A/N: Well, I'm glad you guys liked the first chapter. It was kind of relief from my MattxMello fanfic, cause it's really depressing. But…I think I'll continue plotting this story out. I really like Zoro/Sanji.
Nope, still don't own One Piece. (Hell!)
Chapter 2: Never Back Down.
I was achy, tired, and completely lost.
Where was I?
There were brick walls in the halls and all the rooms.
The floor was concrete.
"And cold as hell." I grumbled, noting my extremely bare and chilly feet.
I avoided all people as I crept along, either hiding behind the corner or darting into an empty room when I saw anyone.
Zoro.
Look for Zoro.
I blushed, remembering last night.
I'd petted him.
Way to go, semi-conscious Sanji.
He probably thought I was off my rocker or something.
I was jerked from my musings as voices issued from under the door of the nearest room.
"Zoro, this definitely fucked up our people on th' outside. They're scared shitless righ' now." A low, growling voice said.
Zoro?
I peered through the crack in the door curiously, and gave a squeak of fright as it opened wide.
"Who th' fuck are you?"
I was slammed up against the wall, and a gun was pushed roughly into my temple.
Dark blue eyes squinted at me as I stammered.
"Ye've go' ten seconds to say somethin' before I pull th' trigger!" The man roared, digging the muzzle of the weapon into my skull.
I whimpered softly, turning my head away.
Suddenly, the man was ripped away, causing me to drop to the floor.
"Leave 'im th' fuck alone, Jak. He's with me." Zoro said, dangerously quiet.
I curled into a ball against the wall, sniffling and eyeing the three men warily.
What was this nonsense?
Zoro let go of Jak's shoulders and knelt.
"Are ye alright, Sanji?" He murmured, a little worried crease appearing between his eyebrows.
I nodded, still slightly irritated and throbbing all over from when I was dropped on my ass.
"No thanks to HIM." I said, squinting hatefully up at the blue eyed man.
Jak grumbled something under his breath, tapping his gun against his shoulder impatiently.
Zoro chuckled and scooped me up. "Well? Ye said ye could cook did ye not? How about showin' me tha' ye can work?"
I flailed helplessly, trying to right myself in his arms.
Needless to say, it didn't work.
So, instead, I gave in to being carried to my new workplace.
I had been sincere when I said I'd work for Zoro if he helped me.
And, well…I didn't seem to be in any real danger.
"Show me the way." I said, my voice crackly, crossing my arms with a dignified air.
I could damn well still retain some of my pride.
"Well. Feisty ain't he?" The redhead man chuckled, nudging Jak.
Jak growled, irritated. "Ye didn't give me an answer, Zoro! THIS is no' as important as tha' little message we received."
Zoro looked at him steadily, shrugging it off. "It'll be dealt with. Ye don' need ta worry abou' it. Tommy? Can ye get in touch with cumhachtaí níos airde a bheith?"
The redheaded man-Tommy-nodded. "I can do tha'. Anythin' else?"
I looked up at Zoro as he shook his head solemnly.
What was that…that cucumber beef thing he was talking about?
I hated when people spoke languages in front of me that I didn't know.
I gave a little start when Zoro turned suddenly, sweeping down the hallway.
"What was that?" I rasped. Hell if I wasn't curious.
The green haired man looked down at me. "Nothin' ye need ta worry abou'."
Great.
So he didn't trust me.
Well Sanji, my inner voice countered sarcastically. You can't expect a stranger-man that helped you out randomly to just marry you into the family.
Ugh.
I hated when I was right.
-Zoro's POV-
I set Sanji down so he could lean against the stove heavily.
Christ, he looked so tiny and beat up.
Like a puppy dog that's been run over a couple of times.
His curious blue eyes flickered over to me.
"Is there anything in specific that you want?" He said, his throat scratchy.
You.
Wait, what?
What was he asking?
What am I thinking?
He must have seen the dumbfounded look on my face.
"Food." Sanji explained patiently, pushing his blonde bangs out of his eyes.
I stood straight, blushing a little. "Oh. Food. No, I think th' boys'll eat just abou' anythin'.
I sat there, watching him, a retarded look probably lingering on my face.
"Well, are you going to stand there and stare at me?" He lilted, raising an eyebrow. "I need space."
My mouth opened and closed a couple times before I went to sit at one of the barstools mechanically.
What even.
