Chapter 09
How Soon is Now?
(The Smiths)
It had taken them less than three hours to board Kureha's ship which had been docked in the harbor of a village on the other side of the island. They had made a quick stop at said village to stock up on supplies which Kureha had paid for since none of them had enough beri, save from Nami. The cheapskate navigator had hidden her stash of money in her bra, a place she found perfect for keeping things well hidden from the rest. And while she laid basking in the warm sun up on deck, she smiled triumphantly to herself, more than pleased with how she managed to get away with almost anything.
Chopper was scurrying about below deck in a room Kureha had seemed to use as the sick bay. A few bottles of potions, which were dusty from age, rested on top of one of the wooden shelves adorning one of the walls. He had yet to check their contents as he was busy unpacking his rucksack and going through the drawers while trying to organize everything in the small but essential room. A rounded window, located above a fold-down bed, allowed enough light into the room for the doctor to see clearly as he rummaged through his and Kureha's old things. He felt sad he had to leave his master behind, but excited nonetheless to go on a journey of his own. While he was still wary of most of the Strawhat pirates, he felt relief that the pink-haired woman he had befriended was there as well.
Dr. Kureha had told him about Sakura's unusual situation and apprenticeship under her, and when finding out about her status as a ninja, he had been scared at first, but quickly overcame his fear. He had been ordered to continue teach and supervise the pinkette, and the faith Kureha had embodied in him made his humanized reindeer heart swell with pride.
Sanji had taken it upon himself to prepare lunch for the hungry travelers and was standing by the stove in a humble but well-planned kitchen. The kitchen had a small working-space, with cabinets containing pots, pans, bowls and whatever else might be needed for cooking, hidden underneath the wooden surface. A set of drawers were located to the right of the cabinets, filled with knifes, spoons, forks and ladles in various sizes. While the selection was on the sparser side, Sanji was pleased to at least have something to work with, and he would make the best out of the situation. If he caught Nami in a good enough mood, perhaps he could ask her to buy them new necessities. He did want to serve them the best, and every chef knew only the best of the best was good enough for that.
There was also a table with seats for four near the corner of the room, which gave the chef enough space to walk around freely when cooking. And in the other corner was a, what he would say, useless refrigerator which barely had any room to store even the essentials. He knew Dr. Kureha had barely used the ship since most of her patients came to her on the island, but not investing in a fridge was unforgivable. Maybe he should bring that to Nami's attention as well?
The kitchen had two windows, one directly to the right of the entrance whilst the other was located above the sink and the workspace. As Sanji went to cut some more vegetables for the stew he was making, he glanced out the window, having full view of the deck below. They all seemed to be relaxing in the warm rays of the sun. He hummed in contentment. It felt good being back on the sea.
Usopp was laying in one of the solid beds in the men's sleeping quarters, still all bandaged up and trying to recover from his broken leg. The room had another identical bed as well and a cot hanging from the ceiling. An old, worn out recliner was seated in the faraway corner with a modest, yet useful chest of drawers next to it. The four males had each gotten their own drawer for their personal belongings, but hadn't bothered putting it to use just yet.
Even though the sniper was trying to relax, his mind worked in a fast pace, trying to come up with a better, more effective way to use his slingshot if they were to get attacked again. He was always inventing new things on the Going Merry and he had no plans of stopping that trait. Nami had requested some sort of weapon since she felt useless in battles, and while he knew that feeling very well, he had yet to come up with something that would suit the navigator.
Luffy was perched up on the roof of the kitchen, grinning joyously while loving both the view of the blue ocean as well as the soft breezes that would occasionally ruffle the strands of hair which had escaped his straw hat. He was beyond happy. Not only had he been given a new ship, he had also gained two more nakama. One of which was a doctor and the other aspiring to be one.
He glanced down to his right where he could see the pinkette leaning over the railing, watching the blue water. He had promised the old woman he would keep her safe, but not knowing from what or whom made it a bit difficult. Why was anyone after a doctor-to-be in the first place? Did she have some hidden powers he had yet to find out about? He would have to ask her that later. Smiling to himself, he placed the palms of his hands on top of his knees and peered out over the clear, blue ocean. What new adventures laid waiting for him beyond the horizon? He could hardly wait until he found out.
Sakura was lost in thoughts as she stood on deck with her elbows resting against the railing, chin stuffed lazily in the palm of her hands. The warmth of the sun enveloped her in a warm hug, a much needed contrast to the harsh weather on Drum Island. While her stay on the island had been short, she had still managed to learn a few new tips and tricks which she would put to use once she was back home.
Home. The thought of home left a bitter taste in her mouth. She had royally screwed this mission up. Not only had she failed to raise her medical-skills and gain as much knowledge as possible. She had even managed to break one of the few rules Tsunade had set for her before leaving: Do not use chakra. She had done it out of instinct at first, as a last resort to heal the man she was now falling for. The ninja hadn't thought too much about it at first, not understanding the dangers it could cause her, and look where that had brought her. She was on a ship with pirates, unable to continue her tutoring under Dr. Kureha because someone had found out about her abilities and was now after her. This Dr. Vegapunk, as he was called, was supposedly very dangerous and someone she did not want to meet. His title as scientist made her mind go directly to Tsunade's old team mate, Orochimaru, the man Sasuke had gone to in order to get stronger. If this Dr. Vegapunk was anything like the traitorous snake-master, she wanted nothing to do with him. Nothing at all.
