Disclaimer: One Piece does not belong to me, it belongs to Oda.

First of all, I want to thank you all for the reviews - especially those of you who find the time to review after every chapter. I cannot express how much of a boost it gives me to read your wonderfully kind words :)

Okay! Here is the next chapter! As promised, the reunion part II !

Chapter 35:

Nami's orange head bobbed up and down as she walked confidently through the trees. Though they were in the middle of the forest, the navigator seemed to know exactly where she was going. As she leaned forward to duck beneath a fern, her bright hair fell forward. The back of her neck was damp from forest's humid heat. A few wayward strands of hair stuck stubbornly against her skin. Walking closely behind, Zoro had to resist the urge to reach forward and brush them away. The impulse was likely brought on by the lingering memory of the navigator's soft skin beneath his hands. Midway through his recollection, Zoro's boot caught on a root. Grunting, he threw his weight forward. It was only through an undignified flailing of his arms that he avoided bowling straight into Nami's back.

Sanji scoffed. "Graceful as ever marimo."

Nami looked back, taking in his precarious position with a glance. Her eyes automatically shifted to his chest. Zoro internally groaned. She clearly thought the wound was at fault for his fall. Now she really wasn't going to let him do anything until he saw Chopper. Her words confirmed his fears.

"You okay? Is it your chest?"

Zoro looked down, brushing invisible specks of dirt from his shirt. "Just got caught on a tree." Looking up, he gestured forward. "Let's go already."

Nami gave him a long look before turning forward. As she resumed marching through the trees Usopp's voice rose behind them.

"You're lucky she didn't charge you for that – almost running into her."

She actually hadn't charged him for anything in a while – not since things had begun to change between them. Zoro's lips twitched at the thought.

But at Usopp's exclamation, Nami's steps hesitated for the briefest of moments. Turning her head quickly back, she lifted her chin high. "Believe me, next time I will. Watch your step Zoro." She concluded her speech by jerking her head forward and resuming her rapid march.

Zoro's brows drew down as he watched Nami's swaying walk. It didn't escape his notice that she had only threatened to charge him after Usopp brought it up. As Zoro slowly stepped to follow her, he glanced back. Sanji had his hands in his pockets and was watching Nami with a jubilant, if not slightly dazed grin. Zoro's lips drew down. Behind him, Usopp also watched the navigator. But unlike the cook's dumbstruck face, the sharpshooter's eyes were narrowed and he scratched his chin in thought. Zoro quickly turned. Taking large steps to catch up with Nami, he mulled over the situation.

If Nami's actions told him anything, it was that she was trying to play the developments in their relationship down – act as though everything was normal. It was either that, or she was in the process of disregarding everything that had happened in the labyrinth – attempting to go back to how things were before. Zoro was surprised to actually feel a physical ache at the thought.

He watched Nami's careful walk for a full minute before sharply shaking his head. She wouldn't do that. Not after everything that had happened in there. After relying on each other for those couple of days, he felt like he had never understood someone so well – or been so completely understood by another. Zoro cringed. He certainly hoped Nami wanted to keep things going between them, because he was clearly already in too deep.

Zoro glanced down, carefully stepping over an upcoming patch of roots. As long as she was interested in continuing the relationship between them, he didn't really care if the others knew or not. As far as he was concerned it was between he and Nami – so it was no one else's business anyway. Though far off, in the back of his head, a small voice argued that he might start to care if Sanji kept looking at Nami with that dumb, happy face.

Zoro frowned as he stepped over another thick root. If she wanted to keep it a secret, Nami's real problem would lie in keeping it from the most perceptive crewmembers. Usopp clearly already suspected something – and if Usopp had a suspicion, Robin would surely know within an hour of seeing them. The archaeologist's combination of intelligence and intuition was unparalleled.

Zoro glanced quickly back once more. Sanji was reasonably observant – but when it came to the women, his awareness went into a bizarre hyper state. He would surely notice if Nami was acting at all differently. Zoro sighed as he followed after the navigator. If she truly did want to keep the relationship just between them, they were going to have their work cut out for them.

