A/N Time!: Anyway.... Well, here we are. Chapter 40! Wait, what? How'd I even get this far...? Makes no sense to me whatsoever how I ended up writing forty chapters of Destined for Flames, which originally had a less awesome name.... But speaking of chapters....I gotta ask. Do you all want me to keep writing one book until the time skip? Or maybe break it up after Enies Lobby? Cause I was thinking, if I do that, all that's left really is Thriller Bark and then Sabaody, and that's not exactly a whole lot to make a second book. Of course, I could stop now with this chapter, or maybe one more, and then start a second book. But that would be weird to me. Course, that's why I'm asking you lovely readers. So put your two cents in, if you feel like it! Please?

Now.... on with the story!!

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I'm startled from my sleep by a piercing scream, making me jolt upright in my tiny bed, fit for my size perfectly. I clutch my lavender bedspread to my chest, whimpering slightly as another howl rips through the air. It sounds like it's just outside....

"Mommy, Daddy," I whimper, forcing myself to crawl from my bed and to the cold floor. My bare feet make no sound, though the chilling conditions send shivers up my spine as I pas silently to the door. It makes a slight creaking noise when I draw it open, but not enough to catch someone's attention. "Mommy?" I call, poking my head out from the doorway. "Daddy?"

I can hear people running outside, yelling and, strangely, laughing. If they were just screaming so shrilly, why would they be laughing now? I shake my head, fisted hands catching onto the hem of my over-long T-shirt. It's Daddy's, and it reaches to my knees. He let me wear it because I don't like nightgowns.

I pull my door open fully and step into the hallway, rushing down the corridor as fast as my eight-year-old legs will carry me. Just as I reach my parents' room, a searing light explodes from the window in the living room, which is at the end of the hall. I blink, dark shadows dancing in front of my eyes. That looks like.... fire. Fire?!

"Mommy! Daddy!" I jerk open their door, peering inside, hoping to see they're reassuring faces seated in their bed. I want them to tell me everything is fine, to just go back to bed. But even I realize they're not there, I know I could never fall asleep again, with all this noise and worry crowding my mind.

I take another look around the room, to make sure I haven't missed them, then duck out and hurry to the living room. The front door bursts open just as I enter, and on instinct, I dive behind the bookcase filled with Mommy's favorite stories, and Daddy's pirate books. My parents are shoved into the house, by a very ugly man who very much towers over them. He has to stopp to make it through our six-foot-high doorway.

I wrinkle my nose at the sight of him, even though it isn't the time to feel disgust over someone's appearance. He's massive, with a broad, hairy chest that's exposed due to the fact that he wears his red, button-up shirt open. He pairs this with light-green long pants with a strange, lined pattern on them, as well as a puke-yellow sash around his hips, with several guns tucked into it and what I think is a bottle of alcohol. His skin is tanned from prolonged exposure to the sun, and his hair is pitch black and curled; he also has a scruffy black beard. When he grins nastilly, I see that he has broken teeth dotting his mouth.

"Well, lookey here," he says in a rouch voice that makes me shudder like I've just been bathed in ice water. "You two were runnin' back here some somethin'. Is it valuable? Treasure, is that what you got? Cause I'll just be takin' that! Zehahahaha!" His laugh is so weird.

Something brushes my arm when I shift, trying to get a better look at the man obviously threatening my parents. I look back, eyes already pricked with worried tears, and spot a rather beat-looking black leather case, tucked against the wall. Daddy's sword. He put it here because he didn't want people to steal it. Mommy thought it was a bad hiding spot. "Who wouldn't look behind a bookcase?" she'd asked. But she was laughing and smiling when she said it. She isn't like that now.

Mommy and Daddy are both on the ground, glaring up at the hairy man. Mom's pretty pink eyes are so cold and hating right now. I've never her seen her look so angry before. It scares me. They're both bloody, covered in minor cuts and bruises, but nothing serious that I can see. Dad pushes his sweaty, jet-black hair from his slate-gray eyes and lifts his upper lip in a snarl as he stares at the man.

