Enjoy your reading.

Chapter 47

Choice for the future

As soon as he got to the blond, Chopper grabbed his right hand to examine it. Sanji winced and had the reflex to want to remove it, but the doctor tightly held on.

"There's too much blood, I don't see anything", he said then, taking a spray from his backpack.

"It can wait", the cook tried, sawing his friends continue the battle around them.

"Are you kidding?" the little reindeer growled. "We have to deal with it straightaway!"

To stress his words, Chopper took his human form and flung his friend over his shoulder before running to take shelter against a building wall. Nami followed them and offered the doctor to make sure they were quiet, which he accepted.

Sanji tried to protest when he saw her twirling her Clima-Tact and Chopper put him on the ground. The cook then wanted to stand up to ask the navigator to be careful when the earth faltered suddenly under his feet. The reindeer caught him with a steady hand and sat him down on the ground with authority.

"Don't worry, it's gonna be okay."

"Wh-What is happening to me?" the blond stammered.

"Hands are extremely sensitive and irrigated parts", Chopper explained to him, spraying his solution on the wounded limb. "With the stress, you ignored the wound but now your body is starting to react. We must stop the bleeding and protect the flesh."

After having summarily cleaned the wound, he pulled out a long bandage and tried to fix it hard enough without cutting the rest of the circulation. He then looked up at his patient who had grown considerably pale.

"Listen to me, Sanji. I'm going to touch each one of your fingers. When you feel it, you'll move it back."

"O-Okay."

Chopper started with his thumb and Sanji replied immediately, though wincing in pain. The index finger gave him about the same effect and he gritted his teeth. He then had the impression that his next two fingers were numb and he had difficulty discerning the doctor's touch but he managed to move them anyway. Finally, he had no problem feeling and moving his little finger.

His test finished, the doctor frowned and Sanji felt his heart skip a beat.

"Tell me, Chopper. I wanna know", he whispered in a quavering voice.

"It's not worth worrying too much", he reassured him. "Your tendons and muscles seem to be working pretty well. The only unknown is the state of the nerves. Hand's anatomy is complex so I won't be sure until I can stitch you up."

The cook rested his head against the wall to take deep breaths and so calm his little too fast breathing.

He then looked up at the battlefield and looked for his friends while Chopper was busy adjusting his bandage around his hand. The straw hat crew members were obviously winning the game. There were still a few touts recognizable by their black clothes, and the last guards had either deserted the building to assist them or fled, sensing the fight wasn't going to turn in their favor. The main force was anyway already lying almost everywhere on the huge garden of the property.

The cook smiled as he was watching his crewmates. Ussop had fired smoke bombs and Brook was taking the opportunity to surprise their enemies while Franky was shooting at them with his submachine gun arm. Robin was throwing her multiple arms around the neck of the attackers who were trying to escape and Nami was striking them on the spot with her weapon. Not far from them, Luffy was nimbly avoiding the shots of several men and was knocking them out with powerful punches and a determination that didn't weaken.

Sanji finally spotted the last member of the crew who was standing a little away from the group and he suddenly frowned. At that moment, the fencer was slowly raising his head, a predatory smile on his lips. His three swords around him were sparkling with the blood of his opponents while his clothes and skin were streaked up to his bandana, giving him a terrifying air under the brightness of the moon. The last touts backed away in front of his demonic expression and he took a step closer, visibly delighted to inspire so much fear. He then swooped down on them and Sanji didn't have time to perceive his movement, too fast. When he turned his gaze to the place where the men in black were previously, he could only see that they had all collapsed without a sound and that Zoro was staring at them in silence, blood dripping on the ground from his blades.

"Sanji, come on. We have to go."

Coming him out of his thoughts, Chopper helped the cook to get up. Around them, everyone was quickly gathering.

"We have to go back to Sunny so that I can close his wound", the little reindeer explained to the captain, pointed out the blond by his side.

"Okay, let's go back", Luffy approved.

Robin, Ussop, Franky, Nami and Brook set off for the main gate and Chopper picked up his scattered stuff. Luffy then looked for his first mate who hadn't yet joined them and he turned in his direction when he saw him.

"Hey, Zoro, we're going in!" he shouted.

As the fencer didn't reply, he frowned as he watched him more.

"Zoro?"

The captain's serious tone made the cook raised his eyes and he followed his gaze to the swordsman's figure. In the midst of the bodies, now almost all still, he had leaned over a widely wounded tout he was dominating to his full height. One of his blades had approached his head and seemed to draw an imaginary line at the level of his throat.

