It supposed to be just another calm day on the comfortable board of the Thousand Sunny's ship.
It was easy to talk about nice, cold, gently wrapping wind that holds unforgettable smell of the sea depth, seaweed and adventures; or of details, which couldn't be seen by a blind eye, like light creak of the floor while somebody steps in it, a slight glimmer at the night, those shadow laid on the lying objects in the room. All of these small things might avert some attention if this day really was normal.
...Still, it wasn't. The morning began with... Zoro's swearing. You can say that seeing him swear wasn't something out of the ordinal, but hearing him ***scream***, knowing about his serious and calm nature, was. Even the sound of his voice was quite odd because it reminds of squeaking, and that thing alone scared hell out of other members.
The first one to went after him was the captain himself, still sleepy and always hungry. He quickly crossed the line of the door, while whipping eyes by using his fingers, somehow being able to get crumpled red cape under his shoulder.
When their eyes had met, Luffy made a tired groan.
-What's going on, Zoro-? I want to sleep~!- he said, slowly getting dressed in his cape to prevent feeling cold by the morning breeze.
-...- swordsman kept quiet and silently stayed without making any move, like a statue. He was looking attentively at the kitchen's door.
Luffy suspiciously frowned and pounded with clear annoyance, thinking that he was being ignored. Angry muttering could be heard coming from his mouth, showing that he wanted some attention.
-Zo-ro~! Are you even listening-?
-Ca... Captain...- finally answered his companion, not leaving the door even for an instance, as if just a few minutes ago he saw a ghost coming out of there. Such a reserved response from a usually imperturbable man left mugiwara with shivers.
-What happened? We are under attack?! Who are we going to fight with?! - the rubber guy cried out loud, quickly making a pose as a professional boxer could. Green hair shook his head, pointing a finger at the same place he was looking at before.
-You have a fight with Sanji again? - sigh Luffy with relief, slowly lowering arms. He didn't understand a thing about what's going on in here. 'If there isn't any danger, then why to bother so much?'
-Eh, it's like...- Zoro started his speech floridly. Captain still was shaking his head to the left and right, while searching for an answer, before something genial hadn't come to his mind.
-Is Sanji not feeling alright?! I'll bring Chopper. Hey, Cho-!
-That's unnecessary!- he cut him mid-sentence, finally showing any signs of activity. -He is... just kinda strange today.
-Chopper...?- with a great concern asked straw hat, chaotically touching his own chin while thinking.
-No! That damn cook is!
-...?- poor Luffy showed the stupidest face swordsman had ever seen from straw hat boy. Zoro understood that he didn't get it at all, but wasn't able to talk about this anymore.
-You know what, captain? Today I'm going to be as distant to the cook as possible. It's hard to admit, but he is scary as hell!
-...- after just another completely lost look, Zoro officially gave up.
-Just find him yourself...if you dare. I'm not going to interact with him any soon...- he murmured, slowly navigating to the observation tower. Captain was sure that his thighs were trembling a little. Soon he was out of the view, and only the worry was left behind him.
The man's cabin was quiet. The only things that could be seen were terrified pairs of eyes, which were looking intently at the door, showing that room wasn't empty after all. The floor creaked under their's weight, resonating with the heavy breath of the duo, which was flying in the not-that-clear air. Morning dust was slowly dancing through the room, sparkling with beauty like a mix of the small stars, shining under the sunshine's light.
They have been waiting for a while, but nothing had happened within those long minutes. After ten, fifteen, twenty minutes nothing had changed, and pure fear slowly germinated in their's souls.
They were about to die of shock then the quiet steps of the captain could be heard distantly, and, after a few seconds, the door soundly opened. Luffy had a big piece of freshly-cooked meat in his slender hands, grinning widely at the view of his crewmates' scared faces. Chopper and Usopp were holding each other like it was the only way to survive in here, while Brook was in the little distance, nervously playing on the violin to calm them down, even if dramatic melody only made it worse. When skeleton noticed rubber boy, he sighed with relief, placing the instrument gently on the lounger.
-So, Luffy-san, what is going on with Zoro-san?- he asked to broke the silence. Two scared boys were finally calm, ...at least it seemed like that. Straw hat boy tried to make it through the food.
