AN: This chapter now takes place two years later, after the time skip :)

Sanji's heart was pounding as he stepped upon the island, a backpack slung over his shoulder. He lit a cigarette and glanced around the town.

A woman here, a woman there.

His eyes skipped over them all searching for green mop of hair. She probably hadn't arrived yet. She wasn't the best with directions, after all.

He couldn't help but feel nervous.

Two years had passed.

Two years since he had last seen the girl he had fallen in love with. Two years since he had seen her disappear. Two years since she had revealed herself to everyone. Two years since she had confessed to him.

Okay, so it wasn't exactly a confession. She had admitted being jealous of Sanji's actions towards other women. Still, that was a lot considering it was Zoro.

He didn't have time to respond to her. For two long years she was on his mind as he trained. For two long years he debated what how to respond to her.

Funny. Somehow, he couldn't remember what he had planned to say.

It would figure she'd wander off and get lost. The whole crew had pretty much gathered together, except Zoro. She was the first one on the island, miraculously, but no one had seen her in a couple days. Impatient, Sanji went in search of the swordsman. He started checking all the bars in the area.

At the third bar, he saw a flash of green. He turned his head to see long, flowing green hair on a woman at the bar. He paused, staring at her back. Had she really grown that much in two years? She sure had filled out a lot.

He straightened his tie, cleared his throat, and walked over. Trying to appear casual, he leaned his elbow against the bar and grinned.

"Hey there." He greeted. The girl turned towards him and flicked back her hair. She giggled and stared back at him with startling blue eyes. Not Zoro. Definitely not Zoro.

"Still chasing tail?" Came a voice from a table on the other side of the room. Recognizing the voice, Sanji stood up quickly and looked over at Zoro who was reclining back at a table with a beer in her hand. He froze.

She had kept her hair short, though it was a bit more floaty then before. It's short style allowed easy viewing of the most striking difference of the swordsman, her scar covered left eyelid.

In a flash of wisdom, Sanji didn't reveal his mistaking the other girl for her. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked over.

"Nah, I got a thing for scars." Sanji teased, causing Zoro to laugh loudly. Damn, she is perfect.

Zoro patted the seat next to her and slid her beer over for him. Her skin was much more tanned than before, and Sanji could tell she must've been training a lot these past few years. He sat next to her and downed the beer, sighing contently before looking back at her.

"Did you get stronger, or just primp your hair the past two years?" Zoro asked, leaning her head back against the seat.

"Stronger than you, I'm sure. I'm not missing any body parts." Sanji replied, looking her over. She was wearing a long green coat without a shirt underneath. The bindings across her chest were now openly exposed to the public.

"Gotta give them a chance. I'd be too overpowered otherwise." She cautioned, then kicked the table back and stood, gesturing him to follow as she walked out the door.

"Yeah yeah, I'm sure you did something stupid, didn't you?" Sanji guessed and grinned triumphantly when he saw a blush alight on the swordsman's face. She narrowed her eyes at him.

"Let's test our abilities."

"I see you're avoiding the question…"

"Shut your mouth before I slice your legs off." She warned, walking into the trees.

"If you want to spar, why not the clearing over there?"

"I know that, I was taking the scenic route."

"Are you sure you've improved? So far… you still suck at directions and have the added bonus of a lack in depth perception."

"I got stronger physically as well as mentally!" Zoro explained, drawing two of her swords.

"…Mentally?" Sanji looked skeptical.

"Yes, I've become a genius! So watch your back!" Zoro shouted back. Sanji couldn't help himself, he started laughing.

"No offense mosshead, but I'll believe it when I see it." Sanji snorted, waving his hand. He had to quickly dodge out of the way however, as a sword flew next to his head, cutting a few strands of his hair. He turned to mock her throwing sword but she wasn't there. Zoro appeared behind him, catching the sword and swiped at his legs with the back of it, causing the cook to fall backwards.

Though caught by surprise, Sanji wasn't the same person either. He caught himself on his hands and struck at her with his legs. She scoffed and jumped to the side, but was caught in shock by the flame that encased his legs. She barely pulled back in time to prevent a burn. Excited by the challenge, Zoro didn't hold back.

"Sanji! I'm hungry!" Luffy called from the ship as he spotted the cook and first mate making their way back. Both were battered and bloody from their spar causing Chopper to flip out.

"You heard the Captain, make our dinner." Zoro ordered, shoving the man towards the ship.

"Oh, you're coming too." Sanji grinned, slinging his arm around her shoulder and steering her towards the kitchen.

"What? Why?" Zoro protested, trying to shove Sanji's arm off, but the cook tightened his grip.

"I need some of the meat from your head."

"You just want to make me do all the work!"

"If I made you do all the work, it wouldn't be edible."

The remaining members of the straw-hat crew watched slightly amused as they were promptly ignored by the two fighters as they bickered their way into the kitchen, lost in their own world.

"Well good to see you guys too." Usopp grunted, rolling his eyes.

"Zoro looks pretty when she smiles, doesn't she?" Robin wondered.

"Oh crap, I totally forgot Zoro's a girl!" Usopp cried. "And I.. kissed her!"

"Technically she's been kissed by Luffy too." Nami pointed out.

"She rejected my kiss." Franky sighed.

"Wash your hands." Sanji commanded as he pushed up his sleeves and started scrubbing his own hands in the sink. Zoro watched him, frowning.

