Wow! The third chapter! We're almost to the juicy stuff I promise, but no spoilers! ;) However I can't promise Law will be in this chapter, and I'm gonna warn you that he might be OOC for some too. I've been planning this story for years and I can't believe I'm actually typing it out for you guys!! It makes me so happy and excited because now I can share my ideas with the world. I've also been comparing myself to other authors on AO3 and (you guys are fantastic!). I know I shouldn't be doing that but I do. I want to know how I'm doing so if you guys want to leave a review even if you don't like it I'll be so happy!
Anyway. I hope you guys enjoyed the flashback chapter. I wanted to give a little back story and explain my OC a bit more and just how her relationship started with Zoro. (Law is my favorite character but for the story's sake I put Celina with Zoro)
See you at the end, bye!
~Tatertwig45
Disclaimer: All rights to One Piece except for Celina belong to Eiichiro Oda
Chapter Three
( Where we last left off, Celina was rescued from Blackbeard by Zoro, who had gotten lost on the island. Now they're headed back to the Thousand Sunny so she can be looked at by Chopper.)
The waves rocking the small rowboat did wonders for Celina's stomach. By 'wonders' meant she wasn't doing fine at all. She gazed across the bobbing water, trying her best to think about anything other than puking her organs over the side of the boat.
Zoro sat at the other end, steering using the two paddles as he observed the girl in front of him. He already had a pretty good idea how the crew would react to him bringing her aboard. Especially Luffy and Sanji.
One would ask her, like he asks everyone, to join the crew. The other one would immediately become her lap dog. Zoro knew he would have to keep Celina out of Sanji's reach that's for sure.
He stopped himself. He was just doing it to protect her. The girl seemed ditzy and not very observant of her surroundings so she probably wouldn't know of Sanji's intentions.
'The pervert.' Zoro thought, annoyed. He felt heat rise in his face and his palms started to sweat.
He turned towards the burning island. It was just the heat from the volcano. Nothing more. It certainly wasn't caused by the sensation of butterflies in his stomach.
Zoro turned to gaze at Celina, watching her dip her fingers in the ocean and dragging them gently through the waves. She lifted her hand as she turned back to him, caught his eye, then quickly twisted back around when they made eye contact. Celina tried to cover her face with her hair, catching a shade of light red on her cheeks.
Her reaction made the swordsman chuckle. He was amused at how it took very little to make her feel embarrassed; it was kinda cute.
Zoro paused and pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes as he looked down. Why was he thinking like this? He didn't even know the girl! What's worse, he was supposed to be keeping his mind on becoming the world's greatest swordsman. Instead he was daydreaming like that idiot cook!
No man or woman or anyone was going to keep Zoro from his goal! Especially one that was sitting in front of him. Once they reached The Sunny he would give her to Chopper and let the others deal with her while he got back to his training. He was a swordsman, not a schoolboy!
'Although…' he lifted his head back up to face Celina, watching as she focused on the horizon. 'I can see why Blackbeard had her in his sights.'
Goddamn it! Not again!
"Where could that idiot be?"
Brown eyes peered through the binoculars as Nami sat up in the Sunny's crows nest with Sanji, watching for Zoro. The sun was setting, causing brilliant shades of red, pink, and orange to cast a reflection across the water. Sanji sat beside her, lifting the lighter up to the cigarette in his mouth, taking a long deep drag as he closed his eyes in irritation.
"I say just leave him." he muttered. "Marimo should know his ass from his elbow by now and we don't need to keep searching for him." The chef crossed his arms, reaching up to pinch between his eyes.
Nami chose to ignore him to keep gazing at the horizon. However, if Zoro didn't return to the ship soon she would have no choice but to leave him, Luffy be damned. They had to continue on to find their dreams after just adding the talking skeleton named Brook to the crew.
Huh? Was that who she thought it would be?
Blinking, the navigator brought the binoculars up to her face once more just in time to see a rowboat, a small chuckle escaping her lips as she saw who had control over the oars. That idiot. Nami was surprised Zoro didn't manage to get himself lost…again.
Something else caught her eye though, causing her to look closer at the figure sitting up front.
It was a girl!
This confused Nami. What would Zoro be doing with a strange girl? More importantly where did she come from?
Sanji had managed to nod off when he was abruptly shook awake by the navigator. He blinked his eyes, yawning before taking a drag from his cigarette, looking up to see what's wrong. "What is it Nami?"
