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The Merry had been at sea for two days now, once Luffy had recovered and it was clear that Robin no longer needed constant attention from Chopper Robin moved into the Cabin so she could still get some rest without being distracted by the other straw Hats antics. The day was clear and so far the crew had not run into any trouble, considering they were on the Grand Line that may have been odd but after everything that happened on the last Island it was a welcome break. It gave them time to recover from their first experience with an Admiral.

Luffy was currently doing his frozen impression to the delight of both Usopp and Chopper; Connor didn't find it funny at all. He had something he really wanted to show Robin; so while Luffy was being his normal self, Zoro was napping and Sanji was making Nami a drink and snack. Connor got what he wanted to show Robin and he headed into the cabin to visit the Arcioligest.

Connor went to the girl's cabin and poked his head through the door. Robin was sitting up in bed staring out the porthole at the ocean. She had been doing that a lot ever since she woke up as dealing with Ajokii had clearly shaken her.

"Hi Robin...can I come in?" Connor asked.

Robin looked over to him and gave the boy a smile. Connor took it as permission and he walked over to Robin's bed and stood in front next to her with his hands hiding something behind his back.

"Are you feeling better?" Connor asked.

"Yes but I'm still very tried," Robin said.

"Oh...well Chopper said that was normal but he also said you were nearly fully recovered," Connor remembered.

"He did didn't he," Robin agreed "So what's going on up on deck?"

"Luffy's covering himself with flour and intimidating himself being frozen," Connor claimed "Usopp and Chopper think it's funny,"

"You don't?" Robin asked.

"No, I don't...I'm amazed that he can just laugh something like that off," Connor said.

"Have the others said anything?" Robin asked.

"About what?" Connor respond.

"About what Akojii said...and what happened," Robin clarified.

"Oh...umm...Oh Sanji said something about making his kicks burn with the firey power of love because he couldn't stand up to Ajokii ice cold hart," Connor claimed "he then went on about how Ajokii was the worst person in the world for freezing you and flirting with Nami,"

"Oh...that's nice," Robin claimed, she was expecting something different.

"So not really anything out of the ordinary," Connor said.

Robin smiled and turned back to the window and stared out of it.

"I can go if you want to rest," Connor offered.

"No its fine...Connor can I ask you something?" Robin asked.

"Sure,"

"What do you think of me?" Robin asked.

"I don't understand," Connor said confused.

"Ajokii said I was just using you and the others and that my mere presence will get everyone killed," Robin said.

"Oh that...I think he doesn't know what he's talking about," Connor said.

"You don't think I'm with the crew just to get something out of it, or have some alteir motive?" Robin asked.

"Well even if you were using us I'd know, I'm used to being used and would have no say in it anyway," Connor claimed "But if that were the case then you would not appear blue to me,"

Robin looked at Connor in surprise.

"What?" she asked.

"Your aura is blue," Connor confirmed.

"When did you use your sight on me?" Robin asked.

"While we were defrosting you, because you were frozen chopper couldn't tell whether you were still alive or not so I used my sight to check and keep him informed," Connor explained "and your aura was blue and that means your good,"

"Your sight might be wrong," Robin said.

"It's never been wrong before," Connor claimed "So if it tells me your trustworthy than I'm going to believe it over what some marine or anyone else says,"

"Connor..." Robin said.

"You're not a bad person Robin and nothing is ever going to change anyone's opinion of you…at least not on this ship," Connor assured " besides if you were you wouldn't be teaching me,"

Robin pulled the boy into a hug.

"Thank you," Robin whispered.

She was touched by his words and faith in her. She did not want the others ever knowing how much trouble she was and now that they did she feared on how the rest of the crew would view her and it was re-assuring to know that her fears were unfounded. Robin held Connor for good five minutes before she finally broke the hug.

"Sorry about that, I know you don't like to be touched," Robin apologised.

"Its fine," Connor assured "I actually wanted to show you something if you're feeling up to it,"

"Oh what?" Robin asked.

Connor revealed what he was hiding behind his back and it was the story book he had been practicing reading on his own the last few nights.

"Oh one of the picture books, do you want a reading lesson?" Robin asked.

"No, you're not better yet and Chopper says you still need more rest. So I thought I could read it to you," Connor claimed.

"What?" Robin gaped in surprise.

"Yeah, Usopp's made up stories made his friend feel better when she was in bed all day. So I figured the same would work for you, but I'm not good at making things up so…you'll have to settle for the story book,"

"Connor...I don't think..." Robin started but trailed off.

