He had carried on travelling with the moss head the following morning, the raven had arrived back just as the were leaving after a quick breakfast.

He had walked along the path, which as far as he could tell wasn't moving, yet he could clearly hear the bird going wrong every few minutes to keep Zoro on the right path. He eventually burst out laughing and had spent the rest of the journey mocking the directionless idiot.

The mosshead had decided to go to the castle with him and this is where they were now walking up the path towards the open gate of the castle.

As he got closer he noticed a beautiful woman standing at the gate, she had beautiful long black hair and a dark purple dress that made her look all that more beautiful.

It really should have clicked sooner but clearly but it wasn't until they had almost reached the woman that he realised not only was the swordsman still with him when he had said he was going to the town but the woman was smiling warmly at him.

'Zoro-san welcome home, is this the visitor you told us about?' she asked smiling towards Sanji.

Sanji shuddered the woman was beautiful but something in that smile promised pain.

'Yea, this is the shitty cook on an important quest from Queen Alvida' his tone sounded bored

'I'm not a shitty cook you directionless moss brained idiot' he yelled at the swordsman

The woman laughed 'I've never heard someone call him that before'

'Did you buy in more Sake?' Zoro completely ignored him which pissed him off.

'It's not arrived yet Zoro but I did order some'

'I'm going to town then' he turned and stalked down the path in silence, only broken by the bird telling him wrong repeatedly.

Sanji was left feeling slightly betrayed and he wasn't sure why, it's not as if he'd asked the swordsman if he lived at the castle or personally knew Luffy.

'Hmmm our swordsman seems to like you' Sanji looked at the woman confused.

'what makes you think that?'

'Well firstly he brought you here and secondly he didn't attack you for insulting him. He's usually quite moody.'

If that was a happy Marimo Sanji didn't want to know what he was normally like. Now he wasn't sure what to do, he certainly couldn't attack this beautiful lady.

'So Cook-san on the agreement you don't fight anyone not involved, you may come in. Zoro says you won't attack woman but I need your word you'll leave the rest alone too' she had him trapped in place simply with her look 'Luffy isn't home and neither is...how did you word it, his demon guard dog'

Sanji stood in shock how did she know all of this. Then it clicked the note that Zoro had sent, he must have worked him out simply from their talk.

'I promise not to hurt anyone other than those two, and as a man I would never break a promise to a lady as beautiful and as perfect as you' he bowed as he finished.

'Good just leave your backpack here the staff will bring it in' She smiled at him sweetly 'My name is Robin would you like to see our kitchen Cook-san, I'm sure you'll find it quite impressive'

'Of course my love' he felt reluctant to leave his belonging but did as she asked and followed after.

'If I may ask, why are you all so fine with me coming here to kill your King and his guard?'

She smiled at him 'because you don't stand a chance against Luffy and to be honest you would have a hard time with his guard too' she patted him on the shoulder 'You're the first to actually make it all the way here, usually they never make it past meeting Zoro'

'He kills them? Wait didn't Alvida send an army once' Zoro looked strong but not that strong, had Sanji been so wrong with his first impression of him did he fight dirty?

'He doesn't kill, none of us do, usually when he shows up in the woods they change their mind about their quest, his reputation precedes him. As for the army he fought their commander and after his defeat the rest decided it was time for a career change'

Sanji sighed as everything clicked into place 'He's the demon guard dog isn't he?'

'Yes Alvida calls him that but I promise you he's quite human, he'd do anything for Luffy though'

Sanji felt conflicted he liked the swordsman, he would love to fight him but the idea of killing him didn't sit well with him.

Dammit he was messing this up already, maybe this Luffy person would be easier to face he would either leave the swordsman alone or if he was so loyal take him down in the fight with Luffy. He kept himself in denial about why he didn't want to kill the Marimo, it had nothing to do with how attracted he was to him.

They walked into the kitchen, it was massive even bigger than the one he had at home, there was things he didn't even know what they were for.

'Follow me our larder is down here' Robin motioned to a door to the side of the kitchen.

He followed her into a large basement full of shelves and racks. The place was filled solid with wild game and vegetables, the room was so cold that the food would keep for ages.

'How do you keep it so cold down here?' Sanji asked in amazement.

'There is a system of pipes that helps cool it, I don't know more than that my husband and Usopp built it.'

Sanji felt a little disappointed, of course a woman as beautiful as Robin was taken, he wondered if Zoro was taken too, no no no he didn't care if Zoro was taken he wasn't going there.

'I should have known one as beautiful as yourself would already have someone' he sighed wistfully.

