Hello, everyone! Once again I apologize for the long overdue chapter especially when I should have updated about 2 weeks ago! :(( There is no excuse for my unacceptable work ethic but I'm really aiming to write a good story! I do hope ya'll understand! Furthermore, I cannot thank you enough for all the patience and being here once again to read this roller coaster of a story!
I hope the wait was worth it! Without further ado (about nothing), let's get in to the story!


Chapter 9: Vindicate


By the time I step out of the safety of the bathroom, the entire house was shrouded in darkness- with the sole exception of the faint golden glow of the two candles standing on the dresser beside the bed. I decided to stay for another hour soaked in the bathtub despite of the frigid waters- crippled at the thought of facing the consequences of my confession once I step out. Furthermore, the bathroom is en-suite so I was convinced I'd be greeted with Zoro's wrath. But to my relief, when I peeked out the door, he was lying still on the opposite side of the bed with his back facing me. Craning my head further out the door, I hear his soft relaxed snores, announcing that he may already be fast asleep.

I hurriedly tip-toed to the closet while my eyes adjust to the darkness, careful not to crash into any of the furniture to avoid being detected. As soon as I open the closet, I abruptly plucked whatever shirt, sweat pants and panties my hands landed on then immediately rushed to the darkness of the kitchen. Once there, I quickly changed into my clothes and fumbled my way around in search for the match and sticks and a candle- one should be enough. After making myself a cup of coffee- lukewarm unfortunately, I relaxed into the sofa and smothered myself with a throw blanket.

Amidst the never ending turmoil outside, despite of the plump missiles of destruction that are the rain drops and the crashing of branches unto the spongy forest terrain and the never ending volleying of thunder and lightning- cracking the black sky in pieces, I couldn't help but be sucked into the void that is the darkness within the cottage. In here everything was so still, nothing stirred, like the house and its furniture held their breath. I was glad for it but at the same time, I couldn't shake off the shame churning within my stomach. Fair enough, it may just be my empty stomach yearning for food since lately I haven't been eating well, the chronic anxiety have me absentmindedly disregarding my health and am honestly just waiting for my body to give up.
I didn't know you could get lost in your own silence though. A week ago I welcomed the silence- this was the reason I decided to isolate myself from my people. Silence left a lot of time for the mind to wander and help me formulate solutions for my predicament. Then again a week ago my life made sense, now everything is up-side-down and I can't make sense of anything anymore.

I clenched the mug between my hands, the warmth radiating through my palms. I was glad to have found the courage to release the truth finally- gradually amending these constructs of bad decisions, through baby steps. Never in all my years of existence did I perceive myself as someone capable of causing any sort of emotional distress upon anyone. Who am I to inflict such damage after all? What right have I got to go around doing such unreasonable indecencies? But days ago I was ignorantly building these spontaneous schemes and was completely oblivious that I was digging my own grave. I'm glad to be finally rid of that lie. It's been eating me for every second of everyday since I delivered it, but suddenly taking it back abruptly may have caused more harm than good and complicated things further..? I shut my aching eyes, leaned the side of my head at the back of the sofa and grumbled at my own indecisiveness.

The Straw-hats are a different class of pirates; a rag-tag enigma of a crew ran by an impulsive, naïve- but has a resilient sense of justice of a man-child in a farm hat who has liberated and saved kingdoms and citizens more than the World Government and any other philanthropic organizations could ever hope to achieve. None of their activities scream they are pirates in fact. Therefore, I know deep down in my soul giving refuge to Zoro was a correct decision- I just failed to do it right. The plan was supposed to be simple; hide him from the marines, search for his crew and once located, deliver him back to them. But of course, things don't really turn out like you planned –not with my luck anyway.

