You remember going to a dive bar once. Your friend had convinced you that the place was fun because it was known for it's patrons breaking out in fights at random. Someone could be complimenting your shoes and then suddenly you're being swung at for not saying thanks. Your friend described it as a wreck that you couldn't look away from and poor, naive you had never seen a bar fight before and agreed to go with her. Plus, there was going to be cheap alcohol.

The both of you had arrived and ordered your drinks and just hung out, sitting in a booth where it's seats were torn and the table rickety. The lighting was dim and smokey from cigarettes and the bar games like pool and darts were missing some of it's equipment. The bartender had been nasty but the patrons seemed to be well enough. It seemed as the night had gone on that there wouldn't be a brawl at any point, your friend had been very disappointed that she couldn't share such a moment with you.

Just as you two were preparing to leave there had been a shout then suddenly two, grown men were struggling and taking swings near a pool table. The reason for the fight was unknown, but it seemed to be enough to warrant one of the men to snatch up a pool cue and start swinging. The both of you had been in the line of fire and though she had ducked in time, your inebriated self earned a hard whack in the face from the make shift weapon.

The next thing you remembered was waking up with your friend leaning over you on the street outside where the bartender had decided you had taken up too much room after the fight had finished. You walked around with a black eye for weeks and a wary view of any kind of bars from then on.

This moment, in the cabin on the lake where your werewolf boyfriend was fighting some trained assassin with a giant sword in the dark, made you feel like you were back in that very dive bar.

You couldn't count how many times you were sure you had almost been sliced in the pitch darkness, your flashlight long gone from your hands sometime in the confusion. The only thing that indicated that Zoro hadn't been killed was the sound of angry, animal snarls and the glowing red orb moving about the room; glaring at the pair of gold ones coming after it. You honestly weren't sure if Zoro had taken the time to transform into his wolf self or that he was making the noises in his human form, either way, it was damn frightening.

Much more then the sound of a wolf howl mixed with an elephant scream.

The sword was obviously hitting something though, shattering glass and ripping upholstery meeting your ears as you crawled behind the couch while you tried to paw around for some kind of weapon. Or at least something to throw at the asshole who was trying to kill Zoro.

You tried not to think about how much of this place was being destroyed, resisting the urge to scream at them about using weapons in the house, all while still trying to find something of use. You were about to cry out in frustration when you saw one of the forms suddenly get thrown out one of the windows and into the dark, snowy landscape. Peeking up over the couch, you watched with wide eyes as a second form swiftly went after the first, leaving you alone in the destroyed cabin.

Quickly, you scrambled to the back room and grabbed your baseball bat before running to the front door and outside, seeing the two figures now far across the way and going uphill where you and Zoro had been earlier that day. It was hard to tell what was happening, but you were sure things were getting nastier.

You rushed after them, trying your hardest to run through the snow, breath puffing hard while you attempted to calm your beating heart. They were out of sight now, already up at the very top as you started your own climb, stumbling every now and then in your haste.

It felt like it had taken forever to make it all the way uphill, face flushed and out of breath as you frantically searched for Zoro and the hunter. You were met with nothing, both completely gone from view, not even the sounds of their fight reaching your ears.

You clutched your bat and warily started to walk forward, fear gripping you as you realized how eerily calm it was. It had even started to snow, soft flurries slowly falling to the ground all around you in the dark while the quarter moon hung high in the air. It was your only source of light now, but it was enough with the white landscape giving you a better view of all around you.

Thoughts of turning around and going to the other direction to look for any clues passed through you, worry that you had completely missed them and that Zoro was in danger. But you kept on, finding yourself deeper in the forest then you had ever been, everything was unrecognizable at this point. Just as you were about to call out for Zoro, the sound of a loud howl met your ears to the west and you quickly ran to it.

You sprinted for a good five minutes past barren trees and through dips in the ground and over fallen logs, hoping you could find the wolf before things got worse. You had to stop at some point to catch your breath, feeling a bit out of shape while looking all around until you spotted a large form to the far left of you; standing in between a tight knit group of trees. Hesitantly, you stepped forward and raised your bat, unsure who exactly it was. 

But as you got closer, you realized the huddling figure had black fur and smiled in relief at seeing the familiar green tint to it.

"Zoro!!" You cried out, lowering your weapon and jogging the rest of the way to the figure. "Did he hurt you!? Where is he?!"

