A/N: hello again! if you're reading this, i hope you have a great day! as always thanks to my sister for being my beta reader.

anw without further ado, i hope you all like this chap!

The morning after, Nami was now sleeping soundly on Robin's sofa with a blanket while Zoro, Sanji and Usopp had slumped their bodies on the carpet and laid carelessly. Robin was the only one sober among them, and good thing Law had found her to drag their asses back to her home, even Bepo helped them. Slinging a dazed Sanji on his shoulders while Law assisted Nami and Usopp, they walked on their way to Robin's home. Meanwhile Robin was the one who helped Zoro get back on his feet despite being too stubborn to sleep on the gutters. As surprising as it was, no one had puked on her carpet, instead, while on their almost near at Robin's home, Zoro excused himself to rest making Robin worried but it was eventually replaced by amusement when Zoro had puked on the grass— even Sanji and Bepo laughed their asses off when they saw the swordsman, and good thing, Zoro wouldn't remember that in the morning.

Smiling to herself, Robin approached her friends then tapped Zoro's shoulder, almost stirring him awake on his hangover, he just groaned and never opened his eyes.

"I'll be out for a while. Just take a rest for a while, 'kay?" She told him before leaving downstairs. And yet, Zoro called her, stopping her on her way down.

"Robin?" He muttered softly, his body and mind weren't yet fully awake, as he was still slumped on Robin's carpet.

Robin turned her head, hearing him, "Yes?"

Zoro wasn't fully awake yet he murmured, "Did I do anything embarrassing last night?"

Robin hid her laugh when she remembered that he danced crazily with Ben— poor Law was even dragged out by the two men. Even a few hours have passed after the raging party that night, it eventually died down, and yet, Robin still found Zoro taking a swig of his sake all alone. His companions were nowhere to be found, and that followed his drunken story in which he told her about something he did back in Sabaody. Despite being in a drunk haze, Zoro said that he was sorry for not being able to do his duty as a vice-captain. It was as if he was being genuinely sorry at Robin. He even pulled her in an embrace which followed Robin being confused— like how would she respond to that when she didn't know what even happened in Sabaody? She didn't understand what his words meant but maybe that's just one of his past memories with his friends, and he had mistaken her for someone he knew. "Maybe that's the reason," she thought.

Robin just gave him a reassuring smile, "Well, aside from the fact you puked last night, don't think about it. Just rest for now, okay?"

Zoro might've cringed on what she said, yet still he nodded and decided to proceed his rest. Perhaps it's best not to tell him what really happened last night, Robin noted in her mind. She didn't want him to overthink that much. He deserved that rest after all that drinking in the drink fest last night.

She then left them alone in her home, leaving to go ask around the town. The previous events that occurred to her especially the day when the swordsman came into her life had led her to this. She might not be an archeologist anymore, but with her previous job urged her to take part and to know why would she even know Zoro? Although she knew that she wouldn't get accurate answers, but at least she will try for someone to explain it for her, because really, it was really hard for her to learn on her own.

Robin then went to the ladies' 'lair' where the gossips came from. Their notable gossips were: the number of times when Sanji was dumped by someone, Bepo was the one who secretly hides Law's rice balls, Usopp was lying to Chopper all the time and one of the gossips she can't quite forget: she and Law were lovers. It's possible, but no, she and Law were just friends, nothing more than that.

"Good morning, ladies." Robin said when she stepped into the room unannounced.

Seeing Robin made one of the ladies choke on her tea upon hearing Robin's voice echoed in the whole room. Then, murmurs began to erupt as Robin stepped on the ladies' territory: the parlor.

"What brings you here, Ms. Nico?" Someone asked.

"She wasn't supposed to be here? What is she even doing here?"

"I heard the swordsman is now living with her?"

"Yeah, coming from Baratie's."

Robin gave a smile when she had heard them and had to ignore the rumors around her. "No need for small talk, ladies. I just wanted to ask some of you who saw the swordsman the day he got here." She said— She won't stay here that long, if that's what they are being worried about.

Intrigued gasps from the ladies had filled the parlor yet, most of them had anticipated that Robin would ask about the swordsman— they were waiting for this day to come— It's about time their knowledge about the swordsman will be tested, so all of them started to speak at the same time and made Robin confused on their simultaneous chattering.

"All of you, stop! How can I even understand all of you if you all speak at the same time?" The ladies were really testing her patience, Robin breathed through her nose and returned back to her calm demeanor as if she didn't raise her voice.

"Let's start with you." She gave them a forced smile, pointing at the woman in front.

The woman nudged her head, and exhaled, then, "Well, it all began—"

The other ladies in the parlor groaned, then one shouted at the back, "Just say it directly to the point, Marites! Ms. Nico doesn't have all the time!"

The woman, Marites, rolled her eyes, "Fine, fine… So, anyways, back to what I was saying— I was out with Maria to buy fish from the market on that day. It was really just a typical day for us yet, as we passed by the fountain, that man caught my eye! Normally, no one would catch my eye aside from my husband, of course, and yet, the swordsman was just lying unconsciously beside the fountain! So, we did what we had to do: we abandoned our chores, then called for help. As usual, we called the ladies first because you know, who wouldn't want to have a chance seeing a handsome man in Rustbay? We, ladies wouldn't pass on that."

