Chapter Fifteen

Baratie the town was still full of wonders to Luffy, even if he had already spent hours in the market.

For one, Nami and Zoro were completely different to shop with. While Nami was obsessed with the clothing stores and haggling or manipulating down to the best price, Zoro was more content to wander aimlessly as they searched for their ship. Although the main street with the shops and markets was a few blocks away from the port, there were still stores close enough to provide distractions. Luffy kept wandering away from the water when he noticed something interesting on a stand or in a window, not even noticing that he was slowly getting further from the docks. He was really excited about finding a ship, but they had all day and there were just so many funny things to see!

"Zoro! Zoro! Look!" Luffy exclaimed, laughing brightly as he held up a mechanical monkey that, when wound up, shifted its feet up and down with a whir and clanged quiet cymbals. "If you set it down, it even walks!"

The swordsman watched one of the toys waddle about in silence, his eyebrow rising. "You act like you've never seen anything like that before."

Luffy looked back at the monkey, surprised. "Have I?" he asked, as if Zoro should know what he had and had not seen in the course of his life.

Zoro looked at Luffy, mildly curious. "Well, you're a prince, right? I'm sure you grew up with all sorts of weird toys."

Luffy laughed. "Yeah, but not fun ones like this! They would have thought this was too 'commonplace' for me or something." He said 'commonplace' in his best Haughty Prince Tone, the one that amused him to use. He picked the toy up and turned it all around, scrutinizing it with almost childlike glee. "I bet this breaks down really easily, right? And it barely costs anything. Way too cheap which is why it's so great!" He briefly glanced back up at Zoro with a huge grin.

For a moment, the green-haired man watched as Luffy continued to examine the toy as if it were some sort of rare treasure. It was funny how someone who had grown up with only the best of everything would take such interest in a simple toy. His lips softly quirked before he looked up to the store owner, slightly raising a hand. "I'll take one of these."

Ignoring the store owner's immediate reply with the price, Luffy turned thoroughly startled eyes on Zoro, the toy monkey not forgotten as he unconsciously curled his fingers around it, pulling it closer to his body as if to protect it.

"Wha-Wait.." he started, blinking huge eyes in shocked confusion. "I.. can have it? The monkey?" Part of him doubtfully thought that maybe Zoro wanted it for himself, and he almost hadn't wanted to ask if it was for him. He held it even closer to himself without realizing it, as if to keep Zoro or the store owner from snatching it away.

Zoro snorted at the prince's initial shock. "What, you think I'd buy that for myself?"

"I don't know," Luffy answered, still staring at Zoro with the same surprise. "You mean.. I can really keep it?" And slowly his solemn, startled expression gave way to a brilliant grin that started from nothing and grew until it threatened to overwhelm his face. "The monkey is mine?" He had to ask again, just to be sure, just to be certain he wasn't misunderstanding.

"It's completely yours," affirmed Zoro gruffly. "No strings attached."

The grin turned nearly blinding as he closed his eyes with happiness. "Ahh, thank you, Zoro!" he exclaimed sincerely, and could not keep from throwing himself at Zoro for a brief bear hug. He was gone almost before he was there, though, jumping away to enthusiastically talk about his new toy. "I should name it! And I can keep it by my bed and oh!-wouldn't it be cool if it were attached to an alarm? Then when you had to wake up in the morning, you would open your eyes to see the monkey walking past!" He laughed at the thought, staring down at the mechanical monkey as he walked down the street without looking where he was going, or even making sure Zoro was following.

The bodyguard dutifully followed after him in silence, a pleasant flush coloring his cheeks all the while.

The mechanical toy kept Luffy's attention for a surprising amount of time, but he was bound to lose interest eventually. Carefully placing the toy in his pocket (he couldn't decide on a name yet, though he was seriously considering 'Monkey'), Luffy finally looked up at his surroundings.

The river stretched vast and blue to their right, crowded little houses and shops pressing against the banks far into the distance. To their left, merchants called out their wares to the reception of laughter and haggling, protests and assents. People pressed against the street like the houses to the river, but very few had wandered their way down the alley Luffy and Zoro had chosen. Around them, Baratie was alive with movement and sights, smells and sounds, but where they were it was quiet and still.

Ships bobbed gently as the wind picked up, pressing the waves against the docks with small splashes. The sun was overwhelming, and the clouds against that clear blue sky were like a mirror reflection of the froth pooling in the vividly blue river. Luffy could not look away from the water, and without realizing the feeling of nostalgia and peace had transferred to his face in the form of a content smile, he turned to Zoro and said softly, "I love the sea, don't you?"

Zoro shrugged. "I guess. I haven't been around it much, so..."

