One Piece Fan Fiction ❯ Broken, Only to Heal Again ❯ Untold Confessions ( Chapter 10 )

Chapter 10

 

Takuya hurried as fast as his little old legs would carry him. He had just left the home of a village official he knew he could trust. The man had provided him with the guard rosters for the day. One of the guards on the list was the official's son. This would help him greatly. Now, on to the base. There were several people he needed to speak with and not much time to find them. He had promised the extremely agitated Cook that the guards would be away from the door to the holding cell in two hours. His time was half over now. He needed to hurry. There were only a few others he knew he could count on. One would be that lovely head nurse. Oh how he wished she would accept his advances. She wasn't that much younger than he, she just aged better. He thought it best to find her as soon as he got to the base.

 

This brought him to thinking of his late wife. She was of albino descendant, somewhere in the past. It showed in her pale skin and flowing white hair. She died during the birth of their second child, a son he would never know. The babe died shortly after his wife, leaving only himself and his daughter. Maybe that is why he coddled her so much.

 

He introduced the young swordsman to her one night at the local tavern. Takuya had drunk way too much and the barmaid had sent word to Saya to come get him. Zoro had been keeping an eye on him until she got there. Even as drunk as he was, he could see the immediate attraction between the two. Zoro had been fresh out of the dojo, but he was brimming with loyalty and courage. These were traits that Takuya valued above all else. He had never seen his daughter's eyes light up like that. She seemed so alive in the presence of the bushido. Then that man had come. Their worlds were torn apart in just one night.

 

The sound of fierce fighting brought him out of his reminiscing. The base was now in sight. The noise seemed to be coming from within the walls. `Oh no, I hope I'm not too late. Please hang on, my son.'

 

As Takuya approached the gate, a soldier came flying through, bloody and broken. Screams of pain began to overtake the shouts of encouragement. He peered around the corner to view the scene. It was as if someone took a page out of one of the most bloody battles and placed it in the courtyard. Soldiers lay everywhere. No one had escaped unscathed.

 

“Enough.” There was Captain Kuro in all his glory. Takuya could see Kuro speaking, but they were too far away to hear the conversation. Suddenly the former pirate signaled and men began to attack Zoro again. In no time the Marines were dispatched and only Zoro and Kuro stood facing each other. He could see Kuro's personal guards standing off to the side, awaiting orders. Everything happened so fast. Kuro was but a blur, moving faster than should be possible. Zoro was the epitome of grace and fluid motion. It almost seemed a dance, in a sinister and morbid way. Sunlight caught on the blades sending flashes like fireflies in the night. Angry shouts and the sound of metal against metal filled the air.

 

Then it was over. Zoro had Kuro backed against the wall, blades crossed at his throat. Words fell from Zoro's lips like venom. Though he could not distinguish the words, he felt the threat the tone of voice carried. Blood poured from two lines at Kuro's throat. The guards had enough of watching their Captain fail and decided to attack. If Takuya had blinked, he might have missed the entire battle. Seconds was all it took to gain victory. He couldn't help himself. He stepped out from behind the gate and began to clap. Zoro took one last look at the pitiful Pirate-turned-Marine Captain, and turned. The look on his face made Takuya pause. Anger. Whether it be at him or the Marines he just slaughtered, he didn't know. Zoro threw off the marine cap, oddly still on his head, and spoke. His words took him by surprise.

 

“What the Hell have you done?” Zoro growled at the old man. “First introduce us, then you prohibit us from seeing each other, and of course I can't forget that you married her off to some damn asshole.” Zoro's voice died to almost a whisper. Pain, though not physical, forced its way into each word. “Now I find that I have a son. I trusted you, and you kept him from me. Just when were you planning on telling me? What happened to Saya? Where is she?”

 

Takuya bent his head. “Please, if you do nothing else, forgive her. It was my doing that betrayed you. She didn't know what was going on until too late. I should have confided in you both.” The old man took a deep shaky breath. “Muteki needs you. Only you can keep him safe from that monster. As for Saya, she is…”

 

Suddenly, two broken blades appeared in the small chest. Blood flowed from the wounds and Takuya began to fall. Zoro ran to catch him. He cradled the frail body in his arms. Takuya had been father-like to him before the change of attitude. He could remember all the times they had sat drinking grog and telling stories. Blood gurgled in the elder's airway as he tried to speak.

 

“Take him. Help her.” The life drained from old faded eyes. His body went limp and blood flowed from his mouth as his head rolled to the side. With a gentleness unknown to the muscled man, Zoro laid the body down and closed the blank eyes. He pulled the blades from the still chest, sharp metal cutting the palms of his hands. Tears threatened to fall from his eyes. So many questions unanswered. Why had Takuya betrayed him? Aside from sharing drinks and stories, they didn't spend any time together. Yet, he was her father, and the grandfather of his own son. Zoro stood on shaky legs. Chuckling brought him from his thoughts. Turning he saw Kuro back on his feet, body still poised from the throw of the blades. An insane look had taken over his normally stoic face.

