Swordsman's Treasure

Hot Springs First Interlude

The next island the Merry came to was an uninhabited tropical paradise. While the ship sat in the lagoon waiting for the log pose to set Kisa headed out to explore the island searching for the mark of her people. She didn't find the shinobi marker, but she found something almost as good and she hurried back to the ship to get Nami and Robin. "Oi! Nami! Robin!" Kisa called excitedly jumping to the rail of the Merry.

"What is it Kisa?" Nami asked her smiling friend.

"Hot springs, I found hot springs!"

Nami smiled pleasantly surprised. "Really?"

"Yeah. I thought us girls could go for a soak." Kisa gave Nami the thumbs up.

Nami laughed and returned the salute. "Okay! I'll go get Robin and some towels. Oh! And shampoo and bath oil!"

Sanji had wanted to join them too, but Nami literally beat him down and the women headed out. Kisa led them to the spring nestled in the valley and they settled into a long hot bath. "This is heaven," Robin let herself sink a little."

Nami sighed satisfied. "I don't even mind that there isn't a town here, this is worth it."

"The Merry isn't short on supplies just yet," Kisa said washing her hair.

"That's right," Nami agreed and leaned back. "We're all set."

What Kisa had failed to notice when she hurried back to the ship for her friends was that Zoro was gone. He had set out into the jungle with Luffy and Ussop, but as dinner time approached only Luffy and Chopper returned. Zoro had managed to get himself hella lost this time. "Kuso," he grumbled using a sword to slash his way through the bush. "If Kisa has to come and find me again she'll hit me for getting lost. Mean bitch."

Zoro wondered what he should do. He certainly didn't want to stay out here waiting for rescue and a beating, he was getting hungry. "If she didn't find that ninja mark she's gonna be in a bad mood. Shit," he cursed his luck. Zoro stood where he was for a minute frowning at the blue sky. Wait a minute…that's it! If I can get high enough to see the Merry then I won't be lost anymore! He chuckled at his brilliance and re sheathed his sword. "Then all I have to do is climb a tree and have a look."

Kisa dunked her head to rinse her hair as Nami and Robin got out of the pool and started to dress. "Sanji will have dinner ready when we get back," Nami said pulling on her t-shirt.

"He should," Robin agreed buckling her pants back up. "Oi Ka chan, finish up so we can get back."

"Yeah, before Luffy eats everything." Nami laughed pulling her skirt on.

Kisa stood up. "Right." She was in the middle of the pool when Kisa heard something that sounded like screaming. "What…? You guys hear something?"

Robin looked past Kisa and up the hill. Something was rolling down fast. "What is that?" She strained to see through the dust and leaves the falling object was kicking up.

Kisa followed Robin's eyes and turned around. "What the? A screaming dust ball?"

"Is it an animal?" Nami reached for the pieces of her staff.

"I don't think so," Robin thought the cry was vaguely familiar. It picked up speed as it made a bee line for the spring. "Ka chan, look out!"

Kisa watched in dumb fascination as she realized what the flying dust ball was. "Z-Zoro?" The swordsman somersaulted down the hill screaming and out of control.

Zoro's head hit a rock and he grunted. The blow sent him sailing into the air and before he knew it, he was free falling. Shit I never should have climbed up that damn tree! He squeezed his eyes shut and braced for impact.

The women watched wide eyed as he twirled through the air above them and came plummeting back to earth. Nami saw where he was about to land lifted a hand to warn Kisa. "Ka chan, look out!"

Kisa stepped back and Zoro slammed into the pool in front of her. He sunk below the surface. "Zoro!" she panicked. Kisa reached into the water and pulled Zoro up by the back of his shirt. "Zoro! Are you alright?"

Zoro heard Kisa as he coughed up water. He was dizzy from rolling so much. "Oi oi," he reached for Kisa and took her by the shoulders trying to regain his stability. He shook his head and opened his eyes. "Kisa?"

Kisa looked at Zoro wide eyed. "Uh…" Her face turned crimson.

