Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece.
Warning: Angst/Drama story. Unintended OOC-ness, and minor grammar problems that slip by.
Author's Note: I had a lot of internal conflict about this chapter. I knew this was coming up, but not right this moment. But the chapter I was planning on for the one after this wasn't shaping up like I wanted to, and I felt that this would be more appropriate for the moment.
I realized I should warn about flashback chapters in this fic, like for my other one, so I'll be adding those in.
Longer note at the bottom!
Flashbacks are in italics.
Two weeks after Saul leaves Tora...
The small island of Tora was not a common destination. It was a small summer island with mild weather and temperatures, situated in the Grand line, but it was far too small and too quant to garner a lot of interest. True, there were tourists, but they usually spent only a day or two, just so they can say that they went to that "quaint little island by Barma".
Barma was one of the islands connected by the sea train. It's a popular tourist destination, with its pristine beaches and multitudes of spas and theme parks. Thousands of tourists per month visit Barma, creating a prolific economy that leaks through the smaller Tora. Crystal blue waters, white sand beaches, and amazing hospitality are the main attraction of the island, but to Roronoa Zoro, those things didn't matter.
It wasn't his intention to visit the island anyway. He just got off the wrong stop.
All he needed right now was a good bottle of sake, not some half assed information on the latest trends in beauty treatments. Arriving at Barma was a wrong decision, as was riding a ferry to Tora.
It wasn't his fault, the old man said his boat would be going to Water 7.
He looked around the ferry, trying to find the certain old man. Unbeknownst to him, the certain old man he was looking for was also looking for him, as his ship was about to depart for Water 7.
Fortunately for Zoro, Tora wasn't that far away.
The ferry docked before the swordsman lost his patience, saving it from whatever fate his hot headed personality almost inflicted. The passengers let him go down first, his intimidating aura making them rather cautious of the quiet and scarred man. A boy from the back, wide eyed and curious, nudged at his older companion.
"Is that Roronoa Zoro?" He whispered excitedly, while his father just pulled the boy aside and told him to keep quiet.
Zoro wandered around the town, trying to find the bar. Maybe he should have brought her with him, make it easier to find places. But he would rather be lost that have her whining all the way.
He looked up and found himself in a cemetery. A very familiar looking cemetery that he had passed some time earlier today. However, there was someone there.
A woman, tall and curvy with such a thin waist, and long black hair that reached her waist. She wore khaki shorts, and a sleeveless collared shirt in light blue. She had a relaxed air around her as she tended to a tombstone. She had placed a basket of flowers, a variety of all colors, and a bottle of sake before saying a quick prayer.
His eyes widened, and a grin escaped his scarred features, when he recognized the dark haired figure. He was surprised, but at the same time, he couldn't help but feel that slight touch of joy in realizing who she was.
He felt a twinge of apprehension about approaching her, but at the same time, a familiar face was a familiar face.
He ran a hand through his hair. When was the last time he took a bath? Not that he cared for appearances or anything like that, but it wouldn't hurt if he didn't smell of sea and sweat, and is that blood?, when he talked to her. His clothes were definitely in a rough shape, his robe looked more brown than green, and his haramaki was stained.
It has been years since he last saw her.
Fifteen, he thinks, fifteen long years.
He noticed that her long black hair had no streak of grey, while his green hair already had the tell tale signs of aging. He watched her talk to the tombstone, her hands moving slightly animatedly. She didn't look any year older than she did sixteen years ago, and he couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
Through the years, he has grown rugged, rougher, more scarred and a bit older. While she, she looked younger.
She had a certain glow to her.
Zoro was certain that even if Nico Robin was older than him, she would always look younger than him.
She finished her prayers and stood up, a soft breeze wafted through her hair. She looked over at to the sea, her eyes closed and such a serene smile on her face. He wondered if it was a good idea to talk to her, but before he could convince himself otherwise, she had turned to see him.
Her eyes widened, and her face was a mask, like the ones she used to use when she wasn't sure she can trust them yet.
"Hey" he said, giving her a small wave.
She smiled, though the shock was still evident in her eyes "Hey."
He was right, she did look younger than him. He watched her fix some snacks for him, in her small island home. It was cozy, and littered with books on various subjects, most of them in languages he couldn't understand, but he was able to make out a volume of the Rainbow Mist series. The small living room was connected to the kitchen, with only a counter separating them. There were stools on the counter, but she had him sit on the couch.
He could still see her though. Watched as she moved in her kitchen, the only sounds were the soft clink of utensils echoing on the marble countertops.
She has always been graceful.
"I hope you don't mind tea" she said, not bothering to look at him "I'm afraid I don't have any sake or wine." she paused "We have cola though, if you'd prefer that."
"It's fine" he said, massaging the back of his neck "I have to apologize for intruding like this."
She looked back at him and smiled "It's always nice to get visitors." And resumed boiling water.
He watched her move, setting two mugs on the counter, a tea bag in each, and poured the water, steam curling upwards to the ceiling.
"Why are you here?" she asked, setting a mug and a plate of pastries and tea sandwiches before him. She sat opposite him, on a wicker chair, cradling her cup in her hands.
Just as she would years ago on the deck of the Sunny.
He took a sip, it was a bit fruity, a hint of mango "I've been traveling. No destination in mind really."
Zoro watched for a subtle change in her reaction, but she remained calm and placid. Same old Robin with her facade.
"Oh" she said, lowering her eyes to her drink "So just by accident."
"Yeah."
