Hey Guys

Forth Chapter YAY! Finally.
Sorry for the delay, yada yada yada.

Anyways, this chapter is written in Robin's perspective and she gets to do some sneaky detective work. I wonder what she will find out?!

Keep it coming with the love guys, I really love the support!

Updated Chapter Four: Ok so, more pointers and reading it when I was actually focused and trying not to contradict myself every two sentences, I have amended this Chapter. As well as some more detail/emotion/context, yada yada yada...

The Little One That Follows Me

Chapter Four: Secrets

Robin

Swordsman-san still blamed himself.
For being too late to notice his Nakama's disappearance, for being too late to save Sanji and Usopp from the Navy Base.
For being unable to protect Sanji on top of the cliff.
For being unable to do anything whilst the man recovered.
For being unable to kill Tehran, someone responsible for Sanji's pain…

Well, that was Robin's belief at least. She assumed that he was still pushing his boundaries, punishing himself by means of training, even if it meant stabbing himself as punishment. Because, no matter how Robin looked at it, that was the outcome of the fight.
Zoro had known he would've been injured, and did so in a non-fatal, but painful place. Able to withstand the pain, Zoro had won. It was Tehran who had backed down first, securing the swordsman the victory. Of course, Swordsman-san recovered within the day and was already free of bandages by the time he sat down for dinner, although Doctor-san made a huge fuss and almost attempted to manhandle him back into the infirmary. However, appeased by Cook-san's delectable dinner, the matter was dropped quite quickly.
As if the Blonde had planned it… But he wasn't always as scheming as Robin, so it may have just been a fluke. That was what Robin would've thought of she hadn't seen the glances and the blushing.
No. Not scheming at all…

From the small animal's report it seemed that Mr Bushido's wounds were superficial and was "nothing to worry about." However Cook-san did bait the swordsman into a fight ensuing a rowdy dinner and entertainment for the evening, along the terms of "suicidal bastard" and "contradicting his preaching's." But Robin knew that Sanji was only worried, just like the rest of the crew. The show was simply to cover up any lingering emotion neither fighter wished to acknowledge.
But they had already, even without realising it.

Robin had seen, and she knew.

The following morning was peaceful. Breakfast was a lazy affair, with little conversation as the crew seemed to be tired from yesterday's excursion. Navigator-san and Robot-san more so than the others after deciding to stay up and continuing sailing, to put as much distance as they could between them and their Marine tailers. It was after the Marimo had told them the ships were from the same naval base that took Sanji and wanted him back.

Instead of imposing on the other's space, whilst they lounged on the deck or where they saw fit, Robin took up space in the library, deciding to read some of her less-memorised books. Not long after she settled herself down in her favourite spot, did Cook-san bring her a warm beverage and snacks before leaving quietly, acting as if he had never been there.

Robin watched him go, sadness in her eyes.
Even though he was trying to hide it, it was still obvious that the man was still suffering from his treatment. Not wanting to worry anyone, he would visit the infirmary more often than usual. That was perfectly acceptable, but seeing as it had been so long since the incident…

Robin certainly wasn't being rude. Not in the slightest.
She was simply concerned for Cook-san, so by using her devil-fruit abilities to grow an ear and an eye in the corner of the infirmary wasn't being rude at all. She was simply using a different means to gather information, rather than asking Cook-san or Doctor-san personally. Besides, there wasn't anything she shouldn't know. After all, Chopper never kept secrets about serious problems with the crew's health. Even when such crew members begged Doctor-san not to say anything. He always blabbed, with tears in his eyes and his little pink hat held askew.

"… Trust me Sanji. There is nothing there that you should worry about. It is simply bruising and it will fade with time," Doctor-san was saying as he checked over Cook-san's stomach, pushing the skin a little to inspect the discolouration.
The area looked slightly swollen and there was obvious blotching patterns on the man's usually pale skin. Red marks, like pressure. Bruises, yellow and old.