"It's the best!" Luffy said, the smile stretching into a grin while he closed his eyes happily and placed a hand on his hat. "You need to go on it more, then! We'll spend lots of time at sea, okay?" He stopped suddenly, eyes opening as a thought occurred to him. "Oh! And then I can show you how long I can hold my breath!"

"Hold your breath?" Blinking, Zoro looked down at the prince. "Underwater?"

"Yep!" Luffy grinned brightly, obviously proud. "Shanks used to tease me for being bad at swimming, so I practiced all the time. I'm still only okay, but I've gotten really good at holding my breath! Everyone I show says they've never seen anyone better." He closed his eyes again, pleased.

"Well, that's good if you aren't great at swimming," remarked Zoro, his hands sliding casually into his pockets as he glanced over at the water.

Luffy opened his eyes to stare at the river himself and did not reply at first. After a moment of silence, he turned his grin back to Zoro. "I'll show you sometime, alright? You'll be really amazed! But let's go eat right now... I'm hungry, aren't you?"

The bodyguard smiled a little. "Sure."

"Great!" Without waiting to see if Zoro would follow, he turned very decisively in a random direction and wandered off looking for something tasty to eat. Although there were plenty of vendors nearby, none of them had food. Passing the toys and jewelry and souvenirs, Luffy took an abrupt right and continued confidently even though he had no idea where they were.

Filled with little tourist shops crammed between a few stores designed for locals, they managed to arrive on another empty street. Several shops had souvenirs and 'authentic' jewelry of the area displayed proudly in windows, while the other stores seemed centered on books, clothing, or basic necessities. There were no restaurants nearby, which greatly disappointed Luffy and his grumbling stomach-at least, until he looked to his left and noticed a small ice cream parlor just four stores down and across the street.

Gasping in excitement, Luffy unthinkingly grabbed Zoro by the hand to pull him with in his mad dash across the street. "Look, Zoro!" he called out happily, only skidding to a stop once they made it to the ice cream parlor. He dropped Zoro's hand so he could point excitedly through the window at the displayed ice cream. "I bet we could get almost any flavor we wanted here! What kind do you want?" He turned to his bodyguard with an expectant, pleased grin.

Stunned, Zoro's eyes roamed across the vast list of flavors that was taped to the pristine window. "What kind do I want?" he echoed.

"Yeah, of ice cream," Luffy clarified blithely. He paused suddenly though, blinking curiously at Zoro and the lost look he had while studying the list. "Wait.. have you ever had ice cream before?"

Zoro paused, casually glancing at a little boy who scampered past them. "No," he muttered.

"Hmm..." came the solemn reply, and Luffy lost his smile as he peered very intently and thoughtfully at his bodyguard. He focused primarily on his face, his gaze searching across Zoro's eyes and cheeks and mouth as if he were determined to find an answer there.

His gaze shifting over to the prince, Zoro tried to look less unnerved than he felt. "What?"

"I'm trying to decide your flavor," Luffy answered seriously, frowning a little in thought. He blinked, and the seriousness disappeared as he smiled easily, the intensity leaving his expression but not his determination. "If this is your first ice cream, it should be something you like, right?" Turning back to the list, he hummed thoughtfully. "What sort of things do you like? Chocolate? Vanilla? Strawberries?" He glanced over at Zoro again with a grin. "You seem like more of a vanilla person to me, but that's way too boring for a first ice cream cone."

"Vanilla sounds pretty good." Zoro seemed to ponder the list for a moment. "But I'll bet it would taste better with rum in it."

Luffy burst out laughing, but he pushed the door open and reached back to pull Zoro inside. Wandering over to the counter, he tugged his bodyguard along until they were at the display and he dropped Zoro's hand to lean against the glass with wide eyes. "Woww... it all looks even better close up!" He nearly drooled at the sight.

A girl about Zoro's age suddenly appeared from a back door, looking startled and flustered to find them there. "Oh! Sorry, I didn't hear you come in!"

Grinning widely up at her, Luffy waved a dismissive hand. "It's fine, it's fine," he laughed, leaning away from the glass and pointing toward the ice cream. "More importantly, can we get vanilla with some rum in it?"

"Well, we have vanilla ice cream," said the girl with a quirked eyebrow. "And...we do have some rum in the back..."

"Great!" Luffy said happily, slamming his fist into his palm. "So it's settled, then! Umm, we'll have a cone of that, and I wannnt..."

He had to look at the list and ice cream again, but he finally decided, "a cone with a scoop each of mint chocolate chip, and cherry, and chocolate marshmallow, and butter pecan." Without waiting for her reply, he turned to Zoro with a cheerful grin. "You'll really love ice cream-it tastes so good and it's nice and cool."

Within moments, the girl handed them their orders, and Zoro silently paid for it. With a grimace, he noticed that they were almost out of the spending money Nami had given Luffy earlier in an attempt to keep him out of trouble.

