The Window Maker - (OCXCANON)

Chapter 33 (Alabasta Arc)

Zoro trotted down the steps and cracked his neck with a groan, "Ehh, I'm bored. I'm gonna take a walk."

Usopp shrieked. "Take a walk?!"

Ki wore a smug grin as she muttered, "There goes one."

The swordsman hopped over the railing and landed with a grunt. Sanji leaned over and called to him, "Hey, Zoro! Wait up! You know we're kinda short on food, right? If you find any animals that appear edible, bring 'em back."

Zoro gave the cook a snide grin, "Okay, that's easy. I can see why you'd want to send me, 'cause I could bring back something you couldn't catch yourself."

The cook snapped back, "What the hell does that mean?!" The swordsman only growled in response but Sanji leaned his foot on the railing with a pensive glare, "I won't let that remark go unchallenged. You saying you can capture bigger game than I can? Like my hunting skills are inferior?"

Zoro gritted his teeth and creased his brow, "Yeah, that's right!"

The men's scowls sparked between them then Sanji hoisted himself onto the railing, "Challenge accepted," He leapt onto the ground beside the swordsman and snarled, "Okay, winner brings back the most pounds of meat."

Ki chuckled behind her hand, "And there goes the other."

The swordsman growled, "What do you mean pounds? 'Cause I'll bring back tons!"

Sanji pointed his cigarette at Zoro with a sly grin, "Why don't you let your hunting do your talking for you?"

Zoro grunted as he turned the opposite direction, "Hmph! Good luck, Cook!"

Nami cried, "I will never understand it. Why do those two jerks have to be so competitive?"

Usopp sniffled, "Don't cry, if it makes you feel better, I'm just as stumped about their behavior as you."

Ki slowly turned to the navigator with a smug grin, "Oh, ho ho! Would you look at that? Both of your saviors have left! Shucks, it's almost like I SAW THAT SHIT COMING!"

The sniper hugged her legs desperately pleading, "Don't leave us, Ki! Please! We need you! We'll be sitting ducks without you!"

The navigator followed suit, wrapping her arms around Ki's torso, "I'm sorry I ever doubted you! Protect us!"

Ki ground her teeth as the redhead nuzzled her cheek, "Ughhhh. My life is just always going to be some kind of babysitting, isn't it?" The sounds of the forest caused the pair to squeak and tighten their grip on her body. She snarled, "I can't do shit with you two all over me, ya know! Get off!"

Nami snapped to, and shot to her feet, "Hey! Why didn't I think of that before?!" She trotted over to the cabin door and threw it open.

Ki and Usopp eyed each other before the sniper whined, "Where are you going?! Nami, what's wrong?"

They followed the navigator into her drawing room. Ki hung back in the doorway while Usopp stepped forward. She caught one of the books Nami had launched from the bookshelf and used it to block another, "Ya know, Red, you can look for stuff without making a huge mess!"

The redhead paid them no mind as she mumbled to herself, "Hmmm, that's not it. Hmm, not this one either."

The sniper raised his brows as he dodged book after book being tossed, "Ah! Da! Ah! Nami! Wha- Woah! Hey! What the heck are you looking for anyway, huh?!"

Nami waved him off without turning away from the books, "Quiet! I remember reading about it in a book," She tugged another book from the shelf and flipped through its pages.