It wasn't long before the chill of the night became apparent to the human bodies they were inhabiting and Asura pulled away from the wizard. He knew Zoro had classes to teach in the morning, and even though his magic could simply rejuvenate the man's body; nothing seemed to really compare to an actual night's sleep when it came to a human body. Asura paused in asking Prince if he was ready to returned when he noticed the wizard's attention was drawn away.

Asura cast a quick glance behind to note the object of the warlock's attention. For a moment he remained puzzled by the twinkling sky and illuminated trees before he noticed the large dead oak that leaned lamely to its side while awaiting its eventual crumble to the earth.

With only a moment of hesitation, he slowly removed himself from the wizard – ignoring the small sound of confusion from the man – and made his way across the clearing. Distantly, he could sense Prince watching him as he neared the now dead tree that had unfortunately suffered collateral damage due to their fight.

Asura placed his hands on the trunk of the tree, gently cradling the chard wood and curling bark that had been killed due to his own magic, and slowly began releasing his own energy back into the poor life form. The process was slow but he was already able to discern the steady rejuvenation of the blackened bark as it began to regain its healthy hue. Almost as though he were rewinding time, he watched the destruction receded.

There was a time long ago when seeing an object of such vibrant, living beauty become rendered into nothing more than a gnarled, ugly shadow of its former self would have made him gleeful. It was a sick and twisted joy he got from destroying the wonderful things in this world in exchange to match his rotten soul.

And yet...

Yet the meeting of a simple wizard had changed everything. The evil and the hatred was there – always lurking beneath the surface with a burning ferocity that made Asura test his limits daily – but it hardly gave him the thrill it used to. Instead it felt more like an immature habit that he had picked up long ago and was now merely trying to break; not that it was in anyway easy.

Back before he had been summoned up to earth he had none of the morals or ethics that were strangely attributed to this human body that he had obtained. Instead every action and motive was fuelled completely by his instincts, and his blood lust was unimaginable. That blackness still remained somewhere deep inside of him even now; a strong wanderlust to tear the life from a living, writhing body. Have his hands squeeze the soul from some pitiful human as it begged for mercy and be able to feel the life cease to exist underneath his fingertips...

And through all the malicious thoughts and malevolence that flowed through him and had been sewn into his very being upon creation he had been able to cast it all aside for one man and see life in a new light. Desperate to only know how Prince had felt and saw the world, Asura had fought his very instincts to see life from the wizards eyes and it had been extraordinary. Like finally opening his eyes for the first time and seeing the colours of the world in new shades, hews and tones; emotions mixed with the visual leaving him utterly breathless.

How it could have ever compared to his petty happiness at destroying such beauty was beyond his demon mind, and yet since that day he had never let go. Whenever his true nature fought to take over he thought of the first time he had stared into those blue eyes – the first time he had really stared into them – not when they were shadowed by his hate of the world, not when he had been glaring them down. But the moment the wizard had shown the demon what the world could truly look like, and he had turned to the warlock in wonder only to be meet by a pair of sparkling blue eyes that rivalled the stars in their intensity and the sun in its radiance.

Those eyes haunted him, haunted and inspired him like no errand from hell ever could. Whenever evil nipped at his heels, whenever his instincts rose up, when the blackness that lurked beneath his human exterior threatened to burst free he thought of those electric blue eyes that had stared at him – in mirth and fondness – and desperately held onto the fact that he never wanted to lose them. Never wanted to go back to his old self and be unable to stare Prince in the eyes without feeling utterly breathless.

The warlock probably had no idea how utterly captivated the demon had become with him. He knew Prince was loyal to him but not in the way Asura was to him. The reason for his existence and the only thing keeping him bound to his body was that wizard currently inhabiting some boy's body, and as wise and learned as he may be, he was truly oblivious

A demon always took.

Greed being among the top of the list of sins, it was a second nature for a demon to suck the life out of everything around it, take from the innocent and feed off the scum of the earth. Not once did the need to give or help ever cross the creatures mind, but that was exactly what Prince had taught him.

Casting out his magic, he poured it in, instead of taking it away. And though a primal part of him snarled at such compassion while giving up his own life force, something so much more unknown left him feeling warm and satisfied as his magic went to someone other than himself.

Satisfied.

That was the word.

More full than any meal could make him feel, any soul that he would suck from a creatures living body, or any gratifying feeling he got while using his maliciousness to turn humans against each other. Dark mind games and manipulation was pleasing indeed but he never felt the fullness that accompanied when he actually managed to assist mankind instead of hindering it.

The last of the dead, curled leaves unfurled as they were lit by a vibrant green and the tree shuddered in the night breeze as though it were taking its first rejuvenating breath of life after being suffocated. Asura gently let his hand fall away with a small quirk of his lip the only tell that he was happy with himself.

With the tree fully restored, Asura took a few steps back to appraise his work. Vaguely remembering the first time he had done it and how proud the damned warlock had looked, though had still managed to give a few snide remarks afterwards to try and conceal his happiness with the demon. The spirit cast a look back at the now current wizard expecting a broad grin but was startled to find Prince looking at him utterly stricken.

Not a single trace of awe or pride, just a single pained expression that was etched into the warlock's face as his mouth was slightly parted in his stupor. Asura nearly started at the reaction, not entirely sure how he was supposed to react to the wizard's shock. Eyes darted back and forth hurried as he tried to wrack his brain for any form of explanation as to why Prince was looking at him that way.

