A/N: Hello it's eury again! i know this is a bit late but i really appreciate all the comments you have from the past few chapters even though this fic is still ongoing ehe thank you for the support you guys! mahal ko kayoooo (it's 'I love you all' in filipino)

as usual, thanks to my sister who beta read this chapter ! im kinda glad she got patience on how slow i write XD also you guys can also follow me on twitter, p0negliffs, i post updates and random thoughts there XD see ya there!

anw without further ado, i hope you enjoy this chapter!

This wasn't exactly he imagined when he got in the Baratie's. At first, he already had a feeling that his friends— to which they didn't recognize Zoro at all— would be here. Seeing them all gathered for dinner felt like he was back again in the Sunny. It was a little bit unusual on his part since he knew their faces and all, and he was used to their own antics which he would be lying if he didn't say he missed it so much but the difference was that it's nothing compared to what he was used to.

As Robin, Chopper and Zoro entered Baratie's, it was the Straw Hats (Nami, Luffy and Usopp) who were seated in a big circular table, that welcomed both Robin and Chopper with bright faces and greeted birthday greetings at Robin— Zoro just realized it was her birthday today.

No one paid attention on the swordsman being there. He was being ignored by his friends under their scrutinizing gazes— well, he still didn't know if they were not happy to see him there, he just marched in without their permission. Although he already met Nami and Luffy at the market, Nami just shrugged him off. He wasn't used to Nami just staring at him instead of scolding him and raising his debt for doing mundane things. Luffy still acted the same and gave him a beaming smile as he entered but, minus the familiarity to his vice-captain. Meanwhile, Usopp crossed his arms, giving Zoro a menacing stare.

Right, I haven't seen Usopp until now.

That ero cook was nowhere to be found but Zoro was sure he already irritated at him at some point. That time when Sanji was waving at Robin and Chopper, he was ready to fight Zoro, but to Zoro, he knew it was just hate at first sight because he felt the same as well upon seeing him.

But if he was being honest, these things didn't make any sense. Even if they were here in front of him, seeing them in piece and not hurt after that Sabaody incident, he still didn't know why his friends acted like that. Why would an island make his friends forget about him? Or maybe he was just dreaming? Maybe this wasn't real? He might not be the smartest person in the world, he knew nothing made any sense ever since he got here. What he always heard from the past few days from the ladies was, "Mr. Swordsman, you're currently in Rustbay, there's no Kuraigana you speak of here."

Well, shit.

But then first things first, he will see to it through this simple dinner time, if it will turn out to be simple as he hoped— he was guessing it won't.

All of them were seated already then Sanji came in with a line of waiters that were pushing a cart of savory dishes ranging from a seafood platter to roasted beef stake. Luffy already tapped his utensils but Nami scolded him to shut him up.

At first, the blonde cook seemed jovial on his way to Robin where he had already had a cake on his palm.

"Happy birthday, Robin-chwa—"

But as soon as his eyes landed on the green haired swordsman, he already fumed in anger and ceased on his tracks, "Okay, what the hell?"

Everyone looked at Sanji whose face was clearly annoyed on something— which is the swordsman, Nami assumed as she observed where the cook was staring at.

"Why the hell is this guy here?" He pointed at Zoro but still remained gentle on placing the cake at the center of the table— he was very careful on not letting the moss head (Zoro's nickname on his mind) ruin the beautiful and delicious cake all for Robin's birthday.

"Excuse me?" Robin spoke to defend the swordsman, "I brought him here." She told him in a calm manner but her face was clearly the opposite in which Sanji never saw unless Robin was angry— she was terrifying when she does that, Sanji thought.

Nami just patted Sanji's shoulder, "I got this." she whispered at the cook.

"Robin, the point is why would you bring him here?" Nami moved her gaze at Zoro who was sulked on his seat. As Zoro almost opened his mouth to speak for himself, Robin answered Nami's question.

"I found him in the bench near my shop." Robin stated as Sanji raised a brow.

"Is he homeless?" Sanji scoffed.

"That's why Dr. Trafalgar said that he should ask Robin. Zoro needs a room to stay!" Chopper happily told everyone.

