Zoro had always considered himself a stoic man. Able to control his emotions at the very least. But life as a first class citizen had become boring. It was a chore for him to socialise with people within his 'class'. The men were pompous and the woman cared for nothing but money. Zoro, however, considered such things trifling. He didn't care about marriage or money, only training and strength. He wanted to be the best he could be. The situation he found himself in, however, was non-too desirable. Not for him at least. So when he found himself walking the gangplank to a, in his opinion, rather ugly cruise vessel, he held back his sighs of exasperation. Being forced into this world was acceptable, he could not change who his parents were, but being stuck with these kind of people would be hell. And he would be stuck with them for a week. A whole. Damn. Week.

"Zoro, hurry along now." Zoro's ears perked up to meet his mothers call. His daydreaming had left a large gap between himself and her and the passengers behind were becoming impatient with the long wait. He grunted, earning a frown from his mother. "Really!"

"You should pay more attention to your surroundings, Zoro." A woman with short black hair laughed softly next to him. His barriers broke down instantly as he returned the smile.

"Of course, Kuina." Smiled Zoro, taking the woman's hand on his arm.

"There are allot of passengers, are there not?" Kuina peered over the side of the gangplank staring at the hordes of people. Zoro glanced over, a bored expression gracing his face as he turned his head to scan the crowds. "My! Such lovely hair!" Exclaimed Kuina, pointing to the crowd surrounding the ship. Zoro's eyes followed the pointed finger to a crowd of lower-class passengers currently fighting to get on board. He had expected to see a woman, perhaps one of the first class passengers having accidently walked the wrong way, but his eyes widened when they settled on a man with blond hair, down to his chin. Said man had on clothes that were not terribly dirty, but in no way as clean as Zoro's own attire, but it was obvious he had at least tried, something Zoro could respect. The man turned his head abruptly to look seemingly directly at Zoro, as if he knew he was being watched. It made Zoro flinch and face flush from embarrassment at staring. He turned his head away, only to look back over his shoulder, too curious to leave it at that.

Curious? Is that the right word? Zoro pondered before the blonde haired man's gaze, once more, rested on the gangplank. Then he slowly raised his hand and waved, only moving his hand very slightly. Zoro was caught off guard. Without even realising what he was doing, he raised his hand in reply.

"Oh! He's waving!" Exclaimed Kuina, raising her own hand to meet the wave enthusiastically. Zoro quickly dropped his hand and turned to face forward. He cursed inwardly wondering if Kuina had seen his momentary lapse of sanity.

"You shouldn't associate with someone like that." Stated Zoro, embarrassed at his own mistake. Kuina sighed.

"I know that. But is he not just a man? Same as you? I can't stand the barriers of class." Zoro was at a loss for words. He was always amazed at Kuina's forwardness and kind nature. He inwardly scolded himself for not being able to be as honest with his feelings as he watched the blonde man disappear into the ship after flashing his ticket to the guard. His attention was caught again when they finally reached the guard at the door who checked their tickets with a sickening smile that could only be fake. Zoro rolled his eyes at the thought.

"Thank you very much, Sir. Please enjoy your stay on the Titanic."

The day had been filled with socializing, so when Zoro had finally been able to sit at a table and eat dinner he was greatly relieved. He had found the day extremely taxing, being forced to follow his mother as she chatted with a manner of different people, trying to climb the social ladder. Zoro, being a fairly handsome man, had been forced to follow as a kind of trophy son, something he thought of with great disdain when women gathered to him asking annoying questions about his life. He would have been glad to just sit and eat, but he'd managed to find himself in the middle of another social gathering over the dining table. He grimaced as the women talked about some couple being 'new-money', a term he loathed, and Kuina had spoken her mind again, voicing the same opinions he could not. As his mother scolded her, he started drifting into his own thoughts as he watched a straw hat crawl under his table.

