Chapter Nineteen

Despite how distracted Zoro seemed earlier, the training session between the two was enough for him to momentarily sweat out his problems. It was nice to just spar in the secure company of Luffy, something that Zoro realized he hadn't had a chance to do since he'd agreed to escort the prince out of Merriana. For a member of a royal family, the boy actually surprised him quite a bit. As it turned out, Ace had taught him quite a few combat moves that, coupled with his body's stretching ability, proved to be a deadly combination.

And in those few hours of respite, Zoro actually felt like Luffy was less of a charge and more of an equal friend and partner. He'd forgotten how nice it was to not have that kind of weight on his shoulders, having to constantly look after someone else's life and be on guard with everyone. Instead of completely basking in this change of pace, however, there were other things that loomed in the back of Zoro's mind, things that had been buried during his two year trek.

But he knew they wouldn't stay buried for long... and it was only a matter of time before it all came back to get him.

As all good things often did, their training session came to an end seemingly too quickly when Nami sought them out and told them to come inside for dinner. Despite how eager the prince was to eat, Zoro himself lagged behind the two a little bit as they approached Laki's house.

They met Usopp, who had been lingering by the door, on the front porch. Within moments, they'd all shuffled inside and were ushered to their seats at the dinner table.

Laki must have prepared the food well ahead of time, for it was already steaming in the center of the table. The presentation was not nearly as magnificent as Sanji's when he made food for beautiful women, but what was lacking in aesthetics smelled as though it would far be made up in taste.

Luffy was watching the food with eyes so wide he looked ridiculous, but he forced himself to keep from devouring everything in sight until someone else started. There were very few things he had ever learned properly as a prince, but manners were one of them, even if he chose to ignore them or forget the details most of the time. He kept stealing glances at the others, waiting for the slightest signal that he could eat everything in front of him.

Laki remained standing for a few moments even after everyone had sat down, her dark eyes intent on the doorway to the kitchen. It was unclear what she was waiting for until she suddenly nodded decisively, murmuring, "Good."

Precisely at that moment, Sanji wandered in, looking around the kitchen curiously and automatically categorizing the skill of the chef when he glanced over their dinner.

Nami looked genuinely startled, her eyes leaving the food and sharply looking at the blond man. "Sanji-kun, what are you doing here?"

Scowling, Zoro almost rose from his seat. "You're supposed to be watching the ship," he murmured darkly, and there was something edgy in his tone that indicated that he wasn't one to be messed with right then.

"Ahh, I grew bored so I thought I'd take a walk. And what do I find? All of you, betraying me with a lovely woman and her adulterous dinner," Sanji drawled, his visible eye widened innocently even though he looked clearly smug when he saw Zoro's expression.

Growling, Zoro's jaw clenched, and he actually did rise in his chair this time. Speaking over the odd squeak Usopp made, the swordsman furiously furrowed his eyebrows. "Dammit, you idiot! This isn't the time to be screwing around and leaving the ship vulnerable to potential thieves. Do you have any idea of what would happen if someone stole it?"

"I imagine we'd have quite a swim ahead of us," Sanji said with an evil little grin. "But I'm looking forward to Nami-san's bathing suit – I hope it's a bikini!"

Those who were witnessing the conversation would later decide that this comment was what finally made the swordsman snap; indeed, as soon as the cook had uttered those words, Zoro all but lunged across the table in an attempt to punch Sanji in the face.

Sanji just barely evaded, not even bothering to remove his hands from his pockets, but he did not look angry – in fact, he laughed at Zoro and lifted a leg to fend him off. "Kinda touchy, aren't you, Marimo? Maybe you want to wear the bikini instead...?" He was probably enjoying himself too much, but he couldn't help it. Pissing Zoro off was his favorite pastime apart from ogling women and making excellent food.

Laki watched the two with narrowed eyes but did nothing to stop them, even though it was clear that soon she would likely have broken furniture or dishes to deal with.

"Damn you, asshole!" Zoro snapped, reaching out to punch him again. This time, Usopp and Nami had both leaped forward, grabbing onto the swordsman's arms.

Scowling, the navigator, held onto him tightly. "Zoro! What's wrong with you? I'm sure Sanji-kun has a perfectly reasonable explanation for being here." Pausing, she looked up at the chef long enough to give him a meaningful glare. "Right?"

Sanji smiled at her immediately, nodding. "Of course, Nami-san!"

But before he could explain, Laki spoke calmly from her side of the table. "I invited him here. It seemed cruel to leave a clansman behind like that, when you each were ready for a languid dinner and rest. Would you have preferred we ignore him?" Her question was directed at Zoro, her tone cool and eyes just the right sort of casual for it to be clear she was testing him.

Suddenly growing still, Zoro sharply looked over at Laki in silence. It was strange, the way his face grew hot, like his cheeks were on fire. Trying to swallow it down, he narrowed his eyes, his voice several notches lower. "So, who is watching our ship?"

"Some of my clansmen," Laki said mildly, the emphasis on 'my' pointed but casual.

Zoro's eyes narrowed and he took a seat in resignation, shaking Nami and Usopp off as he did so. "I thought so," he murmured darkly, and, for some reason, this piece of news seemed to unsettle him much deeper than Sanji's appearance had.

Sanji blinked at Zoro, a little taken aback by how quickly he reined himself in. Even Luffy didn't seem to have that much control over him... what sort of place had they stumbled into? "Honestly," he said aloud, sounding exasperated and curious, "you really thought I'd just leave the ship alone like that? Have a little faith..."

"I don't exactly have much reason to trust you," Zoro explained, giving the man a pointed stare. "You, of all people, would understand, I'm sure." He said the last sentence with irritation, as if he were alluding to their encounter back in Baratie. Still, there was something in his gaze that hinted that there was more that he wasn't telling.

