Hey my all readers. Here is chapter 6. Now first of all I want to warn all readers that this is the first time I'm writing such an intense chapter. So, I don't know whether it's actually good or just a failure. But as always, I'll be waiting for your kind reviews which always give me hints on how I should improve my writing and inspiration to continue on. So...THANKS IN ADVANCE...

THANKS ALL MY REVIEWERS. Oh...

And a GIGANTIC THANKS to LadySpring, my beta...

Now, that's enough rambling, I think we should start.

Chapter 6: Escaping from Despair

Zoro heard a knock on the door and was yanked out of his thoughts. The door opened slightly and Nami took a step inside the room.

"Nami?" Zoro was surprised by her sudden arrival. He was in no condition to start any argument with her. Neither was he good enough to do any kind of chore for her. She could've asked someone much more capable, so what was the reason that she was here before him?

"W-what is it?" Zoro asked as a frown appeared on his face. He lowered his gaze from Nami to the wooden floor.

Robin was also heading to the sick bay. Reaching there, she noticed Nami entering. As Nami stepped in, the slightly opened door closed on its own. Robin thought that maybe Nami also had the same intentions as she did and wanted to talk to Zoro, so she decided to not enter yet and stopped near the door while resting her back against the wall. Just as a force of habit, she decided to eavesdrop and listen to those two's conversation.

Inside the sick bay

"I just…wanted to ask how you're feeling now," Nami said softly taking a few steps forward.

Her voice as well as expression was different than usual. Was she really worried about him? No, that couldn't be true. Maybe she was trying to trick him or something? Either way Zoro was not able to think anything clearly. As she approached him, a strange impulse to stay away from her arose in him.

"I'm fine. I'm feeling much better." Zoro uttered quickly as his frown tensed up even more. "You don't have to worry about me. You should…go now."

He was telling her to leave. Nami had no idea whether it was because he did not want to talk to anyone or was it because of her? On top of that, his recent reaction was also bothering her.

"Zoro, are you really alright?" Nami asked in a low voice taking another step towards him. Zoro's frown tensed and he clenched his right fist as he heard Nami getting closer.

"I said I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me so just leave already." Zoro said in an even gruffer tone as his frown deepened. Nami gasped and looked at Zoro as her eyes widen. Something was definitely wrong. No matter what condition Zoro had been in, he had never acted this way before.

"Well…there is definitely something wrong with you. You've been acting very strangely," Nami almost yelled at him.

"I said you don't have to worry about me. So, how about you just leave me alone already? How many times do I have to repeat myself?" Zoro yelled back at her while standing up suddenly startling Nami.

As he tried to clench his fists, some of his weight shifted on his right ankle due to physical weakness, and he felt a sharp pain from both injured body parts spread through his whole body. Zoro's flinched. Bending down slightly in order to reduce the pain, he grabbed his left hand with his right one while lifting his right ankle, shifting all of his weight to his left foot.

"Zoro…" Seeing him in this troubled condition made Nami concerned. She impulsively moved closer to help him. Once again the moment her left hand touched his right shoulder, Zoro jerked her hand off quickly, his reaction appeared to be driven by pure instinct.

"I don't need your pity." Zoro glared at her startling her even more. Nami gasped as she looked into his deadly eyes. She had never seen this side of Zoro before. The intense, deadly vibe he had around him at the moment was unlike any time before. It was as if an injured predator's piercing gaze was striking right at her heart, ready to rip her apart to pieces at any time.

Struck by a strange fear, Nami slowly backed away, her back striking against the wall after a few steps. Zoro finally realized how rashly he was acting and turned his eyes away from her.

"Just…leave me alone." Zoro's voice softened, this time to request not command. Nami also realized that she couldn't do anything anymore. Lowering her gaze after a few moments of silence, Nami opened the door and left the room wearing a glum expression on her face. As the door closed, Zoro sat down in bed. For a few moments, he stared at his swords that were placed beside the desk in front of him and then closed his eyes. After sighing once, he rested his forehead on his right palm.

