Hey there! Sorry it's been so long... School hit me so hard I might as well have run full-tilt into the back of a parked school bus (wouldn't that be ironic...). And here I am all ready to update last night, and my friggin mouse dies! (the computer mouse) So I threw a total fit about mice breaking at 11:30pm, because the stores that are open that late certainly don't sell computer equipment...
Anyway, Let me say a few quick things and get on with the chapter!
First, I love you all! I'm thrilled with the response this has gotten so far! Thank you thank you thank you!
Second, this will turn into a romance!
And third...
Disclaimer: I don't own it!
Oh yeah, and to my reviewers...
To em182: What matters is that you review at all! Thanks a lot! And thorns... splinters, same difference. They're sharp, painful and they DON'T BELONG IN YOUR BODY! ...yuck... Anyway, thanks for the review!
To Griever5: Hehehe, I thought the unsure Zoro was funny. And yes, Luffy did jump from the crow's nest. How did he get up there in the first place I wonder... Another Luffy backer! Thanks for the review!
To KuroKame: And we have one Zoro supporter! Alright! And I know! Where the heck do they come from? I hate the ones when you know they're there, because you can feel the pain, but they're so small you can't see'em to pull them out! Eww... And about my idea for the romance... mwahaha... at least I think it's funny... Thanks for the review!
To Alex M: Thanks! Glad you like it! Thanks for the comment!
To dichana: Glad you liked the comfort fluff! And yes! Nakama-ness abounds in chapter three! Needles I can stand. But needles anywhere but my upper arms... ewwwww... Hehehe, another Luffy backer! Thank you, thank you, thank you for the review!
To Ai cyke: Glad you're liking it so far! Thanks for the review!
To Yoru Hana: Yay for romance! Yeah, it's definitely heading there. I'm in a yaoi0ish mood after reading some new manga... Thanks for the review!
To The Plushie Bandit: I do? Thank you for saying that! I feel special now! Don't worry, I do that all the time. It will be a romance, don't worry! And man, I can't WAIT for you to update you fic! I am sooo anxious! Thanks for the review!
To Random Kyuubi: Hahaha, I'm glad that comment made someone laugh! I say grr all the time, personally... I'm only a little strange, promise... Hehe, it will be a romance, so don't worry! And thanks for the comments!
To Splash-Yaoiluv: I'm glad you feel that way! It's important to me that my plots seem plausible. Thanks for the review!
To Digital Dreamer: Really? It means a lot that you think that! Hehehe, I love making people squeal... through my stories that is...I'm glad you like it! I hope you enjoy this chapter too! Thanks for the review!
Alright, that's it! Hopeyou enjoy it!
The Bet: A Barrel of... Something
When Zoro next saw his captain, the boy had settled himself comfortably atop the bow of the ship, one hand clasped absently over his bandaged arm as he faced the ocean ahead.
The younger pirate didn't seem to notice his approach, and the first mate smirked to himself. It was after eleven, and just sitting there wasn't going to help the boy win his wager. 'Maybe I'll cut him a little slack and let him have dinner. Or a snack at least...'
After all, being trapped on a boat with a starving Luffy might turn out to be dangerous to one's health...
Not to mention sanity...
Zoro winced as he experienced yet another jaw-cracking yawn. The current bet had kept him from his early morning, mid morning, and late morning naps, and the swordsman was starting to feel the lack of sleep.
Starting as he heard someone exhale loudly behind him, Luffy craned around to see that his first mate had seated himself directly below him on the deck, head bowed and eyes closed.
Fuming, the captain swiveled fully on his perch to pout down at the green haired head of the older pirate. 'He's laughing at me!' He thought, completely insulted. 'He's sitting right there... mocking me!'
Swiftly he stood, face set in determination, resolve quickly mounting, and leapt to the floor. 'I'll show him!'
He purposely landed with an exceptionally loud 'thump,' just to make sure his comrade heard him leaving. And as he marched away with deliberate steps, in a manner that demanded attention, he failed to notice the satisfied grin that spread over the swordsman's features.
'That got him.' Zoro mused.
Once safely at the other end of the ship, Luffy fisted his hands on the brim of his hat, tugging in frustration. "Think, Luffy! Think! You've got to come up with something..."
He'd tried being stealthy on his own... That hadn't worked.
He'd tried using distractions... No dice.
He'd tried approaching from all different directions... No luck.
The environment wasn't working with him at all.
