Disclaimer: not mine, belongs to the wonderful Eiichiro Oda

Part 2:

… … …

"Ready? Set? GO!" Chopper yelled, standing on a tall pair of shoulders and gripping moss-coloured hair for balance. In front of them, the horses took off and a red bike followed, straining to catch up.

Standing beside Zoro, Usopp enjoyed the role of commentator, announcing "Luffy is in the lead, but Sanji is catching up fast! Who will win this exciting race?"

Luffy's cart suddenly sped up, the straw hat swinging on its string in the wind. Grunting, Sanji pushed his legs harder, determined to win. The bike slowly caught up, front wheel matching up to the horses, who were glaring at each other, whinnying as though arguing about who was faster.

Zoro Smiled, the thrilling atmosphere going well with the booze he was drinking, calling out good naturedly "Luffy! Beat the shit cook!" He lifted the hand not holding the bottle and steadied Chopper who was now jumping from excitement.

"Oh, and Sanji has passed the horses and it looks like he's about to win." Usopp hooted, his arms pumping the air, his black curly hair bouncing on his neck. "They're neck and neck… and the winner is… SANJI." Both the sniper and the small doctor were going nuts cheering for their nakama.

Said cook stopped peddling, turning the handle bars and letting the speed he had worked up bring him back to the others, panting with a large grin on his face, his legs twitching imperceptibly. Luffy eased the horses to a stop and walked them back, smiling despite his loss and thanking the speedy runners for their efforts.

The Straw Hats had found an old, barely used street, its width perfect for a pair of horses and carts. There were a couple of pot-holes, which they had filled in with dirt and Sanji had stamped down, and Zoro had cleared away the bushes at the end where the street dwindled into a dirt path. This end, where broken cobblestone gave way to scuffed dirt, was the decided finish line – whoever crossed it first was the winner of that round. Ties were broken by a game of paper-scissors-rock.

So far the people who had won were–with little surprise–Luffy, Sanji and Zoro, all on the bike. It's not that the horses were slow, but that the monster trio was…well monsters. Luffy's win against Usopp had shown that the horses couldn't pull all of them in the cart at the same time, so they moved to the abandoned street and stood by the railing while two people raced.

Standing up and wheeling the bike the last few feet, Sanji had finally gotten his breath back. Still grinning, he asked their 'commentator' who was next.

"Oh uh… Chopper and Zoro haven't raced against each other yet." Turning to look at the two, the reindeer hybrid still perched on Zoro's shoulders, Usopp was about to ask who would use what when Chopper interrupted him.

"I want to race against Bobby," Chopper said, jumping down and moving to stand by the horse, shifting into heavy point and resting a gentle hand on Bobby's neck. "Zoro can ride Bobby, but I want to race in Walk Point." His voice was steady and his expression showed his determination; the others smiled, proud to see how his time with the crew had made him braver.

"Ok, Chopper. I'm in," Zoro spoke up. The challenge Chopper had posed was a new thrill. He ignored the brief moment of confusion from the others, a hint of brotherly affection hidden in his smirk. He moved to join Chopper and together, they took the big harness off the two horses, letting Stuart take a break from the weight of the cart for the duration of this race.

Using what already was on Bobby's head as a bridle and wrapping the excess rope around his hands, Zoro had to ride bareback on Bobby as he guided him over to the starting line. He huffed and shoved another tacky black feather out of his face, the snap coming from the top of the bridle telling him it was unlikely he could fix it. He blushed and threw it over the railing, paying great attention to their doctor as he said "Walk Point" shifting into his full reindeer form, chuffing and pawing at the ground with a fore-hoof.

Lining up, Zoro glanced down at the kid, and then at the finish line.I can win this. Chopper might be fast, but he's racing against me and Bobby. The reason Chopper picked the horse he did instead of Stuart, Zoro could tell, was because out of the two, Bobby had shown that he wasfaster than the other. Always eager to race a little longer, he had the stamina of a racehorse and was obviously excited to join in with the Straw Hats and their games.

