Dream Chasers: Zoro x Reader

Chapter 4: Kuina's Legacy

Lots of symbolism

The sun rises and falls with the moon. Each took turns in illuminating your life in some way or another. A torch compared to a match. Zoro was the torch. It doesn't leave much else; that low dying flame on the end of the charred match. That was you. All flames must die eventually. You've came to the end of the match. Sooner or later you'll burn the person keeping you lit. Or they'll shake your life up. And all that's left is smoke...

The weak flame who has came to the end of the match.

Your tears have dried up. Face red and puffy with little sniffles every now and again. Lying on your bed unable to move because your limbs felt like dead weights keeping your spirits down. All connections to the outside world have been cut off. Not even a step outside was permitted. So you'd find even leaving your small bedroom of no use.  All because you wanted to share Zoro's dream. All because of your sexist father. All because you found a friend who helped you...

To escape your hell.

Zoro fed his flames with his determined fighting spirit. But he began to smother, the sight of your lonely rock made him think only of you. Everyday for months and years on end you were watching Zoro train to become the best swordsman in the world. For it all to change so suddenly, one week felt like years. Even though you and Zoro only knew each other for at most a week, it didn't feel right knowing you were nowhere near with no signs of returning.

The swordsman in training dropped his bamboo swords from his mitts. Leting the sword clenched between his pearly teeth fall into his scarred hands. Eyeing your rock uneasily, it was like a beacon calling out to Zoro. Stepping over to the lonesome rock, taking a seat on it's surface. Sitting in the same exact place and position you would. It wasn't the same, but here he felt connected to you.

Who knew one person made such a difference?

Time was of the essence, your flame was nearly dead. Just barely hanging onto the last breaths of oxygen you could get your hands on. With a shy dull knock, your mother slid the paper door to your bedroom open with caution. Intentionally hiding some sort of object behind her back. You closed one eye, trying to figure out the surprise. But couldn't figure it out as it was too hidden behind your mother's thin figure.

You mother sat down upon the edge of you thin messy bed. Stroking your hair lightly in a loving fashion. Taking out her surprise from the hump of her back, revealing what was already yours. Your stuffed pet tiger.

"No wonder why I can't stop crying" you hugged the tiger closely, almost immediately feeling a sense of comfort and relief. The feeling of sadness was still overwhelming to the point where your tiger could only do so much.

"I dressed him up" your mother snaked her hands between your thin lanky arms to retrieve your pet tiger. "That kimono never went to waste see" she made your tiger pretend dance and talk. "Hey there (Y/n)! I'm happy just like you will be after smother you in hugs" you frowned taking the tiger from her mitts once again.

"Stop it... You make me want to trash him" in fact, you smacked the tiger with the back of your hand. Knocking him onto the wooden floor without a care. Your mother huffed, bending over just to retrieve it. Kissing it's pink nose as if it had a bad ouchie.

"I used that kimono your father destroyed of yours and turned it into that cute jumper your little friend always wears" confused, you sat up, snatching the tiger back. It was dressed in the remnants of your black kimono indeed. It reminded you of...

"Zoro..." You sighed loudly, hugging your tiger as if it was a lost puppy who found it's way home.

"It that the name of your friend?" You nodded slowly half interested. "He's your first friend right?" You repeated your first action adding on a small short lived growl.

"I'm seven... Don't most kids have a friend by now?"

"Yes..." Your mom answered back in an outstretched tone. "I'm afraid that you aren't like the other kids because your father has us under his lock and key... The second you get a friend he crushes you" mother was holding back. Wanting to speak her true feelings about her crippling relationship with her husband. "He wasn't always like this" her shaking hands rubbed the forming tears from her tired bloodshot eyes.

"Ever since I can remember, daddy would always beat me for speaking... Now it doesn't hurt, but at the same time it does" somehow your mother understood completely as she was in your position as well.

"Baby..." Your mother pats your back gently. "Go to Zoro, just... Just make sure you're back home by morning" with hesitation your mother gave you the get out of jail free card.

Nearly speechless, your eyes widened in disbelief. "Really!?" You nearly stuttered clutching onto the hem of her kimono.

"You heard me. Just make sure your father doesn't catch you." Make sure father doesn't catch you...

"What if he does catch me playing with Zoro?" Being a child you had to ask such an inappropriate question. Most would just leave it and walk away.

"Who knows... Nothing good I assume," she said with sadness stuck within her quiet voice. Shrinking back into the hallway closing your see through door behind herself.

You didn't waste any time. Not even taking the time to leave through the front entrance of your home. Instead, the window was your exit of choice. It was already extremely late as it was. Zoro should be finishing up with his training or heading home by now. Darting to your green haired swordsman with determination to catch him before it could be too late.

To your surprise, Zoro was still at his training spot. Lying down within the tall grass at the base of your rock. Lost in thought while chewing on the end of a piece of wheat. Your words were caught in your through. Choking on them desperately wanting them to come out.

Till finally...

"Z-Zoro," you called his name shyly. Zoro sat up with shocked eyes, dropping the piece of wheat from his mouth.

"Isn't your dad going to kill us?" Dad did talk to Zoro... No wonder why Zoro has made no attempt to see me.

"What my dad doesn't know won't hurt me" cautiously, you sat down beside Zoro within the grass.

"You mean, what he doesn't know won't hurt him?" You shaked your head to disagree.

"No. I meant, what my dad doesn't know won't hurt me" with Zoro's suspicions proven correct, Zoro's dying flame flared up reflectsd upon his rage equivalent to a demon from hell itself.

"I'm tired of this! Why can't boys and girls be given an equal chance!?" Zoro exploded but stopped as soon as he started. Hunching over as if he was punched right in the gut. Having an internal battle with himself. "It's hard enough that Kuina passed on because of me... If only her father understood"

"Kuina is... Dead?" You began to tear up nearly following in Zoro's footsteps as he was in a mess of his own.

"Yes (Y/n). Kuina impaled herself with her sword on accident on her way to spar with me"

"Zoro..." Without anymore words, Zoro found himself being embraced gently by your thin arms and shorter stance. I never liked Kuina, but she's the person that made me want to become a swordswoman in the first place. Because I've never seen one before her. And because of her I found Zoro.

After a good minute, Zoro returned your needed hug. After suffering from loneliness for so long, Zoro was finally able to take you in. His mind was so set on beating Kuina, he needs a new dream. "We'll become the best swordsmen in the world for her." And Zoro has already found his new heading.

"Me too?" I know I heard Zoro. He meant me too. Stupid, stupid, stupid!

"Me, you, and Kuina... We all wanted the same dream, to become the best. I'm still your Sensei remember?" Your hug tightened suddenly upon hearing his goofy question.

"As long as I can sneak out every night, yes, yes I can be the best with you!"

Your childhood is now over. Now its your choice on what happens next. Do you want me to skip right to when you and Zoro meet Luffy or a random adventure chapter with Johnny and Yosuku?

Either choice you make, Johnny and Yosuku are coming into this book in one way or another.