Sanji straightened up and turned to Luffy who was watching the scene with a serious look.

"I'll take care of him."

Chopper wanted to protest, but the straw hat boy nodded.

"Okay, we'll wait for you on Sunny."

The blond nodded in his turn then walked towards the fencer. His legs seemed to keep him up more, but his hand was starting to hurt. Nevertheless, he came closer to his partner with equal steps.

When he got close to him, he noticed that Zoro was pressing his sword against the man's throat and that an indecipherable gleam was obscuring his eyes. The fencer hadn't removed his bandana and the cook understood the battle wasn't over for him.

"What are you doing?" he quietly asked him behind his back.

"Finishing the job", the swordsman replied in a low voice

"He's down. He's not a threat anymore."

Zoro didn't reply or move and the cook took a few more steps to stand beside him. He then lit a cigarette and took the time to take a puff before leaning towards the dying man whose mouth was already dripping with blood in the middle of his labored breathing.

"Maybe he's gonna die on his own", he pointed out to him.

"What do we know?"

"He's not worth it, Zoro."

"I don't care!"

Feeling anger in his voice, Sanji tugged again on his cigarette while shrugging nonchalantly. He knew that taking the swordsman head-on on the subject would be useless.

"If you want the title of the next greatest swordsman of the world associated with the one of a mad killer, it's your choice", he finally replied.

At these words, he saw his partner shivered, but that didn't prevent him from pressing his blade a little harder against the man's jugular, ripping a groan of pain from him. Sanji didn't intervene and took a deep breath on his cigarette butt. It was up to Zoro to choose. It was up to him to know where he wanted to place the limit of his actions. He had the power to kill with his swords and he had to decide what he wanted to do with his ability and bear the consequences.

It was a personal choice. A choice that would determine the rest of his life.

Zoro suddenly raised his sword and the brightness of the moon hit the shining blade. The cutting edge of the metal then violently fell and sank into the ground a few millimeters from the tout's head who had a frightened gurgling sound. Sanji gazed at the scene while blowing his smoke for long seconds, silence enveloping them entirely.

Finally, the fencer pulled his sword from the ground before putting it back in his scabbard with a sharp move and turning on his heels. Sanji stayed for a few more moments to stare at the man who had half fainted while he was calmly finishing his cigarette. At last, he turned away in his turn and followed the swordsman who was walking away among the lying bodies.

"Sanji-kun?"

Nami was anxiously waiting for her friend who had just left the infirmary with the little reindeer. She had an ankle bandage herself following her fall in the alley the night of their abduction, but for once, she didn't really care about her fate.

The night was already far advanced and yet, no one had wanted to go to bed before knowing the blond's condition. Franky was taking the helm and the Sunny was slowly moving to sail up along the archipelago. Zoro had sat down against the mast and the rest of the crew had instantly gathered when they had seen the infirmary door open.

"I was lucky, no nerves affected", the blond told them with a big smile.

As her friends were bursting into joy, Nami breathed in relief.

"Thank you for what you've done, but don't take any more of these risks in the future", she gently rebuffed him. "I don't want to carry this weight on my conscience."

"I'll always be your knight in shining armor, Nami-san, I can't help it!" his friend waddled.

The young woman shook her head, smiling while Ussop was noticing his large bandage which wrapped almost his entire right hand.

"Won't it bother you to cook?" he asked.

"We could take turns to help you", Brook added.

"No, don't worry. No problem with that", he assured them.

"Awesome!" Luffy yelled, ecstatic. "Sanji, I'm hungry!"

"You still have to take it easy", Chopper stepped in. "One of the muscles was slightly damaged and your sensitivity on two fingers may be less important for a few days."

"Are you sure that we cannot offer you our assistance for a while, cook-san?" Robin asked.

"It'd be wiser, Sanji-kun", the navigator approved.

"Oh, my princesses, you're so thoughtful!" the blond whirled. "If you grant me your company for the little snack I'm going to prepare, I'll be the happiest man in the world!"

Nami and Robin agreed and the cook nearly melted on the spot. Placing each of his arms on their shoulders, he led them to his lair before locking himself in with them.

His other friends then went back down to the deck, happy with the turn of events.

"When he behaves like this, we're sure he's fine", Ussop noted with a smile.

"Love heal all evil", Brook blissfully sighed.

Robin, Nami and Sanji quickly brought their plates to the crew members gathered on the front deck. Franky then left the helm and came to sit near the cook, munching his sandwich.

