Chapter 4: New Recruit

Emerald awoke the next morning gasping for air. Another bad night's sleep, another nightmare. She'd been recovering in the infirmary for over two days now with positive results.

The Head-Nurse entered the room: about twenty years of age, she had short wild aqua-colored hair. She always wore a sweet reassuring smile that could calm the strongest of hurricanes and ran a 'no-funny-business' clinic. Her name was Verena.

"How are you feeling this morning, Ms. Emerald?"

"Alright." she murmured sleepily.

"Is your head feeling any better?"
"Actually, yes it is, thank you so much." she grinned.

"Not a problem." She rolled in a hospital cart with a few medical instruments laid out along the surface. "Please put out your arm."

Obediently, Emerald rolled up the sleeve of her hospital gown and gave Verena her arm. The nurse examined it for a moment then wrapped a Velcro instrument around Emerald's arm. She pumped air into the wrap until it fit tightly around the blonde's arm, cutting off circulation.

"Good." She muttered and removed the arm band.

Next she pulled out a tiny flash light and brought it to Emerald's eyes. "Look straight ahead at the wall behind me."

She did as the nurse asked.

The little light flickered back and forth in the corners of her green eyes; she fought back the urge to follow it.

"Excellent," the nurse placed the little flashlight back onto the cart, "looks like you're all set for now."

"Thank you Head-Nurse." Emerald nodded politely.

"Please, I told you to call me Ms. Verena. 'Head-Nurse' makes me feel old. "

"Oh err...Sorry! Thank you, Ms. Verena."

"Anytime, dear."

The sound of heavy foots steps broke the impending silence as Smoker entered the hospital room.

"Oh! Good morning, Sir..." Verena stood up straight and saluted her superior.

Smoker gave her a nod in return.

His gesture served as her cue to leave.

"Well, it looks like I've got quite a busy morning. Ta-ta!" Verena quickly picked everything up and pushed the cart out the door. She called out as she left, "Let me know if you need anything else, dear! Oh, and if you'd like something to drink I left a fresh pot of coffee on the table across from you."

"I will! Thank you, again!" Emerald called back.

Smoker lit a couple cigars then walked over to the window. "Only two days and you're already making friends."

Her smile faded. The young woman shifted in the bed to face the doorway. "Yeah."

She felt his eyes observing her every move like she was a dangerous fugitive, which, in some cases, wasn't completely illogical.

'Random girl appears at a Marine Base with neither identification nor any knowledge of the land around her; I'd be cautious too.'

Reluctant to speak, she kept her gaze away from the marine. "Okay, so you're here. What do you want?"

"Just came to see how you're doing."

"Of course." She glared at a wall. "And then you're going to arrest as soon as I'm completely healed, right?"

There was a pause before she heard a discernible grunt behind her.

"Whatever." Emerald scoffed.

It was nice of the Captain to have her treated, but Emerald knew that she wasn't welcome there regardless of her condition. Her stay was only temporary, after that she'd be on her own ('On her own,' meaning she was going to be held prisoner immediately after).

"Why else are you here?"

He shrugged. "I wanted to hear that story of yours."

"Oh please, that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard-" His words sank in. "Wait, what?"

"I promised you, didn't I?"

"Yeah I guess so…"

"So tell me."

"I thought you didn't care…"

"I don't. I'm just curious. That's all."

Emerald crossed her arms pouting. "Oh. Well, thank you for your concern."

His sharp gray eyes met hers. "Just tell me the damn story, kid."

She hesitated. "Fine. You won't laugh?"

"I don't ever, usually."

"Well then, pull up a seat, it's going to be a long one."

The Captain seemed to be listening intently. Emerald swallowed hard trying to come up with the best way to start. "It started when my dad went on this business trip with his company…"

Frantic footsteps echoed down the hallway stopping her in mid-sentence. She whipped her head back to the door in time to see two young soldiers stumbling through. Smoker jumped to his feet. "Eh?"

One fell on top of the other and they both hit the floor with a loud 'THUD!'

"Moe, Costello, what the hell are you two doing?" Smoker barked.

The one, whom Emerald presumed to be Costello, stood up and dusted himself off. He was stout, but sturdy, and had dark curly hair. His eyes were small tiny brown orbs that peaked out over his round nose.

