Chapter 6: Fixing Them

Zoro's lips crashed on to her lips abruptly, pushing her against the wall. His hands slipped up her shirt, a grin tugged at his lips hearing a pleased sound. She pushed him, rolling him on to a bed. Heated skin met heated skin as they removed articles between hot kisses-

Zoro's eyes flew open.

He grumbled in his bed, annoyed that wasn't able to rid himself of the woman in his dreams. Just because she had become present on the ship meant that the dreams increased ten-fold. Almost every other time he closed his eyes to rest, she appeared, teasing him with thoughts that he tried to disallow.

It irritated the man to no end that even though he was not emotionally attached to her, there was a strong attention he could not ignore about her. Physically she was definitely his type. His disconnection though was caused by her eerie similarities to his past. Well, that and the fact that she wanted his head on a pike in front of Marine Headquarters.

Her sheer determination to take him down was rather...a turn on in ways for him though.

Tashigi rolled over in her temporary bed, facing the wall. She had now been with the Mugiwara crew for two weeks. She had come to realize that each of the members were very different from one another. Franky was a cyborg, there on their ship as a carpenter. Robin was a source of information for them, and read most of the time. Chopper was a doctor and a child at the same time, playing his afternoons away. Sanji was a cook, searching for the legendary Sea 'All Blue', and an incredible fighter, using the 'Red-Leg' fighting style. Usopp was a brave coward, wanting to become a warrior of the sea, and he was a brilliant marksmen and inventor. Nami was the most skilled navigator she felt she had ever met, even predicting weather, and avoiding tragedy constantly.

Zoro's ambition was still hidden from her. He came off as just a fighting force for Luffy, but he definitely was more than that. All he did was sleep, eat and train. She found herself watching Zoro more and more, his nap time having become the most interesting time to watch him…

Lastly, Luffy. He was more positive of himself becoming the next Kaizoku-Ou than butter was butter. But he spent his days fishing with Usopp, playing with Chopper, and reading with Nami more than anything else. His optimism of becoming Kaizoku-Ou was now starting to rub off on her; she was also starting to believe he could do it.

Tashigi tossed herself out of bed, observing that the clock that read 9:41. Do to her no longer being aboard a Marine vessel, her sleep habits started to slack off. Staying up late and watching everyone became habit. The blankets flowed to the ground as her feet touched the chilled wooden floors. Her hands found her glasses in the dimly lit room, and put them on. The room was the same as it had been over the last week. The only change that ever seemed to occur was the clothes on the chair and papers and vials on the desk.

The clothes that had been resting on the chair peacefully were now on her body. She still felt discomfort wearing such revealing clothing, but she had to admit that the ladies had style. She giggled at Nami's note that said 'Today's outfit!' she was starting to feel that the navigator loved to dress her up.

'Today's outfit' consisted of a navy blue dress, unusually trimmed with a pale green lace. Tashigi thought it seemed familiar. She remembered that Robin had been wearing a similar dress, only a different color. She sighed, realizing that it was just as revealing on her that it was on Robin.

She followed the smell of bacon frying, being lead to the galley. Sanji was preparing a simple meal of rice and eggs, bacon and toast piling high on the plates. Tashigi helped herself to what was available on the table, and started eating. She dashed soy sauce on her rice and eggs, taking a bite of the saltiness. A smile spread across her lips, loving the simple flavors.

The galley door opened, Nami walking in with a rather annoyed expression. She sat at the table, ignoring Sanji's rambles. Luffy burst through the door, panting slightly. "Nami! I'm sorry! I wasn't thinking!"

"Weren't thinking, eh? So you were being a mindless pervert than? Is that what you mean to say!" She scowled at her captain, aggressively slicing her ham and eggs.

"No! I meant it, I just did-!"

"I don't want to hear your excuses right now. Save it." She cut him off angrily, and resumed her breakfast.

"Oi, shithead, what did you do to Nami?" Sanji asked, his tone very serious.

"I won't say anything, Nami will hit me." Luffy replied, not wanting to anger her further.

"I'll hit you if you don't tell me." Sanji growled.

"I can just hit you back." Luffy proved his point, and Sanji preceded the conversation no further. The table remained quiet, everyone sensing the tense air between the captain and navigator. Zoro trudged in last after Usopp, Chopper and Franky. He yawned, eating in a zombie like state.

"Zoro, you don't look like you've been sleeping much. Your naps are less frequent." Franky commented, having an idea why. "What's on your mind?"

Zoro ignored his question, looking at Tashigi without anyone noticing. She had been on his mind a lot, increasing day to day. Their encounter on the deck would replay itself every so often. His mind quickly brushed the thoughts aside, trying to pay attention to his own food.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her smile, trying to bring Nami out of her foul mood. He couldn't help but grin at it. Her opinion was able to be altered so easily within two weeks. If she stayed too long, Luffy would probably be able to get her to stay.

Zoro nearly choked when that thought entered his mind. 'Tashigi' and 'stay' did not belong in the same sentence together. He got up from the table and left, ignoring Sanji's calls to clean up behind himself.

