❛ DAMN IT, WOMAN.❜
₊˚៹ . ❪ episode : 127-8 ❫˖ ₊˚.⋆
࿐┊ CH. 22┊🏴‍☠️🌊👒

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      THE RAIN POURED DOWN HEAVY FROM THE GREY SKIES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN AGES OVER THE TOWN, HALF OF THE PEOPLE FIGHTING EITHER WOUNDED OR UNCONIUOUS, but most were relieved that the fighting was over. Thanks to Chaka and Igaram, the royal guard stood down from their rage and expected that the battle not needed to be fought anymore.

       So, now they could saviour the feeling of the cool rain washing over their skins and clothes, something they hadn't felt in so long. It was refreshing -- quite literally. 

       It was also revealed who was behind the attack, not their King who most thought was fault to what happened to them. A kid, who survived from the attack told them all, and Koza backed him up also, with what he knew which made the crowd start to believe in the story more now.

      Vivi, who was running down from the bell tower to find her pirate friends in the crowd, couldn't find them when she arrived at the crowd below. She had a feeling they had disappeared somewhere in town, since they did agree to not take the victory for their win against Crocodile and his team.

      And currently, somewhere exactly in the town streets were the Straw Hat pirates, all walking slowly despite the wounds looking for a familiar (H/C) haired girl wherever she might be.

       Luffy was out front leading the group, holding a worried Happy in his arms that looked just as bruised and banged up as the rest of his friends behind him. The cat ignored the bickering from the group, and focused on using his sight to search for his best friend.

      "Ah... well, listen... I'm coming down with 'if I walk more, I'll die' disease..." Usopp panted out his fake condition to Sanji, who irked at him but it was Zoro who responded to the sharp shooter.

     "Then stay there." Zoro deadpanned at the male, and grabbed him by his banged up foot, beginning to drag him behind along the ground, "Don't hold me back from finding my captain, dork."

      Sanji irked once more annoyed hearing the swordsman words, but didn't say anything on it as he was doing the same thing and feeling the same way. He tucked his hands into his pants pockets, and Chopper trailed up beside him, glancing warily between the two boys.

     Usopp went pale in the face, knowing very well not to stand between Zoro and their captain, "Why're you pulling me by my foot?" He exclaimed waving his bandaged arms around, "And I'm sure (N/N) is here somewhere--"

     The crew came to a sudden holt as a figure appeared in front of them in the path, and all their eyes go wide with relief spotting a very exhausted looking (Y/N) laying on Corba's back, the King. He had his arms wrapped around her legs, and her arms were dangling over his shoulders.

     Before Zoro or Sanji could move forward to grab her, Luffy and Happy were sprinting forward in a blabbering mess, "(YYY/NNN)! You're okay--!" They did try to grab her, but the King gave them a wary expression and held onto the girl who saved his life tighter, alerting the two males behind.

     "Then you're the pirates who brought Vivi back to his country?" Corba asked in both confusion and curiosity, having a feeling he was right as they did look like pirates... but not the rude ones he's seen, "And the brave girl on my back must be your captain then?"

     Sanji's lips perked up into a soft smile, and nodded his head as his eyes glanced from her peaceful face, and back up to Corba, "You're right about that. But who are you, old guy?"

        "Papa! Everyone!"

     A familiar shrill scream cut through the conversation, and the group looked to the alleyway to see Vivi running towards them in a hurry, her face bright in relief.

     The crew all gaped in realisation at who was standing in front of them, and Sanji started to freak out also realising who he addressed so causally before, gaining a knuckle to the head from Zoro to shut him up.

      "I prepared myself to die at one point, but she saved me..." Corba chuckled fondly talking about (Y/N), as he gently let Sanji take the girls wounded body from his back into his arms next, much to Zoro's distaste, "when her body was exhausted after the fight with Crocodile, she carried two people and rushed above the ground. Such unbelievable strength..."

