Author's Note: Thank you for all the reviews, follows, and favorites :D You have inspired and motivated me so much that I updated much faster than I anticipated~ *bows*

Tangled

Chapter 2: A Confrontation and a Trap

"Look, dartboard brow, just hand me another fucking bag." Zoro's eyes narrowed into slits. "Because it looks like you can't handle it."

The blond cook's eyebrow twitched as he glared at the insolent swordsman. Ah, the things he wanted to say. Instead of replying, though, he held his tongue and shifted the weight of the bags around in hopes of making it more comfortable for himself. It failed. He tried not to grimace as the numerous straps dug into the skin of his hands.

Sanji hadn't found all of the ingredients he needed, but both his and Zoro's hands were already filled with massive bags of food. They had no choice but to return to the ship and go for a second round, despite the fact that it was getting fairly late. 3 o'clock and they hadn't eaten anything yet. It was a good thing for the food that it wasn't very hot or humid on this island.

"Like I trust you with any more food than you already have, marimo. What if you get lost with all the groceries? I'm perfectly fine," Sanji retorted, embarrassed that he was slightly out of breath. He had taken the heaviest bags on purpose, after all. Zoro might be as stubborn as an ass and insist on carrying the food, but Sanji refused to let him overwork himself when he still wasn't fully healed.

He sighed. "It's the cook's job anyway. It's a shame I need help in the first place."

He expected Zoro to say something snarky like he always did. To Sanji's surprise, however, Zoro said nothing in response as they approached the ship slowly, trying to accommodate for Zoro's somewhat slower-than-usual speed. An uncomfortable tension settled between them again.

Why was Zoro so quiet today? It was true that he was usually a man of few words, but…

Ah, dammit, I want to smoke.

His cigarette had died out some minutes ago, but his hands were too occupied to do anything but lug around the food.

They climbed their way back on to the ship and when Sanji laid eyes on Franky, he yelled out a quick hello.

It seemed like the crew's blue-haired shipwright was busy with repairs when he caught sight of the two men.

"OW~ How is it going?" Franky said loudly, as usual, standing up straight. He had several tools in each hand, and a faint sheen of sweat was visible across his forehead. "You're back early."

"We have to go again," Sanji replied, shrugging. "How about you?"

"Nothing much. I'm almost done," Franky said, wiping his sweat. "Oh, by the way, could you possibly make me something really simple before you go? I didn't get to eat anything and I haven't seen anyone else so far."

Sanji nodded. "We didn't eat either, but here you go for now. I'll get started on a late lunch."

Letting down the groceries momentarily, he fished around for a bottle of cola and tossed it at Franky. The cyborg caught it easily, popping it open and chugging it down. Sanji grinned despite himself and threw three more at him. Franky immediately replaced the nearly empty bottles in his system and went through the usual dance routine, eventually putting his hands and arms together to create a star.

"Kyaa…thanks, curly cook bro~ I really needed that. But wasn't it Usopp and Brook's job to get it? At least, that's what I thought I heard Nee-chan say."

Sanji tried not to be irritated at the nickname (himself and Nami-swan both) and answered, "I figured they're only getting the barrels for the ship, so I bought the bottles."

He didn't fully hear Franky's reply as he entered the kitchen and set down all the bags. He stared at the ingredients for a little, wondering what to make, when a certain minty green-haired swordsman shuffled in, leaning against the doorway. Sanji tried not to notice how Zoro seemed to breathe a little too heavily.

Wordlessly, the swordsman approached the counter, set down the bags haphazardly and left, not even looking at him once.

"Damned marimo, what the hell is your problem?" Sanji mumbled, trying to fight his agitation. Why was he so worried anyway? Zoro was obviously just fine, getting better every day...

He took out the groceries and began organizing the refrigerator, like he had OCD, by required temperature, shelf life, and food groups.