Zoro was holding bare wet shoulders. He blinked back to his senses and looked lower. His eyes got big and his jaw dropped. Boobs! I see boobs! "You're naked?" Zoro grinned at her. "Well this certainly is an unexpected surprise to find you waiting for me like this Ki-"

Kisa didn't give Zoro the chance to finish. She hauled off and popped him in the jaw sending him flying backward up and out of the hot spring. "Aho!"

Zoro landed at Nami's feet with a wet plop and a grunt. Nami glared down at him. "You pig!" She stomped on his gut. "Peeking pervert!" another kick. "Just what the hell do you think you're doing spying on us you slob!" a succession of fast and furious kicks.

"Wait a minute you evil bitch! I wasn't peeking I was falling!" Nami relented and Zoro sat up furious and rubbing his jaw. He tasted blood. Kisa had mashed his lip into his teeth. He glared at her only slightly disappointed she was hiding her nakedness below the surface of the water. "Mean bitch! What did you do that for?"

"For gawking at her nakedness aho," Robin replied as a phantom limb appeared on Zoro's shoulder and smacked him in the face.

Zoro leapt to his feet. "I wasn't gawking!" he retorted.

Kisa had sunk as low as she could in the spring dipping in to her chin. "Idiot! Slob!" she bitched from the water.

Zoro whirled away from Robin and faced Kisa again. "Didn't you hear me mean bitch? I said I fell. Fell, do you understand! I didn't come here to look at your boobies!"

Nami pounded Zoro on top of the head. "Aho!"

Zoro grabbed his aching head and glared at Nami. "Why you…!"

Nami frowned and lifted her nose in disgust. "Go wait down the trail for us and don't get lost asshole."

"Why should I huh?" just die and burn in hell!

"So Ka chan can get dressed without you ogling her," Nami was pissed.

"I wasn't ogling either!" Zoro snapped. He turned and stomped a short distance away from the females. "Kuso, women are such bitches!"

"Are you alright Ka chan?" Robin asked her blushing friend as she waded out of the hot spring and grabbed a towel.

Kisa hurriedly dried off trying to cool the heat in her cheeks. Damnit! He saw me naked! That creep! "I'm fine."

"What a slob," Nami complained. "I would expect such sleazy tactics from Sanji maybe, but Zoro? Keh! Just what the hell is that idiot thinking?"

Robin laughed a little. She was sure by now the simple swordsman was probably thinking about his sparing partners big breasts. "What was he doing rolling down that hill? He must have been lost."

"Keh, probably." Kisa dried off quickly and hurried to get dressed. Her cheeks were still burning. "Stupid Zoro," she grumbled.

Zoro waited patiently for the evil bitches occasionally spitting out blood. He rubbed his jaw. Kuso, mean bitch got me pretty good. He tried to replay what had just happened in his mind. Zoro had climbed a tree to see where he was not realizing he was on a hill or too close to a birds nest for mama bird's comfort. He was surveying the area when birds suddenly dive bombed him and he fell out of the tree. He landed on the lee side of the hill and started to roll. He picked up speed as he rolled along and then he hit the rock that sent him flying. And then I landed in the water with mean bitch.

He thought about Kisa's wide eyes and pink cheeks. She was instantly pissed to see me! Kisa's eyes weren't the only pair Kisa had that Zoro remembered looking at. A devilish grin slipped loose. Oi, but I did get to see naked wet boobies. Nice ones too. Zoro snorted a laugh and spit out another mouthful of blood tinged saliva. "Oi hurry up back there! I'm starving to death."

"No you're not asshole!" Nami yelled back.

Kisa finished dressing quickly. She didn't bother to clip her hair back up and its wet length soaked the back of her shirt. Kisa just wanted to get out of here. She refastened her sai sheaths to her thighs. "I'm ready, let's head back."

Zoro heard them coming and turned to meet them with a frown. He was contemplating saying something rude when he got a good look at the leader of the pack. Kisa was out in front leading the other evil bitches. Her long hair was down, her cheeks were pink and she averted her eyes from his. Zoro blinked at her. Kisa never let her hair down; it was always folded up in a big barrette or tied in a sloppy bun with some ribbon. She looks…pretty. He stared as she made her way to him. "I…" he thought he should say something, maybe apologize for looking at her boobs, but when Kisa looked up into his eyes Zoro lost his voice. Oi, she don't look pissed she looks Kisa frowned at Zoro a little and kept walking. Nami and Robin followed and a minute later so did Zoro.