"You remembered the spell?" Prince asked quietly, a mixture of emotion's beginning to surface on the warlock's face that Asura was having trouble cataloguing properly before more would replace the former one's; awe, disbelief, remorse, happiness, guilt. A collage of various feelings flitted over the man's face and the few he managed to catch left the demon confused and flustered.

"Y-Yeah, of course." Asura stuttered out, not quite sure if he had done good or bad in the eyes of the warlock and awaited a more clear reply as he wearily sized up the blond. Prince stood numbly for only a moment before he was diving into the demon's confused arms and holding the man tightly to himself.

Asura stood paralysed for only a moment before his arms settled around the blond and a fond smile broke out across his features. Placing a hand on top of Prince's head he gently stroked the silken blond strands as he slowly began to fully realize what had most likely gone through the warlock's mind. Prince had probably started to doubt Asura's resolve.

Demon's weren't exactly known for their ability to love. He knew what he was better than anyone else, and though Prince accepted it completely, it still seemed that the warlock had his doubts from time to time. The wizard probably thought that the demon's feelings would have wavered in the time they spent apart. Snarling lightly, he held the blond tighter in an odd combination of punishment and reassurance as he muttered quietly.

"I remember everything you taught me."

Asura revelled in the way Prince's hold tightened even further, his actions speaking louder than any words possibly could. The warlock's face remained buried in Asura's shoulder, and the demon preened quietly to himself in the knowledge that he had pleased his master.

It was always a guessing game when it came to warlock; always trying to discern if what he would do would annoy or please the man. Prince was only human, so his heart was always worn on his sleeve, but a demon was born to do the exact opposite; lie, hurt, and misguide. Even in their former life it had often been a problem; Asura constantly learned by watching Prince, but still had never fully comprehended exactly how Prince's morals worked.

Prince finally pulled away and he seemed to have taken the time hiding in Asura's shoulder to compose himself so he didn't look nearly as affected by Asura's actions as he did earlier. Asura didn't understand human emotions well, so that was mostly to blame for his stoicism and monotone replies, but he always found it oddly cute when the wizard tried to maintain as unfazable as the demon.

"Clean yourself up." Prince chided with a small laugh, "We can't give them back their bodies in this state."

The demon cast a glance over the clotting lacerations and various bruises that were blooming into life over Zoro's body before rolling his eyes and dropping to the ground with a small grumble of resistance. Setting to work on the largest of the wounds, Asura hovered a hand above a particularly nasty bruise that had definitely cause some form of internal damage as he allowed his black aura to radiate from his hand to heal the wound.

As the magic did its work the demon glanced over at the seated wizard as he set about his own process of healing himself. Asura loved watching the warlock at work, his healing much more than just a skill or a task, it was a passion that he wove into a work of art each time he summoned his magic.

Prince let his palms display up wards as he slowly jerked his wrists in small circular motions to create two small balls of blue energy that began increasing in size. The magic swirled with the grace of simple currents flowing through water and were soon nearly engulfing the warlock's hands. Prince carefully turned his hands on himself, pressing the two glowing orbs against his chest as he sighed in the relief that the magic gave him.

Asura watched quietly as the cuts and bruises seemed to heal as though through a time vortex. The lacerations receding into a thin line of irritated red before even that faded into a scar and was swiftly erased. The same backwards process affected the rest of the wizard's wounds, evaporating bruises and swiping away scrapes until the pale skin was left as unmarked as a fresh canvas.

Electric blue eyes turned onto Asura and the wizard quietly beckoned the demon. Asura paused for only a moment before crawling over to where the warlock sat and crouched obediently between his knees. A small smile quirked the wizard's lips as he was no doubt reminded of Asura's old behaviour back when they had their old bodies.

A gentle hand tipped Asura's face to the side as the other was placed on his cheek, the magic still flowing within his palm was then guided to soothe Asura's wounds. A happy sigh flitted past Asura's lips as the warlock's soothing magic began to course throw him like a toxin, numbing all pain and cooling all the irritated areas. Prince's magic always felt akin to a cool salve being spread across an inflamed wound, along with all the calmness it brought.

His own magic was like coarse, gritty sand being ground into his wounds in comparison. It was just another addition to the list of pros and cons of being created out of pure evil. Not even the things he did to himself could be considered in any way peaceful or gentle.

Prince's cradling hand pulled away and Asura slowly let his eyes flutter open, dopily looking up at the wizard whom was watching him fondly. The hand returned to ruffle the demon's hair as he muttered, "C'mon, home time."

Asura reluctantly agreed, though not before darting in quickly and pressing his lips against the warlock's, dragging his sharp tongue across the warlock's lips slowly and basking in satisfaction as he felt a small shudder shake the man's body. Eyes flicking to his healed wounds he murmured quietly, "Thanks."

~X~

Sanji exited the hall, shoulder bag slung over his shoulder as he balanced his economics textbooks precariously and made his way through the halls and toward the entrance. Leaning lazily on the escalator he took the opportunity to fix his books before the automatic stairs kicked him off at the bottom floor. Casting a glance at the large clock stationed conveniently in the centre of the campus; stating that it was nearly eight and Sanji silently cursed his professor for having the a late night exam.

Out on campus he made his way down the front steps, eyes widening in shock when he noted a familiar face staring back at him. The green-haired punk had his hands shoved into the pockets of a worn leather jacket as he grinned up at Sanji, and a brunette was by his side wearing a ridiculous straw hat and was waving at Sanji like he was an old friend.

