Robin pressed up off her knees and stood. Chopper looked up at her, a little surprised to see her get up to suddenly with such a look of determination.'
"Robin." He whispered.
Robin's face soften again as she willingly decided to put up a mask. "Then I shall get going. Where is this poneglyph located?"
The archeologist didn't want to miss any opportunity to see it, especially if it was going to be in danger particularly soon. Normally she didn't believe in people who claimed to see the future, but unless it had been written on her face without her knowledge, there was no other possible way the woman before them knew about her and the Rio Poneglpyh.
"Oh." The woman sat up straighter, like she wasn't expecting her to want to leave right away. "There's no hurry, you'll get there just in time... It's near the top of the mountain, at our temple."
Robin gave a slight nod and turned to exit. Everyone else kind of sensed this was the end and were getting up when the fortune teller beckoned them to stay.
"Oh no please don't go yet. I still owe you your fortunes. The least I can do for you saving our poneglpyh."
Nami narrowed her eyes, looking the fortune teller down. "We.. aren't going to save it."
The fortune teller laughed, moving her hair back from her shoulder, exposing enough flesh that Sanji almost went wild.
"Oh, of course." She grinned before looking over the others.
Chopper frowned again. He had really been exciting about hearing about his future. Brook glanced down and noticed the disappointment on his face that they were already leaving and placed his cane down.
"Ah, Nami-san, surely it wouldn't matter if we stayed behind for at least one fortune." He suggested.
Nami looked at him just as skeptically then noticed Chopper. She smiled slightly, recognizing the expression of hope drawn on his tiny features. She nodded her head before trying to exit.
"Yeah sure. I'll grab Robin and we'll go get some supplies so we can make the trip. You guys have fun." She playfully winked and exited, making her way after Robin.
Zoro let out a huff at the gesture. Was she purposely trying to rile the cook up? Really? Sanji's face seemed to be blushing just from the wink and it wasn't even for him. What a trip. Chopper happily spun back to look at the fortune teller, staring up at her expectantly. She smiled widely that her eyes seemed to close and she ruffled his hair.
"You'll be experiencing your biggest medical discovery soon." She told him soft and kindly. Her eye's couldn't help but glance upward at Sanji, then rest at his stomach. Chopper followed her gaze, putting two and two together. "Don't worry, you'll know what to do. You're the best." She continued.
That relieved the Doctor as he giggled. He'd been worried about something in the future he'd have no choice but to deal with, a delivery of sorts. Still, that wasn't why he was noodling around.
"You bastard! Calling me the best does not make me happy!"
Sanji took a step back, a chill still lingering on his spine from that glance up. He felt like some open science experiment or something when it was put that way. The fortune teller stood up straighter and turned to him, giving him a comforting but all knowing smile. Sanji felt awkwardly aware the attention was now on him. It confused him though that she'd glance past him.
"I"m sorry, I'd like to give you your fortunes, but that will have to wait." She glanced back over to Brooke. "I can't show you my panties either, I can only hope that you will hurry on your way to the temple now."
Sanji released the breath he wasn't aware he'd been holding. Zoro's eye was watching him closely, observing the way his body seemed to untense. So the Cook had been just as concerned had he? Well, it had been avoided for now.
Brooke threw his head back and laughed, his only questioned seemingly already been heard and answered.
"Ah, well, thank you Miss Fortune Teller! We must be getting on our way then."
Chopper laughed and jumped happily again. "Yeah thanks!"
Sanji, whose cheeks were still a bit rosey in embarrassment from that near scare, just let his hands fall back to his pockets and for once opted to just nod to her in acknowledgment instead of swooning. She hadn't needed to say anything and Sanji already felt exposed. The fortune teller didn't press for anything more though and she followed the boys outside her shop.
"You'll find the path to the temple at the end of town. Please hurry though, although I know they are coming I cannot judge a precise amount of time."
"Alright guys," Nami started, holding her grip tight on their overly indulged captain.
The rest of the crew just stared on in mild amusement, this a sight they'd constantly seen before. They were all ashore now, standing just a few feet away from the docked Sunny.
"We don't know how much time we have but we've got to find this poneglyph. The gypsy said it was in the temple in the mountains so lets get going, kay?"
"Time? Why? What's.. what's going to happen when it runs out?" Asked Ussop, his brows furrowed in mild concern.
He and Franky were just as confused as their Captain in regards to what they were doing. They just heard the word poneglyph, knew it applied to Robin and signed on. Not necessarily the part that had risk. Though, Ussop was probably still the only one who had a problem with that.
Zoro, who had his head lowered slightly with his eyes closed while he listened, came back to life and looked at their sharpshooter friend. He grinned slightly in amusement at his usual worry and concerns, since Zoro had nothing but anticipation for their arriving guests.
"The Navy's on their way."
They could all see the visible sweet on Ussop's temple at that. Robin chuckled, holding her exploration bag a little tighter. She was excited and although it didn't show, very pleased everyone would be joining her on her trip. However she couldn't help but take the opportunity to express her usual morbid humor.
