Rose's P.O.V.
After a few hours, darkness finally fell. We had gathered enough firewood to last a good long while, and the moon was near full tonight anyway so there was light and warmth. I watched Zoro clean it, and it was almost disturbing how much I enjoyed it. My father and brother went hunting occasionally for turkeys and doves mostly, but I was never invited, however, I do remember seeing Dad cleaning the fowl when he got home, but I never got to participate.
I thought it was fascinating. I watched intently, and when he gave pointers, I made sure to take it to heart. This could save my life. So far, we had boar meat that could last all day tomorrow and maybe even the next day. The trick was how to preserve it because we had no fridge. And we had freshly picked fruits, which had a taste not unlike mangoes. I enjoyed a few.
I poked the fire with another stick like a poker. Zoro also taught me how to build a fire, to cook the meat, and even how to maintain the fire. Man, I feel like such an invalid. I haven't been out of the house yet, and I know a few things about surviving, but usually where there was a McDonalds or something nearby that if I got desperate I could go to that, not in a full on survival situation.
I steal a secret glance at the swordsman, poking the meat. He had gotten so close to me this afternoon, and he looked so concerned. I am surprised he didn't feel the heat radiating off of me.
I shake my head, shaking the thoughts from my head. What the heck? Since when have I been the maiden in love type? Blech, gross. I like action, not romance. I can't believe what a girly girl I have suddenly turned into.
"Well, at least this is a summer island. I wouldn't want to be sitting in the cold."
Zoro glanced at me and nodded.
"Yep, that would have been a problem, considering we aren't dressed for that sort of weather."
I shudder.
"Yeah, I hate the cold."
Zoro paused in his poking of the meat.
"Is that why you freaked out at Impel Down on level five?"
I stiffen. How did he… oh, stupid haki. That sense is a curse to me. I chuckle sheepishly.
"Yeah, cold and I have never mixed really well."
In cross country, or track and field, depending on the season, sometimes we had to deal with frigid temperatures. I once had to run a race with two inches of snow and ice. Hard to run on ice, and even harder when you are wearing nothing but a tank top and short shorts, well with under armor other accessories for cold, but it still wasn't pleasant. So no, not a fan of cold.
Zoro just smiled and handed me my portion of the meat. I bow my head, and silently thanked the boar for dying so we could eat before digging in. Not Sanji's cooking with his infinite spices and herbs, but really good for a deserted island. And I didn't have a rubbery captain stealing it. I gave Zoro a grin.
"This is delicious Zoro."
He looked away, before taking a bite out of his own food.
"So what do we do tomorrow, Strategist?"
I swallow my meat.
"Why do you ask me?"
He leaned back, eye closed comfortably.
"You are infinitely smarter than I am. You know what you are doing, and have a purpose for doing it. I just go along for the ride."
I shake my head, pushing aside the pride I feel at his compliment.
"Oh come on Zoro, that's hardly true. You are smart in your own right."
Zoro cocked a brow at me, and took another bite of meat. I stared into the fire.
"I think we should explore the island a little more. One of us should go around the beach and try to find something useful in the debris washed up here, while the other tries to find edible vegetation, because if we eat all the animals on this island we could cause more harm than good. Also, we should probably invest in a shelter of some sort, but not until a few days pass maybe, because I am sure they would find us by then. Make a temporary shelter perhaps."
I look up at the stars, seeing their infinite spans across the dark sky. I smile in wonder at its beauty. Zoro interrupts my reverie.
"Do you think they will find us soon then?"
I sigh, looking back to him.
"Well, between Nami's navigation and Chopper's nose I am sure they will find us. It's just a matter of time."
Zoro nodded.
"True. All right, sounds like a pretty decent plan."
I scratch my chin.
"I kind of want to go mountain climbing, too. If we set a fire up there it would be easier for them to see, you know?"
Zoro smirked.
"That's not a bad idea."
I grin at him.
"I can take care of that, if you go around the perimeter of the island and find debris."
