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Disclaimer: I no own One Piece!

Whatever it takes

Chapter 5

Hours after the 'scenario' with the navy, Zoro lay in his hammock, a while after they departed from the island they recently visited. Bandages smothered his muscular frame. Although, no longer feeling immense pain, Zoro was still slightly weak, and injured.

He hated himself for letting his opponent attack and succeed two times. The other wound on his hand and wrist was caused by his own foolishness, when he stubbornly grabbed the blade with his bare skin.

Eventually, he knew, the injuries would soon form scars, located on his hand, shoulder and back. And as he had said before, a scar on the back was a great dishonor.

As Zoro lay there, he began to get bored. Finally, he decided to just take a nap.

A moment later, his loud snores were the only noise to be heard, in the small room.

Like Zoro, Nami was also bored. She paced the deck, looking for something, anything to do. Earlier, she had tried to concentrate on her maps, and failed. Too many thoughts crowded her mind. Most were about Zoro. For some strange reason, she couldn't get him out of her mind. She, halfheartedly, convinced herself that it was just because her fellow crew mate was injured, and she was worried for the sake of his health.

Deep down, she knew that that was not the case. But, being so stubborn, she couldn't admit it. Not even to herself.

While pacing, she wore herself out, and sat down on the floor to rest.

Zoro awoke from his short nap, which lasted about half an hour. He stretched himself out in a way, similar to a cat. He yawned loudly, and sat up straight.

"What should I do now?" he asked himself aloud. He wanted to train very badly, but Chopper strictly forbade him from doing so, because of his injuries.

He stretched out his (non-injured) arm out towards one of his swords. He tightly grasped it in his hand, and pulled it forward. Propping himself up with his sword, he slowly rose himself up and out of his hammock.

He weakly set his feet on the hard wooden floor, and slowly straightened out his wounded back. Taking a few steps forward, he gradually regained his balance. Eventually, he was able to walk around without the help of his sword. He set it off to the side and began to walk normally.

He reached for the handle on his door and with a slight turn of his wrist, he opened the door.

He stepped out onto the deck. He took a look around and didn't see any of his crew members. Zoro stopped walking, and leaned against the wall, sighing. The sound of the waves sounded like an orchestra to his ears. It was both loud and soothing. To him the ocean always looked and sounded the same. They changed shape and size, sometimes rolling in opposite directions.

Today, it seemed as if the waves rolled perfectly, all towards the sunset, and throwing mist into the air. The mist created a translucent haze above the sea. The waves were also calm, the 'Merry Go' scarcely moving as it glided across the eternal blue. The sight was amazing, truly amazing.

Zoro seemed lost in a trance, when he heard a familiar noise. Nami….He knew that sound anywhere. It was the sound of Nami's heels. Maybe it was because it was the only pair of shoes she wore. Or maybe it was the unique sound of the way her heels as they flopped against the wooden sole.

"Hey," he said quite simply.

"Hi, Zoro," she responded solemnly, "How's your cuts?"

"Fine."

Nami walked a bit closer towards Zoro, and stood beside him, a bit closer than usual. They were close enough that Nami could feel the warmth radiating from his body. It gave her a sense of contentment.

"…Um…Zoro?" Nami asked nervously.

"Hmph." He replied, with his eyes closed as he listened to the sounds of the rolling waves.

"Why did you do that?"

"What?" he asked her, puzzled. He forced his eyes open and looked at her.

"…save me…" Nami finished.

He lowered his gaze to her eyes, as she looked into his. Zoro could see the questioning expression spread across her face. "W-well…I…uh…," he stuttered with his words.

Nami turned her head slightly to the side, as to question him further.

I don't know. Zoro thought to himself. I just did…it must've been instincts, I guess.

He couldn't reply. He just didn't know how to summon up the words for what it was he felt. Seeing no resolution, he just stared deeper into Nami's eyes.

He, again, couldn't help but feel the need to brush his lips against hers.

He slightly turned his head to the opposite of her head. And, on impulse, he rose his rough and bandaged hand to her face, and tucked a lose strand of orange hair behind her ear, feeling the softness of her delicate skin.

Nami's stomach began to turn as he touched her. Her gaze never left his.

Zoro put his other arm loosely around her waist. Slowly he lowered his face and closed his eyes. Their lips were only a few centimeters away. Their face's were so near together, that Zoro could feel her hot breath against his skin.

Nami shut her eyes as well.

Time seemed to freeze, as he gently brushed his lips against hers. Zoro tenderly pulled her closer to him.

The kiss deepened slightly as a few seconds passed. Nami stood patiently as his tongue slowly entered the vicinity of her mouth. It was intoxicating, if anything. For a moment, Nami almost pulled away, but didn't, and for one reason only.

She didn't want to.

Zoro pulled apart, but only for a moment, to catch his breath. A moment after he did so, he kissed her again. Only this time, it felt right, to him, as well as for Nami. He slowly moved his lips above hers.

Again, he pulled apart. Without opening their eyes, Zoro pulled Nami in, with her head on his chest. He contently embraced her, as the world went on around them.

Little did they know, that someone was watching, close by. The one watching the two people, backed away from his/her hiding place, and walked into the cabin, a sly smile spreading across the person's face.

Nami's head lay on Zoro's chest. She listened to the steady beat of his heart.

Zoro put his face down, and kissed the top of Nami's head then whispered, "Do you still hate me?"

A grin spread across his face.

Sorry if ya think this was short, but I didn't really wanna drag it on for much longer. And besides…yawn…I'm tired. So ya just gonna have ta wait for next weeks update. Later…

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