Disclaimer: Robin would like to remind you that none of the characters or concepts in the One Piece World belongs to me, Mystoftime. Arigato.
Plea for Help: If anyone knows how to add a break between sections of a story that doesn't include chapters, like a line or symbol, then I would really appreciate it if you told me how. Now… on with the actual story.
It's History…
A One Piece Fanfic
Chapter 1
The Problem with Curiosity
Plip! Plip! Plip! Inside a cozy library, a fair, raven-haired woman lovingly flipped the page of an aged and water-damaged tome. She had found the book a couple months back, saving it from a dirty puddle only a few feet away from the trash can it must have been meant for. The sight had saddened her. To see a literary treasure like this one was treated as such. It was no simple task restoring it to half of its former glory. Nimble fingers turned another page filled with spidery writing illuminated by the light of the candle that squatted on a little, side table. Tales of an ancient civilization and the accounts of its rather violent history made the archaeologist's eyes light up. If she looked closely she might find a hint pointing to the void history she pursued so passionately.
When she heard the sound of rain falling, the woman glanced up and looked out the darkened window. Little rivulets of water ran down the glass, yet, beyond it she could see the crow's nest and the soft yellow glow of a light coming from the windows surrounding the structure. It reminded her of the matter she'd been mulling over for a while now.
It had been a considerable amount of time since she'd been so intrigued with something that she had trouble concentrating on what she was reading. Even as her slim fingers turned the ancient pages, the contents reminded her of the mystery.
History… history….
Nico Robin was an inquisitive woman. As a child she'd also been curious about the nature of life and many other subjects. This inquisitiveness had only increased with age and though it often served to expand her knowledge and aid her on her adventures, Robin found it, on occasion, to be annoying, an occasion such as this, where her source of frustration wasn't far off.
Her gaze was drawn back to the crow's nest. This time, though, she could see a familiar silhouette framed in the soft light. A muscular figure lifting an absurdly heavy weight and even if the details weren't clear from here, Robin didn't even have to put out some extra peepers to see the green hair and gold earrings that distinguished the crew's swordsman almost as much as his three swords.
It was he, the man who could be seen through the rain, that made a small frown pull at the corners of the woman's mouth. It wasn't unusual to see the swordsman working out in the crow's nest, especially when it was his watch and the clouds became heavy with rain, making it miserable to be outside. But, this once, Roronoa Zoro was associated with the one thing Robin considered herself an expert in-history.
The green haired man and history would never have thought to be mixed. However, this case was a special one. The slender woman's brow furrowed as she looked away from the figure in the crow's nest back to her abandoned book.
Robin was aware of the members of the Straw Hats' backgrounds.
She'd learned their various past histories through a number of ways. Her brief association with the Shichibukai Crocodile had given her access to records of all types, some of them Marine confidential and she never passed up the chance of learning information from island locals. Besides that, rumors spread, especially when it was concerning their infamous captain and his crew.
It took almost no effort to figure out Vice Admiral Garp was Luffy's grandfather and discovering the connection between him and Dragon wasn't too difficult either. Yet, no source was as willing to tell about his past then the rubbery captain himself. Though, his attention span was significantly shorter than her own. When Robin asked he willingly shared and most of the other crewmembers shared that aspect.
Nami had an intellect close to hers and, after becoming close friends with the archaeologist answered her gentle questions. Everyone on board knew her story of being in Arlong's crew anyway and the other woman could tell she'd grown stronger from her tragedies.
Usopp and Chopper were happy to tell Robin about how the crew came upon them and Luffy started a new chapter in their lives. Their separate stories were both heartbreaking and quite interesting, though the sniper's tale went on for much longer than the woman thought necessary.
The cook was a little trickier. Robin hardly dared to ask him about himself, knowing it would only result in an outpouring of affection she was definitely not looking for. Instead, she merely paid attention to his mannerisms and conversations with his nakama. It was enough for her to deduce he had a father-like figure in the form if a one-legged chef on a floating restaurant and that he seeked All Blue not just for his own dream, but this man's as well.
She'd been present for Franky and Brooke's stories of the past and already realized they suffered less for their separate losses than they did prior to meeting Luffy and the rest.
All the other members in the crew let their barriers down and put their histories on the ground for their nakama to see. Robin was no exception. But, why then, she wondered, didn't the green-haired swordsman do the same?
Surely, it was no concern of hers if Zoro preferred to keep to himself even when he was one of the Straw Hats as well. The same went if he had a dark past or secrets he wished to remain that way. The man didn't say much unless he felt like he had to, but when he did… it almost always left a profound affect on her and everyone else. So it shouldn't bother her that being more solitary than the others was simply his nature.
Yet, however Robin tried to find a liable reason for his tight-lipped silence concerning himself, she couldn't and her curiosity only grew bigger. Until, she had taken learning about Zoro's history as a sort of… lazy day past time. If it were a way to test her skill at digging up Intel than she would seize the chance. It wasn't every day that something occurred with the crew of the Thousand Sunny that couldn't be passed off as just plain weird and Robin could use her abilities on her unsuspecting source of interest to their full extent. A plain, honest-to-good anomaly, even if it was one only she would bother to investigate.
