Enter Chapter 2! I wasn't expecting as much feedback from chapter 1 as there was, and I'm thankful to everyone who reviewed, favorited and followed. I don't want to drag anything out in the storyline, so it'll start getting spicy right about now. Let's see if you can take it. ;D I'm sorry it's not a very long chapter, but that's really all I needed. Please don't be angry with me. :)

Review Corner:

dukefan01 – Zoro'll protect Robin to the ends of the earth, even if he won't openly admit it. XD Thanks for your review!

shadowangel9999 – Usopp would think they're voodoo dolls, wouldn't he? And wow, you're good. :) The details behind that scheme will be revealed soon. Enjoy the update!

NinjaSheik – Well, thank you. :) Well… I hate to say it, but that good look at their relationship will be shattered this chapter… heh… heh…

Jabrax13 – You think everything makes Zoro and Robin look perfect together. XD If that sinking feeling is coming from Teen Titans, then you may have something. I don't want to give away too many spoilers, though. Enjoy!

KaizokuGari20 – I shall reply to both your wonderful reviews, then. ;D Thank you very much, I try not to make the story seemed too rushed, but I have no inkling as to how long this story will last, so I figured I might as well go ahead and introduce the puppets. Enjoy the update, and thanks for the review!

armaani – I wish I was at a One Piece exhibition and had an action figure of all the characters. Duh! X appears in X episode of the Xth arc of the second season of X show. Any otaku knows that. Enjoy the update, and thank you for your review!

Broken Elsewhere – I'm glad it lives up to your expectations. As for maturity, I think Zoro has his immaturely dense moments that really round out this otherwise very complex yet straightforward character. Thank you for your support, and please enjoy the update.

Seis Fleur – Thank. You. Very. Much. :D

UltimateC3 – I had the first chapter completed by Chapter 15 of SoL, so I just had to finish this chapter 2 before posting. Now I have to start chapter 4 because chapter 3 is already completed and it's going to take a while. I hope this will at least hold everyone over.

Higanbana.4 – To be honest, me too. I was expecting another week and a half, but it actually came pretty quick (not helping that it's kinda short… sorry. :( ) Thanks for your review, and enjoy the update!

DinieLuvYunho – Romantic Zoro is kinda scary, wouldn't you think? Imagine Zoro twirling around singing Mellorine~! …. *shudders * As for keeping his word, you'll have to read and find out what happens next! Thanks for your review, and I hope you enjoy!

Enjoy the update, everyone! :D

Chapter 2 – Creature in the Night

"Men who can't wipe the
tears from a woman's eyes
can't call themselves real men."
Sanji

Robin POV

"Roronoa Zoro, you get back in here right now!" I screeched, blooming hands from the floor and wrapping them around his ankles to prevent the man from walking any further. However, he wrenched his feet from my grip and strode to the door, wrenching it open so hard to crashed into the wall and put a hole where the knob had penetrated the wood. "I'm not done with you!"

Zoro turned his head over his shoulder, eyes dark with fury. "You're either brave or stupid to try and stop me," he hissed, low voice dripping with malice. "You're a smart woman, Robin. You decide which you are."

He stood in the doorframe to the women's quarters, taking up the entire space and blocking the sunlight from penetrating the room; the temperature dropped a few degrees as I was engulfed in shadows. The strain of his muscles was evident beneath his yukata, a clear sign he was agitated and wanted alone time. I wasn't about to let him have it.

"I told you because I knew you could trust me!" I yelled, forcing the pressure behind my eyes to subside. "Was I wrong to confide in you first before telling any of the others?"

"Maybe you were," he growled. "Maybe I was better off not knowing."

My eyes hardened. Wrapping a hand around the closest thing to me, I chucked it with all my might toward the back of his head. His Haki kicked into action, and he caught the coffee cup before it connected with the back of his skull, splattering the scalding liquid across the back of his hand and dripping on the carpet. "Don't you dare walk out that door," I warned.

He dropped the cup to the ground, splitting it into several small pieces. My heart wrenched; that one had been my favorite. "You get rid of it," he said. "Or you get rid of me." His part done, Zoro barreled out of the room and onto the balcony, shouldering past Nami who had just been walking towards us.

"Oi, Zoro!" she reprimanded. "Watch it!"

