I know that it's been a while since I last updated this story. I apologize, but I've had a lot going on. I've been busy getting ready to go back to school and earn a degree. Once school started it took me awhile to get used to my new schedule as I also had to maintain my full time job. So time for even my schoolwork has been minimal. I'll try to update when I can. Not even sure if my other stories will be updated soon or not. All I can say with certainty is that while I'm not abandoning my stories, I'm not positive how often they'll be updated.

Also, please let me know if you see a character misnamed or given two different names. I had to change a name of a character entering this chapter because I didn't like the name I first used. Please let me know if you find an mistakes as I don't have a Beta reader.

I make no money off of this work of fiction. One Piece and it's characters are the work of Oda Eiichiro.

Harbinger

Chapter Nine: New Style

Rachel operated The Harbinger through the night. She was headed back the way they had come. The doctor on the previous island might have ripped them off, but he was the only one that they knew of that was close by. The sun had been in the sky for an hour when Yosaku came running into the bridge. "Big Bro is awake," he announced. "He's asking about what happened."

"Of course he is," Rachel said as she shut down the engine. "He was in a cave when he passed out after all." She followed Yosaku as he rushed back towards Zoro's room. When she got there both Johnny and Yosaku were telling Zoro how glad they were that nothing had happened to him.

When Zoro noticed her he asked, "What exactly happened?" He couldn't understand the two when they were trying to talk at the same time.

"You entered the cave that caused the town's abandonment," Rachel answered.

"What are you talking about?" Rachel then began to explain to Zoro the harrowing events in the town that led them to heading back to the doctor.

"After giving you an oxygen treatment you began to breathe more easily. When you didn't wake up after an hour it was decided to bring you to a doctor." Rachel stood next to Zoro's bedside.

"I don't need a doctor," Zoro declined. He swung his legs off of the bed. Before he could stand up Rachel was directly in front of him, trying to push him back down with the arm that wasn't in a sling. "What are you doing?"

"Your lungs were under a lot of stress lately," Rachel explained. "You shouldn't do anything strenuous until we know that they've fully healed."

"I'm just going to train," Zoro argued.

"That's considered strenuous," Rachel snapped. She pushed, but it was like trying to get a brick wall to move. Zoro rolled his eyes at her attempt. Johnny and Yosaku wisely chose to stay out of it. Getting frustrated with her lack of result, Rachel bent one leg forward. Her knee was now between Zoro's legs, but she didn't notice. Using her legs as leverage she pushed. Zoro, not expecting the sudden added effort fell back. Rachel fell with him due to not expecting Zoro to fall back suddenly.

Johnny and Yosaku rushed for the door. "We'll just leave the two of you alone," Johnny shut the door behind him.

"I'm sorry," Rachel rushed to stand. "I didn't intend to fall on top of you." She started to head for the door. She glanced behind at a stunned Zoro. "If I catch you out of the bed I'll drag you back here and tie you down to it if necessary." With her final word of warning Rachel left the room.

Rachel made it to the galley and slumped against the kitchen counter. Missy was at a nearby table drinking her coffee. She noticed Rachel's appearance and set the mug down. "Okay girl," she turned to the younger woman. "Something happened, so spill."

"I might have aggravated Zoro's injury while trying to get him to rest," Rachel sighed. "Nevermind I might have to resort to chaining him to his bed."

"That's the effect," Missy pointed out. "I want the cause, now out with it."

"I was trying to get Zoro to lie back," Rachel started. "But the man wouldn't move an inch. I had to forcefullly push him down."

"And?"

"And I might have fallen on top of him." Missy blinked at Rachel in silence. She then started laughing her head off. "This isn't funny!"

"You're right," Missy gasped between peels of laughter. "It's freaking hilarious!" Once she managed to catch her breath she looked up at Rachel's angry face. "You said you aggravated his injuries?" She waited for Rachel to nod once. "I bet you're only half right. You aggravated something alright, but it wasn't his lungs." Following that statement, Missy broke into another fit of laughter.

Rachel stood at the counter blinking. Her sleep deprived mind was slow to pick up on Missy's meaning. When she finally did realize her face turned four different shades of red. "Get your mind out of the gutter!" Rachel snapped. "How could you even think that? I could have seriously hurt him and your dirty mind ignored the danger."

