So, I've had a few concerned reviewers wondering what happened to Ussop from the last chapter. Was he stuck in the well forever? Did Nami feel guilty and come back to rescue him? They need to know before going on with their lives (okay, not really) but anyway, here's what happened after Nami left-
Later on that same day the shepherd gathered his small goat herd and saw one was missing so he went out to search. Luckily he heard Ussop still cursing Nami and his luck and found the trapped animal in the well. The young goat came away from that experience a little wiser but otherwise unhurt.
I hope that ending was to everyone's liking and Ussop survived unlike Sanji from the first chapter. So now that's outta the way, on to my next chapter. It's Zoro's turn to play this time. Just saying now, he will have a better sense of direction than usual.
Disclaimer: Don't own nothing but my own ideas
The Dog and the Wolf
It was a harsh winter in the forest. Any animal, from the largest bear to the smallest rabbit, would tell you it was probably the worst, coldest, snowiest, winter in the last few years. There wasn't a den or burrow that wasn't affected by the cold or the lack of food. The grass and trees were either frozen or had disappeared under the snow, so the herbivores had no choice left but to leave the forest, or suffer through near starvation. That left the carnivores that had stayed behind even less food than they would usually have during the winter months.
It was nearing twilight as a rogue wolf was on the hunt for his dinner. Like all the animals, winter had been harsh for the hunter, and he was lean from hunger. His silver-ish fur was still sleek even through these rough times. His body was battle scarred as proof of the tough life every wild animal must face. A large scar ran across the wolf's broad chest from a fight long since past and a newer scar graced over one of the wolf's dark eyes.
Zoro slowly crept forward, his steady gaze trained on the small rabbit in the clearing. His paws only slightly crunched the fresh snow underfoot and his breath came in puffs in front of his long snout. The silver furred hunter was careful not to make a noise, as the slightest alarm could alert the rabbit and he would be out another dinner. He had missed too many already this winter.
With the prize within striking distance Zoro prepared to jump into action. If everything went as planned, he would be chowing down within a few seconds. The large wolf tensed his muscles, once he started he would have to be fast, and prepared to spring.
A steadying breath.
A cautious step forward.
And the sound of a hidden branch snapping in the snow.
Zoro wasted a full second to growl at himself and then dashed forward in a flurry of powdery snow to still try and catch his dinner. Unfortunately for the wolf, the rabbit was faster, and was gone the instant the sound of an enemy reached its long ears. This left Zoro biting at pure white snow where the small animal had been mere moments ago.
"Dammit!" Zoro cursed under his breath as he swiped his claws angrily at a passing bit of snow.
The battle scarred wolf stalked away with his head lowered and his ears flat against the side of his head, a clear sign he wasn't in a good mood. He made his way down toward the trail that ran through the woods. It was one men often traveled and he knew it would lead him closer to the human's village and he might get some scraps to eat there. Nothing as good or filling as rabbit but it was something.
His empty stomach grumbled in displeasure but he tried his best to ignore it. After a few minutes of trudging through the deep snow Zoro found his way onto the man trail, the snow was less deep here and easier going for him. In record time he found himself on the edges of the village.
The sun was just beginning to set over the forest as he sat at the outskirts, waiting for darkness to fall before sneaking into the inner reaches of the human world. As he was sitting in the snow, with the fluffy white flakes falling slowly and gently on his already silver fur, the wolf heard another creature approach his position. He knew it wasn't trying to be hidden by the amount of noise it was making. A moment later a small black and white dog sat herself down next to the much larger wild hunter.
"You don't look well at all, cousin Wolf. The winter has been difficult for you, eh?" The house dog stated with a half grin. "This wild life of yours will kill you sooner or later."
Zoro scowled at the pet beside him. "Shove off, Dog. I'm in no mood for your too high and mighty attitude. And, I'm just hungry enough that you're lookin a little tasty."
"You can call me Tashigi, that's what my human calls me at least." The black and white dog didn't seem intimidated in the least by the larger animal's thinly veiled threat on her life. "Why don't you work for the humans like I do and have the food given to you? You won't go hungry that way."
A soft growl issued from the throat of the silver furred wolf as he huffed in clear aggravation. "You're annoying, little pet. As if any human would just take in a wolf off the street to work for him."
Tashigi chuckled lightly. "I can easily fix that for you. Come with me to my master and you can share my work load. As long as you don't slack off you'll be fed every day and have a warm place to sleep at night."
Zoro bit back a retort and actually seemed to think about the offer. His stomach again growled in demand of food. He slowly nodded and got to his paws in order to follow Tashigi to her master.
The black and white house dog seemed happy enough to lead the wolf towards the human village, however, the wild animal was nervous about this whole situation. He followed the human's pet around the borders of the town, heading for the opposite side of it. Obviously she wasn't as naïve as she seemed and knew that humans and wolves didn't usually get along very well.
About half-way round the village Zoro started noticing something odd about his fellow canine's appearance. Since he was the one following her, he had a pretty good view of the back of her neck, and he saw that her fur was kinda worn and ruffed up around a certain spot. Despite telling himself that he didn't care, Zoro was rather curious, 'cause he had never seen a mark like that on an animal before.
"Yo mutt," Zoro started, trying to sound as uncaring as possible. "What is that mark around your neck?"
Tashigi looked back at him in confusion for a moment, then seemed to realize what he was talking about. She shrugged her shoulders and explained. "Oh, that? It's nothing really. That's just where my human puts his collar on, to keep me chained up at night. It chafes a bit but you'll get used to it soon enough. It's a small price to pay for shelter and food."
"Is that all?" Zoro halted in his steps and frowned deeply at the little black and white house pet he had been following. Tashigi looked back at him, cocking her head and wondering why he had stopped. "It might be a small price to pay for you, Dog, but I wouldn't be caught dead being a slave to the humans. That's all you are, no matter how you disguise it. You trade freedom for safety and pride for security. I'd rather go back to the woods and die tomorrow as a free creature than live for twenty more years as a fat, collared, human plaything."
With that being said the silver furred wolf turned on his heels and loped off, leaving the still confused dog behind him. Zoro didn't stop until he reached the shelter of the trees again. Night had fallen long ago and the sky was open and clear letting the millions of stars shine through. He breathed in the free air and promised himself he would not go back to that village again.
=0=
Moral- It is better to starve free than to be a fat slave.
The moment I read this I couldn't picture anyone but Tashigi as the house dog and since her rival is Zoro that automatically made him the wolf. I instantly drew a parallel between the little pet dog and its relationship with humans as Tashigi is with the marines. She follows orders from those above her and doesn't even notice the collar around her neck to be led around by whoever is in control. As Zoro said, trading her own personal freedom for the security her master provides.
I think her eyes were opened a little wider during the War of the Best but we'll have to wait and see if she's learned anything in the two years since.