"I'm going to give you more vitamins and I want to add some anti-stimulants for you to take before you sleep. They'll help you stay relaxed and hopefully dull your subconscious mind."
"And stop the nightmares?"
"Hopefully," the reindeer replied with a sigh.
Doctor-san also subscribed mild painkillers in case Cook-san was feeling anymore pain, or if any might return, although it wasn't clear why the little Doctor thought that it should. Cook-san wasn't keen to stay in the infirmary. Something about catching sight of the needles and blood samples on the Doctor's desk caused him to start firing excuses at the reindeer until he was able to escape to his sanctuary in the kitchen.
Before Robin could look away, the infirmary door swung open and Swordsman-san sauntered in, sitting down on one of the chairs, grumbling as Franky stood in the doorway. "Chopper. The idiots been working out and he's ripped some stitches. Again."
True enough Swordsman-san's body was more than decorated with blood, staining his top and trousers. As usual the man's punishment regime (work out) had not ripped a few stitches but it seemed he had ripped all of them, but one.

Robin left the men to their privacy, deciding that she didn't need to hear Robot-san's vulgar terms and Mr Bushido's constant grumbling for medicinal care whilst the little doctor shouted at him for not taking care of his body. She had heard it enough times to recite the words the three would use.

Now would be when Robin would stay out of the way and leave everyone to continue going about that day as if nothing was wrong. But instead of returning to her library books as per usual, Robin got up and took her now-empty coffee cup back to the kitchen. Cook-san had already started preparations for early lunch it seemed, perched on a stool near the kitchen sink, skinning vegetable whilst humming to himself. There was less noise coming from the infirmary so Robin assumed that swordsman-san hadn't put up much of a fight and given in to the young Doctor's demands.
"Robin-swan," Cook-san sung when he spotted the older women in the doorway. "You look simply elegant this morning!" Robin just smiled. "Thank you Cook-san. The coffee was perfect. As usual."

The man danced over to her, his eyes looking suspiciously like hearts as he lightly took the cup and pirouetted over to the sink to wash it immediately, putting in a little more effort than usual. He was trying to hide the twinges of pain that he felt and the unsteadiness of his feet as he moved. But Robin had seen.

"Would you like another drink?"
"Yes just a small cup of coffee again, if you don't mind."

Robin smiled again and patiently waited for Sanji to pour her another. "This time though, can I have cream and extra sugar?" she asked, smiling again. "Certainly, my dear lady." Cook-san obliged, grabbing two sugar coated biscuits from his arrangement to put on a plate beside the hot drink. A dash of caramel was added as well.

The man wasn't an idiot. He knew that the cup of coffee wasn't for Robin.

The woman left the kitchen, thanking the Cook before disappearing into the infirmary. She wanted to have a private word with the Doctor. The little reindeer was where he always was; hunched up over his desk, neck-deep in research and medical theories. Sanji's file had also been recently added to the pile of paperwork, filled with notes and reports that Chopper had written out as to keep a track of the man's healing progress.

The Doctor hadn't noticed the Archaeologist enter the room, and simply continued pouring over his notes, mumbling to himself as he read and re-read studies in medical books.
"…No, no that wouldn't work…. I don't…. maybe in this book? Or in the…. No that's for animals…. Unless…."

"Doctor-san are you okay?"
The little reindeer seemed to jump out of his fur, quickly scrambling to hide his notes under his hooves, as if he had been doing something he shouldn't have. "I've brought you a drink," Robin said, showing the peace offering, ignoring the quizzical attitude of the boy before her. Doctor-san's eyes lit up, but he seemed hesitant to move his hands from the pages of Sanji's file. As if he really didn't want Robin to see…

"Cook-san has recovered well hasn't he?" Robin smiled, moving to set the drink down on his desk, catching sight of an odd hastily scrawled phrase. Too much blood.
"Yes he has," the doctor said quickly, eyeing the perfectly cooked biscuits on the plate. Robin retreated to the far wall, giving the reindeer the sense of security needed for him to be able to move his hands. When he did, Robin's third eye, calculatedly placed on the wall above his desk, could easily read the reports in Sanji's file.

