Finally, another chapter of Scarlet Wind! Sorry this one has taken so long guys. I've recently finished University, so I've been busy with wrapping up the course and looking for jobs. I'll also admit part of the problem with this chapter was choosing what scenes to put in where…and honestly, I'm not too fond of the overall product because there's not enough stuff…but it gets us closer to the necessary end sequence…so I hope you guys enjoy anyway.

Chapter 5: Duality Principle Act 2

Sunday, 3rd October

Luffy P.O.V

"Stay down," the masked man begs as he stares down at me. "I don't want to hurt you." That…that voice. So…so familiar…but…it can't be…

I start to stand up.

"I said stay." I stretch forwards with my arm. Not to punch him, but to grab hold of his mask. I grab hold, tightening my fingers on the fabric.

On reaction, the masked man moves backwards, probably trying to escape a blow to the face. Due to the doubled pressure of his movement and my own grip, the mask easily snaps on a thread, ripping off his face.

I pull my arm back, cradling the black mask in its grasp and look up into the face of my…no…no, this can't be happening…he can't…what is he…how is he…why…

"Zoro?" I wonder aloud. My friend's face hardens, still holding the baseball bats tightly in his fingers and teeth.

"How do you know my name?" Oh god, this can't be happening. My best friend is…he's…how? How did this happen?

"How do you know my name?" Zoro repeats, reeling back the bat in his right hand for another swing.

No, I can't fight Zoro. Not one of my friends.

I kick forwards in an arc, low and fast to knock Zoro off his feet. Luckily, Zoro's too shaken by a superhero knowing his name to properly react and he tumbles to the floor. His strike with the bat is clumsy and I dodge out of the way of the blow.

"Know your name?" I try to bluff, giving him an odd look. "I don't know what you mean."

"You said Zoro," the green haired man replies, standing up to full height and levelling his bats at me. "You called me…"

"Zoro?" I squint in reply, still trying to keep a straight face. "Who's that?"

"I am!"

"You are? Huh, you need to keep a better hold of your secret identity." Zoro growls in reply to my comment and races forwards, his bats raised high to knock me to the ground. I roll out of the way of the attack, springing to my feet on his other side.

Zoro whirls to face me, swinging the bats to gain some distance. I dodge back out of his range. Zoro is still sizing me up, ready for another attack.

"Oh, for the love of god Zoro, let it go! He's not worth it." Zoro glances to his side at the pink haired woman at the back of the room. Under her arm, she's holding a small white suitcase, trying to balance that and the umbrella in her escape. "Get your friends and get out of here. We're leaving."

"Oh no you're not," I shout, firing off a rubber fist to grab her before she leaves. Before I manage to reach her, however, a bat blocks my vision and smacks me in the face, sending me down onto the floor. I roll away before a second bat can smash me in the stomach and spring up to glare at Zoro.

"Johnny, Yosaku, we're leaving," he calls over his shoulder and the two thugs spring up. I tense hearing the names. I can't believe it. Zoro got these guys involved as well?

"Why are you doing this?" I ask, massaging my brow. The blow with the bat did some real damage. I feel lightheaded. As Zoro's silhouette walks towards me, all I can see is a blur of black and green.

"It's nothing personal Scarlet," Zoro mutters back, spinning his bats in a threatening manner. "It's just business." He lifts his bat into the air and swings down at my skull…

Saturday, 2nd October

Nami P.O.V

Usopp's stable.

The words fill me with an unstable joy.

On the one hand, he's alive. On the other, according to the doctor's, Usopp has yet to regain consciousness.

Yasopp and Bachina seem happy though and for them, I put on a brave smile. Doctor Nako gives us the quick debrief: the doctors are monitoring Usopp closely. Most say he'll pull through but precautionary measures have put him on a breathing apparatus.

Nako's sticking to us guns of only Usopp's closest family seeing him too, so there's no use waiting around for news anymore.

Yasopp and Bachina explain they're going to stay with Usopp a bit longer but the rest of us seem to be ready to head home. Makino wants to wait with Bachina until they leave so Ace and Luffy are stuck around too.

So it's only goodbye to me, Robin and Zoro.

At least, that was the plan.

Robin, apparently, had other ideas.

"Someone should probably walk Nami home," she suggests with a small smirk.

"Oh! Oh! I can do it!" A blush goes across my cheeks as I turn around to see the source of the gleeful voice. Of course, Luffy's hand is up in the air like he's answering a question in class.

