Before you read, please note that this is a sequel to "Across the Midnight Sky." So if you read this story without reading the other, and you are confused, well then, that's your problem :3
I do not own any One Piece characters, Eiichiro Oda does. I own Ume, my OC.
The sun shone brightly upon the Going Merry. Luffy was sitting in his favorite seat, Nami was at the table drawing up more maps, Robin was reading a book, and Usopp, Chopper and Sanji were arguing over the topic of dinner. Zoro on the other hand, didn't act the same. He wasn't sleeping like he normally would be, instead he was in his sleeping spot, however his eyes were wide open. Confusion was written all over his face.
Robin put down her book and made her way over to the green-haired swordsman. She kneeled down besides him. "Zoro. You have been acting totally different ever since I woke you up from yesterday. Whats going on?"
"Its nothing, It was just a dream." He shook his head and let out a long sigh.
"A dream? What was it about?"
"You would think it was stupid if I told you. And you wouldn't believe me."
"Just try me." She folded her arms across her chest, and sat down in a comfortable postion.
"Alright, fine. Have you ever had a dream, that seemed so real, that you never wanted it to end, but when it did end, you felt like your mind was going to explode?" He rubbed his forehead and glanced back at Robin. She was puzzled by his question, but didn't hesitate to answer.
"I guess. It was about my parents. It was a long time ago though." She looked out to the ocean, and then back at Zoro. "Was it about your family?"
"No. It was about a girl that we rescued. She was gorgeous, and had a fascination with swords. It was like I had found my soul mate, and I fell in love with this lovely dream. I honestly thought It was reality, and that's why I have been depressed."
Robin put her right hand on his knee. "Look Zoro, I know you are depressed about it, but there is someone out there for you. There is someone out there for everybody, and even though it was a dream, who knows, that girl could still exist. God has a funny way of working things out for everyone." She gave him a caring smile. "You know you can talk to me about anything, and I understand your situation right now. Just try not to ponder on it too much, your love will find you sooner or later."
Zoro closed his eyes and let out a shorter sigh. "Thanks Robin, I appreciate you listening to my story. I think I'm going to catch some more shut-eye and hopefully forget about all of this."
Robin smiled and then stood up. "I'm glad to hear that you are not losing sleep over this."
It was only a matter of time until Zoro fell asleep. He could hear a distant sound of a woman in distress, but couldn't quite make out who it was. He felt himself walk down a long black corridor,without looking back. He felt that if he looked back, that his dream would end, and that this strange mystery would never be solved.
And then, he was awaken by the sound of his captain's shrilling, upbeat voice.
"We made it! This island is huge!!!" Luffy threw down the ladder and quickly made his way down. Robin, Nami and Sanji soon followed. Zoro rubbed his eyes and stood up. "Where are we you guys?"
"Some island that Luffy decided to stop off at, we need to stock up on supplies, we might be here for a couple of days, so feel free to explore!" Usopp ran past him and then stopped. "Why, were you asleep when we stopped?"
Zoro rubbed his head and looked away "Y-yeah. But I guess it was for the best. I need to explore a little bit."
The island was exactly how Luffy described it. Huge. People were walking around, doing normal errands. Kids were seen running back and forth, playing and soaking up the sun.
"Robin, lets go see if they have any cute clothes shops!" Nami grabbed her arm and began to walk. Robin was tugged behind.
"I'm going to go look for something to eat!" Luffy exclaimed as he ran off into the village.
Zoro sighed and looked around. It looked like all the other islands they have visited before, but he felt something was different. He made his way to the right of the island, and walked to a little town that was separate from the main village. He walked a few yards before he saw many shops that seemed to be stacked on top of each other. He could hear laughter of children, and before he knew it, he felt something strong bump into his left leg. He looked down and saw a young boy carrying a shinai. The boy stood back and bowed to Zoro.
