Rose's P.O.V
I woke up to something gritty and hot. I also felt sticky and cold. It was strange because I was pretty sure I didn't fall asleep here. I sat up and looked around at a beach, complete with thick forest like jungle behind me and the ocean in front of me. Yep totally unfamiliar. As familiar as it was to wake up in strange places, namely the One Piece world, I was already here.
"Oh you are awake."
I glance over to see Zoro sitting a few feet away, cross legged and eye closed.
"Zoro? What happened?"
He opened his eye and looked over.
"The storm."
I blinked. Oh yeah.
It was a normal storm. We were busy with our usual routines when Chopper was swept by the wind toward the rail. I managed to grab him and hand him to one of Robin's arms when a wave swept over the railing, tugging me over the rail. The last thing I remember was Zoro's determined face as he dove after me. Then I hit my head, really hard, on something.
I groaned in frustration. I thought I was done with this bull of relying on him. I have stayed a little over a month now and was decently strong. Not Zoro or Luffy, but at least Chopper strength at least I hope. Now here I am, getting Zoro into some mess, on this island. Absolutely fantastic.
"I am so sorry Zoro. I should have been more careful."
Zoro just gave a nod. He didn't look upset, or happy, just comfortable. I stood up, dusting off my clothes of sand. The cloth was waterlogged, stiff from the salt and now covered with sand. Well, it could be a lot worse.
Hey Zoro, do you think this is habituated?"
Zoro shook his head.
"Nope, already looked around. It's a pretty small island. No sign of life anywhere."
I frowned, only to smile again.
"Well, we should be fine. I mean you've lived on your own before, and I'm sure Nami will find us soon."
Zoro smirked and stood. He looked a little worse for wear too. It was late afternoon, and the storm hit around noon. Oh well, I am sure with my strategies and Zoro with his hunting skill we should at least survive. It could be a whole lot worse. I could be alone, now I am alone with Zoro.
Wait.
Alone with Zoro.
I stiffen slightly. Over the past month, I have spent a lot of time with the swordsman. He had of course been my best friend, one I could talk to, one I could spar with, one I could just spend time with. Slowly he graduated from best friend to…something else. At first it was easy to ignore the warm fuzzy butterflies he gave me when he complimented my sword form, but it soon grew into a longing when I wasn't with him, a thirst to prove myself for his rare but handsome smiles and compliments, and to help him as much as he helped me.
But I am an idiot. I know it can't possibly work. For starters, I am from a different world. What happens when I have to go back? Second, neither of us are romantic, in any sense of the word. He doesn't like weakness, and I am still weak right now, working towards strength. And finally, he cannot like me back. So no, it cannot possibly work out.
What the heck am I thinking about right now? I should be focused on survival and keeping us both alive.
"Ok, we need water, food, and shelter, in that order. I can look for water if you take care of the food. Do you have your swords?"
Zoro shook his head, holding up empty hands.
"I didn't have time to grab them, but I can hunt barehanded."
I nodded, tying back my hair. I don't have my weapon either, but I am sure between the two of us we can make due.
"Great, can you teach me to hunt later? I don't think too much food is a bad thing. I think we should just explore for now."
Zoro nodded and stood, giving me a rare smile that made my heart throb in my ears.
"Sure thing Miss Strategist."
I shook my head to clear it before walking in the opposite direction.
"Meet back here in a few hours, and don't get lost."
I hear his grumble and chuckle. Now let's see what we have here.
Zoro's P.O.V
I stalk off into the forest, smirking at the parting shot from Rose. I am glad I am stuck with her and not one of the more annoying crewmembers, and I am glad she's ok too. When I saw her go over the railing I didn't think about the consequences as I jumped after her. I grabbed her, but she hit her head pretty hard on the side of the ship. It's a good thing she was light, otherwise we both would of drowned. Instead we got dragged to this island. I was scared, really scared when she didn't wake up right away. I thought she was going back to her world or something equally as bad. It just didn't look right, Rose lying in the sand, looking pale and weak like that. I just didn't like it, and I definitely didn't want to leave her. I took a look with my haki, but I wouldn't physically leave her side.
Dang, I have grown so soft. I can blame it on Luffy wanting me to keep my nakama safe all I want to, but that doesn't mean it is true. Rose is not just a nakama, and even I have to admit she is special, so special to me. I wouldn't call it love. It can't be that. Love is dangerous, especially in our line of work. So many people can take advantage of that, and I couldn't bare it if she got injured because of me.
An easy image of her came up in my mind, with her bright eyes and natural grin. She looked so perfect, but the true beauty was her personality, her strength, adaptability, and of course her bravery was intoxicating, like a good few barrels of booze.
I wasn't paying attention, thinking about dear Rose, so when I scared a bird, I jumped. Idiot, pay attention. You have got to hunt to get some food, unless you want Rose to starve.
I have to be careful, I mean utterly completely careful not to let any feelings show. I know Rose very well, and in turn she knows me very well, not to mention incredibly observant. She would see right through me if I gave her a chance, and I am not willing to show her this side of me.
I sigh. I need a distraction. I grab three branches from a nearby tree about the length of my swords. Well, these should work to take down some animal. In the distance, I see a huge boar like creature. I smirk. Ah, the perfect distraction.
Rose's P.O.V
I strolled along through the forest, going north by the position of the sun. I prided myself in being directionally smart, at least I hope so. I wasn't just walking around doing nothing. I was looking at everything. It was wonderful, being stranded on an island, just like so many adventure books I had read. I couldn't even be terrified because I was so excited. I was trying to find anything useful. Wood for a fire, sharp rocks for a knife, a stream for water, nests with eggs or fruit trees for food. Anything could be useful.
