Author's Note to the Readers: I'm very sorry it took so long to update. I have moved from Orlando to Clearwater and been busy with two soon to be three new jobs. However now that I am able to I will be updating as much as I can. Thank you all for reading and being so patient with me.

Downstairs:

Zoro came to the base of the staircase, and looked to his left then right for the direction Old Artty had gone.

"This way," said Artty as he popped his head around a corner to get Zoro's attention as he entered the main shop.

The samurai went to the old man. The shop was very clean and orderly. Zoro looked about a bit more than he had done the previous day.

"For such a small village he keeps a good supply of almost everything anyone living in Winderkil could ever need," he noted to himself.

"Need something to drink Lad?" Artty asked taking a pot of freshly brewed hot tea off the brewer that sat on a shelf behind the register in the store.

Artty had already made up two mugs but they were only half full when he took a bottle of the top shelf just above the one the brewer sat on. He then added the contents of that bottle in with the tea and mixed it with a spoon.

Handing the cup to Zoro, Artty could tell that the boy was wondering what had been added to the early morning tea.

While Zoro stared at the cup Artty turned the bottle so that the label was facing Zoro. The label read: Rum.

"This is my kind of tea," he joked raising the mug to his mouth.

The Artty laughed at the younger man's comment.

"Where did a nice old guy like you learn to make your tea this way?"

"Same way I learned to respect pirates," He smiled over the rim of his mug. " My wife."

"Your married?" Zoro arched an eyebrow in somewhat disbelief.

Artty place his cup down on the counter, "Well I was until she died."

"Oh, I'm sor-"

With a smile he cut off Zoro's words, "Don't be. She was a great pirate captain. It was funny I was the last one I thought she would even be interested in."

"Why's that old man?"

"Because back in my green days I was nothing but a goody-good. Hard to believe right?"

"It is. So what do I need to start moving anything?" Zoro ask changing the subject. He putt down his empty mug and looked about the shop with his eyes.

" Nothing."

He turned his gaze back to Artty, " But you said-"

"I know. I lied." He just shrugged. "I figure that girl needs rest."

" In that case I'm leaving."

"No your not," Artty shot back. " There is a blizzard on the way. You will probably be here for another couple of days. Besides I will still need your help around here."

He couldn't fight with the fact that a storm was coming. Zoro knew if he left now he would probably get lost in the blizzard and that would just plan suck. Looking at the old man Zoro sighed, " Alright what do you want?"

Artty assigned Zoro a task list of things to do most of it was simple. Dust around the shop, mop, and prepare for the blizzard.

Artty went to the Kitchen and started making what would be dinner for that evening.

Starting with the mopping, Zoro set to work incorporating his three-sword style into the chore. As for the dusting it made him sneeze. It was as if Artty just waited for visitors to clean the shop for him. Finally Zoro got around to prepping the shop for the blizzard.

Once done with all the labor he had been given Zoro returned to see Artty who was stirring a large pot of stew.

"Ah, Zoro. I have a favor to ask of you. Could you go into the shop and get me a container of basil?"

Zoro didn't even really know what basil was, but he did know Sanji used it for cooking. He thought about the crew as he walked towards the shop again."This is a job the dumb cook would enjoy." He said inwardly.

"It's in the third row," The old man called to him.

After retrieving the basil, the green haired youth took a seat watching Artty tend to the stew. Then he had a care to ask.

"I noticed earlier today that you have a rather large store for such a small village."

"Its one's own choice how big their home and workplace are lad."

"No what I mean is why have a store here? And why have so much stuff?" Zoro shrugged. "Why do I even care about asking this old guy all these questions?"

The old man smiled at the boy as he covered the boiling stew with glass pot lid. "Well I told you before my wife was a pirate captain right?"

"Yeah."

"Well she was captain of the Winderkil pirates, one of the few land and sea crews. A bit of a Surf-n-Turf deal I guess," he laughed. "She would take her crew attack merchant ships then bring the goods back to Winderkil and distribute them to the villagers." Artty had a gleam in his eyes as he spoke so fondly of his wife. "She had a great reward on her head, 50,000,000 Ballie. Back then that as a lot of money. Now a days that's equal to nearly 65,000,000 Ballie." Artty grinned.

Turning his attention back to the pot on the stove, Artty grinned again. "Soups on," he said cheerfully.

Author's Note: There is a lot more to come stay posted