For days I had twisted Zoro's mind and had him believing I was his wife- someone who he should regard important in his life- playing with his emotions. And now, all that is suddenly scrapped and I'm possibly become the number one person in the universe he loathes! All my life I believe in the concept of karma and I shoulder this principle wherever I go. Not only is it fundamental to the job but I secretly hope that life might treat me basing on my good behavior. However, with a single lie, I think I might have earned a one way ticket to hell, rendering all those deeds meaningless.

Ugh! How could I face him now after that charade I had him believing? How shameful! Smoker-san would be so disappointed- no, he'll have me replaced and demoted into a mere cabin girl!
A brilliant flash of lightning cackled through the vacuum of the living room followed by the clapping and bellowing thunder ripping the fragile veil of silence. The blustering wind rattled along the eaves of the cottage and whistled through the cracks of the door and windows, fiercely agitating the scantly flare of the lone flame of my candle that struggled against the darkness. Thunder resonated once again adding into the deranged orchestra in the sky. Somehow I was thankful for the noise for it whisked my train of dark thoughts away from my mind.

Relief washed over me, however, after finding Zoro still present inside the cottage. The primordial reason that pushed me to step out of the bathroom was the fear of Zoro running away and leaving the cottage in spite of the storm. Whatever his reason was for staying, I couldn't help but thank whatever higher power prevented him from having those thoughts.

I reached over for my transponder snail on the coffee table and started contacting Smoker-san. Again no luck so I reached for my men but only static cut through the line. I tried several times to contact them but to no avail. I coiled the blanket tight around my body and lay completely flat on the sofa staring at the ceiling. This was the most stressful week of my life and I fear this is not the end for Zoro is definitely brewing something in that green skull of his. I bid myself to try and get some sleep to prepare for that new storm.
****

I did not get a single wink of sleep- sleep has been an elusive creature lately. It was an eternity until my eyes grow heavy from the strenuous effects of excessive rumination and I finally felt my consciousness ebbing away and thoughts were coming to an end. But the sudden screech of lightning woke me from the short slumber- it's loud like the house might break in two. In response, the blast had me rolling off the sofa and fall into the floor in a loud thud. I immediately composed myself, shaking off the sudden vertigo and swiped at the corners of my mouth to remove any dried trickles of drool. Lifting the glasses to my eyes, I squinted at the walls in search for the wall clock; it read 7:11 in the morning. It was hard to adjust my eyes to the blinding light- the lights! The electricity is back! The two fluorescent lights on the ceiling beamed on the four corners of the adjoined living room and dining room. I scurried to the window to inspect the weather hoping that nature have mended itself too so I can finally move on from this eternity of moping and reconstruct my productivity- also so I can cease this path to self-destruction.

It was hard to believe it was already seven in the morning when peaking up to the filters of branches and leaves of the towering trees, the sky was a deep shade of grey and indigo. Thick gnarly fallen branches decorated the black forest floor, the piked ends, where they snapped, was a faint glow of pale yellow-ish light, still fresh from the snap. They were frighteningly pointed towards the cottage as if spike barricades, keeping me from escaping the decrepit cottage. I strained my eyes in search for the dirt path that, as I can remember, led to the town. But the surrounding area looked so unrecognizable with hills of fallen smaller trees, branches and uprooted hedges, like the cottage was teleported to another place. Only the darkness beckoned beyond.

I imagine the cottage acting like a tiny lantern in the blackness of the forest- a speck of dim light- protruding naked to whatever predators could be out there. With this I shut the curtains and headed to the fully visible kitchen counter to make a cup of coffee. The rekindle of the electricity was probably the best event I've encountered thus far. I can finally have a hot meal and a hot cup of coffee! Caffeine pumping through my veins sounds really good right now, I could really use the boost of energy. Even before the kettle whistled, I poured hot water into a mug and with one hand stirring the mixture while the other inserted a single slice of bread into the mouth of the toaster. Excited for this simple pleasure, I absentmindedly turn but jolt in surprise when I crashed into Zoro's wall-like chest!