The wolf gave no answer, but that was expected since he was in his dog form. As you got closer, you noticed the creature was strangely still, setting off alarm bells inside your head. You stopped, worried look on your face.

"Zoro, are you okay?" You didn't see any blood around him and took another step forward but quickly stopped, feeling your alarm bells ring once more. Your heart felt like it was seizing in your chest and you weren't sure why as the panic grew more and more.

It wasn't until the creature stood on hind legs and slowly turned to look at you that you realized this wasn't Bushido Zoro.

The creature was as tall as any grizzly bear, perhaps taller; upper torso wide and thick while it hunched over enough that it's long arms brushed the snowy ground. It's fingers were like knives, claws sharp and practically glittering in the moonlight; it's digits were stretched and as long as your own hand. They looked like they could slice through flesh with such ease and kill instantly. It's hind legs had just as dangerous looking claws as well, perfect for when another creature got them on the wolf's back that it could kick into it's stomach and spill it open. It's whole body was covered in black fur and nothing else and it's ears were long and pointed, laying flat on it's head. The wolf's muzzle was lengthy and curling, deadly white fangs as long as your own fingers.

But what scared you the most was it's gaze. You had been expecting to see the red orb looking down on you but were met with a pure white eye, no pupil or hint of red in sight. It was unsettling.

"Z-Zoro?"

The creature fully turned to face you, chest heaving and cold breath fanning out of it's mouth. It's body twitched slightly when you took a tentative step back, feeling like a trapped rabbit.

"Zoro." You said again, throat dry as you tried to stay your ground. You had been expecting the dog Zoro, you hadn't even known werewolves could turn into different forms. This one was definitely your least favorite, considering you were sure something was deeply wrong with this situation.

The wolf stepped forward again, clawed hands dragging slightly in the snow before curling and you treaded back once more. A low growl was now vibrating through his chest, white eye narrowed as he bared his teeth at you. You stumbled and felt panic swell when your back hit a tree, stopping you from retreating further while the bipedal wolf stalked forward.

You looked up into his face, the creature now close enough that his size engulfed the very moon shining behind him, and felt a sense of dread wash over you. Taking a deep breath, you stood up a little straighter and gripped the bat in your good hand, eyes hopeful as you stared up at him.

"Zoro. It's me."

The creature didn't respond, just titled it's head very slightly, pearly-white teeth still barred in aggression. When you were sure he wasn't going to do anything, you tried to take a small step forward but quickly stopped when he growled loudly - the sound sending chills down your spine and making you raise your bat slightly.

Then, his growl turned into a full on roar, noise rumbling so loudly that even you could feel it. It was horrifying and you couldn't even begin to describe it. As he thundered at you, his lip curled up even more in a snarl as he opened his mouth wider. 

"Z-Zoro!"

And then he lunged, arm raised to slice you open then and there. You could only watch in horror as death came at you until you were suddenly knocked aside. You fell into the snow with a form covering you, wide eyes staring over the stranger's shoulder as the wolf's clawed palm missed you and hit the tree you had been against, shattering the wood like it was nothing and breaking the whole trunk in half. The tree teetered before falling over, crashing into the snow while it's splinters flew into the air. 

You clutched the stranger's coat tightly in fear as the wolf roared once more and turned on the two of you, ready to maim. The hunter frowned slightly and quickly rolled away with you in his arms as the wolf swiped at the ground, knocking aside white power and snarling at missing his targets once more.

You held back a scream when the werewolf now jumped at you, ready to rip out your throats but the hunter quickly pulled out his massive sword and blocked the attack, the wolf's teeth clamping down on the blade. He snarled and tried to break the weapon with his sharp fangs, pushing forward and curling his claws on the blade with unbelievable strength while the hunter did his best to hold him back.

"You shouldn't have followed us," The hunter grunted, golden eyes narrowed, clearly struggling with the monster.

"W-What's happening?!" You gasped, completely confused over the sudden change in situation.

The man scowled, his typically blank features now looking dark. "This is your werewolf. His true form."

You looked at the black creature, startled and unbelieving. There was no way this was your Zoro, your dorky ass dog who had been afraid you would leave him at any moment.

No. This was not your Zoro.

