This Wasn't in the Training Manual
Disclaimer: One Piece is not mine cus Oda-sama pwns it! I could never compete with such an awesome imagination! This is of course and always will be nonprofit fun!
A/N: I am pretty far into the series and have become so enthralled and enraptured by this fantastic manga/anime that I just can't put it down! Why didn't I read this before? It's brilliant! So anyways I have a OC-ish and real character story coming up but this is to tide myself over cus as is my fault…I love those grumpy, extremely powerful, yet compassionate guys ahahha! GUILTY AS CHARGED. So I wrote about one.
XD
Song of the Mo: In For the Kill by La Roux
This life was meant to be lived on the edge, hanging tauntingly, oh so dangerously, above deaths snares. Copper laced his tongue like a bittersweet melody, crimson tears created in a slice above his dark piecing gaze ran down his neck in a red river running to a place in his chest. Seems like a limitless cycle of power and the secret to his invincibility.
There was always a trill as he felt the hilt of those swords in his hands, a heartbeat in his palms that surged into his own. The slice of his blade was a sound of his niche in life, each slice a breath, an extension of his lungs. His heart's purpose was to continue to beat when his swords continued to slice. This is how he stayed alive. He didn't know what much else to do. He never did learn much else other than to feel those blades and know what to do with them.
Emotions remained in limbo for him.
As his nakama often noted. They often waited for his serious side to crack under the weight of human emotion. They knew that when it did…it would be just in his nature for it to be in terrible violence. And so the clock counted down.
"Well." Roronoa Zoro's chest rose and fell, the clatter of his blades as he lowered them signaled the end to yet another battle. Yet another group of wrong-doers- that-had-pissed-off-his-captain lay scattered at his feet. "That seems to be the last of them. Where the hell did Luffy end up? Did he go on up without me?" With keen eye he glanced around noting he was the only one standing and the only Mugiwara (Strawhat) in sight before vaguely remembering his captain had told him to meet up later.
As was his weakness….the swordsman had indeed become separated from his friends with no idea which way to head towards to meet up with them. No landmark could ever stand out to him other than the sun in the sky which meant nothing to him but a means to see. Guess I'll just wait for some yells or explosions. He wiped the blood off his treasured blades and settled them back into sheaths, bored-ly staring into endless green forest.
Wado Ichimonji seems listless today. Zoro peered curiously at his favorite sword, subconsciously stroking the white hilt with a forefinger. Usually it's calm and brazen…but today it kept crying out with something else…
"GUM GUMMMMMMMMMMM-!" Annndd that's my cue. "ROCKKKKEETT!" Crash! What property damage did we inflict today Luffy? Did we purge yet another village of its crooked leader and/or underbelly so quickly? It's only been ten minutes…this has to be a record or somethin.
As best as he could, he retraced his steps through the undergrowth, smoke billowing above him in the village causing mayhem, the smoke in the thinning out forest telling him Usopp was around somewhere, hoofprints and an occasional 'Yohoho!' answered with a Franky-esque explosion and a lightning strike filled with 'Nami-swan' croons aided the wandering soul along…all…too…easily.
Geez…Zoro sighed. One of these days our signature noisiness is gonna get us in bigger trouble, well… than we usually are in…
Hands tucked cooly in pockets, he made his way to the village just as everyone seemed to have taken care of justice and saved some poor helpless person. Ya know…the usual. Not that the lad ever questioned these usual proceedings. His life was all too full of unpredictability and that kept him comfortable enough as long as his nakama and sake was involved.
When he came into the clearing erm…well it used to be a shopping district…the fiend lay in a shocked, bloodied and unconscious mound, smoke curling off of his form. Luffy wore his bloodstained fist smoky to match.
"Guhhhh I need some meat…" Luffy stood straighter, that trademark smile stretching his rubber features. The saved victim proceeded to bawl with happiness, many of the Strawhat's joining in, and much cheering ensued. It was all too normal, too quick…too…streamlined…
Zoro's instincts told him to curl a hand expectantly on his hilt, legs tensing, eyes searching. The others noted his behavior silently and quieted down momentarily. "Oi Moss-head whacha sensing?" Sanji lit a celebratory cigarette.