He sat against the railing, hoping to lull himself asleep like he was able to do a few weeks ago. The deck of grass was unoccupied, and he stared out beyond the railing across the way. He crossed his arms against his chest.

Since their confrontation, they hadn't spoken much. She seemed to be more interested in the fun and games of the others. He actually felt a bit jealous, but he wasn't about to do anything about it.

Most likely not. Maybe. Perhaps.

His mind went into full gear, trying to come up with an excuse to do something with her without seeming suspicious. He could ask her to train, but the outfits that she was getting from Nami and Robin were downright exposing. He wasn't sure if his mind could handle it. He knew that he had a weakness for the woman, and he felt extremely annoyed with it.

He heard soft footsteps on the grass. His eyes peeked open in curiosity, surprised that she was approaching him. He opened his eyes all the way, letting her know that he wasn't sleeping.

Tashigi sat next to him, tilting her head up to look up at the empty sky. They sat together silently, neither one of them having anything urgent to say.

The rest of the crew walked around, turning to normal daily activities. Usopp was in his workshop for the time being, as was Franky. Chopper had returned to the infirmary to catch up on some medicine making. Nami went straight back to her room, most likely to work on maps. Sanji lingered in the kitchen, already working on their late lunch that would be having, Robin keeping him company.

Tashigi traced her fingers on the dancing grass, sighing lightly; as if she was try to find the words to say something. "Zoro," she mumbled softly. He lifted his head to look at her. "When you were fleeing Lougetown, you said 'I can't stand the fact that you exist', what did you mean by that? I've often wondered."

Zoro didn't speak. He thought how to respond to her question. The swordsman stared at the grass below him, taking a breath. "The only person I was never able to defeat died before I could become strong enough to defeat her. In our last duel, she yelled at me, saying that she we wished that had been born a boy, because women were all eventually weaker than men." He paused for a moment, looking over at the mikan tress. "When I first saw you, I was so shocked at the similarities that I broke your glasses. You look the same. Both of you use katana. Both of you are feministic swordswomen, hating men for who we were: stronger."

Tashigi didn't know what to say. She didn't know what kinda of answer she had been expecting, but it definitely was not that. She suddenly felt a little guilty about calling him a sexist swordsman, though she had never actually said it out loud. In her thoughts, she assumed he thought she was excessively annoying or something down those lines.

"Meeting you, I felt I was being taunted. We made a promise and shared a dream, and now I am fulfilling hers along with my own." He subconsciously traced his finger on Wadô Ichimonji. Zoro chuckled, looking forward at the waters. "She'd definitely be laughing if she knew the situation I was in now. First I was that 'Pirate Hunter', and now I'm a pirate, and first mate to a guy younger than myself, and fairly stupider. Along with that, my sense of direction is a force to be reckoned with since I probably couldn't find my way out of a paper bag."

"I bet my clumsiness is worst than your sense of direction. I might be able find my way out a paper bag, but I'd fall back in as soon as I got out." She smiled making fun of herself, hoping to cheer Zoro up, if only a little bit. He seemed very sad about the conversation. She was startled when he chuckled, looking over at her.

"I'm sure if she had gotten a chance that she would have grown up to be almost exactly like you. It'd been hell for me though seeing as you and Nami whip everyone on the ship enough as it is. Kuina would have been on my back making sure that I was training constantly." Tashigi's eyes wondered down to his sword, his moving fingers having caught her attention.

"Is Wadô Ichimonji hers?" She asked, almost in a whisper. He nodded.

"I have to become the greatest swordsman in the world because it's our dream." He chuckled, "that means you can't ever have it." He was trying his best to treat the conversation lightly, knowing very well that it was truly tearing him up on the inside.

"Fine, fine, but you ever get a hold of another meitou; I will claim it from you."

"Tsk, only if you can manage to defeat me. Remember, I will be the greatest."

"Yeah, yeah," She stood up, looking at the waters. "Thank you Zoro."

He acknowledged her by a small grunt. He watched her walk away, the lace catching his attention. He felt he'd almost drool, her creamy legs teased with the thin green material. 'Nami must be doing this purposely, dressing her like that, and then flaunting her around. She thinks that she can just lure me out, but it's not like I'm attracted. Well, I am, but not like what she thinks! She can't fool me!' His eyes went further down her legs, disappointed when he realized she wore knee high boots that matched the lace.

Contrary to Zoro's belief, she was able to fool him. Nami observed as Zoro mindlessly watch Tashigi walk away, a look of stupidity on his face. If she wasn't going to be successful with her own romance, she would help someone else succeed. Tashigi did not even know what Nami was plotting.

Tashigi had rights not to trust pirates.

"Nami!" Tashigi called, trotting up the steps. The mikan hair colored girl looked at her, smiling.

"Did you ask Zoro about his lack of sleep?" She asked, wondering what Tashigi might be up to without her.

