RelationShipwreck

Chapter 5: Tossed About Like So Much Flotsam

It's the strangest thing. It's not like he's eating any differently.

And indeed he wasn't. Sanji still cut his food with the proper utensils and brought each perfectly sized bite to his mouth with care. When the motions of the ship, which were growing steadily more violent, threatened to send his glass to the galley floor, it instead found itself journeying to his lips, as if it had always been the cook's intention to take a drink at that particular moment.

But the words that Zoro usually assigned to his nakama's dining habits—pretentious and prissy came to mind—no longer felt like the right adjectives. Now words like precise and poised were trying to slip in instead. Or if he failed to stop them in time, even words like elegant and graceful. It was very annoying. He needed to find an adjective that wasn't so flattering. Something appropriate and all-encompassing.

Sanji-like?

Actually, I can't tell if that's complimentary or derogatory.

I guess that means it's perfect, then.

The ship tossed again, forcing everyone to keep a tight hold on their food and drinks. In the length of time it had taken for breakfast to be prepared and the crew to file in, the morning drizzle had transformed itself into a pouring rain. Just another day on the mercurial ocean that was the Grand Line.

As Zoro pulled his eyes away from the cook's hands for the tenth time, he noticed that Frey was watching him. The shy kid quickly looked away, feigning interest in the conversation of his friends. They were all laughing and joking about various crewmates' reactions to the fact that they had "got in" with him and Sanji.

"And then Breadon was all like 'why would you even want to?' and Moose turns around and says 'well, it helps that I'm not a picky eater!" Royal nudged his best friend teasingly, who merely shrugged his shoulders with a small smile tugging his lips. "What? I like all of Sanji-san's cooking."

"Yeah, and then when Rabid Dan came down, he gave us all the dirtiest look before ducking under his covers and sulking!" Joss laughed. Sanji grinned at their infectious cheer. Paul, of course, had to throw a wet blanket over everything.

"Don't you four go pestering Dan too much. I checked his clothes and bunk again while he was in the bath this morning, but I still didn't find anything." The boys' smiles faded and they sighed, practically in unison.

"You're not the one who went through my stuff, were you?" Sanji asked suspiciously.

Paul gave him a bland look. "Why would I?"

"Looking for—" he paused sourly, realizing he couldn't ask without incriminating himself. "What are you looking for in his?"

"Mitch swears up and down that he saw Dan purchasing Doll Powder a while back. If he has, he keeps it on his person at all times, or I would have dumped it in the ocean by now." Seeing Zoro and Sanji's blank looks, he explained further. "It's a kind of sedative. Makes your arms and legs go limp, like a puppet. The last time Dan tried to make someone his cabin boy, he got a knee right in his hyperactive dick. Apparently he's decided to take measures against that sort of thing."

Sanji ground his teeth, bristling, and Zoro sneered. A brief exchange of glances and the two nakama knew they were on the same wavelength. "Want us to shake him down?" The swordsman asked, a vicious twist curling his lip while the cook growled in agreement. Paul opened his mouth to reply when the ship suddenly slammed to the side hard enough to send several sailors to the floor, along with numerous plates that weren't quite empty yet. Sanji barely had enough time to squawk over the waste of food before the sound of an alarm drifted through the mess hall.

"All hands on deck! We've got storm winds and massive breaking waves! Bare the poles and ready the propeller for use!" As one, the crew took to their feet and rushed to the door, lit by a blinding flash of lightning and simultaneously shook by an earsplitting crack of thunder.

"What should we do?" Sanji shouted as he and Zoro brought up the rear, trying not to step on any of the sliding silverware. As they emerged onto the deck they were instantly drenched to the bone by a deluge of frigid seawater as a wave broke over the side.

"Help the boys secure as many barrels as you can and check the cannons!" Paul shouted back before darting up into the rigging. The numerous billowing sails were already being drawn in, while other sailors were tossing the drogue off the stern. The funnel was quickly carried away by the rushing water, but the rope attaching it to the ship must have held firm because a few moments later the stern was caught in the drag, forcing the ship to ride the waves head-on instead of sideways.

