Chapter 21 – Her First Time To Consider Leaving

The Shichibukai twirled the wine glass with his fingers; his Observation Haki alerted him that both the youngsters are coming through the door any seconds. Footsteps echoed in the spacious castle as he looked up towards the door. He shot the two youngsters a glance as they walked through the door, towards the dining room. He remained quiet, his eagle eye continued to look towards Zoro, as though they are able to communicate.

"Here's the wine," Zoro handed the bottle of wine to Mihawk while his other hand secured Perona tightly to his back. Mihawk cocked a brow up as he glanced slightly towards Perona. "Just some cold, she just wanted a piggyback."

"Wait, Perona," Mihawk nodded as he called out to her, he stared at her for a mere few seconds before lowering his head and asked them to take a rest first. Leaving the two youngsters, he walked towards a small room hidden beside the kitchen, his own wine cellar.

Perona and Zoro shared a glance but shrugged it off as he continued to carry her up to her room, following the Pink arrows as he constantly mumbled some complains. The Princess will then answer him by saying it was his job, since he was the slave.

With a Princess on his back, and a soft toy suffocating him near his neck, he entered the Princess room.

The four sides of the room were painted pink, with some black outlining the edges, and the ceiling painted maroon. The floor was carpeted with a red carpet, giving a sophisticated and elegant touch to the room. Unlike his room which was plain and dull, the Princess did take her time off to decorate her room nicely.

At the end of the room was a closed half-length window, a dark red curtain hung at the sides of the window, as the gloomy weather on the outside was displayed. There was not a single speck of sunlight despite the fact that it was currently afternoon. Below the window was a Queen Size bed. Pink frilly blankets covered the black bed sheet of the fuzzy looking bed, which was adorned with piles of animal soft toys. A baby pink and white dressing table was placed near the bed, basic make ups were found on the table arranged neatly, together with a hairbrush, hair accessories as well as a few of her hats.

Zoro carried her towards the bed as she slowly slides down from his bed. She made herself comfortable on her warm and fuzzy bed as Zoro took in his surroundings.

It was his first time in Perona's room, without any arguing or any drama going on. He looked around as he examined the room once more clearly. He had only noticed that it was a Princess-looking room the first time he came in, the series of events does not allow him to take in any details.

He looked around and took in the familiar coffin still standing at the corner of the room. "I reckon you don't need that coffin anymore, do you?" Beside the coffin, was a door that led to Perona's bathroom. Each of them has their own personal bathroom, considering how big this castle was.

"Yeah, I could fly now, so I don't really need it…" Perona murmured to Zoro and continued her chatting with her various soft toys. It had been a long time since she talks with them, they must be missing her a lot.

He turned around to look at the other side of the room. Beside the dressing table was a wardrobe, which he assumed it was where Perona hung all her clothes. Beside that was a smaller drawer that is maroon in color. The top of the drawer reached his abdomen area as he sauntered towards it. A first aid box was placed on top of the drawer, together with some medicine bottles scattering about and a pile of medical books.

"Can I open the drawer?"

"Mmm," A small sound escaped her lips as she continued to chat with her soft toys, mainly Kumashi and some other animals.

Zoro sweat drop at the sight as he ignored the crazy Princess as he opened the drawer. The top drawer was filled with strings and other sewing materials. There was also a stack of papers that was filled with her previous drafts of the dresses and soft toys. At the top of the stack of paper was a new draft, which looked more like a robe than a dress. He ignored it as he closed it and opened the second drawer.

The second drawer was filled with rolls and rolls of clothes she bought from Kaori, while the third drawer was filled with rolls of unused bandages. There was also bottles of unopened medication oil and disinfection water. He wondered if there was a need to actually stock up so many medical supplies for him.

He closed them as he looked back at Perona. "Time for your medicine."

She stopped her actions immediately as a chill ran up her spine. "I've already recovered fully!"

"Oh really? I thought you were weak enough to need me to carry you all the way back here," He smirked as he dangled the bags of powdered herbs in his hand. Kaori has already conveniently packed all the herbs in powder form in a bag.

"I'll eat it tonight, after dinner," She pouted as she tried to avoid eating the medicine. "I'm exhausted after the long journey, I want to sleep now!" She exaggerated it as she plopped onto the bed, pulling the blankets up just below her eyes.