Sanji watched him a moment, then shrugged easily and slid into a seat. "Fair enough," he said, relenting perhaps in apology to goading him earlier. Or maybe he was just hungry, because immediately he turned to Laki and beamed. "Such a beautiful woman, so quick to defend my honor, and she cooks?"

It took a moment, but she smiled just barely, not as though she was falling to his flattery but that she was acknowledging it. "I have my talents," was all she said.

Luffy was not paying attention to the conversation, and though he had been as surprised as anyone else to see Sanji, he found Zoro's attitude even more worrying. He didn't say anything aloud, because it would just force Zoro into more irritation or an awkwardly phrased comment to try to appease Luffy without saying too much in front of Laki. Instead, Luffy just stretched his legs in front of him and let his calf gently bump Zoro's, as if to silently offer some sympathy.

The swordsman slightly glanced at Luffy, and he gave a small nod, as if telling him that he understood or appreciated the gesture. Then, without saying anything else, he reached out and began to dish a fair amount of food onto his plate, his expression difficult to read.

"It's... nice you could join us, Sanji," Usopp said feebly, and he glanced toward Laki cautiously before placing food on his own dish.

Laki did not seem to notice the glances her way, though she spent almost as much time watching her guests carefully as she did selecting her food and beginning to eat.

Luffy immediately filled his own plate so high it looked like a tower ready to topple, but he was grinning brightly and did not notice Laki's lingering glance. "Yeah," Luffy said around a mouthful of bread. "We forgot all about you." And he laughed, as if this were not a rude thing to say.

Sanji grinned at Usopp and Luffy, though he made a point to glance importantly at Nami as he said, "You should have seen it! I was planning to defend the ship to the deathwhen those people showed up. I was all ready to fight, and suddenly they start talking about Roronoa Zoro and his return or something, and next thing I know, they've got guards posted and they're escorting me over." He paused. "I didn't believe them at first, of course, but they convinced me."

"Really?" Usopp asked curiously as he bit into a chicken leg. The tender meat seemed to fall apart in his mouth, and he admitted that this was on par to what he often found at Baratie, taste-wise. "Zoro must be pretty popular around here, huh?"

Zoro shrugged. "I don't think 'popular' is really the word," he muttered.

"Perhaps the word you search for is 'infamous'," Laki commented idly as she scooped some strangely thin-looking soup into a bowl. She turned her dark eyes on Zoro, smiling with an emotion that was not unkind, but not particularly friendly, either. "I admit, I am very curious – here you are, sitting at my table, yet I know nothing of where you have been. These... friends of yours. You met them during your journey, those years?"

"Something like that, though it was actually fairly recent that I came across anyone here," Zoro replied simply. "I met Luffy first." He lightly pointed to the other man, showing Laki who he was referring to. "And the others we met soon after."

Laki glanced at Luffy, who grinned hugely despite the meat he was trying to gnaw off a bone. She looked away immediately, as if she did not wish to deal with the scene. "I see. But such a diverse group you seem to be," and she included everyone in the comment, even though she did not look away from Zoro. "I wonder how you met them."

Zoro was quiet a long moment as if debating how to phrase his next words. "Luffy... is actually a prince," he said slowly, as if he didn't want to be misunderstood. "His life is in danger, and I... volunteered to escort him to safety. Nami has been helping us navigate our way, and Sanji and Usopp recently joined us for their own reasons."

Luffy and Sanji looked over at Zoro at the same time in surprise, while Laki's eyes widened. She turned her thoughtful stare onto Luffy, who solemnly looked back at her after a moment. "Is that so," she murmured, though it was clear she was still speaking to Zoro.

"It is," the swordsman replied quietly. "I imagine it won't sit well with a lot of people, but there's no point in hiding the truth." Pausing, he regarded Laki with a firm stare. "I'm sure you understand that we won't be able to stay long."

Laki considered him for a moment, but when she finally nodded a little tension had left her shoulders and the atmosphere seemed a hint more relaxed. "I understand your dilemma, certainly. You will, of course, wait for the Kurska before you depart?" It was a question, but it was not, and though she smiled she did not look particularly benevolent.

"I don't see why that's necessary," Zoro said as casually as he could muster, but it was obvious to those sitting close to him that his facial expression was a little strained.

One fine, dark eyebrow raised as Laki said mildly, "You truly wish to leave twice with no warning? The Kurska are aware you are here, and would be most upset to find you gone." She paused very slightly. "Imagine their displeasure with me to know I'd foolishly let you leave without at least saying hello."

Zoro actually seemed vaguely startled. "The first time I 'left without warning' was an accident," he explained. "I was separated from a group of hunters and couldn't find my way home. And now," he gestured to Luffy, "our situation doesn't exactly permit us to stay in one area for too long." But he studied Laki's expression for a long moment, and he reached out to take more food. "But if the Kurska are really that anxious to see me, I guess I have no reason to deny them a simple hello. I'm sure they're doing well, though."

"They are well enough, though they would like to see that you are too." She fell silent, looking contemplative.

There was a tense bit of silence before Luffy broke it with a cleared throat and a bright, "Seconds?"

Laki blinked at him, startled, looking even more so when she noticed how quickly the food had disappeared. "Ah. Dessert, then?" She looked and sounded a little lost.

Luffy merely beamed.

Zoro was a little thankful for his friend's interruption, though he chose not to voice it. Instead, he silently watched as Laki unveiled the mouth-watering cake that had been resting on the table untouched. Usopp gave an impressed whistle as its moist contents were cut into, and he proceeded to spin a tale about a vast cakeland he'd encountered several years ago. Zoro himself ate a small piece, watching as the others began to slip into more relaxed chatter about what they intended to buy when they finally got to the city they had originally set out for.

