Kisumetto -Kismet

He watches as she takes a sip from her mug and gently places it back on the table. Always gentle. Everything about the woman was gentle. The slant of her shoulders that led to her neck, soft and creamy white, that led to a kind face and even kinder eyes. Even after all this time.. Her hood is still up but while the bar is dimly lit, at least she's turned towards him and he can see her face again. Her skin is paler, though he wonders if it's because she's always covered. And her hair IS longer, the pieces in front falling well past her breasts and if he's honest with himself, he always did prefer her with longer hair. Her bangs fall across her face and hides her eyes as she casts her eyes down low and far away from his.

He can't really explain it, but he doesn't like it when he can't see her face.

She turns in her chair to face him fully as she lets out a deep sigh. "It doesn't matter- not really. I have an appointment with some friends... In fact, I need to meet with them soon…" He just arches an eyebrow as she stumbles across her words. Interesting. Captain Glasses didn't always lie to me. "I didn't know you had any friends-" the words fly out of his mouth before he can help himself and he knows he's in for it now.

"HOW RUDE, RORANOA! Of course, I have friends! Anyway- I mean – why would you even- Why are you always so RUDE?!"

He snickers as he watches the blush, no fury, creeps up on her neck and he has to admit there's never a dull moment when he runs into the Marine. Or, ex-Marine. You don't get a bounty and stay a part of the marines, right?

She tilts her head back in annoyance when he chimes in, "Can't have friends when you're a wanted Marine." He watches as she fidgets in her seat and she lets out a deep sigh that was part exasperated noise being expelled without conscious thought and it always amazes him how easy it is for him to get a rise out of her.

"That… That is, it doesn't matter, Roranoa. Just… Forget it. Forget about me. I guarantee that anything I've done recently pales in comparison to you. Aren't you too busy sailing with Law? Why aren't you with your crew anyway?"

"Well, I was bored." "… " Tashigi can't think of anything to say to that. She just blinks a few times in rapid succession and her hands falter as she stumbles in her thoughts. He was… bored? He literally just ditched his crew because he was BORED?

"But you're right- Law's been sailing with us. He's not right now if that's what got you so worried. Or are you itching for a fight? You know you'll always lose, right?"

She physically bristles and he thinks maybe he shouldn't have said it quite like that but he's always straight forward, and while it might get on her nerves, it's nothing she hasn't heard before. And besides, maybe she needed the reminder. She looks like she's getting ready to burst from anxiety and he doesn't know what's causing it but it's pouring off of her in waves and he doesn't like it.

She always does such reckless things when she's like this and he doesn't know what's causing it but he's sure she doesn't want him to be the one to come and save the day.

Again.

"I know I'd lose. That's not the point. I just don't need to see him. Or your crew. Or YOU, for that matter. I'm not here to fight. I told you that already." He hums in agreement as he continues staring at her. She seems different but he can't quite place it. He takes a deep sip of his own sake and finishes it off in a single gulp. When he places it back on the counter, another cup is quickly dropped off by the bartender who keeps nervously looking at his face- or more precisely, his 3 earrings. The bartender's gaze drops down to the swords at his sides and the woman sitting beside him and he's sure it's a curious sight.

She's not one of his Nakama, and he isn't trying to kill her. Usually, Zoro liked to be alone when he went on land, and it was something that was known by now. But he wasn't against spending time with the Navy Brat and he often found himself running into her. Sometimes with his crew, but more often times than not just by himself.

He thinks back to the ports and villages he runs into her at. How it's now odder if he doesn't stumble into her when he's on land. Even his crew questions if they don't see her after a few islands. Despite the sea being so large, they had a knack of always finding each other. It annoyed Good Ol' Smokey but it amused Luffy to no end. The rest of the crew enjoyed her presence, and she was generally regarded as a friend on the ship. Smoker too.

But, he also remembers how the last time he had seen her, six months prior, the fear that had settled deep into her eyes and her anxious pleas for him to let her go. There meeting is by chance; she literally runs into him as she's running fast, fleeing from an invisible enemy that he isn't privy to. Her clothes are torn, and she's bleeding- he can tell she's been fighting, and she's panting as her eyes widen. She's pleading with him as she keeps checking behind her. I can't... I can't explain it right now, Zoro, but please. I need to go. Please, just let me go. There were tears in her eyes, and she was cradling her left arm and favoring her right ankle as she staggers in place. He had hummed in agreement and let her run out of his sight. He had heard the stomping of boots, the clank of iron on iron as soldiers finally came running through the city with their swords raised and their sheaths riding low. I'll let you go this time, but you owe me some explanations.

He wasn't sure what Glasses had gotten herself into, but he had done his part to make sure they didn't make it to her. When they had noticed him, they had instantly stopped and tried to engage- a few smart ones tried to run out of the street and go into an alleyway. It didn't matter anyway.

