Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece, Eichiro Oda created it, and Shonen Jump owns it. I make no money for the writing of this fanfiction.
A day later on the ship that the Straw Hats called home, Usopp tinkered over a chemistry set, trying to mix just the right proportion of gunpowder while Chopper ground medicine in his mortar and pestle. Normally both best friends would do such work in their respective factory and office, but the sunlight dancing on the waves mirrored the bright sun overhead. It was perfect to work out from under decks in the open air, since the tension on the ship lately had been thick and able to be cut with one of Sanji's sharp knives.
Somewhere under the trees, they saw the shape of Zoro napping, and looked up at one another. A small bruise had developed on Zoro's face, since he and Sanji had last argued about something earlier that day.
"Is it just me, or are Sanji and Zoro both arguing a lot less lately?" muttered Chopper. "Normally that bruise would be a lot deeper, and he'd have a few more…"
"You suggesting that they're just playing at fighting and not fighting more seriously?" chuckled Usopp, gingerly adding some of his powder to the next vial. He was careful not to shake his hand that tipped the sodium nitrate into the sulfur and charcoal.
"A month ago such a bruise from a Party Table Kick course would have been far less superficial," Chopper whispered to Usopp, leaning close. "So I think it's weird because they're both not causing as much damage to each other the usual way. But I did see some strange bite marks on Zoro's neck… indicative of…"
"Human or animal?" asked Usopp, frowning a bit.
"Human. The diameter of either a woman or man's mouth…" trailed off Chopper, before he blushed deeply. "This could mean one of two things."
"Chopper, I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. They didn't break the skin did they?" Usopp asked, chuckling.
"No, but bites like that usually accompany people in intimate relationships. And if such things are going on, I need to know so I can prescribe birth control or…" trailed off Chopper, still bright red.
"It could be male or female," murmured Usopp, seeing that Chopper had no judgmental look in his eyes. Only concern.
"Zoro has a secret lover on board?" Chopper murmured. "Or else…"
"One way or another I'm sure we'll find out…" Usopp agreed. Both of them noticed that Zoro had turned away, snoring more deeply. The shadows provided by Nami's trees were welcome on a day where the sun was high in the zenith.
Chopper's ears twitched and he glanced skywards, alerting Usopp that his friend had heard something he could not. A shadow crossed overhead and they heard the familiar squawk of a seagull circling the ship. Looking at each other they both said, "mail call!"
A pile of letters and the newspaper landed not far from them seconds later, and both of them tripped over one another trying to rush towards the pile of mail. A few sets of hands sprouted, uprighting them while another set of hands picked up the mail and started to sort it. Not far away, the ship's archeologist sat in her chair further up on the lawn and crossed her arms over her chest.
"One for Zoro," Robin called out, reading his name on an envelope.
"ZORO! You got mail!" Usopp called out, taking his usual letter from Kaya, and a bundle of magazines. Chopper flicked through his medical journals eagerly.
"Oh?" Zoro mumbled, opening his eye and glancing up. Usopp waved the letter over his head and ran towards the swordsman quickly, who couldn't be bothered to do more than sit up.
"Here you go!" Usopp said as he dropped it on Zoro's chest. The swordsman yawned, stretching both arms before he caught hold of the letter. He glanced up at Usopp who still crouched over him.
"You missing something?" he asked, sitting up under the tree.
"Well… you haven't gotten an actual letter in a while…" Usopp trailed off.
"Don't you have anything more interesting to do then worry about my mail? Go deliver a few letters to shit cook," grunted Zoro, rolling his eyes. Getting the hint, Usopp rushed off. Zoro's eye traced over the mail, and surprise gleamed in the dark gaze.
"The hell…" he trailed off, frowning. He slit the envelope open, and pulled out the letter folded inside. The more he read, the angrier he became. Yosako and Jonny both were in trouble, but that wasn't the worse of it.
It was personal. Koshiro needed him. And needed him soon. An old matter from the past was spelled out in black and white. Brow wrinkling in worry Zoro climbed to his feet, and carried the letter with him as he went to the men's quarters. He didn't want anyone else to see before he had the chance to properly read what he had just laid eyes upon.
