And I'm back, finally. Jeez, I don't know why this is so hard. I haven't had this problem of updating with the other stories. Sorry y'all. A nice long one for the wait.

The sun woke me up, not like an explosive light, but a gentle glow through my eyelids. I had no idea what was going on, but I felt the grass underneath my cheek, and remembered. I had come to sleep on the deck.

I roll over, away from the wakening sunlight and my hand brushes something. I force my eyes open and jump. Zoro is sitting a foot away from me, his eyes closed and cross-legged. He opens his one eye to give me a look, before resuming his vigil.

Jeez, did he have to scare the bejeezus out of me? I sit up quickly, stretching. He hasn't moving or anything, and it makes me wonder what he is doing out here at the crack of dawn. The sunlight is warm, like an enveloping blanket, perfect tanning weather. I wake up fully when I realize that today is my last day here.

Gosh, I am tired of this. Coming and leaving, trying to cram everything I want into three days. I glance over at Zoro.

"What are you doing?"

He doesn't open his eye as he says.

"Training my haki."

I nod. Makes sense.

"Listening to the rhythm of everything?"

He nods. I glance around.

"Sanji hasn't seen me here sleeping has he? Who knows what he would do if he saw me like that."

I see the ghost of a smirk cross Zoro's face.

"No, I'm always the first one up."

I relaxed. I should probably leave and not bother him with his training. I walk into the kitchen, grabbing a few leftovers from yesterday. I am one of those people that has to eat as soon as I get up. If I don't, my stomach starts eating itself. I grab a couple of pieces of bread and go back out to sit with Zoro. I like how the sun sparkles on the sea, and how Zoro sits there while I nibble the bread, trying not to disturb him.

After I few minutes, he opens his eye and stretches. I wordlessly hand him a piece of bread and he wolfs it down hungrily. He glances at me, then up to the crow's nest. I nod, and stand up to walk over to the ladder.

My wounds from yesterday woke up quite painfully; it took a little longer for my body to wake up after my mind. I paused at the bottom of the ladder, gritting my teeth. Gosh, I hate it.

"Rose?"

I hear Zoro's concern and I tense. He already thinks I'm a big baby from yesterday, no way am I giving him more reason to think that. I smile.

"Yeah, I'm going."

I climbed the ladder with ease, or at least I pretended. My wounds were raw, but there was nothing I could do until Chopper woke up.

I relaxed when I saw the familiar atmosphere of the crow's nest. I had missed it.

I sit down just as Zoro comes up the ladder. Is he going to weight train?

No, he sits next to me, settling back against the wood. We sit there for a little while, not saying a word before Zoro asks curiously.

"What do you know about…her?"

I raise my eyebrows.

"Her?"

Zoro shifts uncomfortably. I take a wild guess, smiling faintly.

"Kuina?"

A grimace passes over Zoro's face. I guess he is still sore about her. I nod, explaining.

"I know that you and her fought two thousand and one times, and you made her a promise that one of you would become the greatest swordsman in the world. She died after falling on her sword, and you carry that promise as your dream because she can't. She was the dojo master's daughter, and you strived to beat her. The dojo master gave you her sword after you begged to have it. The sword that you have always put in your mouth: Wado Ichimonji."

I glance over at him. He is stiff as he listens to me. I brush my arm against him.

"Sorry."

Zoro sighed.

"No, I brought it up. I haven't thought of her for awhile."

He looks almost reminiscent so I let him be. Let him think about his rival all he wants. I will not judge him for that. I just lean against him slightly, ignoring the pain from where I move.

Do I remind him of her? I have the whole I'm-a-girl-so-guys-will-always-look-down-on-me-so-I-have-to-train-harder kind of thinking. Is that why he believes in me so much?

After a few minutes he comes back to earth, asking.

"Do you know just things Luffy knows, or more?"

I smirk.

"Oh no, I know several things that Luffy doesn't."

Zoro raised his eyebrows, questioning. I whisper.

"Thriller Bark, for example."

Zoro actually smirks, instead of flinching like I expected. Typical Zoro.

"You know about that?"

I nod. He cocks his head to one side.

