#Zoro x nika | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

mellyssageversee · 7 months ago

Text

Eclipsed - Chapter 2

ZoLu/LuZo AU (Sun God Nika)

Summary: Sun God Nika is accused of a crime he did not commit. Nika goes into hiding to avoid being hunted by other Gods who wish to have him replaced. This inadvertently plunges the world into darkness, triggering an ice age. Only one human has faith that Nika will return the Sun.

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 3

Zoro released a content sigh, relishing the warmth that enveloped him as he lay on the familiar soil of Isshen Dojo’s garden. Basking in the sunlight, a smile graced the swordsman’s face. It had been so long that Zoro nearly forgot the sensation of the warm earth against his skin. Despite his closed eyes, Zoro sensed someone at his side.

“I knew I’d find you here…” Kuina’s teasing voice echoed above Zoro, prompting a subtle stir. “Come on, lazy bones. It’s time to wake up! Wake up!”

Zoro attempted to open his eyes, but found the task challenging. The warmth was too inviting, too comfortable.

“Wake up!”

Zoro furrowed his eyebrows. The voice had changed. That wasn’t Kuina’s voice…

“Do you usually sleep this loooong?!” The voice whined.

Zoro slowly blinked open his eyes. A blinding light from above cast a glare across his vision. He could barely make out a childishly wide grin that reminded him of his friend.

“Finally!” The unexpected stranger bounced up happily, his fists raised over his head victoriously, as if Zoro's awakening was a great feat. The stranger turned his attention back to Zoro, his wide smile never faltering. Zoro, feeling petrified in the spot he lay, noticed the stranger's bright, glowing red eyes and white hair that danced like fire. As his disoriented gaze wandered, he realized he was in a surprisingly warm cave, the surroundings unfamiliar and surreal to him.

“All I can say is: Wow! I’m surprised that there is a human that actually still likes me!” Nika’s beaming smile seemed to intensify his light. The sight of such genuine glee had become foreign to Zoro. To see another full of such joy made his heart involuntarily quicken. “So! Who do I have the honor of thanking for sticking up for me back there?”

Zoro sat up cautiously. His mind raced to catch up with what was happening. A God was there before him. Not just any God. Nika! The one who had been missing for months. The one with the power to return light to their dark world was sitting before him, tilting his head in an inquisitive manner. His red eyes bright with curiosity. For a moment, Zoro wondered if he was dead. How else could he explain this encounter? The last thing he remembered was falling into the snow. Did he freeze to death?! No, he’d know right away if he had died…

“You have a funny look on your face. Most of you mortals seem to get this way when meeting me.” Nika sat down and reached forward to pinch Zoro’s cheek, as if trying to encourage Zoro to change his expression. Zoro couldn’t help but notice how warm the God’s touch was. “You don’t have to get so serious! All I’m asking is for your name.”

Despite Nika’s encouraging words, Zoro still couldn’t help but be taken aback. Kuina was right when she said the God was unique. Nika didn’t hold himself above Zoro. He spoke to him as if he was an old friend. In fact, the God had almost a childish nature about him. The way he now positioned himself to sit with his legs crossed next to Zoro, the way his smile never faltered, the way those large eyes glistened with wonder.. Nika was unlike anyone he had ever met.

“Zoro..” Zoro finally found his voice to answer. Nika’s eyes shone happily at the reply, which caused Zoro’s stomach to twist into knots. Perhaps it was his gut telling him he needed to address Nika with more respect? “My name is Roronoa Zoro.. uh all great and powerful Sun God Nika.”

Nika immediately scrunched his face in distaste. Zoro didn’t blame him. It felt awkward to address the God in such a way.

“Gross.. no need to get all formal. I just wanted to know Zoro’s name.” Nika let go of Zoro’s cheek. The swordsman couldn’t help but frown at the loss of warmth upon his face.

“Well, I’ve never met a God before. I don’t know exactly how I’m supposed to address one!” Zoro replied with a bit more candor. The interaction was becoming more casual, and Zoro was starting to feel a bit more at ease in the presence of the unconventional Sun God.

“Nika is fine,” Nika said with a shrug, his attention turned to a hangnail on his thumb, which he began to pick at as he continued, “Unless we are around other humans. Then you can just call me Luffy.”

“Luffy?” Zoro asked aloud. Then another question popped into his mind. “What do you mean by me addressing you that way in front of other people?”

“Well, I can’t have you addressing me as ‘your royal sun god’ around others.” Nika explained rolling his eyes like it was obvious. He picked the hangnail free and promptly flicked it across the cave.

Zoro blinked in confusion.

