Looking for safe haven.

Enjoy

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Chapter 18

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"I don't want to leave Merry again.."

"Longnose-kun, it's the safest way. We've secured her as best we could. We need to secure ourselves now."

"How much further is it, Nami?"

"Just up this ridge. We'll look for a stable cave and camp out there until it's safe."

"Are we gonna have enough food?"

"We will if you don't eat it all, idiot."

The climb up the rocky hills to the caves was a bit tedious.

Robin was at the front of their procession. Using a few extra hands and eyes to find the most stable path up to the caves. Leading the others up slowly.

Nami was close behind her. Hey eyes were constantly shifting from the sky to the river and back again. Keeping watch over the storm's progression as it seemed to slowly roll further inland.

Luffy was trying his best to keep Usopp calm about leaving Merry behind again. He didn't like it either, but tried to keep the mood light by babbling out his usual food related nonsense.

The sniper still didn't seem thrilled about going through this again. His attention kept looking back towards the direction Merry was anchored. The trees blocking her from sight. Not being able to see the ship made his anxiety grow, but it was apparent there was little choice at this point.

Chopper was sticking close to Sanji. He was trying his best not to seem overly concerned about the cook. Still, he was worried that this was too much activity too soon for his injured nakama. Not that the lunatics he called nakama listened to him about too much activity after being wounded. So it was clear the little doctor was watching the injured cook like a hawk.

Zoro was lagging a few paces behind everyone. Watching their backs while making sure no one lost their footing while going up the steep hill.

Though he was watching all of them, Zoro's eyes lingered every time they focused on Sanji. He could tell that the cook was getting a bit better, but the hitches in his movements proved that the blond was still recovering. Luckily Zoro had little to worry when the cook's hands and feet were steady as always. Sanji would be fine even on this rough terrain as long as he kept going slow. The swordsman knew to let the cook tackle this without help. He trusted Sanji to know his limits now.

The progress was slow, but they were still going at a steady pace.

The slow pace was mainly for Sanji. To make sure the cook didn't strain himself trying to move too fast. Sanji knew it, but he didn't comment on it. He knew he couldn't bluff his way around it like he usually did, so he resigned himself to being the invalid for now. No point making himself worse by forcing himself to feel okay. He had learned the hard way what a shitty idea that was.

Within a another half hour, the crew finally reached the area Nami had found. They quickly split up and began searching the various caves hidden around the area for something that would suit their needs. There were numerous caves of various sizes, mostly with very sketchy stability. They needed something that would be able to hold up against the strength of the storm that was heading towards them.

"Oi! Everyone! I think I found one!"

The others were quick to gather around the cave where Usopp had yelled from. The mouth of the cave was tall and wide and had thick vines growing along the rocks around it. The outside at least looked strong.

The sniper soon hopped out of the cave entrance grinning wide. "It's dry and sturdy. There's enough room for all of us, and it's away from where the winds are blowing. Come on! It's pretty cool!" he seemed to chirp. His new discovery brightening his mood a bit.

On stepping inside the cave everyone was impressed with just how large it was. The ceiling was high and solid, and the floor of the cave was surprisingly level. They would all be able to set out their blankets and sleeping bags comfortably here. It was hard to tell how far back the caves went due to the darkness, but that was something that could be explored later. For the moment it appeared to suit their needs.

Luffy was whistling before patting his sniper on the back, clearly impressed with his nakama's find. "Awesome, Usopp! This is perfect! Alright, everyone. We camp here! Zoro! Chopper! Start gathering the firewood!" he ordered with a wide grin.

Nami immediately punched the back of the captain's rubber head the moment she recognized that idiotic grin. "Dumb ass! Don't be planning one of your bonfires again! They may have been stopped, but the marines are still out there! We don't need to give them a reason to snoop around!" she growled flatly. She then pointed at Zoro, ignoring Luffy's whiny pout as the rubber man clutched at the back of his head. "Get enough for a regular camp fire. Chopper, make sure he doesn't get lost."

Zoro shot a glare at the woman. He was a bout to make a sarcastic remark, but when Chopper readily bounded up next to him looking all bright eyed and eager, Zoro sighed and went with it. "Alright, let's get started." he conceded. He followed without a word when the doctor headed towards some dry brush to use as kindling.

