Zoro grunted, pleased. Tiny waves were lapping the side of their ship peacefully. When he peered out into the bright expanse all around him all he could see was clear blue water. No one around for miles, no land for miles.

Elly was asleep on the deck, a map shading her face from the sun. She was wearing nothing but her fur; really it was all she needed since it covered her body entirely. Yellow locks of hair swayed in the sea breeze as she shifted, murmuring. The heat had turned her flareon.

"Never get used to that," he snorted.

"Hmm?" The map fluttered down and she caught it in one hand. "Oh, hell." Before he could say anything she had reverted back to her more familiar espeon body.

"Purple's better," Zoro grinned. He sat down on the deck near her and yawned.

"It certainly compliments your hair more, doesn't it?" she purred sleepily. She bent and tucked the map in a little compartment in the bolted-down chair. "There."

"Don't call me ..."

"Marimo-kunnn?"

"Gah." He slapped the side of his face with one hand. She laughed, more awake now, and rolled off the chair without a thought. She didn't need to worry about falling because the swordsman had caught her seconds after she had tensed to edge herself over.

"Mmmm. You smell good."

"Oi, oi." He only protested faintly when she nuzzled his bare chest.

"What possessed you to start wearing this jacket, anyhow?" She'd come into contact with the zipper on the side.

"Felt like it." Zoro shrugged.

"Doesn't it hinder your movements more than anything?"

"Take it off." He shrugged again. Elly's ears flicked in amusement. She loved to listen to his few-word answers. They always made her smile, and of course she usually understood him. Otherwise she could see how it might be annoying, like that girl back on the other ship had always been screeching about. She sighed and kissed the hollow of his throat.

"Hnnnn..." Zoro bent down and nudged her head up to meet his. He pressed his mouth against hers firmly, without any reservations like he'd had before. Oh, it was so good to be alone at last! She shivered and kissed him back, opening her mouth to meet his probing tongue. The big man was dominating and always wanted to feel that he was in control. So far Elly hadn't minded and she doubted that she really ever would. It felt so good to give in and feel his powerful strength overwhelm her. Not many people were stronger than a nekomata but this was someone who could lift a small house. Plus it always seemed to thrill him when she was submissive. He knew she could put up a fight - he'd insisted it one day to test their strength together -- and was always excited when she gave in to his advances without a murmur.

Well, maybe just a small sound.

Zoro grinned when she purred, pleased that she was lost with desire already. For him. He'd never really cared about women before since most were a pain in his ass, but this one was different. If you asked why he wouldn't be able to tell you, nor would he care. She made him feel good. He made her feel good.

That was all he needed to know.

"No fur," he husked and it immediately receded under his hands. Usually he didn't mind even that, but today he wanted to kiss her more and he didn't want a hairball when he was done. Elly sat up on his lap, now completely human except for slightly pointed teeth and lavender hair and eyes.

"Better?" She asked, and he gripped her waist in both hands and pulled her towards him in answer. Elly gasped with delight when she felt his light kisses on her neck. That was a yes. Oh god, that was a yes. His mouth was warm and lips soft as they trailed across her shoulder blades. She'd been wearing only her fur before so she was naked, nothing to hinder his slowly trailing mouth or gentle stroking hands. The boat rocked in the waves, and Zoro rocked her in his arms as he nibbled eagerly on her sun-warmed skin.

He finally had to move to get better access. Silently picking her up he strode into the little cabin and then below decks where their room was. The tiny bed scarcely fit them both, but he had a habit of draping her body on top of his when they slept so it usually worked. Now he simply laid her down and climbed over, careful not to bang his head on the low ceiling above. Impatient with his clothing, he tossed his mustard-colored windbreaker aside and smiled when he felt hands slipping his haramaki down. His boots were off in two quick shakes and the rest of his outfit soon followed.

"Eager enough, koibito?" She murmured, liking the way the name made him jerk unexpectedly. He wasn't used to terms of endearment.

"Aa," he growled noncommittally and settled himself against her, taking his time to fit his body to hers without filling her yet. She smiled and relished the feel of the big man's cuddling. He sighed and started kissing her again, his hands wandering over her breasts as he lapped at her upper lip. He'd trained those jaw and mouth muscles to hold a sword while fighting...she remembered when he'd shared a small basic training exercise he put himself through when he was little. Holding two constantly filling buckets of water in both hands, his arms outstretched, under a waterfall with one bucket between his teeth. For hours! It came in good stead now, she thought weakly.

