(I do not own one piece)
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"You know; just once would it have hurt for you to just listen when people are talking to you Luffy?" Sanji asked glancing over at his captain.
Luffy's ears twitch, and he flinches away from Sanji's disapproving glare. "I'm Sorry, ok? I just…" he sighs. "She said to only to eat till I was satisfied. How was I supposed to know this would happen to me?" He paused for a moment, shoulders slumped in remorse. "Ne Sanji? Will these really go away if I don't eat anything?" he asks pointing at his tail and ears.
"Well, It's only a theory, but it's Robin Chans theory, so it's about as good as it gets." He says glancing over at the boy again and he can't help by chuckle at the boy's appearance. "If it makes you feel any better, it looks good on you", he adds in amusement, as he reaches over and tickles the ears on top of the Luffy's head.
"Why couldn't it be something cool then like a tiger or a panther, or a bear?" Luffy asks. "Why does it have to be a pig?" He grumbles trying to adjust his tail in his paints. The thing was annoying, even though it was pretty small.
"Well technically, it would be a hog, since pigs are female." Sanji supplied. "and it's probably because pigs, and hogs are associated with those who eat a lot without really needing to."
"But I do need to." Luffy argued. "I burn a lot of energy."
" Yeah, when you're fighting, but you eat like that all the time." Sanji says. "Don't worry though, there are a lot of people who look like they are part animal. So, even if it doesn't go away it will be fine. But I think it will after you fast for a while. Robin Chan says that the sins have to be countered with their virtues after all."
Luffy grumbled a little more as they made their way across the island, until suddenly, they heard a surprised gasp coming from the ship.
"Luffy what happened to you?"
}-
Let's go this way! Nami said, as she dragged Usopp to the left.
Realistically all of the corridors looked about the same, and Usopp didn't really care what way they went, so he pretty much just let the redhead dictate their direction. He only hoped they didn't run into trouble. Of course judging by what happened to Luffy in the banquet hall, he almost wished he had gone with Sanji and Luffy back to the ship.
"Everything looks the same." he complained as Nami dragged him in another random direction. "what if we get lost?"
"I'm not Zoro!" Nami scolded him. "I know what I am doing, I'm a navigator remember?"
"Yeah, but I don't see any clouds around here!" Usopp muttered before going silent.
Every now and then, they would happen upon a door, but each time they would find it locked, and would be forced to keep moving.
"What…what are we hoping to find anyway? Usopp asked. It's not like we can make off with their treasure or something. May…Maybe we should just turn around and go back to the ship?" He suggested in a small trembling voice.
"Come on Usopp, don't be wimping out on me now. We are trying to find out what happened to the ship remember? Like why haven't we seen anyone.? What was with those birds outside and the table with all the food even though no one is around? And what happened with Luffy? I don't know about you, but I want some answers." She finished, as she led him forward with determination.
}-
"This is a super cool ship" Franky remarked, as his hands traced the engraved markings along the wall. He had noticed the markings several minutes ago, and was immediately fascinated. "It's almost like a giant map."
"Yeah, but it seems to repeat a lot, so maybe not?" Robin wondered aloud." It certain is an interesting pattern though. I wonder if it means something. Franky, have you noticed it's getting lighter in here, the further we continue down this hallway?" she asked.
"Yeah, but that's a super good thing isn't it? It means we can see the engravings better. It's really hard to figure them out in the dark."
As the lighting increased in the corridor, Franky and Robin got a good look at the marking stretching from one end of the hall to the other. While in some places it really seemed quite random, and in others it repeated, there was definitely some pattern connecting it all. It was a series of lines and sharp edges, but now and then it would curve one and then another, opening up into a square, with a lot of smaller squares inside of it. Then it would open back up and continue on again. "Doesn't this look like a room Franky?" Robin mentioned. "It's almost like this same room is in several different places. Or maybe the entire thing is just on repeat, because most of the areas are dark and we can't see them."
Franky walked over and looked closer at the engravings that Robin was talking about. It did resemble a room, with maybe computer equipment along one wall. A few objects that resembled chairs was in front of them, and along another side were several circular components. In the middle of the room stood another square with several different shapes on it, and the chair-like objects were scattered all the way around it.
