Sanji lay awake, it was morning and he really should be getting up but he'd awoken to find Zoro curled into his side and he was currently doing everything in his power to stay like this for as long as possible.
He controlled his breathing keeping it a nice steady sleeping pace, Zoro's body heat seeped into him, he ran a lot hotter than Sanji. He felt Zoro shift slightly next to him.
'You awake Curly?' Zoro still sounded half asleep.
'No' he grinned at being caught, he could feel Zoro chuckle before he even heard it 'What gave it away?'
'Your heart rate' Zoro grinned and rolled over onto his back.
Sanji missed the heat instantly but didn't feel confident enough to move closer again.
He watched as Zoro stretched 'Suppose we better get up, did you get a chance to pack last night?'
When Sanji had gotten up to the room last night Zoro had already been asleep, the raven had been on the window sill but had left once Sanji arrived.
'I didn't exactly unpack much so I'm good, what about you?'
'I don't need much so it won't take long'
He watched as Zoro opened his cupboard pulling out several identical outfits and stuffed them into a rucksack. He opened a drawer and taking a wooden box out, after inspecting its contents he packed it carefully into the front pouch.
Sanji went into the bathroom, he washed his face and checked his beard in the mirror, it was still neat so he took his razor to pack and left as Zoro came in.
He pulled out clean white shirt and black trousers, and quickly got dressed whilst Zoro was away.
He repacked his bag and set it by the door, he figured he'd wait for Zoro, as since they had arrived the raven was rarely around and he didn't want everyone held up whilst they searched the place for a lost marimo. At least that's what he told himself.
Zoro came back in, Sanji glanced up expecting the usual naked view, instead he found himself staring at a fully clothed Marimo in surprise.
'Problem Curly?' the sly smile on his face made Sanji think that he knew exactly what was going on.
'Uh' Sanji's mind was not being helpful and he couldn't exactly say he was hoping that he'd be naked 'Do you only own one outfit?' that didn't even sound convincing to himself, he mentally cursed himself.
Zoro grinned at him, he had the feeling that Zoro was flirting with him but he was new to all this and until he knew for certain, he was going to play it safe.
He'd decided he needed to work out if Zoro was into guys and if he was then what was his relationship with Luffy. The guy from Kamabakka kingdom had been forward and had unashamedly flirted with him. Sanji on the other hand could flirt and swoon over women no problem, he treated them like the princesses they were; men on the other hand he reverted to an awkward inexperienced teen, he hated it.
'Coming Marimo?' he wasn't going to worry just now he was about to have a week on the road with the man to work everything out.
He led the directionless plant to the dining room where everyone was arriving for breakfast, Nami was dragging a tired Luffy and was lecturing him about staying up too late.
'Wow Zoro, seems our new nakama is a good influence on you' Nami smiled at him 'Thanks Sanji he's usually a pain to get up'
Sanji swooned 'Of course my dear you shouldn't have to worry yourself, I'll deal with him'
'Oh I'm sure you will' Nami grinned at him as she sat down to eat, ignoring the blush on his face.
He felt a hand on his shoulder pushing him down into his seat.
'You'll deal with me will you?' he felt Zoro's breath by his ear 'I'll remember that'
He'd said it so quietly that Sanji was sure no one else had heard but the embarrassment was clear on his face.
He was thankfully saved by Nami.
'Eat up, the horses are being packed and we'll be leaving straight after breakfast, Luffy if you touch anyone else's food I'll unpack the meat'
He tucked into his own food ignoring the pouting King and the grinning swordsman next to him.
The food was improving, he smiled glad that the chef's had taken his advice; sometimes other chefs got offended if you offered them tips.
Once everyone was done he followed, the group outside where the horses were all set to go. He recognised his bag strapped to one of the pack horses along with what he guessed was everyone else's. Zoro had left his side and was inspecting the side bags on a light grey horse, everyone else seemed to know which horse was theirs but what concerned him was that when he counted the non pack horses, there were less horses than people.
He glanced around and decided to go ask Nami, she seemed to be in charge and it was always a pleasure getting to speak to such a beauty.
'Nami-swan my love is someone staying behind' he didn't mention that he was slightly worried they weren't taking him.
A confused look crossed her face and she glanced around, he caught Zoro glaring at him. He stuck his tongue out at him whilst Nami wasn't looking, his maturity level appeared to be getting dragged down by the idiot.
'Oh right, the horses' Nami pointed at a dark brown horse 'He's yours Chopper rides with Franky or if he feels like it he'll walk'
Sanji nodded but found the idea of the small creature walking trying to keep up with horses odd but who was he to question Nami-swan.
He walked over to the horse looking in the pouches, there was a selection of snacks and water along with some basic survival items like knives.
He mounted the horse and watched as everyone got ready, most horses were a variance of brown meaning that it was easy for Sanji to spot where Zoro was on his grey one; the only other horse that stood out was Luffy's bright white one.
'Right everyone let's go' Luffy cheered and urged his horse into a gallop, everyone else followed at a slower pace and Sanji kept to that. He noticed just down the road Luffy and his horse waiting for everyone else to catch up.
He was tempted to catch up with Zoro who was near the front but he still felt embarrassed. Maybe Zoro would come back to where he was but they already spent a lot of time together maybe the other man wanted some space.
'If you want to ride with Zoro you're going to have to catch up with him' Robin was now riding next to him.
'Ah um no' god dammit he was a suave sophisticated man not a nervous kid 'I just thought he'd want some space, he has been stuck with me a lot recently' he let out a chuckle to cover his nerves.