"Thank you Luffy," Robin purrs, unable to hold back her joy. "Such a gentleman." I wish I'd never told her. If she didn't know then this ever would have…

Oh, who am I kidding? Robin's been plotting with me and Luffy since the beginning. This is no real surprise, no matter how irritating it is. Just have to swallow my pride and go for it. Of course, then the nerves kick in and Luffy can clearly see it as we start moving.

"…So…you doing okay? You know, after last night?"

"W-what? Yeah…fine."

"Not a little awestruck at seeing a superhero in the spandex?"

"Yeah. A bit." Damn it, small talk is just so stupid. I want to say something. How hard is it to say? We're already moving so slow that Robin and Zoro have already started moving off.

Just tell him.

Say it!

Say you love him more than the heat of a thousand suns…no, don't go for that, it'll creep him out.

Just say something natural, normal.

Like…I like you?

Oh, Luffy won't get that.

Come on, you can do this, you can do this.

"So…am I going to get a proper answer out of you?"

"Luffy…" He turned on me, that common smirk plastered on his face.

"Yeah?"

"Luffy…I…"

"Nami!" I gritted my teeth at the call. Who the hell was interrupting me now? I was so close, Luffy was right there. I turned around…and the anger vanished from my face. Bellemere was sitting on the side of her police car, her arms folded and her eyes glaring straight through me.

Since when the hell were we outside? I didn't even notice.

"So, which part of being grounded did you not understand?" I bit my lip. Oh, this was fun.

"Bellemere, I had to…"

"No, no you didn't have to," Bellemere replied. "Not in the middle of the night with no word! Nami, I was worried sick." Damn it, I forgot to tell Nojiko where I was going. Oh perfect, just what I need.

"I was just at Robin's."

"And that makes this situation all better, doesn't it?" Shit. This isn't working and Bellemere's looking more pissed by the second.

"But…then I needed to see Usopp. He's in hospital."

"I found out. Makino phoned me. You know, that little box thing in your pocket that you use to talk to people? The thing that's got about twenty missed calls from yours truly?" Just as I start to slump, Luffy steps up alongside me.

"Bellemere, don't be too hard on-"

"Luffy, this doesn't concern you," Bellemere snaps back. Luffy clearly thinks it does and he goes to speak a second time. Luckily, I grab his hand and, by extension, his attention, before he can speak.

"No. She's right Luffy. This is my mistake." Bellemere nods, a stern scowl still resting on her face.

"Car. Now." Regretfully, I step away from Luffy. As we part, our fingers trace against each other as I release his hand. It's only for a moment but the warmth clings to my hand. The pleasant tingle lingers there even after I open the car door and slip onto the backseat. Bellemere follows, glancing back at me with a glare.

"We'll talk about this when we get home young lady," she mutters. I shudder. Great. 'Young lady.' It's worse than being called a criminal. I sulk back into the seat, turning to look out the window. Luffy stands on the pavement outside, offering me a forlorn smile.

"Sorry," he mouths, as if this is somehow his fault. I shake my head and give him a thumbs up.

"It's fine." He seems to brighten up after that, offering me one last wave before the car pulls away from the curb. As Bellemere drives away, I rest my head against the glass. The cold night's chill is still trapped in the windows. It flows straight onto my forehead and I shudder.

Just my luck.

Find out I like my best friend, my other best guy friend is in hospital and I'm grounded. Just another day in the life I guess.

Ace P.O.V

"That was quick." Makino's comment causes me to look up. Luffy.

"Yeah, Bellemere met us outside the hospital." Luffy slumps down on the seats, a pout plastered to his lips. "She's grounded…and she was supposed to help me with my homework," he added for further clarification. As Makino raised an eyebrow, Luffy quickly corrected the statement. "As in we work on it separately but together, not as in copy her."

"Uh-huh" was all Makino murmured in reply. "You can see her at the start of next week in school," I suggest but Luffy shakes his head.

"No, I want to see her sooner." I grind my teeth together.

"Probably just gonna Scarlet into her room tonight anyway…"

"What?" I glance up. Luffy's staring straight at me.

"I thought you said something."…I did? Crap, did I say that out-loud? Maybe…shit.

"Nothing," I insist. "Just talking to myself." Surprisingly, Luffy accepts my excuse with a shrug. So carefree. How does he do it with a secret like that lingering over his head?

"What is it?" I blink. Luffy again.

"What?"

"Ace, you're staring at me and it's creepy." So much for keeping my cool.

"Sorry," I mutter, rubbing my eyes. "Sleepy…getting distracted easily."

"Uh-huh," Luffy mutters, suddenly looking more intently at me. "You sure something's not bothering you Ace?"

