Chapter 4

The light of the moon gently basked down through the breaks in the tree's leaves. The night air was cool and carried with it the scent of the forest.

But there was another scent. Zoro knew this scent well; it was the scent of blood and fear. He closed his eyes as he gathered his thoughts and cleared his mind of anything that could distract him from what they were going to do. The others were waiting silently for the best time to move. Zoro was well aware that this was no normal raid. That behind that steel wall, the danm cook was being held captive.

Zoro tightened his grip on the handles of his katanas, growing edgy from waiting.

A quick shake of his head brought his focus back as he slowly began to creep forward, keeping to the shadows. He had to remember that there were innocent prisoners that were also being kept in this fortress prison that the villager's had been forced to build.

Zoro crept towards the wall and glanced towards Luffy who had made his way next to Zoro. Neither of the two power houses were use to trying to do something sneaky.

Zoro tied his bandana around his head as Luffy stretched up the wall and wrapped his rubber arm around Zoro's waist and shot them both over the wall. Zoro gritted his teeth has they sailed into the night sky. Right away he could tell that Luffy had over shot them, Luffy never had control over how much force he put behind that rocket attack, and a lot of times it ended badly for everyone.

Zoro crashed into the branches of a tree inside the compound. The force knocked some wind from him. Luffy, along with himself, were suppose to be a distraction while the others rushed in quietly and searched for the cook. The fortress reminded Zoro of the small Marine base that had once held him prisoner in its parade grounds.

Zoro carefully climbed down, surprised that all that noise didn't bring any guards to investigate. It was once he reached the ground that he heard a mechanical whirring noise behind him and a voice spoke.

"Intruder, please give proper access code, or you will be terminated immediately."

Zoro stared up at the machine in awe. It was a good two feet taller than him. It was bronze in color and built in an attempt to resemble a human, with the exception of a large red color lens where the face would be and a pincher for one hand and a drill for the other.

"You must identify yourself or face immediate termination."

The sound of its drill arm starting to move snapped Zoro from his state of awe.

He jumped out of the way as the drill was thrust forward, rolling across the ground. Zoro quickly stood up and regained his bearings.

"Is this what the villagers are being forced to build?" he asked himself as he prepared for battle.

"Proper identification not received, conclusion: Termination is the only option. Power level detected being dangerously high. Silent alarm activated for remaining patrols.

Zoro cursed and lunged forward, he knew that was not a good thing. Right now he had to focus on the human-like machine that was trying to kill him. It was fast and it was strong. Zoro could feel the power behind the machine when it's spinning drill clashed with the blade of his katana. It sent a rush of adrenaline coursing through him, causing him to forget about Luffy and everyone else and focus on the fight.

"Data gathering and analyst complete. Alarm received by remaining units."

Zoro sliced through the neck of the machine. Sparks and oil flew everywhere. It wasn't long before he came face to face with more of those machines. Zoro could hear Luffy's voice from behind what looked like a shed. He charged into a group when he heard Nami call his name.

Zoro jumped out of the way as lightening crashed down.

"Electrical interference, units ONE through TWENTY immobilize. Area scan informs other intruders in the area. Analyst states that the beginning CENTURIANS do not contain the capacity at current state to defeat the intruders. Final conclusion: Retreat and Regroup."

Something didn't seem right, where were the rest of the guards? Zoro walked towards the smoldering remains of the human-like machines, the lens that was its face reflecting the light of the moon.

More machines began approaching them from all around the parade grounds. From everywhere Zoro could see he noticed that there were only machines approaching them, their mechanical forms gleaming in the light of the moon.

Zoro quickly came to the realization that the fortress was completely empty of people.

Zoro had this sickening feeling growing in the pit of his stomach that something was terribly wrong. They had stumbled into a danm trap!

"Zoro!" Usopp cried in a worried voice as he rushed towards him. "What are these things Zoro?!" The others ran over as Zoro cursed under his breath as more whirring noises filled the air.