"No, but my guess is that it pertains to a busy mind, that's all. I think I stress him out. I feel a little guilty about it actually." She replied, shrugging. "Didn't you mention that we should be arriving on land soon?"

"Actually, we should be arriving in about an hour." Nami informed, checking her log pose. She walked down the steps to the grass. "It's been a while since we've been on a pirate island. Will you be coming with us?"

"I haven't given it much thought, it wouldn't hurt, other than fact that I'd want to arrest each and every single one of them."

"Well, you're one Marine, you can't."

Tashigi replied with a 'hmph', and followed Nami to the grass. Tashigi passed Nami though, and walked back to Zoro. She lied down, instantly feeling the grass tickle her in the wind. She stretched, making a mewling noise.

"Any reason as to why you are back?" Zoro asked, not bothering to even open his eyes. The rustling allowed him to guess that she had decided to lie down. Her hand tapped him, causing him to look over. He almost stopped breathing once he saw her. Do to her stretching, the hem of her dress rose higher on her thighs, but not enough to reveal her undergarments thankfully.

"Nami says that we'll arrive at the island in about an hour." She ignored his question, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. His golden earrings dancing against his skin in the breeze, her gaze followed down his neck. "What possessed you to get your ears pierced?"

"Eh, it seemed like a good idea at the time," he shrugged, their eyes suddenly meeting. Her features looked so soft, and it made him consider reaching out and touching her. She sat up, becoming eye level with him. Tashigi leaned in towards him to observe his features better, Zoro doing the same to her.

Tashigi's hand abruptly slid from underneath of her, resulting in a crash on to Zoro's shoulder. His hand automatically stroked her cheek, a crimson blush surfacing on her cheeks. Her heart fluttered at the touch at was much more gentle than she would have ever expected out of the man.

"Zoro, I think I forgot how to breathe," she whispered, trying to remember what she was supposed to do after taking in air. Embarrassment flooded her as she realized she had actually said the statement aloud.

"Exhale." he leaned in closer, breathing in the air she finally released. His lips continued to linger over hers, not being able to bring himself to do it. The tinkle of his earrings caught her attention, and she reached out to them to create the sound herself.

A door slammed open across the deck, and both Zoro and Tashigi's attention landed on the women's quarters. A list of unpleasant names were being called, and Nami was attempting to run out, but something was preventing her from going very far.

"NAAMIII!" Luffy cried, clinging onto her ankles. "Gomen nasai!" He pathetically clung to her.

"Luffy, get off! I don't care if you're sorry, you shouldn't have done it in the first place!"

"I misunderstood; I thought you wanted me to! Please don't be angry!"

The two unknown audience members observed the pathetic scene, not sure if they should look away or not. Tashigi glanced at Zoro and blushed, realizing that she was still fully against him. She sat up, avoiding his gaze.

Luffy continued to cling to Nami's leg, accepting her punches. He continued to apologize constantly. Zoro and Tashigi couldn't seem to figure out what was wrong or what Luffy had done. "Nami, why won't accept my apology?"

Yup. The scene was truly a pathetic time in the young captain's life.

"Luffy, just leave me ALONE!" Nami slammed her foot into him skull, freeing herself. She walked to the galley, and slammed the door.

Luffy laid in the grass dumb founded. He rolled over and stared blankly at the sky. Tashigi crawled in the grass towards Luffy, wanting to investigate the situation. Zoro's face tinted lightly at her actions, getting a full view of Tashigi's pale green panties. He tried repeatedly to look away, but his eyes were locked on. His mind and mouth stuttered wondering if he should tell the woman, his incomplete words causing her to look back. "Something wrong Zoro?" She asked naïvely, completely unaware of herself.

He shook his head, covering his mouth. He motioned for her to continue, and he finally found the ability to look away. He thought she was attractive, but it was far beyond him to understand why something as trivial as her panties had him in such a loss for words.

She gently shook Luffy's shoulders gaining his attention. "Mugiwara, what did you do?" She felt a sweat drop has he dumbly picked his nose with his pinky.

"Well, since you and Nami are friends, I don't think she'd be too mad. But don't tell anyone. Maybe Robin could know though." Luffy rambled, "I kissed Nami this morning unthinkingly when we greeted each other. At first she didn't seem mad, but when I apologized, she went off the deep end."

Tashigi thought for a moment, sitting on her feet in the siza position. "Maybe she thought you did it on purpose before you said anything, and got mad because you said sorry about it."

"I don't get it."

"I didn't think you would."

"Oh gee, thanks."

"Hey, I'm just throwing it out there. It makes since to me. I guess all you can do is just leave her alone. She'll probably cool down about it."

"Alright." He acknowledged, commencing once again to picking his nose. She rolled her eyes, and looked out on the ocean.

"Guys, is that land?" Tashigi commented, pointing past the lion head.

"Looks like it to me!" Luffy dragged out, having already forgotten about his lady problems.

Tashigi thought her life was going to end as soon as she ended up on their ship. She certainly had never been on a pirate island without the aid of Marines.