Hey everyone! I'm so sorry for the long wait. The only thing I can offer you as an excuse is that school is definitely going to kill me. Literally. So if I suddenly disappear, you all know why. Yeah, alright, now I'm just whining. I'm swamped with work this quarter, so bear with me! I'll update as often as I can manage. To be perfectly honest, writing and reading your wonderful reviews is the only thing keeping me sane right now, so thank you all!
I hate to self advertise, but just as a heads up, I've posted another Zolu oneshot called "And One for Good Luck." Check it out if you'd like!
Dedication: Yes this chapter has a dedication! Yay! This chapter is totally dedicated to TreeStar, for the unbelievably WONDERFUL emails she has sent me. You totally rock! I look forward to hearing from you again! Hope you enjoy this chapter!
And it's the chapter you've all been waiting for! We finally find out who wins! Sweet! And yes (sigh) I know that was a really pathetic excuse for a cliffhanger.
Alright! I have randomly decided to count up what I deemed any obvious supporters of either Luffy or Zoro. So from the first 45 reviews, the results are as follows...
Luffy: 7
Zoro: 2 (including me)
Hehehe. Sorry Zoro.
And here I go! Replying to all the reviews for this story AND my newest oneshot...
To NF: I don't really know why, to be honest. It just kind of randomly popped into my mind, but it worked! You'll see what I mean. I'm sorry! I didn't think I was gonna cause lack of sleep with that cliffhanger! Thanks for the review!
To KOS-MOS 000-000-000-1: Hehehe, I know. Thanks for the comments!
To dichana: (regarding Stealth)- Hehehe, I upset a lot of people with that thing. I'm glad you can get into my story! That makes me so happy! (glomp) I'm not really sure where the barrel idea came from, but it just fit so well! Whoa... fanart? For my story? I would freaking worship anyone who made fanart for my fics! Keep pondering! KEEP PONDERING! Hehehe, but seriously, I've seen some of you stuff, I wish I could draw like you! I feel the same way regarding my sanity. As I said, this story and you wonderful people are the only things keeping me from a breakdown!
(regarding AOfGL)- I made you cry? Really? (hug) I'm sorry! But I'm glad the story touched you! (blushes uncontrollably) You're so nice to say all that stuff! (superglomp) You're so awesome! Thank you so much! I can only pray the rest of my stories are somewhere near as good!
To Digitaldreamer: I'm so mean to Luffy, aren't I? I just realized that whenever I write a fic, I somehow abuse the poor kid! I'm gonna have to write a story where Zoro's finally the one getting beat on. hehehe. I'm glad you're liking it so far! (Just to let you know, I'm LOVING Dominos!) Dude... no. freaking. way. A mini doujin? Are you kidding? Of COURSE I wanna see it! I can't wait! I wonder what scene... but don't tell me! I think it'll be better as a surprise... I will so dedicate a chapter to you, and let everyone know about it so people can go check it out! GAH! That's so cool! (glomp) You're so awesome! Thanks for the review! Go check out my one shot if you have time. I'd love to hear your opinion. If you can't tell, I hold your comments in very high esteem!
To Midoriyugi-chan: (regarding Stealth)- Oh no! Wrath! (kicks Zoro) Hurry up you moron! Save Luffy! and you ARE being nice to review! Thanks so much! Sorry for the wait!
(regarding AOfGL)- Glad you enjoyed it! I tend to be so mean to poor Luffy, don't I? Thanks again!
To Oni No Yami: I have to agree, they are definitely the perfect couple! No contest. Thanks for the review!
To Rose Kitsune.EXE: Glad you think so! here's more and sorry for the delay! Thanks for the review!
To The Plushie Bandit: (Regarding Stealth)- Hehehe, yeah, I know, but there's an actual reason for him leaving him there. You'll see! Yup! The winner is discovered this chapter! Though all of the sudden I'm pondering just how funny/cruel it would be if I were lying... hehehe, anyway, You're obviously not the only one rooting for Luffy. Poor Zoro, nobody loves him. Except Luffy of course... And I know! I've read ML! It's so awesome! I can't wait for you to update! But I must add, that you DEFINITELY need to update BDAR. As in, like, NOW. Cause I can't wait much longer before I explode from anticipation. And if I explode, this obviously won't get updated anymore!