"Shut up Curly-brow." Zoro glared before tensing up again. "Someone's coming."
"We are in village full of people." Robin reminded him.
"Yeah…" Almost immediately the feeling of being observed beneath a magnifying glass subsided and a furry blur held up a familiar roll of gauze as he still danced about in glee of yet another victory. "Zoro! You finished your battle so quickly! SO COOL! Here! Let me fix up that scratch!"
This was the cue for a certain liar's boast. "I Usopp the great took down-" But he never got far enough…
Looks like fate's taken a new turn.
From out of seemingly nowhere an entire force of Marines encircled them, training their weapons on them. Not that he was intimidated. He could dodge bullets for crying out loud.
Luffy let out an obnoxious laugh, complete with hands-on-the-hip. "Hey look it's Smokey! It's been awhile!" Yeah it really has been…the last time I saw him I think was when I ran away from that Kurina-looking Marine girl now that I think about it… His grip on Wado Ichimonji tightened for some reason.
The broad-shouldered Marine sneered, his coat-tails flapping as the wind picked up. "Shut up Mugiwara! It's about time you met the hand of justice! Stop actin' all happy about it ya dirty pirate!"
"But we missed ya!" Luffy grinned, gesturing to some of the newer members. "And you haven't been introduced to these guys yet!"
"HI~" Everyone waved like they were at a party and this was a new friend.
Smoker pointed at Robin. "Why the hell is that demon with you!"
"Cus she's my nakama." Luffy grinned. "And she gives good massages." Robin gave her input in the form of a third arm appearing to wave causing some outcry amongst the Marines.
Usopp sweatdropped. "Wow he really is behind. It's been longer than I thought."
"Who's that guy?" Frankie questioned. "And how is he still alive after smokin' two cigars at a time?"
Luffy brought a hand to his chin. "Yeah I've been wondering that too. He smokes more than Sanji! Hey Smoker!" He cupped his hand to yell unnecessarily. "Do you fart smoke?" The Marines all sweat-dropped.
"DON'T ASK QUESTIONS LIKE THAT." Speaking of smoke…the new bump on Luffy's head had to come from some certain red-head's chastising fist. "But I wanna knoowww…"
"HEY!" Veins threatened to burst as Smoker snarled at their lack of seriousness. "I'M TRYING TO ARREST YOU HERE! REMEMBER?" He calmed down and rubbed his temple, I watched the cigars move up and down up and down as he mumbled to himself. "Mugiwara!" He gestured at the demolished…village (at one point in time)? "You wanna know how it was so damn easy to track you?"
Luffy: You followed breadcrumbs? (That sounds yummy.)
Chopper: Our smell?
Frankie (turning to Chopper): We smell?
Usopp: Food shortages in every place we stopped at?
"Grrah! NOOO!" A tick mark pinched his neck. "You destroy every damn place you stop at!"
"But why'd it take so long?" Sanji smirked. Smoker's face darkened and his subordinates started quivering…suggesting this was a very. Long. Story.
"Bet he got lost." Zoro grinned, crossing his arms confidently in the face of gun barrels that Chopper hid from behind his leg.
"Like you're one to talk." His crew murmured bluntly in unison. "YA KNOW WHAT SHUT THE HELL UP. I CAN FIND MY WAY JUST FINE."
"ANYWAYS." Smoker coughed pointedly.
Luffy voiced gravely. "See. His double cigars are taking its toll."
"SHUT UP!" Smoker gave some sort of signal with his hand and his subordinates stepped closer. "I've had about enough outta you! It's time for you to get your asses in a cell so let's get to it!"
"You're boring." Luffy had turned away busily picking his nose. Everyone sweatdropped.
"AGGH! That does it!" Smoker growled! "Men! Take these nitwits into custody!"
Zoro sneered, muscles coiled to spring. "You wish." Around him he could sense the others as they got into a circle position.
"WOAH!" "WAH!" Hands pushed gun barrels up with Robins power.
"Head for the Sunny~" Luffy cocked his fist. Everyone nodded, smiling.
Nami got her staff ready, heels digging into the dirt. "And hurry. There's a really nasty storm headed our way."
