Zoro could feel eyes on his back, and it was getting on his nerves. He tried his best to ignore it and finish his last set; he hefted the giant bar loaded with weights with one hand and curled it to his chest. Sweat was dripping down his body and he was only too aware of his lack of clothing. It had never bothered him before, but with the latest addition to the crew… He glared over his shoulder at the woman who was sitting with Robin.
She at least had the decency to look abashed and look away. Still, Zoro felt a lingering feeling of discomfort at the way she stared at him. He scowled to himself. Why his captain felt the need to let some strange woman travel with them he'd never understand, but Luffy was still his captain, and Zoro was loyal to a fault. That didn't mean he had to like it.
He set the weights down and walked over to where his gear was laid on the deck. The grass crunched underfoot as he walked, and the sun was shining brightly. He reached for the towel on the ground and wiped the sweat from his face and neck. It felt good to train again, if only lightly.
He sat, running a quick hand through his seafoam hair, and took a deep breath of the salty sea air. It really was a perfect day for training. He closed his eyes and cleared his mind.
Meanwhile, Titania could hardly keep focused on the questions that Robin was asking her. She kept shooting lingering glances at the swordsman. The two women were seated at a table overlooking the deck of the Sunny, sipping from colorful drinks that Sanji had thoughtfully prepared for them. Robin had a book open to mermaid lore, with a notebook and pen laying next to it. Titania, still scantily-clad in a cropped white top and long skirt, sat across from her, distracted. Her eyes kept going back to where the green-haired swordsman now sat in quiet meditation.
"Titania?"
She looked back at the book that lay open in front of the historian and blushed, embarrassed to be caught staring. The black-haired woman seemed to be giving her a knowing smile. There was a sparkle of amusement in her dark eyes.
"What was your home like?"
"I suppose it depends on which one you're talking about." The white-haired girl cleared her throat and shrugged. "The island I was born on was a normal summer isle. Pirates would stop into town every now and then, but because they brought such good business, and the shopkeepers served them well, there were never any incidents."
Robin leaned back and nodded. "And the other?"
Titania's face hardened, taking on a hint of sadness. She looked out over the sparkling ocean. "You mean the sea?"
The older woman nodded her affirmation. A few moments passed in silence before the siren spoke.
"I don't know how to explain it," she said finally, shrugging, "It's beautiful, honestly, but…" she trailed off with an unreadable expression as she considered the glistening waves. "It's isolating."
A cool breeze blew past, sending goosebumps up and down her skin. She closed her eyes, unaware that the swordsman seated not too far away was listening intently to her voice, despite himself. "It's like an entirely different world beneath the surface, everything is a dark blue. But… I've never had a home in the sea. It's so open and lonely."
"Hm?" Robin tilted her head to the side. "What about the other sirens?"
Titania gave a wry smile, eyes still gazing over the waves with a faraway look. "Sirens aren't exactly social beings; they are nomads, they wander the sea alone. It's unheard of that sirens have friends. I think most of them forgot what it's like to have any." She shook her head sadly. "I've only ever met a handful of others. They seemed nice, but eventually they all left me on my own. They said it was to develop my song, but they never came back."
Robin nodded, noting something down in her notebook. "I see. You must have felt so alone."
"I do." Still with that faraway look. Robin had a feeling that she wasn't just talking about living under the sea. "Isn't it funny? A siren that hates being alone?"
Robin stared at her curiously. It was like she was waking up from a daze; she shook her head a gave a shy smile. "Sorry, I get a little lost each time I recall my past. I'm not trying to be vague on purpose, it just…" she touched a hand to her chest, "It hurts to think about."
She rose to her feet and turned away, hiding tears. "Excuse me a moment, Miss Robin."
Zoro watched as she went below deck, pretending to be lost in his meditation. He wasn't trying to eavesdrop, that woman was just too loud. Still, hearing her talk about her homes made him feel nostalgic. How long had he been away from his own home? His heart throbbed painfully as he thought about his childhood.
"You seem tense for someone who's meditating, Mr. Bushido." Robin chuckled once Titania was out of range.
"Shut up!" he scowled, getting to his feet. "How could anyone focus with you two chattering so loudly? Tch, I'm going to shower."
The historian watched in amusement as Zoro stomped away. She was just teasing him, but it looks like he took it a little too personally.
Later that night, over dinner, Nami announced that they should be making landfall sometime tomorrow.
"It hard to tell, but it could be either a winter or autumn isle." Nami pondered out loud.
"Alright!" Their captain cheered, spitting food as he shouted. "Another island!"
Everyone broke out into small conversations, wondering what was in store for them. Sanji smiled and started making a list of what they'd need for supplies while Franky and Usopp conversed about other supplies.
Nami and Robin were talking together about clothes and supplies. The navigator glanced up at their newest addition and raised an eyebrow.
"Hey, Titania, you should get some supplies while we're there." She put a finger to her chin thoughtfully. "If you're going to be travelling with us, you're going to need a few things." She rattled off a list. She shrugged with a small smile. "I'll give you enough money to get what you need, but you'll have to pay me back."
Zoro sat back, swords resting against his shoulder, and sipped his drink quietly. A new island meant they were one step closer to their goals. As long as they kept moving forward, they'd get there eventually. The alcohol burned in his throat as he drank, letting himself relax for a little while. He sighed and looked up, noticing for the first time that everyone was looking at him expectantly.
"What?" He asked, annoyance dripping in his voice.
"What do you mean 'what'? Titania is going to need a guard." Sanji cocked an eyebrow and rolled his eyes. "I'm going to be busy with resupplying or I'd volunteer in a heartbeat. Like I'd willingly leave her to a brute like you to protect her."
Zoro used a thumb to click one of his blades out of its sheath. "You want to try that again, you damned cook?"
"Take her to get what she needs," Sanji made a face at Zoro, clearly trying to provoke him, "She's a non-combatant, so she shouldn't go anywhere alone."
"How's that my problem?" Zoro shot back angrily.
Titania glanced between them, lips parted in surprise. Was Zoro so opposed to going with her? She closed her mouth, determined to keep the disappointment from her voice. "I should be okay, Sanji. It'll be quick, right? I can go on my own." She smiled lightly, clearly trying to charm the cook into dropping the subject.
"If you say so," Sanji said, looking dubious.
"I do," she insisted, getting to her feet, "So I'll be going to bed now."
Once she was out of earshot, Sanji walked over and smacked the swordsman. "You're an idiot, you know that?"
Out on the deck, Titania was pacing near one of the rails. Wind whipped her hair lazily, and she savored the feeling of the cold breeze on her skin. The sea whispered to her as the waves rushed past, and she listened distractedly as she ignored the pang of pain that squeezed at her heart.
Being left alone for so long was one thing, but to be so vehemently rejected…
She shook her head, singing a soft song under her breath as she paced the deck. The moon was waning, hiding behind darkened clouds. A new moon was coming soon, she thought to herself. She sang a song of the tides, and sat near the edge of the ship, watching the water shine in the dark.
"Titania?" The startled girl cut off mid-word. Usopp called into the dark. "Nami said you can share her room until Franky can build you your own quarters."
The siren nodded to herself and made up her mind. "Thank you," she called, receding back into her mind. She heard the door to the galley close again and knew that she was alone once more.
By tomorrow, she would leave the Straw Hats. At the next island, she would make sure they part ways.