Just a few flicks of his wrists with his beloved swords and they had fallen quick and fast. He knows most will make it- he hasn't had to utilize his strength to the fullest, and he only really needed one to be alive to get his answers. Not that they could really provide any.

All he got was she was a traitor and that she was wanted, dead or alive, but the preference was very much dead. He isn't sure what she's done to warrant the volume of marines chasing her- was that an entire FLEET of foot soldiers? But he can only imagine what she's done… Although none of it makes sense. She wasn't a violent person, she didn't adhere to lies or deceit and while he knew her sense of justice might get her into trouble in the future- you can only let the infamous Strawhat Pirates go so many times- even that wouldn't have warranted the volume of soldiers chasing her.

He thought so, anyway. He's not really sure anymore. They were still at war with the Emperor's, so there's really no telling anymore.

When he runs after her in the direction she had left, he couldn't find her. He promised himself he wouldn't let her leave his sight again without an explanation. Whatever she had done, it had been BIG and he doesn't like not knowing. He'd ran through a maze of alleyways and streets and had stumbled into… a forest? He sighs darkly as he yells out, "WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA? WHO PUTS A FOREST IN THE MIDDLE OF A PORT?"

He's annoyed. There's no doubt about it. There was very little about that woman that Zoro didn't know. Their years of… Friendship had assured him of that. You didn't run into each other as often as they did without building… Something. Zoro doesn't know what a marine and a pirate can to each other, but he didn't let the woman get cut down or die. And in turn, she aided him when he was lost and made sure his crew stayed out of harm's way when she was around. They worked with each other when need be, defended their own crews when need be, and if he admitted it to himself, Zoro loved to watch her grow in her skills.

But then again, the woman sitting in front of him, wasn't one he knew, was it? Or rather, a part of her he hadn't had a chance to really see. Tashigi was scared- that he could see, and she was determined. Her determination he knew well.

The storm's still raging outside, and if anything, has gotten only worse. He takes another glance around the bar and then lowers his voice as he reminds her, "You owe me an explanation, woman, and you know it. Besides, I stopped the marines coming after you six months ago, and I think I should know what they were after. Don't you?"

She starts to stutter as she waves her hands in front of her, proclaiming "No! No! I did NOT make you do that! If anything, that made things WORSE for me. People think I can take down 200 or more soldiers and that's because of YOU. I should have- I should have known. God-" He puts his hand up to stop her talking, and merely grins at her.

"You're welcome for that, by the way. If you don't want to tell me what happened, then tell me what you're really doing here." Her mouth sets in a line as she glares at him. "Well, I'm… I'm meeting friends. I told you." "No- that's just a part of it. What else?"

"I need to get something, and I need to get it alone."

"Get WHAT?"

"Nothing... Nothing that would interest you, swordsman. Just know that I won't be on the island long. I don't know how long you'll be here but just know, you won't have to worry about me." Her tone is final and stern and it's one he's familiar with. But there's no hiding the second sword he sees sitting on her other hip and that definitely wasn't there the last time they saw each other, six months ago. She'd barely been able to wield her single blade, Shigure, let alone a second one.

He snorts at that. He's worried about her for every single day since he had last seen her. "I highly doubt that." She doesn't know what to make of that, he can tell, and he figures if she won't tell him then he'll drop it. For now.

Maybe. He definitely wouldn't, because this was Roronoa Zoro and no one could understand why, but he was relentless when it came to her. Maybe not in a physical fight but in everything else that concerned. He would make sure that he would get every. Single. Embarrassing. Detail. It was maddening. It was endearing. She really needed to go.

"Look, I have to go. Here- here's some money for the sake. I just.. I need to go. Alone. And I'm leaving right now. ALONE. I'm sure I'll run into you some point."

She quickly gets up and blends into the crowd of people bustling through the bar and Zoro growls lowly because she KNOWS he hates trying to find people.

It's not his fault that streets just change directions on their own! Why do people make streets like that, anyway? He grits his teeth and gets up, leaving her gold pieces on the table and adding a few of his own. He whistles as he makes his way through the throng of people, because try as she might, Zoro really was on another level… He was sure it'd surprise her. He'd just managed to learn this ability, and he hadn't had a chance to really use it. But… If he could sense her, he could find her.

It wouldn't be the first time he's sensed she's been in trouble, and it's not the first time he'd make sure that she got out of whatever situation alive.

But really, they always managed to find each other without even trying so he also knew it was just a matter of time.

He's brought back to a year ago-

She glances out of the corner of her eye at him as he balances a barrel of sake in his hands and tips his head back as he guzzles its entire contents. He's finished the barrel, setting it aside as he leans his head back on the railing of the ship and his voice is low but steady as it thrums to her, a silent hum of warmth spreading through her as she states,

"I no longer run from anything."

Her eyes widen and she turns her head to him as her mouth drops open slightly in confusion.

