Of course, there's no such thing as peace and tranquility for pirates such as the Strawhats.

It was mid-morning and Zoro was hovering over the cook, waiting for Sanji to wake up. He was still groggy from sleep and only had the slightest interest to stand up. He was content with taking in the blonde's breathtaking features. The sun's rays coming from the lone window in their hotel room were a bit unwelcome. Last night was one of the best nights that he had with the cook and he wanted to savor it. Yes, they had not done it yet, but the cook was definitely warming up.

The soft breaths that Sanji were taking in and breathing out was calming, soothing his boiling feelings for the man. He'd never been in love and he had no way to assume that he was in love with the cook until Thriller Bark. Sure, he'd been enthralled by the cook's brilliance in fighting and cooking ever since he had been asked to join the crew by Luffy. But, his feelings were not this strong before. No, he had never even thought of his feelings for Sanji was love at first. It was admiration of some sort, just guised as nothing more than nakama-ship. Now, everything was laid out for Sanji. Whether he would choose to accept him for what he is or to ignore it.

All of Zoro's thoughts were cut when he heard a shout. "Zoro! Sanji! Marines!"

Startled, Sanji quickly stood up hit his head on Zoro's. "Damn, cook!"

"Marimo, what the fuck are you doing?!" Sanji exclaimed as he rubbed his forehead.

Nonchalantly, Zoro brushed his shirt and spoke, "Marines."

"I heard that, shithead." Sanji stood up as well, fixing the cuffs and collar of his shirt.

They walked out of the hotel and met up with the rest of the crew. Luffy was already wound up and ready for the fight that was sure to come. The forthcoming battle with the marines was inevitable. All of them had been chased by different admirals, one way or another after all. They're ready to fight, with their instincts and skills. This was nothing more than a simple training for them until they all reached their goals; their dreams.

The sky was a bit misty and it was still drizzling. It seemed that last night, when all of them hit the hay, the rain poured, something that would have been wonderfully cool, but unfortunately, it was not. The marines were there, surrounding them. White and blue uniforms, emblems of their sworn allegiance decorating it. It was such a sight to behold; something Zoro would want to see in hell. Well, technically, when there were marines, he felt like he was in hell - most of the time, anyway.

Zoro, Luffy, and Sanji take their positions, relying on their nakama to do the same. Zoro, swords drawn, and Sanji, attacked without looking back, attacking the enemies on each flank. Luffy rushed ahead, kicking and punching all the marines that were blocking his way to Sunny. They need not know what had happened. It was probably why Usopp was itching to sail the other day. One or more residents on the island probably alerted the marines that the Strawhats were there. After all, their bounties, except for Chopper's, would make their place bountiful. So much for being hospitable.

He felt Sanji's back against his as they were surrounded by lower ranking marines, but still definitely strong. Zoro soon realized that the corners of his mouth were turned up in a grin. Of course, this was how they fought. They fought together as if they owned the place. Eyes still on his enemy - a marine who was a bit lanky, but nevertheless had an aura that he couldn't place - he attacked, not bothering to look behind him to check on Sanji. He knew that the blonde didn't need his help. Not as of the moment.

It was chaos in the middle of the village. Fallen marines were herded by their allies to the opening of alleys that were not inhabited. Smoke, rubble, and all kinds of debris fell on them as Franky used his cannons to fight with the marines that had armory brought. Chopper was in his Heavy Point, the witch was using her clima-tact, and Robin, as usual, was breaking necks with her abilities. The skeleton and Usopp were nowhere to be found, but Zoro did not mind. He knew that they had their own styles of fighting. Whether they fought badly or with their heart and soul, he did not really care as long as they were all safe and not caught.

He turned around to look for another marine to fight after killing his last enemy and noticed that he was covered in blood. It was then that he realized that his arm was not working properly, blood oozing slowly from the said limb. There was a huge gash that he did not notice during his fight. He shrugged and decided that he should just exert more effort until the fight ended. It was not a big deal, he was used to getting hurt all the time and this was small compared to the injuries that he had had in the past.

Time passed and Zoro was about to charge to the marine that was sitting on a rock, seemingly oblivious to the riot that was happening around him. The person was neither interested or bored, Zoro decided. He was just indifferent. That was when he sensed someone move behind him, before he fell down. It was really absurd because he did not feel any pain. Not a spark, not heat. Nothing at all. It was like he was immobilized, just showing him the scenes in front of him as it all unfolded.

He could not see much. His eyes were clouded as fumes rose from different parts of the village. The light rain did not do much to dissipate the smoke around them. Zoro swallowed as he watched the drama happening right there. It was not much of chaos anymore. It was more like pandemonium at its finest. And because of his position, laying down - all of his weight - on his right shoulder, he could not see where his nakama had gone to.

