Justice and Piracy (a Zoro love story)

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

Chapter Thirteen,
"Smoker."

I left the bookshop with Zoro trailing after me. Without thinking he placed his hand back upon my hip and it almost felt casual, though the spark in my veins was still sharp with every touch. I made a mental note that I shouldn't fold so easily to someone I'd just met, it wasn't great gambling. One look and of his crooked smile knocked the thought from my head and the wall I built around my heart shattered. Shit.

"Oi! Zoro! Yuki!" Called Luffy.

I craned my neck and saw his bobbing head through the crowds, he barged right to us and almost sent a couple flying. I made an apologetic face and awkward hand gesture when they looked at me. Zoro just frowned at him and he pulled me closer to his side.

"Luffy!" He began in his scolding tone.

"I'm hungry!" Luffy cut him off, "Have you guys got any money? I spent all mine already. Haha."

Zoro fumed and I stared at the young man that was our captain with disbelief, how much more could he eat? He'd had a full course at breakfast only two hours ago and took a lunch with him before setting foot in Marble Tyne. If anything, he was a monster.

"Yes fine," Zoro gave up and his hands were thrown overhead in defeat.

"I know a good place," I added and took the lead, Zoro close behind and the obnoxiously loud Luffy bouncing after us. He was happy at least.

We followed the smell of food until we found a restaurant brimming with people, there were seats outside as well as inside and several waiters darted around the busy tables, most of which filled with hordes of pirates. We sat down at a circular table and I ordered something plain, just white rice and a local fish. Luffy wanted one of everything and I obliged with a nonchalant wave of my hand. I had enough berry for that.

"Are you sure?" Zoro asked me.

"Don't worry, I'll pay with my half, I haven't touched your fourty thousand." I reminded him.

"Fourty-? That's too much! I gave you four." He receded, leaning back in his chair.

I smirked at him and said, "Consider it interest."

He sighed and chuckled at something I didn't understand. I wondered if he'd take my offer, he didn't seem that interested in money. The food arrived in mass quantities and I struggled to keep Luffy's hands from the one dish I'd ordered. The bitter taste was a nice change from Sanji's meals, it reminded me of home. Zoro was talking about my swordsmanship, I told him I wasn't that great, I mostly endeavour in evasion and fast critical blows than a drawn out battle of skill.

"I'm a good practice target," I added, "Since I'm logia you can go all out and not hurt me, that is, if you can catch me."

The challenge made a rye grin twist his lips that was almost threatening. His eyes then spotted something behind me and his expression dropped to something much more frightening, he grimaced and ducked low to the table. I shot a look over my shoulder and just saw several nondescript people, no one particularly alarming.

"Oi! Luffy!" Zoro hissed and he pointed toward a couple hovering in the doorway, several pirates were leaving with haste at their appearance.

"Kemuri (Smokey)!" Luffy announced, his face lighting up. Zoro grabbed him by the throat before he brought too much attention to himself and then dragged him under the table.

I shrunk in my chair and joined them, crouching low so my head just touched the table. Luffy was wrestled to the ground and Zoro had to squash himself to fit. The table wasn't large and our bowed heads met in the centre. I angled my my neck so that I could see him.

"Kemuri?" I questioned, my voice was low and hushed.

"He's a marine Captain and he's got his eye out for Luffy." Zoro growled back, he was so close I felt his breath touch my cheeks.

"Nami said not to get into trouble!" Luffy's voice was muffled under Zoro's hand.

"Well what do we do?" I said, leaning down to get a better look at them.

I saw military issued boots and loose dark jeans. Beside him stood the small flat shoes of a woman and dark purple leggings, they spoke with a short stoat man who pointed at our table. They glanced over and started wading through people toward us.

I sat bolt upright and stared at Luffy. He didn't seem at all worried. His hat pressed against my arm. My hair was probably not much longer than his. We were the same height. I might get away with it.

"Give me your shirt and your hat, Luffy." I ordered. Zoro's forehead pressed into deep lines.

"What're you going to do?" He whispered.

"They don't know me," I said as I pulled off Luffy's button-up top and dressed myself in it, "You guys slip out the side entrance and I'll meet you by the ship, just don't leave me behind."

I took his hat and got back up into my seat before they could protest. The marine was getting close and they had to leave. I felt Zoro give my hand a squeeze before he and the half naked Luffy skulked out the door hidden behind tables and people as they ate.

"Mugiwara (straw hat)!" The voice was a deafening roar and before I had time to flinch I was knocked face first into the table.

Fuck. That really hurt, my head spun and my hands flew to my face, my nose was bleeding, the table shuddered under the force and the food scattered everywhere, I was glad my plate was empty. I couldn't even turn into glass to lessen the blow as his weapon was tipped with seastone.

He then grabbed me by the collar and lifted me backwards out of my seat and into the air. He looked at me then. My hands still clasped around the lower half of my face, the hat looped around my neck by its thin string cord. My shoulder was bleeding where the stitches tore. It stung.

"Shit!" He swore and let me go. I hit the table hard and smashed pieces of porcelain and cutlery flew around me. I heard the alarmed gasps of men and women.

"Smoker!" Called the woman beside him, equally terrified.

"Jesus! You couldn't even put me down softly, asshole!" I cussed sitting upright amongst the ruined food.

His cigar fell from his lips and I saw the pale white-green of his spiked hair, his face was of a shock so violent that it would have been funny if my face wasn't bleeding. He stuttered something in a gruff voice, the silence around us made it apparent everyone was watching and I bent my head back to try and stop the blood flow.

"Smoker that's not Monkey D. Luffy!" Cried the woman and she held out a handkerchief for me.

"I know that!" He snapped at her, he was red, embarrassed by his mistake.

I took the handkerchief and blotted my nose. My arm was stiff and I wondered if Chopper would get mad at me for ripping his stitches.

"Who's hat is that?" He turned on me.

"You're the fashion police?" I laughed at his question and his face twitched as I merited a few low chuckles from the surrounding tables.

"Look we're sorry, you're injured, what happened to your arm? Is there a doctor?" She flailed and apologised, repeating the process a few times, I kept my eyes on the big guy till I saw a waiter;

"Check please!"