Foreword: Same old thing from me, so nothing, really. This 'step' doesn't really develope that much, only more of a random filler thing. And Sanji has another mood change, with Luffy still being the same. This part should easily be understood, since it's rather simple.

Author's Note: Nothing here really. There's a little more plot planned out, but don't be expecting much. I mean, each part is only somewhere under 500 words, so how much could be expected? I type little and less. Yeep.

Other Notes: (Got another five reviews. Neat.)

Griever5 - Honestly, who wouldn't come to love Luffy - - ? As for Sanji coming too fall in love with Luffy...That's my not-so-secret secret, ne? Even if it's quite obvious where I'm heading...smiles

Aseret Kitsune - Awww, thanks!

Akuma Memento Mori - He's going to have to stay in denial for a little longer if I want to change this into a decent fanfic...Oops, there goes my secret. Oh well, it's not much of one anyway. And Sanji does need a little push, doesn't he?

mechafreak - You reviewed for both chapters! Thanks a lot, really. I needed it. And as for Luffy telling him...it'll happen. Sometime.

amekan - This...plot? There isn't much of a plot till now. And the idea just came from watching the One Piece anime way too many times, not in the U.S. too. I don't know why you mentioned about Zoro being jealous, but yeah, that always adds up to a more angsty plot.

Step by Step: Step Three

I find myself hiding from him.

I can't remember when it started. I've been looking at him for so long, all of a sudden I realized that I was doing it in the dark shadows, always taking extra care not to be seen by him. In other words, I was spying on him. Yes, that's the word - spying. The only real word to describe it.

Sometimes I wonder why.

In the first place, I have no idea why I keep my eyes on him. It's not as if he's Nami-san or Robin-chan- sure, his body's lean and in-shape, but he's definitely not female. There's absolutely no chance I'd be using the word 'cute' on him, whereas I use it all day for the two females on the crew.

Secondly, I don't know why I hide to do it. I'm not the only one that watches him, that's for sure. The entire crew does, and whenever he does something wrong or just plain stupid, he flashes a smile back and whoever's watching him. I enjoy his smiles, just like I enjoy cooking- but I hide away; keep them from directing to me. I just started to hide when I watch him, without any good reasons.

At least, I don't find the fact that I know he loves me a good reason.

I wonder if Nami-san or Robin-chan ever felt the same way I did. Well, I don't 'love' wither of them, but I do shower them with affection. Have they ever felt the urge to hide from me? Still, affection is different from love. And I don't think I've ever really...loved anyone completely, that way.

I'm confusing myself.

Things about 'him' have gotten more and more confusing. As I start thinking about him, I find myself hiding more and more often. It was just something that started, and the more I think about the more confused I get. When it comes to him, nothing made sense anymore.

And meeting him in the eyes all of a sudden became one of the most difficult things in the world.

There really is no reason for me to hide from him. Yes, I know he loves me- but I'm not supposed to know, right? He hasn't told me that himself, which meant I can act all normal in front of him, just like I used to before I began to hide. I'm not supposed to know he loves me, so I can act just like I used to, long long ago.

But I can't, just can't because it's not the same.

Things have changed.

I don't know if it's for the better or for the worse.