Book One: Treasure of the Heart (Zoro X OC)

Chapter Forty Three ~ More Desert

~Third~ 

We join our group once more as they continue travelling the desert, at the front, the girls Nami, Nicole and Vivi riding Eyelash the camel behind them Luffy, Usopp, Sanji, Ace and Zoro who was dragging Chopper behind him on a piece of wood the trip had been silent so far until Luffy paused to take a drink.

"What are you doing?"Usopp asked yelling at him spilling some water which immediately dried up in the desert sand "Stop spilling all the water you slob"Usopp said "What's the big deal? Ace brought plenty of water for everybody"Luffy said, oh yeah there was this thing when Ace got lost but eh never mind you don't have to worry about the details "But we still gotta conserve all our supplies stop hogging all the water for yourself"Usopp said "Why is it okay if Sanji does?"Luffy asked.

"This is for Nami so if she gets thirsty or dehydrated and cries out for water i'll be there to rescue her"Sanji said and ran over to the ladies "Nami, Vivi, Nicole you care for some refreshment?"he asked "I wouldn't mind a sip"Nicole said taking the water sack and taking a small sip "Thanks Sanji"she smiled at him "Anything for your beautiful smile my dear!"Sanji said with heart eyes "Hey give me some!"Luffy said running over and the two fought over the water.

"Hey you want some water?"Zoro asked turning to Chopper jealous that Sanji was stealing Nicole's attention, but this was the cross he had to bare by not being the type to show affection with other around "No thank you i'll be just fine"Chopper said, Luffy, Usopp and Sanji had gotten into another fight over the water yelling at each other and stuff.

"Hey Vivi can you tell me some more about this rebel army?"Nami asked turning to her "Yeah, i've been curious about it too"Nicole said "Yes i probably should fill you in before we get there, it started eleven years ago"Vivi said.

(A/N: i was gonna do the flashback thing but eh i'm lazy and i'll take any excuse, including that it would be like in the anime/manga soooooooooo)

 ~skip~

"What a sweet story Vivi"Nami said, Vivi nodded in agreement "Luffy stop it, you give me that water back right this minute!"Usopp yelled chasing after Luffy and Sanji chasing after both of them "Just wait i haven't gotten to the best part yet"Vivi said.

~skip~

"What the heck is that?!"Luffy asked as a tail of sorts popped out of the sand "It looks like a tail"Luffy said and went to poke it with a stick "Hello there don't be shy come on"he said and a giant scorpion popped out of the sand, Usopp screamed freaking out "It's huge!"Luffy said and the scorpion went to strike him but the others and Luffy beat it up while Usopp was freaking out.

"Vivi please continue the story i'm getting hooked on your adventures with Koza"Nami said "Alright, see Koza had a strong heart that burned as bright as the sun but i worried that one day his compassion might be used against him"Vivi said.

~skip~

Vivi was smiling as she finished the story, Nicole grew a Cheshire cat grin "You looove him"she said "What?! I do not!"Vivi said, Nami also grew a Cheshire cat grin "Sure you don't, but then why are you blushing?"she asked "I am not!" Vivi protested blushing even more, the two other girls just snickered before bursting into laughter, Vivi laughed a bit too, after calming down though Vivi looked down thinking about it "I mean honestly i haven't really thought about it, i've been so focused on stopping the rebellion" she said.

"It's good to keep your mind focused, just think about it after we stop the rebellion, for now forget i said anything"Nicole said "Okay"Vivi nodded "So Koza went with his father to found the city of Yuba does this have something to do with the rebel army?"Nami asked.

"Uh huh that's right, we're heading towards the oasis of Yuba that's where the rebel army is stationed and the leader of the rebellion is named Koza"Vivi said "So that means?"Nami asked, Vivi nodded "It's the same boy from the story"Vivi said "Nami look i managed to save you the best part"Sanji said running over with a pincer of the giant scorpion from earlier, Vivi and Nami freaked out while Nicole was willing to give it a try.

"This desert shrimp is so good"Luffy said "It's not shrimp it's scorpion"Usopp corrected him "Oh i'm so full"Luffy said laying on a piece of exoskeleton of the scorpion "You guys are a bunch of inconsiderate jerks! Let's go Eyelash!"Nami said and the camel started walking off.

~skip~

As the sun set on that day Ace set off having heard that Blackbeard was no longer in Alabasta from a bounty hunter they had a run in with but again don't worry about the details "Well then" Ace said ready to set off "You're not really gonna leave us Ace are you?"Chopper asked "Yup, seeing as it's been confirmed Blackbeard isn't in Alabasta i have no reason to stick around"Ace said.

"You sure?"Luffy asked "Anything idea where you'll be headed next?"Sanji asked "I have a lead about Blackbeard's where about's now, guess we'll see, Luffy"Ace said tossing a piece of paper over to his brother "Do yourself a favor and hang onto that"Ace said "But it's just a scrap of paper"Luffy said "That scrap of paper will reunite us some day"Ace said "Yeah?"Luffy asked opening up the paper but it was blank.

"You don't want it?"Ace asked "Nah i'll keep it"Luffy said "It's perfectly natural for a guy to worry about his bungling kid brother right? He might be a bit much for all of you to handle but take good care of him for me"Ace said to the crew bowing down "Luffy when next we meet we'll both be top pirates"Ace said "Right"Luffy said "The top you and me"Ace said and disappeared without another word as Luffy got distracted by something or other.

"Where's Ace?"Luffy asked turning back to see his brother gone "He disappeared"Zoro said "Good old fire fist Ace"Sanji said "But will see him again"Luffy said.(A/N: big oof i tear up every time just thinking about the brothers next reunion)