"Hey, curly!" Zoro barked friendly as Sanji made it down the rest of the steps in front of the two, wishing he had a free hand to flip off the annoying man. Instead he cast an odd look over the excited boy and glanced at Zoro, raising a brow in silent request for an explanation

"Sanji. Luffy." Zoro introduced formally, "He's a host like us. Thought you might like to meet."

Sanji's eyebrows were in danger off being lost in his hair line as they raised in surprise, looking over goofy boy in shock. This was the infamous Luffy? He was almost the exact opposite as Sanji had pictured when imagining one of Zoro's friends; he was thinking more along the lines of tattoos, a grumpy expression and terrible social skills.

This boy looked so innocent that he could've probably been in high school still and didn't even know the opposite sex existed yet. Wide curious eyes and cheeky grin reminded him of child who knew he was going to be taken to the play ground and then get ice cream afterwards.

Covering his slight disbelief, Sanji adjusted his books to shake the boy's hand, resulting in knocking one of the texts from his arms. Luffy's arm extended beyond normal limits and snatched the book from falling to the ground, before it snapped back to its normal length and Sanji was left jaw dropped in disbelief.

"I always love that reaction." Zoro muttered casually to Luffy, though his eyes were directed to Sanji as he laughed at the blond's stunned expression.

"W-what the fuck?" Sanji managed, casting a glance around quickly to see if anyone else had noticed and found that the campus was clearly empty, most exams finished and people already rushed home to enjoy their Friday night in peace. Sanji glanced back at Luffy still open mouthed in confusion.

Luffy hooked a finger in his cheek and pulled the skin, extending it to almost arms length before letting it snap back into place, "I'm made of rubber."

"Y-yeah." Sanji managed numbly, staring at the cheek that had just extended beyond normal limits. Really, after dealing with Zoro, things like this really shouldn't be shocking him anymore. Shaking his head with an accepting sigh he muttered, "I can see that."

Seemingly happy with the course of events Zoro scooped up half of Sanji's books before he could even protest and then jerked his head toward the student parking, "Good. I have my car. Let's go."

"Go?" Sanji enquired in annoyance, "Go where?! I just finished my midterms; I want to go home and nap."

"It's Friday. We're going to go have some fun." Zoro explained casually as he opened the drivers side and looked back at Sanji, "And since you don't seem to have any friends we're dragging you along."

"I have friends!" Sanji shouted indignantly, but Zoro had already gotten in and slammed the door before he could hear Sanji's reply. Aggressively pulling the door open he climbed in, slammed the door with the same amount of force and buckled himself in. "Where are we going?"

Luffy turned around in his seat and replied broadly, "Mariejoi!"

"Can I at least go home and change?" Sanji asked after a sullen moment, glancing down at his ratty jeans and worn Flash tee shirt. It was hardly the apparel he wanted to sport when out looking for potential female conquests. There was a time and a place for when he had a craving for a superhero obsessed woman; and that time certainly wasn't at Mariejoi.

"Yeah, alright." Zoro conceded as he threw the car into reverse and veered backwards out of his parking spot, slamming Sanji's head into the door frame in the process. Before he could even grumble a complaint the car was switched into drive and was screeching out into traffic, nearly hitting a mini van.

~X~

At his apartment he gave a vague gesture to the kitchen and offered them to 'help themselves' as he quickly made his way to his bathroom. Desperately wanting to wash off nearly a weeks worth of laziness and grime from not showering due to exams. It was much shorter than he would've liked as he hurried worked shampoo into his hair, not wanting to keep them waiting too long.

An insufficient towel dry and Sanji rooted through his closet, towel hanging dangerously low off his hips as he tried to find something appropriate for Mariejois – something nice but not classy. Dragging out his favourite black jeans that accentuated his legs perfectly and a casual emerald green tee shirt, he was stumbling into a pair of boxers as he made his way into the bathroom to locate his deodorant.

In less than five minutes he was ready and came out to find that Luffy had helped himself to nearly half of his fridge and Zoro had broken into the scotch. Watching the two men pillage his food like a couple of pirates he silently wondered what the hell he had gotten himself into with these hosts. It only partially saved his sanity that he had seemed to be bonded to the only levelheaded spirit out of the group.

"Okay." Sanji announced with a small spread of his arms to indicate his appearance, "I'm ready. If you're done eating my food we can go whenever."

Zoro glanced up from the glass he was currently downing, eyes jerking over the blond's appearance quickly before muttering, "You take longer than a girl."

The jab caused a twitch of anger in his eyebrow but he managed to fight it down in place jerking a thumb towards the door and muttering, "And you look like something the cat dragged in. Let's go."

Bringing the bulging sandwich along, Luffy ambled over to the door happily as Zoro quickly capped the bottle and replaced it in the fridge. Ushering them to the door before they took anything else from his house, they all slipped into their shoes – Luffy struggling as he tried to eat the sandwich at the same time.

"You'll get to meet Luffy's girlfriend," Zoro explained as they exited Sanji's apartment, pausing in the hall as Sanji turned back to struggle with his keys as he locked up, "And a couple others."

"Do they all know about the spirits?" Sanji asked absently as he jiggled the doorknob slightly to the left while twisting the key viciously to get the deadbolt to properly slid into place. The finicky knob had been like that since he'd first gotten the place and he still hadn't gotten around to fixing the damned thing. Throwing his keys into his pocket he followed the other two hosts toward the stairwell, passing the still 'OUT OF ORDER' elevator.