If he wasn't acting the way he usually did, it didn't seem like Zoro was either. Grudgingly, he admitted to himself that it would help him stay sane if Zoro just pretended he didn't notice anything. But it was clear that Zoro was more sensitive to Sanji's situation than he let on.

He snorted derisively. Like Zoro would care that much...

Sanji was about to close the refrigerator, having arranged the groceries to perfection, when he suddenly stiffened, words suddenly beginning to ring inside his head.

"You just can't compare to someone like Luffy…What can you protect?"

"You can't relate to our experiences. Have you ever lost anyone close to you? No. How would you know how it feels?"

"You don't belong in this crew. We don't need you."

You should have been the one to sacrifice yourself…then they would finally care about you…once you were dead and gone…At least you would have been some use to them...prove yourself a nakama...

A sudden, shooting pain in his hand snapped him out of his trance-like state and he let out a shout before he could stop himself.

"Shit! Pay attention to what you're doing, you idiot," Sanji muttered to himself. In his frustration, he had slammed the refrigerator door – stainless steel and all – on his hand so hard that the heavy door had bounced off three times. Maybe he had sprained a few fingers. He shivered, cold sweat dampening his brow, the pain not really registering despite his reflexive shouting.

He was going fucking crazy. He had never been like this before. While he hadn't been a particularly happy-go-lucky kind of person to begin with, nightmares and shit had never bothered him so much.

All because of the incident at Thriller Bark…

I should go talk to Chopper. Antidepressants, narcotics, something.

Brushing his rather morbid thoughts aside, he clutched at his hand to check for broken fingers when-

"What's wrong?" Zoro seemed to have materialized out of thin air as he appeared right by his side. Sanji, startled, tripped over his own feet and slammed his hands down against the sink for balance, only to feel that excruciating pain again. His teeth clamped down on his lip so hard he could taste blood. At least this time, he didn't let out that humiliating scream. Zoro leaned in closer and Sanji instinctively took a step back, feeling cornered.

"Ha…sorry, marimo. It's n-nothing. Did I make you worry?" Sanji said sheepishly, hiding the pain as best as he could, lowering his sleeve and covering his hand. His chin rose mockingly as he tried to look down at Zoro like always. "As you can see, I'm totally and utterly fine. You can go back to whatever moss balls do. It was just…ah…nothing. I'm fine and I'll get started on lunch right away. Are you that hungry? I thought you'd be busy drinking or lifting weights or something. Why are you here? Nothing's wrong. See? I'm totally fine..."

Fuck, he was babbling. Sanji immediately forced himself to stop talking, teeth clamping down so hard that the clack! was audible.

"Oi…" Zoro's voice was surprisingly laced with concern. His eyes roamed over Sanji as if he was trying to see what part of him was broken. "What the hell-"

"Was there a spider?" Franky called from outside the kitchen, interrupting Zoro unknowingly.

Just the word made the hair on the back of the cook's neck rise. You are NOT afraid of a damned spider! He laughed shakily and replied as calmly as he could. "Ah…haha, yeah, that's all it was. Sorry to bother you. I…uh…I smashed it with…uh…my hand. And it was…disgusting."

"It's no problem." Franky's voice boomed, carrying from the outside. "So long as you're okay, bro."

Sanji felt his face growing hot as he heard Franky's subsequent laughter. "Shut up, Franky!"

"You're very cute, curly cook," Franky shouted back, guffawing. "Like a little girl-"

"SHUT UP!" Sanji yelled, fuming. He began massaging his temples with his right-hand fingers. Stupid cyborg.

"Are you really okay?"

He turned to face Zoro, who was only a few inches away from him. The marimo's brows were knit together into a frown and Sanji felt his anger somehow dissipate. He mumbled, "Kind of you to be concerned, moss head. It's really nothing. I was just being stupid. I'll have lunch ready in a few minutes."

"I don't care about the damned lunch-"

"Look, I'm fine, alright?" Sanji snapped, feeling his face turn red. "It's just a sp-spider. Just...leave."

