The wind was beginning to blow furiously now, angry clouds gathering in the sky as they hovered above the Going Merry. Nami wearily noted to herself that she was getting an unsettling sense of déjà vu. As lightning crackled through the sky, she ran a feminine hand through her orange hair, and she lightly bit her lip.

Is it a coincidence that this has happened before? she silently asked. Maybe Luffy really did see an island right before that first storm came.

"I wonder if they're connected," came a new voice. Nami was startled to hear Usopp's statement, and she abruptly turned to find the long nosed man staring apprehensively at the ocean.

"You mean the storms and the island?" she quickly asked.

Usopp licked his lips uneasily, nodding. "Yeah. Seems kinda weird, doesn't it?" Nami thought for a moment before giving a weary smile.

"Well, we have seen stranger things, right?"

Usopp managed a feeble laugh at the girl's comment. There was a brief moment of silence, the ship beginning to rock heavily.

Nami suddenly scowled at Usopp. "What're you doing just standing there?! There's a storm coming! You know what to do! Don't worry about Sanji and I -- we'll stay out here and manage the sails and look after the trees!"

"A-ah! Right! Right!" He dashed into the kitchen to steer, not even giving Sanji, who was handling the sails, a brief glance. Chopper, who felt much safer inside, ran after the curly haired man in an attempt to help him out incase the currents became too hard to steer against.

He left not a moment too soon, for it was then that the storm decided to make itself more pronounced, the sky several shades darker than it had been before. Thunder clapped through the air, and the ship tossed violently amidst the growing waves.

"Can I do anything to help?" asked Chopper urgently as he tried to maintain his balance atop the kitchen floor.


"Nah, I'm fine," Usopp answered as he swiftly made his way over to the helm. "I'm not gonna break this baby like Luffy did. You and I worked too hard on this for it to, so everything should be fine."

The ship gave another violent lurch, and, despite his slightly nauseated stomach, Chopper gave a determined look. "I'm not talking about that, Usopp."

"Oh?" The curly haired man's gaze fell upon their doctor, his hands gripping steadily onto the helm. "Then what is it?" he curiously asked, his voice holding a tinge of nervousness due to the recent circumstance.

The youngest member of the crew took in a deep breath. "I'm talking about doing better than my best," he quickly answered, his words almost running together. "I want--" A pause. "I need to prove myself." Another beat of silence. "Please?"

Upon hearing those words, Usopp's tense face flickered to a sudden surprise before it melted into a fond smile, tinged with a kind of admiration. Dramatically, he slowly let his hands slip from the helm. "I, Captain Usopp, give you charge of the helm then. You seem worthy of such a charge."

Choppers eyes widened for a moment, and Usopp thought he could see them watering somewhat, brimming with emotion. "Yes, sir!" he cried valiantly, an earnest look on his face. "I will do my best! You won't be disappointed in me!"

And as the heavy storm wailed outside, the two comrades seemed to reach an understanding of sorts. It concerned meaningful matters that were seldom found in the average, mediocre man, such as loyalty, acceptance, honor and -- most importantly -- bravery.

There were a few moments of smiles and laughs between two friends who could relate, before the entire room seemed to tilt onto its side. The helm suddenly jerked into the opposite side from where it had originally been placed, and Chopper -- who grew into his full, man size -- gripped onto it with his strong hands before he lost his nerve. Clenching his teeth, he pressed the stick into the correct position, and whether it was because of luck, determination, or both, the two pirates could feel the ship righting itself out.

"Whew," sighed the reindeer, although there was a visible droplet of sweat upon his brow. "That was close."

Usopp clapped. "Well done!" He took a moment to pause, as well as to breathe, as he reached out a supporting hand against the table. "But, hey--why weren't you holding onto the helm to begin with?"

Chopper suddenly looked at him. "You were the one who was being all dramatic and slow in letting it go! Like we had all the time in the world." He briefly appeared flustered. "It confused me!"

"Captain Usopp confuses no one!"

"D-don't kid at a time like this! It makes me nervous!" Chopper's grip tightened against the helm. "It really does feel like it could break," he said a bit softer, anxious.

"Guess I should go find my eegyak then, eh?" laughed Usopp as he slowly made his way to the door. "Actually, I think I'm going to see if Nami and Sanji need any help. This storm is really a doozey!"

"Y-yeah, go do that," managed Chopper. And Usopp was gone, the kitchen door being slammed shut behind him by the strength of the wind. The young doctor silently wondered if he had offended his friend by his outburst moments before. However, it occurred to him during a flash of insight that Usopp hadn't been offended -- he was merely extending his trust to Chopper, showing him that he held every bit of confidence that he could manage the helm by himself.

The reindeer knew he had high expectations to live up to, and he vowed to not only meet them, but to surpass them as well.

Unfortunately, as Usopp battled the heavy rain that plummeted against him, it appeared that they were going to have other troubles to face other than merely managing the helm.

"Oi, Nami! Nami!" The curly haired man thought his voice had drowned amidst the racket of the storm, and he nervously clutched at the rail. "Nami!" he called again, louder this time. "Sanji!" But he received no answer, and his eyes scanned the deck, as well as along the sails of the ship.

His eyebrows suddenly rose , however, and his mouth dropped open.

"O-oi," he said to no one in particular, "why aren't…Sanji and Nami out here?" But he figured he knew. And he licked his lips. And he took a deep breath. And a panic stricken shriek left him. "MAN OVER BOARD!"

