Robin
.
From the sheltered alley where she was currently hiding, the young Nico Robin used her devil fruit ability to check if there was any marine presence out on the main street.
For the year and a half she had been on the run, she had quickly learnt to use her hana hana powers to the best ability. The ability to sprout extra eyes was very useful when hiding out.
The main street was very busy; the city was holding its annual Christmas fair and there were bright lights and the smell of milled wine, and happy families eating warm chestnuts and singing along with carols.
It made her heart ache. Ohara was a fresh wound, still, and she was all alone. For a young girl, only eight years old, running all by herself, she wouldn't deny it was tough. But she was given a chance to live, she couldn't give up yet.
The other children in the alley avoided her; a big city like that was filled with people living the shadows, but she was new and different and they were immediately suspicious of her. Not that she minded, as long as they didn't notice her wanted poster and rat her out then she could be safe for another day.
Warmth from the back of the alley drew her attention, as she saw the young, impoverished children all shuffle eagerly towards a door held open by a portly, elderly woman. Shrinking further into the shadows, Robin thought she had remained hidden until a gentle voice caught her attention.
"What about you dear, not hungry?"
A weak hand clawed at her stomach as Robin pondered the question. The woman mistook her silence for confusion and elaborated,
"Your first Christmas like this huh? Well I just can't stand to see all you children outside cold and hungry at a time of year like this, so I open up my house for you lot to have some comfort and a warm meal. Nobody deserves to be alone in the cold on Christmas."
Robin didn't move; she'd heard kind words like these before. All some and mirrors to lull her into security, so she wouldn't notice when the marines came knocking. She didn't want to run like that again, no now.
But the other children all went inside without a problem. And the cheerful young voices approached suggested they weren't the only ones aware of this woman's behaviour. And it felt so warm inside, even this far away.
Slowly moving from the shadows, the demon girl shuffled towards the shelter. When she neared the caring old lady, Robin heard a sharp intake of breath when the elder lady recognised her. Panicking, Robin tensed.
As soon as she saw the fear and terror in the young girl's face, the old woman's fears relented. Maybe this girl did have a huge bounty on her head, and maybe she could get in trouble for harbouring a fugitive. But she refused to believe that any girl that young could be that evil. And she may just be a kind old woman, but she knew a desperate child when she saw one.
"Wait. It's Robin, right? I've seen your face on the posters. You don't need to run."
Amazed that this woman was so brazen to admit outright she knew of her bounty, Robin balked and used the most threatening voice her young, tired body could form,
"You're going to try turning me in? I won't let you catch me."
The woman chuckled, opening the door wider in welcome to her.
"Though the money would be useful, I don't think my conscience would let me rest if I sent you to your death. If you don't cause me any trouble I won't cause any for you. Now come on in, it's Christmas and wanted or no, I'm sure you want a nice bit of turkey and a warm chair to sleep in."
The woman retreated back into the house, leaving the door wide open for the young fugitive to enter. After staring in amazement for a few minutes, Robin tiptoed in and joined the meal already in progress. The other children, knowing no better, treated her as one of their own, and for one night, Robin got to act like a normal girl.
From her position serving the table, the kind old woman knew giving a chance to the people so in need of comfort like that poor child, was the best gift of all.
...