“Okay, that title is nothing like what I said before. And I still don’t get what you mean about us talking in front of others.” Zoro said, a bit more heatedly this time. Zoro never liked dancing around a subject. He preferred straightforward answers.

“I mean when we're traveling together.” Nika frowned, appearing equally upset. As if his answers were the most obvious things in the world, and he didn’t like that Zoro couldn’t understand right away. “You already know that others don’t like me. How would they react if they saw me in person?”

“What do you mean when we travel together?!” Zoro’s voice grew louder as shock took hold of him.

“Geez… I thought Zoro would be a lot smarter since you know I didn’t harm that island.” Nika said with a pout. The God leaned back against the cavern wall with his arms crossed.

Nika’s offhanded comment surprised Zoro yet again. He had always known the God wasn’t responsible for what happened to Ohara, but hearing it out loud from the God himself filled Zoro with vindicating relief.

“You were right at the tavern. I'm set on bringing back the sun, but first, I've got to clear my name. And Zoro’s the one who's gonna be my partner in uncovering the truth.” Nika asserted confidently.

Zoro buried his face in his hands, grappling with the confusion stirred by Nika's vague answers. With an exasperated exhale, Zoro lifted his head, determination ablaze in his eyes, poised to extract some clarity from the enigmatic God.

“Alright, let’s say I’m on board with helping you-” Zoro began slowly.

“Which you definitely are!” Nika chimed in confidently.

“No interrupting.” Zoro scolded. He blushed when realizing he shouldn't be scolding a God but he found a certain comfort in their banter. He continued, “If we're traveling together, I need more information. So, let's start from the beginning. I know you didn’t destroy Ohara, but if you're innocent, then why did you vanish? Why did the Sun suddenly disappear?”

Nika's grin finally faded. A hint of sadness flashed across the God’s eyes.

“Humans aren't the only ones who think I messed up that island.” Nika shifted his gaze away, seemingly reluctant to make eye contact with Zoro while explaining. “Other Gods share the same idea, and they're demanding I be replaced.”

Zoro's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

“Gods can be replaced?” Zoro questioned, wondering why, if that were the case, the other deities hadn't taken action to end the world's darkness by replacing Nika during his absence. “How? Isn’t the whole point of being a God is that you were born with your gifts. Isn’t that what sets you apart from us humans?”

Nika’s demeanor shifted. A dark look flashed across his eyes when he answered.

“Being born with our gifts never stopped other Gods from wanting more power and finding ways to take it.” Nika’s reply was so dark, so ominous, it made Zoro shiver despite the warmth of the cave. Nika, as if sensing Zoro’s discomfort, immediately switched back to his wide maddening smile. “Anyways, they planned on executing me so someone else can take my place.”

“What?!”

The swordsman couldn’t believe what he was hearing, nor could he understand how Nika could say something like it was an offhand comment.

Zoro's protective instincts kicked in, his hands involuntarily reaching out to grip Nika’s. Wide eyes turned toward Zoro, surprised by the swordsman's intense reaction.

“How can they just decide that after all the good you've done?! Did they even try to find another culprit?!”

Nika's surprise transformed into gleeful excitement, his features lighting up with a wide grin.

"I knew I’d like you." Nika beamed, seemingly unfazed by the anger on Zoro's face. The God was clearly delighted by Zoro's immediate protective response, finding joy in the swordsman's fierce loyalty despite their recent acquaintance. "Nope, they didn't bother looking for another culprit. The evidence pointed to me. Only my brothers believe in my innocence."

Nika gave the swordsman’s hand a tender squeeze, his warm touch causing a subtle blush to spread across Zoro’s face. As they shared this moment, a lingering ache of sadness toward Nika’s situation settled within the swordsman, he sat there silently waiting for the God to continue unraveling the events that led to the Sun’s disappearance.

Nika glanced upwards, seemingly envisioning the events that led to his current predicament.

“Many of the other Gods were divided on what to do with me. They fought a LOT! That’s when some Gods decided to take matters into their own hands. They chose to execute me themselves.” Nika explained.

“How is trying to take down another God not a crime?!” Zoro asked in disbelief.

Nika rolled his eyes, as if the answer was obvious.

“If the God supposedly did something wrong against humanity, it only makes sense to get rid of them. Ohara housed the temple of the God of Wisdom. Destroying the island erased sacred knowledge, lost forever in both the Mortal and Celestial Realms.”

Zoro had always known Ohara as the home of brilliant minds, but the revelation that it held knowledge sacred to the Gods added another layer to the tragedy.

“What happened when they pursued you?” Zoro prodded Nika to share more.