     Sanji gently manoeuvred her figure in his arms, cradling her to his warm chest as her face nuzzled up into his neck subconsciously making him smile against her forehead. He held her bridal style, one of his arms under her knees and the other wrapped around her back, holding her despite feeling like he could fall over any moment from his injuries.

      Luffy, Happy and Chopper were all sobbing hysterically together upon seeing (Y/N) safe, the entire crew gazing at their captain who was sleeping peacefully like she didn't just win against an Emperor of the Sea.

     "Then there's no more need to worry about the poison?" Usopp was the one to ask this, his eyebrows raised up in concern for his best friend's health when Corba told them about what happened.

      Zoro and Sanji made sure to pay extra closely attention to what he said next, prepared to do what was necessary to save her if there still was a chance the poison was hurting her. But relieved sighs left them hearing his answer, "Don't worry, it should be neutralized by now. Her body fought it off somehow also. But her injuries need to be treated... Yours, too."

     The two males closest to (Y/N) shared a knowing look, and Zoro grumbled a bit as he slid down the wall onto the ground, "More importantly, Vivi, go already." His raspy voice talked to her, confusing the princess, "Go back to the Square."

     Usopp, who understood where he was going with this added on with an excited laugh, "Of course! The rebellion has finally stopped. It wouldn't be proper if the king or princess didn't say a few words."

     Vivi giggled softly, standing next to her father and gave a wide smile to her friends she's grown to adore more then ever thought possible, "Yes... then I'll tell them about you, too."

     Sanji shakes his head, and lifted up his lips from pressing them against (Y/N)'s sweaty forehead, "Vivi. You know how it is..." His words were muffled from the ciragte in his mouth, but didn't light it up yet, "We're notorious. We have no intention of getting involved with a country."

      The King chuckled knowingly to himself, glancing over the group before landing on (Y/N) last, who was now laying in Zoro's lap comfortable on the floor. He placed a hand on Vivi's back, and guided her away from the crew, letting them all have a moment to breathe away from the princess.

     And when she is out of sight, all the Straw Hats drop like flies onto the ground, exhausted to even keep their bodies up from the fight they fought in. They waited till Vivi was gone, so she wouldn't see a movement of weakness from them, something they didn't want her to witness.

       All of them were laying on the floor with the rain pouring down on them in a circle of sorts, all surrounding the girl cradled in Zoro's arms. Her head was resting on his chest despite the sword wounds, as his arms were tightly wrapped around her body. His knees were pulled up to use his body was a shield to prevent her from getting anymore wet, and they both slept peacefully against each other.

     Though the battle will never be truly told to the people, and who truly were the ones who saved Alabasta, those who needed to know knew and that's all that mattered to the Straw Hat Pirates.

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      IT'S BEEN A FEW DAYS SINCE THE BATTLE ENDED, AND ALL THE STRAW HATS WERE UP TRYING TO HELP THE BEST THEY COULD, EXPECT FOR (Y/N) WHO WAS STILL SLEEPING LIKE A BABY. Anyone could guess who stayed by her side most of the time while she was bedridden, the boys taking turns in watching over her or holding her hand while they did what they were instructed.

      If anyone could get Zoro and Sanji to get along it was (Y/N), and all the crew knew that upon witnessing them argue over something, before it faded away when Chopper gave them instructions to help her recovery. It made Nami, Happy and Usopp laugh, while Luffy just laughed not knowing what was happening.

      Chopper was making medicine at the table he was given, and tried not to freak out when the palace's doctor was complimented him on his work. His friends knew how embarrassed he got when someone did, and it shocked the doctor when Chopper threatened him but also offered him tea and a seat.

     Vivi chuckled watching the scene, and carried a bowl of water with a wet towel in her hands. Today no one was with (Y/N) where she slept, apart from Happy who was snoozing away right beside her and Karoo was on the other bed, keeping watch also.