The rest of the journey passed in a blur of shifting leaves and swaying ferns. Throughout the trip, Zoro alternated between observing the quiet forest and the navigator before him. Every once in a while Sanji would loudly proclaim his joy at having found his Nami-swan. As the trip wore on, Zoro found it increasingly difficult to ignore the effervescent cook.

Halfway through, Usopp began a dramatic re-telling of his and Sanji's journey through the forest. His shrill voice permeated the trees around them. It was only interrupted by Sanji's occasional grumblings about the factual accuracy of his tales.

As the day wore on, Usopp's voice grew louder and his stories more unlikely. Zoro irritably rubbed his forehead as he walked.

"And that's when I faced off against the giant orangutan!"

Behind him, Sanji gave a frustrated shout. "It was a foot tall! And you ran away!"

Usopp gasped. "You think the great captain Usopp would ever run away from a fight?"

"Yes!"

Nami gave a happy shout, interrupting the budding argument. The three men turned to see her push through the last layer of ferns. As the foliage gave way before her eager hands, the pirates got their first view of white sand. Following closely behind her, Zoro stepped forward and emerged from the trees. A wide, blue bay stretched before them; at the center of which, sat the Sunny, still and serene. Zoro's arms dropped to his sides. He'd never been so happy to see the ocean and their ship waiting for them upon it.

Beside him, Nami's shoulders fell as she breathed out a long sigh. Glancing to the side, Zoro caught her eye. They had done it – managed to get back. He gave her a nod. The smile she gave him in return was carefree and wide, causing her cheeks to lift and the skin at the corner of her eyes to crinkle. A sporadic beat stuttered in his chest. He was definitely already in deep.

Usopp gave a whoop as he sprinted onto the beach. Sand sprayed up behind him as he ran to the shore. A wooden rowboat was anchored at the water's edge. Hands in his pockets, Sanji strolled across the beach. Halfway across the sand, he turned. "Come on Nami-san. I'm going to make you a wonderful and nutritious meal-" His lips slowly curved up as his eyes squinted closed. "- Of love!" Spinning on his toes, Sanji danced to the small boat.

A low buzzing sounded as Will emerged from the trees above them. His brows slowly rose as he watched the cook's movements. "Is he always like that?"

"Unfortunately."

At the shore, Sanji continued his spinning dance. Already in the boat, Usopp propped a leg upon the short prow. "Captain Usopp is ready to go!"

Will's dark eyes shifted slowly between them. "Orange, muscles – you guys are starting to look a little more normal."

Nami raised a brow. "Just wait until we get to the ship."

Zoro laughed aloud.

With that, Nami began to trudge across the sand. Zoro followed after. Will flew behind them, giving the ship ahead concerned glances all the while.

Once everyone was in, Zoro pushed the boat into the water. He trudged through the gently lapping waves until the boat was sufficiently free of the sand. By the time he jumped into the back, Sanji was already grasping the paddles.

Crossing the bay, the small boat glided over gentle waves. As they drew closer to the Thousand Sunny, mist from the lapping waves sprayed over them. Zoro closed his eyes, breathing it in. The salty tang of the air filled his mouth and lungs. He wasn't sure when he had started to associate the smell with home.

When the Sunny stretched tall above them, a single head poked over the side. The figure lifted a hand to secure his hat as his dark hair ruffled in the breeze. A wide grin spread across their captain's face. "Finally!"

Zoro couldn't help but return the grin. From the prow, Usopp shouted. "Pull us up!"

As ropes were lowered and the rowboat hoisted from the sea, Zoro looked back to the island. The tall trees stretched from the shore, entangling with one another; their thick roots reached up the hills beyond. As peaceful as it may appear, they now knew the island was far from serene.

Will was perched on the edge of the boat. He too stared at the forest behind them. His eyes were dark and his expression taught. Frowning, Zoro turned away from both the island and the small man who called it home. He had the growing suspicion that the Straw Hat's had entered this tale when it was already halfway through.

The boat shuddered as it was lifted onto the ship. Zoro had barely stepped off the small craft when out of the corner of his vision, he caught sight of an arm stretching towards him.

"No-" Yanked forward, Zoro flew through the air. He was vaguely aware of Nami's shriek. Cringing, he braced for impact. His chest blossomed in pain when he struck their captain. He grunted as something struck his back. And then they fell to the deck.