"Fine… We'll be eating bread tonight though. Rest well," Zoro shrugged, sauntering out of the room with the herbs and heading towards his room. Perona giggled under her blanket as she waved goodbye at the swordsman.

It has been a while since the three of them sat together for a meal. Cobwebs festooned from the corners of the ceiling of the dining room and the small fire lit up the dark room.

A loaf of bread was placed in the middle of them together with jams and margarines. Perona spread the strawberry jam happily on her piece of bread, covering every edges as she licked her fingers.

"Perona," Mihawk finished his last mouth of bread and looked at the happy girl.

"Mmm?" Her big eyes stared innocently at the Shichibukai, still happily munching on her strawberry jam-filled bread.

"I received some news regarding Gecko Moria." As calm as he could say that out, the two youngsters stopped what they are doing and stared at him. "He's alive, apparently."

A wave of emotions swept through Perona as she dropped her half-eaten bread on the table. "Where is he now?" A look of anxiousness took over her infantile face as she inquired eagerly for more information.

"It was a rumor I overheard; he didn't die in the war. He escaped, somehow, using his ability," Mihawk calmly took a sip from his glass of wine, Perona's reaction was predictable to him.

"I knew Moria-Sama wouldn't die…" A smile played over her face.

"So, what are you going to do now?" Mihawk asked pithily. His question was concise and straight to the point that it leaves no room for the youngsters in the room to think.

"I…" Perona stuttered, she thought she would be able to leave this castle with alacrity.

Zoro remained quiet throughout the exchange of conversation, he continued to munch on his bread quietly as he scrutinized her face for any details.

Perona held a bemused expression as she thinks through Mihawk's question. Her eyes habitually lay on the swordsman as she realized he was looking at her. He turned his head away quickly as he gulped down his water, trying to hide his gaze.

"I…" Perona looked back at the Shichibukai, and realized he was already getting up, ready to leave.

"You don't have to answer me, you're not oblique to anyway. I'm just asking casually."

With that, he left the dining room, leaving the two youngsters alone.

A sweet aroma of cocoa filled the dining room as Perona picked up the bread she dropped on the table earlier. She blew on the surface of the bread, an attempt to blow the invisible bacteria away. Her elbows rest on the tables as she began to munch on the bread.

Mihawk's 'casual question' successfully plunged her into an 'un casual state of thinking'. She pouted slightly in her mind as she blamed Mihawk on his question.

Yet, even so, she would have to make her choice in the end no matter what.

Pensively, she stared at the warm cup of cocoa in front of her. It was a simple question, yet there are so many concerns regarding her choice. Not to mention, she was starting to enjoy his company.

"Oi, the medicine," He reminded, at the wrong timing.

"Tsk, do you have to mention that now?" Annoyed, she gave him a death stare as he stood up. He went to the kitchen to get a cup of warm water, spoon, and a bag of powdered herbs.

He poured the content into the cup of water and stirred them well, pushing the cup across the table towards the pouting Perona.

Reluctantly, she dragged the cup of medicine towards her, replacing her cute and sweet cup of cocoa. She placed them side by side, planning to gulp the sweet cup of cocoa down immediately after she drink the bitter medicine.

She twirled the cup slowly, peeking inside at the content and gathering her courage to gulp it down, but every time she brings the cup close to her mouth, the bitter scent forced her to put it back down on the table. She will then make a face despite the fact that she did not even put the cup close to her mouth yet.

"So, are you going to find him?" Zoro leaned back on the chair.

"Who knows?" Perona answered back with a question, she continued to twirl the cup, maybe they will just evaporate into the air and she will not have to drink it.

"What about the others? The Doctor and the… animal."

"Nobody knew where I was when I was sent by Kuma, so I'm not sure where they are also… They might not even know Moria-sama is alive…" She mused, even if they did, how would they meet up again? They does not have vivre card like the Straw Hat crew.

Zoro have a suggestion, but it will make him appear to be selfish. He gazed at Perona as he wondered if he should say it out.

Finally, Perona mustered enough energy and gulped the medicine down under Zoro's surveillance. She then immediately grabbed her pink cup of cocoa and swallow them, hoping it will wash away the bitterness.

Zoro laughed as her face showed an emotion that was a mixture of disgust and bliss.

"What's so funny, baka kenshi," She placed the two empty cups together and played around with them. If she really go, she wouldn't have such interesting time anymore.