***

"Sanji!" screeched Nami as she clung desperately onto the blond chef. "What is going on here?!"

"Ahh, Nami-saann," sighed Sanji, in absolute bliss that the orange haired girl was holding onto him. "You're so attractive when you're confused."

"Confused?!" exclaimed the navigator, her eyes flashing as her grip tightened on him. (Sanji made a shout of delight.) "You mean to tell me that you don't find this the least bit abnormal?!"

"Abnormal?" inquired a content Sanji. "It's only natural that you would draw to the strongest man for protection, Nami-san." He beamed, his eyes glistening.

"I'm not talking about that!" screamed Nami. She took a split second of a pause, her lips pursed together as she tried to collect her racing thoughts. "Sanji-kun, we are BEING CARRIED THOUGH THE AIR BY A GIANT MONSTER!"

"Oh, that."

"IS THAT ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY?!"

Sanji took a brief moment to think as a particular, blue, speckled monster gripped onto the two pirates, its claws wrapped tightly around them. The rain continued to poor as hard as ever, but the awful creature's speed never decreased. Finally, however, the chef spoke. "Well, it is a bit odd, but there's no reason for you to worry your pretty little self as long as I'm around!"

At least Usopp would have had the common sense to panic, Nami told herself silently, her eyes stiff with terror.

But much to her horror, the monster began to abruptly descend from flight. Just as quickly, she found herself thanking the heavens above that Sanji knew how to kick as well as he did. I'm not going to be anyone's supper!

It wasn't long until they began dashing through the rain and over a lush forest. Nami squinted through the raging storm. "An island!" Indeed, it appeared they were going to land on this island. "The sooner we get onto some solid ground, the better!" She sounded almost relieved. Almost.

"And then what will we do, Nami-san?" The chef's voice had a tinge of mischief to it. "It'll get awfully lonely on an island all by ourselves, won't it?"

Nami's eyebrow twitched. "You. Shut up. Now."

"YES, Nami-san!"

It was only a matter of moments until their captor hovered above a sandy shore that rested outside of the forest. Unceremoniously, it dropped them there.

And the creature promptly soared back into the air and towards the looming mountain that was in the middle of the dark forest.

"Hey!" shrieked Nami to its disappearing back. "What's your problem!?" She felt rather bold when accompanied by one of the skilled fighters of the crew. "Sanji-kun!" she barked. "Go teach that thing a lesson!"

"I'd love to Nami-san," Sanji answered earnestly.

Drenched from head to toe with rain water, however, Nami swiftly ran an irritated hand through her wet hair. "Oh. forget it! It's too high now. Let's go find some shelter from this awful rain. We can come up with something while we wait it out." She turned towards the forest and began to walk into a bough-ridden passageway, confident with her companion near. "Come on, Sanji-kun."

"Ahh, yes, Nami-san!" He followed her like a little puppy, obedient and without question.

***

All he could hear was the soft pattering of the outside rain and the beating of his own heart. He wasn't frightened, really -- that wasn't his style. Nor was he upset -- there was little he could do about the situation, after all. He wasn't fine, either -- because being stranded on an island with your poisoned captain really didn't denote being all right. Although he had been in bad scrapes before, it just seemed worse when other people were involved.

Silently standing at the mouth of a dark, moist cave, a shirtless Roronoa Zoro stared out into the muddy clearing, his dark eyes narrowed. He had been fortunate to discover the storm clouds before he had reached shore. As soon as he had realized that it was about to rain, he swiftly turned back and made for the clearing he had just left. Nami could accuse him of having no common sense all she wanted -- but he figured that someone suffering from poison would probably fare better when warm and dry, as opposed to being cold and wet from rain water.

He had decided it was only a matter of time before the rubber man recovered, it being Luffy and all, but he couldn't help but turn back to gaze at the prone figure that rested beside a large, rough boulder. His captain was draped under a familiar white shirt, and Zoro momentarily -- almost awkwardly -- averted his eyes outside. However, the only thing to look at out there was the falling rain, the swaying trees and the dirty mud. Soon growing bored with the sight, he easily made his way from the mouth of the cave and to Luffy's side. Dropping himself onto the ground, he sat and waited. As for what he was waiting for, he wasn't really sure.

He still looks just as pale as before, he noted to himself, his eyebrows furrowing as he glanced at the younger fellow. I wonder how much he ate. Not that it mattered or anything -- knowing the amount of poison he consumed wasn't going to change the fact that it had been eaten. He still found himself feeling a bit angry, though -- not necessarily towards his captain, but rather at the situation they both were in.

I wish we had Chopper here. His own stomach growled, and another thought occurred to him. Having that stupid cook wouldn't be so bad, either. I'd bet that he would at least know the basics of treating poison. But before admitting that he'd complimented the blond chef, he hastily added, I'll bet he's poisoned at least a few people in his lifetime, so of course he'd know.

He lost his train of thought, however, when his eyes shot over to the mouth of the cave. The green haired man suddenly felt tense, and he could have sworn they were being watched. His heart lightly raced, and his hand instinctively made its way to one of his swords. A few moments passed in silence.

Snap!

Zoro abruptly stood up and was lingering beside the mouth of the cave, where the sound came from. But he saw nothing.

Snap! This time, it was from his near left, and his eyes immediately darted over to the said direction. Still, there was nothing. Highly doubting his ears were playing tricks on him, he remained where was, ready and waiting. But before he knew it, he felt a light breeze rush past him, and a snobby voice spoke from behind him.

"I dare say, boy! Don't you know anything?"