A/N: My apologies for such a long leave of absence. I won't go into details, but instead I'll give you the final chapter of the story.

-Chapter 12-

Zoro knelt in the middle of the room in dead silence, not even the storm outside reaching his ears as he struggled to breathe; his chest refusing to expand as if it were being crushed by a heavy weight. He was numb and yet full of pain at the same time, while it felt as if someone else had control over his body. His world… his very life… everything, came crashing down in an instant as he came face to face with the man he had intended to kill. A man whom he thought was already dead. Someone who should have been dead no matter how much he wished it to be otherwise.

Thunder shook the room and the family picture on the wall came crashing to the floor; the shards of glass tearing the photo across the man's face. The world shook for a moment before settling, and then suddenly Zoro found himself flying across the room, courtesy of a solid kick to the head from an agitated cook. He picked himself up slowly and searched the room as his thoughts began to form again. Across the room, Sanji was shutting the window and laying down a few towels to soak up the rain that had entered.

"What the fuck just happened? First you knock me out of the fight and then when you have him, you drop your swords and let him go!" Sanji's voice rose with every word until he was finally yelling. "You stupid fuck! What the hell is your problem? Has all that alcohol finally killed the few brain cells you were born with? Damn it! You sure picked a shitty time to grow a conscience, asshole. Who the fuck was he that he was so important you had to let him go?"

"He was my father," Zoro's voice was rough with emotion.

Sanji froze in his attempts to clean up the mess, his anger dropping immediately only to be replaced by guilt and wariness. His chose his words carefully this time. "I thought you said he was dead."

"He's supposed to be." Zoro's shoulders had fallen again, seemingly held down with the weight of his new founded troubles. But they only stayed that way for a moment. And when he lifted his head, a new depth of emotion had settled into his dark eyes; slowly bringing a frightening change. Gone was any of his depressing aura. Gone was the confusion and despair. Gone was any hint of peace or sanity. And gone was every ounce of humanity as a demon began to take Zoro's place. "And he will be if he is the reason for her death."

Sanji's eyes went wide at the wave of fury that swept the room and began to chase after Zoro as the swordsman turned heel, storming towards the bedroom. "Hey, hey… Look Marimo, you can't run off half cocked into the beast's lair all alone. You need to think this out and for fuck's sake would you stop a minute and listen to me?"

Zoro spun around and shoved Sanji against the wall, knocking the wind out of the blonde. Their noses touched as Zoro sneered at him, lacing his voice with a warning growl. "For the past four years I've mourned the death of my parents whom I thought had been taken from me. And up until this past week, I had nothing to even go on to try and bring them peace. Then you show up..." There was a hint of something in Zoro's eyes, but it passed too quickly for Sanji to identify. "Get the fuck out of my house shitty cook. Go back to your life. This isn't your fight anymore."

Having little to grab onto to keep the swordsman from backing away, Sanji hooked one hand into the waistband of Zoro's pants and grabbed a handful of hair in the other. "You're not getting rid of me that easy, asshole."

Zoro hissed as a few tufts of hair were ripped from his head when he slammed his fist into Sanji's face and sent the cook flying. He watched the blonde wipe the blood from his lip and prepared himself for the counter, though not enough. Two feet caught him solid in the chest and knocked him into the mirrored closet doors, shattering them with the impact of his solid form. He barely had a chance to sit up before he had to block the next attack. Grabbing the slender ankle as it came down above him, Zoro jerked hard and kicked up with his own feet knocking Sanji over and onto the floor. Zoro leapt out of the closet and tackled him while he was down, sending them both rolling across the floor; Sanji at a great disadvantage with nothing on the swordsman's upper half to grab onto.

A twist of his upper body and Sanji managed to catch his elbow on Zoro's temple, creating a little more space between them. While Zoro had mass and strength on his side, Sanji was graced with flexibility and agility. The cook hooked his heel under Zoro's chin and pulled, careening his head backwards into a painful position and cutting off the air supply. With a lurch of his entire body, the cook managed to flip the swordsman off of him and rolled quickly away. Not sparing a second, Sanji landed another hit to Zoro's jaw as the man was getting to his feet though this time, Zoro's head merely flew to the side rather than his whole body. Again Sanji attacked, and still Zoro refused to go down. Sanji watched cautiously as the swordsman kept his feet and wondered how long their hospital stays would be if either of them really got down to business. As it was right now, Sanji knew he could be taking a lot more damage; for one because the swords were still in the other room, but also because Zoro had yet to strike at him again.

Taking a chance, Sanji let down his guard and approached the ticking time bomb. He put his hand gently on the rough and now slightly swollen cheek but was knocked immediately away. With a heavy sigh, Sanji took the green haired man's head in both hands and forced it up enough so he could kiss the fool soundly. His fingers tightened in the short hair as Zoro tried to shove him away, and he continued to keep his lips pressed against the others. Zoro's struggling ebbed, though Sanji was sure that the tight grip on his upper arms would leave bruises if it didn't ease up soon as well. When the kiss still wasn't returned, Sanji sighed heavily and pulled back, though never letting go.

"Look, asshole, I'm not leaving. You're just going to have to deal with that." Sanji watched Zoro's downcast eyes flicker slightly before closing and the cook leaned in so their foreheads were touching.

They stood in silence for a moment, tension still high between them as Sanji waited impatiently for a response. He could feel the blood in his arms pulsing under the vice grip Zoro continued to keep on them. If the idiot didn't release him soon, his hands would go numb and the hold he had on the short hair would be useless. Sanji opened his eyes as Zoro released a deep breath slowly and watched the swordsman shake his head. "You're not going to start spouting some fucking poems or shit about love are you?"

The question took Sanji off guard and the cook began to chuckle. "I don't know. Will it keep you from doing something stupid?"

"Not fucking likely." Zoro let out bark of sarcastic laughter, but a slight turn at the corner of his lips told that his mood was at least a little better and his grip on the cook's arms was changing to a much gentler hold.

"What about the promise of mind-blowing sex?" Sanji found the slight reddening of Zoro's cheeks endearing, and filed away the memory for future use. Unfortunately the situation was all too serious for any more silly antics, and besides it wasn't his style. Sanji's voice lost all amusement and he stared intently at the green haired man. "Zoro this is a suicide mission. You can't run into it unprepared. Call for backup."