"What do you think?"

I smile.

"I admire you for it. In fact, that moment made me respect you twice as much then I already did, which was pretty respectful to begin with. It shows how you have changed."

Zoro glanced at his hands.

"Changed?"

I nod.

"Luffy has changed you, and you know it."

He nods minutely and states.

"I don't regret it."

I smile.

"I don't doubt it."

I flex my arm, feeling the pain tear through me and don't dare wince; Zoro is incredibly observant. Man, I really screwed up. Oh well, it will heal so I don't mind, and it wasn't for a petty reason. I can deal with it.

"Rose?"

I smile at the swordsman.

"What is it Zoro?"

He looked completely serious, as usual.

"What happened yesterday?"

Gosh darn it Zoro. I told myself I didn't want to talk to you about it. I sigh, curling painfully up into myself, hugging my knees to my chest.

"Nothing Zoro. Absolutely nothing."

He gave me a look that screamed 'bull crap'. I shrug. I'm not going to tell him. Nope not in a long shot. He crossed his arms firmly.

"You don't act like that Rose unless it is an incredibly good reason. Tell me what happened."

I sighed. I am so darn tired of being weak. I am so angry with myself for showing my weakness to Zoro, the one person who believes in me the most for some unknown reason. I grit my teeth.

"I did it again."

I am screaming at myself to shut up to not tell him, but I am also aching for some comfort. If there is one person to calm my fears, it is the swordsman. Zoro didn't say a word, didn't ask or pressure me to say anything. I took a few moments to gather my thoughts.

"I hesitated, I froze up. I was so scared I couldn't move; I am so weak Zoro. I don't know why, but I was just so terrified I couldn't think straight. What if I do that when you guys are in trouble? What if I do it again when you guys need me? It has already happened with the World Nobles, and I don't want it to happen again."

Zoro sat there, digesting my words. I continue in disgust.

"It's happened twice now Zoro, and it will happen again. I hate knowing that I could freeze up like that again. You call me brave and strong and then I completely break down. That is neither strong nor brave. I haven't lived up to your expectations. I have failed you."

Zoro slides closer to me and I relax slightly. He doesn't say a word for a few seconds, and then says quietly.

"What are you afraid of?"

I shudder. What a blunt question that no one likes discussing. I used to think I had no fears. I was an eighteen-year-old teenager living in a world that I thought I could handle. I don't have a fear of something like heights or snakes or spiders, or any common fears. I hadn't a reason to fear anything. Even fear of mugging or kidnapping was dispelled by the martial arts and cross country training, where I could not only deal with the threat but get away from it as well.

That was before I came here, where threats were real and right in your face. I know exactly what my fear is now. I say quietly.

"Powerlessness."

Zoro nodded in understanding. Does he fear that too? Is that why he trains so hard, why he hates to lose? Zoro raises his head and looks me right in the eye.

"I don't believe you."

I cock my head. He doesn't believe my fear? He must have seen the confusion and explained.

"I don't believe that you hesitated."

I slouched, resting my chin on my knees.

"I did. Sorry."

Zoro sat still for a while before he asked smoothly.

"Rose, when Luffy and Chopper fell into the ocean the first time you came here, did you hesitate?"

I furrow my eyebrows in confusion. Why is he asking this now of all things?

"No, of course not."

Zoro's one eye pierced through mine but I didn't dare flinch.

"When Nami was attacked by the Neo-marine?"

I shook my head. What was he getting at?

"When Luffy was unconscious and Z tried to attack him, did you hesitate to fight him? Did you freeze up even though I am sure you were scared?"

Ah, so that's what he is doing. I smirk.

"No, I didn't."

He grins back.

"With the World Nobles, did you hesitate to jump in and help us, or stop the World Nobles from murdering those slaves?"

"No, it needed to be done."

I know what will come next and I am ready to shoot his theory out of the sky like a bird. He smirks.

"Did you hesitate when the World Nobles discovered your real identity—?"

"Yes."

I said bluntly. Of course I did. I didn't want to fail them so bad that I had fallen into a terror state, causing them to get the drop on me. Zoro shook his head, still smirking.

