Disclaimer: I love One Piece, but I do not own it! Only Artty is my original character!

Note to readers:

DeepThoughtsX- thanks for the kind words!

Black Fox- Hope you enjoy reading all the following chapters.

NinjaensOffer- Wow Denmark! That's super cool! I'm glad you and your friend like my story, however I hope she is giving me credit if she is pulling a Mary Sue! Not so sound mean, but it is my story that I have taken the time to come up with. I wrote this as a Tashigi x Zoro, because I among other really do enjoy the couple. (Even if it is a long shot)

TheOptimisticPessimist- Thanks for the offer, but I have just been busy with tones of stuff. I'm moving again, so, and I was working retail all the winter holiday season XD

Saico- Trust me I wanna build more physical relationship between the two, but im trying to think of the right place to do it so I can keep them in character.

Dutchbunny- I was born evil!

Vash Erikes- Thanks!

prettysailorsaturn, Slipknot555- Im updating the story right about ……….NOW!

Snowy Duel

Part Ten

The girl nuzzled her redden face into Zoro's bare chest. He didn't know what to do at first he panicked and wanted to call Artty for help to get Tashigi off of him. But at the same time he…

Before he knew it Zoro had his tan arms around the girl's body. She seemed to fit perfectly there. He heard her muffled voice against his chest.

"What was that?" He asked, due to missing her words.

"Hold me. I think I might fall…," her voice trailed off as he knees gave out and she slumped in Zoro's arms.

"Stupid," he told himself. "Like she would ever mean that any other way for me." Zoro lifted the marine girl off her feet and laid her down on the bed in their room.

After tucking her under the covers the navy haired girl's eyes opened slightly. " I don't get you…" She mumbled and tried to speak as if she was coherent, thought her voice sounded more tired than anything. " You are an odd person Roronoa Zoro. It us hard to think of you as a pirate sometimes."

"We'll talk in the morning," he told her making sure she was comfortable. Zoro went to leave the girl and go sleep on the floor when he felt a tug on his bare wrist. " What is it?"

"Don't go to far ok?"

"I wont. I'll be just on the other side of the room."

Tashigi shook her head lazily, "To far."

"Well where the hell do you think I should sleep then-" Zoro felt the grip on his wrist tighten.

"Stay with me." Zoro was shocked at the marine's drowsy words, "When you're around I feel safe. You keep," She interrupted herself with a yawn and slipped back in to the silence of sleep.

Zoro nodded and sat on the bed. He looked at Tashigi's face for sometime, before he was ready to go to sleep himself. He stared at her features, "She isn't all like Kuina." He told himself as he removed her glasses.

The next morning Tashigi felt a rhythmic rising and falling under her arms. Slowly she allowed her eyes to flutter open and once again she awoke to the sight of Roronoa Zoro sleeping beside her. Her left arm was laying just over his rib cage, which was the cause of the rising and falling her arm had felt.

Not long after sitting up in bed, Tashigi noticed the smell of bacon and eggs coming from down stairs. Tashigi's stomach made a grumbling noise. She felt it was the best time to leave and investigate the mouthwatering aroma.

Leaving the sleeping Roronoa, Tashigi went down stairs to the kitchen. There she saw Artty cooking what was obviously breakfast. Hearing her foot steeps as she entered the kitchen Artty Turned to greet the girl.

"Good morning!" He said brightly, "Sleep well?"

The navy haired girl smiled and nodded to the old man's question. "It smells good," she commented as she took a whiff of the kitchen once again.

"Indeed," was all Artty replied with?

"I guess I should get Zoro?"

Tashigi started to leave to retrieve the sleeping samurai, when she was stopped by the old man's voice. "Wait on that just a moment."

She did know what Artty stopped her for. Didn't he want Zoro to eat?

Artty turned off the stove, and finished placing the food on to plates before he continued speaking to his guest.

The old man started by clearing his throat, " When I was a lad and fresh in the Marines, I was set to bring the world to complete order and justice. I was great," He laughed. " I would arrest nearly three or four individual pirates and criminals a week! Needless to say I moved up in the ranks quite quickly."

"Amazing!" Tashigi started to stare at Artty as an idol.

"Everything was going fine until I met the woman of my dreams. She was quite spunky," he chuckled remembering her. " She was really tough to get around being that I was a high ranking officer in the marines, and she was well…"

"'Spunky'," She asked with a smile.

"Indeed!"

A/N: So there you have it! More to come. I will try to stay on top of things a bit more! Thanks for reading! 3

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