They arrived back at the Merry as Sanji was finishing up dinner. "Did you ladies enjoy your hot bath?" Sanji asked as they came in with Zoro bringing up the rear.

Nami went to sit at the table. "The hot springs was fine until this pervert," she pointed a finger at Zoro, "busted in on Kisa's bath."

Zoro froze behind Robin and she moved out of the way so he could see the looks their nakama was giving him. Sanji bit down on his cigarette. "What did you say?" he cut his angry eyes up at the swordsman.

Luffy blinked at Zoro. "Oi Zoro, did you take a bath with Ka chan? You're all wet."

"Deme marimo!" Sanji stepped forward threateningly snagging the butcher knife off the counter. "You were peeking on Ka swan?"

"No!" Zoro snapped back at Sanji dropping his hands to Wado's hilt. "I was falling not peeking." He turned his angry eyes to Nami. In hell! "I told you that!"

Ussop wasn't so sure he wanted to get involved with this but Nami sat down right next to him so he leaned over, "Oi Nami, what happened?"

Nami lifted an eyebrow and looked at Ussop. "Zoro jumped in Kisa's bath."

"I did not! I fell! I fell down the damn hill and landed in Kisa's bath!"

Sanji's eyebrow twitched furiously. "You got into a steaming hot bath with Ka swan?"

Zoro rolled his eyes over to Sanji. "Did you not hear me say I fell down a godamn hill!"

Sanji couldn't care less that Zoro fell. "Was she naked?"

"Duh! She was taking a bath. Of course she was naked."

Zoro saw Ka chan naked? Ussop squealed like a girl and clamped one hand over his mouth. He cut his eyes up to Zoro and Sanji. The cook looked ready to kill. To their right Robin was watching them interested and Kisa was looking at Ussop. Her face was red.

Sanji sucked down another drag of his cigarette. "You saw Ka swan naked?"

Zoro was getting frustrated and it felt hot in here. It felt like his face was on fire. "Only from the waist up and only for a second-"

"Cuz she punched you in the head!" Nami added.

"Nani?" Sanji was furious. "You saw Ka swans ample bosom free of all binding and wet? You swine!"

Nami antagonized Sanji, "He stared right at her like a horny slob." She kind of wanted Sanji to kick Zoro around. Jerk didn't even apologize!

Sanji took another step closer and Zoro slid into a fighting stance. "You lowlife degenerate scumbag! How dare you violate Ka swan in suck a bastardly way! You sleazy scum of the earth…"

What she wanted to do was crawl under a rock and die of embarrassment but instead Kisa stepped between Zoro and Sanji. "Guys…"

"It was an accident," Zoro turned his scowl on Kisa. "You know that. Tell him that!"

"I don't give a shit if it was an accident. Look at poor Ka swan. You've embarrassed her so much she has a cute blush in her fair cheeks."

Zoro looked at Sanji like he was dumb. "Her face is red cuz she's mad at me asshole. Besides, Kisa's got nothing to be embarrassed about. She's got a nice rack."

Everything seemed to happen all at once. Sanji lunged at Zoro and Kisa jumped in the way restraining the cook. Nami grabbed the beer Ussop was drinking and chucked it at Zoro's head. Robin's arms grabbed Sanji's legs, Zoro's legs and arms. A fifth popped out of Zoro's chest and smacked him in the face. His head lolled back and the mug Nami threw whacked his noggin. Ussop jumped to his feet begging everyone to stop fighting.

Luffy picked up his mug of ale and downed a swallow watching his nakama have at each other. Oi I don't get it. What's the big deal? It's only boobies. Luffy giggled. Sanji was having a hard time staying in a fighting mood with Kisa hugging him. Robin gave Zoro a pretty good slapping up. Nami stood up and shook a fist at Zoro.

"I'll defend your honor Ka swan"

"Stop hitting me!"

"Let him go Ka chan! Sanji Kick Zoro's ass!"

