Frost Moon's Serenade

Disclaimer : I do not own One Piece

I looked out from the window of the ruined house in Ringo. No matter what month or moon it is, Ringo stayed the same. The snow piled the ground as far as the eyes could see.

I remembered little of Ringo in my youth. I visited the place once or twice with my late mother, Kozuki Toki, but I had only few memories of the daimyo there. He was one of the daimyo who thought that my father was a disgrace of a royal blood for doing what he did in that time, but ended up fighting for his name after his execution and the truth was revealed. Denjiro said that Ushimaru-sama was very troubled for distrusting my father and ended up fighting the hardest among the other daimyo, even outlasting Yasuie-sama.

Those stories that my father and Denjiro told it wasn't wrong after all. Ringo was called the Wano's strongest territory due to the hard climate and it being the bastion of the sword school of Wano. It made sense considering it was always led by a Shimotsuki, the family of great blade god, Ryuuma-sama. Ushimaru -sama himself was hailed as the strongest samurai in Wano after my late father at that time. If the rumors were true, it was said that Ushimaru-sama even managed to cut down lots of Kaido's high-ranking officers and fought evenly with the Lead Performer King.

But even Ushimaru-sama was no match for Kaido's strength. He managed to broke Ushimaru-sama's spirit and confined him. It was said he and the other captured daimyos bravely stood against Kaido before he killed them personally.

I continued to watch the falling snow through the windows as i recalled the history of the land. Though I seldom visit Ringo, especially after I became a courtesan, in a short time I had been here, I grew to love the scenery. The snow may be cold to many people, but for me, it feels…gentle, peaceful. Watching the fluffy drop falling from the sky seemed to cleanse my cursed soul temporarily after those degrading experiences I felt in thirteen years becoming a courtesan. I keep telling it was for my family name—but I despised it nonetheless. How could I be happy serving and acting as a lover to Kaido's men and even –God forbid—Orochi?

The Flower Capital idolized me, but no one hated Komurasaki persona as myself.

"Hey, is the food ready?"

Zorojuro-san's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. Ah that was right. I was making food for both of us. It was the third day I stayed with him. He was my savior from Orochi's assassin and we ended up travelling together.

"Yes, please wait." I replied as I put the rice in each of our bowl. I made sure that Zorojuro got a double portion of it. I knew from when I first met him that he ate quite a lot. Those Yakuza who started to transport the weapon in Ringo sure knew their hospitality, giving us lots of foodstuffs.

I put the cooked food on the tray. I couldn't make something complex, but as a courtesan, I learnt a lot of things, including culinary arts. I put the rice on the bowl along with the grilled fish that has been salted, the pickled radish, and the vegetable soup. I regretted that I could only serve this kind of meal to a person who helped me, but it had to do.

Zorojuro immediately began to eat after uttering a short prayer. I felt glad when he appeared to enjoy my food—or maybe he was just a fast eater. I subconsciously smiled at the sight of him eating my food. For a moment, I feel a sense of security and normalcy, the things I never felt since my father and mother's death.

Being with Zorojuro-san…somehow reminded me when things are alright. It was a strange feeling. I feel really safe. Maybe it was his strength? Or maybe something more? Whatever it is, I felt so normal being close to him that I could sleep with him before.

"Hey, have you already thought of hiding yourself before the battle?"

I was a little startled about that. That was right, the battle. I couldn't believe I nearly forget that. I was so enthusiastic for it before, but as the day came near, I became more worried. Not to mention I kept thinking how Zorojuro-san would fare facing the 'Strongest Creature of The World'.

Thinking about the battle, my mind suddenly filled with dread. I envisioned him killed by Kaido. I never saw my parents' death, but my nightmares of all those years were creative in describing how Kaido and Orochi would treat 'treacherous people' that threatened his rule. I couldn't help but to think Zorojuro-san would suffer the same fate.

Suddenly, I had the desire to ask him to run with me, far away from this terrible nation, somewhere where we could be together…someplace where I wouldn't be fearful of losing him. I did not want to lose this feeling of security, of safety that I had with Zorojuro-san.

I know my desire was selfish and sinful. But i cannot lie to my heart.

"What's the matter? Why do you freeze like that?"

His voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I could feel my cheeks wettened. A daughter of samurai shouldn't cry. I rarely cried after Denjiro took me in as an Oiran, probably never even once. Yet I cried a lot when he's around. It wasn't just because I love him, it was something more than that. Probably because his presence reminds me of my late father. 'Always be honest to your heart'. Zorojuro looked cold and distant…but I could tell he has a warm heart.

"Oi, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" He came to sat beside me. "Are you in pain or something?"

I immediately embraced him as I cried. I couldn't tell how long I sobbed on his strong and rigid chest, bailing all my tears out. I did not understand why I cried at that time. It was all of emotions I suppressed since I learned to become an Oiran, probably before that when I was with Kawamatsu. But I was sure that I did not want to lose him.

"Alright, are you already calm? What's the matter? Are you in pain?" He asked me after I started to quiet myself down.

"I was afraid that I will lose you, Zorojuro-san. Kaido is powerful, no one could beat him. Not even my father…"

"I see, you need not to worry then. We will defeat Kaido. I can promise you that."

"But…"

"You have seen nothing. We have gone through many things that people would call impossible to get here. Warlords, Marines, Yonkos, every time we thought it was over for us, we always prevail."

I did not answer. I really wanted to believe him, but…I knew how powerful Kaido was. There were few who wanted challenge Kaido at the first place because of his crew's power. And the powerful ones who had the nerve always got destroyed, with that Moria being the last one.

