Woman Swordsman

A One Piece Fanfiction by Infinite Enemy
Summary: Tashigi considers what it really means to be a woman swordsman.Disclaimer: I don't own Once Piece
Rating: PG
A/n: Originally written as an intro or prologue, but I decided to keep it as a one-shot soliloquy. Another Tashigi story to follow? Who knows

I hate being a woman more than anything. It made my life so much harder than it had to be. Woman Marine…the term didn't even exist before this decade. Woman Marine Officer…it still surprises people. If I had a nickel for every time someone accused me of being a whore….well, I wouldn't need the Navy's money, that's for damn sure. Not to mention that my fighting skills are…sub par. My duel with Zoro wasn't the first sign of that. I knew I'd never win against him, even if he wasn't been best swordsman on the sea. I knew in that shop, with the cursed katana. He was fated for things that I could never even imagine.

I don't know this girl who Zoro said I resemble. But I guess all women swordsmen resemble each other a little. We all have to give it up at one time or another…our hopes, our dreams, our femininity. If we want to survive in our art, there's nothing else to do. Learning to give up something is often the hardest lesson in life, and with it comes the wisdom and knowledge that every dream you give up isn't ever gone…only replaced by another dream.

I don't know if Captain Smoker understands this. How can he? Everything has been easy for him, with his devil's fruit ability and natural strength. He also has a keen sense of leadership and morals. He taught me everything I know about true justice.

But Zoro…I think he understood. He didn't kill me, and I saw it in his eyes. Not fear, not really even pity. I think he wanted me to be able to fight him. He wanted me to beat him. Again, I don't know why. I don't even know who this girl is I supposedly resemble. A lover? A sibling? It doesn't matter I guess. I'll probably never find out anyway.

I don't know if I ever will beat him. I don't know what dreams I'll have to give up to do it either. But I sure as hell am going to try.