"I heard your hand is gonna be super all right!" he got enthused.

"Yes, Chopper did a great job", the blond showed him.

"Shut up, I don't need you to give me that kind of compliment!" the little reindeer sharply reproached him while blushing, a few steps away.

Not far from them, Luffy burst out laughing and everyone dined with a light heart after this adventure.

Amidst the playful conversations and as he was finishing eating, Sanji suddenly let his gaze linger on the fencer against the mast that had barely touched his plate. He had surprised his attentive gaze on him when Franky had asked him about his wound and he was certain Zoro had heard them. Nevertheless, he was remaining silent and visibly concerned. No doubt he was still brooding over what had happened during the fight and he needed to think about it alone.

This is why the cook didn't try to provoke him to make him react during the rest of the meal and he let him lock himself inside the crow's nest for the night.

The next day at the start of the evening, as the Thousand Sunny passed the last island of the San Marsoni archipelago, Luffy suddenly began to yell, pointing his finger towards the coast.

"An amusement park! I wanna go!"

His friends gathered around him on the left of the ship and admired the colored lights that were sparkling in the dark at the top of a large cliff of rocks blunt by the surf.

"Sounds super!" Franky exclaimed.

"I'm sure there are cotton candy sellers!" Chopper got enthused.

"View must be magnificent from the Ferris wheel", Robin noted, observing the huge illuminated machine.

"I want to ride bumper cars!" Brook said excitedly.

"I'm going to make a killing in shooting games!" Ussop added, rubbing his hands.

"It's true that some relaxation wouldn't hurt", Sanji approved.

"Can we, Nami? Please?!" Luffy begged her, turning abruptly towards her.

"This archipelago has left me nothing but dreadful memories for the moment so we might as well have some fun", the young woman replied, nodding positively.

"Hooray!"

"Head for the park!" the cyborg was delighted, giving a large shift in direction to port.

"Oh, no! Not the ghost train!" the musician of the crew cried out.

"But it's gonna be so much fun!" his captain assured him before rushing to meet Franky who was already standing in line.

"Brook, don't leave me alone with these two freaks", Ussop begged him, pointing to Franky and Luffy who were swirling around the attraction.

"Hey, I'm here!" Chopper got indignant. "I told Luffy I'll go too!"

"Chopper, the more we will be, the easier it will be", the sniper explained with a fact tone. "From my experience, you shouldn't be alone in such cases!"

"I regret but I prefer to enjoy a more serene attraction", the skeleton declined however.

"Well, make up your mind", Nami sighed. "We're not going to debate it all night..."

Frightened at the idea of seeing his bodyguard disappear, Ussop suddenly grabbed the swordsman's arm by his side.

"Okay, we're taking Zoro then!"

"Yes, we're taking Zoro!" Chopper added, gripping his other arm. "He'll protect us!"

The cook stifled a laugh when he saw the fencer's head who didn't seem to agree with the proposal. Zoro hadn't said a word of the evening and his withdrawn air hadn't softened all day long. If the blond hadn't failed to notice his attitude still distant since the day before, the navigator ignored him completely.

"Perfect. See you later", she concluded, turning on her heel.

"Have a good time", Robin encouraged them with a small smile.

Sanji and Brook quickly followed suit in the direction of the Ferris wheel. The atmosphere in the park was festive and the ambient good mood was prompting the whole crew to put the latest events behind them once and for all.

The slow advance of the huge wheel was allowing its visitors to enjoy the 360-degree view of the park and the ocean at the foot of the cliffs. The spectacle was magnificent and the four friends didn't fail to rave about each moment while pointing out places to each other through their little transparent pod.

Sanji then spotted a winding path away from the park and leading to the edge of the cliffs a little away. He noticed a small area of grass up to a wooden fence which must also offer a breathtaking view of Grand Line.

This moment suspended over the ground made him gain height not only on the landscape but also on what he had just gone through and he took an unconscious look at his right hand before his thoughts brought him back to the swordsman. Zoro had stood aside from the group for the past few hours and although he didn't blame him, the cook would have liked to find a way to soothe him. From his point of view, the fencer had faced a turning point and he had acted in the best way possible by moving away from the temptation to take justice into his own hands. However, the swordsman didn't give the impression of being satisfied with it and he didn't understand why. Nevertheless, Sanji trusted him and he had no doubt he would overcome this ordeal like he had done with all the others.

