Yo! Here's Chapter 5. From now on we will see more of Zoro/Robin interaction. But still everything is not solved yet. If you haven't figured out already then let me inform my readers.

I can't just right a cute, lovely awesome moment between Characters (even if its Zoro/Robin). I have to build a whole plot for that and then i do it. Well i don't know if it's a good thing or not but this is just how i am. That's why plot line and storyline development is kind of...important for me.

Anyway...I'm really thankful to all my readers and reviewers and of course my beta-sama LadySpring.

Now, on to the story.

Chapter 5: Awakening in Despair

Zoro's naked body was floating in an abyss of darkness. He had lost all his hope. He was separated from his friends, his freedom was stolen, and even his own body was taken away from him. Worst of all, they destroyed his dream. After all this, how could he achieve his goal? How could he fulfill the promise he made to Kuina? Was he going to die as a failure? Considering all that had happened to Zoro, it wouldn't be strange if even Zoro's unbreakable spirit would crack due to despair. In the end, despair could consume and destroy the greatest of demons.

I hate them. They took everything from me. I can't even die like this. Women are such disgusting creatures. And here I thought there was no big difference between men and women. I was a fool indeed. I hate them. Those annoying creatures…they think they can get anything. They can do anything they want just because some idiots keep tailing around them like hungry dogs. I hate them…I hate women.

Heh! I can't believe how pathetic you are, Roronoa Zoro. Zoro heard a heavy gruff voice from behind him, but he was stranded in this darkness. He couldn't turn around to see who it was no matter how much he tried to move. Suddenly, a dark silhouette of something that was in human form yet not quite human appeared in front of him. Aside from its dark figure, the only thing he could see were its deadly, demonic red eyes glowing rubies. That gaze seemed to pierce.

"W-What are you?" Struck with surprise and overwhelming fear, Zoro asked that thing in a husky voice.

There was no answer, but its lips separated to show gleaming white, razor sharp teeth. That figure slowly lifted its hands and suddenly dug them inside Zoro's chest, spreading a sharp pain in his whole body. A painful scream tore from Zoro's throat and he woke up abruptly, sitting up and throwing the blanket draped over him aside. He covered his face with his right palm, trying to think what just happened moments ago.

Then he realized his hands were free, even though he was feeling intense pain in his right ankle and left forearm. They were bandaged tightly. He couldn't move without feeling extremely uncomfortable.

"Wow, he's awake."

"T-that's surprising. Didn't Chopper say that he wouldn't be up for a few more days?"

"Well, that's Zoro for you."

"Zoro-san's recovery rate is quite amazing as always."

"Damn you, shitty marimo, making Nami-san and Robin-chan worried like this."

"Zoro, are you ok? How are you feeling now?"

Zoro heard some familiar voices and finally realized that he was in Thousand Sunny. This was the extra room that Franky had made for patients. He was surrounded by all of his crew-mates. Chopper's face popped up before his eyes.

"Zoro, how are you feeling now? How about your arm and leg? Do they hurt?" Chopper asked Zoro anxiously.

Zoro was in Sunny. Was he saved? So, that was it. He was saved by his nakama.

"Y-yeah, my arm and ankle hurts a little, but I'm ok," Zoro answered Chopper. Everyone's face lit up to find out that he wasn't in danger any longer.

Chopper had told everyone that his body was in very critical condition. Aside from weakness due to loss of energy and blood, a few ribs were broken and there were injuries everywhere. The most dangerous ones were his left wrist and right ankle. Bones were fractured; tendons in his wrist and the Achilles tendon in left ankle were completely torn apart. Severe pain from these injuries was usually enough to keep a normal human unconscious for a whole day.

Zoro noticed that every single one of them was here. Luffy, Ussop, Sanji, Chopper, Franky, Brook…Nami and Robin as well. Had they already known that he was about to wake up? No, that can't be it. Robin, as always, was smiling calmly while standing beside the wall behind everyone else. Zoro remembered that she was the one he met before leaving.

Even though he was saved, this didn't change the fact that it was over for him now. Zoro knew about his body more than anyone else. The condition he was in right now…no matter how hard he tried he would never return to his previous strength. Zoro lowered his eyes and beads of sweat started flowing down his face.

The atmosphere in the room got tense once again when everyone noticed Zoro's anxiety.

"It's fine, Zoro. We have Chopper right here. He will turn you back to normal in no time," Nami said, taking a step ahead.

"Y-yeah, I know," Zoro stammered.

"Yeah, Chopper can heal probably any kind of disease right? He's our amazing doctor after all," Ussop praised Chopper with his usual posing.

"SHUT UP! BASTARD, I won't be happy if you praise me, ASSHOLE."

"Hey, let's have a party for Zoro's return. SANJI FOOD!" Luffy just needed a reason to kampai and everyone knew that. Nami noticed that their actions didn't make Zoro feel any better.