Nami took the binoculars and shoved them in his face. Taking hold of them, Sanji's eyes widened as blood suddenly exploded from his nose causing him to fall back on the floor.
"She's so beautiful!!" he exclaimed, rolling back and forth while blood sprayed all over everything. Sanji stopped suddenly and jumped to his feet, grabbing the binoculars again to see Zoro rowing the boat. "That shitty Marimo! How did he end up so lucky?" He narrowed his eyes. "That should be me with the goddess!"
Nami felt herself getting a headache. Why was it always like this with him? Sure it was harmless but not every beautiful woman they came across would fall madly in love with him.
She was snapped out of her thoughts by Zoro yelling at someone to let him and the girl aboard. The navigator observed a rope ladder being lowered over the side of the Sunny as Zoro grabbed the girl, leapt up, and climbed up until they were both safely on the ground. He held her in his arms for a moment until he got embarrassed, promptly dropping her as his face turned red.
Nami smirked a little at how hard Zoro was trying. 'He's like a little kid'
She got up, putting the binoculars down, and headed for the stairs to meet them and see who the girl was. Sanji had already ran as fast as he could down there and was chastising Zoro over how to hold a lady.
"You dumbass! You could have seriously hurt her!" Sanji shouted, getting up in the swordsman's face.
Zoro acknowledged him with a glare. "Don't lecture me. She's just a girl." He was about to turn around and walk away, not wanting to get more involved with her if he could help it, when Sanji's leg came flying at his face.
Celina quickly closed her eyes, fearing the worst. But instead of hearing a cry of pain or the sound of Sanji's boots hitting flesh, her ears only picked up the sound of silence among the rolling of the waves. Slowly peeking in between her fingers, she saw Zoro with a firm grip on Sanji's foot, his teeth gritting from holding it back.
"Why you!" Sanji was about to jump up in order to land another kick with his other foot, not noticing something flying through the air towards his face.
Smack!
What had hit Sanji, causing him to fall to the ground sporting a bruise on his cheek and three large bumps, flew towards Zoro, hitting him square in the face so it knocked him to the ground. Both of the fighters lay there in a daze while the unknown weapon flew back to its owner.
Smirking proudly at her handiwork, Nami made her way over to the girl's side where she prepared to put an arm around her. This spooked Celina, causing her to widen her eyes in fright. She scuttled backwards to get out of Nami's reach. Nami became confused at her reaction, but simply put it in the back of her mind to bring up at a later time.
"Oooohh! Zoro brought a girl back to the ship?"
A rubber arm suddenly shot past Nami, wrapping around the mast where it pulled her straw-hat-wearing captain along with it. Landing beside Celina where he crisscrossed his legs, Luffy stared at the newcomer curiously.
His entrance made Celina squeak in fear, her face turning red. She wasn't expecting him to be so energetic. Although looking at him closer, she could have sworn she saw the same hat on their Jolly Roger when she and Zoro neared the ship.
Sporting a huge grin on his face, Luffy held out his hand. "Hi, I'm Luffy! Wanna join my crew?"
Whack!
The same weapon used to hit Zoro and Sanji made impact with Luffy's head. He whirled around with a hand on his head to see Nami beside him, fuming.
"You can't keep asking everyone who comes on the ship if they want to join the crew!" she shouted.
Grinning sheepishly, Luffy rubbed the growing bump as he winced in pain. "Ok, OK. Geez Nami, why'd you haffta hit so hard?"
Before Nami could answer, a sound of tiny hooves was heard walking across the deck towards the trio. Passing by Sanji and Zoro, who pleaded with him to help them, a tiny reindeer, or was it a raccoon, approached carrying a medical bag while wearing a pink hat with a white 'x' on the front.
Celina took one look at the tiny animal before rushing over to it, wrapping her arms around it and squeezing it against her chest.
"It's so cute!" she exclaimed while glancing back at Nami and Luffy.
Both navigator and captain exchanged worried looks, watching as the reindeer attempted to get himself free from the strange girl's grasp.
Finally, after noticing he couldn't breathe, Celina released her grip to watch him stagger out of her arms, taking deep breaths. After composing himself, the deer turned to her. "My name is Tony Tony Chopper, or Chopper for short, and I'm the ship's doctor. Now, promising you won't do what you just did ever again, I would like to examine you. You look like you've come a long way."
