Me: I am so, so, so, so, SO SORRY for my lack of activity. I'm just a baby trying to make through school (mainly) and internet loss. But I recently found a loophole :P so hopefully I can update more. Also, we may have had a bit of writer's block on this one. But this is the last chapter, and Baby Steps and ATA WILL BE CONTINUED. Thank you for those who reviewed, favorited, and over all liked the story. I aim to entertain you guys will my stupid ideas. ^.^
The sunlight hit the Merry's sail, radiating the deck with a beautiful glow and warming Zoro's body core as he set an enormous dumbbell down carefully. He desperately missed training; the exertion his weights gave him when he pushed past his body's limits lifted his spirit. The Straw Hats were back to their usual routines and their usual upbeat selves. Everyone had fully recovered from the witches' surprise late-night attack weeks ago, except for the ship's cook. Sanji's abdomen bothered him sometimes, only because he refused to sit still and actually give it time to heal, but other than the fading scars, Zoro could say they were doing well. The day was young, bright, and miles of blue sea along with clear skies as far as Zoro could see was waiting to be sailed through, not a single island in their wake. This meant Zoro could actually relax after his workout, and maybe even enjoy a few bottles of sake when he awoke. The swordsman sunk down against the ship's metal railing, and breathed out a relieved sigh. He closed his eyes, melting into the light.
"Hey, there."
Eyes shot open immediately as his heart pounded and he scooted away from the unfamiliar voice. A fresh salt and decapitated fish aroma invaded his nose, along with the sight of a long, soaking wet dress made entirely out of seaweed strips, and did he spot a few green gems as well? Azami wore a satisfied grin for her little successful scare as she steadied herself; Zoro could tell she was sitting on the ship's rudder.
"Y...You're alive?" Zoro questioned in awe. He hadn't put it past that she might have been thrown in some strange warlock prison, or executed. However, here she stood, outrageously attired and a smart ass as usual. Of course he was somewhat relieved of her wellbeing, and a heavy concern skyrocketed off his conscience, but that didn't necessarily mean he actually wished to ever be in her nerve-wracking presence again.
She was obviously confused, furrowing her brow and scoffing, "Why wouldn't I be? I'd like to see someone strong enough to send me to the grave!"
"Your fucking psychotic general issued an attack on us because you disappeared! Where the hell have you been this entire time?" the swordsman demanded irritably, sounding like a pissed off, doleful parent.
Azami swung her legs over the railing (Zoro wasn't exactly sure how she even reached the side of the Merry so silently), shooting cold drops of water onto the deck and the first mate's bare chest. Oh, right. He should probably go fetch his shirt before things got uncomfortable.
"Who are you to inquire my location, Roronoa?" she frowned, shifting her weight onto her opposite foot.
The shirt awkwardly got stuck on one of his earrings, making him wince as he tugged it off. "I think I'm owed an explanation seeing as I could have died, hag!"
Azami hadn't moved a muscle as her curly jade green hair suddenly coiled and defied gravity, snapping at Zoro's forehead like an angered whip. She could control her hair? "If you must know," she glowered, "I most definitely took yours and the Devil Child's advice. I willingly ventured into warlock territory and, long story short, I wed General Corneli-ass's younger brother, who has been a victim of regicide, and our kingdoms are slowly interacting again. I could hardly believe it's only been a week or so."
"You married someone in less than a week?"
Azami cackled mirthfully, "I married someone in less than fourteen hours, dear boy! I'm at the young age of one hundred," she said with pride, making Zoro roll his eyes, "I figured it was time to start living in the moment."
The swordsman was vaguely surprised she didn't ask about the whereabouts of her second in command. Hell, did she even care? Would she have cared if her own people treated her with a bit more respect and hospitality instead of bitterness and cruelty? Zoro didn't judge her lack of concern at all. Deep in the depths of his mind, he supported it!
He scratched his head dully as he stood up, Azami's bright golden orbs following his movements. Were her eyes always so piercing and creepy? "Glad to hear you're happy," he grunted after an impending silence, "See ya."
The queen blinked, staring into space in disbelief before her long strands of hair lashed out wildly at him. "Have you learned nothing?!"
"Gah! What else is there?!" Zoro screeched angrily, dodging with little effort. He heard hurried steps rushing towards them, the distinct sound of hard wooden sandals and boots. Luffy came into his peripheral, accompanied by the sharpshooter, with his fists tightened and raised defensively, prepared for the worst. His vicious scowl melted away once he saw her however, into the purely puzzled, dopey expression only their captain could form.
"Eh? Who're you?"
Zoro felt the urge to slam his head into his palms repeatedly. "It's the sea witch from before," he clarified begrudgingly.
"Queen," Azami corrected with a sneer, "I am no mere witch."
Zoro purposely ignored her, explaining before the queen even had time to part her lips. "She wants to give us something in return for our advice."
Azami gave him a sinister glare. How the fuck did he know? And how dare he mock her gratitude! Luffy bounced happily around the vaguely uninterested marksman, screaming about his long awaited and deserved chicken and claiming to name it Luffy as well. Zoro had to admit it was pretty hilarious to see the captain so eager over a bird, but Azami ceased the merrymaking without reluctance. She shot her delicate hand in the air as her face twisted into an annoyed look. "We've been over this," she sighed, "I'm only giving the Devil Child and Roronoa what they wish, not the rest of you." It sounded a bit harsher than she intended, but apparently Luffy got the point.
