Hey everyone! I feel so bad it's been so long since I've posted another chapter, I've been so busy! This one is again, not great (in my opinion), but it's all exciting! Thanks to all my reviewers.

Review Responses

xhitsulover - I did enjoy writing that ending! Always love a bit of angst

Blu - I love writing robin. But I always describe her the same way, cause she always has that same expression on her face. The glass question will be answered this chapter!

Loreto W - I adore your enthusiasm. I all this pressure on yaoi (and my current yaoi obseesion) keeps making me think of yaoi scenarios, but not for this story!

YusekesLover - I enjoy the ambiguity! Dont know why. I prefer Robin to Nami too, she's way cooler. I hope I make her close to character. And I don't think Luffy told them about Crocodile, he told Shanks and Ace but not the friends. Even if he did, they don't realise just how bad Crocodile is for mistreating other people, and why slaves hate him so much. His treatment is enough to make anyway want to abolish slavery.

The Wandering Swordsman - I think I love you now, thank's for all the reviews! I'm glad you're enjoying my story so far, and you chapter by chapter reviews have made me happy. Thanks

So, enjoy the chapter!

Disclaimer - I don't own One Piece

Chapter 12 – Getting to Know You

Luffy was home before Zoro that evening. No one knew if it was because of the swordsman's anger or lack of direction, but any would assume the latter. Luffy heard the door slam and boots stomp when he and Shanks were in the midst of dinner.

"Hey! Zoro! Where'd you go? Robin told us awesome stories!" Despite the heavy hostility dripping off the swordsman as he entered the room, Luffy behaved as if nothing bad had happened in the slightest. If anything, the grin on his face made him look like he'd just won the lottery.

The resulting snort from the swordsman caught Shanks' attention.

"Who is this Robin-san, Luffy?" Shanks looked curiously between Luffy and Zoro. The green haired man sensed the conversation's direction, and growled before storming upstairs. Luffy watched him leave in confusion before turning back to his father

"Robin's cool! She's new and is studying at the University! She works for Baranadile too! And she can made new arms grow out of other stuff it was so awesome!"

"Yea? Zoro doesn't seem too fond of her."

"Naaa…he doesn't? Why? Robin's great!" Shanks finished his food as Luffy finished talking.

"Hmm…Well, I'm going to my office upstairs Luffy, maybe you should talk to him, ne?" The boy looked perplexed but nodded.

When Shanks passed Zoro's room on the way to his office, no sound was heard from the inside. This concerned him; no noise at all was a bad sign. Not even snoring…Shanks was half tempted to see what was going on with his new resident. But the he shook his head. It was not Shanks' place to talk to the boy. Zoro would only be pissed if he started asking about him; the man was too used to hiding his thoughts. He only hoped Luffy could do something for his friend.

--

Zoro had been lying in his room for some time now. He tried meditating, but he couldn't focus. When that didn't work, he tried to have a nap but he was too awake. So he just lay and thought.

But he could only think of one thing.

That woman. Just thinking of Robin's face made him chill to the bone. When she looked at him, it made his hairs stand on end. She was dangerous, he could tell.

And that smile. That smug ridiculous smile she covers her thoughts with. He can never tell what she's thinking, and that only worried the swordsman more. The fact everyone else already seemed to like her made it even more concerning. If she had won them over, how was he meant to persuade them she was trouble?

With almost impeccable timing a large stomping signalled the arrival of one of his friends.

Luffy crashed through his door with the force of a small tornado.

"Hey Zoro, why didn't you have any dinner? Now all the meats gone! Are you coming to Ussop's in a bit?" The straw-hatted boy jumped onto a chair in the room and looked at his friend on the bed. "Naa, why are you lying down, do you feel sick?" His head tilted to the side in confusion. Zoro sat up and sighed

"No Luffy, I feel fine. I was just thinking that's all."

"Thinking? About what?" Zoro didn't answer, so Luffy thought it wise to poke him.

Luffy was wrong.

"Aiieee Zoro that hurts! Let go!" Zoro released the fingers and got up slowly, muttering apologies. "So?...What were you thinking about?"

The man scratched his green hair and sighed, trying to think of a way to put it.

"Luffy. Do you not find something…off, with that Robin woman?"

"With Robin? What's wrong with Robin? Is she sick? We can get Chopper to look at her."

"Gah, no Luffy, it's just….she seems weird…I don't like her." Luffy frowned.

"You don't like her? That's mean Zoro." The man sighed again.

"No, Luffy listen, it's just she's trouble, I can tell. We should avoid her." Luffy was looking at his friend with a sad and disappointed expression as he explained. The rubber boy answered quietly.

"Ne, Zoro, that's what people told me about you, too."

Zoro was left with silence ringing in his ears as Luffy quietly left.

--

Sanji was a mix if emotions at this current moment. On one hand, he was pissed. That stupid southern Marimo bastard was acting even weirder than normal, and was rude to their lovely new friend, and the damage he had caused to the front of the shop was going out of his own wages! The bastard was going to pay.

