Disclaimer: Sorry, I can't get to the phone right now, but remember that I do not own One Piece and please leave a message after the beep. Beep.

Chapter 3

It's All Alright

"Tora Giri!"

Zoro brought two of his swords across and slashed upwards at the creature. Dark blood sprayed everywhere and it roared deafeningly. However, before it could strike again the swordsman had dashed out of the way, dragging the dazed Luffy with him.

Taking in the enemy before him, Zoro could sort of see why his captain had mistaken the gigantic sea king for a bunch of rocks. It had all sorts of spines sticking out of it and its scales were dark and rough looking like stone. If you blacked out the hate-filled glowing eyes and most everything else, you would get a black, shapeless mass. It was pretty rocky if you looked at it at the right angle.

For the third time in a span of five seconds, Zoro wanted to beat the rubber boy senseless until he actually had the sense to fight like you usually did.

"Damn it Luffy!" he shouted over the cry of the sea beast, poised to attack when need be. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

Luffy blinked and rubbed his eyes as if he was just waking up from a deep sleep. "No… Zoro. I'm hungry."

A vein in the swordsman's temple pulsed angrily and he took a deep breath to quell his rising temper.

"Screw you. Forget the act and freaking snap out of it!"

Zoro's voice rose to a yell nearly as loud as the creature's and the rubber boy took a step away from his estranged first mate.

"What do you mean?"

His captain's innocent expression only served to make Zoro more furious.

"You know damn well what I mean!"

The clash of swords against razor-sharp teeth blocked out Luffy's reply as the swordsman fended off the sea king, kicking it viciously in the jaw for good measure.

Damn, that felt good.

He continued his rant when the monster retreated once more.

"I don't think I can protect you anymore! I'm too weak to be the Pirate King!" Zoro mimicked Luffy's words with a touch of cruelty.

"Tatsumaki!"

Another gash was carved into the punching bag for Zoro's fury and the sea king was starting to think attacking the small pirate ship wasn't such a good idea. It hadn't expected its prey to be so strong.

But, the swordsman wasn't letting it go anywhere.

Leaping up, he landed on its neck and let loose a merciless onslaught of blows. The creature's scales were no match for his deadly blades and he had no desire to stop anytime soon.

"ZORO! STOP!"

Luffy's rubber fist shot towards Zoro and the sea king and with a growl, he jumped off the poor, beaten creature. The fist fell squarely on the monster's snout and it collapsed back into the sea with a whimper.

It's tail fell onto the deck of the Sunny with a resounding thud and both men could hear the ship groan from the sudden added wait. The entire ship rocked with the force. Franky wouldn't be happy.

Already recovered, Zoro sheathed Shuusui and Wado Ichimonji. Before he put Sandai Kitetsu to sleep with the others, he made sure to shake the excess blood from it. He could sense the cursed blade humming with satisfaction and he smirked as he slid it into its sheath.

As the swordsman checked over his swords, Luffy's arm had returned to the rest of his body. A troubled expression came over his features and he quickly hid it from his first mate. Not that it would do much good.

When the other man had his weapons put away and made to walk off, the rubbery boy jumped into action, knowing it was his last chance to explain himself.

"Zoro! Wait!"

The swordsman glanced at his captain with an almost disinterested air that slipped when he took in Luffy's state.

He was bent over, hands on his knees. Crimson from the wound on his side trailed down his legs and splattered on the wet deck of the Sunny to mix with the rain. His chest heaved as he inhaled and exhaled in short, breathy pants.

In short, he wasn't looking too hot and Zoro wasn't so uncaring that he would leave him like this without hearing him out first. Actually, he cared very much for Luffy. After all, if it weren't for the boy's stubborn nature that defied death and had forced him to join his one-man crew at the time, he would still be wandering. Hunting bounties and living off the rewards, the demon pirate hunter of the East Blue, and that kind of living could wear on a person. Especially if it was someone like Zoro who desperately wanted to accomplish his dream, yet was deprived of a means to attain it.

That's why he stood there in one hell of a hurricane, staring at his disheartened captain and grasping at the right words to convey his emotions without becoming so touchy-feely and all that crap the love-cook would probably spout. Zoro had to acknowledge that, in this situation and only this situation, Sanji might be a better option to cure Luffy.