Zoro leveled him with a fierce look and stepped back. "I have to know the truth. I have to know if my father is really responsible for this. The longer I wait, the greater the possibility that he will be gone again and I'll never know. If it were your father, would you hesitate?"

Sanji nodded in understanding and released his hold on the green hair so that Zoro could walk away. "I'm coming with you."

Zoro paused for a moment and Sanji could see the swordsman thinking hard. They both knew the cook had just as much at stake here, and that he had undoubtedly proved his efficiency at holding his own in a fight, but for whatever reason Sanji somehow knew what the answer would be. Zoro turned to look over his shoulder at the cook and shook his head. "No. I have something else I need you to do."

-/-/-/-/-/-

Though his footsteps were silent, there wasn't anything he could do about the trail of water being left in his wake. The rain had soaked him through to the bone and nothing short of stripping down would relieve the issue. Besides, no one would question his presence here anyway. The only reason for the stealth was to make sure his prey didn't get away. He continued through the corridors to the lower levels after entering from the rooftop, never once pausing for longer than it took to open a door. Every man he passed in the hall stepped to the side, trembling in fear but never uttering a word, hoping that the life the warrior was searching for wasn't theirs.

A soft click of the latch was the only sound as Ryuuma entered the dark room only to find it empty. Completely empty. Not even a chair remained in the doctor's office, and more troubling was the lack of the desk that held the key to opening the pathway to the hidden cell. He was about to begin slicing up the walls when the door he had been seeking opened and a small female figure walked out. She stumbled and Ryuuma caught her without hesitation, cradling her to his chest carefully. The hood of the cloak wrapped around her fell away and Ryuuma felt as though a blade had been driven into his chest. Tear glazed eyes stared up at him from the disfigured face of a woman he barely knew. Ryuuma looked down into the empty cell that had previously held his wife, letting the hatred for his enemy continues to fester and grow. The woman pushed against his chest and he released her, keeping his guard up and ready to draw his sword should the need arise. The hood was pulled back over her blonde hair and the girl motioned for Ryuuma to follow as she left the room.

-/-/-/-/-/-

The off key notes being hummed as he worked echoed in the large workroom. Several tables were covered with different chemistry sets brewing concoctions that only he knew the reason for. Occasionally, faint screaming could be heard from down the hall making the mad scientist smirk evilly as he continued jotting down notes on his latest attempt. Soon his messenger would bring him the missing piece to the puzzle and everything would fall into place. Hogback sighed happily and sat back in his chair, holding out his hand expectantly. He wiggled his fingers impatiently and turned to search for his assistant who should have immediately handed him his tea he'd ordered.

"Cindry? Cindry… Cindry, you wretched thing! Where are you?" An irritated frown replaced his previous contentment as Hogback settled back to his work. "One of these days I'm going to just destroy that worthless wench and make a new one."

-/-/-/-/-/-

Ryuuma flew through the halls, cutting down anything that stood in his way as images of the past filled his mind. The damage done to his wife in the crash was massive and he hadn't thought she would survive. He himself had sustained significant injuries though none of them life threatening, but unfortunately their pilots hadn't been so lucky. The couple was picked up by some rough looking locals and taken to a small third world country hospital with limited equipment and no phone access. When the eccentric doctor mysteriously appeared, Ryuuma thought it was miracle and begged Doctor Hogback to do everything in his power to save Sarah. The man had agreed… for a price. Ryuuma's strength and skill as a swordsman would be needed in gathering information for the good doctor's research and in return the dying woman would be given another chance at life. Blindly Ryuuma accepted and until tonight, he had just followed direction from Hogback so that the doctor would continue to heal her. But now… the madman had sent him on a mission that he should have never accepted. Ryuuma barely paused as his blade sliced through another unfortunate soul who had made the mistake of trying to stand in his way. Blood gurgled out of the man's neck as he tried to scream before falling to the ground.

"Find him… Destroy him… Free us."

The young woman's words played over and over in his mind as Ryuuma continued his search for answers. According to the scarred woman, the instant Ryuuma had left for his mission Hogback had started moving all of his things into the main lab. Test subjects had been moved as well, though the reasoning was still vague. The only think she knew for sure was that it had something to do with that creature. Everything revolved around that thing. Cindry had said that there were rumors that the missing pieces they needed to complete the experiment would be arriving shortly and everyone was excited to see the results. It had never occurred to Ryuuma before to question what the beast was made of, why it was created, and more importantly how. Maybe he should have.

Ryuuma screamed in anger as he thought about all of the torment and suffering Sarah had gone through. All of the tests, the medical procedures, the experimental treatments. How much of it was really necessary? Was it all for show? Had there really been any hope of giving him back his wife? The invisible knife in his chest dug in deeper, sending more pain throughout his body. His eyes closed and in his mind he saw the shocked face of his only child staring back at him. Ryuuma clutched his chest and stumbled just outside the doorway to one of the smaller labs. The door was cracked and he turned his head to peer in. Skeletal bodies were laying here and there, some whole and others in pieces but all made of solid metal.

Mechanical men…

The very first assignment he had been given was to obtain a briefcase from a man at a research facility in California. He was told that it held the blueprints for a bio-metal that could be used in reconstructing some of Sarah's shattered bones. His next target had been a doctor of some sort who had a breakthrough in neurological studies. Two more were experts in synthetic organ transplants. After that he stopped asking. He just focused on seeing the life come back into his loving wife. Now, looking at the stages of work in the messy lab, Ryuuma began to understand the sickening reality of what he had helped to create. Somewhere down the hall he heard a man scream, followed by a familiar sinister laugh. Ryuuma straightened, and headed towards the sound intent on gaining answers. May his family forgive him both for what he had done, and what he was about to do.

The creation known as Oz stood amongst the destroyed remains of the assembly room swinging something in circles over his head. Its master called stop and the machine immediately obeyed. What was left of a human arm was dropped to the floor as Oz tromped over to find a new toy to play with. The man in charge chuckled, clearly pleased with the way things were going as the disfigured abomination continued to wreak havoc. Moria sat down in the only remaining chair and tapped his fingers together in front of him. Ryuuma slipped into the room silently and crossed the littered floor towards the foreboding man.

