ZORO

The heat had become unbearable by midday.

Sweat dripped down my face like a waterfall. I tried to lick the sweat as it came near my mouth to preserve water, but my attempts were useless.

How easy it would be to just stop trying to eat… to drink… to do anything at all…

I shook my head and let out a grunt to remind myself I was still alive. Suddenly her face popped into my mind… the smiling, big-eyed girl I had loved so dearly in my youth…

I had made a promise. I refused to die in a place like this.

Roronoa Zoro was not one to break promises. He was not one to die either. He had to become the greatest swordsman first. With that thought filling my head, I lifted my head high with a smile.

SHIT. When had that scrawny straw hat guy gotten there?! What the hell?

"You, again?" I grunted, refusing to break eye contact with him. I couldn't help but notice how intense they were. He had such a warm face, and yet this dark, passionate eyes…

My thoughts were broken off as he said in his scratchy, developing voice, "I'll untie you, but only if you promise to join my crew."

I lifted an eyebrow. He wasn't wasting any time. Wait, did he just say crew? To a pirate hunter? "Your… what?"

"I run a pirate crew. I'm looking for people to join… I could really use a first mate," he said with a big smile, walking closer to me and tapping his finger on my nose. I felt myself softening ever so slightly. Why did he have to be such a cute kid?

I shook my head in disgust and gave a smirk. "No way. I would never stoop to joining up with a criminal," I spat out. "Screw that business."

He let out an exasperated sigh, and angrily put his hands on his hips. "What's wrong with being a pirate?!" he exclaimed defensively.

My eyes widened, shocked I had to explain this. "They're despicable! Like I'd ever want to join up with one! Sheesh!"

The stupid kid started laughing, and gave me a wink. "Oh, come onnnn. Everyone already knows you as some awful and vicious bounty hunter who's out for blood!" He giggled, again, and flicked my head gently with his fingers. The nerve of this brat…

"Well, they can say whatever they want about me, but I have NEVER done a single thing in my life that I regret." Suddenly, my resolve and passion had found its way back into my veins, and I confidently said, "I will make it through with this challenge."

The kid eyed me up and down, and then smiled warmly. I felt warmth enter my own body. I had forgotten what it was like for someone to look at me like I was a person, again. Of course, I would never let him know I appreciated him acknowledging my humanity, so obviously I kept my smirk on my face. Couldn't let this cocky bastard know I may actually enjoy his company.

"And after that… I'll accomplish what I want!" I added triumphantly, refusing to let him get the best of me.

His eyes widened, looking slightly concerned. "Uh… yeah… That's real great… But, we have a slight problem, Mr. Tough Guy. I've already decided that you're going to be on my crew!"

My head, which had fallen to my chest due to it being much more comfortable, suddenly snapped back up to look at him. He was smiling proudly, and I felt anger rush over me. Forget if he treated me like a human and not a criminal! He didn't own me!

"WHAT?! YOU CAN'T DO THAT!" Damn him!

He crossed his arms smugly, clearly enjoying getting a rise out of me. How had I fallen for his dumb little trick? "I hear you're the best swordsman around… It could just be a rumor, though…"

My anger increased, and I barked out, "Well, I AM… But that idiot captain and his son took mine away…"

I missed the cool metal of my blades… The instinct with which I led them… They always seemed to know just where I needed them to go. They felt like their own person, rather than an object I controlled.

The kid's smile became even more smug, which was something I didn't think to be possible. His voice dropped to a whisper, and he teasingly, almost flirtingly, said, "Well. I guess I'll just have to get them back then."

My mouth dropped, my voice catching in my throat as I uttered out, "What?"

His coy little smile suddenly turned into a big grin which took up his whole face, and he said excitedly, "Yeah! So if you want your sword, you're just gonna have to join my crew!"

I felt my face flush with anger once more. This son of a bitch! Damnit!

With all the force left in my body, I yelled, "NOW YOU'RE REALLY PISSING ME OFF!"

With a cheerful, childish laughter, he went running off. His glee seemed to be propelling him, and I couldn't help but marvel at him.

He was annoying. He was cocky. He was inconsiderate and demanding, very selfish. However, from the looks of it, he seemed as if he was really going into the base. I was shocked. He was actually going to get my swords back? He was willing to risk that just so I could join a pirate crew? What baffled me even more was that he was going alone into such a risky and dangerous place. The Marines had been corrupt, and I felt myself worrying slightly for his safety. He was a punk, but he was young and he had a lot of spirit. As much as I hate to admit it, it would have killed me to see those bastards crush his spirit.

I snapped myself out of my own thoughts and realized the idiot had taken off in the complete opposite direction of the base. What. A. Freaking. Idiot.

"Hey, genius! Base is in the other direction! Idiot!" I called haughtily. How did he have a pirate crew?

I put my head down in shame, annoyance, frustration, and many other emotions with which I wanted to forget with a nice midday nap. Suddenly, though, I heard the kid give a grunt, and yell, "GUM GUM…. ROCKET!"

I looked up and felt my eyes widen and mouth drop as suddenly he stretched his arms to grab the base and went flying towards it. What the actual hell was this kid's problem?!

What the hell was this guy?