Chapter 4, No Men Allowed

Sanji was tired, impossibly so. He'd been swimming for at least a few hours and his tail hurt. He stopped swimming, waiting until the boat stopped and bobbed up and down on the waves. He swam up, grabbing onto the edge of the boat and pulling up. He transformed, back to his female form, and collapsed in the boat, wet and cold. A blanket was draped over him and Sanji looked up to see Robin smiling at him.

"You did well, Cook-san. Thank you," she said.

Sanji smiled, totally exhausted and worn out. "I think I might need some food," he said.

Robin nodded, stood and tiptoed around a sleeping Nami to grab one of the bento boxes. She handed him a stick with dumplings and Sanji happily munched on it. It slowly filled his empty stomach and rejuvenated his energy. He sighed, totally spent. Sanji wanted to sleep for a while, so he closed his eyes. He didn't know how long he'd been sleeping or how fast he even fell asleep, but he woke up to silence and stillness. There was no movement, no sounds of the sea, no breathing beside him and no shuffling in the boat. He heard a bird caw, and the rustling of trees.

Sanji sat up, worried. He didn't hear Nami or Robin anywhere and he couldn't sense them with his Haki. Was he that exhausted still? He did feel a little sluggish. The Cook stood, the blanket falling off his slender form to pool beneath his feet. Sanji was glad he was still in this form, otherwise he wouldn't be wearing anything. But the bikini couldn't really be counted as anything, it was more underwear than anything else. Sanji looked around to see if he could spot Robin and or Nami. He could see footprints leading into the forest. He noticed he was on a beach, a glittering white beach with the waves lapping softly at it. Sanji stepped out of the boat, the sand warm under his feet. It was kind of a nice feeling.

"Robin-chan? Nami-san?" Sanji called, pulling the blanket out of the boat and wrapping it around his chilled body.

There was no answer other than the rustling of the leaves and the quiet lapping and breaking off the waves. Sanji frowned, where could those ladies have gone to? Suddenly, he heard rushed footsteps and out of the forest came Nami and Robin, each holding a basket of what seemed to be fruit, and Nami was screaming, enraged, at a small Transponder Snail in her hand. Sanji cocked his head to the side, interested in what was happening, but not daring to say anything yet.

"Ah, Cook-san? You are awake, would you care for some fruit?" Robin asked as she walked up to him, Nami having stopped to shriek at the Snail.

Sanji nodded mutely and received a juicy looking fruit that sprayed sap as he bit into it. "What's going on?" he said after swallowing the bite.

Robin looked over her shoulder at Nami. "Navigator-san is trying to get the Sunny here, but it seems that the crew is not as adapt as we thought," she said.

Sanji deadpanned. "Hadn't thought they were, really."

Robin smiled at him, handing him another fruit for later. She placed the basket in the boat and turned to Nami, walking over to her and taking the basket to place it in the boat. Nami followed this time, and Sanji could now hear what she was so angry about.

"You can't just look at the Log Pose once and then sail in that direction idiot!" she shrieked. "You have to look at it all the time, who knows when you'll get here to rescue us!" she said as she threw her hands in the air. "Just follow it and get here you numbskulls!" she finished and hung up.

"Ah, Sanji-kun. You're awake," she said as she noticed him.

Sanji smiled. "Yes, sorry to startle you. Where are we?" he asked.

Nami bit her lip as she answered, "The island we were supposed to land on. Robin hasn't found any villages yet so we stuck to gathering some food. She thought you'd need it after we ate all the leftover bento. Sorry 'bout that, by the way."

Sanji waved a hand in front of his face. "No, don't worry about it, you ladies should eat as well."

The Navigator send him a smile and tucked the Transponder Snail away, walking over to the boat to sit on the edge. "It's really a shame. We don't know where the others are and were stuck here with no shelter. Sanji-kun, could you perhaps look for a village with your Sky-Walk?" she asked, flipping her red hair over her shoulders.

Sanji nodded silently. "I should get some more comfortable clothes on first," he said.

