I try to collect my thoughts,
so I can say what I need to say.
There is something I need to say,
something I cannot quite figure out.
Is it 'I love you'?
No, I've already said that. Many, many times.
Or is it perhaps a good beginning?
Perhaps it is, perhaps it isn't.
What needs to be said is 'I'll never take back my claim of you'.
But it simply isn't enough to describe this.
Since in reality, I'm scared.
Scared of losing you.
If I did, I wouldn't be able to live.
I'd rather give up my life than lose you.
And for some reasons I can't explain,
the mere thought scares me.
My feelings for you are so strong, they overpower everything else.
So I guess this is what has to be said.
'I'm scared of losing you'.
Though it feels too weak to describe my feelings,
it is the truth, though the words are feeble.
I'm scared of losing you.

Chapter IV

Outside, the fluffy flakes of snow fell slowly down to the already white ground below, and she couldn't help but wonder what it would look like if not every day went by with the sky letting it fall down. But she would never get to know that, at least not in this Hell. The thought, in a way, made her feel sad as she wondered if she even would get to see another place than this Land of Ice.

But what good would that do for her? After all, she was an Ice Devil, the cold was part of her heart, soul and body. Not even when she laid her hand on the cold glass in front of her did her body generate enough heat to create that thin film of mist which usually surrounded other's hands. She never felt warm and never should, it wasn't natural for her.

Yet, she longed for it, just as the man walking up behind her longed for her cold. Not daring to look at his reflection, she felt a shiver run down her spine as he laid his calloused hand over hers on the glass, the mist now appearing. His grip was strong and she could feel the heat of his body radiate against her back through the layers their clothes.

"Hey..." The whisper were soft as he sneaked his left arm around her waist, bringing her back flush against his torso. Licking her lips, she didn't need to look at the glass to know that she now was blushing.

"What fare thee...?" Answering just as low, her thoughts started to become clouded by memories, a pleasant haze spreading in her mind. And then the memories became the present, as his warm hand skimmed over her body. Exhaling a shaky breath, she leaned her head back against his shoulder, closed her eyes as she was unable to fight her needs.

"Well. And you?" She could hear that damn smirk in his voice, but as his left hand stroke her thigh firmly, her breath hitched in her throat and the sharp reply died on her tongue.

"W-well too..." Biting her bottom lip hard as she felt him press his scorching lips against her neck, she hoped that no one was looking up against the window where they stood. As if reading her mind, Zoro took a step backwards and pulled her with him, letting his right hand slide up her arm to her shoulder and neck. She could feel the strong fingers play with the locks which fell from her hairdo, and a soft moan slipped over her lips as his teeth grazed her sensitive skin.

At the Fallen Lord, it had been so long since she last had felt him this close to her. And even longer since he had been inside of her, making her burn with an unnatural fire.

"MĂȘl..." That simple little word made her cheeks turn bright red and grip hard at the leg of his trousers, trying to hold onto something as her world started to spin around. She remembered that one time she had asked him about that particular nickname he had for her, the reason behind it being so intimate that Chopper asked her if she had a fever every time Zoro called her that when when they were almost alone.

But then silence fell between them and the only thing she wanted to think about was his body against hers, his mouth on her neck and the fact that they were alone. And she hoped that he wouldn't leave a mark, as she felt his tongue lap at her naked shoulder. A groan slipping past her lips, she tried to listen to what he now murmured against her skin.

"Luffy's my next Duelist..."

"Ah." She remembered the boy, he had been all smiles and laughter when they met. And apparently he enjoyed eating, too.

"Did Chopper give you his message?" Rising up and instead wrapping his arms around her waist, he leaned his chin on the top of her shoulder.

"Mm, he did. And I promise I won't, it's just that..." Her voice trailed off as she tried not to think about how blood colored the white snow with crimson, fear spreading in her mind instead of lust as she remembered that horrible day in the apple grove. But she pushed it away, instead focusing on the feeling of his strong arms wrapped around her, the pent up strenght in them. Then she found herself being turned around by said arms, a hand cupping the back of her head and angling her up, so that she looked into those dark eyes of his.

But she didn't get to look into that burning gaze for long before he leaned down and kissed her lips, his tongue slowly invading her mouth. A soft whimper escaping her, she reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, holding on as if her life depended on it as he pushed her even closer and stroke his warm hand down her back to her bottom.

Warm and cold shivers ran through her body as they kissed, both caught up in this moment of forbidden passion. But as they broke for air, before Zoro had a chance to nuzzle her neck again, the sound of footsteps from the corridor made them take a quick step away from each other.