"I've watched you two," Missy explained. "You both have some serious tension going on right now. But both of you are too damn stubborn to admit it. So I'll give you this warning now instead of later. Do something about it and quick. If you don't that shit is going to hit the fan and you won't know what's happening until it's too late."

"Even if you're right, which you're not, what would you suggest that I even do about the whole thing?"

"I would start by talking to him." Missy stood up and started to put her dishes in the sink. Once she was close enough to Rachel she noticed something. "How long have you been awake?"

"I haven't gone to sleep," Rachel admitted.

"How long does it take to get back to the island?" Missy asked in shock. "It didn't take this long when we were running from the storm."

"I was pushing the engine," Rachel shrugged. "Now I'm only going at quarter the speed."

"I thought you were in a rush to get Zoro some medical attention."

"He's been breathing fine on his own," Rachel said. "If there had been a change in his condition I would have increased the speed." Before Rachel could take a drink of the coffee she poured herself Missy grabbed the mug and kept it away from her. "You must seriously have a death wish."

"No coffee for you," Missy said instead. "You're going straight to bed."

"I'll sleep when I'm dead."

"At this rate it won't be too mch longer." Missy put the coffee down and stared Rachel right in the eye. "I'll take over steering the ship. Just give me the heading. You, on the other hand, need to get yourself to bed."

"Missy-"

"This is not up for discussion," Missy interrupted. "You might be CO on board this ship. But as a member of the crew I have to look after your health in light of missing a ship's doctor. If he were here I'm sure Hasif would enact some form of doctor jurisdiction over you and force you to get the rest you're neglecting." Rachel looked to the side to avoid eye contact. "So that sort of thing exists?"

Rachel's eyes snapped back to Missy. "You mean you don't even know that!? Then how would you even know to suggest it?"

"I watch movies with my parents."

"Those are hardly realistic."

"They do enough research where it really matters," Missy shrugged. "But the point is, there is a clause somewhere saying that Hasif can do that."

"Three things wrong with this," Rachel pointed out. "First of all, you don't have jurisdiction because you're not a doctor. Second, Hasif isn't here. Third, which guideline are you referencing in order to get me to comply?"

"Umm, the one in the Sailor Code of Conduct?"

"Are you asking or telling?"

"Yes." Missy stood in silence for a moment. She suddenly started waving her hands in front of her. "Wait, wait, wait! How did this get turned around back on me? I thought you're not capable of banter when you're this sleepy."

"You'll be surprised what I can wake myself up for," Rachel put a hand on her hip. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a ship to run." She then reached for her coffee again.

"You are not excused," Missy stepped in her way. Her eyes flicked to the steel cupboard and back to Rachel. She had been so focused on Missy she didn't notice someone was coming into the room. "You'll likely get yourself killed, if not all of us, if you don't get some sleep and cure your exhaustion. I'll also resort to drastic measures if you don't."

Rachel was about to reply when a deep voice cut her off. "What are you talking about?" She glanced to see Zoro just walking in, looking confused. "Since when was the bathroom on this side of the ship?"

Rachel's jaw dropped and Missy slapped a palm to her forehead. "Not going to get into it," Missy muttered. She dropped her hand and lifted her head to look at Zoro. "Our illustrious CO has decided to neglect her health in light of looking after you. I recommend that you take responsibility for it."

"What the hell do you want me to do?" Zoro narrowed his eyes.

"Not to mention you should be in bed," Rachel seethed.

"Pot, meet kettle," Missy cut in.

"Shut it," Rachel snapped. "I'm not the one that nearly died of asphyxiation."

"He doesn't look short of breath to me," Missy pointed out. "So I propose a compromise. He'll go back and rest like you want him to."

"Don't speak for me!"

"And you'll go and get some sleep. If neither of you agree to that... I'LL CHAIN YOU BOTH TO YOUR BEDS!" Both Rachel and Zoro stared at Missy with wide eyes. "Don't think that I won't do it."

Zoro looked away from Missy as he looked towards Rachel. "What did you do to piss her off?"

"I'll tell you what she did," Missy answered instead. "This idiot hasn't been to bed, not even once for over a day."

"What are you talking about?" Zoro zeroed in on Rachel. "Why haven't you gone to bed?"

"Because some idiot had to go and walk into a dangerous cave, passed out and needed the rest of us to haul your ass off to find a doctor."

"I didn't ask for a doctor," Zoro pointed out.