But wait... what if he worked with the environment?
Luffy wrung his hands together, snickering in a very alarming way, before dashing off. There had to be something in the storage room he could use.
What he needed... was a disguise!
Zoro had broken into quiet laughter as soon as his captain had left earshot. He'd really managed to irritate the boy that time.
"Poor Luffy," He began, tucking his arms behind his head as he let his eyes fall closed again. "I hope he ate a lot for breakfast."
... Well... that really went without saying...
The first mate chuckled again, reclining further against the rail as he listened to the ocean. It had become quiet all of the sudden...
Too quiet...
Suspiciously too quiet...
The waves were breaking against the sides of the boat.
Seagulls were sounding from a spot atop the mast.
The sails were snapping erratically as the breeze filled them.
Every once in a while the ship itself would emit a low groan as it settled itself in a large swell.
But no voices...
Sanji and Usopp had wisely decided to make themselves scarce. Especially after their earlier plan had backfired. Nami had returned to her maps, and Luffy was off plotting.
'Well, I guess that accounts for everyone.' He shrugged off his sense of unease, yawning again as he fought to remain alert through his growing exhaustion.
Scrape...
Shuffle shuffle shuffle shuffle.
Zoro lifted his head, frowning as he glanced around the deck. What the hell had that been? There was still no one around, and the area was still empty, save for a barrel that someone had left beside the stairs. 'Was that there a minute ago?' He wondered briefly, unconcerned as his eyes drifted closed again.
Scrape...
Shuffle shuffle shuffle shuffle.
Sighing, the swordsman looked up again, fixing his gaze on the cask. It appeared slightly closer than it had been a moment earlier. He rubbed his temples, groaning almost inaudibly. 'You have got to be joking...'
In an effort to confirm what he thought was going on, and to make sure he wasn't finally going insane (which, after spending so much time with the other Straw Hats, was more or less inevitable), Zoro shut his eyes yet again. There were a few seconds of silence before...
Scrape...
Shuffle shuffle shuffle shuffle.
'Not yet.' The first mate advised himself, waiting the situation out a little bit more.
Scra - shink.
Holding back a snort, the green haired pirate concluded that the barrel must have gotten stuck on a warped floorboard...
Scritch-thunk
Scritch-thunk
Scritch-thunk
... And wasn't having much luck freeing itself.
Discretely cracking one eye open, Zoro watched as the drum lifted just enough to clear the obstacle, before settling back down upon the deck. 'There you go.' He bit his lip to keep quiet. Holding his position, his face directed downward, the swordsman listened as the noise began again.
Scrape...
Shuffleshuffleshuffleshuffle.
Scrape...
Shuffleshuffleshuffleshuffle.
As the barrel drew nearer, the sounds became more frantic, almost hurried.
Abruptly, the first mate straightened, pinning the large cask with a glare, and it dropped immediately to the deck, motionless. Finally letting himself smirk openly, he braced one foot against the barrel, which was now about only two feet away, and pushed.
Pressing the container back until he could no longer reach it, he let his leg drop, his expression expectant as he stared at an empty knot in the curved paneling.
After a few moments, there was a muffled noise from within the drum. A voice...
"Aw man..."
A very pitiful, disappointed, Luffy-like voice.
Snickering to himself, Zoro watched as the barrel rose again, swiveled around, and shuffled back the way it came.
As the cask traipsed its way towards the stairs leading to the lower deck, the older pirate had a sneaking suspicion that his captain had no idea that the floor was about to drop out from under him.
And sure enough, before the swordsman could utter a word of warning, the barrel went tumbling down the stairs. With a startled screech from the boy inside, the drum landed heavily on its side, rolling across the deck until it halted against the rail.
Halfway to his feet, ready to aid his friend, Zoro was relieved when all he heard was a low, keening whine.
The container began rocking, and after four consecutive tries, managed to right itself before settling in the middle of the deck.
The first mate broke into subdued laughter as he slumped back against the bow again, a fond smile playing across his lips.
Luffy, still hunched inside the barrel, grumbled to himself at the failure of yet another plan. "It's not fair... it's just not fair!"
He was still sulking two minutes later when the Going Merry suddenly lurched violently, tipping the cask onto its side once again. Now on a sharp incline, Luffy found himself, and the barrel he still occupied, pitched across the deck; colliding harshly with the railing before being tossed into the air.
"Uh oh..."