The hunter used his strength to push the wolf back hard, getting his fangs off the glinting sword and going into an aggressive stance. The monster snarled and crouched, front paws on the ground and looking ready to leap once more, his long tail curled up behind him. You noticed one of his ears still had the gold earrings in it, twinkling in the soft light as he prepared his next attack.

"T-That's not him!" You hissed vehemently, eyes still glued to the growling wolf as they both waited for the other to make the first move.

The hunter sneered, "The evidence is overwhelming."

"That's not Zoro." You snapped back, glaring at your savior's back. You wouldn't hear anything else, you knew it was physically Zoro before you and you weren't stupid, but you felt that Zoro would never attack you. Something was obviously wrong and just looking into the creature's white eye proved you were right.

Zoro's eye was a beautiful, ruby red. A red that glinted when angry or turned warm when he looked at you. A gaze that would do anything and everything possible to protect you.

"I'll always keep you safe."

You believed Zoro. You knew that whatever this creature was before you wasn't him and you had to figure out a way to bring your real wolf back.

Time wasn't on your side though, before any kind of idea could pop into your head the monster had lunged once more; bulky body oddly graceful while still radiating with power. He slashed repeatedly with his claws at the Hunter, the man parrying back with his sword at alarming speed. 

The golden eyed stranger was holding his own very well, even getting a few cuts in despite the creature dodging most of them. The attacks that did hit only seemed to anger the wolf more though, even making him move faster and fight stronger to the point where the assassin was being pushed back more and more; he even looked like he was struggling a bit with the beast.

It was completely unreal to you, watching this fight and unsure exactly how it was going to end. But you knew this couldn't last for long, you had to do something.

So you decided to do the only idea that came to you. An idea you knew was completely stupid and desperate.

You bent down and quickly picked up a handful of snow, patting it tightly into a ball and threw it. Your aim true, the snowball hitting Zoro right in the face and he turned to snarl maliciously at you. This was the opening the Hunter needed though and he got a true strike in, slicing Zoro full on in the thigh. A large gash opened up, blood gushed out and the flesh shining gruesomely.

The wolf howled in pain and your heart clenched, feeling like a traitor for being the cause of Zoro's pain. But that feeling quickly disappeared because despite the blood now falling down his leg and painting the snowy ground a deep crimson, he moved at what felt like light speed and backhanded the Hunter so hard that he was lifted off the ground and thrown into a tree. You heard a loud, agonizing crunch when his body practically bent back and his spine broke from the impact. 

You watched in horror as the golden eyed man coughed up blood, trembling as he tried to sit up but was unable to because of his injury.

Zoro then turned his glare on you, deciding that the man wouldn't be able to move so why not take out the other prey before feasting on the unmoving one? You stepped back while he moved forward.

The hunter coughed and struggled to stand, body obviously unable to handle it before he collapsed again. He looked at you while now using his sword as a crutch.

"RUN!!"

You didn't need to be told twice, turning tail and sprinting through the snow as best as you could while the sound of a unearthly howl followed your retreat. You kept going, surprised your body was moving at all considering how fucking scared you were. The sound of harsh pants followed in your wake and you could only let out a sob as it grew closer.

You dared not look back, knowing it would only hinder your escape.

But the sound of galloping footsteps behind you was enough to make you feel like this was your very own horror movie. You had seen this kind of things a million times before and knew it was futile, a human trying to outrun such a monster.

You were going to die.

Screaming, you felt something knick the back of your coat and you were thrown to the side, tumbling into the snow. Zoro had swung his dangerous hand and snagged his claws into the fabric of your jacket and though he hadn't pierced your flesh he had still stopped you from going further.

You scrambled to get back on your feet, looking up to see the wolf baring down on you now. You fell back onto your knees when he slammed his hands on either side of your body, his muzzle in your face as he bellowed out another nightmarish cry. Wide eyed with horror, he snarled down at you and raised his hand to bring down on you, intending to crush your skull like it was nothing.

Arms flying up in instinct, you covered your head and screamed. "STOP!!!"

When you were sure to feel the very hands that comforted you from the past few days were going to end your existence, nothing happened.

You whimpered and kept your head down, still waiting for the blow to fall but still received nothing. You chanced a peek up at the wolf and stared at the motionless form, the creature's arm still raised to strike. But he looked like he was struggling, arm shaking as if it was fighting to stay still.

