"I...I am the monster from the article." saying that one sentence, you knew that your world was about to end. There was no happy ending for a monster like you. You were cursed and who could ever love a blood thirsty monster?
You stared at Zoro, who hasn't moved an inch since you blurted out your well kept secret. He just kept staring at you. Deciding how to proceed next. Would he cut you down? That would probably be a welcomed mercy. Finally, after what seemed like hours of silence, Zoro spoke.
"The rest of the crew must know. You are a potential threat to our lives, so we will discuss your fate. However, you must remain here until we decide."
So that was his answer? Cage the monster? The thought of the rest of the crew knowing who you truly were made you sick to your stomach. Fears of their rejection, especially Sanji's, for some reason made you incredibly sad. But why? You had only just met these pirates only a few hours ago. Why should what they think matter to you?
When Zoro turned to leave, you could feel your feet moving on their own...towards him. You had to stop him. You had to make him understand that you weren't a monster. That this wasn't what you chose to be. Instinctively, when Zoro heard you approach him from behind he pulled out one of his katanas from its ivory sheath and faced you. Blade pointing at your throat. You stopped, tears filling your eyes and spilling over.
"P-please..I'm not a killer...I didn't want to hurt the ones I cared about..I...I couldn't control it, the beast I mean. It took over and I had no control, I could still see though, I could still see my transformed body, mutilating and devouring everyone and everything in its path." You fell to your knees and sobbed, your body shaking. "The beast is still hungry, Its thirst for blood hasn't been sated. It never will. It almost went after one of you today even, and you had saved my life. What kind of repayment is that?"
Zoro re-sheathed his sword and sat down cross legged across from you on the floor. You looked up at him, his eyes studying you intently. He took off his bandanna and tied it onto his head. He sighed,
"I cannot ignore this,(f/n). Whether you were in control of yourself or not during the attacks, it is obvious that you are dangerous to be around."
"Then make me not a threat! Put me out of my misery and end me! Please!" Your sudden request made Zoro, who's face had been expressionless all this time, lose his composure. He looked completely shocked.
"(f/n)..."
"I can't take all the blood on my hands anymore.I'm not strong enough to keep the monster away. Every night I fall asleep I only hear the screams of those that fell at my hands. I don't want to hurt anyone anymore. That's why I set out to sea on my shitty raft. I wanted to die!"
Zoro, had a pained look on his face and felt pity for you. He sighed again and closed his eyes. Thinking.
"Then I will make a pact with you, right now." He put a hand on your shoulder and gave a reassuring squeeze. "I will take it upon myself, to stop the beast from harming anyone aboard this ship. If it looks like you are going to harm any of my nakama...I will not hesitate to stop you. You have my word."
You smiled at his promise, knowing Zoro's reputation for keeping his promises, you knew that someone had the strength to end your scarlet path of death and destruction. You bowed your head in gratitude.
"Thank you, Roronoa Zoro!"
"However, I still must discuss this with the crew." He got up to leave and you didn't follow him. You continued to sit on the floor, bowing. You only got up after you heard the opening and closing and then the "click" of the door being locked from the outside.
You ran to the window that overlooked the deck and saw Zoro herd the rest of the crew into the kitchen. It was only a matter of time now.
A pain shot through your mouth as the fangs you had fought back from earlier, were pushing their way through once again. "No...Not agian...Not now...Arrgh!" A low, menacing growl escaped your throat as your nails turned into claws. The transformation was always painful, the ripping of your flesh and the regrowth over new skeletal structures, muscles tearing and reforming. Before you knew it, the beast had taken over once again. It had slept long enough and it was ready for the hunt.