"Oi," Zoro sighed and eyed the rubber boy. "Why the hell did you say those things back there anyway?"

There was hitch in Luffy's breathing and for a second the swordsman was worried he might choke on his own blood. Then he realized he was just reacting to his words.

His dark eyes were fathomless as he held Zoro in a steady gaze.

"I had to tell the truth. I had to tell someone or…" Luffy trailed off.

"Or what?" Zoro murmured, keeping his temper in check. "Do I have to keep my swords out of your reach from now on."

The boy shook his head. "No… but I'm not sure anymore and that makes me scared, Zoro."

Okay, I'm really not good at this kind of stuff, the swordsman groaned inwardly. But he had to get answers and Luffy was finally starting to talk.

"Since when do you give up, Luffy? It's not like you," Zoro delivered his ultimatum.

Luffy cringed from his tone and looked at his sandaled toes.

"I… I…"

Over the howl of the storm, Zoro's sensitive hearing picked up on the distinctive tap of steel-toed dress shoes. Well, damn, he thought as a familiar figure appeared.

It didn't even take a nanosecond for Sanji to react when he heard that scream. In which he dropped the glass he'd polished until it shined like a miniature sun on the kitchen counter and it broke cleanly in half. Cursing his rotten luck, he bent down to hastily pick up the pieces that had escaped to the floor so it wouldn't prick Nami or Robin's delicate feet.

I'll ask Nami-san to add the cost to the marimo's debt along with that cup he destroyed, Sanji decided, pleased at coming up with such a great idea.

Then he switched into an urgent mode to get out on the deck and find out the situation.

He didn't even want to think about what may have happened or the last time he'd heard Luffy sound like that. Swiftly excusing himself, Robin the only one to hear or notice and nodding in understanding, he strode to the door, yanked it open and disappeared into the unknown.

The first thing the cook noticed was the amount of debris that the hurricane had already tossed about on the ship. Several boxes they had tied down had come undone and slid around as the vicious waves continued to pound the Sunny. It truly was a miracle they were still afloat.

Second, Sanji had to take only one more step forward to get the shock of a lifetime. There, hanging listlessly over the railing of the ship was a giant tail. There was a frill at the end and it was a dark, murky color, but what mattered to Sanji was that that tail had to be attached to something.

Quenching his fear, damn he was tense today, and the cook made his way into the heart of the mess. Where no protection was offered against the elements and his cigarette was put out in a mere second. He tried to light it again, to no avail and grumbling, walked closer to the monster tail.

That's when he heard the voices.

He could easily discern which ones belonged to each of his nakama.

There was the swordsman's deep growl, that sounded pissed or bored twenty four seven. He seemed even more so than usual and that was cause enough for alarm to Sanji.

What frightened him the most though was the higher-pitched one that belonged to his captain. It certainly wasn't carefree and happy-go-lucky like it usually was.

His strides lengthening almost unconsciously, Sanji made his way towards them, a bit apprehensive and eager to see what was going on.

Their voices suddenly disappeared altogether and the cook was left staring, slack jawed at the scene before him.

Zoro and Luffy stood in the pouring, unrelenting rain facing each other. Both were covered in blood, but only the swordsman's expression, stern as always, but with an emotion that was unreadable, could be seen.

His green hair was plastered to his head as he looked down at their captain, though not condescendingly. Simply because the rubber boy's gaze was now fixed on the ground, half his face in shadow as his head hung and rain slipped from his beloved hat to complete its fall. Sanji had never seen Luffy so downtrodden and… utterly defeated looking before and he decided right at that moment, as a shiver ran through his body, that he never wanted to see it again.

The swordsman's head jerked up suddenly and his eyes narrowed when he saw Sanji standing there, cigarette stub hanging loosely from his mouth and at a loss for words. Neither spoke as a silent understanding was communicated between them.

None of their nakama would ever see or hear of this. Never, and as long as Sanji or Zoro had anything to do about it.

Their message communicated, they reverted to their usual behavior.

"Oi, what do you think you're doing, curly brow?" Zoro scoffed, arms crossed over his chest.

Luffy stayed in the same position, unresponsive as a sea cucumber.

Sanji plunged right in, though his heart wasn't into it.

"Just coming to clean up your mess. Again, shitty marimo."