Sanji / File #4

Check Up: 5

Days since Incident: 2 days
Details still unsure as Patient is till unconscious. Suspected wounds and medical evidence Patient suffered torture and body mutilation. Wounds suggest drug testing and brutal treatment.

Patient Condition:
Left knee dislocated with several blunt force trauma wounds to ankle, foot and shin bone. Right leg suffers blunt force trauma to upper thigh, knee, shin bone, ankle. All toes broken on both right and left foot. Several light wound abrasions to inner right leg. Three deep abrasions to lower left leg, inner skin.
Patient suffers laboured breathing due to water in the lungs and suspected fractured ribs from bruised areas on chest.
Patients left shoulder disjointed. Right shoulder stiff from previous dislocation.
Hands suffer blunt force trauma – No broken fingers only stiff from abuse.
Nose broken, right eye swollen and bruised.
Three blunt force trauma to head causing heads bumps on left side of head. Right side suffers three inch wound, shallow, not suspecting damage to brain or internal injuries.
Fever of 41.7c Danger of convulsions and fitting.

With every new bullet point, Robin could feel her fake smile slipping. It was getting harder and harder to keep it there as she thought of all of the ways Sanji was suffering.
And possibly still suffering….

Treatment: Sanji's body has been secured so that no rough weather will affect his condition further and also for administering injections. He has been put on a drip for nutrient intake and an oxygen tube into his lungs to help him breath. Draining the sea water is difficult and Sanji's body refuses to naturally expel it due to his unconsciousness.
Extra Notes: Taken blood samples to test for drugs after finding needle scars on neck and near main arteries. Constant monitoring from the other crew. All have been briefed on actions for extra precaution. Monitoring Sanji's condition whilst Nami and Franky are looking for close islands to rest up and get more medical supplies. Painkillers and fever medicine desperately needed.

[End of Report]

"Yes, Sanji's condition seems to be better. But he still concerns me," the Doctor sighed. "Actually, everyone still concerns me," he admitted, rubbing his brow as he sipped at the hot beverage. The corners of his mouth lifted a little as the sweetness washed over his tongue and calmed him a little.
But a glance at the blue file on his desk had Doctor-San's fur bristled once more.

"It's frustrating though. No matter how much I talk to him, Sanji still won't confess about what happened on the island. It's nearly been 3 months!" The young Doctor began to rant, about how all he was doing was trying to help Sanji but the Blonde couldn't see that, unaware that Robin wasn't fully paying attention as she kept looking for opportunities to read more into the Cook's medical file.
"His physical wounds may have healed but there is something… unstable about him. Emotionally. Mentally…"

Robin just smiled, sitting herself on the medical cot. "But he is okay now. He doesn't seem like there is anything wrong."
"That's just it," the Doctor said, taking another sip from the beverage. He seemed to melt in his chair, letting exhaustion from non-stop caring for the Cook wash over him. "I mean, I feel like he is a ticking time bomb. As if, if he bottles everything up then eventually he'll just explode and end up back in the same place. I'm worried for him. He is putting too much on his shoulders and until we know what exactly happened on that island, I don't think Sanji is going to get completely better He's pushing himself as it is, but if I try and take cooking away from him, Sanji might just go back into his shell about us not trusting him. It's a difficult one," he sighed again, staring at the cup in his hand.

Sadly, the drink wasn't helping him as much as Robin had hoped, but she was still focused on her own agenda.
Whilst the reindeer was distracted, Robin made one of her spare hands slide several pages over so that she could read another report from a later date.

Sanji / File #4

Check Up: 20

Days since Incident: 6 Days.
Details still inconclusive. Patient refusing to talk. Maybe suffering with mental trauma. Hopefully talking will help him to open up and can begin mental treatment. Currently recording as Post-Traumatic-Stress case after patient is showing signs of PTSD. Includes nightmares, uncertain feelings and occasional blocks in the mind.

Test Results: Blood Test results show Sanji was drugged with pain stimulants. Blood to drug ratio is at 3:2. Patient has been put on a water drip to help dilute the drug solution and help pass it through the body quickly. Patient has been encouraged to eat and drink often as well to help speed up the process.

