The Blind Brawler [ Roronoa Zoro X OC]

Chapter 34

With both of the Sandora Dragons defeated, we all settled down in the shade of the rocky outcropping. Zoro sliced through the lizard's scaly hide and carved up the meat for Sanji to cook. The chef may have lost his equipment when the Warusagi birds stole our bags, but he was able to improvise with the flat, sunbaked rocks, smoothed by sandstorms. Ace offered to assist with keeping a constant heat on the lizard meat.

Before too long, we were eating seared, unseasoned meat with an oddly slick texture. It was similar to shrimp, however, it tasted less like seafood and more like a mellow chicken flavour. Sanji seemed apologetic for the poor quality of the meal, despite his lack of supplies.

"So, now that we have a moment," Zoro started with a dry tone, "What's with the camel?"

Luffy had just taken a bite out of yet another serving of dragon when he spoke, "I don't know. It was getting eaten by the mystery plants while I was chasing those birds."

Nami sounded thoughtful as she turned toward the steed, "It's obviously not a wild camel."

"No," Vivi agreed with the navigator, "Not with a saddle and bridle."

I smiled as I set down the remnants of my food, "Oh? So he's already kitted out with riding equipment? That's perfect! We won't have to tame him or train him."

I heard the patter of hooves as Chopper walked over to the larger creature. The camel started to grunt and bleat, almost like a cow or goat as the young reindeer excitedly shouted, "Yeah! It is you!" The camel groaned again and Chopper warmly replied, "Really? Good for you!"

At this point, the captain had stood up and joined the two animals as they conversed. He still had a chunk of meat in his mouth as he spoke, "Wait, so you guys know each other?"

"Uh-huh!" Chopper chirped brightly, "He gave me a ride when I escaped from Katorea!"

Usopp sat up at that news, his voice optimistic, "He's a passenger-carrying camel! That's sure gonna make things a lot easier."

"Yeah, that oughta be a real help," Sanji added, still searing off bits of dragon meat, "It looks like he can carry two!"

I could hear the coy smirk in the swordsman's voice as he agreed with his crewmates, "Camels do go hand in hand with deserts."

Luffy finished his meal and I sensed him throw his arms upon the saddle with an eager tone in his voice, "Great! I'll take the first shift," As he began to lift himself into the seat, the camel turned and bit the rubber man on his head. The young boy let out a yelp of surprise, not really hurt since he was made of rubber, and stepped back from the animal.

The camel started grunting and bleating as Chopper began to translate for him with a tough-guy voice, "'I'm afraid I'm a loving, hard-boiled, but compassionate son of the desert. I'm very grateful to you for having helped me outta that jam back there and I'll be glad to give some of you a ride but I'm afraid I don't accept male passengers,'" At that, Usopp, Sanji, and Luffy all leapt up and started kicking and hitting the animal in annoyance, demanding it sing a different tune. However, Chopper continued in a cool voice, "'I'm too macho.'"

I merely shook my head as my crewmates gave up in frustration and stormed away from the camel, "What kinda dumb luck do we have that we would find such a picky camel?"

"The same dumb luck that lost us our supplies and got us into this mess in the first place," Zoro groaned in annoyance as he stood to my left.

Our manipulative navigator walked up to the animal with a warm and cheerful voice, "I'm so sorry that my crewmates are a bunch of ill-bred louts! Now, what should we call you, you great big precious camel, you?" The boys all began throwing out insulting suggestions as the woman climbed into the saddle. As the camel stood back up she spoke with a kind and playful voice, "Eyelash it is, then."