"Bullshi—" Robin glared at Sanji from his nearly cursing in front of Chopper, he let out a sigh, "You know there are plenty of places to stay in Rustbay, not just your house, Robin." The others nodded their head from what Sanji just said except for Robin and Chopper.

"But he was a cool guy!" Luffy interrupted, waving the chicken leg from who knows where he got it from.

On the other side, Usopp can't help but be torn on his decision whether to side with Sanji or with Luffy. Whilst they're arguing, Zoro felt like he wasn't there in the room. So much for a delighted dinner on Robin's birthday. But then again, this would be a good opportunity to tell them that he wanted their help in order for him to go back— if possible— that's why he agreed to go with Robin to dinner.

"I needed her help." He muttered on his seat, making everyone (as well as the waiters, they still haven't yet left the room without Sanji's go signal) looked at Zoro with perplexed looks upon him speaking.

Zoro let out a sigh, continuing on, "Well, all of you, I need your help. I don't know how the hell I got here on this island, honestly." He admitted. He had been wanting to let out that on his chest for days and this was the first time he told someone about it. Even Law and Bepo never got to know about this when he was at the clinic. He thought that this would be a great time to admit it to his friends— although they might not know who the hell he is.

Their eyes never left Zoro, it was intriguing for them, even for Robin, who only knew that he was just looking for a place to stay, looked at him with intent. The swordsman never mentioned on going back to his place, she just assumed that he got lost around town. She thought that maybe that was his sole intent on staying at her place, but hearing him, now it makes sense he'd be lost in this island.

Zoro continued on, "Look, I was only looking for help, and I know for one that you guys are the people that can help me go back." He said politely, averting his gaze to the people in front of him. 'This is the only way I can think of,' He wanted to say it in front of them that but he can't since from the look from their faces, their faces say it all that they didn't even know him at all.

Robin piqued at him with a sympathetic gaze, brows furrowed. Now she was curious if he would let her help him. He was really interesting, she thought. As she was about to reply, her friends waved their hands dismissively.

"No!" They said in unison, as Zoro just scoffed at them. Now that's their attitude showing, Zoro muttered.

"Sure." Robin was the only one who dared to agree with him, she already made up her mind despite how her friends shown disinterest on helping the swordsman. "We won't be losing anything if we helped a stray swordsman, right? Besides I've already decided that I'm gonna help him." Robin finished.

"Robin? Are you sure? He really looks sketchy to me," the cook sneered, crossing his arms, only for Zoro to roll his eyes at him.

"Sanji's right, Robin. What if something would happen to all of us?" Usopp told his friends, then whispered to Luffy, "I now have a disease of 'being scared to a lost swordsman.'

"Don't worry, Usopp, then we'll all die," she smiled at her friend, in which he scrunched up his face on Robin's retort.

Her friends just sighed, and decided to go with her plan but Sanji wasn't still convinced. He might be exaggerating things but he didn't want that moss head to just go live freely and be with Robin! What is he? A guy waiting for a miracle?

"Then how the hell would he pay you for the rent? Don't tell me he will be living there, rent free?"

Zoro glared at Sanji but he got a point. Zoro didn't even know how would he will pay everyone who have helped him or worse, he didn't have any belis with him.

"Then, he'll work for me. Zoro, you're hired." Robin said, brazen.

"WHAT?" Sanji eyes widened and shook his head, "Robin, you're deciding things so fast! He's not even—"

"It's my birthday, Sanji, I will do what I want. Anyways, let's eat?" Robin gave them all a warm smile and whoever may disagree with Robin, they were sure Robin won't be happy if they would oppose her. Guess there's nothing her friends can do if Robin agreed to help Zoro. Even for Sanji, he might be still against on the swordsman staying at Robin's home, it was still Robin's decision on who get to stay on her home.

Sanji nudged his head, signaling the waiters to serve the food after all those commotion before dinner. He put a mental note that he should tell them that pretend that they didn't see what happened at the dinner— although he knew that even if he would say that, there will be pesky onlookers who will dare to spread what happened at Baratie's— Sanji then glared at the swordsman who received Robin's kindness. He cannot believe Robin hired some big idiot and even had the chance to stay at Robin's home! Lucky idiot, if only Sanji had been lost too, maybe Robin would do the same kindness for Sanji— She won't.

