CHAPTER 5

AN OLD GIFT

It was the second week on Going Merry for Robin and things seemed to be getting better than the start.

The previous night she didn't sleep, just pretended to, for fear they might betray or hurt her in order to take advantage of her. She knew that they weren't that kind of people and that Zoro wouldn't do that, but she needed more time just to be sure.

Everyone was very friendly with her and she started creating a more intimate and amiable bond with Chopper, Nami and of course the man who saved her, Luffy. Other than that, Sanji was unfailingly flirting with her, Usopp was a little weary of their new archaeologist and Zoro on one hand was keeping an eye on her and on the other was trying his best to ignore her. And he was undoubtedly succedding.

When she was talking to Nami, he would watch her all along but when she would ask if he needed something he would grunt and say "I need nothing from you".

Then again, when she was passing time with their goofy Captain he would be somewhere near, too, stalking at her with the eyes of a predator. She would usually ask if there was a problem, but he would snap at her yelling "Yes, there is a big one", of course referring at her being.

Zoro's attitude was getting on her nerves more than anything else, but if she wanted to convince him that she is not up to something, she should remain composed and provoke him as little as possible.

Currently she was sitting at her chair, somewhat alienated from the others, and she was reading a book titled "The Rainbow Mist". Zoro was already done with his daily exercises and when he laid down his weights, Robin took her eyes away from the book and leaded them on him. She was sure that he would be looking at her, but her insight failed her this time.

She saw the young swordsman taking something out of his pocket and tying it around his muscled arm. She recognized immediately what kind of "something" it was.

"He still has this bandana?" she thought happily "How didn't I notice it all this time? Maybe he hadn't been wearing it intentionally"

Her eyes were locked at him and when he finished adjusting the cloth he turned his whole body at her side and looked into her teary eyes.

"He remembers…" she said internally.

Suddenly, cocking an eyebrow he asked "What are you looking at like this, woman?" He tried to look indifferent and angry but the hint of knowledge in his voice and eyes didn't go unnoticed by the cunning archaeologist.

"It's nothing Kenshi-san. I was just thinking that you'll catch a cold like this. You should wear something" she said and smiled. Her tears had subsided.

"I think I've told you I don't catch colds. And since when you're my mother?" with that said he grabbed his blouse and left the deck.

"Damn woman, she remembers" he thought and a cracked smirk appeared on his face.

Flashback

"Oh my god, Zoro. What happened to you?" yelled Robin after leaving her usual seat under the old sakura tree, and running towards him.

"Oh that… that is nothing. Just a small cut" he said grudgingly and turned his face away from her censorious glare. His hand was still holding tightly his wound, trying to stop the hemorrhage "I was just looking for something to…"

"Here give it to me" she smiled and she could see the hesitation in his eyes while giving his hand to her.

She took him by the hand carefully and leaded him to a fountain a few meters away.

"It's bleeding really badly. I think we should tell Sensei to call a doctor. Does it hurt?"

"No" he screamed. She knew that her question would hurt his ego, but she couldn't help but care. Those five months with those people had really changed her view of this world. There were good people amongst the wicked ones. There were good people and she really cared for them. That's why she didn't want to be a burden to them. But, on the other hand, she didn't want to leave.

After washing and cleaning his wound with the clear and cold water, she took the green bandana, she always wore, off her neck and fasten it tightly in his arm in order to stop the bleeding.

"I think that will do until a doctor tends to it"

"Thank you…woman" he stopped for a little but then frowned and continued "I don't like calling you like that"

"Uhm… Then don't call me like that" she said a little amused by his annoyance.

"…" He was too annoyed to answer and started heading back first leaving her a few meters behind.

When she caught up with him she asked

"Do you mind if you tell me who hurt you?"