"Hai Nami swan"

Luffy sipped his drink again. Hey wait a minute… aren't Zoro and Kisa married? He got her a ring or something didn't he? Sanji was torn between Kisa and Nami trying to please both of his swans at the same time. Ussop pleaded with Robin to stop and got smacked in the head for his troubles.

"Robin is so scary when she's mad!"

"Sanji! I said kick his ass!"

"Hai Nami swan"

"Sanji stop!"
"Hai Ka sawn"
"Stop hitting me!"

Luffy drained his mug. Oh that's right; Zoro just wants to marry Ka chan. I see. "Sanji, oi Sanji! Drink!"

The crew quit fighting and worked their way through a bitchy dinner with each other. Ussop sat between Robin and Nami quaking in fear. Kisa sat between Luffy and Nami picking at her food and wishing Nami would just shut up about it already. Zoro fixed a heaping plate and went out on deck to eat away from all you assholes! After dinner Sanji was quick to serve up the booze. While the others were occupied with their drinks Sanji drew a mug of ale and went out on deck. Zoro sat leaning against the mast with his empty plates beside him. Zoro rolled his eyes up to Sanji.

"You're lucky I don't let anyone starve marimo."

Zoro straightened eyeing the mug in the cook's hand. "That for me?"

"Not that you deserve it but yes." He held out the mug to Zoro.

Zoro took the beer keeping an eye on Sanji. "You poison it?"

"I should have. You're the scum of the earth. You should die." Sanji fished a cigarette out of his pocket.

"Why? Cuz I saw mean bitch's boobs?" Zoro sipped his beer.

Sanji lit his cigarette. "Did you apologize to her Zoro?"

"For what? It was an accident. I fell out of a tree, down a hill and into water. I was so damn dizzy I almost threw up! The next thing I know Kisa's pullin my head up outta the water and then there were boobs."

"And then she hit you." Sanji took a fat drag off his smoke.

"Well, no. See I was kind of surprised there were boobs and I said something and then she hit me and knocked me out of the hot spring." Zoro took a big gulp of beer thirsty from explaining things to Sanji.

Sanji frowned. "Just what did you say Zoro?"

Zoro shrugged. "I dunno what the hell I said. 'Yay boobs' for all I know. I don't remember Sanji. She hit me in the head and then Nami kicked me and Robin slapped me."

"You don't remember what you said that got you hit?" Moron.

Zoro frowned and tried to remember. It was all kind of a blur now. "I think I was surprised to see her naked. Something about naked and the unexpected. I dunno." He sipped his drink again. "My head was all twirly from rolling down that hill; I hit my head on a rock, then water and then there were boobs," Zoro gestured with his hand, "This close to my face. I saw Kisa and I thought she had come to find me and then I saw boobs and I just," Zoro shrugged. "Probably said something stupid."

"With a huge grin on your face no doubt." Sanji puffed. "You're a total scumbag you know that marimo."

"Fuck you Sanji. You woulda looked too and probably said something to get hit. Come on." Zoro swallowed some more ale. "Its boobs. Like ya aint gonna look?"

He's got me there. Sanji sighed. "Scumbag. You saw Ka swan…" Sanji let his imagination run wild for a minute. "Ka swan"

Zoro chuckled and swallowed some more beer. "Is it the 'I hate Zoro club' in there or what?" he nodded at the galley.

"Nami swan has calmed down considerably and I'm liquoring everyone up including you."

"I think Nami is more pissed at me the Kisa is. She kicked me a lot."

Sanji almost smiled. "I'm not so sure Ka swan is angry with you Zoro. I think she understands that your fall was an accident. Ka swan knows how lost and stupid you are. You said she pulled your head out of the water?"

"Yeah."

"What's the first thing you saw when you opened your eyes."

Zoro rolled his eyes trying to remember. "Her eyes. Kisa's face. She was looking at me."

"And did Ka swan speak to you Zoro after she rescued your idiot ass from drowning?"

"Sure. She asked if I was alright I think."

"So Ka swan was worried about your crummy ass and you repay her kindness with lechery. You're a scumbag Zoro, a lucky scumbag, but still a scumbag."

Zoro gowned a generous gulp. "Gee thanks Sanji."