As they started pulling up the brush, Chopper glanced up at Zoro for a moment. There was an obvious question in his eyes, but he seemed hesitant to ask. When Zoro seemed to glance towards him, he quickly averted his gaze and tried to focus on what they were supposed to be doing. But the young doctor was very bad at hiding things.

The longer they worked, the more Zoro knew Chopper wanted something. The reindeer seemed tense, his movements stiff. He waited to see if Chopper would ask on his own, but when the doctor proved to be too timid , Zoro decided to start. "Something on your mind, Chopper?"

Dropping some of the brush, it took a bit of control to keep from squeaking when Chopper saw he was caught. Eventually, he looked hesitantly at Zoro, an uncertain look in his eyes. "I... I've been thinking..." He glanced back to see the others were all checking out the cave. Satisfied they wouldn't hear him, Chopper turned his attention back to Zoro. "I don't really understand humans... Why they do the things they do... But this whole thing has me confused even more..."

"Heh.. I'm pretty sure it has had everyone confused, but go ahead and tell me what you think." Zoro offered as he tucked the brush in the crook of his arms and motioned for the reindeer to lead them on. It wasn't that surprising Chopper didn't understand since his contact with humans was so limited before he joined the crew.

Chopper went along with it and began idly looking for firewood as he spoke. "You and Sanji always fought... You would try to attack each other, but never went too far... But you also didn't hold back. You both never really seemed to care even though I noticed you both looking out for each other... You two have always been..." He paused the think of the right word. "Contrary."

That had Zoro pause himself as he considered those words. "... So you think we always looked out for each other?"

"Well yeah. I've seen it a lot." Chopper readily replied. "You look around when he isn't there. You get tense and look a bit pissed... But whenever Sanji shows up in the nick of time, you always smirk like you know he would show up, and suddenly the tension's gone. Sanji does the same thing... And whenever one of you takes a big hit, the other always stops what they're doing to make the other gets back up." he easily listed off as he picked up a few sticks from the ground.

The fact the doctor was able to list them off was a bit surprising to Zoro. He knew he had done that, but he didn't know Sanji did the same. 'I shouldn't be surprised.. He's always had my back even though I never knew it.' Zoro hummed thoughtfully to himself as he continued to follow. "I can understand how that alone can be confusing."

Chopper hopped atop a rock they were passing and balanced a bit across it. "This entire crew is confusing... The fact Sanji goes all crazy over the girls when it's you he really wants to be with is beyond me. I don't get human emotions."

"What makes you think it's only me he wants to be with?" Zoro questioned as he took up a broken and dried branch from the ground. He and Sanji never said anything about being bound to each other exclusively. In fact they hadn't discussed anything specific of exactly what they were doing.

Though...

Zoro wasn't certain he was keen on the idea of having to share. In fact he was pretty sure it would piss him off rather quickly.

"Body language." Chopper answered with a sure tone. "Sanji doesn't really keep eye contact with the girls. He does with you. The way he stands close to you. He likes chasing the girls, but he's always so easily brushed off. It's like Sanji doesn't care if he fails, he's just playing. He doesn't let you brush him off though. He confronts you because what you do and think matters to him."

For some reason hearing that pulled a bit of a smile over Zoro's lips. "Really..."

"Yup." Chopper hopped down off the rock and turned to point at Zoro. "You've only had eyes on Sanji. You're always watching him. At first I thought you were sizing him up like competition, but then I saw how you always baited him."

"Baited him..?" This was strange. Zoro was a bit perplexed that the little doctor was making so many observations. So many rather accurate observations. 'Why.. Haven't I noticed this before...?'

Chopper readily nodded. "Yes, whenever Sanji's acting all silly over the girls you'll tease or mock him to get his attention away from them. To make him focus on you. You've both been going about it in a very strange way to get the other to notice you. But that's not what's been confusing me the most."

"What is it then?"

A sad frown suddenly pulled over the doctor's face as he looked up at his nakama. "Why... Did it take something so horrible to make the two of you realize that you really cared..?"

The question had Zoro's eyes widen a bit as a strange ache tried to form in his chest. After a quiet moment Zoro let out a heavy breath and placed his hand atop the pink hat. "Sometimes... It takes a bad experience to make you understand and appreciate what you have. When you're faced with losing something, all your reasons for holding back seem like a waist of time..." He frowned when he wasn't sure if that made sense. "I suppose it's just a human thing. I can't really explain it any better than that."

His expression turned a bit thoughtful as Chopper tried to understand. "I see... Humans are weird..."