Even that became harder than she had first thought….
Robin had spent three weeks silently and discreetly observing the green-haired swordsman. She'd been careful to keep her mission a secret, using her Devil Fruit ability to attempt to catch any spare words that Zoro might let slip about his history. But, it wasn't easy. Especially when Sanji caught her glancing at the man while he trained on the deck.
"Robin-chwannnn!" he noodled uncontrollably up to her with a special drink.
"Hm?" she only needed to hear the cook and the petulant tone to his voice to tell what would come out of his mouth.
"I don't see why you find the marimo so interesting," Sanji lit a cigarette and shot a glare at Zoro. "All he does is eat, sleep and train."
She rested her chin in her hand as she thought about that comment. Then she looked up at the cook.
"Sanji-kun?"
"Yes, my lovely angel?"
"Does Swordsman-san ever talk about himself?"
The heart in Sanji's one visible eye popped. He scoffed, "Hell no. Why would that shitty swordsman ever tell me about anything? And like I'd care!"
It only took a second before she nodded. "Perhaps that's true," Robin agreed and stood in one fluid motion. "Excuse me, Cook-san. I'll see if Captain-san knows anything.
Sanji appeared more than a little confused before he grinned.
"Of course, Robin-chwan!" Then he was off as well, muttering about 'shitty swordsmen.'
Luffy was easily found by the woman perched on the Sunny's head, his new special seat and it wasn't surprising when he turned towards her with a mouthful of meat.
Robin giggled. The rubbery boy was so funny, but be that as it may, he was the only one present when Zoro joined the crew and the most likely to know about his supposed background. And even if Luffy wasn't the brightest of the bunch there was still the captain and first mate's bond to be reckoned with.
"Hey Robin!" the captain somehow managed to grin around his snack.
She smiled and walked up to the railing. "Hello, Captain-san. May I ask you a question?"
He swallowed noisily, then replied cheerfully, "Sure!"
"It's about Swordsman-san."
"Oh, you mean Zoro?"
"Yes. Do you know anything about his past before he met you?"
Luffy had to think about that for a while. He suddenly brightened and Robin's hopes lifted. Maybe he did know something.
"He was a bounty hunter!" the boy pronounced. "People called him a demon, but I had to see who he was and if he was a good person, invite him to become my nakama!"
The archaeologist was slightly disappointed, but couldn't suppress her amusement. Luffy never really invited people. He rather demanded and decided for them. She was sure Zoro and the others had felt the same.
Robin granted her captain a patient smile. "Is that all, Luffy-kun?"
"About Zoro?" Luffy frowned, deep in thought again. "Well… he doesn't talk much and when I try to talk to him he won't answer or hit me. Kinda like Nami." The dark-haired woman was sure the swordsman wouldn't appreciate that comparison, however true. "But…" the rubber boy went on, taking another bite of his meat. "… he seems to consider that white katana of his really special. I think it's his treasure! Just like the hat Shanks let me borrow!"
He finished and gave Robin a big grin, clapping his hand to his straw hat.
She was actually quite impressed that Luffy had noticed that about Zoro. Robin had also realized that the swordsman always treated his white-hilted blade with extreme care bordering on affection. He gave himself away when he spent a longer time cleaning its length or just staring into its polished surface and it was the only sword that he put in his mouth while fighting.
Yet, though Robin had observed this without a single thought towards the real meaning, Luffy had seen the same, but also more. That it probably held part of Zoro's story.
Of course, she concluded, the captain had often displayed a keen understanding of all aspects of his crewmembers. Even if they thought he didn't know their little quirks and favorites, he immediately tuned in to it. Robin thought they should give Luffy credit for that.
"Ne, Robin?" he interrupted her ponderings. "Why do you wanna know about Zoro's history?"
"I find it interesting as a crew mate and historian."
Now Luffy seemed puzzled. "But, why does it even matter? When he's our nakama and we all know he's with us now, knowing his past doesn't change anything, right?"
Surprise flitted across Robin's features and it took her several heartbeats to collect her thoughts. This man constantly defied what everyone took him for and she found that his words were true, making her doubt her own reasoning.
Why did it matter? Either way, Zoro would still be Zoro. It's not like knowing who or what he was in the past would change how she viewed him… would it?"
Robin settled for a neutral answer, "I see… Well, Luffy-kun, arigato for your time. "
"Oh! Okay. See ya, Robin!" the captain waved spastically, almost falling off the lion head. A couple disembodied arms caught him in time.
The archaeologist left, a little shakier than before.
"Your insight was… quite helpful," Robin smiled and shook her head. This could become even more of an adventure than she had presumed.
Less time was spent on seeing if Usopp, Franky or Brooke knew about how Zoro used to live and when she went to Chopper he started to freak out as soon as she mentioned the prone to injury swordsman. That left Nami and Robin was thinking if this didn't work she'd outright ask him. After all, being straightforward paid off… most of the time.
She was sitting in a chair across from the navigator as she worked on her maps, sipping her coffee when the younger woman spoke up.
