Sorry to keep you guys waiting so long, this chapter took me some time to write. This is by far the longest chapter I've written and I hope the material also reflects quality. Please Review and Favourite, it keeps me motivated :3 Also I might be changing my Pen Name soon because this one is giving me some issues, so be sure to follow so that you can stay up to date with this story.
Chapter 10: Party at Water 7, Zoro and Robin's Conversation.
Emotions
Zoro
We were back at Water 7. Rescuing Robin had taken its toll on everyone, we were all fatigued, some were injured too but nothing serious, yet none of us had ever been this happy before. We were all sitting in the Galley-La company's lounge. Luffy was sleeping and eating at the same time, Robin was standing next to Nami talking about clothes and stuff, Kokoro, Chimney and Ero-cook were there too. We were all glad we had made it back out of Enies Lobby and we had saved our friend too.
That night we had a party, ero-cook was barbequing. I was sitting alone, when a barrel of sake was placed in front of me, it was Paulie and the other Galley-La foremen. "How about it? Wanna see who can hold their liquor? One barrel per person, whoever isn't on the verge of unconsciousness wins. Also if anyone throws up, they forfeit. How does it sound?" Paulie asked.
"Sounds great, bring it on. I already know I am gonna win, you guys are like old ladies at a wine tasting. Lets go." I replied
And the competition started, I was looking around at everyone having fun, they were all so happy. It seemed like something straight out of a story book, fireworks, lights, smiles, laughs and well just about anything else that came to mind when you thought about an awesome party. Luffy was doing his chopsticks nose dance and Chopper was following his lead, everyone went wild when they saw this and most were on the floor laughing and clutching their stomachs. Usopp was standing on a high platform, I had no idea what that idiot was doing, but he was wearing his Sogeking mask. Nami was talking to Kokoro and some Galley-La and some of the Franky Family were swooning over her asking if she needed anything else. Ero-cook was barbequing, he was doing a good job at it too, but I wasn't going to say anything, that dumbass. Franky was talking to Iceburg. The only person left was Robin, she was standing in a corner, smiling, it wasn't the fake smile she usually had, but it was a genuine smile, it made me smile too. I remembered when I was fighting that Kaku bastard, fighting him with all I had, and we were evenly matched, I might have even lost, I was tired because of the hits I'd taken when Usopp was handcuffed to me (even if the hits were minor they did exhaust me a bit). But as soon as he said that Robin deserved to die, the image of Robin crying flashed before my eyes and it was like a demon had awoken inside me, I felt the demonic fire burning inside me, I remember how angry I was, and I felt this aura taking over, this aura that made me feel invincible, it was through pure rage and emotion, the aura had awakened. I had cut him down in an instant, finally that made my heart feel lighter. Now that I looked back at it, it was probably because of Robin I was able to create my ultimate technique. I was drinking all the while thinking over this stuff.
Paulie and the others weren't looking so good and were already kind of woozy, I was still ok, I didn't feel like I was drunk at all. Paulie had just collapsed and the other Galley-La foremen followed suit. "I win you bastards!" I yelled at them, though they were pretty much out cold right now.
I was feeling a little drowsy too, drowsy not drunk or woozy, I closed my eyes after a while, intending to take a short nap and wake up and to join Luffy and the others. My eyes were still closed, when I felt someone approaching, I didn't care my swords were by my side. Then I caught a whiff of it, the scent was familiar, it was Robin. She had just sat down beside me, and well I didn't know what to make of it. I didn't open my eyes, I thought she would just leave when she thought I was sleeping. But she didn't leave, maybe she knew I wasn't asleep, I guess I had to let her know that I was awake, so I gave a little grunt letting her know that I was awake.
Robin
Everyone was so happy, and I was extremely grateful after all they had saved me from the Navy and the World Government. I had finally found my family, the people I could trust, the people who were willing to give up everything for me. I loved them all, more than I cared to admit. We were all tired and some had minor injuries, but that didn't matter anymore, they were glad to have me back and I was glad to be back with them. We were at Galley-La, enjoying a quiet afternoon. Luffy was at the table sleeping and eating at the same time, Sanji was bringing Luffy food continuously, Kokoro and Chimney were sitting and talking to all of us. Nami was talking to me about the clothes and the fabrics in Water 7, and that she'd help me get a new wardrobe after the Merry was gone, and the fact that Aqua Lagoona had carried most of our stuff away. Zoro was sitting in a corner, with his eyes closed as usual, and a smile crossing his face. Maybe he was dreaming.
The party was extraordinary, everyone was really enjoying themselves. The laughs, the smiles, and the fact that everyone was there was enough to make it a great party, but Sanji was barbequing and it was the most delicious barbeque I ever had. Luffy and Chopper had chopsticks up their noses and their mouths full of meat, dancing to the music playing, they were hysterical and the people of Water 7 thought so too, most of them were laughing and clutching at their stomachs. Usopp was singing the Sogeking song, and people seemed to enjoy it. Nami was talking to Kokoro and Chimney, about the weather in Water 7, and the lay of the land so that she could make a map of it soon. Franky was sitting with Iceburg and drinking Cola. Zoro was in a corner, drinking with members of Galley-La, and me well I was just standing in a corner, happy that I was here, with my friends. There was no other place I'd be or any other people I'd rather be with.
I had asked Franky, what key unlocked my handcuffs, and who had fought to retrieve it. Franky only knew that it was key number 5, the last one, nothing else. Nami had told me the last ones to win were Zoro and Sanji, seeing they were facing the strongest enemies after Luffy, it didn't surprise me.
