Having been on the run since she was eight years old, Nico Robin had quickly learned to read her surroundings whenever things started to go awry. From reading people's emotions to noticing a sudden change in her environment, finding out that she was being followed was just one of the many things she had grown accustomed to. In fact, Robin was more surprised that it took this long for something like this to occur, as she had been in this town far longer than she had intended. Though, Robin had been expecting a Marine—not a hungover red-haired man.
Despite this, Robin wasn't that surprised. After all, this wouldn't be the first time a random man started to follow her. Being a physically attractive fifteen-year-old did warrant unwanted attention at times, much to her discomfort…
Though, Robin would be lying if she said she wasn't surprised when she saw that the man wasn't alone when he had followed her into the library. The little girl holding the man's hand had just been so tiny, Robin hadn't been able to see her at first. Robin almost wondered if the World Government had decided to change their tactics…then she saw how ecstatic the girl had gotten upon seeing the various books in the library.
It was rather adorable…it almost reminded Robin of herself when she was younger and so eager to learn—not to say that Robin lost any of that eagerness, as it had never once left her. Not even when her world went into shambles… Still, to see that eagerness within someone else so young was heartening.
Robin had found herself unable to take her eyes off this child. She was rather glad she didn't, save for a moment where she took the time to go fetch a children's book for the little girl. Otherwise, Robin wouldn't have been able to save the little girl as she was falling.
And here she was now, just kneeling down before the little girl who had caught her attention, offering a children's book she had gotten with the intent of handing it over to the little girl. Robin was almost concerned that she had scared the little girl with her Devil Fruit powers, but she couldn't really tell what expression was on the little girl's face. After all, the little girl was mostly covered up by the dark blue cloak she was wearing—which was rather peculiar, in Robin's opinion.
A minute passed and the little girl continued to stare. Robin was almost concerned that something was wrong. It could have been a delayed reaction the little girl was experiencing. After all, most children would be shaken up by such a fall. Still, Robin had no idea what to expect from this peculiar little girl, but one thing was certain…
Robin didn't want to see this little girl cry…so she did the very first thing that popped up into her mind.
"Dereshishishi!" Robin laughed. She laughed a very unique laugh—one that she hadn't heard from its original source in years. She had hoped it would be enough to make the little girl laugh…as she had, when she heard Jaguar D. Saul laugh.
…
"Dereshi?" The way the girl reacted reminded Robin so much of herself. It was almost as if the past was repeating itself…
Suddenly, the little girl just dropped the book she had been carrying in her arms and lunged forward, wrapping her arms around Robin. Robin blinked a few times, somewhat stunned with the girl's actions…then she noticed that the girl's hood had fallen off.
And that's when Robin realized that the little girl was much more different from what she had expected. Skin with such a distinct coloration, a slight bulge coming from her back—there was no doubt that this girl wasn't human…fully, at least. Almost at once, Robin wondered how it must have been for the little girl to react this way.
"Maybe we're more alike than I thought…" Robin found herself thinking as she patted the girl on the head.
…
…
This little girl was only two years old…she was only two years old… That's all Robin could really think as she read to the little girl, using the children's book she had gotten for said little girl. One thing about the little girl that had really stood out the most to Robin was how much attention she gave towards the text.
"Words different…" she suddenly said as Robin turned the page. "Why?"
Robin blinked. She hadn't expected to hear that question—not from a two-year-old girl, at least. Then again, Robin could already tell that this girl wasn't like other girls (or children in general) her age. Smiling, Robin decided to answer the little girl's question.
"This is the language we all speak, in written form…" Robin began. "It's the first language we learn to read and write in before moving onto the other language you probably saw in those other books."
"Oh…" was all that the little girl said. "Just two?"
"No…there are more languages—it's just that these two are favored by the world." While the intent was to bring everyone together on the same grounds when it came to communication, Robin had come to notice that literacy is what proved to be a barrier in people without access to the proper education that was needed.
It took Robin a moment to realize that she was still talking to a two-year-old girl…who had most likely gotten confused with Robin's explanation. At least, that's what Robin had assumed, until…
"You know lots!" the little girl smiled, showing off a rather interesting set of sharp, triangular-shaped teeth.
"Lots?" Robin repeated questioningly.
"Yeah!" The little girl seemed so happy with that. "It great! You great!"
Robin couldn't help but chuckle. The little girl was just too endearing for her own good… "Thank you—um…"
"Mako!" the girl suddenly said. "I'm Mako! You?"
Robin stared at the little girl named Mako and smiled as she said, "Nico Robin…you can just call me, Robin."
"Robin!" Mako repeated happily. "Nice meetcha!"
Robin blinked and then smiled. "Nice to meet you, too, Mako…"
…
…
Robin was usually wary of who she followed…Mako was no exception. So as the two-year-old dragged Robin along by the hand, Robin made sure to keep her guard up. And when Mako ended up bringing Robin toward a table where that hungover redhead was passed out at, Robin couldn't help but arch her brow.
