A friendly reminder from your friendly author, that the only thing she owns is the plot. Pictures are just used to help your imagination.

"What do you think Usopp? Is it possible?" You asked.

"Hehehe just leave everything to me (Y/n)! You'll have a way to navigate through the woods in no time! Thanks to Nami, we've already got a full-scale map of the island so leave the pathways to me! They don't call me the great way-maker for nothing!" Usopp bragged.

"Wow really!?" Chopper's eyes sparkled. "Amazing!"

"Thank you, Usopp! I seriously appreciate it!" You smiled while he chuckled and rubbed his nose, a small blush rising to his cheeks.

It was late morning and the sun was on your side today. You were currently in the woods behind your house with Usopp and Chopper, helping them search for medicinal herbs to stock up on. Apparently, your forest was in an abundance of different plants with healing properties, and Chopper, very kindly, gave you pointers on the most important plants on when, and how to use them. Unfortunately, you could only take them as far as the stream, since you still haven't found a safe way to navigate yet. And that's where Usopp comes in. He was originally here to carry the herbs and maybe seasonings back, but when he heard your little dilemma, he immediately stepped up to the challenge.

"Now let's see. Looks like the best way to the coves would be here, here and here, so I'll make three different routes using three different flowers just as you wanted" he smiled. "I'll make the flowers look similar as well but have differences so that only you can navigate it! You can count on me!" He gave you a thumbs up.

"Then I'll leave it in your capable hands" you beamed as you raised your hand to do the same. "Why don't we head back Chopper? I'll bake you something for teaching me" you suggested.

"Can you make cotton candy?" He cried.

"Uh no, but I can make you some chocolate chip cookies" you chuckled.

"Really!? Let's go!" Chopper exclaimed, now bouncing with energy.

"You guys will save some for me too, right?" Ussop asked, doubt evident in his voice.

"Of course! When you come back you're more than welcome to browse the bakery and take what you like" you laughed as you lead the way back to your home.

"I can't wait!" Chopper cheered as he ran after you, a large basket of herbs strapped tightly to his back.

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As soon as your house was in sight, Chopper raced towards it so that he could put away his medicinal herbs. You found Zoro snoozing quite happily outside propped right beside your door. Next to him were piles of neatly chopped wood. some in the shape of planks and others in the form of firewood. He seemed pretty comfortable so you thought it best to leave him where he was. Upon entering your home you were greeted by Franky who had plans spread out for the hole in your wall that Zoro had made previously.

'I didn't know that you needed that many plans for such a small hole? but who am I to judge' you shrugged it off.

"(Y/nnnnn)" Luffy dragged your name out as he pouted. "Why didn't you take me into the woods as well? I wanted to hang out with you"

"Luffy you fell asleep as soon as you finished breakfast, you didn't even make it away from the table" you laughed at his childish protests.

"But you still could've taken me?" He grumbled.

"Well how about this? I'm going to head into the market place to see if Robin, Nami, and Sanji are doing alright with their shopping. Why don't you come with me? We can even go to a nice restu-"

"LET'S GO!" Luffy cheered as he dashed out the door.

You tried to stop him but you knew it was too late when you heard a strangled yelp, which you assumed was Zoro getting hit by Luffy in the face with the door.

"Shishishi! Sorry about that Zoro! Didn't see ya there" You heard Luffy laugh as you just shook your head.

"I'll kill you, one day I'll kill you" you heard Zoro grumble as he held his face in pain.

"(Y/n)?" A timid voice called by the stairs.

"Don't worry Chopper, I haven't forgotten. I just want to get some fresh chocolate so that they taste better" you winked at the reindeer who was peering at you from beside the stairs.

His face lit up in excitement as he nodded enthusiastically. "Then I'll go back to Sunny and put the herbs away, maybe Brook can come as well?" he beamed.

"That'd be nice" you nodded as you grabbed your small handle-basket.

Brook had walked entered the forest in the early hours of the morning and found some great inspiration for a new song. Not wanting to lose his momentum he hurried off to the ship to go and write his music.

"I'll go with (Y/n)" Zoro stated. "I want to talk with the old man again"

"His name is Briggs Zoro, please use it?" you scolded lightly, while he just grunted.

"Could you bring me back some cola (Y/n)-san" Franky called. "That'd be super!"

"(Y/N)! HURRY!" Luffy yelled from outside.

"Sure thing Franky" you giggled before turning to Zoro and taking his hand. "Let's get going then, shall we?"

You strolled out the house with a handle-basket in one hand and a very red Zoro in the other. Embarrassing him wasn't your intention, you were just trying your best to avoid the worst-case scenario, which in your head was losing Zoro while having to babysit Luffy. So holding his hand as you had before, just seemed like the most reasonable option.