Zoro had toyed with pecking little kisses around and on her mouth for a little while, occasionally licking and smiling when he felt her tremble underneath him. He let out a big gust of air suddenly and pressed his lips against hers. His tongue darted against her as if asking permission and Elly's hands gripped his shoulder blades tightly in response. His back muscles surged strongly under her palms as he shifted positions, making sure his palms were flat against the mattress for purchase.

"You do smell good," she sighed happily, nuzzling against the side of his neck. Long gold earrings jingled and Zoro shivered at the feeling.

"Showered," he grunted shortly with a trace of laughter in his voice.

"Even if it is only soap it's mixed with your scent now, too." He leaned back and raised an eyebrow at her.

"Scent?"

"Everyone has their own smell." She shrugged as well as she could laying down. "It's one of the things I couldn't live without now." The big man's eyes blinked several times. He blushed.

"You talk too much."

"I know." She grinned. "And," she added, "You look adorable when you sleep." Zoro looked mortified. He certainly would never label himself 'cute'. That didn't strike fear into the hearts of opponents.

"Cut it out," he rumbled, blushing harder.

"But I just want to share what I love about you." Elly's eyes widened in a show of massive sincerity, her hands curling around his back in a warm embrace. "A little, anyway."

"Cat!"

"Don't you love anything about me like that?" She asked winsomely in a little-girl voice, fingers playing about his back. Good god, he was so much fun to tease! Zoro rubbed the back of his neck and looked to one side. He didn't speak for a long time. She didn't expect him to, really, and when he did she was very surprised.

"Warm," he said softly. His arms slipped further around her and pulled her closer. It was Elly's turn to blush and gulp down the lump that rose in her throat. His mouth was hovering above her neck and he whispered falteringly. "You're always so warm."

He paused as he said this last and she realized she'd closed her eyes. Upon opening them she found the young man staring directly at her, his tanned features very still.

"Better?" he asked roughly. He rubbed his flat belly against hers and kissed her seriously, slow and deep. Zoro didn't bother to close his eyes. Elly's were wide, shimmering lavender - shining with unshed tears before she shut them tightly and clung to him. The Bushido watched the power he had over her and a warmth spread from his heart down to his nether regions. He suddenly wanted this night to be very special for her. He tried to dredge up memories of that fool cook and how he spoke at times; the idiot would have been babbling love sonnets already. He, on the other hand, could only mumble a few words and hope she knew what he meant.

"Zoro?" Her voice, so small and light. He struggled, fighting against his urge to suppress what he had always considered unmanly emotions. And she had spoke his name, not the nickname she almost always called him. It always made him want her. He wondered what it would be like if she spoke it fully. In passion.

And he heard it. Wait. Did he hear it? He cocked his head sharply to listen. Yes. A breathy moan; he had been touching Elly without realizing it, pleasuring her with his caresses. He shuddered, sweatdrops flying off his neck. His eyes closed. She spoke again, louder this time.

"Roronoa Zoro..." Desire. Need. Such need for him in her voice, throbbing richly with emotion. It was this that caused the words to choke out from his numb lips.

"Kitten." And then he was everywhere against her, touching, kissing, feeling. It wasn't enough, couldn't be enough... he vaguely heard her crying and shook his head. She shouldn't be crying. He kissed the tears away and pressed his mouth to her throat as her legs brushed against his sides. What had happened? He didn't know or at the moment, care - she should stop crying. He would make her stop.

Elly was overwhelmed by the strength of the man above her. She knew he was powerful but she was helpless as he held her down, raining fierce kisses all over her face. His breath was rasping in her ears and she was dazed. Confused. Solid, non-sappy Zoro was everything Sanji wasn't but he had said it; she had heard him, he was promising her things and he had told her what she never thought she would hear. So she wept for awhile. A little while. Until she felt his gentle nudging below. Tears were completely shocked out of her as he tensed, arching backwards.

Zoro's thrust was quick and sure. He dropped to one hand atop her, burying his face in her hair as he buried himself in her heat below. He had meant to give her her pleasure with his mouth tonight but he needed this now and felt she did too. As an affirmation of what he had told her, he intended to love her as hard and as long as he could.

And not just tonight.

He thought he could do this easily every night of his life.