When Dreams become Reality
Chapter 1
"Would you stop it already you damn rubber bastard or I swear I´m gonna throw your sorry ass over-board!"
It was noisy, chaotic and (for some members) painful: a regular meal aboard the Thousand Sunny. While Sanji desperately tried to protect the food he especially had made for his two melloriens from the food vacuum also known as Strawhat Luffy, was kicking and swearing loudly about useless crew mates who either laughed at the display or ignored it completely, too gotten used to it over the time.
"But Sanji~! Nami said we´re gonna reach an island soon and I need to eat as much as I can to explore it! Oh, Nami. Do you already know what kind of island it´s gonna be?"
"You´re gonna get hungry during exploring anyway so it doesn´t really matter how much you eat now. It never matters", Sanji grumbled under his breath, finally able to direct the captains attention away from the lady´s plates and to someone elses (preferably to the moss-heads plate who just swallowed a big gulp of sake).
"All I can say now is that it´s gonna be an autumn island, but not too cold because we´re still in reach of the last summer island. The clima´s not gonna change much. Robin, do you have any more information about the inhabitation?" All eyes were directed to the black-haired woman, some more interested than others, who laid down her silverware and started to speak.
"On the last island we docked at I was able to confirm that it is indeed inhabited. If there is a marine base I could not clarify, but I do not think so because of the size of it. It is a small island called Genzoushima with no remarkable history. We can stock up our food supply and be on our way again." Finishing with that statement she picked up her glass of wine and took a sip. While the cook was distracted by praising both woman on their excellent knowledge, the rest of the crew turned back to eating, each member going through their own list of things they need to buy.
It was late evening. The crew was gathered around the dinner table, some were lingering on the sofa like Usopp and Chopper. Just as Luffy was going to show of his new stunt with some glasses still standing on the table he came up with Usopp – what sure was to end up in a fuming cook bruises on a rubber head – Robin spoke up, catching the crews attention.
"Sencho-san, after our conversation this afternoon about the upcoming island we´re about to reach tomorrow, I searched for more information about it."
"Yeah, what about it? Could you find out if it has an amusement park like the one on Sabaody? That´d be so cool!" Luffy´s question earned two squeaks of excitement from the two youngest crew members, who were by now singing, along with Luffy of course, the ´we´re-going-to-an-amusement-park´ song.
"I´m sorry to disappoint you, but I´m afraid I could not find anything about an amusement park located on Genzoushima", Robin answered, a light smile playing around the corners of her lips and she had to suppress a small chuckle. The chorus stopped immediately, followed by disappointed looks and groans from the Chaos-Trio. "But", Robin continued her announcement, "I was able to discover a very interesting story concerning the island."
"With ´interesting` I´m sure she means ´creepy´", Usopp muttered under his breath so only Chopper could hear it, and both burst out in snickering.
"Shut up you two! Robin, what do you mean with interesting story?", Nami said, sending a cold glare towards the sniper and the reindeer.
"As I was going to say", Robin continued calmly as never being interrupted, "it is said that some people, both inhabitants and marines and pirates just docking there for a short time alike, started to get insane. Many began to say weird and incoherent things, stammering about ´seeing things´ that could not be, even going as far as claiming to see dead people, loved ones who had passed away. Some of those people committed suicide. But it is not written why or when people started to get insane.
I am just saying that we should be cautious. Navigator-san, how long does the log pose need to reset?"
Nami tilted her head to the side, a manicured finger tapping against the wooden table. "About two to three days. If it´s true what you read we should be wary of the inhabitants. Who knows what they´re capable of." She directed her gaze to Sanji, who was making cups of tea for the ladys.
"Sanji-kun? Could you have a list of ingredients ready we need to stock up on? That way we can be faster and don´t have to stay longer than necessary on the island."
Sanji started to do his ´noodle-dance´ while swooning over the ladys how smart and beautiful they were. "Of course, Nami-swan~! An excellent idea!"
"I have an ´excellent idea´ myself and then we wouldn´t have to endure your damn noodling any longer swirly-brow", Zoro muttered and took a long gulp of his sake.
"What did you just say moss-head? Go play with your sticks and let the adults take care of the important stuff you don´t understand. But don´t get lost!"
"I´m gonna dump your scrawny ass over board for the sea kings to eat!", Zoro responded, standing up and laying one hand on the hilt oh Kitetsu, face grim and a snarl on his lips. "I´d like to see you try", Sanji snorted back and tapped his toes on the ground. The familiar gestures of both sides brought Nami to stand up and smack both Zoro and Sanji over their heads.