"Everything will be fine," Nami said, getting closer to Zoro.

"I-I understand."

"Besides, you are not alone. All of us are here with you."

Getting close enough, she placed her hand on Zoro's shoulder, but Zoro impulsively jerked her hand away, causing her to stumble a bit.

"I said I'm fine," Zoro almost yelled at her.

Everyone's eyes widened after witnessing this new side of Zoro. Before, no matter how much he was pissed at Nami, he never did something as cold as this.

"Oi, idiot, what the hell was that for?" Sanji yelled back angrily.

Realizing his own mistake, Zoro placed his right hand on his forehead and closed his eyes.

"I-I'm sorry. I'm just a bit tired. Leave me alone for a bit. I want to sleep," Zoro tried to say as softly as possible.

"I think we should let him rest. He is injured after all. And we should be relieved that he's not in any danger now."

Moving his head away, Zoro looked at Robin and received her usual smile. A frown appeared on Zoro's face, and he lowered his eyes again which surprised Robin.

He…really is worn out, Robin thought.

Acting upon Robin's and Chopper's advice, everyone left the room. According to Chopper's orders, no one was allowed to stay there for now and disobeying Dr. Chopper when he was on his job was impossible.

Chopper left the room a few minutes later than the others because he had to examine Zoro's current condition. After completing the examination, Chopper left and headed for his room. He placed his backpack on the side and sat on his chair with a very weary and anxious expression.

I don't get it. How is this even possible? In just a few hours, his ribs completely healed. Even though it's Zoro, no human has this fast of a recovery rate. Letting out a sigh he closed his eyes while placing his hooves over them. I guess I'm just thinking a bit too much into this. After all, Zoro is not a normal human, right?

Unconsciously, he started laughing to himself but suddenly his laugh as well as his smile disappeared, and something similar to disappointment and sadness appeared on his face.

In the sick bay, Zoro was sitting while resting his back against the bed, staring at the roof with lifeless eyes. His body was just as lifeless, not moving even the slightest.

This has to be a joke. I know. I know about my body better than anyone else. This pain in my arm and ankle is not normal. Can I really not go back to the way I was? Zoro covered his eyes with his right hand and forcefully clenched his jaws. Is this it? Am I going to end up as a loser? After coming all this way, this is how it will end? Just what kind of prank is fate playing on me?

Robin was sitting in the aquarium with a book opened up in her lap as usual, but for some reason she wasn't able to concentrate on it properly. Thoughts of Zoro's injuries and his serious condition were bothering her. One of her nakama's dream was on the line here. She couldn't just ignore it. She believed in Chopper wholeheartedly, but there were some things that humans could never change. She knew about Zoro's promise to his childhood friend and also remembered how he threw it away once for Luffy's sake. But the thought of him giving up his dream for their sake was not a pleasant one and now he had done it again.

Robin was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even notice Sanji standing in front of her.

"Robin-chan."

Sanji's voice pulled her out of her thoughts, which startled her a bit.

"S-Sanji?"

"D-did I disturb you Robin-chan?"

Robin just shook her head lightly. Sanji was holding a tray with two glasses filled with some kind of cold drink. The other one must be for Nami.

"Do you know where Nami-san is?" Sanji asked while bending down, allowing Robin to pick a glass from the tray.

"Maybe in her cabin, working on maps. I'm not sure" Robin calmly took a sip of the drink which, as always, tasted amazing.

"Well, guess I should go look for her then." Sanji turned around to leave but stopped after hearing Robin's voice.

"Sanji."

Sanji looked at her from over his shoulder. "Yes? Robin-chan?"

"Why did you kick her?"

Robin's question caught Sanji off guard. He knew someone might bring this matter up but hadn't expected it to be Robin, especially not at this time. After a few moments of silence, he replied, "She was trying to kill you."

"Is that all?" Robin asked, keeping a serene expression on her face.

Sanji stood there motionlessly. Several seconds passed but Sanji didn't answer. Robin understood that he had nothing to say. Her lips curved to form a faint smile.

"They are always like this. Getting more injured than anyone else."

Confused by Robin's words, Sanji slightly turned around to look at Robin with quizzical eyes.

"Luffy and Zoro, I mean," Robin answered, noticing Sanji's confusion.

"O-oh." Sanji turned around facing his back to Robin again.

"They are always reckless. One way or the other, they always end up being badly injured, for our sake," Robin almost mumbled the last words.

"That's why they are the captain and first mate, I guess." Sanji casually blew out a puff of smoke before continuing. "Since they don't have any specific job on Sunny unlike the others, I guess they think that they should at least protect everyone else with their lives. But, I think everyone has the same feeling in this regard."

"What about me?" Robin's question surprised Sanji once again. Robin's smile disappeared and she lowered her eyes to gaze upon the book she was holding. "I don't have any specific job either."

"What are you saying?"

