Wow! I think this story is going to be a long one. I have just found out that I love detail and describing things in stories, and so you're going to get it. I will try to update weekly. So please read lots and give me some reviews. :D

I do not own One Piece, and I don't own this story's original idea, only the personal perception of the story. Maybe in a few Chapters time the story will be all mine.

Have a Good Read!

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Tashigi's heart: To Fulfil a promise.

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The once glorious day was quickly becoming a mysterious one as a piercing darkness loomed in on the horizon and seamed to rush toward Logue Town. There was now a chilling wind that whispered your secrets back into the storm's depths promising the absolute ruin to any unguarded heart.

Guard your Heart, Guard your Mind, Remember your Purpose. I kept on reminding myself.

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I stood there up high, waiting for the rain to come, Autumn rain. It's funny how things kept on reminding me of my mission and coming back in signs and symbols. I had never been a superstitious person, and I still don't regard myself as one, but I am changing. I'm more open to different possibilities than I had been before, and I believe that there is a greater existence than what is merely offered to us from the start. I am waiting, waiting, waiting for the right moment to strike.

We had arrived just in time to see the pirates gang up on the strawhat guy.

"Captain Smoker, please come and look at this. Something strange is happening." one of the ensigns called out.

The captain and I both raised our binoculars to see what was happening in the square. I needed to get them readjusted. Oh, it's raining. It was beginning to spinkle just a bit.

"The Kid?" Captain Smoker muttered, "What the Hell is going on?"

"Monkey D. Luffy," I said aloud to myself. It definitely looked like him. "But, it looks like he's going to be killed!"

"Captain shall we commence with the attack?" The panicked young man said.

"No, it'll cause chaos." Smoker answered.

"But just sitting here." the impatient marine started.

Smoker pulled himself up to his full height, which was very tall, "I am the one that's giving out the orders!"

"Y-yes, Sir."

Smoker turned back to look at the square, "Pirates wiping out other pirates, that's exactly the way we want it. We don't have to do a thing." The Captain then turned round to address the other men behind him. "Listen Up! After Straw-Hat Luffy's head gets knocked off, surround Buggy, Alvida, and the rest of their crew! Any Questions?"

There was none.

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The Strawhat boy was captured easily by the other pirates that had only recently arrived on the island, they seem to have a grudge against him for one reason or another, and now had him stuck in one of their make shift stocks. They look like their going to execute him. Smoker told us to wait it out, so that's what we are doing. The pirates where making a huge spectacle of this and had forced a lot of the citizens to stay in the square to watch.

I hate their arrogance. Do they think the marines sleep through the day and night without keeping any watchers.

My hand is itching for a fight, fingers twitching with the anticipation. I want to feel Shigure in the palm of my hand and show these heartless, soulless individuals why I have chosen to fight for the people instead of my own selfishness.

All Pirates are the same down to the core. It doesn't matter what they might look like on the surface, whether they be beautiful or beastly, stealthy or stupid, grand or gutter-trash. They will still act all the same in certain situations, where there is treasure involved they will steal it, where there is a promise to be upheld they will break it, when there crew members are in danger they will make them the scape goat to run for their lives and later pretend to take revenge just for the extra thrill of spilling blood.

Being a Pirate is the lowest and most dishonourable position you can hold. It has no purpose, no honour, no class.

All of them are vulgar.

The Pirate, Buggy the clown, was taunting and laughing at the much younger man's misfortune and standing on his head. That must have really hurt.

Almost in rebellion and denial of the dangerous and deadly position he was in the young pirate yelled at the top of his lungs, "I'M THE MAN WHO WILL BE KING OF THE PIRATES!"

His statement echoed round the square, and the only thing that broke the silence was the sound of the rain hitting the ground and the rooftops.

Buggy laughed and lifted his sword.

"THIS EXECUTION IS CANCELLED!" Two voices made themselves heard from across the other side of the square. I raised my binoculars again to see them. Wait was that the guy I saw earlier?

"ZORO! SANJI!"

I almost dropped my binoculars in shocked, "Zoro?!"

"You really know how to make a ruckus." Aren't you taking this joke a bit too far, luffy?" Zoro looked like he was smiling, "Luffy you idiot! I guess all that fooling around finally caught up with you Huh!?"

"If it's time for the sideshow, I guess I'll make my début as well." Sanji added, "It looks like we just have to get past these shitty pirates."

The crowd started to panic, "P-Pirate Hunter... Z-Zoro!" They scattered like fish before a whale.

Buggy grinned and yelled, "Here at last Zoro? Pity you're just a tad too late!"