"Let me finish. Discovered your real identity and they tried to use you as a hostage?"

I pause, thinking. Now that I think about, I did freeze, but when they said that I was a hostage, I had gotten angry instead of scared. It didn't matter though. I still froze up enough for them to get hurt. Zoro, seeing the look on my face, answered for me.

"No, you didn't. When you were threatened, you let them walk all over you, but when they mentioned hurting us, you woke up. You reacted because we were in danger."

I guess he has a point, but I still failed to react yesterday. Zoro continued.

"Did you pause when I was in danger fighting those marines?"

I shake my head.

"No Zoro, you were in trouble."

"Did you when you stole Luffy's hat and my sword sheathes, even though you knew how we would react?"

"No Zoro."

"Did you when we asked you to come into the most infamous prison in the entire world, the one that you said yourself specializes in torture and you knew you couldn't save anyone but Jinbe?"

"No, you all needed my help."

"Did you hesitate to save me from that poison creature?"

I shake my head, tired of saying no. His voice is grave as he says with the tone the hardness of stones.

"Did you hesitate to stay behind to save us, even though you were outnumbered and outstrengthed?"

I shake my head, smiling slightly. He sinks back against the wood, his relaxation infectious.

"See, you are afraid of freezing when we are in danger, but have you not noticed, all of those things I mentioned, you were scared, but you overcame your fear because we were in danger. Hesitating isn't your style Rose; you just don't do it. That's why I don't believe you froze up due to fear yesterday."

I find myself smiling. As usual he makes me feel so much better. That didn't clear the task at hand though.

"Zoro, I did though yesterday. You saw me. I couldn't walk for goodness sakes. That is pathetic."

Zoro cocked his head to one side. In one smooth movement, he drew Kitetsu. I watched as he got out the mallet, the oilcloth, and the whetstone. He started to slowly clean his sword, with simple strokes. I simply lean against him, his strength once again fuelling me, like coal on a fire. He rumbled.

"Tell me everything that happened in that room."

I was about to refuse, but I realize I needed this. I needed Zoro to tell me what he thought. So I told him everything that happened yesterday before he showed up and rescued me. At the end, he was uncharacteristically stiff and his hand had tightened on the hilt.

"That bitch, I should have cut her harder. She almost cut off your fingers?"

I nod, feeling incredibly small. Now he knows I freaked out for nothing. Zoro shook his head.

"I don't understand though. You didn't freeze."

I cocked my head. Yes I did. He saw it. He saw my weakness. He smirked.

"You never stopped fighting back, not once. You didn't give up at all. Even in all of that, you still thought of ways to get out of that situation. You didn't freeze up at all."

I thought back where all I could think was one thing.

"That time when I couldn't think though? I didn't freeze?"

He shook his head.

"Rose, that was instinct. I think it scared you a little because you weren't thinking detailed thoughts like you usually do. Instinct is just as important as strategy in a fight. Sometimes things happen so fast your body or mind cannot comprehend an action. Instinct takes care of the lag, which is perfectly fine. It has saved me more then once. If you train that instinct, it can be quite advantageous."

I bite my lip.

"I couldn't walk though."

Zoro reached over, ruffling my hair with his tanned hand.

"Did you even think that it was relief, not fear?"

I smiled. Maybe he was right. I only had that reaction after he had rescued me. Maybe I was so glad it was over that I couldn't walk. I grinned up at him.

"So I'm still brave?"

He nodded, a smirk gracing his features.

"Of course Rose."

All of my worries from last night that had plagued my mind have completely vanished, leaving behind a confidence that fills me to the brim. I snuggle back against the wood, laying my head against his shoulder. I feel his muscles contract and relax, feel his breathing and his heartbeat.

"Thank you Zoro."

I can feel but not see his soft smile.

"Rose?"

I smile, relaxing completely. I could just stay up here all day if I wanted.

"What Zoro?"

I look up to see his face gentle, but he has confusion in that one eye of his.

"Why me?"

Bewildered, I sit up straight, looking at him head on.

"What do you mean?"

Zoro is watching me carefully, gauging my answer.

"Why do you always come to me when you are scared or need someone to talk to?"