Sighing in frustration, she shifted her posture a bit. The sun was too warm. She had yet to change into something more sun-friendly since she was still wearing the slacks from Drum Island. The water looked too tempting to resist and she was dying for a bath. They were traveling at a slow speed, one she could definitely keep up with. Giving one last glance around the deck, she flung her shirt off and tossed it to the side before sliding her pants down as well. She climbed over the railing, leaned a bit over the edge of the ship before diving gracefully into the cold water.
Zoro was seated on deck, currently sleeping with his back resting against the mast and with his hands folded behind his head. His three signature swords were within arms reach, ready to be drawn if he was to sense any danger towards the crew. His chest heaved and fell when he breathed, slowly and steadily, up and down, until his idiot captain started yelling out the names of his attacks.
The moss-haired male opened one eye to see what the ruckus was about and quickly snatched two swords into his hands as he bolted upright. A sea king had risen from the water, its massive head hovering partly over their ship. One of Luffy's arms were stretched out and wrapped around the monster's neck and as he flung himself at the gigantic fish with the intent to beat it to death, Zoro took a moment to glance around the deck. Nami was standing near the kitchen's entrance with a horrified expression on her face. The cook had climbed up on the roof of the kitchen and was yelling at Luffy for being too careless and stubbornly telling the rubberman that he would not jump in and save him if he were to fall into the water. Turning his head, he saw Usopp's curly-haired head peek worriedly up from one the hatches to the lower deck, and when the swordsman turned back around, he saw the clothed behind of the reindeer as he dumbly tried to hide himself by looking in the other direction of the threat. Everyone was present except the one person he was trying to find.
An unsettling feeling surged to life deep within his gut. Where was Sakura? He strode up to the railing and peeked over the edge of the ship while his captain called out Gomu Gomu no Pistol Shot and repeatedly hit the sea king with his fists. The monster-fish dove back into the water which caused Luffy to fall into the ocean as well.
"Goddammit!" Sanji growled from his position on the kitchen's roof and quickly kicked his shoes off while tugging off his shirt simultaneously. He dove into the water to save his captain when the sea king emerged from the blue depths again only a few feet from the two.
Zoro ran across the cleared deck, shouting loudly to gain the monster's attention when two hands suddenly gripped the edge of the ship before the pink-haired woman hoisted herself up, clad in nothing but her underwear.
"Oi! Are you just gonna stand there, shitty swordsman?! You've gotten more useless than before!" Sanji yelled angrily from below the ship as he tried to steer the panicking captain and himself away from the monster-fish.
Zoro gave a quick glance at Sakura to make sure she was alright. She panted heavily, her wet hair clinging to her face, but she seemed to be okay.
Snapping his focus back to the fish, Zoro raised his swords and set one foot on the railing.
"Ittoryu, Hiryu Kaen." he spoke quietly as he jumped from the ship with his full focus on the sea king.
Sakura forced her pink hair out of her face with a trembling hand. 'Where the hell did that humongous fish come from?'
"Sakura-chwan~!" she heard Sanji call from below her, so she turned to glance down the slanted side of the ship. "Could you please send down the ladder."
Looking around, she saw a small metal ring attached to a hatch on deck. She pulled at the ring and found a rope-ladder folded neatly in the small space. She flung it over the edge and made sure it was well attached before giving Sanji thumbs up to let him know it was safe to use.
Sakura grasped onto Luffy's forearms when he was close enough and pulled him up on deck. The Strawhat captain fell forward, hair falling over his eyes as he panted heavily. Sanji came up moments later and quickly sprinted down the deck to get a better view of the useless swordsman. He had learned early on that Zoro rarely joined in on battles unless Luffy either ordered him to or directly asked for help, and the cook would have to have a serious chat with the man about that. While Sanji was not a bad fighter he had been too busy saving the drowning captain to engage in the fight himself. The marimo did have the upper hand though, and when his blades sliced through the thickly skinned sea king, Sanji knew the threat was gone.
Sakura placed a hand on Luffy's back and rubbed it in gentle circle motions. "Are you okay?"
The rubberman took a couple of deep breaths before rolling onto his back, arms spread out on either side of his slender body. "Whew! I thought I was gonna drown." he breathed with a tinge of relief in his voice.
Sakura cocked a brow while staring down at the boy. "You can't swim?"
Luffy turned his head slightly to the side to look her in the eyes. "No. I'm a devil fruit user."
Her brows furrowed in confusion. "I don't understand."
The loud thumping of footsteps found them before Luffy had the time to respond.
"Are you insane?! What the hell were you thinking?!" Nami yelled furiously at the pinkette which caused the ninja to crawl backwards to put some space in between herself and the enraged navigator. Nami went on while pointing an accusative finger at the woman. "Do you have any idea what danger you put me and my crew in?! Just who the hell do you think you are?!"
Sakura stared up at the woman in disbelief. She hadn't known there were fish as big as the summons back home in these waters. She didn't know going for a quick swim would draw their attention to her and the ship.
"I-" she started before Luffy cut her off in a more serious tone than she had heard him use before.
"Nami," he began while standing up. "Keep watch for now."
The redhead sent her captain an angry glare but did as she was told. Zoro climbed up the rope-ladder just in time to see her stomp away, and heaved himself up onto deck.
Sakura bit her lip nervously as she avoided Luffy's eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't know."
"It's alright!" the Strawhat captain replied with the cheerful voice he usually used. "We have strong people on this ship. I'm just glad you're okay!" he laughed cheerfully.
Sakura eyed him for a moment. "Say, Luffy… Why are you a pirate if you can't swim?" she questioned quietly and felt the eyes of the swordsman on her. She ignored him for now. He was probably pissed at her as well for endangering his crew.
Luffy's eyes shifted from her face to look at the horizon behind her. "I'm gonna be the Pirate King. There's no way I'd let some side-effect like this stop me." he finished with a reassuring smile.