 

“Awww. Was he going to tell you something important? Did I interrupt? Old men just never seem to hurry up and say what they want, always telling stories instead. Oh, I see I hit a nerve. Maybe you'll understand this all better when your new master arrives. If the winds are kind, he should be pulling into the harbor soon. Why don't you come back inside and wait for him?” Kuro began trying to straighten up his suit. When he realized it was in vain, he looked up to meet eyes with a demon.

 

“You have taken my Captain and me captive. For that, I believe you have been adequately repaid. Now you have taken the father of a woman I loved, the grandfather of my son, a very kind man. For that you shall forfeit your life.” Zoro charged the shocked man. He brought the broken blades, still clutched in his bleeding hands, in front of him and screamed, “DIE!”

 

“Zoro!”

 

In the back of his mind he registered the voice, but his actions had already been set in motion. The blades came down on the lithe body, slicing across the abdomen, nearly cutting the man in half. Kuro's body fell to the ground in a sickening thud.

 

Luffy reached the gates first, followed closely by Sanji. The small Doctor was a bit behind. The two young men stopped in shock and took in the scene before them. Carnage everywhere. The pristine white of the uniform Zoro had on was now almost completely crimson in the front. Blood flowed from the deep wounds on his hands, mixing with the blood of the fallen Black Cat Captain, and the beloved elder. Chopper arrived and immediately noticed the old man near the gate.

 

“Takuya Jii-san! What happened?” Chopper ran to the fallen figure. He began to cry at the knowledge that the man was already dead. Luffy stood in silence beside him. His fists clenched in anger at his sides. Sanji slowly approached the shaking swordsman.

 

He gently laid his hand on the larger man's shoulder. Zoro jumped at the contact. Haunted black eyes met a single blue one. A single tear slid down Zoro's face.

 

“He was about to tell me where she was.” Zoro dropped the blades to the ground. “What do I do now?” Zoro looked at Sanji for the answers. “What do I tell Muteki?”

 

“I don't know, Zoro. I really don't know.” The pull was too great. The look on Zoro's face combined with the stress of the last two days was too much. Sanji stepped forward and placed his arms around the man that haunted his every moment, both awake and asleep. He laid his head on Zoro's shoulder and tightened his hold. “I'm here for you… I mean, we all are. We'll get thru this. You're ok and that's what's important right now.” Sanji felt him relax in his embrace, though he didn't return it. Reluctantly, Sanji released him and stepped back. “Come on, Marimo, there's someone waiting for you at the ship.”

 

Luffy walked over and stood in front of his First Mate. “Can we leave now? I don't like this place. Besides, Chopper is gonna freak when he sees what you did to your hands.” The Straw Hat Captain gave a mischievous look to Zoro and shouted, “Oi, Chopper. Zoro's hurt!” Then the rubber man took off.

 

“Zoro! How did this happen? What were you thinking? You have perfectly good swords at your sides and you go and do this? Baka-marimo. You really are stupid aren't you?” The cook smacked him across the back of his head, unfortunately right across the wound from the day before.

 

“Agh! Kuso-cook. Watch what you're doing!” Zoro went to swing at the blond, but was stopped by a very upset brown blur.

 

“Zoro, oh no! You've really damaged them. You're not going to be able to hold your swords let alone your weights for a while now.” Chopper began to wrap the cuts on his hands. He would have to treat them properly back on the ship, but for now this would work.

 

“Zoro, what do you want us to do with him?” Luffy stood over Takuya's body.

 

“Leave him. I will make sure he is properly buried.” A new voice drifted to the pirates from a doorway. A woman dressed in a magenta nurses' uniform exited the building. She was followed by four Marines, one wearing a uniform that was clearly too small for him. The men stopped short at the sight of Zoro.

 

“It's him.”

“Kuso, did he do all this alone?”

“Kami, look at the Captain. He's dead.”

“See, I told you we shouldn't mess with him.”

 

Zoro approached the woman. “I have nothing to give you in return for this favor.”

 

“He was a friend of mine. No payment is needed.” She placed a hand on Zoro's arm. “I would offer to tend to your wounds, but from what I see, you have an excellent doctor aboard your ship. You need to hurry and leave this place. I don't know who it is that is coming, but I know that he has horrible things planned for you. Take Takuya's grandson with you. He has no one else now.”

 

“Wait, what of his mother? Where is she?” Zoro grabbed her by the shoulders, a bit rough, and bent down nose to nose with her.

