String of Fate (One Piece)

Chapter 16: A Change

3rd POV 

The day after that incident Rizu had been silent and had only talked when spoken to.  Her voice sounding distant and lifeless.  She seemed as if she had changed within the night to turn into this cold, distant, and lifeless person.  

For Z and Chase had seen her before they departed.  Chase had tried to figure it out but came to the conclusion that she was moody due to her becoming a teen, so he let it go.  However, Z saw it was not that simple.  The next day after she continued being like this.  She had not been enthused to train and he had not seen her touch her weapon at all.  Normally doing the night he knew that she would train but he has not seen her at all.  

The day for them to leave soon came where Rizu boarded the ship.  She had given a last farewell to Chase a while ago where he was going to stay at HQ for one more day before he is sent off to his location.  Hina and Smoker had already left but they haven't seen Rizu before they left.  Rizu had kept to herself and often left when Z was done with her. 

"Ready for departure sir!"  A marine officer announced to Z as he saluted.  Z nodded his head and walked off to do his duties as Rizu stood off to the side near her bags as she looked out into the sea.  Her mind else where.  This ship full of new recruits that Zephyr has now been tasked with to train.  Taking in the previous men from last time and more that he saw potential in.   

Rizu POV

We had finally left HQ and I stare off into the distance feeling slightly relieved.  But I still couldn't get over it.  My mind would constantly replay it over and over again where I shut myself in.  I felt so lifeless and each time I look in the mirror and see my face or even looking at my mask in the mirror.  I couldn't help but curse this face and myself.  

It was like a constant reminder of his words and the things that I've tried to accomplish and all of it for what?  Nothing.  It didn't matter anymore if I became stronger.  It didn't matter what I did now.  Why would I continue to impress and try anymore when the man I tried to get acknowledged by would never do it.  What's the point of even wanting to meet him in the first place. 

Why am I weak and useless?  Why am I like this.  Why did you love him?  Why did you have me?

All these thoughts and questions swirl around constantly poking at my brain.  I continue to look off into the distance and clench my hands around the edge of the ship.  "Just why?"  I say to myself hoping someone will tell me.  

____________

3rd POV 

Days go by with Rizu remaining the same, with her spacing off and doing duties without a word as Z assigned them to her.  

"Rizu."  Z calls out finally having enough with seeing how she changed so much.  From a quiet but hardworking and happy girl during training to a lifeless and distant personality.  Rizu turns around as she carries a box that needed to be moved.  "Yes, Z"  she says as she walks over to him.  

Z sighs out a long sigh and looks down at the girl.  "Rizu, you've been acting different these past days.  What happened?"  he asked genuinely worried for the girl.  Rizu looked up at the man studying his expression and reading him.  She soon responds with "Sorry Z-san, but nothing big happened.  I haven't been feeling to well and I have a lot that's on my mind at the moment.  Have I messed something up?"  She asks.  

Z studies her and nods his head.  "No you haven't.  I just wanted to know.  You may go back."  he says and sighs out seeing her turn around to put the box down in it's place and she went in the other direction to pick up another one and hand it to another man where he was taking some it's contents to the kitchen.