Zoro, who had been half asleep already, was thrown awake as the ship tilted. What brought him to his feet, however, was a loud crack and the splash that followed. "Damn it..."
Rushing to the port side of the ship, the swordsman leaned out over the water to have his fears confirmed. There in the ocean floated a very familiar barrel. He cursed; anger, frustration and worry making him tense. "Damn it!"
Sparing no time, the first mate lodged one foot on the rail, calling over his shoulder to summon the rest of the crew. Just as the boat was leveling off again, he heard the hurried voice of Sanji yelling about a rope.
With all of his strength, Zoro vaulted from the Going Merry, striving to reach the cask before he plunged into the churning water, where he would surely lose sight of it.
But luck was not on his side, and he just missed a large swell that, to his further agitation, carried the boy away from him.
'Hold on!' After getting his bearings amidst the waves, the first mate set off, powering through the ocean with a remarkable drive born solely from the desperate need to save his friend. 'Just hold on!'
It took him precious seconds to reach the barrel, and when he did, he felt relief surge through him. The drum was bobbing calmly between the waves, disarmingly serene.
"Luffy!" Paddling within an arms length of the cask, Zoro called out over the constant rushing of the sea. "Luffy! Damn it, Luffy, quit fooling around!"
The swordsman grasped the open end of the container and wrestled it closer, all the while scolding his captain for getting himself tossed overboard. When there was no response, he rolled his eyes and peered into the makeshift vessel.
"Come on, Luffy-" But what he saw, or rather didn't see, made his heart clench in panic, the words caught in his throat.
The barrel was empty...
No straw hat...
No Luffy...
Nothing...
"Well? What's going on?"
Visibly startled, Zoro turned and looked up at Sanji, who was draped over the ship's rail, a coil of rope around his folded right arm. "He's not here!" He answered, his tone thick with anxiety.
The cook gaped down at him. "WHAT?"
"The barrel's empty!" The swordsman bellowed in return, searching frantically for any sign of the boy on the surface. Not waiting for the chef to reply, he dove underwater. The first mate bore down, forcing his body, which had been frozen from shock, into motion.
Was there any way he could reach Luffy now? How long had it been since the boy had fallen out of the barrel?
With every stroke, the sea grew darker, shadows closing around him as swiftly as the grave thoughts that plagued his mind.
'Where is he?'
How long could the boy hold his breath? Would he be able to reach him in time? Zoro urged his limbs to reach farther, to kick harder, to swim faster...
'Where is he?'
Was it possible that he'd failed? Had he let his friend down? Saving Luffy had gradually changed from tedious obligation to an all-consuming need. The swordsman needed to see that smiling face everyday...
'Where is he?'
Desperation was settling like lead in his veins, weighing him down, slowing his movements. His lungs were burning, protesting violently at the lack of oxygen. His mind refused to focus on the idea that his captain might be... no...
'WHERE IS HE!?'
Deeper... farther... faster... longer... harder... closer!
'Where- wait... there!'
And suddenly there was no ocean. No fatigue, no pain, no fear. Just those two sandaled feet, and that bright red shirt, still vivid even in the dwindling light. The boy was curled into a tight ball, his hands clamped over his mouth and his eyes screwed shut.
What happened then, the first mate wasn't entirely sure of. One minute he was still fighting to gain on his captain's sinking body, and the next he was breaching the surface of the water with a strangled gasp; Luffy's tense, quaking form held securely against his side.
The rope wound around his wrist, pulling painfully at his drained muscles as he was lifted from the waves.
His free arm literally locked around the boy's waist.
Weightlessness.
Hands removing his companion from his grasp; prying his fingers, reluctant to release the younger pirate just yet, from their grip on his friend's shirt.
The hard, rough, yet oddly comforting surface of the ship's deck below him as he collapsed, energy spent, onto the floor.
Zoro's exhaustion made it too difficult to focus on anything in particular, and he only caught brief sensations as he and his captain had been hauled from the ocean. While what really concerned him at the moment was Luffy's well-being, his body was rebelling; not allowing him to summon the strength necessary to move to his friend's side.
"Zoro, he's not responding." Nami's voice wavered as she called to the first mate.
The swordsman's eyes widened at the navigator's statement, but even then he could only barely begin to move.
"Zoro?" Tone questioning, it was Usopp's words that held an edge of concern.
Finally responding, although not nearly as quickly as he would have liked, the green haired young man managed to lever himself to his elbows, fixing an unfocused gaze on the rest of the crew. "What do you mean 'not responding'?"