"Take this!" Usopp signaled the start of the offensive, shooting off a smokescreen in a confused Smoker's face. Zoro, Luffy and Sanji only needed one shot to fell some minions, Zoro taking care just to tap at the panicked Marines with his dull edge before dodging some bullets. Nami blew away a few more as Franky used his abdomen to block his comrades from more of those silver death raindrops and Brooke and Chopper worked in tandem, weaving amongst blade-wielders.
Too easy and-
"YOU!" A blade clashed furiously against Wado, sending vibrations of…well something through it and, he lost a heartbeat. He spun away from another slice and paused as his new opponent skid back from his parry.
"You!" Zoro did well to keep his surprise from his face, though his eyes leaked the truth as in his tone. Shit. It's her.
Wind tousled the short-cropped raven hair away from her face, red frames a miniscule mask shielding his long-dead childhood friend from him. Her eyes spoke fire, determination and her Shigure had clanged against his swords with more strength than last time. "Roronoa Zoro! It's time once again to fight!"
"Gotta go."
"H-HEY! Wait a minute!" Dust clouds already picked up as he turned tail. Anger biled up in her throat and she chased after him, jean jacket flapping. "Just because I'm a woman doesn't mean I'm not capable! Face me you cowardly pirate!"
Sweating hesitantly, the swordsman dashed into a labyrinth of back alleyways, hoping to lose his eerie phantom of a pursuer. Nope. Not gonna fight her. Nope nope. No way. Too weird. She looks just friggan like her. Even stranger is that I was just thinking about her not too long ago.
The green-head didn't bother keeping up with what actions happened after his departure, he heard nothing but curses from Smoker meaning they had already headed for the ship. His nakama was obviously safe and the Marine girl was all that stood in his way to escape. Surefooted and swift was he, and within a few minutes he staggered out of the maze with the assumption of being right near the Thousand Sunny. Well damn. Looks like the others got lost. The anchor forgot to be put down again too…the ship's moved…and the dock got remodeled while we were gone. Did that bar get added too? Hmm…
"You didn't lose me tough guy." He jumped slightly, mouth a low nervous line near his jaw, eyes narrowed in irritation and a mixture of other things as her voice came from behind him. How the hell did I not sense her!
Quickly he turned about as if to fight, she almost crowed with delight of her desire to fight. "That's right! Fight me now Roronoa! Stop being such a vile pirate and face me one on one-ah!" But it was a farce…he turned tail and ran off again. "Grrah! Why won't you fight me!"
"Find someone else to pester will ya?" Zoro grit his teeth as her footsteps accelerated. Damn…this is weird…don't remember that building there. Where is everyone? Why did they get so lost?
After zooming around for an incredibly boring amount of time, the youth finally lost the ghost and reached the Sunny where everyone impaciently waited.
"Hurry up! While you were lost the Marines found out where our ship was and is coming this way!"
"I WASN'T LOST!"
Brooke spotted a shape through the quickly gathering gloom. "Ah! I believe it's them!"
Nami turned to the almost-naked blue-head Franky. "Can we coup de vent out of reach? This sudden storm's going to be really really bad." As she said so, the almost black randomly conjured clouds began to squirm and the wind gusted like a hurricane. Luffy was enjoying trying to balance on the figurehead.
"Nah we don't have enough cola right now." He shook his head with a shrug. "I was gonna buy some before we met that girl who was-*sniffle wipes tears* OH SUCH A BEAUTIFUL TALE! I'm so glad we could help her! *sniffle sob* I'm NOT CRYING!"
"Whatever let's just try and make it to the next island before it hits! It's only a few miles away." Nami hollered out commands, but the Marine ship was already upon almost upon them.
Time always sped up in these moments, the adrenaline rush became the norm, the dance with danger gave him chills of excitement. So much excitement and yet…sleeepppyyy… All that running away from the Marine girl whom he couldn't fight was tiring non…physically to him. (That's the best way he can describe it. XD)
While everyone prepared for yet another fight, Zoro sat down crosslegged on the lawn of the deck, only to be joined by a cool Robin. He paid her no mind. Until…
"I saw that you refused to fight someone Swordsman-kun." There was that little smile in her voice perched there teasingly like she enjoyed people to squirm but truthfully this was her mischievous side. She may be on the 'good' bad team, but her quiet cynicism was found to forever remain there somewhere in her heart. "Was that what you were doing the entire time you were lost?"