"We don't have anything!" he growls. My knees are knocking together; my parents.... when did they get so scary? Though they don't even compare to the man facing them down. "Get the hell out of my house!"

"I don't think so!" the burly man laughs, pulling something out from behind him. A set of... metal claws? He slips them onto his left hand, and uses his right to hoist my dad to his feet, holding him a good two feet off the ground with ease. A scream bubbles up in my throat, but I clamp my hand over my mouth, trying to stay silent. Why don't I scream?! Why don't I call for help?! Why don't I run to my parents?! What's wrong with me?!

"So.... what's yer treasure?" he asks, smirking down at my dad. Mommy, looking frail and vulnerable in her blue cotten nightdress, doesn't look like she can do anything, except glare menacingly. I watch on in horror, as her pink eyes flick to me, only for a second, before they return to the man, who doesn't look as though he saw. And my mommy betrays no signs of having recognized, or noticed, me. 

Me. I'm their treasure. They were coming back for me. 

"You..... are..... a filthy, rotten excuse.... for a goddamn pirate!" Daddy hisses, voice choked from the man's hold on his throat.

"Zehahahaha!" he laughs, tighting his hand on dad's neck, causing him to choke and squirm in an attempt to break free. 

"Jonah!" Mommy cries, suddenly launching herself at the man. He easily bats her aside, and she hits the ground. Hard. I wait for her to get up, but she doesn't move. No....

"This is exactly how pirates are, buddy," the man cackles. He raises his clawed hand to Daddy's neck, letting the points dig into his skin. All three draw blood, and it slowly trickles down his neck, trailing over the man's outrageously large hands. "Ain't the life just grand?!" 

"There are... pirates who are better men.... than you!"

"Name em, buddy!"

"Red-Haired.... Shanks!!"

I swallow back a gasp, hearing my daddy mention Shanks. He's my parents' idol, and mine as well. The man, however, scowls heavily at the mention of the great redheaded pirate. The claws dig deeper and deeper in Daddy's throat. 

"Well, if ya ain't got nothing for me to threaten outta ya, guess that means yer useless," the man says, shrugging off his previously dark expression, replacing it with something I find even more demonic: A giddy smile. "Course, I'm not even here on orders, so I could let ya live. But where would be the fun in that? The Old Man won't even know! But you, for the next few measly minutes of ya life, will cower in the name of Blackbeard, future King of the Pirates!"

My dad does something I can't even comprehend: He laughs. "The day.... you become Pirate King," he chokes, "is the day.... the Marines.... hold a parade for Gol D. Roger!"

"I was gonna let ya live a little longer, but you've gone and pissed me off," Blackbeard growls. "Oh well!"

"Jonah....." I peek a little farther around the bookcase, and see that Mommy is on her hands and knees, coughing weakly. Blood dribbles from her lips, dripping to the floor in an almost rhythmic pattern. Daddy smiles, and I have to hold back another disbelieving gasp. "I love you, Mia," he says, so softly I almost don't hear it. "And I love what he had together. I'm sorry."

What they had together....? Does he mean me? Is he trying to tell me he loves me without giving me away to the dirty pirate?

"Jonah, no, we can't.... leave her..... He won't be able to......" 

Why did she say he? Is she so incoherant that she thinks I'm a boy?

"Ugh, enough of the lovey-dovey shit."

Blackbeard pulls back his claws, and in one swift motion, slashes them across Daddy's neck. He lets him fall to the ground with a thump, and he lays there, twitching, a horrible gurgling sound spilling from his lips and blood pools down his chin and neck, drenching his white nightshirt. Then, he gives one last jerk, and lays still, glassy eyes fixed on where I'm hiding.

"JONAH!!!" 

Mommy's screech snaps me out of my silent watching. I.... what.... DADDY!!!

