Note to readers: Sorry I have taken so long to update. I have been working way too much, and moving in to a new apartment. Another factor adding to my lack of writing is World of Warcraft! OMG that game is like crack!

Thank you everyone for waiting !

Lady Zoro: LOL I think you are calling it the "best" because there are so few out there

Marina Mihawk: Aw you make me feel awesome!

Black Fox: Thanks so much for the crazed review

xXPantherOfShadowsXx: Wish granted!

Chio-Garu: Thanks for the critique on my work. I'm glad you enjoy it.

kiyora miki: thanks for the positive out look on Artty, and for reviewing my fic first

Happy-mangafan-Denmark: Sorry to be so mean XD

Disclaimer: I don't own anything involved with One Piece, but Artty is mine!

Snowy Duel: part eleven

Tashigi and Artty laughed as they continued their conversation, then Tashigi looked to Artty. " I can tell there is something you want to tell me. What is it?"

"It's not really something that 'I want to tell you.' It's something you need to hear." Artty's voiced had taken a more serious tone.

Tashigi looked at the old man and raised an eyebrow.

"It's alright to love people you think you shouldn't. Sometimes things end up better that way." Artty smiled at Tashigi. He then pulled out a framed photo from a near by drawer.

The marine girl had turned red at the comment, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing much," he paused looking first at the photo then back to Tashigi. "You know there is probably a reason he didn't let you drown-"

His words where interrupted by Tashigi slamming her hands down on the counter surface. "I-err-um I should go wake up Roronoa." She stood and spun around quickly on the ball f her foot.

Artty knew that he girl was franticly thinking by the way her footsteps pounded on the stairs.

"What does he mean 'Love people?' I don't love anyone! That old man is nutty. I hope I'm not that crazy once I retire-" Tashigi's thoughts where cut off when her body connected with a hulking mass just after the she passed through the door way to the room Zoro and she shared.

The navy haired girl was silent for a moment, as she looked at what, or rather whom she bumped into. " Z-Zoro, you're awake," She said more as an observation than a question.

"Yeah."

He didn't even look at her right then, he just scratch his head and began to head towards the staircase. Suddenly Tashigi kept thinking of what Artty had just told her. 'It's alright to love people you think you shouldn't." Tashigi reached out her hand, 'Sometimes things end up better that way.' Wrapping her finders around Zoro's hand she gave a slight tug in order to get his attention.

Feeling the tug on his left hand Zoro turned to the source of the pull. Tashigi's bangs covered her eyes, even her glasses. " What do you need marine girl?"

Poor Tashigi felt so small at this moment, she felt as if she might not be able to ask him the same question she had asked him again. Then she thought she had asked the question before, but what would he say? Why did she care? "You know there is probably a reason he didn't let you drown-" What was so important- " What's the real reason," was all she could manage.

The green haired samurai was puzzled at first then, " I told you I don't want to see the same face die twice in my life time."

"That's not it at all, tell me!" Her voice began to rise. Her question was now becoming a demand as she tugged harder at Zoro's hand. The girl looked at him with narrowed eyes.

"Why are you bothering me with such things?"

"If it was me do you think I would have saved you," she asked softly this time.

"No."

"I would have," She went back to using her bangs as a shield to keep all of her emotions from showing at once.

"Why?"

Tashigi smiled and looked up at Zoro; she was finally feeling honest with herself, " Because you inspire me. You make be want to be better than I am, to do better for myself. I want someone like you in my life weather it be as a rival or-"

In that moment Tashigi's lips where caught off guard and Zoro had stolen a soft kiss from them. "She said what I was thinking deep down inside. She knows how I'm feeling."

"Or a lover?" He watched as Tashigi's face grew read, he could feel his own face tint with a few shades of pink as well.

They both stood in the doorway looking at each other for sometime. Finally Tashigi spoke, "Artty made food. Would you like to go eat?"

"No," Zoro with his hand still linked with the marine girl's walked back in to their room.

A/N: Have a good time reading? WOW is down for the day until like 5pm est, so i updated XD You can all send a mob to tourch me later LOL