-Hw iz wrrd bou' Snj, bt nt sms lig zt! - he answered while chewing meat, it's little parts can be seen between his white teeth.
-Luffy, I don't understand you at all...- honestly claimed small reindeer, rubbing his fluffy cheek with the hoof-palm. Captain did his best to gulp faster, making food went lower to the end of his bottomless stomach with a specific noise.
-Wa-a~! Yummy~! - said mugiwara with radiating happiness, playfully slamming his slightly rounded rubber abdomen. He noticed a bunch of serious expressions on his friends' faces.
-So what happened to Zoro?! - screamed long-nosed sniper hysterically. It was just too much not to be pissed off by that annoying mystery.
-Oh, right,- hummed Luffy, returning to the main topic,- I don't know for sure. He was suddenly scared of Sanji's strange behavior, but, in my opinion, Sanji is just fine. Bu-u-ut, if I'm 'bout to mention everything, he is too kind today...not saying that's bad at all.
The three of them didn't know how to react. What was odder: scared Zoro or kind Sanji?
Okay, it wasn't like their cook didn't like his nakama, but he was always too...reserved to admit it, to be that clear. He had been acting more like "don't care 'bout you, but I'll cook and also make sure that you're alright" kind. So him being that open was really strange.
-Describe the situation with details... – murmured Chopper, trying to move the conversation. Everybody nodded in agreement.
-...So, after I met Zoro, I had no choice but to check Sanji's well-being,- Luffy dramatically spread his arms while telling the story, his lower part sat on the cold wooden floor,- and then, after I finally stepped in the kitchen...
When Robin finished the process of 'tasting' new information, it was already morning. Sun was shining brightly with a warm light (even considering the volatility of Grand Line's climate), which easily came into the comfortable room full of unending lines of books by using clean windows. Now every moment, every morning passed with her crew made her extremely happy and in peace, made her want to know more about world's history while being aware of the presence of her nakama's protection.
Every time she woke up, the genuine smile appeared on her beautiful face; the smile she was sure won't ever be here since her mother's death. Robin was sure that there's nothing to worry about, because she finally felt important, felt that her life's worth something; that from the day she was officially returned until the distant day then all their's dreams will be fulfilled, nothing would be similar to her past, everything was unpredictable.
'I wonder, what is going to happen today~?'- she thought excitedly. Then she was about to place books on the proper shelf with care, somebody loudly knocked.
-Yes, come in,- she said, hiding rising curiosity. The only thing that really showed her true emotions was a small mischievous smile.
A big pink hat could be seen near the doorknob. Childishly naive black eyes were looking with warmth and concern, uncertainly exploring all kind of books, environment and her. The voice inside screamed that something bad was going to happen, but even her knowledge wasn't enough to fully decipher his pure soul. Robin slowly came closer, step by step.
-Robin...- nervously squeaked Chopper, looking with hope in her eyes.
-Did something happen? - motherly like kindness sounded so natural in Nico's voice while she was talking with the cute doctor-reindeer, that she, without thinking, sat on her knees to be on the same height he was in. Chopper was comfortable like that.
-Yes, it did, – he said with trembling lips, it startled Robin,- something weird happened to Sanji, but I'm too scared to check him out. I'm a disappointment as a doctor, am I?
-Doctor-san...- her voice sounded sad, with a slight note of almost invisible pity. -I don't think so.
I can't imagine how hard it is to see your friends in pain, but you are able to cure them. Doctor-san is very talented, so there is nothing to worry about... - she paused to briefly look at his reaction. -If you want, I can check cook-san out. If something happens – I'll call you immediately.
-...- he didn't say anything, just stared in the floor with unhidden shame. Even when Chopper wasn't looking at her, it was so easy to predict his face expression.
-So, what do you think about it?- Robin's voice was as light as a butterfly's wings, her face was decorated with a knowing smile. Reindeer, after hearing her kind words, raised his head. His cheeks were a little red (even though the fur).
-Is it really fine, Robin? - she showed her agreement through nodding. -You are really not disappointed in me?- she nodded again.
At that moment his face was shining with a bright smile full of gratitude, his sigh was colored with relief; but later he was fiercely blushing, while everything inside him screamed: "I'm not happy that you take care of me at all, baka!"