There was no doubt in Zoro's mind that he'd be there with them when they finally were able to take care of their business, but he chose not to take part in any of the conversation. Especially when he was too busy contemplating the price he'd have to pay to leave this place.

Soon, the cake had been eaten and everyone's plates were empty. "That meal was amazing!" Usopp complemented Laki. "And I'd know - I used to work in the greatest restaurant in the desert!"

"Mm, yes, it was very good," Nami agreed with a smile. "May I help you clean up?"

"The icing on the cake was homemade, wasn't it?" Sanji asked intently, smiling. "I can tell – the consistency is just right – "

Laki looked a little overwhelmed by the compliments and offers, and smiled truly for the first time since they had met her. "Ah, thank you," she said a little awkwardly, nodding briefly at Sanji before she turned to Nami. She seemed to consider her answer for just a moment before she relented, though she still sounded just a little stiff. "Yes... Nami. I would appreciate it."

"I'll help too!" Sanji said immediately, grinning at the two women. "I could never leave two lovely ladies in distress – "

"That would be nice of you, Sanji-kun," Nami replied sweetly, and she began to collect several plates together. Usopp, apparently feeling a little awkward, got up and began to help as well.

Zoro, on the other hand, stubbornly watched them, though he occasionally handed Nami or Usopp a plate.

Luffy moved to help too, but after he broke his first plate and dropped the second in a spectacular manner onto the ground (though, surprisingly, it did not shatter), Sanji pulled the glass he was holding out of his hand and said firmly, "I think we're good, Luffy."

"Okay," Luffy said cheerfully, unfazed, and dropped into a seat next to Zoro. He tilted his legs against the ground and rocked them back and forth, idly watching everyone else do the work.

"I'm kind of tired," Zoro commented simply after watching the prince for a moment. "I'm probably going to go ahead and go to bed."

"Me too," Luffy said casually, as if he had been waiting for someone to say that so he could leave as well. Laki glanced at the two and nodded, turning back immediately to washing the dishes. "I don't know where to go," Luffy added after a moment.

Laki turned, looking a little confused. "Ah, yes. You left to train before you saw your room. Aisa should be around to show you, but it is just on the second level, to the right. There are only two rooms up there, and Nami's has a bag in it. I'm sure you can manage." Rather than seeming a cold dismissal, however, her words showed a bit of trust.

Luffy grinned brightly at her and stood, nodding. "Alright, thanks!" He tugged on Zoro's arm to make him stand. "Coming, Zoro?"

"Yeah," Zoro quietly muttered, slowly rising from his chair. "I'm sure we won't get lost." As he said this, he cast an annoyed glance toward Usopp and Nami before making his way up the stairs.

Luffy caught Sanji's questioning glance toward Usopp at the comment just before they disappeared into the hallway, and he couldn't help smiling in amusement. "Don't worry," Luffy said softly as they walked up the stairs, giving Zoro a mischievous smile, "if we end up on another continent, I'll protect you."

Startled by the comment, Zoro couldn't help but get that same, face-burning feeling he'd gotten when Laki had told him Sanji hadn't come to dinner uninvited, though this situation was decidedly less threatening. "I guess it could be worse," he half grumbled in an effort to keep his spirits up. Sliding open the bedroom they were supposed to be sharing, the swordsman wasn't surprised to find a set of mats and blankets neatly spread across the floor.

Luffy smiled, as amused by Zoro's flush as his comment, and his reiteration of his favorite phrase. "Yeah, you could be protected by Sanji, and then need protection from him, and he'd need some from you. That could get confusing."

"There are very few things I need protection from," Zoro said simply as he began to slip off his shoes and shirt. "And nothing that would require protection from him."

"Unless he grew an extra set of legs," Luffy said, nodding.

"What does that have to do with anything?" Zoro's mind was too busy thinking over other things that he didn't have the energy to try and figure out one of Luffy's weird riddles.

"Then you'd be outnumbered," Luffy said, as if it should be obvious. "That's his weapon, right? It'd be Four Legs against Three Swords, and who knows what'd happen then." He kicked his sandals off to the side and pulled off his hat, carefully holding it in his hands.

Unhooking his swords from his belt, Zoro rested them gently against the wall, though he took a moment to carefully examine Wadou. Either he hadn't heard Luffy's explanation, or he chose not to comment.

Luffy glanced over, noting Zoro's silence. Rather than interrupt whatever thoughts had captivated him, Luffy turned to study the mats. He took his time choosing, ending up with the one nearest the window for no particular reason other than he liked the breeze, knew they were on the second floor so there likely wouldn't be any attacks through there, and he reasoned that Zoro would wish to be between him and the door. And if anyone threw anything into the window like Benevelene, then from the angle from ground level, it would probably sail across the room instead of fall straight below the window, where Luffy would be.

Satisfied, Luffy dropped onto the mat, leaned against the wall so he could stretch his legs out in front of him, and set his hat next to him with one protective hand lingering on it. "Okay. So, I think we need a signal, don't you?"

The bodyguard slowly turned his gaze onto the Prince. "A signal?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah." Luffy nodded, looking completely at ease as he crooked one knee up and rested his arm across it. He watched Zoro closely but his tone remained casual. "I don't know what's happening with these tribes, and I don't want you to tell me unless you really want to. But it's obvious you're not really comfortable, so I was thinking we should have a signal... In case something goes really wrong, and you want us to run, or distract them or something. I'd probably get it anyway, but just in case we could set something up now while there's no one around to listen in."

Watching Luffy carefully for a moment, Zoro quietly bowed his head. His mouth set into a firm line. "No. I won't be running away from this one." Pausing, he settled down onto the mat beside Luffy's. "You don't need to be concerned. They won't attack us."

