Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece. Oda does.
Author's Note: AU universe, Japanese Valentines tradition, this is a flashback chapter.
The first time he met her, he was visiting Kuina's grave. It was an afternoon, and he had taken upon himself to bring flowers. His adoptive sister had died two years prior, and had died undefeated by him. Fell down the stairs, an accident. He kneeled in front of her grave, sniffling, still distraught, holding her prized Wado on his lap.
"Here." Her voice was already soft and inviting, had a tone of maturity to it.
He turned to see her, in her white sundress and a jacket far too big for her small frame. They were ten years old.
He had ignored the handkerchief, turning away from her, instead wiping the tears with the sleeve of his shirt, sniffling louder. But she didn't leave. She knelt down beside him, looking at the grave marker curiously.
"I'm sorry" she finally said, reaching a hand to pat his back. He wanted to pull away from her touch, but it felt comforting, and so he just nodded at her. She offered her handkerchief again, this time he took it.
"Robin" They both turned to see an extraordinarily tall man. He looked like he was frowning, but Zoro found out that it was the default expression he had. He noticed Zoro "Hey kid" he said, bending low "Are you okay?"
The man had a serious face, and he was slightly terrified of him. But there was no way that Zoro would ever show fear, not to anyone. He wiped his tears hastily and stood up "None of your business, mister!" And he ran back home. He still had her handkerchief, and all he knew was that her name was Robin.
He met her again, a few days after, when Luffy had dragged him to spend time at Nami's house. Zoro climbed the steps to their apartment, all the while arguing with Sanji who was talking about girls.
"You're too young to be that perverted, curly brow" Zoro said.
"And you're too ugly to that all girls run away from you, Marimo!" Sanji retorted.
Luffy had already ran up the stairs before them, too excitable with the promise of food.
"Nami!" They could hear him yell, which made Sanji run up faster. Zoro had not been in any hurry, but another chance for him to beat Sanji was enough reason to sprint.
"Idiot Marimo!"
"Stupid Curly brow!"
But to their disappointment, they reached the landing at the same time. Luffy was already inside, and the door was wide open, and the two of them walked in. Immediately, Sanji fawned over to Nami and Nojiko, showering them with the usual emphasis on their beauty and grace, with the younger girl hitting him the head, and the older laughing loudly at his advances. That was when the two boys noticed that Luffy was talking to another girl.
Zoro's eyes widened, it was Robin.
"Mellorine!" Sanji shouted, bouncing off to her "Oh your radiant beauty shines!"
Her face remained calm, only giving him a small smile, she didn't seem amused like Nojiko or annoyed like Nami, just calm.
"Robin" he said, a bit louder than he wanted to, and she looked up at him.
"Kenshi-san" she said, giving him a wider smile.
"It's Zoro" he said, blushing.
Even if they had just moved in the area, Robin was already staying over Nami's house, Her father ("adoptive father" she would always add curtly) Kuzan was good friends with Nami's mother. Bellemere used to work for the government, where Kuzan still works, a top tier executive, and would often be called out for days at a time.
"Do you leave in this apartment too?" Luffy said, between mouthfuls of brownies.
She shook her head "We live near the Isshin dojo, the house with the pink roof."
Zoro couldn't believe what he heard.
"Oi Zoro" Nami said, hitting him at the upside of his head "Don't you live at Isshin?"
He only nodded.
"That's wonderful Kenshi-san" she said, clasping her hands together "We're neighbors."
"It's Zoro." he said.
Read and Review! Especially if you're interested in a second part of the story for White Day.