The two intruders rushed toward the platform.

I still couldn't believe my eyes, that was, "Roronoa Zoro." That man right there...

Just the two of them rushed into the gang of pirates to get to their captain.

"Try all you want, not even the great Zoro can stop me now!" yelled Buggy. He held his sword up high and brought it down to strike off Luffy's Head. "This is the end of your Captain!"

Smoker turns to speak to us all again. "Remember, once Monkey D. Luffy's head flies, we attack in full force." "Prepare for battle."

"Aye, Sir!"

My eyes were fixed on the scene ahead, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Then a yell was heard from the platform a sort of call out. The Straw-hatted pirate yelled out names, " Zoro! Sanji! Ussopp! Nami! Sorry, I'm dead."

Just then a brilliant lightning blot flashed the clouds and struck the platform in a blinding light. It shattered glass in the nearby buildings and shook the iron platform. And made the wooden top catch alight with flames.

The Platform fell down, and came crashing to the earth. As if nothing had happened the young man got up. "That's nice, I'm OKAY!"

Captain Smoker broke the silence, "Now! Surround the pirates!"

It didn't take long for the second unit to rush into the square, they were quickly overcoming them.

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"The strawhat crew is retreating!"

"Stop them!"

"After them!"

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"Captain we have to pursue the pirates."

"Lieutenant think back, Have you ever seen a pirate smile on the execution platform?"

"No sir, it doesn't matter how tough the guy is. At the moment of death they all turn pale and die in despair."

"That Strawhat man smiled. I saw it. He smiled just like Gold Roger did on that platform 22 years ago, in that exact spot"

"Captain?"

"Where is the Strawhat man Now?" Smoker demanded.

"Sir, he slipped past us, sir and is heading to the harbour." the lieutenant reported.

"Unit one should have destroyed their ship by now."

"Well sir, they had to return to port for a refitting, 'see they couldn't light their power due to the sudden rain."

"Whatttt?!"

"But, a reserve unit is already doing preparations to destroy the ship instead."

I couldn't believe this, I thought we had warned them about this, they should have taken coverings, "Captain Smoker, if we let them sail now they will be able to get to the grand line before we can capture them." Come on we have to do something.

"The wind is blowing to the west, it's a tail wind for that ship." Is this just mere coincidence or does heaven itself have a plan for this young pirate?"

"Catch those Pirates!" He ordered.

I will most certainly do my best.

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I ran as fast as I could. I was finding it hard to see, the rain was falling harder slashing hundreds of droplets into my face. It had already socked me from head to toe, I could feel the droplets running down my face and off my chin.

I knew they would have to come through this way. I would stop them or die trying. On my honour as a marine I will prevent them from escaping.

I suddenly had a flash back of having an ordinary conversation with him at the shop, and giving him advice on his weapons. Why! What was that all for? I had made that statement about swords being used by the wrong people and how I hated pirates, and yet he had just listened.

I stopped this was the right road. They would come down here. I hadn't memorized the layout of the city for nothing. In the distance through the rain I saw three figures approaching. I had made it just in time to intercept them. They slowed down when they saw me.

I called out to him, "So you are Roronoa Zoro the bounty hunter, and pirate."

I just can't believe it. He had to have been laughing at me behind my back the entire time I was with him. After what I did for him. I lead a pirate into a marine base without even doing a check on him. I feel so ashamed. How can I see myself as an upholder of justice if I let people like him by me. Did he think it was funny? Did he knock those men out and leave me money to mock me and to send a clear message that he hated marines. I had felt admiration for him just a few hours ago, and now. Now it's time to finish this schaders life of falsehood, to stop him in his tracks before he deceives someone else into thinking he is a good man. I have had enough of being mocked, why did he do it? What drove him to do it?!

"I... You lied to me!"

The other pirate with blonde hair turned on him then and yelled, "Oh GREAT! What the HELL did you do to that girl?"

"You never asked me what my name was, did you?" Zoro pushed the other two aside to come to the front of their group, "So I never lied did I?!"

Don't you dare get picky and obnoxious with me, PIRATE.

"A scoundrel like you wielding such a magnificent Kantana. There is no way I'm going to let you leave town with 'Wado Ichimonji!' it would be unforgivable. I am confiscating it, right now!"

He tilted his head up and his hand went to the sword in question, "Come and get it."

Darkness seamed to surround us in this area, the rain was getting thicker by the minute. Was I really good enough to fight him yet? I knew what I must do. I must do my duty, and stop Roronoa. If I go no further after today, then at least I know I tried my hardest, and lived unafraid of death. I will fight him. I gnashed my teeth together, this was it. No regrets, no looking back, no mercy. (If there is indeed a God, Please help me.)