-I'm going then. Be ready, doctor-san – said women. Even without showing it, she was worried about cook-san's well-being.
Robin slowly left the kitchen. Her face had unreadable emotion in it – something similar to cold-hearted indifference, or confusion, or combination of both. This condition was so weird and unnatural, that Franky, who had been walking nearby for a while, stopped immediately. He wasn't bad enough to ignore such a suspicious behavior of his crewmate.
-Sister-Robin, is everything alright? - he asked with pure concern, trying to attract historian's attention. Cyborg' steal hand raised a little in a friendly way to show giant red palm with big rectangle fingers.
-Yes...- she answered uncertainly, nervously leaning on the Sunny's wall.
-Is everything alright? Somebody isn't feeling SUPER good?
-Eh, everything is alright, I guess, but...- she was interrupted by the creak of the wooden door of her own room. A very familiar fluffy figure came out of it.
-Robi-i-in~! - reindeer squealed in despair. -Is Sanji alright and well-? I don't want to insist too much, but I'm a little wo-
His eyes suddenly met with Franky's.
-Oh? Hello, Chopper-aniki! Something' with Sanji-aniki? - asked half-robot, the doctor just averted his gaze with guilt.
-Hi, yes...- He started his explanation. -Luffy said Sanji is kinda strange today...and I'm a little scared. He took a pause, but then happily mumbled afterward. -He still threatened me with all that 'food supplies' thing, so I asked Robin to do it, just to be sure...
-...- Robin just stayed here, looking distantly in the bright blue sky, while slightly cold wind played mischievously with her raven-black hair, it flew in the air disobediently.
Historian still didn't know how to react, but odd excitement silently spread in the veins. Her pinkly lips opened without rush. The gentle voice clearly ran in their ears:
-Actually...
Nami was hard to fall asleep. It was still early morning, the birds were singing (more precisely, seagulls), the breath of the sea could be heard through the open windows...but something was different. She herself didn't know what. And no, it had nothing to do with the weather – it was, strangely, good; as good as it could be in the Grand Line, the most unpredictable ocean flow.
She just sat in her bed for a while, still wearing a nightgown, hands lying on the knees. Nami's gaze was drifting sleepily, thoughts were distant. After minutes passed, she finally noticed the absence of Robin, her roommate, and the concern grew.
'She usually wakes up early and read until breakfast is ready, so, logically, she should be here...'- tangerine-haired girl thought, an idea of searching for her popped up. But, firstly, she needed to change clothes...
...or not. She was too curious to care about her appearance. After all, they were like a family, right? There's nothing to be embarrassed about, ...right?
Even at such an early hour (supposedly), she had some fresh ideas about what-to-do.
'So', – Nami thought, crossing legs while thinking, her head tilted a little, - 'where can be Robin?
There are five different variants:
a) in the library
b) in her room (she obviously isn't here, but let it be)
с) observation tower
d) close to the aquarium; and, finally, e) in the kitchen'
Selfishly rumbling stomach beckoned to search in kitchen, and it was too hard to protest. She immediately moved in the direction of the kitchen.
It was too quiet on the board, even considering time: there weren't noises of a heavy snoring, or of a big crash of Luffy's body falling down on the cold floor, which then returned on its place like a yo-yo toy after somebody's punch; or of Usopp's heroic mumbling of his great achievements at the night – everything was in an innocent silence.
Girl's legs smoothly crossed the distance, leaving behind light crunches of the floor. When Nami finally could see the place she want clearly, to her surprise, she wasn't alone in the room. Yes, officially she was searching for Robin, but deep down navigator didn't believe that she would find her in here. Maybe intuition was on cartographer's side after all... It was, eh, nice.
But, after close the door lightly, she was met with the shadow of the familiar back. It wasn't as unexpected, even if Nami didn't know for sure when he exactly wakes up, but the stove was very much like an alive person, full of actions. Smell, which was coming from his workplace, was so good, that you could eat cook himself by mistake. And, talking about the cook, Sanji still didn't notice her.
A weird thought suddenly came in her head – Sanji was quite nice to be around when he was holding his tongue. 'Eh, if he wasn't as lovey-dovey as he is, Sanji could be considered as an ideal man! Visually he is handsome, then why when he opens his mouth it turns into disaster...?' -orange-haired navigator thought and decided to watch cook a little by the wall.
