Back in the Alleyway

A confused look washed over Zoro's face as he watched the little old woman study her crystal ball. He couldn't see what was so interesting about it, just seemed like a weird clear little ball. It wasn't like it radiated a glow or had anything out of the ordinary floating inside of it. He didn't get it, the woman told him to sit down yet she continued to stare into her ball. Zoro was beginning to lose patients with her. "Soooo what did you want old lady."

"Shhh I'm looking into inevitable. Hush or you'll make me lose my concentration." Her hands waved over the orb and she seemed to whisper something incoherent under her breath. Zoro cocked an eyebrow at her odd behavior, not accustomed to the gypsy way of life, too much superstition for his taste. He cared more for tangible reality not invisible fiction. It was just the way he'd always been, some would say a nonbeliever, but what can you really believe in these days. Is there a God or how about a government that works for the greater good or even the supposed outlaws that do more good than harm in the world? Who do you put your belief in?

"Ugh I don't have time for this. Thanks for the silence and empty stares but I think I'll just be on my way now." He finally said after a few more moments. He didn't see the point in sitting ideally at a table across from a weird little gypsy women and her magic ball. It was a waste of his time and to think he hardly even got a chance to look around before this lady pulled him into whatever this was.

"Stay where you are, after all it must be hard to move around with all those wounds bound the way they are." He stopped moving; not even attempting to get out of his chair and looked back at her. She was looking dead at him, her expression hardly changing but looking a bit more ominous. She looked as if she was tired but her eyes shown to be way different, they were full of wonder. Why this was he had no idea but he was bound to find of what exactly her gain was.

"Wait how do you..? How do you know all of this?" Zoro questioned softly as he folded his arms together and placed them on the table, a more comfortable position since it seemed like he was going to be here for a while. Plus, it took a lot just to stand and walk off; the whole walk to town was a minor hell although he refused to show it.

"I can see right through you. I know what you've been through and what will happen next. What you did was very brave. Stupid but brave." She let out a little smile. Zoro hated this, how on Earth could anyone else know what went down unless they were there when it happened. Regardless of how she knew, it didn't matter the truth was out. It didn't worry him however after all she didn't look like the gossiping type.

"Ok you got my attention, but what do you really want from me? How do you know all of this and why are you telling me?" She smiled a genuine smile; perhaps it was because she enjoyed the company, that or it amused her to see confusion work its way onto the young man's face. "Well it didn't take much to convince you now did it?"

Zoro said nothing only narrowing his eyebrows at the woman, urging her to explain herself. The two looked back at each other in silence and after some time as well as a few serious glares she sighed and continued talking, "As I told you I can see right through you, as if you were an open book. You see I'm a fortune teller; this crystal ball you've been staring at so eagerly has the capability to allow me to peak into a certain window of time. It only works, however if you know what you are looking for."

"Sounds a little farfetched if you ask me, honestly I don't believe in fairy tales and voodoo magic. Hell you can hardly get me to understand and accept the delusion that is the devil fruit users. I don't quite understand how that's magic or some other strange force but I've learned to accept the fact that they exist just like all other kinds of weird I've come across on the grand line. A fortune teller doesn't surprise me one bit." Zoro said calmly but how she'd come across the information regarding him made him wonder. Perhaps it was some voodoo magic or something. Who knows, it really didn't matter anyway he's still going to believe in was he knows, physical proof and fact, nothing more.

"I suppose if there's no sure way of making you believe than maybe it best to let you carry on in your stupor. After all isn't that what most people do, walk around enjoying their miserable span of existence until they become blind to the inevitable. Young man you're not immortal and whether or not you want to believe it or not you will die. Sooner if not later, it's all a matter of time and as I see it if carry on this charade it'll be of your own doing." Her words came out as smooth as silk and weighted on the man as if they were led bricks.

"Alright I've had enough of this... " With one swift movement, he stood from his seat, nearly knocking it to the floor in the process. His sore body ached even under limited amounts of stress but this caused his body to tension without meaning to, wincing in discomfort.

"You know it's infected, don't you? That's why it's not healing." Her eyes softened out of genuine concern and seem to flashed something foreign that he couldn't place. But there was one thing she did know and that was he was destroying himself for no good reason.

"I don't need your pity old woman." Hers or anybody else's, too many people sticking their noses into his business and now it was this old hag. How she found out was no longer his concern, she knew and that was that end of story. Nothing can change what has already been done. Zoro was strong without a doubt but his stubbornness even seemed to outweigh his power.

"That pride of yours is going to be the death of you I hope you can understand that." The women clasped her hands together as she watched the young man. She knew what she was talking about and so did Zoro, although he'd never admit it, she was right.

"I'll take my chances; I tend to have very good luck." He stood up straight pushing in the chair in its place under the table. As he expected it was a complete waste of time.

"That may be so however sometimes luck isn't always enough. I urge you to take this with you just in case. Think of it as a gift from a crazy old lady." The woman pulled a small charm out from one of her long sleeves. It was a curious looking trinket, small enough to fit inside her palm. It was a carving of some sort of sadistic beast with horns and wings. Quite odd for it to be the sort of thing that is supposed to bring you good fortune.

"So this little thing will bring me luck or something?" He reached out one of his arms and took the carving from her hand and studied it for a moment.

"Well I never said that but it will bring you your destiny." Zoro cocked an eyebrow at the last words she uttered. He looked closer at the little demon looking figure with little ruby eyes and sharp teeth. Ugly looking thing.

Zoro growing more and more skeptical the longer he was in her presents. First, she dumps all she knows on him, and then she feels it necessary to tell him about his destiny. He knew what he was put on this Earth to do and that was to become the world's greatest swordsman. Unless this trinket can sharpen his blades, it was useless.

"Gee thanks lady. I'm going to be off now. Thank you for the umm fortune telling and everything I guess." A shudder ran down his spine as he halfheartedly thanked the woman. He put the creepy little charm in his jacket pocket along with his hands.

"Remember what I said pirate hunter." With that he turned heel and continued to walk down the crooked ally way. 'What a weird woman..' He sighed deeply feeling a tad more relaxed now that he was alone once again. 'Why does it seem like everyone's out to get me today?'

He walked until he met the end of the ally way. It led out of the town where there was more of ravenous vegetation. The cobblestone road went out another couple feet before coming to the edge where the grass had grown over. It was an uneven surface that made it awkward to walk on.

He looked around in all directions noting that he was truly alone, at least for the time being. The walls that acted like a hallway for the urchins of the city frayed out at the end. Tall walls of stone and granite led out to the dense forest covered in lush green vines.

He leaned up against the soft plant covered stone. Breathing deeply the warm breeze that rolled by. He closed his eyes for a moment, steadying himself. He shakily raised his right arm to his abdomen and felt the bandages underneath tenderly.

He seethed even with the lightest touch. He bit his bottom lip as he leaned closer into the wall. He ran his hand down the length and over to his side where the gash had been. It pulsed in time with his beating heart. He lifted his thin gray jacket up to get a good look only to see a mass of soiled bandages crisscrossing his body.

He gently tugged his jacket back down and sank further into the wall. He rested his head back against the fresh leaves and looked up at the sun and the blue sky. He pulled the charm from his pocket and watched it glisten in the light. "Creepy little thing aren't you huh?" He twirled it in his fingers. "Gonna bring me to my destiny, right? I wonder what that means."

Shrugging it of he tossed the small trinket in the air and caught it in his fist before cramming his hand back into his pockets. Setting his eyes forward he pulled himself away from the wall and forced his legs forward towards the forest. There was something about it that drew him to it. Calling his name and whispering incoherent things. With that he wondered off into the forest.