"Whoever yer were moaning about.... too bad them them, eh?" Blackbeard laughs, walking over to Mommy without a second glance at the limp body on the floor. I want to close my eyes, to scream at the top of my lungs, but I can't do either as he quickly pulls the same move on Mommy. 

He laughs and laughs and laughs.

"M-Mommy....?" I whisper in a choked voice. "D-Daddy?"

Neither of them move, nor do they speak.

They're.... dead.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! MOMMY!!! DADDY!!!!" 

The scream finally rips from my lungs and I collapse onto the ground, shaking violently as I curl in the fetal position. I keep screaming nonsense, no longer sane enough to care what I'm saying.

I vaguely realize that Blackbeard has turned to me with a sinister smirk on his face. The blood-drenched claws glint harshly in the firelight still flickering in from outside as he walks towards me.

No.... No.... No--

I jolt awake, my heart slamming against my ribcage at a thousand kilometers per hour. I'm shaking horribly, drenched in a cold sweat. My pillow is somewhere on the floor, tossed aside from my silent thrashings. 

This is a typical scene for me, and yet it feels as fresh and raw as the first time I experienced it. That dream, that horrible, gut-wrenching memory.... I relive it so often, I'm surprised I haven't gone insane yet. 

I drop back into my hammock with a soft sigh, feeling the aftereffects of the nightmare start to fade away. My heartbeat hammers to a normal ba-bump.... ba-bump.... and the shaking subsides somewhat. I quickly look around the room, making sure I haven't woken anyone. Luffy and Robin are upstairs, where we have actual beds. Nami's with them, probably sitting in an armchair or something.

Usopp lays on his on his back in his hammock, one arm tossed carelessly over his eyes. The other is hanging over the side, fingers brushing the floor. Chopper is curled up in a ball, snoring softly. His top hat is on the ground beside him, along with his medical pack. Sanji looks to be in a deep sleep, dreaming. Drool dribbles from his mouth, and there's a pervy smile on his face. He's muttering something, but I don't try to listen in. It would probably give me more nightmares. 

I stare at the ceiling for a while, glad my terrors woke no one. The only person that might've guessed something was wrong is Zoro, and he's taking watch tonight, like usual. He sleeps so much during the day, the crew thought it would be fair that he take the night shifts. A really poor idea, since he almost never stays awake all night. 

Obviously, sleep is nothing more than a distant dream right now. And I don't particularly feel like lying in my hammock for.... however many hours there are until sunrise. So I swing my feet to the floor and tug on my boots, remembering to pull my bandana from my right one first. Ever since Alabasta, I've gotten into the habit of tucking it into my boots for some reason. I decide on a change of pace and tie it around my arm for now. Oh. Zoro does that too, doesn't he?

Rubbing my eyes, I make my way over to the ladder and start climbing. As silently as possible, I push open the trapdoor and pull myself onto the deck, shutting it behind me with a soft thunk. 

The night is still pitch dark, only lit from the brilliant expanse of winking stars and the hovering moon. I smile at the sight, before starting up to the upperdeck of the stern, stretching out my arms as I go. I lean against the railing, watching the waves forming and dissipating in the wake of the Going Merry. It's surprisingly quiet tonight, for the Grand Line. Though it's actually been like this since we set sail... two days ago? We spent four days on Long Ring Long Land to let Luffy and Robin recover, then we set out. They still aren't completely back to normal, though I suspect Luffy will be up before we know it. I can't wait.

I tilt my head to the side, studying the water before me. Something seems.... familiar about what I'm looking at........ Oh. 

With the sea so calm, the stars are reflected in the water perfectly, a mirror-image of the sky. Doubling the brilliance, as it were. The last time.... The last time I saw something so breathtaking.... was on Red Force.

I really didn't think I'd get to see such a breathtaking scene again, though I'm extremely glad I get to experience it on the Going Merry as well. 

