Welcome aboard for the new readers.

Enjoy your reading.

Chapter 67

The island of lost paradises

Zoro woke up with a start. The ship had violently pitched and he stopped himself falling by catching hold of the edge of the mattress. On the other side of the bed, the cook stood up from the floor where he had fallen to and they exchanged a surprised look before the fencer leaped outside, his pants in one hand and his swords in the other.

As soon as he stepped through the door, he understood the problem. The sky was black, lightning was streaking the horizon, the rain was falling in heavy drops and the wind was blowing up incredible amounts of seawater that were falling on the Sunny with force, making it creak from all sides.

He heard Nami shout to pull up the sails, her binoculars pointed on the ocean, and he rushed towards the mast, passing Usopp who was holding on to the railing while keeping Chopper on his feet. Arrived at the top, he saw that Luffy was already folding down the mainsail and between them, they quickly fastened it while the musician was taking care of the secondary sails not far from them. They were on their way down when a new wave hit the hull, propelling Zoro and Brook against the rigging while the captain was slipping overboard.

The swordsman growled as he was smoothly landing on the deck a second later. With such a furious sea, fishing out Luffy wasn't going to be easy. Standing up, he threw his swords to Franky and was about to dive when one of Robin's hands held him back. She had grabbed Luffy a few inches from the waves, her hand in the hull, and now they needed to help him go back up, which Zoro quickly did before the next tidal wave.

"Sanji-kun, set course to starboard!" Nami suddenly yelled through the torrential rain. "We must avoid this whirlwind!"

The blond was trying his best to hold the helm and he turned it as quickly as possible to the right. In the distance indeed, a tremendous current was digging the waves in concentric circles, sucking everything in its path. If the Sunny was getting caught, they were lost.

"Franky, what power do we have?" the navigator yelled again as the cyborg was helping the cook to stay on track.

"There must be a third of the reserves!" he shouted in turn.

"OK, get ready to engage! The rest of you, brace yourselves!" the redhead decided amid the lighting. "We're gonna take off but we'll probably not go far enough and with the power of the wind, we risk losing a little more power. Zoro and Luffy, open the sails when I tell you. Sanji-kun, keep the helm on the starboard side!"

Immediately, the concerned persons moved and the rest of the crew looked for a place to hang on as quickly as possible.

"Coup de burst!" the cyborg soon yelled.

Everyone instinctively grabbed what they had on hand and the ship began to rise, giving them some rest despite the heavy rain and the gusting wind. The Sunny was indeed slowed down by the elements and with the cola supply running out, it quickly decelerated. The ship was about to begin its descent when Nami pointed the mast from the first floor.

"The sails!"

Zoro and Luffy promptly released the mainsail, which swelled from the combined wind and drop, causing them to fly above the surface and pulling the Sunny away from the storm.

Moments later, the ship returned to a calmer sea, but the rain continued to pour mercilessly under thick gray clouds the sunrise was failing to pierce. The drenched crew then met on the deck.

"Most of the storm seems to be behind us", Zoro noted, wiping his face with the back of his hand.

"That was a close one", Usopp stammered, his knees still shaking.

"I didn't see it coming", the little reindeer who had been on watch felt guilty.

"Don't worry. Grand Line's storms are more than often unpredictable", Robin reassured him at his side.

"Now we gotta find an island as quickly as possible. The ship's really hurt and cola supply is at its lowest", Franky summed up, examining the dripping hull.

"What does the Log-Pose say?" Sanji asked.

The navigator had been watching her instrument with a worried air for a while, and the cook leaned towards her.

"What is it, Nami-san?"

"It's not stabilizing", she pointed out to him as the needle was rotating in all directions.

"What does that mean?" the swordsman asked, frowning.

The young woman sighed and shook her head.

"We're lost…"

"What? We're gonna die?!" the gunner panicked.

"Yohohohoho! I have the perfect melody for a funeral march!" Brook got enthusiastic, pulling out his violin despite the rain.

"Adventure, forward!" the captain shouted, brandishing his fist to the sky.

"We're going in circles!" Nami fumed.

"Log-Pose's still crazy?" Franky who had popped his head round the door asked, dripping with water.

