Important Note: Hello all! It's been forever since I opened up this profile and I have gone from the username PeaceMakingUnderdog to Cynomania. Anyways, this is the edited and revised version of my old fanfiction called BrokenVow (est' 2008). I felt the need to rewrite BV due to many reasons; the first one being the ridiculous amount of bad grammars and cringe worthy corny dialogues and not to mention the bland over dramatic story telling. One day I remembered the story and re-read it and... I just couldn't believe I actually wrote and published that garbage.
Therefore a redo is a must! Long story short, I tried my best to rewrite this story and set it up to post time-skip! After Z and T's meeting in Punk Hazard.
Enough said! Many thanks to the people who used to follow the old story and to you for at least checking out my story. Please read, enjoy and maybe review later.
[Chapter 1.] Reflections
"Will this suffice, dearie?" The old land lady asked while she turned on the light of the living room of the small cottage that I'll be temporarily staying in. Glancing around the house, I could feel her two drowsy eyes on me. I dropped my luggage on the floor.
"It's a cozy little place." I smiled and nodded "And it's more than enough for one person." I added to reassure her. I'm a simple person, as long as my basic needs are met I'll survive. She clapped her hands and smiled at me. "With a little tender love and care the house will be as good as new!" Then I added, "It's perfectly fine. I won't be staying here for long anyway."
"Alright then." She dipped her hand into her pocket and handed the key to me. "Here is the key. I think it's best if I leave you now. I'm sure you're exhausted from the trip." She stepped out of the house and turned to me one last time. "The whole town really appreciate you good marines for flushing the island off of any criminals. This is the least I can do! If you need anything please don't hesitate to come by my cottage, you know where it is. Bye now!" She smiled one more time then staggered off.
"Enjoy the rest of the evening!" I trail after her, closed the door, fell on the soft sofa and sighed heavily. Frankly, I didn't give a crap about the house. All I wanted was somewhere to stay where I could be alone. The house was located in the woods, isolated. Away from the town, away from civilization and that calmed the tension deep within my chest somehow. (I wouldn't be surprise if people start accusing me of being a witch.) I needed to be in a quiet place where no one can disturb me for I need to reflect upon certain thoughts and feelings.
The G-5 marines were assigned to stay and supervise the island for at least a month after the news of Buggy the Clown and his crew undertaking yet another illegal undercover business with some other unnamed big shot pirate crew- whose identities are still to be disclosed. Smoker-san resented the idea and stated he'd rather 'go after' the Mugiwaras per usual. But given as how the Clown has been promoted to a Shicibukai level made the matter a top priority and should be given a serious scrutiny over. As for me, I'll accept whatever distraction comes my way. I do have the need to go after the pirates but only because it's in the job description. But my thoughts are so muddled regarding that subject. Most days I find myself, losing interest in my job- my heart and soul are not so much into it as how they used to be. So like I said, I have a lot to think about. I glanced at my bags on the floor and grumble, I'm in no mood to lift a finger let alone unpack my stuff.
-
"Aah!" I collapsed on the soft white bed. I blew the hair off my eyes and stared at the ceiling. I was never a fan of unpacking and I'm not sure if it was a good idea to bring just enough clothes for 2 weeks. Lately, I've been very lazy with decision making. I found situations that required me to think deeply very exhausting. This has been another growing abnormal behavior that I've noticed. And unfortunately for me, the old wooden closet was thick with dust and spider webs. The lady must have overlooked this section of the house. I almost feel sorry for her. Maybe tomorrow I can clean the whole house for her. Or maybe not. We'll probably be busier in the coming days, I am a marine after all. We are expected to be busy. With the ever increasing pirate infestation across the globe, we no longer have the luxury for even a single day off. A holiday- the one thing I genuinely need but is unfortunately denied of.
I sighed and sat up and noticed a piece of brown paper rolled up in my back pack. "Oh... it's you." I sighed. I reached down for it. Rolling it open, I saw his face. The only photograph I have of him. That self-righteous man who has become the fuel for my desire to want to be better at what I do. The only person who greatly disrespected my honor and was more than ecstatic to slap it on my face that all my beliefs were garbage and gloated that I needed to re-evaluate my assumptions of the world.
Roronoa Zoro.
The name leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Who would have known that that man with a ridiculous green hair would have this much effect on me. I rolled on the bed still staring at his trapped face in the piece of paper. I hated this man. I hated how he looked. I hated that ridiculous egoistical crooked smile and his vomit green hair… especially that green hair. I hated all of it because with it all, he took something very important from me. The most guarded possession. The one that I have been guarding and making sure that will never fall into the hands of anyone who did not deserve it. But he did it. And it was too late when I realize it. It was beyond my control. And I loathed myself for being too weak.
Roronoa is a strong formidable opponent. Surely strength and endurance cannot defeat him alone. I know that I may never win against him. Not especially after his sudden growth in power these past two years. I was a witness during that snowy duel in Punk Hazard. In that moment, when he cut that snow woman, he had that dark ominous look upon him. My mind reeled, he has turned into a different man from how I remembered him back in Logue Town... or so I think. I mean I don't really know the man. I do hate to admit it but the chances of me defeating and confiscating his remarkable swords was close to zero. Our difference in power can roughly be compared between a turkey and an eagle. And sadly I was the turkey.