Luffy's happy laughter sounded uncomfortably close to his ear. Grimacing, he squinted his eyes open – and found himself face to face with their captain. "Gah!" When he jerked back, Nami cried out. Twisting, he found that Nami was plastered to his back. Their captain's long arms encircled them both. Unaware of the discomfort of his companions Luffy continued to giggle.

"Shishishi. I missed you guys."

At his back, he felt Nami's sigh. "We-" She wiggled.

Zoro grunted when her elbow dug into his side.

"-missed you too Luffy." He felt a puff of air on the back of his neck as she panted in frustration "Now let us go!"

Smiling broadly, Luffy gave a sharp nod. Zoro was relieved to feel the rubbery arms pull away. He waited until he felt Nami climb off his back before pushing himself to his feet. He gave their captain a glare. "Do not do that again."

Luffy merely smiled. He closed his eyes as he nodded.

Across the deck, Usopp crossed his arms and looked at Sanji. "I guess Luffy didn't miss us."

Luffy's eyes snapped open. His grin widened as he turned towards them.

Usopp's eyes went round. He raised his hands up. "Oi Luffy! No! I didn't' mean it!"

Luffy laughed as he stretched his arms back. "Usopp! Sanji!"

Beside him, Sanji swore. "Usopp!"

With a scream, Usopp scrambled up the stairs.

As Zoro turned away, he heard a loud crash and Luffy's laughing shout. "I missed you guys too!"

Sanji's low voice rose in anger. "Get off me!"

As Zoro surveyed the deck, he was relieved to see that their missing crewmates had been found; though it looked as though their return had been relatively recent. Franky and Brook were sitting on two of the lounge chairs, and both men looked somewhat worse for the wear.

Reclined in a chair, Brook held a tea cup between his skeletal fingers. His sleeves were torn and the hat upon his head was slightly askew. The afro beneath it had accumulated a wide variety of leaves and various other bits of fauna. In the other chair, Franky was perched, leaning forward with his thick arms resting upon his knees. The cyborg's blue hair was wilted, falling flat along either side of his face. The large man's body was covered in dirt and his feet were brown and appeared slightly swollen.

Chopper stood on his toes beside the cyborg, stretching to dab at a scratch across the back of Franky's arm. Robin stood to the side, head tilted slightly, as she watched Chopper's ministrations. However, at Nami's approach the archeologist turned.

With a squeal, Nami wrapped her arms around the dark haired woman. Returning the hug, Robin smiled warmly. "I'm so glad you are back safe and sound." Robin peered around Nami, giving Zoro another smile and a nod. Zoro briefly returned the smile before moving to one of the open chairs on the deck. The wound on his chest had begun a slight throb. As he reclined back in the chair, he continued to watch the reunions taking place around him.

Nami leaned back, glancing around the archeologist to get a look at their previously missing crewmates. "How did you manage to find them?"

Franky sat up. "You wouldn't believe it, girlie! I had the craziest couple of days! When we were walking, I looked into the trees. And I just thought to myself 'I should walk towards them'. So I did! And then I kept walking, and walking, and walking." Franky threw his arms up emphatically. Chopper squealed as he struggled to maintain a hold on the injured arm. Glancing apologetically down, Franky lowered the arm. "Sorry little bro." Eyes gleaming, he turned back to them. "So anyway – I was just walking and walking when this eye popped out of a tree in front of me. A beautiful shade of blue. My brain was all fuzzy, but I knew it looked familiar!"

Nami glanced to the side. Robin was smiling softly. Her blue gaze shifted from Franky to her.

"And the next thing I knew, an arm popped out of a nearby rock! It grabbed my ankle and didn't let go. Then Nico Robin showed up and smeared pink goo on me." Tears began to leak from the cyborg's large eyes. "She saved me!"

Robin raised a hand, covering her lips.

"Yohohoho! She saved me next!" Brook tilted his head as he took a sip from the tea. "I was so happy to see her that I asked if I might see her panties." He sighed. "She declined."

Nami shook her head as she glanced between them. They were idiots. But she had missed them. Robin met her eyes. The archeologists nodded happily, sharing the unspoken sentiment.

