Chapter 2

(Know Your Enemy)

Pain . . . a familiar feeling. A huge searing pain, travelling from his torso towards his abdomen. When Roronoa Zoro opened his eyes from what he had hoped to be an endless slumber, he was greeted with disappointment, and the familiar face of Kuma. He could just about make out his face through his squinted eyes. The pain was too much.

Zoro reached out to his side his fingers fumbling around, trying to locate his swords, but was only horrified to see them infront of him, in the hands of another.

Without warning the three blades came hurtling towards him at an alarming speed . . .

Zoro's P.O.V

Zoro awakened with a strangled cry. Finding his whole face and body, drenched in a cold sweat. Breathing heavily. Panicking, he checked his surroundings only to find he was right where he was last; the deck of the sunny, his swords predictably tucked safely by his side.

He felt like such an idiot.

Just another dream huh?

Fuck . . .

With a sigh and a groan, Zoro ran his fingers through his short trademark hair. Each night's sleep was begging to feel very tedious. Each dream being the same, and having the same effect. This left Zoro feeling groggy and drained from the lack of sleep.

Life was so unfair.

He had risked his life to save his nakama, and this is how he was repaid? Well, not that Zoro had anyone to blame other than himself. The knowledge that it had just been a dream was relieving, but a small part of him had believed it to be real.

At a random estimate, he guessed that he had slept a good 8 hours in the past week. If there was a marine attack on the ship soon he was defiantly screwed. This thought made him worry. If he was unable to fight, where would this leave the others?

He shook his head to clear his thoughts. Worrying would defiantly not solve anything.

He stood up and slowly walked towards the bow of the ship, placing his shaking hands on the smooth wood to support his weight. Looking up at the stars, he couldn't help but stare into the horizon, thinking.

Just thinking.

He stayed there, for a good few hours.

Sanji's P.O.V

Sanji was the equivalent to an alarm clock. The human kind of course. He always awoke at the same time every day. I mean who needs a lye in right? He was a man on a mission, and this man had breakfast to prepare. Not the most manly job one might think, but someone had to do it.

After 10 minutes walking around with his eyes half closed, he had successfully finished dressing and washing himself to a suitable level. But now he was faced with a dilemma;

Aftershave? Or no aftershave? That is the question.

After pondering a few moments about this ridiculous question the cook finally came to a decision.

Stuff it, why not? I have to smell my best for Nami-swan and robin-chwan after all!

Now Sanji's decision had been made, he thought it best to get breakfast started. When navigating himself through the many doors and corridors that lead to the deck, he spotted someone at the bow of the ship.

What the? . . .

As he walked closer, a green blob of hair caught his attention.

Marimo?, what's he doing up at this time?

Looking through the small, circular pane of glass at the top of the wooden door infront of him, he couldn't help but notice the troubled look on the swordsman's face. He looked so vulnerable standing there. His visibly pale face and glassy eyes made him seem more delicate then he was.

Was he always that pale? Ah fuck, why am I worrying about him of all people? If anyone's ill around here it's probably me. . .

Pushing his previous thoughts aside, he opened the door.

Zoro's P.O.V

Man I'm fucked up . . . what wrong with me? I can't even have a good night's sleep without that bastard messing with my head. . .

He pictured Kuma in his head, although his trail of thought was interrupted by the sound of footsteps, and the click of a familiar cigarette lighter.

Oh great, what does he want?

Zoro did not stir and ignored Sanji's presence, even as his footsteps grew closer.

'Oi Marimo, what you doing awake at this time?'

Zoro sighed, but did not break his gaze.

'Wouldn't you like to know asshole. . .'

'WHO YOU CALLIN AN ASSHOLE? SHITTY SWORDSMAN, I ASKED YOU A QUESTION NOW ANSWER IT!'

'Asshole' did not move. The unreadable expression on his face gave Sanji no clue to how he was feeling or what his next actions might be. An uncomfortable silence followed, which worried the cook. Zoro usually responded an insult with . . . well an insult, almost immediately afterwards. Maybe there was something wrong with him after all.

After a few minutes a mumble left the swordsman's lips, just loud enough for Sanji to hear.

'Can't sleep . . . bad dreams'

Sanji had never seen Zoro like this before, and was unsure how to respond. He contemplated insulting him again but that would probably make things worse. After a short, careful think he responded.

'What . . . about?'

Zoro sighed.

'Wouldn't you like to know . . . '

AUTHORS NOTE:

Tadaaaa, I was going to make it longer, but the next events would be better in a separate chapter.

Apologies once again for the lack of action but the next chapter is going to be quite long. And I promise action! xD

Thank you for your comments so far =]

Keep them coming I really appreciate them.

Hopefully I have not made any mistakes with grammar or spelling.