"Ryuuma, my favorite samurai, kishishishi." Moria's voice rang with mockery as the swordsman fought to steady his hand. "Have you brought Hogback what he needed? I hope the new bodyguard wasn't too much for you to handle."

"Tell me that this wasn't all planned out from the beginning…" Ryuuma slowly drew his sword, pleased with the visible stiffening of Moria's body at the sound of the blade being removed. "Tell me you haven't been targeting my family just to make this…. This thing."

"Of course," Moria assured. "But then I'd be lying. To tell you the truth, if that stubborn wife of yours had agreed to hand over all of her research we wouldn't be here now. Then she had to go and be all safe and only take part of her work on the plane."

Shadows moved in the darkness behind him and Ryuuma realized he was surrounded. The eyes of the men were dead and lifeless, as if they weren't really there. Defeating them wouldn't be an issue, but the amount of them would hinder his earlier mission to end the life of the bastard behind all of this.

"You see," Moria began as he stood up. "She wasn't supposed to die in that crash. The plane just took off a little later than anticipated so it didn't go down where we planned. But still, we were able to put you to good use. It's amazing how lifelike Hogback can make someone seem. I admit that using her shell of a body had been my idea, but he really pulled it off."

Emotion began to haze his judgment and Ryuuma charged. The lifeless bodies around him sprang into action and he realized that he was facing an army of rejected Oz's. His sword hit the first metal skeleton and he growled as Moria faded into the darkness. Metal and rotting flesh went flying in every direction as the swordsman tried to follow.

-/-/-/-/-/-

It had taken a few minutes to get all of the necessary information together in order for Sanji to be able to do what he needed, but somehow Zoro knew it was the right decision. Now all he had to do was find his father again and get answers. A quick call to Saga gained him the address he needed and Zoro pulled up outside the rundown factory, eyeing it speculatively as he gathered his swords. Every way he looked at this he could only come to one conclusion. The assholes responsible had brainwashed his father somehow and he had to be saved. Well, that was the only answer he would accept at least. A set of doors flew open and two bloody men came stumbling out, their scared faces going even paler at the sight of the swordsman.

"Shit," the least damaged man mumbled and looked around in panic for somewhere to escape. He began stammering and tripped over his own feet as he backed up when Zoro took a step towards them. "Oh God! Please don't kill us! I swear I'll change! I'll never do anything wrong again in my life! Please!"

Zoro grabbed him by the front of the shirt and drew the man up so he could look him in the eye. "Where is he?"

The wounded man blinked a few times and swallowed hard. "Who?"

"My father." The words were laced with warning, letting the man know anything less than honesty would end poorly.

Understanding reflected in his eyes and he nodded shakily. "If you mean the guy who kinda looks like you, they say he's headed for the main lab. It's in the basement."

Zoro released him and the man fell to the ground, immediately forgotten in lieu of trying to decide the best route. He stepped through the open doors and had to quell his stomach as the stench of rotting flesh filled his nostrils. Bloody footprints on the ground looked to be the best track to follow and quickly Zoro hurried through the halls in search of answers. Several bodies littered the area in front of a set of doors that were partially open, giving him a view of the flight of stairs beyond. Lights flickered in the stairwell as Zoro cautiously made his way through the dead men; the smell from the lower level even worse, making it hard to breathe.

Shouts for help drew him in and Zoro found himself in a large room lined with cages. Each one was filled with men and women of varying ages. One held a couple of boys who didn't look to be more than fifteen. Distracted by the gut wrenching scene, he was almost struck by a circular wall decoration flying by his head. The disc shattering against the bars of one of the cages, silencing the prisoners and pushing him into action. Zoro spun around and drew his sword, placing its tip at the throat of the attacker.

"Wait." The feminine voice held a hint familiarity, gaining enough of a pause for her to pull the hood from her blonde hair. "Do not leave them like this to suffer."

The connection clicked and Zoro narrowed his eyes in anger. "You're the one who called me, offering me the job."

A nod of the head and her sad eyes turned back to the captives who began crying out to them again. "My name is Cindry."

"Tell me why I shouldn't kill you here and now?" He kept the sword pressed against her throat though he felt no malice from her. She placed her hand on the backside of the sword, pushing it away as if it were a mere annoyance. A feeling of unease settled around him at her lackadaisical attitude towards his intended threat.

"Because I can help you find what you seek." She met his hardened stare with eyes filled with pain and tears. "Help them, and I will tell you how to find your father."

The sound of his heart beating in his chest drowned out all other noise as he weighed his options. Give in to the urge and run the woman through, or take the time to free the slaves and maybe get some answers. A single tear rolled down her scarred cheek, making his choice for him. An exasperated huff escaped his lips as he turned to examine the cell doors. His eyes followed the cables to the keypad release panel on the wall. Not one for protocol, Zoro thrust his sword into the box and shielded his eyes against the sparks that flew. A buzzer sounded and the doors all clicked open, releasing the captives inside.

He watched her speak softly to them, giving them instructions on what path would lead to the exit. She was helping a young woman with a swollen ankle when he held out his sword, blocking their way.

"I believe payment is due."

Cindry nodded and passed the injured woman to another prisoner. She motioned Zoro to follow and they exited the other side of the now empty dungeon. Several twists and turns later and he could hear the sounds of metal hitting metal ahead. He burst through a set of doors to find carnage littering almost every space of a makeshift laboratory. A glint of light flashed from one of the corpses, drawing his attention and Zoro walked over. Metal and wiring wrapped in human flesh jutted out from where a hipbone should have been.

Metal men. Cyborgs. Robotic humanoids, just like thing in his mother's video. Well, not quite like that, but definitely not living creatures. Their immobile bodies told the story of a mad man who had taken something that didn't belong to him and tried to play God. Anger and hatred consumed him as he sliced the head off of a semi-functioning soldier that had stood up behind him. A bead of sweat rolled down the side of his face and he wiped it away with the sleeve of his shirt. The blonde woman had disappeared while he had been caught up in his thoughts, but he was close enough now that he could follow the sound of metal against metal and find his target. Zoro had barely gone three steps when everything stopped. Unease set in and he stepped up his pace, wondering who it was that had just fallen.

