Prologue

Words are never to be taken lightly.

I knew that, be it because of the company I had during all these years in my past, where a wrong word could have spelled instant death, or simply because of my profession as an archaeologist.

I knew, and I should have known the words from that stupid bet were bound to spell disaster from the very beginning and the worst part is, that it was entirely my fault.

Nami teased me about not being able to make any of the boys fall for me, she continued on and on and finally we made the bet, if I could make Zoro fall for me in one month she would buy me all the books pleasing me.

"You're on" were the words I should deeply regret later.

Why out of all people Zoro?

Was it a slight hint of my affection to him? Was it a subconscious feeling of closeness to him or just the dark side of Nico Robin's twisted personality?

Either way as time progressed I could awaken his interest, what I had never anticipated was me being slowly but surely captured by his immanent aura and so it happened, that I found myself more and more attracted by his seemingly simple, but when thoroughly observed, very deep character.

Needless to say that I should have stopped right there and then, but I simply couldn't refrain from my desires which told me to keep on.

And here I am now, fully conscious of the gravity this situation bears, fully aware that a bet on feelings, moreover the ones of a Nakama and maybe even more, is not just plain wrong but rather demonic, and so I can't shake off a word of my past clinging louder and louder in my mind "Demon's Child"

The prejudice I never fully believed comes down crushing on me now, its fangs embracing me closer and closer and its weight , I had forgotten about since I joined the Straw Hats, resting heavy on my shoulders.

It's hard and it hurts as my past is catching up on me and my feeling of guilt is leaving me bewildered about who I really am, and if I really do bring misery to the ones around me.

I try to handle this feeling like I always did, in the only way I know, shoving it away, trying somehow to let it not get the better of me, soothing my mind telling me "it is not true!" over and over again only to be eventually overcome by a light sleep.

Nico Robin, you are a mess, wrecked up and torn asunder with the sole consolation that your emotions are sincere and honest.

I don't even want to think about what it would feel like knowing it was only a game with a mere toy.

A few cleared out in my dreams,

"Get it back"... "Get it back"..."Get him back"