Author's Note: I've been suffering from major Writer's Block lately. Gah. Hopefully, this short little chapter will help kick me out of it…

Sanji wished more than anything that Chopper would quit looking at him like that. It was really starting to piss him off.

Feeling the need to be free of the reindeer, Sanji straightened from his lean against the railing, and started to head to the other hopefully unoccupied side of the ship.

"Where are you going, Sanji?"

His teeth ground at the overly familiar question. In order to check his temper, he had to remind himself that the little doctor was only asking out of concern for his welfare. No other reason. It was rather sweet, actually. And Sanji may not know everything there is to know in the world, but he did know that it was probably wrong to want to brutally choke the life out of sweetness.

So instead, he smiled, and softly replied,

"Just for a little walk."

Chopper eyed him suspiciously, and the chef was momentarily concerned that his molars were in danger of cracking as they ground further under the scrutiny of the doctor.

"Well, don't over do it. Walk slowly; I'll be by to check on your shortly."

"Good to know." Sanji muttered with admiral control, as he started to walk slowly away.

This had been the routine for the past week between them since Sanji had aggravated his still healing wounds during a heated confrontation with the swordsman. Chopper had been upset and more than a little pissed at his carelessness, and since then, had lost all faith that the blond possessed any measure of common sense, and had been watching him like a hawk. Guilt at his own rashness and acknowledgment of the doctor's good intentions were the only things keeping the chef from snapping under the constant and stifling observation.

Zoro, no doubt fearing the little doctor's wrath for his own inadvertent part played in the incursion as the object of Sanji's actions, had been making himself wisely scarce once again. But, this time, there were no looks of guilt schooled on his features whenever he happened to look at Sanji, and for that, the chef was grateful. It was worth suffering Chopper's cloying nagging to have been able to settle that score with the other man. They had said what needed to be said, and all things concerning 'feelings' or any such nonsense had been put to bed.

All seemed right with the world.

"Where's your shadow?"

Sanji started at the unexpected interruption to his thoughts, and looked at Zoro who was propped against a railing in a lazy lean as he gazed across the calm water.

"Fuck off." he replied, "Its your fault that he won't quit following me around, anyway."

Sanji risked a quick glance at the other man to make sure that his words hadn't put the hated look of guilt back on his face, but there was only the usually irritating smirk. It relieved him, but it also made him want to kick the smug head from the broad shoulders.

Yep, it seemed things were finally getting back to normal

Boredom caused Sanji to join Zoro against the rail. The two of them stood together in comfortable silence, not quite ready to disturb the mood of the morning by diving into any more of their usual harsh banter. Besides, any such noise would attract the Wrath of Chopper, and both men were eager to avoid that.

It was an utterly beautiful day, warm and sunny, and the cook smiled in contentment while indulging in the simple pleasure of watching the sun's crystal light points scatter across the deep blue of the water. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply, reveling in the peace of the moment; knowing that it were instances like this that had bound his heart forever to the sea.

After a time, his eyes opened, and slid towards the man beside him, who had ceased his own observation of the waves, and was now looking directly at Sanji.

Sanji's eyes widened at what he saw. There was an odd expression on the tanned face, and although it was not the guilty look that had plagued him in recent weeks, it disturbed him just as greatly. Unable to break the gaze, even though he felt more than a little flustered before it, he frantically searched his brain for the meaning behind the expression. It was not one that he had ever seen before.

Zoro, for his part, seemed unconcerned that his observation had been found, and continued to watch the blond with casual intensity. Finally, unable to stand the silent strain, Sanji blurted,

"Why do you look like that?"

Zoro, possibly suspecting this as an opening for an insult about his looks, eyed Sanji warily; uncertain what to say. However, Sanji was still too confused by what he had seen to move on the obvious opening.

After a tense pause stretched between them, Zoro finally gave in and barked,

"What the hell are you talking about, Cook?"

"I'm talking about you, Asshole. You looked . . . soft."

Zoro's face paled to an alarming and unnatural shade of white, before purpling with fury.

"I'm NOT soft! I'm HARD! Do you hear me? I'm as hard as they COME!"

Nami, who had conveniently chosen to walk by the pair at that moment, covered her mouth, but still allowed the sly giggle to be heard. Her eyes brimmed with mirth as she hurried by.

Before Sanji could even think of an adequate reply to that, Chopper, drawn by Zoro's raised voice, came rushing toward the pair.

"What's going on here?!?!" he demanded with irritation and suspicion clear across his features.

Sanji opened his mouth to reply in an attempt to placate Chopper's disapproval, but before he could, Zoro whirled on the small furry doctor.

"I'm hard Chopper! HARD!!!"

The forceful declaration coming so fervently from the imposing figure of the swordsman caused the reindeer's tight features to fall slack, and a deep blush to stain his entire face.

He paused for just a second, before taking two very noticeable steps away from Zoro.

"Er, that's…nice. Sanji, I think that you've been walking around enough. Why don't you go lay down and rest."

The little reindeer stared at the infuriated swordsman for a moment longer, before adding,

"I'll come with you. You know, to make sure you get settled OK. So let's go. Now would be good."

Still distracted by what he had seen, Sanji turned and began to follow Chopper off deck. They had not taken three steps, before Zoro's loud and desperate voice declared,

"And I can PROVE IT!"

At that, Chopper, for once ignoring his own words of caution, grabbed Sanji's hand, and took off at a run, dragging his patient behind him.

TBC…