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Nov. 14th, 2010 07:32 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
poet_at_heartTitle: These Familiar Streets
Pairing: Zoro X Sanji, Luffy X Nami
Setting: Modern day Kyoto
Rating: M
Chapter: 6
Summary: After almost three years in Tokyo, Sanji now returns to Kyoto to fight in that war again. Problem is, now he also has to face the lover and the life he left behind.
Thanks to: My beta![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
unseen_daydream
"The hell happened...?" Low words spoken to no one in particular hang in the calm air of his bathroom as Zoro looks at himself in the mirror. Two days ago, his former lover had finally shown his face again, turning the Byakko's world completely upside down by ignoring him and then telling him in a shuddering voice that he loved him. What. The. Hell?
But Sanji had seemed so out of it, so honestly sorry that he couldn't tell why he had left, that the swordsman was almost starting to find himself forgiving the bastard. It would be so easy, to let go of all that pain, to finally be able to put his energy into something else and breathe again. Taking the blonde in his arms again was oh so tempting, but his pride, both as a man and as a warrior, was raging at him just as strongly as that temptation for even thinking about it.
Groaning at the confusing thoughts, he splashes cold water on his face before rubbing it in, waking himself up and washing away the last remnants of sleep. Nothing good will come out of thinking about it too much, only another headache, he decides.
As he walks out of the bathroom, he yawns and stretches like a big cat, true to his God. His thoughts continue to race in his brain trying to find some kind of explanation for the cook's behavior, to their never ending and world-over-turning feelings for each other. And an answer to the ever repeating question, how should he treat the blonde now?
He couldn't forgive him for the pain and the humiliation he had had to endure during these years, his pride would never allow it. But he also couldn't ignore the happiness he had felt when he finally laid eyes upon Sanji again or the relief he had felt when he had heard the cook tell him he still loved him. It had been so shocking, so wonderful to hear that he hadn't been able to keep fighting there with insults and fists, but instead he had gone inside to avoid embracing the other and kissing him. The rest of the evening, he had avoided him like the plague. Not that it had made him able to tear his eyes away from that slim figure.
A groan slips past his lips, this is too much thinking this early in the morning. He doesn't care for making a proper breakfast now as his head starts to pound, only grabbing some bread and a bottle of milk before he begins to read yesterday's paper, especially the article about the dead bodies found in between two houses Ace had pointed out to him. Apparently, the Suzaku's mentor and love-interest, Smoke-something, had been the one to find them and report it in. Now it was splashed all over the front page, seemingly the work of a clumsy Genbu archer who had misjudged where his victims would fall.
"Arrows aimed at vital spots." Well, duh.
"Murdered as if in ancient time, on a well-respected wagashi shop's roof." People usually die in wars, yes.
"Police suspect organized crime." In the olden days, they usually thought it was ninjas, but maybe they couldn't say that to the news nowadays.
The article was almost funny to him; its content so dangerous that it was hard to comprehend that such a blunder had actually taken place. There was a rule both sides followed, never let a regular human learn about the war, even if it meant saving your enemy. The archer was probably getting his ass kicked right now, not even Genbu's Empress will forgive something like this.
But this means that the war will die down for some time, all sides being more cautious to mistakes and the police's raised security, the part of town where the killing had once been done will be off limits... A calm time to take care of "normal" business, eh?
The thought is stuck in his head as he browse through the rest of the paper, nagging at the back of the swordsman's mind as he reads about what else has happened in the world. At last, he crumbles it together and throws it in the trash along with the milk bottle before he walks into the living room. As he plops down on to the sofa he lands on something uncomfortable, his mobile phone to be more exact.
Zoro picks it up, but before he places it on the table beside the empty beer can, something hits him and he starts browsing though all off his texts. At the very end of the list, there is only one left from number 0075-XX XXX XX, alias 'Love cook'. He hesitates for a moment, but then his thumb has already hit the button, making the text appear black on white on the small screen.
Zoro. It was fun as long as it lasted, but I'm off to Tokyo. No idea when I'm coming back, so let's just cut it off now, OK? Was nice knowing you. Bye, Sanji.