-/-/-/-/-/-

The tires squealed and the truck tipped precariously as he rounded another corner, praying against all odds that his gut feeling was wrong. Beside him, Ace held on tight to the dash to keep from flying around the cab as Smoker tested the old Ford's limits. When the detective realized it was Sanji calling, he had taken the phone away and threatened the blonde with bodily harm if Zoro was doing something stupid. He didn't expect to hear that an attacker had come into the apartment and for some reason Zoro believed his father to still be alive. Hope tinged with fear and apprehension gripped at him as he rushed to the run down industrial park on the outskirts of town.

"I'd like to get there in one piece if you don't mind. I won't be able to help him if you kill us both." Smoker could hear the tension in Ace's voice as the raven worried about his friend.

"Don't worry; I'll kill all three of you if this gets out of hand." Smoker tried to push in the cigarette lighter only for it to fall out into the floor. "Damn it!"

"I tried to tell you I'm not finished working on it." Ace reached for the still glowing object and ended up in Smoker's lap as they took another corner sharply. He nuzzled into the detective's crotch for a brief second until he was pulled up harshly by the hair of his head. "Owwww. Ok… we'll play later."

Smoker allowed the cigar to be taken from his mouth and watched from the corner of his eye as the feisty man lit it for him. The kiss that followed was short but full of promise. "Focus, Portgas. Or I'll handcuff you to this piece of junk and leave it in neutral to roll down into the ravine."

The cruiser was bound to attract too much attention so they had taken Ace's pickup, praying that it would hold up until they got there. There were several rumors of where Moria's suspected hideout was, but only one made any sense; an abandoned factory down by the river. Tires squalled again as he made the turn into the complex. Smoker's mind kept mulling over the thought that his best friend might still be alive, though how and why were still a mystery. He could see the concern lined out on Ace's face as well, knowing there were more questions than answers at the moment, but hopefully soon it would be clear. The building came into view and Smoker didn't hesitate pulling into the midst of the other vehicles and stepping out.

The detective tossed off his jacket into the truck and checked his weapon. It didn't go past Ace's notice that the jitte was slid into some aftermarket loops on the back of his shoulder holster. "Take the east wing. Call and let your men know where you are. I'll start in from the west and we'll meet in the north."

Ace nodded as he pulled the back of the seat forward to reach behind it and retrieve an old-fashioned gun belt with an impressive pistol on each side. He grinned up at the law official as he strapped it around his hips and gave the older man a suggestive wink. "I've been wanting to use these for a long time."

"Just don't expect me to look the other way if you get caught with them." Smoker ignored the way the accessory drew attention to the slender hips and began walking.

"Hey Smoker."

The off duty detective paused and looked over his shoulder but didn't turn fully.

"What would you say if I told you I was willing to give it all up for you?" Ace wanted to laugh at how fast Smoker spun around to look at him with shock and disbelief. The raven smiled softly and turned in the opposite direction to run to his appointed place of entry. "Keep safe out there, Taisa."

He could feel Smoker's eyes on him as he hopped up on the dumpster and grabbed the bottom rung of the fire escape. Ace's question held a lot of truth to it, but he wasn't sure he was quite ready to quit the crime business just yet. He owed his life to Pops and the crew but they weren't the ones to whom he had given his heart.

"Ace."

The raven paused in his climb and looked over to the man who had given him another reason to live.

"I'd say you're full of shit." Smoker felt satisfied at the surprised look on his lover's face and continued towards the east entrance. Ace's laughter lifted a little of the weight in his soul as he reached for the door.

The minute he opened it, he knew something was wrong. The air was tinged with the stench of blood and he could hear screaming somewhere in the distance. Two men came running down the hall and Smoker drew his gun. They appeared scared out of their minds and he let them run past and out the door as they mumbled something about being overrun with demons. The deeper he traveled into the building the clearer the sounds of fighting became and Smoker followed it, knowing that he would find one of two people at the end.

-/-/-/-/-/-

"I remember the first time we met. Of course you were distracted and probably don't recall." Moria blocked and pivoted out of the way, his breathing labored from the taxing fight. The samurai had cleared his way through the substandard soldiers much faster than Moria had anticipated; catching the mastermind unprepared on the restrictive pathway. "You were playing with a young boy who had an uncanny resemblance to you. How is he? Alive I'm assuming. "

Ryuuma sneered and landed a glancing blow to Moria's cheek, leaving a trail of blood trickling down the man's face. They could hear Oz rampaging around somewhere below them as they continued to fight one another on the swaying catwalk. A triumphant sneer spread across Moria's face as the samurai was forced backwards several steps. Thinking he had the upper hand, the malicious master began to get cocky.

"Maybe when you're gone I can get your son to take your place. I wonder if we can keep his mother's body animated long enough to convince him to join?" the madman taunted. The moment the words escaped his lips, Moria knew he had made a grave mistake. The atmosphere around them seemed to explode as Ryuuma parried his attacks effortlessly.

"Her life… is no longer yours to control!" With a burst of raw force, Ryuuma broke through Moria's defense and laid his blade across the large man's throat. "Now yours… is over."

His eyes closed and a plea for forgiveness was whispered as Ryuuma leaned into his sword and let the steel pass effortlessly through skin and muscle to end the battle in a river of red. Moria's sword fell from his hand to fall the distance to the ground below as he clawed uselessly at his throat, his noisy gasps for air doing nothing but aide in the spray of blood across the walkway. Ryuuma wiped his blade across his sleeve, watching intently as the metal was cleaned and all traces of the tyrant were removed. His eyes glassed over with tears as he lowered the sword loosely to his side. Far below, a passionate battle cry drew his attention and his heart skipped a beat as Ryuuma watched his son enter into battle with a hideous creature he helped create.

-/-/-/-/-/-

Oz howled out in anger when his playtime was interrupted by the new man who just knocked the doors off their hinges. This one was similar to the man that Master said would make him better, but he carried two swords in his hands and one more at his side. The childish mind had difficulty processing whether it was enemy or foe, but since he had taken away his fun, Oz decided it didn't matter. The mean man had to go.

The force of the fist that hit him in the chest was much greater than Zoro had anticipated and it knocked him back over several tables and into the far wall. A flash of light off something metal above caught his attention and he looked up to see the outline of another swordsman standing above.

