DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ONE PIECE, ONLY MY OC! :)
Entering the kitchen Zoro sat down at the table in a huff, a scowl on his face.
"What's wrong with you?" Nami asked.
"Nina was pretending to be fine, but has had an injury this whole time, and that is why she fell off the ship."
Sanji looked at him. "We had discussed this last night while you kept an eye on her. We figured that is what happened and even though we have a right to be angry with her, the important thing is that she is okay."
Zoro looked at him with a look of shock. "Yes, but she lied when she told us she was okay. It was enough of an injury to start giving her black outs and cause her to fall off the ship and almost die! I do not appreciate crew mates that are not honest with each other, as something like that could have changed the outcome of a battle. I felt guilty for her fall as I thought I had caused it from our duel when in reality it could have all been prevented if she had told us."
Robin nodded patiently, understanding his anger. "I agree, but you cannot blame her for the whole thing. She still does not know us well enough to know that this was pertinent information meant to be shared with everyone."
Zoro grumbled angrily under his breath and left to go outside, intent on training.
Nami shook her head as he left. "I can understand his anger and his guilt, but he should not be so cold to her."
Luffy laughed lightly. "He is just being Zoro. He will soon get over it and we can move on in the right direction."
Rising from his chair, Sanji started to prepare dinner for the crew pulling what little food they had left from the cupboards. "I cannot wait to finally have a stocked kitchen!" he roared impatiently.
Smiling Nami peered outside. "We should hit the town in three days. Then we can restock and get ready for a fight over the statue."
{}{}{}{}{}{}{}
Over the next couple days as Nina recuperated from her head and rib injuries, she realized that some of the crew were ignoring her presence, especially Zoro. He had not looked at or talked to her since her confession. Tired of the silent treatment, Nina entered the kitchen at lunch time and stood looking at the crew. "I'm sorry." she said.
The crew looked at her and she sighed before continuing on. "I was wrong to keep information like that from you all, but you have to see where I was coming from. I had just met you guys and it is hard for me to trust anyone after everything that has happened in my life. If I had known that my injury was that bad and could put someone in danger, I would have said something sooner. I would understand if you did not trust me now, but I swear to be more open to everybody from now on, and any questions you have about me and my past I will answer."
Everyone but Zoro looked at her and smiled. Luffy pulled a chair out next to him. "We don't blame you for not saying anything, and we understand. Let's forget about it and move on, we will be docking in the morning."
Relieved, Nina came over and sat down with the group but as soon as she did Zoro got up and left, stomping his way back outside. Nina's smile disappeared and she just stared silently at her food.
"What do I have to do to get him to understand?"
Nami looked at her and smiled. "Don't mind Zoro. He was like this with all of us at first. It takes him a while to warm up to and trust anyone. He is big on trust and I think he feels responsible for your accident."
Nina nodded hoping Nami was right, but still felt like there was an emptiness in her heart.
{}{}{}{}{}{}{}
The next morning the ship finally reached the small town of Edinburgh.
Hitting dock, Zoro threw the anchor over the side and helped tie up the sails with Sanji and Luffy.
Once finished they headed below deck to the map room to await instructions from Nami, who decided to take the lead on the plan.
"I think for now we should just get our shopping done, and get a feel for the town as well as get information on this guy." Nami suggested. The others nodded in agreement. "Now here is your money for food and supplies." Nami passed out some money to each of them, giving Sanji and Robin extra for required ship supplies.
Then she turned to Nina and gave her some money. "Since you have no clothes you can go and find some while you are with Zoro." Nina gave Nami a smile and accepted the money, placing it in her pocket. "You can also buy some medical supplies or whatever else you may need, and Zoro will help you carry it."
Rolling his eyes, Zoro started grumbling about having to pair with a girl but was silenced by Nami's fist.
Splitting up, the group went in different directions toward the town. Sanji and Nami went together to the grocery, Luffy and Robin went to find ship supplies, and Zoro headed to the medicine shop, Nina trying to keep up behind him.
When they were out of hearing range of the rest of the crew Nina ran up to Zoro and grabbed his arm. "Hey, I am sorry. I did not think it was that big of a deal. Why are you so mad at me?"