To emphasize his point, the cook drew back his leg and kicked high and hard. His blow connected with the scaly tail and it went sailing off the Sunny. In the ocean, the sea king cringed and vowed to never go after a pirate ship again.

Zoro snorted. "Go back to your vegetables, ero-cook. They're the only objects that'll actually return your love."

Ouch. That was harsh and Sanji nearly forgot the point of this act. So tempted was he to knock that moss-ball of a head off Zoro's shoulders. But he exhaled slowly, his fingers habitually twitching over the pack of smokes in his shirt pocket and lowered his leg once more.

"Go to hell, stupid swordsman," he muttered, trying to coax his lighter to life simultaneously. Even he knew the insult was weak, but he just pivoted and walked away.

Inside, he was silently hoping with all his strength and soul for the first mate's plan to bear the fruit of triumph.

Get Luffy back to normal, Zoro. Please. You're the only one who can do it.

Sanji sent his prayer up to the cloud covered sky and tilted his head back to see. He swore he could feel the platter of the rain lessen and out of the corner of his eye, see the corners of Zoro's mouth lift in the closest the cook could get to his approval.

As soon as the cook left, the green-haired man trained his attention back on his erstwhile captain. The frown returned to his face and he took a cautious step forward like Luffy was a startled animal that might lash out in self-defense at any moment, or worse- a moody teenage girl.

"Luffy…" he started uncertainly, wondering if he'd been too straightforward before. "Oi, Luffy! What did you mean? You can't be scared of the people we fight can you?"

Zoro knew it sounded ridiculous even as he asked. Even a depressed Luffy wouldn't become an easily scared man like Usopp.

The boy's head shake confirmed his suspicions. "No… I'm afraid that I won't be able to protect you guys. My nakama. If anything happened to you…"

"Okay, that's it?" the swordsman abruptly snarled in an accurate impression of a tiger. He'd had enough of this bullshit! He wouldn't go soft for Luffy's issue. "You've always been able to win your fights and keep us together. You've never doubted yourself before. Not to mention we can handle ourselves. And haven't you ever thought that we need to protect you sometimes? Damn it all to hell, Luffy! Do you not trust us? Don't you trust me?"

Crap, I said too much, Zoro cursed his stupidity. Hopefully, his none too bright captain wouldn't pick up on it.

"Nani?" Luffy's eyes were wide with shock, the first emotion that had been on his youthful face besides resignation. "Of course I trust you, Zoro! You're my first mate!"

Surprise coursed through the swordsman's veins. Luffy didn't care about positions, not really and never treated anyone more special than the other when it came to his nakama. Yet, despite everyone considering Zoro as the first mate, he'd never thought of himself like that.

However, either way, Zoro was pleased with Luffy's answer.

"Okay…" he spoke slowly. "Then, why?"

Luffy's eyebrows furrowed in concentration as if the swordsman's question was incredibly difficult to answer, and maybe it was. He shifted uncomfortably, tinkering with the hilts of his swords. A feeling of security relaxed him as his fingertips touched them. This couldn't take much longer.

Yet it took a good five to ten minutes before the rubber boy replied simply, "I don't know if I can become the Pirate King. If you guys got hurt or if our enemies were too strong I wouldn't be able to forgive myself…" He bit his lip uncertainly. "I know you're strong, but what if-?"

"That's enough what ifs' Luffy," Zoro interrupted.

He took a step towards his disheartened captain, determination boosting his confidence. If it would cure Luffy of his depression and possibly save him from losing the will to fight, he would sacrifice anything and not just his ordinary way of dealing with problems.

Here, sleeping, training or drinking away his problems wouldn't work and he heaved an inward sigh as he submitted himself to the truth.

Luffy started when a strong, tanned hand gripped his shoulder. But it wasn't a hostile action and the hand squeezed firmly, yet gently. The rubbery boy followed the length of a muscular arm until he could see the face that belonged to the comforting hand.

Green hair, gold earrings and a funny expression distinguished itself as Zoro. His swordsman. Luffy hadn't expected such a personal gesture from his gruff swordsman and could match the quirked lips like he'd tasted a sour lemon and was pretending to act like he hadn't to his discomfort. The boy wasn't offended though, knowing Zoro wasn't pretending and that he really meant whatever he said or did around him.

Like now, as a line filled with such wisdom and irony, fell from the swordsman's tongue.