It was humiliating how much he hated any sort of bug or insect. He didn't want to use it as the excuse, but what choice did he have? His fists clenched reflexively, only for him to twitch in pain as he kept forgetting the condition that his left hand was in.

"I'll get going then," Zoro finally said in a quiet voice. He walked towards the door when he stilled. "You know…it's not embarrassing to have a fear…"

The blond's eyes widened as he heard the last word.

Sanji.

"What?" Sanji asked, stunned. But once again, Zoro was nowhere in sight. Damn him for disappearing every time.

Had that idiot marimo really called him by his name? It couldn't possibly be. That could never happen…right? He must be hearing things. Besides, Zoro could only say that because he didn't fear anything. And for that matter, neither did Luffy. Which meant, once again, he was the odd one out.

Dammit, he felt ridiculous.

"Nothing is scary about a s-spider," Sanji said under his breath, hating that he still stuttered over the word. He turned his attention back to the matter at hand, lunch. Ignoring his now throbbing and pulsing left hand, he took inventory mentally, trying not to get distracted anymore.

Bell peppers, mushrooms, potatoes, zucchinis, onions, carrots, eggs, etc…he supposed he could make omorice*. Simple. Fast.

Having made up his mind, he rolled up his right sleeve only to find out that he was clumsy due to his rapidly swelling fingers.

"Look at you, ruining your hands just because you can't sort out your thoughts," Sanji muttered to himself. "You're a cook. Hands are damned precious…"

Quickly chopping up the vegetables, he fried them, mixed in some separately cooked rice, sprinkled pepper and soy sauce, and poured out the rice into 3 plates within 30 minutes, managing to distract himself enough from wallowing in self-pity. He slid a cooked egg on top of each serving and stuck a spoon in every plate. Not so bad for someone who only used one hand.

Balancing two plates on the crook of his left arm and holding one in his right hand, he pushed the door open with his rear end and called out, "Lunch's ready!"

"SUPER!" Franky responded immediately, taking a swig of cola. "Thanks."

Sanji looked around, surprised that he wasn't able to see the familiar green head. He offered Franky a plate from his arm, trying to avoid using his left hand while simultaneously trying to hide it with his rolled down sleeve. Casually, he asked, "Where's the marimo?"

"Weights." Franky barely managed to get out as he scarfed down the food. He noticed nothing. "Delicious. Thanks."

The blond nodded absentmindedly and went up to the meditation room where Zoro had set up his personal training room. Seeing that the door was closed, Sanji knocked once with his shoe, only to have the marimo open the door for him right away.

"Nice of you to become disgusting when we have to go back to the town," Sanji said, voice filled with scorn. That sounds more normal. Just…bicker. That's how it is. "Do you want to smell like shit?"

At the lack of response, Sanji blinked. Maybe his attempt to forget that the whole shouting incident happened was a failure. Strangely, it didn't seem like Zoro had trained at all for the last half hour. There was none of the usual sweat or the panting that accompanied his extreme workouts.

Just then, Zoro's eyes met his with a gaze so intense that Sanji was forced to look away. He could still feel the black stare burning holes through his forehead as he quickly pretended to be very interested in his shoes. What the hell?

"Lunch," Sanji mumbled, thrusting the plate out, still not able to lift his gaze. "After we eat, we're going right away, you know. Didn't buy any seafood and all…"

Zoro was silent. The tension was almost tangible in the awkward atmosphere.

"Oi, do you plan on acting really acting like a moss ball?" Sanji said impatiently, finally looking up in irritation. "Just eat. Don't worry about-"

"I wonder if you're okay."

"What do you mean?" Sanji asked nonchalantly, the sudden statement catching him off guard. "I don't know what you're talking about-"

"Why are you lying to me?"

Zoro's voice was so surprisingly gentle that Sanji nearly dropped the plate. He began to protest but gave up after seeing the serious expression on the swordsman's face. Did something happen to the moss head's brain at Thriller Bark?

