Hello fellow readers! How nice of you to join me again. I gave a rare treat for you all by giving a 3000 word long chapter!
Warning: Multiple mentions of blood and possibly badly written characters.
In that case, kick back, relax and enjoy, cause here we go.
In the last chapter
"Luffy tell me what's wrong," Ace said softly as to not scare him more. Ace vows that whatever the problem he will try and fix it because only a few things that really scare Luffy this much which is what is concerning him. Luffy looks in every direction before his eyes locks with Ace's grey ones. But the next sentence that spews from Luffy's mouth made Ace's heart stop.
"Who's Luffy?"
Ace couldn't believe what he was hearing. Out of all the absurd that leave Luffy's mouth. This has to be a joke right?
"What are you talking about? You're Luffy. Idiot," Ace raises his eyebrow in confusion. The way Luffy was looking at Ace was starting to make him think this is not a joke. But whatever reason got Luffy reacting like that before disappeared completely it seems. Luffy broke eye contact with Ace and stares at his hands with a thoughtful expression.
"Luffy," Luffy says under his breath like he was testing the name out.
Luffy? Sounds like it could be my name. If this guy is calling me that he might know who I am! Damn my head is killing me since I woke up. After a few moments of deafening silence, Luffy restored eye contact with his face displaying hope.
"You called me Luffy which means you know me right? Could you help me?" Luffy asks jumping to his feet startling Ace causing him to fall backwards. The fire user tilts his head in confusion before the reality behind the words really hit him like a truck.
"Wait you said that like you don't remember me. Y-You know who I am right?" Ace pleads almost desperately hoping for the answer that deep down he knows he's not getting.
His precious sunshine forgetting about him would be so...well, it's so bad there are no words. Luffy taps his head a couple of times before his face drops realising he did not know. This is starting to really hurt now.
Why am I so dizzy all of a sudden?
"I'm sorry but I don't know who you are," Luffy answers looking really guilty.
Ace looked devastated was an understatement and Luffy could see but he felt a pang of guilt in his chest because he can't understand why this stranger is this upset. Luffy shuffles over to where Ace was currently having a conflict with himself and attempts to comfort him.
Suddenly, Luffy let out a sound of pain he was trying to hold back. Ace slowly turns his head around and met a pair of dark eyes filling up fast with tears of pain. Luffy clamps his eyes shut and grasps his head with both hands. Ace shaking himself out of the shock and lays Luffy down onto his lap, examining him to see what could be the problem.
In discomfort, Luffy continuously squirms, hand hovering above his head like he's afraid to make it worse.
"Where does it hurt?" Ace demands to slip into a calm mode to distract himself from his sunshine suffering. Just looking at Luffy he could already guess what's wrong but he has to be sure.
"M-My head. I don't why but it just keeps hurting more and more" Luffy grits his teeth.
Ace's full attention went straight to his head. The fire user was awfully suspicious when he first saw the bandage wrapped around his little brother's head but at that time he assumed it wasn't a big deal. Gathering up the courage, Ace sucked up a long breath and starts to peel back the bandage. As soon as it was lifted slightly, a few stray drops of blood cascade down into Luffy's pain filled eyes and down his face giving the look of tears.
"Please make it stop," Luffy begs so softly it was practically a whisper. Ace's eyes widen as his protective instincts kicked in. Leaning backwards, he made a grab for his bag and frantically searches through it for anything at all. What a fruitless search, he had absolutely nothing.
"Dammit!" Out of frustration on the situation, Ace punches the ground hard resulting in Luffy flinching.
"Sorry, look I can't help but let go find someone who can," Ace apologises.
Seeing as he cannot help Luffy with lack of resources, he picks him up into a piggyback and made sure he is secured properly before taking off in a random direction. Grey eyes narrowed with determination to get his sunshine some help, he pushed himself the fastest he can run. So deep in concentration, he nearly misses Luffy speak.