The words separates into characters while he stare at them, they blur together and loose their actual meaning. But still, this is it. This is the reason he can't let the dart brow of the hook that easily, why he can't trust someone again. Receiving this message, a message so unlike the blonde, with no nicknames or silly remarks, directly after attending a memorial service was the reason for his scars, both mentally and physically; it had felt like Sanji barred himself and instead it was a total stranger who had sent that mail.
He presses his eyes shut and lays the cell on his forehead as he presses his palms to his eyes, the pain welling up once again as the questions all but drowns him. Why hadn't he just beaten him up? Why hadn't he just forced him up against a wall and kissed him?
Answers to both those questions scream at him within his mind, trying to defeat the other so that he could act on one of them.
He still loves the 'Love cook'.
But he can't forgive him without a proper explanation.
So over and over again, behind all these thoughts, Zoro thanks his lucky fate that he doesn't have to have real job. He would just fuck it up, as turned over he is right now. Instead, he can focus on trying to figure this out while preparing himself for another night beneath the night sky with his father's blade in hand.
"Ne, Sanji-kun?"
"Mm, Nami-chwan, what is it?" He bends his head back, bringing the can of soda to his lips, letting the sweet treat pour into his mouth and making it tingle. The sun is warm as it shines down on them on their bench in the park, it feels so nice that he, for a moment, can forget about all his troubles with a certain green haired man.
"How did you manage to be together with a commoner for three whole years?"
"Wh-what is this, all of a sudden!" The princess's sudden words surprise the blonde man making him choke on his soda, the drink running down his chin as he stares at the woman next to him in shock and tries to wipe the liquid away. No way he can relax now!
"I mean, didn't you feel like telling him? Erase all the lies even if it meant danger?"
"Mellorine... Of course I did. But, I couldn't. Even if I knew he was strong, I still knew that revealing what I am would crush our relationship completely. " "And me learning what he is did crush it."
"But still!" She looks up from her own can of soda, turns her legs against him on the bench where they sit, looking at him with chocolate colored eyes, begging. "We shouldn't be banned from loving someone just because they're not involved in this damn war! If they can accept and keep quiet, then..."
Sanji understands her, he understands his Mellorine's pain and confusion so much that he just wants to tell her what happened to him, how it all turned out so that she maybe can draw some help from his story. But he can't, the secret is too large and too dangerous to even be told beneath this clear blue spring sky. Still, he has asked himself those questions before, over and over again in the past and her current confusion brings it all back to him in waves of emotional exhaustion.
"The risk is still too big, Nami-chwan, any relationship can break, for one reason or another. If the feelings stops or one of you has to leave, who knows what will happen?"
"Yes, but... Sanji, I want to be with him. He's dumb, childish, and a food-maniacal idiot, but I'm still in love with him! Isn't it only natural to want to have a romantic relationship with someone you love?"
"It is! My goddess, you deserve all the love you can get as you walk this Earth!"
"Then, why can't I just be allowed to have a relationship built on honesty? I don't want to lie to him, Sanji-kun." There is water collecting in her eyes, small tears building up and there's nothing he can do to stop them but to try and make her understand. Telling her his suspicions about her strawhat probably won't help either. His brother had been so close to Zoro, conducting himself like an experienced fighter as he moved, something about him simply screaming warrior. And if the older brother is one, then the younger is too.
"You don't have to lie, just don't tell him. That's the easiest way." Suzaku or Byakko, he would not be surprised if those two were revealed to be either. "And I know it's hard, but that's what I did and it worked for almost three years."
"Yes, but see where it left you two now. You guys all but broke poor Portgas-san's kitchen last weekend!" Shocked, he looks up at her and he can read in her eyes that she has figured it all out. "And yes again, I know who that green haired man is. He's your ex."
"Yeah... Nami-chwan, could you please not tell anyone else?"
"I won't, Sanji. But I would really appreciate it if you could tell me something else to do other than what I've already been doing all this time." She closes her eyes and takes a gulp out of her can, reminding the Seiryuu of his own soda, so he quickly drinks a mouthful to help his dry throat. Silence falls between them, heavy like the burdens and responsibilities they carry on their shoulders, dark memories and secrets baring their fangs at them under the warm sun. After another gulp, he clears his throat and speaks again, approaching another subject instead.
