Lazzzy Days

By: Mischievous Sin

Chapter 8 – Princes and Swordsmen

The Straw Hat Crew and the Samurai Pirate Crew had been sailing with each other for now 5 weeks. All was normal aboard the ships, but sadly nothing was happening between Zoro and Mel since the fireworks. Because of this, Sanji and Nami have been trying desperately to get them together, but their method of tripping Mel constantly was not exactly the best way to handle the situation…

"DAMMIT YOU GUYS, STOP DOING THAT!" Mel shouted having been once again tripped and saved by Zoro. "I swear, if they do that one more time, I'm gonna throw them off the ships."

"Haven't you already done that?" Zoro asked lazily.

"Well, yes. About nine times this week."

Zoro and Mel continued walking and talking around the ship when out of the blue came PyrX, panting heavily.

"PyrX, what's up?" Zoro asked once she had gotten her breath.

"There's a really cool island we're going to stop by, and there's a Palace too!"

"Neat, but why are you running?"

"I'm racing against---"

She was interrupted by Luffy who was panting heavily.

"Hey guys," he said between breaths. "Guess what?"

"Too bad Luffy," PyrX smirked. "I already told them. That's 5 points for me and 2 for you!"

"W-WHAT? DANGIT!"

In that short moment, he dashed off towards Ryu who was instantly followed by PyrX. Zoro and Mel watched as they ran around the whole ship telling the news. They blinked and began walking again.

"An island, huh? It sounds interesting if there's a palace there."

"Yeah. I hope they have---"

Mel stopped her sentence when she was, once again, tripped by a wire. Zoro grabbed her arm and pulled her just as she was falling.

"That's the tenth time this week," he stated.

"NAMI! SANJI! GET YOUR ASSES OVER HERE!"

Zoro began to crack up as he watched Mel ran after Nami and Sanji who were fleeing the scene. All he could hear as she ran around was:

"YOU JACKASSES! GET OVER HERE!"

The Island…

It had taken the whole day to sail to the island, due to the constant storms that were intercepting the ships and it's destination, and it was already sunset when they arrived. The crews anchored their ships on the beautiful pink sands of the island. A little ways further was a stone pathway leading to the arched entrance of the palace. Luffy and PyrX were racing ahead of everyone when the wooden arched doors opened before them. There stood a young man with long, straight black hair tied in a low ponytail. He wore long, expensive looking robes and behind him stood 2 men in silver armor, supposedly his guards.

"Welcome adventurers," he said in a firm but calm voice. "Welcome to my palace."

It didn't take him long to notice the women there, and his eyes started to wander.

"Such beautiful women here with you."

"I know," Sanji agreed with hearts forming in his eyes.

"Especially you, madame," the man said, taking Mel's hand. "Hello. I am Prince Aladono, at your service, and what might your name be?"

"M-melfina," she stuttered not realizing she said her full name (which she never did) and that her face turning red.

Everyone else blinked and thought the same thing: 'MELFINA?'

"Melfina, what a beautiful name," he said, letting go of her hand. "Come, everyone. Let me show you around to your rooms so you may restock your ships and relax."

Luffy, Chopper, Usopp, Katsu, and PyrX followed excitedly behind him. Trailing behind them was the girls, and Zoro was the last to follow, to busy examining the palace. A few moments after they entered the palace, they were shown to different, extravagant rooms with their own themes. The last rooms were given and only Mel and Zoro were left, but Prince Aladono had seemed to forgotten Zoro's existence.

"And for you, Lady Melfina," he announced, opening a door that lead to what seemed like an indoor garden with a mini waterfall with a pool at the bottom and a huge bed at the opposite end.

"Unbelievable," she said, examining the room. "It's beautiful!"

"But not as beautiful as you."

"That was cheesy," Zoro interrupted.

The prince turned to look at Zoro who had his arms crossed and was waiting rather impatiently for something. Aladono sighed.

"Ah yes, the swordsman," he glared. "I'll see to your room in a second."

He turned back to Mel who was already lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling. Realizing she was too busy being amazed by the room, he closed the door behind him and returned his gaze back to Zoro.