She gaped at that. He was so much like Naruto.
"Sanji!" the captain shouted and turned on his sandaled heel, quickly sprinting to the other side of the deck. "I'm hungry! Let's eat!"
"Oi-oi!" she heard the blonde growl. "Ladies first! And we'll eat once it's done."
A lopsided smile clad Sakura's lips before she remembered Zoro was still sitting a few feet from her. She shifted her eyes to his, smile wavering slightly, and readied herself for some more scolding. But it never came.
He moved closer to her, the sheaths of his swords scraping against the wooden deck in the process. His clothes clung to him in their wet state, accentuating his toned muscles beneath the fabric. She let her eyes wander to his hair which laid unusually flat over the top of his head while dripping water down his temples and neck. He looked hot and for whatever weird reason, it made her feel flustered.
"Are you okay?" he questioned.
A light, pink blush tinted her cheeks and she quickly lowered her gaze to look down at her hands. "I'm fine."
"Sakura," he sighed and reached out to grasp her chin, but she turned and looked back at him again before he reached her.
"I'm sorry." she repeated her words from earlier. "I didn't know going for a swim would-" she trailed off when he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. His touch sent a pleasant shiver up and down her spine. She bit her lip again and let her eyes drop from his face to his chest. "I'm sorry for getting you wet."
Zoro watched her for a few moments and found himself unable to really grasp her person. While she could be fierce and threatening one minute, she could be caring and supportive the other. But seeing her like this: submissive and apologetic was rare to him and he wondered what else she hadn't shown him yet.
His mind went back to the short conversation she had with his captain. The way she had questioned Luffy's inability to swim and how she didn't know about the sea kings made it clear to him that she wasn't from around here. So where was she from? Was her heritage the reason they couldn't be together?
Just as he was about to ask, Sanji's voice reached them.
"Lunch!"
Zoro let his eyes wander up her legs and ass when Sakura went to stand up. Her wet, black underwear clung to her body and left little to the imagination. While she wasn't as curvy as Nami, he found he preferred her this way. She was lean, yet toned but not overly so. He narrowed his eyes suddenly as he took in her form in the sheen of the bright sunlight. Something he had completely missed before were the many scars that covered her thighs, back and stomach. While they weren't overly prominent, he could make them out perfectly fine in this light. Where had she gotten those? Who was this woman really?
He realized he had been lingering a bit too long when Sakura suddenly cleared her throat.
"You know, it's not nice to stare." she repeated his line from a few nights ago and smiled when she caught the soft, almost invisible blush that appeared on his cheeks.
She held her hand out for him to take. He took her offer and let her pull him to his feet.
"I wasn't staring." he muttered and stepped closer to her, forcing her back against the wall where he placed his hands on either side of her face, entrapping her.
She smirked at that and slid her hands up under his wet shirt, feeling his muscles rip under her fingertips. "I believe you were." she stated huskily.
She had switched from apologetic to seductive in no time, he noted. Zoro leaned in closer, aiming for her lips, but decided to tease her instead and stopped only inches away. He could feel her breath fanning over his lips while her nails clawed softly at his scarred chest. Her half-lidded eyes narrowed a fraction before she moved forward to close the gap between them, but he wasn't done playing and pulled away once he felt her lips touching his. What role would she take on now? He wondered and smirked again. She would either get pissed or frustrated he guessed and met her annoyed eyes with a lazy but playful stare of his own. He felt his heart skip a beat when her eyes darkened and as she leaned back against the wall with a devious smirk he knew she was up to something.
"Maybe I'll just ask Sanji for a ki-"
A dark growl sounded from his chest as he crashed his lips against hers. While he knew she hadn't been serious, it still bugged him that she would play out the jealousy card. He would have to punish her for that later.
Her hands left their place from under his shirt and wrapped themselves around his neck instead. His tongue lapped at her lips and she immediately opened them to let him have a taste. His hands went to her hips and within a second he lifted her up and felt her wrap her legs around his hips and three swords. He made a quick thrust with his hips against hers and felt her moan into the kiss. God, how he loved that sound.
"Oi! Sanj-"
Zoro immediately let the pinkette down onto the wooden deck and took a step back from her at the sound of Usopp's voice. However, Usopp stood frozen only a few feet away from the two with a horrified expression on his face. It didn't take a genius to know he had seen them during their little make-out session.
"Lunch?" Sakura questioned and walked towards the sniper. "Good. I'm starving."
She bent down to pick up her clothes and quickly threw them on before continuing down the deck.
Zoro glared at the bandaged, long-nosed male and took a step forward. "I will break your crutches if you tell someone."
Usopp threw his hands and crutches up in defeat and shook his head furiously. "I-I-I- I didn't see anything. Nope. Nothing at all." he laughed nervously and stiffened when the swordsman walked past him.
"Good."
"Sakura-chwan~!" Sanji sang as he danced across the kitchen floor to where the ninja was leaning against the the wall with a bowl of stew in her hands. "Was the food satisfying enough for my sweet macaron-chwan today~?"
Her lips quirked upward around the spoon and she gave a soft nod before pulling it out and setting it down in her bowl. "It was very yummy, Sanji-kun." she offered him a smile. "And please stop calling me that. Sakura is just fine."
Sanji stopped his dancing right in front of her, pleased that she liked it. He stepped closer with a more serious look in his eyes. "But Sakura," he began. "Your soft, pink hair, sea-green eyes and sweet porcelain skin resembles the sweetest delicacy in the world way too much. And I'm sure we could find someplace else to work on that… creamy filling." he finished more quietly and twisted a strand of her still damp hair around his finger.
