Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece!

AN: AU, Pardon unintended OOC-ness.

This the longest chapter yet, and it turns out it wasn't as intense as I imagined it would be lol

Flashback chapter.

Hurt was a feeling Zoro was familiar with. He was abandoned when he was two years old, left by whoever birthed him into this world to fend for himself. For four years he was passed around foster homes, because no one could handle his anger issues. He would always lash out, proving to be a difficult child for anyone to handle. It was a miracle when he found a family. His adoptive father was able to find him an effective outlet for all that pent up feelings of anger and abandonment. It also helped him bond with his new family.

He grew to love his new family, especially his older sister. True she would always beat him, true she wouldn't hold back when fighting with him, and true she would sometimes call him cabbage just to tease him, but she would also share her toys with him, and she would always help him with his stance, and she would always comfort him whenever the nightmares came.

Zoro became more open, even gaining friends in the form of Luffy and Sanji, a small group of friends that quickly grew to what is today.

But that didn't last. That accident took her away from him, and he felt hurt again, he felt abandoned again, even if his father tried to help him. They both mourned for her, and they both missed her. Even his friends couldn't console him.

Then Robin came. Robin who had her own nightmares, had her own feelings of hurt and desperation. Robin with her handkerchief and jacket too big for her small frame. He never knew how important she was going to be in his life. They were both too young to know. All that mattered was that she was there, and she would always know when to pat his head, say words of comfort, or even hug him.

It took time before he realized that the feeling he gets when Sanji flirts with her or when Brook asks her for something indecent was jealousy. It took time for him to realize that he was truly and deeply in love with her. But by that time, he had already lost her.

Robin was waiting for him in the dojo, sitting on their bench by the garden. It was a Friday and he was coming home from Baratrie, while she had things to do and wasn't able to come. But there was only a week of school left, and they would have two months to enjoy.

He smiled when he saw her, "We missed you at dinner." he said, sitting down besides her.

"I know, I'm sorry about that" She said with an apologetic smile.

"Sanji said I should drop this off at your house, but since you're here." and he handed her a take-out bag.

She giggled "Thanks, that was very generous of him."

She put the bag away, not bothering to examine the contents. Whatever was in there, as long as Sanji made it, she was sure it would be great.

"Law asked me out."

Zoro could feel his throat tightening. "He did?"

She nodded, even if he wasn't looking at her. "I told him I'd think about it." She looked at Zoro, holding her hands on her lap.

He kept looking forward, refusing to make eye contact with her. An uncomfortable silence enveloped them.

"Do you like him?" he finally said.

She looked up at the sky. He noticed that she tended to do that, whenever she wanted to think. Always looking at the sky.

"Well, he's nice" she said "and he's friendly."

"He's creepy looking" Zoro added.

"And he's really smart." Robin said, giving him a slight nudge for his insult. "And Kuzan likes him."

"Kuzan shouldn't be the deciding factor." he said.

She became thoughtful "He's taller than me." She added, a hint of amusement in her voice. And Zoro hated that he was shorter than her.

"Don't tell me all that's all it takes."

She shook her head "I mean it's not like I don't appreciate his height" she said "but all in all, he is a great guy. And he does seem genuine."

"Tch" Zoro stood up, "Then just go out with him then."

"Kenshi-san" She said, reaching for his hand. But he pulled it away.

"If he's so great" he said, his voice had an edge of anger "then just go out with him."

"Kenshi-san" she repeated, this time grabbing his hand.

"I'm not Nami" he said, glaring down at her "Don't treat me like I am." He shook of her hand, and left her there.

"Zoro" she called, standing up to follow him. But he went inside, and shut the door behind him.

For weeks, Zoro wasn't able to sleep. He had been avoiding Robin again. He knew why he was angry, but he didn't know why he had pushed her away. He wanted, no, he needed to apologize to her. There was no excuse for his actions. He was jealous of Law, that was clear enough to him.

Zoro knew that he liked her, knew that he wanted to be her boyfriend, that he wanted Law out of the picture. But maybe, it was more than liking her. Maybe that's why he hated the thought of her being with another man.

"I love Robin" he said to himself, his hand on his forehead. And he needed to apologize to her.

But he was too late. By the middle of summer, they were together. He could only watch as Robin was taken away. Slowly, Law assimilated himself into their group, while Robin slowly pulled away. His world was shattering in front of him, and in little bits and pieces, he found himself angry and resentful again. He felt abandoned and helpless, even if he knew that it was his fault. He knew that he had pushed her away. Even if he had apologized, if she had forgiven him, while giving him one her smiles, he still felt empty.