"Ah!" I squealed and on cue, accidentally spilled some hot coffee unto his chest!
"Ugh!" He rasped and seethed a sharp breath through his teeth, he winced and stepped back
My eyes darted up to find his face contorted into a hard irritated scowl.
"O-oh my God!" I quickly reached out a hand and used my finger tips to wipe off the hot liquid soaking his black shirt.
"I-I-I'm so s-sorry!" I stammered, biting the inside of my cheek. Embarrassment threatened to hurl itself up my throat in a form of bile.

Zoro instantly grabbed my outstretched fingers and stopped my futile attempts to fix the brewing catastrophic blunder. I could only respond by avoiding his eye in defeat, my cheeks began to heat up. Ugh! The day is only starting and I've already manage to screw up his day!
"I'm really sorr-"He interrupted my apology by harshly throwing my hand down the space between us and saying, " Come inside the bedroom." He rasped, one giant hand rubbing his (possibly) scalded chest. He spins around and entered the bed room door.

The bedroom? What for? Does he want me to follow him there? What's he planning to do..? With me in the bedroom?! Panic flips me over and over and once again I've lost the appetite for any food or drink. Sensing my lack of presence behind him, he turned back and shot me a glare. "Today!" He growled sternly, reminding me of Smoker-san. (Maybe they're related somehow?)

Cold beads of sweat prickle the skin on the nape of my neck. "Y-yes, sir..." I whimpered and scurried in defeat to the bedroom, my knees threatening to buckle as if I was walking to my execution. Here comes the pain… As I got there, Zoro was pulling off his shirt over his shoulder, hanged it on the footboard of the bed and took another black one out from the closet. As he inserted his arms through the short sleeves, he glowered at my trembling position at the doorway. I swallowed hard and clumsily averted my eyes to the bedroom walls; his glare is going to make me lose consciousness. Zoro round the foot of the bed, brushed past me and assumed his position on the stool on the far left corner beside the top of the bed, his lone eye dark and unreadable.

Folding his arm across his massive chest, he started "Sit down." He nodded at the edge of the bed beside him. I followed suit and sunk slowly into the space he motioned for me to sit- allowing two feet of space between us. I clasped the warm coffee mug between my palms, black and thick and hopeless. I didn't have to turn my eyes to know if he was still staring at me, his glares that bore at the side of my head was enough to make the hairs on that part of my head to shed. I feel pinned to this awful moment like a dead insect.

Zoro turned his head over to one shoulder and lifted a fist over his mouth and cleared his throat. "Start from the beginning." He leaned back on the dresser, hooked an arm over it while the other rests on his right leg, his fingers piano-ing his knee. I watched him from the corner of my eyes, unsure of what he meant.
"I beg you pardon-?" I croaked.
"Why did you lie to me?" He shot, unyielding.

I opened my mouth, then close it, then opened it again- trying to piece the words floating in my mind together correctly, careful not to slip up, not to say anything that might upset him more than he already is. "Who am I… really?" He echoes, softer this time. So many thoughts are flooding my mind. Where do I even begin?

I silently let out a frustrated breath, got up from the bed and made for the duffel bag under the vanity mirror. Zipping open the bag, I extracted the rolled up brown piece of paper I've been carrying around. And before retreating back to my place on the bed, I handed him the wanted poster- his wanted poster. I watched him roll open the sheet, baffled. His eyebrows creased ever so tightly as his eye runs through his picture. His gaze sweeps over the bottom part of the poster- reading his name and the hefty bounty provided.

I take a deep breath, "You're a pirate." I muttered. "And one that is highly sought after by the marines." I took a sip of the coffee and chewed on my lip. "I'm not a district police officer but a marine captain." And with this he raises his head at me but I refused to look his way. I could already feel the heavy pressure emanating from him. "We're from completely opposite sides of life's spectrum." Keeping a straight face, I finally looked at him, his expression disoriented as he continued to examine his poster.