When Nami turned, she saw Zoro reclined on a nearby chair. His hands were propped behind his head, but her eyes were drawn to the dark cut running across his chest. Chopper really did need to look at it. Nami cleared her throat. "Chopper – Zoro got a few pretty bad cuts in the labyrinth. You should look at them soon."

At her voice, Zoro frowned, squinting an eye open. "They're not that bad."

Finishing Franky's wrapping, Chopper turned. The young reindeer gaped at the sight. He dropped the remaining gauze, scuttling quickly to the swordsman's side. "Ah! Zoro! What happened?" Panting panicked breaths, Chopper raised his hooves. "You need a doctor! A doctor!"

Zoro closed his eyes, rubbing at his forehead. "You're the doctor."

"Oh - Right." Chopper settled down at once. Scurrying up onto the chair, Chopper leaned over Zoro. He rubbed his chin as he surveyed the wound. Lifting his head, he looked to Nami. "Nami, will you bring me my bag?"

Reaching for the reindeer's small pack, she quickly set it beside him.

He nodded thanks and began cleaning the wound. Zoro's only sign of pain at the action was a slight grimace. Nami kneeled beside the chair, watching as Chopper meticulously wiped at the gash with a clean cloth and antiseptic. After only a few wipes, the cloth was already stained red. Nami's hands tightened around the side of the chair. "How bad is it?"

Zoro's eyes blinked open. He looked from her face to her hands. His lips twitched. "Not bad."

Distrustful of Zoro's self-diagnosis, she turned to their doctor. "Chopper?"

The young reindeer didn't look up from the wound. "It's pretty bad." Chopper closed his eyes, sighing. "But he's had worse."

Zoro snorted.

Angered by his nonchalance, Nami lifted her hand, aiming a sharp pinch at the side of his arm.

At the pinch Zoro jumped, tugging his arm back. "What the hell Nami?"

"Don't take things so lightly."

He frowned, rubbing at the red spot on his arm. "You don't take things so seriously."

Chopper pressed his hooves down on the swordsman's chest. "Don't move!"

Sighing, Nami crossed her arms. "Chopper, tell Zoro to take better care of himself."

Chopper hummed as he continued working on the wound. "Mhmm Zoro, you should take care of yourself better."

Shaking his head, Zoro leaned back. "The life of a swordsman-"

"Yeah, yeah, fraught with danger – blah, blah, sacrifice."

Zoro cracked an eye open. "Don't you make fun of me – I'm injured."

Chopper hummed again in agreement. "That's not nice Nami."

Zoro smiled smugly. Nami could only shake her head.

"Nami?" Chopper looked up from the wound. "I need to stitch it. But I want to keep the area as sterile as possible. Can you wrap it as I go?"

Straightening, Nami scooted forward. "Of course. Tell me what to do."

He passed her a bottle. "First clean your hands."

Nodding obediently, she poured the liquid over her palms.

On the other side of the chair, Chopper carefully pried a tin kit open. He plucked a needle from a narrow tray. "Zoro. Do you want pain killers for this?"

Zoro shook his head. Closing his eyes, he leaned his head back against the chair. "Just tell me when it's done."

Chopper nodded sharply. "Okay. Nami, after I finish an inch of stitching I want you to press a square of wrapping over the area. The edges are self-adhesive. Keep adding the wrapping as I go. Once I'm done, I'll secure everything with additional wrapping around his torso."

Zoro groaned.

"And don't you dare take them off!" Chopper tapped a hoof angrily against the swordsman's shoulder.

Zoro squeezed his eyes closed tighter. "Alright, alright."

As Chopper began to stitch at the bottom of the long gash, Nami cringed, looking away. After a moment, she forced herself to look back. Truly, he was lucky it hadn't been worse. She closed her eyes, seeing Rothgar's brutal claws rake over him again. Nami shivered.

"Nami. The wrapping."

Her eyes snapped open. "Right – sorry." Quickly peeling the first piece away, she moved it over the freshly stitched area. After carefully lining it up over the wound, she gently pressed it down. She slowly ran her fingers down the edges of the gauze, securing it over the wound. Beneath the cotton, she could feel the muscled ridges of his stomach. Palm flat, she smoothed down the wrapping's edge. As she gave it one final press, she felt his abdominal muscles tighten beneath her hand. Flicking her eyes up, she glanced at his face.

