Hours later, the sun began to rise again over the horizon, it was then that a lone Scanner's quiet footsteps made themselves heard, as she walked over to the bow of the ship, leaning against the railing, watching the early morning light painting the waves red and orange.

"Awake already?" Robin's quiet voice reached her after a while.

In her admiration, Cattleya forgot she was right there steering the ship to its new destination.

"I just wanted to see the sunrise again."

Well she wasn't entirely lying while she said so, but she did still feel troubled from yesterday, so she felt that seeing this again may calm her nerves, other than Anemone's intervention.

She remembered leaning in her embrace as she checked the documents she and the human brought, and probably due to the tension she had felt all day completely leaving her once the matter was settled, failing to realize just how tired she truly was and had collapsed in her arms.

Sound asleep.

When she woke up again in the morning, she was still in Anemone's arms, in one of the rooms as she must have carried her there.

How very loving of her.

White and Jackass must have followed after, since they were nowhere in sight right now.

However, when Robin nodded at her reply, she realized there was something she still meant to ask.

And now it was just perfect.

Since it was just the two of them.

So she did, without circling around it any longer.

"Why have you chosen me?"

Ah there it was, the question that Robin had been expecting would come sometime. She smiled at the Scanner. "I'm surprised you took so long to ask."

But she supposed she wanted some privacy, and since they had left there had been little rest for anyone, she hadn't even slept yet, but her android body could handle many things her human one couldn't.

Including not resting for several days.

She did feel a little tired though.

"This seemed the best time." since back on Earth Robin was hanging around Freesia and the others a lot too, and her former captain wouldn't say a thing on the matter.

She was so loyal to this woman, much like Anemone was to her.

She had yet to figure out why anyone would love and trust someone like her this way.

A person that could barely defend herself.

And yet the day before she showed she could kill too.

Cattleya was still unsure how she did it, but she no longer was unsure why she did that, and if it felt right or wrong.

Of course it had been the right choice.

Still, at her question Robin kept her enigmatic smile, like she was.

"Why wouldn't I choose you?"

With this question, she meant to test the woman, given her notorious lack of confidence, even despite all she had done for her friends, and since yesterday, even for strangers she didn't know.

People that now had a chance of a better life because of her.

Why couldn't she see?

Well, if Robin were to be honest, wasn't she just the same when Freesia tried to convince her of the opposite, that she wasn't the monster the people of her planet always said she was.

And that she was worth to be loved, when she never had anything before.

Perhaps she and Cattleya were very similar in this regard, their personalities did appear rather close to one another.

Both serious and calculating, over being emotional, with obvious exceptions.

But when they did they had the tendency to turn into fearsome monsters, somewhat proving that the quietest people could be the scariest when pushed over the edge.

And also, they both cared for their friends just as deeply.

However, during her life, Robin had acquired quite a number of skills, of course, not all to be proud of, such as the way she was able to lie and hide her emotions so easily.

But she knew where her strength lay.

And Cattleya too had her own skills that differed from hers.

Other than having a lot of willpower for when things got dire, she showed it multiple times, and even the affectionate stories both Freesia and Anemone shared her, about when she saved Lily, and how she resisted the virus until the end to bring her companions where they needed to, because no one else could…

So she wondered why the Scanner didn't see this trait of hers as a strength.

Or anything at all from what it looked like.

Her next words only confirmed her suspicions.

"Well, Clover is a much better Scanner model than me, more advanced, his calculations are much faster than mine, as is his capability to solve problems, to make plans and… he can fight and defend himself…"

"And you're just as capable." Robin replied, blunt and simple, but she still kept smiling. "This is the reason why you are here."

Still Cattleya frowned, apparently she still didn't understand.

"When I spoke to Clover about this, he told me something I'd like you to know too. He said that you are letting your designation define who you are."

That she is letting the fact that she was a non-combatant S type take anything she was, but it wasn't all that she could ever do, or be.

"Since we mentioned Clover, and that he can fight, he wasn't built to do so, he learned to because he desired to, because he wanted to protect himself better to not let his partner worry, even though he shouldn't have. But has that ever stopped him from taking decisions and doing things he's not meant to? No. The same way it shouldn't stop you either."

Cattleya refused to look at her after she said that, preferring to look at the sea again, she held a hand to her chest, tightly clutching the red shirt she now wore.

They had changed into some clothing they had found in the villa since theirs was dirty and bloodstained.

"I… have never thought this way…"

Why?

Why hadn't she?

Thinking was what she did best but… when it came to herself, not so much.

It was all negativity, she realized.

Again with the similarities to the human, but perhaps it was why she understood the way she felt.

Was this how Freesia felt when they met and bonded over being fugitives hated by the world they were born into?

