Yes, this chapter is written in Robin's POV. I promised a tad of ZoRobin in the summary, so this is it. Plus, I was getting a bit tired of writing in Nami's perspective. *shrugs*

Oh, and since my nice fun week is over, and I'm back at work all day/every day, I won't be able to update as quickly. However, I will do the best I can to keep all of you happy. :)

Chapter Updated: Sunday, July 22, 2012

Chapter 7 – Destination

Robin

The bright sunlight blinded the archaeologist as she and her companions emerged from the prison located deep within the cliff. Having been underground for several weeks, her eyes took a while to become adjusted to the sudden light exposure. She raised her free arm to her face to act as a shade, squinting at the scene before them.

Robin recognized Garp almost immediately, his large torso and small legs giving him away. His was doing battle with Mr. Cook, who looked a little worse for wear. The cook lashed out with his leg, and the Vice Admiral easily blocked it with his forearm. He retaliated by placing his fist none-too-lightly against Sanji-san's ribcage. The cook coughed up a little blood, but managed to stay on his feet. He dropped the ground and kicked Garp's feet out from under him, sending the man crashing to the ground. Mr. Cook-san slammed his foot into the Vice-Admiral's stomach, hitting the pressure point and knocking him out. Victory for Sanji.

Robin turned her attention to Mr. Captain, who was fighting another man who was identified as a marine captain by his coat. Luffy was in his Gear Second, launching lightning-fast swipes to his opponent. The marine seemed to be holding his own against Luffy, whose facial expression showed his annoyance growing with every punch. Finally, after a perfectly executed strike to the opposing captain's lower back, the captain – marine – collapsed face first into the blood-soaked grass. Victory for Luffy.

The last opponent standing was another Vice Admiral, going up against Mr. Swordsman. She didn't recognize this opponent either, but he was also a swordsman. He wielded a broadsword, nearly as long as his own arm. He swung it wildly, giving Zoro a run for his money with his three sword style. He lashed out with his black blade, and the Vice Admiral blocked it, but he lost his footing and tripped, struggling to keep his feet under him. Zoro took control of that opportunity and swiped the flat of the blade he held in his other hand against the marine's legs, causing him to fall. A quick strike to his abdomen, and the three marines lay defeated on the ground.

Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji stood panting over their fallen opponents. Luffy's skin faded back into its regular tone as Zoro removed his sweaty bandana and tied it around his arm. Robin averted her eyes.

"Great job, guys!" Nami called out to them, waving her arm to get their attention.

"Nami-swan! Robin-chwan!" Mr. Cook cried, his eyes tearing up. "Do you love me now?"

Zoro looked up at her at the sound of Robin's name. She and Long-nose were making their way down the steep stairs down to the small area where there had obviously been a battle. He watched her as he slowly sheathed his katana. His eyes were unreadable, but she could see he hadn't fully recovered from his ordeal in Thriller Bark. She still hadn't told him she knew about his intended sacrifice. She was waiting for the right time.

The Straw Hat pirates were reunited at last; they all conversed for a short time, telling each other of their painful ordeals. Robin didn't speak much, mostly agreeing with whatever Mr. Doctor and Mr. Skeleton told, for she had been with them since their capture. She was interested to hear Zoro had been locked in a room with another prisoner and forced to do battle. The other prisoner had put up a fight, causing Zoro most of his injuries, but had been defeated in the end. Mr. Swordsman had been deemed worthy of his bounty and placed in solitary confinement before being rescued by Mr. Captain and Mr. Cook.

Miss Navigator finally broke through the conversation. "Hey!" she yelled, silencing the other eight members. "We're not out of this yet. We need to find the ship."

Robin agreed with her. "Does anyone have any information?"

There was no response.

Robin nodded. "Then we must assume the worst. The Sunny has been dismantled."

Franky exploded. "Isn't that going a bit too far!" he yelled. "The Thousand Sunny was made from the wood of the Adam Tree! That ship can endure anything, because I made it! We will find the Sunny right now if I have to tear this entire place down!"

Robin smiled inwardly. She had known that by suggesting the ship's destruction, Franky's resolve to find his beloved ship would be multiplied tenfold.

"Well," Miss Navigator began pacing, thinking aloud to herself. "If we start at the entrance harbor Franky, Usopp and I found, we may be able to locate the docks by following the water. We can always interrogate as well…" Her voice trailed off.

Zoro sheathed his katana. "Then let's go."

"Wait!" Usopp said, putting a hand out to stop Zoro from running off. "Put Nami in the lead. We can't let Zoro get us lost again."

"Eh!"

Robin chuckled. Perhaps Long-nose was right about this one.

Nami led the pirate crew around the outside of the base, not trusting herself with the labyrinth of corridors inside the building.

Robin noticed as they ran the sky was getting darker as the sun began to set. It would be trouble if they were stranded in the dark, so they had to hurry. The marines know this place like the back of their hand, while the only thing the pirates had seen was the inside of their cells. There was about a ninety-five percent chance they would get caught if darkness fell.

The pirates rounded a corner to face the scene Nami had described to her: the port with ten warships, about twenty marines scattered around, and a completely destroyed front entrance. Robin observed the surrounding area as the navigator began to examine the paths of the water. She could faintly hear Nami's instructions as the archaeologist knelt beside a fallen marine. She pulled a key from inside his pocket, running her finger around the part that fit into the mechanism.

"Robin! Did you hear that?"

Robin snapped out of her stupor. "Ah. Yes. What was that?"

"You're with Zoro, Brook, and Usopp. The water diverges into two paths here, so we'll split into two groups. You'll go down that path, and the rest of us will head through this tunnel." Nami said, pointing to the two rivers of water flowing in opposite directions, both into the mountainside. "I have reason to think one of these two has the Sunny." Robin joined her group by the entrance of the first tunnel, while Nami, Luffy, Cook-san, Franky, and Chopper gathered by the second entrance. Nami passed out torches lit by Franky's Fresh Fire technique and continued giving out instructions. "If you find the Sunny, fend off all marines. If you don't, leave the tunnel and find us in this one."