"What will happen to the warrior who shot that Suzaku?"
"It wasn't a Genbu warrior." Once again, he can only look at her, flabbergasted as she drinks some more. "Bellemere took in every single warrior who was out that night and questioned them all herself, but not one of them were guilty."
"So it was..."
"Deserters, yes. If I just could understand what those are people thinking! Don't they realize we all will be in trouble if the police finds out about us?"
"I feel the same, those shitty bastards doesn't seem to think of anyone but themselves." Setting up Genbu by using such a low trick, it was just too much. It was one thing hindering the war by stealing from the funds the warriors who couldn't work were supported with, a whole other to destroy the reputation of a honorable race such as the Turtle's people. But now their goal was going to be fulfilled, at least for a little while as the fighting will shrink to a minimum during the time the police are patrolling the streets for potential, old fashioned murderers. "This war is ancient, do they really think that they can stop it using such underhanded methods?"
"Exactly. We won't be beaten, not by fucked up tigers, scabby birds or crazy deserters! From that point of view, it's kind of relieving that he will be coming back here, right? Your "Shogun" isn't exactly doing a good job."
"Krieg is just a shitty idiot who couldn't even lead a dog." The wind blows in his hair gently as Sanji looks up at the sky, memories flooding his mind. "But that doesn't mean that I'm glad to have him here. That shitty bastard is worth just as little as Krieg, if not less."
"Sanji-kun... I'm sorry, I won't say anything more now. But, thank you for listening to my problems, I'm sure it'll all work out for both of us! So cheer up, we'll see each other tomorrow night, right?"
"Yes, Nami-chwan, please take care you too~!"
He looks after her as she walks away, throwing her can into a trash can before leaving the park. Her words have moved something inside of him, strong currents of foul memories and bad experiences leaving a bad taste on his tongue, like the after taste from a peel of a grapefruit. Was there a possibility to open up and reveal what they are, without losing the little chance that was left? The question haunted him as he closed his eyes and put his headphones in his ears, turning on the iPod to listen to some Nickelback. Maybe that could make this decision about life and death easier...
"What do vou think, Bon-boy?"
"About the Seiryuu and Byakko? I don't know... They might as well ruin everything."
"Mm... But there is a great chance that cook-boy will make the right decision. And if he does, well, then we might have found ourselves some new allies! Hee-Haw!"
OK, this chapter was rather short and maybe confusing, but you'll see that everything will be clear by the end (hopefully). And to make things even more clear, I've decided to put some more clear information about the different Gods and their people here! And, they are not really different races, just humans blessed with different kinds of magical power.
So, without further ado I give you, the four Heavenly Beasts!
Creature: Vermillion bird/Phoenix.
Emperor/Empress: Unknown.
Known followers: Portgas D. Ace, Portgas D. Luffy, Marco.
Magic: Fast healing.
Markings: The pattern of feathers glowing in red.
Direction: South.
Ally: Byakko.
Fun fact: Is known as the Evil.
Name of God: Genbu.
Creature: Turtle.
Emperor/Empress: Bellemere.
Known followers: Nami, Usopp, Patty.
Magic: Skin protection, about as hard as steel, "weak" muscles.
Markings: The pattern of a tortoise's shell glowing in black.
Direction: North.
Ally: Seiryuu.
Fun fact: Is known as the Wise.
Name of God: Byakko.
Creature: White tiger.
Emperor/Empress: Mihawk.
Known followers: Lolonoa Zoro, Johnny, Yosaku, Saga, Mihawk.
Magic: Muscle strengthening, "weak" skin.
Markings: The pattern of tiger stripes glowing in green.
Direction: West.
Ally: Suzaku.
Fun fact: Is known as the Strong.
Pairing: Zoro X Sanji, Luffy X Nami
Setting: Modern day Kyoto
Rating: M
Chapter: 6
Summary: After almost three years in Tokyo, Sanji now returns to Kyoto to fight in that war again. Problem is, now he also has to face the lover and the life he left behind.