“My brothers tried to shield me, but it got dangerous for them. I couldn’t let them risk their safety for me, so I decided to come to the Mortal Realm to investigate myself. If I can prove my innocence, maybe the other Gods won't chase me. But I've been here too long. Cut off from the Celestial Realm, I can't provide the Sun.” Nika explained with a hint of sadness.

A heavy weight settled onto Zoro's heart. The revelation of Nika’s situation hit him hard; people had assumed the God abandoned them, not realizing Nika was fighting to survive.

“You say you need my help, but what can I do?” Zoro asked uncertainly. “I know nothing of your world. How can I assist in proving your innocence when I don't even know what to look for?”

Nika offered Zoro a reassuring smile, acknowledging the swordsman's concern.

"Well, I need someone like Zoro by my side. You're strong, and you've got a good heart." Nika explained. "I'm not the best at dealing with humans, and you can help me navigate through this world. Besides, I trust Zoro."

Zoro shook his head and chuckled in disbelief as he processed Nika's words. The idea of the Sun God relying on him to navigate the complexities of human interaction was both amusing and somewhat ironic. Zoro, often reserved and straightforward, couldn't help but find it peculiar that Nika saw him as the go-to person for this task.

"Well, you better be prepared," Zoro remarked with a smirk. A rare smile crossed his lips, and he felt a flicker of warmth in his chest at accepting the Gods request. "Interacting with ‘humans’ isn't exactly my strong suit either, but I'll do my best to keep you out of trouble."

Nika’s eyes sparkled with excitement, the infectious energy of a carefree adventurer. The God abruptly rose to his feet, stretching his limbs like he was preparing for an exhilarating journey.

“Great! Let’s get going!” Nika beamed happily, exuding his infectious enthusiasm. The God already started walking towards the exit of the cave, but Zoro was quick to rush after Nika. The swordsman grabbed into a fistful of the God’s shirt.

“You can’t just go out looking like that.” Zoro scolded, his voice carrying a protective undertone. His expression turned more serious as he felt more duty bound to protect this whimsical being. “People are going to know you’re a God right away if you go out with flaming hair, and you’re not even dressed for winter weather.”

Nika looked down at himself in surprise, realizing Zoro was right.

“Oh yeah! I forgot about that.” Nika gently shook out of Zoro’s hold. Soon, he emitted a bright glow that filled the cave. When the light disappeared, Nika stood before him looking very familiar. Zoro immediately recognized this dark-haired, brown-eyed young man as the fidgeting patron from the tavern. Even in his human form, Nika’s eyes still radiated the same alluring warmth.

Zoro didn’t realize he was staring for so long until Nika's impatient fingers gently closed around his arm, an unexpected warmth seeped through his bones. Nika's touch was a magnetic force, tugging at Zoro's attention more than he cared to admit.

“Come on. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover.” Nika insisted.

Zoro, unable to resist the pull Nika had on him, obediently followed. His stoic exterior hiding the subtle warmth swelling within. As they moved together, Zoro couldn’t help but notice the intertwining of their steps, creating a silent harmony between them.

“Where are we going?”

“Ohara!”

(Next Chapter)

#zolu #luzo #Zoro x luffy #zolu fanfic #Zoro x nika #I know this story has kind of been on the back burner with me working on Noble Hearts #but I wanted to post something for Luffy's birthday and I still really like this story idea.#I'll come back to it since I have so much planned

29 notes · View notes

mellyssageversee · 7 months ago

Text

Eclipsed - Chapter 3

A ZuLu/LuZo (AU Nika Sun God)

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

“Your system is a real headache, you know that?” Zoro remarked as they trudged through the freshly fallen snow. The weather had grown surprisingly still, but Zoro preferred it that way. No harsh winds bit at his skin.

“Eh, you get used to it after a few centuries.” Nika beamed happily in his human form.

The God had been explaining the complexities of the Celestial Court system to Zoro, who was still in disbelief that their mishandling of the situation would lead to a Sunless world. The two walked side by side with the Moon and starlit sky providing light, leading them forward like an arrow, as they journeyed towards a nearby town, hoping to gather some supplies for their journey to Ohara’s ruins.

“Let me get this straight. The entire court has to agree to decide your fate?” Zoro asked, a skeptical look on his face.

Nika let out a bored exasperated sigh. The God had already tried explaining things twice to Zoro now, but the swordsman wasn’t fully grasping the way Gods worked through crimes and disputes in their world. In his defense, Nika seemed to explain things in the most simplistic manner, neglecting to elaborate on the finer details. Usually, Zoro liked simplicity, but now that he felt duty-bound to Nika, he believed it was his job to retain as many details of Nika’s situation as possible.

