Dream Chasers: Zoro x Reader

Chapter 7: From Hero to Zero

Hey Coby look!

Thank the heavens you didn't kill her.

What do you mean? I haven't killed a person in my entire life.

That's actually quite surprising.

Shut up! Big sis is waking up.

At that second, it was clear that you weren't dead nor dreaming. This was reality. That boy... Didn't finish me off? Wow... The cold hard truth sank in like a set of razor sharp teeth prying into bare flesh. Now all you had to do was find the strength to actually wake up. You were but in which wasn't easy with a broken body stinging at any type of movement. Even blinking.

Upon opening your burning weakened eyes, three people surrounded your bed. Watching your every move, struggle, and cry. Little Rika, Rubber Fisted Luffy, and that dorky pink haired partner of his. "Help," you finally asked, that Straw Hat boy who beat you up before, snaked a hand under your backside. Sitting you up upon the bed with surprising amout of care. Taking a seat upon your bedside with crossed legs.

A light nudge to your shoulder had drawn your attention away from Luffy to Rika's large puppy dog eyes. "Are you doing okay big sis?" Rika rested her head upon your hand, rubbing her cheek sweetly over the back of your palms.

Throat aching, you hesitated to answer. "... Yeah, I should be fine," After that short phrase you had finally spoken. Having to pause before answering as you haven't heard the nickname 'Big Sis' in such a long while.

"Why did you try to attack us?" Coby asked, taking the spotlight. No a sense of worry. Knowing you no longer meant any harm.

"I needed to get you both away from the perimeter fence. I didn't want to see either of you go to jail for such a silly reason." The boys looked at each other and spoke in some mind to mind language that only they could understand. Before facing you once again head on. Luffy wore the most confident of faces.

"So why did you want me to save Zoro? I haven't done it yet but I will no doubt." So Luffy did plan to save Zoro all along. After seeing what he did to me, I should have never bothered him in the first place. He can take care of himself.

"I love Zoro, he's been there for me almost my entire life so far." Where would I be now without him? "I recently heard news from the guy who imprisoned him, that he was going to execute Zoro before their deal was up..." And I can't do anything but lie here in a helpless heap of scratches and broken bones.

"As did we," Coby sighed. Luffy lied a hand upon his shoulder reassuringly.

"Couldn't you save him yourself? I talked to Zoro no problem without getting caught." Luffy sat forward on the bed as Coby nodded vigorously to back up Luffy's claim. Rika frowned as did yourself.

"I've tried... I got shot a few times trying to save him. Which is why I couldn't fight you off Luffy, I couldn't even hold my swords..." Rika was one step ahead, pulling down on the collar of your tattered shirt to show off the bloodied bandages in desperate need to be switched out, wrapped tightly over your shoulder. Concealing your gunshot wound that was extremely hard to ignore.

"Sounds harsh... So, after I save Zoro he's going to become part of my crew. Are you coming with us?" Luffy was all over the place when it came to emotions. One second he was firm, then fully of pity, then cheerful as if he was the happiest man on earth. It really made your gears turn for a wide variety of reasons.

"Zoro never agreed to become a pirate. He'd rather die," what in the world would make him agree to such a thing? You thought with great confusion. It made you wonder if you knew Zoro as much as you originally thought.

"Nope, actually he did," Coby tagged on. While you spit suddenly with astonishment.

"Yup! At first he was furious that I beat you up. But after we told Zoro that you attacked first, he said that you were a Dumbass," Luffy explained his day step by step no problem.

You couldn't help but laugh at the painfully true comment. "Ha ha, no kidding!" I mean look at me! I got my ass handed to me.

"Besides you being a Dumbass, Coby and me also told him about that stupid rich kid not honoring Zoro's deal. Zoro agreed to be on my crew if I got him his swords and you a doctor. I still have to get those swords though..." Luffy was picking his nose without a care in the world. It made you rethink your position entirely. If Luffy does pull through with saving Zoro, are we really going to be the first mates of a total retard?

I'm leaving my faith in this boy? This is a new low even for me...

"How about you quit talking with me and save Zoro already?" Clearly Luffy didn't take the hint as his pink haired friend had to escort the clueless boy out of your temporary room in the diner. Leaving you with nothing to do but to lie there in bed, hoping for the best.

- - - - -

"(Y/N)!!!" Luffy's grand voice echoed throughout the town in great levels of joy. The new come captain charged up the streets with a near skip in his step as his sandals flopped against the pavement of the road. Two boys ran along side him, one on his left, the other on his right. Bursting into the diner!

"Hey (Y/n)!" You knew that voice from anywhere. Heart nearly skipping a beat.

"Luffy actually did it," a tear fell from your eye. Fighting your unbearable pain to get up from the bed. Just wanting to meet Zoro halfway. Appearing in the doorway before you could even reach it. Dirty, beaten, yet he smiled as if nothing happened. His pearly teeth sparkling within the light.

"Zoro!" You cried out in enthusiasm rocketing forward into Zoro's open arms. Catching you, not once letting up as his arms cradled your broken frame dearly into his warm chest.

"You came back!"

"I don't die," Zoro smirked into your hair. "(Y/n) I really appreciate your efforts. I knew you loved me but I had no idea you'd take a bullet for me." Your cheeks burned in embarrassment as he saw right through you.

Zoro please... Please say you love me back.

"Of course... I'd take a bullet for you Zoro. If it wasn't for you, I'd still be at home slaving away to my father. You make my days brighter." I'm finally being noticed after years of hinting.

"Same here. Except I think we should part ways," stunned beyond belief, you pushed back on Zoro's chest harsh with a hint of hatred.

"W-why!?"

Zoro held a firm grasp on your wrist. Keeping you from running away as he knows you'll do it. "I promised Luffy that I'll join his crew. You hate pirates, so I'm wondering if you wanted to join me or take your own route from now on?" You could tell that Zoro was pained to set you free. Yet all at the same time as was yourself. He completely ignored your sentimental confession of love.

"You dense bastard..."