Bright lights from the top of the fortress shined down, flood lights had turned on and that momentarily blinded them.

"It's a goddanm trap!" Zoro growled, shielding his eyes from the blinding light.

"What…do we…do?" asked Chopper.

Zoro placed Wado Ichimonji into his mouth, ready for another fight.

"Where's Sanji?!" Luffy shouted at the machine like men that were operating the flood lights.

Zoro glanced at Luffy as the figures were beginning to form a circle around him and his nakama.

Nami spun around and let out a cry as a drill arm of one of the machines lunged at her. Usopp tackled her down as the drill barely missed her. Chopper let out a cry as he transformed into his larger size to contend with the machines.

"How many of them are there?" Usopp demanded, scrambling back to his feet.

"Usopp!" Nami shouted. "Look out behind you!"

Usopp spun around, but not fast enough as a metallic fist punched into Usopp's side causing his long nosed nakama to cry out in pain and hit the ground, skidding back a few feet from the force of the hit.

Zoro rushed past as Luffy angrily grabbed the machine and yanked it away from Usopp's crumbled over form. This caused the machine to slam its mechanical leg on top of Usopp's lower leg in an attempt to regain its balance from Luffy trying to pull it away.

"These danm things are everywhere," Zoro growled. "Chopper, are we going to be able to get Usopp out?"

Usopp's face had grown pale as Chopper quickly scanned the area, looking for something to immobilize Usopp's leg.

"What about…Sanji?" Usopp asked through clenched teeth.

"The cook isn't here…I don't know how I know, I just do." Zoro said as he blocked one machine's drill arm as it lunged forward in an attack. The machine-like human was poorly covered in what appeared to be skin that barely stretched to cover the gears and mechanisms in its arm.

During the fight Nami had taken apart her Climatact so that Chopper could brace Usopp's leg. Chopper ripped up strands of bandages he kept in his back pack. Luffy was fighting furiously to make a dent in the advancing machines.

With quick and powerful movements, Zoro fought off machine after machine as Chopper prepared to move Usopp. They couldn't afford a wounded man staying there.

"Zoro," Nami grabbed his shoulder.

Zoro turned to face Nami, her voice was full of concern.

"Go and find Sanji-kun, he needs our help. The rest of us can get Usopp out."

Zoro looked at Luffy, who was sending the machines flying and nodded.

Usopp coughed up blood. "You've got to…hurry…the brave…Captain Usopp will be…just fine...I've had worse happed to me…"

"Right," Zoro smiled a little. He knew that Usopp was in great pain and was only putting on an act, but he would respect Usopp's words. Zoro understood now he was the only one who could find the danm cook now.

"We have to move now!" Chopper said, gently picking Usopp up to carry him out of there.

Zoro lunged forward to help Luffy remove the remaining machines. Luffy was panting, covered in oil and a little of his own blood.

They heard Usopp shout in pain behind them as Chopper and Nami began moving him.

"He'll be alright Nami," Chopper said, trying to ease her worried mind.

Usopp smiled weakly, his face was pale as Luffy's fist slammed into the lens of the last machine as Chopper moved quickly and carefully. Zoro turned around, prepared to go deeper into this compound. The danm cook might not be in this building, but Zoro knew they weren't that far from him.

The others ran in the opposite direction to return to the ship as Zoro surveyed the area.

Too vividly he remembered a body that was laid out before him, a white cloth gently laid across the face, at that moment it had looked like Kuina was sleeping. He wondered now if she had felt any pain at all?

Zoro tightened his grip on his katana handle, as if trying to chase the memory away with the blade. Usopp would be fine; he had to remind himself of that.

"Nami and Chopper have him now; I've got to find that annoying cook."

During this time Zoro caught the glimpse of a figure near what appeared to be a shed. Zoro thought it was another machine until he heard a voice speak.

