Legal Stuff: All original characters, plot, and settings belong to Eiichiro Oda. I did not receive any revenue for writing this fan fiction. Enjoy the chapter!
Magina sighed, exhausted after modeling. Nami was already back to lounging in the sun, listening carefully to a DenDen Mushi. She shook her head. Nami was amazing; trying to spy on the Marines. Magina sat on the edge of the pool, letting her feet dangle in the water.
"Pirate Nee-chans, come and play!" Chimney demanded from the pool.
"Not right now, Chimney! I'm trying to spy on the Navy!" Nami shouted back.
Magina giggled before stripping the filmy layer away. Why was she shouting if she was spying?
"I'll play with you, Chimney."
She passed a beach ball to Chimney. The young girl giggled and tossed it back. Magina surged upwards and spiked the ball. Chimney squealed as it went over her head. She chased after it, laughing the whole time. Eventually, Nami joined the fun. Granted, her smug and secretive smile had nothing to do with the water game.
"Go ahead and get out of the pool, Magina. I'll play with Chimney a little longer," Nami winked.
"Sure," Magina shrugged.
She was a little chilly. She wondered if Chopper asked the rest of the crew to watch over her. She toweled off before shrugging her layer over her shoulders. It wouldn't surprise her. The doctor was overprotective, sometimes to the extreme. Her nakama slowly trickled into the pool area. Long tables were quickly set up and the grill started. A delectable aroma filled the pool area minutes later. Sanji manned the grill, flipping meat at just the right time.
"Nami-swan! The Mizu-Mizu meat is grilled to perfection! Come and eat!"
Nami popped her head out of the pool. "Oh, smells good!"
Magina glanced around in confusion. Zoro was here, wasn't he? His song had taken an oddly frozen quality to it. Suddenly, she shivered again but this time her reaction had nothing to do with the sun. She whipped her head around to find Zoro's gaze locked on her, his mouth agape with astonishment. Before Magina even had a chance to blush, he grabbed a sweater, marching over to her and thrusting it at her.
"Here, quick. Put this on before that damn Love Cook sees you!"
Magina's heart sank. "Oh, I guess you don't really like it after all. Nami said…"
Zoro interrupted her with a gentle finger flick to her forehead. His ears were red.
"Baka. You know how annoying Sanji can be when he sees a beautiful woman. And I don't feel like sharing you with anyone else."
This time, Magina did blush; nearly as red as the swimsuit she was wearing. His possessive words left little doubt about Zoro's feelings. The heat grew worse when she recalled what he said. She pulled the sweater over her head. He thought that she was beautiful!
"Hmm. Well, I think I understand your feelings now, Roronoa Zoro," Magina grinned happily.
Zoro frowned, took a second to remember what he said and flushed suddenly. He slapped his forehead with his open palm.
"I don't suppose you could forget what I just said?"
Magina chuckled teasingly. "Not a chance, Mr. Bushido."
Nami walked by. She narrowed her eyes at the sweater and scowled at Zoro.
"Did you do this, Zoro? Why did you make her cover up? Magina's really cute in a swimsuit!"
"There are too many bugs here," Zoro growled darkly.
Nami crossed her arms. "I see. Come on, Magina. It'll be cooler by the pool. Sanji will bring us some food."
Nami grabbed her hand and pulled her in the direction of the poolside chairs. The navigator only turned around once to stick her tongue out at Zoro. She huffily sat down and gestured that Magina should take the empty seat.
"I can't believe him! I would totally understand if you wanted to dump the man, Magina!"
Magina smiled gently. "Oh, he's not that bad, Nami. Really. All in all, I think the suit worked like a fishing lure."
Nami swiveled and studied her shrewdly. She eventually grinned and clapped her hands excitedly.
"I knew the outfit would work! That's exciting! Make sure that he spends some time with you. This is a party! And it would be extremely boring if all he does is drink!"
"Excuse my interruption, mademoiselles. Here is some fresh Mizu-Mizu meat, hot off the grill. I made sure to grab the freshest pieces for the three of you!" Sanji interrupted, offering each of them a platter.
"Thank you, Sanji-kun," Nami took her platter and started eating.
Magina smiled and nodded in thanks. Sanji was called away by Luffy, Chopper, even Sogeking. She was relieved to see him, though he was still hiding his identity. He seemed to be doing fine. His appetite looked good, and he even began singing. Though per his disguise, the song was verse after verse of his "new" song.
After the food was served, the area quickly grew crowded. The Galley La foreman, the Giants, even the Franky Family brothers came by to party. Even Iceburg-san and Franky stopped by. Magina's head pounded, little by little as more people arrived. And soon, she was sweating in the sweater. She tapped Nami on the shoulder.