The annoyed sigh of the navigator answered him and he left again outside while the young woman was opening a new book from the library where she had sat down. The crew had continued to try to navigate under the rain for hours, but without their precious instrument, it was a waste of time. Nami was trying to keep calm but as time passes and her research remaining fruitless, she didn't know what to do. In addition, the stormy weather wasn't stabilizing and therefore didn't help her find landmarks. Cola reserves were out and if they encountered a new obstacle, she knew they would have a hard time getting out of it while it was her responsibility to guide the crew.

"Land! I see a land!" Usopp suddenly yelled from the crow's nest.

Overwhelmed with hope, Nami dashed outside and grabbed her binoculars. Amid the drops of water and backwash, she quickly saw a sunny piece of island a few hundred yards away and smiled victoriously. Finally, they were lucky.

"Head for land!" she shouted, rushing downstairs towards the helm Brook was holding. "Shorten the sails, take out the paddle wheels!"

Relieved, her friends hastened to obey her. Fatigue and cold were seeping into their soggy clothes, hunger was tormenting them and the ship needed Franky's care. They therefore fervently hoped the island would be welcoming and they could rest there for at least a few hours.

Soon a strip of fine sand appeared and the weather suddenly cleared up, giving them a clear and peaceful view of the place. Nami maneuvered to a small deserted creek and everyone quickly disembarked.

"I'll stay to assess the damage and see if I can start the repairs", the cyborg decided as his friends were taking in their new surroundings.

"Good idea", the navigator approved. "It may be a hostile island, we need to be vigilant and ready to get out if something goes wrong."

The crew then set off and stepped into the sand. They soon passed the creek where they had moored the Sunny and then continued along the sea by the beach. Large coconut palms were raising regularly and a light breeze was ringing their large leaves, their clothes drying pleasantly thanks to the hot wind.

"My God, don't let the inhabitants of this island be monsters!" Usopp chanted.

"I want a bath", the reindeer whined beside him.

"And I want a huge meat dish!" Luffy added with conviction.

"Don't get too excited", Nami warned them. "We don't even know where we are…"

She was interrupted by the discovery of a magnificent landscape. At the turn of yet another curve of golden sand, an enormous white hotel-type building was stretching along the beach. Wooden tables and chairs were setting out on a terrace a few inches from the sand where people were laughing, drinks in hand, while others were bathing in the sea enjoying the afternoon sun.

Stars in their eyes, the crew's boys made their way to a steaming barbecue and before Nami could stop them, they had settled in the middle of a group of people who had invited them to share their meal. Suspicious, the navigator preferred for her part to head for the building with Robin to learn more about the place.

After passing through the sparkling doors, the two friends made their way at the back of the modern hall where a young woman with blond hair pulled up in a ponytail greeted them with a smile.

"Excuse me, this will sound weird to you but… can you tell me where we are?" the navigator asked her when they reached her counter.

"It's not strange", the receptionist answered with another smile. "You're on the island of lost paradises. If you're here, that's because you got lost at sea."

"What do you mean?" Nami wondered.

"The island of lost paradises can only be reached by boats that got lost on the Grand Line", she explained. "It's a haven of peace and rest for anyone who wishes to stay here!"

"Our Log-Pose got unstable after a storm", Robin confirmed.

"This is because you have entered the island area and it'll recharge within ten days. I suggest you take advantage of our establishment in the meantime", the young woman offered them, starting to tap away on her computer.

"What's this? A hotel?" the navigator asked, glancing around.

The receptionist nodded, still smiling.

"Sun & Paradise Establishment, the only building of the island of lost paradises, created over fifty years ago by Mr. Loughty to allow lost travelers to enjoy a pleasant stay and-"

"OK, I get it. How much are your rooms?" Nami cut her short, fearing huge prices if it was the only place on the island.

"From 10,000 up to 500,000 berries, meals included."

"Is there something to buy equipment for repairs?" she asked again.

"Our Ship & Paradise workshop offers a wide selection of materials and tools of all kinds", the receptionist approved.

The red-haired young woman turned to her friend who nodded.