"Right," the prince said, rubbing his fore head. "Now what did you say your name was?"

"I never did," Zoro replied blankly.

"Fine, what is your name?"

"Zoro."

"Right then. Your room is this way. Follow me."

Sighing again, the prince led Zoro further down the hallway to a small door. He pointed to it, bowed, and walked away. Zoro ignored him and walked in, but what he expected was something normal, or what like the others got. Instead, his room was an empty, cold, stone room. It was no bigger then a bathroom and the windows didn't close, making the stones extremely cold.

"That bastard," he grumbled, sitting on the cold floor.

After about five minutes, he got up and left his room, heading back up the hallway to the others' rooms. As he passed Mel's room, he heard her voice and the prince's voice discussing things.

"Lady Melfina," the prince cooed. "I must say that you are the most beautiful woman that I have ever met in my entire life."

"U-umm, that's nice to know," Mel mumbled, face turning red again. "And please don't call me Melfina. Just Mel is fine."

"Lady Mel, I shall do whatever you ask me to."

"T-thank you."

"But Lady Mel, I have one request of you."

"What?"

"Well, I know this is sudden considering we have only met today, but…"

"But what?"

"…Erhm… Eh heh… W-… Will you marry me?"

Zoro's already widened eyes grew wider as he slid against the wall to the floor. He could hear her stuttering nervously at the very question.

"M-marriage?" She asked, surprised at the question. "Marry me? I don't even know you that well! I only met you today as well!"

"I know, that is true," he replied sadly. "But I just could not hold back the question."

"O-oh…"

"Well," the prince sighed as he stood up. "I will give you song time on the matter."

He bowed, took her hand and kissed it, and headed out the door. As he shut the door behind him, he noticed Zoro slumped against the door with his eyes still widened.

"What are you doing here?" The prince hissed.

"I was going to see how Mel was, but it seems she's busy deciding," Zoro glared out of the corner of his eye.

"Then you heard my proposal to Lady Melfina. Why are you so troubled? Do you have feelings toward her?"

Zoro blinked and stood up.

"The reason why I care is because she is our nakama, and if she does decide to marry you than we would lose a crew member and a good friend," he stated. "Is it so bad to care?"

Prince Aladono scoffed at the question. He turned to leave.

"If you do have feelings for her," he said as he walked farther and farther away. "Then I'll have you killed."

Zoro watched as the price slowly disappeared down the long, darkening hallway. He didn't think to much of the threat, considering a lot of people probably wanted him dead for so many things, like Whiskey Peak and such. He shrugged and gave a swift knock at Mel's door, who answered it a few seconds later.

"Hey Mel," he greeted casually.

"Ah, Zoro! Come in!"

He did so and made his way over to the wall where he sat down. Mel sat across from him on her bed.

"S-so," Mel said, staring at the ground. "Do you think I should?"

Zoro tilted his head.

"What do you mean?" He pretended even though he knew exactly what she meant.

"You know what I mean! I'm not stupid! You were listening in from the hallway!"

"…Yes, that's true," he confessed, getting up from his seat.

"I would like to turn him down, but he seems so nice and—"

"Desperate?"

Mel glared at him as he headed for the door.

"Look," he mumbled. "It's not my decision whether or not you marry the ass, but just remember what you'll lose if you do."

As he left, the word 'Nakama' flashed in her mind. She sighed and lay back on her bed staring at the ceiling that was painted like the midnight sky.

"Now what do I do?"

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Sin: Sorry for that slow update. I was a bit busy with POTC2 THAT I SAW ON OPENING DAY and all. But anyhow, thanks for being patient, though I don't know if you had a choice. REVIEW TIME!

Mirathin: Thank you SOO much for sticking with my story. Here, have some cheesecake! (gives cheesecake) And yes, Mel and Zoro are kinda… EHEM, but there's gonna be a lot of obstacles here and there. :D

Takahane: Yup! You guessed it! Although, they're too stubborn to admit it… Thanks for reviewing!

4getregret: I'll keep updating as long as there's a review or 2!

Sin: Okey dokey! That's my update! See ya in the next chappie:D