Zoro couldn't help the chuckle that left him as he found himself nodding. "I doubt me and the cook are the best examples of our species you should be looking at."

"But other humans seem so boring... They're not as fun as you and Sanji and the others."

"I'm pretty certain we're all crazy."

"But it's a good kind of crazy."

"Sanji calls you reserve food."

"He promised only to eat me if I stopped being a good doctor."

Zoro stared a bit at that before a snort left him. "Heh.. Yeah, that sounds like something that freak would say. Come on, let's get the rest of that fire wood."

"Yosh!"

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The rest of the day proceeded somewhat normally.

Well...

As normal as they were used to.

Luffy dragged a complaining Usopp further into the caves to explore. His cackling laughter and Usopp's screaming cries of fake agony could be heard for a good few hours. The noises accompanied by some crumbling rock and the familiar sound of rubber snapping back into place.

On their return, Usopp claimed he was almost swallowed whole by a giant man eating toad. A toad which was riding atop Luffy's hat, which quickly became their new best friend as they chased the little green reptile all over the cave.

Nami was keeping herself busy with studying the map of the island. Mentally comparing it to all the things she had seen and seeing where anything had changed or had been incorrectly recorded. All the while keeping an eye on the dark clouds that were creeping their way inland. It looked like something serious was brewing with this storm. She was calculating it would be on top of them tomorrow at midday since it was moving so slow.

Robin was her usual quiet self, reading by the light of their camp fire. Chopper seemed to have taken an interest in the book she was reading. Trying to peek as best he could at the pages, but the big pink hat made his not so stealthy glances a bit obvious. It wasn't long before Robin coaxed the small doctor sit in her lap. Once Chopper went through his usual timid denial fit, he gave in to her soft smile and was soon perched on her knee. They read quietly together to pass the time.

Zoro watched all of them from his place propped up against the cave wall. Arms folded behind his head, katana propped up against the stone next to him. He looked to be in his typical napping pose, but he was far from asleep. He had a lot to think about after his talk with Chopper. It was still a bit baffling. All those things easily spotted by the reindeer that were completely oblivious to him and Sanji.

'He did say it was body language... Animals communicate more by body language than anything else...'

As he pondered over this he glanced over to the cave entrance where Sanji had stepped out a few minutes ago. It bothered him a bit how Sanji could so easily isolate himself still. Was it a need for personal space? Or something else?

He could recall watching Sanji leaving their group several times for some unknown reason. Just standing off to the side while the rest of them were together. He recalled wondering what would happen if he actually followed. What would he find?

Without giving it much thought, Zoro was standing up. He quietly headed towards the cave entrance to finally see for himself.

Outside perched on a flat rock over looking the river, Sanji had his knees drawn up to his chest. His left arm was wrapped around his knees loosely while he was slowly smoking with his right hand. Half lidded eyes fixed on the horizon like always. Following the lightning as it light up the late evening sky.

The pain and itching was becoming just a nagging irritant that he was able to better ignore. He was able to focus more on his thoughts. That alone placed him at ease. He had been frustrated that the pain was dominating everything in his head. He hadn't been able to think straight or get a moment's rest, which spurred his rapid decline before. He knew he had done it to himself too for not seeking help.

It briefly made him think of an old story of an angry lion with a thorn in its paw. A pain the lion couldn't stop provoked the lion into a rage. Making all the other animals flee in its path.

All but a single one...

"Hey."

Sanji didn't glance back on hearing the voice, but a light smile tugged at his lips. "Hey." He didn't move when a pair of warm hands settled on his shoulders. If anything he leaned towards them a bit. "I figured you'd be napping by now."

"I considered it, but didn't seem wise while Luffy and Usopp were playing leapfrog with that toad they found. Wasn't keen on the idea of getting a wake up call from a toad on my face or a Luffy landing on me." Zoro answered as he looked out towards the clouds as well. The lightning almost looking like a spider web as it branched out across the sky.

"Heh. Wise, no. Funny, yes." Sanji teased before taking another drag from his cigarette.

He held it for a moment before casually blowing out a few smoke rings into the air. As he watched them lazily float along with the breeze that had kicked up, Sanji let out a soft hum. "Think I should quit smoking?"

It was a bit of a random question, but Zoro really didn't think about it. "Do you want to quit?"

"Not really."

"Then don't."

That answer had Sanji's smile twitching a bit wider. "Alright."