"You're the guy from earlier!" the figured gasped, causing Zoro to spin around and focus completely on the figure. The pirate realized his careless error and tried to make a quick escape.

Zoro quickly moved, grabbing the pirate by the back of his shirt, yanking back hard to cause the pirate to fall.

"You recognized me, so you know the man who was with me earlier," he said as the blade of his katana was inches from the pirate's throat. "So you're going to answer my questions, and you might just get the chance to be able to walk away with your life intact."

"What do you want?" The man asked as he swallowed nervously, staring up at Zoro.

Zoro frowned. "I want you to tell me where the cook is."

"I'm not telling you, Captain Alvoin would kill me!"

Zoro pressed the tip of the blade into the man's throat. "I will kill you now if you don't," Zoro promised. "So you may really want to think about that. Tell me where the hell he is right now."

"If I tell you, you have to give me your word then to spare my life," the pirate said as his eyes darted from the blade and back to Zoro's face.

"Start talking," Zoro growled in a low voice as he pressed the tip deeper into the man's throat and a fine trickle of blood ran down the blade.

"That man is currently the prisoner of Captain Alvoin, his sex slave."

Zoro's muscle's visibly tensed at that. "What did you say about the shitty cook? I don't think that I heard you right."

"I said that he was the Captain's sex slave, he took the blonde guy for that reason."

There was a long and painful moment of silence that passed by. "You're the guy the blonde's in love with," the pirate finally said to Zoro. "You're the one that he calls out for! No wonder you want to find him so bad."

"He called for me?" Zoro asked slowly. It was at that moment a deep feeling of anger and regret washed over him.

"Zoro…" Sanji's voice whispered softly as he opened his eyes, slowly becoming aware of his surroundings. A sharp pain raced up his arm, causing his eyes to glance down to see the maniacal on his wrist attaching him to the bed. A sharp pain in the back of his head caused the room to blur for a brief moment.

Alvoin stood up from the desk and walked towards him. "Are you finally awake kitten? What you did was a very bad thing indeed."

Sanji closed his eyes, trying to focus through the pain in his head. He had to remain calm as he tried to gather himself. He remembered Alvoin telling him about a trap he was laying for his nakama and what the bastard planned on doing with them once he got them and Sanji had lost his temper and attacked Alvoin, which had been a mistake.

Sanji yanked on the chain attached to the bed post and swore underneath his breath. Alvoin was fast, having dodged Sanji's long legs and moved behind the cook to strike with a blow so strong that Sanji lost consciousness.

"So are you just going to keep me chained here until you are done with me? Did you honestly think I would sit back while you talked about what you wanted to do to my nakama?"

"That would have been wise kitten," Alvoin replied with a smile. "At this moment though, they've probably already ran into my trap."

"Your bluffing, you shitty bastard, I don't believe you. A blind rat wouldn't get caught in something so obvious."

Alvoin reached out with his one arm, cupping Sanji's chin and sneering down at him.

Sanji jerked his chin free and stared down at the manacle on his wrist. The cold metal against his skin seemed to give clarity of the desperateness of his situation. Sanji had no idea about these 'toys' the bastard Alvoin spoke of, but the confidence in his voice caused Sanji to become worried. What exactly were they and what could they do?

The thought that maybe that sick bastard could be right frustrated him. Sanji yanked on the chain until he heard Alvoin walking away and shutting the door behind him.

Sanji fell backwards in the bed and placed his hands over his eyes in a momentary defeat.

Sanji heard the sounds of heavy footsteps approaching and he was sure it was that bastard Alvoin returning. The door slammed open, a tall and powerful figure stood there.

It was Zoro.

The swordsman's powerful figure stood in the doorway and Sanji stared in awe, lowering his hands from his face and sitting up in bed. It was as if Sanji had entered into a dream, the one person he wanted to see most of all was here.

