"I'm 21."

Johnny and Yosaku spat their water; their lips puckered into a pout as liquid sprinkled their table. This earned a good slap at the back of their heads from Zoro, who glared their way. With a pink hue on their cheeks, they quickly wiped away the dripping water from their lips.

Ayame and Aisha giggled, trying to contain the laughter in the pits of their stomachs. The little girls covered their mouths as their cheeks puffed like a blowfish. Rue gave them a closed-eyed smile, her hand reaching for her novel in front of her on the wooden table, reading the contents of it.

Zoro frowned as he crossed his arm while leaning his back on the soft cherry couch of the booth. Though Rue does look young for her age, looks could still be deceiving. The fact that they were three years apart brought a tinge of curiosity to the woman's circumstance, yet at the same time, an unfamiliar feeling rose inside him, but pushed the thought away.

The boisterous voices boomed through the restaurant. Many servers bolted across tables, taking orders from their customers. In contrast, others' hands plied with food trays—many booths filled with people devouring their meals or chattering loudly while waiting for their orders to arrive.

The group was able to find a good table not too far from the entrance and close to the window that hit them with the sun's gleam. The walls painted in turquoise clashed with their soft cherry booth in the dining room. The aroma of various types of meat from the seas or the fields of grass would make anyone's stomach rumble at the sight of the colourful plates.

As they walked in, Zoro took note of the gazes received by Rue's appearance, especially from the men gawking as Rue strolled passed, getting a good whiff of her ocean fragrance. Some narrowed their eyes at the trio lagging behind her, but he treated them the same. Every time he would do so, they would whip their gazes elsewhere.

Hell, even their server didn't display any dignity; the man fumbled with his words as his flustered features couldn't keep his eyes off the woman as he jotted down their orders with trembling hands. Zoro's brow furrowed further; some of these men needed some discipline in their demeanour.

"Did you think she was old?" Ayame snickered, her lips curving into a mischievous smile at the two men still trying to grasp the woman's age.

"Mommy," Aisha called out while she took hold of the hem of her mother's dress as Rue hummed in response, "I want lots and lots of meat!" Aisha beamed at her mother, hoping to get juicy protein in her mouth.

Rue giggled at Aisha's antics, "Already did; we can eat lots today." She smiled as Aisha squealed in joy at the thought of the various flavourful meat she would get to devour.

Meanwhile, Ayame's brown eyes soften at the woman's gesture, whispering a small thank you to the woman. Rue smiled gently; she didn't want Aisha's friend to go hungry. The woman knew Ayame might not be comfortable asking or begging for a meal like a desperate individual. In Ayame's mind, she didn't want to ask her for food, due to shame, yet she was still glad Rue was willing to buy her a meal.

"Um-Mis-I mean..., "Johnny's voice became a whisper, unsure of what he should call her; usually, he would stick with Big Bro or Big Sis to address the latter, but in Rue's case, uncertainty washed over him. For sure, she had not a single wrinkle and wasn't old at all; however, she was a mother too.

Rue smiled as she understood what he implied, "Rue, just Rue is fine."

Johnny rubbed the back of his neck bashfully, "Uh, yes! I want to say thanks for the meal." He said gleefully, the sun's light bouncing off his shades, a big smile on his face. "We own you one!"

Yosaku nodded in agreement, " Yeah, thanks a bunch!" He gave her a big smile, dancing mentally at receiving the opportunity to fill their stomachs. Travelling at sea without enough food would make anyone's stomachs desire for it to be filled. His mouth watered at the sight of their orders coming their way.

Their server gently placed the food palettes on the wooden tables individually. The plates rattled against the cherry wood as the gang received their orders. The enticing smell of their meals smacked their noses, and the variety of dishes sparked their visions.

Ayame's nose whiffed the exquisite type dishes of rice decorated in a dark sauce with juicy meat on top; a sense of sadness hit her like a drum, wondering when was the last time she received a good meal like this. Zoro, Aisha and Yosaku had no shame diving head-first into their meals. The brunette, Johnny, and Yosaku shifted their gaze to the smiling silver-haired woman.