     She came up beside the girls bed, a soft smile gracing her lips as she raised a hand to (Y/N)'s cheek, and gently brushed her thumb over the bandaged covering it. She couldn't wait to say thank you to her, the one who gave her so much hope when she needed it the most, the girl who saved her home.

      Removing her hand, she took out the wet towel and gently placed it over the girls forehead, before glancing outside, the soft smile still present. The skies were clear, and everything seemed to be back to normal. Nothing couldn't be more perfect.

     Everything was quiet and peaceful, till the doors opened up and in came running Luffy, followed by Usopp and Sanji, the two carrying supplies they bought for their ship. And it caused more rackess when a sudden groan came from (Y/N)'s mouth, making everyone pause mid step.

      They all snapped their heads towards her bed, Sanji pushing Luffy back when he tried to jump onto her bed. The cook bent down where her face was, a fond smile appearing as he cradled her cheek in his palm, trying to coax her eyes open, "Wake up, angel. Everyone's waiting for you. We got you some food--"

      Upon hearing the last sentence, her (E/C) eyes fluttered opened with another tired groan, and blinked rapidly to adjust to the bright light.

Through her hazy gaze, she first saw Sanji knelt beside her bed, "Ji..." His nickname left her lips in a breathy way, making him gulp but rub his thumb under her eye with a head nod, "Sanji? Where are the others--"

       She sat up in bed with the help from the blonde, who held onto her sides gently and removed that hold, but still kept holding onto her hand on the bed. She rolled her shoulders with a satisfied groan, and finally saw the others in the room, making a wide grin break out, "Guys--!"

      Her words were cut off as Luffy, Happy, Chopper, and Usopp all tackled the girl into a massive embrace, hysterical sobs leaving them through blabbered words of relief. She was trapped in a mess of limbs, but still laughed loudly and hugged back the best she could, stressing Sanji out who was trying to pull the boys off of her.

      Once they were all off of her, Sanji had whacked their heads with his free hand, the four of them having a bump but still was excited that (Y/N) was now awake and talking to them. She held Happy in her arms, and Chopper was on her other side, the only two allowed on the bed with her prior to Sanji saying so.

      Her eyes went wide realising Zoro nor Nami were inside the room, but freaked out even more when she couldn't find her straw hat anywhere, "Uh, guys? Where's my hat? I don't know where it is--" She started to panic, alerting the group crowed around her.

     "Don't worry, (N/N). It's right here," Vivi picked up her hat from the table Chopper had cleaned up, and gently placed it onto the girls head who sighed in relief feeling complete again, "A solider picked it up for you when he found it and gave it to Luffy seeing him wearing the same one."

      "Oh, good." She breathed out, sharing a smile with her brother who giggled happily, knowing he'd do anything for his sister, "Thanks, Lu. I owe you."

      "I'm just glad you are awake and now can eat with me!" He chirped from his spot on the floor beside Usopp, going to stand up to drag her with him but a book suddenly came down and hit him fare on the head, ending that idea instantly.

     Nami stood behind him, the one who used her book to hit him. She gave Luffy a glare, before it softened into a grin looking at (Y/N), "You need to take it ease. You were in a serious condition with a high fever and stuff. Your boys, your brother, Happy and Vivi attended to you all this time."

     (Y/N) flushed in the face a bit hearing the 'your boys' part from Nami, knowing what she meant by feeling Sanji squeeze her hand more. She giggled, trying to push those feelings down, and flashed them a grateful smile, "Thanks you guys, I appreciate it."

     The door to the sleeping quarters was sprang open next, and the crew looked to see who it was entering. (Y/N)'s eyes lit up spotting her swordsman walking through, and didn't waste a second as she bolted up from her bed, alerting everyone who exclaimed at her to sit back down, but she ignored them.

       "Whoa—hey!"

        "Sit down, (Y/N)!"

       "What are you doing?!"

     Her crew's frantic protests barely reached her ears as she ignored the pain lancing through her body, making a beeline straight for him. Zoro's head lifted at the sudden commotion, dark eyes widening as he caught sight of her.