Hand still on Luffy's shoulder and serious as hell, he revealed," Luffy, becoming the Pirate King isn't going to be easy and it never was from the very beginning. You knew that and kept on fighting even when people laughed at your dream. Even now, you can't let their doubt become yours, otherwise your fears will be justified."

Zoro suddenly stopped and grinned slightly. He couldn't believe he was preaching this to Luffy of all people, but it seemed to be working and he now knew what he needed to say.

"Luffy," Zoro's solemn tone obliged the rubber boy to look him in the eye. Tears were silently rolling down his cheeks, almost indistinguishable from the rain. "You can't lose faith and give up on your dream. No matter what."

Suddenly, the boy threw his head back and laughed. It was clear and loud, a sound filled with both laughter and light. Luffy smiled almost the same smile as usual through his tears.

His crying alarmed the swordsman at first, but then he scolded himself. Luffy wasn't crying from sorrow and hopelessness, but happiness.

"Haha! Zoro," Luffy giggled. "I thought you didn't believe in God or anything?"

The older man raised an eyebrow questionably, fighting a smile of his own. His answer was suave and quick.

"I don't… but I do believe in my dream, nakama and you, Captain."

At that, Luffy's grin widened impossibly, so it seemed it would split his face. Zoro watched in hardly concealed delight as his captain was revived. That grin was better than any thanks or any gift in the world. It was what held the crew together and he had sorely missed it.

However, the boy suddenly swayed unsteadily on his feet and his hand moved to cover the gaping, blood-drenched wound in his side. His face twisted from the unexpected pain and Zoro reacted as swiftly as possible as he slowly fell forward.

His quick reflexes saved Luffy from knocking his dense head on the hard wood of the deck as strong arms caught him.

Well, the universe really does hate me, Zoro thought as he stared in horror at his weakened captain-hanging limp in his grip.

Then, he heard a faint voice whisper something in his ear. He had to strain to hear it, but when he did he let all the stress he'd carried go in one big rush.

"Arigato… Zoro."

Luffy's head went slack and his eyes closed as he passed out from his own pain, mental and physical. The swordsman couldn't stop staring before he willed his muscles to work.

"Chopper!"

Everyone had slipped into their own personal rain clouds and settled down to wait out the hurricane when Sanji heard the cry. It was incredibly strong and clear, even through the horrendous weather conditions and all the other crewmembers jolted from their minutes of gnawing worries as it also reached their ears.

"What was that?" Nami asked in a panicky tone. Sanji moved to comfort her in an instant.

"I'll protect you Nami-swannn!"

Franky had stood up from his chair. "Maybe it was a ghost?"

"Nooooo! I hate ghosts!" Brook wailed and his afro stood on end while his bones shook in terror.

Usopp had ducked underneath the table and contracted I-can't-go-outside-in case-something-hungry-wants-to-eat-me disease. "Or a monster!" he piped up unhelpfully.

"Monster!" Chopper cried and started running around in a panic.

Sanji watched with moderately sympathetic eyes and was about to reign in the chaos when Robin rose from her seat and glanced at the door.

"Relax," she told everyone. "It's only Swordsman-san."

"Eh? Zoro?" they all chorused at the same time except for Sanji who knew he was out there taking care of something for once in his lazy life.

Robin nodded. "Yes, and I believe he's calling your name Doctor-san."

The little reindeer looked confused, until Zoro's voice rang out again.

"CHOPPER!"

He jumped in fright and his big eyes got even wider.

"Damn!" Sanji muttered. "Something must have happened."

That got their full attention and everyone filed outside hurriedly with their doctor in the lead.

It was still miserable outside, but Sanji could feel the oppressive pressure of the hurricane gradually beginning to lift.

"What a relief," Nami sighed. "I can't believe we survived…"

The navigator's comment trailed off as her eyes fell on the pair slumped in the center of deck despite the elements lashed them mercilessly.

That's when the bomb that had been slowly ticking inside them went off, igniting in one huge flash.

"Oh my!"

"Luffy!"

"Zoro!"

"Shit."

"What happened?"

"Luffy! Zoro!"

Chopper was the first to reach the soaked swordsman and captain, with the rest following soon thereafter in a thick cluster.

