Chapter 2
The warm sunshine spilled over the deck, bathing it in wonderful warmth, but Sanji felt chilled as he stepped in the marimo's training area. He had promised himself a few days ago that he would tell the marimo that he had fallen in love with him. Most of Sanji's morning had been spent baking to build up his courage, and now that he was here he was so uncharacteristically nervous that he was fidgeting as he glanced towards the marimo.
He had made him a bow of Edamame and brought him a bottle of sake, to snack on. The marimo didn't like the fruity drinks that Sanji normally made; often commenting they were too sweet for him. The thought had occurred to Sanji that maybe a little sweetness in the marimo's diet might make the marimo more approachable. He sat the bowl and bottle down on a nearby barrel as the swordsman sat down his massive weight and came over to see what was being offered.
"Snack time, Marimo!" called Sanji gesturing to the food.
The marimo only nodded to him, taking the bowl of Edamame and sake over to a far wall to eat. Today he wore navy blue sweat pants and a white tank top. Sanji was disappointed that the marimo wasn't training shirtless today.
"You didn't eat a lot of breakfast, are you sick?" the quiet treatment wasn't something Sanji was use to, he would rather spend twelve hours fighting with the swordsman then them not talking at all.
"I just wasn't hungry, that's all."
"That's not like you," said Sanji with concern in his voice. This wasn't going to be easy, it seemed like the marimo was becoming more and more shut in. It was going to be a long trip.
The ship had set its course the day they discovered the letter in a bottle after consulting with Nami-swans maps, which were so detailed it was impossible to get lost while being read by the beautiful, expert navigator. The gentle sound of small waves lapping against the side of the ship was the only sounds in the training area, it felt like everyone on the ship had vanished-not that peace and quiet were bad, but right now it only seemed to add to the tension as Sanji shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other.
After another tense moment of silence Sanji removed a cigarette from his shirt pocket and lit it. In two more hours he would begin to make lunch, but before then he would try to get the marimo to say something to him.
"Do you like it?" Sanji asked as the swordsman looked at him, expressionless.
"Its better then nothing," he replied, his voice terse. The swordsman's tone of voice was an attempt to end any form of communication but Sanji wasn't giving up.
"How much does that huge weight you are using weigh?"
"It's five hundred pounds."
"Do you think you're ready to face that Mihawk guy again?"
"Not yet." What stimulating conversation, thought Sanji agitated. At this rate he'd get farther talking to a wall. Sanji wasn't giving up that easy, he could be just as stubborn as the others.
"What will you do when you beat him?"
"I'll fulfill a promise I made."
Sanji had heard mention of this promise before but he had never heard the story behind it. He moved against the wall next to the swordsman, sliding down the wall and joining him, the smoke from the cigarette that hung in his mouth drifted up into the air. He wasn't giving up on tearing down the marimo's stubborn walls.
The marimo continued to silently eat his snack. With a sigh Sanji leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. He stared up into the sky, watching the clouds lazily drift on the current rising from the ocean.
It had been Nami-swan who had suggested talking to the shitty swordsman in a place he had felt comfortable. Nami-swan was the only one on the crew who knew for certain what was going on and the only one that could possibly understand the difficulty of falling in love with someone who was so single minded that nothing seemed to get through to them. Though he was getting advice from a beautiful lady he was well aware that their situations were still completely different and Sanji still had a few more hurdles and flaming hoops to jump through before he got to his prize.
The moments continued to tick by when the sound of movement next to him stirred him out of the daze he had slipping into while sitting there. Sanji leaned back against the wall with a sigh.
"Why did you bring me a snack?"
Sanji had jumped slightly at the sound of the marimo's voice. He had assumed the marimo had fallen asleep; instead he sat next to him, also staring at the sky.
"You didn't eat a lot of breakfast," he replied as he glanced at the empty bowl and sake bottle. "So I assumed you were hungry."
"It was a good snack."