Maybe.

"You know… I understand though. It took me a long time to realize I was more than just a mere killer that deserved no love, that I had any value besides giving death to whoever stood in my path, and that I needed to prove that I could be useful to whoever was temporarily protecting me, because that was how things always went."

It had always been because her life had been full of nothing but that. At least before she was brought to the Bunker and changed, and most of all, before she met Freesia.

Because White still sought her skills in killing first and foremost, despite the way she respected her.

"You feel something similar too, don't you?" and she knew she was correct. "I've been watching you, and I've been told many things before you ask how I know."

Cattleya should have known not to underestimate Robin's observational skills.

She had many years to practice them.

And she knew both Freesia and Anemone often spoke of her so very highly and affectionately, like all of their friends, before they got another chance to live.

But they still would say the same words today with no hesitation.

If nothing, now they had actual means to show their affection too, properly, through actions, rather than just words and fond yet painful memories.

"When we were created, we were made to be useful and serve our purpose, failing to do so meant we'd be discarded, and as someone who couldn't fight, I always tried to do everything I could to be of use, because I… I was afraid to be left alone… to be left behind…"

And if that were to happen she was sure she'd die of heartbreak, so much her friends meant the world to her.

That was her biggest fear, always had been.

It never truly left her.

Perhaps it never will.

"My personality makes it hard for me to show emotions too, so I… I didn't know how to tell my companions how much they meant to me either." they thought she was cold and heartless.

"Trying to keep them safe, and to do all I could to help them not get hurt, and to care for them when they did was the best way I knew to show them love."

And she still did, she was still clueless as to how to show them affection properly.

But having been on the receiving side of said affection, starting with Lily and the very first warm hug she ever felt, she'd grown some.

And then there was Anemone too…

She helped through other means.

But she had come out of her shell a little more, she didn't like to show it but at least now she knew how to cry.

And how to smile and laugh, a little.

"The problem is, why do you feel the need to prove yourself worthy even after all this time?" when the Scanner didn't reply, Robin pushed a little more. "You don't need to prove anything to anyone, but yourself."

"I…"

Why?

Why couldn't she answer?

Was Robin right?

Yes, she was.

"That's what Freesia taught me, the others too but she'd been the first to truly know everything about me, she knew my past, who I was and yet… she didn't care as long as I stayed at her side. There was nothing else she cared about."

She could still recall the way they argued when she found out she wanted to leave her, because she was afraid the monster lurking under her skin would come out to hurt her, but Freesia was one stubborn thing.

And just as lonely.

Even Amaryllis that had just got to know her knew how to read right through her intentions.

They all knew that in the end what mattered was to stay together, and nothing else, because if one left then the whole group would be unhappy.

Because their lives mattered more than anything.

"So do your friends, it doesn't matter who you are or what you can do, they just want you at their side." and Anemone too in particular.

She just wanted to love her.

Robin remembered how sad she was when Cattleya hadn't been here, and how fondly she spoke of her, even if they had known each other for so little they had left a mark on the other person that would never fade.

The way they longed for one another was proof of it.

"And you know that as much as I do." Robin was sure, her eyes told her so.

"But I understand, for people as solitary as we are, it's hard to admit to need someone." they were unused to receiving attention.

They preferred to give rather than take, because taking felt unfair.

Besides…

"Doesn't it feel nice to be loved?"

Again, Cattleya put a hand to her heart, feeling the hum of the black box beat under her skin, her mind racing a million miles with fond memories of all the people that cared about her, from the first to the last one.

As she did, the beat got just a bit faster, louder.

And she felt the warmth of their smiles, their words and their hugs as if they were right there with her at that very moment.

"Yes, it does."

And so was loving people too.

Robin nodded. "So, have you figured out why you're here yet?" she asked, hoping this conversation had shed some light on the whole ordeal.

But did it?

The redhead gave a nod too, and she seemed confident in the reply she gave.

"So I could prove myself that I don't need to be strong, to be worthy to stay with you all."

"I'm glad you finally understood." even though it might still take her a while to come to peace with the whole thought.

Just like it did for Robin too.

But she was proof that everyone could change.

"Besides, you still seem to believe you're not strong, but I know you have one of the strongest traits people can have." Robin put a hand to her heart. "A kind heart, and the power of will to go along with it."

"Willpower is what defines our dreams, and our actions, it's the strength that moves the world."

It was the will of the people that defined them, and their actions for as good or bad as they could be, and when those wills clashed conflict will be made.

Like Cattleya's own will to save that kid yesterday against the Lieutenant's one.

The stronger and righteous one prevailed.

And glad it did.

Also, speaking of will, she watched the Scanner draw out the lance she stole yesterday, it was still bloodstained, but honestly, glad such a pretty thing was no longer in the hands of that poor excuse of a man that held it before.

