The Princess and The Swordsman (ZoroxOC)

Chapter 51

"I propose a toast to our new friend, Chopper!" Usopp shouted and everyone cheered. The next day, I was tuning my guitar, watching, Zoro, Usopp, and Sanji as they played cards. I peered down at Zoro's hand, "Zoro, maybe you should-" I was cut off by Chopper screaming as he ran over to us, "Something horrible has happened you guys! A bird's eaten Luffy!" Chopper shouted, "This is no time for playing cards! We need to do something! Luffy's in trouble!" the tiny reindeer panicked.

"Did Luffy ask for help?" Zoro asked. Chopper shook his head, "No..." he said softly, "Then there's no problem. Don't worry about it." Zoro assured him as I pointed to a card. Suddenly, a giant bird slammed into the ship, causing all of us to fall over, "Sanji, I got some meat for us." Luffy remarked as I sat up, "Why are you guys sleeping?" he asked the guys as he looked at them while I examined the giant bird curiously.

"We're not, you idiot!" they all three shouted in unison, "You owe me for this, Luffy! I had a really good hand!" Usopp griped at Luffy. Luffy stood up and fixed his hat, "Oh yeah? Oops." he said and laughed. Zoro and Sanji took notice of the bird, "Whoa. That's huge." Sanji said, "Does this mean we can start having decent meals now?" Zoro asked, "Can we eat it?" Usopp asked. Luffy looked down at the concerned reindeer, "Hey, Chopper, is something wrong?" Luffy asked.

"Well...it's just...pirates really...you guys really are...really incredible!" Chopper said in awe. Sanji, Usopp, and Zoro all smiled at him and I giggled, "Why, yes we are!" Luffy proclaimed. Nami and Shae walked over together, "Hey, listen up you guys! We'll be landing at Alabasta soon, and this is no time to be joking around like a pack of hyenas." Shae informed us and I smiled, "Finally! I'll be home again!" I said happily. I glanced at Zoro who wasn't smiling anymore, instead he seemed to be lost in thought as he stared at the deck, his brows knotted in concentration. 

I stepped closer to him and slid my hand in his. Zoro looked at me and I smiled, "Are you okay?" I asked softly. Before he could answer, Nami thrusted her thumb over her shoulder, "Come on." Nami said as we all watched her and Shae go, "Yes ma'am." we all said. Zoro tightened his hand on mine as we all followed Shae and Nami to the other side of the ship, "So what is Alabasta then?" Chopper asked. I sat down and leaned against the side of the ship. 

Zoro sat beside me and laid his head in my lap as I gently played with his green hair, "It's the country where Vivi and Evie's father rules." Shae explained as the others stood around us talking, "Yeah, except there's this guy named Crocodile who's trying to take over the country right now." Usopp chimed in, "And Crocodile's one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea." Sanji added. Chopper tilted his head, "Who're those guys?" Chopper asked.

"They're pirates who are given authority by the World Government." Nami said, "The Government actually supports pirates?" Chopper asked, "Yeah. Pretty weird, huh?" Usopp asked, And the Seven Warlords are incredibly powerful. You see, they go around defeating other pirates, one by one. And that's why the government supports the Warlords. The idea is to have the pirates get rid of all the other pirates." Usopp explained.