"I'm going to change," she fanned at her face.
Nami smiled and gave her a thumbs up. Magina carefully picked her way through the crowd until she reached the changing room. Only Robin was in the deserted space, holding a drink. Robin smiled easily.
"Changing out of your suit already, Magina? I'll keep guard to make sure Sanji doesn't try and peek. Though, should I make an exception for Zoro?"
Magina snorted before stepping into the changing room. "He already started drinking with the foremen. He'll be distracted for a while. I think Sanji is still grilling, but he has a sixth sense. I would feel better if you would keep a look out. Thanks, Robin."
"Don't mention it," Magina heard through the wooden door.
Magina changed slowly. Being out of the sweater was like heaven. It was too crowded at the party. She just wanted a few minutes of quiet before returning to everyone. She was about to step out when Robin's melody changed. The driving fear, like a pounding heartbeat was back. What was going on now?
"Just stay there. I only want to talk," a familiar voice commanded.
Magina froze. This was the Ice Marine! What was he doing here? True to his word, he only talked a little and then he was gone. Magina rushed over to Robin.
"Are you okay? He didn't hurt you?" she demanded.
"No…I'm fine," Robin replied after taking a deep breath.
Magina nodded. "Go ahead back to the others, Robin. I'm going to search the perimeter quick."
Robin nodded and returned to the party. Magina slowly walked around the building. Nobody else was going to scare Robin on her watch! By the time that she walked around Galley La's Headquarters, the sun was setting, and the party was beginning to wind down. At least, Robin's song was back to normal. Zoro sounded sullen though.
Magina was almost back to the party venue when she bumped into someone. A rough hand quickly steadied her. Iceburg-san smiled.
"Well, if it isn't the Siren Girl. You pirates sure can throw a party but I have to start assessing the damages to the Company. Before I forget, could you make sure the swordsman gets this?" the mayor handed her a corked bottle.
Magina nodded. "Thank you. It sounds like he's in a bad mood. I'm sure this will help."
Iceburg went to his office and Magina went back to the pool. Everyone was passed out. Except for one lone swordsman, who drank by himself. Magina uncorked the bottle and shook her head as she watched him drain his mug. She quietly came up behind him and poured more sake into his cup.
. . .
Zoro drained another mug. Nearly everyone was snoring around him. And by everyone, he meant the Straw Hat crew, the shipwrights of Galley La and the Franky Brothers. Another adventure successfully dealt with, enemies asses kicked and nakama rescued. Sogeking… no, Usopp…that was one problem still needing a solution. Luffy was Captain, that meant that orders had to be followed. Saying goodbye to Merry, as painful as it was, had to happen. Everyone else accepted that decision but Usopp. And he even caused division in the crew when he left. Zoro couldn't let Usopp back until he fixed that rift he caused. More sake was poured into his mug.
"For a man who is at a party, you don't look like you're having a good time," Magina teased gently before sitting next to him.
"Hmph." Zoro grunted before taking a swig. "You should be sleeping like everyone else," he grumbled into the mug.
"I couldn't sleep. It's chilly out and there's a lone swordsman drinking by himself that's disturbing my sleep pattern," she replied easily while leaning against him.
Zoro swallowed the growl he was about to let loose and pulled Magina to him. She snuggled closer and he watched a soft smile light up her face. He didn't need to be so upset. Sanji wouldn't interrupt this time. And there wasn't anyone else on the ship that objected.
"You know, Sanji is passed out cold. I don't think he'll be able to interfere tonight," Magina said slowly, a hint of hesitation in her voice.
Zoro grinned. "Are you sure you aren't a mind reader, siren? I was thinking the exact same thing."
She chuckled softly, "I really can't. It's like we're fishing from the same net. That's why it seems that way."
Zoro snorted, nearly choking on his sake. Magina must have a fish idiom for everything.
"What? Was it something I said?" she frowned.
He cleared his throat and turned to look at her. The moon shone brightly. Her ebony hair had deep purple highlights in the moonlight. A strand fell across her face. Zoro brushed it gently back.
"No, I just forget about the fact that all you think about is fish," he twirled a lock of hair around a finger.
"I can't help it. I've been a fisherman my whole life. I—"
Zoro didn't wait for the rest of her sentence. He kissed her. Her words died abruptly as she stopped resisting him and kissed him back. To finally be able to touch Magina, kiss her without the normal interruptions or distractions was better than he could imagine. Maybe once they had a new ship, they really should try staying together in the same room. Even Sanji might think twice about bursting in at inopportune times…
"Ow! I thought the party had cooled off by now. I guess I underestimated how hot a private party for two could be," Franky's voice cut through his thoughts.