(regarding AOfGL)- (sniffle) WAH! You're so nice! (bawls) I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I've never gotten such an awesome review for a OP fic! You did indeed make me feel all warm and fuzzy! I can only hope my future stuff lives up to the standard set by this story then! To be honest, I had such a blast writing Sanji all pissed off. It was great! But don't you EVER doubt you're own work! (shakes fist) You're unbelievable! I could never come close to the depth of plot your stories have! And may I point out (jab jab) BDAR has about 350 reviews! Obviously you're doing something right! I would love to be able to come up with the amazing plots you do! And the plot twists! Don't get me started! I could never dream of thinking up something so awesome! And ML is priceless! I can't wait for more! Well, I guess that's enough of my ranting. But seriously, don't think for even a moment that your stories don't compare to mine, cause that's not true at all! Thank you so much! (HUG) Flamethrowers? AHH! Not flamethrowers! All my notes will catch fire! You're friend Becci? Does she read this too then? If so, thank her for me!
To Linksworstnightmare: Hey! Glad your likin' so far! Rereading it? (blinks) really? Sweet! And I'd love to help you if I can! Send me an email! Though I must warn you. I can be pretty eccentric and I have a tendency to go off on tangents. Thanks for the review!
To TreeStar: (regarding Stealth)- HI! (superglomp) If you didn't notice the bolded message above, I dedicated this chapter to you cause I love your emails! I'm so glad you're enjoying this so far! I hope this chapter is just as good! Thanks for everything! As soon as I post this I'll actually start replying to your last letter, hehehe.
(regarding AOfGL)- Author favorites? You are so awesome! (HUG) I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much!
To MisChef: Thank you! Glad you like it! Thanks for the comments!
To tea: I'm happy to hear you're liking it so far! Thanks for the review!
To evil rem: I know! Slivers are awful! Eww... Glad you like it! Thanks for the review!
To tori007otaku: It did indeed! Gotta have at least alittle drama. And you luffle it? Awww! hat's such a cute word! (glomp) And what matters is that you're review it now! Thanks for the review!
To em182: Yay! I love making people squee! I'm glad you enjoy it so much! Favorites? Really? You rock! (hug) Thanks for the review!
To Griever5: (regarding Stealth)- Glad you like it! Hehehe, what can I say? Luffy's dedicated. Thanks for the review!
(regarding AOfGL)- I'm so glad you liked it! Thanks!
To KuroKame: (regarding Stealth)- Yikes! (ducks) Whoa! Hehehe. Glad you're enjoying it so far! Hope you like this chapter too!
(regarding AOfGL)- And I'M jealous of your ability to draw them! Your art rocks! You're so nice to putAOfGLon your favorites! I'm so glad you liked it! Thanks for the reviews!
To Noriko Sakuma:(regarding AOfGL)I'm so glad you liked it! Everyone cheer for the warm n fuzzies! Yay! (glomps you back) I so love you for reviewing! Thanks!
To Hiyama: (regarding AOfGL) Thank you very much! Thanks for the comments! I'll do my best!
To Illusion Of A Lunatic: (regarding AOfGL) Glad you liked it! Hmmm... Why does you name look so familiar... (thinks)... Dude! You write Burgundy Bruises! I just found that fic the other day, and I haven't gotten to read it all yet! I can't wait for more! I had to read it in a rush earlier so I didn't get a chance to review, but I'll get right on it! You're story is so awesome! Thanks again for the review!
To Rusco: (regarding AOfGL) Glad you feel that way! Thanks for the review!
To Anime-Dudette: (regarding AOfGL) Glad you like it! It's so cool of you to review my fic! I so admire your SanUso works! You're so great! Thanks for the review!
To LZfOx1379: hehehe, glad you like it! I will indeed write more! Keep an eye out! Thanks for the comments!
Wow... that was long... sorry about that! But thank you all for the support!
Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece. Simple as that!
The Bet: At the Drop of a Hat
'Don'tfalldon'tfalldon'tfallDON'TFALL!'
Luffy clenched his eyes shut, desperately willing his fingers to hold out. 'PleaseohpleaseohpleaseohPLEASE! Don't fall!'
He could try stretching his way to safety, but he had no grip on the boat as it was, and using his powers would probably just jar him loose before he could grab something solid.
"Zoro..." The rubber-man whined miserably, voice unsteady. 'How could you do this to me?'
With his fingertips beginning to go numb, the captain gave another pitiful moan, biting his lip. "Zoro..."