"There you are! You're so slow (Y/n)!" Luffy jumped in his excitement as he watched you and Zoro approach.

"We aren't slow Luffy, you're just impatient" you chided as you and Zoro both came to a stop.

"Why is Zoro here?" he questioned, raising a curious brow.

"He wanted to see Briggs in town, so it makes sense that he comes with us" you replied with a smile.

"So he's going to see someone else?" Luffy asked.

"Yes" you nodded

"Then why does he get to hold your hand?" Luffy frowned.

'I forgot how direct Luffy can be'

"I just don't want him to get lost is all" you laughed as you heard Zoro give a small protest. "What? Do you wanna hold my hand as well Luffy?" you teased.

"Yes," Luffy nodded, his face completely serious.

'I completely forgot how direct Luffy can be' you gave a shocked expression.

When you weren't moving, Luffy took matters into his own hands (literally). He snatched your basket and took your free hand in his own.

"Now let's go already!" Luffy cheered.

"Right," Zoro said as he started walking.

You looked between the two guys and just laughed.

" Zoro... You're heading back to the house" you giggled, as he flinched and started to go red.

"Just lead the way already, dammit" He grumbled, while you and Luffy chuckled at his mistake.

'What a handful!' you shook your head and led the way.

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With a lot of tugging and encouraging you were able to make it to the market place in one piece. The three of you gazed over the plaza still bustling with life. Luffy was practically shining from all the cool new foods on display, while Zoro just looked around with a bored expression.

'I guess after seeing it once he's no longer impressed' you thought.

"Luffy! I'm just gonna drop Zoro off at the brewery" you gently let go of his hand taking the basket from him. You gave him a small bag of cash, "feel free to buy anything in the plaza, just try not to mention- agh!"

A strong gust of wind threw dust into the air and you were momentarily blinded. When the dust settled, Luffy was no longer in front of you. A small sigh escaped your lips.

"All these years and he still hasn't learned to listen when spoken to" you complained. "Oh well, I'm glad he's the same old Lu I remember" you smiled.

"Are you sure giving him your money was a good idea?" Zoro asked.

"It's fine. The money I gave him was put aside specifically for him and his bottomless pit they call a stomach" you giggled.

"I see, you really care about Luffy?" Zoro raised a brow.

"More than anything. He was my first genuine friend" you replied as you stared in the direction he ran off to. "Now let's get you to Briggs"

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"(Y/N)! Good to see you again! And you brought your boyfriend with you as well!" Briggs shouted across the store.

Everyone's attention was now focused on you and Zoro. Both of you went red as Briggs struggled to breathe from his own laughter. Some people in the store chuckled as well, used to you helping random people out, however, you found that the rest of the room was giving you uncomfortable glances. Zoro also picked up on the growing hostility.

"Briggs stop that! You're giving people the wro-!" You whined only to be cut off when Zoro pulled you into him.

"(Y/n) show me to the sake" Zoro demanded.

"S-Sure... right here" you muttered in surprise.

You directed Zoro down a couple of isles until you reached the Sake. There were many different types but Zoro seemed to find what he wanted pretty quickly. You hadn't noticed that most of the people in the isle were either staring at you or glaring, Zoro, on the other hand, seemed fully aware of the situation.

"Which one would you recommend (Y/n)?" Zoro asked as a small smirk began to form on his face.

He'd let go of your hand so you could point out a few reasonable beverages that he may like. What you didn't expect is what happened next.

*Slam*

Zoro slammed his arm against the stocked shelves, just above your head, leaving you effectively pinned between him and the shelves. You let out a surprised yelp as you spun around only to end up flush against his chest. Even after you managed to convince Zoro to wear a shirt, it did nothing for you. You could practically feel every muscle and ab the creator blessed him with, through the thin fabric. Your face burned from confusion and close contact.

'What's he doing? What was I doing? Does he know how much that Sake costs? Who does he think is gonna pay for it if one smashes?' your mind raced.

Zoro's mind, on the other hand, was in an entirely different place. Little did you know that he was challenging everybody in the room who dared to make a move against you. His cold glare only saying one thing.

'Back. Off.'

People got the message and carefully backed away or pretended that the two of you were non-existent. Satisfied, he let out a small sigh, before turning to face you. Your (e/c) eyes were desperately trying to figure out what was happening as your (s/c) face tinted a lovely shade of red. Your (h/t) (h/c) slightly frazzled from the scare, blue petals scattered among your locks, but to him, that made you look even more beautiful. It took Zoro a whole two seconds to realize he was staring, not that it mattered cause you were basically doing the same thing.

"Hey (Y/n)?" Zoro smirked.