"Let's get out of here," Zoro rushed over, lifting his katana and slicing through the chain of the metal, sending some sparks flying. He reached out and grabbed Sanji by his other wrist and yanked. Zoro's face was filled with anger and his white shirt was stained with oil as well as the bandana that covered his moss colored hair. His cheeks were flushed red from fighting hard as his powerful chest heaved as the swordsman tried to catch his breath. Sanji stared up at the powerful man as the sheets fell from Sanji's bare form.

"What are you doing here Marimo? Where are the others?" Sanji asked.

Zoro frowned. "Usopp's badly hurt; they had to get him to the ship."

Sanji stared at the swordsman for a moment as the words registered with him. He had thought that he was having a hard time; it seemed to be the case with all his nakama.

"Luffy cleared a path through those weird machines so that Nami and Chopper could get him out," Zoro continued. "I was sent on ahead to find you, now that I have found you, put some clothes on and let's go."

"I don't have any, baka Marimo!" Sanji said, his voice sounding frustrated. "That shitty bastard took them from me when he was…finished."

The shame and sudden realization that he stood bare before the swordsman washed over him in a powerful wave as he quickly fumbled for the bed sheets that had fallen on the floor. He franticly wrapped the white fabric around his waist and cast a shameful glance to the ground, unable to bring himself to look at the swordsman once more.

This was the most humiliated that Sanji had ever felt. He knew that even as oblivious as Zoro was, even he had to realize what had happened.

Zoro ran over to the dresser against the far wall and began digging through it and then tossed Sanji some clothes he had found. "Put those on then, just till we get back to the ship."

"Right," Sanji said as he dressed. "Why did you come…Zoro?"

Zoro froze at that question and Sanji quickly regretted asking it.

"Forget it Marimo," he said quickly, moving to walk past Zoro.

Zoro stepped aside to let him, for a moment it looked like the swordsman had begun to reach for Sanji, but then changed his mind.

"Is Nami-swan safe?" Sanji asked, wanting to change the subject to anything.

"Yeah, she's fine. She was helping to move Usopp out of here and back to the ship." He stood there a moment before he spoke again. "We'll talk about it later, stupid cook."

Sanji nodded and rushed onto the deck, noticing the unconscious men scattered around.

"Decided to be merciful and spare them their lives this time?"

Zoro glanced at Sanji for a moment and then straight ahead as they ran. "The human one's," he replied.

Sanji raised an eyebrow, not sure what the swordsman meant by that.

"The 'human ones'?" Sanji repeated. "What are you talking about? What the hell has that bastard been making?"

The rays of the first morning light streamed through the glass of the porthole window into the dining area. Zoro was quietly drinking a glass of ale. The cook had been in the bathroom for a long while, but with what Zoro had seen he could understand why, and that knowledge angered him greatly.

He didn't understand the protectiveness that suddenly appeared for the danm cook. Zoro could still see the shame in those blue eyes when he had burst into the room.

When that pirate had told Zoro what was happening to the cook, the only thought he had was he had to get to Sanji as fast as he could.

His eyes scanned a long and empty dining hall. When Zoro had gotten back Luffy had been sitting outside the infirmary door with Nami, they had been excited to see the cook and had rushed over to see him. The danm cook seemed to barely show the same excitement.

After the cook had assured the two of them, he excused himself and hurried to the bathroom. To avoid any questioning from Nami, Zoro had claimed he had a headache and needed a drink. The cook hadn't looked or spoken to Zoro all the while they were running back to the ship. If he had gone in the wrong direction the cook would call out, but no jabs or insults, nothing like their usual banter back and forth-just a deafening silence.

This silence had caused Zoro's mind to race through all the thoughts in his head. He stared at the amber colored liquid and tried to focus on that one thing in hopes of forgetting the rest. Finally he finished the drink, hoping that the sanctuary of his training area would bring him some peace.