Wait, did she just say interesting? She frowned slightly at the thought of it, whatever, she has more to do than figuring this out.

"Why not stay here and train?" Zoro suggested with his head facing downward. He wondered if this was the right thing to do.

"Huh?" Perona tried to hide her smile. Zoro just suggested me to stay! Her prides swelled at the thought that the stupid swordsman needed her accompany.

"I mean, even if you go now you wouldn't know where to start. So why not stay here and train until you know where he is… like example 2 years later… I mean, this will be easier for you, isn't it?" His head faced down casually, but he was actually avoiding Perona's gaze.

"Mmm… True and I could get Mihawk to help me ask around as well. He's a Shichibukai after all," Luckily for Perona, he couldn't see the smile playing on her infantile face, which was reluctant to wear off despite her trying her best to act serious. "Thanks Zoro, I'll head up first, wash the cups!"

She slips out of her chair and began flying towards the stairs, leaving Zoro alone in the Dining room.

"That's it?" He growled, he was nervous for no reason. Stupid ghost princess.

Zoro went back into his room, he felt quite bad about this situation. He does not want Perona not to find her Captain just because he said so.

Zoro finished his shower and changed into a fresh set of clothes, he cleaned his Katana as he tried to think of a better solution.

It is not that his previous solution was bad, he was sure the Princess would not want to go on a find-my-long-lost-captain-journey all alone. Not to mention she was a Devil Fruit user, and it was a bad idea travelling alone in the sea.

He sheathed his katana and placed them beside the bed as he walked out of the room. He just wanted to make sure Perona really wants to stay here.

Perona stepped out of the bathroom with a new set of clothes and sauntered across towards her dressing table. She took the towel to dry her hair, together with the hair dryer. She let out a sigh of relief. This was definitely a long week.

At least everything was over now.

She could rest properly and not tremble in the cold anymore. She just hopes the next mission Mihawk give is not to some weird places, preferably some eerie and gloomy castle. She trembled slightly with excitement at the thought of it, maybe the mission is to uncover some corpse, that would be so fun! Horo-horo-horo!

-Knock-

She paused for a second, nope nothing. She must be too excited that she began to hallucinate things. Sometimes she really does wonder, if there were any things creeping around in this castle. It was an old castle after all, with wars and everything. Speaking of which, Halloween is coming.

She smiled roguishly as she recalled the Halloween festival they held in Thriller Bark yearly. They will always hold a competition to see who can scare the other people most. It was her favorite game, but sadly, she always lost.

-Knock-

Oh well, she is too cute to scare anyone after all. Moreover, that stupid Absalom, he will always make use of his stupid, dirty and filthy zombies to chase after her. That obviously did not frighten her, but she could not get her pretty dresses dirty, could she?

This year is different. Very different. She is alone, but the game continues! Just that there will only be one player, and one victim. A roguish smile played over her as she thought of all the tricks she can pull. Horo-horo-horo!

"What… I thought you died inside or something, but you're here laughing to yourself?" A familiar voice broke her string of thoughts as she faced towards the direction of the voice.

Zoro, no, the stupid swordsman was standing right at the doorway, and walking towards her like it was his own room.

"Why are you here?! Who gave you permission to come in?! You stupid slave!" She hollered at him, how did she not notice the door opened?

"I just want to ask if you're sure you – " Zoro asked, but was interrupted with a hair brush thrown towards him. "Oi, what? I already know about the coffin, why are you still so –" Another unidentified object was thrown towards him; it looks like a hat that she never uses. He raised his hands up to protect his head from the attack, since when was the aiming skill of the Ghost Princess so accurate?

"Stupid idiot pervert! I'm a female!" She pointed out the obvious.

"So?" He asked the obvious too.

"So?! How can you not knock the door before you come in?! Every single time!" She yelled.

"What? I did knock –" He reasoned. "You just didn't hear them."

"Then don't freaking come in! I'm a female for god sake. I might be… Urgh!" She trotted towards the drawer as she started to throw the medical books towards him.

"Oi oi oi! I got it! I got it!" He threw out his hand in expostulation to calm her, but was too late. He dodged the oncoming deadly attacks and ran out of the room, shutting the door at the same time.

He panted slightly behind the closed door, apparently all women are crazy when they are angry. Nami is one, and this ghost princess too.

He slowly walked back towards his room.

Right. She's a woman too.

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