Thanks to: My beta
unseen_daydream "Dive deeply into the miracle of life and let the tips of your wings be burnt by the flame, let your feet be lacerated by the thorns, let your heart be stirred by human emotion, and let your soul be lifted beyond the earth." - Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, Call of the Dervish
Chapter 6
"The hell happened...?" Low words spoken to no one in particular hang in the calm air of his bathroom as Zoro looks at himself in the mirror. Two days ago, his former lover had finally shown his face again, turning the Byakko's world completely upside down by ignoring him and then telling him in a shuddering voice that he loved him. What. The. Hell?
But Sanji had seemed so out of it, so honestly sorry that he couldn't tell why he had left, that the swordsman was almost starting to find himself forgiving the bastard. It would be so easy, to let go of all that pain, to finally be able to put his energy into something else and breathe again. Taking the blonde in his arms again was oh so tempting, but his pride, both as a man and as a warrior, was raging at him just as strongly as that temptation for even thinking about it.
Groaning at the confusing thoughts, he splashes cold water on his face before rubbing it in, waking himself up and washing away the last remnants of sleep. Nothing good will come out of thinking about it too much, only another headache, he decides.
As he walks out of the bathroom, he yawns and stretches like a big cat, true to his God. His thoughts continue to race in his brain trying to find some kind of explanation for the cook's behavior, to their never ending and world-over-turning feelings for each other. And an answer to the ever repeating question, how should he treat the blonde now?
He couldn't forgive him for the pain and the humiliation he had had to endure during these years, his pride would never allow it. But he also couldn't ignore the happiness he had felt when he finally laid eyes upon Sanji again or the relief he had felt when he had heard the cook tell him he still loved him. It had been so shocking, so wonderful to hear that he hadn't been able to keep fighting there with insults and fists, but instead he had gone inside to avoid embracing the other and kissing him. The rest of the evening, he had avoided him like the plague. Not that it had made him able to tear his eyes away from that slim figure.
A groan slips past his lips, this is too much thinking this early in the morning. He doesn't care for making a proper breakfast now as his head starts to pound, only grabbing some bread and a bottle of milk before he begins to read yesterday's paper, especially the article about the dead bodies found in between two houses Ace had pointed out to him. Apparently, the Suzaku's mentor and love-interest, Smoke-something, had been the one to find them and report it in. Now it was splashed all over the front page, seemingly the work of a clumsy Genbu archer who had misjudged where his victims would fall.
"Arrows aimed at vital spots." Well, duh.
"Murdered as if in ancient time, on a well-respected wagashi shop's roof." People usually die in wars, yes.
"Police suspect organized crime." In the olden days, they usually thought it was ninjas, but maybe they couldn't say that to the news nowadays.
The article was almost funny to him; its content so dangerous that it was hard to comprehend that such a blunder had actually taken place. There was a rule both sides followed, never let a regular human learn about the war, even if it meant saving your enemy. The archer was probably getting his ass kicked right now, not even Genbu's Empress will forgive something like this.
But this means that the war will die down for some time, all sides being more cautious to mistakes and the police's raised security, the part of town where the killing had once been done will be off limits... A calm time to take care of "normal" business, eh?
The thought is stuck in his head as he browse through the rest of the paper, nagging at the back of the swordsman's mind as he reads about what else has happened in the world. At last, he crumbles it together and throws it in the trash along with the milk bottle before he walks into the living room. As he plops down on to the sofa he lands on something uncomfortable, his mobile phone to be more exact.
Zoro picks it up, but before he places it on the table beside the empty beer can, something hits him and he starts browsing though all off his texts. At the very end of the list, there is only one left from number 0075-XX XXX XX, alias 'Love cook'. He hesitates for a moment, but then his thumb has already hit the button, making the text appear black on white on the small screen.
Zoro. It was fun as long as it lasted, but I'm off to Tokyo. No idea when I'm coming back, so let's just cut it off now, OK? Was nice knowing you. Bye, Sanji.
The words separates into characters while he stare at them, they blur together and loose their actual meaning. But still, this is it. This is the reason he can't let the dart brow of the hook that easily, why he can't trust someone again. Receiving this message, a message so unlike the blonde, with no nicknames or silly remarks, directly after attending a memorial service was the reason for his scars, both mentally and physically; it had felt like Sanji barred himself and instead it was a total stranger who had sent that mail.