"Knock it off you two block-heads! This is serious. I´m surrounded by idiots!" With that said she sat down again and looked straight at Luffy, who was snickering over the whole situation. "What´s so funny anyway, Luffy?", Nami shot in his direction and the captain took a deep breath to calm himself down.
"It´s just funny, guys!", he said, and began to chuckle again. "I don´t really care what weird things happened on this island! It´s not like we ever visited a non-weird island. Where else would be the fun?
You guys are so much stronger now, we don´t have to worry about anything. If someone even dares to try something stupid against us we just kick his ass! So stop worrying about the time we´re docking there and have fun exploring another new island! Right, minna?" Luffy gave his typical `Luffy-grin´ along with the familiar shishishi.
That was all it needed to lighten up the atmosphere in the kitchen and the crew was back to normal.
It was getting late by now and after some more time spending together Brook, Franky, Usopp and Chopper bid the others good night and went to the mens quarters. Sanji made the ladys a cup of tea to take with them to the girls quarters, before he went to bed as well.
The only ones left now were Zoro and Luffy.
"Who´s on watch tonight?", the captain spoke up into the now quiet kitchen. "Don´t know", Zoro answered and stretched his arms over his head, some joints popping here and there. "But I don´t mind taking it. Wanted to train some more anyway."
"Zoro?"
"Mmh?"
"Why are you always training? I mean, even at night, when everybody else is sleeping and you´re on watch, I can hear you swinging your weights in the crows nest."
"Mm? What do you mean? I need to get stronger so I can defeat Mihawk and become the world´s greatest swordsman, you idiot. That was the reason I followed you in the first place." Though he was lightly chuckling, Zoro was a little confused. His usually happy-go-lucky captain had now a serious expression on his face and seemed be contemplating something important. Why would Luffy ask such a stupid question? And why now with such a stern expression?
"I know that but why- wait. Why ´was the reason´? Did your dream change over the two years?!" Luffy was bewildered and a light panic started to rise in the pit of his stomach. When Zoro doesn´t want to become the greatest swordsman any longer, does that mean he´s gonna leave the-?!
"NO! You can´t leave the crew! What are we going to do without you? What am I going to do without you?! Please Zoro don´t-!"
"Wait wait wait! What are you babbling about about me leaving the crew? I never said or even thought about that!" Zoro interrupted Luffy, frantically waving his hands in front of him. Where the fuck did that came from all of a sudden?
"Y- you don´t wanna leave the crew?", Luffy asked in a low tone that was as unusual as the idea of Zoro leaving.
"Of course not you idiot! Why should I even think about it?", Zoro stated and locked his eyes with his captains, showing him how serious he was.
"Puh, that´s good. I was actually afraid there for a second", Luffy said, but he didn´t gave his first mate his usual toothy grin, but instead an unsure smile that didn´t reach his eyes at all. As Zoro watched him closer, he could see little droplets of sweat form on Luffys forehead.
"Buddy, are you alright? You´re acting weird." He didn´t want his voice to sound so concerned, but he couldn´t deny it either. Something was wrong with his captain and he would not just sit around and play it off like he didn´t notice. Now he was here, now he could help. Not like in those two years, he thought bitterly, but banned those thoughts invading his mind immediately. Not gonna start there again.
"What? No no I´m perfectly alright! Never better-"
"Luffy."
"Yeah...?"
"Cut the crap and tell me. It´s just me, alright? What´s the matter?"
Luffy tried to avoid Zoros fierce gaze, but he couldn't´t take his eyes away from that stare. Even though Zoro had only one eye now, that doesn´t mean he couldn´t stare like he could before. If anything, it became even more intimidating.
"I- I don´t really wanna talk about it. It´s … making me weak and I can´t afford to be weak, especially since we entered the New World. I thought I´ve got stronger over the two years, but sometimes I feel weaker than ever. I trust all of you guys, you know that, but at times I fear that you gonna leave me when I´m not strong enough. I don´t know why, it´s ridiculous and-"
"Shut up. Luffy just stop talking shit like that. Why do you question yourself again like when Usopp left the crew? I told you there and I´m gonna tell you now: Even though it´s a heavy burden for a captain to protect and be strong for his crew, you aren´t alone with that burden. You don´t have to be strong all the time, we know you can pull through everything just at your will. If you ever feel like you can´t carry it all alone, let me help you, alright?"
To say that Zoro was shocked to hear Luffy thinking about not being strong enough for the crew and that they´re gonna leave him because of that is an understatement. He still held Luffys gaze, wanting him to believe what he just said through his eyes.