He didn't respond, continuing down the stairs and across the deck toward the railing. Nami sucked on her teeth as she turned toward me. "Oi, Robin. What was that abo—"

I quickly wiped away the tear that had just slid down my cheek, turning away from the orange-haired navigator. "Nothing. It was nothing."

I couldn't fool her, though. "SANJI!" she yelled immediately, summoning the cook from the kitchen where he had been preparing dinner.

"What does my mistress demand of me, Nami-swan?" the blonde swooned, spinning through the door.

"Zoro made Robin cry," she told him, which was enough for Sanji's entire demeanor to darken.

"That shitty marimo," he growled, locating the green-haired swordsman, who was walking the gangplank toward the island we had docked at for the night.

"What did he do, Robin?" Nami asked gently, leaving the two men to their quarrel and closing the door to the women's dorm. "You can tell me."

I sniffed sharply and walked to the window, drawing back the curtains to watch Zoro throw the cook away from him and turn sharply on his heel, disappearing into the forested island. The sun was beginning to set and dinner would be served soon; I hoped he would return before then. "Nothing," I said quietly.

"You can't fool me, Robin," Nami insisted, settling on her bed. "You can tell me."

I looked at her, at the warm chocolate eyes she possessed, kind eyes, eyes that would understand my plight, maybe not from experience, but as a fellow woman. I gave in and sat across from her, my hands folded in my lap. "I told him something," I started. "Something he didn't want to hear."

Nami was a good listener. She nodded at all the right moments, and kept quiet through the backstory for what I was about to tell her. I had wanted Zoro to be the first, and then I would confide in the rest of the crew, but because Nami was my roommate and closest friend, my heart opened to let her inside

"Eh!" Nami squealed. "No way!"

"Please keep your voice low," I whispered. "I don't think I want the others to know just yet."

"But Robin, they'll be so happy, especially Luffy!"

I avoided her eyes. "I understand that, but I wanted Zoro to be the first one to know, after all."

Nami twisted her lips. "Well, when that guy comes back, I'll electrocute him until he agrees. That bastard walking out on you in your moment of need!"

"I appreciate your concern, but I need to handle this on my own," I interrupted. "This is between the swordsman and I, and I'm afraid that if you butt in, you'll be in the line of fire. Please keep this from the crew; I don't want them to worry about me."

Nami's mouth closed slowly, slowly coming to a decision. She nodded silently as Sanji's voice floated through the closed door. "Nami-swan, Robin-chwan! Dinner is ready!"

.o0o.

Dinner commenced with the same energy as most other meals, minus the swordsman of course. Luffy still nabbed chunks of food from the others' plates, and he cried out when he nearly got a fork through the hand thanks to Franky keeping an extra-close eye on his potatoes. Chopper and Usopp, who had grown on his little marionette, tried to have their dolls feed them the rice, and this ultimately ended up with the grains all over the floor. Most of the Straw Hats in the room had their doll with them, slung over their shoulder or tucked in a pocket or bra strap. My doll I had tucked in my skirt, wooden arms clicking together when I shifted.

I picked at my food, barely eating. Nami, of course, noticed, but respectfully didn't point it out. My lack of appetite did not fail to be noticed by the conjurer of the fine meal, and he approached me with more of a concerned brother rather than jealous lover.

"Robin-chan, please eat," Sanji urged. "I know the bastard made you upset, so please allow my fabulous cooking to convince you to return to me instead!"

I took back my previous statement.

"I'm sorry, Sanji-san," I smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "I'm just not hungry tonight. Can I just have some coffee?"

"Of course, my love!"

"Hey, Robin, are you gonna eat that?" Luffy asked through a mouthful of food.

I chuckled half-heartedly and pushed my plate across the table to him, and Luffy pounced. I accepted the mug of steaming brown delight and stood, making my way out to the grassy deck. I sat in my sun chair and let down the umbrella, allowing the full expanse of the starry night to be unveiled before me. The night was warm with a gentle breeze from the ocean bringing with it the scent of salt and sand.

I took a sip of the coffee and pulled out my wooden replica, staring at its elegant face moodily. They had only come the day before yesterday, and I had unwillingly grown an attachment to the puppet. It's smile still unnerved me, however, and I tried to avoid looking at it. It reminded me too much of the person I used to be. Since we reached this island around lunch earlier today, the events aboard the ship had been mostly reserved to examining and playing with the dolls. Until tonight.

