A.N: This chapter isn't as cheerful as the ones before, but it's not exactly sad either. For spoilers I'd say that if you've read the latest manga chapters and watched the latest episodes you have nothing to worry about. And even if you haven't you've probably run in to the spoiler in the internet anyway... Oh, and this happens some time during the time skip.

P.S: I had a special reason why I chose these characters today. Can anyone guess why?

Hatch 5: Freedom

It was late and cold, but luckily Robin was sitting in the kitchen with a steaming cup of coffee in her hands, having no need to go outside. There had been a snowstorm earlier that day, but now it had turned it to quiet, beautiful and steady snowfall. Robin looked out of the window, enjoying the silence. The clouds blocked the moon and the stars, but she could still faintly see a person outside. Someone was standing there in the darkness, unmoving. Curious, Robin put the cup down and went to get a lantern and her jacket. She wanted to know who it was.

Robin shivered when she stepped out in to the cold night air, glad that she had taken gloves, too. The snow crunched as she walked, giving away her presence to the other person before she could see who it was.

"Good to see you, Robin-san" the figure said, turning to her direction "What brings you outside in the middle of a cold night like this?"

Robin knew his voice, but lifted the lantern higher to see his face in order to be sure of his identity. Indeed, it was one of Revolution Army's highest officers, Sabo.

"I was simply curios who'd be standing out here in the middle of the night" she said "I saw you from the window."

Sabo raised an eyebrow before a playful smirk rose to his face as he said: "Curiosity killed the cat, you know."

"But knowledge brought it back" Robin shot back easily, continuing with a small smile "And it's not that easy to get rid of me anyway."

Sabo chuckled at that, saying: "I can imagine that."

A somewhat awkward silence landed between them as they stood there, looking at each other. Robin was the first to break it: "You didn't tell me why you're here."

"Do I need a reason?" Sabo asked, shrugging as Robin raised an eyebrow "I just felt like it."

"You felt like standing outside on a cold night while it was snowing?" Robin asked with a teasing smile, but to her surprise it didn't bother Sabo. He just smiled, shrugging again.

"Yeah, why not?" he said, looking up at the sky "I don't exactly mind the cold and I like snow. Does that sound weird to you?"

"Not really" Robin said "I just don't understand why you'd do so."

"Just because" Sabo said, closing his eyes "It's not like anyone's going to stop me; I'm free to do as I want. I'm free..."

Robin watched him as he trailed off; observing his face, wondering what was behind those words.

"I won't drag you back inside by force, I probably even wouldn't be able to, but if you stay here too long you'll catch a cold" the woman said "You should go back inside."

"Nah" the blond said, opening his eyes "Thanks, but I'm fine like this. As long as I warm up properly when I do go inside I'll be fine."

"Don't say I didn't warn you" Robin said, turning around to leave "I'm going back inside; it's cold. Don't stay here too long."

"Yeah, I won't" Sabo said "Thanks."

"About what?" Robin said, turning her head slightly towards him. Sabo smiled, looking at her as he said: "For not insisting that I should go back inside. I appreciate my freedom to do as I please."

"You're welcome" Robin said, turning back around "Good night."

"Night"

To be continued...?

A.N: And in the next chapter we'll see how Zoro and Perona prepare for Christmas.