Nonplussed he just looked out at the approaching ship. "I don't fight everyone."
"Hmm…that may be true…" Robin glanced at Luffy and at the rest of the busied nakama. But again she delicately skirted up to his awkward nature beneath the cool seriousness. "But with someone Luffy hasn't invited to the crew it is strange is it not? You never had much reason to fight any of the crew either so that's not really an excuse now is it."
"…" Inside Zoro felt baffled to this fact as well. Well I can't really explain it…
A cannonball whizzed too close to the ship and the wind howled ten times as fearsome. Everyone felt the electricity on their tongues as thunder growled hungry for a hunk of ship to chew and swallow.
"But this person was a Marine. A supposed foe to pirates." Robin stood, readying herself for round two with said foes. "How unusual." And with that she went about her way, leaving the man to think further about himself than he had wanted. How the hell should I know? I just think it's too eerie is all…if she was a pirate I'd be the same way too...it's like fighting a ghost...
Wincing slightly from the cutting wind as he stood, Zoro had that fighting instinct again. Something about today wasn't quite right. Wado went quiet…
Torrents of rain abruptly shot like bullets from overstuffed and angry clouds as the waves began slowly at first rocking the ship. However it wasn't long until the waves grew to a frightening nature.
"This doesn't look good Nami!" Usopp called worriedly above the cut of the wind. Luffy had to cling to the railing to stay aboard. Chopper found his way to Zoro's side, eyes wide as the ship rocked dangerously.
"Yohoho~! What a storm!" Brooke danced about in the powerful gusts of wind, very much like a leaf on account of his lightness…ahhhhh skull joke~
Franky pointed out to the shoreline before them, cupping a hand to yell. "Nami we should land else the Sunny could hit those rocks up ahead near the reef!"
Nami nodded. "Yeah! These sudden riptides are making it impossible to navigate! We are being pulled back towards the Marines! Shoot. I knew it was a gamble to beat them from the storm but I underestimated the speed of the squall!"
Usopp jumped at the flash of lightning. "I-It's not your fault Nami! We had to escape somehow!"
Zoro crossed his arms in observation. "Looks like they're struggling too. They've stopped with their pathetic attempts at hitting us." Though it was expected for them to continue where they left off ASAP.
"Nami!" "I know! Keep the sail steady! We need to launch away from those rocks! That's it!" Nature was truly a thing to feel fear before. "Shit! This doesn't look good guys! Hang on!" Tsunami like waves were not out of the Strawhat's experiences…but still… "AHHH! WE'RE GONNA DIE!" "Nami-swan! Robin-swan! Stay near me! I'll keep you safe!" "Luffy hang on! We can't have you falling in!" "Chopper let go of my face!" "AHHH!" Zoro nonchalantly pried the animal off his visage and then…decided it was time for a nap… "Wake me when we land…" "Gyahhh!" Hoofs dug into his shirt.
When he awoke the storm still raged on, but they were no longer in motion high above the islands. They were upon a mountainous seeming one, parked at a dock leading to a sleepy-shabby seeming town. Damn…I only got a few minutes…ugh…
"Zoro!" A fist woke him up like a dinner bell. "How the hell did you sleep through that!" Nami growled.
A large knot appeared on his green noggin. "OI!" The Marines where pulled up next to the Sunny but for some reason no one was coming out to attack.
Franky flicked his wrist, cranked some levers and prepared the ship for limbo. "Well," He tossed the anchor, blinking through the onslaught of rain . "The Thousand's Sunny's been tucked in." Everyone hurried about, chaotic-ly prepping themselves to bail and head inlands to bunker down. Luffy of course, only required one thing to keep him happy. "Hey Sanji! Make us some pirate bentos!" "Already taken care of Luffy!" He called back through the maelstrom, cursing as his cigarette doused. "Suggeeeeeee!" "No you can't eat them right now!"
