Loanshark had asked for one with the monster trio and the weak trio after the two years and Daaaarn, I didn't want to update two Nami's in a row, but this just wrote itself. Speculation on my part but I really don't think Nami or Usopp or Chopper would have ever killed someone. No romance, really just two friends talking. This is by iPhone so no spell-check unfortunately. I'm going to Avignon, probably really no wifi now. ;( enjoy.
Thanks German Girl(I love these little moments too, I guess I'm just thinking about this 24/7 ;))
(Zoro knows determination steel-hard and ice-cold. He understands the raw, brimming need to protect and the chilling but sweet temptation, to press a second longer and snap a neck, to cut an inch deeper and end a heart.)
"Why'd you stop me?"
Zoro opens one eye at the question and then yawns, much to Nami's displeasure. However, for once she does not try to yell or smack him into movement but folds her arms and waits. That is how Zoro knows she is serious.
(Zoro knew and so when Nami swung down with her Clima-Tact in what would had been a killing blow, he stepped beside her and brought Shusui up, forcing their weapons to meet halfway.)
"He had already taken a bad hit," Zoro points out, referring to the enemy pirate Nami had faced in battle. "Another blow like that would have killed him."
A flinch is carefully hidden but not to those who are looking for it. Zoro's eyes narrow and Nami, sensing the scrunity, lashes out.
"What point were the two years if I'm not strong enough? I can do it," Nami snaps and swings around to pace along the balustrade. However her anger cools as fast has it burned and Zoro waits until her breathing evens out as she rubs her eyes with the edge of her palms. When she turns back, her gaze is pained and pleading. "I have to be able to do it Zoro."
That is the truth, or at least that is the truth as Nami sees it and Usopp and Chopper probably think it; that they must be strong in battle, as ruthless as Zoro and as swift as Sanji. The swordsman does not protest or deny it, only closes his eyes. When he finally answers it is this:
"It's true if you kill a man, he's gone forever, you're safe. If you let him live, you have to spend the rest of your life looking over your shoulder in case he comes after you or worse-someone aroud you. But Nami," Zoro thinks of the scar on Nami's hand and the tattoo on her shoulder as he meets her gaze. "We always knew you were strong enough to kill a man," A pause before he continues, so quiet it is almost gentle. "You need to know you're brave enough not to. "
