The Greatest (Zoro x Tashigi)

Chapter 16: Hidden Shadows

Tashigi POV:

Commander Eiji has very light blue eyes, to the point that they're almost grey. They are simultaneously searching, yet closed off. Calculating, analytical, but this vein of desperation clashes through them. Dark, greedy, sacrificial desperation. I should know. Cause he hasn't stopped staring at me the past 3 minutes while the lieutenant stands next to him, whispering a report on my arrival and actions since then.

At first I tried my best to return his relentless glare with my own bold gaze, but soon decided that he was not trying to have a staring contest of power and turned my eyes to other things in the room. The clock that reads 12:40 am, the glorious tapestries woven with artful care, the windows letting in soft moonlight that gets drowned in the light of the recently lit golden chandelier hanging from the outrageously tall ceiling. Every time I look back, Commander Eiji is still staring at me. Why? Idiot Roronoa is right beside me, and he's much more intere- er, terrifying and important. My intestines twist as my suspicions about the role this commander has played in abandoning my village are confirmed more every second.

The sound of the lieutenant's footsteps in the soft, thick carpet pull my eyes to him until he joins the rest of our navy escorts, the 10 of them standing around me and Zoro in a semicircle. Looking forward again, Commander Eiji leans against his mahogany desk, his eyes still fastened on me, eyebrows knitted together and his arms crossed. Dark anxiety slithers into tight knots through my whole torso.

I don't like this. I don't like him.

"Captain Tashigi, your boat was supposed to land today at an island base that's 20 days travel east of here. Your presence here is quite the direct fail at following orders and should be punished as such, although," The commander's look finally flit away from me to Zoro, a flash of fear in his eyes almost hidden by the cocky smirk he dons as he takes the green-haired swordsman in. "you brought in quite the legend as an excuse for your actions. Roronoa Zoro, I hope you've enjoyed your time under Navy control thus far. I can assure you the treatment only gets more fascinating from here on out."

I feel the disgusted rumble from Zoro who stands right beside me, and I offer every prayer possible that he doesn't snap in these next few minutes. I REALLY shouldn't have tested him so much on the way here. Worrying about the pirate pulls my focus back to my immediate goal, and as the commander turns his attention back to me I silence my suspicions and step into my bold persona.

"Permission to explain this disorderly presence, sir?" I ask, offering a short bow with the words.

"Please. Expound." Commander Eiji stands straight and walks to his plush office chair as he grants permission for me to weave my story. I open my mouth to start, when the commander plops into the chair and reaches for a low drawer, pulling out a bottle of wine and a platter of cheese and crackers. How rude! Telling someone to talk then not paying attention! And who on earth just keeps a cheese plate in an unrefrigerated space? Bacteria and mold will grow so quickly, how can he- "Captain, I said talk. Do you need someone to move your mouth for you?"

Once again I feel a rumble from Zoro, this time of silent mirth, and it melts the knots in my gut as I burst with indignant rage. Don't mock me your idiot pirate!

"Sir, my crew and I ran into a severe storm early in our travels and were shipwrecked on a nearby island. Unfortunately, several pirate crews, including the Straw Hats, were also shipwrecked. The pirates killed our scouts before they could report back, and then attacked our camp at night, killing most of the crew. We were then thrown into a melee battle as the assorted pirates turned on each other. During the battle, I found and ate the slap-slap fruit with hopes of restoring justice and protecting my men. But by the battle's end, all I managed to do was capture the dog beside me. Due to the limitations of my new powers, I was unable to save any of my crew, so I escaped the battle and headed for the nearest base that I knew could hold Roronoa and leave no chance for his being freed." I allow bitterness to seep into my voice as I recount the made up story, running other details through my mind in preparation for follow up questions. Commander Eiji shifts in his chair, popping a cube of pepper-jack in his mouth as his sharp glare gains a hint of legitimate curiosity. Behind me, I hear several of the marine guards sniffling, apparently moved by my sad story. Good, good...