Excerpt:

The air around our bodies stilled and the weight of his stare locked me in place. My body moved despite me, inching closer until his arm lifted to meet my chin. Slowly, I let myself realize the situation. I was a straw hat pirate, I was never going to see my home again, and I was giving myself to Roronoa Zoro.

Chapter One: A Melon in the Hot Sun; No one must see you here!

Sunlight flooded the streets with a content, and almost cheerful bath of warm air. Villagers chatted and shopped through the bizarre lazily and without care. Her gaze lulled between people watching and the chores she just couldn't seem to finish. A pink cloth, rough and faded from over use, practically moved itself under the absent minded girl's hand. Her mind left the humid street for a memory that revitalized her bones.

"You're going to kill yourself like that."

A deep and heavy voice entered the air and left her almost paralyzed in its wake. She so wanted to turn and see the what kind of man sounded so powerful with such a simple sentence, but her body continued to betray her.

"E..Excuse me?" She managed to practically squeak out, but when a man with green moss hair came from behind her, he didn't bother repeating himself. A hand came out to the girl whose legs were half buried and shaking in the hot sand. Emi had collapsed moments before under the weight of her boxed cargo. When her fingers barely touched his outstretched hand he took them with a strength that shot through her entire body, and before she could react she was standing before him.

"What are these boxes for anyway?" He shrugged, turning his head away the moment she met his eyes.

"They're today's fruit delivery for my father's restaurant, I was sent to the port to get them but over estimated my ability to carry them over the sand." She was still hesitant but the air around the man was calming, comforting even. Like the power behind his eyes shined with a pure loyalty that was impossible to mistrust.

"Hn. Which way?" Without asking, the man scooped the entire stack on one of his shoulders.

"Emi? Are you done cleaning that table yet?." The frail and gentle sound almost didn't pull her from her befuddled memories. "Emi, dear?"

"Oh! Yeah, sorry, my mind is somewhere else." She blushed, hoping her father didn't have the ability to read minds. The brunette moved her tall frame from against the outside table and took a red, cotton table dressing from the small white-haired man.

"No doubt thinking of that man from earlier." An overly muscular man, only describable as monstrous, bellowed from behind two half swinging doors in the back of the room. On the front of a normal building, over a large window that displayed the restaurant perfectly, hung a sign that read Ueda's Dumplings and Primary Care. Inside a glass door with hours of operation printed on it lived the entire universe Of Emi Ueda.

"Oh, Mamoru she's growing to be a woman now, you can't hide her from the adventures of your past." A wise man of only 5 feet with a long white beard and fingers that hinted at a life of medical procedures and dumpling frying chuckled.

Mamoru let out a low, "Gruff" and continued to chop veggies inside a small kitchen that was half lined with medical supplies and produce. "She's YOUR daughter, you should be more worried. I was a pirate once, and they're only after one thing." A timer dinged from the corner of the kitchen and signaled the completion of steaming rice. The large man flipped the rice into an impossibly large wok with ease all while humming a tune he couldn't remember hearing. As the busy staff worked through the early dinner rush Emi served her regulars with a distracted and insincere smile. A fog stood between her and her work, a green mossy fog.

"Uhm, just into the village down market street. I work at Ueda's." She waited for him to start, not wanting to make the first move, but as time dragged on a redness appeared on the strong man's face, although he did try to hide it.

"I don't know where the village is. I'm not from here."

"Oh! I'm so sorry! Follow me." She bounced forward and brushed passed him toward her destination.

"Thanks."

"Yeah, sure. No, Thank you!" As they walked in silence Emi was going crazy.

He isn't from around here?

She thought anxiously, jumping to the worst conclusion again.

Is he a marine? No. Not with those clothes, and even if he was, a marine wouldn't be helping a waitress. Is he a pirate?! Surely a pirate is even less likely to help a lady in need. He'd have just taken the fruit, or worse, taken me.

As if reading her mind he spoke all at once.

"I'm here with my crew. I got separated from them after they went in search of supplies." She didn't turn to look at him and he didn't check to make sure she had heard his confession. But she did and he added quickly, "Don't worry I'm not going to hurt you."

He is a pirate? Oh my god! I can't walk back into my father's restaurant with a PIRATE! Mamoru will kill me! I'll never hear the end of it! Oh. My. GOD! What if he's going to kidnap me and take me to his ship and I'll be his slave! Well at least he's not bad loo— OH MY GOD HOW COULD I THINK THAT HE'S A DANGEROUS PIRATE.

