn't baby blue anymore. It was darker… almost black.

"I did it splendidly, thank you." Sanji said with a small satisfied smile.

"Huh?" Zoro was stunned and was totally surprised when suddenly Sanji's body collapsed from the chair. "Oi!" Zoro caught his body before it hit the ground. "Curly eyebrow! Hey, you ok?" He slapped Sanji's face a few times to wake him up. "Oi!" but Sanji wouldn't bulge.

What the hell just happened here?-Zoro was really confused. He didn't understand. One minute Sanji was still playing and the next he said 'I did it splendidly, thank you' before passing out? It was totally odd and weird. What did he do splendidly and why would he thank Zoro? It just didn't make any sense to the green haired teen.

Speaking about passing out…-Zoro then let Sanji lay down on the floor and checked out his breath and vital sign. At least the ero-blond idiot was still breathing and had his pulses.

Zoro sighed in relief at that before he noticed something different again in the room. It was lighter than this afternoon. The air, he meant. He couldn't feel any presence anymore there. That was another weird thing. He was sure that the rei this afternoon was an earthbound spirit. It shouldn't be able to move around. He was supposed to get attached to the piano. But now… his presence was just completely gone, from the room and from the piano. He had never seen something like this before. Impossible that Sanji just now was… possessed?

Can rei really do that? Like in some films?-Zoro was in a deep thought as he stared at Sanji's unconscious face. But that doesn't explain why the presence is gone. I need to ask to Smoker or Ryuuma about this…

A few seconds later then, Sanji began to groan as his consciousness was back, earning attention from Zoro.

But first, I need to interrogate this guy-Zoro decided then, watching as Sanji's eyes flutter open.

ZORO-RORONOA-ZORO


To The Next Part: Chapter 7 Part B

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