"Are you still thinking about yesterday?"

The question oddly didn't come from Robin, but from Anemone as she approached, now awake.

The woman immediately wrapped her arms around Cattleya as she reached her.

"Not in the way you might be wondering." she replied, melting in her embrace.

She wasn't doubting, for once.

"I was thinking about the people of yesterday, at their gratitude, and at the smile of that little kid… I want to do my best to help more people, seeing them happy made me happy."

"This is what I would like YoRHa to aspire to do." in the future, when they established here.

White reached them too, an odd sight seeing her with her hair untied.

Jackass right behind her.

"After all, I think this is the true reason why we were created, but without actually any humanity to protect we were misguided." dragged in a war with apparently no end.

But second chances existed and they were meant to be taken.

"I want to learn to use this weapon, not only to protect myself and others, but because I feel it's like a sign that is meant to be the start of something." like destiny brought her to this weapon.

Like it was meant to be.

And she hardly believed in fate.

But after how much of a mess the landing of their first mission was, her plans thrown away, and how everything else beyond her calculations, she started to think there had to be something else that wasn't rational behind what happened.

She remembered asking Anemone if it was luck that determined the value of life.

And events.

Perhaps yes, perhaps certain things were just meant to happen.

This one felt like it.

Like something within her started to change.

"Awesome!" Jackass gave her a wide grin. "Our little Scanner is starting to show she has claws too."

Meaning she was getting stronger.

"Well first we should start by cleaning it." Robin had Pod 007 give Cattleya cleaning items for the blade, so the lance would return its glorious blue color.

If she wanted a weapon she should learn to care for it too.

Not being told twice, the Scanner sat down, and began doing just that, working to bring the weapon's blue gems shining again.

"I wonder what kind of gems those are, if they are sapphires or lapis lazuli." or something else, Robin wondered.

Admittedly she'd never been an expert in gems.

"Maybe we'll find a weapon expert on the next island." Jackass shrugged, walking over to take the helm from Robin.

"Now, off you go, ya need sleep." the woman pretty much shoved her away from her post.

"I'm fine, really."

But Cattleya shook her head. "According to my scans, you show signs of fatigue, and it'd be best if we all reached the next island in our best shape."

Of course she'd know.

"Fine, fine, I'll rest some."

"I'll take care of the ship, no worries." Jackass took place at the hem.

"You can trust us, Nico Robin." Anemone added, and White nodded.

Yes.

She trusted them.

That same day, far away at the Marine HQ of Marineford, three figures respectively dressed in red, blue and yellow walked in the main office.

None of them knew why yet.

But if all three of them were involved, it had to be something important.

"Great Admiral Sengoku, have you called for us?" the man in red asked the figure at the desk.

The man was hunched over what appeared to be some photos.

"Sakazuki, Kuzan, Borsalino, please have a seat." from the tone the Great Admiral was speaking with, it did seem that the situation was rather dire.

The man scratched his beard.

"I won't be making this long." they watched him pick up one of the pictures.

It depicted a woman with black hair, different colored eyes, with a long purple cape.

That was…

"Nico Robin has returned."

"Wasn't she gone for good?" it was Sakazuki who asked, of course he'd be the most upset about this, absolute justice or something.

But truly, didn't they make that big plan so she would never return?

So she'd be gone forever?

"I am unsure what happened, I am trusting one of you to find out." still, Sengoku picked up another photo. "But her presence worries me more."

This picture was of a blonde woman with a white cape.

"This person is the Commander of those android forces we wanted to send Nico Robin to, her name seems to be White, and I am entirely clueless as to why she'd come here again."

"Damn it, what the hell is Vegapunk doing?" Sakazuki snarled. "I am unsure, and I would entrust Borsalino to find out."

Since he knew him best.

Sengoku then held up the remaining three pictures, two raven haired women, one with a blue cape, and the other with a green one, and another woman with red hair and a black cape.

"These other people seem to have tagged along with them, and it's safe to assume they might be androids too. But this isn't all, their group seems to have annihilated the group of Lieutenant Rokubokusu and fred the prisoners."

Again he held the one of the redhead, where the lance could be seen poking out from behind her.

"She seems to be the culprit of his death given the weapon on her back. But besides Nico Robin and the YoRHa Commander we don't have any information on these other three."

He put the pictures back down.

"I'm entrusting you three to find out what happened."

And act if needed.

As the other two left, Kuzan picked up Robin's picture.

He never thought she'd be able to come back, the plan seemed perfect…

Why?

What did she have in mind with the actions she took?

Who were the people she brought along with her they knew nothing about?

Their names, their intentions…

Just what went wrong?