Throughout the day as they shopped, Zoro had been acting almost…kind. Which was bizarre, considering how they were the biggest rivals in the history of all rivalries.

Sanji exhaled loudly, fighting the urge to pull out a cigarette. Table manners and all that. He began fidgeting with his spoon instead. "Well, it's pretty humiliating. Why do you even want to know, shitty marimo? I…I slammed the refrigerator door on my hand. It's not serious, so just forget about it-"

Zoro interrupted him again by taking both the plates and sitting down cross-legged on the floor. "Sit."

"Don't order me around," Sanji mumbled before taking a seat, feelings his face turn red. Why did the idiot have to be so damned perceptive? "What do you want?"

"To eat with you," Zoro said simply, handing back a plate. Sanji took it, a blank expression on his face.

What the hell…what the hell? One moment he's forcing me to tell him everything and the next second he acts like nothing happened!

Sanji's eyes widened as Zoro's words finally sank in. He…he wants to eat with me?

Perplexed, a bit irritated, and strangely happy, Sanji rested the plate on his knee, taking care to hide his left hand, as he picked up a spoonful of his lunch and took a bite tentatively. He watched Zoro eat and nearly choked when Zoro's eyes met his again.

I'm really not…eating by myself this time…

"You looked…upset this morning. I thought maybe I had pushed it too far," Zoro murmured, scooping up some of the rice. "I guess I should have…"

Sanji blinked in confusion, not quite comprehending where Zoro was going with this. "Wait, what?"

"Just…" Zoro grunted, choosing to eat instead. Another silence filled the room, and Sanji forced himself to remain calm, tamping down his exasperation. He saw the swordsman swallow and waited.

"Never mind."

"Argh, you stupid hunk of muscle," Sanji groaned in frustration. "Way to leave me hanging. Not that I really want to know that much about what you have to say anyway."

"I thought you were mad at me," Zoro said simply. "Not just the arguing kind of mad. I mean, really mad. And all day, you've been acting strange."

"Didn't know you cared," Sanji immediately retorted, voice hollow. He laughed humorlessly. Dammit, I shouldn't have said that, not in that way…

Zoro continued to eat as if Sanji hadn't spoken at all, looking calm and unaffected. "How's your hand?"

Sanji shrugged and took a few more bites himself. Only the clinking sound of a utensil hitting a plate could be heard as they focused on their own respective meals.

"Thanks for the food," Zoro murmured as he set the empty plate down. Sanji's jaw dropped as he realized that that not only had Zoro eaten the food without a single sarcastic remark, he was actually behaving politely. What do I say to that? He must be asking for truce.

"Now let me see your hand." Zoro had set the plate down on the floor to lean towards him, trying to reach for his hand.

"Dumbass, I told you I was fine," Sanji scolded, swatting Zoro away with his right hand. "Does nothing go through your green, mossy brain?"

"What did you say, ero-cook?"

"You know I'm right." Sanji smirked.

"You wanna go?" Zoro asked in a menacing tone that did nothing to scare the cook in the slightest.

"After I eat," Sanji chuckled, taking another bite. "Food takes priority, as you well know."

"Excuses, excuses," Zoro muttered. "Prince of Dumbass Kingdom."

Sanji's eyebrow twitched. "You worthless lump of a human being…"

"Bring it on."

I'm glad things feel normal again. Thanks, stupid marimo.

"You asked for it." Sanji immediately sent a kick flying into Zoro's side, only to realize that Zoro had blocked it easily with his katana.

"Is that all you've got?" Zoro grinned, unsheathing his katana and slashing at him. "Weakling."

Sanji froze as his insult triggered the voices which started ringing in his head again. Unable to block the attack, the dull side of the blade dug into Sanji's left leg, and he grunted.

"Oi..."

"Ha...you happy that I let you have one on me?" Sanji grinned, not minding the pain. "Is that all you've got?"