Sanji found the scene quite depressing and fear crawled up his spine as he wondered whether the marimo had failed after all…

Luffy didn't seem to be moving and was lying against Zoro's broad chest, the swordsman's arms outstretched on either side of the boy and his hands curled into useless fists. The blood that covered them both caused another wave of shock to ripple through the collective whole of the crew. Was Luffy hurt? He appeared to have fallen on Zoro and just barely been caught.

As they held their breath, Zoro ignored the abrupt presence of his shivering nakama and gently lid Luffy's unresponsive form onto the ground. Slowly, after making sure he was comfortable on the hard wooden floor, Zoro turned to face them with a disgruntled frown and a peeved gaze.

He moved from his kneeling position to allow the frenzied doctor to look their captain over.

"What took you so long to get your asses out here?" he grumbled, letting his glare rove over their assembled ranks.

There was silence, even from the cook, as Chopper examined Luffy.

The reindeer wasn't quite done when he launched into a furious rant.

"Zoro! How could you let this happen? And why didn't you call me as soon as Luffy got hurt? He could have died or gone into a coma! In fact, he still might! What were you thinking, baka!"

Chopper felt his fur heat up from the shocked glances of everyone and the sound of Usopp's jaw hitting the ground, but his anger overcame his natural shyness.

"Well?" he interrogated the expressionless swordsman.

He fixed his gaze on the skilled doctor. "How bad is he hurt?"

Chopper exhaled and visibly deflated, turning back towards his new patient. He rummaged in his doctor's back before replying softly, "He's lost a lot of blood, but I can fix that pretty easily. The worst part is that his wound is poisoned."

There was a gasp that couldn't have possibly come from Zoro and the reindeer and swordsman's heads turned to see who it was.

Nami was standing close enough to hear their conversation very well and her hand was covering her mouth, acting a little embarrassed.

Of course, Robin was the one to cut to the chase.

"Do you have the antidote, Doctor-san?"

He paused, then nodded with more confidence than he had before. "I'm sure I can whip something up."

Franky and Usopp let out a cheer and Brook smiled a skeletal smile. The navigator just looked greatly relieved.

Sanji just glanced down at the unconscious Luffy, before letting his gaze wander over to the marimo. He took out his lighter and actually managed to ignite a cigarette while considering whether he should point out Zoro was also covered in blood. He mulled over the idea of letting him have his way and not having to go to the trouble of ripping off bandages, but decided he preferred to see the way the little doctor scolded him.

"Hey, Chopper," the cook nudged the little reindeer. "What about the shitty swordsman over there?"

Sanji brushed off the dirty look Zoro gave him from where he stood over their captain somewhat protectively and waited for the incoming freak out.

"Oh no!" Chopper cried in despair and finished staunching the blood from Luffy's wound before running over to the swordsman. "Zoro! I'm so sorry! What's wrong? Where does it hurt?"

The others watched as the doctor clambered over a very displeased and nearing to downright pissed Zoro. Finally he had enough and shook him off his arm angrily.

"I'm fine, Chopper! Now go take care of Luffy! Look at the blood, it's not even mine!"

Question marks floated over the crew's heads and their minds began to wonder what the swordsman meant by that…

Nami, as always, was the boldest.

"Zoro…" she raised her fist threateningly. "Who did you kill or injure seriously this time?"

A vein twitched in his forehead. "Why do you assume I randomly go about killing people?"

"BECAUSE YOU DO!"

He rolled his eyes and the rest of the crew sweat-dropped, while Robin helped Chopper get Luffy ready to be moved.

"I don't do it on purpose," he muttered in defense.

That answer was met with a very painful blow on the head courtesy of Nami. Sanji actually winced in sympathy. He'd been on the receiving end of those fists more times than he could count as well.

"It's sea king blood, in case you're wondering…"

"Hey you two!" Chopper dared to stop the bickering. "Shut up or help! Luffy's hurt really bad and you might make it worse."

They shut up and Zoro made a move to help Chopper lift Luffy when a row of hands on either side did it for him and started to transport the rubber boy along the line.

"You need to rest too, Swordsman-san," Robin reassured him. " He'll be all right."

And clean yourself up, Sanji added to himself.

The green-haired man shrugged as if it was no big deal, but Sanji saw the tension disappearing from his shoulders.

"Fine, you're the doctor."