Looking wearily at the door, Eira licked her lips and tried to make her breath and heart slow down to their normal pace, almost having succeeded as the door opened. And when she saw who it was, the warmth she had received ran cold.

"Huh, what's this? Hime-sama, now you'll have to come with me!" She hated that sick smile of his, she thought as cold wrath curled in her stomach. But she pushed that away too and instead she smiled against Spandam. If he would be the one winning this Challenge, she would have to live with him for the rest of her life and there would come no good from angering him any more right now.

"Yes, I will. Zoro-san, please take care until the next time we meet." Smiling against him, she saw the anger boiling just beneath the surface in his eyes. But he knew of the rules too, the Bride was to spend an equal amount of time with both her suitors.

"Ah." A nod, and then she walked over to Spandam and let him place her hand on his left arm as he started to talk about some political move his father had done. But she didn't listen, instead she glanced over her shoulder at the man who held her heart, who stood there, ready to go over corpses to get to her. That thought shouldn't reassure her, but it did. She believed in him, had to, for her sanity...

~\+/~

The library was huge, dark and smelled of old dusty books, a scent Nico Robin had always loved. The feeling of tracking down information hidden within the withering pages were something she never could get enough of. But right now, when the tracking was having almost no progress at all, even after a whole night with looking, she was almost about to give up. The Central Library didn't hold any information whatsoever on the Coeden Deulu of that Fire Devil.

Sighting, she let the book fall closed as she leaned back against the high chair she was sitting in, wondering what she should do next. No matter how much she tried, there was nothing about the Lolonoa family's recent status. Yet, a son of the family had been elected as a political hostage, so didn't make any sense that they were so unknown.

Caught up in her thoughts, she didn't notice it as the chair at the opposite end of the table moved. On its own. Her head snapping up and her eyes looking carefully at the piece of furniture, the sensitive hearing which came from always being on guard caught the sounds of shallow breathing and low cursing.

"Bloody book to be so damn heavy... Here, help me up!"

Her curiosity getting the best of her, Robin leaned forward to try and see who it was that were struggling with the chair, ready to aid if her help was needed. But as a short woman with almost white hair jumped up it, she leaned back again, still keeping her eyes in discernibly on the other. After all, it was rude to stare. In the corner of her field of vision, she could see the head of a snake peak up over the edge of the table.

"Young girl, what are nyou looking for?"

"Uh? Ah, nothing in particular."

"Then why are nyou reading about the Fourth Hell's Coeden Deulus, hm? That ain't 'nyothing in particular'."

"Oh, I'm just interested in history, that's all. But I can't seem to find what I'm looking for... Maybe milady might know something about it?" Smoothing over her surprise over being noticed with a smile, she decided to do her best about the situation. After all, the woman wore the clothes of a Hylaf, someone with the power to see into the past, present and future and who's mission was to help others.

"I don't really knyow anything more than others about that Hell's Family Trees, it would be much easier for me to help if nyou gave me the name of the person or family nyou're wondering about..."

She was out on deep water now, she knew that as she felt a cold sweat break out on her shoulders, but the thought of unraveling this secret was far too alluring. Surely those two had very good reasons for hiding his past and she wouldn't tell anyone, but right now, she was very, very curious.

"Lolonoa Zoro, I can't find any new record of his family in any of these books. It's like there haven't been an update done in seemingly three generations."

"That is the boy who Challenged Spandam, is he nyot? Why are nyou interested in his family?"

"I'm a friend of the Bride." Speaking the truth, she continued to smile, for once doubting her ability to fool others. The old woman's stare bore into her, seemed to see every little dark secret she hid in the depths of her soul. Fear tickled her mind, but she shoved it away and prayed that she would get her answers.

"...Very well then." Holding in a sigh of relief, Robin watched how the other opened the book she had brought and started to browse through the thick pages, squinting her eyes to see the small letters on the parchment. Suddenly, she turned the book around so that it was against the raven haired instead and shoved it over with her snake rod. "Here, read this and you'll knyow what hides in that man's family's past. But I must ask this of nyou, do nyot tell anyone. Especially not Spandam."

"I promise." She whispered the words breathlessly as she reached for the book and dragged it towards herself, her eyes scanning the old pages, then widening in shock. He couldn't be...

"Wait, wha-" But the old woman was gone, the library silent except for a young man walking through the corridors created by the cases. Licking her lips, she stared down at the old statute book again, reading that one phrase over and over again, trying to grasp the meaning behind it.

"... as our Lord created us, Devils and Demons, we shall never cross our blood. If two does, the lower shall lose their head and the higher their nobility..."