"No, only Nami." Zoro muttered before reaching over and punching Luffy in the arm, "Thanks to Captain Rubberdick over here."

"I told you that was an accident!" Luffy protested petulantly as he rubbed his arm with a small scowl before snapping out and landing a solid punch in Zoro's side.

"I did NOT need to know that!" Sanji shrieked as he clamped his hands over his ears in a desperate attempt to try and stop the mental image from burning into his brain. Maybe if he plugged his ears it would somehow stop the information from continuing on to his brain and mentally scaring him.

"Accident my ass, you kinky pervert!" Zoro shouted as he tried to get past Luffy's blocks and land a solid hit, one hand tangled in the boy's red vest as they both nearly tried tripped down the stairs in their struggles.

"Too much information!"

"Let go of my nose!"

~X~

They arrived at Nami's apartment frazzled; Luffy and Zoro both calmly sitting in the front with several bruises from when they had fallen down nearly a flight of stairs when Luffy had accidentally tripped over his flip-flop, and Sanji sat silently crying in the back as the image of the boy's rubber appendage simply wouldn't leave his mind.

The woman standing out on the sidewalk awaiting them was a vision and Sanji immediately perked up as he tried to get a better look. Thin, yet with amazing curves she wore a skimpy skirt that exposed most of her milky thighs, and a tight top that presented her ample bosom. A jewelled necklace hung down to attractively settle between her breasts as silken orange hair fell around her shoulders. Beautifully styled into casual ringlets that only slightly hid the large hoops dangling from her ears.

"You're joking..." Sanji muttered on a breath before leaning forward between the two front seats to get a better look at the woman they were approaching. He cast an incredulous look at Luffy before turning an accusatory stare to Zoro, "How the fuck is he dating that?!"

"That is the devil in disguise, and the only person that could probably deal with Luffy."

After some pathetic stuttering he fell into the back seat with a pitiful whine of remorse as the car halted. What cruel God out there present Luffy with magical rubber abilities and the hottest girlfriend on the planet, and left him bonded to a homosexual spirit that wanted to bone some stupid back street punk? It just wasn't fair.

The adjacent back seat door opened as the woman stepped in and all of Sanji's previous whining was put on hold as he sat in silent awe at the true beauty he was presented with at such close range. Desperately fighting to keep his mouth from hanging open he looked her over.

"Nami." She introduced sweetly, offering her finely manicured hand for his and he took it gently, giving a small shake as he numbly noted her features much closer. If seeing her standing at a distance had left him breathless, than up close was near to putting him into a coma.

Gorgeous, wide brown eyes stared at him happily and were bordered with just the finest amount of makeup to make them stand out further, and a thin layer of lip gloss to make her pouting lips shimmer. Her smile was sincere and Sanji had no clue why Zoro would call this woman a devil.

"Sanji." He replied quickly, releasing her hand reluctantly and casting a quick look at Luffy. The damned kid must have been some sort of miracle worker to capture the attention of this living goddess.

"So, you're a part of this whole supernatural trio thing?" Nami asked lightly as her eyes raked over the blond critically as she pulled out the seat belt and clipped it in. Her sharp eyes were scanning him critically as though trying assess if there might be anything wrong with him, considering he was now part of this weird trio with a rubber man and a green-haired demon.

"Ah, yup." Sanji placed a hand on the back of his neck, scratching nervously as he chuckled, "Unfortunately."

She smiled at the small jab, though her eyes still seemed to be glancing over him critically and he assumed that he wasn't nearly done being judged by the gorgeous ginger. Not that he really minded being stared at by such a beautiful woman, but if she was involved then he had class enough to not bother a taken woman. Though that really didn't stop him from taking subtle glances down her shirt for the rest of the drive...

~X~

They arrived at the club and were greeted by a couple other boisterous people whom Sanji quickly deduced must all have the excitement levels of Luffy. A boy that seemed to be very close Luffy with an interesting skin tone and slightly obnoxious nose greeted the straw hat wearing kid cheerfully, as a couple other were already chatting. Nami was already beside a gorgeous brunette with interesting Salsa styled dance wear, and another with purple dyed punk hair whom was dressed a little less formally than the other two.

Zoro waved to a pal of his and Sanji reluctantly tagged along at his side – unfortunately this piece of moss was the only person in this group he actually knew – and he was introduced a man with various tattoos and an interesting Mohawk who went by the name of Wyper.

"Took part in the same mix martial arts elimination tournament." Zoro explained as he clapped a hand to the man's back, "We were among the top five left."

"Impressive." Sanji commented lightly as he shook the man's hand, he seemed nice enough but had a stoicism about him that surpassed even Zoro and bordered on warrior-like.

Thankfully the interactions didn't last long and soon everyone was piling into the club. I.D.'s were quickly flashed at the door and small cover charge paid before they were inside the pumping building where the music was practically beat into your very bones. Voices were drowned out and the only hint as to what he was supposed to do was a gesture of Zoro in the vague direction they should head.

In only a few short moments he was lost in the crowd of thriving bodies, people dancing and talking to one another – shouting over the loud music to be heard – and Sanji quickly found that he had entirely lost sight of any of Zoro's friend. Part of him groaned in annoyance, wanting nothing more than to slink back out without anyone noticing and go back to sleep in his own bed.

Yet the alcohol was already calling to him from the bar and the fact that he was able to sleep in tomorrow was a welcome encouragement. Besides he shouldn't waste a perfectly good opportunity to dance with some gorgeous girls when he had already gotten showered and everything. Giving in he began to sidle his way between the bodies to get closer to the bar.