The ladies agreed on Marites then she continued on, "But, the weird thing was, after we brought the swordsman to Dr. Trafalgar's clinic, I immediately went for my husband— He was working at the docks, by the way— He said that no one had entered the docks that night! Let alone a swordsman entering the town. My husband even said that was the first time he heard the swordsman got here in Rustbay so..."

With that, the ladies began to exchange information with Robin and even if she had already asked most of them, she was still given the story where the swordsman was just lying beside the fountain, nothing seemed to know where he was before that. It doesn't make any sense, then how would he—

"Maybe he was a man sent from heaven above." A lady said blatantly, interrupting Robin from her thoughts.

"Then, that would be the greatest miracle this town would have."

Laughs erupted among the ladies— it was merely a joke but that could happen… weird things could happen here in Rustbay, after all. After the exchange, unfortunately, Robin didn't get any useful information aside from the swordsman being found in the fountain that morning. Well, perhaps that could be something, but she wouldn't find anything that would help the both of them if that's the only thing she had as of right now. Then they told Robin that she might want to go to the docks to ask around as well. Maybe the Franky family would give her answers, they said.

"Ms. Nico!" One of the ladies called her before Robin had to leave the parlor, "Can you ask the swordsman to sign our handkerchiefs with us?" It was Mary, one of the renowned gossipers in town who had asked Robin.

Robin sighed, "I'm gonna go call Ben and deliver these to the swordsman, just wait for him. I will let Ben know that he will be delivering these to all of you this week." She smiled at the ladies to which they all erupted in joy.

"Yay! Thank you, Miss Nico."

"You're welcome, and thanks for the help as well ladies." She told them before she proceeded to go to her next destination: the docks. Part of her doubts that the next person would lend any help. She even thought to herself that she should reconsider this decision, but then, that wouldn't be necessary if she had already arrived at the docks. Now, she was standing in front of their office. There was Kiwi, one of the workers around here, having a cigarette break.

"Oh! Ms. Nico, what brings you here?" She waved at Robin on the front entrance.

"Good day to you, too, Kiwi. Have you seen—"

"Robin-sis!"

Speak of the devil. Robin exhaled a sigh— it was Franky she was looking for. She just hoped that he would provide information that she can use. Kiwi excused herself to give them space to talk. Now, Franky greeted her with a wide grin on his face and as usual, he was only clad in his speedo, to which Robin never fixed her gaze not lower than his face for her own eyes' safety.

"Franky, I wanted to ask you—"

"Is this about the swordsman? Rumors say that you weren't alone anymore and you two were living together—" he interrupted her in mid-sentence, then stared at her with mischief, "Oooh… Did you two, you know… elope?" Franky wiggled his eyebrows at Robin who just stared at him with a passive face and a raised brow, avoiding his question.

"Okay, okay I get it, I'm joking no need to look like you're sulking, Robin-sis." He raised his hands in defense, "—And since now you're here, to tell you the truth, none of us here in the Franky family have ever seen him! If we have, then I would gladly tell you right away, Robin-sis. Also, if you're thinking of asking the fishermen, they will definitely have the same answer as mine, because no one entered Rustbay who had swords."

"Three swords to be exact." She clarified.

"Wait, he has three swords?! SUPER!" Franky's eyes looked like it just sparkled with awe and he even almost raised his arms in joy. "You should make him go here, Robin-sis! I think it would be SUPER cool to meet that swordsman if you would let me." He continued on, still an astonished look never left his face.

"Sure… Well, thanks for telling me, Franky. I appreciate it." Robin just gave him a nod, and waved goodbye at him before she left the docks.

Right after she talked with Franky, she immediately went inside her car. She scoffed, that idiot saying that she had just eloped— as if she was currently in another relationship. Heavens, how long has it been since she had been in a relationship? Months? Years? The last one didn't go well, her previous lover had been selfish, only focused on his schemes on his organization. She already buried those memories in her mind. Right now, she is focused on building her flower shop in which her business goes well, fortunately. But… maybe something in Franky's words seemed right.

Not that she didn't want to commit once again, but maybe she should consider not living alone, she smiled at the thought. Maybe it would take years for her to settle down until she finally meets someone who will not just complete her life, but also someone who will definitely accept and love for who she is and for what she is worth. Somehow, she was already thinking that maybe, just maybe… if and only if she would have been with someone again, she would imagine herself with Zo— No, no… Where the hell did that thought come from? She was just helping him to go back to Kuraigana. She was only doing her part as far as she was concerned. Robin sighed from her thoughts, if only Franky didn't bring up this then she wouldn't be thinking such 'whatever this is called.'

Yet, that 'whatever this is called,' she hoped that it was just her own mind playing with her own feelings, and wouldn't turn real.

Her last stop was the old man, Marcelo, who was a former archeologist. She knew him because he had been once her client at her shop, and in return, he told her that if she was up to talk about archeology, he would gladly help her.

