Heart of the Kitsune

Heart of the Kitsune

Chapter 6

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The next morning, Sanji woke to Zoro's warmth gone and the other's presence nowhere in the house. "Guess he headed out." he murmured as he shifted forms and headed downstairs only to be pleasantly surprised at a meager meal waiting for him on the table. A note was placed beside the bowl and he took it.

Shitty fox,

I had to take care of some errands in another town and I probably won't be back tonight. I made something for you but again, don't take it the wrong way or as sympathy.

Zoro

Sanji chuckled as he tucked the note away before eating the decent meal that Zoro left for him.

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Spandam, after getting his materials together, was ready to head out into the forest. "That fox will be mine and maybe I'll give it a few whippings just so it'll know to obey or be punished." he murmured as he made his way into the forest. He looked at common places that the kitsune might be but didn't see him at all which set him back. "Where the hell could that fox be?" he murmured as he continued looking about, eventually stepping foot into the clearing where Zoro's home rested and cursed, that being the last place he wanted to be. He was about to leave when he heard the door open and quickly went to find a place to hide before the demon swordsman found him, neither never really in good terms with each other back in the day when they both had to tolerate each other's presence.

He was surprised, eyes widened comically, as he watched the fox he had be searching for a fraction of the day come out the house and stretch before taking off for the river. "The hell...what would Zoro be doing with the kitsune? Unless..." he mumbled to himself before cursing. 'That snarky bastard beat me into capturing that fox!' he thought angrily and tried to compile a plan to capture the fox now without Zoro finding out about it. 'Wait...I have the perfect idea...I'm such a genius.' he thought with a wicked smirk before following the fox into the forest.

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When he found a spot to bathe, Sanji disrobed and climbed into the river, sighing peacefully as he started washing up. He was ignorant to his surroundings, thinking that he would be alone to take his bath in peace. Spandam watching him with an evil gleam in his eyes and was ready to spring his trap. But before he could make his first step, he was caught in a rope snare and yelped as he was flung up into the air and left hanging. Sanji smirked from his place as he continued to wash up.

"You'll have to try a little harder."

Spandam growled and tried to work to get the snare from around his leg before the fox could run off. Sanji took his bath in peace, knowing that he wouldn't let some foolish human ruin it. After he was done, he got dressed and bounded off further into the forest, much to the dismay of Spandam. "Damn it!" he cursed as he watched the fox run off. He patted his clothes for his hidden dagger, unable to find it earlier in his panic of losing his target. He cut himself down, wincing as his back met the ground harshly. He growled as he sat up before running in the direction the fox ran.

Sanji sighed as he glanced around, ears flicking about for any sign of Spandam being nearby. "Sheesh, wish that damn human will leave me be. He must be a fool if he could even think of snatching him away from my mate." he murmured as he walked on through the forest peacefully. He just hope that soon, Luffy will come to him about where Jyabura and Lucci were located. No matter how peaceful things are right now, things will all go to hell the moment they show themselves. Spandam continued to track him, wishing that he thought of bringing his dog Funkfreed with him to make this job easier. "With him, he'll take down that fox with ease." he mumbled as he continued battling the brush to find Sanji.

Sanji found a clearing and a rock to perch on and sat down, whistling softly to himself as birds started flocking to him to sing along with him. He really did love his home and he wished for nothing to happen to it. "Well, I guess I have to thank the superstitious folk for never expanding their land out here or I probably wouldn't be here now." he murmured before humming softly. Spandam heard him and smirked as he walked into the clearing, spotting the fox all alone. "Just where I want you." he whispered as he got closer and closer to him. Sanji turned quickly as the birds flocked away.

"Damn it! When will you leave me be?!" he growled as he stepped away.

"When I have you in my clutches. You got away from me twice and I'm not about to let it happen a third time. Not when I have an ultimatum to make you obey me." Spandam spoke. Sanji crossed his arms and glared at him more. "Oh yeah? And what exactly would that be?" he questioned and Spandam smirked. "The life of that pathetic swordsman. I'll have my men kill him." he said and Sanji's eyes widened.

"You wouldn't dare!"

"Oh yes. You may hear about him and his impressive strength but it's all a ruse to make him look good. He was pathetic! That three sword style? Just a hoax!" Spandam spoke.

"It is not! I fought with him before and he was strong enough to block my attacks no problem!"

"Then tell me, fox. Why would he move to live out here in the forest if he was so revered in the town? Is it really for solitude or to get away from people who shunned him." Spandam questioned, grinning when he saw the fox ready to hang off his every word. 'A few more lies and that fox will fall right into my trap that he surely can't escape unless he knew the truth properly.' he thought. Sanji was at an impasse. He didn't know what to believe. He knew the swordsman was strong but could his show of strength really be a lie. 'I was never there to witness it for myself. But he must be lying...Zoro is strong...' he thought and then thought of the chance of the other male being overwhelmed by Spandam's men and surely doesn't want it to happen. He whimpered softly, ears lowering and Spandam smirked.

"So what will it be, fox? Run now and I'll have him dead the moment he comes back to his home by my men."

"No, don't do that!" Sanji cried before looking down. "As long as you leave him alone, I'll come quietly. I don't know what to think. I know he's strong but to handle whatever you plan to throw at him when he's unprepared...I can't risk that." he whispered before looking up to the triumphant man before him. "But mark my words, I may be giving myself over to you but that doesn't me I'll be complacent to your whims." he growled before stepping forward. "Fair enough. You just better forget about him at the risk that he won't be found out by whomever claims you." Spandam said as he tied the fox's hands together and took his away.