"Dad?" Zoro's voice was strained and he coughed several times trying to draw a decent amount of air into his lungs. He got to his feet and stumbled towards the retreating figure only to be hit yet again. Shaking his head to clear it, Zoro stood and faced the unholy abomination before him. Patches of skin from multiple donors were stitched together over a seven foot human frame that was probably meant to be male. Only one eye appeared to be installed, leaving the other socket empty above a makeshift nose. The mouth was animalistic, the jaw set clearly not human as well as the elongated lower teeth. Horns had been shoved into the head on each side, completing the demonic look; though Zoro had a feeling the creature had made that modification itself. This fight would prove to be the greatest yet.

Sidestepping to the left, Zoro felt the shift of air as the fist passed by him. Each swing was easy to see, allowing him the chance to dodge the blows. The power behind them warned the swordsman that he should continue to do so, but dancing around so much was getting him nowhere. Zoro swung down with both swords on the arm that just missed him, eyes widening when they cut through the flesh and blood appeared to flow from the wound. Oz cried out pulling his arm back and held it to his chest.

The door at the end of the catwalk overhead opened, letting in a stream of light into the room and startling the creature. Zoro growled low, anger taking over as he looked up to watch his father leave his sight for the second time in less than 24 hours. He ran for the ladder, leaving the earlier battle in search of answers. Halfway up, the ladder shook violently and Zoro turned to see Oz close behind. Fearing that it would be another 4 years before he could get this close to answers again, Zoro knew he needed to end this fight quickly. As soon as he was on solid footing, Zoro wasted no time in attacking again, slicing through borrowed skin everywhere he could and exposing the shiny mechanisms beneath. Wildly the creature began swinging, finally catching Zoro across the face in the midst of his blind rage. One sword was quickly placed between his teeth so he could grab the edge of the walkway to keep from falling.

Oz continued his rampage, knocking out support wiring and causing the catwalk to sag and sway. He busted through the metal planks beneath his own feet and crashing through, catching the opposite side as he fell. With a menacing sneer, Zoro used every ounce of strength he possessed and swung the black sword in his hand towards the battered arm across from him. The blade caught at the already weakened forearm and snapped the metal bones, sending Oz plummeting down. It landed on an overturned table, the leg piercing through the empty socket into the computerized brain.

Mental, emotional and physical exhaustion hit him hard and Zoro's hand began to slip. Half-gloved hands caught him by the wrist and began to pull. "Shit you're heavy."

Zoro looked up to see Ace straining to bring him up high enough to get a better hold. The swordsman swung his lower body to hook a foot on the rail and began to help. "It's called muscle asshole so shut up and get me out of here."

"Yah, yah." Ace chuckled as he helped his friend to his feet. They looked down at the destruction and the immobile cyborg among the ruins. "Is it…"

"I fucking hope so." Zoro put his swords back on his hip and headed for the door.

"Hey Zoro! The way out is over there." Ace pointed to the other end of the building.

The green haired man shook his head and continued to where he had last seen the white cloaked man leave. "For just this once, trust me on this. I know where I'm going."

Doubtful but curious, Ace hurried after him, unprepared for what was ahead.

-/-/-/-/-/-

Ryuuma stood on the rooftop watching the rising sun as it came over the horizon. Its rays danced over the wet surfaces, making puddles shimmer in the light. The cold air carried with it a familiar smell of smoke and a sad smile touched his lips.

"It's been a long time, my friend."

The response was barely a grunt if anything.

"She was so beautiful… and he took all of that away from her." Ryuuma held his sword up before him, letting the sunlight play off the bloodstained surface. "I was so blinded by all of his promises of returning her to me that I lost all sense of humanity. He sent me to kill my own son, Smoker. My child. And had it not been for the fact that he is the only man I know to wield three swords, I would have gone through with it."

"But you didn't." One hand he held his pistol, and with the other Smoker pulled the jitte from its loops preparing to defend in case his friend was truly lost to him.

A soft saddened laugh came from Ryuuma as he shook his head and lowered his sword. "No. I didn't. But I can't be forgiven for the lives I have taken." Ryuuma lifted his head high and looked up at the sky. "I leave, knowing that what I did, I did for love and now I can finally be with my beloved. I'll be able to hear her voice, feel her touch and see her bright eyes look up at me as they once did."

"What about the brat? You think he doesn't need you? Shit that idiot is more messed up than you could ever imagine." Smoker cautiously circled to his side and tried to move in closer.

"He's strong. And I'm honored to have him as my son." The sword lowered slowly and Ryuuma bowed his head. "Tell him I'm proud of him."

"Ryu, nooo!" Realizing too late what was happening, Smoker dropped his weapons and ran for the samurai. The sword penetrated through, almost catching the detective as he caught his friend and lowered him to the ground. "Ryu you stupid fuck! This isn't the answer! Damn it you can't leave me again! You can't… can't leave us again."

"Forgive me… Sarah"

For the first time in four years, Smoker felt the tears of grief fall down his cheeks. A familiar hand reached up to wipe the moisture away and he was torn between pain and anger. Blood poured from where the sword had entered and turned as it was pulled out. Ryuuma had no intentions of leaving the rooftop alive; that was for sure.

"But why? You were my brother! Why didn't you come to me for help?" Smoker allowed emotion to take over him and he pulled the dying man to his chest as he denied that he was crying. "We could have helped…"

The body in his arms went limp and Smoker knew he was gone. A soft touch on his shoulder startled him and he looked up to see his lover next to him. Tears shone back from Ace's eyes and he knew the young man understood without saying a word. Ace knelt down and encircled them both silently, offering comfort and strength. Shuffling of feet alerted the detective that someone else was on the roof and he looked up to see Zoro watching them from several feet away.

"Did he suffer?" Zoro asked quietly.

Smoker nodded and laid the body down gently, closing the dark eyes for the last time. "He suffered for four years. Only now is he at peace."

"Was he… did he…" Zoro stumbled to find the words to ask the painful question.

"Your father was the most honorable man I know. He did what he thought was right. You should be proud to carry the Roronoa name." Smoker turned to look at him with a warning in his eyes.

Zoro's return glare was just as strong. Nothing more needed to be said and Zoro nodded firmly. "I am."