"I'm glad you thought so. It's not like you to not be taking care of yourself." Sanji waited for a response but the swordsman simply put his arms behind his head and closed his eyes, preparing to nap. "I'm thinking of making bento for lunch."
"Sounds good," he said with a yawn.
This was at least something, Sanji thought as he watched the swordsman. His face looked so peaceful when he slept and his lips were parted slightly. Sanji stopped himself from sighing with the longing he was feeling. This was a slight improvement to the unnerving silence that he had been receiving moments before. Maybe he could work it up to a whole conversation now. Instead the swordsman fell into a deep sleep and an hour later Sanji realized he too had fallen asleep.
"When did I fall asleep?" Sanji asked the marimo when he picked up his cigarette that had fallen on the deck.
"I don't know I was asleep too."
Sanji stood up and gathered the dishes; he was going to be late getting lunch started.
"Do you think you could have woken me up?"
"No, you're not a kid; you could have woken up on your own."
"Were you enjoying my company that much?"
The marimo snorted and laughed shortly. The sound was harsh and bitterly cold. It was as if the swordsman's next words would be cruel.
If Sanji was a bit surer that he knew the shitty swordsman's feelings he would push forward more forcefully. As it stood now, he knew the marimo realized he had feelings, that much was clear in their previous encounters.
"Didn't you think I needed to make lunch?" Sanji asked as he stared at the marimo's face, trying to gage his reaction.
"You're not a kid," the swordsman restated, his voice growing more agitated.
"It's called being considerate, baka marimo."
The marimo shot him a glance before standing up and stretching, just like a cat would. Sanji tapped his foot nervously. Nami-swan would have called this a lost cause and would have left the marimo alone while she regrouped and came back with a better plan. But when dealing with shitty swordsmen you couldn't always afford to lose time.
"Do you want to help?" Sanji finally asked.
"Now I think all that smoking rotted your brain." Sanji had to agree, what the hell had he been thinking?
"I don't know why are you so stubborn?"
"How the hell did we get on that topic? Go make lunch you stupid cook, aren't you already late?" Since they had started arguing he had managed to get more words from the marimo, this was what he had to do.
"Don't you think we've played this game enough?"
"You maybe playing a game, I'm not." The marimo took a defensive stance before turning to leave, Sanji followed quickly after him.
"I came here for a reason, don't you want to know?" Even as those words left his mouth Sanji realized how desperate he must have seemed.
"You're going to tell me anyway."
"What makes you think that?"
"You're stalking me," the swordsman pointed out in annoyance. "Just spit it out so we can go back to normal."
"Is our fighting normal for you?" The swordsman's frown deepened, they were entering new territory. "Listen," Sanji sighed. "There is something that is going on between us, something that neither of us fully understands and it scares the both of us, but its something that's stirring and you can feel it inside you too, can't you marimo?"
"I don't feel anything."
"You don't feel anything at all?" The marimo shrugged his shoulders and took a step backwards.
"No, not what you mean anyway." He replied, his voice becoming hostile.
"So you know what I mean?"
"I'm starting to get the picture."
"Well I'm glad to see that the marimo is not completely dense and can see the obvious. I was a little concerned that I would have to be more forward." Sanji said with a small grin.
"Are you honestly telling me you could be even more annoying?" the marimo asked with a sigh and crossed his arms. This day had started out just as strange as the other day and there was no sign of it getting any closer to anyone's definition of normal.
The look in the marimo's eyes had been harsh and full of an anger that was kept deep inside. Sanji's eyes followed along the hard set ling of his jaw, the masculine curve of his neck that lead down to his powerfully built shoulders. This was a perfect example of a masculine man that had stolen his heart. It was moments like this that it would be nice to be able to completely connect with the marimo.
Sanji quickly broke his gaze because being caught staring would make this worse. Sanji would give anything to know what was going on in that baka marimo's mind, even for just a moment.