That's it. Drive them away just like this. You don't need any of them. The thick voice started echoing in his head once again.

"Just shut up already. What the hell is this thing anyway? I'm getting sick of it," Zoro muttered dimly without making any movement.

Outside the sick bay

Nami stood outside the door of the sick bay, facing away from it. She knew that Robin was standing there. After glancing once at Robin, Nami turned around and walked away slowly while lowering her head and holding her right arm in her left hand wearing the same glum expression as before.

Robin was staring at Nami with eyes full of concern but didn't stop her. Sanji, who was still holding a tray with a drink on it, came this way.

"Those idiots, pulling me into their stupid game," Sanji was muttering angrily when he noticed Nami approaching.

"Ah! Nami-san, I was wondering where you were! I looked all over the…ship…?" Nami walked past him without paying any attention. Sanji noticed her sullen face and thought about what could have happened. She was coming from the sick bay and Robin was standing there as well looking a bit down. That's it. It must have been that idiot marimo. He must have said something stupid to Nami and Robin again.

"That asshole. I'm going to show him now." Sanji wrinkled his forehead and trodded towards the sickbay angrily while cursing under his breath but as he approached the door, Robin stopped him.

"Sanji, please, you will only worsen his condition."

"But Robin-chan, that idiot-"

"Please, Sanji." Sanji couldn't say no if Robin was requesting so persuasively. Besides, she wasn't wrong. Even if he went in there, they would only start uselessly bickering. Zoro was not one to back away just like that, especially if it Sanji was involved.

"Fine, Robin-chan" Accepting Robin's request, Sanji turned around and walked away in silence.

Now then, what should I do? After thinking for a few moments, Robin took a deep breath and entered the room, closing the door behind her. Hearing the sound, Zoro glanced in that direction from the corner of his eye.

"Tch! So it's you now," Zoro said making a grouchy face and turned his glance away. It wasn't a surprise for Robin that his behavior towards her wasn't any different.

"That wasn't nice, what you said to Nami," Robin said narrowing her eyes.

"Heh, spying again? So typical of you," Zoro scowled. The way he said it was indeed rude but Robin didn't let it bother her.

"I know something is bothering you and-" Robin was interrupted by Zoro.

"It's someone. And right now that someone is you. Didn't I say to leave me alone?" Zoro said while glaring at her from the corner of his right eye.

"I can't as long as you are acting like that," Robin answered back keeping her cool but Zoro snapped and almost shouted at her.

"I will act like this as long as you or anyone else keeps bugging me, so have mercy on me and leave me alone already, woman."

Robin was taken aback after hearing this. It had been a very long time since he called her that and she had been pretty sure that he would not use it ever again but she was proved wrong. The gears in Robin's intelligent brain started operating. Analyzing recent events and their consequences, she finally concluded a rough hypothesis about his actions.

Woman? So, that's how it is? That's the reason he is acting like this towards me and Nami? But she could not back out now.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but I don't intend to leave anytime soon." Robin took a step further. Snarling at her, he quickly stood up. Putting his weight on his left foot, he leaned forward to the desk in front of himself and using his right hand grabbed Wado Ichimonji by its handle. Startled by his actions, Robin stopped in her tracks and kept observing in silence, a frown forming on her face. Jerking Wado in a random direction, he sent its scabbard flying away, unsheathing the sword in the process.

Robin gasped as she found herself in front of a broken man pointing a sword at her. The tip of the sword was just a few inches away from her neck. Even in this hostile situation, Robin could clearly observe the weakness in Zoro's body. Only the tip of his right foot was touching the floor and sweat was running down his forehead. Standing sideward, his hand which held the sword was shaking as if he was desperately trying to keep it from falling down.

"Leave…or I will…" Zoro didn't complete his sentence and just kept glaring at her. Robin completed it for him in a questioning manner "Or…you will kill me?"

"After all this time, everything you have done for me, you will kill me because I'm a woman?" Robin asked in a soft voice looking intently into his eyes. Zoro's eyebrows relaxed as anger was replaced by depression and he directed his gaze away from Robin, staring at the cold wooden floor.

