What's Not To Love

Chapter 13

NOTE: Hope you liked this chapter. I bring back Sanji's conscious. His conscious and 'Sanji'.

Franky felt an intense gaze on him and managed to come back to reality. When he came to, both Nami and Robin were glaring at him, as if he had just killed their families.

"Oh, He- "

"I cannot believe you helped Zoro kick Sanji out without telling him." Robin said, cutting Franky off immediately.

Franky stood surprised. If it was one thing he hated, it was when Robin was mad. And to make things worse, she was mad at him.

"What? Now hold on- "

"Do you realize that you just caused an already bad situation to turn into a war? On the ship!" Nami interjected.

Franky turned towards the girls and glared. Okay so he had maybe done something bad but who was he to make that call. It wasn't his heart being torn apart.

"If you would just let me talk, then maybe I could explain." Franky said, making the girls stop and stare at him impatiently.

"Okay, so here's what happened." Franky started, taking a seat. "I was in town, looking for some tools for the ship so I could make these new inventions that I've been thinking up." Franky pointed to his head to make his point. "While I was out, I saw Zoro," Noticing the air becoming tenser, Franky quickly held his hands up in surrender and added, "But it wasn't planned."

Nami and Robin nodded their heads, silently telling Franky to continue. Brook sat patiently waiting for Franky to continue as well. He needed to know the story perfectly so that he could assist Sanji in anyway.

Franky sighed and started again. "Anyway, he seemed like he was looking for something, so I went up to him and asked if I could help. All he told me was 'nope, I was looking for you'. Just so you know, I'm just as confused as you guys are." Franky said at the sight of the confused faces in front of him. "Zoro never asks anyone for favors."

Looking up thoughtfully, Franky tried to summarize the entire conversation they had. "Basically, he said that he needed to be separated from Sanji for a while but wouldn't tell me why when I asked. But his face showed the pain he was feeling and he looked like he didn't want to go through with it, so I was going to suggest that he just ask Sanji for some space for a while. I never got to though, because he looked like he wanted to cry but he was staying strong for the kids. He told me that he couldn't do it anymore and needed to be away from him. He kept looking at the kids with that look, and it kept pulling my heart. So I agreed. I agreed because I hated that look on our crew member." Franky ended, now watching his shipmates faces morph into sympathy. "We all know Zoro, and we know that this is something he never asked for before. No matter what him and Sanji was going through. But this time seemed different. He looked like he was hurting in the worst way possible and I had to help him."

Nami and Robin watched Franky and tried to think of something to say. Brook stayed silent and thought as well. After a moment, he decided to speak.

"Zoro and Sanji are going through something tough right now and it seems like we're starting to pick sides." When the crew members looked at him, he continued. "Whether we wanted to or not, to them, we're helping out the other."

"But there's no way we can stay out of it." Nami whispered, trying to hide the sadness in her tone.

"You're right." Robin said, touching her arm lightly. "But, we live on a ship with them. We are their family. We have no choice but to get involved."

"Ah hell." Franky said, voicing his own inner turmoil. "There's always a problem on this ship. First marines and now shipmates."

Brook looked out the small gallery window and voiced his own thoughts. "Sometimes, I wish I could be as carefree as the other members." He was referring the Chopper, Usopp and Luffy.

At this point in time, the members in the gallery couldn't help but to silently agree.

Sanji rushed down the steps leading to the lower level of the ship. As he walked, all he could think about was how something like this could happen to him. He didn't think the kiss was that serious. Sure it happened in front of Zoro but he had no idea.

Yea and is that supposed to justify your actions?

Sanji stopped and sighed loudly before ruffling his hair. Turning back the way he had come, Sanji redirected his legs to the direction of the bathrooms. Once there he locked the door and went to the sink. He cut the faucet on and used his hands to wet his face before using a towel to dry it. Looking in the mirror, he thought about how much he hated his own conscious.

Aww, you only hate me because I was right.

'Says who?'

Says your actions you idiot. I told you that when you messed up, it would be royally and now look. Right now, you've got to deal with the big man and your family.

'Oh shut up!'

You know, maybe you should go and see a doctor. I mean no one in their right mind could possibly fuck up the way you do. Maybe you do have a problem.

Sanji didn't provide an answer. He had been thinking the same thing but he wasn't going to agree with his conscious.

'Everyone fucks up.'

Yeah, your right. Everyone does. Except you fuck up ALL THE TIME.

Pressing his hands to his face to squish it, he let out a sigh. He didn't have time for this. Dropping his hands, he contained himself.

'I'm trying to fix it.'

Not sure how but by all means.

Sanji rolled his eyes and left the bathroom. He headed in the direction he was going in previously. When he got close to thei- Zoro's room, Sanji walked past it. He needed to check the guest room first.

Once in the guest room, Sanji silently thanked Franky for hanging his clothes up. As he looked around, he noticed that he was missing something but he couldn't figure out what.

Maybe the babies, Zoro...your brain.

Sanji scoffed and ignored his conscious. Leaving the room, Sanji made his way back to Zoro's room. He contemplated how he was going to get inside. Once there, Sanji almost jumped with happiness. Zoro hadn't closed the door all the way, probably because he was tired.

Sanji opened the door and closed it quietly behind him once inside. Turning around, Sanji bit his lip. Zoro was sleeping peacefully with his arm thrown over the spot Sanji use to occupy. It was the tears though, that caused him to hesitate.

Zoro wasn't a cryer. He wasn't outright crying though. He was crying with the most pained expression in his sleep. Sanji didn't know if he should wake him up or how he should wake him up. Since he wanted to think about it, he tiptoed to the crib to check on the babies.

As he looked in, he smiled. Dai and Kai were both holding one of their small teddy bears by their side tightly. It was indeed a beautiful sight. Inhaling, Sanji turned away from the crib and back towards the bed. He tiptoed over there and sat in the chair next to the bed. He watched Zoro a second before reaching a hand out to brush away the tears.

At first, there was no movement. Then Zoro began to stir which resulted in Sanji retracting his hand. When the green orbs saw him, they widened. He opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out. Sanji wasn't supposed to be there.

Sanji guessed that Zoro wanted him gone but he refused to go. He had to fight in order to get him back and that's exactly what he was going to do.

"Hey" Sanji said quietly. "Do you mind if we talked for a bit?"