"I don't care about either of that," Missy slapped the counter. "Both of you get your asses to bed." While Rachel and Zoro had been going back and forth Missy picked up a knife. Zoro's face turned blue at the look on the usually peaceful Missy's face. Rachel slowly inched her way towards the door. The two made a hasty exit.

"This is your room," Rachel stopped by a door. She pointed to a door across from it. "That's the bathroom used for the quarters on this side. When you're done, just cross the hall and you're back in your room. Don't go getting lost again."

"Then quit making the rooms in this ship move," Zoro complained.

"Yeah, because we so have the technology for it." Rachel rolled her eyes and walked away. She was tempted to head to the bridge and start the ship again. Then she remembered the look on Missy's face just before she left the galley. Thinking better of ignoring the warning, Rachel headed for her own quarters. Rachel couldn't be bothered to change into her night clothes. She just took off her boots and fell into the bed. It didn't take long for the rocking of the waves to lull her into sleep.

Missy finished cleaning up after herself in the galley. Once finished she immediately went to make sure Rachel and Zoro were actually resting. Her first stop was Rachel's room. That was the person that she was the most concerned with. Missy quietly opened the door and peeked inside. Rachel was laying on the bad, fast asleep. Rachel was on top of the bed covers, not even bothering to change. The light was still on for crying out loud.

After turning out the light Missy started to back out the now pitch black room. Missy suddenly stopped short as she pumped into a wall where the door was supposed to be. A grunt had her looking over her shoulder. She turned to see Zoro staring at her while rubbing the back of his head. "What the hell are you doing walking around?" Missy asked.

"I just needed to use the bathroom," Zoro explained. "Rachel showed me the way, but then she moved my bedroom again."

"You can't be serious," Missy sweat dropped. She gave out a weary sigh. "I don't know how anyone is able to put up with you." She started walking down the hall, heading for the stairs that led on deck. "I'm sure you'll figure it out eventually."

Zoro held back the growl that threatened to come from his throat. Missy barely tolerated any of the three of them. Rachel was at least a little more hospitable. He let it go, figuring that it was her way of not getting too close to others that she knew would be leaving. Zoro brought himself out of his thoughts as he looked up and down the now vacant hall. He tried the door of the closest room.

The room was pitch black. Zoro squinted to see shadows of objects along the walls. The only light was what filtered in from the open door. His vision focused on what must have been the bed. He let out a sigh and closed the door. There was no way this was his room. He had a bunk bed against the corner. That was not a bunk bed, plus the room seemed more spacious then what he had been given. Zoro closed the door and started walking down the hall again.

Rachel woke up, feeling refreshed from her forced rest. Deciding a shower and change of clothes was needed she went about getting ready for the rest of the day. A half hour later she emerged from her room. As she turned towards the galley her foot caught on something and made her trip. Using the wall, Rachel caught herself before her face met the floor. She looked back and down at the source of her sudden trip. Zoro was sprawled on the floor in the hall. His sleeping arrangement made it difficult for anyone to get past him without jumping over. She tripped on what she assumed was his foot.

Rachel started kicking at his knee gently to wake him. Sleeping on the floor was not good for a person's health. However, he had been clearly wandering around after she showed him the way to the bathroom and where his own room had been in relation to it. Kicking him awake seemed justifiable in this instance.

When being gentle wasn't working, Rachel pulled back her leg to add a little more strength and hopefully pain to the unsuspecting appendage. She paused when a voice stopped her. "I was just coming to see if you were awake," Missy called. Rachel turned to see her friend coming down the hall. "We're almost to port and I need you to finish guiding the ship." She completely ignored the seemingly comatose man on the floor.

Rachel finished her last kick, which finally earned a groan and a frown from Zoro. With a growl of her own Rachel turned from him and followed after Missy. "We'll have Johnny and Yosaku wake him up." Rachel headed straight for the bridge while Missy went to look for the two career bounty hunters.

True to Missy's word, the port town was in sight. Rachel guided Harbinger to dock in a similar position as before. Once the anchor was lowered she shut everything down and headed off to see how progress with waking the strange swordsman was going. She came upon the scene of Zoro glowering down on Johnny and Yosaku, who were now sporting new bumps on the top of their heads. Missy was standing a little away laughing.

"Did I miss something?" Rachel asked.

"Just these two morons," Zoro sneered.