"Papa!" Mako suddenly exclaimed.
Robin would have never thought that this man was Mako's father. Though, that would explain why a two-year-old girl would be with such a man…
"Papa!" Mako called out again to her father.
This time, the redhead reacted. He lifted his head off the table and opened his eyes slightly, staring blearily at Mako. "Wha…Mako? What happened to yer hood…?"
Mako just grinned widely as she lightly tugged on Robin's hand and confidently said, "Mine!"
Robin blinked, not knowing how to react. Mako's father, on the other hand, turned his attention away from Mako to look at Robin. He stared at Robin for a good minute before his eyes widened and his jaw dropped. It seems as though the man had finally registered who it was he was looking at. That, paired up with what his daughter had just said was enough to give him the shock of his life.
…
…
Some children bring home a dog or a cat…Shanks had actually been preparing for the day Mako would do the same. However, instead of a cute animal, Mako decided that she wanted to bring home a person. Shanks had no idea how to react to this…
"Mine!" Mako repeated again while wearing a huge grin on her face. She then looked at the teenaged girl whose hand she was holding onto. "Come with?"
"Huh?" It seemed the girl was just as confused as Shanks.
"Come with! Come with!" Mako seemed rather adamant to bring along this girl she had most likely just met.
For someone who was still hungover, this was something Shanks felt he should have to deal with while he was sober. Unfortunately, he just had to have his party of one last night…he still had no regrets.
"C-Can we go somewhere else?" Shanks decided to ask the girl. "I don't think this is the best place to talk about something like this…"
The girl stared at him for a moment before nodding her head. "Sure…where do you suppose we should go?"
"Ship!" Mako suddenly exclaimed.
The girl blinked a few times while Shanks just face palmed. One of these days, Shanks was going to have to sit down with Mako and explain that people can't be owned. Until then, he had to clear something up with this young lady. He could only hope that she understood…and didn't think badly of him for going along with what Mako had said.
But before that, Shanks got out of his seat and walked over to Mako. He then knelt down to her level and pulled her cloak's hood over her head. Feeling content with what he did, Shanks stood up and turned his attention to the girl.
"The name's Shanks," Shanks introduced himself. "I'm quite sure you've already acquainted yourself with Mako, right?"
"I have." The girl smiled. "And hello, Shanks…I'm Nico Robin."
It took Shanks a moment to realize what the girl had just said. And when that happened, Shanks almost wanted to scream…because the girl Mako had brought along had a bounty of seventy-nine million beri. Mako had found Demon Child Nico Robin…how?!
This was not good… The three of them, altogether, in one place—this seriously wasn't good.
"I think we should go…now." If there's one thing Shanks wanted to avoid, it was attention. He already had to put up with Mako's distinctive appearance making it easier for people to recognize her and the fact that he had a bounty of his own. Adding Nico Robin to the mix was only going to make it worse for all of them.
Fortunately, for Shanks, Robin seemed to understand that as well. "Shall we?"
Shanks nodded his head and picked up Mako off the floor. "Time to get going, you little shit."
"Ahahaha!" And there goes Mako, laughing as usual…
"Does she even understand what she's done?" Shanks honestly wondered what went on in Mako's head sometimes…for a two-year-old girl, she has caused him a lot of trouble. Sometimes, Shanks couldn't help but marvel how innocent a child could be.
…
…
About half an hour later, Robin was acquainting herself quite nicely with Red-Haired Shanks on his ship. She was rather surprised to find out that Red-Haired Shanks was Mako's father. She was even more surprised to find out the two-year-old had a bounty, which is why Shanks had been so concerned for all of them after finding out who she was. It was quite strange, but not unwelcomed to hear that someone was actually worried about her well-being.
It had been so long since Robin had someone actually showing concern towards her, without showing any interest in her bounty for personal gain. The fact that Mako seemed to be so happy with her presence was just something that made Robin smile. Meanwhile with Shanks, he seemed exasperated with what to say to Mako, who seemed so adamant on getting Robin to stay with them.
Eventually, Shanks just sighed and turned his attention to Robin. "If you want, you can come along with us…"
"Oh…" was all Robin was able to say as her eyes went wide with astonishment. She had not been expecting this at all. And yet… "I guess I'll stay, then."
She didn't mind.
"Yay!" Mako was ecstatic. "Robin stay!"
"I apologize in advance for Mako's behavior…" Shanks sighed. "She might be sweet to you right now, but before you know it, she'll be causing you trouble."