"It might even be a trap to gather us all up there." She chuckled.
That totally made Ussop shake, but this time even Chopper joined in.
"T-Trap!?" They both whimpered in unison.
Nami face palmed, releasing her grasp on Luffy, who just laughed as he stood up straighter.
"Sounds fun! Let's go!"
"Eh, Luffy, Don't you think that someone should probably stay back and watch the ship?" Ussop began to ramble.
Luffy's eyes traveled to him, his face still determined as he simply stated. "Nope."
Welp, that settled it then. They all began on their way, passing through the village again through its market. Sanji tried his best to avoid looking at the fortune tellers place, his body tensing again just at the thought that she knew. It was one thing if Zoro, Luffy or Chopper knew but when it was a stranger it was ten times more frightening. It felt like she had something over Sanji, in a way.
He jerked forward though when there was a poke in the center of his back from an agitating bastard. Sanji shot Zoro a dark glare, but the swordsman wasn't wearing a teasing expression he was expecting. It was more, concerning, a rare sight that Sanji was beginning to see much to often these days.
"Oi..." He muttered harshly.
The swordsman didn't even have to finish his sentence. As weird as a couple Sanji and Zoro were, it only got weirder at the fact they could just read what the other one wanted from their expressions. Which at first you wouldn't believe, they both usually just looked pissed off, but perhaps that's just how used to one another they'd become. Zoro's scowl was still soft as he scanned Sanji's face, asking him if he would be alright.
Sanji's eyes jerked away in annoyance. Always worrying about him, sheesh! When had he become made of glass? But then again, he wasn't really doing that hot himself. The sun was beating down on them and he wasn't exactly in sport wear. His vest seemed to just be getting tighter but he dismissed it. Some things were worth pushing through, as long as it was a small victory.
He didn't even have to look to know Chopper's ears were twitching as he made a motion to over listen, no doubt just as concerned as Zoro. They had no idea how tiring this trip to this secret ponyglyph temple would be and then later the Navy might be showing up... Of course their over protective radars were sounding.
Sanji slid his hands into his pockets further and sent the swordsman a half second glance before turning back towards where they were headed. No one else in the group seemed to be listening, focused on their own discussions.
"I'm fine." He hissed lowly, though to Zoro it was more a comforting reassurance.
It kind of embarrassed Sanji, the way they kept prodding him about it. He wasn't even that far gone yet, he'd be able to handle himself. Surely he knew his own limits. The group came to a halt though once they reached the more vegetated area of town.
"Seriously?" Nami said with a frown.
She said what everyone had been thinking. How was it that conveniently there would be three pathways up into the forest to these mountain temples. Robin brought up her hand, lightly chuckling at their expense.
"I don't suppose she mentioned anything about which path after we left?" She asked, eyeing at the others.
The boys all shook their head, Ussop just shaking in general. Luffy stuck his finger in his ear, staring blankly ahead at the paths, as if about to just choose any given one.
"We'll have to split up." Franky said, lifting up his shades to look down the paths. He rolled his shoulders a bit, glancing at the crew before lifting three fingers. "Three paths, three groups of three."
Robin just hummed more in her amusement. "How convenient."
Chopper pressed his lips together worriedly, glancing around. "You don't think it really is a trap right?" He said softly.
Zoro reached down to pat at his hat and glanced down another path. His eager and adventurous grin was back. "One way to find out."
Luffy's grin seemed to match Zoro's enthusiasm. It wasn't until long that Nami had pulled out their famous crew straws to decide who went where, so of course it'd only be fair.
"Alright guys, you know the drill. Pick a straw and that color will be your team." She announced, holding out her hand.
One by one, each with either excited or far less excited expressions, picked out their straws. It went pretty simple, the Yellow team, the main Robin exploration team, consisted of Robin, Luffy and Chopper. The second team, also known as the red team, was Nami, Zoro and Ussop. Which awkwardly left Sanji in the company of Franky and Brook. Not that he was complaining, it might be nice not to have people who would worry about every step he took.
"YOSH!" Luffy annouced, throwing his arms in the air. "Let's go!"
He was very excited it seemed and he decided to take the closet path too him, running before Nami could even finish their speech about what they should do if they find it instead of the others. She cursed at him while Robin just idly followed after. Chopper wasn't as excited though. He was, but his doctor conscious was bothering him.
"Hold on." He told Robin, glancing up at her before running over to Sanji.
That made some eyebrows raise on what he might need to give or tell Sanji. Sanji's eyebrows rose. The hell was Chopper doing? Trying to get the spot light on him? Chopper motioned for him to bend down, which he did. Then the small doctor whispered in his ear.
"Please don't fight Sanji." He whispered sweetly.
Sanji lowered his eyes, standing back up straighter. He wasn't making any promises. Chopper seemed to have knew he'd feel that way, sending him a warning glare before hurrying off after the rest of his team. Sanji glanced around at the remaining crew that watched him expectantly, like he was going to fill them in. He shrugged.