Missy finally calmed down enough to respond. "Their methods of waking Zoro weren't really working. It had the same effect as you kicking him."

"Who kicked me?" Zoro looked at her.

Missy ignored him as she continued her explanation. "So I loaned the guys a megaphone, showed them how to use it. From there they put the speaker right up to Zoro's ear. I'm assuming you can guess what happened next."

Rachel's eyes widened as she looked at Zoro. "How can you still hear?" He was currently tapping at one of his ears. She assumed it was the one the megaphone was next to.

"Barely," Zoro grumbled. "I have this awful ringing going on."

"Well that's only expected," Missy laughed a little. "Should have warned those two not to get that close though."

Rachel pat Zoro on the shoulder and then gave him a push. "Let's get going tough guy," she said. "You have a date with the doctor. Not to mention you still have thing's you need to get." The two then disappeared towards the hangar.

"Come on you two," Missy motioned. "Let's go get some ice for those bumps."

Rachel had to practically drag Zoro to the doctor. "He's just going to over charge again," Zoro complained. "Besides, I'm perfectly fine. I don't need a doctor telling me that I need to stop training."

"Daily training is important," Rachel agreed. "But so is taking care of your body. Not just strength and skill. Think of it as a finely tuned machine that needs regular maintenance and care to run at it's prime. It can't do that if you don't make sure it's fine after an injury. I don't care if the injury can be seen or not."

She burst into the office, dragging Zoro in by his hand. The nurse from the day before was there, but a younger man in a doctor coat was also there. He hadn't been around during their last visit. "How can I help you two?" the man asked.

"This one here suffered from gas poisoning," Rachel explained. "He nearly died of asphyxiation from it. I treated him with oxygen until we could get him checked." The following events happened in such a whirlwind that it left Rachel blinking. The young doctor swept behind Zoro and pushed him through the doors to the exam room. As they passed her the doctor took Rachel's hand and dragged her in as well.

Before Zoro could mount a protest his shirt was literally cut from his torso. A stethoscope was then put against his chest. "Take a deep breath," the doctor instructed. Zoro did, so that he could start voicing his protest. As his mouth opened a lollipop was shoved inside by the doctor, a knowing smirk on his face. He could tell from the start this would be a difficult patient just from the way he had been dragged in. He moved to the back and listened.

"I don't hear any straining," the doctor finally announced. "It seems that your earlier treatment was just what he needed. Mind if I ask about how he was exposed to dangerous gas?" Rachel then explained the island they had just come from. "I keep telling the marines they should put warning signs up," he growled. "You're not the first case that's come in. Although, you are the first case to actually have everyone survive. I commend you on your fast reaction to it. Do you have medical training at all?"

"Only basic patch up stuff," Rachel admitted. "I'm not trained as a doctor."

"What about the doctor on your ship?"

"Missing for the last few days," Rachel admitted. "Along with a few other crewmates. They were thrown from the ship in a storm."

"Search turned up nothing?"

"Not a thing," Rachel shook her head. "Unless you found a few people that were ship wrecked on this island."

"If there had been they would have been brought here." The doctor turned to look at Zoro. "You can put your shirt back on."

"How can I?!" Zoro snapped. "You cut the thing to shreds!"

The doctor looked down on the floor. "That was your only shirt?" Zoro's silence was all the answer he needed. "I thought you wore it here only because you didn't care what happened to it. What are you, a vagabond?"

"We were on our way to get him more clothing," Rachel spoke up. "He has an extra a set of clothing, but still needs some more. A few things came up first and then this. So now he really has no choice. Unless he wants to give women an excuse to swoon in every town he enters." Zoro started to turn red.

"He certainly has that effect on me," the doctor admitted.

"Excuse me?" Rachel asked.

"Oh don't worry," the doctor brushed off. "I'm a lady of manners. I won't go and try to steal the man of another woman."

"But we..."

"Haven't been together long," Zoro interrupted. He leapt off the exam table and put an arm around Rachel's shoulder. "It's still kind of new and takes some getting used to." Before Rachel could protest on her own he started guiding her to the door. "We can just pay the nurse on the way out right?"

"You can relax," the doctor rolled his eyes. "You don't need to behave so drastically with me. You're obviously too shy for me. No need to pretend you're in a relationship." Rachel moved out from under Zoro's arm. She turned away from him so he wouldn't see the blush.