Sirens could be heard closing in on their location and the three men knew more questions than they could answer waited for them. Carefully Smoker removed the sword, grimacing as it scraped against the spine and ribs. He threw the offending weapon across the roof and clenched his fists tightly until the wave of grief that hit him was under control. Slowly, the detective picked up the lifeless body and turned to face his waiting godson. When Zoro held his arms out, Smoker didn't hesitate to hand his friend over. As Zoro shifted the weight to better carry the man, Smoker pulled the roof's access door open and made sure there were no other surprises waiting for them.

They walked somberly down the stairs, Smoker leading the way and Ace making sure that Zoro stayed on path. The building appeared to be void of any life now and their footsteps echoed eerily in the halls. By the time they reached the ground, over a dozen police and emergency vehicles had arrived. Guns were pulled on them as they exited the front doors, but fortunately Smoker's familiar face was easily recognized and they passed through to the waiting paramedics. It took a lot of effort and coaxing to get Zoro to release his father, but finally the swordsman relented; his eyes never leaving the man until the ambulance doors closed. His wounds were treated as the crews began to sift through the rubble, exclamations of shock and horror heard everywhere. Windows were broken and all the doors propped open so the men could withstand the smells inside.

Zoro sat on the tailgate of Ace's ford watching everyone run around. It all seemed so surreal to him. The fact that his father was alive all this time had been dampened by the sight of the sword being thrust through his body as he apologized. If Ace had been the first one up the stairs, he might have missed it. Zoro shook his head to clear his mind and turned back to watching Smoker and Garp argue over whose jurisdiction the case belonged. An annoyingly familiar scent ticked his nose and Zoro steeled himself for the barrage of questions he wasn't prepared to answer. When nothing came, he turned to see the somber face of the man who had set all of this into motion.

Sanji took one last drag off the cigarette and crushed it out on the edge of Ace's truck. "After calling Ace, I went to check that storage facility you asked about. It looked like someone had already been there though. A couple of boxes were empty and several were knocked over as if there was a struggle. I think whoever fought there was locked inside because the door was busted outwards."

"Inside? Who would lock someone in? Could you tell what was missing?" Zoro's interest was piqued at the new development and he focused his attention on learning more. Anything to take away from the void that had settled in his chest.

Sanji sat next to him and handed the grief-stricken man a lunchbox. "Eat first. There's plenty of time to talk later when it's not so busy around us."

Zoro nodded as he glanced over the area. "So you feel it too. That we're being watched."

The cook leaned back and braced himself with his hands as he tried to appear relaxed. "Whoever it is, they've been following me since I left the storage. I can't seem to ever get a good look at them though, and I never saw a car tailing me. It's really weird."

Body after body was laid out on the ground, the fatality count rising higher than any of them had ever seen at one incident. A few times someone was still found alive, but never in good shape. Sanji tensed as they watched the paramedics carry out a stretcher with a short, round man who was moaning dramatically though he didn't appear wounded.

"Fucking Hildon. I remember that asshole." Sanji pulled the pack of cigarettes from the pocket of the borrowed hoodie and shook the last one out. "He was the little bitch of the operation. He had all of the shit jobs and played messenger most of the time. Too bad he survived."

"Hn." Zoro turned his attention back to the building and wondered how many more they might find still breathing. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end again as he tried to find his watcher in the crowd. His brow rose in question as he spotted a strange figure by one of the nearby buildings. He appeared to be hiding his face behind the wall and leaving his body standing out for everyone to see. 'Peeking in reverse' thought Zoro. The stance seemed somewhat familiar though. As if he had seen it before. And recently too. His eyes went wide as his memory caught up and the connection was made. "Oi! That's the kid from the video!"

"We've got a live one!"

There were shouts from the building and everything came alive. Police came from all directions with their guns drawn, preparing for whatever might be coming out. Emergency technicians came running as well. The commotion caused Zoro to lose site of the figure and the swordsman jumped to his feet, running in the direction he had last seen it. What he heard next made him stumble and almost fall.

"Her pulse is weak, she's barely with us!"

"Hurry! We need to get an I.V. started immediately."

"She must be one of the test subjects."

"There's not much of a chance."

Zoro spun around and watched as they carried a weak and fragile looking woman out of the building. Her head was shaved clean and her body covered with only a hospital gown. Dark almond eyes fluttered open to meet his and her lips moved stiffly as she mouthed his name. Zoro. A look of pain passed over her face as she closed her eyes again and lay still.

"No," Zoro whispered.

-/-/-/-/-/-

Zoro stood at the foot of the hospital bed looking down on the fragile being that was once his mother. Several tubes and wires came from her body to hook to various monitoring machines. An anonymous file had been sent to the hospital detailing what had been done to her during captivity, making him wish that his father had made the bastards suffer a whole lot more than he did before killing them. If only he could bring them back he'd make sure they suffered a lifetime of hell before letting them cross over to the afterlife.

Below in the morgue, he had been asked to identify the body of his father as Smoker stood at his side. He knew he should hate him for letting everything happen to his mother, but the medical files also had notes about how the 'other' had been manipulated to collect false information. Instead, Zoro felt honor as he looked down at the man who had raised him; understanding that what his father did was done with good intent. He whispered his gratitude to the fallen warrior as they pulled the sheet back over his head. Finally, closure was found as they bowed their heads in respect when Ryuuma was slid back into the vault.

No words were said, but the feel of Smoker's large hand on his shoulder remained even now. Should he need anything, the detective would always be there. Ace had wrapped his arms around him tightly when they exited the cold room; the dark haired man's never ending warmth spreading through him. Zoro allowed himself to return the embrace and envied his godfather for having someone who meant so much to him.

A small warm hand wove into his and Zoro was startled out of his thoughts. He looked down to see a small blond with tears streaming down her face next to him, bunny clutched tightly to her chest.

"When she heard that your mother was in the hospital, she insisted on coming." The cook gave him a cocky smile as he leaned against the doorway. "She wasn't the only one, but she was the most persistent."