Sanji was kneeling behind the marksman, and seemed to be holding his captain down, restraining him.
Nami, who looked somewhat distraught at the whole situation, climbed to her feet and dashed off without responding, muttering something about towels.
Arching an eyebrow at her abrupt exit, Zoro shifted his eyes to the chef. "Well?"
The blonde was frowning deeply, steadily pressing the shoulders of the rubber-man against the deck. "Physically Luffy seems no worse for wear, but he won't open his eyes, and he keeps mumbling to himself."
Slowly, almost experimentally, Sanji released the smaller pirate, who immediately curled in on himself again.
Zoro sluggishly forced himself to his knees, crawling towards the prone form of his captain as the chef continued to shake the unresponsive teen.
"Wake up, Luffy!" Getting more irritated each passing second, the cook braced one arm against the boy, raising his other hand palm open as if to strike the captain. "Wake up!"
There was a stumbling clatter, and Sanji found his wrist caught in an unforgiving grip; Zoro glaring at him with barely contained anger for his current state.
"What the hell are you doing?"
Meeting the swordsman's fierce stare with one of his own, the blonde noted idly just how unsteady his crewmate looked, now up on his feet. He hadn't intended to hurt the boy, just to rouse him from whatever trance he was in.
Zoro's expression darkened the longer he faced off with the cook; his fingers tightening around the man's arm.
Usopp, who had been warily looking between the two, inched quietly backwards. "Um..." He laughed nervously, throwing a glance over his shoulder at the ship's cabin. "I think I'll go see what's taking those towels so long." That said, he bolted from the scene, headed for the safety of anywhere but the deck.
Tearing his focus from the first mate's livid face, Sanji watched the marksman leave. 'Sounds like a good idea to me.' He thought. "Let moss-head deal with the kid.'
Wrenching his hand free, the chef stood, straightening his coat as he turned away. He snorted dismissively. "I have to go make sure Nami's alright."
Growling under his breath, Zoro ignored the blonde's indifferent words. He settled at his captain's hip, rolling the quivering frame onto his back.
The smaller pirate was still shielding his face, knees pulled against his chest as he rambled incoherently into his hands.
"Luffy..." He murmured, worriedly greatly at how frightened the boy appeared. He seemed to be trapped in some sort of conscious nightmare... "Luffy, wake up..."
Leaning over his friend, he gradually straightened the boy's legs; pinning them in an outstretched position with his own weight at his straddled the boy's thighs.
"Luffy!" Coaxing the boy's hands away from his face, he pressed those too to the deck, bowing closer to his companion. The boy's eyes were wide and scared, his mouth constantly moving, spouting what sounded like complete nonsense. "Come on, man, wake up!"
"Zoro..."
Startled, the swordsman froze when he heard his name. Not a reply, but one of the boy's erratic whimpers.
Hesitantly, the first mate lowered himself further, his face barely a breath away from the rubber-man's. "I'm here." He offered, all thoughts of roughly jolting the boy awake lost. "You're all right, Luffy."
"Zoro..." The smaller boy's tension slowly eased, his rushed words ceasing.
Now able to release the boy, he lifted one hand to his captain's cheek, gently brushing away a drop of fluid resting at the corner of his right eye. Whether it was a tear or simply water, the swordsman couldn't tell. "It's me, Luffy. I'm right here."
Zoro's soft gesture caused more of a reaction than the earlier force, and suddenly the boy was jerking upwards, just barely avoiding a brutal collision with the jaw of his first mate. "Zoro!"
Instantly shifting, he supported his friend's body as he began to thrash. "Easy, Luffy! Easy!" At the sound of his deep voice, the boy seemed to calm considerably, blinking dazedly up at him. "It's just me."
"Oh, Zoro... It's you..." The younger pirate met his first mate's concerned gaze with a confused one. "Um... what happened?"
The green haired young man wanted to laugh... or cry... or smash his forehead against something hard. "You... you mean you don't remember?" Completely baffling... this boy was utterly perplexing.
"Huh?" Another stunned, blank look. "Remember what?"
"You fell overboard... again!" The swordsman exclaimed, gesturing vaguely with one hand. "You were in the barrel..." He prompted. "And the boat tipped and you were tossed over the rail?"
Scratching his head absently, Luffy, still beneath his first mate, suddenly gasped. "Oh, yeah!"