A few moments passed in silence and Zoro's sword was still in the same position.

A faint smile appeared on Robin's lips. "Would it make you feel better?"

Zoro looked at her curiously, trying to find out what she was trying to say. His question was answered as she placed her right hand on the unsharpened side of the sword.

"Would it soothe your mind if you killed me?" She received no answer, just a surprised look as Zoro gulped once.

Gripping the sword in her fingers, she pulled it closer, letting its tip poke the soft skin of her neck. "If so, I'll gladly offer my life to you, just like you have done for us. But…can you really do it?"

Zoro's eyes widened as he heard the unexpected words from Robin. What was she thinking? Did she think that saying this would make him feel better or was it that she really was willing to sacrificing herself just so he would calm down? In any case, this was too unexpected for Zoro. How could he feel better after hurting his own friend? Then it struck him. He has already harmed one of his friends. Not physically but mentally.

It's just like 'that thing' said. How pathetic can I get? Zoro glanced at Robin with a look that contained a mixture of sadness and guilt. Turning his gaze away, Zoro pointed his sword away from Robin and let it fall down. Unconsciously, he shifted some of his weight on his right foot, causing the same sharp pain to spread.

Zoro cringed in pain. Due to the weakness and improper distribution of balance, Zoro stumbled backward and fell on the floor hitting his back against the wall behind.

"Zoro," Robin gasped and quickly stepped ahead to help him.

"Why?"

Robin stopped.

"Why are you willing to go so far for me? Is it because we are friends? Or because I have helped you at occasions before?" Zoro asked softly, not lifting his gaze.

"Yes. That is also a reason, but…" Robin bent down and grabbed Wado Ichimonji in her right hand, "For now, it's because we want Zoro back. All of us would love the old you to return to us. The others haven't seen you like this yet, and I don't want anyone else to, either." Robin slowly walked closer and squatted down before him.

"The Zoro I knew would never have broken down no matter what kind of peril he went through. No matter how severe the injuries…as long as there is strength remaining in him, he would always find a way to stand up against his opponent."

Zoro raised his head to gaze into Robin's eyes which looked strangely appealing this time. It was like those eyes were begging him to stop behaving so cowardly and act like the usual Roronoa Zoro always did.

Breaking the eye contact between them Robin lifted her left hand and wrapped her fingers around Zoro's right wrist. Her touch was warm, surprisingly different than how it felt before.

"I hope you don't mind if I touch you this much." She didn't get any response for some moments. Then she lifted his hand up and placed Wado Ichimonji on his palm.

"I'm sure you still remember your promise. I believe in you. As long as you are alive, one way or the other you will accomplish your goal." Using her ability Robin grabbed the other two swords.

"Chopper is an extremely talented doctor. I'm sure you will be able to hold these swords very soon," Robin said softly while placing the swords beside Zoro.

Robin had nothing else to say for the moment. Neither was Zoro responding any longer, except that he was firmly clutching Wado Ichimonji's handle. She decided to take her leave for now, so she stood up and, turning around, started walking to the door.

"I look pitiful in this state, right?"

Hearing Zoro's voice, Robin stopped.

"Hopelessly pathetic." Zoro lifted his head and looked sternly at her.

"Yes, you do. But I know you can overcome it. Besides, there was a time when I looked even more pitiful than this, but no one abandoned me." Robin looked at him over her shoulder and gave him her usual smile. "We will never abandon you either."

Robin left the room softly closing the door behind her.

Zoro didn't move from his spot and just stared at Wado Ichimonji. Just what was he thinking, acting like that? He almost lost himself. It was indeed true that injuries were severe and they could leave a normal human crippled. But he wasn't supposed to be normal. No matter what kind of obstacle, he should overcome it, no matter what kind of injury, he should recover from it.

What a load of crap. That thing's voice was back and started echoing in Zoro's head again.