He entered the room and he felt immediately calmer. Here he could work towards his dream, remember the fondness of his childhood and the comfort of knowing that there had been someone who shared his dream. The fragile and naïve belief that they would always be there, and then the painful reality would set in, that he would never have something like Nami and Luffy have.

Maybe his was something different?

Zoro looked towards his weight set and rubbed his neck. The thought hadn't surprised him as much as it did in the beginning. Maybe the danm cook was getting to him?

There was the sound of footsteps approaching him from behind which caused Zoro to turn and see the cook watching him from the doorway. He wore, what looked like to Zoro, the same danm suit as the last time. The cook spun around once their eyes met, his usual smooth and easy movements were stiff, and Zoro noticed that when their eyes had met the cook had flinched. His blonde hair was still wet from his shower and clung to the back of his neck. What skin Zoro could see was a bright red from intense scrubbing and hot water.

The cook was standing still, as if he was conflicting with leaving or remaining there, not sure what he should do. He looked so defeated that Zoro's heart ached for him.

These thoughts and feelings were disturbing and distracting to Zoro.

"Zoro," the cook's voice called out. Zoro jumped at the sound of his voice and Zoro opened his mouth to snap at the cook but stopped. Even as dense as Zoro could be he knew the cook had been through something that Zoro could never truly understand or wish on anyone.

"I wanted…I mean to say…" the cook's voice trailed off as he shoved his fidgeting hands in his pockets. "I'm sorry for the trouble," he finally whispered.

The apology seemed to come out of no where and confused Zoro. The swordsman bent down to pick up his hand weights to give him something other than the cook to focus on. Zoro shrugged his shoulders in response but his pounding heart conflicted with his desire to seem disinterested.

"I didn't want anyone to get hurt," the cook continued, his voice uncharacteristically soft as he spoke. After a moment of gathering his thoughts the cook spoke again. "The bath is free."

Zoro nodded a response, not trusting his voice not to give off emotion. Kuina had once told him hiding his emotions was one of his best tricks. Emotions meant weakness and on the ocean weakness meant death, he had to keep reminding himself of that.

"Right Marimo," the cook said with a small sigh and began to leave. "I'm going to start breakfast."

"Shouldn't you be resting?" Zoro asked before he could stop himself.

The question was filled with concern, after what happened, nakama should have that for one another, and it didn't mean anything more than that. When you lived on a ship with a group of people you just grow to treat them like your family. There was nothing more in that question than concern for nakama.

The question had stopped the cook who turned back around and went to take a step towards Zoro. "Are you worried Zoro?" he asked, his expression seemed hopeful suddenly.

"No, do what you want." Zoro replied breaking his gaze from the cook who he swore looked like he started to tremble; he was probably just cold from being wet.

"Oh," was his quiet reply. The pain in his voice shot through Zoro like a bullet.

Zoro took a deep breath. "Breakfast," he said without looking. "You should make a lot of meat." The suggestion was a weak attempt to try and get things back to normal for the cook.

The cook was still standing in the doorway, his hands shoved back in his pockets. Zoro watched from the corner of his eyes. Zoro saw the cook's shoulder's sag as the cook finally turned and walked away.

Two long hours later the cook finally called everyone to meal. It wasn't like him to take so long to prepare a meal.

They all took their seats around the long table as the food was set out before them. Luffy was being forced to wait for everyone by Nami.

"Sorry it's so late," the cook said apologetically.

Zoro said nothing, his eyes focused on the plate. Obviously the cook opted that making lunch would be a better option since it had taken so long for him to prepare and bring out.

He looked up as the cooks cigarette smoke drifted under his nose for the short time the cook had been away. Zoro had missed the cigarette smell and was surprised by the familiar comfort it brought him. It was as if the smoke itself had become a part of him that he couldn't imagine being without.

The cook sat down at the far end of the table, away from everyone.

"What took so long? Too busy being a pervert?" Zoro asked, sure that falling into their normal routine would help.