Robin could tell that Shanks was talking from experience. Of course, Shanks was also assuming that Robin was going to stay with the Red Hair Pirates long enough to see that side of Mako. While Robin wouldn't mind a place on the crew, she still wouldn't want to risk causing Shanks or his daughter any of the trouble that always seem to come her way because of her past. So Robin made a mental note to leave the moment she had the opportunity to do so. For now, Robin was content to just feel wanted for once in a manner that did not involve her bounty.
…
…
Robin had only intended to stay for a while… She had never expected the Red Hair Pirates to take their sweet time getting from one place to another. Still, the fact that Shanks's crew accepted her with open arms was enough to make the voyage bearable. That being said, by the time they had reached their next location, Robin found herself unable to follow through with her intent to leave—not with Mako staying so close to her side. And wherever Mako was, Shanks wasn't too far behind.
So Robin stayed a little longer than she had intended. One month soon became two months and two months soon became three. By the fourth month, Robin had found herself rather attached to the Red Hair Pirates. They had listened to her, instead of the lies that were being spread around by the World Government.
They had even accepted her, for who she was, even after she had shown her Devil Fruit powers. While Mako had always been accepting, Robin had no idea what to think of the Red Hair Pirates and kept her powers a secret…only to reveal them in order to prevent Mako from getting seriously hurt when she fell off the crow's nest—what was she even doing up there?
"Bird!" Mako loudly exclaimed as she held up a newspaper.
Robin arched her brow at this before realizing the bird that Mako had been talking about was a News Coo.
"Read?" Mako seemed to be asking, almost as if she hadn't just fallen off the crow's nest.
All Robin could see in the background, was Shanks, mouthing, "Told you she would be trouble."
The lack of direct attention to her Devil Fruit powers was enough for Robin to ignore Shanks as she took the newspaper Mako was holding out to her. The first thing that caught her attention was the headlines, which read:
MARIEJOIS BURNS
Apparently, a fishman by the name of Fisher Tiger had climbed up the Red Line and not only attacked the World Government capital, Mariejois, but also set it on fire (thus explaining the headlines). The newspaper went into details on how atrocious of an act it was and how many, if not all, indentured servants had suddenly gone missing during the chaos of the attack. It was around here that Robin stopped reading, as she wasn't a fool. Having been a victim of libel and slander, Robin knew when the truth was being covered up—this was no different.
Though the term, "indentured servants" was used, Robin knew for a fact that it was just a euphemism for slaves. And Fisher Tiger had been the reason that said slaves had gone missing—or rather, had been freed. Reading along the lines was honestly one of Robin's favorite past times when it came to seeing the information spread around through the newspapers.
"Anything worth reading?" Shanks asked Robin as he picked Mako off the floor.
"Depends on who you are asking," Robin replied as she showed Shanks the newspaper.
"Let's see what the damage is—" Shanks trailed off, looking rather pale as he read the newspaper entry. "Oh this isn't good…"
Robin arched her brow at this. "What's wrong?"
Shanks said nothing as he set Mako onto the floor. "H-Hey Mako—how about you go bother Beckman? I think he's smoking again and you know what that means?"
Mako grinned widely before running off, gleefully exclaiming, "Hide the packet!"
Robin continued to stare at Shanks, waiting to hear a response to the question she had asked him. It was only until Mako had disappeared from their line of sight and was, presumably, out of earshot that Shanks finally spoke.
"I think now is a good time as any to tell you the truth about Mako," Shanks said as he adjusted his straw hat. "As much as it pains me to admit it, Mako isn't really my daughter…"
"Is that so?" That certainly raised a lot more questions Robin had in regards to Mako.
"Yasopp's the only one in this crew who has actually fathered a child," Shanks explained. "I was just entrusted to protect a dying mother's child. I never had any intents on becoming a father. Of course, Mako never got the message—not that I mind."
If there was one thing Robin knew for certain, it was that Shanks truly did care for Mako. Though, that still didn't explain why Shanks looked so grim when he read the newspaper. While Robin had gained some insight in regards to Mako's mother, Mako's father, on the other hand…
"If you're not her father, then who is he?" Robin found herself asking.
Shanks paused for a moment before grinning, his eyes completely hidden by his straw hat. "Didn't you read the news? Apparently, he and many others have gone missing since the fire that burned Mariejois…"
…
…
Robin was never one to show much physical affection…but after learning the truth from Shanks, Robin felt as though she should do something. So when Mako returned to show off the packet of cigarettes she had just finished stealing from Beckman, Robin knelt down to embrace the little girl. And because Robin felt that one pair of arms wasn't enough, multiple arms soon wrapped themselves around Mako. It was a hug that only someone who had consumed the Hana Hana no Mi could provide.
…
After all that had happened in Mariejois, Robin had every reason to leave the instant she had learned about Mako. With so many slaves having escaped, the Marines were no doubt going to try and reclaim them—even if that meant searching every ship sailing the seas. And while Mako wasn't branded like her parents, the child of a Tenryuubito slave was still considered a slave.
