A/N: I do not own One Piece or any of its affiliated characters.

I've never felt so sick in my entire life. And the worst part is having to admit that something like this is effecting me so much. This build up of emotions I cannot even begin to understand…

"Zoro, shut that thing up! I'm trying to WORK," the red head screams from up in the library. There's a slam as the hatch is thrown back into place.

I turn my head slightly to glance at the swordsman and his charge again. The level of disgusting has not changed.

"Shut up, will ya? Everybody's willing to put up with you if you just pipe down."

Well isn't this rich. The broccoli headed one isn't just the sword whisperer, but he's apparently got some sort of gift with furry things too. I suppose it's not surprising, considering the favor he's attained with the doctor. Animals tend to sniff out their own kind. The acid in my stomach churns, making me wonder if I should turn my attention to something a little less thought provoking.

Judgmental as I may be, he's managed to shut the stupid thing up. He lets it out of his hands and follows it at a distance as it wanders around, stopping randomly to sniff various parts of the ship.

I MUST be bored. This is hardly entertaining.

Never mind. The beast decides it needs to relieve itself on one of the idiot's boots while he's staring into space. This is the epitome of comedy.

There's a brief time frame where I can't quite focus on his hesitant rage at the tiny creature because I'm busy repressing my laughter. Salome gives me a questioning look, but soon shrugs and goes back to sleep.

"Dammit! Come 'ere, you," he growls at the furry thing, bounding childishly after it with his hands raised like some sort of retarded bear. The animal yips and stumbles up the lawn, barely dodging the clumsy, dancing feet of the cook.

"MARIMO. I TOLD YOU TO KEEP THE DOG QUIET SO NAMI-SAN CAN CONCENTRATE. AND HANCOCK-DONO PROBABLY DOESN'T APPRECIATE YOUR INCOMPETENCE EITHER. Now. SHUT IT UP, or I'll put BOTH of you back on that raft it was floating on."

I quirk an eyebrow, but say nothing. As if a man would be able to differentiate my preferences. He sees me, and shoves his way past the green one to bring me my afternoon refreshment. An excellent servant he may be, but his current stance is blocking my view of the show. His voice continues to sing my praises, even after I've dismissed him.

"You're giving me a bit more trouble than it's worth," he says, picking the furry one up by the scruff of its neck. It seems to sense his disappointment, its ears drooping a little. His eye softens, almost giving a look of...tenderness…

Ugh.

"Well, it's no big deal," he mumbles, setting the thing gently in one arm so it's cradled like a child.

Sick...

I watch intently as he walks over to the side of the deck, sprawling out lazily for yet another nap. He takes the furry thing and places it on his chest. The animal slowly paws its way up to his chin...

I nearly stop breathing, watching the dog flick its tongue out to lick the brute's face.

What IS this…

The twitch of a smile…

This…

One big, stupid hand comes up to pet it gently…

"What is this," I mutter to myself, face contorted in sensory overload. Never in my life have I seen something so…so…

"Cute," the dark haired one says, coming up behind me, "aren't they." She gives me a look like she knows I've been watching.

I am definitely not blushing. It's merely a product of being caught in the middle of a complicated thought process. I turn up my nose, refusing to speak. She eventually leaves me to my thoughts.

I glance back at the two beasts, now sleeping soundly and looking…looking…

It's not cute. That's definitely not what that is.

Ugh. My stomach hurts.