"He might not be from here." The old man started as Robin had reiterated about the swordsman.

"Yes, I know that. He said he was from Kuraigana but I don't know where it is."

"No, no. It's different from the thing you are thinking, Ms. Nico. That swordsman is not clearly from this world."

"Huh? Wait, why? How can you say that?" She couldn't believe what he was saying. What's that supposed to mean? Robin wasn't sure if she could just trust his words. Although she knew that the old man was a former archeologist, she still had benefit of a doubt whether to believe him or not.

"It's just a theory… Ever since I heard that the swordsman came here out of the blue, one thing came up in my mind. Before you got here, there was this rumor popular among the elderly of Rustbay. It was something similar that had happened twenty years ago. Yet it's the opposite. That person disappeared. I don't know if that's a coincidence but I heard that it always happened during the start and the end of celebration of Floraleigh." The old man said, rambling to himself as if Robin wasn't right in front of him.

Then the man continued on, "Oh the ruins! I think the ruins had answers to your questions, Ms. Nico!"

Robin tilted her head, "The ruins? How could you say that there's something to do with the swordsman? You think the ruins would help us know more?" This wasn't the first time Robin heard about the ruins. Old folklores say that there was a skeleton who guards the ruins. No one had really seen the skeleton up close but from what the first people who dared to enter the ruins, that's what they describe on to the protector. All those who enters will pay a price for something they truly beloved, and if those who wish to escape from the wrath of the soul king, no one will be free…

The old man nodded, but then, "It's still up to you, Ms. Nico. Whether you wanted to believe me or not, I'm not stopping you. I'm just here to tell you my side on this. But if you happen to seek information, I still think that the ruins hold your answers to your queries and the path to the ruins weren't that easy…" He then sighed, lowering his gaze, "The sad thing was that, I never got to step on the ruins. I only had logs on how to get there if you want, while my colleague had the map. Our journey to the ruins of Rustbay was about to begin but… the universe had different plans on me—" He gestured his crippled leg, "I got into an accident and made me never walked greatly. I'm just a crippled man now, sadly, and my family wouldn't let me go to the ruins…" He finished.

Robin considered his words. Part of her wanted to believe, part of her doubts him. But if she didn't risk and try what the old man suggests, maybe in the end she would just regret it. She was still curious on how the ruins would help them especially the swordsman. After all, she agreed to help Zoro to go back where he came from. This might be one of the answers they have been looking for.

But then they were interrupted by his own grandson.

"Come on, grandpa, I think it's past your bedtime." He grabbed his wheelchair and afterwards, he faced Robin, "I'm sorry, the old man's kinda like that especially when it comes to the ruins," the grandson shrugged but Mr. Marcelo stopped the wheel from moving.

"No… no, I still have something to tell her." The old man persisted and there's nothing his grandson can do for his too stubborn grandfather, so his grandson just sighed, then let Robin and his grandfather talked before his bed time.

"Where do you think I can find the map, then, Mr. Marcelo?" She eventually considered that maybe the ruins might have their answers.

The old man just smiled at her, clearly satisfied that she just agreed to go to the ruins, "You know Dr. Clover, right? He's one of my colleagues."

The last words the old archeologist said: Go back to Ohara and tell Dr. Clover that Sanchez insisted for you to get the map of the ruins.

After agreeing onto the old man, hearing that it's possible that Dr. Clover has it, Robin knew who Dr. Clover was. He was one of her mentors back then when she was still an amateur to the field. Then if she will go to Ohara, first they must travel first to the city, after all, it would be a long trip before going to Ohara. It's been a while that she will be going to her hometown, Ohara. How long have she been away from that place? Brings back her days before she decided to take risk and find a job at the city— yet she eventually left and resided here in Rustbay after a few months.

At least for today, Robin had gathered fruitful information— from what the ladies had said then to the old man, Marcelo— it led her on forming her hypothesis that Zoro might have magically appeared here in Rustbay which had caused a ruckus. Well, not in a bad way because at least he had even made friends along way, and now Robin was willing to help him getting back. Well, even if it would have risks on their path to the ruins, she was eager to seek answer on how she even remembers Zoro. The only thing that lingers in her mind was that she was able to know him as a friend and that's it.

Considering what old man Marcelo had said about Zoro not being here… That got her thinking: Would that even possible for someone to suddenly appear out of nowhere? And if they would, would that make Zoro an alien of some sorts? Who was he, really? What was his purpose here if he appeared here in Rustbay? And remembering what one of the ladies had said that Zoro might had fallen from the sky, and might be a gift from the heavens, as silly as it may sounds, he might had literally fallen from the clouds. But if he had fallen from there, then in the first place, he shouldn't be alive. As his body should have been swimming from blood as his limbs were scattered around the plaza if the ladies would see him. So, no, he didn't fall from the sky. But, if he didn't fall from the sky, then how? From the fountain? That could be one out of a million possibilities he got here, yet it was still a perhaps, a maybe, and an uncertainty.

end notes: thanks for reading, see you next update!