I ran into a climbable tree, something well within my expertise. I climb up just trying to see just how big this island really was. I reached a pretty decent height and stood on a branch, grasping the trunk for support and gasped in amazement.
It was a pretty small island, about a mile and a half in diameter. There wasn't much landscaping besides the forest, but there was a small mountain to the west, and from it I think I see a waterfall. Waterfall means a stream.
I descend from my perch, and going the direction that I think the stream would be. I soon spot it sparkling through the trees. I run to it and cup my hands, drinking eagerly. It looked clean enough, and I don't think it would be poisonous or anything. It was shallow so I couldn't bathe in it, but I really wanted a bath. I felt sticky and my hair felt coarse and frizzy from the salt and sand. I sigh and head upstream. Maybe there was a pool or something.
Aha, there was a waterfall that fell into a shallow pool it looked like. I glanced around quickly. Zoro said this island was small, and I prayed that he was off doing something else. I quickly strip and jump into the water.
The cool water felt refreshing. I didn't really have time or the energy to soak in it and play around, not with Zoro around, and if I know anything about anime, is that the unsuspecting oblivious boy always finds the maidens bathing.
I jumped under the waterfall to wash my hair and manage to wash my clothes too. I jumped out and put on my wet clothes. I was wet, but refreshed, which was something I was fine with. Two minute bath, probably the quickest in history. Oh well, I should probably get back to Zoro. I did find a good water supply, and the sun was quickly sinking into the sky.
I walked back along the stream. It would eventually flow back to the ocean. On the way, I lined my pockets with things I thought would be useful. I found several sharp rocks that could act as knives, and vines for rope, both could be useful. I also found some interesting fruit that we could snack on. I should drop this stuff off and go looking along the shoreline. I should have thought that first. Who knows what could be washed up on the beach? Maybe even a life boat.
I was interrupted in my musings by what sounded like something huge coming through the forest toward me. I look over to see a huge boar racing through the trees, with a green haired blur chasing after it. Seems like Zoro is hunting. I can't help a chuckle as I see him struggling a little bit. I guess I can try to help. Hopefully I won't get in the way.
I take a vine that I had collected and tied a slipknot into it. I lay it across the path, and tied another one between two trees, right before. I can't possibly catch it and kill it myself, but I can slow it down for Zoro to do the finishing blow.
I sit and wait, praying the boar falls for the trap. Soon enough I hear the clomping of its huge hoofs. I can't screw this up. We won't eat otherwise. I watch the lasso I created intently. It was right on top of me. I hear it hit the tripwire I set up and stumble. I saw one hoof go over the lasso, but the next one hit dead center. I yanked hard.
Dang it was heavy. It let out a squeal and continued forward like I was not even there. Shoot, I wasn't as strong as I thought. I quickly wrap the vine around a tree, yanking hard and hoping the vine won't break and Zoro wasn't too far behind.
Zoro's P.O.V
The boar I was chasing was putting up more of a fight then I expected, but not really considering I was working with clubs instead of swords. Man this is such a bore, literally. I race up to it, trying to whack it but it really was fast. Oh well, this island is small. It can't run forever.
Suddenly, it stumbles. That's strange. It was running so confidently. Then I see the vine across its path. Then it stumbles again and squeals before taking off sprinting again. Then it stops completely, like something is holding it back. I leap forward, brandishing my weapons and hit it so hard I killed it instantly. I sigh heavily, panting from the chase. Man I got super lucky for it to trip twice. Then I see the vine wrapped around its hind foot. I follow it to see two hand pulling at it desperately from behind a tree. I walk around it to see Rose, face scrunched up as she pulled. Oh, not lucky, a certain someone helped out.
"Hey Rose."
She opened her eyes and realized that the vine in her hand was slack. She let go and grinned, that made me want to smile.
"Oh hey Zoro. Looked like you needed some help is that ok?"
I smirked at her and ruffled her hair, and fought hard to not concentrate on how soft it was.
"Thanks."
Then I see the blood drip from her nose.
"Hey, you are hurt."
I lean in close, staring at her in concern. She leaned back, startled.
"Well it kind of pulled me face first into the tree."
I sigh inwardly. Of course it did. Then I realize how close I was to her, staring into her glowing brown eyes. It wouldn't take much to—
Cool it, otherwise ero cook might start calling you ero-swordsman.
I lean back. She relaxed a little and beamed, digging through her pockets.
"Look, I found some rocks that are pointy. They aren't a regular knife, but they can work pretty well."
I take them. Yeah these should be enough to at least dress the boar.
"You think you can find some firewood so we can cook this thing? I can clean this thing in the meantime."
Rose frowned a little.
"Don't you think I need to learn that sort of stuff?"
I cock my head. Why would she need to learn that? I mean she is kind at heart and as long as I am here, there is no reason for her to do this sort of thing.
"No, why? I will be here to do it for you."
She bit her lip.
"And if you aren't here?"
I was even more confused. She sighed.
"Zoro, what if you get hurt and sick and I need to take care of you? I would be willing to learn the hard way of trial and error, but I would waste a lot of food that way, and Sanji would have my head for that."
Of course, that's our strategist for you, trying to learn as much as she can and imagining all sorts of information. I smile and grab the vine from her hand. I could use that to drag it back to camp.
"Fine I can teach you really quick, then we need to gather a lot of wood before night falls."
She glances up at the quickly sinking sun.
"We have about two hours left."
I start pulling on the vine, and I have to agree, it is rather heavy. How on earth did she manage to stop this on her own? Then I felt something graze my hand. I look down to see another feminine pair of hands on the vine. I smile inwardly at the endearing girl at my side, pulling alongside determinedly. She wasn't any damsel in distress, and she did help catch it. Yes, this should turn out to be quite the adventure.
A/N: Guys, I hope you had fun reading! Reviews are welcome!
