The Blind Brawler [ Roronoa Zoro X OC]

Chapter 33

I was jarred awake by a shrill scream. Adrenaline pumped through my veins as my sensory vision sharpened and I scrambled out of my tent. I could tell Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper were crouched at the edge of our campsite while Vivi stood at the entrance to her tent.

"Luffy, are you crazy?! Get rid of that thing quick!" The princess demanded in a panicked voice.

"Nuh-uh," Luffy defied her in a childish tone, "That would be wasteful!"

"It's a scorpion!" She cried out in exasperation, "Don't let its small size fool you. The poison in its stinger can kill in seconds!"

Chopper and Usopp immediately leapt away in terror while Luffy flippantly tossed it over his shoulder away from camp. I let out a breath I did not realize I was holding as I relaxed.

"Geez," The familiar voice of the swordsman huffed in frustration behind me, "I woke up for that?"

I could not help but give a dry chuckle as I turned toward his voice and crossed my arms, "So it would seem. At least there wasn't any real danger."

As I spoke, I could hear a low howl begin to build louder and louder in the distance. Vivi suddenly let out a cry of fear, "Everyone! Hide behind the rocks, quick! A sandstorm is coming!"

"You were saying?" Zoro mockingly asked me. I scowled at him but said nothing as the raging winds bore down upon us. He suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled me forward, "Come on! We need to get to shelter!"

I let him lead me back into my tent just as the gale blasted through the rock pillars. A small shriek escaped my lips as the supports for the tent were blown over. Zoro threw his arm over my head as we were knocked down with the canvas shielding us from the sand beginning to build up.

We lay face down next to each other as the sandstorm roared around us. I let out a small cough as the air felt clogged with dust, even under our cover. The sand piling on us was starting to feel heavy on my legs and back, but it was beginning to muffle the sound of the wind.

Once again, I found myself buried alive with the swordsman. Zoro's arm was still braced over my head as he shielded me from the worst of the sand. I was thankful we were not facing each other as I felt my cheeks begin to burn with a blush.

Zoro was the first to speak just loud enough to be heard over the wind, "You alright?"

"Yeah," I answered softly, hoping my voice did not betray my nervousness, "You?"

"I'm fine," He nodded. I allowed myself a small chuckle, much to the swordsman's annoyed confusion, "What's so funny?"

A small smirk played at my lips, "That's two times we've been buried alive together in as many islands. We aren't gonna make a habit of this, are we?"

He clicked his tongue in a small hiss of laughter, "Who knows? Twice is a coincidence. We'll call it a trend if it happens again," We both laughed as the wind finally seemed to die. The swordsman huffed confidently, "Well, at least this'll be easier to get out of than the avalanche."

With a small grunt of effort, he slowly sat up above me. The sand slid off of the canvas and piled around us, leaving me lying in a shallow hole. I pulled myself up to sit on my heels, brushing the sand off of my robes.

Slowly, the rest of the crew pulled themselves out of the shallow sand. I heard some of them groan in frustration as they tried to knock the tiny rocks out of their hoods and sleeves.

Vivi spoke with a concerned tone, "Is everyone alright?"

"I think so," Nami answered in a slightly strained voice as she stood up. Her tone grew a bit more cynical as she continued, "I can't say the same for our supplies."