I held fast to my Shigure, unsheathed her, and attacked. The lunge was brilliant and perfectly executed and I kept my balance, but Zoro seamed to be a step ahead, moving that beautiful sword into a position to block my attack before it even came close to landing there.

I looked into his eyes. That was a bad move on my part, although it made no difference to me when I had fought many others, but for some reason His glare somehow bore into my soul, seemingly to be reading and searching for my moves in the fight. My hopes and my dreams I had already made known to him there was nothing else he could find there that he did not know already.

When fighting I always used my speed and size to my advantage, attacking quickly and moving away to prepare for another fast thrust, not letting those who were slower and larger than me use their strength against me, but he was different. Zoro used the 'Wado Ichimonij' like a club, bringing it down on my blade with all his strength in that blow. It threw me off balance, and the way he held his sword would allow him to turn one club-like swing into a swift and fast attack to my shoulder if I tried to retreat. I had to block every one to prevent this happening. With our blades locked I saw a smirk spread across his face. It was as if he had done this before, and he knew how to overcome me.

"WHAT A JERK! YOU CAN'T FIGHT A GIRL!" What! who was that idiot?

"I CAN HANDLE MYSELF!" The last thing I want, if I'm going to die by the sword, is help and sympathy from some pirate. The thought of someone like that helping me made me feel sick. I would prefer to die. "THIS A FIGHT BETWEEN THE TWO OF US, I DON'T NEED ANY HELP SO BACK OFF!"

"You heard her, so get out of here."

Well, at least Zoro was taking me seriously. All the extra noise around us faded away. I needed to focus on the here and now, the fight, and nothing else mattered.

Zoro had his sword in a lock with mine, but one of his hands let go. 'Had he not been using his whole strength? I didn't even feel any difference to the pressure the sword was applying to mine.' God, he must be strong. His hand went down to his side, and pulled out the brand new 'Yubashiri' I had been the one to stunned to get up to see it. And now it would be seen in action for the first time in the hands of Zoro.

Well Zoro was known for using three swords, I found it hard to believe why he would need to. He was brilliant, the two swords flew through the air in perfect sinq, his speed and steps were steady. He knocked my blade with one sword then up again with the other, I almost lost my grip. I took a step back to ready myself for another attack, and then another and another.

As his swords were swung at me I found it hard to recover from his heavy strikes, then suddenly I realized I had not being paying enough attention to my surroundings. He had back me up into a wall. I had nowhere else to go. He struck a blow towards my face. I moved my sword to counter the strike, but it was smashed out of my hands and thrown to the ground. His sword landed in the wall, just an inch from my neck. Did he miss on purpose, or was he just intending to kill me with the other sword. Time stood still as I waited for him to finish me off. I could hear the rain drops tinkle as they hit the sword in front of me. I looked down it's blade. I could see a few of my subordinates looking at us in the reflection of the blade, and I was ashamed. How could I be so weak? It wasn't supposed to end like this.

"I can never lose this Kantana no matter what, especially to you!" His eyes flashed in anger, as he made his claim.

In response the rain seamed to be beating me as well becoming heavier it wasn't as if I didn't have enough to feel bad about already, I have never before in my life felt so burdened, as if another's life hood had been slapped onto my shoulders. He was greater than me, and seamed driven by something. I knew then he would never give up his sword for anything. Was it precious to him? Was it worth more to him than Gold? Who is this man really?

He glanced into my face again. What was he looking for? His expression became dead, and his eyes went to his swords. He then dislodged the one that was jammed in the wall, and sheathed both Yubashiri and Wado Ichimonij.

Wait, Sheathed them both...?!

"Bye, I gotta go." He sounded so casual...

I didn't know what to think, I was filled with relief and rage all at once. What just happened? A pirate showing mercy. Such a thing had never occured. He had been holding back throughout the fight. He didn't even think of me as a fighter. I can't bare it.

"WHY DIDN'T YOU KILL ME!" I couldn't stop my thoughts from spilling out of my mouth.

"Is it because I'm a woman? Even though a woman's arm is weaker than a man's it's humiliating to have someone go easy on you in a duel. I doubt you'd understand me, wishing to have been born a man. I didn't pick up this sword to play around, it is not decoration. This is my life!" I didn't care about anything at that moment. I just hated him, and my own exhistance.

"AHHHH! Would you shut up for one second? I can't stand the fact that you exist! You have the same face as a girl I once knew who died a long time ago, and before I know a thing about you your talking just like her. What I want you to do is stop acting like some dead person who you don't even know, and start acting like yourself.