"Emi?" A familiar voice rang out, and shook her a little from the fog in her mind. A table of older gentlemen, the town scholars, sat awaiting their tea.

"Oh. I am so sorry Mr. Kazuo, Sir, let me get that for you!" She poured tea around the table of men, a mixture of them displeased, concerned and completely uninterested. Yamauchi Kazuo was the same age as her father, but like most men his children were much older than her. He sat inquisitively as he watched the normally level headed girl spill tea, forget orders and fall entranced all together.

"Emi, where is your head today?"

"Oh, uh, no where Kazuo, sir." She lied through her teeth while her cheeks flushed at the thought of anyone knowing she couldn't stop thinking of that mysterious pirate.

"She's enamored with some damned pirate. Helped her with some groceries today. If you ask me he was casing the place out. I wouldn't let her go anywhere today Ueda-old man." His loud and mountainous voice bellowed through the small restaurant and Emi froze in her place, mortified.

"A pirate you say? in Shouichi? Was he violent, Emi?" The whole shop was stopped and staring at the brunette, who apparently didn't do well under stress, standing still and hoping to become invisible.

"YOU CAN'T GET OUT OF THIS BY STANDING STILL EMMIIIIIII! WE CAN STILL SEE YOU!" Mamoru, of course.

"I…I….Uh, well I didn't spend that much time with him…." Her mind drifted back to his face.

"Hello? Are you okay? These are kind of heavy and I don't know where I'm going."

I'm stopped, oh I'm stopped I can't move. I can't move and there's a pirate here and oh my god. OOOOh my god. Think, Emi. Do I stop drop and roll? No that's fire, though this man is HAWT. Oh my GOD! This again?! Why can't I control myself. Control myself— moving. Right. Ugh, uh… Say something, anything, play it cool.

"Did you know that armadillos are the only animal other than humans that can contract lepersy?"

WHAT THE FUCKING GAWD WAS THAT? I have no chill. That's it he's going to chop me to pieces with those swords. Sword….S? He has two, why would he have two?

"Uh, that's cool, I guess. Where am I going?"

"Oh yeah! This way, just around this corner, when we get inside I insist you let me repay your kindness. You must be hungry for something fresh after being at sea, I'm Emi by the way."

HUH-CHA! So smooth. I'm a master of social graces, but why did I invite him to stay?!

They reached the door of the small shop and Emi entered first, taking watch.
No ones here… perfect.

"My name is Roronoa Zoro. Thanks for the offer but I really have to find my friends." Emi was relieved he'd be leaving quickly. "Uh, Can I put these down somewhere?"
"Yes! Here, please! I'm so sorry you have to be leaving now, come back with your friends later, byebye!" And with that she practicality threw the muscular Pirate into the streets. She slammed herself against the door afterward and let a quick breath of relief slip through her pursed lips.

"Oh, hello Emi! Who was that man?" Emi's father bounced from the shadowed dining room and Emi jumped a thousand feet in the air, squeaking as she landed.

"Father! That uh, that is.. WAS.. uh."

"Roronoa Zoro… Pirate hunter turned Straw Hat pirate? In our village? I don't think so." Mamoru cut off her story, and pulled a few folded up wanted posters from his apron pocket.

"I don't think he is any trouble though. I mean he did stop and help me with the boxes and I didn't even ask. He said he crew was here as well. I invited them back here so they may come back around and you can all see for yourselves."

"YOU INVITED THEM BACK HEEEEEREE? EMI HAVE YOU LEARNED NOOOOOTHING FROM MY TALKS?! A crew with a combined bounty of millions of berries aren't good people!" The giant man grew even larger with each word, earning the vacation of several weak heart-ed restaurant patrons. As their screams faded in the distance, Ueda Tadao spoke on his daughters behalf.

"Oh Mamoru, I think it'll be fine. I can't stump my business by not catering to pirates now, can I? I'd go broke! Plus I'd be out one amazing cook if I discriminated against pirates!"

"Tadao, you shouldn't take them too lightly. There are very dangerous pirates out there on the grand line. We are lucky that our little island is off course to most, but that just means the pirates went out of their way to make it here. They must have a reason." Kazuo stood, eliciting the rest of the scholars to join him. "We cannot simply turn the other way when these insane criminals enter our town. We must alert the Marines."