Celina quickly nodded her head, only to hear her stomach growl. She hadn't eaten since she'd first been on the island. Turning to stare at Zoro, she knew he hadn't eaten either.
"Well before you can look at her, Chopper, we have to make sure she eats first!" a voice laughed from up above. Celina turned to see four figures standing on the upper deck of the Sunny.
A black-haired woman with tan skin stood beside a young man wearing brown overalls with an afro and a long nose. She guessed he was where the voice came from. Beside him stood a muscular man with blue hair who was partly metal? A robot?
Keeping that thought tucked away for later, Celina moved on to the last person. Only this wasn't a person at all. It was a living breathing skeleton! With an afro!
'What a weird looking bunch.' she thought to herself. The skeleton kind of gave her the creeps. It would take a while before she was used to him.
"The one you just heard? That's our sniper, Ussopp." Celina heard Luffy explain. "He's really funny!"
"No one's getting food until I fix Sanji!" Chopper shouted. He was at the cook's side, applying bandages to his forehead. "Nami why'd you have to hit him so hard? You could have caused a concussion."
Nami scoffed. "I didn't hit him that hard. Besides they would've injured each other way worse if I hadn't put a stop to it. I think that deserves a thank you. As well as a 500 berri security bonus."
"Not on your life!" Chopper shouted, checking Zoro next. He was a quick fix so only some bandages were needed.
It made Celina sigh in relief. Good. At least he was OK.
Luffy introduced everyone else in order, starting with Robin, the tan woman to the left, then onto the robotic man named Franky, then finally to the skeleton named Brooke. When introduced, Brooke tipped his hat as he bowed.
Celina still thought he was creepy.
Before she could blink, the reindeer appeared in front of her. "While it's not in my best interest to have you eat before you're examined, I see it'll do you some good to have something to fill your stomach."
Nodding in agreement, Celina went to stand up before staggering forward, her head spinning. She felt arms catch her, picking her up to where she was held against a muscular chest. Gazing to see who it was that caught her, it surprised her to learn it was Luffy.
The captain glanced down at her, giving her a beaming smile. "Come on! Let's go eat!"
As she was carried in the captain's arms past Zoro, Celina eyed the swordsman, noticing his eyes coming back into focus along with Sanji's. Both men got to their feet, glaring at one another as they prepared to argue again.
"Knock it off!" Nami's voice shouted, making both men pale.
Grudgingly acknowledging their fight was just paused, Zoro and Sanji followed the rest of the crew into the dining area.
"Sanji I'm hungry! What's to eat!"
"Make it your own damn self!"
As time passed, Celina got to know each of the members calling themselves the Straw Hat Pirates very well. Including Brooke, who asked to see her panties at dinner before he was clobbered by Nami. Ussopp was always entertaining her with tall tales of adventures across the deep blue sea, almost all of them being debunked by Luffy.
Robin welcomed her with open…arms? There were multiple? Celina would watch the archeologist manipulate her power to make the groups of appendages form different shapes, grow larger, or become a support for any crew member who needed assistance. It always fascinated the young woman.
Franky boasted about how he built the Thousand Sunny, mentioning his mentor as the shipwright, Tom, who built the Oro Jackson for Gol D. Roger. He would show off some of his limited arsenal of weapons as well. Whenever he did, Franky always had an audience consisting of Ussopp, Chopper, and Luffy.
Celina got to know Nami and Sanji well from where she would be in the kitchen while the cook prepared a dish for the girls everyday at the same time. Like clockwork.
When he'd deliver the meal, the first place Sanji went was to where Nami resided. Her chart room. There Celina and the navigator, who became fast friends, talked about everything from where they both grew up to what places they had been to. Celina learned the redhead was a master thief as well.
Sometimes Sanji interrupted the conversation, telling Celina about how he'd been a chef on the floating restaurant named Baratie and that the head chef had once been a pirate captain who saved his life. It was at the expense of his own though, but from that moment on Sanji never took food for granted ever again.
Chopper would come visit Celina in her room to check on the newest member. She knew he was the ship's doctor when they'd met earlier, but never knew his extensive knowledge within the medical field. He attributed it to Dr. Kureha and Hiriluk's expertise and mentorship. Celina often wondered how large his brain was for his tiny body.