"You seriously asking me to help you cook?" She asked, tossing her swords on the table and scrunching up her nose.

"I'm not asking, I'm telling you." Sanji flicked the extra water off his hands towards her. She scowled at him and purposefully bumped into his arm as she went to wash her hands.

"Just admit you've lost your touch." Zoro scrubbed her hands, but it didn't seem like the dirt under her nails was coming out anytime soon.

"Maybe I just wanted to get you alone…" Sanji murmured as he reached over and shut the water off.

Zoro looked up at him in surprise.

He took a step forward, she took a step back, bumping into the counter. He hesitated a moment, then slipped his arms around her and lifted her slightly to sit her on the counter.

"Sanji…?" Zoro questioned, her hands had automatically grabbed onto his forearms, but she didn't stop him.

"Sorry, I'll stop if you want…" The cook replied, looking up at her. When Zoro didn't protest, Sanji leaned over and wrapped his strong arms around her waist and pressed his head sideways against her chest. The cook took in a deep breath as he listened to her heartbeat. Zoro had tensed up, her heart thudding loudly in her chest at the intimate contact.

"I-It's fine." Zoro responded. She was still for a moment, anxious as she felt Sanji's arms against the bare stretch of skin between her bindings and haramaki. The embrace confused but also calmed her. She unconsciously slid her fingers into his hair.

"I missed you so much…" Sanji uttered, his voice muffled by her clothes. The swordsman's fingers paused in his hair. She gripped his hair and Sanji winced.

This is what I've been preparing for. Zoro thought.

"I missed you too. A lot!" Zoro admitted, before realizing she was practically ripping Sanji's hair out. She let go quickly. Sanji slowly straightened up slightly, releasing his grip on her and instead resting his hands on the counter on either side of her legs.

"How straight forward of you." Sanji's eyes were practically sparkling as he grinned at the swordsman. Zoro gulped but stared back, her eyes determined.

"You like me." Zoro told him plainly. Sanji's exuberant expression fell quite quickly.

"Huh?" He asked, his face blank.

"You like me romantically, right?" Zoro asked, looking excited as she started ticking off her fingers. "You meet all the criteria. You keep touching me, leaning into me, eye contact, showing off…"

"What? Did you read some of Nami's books?" Sanji pulled away from her and crossed his arms.

"Huh? No. I told you before, I learned a lot during these past two years." She poked him hard in the chest.

"…This is what you were learning…?"

"Fighting too. But they told me exactly how to deal with this situation!" She grinned.

"Who are 'they'!?"

"The island of manly men, of course!"

"Wait, you're getting your advice from an island of lonely men who have probably never seen a woman before?!"

"They seemed really smart about the subject."

"Is this my punishment for chasing women all these years…?" Sanji asked the heavens, groaning.

"What are you talking about? Don't worry. I've got this covered." Zoro flashed him a thumbs up.

"Got what covered!?"

"Now that I know you are interested in me, I will start my seduction."

"Why does that sound not the least bit appealing…"

"I've been practicing."

"Please stop."

"Watch this!" Zoro announced, sliding off the counter and pushing Sanji back against the wall. He leaned back against it, arms still crossed, in mild amusement.

He waited. And waited.

"Watch what? Are you going to do something little chickpea?" He peered down at her. Zoro's face was scrunched up in thought. She hesitated a moment, then slammed both of her hands on either side of Sanji. The cook bit his lip, trying not to make a sound. Then he waited.

"Well?" Zoro asked, staring at him.

"Well what?"

"Don't you feel nervous?"

"Why would I feel nervous?"

"I'm pinning you to the wall. They said that's the classic move."

"…That's it? You're not going to try anything?"

"Try anything? Like what?"

"Like… touching or kissing?"

"W-what?! Already?!" Zoro pulled back, face red.

"Why are you so surprised?! That's normal!"

"Really?!"

"Of course it is! And plus, we've already kissed before!"

"That was a game!"

"Well I meant it!"

"You did?!"

"Stop acting so surprised! You're supposed to be seducing me!"

"I did! You're just.. immune or something!"

"I'm not immune, you're just an idiot and suck at this."

"Oh yeah?! You think you're better at this!? Then try it!"

"With pleasure." Sanji replied, his voice suddenly an octave deeper than before. Zoro glared back at him but lost her composure as the cook slipped one arm under her green coat and around her waist while the other slipped into her short hair. He pulled the swordsman flush against himself.

He was so warm and he smelled like home.

Sanji leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her neck. Zoro squirmed in his grip.

"This is how you seduce someone..." He teased in her ear.

Zoro abruptly pushed him back, her face red.

"I got it! I will try harder and defeat you!" She announced.

"What!? No! Stop ruining the moment! This isn't a battle!" Sanji pleaded desperately.

"Ha! You think I'm going to give up just because you have more experience than me? I still have a lot of attacks I haven't tried yet!"

"Oh god…" Sanji dropped his head in his hands.

"So prepare yourself…" She smirked at him, hands on her hips. Sanji raised his head from his hands and looked at her, sighing.

"You're so frustratingly cute…" He remarked, smiling slightly and reaching over and ruffling her hair. She slapped his hand away and he chuckled. His heart was full.

AN: Thank you everyone for your lovely reviews and kind words! This is another one of my favorite chapters so I hope you all enjoyed it as well. Please leave a review, even constructive criticism is really nice to hear. I am not someone who usually writes so I know I am lacking in many ways and would love to improve. Thanks again!