After a few minutes of simply staring and smiling, I've finally managed to rid myself of my rotten nightmare. Just the barest traces of it remain as I head back down to the lower deck, humming to myself. I don't sing, as I can't carry a tune to save my life. But humming.... if you sound bad humming.... Just, wow.

I start across the deck, having no idea whatsoever of what I'm going to do to preoccupy myself for the next few hours. I pass by the mast, and tip my head back to see the Crow's Nest. Of course there's snoring drifting down from there.... Wait.... No there isn't. "Are you actually awake Zoro?" I call up, an amused smirk on my face.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

I jump; he's right behind me! I spin around and shove him in the chest in irriation. He doesn't budge an inch. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" I demand, leveling a glare at him. "You scared the shit out of me!"

"A little thing like that scared you?" he asks, frowning at me. I roll my eyes, reach up and flick his forehead. His frown turns to a scowl as he rubs his temple, looking down on me. I smile, a little cheekily. "Well, you are a Demon Swordsman," I say offhandedly, waving my hand at him.

"Says the Red-Haired Demon."

"You know I hate that name!"

"Too bad it's so fitting."

I gape at him, and he just laughs at my horror. Scowling, I turn around and stalk over to the side of the ship, sitting down to lean my back against the hull. He joins me after a moment, even when I send him an award-winning Death Glare. His chuckles finally peter out and he looks over to smirk.

"You have to admit, you're far from angelic," he says, and I open my mouth for a clever retort. Finding none, nor any flaws in his logic, I clamp my jaw shut a second later. His smirk widens. "And that is the color of your hair."

"I wasn't denying that part," I mutter indignantly. A soft silence builds up between us, the only sound the lapping of waves against the hull, far below us. It gives me a moment to think, something I seem to have precious little time for these days. Unless the thoughts are ones I'd rather avoid. Then, time corps up far too often for my liking.

Something I've been wondering about suddenly pops up, from being in such close proximity to Zoro. I turn him to curiously, and he returns the look with a cocked brow.

"Can I ask you a personal question?" He looks at me, furrowing his brows, but doesn't say anything to deter me. So, I take that as I sign to continue. I rub my eye, fighting back a yawn as I try to think of a way to ask this out of the blue. I feel Zoro watching me, and I realize he most definitely knows why I'm up. He hasn't forgotten, then.

"Remember.... back at Baratie," I say slowly, refusing to look at him. Instead I focus on the twinkling sky, even though I know his gaze on me has hardened. I doubt he feels like discussing the events at Baratie anymore than I do. "When you went to challenge Mihawk.... you said.... it was a promise to your best friend that was driving you. What I'm trying to ask is.... What was that promise? And who did you make it to? I mean, for you to put your life on the line like that.... it had to be somebody significant right?"

There's silence in the wake of my question, and I swallow thickly. That was too personal a question. If I were him, I wouldn't see a reason to answer me. In fact, I'd probably--

"Kuina. Her name was Kuina."

Was? Oh no...

Another thick swallow. "Zoro, you don't have to tell me," I say, looking back at him. I'm shocked by the depth of emotions swirling in his dark eyes. He never reacts like this. But he doesn't break his gaze with me, even though I might've suspected he'd try to hide his reaction to my question. 

"You deserve to know," he says, startling me further. "You told me about your parents, and that was when we first met. I think it's time I told you about Kuina. It'll probably explain a few things, anyway."

I nod after a moment, letting him piece together what he wants to say. If he leaves things out, I won't be offended. 

"I was only nine when I first met her, at her father's dojo...."

(FLASHBACK- Zoro style!)

"Kuina wins! Zoro, who used double swords, loses! Kuina is in the lead with 2000 wins to zero! Aah..."

A young Roronoa Zoro lies on the ground, holding his bruised temple in shame. His wooden practice swords lie in the dirt next to him. Little good the extra did him.