     "Zoro!" She cried happily, dragging his name out like she had been waiting forever to say it.

      His mouth opened, likely to tell her to stop, but whatever he was going to say was muffled when she threw herself at him. A startled grunt left him as she crashed into him with full force, sending them both toppling to the floor.

     Instinct kicked in—his arms immediately wrapped around her, pulling her close as his back absorbed the impact. The weight of her pressed against him, her warmth seeping through his clothes, her rapid heartbeat drumming against his chest.

    "Damn it, woman," he muttered against her ear, but there was no heat in his voice.

     He should've scolded her. Should've snapped at her for being reckless. But all words died on his tongue when she shifted, straddling his hips, palms planted firmly against his chest.

     Then she grinned—eyes squeezed shut, cheeks flushed with exhilaration—and Zoro's breath hitched. His heart stuttered. A fluttering, traitorous mess, completely at odds with the stoic expression he tried to maintain.

     "Missed me?" She teased in a sing song tone, hat tipped back over her head to hang on by the tie around her neck, as the crew behind them were still making a commotion about what just happened.

     Zoro swallowed hard, fists clenching around her waist tightener against the urge to cup her face and pull her closer. Instead, he forced a glare, though the heat in his ears betrayed him.

     "Dumbass," He muttered, voice gruff, but still a smirk was perking up at the corner of his mouth, feeling utter relief that he got to hold her again, "You're supposed to be resting."

      (Y/N) only laughed, refusing to move an inch off of him. That was until Sanji came down to puck the girl off of the swordsman, who growled up at him for the intrusion and gained the same back, all while Chopper scolded Zoro for training while he was still recovering also.

     "Hey! That means you should be resting too, Zo!" She was back to her regular self with him, a pout forming over her mouth as Sanji held her by the waist to keep her from moving, "You can't scold me and not expect the same!"

     Zoro grumbled to himself, standing up from the floor to hide his flustered cheeks, but still had a small smile that no one saw. He shrugged his shoulders and went to pour himself some water, "I'm fine princess, really--" This gained another round of yelling from Chopper instantly.

     Luffy hummed watching over the chaos, before his eyes went wide in horror and gasped out to his sister, "(N/N)! You missed 15 meals! You have to eat now to make up for it!" His words stunned everyone for a few seconds, then they all stared at him with a deadpan.

     "How come you can calculate so quickly when it comes to food!?" Nami exclaimed in shock, asking the right question that no one had the answer for but that the siblings just really loved their food.

     The door to the room was pushed open again, and there stood the wife of Igaram, Terracotta, "Did I hear right that the other captain is up?!" She announced, just as someone was wheeling in a massive tray full of food, "It'll be dinner time soon, so would you wait a little?"

     The only two from the crew who made a big scene about the woman was Zoro and Luffy, who both thought the woman was Igaram, causing (Y/N) to groan into Sanji's chest embarrassed, and he just chuckled, rubbing up and down her back comfortingly.

     "No, everyone. She's Terracotta." Vivi introduced the smiling woman standing in the doorway, and shakes her head at the two still questioning it, "She's Igaram's wife and is also the head of the palace's servers."

     "Thanks for helping Vivi and my husband." Terracotta thanked the pirates, and (Y/N) smiled brightly back in response, happy to be able to help anyone she could.

     "No way..... A wife could resemble her husband, but this is too much!" Zoro grumbled to himself with a sweatdrop, eyes finding the laughing figure of his captain before shivering hearing Terracotta's voice again.

     "I heard you like your food." She said kindly, and pointed at the large amount of fruit on the trolley that was rolled inside their room, "Would you have some fruit to hold you over until dinner time?"

     (Y/N) beamed at the older woman, and nodded her head rapidly feeling her stomach rumble, "Yes, thank you for the food!" She chirped sweetly warming Terracotta's heart, and turned around to gaze at the food, but Luffy got there first and ate most of it in one single go.