I stiffen. Wait; did he not want me to talk to him? Have I really been annoying him this entire time? Crap, I'm an idiot. I reply smoothly though, trying not to let my displeasure show.

"I'm sorry if I bothered you. I can stop talking to you if you want."

Zoro reacted not like I expected. He jerked straight up, almost an urgent rush.

"No, that's not it at all. It's just a question. I promise."

I give a silent sigh of relief before smiling at him, waiting for him to explain. Zoro looks a little surprised himself at his small outburst. He tries to cover it up by playing it off, leaning back and closing his eyes.

"You come and talk to me, not Nami or Robin who can probably talk to you better then I can. Why not Chopper or Usopp or Luffy, who are nicer, or Sanji who's idiotic nature has to cheer you up. Why not Franky or Brook, who are both a lot smarter then I am. Why not them? Why me, the demon swordsman?"

I cross my legs, thinking quietly about how I should put it into words. How to describe how he comforts me like no one else does. I take a deep breath.

"Zoro, you are the epitome of strength, and that is what I want for myself, so it is only natural for me to seek your advice. You are normal too, not a devil fruit or anything like that, so you can relate to the struggles of not having strength sometimes. Luffy, Robin, Brook, and Chopper can't do that. Sanji, no chance. He would just swoon over me. The rest aren't as strong as you are."

I see the conflicting feelings in Zoro's eyes.

"I am a demon though. You like that?"

I grin at him.

"I am terrified for the other guy, not me. You are a comforting presence Zoro, and so far that demon has done nothing but protect me. I do like it, yes."

He still doesn't look convinced. So I tell him.

"You are my rock, my foundation. You tell me things the others wouldn't think of. You are always trying to get better, stronger. You have a will as strong as steel, talk only when needed, but you say the important things. You are always at my side. How could I not be drawn to you?"

A relaxing smile has settled on Zoro's face. I pat his arm.

"That is why I talk to you."

Zoro just grins and stands. Thinking he is weight training, I stand too, intent on leaving and seeing if Sanji is awake for breakfast.

Suddenly, Shuusui is being tossed leisurely in my direction. I fumble for a moment, leaping forward to catch the precious weapon. Jeez, what the heck, chucking his weapons around like they were toys.

"What are we doing?"

Zoro drew Wado, settling it in his hands with practiced ease.

"You are an adapter."

I blink. Well that was random. I stand still, trying to understand what he means.

"An adapter?"

He smirks, spinning the sword on his fingers.

"You use weapons of your own, like your arms, legs, hands, and feet."

He tapped my arms and thighs with the blunt edge of the blade. I didn't even flinch. He continued.

"Not only that, but you take others weapons as your own, Nami's quarterstaff for example. You are a fast learner and quickly adapt to their fighting style. In Impel Down I saw you use a trident, a gun, a quarterstaff, and a sword, and even with the World Nobles you stole a sword."

He gave me an amused look.

"Quarterstaff and trident you are pretty good at. Gun too; when did you learn sharpshooting?"

I shrugged.

"My family taught me."

I knew where this was going. I chuckled sheepishly.

"Let me guess, my sword skills are absolutely terrible."

Zoro chuckled.

"No, but they need work."

Then his plan dawned on me. My mouth dropped open.

"Wait, are you going to train me?"

Zoro shrugged.

"Yes if you want to. You say you fear powerlessness, so the thing to combat that is power. Training helps gain power."

I folded my hands together and bowed formally.

"I am your student, Zoro Sensei."

He chuckled again. I took that as my cue I could stand up straight. I held Shuusui in my hands reverently. It's usually two hands, so I take care of it easily. I ask.

"So am I going to be a swordswoman?"

Zoro shook his head.

"No, as I said you are an adapter. I am only teaching you the basics so you can work a sword if you get one again."

He crosses his arms.

"What qualities does a swordsman need?"

I think about Zoro, and Mihawk. What qualities do they have?

"Strength, speed, agility, balance."

I pause, frowning. There has to be more then that. Zoro's face echoes my thoughts. I smile as I think.

"Accuracy. You have to aim for places to cut."