The light of the skies created a beautiful beam on her; the shade of her skin almost seemed gold-like, with a halo at the top of her hair. The duo's cheeks burned while Yosaku almost dropped the meat plunged into his mouth, and Ayame eyes glimmered in awe.

"Please," Rue began with a kind gaze; they swore they saw brightness, a halo shining at the top of her hair, "Enjoy your meals."

An angel has descended, the three uttered in their heads as bliss overtook their beings. Tears flowed like a river down their cheeks at Rue's overwhelming gestures of kindness, their hands in a sign of prayer.

Zoro didn't have to be told twice, as he had already consumed two plates of food. He shovelled it down his mouth, chewing every fibre before swallowing. With a mouth full, Zoro's eyes shifted to Aisha; his eyes practically bulged out of his skull at the sight of Aisha gobbling down five plates clean, not a smudged left on them. His jaw dropped as she cleared a big plate of sausages in one shot; her cheeks puffed up like she inhaled a big gulp of air.

He wasn't the only one staring agape at her or the group; other customers watched as if the gang were in a circus, eyes big with their jaws hanging at the scene. The bustling voices soon returned, yet the octave was a bit lower than usual, some gazing between the gang and their meals. Some flinched as Rue turned to them, her smile apologetic; they quickly dismissed it, no longer minding the noise.

"Mommy, "Aisha's voice was muffled from her mouth filled with food. Rue gently rubbed her daughter's cheeks with a white napkin, ensuring she got every crumb on Aisha's face. She swallowed with a big gulp and curious gaze, "Where's your food?"

After finishing his sixth plate, Zoro lifted his gaze to the pretty woman. With a book in her hand, Rue didn't have a single ceramic plate in front of her, but the book lay on the cherry table—only a stem of her leafy tea with what seemed to be small portions of cookies. Unbeknownst to him, Zoro's brows furrowed as his face formed a frown.

"I'm ok; you can eat my share," Rue picked up her glass of water, pouring the liquid onto the napkin. She rotated Aisha's head to face her, brushing the cloth near her daughter's lips to erase the built-up sauce. The clamour of a sliding plate caught her attention. Rue turned, her gaze landing on the green swordsman, his gaze descending to the dish that he laid in front of her.

"Worry about yourself before worrying about others." Straight to the point and simple, Zoro returned to his meal, focused on filling his stomach once more. The trio closer to the window, ears expanded, eavesdropping on the two as they ate their meals. The three almost snickered at the interaction.

Without lifting his head, Zoro noticed Rue's eyes flash slightly, and her expression switched for a moment. As quickly as it came, it disappeared like a fog, as if it was never there. He didn't show it, but he mentally took note of that.

Rue's lips spread into a polite smile, sliding the plate to herself. "Thank you, Roronoa, that's very kind of you." Though she was grateful for the offer, indulging in a meal wasn't ideal.

After all, Rue conjured a distant relationship with food a long time ago. A meal was not always sitting well in her stomach.

Zoro grunted in response to her. Though he found it strange that she addressed him with his last name, he dismissed the thought altogether. Suddenly, he felt a tingling sensation up his spine. He lifted his eyes and darted to the side.

Johnny and Yosaku grinned with droopy eyes at Zoro's small interaction, while Ayame had a lop-sided smirk as her brown eyes shined with mischief—a blush dusted Zoro's cheeks as he gave them a sharp glare. Though the conversation was short between him and the woman, they watched every inch of their discussion.

"So, "Rue began as she took a fork, poking into a sausage glazed in a sauce, "What brought you three to Gastonia?" The two littles, Aisha and Ayame, eyes lingered on the duo while chewing their food.

A glimmer shined in Johnny's shades, "We're bounty hunters," his chin in between dent in between his thumbs and index finger pose, flashing the tattoo on his cheeks.

Yosaku copied him, his lips stretched out in a smirk, "We hunt for pirates with the highest bounties." They both climbed the table in their signature poses, a shine from the sunlight in the background illuminating them.

Arms crossed with gleaming smirks, the duo exclaimed, "We are swordsmen and partners of the pirate hunter, Zoro."