Patient Condition:
Patient recently recovered stable consciousness – 67 hours prior to medicinal record update.
Patient's vital signs are stabilising.
Eye retraction to sharp lights proves that Sanji is still responsive during sleep.
Patient does not suffer memory loss, dizziness, nausea or memory lapse indicating no further head trauma.
Muscles are relaxing and medication is helping to aid sore limbs and blunt force trauma on the body.
Patient has naturally begun to empty his lungs of sea water, although there is still some inside, due to his complaints of his heavy chest and stomach area.
Patient suffering vivid nightmares indicating hallucination inducing drugs have been administered.
Further tests are required for specification and further understanding to help fight the drugs within his system.
Previous stimulant drug theory correct.
Pain receptors make treating more difficult.
Fever burning off pain medication makes it hard to treat.
Side effects include exhaustion, dehydration and restlessness.
Further tests on current drugs to test side effects when reacting with the painkillers. Slowly start to reduce painkiller levels.

Treatment: Currently receiving 1200mg of Opioids every hour. Work on reducing amounts down to 600mg every three hours. Patient receives Valerian, Doxylamine and Diazepam pills before sleep to help reduce brain activity whilst subconscious to supress dreams and nightmares of reoccurring memories. Patient undergoes therapy sessions three times a day, or depending on stress and anxiety levels. Integrating back into the crew will also help stress levels but patient is not yet recovered enough to leave the infirmary.
Extra Notes: Review blood tests for treatment and monitor drug to blood ratio levels. Patient is to stay in infirmary for at least another week.

[End of Report]

Doctor-san sighed loudly, putting his head into his hands, his cup already safely placed onto the desk. "I don't know how to help him. I don't even know if what I am doing is helping him," he whimpered, his voice cracking as if he was about to cry. As a Doctor, he was distraught that he was unable to help his patient.
And to make it worse, his patient was Sanji.

Robin wanted to talk, and comfort the small reindeer, but her hand had already moved the file, and this one had already caught her attention…

Sanji / File #4

Check Up: 38

Days since Incident: 21 Days.
Details are still inconclusive but therapy sessions with the patient has brought light to their treatment and conditions. Bruises that have appeared show Sanji was restrained from his hands, ankles and neck, comfirmed from information provided by Sanji. Laboured breathing was not due to water on the lungs but an inflamed throat due to constricting braces during treatment. Also patient was denied food and water whilst confined, reflecting on his fear of starvation causing ordeal to be more mentally traumatic and more solid in his subconscious. Threats of other crew and captured crewmate prove also effective in causing anxiety and fear levels to increase. Findings show patient has developed claustrophobia due to incident.
Even now with part of the crew Sanji still feels insecure and is very withdrawn from the others. Only responds when approached and is conscious of others and people's opinions more.

Test Results: Drugs are still in Sanji's system at 4:1, blood to drugs. The side effects of the pain stimulants are still effecting Sanji but he requires less medication, now only on an emergency supply if he suffers from pain. Sanji still takes Valerian, Doxylamine and Diazepam pills before sleeping to keep dreams, nightmares and memories suppressed. Theory is that suppressing the memories from treatment will help Sanji until he is ready to discuss what happened to him. It will also help stabilise Sanji's mental condition and integrating back into the crew.

Patient Conditions:
Sanji is mobile with limited issues. He still can get stiff, especially his legs, but with physical therapy and Savate practice, it can become quickly amended.
Balance is off now and again. Sickness continued but controlled and not as harsh as before.

Treatment: Continued sleeping pills and emergency painkillers. Now only 200mg dose every three hours with emergency 100mg for pain only.
Extra Notes: Continue to wean Sanji off of medication and sleeping drugs. Therapy shows that Sanji is becoming reliant on drugs. Over use will eventually start affect his mental state – awareness, fighting ability and stamina.

[End of Report]

Without hesitating, Robin swiped again, turning the pages of the file. In her haste a few fluttered to the floor but her third eye was glued to the words written on the paper, dated only this morning.