Well, that escalated quickly, Zoro might still be far on his main purpose: going back to Kuraigana, but then, he just hoped that he would be back soon, and might as well bring his friends, if they would be willing to go back. Maybe they will…

"Are you gonna eat that?" Luffy asked Zoro, snapping from his thoughts, who was clearly eating the chicken.

Zoro just raised a brow at him, "Can't you see I'm eating it right now?"

Luffy pouted then Robin gave him the chicken leg, making him cheer with glee.

"Oh Robin, I almost forgot…" Nami plopped out a gift basket on the table.

Zoro recognized it and it was the gift basket that he and Bepo had brought to the market. It flew out of his mind that he and Bepo will go together to Robin's flower shop to give it, but then, Zoro got lost and never heard anything about Bepo after they separated. At least, the gift was already here, safe and sound.

"Thank you, Nami." Robin received the gift with a tender smile as Luffy's eyes landed on the gift with a sparkle on his eyes.

"Oho! From Traffy?" Luffy grinned, "Robin, can I also have one of the gifts there?"

Robin just smiled at Luffy but shook her head, "I'm afraid Law won't like that. But I will make sure that I'm gonna ask him to give you a gift soon."

Zoro just proceeded to eat in silent then all of a sudden, Usopp spoke, eyes directing at Zoro.

"So, swordsman…" he attempted on lowering his voice to intimidate the swordsman. "Do you just bring those swords to make you cool?" He smirked.

Zoro raised a brow at him, but Usopp just felt shivered in his spines, making Luffy laugh at his friend telling him that Usopp was so brave on intimidating Zoro.

The dinner turned out well, despite what Zoro had anticipated— he never thought that the events today had gone faster than Zoro expected. Earlier, he thought he will be lost once again on Rustbay because of that parade, then he met Robin and Chopper and now, he was now living (not rent free) with Robin! They already finished dinner and ready to head to home with Robin and Chopper when someone called behind Zoro's back.

"Oi, moss head." Sanji stood with cross arms at the door, seeing Robin and Chopper off, but he really wanted to confront that swordsman if he will do anything wrong to Robin and might as well kick his ass for doing so.

Robin and Chopper stopped, looking behind, but Zoro cocked his head, letting them to go first and talk with the cook. That ero cook still have a grudge on me, huh? Hate at first sight, I guess, Zoro let out an exasperated sigh.

"What?" Zoro stopped on his tracks, but never dared turning his back at the cook.

"If you hurt Robin, I'm gonna go kick your ass for hurting her precious heart," Sanji crossed his arms, almost said in a threatening voice but really, he just wanted to know that Robin will be in good hands. Robin was a kind woman, the townspeople knew that, and if this swordsman, a lost swordsman, would be the one who will hurt Robin, then he will be the first one to beat his ass, and he will make it sure that he wouldn't make it out alive on this island.

"I'm not even planning to do that, you idiot." Zoro won't do that to Robin. He wasn't a bad guy, if only this ero cook would know that. He just needed answers on how did he get here and how to get out of here, not hurt Robin and the others. He still felt that something was going on here that's why he needed answers to that as well.

"Who are you calling idiot? Idiot?" Sanji sneered at him.

"You."

Zoro strode faster, avoiding the cook's fury, to catch up with Robin and Chopper.

"Come back here and I'm gonna kick your ass, you stupid moss head!" Sanji gritted his teeth, waving his fist in the air, but Zoro already went ahead and wasn't able to do so. He clicked his tongue and lit up his cigarette. He was certain that the swordsman was up to something but then again, it was Robin's choice on who she can help, he was just there, as a friend, to support her. After all, he fully trusted Robin's judgment and will do whatever he can as long as Robin knew what she was doing— that eased him a bit despite being wary on moss head.

Night had fallen so fast after the almost-chaotic-dinner that at least turned out to be a simple get together after the parade. Robin and Zoro already sent Chopper back on his home and welcomed by his mother, Doctor Kureha who was out that day because of a medical job in the city.