Heat spread in her cheeks at his words while Usopp suddenly choked on his food. Seeing as he was seated next to her at the table, she assumed he had heard the exchange of words.
Sanji turned to the sniper, suddenly aware of his presence. "Oi, bastard! I can't stand idiots who don't offer their seat to a lady." he growled and raised a leg to kick the curly-haired male at the back of his head when Sakura casually stepped in between them, still eating her stew.
"It's alright. He's hurt and I don't mind standing. Refill?" she asked sweetly and held her empty bowl up in front of the cook.
"Right away, macaron-chwan~!"
The pinkette took a calming breath and turned her head towards the door when heavy footsteps suddenly sounded from the staircase outside. Zoro entered seconds later, wearing the dark-green pants he had worn when she had first found him, and a white t-shirt with three buttons at the collar tucked into his green haramaki. The three swords were tightly secured in the green fabric while his right arm rested on top of them. A soft blush appeared on her cheeks as she took in this new look of his. He looked good. Really good.
Sanji came back with Sakura's refilled bowl and handed it to her while shooting Zoro an annoyed look. "The food's on the stove. Help yourself." he muttered before dancing over to where Nami was sitting. "Can I get you anything else, Nami-swan~?"
The navigator pursed her lips at the cook and slid her glass across the table. "Something sweet to drink would be amazing, Sanji-kun." she purred while giving Sakura a dirty look. However, Sakura was too busy ogling Zoro to notice, so the navigator sighed in defeat and straightened her posture.
"O-of course, Nami-swan~!" the flustered cook chimed and danced his way to the counter to make refreshments for the redhead.
Luffy shoved another spoon of stew into his mouth before holding his bowl up in the air. "Sanji! Seconds!"
The cook grumbled from his position near the sink. "You've had five bowls already. Wait your turn, shithead."
Luffy set his bowl on the table, turned to face the kitchen-area and stretched his arm out towards the pot on the stove, intent to get it himself.
"I will poison your next meal if you touch the pot."
Luffy snatched his hand back and rested his chin in the palm of his hands with a pout. "I'm hungry!"
Sakura laughed under her breath. Odd didn't even cover half of the Strawhat Pirates.
"How did you all get together?" she asked and looked at them one by one.
Silence fell over the kitchen. Sakura bit her lip nervously, wondering if she had been too nosy or if their gathering was simply a touchy subject.
"Luffy," Nami started with a sigh. "has a way of stumbling headfirst into adventures, if you can call it that. He and Zoro helped me and my village from a tricky situation and I joined their crew after that."
Luffy nodded in agreement, remembering the adventure as if it happened yesterday. Sakura was stunned Nami had actually decided to share parts of her story first, even though she was given the vague version, and as she locked eyes with the navigator, she offered her a small smile.
"Usopp was the next to join, after we helped fending off the Black Cat Pirates from his village. Their captain was after a girl named Kaya whom had inherited her family's riches, and since she and Usopp were friends, we decided to join in and help with the situation." Nami continued and took the drink Sanji silently offered as to not disturb the story.
"We got the Going Merry from Kaya, but-"
"We lost that ship outside Drum Island." Sanji quietly finished for her in the most serious tone Sakura had heard him use up until now.
Sakura nodded at that. 'So that's why they needed a new ship.'
Nami took another sip of her drink. "Then we met Sanji at the Baratie." she noticed Sakura's confused look. "That's a restaurant at sea. Sanji worked there at the time. The marines came by with a prisoner who Sanji fed which resulted in a fight between them. Then the prisoner's crew showed up and wanted to take over the Baratie because it would be the perfect disguise to lure in and trick other pirates. Everyone's gotta eat, you know?"
"The crew of the Baratie tried fighting them but it was Luffy who saved us all in the end." Sanji added and lit a cigarette.
Sakura nodded again and cowered slightly under the heavy atmosphere that hung over them. "Sounds like you've all been through a lot." She said quietly and turned to the swordsman who was standing beside her, eating his stew. She was reluctant at first, but asked for his story anyway. "What about you? How did you join?"
Zoro stopped his spoon midair and shifted his focus to her before shrugging. "I can't remember."
Luffy lifted his bowl in the air again. "Sanji!" he whined.
"Hai, hai." The cook snatched his captain's bowl with a sigh and went back to the stove to refill it. In the meantime Luffy turned to Sakura.
"I found Zoro tied to a pole," the rubber man began.
Sakura's eyes widened a fraction at that. "A pole?" she questioned and glanced at her lover who shrugged once again.
"He had saved a girl from being killed by a pet wolf and was punished for that. He were to stay tied to the pole for a month with no food and no water, but a man named Helmeppo broke his promise and wanted to execute him on the 12th day. Zoro said he'd join my crew if I could get his swords from the marine base, so I went to fetch them for him."
Sanji set Luffy's bowl back onto the table and heard him devour its contents in record time.
Nami turned back to the ninja and rested her elbow on top of the wooden surface with a challenging glare. "What's your story?"
Sakura knew she was trying to fish for information, but she wouldn't slip up that easily. "I'm from a place quite far from here." she began, carefully choosing her words. "I- My friends were always looking out for me and were always training to get stronger while I was too busy trying to get this guy to like me." a bitter laugh left her lips at that while Zoro's eyes shifted to her. "My friends both left our village to pursue their dreams of becoming stronger fighters, so I asked a very special woman to train me in the medical field because I thought that could be my way of looking after them once they came back. She then sent me to see Dr. Kureha, saying there were some things only she could teach me, and now I'm here."
The navigator eyed her suspiciously. "How did you meet Zoro?"