“The Elders decide everything. It’s like a tiered thing. They make all the tough choices, but Advisors have a say. My brother Sabo is one of those advisors.” Nika explained. Zoro's eyes widened at this new revelation.

“Sabo the God of Wisdom is your brother?” Zoro asked, genuinely surprised. It astonished Zoro to learn that the God with a strong connection to Ohara was Nika’s brother.

“Yup! Since he's an Advisor and Ohara was his domain, you know… with his Temple of Knowledge being there and all, he carried a lot of influence on prolonging the court from reaching a verdict.” Nika explained. The God’s eyes wandered around, showing less commitment to the conversation and more interest in the world around him. Nika’s eyes widened as they approached a low-hanging tree branch, reaching towards it as if wanting to climb.

“Was anyone else on your side?” Zoro inquired, tugging at Nika’s sleeve to keep him close. This effectively brought Nika’s attention back to their conversation.

Nika pouted at being thwarted in his tree-climbing aspirations, but he indulged Zoro’s questioning.

“Not really. Some opted to stay neutral, especially the Gods preparing me for Ascension.” Nika answered.

The new term ‘Ascension’ puzzled Zoro, and while the swordsman was trying to make sense of it, Nika seized the chance to resume climbing the tree. This time, Zoro didn’t bother stopping him.

“Ascension? What’s that?” Zoro asked, watching as the God ascended to the next branch, a wide, goofy grin lighting up his face.

“Ascension is when you climb to the next tier!” Nika called from above.

Zoro's jaw dropped.

“Wait, are you saying you were being prepared to become an Advisor?!” Zoro exclaimed in disbelief.

Nika paused mid-reach for another branch, grinning down at Zoro with infectious enthusiasm.

“Yup!”

Zoro continued to gaze up, jaw hanging open in disbelief. He believed in Nika’s goodness toward mankind, but the idea of someone with such a short attention span in a role that holds weight between two realms was downright bewildering.

Nika, seemingly content on the high branch he was now sitting on, started inching his way across it. Zoro sidestepped to avoid the snow Nika was casually pushing off the tree.

“Titles and stuff like that never really interested me. Sabo was the one excited about my Ascension. Ace was kinda bummed ‘cause it meant less time hanging out.” Nika called down, his tone as carefree as ever.

Finally overcoming his shock, Zoro crossed his arms for warmth. The absence of Nika by his side allowed the cold to creep in again.

“Who's Ace, and can you get down here already? We're supposed to be in a hurry!” Zoro scolded the God for his playful tree-climbing antics.

“Hold on a sec!” Nika's whiny voice echoed down to Zoro.

Zoro frowned disapprovingly. Perhaps this was why the God needed him. Nika's carefree nature led him to distractions, and Zoro realized he needed to be stern if they were to focus on more critical matters. As he prepared to shout at Nika to climb down or face Zoro dragging him out of the tree himself, something caught his attention.

Nika reached toward a quivering mass of snow on the branch. His hand rested gently on the trembling mound and, as light emanated, the snow melted away revealing two shivering birds. The branch, blessed by Nika's touch, began to sprout leaves, and the once-trembling birds now found peace.

Zoro stared up in amazement. He had just witnessed a blessing akin to what Kuina had described. Not only that, but Nika had somehow noticed the struggling creatures while Zoro had completely overlooked them until the God was right beside them.

Satisfied with his work, Nika swung a leg over the branch, dismounting with carefree abandon. Panic flashed through Zoro for a fleeting moment, but he instinctively rushed forward, arms extended, to catch the descending God. Nika landed in Zoro's arms with a weight that knocked the breath out of him.

"That should keep them and their eggs warm." Nika declared with his radiant smile, dangerously close to Zoro's face. The comforting warmth surrounding the God seemed to intensify, and Zoro could feel his heart pounding in his ears, a warmth creeping up his neck in a telltale blush. Unaware of Zoro's reaction, Nika continued their conversation without missing a beat. "Ace is the God of Harvest. He's the one who taught me how to use the heat of my powers to help plant life grow."

Nika shifted his weight, smoothly slipping out of Zoro's arms, and continued walking as if nothing had happened.

Meanwhile, Zoro remained frozen, his mind struggling to process the conflicting thoughts and feelings stirred by Nika. One moment, he was questioning the God's ability to handle important matters, and the next, Nika surprised him with his gentle nature and keen perception of the world around them.

"Didn't Zoro say we were in a hurry?" Nika's voice pulled Zoro from his contemplation. The God stood with hands on hips, a hint of impatience in his posture, waiting for Zoro to resume their journey.

