A/N: Thanks to all your reviews and comments! I'm officially wrapping up this story and moving onto continue Green Heart. I hope you've enjoyed this take on Film Z and keep those suggestions/questions coming :)

Chapter 11 - Zoro's Pocket

"Know It All, how do you know that song?" Zoro asked as he did his sit ups by hanging upside down from the railings of the top deck.

The Thousand Sunny had sailed away from the third end point and the island was far behind them. The entire crew had stood in silence as they watched the island get smaller and smaller in their line of sight. Beams of light from Kizaru continued to flicker around the volcano even when they had sailed for a long time, indicating that the fight was still on.

Finally, when they were too far away to see anything else, the Straw Hats took a moment to think about Z one more time before they dispersed to occupy their mind with other things. Rei sat cross legged beneath the foremast as she whittled away in a small block of wood while Zoro started on his workout.

"A teacher used to sing it all the time during my first year," Rei replied. She blew away some wood shavings from her knife and inspected her work in process. "It was the same teacher whose hand I accidentally broke during training. I think I mentioned him earlier..."

"Yah, I remember. "

"That was Kuzan-san," Rei said.

"WHAT?!" Zoro sputtered. He was caught off guard by her statement that he unwittingly unhooked his feet from the bannister and he fell down with a crash next to Rei.

"Ow ow ow," Zoro grumbled as he rubbed his head and frowned up at Rei. "Aokiji was a teacher?! Was he from Beffi?!"

"No. He was with the Navy when he came to Beffi," Rei said, inspecting the wood in her hand. "He just took a couple years off to hone in his Haki and he became a teacher on the side."

"You have got to be kidding me," Zoro scoffed as he climbed back up the stairs to resume his workout.

Rei said nothing and held up the block of wood to the light. It was now in the shape of a hat with chunks of wood left around it for her to cut it into the shape of a ribbon. She also had some initial markings on the dome of the hat to resemble the texture of straw.

"Oy, Know It All, is there anything else I should know about you?" Zoro asked as he sat on the railing. He didn't continue his workout. Instead he remained seated so he can chat with her.

"I don't know," Rei said with deep consideration, "I think you know everything there is to know...But if there's anything you want to know, just ask me."

Zoro eyed her solemnly. Rei noticed his attentiveness and returned his gaze with confusion. "Is something the matter?"

Zoro's frown deepened. "A couple of days ago, you were sleeping more than I was and now you seem fine, even after all that has happened."

"Maybe it was Ain's devil fruit powers...I feel fine now," Rei guessed.

"Did it heal your wounds as well?"

Rei placed a hand over her chest and felt around the wound tenderly. She winced a little at the soreness of it and then looked back up at Zoro with a sad smile. "No. It's still there but it's getting better."

"Okay, everyone!" Chopper interrupted from the doorway to his new infirmary, "Line up so I can give you guys a check up."

"Ehhh?!" the Straw Hats on the lawn deck protested, "But we're all fine."

"I just need some meat." Luffy sniffed and rubbed his nose before calling out to the chef, "Oyyy! Sanji! Meat! Meat!"

Zoro ignored the ruckus happening around him. He jumped fro the railing and grabbed Rei by her collar. She was taken aback but didn't resist as he dragged her up the stairs and to the doctor. He walked right past Chopper and dumped her onto the medical bed. She gave a sound of protest but was ignored by him and the reindeer. He walked out and gave a Chopper a pat on the back as he walked past. "Your first patient is ready," he said with a grunt as he closed the door behind him.

Zoro smirked and went back to the railing. This time he resumed his work out. He hooked his feet along the poles, hung backwards over the banister, and started to do his sit ups again. After his fifth sit up, he noticed the cook had made his way up the stairs and was leaning against the wall next to the door. He was giving Zoro a very condescending look.

"What do you want?" Zoro growled as he continued with his workout.

"I thought you said you were done with her," Sanji said as he lit his cigarette.