Nami agreed and then she said, "Can't you make clothes for us? Like, imagine yourself wearing our clothes and then take them off, giving them to us?" She had that innocent look in her eyes but Sanji wasn't gonna fall for it this time.

"Sorry, I don't think I can do that. Besides, it's warm enough on the beach, up there it'll be colder," he said.

Nami pouted, but nodded her head. She took Sanji's blanket and he concentrated on having a more comfortable outfit to fit with his appearance. It morphed quickly and soon he was standing in a tight pair of pants and a loose shirt. Nami smiled at him and Sanji grinned back, then took to the skies. It was indeed colder, but with the clothes Sanji didn't mind. The island seemed to be medium size and it also looked to be a Summer Island. Sanji hadn't remembered the name of it so he didn't bother. He could see a few smoke clouds coming from further inlands, and he guessed that must be a village. Sanji went down again and landed in front of the red head, who was looking at him in curiosity.

"Well?" she asked.

Sanji dusted off his pants, though there was no dust to be brushed off. "There's a village up ahead. If we take all that we can carry, we'll be there before nightfall," he said.

Nami nodded and Robin sprouted a few arms to help carry the blankets and towels. Cushions were taken as well, and Nami carried the three lunch boxes. They began their track through the dense forest and Sanji pointed out a few fruits they could take with them. With Robin's help, and the baskets, they gathered some more food and munched on those while walking. It took them a while, and there were ups and down coming with it; Nami stumbling into a spider nest, Sanji twisting his ankle when he fell over a root, Robin on the bad end of a swinging branch and the basket of food falling and scattering everything everywhere. But finally, they came to a clearing, all exhausted from the track. Robin had a gash on her cheek from the branch, Nami was shivering all over and Sanji was limping.

Sanji's eyes widened when he saw the village. It was rather advanced and people were trading goods and walking along the streets, laughing and talking. He could only see women, which he thought was kinda weird, but also cool. Only, it could spell trouble for them later on. A sudden shout was heard and all the eyes of the villagers were locked on them. A few women in armor came running up to them and pointed spears at their chests.

"Who are you?" one of the woman asked. "And how did you get here?"

Sanji let go of the cushions he'd been holding and held up his hands. "We don't want any trouble, were just looking for some shelter for the night," he said.

"Are there any men with you?" the same woman asked.

Sanji shot a look at Nami and Robin, who both sweat-dropped, before shaking his head at the guards.

The spears were lowered and the woman walked up to him. "Then we welcome you onto our island and into our village. My name is Narcisse. I am the Chief of Guards, who might you be?" she asked.

Sanji looked at her green eyes beneath the helmet on her head. She seemed friendly enough. Her hair was long and black, laying in curling waves on her back. She seemed strong, judging by the muscles on her arms and naked legs. The rest of her was clad in golden armor, the spear a deadly weapon with it.

"I'm Sanji, and this is Nami-san and Robin-chan. Nice to meet you," he said, thankful that he was in female form and that his voice was more feminine.

Narcisse grinned. "Well than Sanji-chan, you are quite welcome. We shall provide you shelter for the night. Do you have a ship to get back on your way?" she asked.

Sanji shook his head. "Our life boat got separated from our ship, we've been drifting since yesterday midday. They will probably come to pick us up as soon as they actually learn to follow the Log Pose."

Narcisse hummed and wrapped an arm around Sanji's shoulder, dragging him with her. "Well, as for now, please join us for dinner, we'll see to your belongings and shelter."

With a flick of her wrist, the other guards gathered their belongings and took off into the crowd. Sanji cocked his head, but didn't say anything.

"Can I ask you something, Narcisse-san?" Nami said as she came to walk next to them.

"Of course, Nami-chan. What might your question be?" Narcisse asked.

Nami motioned for Robin to follow and the older woman caught up with them quickly. "Why are there no men in the village? I can only see women so far? Is there a reason?" she asked.

Narcisse nodded her head and motioned for the them to look around. Nami spotted a young boy walking with his mother, but that was the only male person she could see.

