I do not own One Piece; that is in the hands of Eiichiro Oda

Hey guys, so I am 14 chapters in and hopefully anyone who has been reading has enjoyed but I would really like to know your opinions, I want to know if this story is honestly good enough to be dragged out or if it should end shortly. I hate when stories end suddenly but without knowledge of what I am doing wrong and right I know that I won't have the energy to keep going or post regularly, so if you would please let me know how I am going I would appreciate it so much.

Chapter 14- Is this love?

Hunter lay, spread across the floor, her muscles felt pained and she had no energy to help the fight anymore, but as soon as she could get up she would try her best. Luffy had managed to get Hunter away from Moriah and handed her to Franky to look after, she watched as Zoro fought Brook's shadow and the courage he used, but now she prayed that the fights would be over soon.

Debris were all over the place and the bodies of her crew everywhere, they had attempted to defeat Moriah's much larger and much scarier shadow, Luffy was now attacking, but each bit of pain placed on Moriah's body, Hunter would feel the same pain. She could feel warm liquid dripping from her limbs, torso and head. She was unable to let out a sound and felt as though her vocal cords had been ripped from her throat. Nobody in the crew was able to notice her pain and Hunter braced herself for a lonely and painful death. 'It fits, I used to imagine my death being cold, I guess I was right, even though I found a crew and was so close to finding Yuu, I wasn't strong enough.'

Hunter closed her eyes, she felt sick and just wanted to disappear, at the same time all the shadows Moriah had consumed were escaping from his body severely weakening him. 'He said he couldn't steal my shadow, I get it now, all those years ago they tried to make me a soldier by cutting me open and placing something inside me. If they took some of Moriah's power and placed it inside of me, he would risk his life if he stole my shadow because we are connected, just as I am able to feel his pain, he is able to feel mine. Don't you worry Moriah if somehow I get out of this alive, I am getting rid of you for good.'

Hunter remained in her spot, she stopped moving and breathing became hard, she had no life left in her but something kept her going, no matter all the pain she felt she remembered Zoro and how happy he made her. How she loved to spend time with him. 'What is this weird feeling I have every time I think of you?' Hunter was confused, 'I haven't felt it since my family was whole.' She thought about it some more. 'Is this love?' She tried to stay awake, but her consciousness soon faded.

.

.

.

It had been 3 days, Hunter and Zoro's injuries were healing and Chopper was left to figure out when Hunter got so injured. Just as Hunter did on the battlefield, the wise doctor connected the dots and managed to come up with a similar theory on how the girl was poisoned. He reminisced on the past when he had asked Hunter where she got the scar on her back, her answer was a simple shrug, at first Chopper thought that she was lying to avoid the question, but now it made sense, Hunter honestly didn't know where the scar came from and he was going to help her, no matter what it took.

.

Zoro woke up to the pacing footsteps of the doctor, he felt slight movements to his left and turned his head to see Hunter, most of her body bandaged and her face bore pain. He moved his hand toward her cheek, despite the pain he himself felt. Chopper hurried out of the room, Zoro assumed he was working on a medicine and took this as his opportunity.

He was careful not to hurt Hunter, but he leant toward her, their faces incredibly close. Zoro closed the gap and kissed the sleeping girl lightly, he felt embarrassed and ashamed himself at the same time. "I really wish I had the guts to do that when you aren't asleep." Zoro whispered to her in hopes of her hearing, but the girl remained lifeless. "You drive me crazy, you know that?" He chuckled, trying to hide tears that were threatening to fall, "I just wish I could have protected you."

.

.

Hunter woke up after what seemed like an endless slumber. She stood up and stretched then noticed an unfamiliar pain in her back. She tried to look around but wasn't able to see the problem.

Chopper and Robin walked into the infirmary a few minutes after Hunter had woken up and noticed the girl attempt to stare at her back, she smiled slightly then asked. "Why does it hurt?"

"I have good news. There was poison inside of you, but we got rid of it."

Hunter eyes lit up and she held the two tightly, Chopper began to speak again. "But with good news comes bad. You were unconscious for two weeks, and Zoro hasn't spoken for about half that time. He seems upset."

Hunter rushed out of the room, ignoring the welcoming calls from the rest of her crew members. She scurried up the crow's nest and rushed towards Zoro, hugging him from behind. At first Zoro was in shock and angry that the crew would try to play a trick on him, but once he got a glimpse of who was actually hanging off him, he calmed down and let her rest there.

He heard her soft whimper and turned around to hug her back. "I'm so sorry." She kept whispering.

"I am the one that should be sorry, I didn't protect you."

"That's not what I'm sorry for, I didn't care what happened to me, I knew what I was in for when we arrived."

"Then why are you sorry?" Zoro was incredibly confused right now.

"Because I didn't say this sooner."

"What?"

"Zoro…I think…. No… I am in love with you."