The Blind Brawler [ Roronoa Zoro X OC]

Chapter 35: "Oh, great. She's lost her mind, too."

We all woke up slowly as we felt the temperature start to rise the next morning. My body was stiff and ached from the poor sleep. I tried to stretch my arms but raising them only made them sorer. Sand had managed to get into my boots and clothes. I winced as I stood up and the coarse grains irritated the blisters starting to form on my ankles.

No one said much as we all got to our feet. With no campsite to pack up, we all began to solemnly trudge forward as the sun rose. Nami and Vivi climbed onto Eyelash and led the way as the men and I trailed behind them.

Chopper was feeling well enough to walk on his own, but both Zoro and I stood near the little reindeer in case he started to falter. It was not long before the sun had fully risen above the horizon line and the young doctor tiredly asked for his sled. I stopped to help him get settled as Zoro prepared to pull the sled along.

The others had kept walking so we had to walk at a hurried pace to catch up to the back of the group. As we got closer, I heard Zoro groan, "What is that idiot doing?"

"Huh?" I turned to the swordsman with a furrowed brow.

"Luffy," He answered with exhaustion and frustration heavy in his voice.

I sensed him reach up to his face as I sighed and bowed my head, "It is too early for this shit."

The rubber man in question was cheerfully shouting, "Ah! What the heck is that?!" I focused my attention on his voice and saw he was crouched down and poking at a round object protruding from the sand. His voice was eager with curiosity, "It looks like a tail!" He tried to coax the creature out, "Hello there? Don't be shy. Come. On. Out!"

With his final prod, the sand underneath my captain's feet suddenly erupted as a large desert creature emerged. It resembled a giant spider, but flatter and with a tail that hung over its back. Vivi let out a shriek, "I've never seen a scorpion so huge!"

My hands curled into fists as I charged to help him, growling in annoyance, "Damnit, Luffy! It is way too early for this shit!"

Usopp screamed in panic as Zoro and Sanji dashed alongside me. Chopper shifted into his heavy point and took up the rear to help where he could. The rubber man only cried out in happy surprise, "It's huge!"

The swordsman drew two of his blades and blocked the beast's tail as it lunged forward to pierce our captain's chest. The chef leapt up and dropped his heel into the spine of the creature, causing a sickening crack as he broke through its armoured skin.

I threw myself at the base of the tail, wrapping my arms around it and hooking my legs over the creature's back. I crossed my ankles and threw my weight back so I lay against the sand, grappling the tail, "Armstange!" The scorpion began to thrash, but I braced my body against its attempt to pull away.

"Nice one, Kaori!" Zoro praised as my move freed him from having to block the tail. I felt my face flush and gritted my teeth to fight back how flustered I was.

With the desert creature's primary defence disabled, my four crewmates quickly defeated it. Once I was sure it was down for the count, I unlocked my arms and legs and rolled off of its back. I stood and began to brush the sand off of my coat.

Luffy raised his arms and shouted with glee, "Woohoo! Breakfast!" A small grimace pulled at the corner of my lip as I ached at the thought of food. My hand twitched as I fought to reach up and hold my stomach.

Sanji clicked his tongue in anger, "That's great, Luffy, but how am I supposed to cook this thing?"

"Allow me," Ace said kindly as a wave of heat erupted from the flame man.