Zoro hurried down the line of cannons, checking the ropes that secured them to the ship and the blocks that held their wheels immobile when not in use. The sheets of rain were turning the deck slick as well as reducing visibility, while tall waves crashing across the bow were constantly forcing everyone to stop what they were doing to grab on to something.

Looking around after riding out another wave, the swordsman spotted Royal and Moose a short distance away, securing a net around numerous barrels that they'd grouped together. Across the deck he spotted Sanji, Frey and Joss doing the same. Stepping carefully, Zoro headed their way to check the rest of the cannons. Above him sailors were shifting around in the rigging, trying to contain the last of the sails in spite of the fierce winds. Reaching the last few cannons just in time to cling to them as another wave washed over him, he gritted his teeth and went about finishing his task. A loose barrel rolled past him as he worked, having been knocked over at some point and now careening wildly as the ship rocked to-and-fro. He snagged it when it tried to pass him again after checking the last cannon, and rolled it to the pile that Sanji was securing.

The drenched blond tossed him a corner of the net, and together they covered the stack and bound it to a few steel rings on the deck. There were still numerous barrels left, but before they could round them up Paul materialized out of the rain.

"Good enough!" he yelled over the roar of the ocean. "Come on below, we're ready to run the propeller!" Waving to the others, everyone tied off their last knots and turned to leave, only to have to grab on to the nets once more as another wave pounded over them. This time the wave managed to pick up several of the leftover barrels and tossed them savagely at the masts and rails.

One wooden projectile was headed directly for Sanji's head, but he deflected it with a swift kick despite the fact that he was practically underwater. Another was washed over Paul, missing him by only a few inches as he ducked. The wave carried it past them straight towards the spot where the youngest two boys were clinging, too quickly for anyone to even shout a warning.

The sound of Frey's arm breaking as the barrel slammed into him was lost to the cacophony of the storm, as was the boy himself as he was swept overboard.

* * *

For a moment the crashing wave and pouring rain all seemed to freeze in place, droplets obligingly floating in midair so everyone could clearly see the empty space where a living boy, full of dreams and desires and life, had stood only moments ago. Then the water slammed back down, cold and merciless and not quite dense enough to obscure the sight of Joss, without even a moment of hesitation, running to the side of the ship and leaping overboard.

"FREY! JOSS!" Paul's voice cracked as he stumbled forward, eyes wide, toward the railing. Sanji followed him, grabbing him before he could do anything foolish like leap in after them as well, but never taking his eyes off the two dark figures that were already retreating further and further from the ship.

"Zoro!" Sanji shouted, not daring to look away, "two life-pres—"

A red and white flotation ring popped in front of the blond before he could even finish his sentence. Snatching it up, measuring the distance and leaping into the air, Sanji gave the lifebuoy a strong kick, sending it flying straight and true even through the buffeting winds. It landed only a few feet from the bobbing form of Frey, who struggled forward and clutched at it with one arm.

Another ring was handed to the cook, and again he fired it with uncanny accuracy towards the second drifting figure. Joss snatched the ring and continued swimming toward his friend. Despite the fact that the blond haired boy had wasted no time in his pursuit, there was still quite a distance between them.

Zoro took up the two ropes that tied the life-preservers to the ship, but Sanji didn't even have to tell him not to pull yet. Royal and Moose had rushed across the deck to join them, and the five figures watched in agonizing anticipation through the sheets of rain as the two rings on the dark ocean inched closer together.

Ever so slowly.

A bit closer.

Closer.

There!

Joss squeezed his ring over his head and shoulders so he could use both hands to grab Frey, who was barely clinging to his own preserver. Immediately Zoro began hauling in the ropes, the pull of the ocean no match for the strength of his arms. Taking up the slack, Sanji finally tore his eyes away from the floating figures and slid over to a set of rope cleats on the main mast, winding the cords around the hooks so no progress could be lost when the next wave came crashing over. He didn't really expect Zoro to lose his grip, but his actions spurred the two remaining boys to join in, so they wouldn't be standing at the rail feeling helpless.