She knew exactly what level Connor's reading level was and he was nowhere near close to reading on his own. But here he was trying to make her feel better, probably knowing that he would not be able to get through the first page.

"What?" Connor asked.

"I don't think you should do it standing," Robin said "come and sit next to me,"

Robin moved over and Connor climbed onto the bed and sat next to Robin. Once Connor he opened the book and Robin put her arm over the boys' shoulders and helped him support the book.

"Take your time and if you need help pouncing anything just ask," Robin said.

Connor nodded and started to read the book, he took it slowly and it took almost 45 minutes for Connor to go through the book. He had to sound out a few words and Robin only corrected his pronunciation twice; but the boy read the entire story book on his own.

Once he was done Robin thanked him for the story and told him she felt much better; Connor smiled and left her to rest.

"He did it….he actually did it," Robin said impressed "I wonder if I should take his reading lessons to the next level," Robin said once Connor was gone.

The next day Robin got out of bed and re-joined the crew on the deck, the rest of the straw hats were happy to see her up and about. Chopper warned her not push or over exert herself. She did give Connor his daily lesson but it was a very short lesson as she was still not quite feeling up to it and in the late afternoon Luffy spotted and island.

"Hey look, an Island," Luffy cried happily.

Nami checked the log on her wrist.

"That's the next stop," She claimed.

"Really...man I can't wait to explore," Luffy said happily.

"Hold on Luffy," Usopp said "by the time we get there it might be be too late for that,"

"Usopp's right Luffy, by the time we get there it will be dark," Nami agreed "you'll have to wait till tomorrow to explore,"

"Aww...that's no fun," Luffy whined.

"Well you can explore as soon as we land...but you'll miss dinner," Sanji pointed out "But I can't guarantee there will be some left over when you get back,"

"WHAT NOO!...alright guys we'll explore this new island tomorrow," Luffy declared.

After dinner everyone went to bed except Robin, as she had been resting a lot ever since she was frozen and she wanted to catch up on some reading. Sanji left a small lantern for her so she would be able to see what she was reading.

Later that night Connor was having a very rare night, his nightmares hadn't woken him up yet and he was for once sleeping soundly through the night. Suddenly the boy started to twitch and toss in his hammock and then he felt a jolt of pain run through his body.

He instantly shot up and gripped his left arm where his brand was and winced in pain. It wasn't that bad but it still hurt.

'What the hell...why is my brand hurting?' Connor thought.

He looked around at the sleeping crew who were all snoring and Luffy was calling for Sanji to get him some meat in his sleep and Sanji in his sleep was telling him to wait till morning.

'I haven't disobeyed...have I?' Connor wondered

Connor waited for the pain to completely fade before he lay back down and tried to go back to sleep. He lay there for a bit and just as he was drifting off he felt the same jolt of pain in his arm again that woke him back up.

'What the hell is going on…dose my brand not want me sleeping,' Connor mentally groaned as he sat up again.

He let out a sigh and looked towards the exit of the men's quarters; since he was awake he decided to get up and go on deck. Once he was on deck Connor noticed that a small light was coming from the kitchen.

"Is Robin still up?" Connor asked himself.

Connor walked to the kitchen and pushed the door open, he peaked inside to see Robin was sitting at the table reading a book. She looked up as the boy came in and closed the door behind him.

"Connor, what are you doing up?" Robin asked "are your nightmares bothering you?"

Connor walked over to the table and sat down opposite Robin.

"No...my brand woke me up," Connor answered.

"Oh what for?" Robin asked.

"I don't know...it's never done this before," Connor said concerned "I tried to go back to sleep but it won't let me,"

"Has your ever denied you sleep before?" Robin asked.

Connor shook his head.

"Only when I'm being punished, it won't let me pass out until after the punishment," Connor answered.

"I see...did one of the boys give you an order in their sleep?" Robin asked "perhaps this is a form of punishment,"

"No...that feels different and it's far more painful," Connor claimed "plus there is never any variation when the brand punishes me...it's always the same,"

"You said this felt different, different how?" Robin asked.

Connor hesitated for moment.

"My punishments are a long drawn out never ending pain, what woke me was more of a quick jolt," Connor answered "enough to force me awake but not enough to hurt me,"

"And you're sure this has never happened before?" Robin asked.

"Defiantly," Connor nodded.