Emi wanted to speak out in defense of the kind man who helped her, but didn't even know him or his friends. She chose instead to step into the kitchen, and let out another breath. Her thoughts raced, and her body made a split second decision. That decision moved her body before she really knew where she was going, but in that instant she knew she had to warn him. When no one was looking she darted from the back door and left her apron on the hook. The warmth and light was leaving the plaza as colder air and darkness set in, making everyone's movements deliberate and urgent.

A force pulled her quickly to the harbor, hoping to catch him before the Scholars had time to reach their transponder snail. Sand replaced hard ground and her pace slowed. She silently cursed her inability to run on the loose sediment even after living her whole life on the island. In the distance a sunflower appeared on the head of a ship, a jolly roger with a straw hat decorated the mast.

This must be it, the only pirate ship on the whole island.

When she confirmed her target, an energy erupted inside her legs that allowed her to move faster, and soon she was within yelling distance to the ship. She inched a little closer to be more discreet, but then she stopped, not knowing where to go from here.

Do I just yell up there like an idiot? I don't even know these people! They could be really bad news. That flag looks awful cute though, can pirate flags be cute? Well, I guess I should do something.. Maybe knock? No, that's ridiculous, they'd never hear me up there!

"Oh, Its you. What do you want?" The thick and somehow soothing voice rained down upon her, filling her ears again and causing a certain feeling to drift up Emi's body. For a moment she forgot why she came. "Is there something wrong with you, girl?" She could have sworn she saw his eyes dart away from her and a redness color his cheeks. Heaving breaths came from her as she tried to remember why she had just run all the way here, while also trying to regain the ability to speak.

"Our elders, they're calling the Marines." Her breathing was slowing, but she couldn't talk very loudly.

"What?"

Shit, he can't hear me.

"Our town elders- are trying to call the MARINES!" Emi pushed the last of her air out with that word, making sure that at least part of the message reached the ears of the peculiar Swordsmen.

"Marines? Climb the ladder so we can talk." He threw her a long rope ladder over the edge of the tall ship. Her heart sank at the idea but knew it was important to complete her mission. Adjusting the soul of her sandals onto the rope, her fingers tightly wound through the rungs, hoisting her body slowly toward the top. Something about the new experience excited her, reminding her of her absent mother.

"Mamoru, our cook told the elders you were here and now they're going to tell the Marines! You have to leave!" Her voice cracked as she began to tear up, she didn't want anyone to get hurt because of her, and a tear fell down her cheek.

Oh my god, why am I crying. These are pirates! They're always being chased by the Marines!

Her thoughts played in her head as she jumped into the ship, but they settled on the real reason she was upset.

I don't want them to leave. But why? I don't even know them! I haven't met them, except for him. And yes he's pretty but why do I care? Lots of pretty boys come through our island.

Did I really just have that thought process?

"Huh, well that sucks. My crew is still gone and even still we can't leave until our log post calibrates to the next island. I guess we'll just have to fight. Thanks for the heads up." His calm demeanor scared her and before she knew, she was yelling.

"HOW CAN YOU BE SO CALM?! MARINES ARE COMING! DON'T YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?!" For the millionth time that day her face was hot and red.

"Eh, this isn't the first time we've had a run in with the marines and it won't be the last. My crew can all handle themselves pretty well. But shouldn't you go before the military mistakes you for one of us? Wouldn't want you to get into any trouble for helping us." Zoro lowered his face as he spoke and the girl blinked twice.
"Oh yeah! I really shouldn't be here, oh, wow! This was dumb, anyway thanks again for the help earlier I'll just be go—" SPHINK

"Get DOWN!" Zoro yelled as he deflected another incoming bullet and Emi squealed as she hit the deck. The air rushed out of her lungs, pain took over her and momentarily everything went black. Fading back into reality she heard shouting from off ship.

"Surrender Roronoa Zoro of the STRAW HAT PIRATES, we have you and your crew mate surrounded!" It was the Marines.

How did they get here so fast? They must have been on the island. Am I shot? There is a fire in my leg but everything is so numb. I can't move to see, I'm scared. But what is this emotion? Excitement? I must… get… up….

Emi tried to reach her leg, but her limbs were paralyzed and heavy like the weight of a thousand gallons of sea water crushing down on her.

I've been shot! I've been shot?! What do I do? I'm tired, do I sleep? NO! Don't sleep, stay awake, stay awake. Okay let's try to sit up.