After sending Chopper back, Robin and Zoro walked side by side in the streets of central Rustbay. The streets were almost hushed as it was already rushing to a late night. The street lights adorned with ornate flower lanterns illuminated the streets which marked the start of the festival, yet the townspeople were off to their homes that night after the events of the float parade earlier— probably retired because of the after parties they had on their respective homes— as Robin and Zoro were comforted with silence as they walked.

"So, from the dinner… is that true?" He asked Robin, attempting to a start a conversation, never leaving his eyes on the road while walking.

Robin hummed in response. To Robin it was just as almost that she can't believe what she just said. It was like a series of emotions coming from the past few days had eventually agreed that 'You should do this because it's the right thing to do,' despite not knowing what could happen if she agreed. But here she was, already told her friends that she will help him even though she didn't yet have any context on why should she help the swordsman— hell, she suspected that the town onlookers already known this.

"It's also just pure instinct that I should help you, Zoro…" She told him hesitantly, "—But don't worry, I'll do whatever I can." She gave him a smile.

Deep inside from her mind, she was deeply puzzled. Not just from what the swordsman said on asking her help, but also, she can't help wonder who the swordsman is from the past few days. It's just… they never even met yet but when she caught a glimpse of him on the day he was found by the ladies, it felt like she knew him. The thought of him being familiar never left her mind even four days have passed. She wanted to ask him, "Mr. Swordsman, have we met yet?", but she hesitated, she might just be jumping into conclusions. The swordsman might just be someone she saw around the Grand Line, nothing in importance.

He snapped her from thoughts, "Happy birthday, Robin."

"Oh…" She looked at him, and muttered a 'thanks', smiling faintly.

They never talked after that— Zoro respected it as well as Robin. At least it was a candid moment for the both of them.

Zoro kind of expected that her home was just upstairs the flower shop. The door was left unlocked— crime rate on Rustbay were pretty low and townspeople were confident that there wouldn't be burglars unlike living in the city.

They trudged upstairs the flower shop and Zoro was greeted with— he anticipated this— A library. He didn't need to ask Robin but he guessed the first room that greets you, as you head upstairs was the library as well as the biggest room among all. Knowing Robin, he knew it wouldn't be hers without it. Before the library, he laid his eyes on the large sofa settled at the window. There were also tiny succulents and flowers neatly hanged on the other side. Assorted trinkets and (more) books were placed on its designated bookshelves and knowing Robin, he knew those books were all arranged in place.

Gazing around, it may not be the biggest home but for a woman living alone, but this apparently suited her as well as its taste. He also took notice that it was strangely similar to the way Franky and the Galley La company have furnished the women's quarters in the Thousand Sunny— not that he had been there but, Franky all toured them all the rooms and he still oddly remembered the rooms around Sunny despite his lost sense of direction on his own ship. And seeing Robin's simple abode? It was like it never changed and it was kind of nostalgic that he almost missed the way he was living as a pirate and not just a lone swordsman stuck in an island where he still hasn't had a clue on where he was.

As Zoro was taking in Robin's home, Robin took notice of his scrutiny, but she never called him out of it. She just thought that maybe he was just astonished on her home. But seeing him tonight on her own home, it just dawned on her the judgmental glares they have received around town. It may rouse some inappropriate thoughts from the ladies, but honestly? She should never care about that. She was just helping the swordsman to find a shelter, and it just happened that she had a room to spare. What's wrong with that? If they have a problem with that, then that's on them, not hers.

She cleared her head from her thoughts and gave a swordsman a smile, "Come on, Zoro, I'm gonna show you your room," she cocked her head and led him to the room, one room after the kitchen.

Robin led him to the room and for Zoro, he presumed that this room hasn't been used for a long time. The room's walls were just mahogany wood. There's also a plain single bed and a night stand beside it as well as a working table not too far from the window, and surely enough it was the modest room she had here. Unlike the room before, this room had nothing beside the basic needs for sleeping and waving through a window. Although, it was plain, at least it was decent enough for someone to settle here— after all, it was enough for him a bed to sleep on, not any unnecessary vanity.

"This room was from the previous owners of this building and I just thought I won't move or add anything in here, in case someone would need shelter." She answered his question from his mind, then, "I hope you won't mind the room."