Sanji snickered behind them, mumbling something under his breath that Zoro just knew was about him. "What was that?" he asked dangerously, hoping the threat would have some effect.

Usopp gave a slight squeak but Sanji–of course– didn't bat an eye, at least, not that he could see. "Oh, i was just wondering if you even know how to ride a horse."

"Actually… I was thinking that myself." Pretending not to notice a glare sent his way by the swordsman, he asked himself aloud. "Where would Zoro have even ridden horses?"

"For your prying information, I visited a lot of islands before I met Luffy." He didn't elaborate, praying that was enough to satisfy them. Zoro squared his shoulders and fumed, asking if they could just start the race already.

"Yeah yeah," Usopp waved off Zoro's anger, since it wasn't directed at him, "Ok, Chopper: ready?

"Yes." Head down, the brim of his pink top hat shadowing/almost hiding his eyes, Chopper pawed the ground again in anticipation/impatience.

"Zoro: ready?"

"Yes." At some point Zoro's black scarf had been tied onto his head, hiding his hair and shadowing his eyes too.

Waiting a moment to let the suspense rise, Usopp dropped his risen hand, shouting "GO!" at the same time. Bobby and Chopper shot off the line, dust kicked up from the clattering hooves, the boys coughing and waving their hands in front of their faces to dispel the dust cloud. "Coughand they're- coughoff, what a start!" Usopp tried speaking, waving away the leftover particles floating and spinning in the air currents, catching the light.

Already several yards away, were two speeding equine forms. Bobby showing a lot more speed now that he wasn't hooked up to the cart, Zoro struggling to stay on without stirrups or a saddle to help him. But right beside them was Chopper, legs powering away as he kept pace with his competitors.

With a small grin, the furry doctor easily piled on more speed, pulling ahead and not slowing down, antlers aimed at the finish that was quickly approaching. Zoro couldn't help but watch as the victory easily went to Chopper, shaking his head at muttering to himself, of course he's faster. He's a Straw Hat Pirate. Zoro smiled, happy for his friend and slowed Bobby down, apologizing to the stallion for not finishing the race. Moving the reins, the green-haired swordsman turned Bobby back to where his friends were waiting.

Chopper joined him a few moments later, panting but with the biggest grin Zoro had ever seen him wear. "Did you see that? I didn't realize I was that fast. And I won! I beat you Zoro!" He rambled, trotting quite happily beside Bobby, voice full of joy.

When they reached the rest of the crew they could hear to sounds of Luffy begging for food "-anjiiiii. Fooodddd. Hungry"

"Yes yes. I'm actually feeling hungry too." he admitted, new cigarette in hand and smoke puffed out his mouth. "Let's return the things we rented and go back to the ship.

… … …

Back on board the Merry, the full straw hat crew listened as they ate outside, the gentle twilight air perfect for an on-deck meal. Regaled by the tales of the races Usopp was telling, cup held in one hand as he gestured around with the drink inside sloshing out in the particularly wider movements, the sniper standing on the upper deck, light spilling out the kitchen door to illuminate him in a stunning halo.

Resting against the white wooden railing, Zoro enjoyed another bottle of booze, one eye open to watch the crew, swords lying parallel to his stretched out legs. He occasionally had to correct the exaggerations he heard during the recount of their day, looking up to see the stars coming out in the darkening sky.

With a yawn, the green-haired swordsman let his open eye slip closed and dozed off, feeling more content then he had in a while, Chopper and Luffy soon joining him in a sleepy pile on the deck. Curled up around the rails near the kitchen, Usopp was snoring too. On the deck, laid out around the picnic blanket holding the finished meal were a softly dreaming Robin and Nami, Sanji nearby with a warm smile on his face.

"Goodnight everyone" the Merry whispered to her crew, sailing towards their next destination.

… … … … …

AN: There was an angst ending to this, but i felt like our favourite pirates deserved some fluff for once :)

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