"Listen." His face directly looked at mine, with his eyes piercing through my mind. "You have seen my strength, right? Well, I did not break too much sweat in those battles. My companions are all strong and my captain is stronger. Have faith in us.

At that moment, looking his determination in his eyes, I was be able to trust him. There was a fire, one like that I saw in my father back in that day he decided to attack Kaido himself. The only man who cut Kaido…maybe Zorojuro-san and his companions could do it.

"…And thank you for that."

"Um, for what?" I asked back, wondering what did I do for him to thank me.

"Worrying about me. I appreciate it."

My face flushed when he said those words. So, he really wasn't just a cold and detached person. He did have a soft spot.

"You don't have to thank me." A smile formed on my lips. "After all, Zorojuro-san saved me many times now. It was natural for me to…not wanting to lose you." I cursed myself a bit when I said the last sentence. I was taught to not to be too direct with my feelings, but Zorojuro-san's words at that time pushed me to be honest to myself. Though I certainly hoped that he wouldn't hear my loud heartbeat.

"You're really strange. People usually don't think like that over being saved."

I thanked God for him being dense. It would be pretty awkward with someone else. In a way, this man is still innocent when it comes for romance. Seeing all those men lusted over me in the Capital made me feel refreshed knowing that Zorojuro-san wouldn't take that advantage over me. Though, to be honest, I really wouldn't mind otherwise if both of us had consent. Yes, I had a little of dirty mind. I'm my father's daughter, after all.

"Let's resume our meal, Zorojuro-san." I said as I wiped off what's left of my tears. I took my tray and put it beside Zorojuro-san's. I ended up sitting close to him side by side, but he didn't seem to mind. I watched him eating and chewing his food and smiled.

"Your food is so good." He praised me and I smiled brightly. I really did not mind making it for you every day, Zorojuro-san.

"You would make a good wife."

Eh?

Did I just hear that correctly?

I blushed madly at that comment. If people could see my face that time, I would be mistaken as some stage performer that painted their faces. Not to mention my heart was beating very fast. I hope my late Father and Mother could give me strength…I may as well lose my life over that quip.

I stared blankly at Zorojuro-san, who finally realized the weigh of his off-handed comment. For the first time since I met him, he seemed to feel flustered. My tense expression lessened after watching how he turned his face away from me while blushing himself. My astonishment slowly turned into a smile, and it wasn't just a superficial smile.

I was very happy.

"Sorry, it just came out from my mouth…" He apologized lamely. I found this side of Zorojuro quite endearing. He loved to act tough, but this was one of the times he looked so innocent.

"Don't worry, Zorojuro-san. I'm happy that you compliment me like that." I smiled back at him and his face tensed for a bit for some reason. I really hope he was thinking the same as me. Figuratively, what kind of life if I ended up becoming Zorojuro-san's wife? Maybe it would like my late fathers', travelling the sea and islands endlessly, learning and experiencing open worlds…which was never to be in Wano.

If I take a look at him close enough, he did have striking similarity with Ushimaru-sama, if my memories serve me well. Was Zorojuro a Shimotsuki? There were indeed some Wano countrymen that left the land illegally, some of them are noble family members. Could Zorojuro-san be one of them? He did have Wado Ichimonji after all, and that was Gozaburo's blade, who left a long time ago.

I blushed again at the thought of Zorojuro being a Shimotsuki. Kozuki and Shimotsuki clan are very close. A lot of the members of both families married to each other. Many of Yasuie-sama's relatives even have Kozuki lineage and some of them married my late relatives. It was like fate brought us together…

I finally realized what that feeling was. The feeling that made me safe near him, dread about the thought of his death, the one that made my heart beat so fast, the one that made me ecstatic of the thought of being his wife.

I fell in love with Zorojuro-san.

But it was not the time to think about it. The battle was near. I would sort my feelings up later, after we defeat Kaido and Orochi.

For now, what I could do is to eat with him and keep him company, enjoying the short time we could have in this abandoned house in Ringo.

"Fuahh, I'm done." Zorojuro said as he put his empty bowl on his tray. He glanced at me for a moment before getting flustered and looking away.

"Zorojuro-san? What's the matter?"

"Nothing. It's just…you are a little distracting, you know?" He commented wryly, gulping his sake.

I smiled at that comment. Somehow hearing that made me feel so refreshed.

"Tee-hee. I could say the same myself to you, Zorojuro-san."

"Well, I'm full now, so I'm going to take a nap." Zorojuro said as he stretched his legs and laid himself on the floor. To think of it, I felt drowsy myself as well.

I took a deep breath and asked him. "Um, Zorojuro-san? Could i…sleep beside you like last night?"

"…" Zorojuro fell silent, eyeing me a bit skeptically. I was afraid if I'm being too forward. We did just meet not too long ago, after all. He let out a sigh in the end.

"Well, do what you want." He said a little nonchalantly. I smiled happily.

After I took the trays out, I laid myself near Zorojuro and held my hand against his chest. He was already sleeping—I also thought it was adorable how he could sleep in so little clothes in cold climate like in Ringo. He might be a true Shimotsuki after all.

As I fell into sleep, I voiced my thoughts loud once more.

Zorojuro-san, I pray that you will survive the battle. God willing, we will be together someday, when the time is right. Just like the prophecy of the dawn of Kozuki family, we are bound by fate.

Until that time come, I will wait patiently. I, Kozuki Hiyori, love you dearly with all my heart!