Her eyes narrow as she shoots back, "Did you ever run away from anything before? Except for me that is?"

His smirk is natural, the one that she sees cross his face when he sees her, and she hates it, she thinks. Even when he was running away and she was chasing him, he wore that smirk. He wore that smirk before and after telling her she wasn't worth killing. He wore that smirk every time she failed.

She saw that smirk every time she failed and he wasn't around.

She can't help but add, "Or are you over it finally? The fact that I look like your dead girlfriend?"

He tilts his head as he reached for another barrel sitting to his side and he shrugs as he drinks it in another single gulp.

"Why do you think she was my GIRLfriend? I told you she was my friend." He frowns as he looks at her. His eye roves her figure and she shivers as it cascades down, from head to toes.

She's sitting on her knees, facing the orange tree sitting in the center of the ship, as she keeps her folded hands on her lap. Her long hair is put up in a high pony tail, her bangs resting against her face and casting a shadow over her face as she keeps her gaze on her hands. Her coat is unbuttoned, sitting open on her shoulders and her usual floral shirt had been switched for a solid dark red that highlighted the deep blue black of her hair and the pale, white cream that was her skin. Her coat is black, not the standard pink he was used to, and he notices that she's thinner, yes, but her muscles are more lean and he knows she's gotten stronger Can see it in in her form, even hunched over and when she catches his gaze her breath hitches, and her eyes stay focused on his.

She's surprised that she doesn't flinch under his unwavering stare but his stare seems almost… appreciative, and she blushes as she realizes that he's taking every detail in. She knows she doesn't look that good right now.

You can't fight battles and look good doing it. She's sure she has blood covering her face still, she had felt it dripping down moments ago, and scratches cover not only her arms and face but her legs as well (what portions you can see) and she hates it because he only ever sees her flaws.

Unless you're Zoro. Because he might be the only person she's ever met that looks even better after battle. Covered in soot, and blood and the look of sheer determination in his eyes-

He's got that same dangerous glint that spells trouble in his eyes and she isn't sure she can weather the storm he's brewing.

"You need to be more careful. And you need to make sure you're steady, never waver… Justice doesn't always have to come at a price. You don't have to jump headfirst and die to make sure your Men are okay or to save some innocent person."

She shuts her eyes quickly because great this is exactly what she hadn't wanted. He was determined- she was right about that, but that determination was to ensure she felt every single pool of shame sit low in her stomach.

He had of course waltzed in to save the day alongside his Strawhat crew members.

He had made sure to assist her men, the entire crew had, and lead them into charge.

They had managed to subdue the enemy, and he had managed to save her again because this wasn't JUST a pirate and this island they were on had more twists and tricks than anyone had anticipated.

Seriously- an island full of land mimes? An island with built in cannons into their shoreline? What kind of sick fucking place was this? Then she remembers the science lab, so similar to the one on Punk Hazard, and she instantly stops that train of thought.

At least this time it wasn't sanctioned by the government. That she know of so far.

There was always the painful realization that it still could be.

"W-w-what? IT WAS UNDER CONTROL UNTIL YOU SHOWED UP? Seriously – who do you think you ar-"

She doesn't finish her sentence because before she knows it she feels this pressue on her and she realizes that he's using his haki on her. "That's dirty, even for YOU and-" it's a struggle to get the words out but he doesn't let her finish.

"You always get so worked up. I'm not trying to fight; either with swords or with words. Ooooee, woman, you make it difficult just to even talk to you." He lights his haki as he realizes she isn't going to jump over to smack him or stab him.

She was definitely going to earlier, and that bastard knew it. "I… don't want to fight. I just want to sit here. With you."

Her head falls back as she takes a deep breath to center herself and feels his haki fading softly, though she still feels him, it isn't oppressive.

Rather, reassuring and comforting.

Tashigi had lost a lot of men today, and she was feeling so many things. She'd almost lost Smoker today too. But she hadn't. She hadn't because a bunch of pirates had showed up and saved the day.

She continues to stare at the orange tree as she whispers, "I could have lost Smoker if it wasn't for you stepping in when you did. How'd you know?"

Zoro's quiet for a few moments before grunting, and answering,

"I just do."

"I always know when you need me."

Firm, sure like it's always been that way and it'll always be that way.

She closes her eyes again and she feels the exhaustion set in so quickly she can barely keep herself sitting and before she knows it, she's falling to the side and Zoro's hand is on her shoulders guiding her head to his lap as he maintains his relaxed position against the railings. Once her head sits in his laps, his hand moves to stroke her hair and he untangles the ponytail as he continues to play with the strands. It's a calming, soothing affect that's instant.

Her eyes start to droop as she hears him say, "We're taking care of Smoker, and what's left of your men. You've done good, Capitan, but I think I'll be the one to keep watch."

She's asleep before she knows it.

But really, they always managed to find each other without even trying so he also knew it was just a matter of time.