Moe, his foil, remained on the floor sputtering curses and complaints at his partner. Unlike Costello, he was tall and slimly built. He had sandy-brown hair and his eyes, big and blue, were hidden beneath thick, dark eyebrows.

"Watch it next time, Gorilla." Moe grumbled.

"Sorry, Moe…" Costello peeped.

"Um, I'm sorry, but who are you two?" Green eyes blinked curiously at the two bumbling fools that had entered the room. She hadn't ever seen them before in One Piece, in fact, she never knew they existed.

'I guess Oda has a name for everyone in the series…'

Costello bowed awkwardly, almost falling over himself. "Ensign Costello at your service, Miss. And this here is-"

"I can introduce myself, dimwit." Moe huffed, then turned to Emerald. "Call me Ensign Moe."

Costello twiddled his fingers sheepishly.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both."

"Likewise!" Costello beamed. "It's an even greater pleasure that we get to work with you!"

"Huh?" Emerald inquired and looked at Smoker. "What are they talking about?"

Smoker sighed and massaged his forehead. "You weren't supposed to know that until later…"

She sat up, prepared to jump out of bed. "Know what? Hold on. All of you… what's going on here?"

"Calm down, kid."

"Stop calling me that!"

Moe intervened before things took a turn for the worst.

"Look, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have opened my big mouth." He walked over to a freshly brewed pot sitting on a counter-top and began pouring himself a mug of coffee. "Emerald is it? Whatever… we're on your side, okay?"

"That still doesn't explain anything!"

"What he's trying to say is," Smoker walked over to the hospital bed, "you'll be working for me for now. I made a request and the Marine Headquarters permitted it."

Emerald could barely mouth the words. "Why?"

"Don't thank me or anything…" He muttered gruffly, then, without saying another word, headed out the door.

"What's up with him?" Costello whispered.

"I can't say for sure." Moe furrowed his brow. "Ever since this girl got here he's been acting funny."

The curly-haired man shook his head. "Forgive the Captain, Miss Emerald. We've recently caught wind of some major news that could be threatening to this country and its people."

She found it kind of frustrating that after two days most of the soldiers were able to address her by her first name. "That still doesn't explain why he spontaneously recruited me."

Moe took a slug of coffee. "Let's just say, that's how our Captain operates. Sometimes, we're not always certain of his true motives."

Emerald frowned and stared out the window. 'Great. That's just great…'

"Is there anything we could do for you at the moment?" Costello asked.

"No thank you." Emerald played with the soft sheets of the bed, and then quickly added. "But, I appreciate the offer."

He smiled, ready to leave the room unlike Moe who had already walked out with his morning mug. "Sure thing."

"Um… wait…"

"Yes?"

"About that 'major news' you were talking about…"

"What about it?"

"What is it exactly?"

Costello paused, his smile dropped. "I can't tell you much. But, I will tell you this: If you can stay out of the conflict by any means necessary, you'll be better off."

She gave him an inquisitive look. "Conflict? With who?"

The thick marine sighed and strode over to the bedside. He leaned in and then beckoned her over to his mouth. "We're not completely certain. But, we think we might be dealing with one of the seven warlords…"

Emerald's eyes widened as Costello finished the sentence.

"His name is Sir Crocodile."

FINALLY! I FINALLY ADDED ANOTHER CHAPTER! It only took me a year... (pshhhh...).

Expect a few edits here and there. Again I apologize that this took so long. A lot of things were put on hold over the past year which sucked especially when it came to writing newer chapters for this fanfic. I plan on doing a reboot of it minus everything One Piece so I can actually write a book of my own (and maybe one day publish it, but who knows...). I appreciate all of you who have been patient and those of you who've commented and left positive reviews. It truly means a lot.

I will be working on a few Hetalia fics along side this one just for yucks, as well as a few original stories (perhaps... I may be getting ahead of myself...).

As always Reviews are most welcome here as long as they're positive and constructive criticism, suggestions, or even just a friendly comment. If I made any minor mistakes (especially with grammar), please notify me via private message so I can fix them.

Expect the next chapter to come out sooner rather than a year later. :)

Thank you!