Yes. Yes there is Luffy.

You're a liar.

You've lied to me, to Makino, to everyone.

You're a superhero who fights supervillains on the news every night.

You're the vigilante who took on Don Krieg and the Tiger Gang over the Summer.

You're the man behind the Bluejam Incident.

You almost beat a man to death…and you never told me.

And you're still sitting there, smiling like nothing's wrong.

Don't you want to talk about it?

Tell us the truth?

Just…do something!

"Luffy…" I open my mouth to speak, only to be interrupted by a loud slam. Luffy and I turn our heads in Makino's direction, finding her standing to the wall, a hand over her mouth. A trolley lies in the middle of the corridor on its side, newspapers pouring out onto the floor. From behind the wreck, a white hat with black spots pops out. A sigh soon follows.

"Oh no…not again." The hat lifts revealing its wearer, a teenager with a thick goatee and tanned skin. Downtrodden doesn't even begin to describe the look on his sour face. It's the look of an artist who's just torn the canvas of his masterpiece. Pure unrivalled disappointment.

In the presence of such tragedy, even the most strained of sibling relationships can be pulled together. As one, Luffy and I stand up and move to the guy's side, collecting up the newspapers. Makino tries to calm the orderly down but he pushes her aside with a gentle hand.

"Leave me alone, I just tripped. I'm good." He turns and glares down at the lopsided trolley before reaching down to grab one of the corners. "Stupid thing." I reach down to help him, straightening the trolley and pulling it up on my side. Luffy looks up from his paper collecting, squinting as if he's only just seen the guy. The look is curious but I dismiss it, focusing on the other guy.

"I take it this has happened more than once?" The stranger huffs in reply.

"Too often. Bloody thing's got a mind of its own." The trolley groans in complaint as we place it back on its wheels and Luffy wastes no time in reloading it full of newspapers.

"That was quite the nasty tumble," Makino observes, examining the man for bruises. Again, he shrugs her off with a weird glance in my direction.

"She's my mum," I mutter and he gives a brief nod of understanding, realisation flooding his face.

"Thanks for the help I guess," he mutters, "but I really don't need it. I could have done this by myself."

"Not as fast though," Luffy brings up as he shoves the last bits of newspaper onto the trolley, offering the orderly a smile. Again, there's that confused look, as if the guy's never seen someone smile before. Or, maybe, he just recognises the Scarlet Wind. I was shocked too after all. My own brother…some…

"I guess," the guy eventually mutters. "Thanks anyway."

"What you doing with this stuff anyway?" Luffy looks down, poking at newspaper's creased edges with a curious finger. The guy with the perpetual frown sighs again.

"I'm bringing them round to patients and visitors, I volunteer here." He added the last part in response to my questioning look. "And," he continues, "I should really get back to that." Well, this guy seems like a fan of conversation. Friendly. He moves forward, pushing the trolley once more…only for it to swerve and almost crash once more.

This time, however, Luffy grabs it and steadies the trolley. Super strength, huh? I wonder if all the rumours about Luffy are true. Rubber man. How'd that happen?

"Easy there," he says with a smirk. "You're not going anywhere on your own, look." The guy does, spotting the vacant wheel spokes on the trolley's front left wheel. "Oh son of a-" He censors himself when he realises Makino is watching, "blasted thing's broken."

"Hey, no problem, you just need an extra pair of hands. I can help." The guy looks at Luffy again, put off by his friendly demeanour.

"I should probably talk to the shift manager about…"

"You can do that after we've gone round. Come on, I can help you," Luffy replies. The guy's perfected scowl twitches at the invitation of help.

"You know, I'll be doing this for at least an hour, right?" Luffy shrugs.

"Well, I'm fine with that. I've got nothing to do really…besides, I can't ever look by and watch someone who needs help struggle." Well, hero complex. That explains a few things…

"I thought you said you had homework?" Makino chirps up but by then, Luffy's started moving. All the while, the other guy is staring at Luffy in complete confusion.

"You know, you don't need to help me."

"I know, but you need some help, so why not? Besides, I think I know you from somewhere…"

"School. We go to the same school. I've just transferred."

"Ah! I knew it…you're…Kid right?"

"No. Law. Trafalgar Law."

"Sorry. I'm Luffy. Monkey D. Luffy."

"D?"

"Yeah…what about it?"

"Nothing…nothing at all." As the two walk away, Makino gives a small sigh of disbelief. Then, so sudden I almost don't notice it appear, a smirk slips its way onto her lips.

"Interesting…"

"What?" I mumble, my head barely registering what she's saying.