"I-I'm so sorry sir! I was just running and-"
"Saku, how many times have I told you not to run with your shinai!" A young woman walked up to the both of them. She had a sword strapped to the side of her hip. She wore a strange outfit, a corset that had dancing colors of black and blue. Her skirt flowed gently in the wind. Black, blue and yellow stripes were printed on it. Her boots were black and yellow mixed, looking sort of like diamonds stretching across the leather. Her hair was waist length, and to Zoro's surprise, purple. She bowed to him and straightened her posture.
"Im so sorry sir! My student shouldn't be running with a shinai."
"Its alright." He looked her up and down. Something seemed familiar about this woman, but he just couldn't put his finger on it.
"I haven't seen you here before. Welcome to the island! I am the island's teacher of swords and fighting styles. My name is Ume."
Zoro's eyes widened "You said your name was Ume?!"
"Um, yes? And why are you carrying around three swords, you aren't trying to be like Roronoa Zoro are you? He's so dangerous." She sighed and then looked back at him "But yet, he's my hero. He is the reason why I set up my own school."
"I am Zoro." he stood straight, and examined her now surprised look. She stepped back and laughed.
"You can't be him, he's searching the world to become the greatest pirate hunter!"
Zoro's face turned from stunned to annoyed in less than a second. "I'm being serious, I really am Roronoa Zoro. God, people are so blind." he rubbed his head and turned around.
She continued to laugh. "I-i'm sorry, I really am, that was really rude of me. If you really are Zoro, then why don't you come back to my dojo and show me and my students." A smirk formed across her ruby lips.
"No thanks, I have no time to waste with kids." he turned around and began to walk away.
"And by the way Mr. Swordsman, you sounded surprised that my name was Ume, Was that the name of your dead girlfriend or something?"
Zoro turned around and shot an evil glance at her. His mouth formed into a smirk. "No, but I did have a dream about you the other night, or at least I think it was you."
Ume was completely confused. She sighed and made a hand gesture towards herself. "Come on, come back with me. I'm about to fix lunch, and its the least I can do since Saku ran into you." She looked around, and the young boy was no where to be found. She sighed and rubbed her head. "He's gone again. That kid is nothing but trouble, I swear."
Zoro sighed and looked back to town, and then back at her. "I'm sure one meal from a complete stranger wont kill me." He walked besides Ume, still studying her from the corner of his eye. She lead him back to an old Japanese style dojo. She took off her boots, and encouraged Zoro to do the same. She lead him inside, opening up a new world to him.
There were 3 swords hanging from the wall. Underneath there was a scroll that had kanji written from top to bottom. It read "Try your hardest, succeed and carry your pride forever."
Zoro looked around, but didn't see any other students. He looked back at Ume confused "I thought you said you had students.."
"I do, I have 3 actually." She smiled sheepishly. "This school is fairly new. You see, My father and mother both grew up in families that were dedicated to the art of sword fighting. They decided to teach me and my oldest brother. Sadly enough there was a war about 9 years ago, and the three of them were killed." She looked up to the wall where the three swords hung. "Those are all I have to remember them by."
"I am sorry to hear that." Zoro didn't know what else to say. He was still astounded by the dojo.
She lead Zoro over to the farthest left wall, and began pointing at a big picture. She was in the back, and three kids were in front of her, smiling brightly, despite of the class size.
"That one there, is Saku, the one that ran into you." She pointed to the little blue-haired boy. "He's only 11, his parents are trusting me to train him. He's a good student, but stubborn. Oh, and this one is Kuna."
She pointed to a boy that seemed to be a couple years older than Saku. He had black hair, and a scar on his left cheek. "Kuna's 13. His parents were killed not too long ago by intruders. He's living with his grand parents until he is old enough to move on. And this is Rina, she's only 7, her parent's are having me teach her so she can have some knowledge of self-defense." She pointed to a little girl with blonde hair that was pulled back in pigtails. She had the biggest grin out of all 4 of them.