     "Luffy! You were supposed to share all of that!" Sanji and Zoro yelled at their other captain in a scold, shark teeth appearing and they both point at the paled face (Y/N) getting a hug from Nami, "You ate your sisters share too, bonehead!"

     She giggled to herself watching her boys scold Luffy for his normal ways, her not bothered by it as he did leave her some fruit left. She munched on a piece of apple and turned to Terracotta grinning, "Just to warn you, I feel like I could eat at least three days worth of food. Not just me, everyone else too."

     "Looking forward to it!" The woman smiled in a changeling way, and placed her hands on her hips, "I've devoted my past 30 years to the job of serving! I won't lose against a youngsters stomach and her crew so eat to your hearts content!"

        And they did exactly that.

      When it was dinner time, they all were lead into the dinner area in the palace, and the group instantly got to work on the food. Where as the rest of her crew were eating like monsters, (Y/N) was more... neatly eating but still couldn't shove food in her mouth fast enough.

      The guards on watch around their table couldn't believe the mess the pirates were making, but they forgot that they were indeed pirates, and this is how they ate when they were hungry for food. Nothing was different for Luffy though, who kept stealing the other's meals. Zoro was his first victim.

     Usopp was next, who growled and pointed his knife and fork at Luffy eating his food he had on his plate, "Hey, Luffy! You just took the flood from my plate, didn't you?!"

     Luffy had his cheeks stuffed with food so he only shook his head, causing Nami to punch his mouth and he spat out the stuff inside his mouth which was the bones of the lobster he stole from Usopp.

      There was so many chaos going on that (Y/N) couldn't keep up. She saw her brother breathe out fire from the hot sauce Usopp put on the rice he stole, Happy and Chopper getting noddled stuck up their noses, before Chopper was choking. So much was going on, that she didn't have the chance to finish any meal as the cooks kept bringing out knew ones to try.

      She was sat in between Sanji and Zoro, the swordsman letting her drink from his cup of alcohol that she didn't like, causing him to laugh loudly at her scrunched up face. Where as Sanji was letting her try the different foods on his plate, making sure she got fed as well.

     Eventually even the guards were joining in on the laugher heard all around, as Happy, Chopper and Usopp were on the table doing weird movements with chopsticks up their noses, and the sharp shooter was balancing plates on his long nose.

     Wherever the Straw Hats went, laughter and freedom followed. And that thought brought a smile over (Y/N)'s face, who watched her friends with fond eyes, landing on the grinning Sanji and Zoro last, sending her heart into a fluttery mess at how happy they looked.

      She couldn't ask for a better crew of friends by her side.

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     AFTER THE BIG FEAST, THE CREW WENT FOR A BATH TO CLEAN UP FROM THEIR LONG DAY OF WORK AND TO REFRESH THEMSELFVES. GIRLS ON ONE SIDE AND BOYS ON THE OTHER. The palace washrooms were massive compared to anything they have ever seen, causing the three who live there already to chuckle when they first saw what was inside the baths.

      Happy was made to come over on the ladies side due to them wanting him there, as him and Chopper were the only two they trusted. Well, (Y/N) trusted them all but she wasn't that airheaded enough to know she wanted privacy while bathing.

     She didn't want to freak out and accidently get a peak at Zoro or Sanji with their shirts off, other wise that would send her into a sprawl of thoughts. It was the same for the boys also, but they weren't interested in looks, they just adored her for her.... though a peak wouldn't hurt.

      Currently, (Y/N) was sat on a small stall with a towel wrapped around her body and hair hanging freely over her shoulders as Nami washed it for her before. She had Happy in her hands, and washed his back fur for him, while listening to Nami and Vivi talk.

      "This feels good! I wonder if a ship with a big bath like this exists..." Nami trailed off in thought, a relaxed sigh leaving her lips as Vivi massaged her back with her hands and used the soapy towel also.