Wait. A straw-hat? Zoro very subtly dropped his fork and went to retrieve it, finding himself face to face with a raven haired boy. His eyes went wide when he saw the boy grin cheekily, hold up the fork for Zoro to take, which he did before throwing the table cloth back into place and snapping up to sit rigidly.

"Are you ok?" Kuina asked, raising an eyebrow accusingly.

"Ah? Yes, I'm fine." Zoro waved his hand dismissively as he wrapped his legs around the boy under the table, holding him in place. Kuina gave him another suspicious look before turning back to her conversation. The boy under the table tapped on Zoro's legs, hoping to be released, but Zoro was relentless in his hold, squeezing a little tighter as a warning to stop struggling. He took a pen from his jacket pocket and discreetly wrote a message on his napkin, handing both to the boy. He could easily tell from the boy's appearance that he was not of the finer class. Perhaps he had snuck in? He pondered quietly until he felt a note being placed in his lap.

I'm hungry! I want meat! Zoro stared incredulously at the childish scribbles on the napkin. It made sense, Zoro thought, that perhaps the boy simply wanted to try high class food. He couldn't imagine the food below deck was nearly as lavish as what he had moments before been eating. Being as discreet as he could, he slid a hefty piece of beef onto the napkin and handed it to the boy under the table, still holding him in an iron grip. He chuckled to himself thinking what he was doing was much like a child feeding his favourite dog under the table. But now that he thought of it, this child was more like a monkey. A hand furiously patted his leg in thanks. And a note was written on the dirtied napkin, childish scribbles only slightly legible, making Zoro squint.

Thanks! I'm Luffy! Zoro registered the name and continued to sneak food to his new pet throughout the meal. When his thoughts turned to how he was going to get the kid out without him being carried away by security entered his mind, Kuina tapped his arm.

"Isn't that the man we saw before?" Zoro followed her finger to a tall blonde man wondering around the dining hall and his eyes grew wide. Why they did, he wasn't exactly sure and chose not to think on it further when the blonde man approached their table looking around franticly. One of the room's guards ran to the man as he called out.

"Oi! Luffy, where did you go?" This caught Zoro's attention immediately as a guard grabbed the man's shoulder. He stood up quickly.

"Wait! I know this man." Called Zoro, walking quickly to dismiss the guard. The blond stared at him, a confused expression crossed his face. But the guard was relentless.

"I'm sorry, Sir. But this man is not allowed in here. He does not hold a first class ticket." Zoro waved a hand at him, becoming annoyed but hiding it well. Dealing with these people was just another form of training he thought quietly to himself.

"Yes, I understand, he simply wanted to talk to me. We'll go outside." He grabbed the blondes arm and dragged him out of the dining room, shooting a warning look to the boy still hiding under the table. He understood the warning and dropped the cloth he'd been holding up to hid himself behind it, waiting patiently for Zoro's return... and more food.

When Zoro was sure no one could over hear them, he let go of the blondes arm, trying to ignore the man's quiet insults and challenges. When he finally faced him, he had to stop himself from laughing as his eye followed the curl of an eyebrow.

"You were looking for Luffy?" He asked muffling out the other man's insults.

"You know him?" The man raised a ridiculous eyebrow.

"Some what. I think he was trying to steal food." The other man laughed lightly and scratched his head. Zoro could only assume this was a regular occurrence.

"Sorry about that. Did he leave? Please tell me he's not still in there." The man thought of a manner of things the small boy could have broken.

"He's still under my table. I caught him sneaking around and fed him a little to keep him quiet." The blonde gave Zoro a look of disbelief, making him a little uncomfortable. "Um, he'll have to stay there until the dinner is finished or he'll surely be caught." Zoro looked away. For some reason he couldn't bring himself to look into that scrutinising... eye.

"I see." Stated the blonde, mostly to himself. Zoro shifted on his feet, not sure how to continue the conversation, though, he thought, he would have liked to. He wouldn't have admitted it, but he'd enjoyed the way the man had spoken to him without restraint. It had been a long time since he'd heard another man swear at him. "Sorry to trouble you like this." Zoro snapped out of his thoughts and looked up at the others eye.