Zoro rubbed the back of his neck in an attempt to ease the tension there. How was this growing more and more out of control with each passing second? He should have known the damn cook had an ulterior motive when he brought out the snack and sake. Now they were heading down a course that was steep and dangerous. The cook was even acting out of character. He should have rushed off to make lunch; instead he was stalling to talk about this tension between them.
The cook was attempting to go down this path, but if he really wanted to he would go down it alone because Zoro wasn't having it. The cook normally didn't have a pushy attitude, but right now his will was pretty strong.
Zoro pushed past him, a little rougher then he intended, when he could no longer stand the tension that was pulling on him. He heard the cook stumble into something. Luffy or someone else could ask him if he was alright, the cook and him had to have some distance between them. Zoro's pride would not even allow him to glance back until he had turned a sharp corner and was now hidden safely behind the main cabin. It was only then did he allow himself to peek around the corner.
Sanji was talking to Luffy-who seemed completely clueless about everything and just wanted to know what was taking the cook so long to make lunch. That would get the cook to go and take care of Luffy and leave him alone. Zoro was surprised Nami hadn't come demanding lunch.
He let out a sigh of relief and his shoulder's sagged a little. Kuina had been the only person he thought could make him uncomfortable like that. He couldn't even be in a room with the damn cook for three minutes when he started to wish that either Nami or Luffy would come to break the tension.
Once Zoro was sure they had all left the training area he made his way back over, feeling like an idiot for running away and hiding but he really had no other idea on what to do. It wasn't like a normal opponent that he could just fight and he sure the hell wasn't going to ask Nami or Usopp for advice about this.
Zoro picked up his weight and began to focus on his training in an attempt to try and reintroduce a sense of normal for him. But that comfort wasn't coming, his mind was racing with thoughts of what had happened earlier when he had woken from his nap to discover the damn cook had fallen asleep next to him.
He tried to force himself to think about something else and his brain eventually complied, allowing him to drift back to memories of his time at the dojo with Sensei and Kuina. But the memory brought a dull ache to his heart and forced his attention to the present, to the massive weight that he held in his hands, and to the problem that was plaguing his life right now. Zoro finally gave up and headed to where lunch was being served, and where the damn cook was.
The cook was sitting at the far end of the table, leaning back against the wall. A cigarette hung from his lips and one of his hands rested on the table. He looked tired and sad, his finely shaped mouth was pulled down at the corners, and the one visible eye seemed to just be gazing out in the distance, not focused on anything. His hair was neatly combed into place and rested on top of his shirt collar; his right eye was hidden from anyone's view. The cook had taken off his suit jacket and had neatly rolled up the sleeves of his blue dress shirt, revealing his long, slender arms that had some muscle tone. The cook was an attractive man, has much as Zoro hated to admit it, and the cook carried with him a quiet strength that Zoro acknowledged and respected about the cook.
Zoro was glad that during lunch the cook didn't try to talk to him or even look at him. Zoro would be glad when all of this just finally blew over and their relationship was back to normal.
After lunch Zoro made his way to the deck to try and find a peaceful place to calm his mind when he noticed an island in the distance. He honestly hadn't expected them to come across land so quickly. But what were the odds that this was the island from the letter? It wasn't very likely at all.
There was just no possible way, who knows where that island was and even if the bottle listed the islands name the chances of finding the island in this vast ocean was impossible. But still, there was a feeling tugging on Zoro's heart as he stared at the islands out line in the distance, something telling him this was it.
Zoro gripped the railing so tight that his knuckles had begun to turn white. Something about this wasn't right, it just wasn't something possible.
"We found it," the cook said as he walked up beside Zoro. "I'd say if you were a religious man that perhaps the hand of God has guided us to our destination, wouldn't you agree?"
"I don't believe in God, and you don't know if this is the place at that." Zoro said as he made himself release the railing so no one could see how tightly he had been gripping it. Luffy let out a loud cheer as he ran up to them.