"Why haven't you arrested me?" He watches me from under his eyebrows.
A small smile creeps at the corner of my mouth, I wonder about the same thing too- I wanted to say but it came out as- "I only arrest those I deem not worthy of the freedom life gave them." I drop my eyes to my coffee again, escaping that look for the briefest moment. "You're not one of those people. You may be a pirate but you're not exactly the type of a 'pirate' I meet on the daily. I don't know you personally but the reports on you are highly inaccurate compared to my personal run-ins with you."

"So why am I a fugitive?" He raised and pointed at the poster. "Why am I labelled as a criminal if I don't go around acting like one?" His body seemed to rise on each word, hostility and frustration dripping in his voice. His frustration makes my chest pang for him.
The kick of guilt goes straight to my gut. "But people don't know that, Zoro. Unfortunately, not everyone thinks the same way as I do." I shook my head and look straight to the drenched window pane. If they did, I'd try to make life easier for you. His pain was contagious, it reached out like a tendril and coiled itself around my heart and he unintentionally shared his distress with me.

Zoro hunched over and settled his elbows on his knee. With one hand he rubbed his contorted face, bowed his head lower and raked his fingers through his hair. "Part of the reason I decided not to tell you the truth is because of how this would greatly affect you- given your situation." I nodded at the bandage on his head. "People with head injuries should refrain from any form of stress. And-" I swallowed the lump on my throat. "I was afraid you'd storm out if you discover how different our circumstances are- with you being a pirate and me a marine." There are a lot of emotions swirling around his face but I can't pin point which he'll give way for. Heavy sighs blows from his mouth, now and again, his lips would part- trying to release a piece of his mind but then he stops then sighs again.

So I put all my effort in assisting him by scanning the walls for a good distraction. I got up, walked over to leave the cup of coffee on the vanity mirror table and proceeded to one corner and picked up all his majestic swords. I spread them nicely on the bed, the mattress concaved as I sat myself beside them.
"These are all your swords." I started. "You're a swordsman. Somehow your interests in swords didn't vanish in spite of your memory loss."
Zoro finally straightened up and pushed himself on the edge of the stool. "All three of them?"
I nodded and produced a tight smile. "All three of them." I pointed at Wadou. "During combat, you put this one between your teeth." I glance briefly at him, amuse at how he grimaced at the discovery.
"Wh- how do I even talk?" He clasped a hand over his mouth.
"My thoughts exactly." I muttered then moved on to pick up the red one -Sandai Kitetsu- and ran my fingers on the intricate leather bands lacing the sheath. Pulling back the hilt, the blade hissed and gleamed in response to the light overhead. "This one is cursed. I helped you choose it from a sword dealer." I passed the sword unto him and he examined it with expert scrutiny.

He frowned and pulled back his face and inserted the sword back its sheath. He looks at me. "You helped me? I thought we were enemies?"
I nodded. "At that time I didn't know who you were. I was so annoyed at myself for being so naïve." I played with my fingers. "After that I was so frustrated that I actually assisted an enemy." I raised my eyes to smile warmly at him, the memory playing in my mind. "But looking back to it now, I'm actually glad I was in some way helpful to you. Even for something so miniscule. Believe it or not, you've actually saved me once too." His eyes were tight with concentration, urging me to carry on. "M-my arm was nearly chewed off by a harpy… but thanks to you I get to keep it and live to see another day." My face begins to ignite before I continued on. "I lost a lot of blood. I fainted but instead of abandoning me to my death, I woke up to find myself hooked over your shoulder."

"O-oh." He leaned back on the dresser again and ran a hand over his neck. For the first time, his confidence waned. I cleared my throat and try to shrug off the distraction blooming within chest. "There were more instances of you undertaking good deeds especially to those that are highly in need of them." I focused my eyes intently on him. "I refuse to arrest people like you- good people- who have no place locked up behind bars. This world hungers for citizens like you." Of course I would never have admitted this had he not lost his memories but right now it's crucial that I prevent him from doing anything rash (i.e. running away). "Arresting you would be like robbing the world of that necessity and so that's why I have to keep you away from my own people." I took a deep breath and contained myself.