"N-Not at all!" He stuttered. He couldn't really understand what it was about the other man that was shaking his nerves like they were.

"Then I'll leave him in your care." The blonde smiled. "The names Sanji." The man, Sanji, turned to leave, heading down the stairs to the lower deck. Zoro faltered slightly, stumbling slightly towards the ships railing to look down at the slowly disappearing blonde.

"Uh! I'm Zoro!" Sanji stifled a laugh and raised his hand in goodbye without looking back once.

Zoro couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed with himself. It was truly unlike him to have behaved as he did, like a child stumbling over his words.

"Zoro! Care to join us for a brandy?" Zoro was snapped out his thought by the booming voice of an overweight gentleman standing to his side. He inwardly grimaced and smiled, shaking his head.

"Perhaps later, I'd like to give my compliments to the chef." The older man laughed and patted him on the back, retreating with the other men to the smoking room. When he was sure he wouldn't be noticed, he said his goodbyes to the women and dragged his pet monkey out of the room, swerving around tables to avoid the small boy being seen. When he was sure it was safe, he let go of the boy and breathed a sigh of relief. Luffy bounced to life instantly, clamping his legs around Zoro's waist and clambering on him to give a hug, smiling brightly.

"That was good meat! Thanks!" Zoro pushed at Luffy's face attempting to keep his composure around a group of women who looked back and whispered disapprovingly. He grimaced and threw off his dinner jacket to a nearby chair and rushed to the lower deck. He pried Luffy away from him and hit his head lightly.

"Don't act that way up there; I don't want to be the centre of meaningless gossip." Luffy grinned and nodded his head, adjusting the straw hat that adorned his head.

"The food was real good, but it was pretty boring up there. And everyone talks about each other behind their backs. That's not very nice you know." Luffy crossed his arms and looked disapprovingly at Zoro.

"My sentiments exactly." Sighed Zoro, slightly exasperated, and scratched his head.

"But you're a good guy." Luffy's face softened and he slipped his hands into his pockets looking more relaxed now that that he'd had his say. "What's your name?"

"Roronoa Zoro."

"Y'know, the food was great, but I've had better, why don't you come eat with me?" Zoro looked a little taken aback. They were on the Titanic, an extremely glamorous cruise liner where only the best was allowed for those who could pay enough. How could the food below deck be better? As if reading his mind, Luffy patted his back and grinned even wider.

"Just because the food up there is more expensive doesn't mean its better. You wait till you meet my chef! The company's allot better too; everyone's nice!" Zoro couldn't help himself and burst out laughing. This kid could see through the mask of courtesy so easily! He decided then that he liked this Luffy character.

When Zoro decided it was finally time to head back he had been forced to agree to a meal with Luffy the following night. He was unsure whether or not it had been a good idea. News travelled fast, especially on a boat, and he really didn't want to be the centre of gossip, especially if would affect Kuina and his mother. But the thinking had become too much for him and when he was sure most people had retreated to their cabins he picked up a long case and sneaked outside. He'd changed into loose clothing, wearing all black so he was hard to notice in the darkness, but still resolved to bribe the cowardly watchman with the long nose into keeping quiet and making sure no one would see him during his night time activity.

Standing in the centre of an empty deck, he popped his muscles and stretched into a comfortable workout until he was ready to get to the serious stuff. From the long case he'd been carrying he retrieved three swords, tying them to his waist. He unsheathed his favourite, a strong sword with a pure white hilt and proceeded to his training, raising the sword above his head and slashing the air. He continued practicing different techniques as the night watchmen stared in awe, not noticing when a tall blonde lit up a cigarette and leaned against the wall, watching him silently.

A few hours later, Zoro was satisfied with his workout and wiped the sweat from his brow, smiling to himself for a training session well done. He was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard a soft clapping noise. He turned quickly to see Sanji watching him intently, a cigarette softly gracing his lips.