Paul stayed beside Zoro, eyes never leaving the dark waters as his hands took up the lengths of rope being pulled in, preventing them from tangling around the swordsman's feet. Heave-ho, pull and wrap. Brace and ride out another torrent. Shake the water out of your eyes and heave-ho, pull and wrap.

The rope was starting to feel funny under Sanji's fingers as they went numb with cold, and the constant deluge of water was giving him the disconcerting sensation that he was overboard himself.

Zeff…

No! Panic later, after they're safe!

Round and round they wound the ropes. Moose and Royal seemed content to take over, so Sanji straightened his back and looked out to the sea once more. Stumbling over to Zoro and Paul, he peered over the rail and felt relieved to see the two boys almost at the side of the ship.

"Brace yourselves!" the swordsman shouted to the bedraggled forms. It was hard to tell, but Joss seemed to be nodding in acknowledgement, so Zoro took a deep breath, wrapped the ropes firmly around his hands, then tugged hard as he ran across the deck. The speed caused the boys to ride higher in the water, skipping quickly over the dangerous swells beside the ship and slamming into the wooden side. Joss had managed to turn himself so his back took most of the damage, and together they were pulled up to the top of the railing.

As the new length of rope was quickly tied off, Sanji and Paul pulled the two teenagers onto the deck, taking care not to jostle Frey's arm. Removing the life-preservers, Paul wrapped an arm around each boy's shoulders and hugged them to his chest, shaking.

"My brothers…my brothers…" he sobbed over and over, even after Moose and Royal scrambled over and joined in. Paul managed to extricate his arms so he could wrap them around all four of them. "My little brothers…my little brothers…"

Sanji politely looked away, and noticed that Zoro was doing the same. After riding out another pounding of water, however, they knew they had to intervene. "Let's get inside before anything else happens!" the cook shouted over the howl of the wind. In a wet huddle, everyone slipped and shuffled to the nearest door and filed below deck.

It was like rediscovering warmth and quiet for the first time after years without. Sanji's ears were ringing now that the noise of the storm had been reduced to a dull, muffled roar. Paul was ushering the lot of them towards the infirmary, sending Royal to the propeller room to fetch the doctor. Moose wandered off as well, and returned a few moments later with towels and blankets for everyone.

Sanji patted the towel over his dripping hair, slowly drying his face and neck. He felt…detached. His body was shivering, but he didn't feel particularly cold. Through the door of the cramped sick room he could see Paul trying to comfort his little brother, who appeared to be in pain, but he couldn't hear what was being said. Joss looked pale, like he couldn't believe what he'd done now that it was over.

Crap, I need a smoke.

Struggling with his numb fingers and drenched clothing, the cook finally managed to get the pack out of his pocket and pull out a soggy cigarette. Further fumbling produced his lighter, which stubbornly refused to spark when he turned the grinders. Click. Still no light.

Lost at sea.

The phrase kept running through his mind, over and over. They seemed like nice kids. They didn't deserve such a fate. Luffy was always falling overboard, but he usually did it in calmer weather. A storm like this, though, could have carried them out of sight in less than a minute.

Click. Click. Click.

Lost at sea.

Assuming the ocean didn't swallow them whole, then what? Tossed up on some godforsaken lump of rock, with only rainwater to live on? Watching the horizon day after day, ever hoping, ever despairing, for that telltale glimpse of a fluttering sail?

Click. Click. Click.

Lost at sea.

Was Zoro speaking to him? It was difficult to say; he couldn't hear anything. There must have still been some water in his ears.

Click. Click. Click.

Lost at sea.

What would they do when hunger set in? They seemed like good friends. Would they stay that way, helplessly watching each other shrivel away before their eyes, feeling the pain as their stomachs tried to devour themselves from inside out?

Click. Click. Click.

Lost at sea.

It occurred to Sanji that his cigarette had fallen from his lips and rolled away somewhere. His mouth seemed to be muttering something of its own accord. Zoro was standing in front of him now, and might have been raising a hand to slap him across the face. It was hard to tell; his vision seemed narrow, somehow.

Lost at sea. Lost at sea. Lost at s—

"Sanji."