"Oh god. Why am I degrading myself so?" I slapped my forehead. There was, however, another thing I noticed about that man. As much as I hated to admit it (and I can't believe I'm thinking it!) but Roronoa is actually pretty easy on the eyes. Slowly, my lips curled into a tight smile and I covered it instantly with my left hand with the right still holding unto his wanted poster. As if hiding my giddy expression from him.
"Damn it, Tashigi." I rasped trying hard to suppress my foolish smile. Angrily, I sat up and pointed at his picture. "How dare you?! One day I'll defeat you!" I frowned and glared at his picture. Feeling stupid, I collapsed on the bed once more. I sighed heavily. "How did it happen?" I asked the poster. How did it went so fast? I raised the picture over my face and looked at his eyes.
How did I allow my mind to be consumed with thoughts of this man?
More importantly, how did I allow my heart to be stolen by this man?
...
Like I said, I do have a lot to think about. Could it have been because of his attitude during each combat or the way he handles his swords skillfully and marvelously as if he was born to do just that? Maybe it's his discernible drive and motivation to always finish off his objectives the best way possible? Or maybe it's the way he looks at you with that cold deathly eye that instantly raises the hair on your spine and hinders you from undertaking any further actions? And the way the corner of his lips deliciously pulls to one side to form his signature smug crooked grin.
I pursed my lips at these silly thoughts. "I'm sorry, how old are you?" I hissed at myself. "Ridiculous. Yes, these feelings are ridiculous." I fling his poster to the side and rubbed my temples with my forefinger and thumb. I cannot allow these feelings to go unchecked for another month. It's ludicrous! I can't keep acting like a love struck teenager! How will I concentrate on improving myself as an officer? This is especially getting in the way of my goals! I must repress these emotions otherwise demotion is inevitable!
I twisted to glare at the wanted poster, "No! You did not steal my heart or anything of mine for that matter!" I close my eyes, took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. "These… 'feelings' are getting in the way of everything. I am not 'in love'. I am merely infatuated. Yes." There is no room for romance in my battlefield.
I need to calm down. I can't be getting worked up over the same issue repeatedly. I need discipline. I must dispose of this vile wanted poster. I looked at the worn out poster once more and suddenly my anger dissipate into a smile. I poked the picture's cheek. "If only we weren't enemies then maybe it wouldn't be so bad." I curled to one side on the bed staring at his image. Slowly, fatigue enveloped me and I fell into a short dreamless sleep.
-
*BAM BAM BAM!* Came the loud booming knock on my door. Ugh! Who could it be at this time? I grabbed Shigure and walked out from my room to the main door. I opened it with a frown. "Yes?" I asked. Three marine soldiers stood before me. "Captain-chan, the Mugiwara pirates are reported to be on the island! Smoke-yan sent us here to tell you!"
Mugiwara pirates. The mention of that name woke me up completely. I nodded. "A-alright. I'll be there. Go on ahead. I'll get ready." I closed the door as they ran away. My heart began beating on my chest wildly. I changed into my hoodie, slid Shigure in his belt and ran out of the house. I began to tremble like a leaf, not because of the chilly dawn breeze but because, after many months, Roronoa Zoro and I are once again in the same island and any minute now I might find myself face to face with him. The thought gives me goose bumps. I beg my whole being to act up.
I began to jog along the dark alleys of the town. The moon still high up on the dawn sky with the stars sparkling, giving me a false perception of serenity. My palms started emitting moisture- just one of the many signs of my brimming anxiety. The noise of men running, gun fire and battle cries echoed across the alleys. My hearts tells me to purposely get myself lost while my mind insists I shake these cowardly thoughts off. I don't know which to listen to.
"Onigiri!"
I nearly tripped on flat ground as I abruptly stopped dead on my tracks- knowing that the yell was not too far from where I was staggering. Already? My heart was now trying to break through my ribs and jump free from my chest. Anxiety turns my insides into knots. Just a couple of seconds ago I readied myself to battle but now all I wanted was to runaway. Hide or retreat. Turn back! My whole being screamed but it was too late. A man came to a turn from behind a building in front of me.
It was him, Roronoa, so easily recognizable with the glowing green hair from under the moonlight. As he ran, he was still looking back behind him to the remaining three soldiers. He made a quick swipe of his sword to his right cutting off the branches of two massive trees over head causing them to come crashing down on top of the soldiers. The branches clogging the already narrow alley. Roronoa took this opportunity to sprint rapidly forward- straight to my direction. I froze. And as his head spin to his front, sure enough he spotted me but kept going until he recognize who I was. He came to a slow halt. To what seemed like an eternity we both stared at each other. He was panting through his mouth. Sweat glistening down from his temples to the curve of his jaw line down to his chin. I wheezed loudly through clenched teeth and felt a cold sweat trickle down from the back of my neck
"Oh hello, captain glasses." He broke the silence and managed a crooked smile. That darn smile...