Zoro's eyes were open. The swordsman's lips were slightly parted and he followed the movement of her hand with an attentive gaze. Looking from his face to her hand, and then back to his face, Nami slowly smirked. Pressing gently down, she trailed her fingers over his stomach once more.

At the sound of clicking shoes against the deck, Nami's hand stilled. Zoro blinked, looking up as Robin's shadow fell over them. Nami carefully applied the next bandage. Only after she had secured each of the edges did she slowly tilt her head up.

Hand against the side of her face, Robin pressed her lips together as she watched them. She seemed to be attempting to hold back a smile. "You are being very helpful Nami." The archaeologist's eyes were practically gleaming with mirth when she looked pointedly at Nami's hand still resting on Zoro's chest. Her lips finally gave way to the smile as her eyes crinkled closed. "I'm glad you've realized."

Nami froze. "Realized what?"

Robin tilted her head, her expression innocent save for the quirk of her lips. "The benefit your steady cartographer's hands provide Chopper of course. What else would I be talking about?" With a wink, Robin turned away.

Mouth open, Nami watched her cross the deck. She knew. They'd been back on the ship for ten minutes and she already knew. Nami turned to Zoro, but he had already closed his eyes. Sighing, she lifted the next sheet of gauze and applied it to the recently stitched area. She supposed she should have known. Robin was too smart not to figure it out eventually. But so soon? How in the world was she going to keep this from everyone else?

Nami continued the careful ministrations until the gash was stitched and completely covered in white wrapping. As she lifted her hand from the final patch, Zoro's eyes blinked open.

Chopper climbed from the chair, dropping down beside her. "Nami, can I take a look at your ankle now? I want to see how it is healing."

Without a word, Nami straightened her leg. Chopper carefully removed the mud stained wrappings. They had accumulated so much dirt from the caves that they actually cracked upon removal. Nami shuddered. She really needed a bath. Once the bandage was removed, Nami gave her toes an experimental wiggle.

Chopper nodded as he carefully ran his hooves over her skin. The swelling had gone down considerably. The young reindeer smiled. "It's a lot better. I'm amazed it was able to improve at all with you being on your feet all this time."

Nami shrugged. "I'm tougher than you guys give me credit for. Plus-" She grinned. "I have a great doctor."

At her words, Chopper ducked his head. Clasping his hooves in front of him, he wiggled back and forth. "Don't think that your compliments will make me happy! They don't!"

Amused, Nami watched the young reindeer blush at her praise. And that was when Will decided to make his grand entrance.

The sharp buzzing of his wings permeated the air before Will alighted on the railing. Nami had been so excited to see everyone and focused on Zoro's wound that Willdren's absence had slipped her notice. Where had he been?

As Nami stood, Will bent forward, tucking his arm against his stomach as he executed an elegant bow. "Willdren O. Whisper, pleased to make all of your acquaintances. You can call me Will."

From his chair beside them, Franky sprang to his feet. He lifted a heavy arm in Will's direction, readying the artillery he had packed inside to fire. "Hey! There's a tiny dude on the ship!" Beside him, Robin crossed her arms across her chest. In the next second, hands sprouted from the railing, ready to snatch up the small man. Will's mouth fell open as he gawked at the disembodied arms.

Nami lifted her hand. "Wait! He's our ally! He guided us through the labyrinth."

Franky slowly lowered his arm as Robin stepped eagerly across the deck. With wide, curious eyes, she leaned down to observe the winged man. "Fascinating." She smiled. "Hello Will, I'm Robin."

Will grinned. "Orange, Arms is nice. I like her."

Robin's lips twitched down. "What did you call me?"

From across the deck, Luffy let out a jubilant laugh. "Arms! What a great nickname!" Their captain slapped his leg as a new round of laughter escaped him. "I wish I would've thought of that."

Robin crossed her arms and Nami felt her eye begin to twitch. At the rail, Will's grin widened. Encouraged, he nodded in Zoro's direction. "I call him muscles, and her, orange."

Luffy howled. "These are the best nicknames! They're all so true!"

