With a skip in her step, Titania was excitedly exploring the summer isle town. There were colorful shopfronts of either side of the street and she stopped often to examine their wares. It was such a nice day, and after her swim earlier, she was in an exceptionally good mood.

She was currently leaning over to inspect some kind of scented trinket when she caught the heady smell of sake.

"Hey there, little lady, come on and give us a smile." A voice slurred behind her. A hand found its way to her waist and she tensed up as someone pulled her closer.

She was instantly on the defensive, turning out of the man's grasp. She took in his appearance: disheveled clothes and a pirate brand. It wasn't one she recognized, so clearly this man wasn't too much of a threat. Beside him was another pirate, swaying even as they stood still. There was something dangerous about that one; she noted a longsword strapped to his back and several knives sheathed along his forearms.

"I'd really rather not." She said slowly, not daring to blink. "Bye."

"Don't be that way," the first man said, grabbing onto her wrist tightly as she tried to retreat. "Come on; stay and have a drink with us."

"I said 'no,' so leave me alone, you creeps." She glared hard, trying to sound more intimidating than she felt. Her eyes darted around, trying to catch the eye of someone who might step in and help her, but no one seemed to notice the exchange.

"Now, now, miss." The second man finally spoke up. His voice was greasy, barely above a whisper. "You can't expect us to just give up on such a nice piece of tail like yourself. Come on, let's get to know each other a little better."

The hand resting on the hilt of his sword suggested that he wasn't asking.

Titania felt panic rise up in her throat and her voice wavered beyond her control. "Let go! You're hurting me!"

She pulled, but the stranger's grip only tightened. The alcohol was overwhelming on his breath as he inched closer; his mouth was at her ear when he spoke next.

"We'll do more than that if you don't come quietly, bitch." His voice was hoarse with restrained glee.

Titania wasn't proud of it, but her heart squeezed with fear. Her breath hitched in her throat and the fear momentarily overwhelmed her. She mentally cursed; unarmed and alone, she wouldn't be able to put up much of a fight. She clenched her fists, feeling her nails dig painfully into her palms. She wouldn't give up. Even unarmed, she would fight with everything she had to get away.

"Get your hands off of my woman before I break every bone in your hands." A familiar voice appeared behind them. She exhaled the breath she'd been holding, relief bringing water to her eyes. Zoro had finally caught up and he looked dangerously calm.

"If you touch her again, I'll just cut them off." One of his hands rested on the hilt of his sword, the other one was sheathed in his pocket. He took a step closer and put a gentle hand on her shoulder. Smiling with sheer relief, she found the strength to pull away from the creepy man who'd loosened his grip.

She stepped back so she was now behind Zoro. If looks could kill, the two would already be dead. He now had an arm wrapped loosely around her shoulders, but the calmness around him was false; the rage radiated off of him in waves, and Titania was glad that it wasn't aimed at her.

"Jeez," the first man muttered under his breath, "Some people can't take a joke, can they?"

Zoro's jaw clenched. "It's a joke, huh? You think it's funny to insult someone's girl?" He drew a sword and leveled the tip of it at the man's face. "Maybe I should teach you my kind of humor then."

The pair of men paled at the undisguised threat. They started to sweat nervously as they each took a step back. "Take it easy, man, We were just kidding around."

"Get out of here." Zoro managed to ground out, the anger in his voice barely under control. In one fluid motion, he sheathed his weapon. He pulled Titania closer to him while leveling a cool glare at them. "And if I see your faces again, I'll kill you."

While the two men scurried away, Titania felt her body relax. She grinned up at the scowling swordsman and wrapped her arms around his solid frame.

"Zoro… you saved me." She muttered into his shirt. His scent pervaded her senses and she breathed him in. While her heart fluttered in her chest, the man was having trouble keeping the stutter from his voice.

"I wouldn't have to keep saving you if you just stayed out of trouble!" The slight pink on his face belied his embarrassment as he jerked his arm away. He crossed his arms tightly over his chest, and her eyes were drawn to the way the cloth stretched taut over his body. She knew that he was trying to scold her for her carelessness, but...

"I know," she tucked a lock of white hair behind her ear and grinned, "But I'm glad anyway. You always show up just when I need you."

"You're just lucky I ran into you when I did." He turned to her with a huff. There was a strange look in his eyes as he spoke that she couldn't place. "What would you have done if I hadn't shown up?"

She bowed her head, abashed. "I'm really grateful. How did you find me, anyway?"

Taken aback, the swordsman stuttered. "That's not important, idiot! How about you just be more careful next time? Or better yet, just stay by my side so I can protect you."

He was posed over her, a finger pointing accusingly at her chest while she grinned up at him. Titania was sure that they were going to start attracting attention soon, if Zoro didn't calm down.

"Oh, to be young and in love." An elderly couple stopped next to them. The woman, several years their senior, watched them in adoration. She walked hand in hand with what could only be her husband. The elderly woman looked over at them with a knowing smile. "Do you remember when we were their age, dear?"

"Of course I do," the graying man answered with a chuckle. He reached down into one of the many shopping bags he held and pulled out something that was wrapped in tissue paper. "Here you go, young man. Here's something for your lovely girlfriend."

Zoro was shocked for a moment, but at that, he started to protest loudly. "She's not my-!"

"Oh, hush. I can recognize young love when I see it. Take it and enjoy!" The man pushed the package into the swordsman's hand and waved them off.

"Thank you, sir," Titania bowed low, letting her hair fall over her face to hide the grin that was taking over her features. She could barely contain her laughter as Zoro floundered for words. She took his hand in hers and looked up with an expression of mock-adoration. "Come now, love, let's hurry back to our friends."

He stiffened, looking at her with wide eyes and a light flush. His lips hung apart slightly and for just a moment, he could read something sincere in her eyes as they softened. His gaze roamed lower, taking in her luminous skin and pale pink lips. As if reading his thoughts, she reached up on her tiptoes to lay a small kiss on his cheek that left him all but speechless again. For a moment, he wasn't "Pirate Hunter Zoro"; he was just Zoro, the fearsome title and legend laid low before a single woman. All he could think about was the feeling of her lips on his cheek, and the warmth of her hand in his as she pulled him deeper into the town and how right this all felt.

His surprised expression nearly made her burst out laughing, but she managed to control it until they had walked out of earshot.

"You can wake up anytime now," she laughed, still gripping his hand as they walked.

"Shut up," he mumbled, gripping her hand tighter. He closed his eyes, letting the moment wash over him as he committed it to memory.

He would never tell her how he'd managed to find her so quickly; that he had picked up the smell of the ocean breeze and it had taken him right to her. As she picked out a bar and sat the two of them at a table for lunch, all he could think about was her kiss. What was this woman doing to him?