Usopp shivered, doing a little dance as his spine tingled in the cold. Suspiciously, he spied at their unlikely neighbor, pulling down his goggles. "I'm getting a bad feeling about this guys…I mean they haven't tried to hit us again. They could blast us with cannonfire if they wanted to but for some reason…"
"Well whatever!" Nami pulled a jacket over her already soaked figure. "Let's worry about getting out of this storm first!" She brushed back her damp hair from her eyes so she could further read the codes written in the gruesome sky. "I don't think any of us are going anywhere anytime soon. But I can't help but feel the same as Usopp. Something worse is coming…"
Meanwhile on the Marine Vessel:
"DAMMIT! WHAT THE FREAKING HELL DO YOU MEAN THAT WAS OUR LAST CANNONBALL!" To say that a volcano had erupted would be fairly accurate.
Men gulped at the fire spewing from their boss's eyes. "How can we be comepletly out of cannonballs! We're in the damn Marines and we can't even restock and keep track of cannonballs!"
"S-Smoker sir!" A brave suicidal grunt dared to interrupt. "You didn't let us restock…w-we tried to tell you but you were…well just so hell-bent on catching the Strawhats…"
Insert facewipe of shame from a giant grown buff man here. "Grrrrrr….We're just gonna…have to snatch em while they're runnin' amuck out there…damn…" Facial muscles contorted to a hideous red-faced grimace venomously, he whipped out two new cigars as the ship pitched dangerous at the dock.
"Sir! Um we have our necessary provisions, shall we give the orders to head inland!" His raven-haired subordinate and friend called out, charging hurriedly into the room and almost falling.
"Clumsy idiot. Wear your damn glasses for the last time." Smoker winced. "You don't have to yell Tashigi I'm right here. And yes. Give the orders."
"Hai!" As the ship rolled again, the ship's crew rolled on out and into the blinding rain. Smoker led the way, all the while keeping en guard for the ambushing, cutthroat pirates even when it seemed they were just as harried from the nasty weather as well and were as unlikely to appear as it was unlikely for Luffy to not eat. His trusty subordinate stepped into line besides her boss, trying hard to see with rain splattered glasses. She nearly tripped in the process of cleaning them but quickly rightened herself. "Smoker sir!"
He pulled up his collar but kept his radar on alert. "I know what you are going to ask but I won't allow it."
The pretty raven-haired woman faltered for a moment, then her face grew determined. "But sir!"
A stern eye met her soft brown ones, his fatherly nature revealed once again. "Your personal quest needs to be put on hold. At least for this moment. Believe me I'd like to charge after them right now too but our survival comes first."
"…" Tashigi tucked some hair behind her ear, eyes fixated on the boot prints about to be washed away.
"Look-" They slunk into what appeared to be old inn only to find the building and every one next very much abandoned. "Hmm…weird. Guess this side of the island is a ghost town. Wonder why…Men! We'll head to the town hall here! It seems the sturdiest and the biggest to house us all. Take all emergency measures!" "YESSIR!" He wrung his coat out before turning back to his disappointed friend, noting how she looked like a put-out hunting dog. "Look Tashigi…I know how hard you've trained and how much stronger you have become. It makes me proud how much you've grown as a Marine, more so at the widening the gap between you and those around you in tenacity." In embarrassment, her eyes wavered a moment at the sudden praise.
"But?"
"That day…back when you fought the swordsman." At the mention her eyes narrowed, hands tightened angrily around Shigure's hilt. "You've wanted to prove yourself even then. But right now is not the time. I will not let you go out there in this dangerous weather and-"
"With all due respect sir." Tashigi pushed up her useless glasses onto her forehead, wringing out her hair before stepping inside. "When I took the oath to join the Marines I realized I was expected to risk my life for justice. Those filthy lawless fools have evaded justice long enough, that swordsman outlaw has sullied the hilt of the Meito far long enough, he has insulted me greatly as a swordsman and I don't care what the circumstances are…I will put my training to good use."
Smoker waved a cigar in her face, figure looming. "That's all very sweet girly. But right now." Shadows fell across his face. "I just gave you an order to drop it." Gesturing to the window he turned around listening to the squeaky boot-falls and shouts of his men setting up in the next room (the grand hall). "Do you see outside?" Tashigi almost pouted in response.