Zoro quickly followed after Nika, keen on steering the conversation back.

"Why wouldn't you get to spend as much time with Ace?" Zoro prodded.

"Well, we're both Liaisons of the Mortal Realm. We report on humanity's progress and struggles since we travel the most between both realms," Nika explained with a grin. "If I become an Advisor, then I'd have to spend most of my time in the Celestial Realm. It'd be nice 'cause I'd get to spend more time with Sabo, but also really boring 'cause outside of their duties, all they do is sit around and talk. I had to sit through one of the meetings, and most of them were just bragging about all the stuff they do."

Zoro tried to maintain his usual stoic expression, but a subtle smile betrayed his amusement.

"That doesn't sound like any fun at all." Zoro remarked. Nika's eyes gleamed with happiness at Zoro's comment, pleased that the swordsman understood.

"Zoro gets it!"

This time, Zoro didn't even bother holding back the laugh that burst out. The God was just too pure. How could anyone think he was responsible for the crimes he was accused of?

"Hey look! A village!" Nika pointed out. Before Zoro could comment, Nika grabbed hold of the swordsman's forearm and eagerly pulled him toward the village with surprising strength, letting out an excited laugh as they approached.

Stone and wooden buildings closed in on all sides, casting eerie shadows from the starlit sky that made the narrow pathway feel a little colder. Zoro stepped closer to Nika.

"Zoro sure does like to stay close to me." Nika noted aloud with a smile.

"I-I... sorry- it's just..." Zoro began to stammer while attempting to take a step back.

"It's okay." Nika's grip on Zoro tightened, and he pulled the swordsman closer, hooking their arms together. "It's 'cause I'm warm, right? I get that a lot nowadays."

Zoro fought to conceal his blush. It was nice the God was so considerate to want to keep him warm, but the close contact stirred those same confusing feelings within him once again.

By now, the two had emerged from the narrow path, reaching a wide-open village square. Some folks immediately turned away from the newcomers, casting suspicious looks their way. Zoro took a deep breath and stared ahead, avoiding the odd glances cast their way. Nika didn’t seem to notice them at all. His eyes gleamed with curiosity at a food stall across from them.

"Zoro needs food, right?" Although Nika's comment sounded like a question, his tone made it clear he considered it a statement. Without waiting for Zoro's response, Nika energetically pulled the swordsman along, oblivious to the line of people patiently waiting their turn.

Zoro found himself apologizing to the folks at the front of the line, who were understandably annoyed by Nika's apparent rudeness.

“Ni-Luffy,” Zoro corrected himself, using the God's preferred human name in public. “People are waiting. You can't just cut ahead of them.”

“Blech!” Nika stuck his tongue out in disgust at the food. Zoro was about to scold the God again for his rude commentary on the food but paused when he noticed that all of the food on display showed signs of spoilage.

“This is the distribution stand for the people who live in Cocoyasi Village. Outsiders wanting food must pay for what little we have.” the shopkeeper informed the two, pointing to a sign displaying an astronomical price that made Zoro frown.

“That's a ridiculous amount for spoiled food.” Zoro crinkled his nose in disgust.

“These are hard times, and beggars can’t exactly be choosers now, can they?” The shopkeeper said with a shrug.

“Ugh. No wonder everyone looks so unhappy.” Nika's expression of disgust mirrored Zoro’s. “The food you have is terrible.”

The shopkeeper's jaw dropped in offense.

“That is incredibly rude! Mayor Arlong does the best he can to handle the food situation.” the shopkeeper argued. “If you’re just going to turn your noses up at what we have, then I suggest you both leave.”

Zoro silently led Nika away from the shopkeeper. Though he shared Nika's sentiment, he understood the importance of being discreet about such critiques. Once at a distance, Zoro lowered his voice so only Nika could hear.

“Can't you do something about the food at the stand?” Zoro inquired.

“I can’t salvage spoiled food.” Nika replied with a slight frown. “Ace could, but my powers can only help things grow.”

Zoro's frown deepened. The idea of villagers having only spoiled food troubled him, especially when many other places faced challenges like unripe crops or food shortages in the cold temperatures. Why were these people left with only rotten provisions?

Lost in thought, Zoro didn't realize Nika was guiding him through the village, the God's large brown eyes scanning their surroundings. The two turned a corner, and before they knew it, they collided with another villager, sending all three crashing into the snowy ground.

“Fuck!” The newcomer cursed, hastily reclaiming a handful of fresh tangerines that spilled from her bag.

