Author's Note

Thank you everyone for all the reviews and your feedback, I appreciate it. I have decided to keep this fan fic a ZoroxSanji close friendship fic. But in the future I think I may write a romance one. Excuse any mistakes, I'm still proof reading.

Thanks again, enjoy.

Getting To Know You

Chapter 4

The rest of the evening seemed to pass excruciatingly slow.

Small talk and conversation was almost nonexistent, the tension could be cut with a knife. Luffy sat in the corner of the bar sulking, whilst Franky and Usopp threw peanuts into empty glasses idly.

Robin sat quietly next to Nami, who was surrounded by empty wine glasses. She had a half empty glass in one hand and her head in the other, swirling its contents and gazing into it with a bored stare.

Then there was Sanji.

Robin had watched him curiously all evening, especially after his disagreement with Zoro. His eyebrows were furrowed in annoyance as he stared at the spot where Zoro was last seated earlier in the evening.

His right hand was in his one of his trouser pockets, presumably fiddling with a packet of cigarettes Robin guessed. Her gaze shifted to the clock at the opposite end of the room.

It read 9.30.

Zoro had left exactly one hour ago.

Slowly finishing her drink, Robin pushed her stool out from beneath her and grabbed her jacket.

'Going already?' Ace inquired, spotting her on his trip back from the restroom.

'I think I may go for a short walk before heading home, It is rather a nice night after all Portgas.'

'Robin how many times, call me Ace!' he grinned, 'besides, the night is still young!'

Robin smiled politely, and turned to face the others.

'Enjoy your evening everyone, I'll see you later Nami.'

Before anyone could utter a single word, she was gone, leaving behind only a few empty glasses and an unoccupied stool. Nami stared across the bar glumly, it seemed she would be needing another drink.

'Hey Ace, where did Robin go?' Luffy asked, a confused look on his face.

Ace just smiled, ruffling his brother's hair affectionately.

'Heading back for an early night.'

'Awwwww!' Luffy pouted.

Ace put his arm around his brother's shoulders and leaned in close.

'How does another beer sound to you little bro?' he suggested, waggling his eyebrows.

'Wooo beer!'

While Luffy was distracted at the prospect of more drinking, Ace pulled out his cell phone and began to type a message, smiling as he did so.

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Only moments after she left, Robin felt her phone vibrate in her coat pocket.

When she flipped it open, a text message appeared on screen.

Robin

Say hi to Zoro for me,

Ace.

She smiled brightly and put her phone away. She never quite understood how Ace always had a way of knowing what she was up too. She hadn't known him long but she was glad she had a friend like him.

Sliding her phone back into her pocket, Robin continued walking and within a few minutes she reached a quiet clearing surrounded by trees. A small, winding footpath led to a petite water fountain encircled by many benches and to the far right was a park.

As she walked closer a clanking sound caught her attention. When she turned to face the source of the noise a blob of light green caught her attention.

She smiled, she only knew one person with green hair.

Zoro.

Zoro was perched on a tyre swing in the far corner of the park, swinging back and forth gently. His body was fully submerged in the tyre, leaving his legs hanging down. His arms were behind his head, his hands cushioning it almost like a pillow.

Being careful not to make a noise, Robin opened the park gate carefully and walked towards the swing. When she was just inches away from Zoro, she leaned in close to his ear and whispered.

'Boo.'

'HOLY FU-!'

Zoro turned around suddenly clutching his chest in surprise, only to see Robin standing behind him grinning like a Cheshire cat, desperately trying to suppress her laughter.

'R-robin!'

'Feeling a little jumpy tonight Zoro?' Robin inquired, small giggles escaping her.

Zoro pouted, a blush covered his cheeks.

'I didn't jump…'

Robin noticed Zoro's black jacket lying on the floor, bending down she picked it up and threw it in his lap.

'You will catch a cold if you don't wear your jacket Zoro.'

Zoro glanced at his jacket and shrugged.

'I don't catch colds,' he insisted stubbornly.

Lying back, he continued to swing gently on the swing, gazing up at the sky.

'Room for one more?'

Robin gestured towards the tyre swing. Sitting up, he shifted over so Robin could sit beside him. She perched herself on the edge of the tyre, shifting until she was comfortable.

'What are you doing here anyway?' Zoro asked, frowning questioningly.

'Would you believe me if I said I fancied a quiet walk?'

Zoro snorted when he saw Robin's smile.

'I thought not. The truth is I thought you might like some company.'

He looked at her, narrowing his eyes in suspicion. Robin just glanced back at him with the same smile on her face, meeting his gaze. He quickly turned and looked away, a slight blush begging to form on his cheeks.

'Yeah well… you didn't have to you know,' he mumbled quietly, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

'I wanted to, I wanted to see if you were ok after what happened with Sanji.'

Robin saw Zoro tense when Sanji's name was mentioned. He gripped the bar of the swings with one hand until his knuckles turned pale, muttering under his breath.

'… stupid blonde haired jerk.'

'It is unfortunate that the two of you don't get along,' she said solemnly.

Zoro gave a frustrated sigh and lay back down on the tyre swing, arms crossed across his chest.

'It's his fault…Stupid git, biting my head off all the time'

The raven looked down at the frustrated man sat next to her and turned to face him.

'I'm sure Sanji does not intentionally argue with you, well at least not all the time,' she laughed quietly.

'Yeah right...' Zoro propped himself up on one elbow to make himself more comfortable.

'I wonder why you both argue so frequently' Robin pondered, running her fingers through her long hair.

'He's an arse, that's why' he grumbled.

Robin suppressed a small giggle, Zoro could be so predictable at times.

'Maybe you just need to spend some more time with each other'

'Ehhhhh?' Zoro shot up quickly, gripping the side of the tyre they were sat on to stop himself toppling over. He looked at Robin, eyes wide with disbelief.

'Ahaha… your joking right?'

'Not at all' Her face remained humourless.

Robin got off the swing and brushed off her trousers, before looking back at Zoro.

'I believe the reason you both argue so often is because you both barely know each other' she said coolly. Robin looked up at the night sky thoughtfully.

'If you talk more, you may find Sanji is not as bad as he might seem'

Robin looked back to see Zoro looking puzzled. Before he could say another word, she began to walk away.

'Good night Zoro'

The park gate swung closed and there was silence as Zoro was left confused, pondering Robins words.

Swinging his legs, he swung gently on the swing, his green hair ruffled slightly in the cool night's breeze as he gazed up at the stars, earrings swaying and clinking like wind chimes.

With a sigh Zoro finished the night as he did like any other.

Alone.