The Greatest (Zoro x Tashigi)

Chapter 10: Good Twilight

Tashigi POV:

we ~~~~~ make ~ distraction?

For ~~, or ~~~ her? This whole ~~~~~ is archives.

I have the ~~~ ointment

I blink, groggy, voices and words melding together as I register the setting sun. Rosemary splashes of sunlight leap across the sky, bouncing off the waves and the wooden planks soaking in the last of the warmth.

Where... I push up on my elbow, rubbing my eyes as I stare at the high deck, everything blurry. Glasses? "Where are my..."

"Here," a woman's voice breaks my dazed sense as a hand pushes my glasses into my grasp. I slide them on as I sit up all the way, turning to see Robin smiling gently yet knowingly at me. I blink a bit more, adjusting to my twilight surroundings as Robin looks back at her book. The back of my head throbs, not painfully, just throbs, and I wince as my ribs ache from sleeping in the same position for...

"How long have I-"

"12 hours. You must have been tired." Robin comments, her eyes closing merrily as she kneels next to me.

"oh.. OH!!" I exclaim as memories begin to flood back, and I start rubbing my temple in regret. "Oh my goodness. that- that swordsman!! Roronoa! and I told him about the blueprints-" I freeze, as the voices that woke me up initially start filtering up to me again, and I hear muffled conversation from the kitchen beneath us.

"...I'm telling you Nami, if we want to stay unseen we'll have to..." I hear Usopp arguing with the red-haired navigator, and I look at Robin with my eyes wide.

"What have I done..." I whisper, trying to replay all the emotions I spewed out this morning. My cheeks flush and I bury my head in my hands as I remember how stupid I sounded.  Spouting off jealous observations, Nothing like someone in control. Nothing like a woman who constantly drones about the honors of wielding a sword. Oh gosh, he really thinks I'm pathetic now. and his stupid beating me with one hand! then grabbing my chin and staring-

"UUGHH." I groan, the noise muffled by my knees as I curl more into a ball, my insides writhing in disarray. I peek my eyes through my fingers to look at the deck and... wait why are my ribs bandaged? did someone have to- and whose blanket...? "this is why I hate taking naps" I mutter, my face flushing more as I look up to the sky, hoping lightning will take me from the world. A chilled breeze blows again, and I pull the blanket tighter, my eyes widening a bit as I realize it smells like, Zoro. 

...

You know this could mean a lot of different things right now and I could read into this in so many ways. Another breeze comes and I sniff as the blanket's scent puffs up. Sea, with a twinge of metal. my heart slows down as I inhale the redolent air and for the first time since waking up I take a controlled breath. 

...

aaaaand, actively ignoring the source of my calm. check. 

"I understand." Robin says, before standing to her feet. "Chopper took a look at your ribs, and gave you some of his quick healing bone ointment. They should be right as rain by the time we get to Rieno."

Rieno.

"That's what they're talking about down there, huh." I say, leaning against the rail. There's one promise broken. I let out a sigh, recalling my conversation with Roronoa in the alleyway before this all started.

"I promise that no harm will come to the Straw Hats, at least not from my betrayal."

"They have certainly concocted some crazy schemes, but they're waiting for you to give them more details. Whenever you're ready to join." Robin shares before going down the stairs. I watch her leave, before turning and looking at the sea again. Alone now, my frantic thoughts fade, tranquility washing over me as I gaze at gentle waves. I can still keep my promise. Strength does come from numbers... and I'm sure I can steer the rambunctious crew towards a plan that will keep them out of my business enough that once I get what I need from Rieno I can just say good bye and let them go their way, not tied down by duty to help me.