Chapter 8: Aokiji's departure

Kidding? So, that's actually a joke? Or a bluff? I don't know why I'm feeling this but I felt I was being rejected. But, rejected? By what? By Zoro? He didn't even care about me. We are not even that close. So what if he's just kidding around when he said he loves me? So what if not?

Robin, feeling so uneasy, continued on walking with deep thoughts on her mind. She held her chest and bent her head. Zoro noticed the sudden change of her mood.

I felt so guilty. I am not really joking around. I'm serious about what I've said. But, why the hell that word just came out to my mouth? Maybe, I felt so uncomfortable saying those things to one that I like but, this is ridiculous. Is she thinking that I'm only taking advantage of her? I can't hurt her feelings because I think I love her. Why I'm so afraid to confess my feelings?

Zoro tried to get her attention. "Oi, Robin"

Robin looked up, her eyes went gloomy.

"Sorry… I didn't mean to-"

"No, I'm not really thinking of that" she interrupted, faking her smile.

"I just don't know why I can't tell you this but.."

"Oi Zoro! Robin!" Chopper yelled from afar interrupting Zoro on explaining. He rushed on them with his distractive sound of his footwork.

"Chopper. Why you're here?" Robin asked.

When the panting Chopper finally reached them, his little knees automatically bent with his hooves placed on his chest. "Lu-luffy and o-others." He said as he is continuously on panting.

"What? Aokiji attacked them?" Zoro asked with a chivalrous tone on it.

Robin's eyes fluttered wide.

"No…Not really" Chopper replied, smiling widely.

Robin breathed a sigh of relief on the good news she heard. Zoro looked at her and gave a little smile. She ignored it.

Damn it. I knew it will happen. Zoro thought on the back of his mind.

The little cute reindeer grabbed Robin's hand in his left and Zoro's hand on his right. With all of his might, he pulled them together to make them follow him. It is just like daddy and mommy was pulled by their baby to the candy stool. Robin was surprised on Chopper's unexpected 'grabbing and pulling' but she didn't take it seriously so she remained silent and followed the steps of Chopper because what's on her mind is only the last words of Zoro's. Zoro felt the same thing also about Chopper's sudden 'grabbing and pulling'. But unlike Robin response, he stopped and quickly smashed his head using his strong fist. A big bump appeared on Chopper's head.

"Aaahhhhhhhh!" Chopper cried out as he is reaching on his head.

Zoro's paranoid face showed up? "Why the hell? You still didn't tell me about Luffy and others!"

Chopper hugged Robin's leg tightly just like 'daddy is making silly things on me'. Robin smiled at Chopper as she softly taps his pink hat.

Zoro's face became red. "Oi ,Chopper". He bent his knee to attain the size of Chopper. He pinched his nose and grabbed his arm. "You look like the curly cook when you're doing that." He teasingly said without a definite smile on his face. He seems blushing.

Chopper wiped his tears with his arm and snatched the hanky on his pocket and blew his nose on it. "A-anyway, there's a grand party on Galley-La pool" he sniffed.

"Glad we're invited" Robin said, smiling coolly trying to forget Zoro for awhile.

"Oh. Robin-chan. Yep. The Franky family conducted it with the citizens of Water 7, thanking us on saving Paulie. Just follow me"

"Hope it's not that far from here" Robin said with a cough.

"Oi. Robin, are you still alright?" Zoro asked.

Robin was surprised on what she had heard again. Zoro is being hysterical. After saying those things, he still has the guts to have concern on her? Who am I to his?

"Robin-chan?"

She coughed again. She felt something painful from her hips. "Probably the wound" she thought. She felt the pain scattering on her whole body. This is all because of the spear Spandam pierce on her body during the battle on the Enies Lobby. She blamed.

"Oi. Nico Robin, do you want to go back in Galley-La? Let's skip the party" Zoro asked with his brave eyes focused on hers.

Robin fell on her knees. "I-I am, please". Tears suddenly rolled on her cheeks. Zoro caught her and put her in his back. He carried her as if she's an important thing that someone shouldn't mess up. He started running back to Galley La. Chopper followed them.

