The Second Mate Of StrawHats

Chapter one

It was a quiet, peaceful night. The Strawhats were safely back on The Thousand Sunny, travelling along the grandline. The sea was unusually calm, waves rocking the ship gently. The Bright moon was casting a soft silvery glow on the deck. Leaning against the railings near the figurehead, stood the blond cook of the Strawhat staring towards the sea, lost in thought.

As he brought the cigarette he had been holding in his left to his lips, he sensed the presence of someone approaching from behind. He didn't bother turning already knowing who it was. (Whether it was his observation haki or he was just attuned to his footsteps he didn't bother thinking.)

'Your watch?' Sanji asked, not moving his eyes from the sea.

'Hmm'. Came the non-comentable grunt from the Swordsman.

Sanji puffed his cigarette again, still gazing towards the sea.. 'You can go sleep in the crow's nest. I'll keep watch for the rest of the night. I am not sleepy.'

Zorro instead moved forward to also lean against the railing beside Sanji, his eyes taking in the view of the calm sea stretched ahead of them. A few moments of silence passed between them.

'You haven't been sleeping well since you came back,' Zorro suddenly said quietly, breaking the silence. 'You should talk to Chopper.'

That caught Sanji off guard. He turned to look at the swordsman curiously.
'You worried about me, Mosshead?' He asked with half a laugh.

Zorro tilted his head to stare into his eyes for a long moment before replying..
'Yes.'

Sanji felt himself getting flustered at the unexpected reply.

'I am fine.' He says finally, turning his head back to sea.

'Sure,' Zorro said, looking towards the widespread ocean once again.. 'the insomnia, the increase in smoking, the weight loss are just part of your definition of "fine" I guess?'

Sanji swore in surprise 'WTF Mosshead! Have you been stalking me?'

Zorro kept peering towards the sea as if waiting for Sanji to get over it. After a few seconds, he said quietly..

'It's not just me Curly. Everyone is worried.'

'E-everyone?'

Zorro sighed and stood up straight. 'Chopper is the one who noticed your weight loss. Nami was the first to point out your chain smoking. I have seen you standing here almost every night since you have been back. Even Luffy has commented that you seem quieter since your return.'

Sanji flicked his cigarette towards the sea in irritation.

'I am fine..' He said almost angrily.. 'At least.. I will be.. I think. You don't need to worry about me.'

Zorro once again chose to stay quiet as Sanji tried to gather his thoughts. The whole crew has noticed? He made everyone worry again! How pathetic!

'Is this about you leaving the crew? Is that what's been bothering you?' Zorro asked causally.

Sanji, however, froze, his breath caught in his chest.. He had dreaded this moment ever since he had returned to the Sunny after Whole Cake Island. The day he'll have to face Zorro, his First Mate, about his betrayal to the Strawhats. He knew that while his Captain was a simple, easygoing person, it was Zorro's job to keep the discipline in the crew.

Sanji took a breath and tried to respond but he could not make himself speak. His heart was beating too fast, blood thundering in his ears. He couldn't even make himself look at Zorro.

'Doesn't matter, you know. You are back now. You only did what had to be done to protect the crew'

Sanji looks up at Zorro in shock, unable to believe what he said. Then his expressions softened..