I Don't own One Piece, and I'm glad I don't. I don't have to spend half my life righting a massive story that never seems to end. Wow! What pressure.

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Anime Episode: 49

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Tashigi's Heart: Being Watched

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Last Chapter - "Don't explain! Just come with me."

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On that day the blazing hot sun was doing his very best to burn the small amount of clouds that were in the sky away. It was a glorious day, one to be enjoyed, the sun was not too hot though. There was a cool breeze that blew through the town, straight up from the sea. I loved the way it made the air smell of salt, how the birds basked in the different air currents, effortlessly gliding from one to another, and how the Barracks' flag fluttered and flapped in the wind.

Coming up the hill to the marine base was one of my favorite walks. Seeing the beautiful, white building standing firm and true at the top of the hill, like a beacon for any who needs it. The marine base was pristine, clean, and tidy, something a lot of places are lacking in.

On that day it was different, I had an unemployed guest. Well... more like a possible new recruit. A very ungrateful one. Anyway, once I entered the building and turned down a few corridors, I lost him and had to look for him for 10 minutes before I found him. I don't understand how someone could get lost so easily, I'm the one who's short-sighted in fact it was a miracle in itself that I found him again, that green hair was a helpful give away. After I found him I brought him back to the area I had intended to bring him.

I picked up a broom and bucket and pointed to the mop. "Here, Lucky for you, our Janitor quit this morning."

I look up into his blurry face, "Once you start working for the Marines you'll never have to worry about money problems ever again, There will always be a job here for you." That should cheer him up, being given a job just like that.

"Not a Chance in Hell! I don't work for Marines!" His voice sounded rough and course as if he was embarrassed, angry or maybe both.

How dare he! Why was he getting anger with me?! Who did he think he is?

"You can't leave now! I expect to be paid back for my glasses, maybe when you finish cleaning up the floors you can work on cleaning up your attitude if this is the way your going to repay my kindness."

Clean up you attitude! Clean up your face! Clean up your clothes! Wash your mouth out! I could tell he had been drinking lately he smelt like he had recently be drowning in booze. Ahhhh, disgusting! Cleaning would definitely be a good job for him it would help him to see dirty he actually was. His cloths smelt like he wore them everyday. He smelt like booze, unwashed body, a faint smell of smoke, and ... the sea? Well anyway I was doing everyone a favor by taking him off the public streets and giving him a job to help him stay out of trouble. At least now he might start smelling of detergent.

"Ah Crap!" Wait! was that him? Did he just said that, that despicable!...

"Sergeant Major! It's time for training."

Saved by the call...

"I'll be back to check on you." I turned away from him and followed the others to the training grounds. In some ways I was glad to out of his presence. He had such a selfish attitude and totally disregarded my offer. I did see him turn my way and give me a second glance when the two officers addressed me as 'Sergeant' but then most men do. They don't think it realistic for a woman to join the marines, they think it's a joke or a skit for fun. It's only when I actually start giving orders that people take me seriously.

During practice today I had the weirdest feeling, I was doing my best as usual and going through the steps well, but the feeling of dread wouldn't leave me, the sense that I was being watched, but whenever I took a glance around no one out of the ordinary was there, but I was sure that someone or something was watching my every move like a predator watching it's prey. My fears were confirmed later on that day when some of the Men started shouting from the outer courtyard that they had seen Roronoa Zoro in the corridors. Roronoa Zoro! The pirate Hunter! In a marine base! How did that happen? How did he get in?

We Swordsmen, from the courtyard, rushed back into the halls after hearing the news, preparing for the worst, but we caught no sign of him. Either he hadn't been there to begin with or he had found what he wanted and left. Even if that had been the case what was he doing in this building in the first place? I ordered the men to do a sweep of the building and inspect any suspicious characters.

Then I remembered the new Janitor, and walked back to where he was supposed to be working. He was no longer there, but there were two men lying on the floor who had been knocked unconscious. And a group of worried on-lookers were checking them over.

"What happened here!" I bent down to check on them.

"They seemed to have been attacked, but there is no sign of who's responsible."

I glanced around for the green-haired stranger, but he was nowhere in sight. Then I saw the note. Was is a ransom note? Had he just been taken? Was he a criminal with a record and Zoro had come into a marine base just to catch him. What was going on here?

I opened the note and it read, "New Glasses?" What! what is that supposed to mean? How did Zoro know I needed new glasses? No, I know! Mr. Attitude had been writing a note to me when he got attacked and Zoro had taken both him, and the marines out, and to show his cockiness and resentment to authority, he wanted to us to get confused by this note, but I know exactly who he has taken. Zoro must have a sick sense of humor to steal someone else's money and note and drop it on someone else's body just to make a point. I am thankful he didn't kill anyone.

However! Now is not the time for this. I need to alert Captain Smoker to the fact that there has been an attack at headquarters and organize the troupes to find and capture Zoro for assaulting Marine officers and question him about the capture of that man.

I tried to reach Captain Smoker on his Snail dial, but for some reason he just didn't answer. So I gave orders to the men and left to pick up Shigure. It didn't matter to me if she wasn't looking perfect yet, there was no way I was going into battle against a legendary pirate hunter with a dull, cheap, blade.

I had to have Shigure.