Sanji/Zoro (3)

(Motives Behind Hate)

As they sailed away from Thriller Bark Sanji looked back at the ship turned island. Happy to see it finally fade from sight.

He distantly heard the crew starting to excitedly go about their business behind him, and heard Luffy laugh.

Luffy yelled for food the best second, as per usual, and he absentmindedly acknowledged the request as he walked towards the kitchen.

As he started preparing the meal thoughts of the events that transpired in Thriller Bark started to flow through his head. He was glad we're leaving, was glad Luffy was okay, as he had been Kuma's target, glad the crew was okay.

But...

Zoro's face, covered in blood, his body trembling as he fought to stay awake. His voice barely a horse whisper filled with exhaustion and pain.

He grit his teeth as he cut through the cutting board he was using. He growled and tossed the broken tool across the kitchen before slinging one of the cabinet doors open, grabbing another, and slamming it shut.

Why did the stupid moss head have to do something that that?!

Sure he knows why, because that was the only way Luffy would have stayed alive, but at the same time they could have lost Zoro and that would have hurt the crew just as much!

Not to be mistaken he was thankful that Luffy was still alive but-

The door kitchen slammed open and a second later the crew's resident archeologist walked in, a book in hand, cutting the blonde Cook's thoughts short.

Instantly Sanji floated over to her. "Robin Chwan! Is there something I can be of service to you?"

Robin smirked as she sat at the table, "No, but thank you Sanji. I just came in here for a little shade and quiet, if you don't mind me intruding."

Hearts danced in his eyes. "Of course not my sweet! Just ask if you decide you want anything!!"

Robin smiled at him before opening her book as Sanji turned back around to resume making the crew's food.

It didn't take long for his darker thoughts from earlier to rise back up, but this time someone was there to take notice.

Robin glanced at the cool from the corner of her eye as she sensed a shift in his mood. She looked back at her book, not really reading the words. "A Beri for your thoughts?"

Sanji startled and swung his head around to look at her, his cigarette hanging loosely in his lips, before he turned back to the food. "Sorry Robin, but I don't think so."

Robin hummed and closed her book, leaning forward to lean on her hand. "Excuse me for prying. Does it have anything to do with our swordsman's actions regarding our Captain's life?"

Sanji's eyes went wide as he started at the simmering pot in front of him. He heard Robin hum behind him and he sighed. "Guess you're another witness."

Robin hummed an acknowledgement and watched the cook from the corner of her eye. She wasn't a witness per say, but all the same she knew what happened, and wasn't going to correct him.

She could tell he had something else weighing on his mind so she waited for him to speak. "I know why he did it. And I'm glad Luffy is okay, but why do I hate him so much for it.."

Robin's eyes widened slightly as she kept quiet, letting him speak.

"He faced Kuma knowing he'd die, took on all that pain on top of what he already had, even moved away from us so we wouldn't have the chance to see it happening to him. We were out for practically an entire day. That's a whole day of being put through a torture machine! At the same time though he saved all of our lives, which does make for something.. and I'm glad everything turned out fine, so why do I hate him so for it?!" He was breathing heavier by the time he finished and Robin stared at his back.

He slowly started to even his breathing back out and a hand drifted to his hair and pulled, he grit his teeth against the scream of anger that wanted to rip free.

Robin closed her eyes and a half smile, half frown pulled at her lips. "I think..you may know why, Sanji."

His hand fell from his face and he stared at the cabinets in front of him. "...And what should I do about that..?"

Robin smiled. "What you think is right Mr. Cook." She stood, and gathered up her book in her arms before slowly walking back to the door. "Thank you for letting me stay for awhile... And Sanji."

He grunted an inquiry as she grabbed hold of the door handle. "I wouldn't be nervous though.. about telling him.. it may go better than you think." She sent him a smirk before walking onto deck. Joining her love on deck in the second lawn chair.

She glanced up to the crow's best where she heard the faint repetitive sound of Zoro's training and the high pitched chatter of the ship's doctor scolding him for it, and had to smile.

Things were about to change, once again, on their little ship. And she had a feeling... it'd eventually be something for the better.