Oblivious to their dwindling money supply, Luffy beamed at his ice cream as he wandered blissfully out of the store. He waited for Zoro once on the street, though, turning to him and holding his cone out carefully so as not to unbalance the precarious scoops. "Wanna try the different flavors I have?" he asked, smiling.

Zoro had already begun licking at his own discolored scoop, but he gave a shrug anyway. "Sure."

"What's yours taste like?" Luffy asked curiously as he held the strange combination of ice cream out to Zoro. "I've never seen anyone put vanilla and rum together before."

"Here." Zoro held the cone out for Luffy as he awkwardly leaned forward and gave Luffy's ice cream a lick. The extreme heat had already taken its toll on the tasty treat, and the scoops were beginning to melt together. He wrinkled his nose slightly as he pulled back; the taste was definitely unusual.

Already trying the vanilla and rum ice cream (just a little lick, because he didn't drink but this was mostly ice cream with just a little rum added), Luffy looked over just in time to see Zoro wrinkle his nose.

"No, no," he laughed, waving a hand as if to fend off Zoro's actions. "Try them separately first! I like weird combinations... most people would think that tastes bad." He was thoroughly amused by his bodyguard. As for Zoro's ice cream, it tasted... odd. Not bad, really, but not something he would probably choose himself.

"You should eat your ice cream faster," said Zoro gruffly. "It's melting." Any seriousness he possessed was rendered useless by the fact that he unknowingly had ice cream smeared across his lips.

Luffy laughed a little harder, doing his best to continue to balance the melting ice cream. It was true; the ice cream was starting to drip all over his hand and soak into the cone, but he didn't care. "Of course it's melting, it's really hot out."

Luffy insistently pushed his ice cream closer even as he placed his free hand gently against Zoro's hand curled around the vanilla-and-rum cone and pushed lightly away. "That's why you should try them now instead of arguing with me." He held his cone up a little higher so Zoro would not have to be in such an awkward position, but he could not stop grinning and his eyes were positively shining with mirth.

Sighing, Zoro reluctantly began to try each scoop at a time, though he felt the whole ordeal was pointless. "It's getting on me," he complained. Sure enough, quite of bit of the vanilla treat was beginning to melt onto his hand.

Laughing again, Luffy finally took pity on Zoro and pulled his own messy ice cream back and started trying to control the melting by strategic licking. "That's what makes eating ice cream in the heat fun," he declared cheerfully as he paused, holding his hand at an angle so the melted liquid could drip to the ground instead of on his clothes. "It's like a race!"

"It's messy," said Zoro pointedly, licking stray droplets off of his hand before moving up to the actual scoop.

Luffy laughed. "So? Does it taste good?"

"Yeah," he grunted.

Luffy grinned widely, taking a huge lick of his ice cream. "Then who cares if it's messy?" He did not entirely expect an answer but looked at Zoro nonetheless. He was greatly amused to watch a strong, competent bodyguard and swordsman, a determined, controlled, and self-sufficient man complain that the ice cream was messy and dripping onto his hand.

Apparently eager to get the whole affair done with, Zoro chomped down the last of the cone within five minutes, making sure to lick any stray droplets off his mouth.

Luffy snickered, but followed Zoro's example and finished his ice cream in almost the same amount of time. Which was impressive, considering he had four times as much ice cream as Zoro. Good thing he knew how to avoid the stinging headache that could come from eating the cold treat too quickly.

Happily cleaning the ice cream from his hands and face, Luffy finally finished and just turned to Zoro with a grin that was mostly highly amused, but partially just fond. "You're so funny," he told him with a shake of his head.

Zoro blinked. "I am?"

"Yes," Luffy said lightly. "Sometimes you seem so grumpy, but sometimes you're so kind. It's funny to watch... I never quite know how you're going to react."

Still getting remnants of the ice cream off of his hands, Zoro turned a curious eye onto Luffy. "Why would it matter how I'm going to react to something?"

Luffy shrugged, smiling enigmatically. "It doesn't," he said simply. "It just makes things interesting."

Still, Zoro eyed Luffy suspiciously. "I'm likely to think you have some scheme you'd like to try out on me."

Luffy could not help a slight mischievous quirk to his grin. "What do you think the ice cream was?"

For a moment, Zoro gave a small grin of his own. "I guess there're more sinister things to carry out."

The mischievousness increased in Luffy's grin, extending to his eyes. "Yeah, I suppose there are." He chuckled softly to himself. "Does this mean you don't like surprises, or just that you don't want me being more sinister than forcing melting ice cream on you in the middle of the day?"

"Mmm…" Zoro seemed to think about this for a moment. "I suppose that all depends on what kind of surprises you had in store."