He was a fighter; a swordsman. The best that there is, aside from Mihawk, of course. But this, this immobility, he could do nothing. He was paralyzed like a lame horse. He felt weak. He could only do so much at this point. Breathing erratically, he looked for signs as to where his nakama were. Amidst his static state, he knew that he could shout, speak, or simply state what had happened to him, but he could not. There was fear in his eyes; fear of what his nakama would think about him. A swordsman who was not even able to defend himself properly. Such a nuisance; a shame to the crew.

In the distance, he could hear the shouts of people, his crew and citizens alike. He had no idea what to do. He wanted to fight back. Fight and kill the bastard who had done this cowardly act to him. But how could he. He could not even vent his anger. Try as he might, he could not even move his fingers in this state. He closed his eyes and waited for something - or maybe someone - to notice his absence in the fight.

[-]

When Zoro woke up, eyes still closed, he could hear the others talking in panic about him. He sensed the IV drip line that was connected to him. He was still groggy, and could not focus on what was happening around him. He tried to listen to the hum of Chopper's machines, drowning out the sounds of anxiety coming from his nakama. The last thing he wanted was to hear them be in this state. He did not even want to see a certain someone worry about him. He was stronger than that. But, then again, he failed to fight even for himself. Thus, this situation he was in.

As soon as Chopper shooed the entire Strawhat crew, he began breathing calmly. He had been in this situation too many times before and was glad that he did not have to face the crew. Yet. Though the little doctor was sweet and childlike at times, he knew deep down that Chopper was seething as well. Seething because of Zoro's recklessness and because of not being able to avoid the predicament that his patient was in, too. Zoro could hear the reindeer shuffle about, taking notes and making sure that Zoro was getting the right dose of medication.

"Chopper," Zoro uttered the name endearingly.

"Oh, Zoro!" the little doctor squeaked. It was as if he was sure Zoro was not going to wake up yet.

"What's the verdict?" Zoro finally looked down to capture the doctor's eyes.

Chopper's hat was lowered, shadowing his eyes a bit. "You were poisoned! I didn't know where it started. I had to check on all of your injuries just to make sure," the reindeer rambled on. "I found a small puncture wound on your nape, which I presume was where the poison was injected. I still haven't brewed an antidote so, I suggest that you should stay here until then."

Thankfully, Zoro learned, as Chopper continued his findings, was almost immune to the poison. He was only immobilized whereas if he were weaker, he would have been dead after a minute the poison took effect. Chopper's words should have relaxed and assured him, but it didn't. He still felt weak. He should not have underestimated his opponents. As a swordsman, he still had a long way to go and beat Mihawk. What a pathetic swordsman he was.

There, his negativity was brewing, like stew in direct heat. What a bullshit experience! He should not call himself a fighter at all. He should go back to the dojo and fuck himself up with all of his katanas. It wasn't supposed to be this way. All he could do was train harder and forget all of his leisure. He should be more focused.

The following days after Chopper was sure that most of the poison was flushed away from Zoro's body and his immune system was working properly, he was released. He felt like he was freed from his shackles. This time, he was going to strengthen his resolve. He would work hard and be the swordsman that he would like to be.

He worked hard every fucking day. He trained, avoided drinking any alcoholic drinks - when he forgot - and steeled himself from looking at the crew. He only visited Chopper to tend to his wounds from the recent battle. Other than that, he did not care. Even Luffy understood him. Luffy did not bother him when he worked out and trained (or meditated) outdoors.

He did not care when the witch shouted at him for being too careless when training; he did not care when Usopp, Brook and Franky made fun of him; he did not care when the cook was being annoying. In other words, he remained focused on his training. His swords were the only things that were in his mind. Those and his dream.

He was working out, torso glistening with sweat when the cook entered the crow's nest. "Oi, Marimo."

Zoro did not look nor glance at the cook, weights on his hands, he spoke, "What do you want?" His voice straining as he lifted the weights.

The cook did not speak, but he could smell the enticing food that the cook prepared. Still, it did nothing to waver him from his focus. One, two, three, he counted in his mind, waiting for the cook to leave. He heaved as he flexed his arms as he brought the weights over his head and down, repeatedly.

"What did I do, Marimo?" Sanji asked, his tone quiet and low. Smoke infiltrated Zoro's senses as the cook breathed the deadly stick.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Zoro's tone was passive. He still avoided looking at the blonde. He dropped the weights and grabbed one of his swords, cutting the air with each swipe.

"You're avoiding me." Sanji stated.

Zoro heard a soft clink of china on the floor. It seemed that whatever the cook brought him was placed on the floor. He could smell the enticing aroma of food circling in the air along with the bitter smell of smoke.

Sanji sighed heavily as he shifted his weight. "I brought you food."

When Zoro did not react, Sanji quietly left, not bothering to ask anymore questions.

