Chapter 3

The green area of thick vegetation and branches emanated the heat alongside with heavy humidity. The three figures had trudged in the heart of the forest where the only sounds were the loud cries of different species that seemed foreign at the time. The cook wiped his brow as he took a small swig of the canister that hung from a thin rope of his neck. He checked to see if Lily-san was doing all right. Was she tired? Did she need any help with her luggage? Sanji worried that she might overwork herself.

"Ah Lily-san, do you need any help?" he suggested with concern in his tone.

"Thank you Sanji-san, but I can manage" she appreciated the offered help, but she felt bad if she presented herself as a burden to two men when she had already asked them to do her a favor.

"Just ask if you need someone to carry your bags" the cook smiled then turned to the other individual who remained silent the whole time. Was he concentrating? What for? Not getting lost?

The very thought was ridicoulous. It seemed like useless effort for something so simple, but apparently this was some sort of a challenge for him. Sanji was about to tease the troubled man, but before anything was said the green haired had spoke first.

"So what's at the mountain?" He kept his eyes focused on the heels of the two in front of him.

"Oh umm…there's something that's really important for me to get. Well, it's important for someone else," she let her words fumble awkwardly," and the reason why I can't go by myself is that I can only get this certain 'object.' There are a lot people who have attempted to kidnap me to get to this," She gave a small lift of the hand to toward the direction of the mountain.

"That's why I have to avoid that at all costs…I won't be able to save anyone if I get captured"

Zoro didn't ask who she was planning to save. Although, it seemed very suspicious to him, he didn't need to know any more personal information about the girl. What she had said was more than enough. There was only one motive to accomplish. He nodded back to her and continued his the same routine—quietly walking behind the two.

The girl took a deep breath as she shifted the weight of the backpack.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't keep any secrets from you too, especially since you're the ones who're risking your lives to protect me. The truth is that I'm actually a princess of a nearby island…"

"A p-princess?" Sanji stuttered as he gave a startled smile. Out of all people how lucky was he to have met such an elegant lady who happened to be part of royalty. He considered it as a great honor. The swordsman looked up with much indifference. This gave Sanji an annoying pang. How could he keep the same composure in front of a princess? Well this is the same man who treats men and women all the same. So there wasn't any expectations given.

"Yes," Lily continued, "and I'm in the search of something that lies within the mountain. To be more specific, it's water. A special kind of water that heals,"

Zoro's head tilted to the side as he gave a questioned look.

"You don't have to believe if you don't, but I have to get there no matter what. Where I'm from my village is suffering from a fatal disease, this also includes my father, the king of the island."

One would think that this situation would bring the person to tears. Probably break down and start sobbing into delicate hands. However, that wasn't what the two ship mates had seen. The very same dull grey eyes seem to have ignited into flames. They weren't angry. Not at all, but something different. It was softer, yet powerful to the extent. And, with the same look she held, the young princess looked into the faded image of a mountain and she kept her eyes focused and intense.

"And, as the Princess of Teidon, I have sworn to protect my people at all costs," He hands curled into tight fights as she quickened a steady pace through the jungle. And, that very moment both the swordsman and cook gave a silent smile that they kept to themselves. Perhaps it was admiration or respect, but they had definitely not regretted in helping this determined woman in her goals.

Suddenly, the pressure of the air intensified as the two pirates felt slight vibrations from the earth. A low pounding quickened and neared the group as the Sanji and Zoro cautiously prepared taking guard in front of Lily, and soon the footsteps stopped abruptly.

A low growl and the sounds of scratches to the dirt floor was heard, then a large beast pounced towards the group in one forceful movement. A large panther of some sort bared its fangs as its claws were aimed at the people. His fur was a gray wash that was standing on its end, and the eyes were wild with bloodlust. The animal was at least the size of house, and to think that they had inhibited this jungle was incomprehensible.

Lily gasped as she brought her hands cupped to her mouth. She wanted to scream and yell, and run as fast as she could from the monster that was towering above her. But, her legs failed to listen as she stood frozen, stuck to the ground as if her feet were bolted to the surface of the crust.

"Stand back" the swordsman drew his sword out of its sheath and held it carefully with an iron grip, "We probably walked right into this cat's territory…and he's pissed" he gave a quick grin before the blade then faced toward the panther's direction with a metal gleam. Zoro could feel shushui's own craving for bloodshed; he could almost feel the sword shaking in his grasp. The sword was truly a beauty, but at the same time it was the most dangerous out of the three. Sleek and flawless, yet cold and merciless. He kept his eye locked onto the lunging predator as he immediately transitioned the position of his sword. With one swift movement gathering all his strength into the single blade, his legs seemed to blur along with the swing as he let the sword glide across the air and finally come in contact with the fur of the beast. And almost instantly, the swordsman was on the other side of the area while the giant panther landed on its feet in a still stance. Suddenly, the animal cried loudly giving powerful vibrations to the atmosphere and toppled onto the ground with a giant thud letting the dust fly and finally settles in a cloud of light brown. Zoro still had his sword out in the swung position and relaxed his muscles as he stood straight—sliding back shushui into its sheath. Unusally, there was no blood on the sword.

Lily stood gawking at the sight and looked up to the cook for his reaction. She was furthered into astonishment when she saw that the blonde's expression was calm. Sanji was obviously used to this kind of ordeal. He learned the crazed lifestyle of the Strawhats the moment he joined. Monsters and beasts weren't something that he wanted to come across a regular basis, but eventually the encounters of extreme conditions became more of the norm if that was even possible.

"Hey cook," Zoro walked back across the two with a lazy expression as he pointed to the fallen animal, "Do you think you could make something we can eat out of that?"

"You really asking that to a high class chef?" Sanji scoffed as he quickly lit a cigarette, "piece of cake," he blew a fog of smoke.