"Oh, it's just that…Luffy's never really had a job. Volunteer or otherwise, you know?" I knew, I just didn't really see the relevance. Did Scarlet count as a job? I guess he isn't paid…as far as I know. Is he paid? Who by? Ah, so many questions and I've not had the right moment to talk to him yet. Damn it.

"Yeah?"

"It'd be nice if he got some." My eyes widen in understand.

"You mean…" Makino gives a coy smirk and glances towards Luffy. "Makino, it would be Luffy's volunteer job."

"True, but that doesn't mean I can't volunteer on his behalf."

Zoro P.O.V

The walk back to Robin's apartment is quiet for the most part.

Not one of those stupid awkward silences.

It's a nice calm silence coupled with a relaxing walk.

Robin's hand rests tightly in my grasp and we let our arms just swing there as we walk.

Everything's happened so quick recently, so there's a lot to take in.

Nami found out Robin and me, she's finally realised her and Luffy should be a thing and then, Usopp's in hospital.

I tell you, nothing but drama.

Not gonna lie, things were a lot simpler before I ever got to know my lovable bunch of losers.

I glance over to Robin. She catches my look and smiles. I smile back.

Well, being a loser does have its good points.

"Usopp will be okay," Robin announces. The sudden comment takes me off-guard for a moment but I nod regardless. It occurs to me that she's saying this mostly for her own benefit, trying to calm herself down. I let out a sigh, squeezing her hand. That's Robin for you. Always trying to be the rock of the group.

"That's a big sigh," Robin comments.

"I'm tired," I groan back. "Didn't get a lot of sleep last night, thanks to you guys and your stupid Disney movies." Robin gives a coy smile at the remark, nudging my side.

"I think you enjoyed it a little."

"Oh yeah," I grumble back "Like enjoying a lobotomy." Robin rolls her eyes, releasing my hand to press in the pin number to her apartment.

"You're impossible," she complains. The buzzer goes off and I pull the door open, holding it wide for Robin to step through.

"Part of my charm," I growl. Robin gives her usual giggle and steps through the open door.

"Yes dear," she replies, a hint of disbelief in her voice. I sigh, following her to the elevator.

"I just can't win with you, can I?" I groan. Robin laughs again. She opens the door to the elevator and pulls the gate-back to an annoying siren. I wince, the familiar sound grating against my ears. I hate this old building. I hate it so much. She turns back to look at me, eyes half-lidded and a hip popping out to one side.

"But if I was easy, I wouldn't be any fun right?" Damn. I hate it when she plays her 'You're hot for me and you know it' card. How the heck am I supposed to argue against that look? I sigh, conceding defeat with a shrug.

"Whatever, let's go." She nods, walking inside the elevator, still taking the time to deliberately shakes her hips from side and side as she walks. I purse my lips. Tease. She must know it as well because she turns around and winks at me.

"Zoro, stop pouting dear. It's not very attractive." I guess she'd know what attractive was. I shrugged and stepped inside the elevator after her, slumping up against one wall. It's an old elevator and an old building, one of those lifts where you have to pull the grating across and close the doors, like you're being locked in a jail cell.

This thing is the reason I hate lifts. The rumbling, the clicking, the jolts like you're gonna be dropped and crushed at any second. The siren stops as Robin closes the door and presses the button. I try to distract myself from the humming, tapping my foot as my stomach crushed in a vice.

"So," I start, topics of conversation whizzing through my mind "Luffy and Nami, huh?"

"About time in my opinion," Robin murmurs. "I'm glad to see that Nami seems to be getting her feelings out in the open. Might encourage Luffy to be mature with his emotions as well." Sometimes, for the smartest woman I know, Robin can say some of the stupidest things.

"I think they'd make a good couple," Robin continues, nodding as if to reinforce the opinion herself. I shrug.

"They're okay, I guess," I conclude, "so long as the witch treats him right." Robin giggles again at that.

"All this friction between you and Nami, just because you owe her money."

"Robin, I borrowed a crayon off her when we were kids and I'm still saddled with paying off the interest. The woman is the devil."

"Just what Luffy needs," Robin pressed on. "A woman who can keep all that energy under control." I give a sigh, realising that nothing I say can change the matter.

It's not that I hate Nami.

Far from it, she's a great girl and a good friend.

But even I can clearly see she's a huge gold digger. How's Luffy's going to keep up with that appetite when he doesn't even have a job is beyond me.

Then again, I find myself staring at the floor as I retreat into my thoughts, we're all a bit strapped for money too.

20,000 beri.

No strings attached.