"Huh?"

"The last time I checked, you said Rei-chan was all mine," Sanji said as he flicked his lighter shut.

"What?!" Zoro unwittingly unhooked his legs again and he fell back down with a loud crash. "Ugh," he grunted as he rubbed the back of his head again. He glared up at Sanji, who was waving to him and smiling over the bannister. "What are you talking about?"

"Just wanted to see where you still stand, you clueless idiot," Sanji said.

"Stand with what?!" Zoro barked back.

"Nevermind," Sanji replied. He flicked the ash off of the cigarette and walked away.

"Someday, I'm really going to kill that man," Zoro muttered to himself as he dusted off his pants. Any image of that cook with any woman was disgusting but the thought of that pervert with the Know It All, in particular made, him want to reach for a bottle of the strongest liquor and just down it in one sitting.

"Ugh, I feel filthy," Nami said just as Rei and Chopper exited the infirmary, "I'm going to go rinse myself off."

"Oh, I should probably take a bath too," Chopper replied and fluffed his fur, "I have volcanic ash all over me."

"You can take a bath with me, Chopper," Robin offered.

"AHHH! So lucky!" Brook and Sanji yelled at the same time.

"Idiots," Zoro scoffed under his breath.

"Somebody needs to help Rei too," Chopper said, "She can't get her bandages wet."

"I'll-" Brook and Sanji started to say but the gleam from all three of Zoro's exposed blades shut them up immediately.

"Rei, you can wash with me and Chopper can wash with Robin," Nami said. Rei nodded and followed behind her obediently.

Zoro sat at the base of the staircase, polishing and cleaning his swords, and blocking the cook and musician from even attempting to sneak a peek at the showering women. Sanji was practically chewing on his necktie out of sheer frustration.

"Ugh, to be able to shower with Nami-swan," Sanji wailed, "To be able to see that goddess' body with all those bubbles on her skin and-"

"Can you stop?" Zoro growled as he gently tapped the powder ball against each of his katanas, "You're disgusting."

"I appreciate the female form!" Sanji snapped, "What's wrong with that?"

"When it comes to you? Everything," Zoro muttered.

"What did you say?" Sanji asked.

Zoro remained quiet and inspected his blade before wiping it with an oiled cloth. Something on the ground caught his eye. He picked it up and realized it was the whittling that Rei was making earlier. It was an exact replica of Luffy's hat and he caught himself marvelling at the intricate detail of her work. He then noticed that Sanji was looking at him. Zoro immediately sat up straighter and returned back to cleaning his swords, but not before stuffing the wooden hat in his pocket. He frowned at the way he was behaving. If he wasn't careful he'll turn into the cook. Tch, he thought as he balled up the oiled cloth in his fist. He thought about the sickening way the Dartbrow followed Nami along like a lovesick puppy. Screw that. Not me.

Still, he felt himself unable to move from the steps. The back of his neck was tingling and he was very much aware of the Know It All's presence in the bathroom room above him. To be fair, he wasn't thinking about what she was doing in here. He wasn't like that pervert. He was much more concerned that Nami was taking the proper precautions with the bandages. Did that debt witch even know how to handle a wound?

He sheathed his swords and folded his hands behind his head. He leaned back against the stairs and stared up at the sky. The corners of the stairs jabbed into his back but he didn't care. He could fall asleep anywhere. He felt the wooden hat in his pocket settle from his move and he smiled a little at the reminder of it's existence.

The girl was definitely intriguing and full of surprises. He was looking forward to when she was fully healed so he can spar with her. From what he saw thus far, he knew she could prove to be a worthy opponent. And if her blade can cut so intricately on such a little piece of wood, he could only imagine the precision in her fighting techniques.

Yes, he thought to himself with confidence, That's all she is to me. A good training partner.

The sun shined down on his face and warmed his skin like a light blanket. He grinned as he closed his eyes. It was time for a nap and he could finally relax.