Author's Notes: Okay, so… I had this weird One Piece dream, and it gave me this story idea. I hope so hardcore that I can finish this story. As for Possession… I'm going to be completely honest with you guys. I don't know if I can finish it. I just didn't have enough motivation or ideas, but this one… I got LOTS of ideas, and I already know where it will go, so that's a plus. I've written 2 chapters so far, short chapters, but that's a good start. I still have more writing I want to do, so no worries. However, I will tell you now, I think it will be a relatively short fic. Also, just so you guys know, this fic is going to be completely OOC, because I'm just testing my writing capabilities, really. I think they will keep some of their original characteristics, but will mostly be me. I hope you guys still enjoy this AU. :)

Faceless Mask

Chapter 1

He had been watching him for some time now; weeks, it seemed. He was pretty sure he was just the man to do the job for him. He had a handsome face and was charismatic. He was also friendly in manner, even if he had a bit of a temper. Trouble was, could he trust him? He supposed there was only one way to find out.

Pulling the hood more over his bright red hair, he slowly made his way out of the shadows to follow after the man. It was not long before the man realized he was being followed and turned to confront him. Narrowing his one eye, the other hidden behind his blonde hair, the man called, "Who are you? You've been following me for weeks now. Do I owe you money?"

"No," a very young voice called from under the hood, and then he slowly pulled it back to reveal his young face.

The single eyed man furrowed his curled brow in some confusion. "Why are you following me, kid?"

"I have a proposition for you?"

The curly browed man burst into laughter, now just looking amused, instead of suspicious. "A proposition? What is this kid? How old are you? Isn't it way past your curfew? Where is your mom?"

"Dead."

Losing some of his amusement, the man cleared his throat and pulled at the collar of his shirt. "How old are you?"

"Twelve."

"Twelve," he repeated and took a step forward. "What's your name?"

"Red… just call me Red," the kid said and smiled.

"Red. It's nice to meet you, Red," the man said with a slight smile as he took more steps forward. "Name's Sanji."

"I know," Red said and smiled wider.

"Right, I figured as much," Sanji said and nodded. "So, what's this proposition?"

"Sanji, how would you like to make a lot of money?" Red said, his smile curving eerily.

"Money?" Sanji said and slowly began to frown. "How exactly would I do that?"

"I know things… lots of things… things that would be very useful, and things no one else should ever know," Red said, stepping out more out of the shadows and into the lamp light above their heads to show his bright red hair and hazel eyes.

Sanji attempted to hide the shudder, which crept up on him. There was something about this kid, but he was not at all sure what. "Yeah… okay… and what are these things exactly?" he finally asked after a few moments of uncomfortable silence, at least, uncomfortable to him.

"Let's go to your place, and I'll tell you all about it. I just need a face; your face, because no one would listen to a kid," Red said and tilted his head slightly.

"Uh… yeah, all right," Sanji said, but his suspicions were sneaking back up on him. However, he turned and motioned for the kid to follow him anyway. He supposed if it made him money, it was at least worth listening to. He owed a lot of people. Of course, he had no idea what kind of world he was stepping into.

Seven Years Later…

"We still can't believe just how well the world's economy has improved, and all thanks to one man's brave stand. Seven years ago, a man we all know well, Sanji Zeff stepped up and solved so many of our world's problems. Of course, many of the rich and powerful were not happy with this, but so many living in poverty have been liberated. Things have never looked better. It's a miracle really, and this streak seems to be lasting for quite some time."

"Indeed, it seems it won't be ending any time soon, and there are so many, who would like to keep it that way. Sanji is a great man, who has done great things for this world we live in."

"Yes, he is, and if you can believe it, ladies, still single."

Sanji snorted at the large television screen, but then turned a glare to the young red headed man beside him, laughing his head off at what was being said by the media. "Oi, Sanji, I think she's dropping a big hint," Red said as he looked over to Sanji with a grin.

"Fuck off, Red," Sanji said as he stood up to get himself a drink from his wet bar. As he took a sip, he looked about at his large estate and shook his head. All those years ago, he had been so skeptical of all the things Red had told him, and he had to wonder how he knew so much. Even to this day, he wondered, but could never get it out of him, even when furiously questioned. Either way, the boy was a genius, and Red was also his partner, content to let Sanji receive all the credit as well as spot light, even if the information as well as ideas were all his. Even after seven years, and the fact that Red was now nineteen, the young man still lived with him.

"You are the world's most eligible bachelor! They're always wondering why, at twenty-seven, you're still unmarried. If only they knew about all the women-" Red's word were cut off from Sanji having grabbed a pillow from the sofa and hitting him in the face with it.

"That's enough out of you! Isn't it past your bed time?" Sanji said, shooting the young grinning man a glare.