I'm going to catch shit from the boys if I don't adjust to Sanji's presence.
Unhooking one of the aprons from the rack, he looped the top over his neck and tied it around his skinny waist.
Sanji hummed as he made himself acquainted with the huge kitchen we had at the base, opening cabinets, running his fingers over the contents, and shutting them.
"Do you have any spices?" He said lightly, shaking me out of my menagerie.
"Second cabinet from the top." I answered, running a hand through my hair.
Sanji gave a little frown when he realized he was too short to reach.
Tapping a bare foot thoughtfully, I watched him do a quick sweep of the kitchen.
He grabbed an old box to step up on, and opened the spice cabinet.
"Ridiculous." He tsked irritably. "Salt and a half empty bottle of rum do NOT count."
I raised my eyebrows in surprise.
Huh.
The rum probably wasn't even supposed to be there.
Sanji sighed like the whole world was against him, grabbed the salt, and hopped down.
He pulled a large pot out from under the bar and set it on one of the burners.
Carefully, he poured out some water into the measuring cup and put it in the pot along with some freshly washed carrots and peeled potatoes.
"So, yer from Italy?" I said conversationally.
A flare of pain passed across Sanji's face.
Completely stupid move, Roronoa.
Why don't you just stab the kid in the heart and give him a swift kick in the balls while you're at it?
The pain was replaced with a calm smoothness.
"Yes. Napoli." He replied, chewing his lips cutely.
"Ah. Was it nice there? I've never been outside of Ireland."
Sanji looked over at me as he stirred, frowning with thought.
"Yes. Especially at my Mama's restaurant. Everyone around came to eat our food. It was like people were magnetically attracted to the place. Everyone knew everyone. People are so much kinder in Italy, you know? You Irishmen are so vulgar and angry." He gave me a rather pointed gaze.
Sanji looked up to the ceiling, and gave a soft, shaky sigh. "I miss my Mama."
I rested my chin on my hand.
This kid wasn't even of age yet, and he was already so hardened against the people around him.
It wasn't right, and my heart twinged for him.
"I'm sorry about yer mother." I murmured quietly. "It's…I..I know what yer goin' through."
-Sanji's POV-
Zoro gazed at me with such and understanding intensity that I shivered.
I blushed a little, wiping tiny tears from my eyes.
I would not cry in front of this man.
"T-thanks." I said, taking the potful of stew off the burner and setting it on a hotpad.
Zoro nodded slightly, and stood. "I'll go tell th' boys tha' th' food is done." He swept past me, and paused. "It smells good." He said, almost shyly.
Damn.
I could have exploded with pleasure, right there.
He walked out, running a hand through his strangely colored hair.
I pulled out some bowls, setting them next to the stew when I noticed a pair of gold eyes peeking at me through the crack of one of the doors to the kitchen.
"Uhm, Zoro?" Who else had eyes like that? "What are you doing?"
The eyes disappeared.
I cocked my head.
Was he playing with me?
Whatever Zoro was doing, it had piqued my intrest.
Walking over to the door, I opened it slowly, expecting to find a creeping Zoro.
My jaw dropped when I found something…someone else.
Intelligent golden eyes peered up at me from the face of a rather beautiful little four-year-old girl.
She shied away, hiding behind the door.
"Angioletto." I murmured soothingly, holding out my hand. "I won't hurt you."
The little girl hesitantly stepped into the light, and placed her small hand in mine.
She had glossy green curls, and a small, turned-up nose.
There was absolutely no doubt as to whose child she was.
"Tesoro, what is your name?" I said, touching the tip of her nose with my forefinger.
Again, she hid her face behind her free hand.
I smiled reassuringly, and she peered at me from between her fingers.
"Well. We'll figure that out later, hm? Are you hungry? I made some stew."
A/N: Well, I know it's been kind of action-less, but I have to introduce important things first. Zoro's baby girl is a very important part of this story. And yes, awww, he has a little girl. The next chapter should be a little more upbeat. Forgive me, Reader-sama, for letting you down with such boring, informational, material. Tesoro means 'Sweetheart', and Angioletto means 'Little Angel', and both of those are Italian. Cumhachtaí níos airde a bheith means 'The higher powers that be.' These higher powers will also be vital to the story as well. Anyhoo, don't be a silent reader! REVIEW ME PLEASE! I WILL UPDATE SOON!