Managing to get around a rather large group of young girls dancing together he was almost at the bar when a glass appeared in front of him. Glancing over to see Zoro with his own in his hand, Sanji accepted the drink – not bothering to shout over the music – he just mouthed a reluctant 'thank you' to the man. He could get his own drink for fuck's sakes.

"You look a little lost." Zoro growled into his ear, and though the closeness was necessary due to the loudness of the club Sanji couldn't help but shudder as he wished Zoro wouldn't stand so close. Pulling back Zoro gestured with his head toward a couple double doors with a glowing red EXIT sign above it and started to make his way over.

Sanji followed and soon they were in a small lobby like area with a desk in the corner with a girl sitting behind it looking decidedly bored. As soon as the doors shut fully behind them the music was muffled to extremely tolerable levels and Zoro made his way over to the girl.

"They tend to do their own thing once we get here." Zoro explained casually as he shucked off his leather jacket and tossed it to the girl behind the counter, placing his free hand on the surface to await a stamped number for his coat. "We try to regroup at around two and make sure everyone's got a ride home."

"Aren't you driving?" Sanji asked bluntly as he stared down at the large pint Zoro had just set down on the counter. Zoro just started to laugh as Sanji handed over his own hoodie to the girl. "What's so funny?"

"Naw," Zoro muttered as he managed to stifle his laughter while undoing the bandanna from his left arm, rolling it up and tying it around his forehead like a headband. The black material covering just his forehead, making his neon hair stick up like a peacock, "It's just cute how you still think of things normally."

Sanji silently watched Zoro's motions as he put on the bandanna, eyebrows furrowing in annoyance at Zoro's subtle teasing. It wasn't until the girl returned from putting away their jackets that Sanji realized exactly what the bandanna represented and allowed his eyes to widen a fraction at how oblivious he had been.

At Sanji's small look of realization Zoro muttered cheekily, "You got it." Before snatching up his drink and heading back over to the inner club. Sanji watched as he went, the door opened for a moment and the pumping music was amplified and the flashing lights were visible on Zoro's body and the flooring around him before he disappeared within.

The pressing of the inked stamp to the back of his hand drew his attention away from the man and back to the cute girl behind the counter. He offered a formal thanks and a compliment that left her blushing before following Zoro out back to the dance floor. Inside he was once more assaulted by the music that would leave him deaf and disoriented for days and found that Zoro was long gone.

As he wove and made his way through the throngs of gyrating people his free hand slipped absently to the glasses in his pocket, fingering the hinge slightly as he still tried to grasp the concept of his bond. He still had a very light grasp on what exactly he was capable of doing with this connection. Sure there was bound to be some form of magical side affects considering it wasn't natural for a spirit to inhabit an object in the first place.

It made him curious to know the extent of what his body was capable of doing with the assistance of the spirit. He wasn't exactly sure what Zoro had been referring to earlier but he had made it pretty obvious that intoxication wouldn't be a problem due to Asura. Would the same be applicable to Sanji? Would Prince somehow keep him from inebriating himself or something?

Drink finished, he quickly ordered three shots of Morgan's with the urgency to get himself at least a little tipsy, this whole spirits thing was weighing on him and for a night he'd just like to forget about all of it. Giving the bartender a bill he quickly tossed them back as he waited for his change. Slamming the final glass down on the counter he collected his change and slipped it into his pocket before ambling out onto the dance floor.

It didn't take long to find a cute girl that easily fell into his embraced as she grinded up pleasantly against him, her gorgeously tanned thigh between his as one hand twisted in his hair and the other teased the edge of his shirt. The girl was hot, with electric blue hair that matched her lustrous personality and mysterious aura. She had summer shorts on which allowed Sanji the occasional pleasant grope of soft skin and her spiralled shirt was practically an invitation to stare at her boobs and he wasted little time in ogling them happily.

The alcohol began to happily kick in and he tilted her delicate chin up, staring into adorable brown eyes before placing his lips over hers. The kiss was hot like an Arabian desert and had him curling into her further to get more of the spicy cinnamon taste of her lip gloss. Music faded and the lights were non-existent – he didn't even notice the random people that bumped and shoved into them – everything was solely the delicate lips and sweet tongue against his.

She kissed back enthusiastically, grinding against him with precise twists of her hips that had his knees going slightly weak and was tempting his hands to start to explore more intimately. Hands skimping her shirt up higher he was able to finally ghost them over her amazingly tanned torso and appreciate the full curves of her body. Just as he was getting tempted to ask her back to his place a girl appeared at her shoulder, looking disapproving and making a gesture toward the exit.

The girl immediately turned off and disappeared into the crowd and the blue haired girl pulled away with an apologetic frown before murmuring, "Sorry, that's my only ride."

Sanji reluctantly let her go, but kept the ridiculous grin plastered onto his face as he watched the last of her blue hair disappear into the crowd. The pulsing of the music was stifling, Sanji could feel it as it beat into every cell of his body and the flow of alcohol through his veins was affecting his vision as the lights flashed intensely. People bumped into him as he they danced in ways that told him they were even more drunk than he was.

Giving in he began to gyrate to the music once more, the feeling of moving his body lessened the pressure of alcohol on his sight and he closed his eyes. Everything just began to blend together as he moved to the music; stress, worry, and troubles melted through the soles of his shoes and into the floor and freedom filled his chest.

