At first the room was silent as the two pirates stared at each other. Eventually it was Straw Hat captain who broke the silence. "So how do you feel?" asked Luffy in his usual manner.
"Terrible," Benn smiled, "It's good to see you Luffy."
"Yep," Luffy agreed as his grin became wider. "So where is Shanks?" asked Luffy.
Benn laughed 'okay maybe not a good idea laughing hurts,' anyway "so you miss him hu."
Luffy nodded eager to know where Shanks was. "Sorry Luffy but he isn't anywhere near here."
Luffy's face fell "Where is he," Luffy asked as he began to pout.
Benn smiled "Much farther in, sorry. I was not with Shanks as he had sent me to do a task for him."
"A task?"
"Sorry Luffy can't tell you that," Benn paused briefly before continuing, "I do need a favour though."
"Sure," Luffy replied without hesitation.
"I need a boat or some sought of vessel."
"What for?" asked Luffy.
"Sorry Luffy can't tell you that either."
With that Luffy stuck out his bottom lip, "Well how are you going to sail the boat if you can't move," Luffy mumbled.
Benn looked at Luffy in a fond manner 'the boy really hadn't changed that much,' Benn was about to reply when the door opened interrupting the two.
Turning to see who it was Luffy saw it was the ship's doctor Chopper. Meanwhile Benn saw what looked like a creature that looked like a little bear with antlers, walking upright and wearing clothes.
"You're awake," said the creature.
"It talked," came Benn's response unable to hide his surprise.
"Shishishi," laughed the Straw Hat captain, "Chopper is our doctor."
"Your doctor," Benn looked back at the creature.
"How are you feeling?" the creature asked as he moved to examine his patient.
Benn smiled at the little doctor, "I feel great."
"You feel great?" Chopper asked suspiciously, "You are covered head to toe in burns and then there is this gash on your side that looked like it was made by some kind of blade," Chopper said as he indicated to the wound.
"I've been through worse," stated Benn as he forced himself to sit up ignoring the pain, "Luffy about what I was asking just before, where can I get a boat?"
Chopper protested instantly, "you can't go anywhere in your condition you have to stay in bed."
Benn shook his head, "I don't have time. I need to go now."
"Do you mean you need to get to Tar," asked Nami as she walked into the infirmary having overheard the tail end of the conversation.
"Found this in your pocket," said Nami as she held up an Eternal Logpose with the name Tar on it. (Nami had swiped it from him earlier as well as a little cash )
Benn didn't seem fazed as he nodded, "It is important that I get there asap."
Luffy smiled, "Nami tell the others to prepare to sail we are heading to Tar."
"No!" Benn almost yelled and he would have if he didn't hurt so much. "It is too dangerous for you I have to go alone."
Nami mentally face palmed, 'if he didn't want them to go that is the last thing he should have said.'
Luffy smiled as he began to get excited, "Sounds fun."
"No," said Benn this time more firmly, "I must go alone." As he was saying this Benn went to stand up. He felt pain shoot through every part of his body as he swayed and collapsed back on the bed.
Luffy turned to the doctor, "Take care of him Chopper," he smiled as he turned and ran outside as he started shouting to his nakama that it was time to set sail.
"Wait."
Nami turned and smiled at Shank's first mate, "Sorry there is nothing anyone can do when he gets like this, you might as well wait and work on gaining your strength. From the sounds of it you're going to need it. Don't worry Chopper is a great doctor."
"Praising me won't make me happy," said Chopper as he smiled swaying on the spot.
Nami then turned and went out to join her captain as the Thousand Sunny began its journey towards Tar.
Hey guys, well that is the end of another chapter. I hope you like it. I hope I was able to keep everyone in character. Also I really need a Beta-Reader, especially someone who has a fairly good understanding of the One Piece characters.
Thanks also for the reviews as they are extremely encouraging.