Hello, everyone! I am extremely sorry for the delay of an update but it's really difficult to keep up with that many things going on. Anyway, here is the new chapter. I had an idea for what it would look like while I was writing the second chapter but I got sick and stayed home and got the chance to review my thoughts a bit. It's mostly a little touchy but I think some of your questions regarding the plot may be answered (spoiler alert?). Also, I wanted to thank everyone for the follows and favorites, you guys make me want to cry from happinness, really. Another thanks to all readers, without you I would be lost. Any reviews would be much appreciated! Well, after my quite long rumbling, enjoy!

Chapter 3:Why?

After her proclamation, she started moving out of his grip. Zoro tensed in the thought of not being in physical contact with Nami, but his arms loosened allowing her to escape their tight embrace. They both felt the cold getting between them when their bodies drifted apart from one another. He reluctantly let go of her sitting himself in the booth he had previously been occupying. Nami followed suit, sitting herseld behind him but however keeping a 12 inch distance between herself and the green haired man beside her. He felt the urge to approach her but restrained himself from doing so.

He took a sip from the beer positioned in front of him on the table. "What do you want to talk about?", he asked after leaving the bottle on the wooden surface of the table once again. He knew what he said was stupid but he never was a man of words.

Anger blossomed inside Nami once again. "Oh, I don't know, Zoro, how about the weather?", she sarcastically answered him. It was one of those situations that she just wanted to beat the crap out of him. So, she did. An aggressive blow to his chest was delivered by the sparky orange haired woman sitted beside him. Of course, there was no use, as Zoro hardly felt it. "Baka", she hissed showing her frustration and irritation.

"Hey, stop hitting me already, woman! Jeez!", he said starting to get angry as well. "You said we needed to talk, so talk already, dammnit! How am I supposed to know what you're thinking?". However, when he saw her watery eyes he sighed and took hold of her chin. "Look at me, Nami", he addressed her in a calm, even tone. He could see the ray of emotions that suffocated her through the look of her big brown eyes.

She had to admit he was right. He couldn't possibly know what she was thinking, but the fact that irritated her was that she expected him to explain himself when he saw her again, after all those years. She wouldn't admit something like that to him, of course. She directed her eyes toward his and could she the angst behind his look. Even his always present scowl had transformed into a worried grimace. She decided it was better to directly express what she wanted to hear from him in the first place.

"Why did you leave?", her voice cracked and she averted her gaze from him, pain being finally evident. He clenched his fist realizing his departure and himself were the source of her emotion, his knuckles turning white.

"I had to", he answered trying to catch her eyes one more time.

She shook her hand violently, while making the distance between them bigger. "That's not good enough, Zoro". She tried to get a hold of herself and continue with what she wanted to say. "We were best friends. You were the most important person for me back then and you just left. You left everything behing, Zoro, including me. And not only that; you never said goodbye. Was I not that important to you that I didn't even worth a goodbye? How do you think I felt when I realized you were gone? You were the one I counted on and trusted, more than my own family. Do you have any idea what was it like for me? So, sorry for telling this to you, but that answer of yours is not fucking enough."

She hadn't realized she had started crying until she saw the stains of her tears on the table. She turned to him, wanting to see his reaction to what she said. She was surprised upon seeing that he didn't look at her but instead focused on his clenched fists.

"Don't ever say that again", he said in a low growl that made her hairs stood. "Don't ever say something like that again, do you hear me?", he yelled at her and finally his dark eyes met with hers. He saw the hurt and regret that filled his existence at that moment. She seemed confused as to what he was refering to until he spoke again.

"Don't dare saying that you are not important to me ever again. How was I supposed to say goodbye to the one person that means the world to me even to the present day? Even if the circumstances allowed me to do so, do you think it would be easy for me letting you go?". The number of tears multiplied upon his words. "I had to go.", she heard him whisper. "Not because I wanted to. My mother's life depended on it. I couldn't risk her life just because I couldn't let you go. I was dragged out of town to a new one, because her life was in danger. I would never do that to you and deep inside, you know it.". His serious tone made her freeze in place. She just thought that he had left her, forgot about her and moved on. Turns out she was wrong.

"Zoro, I-", she started but got interrupted.

He sighed heavily. "I know you didn't know, Nami. You couldn't possibly have. And I don't blame you for your reaction. I would have acted similarly.", he said in such an understanding tone that made her heart melt. "I don't expect you to stop being angry with me or understand it, but this is the way things are. And please, don't cry. I once made a promise that I would never make or let anyone make you cry. Right now, I can't help feeling that I'm breaking this promise." His rough fingers gently wiped her tears off her face, lingering on her cheek. "Please?"

Nami sniffed and tried to regain her composure. After what felt like an eternity, she spoke. "Is your mother okay now?", she questioned him with concern filling her voice.

"That's why I'm back. The bastard promised that if we left town, he would leave her the fuck alone. Turns out he wasn't a man of his word.". She saw him tense and she couldn't help herself from gripping his hand. He looked up at her with a half smile on his face, but a pained expression nevertheless.

"What happened?", she dared to ask.

"My mother was murdered 3 days ago.", he stated trying to hide his emotions but without any success. Nami's eyes widened in horror and her hand covered her mouth in shock. A woman that she considered a second mother had died and it was all someone's fault. "He didn't keep his word, Nami. He broke the deal. I'm here to track that bastard down and make him pay.", she heard him say with an aura that forshadowed destruction. In some other case she would be scared by such a proclamation, but she sympathized deeply with Zoro. She wanted whoever was responsible for that event to suffer just like her childhood friend suffered all these years.

"Zoro", she said and waited for him to look at her once again. When he did, she proceeded "I-I'm so sorry". Tears flooded her eyes once more. She closed the distance between them and hugged him tightly, directing her arms circle around the back of his neck and her head land onto his shoulder. She sensed him hugging her back positioning his chin on her forehead.

"You couldn't have known", he whispers near her ear, his voice making her tremble. She distanced herself from him once again but kept close to him, their legs touching beside each other. "But, know that: there hasn't been a day I didn't think about returning, so I could be here with you again. I can see that things didn't turn out well for you either and I'm sorry I couldn't be by your side to face those problems together", he stated matter-of factly with guilt written all over his face. "But, I am here now", he assured her by giving her a wholehearted smile. He saw her tearing up again and got alarmed.

She gently squeezed his bicep assuring him it was nothing to worry about. She managed a smile. "These are tears of happinness, baka. Glad you're back".

He felt light-headed at that moment. Not only did he make up with Nami, finally getting over his guilts, but just her presence and reassurance of her friendship and support, giving him a second chance was enough to give him the much needed help and courage to deal with his enemies. He felt even more content when Nami put her head on his chest whispering "I really missed you, baka".

So, that was it, folks. Phew! I will be waiting for your reviews and comments on the story and the progress of the plot. Please, it's really important for me to know your opinion and how I can make my story better. Special thanks to Shivisdivis once again for her reviews. Await the next chapter! Loving you all, guys :)