"Attack?" Luffy looked surprised at the idea. "I didn't think they'd attack us. You just don't like it here so I thought we may need some backup plan. They've been pretty nice, otherwise."

"We'll see if they're still nice in the morning," Zoro snorted. "That's when the Kurska arrive."

"Hmm." Scooting around so he could flop on his back next to his hat, Luffy watched the ceiling instead of Zoro when he said idly, "It sounds like they're really looking forward to seeing you."

"Yes, I'm sure they are," Zoro easily replied. Leaning back against his elbows, the man's eyebrows furrowed. "But as to why... well, I guess we'll find out tomorrow."

Luffy nodded. He paused a moment, thinking about everything he had learned of the situation so far, though it wasn't much. He didn't feel it necessary to pry into Zoro's life, but at the same time, he couldn't exactly turn a blind eye if his friend was in trouble. "Don't worry, I'll watch out for you," he said after some deliberation, offhanded but confident.

Zoro laughed a little. "I can watch out for myself just fine. I used to live with these people."

"I know," Luffy said, turning his head to smile serenely. "But I will anyway."

"Well, with all the watching we're supposedly going to do tomorrow, we should probably go to bed," Zoro remarked, fully lying down on his mat now.

"I'll beat you to it," Luffy said with a laugh, closing his eyes and resting his head on his hands.

"Beat me to what?" Zoro looked over to Luffy, raising an eyebrow. "Falling asleep?"

"Mm," Luffy assented, actually sounding half-asleep already. "It'll be morning before you know it."

Snorting, Zoro faced the ceiling, focusing on the other man's easy breathing. Despite the thoughts on his mind, the swordsman was never one to lose sleep over mere concerns. Within moments, he had followed Luffy into a deep sleep.

Morning sunshine poured through the windows, bright and hot and impossible to ignore. The room, filled with the mumbles and snores of four young men sprawled across the floor, was soon joined by the addition of birdsong and the distant shout of villagers drifting through the glass.

Although Sanji was the one furthest from the window, he was the first to stir awake. Years of living in a restaurant where he needed to be alert at early hours to prepare breakfast had ingrained in him an ability to feel rested on short bursts of sleep. That, and he was closest to the door and couldn't help overhearing movement downstairs as well as distantly through the windows.

Yawning, he pushed himself up and rubbed his eyes, though his left hand only ended up mussing up the hair hanging over his face. He glanced around, noting that the other three still seemed dead asleep, and carefully made his way to the window, where he stood to the side of Luffy's mat and leaned over him to peer down below. The main road spread beneath him, and though his view was limited, he was fairly certain he could see a crowd moving its way toward Laki's house. Raising his eyebrows, he pushed away from the wall and searched for his shoes and jacket.

"Hey," he said loudly to the room at large, his voice just a little rough from sleep still. "Wake up. I think those Kur-people are here."

Usopp snorted awake, tangling himself in the blankets he'd been wrapped in. "Huh?" he mumbled sleepily. "Who?"

"The Kur...ksen?" Sanji offered, tapping his toes against the ground to settle his shoes as he straightened his tie. "The other tribe that's coming today? I think they're here." He glanced out the window, adding under his breath, "Early arrival, too. They must be exhausted."

Jerking a thumb toward the swordsman, Usopp gave a nervous grin. "You wanna wake him up? I don't want my head bitten off this morning."

Watching Zoro for a moment, Sanji grinned suddenly at Usopp. "I have a better idea." Walking over to Luffy, he kicked him lightly in the ribs. "Hey. Hey, wake up already."

Luffy mumbled something cross but he did open his eyes, even if it was to blearily glare at Sanji. "What?" he asked, looking ready to immediately fall asleep again.

"Wake up Zoro," Sanji said, jerking his thumb toward the swordsman directly behind him. "The Kurksen are here."

"Kurska," Luffy said absently, rolling onto his side so his back was to Sanji. "And you do it. I'm ti..." He blinked suddenly and flopped onto his back, peering up at the smug chef. "Oh. They're here? Okay." Pushing himself up, he slapped Sanji sleepily on the legs. "Get out of my way, then."

Sanji walked toward the door instead, straightening his coat. "Meet you downstairs," he said to Luffy then glanced at Usopp as he passed. "Coming, you lazy bum?"

The long-nosed man glanced toward Zoro and Luffy before quickly scrambling onto his feet. "Y-yeah." And with that, he promptly followed the cook out into the hallway and down the stairs.

Luffy waited until the door had gently swung shut behind the two before he leaned forward to watch Zoro sleep for a few moments. He looked fairly content at that moment, his eyelids fluttering in the midst of some dream, his mouth slack and not looking ready to frown or tighten anytime soon. It was sort of peaceful to just sit there watching him, with his deep, even breathing and how utterly relaxed he was.

But it couldn't last forever, and Zoro probably wanted time to at least wake fully before the Kurska arrived at Laki's doorstep.

"Zoro," Luffy said, though he didn't expect him to wake after he slept through all that earlier commotion, "Wake up." He didn't think Zoro would attack him in his sleep like he had back in Benevelene Clinic that one time, but just in case, he thought he should try this first.

The swordsman only rolled over, pulling a blanket over his head.

Luffy couldn't help smiling to himself fondly, amused. Kneeling beside the mat, Luffy reached over and gently shook his bodyguard's shoulder, saying, "Hey, Zoro, wake up. The Kurska are here."

Zoro snorted awake, his eyes quickly opening. Turning back toward Luffy, he barely suppressed a yawn. "They're what?"

"They're here," Luffy repeated, swiping his hat off the floor and pushing himself to his feet with a stretch. "Sanji said so."

