Chapter 2

Unexpected

"The next island is called Vorgo and it's a notorious fishing port. Their fish and seafood are very famous," Nami said.

Around the Sunny's breakfast table, her friends' eyes twinkled.

"It's a pretty touristy little island," Robin added.

"The only problem is their climate," The navigator grimaced, "The variations are important and random…"

"Like on the four weathers island?" Sanji, who was putting clean cups down, asked.

"No, the prevailing climate is autumnal but weather can change at any time," The young woman answered. "A few weeks ago, there was a mini tornado and even before, there was a drought that lasted for months."

"What a paradise," The gunner was ironic, grabbing a bunch of grapes.

"Perhaps it is precisely due to the climate that the seabed is extremely rich. For example, there are excellent quality rock crabs here, whereas the waters of the Grand Line have very few of them everywhere else," The archaeologist told them.

"I wanna eat the crabs!" Luffy yelled immediately, startling Chopper and Brook beside him.

"I hope there'll be enough cola to stock up," Franky pointed out. "There's not much left since we couldn't buy some on the last island."

"It was one of the worst places we've ever seen!" Usopp remembered.

"Those poor inhabitants, pirates had totally stolen their land," Chopper sighed, his cheeks smeared with chocolate.

"However, now they can live freely again!" Brook got enthused, pouring himself a glass of milk.

"You have to stock up a lot, Sanji!" The straw hat boy suddenly begged him, worried.

Amused, the cook put a pitcher of fresh juice down and Usopp grabbed it greedily. "There's no risk of restriction at this time, Captain."

"This will be about not being fooled by the prices," Nami continued while Luffy was devouring his breakfast with a huge smile, hungrier than ever. "Sanji-kun, you'll probably be in the best position to judge the quality of the products," The young woman then said, handing him her cup so that he could pour her some jasmine tea.

"Of course, Nami-san, you can count on me!"

After serving his princesses, the blond went around the table to bring green tea to the swordsman and in the process, he tried to catch his eye but Zoro had his nose in his plate of rice. Swallowing his impatience, Sanji casually threw him his cup.

"We'll also take the opportunity to redecorate the Sunny with Robin," The navigator then informed them.

"What do you mean?" The cyborg got tensed, slowly putting his bottle of cola down to stare at her.

"Rugs are getting worn out and new linens wouldn't be a luxury," She quietly replied.

Not far from her, Sanji nodded. "The table linen could use some sprucing up. Blame it on all those guzzlers who don't know how to eat properly," He growled, staring at his captain who was busy wiping his mouth with the tablecloth.

In his seat, Franky relaxed and picked up his bottle. "As long as you don't touch the walls and exteriors…"

"For my part, I would like a duvet cover with musical patterns!" The skeleton got enthused.

"A bolster would be better for my neck," Usopp thought.

"Oh, I wish I had a huge pillow!" The little reindeer added, stars in his eyes.

"I want a bean bag for my naps on the deck," The swordsman said, swallowing yet another mouthful of rice.

"I want a ball pit to sleep in it!" Luffy shouted back.

Nami calmly put her spoon back on the table and brought the cup to her mouth. "You'll have rugs and table linens. If you wanna sleep in it, that's your business."

On the green grass of the deck of the Sunny, Usopp groaned before looking up at the sky. It was about mid-morning and the pirate ship was clearly entering the magnetic zone of the island because clouds had suddenly covered the sun to give way to a fine, cold rain.

"We already had a downpour on this infernal island and here it is again," He grumbled, picking up his tools.

"This rain smells weird," Chopper noticed beside him, sniffing the air.

"Weird how?" Franky asked him, admiring the new paint on the railing.

"I don't know… It has a strong smell…"

"What the fuck is that?"

Everyone turned to Zoro a few feet away who was looking at the skin on his bare hands and arms that was reddening from the touch of the rain. He then put down his dumbbells to better observe the phenomenon and Chopper rushed towards him.

"It's the rain, it must contain something!" The little reindeer worried after a quick examination.

"Dammit, what's going on?!" Usopp got frightened, staring at his own clothes which were starting to rub off.

"This rain has a funny effect on my bones!" The skeleton wriggled in turn, developing an itching.

"It's acid rain!" Nami interrupted them from the first floor. "Take cover and hurry up, it's dangerous!"

Luffy, Robin and Sanji had also gathered around her and at her words, the four of them rushed towards the nearby galley, the rain now pouring down. For their part, Chopper and Brook rushed to the stairs and Zoro left his weights on the grass while the gunner and cyborg also gave up putting away their tools to better get away.

Once all gathered inside the galley, everyone caught his breath, looking in disbelief at their state: their clothes were faded and had even holes while their skins were reddened and damaged by acidity. The sound of rain suddenly doubled against the wood and Franky glanced out the window.