Suddenly Zoro saw tears gather in his captains eyes and his stomach clenched together while a wave of guilt crashed down on him when he heard Luffys next choked out words.
"I wasn´t strong enough to save my brother. A-Ace died in my arms because I was to weak to protect him! It still hurts so much when I think about it, even after all this time. I never want to feel so broken again … I- I don´t think I could handle losing one of you because I couldn´t protect you."
The first tear spilled over and ran down his cheek, over that old and familiar scar. Zoros hand twitched and he acted without really knowing what he did.
The first mate stood up and pulled his captain out of his seat. As soon as Luffy stood, Zoro embraced him in his muscular arms. Luffy was shocked at first, not expecting Zoro to react like that, but after the surprise ebbed away, the dam broke and the young man began to cry in earnest into Zoros shoulder, something he didn´t allow himself to do for a long time. Luffy let himself be supported and slumped fully against the older man, hands clawing at the back of Zoros dark green robe. Zoro felt warm and strong, unwavering and so full of trust that Luffy just couldn´t stop crying.
Zoro sighed and buried his nose in Luffys hair, not caring what one may think about them if anybody saw them, and whispered in the lowest voice Luffy had ever heard Zoro use: "I can´t tell you how sorry I am that I wasn´t there when you needed me the most. I will never leave you again, Luffy. That´s also the reason why I train so much. I want, no, I need to protect you and the crew and never fail so miserably again. I am so sorry, Luffy."
Luffys sobs stopped abruptly, and he let the words Zoro just whispered sunk in and warm him from the inside.
As Luffy didn´t react to Zoros words, he started to panic that he had said something wrong and made his captain feel worse, but than he felt Luffy raising his head and looking at him through red, puffy eyes, tears still escaping them and rolling down his face.
"Don´t be", Luffy whispered with a broken voice, "it isn´t your fault, remember that. But, thank you." And he smiled up at Zoro, this time a real smile despite the tears. Zoro didn´t say anything with words, but rather than explaining he took action.
Zoro moved his right hand to Luffys cheek, wiping away the wet trails and ever so slowly dipped his head until their noses where touching, his other hand still resting on the small of Luffys back. When his captain didn´t move, the first mate leaned in closer and pressed their lips together in a soft kiss.
After a few seconds which seemed to stretch forever, Zoro pulled away and rested his forehead against Luffys, eyes still closed and sighing softly. Luffy was still smiling a small smile, enjoying the warmth that seeped into his body and calmed him down.
Zoro was always there when Luffy needed him the most. Always catching him when he was about to fall. Always pulling him to the surface when he struggled in the depth.
"Do you wanna try and sleep now? It´s getting late and you don´t want to be tired when we´re gonna explore a new island, do you sencho?"
"Yeah you´re right."
They slowly released each other and started walking towards the door. When they opened it, a warm wind welcomed them and both breathed in the fresh air surrounding the Sunny. It was a clear night with only some clouds covering the sky.
They reached the lawn deck and Zoro was about to walk towards the crows nest, raising his hand to wave Luffy good-night, when a smaller hand held his wrist and turned him around. The next thing Zoro felt were two arms around his neck and a warm body pressing against his bulky form in a strong embrace. "Thank you", Luffy whispered again in his ear, and as sudden as he had felt Luffy against him he was away again, walking towards the mens quarters and vanishing behind the door.
Zoro stood there for a few more seconds before he chuckled to himself and made his way up to the crows nest, the intention to train forgotten for this night.
He didn´t know exactly why, but Zoro wasn´t so fond of reaching the new island. Something was still wrong with Luffy, but he wasn´t going to ask him again, not after their talk this night. I´m gonna have an eye on him on this island, he thought, while sitting down on the bench, his swords nearby in reach and looking outside the window, watching the dark sea they all loved so much, but that could change all their lives in a blink of an eye.
To be continued …
A/N:
Hey everbody! I´m gonna try myself on writing a multi-chapter One Piece fanfiction. I don´t know if you´re gonna like the ideas I have in mind or not, so please leave a review to let me know what you guys think about it!
I´ll do my best in writing the crew in-character, but because it is a fanfiction some of them (mainly Luffy and Zoro) need to be OOC or else the story wouldn´t fit in how I´d like to write it.
I´ll do my best in updating every week or so but I can´t promise you anything further.
I excuse myself for all mistakes I made and gonna make – I´m from Germany and English is my second language.
Thanks for reading and please leave a review!