A swordsmans thanks comes when he is sure he is

The mugiwara gym. At freakin last! It had been supposedly easy to find. The woman on the phone was obviously some kind of idiot if she didn’t realize the twisted maze of streets and avenues leading to the gym wasn’t as simple as the simple one left and one right turn the paper instructed him.

Zoro grunted as he hefted his gym bag back over his shoulder and ascended the stairs to the door. The red-headed woman was already at the door tapping her foot in annoyance.

“Nami?” Zoro hazarded a guess.

“You’re late. I’m docking ten percent of your take this month.” She opened the door for the green haired man as he stepped inside. Zoro tried not to wince. He’d been a member of the gym for less then a minute already he was being docked pay. She certainly was every bit as shrewd as the rumors suggested. He took comfort that at least she gave shitty directions.

“Fine. I’m not here for the money anyway.” He mumbled after her.

“Good to know.” She smirked back and Zoro felt a shiver down his spine as his gut told him that now she knew he didn’t care about the money, he wouldn’t be seeing much of it. Damn. Well at least her mood had visibly improved as she started down a yellow hallway. He hurried after her.

“Follow me, I’ll show you around.” She tossed over her shoulder.

The pictures on the wall were cheaply framed but looked hand-drawn. A depiction of the history of the underground fighting leagues that were becoming more popular and main stream lately. No rules. Huge amounts of money and pride on the line. He never thought he would be one day be joining a team. His quest to be the number one swordsman had him following a less seedy path until recently.

“I was quite surprised when Luffy told us he recruited you. I thought you would be above all this.” She waved a hand to nothing in particular but getting the point across anyway.

“Yeah, well…I’m kind of surprised too. Luffy, he…” Zoro stopped as Nami waved her hand again, this time in dismissal. Of course she had probably read the papers. How the well respected swordsman and national champion had been falsely accused and tossed indefinitely in jail without any trial. How he had even done this false time voluntarily…under the condition he’d be released and allowed continue his search.
How Luffy exposed Morgans corruption and false promises even he didn’t know nor care. He was going to find out the why though. One of the many reasons he was here now, accepting the offer to join the rookie ultimate fighting team. The letter had been poorly written but had intrigued him. Who the hell was this Luffy?

“Luffys’ got us all like that. That is just how he is.”

Bullshit. No one was “just like that”. If he got all his staff and team that way maybe he was actually some mastermind, setting up peoples lives like dominos just to save his prey right before they came tumbling down.

“When do I get to meet him?”

“Now.” She opened the door to the mens locker room without knocking he noticed, and entered like she owned the place. There among the lockers were two shirtless men. One looked his age, skinny, blond hair covering an eye, a cig in his mouth, and wearing black slacks that looked like his day job might be a lawyer. The other looked little more than a boy, mussed black hair, a small scar under an eye, an idiotic grin, and denim shorts.

The minor research Zoro had done on the underground fights and the Mugiwaras in particular were fascinating. They were new but undefeated. One of these men was the one who led them. That was incredibly strong. That had saved the swordsman when he didn’t even realize he needed saving. That had promised him in a letter a job and the chance to see his dream through to the end.

Zoros money would have been on the blond. The glare he was being given practically shouted “Don’t think you’re hot shit, just because you’re with us now.” He stalked over to the man and pulled his intimidating battle aura.

“Listen, don’t think just because you butted in I’m just gonna do whatever you want. Your letter said I could go after Mihawk here and that’s what I’m going to do, but before I lift a sword or arm for you I want to know why.” He glared at the blond as he finished and crossed his arms. The blond blew smoke into his face and turned to the man to his right.

“Oi, Luffy. Idiot marimo is here. Want me to kick his ass? He seems to have an attitude problem.”

Nami sighed in the doorway, half expecting this. Zoro blinked in confusion as he regaurded the raven haired boy place a straw hat on his head and slam his locker shut. This boy, no man…was Luffy?

“Nah- Sanji. I invited him…” The man turned and Zoro shivered. Luffy was pulling a battle aura as strong as the swordsmans strongest while smiling a predatoril grin. Perhaps Zoro had erred in provoking his benefactor so early in their meeting. “So he is my responsibility. I’ll take care of him.”
The air crackled with tension and Zoro was slightly amazed this Sanji character could move and speak so easily within it midst while Luffy held Zoros eyes in challenge.

“Hnnn…? As you say captain. Just as well, I need to get to the Baratie for my shift soon and it’s getting to be a pain explaining the blood on my pants if I didn’t even have a match. Don’t think he’s worth your efforts though. See you tomorrow. NAMI-SAN!? I’m sorry I didn’t see you…shall we let this algae get his ass handed to him? I’ll treat you to a fine meal?”

Zoro fought himself not to look away from the challenge and go kick this blond assholes ass right now.

“Sure Sanji-kun, I’ll gladly postpone paperwork for some of your cooking. Don’t wreck the place Luffy, we JUST finished paying the bills for the repairs from last time.”

Luffy didn’t look up.

“Sorry. No Promises.”

Nami sighed and Sanji grabbed his duffle while pulling his shirt and jacket over his shoulders. With a nod to their captain they left.

As the door latched shut, that was the start. Zoro was next to Luffy, pulling for a sword as he went and Luffy deftly pulled with Zoros momentum, landing the swordsman into the lockers. Luffy was on him an had him pinned.

To say Zoro had underestimated Luffy…was an understatement of epic proportions.

A hand snaked to Zoros belt and he could help but jerk his face up to meet Luffys eyes.

“I did it because I wanted you. All of you. Your skills, your strength, your spirit, your body, and especially your weakness.”

Zoro blushed and squirmed away…but Luffy didn’t let him gain an inch.

“Uh, I’m not into guys.” But even as he was saying it he felt a stirring of promise in his pants. The team captains breath hot on his collar was making him a little light headed and thinking was coming sluggishly at best. “Please.” He all but whispered. Please don’t make me doubt this about myself. Don’t make me feel like handing myself over to you. He worried his please sounded like begging. Zoro didn’t beg.

“But you’re into me, aren’t you? You don’t know quite what I’m about or what I can do. But I want you. Does that excite you a little too much?” Luffy licked the back of the swordsmans’ ear, his hand rubbing the hardness he found in the other mans pants.

“Uh…I….noo…please….I just…I just want to fight here and follow my dream.” His breath was quick as the captain pressed deeper into his pants before abruptly stopping and stepping away.

“Oh. If that is the only thing…welcome. We’re Nakama now.” He had that same idiotic smile on again and Zoros erection pressed against his leg angrily wondering why the attention had just stopped.

The swordsman found himself following after his captain longingly…needing to say something else. To not let it remain that way.

“Uh, sorry. I never even thanked you. You just came into my life all at once…you’re kind of overwhelming. ”

Luffy stopped and turned back. Zoro gulped at the sharp gaze evaluating him, waiting.
“And I guess I’m in your care from now on. Please take care of me.”

His pride made his continue to look Luffy in the eye but he was sure his face had to be scarlet. Was he really offering his life to this man? Body and soul?

“I will, completely.”

And Zoro believed him as he found himself pushed up against the lockers again. He couldn’t believe he was going to following this guy from now on, but he believed in him.