Pressing his forehead against the side of the Going Merry, a panicked yelp burst from the captain's mouth when an particularly large wave crashed against the ship, the cold spray easily reaching the back of his legs.
'The ocean's reaching up to get me!' He thought frantically, heart rate doubling in its pace.
Cautiously, as if the movement of his own breath would knock him into the churning waters below, the young pirate let out one last cry, silently pleading for an answering call.
"Zoro!"
"Luffy."
Voice caught in a startled gasp of ecstatic relief, Luffy choked. Raising his eyes to the deck above him, his face relaxed into a grin. "Zoro?" Finding the space empty, he paused. "Zoro, where are you!"
Regressing back into his earlier state of alarm, he craned his head in all directions. "Zoro!" Eagerly seeking out the comfort that the silhouette of his first mate's broad frame always provided, his fear escalated when he found no sign of the swordsman.
There was a tired groan from somewhere below, and his friend's irritated tone rose up to meet him. "Quit thrashing! You're gonna shake yourself off!"
"But I'm slipping!" Was his response, the younger pirate's voice lifting into a wail.
"So let go," Zoro suggested easily, voice clipped in annoyance.
Momentarily forgetting his precarious situation, the rubber-man gave a short laugh. "Oh yeah! Why didn't I..." He drifted off into a brief silence. "WHAT?"
The outburst caused his already failing grip to waver dangerously. "Zoro," he whimpered, pain lacing through his words. "You want me to fall into the ocean?"
There was a short, heavy pause before the first mate replied.
"What? Luffy I-"
"What did I do?" The captain questioned. "Did I do something wrong?" His tone was quiet and vulnerable as he pressed for a reason. "I'm sorry Zoro! I didn't mean to-"
"Luffy!"
The smaller pirate's mouth was halfway to forming another desperate apology, but the commanding quality in his comrade's voice brought him up short.
"Now," Zoro prompted, waiting to be sure he had his captain's attention. "What I meant was let go so I can catch you."
"Catch me?" Luffy echoed in confusion, blinking uneasily over his shoulder.
"Yes," the swordsman stressed. "I'm too tired to haul you up over the rail, but I can drag you in through the window."
"Window?" Another blank look. What window? He didn't remember any window... "But where are you, Zoro?"
A loud, exasperated sigh met the rubber-man's ears.
"I'm down here."
Luffy jumped when he felt a large hand close around his ankle. With a surprised yelp, he jerked free from the boat, the last of his hold failing.
In distressingly slow motion the teen saw the deck slipping from his fingers, a sickening sense of weightlessness growing in the pit of his stomach. Fear gripped him, and he found himself unable to summon the will to reach for the ship.
Rendered almost speechless, the captain could only manage a strangled gasp. He felt the fist clenched around his leg shift, knocking him slightly sideways, before it disappeared altogether. "Zoro!"
When the hand vanished, it was almost instantly replaced by a familiar pair of arms, as strong and as constant as ever beneath his shoulders and knees.
"I've got you." The green haired young man grunted with the sudden impact, but immediately steeled himself, trapping his captain securely within his grasp. In all honesty, the pirate he now held in his arms was strangely light; almost too light.
With his downward plummet suddenly brought to an astonishingly comfortable halt, Luffy turned a stunned expression on the man supporting him, who just happened to be hanging halfway out of a hatch in the side of the Going Merry.
'Oh yeah... I forgot about that thing...'
Recognizing Zoro, who now quirked an eyebrow at his lack of movement, he pitched himself sideways. Rolling deeper into the angle of the swordsman's elbows, he instantly latched onto the man's torso, locking his arms around broad shoulders.
"Zoro!" Overcome with relief, the rubber-man decided to express his thanks in the form of an unrelenting squeeze.
"Yeah, yeah." The older pirate tried to brush off the gesture with his gruff voice, but his body, of its own accord mind you, drew the boy closer; fitting him snugly in an awkward embrace.
Carefully balancing after his friend's abrupt toss, the first mate slowly inched them both back through the window. "I guess you won't be doing that again anytime soon, now will you?"
Shrinking slightly under his companion's scolding manner, Luffy gave a feeble shake of his head.
Nodding in return, Zoro gave a hum of approval. "Good."
Waiting patiently, and with some reluctance, for his swordsman to set him on his feet, the smaller teen was puzzled when they were both lowered to the floor of the storage room.