"It's too damn early," Zoro grumbled, but he managed to throw off his blanket and get to his feet. Walking to the window, he looked outside, his dark gaze settling upon the crowd that had entered the village by now. His expression was unreadable for a moment before his eyes snapped toward the swords that were propped against the wall. Upon seeing they were still in place, his shoulders seemed to relax, and he strode over to pick them up and attach them to his belt.

"Yeah, you didn't tell me they were morning people," Luffy said around a yawn. He slipped his hat on his head, making sure the string was in place around his neck, and stepped into his sandals. Even though he had gone to sleep before anyone, he still felt it was entirely too early to be expected to be fully awake.

Having already put on his own shoes, Zoro stretched and yawned. After getting that bit of sleep out of system, however, his face became grim. "Well, I guess it doesn't matter now. They've arrived, and now we just have to deal with it."

Nodding, Luffy wandered toward the door. "I wonder if Laki has breakfast first," he said wistfully.

Zoro didn't answer. Instead, he followed the prince until he'd passed him and descended down the stairway alone. After he reached the bottom floor, he glanced around and realized it hadn't appeared that the Kurska had made to Laki's house yet. Still, it didn't buy him a lot of time. Someone was probably informing the group of his whereabouts at that very moment.

A glance into the kitchen showed Sanji making breakfast with no Laki to be found, though Luffy was not particularly disappointed since he knew how well Sanji cooked. Wandering to the front door while he waited for breakfast, Luffy peered outside at the group.

"Oh. Laki's over there, talking with Kamakiri and a really scary-looking guy." He didn't sound particularly afraid despite his words; if anything, he sounded interested. Although he was speaking aloud for Zoro's benefit, he got distracted by the man. "Look at all those tattoos! That's amazing! I wonder what Ace'd do if I showed up with one like that..." He had to laugh to himself.

Zoro turned toward the trio, his eyebrows furrowing. "That's Wiper," he said. "He's with the Kurska."

"Huh," Luffy said. "Strange name." He stood on his tiptoes as if to see better over the crowd, though it did very little to help. "How many Kurska are there, anyway? I thought there'd be more."

"Not sure exactly how many there are now," Zoro muttered. "Maybe about one hundred and fifty, but this is probably only a small hunting party of about fifteen people. I doubt the entire village would come here at once."

"Oh." Before Luffy could say any more, Sanji called out that breakfast was ready, and that was all it took to distract him. With a smile Zoro's way, he brushed against him briefly as if for reassurance and disappeared into the kitchen, where he could already be heard loudly exclaiming about the wonders of this and that and was that all Sanji planned to make because he was really hungry...

With a glance toward the door Luffy disappeared into, Zoro couldn't help but feel mildly surprised. Still, he didn't dwell on it long, and he soon seated himself at the dining room table. He could already tell that today was going to be a long one; there wasn't any harm in getting as much breakfast as he could to start the day right.

It took a good ten minutes before they were interrupted, at which point most of them were well into their plates of food. Laki appeared abruptly in the doorway, her expression as unreadable as ever, her eyes dark as they locked on Zoro. "You've been summoned," she said into the brief silence that fell at her appearance.

Luffy paused with his hand halfway to his mouth, and looked at Zoro sidelong to gauge his reaction, and judge by his expression if he or the others should follow.

"Summoned?" Zoro echoed with a quirked eyebrow. "What, you guys consider me so beneath you now that people can't even come get me themselves?" He stood up anyway, although his mouth was creased into a dark frown. "Where am I supposed to go?"

"Just outside," Laki said, inclining her head toward the front door. She offered no other explanation, simply turning and heading outside herself.

Pausing for a moment, the swordsman turned toward Luffy. "You can stay in here and eat if you want. I don't care."

Luffy nodded but he stood and set his food on his plate. "Let's go see what they want," he said with a smile.

Looking a little surprised, Zoro didn't say anything. Instead, he turned toward the brightly lit doorway and stepped toward it. Slowly looking outside, the swordsman was a little annoyed to find a small group of Lanshi and Kurska alike standing to greet him. It was as if they'd come to see some sort of event, and Zoro couldn't help but feel more irritated by that.

"Well?" he called, frowning as he casually surveyed the group. "Who 'summoned' me?"

Movement from the center of the Kurska group drew his attention, where several people shifted to allow someone to step forward. There was a moment of confusion, followed by a woman's voice drawling, "So the rumors were true."

Stepping into the open, she stared up at Zoro, dark hair short and blowing in the wind, dark eyes staring at him in cold challenge. Her hands rested at her hips, and the look she gave him was half taunting, half displeased.

Zoro had known that this had been unavoidable the moment they landed their ship here. His gaze settling onto the woman, the swordsman folded his arms over his chest. His eyebrows furrowed, and, if it were possible, his frown only grew heavier. But he didn't shrink away under her accusing gaze; instead, he met her challenge with a stare of his own, his shoulders proudly squared. But he didn't exactly answer her, choosing to only acknowledge her presence.

"Kuina," he murmured darkly.

She smiled; a tight, humorless look. "You remember me? I'd wondered. You disappear for how long, no word, and return just as suddenly. Tell me, Zoro, if we hadn't found you first, would you even have bothered to say hello?"

Zoro suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. "You make it sound as if I ran away. For your information, I was separated from our clan, had no way to get in contact with you, and got caught up in some business that happened to bring me back here."

"Business," Kuina repeated flatly, her intense gaze shifting past Zoro to linger on Luffy, Sanji, Usopp and Nami standing just behind and to his side. "I had heard something of the sort." She considered them for a brief moment before turning her attention back to Zoro. "Come down here." It was clear that it was a command and not a request.

Zoro lingered by the door for a few moments, though it was difficult to tell whether he was doing it to defy Kuina or not. Soon, however, he stepped off the porch, dust rising as his boots hit the dirt path. Within moments, he stood before the young woman, his gaze narrowed and wary.