Sighing mentally, Zoro pulled away from Magina. "Did you need something, Franky?" he asked, unable to keep his annoyance out of his voice.
"Oh, I was just wondering if you saw Baka-berg anywhere. I'm extra su-uper this week but it's a large project."
Out of the corner of his eye, Zoro caught Magina pursing her lips together in agitation. She hadn't told him, but something must have happened between the two of them.
"Franky," Magina paused, "Iceberg said he was going to start looking at the damages to the company," she answered tightly.
"Ah, thanks Fisher Girl. That sounds like Baka-berg alright. Go ahead and continue."
And as abruptly as Franky appeared, he left, singing a made-up song of his 'super'-ness. Magina stared after him, shaking her head.
"I'm still not comfortable around him."
"Forget about Franky. Let's continue what we were doing before he interrupted us," Zoro couldn't contain the frustrated growl in his voice.
"Hmm, that sounds like a good plan," Magina smiled.
Zoro still saw the concern lurking in her eyes that she attempted to hide.
"What is it now?"
Magina gaze lingered on the bandages on his chest and turned away quickly. "No…it's nothing, really."
Zoro snorted softly. "Stop lying, siren. And you don't have to worry so much. I'm fine. Worry about your own recovery a little. You're reckless enough as it is."
"What about you? You don't care about your health at all! How about you focus on recuperating for once instead of just training? Then maybe I can concentrate on recovering myself instead of worrying about you so much!"
A vessel popped at his forehead. Magina could be so infuriating at times! "Well, excuse me for going wild. Those bastards had to pay! They took Robin and hurt you. Did you really think we'd let them get away with that?" Zoro snapped.
"I was not the only one hurt by them," she snapped. "I wish that somebody would explain what's really going on with Usopp. Why is he in a disguise? Why is he acting like a stranger? Maybe instead of being a stubborn and pigheaded marimo, you could just tell me what's going on!"
He was about to snap at the mention of 'marimo' and he turned furiously to her. He opened his mouth to speak when he noticed the glimmer of tears. Zoro sighed, his anger dissipating with the expelled air.
"Look, Magina—Usopp, he quit the crew on his own. He went against Luffy's decision. They fought. It'd be one thing if he apologized but he can't be let back on the crew if he's going to just make excuses. No matter what else has been said, those are the facts."
"It didn't have to turn out that way. If I had been there, I could've stopped it…I know I would've been able to!"
Zoro understood now. Those whispered words were the final puzzle piece. Magina wasn't angry with him; she was blaming herself for not being able to prevent the situation.
"Yeah, maybe you might have made a difference in the initial argument. I'm sure that if you had a couple of harpoons, you could have pinned each of them to the floor and forced them to listen to reason."
Magina threw him a look of such disgust that he almost laughed.
"That wasn't the way I was thinking of going about it. I have songs that could've helped…"
Magina was clearly pouting. Zoro smiled tolerantly. She hated thinking that she was useless. No one else thought that about her. He pulled her against him once more and sighed heavily.
"I'm not sure that even if you had been present when Luffy and Usopp fought that you would be able to change the outcome. It might have been unavoidable. Those two weren't going to listen to anyone. Don't blame yourself for not being there."
The sun crept up slowly across the horizon. She leaned against him wearily, her sighs sad. Zoro snaked an arm around her waist.
"There's still something bothering you?"
He asked the question quietly. He didn't want to wake the others. His time alone with Magina was cut drastically since Song Island. He wasn't going to let anyone disturb them if he could help it.
"The sunrise just reminded me of a time on Merry. We had so many memories on her; it's going to be hard to go on a different ship. Merry was so much a part of us…" she trailed off.
"Yeah, she was," Zoro paused. "A new ship could be a new beginning. Besides, we'll create plenty of new memories to make up for it."
Zoro tipped her head back and kissed her. They were so preoccupied that they didn't notice Iceburg and Franky heading towards an abandoned cape outside of Water 7.
So, that's Chapter 34! I hope you enjoyed it. Fun fact, this is one of the first chapters that I wrote during my hiatus. I obviously couldn't post it right away, there was quite a story gap between Chapter 17 (or 18, maybe 19?) and Chapter 34. But this means that we filled in the first gap! I'm still working on filling the rest of the gaps, one chapter at a time! Thank you all for reading! As always, I hope everyone is keeping healthy and safe! See you the next time!