"Well," Luffy declared with a grin, "I'll be sure not to tell you what kind if I ever have any, or they wouldn't be any surprise at all." He paused, the light teasing returning. "I guess you'll have to learn to live with that."

"Well," said Zoro slowly, barely repressing a smile, "I suppose it could be worse…"

The now-familiar line did not fail to make Luffy laugh again, freely and happily. That was, he decided, definitely becoming his favorite of Zoro's phrases. "Yeah. A lot worse," he answered, the bit of fondness creeping into his grin.

A companionable silence lapsed between them as Zoro watched his prince smile in amusement. He still had flecks of mint chocolate plastered to his mouth, and Monkey was poking out of his pocket. Luffy bore no resemblance to the prince the public back in Anchor tried to make him out to be, and that suited Zoro just fine.

He hoped that Luffy would never lose his zest for life.

The shadows slowly lengthened as the sky darkened from the intense blue. By the time the clouds were stained a brilliant orange near the setting sun, Luffy had managed to lead the two in a serpentine route throughout most of the town. They had not found a ship that was available, disappointing Luffy but not coming as too much a surprise after Nami's warning. The night came quicker than expected, and before they knew it the two were slowly on their way back to the restaurant.

Although they had not found a ship, Luffy had found a few more treats to insist Zoro try, and there was enough laughter to still make the prince feel as though the day had been well spent. He trotted along, holding Monkey securely in one hand with the other unconsciously holding his beloved hat flat against his head. He could not help looking around in wonder, even if he had already seen these parts of the town before.

Of course, it wasn't until they passed the same store three times that Luffy realized he had no clue where they were, let alone how to get back to the restaurant. He turned toward Zoro, grinning cheerfully despite the situation. "Hey! Was Baratie forward or back from here?"

Zoro paused from walking for a moment before sharply turning toward the prince. "How am I supposed to know? You mean you weren't keeping track?"

"You're the bodyguard, shouldn't you be watching the surroundings?" Luffy could not help the laugh that escaped him.

"I watch our surroundings." Zoro suddenly sounded irritated and indignant at the idea that his abilities were being put into question. "I would have known if someone were going to attack. That has nothing to do with directions."

"Well, if no one's attacking us it doesn't matter, does it?" Luffy was entirely unconcerned with the matter of being lost, his carefree tone conveying his grin more than could be seen in the deepening night. "We'll get there eventually, so everything will work out fine."

Zoro only grunted, apparently still a little put off by Luffy's earlier comment. He didn't have much time to dwell on the subject, however, as a familiar figure approached them from a distance. The softly glowing street lamps illuminated the orange-haired girl, and the swordsman began to make his way toward Nami.

It took Luffy a moment to notice her presence; he saw Zoro veer before he saw her standing in the light. But once she came into view, he immediately raised his hand in an energetic wave and happy call. "Hey, Nami! Are you lost too?" He jogged to catch up to Zoro and meet her first.

"Of course I'm not lost," replied Nami as she met up with them. "I've been too busy finding a ship to even think about becoming lost, for your information." Her eyes glanced over Monkey's blank stare from Luffy's pocket, and she gave a small smile in spite of herself.

"Oh, we already looked. We can't find one." Though the news was disappointing, it was said cheerfully enough. Luffy had absolutely no doubts that they would find a ship the next day, or the next, or somehow it would happen when they weren't looking. Life was funny like that.

"Well, I'm not surprised that you couldn't find a ship." The navigator crossed her arms. "I told you they don't come cheap." But her stern demeanor began to melt as she suddenly smiled. "But that doesn't matter right now. I've got good news…"

Luffy blinked, looking questioningly at Zoro as if to ask what he thought, but his bodyguard had the same expression aimed back. So silence alone greeted Nami's announcement.

Zipping up his duffel bag for the final time, Usopp heaved a heavy sigh. It had taken him a lot longer than he'd expected to pick through his possessions and pack what he needed. Night had already settled around the city, and the lamp that rested on the worn bedside table dimly lit their room. The clinking of dishes and silverware could be heard outside, the dinner rush still at its peak.

"I guess that covers everything," he muttered, dropping the bag beside the closed door.

"Yep," Sanji answered as he lit a new cigarette, the nicotine like a savior to calm his nerves. He inhaled deeply, dropping to slouch on the edge of his bed and eye the duffel bag. It was decently sized (a little larger than normal) and definitely as full as it could be. "Sure you're not gonna snap someone's eye out with a flying zipper? That thing looks like it'll burst if anyone even breathes on it wrong..."

"There's nothing wrong with being prepared," Usopp replied emphatically. "Besides, I wanted to take as much stuff with me as possible, since I'm, you know…not sure when I'll be coming back…" His gaze fell to the floor, and his voice became a little quieter.