Sanji / File #4

Check Up: 53

Days since Incident: 31 Days.
Patient still refuses to talk directly about what happened. The marine attack and Zoro's actions spurred further rage from Sanji. The stunt also fully integrated Sanji back into the crew and his skills as Cook and fighter are nearly back on top form.

Test Results: The stimulants have been completely purged from the patients system but it does not explain why Sanji is still showing symptoms now and again. Further blood tests will identify reasons. Add urine testing as well.

Patient Conditions:
Sanji's mental state is beginning to crumble although he hasn't let anyone catch on yet. The stress of hiding everything is hard on him. It seems that in today's therapy session he admitted to revealing information to Brook. Will be questioning Brook later without Sanji's knowledge for further updates.

Treatment: No more drugs. All prescriptions have been taken before Sanji becomes strongly addicted. Will finally force him to face his fears, either through memories or nightmares. Prepare for more therapy sessions and warn the crew about the recent activities. Check Sanji's bruises and monitor him. Complaining of upset stomach but no food poisoning or sickness. Told patient to monitor his eating habits, toiletry habits and exercise. Monitor pain and work through it rather than rely on drugs.
Extra Notes: Heard odd heart palpitation whilst Sanji felt chest pain. Monitor for identification. Palpitation may indicate to heart murmur or living para-

The young doctor dropped to the floor to gather the fallen reports, placing them on his desk, covering the last of the file as he did so. Robin relinquished her third eye and arm before the young Doctor saw them. She smiled at the flushed reindeer who was stuffing the paper into his desk drawer, scared that Robin would read them.

"You don't usually come into the infirmary," he said, turning back to the archaeologist. "Was there anything you wanted?" Robin just smiled. "I was just checking up on you. I know you've been working very hard. I just didn't want you to burn yourself out." She smiled again, the perfect fake smile covering her inner emotions as she stood.
"I hope you enjoyed the drink."

The visit was insightful.
More insightful than she expected.

Now she understood why the Cook was getting slower and, although no one had noticed, how he was slightly off balance. The last sentence. Although Robin hadn't read all of it… she knew how it finished.
That was why Sanji was still feeling sick.

He had a parasite growing in his body.

The torture wasn't just torture.
They were experiments.

To see if Sanji could support the growth of the monster….

Cook-san out did himself with lunch.

Although Robin kept an eye on him and only had to catch him once, Sanji was quite able to juggle all the plates as he pranced back and forth from the kitchen to the table. Doctor-san was also keeping half an eye on him when he wasn't being distracted by Captain-san and Long-nose-kun's childish antics.

The meal was held earlier than usual, having Navigator-san found an island nearby and the ship would be approaching at the usual meal time. Snack boxes were prepared for the adventure on the island. They had seen an island on the West coast and decided to sail around to the south to search for a bay. Instead, they moored the ship amongst a grove of unusual mangrove trees, whose roots sank beneath the sea.

Cook-san wanted to pick some and taste test them, and found a substantial number of foods on his journey up to fields. Navigator-san and Robin headed to the village for an inn to stay in, accompanied by the small doctor and the Sharpshooter who wanted to restock on supplies. Franky and Brook went off in search for wood to fix the ship since the Marine incident, whilst the Marimo wandered off for personal meditation time and more training that required he get lost first.
Captain-san was the first off the ship in search of a mystery cave, to which Long-nose-kun got slapped upside head a few times from the fiery red-haired woman.

The village was interesting although it showed no signs of extended history. The villagers revealed they had recently inhabited the island because they were branching out from a different island, which was followed by a long monotonous story that also explained that the other island did not hold anything remotely similar to ponyglyphs.
Although that was a shame, Robin was able to find some interesting books that she hadn't seen before. But whilst she found herself perusing through the shelves of a particular back-alley bookstore, she stumbled upon a small leather-clad book.

Gold writing inscribed the purple surface.
The pages were old and withering on the edges, some torn form where people had neglected to use care when simply riffling through. Words were obscured by dust and dirt and some were even smudged by water marks. It wasn't the content that grasped Robin's attention.
No, it was the title that seemed intriguing, although Robin could not quite place why...