Even as Chopper, Luffy, and Robin vanished below deck to the infirmary, the cook could hear the reindeer exclaiming how calling him doctor didn't make him happy you bastard. He was an interesting character, like most of their nakama. Apart from that boring swordsman, Sanji mused.

As Franky, Usopp and Brook began talking animatedly and the skeleton pulled out his violin. Sweet, cheerful music echoed through the downpour as the trio lounged outside the dining room, underneath relative shelter. Nami had retreated to her room, muttering something about 'going to check our coordinates' and such.

Which left Sanji and Zoro by the main mast alone. Another one of the well-dressed cook's cigarettes sizzled out from the wet and he swore profusely. There better be a civilized island to anchor at soon or he would run out of smokes. Speaking of material possessions, his jacket, trousers and tie combo were now thoroughly soiled.

Great, now he'd managed to irritate himself. Sanji considered the swordsman near him, unmoving and staring at the spot of crimson where Luffy had laid that was being washed away in miniature streams. He would be the best target to take out his frustration on, much like a training dummy and about as bright as one.

But, the pensive expression on his angular face made him hesitate and take a different tactic altogether…

"Oi, baka marimo," Sanji called.

Zoro didn't give him a second glance, but a 'damn curly brow' let the cook know he had his attention.

"You did something right for once, shithead."

That made the swordsman turn around with a disbelieving look in his eyes.

"Hmph."

Sanji tapped his shoe once, then commented, "But don't expect me to suddenly be nice to you, shitty marimo."

He pivoted gracefully on his heels and began to walk towards the kitchen.

"I wouldn't have it any other way, ero-cook," Zoro called back and Sanji smirked.

Things were about normal now and he just couldn't keep his glee from showing. He passed by the trio yodeling by the doorway of the kitchen and dining room, announcing, "If you don't have anything better to do, come help me cook. Luffy's going to be ravenous when he wakes up."

Brooke, Usopp and Franky leaped to their feet and eagerly followed Sanji inside.

"AYE!"

Usopp was on watch when he spotted land. A good-sized shape becoming gradually more visible in the distance and it eased some of the discomfort he had from being outside in the remnants of the storm in the crow's nest. It was precarious to the sniper, despite Franky's amazing building skills.

"Hey guys! I see an island!" he yelled and it was met with groans of gratitude and excited whoops. The ship adjusted to stay on course and sailed on as if it couldn't wait to go to port.

Frankly, they all couldn't wait to leave this monster of a storm behind and get off the Thousand Sunny to stretch their legs for a bit. Usopp sincerely hoped the approaching island wouldn't be crawling with man-eating creatures or people with superhuman strength that Luffy always zeroed in on and absolutely had to fight.

Man, the sniper hit his head on the railing of the crow's nest in exasperation. This entire crew was crazy and that was just the half of it.

So, Usopp had settled back to keep watching the island and pray fervently that it would be relaxing rather than traumatizing. It was then that one green-haired man chose to saunter out onto the deck.

The announcement of land nearby and the need to go out and do something rather than stay cooped up inside was too tempting for Zoro and he was pleasantly surprised when he found the weather itself much less menacing.

He took long, sure strides until he reached the railing, which he propped his arms on and leaned against, looking out at the almost completely calm sea. His clothes were no longer coated in slowly drying blood and wasn't half-drowned like before. Staring into the distance, Zoro could see the sky and sea weren't at war anymore.

Once more, they had fought and neither one had come out on top. Another tie to a long list of the exact same outcome; it made Zoro relish his strength that wouldn't have to settle for one himself. Though, the war had left plenty of destruction in its wake. Most of the damage to the ship itself had been repaired, but they had lost a fair amount of supplies and if this next island didn't have what they needed trouble would be sure to follow.

Not like it didn't track them like a bloodhound already, though…

The hurricane had subsided to a few, hovering, grey clouds here and there, yet still enough to block the sun, and a light rain fell on Zoro. Not enough to soak through his shirt, only dampen his hair and spot his skin. It was nice and refreshing on his face and not annoying in the least.

He could see the full outline of the island now with his hawk-like vision and several details. It had palm trees, which usually meant beaches, which would also mean he wouldn't be able to take a nap without getting sand kicked in his face. Yet, it would be relaxing for the rest of them and he could always take a nap now…

Sighing, Zoro stayed by the railing and put his head in his arms to take himself more comfortable. The sound of the rain lulled him to the realm of unconsciousness and he was beginning to nod off when a disturbance manifested itself in the form of a fully recovered Luffy.