The wolf snarled and moved his arm as if to hit you again but still stopped further down, now his whole form trembling. You stared agape at him when he suddenly jumped back, panting angrily. He then started to pace around you like a shark, eyeing you and sending you snarls as you stayed perfectly still on the ground. You watched in sick fascination as he did this, huffing and puffing as if he was annoyed that he couldn't seem to kill you.

Had you finally gotten through to him? Was the real Zoro coming back to you?

The monster suddenly ran forward, this time reaching out with his mouth to snatch his jaws on your neck so to shake you until it snapped.

You screamed out a no and saw him stop again, eye wide in shock and teeth snapping at you but not daring to go an inch towards your neck. He howled in frustration when he realized he couldn't kill you before turning to knock over another tree, temper flaring angrily as he heaved and paced once more as the thick trunk fell to the ground with a loud rumble.

Staring at the fallen tree and feeling a little bit relieved that it hadn't been you, you turned back to watch the wolf as he treaded in the snow. This was very odd and despite how scared you were, it was still fascinating that he seemed unable to give you a finishing blow.

Wracking your brain, you wondered if perhaps werewolves still shared similar traits with regular wolves. It seemed obvious, but how could that explain Zoro's behavior? You knew basic things about animals, most people did. You knew wolves ran in packs and had a pecking order. An alpha would keep control of the pack and made sure they were safe.

But Zoro was a lone wolf, he had no pack. This wouldn't explain his behavior at the moment considering he was obviously his own alpha.

So why had he stopped when you told him to?

...There was no way you were his alpha. That was fucking ridiculous - hilariously ridiculous. You were sure there was some kind of stare down or battle for alpha among wolves and you were sure as hell you hadn't ever done that with Zoro.

Figuring you had nothing to lose, you stood, gaining the wolf's attention in doing so. He snarled and took a hesitant step forward while you summoned up as much courage as you could muster.

"Stay!"

Zoro stopped, body shaking with rage when he couldn't move forward. The very scene blew your mind.

Holy shit, it was true? No, no fucking way.

Confidence driving you now, you moved towards the wolf and got close enough to be able to touch him. You looked up into his snarling, angry face and glared right at him, but he didn't look away like you had expected him to. He glowered right back, but it was obvious he was as confused as you were.

You took a deep breath and reached up, standing on the tips of your toes to touch Zoro's cheek with shaky hands. You still didn't believe you were some alpha, but you weren't going to question it right now, especially since the wolf made no move to snap at you.

Suddenly, you were reminded of when Bushido Zoro had come to your door with his wound; snapping and growling while you had tried to save him before getting Jinbei. It was almost exactly like this and you briefly wondered about the connection.

The monster suddenly whined, the sound so pitiful that you were surprised he could make such a noise in such an imposing form. You stared in shock when he tried to pull away from your hand but couldn't because of your order to stay. Realization hit you when he whined again, finally understanding that he had been attacking the two of you out of possible fear more then rage.

He had been defending himself. He had been attacked and sent into some breaking point to where he was now in this nightmarish form to keep himself safe. Zoro had assumed you were there to attack him with your bat and had reacted like any animal would. He was so far gone he couldn't recognize friend from foe. Him chasing you had obviously been instinct, you felt stupid for running now; everyone always said not to run from a bear - it applied to this situation too.

You basically had spurred him on to keep fighting and now that you had figured out how to stop him, he was afraid you would kill him in such a weak state.

Your heart clenched and you gently started to brush his cheek, hearing him whine and tremble again.

"Zoro," You cooed softly, knowing he could hear you now. "You're safe."

He looked dubious but was leaning down and close to you, body practically engulfing your own as he leaned into your touch. You petted his head, seeing his muscles slowly start to relax.

"Please. Come back." You said desperately, hoping he would follow this order too. He immediately gave one last pathetic whine before disturbing crunching sounds reached your ears as his body grew smaller and his bones rearranged themselves. You felt his form lean on you and make you fall back onto your butt, his body draped over your own as he turned into a human again. His head was hanging over your shoulder while his arms laid limp at your side, breathing heavy and naked form pressing close against you.

Zoro didn't say anything as you continued to pet his head, making you wonder if he was even conscious. Your question was answered though as you felt a hand grip the back of your jacket roughly, his body tense once more as he moved his face to bury itself into your neck. He took deep breaths, the both of you sitting in silence as snow gently fell from the sky that night.

Then you felt his body go limp once more before he passed out, leaving you alone to figure out what to do next.