 

“I… I don't know. He never spoke of her. I assumed she had passed.” Her voice softened at the pained look on his face. “You must hurry. The ship is due to arrive before sundown. I will take care of things here. Now, go.”

 

Luffy grabbed Zoro's arm and began to pull.

 

“Wait.” Zoro shook off Luffy's hold and walked to Takuya's still form. He took a knee and placed his hand on the cooling forehead. He kept his voice low, wanting his words for the dead man alone. “I forgive you, for whatever it was that you did. Just know that whoever this monster is that you mentioned, he will pay for bringing pain to my son.” He stood and walked silently thru the gateway. Luffy and Chopper quickly followed. They didn't want to lose him again.

 

“Many thanks, my lady. We are grateful for your assistance.” Sanji took her hand and kissed it lightly. “We will return the favor if ever in the area again.”

 

“I'll consider it returned if you take that boy with you and keep him safe.” She replied

 

“He's already aboard the ship. I promise on my life that he will be kept from harm.” Sanji bowed and turned to leave.

 

“You should tell him.” She called.

 

“… Tell who what?” Sanji was confused.

 

“The swordsman… that you love him.” And with that she turned to the awaiting men and began to give orders.

 

 

 

After the guys had left, Nami and Robin went into the Women's Quarters. They were discussing what to do with the prisoner. Both thought it was a poor idea to take him with them, but neither one could decide just what to do.

 

“I still say that we should just tie him up and put him in a raft after we are out to sea. Some passing ship will find him and bring him back long after we are gone.” Nami turned to look at Robin for confirmation. The older woman just shook her head.

 

“I think it would be in our best interest to be rid of him before the men come back. Cook-san's reaction earlier leads me to believe that things will go bad if Bushido-san is not in good health.”

 

“I never thought of that. Maybe you're right.” Nami stood from her seat at the desk and walked to look out the porthole. “Is it just me or is Sanji acting a bit odd lately? I mean, what was up with his reaction to what that Marine said? It's almost like he has a personal thing for Zoro.” She gasped and began pacing. “Oh my, what if he really does? I never thought about it before. He always fawns over us, even when we continue to refuse his advances. He surrounds himself with beautiful women while in the villages, but I've never seen him take one to his room. What if he really doesn't like women? I mean is he just trying to play his part and all? Does he really prefer men? I bet he thinks we would be disgusted by the thought. It's really not that uncommon of a thing with pirates though. Oh, but what if Zoro isn't that way. That could be why he acts like such a fool around us. He's afraid that his advances would be refused. Not that I really blame him on that, either. I mean, Zoro can be so temperamental. He could have run Sanji thru just for mentioning something like that. But what if he was… Have you seen him with a woman? Apparently he has been. I'm pretty sure that's his son out there with Usopp. Oh, but if he was… The thought of the two of them together is just so… so hot! Don't you think, Robin?... Robin?”

 

The door clicked behind said woman as she exited the room. Nami's rambling had a point, but time was short and things needed to be done. Robin made her way down the stairs to the belly of the ship. She could hear Usopp telling another far fetched story to his new audience. Those two would get along nicely. But, if there really was something between the two fierce fighters of the ship, nothing good would happen to their prisoner. That was something that needed to be avoided in front of the child. He needed to be properly taken care of before they returned.

 

The lock clicked on the door to his cell. Maybe it would be the wimpy long nose freak. He could easily bowl that one over and make a run for it. He just needed to do it quickly and with little sound. Tajimaru braced himself against the wall. He prepared to lunge when a slender pair of arms wrapped themselves around his chest and another around his waist, securing him to the wall.

 

The door swung in to reveal the raven haired female member of the pirate crew. The irate Marine cursed and spat at her. She deftly moved out of the way and raised a slender eyebrow.

 

“Is that any way to treat your parole warden? I had come here to release you, but maybe I've made a mistake.” Robin turned to leave.

 

“Wait, wadda ya mean? Ya lettin me go? Wass da catch?” He glared at her skeptically.

 

“I mean we are considering releasing you from our hold. You would be placed in a boat in the harbor to be found by the next security watch. Either that or you will be handed over to Roronoa Zoro upon his return to the ship.” Though her back faced him, she could practically see the thoughts process across his face.

 

“A'ight. I `cept. Ya jess pramuss ta keep tha demon `way fr'm me.”

 

“Done.”

 

A nerve cluster at the base of his neck received a sharp amount of pressure, then everything went black. When he came to, he was bound hand and foot, as well as gagged. He had been placed in a small boat of some sort and covered by a tarp. At least he was alive. Now to get out of this and report to the Captain. He began to struggle against his bindings.