"Zoro?" I look up, realising we've stopped at our floor.

"Right." I follow Robin through the doors, passing by mine and Mihawk's apartment door and heading to hers. I close the grating and the doors of the lift behind me and the dreaded waling of the sirens finally stops.

20,000 beri. That's a lot of money. And I mean, a lot. That's only a down payment too. More if I actually get the job done. God, the stuff I could get for…

I shake my head. No. No, it's not worth it. I know Perona. No strings attached? With her, there'll be nothing but strings. I can't trust her. Can't do something that risky.

Especially just after I've gotten my life on track since last time. Mihawk would disown me, the guys would be shocked. And Robin. God, I'm not putting her through that. She's already been through enough.

Robin opens the door to her apartment and waves me inside. Like a zombie, I follow mindlessly, still in a staring contest with a floor.

"You okay?"

"Fine," I reply. I can feel Robin's frown radiating from over my shoulder. For such a guarded woman with her emotions, you can almost feel the air change when her mood flips.

"You worried about Usopp?"

"Yeah," I lie, trying to push Perona to the back of my mind. "It's okay though, don't worry. I'll be fine."

"Yeah," Robin replies, though her own voice sounds uncertain. Springing up behind me, she kisses me on the cheek, giving me a reassuring hug, nuzzling my back.

"It'll all work out."

"Uh-huh," I glance back at her and smile. Convinced for the moment, she smiles. Then, with a sniff of her nose, her face drops into a frown.

"I need a shower," she mutters. I grin at the suggestion.

"Want me to join you?" Robin laughs but shakes her head, weaving her way out of my grip.

"Not this time, I actually want to have a proper wash."

"Party pooper."

"Zoro."

"I'm not pouting!" Robin chuckles, walking towards the bathroom.

"Yes dear," she calls back. "I'll only be a few minutes. Love you."

"I love you too." The reply forms effortlessly in my mouth yet speaking it still brings about the same butterflies it did when I first whispered it to her.

God, she's amazing.

Probably doesn't even realise it.

Smart, beautiful, talented.

I sigh, glancing across at the table nearby. The wooden worktop is covered with letters. No, not just letters. Bills. I approach cautiously, lifting up each letter in turn.

Gas, overdue. Electric, overdue. Rent, overdue.

It's a surprise Robin's not crumbling under the weight.

A school girl with at least three part time jobs on the side, trying to make ends meet. Come to think of it, just to go and visit Usopp today, she probably had to call in sick to one of them. The waitress one I think. I frown. Down more money. I can't stand seeing her like this…

20,000 beri.

I let out a small sigh.

Robin. How someone like you can love someone like me, I don't get it. But it hurts so much watching you put up all those walls.

I've known you for so long now that I can see the fake smiles. Helping Nami deal with her issues, trying to talk to Usopp about his feelings for Kaya, trying to get Luffy to get along better with his Grandpa. And me. Taking care of me for god knows how many times. Even now. Putting everyone else before yourself, you're gonna crumble under the weight.

And I can't let that happen. Not to you. I have to protect you. No matter what. I reach into my pocket and type into the phone. After two rings, my call is picked up.

"Hello?"

"Perona, it's me." I let out a sigh, casting my gaze towards the bathroom door. I'm sorry Robin. This is for you. "I'm in."

? P.O.V

Awake.

Awake but still dark.

Why still dark?

An eclipse…no.

No.

No eclipse.

Night.

Why am I awake at night?

Night is for sleeping.

I shake my head, rousing.

No.

Night-time doesn't mean sleep. Not what I am.

I roll out of bed, shifting under my garments. I wince as I stand, plucking wires from my arms. They leak clear in the moonlight.

No matter how broken I am, it's time to get out of here. I look across the room.

A cleaner's kit sits near the door, unattended. They've left the broom. I walk over, snapping the brush off the end with a sharp kick. A spear. Decent.

But I'll need more. I glance down at my gown and sneer.

No great hero dresses like this.

Now might be too soon to act.

My time isn't here.

Not yet.

Soon.

Tonight. I can use tonight.

Yes. Yes, it was all coming together in my head.

I could do it now, I could do it tonight.

Now was the time to plan, now was the time to prepare.

Then, once I was properly outfitted and armed to begin my crusade, I smirked.

I pulled a surgical mask from the trolley and folded it round my mouth. It tied with a snap of string.

When I was ready, then it would be my time.

Time to hunt.

To be continued in Chapter 5: Translation Place Act 3

Until then I'm MikeTurner1 and I hope you've enjoyed this latest chapter.

Please review. Positive criticism is welcome.