The captain of the ship, which she guessed would be her captain as well, made her curious. On one hand, Luffy didn't seem like your normal leader of this crew of misfits. Before getting to know him, Celina thought it was Nami. But after they spent some time together, him telling her the story behind his straw hat, and how he formed the crew, she understood why Luffy was the way he was, even if Celina sometimes didn't understand it.
The only member of the crew Celina hadn't interacted with as much was Zoro. She guessed the swordsman preferred his solitude rather than spend time with his mates. Usually he was found either up on the deck lifting weights or sleeping wherever there was a spot. Sometimes Celina would sneak up on deck just to watch him until he noticed and go somewhere else with a snort.
This didn't faze her, although it was kind of annoying. If she was gonna be on the ship she was determined to get to know all of the crew, and that meant Zoro as well. Shyness was Celina's only obstacle. The way the swordsman appeared so intimidating made her think before she would waltz up to him to say thank you for saving her life.
One night while the rest of the crew slept, Celina, not being able to sleep, climbed up to the crow's nest for some peace and quiet. It was a clear night, not a cloud in the sky and the stars were at their brightest. Finding a place to sit, she leaned back against the wall, gazing up at the sky. Sighing to herself, Celina took the time to think about all she had seen and learned since coming aboard.
It had taken her two days to ponder over whether she would join Luffy's crew or not. She wasn't one to make those types of decisions blindly. Her fingers ran through her red and silver strands, remembering when she'd agreed. Everyone, especially Luffy and Sanji, were overjoyed. Chopper had leaped into her arms, giving her a hug, which she returned. Zoro remained expressionless, and, once the excitement had died down, returned to his training.
'Maybe he doesn't like me? Did I do something wrong?'
While Celina mulled and worried over her thoughts, she was unaware when the door to the weight room opened. Zoro exhaled, wiping sweat off his body with a rag while holding a water bottle in the other. The swordsman usually visited the gym at night when everyone's asleep so he wouldn't be disturbed.
He almost took another swig of water when he felt a presence behind him. Taking the bottle from his lips with a suspicious look in his eyes, he turned around and was ready to draw his swords if need be.
"Who's there?" he whispered sternly. "Show yourself!"
His ears picked up a squeak of fear and what sounded like hands and knees scrabbling across the wooden floor. A smirk came to his face, knowing exactly who the noises belonged to. Walking around the outside of the gym to find a figure hiding under a blanket, he pulled it off to reveal the girl.
Celina stared up at Zoro, her silver eyes widening before she quickly covered her mouth to prevent a scream from escaping. "I'm sorry! I was just coming up here for some fresh air! I didn't mean to…"
Before she could utter anymore, Zoro chuckled, holding out his hand while shaking his head. "Whoa slow down. You don't have to explain everything. I'm usually up here by myself every night and I heard you outside."
Blushing furiously, Celina glanced at Zoro then back to the ground, wringing her hands. Well she too thought she was alone as well. Turning back to the man who'd saved her life, she gave a small smile then proceeded to make her way back down to the deck.
Celina was just about to place her foot on the first rung of the ladder before she felt a strong grip on her shoulder. Turning around, she noticed Zoro standing behind her, a warm smile on his face.
"Wait." Zoro scratched the back of his head, not fully looking Celina in the eyes. "I saw your moves back there with Blackbeard and Burgess and wondered if you would like some help in developing your skills?"
Raising an eyebrow in confusion, Celina stared blankly at him. Moves? Skills? Her blushing started again as she thought about what to tell him. She didn't want to let him down, per say.
"Ummmm…." she began, already feeling her face getting warmer. "What you saw back there weren't moves or even skills. It was quick thinking and luck-of-the-draw?"
The air went silent between them. Celina watched as Zoro blinked a couple of times, noticing him trying to comprehend what he just heard. A few moments passed before she heard a deep chuckle fill the air before it turned into full on laughter.
Now Celina was confused.
"What's so funny?"
Zoro held his stomach, his laughter only increasing until he was full-blown tearing up. "You mean to tell me you took on a warlord of the sea's right-hand man because of 'luck' and 'quick-thinking'? That's too funny!"
A confused expression crossed Celina's face. "A kick to the groin is usually what normal people do when they can't escape someone holding them like that." She took a second to pause. "What exactly do you do?"
It didn't take Zoro any time to answer. "They're already cut in half before they can even blink." A smirk appeared on his face, whereas Celina's turned pale.
"Oh." She didn't know whether to take him up on his offer or run away screaming. Though with skills like his and a…body… like his, what would she have to lose?