"Yo, Mr. First Class." Zoro glared at the comment. It wasn't particularly an insult, but it felt like the man was making fun of him. "Is that proper for a man of your standing?" Zoro whipped his head around staring at a decidedly interesting spot on the floor.

"... You gunna rat on me?" Sanji broke into laughter, making the swordsman jump.

"And that's hardly a proper manner of speech, Sir!" Zoro growled and started to pack his swords away, unable to look at the man as he walked to stand over him, watching him intently.

"You didn't answer my question."

"I won't tell. I'm no snitch." Zoro looked up at the blonde, silently appreciating a man of honour. He had met so few. He nodded in thanks and stood up. The pair stared at each other in an awkward silence, neither sure how to keep the conversation going until Sanji's eyes wondered to the mess of short hair on top of the others head.

"... Your hair's green." Zoro's head shot up out of instinct to look at his hair and just as quickly shot back down feeling the stupidity of his actions. Sanji just grinned.

"I... know that already."

"That doesn't seem very gentlemanly, Mr. First Class." Sanji unconsciously reached up and poked a spike. "Shouldn't you have slicked black hair?" Zoro pushed his hand away.

"I don't need someone like you lecturing me on hair." He raised his hand to poke at the long blonde hair covering half his face. "Can you even see through that?"

"I can see through it. And I can kick your ass through it too."

Zoro raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Sorry to say, you wouldn't have a chance against me, but I'd be obliged to try anytime you want." Sanji laughed and took a step back, putting his hands in his pockets.

"Now that is defiantly not gentlemanly." Sanji smirked, his eyes shadowing. "But I'm not one to back away from a challenge, even if it is from some shitty Mr. First Class." Something in Zoro snapped and he reached forward, attempting to grab the man, all thoughts of the childish stuttering of earlier lost. His hand was met with air when Sanji bent backwards in an obscene bend, that Zoro was sure could not be possible, and flipped back onto his feet facing the swordsman once more. He smiled a cocky grin as he stared as Zoro's surprised face. Another silent pause followed as Zoro regained his composure. This really wouldn't do for a man like him.

"Was there anything you wanted?" Zoro asked as he straightened his back. He hadn't noticed he'd been standing to defence. Sanji placed another cigarette in his mouth, a little disappointed he wouldn't get to test out the swordsman's skills. He'd been aching for a good fight.

"Nothing in particular." He murmured around his cigarette. "Just a little... interested." He glanced up to look directly into Zoro's eyes. For a moment they were silent in their staring. After a while, Zoro turned his head, his cheeks started to heat and his stomach dip a flip. He couldn't understand what was wrong with his body. Perhaps he'd eaten something weird at dinner?

"... Interested?" Zoro couldn't take the silence anymore. It was stifling.

"Hn. It's just weird is all." Sanji looked around, sucking on his cigarette. The silence was getting to him as well. "Why would a guy like you help a little monkey like Luffy?" Zoro laughed lightly at the comparison. He was slightly amazed they had thought the same thing. "You didn't rat on him... So I guess I'm sorta, kinda saying... Thanks. Or something like that. I guess." Zoro turned his head back around to glance at Sanji.

"Whatever. It's not like he did anything wrong. Not really. First Class or not, everyone deserves to eat good food."

"Heh. So you're a good guy after all." Sanji snorted, tossing his finished cigarette to the sea. "It's a good thing you think that way. Now you don't have to feel bad about the meal you'll be eating tomorrow." Zoro looked a little confused before recalling his earlier conversation with Luffy.

"Ah? You know I'm to eat with Luffy? So you were just sizing me up?"

"I wanted to check you were a good guy." Zoro crossed his arms.

"Are you satisfied?" Sanji laughed at the question and turned to leave. Zoro could only stare as he slowly walked off. "Hey. Are you satisfied?" For some reason he felt he wanted to know the answer. Sanji grinned to himself without looking around.

"... See you at dinner."