If any light were to ever be shed on Mako's parentage, it would put an end to the freedom she currently had. And Robin would be damned if she caused a child the misfortunate she had brought onto others. She would not allow it to happen…
For now, Robin would try her best to stay unnoticed while she was with the Red Hair Pirates. Eventually, she would leave them, rather than put them at risk with the World Government—not after they had given her a place to stay where she actually felt safe…and wanted. Of course, this had only been possible because Mako had wanted her to stay…
Why did she want me to stay?
Robin had yet to figure it out. Even during these four months she had spent with Mako, Robin still had no idea why the little girl had ever wanted a stranger like her to stay. And, initially, Robin had no idea why Shanks had allowed it to happen.
About a few weeks later, when Robin had decided to ask Shanks, the answer she had received caught her off-guard.
"Mako seemed pretty happy with you around and…" Shanks trailed off.
Robin arched her brow at this. "And…?"
"You looked pretty happy, too…" Shanks smiled. "You should smile more. It's a nice look."
And just like that, Jaguar D. Saul popped up in mind. The similarities were there, except instead of laughter, it was smiling…and just like before, Robin felt her face heat up as she blushed. A rush of positive emotions washed over her as a smile tugged at her lips.
"Like that!" Shanks suddenly said as he grinned. "C'mon—don't hold back."
And just like that, Robin smiled. She honestly felt happy with the answer Shanks had given her question. It was enough to almost make her forget about her current predicament…almost.
Maybe I'll stay…just a little longer…
…
When Mako started prancing around in the new clothes she had been given, Robin realized that she had been with the Red Hair Pirates for more than half a year now. Mako was getting older, and it showed from how she finally fit into the clothes that had been bought for her when she was only a year old. According to Yasopp, the crewmates who had picked out the clothes had no idea how to shop for a one-year-old little girl…and it definitely showed by the fact that Mako was dressed in clothes meant for a boy her age.
Of course, Mako didn't seem to have a care in the world that she was wearing. In fact, she seemed rather content with wearing something other than the dresses she had previously worn, of which had all been thrown out due to having been worn consistently to their limits. Delicate material plus a ship life did not mix together whatsoever and with the way Mako liked to get into everything, much to her father's and everyone else's discomfort, it was a wonder how her dresses had managed to last as long as they had.
That still didn't stop Robin from buying Mako a dress she thought would look cute on the two-year-old during their last stop at a port. Mako seemed to like it well, but still preferred her other clothes. Though, from what Robin could see, Mako was at least trying to keep this dress in one piece.
…
…
"Happy birthday!"
Robin felt her eyes go wide when the many members of the Red Hair Pirates, Shanks included, suddenly shouted at her the instant she entered the dining room. It puzzled her how they knew when her birthday was…then she noticed Mako prancing around in the white dress she gave given the little girl. Robin recalled a random question Mako had asked her involving her birthday…
Today was the day she turned sixteen—a day she was going to keep to herself, as she felt no need for others to know such a trivial fact about herself. And here were the Red Hair Pirates, offering her a cake with sixteen candles. The only reason this was even possible was because Mako didn't keep the information she had learned about Robin to herself. Mako had shared it and for that, the Red Hair Pirates made sure that Robin knew that her birthday wasn't going to be ignored.
As Mako walked over to Robin, carrying a plate with a slice of cake, all Robin could do was smile. And about four months later, Robin had returned the favor by giving Mako a huge storybook for her third birthday. Mako liked to read…and when she received the storybook from Robin, the first thing Mako did was read to Robin. Just seeing the little girl who she had taught how to read, just trying to read back to her made Robin smile and ignore the fact that it had almost been a year since she had started traveling with the Red Hair Pirates.
…
A month passed and Robin soon found herself returning to a place she could only ever revisit through her memories: Ohara.
The crew's navigator had been rather surprised to find an island on the map he had been using. It had been completely by chance that the Red Hair Pirates had come across the island of Ohara—or rather, what had been left of it. But for Robin to have been aboard with them…that was something Robin was still trying to wrap her mind around. It was just too lucky…but Robin had noticed her fortune had been on a rise since she had joined the Red Hair Pirates.
"This is your home, huh?" Shanks had asked Robin after she had told him and the others that this island was Ohara.
"What's left of it," Robin couldn't help but add.
It was so empty and yet, so very green at the same time. What should have been nothing but burnt remains and ash, was full of vegetation. It seemed that life continued to grow, even after everyone else was gone. It was almost as if the island itself was acting against what the Buster Call had intended on doing, which was destroying everything on Ohara.
"Do you wanna get off?" Shanks's question had caught Robin completely off-guard. She almost had no idea what to say…but after a moment of silence, she had her answer.
"Why not?" It's not as if Robin had anything to lose if she took a tour around the remains of her homeland.