Kuina's eyes remained proud and strong as he stepped in front of her, but there was the smallest smug smile pulling at one corner of her lips. "At least you still remember who is in charge," she said lowly. Her gaze trailed down to his hip, where the three swords hung in their scabbards. "Good, this makes it easy. Give me Wadou." She held her hand out expectantly.

Snorting at her comment, Zoro scowled. "You aren't going to dictate how I'm going to live my life," he sharply reminded her. "And, if I remember correctly, Wadou was presented as a gift to me. If you want it now, maybe you should have thought of that when I actually offered it back to you."

Kuina's expression darkened, her mouth pulling down into a frown. "Don't draw this out, Zoro. You are standing in our territory now, not yours. And you forfeited any right to Wadou when you left."

"So, I'm no longer a member of my own clan now, is that it?" Zoro growled. "And I already told you that I was separated from a hunting party. It was a damn accident. You honestly think I'd do something as dishonorable as running away?" The swordsman's lip almost curled. "I have done nothing to bring shame to the Kurska, and you know this."

"Is that so?" Kuina narrowed her eyes. "You will stay here, then? Those... outsiders," her voice showed clear distaste at the word, "will be escorted out of our territory, they will leave the island, and you will give me Wadou anyway because we both know it was a mistake that got you it in the first place."

Zoro's eyebrow twitched at the last phrase, as if it had either angered him or stung deeply. "These 'outsiders,' as you call them, happen to be my comrades, and you will treat them with the same courtesy you would treat someone of the Lanshi or Kurska."

Kuina lifted her eyebrow. "They are no friends of mine, and you will not tell me how to treat anyone. Did you forget that I'm the chief's daughter? You have no right to dictate my actions."

"Of course I didn't forget," Zoro said lowly. "It's just like you to hide behind a title like that. You have no right to treat my companions like dogs when they haven't even done anything to offend you."

Kuina's expression turned cold at his comment about hiding behind the title, but when she spoke it was to say, "How am I treating them like dogs? I said we would escort them. With so many bandits about, I assumed you would appreciate that measure of protection."

"I'm afraid if you escort them out, I will have no choice but to leave with them," Zoro simply informed her.

"Why?" She was watching him closely now, some of the iciness giving way to irritation. "You disappeared on accident, and had no way to contact us according to you. Well, you've found us. If you're so angry that I'm implying you're no longer a clansman, you should be thrilled to stay."

"I'd like to return in the future," Zoro informed her. "But I can't stay just yet. These 'outsiders' need my help, and I won't abandon them."

Kuina waved a dismissive hand. "Ah, just help. I'm sure they can find plenty of people to replace you. The cities have plenty of men low on money who would be happy to find work."

Zoro shook his head. "You don't understand. I can't abandon them."

Kuina sighed, a little more of her attitude falling away as she swiped some hair out of her eyes. "Listen, I was irritated before, but what you said is true. You are still Kurska, even if you are a complete idiot. You were always terrible with directions; I could see you honestly losing track of us. You have been gone two years, and now you are home again. Why would you leave us again?"

Zoro watched her carefully, his gaze softening slightly for a moment. "There's something I have to do before I can come back," he said softly. He paused, glancing back toward Luffy and speaking slowly. "I've made a promise to someone, and you know it's the way of the Kurska to keep their word."

Following his glance, Kuina watched the others with a slight frown, not knowing which of them he referred to. "A promise," she said, sounding a little confused. "You made a promise to an outsider? The sort that is important enough to take you from us again?"

"Yes," Zoro replied darkly, his gaze sliding back to the young woman. "I'll freely admit that it was during a time when I didn't think I'd be able to find you again. But, I don't regret it. It's a good cause. I'm not the type to blindly throw my loyalty around. You should know this better than anyone."

She watched Zoro closely for a few moments, studying his expression and body language. Finally, she shook her head slightly, but her tone was not unkind. "Regardless, you can't make a promise to an outsider like that and leave it unchallenged, Zoro. You know that. You know our rules. That's tantamount to betrayal."

Zoro was silent for a few moments, his eyes briefly closing. "I knew you would say that," he muttered gravely. "So, you're challenging my association with these outsiders."

"Yes, I am. It can be no other way." Kuina turned her attention to the four standing just outside Laki's doorway. "Which was the 'someone' you mentioned before? All four of them?"

"No," Zoro bluntly replied. Pausing a moment, he turned and pointed to Luffy. "It's him."

"Come here, then," Kuina said loudly to Luffy, so he would hear.

Luffy briefly glanced at Zoro questioningly, but he didn't wait for approval before he walked forward. He stopped a little behind and to Zoro's side, his attention purely on Kuina, who was staring at him intensely. She looked him up and down, scrutinizing every bit of his appearance. Luffy said nothing, deciding that in her view it would rather be like a peasant casually greeting his mother the Queen before she had even introduced herself or formally acknowledged their presence.

Kuina's gaze trailed back up to Luffy's eyes, and she did not look away even as she asked Zoro, "Who is he to you?" There was the slightest hint of a challenge to her tone, but she kept it fairly professional.

"He is my friend," Zoro replied firmly, as if he were daring her to say otherwise. "And his life has become my responsibility."

"His life... What do you mean? You're his... bodyguard?"

Zoro watched her carefully, as if trying to gauge her reaction. "Something like that, yes."

"Hmm." Kuina finally looked to Zoro again. "It still won't work," she said frankly. "He is not a tribesman, so any promise you have made to him is not recognized by the clan. You are welcome to leave with them, provided you understand that you are no longer Kurska and you leave Wadou with me. That will not leave the hands of our clansmen."