From his chair, Zoro growled. "He's literally just naming an aspect of all of our appearances."

Still laughing, Luffy ignored the swordsman. He gestured to the rest of the crew. "What about everyone else?"

Will shuffled his feet. "Well I haven't gotten to know everyone, but the guys over there-" Will pointed to Usopp and Sanji. "Strange-brow and sharp nose."

Luffy dropped to the ground, holding his sides as he gasped for breath.

Sanji stomped down the stairs. "Shitty winged-man! Take that back!"

But before Sanji could get to Will, Luffy straightened; his expression suddenly serious. "Can you poop?"

There was a beat of silence.

"Of course."

Fist raised, Nami stomped across the deck. "Enough!"

The blow landed on the top of his head. Luffy cried out, his hands wrapping around his dark hair. "Nami! It was an important question!"

"We have more important things to worry about."

Sanji's steps slowed as he approached them. "Nami-san is right. Let me whip up some food and then we can hear about what happened in the labyrinth and figure out our next plan of action."

Robin cleared her throat. "Sanji-kun. There is one slight problem."

Sanji raised his brows, turning to Robin. "What is it my sweet Robin-chan?"

"Our captain seems to have eaten all of the food."

Sanji froze. "He did what?"

Luffy's shoulders drooped and his head slumped forward. With his legs crossed before him, their captain sat forlornly facing the corner. "Sanji – can I come back now?"

Sanji whipped around, pointing an accusing finger at their captain. "No! You sit there and think about what you've done!"

Luffy sighed. "I'm so bored!"

"Think about it!" Turning back to the table, Sanji refocused his attention on Nami. "And so Miko ran away? And that was that?"

Zoro watched as Nami nodded from across the table. The re-telling of their adventures – or misadventures – in the labyrinth had taken the better part of the hour. For the most part, it was Nami who divulged their tale to the straw hats – and it had involved substantial editing on her part. While she had told of many of the creatures they had encountered, she left out their experience with the sirens altogether.

Zoro's eyes trailed down to the fading purple splotches on her shoulders. The sight was accompanied by the familiar guilty twinge in his stomach. She would never come to harm at his hands again – he would make sure of that. He couldn't deny that Nami's forgiveness had been a pleasant surprise, but it did little to abate his still substantial feelings of guilt.

Nami had also gone into great detail into Ulma's power and the fact that Ronan's ability had been directly stolen from her; but she seemed to be purposefully vague concerning how they had ultimately escaped the owl woman's visions. The part in which she had separated from Zoro and walked to her death was glossed over in no more than a single obscure sentence.

Hands flat on the table, Sanji leaned forward. "So this guy, Ronan, wants to bring us down. What are we going to do about it?"

Robin folded her hands together. "We need more information. What are his strengths? Weaknesses? Who is working for him? And where exactly are they located."

Zoro's gaze shifted to Will. The small man was perched on the side of the table. Upon Zoro's glance, Will sighed. "Unfortunately I have none of that knowledge. Ronan himself has not been on the island in many years."

Usopp scratched at his nose. "But he has been to the island?"

Will hesitated. "Yes. A long while ago."

Nami leaned forward. "Won't you tell us about it?"

Will shook his head. "It's a long tale. And there will be a time for it, but not yet. Besides, it will tell you nothing of his current skill or whereabouts." Will's shoulders drooped. "He's changed much since I saw him last."

Robin hummed in thought. "If he did once come to this island, he may have visited the surrounding islands as well. Perhaps we can continue to the next island and do a bit of investigating there. Besides – we do need to restock our supplies."

From the corner, Luffy voice raised, clipped and petulant. "Sorry."

Sanji growled.

Crossing his arms, Zoro decided to join the conversation. "What if Ronan, or someone who works for him, attacks us sooner rather than later?"

From across the table, Nami met his gaze. She bit her lip as she worried the clima-tact at her side. "How powerful do you think they'll be?"

Luffy's voice sounded loud from the corner. Stretching his arms up, he shouted towards the wall. "I don't care how strong they are! I'll kick their asses!"