Zoro found himself drifting back in memories to a different time, where he was a young boy sitting under a tree, five days before the event that changed his life. He had finally set aside his pride and asked if Kuina could come and meet him there. He had no idea if she would even come or not. Usually Kuina and he would spar and that would be the only interaction he would have with her until the next day.
Only she did come -much to Zoro's surprise. He thought perhaps she had felt the same, yet he painfully discovered those feelings were his alone and she only saw him as a friend and a rival.
The Going Merry sailed around to the back of the island to drop anchor. The cook was one of the first people off of the boat as everyone talked about what they should do next while Sanji simply stood on the beach and smoked. Zoro thought the cook looked tired and wondered if it had anything to do with what had happened between them earlier, which would make sense because it had been physically draining on Zoro as well.
Zoro shook his head, furious with catching himself staring at the cook like that. He had to be strong and couldn't let himself give into weakness.
"Something wrong Marimo?" the cook asked, glancing over his shoulder back at Zoro.
Zoro shook his head, crossing his arms and trying his best to look natural. If they saw a moments hesitation in him so could an enemy, and if he had to think of the cook as an enemy to stay strong, so be it.
The cook frowned at Zoro before turning his back to the swordsman. "If you say so, baka marimo,"
"I do," Zoro said forcefully. "If I had something to say I would have said it."
"I think you'd be too afraid," the cook said softly.
Zoro raised his eyebrows in surprise. He hadn't expected the cook to say that and he felt anger swell inside him, he closed his eyes and forced himself to calm down. A few strides of the cook's long legs put him ahead of everyone and Zoro picked up his pace to keep up.
"You don't believe in this, so don't bother coming Marimo."
"I want to see you proven wrong," Zoro replied with a grin, daring the cook to give some kind of retort.
"I don't understand what you're doing but I'm not going to let you mock what I believe in." The cook said as he shoved his hands into his pants pockets and continued to walk.
"What you believe in is some fairy tale emotion that doesn't exist!" Zoro said with a laugh.
"To me it very much does exist." The cook's voice was quiet but Zoro could hear the pain in his tone. Just because he didn't believe what the cook did, it didn't give Zoro a right to mock it.
"Anyway…I need to keep Luffy out of trouble and he's…following you shitty cook." Their eyes met for a brief moment before Zoro finally turned away.
The cook just nodded, staring straight ahead.
Zoro kept an eye on their captain as they made their way through the streets. It was a small, quiet town that probably didn't see too many visitors. There were small shops that sold a variety of different trinkets and supplies.
The houses were built close together and were built from stone. Zoro kept an eye on Luffy, who was leaning against the glass of a candy shop, drooling over the display of sweets. The cook was asking an old man about the woman mentioned in the letter. Zoro was only partially paying attention, what he noticed was how empty the town seemed.
The old man seemed interested in the cook's words. Zoro couldn't help but wonder if maybe they had found someone who actually knew something. Now the swordsman was beginning to wonder if there was something, fate maybe, guiding them forward.
He didn't want to think about some unseen force guiding him, he was the master of his own destiny and nothing else. He focused on his captain, which was a full time responsibility anyway. Luffy's messy black hair was covered by his signature straw hat and his eyes were big and as bright as a child's.
Luffy's face was pressed up even closer to the glass, if it was possibly Luffy would have become one with the window. His mouth was agape in a hungry expression, drool running down his face and onto the glass.
The cook came back over then, placing one hand on Luffy's shoulder and pulled him away from the window. The cook glanced back in the direction of where the old man had been. Zoro followed his gaze, surprised to find the old man was gone.
"Take Luffy into the store Marimo," the cook said as he handed Zoro some money.
Luffy smiled, quickly thanking the cook and rushing into the store to pick out his candy. He acted like a kid a lot of times, but when it came to his nakama and what he believed in, the childish captain became a force to be reckoned with.