…
It was strange—setting foot on a devastated island. The only life that seemed to exist was mostly plant life. The plant life at least seemed to be flourishing, Robin couldn't help but think as she knelt down to look at a tree sprout that was growing near the where the Tree of Knowledge once stood. The Tree of Knowledge, now black and brittle from being burnt from the fires that had set Ohara ablaze, had fallen to the side, destroying everything had been near it. Over five-thousand years it had been growing, containing so many books, only to fall to a Buster Call that had wiped Ohara off the map…
With the little tree sprout that was growing in place of the magnificent tree that once stood, Robin could at least say that the Tree of Knowledge now lived on in that little sprout. The thought made her smile…it was a shame that the books were completely gone.
"At least something else will live on…" Robin smiled wistfully.
Then, without any warning, Mako suddenly shouted, "Book!"
Almost at once, everyone's attention focused on the three-year-old as she pointed ecstatically at the lake nearby the Tree of Knowledge. It was a lake that everyone had ignored for the most part, having paid more attention to the scenery surrounding it. It was not every day that the Red Hair Pirates had a chance to see what kind of power a Buster Call had in regards to what it could do without being caught in the crossfire, after all. Even Robin hadn't batted an eye at the lake, the fallen Tree of Knowledge having caught her full attention.
So when she and the Red Hair Pirates walked up to find out what Mako had seen in the lake, Robin was completely speechless, her eyes wide with astonishment. The lake had been completely frozen solid, but that wasn't what had caught Robin's attention. What had caught her attention were the numerous books that had filled up the entire lake.
"Book!" Mako shouted again as she jumped up and down, clapping her hands repeatedly. It was a normal reaction from her to seeing so many books.
Robin almost felt like doing the same—almost. Instead, she was more content to see that something else had survived the Buster Call. So many scholars had stayed behind in order to ensure that several thousand years' worth of ancient text somehow managed to avoid being burned and to see it here, somehow preserved…it gave Robin some comfort knowing that the scholars of Ohara did not die in vain. Though, the fact that the lake was frozen was an issue that Robin couldn't help but feel uncomfortable about due to reasons she had with her last experience involving ice in an environment that had no reason for it. That is to say, the lake wasn't naturally frozen—someone else had and who that person could possibly be made Robin rather nervous.
After all, Kuzan had promised Robin that he would be the first enemy to catch her if she had done anything. And considering how infamous she had become these past eight years, Kuzan had every reason to come after her at this point.
"You must be pretty happy, huh, Robin?" Shanks's question snapped Robin out of her thoughts.
Robin blinked a few times and forced a smile. "I guess you can say that…my mother and the other scholars had stayed behind in order to save as many books as possible."
Silence…
Everyone always seemed to get quiet whenever Robin brought up her past. It was a usual reaction whenever a serious subject was mentioned. Then Mako decided to run off without saying anything, turning all attention on her.
"Hey, what're you doing, Mako?!" Yasopp exclaimed.
"Ship!" Mako responded as she presumably made her way toward the ship. Not wanting to let the three-year-old go on her own, everyone else followed after her.
Sometime later, the Red Hair Pirates, Robin, and Mako returned to the Tree of knowledge. What had changed this time around was the fact that Mako was carrying a bunch of origami flowers she had made in her spare time. If there was one thing Robin knew about Mako, it was that, apart from reading, she liked origami. More often than not, Robin came across Mako, concentrating deeply as she tried to fold a piece of paper to match what was on the page of the book on origami she was reading. In fact, it was Mako who had made Shanks buy her a book on origami after docking at a port a couple of months back. That day, everyone, Robin included, had been making various works of origami. Robin certainly had an interesting time using her Devil Fruit powers to make various paper cranes.
Sometimes, Robin wished Mako was just as focused with learning how to write as she was with origami… But right now, Mako seemed to be focused on doing something with the many origami flowers she had folded. It took only until Mako had started setting down the origami flowers around the growing tree sprout for Robin to realize Mako was leaving flowers at what could be considered a gravesite.
Robin found herself needing a moment to recuperate after making such a realization. Sometimes, it was easy to forget that Mako was only three years old…
…
"Are you sure you don't want us to help you get to the books?" Shanks asked Robin as they and the others boarded the ship.
"We can help break the ice!" Lucky Roo suggested.
"I think a better idea would be to melt the ice with warm water…" Beckman mused. "Breaking the ice could damage the books."
Robin was honestly touched that these three were so intent on helping her get access to the many books that her mother and the scholars of Ohara had risked their life to protect. Still, for them to stay on this island any longer worried her.
"We should leave…" Robin said firmly. "That ice…it's the work of a Devil Fruit user…"
Shanks blinked a few times before his eyes suddenly went wide. He probably remembered Kuzan, the man who had frozen Jaguar D. Saul when Robin had told him what really happened on Ohara. "Gotcha…let's leave."