[~ * ~]

Less than a mile away…

"I'm not very happy. Why is that?"

A woman draped herself across her luxurious chaise. With waist-length, violet, wavy hair and a body to rival Boa Hancock, the woman carried herself proudly and authoritatively. Her likewise purple eyes were framed by long eyelashes that flickered as she blinked slowly. She wore no outer garments and looked perfectly at ease.

The dimly lit room only served to accentuate the stunning curves and features of the woman as she tried to relax.

"But, of course, I know the answer. My collection is incomplete. And therefore, I am not happy," the woman said, her melodious voice almost robotic.

"Trafalgar Law. Eustass Kidd. X Drake. Killer. Basil Hawkins...to mention a very few. Are you tired of them all already?" The androgynous voice belonged to a hooded figure that spoke quietly and remained motionless on a hard wooden chair across the beauty. None of the person's features were visible and a menacing aura seemed to permeate through the air from the individual. The stark contrast between the two people only served to emphasize the incredible beauty of the purple-haired woman and the strangeness of the other.

"Well, I'll admit they were all very fun…but Law is boring and Lucci's too quiet. Kidd was the undoubtedly the most fun but he's useless without metal surroundings, poor boy. In general, though, I want one without a Devil's Fruit ability." Her voice was clear and soft compared to her cold, emotionless eyes. "After all, you destroy them too easily. Devil's Fruit users are easily broken. They have no fight left in them if they can't use their abilities. And that is very, very dull."

"Only at your command, Hideko. I can't help it if I can't control myself all that well."

The tinkling laughter echoed throughout the room. "I need to put their collars on. You know that as well as I do. How could I possibly do that when they just won't listen to me?"

"What did you do this time?"

"Nothing much." The woman named Hideko giggled. "I want this to be perfect, you see."

Just then, a knock at the door interrupted their conversation. A man peeped his head in and mumbled, "Excuse me."

"I'm assuming it's very important," Hideko snapped, teeth bared in a snarl, eyes flashing with irritation. Her face contorted so suddenly into an expression of hatred that the man rammed his head back into the wall in surprise.

"Ma'am, Roronoa Zoro has been sighted again. He's with none of the other Straw Hats and is accompanied by a single man. Their meeting time is after dinner, with no specific hour mentioned-"

"When does the sun set tonight?" Hideko interrupted softly. "An estimate?"

"Today was a relatively clear day, so anywhere between 7 and 8-"

"That's not good..." she said, cutting the man off again. "And right now is...?"

"Half past 5, ma'am."

"Well, let's go then. Corner the two of them into the forest. And the other Straw Hats...bring them back to their ship."

[~ * ~]

At one end of town...

"NAMI!"

Luffy stretched out an arm, barely able to grab hold of her waist. He ignored the surprised gasps and expressions of passerby and enemy both, managing to bring her back to his side. He had already become used to people gawking at his strange Devil's Fruit ability.

The civilians had all decided to run away or hide, which just made things easier for the two Straw Hats, as they stood back to back.

"What the hell is going on?" Nami yanked out her Perfect Clima-Tact, refusing to let go of the things they had bought today.

They were facing an army of about 50 men, all stronger than the Marine average. Bloodthirsty, dirty, and rather appalling, the men looked like they were in poor shape. Except that they were actually powerful. Luffy had only managed to injure about half of them in his successful attempt to get Nami back.

"Nami, should we fight or return to the ship?" Luffy asked, glancing left and right as if he was measuring up the men.

"Let's go back to the Sunny. We have too much stuff with us. Besides, I bet Franky's itching to do something too," Nami said, panting for breath as the adrenaline rush left her breathless. One of those said men had grabbed her and tried to run.

"Yosh." Wrapping an arm around her and stretching one to the top of a building, Luffy swung himself upwards with a "Gomu Gomu no Rocket!"

