The Princess and The Swordsman (ZoroxOC)

Chapter 29

I rubbed her back as Usopp looked at us, "So what, we might be attacked by giant monsters?!" he demanded as his knees shook with fear. Luffy grinned, "Heh! Who knows?" he said, leaning his back on the railing with Shae standing beside him. Usopp looked around at everyone, "Listen, I'm sure we can make it to the next island without going ashore on this one!" Usopp begged.

"The only way to reset the log is to go ashore." Nami explained, "Not to mention we're in dire need of re-stocking our food supply. We didn't get so much as a sack of flour in the last town." Sanji explained. Zoro's voice caught my attention, as I glanced at him and walked over beside him, "Guys. There's our ticket in." he said pointing at a small river that passed through the center of Little Garden.

"Think they will have a barbeque restaurant here?" Luffy suddenly asked and Shae sweatdropped, "I doubt it Luffy." she deadpanned as Sanji shouted at Luffy, which led them to arguing over why we were stopping at the island. When the arguing stopped, Nami spoke, "I don't know...Usopp might be right about this one." she said walking to the edge and pointing, "Just look at the plantlife here. I've never seen anything like it, not even in books." she explained.

A bird screeched loudly above us, making me, Usopp, and Nami, cover our ears to muffle the loud sound, "What was that screeching?" Nami asked as I walked to the edge, my eyes roaming the woods around us. Sanji's shout caught my attention and I looked over to see the bird flying away as Sanji shouted at it. I put two-and-two together and giggled to myself, making Sanji swoon.

A sudden loud explosion caused Sanji to become serious as I looked into the trees again, "What was that?" I asked as Usopp began crying from behind me, "That sounded like a volcano erupting! We're all going to die!" Usopp shouted. I saw something in the trees and leaned forward over the railing to get a better look. My eyes widened as I saw a tiger step from the trees, surprising me and causing me to lose my grip. I screamed and began falling over as I heard my sister call to me, but a strong hand grasped mine.

I looked up to see Zoro gripping my hand, "Zoro!" I called to him as he pulled me towards him. Once I was eye level with him, Zoro wrapped his arms around me, helping me over the railing and on to my feet where I clung to Zoro, my body shaking with the sudden fear I felt from almost falling. My heart was pounding as I took shaky breaths, "Are you alright, Evie?" Zoro asked. I slowly nodded and lifted my head up to look into his eyes, tears streaming down my face, "I am now. Thanks, Zoro." I said.

Zoro nodded as I peeled myself off of him, "Sorry I clung to you." I said softly and looked back at the snarling tiger as it followed alongaide the ship, making Usopp and Nami run to the other side of the ship in fear. The tiger suddenly cried out, as if in pain, and spit up blood before it fell over, dead and I gasped as I covered my mouth. I felt a hand gently rub my back and looked up at Zoro who was looking at the dead beast and rubbing my back in a soothing motion.