"Bye-bye, Ohara!" Mako waved at the island before turning to Robin. "Come back soon for books?"
"We do have the island marked on our maps…" Yasopp said as he looked over the Red Hair Pirates' navigator's shoulder.
"Tell you what, Robin—how about we come back later when we have the chance?" Shanks smiled widely at Robin. "What do you say? C'mon, I know you really want to get those books…"
Robin couldn't help but smile at this. "Oh, alright."
Robin didn't have the heart to tell Shanks or anyone that she had plans to leave them eventually…
…
…
About a week after the visit to Ohara, Robin had quite the shock of her life when Shichibukai, Dracule "Hawk-Eyes" Mihawk paid the Red Hair Pirates a surprised visit. Though, that shock quickly diminished as Mako ran up to Mihawk and latched herself onto his leg.
"Hawk-Eyes!" is all she said as Mihawk just stared at her rather warily.
Then Mihawk noticed Robin and arched his brow at her. "Nico Robin?"
"Uh…yes?" A small bead of sweat rolled down the side of Robin's face as she looked at Mihawk, his hawk-like eyes completely focused on her.
A minute passed before Mihawk reached into his pocket and dropped a small wrapped package that Mako was quick to catch. Smiling widely, Mako unlatched herself from Mihawk's leg and unwrapped the package. Inside, she found candy that she was quick to start eating—starting off with a lollipop. All of this was done without Mihawk's gaze ever leaving Robin.
It was rather nerve-wracking to the point where Robin nearly wanted to embrace Shanks when he showed up at that moment. He seemed rather pleased to see Mihawk, who still seemed rather perplexed with Robin's presence.
Mihawk shifted his attention to Shanks and asked, "Another stray?"
Robin almost felt offended to be referred to as a stray by Dracule Mihawk, but said nothing of it. It would be foolish to get on Mihawk's bad side, according to what she had heard of the Shichibukai through various rumors.
"You have Mako to thank for her." Shanks grinned widely.
"Yes!" Mako exclaimed as she dashed over to Shanks's side.
"So I assume you're here for another duel…?" Shanks looked questioningly at Mihawk.
"Your assumption is correct." Mihawk tipped his hat.
Robin honestly couldn't believe what she was seeing, though she was inwardly relieved that Mihawk didn't seem to hold an interest to who she was. He just acknowledged she was there and seemed to be more wary of Mako, for reasons Robin couldn't exactly tell. She decided to make a mental note to ask Shanks later about it. For now, Mako seemed to be asking for her attention.
"Let's make origami!" Mako suggested after taking the lollipop out of her mouth.
Robin blinked and nodded. "What do you want to do this time?"
"Flowers!" Flowers seemed to have been a favorite of Mako's, with the rose usually being the type she picked out the most, despite having some of the most complicated folds.
"Okay, let's go make some, then." Robin smiled at Mako as the three-year-old walked up to her side.
…
About fifteen minutes later, Robin found herself stifling a giggle when Shanks placed an origami rose that Mako had just finished making on Mihawk's hat, where the plume was located. Mihawk didn't even react to it. He just continued to act as if Shanks hadn't just given his hat an addition. Judging by the expression on Mihawk's face (or lack thereof), Robin just assumed that Mihawk was completely used to Shanks's antics. He seemed especially used to whatever antics Mako was involved with as well, in particular…
Within a matter of seconds, Mako and Shanks managed to change whatever impression Robin initially had of the Shichibukai. And just seeing how Shanks interacted with Mihawk—it took a huge load off of her shoulders in regards to how she should act around the man. She was still aware of who he was, it was more that Robin was a bit more relaxed than tense.
A couple of hours later, Mihawk finally took his leave, reminding Robin that she, herself, needed to eventually leave this ship as well. The problem, however, that Robin realized she kept making excuses so she could stay even longer with the Red Hair Pirates, even knowing that doing so would be risky. She was putting everyone at risk with the World Government—why was she still here?
Why am I still here?
Robin didn't seem to have an answer…but then she saw Mako offering her an origami rose and Shanks calling the two of them over for dinner. And while Robin was at the dinner table with them and the rest of the Red Hair Pirates, she found herself getting extra helpings from Lucky Roo. Beckman made a comment that she should eat up, while Yasopp mentioned she was still growing. It was at that moment that a random crewmate remarked how tall Robin had gotten, which earned her much attention as she realized she had in fact gotten taller in the past year. Robin was almost at a loss with how accustomed she had grown with this typical type of behavior with the Red Hair Pirates.
This was just yet another day with them…and Robin couldn't help but be so content.