"Nope! I don't got a bed time anymore!" Red said as he snickered, but then slowly lost his smile as his attention once again focused on the news.

"… young and now legendary prince of Sereniata is still missing after seven years. This is old news, of course, since everyone seems to be keeping track of this and wondering if the young prince will ever be found. So many have tried finding look a likes to gain the reward the young prince's grandfather and crowned king is willing to pay for his return. Well, today that number has increased, making this amount the world's largest reward ever recorded in history, and that number has now increased to four billion. If anyone has any information…"

"We should try finding him, Sanji. Four billion is a lot of money and could really help our cause," Red said and snickered, not at all serious.

"There haven't even been sightings, much less a body. The prince has vanished off the face of the planet. There's no way we will find him. He's probably dead," Sanji said and scoffed, but that was a nice chunk of change.

Red laughed and said, "Yeah, you're probably right, but that is a lot of money. Not that we don't have any."

"But nowhere near that amount…" Sanji said with a sigh as he closed his lips around a cigarette and lit it and stuffed the pack back in his coat pocket. "Anyways, we've got that meeting tomorrow morning, and as my assistant, you need to be there. So, go and get ready for bed, seriously."

"Yeah, yeah," Red said as he turned off the television, and then got up to do as he was told.

"Oh yeah… and tomorrow after the meeting, we need to go tuxedo shopping," Sanji said, removing the cigarette from his mouth to blow out the smoke.

"Wait, what? What for?" Red asked and frowned to him.

"We've been invited," Sanji said, slowly raising his eyes toward the young man.

"Invited?" Red repeated slowly in question, the tone in his voice dropping.

"That's right… to the kingdom of Asteron. King Cobra and his daughter, Princess Vivi wish to meet us. Their kingdom is prospering again, because of us. According to them, they are in our debt. We've been invited to a formal dinner, and this time, you're coming with me. You've ducked out of the last few, but not this time," Sanji said, gazing intently on the young man. "You're the man behind it all…" he said, his voice low as he placed the cigarette between his lips, taking in a breath and then releasing the smoke, "I'm just the mask."

Staring back at Sanji in silence for some time, Red finally took a long, deep breath and released it through his nostrils, which flared to show his displeasure, but then he asked, "When?"

"In two weeks' time," Sanji replied as he turned away. "I just want to be prepared, and we'll need to be fitted. Should take them a few days to make the suits. This also means I need you to pack. The flight has already been booked and scheduled."

"Damn it," Red growled under his breath as he also turned away. He was silent again for some time, but then he huffed again. "You know I hate these things."

"I know you do… Don't care. You're going."

Red gave another growl, but then he shifted around uncomfortably. "It'll just be us, right?"

Sanji turned to look at him over his shoulder, now the one holding the silence as he took another puff from his cigarette. "You expecting to see anyone else?"

"No, of course not… You know I just don't like a large crowd of people…" Red muttered, looking very displeased. "It's why I needed your face, and even so, you still dragged my name around."

"Red," Sanji started as he turned completely towards him, "it's all because of you. You have made our world a better place, and yet I have to take all the credit. The world doesn't even realize who it was, who really saved them. It's an injustice-"

"I don't care about any of that! The world doesn't need to know who I am!" Red exclaimed much more harshly than was necessary as he glared back at Sanji.

Staring back at him for some time, Sanji finally sighed and put out his cigarette within the tray resting on his wet bar. "And that's what makes it such an injustice. Only great men do great things to which no one knows about. I respect you, Red. I wish people could know… that's all. Even at such a young age…" he muttered, but then he sighed a second time. "I would still like for you to come with me."

Red growled within his throat as he turned his back completely. Again, silence filled the room as both men stared off away from the other, Sanji at the billowing smoke from the just extinguished cigarette and Red at the blank television screen. Somehow, Red felt he would regret this decision, but then his shoulders fell. "All right, fine… I'll come with you, but I refuse to do any talking."

"Deal," Sanji said and quickly moved away from the wet bar. "You don't have to worry about any of that. To the world, you're just my assistant. There will be no need for you to speak. I can do all of that."

"Good… I'll… go and pack now," Red muttered and then quickly turned to walk out of the room. Sanji just watched him go, only his eyes following. He then rolled them away to gaze at the hard wood floors. Sometimes, he envied Red. Sometimes… he really wished he was that great man the world seemed to think he was. He owed so much to him… He owed everything to Red.

To Be Continued…

Author's Note: So, what did you guys think so far? I would really like to know. I know it's not much yet, and you guys are pretty confused, but that's my intention. You'll just have to stay tuned to figure out more. ;) Oh, and introducing Red. ;) Hope you guys like him! Anyways, until next time! :D

P.S. Crap, noticed a mistake after posting! Had to fix it and resubmit! xD; Sorry!