The wheel soon put its passengers back on the ground and the four friends found their crewmates not far from where they had left them. Sanji then smiled when he saw the livid faces of Chopper and Ussop. Between them, Zoro was standing perfectly still and visibly indifferent to their condition. A few steps away, Franky and Luffy were commenting on the attraction with excitement, obviously wanting to take another ride.

"What do we do now?" the blond asked around, lighting a cigarette.

"We're doing the ghost train again!" Luffy yelled immediately.

"No thanks", Ussop stammered.

"I think we'll pass", Chopper added, legs shaking.

"How about a roller coaster?!" the cyborg then suggested.

"Now I'm all in!" Brook got enthused. "I love having my stomach upside down!"

"He didn't want to do the ghost train and he can't wait to hit the roller coaster?" Ussop muttered to Chopper. "It makes no sense..."

"Luffy, don't you want to do something quieter?" the navigator suddenly stepped in.

"Something quieter?" the captain repeated, as if he didn't know the word.

"Yes, look. I'd like to do that."

She handed him the park brochure and pointed to an attraction as Franky and Ussop were coming closer to read with him.

"A ride on a swan-shaped boat?" the carpenter read, surprised.

"A gentle route to discover the animals' nursery of the island?" the sniper wondered in his turn.

He and Franky then glanced at each other while Nami was waiting hopefully for the captain's response.

"No, I don't wanna do this!"

Luffy put his hat on his head and turned to the rest of his friends.

"Let's hit the roller coaster!"

"Uh, Luffy, are you sure you don't want to take this walk with Nami?" Ussop tried nervously.

"Yeah, don't you wanna see super interesting animals?" Franky insisted. "With cute baby swans where you can spend lots of time with your girlfriend?"

"No, that's okay!" he assured them with conviction. "I prefer the roller coaster!"

He then started to walk away cheerfully towards the attraction while the cyborg and the gunner were casting a sorry glance at the young red-haired woman in front of them who was trying to suppress her anger.

"It was nice of you to try", she finally sighed. "Come on, Robin. Let's go see these baby animals, I need to cheer up..."

The archaeologist nodded before following her and Brook and Franky met the captain a little further. Ussop and Chopper then offered to the cook and the fencer to come with them to the firing range and Sanji was going to follow suit when he noticed the empty gaze of his partner again. He therefore declined their proposal, quickly blowing out his smoke.

"We've got something to do with Zoro. We'll catch up."

The two friends nodded before walking away and Sanji gently put his hand on the swordsman's arm who jumped, suddenly turning his attention to him.

"Where are the others?" he wondered when he discovered they were alone.

"Come on, marimo", the blond evaded.

Zoro looked questioningly at him and the cook pointed at the cliffs a little further. Frowning, the fencer nevertheless followed him towards a small dirt road leading to the large rocks overlooking the sea.

Arriving not far from the precipice, Sanji leaned on the wooden fence delimiting access to the edge and Zoro quickly did the same. They observed for a few moments the landscape, the playful and bright one of the park on their left and the majestic and silent one of the sea on their right.

After several silent minutes, Zoro noticed he was relaxing in this environment protected from noise and crowds and he shook his head. There was no doubt the cook had perceived his inner tension and it was for this reason he had pulled him aside. He had obviously noted his need for isolation since the day before. The fencer then sighed, remembering the events that had led to his withdrawal. He had spent a good part of the night wavering between anger with himself and gratitude about it.

At first, he had been furious to find that he had made a big mistake. Indeed, believing he was escaping his emotions, he had in reality allowed himself to be devoured by anger and although this had allowed him to gain power and to repel his feelings, he had almost been embarked at the same time on dangerous ground. That is how that evening, while his blades were falling on his enemies and were cutting them with a simple move, he had disappeared until he had become one with his weapons. Until he was out from the rest of the world.

Blood was calling blood and the reddening metal had made him feel like he was out of reach for everything he couldn't control. The moment passed, yet he had quickly become disillusioned. Emotions had in fact misled him and had played their treacherous role: the crew's swordsman had nearly lost it and if the cook hadn't got him out of his trance, he knew he wouldn't be the same today. Yesterday, he had lost control.

In return, when this morning the sun had chased away the mists of the night, it had at the same time brought to the fencer a strange feeling of satisfaction which was mixing more or less strongly with his disappointment. In fact, Zoro was also savoring the happiness of being with his adventure companions, all alive and safe, more than ever. The life they had chosen wasn't without risk and they had all accepted it but since they day before, he was really grateful he could still enjoy his luck. It was also for this reason he was even angrier with himself to have lost his temper.

