Disclaimer: One Piece and it's characters are not mine. However Artty is mine! So HA!

Author's note: Thank you all for continuing to read my story! It makes me really happy to know you all look forward to the updates. If you wish to talk to me about the story or any old thing just send me an AIM, or e-mail me.

Snowy Duel: part nine

As the blizzard started the three looked at each other. Finally Tashigi spoke up, " Well what should we all do until its over?"

"We have enough food, and supplies to get us through. So why not get in to the sprits," Artty joked as he pulled out a few bottles of assorted alcoholic beverages.

Zoro smiled at the old man and went to help by getting glasses for the trio. "Once again you say something I can agree with."

Tashigi watched as the two men rummaged through the cabinets. They gathered every bottle they could find.

"Sh-should we all be doing this?"

At the same time Artty and Zoro looked at the marine girl. They puzzled at her then with a lifted eyebrow Artty asked, " I don't see why not?"

The marine had no rebuttal to offer them and just stood there silently in the kitchen staring at the two. Once they realized she had nothing more to say they finished gathering their "supplies" for drinking and went to the living room area.

Zoro and Artty sat beside each other on the sofa. Tashigi fallowed the two and sat in a chair that was a t a 90degree angle to the couch. Artty placed the bottles along the coffee table as Zoro placed a glass in front of each of them, including Tashigi.

"I don't think I'll be needing that," she scoffed at Zoro.

"Well then let it sit there."

The marine and samurai locked eyes and gave each other a glare.

Artty pored all three glasses full of a rich amber colored beverage. He lifted his glass to them, "Cheers!"

Tashigi crossed her arms over her chest, as she did so a line formed between her breast that could be seen do to the fact her top two buttons were undone. Zoro's eyes shifted to this line.

His thoughts wavered again to Tashigi being naked and underneath him. The green haired youth cursed himself as he realized he was thinking. Swiftly he lifted his glass to his lips and downed the strong liquor.

Artty laughed drawing Zoro's attention for his own thoughts, "That's how to do it Lad!" Quickly the old man gulped down his glass and refilled both his and Zoro's as Tashigi sat with the same untouched glass.

An hour had passed and both men were starting to slur their speech as they told each other of their adventures on the high seas.

Tashigi shook her head at the two. "Men," she scoffed.

Artty perked up and looked at the girl, "Aw -Shigi wha's dat 'posta mean?" The old shopkeepers cheeks were read from his drunkenness.

Then Zoro joined in commenting, "Sh praw-ly can't 'old 'er liquor."

"What's that?"

"I sa-"

"I heard you! You drunken pirate, I'll show you." With that Tashigi picked up her glass and downed it like it was nothing. Then held it out to Artty and Zoro. "Give me another!" She watched as Artty went to pour more in to the glass, but became impatient and took the bottle, "Your taking to long sir."

In the past Hour Zoro and Artty managed to clean out three bottles together, Tashigi downed one in three minutes!

Another few hours past and they had all slowed down on their intake of alcohol. Artty's eyes were half shut when he finally spoke up, " I shink I em dun fur t'nite."

The old man stood and grasped the back of the couch, felt his way over to the wall and used it to guide him self to the staircase.

"Ya gonna be 'k ol' man?" Zoro called after him.

"Jus' fine," he called back as he used the railing to keep his balance.

Zoro had grown sluggish from all their drinking and turned to see how Tashigi was holding up. There the navy haired girl sat eyes shut, still holding a bottle to her lips. Zoro leaned his tan (still shirtless) body over the arm of the couch and poked Tashigi's face with his index finger. "'Ey….'ey, we need ta go up stairs," he said watching her slowly open her eyes.

"Wha-? 'Elp mah up 'k?" She asked the pirate as she reached out her arms.

Zoro stood and took first the bottle form the girl and then her arms to help her stand. They walked up the staircase together and into the room Artty had them sharing. Clearing his trout, Zoro made an offhanded comment as the two entered the room and closed the door, "This is nice."

"Huh?"

"We're not fighting. I kinda like it." He gave an uneasy smile and feared that the marine girl would call him a pervert, or something.

But what she said shocked him more than he would know.

"Me too," she agreed.

Zoro stood with his mouth a jar. "Did she really say that? It can't be! It must be the alcohol! Yeah that's it!"

Zoro was brought back from his thoughts when he felt to thin arms wrap around his waist, an a meek sounding voice say…

"Hold me, Roronoa."

A/N: Same old, same old! Review! Let me know what you think. Hint: a way to get me to write more is to Review and send me fan art LOL

Aim: SgtTashigi

E-mail: rosekitten84