"My friend Saga" he retorted but before being able to continue as shocked Robin said

"What? Why did he do that to you? You said he's your friend"

"He had no intention of hurting me. I was just reckless" after a sigh he decided to tell the whole truth. Nevertheless, he knew that Sensei would find out and that he couldn't escape from Kuina's bickering "I wanted to test my knew defensive technique with real katas, but as you saw it didn't go really well" he sighed again showing his wound. She smiled .

"I think you just need more exercise. I'm sure you'll do it. I know that you're learning quickly" she said softly and much to her delight she received a wholehearted smile from the grouchy boy and a sincere thank you.

Actually, she knew that reprimanding him and telling to be careful would make matters worse. Besides, what she said was true. She believed that the stubborn boy in front of her had many potentials to be one of the best if not the best.

He, as Kuina, did everything for their dreams. Training incessantly, trying to improve their fighting styles and willingly listening to what their teacher had to say to them.

She was doing everything for her dream, too. But if she wanted her efforts to fructify, she had to continue her long journey. "However, I don't want to leave them".

End of flashback

Robin went inside the kitchen to make her favorite beverage. When the little doctor, who has been there, saw her he hid himself quickly behind some barrels and tried to find her weak spot. Much to his dismay he found none.

The dangerous archaeologist, according to Chopper's point of view, continued boiling the water aware of the reindeer's actions.

"Earlier in the morning I saw you writing a letter. Is it someone in your hometown?" she asked and smiled warmly.

"Y-Yes. I'll sent it to Doctorine. I left her back in Drum Island" said Chopper sadly. Robin put some sugar in her hot coffee and sat beside him.

"Would you like to tell me more about her and your home? I'm sure your story is very touching. I'd like to hear at it"

Chopper's eyes started accumulating tears. No matter how many times he would think about Doctor or narrate his story, he would cry. He couldn't get over it and now besides being afraid of Robin he sat beside her and looking into her eyes he started revealing his past. And he didn't hesitate continuing even for a minute. He could discern in her eyes the truthful compassion and interest for what he was telling to her, and he felt really happy.

"Luffy was right. She's not that bad" thought Chopper.

When he finished his story he was still sniffing causing Robin to laugh slightly.

"Ne Robin what about you? What's your own story?"

"I'm so sorry Isha-san but I cannot tell you right now"

"Oh it's ok"

"If only you knew how painful it is" she thought bitterly biting her upper lip.

Zoro was about to enter the kitchen in order to drink some water when he heard Chopper asking something really intriguing.

"But Robin will you tell me about your friends?"

"How are you so sure that I had friends?"

"Of course you had. Everyone had friends. Even I found. You remember what I told you about Doctor and Doctorine?"

"Well if you want to know that badly…" Robin wore her serious and apathetic exterior, Zoro was trying to make sure that he doesn't miss the slightest information of what she's about to say.

"Two of my friends are dead and the other… I don't think that he considers me as a friend at all" she said with a harsh voice trying not to betray her feelings.

Chopper's eyes widened as Zoro's did. They were both speechless.

"Uhm I'm sorry, Robin. I shouldn't have asked" said Chopper apologetically.

"It's ok, don't worry" she said smiling and headed to the door. At the same time Zoro was trying to process what she had said when he heard her coming and pretended opening the door and not having listened to anything.

Exactly when he opened the door he came face to face with her and for an inexplicable reason, no one moved or talked. They just looked at each other for some seconds with blank expressions.

"What do you want woman?" he finally asked.

"Nothing. Do you want something Kenshi-san?"

"Yes. Let me pass" he said and she moved a little.

"Kenshi-san"

"What is it?" he said still looking intently in her eyes. Not wavering even a little.

"I have noticed that you take good care of the things you own" she said pointedly and she understood that he understood for what she was talking about because he flinched a little involuntarily.

"So what?" he asked now turning his back at her.

"Just an observation" Zoro turned again and watched here walking to her chair.

Then he remembered the time when…

Flashback

Zoro and Kuina had just finished their training with Koshiro sensei and they were sitting outside the dojo to take a breath.