Hearing this seemed to stun the swordsman, and he stared at Kuina for several, long moments. Yes, a part of him had been prepared for something like this, but he'd had no idea the decision would be this swift, sure and firm. After all, Zoro had once held a lofty position within his tribe, and he thought his clansmen would at least take a little bit of time to deliberate among themselves.

That was before she turned them against you, he silently reminded himself, and he frowned.

"It's not as simple as you're making it sound," Zoro reminded her evenly.

"And your absence is not as simple as you make it sound," Kuina said firmly, her expression unforgiving. "You thought there would be no consequences for disappearing, whether intended or not? With no words, you left with one of our greatest treasures, and now you return to taunt that you have found a more important, meaningful existence in those two years than in all the years with us before that?"

"I did not say it was 'more important' than our clansmen," Zoro said. "I only said that I had to fulfill the promise I made. I can't go back on it, and I don't want to."

Kuina crossed her arms, looking unsympathetic. "Well, then you have a difficult decision to make. You can't come and go as you please, and at the very least you will need to leave Wadou with us."

Luffy watched the exchange, pulling his eyebrows down in thought. "Isn't there anything I can do?"

Kuina looked at him, a little startled, as if she had forgotten he existed or could understand their conversation. "What?"

"The problem is I'm an outsider, and untrustworthy, right? Isn't there anyway I can... I don't know..." Luffy trailed off, not entirely sure what he was asking. "Isn't there anything?"

"There is," Zoro answered him. "But this sort of thing doesn't happen very often, so people don't know how to react."

"Okay, let's start." Luffy looked at Zoro expectantly, either ignoring or not noticing Kuina's surprised expression.

"You haven't even heard what it is," she reminded him, sounded a little irritated that he seemed so determined.

Luffy shrugged unconcernedly. "If I do it, Zoro's not in trouble and can keep his family, right? Just tell me what to do."

"You should at least listen to what it is," Zoro firmly told him, his gaze shifting to the prince.

"Okay. Could you please explain, then?" Luffy asked Kuina politely.

She nodded, turning her attention solely to Luffy. "You must become an honorary clansman for the promise to hold any weight. To do that, you have to prove that you have what it takes to be Kurska. You will be set a task, which you must complete absolutely alone with no help, and it will take place in the area of our choosing. This quest will be dangerous, certainly life-threatening for a foreigner unused to the demands of nature, and often takes several days." Kuina paused, adding seriously, "It would not be surprising if you died during it, not knowing what you were doing."

Luffy's expression did not change in the least during her explanation. "What is the quest and when do I start?"

She narrowed her eyes, strengthening her tone. "You very well may forfeit your life during this, you understand. In this case, you would be alone for probably a week in the forest near our latest camp. You will be given nothing to aid you, no food or water or weapons; instead, you will have to find it all on your own. There are animals that could rip you to shreds in the middle of the night, and simple plants that could poison you and leave you to die painfully. You will have to navigate entirely on your own, finding your way to the object you seek and back to our camp with no help whatsoever, not even a compass or map. If you take longer than two weeks, you lose whether you have found the item or not. If you come back without the item, you lose whether you come within the time limit or not. If you somehow find, then lose, the item, it will still be as though you never had it, and you fail.

"Should you fail for any reason, Zoro's faith in an outsider will be lost, and our faith in his ability to choose his loyalties will be as well. He will be shunned, possibly disowned from the tribe, and Wadou will become my property. You will greatly shame us all, Zoro especially, and it will take a lot for his honor and pride to recover."

Luffy met her gaze evenly, nodding calmly. "But if I can complete the task in time, Zoro returns to the clan's good graces? He can leave with us with honor, and keep Wadou?"

Kuina frowned. "The sword is another matter," she said firmly.

"Then make it harder, but allow the sword in the deal," Luffy said just as firmly back. "Give me something you think impossible, if it makes you feel better. One week time limit instead of two. I have to find the rarest flower in the forest. Send me through country that even your people avoid. I don't care what the new requirements are, but if I complete the task then Zoro also gets to keep Wadou."

Blinking rapidly, Zoro looked over at the young man. "Luffy," he muttered. "Are you sure you want to do this? Wadou doesn't necessarily concern you. You don't need to risk your life for any of this if you don't want to."

Luffy smiled at Zoro, saying lightly, "Shh. I'm making a deal here."

Kuina frowned at the interaction. "He's right. What concern is it of yours whether he has the sword or not? It has nothing to do with you. This is our history, not yours."

"It's important to Zoro," Luffy said with a shrug, as if that was all the explanation needed.

Clearly startled by this response, Zoro stared at Luffy as if really seeing him for the first time. It's important to him because it's important to me, he realized, and he suddenly noticed how sweaty his palms had become. The trial would not be an easy one, if it was a determining factor in whether he'd be accepted as a Kurska. Was he actually anxious for Luffy's safety?

Luffy's reaction seemed only to annoy Kuina. "You have the look of a pampered, naïve little boy," she said harshly, "who knows nothing of what he speaks. You think such a simple explanation will work? Your demands are too high for someone with no standing here."

Luffy narrowed his eyes at Kuina, his tone becoming a little heated. He didn't even seem to notice anyone else was around, and certainly hadn't noticed Zoro's earlier reaction. "I'll grant that you're the chief's daughter, and I don't know anything about the Kurska or what Wadou means to either of you, but you're being unreasonable. If you want a better explanation, don't insult me to get it. If you must know, Zoro's my friend. He's my friend, and I care about him. And, like you already know, he's helping protect my life. If I can't even risk my life to protect something important to him in return, what sort of person would I be?"

He paused, softening his tone to careful politeness. "Please consider my request, and if it will help with the proceedings, then feel free to make the requirements impossible. I don't care. I'll do whatever you say, and I'll help Zoro. Alright?" He could not help the last word coming out a little forceful.

