Long time no post! ...yes I know! I gotta stop the whole "one post a year" thing!

Anyway, I'm finally creating an area just for one-shots and/or drabbles. Maybe this will motivate me to actually post a little more often...don't hold your breaths...

This particular one-shot was actually written for Zoro's birthday, but I never got around to posting it. I got two others that were also written on that day, but they need to be edited before being posted. And on that note, this is dedicated to my lovely cat, Demona. Reason being that she was particularly affectionate while I was brainstorming that day, lol.

BTW, Important Note: My computer recently suffered a total system crash. So I'll get back to those I've been PMing with within the next few days. So if any of you see this, this is why you haven't heard from me.

Disclaimer: Do not own One Piece! But I do own the cat!

"One Piece Shot 001 - Demona"

The Thousand Sunny had docked at a small, fall island the day before. The crew had already done most of their needed shopping, and were only in town to pass the time until the log pose sets, which would be sometime in the early morning tomorrow. At the moment, the Strawhat's Swordsman was currently wandering the streets of the only town on the island, a frustrated look on his face.

"Dammit, where the hell did the docks go this time? Why does every island we go to have to change its shape?" Zoro grumbled to himself in irritation. He could smell the salty air of the sea, so the docks have to be close, right?

"Demona!" A sudden shout pulled the swordsman from his thoughts. Pausing in his trek, Zoro looked around to see where he winded up. Looked like a fish market, smelled like it too.

"The docks have to be here then." Zoro mumbled as he started walking again, though was halted by another shout from behind him.

"Oi! Demona! Get back here, you little demon!" Zoro turned at the shouting to see a girl with long, black hair, chasing a black cat down the street. Despite the words the girl shouted, there was a playful smile on her face. The cat ran up to him, and immediately circled his legs. The girl skidded to a stop before the swordsman, panting with a sheepish smile on her face. Zoro's eyebrows lifted in confusion as the cat rubbed itself against his legs.

"Demona! Stop that!" The girl said as she reached down to grabbed the cat. The cat, Demona apparently, eluded the girl as it ran behind the male. Sighing as she straightened up, the girl lifted her gaze to meet those of the green haired man before her.

"Sorry about this. Demona's a very affectionate cat, especially to men." The girl said with a sheepish laugh, placing a hand behind her head in embarrassment. Zoro blinked at the girl, his eyes softening as a small smile broke through.

"It's no problem. It's not like I'm allergic or anything." The man replied with a shrug. The girl beamed at him as she dropped her arm.

"Sweet! Most visitors to our island don't take kindly to having a random animal rubbing itself against them, especially cats." The girl said. Demona chose that moment to come out from behind the male, purring loudly as it leaned itself against the swordsman's right leg. Zoro and the girl moved their gazes back to the cat, the girl sighing in exasperation while Zoro leaned down.

"Aren't you being just a little too friendly, demon?" Zoro paused as his eyes wandered back to the girl before him. Her eyes were on the cat though, a gentle smile on her face.

"Demon?" Zoro asked in confusion. The girl's eyes wandered back to meet his, her smile broadening.

"Yeah, my sister named her Demona. Long story short, I found this lovely lady when I mistook her for one of our other kittens awhile back. Because of her strange eyes, and the fact that she's a black cat, most people here thought she was demon possessed. Yet she turned out to be one of the most affectionate cats around. I call her my little demon cause some people are still afraid of her."

"Strange eyes?" Zoro questioned softly as he knelt down, the cat standing on her hind legs to paw his face playfully. Zoro's eyes widened slightly at seeing the near human eyes staring at him from the cat.

"Yep. No one here's ever seen eyes like those on any animal. I personally find them quite suiting to her. She can sure act like a human sometimes." The island girl said with a laugh. Smiling again, Zoro petted the cat's head, Demona moving against his hand to get better access. A few moments later, Demona moved back towards her master, purring loudly as she went. The girl huffed playfully as she scooped up the cat, Demona no longer trying to elude her. Zoro rose to his feet at that.

"Satisfied now? You got to meet someone new." Demona replied with a loud purr as she licked the girl's chin. Giggling, the girl turned back to the man before her.

"Oh, I just remembered. I never introduced myself. My name's Ari. Sorry for the rudeness." The girl said hurriedly as she bowed in apology. Zoro waved her apology away, sending her a smile.

"It's fine. My name's Zoro. It was nice meeting you. Both of you." He replied, a playful tone in his voice as his eyes strayed back to the cat in Ari's arms. Noticing his gaze, Demona meowed at him, confusing him at the nearly quiet sound. Seeing the confusion in his eyes, Ari elaborated.

"I know, it's weird. Her voice has always been so quiet, yet her purrs are louder than most cats. It's been like that since the day I found her." Ari stated as she shrugged. Nodding at her response, Zoro gave the cat one last pat before dropping his hand to rest against his swords.

"I have to get back to my crew. Once again, it was nice meeting you two." Zoro said politely. Ari sent him another beaming smile.

"It was very nice to meet you, too! Take care!" Ari said as Zoro turned to head back to the docks...well...in the direction he assumed led to the docks. Watching him go for another moment, Ari then turned around to head back to her home. Smiling the whole way there, she nuzzled her face against Demona while the cat rested against her chest.

"See? I knew not all pirates are total assholes." Ari muttered with a giggle.

Hope you guys enjoyed that!

Review, Fav, Follow, Flame, Critic, do whatever you want!

Until next me meet! (which will hopefully be sooner than a year...)

~MidKnight