"I found him in the snow. He was hurt, so I brought him back to the cabin I was staying at and patched him up."
"Who is after you? And why?" Nami continued her interrogation.
"Oi," Zoro grumbled. While he wanted to hear the answer as much as the rest, he found the navigator's way of pursuing the matter rather dirty. "Give her some space."
Nami gaped as she stared at the swordsman with a disbelieving look in her eyes. Sakura glanced at Zoro as well, surprised he tried to defend her, but turned back to Nami a second after. "Kureha called him Dr. Vegapunk. As for why, I don't know." she lied.
The room fell silent.
Sakura fiddled nervously with her empty bowl. "I'm taking your silence as a bad thing." she stated quietly while shyly eyeing the pirates in the room.
A sigh left Sanji's lips. "I don't think anyone of us really know much about Vegapunk. He's a hell of a scientist from what I've heard."
"He used to work for the Marines," Nami said while leaning back in her chair. "he may still do."
"Wasn't he the one who invented seastone?" Usopp asked and cowered slightly when all eyes fell on him.
"What's that?" Sakura inquired.
The sniper turned to face the pinkette. "Basically a stone that holds the same power as the sea. It would cancel out any devil fruit user's powers."
Sakura raised a brow. "Then Luffy…"
"Luffy might not be able to beat him." Sanji finished for her and took another drag of his cigarette. "But don't worry. I will keep you safe~!"
Zoro huffed in annoyance while glaring hatefully at the cook. If anyone were to keep Sakura safe, it would be him. Sakura seemed to feel the dark energy that radiated from the swordsman and decided to accidentally bump into the male. His darkened eyes fell on her and she felt her insides twist in anticipation under his intense stare. If Sanji continued provoking him, Zoro would most likely take her right then and there just to let them know she was his.
"Let's not jump to conclusions," Nami sighed while glancing out the doorway to her left. "If he's all high and mighty, he probably won't come get her himself. He'll probably send someone else to do it."
Chopper, whom had been silent during the whole meal turned to look at his newest friend. "Will you be alright, Sakura?" he asked worriedly from his seat in the corner, across from Usopp.
"I-" Sakura began but was cut off when Luffy pushed his chair back and stood up.
"We made a promise. We will keep Sakura safe and beat whoever comes after her."
Nami looked displeased. "I still don't understand why we had to be dragged into this mess."
"I am truly sorry for all of this," the pinkette stated apologetically.
Silence fell over them again until Nami turned back to look at the pink-haired girl with another challenging look in her eyes. "How did you get back onto the ship?"
An icy chill ran through Sakura's body. 'Shit!'
"I climbed."
Nami smirked. "There's not enough foothold on this ship, so how did you do it?"
Sakura kept her calm and glanced at Chopper for a second before turning her attention back to the navigator. "When opposed to a dangerous situation the human body provides something called adrenaline-"
"I know what adrenaline is." Nami spat.
"Then you should also know that people may be able to do the impossible during one of those moments." Sakura added calmly. She had slipped up again. This was not going according to plan.
"Tch," Nami rose from her seat, leaving her half-empty glass on the table and stomped over to the door. "I know you're hiding something, Sakura." she added venomously. "If that's even your real name."
And with that she was gone.
The pinkette let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding. She would have to be more careful around Nami since nothing seemed to go past the navigator of the crew.
"Goddamnit Luffy!" Sanji growled and grabbed a fistful of the back of his captain's shirt. "I told you to keep away from the pot!"
"Bu aam huungyu" Luffy whined with his mouth full of food.
Sakura shook her head with an amused smile playing on her lips. They sure were an interesting bunch of pirates.
After about a week of traveling, Sakura had managed to get some routines in with the pirates. Chopper and she busied themselves in the sick bay for the most part where he taught her things he had learned from both Hiluluk and Kureha. And while their stack of herbs and other medical supplies were limited, she found herself experimenting with what they had until she mastered the potions, balms and medicines Chopper taught her.
Chopper was a good teacher. He was unbelievable calm compared to her previous senseis and didn't mind repeating the steps while asking her for support to make sure she was following. He was always prepared to give her a helping hand even when she said she wanted to do it herself. He had praised her numerous of times for being a fast learner, which she had turned back around onto him, saying it was all because of him and his good way of teaching.
Sanji provided the crew with food and Sakura found herself loving every meal he created. The way he pampered her and Nami had bothered her in the beginning, but once she realized he did it mostly for himself -to have a reason to chat with either of the women on board, she had lowered her guard and allowed the delicious refreshments and snacks to pile in.
Usopp's leg was still bandaged, and while he impatiently waited for his broken leg to heal, he spent his waken time working on the weapon he had promised Nami. He had come up with an idea to embrace the navigator's keen sense of climate change and was currently working on a staff he had named The Clima Tact.
Nami spent most of her days up on deck, either sunbathing or making sure they were keeping course. They were heading to a place called Alabasta, a kingdom located on Sandy Island. It would take the pirates another week and a half before reaching their next stop according to Nami's calculations. As long as they didn't run into any trouble on their way, that is.
Zoro kept himself distant for the most part, either sleeping against the mast or in the crows nest. He also practiced with his swords a lot and busied himself with exercise to get the time to pass faster. His body was fully healed, but his amnesia held onto him like the claws of a predator around their prey.
Whenever Chopper wasn't occupied in the sick bay, he and Luffy bonded more and more. The reindeer had taken an extra liking to the rubber man and often ran around deck either chasing or being chased by the captain. During his free time, the captain tried sneaking into the kitchen to steal food which usually resulted in a fight between him and the cook. He also spent a lot of time on the kitchen's roof where he had a nice, full view of the azure ocean stretching far out around them.