Settling himself back against a stack of wooden crates, the older pirate dropped his captain unceremoniously across his lap.
"Um..."
Raising his head at the curious tone, he found Luffy watching him expectantly. "What?"
Blinking widely, the younger of the two reached up to adjust his hat. "Aren't you gonna let me go?"
Absently taking his companion's hands in his own, Zoro did not reply until after he had surveyed the marks in the boy's fingertips. "Nah."
Another blink and a stumped silence. "...Nah?"
With a quick nod, the swordsman began gently stroking the rubber-man's slender fingers between his own rough ones; soothing the blood flow back into that mottled skin.
"I think I'll keep you right where you are. That way I won't have to worry about you sneaking up on me again. Or trying to throw yourself overboard."
"Oh." Surveying his first mate's casual posture, the boy completely misconstrued the statement, instead detecting a challenge that hadn't been offered. "Fine!" He huffed lightly, lifting his chin in defiance.
Startled, Zoro faltered in his ministrations. His eyes rose to stare oddly at the teen propped upon his knee. "Fine?" Where did that mood come from? "Well, alright." And with a shrug, he dropped his attention back to the boy's hands.
"Fine."
"Fine," the swordsman echoed again, the word mumbled in his distraction.
"...Fine."
Silence enveloped the room, and Luffy was temporarily sidetracked by the pressure working over his fingertips. "Uh..." He shifted restlessly, fidgeting while his gaze fixed on the exit. 'I didn't think he'd agree like that...'
The quiet was shattered a moment later when the boy tossed his head back and let out a strange, whining yowl.
"But what about the bet!" As if to emphasize his point, the captain began bouncing upon his first mate's folded leg.
Releasing the boy's fingers, the swordsman reached up to massage his forehead. The repetitive pressure on his lap jolted him back and forth, causing his already pounding head to throb with a renewed strength.
Sufficiently aggravated by his friend's outburst and the heavy vaulting against his thigh, Zoro threw up his hands in defeat. "Fine! Go ahead! You've got all of maybe three minutes left anyway."
Rocking himself to his feet, he brushed himself off, following his captain's sprint for the deck with a much more subdued method.
'One minute left!' Zoro grinned despite his splitting headache, reclining back against the ship's mast as he waited out the last moments of their wager.
Forty-nine, forty eight, forty seven... At least according to the watch he had borrowed from Sanji.
Well... when he said borrowed, what he really meant was stole while the love cook was preoccupied washing the dishes. And when he said from Sanji, he really meant from the unsupervised kitchen table.
Honestly, the chef needed to keep an eye on his crap.
The swordsman was elated that this irritating little game was about to come to an end. He was so happy in fact, that he was even considering easing up on his victim and taking only one meal away.
Fighting, with great difficulty, to keep his smile near something resembling his normally stern expression, the first mate glanced casually around the deck.
'No one's even up here to witness my victory? Oh we- ...Wait, is that what I think it is?'
Because what he thought it was, was Luffy's hat just barely visible over the back of one of Nami's lounge chairs. But the rubber-man knew better than that... didn't he?
The straw hat tilted lazily to one side, and Zoro decided that no, his captain really didn't.
There were twenty seconds left on the clock when Zoro levered himself upright.
Sixteen seconds remained as he set his foot upon the bottom step of the stairway leading toward the bow.
The seventh second passed as he quietly approached the seat where the navigator usually spent her early afternoons.
"You know Luffy..."
Three...
"Nami's not going to happy if-"
Two...
"-she finds you using..."
One...
And a hand clapped down over his right shoulder.
The watch emitted a short, metallic ring, signaling the arrival of noon, but Zoro ignored it. He wasn't sure what he should do first...
Should he wonder who it was who now had him by the arm?
Or should he wonder why it was actually Nami who rested in the chair before him, twisting around to direct an odd look at his stunned face. Luffy's hat was resting serenely over her neatly combed hair.
"Nami?" When he finally managed to speak, his voice was cautious, his words slow. "Why do you have that hat?"
Lifting the object from her head, the navigator lowered the diagram she had been studying to focus on the infamous hat. "How should I know?"
"Luffy just dropped it on my head and told me to watch it for him." Once she was done scrutinizing the captain's most prized possession, she shoved it at the swordsman.
Opening his mouth to press further, Zoro was cut off as the young woman turned her back on him and settled back over her map. Frowning, the older pirate sighed. Clearly the conversation was over.