"The Culture of Spiritual Animation of Soul Identity and Nature of Entities"

There was no author. Not even on the first or last page. Simply a small signature that could've been mistaken by a rushed scrawl to have the quill work again.
But Robin knew different. She had read too many books to know the difference between a scribble and a signature. And this was definitely a signature.

Robin bought the book amongst the others that she had found, simply nodding to the manager as she stepped quietly from the dimply lit shop and back to the main street. Navigator-san had secured the pair a room in a nearby inn, so the Archaeologist headed there to sit quietly with one of the books that she bought. She lost herself in "Shadows in the Mind," and could not put down "The Lives That Bind Us."
It was not until Navigator-san knocked on the door well past dusk before Robin lifted her eyes from the inked pages.

"Robin! You were here the whole time?" the red-haired woman sounded surprised but she had an air of giddiness and the non-too mistakable aroma of strong alcohol. "You seem like you have been enjoying yourself," the older woman commented, putting her book on her bedside to ready herself to sleep as the other girl was doing. "Yes," she laughed, pulling off her top and throwing it at the end of the bed.
"I found a fantastic pub and managed to get half of the people there involved in a drinking game."
"I'm assuming money was involved."

The other girl turned to give Robin a cheeky grin. "Of course."
Robin just laughed to herself, climbing into the bed as she pulled closer the purple leather book with golden scribing. "You don't mind if I read some more," she asked Navigator-san, but the girl was already fast asleep, still half dressed, sprawled across the bed with a smile on her face.
Robin just smiled, using a pair of extra limbs to help the worn out girl properly into the bed for the night.

Robin settled into her pillow, rereading the title of the book.

"The Culture of Spiritual Animation and Soul Identity and Nature of Entities."

Why did that seem so important?

The first page had a note written. And at the bottom was the same simple signature made up of three different letters, joined by a single line through the three of them and another underneath.

T. S. S.

The book was mainly filled with stories of different legends of Gods and some of demons but all could be easily explained by the man's notes after each illustrated poem or script containing detail stories of each legend.
Robin was disappointed, hoping to have found something more…

That was, until she came to the last page.

On it was written a short text, scrawled in the man's handwriting as if he had written it as an after note, and not a part of the original book or his critical dialogues on the other legends and myths, most of all he disproved. But this, seemed to be the one legend that the man, or woman, believed in...
Robin could feel herself getting excited as she began to read.

She, the daughter of earth's blood, born,
Rose from the sea not before morn',

None before shared her pure light,
No fin, no claw to cast insight,

Her true form hidden from men of earth,
But in her eyes shone her true worth,

Sapphire, Emerald and Royal Blue,
Iris, Persian and Indigo Hue,

One man of land met She at Dawn,
Their love, mutual a child be born,

Mother she, cast out by hate,
Her house punished her, changed his fate,

Claws like iron, scales like steel,
A thirst for blood, hunt to kill,

War descended upon sea and land,
All destroyed by the infant's hand.

Robin read and reread the lines, scripted in poem. There was so much in those last simple verses.
Any one ordinary would think of it as an elaborate tale written by a gifted poet but…

Robin could read between the lines.
She had answers that everyone else did not.

And again at the bottom, the distinctive signature.

T. S. S

And underneath that, the title…

The Culture of Spiritual Animation of Soul Identity and Nature of Entities.

Robin could see it all falling into place.

It wasn't a signature.
It was a clue.
To only those who knew where to look.

The line through the capital letters of the initial. It meant that they were not important. They had to be removed.

T. S. S

The Culture of Spiritual Animation of Soul Identity and Nature of Entities

And again. The capitals.
Written as a clue. At first, they were made to seem unimportant, but with the line underneath, it meant that they were.

C ulture of A nimation of I dentity and N ature of E ntities

C. A. I. N. E.

K. A. I. N. E.

Well... What do you think?

I hope this doesn't confuse many of you and gives you a clue as to what is really happening behind the scenes...

Thoughts please :)