He presses his eyes shut and lays the cell on his forehead as he presses his palms to his eyes, the pain welling up once again as the questions all but drowns him. Why hadn't he just beaten him up? Why hadn't he just forced him up against a wall and kissed him?
Answers to both those questions scream at him within his mind, trying to defeat the other so that he could act on one of them.
He still loves the 'Love cook'.
But he can't forgive him without a proper explanation.
So over and over again, behind all these thoughts, Zoro thanks his lucky fate that he doesn't have to have real job. He would just fuck it up, as turned over he is right now. Instead, he can focus on trying to figure this out while preparing himself for another night beneath the night sky with his father's blade in hand.
~(TFS)~
"Ne, Sanji-kun?"
"Mm, Nami-chwan, what is it?" He bends his head back, bringing the can of soda to his lips, letting the sweet treat pour into his mouth and making it tingle. The sun is warm as it shines down on them on their bench in the park, it feels so nice that he, for a moment, can forget about all his troubles with a certain green haired man.
"How did you manage to be together with a commoner for three whole years?"
"Wh-what is this, all of a sudden!" The princess's sudden words surprise the blonde man making him choke on his soda, the drink running down his chin as he stares at the woman next to him in shock and tries to wipe the liquid away. No way he can relax now!
"I mean, didn't you feel like telling him? Erase all the lies even if it meant danger?"
"Mellorine... Of course I did. But, I couldn't. Even if I knew he was strong, I still knew that revealing what I am would crush our relationship completely. " "And me learning what he is did crush it."
"But still!" She looks up from her own can of soda, turns her legs against him on the bench where they sit, looking at him with chocolate colored eyes, begging. "We shouldn't be banned from loving someone just because they're not involved in this damn war! If they can accept and keep quiet, then..."
Sanji understands her, he understands his Mellorine's pain and confusion so much that he just wants to tell her what happened to him, how it all turned out so that she maybe can draw some help from his story. But he can't, the secret is too large and too dangerous to even be told beneath this clear blue spring sky. Still, he has asked himself those questions before, over and over again in the past and her current confusion brings it all back to him in waves of emotional exhaustion.
"The risk is still too big, Nami-chwan, any relationship can break, for one reason or another. If the feelings stops or one of you has to leave, who knows what will happen?"
"Yes, but... Sanji, I want to be with him. He's dumb, childish, and a food-maniacal idiot, but I'm still in love with him! Isn't it only natural to want to have a romantic relationship with someone you love?"
"It is! My goddess, you deserve all the love you can get as you walk this Earth!"
"Then, why can't I just be allowed to have a relationship built on honesty? I don't want to lie to him, Sanji-kun." There is water collecting in her eyes, small tears building up and there's nothing he can do to stop them but to try and make her understand. Telling her his suspicions about her strawhat probably won't help either. His brother had been so close to Zoro, conducting himself like an experienced fighter as he moved, something about him simply screaming warrior. And if the older brother is one, then the younger is too.
"You don't have to lie, just don't tell him. That's the easiest way." Suzaku or Byakko, he would not be surprised if those two were revealed to be either. "And I know it's hard, but that's what I did and it worked for almost three years."
"Yes, but see where it left you two now. You guys all but broke poor Portgas-san's kitchen last weekend!" Shocked, he looks up at her and he can read in her eyes that she has figured it all out. "And yes again, I know who that green haired man is. He's your ex."
"Yeah... Nami-chwan, could you please not tell anyone else?"
"I won't, Sanji. But I would really appreciate it if you could tell me something else to do other than what I've already been doing all this time." She closes her eyes and takes a gulp out of her can, reminding the Seiryuu of his own soda, so he quickly drinks a mouthful to help his dry throat. Silence falls between them, heavy like the burdens and responsibilities they carry on their shoulders, dark memories and secrets baring their fangs at them under the warm sun. After another gulp, he clears his throat and speaks again, approaching another subject instead.
"What will happen to the warrior who shot that Suzaku?"
"It wasn't a Genbu warrior." Once again, he can only look at her, flabbergasted as she drinks some more. "Bellemere took in every single warrior who was out that night and questioned them all herself, but not one of them were guilty."
"So it was..."