Strong hands came to rest on his hips, as a vaguely familiar, muscular body pressed into his from behind, matching his hip movements perfectly. Eyelids far too heavy to turn and see who it was he merely continued dancing, enjoying the feeling of a solid surface to not only lean against but also grind his body into.

Alcohol surging through him he wasn't nearly as appalled at the idea of a man grinding against him as he usually would be and so for a moment relished in feeling while his hands dropped down to lightly rest on the one's holding him so possessively. A moment of rum induced confusion while he noted that the hands felt slightly familiar before casting a glance over his shoulder and inhaling sharply.

Sanji's heart jumped into his throat as his drunken stupor fled in a second flat as he turned in the strong hold to practically bump noses with Zoro, staring up into dark eyes that danced with mirth and the colours of the flashing lights of the club. His body continued to rock in a sexual rhythm as his hands held Sanji close and moved the blond along with him.

Unconsciously, Sanji's hands snapped to Zoro's biceps for something to hold onto and steady himself from the sudden rush of alcohol and lust that surged into his head at once. Sanji remained limp as a sure Zoro moved them both and Sanji went along with it, rational thought and judgement drowned out long ago by the Captain.

Everything was overwhelming; the pounding music that was both deafening and shook the club with its intensity, the flashing multicoloured lights were blinding and changing with inconsistent frequencies, and the bobbing, throbbing mass of people who were dancing made the entire scene so staggering.

Those strong arms slid further around Sanji's waist as Zoro pulled him in closer until his thigh was hotly placed between Sanji's legs. His dark eyes were staring at him with such blatant desire and intensity that made Sanji shrink back slightly as the lights continued to play on the man's face and lit up the sheen of sweat on his skin in bright pinks and blues. His forehead was hidden by the black bandanna, but his green hair still stuck up crazily.

...the bandanna.

Sanji inhaled sharply as Zoro leaned in, hot mouth biting his lower lip as he whispered desperately against his lips, "Let me see Prince."

There was a small, alcohol induced moment of confusion before anger washed away all traces of non-sobriety and left him seething with hatred at the spirit, and also at himself. How could he be so stupid to actually think it was Zoro? How could he have gotten so drunk to even let the idea of Zoro touching him be okay?!

Sanji promptly brought his knee sharply into Asura's gut as he gripped the demon's head and pulled him down, keeping the knee pressed sharply into his gut he yelled threateningly over the music into the man's ear, "As if I'd let you molest my body, you fucking demon."

Asura only chuckled in response and Sanji frowned as he looked down at his knee in confusion, eyes widening in shock as he found a mass of black aura keeping his knee from connecting with the man's body. It hovered inches from the man's torso – a pulsing wave of magic – keeping Sanji from even coming in contact with the creature.

Using Sanji's confusion Asura pushed Sanji's leg down and embraced him hard, allowing for no space between them where Sanji could try another attack. Sanji's face was crushed into Zoro's – Asura's – shoulder and he desperately tried to ignore how good the cologne Zoro had chosen to wear smelt.

"We've respected your wishes." Asura murmured hotly, "I won't molest your body. But at least allow me and Prince time to enjoy."

It wasn't so much that he was annoyed at Asura and Prince for wanting time together – really he couldn't begrudge them that – but what really irked him was the fact that for one moment – one confusing, heart-stopping moment – Sanji had thought that Zoro had been looking at him in such a way. Eyes burning, face wanting, arms clinging; he'd never been looked at that way before. Never had he been directed a look that had said nothing but complete and utter devotion, and it was catastrophic.

It broke down all of his walls, left him feeling bare and yet at the same time and built him up and made him feel powerful. And all he could focus on was the fact for one perfect moment it had been Zoro looking at him that way. And even though he didn't like Zoro, even though he wasn't gay, just being wanted in that way had shaken him right down to his core. But as soon as that good feeling came it was gone with the fact that it had been Asura; Asura looking for Prince. And that simple notion ruined everything and left Sanji feeling hollow.

Sanji closed his eyes and berated himself for even reacting to Asura's advancements, slipping the glasses carefully from his pocket and placing them on his face. Keeping his eyes closed the whole time, not wanting to see the demon's mocking grin anymore than he already had. Slipping away into the recesses of his mind he handed his body over to the spirit as he silently pictured Zoro's eyes in his mind.

Drunken and broken – not even caring as to what it might mean – he pictured the moment he had stared up into Zoro's face and truly believed it was the same man looking back at him. Cutting off the memory just before Asura whispered in his ear he replayed the memory over and over in his head until he drifted off into as peaceful a sleep as he could.

~X~

Sanji awoke on his couch to the most amazing warmth, a radiating heat that had him curling into it and squeezing his arms tighter in an unconscious need to keep it close. A grunt and a tightening around his waist was all that was needed for Sanji's sleep riddled mind to realized that something was off.

His eyes snapped open and found his nose squished up against Zoro's clavicle, as ridiculously strong arms held him against the warm, hard body. Zoro's chin rested protectively on Sanji's head as his hands unconsciously held the blond's waist. Their legs were tangled together in an embarrassingly intimate way as Sanji's leg was hooked just a little too possessively over the sleeping man's thigh.

Zoro still seemed to be asleep judging by the deep, calm breathes that the man was still taking. Each inhale expanding his muscular chest and pressing against Sanji's front, leaving absolutely nothing to the imagination as to how built the man really was underneath the ratty old shirts and baggy hoodies he was constantly sporting.

