Log; On-going

[naoto-two.livejournal.com]

When; Dec 27
Rating; G/PG/something
Characters; Naoto [naoto_two] & Nico Robin [blackhibiscus]
Summary; Because of the rather strained tensions between two parties and the worry it has caused, Naoto and Robin sit down at Café Juliet to sort it all out.
Log;

Naoto had gotten used to the snow by now. She wasn't too fond of it, though; it was cold and wet and the glare on a sunny day was painful. At least the streets were relatively clean from constant use, the woman mused as she made her way to the City's most popular café.

She welcomed the warmth that greeted her upon stepping through the door. She scanned the crowds in search of her friend, and upon not finding her, claimed a seat at a table in the corner. It was private and provided a decent vantage point where she could see the passersby through the window and watch the main door at the same time. Naoto took off her gloves and waited. Robin should be arriving any minute now.

Comments

[naoto-two.livejournal.com]

Naoto paused for only an instant. "He has been kind to me."

She knew Robin wouldn't believe. She'd warned her friend, after all, but Robin had insisted, and Naoto wouldn't deny the woman a truthful answer. Even if it was too hard to believe.

[blackhibiscus.livejournal.com]

"But Luffy has been kind to you too, the same goes for Cook-san. What difference does it make?" Robin said, looking away and sighing. This was harder than she had expected it to be.

She thought it was practically impossible for Lucci to be kind to anyone, but then, she was biased. Which wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

[naoto-two.livejournal.com]

Naoto's impatience was running short. What more did her friend want her to say?

"Robin," the swordswoman said quietly, "when someone makes you feel comfortable and safe... you can't help but feel something for them, right? And besides," she added, "I'm not the only one in a relationship with a CP9 assassin."

[blackhibiscus.livejournal.com]

Robin turned her head towards her friend and frowned, knowing what that statement meant; but she denied its meaning and asked anyway.

"What are you implying?"

[naoto-two.livejournal.com]

"You and Jyabura. He told me." Naoto knew that Robin was pretending she didn't know. "So you can't deny it. I'm worried about you because they want to kill you. I won't let them do that."

[blackhibiscus.livejournal.com]

As far as Robin knew, they had decided that they would keep their relationship secret, but he probably wanted to tell at least someone. But why Naoto, out of all people? She made a mental note of asking him when all this was over.

"Them? I think you mean the man you love, not anyone else." she said in a colder tone than she had expected from herself.

[naoto-two.livejournal.com]

It stung, that chill in Robin's words. Naoto closed her eyes for a moment, trying to pick the right words to say without angering her friend further.

"If Jyabura won't harm you, then yes, I would only have to worry about Lucci," she conceded at last. "If he were to attack you, I would defend you -- and succeed every time."

[blackhibiscus.livejournal.com]

"And why is that?" Robin asked curiously, wondering if Naoto had grown stronger during her stay in the City. She had completely ruled out the possibility that Lucci didn't want to attack anyone because he cared about them, it simply seemed too unreal, even in Naoto's case.

[naoto-two.livejournal.com]

Naoto did not hesitate in her answer. She knew that though Robin wouldn't believe her, it was the truth. She would only speak the truth around her friend.

"Because he would not hurt me."

[blackhibiscus.livejournal.com]

Robin raised her eyebrows and resisted a smile; it'd only do harm in this situation. If Naoto would've been someone else, she would've already burst out laughing. But she knew that her friend was serious, even though Robin thought she was having some very large delusions about her relationship.

"Right."

[naoto-two.livejournal.com]

Though she'd expected such a reply, that stung too.

Sighing, Naoto turned back to the window. "I know you won't believe me. Perhaps you never will."

[blackhibiscus.livejournal.com]

Of course Robin would never believe her. They were talking about the man who had done horrible things, after all. Such a sudden change of heart seemed too random for Robin to ever believe.

"You should know that I am trying to believe you, but it seems so ridiculous to me that I simply can't. Forgive me for that."

[naoto-two.livejournal.com]

"...I understand."

She supposed that there was no way to convince Robin no matter what she said, no matter how hard she tried. There would only be skepticism and disbelief, until the day came when Naoto would have to face against Lucci in order to protect her friend. She hoped that day would never come.

"You are half right, you know," Naoto said after a moment's thought. "He hasn't changed at all. He's done horrible things, will do horrible things. But people do change, even if it's just a little bit. And that change, while small, could still be significant."

[blackhibiscus.livejournal.com]

At least she finally starts to talk rationally, Robin thought. She smiled sadly and looked at Naoto, suddenly feeling very guilty. Wasn't she the one who was constantly bugging her about her situation? Still, she'd rather have an angry friend than a dead friend.

"To you maybe, because you will only be the one who will see that change. Me and my nakama on the other hand..."

[naoto-two.livejournal.com]

Naoto knew this. She'd known it the entire time, and even if she tried, she wouldn't be able to convince herself otherwise. That would be lying.

"I don't expect anyone else to see that change. But it's enough, I think, to secure your protection." She looked right at Robin, into her eyes. She was deathly serious. "And I will protect you."