A/N:

I finally added some chapter names because even I can't remember which chapter was which with just the chapter numbers. XD

Sanji Kitetsu Chapter 13

Sanji steadies himself against the rail and digs the tip of his blade into the wooden deck. He feels exposed being both sheath-less and out of a swordsman's hand. He can hear the gentle "tap tap tap" from across the deck where Usopp is working on repairing his cracked sheath, but the thought of it doesn't make his current state any less uncomfortable.

He decides to take his mind off his self consciousness and to focus on the moss head instead. The man is finally taking out a needle and some thread and trying to stitch up his ankles after their rushed departure from Little Garden.

Did you disinfect that? Sanji asks as Zoro eyes his ankle for an entry point with the needle in hand. The master shoots his blue gem a glance before getting up and fetching a bottle of liquor from the pantry.

Most people burn it, you know, or boil it in water.

The man shrugs, pours a generous amount of liquor on the needle, and takes a big gulp from the bottle before putting it down beside him. He pokes the needle into one end of his open wound with a hiss.

You could ask-

"Just shut up, will you? I'm trying to concentrate! Fuck, this hurts!"

I was just saying you could ask Nami for some anesthetic cream. I'm sure she has some.

"She'd charge me more than this foot for it, and I don't need that crap."

Then at least get someone else to do it. You're dripping sweat all over the wound.

"Give it a rest. It's not my first time dealing with a sword wound you know. I've always done it myself." The master says, drawing another hissed breath through his teeth as he pulls on the thread. Sanji watches as the man struggles through a few more stitches before speaking again.

I thought you were a sadist, but now you look more like a masochist. So which are you?

"Neither. I do what I have to do. It's got nothing to do with what I like."

You're not alone anymore. You have nakamas now. You trust them with your life, so why can't you trust them with your wound?

Zoro stops the stitching and fixes the cursed blade a questioning look. When he lowers his eyes again, he grins and shakes his head.

"You do say the most romantic things." The swordsman chuckles.

Like I said, I don't think you know what that word means.

"What else can it mean?" Zoro abandons the needle in the flesh and leans back onto his hands. "A man's romance, following your instinct and putting your life and faith in something without proof. It's why Luffy can set out to become the Pirate King without knowing how to survive at sea by himself. It's why all of us chose to follow him and his path with our lives. It's why I chose you to be my sword. It's why you chose to be by my side until my dream comes true-"

Wait, wait... You don't know that. I could still kill you one day. Sanji frowns.

"Uh-huh." The swordsman rolls his eyes.

And that's definitely not what Kuina-chan meant by the word. Is that right, Kuina-chan?

Hmm... So what did YOU think I meant, Sanji? The white sword laughs.

What? Uh... It's... Um...

"Whatever!" Zoro picks up the bottle of liquor for another gulp. "We should commemorate the day Curly pledges his life to my dream by drinking this bottle dry!"

I can agree to that. Kuina says excitedly. Is Yuki old enough to try? I don't think there's a legal drinking age for swords.

"Yuki has to try! He's part of the team!" The man draws the black sword in one practiced move and holds the bottle above its blade, ready to pour.

Wait just a minute, shitty moss! Shouldn't I get the final say in pledging my life to anything?

The swordsman blinks and gestures with the bottle hand for the cursed blade to go on.

Ahem. Well I do have one... no, two conditions. Did you take with you the pack of cigarette I found?

With a sigh, Zoro sheathes Yubashiri and digs in his haramaki to find the pack of cigarette.

"This? You mean the pack you stole."

I'm sure that wax guy can light himself if he's really in need of this. Sanji defends. If you can make sure I'm never out of cigarettes whenever I transform into a human, I wouldn't mind lending you my service for as long as you need it.

"Ok, and the other one?"

Teach Carmen-chan to fight with something other than her hands.

The man shoots him a confused scowl.

She has strong hands, which is a testament to her skills as a cook. The cursed blade explains. But a cook must always protect her hands. She can't be constantly risking them in battle.

"That should be her decision." Zoro takes another gulp from the bottle and straightens his legs, seemingly forgotten about the needle in his ankle.

Ask her anyway. Maybe she just needs someone to show her how.

"Ask her what? It's not like I know how to fight without using my hands."

I do.

"Says someone who has no hands 99% of the time." The swordsman gives a dry humourless chuckle.

I fight with my legs when I transform, so if you'd lend me your blood I can-

"You really enjoy meddling in other people's business, don't you?" Zoro says, pointedly not looking up at Sanji. He drains the rest of the bottle in one breath, sets it down, and goes back to work on the stitches.

The cursed blade wants to retort, but silence suddenly hangs thick in the air.

The conversation is over.