On the other hand, he was currently walking down the street with two of the most beautiful creatures on this planet.

Sanji was spending so much time dreaming about the beautiful ladies he was accompanying, the two were far in front, politely chatting. Nami and Robin got on well; the redhead was pleased to finally have another woman to talk to in their circle of friends. The fact the woman has a large collection of jewels she gives to Nami is a bonus. It was this collection that was under discussion

"Where are they all from, Robin? I mean, it's a pretty expensive collection." Nami tried her best to keep the desire hidden at the mention of the word 'expensive'.

"They have just been collected over time, Nami-san. Sir Crocodile is generous with wages, after all." Robin kept smiling her mysterious smile as they walked. Sanji caught up and sang behind them

"Ahh the ladies are as lovely as the treasures they discuss!" Robin giggled and Nami answered exasperatedly

"Thank you, Sanji-kun." The man twirled with joy some more whilst thinking of the beautiful ladies.

He bumped into a man with a newly acquired slave, and his thoughts were unwillingly drawn back to their own former unwilling servant. Zoro certainly seemed unhappy with their new member of the group (which was ridiculous, Sanji thought, as who could dislike the beauty of Robin-chwan?). He racked his mind for something, any reason why the Marimo was so angry. He kept mentioning Crocodile? Was that the problem? The cook spoke up to the dark haired woman.

"Robin-chwan? If you don't mind me asking, what do you do at Bananadile Corp?" Robin glanced at Sanji before smiling politely.

"A range of things" Nami frowned whilst Sanji nodded.

"…Doing what, exactly?"

"Simply work, Nami-san." The woman lapsed into silence as they continued down the street.

Nami and Sanji followed her whilst simultaneously wondering why Robin didn't answer many questions.

--

The three arrived at Ussop's house at the same time Zoro and Luffy did. The awkwardness of the situation was avoided as Luffy jumped over to his friends.

"Hey Robin! Nami! Sanji! Did you bring any meat?" He grinned at them and headed to the front door. Zoro loitered in the background slightly, trying to ignore the heated gazes of Nami and Sanji.

Curse them for noticing everything. The fact he and Luffy were being distant was obvious to them. Then again, Luffy isn't known for his subtlety. When the pair walked up the street standing on the opposite ends of the pavement, it gave off the illusion something was wrong. Questions were avoided as Ussop opened the door.

"Hey guys! Come on in, Chopper is just upstairs now." The long nose welcomed his guests in turn. Even he could note the glances being cast at Zoro from his three older friends, and the glare the man was giving Robin. He followed the group to the living room trailing behind the green haired man.

"Something wrong Zoro?" Ussop whispered in front of him. Zoro grunted in response, and sat himself down in the chair next to Chopper – and farthest away from everyone else.

"Hey Zoro, how are you today?" Chopper remained as polite and adorable as ever.

"Okay, you?" Chopper heaved a breath at Zoro's question.

"Well today's been so hectic! My medicines were all ruined when I realised one of the ingredients was off, then I couldn't find one of my books and I had to stay up all night writing a report!" Zoro nodded in an approximate determination of sympathy, and Chopper smiled. Luffy sat next to Chopper on the sofa.

"Did you find that book Robin was talking about, Chopper?" Robin overheard their conversation and turned to the small group.

"Which book was it you were looking for, Reindeer-san?" The discussion between the three friends (well, discussion between two and pretending to listen from Luffy) was watched by the swordsman angrily.

The woman was definitely off. Zoro caught Luffy's angry glare at him, so decided to at least appear interested.

"What was it you said you were studying, then?" The room fell quiet at his question, except for the sound of Sanji setting down a pitcher of drinks. Robin didn't seem fazed.

"I research archaeology, Zoro-san."

"And how is that involved with your work?" The room tensed.

"My work at Bananadile Corp does not involve my interest in ancient history."

"But you still haven't said what it is you do Robin? Or why you are here, for that matter." Nami folded her arms across her chest as she spoke to the seated woman. Robin didn't even falter, she just kept smiling.

"Indeed I have not, Nami-san. Does it really matter?" Nami's protest was drowned out by Luffy and Chopper.

"Yea! Who cares what she does, all that matters is Robin's here now!"

"Yea!" The pair laughed and they were soon joking and playing with Robin and Ussop. Sanji and Nami gave each other a sly glance, confirming their beliefs that both though something suspicious was going on with their new friend.

Zoro merely sat in the corner and glared at the room. He wouldn't feel better until he was away from this new woman.

--

Despite the fact Sanji believed there was something their new friend was hiding, it didn't stop the fact he thought her to be on o the most wonderful people he'd ever met. Just like any other woman.

"Robin-chwaaaan! Would you like more coffee?" Sanji offered her a fresh cup before she even had a chance to answer. Robin took the offered cup.

"Thank you, cook-san."