"Oh no, it attacks Sunny!" Without thinking, he opened the door to rush outside again and seeing him do so, Sanji jumped up behind him.

"Franky, stop!"

The shipwright was already halfway up the stairs and barely turned. "The rudder won't hold! I won't be long!" The cyborg then nimbly jumped to land on the deck and picked up his tool box on the grass. He ignored the acid burn on his skin and built in a flash a reinforced shelter for the rudder whose wood was already eroded by the rain.

A minute later, he closed the door behind him and Nami stared at him. His tattered clothes hid almost nothing of his body but that didn't prevent him from proudly posing in front of his friends. "New record!"

Chopper, Usopp, Luffy and Brook applauded with enthusiasm as the navigator threw a dish towel at him. "All of you, rinse off. The rain is gonna eat away at your skin."

Suddenly worried, the boys rushed to the sink and their clothes flew in all directions despite the presence of the girls in the room. At first bewildered by their shameless attitude, Nami quickly turned away before sighing and joining Robin who was watching the rain through the porthole. Zoro then walked past her, quietly taking off his t-shirt to go to the sink in his turn while Sanji was distributing the rest of his dishcloths.

The blond notably observed Brook with a critical look. "We'll really have to buy some more," He grumbled, seeing the musician wiping his hair without even rinsing them, causing the linen to rub off.

Turning away from his friends, Sanji finally walked over to the girls to offer them warm towels. As they wiped themselves, he glanced at the rain too, frowning. "What is this thing, I've never seen anything like it…"

"Acid rain generally has few consequences on a human scale," Robin approved.

"It must be the climate of the island that induces such acidity," Nami sighed, folding up her towel.

"Will the Sunny be okay?" The blond inquired, turning to their shipwright.

"She should be fine; Adam's wood is super tough!" Franky answered, his towel around his waist. "The rudder is more fragile because the wood is thin to carry out the maneuvers but it's protected now."

Sanji nodded and then headed for his stove. The crew could at least eat while waiting for the end of the downpour.

"Nami, stop cheating!" Usopp reproached her.

"I'm not cheating," The young woman calmly denied, recovering the card of the straw hat boy in front of her.

"Yes, you cheat," Franky frowned, "You're gonna ruin him!"

"Our captain doesn't seem totally in control of his gestures," Brook approved.

"He does what he wants with his money, I didn't force anyone to play. It's a coincidence that I need new clothes because of the rain."

Usopp rolled his eyes. In the early afternoon, Nami had suggested playing cards while waiting for their disembarking in the evening. The sun was shining again and Brook, Franky, Usopp and Luffy had settled on the deck after the cyborg had inspected his ship. Fortunately, she hadn't suffered too much. The navigator had then taken out the deck of cards and laid down the rules: the winner was picking up as many berries as cards. And since the first round, she had collected quite a lot.

As it was Luffy's turn, the gunner nudged him to divert him from the flirtatious look of the young woman in his direction and the captain drew a card with application. "Stop giving her your good cards and think about what you could buy with your money," The sniper grumbled. "You said we'd pool our savings with Franky to buy the latest sea scooter!"

"You just need to play better," The redhead woman retorted, putting down a card in front of them.

Brook also drew then Franky put down another card while Usopp considered his strategy. He then asked the musician for a jack, but the skeleton shook his head and the gunner was forced to draw in his turn.

"Luffy, would you happen to have diamonds, please? A queen would suit me just fine," Nami suddenly inquired innocently.

The captain stared at his game for a second before a big smile took place on his face. He then looked up at the young woman but at the same time, he saw that the gunner was glaring at him. "Don't give her anything, she'll rob you!"

"Oh, but I'd like to please her…"

Franky sighed when the straw hat boy handed his card to Nami who thanked him with batting eyelashes.

"Why don't you wanna please me?" Usopp lamented, drawing a new card after his friends.

"The attraction of love is always the strongest," Brook noted philosophically.

"Why don't you ask him for all his money directly? He'd do it," The cyborg growled at the navigator.

"It'd be really silly of me when I can pick up yours at the same time," The young woman calmly explained. "Full house!"

The boys stared at the round spread out on the grass before sighing in unison. Radiant, Nami hastened to pick up her loot while Usopp, Franky and Brook stood up. "A last game?" She asked them.

"No, thank you, I've already given enough for your wardrobe," The sniper grumbled.

"I'm gonna work on our own sea scooter," Franky agreed.

"I need to revise my scales," The musician politely excused himself.

"Sore losers," She sneered, counting her berries. She then put the money away carefully before looking at her captain who was gazing at her, his huge smile on his face.

"I like it when you're happy, Nami!"