"Do you know where's that woman?" asked Zoro suddenly.

"She said that she would stay home. She wanted to read something in my father's library" Kuina retorted and laid under a tree to take some rest "Where are you going? You won't do your extra exercises?" she said somewhat ironically.

"None of your business" He was always irritated by her attitude. She never talked to Robin like this. They may be rivals but some respect wouldn't be bad.

After some minutes he reached the house and when he entered he found the library's door slightly open. Although Koshiro had told that he could use it whenever he wanted, Zoro hadn't been there more than twice.

When he entered, without knocking, he cleared his throat to gain her attention and asked

"What are you reading?"

"Oh. I didn't notice you" she was taken aback, how didn't she hear him entering? "I must have been really absorbed" she thought and left the papers she was holding back on their place awkwardly "I have to come back and finish reading them"

"Did you come here to take a book?" she asked, although she was sure that that wasn't the reason.

"No. I was looking for you. I wanted to give you back your bandana. I've washed it, too" he said and showed the green cloth to her.

"Fufufu, that was very kind Zoro. Thank you" she took it from his hands just to adjust it to his head. Now Zoro was really confused.

"Will you do me a favor?" she asked looking at his eyes.

"What is it?"

"I see that you're very careful with your belongings. So can you take care of my bandana, too?"

"That means… You're giving this to me"

"Yes. Only if you wanted it"

"Ok. I'll take good care of it. Don't worry" he said after a little consideration.

"Thanks again Zoro" she said, patted him gently on the head and left him alone.

"Why would she do that?" he thought but then remembered that she was thoroughly reading something when he interrupted her.

He reached the shelve and grabbed the papers. The first one was blank, but when he turned on the other he saw something written. The handwriting was a little obscure because it had fade probably through the years. Zoro assumed that it was really old, but when he browsed through it he saw that all the other pages were more clearly written that the first one.

His curiosity triggered him to look back at that page and discern what was written. Finally, he was quite sure. It was a name "Nico Orvia"

That was when he noticed that he wasn't alone. Koshiro had just entered and was quite shocked that he was reading the notes on Poneglyph that his old friend had entrusted him. Zoro wasn't supposed to know about those things. It could be really dangerous.

"I haven't read it"

"I-It's ok" retorted his sensei and took the notes away from him.

"Sensei, who's Nico Orvia?" Zoro asked without knowing the reason.

"S-She was a historian" the elder man answered not knowing if he should reveal any other information. Fortunately, Zoro was covered with what he learned.

"So it's all about history. Thank you Sensei" he said and left.

He remembered that Robin had told him she liked history so he didn't bother asking anything else.

End of flashback

By this time Zoro was sitting under the mast and was considering what he had just found.

"So Nico Orvia was apparently her mother. And she was an archaeologist, too" he thought and willing to learn more he swallowed his pride and talked to Robin who was sitting in from of him.

"Oi woman. What did you say you're looking for?"he tried to sound indifferent.

"I'm studying Poneglyphs. And I'm looking for a certain one that reveals all the truth about the Void Century"

"I see" he said nodding and then thought "Could it be that she's following her mother's steps and she's searching for the same thing as her? I should have asked more about her when I was back in East Blue"

"Do you want to know something Kenshi-san?" She wasn't quite sure about what he could be thinking.

"Actually yes" he wanted to say "Why did you leave like this back then?" but he impugned his urge and said that he just asked.

She felt relieved that he didn't continue with this discussion because he was making her feel even more uncomfortable than she already was around him.

"Oi Nami, I can see an island" yelled Usopp.

"It must be Jaya. Get ready to drop the anchor in a little" the bossy navigator demanded.

Before standing up, Zoro took a glimpse of Robin

"I want to see for how long you'll stay with us this time"

So what do you think about this?

I'm open to constructive criticism and your truthful opinion :)

Thanks for reading!