"Hey, Zoro!"

There was no warning given as he called out his greeting at the same moment he flew at the dozing swordsman. He tackled him in a sudden, tight hug from behind and Zoro's eyes snapped open, but he was already falling and all he could do was grunt as he hit the ground.

Complications arose as he attempted to disentangle his body from the mess of rubbery limbs that was Luffy. Cursing, he finally got free and backed away, panting.

"Damn, Luffy! What's wrong with you?"

The black-haired boy perched on the rail Zoro had tried to fall asleep near and clapped his feet together. "Did you hear about the island, Zoro?"

That smile always disarmed the stoic swordsman and he merely nodded and went back to his original position, not letting Luffy faze him. The fall of rain was barely detectable now, a drizzle more than anything and Zoro felt a pang of disappointment at its passing. When it wasn't trying to screw he and his companions, it wasn't unwelcome.

"Zorooooooo!"

Luffy continued to draw out the green-haired man's name until he glared at him darkly. The captain really was all right. It had been only three days since he'd been depressed and then maimed as a result and now he was back to his old, over exuberant self. He had woken up and escaped from the infirmary against Chopper's orders and made a direct beeline for the dining room.

Where he found a gigantic portion of food, consisting mainly of meat, fit for a giant and proceeded to eat all of it with room to spare. The crew, particularly the newer members were in awe of his appetite and Zoro and Sanji had shared a conspiratorial glance that sent the message; mission success.

This understanding and knowledge gave Zoro the patience to deal with Luffy now. Anyways, hadn't he admitted internally that he missed this Luffy?

Facing his captain as he said his name in as many obnoxious ways he could think of, he rather regretted it.

"What the hell is it, Luffy?" the swordsman hissed between gritted teeth.

"Look!"

Zoro absorbed the extent of Luffy's huge grin and followed the line of where he gestured with his feet and hands.

With only traces of rain left, receding rapidly, the clouds had thinned and evaporated. This allowed the sun to peek out and spread its warm rays for the first time in a long time. However, though this was an exciting aspect on its own, it wouldn't warrant making Luffy so excited. No. What made it incredible was that the sunshine had hit the rain just right so that rainbow had appeared in the blue sky.

The bright colors draped themselves in the air, dancing in the light and reflected in the raindrops. Zoro's eyes widened in astonishment and he took a sharp intake of breath.

Above the first rainbow was another, as magnificent as the first and somehow, unbelievably there.

He turned to Luffy, shock still across his features.

"Wow. It is cool, Luffy."

But, Luffy only flashed a smile before cupping his hands around his mouth and shouting, "OI GUYS! THERE'S SOMETHING OUT HERE YOU NEED TO SEE! CAPTAIN'S ORDERS!"

Zoro 's gaze followed the commotion as everyone filed out with an edge that bespoke of battle readiness. Only… there wasn't a battle.

Good job, Luffy. Captain's orders always work, he thought.

"What is it, baka?" Sanji growled around a cigarette. "This had better be good since it interrupted the making of treats for the ladies."

"I actually agree with Sanji-kun on this one," Nami put her hands on her hips.

"Thanks you, Nami-swannnnn!"

"Go jump off the ship, love-cook."

"After you, shitty swordsman."

Robin stepped in, pointing out what Franky, Usopp, Chopper and Brooke had already discovered and crowded around the railing, a squished Zoro and a hyperactive Luffy to see.

"Cook-san, Navigator-san," she smiled her knowing smile. "You might want to see this."

"Holy-"

"No way," Nami was in awe, as was Sanji and by now the entire crew of the Thousand Sunny marveled at the sight before them.

The painted colors of all kinds didn't flinch from the many admiring gazes, only appearing to flaunt them all the more. So, the rainbows stayed as they all got their fill.

Chopper eyes had permanently transformed into worshipping stars.

"It's a double rainbow!" he cried, sitting on Zoro's shoulders so he could see over everyone else.

Franky struck a pose. "So SUPA! Almost as supa as me!"

"Yohohoho," Brooke laughed. "It makes my eyes shine! Even though I don't have any! SKULL JOKE!"