Used to their captain's mannerisms, the crew took Luffy's exclamation in stride. Nami sighed as Robin smiled softly beside her. Chopper nodded excitedly as he watched Luffy with a star-struck gaze. Zoro simply leaned back in his chair. However, Will scratched his head as he observed their captain. "He's awfully excited."

Usopp nodded. "That's pretty normal."

Franky leaned back, crossing his arms. "We wouldn't have him any other way."

Robin stood. "If Ronan does attack sooner rather than later, we will cross that bridge when we come to it." The archeologist pushed her chair beneath the table. "I'm going to retire for the night. I assume we'll set sail first thing in the morning?"

Nami nodded.

As Robin opened the door, Sanji called her name. Cupping his hands at his chest, he swayed back in forth in his chair. "Robin-chwan, I had a few snacks tucked away that Luffy didn't manage to find. I've already put them in your and Nami-swan's room. I would never forgive myself if either of you went hungry, even for a night."

"Thanks Sanji-kun." Robin smiled as she left the room.

In the quiet that followed her departure, Usopp's stomach groaned. "You don't happen to have any more snacks Sanji?"

The cook sighed. "No I don't. Hopefully the next island isn't far. It wouldn't be an issue - but I didn't see much foragable food on this island when we were looking for the entrance to the labyrinth."

"The next island, it's not far." Standing, Will stretched his wings. "For a short time, there were a few trade routes that came through this island. The next island isn't more than a day's travel."

Sanji rubbed a hand over his face. "That's good. Maybe we can fish tomorrow as well."

Usopp nodded enthusiastically. "I can do that. I have a new fishing pole I've been meaning to try."

Across the table, Nami sighed, dropping her chin into her hands. "And I suppose, for breakfast, we can have a few mikans."

Sanji swooned. "Nami-swan is so generous and kind!"

Watching the cook's antics, Usopp muttered under his breath. "She's the one who gave him the combination to the refrigerator in the first place."

Nami gave him a glare. "I was making the best of a bad situation." She lifted her nose. "No mikans for you."

Usopp stuttered. "Nami!"

Sighing, Zoro stood. If the next island was only a day away, they certainly weren't going to starve. But if they were going to be investigating Ronan and his organization, he would need to be well rested. "Alright. I'm going to bed."

Glancing quickly up, Nami lifted a hand to her mouth, feigning a yawn. "I'm pretty tired too." Standing, she quickly followed him to the door.

Still seated, Usopp raised his voice in protest. "But Nami-"

"Fine! You can have one."

With that, Zoro opened the door and Nami followed him through. Will exited right behind her. Before the door closed, Sanji leaned back in his chair. "Be sure to eat your snack Nami-san!"

As the door closed firmly behind them, the evening became suddenly quiet. Save for a dim lamp and the pale, crescent moon nestled in the clouds high above, the deck was in shadow. From the forest beyond the bay, a warm breeze blew.

Groaning a long, deep sigh, Will stretched his arms above his head. His wings fluttered spastically as he twisted in a circle, observing the ship. Spying the wrinkled cloth of a furled sail, he gave a nod. "I'll be going to bed now too."

Zoro followed his gaze toward the sail.

Nami's voice was dubious. "In the sail?"

Will shrugged. "It looks soft. Besides – tonight I'd prefer to sleep beneath the stars." Before they could question him further, the small man fluttered a meandering path up and around the mast. Landing on the bound sail, he circled, burrowing down into the thick material. When he stilled, the only hint of the small man's presence was the silhouette of his semi-translucent wings protruding above the sail.

"He better not rip a hole in it or anything." Zoro could still vividly picture his sharp-toothed grin.

"He won't." Nami spared a single, weary glance up at the sail.

"Alright. I'm going to bed."

"Wait." Half turned, he felt Nami's hand wrap around his wrist. Her fingers tightened as she glanced quickly around the deck.

"What?"

Turning, she tugged at his arm. "Come here."

Without speaking, Zoro allowed himself to be towed up the stairs and across the upper deck. When they stepped onto the grass of Nami's mikan grove, she slowed, silently drawing him amongst the trees. Sifting between the green leaves, a balmy evening breeze carried the sweet, earthy scent of the orchard. Once they were sufficiently sheltered beneath wide boughs, she dropped his wrist. Despite the warm evening, his wrist felt cool in the sudden absence of her touch.