"It doesn't seem excessive and this is an excellent opportunity to take some rest", Robin pointed out.

"You're right", the navigator replied. "A little relaxation in a civilized environment could be for the greater good… Let's go tell the others and we'll go back and get rooms afterwards."

When they returned outside, Luffy was still stuffing himself and Nami hit him on the head to get his attention after gathering her friends around her.

"This place is extremely pleasant", Brook began enthusiastically.

"Yeah! Everyone's nice and shares food!" the straw hat boy showed her, swallowing his last chicken leg.

"No one seems strange despite the circumstances", Usopp added with relief.

"And the landscape is magnificent!" Chopper gushed.

"We'll be able to stay here while the Log-Pose recharges in ten days", Nami approved. "Usopp, go get Franky, I think it'll be safe. Everyone was lost at sea before ending up here, it's the principle to find this island."

"I'm going!" the gunner cheerfully exclaimed as he was walking away.

"I'll reserve rooms during our stay", the navigator continued. "It'll be good for us to stay on dry land for a bit anyway."

"I'm coming with you, Nami-san!" Sanji exclaimed immediately. "I also saved you something to eat!"

In doing so, he gave her a beautiful assortment of fresh fruit which the young woman took with pleasure. Like the others, she was starving. Yet the cook had prepared a small snack this morning, but since they had been woken up shortly before dawn, no one except the captain had really taken the time to eat.

"If you want", she replied, biting into a strawberry while the blond was whirling in glee.

As they were walking away, Luffy stretched out one of his arms to grab another kebab from the barbecue a little further away.

"A lost island? That's great!" he got enthusiastic, looking delighted.

"That's unusual", the swordsman approved.

"It looks so calm", Chopper appreciated.

"Yes, I think we shall be very comfortable", Robin confirmed, taking the plate Brook was handing her.

"Inspiration is going to surge at the sight of this enchanting landscape!" the skeleton added, swaying his hips.

"What a beautiful building!" Sanji gushed, stepping into the lobby. "Oh…"

The blond rushed to the counter, already under the spell of the receptionist who offered him a magnificent smile.

"What can I do for you, sir?"

"A lovely creature such as yourself can surely do-"

"We want rooms", the navigator cut him short.

"We have standard rooms with single or double beds, deluxe rooms on the same model, the Paradise suite and the bridal suite currently still available which…"

"The bridal chamber, what a great idea!" the cook frolicked.

"Sanji-kun, you want me to take the bridal chamber for you and Zoro?" Nami asked him with a grim smile.

Her friend stopped dead and grabbed the hand of the employee who, although surprised, didn't refuse the kiss he placed on her hand with a contrite look.

"Unfortunately dear young lady, I am bound hand and foot and could not return your love but believe me, my heart already regrets it…"

"So we'll take three standard rooms", the redhead decided. "One with three beds, one with four and the last with two single beds…"

"Wait, Nami-san."

The young woman raised an eyebrow and looked questioningly at the cook.

"I wouldn't want to take advantage of your kindness, my sweet, but do you think we could have a separate room?"

"What, you and me?! Are you-"

"No, my dove. For me and the idiot swordsman. If we have to spend ten quiet days on this island, now is the time to see what he's really worth…"

The navigator smirked.

"The bridal chamber, Sanji-kun? I'm warning you, I'm not paying for this. It's gonna cost you a lot."

"A normal room is enough", the cook cooled her enthusiasm. "And then, it's his fault I got to deal with him in a real situation to know if he's really good at something!"

"As you wish. I can also add it to his debt", she offered him innocently.

The blond was totally enthralled.

"That's why I love you, Nami-san!"

He then turned to the receptionist who was patiently waiting for their deliberation.

"We'll take a deluxe room then."

The rest of the afternoon passed cheerfully. The crew immediately took up residence in the beach to splash around or rest in the sun, although Franky and Usopp quickly decided to visit the Ship & Paradise workshop in search of materials for the Sunny. They came back satisfied and commenting with enthusiasm on the quality available to shipwrecked travelers.

With the early evening, the group headed for the hotel's dining room and all sat down in a good mood among the many tables available. Luffy was amazed at the amount of food on several tables and Nami confided with a satisfied smile to her friends that it was an all-you-can-eat buffet included in the price of the stay and that she would therefore not have to count berries at all meals.

