Author's note: I now have a new computer, and it's much faster than my old one (yes!) but still, it's a used computer anyway. My computer crashed last week, and I never got to post this… Until now. The only problem is now I'm having electrical problems. I had to rewrite half this chapter because my computer randomly shut off, and my work wasn't saved x_x. But now it is all good :) Well, I hope you like it, I hope you review it, and I'll be writing faster than ever now :D.
Franky and Brook followed Zoro into their room at the inn. Zoro removed his katana from the haramaki around his waist, then pulled his shirt over his head. He let himself fall back onto the first bed, closing his eyes and putting his hands behind his head.
Franky reached into his bag and pulled out three full cola bottles. He then replaced the empty ones by opening the metal door to his chest cavity. After he finished, he looked over to the sleeping swordsman. "Oi, Zoro," He said. When he got no response, he sighed.
"I guess we'll just share a bed for tonight," Brook said calmly.
"Mm. I can fall asleep anywhere now," Franky said with a yawn.
"I can't even keep my eyes open! Ah, but I don't have eyes to see with YOHOHOHOHO!"
Franky collapsed on the bed opposite Zoro. "I hope Sanji's alright."
Zoro kicked off his boots onto the floor. "He'll be fine. He's strong. Besides, I don't believe in curses."
Brook grinned. "Except for me, of course YOHOHOHO!"
Nami and Luffy walked back in silence. The full moon was almost directly above them, lighting the barren streets. Luffy was deep in thought, forgetting Nami was beside him.
"Luffy, Sanji's strong," Nami reassured him.
"I know, but what about the girl? What about that curse?"
Nami smiled, closing her eyes. "We defeated the cursed Thriller Bark right? And that's just one example. Sanji's powerful. He'll be okay. I promise."
Luffy looked right at Nami for the first time in hours. Dark circles were starting to show up under his eyes. "I know," He began, "I just feel… helpless."
Before Nami could respond, she heard a familiar voice call from behind them. "Luffy!"
The two of them turned to see Mizuki running to catch up to them. "Mizuki!" They exclaimed simultaneously. Upon catching up to them, she breathed heavily. When she had recovered, she looked up to them, tears filling her eyes.
"I'm so sorry!" She cried. "I should have warned you. I never thought—"
Luffy stopped her, putting his hand up. "It's okay," He said, his voice low. "You didn't know this would happen."
"No, but it's all my fault! I should have warned you! I overlooked it… I'm so sorry!"
"It's not your fault. No one's blaming you, Mizuki-kun," Nami said, calming down the now sobbing Mizuki. Luffy gently ushered her to walk with them, reassuring her gently by saying "It's okay," and, "Sanji will be fine." Mizuki continued to apologize profusely through her tears.
When they arrived at the inn, Nami let them into the room she shared with Robin. As she expected, Robin was no where to be found. They sat down on one of the beds as Mizuki finally stopped crying.
"Mizuki, you might be the only one who can help us," Luffy said softly.
Mizuki sniffed, wiping away the last tears on her cheeks. "No one knows anything about the curse. The townspeople may not look it, but everyone lives in fear. Other than the festival, people usually stay indoors at night." She looked away from Luffy, staring at her knees. "I'm sorry I didn't warn you."
"I don't care that you didn't warn me. That wasn't your fault. I just want to know where my nakama is." He replied.
Nami nodded, not sure of what to say. Mizuki looked as if she were concentrating on her thoughts.
"Mizuki…." Nami began, taking a deep breath, "What about the people that are found? Have people like that girl Rin had autopsies on their bodies?"
Mizuki shook her head. "No… The doctors, along with everyone else on the island fear they will be cursed if they come too close to an infected body. In fact, no one takes the bodies away until…."
Nami and Luffy looked up. "Until what?"
"…Until Professor Blaire comes by to take them." Mizuki said, her eyes wide with fear.
Sanji opened his eyes slowly. He was lying down on something soft. When his eyes adjusted to the bright light, he looked around, not daring to move his injured body. He was lying on a white bed, in a white-walled room. Sunlight gave the walls a faint yellow color. A hint of orchid scent filled the air.
With caution, Sanji slowly lifted himself up to a sitting position. Beside him was a small, wooden table with a glass of water on it. White curtains covered the open window, swaying in the faint breeze that entered the room. Sanji realized his left shoulder had been bandaged heavily, as well as most of his torso. He breathed out, remembering the events of the night before.
"Rin-san…" He muttered. His shoulder ached, but not nearly as much as it had when he had fought off the bear-man.
Suddenly, the wooden door to his left opened. A woman wearing a white apron over a pink blouse and skirt entered, carrying several bandages and what appeared to be ointment.
"Oh, you're awake!" She cried, dropping her medical supplies on the table beside the water. "Please, lie down! You don't want to reopen those wounds," she said as she rushed to his side.
Stunned, Sanji let her gently push him back. He felt his cheeks go hot as she bent over to pick up the bandages. Her low-cut blouse strained to contain her breasts. Sanji almost reached out to feel the soft white skin of her thighs, barely covered by her short skirt.
"I-Is this…. Heaven?" Sanji asked himself, not taking his eyes off the woman beside him. Her long red hair was tied back, with only a few strands on the side of her face.
"May I change your bandages?" She asked, her brown eyes glistening.
"Madam, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen," Sanji began, enthusiasm reaching his voice. "You have stolen my heart! I am a slave to your love! You may do whatever you want to me!" He cried, his eyes looking up adoringly.
The woman smiled. "Why, thank you," she said, giggling. She began to unroll the bandages. "May I… undress you?" She asked.
Sanji didn't reply. He sat, not moving, in complete trance. Then suddenly, his nose spurted blood with enough force to lift him up and send him flying back into the wall behind him.