Maybe…another month wouldn't hurt…
…
…
Robin knew her luck would run out eventually…she just wished it hadn't happened after staying two more months with the Red Hair Pirates. When it came to everyone's attention that a Marine ship was on their tracks, Robin was quick to panic. The last time she had attracted a Marine ship to the pirate ship she had once been on ended up rather ugly, with the captain being quick to give her up… Despite the way everyone had treated her, Robin had been expecting the Red Hair Pirates to do the same.
What she didn't expect was genuine concern.
"We're not gonna let them get you!" Shanks had been quick to proclaim. "Now take Mako and go inside the ship!"
Robin stared wide-eyed at Shanks for a good minute, not knowing how to react to his outburst. She only snapped out of it when Mako had tugged on the skirt of her dress and told her they needed to go.
"The Marines aren't nice—they'll just call you a monster, like me…" Mako frowned.
Seeing that frown on Mako's face, hearing her words—it made Robin's chest hurt. Mako had already lost so much—not that she would know, as she was blissfully unaware of how serious her life could have been, had she not been so lucky. To hear that the little girl that had managed to find her a place on a ship with people who cared about her wellbeing called a monster—that just wasn't fair.
It's just not fair.
Without even saying a word, Robin picked Mako off the floor and ran into the ship, carrying the three-year-old in her arms. Robin made sure that she found a good place to hide, in order to ensure that no one found them. She had hope it would stay like that…
About half an hour later, a lone Marine managed to barge into their hiding spot, somehow managing to make it past the others. He was definitely looking for Robin, based on how quick he was to threaten them with a gun. That meant that the Marines were definitely here for her.
It didn't even surprise Robin that someone like this Marine would point a gun at a child. After all, Robin was only eight years old when the World Government decided to give her such a bounty for people to hunt her down… And the fact that Mako was only half-human was probably what made it easier for the Marine to not hesitate.
Within a matter of seconds, three arms sprouted out of the Marine and Robin suddenly yelled, "Tres Fleur Clutch!"
Snap!
Robin had grown so used to hearing that familiar snap…but she knew that it wouldn't be enough to completely take out the Marine. The fact that she hadn't even blinked an eye when she had two hands wrap around the Marine's neck honestly frightened Robin, but she just couldn't get over the fact that the Marine had pointed a gun at a child. That could have been her eight years ago—that had been her once.
It was almost as if Robin was releasing pent up rage she held against the Marines as she continued to strangle the Marine with her hands. And it was only until she was completely sure that the Marine was dead that Robin realized what she did—and in front of Mako.
"R-Robin?" Mako suddenly said.
What have I done?
"C-Cover your eyes!" Robin was quick to tell Mako. "Just do it—please!"
As soon as Mako did as she was told, Robin stood up and ran over to the dead body lying in the middle of the doorway. With the help of her Devil Fruit Powers, Robin had been able to hide the cadaver in a nearby broom closet. How this particular Marine ever managed to make it this far into the ship without being caught, Robin will never know…but she knew that she and Mako had to find a different place to hide.
…
Five minutes later, Robin and Mako were now hiding in a barrel. Mako had suggested it, mentioning that Shanks had once hid her in a barrel. Robin honestly had a lot of questions to ask, but for now, she just hoped no one noticed either of them. She also hoped that she didn't cry…
This is my fault…
Because she had been so selfish, Robin had gotten the Red Hair Pirates involved with the Marines—Marines that were after her, not them.
Why aren't they giving me up?!
It would only make things easier for Robin to find her reason to leave, instead of a reason to stay.
Why?!
Robin could already feel the tears pricking her eyes. She had done enough crying in the past until she had reached a point where she finally decided to stop crying altogether. She wasn't going to revert back to that now—not after all that she had been through. Robin bit her lip and tried to ignore the tears that had already started to stream down her cheeks.
Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry, don't cry!
…
…
"Dereshi!" Robin felt her eyes go wide when she heard that familiar laugh she usually laughed herself when she felt down. Seeing Mako doing it instead was something that caught her completely by surprise. "Dereshishishi! Dereshishishi!"
Robin wasn't so used to hearing someone else, other than her, do something like this. It took her a full minute, of which Mako continued to laugh that unique laugh that Robin realized…Mako was trying to cheer her up. Mako was doing what Robin had done about a year ago when the two had first met each other.
Knowing this, Robin wrapped her arms around Mako as she brought the three-year-old in a tight embrace. She sniffed, her thoughts now shifting over to how everyone else was doing on deck with the Marines. She hoped no one had gotten to hurt or worse—killed.
…
A total of four hours had passed before Shanks had managed to find the two of them, hidden inside the barrel. It had taken them that long to get rid of the Marines. Robin was incredibly relieved to see everyone was well, if slightly injured. They were all alive—that's what counted.
"Some Marines managed to make it inside, but it doesn't seem that any of them had managed to get to the two of ya…" Shanks remarked.