“Where did you-“

Before Zoro could complete his question, the young redhead darted away. Adding to the disorienting turn of events, Nika seized Zoro's coat collar and took off after the speedy woman. Zoro, not fully on his feet, was dragged by the God, his heels carving long lines in the snow.

“Oi! At least let me stand first!!!” Zoro wrestled against Nika's strong grip, his feet floundering as he attempted to gain traction on the slippery icy ground and stand upright.

“No time! She’s fast!” Nika countered.

“Maybe we'd be faster if you weren’t dragging me!” Zoro fumed. Nika shot a mischievous glance over his shoulder, a look that immediately made the swordsman regret his comment.

“Good point!” Without losing his stride, Nika released his hold on Zoro, who face-planted into the cold snow.

Zoro clenched his fists, irritated at being handled like a rag doll. Lifting his snow-covered face, he glared at Nika, who was still chasing after the redhead.

“LUFFY!” Zoro swiftly rose to his feet and chased after the God.

Zoro dashed through the snowy village, his breath visible in the chilly air. By the time he caught up with Nika, the swordsman noticed two stern-looking men in official attire also on their tails.

"Luffy, I think those guys are after her too." Zoro alerted as he closed the gap between them.

Without missing a beat, Nika sped up. They were now close enough that Nika was able to grab the woman and pulled her into a narrow alley between buildings. Zoro followed behind. The three of them pressed against the cold stone walls, concealed in the shadows.

“You stole food?!” Zoro accused the young woman, knowing that would be the only reason why those men would be chasing her.

“That’s none of your business.” She angrily whispered back in defiance.

Zoro opened his mouth to argue that point since the rest of the village only has rotten food to eat but he was prevented from voicing his opinion when the woman shoved her gloved hand over his mouth.

“SHH!!!” The swordsman shot her a glare but remained quiet. The three stayed crouched in their hiding place. The stern looking men hurried past the entrance of the alley, their eyes scanning the area. The tense moments passed slowly until the officials moved on, their hurried footsteps fading in the distance.

Once the coast was clear, the woman relinquished her hold on Zoro. Casting him a glare.

“I don’t expect an outsider like you to understand. So why don’t you and your hyperactive moron get lost?” She advised.

Anger surged within Zoro at the way the woman insulted Nika, but to his surprise, the God chuckled at the comment, earning puzzled looks from both Zoro and the red-headed woman.

“That was kinda fun.” Nika commented nonchalantly, leaning towards the woman and attempting to peek inside her bag. “So, where did you get the good food from?”

The woman slapped his hand away and clutched her bag protectively.

“What part of 'none of your business' do you not get?!” she snapped in irritation.

“Well, it kind of is since no one else seems to get good food like this.” Nika wore a genuinely confused expression as he questioned the woman. “Shouldn’t everyone know where to get food that isn’t rotten?”

The woman rolled her eyes.

“If I tell you where to get food, will you leave me alone?!”

“Nope!” Nika replied cheerfully, seemingly unfazed by her irritation.

Zoro's frown deepened. He couldn't quite comprehend why Nika had taken such an interest in this woman. They had more crucial matters to attend to, like reaching Ohara. Yet, a thought occurred to him; Nika's keen perception seemed to reveal hidden nuances. Maybe there was more to this situation than met the eye?

“You’re not going to change my friend’s mind on the matter.” Zoro calmly advised the young woman. She redirected her fiery gaze toward him, but Zoro remained stoic. “He can be very insistent.”

Nika’s eyes brightened in appreciation at Zoro’s comment. In a way, the swordsman had just voiced his trust and loyalty to go along with Nika’s actions.

The woman fell silent, her lips pursed angrily. Her eyes scrutinized both Nika and Zoro, assessing them for potential dangers. Realizing it might be less troublesome to have the two join her, she let out a defeated sigh.

“Fine, but we aren’t staying here. Follow me and don’t draw attention.” she instructed, peering to ensure the coast was clear before motioning for the two men to follow her.

The red-headed woman led Nika and Zoro through the village, weaving through narrow pathways and avoiding crowded areas, quickly ushering them inside when they reached her home. Zoro took in the modest surroundings of her small candlelit dwelling. A shelf adorned with books about navigation and a desk with scattered maps caught his attention, perhaps hinting that the woman had an interest in the art of sailing. In one corner, a struggling potted tree grasped for vitality, its branches looking brittle and its browning leaves looked sickly. In the center of the room was a dining table that had a pitiful bowl of rotting spuds.

Nearby, next to a steel stove, a young girl with blue hair worked diligently, placing wood into the fire. The warmth of the stove contrasted with the chilly atmosphere outside, and the cozy interior subtly spoke of a familial bond shared within the walls.