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Celina's eyes went up his body, admiring the toned and chiseled features that came from so many years of training. He was attractive, she'd give him that. It wouldn't hurt for him to be her teacher.
But there was still the issue of him being cold to her when they had arrived on the Thousand Sunny. Narrowing her eyes, Celina thought about how he'd treated her. Why would she even think about training with him?
"Before we start, you have to apologize and explain to me why you're suddenly changing your tune about me? What did I do? Anything?"
Zoro began to speak, but instead faced the ground and scratched his arm. He wasn't sure himself. On one hand, with the right amount of training, the girl would become a formidable fighter. He might even train her how to weild a sword.
'She's pretty cute as well.' Zoro thought with a smirk.
On the other hand, she was just a girl he had picked up on an island who just so happened to join their crew. Why was the swordsman even offering to help her in the first place? It's not as if they were best friends. That died a long time ago.
If Zoro had to make a decision, now was the best time. It was the only time.
"Because who knows what would happen if we dropped you off somewhere? You could be a slave if Blackbeard got his hands on you again. Which is why I'm offering to train you in self-defense for when you get yourself into trouble."
Holding a hand up to her chin as she stroked it with her finger, Celina was about to let all that Zoro told her run through her mind. However something was missing. "You forgot to apologize. You save me, then you pretend like it never even happened? Is that any way to treat a lady?"
Zoro's face froze in shock. So much attitude for such a tiny girl! He'd forgotten to apologize only because after saving her he was afraid of forgetting his goal, for some reason. Thinking it best to avoid Celina completely, they hadn't even spoken a word to each other since Zoro saved her.
Sooner or later he would have to apologize if he wanted to begin training. Not that it was the only reason. The other reason entered his mind when he remembered spying her out on the deck sunbathing with Nami and Robin while Luffy, Ussopp and Chopper ran around with water guns. His only focus that day had been on her.
Zoro began to blush at the memory.
Turning away so Celina wouldn't notice his face, he rubbed the back of his head. This made Celina very confused. What's with him?
It's as if….
Smirking with a shake of her head, she took her fingers and rubbed her forehead. Celina didn't know what to think about Zoro. First he was intimidating and cold, then he turned into a shy teenager. Never would she have thought to see the man everyone called a demon blush. It didn't make her feel as afraid.
A cough coming from Zoro broke Celina from her musings. She watched as he awkwardly stuttered, shifting his gaze down to the ground while murmuring something Celina didn't quite catch. When she asked him to repeat it, he lifted his reddened face to look her in the eye.
"I just wanted to apologize for the way I acted earlier. It wasn't very polite of me. If you want to be trained, I need to be a better teacher. And…" Gazing into her eyes, Zoro swore he felt his heartbeat quicken. She was so beautiful.
Blinking as if he were in a daze, he quickly composed himself before continuing. Celina quirked an eyebrow, utterly confused. "And, I'm wondering if you'd accept my offer?"
Celina saw the sincerity on Zoro's face, letting her know he was truly sorry. On one hand, he had apologized, in his own way. Plus it would be nice to work on her fighting, even if it took some time.
She'd be training next to him as well.
On the other hand, this foreign feeling welling up inside her made Celina uneasy. She knew it had to be thought about for a while, otherwise it could destroy whatever friendship she and Zoro were building at this moment. He was apologizing and being kind to her, that was a start.
Celine wanted to keep the momentum going.
Which meant not getting as close to Zoro as she would hypothetically desire. There would be time for that in the future but right now their relationship was purely master/student, if she accepted his offer.
Boy she was leaning towards 'yes'.
Holding out her hand, the moon silhouetting their bodies, Celina looked Zoro directly in the eye, raising her eyebrows once again. "As long as I can trust you will teach me and be my sensei, you have a deal. Like you said, I'm gonna have to protect myself if I'm ever dropped off." She gave him a wink. "Why not learn from the best there is?"
To say Zoro was surprised Celina wanted to become his student was an understatement. Not quite sure what to make of this development, the swordsman smiled nervously before pausing, a serious expression overtaking his face. Zoro had to be focused if this arrangement was to succeed, or else he couldn't call himself a sensei.
He jerked his hand towards Celina, grasping her hand in his, shaking it up and down with a grin. The girl merely returned it, a smile on her face and determination in her eyes.
She never wanted to be caught defenseless ever again.