"This is fine, thanks Robin," he gave her a thin smile, then placed his swords beside the night stand.

"Your swords don't seem too heavy to you." She noted, still standing in the door as Zoro turned his back and shrugged.

"Well, I'm used to it..."

Robin nodded, not wanting him to bother his sleep tonight, then, "If you happen to have anything you need, don't hesitate to ask. I'll be in the library, you already know where it was," she said, halting in front of the door.

"Good night." She told him before she left.

"Good night."

Robin perched on the sofa in silence after she went on saying good night to Zoro.

A few days ago, she just told Nami that she was stressed out in Floraleigh but then, at least her work on her shop was almost done and handled perfectly. However, the thing was, now that she handled Floraleigh at her own pace, Zoro came in to scene, now it was somewhat made her instinct go 'help the swordsman,' which… is odd. She didn't even know anything about him. Well, she guessed this was just her pure instinct on helping people.

But despite all of that, her some sort of déjà vu she had with Zoro. It never left her mind, as well. Maybe there's something that he could explain to me. She noted in her mind that she will ask Zoro about that tomorrow, maybe he can explain it to her, if not… she just hoped someone would tell her what could this feeling be and let this all overthinking let out of her mind.

Leaving those thoughts for now, she remembered what he said when they were heading to Baratie's before dinner. He said about the place, Kuraigana…

Kuraigana… Kuraigana… Where the hell she had heard of that? Maybe she could find something on her books in her library. She then made her way to the library to have a look about Kuraigana. When she first heard that island's name, Robin felt like she had already heard that island, but where could that be? Kuraigana…Is it a lost island somewhere in the sea? She was not sure if she only heard it from the old ladies, and not just from the swordsman himself. Robin then carefully examined all the books in her shelves, remembering where she has read it once or twice in her books.

Not here, surely it was here? No, it wasn't. Is it here? She carefully examined every page in the geography books she knew Kuraigana island can be found.

Islands in the Sea... Archipelagos from past beyond imagination… Lone Islands…

Flipping and scanning words from words to every page that she knew that the name would be there, to her utter dismay, she can't find its name. She thought her books contains the information she can get about the island where that lost swordsman came from. Robin then halted from examining the books. She wondered once again, how would a lost swordsman Zoro, was strangely familiar to her? At what point of her life did he met her? This was just the first time she met him, right? How did this swordsman been relevant to a renowned archeologist turned flower shop owner in Rustbay? She should definitely ask him about it if she wanted to know more. Aside from dwelling on to her thoughts, there were definitely weird things happening here… She was sure of it—

"Robin?"

She flinched and dropped some books from the shelves, startled from her thoughts. She then turned her back, and as if fate had read her mind, Zoro stood there from the library's entrance.

"I-I'm sorry I didn't mean to startle you. Oh, uh I think I should get back-"

"No, no, great timing, Zoro. There's something I wanted to ask you." She eventually placed back the books— how clumsy of her.

"What's that?"

"I was looking for your home island, but none of my books seem to have texts or information about it."

"Ah… I don't know. Maybe it didn't have any written information about it?"

Robin looked at him with a sympathetic gaze, "Oh, is that so?" She halted, then dropping her gaze at the floor, "—that island of yours… Kuraigana, what does it look like? I can draw for you." She offered him with a warm smile.

Wait what? Robin can draw? Oh, wait maybe she can draw. Zoro thought as Robin quickly rummaged on her drawers to look for the drawing materials and anticipated his details.

He didn't imagine she would draw for him.

It took Zoro hours to describe the details of Kuraigana island. Good thing Robin was a good listener as she scribbled his words on the blank canvas. From what he remembered, the island has been always dark— Zoro never experienced the warm sun, the island was shielded with heavy fog, you might not want to venture the woods by yourself or else the woods would take you weeks to have you out.

For Zoro's experience, he was always lost. He never admitted that to himself and prided with saying, "It's the woods fault, not his." But Perona would just knock his head since he was always lost even Mihawk was now annoyed the fact the next in line of the greatest swordsman's weakness is his crooked sense of direction.