Zoro saluted, a small smile plastered on his face.
"Aye aye, strategist."
I shake my head. The man was hopeless.
"Come on, no need to treat me like that."
I hide a yawn behind my hands. It was getting pretty late, and I'm sure I was going to get up as soon as the sun came up.
"You want to take first watch?"
Zoro looked confused before he gave his consent. I curled up in the sand by the fire. This should be interesting. I've never slept in sand before. I close my eyes and hear Zoro shift to over about a foot away from my head. Usually his proximity would cause me to wake up instantly, but not the mood he is outputting right now. It is just so peaceful, so content that it rolls over me and causes sleep to come to my mind really quickly.
Zoro's P.O.V.
It had been a full day, and I didn't need to see the yawn to see she was tired. She asked about taking first watch, and normally I would, but haki would serve me in my sleep just as well as I was awake. I sat next to her, staring and tending to the fire as her breathing slowed and evened up. I look down at her.
She had been incredible. Unlike most girls who didn't exactly like taking care of animal carcasses, she seemed interested in the blood and organs I had removed from the boar; fascinated by it. Definitely not normal, but that's what I lov-like about her.
Looking at her now, lying there curled into a ball, I can plainly see her curves. Why the heck am I seeing them now? Is it because I see her more like a woman than just a normal tomboyish nakama? Lord, help me. A stray strand of hair fell across her face. Without thinking I gently move it behind her ear. She is so trusting, sleeping out on the beach in the middle of the night, like that time on the deck.
I sigh and throw another wood log on the fire. I should probably get some rest too. I make sure the fire would take at least an hour to burn out and lay on my back not beside Rose, but not too far away either. I close my eye and slowly descend into sleep.
I'm not sure how long ago it was later, but something touched me. I opened my eye and looked around. The fire was nothing but ashes and a few embers now, and with it went the heat. I could still see because of the moon high in the sky, and sparkled on the waves gently, and with that pale light I could see Rose. She was curled up still, except instead of toward the fire, she was now curled up into my side, her hand gently fisting my shirt.
I tense. She is still fast asleep, no doubt not even knowing what she was doing. The moonlight made her look ethereal, and so beautiful that contrasted deeply with her sunshine self. I moved my hand to tenderly pry her hand away, but she only snuggled her temple into my bicep and smiled. Dang, she is so adorable. I sighed. This was going to be a long night.
I slowly turned on my side, facing her, and unhooking her fingers from my chest. At the absence of heat, she frowned slightly, made a small groan and scooted closer to me. I try to ignore her lips that I am sure are soft and very kissable. Dear god, I am turning into the ero-cook.
Slowly, as not to wake her, I wrap my arms around her and pull her close. My mind is screaming at me that this is a mistake and I should stop now, but my body didn't care. She is so tiny that she fits in my arms easily, right into my chest. I feel her easy breaths ghost over my shirt and I realized what a mistake this was. I was never sleeping like this. I kept my haki trained on her mind, and if there was even an inkling that she was waking up I would let go so fast and be over asleep by the other side of the fire before she even knew what happened.
Suddenly, she groaned and squirmed. I let go of her instantly. Was she waking up? No, she just turned over, with her back facing me. I let out the breath I had been holding. Dang, that was close. Now, I need to go back to sleep.
But what if she is cold? What if-
Oh, shut up. Rose is fine and can take care of herself.
But what's the worst that can happen? She wakes up? Then, what? How would she react? Well, not badly. She wouldn't scream or accuse me of anything. She trusts me. She would probably thank me for keeping her warm or something.
I slowly grab her and pull her back against me, sighing in contentment at her warmth. I tuck her head under my chin and feel her soft hair tickling my throat. I drape my arm over her and use my other arm to cradle my head. There is nothing to worry about. I just needed to wake up before her, and I could do that easily. Right now I was in perfect bliss as the bright, warm, soothing aura of Rose filtered around me, radiating from her body and seeped into mine way more than the fire did. Completely at ease, I drift off again, planning to wake up before dawn.