      Water was coming out of two dragon mouth statues in the middle of the room, everything either gold or white inside the heated room. It was nice and warm, something that had (Y/N) humming in delight feeling, reminding her of her older brother who was always so warm from his Devil Fruit.

      "I'm sure it does, since the sea is so vast." Vivi answered smiling, focusing on washing Nami's back as she glanced at the other girl cleaning Happy, who was purring loudly, "We saw giants... We saw dinosaurs.. We also saw cherry blossoms bloom in a winter land. There're more and more things in the sea that are beyond our imagination!"

     Nami placed her chin in her palm with a hum, and raise her eyebrows with a smile at Vivi's flushed cheeks, "It's my turn." She tells her, indicating they switch sides so she could wash Vivi's back now, but something else stopped them from doing so.

     (Y/N) smiled at the two talking about random things still, but the peaceful atmosphere suddenly felt... off. Her enhanced senses tingled, something shifting in the room that made her pause.

     Narrowing her eyes, she gazed through the steam, scanning the area past the dividing wall between the men's and women's sections. Then she saw them.

        Figures, leaning against the gap.

       Her breath breath hitched just as Nami and Vivi turned, immediately scolding the peeping culprits, "Hey, what're you all doing?!" The princess yelled in alarm, making sure to keep a tight grip on her towel.

     "Stop looking you perverts!" Happy was the next to shout, his black eyes narrowed down on two individuals who he knew would end up getting a good look at his best friend. He wanted them together of course, but not like this.

       But (Y/N) barely heard them, because the moment she looked up, her eyes locked onto Zoro's.

     He wasn't even trying to look—he was in the middle of shoving Sanji back down when their gazes met. His eyes went wide, just like hers. His face, usually so composed, flushed red, a colour she rarely sees on him.

      Her stomach twisted, and her heart nearly leapt out of her chest.

            Oh.

     Then Sanji's gaze followed once he noticed Zoro stopped shoving, and (Y/N) nearly shrieked as he zeroed in on her. His usual heart-shaped pupils practically tripled in size, a dreamy sigh escaping his lips as he swooned.

      She swallowed hard, her face burning hotter than the bathwater as she suddenly became painfully aware of how visible she must have been through the steam. Though she couldn't see it, both Zoro and Sanji clenched their fists, fighting to keep control of themselves as they took in her figure.

     The only ones not looking were Luffy and Chopper, who were desperately trying to pull the others back down.

     Vivi had launched into a furious rant, Nami's temper was reaching its boiling point, and (Y/N) finally snapped out of her daze.

       Her shriek echoed through the bathhouse.

           "YOU'RE ALL PERVERTS!"

     With a sharp flick of her hand, the water rose at her command, twisting and surging like a tidal wave. Before any of them could react, a powerful blast crashed down onto the peeking idiots, sending them flying with a chorus of surprised yells, and in a mess of limbs

      The sound of bodies hitting the other side of the bathhouse was oddly satisfying.

      Silence followed, the only noise left was the rippling water settling back into the bath. (Y/N) exhaled heavily, crossing her arms over her chest as the steam settled once more, the bathhouse returning to peace. Only when the chaos died down did she finally let herself breathe, feeling the tension leave her muscles.

           And yet...

      Even as she forced herself to relax, she couldn't shake the memory of those looks. Zoro's stunned, heated gaze, and the way Sanji had nearly lost his mind at the sight of her. And that... was even more dangerous than them peeking.

       Her stomach twisted again.

     It was going to be hard to forget about what happened, especially for the two boys.

❪ ✏️ ❫ 𝚆𝙾𝚁𝙳𝚂 : 4700
─►☆ AUTHOR'S NOTE :
heyyyy... long time no see guys... yes i know update ahh everyone cheer with me now. its been a while and im sorry about that but updates for this fic will be random since my inspo is there but sometimes it's not so im sorry about that 🥲

i do miss writing for my boys and this fic so yeah i had to write this especially since the first act is almost finished like one more maybe two after this till the next act so get excited gang 🙏🏻