"Pfft, you can't stay away. Admit it already, you'll be right back here tomorrow." Inhaling the blessed drug deeply, Sanji smirked and added somewhat teasingly, somewhat haughtily, "If nothing else, I'm far too irresistible to forget or leave behind."

The curly-haired man flushed suddenly, and he gave Sanji a frown. "What's that supposed to mean? I can make it just fine on my own. I didn't defeat a school of giant goldfish without picking up a few tricks!"

Waving his cigarette in a gesture that was mostly dismissive Sanji looked over with a teasing light in his visible eye. "Hey, hey, don't put words in my mouth. I said nothing about your tricks. I'm sure goldfish the world over fear your presence and name."

"Giant goldfish," Usopp corrected him. "Anyway-uh, thanks for helping me pack…"

A slightly annoyed grunt preceded Sanji pushing himself up then calmly walking close enough to hit Usopp on the head. Though he put enough strength into the move to show his friend he was serious, the rebuke was less hurtful than it was stern. "We've been over this before. Stop thanking me; it's not necessary. Keep that up and I'll assume you think I'm some asshole who'd leave the moment it looked like I had to do any work or help anyone out."

Usopp lightly rubbed his head, looking a little hurt. "You're not an asshole," he mumbled. "I'm just grateful, that's all…"

"Well, be grateful in another direction, you're making me feel bad," came the gruff reply, though there was no venom in his voice. Sanji inhaled again, deeper than before, letting the burn of the nicotine fill his mind and wipe away anything else he may have said.

His darker-skinned friend watched him for a moment, the smoke making his eyes water a little. "What do you want me to do, then?"

Sanji shrugged. "Stop feeling like you have to be grateful? I'm also helping because I want to help, you know. There's no need to thank people for things they'd have done anyway and they want to do. It's like thanking a person for breathing."

Usopp was about to respond when the door abruptly flew open. Startled, the former waiter whirled around to find Luffy, Zoro and Nami striding into the room.

"What the-?" Sanji started, stepping back to avoid being hit.

Luffy jumped toward Usopp with high energy born from excitement. "Hey, hurry, hurry!" he said loudly, yanking on Usopp as if to emphasize the urgency. "Get your stuff! Are you packed yet? Let's go! Nami's the best!"

"Wh-what?" Usopp pulled away slightly, looking a little alarmed. "What's going on?"

"Yeah, what the hell?" Sanji echoed, startled and completely lost. The entrance and announcement were entirely too sudden for him to even know what he was feeling.

"Nami got us a ship!" Luffy yelled, his grin taking over his expression and body language. He moved away abruptly to grab his pack and other belongings, including the bottle of healing lotion he'd been meaning to take with. Shoving the cream into his bag, he slung the pack over his shoulder and positively beamed at the others.

"But we gotta go fast, 'cause..." he paused only slightly, looking perplexed for one moment before the extreme happiness took over again. "Well, I dunno why, she just said we did. But just think! A ship, Usopp! A ship!"

"You thank me later," Nami added, nodding with a smirk. "I'll be sure to only charge you half price."

Sputtering a little, Usopp stared at the trio. He'd really wanted to have one final night at the restaurant to sort through everything that had happened today. But Luffy's eager grin, Nami's expectant gaze and Zoro's piercing silence were telling him that he didn't really have much choice over when the group left. For a moment, he stared at the bag that was now squished between the wall and the open door. He could feel his heart pounding.

Baratie wasn't home anymore, despite what Sanji told him. And his father was waiting for him somewhere out there.

Gaining his composure, he looked over at Sanji with a forced grin. "Well, I guess I have to leave a little earlier than expected."

Staring at the group, Sanji could only nod with a wide, startled gaze. "...Yeah, seems so," he said belatedly, bringing the cigarette to his mouth out of habit, to help focus and calm him. "So... wait. You have to leave this minute?"

He looked a little incredulously at Nami at the question, assuming she would be the only one capable of answering. Luffy looked entirely too giddy and had already admitted he had no clue, and Zoro was being Mr. Brooding in the background, so Sanji had no hopes for him.

"If he's finished packing, I don't see why we need to stand around and wait," explained Nami reasonably.

Sanji blinked at the logic, nodding slightly. "Uh-well, that's true. But don't you want... I don't know. A good night's sleep or something?"

The navigator waved a hand dismissively. "We can take turns sleeping, it's no big deal." Silently watching this exchange, Usopp frowned a little. The idea of stealing away into the night was a little suspicious; especially considering the original plan was to leave tomorrow at the earliest.

Sanji was thinking much the same thing. "I thought you were leaving tomorrow... Why suddenly tonight?"

