"Oh, crud," Elly groaned. She laid her ears back and settled down by the window, peering out with her chin resting on her paws.

"What?" Zoro's eye cracked open. Just one. He'd been resting on the small bunk they shared not because he was sleepy but of out boredom. They were currently becalmed in the middle of the ocean.

"Nothing," she spat. "Absolutely nothing. Not even a sea monster or some marines." Her tail lashed back and forth in agitation and he smirked despite himself. "I'd even welcome some silly navy idiots. At least then we'd have something to do."

"Calm down." The young man reached out, grabbed the double tips of her tail and casually hauled back. She hissed, eyes wide and started digging her claws in the wooden planks.

"Damn it Zoro! Don't abuse my tail just because you're bored!"

"Not doing it 'cause I'm bored." He pulled all the way until she rested on his massive chest. "Quit clawing. Hey! I said quit it!" He growled and nipped her ear with his teeth. The resounding yowl could probably have been heard leagues away. Seabirds fluttered up in shock where they had been perching happily on the Cutter's rigging. Elly didn't listen and continued to flex her needle-sharp claws in the tan Bushido's chest.

"You already have so many scars," she snickered. "What're you afraid of? A few more?"

"Scars are healed," he grunted, pushing her up so she faced him. "Those new ones aren't." He stared sternly at her. "I like this. S'peaceful."

"Pah! I say boring. It's your birthday and we're laying around like two lumps minutes after we got washed up for the day." But her tail stopped lashing.

"Used to be peaceful," he grumbled with the hint of a smile touching his lips. Her claws whisked back and she started to purr. "All right, that's it." Zoro's eyes slipped half shut and he glared at her.

"What?"

"Lose the fur," he told her. "Your tail is annoying."

"Wha?" She glanced back over her shoulder to see her tail flopping back and forth on his thigh. She giggled wickedly but switched to human form, fur receding and her body lengthening. Now she was only five inches smaller than he was, laying on top of him as he held her.

"Better." Zoro yawned hugely, absently stroking her back with one hand. He blinked his eyes to clear them and found her looking off to the side with a little frown. "S'matter now?" He asked in exasperation. "I have what I want. Don't need a big party."

"I just like to do things for you." Elly shrugged.

"Hnf." He wrapped another arm around her. "Gonna make me dinner tonight?"

"Duh." She jingled his earrings. "I do every night. I've got your favorites planned tonight, though."

"Ale?" His face lit up. Last time he checked they'd only had one cask.

"I bought another barrel." She smiled at him fondly. "And I have some beef and white rice lined up."

"All I want. You cook better than me." It was Zoro's turn to shrug.

"No dessert?" She giggled when he grinned. "All right, I meant real dessert."

"Oh." He thrust his lower lip out in that thoughtful pout she always adored. It made her melt a little each time and she snuggled closer against him. His moue was contrived this time, though. She saw him glance at her slyly and smiled, concentrating on his earrings again. Elly took hold of one and pulled lightly on it.

"Do you have more than three of these?" Tug. Zoro swallowed. She knew his earlobes were sensitive. Damn it. The curled gold bands had to be curled so tightly around his lobes to hold them in place that it hurt when they were pulled.

Tug-tug-tug.

He made a thick sound of protest and reached around for her side with careful fingers.

"No tickling." This time the tug was fierce, sharp pain causing him to jerk a little. Her mouth was right there in a moment, dabbing at the spot she'd just hurt with those soothing little licks that caused him to shudder. The pain combined with the kissing really raised his blood pressure. Right now his heart was thumping in his chest and he was only a few steps away from being able to walk away from this.

"S'too early," he rumbled, craning his neck around so she could have better access.

"For what?" She bit gently, dragging the golden tube in her mouth down. He closed his eyes, hands settling on her rear instead of her ticklish ribs. "You dragged my ass over here, you know."

"Stupid cat." He spanked gently and she laughed, choking back the sound against his neck.

"You're terrible."

"You're the one trying to test my limits," he snickered. He pursed his lips, frowning a little. "Do something for me for my birthday." When she nodded and started to get up he grunted, arms grabbing her around the waist again.

"What do you want?"

"Sleep." He yawned, softer this time. "With you."

"Even though we just got up." She smiled and touched the side of his face with her fingertips, stroking his cheek. "Anything, big guy." Zoro's face was priceless. He apparently hated being called 'big guy'. She knew it would piss him off and loved startling him into those crazy faces he always made. That never got old. Anyway, he was obviously preparing for a nap so she snuggled into a comfortable spot on his firm body, head resting just below his chin. He muttered something underneath her and she felt his arms curl tighter around her upper body.

And then he rolled.

Elly yelped softly in protest but she grew quiet when he grunted and pulled her towards him from behind. Zoro's warm body moved to fit her curves and she blinked. He was spooning. Her face flushed, little tears in the corners of her eyes. This was what he wanted for his birthday? Already he was snoring; the man dropped off to sleep in seconds. She never knew how he could do that. It took her much longer, even when she was in cat form. His one hand shifted, resting below her breasts, the other holding her shoulder loosely.

He hugged her in his sleep without knowing. She lay next to him and listened to his sleepy mutterings. In only a few moments he was snoring so loudly his chest vibrated. His clean, freshly showered scent mixed with his usual steel and musk and she drifted off herself, smiling happily. The best birthdays were the ones where you got exactly what you wanted.