"You better apologize to her scumbag. Ka swan has a delicate nature. You embarrassed her Zoro and saying she had a nice rack didn't help you much either."

Zoro pouted. "I just said what was in my head."

Sanji took one last drag off his cigarette and pitched it. "That's the problem marimo. Your head is stupid."

Zoro stood up and rolled his head cracking his neck. "Okay love cook, what should I have said ne?"

"You should have just kept your damn mouth shut and given me the details later." Sanji grinned a little. You lucky scumbag.

Zoro finished his beer and waved his mug. "Oi, you gonna get me another?"

Sanji picked up the dishes. "Get it yourself asshole." He turned and went back into the galley. Zoro followed.

Zoro drew himself another beer occasionally peeking over at his nakama at the table. The women seemed to be ignoring him. Fine with me evil bitches. He sipped his beer wondering if and where he should sit with them. He decided on the spot between Luffy and Sanji looked best and he went to join them. Nami glared at him briefly and went back to telling Kisa about the cool stores she had shopped in. A few drinks later things seemed to return to normal.

Eventually Kisa stepped out for her evening meditation. Zoro gave her what he thought was long enough to think about something really hard; the rest of his beer, and then snuck out after her. Sure he would apologize, but not in front of everyone. He didn't want to re light that bag of dog crap on the stoop. He found her aft standing at the rail with her hands in front of her. She was doing that weird ninja trick with her eyes. "See anything?" Zoro asked casually moving away from the stairs.

Kisa searched the sea with her Byakugan all the time. The more she used it like this, the further she could see. "Calm seas and clear skies all around us. It's a good night for sailing." She rested her Byakugan and turned to look at Zoro. He had moved to the rail and was looking out at the sea. Kisa kept one hand on the rail as she watched him.

"Good." Zoro rolled his eyes over to Kisa and looked at her sidelong. Crap she's looking at me. "Uh, Kisa...listen," Zoro started. He turned a little to face her. It was hard to tell if she was mad in this light and at this distance. He took a cautious step toward her. "Sorry for falling in your bath and stuff. It really was an accident, you know that."

That part was true. "I know it was an accident Zoro."

She sounds kinda pissy. Zoro dropped his eyes. "Sorry I told everybody you have a nice…" Zoro cleared his throat. He was afraid repeating what he had said was going to get him hit some more. He frowned a little and started to sweat.

Kisa watched Zoro squirm. She put her free hand on her hip. You're not getting off that easy aho. "Eh Zoro?"

"I just said what came in my head." Zoro shifted and turned back to the sea. He slouched a little. "I didn't mean it in a bad way."

Nice rack. Kisa shook her head. "Maybe you shouldn't say what pops in that head of yours Zoro. Most of the time it makes you sound like an idiot."

His frown deepened and Zoro felt a bead of sweat roll down his back. Sanji said something like that too. "Yeah well, I never said I was a genius."

Kisa took a deep breath of sea air and let it out in a long suffering sigh. She thought Zoro was sorry mostly. They had all smacked him around pretty good too. "No kidding?"

Zoro grit his teeth. Mean bitch thinks I'm stupid! "You know it was an accident so why you gotta be so mad?"

"You invaded my privacy and embarrassed me."

Zoro cringed. "I said it was an accident, I said I was sorry. What more do you want? It's not like you have something to be embarrassed about. You have nice," Zoro caught himself before he finished that sentence. He tensed up waiting for Kisa to hit him.

"Slob," she grumbled.

Zoro's eyebrow twitched. "I'm not a slob its just not everyday I see boobies ya know. Any guy would react the same way I did. Suddenly there's boobs."

She was sort of enjoying watching Zoro squirm. "Suddenly boobs ne?" What kind of idiotic…

Zoro lifted his nose. "Humph. Don't you understand anything about guys huh?"

"I understand that none of the guys I sailed with were like you."

"Did they ever see your boobs?"

"No," she answered annoyed.

Zoro put up his hands. He shrugged. "See, there ya go."

What the hell is this aho on about? "There I go what?"

He frowned at Kisa again. "You always sailed with other shinobi. All serious guys that you grew up with like brothers. I'm a normal guy."