"Seems like you are doing well then, teaching these kids on your own." Zoro smiled as he examined the picture more.
"Yeah, it gets difficult sometimes, I wish I had someone helping me out, but everything happens for a reason, right?" She smiled to him and then turned to walk towards a back room. "I'll go fix us some lunch. The kids should be here shortly. Make yourself at home!"
Zoro chuckled to himself "Yeah, how am I going to make myself at home in this empty dojo." He spotted a dark, green bench that was at the back of the room. It looked as if it was a 'Time out' bench for the kids. He stretched himself out onto it, and closed his eyes. He was awaken shortly by the screams of a little girl.
His eyes flew open, and he saw the three kids standing in front of him. The little girl, Rina, was hiding behind Kuna. Saku sighed and smiled at Rina. "Its ok, he's a friend of Master Ume's."
"He's still.. scary!" the little girl glanced at Zoro, and then hid her face once again.
"Why are you here, and what business do you have with us!" The oldest boy, Kuna stepped forward, a scowl forming across his face. Zoro held up his hands and sighed. "Like Saku said, im a friend of your master's. She is treating me to lunch since that little mutant ran into me."
"I am not a mutant! And you ran into me!" Saku's face turned serious, anger was spreading across his whole body.
"Saku! What have I told you about raising your voice to adults!" Ume came out from the back room. She sighed and looked towards Zoro. "I'm so sorry, they are not used to strangers."
"No, its fine, just as long as they dont think im going to kill them." He rubbed his forehead and looked at the 3 kids. Rina seemed to not be afraid of him any longer, she circled around him, closely examining him.
"Master! He has three swords!" the little girl gasped and ran back to Ume.
She smiled and laughed "Yes, he claims to be Roronoa Zoro, but we are going to put him to the ultimate test aren't we kids?"
Kuna eyed Zoro in a devious way. "Why does he have to be here. We were doing just fine on our own!"
"Kuna! That is no way to treat Zoro!"
"And how do we even know he is Zoro!"
"I am Zoro, you punk." Zoro stood up and unhooked his swords from his side. He untied his bandana from his arm, and then tied it back onto his head.
"Guys! Please! This is supposed to be a calm school! I will not tolerate unnecessary fighting! Now show him some respect!" Ume was holding back Kuna, and she looked up to Zoro. "I really am sorry for the disrespect they are showing towards you. I thought I taught them better."
"Its fine, kids are kids after all, and they don't know about my powers." He was in his ready position, his sword already in his mouth. "Got any targets to slice up?"
"Um, hold on." Ume ran back to the back, and brought out four 45 inch planks. She sat them up and looked back at him. "Don't hesitate to break them, I mean, if you can."
"Master! Those boards are made up of special wood that can only be cut by the strongest person! You haven't even been able to break them!" Saku looked at Ume and then back to Zoro with hope and excitement.
"Well if he is Zoro, he should be able to slice them." She sat down on the bench, and gestured the kids to join her.
Zoro stared at the planks for a few moments, and then ran towards them. "ONI..GIRI!" He sliced through the first plank. It fell to the ground in two pieces. He turned to face the last 3 planks. He took a deep breath and ran towards them "TIGER.. TRAP!" and successfully, he sliced them all without breaking a sweat. He turned to face the four of them, Rina stood up and ran to him, hugging onto his leg. "You are Zoro! Ive waited so long to meet you!"
The two boys looked impressed, but slightly jealous. Ume stood up and walked over to him, astonishment was all that her face showed.
"You really are, Zoro.." She felt her heart skip a beat. She bowed to him, and the kids mimicked her gesture.
"Welcome to our Dojo, Roronoa Zoro. Please stay as long as you please." She looked up and smiled.
This was definitely the girl from his dreams. The smile, the hair, everything was the same except for her outfit.. and he believed deep down, that she was really the same girl that he dreamed of.