The green haired swordsman ran, pelting down the streets in a frenzied blur. He barely paused at forks and intersections, letting his instincts take over and soon, he reached the club, the place he'd been dreading for every day of the last two years. But that didn't matter now. He huffed, smiling as he rushed inside, sidestepping passed out party goers and making his way inside. Where was Sanji? That idiot said he'd be here. He craned his head, scanning the crowd for a blonde. Someone tapped his shoulder.

"Took you long enough," Sanji said, sucking the last of his cigarette before snubbing it out in a nearby ashtray. He was disguised, wearing sunglasses and swapping his usual suit attire for a black hoodie and jeans. A bandage covered his swirly eyebrow.

"Where to?" Zoro wiped the sweat off his forehead.

"Upstairs." Zoro raised his eyebrows slightly. Sanji lead the way, waving off the guards. He went through several corridors and took another set of stairs, unlocking a double door.

A dojo room greeted them. It was modern, but simple with polished wooden floors and comfortable cream colours and striking dark lines framing the windows and splitting the walls. Sanji made his way to the middle of the room, stretching.

"Luffy delivered your swords." He pointed to the wall, where his swords were displayed, resting on the sword rack. Zoro made his way over, unsheathing his swords. They were silent, which was either a good thing or bad, but he wasn't certain.

"Just a friendly spar," he muttered, looking at a sliver of his reflection on the blade. He glanced at the cook, standing with his usual nonchalant attitude.

"You ready?"

"Just a sec." Zoro felt around in his tracksuit pocket. He dug out the cloth Usopp gave him, the spider web silk or whatever. Either way, it felt nice, like liquid. As he tied it on, a savage grin tugged at his lips.

"Ready."

Clang. Clang. Clang.

Foot against blade. Blade against shoe. Every cut blocked. Every incoming attacked deflected. They were even, power and agility struggling against each other. They backed off, chests heaving.

"Not bad." Zoro took the sword from mouth, stepping back and setting all three swords on the floor. He pulled off his jumper, which was soaked in sweat and tossed it aside near the wall. Sanji groaned, covering his eyes. "What?"

"Why do you feel the need to strip in front of me?"

"I'm still wearing a shirt."

"It's fucking see through with your godamn sweat."

"Jealous?" Sanji flipped him off. "Come on, there's no way you're not worked up either."

"I'm not."

"Liar."

"Don't tell me what to do."

"You either take it off or I cut it off."

"You will not slice my clothes, you uncivilised demon ape."

"Stop me."

"Fuck you." Sanji took off his hoodie, folding it before placing it on a spare sword rack. He wore a tank top, probably the most revealing thing he'd ever been in.

"Good fight." Sanji slung his hoodie over his shoulder, making way for the door.

"Same thing tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I'll kick your ass tomorrow."

"Try it."

It became a regular thing, almost every night, they'd fight, venting out their frustrations about their shitty circumstances, or bitching about the latest prick who was being a jerk. They fought with animalistic enthusiasm and a sense of almost arrogant pride that allowed neither to back down until they were both exhausted. Sometimes Luffy would pop in to watch, as well as order stacks of room service food. He watched them like an entertaining movie. If Ace was bothered, he'd stay as well, sometimes sparring with either of the pair, but it was always their space for the night. It was their thing.

"I'm finally getting to work here again. This month as been so bloody long." Sanji parred against the incoming blade.

"Really?" Luffy almost choked on his meat. He clapped his excitement as he coughed.

"Yeah, so that means when you come along I'll be having the best equipment to back me up when I'm cooking for you." Sanji spared Luffy a glance. He stopped, stepping back. Zoro frowned, lowering his swords.

"What?"

"When you are coming back?" Luffy froze midchew, eying the pair. Zoro felt his insides drop.

"I'm not."

"You will." Zoro ground his teeth. Trust everyone to make his decisions for him.

"None of this 'Zoro come back' crap," he mocked bitterly, snarling. Sanji's eyebrow twitched. He muttered under his breath, stalking over to his discarded jumper and snatching it off the rack.

"I'm leaving. Next time you want to fight, it'll be in the ring. Until then, don't even think about showing your face here." He slammed the door shut behind him, leaving behind a stunned Zoro.

"What the fuck?" Zoro growled. "This guy, fighting me one day then going off like that the next. He's ridiculous. Stupid cook." Luffy continued munching on his snacks, cleaning the plate with his tongue. He stood up.

"Let's go."

"Why?"

"Because," Luffy trailed off, scratching his head. "Sanji isn't here."

"Don't you want to fight?" Luffy shook his head, burping.

"I'm full." He swivelled his body, showing off the rounded belly. The swordsman sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Fine."

He was going to give Sanji hell tomorrow.