He watched her drink her tea. Fifteen whole years, and it seemed as she never changed at all. Her face looked a bit rounder, softer, and her skin was slightly tanned. But all in all, still the same Robin.
He wanted to desperately hold her.
But he stopped himself.
He felt a growl in his stomach, and blushed. The pastries were a bit too sweet to his liking, but they were still delicious. The sandwiches were filled with ham and lettuce and cheese, and it didn't take him a long time to finish them off.
He wanted to talk to her, but words somehow left him, and all he could do is watch her. Slight movements, sipping her tea with all the elegance that only Robin could emulate.
"Have you been traveling all this time?" she asked, looking straight at him.
"Yeah."
They sat in silence again, and he wondered if his time as a welcomed guest was coming to a close.
"I'm having ramen for dinner " she said, smiling at him. It was her old smile, when they were still trying to forget that she was Miss All Sunday. "I wouldn't mind the company."
He smiled back at her, like that time when they finally reached Water 7 after Ennis Lobby, "Sure."
He saw her eyeing his robes, worn and dirty. He felt conscious, realizing there was a slight musky stink emanating from him.
"I'm filthy" he added sheepishly, scratching the back of his head "Sorry."
She smiled, "I'll grab you some towels, the bath is upstairs to the left." she pointed up the stairs "If you leave your clothes out the door I'll wash them for you."
"Thanks."
He wanted to ask her to join him. He wanted her to join him. But she was still busy clearing up.
And he didn't want to impose as much as he already did.
He went up the narrow stairs, turned left and went in. The bathroom had sea green tiles, a bathtub in the corner, and the shower head on the wall opposite. He decided that he wanted to take a bath, so he turned on the faucet to let the hot water flow.
He had taken off his robe and haramaki, and stood there with just his pants on. He sat on the edge of the tub, cradling his head in his hands.
What was he doing? He can't be doing this.
It was a decision he made years ago, for his sake, for her sake. It was a mistake.
He can't do this to her.
Yet somehow, fate has brought him here, and somehow, he knew it was right. Felt it through his soul. He had missed her terribly, her image in his head for many nights, even when he laid with someone else. Every effort to forget her, every chance to bury her memory, sixtee years of avoiding what he wanted.
He wanted to laugh at himself.
Avoid her?
He's been wanting to see her all those years. And here he is, talking to her like nothing has ever changed.
Except now she's a bit colder.
Like the earlier times, when they were still getting to know each other, when she wasn't really a part of nakama yet. When the memory of what she had done under the alias Miss All-Sunday was still fresh on his mind.
Fifteen years spent, and still he ends up here.
Is this the inevitable?
He watched her sleep, the rise and fall of her breathing on her thin frame. She was tall, but she was so thin. She looked like a swan most of the time, a bit too delicate for him. But even with the delicateness, he knew she was strong. He has seen it himself, even experienced it.
He stroked her hair, relishing the feel of her silky locks on his fingers.
He knew it was wrong, knew it was supposed to just last one night, but there was something there.
He felt guilty. Why won't she get angry with him? Was it because he was younger? His impulses, his control, was harder to tame.
The navigator and his captain, they were happy together, they fit. No one could deny that, not even himself. He was fond of the navigator, but Robin was different. He was mentally slapping himself for not even noticing it sooner.
"You're really beautiful" he whispered, stroking her hair "And I think I'm falling in love with you."
She stirred in her sleep, shifting gently. He smiled.
There was a knock on the door. "I'll leave the towels by the door."
With barely two strides, he reached the door and opened the it, just as she was bending down to leave the towels. She looked up at him, and he pulled her in, holding her tight to his chest.
He needed her.
He just held her there, his arms tightly around her, his nose buried in her hair. He could smell her floral scent, mingled with the saltiness of the sea.
"No." she pushed on his chest.
Surprised, he released her, shock and hurt in his eyes, while hers remained calm and placid.
"I'm sorry" he said, and he meant it. She stared at him, coldness in those eyes, and was about to turn to leave.
But he grabbed her again, and held her "I'm sorry, Robin."
And the water in the tub overflowed.
End Part 6.
Author's Note: Sappy chapter is sappy. Anyway, This was supposed to be an Usopp chapter with only a hint of Zoro in the end, but that got immediately scrapped. The thing is, Usopp's chapter has something in it, and that something is not something that needs to be out this early in the story, so Usopp's chapter gets pushed back a bit.
To anon guest don't worry, I may take a break from writing this fic, but I will finish this! I've pretty much have all of the chapters outlined, just the matter of writing them and posting them. Thank you so much!
To suprememoonempress Thanks :) I have another fic that's humor-laden, kind of to neutralize the effects of this angst-y one. Seriously, I wrote that one when I was getting to depressed realizing what I just did in this one .
To Gren-sama He is a nice guy, ain't he? I must say he's one of my favorite characters, especially after watching Film Z. And look, Robin isn't really alone anymore :) Thanks you for the review!
To someone It's actually my head canon that Kuzan's been pulling strings in Robin's behalf lol. Just can't imagine she's still under 100 million beli with the whole Baroque works thing. Oh, and here's a bit of Zoro :) Thank you!
To Seis Fleur Zoro for everyone! :)
To Thanks! I hope you like this one too :)
To Pentastic I just realized I've been to vague about the course of the timeline so I'll be adding those in now . And yes, the two Kuzan centric chapters were set a year before the current time of the story, and Saul left a year after Kuzan died. Thanks so much for the review!
Thanks for all for the reviews, they are really appreciated!