"How do I know you're not lying to me again?" He asked more sternly. "What have I got as a reassurance to know what you're telling me is true?"
"I don't expect you to forgive me for all the foolish lies I've inflicted on you. Instead, I beg you to at least understand my reasons for doing so." I hold my breath so I don't collapse into a heap. "As a marine captain, it's against everything that is expected of me, but the moralistic part of myself insist that I provide a temporary safe haven for you."

My voice gets caught in my throat. "M-my superior- is a very tough and overwhelming man. I fear that if he finds out about you- and with your memory loss- you might not stand a chance against him." I hung my head. "If by chance that happens, I'll take responsibility. I'll lay my life for your safety."
He takes a deep breath and cocks his head to the side. "You'll go against your superior- you'll do all that for a pirate like me?"
The question makes my breath catch in my throat. I think I might have said too much. My teeth chatters but I tried to speak normally, my voice coming out louder than intended, "I-it's more complicated than that." I looked away, concealing the heat from my cheeks.
"Is that so?" Suddenly, he unexpectedly pulls his stool closer to me, our knees only inches away from touching. As I turn to him, he had his upper body extended to me that I had to scoot myself sideways away from him.
"I don't think that's all." His voice shifts into something melodic, soft.

I shot him a look. "I've told you everything you need to know, Zoro. I don't know what-"
"Why did you lie about us being married?" He interjects with a smoothness and coolness that drives spikes into my eardrums.
I swallowed for the hundredth times, my breathing came ragged through my gaping my mouth. "I panicked, I was put on the spot. It was a silly mistake." I consciously tucked a lock behind my ear. "I thought- I assumed that if I-" I stammered, trying to formulate the correct words but my mind is spinning. My eyes and my temples are aching, I'm so exhausted, I'm parched, I'm hungry. Oh, I just want my cup of coffee! The temperature in my body switches from hot to cold.

"You're hiding something." His voice, so close, hauling me back to the moment.
"Look," I sighed, exasperated. "I only said that in the hope that maybe if I pretend we were married, maybe I'll have some sort of authority over you." The words blasted out of my mouth without consent. He stares into my eyes, unblinking. Then I catch myself slowly dropping my gaze to his lips. It took all my remaining strength to rip my eyes away from them and back to his eye.
"That's all." I shook my head. "There's no big reveal, nothing more I can confess…" I spoke slowly, lingering on the words long and hard enough, piecing them together trying to bury them deep in my mind and chest. Convincing him- but more to myself- that that was all. Nothing more.

He takes a deep breath and folds his arms across his chest and looks down at me. "I don't believe you." He examines my face with that scrutinizing eye, trying to see beneath my skin. Whatever this was, I couldn't join him in this staring contest. I broke the contact to keep myself from a potentially anxiety-inducing confrontation. Then as if finding what he's been searching for, his frown voluntarily smooths, a small smile pulls at the corner of his mouth.

"No." He shakes his green head. "There are several different reasons you could have come up with that could still fulfill your goal." He lifts a hand to scratch a stub on his chin. "But out of all you chose that particular one." An impish grin sharpened his features as he leaned briefly forward.
"There's so much more you're not telling." He smiled as if he could read my thoughts, they must have been too obvious on my face. All of my organs were out of my body. I don't know what conclusion he settled with but his eye is making my bones feel hollow.

"I know you're hiding something and I'm gonna make you confess."


This was kind of painful to write... :L
Anyways, thank you once again for finishing another chapter! Also, it would really mean a lot if ya'll tell me your thoughts on the story so far: Is there anything you'd like to see? Anything you'd like to be uncovered or disclosed? Send a review or a message! I'll take constructive criticisms but no hate on the ship! We don't tolerate that here! XD Once again, thank you all!