The Protector
By:: Melissa
Disclaimer:: I do not own anything from this story except for the few OC characters. Everything else belongs to Eiichiro Oda, creator of One Piece. Constructive criticism is welcome. No flames please.
Chapter 2
Zoro walked quickly up the side of the mountain, a scowl on his face. He wouldn't forgive this guy for taking Lila. He couldn't. He wouldn't let himself forgive him. He cut through the branches and bushes to clear himself a path. He needed to find that shrine.
In the letter that he had received, it said that he had to meet the large man at the top of the mountain in an old Buddhist shrine. Zoro had the letter in his hand, crumpled and worn. He walked more quickly, wanting to save her and know that she was safe as soon as possible.
He had always needed a reason for helping someone. He didn't want to do it for other people's sakes. He wanted to do it for his own. He had to gain something in some way. He didn't just do it out of charity. But it was different now. He could relate to this girl. He couldn't just let her die. He had to do everything to save her. He didn't care anymore about what happened to him. He just knew that he had to protect her.
He came up to a small clearing and saw the shrine standing there, old and ancient. As he came closer to the clearing, he saw Lila sitting there, not bound or anything. There standing next to her was the large man that took her, a sneer on his face.
"So you actually showed up, Roronoa Zoro. I didn't think you would for this girl," he said, laughing to himself. Zoro glared at him.
"What do you want with Lila? She did nothing to you! Just let her go and fight me like a man," Zoro exclaimed, knowing that he had hit a weak spot on the large man's ego.
"Fine, I'll let her go. But you have to fight me fair and square, Zoro," the large man said, picking up Lila and throwing her at Zoro. He caught her and steadied her.
"You stay here alright? And don't get in the way." He set her down by a tree and looked at her seriously. She nodded, hugging her knees together. Zoro turned back to the large man and faced him squarely.
"What's your name, tough guy?" Zoro asked, unsheathing his swords.
"Enishi," he said, taking out his own sword as well.
"And what business do you have with me then?" Zoro stuck one of his swords in his mouth, ready to fight.
"I want revenge for Kuina's sake. You overworked her and she died. And it's all your fault and now you're going to pay for it," he said, lunging at him in attack. Zoro looked at him in confusion, still dodging the strike.
"What do you mean? I didn't over work her…." He stuttered, losing his focus.
"Yes you did. She was always trying to get better than you and always beat you and it affected her so much that she stopped eating well. And because of that she was woozy from that and fell down the stairs. And she died because of it. It's your fault, Roronoa Zoro!" Enishi lunged at him again and Zoro started fighting back.
The fight went on for hours. Back and forth, back and forth, the upper hand went. First Enishi would look like he was winning but then Zoro would come back with a move and take the upper hand away from him. Lila watched in amazement as the two swordsman fight, her own mind reeling.
Who was Kuina? What had happened all those years ago to her? What significance was she to Zoro? And what did she have to do with it? She had all these unanswered questions that kept buzzing in her head, not letting her think clearly.
"You're finished, Zoro!" Enishi screamed, bringing his sword down on the fallen Zoro. Just in time, Zoro managed to move out of the way but he was badly injured now. He cursed himself for getting distracted about Kuina. He covered up his wounds with his scarf, trying to stop the bleeding.
"What does Lila have to do with all this?" Zoro asked, his breath coming in short bursts.
"I saw that you were getting close to her. So I used her as bait. There's no other use to her than that. Besides, I think this little girl knows me anyways," he sneered at her, his eyes glinting.
"What? How do I know you?" she asked, puzzled.
"Remember? It wasn't too long ago. Only seven years ago. That big incident in that store? A girl lost both of her parents to a stranger's killing? Yeah. That was me, sweetheart." He laughed at her, finally revealing who he really was. Lila's eyes went wide and her jaw tightened. She couldn't believe it. The guy that killed her parents was standing right in front of her and she couldn't do anything against him.
"Lila!" Zoro yelled not looking at her. She looked over at him, perplexed.
"What?"
"Don't get involved. I'll avenge your parents. I'm going to protect you so don't do anything reckless," he said, looking at her from the corner of his eye.
"Let's finish this, runt," Enishi said, swinging his sword easily.
"You obviously underestimate me," Zoro said, turning back to Enishi, his eyes hard.
"I already know your strength, kid and you have nothing on me!" Enishi yelled, going in for the kill. Zoro didn't raise his sword until the last moment, catching Enishi off guard.
"Watch who your calling kid!" Zoro pushed him back and swung at him, slashing into his shoulder.
"Is that all you can do?" Enishi asked, looking at his shoulder as if it was a joke.
"Don't underestimate me!" Zoro growled, striking at Enishi. Lila watched from the side as the fight continued. She couldn't just sit there and do nothing. She had to bring vengeance to her parents. She couldn't let Zoro do it for her. She had to do it herself. She had to protect them. She stood up and pulled a short sword out of her dress, unsheathing it. Running at full force, she jumped into the middle of the battle.
Zoro was losing and he knew it. But he couldn't give up now. He had to protect her. He had to do what he could to save her. To avenge her parents. To keep her safe. He couldn't let her die. He couldn't die himself. He made a promise. He stood still, waiting for Enishi to make his move. Just as he came forward for the strike, Lila came in between him and Enishi, stabbing her short sword into Enishi's heart. Zoro's eyes went wide as Enishi struck down on her with his own sword before falling to the ground in death. Lila collapsed and started breathing heavily. Zoro went quickly to her side, holding her in his arms.
"Lila, please say something," Zoro said, his voice quavering. She opened her eyes, her head bleeding badly.
"I'm sorry, Zoro," she whispered, taking hold of his hand.
"Sorry for what?" he asked, looking at her sadly.
"For getting…. into the middle… of the battle. I know….you asked me…not to….get into the middle…of it….but I had to…. I'm sorry…." She stuttered, blood coming out of her mouth.
"No you don't have to be sorry, Lila…please save your breath, we have to get you help," he said, holding his scarf to her head, trying to stop the bleeding.
"It's no use, Zoro…. I'm going to die…..but I'm glad…. I got to meet you…..before dying…." she said, closing her eyes.
"No, Lila, don't talk like that, we're going to get you help." He looked around, as if to find help. But they were all alone.
"Zoro….you were my protector….but you shouldn't…..act so reckless….like that….you'll get yourself…killed…" She smiled at him, remembering what he had first said to her when he had saved her in the street. She took one last rattling breath and her heart stopped beating.
Zoro looked down at her lifeless body, unable to put two and two together. He held her in his arms for a long time, as if she was going to miraculously wake up and be alive again. But he knew that she wouldn't wake up.
"That's my line...you….idiot…." He looked at her face, his vision becoming blurry.
"I came to protect you, Lila….and it was you who ended up protecting me…." His body shook as he let out the heart wrenching sobs, his tears falling onto her pale face.
So that's the end of the story. Kinda sad. Hopefully i didn't go OC on Zoro's character. Even though he's tough, he has to have a soft spot somewhere in him. So lots of twists for only a twoshot. Yes, Enishi was the person that killed Lila's parents. And somehow he knows about Kuina and about what happened to her. So please review! Thanks! 3