As first mate, he shared many things with his captain. Unfortunately, if his own dream conflicted with the goal of the captain and the others, or something proved detrimental to the captain, priority was given to taking care of the immediate needs. Old business like this could interfere with the mission of the Straw Hats.
They didn't need to be dragged into this mess. No, he had created it himself. Koshiro needed him, and needed him ASAP.
Inside the galley, Nami sat down at the bar, and watched Sanji as he fixed a snack. Her eyes admired the way he moved, and she felt a tingle in her at the thought of what the cook and the swordsman had done with her the previous day.
"Here you are, my princess," Sanji hummed, setting a plate of refreshments down in front of her.
Unfortunately, the navigator tensed. She turned her gaze away and mumbled, "Don't call me that idiot…"
Sanji's brow lowered and he rounded the bar. He asked, "Nami swan, what do you mean?"
"Don't call me princess!" Nami insisted, frowning as she glared at him.
"But You ARE a princess. You deserve the very best, and I only mean the utmost respect when I call you such…" Sanji began, but he flinched seeing Nami leap to her feet and spin around so her back faced him. Just what had he said now? Cursing himself, he shook his head and reached out to touch her but Nami shrugged him off.
"No… I don't!" she snapped.
"But you do! You deserve my worship and my admiration, Nami swan… how can I not see you as my princess?" Sanji asked, voice caught in his throat.
Fists at her sides, Nami blurted out, "Don't tell me what I should and shouldn't deserve!"
"Is it so wrong to want to do something nice for someone you love? Give them what they think they deserve? Such a thing doesn't diminish you!" Sanji managed to get out. Frustration filled up Nami as she shook but the feelings were so alien she loathed herself.
Through reddened cheeks she cried, "Damn it Sanji, I'm not a princess! I'm not some holier than though…"
"Now and forever you're a princess to me, Nami," Sanji called out over her words, hands taking hold of her arms. "You can't change my mind."
"Argh you are IMPOSSIBLE!" Nami shrieked out until Sanji pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly to himself. Without being perverted, he just offered her the comfort of his body close to hers. Nami shivered at the closeness she remembered that Usopp or Luffy platonically gave. Why was the pervert chef being so… unperverted?
"Why don't you think you deserve to be treated like a princess? To be valued, adored and loved? You love the finer things, and I just want to give them to you, my Nami Swan," whispered Sanji, rubbing the back of her neck. Unaccustomed to him being so honest Nami swallowed hard.
"You're stubborn, and a pain in the ass, Sanji," she muttered, not letting go.
"You'll always be the love of my life, Nami swan, the one woman that I adore above all others. I'm sorry but I can't change my feelings," Sanji admitted. At this point, Nami felt her resistance melting, listening to what he was really saying.
Drawing back from her, Sanji cupped her cheek, digging into his pocket to pull out a handkerchief. She let the idiot dry her tears, half of her annoyed and embarrassed. The other half felt unworthy. Nam fought the urge to roll her eyes. If she refused him and his comfort, it would hurt his feelings. Zoro had told them to look after one another. Finally, she calmed down enough to mumble, "I need a drink…"
"Shh, sit down and relax, and I'll bring you one, love," he murmured, causing her to swallow again.
She heard him singing to himself as he moved about the kitchen. Why did he get so disgustingly happy when she simply accepted what he had to give? It didn't take long for a drink with a paper umbrella stuck in it to appear at her elbow. Just smelling it gladdened Nami's heart so she picked it up and cooed out, "Thank you Sanji kun!"
"You're most welcome, love," murmured Sanji, smiling in relief. However, he caught a glimpse of someone storming past the galley. A familiar green haired moss head that both he and the navigator had come to view dearly.
"The hell…" Nami asked, as she clutched her drink and saw the same thing. "That's Zoro isn't it? But isn't he supposed to be napping?"
"Usually yes," said Sanji, walking after his 'princess' as he sensed that something wasn't quite right. Zoro should have entered the galley by now if he had woken from his nap. Placing a cigarette between his lips, Sanji flicked his silver lighter, and inhaled deeply. Both he and Nami followed the swordsman to the men's quarters.
For some reason she felt her hand reach for Sanji's, and his protective hand closed over hers. Why was her own sweating?