For two months Celina trained under Zoro, honing her skills and learning all the swordsman wanted her to know. Everyday wooden poles would be heard clashing up on deck early in the morning until the middle of the day.
In the beginning Zoro's basic skills outmatched Celina's. However as time passed, her basic skills equaled his, but she still had a lot to learn if she was to surpass him in an average fight.
As the sweat dripped off their bodies, their conversations went from strictly business to more flirtatious. In fact, Nami would have to pull a jealous Sanji away from the door leading onto the deck if he heard even the tiniest bit of the banter between Zoro and Celina.
One night after a particularly rough session, master and student were up in the weight room. Sweat poured from Celina's forehead while she struggled with a particularly heavy weight that Zoro was no help with. In fact he caused the said extra weight because of his grip in the middle, pressing it slightly to make Celina push herself harder.
Straining her already sore muscles, the girl gritted her teeth, feeling her back dig into the bench from exertion. Squinting, Celina made out Zoro's smirking expression.
She was gonna kill him.
Taking a deep breath, Celina forced her burning arms up, only to watch in horror as the weight slipped out of her fingers, about to come crashing down on her chest. Closing her eyes, she was prepared to have her ribs broken or worse. However, there was only silence.
No pain. No loud bang of metal. Just silence.
Opening one eye, Celina was shocked to not find herself split in two. What's even more strange was it seemed the weight had vanished. It couldn't have disappeared, could it? Unless…
She rubbed her eyes, only to reopen them to see Zoro smirking, gripping it in one hand. Lifting his arm so the barbell rose above Celina's head, he placed it on the ground beside the bench. Celina inhaled deeply as she rose up, giving the swordsman beside her a glare.
"You could have almost killed me you know."
Zoro's grin grew wider. No longer were they strangers and while the both of them trained together, their conversations helped bring them even closer as friends.
He would tell her about growing up and his dream of becoming the world's greatest swordsman. Celina talked about how the ship she was sailing on capsized, leaving her the only survivor. However, the accident left her with no memory of where she came from. Only the ship sinking.
Zoro vowed that day to assist her. No matter what.
There were some days where their tempers got the better of them, but in the end, the feelings that grew deep inside burned with each passing day.
Until they would finally explode.
Holding out his hand, Zoro took Celina's and led her out the door where the darkened sky and twinkling stars awaited them. The breeze felt wonderful on their bodies while they simply leaned forward on the railing, watching the waves roll by.
Celina, sweat rolling down her forehead, leaned on her elbows while gazing up at the stars. "Even after being at sea for as long as you have, I say you never get used to all the beautiful wonders this world has to offer, do you?"
Zoro watched her while he leaned sideways against the railing, his face resting in the palm of his hand. He loved the way her skin glistened in the moonlight. An amused smile lit up his face and before he could stop himself, he blurted out, "I'd say I'm already looking at one right now."
To say Celina was shocked would have been an understatement. Attempting to hide her face, she quickly looked away, her heart pounding in her chest.
Did he just say what she thought…?
Her cheeks burned, and it wasn't from the exercise. Sure they'd been spending more time with each other rather than the rest of the crew, but it was only for a few hours at a time and for training purposes only. Or at least that's what Celina thought it'd been.
Had she missed something?
Turning to face Zoro, her eyes searched his for confirmation that what she'd been feeling deep down was what he felt too. His words felt too sincere to be joking, yet Celina wasn't certain. She needed to know and she needed to know now.
"Zoro…" she gazed down, watching the seagulls float through the air, not noticing Zoro coming to stand next to her. "We've been spending a lot of time together recently. I really appreciate what you've done to help me defend myself and become stronger."
Celina whirled to face the swordsman, her silver eyes almost burning holes into his. "Unless I'm missing it, there's something between us. I'm not sure what it is but I've felt it ever since the first night. I don't want to ruin our friendship if you don't feel the same. However, I can't keep denying what my feelings are about you and for you, so I'm just gonna put it out in the open."
Pausing, Celina ran her fingers through her hair, waiting for a reaction from Zoro before she continued. He remained silent, his eyes concentrating on what she had to say.
Inhaling deeply, Celina continued. "I like you and I'm wondering if you feel the same."
As soon as the words came out, her face turned red and she quickly attempted to turn towards the ocean, not wanting to see Zoro's reaction. If anything else, she knew he was repulsed.
