To the Readers:

Kenny XP: Thanks for the Review… it took me almost 20 minutes to read XD

sylenis: I don't even know when the blizzard will end lol

Nazura: I very happy you want me to continue with this story. Contact me about the magazine by AIM- SgtTashigi

lou gregorio: I know Zoro was never married. But my Character Artty was

Nami081205: Hope this is enough ZoShigi to hold you over until chapter 8 is up lol

Slipknot: You are right about Tashigi. She is very ungrateful. XD and my other story you can find by clicking on my name then it should link you to my stories page

ShadowVixen: Glad you enjoyed it

A/N: Remember that "Italic" is what takes place in some one's head.

Disclaimer: One Piece is not mine, But Artty is! 3

Snowy Duel: part seven

Once in the room Tashigi wanted to take her mind off everything until the morning. She was able to find a book and read, waiting for sleep to take her.

Tashigi felt something creeping on the bed. She let her eyes flutter open in order to find out what it was. That's when she saw Zoro above her, supporting his weight on his arms on either side of her. "Zoro what are you-"

Zoro leaned down to the marine's ear, "You want to fight me?" His breath was warm against her skin as he spoke such harsh sounding words. When the green haired man backed away Tashigi nodded in response.

In an instant a strong gust of wind came a crossed the room making the bed vanish into dust. Tashigi shielded herself by crossing her arms over her head. When she moved her arms away from her face she found Shigure in her left hand still in cased in its saya. About 30feet away from her was Zoro standing with his three legendary swords at his hip.

Swiftly he drew two and came running at Tashigi, who with out hesitation unsheathed her sword. All three swords met sending sparks flying in to the air. Zoro was applying a great deal of pressure to the Marine's dueling weapon of choice.

With a smile Zoro leaned his weight into the lock between their weapons. Then he saw an opening! Quickly Zoro moved his face close to hers and said in his deep voice, "You are different."

With that he kissed her forehead.

Tashigi awoke to the sound of footsteps along the wooden floor. She sat up in bed and saw Zoro walking to the corner of the room. He was putting Wadou there.

Tashigi bit her lip and debated whether or not she would speak to the Pirate. Finally a broken speech came to her, "G-good morning."

"Uh… Hi," Zoro looked over his shoulder at the girl on the bed.

It became silent again. Zoro walked to the opposite side of the room where the bathroom was.

Tashigi felt bad about the previous day and wanted to continue to try having a conversation with the swordsman, even though she was a tad bit embarrassed about her dream. "I uh- didn't hear you come in last night."

Zoro had stepped into the doorway of the bathroom and removed is shirt. "That's because I didn't sleep."

"Oh? What were you…" Tashigi's question trailed off when she realized that Zoro was standing in the doorway shirtless revealing his perfectly built chest and stomach. Her face started to tint with blush. Even his scar seemed perfect, running from Zoro's left shoulder to his lower right side.

"I was training all night. I figured that…" Zoro interrupted himself when he noticed Tashigi's face growing red, "Are you ok?" He asked walking over to the bed and placing his hand on her forehead.

Tashigi recalled the end of her dream and her blushing cheeks grew brighter.

"Did your fever come back? Your face is all red." Zoro wasn't a doctor, but he pick up a few tips from a certain blue nosed reindeer.

Tashigi swatted Zoro's hand from her forehead. "Umm... no I'm fine. Honest," a nervous smile crept a crossed her face.

Taking a step back from the marine Zoro arched an eyebrow. "Ok then," he then returned to the bathroom leaving Tashigi sitting alone in the room. Closing the door connecting the two rooms he turned on the shower.

"I wonder what his chest feels like," Tashigi imagined what it must feel like with another's heart beet just below her hand. " Omigod!" She scolded herself, "How can I be thinking of that? It's so… unnatural!"

Trying to get the image of Zoro's bare chest out of her head Tashigi passed the floor a few times over until she felt it would be wise for her to leave the room and find something else to occupy her time, but first she had to get dressed.

Luckily either Artty or Zoro had flooded her clothes and placed them on the mirrored nightstand. "It must have been Artty," She thought. Tashigi happily went over and started to change clothes.

As Tashigi pulled the long sleeved nightshirt over her head the sound of a door opening could be heard. And not just any door! That's right of all things it was the bathroom door. Zoro stepped out of the bathroom steam floating out of the room as he emerged.

He was wearing a pair of black waders with the fly button undone and his towel draped over his shoulders. Sadly for Tashigi she was wearing only a pair of white panties with a tiny blue ribbon on the front waistband. The nightshirt was on the floor and the only ting she could do for cover was grab he folded shirt from the dresser and cover what she could.

Both screamed. Artty, who was down stairs, heard the frantic yelling but decided it best to stay where he was and enjoy a warm cup of tea.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Tashigi shouted, blushing head to toe.

"I'M DONE WITH MY SHOWER!" Zoro replied trying to avert his eyes.

"YOU PERVERT!"

"WHAT! I am not! You're the one standing there naked!" He turned his head back to face her trying to make a point,

" Jerk," Tashigi started to charge Zoro. She wanted to knock him out just long enough for her to finish changing. " You probably planned this whole thing out!"

"WHAT!" Angrily Zoro grabbed Tashigi's wrist to the hand that wasn't holding her shirt over her top half. "Don't act like your all that special! You don't have anything that I haven't seen. And that's only because I SAVED YOUR LIFE!"

With each word Zoro drew the marine girl closer to him in anger, until she was trying to pry herself away from him with her hand on his…. chest.

"That's what it feels like…" Tashigi's voice trailed off, becoming by far softer and calm than it had ever been with Zoro before.

"What?"

The navy haired girl's face deepened in its red color. Zoro felt like he had just done something wrong. Something very wrong. He released her wrist and dropped his hand to his side. He waited for Tashigi to hit him, or scream, or something. But she didn't. The young girl just kept her hand upon Zoro's chest. Feeling the heart beat of a warrior.

A/N: Well! What do you think! Wanna read more? I feel so evil right now leaving this chapter like this. LOL