Justice and Piracy (a Zoro love story)

Justice and Piracy (a Zoro love story) : Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven,
"Gambler."

With drink in hand I angled us toward the sunny ocean town of Marble Tyne. It reflected brightly upon the water and the crew leaned out in a rough line to watch the busy hum of people that crowded the Main Street.

Luffy waved and yelled to them as we passed and headed inland to dock. The Sunny handled beautifully, her sails fully drawn in the wind, my hair brushed my bare shoulders as a gust combed through my dark curls. Franky towered over me to release the anchors and they fell like paws from the figurehead. The loud splash made us bob upwards for a moment and then gave way to the chatter of people buying and selling in the brightly coloured stalls dotted around the town. Red garlands hung in ribbons between the rooftops.

"Alright! Before we get carried away!" Ordered Nami and she caught Luffy by the collar as he bolted. "Don't get lost! We want to get some supplies and go. So don't cause trouble!"

She spoke mostly to our captain, the title of which did not suit his wild personality. And then when we agreed she hopped down with Sanji to do some light shopping. He kicked his legs up gleefully as he followed her. Luffy was already on the beach and I caught a glimpse of his blue shorts as he too merged with the shoppers.

"Ah! Yuki-san!" Chirped Chopper and I crouched down to speak eye-level with the small deer, "Don't stress yourself too much, I'll buy you some medicine in town to make your wrists better!"

I didn't get to reply because he bounced merrily away, following after Robin as she lowered herself over and into the crowds.

"You've been here before? Right?" Asked Usopp, this was probably the first time he spoke with me directly, "Do you know where I might get some parts?"

"There's a part dealer over on the east side of town, they usually give you a good price. Especially if you're intimidating enough," I added the last bit because Franky put his arm over Usopp's shoulders. He winked at me appreciatively and they left too.

"Know where I'd find a whetstone?" Purred a deep voice.

Zoro stood close behind me, his voice made my blood run hot in my veins. I turned with a meek smile and held out my hand toward him. He was confused, and my palm became glossy as I turned it to a fist. The noise of crushing and grinding from my closed fingers came to an abrupt end and I revealed a crystalline block, rough to the touch.

He took it from me and held it up in the light to inspect. I watched the puzzle of his face turn to surprise and I smiled. His eyes locked on mine and he tucked the stone into his pocket without a word of thanks.

"How's the chin?" He smirked and brushed his knuckles over my jaw in a mock-punch. I pushed his hand away with a laugh and prodded the skin lightly.

"That depends," I said. My voice lowered in tone as it always did as I asked a favour, "How much berry have you got?" He grimaced.

We left Brook to tend the ship and I dragged the reluctant Zoro into town. I wondered how the townspeople would take to a walking, talking, animated skeleton and was glad he stayed behind. Zoro followed me through the crowds and we were met by the bright summer time colours and smells of warm cider. As promised the townsfolk traded openly with pirates and it was a black market of wares. Some of which were old ornate treasures I had not yet seen.

"Where are we going?" His voice sounded stressed and a vein popped out on his temple, but he didn't let me out of sight. I had the four thousand berries he owned in my pockets.

"There's a bar not far from here," I waded through the crowds and stopped as a brawl cut across my path, a glass bottle flew past my head as they fought.

We didn't stop to see how it ended, bodies flocked to make a wall surrounding them and a roar of cheers exploded seconds later. I ducked as a second group pushed past me to watch. Zoro's arm wrapped around my shoulders and I was drawn close to him as he shielded me. I looked up to question him but he didn't spare me a glance. I blushed inwardly at the closeness, his chest was hot against the naked plain of my back. I was often glad I was small, today was no exception it seemed.

Finally we sheltered in a dark corner of a tavern, it's windows were boarded up and I had to blink a few times for my eyes to adjust. The bar stood at the far end of the bustling room. There were tables set out and spread evenly with groups of four huddled together, cards in hand and money stacked around them.

I felt my newly acquired happiness peel away and make room for a more businesslike demeanour. It fell upon me like a great weight on my shoulders and my mood darkened as I strode to the bar, the bartender recognised me immediately and nodded once in acknowledgement before returning to mixing cocktails. Zoro fell silent and watchful by my side. A huge shadow that took the brunt of stares and fearful eyes. He was of course, quite the man to behold.

A line of worn wanted posters hung like a monument on the wall and his face was amongst them. Quite the bounty too, I would make a small fortune handing him over, but my claim to him was overwhelming given the few days I'd known him. My attachment to his merry band frightened me.

I was handed a strong drink, the bar tender left the bottle beside my cup and Zoro filled my glass before bringing it to his lips. He didn't even flinch as the bitter cider took to his throat. I watched him with a look of impressed temptation, temptation; because I found myself suddenly eager to reclaim my drink from his lips.

The look I gave him made him smoulder and his eyes took me in from head to toe, I wondered if I should leave this venture to pursue another but I hadn't come here to flirt. Not intentionally anyway.

An open chair swung toward me, and I was welcomed to the cards.