A tall girl of about eleven or twelve stands over his defeated form, sword still held firmly in both hands. Her dark blue hair is cut short, in a style similar to that of Tashigi's, and her dark eyes glitter with amusement. She, Kuina, has indeed beaten Zoro in two thousand matches, including his loss today. An exceptional young Swordsman, or Swordswoman, and also the Dojo Master's daughter.

"Hmph, how pitiful," she says mockingly, pointing her sword at Zoro. "A boy... and still so useless?"

"Hey, Zoro isn't weak!" another young member of the Dojo calls out.

"Yeah! Zoro is the best in our Dojo!"

"Even when sparring with adults, he's still really good!"

"Is that so?" Kuina asks over her shoulder, starting to walk away. "Still, he is weaker than me. Even if he uses two swords, he's still useless! Admit defeat since you've lost."

"Damn it!" Zoro huffs, gritting his teeth in frustration as his companions crowd behind him. 

"You fiend Kuina!" one cries. "This woman really makes one angry!" Though he personally finds her very cute.

"Just because she's the daughter of the Dojo's Master, she likes to show off!" another agrees.

"You lost again?" the Master asks in a somehwat jovial manner, walking over. "What a pity, Zoro."

"Sensei! Sensei!! You've secretly been training her because she's your daughter, right?!"

"No, no such thing!" he insists, trying to placate the presumptuous students.

"Don't lie to us!"

"Damn!!" Zoro shouts, throwing his swords onto the ground in fury. "Why can't I defeat her?!" His Master calmly points out, "But Zoro, Kuina is older than you." But Zoro is not in the mood for such excuses, as he snaps, "Even adults can't beat me!"

"I want to sail and become the World's Number One Swordsman!! I won't lose to anyone ever again!!" he vows. 

Late at night, Kuina practices her swordsmanship, thrashing a wooden dummy to sharpen her skills. She huffs as she draws back, preparing for anothe strike. Her harsh training is evident in the sweat beading down her forehead and cheeks, but she smiles at the rhythmic movements she loves to show off.

The sound of footsteps makes her pause, and she looks away from her target, squinting in surprise. There stands Zoro, panting from his run, with duel katanas clutched eagerly in his hands. "Zoro...?" she says questioningly.

"Kuina!! Duel with me!! I've brought real katanas!!"

"With me?" she asks, smirking. "Okay."

In no time at all, Kuina returns to the grassy field with her own beloved, white-hilted Katana that's been passed down in her family for generations. She stands opposite a determined Zoro, gripping her katana tightly as he holds both of his.

"Let's go," Zoro urges.

"Come on!"

The two leap at each other, poised to strike. Their blades clash. Kuina blocks both swords with relative ease, never letting Zoro catch her off guard. Their struggles continue, neither willing to give in despite Zoro being at a clear disadvantage. 

Soon, Kuina manages to send Zoro's swords flying far from his reach, and knocks him to the ground. She stabs her sword down inches from his sweat-drenched face, while he starts in shock. "My... 2001st victory," she pants, as the flying swords crash back to earth, blades buried deep in the grass and dirt.

"Damn!!" Zoro chokes, feeling his throat start to close up with tears of pure frustration. He hides his face with one hand, the other splayed out beside him. "I don't believe this!!"

Sometime later, when Zoro's settled down, Kuina and he sit outside the Dojo, relaxing on the steps. The moon still shines bright above them, the passage of time seeming nonexistent.

"Actually," Kuina says softly, looking over at the still somewhat despairing Zoro. "The one who should feel upset is me..."

"Eh?"

"When a girl grows up, she'll lose out to guys in physical strength," she explains, her expression turning bitter. "I'm going to fall behind you people soon.... Don't you always say that.... you wanna become the World's Number One Swordsman?" Zoro remains quiet, giving her a bemused, yet intent, look. "Papa says that girls will never be the World's Greatest." 