"Roronoa." Thank God my voice didn't betray me.
For a time we allowed a short silence to take place until he grimaced at me and proceeded to run to the woods. "Ro-Roronoa!" I coughed. Where did that come from? My feet worked on their own. I began to run after him as if my legs already knew how all of these was going to go. I ran after him; the same damn routine. He continued to run towards the pine woods while I trailed after him. We entered the line of trees, at first they were thinly dispersed until the towering monstrous dark trees thickened and grew more populated and I had to widen my eyes hoping to see more of my surroundings. It was then that I soon recognized the area and realized that he was running towards my small rented cottage.
"Stop!" I managed to yell.
He cocked his head over his shoulder only to yell back, "You wish!" And for some reason, despite all of the insults and smart ass remarks he's spat at me in the past, that one really hit the nail. And it was during this time when he briefly turned his head that he failed to notice the thick low branch hanging before him, on the same level as his head.
"Hey!" I shouted but was overlapped by his loud growl reverberating through the dense woods. The sound of his head crashing into the branch mimicked that of a boulder hitting another boulder. His head smacked into the branch so hard the old tree was now leaning unto one side. Roronoa's body slumped into the forest floor, sprawled, limbs draped on each his sides. My running slowed into a slow nervous jog towards his slumped body on the ground. He was motionless.
I took out Shigure from his sheath and pointed the tip of my sword to Roronoa's nose. "H-he- hey!" I forced to sound stern. Sure enough a cut formed on his left temple and fresh blood rolled down to his ear. An ugly puffed up bruise instantly emerged on the spot. Roronoa lay unconscious. I sheathed my sword and slowly bent down on one knee to have a better look at him. Even though the gleam from the peaking sodium street lights from the outer edges of the forest were dim, I could still somehow make out his features. "Roronoa..?" I asked. I have not looked at him this close until now. This was the closest I've attempted to watch him. Out of curiosity, I crouched lower to his side to have a better look, fingers digging into the ground. "Roronoa-" I nudged him and whispered into the cold air.
His chest rose and fell, his breathing shallow. My eyebrows go up. Wow. Roronoa Zoro is definitely easy on the eyes and his images on the newspapers and wanted posters didn't do justice on his features. He had on a navy unbuttoned shirt, a pair of tattered brown shorts and wooden slippers. His haramaki remained coiled around his waist. I blinked multiple times when my eyes landed on his well chiseled stomach muscles. A long jagged- what seemed to be- battle scar ran from his left shoulder down to his right waist. How did he get it I wonder? I absentmindedly craned my neck further to check for anymore scars hidden beneath his top until I snapped out of the scandalous act. Good god! What am I doing?!
I stood up in an alarm and shook myself back to reality. W-what am I doing at all?! I'm a marine for goodness sake and this is a pirate! I slapped my palms unto my cheeks. "Snap out of it!" I growled and nearly folded as I turned myself away. 'Stop thinking like a girl! And get on with your duty!' I reminded myself internally. I-I should arrest him- now! Twisting myself back to the pirate, something inside me snapped. A part of me knows it's a mistake to arrest him. I can't deny the fact that in truth, he doesn't belong locked up behind bars. He doesn't deserve it.
"N-no, what am I even thinking..?" I whimpered, my insides turning to jelly. I rubbed my forehead and leaned sideways unto the gnarly tree. My resolve dwindling.
No matter how I look into it, in the end it's my duty to capture him. As marine officer, I swore an oath. But… my arms, even though my objective was clear, why do they refuse to reach for transponder snail in my pocket? A frigid breeze swept through the dark forest urging me to come up with my answer. This was becoming too much to comprehend. If I was still the same person two years ago this wouldn't even be up for debate.
Curse that day I stumbled! Curse that day someone reached down to give me back my glasses! Curse that entire day I met this pirate!
I willed myself to hide the sob threatening to rise from my chest. Had it not been for these unwanted feelings, I would have call for my men to arrest him in a heart beat. I rubbed my face and looked at him once more. What's the matter, Tashigi? He's here, unconscious. He's ripe for the taking. Take him! Arrest him and be promoted for it! A voice in my mind yelled.
"I-I... can't." I sighed and squared my shoulders. "It isn't right."
But whatever happened to your so called justice? I pressed my hands to my cheeks feeling tears welling up. Thus began the battle between my mind and my heart. This was no longer a silly infatuation. I never should have liberated these foolish insignificant feelings from the start! It has polluted my resolve- disabling me to do what is expected of me. "I have to do something." I lifted a hand to my forehead and looked around. The place was too deserted- so detached from the sprawling city. What now? What are you going to do with an unconscious pirate?! "I don't know." Anything but arresting him.
And just like that I bent down and tucked my hands underneath his shoulders and dragged him carefully towards my rented cottage. This was the pathetic decision I came up with. A tragic decision I can only hope I won't regret.
Awesome! You reached the end! Thanks for reading!