"Zoro." Upon speaking his name, Nami shifted. Holding his gaze, she awkwardly rubbed the side of her arm. "I've been thinking."

At her words, Zoro stilled. His mind went quiet and he became acutely aware of his heart beating heavily within his chest. Had he been wrong? Too presumptuous in assuming that she wanted to continue what had begun between them in the labyrinth?

Nami blinked. Frowning, she reached forward. "Zoro, breathe."

Grasping her hand in his, he gently lowered it. "What is it?"

Looking down, she twisted her hand, interlacing her fingers with his. "I was thinking maybe we shouldn't tell the crew about this-" She gestured between them. "-not yet anyway."

Zoro ducked his head, embarrassed by the relief her words granted him. He let his breath out in a long, slow exhale.

Nami toyed with his fingers. "With Ronan out there, I don't want to disrupt the balance of the crew."

Tightening his fingers, he lifted her hand. Tugging back, he carefully pulled her towards him. "It's none of their business anyway." As he spoke, he wrapped his other arm around her waist, sliding his hand over her side and up her back.

Nami bit her lip. "I think Robin already knows."

Zoro nodded. He had seen the look the archeologist gave them earlier. "Yeah. But who's she going to tell?"

Nami shrugged.

Zoro pulled her closer. "Remember what you said in the labyrinth? About our feelings. Just seeing where they went?"

She nodded.

"We'll do that here too. Do our best to keep it to ourselves – but for the rest – just leave it up to luck."

Nami raised a brow. "You're putting a lot of faith in luck."

He shrugged. "Luck, and their stupidity when it comes to noticing stuff like this."

"They're more observant than you give them credit for." Nami paused. "When they want to be."

He snorted in derision. "I'm not worried. The only thing I'm going to concern myself with is figuring out how to take out Ronan."

Nami didn't respond. Above them, thin leaves rustled in the wind.

Zoro squinted, trying to see her face clearly in the dark. He was just able to make out her lips. They were pressed tightly together. Her eyes were staring ahead, distant with worry.

"Hey." Disentangling his hand from hers; he reached up, cupping the side of her face in his palm.

Nami heaved a heavy sigh. Closing her eyes, she leaned into his touch. "I'm scared. I feel like - like - we're escaping the frying pan, only to jump into the fire itself."

"What?"

Nami shook her head. "Nothing – It was a phrase Sanji used once. It's just – Ronan seems so dangerous. And we don't even know what kind of people work for him." Nami leaned suddenly forward, pressing her face into his chest. The remainder of her words were muffled against his shirt. "I'm scared for us – and for everyone on this ship."

Zoro lifted his arm, cradling her securely against him. He was finding that holding her like this made him feel better too. He tipped his head forward. The tip of his nose brushed the top of her head. "I won't let anything happen."

Despite tightening his arms around her, Nami still shivered. Zoro brushed his hand over her hair, thinking of their time in the labyrinth. "Nami." The grip of her hand around his shirt was the only indication that she had heard him. "Ronan is the one that should be scared right now. You know why?"

Her nose rubbed against his chest as she shook her head.

"Because he's about to face us."

Nami stilled.

"If Ulma's right, then we changed fate today. Compared to that, what is Ronan? He's just a man."

"She might be crazy."

"She might. Even if she is, that doesn't change the fact that we brought down the fiercest beast in that labyrinth."

Nami leaned back. She tilted her head up, scrutinizing him closely. "We."

He smiled. "Baka. You're not a half-bad partner."

Before the grin could fully spread across her face, Nami pressed her head against his chest again. "You're the baka. I'm a great partner."

Above the orchard, the clouds shifted; stars flickered bright overhead. Zoro leaned forward, pressing his lips against the top of her head. Her arms slid around his sides. Linking her hands behind his back, she hugged him tight. Ducking his head down, he took a deep breath. "Ronan doesn't stand a chance."

Once again, thanks for reading! I hope that the story isn't getting too long. I've had the basic plot figured out in my head since the beginning, but it seems to be getting continually longer as I add details into scenes as I write them. So I really do hope everyone is finding it interesting and not unduly long. Reviews and critiques are always appreciated :) Until next time!