Compared to the busy days, the nights were often calm.
Sakura and Nami shared a room with one queen-sized bed, a small dresser and an uncomfortable sofa perched up near the door. The two women had argued a lot during the first night which had resulted in Nami claiming the bed as hers which forced Sakura to sleep on the couch. The pinkette had gone with it to keep the redhead from lashing out on her more.
Chopper shared a room with the other four males who took turns keeping watch at night. Since they were one bed short, they had come up with a circle-system to switch beds every night so no one had to sleep on the uncomfortable and smelling recliner more than necessary.
Sakura laid tucked in a blanket on the old couch, listening to the steady breathing of her sleeping roommate while staring up at the wooden ceiling. Being stuck on a ship for days was making her frustrated. Life out on the sea was not her thing. She needed to be free, needed to be able to move and do things without being hindered by something so dumb as limited space. How the rest of the occupants on the ship managed to get through it was a mystery to her.
Her mind went to Zoro and their current relationship status. He had distanced himself from her since they boarded the ship. She hadn't voiced her feelings to him about that, but it bothered her. She had also noticed early on that he didn't like openly showing her affection, and while she could understand that it was probably because it made him feel exposed, it made her sad and question what he actually felt for her. There was always someone around who kept them from talking or spending alone time together, and the longer they stayed apart, the more she realized she needed him.
A sigh left her lips while she shifted onto her side. She knew he was having the night-shift tonight. It was late and most -if not all of, the crew were probably already asleep. She closed her eyes and tried to relax while listening to the quiet clucking of water against the sides of the ship.
A couple of minutes passed before she sighed again and sat up. Her bare legs hung over the seats of the couch, her toes gently touching the cool floor. 'Maybe I should try to talk to him,' she thought to herself and stretched her arm out toward the arm-rest where she had left her pants. She tugged them on quickly and snatched her blanket into her hand before carefully tiptoeing out of the room so she would not wake Nami.
She paused midway on her way to the deck as doubt suddenly washed over her. 'What if he'll get angry…' She bit her lip nervously out of habit and went to walk back into the bedroom. 'What would make him happy?' an inner voice questioned which made her stop once more. She stared at the wall for a few moments before smirking. "Sake."
The deck outside was dark. She tilted her head back to look up at the crow's nest where Zoro was currently seated. Armed with half a bottle of sake, the rest was coursing through her system as a way of putting her nerves at ease, she silently climbed up the rope ladder and pushed herself over the edge of the nest only to find the green-haired swordsman leaning against the wooden railing, arms crossed over his chest and head lightly tipped forward.
"Of course he's sleeping," she muttered to herself and shook her head in disbelief. "Zoro?"
No reply.
"Zoro." she tried, a little louder this time.
Still no reply.
She smirked to herself and placed the bottle and the blanket on the nest's floor before crawling over to where he was sleeping.
Her lips found their way to his as she kissed him, slowly and tenderly.
"O-oi!" he started once he opened his eyes, obviously surprised someone was suddenly hovering slightly over his previously relaxed form. "What are you doing?" wary eyes watched the pink-haired woman and he stiffened slightly, clearly uncomfortable by her sudden approximation.
The smell of sake whiffed from her smug lips as she eyed him, a mischievous glint flickering in her eyes.
He attempted to move, but she pressed herself against him, preventing him from leaving, and started circling her index-finger over his clothed chest. He swallowed hard, his throat closing in on him and suddenly going very dry.
Her index and middle-finger trailed up his chest as if they were walking up a clothed mountain. He froze and licked his lips nervously as he eyed the woman through his thick lashes. His pulse quickened and he swallowed yet again when her fingers finally made it to the collar of his shirt.
She pressed herself more fully against his side, her breath leaving her lips in slow and quiet gasps as she pulled her leg over his thighs to rest comfortably over them, locking him in between hers.
"O-oi," he tried again and felt her fingers slowly circle over his collarbone, up his throat before she ended up cupping his neck in her hand. His skin tingled delightfully under her touch. Her thumb brushed every so lightly over his jawline while she tilted his head to face hers.
She ran her thumb over his parted lips, her eyes hazily watching as he closed them beneath her touch.
Shifting a little she soon had herself straddling his hips and his eyes widened in alarm. Black eyes expanded in both uncertainty and excitement as it dawned on him what she was doing.
Her small hands grasped around the lower part of his head, fingers gently massaging the back of his skull while her thumbs gave a soft pressure to his temples. He found himself giving into the temptation to close his eyes and let his head fall back to rest against the wooden railing of the nest.
Warm lips were suddenly nibbling on his exposed throat and his hands flew up to grasp around her wrists in a death-like hold. Black eyes clashed with green and she relaxed in his grip, settling herself down on his thighs while meeting his stare full on.
"What are you doing, witch?" he questioned and hissed through clenched teeth as she took that moment to grind herself against his crotch.
Emerald eyes glittered in mirth as they took in the troubled face of the swordsman.
He looked puzzled, indecisive, confused, curious and excited all at once which made the ninja smirk as she let her tongue escape through her lips to moisten them. His gaze fell to her lips immediately and she felt him stiffen beneath her. Quirking an eyebrow she started leaning into him again. Her hips rocked over his hardening crotch a second time and she felt him loosen his hold on her wrists.
He could have easily pushed her off of him, had he wanted to. But parts of him were intrigued and wanted to know what she would do next. This witch, as he would call her, managed to trigger something deep inside of him. Her touch would start a raging wildfire deep in his core and the intensity of it scared him yet lured him in to want to explore it. He wanted to explore her.