Zoro nods, asking me silently to continue. I bite my lip, thinking. The swordsman circles around behind me. He whispers in my ear, like he is a student giving me the answers to a pop quiz.

"Perception."

I cock my head.

"Perception?"

"Yes, you need to be able to be aware of enemies as well as what your swords do. They are an extension of your body, and you need to figure out how to make them work to the best of their ability. There is one more thing."

I think and realize he gave it to me earlier.

"Instincts."

He nods, coming around to the front of me again, hiding the smile before he thought I saw it. I did anyway.

"That's right. You need to be able to react fast enough without your brain thinking about it."

He raises Wado in his hands.

"Do you know the basics?"

I clenched the sword in my hands, raising them in different positions.

"I know there are three basic movements. The first for defense is parrying."

I held the sword sideways, feeling its weight. This is all very exciting. I mean I have loved swords and knives all my life, but I have never actually trained with one. I mean, unless swordplay on the Wii counts. I switched into making diagonal slash through the air.

"Then for offense there is the slice."

I withdrew the sword, only to lunge it forward in a stabbing motion.

"And the jab. Those three movements are the basics right?"

Zoro nodded, looking slightly proud. He readies his own blade before saying smoothly.

"Attack me."

The order is so abrupt that I just freeze, and then I start laughing. I couldn't help it, it surprised me. Me, attack Zoro? That's hilarious.

Zoro looked very confused. I stopped laughing and held up Shuusui.

"Sorry Zoro, but can I ask a favor?"

He twirled his blade, a glittering lightning bolt in the morning sunlight.

"What is it?"

I readied my blade, watching him carefully.

"Can you attack me? I have never attacked with a sword before so I need to at least see how it is done, and I am more of a defensive person."

Zoro smirked faintly and tightened his grip on Wado.

"Fine. Ready?"

Wow, I am training with Roronoa Zoro. How awesomely cool is that? I observed him closely. I watched his stance, from his toes up to his head, where his muscles bunched powerfully and where they relaxed. I slowly copied his movements, sliding my feet out so I was well balanced.

"Ready."

I confirmed. Zoro immediately slid his sword down in a slash that would have taken out my shoulder. It was medium speed, but probably slow for him. I parried quickly, holding my sword horizontal. We clashed swords, and I felt the jarring impact.

I have to be careful. He is stronger then me, but I match him with speed. I tilt the sword so his blade slides off mine and I quickly go for a slash at his stomach. Suddenly his sword appears, blocking the blade. Dang, he is faster then I thought.

He shoves me back and is after me before I could recover. I watch his stances, trying to figure out what to do. He is so graceful, and so balanced. We clash swords again and he pushes me back a little further.

Suddenly I feel the wall by my back and his sword is tickling my throat. Zoro's eye is glinting with focus. He doesn't say anything, so I say my mistake.

"I shouldn't have let you push me into a corner."

Zoro nodded, stepping back enough to give me room. Hmm, now what to do about him. I know this is training, but I want to win. Probably won't, but I want to.

"What are you thinking?"

I was brought back to reality by Zoro's calm question.

"How did you know I was thinking?"

He smirks.

"You have a strategizing face."

I roll my eyes and think aloud.

"You are stronger then me, so I have to parry your swords in a way so that it isn't a contest of strength."

Zoro flicked his sword.

"Show me."

I copied his earlier stance, strong and balanced. I feinted with my eyes, looking at his arm but actually aiming for his side. About mid-swing I remembered it wouldn't work; Zoro's haki would warn him.

Sure enough, Zoro didn't even take the bait as he blocked my blade with his, swiping it away before bringing down a swing straight at my forehead. I raised my sword, but instead of putting my full weight behind the parry, I let it slide to the side, using Zoro's own strength against him. His sword went all the way down to my knees before he stopped it and by that time I had recovered, swinging my sword to jab at his cheek.

Suddenly, Kitetsu's curse blade was parrying Shuusui's. Zoro retreated slightly, looking at me with a little surprised expression, but something else, like pride on his face. I relaxed.

"What?"

He smiled, looking incredibly pleased.

"You really are a fast learner. I didn't expect to use two swords on you."