'Hmmm well I need to talk to you about something but I should also let you know that Zoro can't control his horse' she gave him a sly smile 'Luffy and Zoro's horses are under orders, Zoro can't steer his horse, it's set to follow Nami's horse and Luffy's horse will only go so far before stopping and waiting for us to catch up'
He looked down the road and saw that Luffy was pouting whilst waiting for the group to catch up.
'Is he really that directionless? I thought he was playing it up'
'Our swordsman is the only person I have met that could get lost walking in a straight line' she laughed 'Now, I hate to delay your sweet reunion with Zoro but now you've joined I have to go over some rules'
His face flushed 'Of course my sweet, whatever you need'
'If it wasn't so obvious you were into Zoro, I would have to tell you to stop flirting with my wife Sanji-bro' he heard a deep laugh beside him.
The blood drained from his face as he turned to look at the giant of a man, he hadn't noticed before but the horse he was on towered over his.
'Ah sorry, Franky I hadn't even thought about it' he strained his next to try and make eye contact.
The older man laughed again 'No worries little bro' and trotted off ahead, as he did Sanji noticed the deer was seated on the man's head.
'That horse is huge' he said in awe
'It's a Clydesdale, a normal horse wouldn't cope with Franky' Robin said with a note of pride.
Sanji nodded 'Sorry again for that Robin' he rubbed at the back of his neck, trying to ease the tension there.
'Don't worry about it but maybe you should aim some of that flirting towards the one you actually like' she gave him a knowing smile 'Anyway back to the rules'
Sanji nodded, he was embarrassed but he would need to know how to behave from here on out.
'Luffy's main rule is you never kill anyone, accidents may happen but you should never intentionally kill' Robin paused
'So killing Buggy was an accident?' he asked
'Buggy isn't dead Sanji' Robin sighed 'Luffy defeated him and sent him far away for a while. I've seen him since, Luffy's brother talked him into leaving Luffy alone and he's content treasure hunting with his men'
'If he's alive why hasn't he returned to his wife?' Alvida was so beautiful he couldn't understand it.
'She may look beautiful but that's only because of her devil fruit, she's a nasty spiteful woman' Robin looked angry 'Luffy saved Coby from her and she's held a grudge since, it's not King Buggy she's angry about its being defeated and being called ugly'
Sanji sighed he'd rushed into this but at least the wording of his promise meant that he wasn't actually breaking it just now.
'I was wondering what you planned to do about your deal with her, you seem the type to take your promises seriously' she said it casually but he could tell she had been sent to find out how loyal he was.
'I told her I wouldn't return until I had defeated Luffy and his demon guard dog' he shrugged 'I guess I now have a lifetime bar from Big Top Kingdom'
He was quite pleased with himself, the wording was the only reason he had managed to do everything he had here and not feel bad about betraying a woman. He wished he'd paid more attention to current events, especially when it came to the royal families then he wouldn't have been caught so off guard whilst travelling.
'Other than that you're pretty free to do as you wish, he rarely orders us to do anything but when he does you have to obey' she paused 'I get the feeling you'll do anything Nami orders you to do anyway'
'Any questions?' she smiled at him.
He tried to quickly run through everything.
'Nothing I can think of just now my dear' he smiled back.
'Then why don't you go catch up with our swordsman'
'Uh well seeing as a beauty such as yourself suggested it how can I say no' he blushed slightly and rode ahead catching up easily.
'Hey Mossbrain, Robin told me to ride with you'
He saw Zoro look questioningly back at the dark haired woman and heard her laugh.
'Why?' Zoro asked
'She was worried your stupidity would wear off on the horse and you'd both get lost, so I've to babysit you' he grinned at him
'You bastard, well at least I don't chase the woman around like a dog in heat' Zoro grumbled back but he was grinning too.
'A plant like you has no clue how to treat a beautiful lady'
'I treat them like I treat everyone else' the green haired man spat back 'Which is better than acting like a love struck idiot'
'Women are better than men and deserve to be treated as such' he barked back
'You're a perverted idiot' Zoro answered back
'Well you're a mannerless rock' not his greatest insult but it'd do.
The pair glared at each other, from their respective mounts. This was not what he'd planned to do when he caught up with Zoro.
'I'm going to go ride ahead, I would invite you along but' he glanced at Nami's horse just in front of them and grinned 'apparently you can't even steer a horse'
He rode further up the line grinning it may be a small victory but he'd take it.
He could hear the swordsman yelling for Chopper and wondered why he would want the reindeer.
He was nearing the sharpshooter and decided he really should try to put the younger man more at ease, he still seemed afraid of him.
He heard a horse coming behind him quickly and glanced round surprised to see Zoro with a huge grin on his face.
'How the hell?' he looked at Zoro in disbelief
'My horse follows yours now' Zoro grin for bigger 'To be more precise it'll stay next to yours'
'How I thought it was trained to follow Nami's horse?'
'I got Chopper to ask him to stick with your horse instead, you're stuck with me now' he laughed
Part of him was giddy that the swordsman had went out of his way to stay with him another still wanted to bicker with him…..wait asked?
'Chopper asked the horse?' Sanji asked
'Yea, Chopper can speak to animals' Zoro answered
'Wow' he looked forward at the young King, the more he found out, the more impressed he was. Luffy was strong in his own right and he seemed to be surrounded by strong friends and allies.
'Yea Choppers pretty awesome' the green haired man looked back at the reindeer with a soft smile on his face.