With slight embarrassment, Sanji removed his arm from Zoro's waist, and his leg from Zoro's thigh as he tried to move as far away from the sleeping man as possible. Keeping his movements slow and calm so as not to wake the sleeping man he managed to get untangled enough to rest his head beside Zoro's on the armrest, though he had made little progress of getting himself out of the man's possessive arms.

What made Sanji the most confused was that he didn't not like it. There had been plenty of times when he'd woken up after letting Jyabura spend the night and found the annoying man clinging to him while drooling. Sanji had been out of bed and in shower so fast he probably broke some world record.

But being here didn't bother him in the least – Zoro was drooling slightly and he was holding Sanji way too tight – yet he didn't really feel like moving. In fact he felt comfortable enough to close his eyes and try to perhaps drift back to sleep...

Sanji glanced up as Zoro's face scrunched up, mimicking the way he usually wound up for a sneeze before yawning obscenely and allowing Sanji to smell his morning breath. Some how managing to smell of tacos and beer Sanji was positive that some of his hair was singed by the rank odour.

Good feeling was gone.

No longer caring about waking the idiot, Sanji pried himself away from the bad-breathed beast, pushing himself up until he was sitting and was glad to note that all of his clothes were still on. At least he knew that alcohol hadn't inhibited the spirits, or made them break their promise.

"Coffee?" Sanji offered as he stretched languidly, arms reaching above his head as he arched his back, his movement accompanied by a satisfied groan. Trying to remain calm and act as though waking up wrapped up in your friends arms was a normal Saturday morning occurrence.

"Please." Zoro replied thickly, smacking his mouth a couple times as he tried to get the feeling of cotton-mouth out from his tongue and the back of his throat. "A shower too, if you'll let me?"

Sanji climbed over Zoro and got to his feet, giving one last stretch and gestured vaguely to the hall that lead to his room, "On the right; towels in cupboard beside the shower."

Zoro nodded in quiet thanks as he pushed himself up so he was sitting and ran a tired hand over his face. Sanji made his way into the kitchen, not wanting to have to face Zoro with the awkward conversation of explaining why they were sleeping together. As he made his way out he casually noted the bandana that lay forgotten on the couch that must have slipped off during their sleep.

Remembering his own glasses, he pulled them off of his nose and placed them carefully to the side of the kitchen counter as he set about getting a kettle filled with water. As he turned on the element and placed the kettle on it, he noted Zoro's progress in his peripheral and casually shouted back to the man, "I said on the right, dumb ass. That's the closet."

"Shut the fuck up." Was the only reply he got before the bathroom door was slammed shut, and all that could be heard was the muffled sounds of Zoro changing. Sanji smirked and went about pulling out a couple of mugs, and his home made filterer as he awaited the kettle to boil.

As soon as the shower started Sanji placed both shaking hands down on the counter and let his head drop as he let out a small groan. The memories of last night were invading his head and the feelings of arousal, confusion and devastation were once more making his way through his gut. Vaguely remembering the hands that had held his hips so possessively, and the hard hips that had grinded into his so amazingly. Shaking his head to get he confusing emotions and images from his head, Sanji glanced through his hair in the direction of the shower.

Did Zoro remember any of it?

Asura had been in control so surely Zoro had drunkenly passed out in the recesses of his mind as the demon controlled his body. No, Sanji argued firmly, Zoro absolutely didn't remember a single bit of it and that was perfectly okay with him. It saved him the trouble of explaining that while he was drunk he obtained potentially bi-curiosity towards him.

Sanji groaned and dropped into a crouch, holding his head in embarrassment. Even in his thoughts that sound so bad. And what if he was starting to realize his potential bi-curious self? What if he was starting to develop feelings for Zoro? What if-?

The shower shut off and Sanji's head snapped up suddenly knowing he needed to get a grip on his composure. Running a distressed hand over his face he pushed himself to his feet, fumbling slightly. Turning to lean casually against the kitchen counter he absently dug into his pockets for a calming cig, trying to ignore how jerky his hands still were.

Opening the kitchen window he blew the first stream of delicious nicotine out into the back alley and clung to the slight relief that the smoke gave him. Sighing heavily he reassuringly reminded himself that he was hungover and just a little stressed out thanks to everything that had happened these past weeks. He was reading far too deep into this whole thing; and what ever he thought he felt was obviously just side affects of sharing the same body with a spirit that happened to be in love with the spirit within Zoro. Whatever he saw or felt when looking at Zoro was merely the channelled emotions of Prince.

The kettle began whistling, and Sanji ground out the butt of the smoke in his nearby ashtray before he removed it from the element as he began to set up his manual filter and pulled a bag of pre-made coffee grounds from the cupboard. The rich-scented Cuban ground beans was like a small relaxant to Sanji`s overwhelmed and stressed out body, allowing him a brief moment of calamity to go through the comforting motions of his morning coffee.

It was short lived as Zoro exited the bathroom, completely dressed just as Sanji finished filtering the coffee. Pouring the steaming liquid into a large mug he handed it off to the man – remembering from their earlier trip to the cafe that Zoro took his black – who immediately knocked part of it back while leaning his hip up against the counter.

A silence fell around the two, only broke by the subtle noise made by Sanji's motions; the opening of the fridge and the adding of the creme, the clinking of the spoon as the sugar was stirred into the hot liquid. By the time his was ready Zoro was knocking back the dredges of his own.

"Thanks for the coffee." Zoro muttered lightly as he placed the empty mug in the sink after rinsing it, reluctantly adding, "Best cup I've had."

