Chapter 2 Intertwine Fate (Remade)

Zoro's POV

Zoro stands in front of the debris blocking their way, pondering their alternatives, seeing them, he unsheathe his three katana and using one of his techniques slashes a high-pressure air through the hallway, knocking away debris and extinguish fires. Tashigi watched in amazement, 'I thought my skill with the katana is sufficient, but I never know anyone with this kind of skill' Tashigi thought to herself as Zoro keep pulling her through the ships.

Just as they almost make it to the top, the plank they step on give away and they plunge into the ship, Zoro is able to catch Tashigi with one hand while holding on at the edge.

Zoro tries to pull Tashigi up, but can't get enough momentum to follow though.

"You ought to go on a diet" Zoro joked to Tashigi, surprised by his ability to joke at such a life and death situation, and prepare himself for the witty remark she's throw back at him.

"Yeah, you are right, I am just a burden. I have no right to wish for your help" Tashigi reply with a hint of sadness in her tone as she tried to let go off Zoro's hand so that Zoro can pull himself up, but was surprise to find out that the moment she let go, Zoro grabs harder onto her wrist preventing her from falling.

"Who give you permission to let go? I don't remember saying I would let you go, did I?" Zoro reprise Tashigi in a stern yet cheerful voice to try to sooth her.

"But I'll just drag you down" Tashigi cry out in despair, "I am just a burden, you said women can never become a swordsman, you think that it's just a fantasy, you can even look me in the face"

"I don't mean it like that, it's just….every time I look at your face, my head hurts, my logic broke down and my hurt race and pained…I don't know what to do" Zoro yelled back at Tashigi as his voice gradually reduce to a whisper.

"………"Tashigi was stunned by the words; she had thought that Zoro is just another heartless pirate who kill for a living, never have any sort of emotion. Sure she had fancy Zoro to have some sort of emotion or maybe she had hoped, but she just dismisses it as fantasy until now.

Zoro's hand slips a little and they plunge several inches, wood splinters dug into Zoro's hand, but he held on. "I promised myself that I would be the best swordsman alive, but I also promised that I would never let her or anybody I care for die, I am not about to break that promise"

Tashigi's POV

To say Tashigi is surprised would be an understatement, 'Zoro actually cared about someone, and to think that I was one of them'…Tashigi's heart was filled with joy but at the same time the realization that she too, care about him and wanted him to live.

"I also made a promise to myself" Tashigi calmly told Zoro, "That I would retrieve all the famous katana from the hands of evil, and to prove that justice exist, but I see marine doing is hiding the truth and shielding the evil and rich while watching you and your crew serving justice and saving country after country. You have no idea what it's like to have your belief taken away, broken down into so many pieces. I want to hate you for breaking my belief, I really thought I do, but now…I don't know what I believe anymore. I have no goal left, but Zoro, you still haven't complete your promises, that why you should live"

With that, She carefully lift her face up and stare at Zoro one last time, before she lean her face at Zoro's hand looking for the last bit of warmth, before she force Zoro to let go of her hands, and dropped into the darkness below.

Tashigi closed her eyes thinking through her decisions to let go. 'I wonder if Zoro can escape? I wouldn't want that Wadou Ichimonji to sink into the bottom of the ocean; it would have been a shame'

Suddenly Tashigi feel something around her and open her eyes in shock to see Zoro right next to her. "What did you think you are doing, dropping off like that" said a very pissed Zoro.

Zoro's POV

"I told you I got a promise to keep, and I wasn't going to let anyone break it, even if it's you" Zoro reply with a stern look on his face as he embrace himself around Tashigi and anticipate for the fall.

"What could possibly be more important then being the best swordsman in the world? Huh? Don't lied to me….I can't be that important to you" Tashigi's eye is filled with tears as she pounds on Zoro's chest and cries her heart out.

"You" was the short reply Zoro gave Tashigi before they plunged into the water-filled hull of the burning pirate ships.

As they plunge into water, Zoro holds Tashigi with one hand while the other reach for his Katana as he attempts to hack open the side of the hull. As Zoro set to perform one of his Katana skills.

However, Zoro forgot the water pressure from the outside and once he broken a large enough hole, debris and waters continue to pour into the hull at a faster speed.

Despite the obstacles Zoro carefully navigate through debris avoiding being hit while working on swimming to the side.

Perhaps it's because he's so intent on getting out of here, he didn't notices as he hit himself on the head near the edge of the opening, knocking himself out.

Tashigi's POV

Tashigi can feel Zoro's grip loosen as he drag her across the water, She quickly look up to see Zoro choking in the water and fall unconscious. "Zoro!" She frantically shakes Zoro to try to wake him up, but it's useless as bubbles continue to escape from his mouth, realizing it might be too late, Tashigi swim towards the surface while dragging Zoro, as she try her best to hold her own breath and not pass out.

"Almost there" Tashigi thought to herself as the light grow brighter and brighter and finally with a loud gasp she inhales the fresh air as the surface welcomes her. Looking around she quickly saw one of the small boats that she was brought in and drag now motionless Zoro on to it.