"That's what it super looks like alright. Maybe if we continue down this hallway we will find it?" He asked in a hopeful manner. "I would love to see how this baby works." He said.
Robin just smiled as they continued down the hall, exploring the engravings as they go.
_ }-
Zoro winced as the charges against him were announced. "How do I plea?" He asked looking around at the still empty room. "Where are you?" He demanded. The room stayed silent.
Zoro walked over to the first door he saw and tried it, but it wouldn't budge. He tried another and it fared no better, and each other in succession was the same.
How am I supposed to answer that? I barely remember what you said? He asked in frustration, now trying to pry the door open with one of his swords.
After a few minutes and no progress, he runs a hand through his hair. This was just like the beach room, only now Luffy wasn't with him. Thinking of that made him think of the kiss and Luffy's response to it, causing him to blush.
"Arghhh" He groaned. "Now is not the time for this, and why am I thinking of Luffy now anyway? He's not even the one… Oh never mind."
Suddenly the voice Booms through the room again. "How do you plea.?
Zoro groaned one more time, and shook his head. He was going to have to figure this out or he would be stuck here.
"Pride? I… Admit I have my faults." He starts, feeling more than a little silly to be talking to thin air, but he has no other idea what to do in this situation. "I don't like depending on others. I don't like to feel week. I guess I fight because I want to prove to myself that I am not. But also because I promised Kuena that I would become the world's best Swordsman for her, since she can't reach that goal herself anymore." He sighed. "But I also want it for myself and for my captain and crew. My captain deserves to have a strong crew that can help him fulfill his goals, just like he wants to help all of us fulfil ours. I know it's not always easy to understand, but it's something I feel like I need to do. It's important. I don't do it because I want to be more important than anyone else, I just want to prove myself, and to be able to protect my friends. I know you have no reason to believe me, cause to be honest I do kind of like the rush I feel when I am fighting someone who is strong… I don't kill anyone though unless it's in self-defense, or if I am trying to protect someone. I'm not saying it's a good reason, just that It's not like I like to kill. So I guess that's why you didn't find me guilty of wrath."
"Um… "Zoro rubbed the back of his read roughly as he tried to think of what to say next. "I guess I do feel a little upset when Sanji flirts with all those girls, I mean why can't he at least stick with one huh? It just annoys me for some reason. Maybe It makes me a little jealous I don't know, but I just don't think he should be so indiscriminate with his flirting. Especially not in front of everyone. Anyway how does he expect anyone to take him seriously when he does that huh?" he ranted. "and well, I don't envy Mihawk. I don't think, you know? I just… he is the standard I want to reach. My goal I guess."
"and well… are you even listening?" no sound echoes through the room, but he continues anyway. "Yea well, I admit I drink too much, I just really like the taste, and it makes me feel relaxed you know? I mean it's a crazy world out there. But yea, I suppose I should cut down a little. And um. The um… the brothel… Well, I guess I don't really have an excuse for that huh? I mean, I know why I do it, but it's not like that will make it any better. And um, If I could be with the person I love, then I would but…" he lets out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. "not much I can do when he isn't into guys right? So um… I guess I will have to just accept the consequences for that. Not like there's anything I can do about it now anyway right?" He says as a blush crawls up his face. "and um, yeah, the sleeping probably has a lot to do with the alcohol, but like you said before, I do get my work done, so well, I hope that at least will help lessen my sentence…he trailed off.
"You have been heard! We will now pass sentence." He heard booming through the walls, and Zoro waits with baited breath.
}-
Notes
Ok, so this time I gave a little glimpse into what the others are doing during the time when Zoro is dealing with his past sins, but there own trials will be coming up shortly. Don't worry they will not be like Zoro's trial, as I think that would be quite monotonous, but rather each will find themselves facing something that fits with their character and personality to at least some extent. For those of you who find my story confusing, or boring, I apologize. The confusing part however is rather intentional, it is meant to make the readers wonder who will end up with who after all. As for the boring part, I am hoping that as he story progresses I will find my nitch and it will get more exciting, but that doesn't mean you have to continue to read it if you don't like where it's going. This is my first attempt at a fan fiction, and it would be a bit presumptuous and unrealistic to think I could satisfy everyone after all. Anyway, until next time. Take care everyone.