Of Straw and Steel

Summary: Zoro was always warned of the dangers of falling for the Captain's daughter. He just never imagined the dangers that came with falling for the Captain herself. Oneshot series on people's reaction to the Captain and First Mate's relationship.

Chapter Warnings: Nakamaship? This chapter is pretty innocent!

Joining this crew, Usopp decided early on in their adventure, may have been on the craziest, stupidest, greatest choice he had ever made.

After all, if he, Captain Usopp, were to sail under anyone... it would definitely be the absolutely insane woman that stood before him. She didn't seem like much in appearance. A straw hat sitting atop a wild mane of short black hair, a childish face with wide eyes... She wasn't extraordinarily womanly like Nami, nor gentle like Kaya. In fact, she was nothing like any woman he had ever met.

Then, he had never met anyone quite like her, either.

Luffy was, without a doubt, mad. A pirate who sailed with a pirate hunter and a thief who steals from pirates? Something in this equation wasn't adding up properly. Nonetheless, from the moment he had stepped on the ship, he had felt... lighter. Happier, more at home. It was as if, after so long, he had found his family again.

The Usopp pirates and Kaya would always hold a place in his heart; the whole of Syrup Village did, but these pirates... They filled something inside him. He found he didn't mind the idea of sailing under another. He had never even considered it before. Although the word didn't suit her at all, in his opinion, it was far to easy for the word to roll off his tongue.

Captain.

As if the girl senses his thoughts, she waved her hand in front of his eyes. "Usopp? You okay?"

He absentmindedly remembered they were supposed to be playing hide and seek and he was it. How long had he been counting? It took him a moment to separate his thoughts and draw himself back into reality.

"Of course! Captain Usopp was just preparing to unleash his secret weapons!" Usopp improvised, withdrawing his slingshot and successfully distracting his captain. Her eyes lit up and she rocked back and forth in excitement as she waited for the big reveal. He grinned at her, pulling out a few explosive stars that managed to wow the straw hatted girl. It was as they exploded in a bunch of sparks that Usopp felt the sudden chill run down his spine. He turned slowly, gulping when he saw the swordsman glaring at them. Hadn't the man been sleeping only moments ago? He turned back, wondering what could be the cause for this sudden animosity.

Perhaps the green haired man had realized his strength and power? That he, (vice) captain Usopp would soon easily overturn his position as first mate? He quickly shooed the thought away as fear began to trickle through his being.

Maybe the pirate hunter had been planning this from the beginning? To wait until they showed a moment of weakness, then swipe in for the kill... He took a deep breath, turning to Luffy. He would be brave! He would make sure, no matter what, that they were safe! After all, it was his duty to protect his captain, or at least warn her of danger.

"Luffy..."

Luffy was still distracted by the sparks of fire as the flickered and died, falling as nothing more than ashes. Seeing the last of the 'mystery sparks' fade out, she drew her eyes back to him. She clearly wanted to see more of his amazing arsenal, but he bit back more boasting and pride. Her life was, after all, of ultimate importance.

"Yeah?" She questioned, tilting her head slightly. He was about to warn her, really, when something seemed to catch her attention. She gum-gum launched herself towards the kitchen. With the snapping of rubber, and the slamming of the door, Usopp found himself completely alone.

Well, not completely... He turned, dreading what may very well be the last sight he saw. Only to find, much to his surprise, he was actually alone. Zoro had disappeared along with the captain.

Fear immediately seized him. What awful things would the pirate hunter being doing now? Had he attacked her? With a burst of courage, Usopp made a dash for the door Luffy had vanished behind. Only a few feet from, however, Usopp's feet went cold and he came to an abrupt stop as he heard a scream.

"I wouldn't go in there, if I were you." He turned quickly to see Nami standing there, looking downright annoyed. She stretched and yawned as though she had woken up from a very needed nap. She turned to glare at the kitchen. "I haven't gotten a proper sleep in days because of them."

Usopp gave her a puzzled look, before asking dumbly, "Luffy's not in trouble?"

"In trouble?" She questioned, fixing her shirt absentmindedly and plucking something off.

"Zoro was - give us these scary looks? He...?"

Nami looked confused, before bursting into laughter. She pointed at the door, screams still echoing from it. "Listen."

"But-!"

"Listen," she said again, this time demanding. Usopp fell silent, enough for the two voices to be heard through the wood.

"Zoro! Stop - tickling - me!" The words came out choked by screams and, Usopp confirmed with sudden realization, laughter. "Cap - Captain's - orders!" The laughter came to a sudden stop, along with the screams. Luffy's voice, now much quieter, reprimanded, "Don't be mean to Usopp! I think you scared him!"

Usopp frowned at that. Him, scared? He was a brave warrior of the sea, why would he be- okay, perhaps he was. Just a little, though.

Zoro said something, much too quiet to carry through the door, and Usopp stepped forward without thinking. Luffy's laugh floated through again, this time genuine and... cute.

"Were you jealous?" Luffy asked, her voice teasing. Zoro didn't answer, but the next sound he made all but confirmed it. Usopp's face went up in flames and he backed away quickly, against the railing. Nami was trying to hold in her laughter as she watched his face.

"Those two really don't care what you walk in on, so you have to be careful!" Nami said, turning to him with a thoughtful look as she managed to compose herself. "I had to learn myself so consider yourself lucky I was hear to give you a warning!"

Usopp managed to calm himself after a few breaths. He shouldn't have been as surprised as he was, anyway. He had seen the way Zoro eyed the captain. He had just misinterpreted it. After a moment, Usopp smiled. "Oh... In that case, thanks a-!"

"That'll just be 2000 beri," Nami said, a smirk pulling at her lips as she held out her hand expectantly. "Lifesaving information isn't free."

Usopp made a choked sound at the price, and then another at the reasoning. He really had joined the craziest band of misfits.

He, it just so happened, fit right in.

I don't usually do AN's but if you guys want to see anyone besides the crews' and Luffy's families' reactions, lemme know and I'll work it in.