Rated M for Violence, Language, Smoking, The Destruction Of Government Property, and Some Very Detailed Lemons!

I don't own One Piece! This world belongs to Eiichiro Oda and these amazing characters are his. My OC'S and this story, however, are my own! This is a work of fiction from me, any relevance to the real world or other works is purely coincidental.

Thank you for reading!

Zoro

Zoro gripped the railing and looked out at the trail of destruction. Something caused this, something or someone, and whatever it was, it was powerful. His blood boiled with the desire to fight, the drive to test his strength. He agreed with his caption, he wanted to find the cause.

"What are you doing up here?" Chopper's voice pierced Zoro's thoughts and he turned to find the doctor walking towards Alba in the doorway. She was barely on her feet, her knuckles white from gripping the doorjamb. Chopper shifted into his man-form and Alba's face looked surprised for a moment before she was lifted into his arms. "You need rest," Chopper added, his head shaking back and forth.

"When pickles fly," she huffed her cheeks turning slightly red.

"…pickles?" a few of the crewmates said in unison. Their heads turning slightly to the side.

"You heard me," Alba huffed, "now put me down, I'm fine."

Chopper relented, slowly lowering Alba to the ground. She winced in pain as her bottom hit the deck, but she didn't make a sound. Zoro recognized her pride and held back from verbally pointing out the fact that the woman indeed wasn't fine. Or that she'd put herself in this position by ignoring his advice to stay put.

"Do you know anything about this debris?" Nami asked, her hand on her hip as she stepped closer to Alba.

"No," Alba sighed, glancing in the direction of the floating destruction, "I'm sorry but I honestly don't."

"Then we'll have to investigate ourselves," Luffy grinned.

"What about Fishman Island, and the mermaids?" Sanji interjected, his eyes the shape of hearts as he sang that last part.

"As long as the log-pose doesn't have time to change we should be alright," Nami concluded glancing at the small glass sphere on her wrist.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Luffy laughed, "let's go!"

"Isn't that a decision the captain should make?" Alba offered, her bright impossibly golden eyes watching as Luffy laughed.

"She's right you know," Usopp huffed, "as captain-"

"Luffy is our captain," Zoro interjected, watching as Alba's eyes widened in surprise.

"But…" her words faltered, trailing off into nothingness.

Luffy stepped up to her, "not only that," he announced, "someday I'll be king of the pirates!"

Alba's eyes shimmered in the sunlight, specks of gold flashing in her wondrous gaze. She stared up at him, an unknown expression on her face.

"I believe you," she whispered, barely loud enough for Zoro to hear. He could see tears start to shimmer in her eyes before she quickly looked away.

"Now you really should rest," Chopper insisted, reaching out to pick her back up off the deck.

"Wait," she cried out waving off Chopper's reach, "If you're the captain then I need to ask you something."

Luffy waited, his face passive.

"I need to get to Compass Island," she breathed, Zoro watched as her eyes turned fierce, a deep desire for something, something dark, burning within them. "I was only drifting for about three days; it shouldn't be too far from here. It's a matter of life and death, I have to get there. I'll do whatever I can in return. Can you take me…. please?"

Luffy stretched his arm, reaching out to ruffle Alba's hair, "sure."

Tears filled Alba's eyes and dripped down her face in earnest, "thank you," she sobbed, her voice wavering slightly, "thank you so much."

Zoro watched as Chopper helped her back to her feet before leading her through the doorway and into the ship. Though it sounded like she was still trying to negotiate with Chopper about rest.

"You shouldn't have done that," Nami snapped at Luffy once they were out of earshot, "how are we going to find this Compass Island without a log-pose?"

Luffy shrugged "We'll figure it out, I have faith in you."

Nami growled, muttered something about how impossible her life was, and stormed off. Zoro watched, the feeling in his gut getting heavy again.

"She's right you know," Zoro sighed while leaning against the nearby railing and putting his hands behind his head, "you shouldn't have promised Alba something you're not sure you can do."

Luffy glanced down at his hand, the one he'd used to ruffle Alba's hair, "I know, but there was something in her gaze. Something desperate. She asked for my help, so I'm gonna help her."

Zoro nodded, once his captain has his mind set on something, there was no changing it. He then turned to watch as Franky spun the ship's wheel to follow the path of debris. The ship moved effortlessly, changing course in a heartbeat and setting out into the unknown.

I hope everyone is enjoying reading this as much as I am enjoying creating it. If you get the chance, please leave me a comment, I am a writing vampire who survives on coffee and praise. It keeps me going. Thanks :)