Instead, Celina's ears heard deep chuckling emitting from the swordsman. Shocked and somewhat hurt by his reaction to her confession, the corners of her eyes welled up with tears, then narrowed. If Zoro was laughing during this important moment for her, then who needed him as a teacher anyway.
Before Celina got a chance to walk off, she felt Zoro grab her arm, twisting her around to where her lips met his. Her eyes widened in shock before closing as she leaned into his body to deepen the kiss. Strong arms held her tightly against him, their mouths working passionately in unison while her hands stroked his muscular back.
A few moments passed before Zoro and Celina broke apart, their breathing becoming heavy. While gazing lovingly into her eyes, Zoro reached out to tuck a strand of Celina's hair behind her ear, smiling. She merely smirked, thinking about everything leading up to this moment and how her sudden burst of courage paid off.
All the sidelong glances and the red cheeks that formed when they both made eye contact were worth it. Celina owed everything to the man who saved her life and now she had the chance to pay him back in full.
Zoro would be getting more than just her gratitude by the time the night was through and as their lips met again, he thought the same way. Deepening the kiss, Celina felt herself being lifted into his arms as he carried her back into the weight room where they stayed the entire night.
(Flashback end)
The memory of when they first met and fell in love would live on in Celina's head. Turning so she gazed lovingly at the pirate who'd stolen her heart so long ago, a smile crept on her face. Convincing herself she wasn't dreaming was hard to do when Celina had a green-haired, muscular warrior laying next to her in bed every night.
When they both had broke the news to the crew about their relationship, everyone was in agreement. Everyone except for Sanji.
Nami had to hold him back before he'd kick the daylights out of Zoro for 'stealing' Celina away from him. Sanji spent the rest of that day angrily cooking and watching the couple from out the galley window. It took Nami's subtle 'convincing' with her Clima-Tact before Sanji would cease giving Zoro death stares every time the two of them saw each other. It didn't help when Zoro would give them back.
Since Celina had only been with the Straw Hats a couple of months, she hadn't been apart of any adventures. Sailing across the Grand Line had been somewhat peaceful which she was glad of, considering where she came from.
Unfortunately that would soon change. Celina laid her head on Zoro's chest about to fall asleep when there was an announcement from Nami over the intercom.
"Attention! Island up ahead!"
Covering his face with a pillow, Zoro groaned. An island meant he and Celina couldn't have as much alone time. Celina however felt excited as her eyes widened at the thought of adventure. The training with Zoro boosted her confidence tremendously to the point she felt like taking on any challenge.
Plus getting off the ship and stretching her legs was a welcome distraction from the tension between Sanji and Zoro, who stared each other down whenever seeing one another.
Stroking his toned arm, Celina felt amused at her boyfriend's discomfort. As much as she wanted to stay with him all day everyday, he'd instilled an adventurous spirit within her as well as curiosity which meant she couldn't sit still for too long.
Lifting herself up from Zoro's chest with her hands on either side of his body, Celina leaned down, placing light kisses on his chest up to his chin. Before kissing him on the lips, she pecked him on the cheek, watching as Zoro scowled before it quickly became a sly smirk. He lifted his head and brought Celina's face closer, taking the time to admire her beauty.
How had he gotten so lucky?
Just as they were about to kiss, the door slammed open with a loud 'Bang!', causing both occupants to jump in surprise. Zoro quickly pulled the covers off the floor, wrapping them around him and Celina only to turn towards the door to find Luffy standing at the entrance.
Wearing a huge grin on his face with his hands on his hips, the captain of the Straw Hats closed his eyes in excitement while the girl and the swordsman both gaped, utterly dumbfounded by his audacity to disturb them. Celina glared at Zoro while he glanced at her, puzzled.
Before either of them spoke, Luffy did first.
"We're headed to Sabaody!"
In hindsight, no one knew what to expect from this island. It would put Celina and Zoro to the test and be their most exciting adventure yet. As the waves rippled underneath the Sunny, they propelled the crew towards Sabaody where danger, adventure, and intrigue awaited.
Whew! That was a chapter! I finally got it done though. Between working on this and my Vampire Diaries Cinderella fanfic, its been a hectic couple of weeks in terms of writing. So the story about how Zoro and Celina got together has been finished. There might be more flashbacks pertaining to that time but I wanted to just give a summary so we can move on to the actual plot.
Anyways, read and review if you enjoy it!
~Tatertwig45