Author's Note
Guess who's back! : ) Thank you again for all the reviews and alerts, I really appreciate your views and comments, so keeping them coming. I'm still unsure whether I want to keep this a friendship fic or make it a Zoro and Sanji pairing.
I've had a few replies, but anyone who hasn't replied let me know what you think : )
Apologies for the wait, exams are over now so no more delays, enjoy ^_^
Getting To Know You
Chapter 3
'Hey Usopp, get a me a small whisky.'
Abruptly a loud, high pitched giggle sounded from across the room causing Zoro to frown in repulsion.
'Better make it a double,' he growled, glancing at the other end of bar in annoyance only to see Sanji glaring right back at him.
It was bad enough that Ace had invited Sanji along. It couldn't get any worse, could it?
Wrong.
The blond haired moron had invited Nami and Robin too.
Another high pitched giggle nearly shattered Zoro's delicate ear drums.
He didn't have a problem with Robin; she appeared to be quiet and very intelligent.
Zoro liked quiet people. He wasn't a very sociable person and found it difficult to socialise with loud individuals, especially noisy, red and blond haired arrogant ones.
Which reminded him solemnly, what on earth was he doing here in the first place?
His thoughts were hastily interrupted when a full glass of alcohol was placed on the counter in front of him.
'Bottoms up!' Ace cheered with enthusiasm.
Grabbing a large pint glass the raven took a big swig and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, taking the vacant seat between Luffy and Zoro.
Zoro downed his drink quickly as Ace and Luffy watched in awe.
'Whoa Zoro! You shouldn't drink so fast, you'll get drunk!' Ace said, grinning in amusement.
The green haired man snorted.
'Only pansies get drunk'
Franky pulled up a stool next to Ace, booming with laughter.
'Spoken like a true man Zoro Bro! I sure bet you can put away a few Jack Daniels!'
Beckoning the bartender to refill his glass, Zoro eyed Franky suspiciously.
'Are you challenging me?' he asked, raising a brow curiously.
'Not at all bro! But I mean, it's ok if you can't handle it...' Franky smiled shrewdly.
A few moments later, 10 whiskeys were lined up along the worn counter of the bar.
'You're on,' Zoro smirked confidently, 'By the way, looser pays for all the drinks.'
Franky smiled deviously.
'You better not lose then bro! Let's go!'
At the opposite end of the bar Brook peered over the counter, eyeing the pair curiously.
'Now this I must see, Yohohoho!'
Ace looked on at Zoro and Franky in amusement.
This was going to be one interesting night after all.
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'Ahhh Nami, Robin, I must say that you both look so wonderful this fine evening!' Sanji swooned, wobbling dangerously on his bar stool.
'Thank you Sanji,' Robin said, smiling politely behind a small glass of red wine.
Nami rolled her eyes at the blonds complement.
'Say Sanji, how about another drink hmm?' the red head purred, battering her eyelashes vigorously.
'Of course Nami my dear, anything for you my sweet!' he cried.
'Down in one! Down in one!'
Robin turned her head towards the chanting and smiled when she saw everyone gathered around Franky and Zoro amongst the many empty glasses.
'It seems that they are having a good time,' Robin acknowledged, nodding her head in their direction.
'Perhaps we should join them?' she inquired.
Sanji glanced over at the group frowning in disgust as he spotted the empty glasses beginning to collect in front of Zoro, watching him knock back drink after drink.
'Uncultured swine...' the blond muttered in disgust.
Unfortunately his mutter hadn't been as quiet as he had intended it to be.
Zoro slammed down the glass in his hand loudly and turned sharply, growling menacingly in the Sanji's direction.
The room became silent.
'Something the matter blondie?' he teased with a frown.
'Who do you think you're talking to you brute; show some manners in front of the ladies!' Sanji spat.
'Eh, show me a lady and I might show you some,' he smirked, glancing at Robin and Nami. Both women rolled their eyes at the comment.
'No offence,' he added.
'You arrogant slob!' Sanji cried getting up from his seat, pointing at Zoro with an accusing finger.
'What did you say curly brow?' Zoro growled, grasping the glass in his hand so tightly that his fist began to shake.
'Look at you knocking back drinks you drunkard, you have no manners at all you barbarian!'
Zoro pushed back his stool and walked leisurely towards Sanji until he was a few steps away.
'It's called having fun you miserable fucker! Maybe if you pulled that stick out of your arse perhaps you could try it sometime!'
'You fucker!'
Sanji dropped to the floor, aiming a kick at Zoro's chest; whilst balancing himself with his hands.
Zoro quickly took a step back and grabbed the bar stool he'd been sitting on, blocking Sanji's kick.
The blond quickly got back onto his feet, growling at Zoro threateningly. He knocked the stool out of Zoro's hands and grabbed him by the collar.
'Listen here you arrogan-'
'Sanji stop it you idiot!' Nami shrieked.
The red head seized him by the shoulders, pulling him towards her; she bopped him upside the head weakly with her fist.
'But Nami! He-'
'Not buts!
'Stop fighting or take it outside, you're scaring away customers!' the bartender yelled angrily.
Sanji turned to see a few occupants of the bar eyeing the group suspiciously, murmuring amongst themselves.
'I apologise for the behaviour of my friend Sanji here,' Nami purred at the bartender, leaning on the counter and battering her lashes with a sweet smile.
'It won't happen again, will it Sanji?'
To anyone else it would seem like Nami was smiling innocently, only Sanji saw the menacing threat behind her charm. He gulped, and proceeded to fix his tie nervously with a shaky grin.
'Y-yes Nami my sweet...'
Zoro glanced at Sanji briefly, wrinkling his nose in disgust as if there was a bad smell in the air. He put his hands in his jacket pockets and headed for the door without even a second thought.
'Hey Zoro bro! Where you goin?' Franky called, still surrounded by shot glasses both empty and full.
Zoro sighed.
'So much for a quick getaway,' he thought.
He stopped just before he reached the door and glanced over his shoulder casually, taking one last look at the group still surrounding the bar.
'For a walk.'
His eyes lingered on Sanji for a short moment before opening the door and disappearing out into the street.
All eyes turned to Sanji, who gave the empty bar stool where Zoro once sat a heated look. He growled and reached for a glass from the counter, taking a large swig.
Everyone around him sighed.
It was going to be a long night.
Thanks to HitachiinTwin01 for beta editing this the next chapter will be up in no longer than a week, promise! ^_^