"Hmmm, no. I don't think so." Zulu said unamused at the tiny island they were passing by. It had been weeks now and Zulu had yet to find a suitable island he was willing to depart on. He did his best to help out on the crew, to not be a burden, cleaning, laundry, waking up stubborn sleepers. He was turning into quite the little quarter master, and feeling like an overworked nanny. He was disturbed by the ease at which he fell back into taking care of others, and the joy it brought him.

"Oh come on, no place is going to be Goodenough for you is it!?" Sanji snarked at him. it had been a ruff past few weeks for him, constantly being thrown off by Zulu's graceful appearance only to be crushed with reality again once he remembered the beauty in front of his was man and not woman.

"YOU abducted ME! I reserve the right to be picky about where you drop me off" Zulu retorted with sticking his tongue out. He didn't know why but there was something about the ships cook that had him acting immature.

"At this point you might as well stay" Zoro grumbled by his feet where the swordsman had been napping. Zulu only rolled his eyes and huffed. "I'm not kidding, Luffy wouldn't shut up about you last night" He yawned out, "and Nami appreciates the tidying up, don't be shocked if your asked soon."

"Well, he wouldn't HAVE to stay if SOMEPEOPLE did their own cleaning, moss head!"

Zoro's eyes narrowed as he looked over to face Sanji. "What's the matter with you?" he growled.

Sanji glared down at Zoro. "I'm just trying to protect the crew from this" and he jabbed a thumb in Zulu's direction, "weirdness."

Zulu bristled at the insult. "I'm not weird," he said, his voice tight with anger. "I'm just different. and if you can't accept that, then that's your problem, not mine."

Zoro rolled his eyes "Yeah, You're the one with the weird obsession with women. At least Zulu is just being himself."

Sanji scowled at Zoro. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means that when Nami or Robin walk around on deck in nothing but their Bathing suits you won't stop drooling over them, but if Zulu so much as puts on a pair of booty shorts you lose your cool."

Zoro's bluntness was enough to force Sanji to look away, showing a tiny bit of shame.

"Zulu helped us out when he didn't have to, the least you can do is show him some respect."

Sanji pouted. "It's not that simple," he muttered.

"Yes, it is," Zoro interjected standing up.

He placed a hand one of Zulu's shoulders and pushed him, forcing him to walk away. As they made their way back into the hull of the ship Sanji seethed with anger. He couldn't believe that Zoro was taking Zulu's side over his own. He knew he wasn't being fair to Zulu, but he couldn't separate his feelings for the man from what he had experienced on Momoiro Island. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to his feeling about Zulu, and it frustrated him to no end.

Meanwhile, Zulu couldn't help but feel hurt by Sanji's words. He knew that he was the only cross dresser on the ship, but he didn't think that made him weird. It's not like Franky was forced to put on pants or Chopper wear a shirt, he didn't understand why he would be any different. He had come to accept himself for who he was, but it seemed like some people would never be able to do the same, even after weeks traveling together.

It wasn't until the next evening that Zulu was approached by the Captain of the Straw Hats. "Yosh! Hey Zulu! You like my ship right?

"Yes, Luffy, The sunny is a beautiful ship."

"And you like my crew right!?"

"I suppose" Zulu chuckled, trying not to think of Sanji at the moment.

"And you won't get off on any Island we pass by."

"Well," Zulu blushed "I'd have to begin all over again. I just want to make sure the place is right I suppose."

"So you don't have anyone waiting on you to get home?"

Zulu felt a tinge of pain in his heart at those words, but there was no way for the captain to know what he had lost.

"No,"

"Good! Then stay! Nami already says you've been a really great help. You can leave whenever you want, but why not just stay here for a bit until you want to go."

Zulu thought for a moment. It was true that he had become reluctant to leave the Sunny and the people he had gotten to know on board. It wasn't like he was needed anywhere, anymore anyways.

"Sure why not, Captain" and Zulu smiled.