"What are you doing here, shit-cook?" Zoro scowled and tried to cross his arms over his chest but couldn't seem to get the right one to cooperate. Chimney held tight and leaned against him, the wetness from her tears soaking into his jeans. He was glad he'd had a chance to get cleaned up before she saw him. He could only imagine her reaction to him being covered in blood. Zoro's anger deflated as the young girl tried to comfort him and he gave in to the little bit of compassion he had in his heart. In one big swoop, he picked her up and closed his eyes as she cried against his shoulder the tears he couldn't seem to make. "You know she shouldn't be here."

"Maybe, but I just couldn't seem to say no to those big eyes." Sanji noted the hint of a smile touch Zoro's lips and began to relax. He walked over to join them as Zoro continued to stand vigilant at his mother's side. "You were there for her when Kokoro was in the hospital and she wanted to return the favor. You support the people you care about."

There was silence for several minutes while Sanji watched them, then he heard the rough whisper. "Thank you."

Zoro opened his eyes just in time to see the cook's close as Sanji leaned in and kissed him. It was soft and tender and lasted long enough for him to register it for what it was, then the cook was gone. Deep red spread across Zoro's face as he watched the blond leave without another word. Zoro settled into the plush recliner next to his mother's bed, adjusting the still clinging bundle so they could both be comfortable. His eyes closed and soon they were both asleep.

"…enough for today."

"…understand that…"

Voices around him brought him out of his nap and Zoro opened his eyes to look around. He was alone in the chair, but not the room. There were two people in white lab coats and another dressed very inappropriately for her age. The sight of Dr Kureha brought him fully awake and Zoro jumped up out of the chair.

"Good to see you back with us," the old doctor jeered. "You should be happy. Thanks to someone very special, your mother will be able to recover. There's even a good chance that she'll be able to live a normal life."

Zoro blinked a few times as the words registered and then let his body slump as he leaned back against the wall. Relief filled his soul and he could feel the emptiness beginning to fade. "Then I owe my life to that person."

Kureha began to laugh as she walked out the room. "Remember you said that, brat."

Lifting his head to look at the remaining two doctors, Zoro recognized one to be Usopp's wife Kaya. She smiled at him gently and shook her head before turning to leave. The final doctor turned around and Zoro stumbled back. .

"You? You're the one who saved her?" There was the teenage looking creation that had been on his mother's videos

"Shut up asshole! I don't need your praise!" The doctor ran from the room in a panic, leaving behind his chart.

Confused, Zoro looked down to the bed to see his mother staring back at him smiling. She opened her mouth to speak but only strangled sounds escaped.

"Shhh. Don't try to talk. There's plenty of time for that later." Zoro hurried to her side and sat on the edge of the bed. He took the hand that weakly reached for him and held it as though it would break.

"Nii-san." The word was barely audible and he almost didn't catch it. When it finally registered he looked away and tried to deny what he'd heard. But… he never could lie to his mother very well.

"Hai, kasan." Zoro hung his head, knowing what she was referring to but not wanting to accept. "I saw the video. I know that's supposed to be my brother, but it was because of it that you are like this. They did this to you in order to find out how you made it. How do you expect me to accept when you've suffered so much? If it weren't for that thing, you'd be… you'd…"

He made the mistake of looking back at her face. There was a knowing look in her eye that spoke loudly. It was silence for a moment before Zoro nodded in defeat. "You'd be dead and I would be talking to a headstone again. I get it."

There was a light squeeze from the hand in his and he looked up to meet her eyes. She smiled and closed her eyes, falling back asleep as he kept watch. He stayed with her until Kaya came to check her vitals again and assured him she was doing well.

His stomach growled and he suddenly was curious as to where the cook had ended up. Wandering around would get him nowhere so he stopped at the nurse's desk to ask if anyone had seen him. A young Candy Striper led him to the cafeteria where he found the ragged blond sitting by himself and talking on the phone.

"…few more days then I'll be home. Look shitty geezer, I said I'd be back and now I'm coming back! I know you can't get that place back up and running without me." Sanji leaned back over the top of the chair and sagged like a rag doll. He heaved a heavy sigh and groaned. "Well it's a little late for that now. Just shut your trap and get some rest old man."

Sanji snapped the phone shut and tossed it onto the table. "How's she doing? Your mother." He looked over his shoulder to gaze tiredly at Zoro.

"Resting. Your father?" Zoro pulled out a chair and sat at the table behind him.

"Not. He's already checked himself out of the hospital and is trying to help with the reconstruction of the restaurant. Of course he's blaming it all on me." Sanji turned around so he could look at the other man without straining his neck. "Have you had a chance to meet him yet?"

"Who, your old man?" His head already hurt from the hunger in his gut, making him try to think was only making it worse. When an answer didn't come, Zoro opened his eyes to see what could possibly keep the cook's mouth shut. He could see the blonde walking back from the counter with a tray of food.

"It's not the best but it's edible. I'll get you something better when we get back to the apartment."

Zoro looked at the food a moment before his stomach let out a loud growl he couldn't ignore. He accepted the tray with a nod and dug in. The cook was right, it wasn't anything like his cooking but at least it would fill him and keep him going for now. An uncomfortable silence fell between them, and Zoro began to think about the conversation he had walked up on. "You're finally able to go home now. So get your shit out of my place and leave already."

The curled brow rose above a shocked blue eye as a look of amusement passed quickly over Sanji's face. "Yah, yah. And leave you alone in that big bed of yours. That'd be too easy." There was another minute of silence as Sanji waited for the argument that never came. Realizing that the trauma of what had happened was probably blocking all other thoughts, he didn't press the issue and instead changed the subject. "Will you let him move in with you?" Realizing the idiot still didn't get who he was referring to, Sanji explained a little further. "Chopper, your little brother. The one your mom made for you. Will you take him home with you?"

The swordsman froze and stared at the last bite of bread that was midway to his mouth. Home. He hadn't given it a thought yet. It had been hard enough letting the cook come into his life, although he had never eaten better in his life. The diner might lose his business for good if… The thought of the diner brought back memories of his father and suddenly Zoro wasn't hungry anymore. He put down the food and pushed the tray away. "What business is it of yours?"

"Well as your wife, I'd like to know how many people we're going to be taking care of. The girls I'm sure will have questions and that nosey landlord, not to mention we need to know how to care for him. I don't know the first thing about…."