"You actually think you're normal?" Kisa lifted a brow.

"Keh," Zoro hissed through his teeth. "That's right and any normal guy would look if he saw boobs. Sanji would have looked. Hell, he probably would have attacked you."

She chuckled, "I don't think so."

Zoro waved a hand dismissing it all. "We aint your shinobi brothers Kisa, we're your nakama. We're just your average hard up guys and you're the hottest chick on this tub. Maybe I shouldn't have said nice rack. I guess I shoulda said-"

Kisa felt her cheeks heating up again. "Shut up Zoro."

Shit, she looks mad. He did. Zoro looked back out at the sea. Is she gonna hit me? His eyes caught movement and he peeked at Kisa. She was leaning against the rail staring down at the dark sea. Kisa still hadn't tied her hair back up. It dried all wavy and kind of wild looking. The sea breeze lifted her hair and Zoro could smell her shampoo. "Oi Kisa."

She turned her head and looked at him. "What now Zoro?"

"Thanks for pulling me out of the water. I was so spun around I didn't know which end was up."

She almost smiled remembering his screaming and tumbeling. "I can imagine."

"I hit my head on a rock too."

"You get a bump?"

"Naw but it rattled my teeth together."

Simpleton. Kisa laughed quietly. "Did it?"

Zoro nodded. "Next thing I knew I was flying. I saw the sky and just braced for impact."

"How is it you fell like that Zoro?"

He smiled. "I thought if I went up a tree I could see where I was, like you do. Pretty smart ne?" Zoro tapped his temple with two fingers. "I was looking around and these pissed off birds came outta nowhere and attacked me. They were gonna peck my eyes out. I fell out of the tree and started to roll."

Kisa loved to hear Zoro explaine things. It was always amusing. "I see."

Zoro felt a little better. Kisa didn't look so mad anymore now that she knew the whole story. He nodded satisfied. He had taken a beating, apologized and thanked Kisa for her help. All should be forgiven now. He leaned over the rail himself watching her watch the sea. "At least you didn't have to come and find me this time." Zoro laughed a little.

She guessed Zoro had really tried to find his own way. "Maybe you should stay out of the trees ne Zoro?"

He was no tree monkey and he knew it. "Yeah I think so. I'll leave all that monkey business to you and Luffy."

"Splendid idea," Kisa tucked her hair behind her ears to get it out of her face.

Watching her made him smile. She is pretty. "I like your hair like that Kisa."

"Keh, it looks a wreck. I didn't even brush it."

"You've always got it tied up."

She frowned some in memory. "Your hair shouldn't be in the way during combat."

"Well yeah." Kisa looked like she was thinking about something. "But you always have it up. It's not like we're always fighting. Is it a ninja thing?"

"I guess." Kisa had never given it much thought. She grew her hair long like the kunoichi, but kept it restrained most of the time. She hated taking care of it; it was a pain in the ass. "It's a drag."

"Hasn't Nami bugged you to play with it?" Zoro was sure fussing with hair was right up evil Nami's alley.

Kisa shrugged. "Yeah a couple times."

"Then why don't you let her?"

"Eh…" Kisa didn't want no fancy do. "It's fine."

But I like seeing how long it is. It smells good. "Baka Kisa, let your hair down. This isn't a war zone you know. You don't have to be a shinobi twenty four seven. You can just be Kisa with us."

She looked at Zoro sidelong. He had that stupid grin on his face again. Just be… She thought about her nakama. Nami and Robin would both love to have at her hair. "Maybe I'll do something with this." She took a long strand of hair in her hand and looked at it.

"Good. You should." Zoro was content. All was well. "You wanna have a make up drink ne Kisa? A little Kanpai?"

Kisa straightened. "I guess so Zoro."

"So you're done being mad at me?"

"No, but I'll forgive you for being stupid."

Zoro stepped back from the rail. "Good enough." He held out his hand. "After you."

Kisa shook her head and headed to the galley. A beer later the days events were forgotten and the crew started talking about the next island. The log pose set overnight and the next morning after breakfast they set sail.

With the next island in line Kisa sat on the steps with Nami letting the excited navigator braid her hair.