Like every time Luffy expressed his thoughts so innocently, the young woman felt her cheeks blush before a smile stretched her lips. His good mood and sincerity always warmed her without her even realizing it. "Thank you, Luffy."

Noticing that they were now alone, she leaned down and gently placed her lips on his. Soon, however, their kiss became more passionate and the straw hat boy fell backwards in the grass, dragging her with him.

When the navigator caught her breath a few moments later, he laughed and Nami sat up to observe him, clearly satisfied. "I now have enough money for us to enjoy this famous island," She pointed casually.

"For a romantic dinner?" The captain wanted to know, interested.

"Yes. And for an evening too…"

"Cool!"

Pleased with his reaction, Nami kissed him again before laying her head against his chest, a smile on her face. She knew she was lucky to have met Luffy and even more to have this relationship with him. She then closed her eyes for a moment, feeling one of the straw hat boy's arms wrap around her shoulders in a protective gesture. Thanks to her eventful life, she knew how to recognize moments of happiness and there was one thing that she could say for certain: today, she was happy.

Sanji glanced in the direction of the crow's nest when he stopped at the foot of the mast, his cigarette butt in the corner of his mouth. He had handed out refreshments to Chopper and Robin in the library before giving their drinks to the card-playing group and now he was left with the swordsman's. This idiot could have come down to save him from climbing the rope with a glass but it was likely that the fencer was catching up on his interrupted training in the morning so he couldn't count on him. Sighing, Sanji began his ascent.

When he entered the observation room a few seconds later, Zoro had indeed his head down and his feet in the air, trying to go up and down balanced on his hands. Sanji just walked past him to put his drink down a little further. The fencer was so predictable…

"Come here, curly."

Sanji immediately spun around, glaring, but his partner ignored him. He got to his feet and approached casually.

"And exactly what are you doing, mosshead?" The cook ground his teeth when the swordsman grabbed his arm.

"Make yourself useful for once."

The blond pulled his cigarette out of his mouth to snarl back but was suddenly lifted into the air.

"Hold on to me," The swordsman simply said.

"Wh-What?"

"I'm gonna let go of you."

Sanji barely had time to tighten his legs around his companion's waist so as not to fall that Zoro began to lower himself by bending his legs, his hands raised behind his neck. "What the hell are you doing, stupid swordsman?!" The blond got indignant, taken aback.

"Squats."

"Squats?!"

Zoro was now going up and down steadily and Sanji stared at him even more, narrowing his eyes. "Are you using me as a weight, motherfucker?"

"You ain't very heavy but it's better than nothing."

The cook frowned, unsure how he should interpret his remark. Nevertheless, noticing Zoro's focused attitude, he finally placed his left hand around the fencer's neck to stabilize himself while pulling on his cigarette with his right hand. He then continued to quietly smoke while the swordsman was bending his legs then straightening up at regular intervals.

After a few moments though, he sought his partner's gaze. "It's not comfortable, mosshead…"

"One more minute."

The blond agreed and got rid of his cigarette butt by throwing it in the ashtray a few steps away. He then started to draw some imaginary pictures above the swordsman's shoulder blades, rocked by the rhythm.

Shortly after, Zoro straightened up completely and put his hands on the blond's hips to help him down. Sanji found the floor again and gazed at the room. "Where's your gear?"

"Ruined because of the rain this morning. Franky's gonna fix it for me."

"I understand now…"

"You'll be comfortable here."

The cook raised an eyebrow at the implied invitation. The swordsman was in a plank position on his forearms and showed him his back with a nod.

"Seriously, mosshead?"

"What, are you afraid this'll give you some ideas?" The fencer smirked.

"You won't last long in this position," His partner retorted immediately, stepping forward. He sat unceremoniously on the swordsman's back and the man focused on his abdominal muscles. Then, for nearly ten minutes, none of them spoke and only the sound of the swordsman's breathing was heard.

When Zoro finally straightened up on his hands, Sanji smiled victoriously. "Already tired, O great swordsman?"

"Keep quiet." Zoro began a set of push-ups and silence stretched out again in the lookout.

After several more minutes, Sanji sighed inwardly. Despite his desire to see the swordsman give up and even if he had a remarkably stable and therefore comfortable position, it didn't prevent him from being bored. He then decided to lie down to relax and Zoro grumbled when he felt him move.

A few seconds later, Sanji lit a new cigarette and rested his head on the back of his companion's neck, his feet crossed above his. Thoughtful, the cook then stared at the ceiling of the observation room for a moment before turning his head towards the swordsman who was still focused on his movements.

"Mosshead… I thought of something…" Zoro didn't answer and the blond grimaced, gritting his teeth around his cigarette. "This next island, this could be our chance to…Well, you know. There'll be lots to do, it could be nice."