Zoro drooped heavily over his friend, sighing. 'That's all he has to say?' He collapsed onto his elbows again, his head falling alongside his captain's as he laughed in amazement. "You're going to be the death of me..."
His arms subconsciously wrapped around the broad back of his companion. Pausing, for a moment the younger of the two thought his comrade was serious. But then he felt, more than heard, the light laughter against his ribcage, and joined in, chuckling himself. "Probably."
Finally dragging himself off of his captain, he sank to the floor again; his previous fatigue catching up with him. "Well, that's no problem." He mumbled absently, not entirely aware of what he was implying.
And before he could recognize the gravity of what his first mate had just said, Luffy realized that his head was bare. "Wait.. where's my hat?"
After a short, albeit frantic search, they found that the infamous straw hat had miraculously fallen off before the rubber-man had been thrown into the water. It had landed harmlessly at the foot of one of the staircases, and was immediately back in its rightful place.
Luffy grinned, completely unaffected by his near-drowning, and adjusted his precious treasure on his hair. "There! Perfect!" He giggled happily, clearly back to himself already.
Zoro, however, was looking increasingly like he had been hadn't slept or eaten in weeks. He was propped against the mast, doubled over as he fought to stay conscious. 'Just a little while longer...'
"Hey, Zoro... Are you alright?"
In the midst of intensely regretting the whole 'bet' situation (whose bright idea had that been anyway...), the swordsman raised his head, with great effort, and met his captain's searching eyes. "Just twenty-five more minutes..." He urged, smacking himself a couple times for good measure.
Quirking an eyebrow at his first mate's strange behavior, Luffy wondered aloud at what his friend was talking about. "Twenty-five... minutes?" He repeated, cocking his head in question. "What do you mean?"
"Ah, you don't remember that either, eh?" Finally breaking into a drained smile, the older pirate tapped his wrist, as if to indicate a watch. "Does no food for the day ring a bell?"
And in a rush of scrambling limbs, his captain was gone.
It had been approximately six minutes and forty-nine seconds since he had last seen Luffy (he was keeping track). He had quickly changed into some dry clothes before settling at the back of the boat, going slack against the railing as soon as he sat down.
"Not much longer..." He chanted. "Not much longer..."
He had never felt such spectacular exhaustion before. The extent of his fatigue was so complete that he was actually astounded. 'I don't know if I'll be awake long enough after I win to keep Luffy from eating...'
Shaking himself to keep alert, he suddenly thought he heard a quiet plea for help. The swordsman frowned, listening closely for the voice again. 'Great, now I'm delirious...'
"Somebody help!" Came the meek, timid call.
"What?" Focusing on the source of the noise, Zoro could have sworn he saw fingers clutching at the edge of the deck. "You've gotta be joking... he didn't..."
Oh, but he had...
Luffy was hanging by his fingertips from the side of the Going Merry. His eyes had lifted when he had heard someone approach, and he met Zoro's 'what-the-hell-are-you-doing' look with a sheepish grin.
'He must have been trying to shimmy around behind me...' Zoro thought in annoyance. "Here I just hauled you out of the ocean, and you go trying to toss yourself back in!" He turned his back on the dangling pirate. "Maybe I'll let you stay there for a little while longer."
His captain's expression was stricken, shocked as he looked pleadingly up at his companion. "W-what?"
"Yeah... Not only will you learn your lesson, but I won't have to worry about you sneaking up on me!" The first mate smirked, waving back over his shoulder as he sauntered away. "I'll be back for you eventually."
"Wait!" The smaller boy yelled, desperate to make his friend reconsider. "You can't just leave me here! Zoro!"
When there was no reply, Luffy whined nervously.
"Zoro?" He shifted uneasily, looking down at the crashing waves far beneath him. "Zoro?"
He bit his lip, struggling to maintain his hold on the boat. But his hands were slipping, and he was too afraid of losing his grip altogether to find a better support. His fingers were slipping! He was going to fall! 'How could Zoro do this to me?'
He felt the last of his purchase on the ship leaving.
'Zoro!"
Dun dun dun... Sorry, I had to throw in a stupid little cliffhanger. Hope you enjoyed it! Thanks for reading! Please review! Next chapter decides the winner!
Next Time: Luffy's tactics just aren't working, and Zoro knows it. Will Zoro's overconfidence be justified? Or will one last ditch effort make Luffy the victor? Find out next chapter! (even I hope the captain ate his fill at breakfast...)