Her right hand came sliding up his left arm, the touch burning his cool skin, and he suddenly realized he was grasping onto her hip, leading her in a steady pace as she ground against him. His eyes widened a fraction and he found her smirking at him, a look of victory glinting in those emerald orbs of hers.
She closed the distance between them. One hand tugged at his hair as she pressed her lips against his. The hand in his hair pulled firmly yet gently at his green tuft and he allowed her to angle his head as she seemed fit. Her tongue ran over his lips, silently asking for access which he gave a heartbeat later.
Their tongues danced sensually together, each exploring the other in a messy kiss before she unhurriedly pulled away. A trace of sake lingered on his lips and he welcomed the taste.
"What are you doing to me?" he asked throatily, his eyes remaining closed while he felt one of her hands wander down his chest until it was situated in between their aroused sexes.
She stroked him. The palm of her hand slid up and down his hardened shaft, earning her a soft moan from the swordsman. Her fingers circled around his thick member, the only thing in between his sensitive skin and her hand being the fabric of his green trousers, and she continued pumping it. She felt his hands slide from her hips and down to her ass where he let one hand continue to slide in between her spread legs.
"I could ask you the same thing," she retorted huskily and watched a grin form on his slightly swollen lips. The moment was short-lived though as she suddenly felt him brush a finger over her sensitive clitoris and her eyes closed instantly. Warmth started spreading from where he had touched her, igniting a need for more and she fell against him, her chest colliding with his. "Shit."
He chuckled at that and continued stroking her soft bundle of nerves with his thumb. "That was too easy, Sakura. I would have thought it'd take more than that to have you purring."
She moaned quietly against his neck. Her lips brushed against his delicate skin in a feather-light touch while she rocked her hips to meet his ministrations in between her legs.
"What happened to self-control?" he continued as his other hand pressed her down onto his lap again and he twisted his hips upward, making her shiver in pleasure from the sudden pressure caused by his hard-on.
She nibbled on his neck after that. Her teeth biting down on the soft skin right above his jugular while he lifted her hips up and started tugging down her pants. She helped him slide them off by leaning onto one knee and settled herself above his crotch again once the piece of clothing was removed.
Slick fingers made their way up her bent leg and over her thigh to finish their exploration by resting in between her legs. The panties she wore were pulled to the side and he slid one finger in between her moist folds.
"So wet already." he stated in satisfaction and ran a finger along her slit before burying the finger in her cave. Her walls closed in on the intruding digit and she moaned delightfully into the crook of his neck while her fingers dug into his shoulder.
He pulled it out slowly only to thrust it in again, adding a second one in the process. She pressed her lips against his in a frenzy as he continued fucking her with his fingers. Her breathing came out in ragged breaths and as she felt him bend his fingertips to reach for that sweet spot slightly curved up in her wet cave, she let her head fall back while an enticing moan left her lips. The white-hot pleasure coursed through her and she felt her orgasm build up deep down in her stomach.
"That's the spot," she yelped and felt him repeat the wiggling of his fingers against her spot and gently added more pressure by rubbing his thumb against her now oversensitive clit. Her orgasm built up quickly after that before soaring through her lithe frame.
"Oh shit," he groaned as her inner walls clamped down on his fingers, her insides throbbing around his digits as she came undone with a hoarse moan. His thumb glided over her hypersensitive clitoris again and she shuddered on top of him.
Her breathing came in shallow breaths, fanning over his collarbone as she cuddled up against him. His finger slipped out of her wet vulva and he stroked her thigh gently, giving her time to come down from her high. Her forehead rested against his shoulder while she panted heavily.
She kissed him lazily before sliding off of his lap only to take a seat next to him.
"Sakura," he murmured and ran his fingers through her messy pink hair.
She fought back a smile as she nuzzled into his touch. "Self control, Zoro. Self-con-trol."
He looked at her as if she had sprouted a second head and crossed his arms over his chest. "Tch!"
She peeked at him through her lashes and grinned at the sour frown set on his features. Oh how she loved teasing him.
"That was mean." he grumbled as he rose onto his knees and crawled over to the other side of the nest. After plucking up the half-empty bottle of sake Sakura had obviously been enjoying, he settled down cross-legged and leaned back against the railing. Taking a swig of the strong liquid he then closed his eyes, willing himself to get rid of his problem without touching it. "Witch…"
A captivating giggle escaped the witch's lips and he fought hard not to smile at how lovely it sounded. Opening an eye to steal a gaze at the wonderful woman he had come across, he found her watching him intently. Her eyes followed his hand as he brought the bottle to his lips again. Closing his eyes and taking another mouthful of its content, he then heard her shift. The soft patting of her hands and knees reached his ears next and when he opened his eyes again she was sitting in front of him, clad in nothing but the sweater he never bothered to take off of her earlier and her soaked underwear.
He offered her the bottle but she declined with a shake of her head and sat down next to him instead. He stiffened, clearly going on the defensive.
"More teasing?" he probed and looked at her from the corner of his eyes.
The pink haired woman laughed at that, a wide grin spreading over her lips as her eyes quirked up in mirth. "It was funny though. You have to admit to that." she retorted gleefully.
He huffed at that. He felt her shift by his side and one of her hands started snaking up underneath his shirt where she lovingly traced her fingers over his warm skin.
"Sakura," he warned. "Don't start something you don't plan to finish."
"I'm sorry." she smiled and leaned into him.
"No you're not," he retorted darkly and stopped the hand she had placed on his now semi-hard member. "I mean it."
Black eyes locked with green ones and she sighed deeply before changing her position, ending up sitting on her folded legs as they were tucked underneath her butt. Rising onto her knees she then left a chaste kiss to his lips. "Lie down." she ordered.