"There are some cool guys who know their business in this workshop!" the cyborg then told while everyone was beginning their meal.

"Their salesman immediately knew what the Sunny needed", Usopp approved, starting his spaghetti Bolognese.

"By the look of it, he can get us some Adam wood", Franky added.

"Isn't its business illegal?" Robin pointed out, pouring her friends water.

"That's not easy to get, but there's nothing stronger", the carpenter explained.

"You built the Sunny with this wood, didn't you?" Zoro remembered.

"Exactly so if I can have some, I won't hesitate!" his friend replied, grabbing a second bottle of cola.

"Be careful though, we need to stay on this island for ten days so this isn't the time to get caught", Nami reminded him as she was tasting her salad.

"Don't worry, I'll be super careful!"

"What a strange island", Brook suddenly said, chewing on a piece of bread. "An island lost in the middle of the ocean that can only be reached by lost sailors. Grand Line is definitely full of amazing places!"

"It's really exciting", Chopper agreed at his side. "Say, Nami, you think we could study it for a new article?"

"Why not", the young woman said. "I'm gonna find out about its characteristics."

"In any case, their food is too good!" Luffy was enthusiastic, gulping down another plate of pasta.

"It's quite commendable", the cook who had tested their ratatouille admitted.

"I saw the program, they organize parties and activities regularly", Usopp then told them.

"What's for tonight?!" the captain immediately wanted to know.

"A torchlight procession", the sniper replied. "It shouldn't be long to start by the way", he added, glancing at his watch.

"Oh!"

Luffy and Chopper were visibly delighted at the idea and they finished their meal at full speed before heading for the beach. For their part, the rest of the crew took more time to enjoy the desserts and they chatted for a while before joining them outside.

The torchlight procession was splendid and the Straw Hat crew marveled as they were watching the moving lights along the beach among the crowd gathered around them. Luffy, Chopper and Brook were actively participating by waving their torches and they ended up placing them on a boat among the others. Everyone then gazed at the spectacle of the illuminations swaying with the waves before moving away and finally disappearing into the night.

Then Nami handed out the keys to the rooms and everyone headed back to the hotel with satisfaction. The day had been rather exhausting and the prospect of a soft bed was even delighting for the hyperactive captain of the crew. They therefore parted at the elevator, the boys having received a room on the first floor, the girls on the second and Zoro and Sanji on the fourth.

When Zoro pushed open the door to their room, his eyes widened in surprise. He had already been surprised to note that Nami had taken one aside for them, but in addition, this room was simply huge and looked more like a small apartment than a simple bedroom. Apart from a huge bed, there was room for two armchairs, a coffee table, a desk in a corner and a big balcony behind a large bay window whose view of the Grand Line was lighting up a good part of the room.

He finally entered the bedroom and felt the thick carpet sink with each one of his step. On his heels, the blond went immediately to the terrace to admire the landscape and light a cigarette. The swordsman then opened a second adjoining door and a predatory smile stretched his lips when he discovered its usefulness. A bathroom just for themselves for ten days… He was going to love this island.

He closed the door behind him and left his clothes on the floor to take a much needed shower. After the downpours he had taken, the sand had become embedded everywhere when they had disembarked and this feeling was really unpleasant despite he had swum a little that afternoon.

When he came out of the bathroom a few moments later, Sanji was smoking outside, sitting on a lounge chair.

"This is the lap of luxury here", the swordsman commented, passing the glass door. "I wonder what Nami's up to…"

"How's that?" the cook asked, turning to him.

"She paid us a room worthy of a palace without complaint when usually she whines at the slightest berry spent."

Sanji shook his head and dragged on his cigarette butt.

"Nami-san is a very generous person. You just have to know how to ask her."

Zoro stared at him, taken aback.

"What did you promise her?" he finally sighed.

"I got nothing to offer to match her beauty so I just told her I wanted to take the opportunity to test you in a normal situation", the blond casually said.

"In a normal situation?"

"Yeah. See if we're getting on fine when we're not in imminent danger of death every three days."