"I remember climbing a tree and seeing a ship before maybe they could help?" Luffy advises causing Ace to realise that was an actual good idea and skids to a sudden reckless stop, ending with Luffy seeing stars.
Sending an apology look, Ace weighs his options and quickly made the decision to scale the enormous tree with Luffy on his back. Placing his orange hat on top of Luffy's head to protect it from further harm, he ascends the tree with practised ease and spotted the ship Luffy was referring to before, thanking stars it's not far away. With the use of his devil fruit powers, Ace jumps from the tree and slows his descent and bolts in the location of the ship.
"Oi are you okay back there? Please hang on a little longer for me. We are nearly there," And as if the world wanted him to suffer more, Luffy became unconscious and went limp in his grasp.
He didn't even know he could even run faster but apparently, so he can. All his thoughts start spiralling out of control in Ace's head.
What the hell is going on? Why doesn't remember me? Why didn't I notice the state he was in earlier?
If only I had SOMETHING than this won't be that bad. Why am I so goddamn useless! I should win an award for worst brother ever. I wish Sabo were here now he would know what to do. Come to think of it we have done this before. That bear from Mt. Colubo. Unknowingly to the fire user, tears trickled down his face.
Unfortunately whilst running, Ace miraculously trips on a tree root (Ace wants to believe but it was actually air.) causing the duo to fly. Twisting so he could protect his brother only ended with Ace faceplanting the ground and sliding a couple of yards. If this was any other time Ace would feel angry and embarrassed but all he is feeling at the moment is an intense worry for his kid brother.
Forcing his head off the ground, Ace stared forward to see the ship was RIGHT THERE. The ship seemed very large compared to the one he saw in Alabasta but still small compared to the Moby Dick. For the figurehead, it appears to be a lion with a stylized mane with two crossbones behind it in the manner of a Jolly Roger.
What he also noticed was a presumably an eight-foot skeleton looking startled at them. The skeleton's clothes was that of a gentleman consisting of a coat, top hat and trousers, which were black, The cravat that was tied in between their coat and around their neck was blue. They also carried a purple cane. The weirdest thing was their afro...
"This skeleton has an afro? What in the world?" Ace thought aloud. Without warning the skeleton lent a hand to help Ace to his feet but Ace remains still.
"You nearly scared me to death, though I'm already dead. Yohohoho," The towering skeleton jokes.
Ace would have jumped fifty feet in the air if it weren't for a certain black-haired kid brother on his back. Speaking of Luffy, the gentleman skeleton's 'eyes?' lingered on the pale teen's shadowed face, wondering what is wrong. That is until they seemed to recognise him and with that, the skeleton became immediately hostile.
Out of nowhere, a sword was placed underneath Ace's chin making him look up into the glare that he was receiving. Normally Ace would have let the sword pass through him being a logia type yet he is not risking anything while Luffy was in range.
Despite having a flame logia devil fruit, the skeleton's soulless eye sockets sent the chills of the underworld right down his back and promises death if not obliged to obey his demands.
"My name is Brook and I am apart of the Strawhat Pirates. If you do not pass my captain over, they will be fates worse then death in store for you," Brook threatens.
Ace sweatdropped, thinking of all the things they would do to him. He snaps out of it when he feels drops of warm liquid trickle down from his shoulder to his fingertips. Without even seeing it he already knew what it was and starts panicking slighting inside.
"Brook right? Luffy needs help right now so we can't be wasting any more time!" Ace quickly but gently hands his little brother over to Brook who seemed to be thrown off guard. Carrying Luffy in bridal style, Brook turned around and took a couple of steps before glancing behind at Ace.
"I'll be back, so stay here," With that said Brook took one more step and he jumps high enough to land on the ship, leaving Ace staring at the spot Brook landed and waits for his return.