You were about to respond when Zoro leaned down and kissed your forehead. You were paralyzed. You didn't even see Zoro reach for the Sake behind you that you'd previously recommended.

"I think I'll take, this one" Zoro walked off, leaving you dumbfounded in the isle.

"I-Did you jus-No- Why did you-No-" you stuttered as your brain to try and gather your scrambled thoughts.

'Was a kiss on the forehead affection or friendship? I am totally overthinking this! Would Zoro even take that into consideration? Wait Zoro!' you thought.

"Zoro! The counter is in the other direction!" You exclaimed.

His ears burned red as he turned to face you with an angry embarrassed expression. He was now more flustered than you were.

"Why didn't you say that earlier?!" He growled.

"Well I didn't expect you to slam the shelf, kiss my forehead then walk off now did I?" you retorted. "Honestly you could've easily broken something! And don't get me started on the-" You reprimanded, finally starting to gather your thoughts.

"Geez woman, why are you being so difficult all of a sudden? I didn't break anything so what's the problem?" Zoro groaned.

"But you could've broken something, and my name is (Y/n)! Not woman!" you snapped, upset at his lack of concern on the topic.

"Yeah sure, whatever woman" Zoro teased taking your free hand, so you could lead him to the counter.

"Forget boyfriend and girlfriend!" Briggs wheezed. "You two sound like an old married couple! I-I can't take it!"

"Thank you Briggs" you sighed sarcastically, taking some cola from the shelves and placing it on the counter with Zoro's drinks. "Can we just pay and go please?"

'It's too early in the afternoon to be dealing with this' you complained.

"Not so fast!" Briggs turned to Zoro "This young man here has given me a good laugh twice in a row, what do you say for coming to get some drinks with me and the lads in a few minutes. The deal is the person who lasts the longest gets his drinks free" Briggs smiled.

"Is that so?" Zoro had a dangerous smile on his face.

"Down for the challenge Moss ball" Briggs taunted.

"You're on old man" Zoro chuckled.

"Don't worry (Y/n), I promise I'll take him home when I drink him under the table" Briggs chuckled.

You sighed as you could see that there was no point in stopping them. Their competitive spirit already ignited and blazing bright.

"Just don't cause any trouble ok?" you sighed as you left the two men in the store.

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After a bit of searching, you finally found some decent chocolate for your baking later on. You were now focused on finding Luffy to see if he was ready to go to the restaurant, which was a rhetorical question. Funnily enough, you ran into Nami and Robin who were surrounded by men fawning over them. Nami having bags upon bags of clothes, while Robin only had three.

"Miss baker! I didn't expect to see you out here" Robin smiled as she effortlessly made her way towards you.

"(Y/n)! You never told me how amazing your fashion was, and it's dirt cheap" Nami beamed in excitement.

'I know for a fact that island fashion is very expensive. She's probably swindled every single businessman out of their money' you sweatdropped. 'At least she paid something'

"Hey you two, it looks like you're both having fun" you smiled.

"Your island is so nice, it's so hard to believe that everyone here has had such a difficult past and still managed to make their way up" Robin looked around at the diverse market and people.

"Alivia has a lot to do with that. I'm sure the three of you would get on just swell" you giggled at the thought.

"By the way (Y/n), did you know that there's gonna be a rainbow meteor shower in a few days?" Nami asked.

'There is?' you raised a curious brow

"I wasn't aware" you stated blankly.

"Well, that's great! That means you don't have plans to watch it with anyone else!" Nami raised her arms in the air to celebrate.

'I'm pretty sure she just called me lonely but maybe I'm imagining things' you thought.

"The rainbow meteor shower consists of multicolored stars streaking across the sky. It's said to be very difficult to see seen as how it occurs mostly on cloudy days, but that's not exactly a problem for your island" Robin explained.

"I guess there is no excuse then! You should come to the sunny so we can all watch it together before we leave" Nami beamed "It'll be our farewell party, and you'll have to dress for the occasion. I could always loan you some clothes" Nami's eyes glistened.

'I can see where this is going'

"I'm sure she can find something to wear Nami" Robin giggled, as Nami pouted.

"I guess... but you know who to come to if you ever need some help" She winked.

"R-Right" you chuckled nervously.

"Oh yeah! (Y/n), If you're looking for that idiot, go down to the main square" Nami placed her hands on her hips "The last time we saw him he was raiding the food stalls and bothering everyone else"

"Oh no... Thanks, Nami, Robin" You waved as you started to jog towards the main square.

"We'll see you later (Y/n)" Nami waved

"Goodbye, miss baker" Robin smiled.

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Thank you for reading the chapter, my darling readers. Please comment, maybe vote and most importantly... stay safe :)