"That's all?", the fencer asked, puzzled.

"Of course. I think she understood how hard it is for me to put up with you every day… So she offered to add it to your debt to give me a present."

With these words, Zoro brutally turned towards his mate, revolted.

"You are as vicious as she is!"

Seeing his anger, the cook stood up with a mocking smile while stubbing his cigarette in an ashtray.

"Don't tell me it wasn't worth it. I saw your face when you found the bathroom."

As he passed him to come in, he ran his fingers over the swordsman's bare chest, who had only wrapped a towel around his hips after his shower.

"And imagine what we can do now that we're really alone…"

Zoro grunted but didn't move. He didn't want to be bought so easily, no matter how tempting it was.

"You really can't think about anything else, perverted cook."

The blond laughed behind him and hugged him while nibbling his ear.

"You're one to talk…"

He pulled his hands up along his muscular chest and sighed with ease.

"You're awfully appetizing for a marimo", he said, slowly placing his lips on his shoulder. "Don't you wanna let me have my fill?"

Zoro frowned. He was aware that Sanji was provoking him and it wasn't the proposal that was bothering him as such, he knew the cook was patiently waiting about it. On the other hand, he still didn't like this manner of speaking. It was embarrassing without him knowing why.

"Don't fucking talk like that", he muttered.

As he expected, the blond chuckled in front of his reaction.

"Sorry, marimo, I forgot you're sensitive about this…"

To be forgiven, Sanji leaned down to put his lips to his in order to give him a long kiss before pulling away.

"I need to take a shower too", he finally sighed against his neck.

"Yeah, wash your tongue too", his partner grumbled. "You're talking shit…"

The cook walked away laughing and the swordsman quickly heard the water running. He then returned to the bedroom and closed the bay window behind him. He was still angry with the blond but he had to admit he really liked not having to share this room with the rest of the crew…

Everything here invited to rest and relax. The carpet was caressing his bare feet, the light wasn't harsh, and the bed mattress was the thickest he had ever seen. He sat down and plumped himself down with delight, his eyes already closing. It had been a long day and sleeping in such conditions was more than appealing…

Sanji dried his hair vigorously, enjoying the softness of his immaculate towel. In front of the mirror, he quickly combed his hair and his lock fell naturally in front of his eye. He then squeezed the towel over his hips and walked back to the bedroom, his head full of ideas.

Unfortunately, Zoro had already fallen asleep in the middle of the bed but the blond didn't take offense. He turned off the light and opened the curtains wide so that the moonlight could enter as much as possible into the room. Shadows were moving in rhythm with a light breeze and the cook couldn't help but find the fencer gorgeous in the midst of the shifting darkness.

He came closer and stepped over his dozing body before kissing him languidly. He knew Zoro was exhausted after their day but he just wanted to enjoy it a little bit. He soon felt his mate answer him and they continued for long minutes to kiss peacefully. Finally, Sanji straightened up and watched the swordsman's breathing stabilize.

"What is it?" the fencer asked him after a few moments of silence.

"Nothing. I'm just admiring your body in the moonlight."

There was a fleeting minute and the cook couldn't help but smile.

"You really are sensitive tonight…"

"Shut up!" he denied, his cheeks flushing. "You're the one who tells these things…"

"Relax, I'm not saying that to make you uncomfortable."

The swordsman shrugged awkwardly and Sanji kissed him again, slowly nibbling his lips before sensually stroking them with his tongue. Zoro followed the imposed rhythm with pleasure, gently caressing the blond's bare back in his arms.

After a while, the cook directed his kisses a little lower to his chest before laying his head completely on it. He listened to the slow and steady beating of his heart, letting himself be lulled by its mesmerizing rhythm and the pleasant touch of his partner's hands on his skin.

Feeling he was going to fall asleep in turn, Sanji went back up towards the fencer's face and kissed his lips one last time before leaning against him to enjoy his warmth, a smile on his lips. For his part, Zoro put an arm around his waist and pulled the sheet over them before instantly falling asleep.

After all these adventures, some time off could be nice :)

Making them evolve in a calmer atmosphere was a new challenge at the time!