To the Readers!

ShadowVixen Glad you like it!

OverChasm I love Tashigi too! There just isn't enough Fan Fiction with her and Zoro.

Nazura: I'm glad you want me to right more. It makes me feel good about what I am doing with the Characters

Lex: Yay an update!

Slipknot: Thank you for the Review I'm very glad you enjoy the plot. I'm also happy to know that you like Artty I plan on using him to move the plot a bit more.

Katieeeeee: Wow really I'm glad to hear you were so into the Fic!

Concetta Thank you for the tips. I had writer's block so I got a tad sloppy.

sylenis: Thanks for your opinion on Artty. I hope he doesn't become to annoying. XD

Snowy Duel:

part six

Tashigi was awoken by the smell of stew. The sent had floated to the room from the kitchen down stairs. The marine girl sat up to allow herself to take in more of the mouth-watering aroma when she heard footsteps on the stairs. Quickly she laid down again and pretend to be sleeping.

The door opened and Zoro steeped into the room with a trey. On the trey was a bowl of hot beef stew and a cup of warm tea. (Not the tea Artty and he had been drinking.) He walked to the nightstand and looked down at the marine girl.

"Come, come no need to fake," he said with the sound of annoyance.

Tashigi popped open one eye then the other to look up at Zoro. She didn't say anything at first. Then she looked over at the trey. " That smells wonderful," Tashigi said putting an uneasy smile on her face.

The green haired man just shrugged. "Whatever, Artty just told me to bring it up to you." With that Zoro placed the trey on to Tashigi's lap.

The marine sergeant was hesitant at first. Slowly she began to eat the stew spoonful by spoonful. Then she remembered it had been over 24 hours since she had last eaten. On that note Tashigi began to shovel the hot liquid in to her mouth.

" Slow down or you will get a stomach ache," Zoro grunted.

"Oh my god! Was he watching me eat?" Tashigi put down the spoon and pushed the trey off her lap. "Where are my things?"

Puzzled the samurai raised an eyebrow," In the bathroom." He pointed with his thumb over this shoulder to an open wooden door. "Why?"

"I'm leaving." Tashigi said throwing her legs over the side of the bed. She went to stand but was brought to a halt when she felt two firm hands grasp her shoulders.

"I don't think so, " Zoro's eyes were intense as her gaze met his.

Quickly Tashigi glared at Zoro, placing her hands over his. She tried to pry his hands from her, but Zoro had kept her down quite forcefully.

At that moment Artty entered the room. He raised one of his old furry eyebrows at the scene had interrupted. "Oh my! What do we have here?" He said letting his upper lip curve into a half smile.

Zoro shot a look at the old man then tore his hands from Tashigi's shoulders and stormed out of the room. He went down stairs and muttered to himself. "I'm not dealing with the two of them in the same room." In all honesty Zoro had a difficult time trying to stare Tashigi down "Stupid look-a-like." He cursed inwardly.

Back in room Tashigi had glared at Zoro as he walked out. Her gaze then shifted to Artty.

"Sir if-"

Artty," He interrupted.

Tashigi puzzled for a moment.

"Artty Arrows," He smiled pulling up a stool to the side of the bed and sitting down next to the marine.

"Oh!" She said in understanding, "Well, Mr. Arrows if-"

"Just call me Artty." He corrected her again.

"Artty, if you knew Roronoa was a wanted criminal, why did you let him into your shop? Were you not worried for your sake, or for other people in the town?" She had been recalling when Artty had pulled Zoro's wanted poster out from his pocket.

The old man smiled, Tashigi half knew he would. " Well missy, you see I find it easy to come by wanted posters. Being a former marine and all."

"You're a marine?"

"Former. You see I know that a pirate with out a crew will rarely take on an entire village, even one this small."

" No disrespect sir, but you must not have heard about Roronoa's past offences."

" No I have. I just choose to have a little more faith in people. Something you may want to try. That boy did save your life Sergeant."

Tashigi felt herself cut in half from Artty's comment. She looked down at her hands that sat in her lap. "Faith?" She thought, "How can I have faith in him?" She toyed with her fingers nervously.

Artty continued to talk, not noticing Tashigi in the bed looking so dejected with herself. "Besides you and him are going to be sharing this room until that blizzard is over."

Snapping from her thoughts Tashigi jerked her head to look Artty dead in the face, "I don't have time to wait for a blizzard to pass! I need to get back to Smoker and the others." The marine girl swung her legs back over the side of the bed in order to stand. She had made her way to the restroom where she found her clothes dry and hanging over the shower rod. She quickly dressed then made her way to the room's exit.

Artty just continued to sit on his stool and watch as the marine headed for the door.

Zoro had seated himself at the bottom of the staircase as Tashigi came down. She arched a brow at him, " What are you doing Roronoa?"

He could have just let her pass easily but why would he do something like that?

"Why should I have to answer to you?" His voice sounded almost childish.

"You don't. Not like I care," Tashigi sounded just as infantile as he did.

Zoro shrugged.

Tashigi's eyes narrowed and shoot the coldest stare imaginable at Zoro. He in turn ignored her look and spoke in an flat even tone, "Nice to see you ok. But if I cant leave neither can you."

"He's very persuasive." Artty said coming out from the room's door way.

Tashigi looked over her shoulder at Artty," You, of all people, should realize that I need to get back to my crew!"

"And how do you think I feel?" Her attention went back to Zoro, " It not like I want to be here either."

Tashigi frowned inwardly. She wasn't the only one who didn't want to be stuck in an old store during a blizzard. Without a word she turned and went back to the room. Zoro watched out of the corner of his eye as the Navy haired girl disappeared through the doorway just passed Artty.

Author's Note: So what do you all think? Enjoying? I plan on exploring Tashigi's and Zoro's Relationship more in the next few chapters. I am also Writing another TxZ based Fan fiction. Maybe you guys would like to read that too! Ok until next time R and R. It makes me write and update faster