Zoro turned and glared at her, causing her to flinch under his hardened gaze. "Well it was. I blamed myself for leaving you alone on the rail that night, and when you lay lifeless on the deck without a single breath in your body, I swore I would do whatever it took to save your life as you had saved mine. Then I come to find out that it was your fault the accident happened and I felt stupid and angry that I could even think that you were different from the others, and could be someone I could start to care about. Not saying you were injured could have placed other's lives in danger if we had been in a bad situation. I build my relationships based on trust and you have lost yours." He then turned away and continued on to the shop.
Lost for words Nina stood there in shock, staring after him and trying to process what he had just said.
{}{}{}{}{}{}{}
As Sanji and Nami entered the market area, they were astounded to see just how many people lived on such a small island.
"This must be a popular place." Nami noted.
"It's the food they have for sale." Sanji said happily. "They have some of the finest produce and fish I have ever seen in the Grand Line so far."
Grabbing a basket Sanji started to fill it with fresh produce, breads, fish and spices.
Nami trailed behind him, enjoying the numerous sights and smells that were wafting around them.
"Is there anything in particular you would like me to cook Nami-swan?" Sanji asked stopping to look at her.
Nami smiled and blushed. "I really like the nectarine cake you make sometimes."
Sanji gushed and swooned. "Oh Nami-swan I will buy the finest cake ingredients they have and bake you the best nectarine cake you have ever seen!"
Giggling, Nami followed Sanji through the rest of the market as they found the rest of their supplies.
{}{}{}{}{}{}{}
Entering the medicine shop, Zoro's anger started to dissipate and he thought back on what he had said to Nina, who was now browsing the shelves across from him.
"I cannot believe I said those things to her. While they may be true, I did not mean to be that harsh or that forward. There is just something about her that brings out another side of me and gets me all fired up and anxious."
Zoro watched as Nina pulled some bottles from the shelves and placed them gently in her basket.
Walking along the back row, Nina saw a medical book on the top shelf that would be of good use to her. She tried to reach up and get it, but she was just inches away from grasping it. She could feel Zoro's eyes on her as she tried to get it from the shelf.
"Oh come on, I am not going to ask him to help me."
Setting her basket down, she stretched up on the tips of her toes and grabbed onto the shelf, her fingers just brushing the book. Sighing in defeat, Nina picked up her basket and made her way to the counter.
Setting the basket on the counter she started to pull some money from her pocket when the medical book she had been trying to reach was placed on the counter next to her. Startled, Nina looked up into the face of Zoro.
"You could have just asked me to get it for you instead of being so stubborn." he said quietly before walking back outside and waiting on her.
Nina quickly paid the clerk and ran outside next to him. "I am not stubborn, I just like doing things on my own." she retorted.
Zoro snorted at her logic and continued on down the street to the clothing store. "Just hurry up and get whatever clothes you need so I can get some supplies for my swords."
"I know how Nami and Robin are when it comes to clothes, and we are stuck in stores for hours while they shop around. I do not have the time or patience for her to do the same, not today."
Entering a store, Zoro sat down in a chair and held the bag from the medicine shop while Nina looked through the clothing racks. Every few minutes she would pull something out but when she saw the price on the tags she would flinch and put it back on the rack.
Zoro watched her curiously, as Robin and Nami never cared for how much the clothes were, they just bought whatever they wanted. "You know that Nami gave you enough money to buy whatever clothes you wanted right?" he asked her.
Nina turned and looked at him. "I know, but I am not the kind of person who spends money just because they can, or because they have it, especially on clothes."
Zoro smirked and watched as Nina maneuvered to the other side of the store, where the cheaper clothes were.
Taking some things off the shelves, Nina went into a dressing room and tried on what she had picked out. Minutes later she came back out and put some clothes back, leaving only a few pieces in her arms. She walked to the counter and proceeded to pay for her items, which consisted of a black pair of pants, a pair of brown shorts, and a couple t-shirts with various designs on them.
"Is that all you are getting" Zoro asked once they left the shop.
Nina handed him her bag and nodded. "I do not need much and clothes like these last a long time, unlike the really expensive clothes that Nami and Robin wear."
Zoro's eyes widened and he held back a laugh at her words.
"She is smarter than she looks and is nothing like Nami and Robin. She is actually pleasant to be around, except for when she is being bossy or nosy. I am still angry at what she did though, and it will be a while before I place any trust in her and she needs to know that. Lover boy would have forgiven her immediately, but I am nothing like him at all."