"Sit down!" Zoro and Ayame barked with sharp teeth as they noticed other customers giving them strange looks.

Aisha's eyes sparkled at the duo's enthusiasm while Rue gave them a closed-eyed smile. The pair couldn't help but melted at the woman's beautiful smile.

"My mommy  has one too!" Aisha beamed, cheeks spreading a big smile on her face. Her body trembled in excitement to share something interesting too. Everyone lifted a brow, curious about what she had to share.

"Has what, Aisha?" Ayame asked head tilted to the side. They all saw the little girl point toward Johnny, but wondered what similarities they could have.

Aisha grinned, "Mommy has a tat─" She stopped herself as her nose twitched at the aroma, tempting her taste buds. A drop of drool appeared at the corner of her lip as her gaze shifted downwards. There laid a cake her mother held on a plate in her hands.

A gold cake lay in front of her, glimmering under the haze of the sun. White and fluffy swirls of whip cream rested perfectly at the top, and a scarlet strawberry smudge clashed with frosty icing," Aisha, try this. It looks delicious, right?"

In seconds, the cake was in their sights and vanished into Aisha's mouth. Everyone's, minus Rue and Zoro, eyes bulged out of their heads at what they witnessed. Aisha squealed in glee at the tasty dessert; again, her eyes locked with the others while she tilted her head to the side in confusion in a cute manner, "What?"

"Y-you were saying something?" Johnny uttered, still in shock from what he had just witnessed as the others were.

"Oh.." Aisha exclaimed, a finger on her chin trying to think of what she was saying moments ago. She shrugged, "I forgot."

"You forgot!" shrieked the duo, jaw hanging in disbelief. It had only been seconds, and the kid couldn't remember what she was about to say. Ayame gave her friend a crooked smile; she knew Aisha loved food too much─No, she loved food alot.

Though the restaurant still bustled with clings of glass, chatters and clangs of the plates, amusement didn't tickle Zoro's bones. He observed every inch of what had transpired. Aisha would have revealed something, but he saw how her mother quickly whipped out the cake in front of her daughter at that very moment. His gaze lingered on the woman, almost piercing her as he wondered what she didn't want them to know.

Sensing pairs of eyes on her, Rue's specks of blue clashed with pairs of deep almonds. Her eyes drowned his own as if he got lost in seas of water. The waves weren't rough, yet gentle, softening as she smiled at him again. For a split second, she sparked into an electric blue; he almost jolted at the sheer intensity. His eyes narrowed slightly at what he witnessed.

He prompted himself to look away, to focus his attention elsewhere, but the sheer intensity of her gaze wouldn't allow him to do so. She emitted no hostility, not a single drop of it. Rue looked back to her daughter's sparkling eyes, mouth agape as she listened to the duo's story. Her daughter repeating the tale told, her face beaming with excitement. Ayame threw in her two cents here and there; her mother laughed along at her daughter's giddiness while the duo swordsmen's cheeks dusted in a blush, eyes longing at the woman's care for her child.

Zoro sighed as he leaned back on the soft couch of the booth at the predicament; he always trusted his instincts when something wasn't making sense. He knew he shouldn't be so suspicious of this woman with a child. However, every bone of his body told him something was amiss; something was about to happen.

Maybe he just needed some booze.

All noise drowned out as Zoro creased his features in a frown while processing his thoughts. Though his mind became focused, the stomps of feet sped rapidly. It was small, but he could tell whoever it was strutting in the restaurant they were burning with rage.

And they were coming their way.

In a split second, with his saya, the sheath of his blade, he blocked the incoming kick aimed at their table. The sheer ferocity of the strength sent their food sprawling across the wooden floors, some stains slapping other customers, making them shout in surprise as the ceramic plates shatter.

Rue immediately snatched her daughter, shielding her from the flying objects; she sucked her teeth as a shard embedded itself in the skin of her arm, bleeding out. Meanwhile, Johnny grabbed Ayame by her waist and hopped over the booth, ending on the other side; Yosaku did the same, taking cover with them.