"What's going on Zoro?" Nami's voice called out as she approached the group. She smiled a little when she saw Luffy in the candy store. She was carrying a piece of paper. "You two investigate the letter," she said as she quickly went into the store and dragged Luffy out. Nami was always giving the orders.
Zoro was not in the mood to be taking orders from her, especially if it meant he was alone with the cook, too many emotions would begin fighting to dominate him.
Without thinking he backed away from the cook, tripping over the small step that lead into the store and fell onto the ground.
Or he should have hit the ground. The cooks hand had lunged out and caught Zoro's arm. Zoro quickly steadied himself and yanked his arm away. He could still feel the warmth of the cook's touch on his arm, at the same time he felt his emotional control slipping.
"Why don't you go with him Nami?" Zoro finally managed to demand from the navigator.
"Don't be difficult Zoro," she said with an agitated sigh as she still held Luffy. "I need to keep Luffy out of trouble and Usopp's shopping for supplies while Chopper guards the ship, you're the only one left."
Given that information Zoro knew she was right, but he was also pretty sure Nami planned it that way. She was a sneaky person when she wanted something. But what could Nami be getting out of this situation?
"Someone needs to go with Sanji-kun," she continued as she watched them. "Something wrong?" she asked, her eyes bearing down on Zoro, who matched her gaze. "Are you scared of something?"
What the hell was she trying to do? He thought as he stared at her. This confirmed his earlier suspicion that she was indeed up to something. Why was everyone so suddenly interested in what was going on? Why couldn't any of them understand that his goal was the most important thing to him and not some damn cook's crush?
But he would not let anyone think of him as a coward.
"Fine, I'll go."
"Good, I'm glad that's solved." Her hazel eyes were looking him up and down. He matched her gaze, showing her that she could intimidate that damn cook and the others, but not him. Nami finally nodded in approval, her eyes still not moving.
"Zoro, I don't want you to start any fights either, not until we've found that treasure." At the mention of money her eyes sparkled and she got a big smile on her face that unnerved Zoro every time he saw it. "Don't go after that treasure without me."
Zoro snorted and bit back a reply. This entire 'adventure' was nothing but a sham. By sheer dumb luck were they able to find the island detailed by the map and even dumber luck did the cook manage to find someone who possible knew this Maria person, or whatever her name was.
All of this caused something to stir in the back of Zoro's mind. How could all the impossible things-which seemed more impossible then their normal tasks, be happening so quickly back to back?
And making sure he was alone with the cook?
The world around Zoro suddenly seemed to start spinning and he placed a hand on his head to try and steady himself. The very thought of being alone with the cook was enough to send him spinning. He had spent all this time either not being near him or if he was he was with someone, now his damn pride would have him be alone with the cook!
"Whatever," he finally replied. "Let's go stupid cook and get this over with." Zoro was surprised when the cook followed after him without a word of protest.
Once they were a good distance away from the others Zoro realized he didn't know where they were going. He had just wanted to get away from Nami so fast that he had lead the way, and with no sense of direction that was a mistake.
They found themselves in a small residential area just beyond the town square. Zoro forced down the wave of nervousness that was threatening to over take him. He had to be strong and he had to keep in control. As long as he was in control he could keep doing down this runaway course.
He turned around finally and stared at the cook who had been silently following behind him, smoking a cigarette. Despite the warmth of the sun Zoro still felt a chill deep inside him.
Slowly the chill left his body and he felt like he was more in control. Zoro inhaled deeply, finally managing to calm himself. He would not become vulnerable. Love was a weakness, and it was a weakness he could not afford.
Even as they walked the dirt path that had lead to the small house, Zoro had sensed this shadow of sadness that was cast over the house, much like the shade of the trees that were over shadowing it. The feeling was all too a familiar friend for Zoro.