He was a little hesitant to keep pushing the subject. If they were in such a hurry, asking useless questions was just delaying their journey unnecessarily. He noticed out of the corner of his eye that Luffy was looking very impatient, but he held his hand up to forestall any complaints just long enough for him to hear Nami's answer. His gaze, intent and a little suspicious, did not waver from hers.

"Well, Luffy is a prince, after all." Nami jerked her thumb toward the impatient boy. "It'd make sense to leave at a time that will draw the least amount of attention to ourselves. Also-"

"Hey, how do you know about that?" said Zoro suddenly, his eyebrows furrowing. "We never told you."

The navigator only scowled. "For your information, I overheard it when you were talking earlier. And to be frank, I'm a little insulted you never let me in on the secret. If I'm going to be part of your group, you have to tell me these sorts of things." The swordsman gave Nami a suspicious glare, but said no more concerning the subject.

Luffy looked at Nami, startled, but said nothing. His excitement was still there, though sobered slightly at the reminder of his position. It was true; as happy as he was to get to sea, it was only part of the journey and not yet his destination. The idea ate away a bit of his excessive energy and kept him standing quietly with his hand supporting the bag's strap across his shoulder while he watched the others speak.

Sanji frowned thoughtfully and nodded, stepping back as if to physically show his acceptance. "True." He paused, the seriousness remaining even as he smiled slightly. "So... where's the ship then? Should I be running interference to distract people more so you can get away quietly?"

Nami gave a sudden smile. "No, no, that's okay. The fewer people involved, the better. But thanks for the offer anyway!"

Sanji shrugged, finishing off his cigarette with flair and walking to the nightstand to put out the remainder in the ashtray. "Alright," he said, his back turned to them all for a moment so that his expression could not be seen. His voice was completely calm, however, and when he finally turned around the calmness was in his body language and face as well. "You'd better be going, then. Have a good trip, and don't get in too much trouble." He smirked then, a bit teasingly, and raised one hand in an idle wave even as the other searched his pockets for a new cigarette.

Staring at Sanji incredulously, Usopp stood very still. This was it? His final goodbye with the man he'd practically grown up with? He'd been hoping for something a little more personal, with more closure. For a moment, he couldn't help but feel a bit dizzy at how fast this was all happening. But he gave a hard swallow and turned away, hoisting his bulky bag over his shoulder. "Thanks. You too…"

Sanji snorted, the smirk becoming a bit more like a grin. "Like I ever get in trouble..." He turned his gaze to the others, measuring them up momentarily, before turning back to Usopp again. He sobered slightly, though the casualness with which he stood and lit his newest cigarette remained.

"Seriously, though, Usopp. Take care, right? These guys look too stupid to know when they're about to get their asses kicked, so you and Nami-san'll have to be sure not to get involved in their idiocy." He grinned truly then, the teasing coming in full force. "If I think you're getting roped into their stupidity, if your dad calls I'll definitely have to tell him all the embarrassing stories of you I can think of. So let that be a warning, 'kay? You know I have some good ones..."

"H-hey," said Usopp, looking a little unnerved, though he gave a tiny smile of his own. "I have just as many about you. I could tarnish your reputation as a suave ladies man in a heartbeat, and don't you forget that."

Startled at the comment-particularly the truth and suddenness-Sanji's visible eye widened and the cigarette went slack in his mouth. He automatically darted his gaze to Nami and back, making him look even more disconcerted. "Hey, wait! I didn't do anything... I mean there's no reason for you to do that..."

For the first time since that morning, Usopp gave a laugh. "Don't worry, that's what friends are for."

Sanji just looked at him a bit suspiciously, but recovered quickly. "Yeah, well." He didn't really know what to say to that, so he nodded and lifted his hand to the cigarette so he would have something to do. Shoving his other hand in his pocket, he leaned against the nightstand and smiled slightly. "You'd better all go. I think Luffy's gonna die of anticipation if he doesn't move soon."

Frowning in confusion at the comment, Luffy looked at Sanji questioningly. Although he really wanted to go, he thought he had been doing a good job of staying quiet and still so they could have their chance for goodbyes before they took off. Still, it reminded him even more of their urgency. Nami had a point; leaving in the middle of the night was probably best.

The longer they delayed, the more chance some assassins would appear again and something would happen. Like Baratie burning down just as the clinic did. That was the last thing he wanted, so he took advantage of Sanji's comment. Grinning after the brief confusion, he hitched the pack higher on his shoulder and smiled brightly.

"Yeah, let's go! We have to meet the ship and name it and the sea is waiting!" Luffy moved quickly toward the door, hoping it would spur the others into action.

"It was nice staying here," Nami said sweetly as Zoro began moving toward Luffy. "Thanks for all your help, Sanji-kun. Have a nice life!" She turned to follow the pair before pausing and looking at Usopp expectantly.