"I see...maybe it is just your brand reacting to something the boys said in their sleep then," Robin insisted "If that is the case then we just need to wait till morning and have Luffy reverse it,"

"I hope so...I just don't understand why it's keeping me awake and won't let me sleep," Connor said worriedly.

"We'll worry about that tomorrow. Now since your up would you like a reading lesson?" Robin asked.

"I...don't want to bother you," Connor said.

"It's not a bother at all, besides no one is up and we have the whole night to fill," Robin claimed.

"But aren't the books I normally read in the cabin?" Connor asked "where Nami is sleeping,"

"Yes but I left one or two in here after today's lesson,"

"Y...you did..." Connor asked fearfully "what if Sanji found them?"

"Connor calm down, no one knows there here,"

"You sure?" Connor asked.

Robin nodded, she created and arm at the top of a cabinet and it reached over above it and pulled three children's learning books out. Connor looked at the hiding place.

"See, I put them in a place where no one could see or reach them," Robin said.

Connor breathed a sigh of relief, he knew no one would ever see or bother to look up there.

Robin stood up and walked over to retrieve the books and dismissed the extra arm once she had them.

"You know Connor you should tell Luffy and the others that you're learning to read," Robin said.

"I...I want to but I can't," Connor said.

"They won't hurt you," Robin assured.

"I know but...what if Luffy forbids me from learning anymore," Connor said wordily.

"He won't, he hasn't stopped you from learning from Zoro or Sanji has he?" Robin asked.

"Well...no but...Zoro's training is a nessesacray and cooking is something I should know how to do," Connor claimed.

"Still, it would be easier and a lot less stressful on you if at least Luffy knew," Robin claimed.

The fact was the rest of the straw hats did know that Connor was learning to read and write, however since Connor was very uncofmterble about it they were pretending not to know and waiting for him to tell them himself. Robin had brought the subject of telling the crew every now and then but as a way of encouraging Connor the first time he had been horrified at the thought of anyone finding out but slowly he was warming up to the idea and Robin knew he just needed a little more time. She hoped once Connor had improved a bit more he would tell the others and once he did Robin knew Connor would become more confident and learning would become easier for him.

"I know and I want to tell him I do, but...I just want to get a little better first...that way I can manage if he does forbid me from continuing," Connor said.

"That and you're writing needs a lot of work, it's not even readable yet," Robin added.

"I'm sorry...I'm trying really," Connor said looking down sadly.

"I know, we'll keep at it," Robin assured "now then there is a writing book here, why don't we do a bit of reading first and then some writing practice,"

"Okay," Connor agreed.

Robin and Connor stayed up the rest of the night, Robin encouraged Connor to try and get back to sleep but every time he tried his brand would send a jolt of pain through his arm and keep him awake.

Just before dawn Robin decided to put the learning books away and Connor went outside to watch the sunrise. Robin joined him and after the sun was up Robin went into the cabin to put the books she had been reading before Connor came in away. Connor continued to view the morning horizon while he waited for Zoro to wake up so they could start the early morning training.

He wasn't waiting long, after a few minutes he herd the latch to the men's quarters open and slam shut. Connor looked over his shoulder expecting Zoro but saw Chopper instead; this was odd as the doctor was usually the last one up. He watched the Reindeer run out of the men's quarters and look around panicky; when Chopper finally noticed Connor he looked directly at the boy.

"GAHHH….HUMAN!" Chopper panicked and then ran to hide behind a nearby barrel. Only he was hiding the wrong way.

Connor was a bit confused and was going to ask if Chopper was alright and why the doctor was scared of him but before he could he heard a loud crash and Usopp's scream coming from below deck. Connor put Choppers odd behaviour down to the doctor being half asleep or Luffy scaring him and went down to the men's quarters. Sanji, Luffy and Usopp were all up but the cook was on edge and appeared to give off a threatening presence, Luffy was looking around widely like he had never seen the inside of the ship before completely ignoring Sanjis dangerous aura ; Usopp was huddled into a corner trying to get away from the other two men.

"Hey I heard a crash, is everything okay?" Connor asked as he came down.

Sanji, Usopp and Luffy all looked at him blankly with no recognition in their eyes.

"Also I think something or someone spooked Chopper, he's acting weird," Connor claimed as he came over to them.

The boy then noticed how the other crew members were looking at him.

"What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?" Connor asked.

"Um….who are you?" Luffy asked.