Flames crackled as they rose in the atmosphere. The heat and its glow left warmth.

A whimper left her lips at the whip cracked on her flesh, soiling her back in scars. Many fresh and opened wounds, others were old reminders of her numerous disobedience towards her captor.

He dipped it in the flames, the heat absorbed through the metal as it seethed at the brush of it.

The walls are decorated in luxurious royal blue, decked with patterns of gold. Cherry blossoms surrounded the walls, their plum form serene and lively, bringing forth its elegance.

The victim bit her lips to prevent a scream from escaping at the force of the hot whip. Her back burned like a hot iron sizzling skin. Her lips were adored with a tint of red, slit and drew out blood. The chains on her wrist spiked in her sweat, its metal rubbing against her gritted skin while sweat dripped from her brow.

Through the streams of her tears, her hazy gaze lifted to the culprit that towered her form. His expression was in disappointment as he gripped the weapon.

Not even the warmth of the flames could melt the coldness of his gaze.

"Why do you keep disobeying me," his tone was calm, yet his gaze was as red as the fire reflected in them. As hot and ready to burn her at any moment if she dared make a mistake.

His words weren't a question, but a simple statement that made her shiver.

As she attempted to look away, she winced as he harshly gripped her face, his nails digging into her cheeks, creating prints of the tip of his nail.

As if he tried to engrave, mark himself into her being.

"You made me do this," he whispered, his gaze slightly softening but soon hardened once again. His voice raised every second, "Why do you want to leave?! Haven't I given you everything?!"

Her pupils shook at the amount of fury in his eyes.

"How dare you?!" She winced as he tightly gripped her hair, her gaze on those boiling eyes of rage. "How could you think of leaving me?!"

A flow of tears left her eyes at the emotion that poured before her. Her heart almost stopped as he took out a blade from one of the guards that he ordered to enter the room chamber. He placed the blade right near her eye, stocked as if he was prepared to stab her with it.

Instead, he soon stabbed the dirtied carpet near her legs.

"Should I cut off your legs," He told her, tone once again calm yet could freeze a river. "Would that stop you from leaving me?"

There was a long pause, the air thickening around her. She knew he was serious; she knew he would do it, and he wouldn't hesitate to do so.

Her heart sank further as he began to chuckle, then turned into full-blown laughter as if he was tickled.

He whipped a tear, still chuckling. He gently took a piece of her curls, wrapping it around his finger. "Don't worry, I wouldn't do that to you, my Love."

Her pupils shook the flames, matching the heat in his eyes.

"You can't leave me," He kissed her curls, lifting his gaze to meet her shaking form. "I only have you; we only have each other."

Her breath got shaky as she wanted to look away at the emptiness in his eyes.

"There's nothing out there; you only need me by your side."

His words echoed in her ears, never leaving her mind.

"I know you best, Love."

He embraced her, caressing her locks of hair. She shut her eyes, trying to at least escape within the depths of herself.

"No one else will accept you more than I do."

Her vision dimmed, exhaustion consuming her.

"Ruyi, you belong to me."

Her eyes closed as darkness swallowed her.

Rue sat up from her bed, breath shaky as one hand gripped her crystal while the other created many folds on her sheets. Hair tied into a messy low braid, her pupils glowing by the milliseconds as her throat felt dry while beads of sweat dripped from her brow.

She removed the warmth, ruffling the sheets as she rushed to the sink. Her face cooled as she splashed water on it, immediately alerting her sense of the daylight.

"I know you best, my Love."

Rue continuously tried to decrease the rising temperature within her, attempting to simmer her shaking nerves. His voice kept plaguing her mind like a broken record.

"We only have each other."

She slowly lifted her gaze to the mirror, her pupils shaking as it flashed a blue hue. The freshwater dripped from her cheeks to her chin, wetting her white tank top. She stared at her soiled face, blank and empty. Her silver curls stuck to her cheeks like glue as water glistened down her cheeks.

"You belong to me."

The silver-haired woman tightened her hold on the sink; it began to crack like the holds of her self-control.

It was just a dream, convincing herself of the ordeal that it was nothing more than an illusion.

An unfortunate truth of this illusion that used to be a memory.

She flinched as her ears caught the rustling of the sheets, the small child emerging. Aisha rubbed her eyes, getting a better view of her mother. She hopped off the bed and stumbled on her steps towards her mother.

"Mommy," Aisha mumbled under the shades of her droopy eyes as she embraced her mother's waist, "Hungry."

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Rue stood upright as a gentle smile spread across her lips. She ruffled her daughter's raven hair. "Morning to you, too; I'll make us something quick." She lifted her child and placed her back on the bed. The child dropped her body right back into the sheets.

Rue squeezed the handle of the fridge. Quickly opening it up, frowning once she found a few substances in stock. Then, she opened up the cabinet above the fridge. Her brows furrowed further as the bottled herbs for her tea were low.

She had hoped for them to leave this island as quickly as possible after last night's events. However, witnessing the little food they had, she had no choice, but to fill up the fridge once again.

And that tea was a necessary item that she needed.