Tears pool in her large brown eyes, threatening to spill over and down her lightly tanned cheeks. "It's good that you're a guy," she says. "I want to be an invincible Swordsman too!!"  She hugs her chest, the tears falling freely now, sparkling in the lovely moonlight as they fall to the earth. "My chest has started to develop.... If only I were a guy..."

"You're telling me all this crap after you beat me?!" Zoro snaps angrily, shouting the words as loud as he can. "That's unfair! To become like you is my ambition!!"

"Zoro..." Kuina says, looking up with teary, confused eyes.

"Does this mean that if I beat you one day it won't be because of my strength and skills?!" he demands, flashing out his two swords and holding them in a ready stance. "Doesn't this make me, who has been training extremely hard to beat you, look like an idiot?!" He steps up to her, yet continues to shout. "Let's make a promise!! One of us must become the Greatest Swordsman in the World!!! Let's see who can reach that goal first!"

"Stupid...!" Kuina mutters after a moment, rubbing at her eyes with her forearms, wiping away the bothersome tears. "You're a person who lost to me," she says, managing a genuine smile at him. "I promise you." 

The two newly-realized best friends, grip each other's hands tightly, sealing the promise.

"Oh no! Zoro! Something terrible has happened!! Kuina... she.... she fell down from the stairs.... and died!!"

Zoro takes the sudden news with a shocked look, disbelief clear in his wide, dark eyes. His first reaction is anger, anger for the girl he's only just befriended. The girl he made his rival. The girl he has wanted to surpass ever since their first duel, and his subsequent loss. 

He tries to push through the crowd of people surrounding her shrouded body, though two grieving men hold him back as he screams out his grief-adled thoughts.

"You bastard!! Both of us made a promise last night!! And now you're running away?!"

"Zoro, please don't be like this," someone says, trying to calm him down. "Humans are really such fragile beings, Zoro..."

Kuina remains still, of course, her lifeless body lying mockingly out in front of the Dojo for its members to grieve over. A white sheet coveres her body, and a smaller one who adolescent face, hiding her beauty from view. After some time, Zoro can't take the sight of her any longer, and he moves away to find his Master.

"Sensei!" he says, bowing down in greeting to the older man. "Please, gift me with her sword!"

Koshiro, the Master and Kuina's father, looks down at the white-hilted katana held in his hands. He understands that Zoro wants the sword not for selfish reasons, but to treasure and remember Kuina, and to fulfill her dream as best he can. He doesn't hesitate long before giving in and entrusting the blade to the young Roronoa Zoro.

The green-haired boy grips the katana with white knuckles, glistening tears in his eyes and down his cheeks. "I will become the World's Greatest Swordsman!" he vows, sniffling and sniveling in an effort to hold back his tears. "So famous that even the Heavens will hear of my great name!!"

(A/N: What's ironic is that Zoro is an atheist.... Just saying.... Oh! Sorry! I ruined the touching moment.... Bad author)

(END OF FLASHBACK)

Somehow during his story, I ended up with my head on his shoulder, his arm wrapped around me tightly. I don't know why, or how, but I feel like it's comfort to both of us really.

There are tears in my eyes, no matter how much I try to blink them away. I never imagined.... His actions make so much more sense now. If I were in his shoes, I would have thrown myself at Mihawk the first chance I got as well. Eager to reconcile my promise. 

I don't say I'm sorry. Something tells me Zoro wouldn't want the pity. Even more so because everyone on this crew has lost someone dear to them, even if I don't know the details. I only know of Nami and Chopper, and I can guess at Robin's past, though I'm most likely wrong. Understanding is much more accepted than pity when you've been dealt that kind of loss. I myself never once recieved pity, and I truly never wanted it. Why would someone apologize to you over the loss of you parents? What hand did they have in their deaths that they can even apologize for? Accept, in my case, I firmly blame the delay in the Marines' reaction for my parents' deaths, though I blame Blackbeard all the more.