The Strawhat Pirates were uncharacteristically quiet and the reason being their currently missing captain. Not so long ago they got caught and forced into battle at sea with the marines and when they regrouped they were missing Luffy and Sanji. A while later Sanji appeared on the island they were temporary docked at, barely standing and when asked questions about what happened and where's Luffy he couldn't reply.
Even though they continued with their normal roles, it wasn't with the same enthusiasm. Zoro is training in the crows nest concentrating on trying to lift weight four times bigger than himself, despite Chopper telling him to rest from Thriller Bark. Sanji is cooking another delicious breakfast in the kitchen minding the small wounds littered all over his body.
Next door, Chopper is studying through books adding more knowledge to apply for future injuries. Nami is currently on the island finishing up on her map. Robin sitting at the aquarium bar observing the fish swim in circles all around her. Usopp and Franky were in Franky's Weapon Development Room exchanging ideas. Brook decided he wanted to go for a walk on the island.
Sanji is getting distracted by his thoughts and it was obvious. Almost sprinkling sugar on the food instead of salt was a definite indicator that he needed a quick break to just clear his mind. Just as he was about to leave, he heard rapid light footsteps approaching the door with no signs of slowing down.
Sanji sidesteps in time as the door flew open revealing Brook's back. Sanji opened his mouth to start a lecture but quickly shut it the moment Brook spun around. In his arms is his captain lying limp and eyes shadowed by an orange hat which he is sure he recognises. The scary part was Luffy was far too pale also the way he was out cold you would presume he is dead.
"Chopper!" Sanji shouted to the reindeer in the next room desperately. Not even seconds, Chopper burst through the other door in his Heavy Point form and starts scanning the room.
The moment Chopper laid his eyes on Luffy's lifeless body, his expression changes from concerned to horror.
"Luffy!" Chopper yells instantly by Luffy's side.
Knowing his job was done, Brook carefully places Luffy into Chopper's arms and turns to leave to interrogate the person who had their captain while Sanji followed behind without taking his eyes off Luffy.
On the other hand, Chopper went straight to the infirmary and delicately positions Luffy on the bed. With a great resolve, the reindeer changes his personality to his doctor mode and starts working. The doctor begins by speedily wash his hands thoroughly and put latex gloves on ready to go. Removing the hat and blood-soaked bandage from around Luffy's head, Chopper made a mental checklist.
Being unconscious is a bad sign. The cause most likely being blood loss. There is a rather large cut stretching diagonally from the left side of his forehead up into his hairline. There is also an enormous bruise covering the majority of the forehead seems to be healing nicely. I got to check and remove any objects from the wound. Chopper checks off one objective from his list when he searches for any potential objects, however, he could not find anything.
Next, I must apply pressure for fifteen minutes to try to stop the bleeding. Grabbing the gauze from the cupboard and placing it onto the wound, the doctor made note of the time and waited.
Meanwhile, Sanji follows Brook closely behind, mind more all over the place than it was before.
"Wait for a second Brook, where did you even find him?" Sanji questions and without even glancing behind, Brook answers.
"I was finishing my little wander around when suddenly this man I didn't recognise came flying out of nowhere with Luffy on his back."
Sanji felt a slight bit of anger hearing this man might have been the person who hurt Luffy. They reach the edge of the ship and peak over the railing to see a man staring at his blood covered arms and hands crying but with an angry expression.
Sanji's thoughts flashed back to the hat he saw before and made the connection with this man. With practised ease, he swiftly grabs his lighter and cigarette packet and lit the end before taking a long drag.
"Oi, you're Luffy's brother, Ace right?" With that Ace shifts his gaze towards the two crewmembers.
The Strawhat Pirates, minus Chopper, all gather in the kitchen listening intently to the story Ace just started on why he was here and where he found their captain.
"When he found me, he wasn't acting like himself at all. To add salt to the wound he was hurt and lost" Ace hangs his head, eyes downcast. The Strawhat Pirates held different reactions varying from shock to anger and concern. However, Zoro is watching Sanji's reactions carefully. He notices Sanji's nervous body language but covered it up with more concern.