She sighed at their predicament; she knew it wasn't necessary to go back since she got the information she needed. Though she couldn't let themselves starve either.

Plus, she didn't want to run into that marine captain once again.

She shut the door, her gaze lifted to her child. "Sweetie, why don't you wake our guest up?" She  giggled as Aisha immediately stood up with a sparkle in her eyes, "we can all go into town and eat together."

Aisha rushed to the door, shutting it with force—a loud bang ringing in the room.

She didn't need to be told twice.

Rue gave her reflection one last glance before turning away to change her clothes.

It was all a dream. She tried to convince herself. It must have been that 'date' that got her so shaken up. Though the captain was persistent and would predictably use force, the thought of him trying to...

Rue's features scrunched in disgust at the memory. She attired herself in another pair of the dress she wore earlier inside her closet. A navy shade of blue dress with a slit on her left side, a V-line shaped with long sleeves.

As she reached for it, she noticed that her stuff wasn't placed as they were. The white cape was shoved at the back, along with the small box placed in an awkward position at the side. Though it didn't seem too bad, Rue silently chuckled, even if they did somehow go through her stuff; somehow, she wasn't so bothered at the thought.

It would be a matter of time before they found out anyway.

The silver-haired woman changed into her attire. Then, she opened the second cabinet on the right side of the bed. She took out her small pouch with everything necessary for the trip and soon joined at the deck with everyone else.

Yes, that was all it was: a simple dream. A dream that wished to never come to fruition.

"We can't stay here," Johnny whispered to his bald friend, hands covering his face as if he held a secret meeting with him.

"How are we supposed to tell Zoro!" Yosaku answered, sweat building on his brows.

Johnny frowned, attempting to devise numerous possibilities to discuss this with the green swordsman.

The group was currently on a path back to Gastonia. Bushes rustled as they strolled by while the sun brimmed brightly in the skies, the dirt scattered at every stomp of their feet. Rue and Aisha were in the front while the three men followed in silence behind her.

Though protected by shades, Johnny kept blinking rapidly while a dark shadow underneath Yosaku's eyes indicated their lack of sleep from last night's discovery. Thankfully, Zoro had returned to the boat, easing their worries, but soon spiked up again when the beauty showed up.

Johnny bit his bottom lip, wondering if the woman knew who they were this whole time. Did she trick them to capture them? Was she trying to get them to lower their guard? He knew there could be many other possibilities, but neither made any sense, yet at the same time did.

She was a woman, alone at sea with a child. What harm could she cause? Yet, they both saw it with their eyes and witnessed the cape of a marine in her cabinet.

However, there was a possibility that it didn't belong to her due to the design of her ship. Yet, a part of him questioned the motive behind her secret identity. If the cape belonged to her, why hide her occupation? Why not present herself as she was and go through all this trouble?

Nothing indicated that this woman had any association with the marines. They didn't suspect a thing, but what was there to doubt?

"Maybe she didn't notice we saw it," Johnny argued, arms crossed on his chest while placing his chin between the bridge of his thumb and index finger.

"There's no way!" Yosaku almost shouted before his friend hushed him with the palm of his hand.

"Oi," both men flinched at his voice, " what's up with you two?" Zoro observed keenly at the duo, his eyes narrowing.

Since the rise of the sun, Johnny and Yosaku have been on edge. They wouldn't gaze at Rue even for a moment, sweat on their brows, voices as high as the melody of a bird of a bird. The green swordsman knew something was amiss with these two from their little chatter.

Observing from the corner of her gaze, Rue shifted her attention to the duo, "Everything alright?"

The duo quickly shook their heads, "N-nothing!" They both nervously responded, their tones surprised.

Aisha peeked her head to get a better view of the men. She gazed at her mother, "Maybe they are hungry."

Rue gazed into her child's eyes, then looked back ahead to the incoming town, a slight smile on her lips, "Maybe."

Though the silver-haired woman might have known why they acted the way they did, she kept it to herself.

Unbeknownst to her, Zoro caught it, and he narrowed his eye; once again, his suspicion rose.

They entered through Gastonia, the town as noisy as usual. Markets open, sellers yelling out their deals and the aroma of...

"Food!" Aisha yelled out, ready to sprint to the nearest shop of delicious delicacies. Before she could even take a step, her mother grabbed her by the waist.

"You can't go alone," Rue told her firmly.

Aisha pouted, but then a grin spread across her face, "Yame, go with me."

Rue shook her head, "Ayame isn't here, and we won't be staying for long." She crossed her arms, "Once we get our supplies, we are leaving."

A pout returned on her face as she stomped the other way, but another smile appeared as she spotted her friend, "Look, Mommy!" The little girl pointed a finger at the figure, "It's Yame."

Everyone's eyes landed on the brunette a few distance away. Though everything looked normal, an unsettling feeling rose within the pits of Rue's stomach.

Zoro observed the darkness of the ally and Ayame's dejected features. She seemed dirtier than before, and a small bruise graced her forehead and other body parts. His eyes darkened at the thought of the child's predicament.

A second later, Ayame darted inside the alley, to everyone's surprise.

"Yame, wait!" Aisha followed her friend to her mother's protest.

