Title: No Substitute
Author: Maedhros
Anime: One Piece
Pairings: None obvious, but readers are free to assume whatever it is that pleases them.
Summary: After an ill-fated incident, the Go Merry are seeking to replace Zoro.
Chapter 1: Prologue
Ghostly steps paused several yards shy of the red vast clad figure perched on the figure head as a strong gust jingled the melodic sounds of wind chimes. The advancing shadow staggered back slightly, as if hesitant, then the stealthy footsteps resumed again as he moved unobserved along the curve of the Go Merry, past the mast, onto the bow ahead.
Three swords clattered noiselessly at his hip when he came to an erupt halt. Zoro bore his gaze into the indifferent back of his captain, all words deserted him and left him empty. He couldn't bring himself to say goodbye. And even if he wanted to, the deafening roar of the grey water below would swallow his words, weighting them down with the unnaturalness of this world. Against the rubber man's silhouette the colourless clouds flitted to and fro as the deafening roar of the ocean heightened like a stereo turned on too loud, but despite his crippled senses, he could only hear too well what was spoken next.
"Naaaaami, I want a swordsman!"
Don't speak nonsense. Zoro scowled darkly. You already have one, you have me. I AM here.
He vaguely caught Nami's blithe voice over the roaring of a soundless gale. "Why a swordsman? I thought you wanted a musician."
Luffy… Don't you even consider it! He grinded his teeth tightly together, he wasn't usually one to object what his captain desires, but he wasn't one to accept some second ranked bastard to replace him either.
He looked at his hands. The thought of being replaced sent a sting of powerlessness and bitterness in Zoro's chest. He never even considered the possibility that Luffy would abandon him, Zoro had always count on that solid fact when traveling through the uncertainness of the Grand line. The guy practically lacks the ability to discard anything, much less his first mate. Why now? Why him?
He wanted to bash his head against the mast and let its splitters wake him from this nightmare, then ram some sense into his crew mates, starting with his captain, then the money-obsessed navigator, then the love cook, then the village idio… but his body betrayed him too when his form phased through the hard lumber and sent him tumbling to the other side. Zoro stared at his trembling hands.
It was futile, nothing was solid under his touch.
Kuina… is this what it means to wander the land of the dead?
Sitting there disconsolately, the first mate slowly brushed his short green hair with a calloused hand, his other hand lightly grasping the black bandana on his left bicep.
"Naaaaaaami, lets get a swordsman!"
Stop this nonsense, I am here! His holler fell upon deaf ears but left his throat raw and throbbing. Zoro leaned wearily against the sides of the ship, gasping for air all the while watching the unsympathetic back of his captain. The hoarseness of his breathing made him feel disgusted at himself for sounding so weak, so unworthy of his former title of being the East Blue demon. By the time his panting subsided, his body felt overly heavy and drained. His drooping gaze shifted to the blurring figures aboard the ship.
I stayed as promised, what more do you want?
From behind him, the grey clouds whizzed by like shooting stars towards east, unseen, unheard, and nonexistent to all but the swordsman himself.
End Chapter 1: Prologue
Next: The Tall Tale
Confused? Like? Dislike? Constructive criticisms? All welcome with open arms.