"It's done! You can take a look at it, Zoro." She said, after Zoro was finished on describing her Kuraigana island.

Zoro peered beside her. A smile curled up to his face, he didn't want to admit but her drawing skills have improved. This was better than he imagined. He refrained himself on asking her if Usopp had taught her, he guessed she would just be confused once again on why did he know about that. She might have assumed that there was now a creepy stalker living in her home for a while. He didn't want that— he still needed her help.

"That looks great."

"Usopp taught me." His hunch was right, she was being taught by Usopp.

He carefully examined the illustration, to which the lake was there and something irked his mind to open up a memory before he got here five days ago. But what would that lake in Kuraigana would have to do with this? He still can't remember anything aside from that day from the fountain where he heard Perona was calling out his name as well as him, drowning… It felt like it was real, but he didn't know to himself whether it was just his mind playing games onto him. Perona wouldn't dare to push him in the lake, would she? If she would, she would definitely do that even before that. But, the thing with Perona calling out his name, maybe that would connect onto something, he thought. It would make sense if that would happen but then, he still hasn't had a clue on how will it connect on him getting here in the first place.

Someone should explain what the hell is happening and it really makes his mind grind gears even if he didn't want to think— it was like he wanted to burst out and never think again.

"Zoro, are you alright?" Robin snapped out of his reverie. "You seem distracted just by staring at the map? Is it so bad that you wanted to burn it?"

He shook his head, "It really looks great," he told her, giving her a thin smile. It was way more impressive than he imagined.

"Can I keep it? Your drawing?" He might not be good at visualizing on maps, but he would try, for sure— that with this mere map, he would know something or anything that can eventually make him go out of this island.

Robin tilted her head, "Pardon?"

"Also, a pen and notebook as well." He added.

He wasn't a much of a note-taking person but he was planning to record what he just learned and knew about what he had done here in Rustbay. Mihawk had told him that it was important to at least write you think what should be important and honestly, he just brushed off the warlord's advice not until now. Who would have thought it can be important for him?

"Sure. Wait here, I'll be right back." She never pressed him more for questions. It wasn't like her. This man was literally a stranger, was now living in her home and she decided to let him in. She just hoped Zoro would just abuse her kindness, if he did, then worst things will happen to him.

"If you need anything else, Zoro... Don't hesitate to tell me." Robin didn't ask or pry, for now. She can ask him about that but then— That can wait, she thought.

Then she left to get what he needed.

After Robin gave him a notebook and a pen, she had already retired to her room, telling him before she went to her room that he should sleep, too. But he refused and now remained alone at the library to take notes of his days here in Rustbay.

He thought that if he noted all the things it could lead to something. He can write, at least. His previous master, Kyoshiro, had taught him to read and write, telling him: 'Zoro, you shouldn't be illiterate.' Then after all these years, Perona, a runt that she was, called out his penmanship and told Mihawk about it. She even insisted it was unreadable. It looked like it was being scribbled by chicken and Mihawk agreed to the ghost princess. From then on aside from swordsmanship, he will teach him how to write legibly. To their surprise, Zoro improved his handwriting in just one week, and Perona requested that they should prepare sake and wine for a small celebration for Zoro's improved 'handwritten-by-chicken' handwriting.

He smiled at the thought. Never in his life he would have imagined that the damn ghost girl and the warlord would be a great company, as well as… a friend too. He wondered if Mihawk and Perona were looking for him. But maybe not… Because there was a time when he went out for two months since the forest was not gracious enough to let him out. The humandrills laughed at him, instead of assisting him in the right path— Well, they did, but Zoro seemed too preoccupied to argue on one of them that's why the humandrills made fun of him.

Then, thoughts of his friends came into his mind. He bore on his head that even though he might recognize his friends, but in this place, on whatever this is, it was like he was stuck on some sort of strange place. He didn't want to overthink it too much but, even though he still hasn't had his answers, he's pretty sure he can go back to Kuraigana. If his hunch was true, that his friends weren't really his real friends living here, then it won't matter if he will leave unattached, he pondered.

"That wouldn't be a problem… won't it?" he thought, although he knew that it might be and that's the problem.

end notes: and they were housemates ✪ ω ✪