"If I ever find the bastard who hurt my brother..." Ace trails off, understanding Brook's words from their previous encounter and feeling the same way. At that second, Chopper left the infirmary in Brain Point form wiping over his hooves with a dry towel.
"Do you mind coming with me for a few minutes Ace, I have a few questions I need answers to," Chopper says heading back into the sick bay before halting in his place.
"Sanji you too," And with that closes the door behind himself.
Ace and Sanji briefly made eye contact, shrugged shoulders and stood up to go into the sick bay. Upon entering, Chopper twirls around to face them in his favourite swivel chair. However, the fire user's and cook's eyes were locked on the person tucked in the bed. Chopper has done such a great job, Luffy looks perfectly fine minus the new clean bandage back around his head.
"These following questions are to help me conclude to a better diagnosis so anything you can think that could help would be appreciated. Don't you worry there won't be that many questions," Chopper states and the duo nod. The doctor reaches for the notepad and pencil ready to write down anything useful.
"Ace when did Luffy become unconscious? That is if you know round about times," Chopper starts, head down and hovering the pencil above the paper. Ace took a minute to think before coming to an answer.
"I think about 3 minutes before bumping into Brook, doctor" Ace replies. Chopper begins scribbling.
"Can you recall if Luffy said anything about anything that happened before finding you?" Chopper lifts his head for a second before back down again.
"Yes, he said he remembered climbing a tree and saw this ship so I took the chance in coming here because at the time I didn't know it was his own ship," more scribbles.
"A good gamble indeed. Last question. Did he seem dazed and/or suspiciously confused at any point?" the reindeer points the pencil towards Ace, who answers this the quickest.
"Yes, I asked him about the bandage and his kind of disconnected from the world..." Ace trails off. Chopper took note of this hesitation whilst placing his notepad on his lap.
"Is there something else that you care to add?" Chopper asks softly knowing there is more. Ace gaze moves to the bed where his unconscious brother lay. It really unnerved him how still and quiet Luffy was being.
Normally he would be moving and be snoring in the most obnoxiously loud way possible. Yet he remained the opposite. Without Ace's permission, the image of Luffy looking confused and frightened took over his brain.
"Yes, doctor. When he was in his dazed state, he started to look... Scared" Chopper takes some last notes before finishing up with the notepad.
"Okay Ace that's all, for now, thank you. Sadly I can't make an official diagnosis until he wakes up" Chopper signals Ace to leave who looked reluctant to do so but complied. Once the door closes over, Chopper rotates around to face Sanji.
"Since you went missing alongside Luffy, do you know what might have happened to cause this" Chopper watches as Sanji tenses up at that question and opens his mouth but quickly shuts it. He took on a more thoughtful expression.
"No Chopper I haven't got a clue, I just woke up on this island after the battle" Chopper seems to be troubled by this. But he could say anything more, Sanji sniffed the air realizing he still was cooking, not that he was burning anything. Taking quick steps to leave he pauses.
"I need to cook food for everyone. It'll be fine, after all, you are the best doctor ever" Sanji says with a big smile on his face.
Chopper visibly brightens and did this weird little dance thing he did when he got complimented. Shutting the door behind him while Chopper repeated 'I'm not happy you bastard' and strides to his kitchen to serve food.
"Alright, who's hungry?" Sanji smiled as he expertly balances plates of food ready to be eaten.
Should I tell them the truth?
And that the end of this chapter! I'm kinda surprised this came out of my mind really quickly, normally it's hard to write anything. I don't do deadlines only publish when inspiration strikes me so don't be surprised this don't update regularly.
I like to thank this random person for checking over this chapter.
Anyway hope you enjoyed reading this story and if you would be so kind and Favourite and Follow and if you have anything to say the Reviews are there just for you.
Thank you
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