He doesn't remember how the fight started. Somehow, that day, when Robin and Nami, along with Vivi and Kaya were having a girl's shopping day, he and his friends ended up playing soccer with Law, Sachi and Penguin at the park, with Bepo watching from the sidelines. Before he knew it, he had Wado drawn, while Law stood in defense with his nodachi. Zoro had instigated the fight.

Chopper was crying, huddled in Usopp's lap, while Franky, Brook, Sachi and Penguin shouted at them to stop, while Bepo kept on barking at Zoro. Luffy and Sanji just watched, their faces masking whatever thoughts they had about the fight.

Maybe it was when he heard Law tell his friends about how soft Robin's lips were. Maybe.

"What's gotten into you?" Law asked, his face contorted into a grimace. Zoro was able to graze his arm, drawing blood.

Zoro only growled at him. He only had Wado drawn out, but he was prepared to fight with all three if he had to.

Law glared angrily at him, then stood up, sheathing his sword. "Sachi, Penguin" he said "Let's go."

"Law!" Zoro shouted, keeping his stance "Fight me for her!"

The older swordsman ignored him and started walking away instead.

But Zoro wouldn't let this pass go. Not yet. He was in despair, and the source of it all was Law "The strongest man gets Robin!" he shouted.

Law turned around, angrily staring at Zoro, his eyes furious.

"Strongest man gets Robin" Zoro repeated, forming his santoryu stance.

"Strongest man gets Robin?" Law repeated, a darker tone in his voice "Do you think Robin's some prize to be won?" He glared at Zoro, a hint of anger evident in his eyes.

But Zoro remained steadfast, holding his form, "Winner" He repeated "Gets Robin."

Law closed his eyes, slowly steadying his breathing. In a flash, he was in front of Zoro, then using his still sheathed sword, knocked his opponent to the ground. Zoro didn't even have the time to react, the speed and agility that Law showcased was not his usual technique.

"Robin" he said, standing over him "Is not some trophy you think you can just win." He pulled out his sword and pointed it at Zoro's neck "And the next time you suggest she is, I'll make sure you regret it."

"You're just afraid I'll end up beating you!" And he lunged up at Law, the sound of clashing swords once again filled the air. Suddenly, Sanji kicked Zoro on the back of his head, sending him to the ground. Sanji kept his foot on Zoro's back, preventing him from standing up.

"What the f-!" Zoro screamed, turning his attention to Sanji.

"Zoro" Luffy said, standing over him "Stop it."

Zoro glared at his friend.

"Time for you to go, Law" Sanji said.

The older man gave Zoro a glaring look "Robin is not some winnable trophy." he said, before leaving with his friends.

Sanji only let Zoro up when they couldn't see the three of them anymore. He was angry at his friends, and as soon as he was able to stand, he ran.

But Luffy and Sanji always knew where he would end up.

"Zoro."

He refused to look at them.

"Oi Moss head."

He kept his eye on Kuina's grave.

Luffy sat beside him, while Sanji remained standing nearby.

"You love her, don't you" Sanji said, looking intently at him.

He refused to answer.

"Zoro" Luffy started "What you did there was crazy."

"And a bit disrespectful" Sanji added.

"I know" Zoro said quietly.

Sanji sat down besides Zoro "Law's not going to tell Robin."

Zoro looked at him, surprised.

"No one's going to tell Robin" Luffy added, stretching his arms above his head "Or anyone else for the matter."

"Why?"

Sanji chuckled "Because it wasn't a fair fight."

"Because you knocked me down."

"No" Luffy said, pulling Zoro's cheek "It was because you were angry."

"And heartbroken" Sanji said, pulling his other cheek.

They let go, and Zoro's cheek stung. The rest of their afternoon was filled with silence. An understanding between men. And he was thankful for that.

When he went home that night, he didn't expect to see Robin. They haven't spoken privately since that day, yet she was sitting at the same bench, her face in a frown. "Are you alright?" She said, even before he was near her "Law had a cut on his arm and told me you guys sparred. Are you alright?"

"I'm sorry" he said, and he hugged her, resting his head on the crook of her shoulder. She was still taller than him.

She was taken aback, but hugged him nonetheless.

Beneath that moonlight, things started to mend.

Second to the last chapter! This has been fun. This chapter turned out to be a bit too angst-y than I anticipated.

Thank you for the readers, and thank you for the reviewers, I hope that this was entertaining enough!