Sound and sight suddenly returned. A rough pair of hands had cupped his face with gentle firmness, forcing him to look into a pair of dilated eyes. "It's okay. Nobody's lost at sea. Everybody's safe. Were all here. It's okay."

Awareness was creeping in from the sides. The ship doctor was rushing past, paying them no mind as he hurried to his patient's side. There was a blanket wrapped around Sanji's shoulders, trying to hold in what little heat he had left. Zoro's eyes seemed unusually large and dark: had they always been that way?

Wait a minute. What just happened, and why is he looking at me like I'm about to break?

"Crap."

Sanji's brain finished collecting itself and he stepped back, embarrassment plainly written across his face. "I can't believe I just went into shock. I wasn't even the one who fell overboard!"

Zoro chuckled, but there was no mockery in his voice when he spoke. "You just have too much empathy, that's all. And bad memories."

"Even still…" the blond murmured, eyes downcast. Zoro's hands twitched, and Sanji had the distinct impression that the other man wanted to reach out to him once more. More alarmingly, however, was the realization that he craved the comfort. "W-we should go help with the propeller," he stuttered, color beginning to return to his face. "They've got everything covered here."

"Actually, I think you should stay," the swordsman replied, catching his shoulder as he began to turn away. Sanji spun back around, affronted. "I'm fine, there's no need for that—"

"I meant, for them." He nodded back towards the infirmary door. Paul was currently standing outside of it, drying off and trying to mind his own business, but inside the two teenagers were staring vacantly at the doctor's hands as he examined Frey's broken arm. "If what you felt was bad, what must they be going through?"

"Surely they'd rather be with their friends right now, not some temporary drifter…"

"Maybe. But you're the only one who's experienced the same thing. Don't you think they'd like to talk to someone who understands what they're going through?"

"I…" Sanji shuffled uncomfortably for a moment, then sighed. "Yeah, I guess I can see your point."

Paul suddenly looked up at them, and positively beamed.

* * *

The room where the propeller was operated, the lowest room on the ship, was filled with dozens and dozens of cranks. It was loud with the noise of grinding gears, smelly, and humid from the warmth generated by numerous rain-drenched, sweating sailors. Altogether it was an unpleasant place to be, so it was no surprise it wasn't used more often. The system was designed so that the workload was equally divided between all the gears, which was a shame. It probably never occurred to Dan that the ship might one day host someone who could've turned the propeller all by himself, if only he'd built it differently. Zoro gripped one of the handles, turning the crank round and round while his mind traveled far away. After all, he did his best thinking when his body was occupied by a monotonous workout.

He hadn't been able to hit Sanji. It would have been the fastest way to knock him back to his senses, but as he raised his hand to strike he suddenly recalled the tale of how Sanji met his adoptive father, and couldn't do it. The cook had grown fond of the two boys so quickly that he was now being tormented over the thought that they could've met a similar fate.

Aho-cook. You put up a tough front, but you have a tender heart.

He could admit it: sometimes he was envious of the ease with which Sanji displayed his emotions. The man wore his heart on his sleeve and no one thought it strange. If Zoro ever dared to shed a tear, his nakama would have thought the world was ending. It was just the way they were; Sanji never held anything in, while Zoro always kept his more vulnerable emotions in reserve.

Sometimes, though, Zoro wished he hadn't set such a difficult standard for himself. Sometimes he wished he didn't always have to be the strong one.

Perhaps that was another reason why he was always willing to fight with Sanji. Anger was the only emotion he was allowed, by his own rules, to let run wild. But it wasn't anger or bitterness he was feeling right now. When others were likely to let emotions get in the way of their logic, Zoro was always there with a cool head.

And right now, his piercing mind had finally figured out what his clumsy heart had been stumbling over.

He didn't even feel particularly surprised.

Yay, it's over. Man, was this chapter ever difficult to write, mostly because I actually had to do a little research on boats, and hunt down names for objects that I knew by sight but had no idea what they were called.

Next chapter is almost as long as this one, and I didn't even get around to what the chapter was supposed to be about. Which leaves me with only two more chapters to write! And the annoying realization that this story probably needs a sequel too. Stop growing, story!

So, did action!chapter live up to your expectations? What did you like or not like about it?