"We'll follow her." Johnny went after both girls.

Before leaving after his partner, Yosaku whispered, "Careful, Bro, she's a marine."

Zoro's eyes widen, "What?"

Yosaku looked back at the woman whose gaze was focused on the alley, then back to Zoro, "We saw a marine cape in her cabinets. We're not sure if it's hers...But..." He trailed off, unsure of what to say next. Soon, he left to catch up with the others.

However, all that did was confirm Zoro's suspicions.

Rue watched worriedly as the three left their side. Ayame wasn't herself one bit. Though she wanted to leave as quickly as possible, she thought that maybe letting her daughter at least say goodbye wouldn't be so bad.

Yet, the same unsettling feeling never left her.

"Oi," Rue turned to an annoyed Zoro, "what's your deal?"

While the streets were still filled with chatter and excitement, they stood at a standstill. However, neither spoke after a moment, with their gazes fixed on one another.

Rue gave him her simple smile, "I don't know what you mean, Roronoa."

Zoro frowned at the use of his last name. There it was again, that smile. The smile she had on when they first met. A smile that hid what she met and what she wanted to say.

For some reason, though their time together was short, he began to observe the difference between the curvature of her lips. Last night, he knew her smile was genuine; however, this time, it wasn't the same. Her smile almost seemed distant, almost cold.

And somehow, he began to dislike it.

"I know who you are," Zoro approached her as he held their gazes. "Marine."

The world grew quiet. The sun was slightly hidden in the clouds.

Rue's smile never faltered, "Is that so? Did I say I was one?"

Zoro kept an eye on her, observing her every move. He wondered why she would hide her occupation in the first place. Since the beginning of their encounter, it was hard to read her. All she would do was smile or speak in circles to the point where it was almost frustrating. He watched how she turned away, her curls dancing with the slight breeze.

"Now that we both helped each other out, I will be out of your hair." Hands crossed on her mid-section, she bowed in thanks," I'm sorry for the trouble."

As she turned away, Zoro's firm hands took hold of her wrist. Rue lifted her gaze to his eyes, wondering what he wanted.

"What are you playing at?"

There it was again, that smile that bubbled frustration within him, "I don't understand your question." Rue turned to face him, "Care to enlighten me?"

Well, since she asked, he might as well indulge her. "Who in their right mind invites strangers into their home?" His dark eyes glimmered through hers, "What if I wasn't so nice? I could have harmed you."

As always, Rue's expression never wavered, "But you didn't."

Zoro decided to push the boundaries, which was just the tip of the iceberg. He dropped her wrist and pulled out his blade, its tip at Rue's throat.  This led many onlookers to stop and watch the display, some fear running through their veins."I could right now."

The sun hid deeper within the clouds, a vast shade covering the area. Though it was difficult to read her expression, Zoro witnessed how her silver lashes fluttered close momentarily, her specks of blue looking downward and then back to him. "Do whatever you wish."

In disbelief at her words, Zoro eyes widen, "What?"

"I said do as you please as long as no harm comes to my daughter."

His blade trembled, the frustration that built up ready to burst. It was clear that this woman didn't care for her own well-being. His mind went back to yesterday as his eyes landed back on her injured arm. He squeezed the hem of his blade. Would she seriously let anyone do what they wanted to her? To walk all over her however they wanted? Unless...

"There's something you want, is there? Or else you wouldn't go this far?"

Rue turned away from him as Zoro placed his blade back in its sheath, "Something I want..." Rue gave him a smile that almost seemed teasing, "You've already given it to me."

There wasn't a need for her to reveal her thoughts to him. After all, it was best that they kept a distance.

It was for the best for both sides.

Zoro let out a frustrated sigh; there she goes again. Why couldn't she just tell him things straight?

"Besides," Rue continued, Zoro observed how her expression changed. Her specks of blue didn't have the same hue as before. It almost looked solemn with a tinge of darkness, "It's best if we don't get involved with one another any further then this."

Zoro's eyes almost softened at her words, wondering what she could possibly mean. Why couldn't they get─

The swordsmen's cheeks flushed pulling his mind out wherever it was going.

"Miss Rue!" A woman shouted her way. Both turn their heads in the voice, revealing a blond woman in a golden dress. She hunched over to catch her breath, "I'm glad you haven't left yet."

Rue raised a brow at the woman, "You are..."She trailed off.

"I'm Laurette," She tucked a piece of her blond locks behind her ear with a nervous smile. "Listen, I have to warn you about─"

"Guys, we have a problem!" Johnny and Yosaku ran up to the group. Their clothes were dishevelled, and cuts and bruises lingered on their forms as if they had come from a battle. Their words made Rue's heart sank to the pits of her stomach, "The Marines took the kids!"

꧁꧂꧁꧂꧁꧂꧁꧂꧁꧂꧁꧂

So, chapter 9 is done! One last chapter, and we are done with Zoro...for now! Hope you guys enjoyed it!

AAAANNNDDD, another thing! The semester is almost done soo, I might not be back for a while cuz ya know got to focus! Might and might not update if school's not beating me up, lol!