Robin felt her cheeks heat up as she recalled the Marine she had strangled. At the moment, she was rather embarrassed to even bring that up and decided to do so later when things calmed down. For now, she had to bring up a point that she was sure everyone else had noticed.
"They know I'm with you…" Robin stated. "They know I'm with you…"
While the Red Hair Pirates were already susceptible to Marine ambushes before, the fact that they now knew Robin was with them would only bring in an increase. That alone just added quite a tedious burden to the Red Hair Pirates that Robin felt they didn't deserve.
"Right…there's that…" Shanks didn't seem too unfazed. "I guess that'll just be something we'll have to watch out from here on out. Well, anyways—how are you two doing?"
Robin hadn't been expecting this. She had been expecting everyone to talk about how much more difficult she had made their lives. She wasn't expecting Shanks, of all people, to ask if she was fine.
"Why are you treating me like this?" Robin asked. "It's my fault they're going to be after you because of me. You were better off just giving me up!"
Maybe then…she wouldn't have put them all in danger…
"Robin…why would you think that?" The look of concern on Shanks's face as he asked that question caught Robin off-guard. "You're one of us! We can't just let anyone take you away!"
And from there, everyone else seemed to have repeating similar phrases to Robin. They weren't going to let the Marines take a member of their crew away without a fight. She was one of them. That meant if she went down, so did everyone else. They would rather die than give her up for selfish reasons involving safety. They would rather be selfish in keeping her around and risking their lives for her.
Before Robin even knew it, she was crying. The tears were streaming down her cheeks again and her chest felt as though someone was squeezing her heart. Just hearing how so many people wanted her, never once shifting the blame to her that it was her fault, when she had.
Robin had finally realized why she had stayed…it was because she wanted to stay.
I can't leave them.
I just…can't…
And for the first time in years, Robin allowed herself to cry. She collapsed onto her knees and started crying into her hands while everyone else just watched, letting her cry as much as she wanted.
Thank you…
Thank you for giving me a place to stay.
…
…
…
A/N Bet you guys weren't expecting this! Hell yeah! Oh, and a huge shout out to UnstableFable for making this story's bitchin' cover! Look at it! Look at how glorious it is and it's all thanks to UnstableFable, yeaaaah!
I'm sorry, I'm just so hyped up that Gone Fishing has a cover—you can check out the link to the picture on my profile. Moving on from that, I'm pretty sure a lot of you weren't expecting Robin to come along…well let me just say that it happened. And here's the thing about how I work with my SI OCs so far. I start things out slowly, working my way up so that it sets things up for later future events. Anyone who has read my Naruto SI OC Butterfly Child should know how slow it started at first, before suddenly going into long-term events that can't be changed because of how they have been set up. It's gonna be the same way here.
What it means is that while things change, something else balances it out, but whether or not these events happen the same way they have in canon is not always guaranteed. It's basically a reminder that the SI OC is not always in control of the events around them, if ever. The fact that Mako was able to get Robin to come along was one thing, but for Robin to have actually stayed—that was a completely different story, as you can see from this chapter.
So yeah, in any case, a bit more of Mako was revealed this time around. While her mother is dead, her biological father is still alive and even more so on her parents, they're both Tenryuubito slaves. Some of the world building I have implemented here involve the fact that various languages exists. Japanese is the main language everyone speaks in, but…English is the one they read and write in (which explains why you have people speaking it at times and Franky's "Suuuupeeerrrrr!") and that alone causes some problems for people who don't have the access for the education—it was done intentionally. Remember that corruption factor I mentioned at the beginning of this story.
Then there's another factor of the child of a Tenryuubito slave is still considered a slave—credit goes to ChibiFoxAI for that. That aside, Mako is in a position where if her past ever gets brought up around the wrong people, everything she has had so far could easily be taken away from her—like freedom. Now I want everyone to refer to this story's summary again…yeah, makes sense, huh?
Thin ice, man—that's what Mako's standing on and she doesn't even know it yet. On a more light-hearted note, ChibiFoxAI has mentioned that Mihawk seems to slowly be getting domesticated and that it is hilarious, which it is. Ahahaha, and Mako's picked up a hobby on origami, so expect her to be folding that paper when she gets bored. As short of an attention span that she has (as she does have Combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive ADHD like moi), Mako can very much concentrate easily on a task that catches her interest.
Anyways, shout out goes to TheSuperMario for being reviewer #20 and honorable mentions go to MajesticHippo (I love your name, by the way), Serendipital (cool name!), anonymous reviewer AnonPerson Thing, and Sceonn! Thank you guys so much for taking the time to review! ^^
It might have taken me some time, but I can at least say that I am finally out of college for the summer! Expect some more updates, depending on what happens! I seriously hope I am at least productive this time around…so yeah, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! I'll try to get the next one up as soon as I can, so until next time, everyone! KD out! XD