She looked over at him with a sly smile 'And here I thought you were interested in our swordsman'

Sanji's mind went blank. He felt his whole body tense up and his stomach twisted nervously.

'Whatever rumours you've heard I can tell you they're not true' he stared at the floor his careful wording meant that he wasn't technically lying to her.

She walked over to him lifting his chin so that he was forced to look her in the eyes.

'I haven't heard any rumours Sanji but I do know who you are and it's not who you told Alvida you were.'

His heart dropped, he had tried so hard to make sure no one knew exactly who he was, he was sure his panic was clear on his face.

Her finger gently stroked his cheek as she let go of his face 'Don't' worry Sanji-san, I won't tell anyone until you're ready, everyone here has their secrets.'

Sanji swallowed deeply, he was thrown he had came here set on his quest and now he wasn't sure what was going to happen, the King wasn't ever here. This woman unnerved him, she had a calm demeanor but seemed like she knew everything, and he had the bad feeling she did.

'Come the chefs are going to begin dinner now' he looked back longingly as she led him away 'Maybe if you decide to stay until Luffy's return you can use the kitchen tomorrow'

That sounded like a good deal to it wasn't as if he had anywhere else to go.

They were on their way back to the main room when Robin was stopped at the door, it was a man, Sanji was guessing from the way he dressed that he was from the town.

'Lady Nico, I have your delivery but could you please send someone to collect the swordsman, there's been some trouble at the bar and I have the feeling it is going to get worse'

Robin sighed 'Please put the delivery in the kitchen, I'll send someone to retrieve him'

She turned to him 'Please wait here Sanji-san' and she walked off towards some stairs going down into what Sanji assumed would be a basement'

He watched the nervous looking man directing his staff to move crates into the kitchen, there was so many boxes he couldn't help but wonder if they were having some kind of celebration.

She returned with a tall man with bright blue hair,he couldn't help but gape at him, what was it with the men here and strange hair colours, the strange didn't stop there, he was wearing an open shirt and what appeared to be shorts? Very small short if that's what they were and no shoes at all.

'Franky, this is Sanji he's the traveller Zoro wrote home about, why don't you take him and go pick up our swordsman before he causes too much trouble.'

'Super to meet you Sanji' Franky grinned at him his accent was strange so Sanji guessed he was a foreigner to. He kissed Robin and motioned for Sanji to follow him, he assumed that was the husband to the beautiful Robin then.

A carriage was set outside waiting to take them, Sanji was beginning to think that this may be a common occurrence, Robin had said something about Zoro and his temper.

They traveled the short journey in silence, Sanji staring uncomfortably out of the window, he couldn't get his head around how calm and friendly they were, he had came to kill one of them after all.

They arrived outside a traditional stone wall bar, got out the carriage, and entered; he could see Zoro at the bar drinking deeply from a bottle, in the corner there was a pile of bodies a quick glance he guessed there was at least ten, so much for Zoro not killing people. He went over for a closer look as he realised there was no blood anywhere in the bar, the pile of bodies was still breathing on further inspection.

'Zoro-bro time to go home' Franky clapped his giant hand onto Zoro's shoulder

He watched as Zoro got up, and spotted him.

'Here to kill the demon, then Curly' for the first time since he'd met the man he felt a wave of malice aimed at him. He could see what Robin had talked about when she'd said he was being nice to him. He watched as the swordsman drew a black sword and began walking towards him, he was about to talk when Franky grabbed Zoro's shoulder.

'Not just now little-bro, let's go home ok?' His pulse quickened as Zoro still stared him down sword drawn, then to Sanji's relief, Zoro sheathed the sword and with a nudge in the right direction from Franky he left the bar.

As they all climbed back into the carriage, Zoro's bird flew in and returned to it's perch on his shoulder. Feeling awkward with silence Sanji decided to ask Franky.

'Are you the one who trained the bird?' Franky glanced at Zoro who was glaring out the window.

'No that's Tony, he's our medic but he's really good with animals too'

Sanji watched out the window as they left noticing a group of armed men going to the pub there must have been about eight of them.

'What did you do to upset them so much Marimo?' he asked curiously

He could see Franky shaking his head no but it was too late the question was out there.

He met Zoro's dark glare 'I did nothing' and he went back to staring out of the window.

What the hell was going on with him? He sighed he wasn't supposed to be getting involved here and as Zoro had said he was here to fight him not to care about him. Not that he cared and if he did care it was just the way you care about a friend, Sanji tried to reassure himself. Dammit the sooner Luffy returned the better, he needed to leave here and soon.