Tashigi quickly check Zoro's pulse and breath, although she can feel some slight beating, but Zoro's not breathing and his face is starting to turn green from the lack of oxygen.

"You can't die Zoro, not after what you said….Please…wake up!" Tashigi whispers to Zoro as she tries to pump Zoro's chest to push out the water. Little by little, Tashigi felt Zoro's heart getting stronger and starts to move as Zoro sputter out the seawaters he took in. Finally, Tashigi feels Zoro moving and his eye slows open, revealing a weary orb.

Zoro's POV

'Huh? Where am I?' Zoro thought to himself as he tries to adjust to the bright sunlight, but he was distracted as droplets of water hit him. He look up to see a crying Tashigi above his face as tears continue to drop.

"You don't look too well" Zoro commented sarcastically as he struggles to sit up, but Tashigi's arm holds him down, preventing him from moving at all. "err, I think you could let go now" Zoro was thinking what kind of follow up remark he should use before his vision darkens again as Tashigi lean over him and starts to wail, tears flowing in earnest.

Tashigi's POV

Try as she may, Tashigi can't seem to stop her tears at all, not that she really cared, the way Zoro laying against her make her felt so comfortable and warm despite the chilly winds and their damp clothes. Mixed emotions hit her as her heart raced at their close proximity. Suddenly realize that her damp shirts are quite revealing, she yelp and let go of Zoro, trying to cover herself. Now blush in deep red, Tashigi is able to some what control he tears, as embarrassments replaces guilt. As Tashigi tries her best to cover herself, She was abruptly cut off as Zoro sits up in the cramps boat and turn around to bear hug her. Tashigi was shocked, but she quickly relaxed into his embraces as she closed her eyes and smiles tears forming at the end of her eyes, but at least this time, it was the tears of happiness.

Zoro's POV

Zoro have no idea what came over him as he felt Tashigi's hand left his body, he felt suddenly very vulnerable as he looks up to see what happened. Upon seeing the embarrassed face of Tashigi, something in Zoro's brain snapped and Zoro just hug Tashigi into a tight embrace before his brain really register anything.

"I am Sorry... I shouldn't have done that" Zoro whisper to Tashigi apologetically, although he made no attempt to let go. Tashigi just hug him even harder, although perhaps a little to hard, causing Zoro to gag. Tashigi quickly tries to loosen her grip, but Zoro places his hand on her back to stop her. "Please, don't let go, I am fine really, I am sorry I made you worried"

"Stop that...please, it's all my fault. If only I hadn't step on that banana peel" Tashigi fumbles over her wording as she stutter out one reason after another. "I almost killed you! Why did you have to jump after me?"

"I thought I told you already, it's because of you, I can't live knowing that I had let you go, besides, I get to meet you right? We haven't seen each other for a long time. I can't believe how much I really missed you"

"But you could have died! Why did you have to hit your head?"

Zoro respond by pulling out Tashigi's wet glasses from his pocket and handed it to her.

"I was trying to get your glasses, and I didn't notices what's in front of me. So Stop it, okay? Besides I can to see your smiles. And your beautifully revealing body" Zoro adds the last comment to try to tick Tashigi off to cheer her up, but he got much more then he bargain for.

As Zoro open his eyes he was surprise to see Tashigi's face right in front of him, before he can say anything, Tashigi close in their distances as Zoro felt Tashigi's soft lip touching his, as she forcefully pushes forward.

Zoro find Tashigi's hands and clasps them tightly together as his minds goes blank, trying to register his feelings.

Tashigi's POV

"You pervert" She hums jokingly into Zoro's month, hoping he can hear her. However, Zoro took the chance as he push his tongue into Tashigi's month, earning a surprised sign from her as their tongues intertwine and locked together. Each relaxing in their arms as their kisses last what seems like forever.

Finally, both of them break apart from lack of air, faces flushed from embarrassment and bloods rushing. For a moment they just stare at each other with mixed expressions, both wondering why the other acted this way.

"I think I am in love" Tashigi whispers as warm ear blow on Zoro's ear, making him tremble.

"You know what? I think I do too" Zoro whispers back as he lean down for another kiss from his new found love. Actually, he wasn't surprised at all, because deep down, he know back when they meet Rouguetown that they had fallen for each other. Perhaps it's fate that they met today, maybe today isn't so bad after all! Zoro thought as he deepen the kiss and bit on Tashigi's lips savoring every moment they had together.

THE END…..of part I

Author's Notes: Well I actually didn't plan on this ending here now, but it just seems so natural to end here. Don't worry though. I know for sure I'll write a sequel to this, maybe while they wait for rescue and getting stuck on an island…I guess I sort of cut my original plan into pieces. At least it's better then cliffhangers.

It's my first time writing any serious fluff and kissing scene, while I did refer to other work, I hope I didn't do such a bad job.

I seriously need to work on action scene, but that's not really the point of this fic.