Robin lifted her eyes to look at Sanji. He turned his head to look at Robin over his shoulder and gave one of his 'cool-guy' smiles.

"You just have to give us your usual beautiful smile. Everyone will be happy with just that."

Hearing Sanji's words, Robin couldn't help but smile. He really was such a gentleman. If it wasn't for his silly antics, Nami could've fallen for him long ago or maybe even herself. Sanji was looking at Robin's peacefully smiling face with awe. Given the situation, he desperately held back his urge to do his mellorine dance and turning his gaze back to the aquarium's door advanced to leave.

"I should go look for Nami-san." Sanji left the aquarium with this.

After Sanji left, Robin tried to concentrate on the book but soon realized that it was no use after all. The conversation with Sanji had been nice and refreshing, but she just couldn't shake off an ominous feeling she was having deep in her heart.

After giving it a lot of thought, she reached a conclusion. She had to talk to Zoro. Maybe about swords or history or maybe something completely random that didn't matter, but she had to talk to him to help him feel better even if only a little bit. She understood very well that in a state of sadness and disappointment, loneliness would only worsen one's condition. Robin was sure that everyone had the same feeling, but they were trying not to disturb Zoro, since that would only ruin his mood more. But he was never bothered by her before, so she hoped he wouldn't mind this time either.

Finishing the drink that Sanji gave her, Robin put aside the book and left the aquarium.

Inside her cabin, Nami was trying hard to concentrate and draw the map which was spread before her, but all was in vain. She couldn't just set her mind to it. According to what Chopper told everyone, Zoro's condition was far worse than any before. Plus, Zoro's earlier action remained in her mind. Packing up her apparatus, she decided to pay a visit to Zoro and left her cabin.

Zoro was sitting on the side of the bed, while letting his legs hang down and resting them on the floor. Brushing his right hand through his hair, he lowered his head and, closing his eye, let out a sigh.

What now? What should I do know?

You should leave them and find your own path. Zoro's eye shot open on hearing a gruff but familiar voice. Opening his eyes, he found himself in the same dark abyss as before. In the same state, his injuries were gone, and he was naked.

Who is there? SHOW YOURSELF.

Stop yelling, I'm right here.

Zoro quickly spun around and saw the same dark silhouette.

What are you? Zoro asked in a dead serious tone. A smirk appeared on that thing's face, which was the only visible thing on its face besides his red glowing eyes.

What am I? Instead of asking that, you should think about what you should do next.

What?

Come on, Roronoa Zoro, don't try to play dumb. You understand it very well. This would have never happened if you were alone. Because you wanted to save them you had to give in to that woman.

Zoro clenched his teeth as he realized that there was some truth in its words. That thing got closer to Zoro and whispered in his ear.

If it weren't for those friends, you could've killed all those women and left without any second thought.

Shut up.

You don't need to stick around them. After all, they are just using you. They don't care about you in the least.

Heh! You are wrong there. If that's so, then why did they save me?

Because they want your strength.

Zoro's eyes widened.

Because without you, their strength will decrease considerably. They would've never have saved you if you were captured and imprisoned at marine headquarters or by someone of more strength than their own.

You are wrong.

Especially those women. You hate them don't you? One of them just uses you for her own good, always pressuring you under money and, of course, the other one is also just using you to protect herself. After all, her pursuers are so powerful that she had to find someone strong enough to ensure her safety.

Zoro tried to cover his ears so that he wouldn't hear any more of its blabbering but it proved to be useless.

They are just using you.

You are wrong. We have always thought of others before ourselves.

Oh? Has anyone done the same just for you? Zoro was at a loss of words again. Whenever something like that happened, they were thinking of some ulterior motive but no one thought of you. It was nothing but a fluke.

Shut up, just shut up already. Finally giving up due to his frustration Zoro started gritting his teeth and yelled. JUST LEAVE ME ALONE ALREADY.

Using his full power, Zoro punched that thing in his stomach but his punch got stuck in its dark body and something similar to smoke started creeping on his arm.

What? What the hell is this?

HAHAHAHAHA…THAT'S IT, DO IT RORONOA ZORO…

Black smoke completely covered his arms and then started enveloping his whole body. That thing grabbed Zoro's head with its beastly hands and got closer to him.

That's it, Zoro. Give up yourself to the darkness, to despair, and I'll show you what true strength really is.

Getting closer to Zoro's face, it opened its mouth and let out a loud piercing shriek similar to a deadly beast's. The next moment, Zoro's eye shot open and he found himself back in Sunny's sick bay.

What...Just what the fuck was that? Zoro was thinking about this recent dream when suddenly he heard a knock on the door.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Damn! Its hard you know. It has been a while since i have cracked myself and been going serious in a story. I am gonna loose it...yup...I'm gonna loose it...

UNLESS YOU LEAVE A REVIEW XD

Anyway, THANKS FOR READING AND REVIEWING.