"What's your problem?" The big green-haired man snapped at the bartender who had been giving them strange looks since they walked in. The woman raised an eyebrow and nodded at the lady who was walking back towards him from the bathroom.

"That's not really right, is it? You're such a handsome guy. You would make a human girl very happy." Zoro's face turned purple with instant rage. He clenched his fists and looked around him. A lot of the patrons were surreptitiously glancing at them from behind hands or mugs and glasses. He stood abruptly, flinging several belli down on the table and snarling angrily.

"We're done here." He grabbed Elly's hand before she reached her stool and half-dragged her out of the tavern.

"What's wrong?" Once they were outside she ventured to speak. The night air seemed to calm him and he'd stopped yanking her down the streets after a few minutes. She placed her head on his shoulder, her bat like purple ears flicking back so she wouldn't tickle his chin.

"Didn't like it there." Zoro's hand tightened on her waist. The way he spoke pretty much assured her it was all he was going to say unless she pushed him. She swished lazily at the air with her tail.

"The other ladies in the bathroom were staring at me when I washed up," she said quietly. Zoro swore.

"Not your fault." He pulled her closer as they strolled along the cobbled roads. This was the town's shops district and it was really quite pleasant. He peered in the window of the weapons forge and made a face.

"That's what it was about, though, wasn't it?" She smiled. "I could have changed, you know."

"Shouldn't have to." He paused and swept her completely up in his arms when some people started staring on the street. "Assholes," he snarled. "Ignore them." She shrugged and rested her muzzle on his shoulder.

"Everyone I've ever met either accepts me or says they hate 'furries'." Elly sighed. "I find it hilarious how they can hate people they don't even know. Wouldn't you hate a murderer or something like that? Not someone who hasn't done you any harm. It doesn't make any sense. I could say I hate humans because they all seem to hate me - at least I'd have reasons. Where will it end?"

"You could be human right now if you wanted." He thrust his chin out at the milling crowd.

"But I grew up as a cat. I want to feel loved sometimes for who I am, not who I, um... dress up as." She wrinkled her purple button of a nose. "That's what it feels like when we go out and I do it to blend in. Like I'm putting on a costume."

"Huh." He looked aside at her, his expression tense but his voice bland. "Why'd you pick me, anyway?"

"Zoro?" Elly jumped a little at the unexpected question. "Are you serious?"

"Always serious." He frowned as they neared the bed and breakfast place they were staying at. The small two-story house had been painted after a Victorian fashion in colors that made it stand out from the others around it. He picked her up and walked through the open door.

"Marimo," she grunted, shaking her head. "Get us up in that cosy little bedroom and I'll explain." She rested her head against his huge chest.

"Aa," he agreed, ignoring the couple at the desk. They hadn't said anything to them yet but when they checked in she had been human. Zoro didn't feel like fighting at the moment so he raced up the winding stairs, taking two and three at a time until they reached the top. "Here, get down. I have to unlock the damned thing."

"Yes, love." She jumped lightly down and stood behind him, tracing a hand down his spine. He shivered despite himself, the key fumbling in the lock, and turned halfway to frown at her.

"Stop that," he mumbled.

"Aw, but you're so cute when you're embarrassed." She swished her forked tail around behind her. The lighter purple tips waved luxuriously about, the fur shifting in the breeze she was creating. He snorted and shoved the door open. Their room was a Victorian catastrophe, a riot of lavender and dark blues and purple shades interspersed with lampshades in wrought iron sconces, finished with dark woods. He had shuddered when they first stepped into it upon arriving at the little town but she seemed to love the gaudy opulence.

Besides, the lavender shades matched her fur perfectly.

"So, what." Zoro snorted and threw himself down on the bed. She joined him, wrapping her arms about him from the side.

"You really want to know? I thought I was in love with Sanji for awhile. But when I found out he was..." She groped for the right word.

"A pervert," he supplied.

"...yeah. Well, it hurt." Elly paused, nuzzling at his arm until her grunted and propped himself up so he could hold her around the waist. "You accepted me for what I was, not what I can be sometimes."

"A stupid cat," he murmured, arms tightening around her.