Not so Lonely Nights

I would like to dedicate this chapter to the lovely Synvamp. Thank you so much for the review, I was smiling for an entire day just for you. ^^ And I'll be sure to add some more action later on, promise.

This is supposed to take place the night after they escaped from Garp.

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The moonlight gleamed faintly in his blades, casting a pale reflection on his face as he examined the edge, testing it and decided that Wado was sufficiently cared for before taking out Kitetsu. He examined the edge, tried it against the hairs on his arm. For some reason people thought that a cursed blade stayed sharp no matter what. Fools. Even a cursed blade would need sharpening after having cut through cannonballs for hours.

He put his wet stone against the blade, going into a mild state of meditation at the gentle sound of waves lapping against the Sunny and the sharper ‘kashish, kashish, kashish’ of the wet stone. He could feel Kitetsu’s annoyance at having to be sharpened, the same way a pet hated being washed except that the sword was aware that this was necessary.

Kashish, kashish, kashish.

He tested the blade against his forearm again, this time satisfied. Bringing out a cloth, he wiped the blade clean, found a finer wet stone and set about removing the faint marks left after the slightly coarser one. It only took a little while, and made almost no sound at all. He could easily hear Usopp making a round as it was his duty tonight. Zoro personally thought the guy had gotten off easy with only one whole-night watch, but whatever. That was why he was still awake and sharpening his swords within Usopp’s hearing range while everyone else had gone to bed. He had things to do before he could sleep easily.

He wiped off the blade and set about applying oil. It wouldn’t do to allow the blade to rust, especially when they were at sea and the air was so humid. His dear katanas could rust in no time without care, just as yubashiri had. Even if that hadn’t been his fault.

He took his time finishing with Sandai Kitetsu. If his swords were comparable to dogs, then Wado would be a German Shepherd. Kitetsu would be the pitbull terrier; could be trained to be obedient, but without a stern master, it’d be nothing but rabid.

Kitetsu was thoroughly enjoying the care Zoro was lavishing on it, the same as he had lavished on Wado Ichimonji earlier. Using time on his swords was always pleasurable, although now that he was finishing up, his focus was slowly starting to move elsewhere. Kitetsu felt it of course and stoked his intent, eager to go.

Realizing that he really should sheathe this blade and use Wado instead, Zoro stood up and tested the blade again. He smirked, white teeth flashing in the dark as a few hairs were shaven clean off his forearm. Perfect.

Usopp was up on the bridge, tinkering. Nami had placed her trees there, so Zoro couldn’t really see anything, but he could hear the teen muttering to himself about whatever liquids or powders or whatever he was playing with. He had actually claimed one of the otherwise empty rooms for himself and his ‘factory’. Possibly what would’ve been captain’s quarters on a normal ship with a ‘normal’ crew, but when he had the watch, going downstairs was absolutely unforgivable. If a marine ship came barging in on them while they slept it was after all his responsibility to give warning.

Zoro flicked his wrist, throwing Kitetsu in the air. Usopp stopped mumbling immediately, probably seeing the moonlight glittering on the blade. Good, he was still aware of his surroundings. Zoro caught the blade and his smirk widened before he all but stalked up to Usopp. Time to play.

“Yo, Usopp!” He called loudly.

“Z-Zoro! Hi, ehehe, you scared me there, appearing all of a sudden, I thought you had gone to bed already.”

“I was on my way,” he said, before gathering what he knew was almost demonic aura around him. “I need to tell you something first though.”

“O-oh, really?” Usopp was definitely getting nervous. Zoro tilted the katana to catch the light and reflect it into Usopp’s eyes. “What could that be?”

All traces mirth disappeared from Zoro’s face. Kitetsu poked against Usopp’s jugular. “If you ever want to leave the crew again, if you ever so much as think about it, you better have a damn good reason.” His voice was low, eyes narrowed, his will, his intent, radiating off of him. Not quite killing intent, but close enough that Usopp was near quaking. “If you ever hurt Luffy like that again, if you ever, ever do something as stupid as that again for no better reason than because the ship cannot sail anymore, I will make sure that you will regret it for the rest of the very short time you would have left to live.”

Usopp was quaking by then, eyes round and shining brightly. “I-I-I-I, w-w-well,” he swallowed and Kitetsu’s newly sharpened edge made the tiniest of scratches against Usopp’s Adam’s apple. Zoro didn’t smile. He found no enjoyment in threatening his comrade, but Usopp had to understand, had to see how hard a blow it had been to Luffy. And as the first mate, Zoro had to protect Luffy from future harm.

Usopp took a deep breath, looked Zoro in the eyes and said; “I understand.” Only the slightly high note and a small quaver revealed that the sword and Zoro’s unwavering eyes were still affecting him.

After a small pause, Zoro removed the blade. Immediately Usopp’s hand flew up to make sure he was still whole. Or to check the scratch. Or to protect him from future assault, who knew.

“Good.”

“It really hurt him that much, didn’t it?” Usopp was looking away now, down.

He only had to contemplate a second before Zoro spoke. “Yes.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Good.”

Silence.

“Well. I gotta go to bed.” Zoro wiped the tiny droplet of blood from Kitetsu’s tip, feeling the katana’s annoyance and eagerness to cut deeper. The thing was sheathed immediately before Zoro turned around, jumped over the railing and down to the grass-covered deck. Sanji was leaning against the closed door to the men’s quarters, an unlit cigarette between his teeth.

“Marimo,” he said quietly. “Was it really necessary to go that far?”

Zoro stared at him, quietly for awhile. “Why shouldn’t it be?” Before brushing past and into the darkness where Luffy’s soft snoring was drowned out by Franky’s not-so-soft snoring. That would probably take some time to get used to.

“The only thing you said he had to do was apologize. He did that already, shitty Marimo-bastard.”

Zoro ignored the stupid love-cook, found his bunk and went to sleep.

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Please R&R. It makes me so very happy!
Also please point it out if you see any mistakes or anything like that.