"Don't be an idiot. Though I wouldn't put it past them-those Strawhat's are probably in some hidey-hole those pirates always manage to find. Look how close we are to the only getaway they have. They would never abandon it. They'll run back to it. And that's when we'll catch them. And your grudge match will come in time. For now. Get some rest. I know as well as anyone how well you could hold up in these conditions but wouldn't you rather settle your matters in better circumstance where you will have no doubt or regret to weigh your mind?"
He knew she knew all this, but it didn't hurt to remind her stubborn side.
"Yes Commodore sir." Reluctantly she saluted, but the quiver of frustration in her limbs as she did so and the slight stomp in her steps away into the building said her real mindset.
She's got more guts than almost anyone here…but she's too brash sometimes…I'm going to have to watch her more carefully for the next few days…
Well the Mugiwaras seemed to have it better off in the comfort of a musky old leaky shack in the safety of a forest. Everyone got cozy, settled in contentedly to the sounds of Brook's violin, and Sanji's bentos completed the moment by warming their souls. But the fire wasn't warm enough. Fire wood was scarce though they contemplated tearing apart the house itself to warm them.
"Wonder why this side of the island is so empty." Franky warmed his hands beside the fireplace. "It's strange."
"Not a souuuullll in sight! Yohoho skull joke!" The musically inclined skeleton took a break and set down his violin.
"It is." Sanji moved in to the fireplace to turn the roasted hog they had caught all the while keeping a drooling captain away with a fire poker. "It's kinda creepy how an entire town would just up and leave like this."
"S-S-Soooo c-c-coldddddd!" Usopp hugged his knees to his chest, tears streaming overdramatically down his face then lightened and raised a fist in the air. "Maybe the heard about the mighty Captain Usopp and fled when they could!"
"Maybe this town is haunted." Robin added to the cowardly one's fear.
"D-Don't say that!"
Usopp decided to keep his mind busy by snooping around. It wasn't long until he came across a clue to the reason why his gut told him there was something really fishy about this choice of shelter. "Hey! Look at this picture you guys!" Chopper and Luffy came running over, bored out of their minds, hungry again and in need of distraction from the deafening roar of the wind outside.
Luffy took two seconds before commenting. "A SEA MONSTER!" Usopp almost facepalmed. "Um no Luffy that's-"
"We need more firewood!" Sanji interrupted obnoxiously, then placed a foot on a slumbering moss-head. "Hey! Go and get some wood!"
Surprised, the grouchy green-head sat up. "What the hell?" He followed the cook's finger out the door. "Um…it's kind of raining out there." "Yep." "Hey I'll get some Zoro~" Brook offered kindly. "I'm already dead so a little rain doesn't scare me! Yohoho~"
"Nah." To their surprise, the lad didn't retaliate to Sanji's obvious taunts. "Thanks Brook but I've got it. How much wood do you need Sanji?"
"…" There was dead silence. Sanji blinked. "Eh…hey I-I'll do it I was just-…are you okay?" They could all see something was off, a chink of some kind had formed in his armor. "Zoro?" He missed an opportunity to fight with the blonde.
The moss-head said nothing, just shrugged on a jacket. I can't let them know that I was having nightmares… A hand appeared on his shoulder as he made for the doorknob. Turning his head he saw that Luffy had stretched his hand from across the room where he stood. "Zoro." His nakama always had that understanding undertone to whatever he said, always had that glint in his eyes that told of a hidden unveiled intelligence that was capable of more than just saying outrageous things.
"It's fine really. Just a little rain." Thunder clapped violently above, shaking the structure like a leaf. When he stared deep into his friend's eyes, he gave his silent message. "I just need to clear my head." The silent exchange did not come up short, Luffy nodded and went back to pestering Sanji about his second dinner of a hog when the green head closed the door behind him.
"Damn idiot." Sanji took a drag from his cigarette. "He didn't even wait for me to tell him how much wood I need." Which translated meant he was still worried he just wasn't gonna say anything.
A certain red-head turned to a certain red-vested man. "Do you think he's okay?" It wasn't often they had to feel the need to be concerned about the superhuman-esque swordsman. He was always so serious and levelheaded when the situation required it.