The curly-haired man shifted a little as he hoisted the bag higher onto his shoulder. He looked like he had a lot he wanted to say, and he took in a deep breath. "Good-bye," he said simply. And with that, he followed the trio and disappeared through the door. It wasn't long after he was out of sight that his footsteps faded.

And then there was silence, broken only by the faint sounds of dishes and silverware clinking against one another from the kitchen.

Sanji waited until the room seemed resoundingly empty before he very calmly pushed himself from the wall and closed the door. He turned his back on the muffled sounds of customers and took measured steps back to the bed, where he stared at the covers for several long minutes. Maybe subconsciously he was waiting for someone to reappear, to say they had forgotten something, or even for Zeff to walk in laughing that he had been joking and Usopp was just around the corner, snickering that Sanji had so completely been fooled.

But no one came and the room remained dark except for the light of electricity, and he was still alone. With very measured and ordered movements, he began to get ready for bed. Loosen the tie. Shoes off one after the other-left, right. Socks off-left, right.

He kept his mind occupied by the familiar routine, all the while very calmly smoking his latest cigarette and not noticing (maybe purposefully, he didn't even know) that it was disappearing a little faster than normal, that he was inhaling deeper and longer and that the nicotine was more important right then than it had been ever before. He just got ready for bed, and waited once more for several long minutes in silence.

No one came, although he wasn't actually expecting anyone to. When the silence became too much, when even the usual quiet breathing of his roommate was so obviously not there, he stood carefully and turned the light off, made his equally careful way back to the bed in the pure darkness. The sheets being pulled back sounded altogether too loud and isolated without the similar rustling on the cot behind him, and he found himself thinking even more of the night before when Zoro's and Luffy's body warmth had remained on the bed when he lay down, how he could hear three sets of breathing or snoring instead of the usual one. Something about that had made him realize distantly how having more people in their room made it seem that much emptier when they were gone.

Refusing to think about the topic, Sanji very pointedly pulled the sheets up and turned his back on the rest of the room. He closed his eyes, and focused on his own breathing. The room was not small, that was ridiculous. It wasn't empty-there was plenty of furniture around, obviously. And Usopp...

Well. He had no reason to think about him right then. Usopp was going to have fun with his father, right? If that left Sanji alone, feeling isolated, in a restaurant that seemed too big without him, well that was fine. Sanji knew plenty of people in the restaurant. He really wasn't alone. He just felt that way because his constant friend of ten years just left. And if no one else in the restaurant would ever care about him nearly as much as that friend had, that was also fine. This was where he belonged. Usopp had probably always belonged at sea. Sanji was fine.

There was nothing to worry about. Tomorrow, he would wake up early and go to the kitchen, and he would make himself breakfast and make sure the restaurant was running fine. He would have to keep an eye on Pattie and Carne, of course, since they had been acting up recently. Maybe he would corner Zeff about fixing that one part of the roof that he suspected was leaking.

He had plenty of things to do. His whole life was ahead of him. His whole life at Baratie. That was all he needed. It was all he had ever needed. He was still friends with Usopp. He just wouldn't see him as often, that was all. And if he never saw Zoro or Luffy or Nami again... well, that was also fine. Zoro was an idiot, Luffy was entirely too cheerful for his own good, and while Nami had been a knockout, there were still plenty of beautiful women who came to Baratie daily. He still had his smokes, still had his home.

He was fine. Everything was just fine.

Pulling the sheets up, Sanji covered his head and curled himself into a ball, closing his eyes pointedly and trying his best to fall asleep.

It seemed like hours had passed with Sanji waiting for sleep, but in reality he doubted it was that long. Still, there was only so long he could stubbornly lie there before he got too irritated and had to do something. Zeff had already warned him not to be seen the rest of the night, so he didn't want to bother with dealing with the cranky old fart out in the kitchen or dining room. Instead, Sanji sighed and started to clean the last bit of chaos out of the room. There were some things neither he nor Usopp had gotten around to putting away before Nami and the others had abruptly appeared.

Though he tried not to think too much about anything, Sanji was tired and exhausted, and that much more susceptible to nostalgia. So when he picked up the stack of drawings Usopp had left scattered on the dresser's top, he found himself unthinkingly shifting through them and smiling at some of the more memorable ones. The fourth drawing caught his attention, one that sparked a memory that made him grin. But there would be no more pictures, would there? No more stupid stories that made him grin or that he would remember even when he needed to be asleep... It was a sobering thought, and the grin faded as if it had never existed.

A heavy silence burdened the room as the restaurant began to wind down for closing time. Never again would they clean tables and stack chairs, never again would he see a slingshot turn out the lights. Now it would hardly matter if Fullbody stayed far too late and became far too drunk. Now it would hardly matter if anyone spoke of pirates or adventures of the sea or Giant Goldfish.