So tonight Zoro didn't know exactly how he could make sure he didn't repeat the same mistake and he had logically decided to apply the method he knew best: he would train again and again. Until perfection of the move. Until total control of his mind.

The fencer looked back at the blond who was smoking peacefully by his side and he noticed his wounded hand leaning lightly on the wooden fence. Taken by an impulse, he took it gently to examine it and between his fingers, he felt Sanji jump but it was obviously not because of the pain because he simply questioned him with his gaze.

Suddenly embarrassed, Zoro looked down.

"Chopper said your recovery's going well", he mumbled to put on a bold front.

In response, the cook undid his bandage, revealing a long, thin slash that was crossing the palm of his right hand. It was still red and puffy but the little doctor had assured that the scar would become minimal over time. Zoro then mapped out his wound with his fingertips, observing it carefully before returning his hand to the cook, his gaze still evasive.

"What about you, what happened to you?" the blond then asked with curiosity. "When this guy's bullet hit you, I got the impression you couldn't move anymore."

"Paralyzing bullet", the fencer sighed, finally raising his head. "It literally stuck right over my stomach and Chopper had to suck it up."

"Can I see?"

Zoro nodded and lifted his tee-shirt. Sanji then touched the new scar forming on his lover's chest. He slowly stroked it before turning his attention back to his own wound.

"This is my first battle scar and I can tell you I'm not ready to want another one", he grunted. "Of course, I didn't regret for a second what I did because I'd rather die than let Nami-san being hurt but for a moment, I wondered what would happen to me if I couldn't cook anymore and believe me, it's one of the worst things I can imagine..."

"So do I", the swordsman thoughtfully replied by his side.

"You're kidding, marimo", the blond got amused. "You're showing your scars like trophies!"

The fencer tensed up as he realized his words and he scowled.

"I wasn't talking about that", he finally grumbled.

Sanji wanted to look questioningly at him but his partner's eyes were remaining stubbornly focused on the open sea. He then gently smiled as he understood what the swordsman had revealed to him in spite of himself.

Understanding he had just been exposed, the latter tried to make up for it, cheeks red.

"Your hands are your work tool, that's why", he muttered, awkwardly shrugging his shoulders.

"Yeah, I know."

The cook decided not to insist. He knew Zoro would deny any sense of worry he might have had and he would do the same if he asked him about the moment the fencer had fallen on his knees under the impact of the bullet.

However, nothing prevented him from conveying the real message in another way and he turned to the swordsman who had started to observe the sea in silence. The place where they were was deserted and Sanji pulled his partner to him before leaning to place a simple kiss on his lips, wanting to both soothe his last torments and enjoy this moment of intimacy. He then felt the fencer react strangely since he squeezed him a little stronger than usual in return, and the blond allowed himself to be carried by his powerful arms around him.

When he reluctantly moved away from his warm body to observe him after a few moments of silence embrace, he noticed that Zoro was holding him closer than he would have thought. His eyes a few inches from his no longer seemed to want to leave them now and the cook shivered.

This moment was incredibly intense and totally unexpected and Sanji couldn't resist it. He put his hands on each side of the swordsman's face before closing his eyes and kissing him as tenderly as possible, letting his usual passion melting in a wave of sweetness he tried to transmit him. He knew it wasn't their habit but tonight, the cook felt like he could venture into it and to his delight, he felt Zoro answer him in the same way.

Sanji let himself be carried away by his senses and savored the almost trembling caress of their lips and the delicate touch of their tongues. These kisses weren't wild or impulsive as they often could be between them. On the contrary, they were full of restraint, as if they were simply reveling in the presence of the other.

Their embrace then continued for a few minutes before they parted again, exchanging a deep look.

Breathe shortened by emotion, Sanji moved away from the body against his and put a cigarette at the corner of his lips, a distant look in his eyes. Words weren't necessary to express what they were feeling today and he tried to etch this feeling of complicity which had escaped him too quickly on his memory.

"We should go back, the park will be closing soon", he finally whispered.

The fencer softly agreed, obviously still under the influence of their exchange too, and Sanji forced himself to set out so as not to be tempted to pick up where they left off.

Seeing him go away, Zoro then followed suit a little more calmly than when he had gone up.

All's well that ends well... for now.

In next chapter, Nami and Luffy will be under the spotlight so be prepared for a different atmosphere!