20 A loving warmth

Robin turned towards where Izan headed off to. With everything Jiutian had told Robin, she did understand many things which she had wanted to ask Izan.

As she had most of her questions answered, she was satisfied by staying with Izan. Robin knew that sooner or later, Izan's path was to become the strongest, and on that same path, the truth about the Void Century.

Finding about the concept of many different worlds, Robin did lose a little of her intrigue for finding about the Void Century, but it was still there. And, she knew that she would be able to find it if she stayed with Izan.

After contemplating all of that, Robin decided that she would stay by Izan's side in the future. May it be in this world, or another. Robin's smile went slightly wider as she started walking towards where Izan was.

It took Robin half a minute before she stood in front of a crimson door which Robin thought was the entrance to Izan's room. Robin raised her hand and knocked softly on the door.

"Come in."

A clear voice entered Robin's ears as she absentmindedly opened the door in front of her. What greeted Robin, was a simple room. A large bed on one side, with the other side having two chairs around a small round table with Izan sitting on one of them.

Izan raised one of his eyebrows as he glanced at Robin. Izan was rather tired at the thought of losing some of the 'crew members' he wanted to obtain. Therefore, Izan had never actually had hopes for any of them joining him on his path, which would lessen the stress he would get when they left.

Robin walked towards Izan with a smile and sat on the chair, sitting opposite of him as she stared into his jet-black eyes. "Jiutian told me about you. After having carefully thought of everything, I wish to announce that I would like to stay with you." Robin spoke in a clear voice as she continued staring at Izan.

Izan stayed silent as he observed Robin. Just by hearing Robin say that, did make Izan happy. But, he couldn't any longer go 'easy' on his future followers.

As if Robin could see through Izan's thoughts, she continued speaking. "How about we make a deal?"

It took Izan a few seconds before he nodded slowly towards Robin, gesturing her to continue speaking about the 'deal'.

"Let me tell you what I will gain by staying by your side. In this world, I will be able to uncover the truth about the Void Century. And, I will also be able to see the extent of what the other worlds are like." Robin explained with a smile on her face at the thought of all the hidden mysteries in the world.

"And, what I will give you. Is the responsibility of keeping me. You would be responsible in protecting me, guarding me, caring for me and love me." Robin did understand from what Jiutian said about Izan, which was Izan had the mind of a Conqueror. "What I would like to say is that, I want to become yours and only yours." Robin said the last part in a whisper that only Izan could hear with a blush appearing on her face. [1]

Izan wished to be able to keep what was his in his hands and not let go. This made it easier for Robin, as she was able to come up with a deal which benefited Izan in trusting Robin and Robin would be able to stay with Izan for the rest of her life with someone that cared and loved her for who she was.

"Are you sure…?" Izan tried to stay calm, but his voice held a tinge of anxiousness in it. He stared deeply into Robin's eyes, not wanting to miss any of her expressions, but all Izan was able to see, was her sincerity.

Robin didn't hesitate as she nodded her head while saying. "Yes I am."

Izan slowly stood up from his chair, as did Robin. Izan stared into Robin's eyes as he moved around the table towards Robin. Izan opened his arms slowly as he embraced Robin, not wishing to let go.

Right at this moment, Robin was happy. Happy to finally meet someone that truly cared for her and loved her.

She snuggled in Izan's embrace as she slowly whispered. "I wish to see the world. Take me with you to the seas, islands, battlefields and the other worlds…"

Izan's eyes were closed as he felt the warmth of Robin as he slowly caressed her hair. Izan opened his mouth, a deep and low voice escaped his mouth. "You're mine then. I will never let you go…"

A smile appeared on Robin's face as tears slowly started emerging from the corner of her eyes.

"Robin, I am going to present you two gifts in a matter of days…" Izan said softly as he continued stroking Robin's hair.

Robin nodded weakly in Izan's arms. "Can I ask what it is?" There was a hint of excitement in Robin's voice as she knew that whatever Izan gave her, would be something Robin would love and treasure.

Izan thought for a few seconds before nodding his head before shaking it. "I can tell you one of the gifts. The other one is secret." Izan continued speaking. "The first gift will be a Poneglyph. After we have finished with that journey, I will give you the second gift which is very personal." A smile appeared on his face as he thought of the second item he would gift to Robin.

Robin was shocked by hearing that Izan would gift her a Poneglyph, and in a matter of days…! Yet, Robin felt more excited by hearing that she would get another gift which Izan will present to her personally.

After having lived for so long in solitude, Robin started feeling a long lost feeling, a warm sensation which spread across her whole body. "Thank you…" Robin whispered softly as she enjoyed being embraced by Izan.

It took Izan and Robin well over ten minutes before they had calmed down, Izan went back to his char and sat down while keeping his gaze on Robin.

"I think that Jiutian might have told you a lot about me. Would you mind telling me more about you, Nico Robin?" Izan asked as he truly wished to know more about the ones he liked.

Robin nodded in return as she started speaking. "As you know, my name is Nico Robin and my mother's name is Nico Olivia. I was raised on Ohara, as a child, I loved to read, the library was very large and had many books. One of the archaeologists, Clover taught me how to read the Poneglyphs. Because of that reason, the World Government wiped the Ohara clan out…"

When Robin managed to speak to this point, her voice started faltering as she trembled slightly. "Because of everyone, I managed to escape the slaughter…" Robin lowered her head slightly, but she continued speaking. "Ever since then, I had wished to discover what the Void Century was hiding…"

As Robin was feeling down from remembering such thoughts, she couldn't help but to tremble in terror at the memories of everyone on Ohara dying. Robin didn't notice the hand coming towards her, Robin could only suddenly feel Izan's hand patting her head gently.

"You don't have to think of that any longer." Izan smiled at Robin as he continued. "You only need to do one thing from now on, which is – keeping your promise. Because I will take the responsibility and take care of everything. I will let you uncover the dark secrets of this world, I will give you anything and everything. You only have to smile and stay by my side."

Robin was lost in her own thoughts as she was staring at Izan's devilish smile which made her heart beat harder and faster.

"Cough cough…"

Both Robin and Izan turned towards the entrance with a shocked expression as the two saw Jiutian standing there with a small smile on her face.

"I didn't want to disturb the two of you…" Jiutian tried her best in not laughing out loudly. "Sorry, hahaha." Jiutian couldn't hold it in any longer as she laughed while watching Robin's and Izan's flustered look.

Robin didn't know what to do else than staring absentmindedly back at Jiutian. Robin was far more mature than others, being laughed at for fun wasn't something Robin would get ashamed of.

A smile appeared on Robin's face as she stretched out her hand towards Izan and held his hand with a firm grip.

Izan knew of course what Jiutian was doing as he could feel Jiutian's thoughts, Izan started grinning at the thought of it. Laughter and tears were about to escape, but Izan did his best to supress everything and enjoy what was in front of him.

Just as Robin, Izan also wanted a warmth which would only belong to him. The more time passed by since his death, the more he had forgotten about his past life… With more time passing by, the more Izan could feel a warmth engrossing his whole body. And the reason Izan was able to feel all of this, was because of Jiutian.