Alex's white cape flowed in the breeze; his foot pressed on the sheath as Zoro responded with equal force. The room's temperature rose at the intensity of the glares of these men. Alex's hostility practically almost turned his blue hues into a fiery red. He gritted his teeth at the green-haired swordsman, a wave of anger burning in the pits of his stomach. With pressure, Zoro shoved the stranger away; Alex backflipped and landed back on his feet. Their gazes still held the same vigour, eyes narrowed with furrowed brows.

Once bustling with delicious delicacies, it now scattered everywhere it could reach. It brushed the customer's hair, fits and shoes. The turquoise walls are painted in numerous shades from the hot meals. The tattered glass and plates lay in fragments on the wooden floors at the forces of the attack. Many people scattered, exiting the building in a panic for safety.

Rue's heart speed at miles per minute, almost jumping out of her ribcage. She waited a few seconds for things to calm down. All of this happened so suddenly; taking deep breaths to calm the racing of her heart, Rue was glad she reacted quickly to drive her daughter to safety.  The child squirmed in her hold, trying to breathe from her mother's tight embrace.

"Mommy, can't breathe," Aisha mumbled through the sleeve of her dress. Immediately, Rue released her, but the child still kept the child in her embrace while whispering an apology. Rue's eyes roamed around Aisha's body, scanning her hands, arms and face, ensuring no indication of injuries.

Zoro shifted his eyes to Rue. Her worried ocean roamed Aisha's form more than once to ensure she didn't miss anything. His eyes widen at the blood oozing from her blue sleeves. It dripped from a ceramic shard, once pearly, not in tainted in a deep red.

At the sight, unfamiliar sensations crashed within him. It seethed like raging waves in a storm, ready to swallow anyone foolish enough to challenge him. His thumb pushed the hilt of his sword upward; his eyes shadowed by his green bandana that he tied tightly on his head. As Johnny and Yosaku looked back at the scene, they flinched at Zoro's harsh glare as if he was ready to slaughter the one responsible.

"Oi," Zoro began, his tone icy, freezing the other distressed customers in their tracks. They trembled as the atmosphere became so cold not even the sun's gleam could melt, "What the hell's your problem, you bastard?"

Alex's blue specks seethed at the green-haired swordsman, gritting his teeth as he clenched his fist, " I should be asking you that." His voice was deep and fuming with the anger of an active volcano.

Johnny and Yosaku came out of hiding, along with Ayame trailing behind them. Ayame clutched the hem of Johnny's blue jacket, hands slightly trembling as her eyes glanced at the scene. She barely hid herself a little behind Johnny, only being able to peek at the unfolding scene.

Johnny and Yosaku pointed an accusing finger at Alex, recognizing the marine uniform, "Him again!?" It perplexed them why he even attacked their table in the first place.

"See," Paulette exclaimed, hands on her chest to catch her breath while her sister's lagged behind her. Her glossy rose lips stretched into a smirk, knowing trouble was brewing, "I told you she was entertaining other men."

Laurette held the hem of her gold dress, clenching its fabric to calm her racing heart at the seething captain of the Marines. Her emerald eyes trembled at the sight, unsure of what would come. Her gaze shifted to her older sister Claudette, who remained quiet in this ordeal as her eyes were fixed on the unfolding event. To specify, Claudette kept her blank stare at Rue.

A glimmer shined in Rue's eyes; she quickly caught herself, shutting them. She breathed in and out, trying to soothe the rising anger; her chest rose as her breaths deepened. Calmly, she stood, her pupils fixed on the man that chased her for a while. Tossing away extra debris from one of the cherry tables, Rue placed her daughter there, making sure nothing else could harm her.

Though stopping this was the most logical and necessary action for any woman, Rue knew a simple rejection of his type wouldn't be enough. It would never be enough; however, he has placed himself right where the silver-haired woman wanted him to be, unbeknownst to Alex.

And she will seize this opportunity and take advantage of the stage set for her.

He was right in the palm of her hands.

꧁꧂꧁꧂꧁꧂꧁꧂꧁꧂꧁꧂

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Until next time!