"We have males on the island, just not adults. We don't like them so we send our sons out to see once their old enough. They never go alone, we are not heartless. We just want safety from the kinds of men. We don't need them to life a live so we don't want them here either. If men come ashore here, they are allowed to gather food and supplies on the edge of the forest. If they venture into the village, we capture them and kill them."

Sanji's eyes went wide and he swallowed, throat suddenly dry. Narcisse looked at him with a furrowed brow.

"Something wrong, Sanji-chan?" she asked.

"No, no. Well, yes. I'm kind of parched, actually," Sanji said, quickly covering up the fact that he was absolutely terrified.

"Ah," said Narcisse. "We can provide you with something to drink when we reach the palace. Please endure it until then, it won't be long." She motioned for the massive building that doomed up before them, in all its natural glory.

Sanji gaped at it, overwhelmed by it greatness and looming figure. He wondered how he hadn't spotted it from the air. It was so big that it reached over the trees and impossibly white. It really did look like a castle, kind of like a World Nobles castle. Sanji felt a tingling in his body that let him know he'd been using his powers for far too long. He'd have to recharge as fast as possible so he could stay in this form. He hoped they had a lot of food and that he could sleep in a real bed.

"Are you alright?" Narcisse said with worry lacing her tone.

Sanji looked up at her and smiled, though it felt a little weak. Nami came to his rescue right on cue.

"We have been adrift for long, and Sanji-chan here has been pulling our boat with her Devil Fruit power," she said.

Narcisse looked suspicious at that and stopped walking to turn to Sanji. "What is your Devil Fruit power, then?" she asked, as if she wanted him to admit he didn't have one.

"I can turn into a mermaid," Sanji replied easily.

Narcisse looked surprised. "That's quite the handy Fruit you possess, Sanji-chan." But then she frowned. "But you don't sink? Do you?" she asked.

Sanji shook his head. "I do not, I guess this is a once in a lifetime Devil Fruit ability," he said. "It's quite fortunate I managed to get us here, I began getting tired quickly."

Narcisse nodded her head. "Yes, I can imagine. You must have a Paramecia type, which means you have te replenish your energy soon."

Sanji agreed with a nod and Narcisse resumed her track to the castle. It wasn't long until they reached it and Sanji had begun to get tired quickly. Luckily, Narcisse noted it and directed the three of them to a room. To Sanji's pleasure, it had three beds, so they would be together. Narcisse left them there, and told them that food would come soon, as well as a new set of clothes. Then she left.

Sanji heaved in a sigh and grasped one of the blankets, transforming back quickly. He felt to the floor, blanket shielding his naked form from the two ladies. Nami draped another blanket over his shoulders and Sanji thanked her quietly.

"You have to hide in the bathroom for now Sanji-kun. Well take the food so you can stay like this," Nami said.

Sanji nodded wordlessly and Robin helped him to stand. He struggled to his feet, legs like jelly and lightheaded.

"I really need to work on this," he muttered.

Robin agreed with him. "You have been transformed since yesterday, Cook-san. It must take a lot of your energy," she said.

Sanji didn't say anything and Robin helped him to the bathroom gently. She set him down on the floor and the Cook leaned his head against the bathtub. The bathroom was spacy and nice, just like Sanji liked it. The Cook heard the door open and tensed, hoping that the women wouldn't come into the bathroom.

"Thanks, we'll take it," Nami's voice floated to him.

"Your friend, is she alright?" came the voice of another woman.

"Yes, yes. Just a little tired," Nami said.

"All is well then. We shall send for you at dinner time. Do enjoy your stay."

With that, the door closed with a bang and he could hear two sighs of relief. Nami came in later with a handful of food. Sanji gratefully accepted it from her and started eating. It filled up his stomach a little, which was great, but he was going to need sleep, a lot of it. Sanji picked a sandwich from between the pile of food and munched on it. He stood, legs a little less jelly, and made his way to the nearest bed to collapse in it.

"Are you going to sleep, Sanji-kun?" Nami asked.