Kuina glared at Luffy, but it was clear that his attitude had taken her aback. They had a silent stare-off for a few moments before she pulled herself to her full height and crossed her arms, looking at him almost haughtily. "Very well. I will consider the new requirements, and will notify you later in the day with all the details. In the meantime, I suggest you do anything you would regret not doing should you die on this quest." Her smile, when it came, was angry and unkind, even if her tone was sweet. "I promise to fulfill your expectations, and make this impossible."

Luffy merely inclined his head. "Thank you."

She lengthened her smile, walking right up to him and speaking so softly that only he and Zoro could hear. "I doubt you'll be so thankful a few days from now. I'm looking forward to you returning, empty-handed or past the time limit, and crying in your failure. You think you're so strong, but you have no idea what it means to be Kurska. You will see. And you will regret."

Not backing down, Luffy simply smiled. "I guess we'll see, won't we?"

"We will," she said firmly, stepping back to turn a glower on Zoro and him both. Without another word, she turned and stalked away.

Luffy waited a moment then laughed lightly under her breath. "I think she's mad that I talked back in front of everyone like that. What do you think?" He turned toward Zoro with an easygoing, amused smile.

Zoro only watched Kuina make her way through the crowd, his lips slightly parted in wonder. Then, as if realizing he'd been spoken to, the swordsman sharply turned to Luffy. "Well, whatever the reason is, she's definitely pissed off at you," Zoro intoned. "I don't think it bodes well for you, Luffy. She's the kind of girl who can make your life a living hell if you cross her." Pausing, he glared toward the group of staring Lanshi and Kurska. "You're treading dangerous waters here," he added. "Be careful."

Luffy shrugged, completely unconcerned. "People already are trying to kill me just for being me, so it's not like it's unprecedented." He smiled at Zoro and clapped him on the shoulder, his hand lingering in camaraderie. "It's worth it for the chance to help you. Kuina, the Lanshi and Kurska, they can throw whatever they want at me and I'll be fine. And don't worry, no matter what she says I have to do, I'll do it. That sword's important to you, I can tell. I won't let her take it just because she's mad that you accidentally left."

There was something reassuring in the way Luffy spoke, the way his hand rested against his shoulder like that. The swordsman had never known someone who was so willing to stick their neck out for him like this... it was almost humbling. But hearing the prince's words reminded him of something deeper, and he slightly bowed his head.

"It's not just that," he murmured. "There's a lot more to the situation than what you think."

"Is there?" Luffy asked lightly. "Well, is it anything I need to know for this? You don't have to tell me otherwise, unless you want to. The deal's already made and I've already decided, so it's not like it will change anything."

"Let's go inside first," Zoro muttered. "I don't want to talk about any of this while everyone's gawking." Not that most people didn't already know the layers and details to this whole conflict, but Zoro did have a sense of dignity and pride that he wasn't about to compromise. As far as he was concerned, it wasn't anyone else's business except for his and Luffy's.

Luffy nodded. "We can go back to the room."

As they approached Laki's house, Sanji rushed forward and grabbed Luffy's arm. "Are you crazy?" he hissed under his breath, staring incredulously at him. "You don't know anything about the area and you're angering the chief's daughter – who is very hot and a woman, in case you didn't notice, so you shouldn't have yelled at her, you asshole – just for Zoro's stupid sword?"

Blinking, Luffy pulled lightly on his arm. "It's not a big deal, Sanji," he said, totally confused by his vehemence. "And I don't care if she's the chief's daughter. She was being mean."

Sanji just dropped Luffy's arm to cover his face in exasperation. "You're completely insane. I can't believe I got on a boat with you. Ever."

Luffy laughed at him. "Yeah, what were you thinking?" he agreed cheerfully.

Usopp looked as if all of the color had drained from his face. "L-Luffy, this sounds serious," he warned. "You could die!"

A cheerful laugh was Luffy's reply to that as well. "I could die a lot of other ways, too." He ticked off his fingers as he listed a few. "Eating something poisonous, drowning in the sea, tripping and falling onto a sword, getting eaten by a giant snake." He shrugged. "It's not important, Usopp, really. I'd rather die tomorrow knowing I was doing something important than live a long life avoiding everything that seemed hard or 'serious.' And anyway," he added, crossing his arms and looking at everyone a little petulantly, "don't you have any faith in me? I said I'd win, so I'll win. Everyone's so paranoid."

Nami slapped a hand over her face. "You're worth too much to die over something so stupid as a sword," she snapped, clearly irritated with the prince. "Try and be careful for once!"

"I won't die," Luffy said confidently, "so it's not like I'm risking anything, right?"

But as much as he wanted to protest her argument, it was true that his life had enough value that he should be taking better care of it. With the little he knew of the prophecy and the lengths his parents had gone to get him out and safe with a bodyguard employed to protect him, he could see how anyone would think him ridiculous for this choice.

It just didn't change his decision. Zoro liked that sword, and was clearly ready to defy his old friends and family just to keep it. It was a gift. There was absolutely nothing Luffy could do, valuable life or not, other than exactly what he had done. If no one could understand that much about him from what he had already said, he couldn't think of any words that would sway their minds now. So he just smiled at Nami instead of adding to his defense.

"I need to talk to Luffy," Zoro said gruffly, interrupting anything Nami might have said. "Alone."

Sanji glanced sidelong at Zoro, but for once seemed disinclined to bother him. "Come on," he said in general to Nami and Usopp, "there's still some clean up and did anyone see where Laki went? We should thank her for letting us use her kitchen..." He clapped one hand each on Usopp and Nami's shoulders, in a gesture as much to emphasize his point as to give some silent sense of camaraderie.

Suppressing the urge to roll his eyes, Zoro turned and climbed the stairs, heading toward the room the men had shared the night before.