The house was surrounded by tree's, giving it a secluded feeling from the rest of the town. The house had a warm feeling about it, but Zoro could still sense a sadness that lay hidden in the walls. This house had seen a lifetime of happiness, but one moment of sadness still clung to it. Much like the dojo after Kuina had died, reminding him of what might-have-been.
"Please, come in, it's been so long since anyone has come to visit grandma," a young girl smiled and stepped aside when they knocked on the door of a run down house near the edge of the forest. Zoro gave a polite nod to the young woman when they stepped in, but he noticed how nervous her demeanor was, even if her voice seemed calm. She glanced around outside, as if making sure no one had followed them, or no one else was coming, before she closed the door tightly behind her.
Zoro had been surprised they had found the place. The old man apparently only told the cook she was on the island. He had thought they would have to tell Nami to forget about her treasure.
When the cook had walked up to this door and knocked Zoro was sure the owners would slam the door in their faces, like the others, but this girl, who couldn't be older then fifteen, had welcomed them with a big smile and open arms, or so it would appear. She introduced herself as Elisa, the Maria woman's granddaughter.
"How do you guys know grandma?" Elisa asked as she led them to the living room where Zoro spotted an elderly woman. "Grandma, you have some guests!"
Zoro watched as the old woman sat in a rocking chair, a small wooden music box sat on her lap playing a sad melody. Once he saw her another wave of sadness washed over him. The woman may have married and started a family, but she obviously hadn't stopped waiting for her pirate to come home. What kind of feeling was that strong that this old woman would wait?
Zoro quickly turned away from the woman, choosing to focus on the room instead. There was a couch with a metal frame sitting in the center of the room facing a fireplace. A beautiful handmade quilt lay across the back of it. Someone had spent a lot of time weaving the vibrant colors into the quilt. Opposite the couch was the hand crafted rocking chair she sat in. Next to the chair was an end table with a lit lantern. Behind the couch was a chest with a heart and two letters etched in, an M and D. He was pretty sure these were the initials of the old woman and the pirate that she was waiting for. He was also willing to bet that small box she was holding was a gift from him too.
The sunlight pouring through the window illuminated the old woman's face, wrinkled and worn with the sign of age; her eyes suddenly seemed to brighten when they landed on Zoro. In them he could see dreams of the past suddenly spring back to life inside of her. What was it that she could have possibly seen all of the sudden?
Zoro felt himself drawn to the old woman. Something in her eyes was pulling him forward. The cook was talking to the granddaughter during this time. The old woman held out the music box and Zoro ran his hand over the dark wood. Their initials carved into this one too. How many dreams had they made together? How many of those dreams had died along with that man? How many more would they destroy telling her he was dead?
Zoro shook his head to chase away the thoughts that had begun plaguing him and took a step away from the old lady.
"Sorry," Zoro said as he crossed his arms. "We're here because we found something that belongs to you."
"You boys sit down. I maybe old but I'm not stupid. You boys smell of the sea, you're pirates." The old woman looked from Zoro to the cook with a nod. She gently placed the box on the end table next to her. Zoro had been caught by surprise when she had spoken and even more so by how aware she was. The cook opened his mouth to speak and she held up one finger to silence him. Did she already know what the cook was going to say? She turned to face them, away from the window. She had high cheekbones, a strong jaw, and her gray hair was about as short as the cooks.
"You boys are far too young to have known my David," the old woman continued.
"Your right, we are. We found a message drifting in a bottle a few days ago addressed to a Maria and with this island's coordinates," Sanji explained to the old lady. "The crew all agreed to try and find you to give you the letter."
"A message in a bottle...so he did keep his promise then. David was always out to sea. He was part of the Nebar pirate crew. They used this island for a base for as long as I can remember. When I met him he didn't know how to read or write, so I taught him, he promised to always write me after that." The old woman held her hand out for the letter.
"Here," Sanji handed her the letter. "I have to admit, I didn't know if we would find you."
"Of course you would find me, David would see to it that you would have."
"I think that's a bunch of shit," Zoro replied.
