The Thousand Sunny was just a few days away from the port of the next island on their journey, They had just finished up at Punk Hazard, Caesar Clown had been defeated, they made a permanent alliance with Law, and most of the abducted children had been treated. Mocha was in the most danger from the earlier overdoes and was still in Choppers medical room for continued treatment till her condition stabilizes. Even Momosuke and his father were with them for the time being since it was their homeland that was the next stop. And their final 'guest' decided that she needed to get some exercise after both keeping an eye on the crew as well as the patient as per the arrangement between Luffy and Smoker.
Captain Tashigi just finished her ascent to the crows nest for some much needed exercise. She quickly opens the trap door and climbs on in to see Zoro leaning against the shelving for some equipment. Is this the man who claims he will be the worlds strongest swordsman. Its hard to imagine that such a feat would even be possible for such a lazy guy. She lets out a quick smile at him before she takes her first real look at the room. There were numerous different kinds of equipment from dumbbells, a treadmill. As she looked around a certain machine stood out. What looked to be a custom made bowflex type of machine. "Hmmm...I wonder who made that?" She said aloud to herself. "It was Franky." She lets out a light yelp as she turns around towards the source of the voice.
She looks around but no one else was there. Her eyes fall upon Zoro and to her surprise his one remaining eye was open and focused on her. Getting just a little flustered due to the situation but she quickly regains her composure. "Franky? Do you mean that perverted looking blue haired behemoth in the speedo?" Tashigi says as calm as she can while trying to surpress the giggle at the description she just mentioned. "Also just how long were you awake? Why didn't you say something when I came in?" She asks him as starts to scowl at him. And at the same time Sanji could be heard yelling from the kitchen down below. "Hey everyone, dinner is served so come and get it. And wake the fuck up marimo or you won't even get any table scraps! HEY LUFFY GET AWAY FROM THE DAMN FRIDGE YOU BASTARD!"
As Tashigi glares at the well built swordsman before her, a few moments go by then Zoro cracks a grin at her. "Ya Franky the speedo sporting cyborg. Who else would design something like this. Ya it looks weird but...at least its durable since I haven't broken it yet. Also you better hurry and get some food before Luffy finishes it all." He then proceeds to stand up and replace his swords at his waist. As he walks by Tashigi on his way out "And to answer your last question...I was awake as soon as you started up that ladder. I can't let my guard down whenever an enemy is on the ship" He stops for a moment and turns slightly with his good eye facing her. "Even an enemy who has no hope of beating me, much less being able to touch me." He flashes her an evil grin as he then makes his way down the ladder.
Tashigi just stands there for a short time taking in what was just said. Her hand gripping her sword 'Shigure' in anger, she stands there furious at Zoros comments. That bastard...how dare he... She races to the ladder and looks down and Zoro is nowhere to be seen! He just has to have the last word...every damn time... She then proceeds down the ladder and races to the door to the kitchen. The door is flung open as she stops into the room and walks towards Zoro. Grabbing the collar to his kimono, in between breathes she yells at him "Hey you bastard. So I have no hope of beating you huh? Well I'll just show you that I can easily TOUCH YOU whenever and wherever I wish!" A few moments go by then she gets the feeling she's being watched. Tashigi slowly turns her head to see the entire pirate crew staring at her with open jaws, As her gaze goes from one end of the table to the other from Luffy who refused to waste any time and proceeded to steal as much food as he could, all the way to the other side where Sanji had been in the middle of pouring Robin a cup of coffee which was now overflowing. After a few more moments of taking in everyones reactions her face goes a deep deep red as she races out of the room all the while screaming "STUPID RORONOA!"
Everyone remaining in the kitchen silently look from Zoro to the spot Tashigi just was. Shrugging Zoro then sits down and and reaches for a bowl. However Sanji wasn't having any of that as he calmly walks around the table stopping right beside Zoro, He moves his leg back and kicks the chair away that Zoro just happened to be sitting on. "Hey what the hell was that for dartboard brow!" Looking down at the angry swordsman Sanji takes one last inhale of his cigarette before he threw it away. "Tell me Marino...just what...did you...do...to..Miss Tashigi! And until you apologize to her you aren't getting anything to eat." He then literally kicks Zoro out of the kitchen and luckily he flies through the door so the ship doesn't get damaged. Sanji turns back towards the table to find that its empty, and as he does so Luffy dashes out the door to find a place to hide. "DAMMIT LUFFY, JUST WHERE THE FUCK DID YOU GO!"
Out on the deck Zoro is laying on his back on the grass staring up at the night sky. After some time he sighs then sits up. That damn cook, I'll cut him up for this...perhaps I'll shave his head. Chuckling at the thought. But ya I guess I should say something to her. Even though all I did was tell the truth. He then gets up completely and starts looking around for Tashigi.
Soon after Zoro left the kitchen Robin leaves as well. Noticing the hatch on the deck is open leading to the room with the aquarium she decides to go down there for a bit and see if there's anyone else down there. Upon reaching the bottom of the ladder she looks around and soon spots someone sitting on the bench crouched over. Robin walks over and sits at a respectable distance and maintains silence leaving Tashigi to eventually break the silence. "Why? Why is it that he can't see me as a warrior. All he seems to see me as is a weak women who's not even worth fighting."
"Hmm...I don't think Zoro sees you in that way, but I have to admit that I don't know too much about his past to say for certain. As you know I joined this crew soon after they lefty Alabasta. Some of the crew were easier to win over than others. Zoro was one of those who I don't think ever truly trusted me for quite some time. At lease not till after the Enies Lobby incident. You do know what that was about right?" Robin looks at Tashigi with a sad face as she recalled everything that happened. Tashigi thinks for a moment before replying. "That's the incident where the Straw Hats declared war on the World Government right? I heard that CP9 managed to capture you although the how was never mentioned."
With a sigh Robin shakes her head. "That is mostly right however its not what really happened. You see what happened was.." She then proceeded to tell Tashigi about the events from her perspective about everything that happened both at Enies Lobby as well as at her hometown of Ohara. "That's the kinda crew this is. They will do everything to save a friend. But I think its around that time that Zoro finally started to trust me and was willing to leave himself vulnerable around me." Smiling to herself then leans back and takes a moment to reminisce about what happened not long after that. "But I have to admit...I never thought I'd see the day where he was willing to give up everything including his dream...Oh I said too much. Please forget about that last part." Robin starts to stand up in order to leave but before she could get to her feet Tashigi grabs her arms and pulls her back down. "No please tell me. What do you mean he was going to give up his dream?"
Making a sad face to Tashigi. "I'm sorry but its not my place to say anything about that. I'm sure he wouldn't want anyone else to know. I mean he doesn't even aware that I know about it." Tashigi goes silent as she takes it in. "Ok I won't press the issue with you. But...can you tell me who else knows?" Robin thinks for a moment. "Other than myself and Zoro. As far as I know...Just Sanji but he wouldn't even say anything on the subject to either me or Nami so don't bother. Also give Zoro a little slack. We all have our own burdens to bear. And it seems as if the ones he carries are quite heavy." Tashigi nods in agreement. "Sure, I'll cut him a break. But That doesn't mean I can't tease him a little for what he said right?"
Robin smiles and laughs a little. "No go right ahead. Although...you should be careful about what you say and where you say it. Also...just what did you mean back there when you said you were going to be touching him?" Letting out a sly grin as she says this to a now blushing Tashigi.