The men below tried to follow him as he went hopping from one building to the next. Luffy let out a peal of laughter as Nami hit him on the head.

"This isn't funny!" Nami hissed.

"No...I'm just excited," Luffy responded, taking another leap and landing softly. "And here I thought it was just a quiet, peaceful town."

When they finally arrived at the Thousand Sunny, a ferocious battle was already taking place on the shore. Franky, Usopp, Brook, Chopper, and Robin were all fighting the same type of men that Luffy and Nami had brought along with them, defending their ship. So far, nothing had happened to their precious Sunny.

"Oi, everybody! What's going on?" Luffy shouted. A chorus of voices answered him.

"We don't know- STRONG RIGHT!"

"They just started attacking us- Kokutei Roseo!"

"-followed us here- Clutch!"

"Put your stuff away- Hi no Tori Boshi!"

"-and fight! YOHOHOHO!"

Nami was set down and she raced towards the cabin to put her precious, newly bought belongings away before joining the melee. Their boyish captain was already busy with a "Gomu Gomu no Muchi!"

It became painfully obvious that certain crew members were not with them. Nami found herself wondering where the perverted cook and the alcoholic was when they were needed.

"Where's Zoro?" Luffy shouted over the noise of the battle, voicing her concerns.

"I haven't seen him or curly cook since an hour or so ago," Franky responded. "More shopping, or something like that."

"We won't leave without them, right?" Luffy's eyes flashed.

"Of course not. What are you talking about? We'll defend ourselves here just fine!" Nami yelled. "Thunderbolt Tempo!"

[~ * ~]

At the other end of town...

"Oi, is it just me, or is it a little quiet all of a sudden?" Sanji asked quietly, noticing that the townspeople were largely absent.

They had left the ship some time ago to finish up their grocery shopping after fighting for half an hour. Zoro had all but pushed Sanji into a corner to get him to fight back, even though Sanji hadn't wanted to worsen the swordsman's condition. In the end, though, both of them had been out of breath and neither of them had gotten hurt. It was like things were really back to normal, their intense rivalry restored.

But not quite.

"It feels weird," Zoro responded, nodding. His narrowed eyes analyzed the surroundings.

Just then, they caught sight of a person running straight towards them. The man stumbled over his feet only to regain balance in his haste.

"You guys better hide yourselves! Apparently some pirates are having a fight near the forest behind this town!" The man panted for breath. "I saw a young boy with an old straw hat and a girl with orange hair get taken over there..."

"WHAT?" Sanji roared. Nami-swan...

"This town...we've never minded pirates since they rarely attack us. But things are looking vicious there!"

Zoro tensed, his intimidating aura making the man shiver. Sanji shot him a look and Zoro nodded almost imperceptibly, immediately connecting. They had to find their crew right away.

"Thanks for the information. Which way is the way to the forest?" Sanji asked.

"Why do you want to go there?" the man asked, genuinely puzzled. "Go hide yourselves-"

"We like fighting," Sanji lied quickly. Shrugging, the man pointed to the right and Sanji thanked him.

They ran in the direction that they were told to, arriving at the entrance of the massive, dark forest.

Silence.

"Is this the right forest?" Sanji muttered, wondering if that man had just been lying to them. "I bet this is some sick joke-"

"No. You're definitely at the right place."

It was undoubtedly a woman's voice...

[~ * ~]

*omorice = omelette + rice; the vegetables and stuff Sanji uses is based on how I usually make it :D

Author's Note: Well, it appears as though the first several chapters will be a little less on the romantic side until the "unexpected consequence" happens, so I'm sorry if you wanted the romance right away! ^3^ Hideko and the androgynous character are OC's but they are essential only to the storyline. No OC pairings or anything like that. Also, I know that this story's is mainly in Sanji's perspective so far but don't worry, Zoro will get his turn!

Anyways, stay tuned, everyone. Please leave reviews, comments, questions, concerns, etc. because each and every one of them is like receiving a present~