Gah... it's been SO busy with me lately... sorry for taking so long for the update. I hope you guys haven't stopped reading it. Anyway, nothing new. Just some aftermath of the previous chapter, and some more random stuffs now. This is basically, a touchup and random chapter, so... sorry if it's weird to you. Btw, spell check still doesn't like to work, so PLEASE point out any grammar/spelling mistakes. Thank you!

Disclaimer: Yeah.. you know what happens...

" " - Dialogue

' ' - Thoughts

Flashbacks

OoOoOoO - Scene Change

Chapter 14

It was a few weeks after that incident at the dojo. Zoro hadn't showed up at all during the first week, but every now and then during the second. Finally he had begun attending school regularly though now he'd have to stay after to make up the lost time.

Terin, along with Luffy right behind her, walked into the classroom. They were greeted by their friends as they came over. But Luffy's mind was on something else – more specifically someone else. Zoro sat with his head slightly bent forward and his hands by his sides. He was always quiet on the days he came to school. Luffy left the group to try and comfort the solomn man.

"Hey Zoro," he said, pulling up a chair to sit. The green haired man said nothing, and continued to stare down at himself.

"What do you want?" he asked, realizing Luffy just would not leave him alone. The black haired boy rested his head on his crossed arms that were on the desk and looked up at Zoro.

"I'm sorry about Kuina, Zoro. I didn't know you were so close to her," he said sympathetically. The green haired man merely blinked, wincing when he saw her image in his eyes. He finally looked up from his position, pulling his hands up to the desk.

"I should've done something. I should've broken that rule to save her," he remarked, his voice barely audiable. Luffy tilted his head, and blinked a couple of times.

"What about the honor of a swordsman? What would she have said if she lived after that?" he asked, knowing he was treading on some dangerous topics. Zoro's eyes widened a bit as he realized that Luffy was right. What would Kuina have said, knowing that she had to be saved? He sighed, leaning back in his chair.

"Thanks," he whispered, looking away and making sure no one was listening. Luffy grinned and they continued talking. While with the other group, Terin sat back in her chair, contently listening on the two boys' conversation. She smiled to herself, thinking, 'Luffy… you are a saint in a girls' uniform.'

OoOoOoOoO

The bell rang loudly as it was time to head home once again. The group gathered their things and began heading out. Zoro, unsure of himself at first, decided to join the gang on their walk home after being pardoned by the teacher from today's afterschool lesson. Luffy grinned at him, and hopped over to keep talking some more.

"Wow… Luffy's really gotten attached to Zoro. He sure can change his mind about someone quick," commented Usopp. Terin ignored what he said and remained silent. Nami gave him a good smack in the head as Robin glanced at Terin. Still silent.

"Why'd you have to go and do that?" whined Usopp, rubbing the lump he now had on his head. Nami gestured to the quiet Terin and he understood at once.

"I'm not even that close to her as a friend and I know what not to say around her," she whispered. Usopp stuck his tounge out and continued along the way. Robin and Usopp split from the group first, everyone exchanging good-byes. After a while was Nami and Sanji, Sanji just going a long for the fun of it. That left Luffy, Zoro, and Terin.

"Terin, why've you been so quiet?" asked Luffy, looking up at her with kitten like eyes. Her face was still stern and unchanging when she looked at him. He was about to say something again when Zoro butted in.

"This is where I go," he announced, beginning his way home. Luffy waved a good-bye as Terin continued walking ahead. He turned around and stood there a moment. She didn't turn around or stand to wait.

'Did do something wrong?' he asked himself. He ran up the street and caught up with her. They walked in silence most of the way, the sun sinking lower beneath the horizon. They finally reached her house, but she just stood at the gate.

"Terin," he said, hoping she would answer. She turned her head to attention. "Did do something to upset you?" She shifted her eyes somewhere else, and then back to him.

"No. I've got a lot on my mind," she answered. "I think I'll come with you to your house. It's dark, and I don't really want you out alone." Luffy grinned, knowing that the Terin he knew was back from wherever she went. They walked together, and talked like normal friends, but… there was this uncertain feeling about them that was suddenly aroused…

"Here we are!" he announced. Terin glanced up at the two story house; most of the lights were on. He had a huge front yard, and the landscape about it was beautiful. She was admiring the light bugs flying above the small pond, their lights pulsing along with their heart beat.

"Terin?" he asked, waving a hand in her face. She snapped back, blushing a little from embaresment. She was relieved that it was night time. "Come on! Let's go in," he annouced, opening the gate. She looked uncertain at first, and took a few steps in. It was even more beautiful inside. The moonlight reflected off the pond she was looking at earlier, giving and flowers a faint glow.

"I should really go," she said. "I was only here to come back with you." Luffy, not happy with the idea, went and grabbed onto her arm.

"Please?" he asked. "Please stay here for a while?" she looked at him, him and his kitten eyes. Her expression softened to a smile as her pull away from him loosened as well. They entered the house, and she was amazed with the vast size of the room. It was a grand home, fit for a king, one might say. She took off her shoes, and placed them on a nearby rack. Luffy took her coat, and backpack and placed them by a nightstand.

"Why didn't you tell us you were rich?" she asked, half dazedly. He smiled, and couldn't help laughing too.

"It never needed to come up!" She looked at him, a wide grin on his face.

"Never needed to come up? You could've taken them here and away from my house!" she explained, causing him to laugh again. He grabbed her arm again, and dragged her up the stairs, down several halls, and finally stopped at a door with a monkey plate on it.

"Your room… I presume?" she asked, just to be answered with a smiling nod. He twisted the knob, and slowly opened the door. At first she was amazed at how clean it was, but then she focuzed on the size and quality.

"Wow…" she whispered which echoed in the room. "How do you keep this room so clean?"

"I don't. Tashigi does," he answered just as the person he described came around the corner.

"You called, Luffy-san?" she asked. Terin nearly lost her composure after seeing her. She blinked several times, and even rubbed her eyes, but she still looked the same.

"Tashigi-san!" answered Luffy exasperated. "You're not a maid. We let you live here after you decided to quit being in the police force! So stop being like that!"

'Who is this person?! Why does she look so much like Kuina?" she thought to herself. Terin's eyes focused a bit more, and she ran to the nearby window. Peering out of it, she noticed a jaguar pull into the driveway, and a person jump out of the side before even turing off the car.

'Nice car though,' she thought to herself. Turning, she saw the two still arguing about Tashigi's status of being here.

"Um… someone's coming," she said. The door slammed open like she had mentioned, and the three rushed down to the entrance. Shanks was standing there, panting.

"It's Ace! He's in the hospital!"

Like is said... a little too random. I don't know if you can interperate it like this, but i think i snuck something like Zolu in there.. :

Luffy's RICH! I really liked the idea of that once it hit my head, so i couldn't help but write it in!

Ace is in trouble, but please don't hurt me... I know there are Ace fans out there... But, i still like this chapter! I hope you did too, and the only way i'll know that is if you review!