Sanji was very serious and neat. In the fights his actions were always quick, clever, concentrated; he had always been ready to kick somebody with his strong legs, so it was odd to see him that calm. His hands, like in the middle of a dance, were fluently drifting in the thin air, looked inside the shelves, cut and mixed together ingredients. All his moves were magnificent: he was like a famous artist, who with calmness and passion painted tight canvas; he was like a sculptor, who slowly deleted unnecessary details to recreate amazing beauty of his muse. He had never been so handsome in her eyes as he was at that moment of peeling vegetables. Those moments of excitement and admiration were interrupted by his hands, that stopped aloft the still empty dishes. Blue, like the ocean deepness, eyes were turning to the side of a sudden voice behind...just to meet her gaze. She was ready to beat him for his upcoming pervert jokes or stupid compliments, but there was just a timid sigh.
-Ah, it's you. Good morning, Nami-san – he said calmly after understanding who made the noise behind his back. He immediately returned to his work.
Nami was a little shocked. She expected a completely different reaction: heart-shaped eyes, who-knows-from-were presented rose, some fresh drink or, at least, greeting with small compliment...but no. It wasn't just her confidence: navigator felt his attention on her every day, again and again, so that 'queenly' treatment was normal and banal; day began and end with this.
'Eh, who knows? Maybe, he had a hard time falling asleep too' – she thought, still quizzically looking at his back with special attention.
… And ... silence …
-Um, Nami-san? - he asked uncertainly after a couple of minutes. -Do you need anything from me?
-...?! - she squeaked confusedly. 'It's not like I need anything from you at... stop. Oh, right...'
-...Eh, hi, Sanji-kun, - she awkwardly cleared her throat, trying to create a normal sentences,- have you seen Robin today? By the time I woke up, she was already gone. I'm a little worried.
-Ah, so that's it, - he sighed with relief, while slowly wrapping up the sleeves to the level of his elbows so they wouldn't stay in the way, - yes, I saw her recently. You, apparently, missed her. Try looking in your room, maybe she has already returned.
If minutes ago Nami was just annoyed, now she was really concerned. 'Is he alright? It looks like he isn't happy to see me. It's not like I'm a center of the universe and all, but just react somehow!'
-Um... - navigator tried to take the initiative and start the conversation again. If she had told her past self that she wants to attract Sanji's attention, the orange-haired girl would have not believed.
- Yes? - he told with his natural radiating kindness, listening to her words as attentively as the mother listens to her child's voice. She was a little uncomfortable.
-Uh... S-Sanji-kun... - her words were uncertain because of embarrassment. -I...
-Yes...? - he asked again, turning to face her. It made cartographer even more nervous.
-Do you have anything light to eat? It's early, I know, but I didn't have dinner yesterday, so...
-Don't worry! - he said softly, walking in the direction of the locked ( from some gluttons) fridge. Sanji had easily unlocked it, took a little sandwich and, after making a glass of orange juice, presented full tray to her.
-Please, enjoy your meal, Nami-san – blond told with the smile on the face, but, after remembering his duty, quickly returned to the work.
Nami was left behind with the tray in her hand, without knowing what to do. All the plans were suddenly sinking in the ocean of her thoughts, and, because of that, she had no ideas left. In her tangerine-haired head were everyday images of the usually annoying cook, of him jumping from happiness after her approach, or of his funny flirting. And no, he was still kind to her, but... something important was absent.
Now she missed the feeling of being important. The girl noticed that his 'mellorine~!', even being annoying, had some warmness inside. She enjoyed that he cared about her, even if she was used to do everything without somebody's help; she enjoyed the feeling of protection that he tried to give to her as much as possible, in which he succeeded, but she would never admit it out loud.
That thought made her sick of herself. He was still a human, so, maybe, something was up with him. The thought that he didn't want to pay attention to navigator did not even occur to her, because it was too unbelievable.
The silence was too deep and hard to bear, so, after murmuring quiet 'thanks', she quickly ran out of the kitchen. She didn't hear him answer, because, when he was about to open his mouth, the door was already closed. She walked fast through the corridor, without noticing that full heavy tray was still in her hands.
Nami's thoughts were distant.