Pushing off the deck, and momentarily making progress, another bullet zipped past her long hair, cutting off a chunk and sending the terrified waitress back onto the deck.

Okay, no sitting up. I guess I just wait then, where's Zoro? I'm really sleepy, maybe I should just rest to regain my strength, that's it. Just a second.

"Hey girl, Emi, was it? Are you okay? Wake up, say something!" Bullets gleamed off his blade and back at the marines firing them. This girl who had come to warn him had been shot and accused of being a pirate, he didn't know what to do so he just kept fighting. Hoping the crew would come back and Chopper could fix her up. Soon he jumped over the side of the ship and landed inches from a marksman. Slashing at his stomach with the back of his blade, the man doubled over, leaving Zoro a perfect spot to knock him out.

Zoro counted 25 Marines; 15 with guns, and 10 with swords. Easily he weeded through the men, knocking them out or sending them running. After a moment they were all gone, and he took a moment to reassess the situation. No more Marines seemed to be hiding in the distance and there was a bleeding girl on his ship. He ran up the ladder to where she laid, blood oozing from her wound and obviously passed out.

If I wait for Chopper she may die, but if I take her into the village they'll be certain I did this. That doesn't matter, I have to get her help.

Zoro leapt once more from the railing of the ship with the girl cradled to his chest and ran full speed in the direction of the village. Remembering, miraculously, the path he had taken earlier that day. Every so often he'd steal a glimpse at the pile of brown hair and red blood, who actively lost color in her face every second.

Wow, She's beautiful.

What.

He almost stumbled as he ran at this thought. It had been years since he had that thought about a woman. So much of his energy went into training, and usually the only women he saw were Nami and Robin and while they weren't ugly by any means, he had no interest in them sexually. Soon he reached the familiar store front of the girl's family. He entered with a rush and heard a scream and dishes crashing when the occupants of the restaurant saw her body.

"The Marines attacked our ship while Emi was trying to warn us. She needs help but I don't know where to go. She told me this was her family's place, is that true?" Zoro coughed, but held her tightly to himself.

"Yes, it's true, hurry into the infirmary." Tadao kept his calm and rushed into the adjacent room before the moss headed man. Throwing on the lights, he prepared his work space from the cabinets of the sterile room. Zoro wanted to ask why in God's name they had a Doctor's office inside their restaraunt, but didn't want to risk distracting him. He laid Emi down on the metal table, but found himself inexplicably pulled to this girl. He didn't move as much as an inch from her, even knowing she was surrounded by family. His hand found hers and didn't leave, didn't even move for the duration of the emergency surgery.

Tadao noticed the man's proximity to his daughter, and even though normally he'd be concerned, there was no time. He went to work on her leg, removing the bullet carefully and sewing the wound fastidiously. Why isn't this healing? He thought nervously, but when the last stitch was knotted and the string cut, he finally let himself breathe.

"You said the Marines did this? That fool Kazuo." His voice was strained under the stress and almost hour long procedure. "You're Roronoa Zoro correct? Of the Straw Hat pirates?" He threw the bloody tools into a sink and stumbled but caught himself on the counter. "I just don't have the stamina I used to, but when you see your family, your daughter like this, you aren't thinking of yourself."

"Your daughter? And yes she came to my ship to warn us about the Marines, as she was leaving they attacked and shot first before asking any questions. I am Roronoa Zoro of the Straw Hat Crew. My friends are somewhere in this village, I'm guessing in their own kind of trouble." Realizing he was still holding her hand, he tucked it under the blanket and stood back. "How did you know how to do that? Are you a doctor?"

Tadao sighed, "Yes, I was only a doctor for years until my wife left for the seas, that day I opened up this restaurant to provide a safe place and home for Emi. You should go find your crew, Emi will be safe here with me and I appreciate you rushing her here, but they mustn't see you together. I'm hoping it isn't too late for that." Zoro nodded and went for the door, he pushed it open but a small voice stopped him.

"Zoro, Are you there?" It was muffled and horse, and Emi never stirred from her drug induced slumber. He wasn't sure if he should say anything, but Tadao nodded.

"Yes, Emi I'm here."

"Good, thank you for saving my life, ureshii."

Zoro reddened and quickly hid his face from Tadao, but the old man only chuckled when loud snores erupted from the small framed woman. He passed through the door finally and found himself in a completely unknown part of town.

Now where is everyone?