The words never reached Zoro's ears as he thought of the teenager tending to his mother and remembered the pleading look she gave him as she tried to speak. If it was her wish, he'd try but calling that thing brother was out of the question. First was the problem of even getting close enough to talk to it.

-/-/-/-/-/-

Chopper smiled happily as he checked Sarah's vitals again. Now that the sedatives were almost out of her system she was able to communicate a little more. She had told him her injuries had taken a long time to heal, but she had been able to move and walk for the last three years. Doctor Hogback had needed her coherent in order to discuss her work so the only times he had drugged her were when Ryuuma was around. Many times she had tried to tell her husband she was ok, but he had been blinded by the exaggerated lies of their captors. Physically, Sarah would be able to recover, but her mental state would require a very tender touch. Chopper made it his mission to see that she had everything she needed to make that possible.

After an hour of searching, Chopper decided that this man was either a mastermind at not being caught or he was able to duplicate himself into several copies. The man's scent was everywhere! He had tried to follow it out of the hospital room and ended up on the roof. Then he picked it back up in the neonatal ward and followed it to the ER. Again he picked it up going to the morgue and lost it somewhere around the cardiac wing. When he was about to give up, he stumbled upon a fresh trail leading to the cafeteria. There in the back corner he found the man he was searching for fast asleep.

There were so many things he wanted to ask his big brother. All of the stories Sarah had told him though didn't prepare him for the real thing. The guy was intimidating. Still, momma had promised him that Zoro would like him so he trusted in that and approached the table.

"Zoro?" Chopper poked him in the shoulder and jumped back. When the sleeping man didn't move, Chopper moved in to poke him again.

Zoro's eyes opened just a slit. "Oi."

"Aaahh!" Chopper screamed and ran behind one of the large columns.

As Zoro had previously seen, the doctor appeared to be hiding the wrong way. His brow rose in question over one eye as he tried to make sense of it. "Aren't you doing that backwards? You do know I can still see you."

Chopper scurried to right himself and peeked out around the column. "I'm not afraid of you!"

The swordsman let out a small laugh and shook his head. "I think mom needs to do some more work on you."

"Momma won't be able to work for a while. Besides, there's nothing wrong with me! She said so herself." Chopper stepped out and shook his fist threateningly. They stared at each other in open curiosity, each studying every detail of the other. "You don't look like her very much."

"Neither do you. But that's to be expected." Zoro narrowed his eyes at the little guy and pointed at the chair across the table. "We need to talk."

It amazed Zoro at how lifelike the creature seamed. Oz was machine wrapped in human parts, a monster in every possible way. But this thing sitting across from him was different. Zoro could feel the heat from its body and see the rise and fall of its chest. This machine was eons beyond any other technology the world had ever seen.

"Mom said that you were a birthday present for me." The only response Zoro got was a nod. "Why?"

Chopper blinked several times, clearly confused. "Because you were lonely. She said that she saved me so that I could-"

"Saved you?" Now it was Zoro's turn to be caught off guard. "What are you?"

"Mostly I'm human, but she had to replace several parts because of the extensive injuries. She put in a microchip processer to help with brain function and the bones in my arms and legs had to be replaced as well. I lost part of my intestines, but she said what I had left would be enough if I ate correctly. One of my eyes is artificial and my kidneys and lungs aren't organic but my heart…" Chopper's eyes filled with emotion. "My heart is definitely human."

"You're real? And she did all this for me?" Zoro tried to understand what would make his mother do something so extensive just for him. True her research would end up saving millions of lives, but to test it out on a kid and give him as a present? Zoro slumped back in his chair in bewilderment.

"She loves you." Chopper moved to the seat next to Zoro and studied him with a very serious look. "All of the other doctors said I would die because of my injuries. After they left I was scared and crying, and she happened to be passing by. When I told her what they said she tried to comfort me. When I told her I didn't have a family she told me about hers. She talked to me for hours each day. I learned all about you.

With no family the state had to make a decision about what would happen to me. The only relative I had was a distant cousin who wanted nothing to do with me. I begged Momma to save me so that I could have a brother like you. So she got him to sign over custody and adopted me. After that there were several surgeries and a lot of rehabilitation but here I am. The brother she always wanted to give to you but never could."

Thoughts kept colliding in Zoro's head as he tried to wrap his mind around everything. A mother that had been presumed dead for four years. A father that had basically committed seppuku because of his own shame. A brother that was half human, half his mother's technology. A blonde cook that had invaded his house and his mind. Cyborgs, assassins, intruders, lovers. This had been the week from hell. Zoro rubbed his temples and groaned.

"Are you ok, brother?" Small hands began probing at his head and chest to check for the reason for his pain. "You weren't hurt bad were you? I thought they checked you over really good. I know Sanji tried to hide his injuries but I could tell."

"He's hurt? How bad?" Zoro sat up straight and alert, the ache in his head pushed back for the moment.

"A few stitches on the bottom of his left foot. The cut in his abdomen didn't require stitches, but he'll need to take it easy for a week or so. Otherwise he's fine." Chopper cocked his head to the side. "He seems to care about you a lot."

"He's just a shitty cook. But… I owe him. If it weren't for him I wouldn't have found her. Or you I guess." Zoro crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at the teen. "Just where have you been hiding?"

"Hiding? I haven't been hiding? I've been living in your apartment building for over a year now with Dr Kureha. I've been in the elevator with you a time or two. We shop at the same grocery store. I even sat behind you at the diner once."

"What the fuck!" Zoro threw his hands up, frustrated. A strange sound caught his ears and he looked to see his new little brother covering his mouth with both hands, trying to stifle his laughter. "Glad you're amused."

That sent Chopper into a fit of laughter and the more Zoro tried to quiet him down and argue, the harder the little doctor laughed to the point of tears rolling down his cheeks. It didn't take long for the cafeteria workers to come and ask them to leave. Together they walked back to Sarah's room, Chopper talking the entire time as Zoro nodded and grunted. It would take some getting used to, but knowing that at least most of his little brother was real helped greatly in his acceptance. Zoro stood in the doorway as he watched the teen talk animatedly with his mother, telling her all about their talk and how they were getting along. Her smiling face sealed his decision and Zoro wondered if he would need to buy a new place since all the rooms were filled at the apartment.