"Nothing but the best for you, Robin-chwaaan! The best coffee grown by the best coffeemaker!" Zoro snorted from across the room, and Sanji glared at him.

"Something wrong, Marimo?" The swordsman stood, and strode lazily to meet Sanji in the middle of the room.

"Don't talk nonsense. The man who gets all the credit for that swill does none of the work." Sanji blushed and frowned. Zoro didn't normally bother brining up mentions of Slavery.

"It was just an expression Marimo. Just a way to prove how perfect my Robin chwan is!" Zoro smirked and took a pull from his drink.

"Well it fits then doesn't it? The coffee isn't perfect, just like that woman." He took another drink as he nodded towards Robin.

Sanji exploded.

"How dare you speak to Robin-chwan that way! Bastard!" Sanji's leg was aiming for Zoro's head, but his sword blocked its path.

"I was only speaking the truth, Kuso-cook. She is hiding something, she's clearly no good." Zoro's strength pushed Sanji away, before the blonde rushed forward again. By now their friends were all watching, half in concern, half in boredom (they have seem the pair fight almost every day). Sanji's snarl cut through the room.

"How would you know? All you've done is glare at her! You know nothing of how wonderful Robin-chwan is!"

"It's instinct. I can tell she doesn't belong here." Sanji's next kick was aimed to Zoro's stomach, but his words hit much farther below the belt.

"Coming from a slave, that's not very much."

Zoro didn't even block the kick; he was so shocked he just crashed into the far wall. Chopper, Ussop and Luffy went to run up to him.

"Zoro!" They froze at the expression on the man's face.

Zoro sat, half sprawled on the floor, staring at Sanji. His face was a mix of anger, shock and embarrassment. Not knowing what else to do, Zoro rose and stormed out the room, stomping upstairs to brood in some other area of Ussop's house.

Sanji sighed and lit a cigarette. Only one thought entered his mind.

"Shit."

--

As Sanji calmed himself with some cooking, Nami sat next to Robin and smiled apologetically.

"Sorry, Robin-san. Sanji can get a bit over enthusiastic defending women." Robin smiled back

"It's okay Nami-san. I hope I haven't made anything too awkward." Nami almost laughed.

"Oh, you haven't done anything! It's Zoro who's being awkward, I don't know what he's got against you so much." The pair sipped on their drinks for a moment and thought, before Robin spoke quietly.

"Well, what do you expect? He has the featured of a southerner." She hid her mouth behind her coffee cup, as if hiding the words. Nami wasn't as careful with her words.

"He is! Apparently anyway, it's not like he tells us about what's happened to him. Always so brooding and serious, he kinda freaks me out sometimes. I mean, look what he did to the front of the Baratie! It's not normal!" Robin's smile was still hidden behind her mug.

"Southerner's are known to be dangerous. And you have to expect instability in a slave." Nami nodded in earnest.

"I know. He's our friend now so I shouldn't say it, but he only made friends with us all because of Luffy anyways. I still don't really trust him. He just exudes this air of trouble."

"What more to expect from a runaway?" The redhead kept nodding in agreement.

"Sometimes I wonder why Luffy didn't just let the police take him. He's a danger to all of us!" Robin put down her mug and smiled.

"You're not alone in your thoughts Nami-san. Remember that." The dark haired woman rose from her seat. "Excuse me, I must make a call."

As Robin walked away, Nami scanned the room to see if anyone had been listening to their conversation. When she realised no one was, she leaned back and smiled to herself, glad to get the thoughts from her chest.

--

Zoro had found himself (somehow) in what appeared to be a spare room upstairs. Not being able to locate the light switch, he sat in a chair in relative darkness. After some breathing exercises, he had calmed down. Still reeling from Sanji's verbal assault, Zoro was annoyed. Annoyed at Sanji, for dragging that up in a fight. And annoyed at himself for being so bothered by it.

But Sanji's words made the green hair think. Is that how they see him? Luffy doesn't, that much is clear. Chopper too. But the others, do they still consider him as a lowly slave? Questions whirled about his head. And for a man as straight forward as Zoro, questions were not helpful.

His thoughts were interrupted by a voice muffled through the half open door.

He knew that voice.

Zoro crept from the room into the hallway, and quickly dived back behind the door when he saw the back of the very woman who started this whole mess.

Robin was talking into a mini den den mushi, in a hushed tone.

"He is the one you're looking for, I'm almost certain." Zoro strained his ears to listen to the voice on the other end of the line, but couldn't make it out. Robin replied to it

"So, what do you want me to do next, Sir Crocodile?"

-.-.-

I love cliffhangers! Though that wasn't much of one was it! Anyway, not massively happy with this chapter, Nami and Robin were being a bit two faced bitchy, but then I feel Nami wouldn't have let her thoughts of Zoro dissapear just because of a deal. And she saw a person who agrees with her in Robin. Where will this development lead?

Please review and give me some tips of just a boost of love to make me want to write faster.

Thanks for reading! - Pamplemoose