I look up at Zoro to see he's watching the stars, a distant look on his face. It reminds me of how he looked in the Alabastan desert we trekked through on the way to Yuba. Like he's contemplating something very close to his heart. It makes so much sense now.

"I bet she could kick your ass if she were here today," I say, and his eyes widen, head snapping around to stare at me. 

"What?" he asks, eyes narrowing.

"Kuina," I say, deftly wiping the tears from my eyes. "She sounds like the type of girl to never go back on her word. I'm betting she could kick your three-sword-style ass, given the chance."

I offer a cocky smile, and his bewlidered expression dissolves into a smirk, equally as confident. "You're dreaming," he says, for some reason choosing to ruffle my hair like I'm five-years-old. "It would take me two seconds to win against her now."

"Yeah right," I shoot back, poking his chest. "Two thousand and one losses, Zoro? I'd say she most definitely had the sharper skills."

"That was then," he replies, giving me another smirk.

I just smile and shake my head. I'm glad I can get him talking about her without him closing up. Zoro isn't exactly an open book. He's not a sealed vault, either, but still.

"I would've liked to meet her," I murmur thoughtfully, dropping my head back onto his shoulder. My cheek is pressed to his chest, and I can hear his steady heartbeat. 

"She probably would've liked how you aren't afraid to say what you want to me," he says.

"Oh you mean when I make fun of you? Marimo, was it?" I ask teasingly, and he scowls.

"Damn ero-cook," he grumbles, looking away.

"Don't worry, I prefer baka, anyway," I assure him with a laugh. "It suits you."

"Really, Demon? You still think I'm the baka?"

"That's it!" I huff, pushing away from and crossing my arms over my chest for emphasis. "Come up with a new nickname, because from now on I'm not responding to that."

"Would you prefer mini-Shanks?"

"Seriously?" I sigh, shaking my head in wonder. That's just ridiculous. Now, if I was a guy and he was still my father.... Nah, still would sound too weird. "Try again."

"Aka."

"Red?" I ask, turning back to face him. I raise an eyebrow. "Not very original, is it, Swordsman?"

"What would you call that nickname?"

"......Touche......"

He chuckles and pulls me back against him. I go without complaint. I didn't think sitting on the freezing cold deck in the middle of the night could ever be this comfortable. "You don't have to call me that," I say, rolling my eyes at him. "Raya's fine. Not Ray, though. That's what Yasopp calls me, and I find it annoying. First I'm a demon, then I'm a boy? Oh, wait. He called me Ray before my bounty came out..."

"You spout a lot of nonsense, you know," he says, and I stiffen in surprise. Well then. I know I spout nonsense sometimes, but that's usually when I'm plastered. Great. I'm drunk without having consumed any alcohol. That must be some achievement.

Then again, maybe it's cause I'm a little jittery. I still can't believe Zoro trusted me with his story.... And finding out that Wado is really Kuina's old sword.... Wado clearly loves Zoro as his master (yes, he's a guy sword), but he has that connected with me. I don't get it. How would Wado know that knowing about Zoro's safety is that important to me? Unless he thinks I.... 

No way. That's just ridiculous. I'm not even going to go there. Because..... Oh dear God. 

Zoro's always the person I can talk to.

Zoro's the one who knows how to calm me down.

Zoro's who I always seek out when the Straw Hats are in a group.

He's the only person, besides Shanks, who can make me feel blissfully warm with just a smile. 

We understand each other more than I thought possible. And even though he can annoy the crap out of me with his prideful recklessness, it's only because I worry. No matter the situatiion, I've never wanted to lose him.

Way to make yourself incredibly self-conscius and nauseous with worry, Raya. I bite my lip, mulling over this recent development. I know Zoro's looking at me, probably wondering why the hell I've suddenly gone either incredibly pale, or redder than my hair. I'm a little numb at the moment, so sorry if I can't be sure.

