Moving inside this cage is increasingly complicated, Zoro takes up even more space than before and I feel the tension in my arms from being stretched out like this. And it's starting to get hot too. Zoro is getting impatient, huffing in anger, and is probably more uncomfortable than me.
"Ok. It's time for your trick now. The invisible thing" yeah, how do I explain this now.
"I can't" I murmur in defeat, but he doesn't sense my tone, he just gets more nervous.
"You want me to ask nicely, Xia?" he replies with irony.
"You can send a letter with the imperial stamp, Zoro, I can't do that" now I am starting to get angry too. I hardly ever lie, I don't like being questioned.
"You're unbelievable" he mutters under his breath, and I find myself yelling.
"For heaven's sake. I cannot" he shuts up and I feel his muscles relax a bit.
"I can't do it if I am caged or tied up, that's the limit" this appeases him for good.
"Oh. Sucks"
"Plan C?" Nami intervenes, and she shows us a small piece of iron. She's resourceful, I'll give her that.
"Where did you get a lock pick?" Zoro asks, his relieve pulpable.
"I have 4 on me the whole time. So, am I forgiven if I get you out of here?"
"It's a start" I only tell her. I didn't like what she did one bit. But I am all for second chances.
Time passes. A lot of time, and we don't seem to be making any progress. Besides, someone's screaming in the other room, and it sounds like Luffy.
"Do you think you can do it within a calendar year or...?" I encourage her.
"It takes time" she responds, working the lock. But someone comes inside again.
"You might want to work faster" Zoro warns her.
"Distract him" she tells us in a rush
"How-?" I am not much of a talker, but Nami cuts me off.
"I don't care, start an argument. Those are pretty entertaining". Meanwhile the guy with green and black hair comes in on a very weird tool.
"The unicycle is not really a villain entrance" I comment, and he glares at me.
"I'll get to you" but his attention is fully focused on my cellmate.
"Remember me?"
"No" Zoro says without even turning his head.
"I've been thinking about you for years" that's a lot of time. I can't think of any reason why, except, well, the obvious one.
"You kinda need a hobby stripes guy" I grin.
"He killed my brother" of course. One more problem.
"I killed a lot of pirates" not really helping his case.
"Yeah you'll have to be more specific, he's not the friendliest person in the world" it came out more friendly than I intended to.
"My name's Kabaji, and you hunted us across the Goa Kingdom" this is not going well, he's pulled out knives.
"Through the swamplands, day and night, never relenting like some kind of demon" oh gee, he's growing angrier. I shoot a look at Nami, she says 'no', she's not done yet. And Zoro's not being cooperative, he's not speaking.
"How many people have you chased and killed, Kabaji? I'd start by asking the people you literally chained to their seats."
"Do not defend him" Hell will freeze over before I defend him.
"Far be it from me to defend Zoro. He's a hypocrite, but so are you" and he throws one. And misses.
"With bad hair and bad aim, might I add" I'll admit, I am not very likable or sympathetic right now. But we need to get out of here. But I am running out of ways to distract him.
"Zoro do you mind joining the conversation?"
"I can't. Nothing he says rings a bell"
"You cut his head and stuffed it in a bag for a few Berry"
"Ok that does sound like me" unfortunately I do know.
"Let's see if you can keep your head" at least he'll be distracted.
"Both of you" oh, wonderful. I was really looking forward to playing live or die.
"Thanks Zoro"
"You said it before, he couldn't throw a ball, let alone a knife" true, but still.
He throws at me and misses. I don't know If it's on purpose or not. But even if he was aiming for the kill, with a little air I could change the direction of the knife. Now he goes to Zoro. Same result. And Zoro does not even blink.
"You really don't fear death, do you"
"No I just don't fear you" that's the best response to get a knife through your heart. Kabaji chuckles, almost incredulous. And then he's coming back to me.
"Where are you going, come back here. I was starting to have fun" Zoro says, and Kabaji frowns, surprised by this long sentence.
"Are you scared I'll scratch your little friend?" he sounded like he was almost concerned for me, it's true. But I'll kill him if that's the case.
"More like scared she'll kill you and spoil my fun" saved by the bell.
"Once captain Bagy's finished with you, you're all mine" Nami winks at us, making the most of this minute Kabaji's so focused on Zoro
"Trust me it's a package you do not want, plus we're not sticking around" Zoro looks at me, he caught the clue.
"You don't look so busy to me" Kabaji says, not being able to see what's coming.
"We've got something with Luffy" Zoro blurts out. Hard to picture him being part of a team whatsoever. But he is.
"That simpleton? You believe in him?" he's the simpleton? He could not be further from the truth.
"I don't have to, he believes in himself. Rubs off" this sounded very honest.
"If he can convince the great pirate hunter, who am I to doubt him? Also, with him we'll always have food" Luffy's got the priceless ability to always find something to eat. It's like he can sniff it, like some kind of hound. As he's still grinning, Nami's right behind him.
"Don't turn around" Zoro says. He does, of course, and she hits him in the face.
"That was classy, I'll give you that"
"Thanks" Zoro replies. But I was not talking to him.
"I was talking to Nami" she rolls her eyes, annoyed by our umpteenth squabble.
"I'll get Aileen"
"What's the plan?" Zoro asks her.
"Let's beat the hell out of every clown we see" that's a good plan. So we head out. But I put my palm on Zoro's chest for a second to stop his walk before we dive into battle.
"Don't you ever try to protect me again. I am no damsel in distress, got it?" I look straight at him and tell him with the firmest tone I have.
"I really was not. I was genuinely worried you'd ruin my fun, which, you did." Maybe so. But I wanted to clear the air.
"Whatever it was, don't do it again"
Now that's done, it's time to get out of here.
YOU ARE READING
XIA | (Zoro x OC) - One Piece Netflix FF
Fanfiction"Her name's Aileen, means 'bright light' in Irish" "Bright light, but she's a panther, as black as night" "Zoro you have the depth of a puddle. Wasting my breath" "After what you've done to me you're lucky I don't throw you overboard" "I'd like to s...