Nina led him into a blacksmith's shop and took her bags from him so he could shop around. While Zoro had his swords sharpened, Nina looked around the shop at all of the cleaning supplies and other weaponry. She found a container of sword cleaner as well as a small sharpening stone, and placed them in her basket.
Her eyes were then drawn to a set of throwing knives that glistened on a glass display. They were white, with finger holes at the end and had little weight to them.
"These are perfect for throwing and parrying blocks quickly."
She placed those in her basket as well, and made her way back to the front where Zoro was trying to pay for his sharpening.
"That price is outrageous for three swords!" she heard him argue to the cashier.
"That is my price, and now you must pay for them." the clerk said impatiently.
Zoro grumbled and pulled out what little money he had saved up.
Nina rushed over and placed her things on the counter. "I will get it, and ring these up too." she ordered the clerk. The clerk nodded and placed the items in a bag, along with a carrying case for the throwing knives. Nina quickly handed over the required Berries before Zoro could protest.
Handing Zoro his swords, the lady nodded and smiled at Nina. "Have a great day you two!"
Nina nodded back and took her leave, Zoro following behind her. He walked quickly up to her side and looked down at her. "I could have paid for my own swords you know, I was just trying to haggle with the lady."
Nina looked at him and shrugged. "Nami gave me this money to spend however I wanted, so it does not bother me any."
Zoro shook his head, surprised once again by her actions.
"There is something not quite right about her past, and while the other crew mates do not see it, I will make sure to keep a watchful eye on her."
{}{}{}{}{}{}{}
Robin and Luffy were the first to make it back to the ship with the needed equipment, and while they waited for the rest of the crew to return, they set to work on repairing the slightly damaged parts of the ship.
Not even an hour later, Sanji and Nami appeared laden with produce and other goods for the ship. As soon as they showed up Luffy dropped the board he was carrying and ran over to Sanji.
"Food!" he shrieked in Sanji's face.
"Luffy you idiot! You cannot have any until everyone is back!" Sanji yelled back at him, holding his face at bay with his boot.
Luffy grumbled and went back to working on the ship.
Taking all of the food below, Sanji stocked the cabinets and then stored the rest in the hull. Nami had gone below as well but was in the map room, looking at the map of the island and figuring out their next plan of action. While they waited for Nina and Zoro to return, Sanji set to work on dinner as the rest of the crew sat at the table planning a strategy.
"Did anybody learn anything while out today?" Nami asked.
Robin looked up from reading the new novel she bought in town. "I did hear some rumblings about a party that is going down tomorrow night. Apparently it is a yearly party used to celebrate the rich of the town, but it is held in some guy's mansion at the top of the hill behind the town."
Nami huffed. "Well that is better than what Sanji and I found out. The only thing we learned was that this guy is really rich and has extensive security. This party tomorrow night may be our only chance to search the mansion for this statue."
Just then Zoro entered the room holding a couple bags and tossed a newspaper on the table. "There's all the info we need."
Nami picked up the newspaper and read through it. "So this Koto guy is holding the ball? It looks like anybody is invited; however we would not be able to bring our weapons in, so we would have to be careful. I guess we better go purchase some party clothes to fit in!" Nami grew excited just thinking about more shopping. "I can always use a new dress and jewelry."
"Of course Nami-swan and I will assist you!" Sanji cooed.
Zoro rolled his eyes and sighed. "We can go shopping tomorrow. When I was leaving the smith some officials were combing the streets. I do not know who they were looking for but it would be safer to wait and go back out tomorrow."
"Where is Nina?" Luffy asked looking around. "She was with you."
Zoro shrugged. "I don't know. We finished shopping and she gave me her bags saying she wanted to check on something, and I left to come back here."
Nami clenched her fists in anger. "Zoro, how could you leave her alone in town? You do know that she is a wanted pirate as well right? What if something happens to her? What she did does not just affect you, it affects us all, but we forgave her. How is she supposed to gain her trust back if she is dead?"
Zoro looked at her and his eyes reflected the hurt he felt in his heart. "You wouldn't understand." Leaving it at that Zoro left, leaving them staring after him in shock.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Where is Nina? Will Zoro ever forgive her? Stay tuned!
ANY AND ALL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/CONCERNS ARE WELCOME! :)