My thoughts drifted to the wandering swordsman. Where was he? Had he gotten himself lost again? What was he feeling right now? It wasn't uncommon for a couple to have a quarrel every now and again, but this I filed under an entirely separate category. He had betrayed me, and threatened to leave. It wasn't my fault, but both of ours. He and I would be on better terms had it not been for… but I was kidding myself. It had been my fault entirely.

I knew Zoro would return eventually. Luffy under no circumstance would leave his valued first mate behind, and the green haired man wouldn't leave the crew completely just because he had a fight with me, right? Zoro wasn't like that at all. But maybe he was; just how well did I know my lover? Yes, we may have shared our memories briefly in the River Chai, but it wasn't enough for me to finally get a good look at him. Were there things he had yet to tell me? I knew about Kuina, and his promise. Sometimes I couldn't help but notice he looked at me longingly, but he wasn't looking at me. Maybe he was imagining the deceased girl of his past. Did I really remind him that much of her?

I closed my eyes and cradled my doll to my chest, breathing deeply. I was making a big deal of nothing, I assured myself. I didn't have any reason to distrust the swordsman, and he wasn't one to dwell on those of the past, not for long anyway.

I wasn't sure when I fell asleep, but I was awoken by the gentle sounds of footsteps on the deck. I was comfortable where I lay, so I bloomed an eye on the rail beside me and scanned the lawn, looking for the source. I soon found the culprit, a figure darkened by shadows crouching near the swing. It was difficult to get a look at who it was from my position, so I allowed the spare eye to vanish and opened the other two attached to my face, slowly sitting up so as to not startle the figure.

"Zoro?" I asked quietly. When the figure didn't cease his movement, I asked again, louder this time. "Zoro?"

The person froze, not turning from where he was crouched on deck. He stayed that way for a moment, and I was about to get up and approach when the figure suddenly bolted for the side of the ship, launching himself overboard and hitting the surf with a splash, taking off across the sand and into the trees. I watched him go, sadness once again present in my heart. That man was such a coward.

I reclined once again into my chair. I had half a mind to retire to my real bed, but I wanted to be outside when Zoro returned. It was at that point I felt a tug in my gut, spreading all through my body until I had the feeling my entire body was being pulled in every direction. I winced, opening my mouth to cry out in pain, but my voice wouldn't work and all I could manage was a moan.

Something crawled its way up my throat, forcing my jaw open wide. My eyes felt suddenly very hot, the intensity spreading to my lips and traveling completely down my arms and legs to the tips of my fingers and toes. My body glowed a deep purple, as the thing in my throat rested at the back of my tongue.

The sensations were so uncomfortable and alien I didn't know how to react. It was obviously some sort of ability, possibly a Devil Fruit, but I was unable to retaliate back toward my invisible attacker. For once in my years I had no idea what to do except let whatever was happening happen and hope that the rest of the crew was okay.

A voice pounded into my eardrums, a strange voice I didn't recognize. It spoke in an unfamiliar language or dialect, chanting incessantly. A spell, or enchantment? Is that what was causing this?

"Duša extrakcie… duša extrakcie…"

Whatever was escaping through my mouth finally crawled free, and I let out an exhausted sigh as the strange feelings suddenly ceased, disappearing from my body and causing my body, which had arched to fight off the sensations, to slump back into my deck chair, skin spotted with sweat. My mind was fighting off the blackness that overwhelmed my consciousness, and I struggled to keep my eyes open.

I had just the time to see a figure, the one from before, approaching stealthily. Zoro never walked stealthily, rather defaulting to his stocky stride. He raised an object in his hand, and a glowing object levitating in the air gravitated toward it. A shadow of a smile flickered over the intruder's features, illuminated by the strange glow.

"Who… are…" I tried to say, but before I could finish the unconsciousness finally overtook my mind and I collapsed, the whisper of a single word escaping my lips.

Well, that's it for chapter 2! I apologize again for it being so short, but I couldn't think of any possible way to make it longer. Please don't hate me. Anyway, please review! It brightens my day to no extent.

BTW, FUNimation recently released the newest Voyage to season 4! The DVD includes the train ride to Enies Lobby in English dub! Even if you don't like the dub, it comes with Japanese dub so please buy the DVDs and support FUNimation (You Should Be Watching…)

Coming Up: Chapter 3 – Fight Back!