Sanji hummed, too exhausted to reply. It was only a matter of time before he fell asleep.

o-o-o

Zoro drummed his fingers on the railing, his other hand gripping the hilt of Wado Ichimonji in a white knuckled grip. He scowled, scanning the ocean for the island the others were stranded at. Behind him, Ussop was pacing on the deck, the grass already broken under his feet. He'd been pacing like that for over an hour and Zoro was beginning to grow irked. He hated having to wait, he wanted to get the others back right now. Sanji had to be alright, right? He'd hit his head and passed out, but Zoro hadn't seen if he was okay after that.

Ussop sighed, stopping his pacing and coming to stand next to Zoro. "You alright?" the Sniper asked.

Zoro released the breath he was holding harshly. "No, I'm not. We should have been there hours ago. I don't like to say it but I wish Nami would have taught us how to use that stuff."

Ussop cracked a smile and leaned on the railing. "I know what you mean, Luffy's a complete idiot. The only ones that can get us there now are me, Chopper and Franky. Brook, Luffy and yourself are useless, no offense."

Zoro shook his head. He sighed and let go of Wado slowly. Ussop stayed silent as he walked away. Zoro needed time, he needed to figure stuff out. There was this hollow feeling in his chest that would only be full when Sanji got back. He hoped that wouldn't be long now, it was extremely painful to be fair. Zoro trudged up the stairs to the galley, hand gripping the fabric over his chest. It hurt, and he didn't know what it meant, he didn't know how to get rid of it. He didn't know if he wanted to get rid of it. He had to know what it meant. He needed to know now.

Zoro had a slight idea what had caused it, well, a good idea. Sanji obviously. Every time he laid his eye on the blonde cook, he felt something weird inside, right were his heart was. It swelled and deflated and expanded and... Well, it hurt. He felt lightheaded every time Sanji transformed into that beautiful lady that resembled himself and Kuina. It hurt to look at him then, it hurt to look at him all the time. His head didn't know what to do with it, didn't know if he should pursue it or leave it alone. But his body and heart betrayed his control and fucked with him every time. Flushed and bothered when Sanji would leave, angry and confused when he was there. It was just so weird, and Zoro needed answers.

Zoro barged into the kitchen, and immediately raced to the fridge to stop that gluttonous Captain from eating everything. He bonked Luffy on the head, hard. The Captain smacked into the floor and Zoro kicked the fridge closed, locked it and glared down at Luffy.

"What do you think you're doing?" he asked, a growl leaving his lips.

Luffy whined. "But I wanted something to eat! Come on Zoro, Sanji won't mind!" he said, standing and jutting his bottom lip out.

Zoro crossed his arms and glared. "No," he said.

Luffy deflated and slinked off to sit at the table. When he sat, he looked over at Zoro with a knowing look, suddenly serious and seemingly a lot older than he really was. He beckoned Zoro to come sit with him and Zoro hesitantly did.

"Zoro's worried about Sanji, right?" the Captain asked.

Zoro nodded slowly, placing his swords on the side to sit more comfortably. "Yeah," he agreed.

Luffy leaned back in his chair, a smirk on his face. "Zoro likes Sanji," he stated.

Zoro's eye widened and he felt his face flush. He sputtered out a few words, but gave up on seeing the smile of his Captain.

"I guess, is that what's I'm feeling?" he asked.

Luffy stayed silent for a while, then frowned. "What is Zoro feeling?" he asked.

Zoro sighed and ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "I'm- My chest hurts and there's this hollow feeling that I can't explain. And it's only filled when the shitty Cook is around," he mumbled. "I don't know what it means and I kinda want it gone, and at the same time I don't want it to go."

Luffy nodded slowly.

"What should I do?" Zoro whispered, feeling helplessly small suddenly.

It was silent. The only thing Zoro could hear was the pounding off his own heart and the blood rushing through his ears. He looked up at Luffy and the Captain was looking at him with a soft smile.

"Zoro should tell Sanji that Zoro loves him. That'll make everything great again."

Zoro groaned and banged his head on the table. "How can I do that when I don't even understand these feelings myself."

Luffy frowned. "But Zoro doesn't have to understand it. Zoro should do what Zoro feels is right. Sanji feels the same, though. Doesn't Zoro notice how Sanji act's around Zoro?" Luffy asked.