'Damn.' The green haired young man's grip on the hat tightened in aggravation. He really didn't want to turn around...
The hand was still clasping his upper arm, but slipped away when he turned grudgingly around to face the boy he knew was standing behind him.
Much to his surprise, instead of an enormous, triumphant grin there was only a small, expectant smile brightening Luffy's face.
After handing the teen his treasure and watching the boy arrange it on top of his head, the older of the two crossed his arms and studied his captain. 'There's just no way...'
The rubber-man met his defiant glare easily, his smile slowly inching upward. They stood for several long moments, eyes locked, as if the bet hadn't even started yet and they were still sizing each other up.
Fidgeting back and forth, the smaller pirate propped his hands on his hips. "So... I win?"
Growling, Zoro finally lowered his head, preparing to accept his defeat like the principled young gentleman he was...
"THERE'S NO WAY YOU WIN! YOU CHEATED!"
Eyes widening beneath the brim of his hat, Luffy gaped at his friend's claim. "WHAT! I DIDN'T CHEAT! I DON'T CHEAT!"
"YOU DID TO!" The swordsman thrust an accusing finger at Nami, who was shielding her ears while scowling back at them over her shoulder. "You got Nami to help! And what about Sanji and Usopp!"
His captain stalked closer, so they were face to face. "You never said I couldn't use a decoy!" Arms flailing in emphasis, the teen repeated the earlier agreement. "You said I couldn't stretch! That's it!"
"I-" Zoro began, shaking a fist at the boy in front of him. "But you-" He tried again for a scathing reply, but came up empty. The kid was right...
Clutching at his short hair, the older teen threw his head back and gave an angry shout towards the open sky. "How could this happen?" He asked aloud, shaking his head in denial. "How could you win!"
Abruptly he whirled on his companion, sending the younger pirate shying backwards a step or two.
"You're not sneaky, you're not conniving..." He extended one hand, counting on his fingers as he rattled onward. "You're not stealthy, not cunning, not sly, not tricky, NOT secretive..." The first mate aimed a look of complete bewilderment at his captain. "There's not a devious bone in your body! How could you win!"
Pondering over the words his companion had rifled off, Luffy tapped a finger against his lip in thought. "Um... because I'm crafty?" He offered helpfully, picking a word he hadn't heard listed and beaming at his friend.
The look his swordsman turned his way was... unimpressed.
"No, you're not," he countered flatly. He gave a wounded groan when in response, his comrade whipped out his trump card: that insufferable pout. His posture slumping, he waved vaguely at the boy. "Fine," he began. "I yield. You win."
Shocked for a moment, the rubber-man quickly recovered enough to throw his fists in the air. "Woohoo!"
For a brief time the boy fumbled about in a peculiar jig, and Zoro couldn't tell whether the boy was trying to rejoice or just fighting to stay upright. The smaller teen let out another excited cry, but soon after sobered again.
This time it was the first mate's turn to be stunned. That little victory dance fell far short of the celebratory parade he'd expected.
Having watched the dramatic conclusion of her crewmate's bet, Nami stood gracefully and sauntered her way over to halt beside the swordsman. With a coy smile she voiced the wonderful idea that had just occurred to her.
"You know Luffy," she began sweetly. "The storage room could really use a good cleaning."
Whining dejectedly, the rubber-man huffed, crossing his arms stubbornly. "I don't wanna do chores!"
The navigator's lips twisted into a sneer. "I never said that you had to do the cleaning."
"Wha...?" Blinking at his only female crewmember, he reached up to scratch absently at his left ear. "What do you... oh!" Turning to face his first mate, his eyes lit as they landed on Zoro.
Smirking in satisfaction, the young woman rubbed her hands in a devilish manner.
Zoro had never heard anyone actually cackle before, but Nami pulled off the wicked-witch act quite nicely. 'Now there's someone who knows how to be conniving... Damn...'
And there it is! The conclusion of Part I! I hope you all enjoy it! Next up is part I: The Aftermath! Dun dun dun... Alright, so it's not actually that dramatic, but whatever. Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it! Please review! Keep me from losing all grip on my life! I beg of you! (sobs)
Next time: And so begins Zoro's day of torment. Starting off the afternoon, chores! Thanks a lot, Nami. Poor, poor Zoro... Or is he? He's about to find out that the work can be more pleasant than expected...