A small trio of bodies lie at the base of a tree cuddled together. The little reindeer's ears twitched as he lazily awoke. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he yawned to take in his surroundings. A faint smell of sakura flowers made its way to him as he turned and noticed his two friends held together in slumber. He smiled as he took another breath of the raven haired woman that happened to be the source of the wonderful fragrence. Noticing the slight smell of sake mixed with the swordsman, no doubt from his harimeki held the spilled drink he hardly ever washed. His ears twitched once more as he started to register a faint sound. Turning his head every which way trying to pin point it. As it became clearer for him, his face became frightened and concerned.

"ZORO! ROBIN!" Chopper yelled as he shook his nakama awake. The violently wake up call caused Zoro to pull them both to his chest in a protective embrace.

"ZORO! I hear someone crying farther in the forest!" the reindeer cried out. Zoro and Robin both sprang out from the tree's roots as Chopper began to lead them to the sound. As Chopper got closer he still couldn't make out any words from the small cries. Robin could faintly hear the growls of pain from a small animal.

"Chopper, what's it saying?" Robin asked.

"I don't know but it sounds terrified! It could be in danger!" Chopper shouted, as he ran in his normal animal form. Zoro hearing 'danger' drew one of his swords ready for any fight they may need to participate in. As the grew closer the small cries could be heard, almost sounding like a baby tiger. Chopper grew more distressed by the cries as they ran to help.

Finally stumbling upon an infant tiger with odd green fur and two tails. Chopper changed to brain point to approach the small cat. Only to be slashed out at in fear. Robin tried to help the doctor. She sprouted arms that gently stroked its fur hoping to calm it's nerves. It seem to have the opposite effect as the little animal freaked out from having multiple arms touch it. It wailed louder in fear.

"Robin! Stop! She's terrified still!" Chopper shouted. Robin dispersed her hands as she knelt next to the young doctor.

"What's she saying?"

"I don't know, nothing makes sense. She might be too young to actually talk, even for a tiger." Chopper explained. He felt useless, unable to soothe his patient's pain. They sat there as the little tiger trembled at the sight of them. "I think she's in pain but I can't get close enough to be sure."

Just them Zoro finally found his way to them after accidently taking a turn they didn't. At the sight of Zoro the little tiger surprisingly perked up. He looked at his crewmates and then noticed the green cat.

"Is that it?"

"Yes, she could be hurt, but she won't let either one of us close enough to her." Chopper stated. Zoro looked at the small cat to see it staring at him with a hint of familiarity. Zoro sheathed his sword and dropped to his knees in front of her examining the look in it's eyes. Zoro's face turned solemn as it seemed he noticed something about the green tiger the other two did not. He crawled closer to the small tiger, Robin and Chopper watched with silent curiosity. He edged closer, yet she did not lash out or cry. She simply watched him.

"Come here girl." Zoro whispered as he held out his arms. To the surprised of Chopper and Robin aswell, the tiger eargerly climbed into Zoro's hold as he pulled her to his chest.

"Zoro? Can I check up on her at the ship?" Chopper asked, as if he needed permission.

"Of course, let's just let her rest as we walk back to the ship." Zoro answered.

"Why didn't she freak out when you got close to her?" Robin observed. Zoro shrugged quietly as he stroked the cats fur holding almost as if it were an infant child. Robin just smiled as she watched a side of Zoro not many have seen.

"We should get going, I'd like to do that check up soon and I don't know how long we were asleep. The other's may be worried." Chopper stated. They all silently agreed and began to walk towards the ship.

As luck may have it, or rather a certain someones navigation ability, they were a lot closer to the shore than previously thought. The archeologist chuckled to herself as they only had be walking 10 minutes before the made to the sandy beach.

"What's so funny?" Zoro asked, still cradling the sleeping green tiger.

"Oh nothing, just amused by how quickly we found our way back." Robin explained. Zoro just shrugged, clearly not understanding the joke at his expense.

They made their way toward the deck where Sanji greeted Robin.

"Robin-chwan! Oh how I missed you! I was so worried that you got lost babysitting this brute, but alas, here you are, returning to my loving arms!" He cooed, dancing around the raven haired woman.

"Tch, keep it down will ya? You're annoying enough as it is." Zoro bit out quietly, trying not to disturb the sleeping form in his arms. Chopper and him made their way to the medical office.

"Tch, Crap swordsman, what's with the strange animal?" Sanji asked Robin as he watched the two go below deck.

"Dr. Chopper heard it crying out in the forest so we went to go help it. It lashed out at me and Chopper, Zoro was the only one it seemed to not mind being around." Robin said as she began to follow them to Chopper's office.

"I bet it's because of the green hair. Poor thing must think Marimo is it's mom." Sanji laughed. Robin merely smiled at the thought as she disappeared into the ship.

"Zoro, can you lay her here?" Chopper asked as the doctor motioned to the bed. Zoro complied laying the young tigress on the mattress, letting his hand linger over the soft fur of it's ear. Robin walked into room as Chopper began to do a routine check up. She stood next to Zoro as they silently waited for any news Chopper had.

"She seems to be okay, I guess she was just scared to be alone. We should take her back to see if we can find her parents tomorrow. We can let her rest here for the night. I'll have Sanji bring in a small plate of raw meat for her. Just in case she wakes up." Chopper told them. Zoro seemed to want to say something but bit his tongue as he nodded to Chopper and left the room. Robin thanked Chopper for his great work and left with the doctor for dinnner that was sure to be soon.