The pirates split up, each group heading deep into their tunnel.

XXX

There was no path to walk on most of the time while Robin's group explored. Robin, being a Devil Fruit user, used her hands to swing from stalagmites above them while Brook gripped onto her ankle. Zoro and Usopp swam with the current. During these intervals, Robin's limbs that sprouted from the wall passed the torch between them to keep the darkening tunnel fairly well lit. It wasn't the most ideal solution, because the stalagmites were slippery at times, but it was the best situation they could come up with. She and Brook couldn't risk falling into the water.

It was a while before there was enough room by the wall for people to stand. It was a single-file trek down the path with Robin in front with the torch, then Zoro, followed by Brook, with Usopp in the back. Robin used her power to grow eyes several feet ahead to check for any drop offs every several steps. She only slipped once, with Zoro grabbing her arm to steady her.

"Thank you," she said, and began to move forward again. However, Zoro's hand was still clenched around her forearm. She looked down at it, then back up into its owner's face. "You can release me, Mr. Swordsman," she said, tugging her arm away for emphasis.

Zoro was staring at her with something she didn't recognize. It wasn't like the tough swordsman to space out like he was currently, unless of course it was time for his morning nap. She put her hand gently on his and began to pry his fingers off her forearm.

"Huh?" He snapped out of whatever he had been thinking and released her.

Brook peered over Zoro's shoulder, staring at him from the side. "Ah, Zoro-san…"

The swordsman shook his head. "Eh?"

"Perhaps you would like to be informed of our current situation? We must find the ship, or Franky-san will have our hides. Ah, but I don't have a hide. Yohohoho!"

Zoro's eyes squinted into slits. "Shut the hell up," he muttered, sliding past Robin to take the lead.

Mr. Skeleton chuckled to himself and the group continued onward.

The water level began to rise, covering Robin's ankles. She told the swordsman to halt, and the four pirates stopped moving. The archaeologist raised the flames above her head, searching for an ideal handhold. She was stunned to see the ceiling had been completely smoothed and there were, in fact, no handholds.

She looked to her feet; the water was already halfway up her shins. The situation was getting dire. She could already feel what little strength she had slowly seeping from her body.

Mr. Swordsman seemed to understand as well. He took the torch from Robin and held it between his teeth. He reached down and slid his arm under her knees and lifted her up, holding her against his chest. "Right," he said, his voice muffled by the piece of wood stuck between his teeth. "Let's keep going."

Usopp hooked the musican on his back and the four continued.

Robin wasn't exactly sure how to feel about her current situation. Her head rested on Zoro's shoulder, her face warmed by the fire. Despite not being in water, her body still felt very weak. So Robin simply closed her eyes and feigned physical weakness. For some reason, she enjoyed the loping gait of Mr. Swordsman. It was comfortable.

XXX

"Oi, Robin."

She opened her eyes, squinting at the light. The four pirates had emerged into a large cavern with twenty or so flaming torches in brackets along the walls. A high rope bridge was suspending in a large circle on the wall, encompassing the entire room. The water had drained from around Zoro's feet, yet he still held her carefully. Brook was walking on his own, without the help of Long-nose's back. The underground river flowed into a giant pool where a small slope of rock rose from the depths and attached itself to the far wall. Suspended on that slope with several dozen ropes was the Thousand Sunny, its painted face smiling at them as if to say, congratulations for finding me!

"Sunny…" Long-nose cried, running to the stairs that led up to the rope bridge. Brook and Zoro, still carrying her, raced after him.

"Zoro-kun, I believe I can walk on my own now," Robin said, unwinding herself from his body and slowly finding good footing. Zoro let her down without a word, but Robin was good at reading people. She could tell he really didn't want to let her go.

Usopp and Brook had already boarded the ship by the time she and the swordsman reached them. The four immediately split up, each evaluating their own personal spaces. Zoro headed straight for the crows nest to check his training equipment. Brook went to the kitchen. Usopp left for the bedrooms while Robin inspected her library. Thankfully, none of her books had been confiscated.

Suddenly, Long-nose's voice let out a huge cry. Robin dropped the book she had been holding as she raced in the direction of the bedrooms. She joined the other three, who stood in the doorway to the men's bunk. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary; the lockers were still neat against the wall; WANTED posters still pasted to the wooden panels just above Franky's personal cola stock. The bunks were silent.

However, Usopp could only point with a shaking finger. Robin followed his gaze, her eyes resting on one of the wooden hammocks. Unlike her initial observation, one of the beds, was in fact, occupied.

A small man swung gently from side to side, snoring. He was dressed in white, with a large apron tied around his waist. A tall chef's hat lay on the ground below him. He seemed to sense the presence of the pirates, because he murmured something, sitting up and rubbing his eyes.

He noticed the four Straw Hats and merely stared at them. They stared back.

They stayed that way for several minutes before the small man finally broke the silence. He raised his hand, placing a smile on his face. "Yo."

This ZoRobin segment was really hard to write because I didn't want to stray from Zoro's hard-yet-humerous personality and Robin's cute-but-morbid one. I didn't want to make it too mushy 'cause then that's straying from the characters and I don't like doing that.

Also, I'm sorry about the Vice Admirals apparant easy defeat. I didn't exactly know how to get the pirates out of harms way, so I kind of made them seem a bit weak, and the Straw Hats strong even in a malnourished state. I'm constantly trying to work on it, but it's not coming. :(

So, R&R, tell me what you think!

Coming Up: Chapter 8 - Departing