In front of his companion's still studious silence, Sanji wanted to turn around, suddenly annoyed. "I'm talking to you, Z- Ah!"

The swordsman brutally knocked him down on the floor and the blond found himself under his imposing body after Zoro started working out in a plank position again. The fencer then took his cigarette from his lips to throw it in the ashtray. "Not when I'm working out."

"But…"

"You talk too much, cook."

Sanji fell silent, both furious and embarrassed. Maybe now wasn't the time to broach the subject with the fencer, but he didn't know when they'd have other opportunities… He then glanced furtively at the tense muscles of the swordsman above him before looking up at the ceiling again, a sigh unwittingly escaping him.

"I know."

Sanji returned his attention to his partner a few inches away from him, frowning. "What?"

"I know what you want. You wanna go to one of those fish restaurants Nami talked about, aren't you?"

Sanji felt his cheeks flush and he looked away with a shrug. "Why not…"

Zoro smirked. "If you don't wanna, we don't have to."

The cook glared back. "I ain't begging, you idiot! It's just that it's been a long time and we said we d-"

"Stop freaking out, curly. I'll take you," The swordsman cut him short. "I know you've been waiting for a while." The blond's face blushed even more and the swordsman's smirk changed into a softer smile. "I haven't forgotten so we'll go to one of those restaurants and you can even choose what we do," He added.

Zoro then bent down to place a quick kiss on his lips before standing up and stretching. The cook remained on the floor for a few more moments, breathing heavily, and the fencer emptied his drink while glancing out one of the many windows. "Franky must be in his workshop; I'll see where he is."

Sanji nodded, still a bit shocked. When he stood up as well, the swordsman had already disappeared.

"Nami-san, here's a lemon meringue! Robin-chan, I made you a chocolate fondant!" The cook whirled in the middle of his galley.

"Thank you, Sanji-kun," The navigator said while the archaeologist also nodded, grabbing her treat.

The young man had had the divine surprise to see his two favorite princesses enter in search of a late snack and he had immediately offered them to sit around the table to enjoy their company.

"There's a boat ride on the seaside and then we'll go to the restaurant," The young red woman showed her friend.

"Which one did you choose?" Robin inquired, raising her cup of tea to her lips.

"The one specialized in crabs. I think it'll make him happy."

"It's highly probable," Her friend replied.

"Nami-san, you're so caring!" The blond got enthused, giving her a cup of tea.

"I think I'll wear the dress I bought on Tortoise Island a few weeks ago," The young woman ignored him, "It should be elegant enough while still being practical."

"You need to anticipate a possible change of weather," The archaeologist approved.

"Oh no!" The girls turned their heads towards the cook who was staring at the window, his face pale. They were about to ask him what the problem was when they saw him rushing outside and the gust of acid rain from another downpour that entered the room made Nami sigh. She then turned to her friend while biting into her meringue. "I'm gonna put on covered shoes, you never know if the weather continues to be rainy…"

Robin nodded and the two young women were finishing their delicacies when the blond came back in his galley, his clothes soaked and looking put out. Nami glanced at him and grimaced. His jacket had suffered a little but it was mostly the shirt he was holding that had been damaged.

"Don't tell me it's the one from Lorcci!" She exclaimed. The cook's pained sigh confirmed her fears and she shook her head. "What a shame, this brand costs a real fortune…"

"Maybe… dry cleaner can fix things?" The blond hoped.

"I wouldn't want to discourage you but I'm not sure," The navigator pointed out, "This kind of fabric is very fragile."

"I know," He sighed, "I can't believe it, what bad luck!"

"Yeah, but what were you thinking when putting clothes out to dry," The redhead grumbled while crunching in a new meringue. "I warned that the weather would be very unstable this morning."

"I know, Nami-san, I wasn't thinking…"

"Was it for a special event?" The archaeologist asked.

At these words, Sanji couldn't help biting his lip to try to hide his embarrassment. "Yes, it was… Well, it was an opportunity…"

Nami and Robin shared a knowing look before the navigator finally shrugged. "Don't worry, I'm sure Zoro doesn't care what you wear on your date."

Sanji felt himself blushing in spite of himself but he recovered quickly and threw the shirt on the bench in annoyance. "For once, he was okay with it," He mumbled, grabbing the teapot to refill his princesses' cups, "I've been cursed from the start with this cabbage face…"

Nami watched him grumble as he filled her cup, then Robin's, and finally she lifted it to her lips to blow on the hot liquid. "Remember to book the restaurant you have chosen. I had to threaten the owner to get a table in that of the crabs."

The teapot made a thud as it banged against the worktop when the cook put it down a little too hard before rushing to the Den-Den Mushi.

I like the Sunny's atmosphere to remember the crew and their habits…

I hope it reminds you of One Piece in this way and in the next chapter, the story really begins!