Another silence settled around them, but it was comfortable. Zoro shifted his gaze to look at the blond. This time he really looked at him. Taking into consideration all the things Chopper had told him earlier. After a moment Zoro was beginning to understand.

'These feelings... Were always there...'

He still wondered if it was the same for Sanji, but he wasn't going to ask. Things like that didn't really matter at this point. What mattered was what they had in the moment. At this moment it felt pretty nice. Comfortable. Zoro liked this. The fact they could be in one another's company without words. Without the need to fill the air with small talk. Without the rivalry.

Now that things were in perspective, Zoro knew this was what he had wanted. That kind of companionship.

Still...

As he took in Sanji's far away gaze towards the horizon he still wondered.

He was going to risk it again.

"Sanji..."

"Hm?"

"What do you think of when you stare out at the horizon?"

Sanji was about to take another drag from his cigarette, but paused when the question was asked. The last time Zoro asked, Sanji had just spouted out the first things that popped into his head. He hadn't thought Zoro would be all that interested.

But now...

He decided to be honest.

"... Something Zeff told me a long time ago..." He trailed off to take another deep inhale of the warm smoke. After letting it out in a slow drawn out exhale he continued. "He told me to keep looking to the horizon. Land will change... Oceans, the sky, the stars... All of them will change... But the horizon is always there no matter where you go. You can never reach the horizon. It's always in front of you. Beckoning. Teasing you with what might be beyond it." he told Zoro quietly.

The tone of Sanji's voice held a hint of nostalgia and longing. Zoro found himself leaning in to wrap his arms around Sanji. Being mindful of the wounded back, Zoro was soon settled behind the cook. Keeping a loose hold on the lean body while propping his chin on the thin left shoulder.

"What's supposed to be beyond the horizon?" Zoro asked quietly into Sanji's pale ear.

Sanji allowed the light embrace, and found himself relaxing steadily into it. "Beyond the horizon... It's just another fairytale.."

"Tell me."

"It's..." Sanji's left arm shifted so he could rest his hand over Zoro's. He held it lightly and let his eyes slip closed. "An old story from North Blue... In it Dreams are spirits that are born beyond the horizon. They come into our world and find the people that they belong to."

"Belong to?" Zoro repeated, a bit intrigued.

"Yeah. In the story it said every person is born for a specific purpose. And the Dream is that purpose."

Zoro's thoughts instantly flickered to Kuina and their shared dream. "But what about people who have the same dream?"

"There are different versions of the same kind of dream... But sometimes people can literally share the same dream. Those people are usually drawn together." Sanji answered as his fingers traced random patterns over the back of Zoro's hand.

It was surprisingly easy to talk to the swordsman about things like this. For the longest time he thought he would be called stupid for believing such fairytales. Now he was a bit ashamed of how little faith he had in his nakama.

The more Sanji spoke, the more Zoro wondered if perhaps this story had some truth to it. It made him think about questions that had been plaguing him for a while. "What if.. Something happens to one of the people that share the same dream? They can't achieve that dream anymore?"

That question pulled a thoughtful hum from Sanji. "In the story... The person that can no longer chase the dream gives their will over to the one that can. Sort of like with me and Zeff. Zeff lost his ability to chase the dream we shared.. So he made sure to teach me everything he knew so I would be able to." It had taken him a long time to realize that. And it was only now that he truly understood it.

'Gives their will..' Zoro glanced back briefly towards the cave where Wadou and his other katana were resting. Hearing that... It made a few thoughts that had always nagged at him finally settle.

His shoulders relaxed a bit as he shifted his hand to catch Sanji's. He laced their fingers together and held on gently. "So.. Why do you always look to the horizon?"

Sanji easily held on to Zoro's hand in return. "The horizon is where your dream is waiting for you." The blond head tilted and lightly rested against the green one. "All Blue is waiting for me out there... Once you've accomplished your dream, you've finally caught the horizon."

"Caught the horizon.." Zoro repeated. With these new thoughts in his head he understood Sanji's drive a bit more. The fact that his nakama was sharing something this deep and personal with him honored him greatly.

He turned his head a bit and placed a light kiss to Sanji's cheek. "Mind if I watch the horizon with you?" he asked, lips brushing against the pale skin.

Sanji smiled and tightened his grip on Zoro's hand.

"I insist."

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TBC

Take advantage of the calm before the storm.

Later~