I glowed with his praise. Zoro is complimenting my sword skills. That is probably the best compliment in the world.

I grin, brushing off the compliment; if I get too cocky, I would make mistakes

"Let's go again shall we?"

Zoro nodded, a wild grin appearing on his face as well.

"Let's."

We started again, clashing swords, parrying, sweeping, slicing, and slashing at each other. He wouldn't dare hurt me, and I probably could hurt him because of my inexperience but he wouldn't let me hurt him either.

It was amazing how Zoro changed. His posture became relaxed and he seemed like he was enjoying himself, as if it was fun. We kept speeding up gradually, just enough so I could keep up. Once I mastered the speed, he would take it up another notch.

He tried to push me into the wall multiple times, but I always ducked under the blade, spinning back into the center of the room. It was incredibly relaxing, and my injuries from the day before no longer hurt. I had completely forgotten about them.

This training was enjoyable. I could do this all day.

I learned well, my eye always watching Zoro and then copying his moves and stances, incorporating them into my own fighting style. Zoro was right; I am an adapter. Zoro seemed so willing to teach me too. His eye glowed and he would teach me a new move, a new combo, as if me learning one thing led to the idea of teaching me five more.

We would fight, then stop for a few seconds where he would tell me what I did wrong or he would wait for me to say what I did. Then we would begin again. Soon my mind was whirling, trying to remember everything, but this is so much fun I couldn't stop. It was so much like the martial arts training with my cousin it was almost nostalgic, but exciting because it was Zoro.

We were halfway through a fight when suddenly the trapdoor slams open.

"Stupid Cyclops, breakfast is ready."

I was in the middle of parrying a swipe at my head, but the sudden noise startled me so I stepped back hurriedly. Zoro slid his blade easily at my throat. He smirked.

"Never lose focus on a fight."

I nod. Dang looks like I lost. Oh well, it was well worth it.

Sanji almost blew a fuse. He leapt up into the crow's nest, holding out his Diable Jambe to almost kick Zoro in the stomach. He yelled.

"Marimo, how dare you try to hurt Rose-swan?"

I almost busted out laughing at the look on Zoro's face as he glanced at me. It was a look that screamed 'save me.' I winked. I got this.

I looped my arm around Sanji's batting my eyelashes easily.

"Oh Sanji-kun, Zoro was teaching me how to protect myself. I told him to do it."

Sanji stopped his Diable Jambe, but still looked sullen.

"He could have hurt you Rose-swan."

Looks like I need to step it up a notch. I nuzzled my temple against his bicep, cooing.

"Then I would have you to protect me from him Sanji-kun."

That did it. Sanji dissolved into a puddle of hearts, steam, and blood.

"Rose-Swan! You are so cute!"

Zoro was about to bust out laughing, so I patted Sanji on his head.

"Don't you need to go feed Robin and Nami?"

He bolted upright and down the ladder, yelling.

"Robin-chwan, Nami-swan! I'm coming my darlings."

Zoro laughed so hard I thought he would hurt himself. I grinned at him, bowing.

"Thank you thank you, I will be in all week."

He grinned at me.

"You are a little too good at that."

I shrug.

"I try really hard."

He takes Shuusui and sheathes it along with his other swords. I smile at him.

"I like seeing you like that."

He cocks his head to one side.

"Like what?"

I grin at him.

"Relaxed and having fun. You work yourself too hard. You train and take naps. You need a little spice and relaxation in your life."

Zoro frowned.

"Mihawk doesn't beat himself."

I laughed.

"Luffy and Sanji aren't nearly as serious as you, and they are strong too. Sometimes relaxation is the best thing you can do."

Zoro smiled slightly at me. I sigh.

"So I'm going back today."

The frown returned.

"I hate it."

I smile, trying to put the light back.

"Sorry, I do too. Don't worry though, I will try to practice my swords skills in my world and when I come back, I will be better then you."

There, a small smirk.

"You think so?"

I grin.

"No, but I'm going t try."

He smirks and gestures to the ladder. I go down first. Wow, it has already been a full morning, and I haven't even eaten breakfast yet.