"That's no way to live son…"
Zoro said nothing, an awkward silence falling between them as the old woman read the letter.
"David," the old woman whispered, placing a hand over her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes as she looked down at the bottle. Elisa approached her but the old lady waved her away. "I'm not a fool, it eventually had dawned on me that he wasn't coming back. I knew that, loving a pirate, he may eventually die. It was the not knowing that hurt the most." Zoro wasn't completely sure how to understand that.
"Look, we're sorry," he finally said. "He promised anyone who delivered the letter the treasure he hid and our navigator has her eyes set on getting her hands on it." Zoro explained, watching the woman.
"David had a horde of treasure; however, for lack of a better term he was frugal and didn't leave any treasure with me. That doesn't mean that I don't know where it is, and possibly where even more treasure is. But you must help us first." The old woman's gray eyes stared long and hard at Zoro before softening. "You must help our island; no one else can help us." She lifted her hand and took hold of Zoro's. "It is the last request of an old woman."
Elise suddenly pulled her grandmother's hands away and began to usher Zoro and the cook out, shutting the door before they could say anything. The old woman's plea had struck a cord in the swordsman and the cook.
Zoro gave a short laugh and shook his head, walking away from the door. It never failed, they always managed to find more trouble then they originally came looking for. The island was in trouble, that was the most they understood, and knowing their luck it wouldn't be long before they learned the whole story.
Zoro felt a little more relaxed since there was no more talk of emotions and such. He looked up to see the rays of sunlight coming through the gaps in the tree branches. In the distance he could hear the sound of a brook. This place was so peaceful, at least for now, once Luffy found out what was going on there would be fighting.
Zoro stopped in his tracks and looked back behind him towards the house they were just forced from.
Why do I suddenly care what happens? Zoro asked himself as he stared at the house. They were only supposed to deliver the letter, and if Nami didn't get any treasure too bad for her. So why do anymore then he had to? Maybe because she looked at him the way he wished Kuina had?
He suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder; he spun around quickly, his hands on his katanas, when he saw Elisa standing there. He slowly relaxed and removed his hands from his katana.
The young girl no longer looked cheerful has she had when they had first met-more like a terrified girl who was afraid she would get struck. She thrust a small brown satchel into the cook's arms and held up a finger to silence him. Zoro was now even more curious about what was going on here. He thought that being a 'hero' was something only an idiot would chase after, but for some reason he was interested in helping, perhaps the damn cook was rubbing off on him,
The cook opened the satchel and showed it to Zoro, it was belli, and it was probably all she had.
"Take this and go," she pleaded.
"What's going on?" Zoro demanded, turning his gaze back to the frightened girl.
"We want to help a beautiful lady!" the cook said as he clasped the girls hand and Zoro found that small gesture bothered him more then it should have.
"You don't know what you're getting involved in," Elisa said softly. "Please leave while you still can! If THEY find you then it's too late," she was trembling and Zoro noticed fear in her voice. "You delivered the letter, so go!"
"We did," Zoro acknowledged. "But apparently this quiet, calm town thing we saw down in the market is just an act, or else the old lady wouldn't have asked for help, right?" Zoro watched the girl, pretty sure with enough pressure she'd talk. Elisa shook her head, trying to push them both away.
"You're no match for THEM, so get out of town before you are noticed," Elisa looked at Zoro. "That is if someone hasn't already turned you in. Now please go and think nothing more of us!"
Zoro looked at her for a moment before grabbing the cook's hand and yanking him away. Whoever 'they' were had the girl too scared to let her grandmother talk about it. They would have to go about it a different way.
Someone was watching the two of them as they left the small house, Zoro could sense that. It was fine with him; a fight was something he had been aching for since everything started.
The cook hadn't said a single word when they left the girl. Zoro yanked on the cook's wrist and turned around. The cook was there, but behind him was a large group of men, weapons drawn and the ugliest grins on their faces.