Like they told Zoro they came by everyday- except weekends- to help him stay caught up with work. Zoro really liked it, as much as he likes playing video games with his sister he likes spending time with his friends. It also pass the time quicker.

He did feel bad, slightly, for Perona, he didn't notice it before but now that he's home all day with her he now sees that his sisters friends are trash. They don't care about her as she does them. She doesn't get texts from them, or calls, no visits, or letter asking how she's doing. She's always checking on them but no one is checking on her. It made him feel guilty for having his friends over even though he shouldn't feel that nor is there a reason to feel that. But it's not like he can he help it, they are helping him.

So there he sat, in the same tatami mat room where he and his friends have been studying for a month, waiting for them to show up. He is getting sick of the confinement, it's almost winter and he hasn't been out since this all started. He might go crazy.

Sanji takes a deep breath to calm his shaking legs. His tail may be wagging like some excited dog but he is nervous. Everyone but him became busy for the day suddenly. Luffy got dragged by his brothers to see their grandfather who is usually away at work, being a marine he is barely home so they make it a point to be home and see him when they can, even though Luffy wanted to go to Zoros for the free food. Nami had to get a part-time job to help her family pay rent. Usopp went to see Kaya who got very sick and is the hospital, he wants to lift her spirits. Chopper got called to help at his father's clinic. Robin's mother got back from an archeological dig, so she wants to see her mom and see what her mother brought back, or listen to what her mother saw. Franky went to check on some old friends of his. Brook got dragged by the band members to help them. Now Sanji would work at the Baratie but it's not required of him to go after school everyday, only if he wants to or it's really busy and they need help. So he's free.

Now he's nervous but excited about going over to Zoro's alone. He hasn't been alone with the rabbit since they took a nap together. He reach his hand up, shaking as he press the doorbell. After a few seconds the door opens to the old man, Tanaka. Sanji gives a meek smile as the man looks him over. When he's satisfied he opens the door more to let the fox in. He knew after a month of coming here where to go. And he knew there will be snacks served. "It's just you today?" the old man asks. Sanji nods.

"Everyone is busy." Sanji answers politely.

"I see." he says going his own way. Sanji shrugs his shoulders and continue on. When he walks into the familiar room he's bombarded with Zoro's scent, and he loves it. He stands there for a long time watching the bunny eat his snack, happily taking his time to get as much of Zoro's scent as he can into his lungs.

He doesn't pay attention to how long he's stands there only remembering what he's there for when Zoro turns his head to him quickly and shocked. Zoro stares at the blonde for a while then leans back to see if there is perhaps someone behind him. But there is no one. Where are the others? Is it just him today?

Sanji walks in finally, sitting himself close to Zoro. Can't help the marimo if he's across the table, he tells himself. He takes out his books and a folder with Zoro's assignments for the day. Sanji hands him the folder then opens his notes, ready to help Zoro.

It's mostly silent as they work, Sanji on his homework and Zoro on his work. They rarely talk, only when Sanji is teaching and explaining what to do. Or when Zoro ask question. Besides those times it's mostly silent. Sanji does find his eyes wandering towards the green bunny. His ears are rather large and long. He can see why Usopp wanted to touch them, he does too. He had touched them before and wants to now. One has to wonder how he kept them hidden in a bandana for so long. Luffy told them the bandana was - is important to him, how?

"Luffy told us that bandanna was important, how?" Sanji asks eyes on Zoro. The green bunny pauses in his work to look at the fox, understandably surprised by the sudden personal question, said nicely in a normal tone. Zoro look back down to continue working, wondering if he should answer. He shouldn't waste this peaceful time by being silent the whole time. They should talk, Zoro actually wants that and he doesn't know why. Maybe it's because he smells nice. Also who cares if he knows. It's all in the past.

Sanji kept quiet ready to go back to work without an answer but Zoro open his mouth to say something. "It was given to me by a girl I used to know. She was a Tiger." Zoro smile down at his work, Sanji look over at the bunny to see his face. Obviously this girl means a lot to him. But he caught the words 'was' and 'use to.' What happened? "She was strong and fierce, I looked up to her, she was very different from me. I wasn't allowed to do anything by myself, I wasn't even allowed to leave the house."

"How did you my meet her?"

Zoro gives Sanji a grin, it make the blondes heart flutter, Zoro look oddly adorable and innocent, "I snuck out." Zoro says. "Everyone was worried, I was scared since I've never been out of the house before and I met her. Kuina. She was older than me, but she helped me. She took me to her home which was a dojo. Her father was shocked but she was happy, like she brought home a stray animal from the streets. I stayed with them for a long time. Even trying some kendo myself. I really liked it. I begged to go over almost everyday until dad finally let me go and I went almost everyday."

"Were you able to see her?"

"I was still blind when I first met her but then I started gaining my sight. She helped me and I told her everything. I told her how I hated being seen as weak and fragile. I knew that people were going to treat my different when I finally went to school. I was excited to finally go to school but I was nervous about how others will treat me. As a solution she gave me the bandanna, to cover my ears." Zoro frowns remembering what happened to his bandana.

"W-what happened to her?" Sanji asks, he wants to know.

"She died. After that I haven't gone back to the dojo but I think her father still runs it, still teaching." Zoro says. "Why did you want to know?" Zoro asks tilting his head.

"Just curious," Sanji shrugs. "You did beat a classmate bloody over it."

"He deserved it." Zoro pouts, Sanji starts laughing. He's never seen Zoro make that face before. It's cute to know the things Zoro holds dear to him will be taken care of. And will get mad if someone were to destroy it. Zoro blushes as Sanji laugh, his heart rate increasing the sound of the blondes laughter or the way Sanji eyes are closed from laughing too loudly, too heartily. Even his shoulders are trembling. He feels a little proud to be the one making Sanji laugh. He doesn't make anyone laugh.

After that they talked more, no awkwardness. The study section turned into a hang out.