"What a childish rude thing to say! I live my life for my own goals! It's not my fault that I sound like your dead girlfriend. I don't know her, and I regret looking like someone who was friends with you! I had no idea it was so rude and thoughtless of me to be myself. JERK! You' ever think before you talk? Maybe it is she who was acting like me!"

"What did you say?" I didn't think someone could look shocked, confused, amazed, and mad at the same time. What could possibly have been wrong about the what I said. Moron What a stupid way to insult someone.

"I saw the Body. I saw the wound. How can you be here? How is it you look just like her?" His glaring eyes were staring at the ground. And when he finished he glanced up.

Just like who?

Zoro looked me up and down, (gosh I feel so self-conscious) he reached out a hand to my neck. What was he doing?! I batted it away.

At that he slammed me into the wall again, (ow! my back hurt) and stared into my face.

"I swore I'd do this, and I will."

do what?

"I have dedicated my life and would sell my soul to fulfil this promise. Nothing and no one... will get in my way!"

He let go of me and stepped back any sort of shock that came with the result of Zoro's treatment was short lived as there was a sudden, massive gust of wind. It knocked him straight off his feet and sent him flying. I held onto the nearest wall jut that I could find and held on for dear life. What is this demonic wind?

It only lasted for a few seconds and then stopped. I looked down the street, there were tables, goods, and anything and everything left outside had been taken up by the wind and smashed into shops and street corners.

Wait? Where was he? Where were the rest of the men?

I rushed to the docks to find them and to see if I could find him, but I only caught a glimpse of them. The waves smashing against the sides of their ship and tossing it about like the wind does with the seeds of the field.

Where are they going?

I need to find the Captain.

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I arrived at the square in the centre of town to find practically all the marines there. What were they doing? We needed to be more active. They all seemed to be looking at someone.

"What reason is there to stop a man from sailing?" This new comer was shrouded in a cloak. I couldn't see his face.

Captain Smoker looked out to sea, "Set sail!" he demanded to the nearest man. "We're going after him. We'll enter the Grand Line."

Now this was more like it. I want this! I knew there was a reason we got along.

"But..but Captain? Your jurisdiction is this island! What would command say?"

Smoker then turned his head to him. "Tell them, I don't care about orders!"

Yes! I've always been one to follow orders, but I won't let this opportunity die. "I'm going to!"

"Sergeant Major Tashigi!" They sounded concerned. HUH, there are far to many paranoid men in this world.

I walked to the front of the group around the Captain. "What Roronoa did to me was unforgivable! I have to hunt him down. He's mine! I will capture him with my own hands!"

My Captain gave me a strange look and then nodded. "Anyone who doesn't have a backbone stay here. I don't want you on my ship if you're going to turn coward and run at the first chance you get!"

"You!" he yelled to the nearest ensign, "Get me my log post from headquarters!"

"Captain you're not allowed."

"I told you not to order me around! Now, get to it." Smoke then addressed the rest of us, "Most of you will be staying here, and I need you to all be responsible men and women, and help the citizens clean up this shit hole." he paused, and found in the crowd a communications officer, "Tell headquarters what has happened and let them know that," he glanced up at the building where the hooded man had been, (had been because he was no longer there) "...that Dragon was responsible for creating a disturbance and for defying marine authority again."

Wait, that man was the DRAGON! It came as a surprise to many of the others as well. If it had been any other Captain he would have kept that information to himself and just updated the info to headquarters, but this was one of the reasons why a lot of his men were so loyal, Captain Smoker always said what was on his mind and let them all know exactly what he thought when he thought it.

Yes! I will go.

My first real mission, well I have travelled from island to island before, but I have never set sail to hunt a pirate. I felt a rush of excitement run through me. The Grand Line? What was it going to be like?

"We Set Sail in half an hour!" Smoker yelled, "Get ready on time or we leave without you!"

A lot of men seemed as thrilled as I was at the prospect of going to the grand line. They cheered and a lot of them ran off to gather supplies for the journey. Half an hour wasn't a long time. I ran back to my quarters to grab and pack some extra belongings.

I suppose I need to thank you in some way Roronoa. You have given me the excuse I need to leave, to venture into the great unknown, to search the sea. Thrill seeped in again. Wow! I'm leaving for real. A real adventure.

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Well that was an interesting chapter to write. I used both the Japanese Subbed episodes and Funimation episodes for the script and used which one I preferred most or did a mix. I hope you liked it. The next few chapters will be all my own. About the marines experiences in the Grand line from a slightly different route.

Enjoy!