[-]

On the next few weeks, Chopper and Robin were busy. They spent their days poring over books. According to Chopper, they wanted to look for more information about the type of poison that was injected in him. Knowing the little doctor and Robin, they would not stop until they found the answer that they were looking for.

Medical books and other kinds of books that Robin kept with her from her village were open, the pages marked with red ink and whatnot. She seemed at peace at what she and Chopper were doing. They were both in their element.

In Chopper's hand was a pencil, chewed up at the end, obviously used as teeter instead of its intended purpose. He was reading a book about medicinal plants and plants that have toxins when he squeaked and jumped up from his seat.

"I think I got it!" Chopper exclaimed.

Robin took the tome from the little doctor and read the information that was found. The raven-haired woman furrowed her eyebrows as she took in all the data. "I see," she interjected knowledgeably.

"What is it?" Zoro asked. He was leaning against the wall near the door and bookshelves.

He had been watching the two since that morning as he paused his practice. He had been closer to the doctor since he decided to avoid any distractions, finding Chopper endearingly cute at times.

Chopper went to a drawer and produced mortar and pestle, and placed it on his desk. "I'll be right back. I need Sanji's help for this."

Zoro's eyes widened for a second before he put up his defenses. He looked nonchalant, as if he did not care about what Chopper had said. Why did he need the shit-cook's help? Well, whatever. It's Chopper and not him.

When Chopper left, Zoro turned to Robin and asked the same thing that he had asked the doctor. "What did you find?"

Robin looked at him with those black eyes and spoke intellectually. "Oh, Chopper found out the source of the poison that was used to immobilize you. It's called black locust. On the island where we docked for a while, it was abundant with this plant. While its other uses are purely medical, its toxicity can produce cardiac arrhythmia, weakness, depression, and anorexia. These were often found in animals that were tested such as horses, but of course, poison is poison after all." Robin continued to tell Zoro about the black locust and how it can be poisonous.

Finally, Chopper came back with the plant and fervently pulverized the plant into powder. He explained to Zoro that once he was able to turn it into powder, he would mix other chemicals that could make the poison into an antidote. Zoro only nodded as he listened to the doctor talk about its purposes and what would happen to Zoro once he had taken it. Zoro took the medicine after Chopper was done with it, which was really bitter to the palate and had a sour after taste.

"You should drink it twice a day, preferably after eating. That means no alcohol for one week. I know that you would not probably listen to me, so I made sure that Sanji would keep all of the liquor locked away from you." Chopper told Zoro.

So maybe that was why Chopper went to the cook earlier. But what did he care anyway? Zoro nodded and went to the crow's nest to relax. The antidote was working already; he could feel his upper body becoming loose and he was getting a little woozy. He sat down by the window and leaned his head against the windowsill and sleep took him quickly.

[-]

"I don't need your fucking pity, damn cook!" Zoro shouted, fed up with Sanji's spiels about knowing how he felt. "You don't have any idea what I'm going through! You only want someone to notice you, and guess what? I'm done with you!"

Zoro was seething. His eyes, he knew, were emitting the aura of his inner demon. Right then, he did not care whether Sanji really cared about him, he did not want it. He did not need any help nor pity, or anything in between. All he wanted was peace as he waited for the time until he was stronger; better. His shoulders were rigid as he tried his best not to kill the cook that instant.

Zoro just woke up from his nap when the cook kicked him on his side. Apparently, the cook had been waiting for him to wake up to talk to him. He had been avoiding any conversation with the cook since being poisoned. He did not want to see Sanji's eyes - or eye since the other's fringe kept on hiding the other - and find pity in them. He had enough of that from himself.

"What do you want from me, shitty cook?!" he exclaimed, still muddled and disoriented from waking up and the effects of the antidote.

"I'm worried about you, Marimo!" Sanji stated. "You don't eat much and you spend too much time training. You'll exhaust yourself to death!"

"What do you care?" Zoro said. The cook was becoming a vexing problem. He would not be able to concentrate now. He would feel lust and love again. He could not be bothered by those things until he reached his goal.

"I know what you're going through. If you need someone to talk to, I will be here. I'm willing to listen to you." Sanji said, walking closer to the swordsman.

"I don't care and I know that you don't. Stop pretending that you care. Stop this bullshit now, cook. I don't know why you're pushing yourself to do this." Zoro stood up and looked straight into the blonde's eyes. "I don't care about anything that you're saying. You stay out of my business."

If he let Sanji go now, he would probably have less time to brood. He would have less pain in getting his heart broken. The last thing that he wanted was to lose focus on his goal. Right now, that's the only thing that he should think about.

If he'd still be there, then he would be happy. And if not, then that would be up to fate. "Go. Leave me be. Or so help me, I would kill you."

TBC


I am really sorry, but this fic is morphing into something with so much angst. Well, we'll see what would happen on the next.

What did you think about it though? :)

P.S. Don't kill me.