Birds that were with him before Spandam showed twittered with worry before flying off to find another lore creature to help the kitsune from his terrible fate.

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Luffy was munching on a couple berries that he ws able to snatch from a stand in town without getting caught, grinning widely as he ate his succulent treat. "So delicious! I might have to get some for Ace later!" he said to himself as he continued to eat before his ears heard the sounds of frantic twitters from the birds and looked up to see a flock flying by. "Hey! Hey!" he called, shoving the rest of the fruit into his mouth and gulped it down before following after the birds through the branches. "What's going on?" he asked as he came to a stop when the birds came to a rest upon the branches around him. One of the birds chirped hurriedly and, thankful for his brother actually giving him lessons in understanding birds for such a situation, he gasped when he got the message.

"Sanji was captured because of lies a person said about Zoro?!" he gasped before hitting a fist to his chest. "I'll go save him then! But I can't go at it alone or I'll be captured and then Son Goku will get angry and I wouldn't want him to make an appearance to the people." he murmured and pondered over his choices. He surely can't get Shanks or Ace to help and none of the others of the four directions would be available.

"I got it!" he cheered as he swung from the branches towards the town, hoping that Robin was somewhere nearby so she could find Nami.

Sanji sighed as he was left in the middle of a dark room. He hid his tails and ears so there would be less gawking among the people once they saw Spandam walking into town with him. 'Damn mortal fool. I should make you pay but the threat to Zoro's life is the only reason you're living right now...' he thought quietly to himself. The door creaked open and he was blinded by the light from the outside and growled a little when Spandam's face appeared. "Come on, fox. The auction awaits you. And no hiding. It would be a waste for you to hide the beauty that will get me an immense amount of money and praise of your capture." he said.

Sanji obeyed but ignored his words as he stood and headed out the room, wrists being bound once more so he couldn't conjure any illusions to escape. 'Zoro...plese save me. I know you don't care for me as I wish but let there be a shred of it in your heart to save me from this fate.' he thought as he was led out the room and towards the auction house.

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Luffy ran into the town in his animal form, ducking between people's legs before climbing up the corner of the building where he saw Robin. "Robin!" he cried as he landed, back in human form and the raven looked to him. "Luffy, what's wrong?" she questioned. "It's Sanji! He was caught by a human! The birds told me that the human was spitting out lies that he had men stronger than Zoro and was gonna kill him if he didn't cooperate!" he explained.

"I see. And Sanji doesn't really know of Zoro's true strength since he wasn't in our neck of the woods during his militant days so he could only go on rumors that he heard but can't attest anything from that alone. Guess we must save him before he's sold off and that won't please the spirit of Inari or his father since he had high hope that he would soon be able to live on his own once Zeff let him go." Robin said before stretching out her wings. "Anyone you need me to search for?"

"Go get Nami! And maybe Usopp. We must hurry!" Luffy chittered.

"Of course but while I search for them, you should go and do what you can to save him yourself. If this mortal knows of Sanji and went through the trouble of catching him, then money must be the key thought on his mind. So that means he'll be at the auction house." she said before pointing the way. "Just keep going that way, Luffy-san. Don't get sidetracked or we might lose Sanji." she said before flying off and Luffy nodded before taking off in the direction she pointed off.

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Spandam made it to the auction house and told the auctioneer of his catch and the man could only laugh. "You're joking right? No one could capture a lore creature, especially not a kitsune." he spoke and Spandam only smirked as he tugged Sanji forward. "Well, fox? Care to prove him wrong?" he questioned and Sanji growled before letting his ears and tails show and the man was in awe. "Well well! I guess you don't lie, Spandam! He will definitely fetch a high price. You'll be swimming in the money soon once he goes out on the stage." he said as he led Spandam inside.

"Of course. This stupid fox gave me hell but a threat was all I needed to make him follow." Spandam said.

"You and your threats. At least this time, it wasn't a bluff. Am I right?"

"Of course. The fox knows if he tries to escape even once, the person he cares for will die." he whispered and Sanji's eyes narrowed before looking away. "Well, the auction is about to start so let's get him numbered and ready to be placed out. We'll save the best for last since the Tenryubito is supposed to be making an appearance today from their lands so if they get the highest bid, you'll definitely be set for life." the auctioneer said with a grin. "Perfect! I'll get money and this fox will be put in his place! It's a win/win for me!" he cackled before turning to Sanji.

"Well, if you get won by the Tenryubito, you'll be in good hands...as long as you obey. Consequences will be dire if you decide to disobey one of them." he sneered and Sanji spat in his face.

"Death sounds welcoming right about now." he hissed and Spandam huffed before shoving him towards the auctioneer. "Get him numbered and out of my sight. I'll be with the rest of the crowd to see how this ends." he murmured and the auctioneer nodded before leaving with Sanji.

There was so little time left. He hoped that someone will rescue him before he's taken away. But with the options left, he was having little hope of it.

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Zypher: And there you have it. Spandam got the upper hand and now its a race against time to save him. Will Luffy and the others make it in time? Keep supporting me and this story and I'll give you the answers you seek. Until then, thanks for reading and I'll see you soon with another chapter.

And for you, Pernille, I do indeed have an account on FF.net.