Slowly closing the binders, she looked up at the high ceiling, deep in thoughts. No wonder they didn't tell anyone, this information could throw this delicate peace between their Hells over completely, turn peaceful meadows into war fields, end the lives of thousands. Lolonoa must at the very least be a quarter Demon, more than enough for not being a High Noble. And the Blazing Hell had sent him as a political hostage...

Dread creeped inside of her mind, sent her otherwise sharp focus reeling. She must speak to Eira, right now. Standing up, she leaved the table behind for serving Demons to clean of, for librarians to put the books where they belonged. She had more important things to tend to.

~\+/~

A strong wind, a remnant from the inclement winter, rushed over the courtyard, pulled at gowns and cloth so hard that people had to hold onto hard to their clothing. But neither of the fighters facing each other seemed to be bothered by it, the blast ruffling their hair and pullingat their cap and strawhat.

Standing with his arms crossed over his chest, ignoring the howling around him, Zoro threw an eye up at the grey sky with its dark and moving clouds. The air was for some reason hard to breath, he had to force it down into his lunges.

Then the grey light was reflected in a blade as foot sweeped down on a shoulder with a battle cry. The attack was blocked, blood dripped down on the ground as Luffy snapped his leg back. Gasps were heard all through the crowd, the Devils looking on with wide eyes as the truth dawned on them; the youngest Portgas wasn't a Fire Devil, but one form the First Hell.

The green haired male knew, of course, since the younger man could spill some secrets in the blink of an eye. But for society, it was all news. And it was not the first one kept from them, nor the last, he thought.

A punch, a cut and some more beating. The raven haired man jumped over the other and made a bazooka on his back. But then, his opponent were gone, the attack hitting only the paved ground. Then the flash was behind him, falling down on his shoulders with a lightning fast movement. Avoiding it and rolling out of the way, Luffy stood up quick with his guard ready for a new serie of attacks.

The wind blew again over the plaza, so hard that it was an actual wonder that the black cap stayed on the Beast Demon's head, as the strawhat were now hanging on Lu's back in its strings.

"Good work avoiding that attack. But I'm afraid you won't have the same luck next time, for now I shall show you my strongest form!" The words coming from the orange haired man made Zoro raise his eyebrow, strongest form?

Magic flowed and the man's shoulders grew, his legs and arms elongating along with his neck. Horns sprouted from his head, piercing through his cap. And his face was stretched forward, the angular form of his nose now coloring his whole apperance...

Having to take deep breaths through his nose to not start laughing at the comical apperance now standing before his duelist, Zoro had a hard time beliveing this man was serious about the fight. His whole body was now square; torso, neck, legs, you name it and it was.

"Cool~! You're a square man!" The usual stars appearing around the rubber boy as he saw something which intruged him, making the whole crowd sweat drop.

"Gah- no! I'm a giraffe man!"

"Eh? But giraffes can't fight, can they?"

"I'll show you the ultimate technique, the giraffe's technique!" His voice becoming more high pitched and losing some of the formal tone, Kaku brought his swords up before him. Suddenly, a storm of four attacs at once was coming at Luffy, threatening to cut him open. But he fast jumped out of the way, leaving the ground and the enclosure to take the hits.

From his higher point, he started to send a storm of his own fists against his opponent, but pulled them back fastly before he would have his arms cut of.

"Ha! You see, with my blades, you can not attack me without severe damage!" A casual yet happy smile played over the giraffe's face, as he once again readied himself. Now he charged even more quick, leaving his opponent to only be able to try and avoid the attacks. Cuts appeared everywhere on Lu's body as the blades cut through his skin, making blood drip down on the paved plaza.

"His only chance is to get up behind him..." The low mutter from the freckled man beside him had Zoro nodding, it truly was his only chance. With a master swordsman as his opponent, his only way to victory was to get past the blades, sneak up somewhere where they didn't reach and land a powerfull hit.

Then, suddenly, the giraffe swinged his neck and hit the rubber boy straight in his ribs, throwing him against the magical ropes protecting the crowd. Blood poured down on the ground, coloring the white snow crimson.

But he got up again, on shaky legs. That small something inside of Zoro's chest, that cold pain which grounded against his heart, grew only stronger as he saw the bad condition his friend was in. But he knew that Luffy always pulled through. His spirit was stronger than any other's strenght.

~\+/~

Note: The poem at hte start is not made by me, it was my little friend Mai Lindahl who did it. It's hers not mine. But where are you, little buddy? I miss you...

So... After being gone for some time, I end the chapter with a cliffie~ Am I not nice so say? ^^
But, haaaah, this chapter is a key one. Now there's only two more to go and that feels almost a little sad... But, hey, I love this story and I'm so happy I got down to writing it~

Please review! I write much faster when I feel like people actually wants to read it and are waiting for it!