Rose's P.O.V.
I smile softly as I realize that he was going back to sleep. Dang, that was close. I can't believe I acted so selfishly. But just this once, I want to enjoy this. I won't indulge in this again. So protected by this calming cocoon, I drift back to sleep as well.
When I wake up, Zoro is gone and the sun is just now rising above the horizon. I wince at the brightness and realize Zoro isn't even on the beach. I yawn and stretch, and take a fruit from the pile I had collected. Breakfast taken care of, I wander off. Maybe I can find something useful. I also wanted to climb that mountain today to explore. Oh, this is so exciting!
Man, I feel really warm this morning. I wonder if I am blushing. I literally slept in Zoro's arms last night. Embarrassed, I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. Geez, I thought trying to ignore these feelings was hard before, now it is twice as bad. Yep, that was a mistake. What if he knows I was awake?
"Good morning, Rose."
I jump and let out a squeak. Zoro was right behind me. He looked puzzled by my reaction. I take a deep breath and smile. Just smile and he won't suspect you are a complete fool head over heels for him.
"Oh there you are. I was wondering where you were."
He seemed to stare at me a little longer, before asking.
"Did you see a pool or lake yesterday to bathe in?"
I nod. Of course, I forgot to tell him.
"Yeah, I bathed in it yesterday. It's over…"
Oh wait, Zoro trying to find a pool based on directions is never going to happen.
"You know what I will just take you there."
Zoro raised his eyebrows.
"You sure?"
I teased, shoving him playfully.
"You wouldn't find it otherwise. Besides I am going to the mountain anyway."
Zoro narrowed his eye at the jibe, but I see the mischievous grin crossing his face.
"Now that was just mean."
I leapt up, grabbing the bottom bough of a tree to get away from his hand.
"Truth hurts sometimes Zoro."
He laughed.
"Oh yeah? Then, the truth is you're a monkey."
I grinned back.
"Sorry, that's not insulting. I've been called that since I was little."
I leapt down, flipping in the process.
"Besides do you really want to insult the person trying to take you to the baths? I could let you try to find it on your own."
Zoro folded his arms firmly across his chest.
"You wouldn't do that."
I raise my eyebrows, walking toward the mountain.
"Oh, why not?"
He followed me.
"You are too nice for that."
I halt, warmth bubbling like a boiling pot in my chest. He then grinned.
"Also, eventually you are going to want me to bathe. I can stand my stink, but I doubt you can."
He has a point. I stick out my tongue.
"Fine, fine let's go."
I stomp off, but not before hearing his laughter.
Zoro's P.O.V.
Oh, thank goodness she didn't know what I did last night. There's no way she would act normally if she did know, or maybe she would, being as innocent as she was. Nevertheless, I was happy. As we walked through the trees she would stop and look at something. Her eyes sparkled with ever new discovery she had.
"Are you going to run on this island?"
She looked up from looking at a small lizard in a bush.
"No, not really. I got to conserve energy in case we don't have enough food. "
I shrugged, makes sense. Suddenly I see the pool that she was talking about through the trees. She walked right up to the edge and gestured.
"Here it is. Isn't it beautiful?"
I smiled. Yes, yes it was. She waved.
"I will be back later. Once you are done if you follow the stream it will take you back to the ocean. I'm going to climb this mountain."
I start taking off my shirt as she disappears into the foliage.
"Sure thing. Be careful."
She laughed.
"You too."
I smirked as I strip and leap into the cold water. It was refreshing. I glance in the direction Rose had gone. An unwanted image of her bathing filled my mind, her tan face filled with innocent purity with her hands covering—
I forcibly bang my head against a rock, effectively cutting my head and knocking that idea into space, and hopefully I never think of that again. I hate this. This is almost worse than the time I distrusted her. I sigh as I sink into the cold water. I need to meditate and train my haki anyway.
A/N: Reviews are welcome and some love. :D