He raised a delicate eyebrow while looking at the petite woman sitting next to him. "No."
"Damn it Zoro, stop being so stubborn." her voice was far from amused and she placed one hand on his shoulder, pressing on it lightly to get her point through.
"Tch… witch." he muttered but did as he was told.
The crows nest's floor was surprisingly warm, he noted as he tried getting comfortable. A sweater fell over his face, shielding his view and he realized it was the same one Sakura had been wearing moments ago.
"Oi." he felt her tugging his pants and underwear off, exposing him to her and when he was about to snag her shirt off of his face, he heard her telling him not to. Deciding to play along for once, he did as he was told.
While smirking triumphantly, Sakura grazed his toned legs with her hands while seating herself in between them. His dick twitched as she went higher and higher and without warning, she licked her way up from the base of his shaft all the way to the tip, leaving a trail of saliva over his thick member.
"Jesus!" he hissed, his voice slightly muffled by the sweater resting on top of his face.
"This won't do." she stated and leaned over him. Stretching a hand out toward his face, she folded the lower part of the sweater up so it only covered his eyes. "Much better." she added and ran her tongue over his lips before sucking his bottom lip in between hers.
He responded to her ministrations by giving a pleasant hum when she stroked him. The palm of her hand massaged his length while she slowly pumped it with a twisting motion of her wrist. His hand found it's way to her hair and he grabbed onto it; holding her in place as he hungrily started kissing her.
The grip around her hair loosened when she finally decided to leave his lips and instead his hand slid down her naked frame. His fingers brushed over her hardened nipples as he caressed her toned body. She disappeared from his reach and he felt anticipation spring to life within him, and when the warmth of her mouth wrapped itself around his throbbing length he nearly lost every ounce of self-control he had left.
"Shit!" he cried out in pleasure and used his elbows to prop himself up into a seated position. The sweater fell from his face and landed in a pile on the floor. He paid it no mind. His full focus was on the pink-haired witch in between his legs whom were sucking his cock in the most sensual way he had ever seen.
Her green eyes gazed up into his, her long lashes cast shadows down on her upper cheeks. Her lips were wrapped tightly around his arousal; sliding up and down his shaft while she had a steady grip around the base of it where she milked his hard muscle. His lips parted at the sight and he couldn't help but entwine his fingers in her unruly locks which tickled his thighs every time she lowered her head.
"Sakura," he purred and felt the vibrations course through his member as she tried to reply while her mouth was completely stuffed by his size. He closed his eyes for a second, enjoying every moment of the attention given to him and heard her slide her underwear off.
She released his throbbing length with a pop before attacking his still parted lips with her own. His arms encircled her waist and he felt the warmth radiating from her wet sex as she positioned herself above him. Laying down onto the floor again, he gave her full control over what would happen next. She did seem to enjoy being in charge. And if he had to admit: he did actually enjoy it too.
A moan left her lips as she lowered herself onto his length and she rested her hands on top of his chest to steady herself while she accumulated to his thicker size. Lifting her hips a little, she groaned in contentment as she lowered herself onto him again - feeling how he filled her to the brim and how her inner walls stretched around him.
His fingers dug almost painfully into her thighs. This was too much. It felt too good. 'Self control, Zoro. Self-con-trol.' her voice echoed in his mind and he tried, so very hard, to not flip them over so he could ravage her right then and there.
Her walls pulsated around him. She had picked up her pace and was riding him in a steady rhythm. One hand was placed near her front and he knew she was touching herself - knew she was pleasing herself and it disappointed him while excited him all at once. His name left her lips in a seductive wail and he snapped. His arms snaked around her waist and he pulled her down flat to rest on top of his chest. Bending his legs; he used his feet for support and started thrusting his member up and into her wet folds. She nearly screamed as he filled her up completely and she bit down on his shoulder to muffle her cries of pleasure when he screwed her so roughly she couldn't think straight.
Her skin was on fire. Her insides burned and that white-hot feeling of pure nerve-racking ecstasy rippled through her body with such force she swore she could hear him yell out in pain -or was it pleasure, when she finally came undone all around him.
She felt him twitch inside of her while his body jerked underneath her as he too reached his high. When spilling his seed into her womb he heard her moan his name again.
Minutes passed. Neither made any attempt to move. The only thing heard was their ragged breaths and soft breezes of the wind. Zoro's arms were wrapped around Sakura's waist and he drew lazy circular patterns over her lower back while she had her fingers tangled in his hair.
"I missed you," she told him quietly and nuzzled her face into the crook of his neck.
"I am here now." he replied in the same quiet tone and reached for the blanket she had brought with her.
She gave him a light peck on the neck while feeling the blanket fall over her body. Sakura closed her eyes and fell asleep soon after.
Zoro laid on his back and gazed up at the star filled sky above him and his lover, completely unaware of the set of blue eyes that were glaring heatedly at the crows nest. The glow from a cigarette brightened as its owner took another drag of the cancer stick before a soft cloud of smoke escaped their lips and dissolved into nothing.
"Hurt her and I'll kill you, shitty marimo."
A/N: I hate this chapter. I find it boring and too informative, so I tried saving it with a sex-scene.
This story took an unexpected turn when I had Sakura join the Strawhats. My original plan was to not let them meet until the very end of the story, so now I'm trying to figure out what to do and write next. Any ideas or thoughts are more than welcome because I'm kinda stuck at the moment. So, please share what you might want to see happening and I'll take it into consideration and will do my best to sort this mess out.
Sorry for providing you with this awful chapter and thanks for reading. ~