"Why are you yelling out your own name, idiot?" the navigator asked, coming around the corner with one of her bigger maps in hand. Her eyes narrowed in disgust slightly upon noticing Azami's presence, and she turned on her heel without a second thought. The queen grinned wickedly at her blatant dislike, commenting, "Fetch Nico Robin while you're storming away, hon!"
Robin soon came up the stairs and towards the stern, relaying a calm and not at all surprised look of subtly. Luffy continued to sulk as she strolled beside him with lightly crossed arms. She bowed in respect as casually as only the Straw Hat's normally level headed archaeologist could, and greeted, "I see you're alive and well, your Majesty."
Azami grinned like she'd just found a shiny new beli, shooting a glare in Zoro's direction. "See, the Devil Child has manners, unlike some wild sea life aboard this vessel," the queen said bitterly, spiking the swordsman's anger. She couldn't possibly annoy him any more than she was already doing. He didn't want to go through this entire ordeal again; he didn't desire anything just like before. Everyone who personally knew Zoro knows he isn't one to obsess over possessions, excluding his weapons. Could he wish on someone else's behalf? Probably not, if the queen's stubborn specified rules were anything to go buy.
While the swordsman thought on the matter at hand, Robin had already spoken and received what she requested for with a quick, effortless flick of Azami's wrist. He hadn't been paying attention to them, so he missed what the older woman asked for unfortunately. However, Luffy seemed excited again after having his wish shot down. Usopp stood beside him with disbelief written on his features, and perhaps a little annoyance at their captain. Zoro frowned, turning to a gently smiling Robin, "What'd you wish for?"
She chuckles daftly, placing her hands on her hips as she motioned her eyes to the side, "See for yourself, Kenshi-san."
Luffy's happy wails and yells of utter joy were enough to send Nami, as well as the cook, rushing outside for the disturbing source. Zoro stared wide eyed with his mouth hanging open rather loosely; he briefly spotted the ship's cook doing the same a few feet away, except he looked more annoyed than shocked. Nami only sighed and rubbed her temples deeply as the ringing sound of a high cluck swallowed the Merry.
"Ne, Luffy! You're so cute~!" the captain cooed, stroking the hen's feathered back.
"I thought she would grant what you most desired," Zoro said quizzically to the older woman, who kept on creepy yet knowing smile on her lips.
Robin nodded, "Yes, and I desired Sencho-san's chicken for him. There are such things as loopholes, Kenshi-san, even with witches."
"Fucking hell," Sanji grimaced, chewing on his bent cigarette, "Like we need another mouth to feed. I say we fry it."
Zoro laughed extremely hard at Luffy's horrified scream of "no". He clutched onto the poor chicken for dear life, and bolted as far away from the blonde as he could without setting foot off the boat. Sanji cackled in an evil manner, pressing his fingertips together like an old, cliché villain, which only made the swordsman grasp at his own sides and wheeze. Usopp's entire body shook violently in fear; Sanji kept coming closer when he inched away!
Azami observed the comical situation from the railing, and couldn't help but feel something. It was definitely new to her; it was different from sympathy, hate, or jealousy. She felt quite warm watching their blatant display of affection and friendship for one another. Albeit, they were a bit weird, but she thought so in a ridiculously cute way. Honestly, she couldn't remember the last time she referred to anything as "cute."
As Zoro composed himself, Azami couldn't help but smile. It felt strange not flashing a smile in victory or deviousness for once. "Tell me you want something this time, Roronoa. I fear going through this entire ordeal again would be tedious," Azami quipped.
The swordsman paused with the crew's eyes intensely locked on him. Obviously he somewhat learned his lesson, and yet he still wanted nothing. As far as Zoro was concerned, he already had everything he desired.
"Zoro?" Sanji called worriedly, "Just ask for a new pair of boots or something! Don't fuck this up again!"
"Shut up, swirly," Zoro sighed, avoiding the hen's pecks of fury at his feet. "This is hard."
"For someone with moss seeping through their skull, I would imagine."
"If you're not gonna help, slither back to the kitchen where you belong."
"OI!"
The bickering became old quite quickly for the sea witch, who lashed her long locks of jade at their shouting forms. "Silence, impudent mortals! You annoy your queen. I suggest you do as he says, Roronoa, and wish for foot attire."
A sudden heavy pressure fell on his shoulders at that point from the crew. They prayed Zoro didn't have to suffer through another stressful crisis because of his stubborn nature. Besides, Azami's bipolar personality could change the second wish's outcome to a more permanent punishment, so maybe something as simple as a lollipop could suffice. But Zoro didn't want something simple, especially if he was being all but forced to make a wish. He wanted it to be special and meaningful. He wanted...
Sanji almost tripped over the damned chicken running around like a maniac. Luffy, of course, didn't make it any better as he clumsily barreled into the cook in tow of the poor bird, causing his cigarette to drop from his lips. Sanji growled as the captain ducked off again and bent over to pick the burning butt up, hearing a soft string of chewing beside him. He looked up in confusion, only to see Zoro standing alone. Azami appeared to be nowhere in sight. The aroma of sickly sweet sugar filled the air suddenly, which puzzled the cook even more. Once he stood, the swordsman shoved something in his face so forwardly the blonde barely had time to react.
"Here," Zoro said with his mouth full, staring at the floorboards with a full blown crimson hue staining his face.
Sanji was feeling a powerful mix of emotions, but mainly mild surprise. "You...wished for dango?" he questioned, taking the stick offered to him.
The swordsman nodded, finishing the last piece of dough at the end of the short toothpick. He shrugged as the cook stared lovingly, "Comfort food is comfort food, but they'll never be as good as yours, cook."