"So, where exactly are we?" Sanji asked after being dragged around by Ace and Marco. Zoro had almost gotten lost multiple times just following them but Sanji managed to keep him on track.

"I thought I told you? Whitebeard's territory," Ace said, turning back to look at Sanji."Before we were on the outskirts but now we've reached the heart of it."

"We're going to see Father and report in," Marco finished, shocking Zoro and Sanji.

"What?!" They both cried. No, no, no, he couldn't possibly mean Whitebeard, could he?

"Don't worry," Ace smiled."Once he knows you're with me, everything will be fine!" That gave them a bit of relief.

"Most likely," Marco grumbled. That, on the other hand, did not.

"It's on your hands if we die, Ace," Sanji warned.

"Like I said, don't worry!"

X

Walking through the yakuza home was one of Sanji's more unpleasant experiences but he tried not to let it get to him. Zoro looked the same, simply ignoring the stares other members gave them with a look of indifference. Sanji felt like he wasn't even processing what was going on around them, though he couldn't underestimate the swordsman's perception.

There were two guards standing outside a pair of fusuma which looked at Zoro and Sanji uncertainly but otherwise let them through. On the other side sat a giant man in the center of the room with a long, white mustache and multiple air tanks next to him connecting to tubes that reached inside of his nose. Even in his seemingly sick state he looked strong, healthy, and determined.

"Marco, Ace, my sons, it seems you've brought some uninvited guests with you," Whitebeard spoke, voice loud and threatening."Care to explain?"

"They're private detectives," Marco started, voice detached."We found them on the outskirts of your territory."

"They are friends of Luffy's, just looking for me since he was worried," Ace said, somewhat desperate. He didn't want Whitebeard thinking they needed to be disposed of. Zoro and Sanji tried to keep cool, alert in case they were attacked and needed to flee.

"Well, can they fight?" Whitebeard asked, face unamused.

"W-Well..."

"Yes, they can," Marco answered for Ace who seemed as if he didn't know the answer even though he did, goddamnit! He had seen them fight before!

"Good, then I would like to hire them," Whitebeard spoke, eyes finally turning to Sanji and Zoro.

Sanji couldn't help but clear his throat at that."I'm sorry, Mr.Whitebeard, but we aren't hitmen. We won't accept your job if it's a kill request."

The room went silent at Sanji's firm denial, even Whitebeard looked slightly shocked. The only one who didn't even move an inch was Zoro, who already predicted Sanji would say this.

Suddenly Whitebeard started to laugh, sound shaking the room they occupied."I would never request two people I barely knew to kill for me, don't worry." His laughter stopped, labored breathing starting in between his words."I simply want your help in getting some of my stubborn sons out of the outskirts of my territory which is now starting to be overrun by police because of some boundary issues with a rival gang."

Whitebeard sighed."There's nothing I can do about it which wont strike a war so I'm simply trying to get as many members of my family out of it so they aren't taken and forced to snitch about our operations." He smiled at them."I will, of course, pay handsomely."

Sanji's heart practically skipped a beat at the sound of money. God, he was starting to turn into Nami. Not that it was a bad thing."Of course we'll take the job," Sanji said, not bothering to ask Zoro as he knew the swordsman would be on top of it if it involved fighting."Also, Ace," Sanji turned to him."I expect full payment for our job finding you!"

"But I didn't even hire you, that was Luffy!" Ace argued.

"This is Luffy we're talking about," Zoro said, cold eyes making Ace shiver.

"Fine, I'll pay you after all this."

"Then it's settled!"

X

Whitebeard had offered to let them stay in his home for the next couple days as they helped out, and well as after as things cooled down. Zoro and Sanji easily agreed under the mans overbearing presence and logic. So, a couple of Whitebeard's men took them to an empty room in his maze of a house, telling them someone would be by shortly to attend to them. Sanji prayed it was a beautiful lady, being around all these men constantly was bland.

The first thing Sanji noticed about their room was that there was only one futon and the second was how small it was. Whitebeard must have a lot of people in his home right now who were involved with whatever was going on. Sanji never would've thought the police getting involved with the yakuza was such a big deal until now.

A female - thank god - attendant came in formally, explaining the lack of extra futons along with the general whereabouts of the bathing room and schedule for tomorrow. She was so pretty and kind, Sanji just swooned.

She then left while Zoro took his sweet time setting aside his swords and getting comfortable while Sanji laid out the futon."What are you doing, Zoro?" Sanji asked, kicking his shoes off.

Zoro didn't bother taking his off, laying on the tatami mat and tucking his arms under his head."I'm fine sleeping on the tatami, you take the futon," he grumbled, already half asleep.

"No, you're staying with me," Sanji said firmly."I don't want to hear you complaining in the morning about how sore you are because you slept on the floor."

"No," Zoro refused, turning away from Sanji in defiance.

"Zoro..." Sanji growled.

"Leave it alone," Zoro said back, pretending to snore seconds after.

Sanji's brow twitched and he leaned over, grabbing Zoro by the arm and pulling the swordsmen towards him. Shock ran through Zoro as he found himself under Sanji, the cook towering over him with a threatening grip on both his wrists."Stay here," he mumbled pleadingly."Please?" He added for good measure.

"Cook..." Zoro threatened.

Sanji dropped his grip on Zoro's wrists, flopping on top of him and putting his hands around his waist."You're free to do whatever you want tomorrow, but for today, do this for me."

They laid there for a bit, Sanji's arms still wrapped around Zoro in a semi-loose grip. Then, Zoro sighed, moving Sanji off him and kicking off his shoes."You take the pillow," he mumbled quietly, and he didn't say anything else for the rest of the night.

Sanji smiled, watching as Zoro quickly fell asleep. He then moved Zoro so they both shared the pillow, turning so their backs were touching to make them both fit.

Finally, some progress.

Fusuma (襖) - sliding doors used to separate rooms. They can also be used as walls and decor. Art called Yamato-e ("Japanese images") is created on the fusuma which consists of general motifs of seasonal views and Japanese people. Fusuma can vary in wood, thickness, paint, and color as well as the type of draw handle used.
Tatami (畳) - flooring material used in traditional Japanese homes. It is made of woven rush grass around a rice straw core.