It's hard at first, y'know, when she died.
Kinda like a void somewhere, sucking, sucking, sucking
"Okay," Master says so simply, so calmly and nicely but the tears still drop with a patter in the silent room, Zoro feels ashamed and he think master can understand because his hand, warm in this sudden coldness, is flat on his shoulder, reassuring and Zoro sniffles, taking a breath before holding the weight, holding the sword.
And oh it's heavy.
Really heavy, like in the soul heavy and the tears start streaming once again, hand joining the cold and Zoro feels all so alone, not having the confidence to look at master's all too calm, somewhat apathetic face, hand suddenly a boulder on his shoulder but Zoro doesn't yield and only bows, taking the sword with him.
He leaves, the others staring at him.
Others... he doesn't know them and they don't know him.
(he doesn't think anyone could know him as well as her)
Zoro walks with his head high, cheeks a type of blotched red which only means tears and too big, white sword almost longer then his own frame in his grasp.
The stares are there until he enters the forest, feet taking him anywhere 'cept he knows, he knows this place where intimate words were shared and dreams to be reached, started and vows by swords and blood and body and soul and
the grave isn't here but her soul is, Kuina's soul hovering with her tear-soaked face hovering over his beaten form until its him blinking up impassively to her problems but solution still there, raising a hand for her to reach but she falls, neck twisting a sort of way that no ones should
Wado Ichimonji slips from his tight-fisted knucles and Zoro collapses onto the floor, hands digging into the grass below and cries piercing the air but hand, hand, warm hand pressed tightly against his back but it's not like Kuina's hand, too small, too real, too
"You will take me," She says, apathetic but joy but mourning but still ice cold, her voice, filling a void, the silence and Zoro takes it.
"Okay," Zoro whispers, words barley leaving his voice.
"You will wield me," Hard, louder, touching his ears and singing in his veins.
"Yes," Zoro gulps, a little louder, a little braver, little boulder, resolve coming to him slowly-
"You will win," Same volume but it's all he knows in his head, his heart, his promise, his-
"I WILL WIN!" Zoro screams, sword lighter, more his shape and seemingly smiling as he rapidly wipes the tears away, standing tall.
The other figure laughs following Zoro as he leaves.