I went towards Sanji, and as soon as he saw me, he started swooning over me, and asking if I needed anything to eat or drink. I smiled and he was on the verge of melting.
"Anyway Cook-san…..I mean Sanji-san, who was the one to finish the fight last and get key number 5?" I asked.
"Key number 5. Hmmmm. That Kaku guy had it, and Marimo was fighting him, that was the last of the keys. We gave all of them to Usopp, and he flung them over right?" Sanji replied.
"Yes. He did send them over. I just wanted to know. Thank you for your time." I answered.
"Robin-chwaan you can have all of my time!" Sanji said, then getting serious he continued, "I saw that damn Marimo's fight, he wasn't giving it all till the point that Kaku bastard, said something about you, I couldn't hear what he said at the distance I was from them. But it pissed off Marimo, so much that he finished the shitty bastard in one attack and I saw a glare of a demon in the Marimo's eyes. I thought I was seeing things but he had six arms and three faces all of a sudden, I don't know what it was though, maybe it was just an illusion."
His answer shocked me, Zoro had been angry when Kaku had bad mouthed me. And he had also transformed into what seemed like a god of war by Sanji's description. I had no idea he was capable of that and that he would be so angry over me that he would cut everything down.
"Really he was angry because Kaku said something about me? And Zoro-san transformed into a demon and cut him down with one attack?" I asked him, he nodded in reply.
"Thank you for telling me Sanji-san." I told him and left.
I had to talk to Zoro about this, I had to thank him properly and let him know that I appreciated what he had done for me. The thoughts that Zoro had done all these things made my heart grow warmer. It brought tears of joy to my eyes but I was quick to hide them.
The Galley-La foremen who were with Zoro were in a drunken stupor, they were sleeping deeply and snoring loudly. Zoro had just relaxed into a more comfortable position, and I think he was planning on sleeping.
I went over to him and sat down next to him. I must've sat for about a minute, and he still hadn't opened his eyes but he gave a small grunt to let me know that he was awake and listening.
Conversation between Zoro and Robin
Robin leaned in closer to Zoro, and whispered in his ear, "Thank you Kenshi... Ummm... Zoro-san."
Zoro straightened up this was the first time Robin had ever said his name, she always used to call him Kenshi-san, he didn't know how to react. Hearing his name from her mouth was so heart warming, he didn't know how to reply to her.
"Zoro-san moshi moshi, are you feeling well?" Robin asked with some concern.
Zoro snapped out if his trance, "What? Yeah. I'm fine. What are you thanking me for?" Zoro asked.
"I heard that you defeated Kaku and got the key that unlocked my cuffs. So that's what I want to thank you for." Robin said.
"That was nothing any one could've done that it was just a coincidence that it was the key I won that unlocked the Kairoseki cuffs."
"I also found out that you were angry at Lake when he said that I deserved to die. No one has ever stood up for me before and I really appreciate it. Thank you." Robin said.
As soon as Zoro heard these words he turned a bright share of red, and he suddenly started shifting about unsure what to say.
'How did she fond out? Who told her? No one was there but ero-cook had showed up after the fight was over.' Zoro thought to himself.
"Eh... Well... Ummm... You're my nakama, it's duty to protect you honor, if it was someone other than me they would've done the same. I won't let anyone talk like that about any of my nakama." Zoro said.
"Well I just wanted to thank you for standing up for me and that I am very grateful." Robin said giving him a genuine smile, that made Zoro blush a little.
Robin got up to leave but Zoro held her by the wrist, Robin looked back at his face he wasn't happy, it was the most serious face she had ever seen him make. She also detected a bit of disappointment and sorrow in his features.
"What were you thinking?" Zoro asked of her sternly.
All the joy had disappeared and to be honest it scared Robin a little. She was surprised by the question he had asked.
"What do you mean?" Robin asked in reply.
"What were you thinking when you surrendered to the Navy?" Zoro asked, as he pulled her back down and sat her beside himself.
He was looking her straight in the eyes, not blinking.
"I wanted to make sure you all were protected." Robin said.
"That was the stupidest thing you have ever done. I couldn't believe that you didn't think before doing something like that." Zoro said.
"I didn't want to lose any of you. I didn't want any of you to get hurt because of me. I care for all of you." she said with sadness.
"Do you think it was easy for me... I mean us to see you leave, do you think it was easy for us to see you go without saying anything, do you think it was easy for us to see you at Enies Lobby." Zoro said.
"I realise that now. I'm sorry. I really am." Robin said.
"Never ever do that again, you have no idea what was passing over me. You just uo and left without so much as a goodbye." Zoro said.
"You have No idea what's it's like to be alone, and then finally find the people you've been looking for your whole life." Robin said sternly.
"But that doesn't mean that the people you found, will just abandon you and let you sacrifice yourself for them." Zoro replied.
This made Robin lose control and she started sobbing quietly.
"I promise I will never do something like this again." she said crying all the while.
Zoro leaned over to her and pulled her towards himself, she laid her head on his shoulder still crying. She felt heat emanating from Zoro, she was glad to have someone to comfort her. Zoro had never seen Robin this vulnerable her strong exterior had disappeared and she was human underneath.
"Don't worry you won't feel the need to do something this like ever again. We'll always be by you, and we'll should your burdens and pain." Zoro whispered in her ear. "And I won't let anything hurt you ever again." he added pulling her even closer.
Robin could do nothing but cry and continue to lean on him. They were in a rather dark corner, and thought that no one of the crew could see them, but the instant the conversation ended a blur of orange hair could be seen disappearing around the corner.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please Review and Favourite it keeps me motivated. Thanks for reading and again just a reminder I'll be changing my Pen Name soon. :)