Sanji smirked triumphantly, bringing his own mug to his lips and adding before taking a sip, "Home made. No artificial shit."

"Figured." Zoro replied in a derivative tone that belied much more than he was saying before glancing guiltily at the door, "Sorry, for showering and running, but I have to get to work."

Sanji snorted at Zoro's odd guilt for wanting to leave, if anything Sanji couldn't wait for this awkward morning to end and they could go back to normal the next time they saw each and pretend they didn't just wake up holding each other, "It's fine."

They made their way over to the door, Zoro working at loosening the laces on his hikers that he had clearly slipped off his feet the night before as Sanji leaned up against the wall, cradling his morning joe reverently. Once more the silence fell so Sanji quietly requested, "Quick question."

"Fire away." Zoro replied as he began pulling on his hiker's and doing up the laces with swift movements.

"I tried to kick Asura last night and he blocked it with some sort of..." Sanji shook his head lightly as he still tried to picture it in his mind, "Black aura?"

"I'm surprised he didn't break your neck." Zoro snorted loudly, finished up the lacing and straightening before gracing Sanji with a raised an eyebrow, "Why were you trying to kick him?"

"None of your business." Sanji snapped back, "Answer the question."

Zoro shrugged, grabbing his bandanna from his arm and putting it on with practised ease, "Like this?"

With his arm extended, he snapped his fingers and all the bedding on the couch immediately jumped into the air, folding themselves neatly before dropping back onto the couch in a precise little pile. The pillow landing on top as the final finishing touch.

Zoro's hand lowered as he watched Sanji with an evil grin before opening the door and slipping out into the hallway. Sanji turned from the bedding that he had just seen fold itself like some shit from Harry Potter and open mouthed watched Zoro give a jaunty wave and say, "You know where to find me."

The door was shut and Sanji remained rooted by the door way, it took five minutes for him to finally move from the spot and get some coffee and another twenty to get the courage to touch the folded bedding and put them away in the closet.

~X~

Sanji sat in class, tapping a nervous finger on his laptop as his eyes trained on his phone sitting on the table, the rectangular device seemingly innocent. Yet if he really tried it would have the power to contact Zoro and have him answer all of his questions. So simple and yet Sanji was having an inner battle with himself whether or not to get a hold of the man.

He knew what Zoro was doing. It was the game they had been playing since the first moment they had met each other in that alleyway, hell it had even started the moment he had walked into that damned antique shop a month ago. This constant struggle between Sanji and this world that Zoro, Prince and Asura were trying to draw him into. Every little thing Zoro did; his knowledge of the situation, his control over Asura, this magic. All of it was a ploy to spark Sanji's curiosity and draw him further in.

And as much as he found this new world to be amazing he found that the more he was drawn into one, the less the other seemed to exist. His family was a distant thought and he had cancelled last Sunday on a falsehood that he wanted to study for a test. He barely talked to his friends anymore and school was starting to become further and further down on his importance list.

But...

Magic.

Zoro had used magic, or some sort of Satanic powers and as much as Sanji should be freaking out he instead was vastly intrigued. He didn't know much about Prince but he assumed he must have some sort of ability as well. That Mugi character was rubber for fuck's sake.

Zoro seemed like an idiot at times but he was no doubt intelligent. He knew that by simply giving Sanji a taste or hint of what was more then Sanji would simply do the rest. Zoro wouldn't have to contact him, persuade him or do anything all; just sit back and watch the curiosity eat the blond alive. Sanji deeply resented him for it, it would almost be easier for Zoro to ask, 'Want me to show you?' and Sanji to be able to say, 'Fuck no.'

And yet, it wasn't like that and now Sanji was completely ignoring Professor Lucci as he mentally battled with whether or not he should just give in and allow another aspect of these spirits into his life. It didn't seem to inhibit Zoro's ability to go about everyday life – in fact it probably made it easier since he could make his bed with a snap of his fingers – Sanji bit his lip in indecision.

Giving in he snatched up the phone and pressed the on button, scrolling quickly through his contacts until he found Zoro at the very bottom of the freaking list. He pressed on Zoro's name and was given the options to phone, text, or face time the man and he quickly selected text and typed in hurriedly.

Teach me.

The green bubble popped up, and Sanji gave small nod to reassure himself that this was what he wanted. Turning the phone off he slide it into his pocket as he waited for a reply.

Class was nearly over when he felt the tell-tale reverberation against his thigh and he pretended not to be excited as he impatiently wrestled the device from his pocket. Sliding the green text box across the screen he was able to read all of Zoro's text and suppressed an annoyed snort.

I'm sorry; there's only so much I can do to help people with their masculinity. I'm afraid you're a lost cause.

Smirking at Zoro's attempt at humour he replied quickly, STFU. You know what I meant.

Ask nicely.

Please show me that magic thing.

There was a bit of a pause before Zoro's next reply, the grey bubble popping up after a few minutes.

I finish work at 6. You?

School's over. I'm free.

Meet me at Skypiea Tower at 7:15.

Sanji frowned in confusion, desperately wanting to ask what that building had to do with learning magic, but knew he either wouldn't get an answer, or he'd get a stupid reply so he only punched in two letters, Ok.

TBC...

A/N: Sorry for such a long hiatus. A lot of stuff happened to me this summer; most of which I won't bore you with. Lol But I'm finally settled into my new house and have started my classes; so you can expect regular updates :) Man, I really missed writing...