"Deserters, yes. If I just could understand what those are people thinking! Don't they realize we all will be in trouble if the police finds out about us?"
"I feel the same, those shitty bastards doesn't seem to think of anyone but themselves." Setting up Genbu by using such a low trick, it was just too much. It was one thing hindering the war by stealing from the funds the warriors who couldn't work were supported with, a whole other to destroy the reputation of a honorable race such as the Turtle's people. But now their goal was going to be fulfilled, at least for a little while as the fighting will shrink to a minimum during the time the police are patrolling the streets for potential, old fashioned murderers. "This war is ancient, do they really think that they can stop it using such underhanded methods?"
"Exactly. We won't be beaten, not by fucked up tigers, scabby birds or crazy deserters! From that point of view, it's kind of relieving that he will be coming back here, right? Your "Shogun" isn't exactly doing a good job."
"Krieg is just a shitty idiot who couldn't even lead a dog." The wind blows in his hair gently as Sanji looks up at the sky, memories flooding his mind. "But that doesn't mean that I'm glad to have him here. That shitty bastard is worth just as little as Krieg, if not less."
"Sanji-kun... I'm sorry, I won't say anything more now. But, thank you for listening to my problems, I'm sure it'll all work out for both of us! So cheer up, we'll see each other tomorrow night, right?"
"Yes, Nami-chwan, please take care you too~!"
He looks after her as she walks away, throwing her can into a trash can before leaving the park. Her words have moved something inside of him, strong currents of foul memories and bad experiences leaving a bad taste on his tongue, like the after taste from a peel of a grapefruit. Was there a possibility to open up and reveal what they are, without losing the little chance that was left? The question haunted him as he closed his eyes and put his headphones in his ears, turning on the iPod to listen to some Nickelback. Maybe that could make this decision about life and death easier...
~(TFS)~
"What do vou think, Bon-boy?"
"About the Seiryuu and Byakko? I don't know... They might as well ruin everything."
"Mm... But there is a great chance that cook-boy will make the right decision. And if he does, well, then we might have found ourselves some new allies! Hee-Haw!"
~(TFS)~
OK, this chapter was rather short and maybe confusing, but you'll see that everything will be clear by the end (hopefully). And to make things even more clear, I've decided to put some more clear information about the different Gods and their people here! And, they are not really different races, just humans blessed with different kinds of magical power.
So, without further ado I give you, the four Heavenly Beasts!
Name of God: Seiryuu.
Creature: Dragon.
Emperor/Empress: Unknown, Krieg acts as stand-in, called "Shogun".
Known followers: Nonohara Sanji, Nonohara Zeff, Gin, Carne.
Magic: All around quite strong magic, both in the skin's protection and muscles strengthening them.
Markings: The pattern of dragon scales, glowing in light blue.
Direction: East.
Ally: Genbu.
Fun fact: Is known as the Good.
Creature: Vermillion bird/Phoenix.
Emperor/Empress: Unknown.
Known followers: Portgas D. Ace, Portgas D. Luffy, Marco.
Magic: Fast healing.
Markings: The pattern of feathers glowing in red.
Direction: South.
Ally: Byakko.
Fun fact: Is known as the Evil.
Name of God: Genbu.
Creature: Turtle.
Emperor/Empress: Bellemere.
Known followers: Nami, Usopp, Patty.
Magic: Skin protection, about as hard as steel, "weak" muscles.
Markings: The pattern of a tortoise's shell glowing in black.
Direction: North.
Ally: Seiryuu.
Fun fact: Is known as the Wise.
Name of God: Byakko.
Creature: White tiger.
Emperor/Empress: Mihawk.
Known followers: Lolonoa Zoro, Johnny, Yosaku, Saga, Mihawk.
Magic: Muscle strengthening, "weak" skin.
Markings: The pattern of tiger stripes glowing in green.
Direction: West.
Ally: Suzaku.
Fun fact: Is known as the Strong.
So it's the Good and Wise versus the Evil and Strong! I hope this straightened out some question marks, if not, feel free to ask me almost anything! My shoe size, for example, might not be relevant. But if you do wonder, it's 36. Or 3 ½ (I think).
Feel free to review~ It makes me happy ^w^