They were too distracted to even groan at the skeleton's lack of a funny bone and continued to voice their own opinions.

"It's… across the sky!" Nami exclaimed, still in denial at the rainbows' existence.

Usopp pointed his finger at the scene. "It's almost a triple rainbow!"

"Huh?" Everyone did a double take and was further amazed to find that there was a much fainter, but there, third rainbow.

"Hm," Sanji smirked. "Usopp wasn't lying this time."

"It's stunning," Robin stated.

The cook went into love mode. "Nearly as stunning as you, Robin-chwan!"

Luffy kept on laughing through it all, when he suddenly turned to Zoro, who had been forgotten in the fray. He pushed Chopper out of his face to see the rainbows better.

"Zoro, what do you think of the double, triple rainbow?" the rubber boy asked, curious to here what he thought besides 'it's cool.'

The swordsman adjusted the fuzz-ball on his head again before he smiled crookedly.

"Better than a hurricane. I'd take this any day."

His captain let out a loud guffaw and leaned back so far he almost fell into the ocean, but Zoro grabbed his vest before it was too late.

Still goofing around, Luffy suddenly straightened and jumped up.

"Oi! We're at the island! Woo hoo! Sanji, make us a picnic with lots of MEAT!"

"Yay!" Chopper and Usopp cheered along with Franky and Brooke.

Nami and Robin also got ready and went down to the beach that, as Zoro predicted, was indeed there with the palm trees. Sanji grabbed a huge, loaded picnic basket that he'd prepared beforehand and soon followed the girls, just as thrilled to land on such an island.

That left the lone swordsman on the ship. He would join them, but he wanted to look at the rainbows just a little longer.

They were miracles that shouldn't happen, yet seemed to defy the unspoken norm that said there was one rainbow in one place. Kind of like Luffy, Zoro mused.

He continued to challenge what everyone thought of him or his dream and Zoro was immensely glad that fiery will and passion had returned. It was something they all possessed. The will to live and succeed, yet their captain carried it the strongest, felt the need to be strong enough for all of them combined. It was a big burden, though he carried it well.

Gazing up at the painted sky of blue and breathing in the fresh scent that came after rain, Zoro would've been content to stay there. His fingers brushed his swords and he smiled. A rare, genuine smile that was fierce, yet gentle and shone through his hard exterior. He had a reason to smile.

This had been another challenge to see if he could hold Luffy up like he did for them and he'd triumphed. Zoro realized that not only could Luffy be the sunshine to their rain, but also they could be the sunshine to his, and if you mixed them together the way only nakama could, adventure would only follow.

Zoro came to this revelation as he heard a tremendous splash, another series of splashing and a chorus of yells, all communicating the same thing

"Agh! Luffy fell in the water again!"

"Damn," the swordsman whispered and face palmed. But, underneath, Zoro wasn't really mad.

There's Luffy for you.

Author's Note: Gah! This was a much longer chapter than I thought it would be! There were so may different little scenes I wanted to put in and they were all important so I crammed them all in one place. I'm sorry…

On the bright side, I'm really proud of how this turned out. It had the tone and sent the message I wished to send. Now, here are the inner workings of how this story came to be.

The title: Was a spur of the moment notion to tell the truth, but I like how it sounds and really like how it fits the story. It has too references in the story which I'm sure you found. One was quite obvious, the mixing of rain and sunshine=rainbow. The other was something I figured not only related with this story, but what I think would actually apply to One Piece. Think about it, everyone, not just Luffy, contributes in the moral standing of the crew itself. Yes, even Zoro. The old grump.

Now, you're probably glad I didn't kill or maim Luffy beyond repair, though he did get wounded of course. Yes, I've seen those, but that wasn't the plan from the start. And… I wish I could resist doing cliffhangers, let's just say I'll try. Oh, and sorry for taking longer to post this chapter. It fell during the school week, but never fear! I'm on break now.

Last order of business, I'm thinking of adding a bonus short "after" scenario to this. I'll probably do it anyways, but I'd love to hear if you like the idea. Reviews welcome! I love them so far, they're very uplifting.

Not so secret: This was created on the inside joke, but also well-known joke.

"It's a double rainbow!"

"All the way across the sky!"

"It's almost a triple rainbow!"

Try saying it in a funny voice. It's hilarious.