"You again, bastard. Just what the hell are you anyway?" Zoro cursed angrily, making a disgusted face.

She may say some sweet words to you but, in reality, as soon as everyone comes to know that you can't fight like before, they will abandon you by saying something like their destination is a dangerous area and with your condition you can't survive.

"Then…I just have to regain my strength." Zoro said calmly.

Yes, you will get your strength back, but this time you will use it for yourself.

"Don't misunderstand me."

What?

"It's just as you said. If the only thing they want from me is my power, then I'll regain it and use it for them."

What? What are you saying?

"I don't know what the fuck you are. But I'm not going to let you plunge me into darkness so easily." Zoro placed Wado on the floor and looked for its scabbard. Zoro found it behind the desk.

Oi, don't be an idiot. It's because of that attitude that you are in this condition.

"I said, shut up. If my arms are cut off, I'll run on my opponent with a sword in my mouth. If my legs are cut off, I'll stand on an arm and use my other arm and my mouth to cut him down. If both arms and legs are severed, I'll just use my mouth and remaining body, but I'll never give up ever again." Zoro moved his right hand to grab a sheathed sword in order to support himself to stand up. Gripping Sandai Katetsu in his hand, he crouched upon his left foot supporting himself with his right hand.

You're going to stand up on an injured leg? You think you can do this?

"Watch me." Using Sandai Katestsu as a support, he put all of his weight on his left leg, standing up with his leg slightly bent. Then he started shifting the/his weight to his injured foot. Just when a little amount of his weight rested on his right foot, intense pain ran through his body like a jolt of lightening. He tightened his grip on Sandai Katetsu's handle and after stumbling, fell on his knees, throwing all the weight of the right side of his body on the sword. His jaws were clenched tightly, his legs were shaking, and he felt like he was going to fall down any second. All of his strength drained out instantly. But he didn't give up.

Not yet. I'm not going to go down so easily. It's true that a normal person can't stand up after this kind of injury, but the one I wish to surpass is not a normal human. To beat him, I can't be like any other normal human. I have to become a monster.

Lifting his right foot, he placed it front of himself and started shifting his weight on his injured foot once again. He took a deep breath and with one powerful push used all the strength in his right foot. Letting out a growl, he finally stood up on both of his feet.

He should be happy with his accomplishment, but he was more shocked rather than happy. It wasn't feeling as painful as before any more. Just a faint stinging sensation. In addition to that, he could move his hand as well. He felt just slight pain when he clenched his hand into a fist. This was a bit too much. Even if he had a tendency to recover faster than others, this was just too surprising.

He decided to stand up just once in order to strengthen his resolve, but he never expected that almost all the pain would just disappear like this. It was too strange. Zoro's face flinched as the voice echoed again in his head.

Hehe, looks like I can't do much here. I'll leave you alone for now, but don't get conceited. As soon as I get a chance, I'll be back. Or rather, I should say you will come to me.

A sinister laughter followed and slowly faded away from his head in a few seconds.

"In the end, I couldn't figure out what that thing was." Zoro sighed once and, bending down, grabbed Wado Ichimonji's scabbard.

"I'm still far too weak as compared to before. Even though it's not as painful now, the pain in my arm and leg is still there." Walking up to Wado Ichimonji he unsheathed it and along with the other two placed them in their previous position beside the desk. Zoro got dressed in his usual clothes and put the swords inside the sash.

Time to get some fresh air. It feels like I haven't been under the open sky for ages. Zoro lifted his left hand up and stared at it for a while before clenching it into a fist. I can't believe how childishly I was acting back then. I still hate women, but rejecting my friends for this reason is just like giving up on my dream. I owe Robin for this one.

Walking closer to the door, he opened it and stepped outside.

Ok, that was...tough. As i said, this is my first time on something like this. Anyway, if any of my reader is thinking that everything is settled down than your are my friend...dead wrong, cause things are just starting, trust me I'm the author.

As always...THANKS FOR READING...AND REVIEWING. I'LL BE WAITING FOR YOUR REVIEWS :)