"Just reminded me not to taste anything local till he could test it." He lied, saying the first thing that popped into his head.
Nami stared at him suspiciously before nodding and glancing at her teammates.
"Alright well, since they went on that path we should go on this-" She had began, pointing to the one closest. She was stopped though by Zoro pointing at the other.
"It's that one."
She glared. "No, it's not. It's this one."
Zoro looked her down annoyed. "Listen Sea witch-"
"What was that? Want to double your debt?"
"H-hey guys lets not fight before we have to.." Ussop squeaked.
It didn't take much though. Sanji spin his foot around to kick Zoro in the back of the head, forcing the swordsman forward. He earned himself a delightful scowl but Sanji wanted to grin. Ah how much he wanted to beat that swordsman into a pulp.
"Don't argue with Nami-swan." He demanded. "Just follow her you shitty Marimo."
Zoro cursed under his breath. If he could attack back right now.. he swore.. Instead since he couldn't without possibly doing more damage than good, he just turned toward the path Nami had pointed out, still grumbling. Nami however smiled, thanking Sanji before they were on their way.
That left the purple group standing still at the opening. Brook was still lightly laughing to himself from the scene that had unfolded only moments ago.
"Alright, let's get moving." Suggested Sanji, taking the lead down the last and final path.
Sanji was beginning to sweat as they entered more of the humid forest and he wanted to get there as soon as he could. Needless to say though even that was becoming difficult. It had to be Sanji's hormones, or so he hoped, that made the hike up so unbearable. Usually he could put up with a lot, but seriously having a traveling band moving with him was a bit much. Brooke had brought his violin, which he was playing pleasantly as they moved. Franky was singing along, making up a song as he went.
They stopped though about half way through the path, or at least Sanji honestly hoped it was half way. It had already been forever it seemed and now it was painfully obvious their path was definitely not the right one. It would seem they went a back way, completely around one of the mountains to the backside where they were close to the sea opposite the side they docked.
The sight just made Sanji groan. Because out on the sandy beaches below in the distance, at the waters edge, several marine ships were docked. Well, shit. Who knew how long they had been here since no one thought to check the backside. They could already be out and in the mountains themselves.
"Shit. Do you think everyone else knows?" Franky asked roughly, scanning over the ships, his eyes studying their designs and cannons.
Sanji gave a half shrug. "I'm sure they've probably found out." He breathed, catching the attention of his teammates.
Franky's eyes sort of widened at Sanji's redden face. He was breathing harder too. Brook turned also in alarm, no doubt staring at him even though he hadn't any eyes.
"Sanji-san! Are you alright? Perhaps you should sit down." The skeleton stepped to the side, offering a rock that he was close to on the path.
Sanji took a deep breath and shook his head. Shit well there goes being incognito. "Nah, I'm fine. It's just so fucking hot." He chuckled softly, trying to play it off.
Franky's eyes had narrowed though, knowing their cook was lying.
"Maybe you should take off your vest or something then, cause it feels mega super outside to us."
Brooke nodded. Sanji glanced between them again. His vest? Nah, not an option. He jerked his head away.
"No, it's fine." He assured them again, though his back was turned to them.
He peeled off his bag he was traveling with, relieved the weight was off his back. He'd packed lunches for everyone's bags before they had left, being it his cooking duty, but luckily remembered to store himself a clasped bottle of water in his own bag. He pulled it out, lifting it up to gesture to the other two.
"Just need some water is all."
He wasn't able to drink his water though. When Sanji was just about to bring the heavenly liquid to his lips, there was a rustle in the trees and bushes ahead. He lowered his glass, scanning outward while Franky and Brooke came to alert.
A few Navy men emerged, their eyes growing wide at spotting them.
"P-Pirates!" One shouted out, pointing obnoxiously.
The one closest to him made an awkward sound of fear before yelling back to other members of their group. "Go tell the captain!"
Quickly they were all rushing into the clearing one after another, pointing their weapons up high and at the straw hat men. Sanji's eye scanned over them. They weren't even the strongest of the pack, he knew, but something about imagining kicking their asses actually exhausted him more, which only led to frustration.
"Sanji-san, we can handle this!" Brook announced, taking a step forward.
The fro man withdrew his sword from its cane sheath. Franky took a step forward on the other side of Sanji, cracking his enormous knuckles.
"Yeah, we got this curly bro."
Sanji looked over at both of them, unsure how to respond. How was it they didn't even know of his condition, but because he looked a little under the weather he yet again got shoved to the back? He didn't need protecting damn it.
At that point it appeared the squads captain broke through the crowd, surrounded by several other large intimidating marines. Ah, here were the main group then, not just your ordinary recruits, the one that really proved a challenge. And, as fate would have it, there were enough for each of them to have some fun.
"Well, isn't this shitty fantastic?"
Author's Note: ohohoho. What ever could happen next, I wonder? XD Hope you enjoyed though this was sort of just filler into the side story ~! Thanks for all the reviews and favorites/follows. ;u; you are the best and make me so happy. I hope this is the best mpreg ever for you XD