"No."

"That's something I don't believe. Doesn't matter anyway, I just want to finish business with these pirates so we can go back to normal."

"How is Usopp?" the cook turned and asked the small reindeer when he came in. "Is he able to eat anything?"

"He can, he just can't get out of bed for awhile." Chopper replied.

The cook nodded and stood up, heading towards the kitchen. "Then I will make him some nice soup."

"You didn't already?" Zoro asked.

"I was not sure what Usopp could eat." The cook replied quietly.

"Just let him have the same thing we're having," Zoro said as he poured himself a glass of ale, his own nerves in need of being calmed.

The cook remained silent.

The shame in the cook's eyes sparked a need to comfort him. The cook had been through something horrible, and even if the others did not know, Zoro knew and realized that fighting with his nakama was not something the cook needed.

Nami helped to finish making a plate for Usopp that Chopper insisted on taking to him. Luffy was quickly shoving the meat on his plate into his mouth as Zoro and the cook ate quietly.

"Stop eating so fast before you end up choking yourself!" Nami scolded Luffy gently.

"I'm not going to choke," Luffy said with a grin as he hugged Nami.

"He won't if he hasn't done so," the cook assured Nami softly.

"I need my energy back so I can kick ass," Luffy said with a mouthful of food and grinned at the cook.

"I know, we have to help Elise-Chan and Maria-San," the cook said softly.

"Usopp's eating just fine," Chopper said with a grateful grin when he returned to the dining area.

"What was broken Chopper?" the cook asked the small reindeer softly.

"Usopp broke his tibia and fibula and bruised some ribs. He won't be out of bed for awhile. It could have been worse if we didn't have Nami's Climatic to stabilize it."

"I'm sorry," the cook sighed. "I never meant for this to happen."

"It's only for six weeks," Chopper said in an assuring tone and looked at Zoro. "Are either of you hurt? Neither one of you came to me when you got back. You both should be examined once you're done eating."

"I'm not hurt." Zoro stated calmly.

"You say that all the time and it always turns out not to be true!" Chopper said as he got up and hurried over to Zoro. "Maybe I should examine you now, just to be safe."

Zoro smiled slightly as he pushed the small reindeer away.

"Are you sure you're alright Zoro, Sanji-kun?" Nami asked gently, watching the both of them.

Zoro nodded, casting a glance towards the cook who had hardly touched the food on his plate.

Zoro hadn't notice until just that moment that the cook hadn't eaten. Maybe that's why Nami asked but Zoro knew that the cook wouldn't say what was really bothering him and in truth Zoro probably wouldn't have either.

The cook looked at Zoro and their eyes met. The pain and sadness were so clear that it even had to be obvious to Luffy and Chopper.

"What is our plan?" the cook asked.

Zoro felt that he had missed doing something important when those words were spoken, but he wasn't sure what.

"Kick ass," Luffy said simply with a mouthful of food. "No one hurts my nakama and gets away with it. I'm going to make him pay."

"I don't want it done for me," the cook said, glancing at Zoro briefly before turning back to the others.

"Huh?" Luffy looked confused. "I can't let him go."

"I don't want it done for me."

"It's not that big of a deal, he'll do it anyway cook," Zoro pointed out.

"Doesn't my opinion matter?" the cook reached past Chopper and grabbed the front of Zoro's shirt. "Don't I have a right to my own feelings?"

Zoro's hand froze midway to grabbing the cook's hand and his heart stopped as he realized why the cook was upset. "Yes, you do." Zoro said in a low voice.

"I guess there is really nothing left between us, is there?" the cook asked Zoro quietly.

"There's nothing," Zoro swallowed as he felt flustered at the cooks touch and the closeness of his body. "What are you trying to get at?"

"I'm…not trying to get to anything, forget I said anything Zo-Marimo."

"Did you and Zoro have another fight?" Nami asked the cook gently as Chopper began examining him.