"He's fine!" Luffy grinned that big goofy grin, which inspired the rest to let the matter drop and believe it. Little did they all know…that with these nightmares…came the trouble that would put the storm to shame.
Though…it was hard to ignore the fact he accidently went out without his beloved blades…that...might just be an issue to be concerned about. Maybe?
Inside the abandoned town hall came a drunken chorus of bliss to drown out the sky rumblings, a stumbled melody and happy regards in the face of dreary weather. These songs, these distractions did well to cover up the mutterings of a pacing Tashigi who changed clothes and felt no warmth when the people somewhere out there in this same moment were free and unobstructed from justice. "So close. Just so close! Why the heck won't he fight me? I can't stand that! I just don't understand why pirates act like that!"
A knock on her door, shattered her out of her rants, the taletell stench of smoke let her know who was without speaking. "Tashigi! Join us! Get your head out of the storm clouds!"
With a sigh, the raven-haired girl opened the door. "No thank you sir."
"Let it go. Put your glasses on before you trip and come on out."
"Fine." Smoker gave up, too tired to really fight. He really wanted those pirates in his clutches. He really did. But it wasn't worth risking his men in this storm. "Go back to moping then you clumsy fool." He retired back to a nice glass of alcohol.
She did go back to moping. "Grr…" And she did trip. But it was this trip that aided her in her quest at long last. As she fell she fancied she saw a shadow run past the window. This person had green hair that resembled moss. "!" I didn't just imagine that did I! Slow motion falls always sped up in time to emphasize the pain of hitting your face against hard packed ground. Never did a fallen person stand with such emotion. Clutching at her glasses she ran to the window, peered out and watched this phantom's back disappear into the night, green hair a beacon when the lightning flashed above, arms full of wood, not a seeming care in the world.
For a moment, she considered the risks, she dutifully weighed the matter of obedience to her head officer, to her title of a Marine to follow his word…for just a brief moment she almost sat back on the bed with a sigh, glancing mournfully at her snarling sword and saying nonchalantly "well that was odd, I'll just get some rest and fight him on better terms tomorrow." She almost did. But…this chance was just too good to pass up. And she was a stubborn, upholding woman with a pride flick to take care of. She'd worked hard for this chance after all. And besides…this was justice wasn't it? What was so wrong about that? She'd fight him, arrest him if she won, and pry those beautiful swords out of dirty hands. That was excusable right?
"Sorry Commodore." She smiled, pulled her hood over her head, and set out like hound after the fox as lightning illuminated the way and rain pelted her at all angles.
Hmm…where did the forest go? Did it move? Roronoa Zoro…had somehow managed…to get lost again. How the hell someone was able to pull this feat off every single time was beyond the comprehension of even the best minds. Speaking of minds. His mind was too jumbled, too unlike him in the commonplace action of getting lost. Even now he was still in that nightmare full of fear and too human emotion. He was supposed to be iron blade, sharp and able to cut through anything before him…but now he was shaken. If someone was to attack he would be all too easy a target right at this very moment. Attack…OH SHIT. Where the hell! Are…my blades? No…I'm fine I got perfectly strong fists…hmm…oh come ON. Without his blades, breathing felt different.
Why can't I get that dream out of my head? It's not even a realistic dream. I mean…Kuina coming out of the grave and killing me? Feeling Wado Ichimonji scream and feel the blade slice into my flesh quick like a lightning strike, the blood come forth piecing my lungs and heart and innards, the pain bubble? No…not real at all…the look of extreme anger and hatred on her ghastly face and-no no no not real not real not real at all! Listen to her say "This is the 2002 loss." That's just not-
"Roronoa Zoro." He turned around. And there she was. If there was ever a moment Zoro felt panic…it was most definitely now, his heart rate soared, the rain was all too cold, slicing into his flesh. But this was where he would be sliced by his old friend's ghost. Not that he believed in them…he just…
"Why won't you fight me?" A sword gleamed in the gloom and light pieced sky, her body poised to fight. He just froze there…dumbstruck and amazingly still half awake and not surprisingly lost.
And then…she tripped…and her red glasses fell in a puddle as she did. And then…it all…CLICKED.
"YOU!" His jaw dropped and he pointed like an idiot almost like one of his nakama. NOT. Kuina.