"Is something bothering you, Robin?"
It wasn't unexpected that Nami picked up her change in behavior. Weeks spent pouring over what Zoro could be hiding had made the archaeologist increasingly tense, though her outward appearance stayed much the same.
"As a matter of fact, there is, Nami-san," Robin responded coolly. She wished to satisfy her curiosity, and quick. "How do you suppose I should find out about Swordsman-san?"
She cut to the chase right away. The only other woman on board already knew the object of her fascination and she could use her cunning, however dastardly.
Nami didn't glance up when replying smoothly, "Want me to threaten to raise his debt?"
Robin laughed softly over the sound of pencil drawing on paper. "There's no need."
"Really? Because that baka must have done something to get you this interested. I swear he has brains whatsoever. Probably why he can get lost anywhere."
Though the navigator's words were harsh, Robin could hear the respect and affection Nami felt towards Zoro as much as any of the Straw Hats. She just happened to show it by torturing the poor man.
But this really was getting out of hand and the raven-haired woman wasn't afraid to admit it. "I would like to know a little about each of my nakama and he's not the easiest to talk to."
This time Nami was the one to smirk and she put down her pencil to look straight at Robin. Her sly expression told it all even if you didn't catch the somewhat devious cast to her words, "Then we need to use a different method, Robin-chan."
The other woman lifted an arched eyebrow. "No torture, please Nami-san."
She laughed. "No, no. Of course not! I have a better idea…"
When Nami finished telling Robin her plan, the archaeologist was stunned. She had really thought it out and it might actually work, but…
Thanking her friend, she went on her way. She'd learned some useful things, yet it still wasn't enough. Still, Robin direly hoped she wouldn't have to resort to Nami's way of getting information.
Now, however, as Robin stroked the cover of her book, she thought everything over again. Sighing, she suddenly rose from her seat and glanced out the window once more. The light had gone out, so Zoro must be done training.
Her mind was tired and Robin decided to give it a rest. She turned to the flickering candle and blew it out. A wisp of scented smoke floated in the air a little longer before it disappeared. She wouldn't need the light to exit the library as she knew its layout by heart.
As she headed to the women's quarters, Robin was struck by a feeling that told her that she should go outside. A little befuddled, she let her legs move on her own until she stood on the deck.
The rain had stopped and the clouds had shirked, revealing a good-sized patch of a night sky filled with glittering stars and a half moon. Robin allowed herself to bask in its natural beauty and would have stayed there longer if another frosty breath hadn't joined hers.
A characteristic clink of swords on someone's hip alerted Robin to who it was and she greeted him, "Good evening, Swordsman-san. Done with your watch?"
The green haired man halted in his tracks. He'd been going to fetch Usopp for the next shift and neglected to notice the woman, absorbed in his own thoughts. He recovered from his surprise quickly, however.
"Hm, yeah," Zoro grunted. He appraised her suspiciously. "Oi, what are you doing out here?"
Robin looked away from the night canvas and at him instead.
"It's not raining anymore and I thought I'd look at the stars. They're beautiful tonight, aren't they?"
There was that confused and wary expression again Robin observed. He shrugged noncommittally, "Uh, sure."
He resumed walking in the direction of the men's quarters where the sniper would be sleeping when Robin took the initiative.
"I was studying history. That's why I was up so late," she explained calmly, gaze on the stars. "Perhaps you would like to join me next time?"
Now he was really taken aback. "Uh, history's not really my thing. I have to go. Later."
Zoro rushed off, suddenly in a hurry and evidently eager to escape the topic of reading history. Robin leaned against the rail exhaled, her breath turning into ice crystals. She was saddened when anyone didn't appreciate the past like she did, but in this case, another chance to get Zoro to talk about himself had passed.
Robin was left feeling a little hopeless and abruptly came to the conclusion that she should give up.
Though, giving up wasn't in her nature. Even, when she'd been ready to die at Enies Lobby she'd had enough will that it could be ignited by Luffy's strong spirit. But… this was hardly that important.
She remembered the captain's words.
"But why does it even matter? When he's our nakama and we all know he's with us now, knowing his past doesn't change anything, right?"
Yes… Robin realized that Luffy was right. She held the swordsman, strong in body and heart, in high esteem. She wasn't about to degrade that by needing to hear his reasons for being here. Because they all knew each and everyone one of them was there due to Luffy and for their dreams.
She straightened and, with a slight smile made her way back down the stairs. Indeed, Zoro may become a man of history, but right now he was her nakama and that was enough.
It was this that fueled her and her wonderings were put to rest, mostly. If only Robin could predict the consequences of her inquisitiveness…
Author's Note: I had to try some Robin and Zoro nakamaship here. I've done Zoro and Luffy for Mixing Rain with Sunshine and Who's Your Ninja, though they had a little of the others too. But I haven't seen many stories with these two interacting outside of romance. I'm not particularly impressed with it so far and I am reluctant to continue with something that's halfway serious, but it's laid out like a two-shot and I'll finish it anyway.
Hopefully I can add some humor in the next and last chapter. I hope you like it even if I don't and reviews are loved.