The cook's blue eyes looked up, locking with Zoro's dark eyes. "No more than usual."

The pain in his voice caught Zoro's attention and he had a feeling that the issue deep between them was growing bigger and getting dangerously close to spilling over.

"Yeah, no need to think anymore of it." The cook said quietly.

Zoro could feel Luffy's eyes on him, he doubted that their Captain knew every detail, but unlike what most people believed, Luffy was far from stupid and was very observant when it came to his nakama.

The cook lowered his gaze to the plate and Zoro's heart ache grew even more.

"Zoro, why don't you take the guard position for tonight?" Nami suggested, changing the subject.

"Yeah, I'll take the watch," Zoro said, grateful for the distraction.

"What happened at the fort?" Luffy asked the both of them.

Zoro and the cook were both taken aback by the blunt question. "Nothing," Zoro said quickly. "It was just more of those weird machines that I had to blow through to get to the ship docked at the back of the fortress."

"There were more of them?" Chopper asked in complete awe. "Luffy have you ever seen anything like those machine's before?"

"I doubt it," Zoro said, curious himself about what was going on.

"I've never seen or heard of them before." Chopper said as he glanced around at his friends.

"They are 'toys'," The cook said softly.

"Toys? What do you mean by that? They are powerful machines with drills that could have killed Usopp!" Chopper exclaimed, glancing around at his nakama once more.

"It was what he told me," the cook replied as he stood up, signaling the end of the conversation. Nami watched with concern and Zoro couldn't help but also feel concern for the cook. The plate of food that sat before the cook hadn't been touched, and the cook never wasted any meal.

Everyone got up then and the cook said something to Chopper about Usopp, but Zoro didn't hear the rest when Nami grabbed him by the arm and dragged him onto the deck.

Luffy followed them out and wrapped his arms tightly around her thin form; he was trying to calm the worried navigator down. Zoro felt an impulse to go and comfort the cook. He found himself wondering what a warm and loving embrace like that, to rest your head on top of someone's and inhaling the scent that was so uniquely theirs.

"Why is this happening to me?" Zoro whispered quietly to himself as he quickly turned and walked away before Nami could leave Luffy's embrace and begin questioning Zoro about what happened at the fortress.

The cook emerged from the infirmary then, an empty plate. He had stopped in his tracks in front of Zoro. The cook's muscle's visibly tensed as his face became very pale, almost sickly in color.

"I'm sorry," the cook said and went to turn quickly to get away, only to trip over Chopper who had been on his way to check on Usopp. "I didn't see you," the cook said as he held the plate tightly to his chest. "When I went in there to get the plate, Usopp was sound asleep."

The cook was about a foot away from where Zoro was standing and Zoro was completely aware of every motion of the cook. He had a strong smell of cigarette's and his favorite cologne. Without realizing it, he had taken a step towards the cook, now only separated by the small reindeer that was apologizing to the cook for tripping him.

"It's alright," the cook reached out and gently moved the reindeer aside, his other hand clutching the white, porcelain plate to his chest like a shield.

The cook's shoulder bumped against Zoro's as he tried to walk past. An urge to embrace the cook caused a shudder to go through Zoro's body as he fought it. He meant to look in another direction, but some unseen force caused his eyes to lock with the cook's once more.

Everything around them vanished, the only thing that mattered was those blue eyes that had seem to have lost that spark of life they had the day before.

Do you think you can make grilled butter miso corn for dinner?"

Luffy's voice broke the spell Zoro had fallen under allowing the swordsman to take a step back.

Chopper glanced from one person to the next before going into the infirmary as Nami scolded Luffy. Zoro could still feel his heart pounding in his chest.

Zoro spun around and made his way to the back of the ship in an attempt to distance himself from everyone. Yes he felt bad for the cook, but that didn't mean that Zoro had to let his guard down for the cook.

It was too dangerous to care, and today was just another reminder of that.