She rightened herself, embarrassed at her position. "Yes me! Who'd you think it was a ghost or something?"
Innocent of just how right on the money she was, the boy saved face and coughed into his hand, face tinging slightly, rain rolling down his burning cheeks. "Hrm."
"…" She raised an eyebrow. "Well um... it's time to face the hand of justice Roronoa!" She tried again with her determined pose in the misery of the pouring rain, raising her blade. She half expected him to go runnin' away again with his tail between his legs.
"…" But for some reason-the second out of character behavior of the day-he didn't take a step away. "Do you know how stupid it is to hold up a metal object in the middle of a lightning storm?" The wind agreed as it tugged at their damp clothes, thunder and static announced this to be a close reality.
She blinked, having only thought of what she had to do rather than about the practical. "O-Oh…yeah…you're right I didn't really think-!" ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZTTTTTTTT! But it was too late. No one could be faster than lightning. If one was to slow down each millisecond frame by frame by frame, the killing light inched down that frenzied metal soul. No…no one could possibly outdo a force as impossible as nature could only create. "Ah!" In the blink of an eye, in the flash of a light, in the breath that wouldn't come, a hand hit hers with such a force…her Shigure flew slow mo from her grasp, a mortal sin of swordsmen. And in that same second as the blinding light sizzled in the spot she once stood, she was thrown to safety…a bloodthirsty pirate her savior. A man faster than lightning.
Tashigi's eyes widened, but without her glasses she could not dare to tell what damage this stupid mistake had caused. Smoke gathered as the hiss and stench of static faded in the rain. There was a form there wasn't there? Squinting she made something out. Why am I so warm? Am I bleeding? "R-Roronoa?"
Her hand touched something smooth and cold. Glasses? They were. She slid them over her eyes, looked first at the sizzle spot of a lightning tattoo for the ground and how deep the crater was some feet away then down at the warmth she felt. There he was. Arm still wrapped around her from where he had thrown her well now it appeared he had pulled her with him in a dive away from danger. "Ah…ahh…" What was there to be said?
"You damn idiot." A grumble came from beside her. "I told you."
"Ahhh…" Lightning hadn't struck her but she was honestly stunned, legs and arms and lungs stopped all movement. "Ah…" What just happened what just happened what just happened? This had to be a mistake! I almost died from stupidity I could've been killed by him too in that moment he knocked my weapon away and yet a pirate saved me. What. How. This had to be a dream.
Awkwardly, Roronoa Zora, great ex-pirate hunter turned pirate, sat up. "Hey…you okay?" An eyebrow of his was raised as the storm worsened.
There was no tangible explanation, nor legible answer that came from her lips. Though he waited for a moment. Finding none he stood, fetched her sword, sheathed it to protect it, gathered his fallen too wet timber into a pile, came back waved a hand in front of her face and decided that the girl must have been stuck by the lightning after all and so he tossed her over his shoulder, picked up all the wood, and after not locating where the hell the girl came from in the first place, decided he should let Chopper have a looksee and set off only to get lost again back to the temporary hideout.
Meanwhile in the Marine hideout:
"Go Smoker go! Karaoke yeah! You already won at limbo! Go go go!"
Meanwhile back at the Mugiwara hideout:
"Where. The hell. Did Zoro get lost to again."
"I'll eat his half of the hog then. Don't want it to go to waste~!"
"LUFFY! YOU DON'T GET ANYMORE! But Robin or Nami-suan may have some!"
"Guys I gotta bad feeling in my gut!"
"Don't tell me it's cuz of that picture you found."
"Y-Yeah wait no! I'm not scared!"
"You're knees are shaking dumbass."
"Is that what that rattling sound was? I thought it was a ghost."
"S-Shut up Robin!"
"I'm still hungryyyyyyyyyyyyy…"
"I hear ya. Op! I don't have ears!~ SKULL JOKE! Yohohoh~"
"ZORO WHERE IS THAT DAMN FIREWOOD SO WE CAN STAY WARM!"
A/N: Well that was longwinded….sigh this got too rushed I know…too choppy too UGH. But whatever hoped you liked it! I'll update it someday. XD Got Hollow Eyes and Tora Tora to do still hmmmmm~