When they reach their destination, they hastily headed on her room. Zoro carefully dropped her on the bed.

"She's is badly perspiring on pain, Chopper. Do Something!" He yelled at Chopper.

"Hold a second, Zoro-kun" he replied with panic.

He grabbed his medical kit under the table of his room and quickly goes to Robin's place. He knelt on the bed and laid the kit flatly on his lap. He started operating.

Zoro sat on Robin's bed and gently wiped her continuous sweat on head. It seems endless. He thought.

After an hour, all became peaceful. Zoro, as usual, fell asleep while sitting on the wooden chair beside the bed. Robin was asleep also. It seems her wound stop bleeding. Chopper was in the kitchen, drinking a half filled glass of water. He sighed.

Chopper thought of the party in Galley La pool, his eyes twinkled. Anyway, there's no problem anymore. Robin is already alright and Zoro, his bodyguard, is there. If Aokiji will attack, Zoro will surely defend Robin because that's his current job. Finally, he decided to make a letter saying that he will go to the party. If they wanted to come, why not? Fortunately, he found Nami's sticky notes inside her drawer and ripped one. He wrote on it and pasted it in their refrigerator. While heading to the main door, he peeped first to Robin's room and grinned when he found out that they are quiet and alright. Then, he left the room without creating any noise.

Zoro opened his eyes widely and quickly stared on sleeping Robin.

"Glad she's alright" he sighed.

He decided to stand up from his chair and headed to the kitchen. At the same time, he started to wonder where Chopper is. The last thing he saw before he fell asleep is the non stop perspiring of Robin and Chopper that is so serious on operating. He stopped on Chopper's room and checked him inside. He moved the knocker clockwise and the door swayed open. With disappointment of not seeing Chopper inside, he closed the door. When he reached the kitchen, he got a glass on the cabinet above the stove and moved near the fridge. He opened it, not noticing the sticky notes pasted in the front of the ref. He poured the cold water on his glass and returned it back inside. When he closed the refrigerator, he finally noticed the sticky notes.

He took it and read. After a minute of reading, he nodded and gone back to Robin's room for him to check her condition.

He peeped inside and happy that she is stable.

Robin saw Zoro outside and looked back at him. Zoro's eyes widen. He opened his mouth slightly, like he wanted to say something but no one words came out on his mouth.

Robin noticed the uneasiness of Zoro.

"Mr. Swordsman" she started with a low tone of voice.

"Y-yes?" he replied, shaking.

"Do I deserve being one of Straw hat pirates?" she asked.

"Of course!" Zoro replied proudly.

She smiled and closed her eyes.

"About what happened a while ago….." he paused.

"Forget it" Robin replied, still her eyes are peacefully closed.

"No, I mean… The truth is I like you." He finally confessed with his palm on face.

With a surprise, Robin aroused on her bed with her hand on chest. She stared seriously on him.

"A-Are you not taking advantage on my feelings?" She asked.

"No. I'm serious"

Robin continued to give a serious stare on him. After a while, she looked down blushing.

"I'm fine now. Thanks. Please go back to your room now." she said.

"O-oh. Sure. Just don't hesitate to call me if you need something" Zoro said with a grin.

At the corner of her room, a tall shadow was resting on the wall with his arms crossed.

It's been an hour since Zoro left the room.

"Robin"

"A-A-Aokiji?" she tremendously asked. She tried to stand up but she fell on her knees. She's too weak to stand upright.

"If you wanted to kill me now, then, just do it in an instant! Just go away in my friends. " she pleaded. Her tears suddenly rolled down on her cheeks.

"I spared you before because of your friendship with Saul" Aokiji started. "And I am finally relieved to see you find a place in the Straw Hat Pirates. I just wanted to see how much they treated you as a friend." He continued.

Robin remained silent, her eyes still in shock. She crawled to Aokiji but his shadow vanished in the room.

Hi! This is Skarizza, the author!

Sorry for late update. :(

I'm kinda busy this past days. But still I hope you enjoyed the chapter :)