Thank you or reading. I don't own One Piece or any of the characters.
"We have gathered together to mourn the loss of one of our own. Nami Swan was a brilliant police detective and a wonderful woman..."
Zoro didn't hear any of the speech as he stared at the cross planted in the ground. He knew, of course, that her body wasn't beneath it. She was buried on a hill overlooking the ocean in her home town; right next to her mother. Zoro felt dead inside. He couldn't believe she was gone. He still expected her to walk around the corner and this would all be some kind of messed up dream. But she hadn't. She had been gone for days. He knew she was dead, but he couldn't believe it. He saw Chopper make his way through the crowds of officers in full uniform and the civilians in black. The speech must have ended. Chopper threw his arms around the larger man and clung on like his own life depended on it.
Tears streamed down Choppers face as his large brown eyes met green. "I am so sorry, Zoro. It's all my fault Nami died. I was there, I should have been able to save her. But I didn't. If I had just been better she would still be here." He was sobbing inconsolably, his words barely recognizable as Zoro looked down at the young man with sadness. The boy who only wanted to help as many people as possible. But because he was the first paramedic on the scene and was unable to save her, he felt like it was his fault.
Zoro grabbed Chopper by the shoulders and leaned down to eye level. "Chopper, listen to me. None of this is your fault. You did everything possible to save her. The only one responsible is the monster that stabbed her. It is not your fault."
Chopper stopped sobbing, but tears still flowed from his eyes. He nodded silently. Usopp came up looking not much better than Chopper. Tears were streaming down his face and a well used handkerchief stuck out of his pocket. He gently grabbed Choppers shoulders and lead him away. With a silent nod to Zoro, the pair left.
Alone again, Zoro stared at the tombstone wishing that his surrounding could disappear. Wishing he could be alone with her. But, being a cop, he was hyper aware of every person around him. Every shuffle, every mournful apology of loss, every nose blown. The only time he had been able to relax in public was when he was with Nami. He had never told her that. Guess he would never be able to now. He wished he could cry for her; to relieve the pain, but nothing came. He wondered how feeling dead inside could also be so painful.
The crowd finally started thinning out leaving him momentarily alone. Presumably they had gone to the little hall in the graveyard for drinks to reminisce about their fallen comrade. He sensed a hulking figure amble up next to him. The shock of blue hair confirmed who it was. Neither man spoke for some time, both staring at the grave.
Finally, Franky broke the silence. "You know she wouldn't blame you for what happened."
Zoro's face settled into a bigger frown, with a humourless bark of laughter. "You kidding me?"
Franky let out a sad little chuckle. "Okay, maybe she would. And she would get you to carry her everywhere. And make you do all her menial tasks. But she would never want you feeling like this. She would know it's not your fault, Zoro." He clapped his comrades shoulder trying to impart some kind of comfort. "You have my number. I will always be here if you need me." The man gave a little squeeze before leaving Zoro alone with his thoughts.
AAAAA I'm sorry T_T I feel really bad but I was inspired to write a touching but sad story. I have another ZoNa one up that i swear to god will have a happy ending. I've put the next chapter up cause this one is a bit shorter.