"Hey, Raya...." He shakes my shoulder, and when he doesn't get a response, turns me around to face him. His brows are furrowed as he studies my face, no doubt looking for the cause of my sudden change. "What's with you?"

"N-Nothing," I stammer, looking anywhere but at his eyes. He'll be able to tell if I'm lying, which I clearly am. The stuttering has to be a dead giveaway, right? He looks away after another moment of watching me, lifting his hand that is not gripping my arm to scratch the back of his head. I frown, noticing he isn't exactly alright, either.

As much as I'm freaking out on the inside, I don't like seeing him distressed. Possibly more so than I am, though I find that hard to believe at the moment. I reach up and cup his cheek, turning his head to look me in the eye. "What's with you?" I ask, and his eyes widen, most likely against his will.

After a moment, he smirks. I raise an eyebrow. "Zoro, what's with that--"

He leans forward and presses his lips to mine. 

His lips are surprisingly soft and warm, and I find myself leaning against him, tilting my head up to deepen the kiss.

This was not how I expected my night to go. But I'm not complaining.

"So I take it the feeling's mutual?" I ask, a little breathlessly, when he pulls away. Damn.

He smirks, leaning his forehead against mine. "Shut up, baka."

Third Person's POV

Robin and Luffy are sound asleep in the upstairs cabin that usually only occupies the girls of the crew. Excluding Raya, who claims the sound of the boys' snoring helps her fall asleep. A third occupant is in the room as well, though she's just waking up. 

Nami rubs her eyes, cursing as she feels her sore back from sleeping in the chair beside Robin's bed. She normally sleeps till daybreak at the earliest. It must be her discomfort waking her so early. It's not even light out, for Kami's sake.

She stands from the chair, pressing her hands to the small of her back to stretch. A satisfying shiver runs through her when she hears the tell-tale crack. With a yawn, she decides to wander to the kitchen for a glass of water. She knows not to try the fridge in the middle of the night. Sanji set up a rather large contraption, resembling a mousetrap, to keep Luffy from getting his rubber hands on a midnight snack.

She smiles at the thought as she shuffles over to the door. Luffy is always getting on Sanji's nerves when it comes to his appetite. If he weren't rubber, and didn't have the metabolism of a cheetah, he'd most likely weigh more than a thousand pounds.

Nami pulls open the door silently and steps out into the cool sea air, the smell of salt swirling around her in an entrancing aroma. She draws up to the railing overlooking the deck and takes a deep breath, her eyes closed in pleasure. She blinks open her eyes, prepared to head down the stairs to the kitchen, when she catches sight of something most unexpected.

Zoro.

Kissing.

Raya.

Her eyes widen and her jaw slackens. To say the least, she's shocked. She's known forever that these two like one another, but she thought she'd have to keep prodding them for a reaction like this. 

Her smile turns slightly devilish as she turns right around, deciding that glass of water isn't necessary anymore. She returns to her room, closing the door with a soft click.

On the deck, Raya narrows her eyes, turning to look up at the cabin that's been turned into an infirmary for the time being. With muffled surprise, she catches sight of two brown eyes peering at her through the window of the cabin door. 

Raya groans as the eyes turn away, bright with a knowing smirk. She turns back around and falls forward, her face pressed into Zoro's shirt. He raises a brow at her, but receives no response.

That is, until she says: 

"I'm really going to have to kill Nami tomorrow."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Holy shit! Did I just do that? Yes. Yes I did. ZORAYA FOR THE WIN!!!! Sorry all you LuRa fans, maybe I'll eventually do some AU thing where Luffy gets the girl. But for now, my heart's set on ZoRaya.

So... what'd ya think? Good? Bad? Sappy? Rushed? Adorable? ANYTHING?! Tell me SOMETHING people!! I demand feedback, because I have wanted to write this chapter for weeks now! I need to know if you liked it or not, or if I have officially failed as a writer. So please, please, please take five seconds to tell me what you thought?

Alright, till next time my people!