“Nami!” The child called out to the woman they now knew as Nami, rushing toward her. She paused, casting a shy glance at the two newcomers. “Oh, hi there. We have guests?”

“I’m Luffy, nice to meet ya!” Nika introduced himself to the small girl with his preferred human name, then gestured toward Zoro. “And this is Zoro.”

Zoro gave the child a brief nod in greeting.

“Nice to meet you too. I’m Nojiko.” Nojiko smiled at the two before turning her attention back to Nami. “I was just melting some snow for Bellemere’s tree. I think it’s looking better.”

Nami’s gaze drifted sadly toward the struggling tree.

“I think you're right. It looks much better than yesterday.” Nami said with a soft smile. She walked over to the tree, as if observing it closely. Nami made a quick and subtle move that Zoro almost missed, her hand slipping into her bag before making an exaggerated gasping sound and reached into the tree. “Wow! You even got it to grow another tangerine! You’re doing such a great job!”

Zoro raised an eyebrow when Nami pretended to pull the fruit from the sickly plant. It was obvious that Nami had pulled out one of the stolen tangerines, but Nojiko didn’t seem to notice. The young girl's eyes shone brightly with excitement.

“I didn’t even notice it had grown!” Nojiko exclaimed, running over to Nami with a happy giggle. Nami handed her the tangerine, and with a gleeful smile, Nojiko turned her attention back to their guests. “Would you like to share?”

Nami stiffened.

“Nojiko, don’t you want to enjoy that one yourself?” Nami kindly prompted, though her smile seemed a bit strained.

Nojiko turned back quizzically.

“But I’d like to share. Momma’s tree is always growing more like magic. It would be wrong to not share a blessing with friends.” Nojiko explained her logic to Nami.

Nami shot the other two a quick sideways glare, making Zoro feel uncomfortable. He sensed he would need to step in to kindly reject the well-intentioned child’s offer.

“Thank you for your kind offer, but-”

“We love magic tangerines!” Nika beamed happily, causing Nami’s glare to intensify. Nika ignored this and walked past the two, reaching into the tree much like Nami did. This time, Nika employed his own sleight of hand. His palm emitted a soft glow that matched the candlelight. It was subtle, so Zoro doubted the other two noticed it. To Nami’s shock and Nojiko’s delight, 'Luffy' pulled out three more tangerines.

Nojiko let out a happy gasp, jumping up and down with excitement.

“That’s the most it’s grown in ages!” Nojiko cried happily.

Nami continued to stare dumbfounded at the tangerines in Nika’s hands. Zoro could almost see the cogs in her head struggling to turn up some logical explanation for what just happened.

As if snapping herself out of a trance, Nami aggressively shook her head to ground herself and addressed the others.

"Thank you, Luffy. I guess I somehow missed those." Nami said with a bit more kindness than she offered him before. "Why don’t you all sit? I'll make us some tea."

Nojiko took the tangerines from Nika and brought them over to the table, shoving the bowl of rotten spuds to the far end. She started peeling the fruit and arranging them nicely on a communal plate for them all to share. Nika and Zoro sat at the table, waiting for Nami to join them.

“So, why is all the food so bad here?” Nika asked, resting his elbow on the table and placing his chin in his hand. “That food stand guy said that the Mayor was in charge of distributing food.”

Both Nami and Nojiko’s faces darkened.

“Arlong is not our Mayor.” Nojiko said coldly. “Genzo is the one people voted for.”

Zoro raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued, as Nami finished preparing the tea and brought the steaming kettle and cups to the table.

“Genzo used to be in charge, but that was years ago,” Nami explained. “Arlong seemed to come out of nowhere and invaded Cocoyasi Village. Genzo did his best to stand up to Arlong but was severely injured in their standoff. Arlong declared himself as the new mayor and held us financially hostage with high taxes. Those who couldn’t pay, like our mother, couldn’t live here anymore.”

“He would force them to move away?” Nika asked.

Nami bit her lip, holding back tears. Her gaze drifting towards the tree in the corner.

“No, worse.” The implications of Nami’s answer hung heavily in the air. Zoro remained stoic, reflecting on the hardships Nami and her sister had to face with losing their mother so tragically. From the corner of his eye, Zoro could see that Nika was listening intently, his usually happy face now blank. Nami took a deep breath and continued. “When the Sun disappeared, things changed. Food became more valuable than money. Arlong took charge of all of the village's sources of food. He even took control of our home, our mother’s tangerine orchard. He began hoarding food for himself and those who serve under him. When the food goes bad, he gives that to the rest of us.”

Nika balled his fists in anger.