The clock chimed midnight - heavy footsteps began to stomp down the hallway. Suddenly, the door flew open.

Nearly dropping the paper in surprise, Sanji turned to stare at the door. For a moment, he was certain he'd been right after all... Usopp forgot something and had sheepishly returned, maybe decided he wouldn't leave after all. But the silhouette from the hallway was far too large to be Usopp, or even Zoro there to say they'd be staying another night. Pulling the drawings unconsciously closer, Sanji narrowed his eyes and scowled as he realized who it was.

"The hell do you want, shitty old man?" he growled, irritated. "Come to gloat in victory?"

Zeff's eyebrow twitched, and he gave Sanji a disapproving frown from the doorway. "Actually, I came to tell you what a moron and a fool you are."

Raising his visible eyebrow, Sanji gave Zeff an irritated, impatient look. "Yeah? What'd I do now? Not wash the damn dishes good enough this morning or something?" The bitterness and sarcasm combined to make his voice ugly, angry, and he had to turn away to set the precious drawings down before he ripped them accidentally.

"No, you spoiled little brat," barked Zeff gruffly, apparently irritated with Sanji's tone. "For letting one of the most important people in your life go because of your damn pride."

"What the hell?" Sanji said loudly, frustrated. He whipped around, agitatedly pointing at the older man. "I'm doing what you said, aren't I? I stayed in this damn room all night, I didn't stop Usopp, what the hell do you want? This has nothing to do with pride! I'm just being a good friend. You're the one that made him go!"

"No one told you that you had to stay." Zeff's arms folded over his chest. "No one told you not to go with him. That was your choice. And a stupid one, since this was your first and probably last chance to go pursue your own dreams instead of lazing around this place."

Sanji's eyes narrowed angrily even as his voice rose in volume, irritated and confused and indignant. "Lazing around the place? I almost run the damn restaurant more than you do! And this is my dream, you idiot! Baratie's important to me. Why the hell should I leave for no reason?"

The older man gave Sanji a steely gaze, his teeth clenching as if he were refraining from kicking the senior cook's face in. But his voice was remarkably calm and composed, a chill coloring his words. "All Blue."

Sanji twitched and could not stop the rush of conflicting emotions at the two simple words. All Blue. The dream he had believed in since childhood, since long before he even knew a man named Zeff existed, even longer before the restaurant and town they now stood in had been built. A dream of foolishness, something he could no longer let himself believe in, no matter how it pulled his heart in ways nothing else could.

He looked away, the indignant anger gone and replaced by stubborn bitterness. "What about it?" he asked belligerently, though even he had to admit his voice fell a little flat. "It's just a stupid kid's dream, and I'm not a kid anymore. If I chased after that, I'd be an idiot risking my life for no reason."

"You think people didn't call me an idiot for building this restaurant in the middle of a damn desert?" growled Zeff, apparently unimpressed with Sanji's logic.

"That has nothing to do with this. Building a restaurant is right in front of you; you know it exists because you're the one making it!"

"But no one knew a city was going to spring up around it," Zeff shot back. "No one could see that coming. Hell, no one even thought anyone would bother to eat here."

"So?" Sanji demanded, his irritation returning as he ran out of patience and arguments. "So people eat here now and you need all the help you can get. Why are we having this conversation anyway? Just leave me the hell alone." He turned his back on Zeff pointedly, waiting for the stupid old man to just go and stop pestering him.

Zeff's heavy glare seemed to bore into Sanji's back as an uncomfortable silence hung between them. "Fine," he growled. "Fine, just throw the best years of your life away. Go ahead and waste the only chance you've got to pursue what you really want. You think I honestly have a use for a Senior Cook who doesn't have the balls to fight for what's important to him?" He turned away as well. "I expect you to be out of here by tomorrow morning."

Sanji's entire body tensed, his shoulders visibly tight with anger and other emotions. But he was silent, his reaction hidden by the angle of his body and the fall of his hair. Slowly, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his lighter and a new cigarette. He tilted his head just enough to let his face show, and as he lit his cigarette there was a flash of warm light against the contours of that blank expression.

"Just leave," he said finally, his voice steady despite the heaviness. "I'm sick of you right now."

"My pleasure, brat," spat Zeff. And with that, the Owner had stalked out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Sanji waited until he was certain Zeff had left. Only then did he calmly straighten, turning enough to look at the door as he held his cigarette in one hand. With his free hand he suddenly slammed the side of his fist against the wall and leaned against it, his forehead falling against his arm and his blond hair fanning out to shield part of the floor from his gaze.

He closed his eyes with a grimace, his cigarette in danger of falling to the floor from his lax hand, and whispered harshly, "Shit."