Zoro copied Luffy's frown, thinking hard about what Luffy meant.

"Speechless, huh? I left you completely speechless. Pervert," Sanji teased, voice smooth and feminine. (Chapter 3)

"I can't!" Sanji said back in a hurry. "I'm too weak like this, I need you!" he admitted. (Chapter 1)

"Stay," he said in a croaky voice. "Please." (Chapter 1)

"I'm still alive," Sanji said as he slipped off the bed. (Chapter 2)

"You mind telling me who I look like?" Sanji asked, hands going to his wide hips. (Chapter 2)

Zoro's eye widened. Sanji had been acting weird, but it did make a little more sense now. It made a whole lot of sense now. A sudden lurch of the ship pulled Zoro out of his thoughts and he quickly grabbed his swords to keep them from falling. Luffy had shot up then, and was running to the door. He swung it open and ran out, with Zoro on his heels. Zoro stopped short when he came outside, gripping the railing for support.

"What's going on?" he shouted.

Franky was at the helm, trying to steer the Sunny, but sadly the rudder wouldn't budge. "Were stuck in a strange current, but this is the way we have to go! This is so not SUPER!" Franky shouted back.

Zoro could barely hear him over the rushing of the water and the creaking of Sunny's wood. The ship lurched again and Zoro stumbled. He quickly made his way to the prow to help Franky with the rudder.

"Get a Coup De Burst ready, we're gonna need it!" Zoro said.

Franky nodded and released the rudder, Zoro quickly took it from him. With a wave, the older man disappeared and Zoro cast a quick glance at the rest of the crew. Ussop was pulling on the ropes off the sail, together with Chopper, his feet planted in the ground and breaking the grass apart. Chopper seemed a little more capable and he began helping the Sniper. Zoro lurched as the rudder went the wrong way and he tipped, smacking on his side, but managing to keep the rudder in his hands. He quickly scrambled up and grumbled.

"Do you need some assistance, Zoro-san?" Brook said as he ran up the prow.

"Keep an eye on the Log Pose for me, where are we going?" Zoro gritted out.

Brook nodded and walked to the compass, peering at it with his hollow eyes. "We're going in the right direction for now, but I suggest you steer around that maelstrom, Zoro-san."

Zoro cursed and threw the rudder the other way quickly, the Sunny swirled and evaded the rush of water just in time. Zoro kept up the battle with Brook as his guide and they made good progress for a while. When they were facing the right direction, Zoro called to Franky with the Transponder Snail he had with him.

"Everything is SUPER ready, Zoro-Bro!" Franky said.

Zoro gritted his teeth and clamped onto the rudder with both hands. "Everyone hold on!" he yelled.

When he got a few 'Rogers', Zoro called the okay to Franky and the blast went off. They flew through the air and Zoro had to grab onto Brook to keep him from flying off the ship. Within the kilometer, they landed again and Zoro smacked into the deck, his swords clattering at his side. Wado was unsettled, Kitetsu furious, Shusui kept his rage inside, barely. Zoro brushed over them apologetically and clambered to his feet with a huff. The swords settled down and the Swordsman helped up their resident Skeleton.

"You alright?" Zoro asked.

Brook nodded silently and trudged down the stairs to help Ussop with a foaming Ussop. Zoro went after him and ran a hand through his hair, it was all a little too much right now. He wanted to get to Sanji already. He didn't even know if they were okay. He really needed a nap as well, he was exhausted. Damn, what a rough few days it had been.

"You guys alright?" Zoro asked as he came up to them.

They all nodded and Zoro opened his mouth to speak again when he was cut off by a shout from above which made his heart soar. It fluttered in his chest and he felt that it hurt a little less than before. If that was a good thing, or a bad thing, he didn't know. Not yet at least. The shout was repeated again and Zoro grew a smirk the size of a plate, all teeth and happiness. The rest of the crew couldn't seem to help their own smiles as well as Luffy yelled;

"I SEE LAND!"

Here you go, I hope you are all enjoying it. And I'm getting lots of review which makes me super happy. Thank you all for your support. I love you guys!

~Rebecca