“That’s not right!” Nika said angrily. He looked at Zoro, and for the briefest moment, Zoro thought he saw Nika’s eyes flash to their original red hue before turning back to brown. “We can’t let him get away with that!”

Nojiko immediately looked distressed by Nika’s reaction.

“You can’t do anything that would make Arlong upset!” Nojiko insisted. “So many people have died trying to face him. I don’t want my new friends to die too!”

Nika looked as if he was about to argue with the child, but Zoro placed his hand on Nika’s shoulder, gripping it firmly, hoping to quell the God’s anxiousness. Nika’s gaze rose to meet Zoro’s, a determined gleam flashing within them, his large brown eyes silently urging Zoro to agree that action must be taken.

In the back of his mind, Zoro knew they shouldn’t get involved. More people outside of this one village needed Nika back. They needed the sun and the warmth and life he provided. Despite this, Zoro felt compelled to follow Nika’s wishes, as if his very soul had become tethered to the God and the merciful actions that drove him.

Zoro simply nodded, a silent pledge that he agreed and would follow Nika.

“It’s too late to be discussing matters like this.” Nami said sternly, drawing both of their attention back to her. “You shouldn’t be making Nojiko fret over such things before her bedtime.”

Nika pouted, averting his eyes to the side, avoiding eye contact as he was scolded. The four then turned their attention to the fruit and tea they were sharing.

“Do you two have a place to stay?” Nami asked between bites of her tangerine. Both Nika and Zoro shook their heads. “You can stay here until the moon rises. I’ll stay in Nojiko’s room with her, and you can sleep in mine. Just don’t touch any of my stuff.”

They soon wrapped up their meal and prepared for bed, Nika and Zoro heading into the bedroom offered to them after saying goodnight.

“I really hate that mayor guy.” Nika grumbled when they were finally alone.

“A lot of villages are going through tough times,” Zoro remarked. “I've noticed it in my travels. People have become ruthless since your light disappeared.”

“But he's been causing trouble since before the sun vanished.” Nika argued, surprising Zoro when his eyes shifted back to their natural red hue, signaling the God’s growing anger. “He hurt Nami, Nojiko, and everyone else here!”

“We’re gonna sort this out tomorrow, okay? Before we head to Ohara.” Zoro asserted, but his comment did little to quell the God’s anger.

Nika folded his arms angrily over himself, his bottom lip protruding in a pout. Searching for a way to reassure the God, Zoro reached out and ruffled Nika’s hair. The God’s eyes instantly turned back to brown, widening in surprise. He gazed upward at Zoro, his surprise quickly turned into joy, eliciting a happy flutter in the swordsman’s chest. Seeming appeased by Zoro’s gentle gesture, Nika eagerly nodded, agreeing to take care of matters in the morning. Zoro reluctantly restrained himself from ruffling Nika's hair any further and shifted his focus to preparing for bed.

Zoro settled into Nami's bed. It was a bit small but still more comfortable than sleeping outside on the snowy ground, something he had sadly grown accustomed to before meeting Nika.

The bed dipped as extra weight pulled it down. Zoro froze when he realized that Nika unexpectedly joined him, the God's warm arms wrapping around him from behind.

"I didn’t know Gods could sleep." Zoro tried to keep his voice steady, though his heart raced. He silently hoped Nika couldn't hear it.

"We don't sleep.” Nika's breath brushed the back of Zoro's neck. “I just thought Zoro would like the warmth. Helps with sleep, right?"

Zoro struggled to find the right words. He appreciated Nika's consideration, yet the closeness only intensified the confusing feelings stirring within him. With Nika's arms around him and that sturdy chest against his back, Zoro couldn't deny the ache of longing in his heart.

"Nika..." Zoro uttered cautiously, trying to find the right words to turn down the God's offer of warmth.

"Yeah?"

Zoro’s lids grew heavy as the warmth enveloped him and, for a moment, he almost believed he could smell the familiar scent of the blessed earth of Isshen Dojo. Slowly, he eased into Nika's arms, giving in to the inviting warmth they provided.

"... Thanks."

As he dozed off, Nika's warmth seeped deep into his bones, guiding him into a peaceful sleep.

————————————————

Notes: This is up to the point I have written to. But I am still not even fully sure if I will keep chapter 3 like this. But so far I’m leaning towards it staying as is. Thank you for those who have been interested in this story so far. For those who wish to follow the story, you can find the Prologue posted to my AO3 account HERE.

The rating might change as I build more on this story.

#zolu fanfic #zolu #luzo #luzo fanfic #Zoro x Nika #my contribution for Luffy/Nika’s birthday

29 notes · View notes