The doctor began packing tools into a medical bag. "You mentioned that you don't have a doctor on your ship," he began. "This is just perfect. I've been looking to break away from this island. Mind if I join the crew?"

"Umm," Rachel blinked at the sudden offer. "You don't even know us."

"You treated him and saved his life when you could have very easily left him to die," the doctor pointed out. "You're not even blood related. Your behavior and care suggests that you're the captain, one that obviously cares about the crew. I finished my work as an apprentice with the doctor on this island a few months ago. Considering I'm not the lead doctor I'm barely making ends meet. I need my own practice to make a name for myself. Most doctors even start out on marine ships. At least the honorable ones do."

"We're not a marine ship," Rachel pointed out. "We're salvagers just trying to find what we can find."

"Scavangers are better than pirates," the doctor pointed out. "So what do you say? May I join your crew as the doctor?"

"We'll need your name first," Zoro pointed out.

"How silly of me," he gave a girlish giggle. Zoro grimaced while Rachel raised an eyebrow. "My name is Reginald, but I prefer Regina or Regy. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"My name is Rachel," she shook Regy's hand.

"I've never heard a name like that," Regy pointed out.

"My parents wanted to be original," Rachel smirked. "This here is Zoro, he's a temporary passenger on my ship. He's helping me until my arms heal in exchange for passage. Him and his two friends. My second officer is Missy. She'll be in charge when I'm not around."

"Does this mean I can join?" Regy asked in excitement.

"I need to run it past my second," Rachel shrugged. "But I don't see a problem with it. I'll discuss it with her when I get back to the ship. But first, I need to help Zoro get the things he needs." The way she said the last part was slightly teasing.

"Why can't men just admit when they need clothes?" Regy asked with a sigh.

"The women of the world may never know."

"I hear that."

"Quit talking about me like I'm not even here, damnit!" The two 'ladies' laughed at successfully putting him on the spot.

Regy decided to go to 'his' place and back the necessities. Rachel warned him he was acting prematurely since she couldn't guarantee what Missy would say. Although, Zoro fully believed that Missy would be steadfast against the addition. In the mean time, Rachel took Zoro to get the things he needed.

The two walked into a mens store. Upon entering, Rachel waved down the tailor in the store. "My friend needs some clothes already made," she explained. "Just a few plain shirts and pants will do. Some under clothes if you have them."

"Don't talk about those," Zoro blushed. "You don't need to know about that."

"I won't know about that," Rachel pointed out. "This is between the two of you. I clearly can't help you hold clothes to try on." She gestured to her left arm, still in a sling. "Until I get the all clear I only have the use of one arm. Unless you want me to use my teeth." Rachel's eyes narrowed in what could only be described as a saucy look. Zoro's blush reddened while his adam's apple visibly bobbed up and down his throat. He made a hasty retreat deeper into the shop with a laughing tailor trailing after.

Rachel started to brouse some of the already made items that were on easy display. She picked up a deep green cloth, almost black, along with a green haramaki. So she wouldn't lose her grip it looked like she was hugging the clothes to herself. She waited for nearly an hour before Zoro and the tailor returned, Zoro wearing a new t-shirt and pants that weren't torn. "Did you find something you like?" she asked.

"I found something that will work," Zoro said instead. The shirt was plain white with three buttons coming from the front collar he left undone. The pants were black and tight around the waist and pelvis, but loose going down the legs. "It's nothing fancy, but they're new and should last a while." He then noticed something that Rachel had a hold of. "What are those for?"

"Just something to add to your ensemble," Rachel grinned. "Also, I never got an opportunity to tell you, I found some clothes at the village that might fit you as well." She handed them to the tailor who quickly added the total. Zoro took the bag of extra shirts and pants after paying the tailor, still curious about what Rachel added. Before they left the store, Rachel had Zoro hold one end of the haramaki while she walked around him. It wrapped around his waist snuggly. "This is to hold your swords so you don't contantly have to. Then this is to keep the sweat out of your eyes during the tough work outs or fights." Rachel offered up the cloth to Zoro.

"Now that I have new clothes," he started. "I guess I could save the clothes you found in case of emergencies." Zoro set the bag down and put the bandana around his head. He looked at himself in a shop window. The cloth partially hid his eyes from view. It also helped to keep the sun from blinding him if needed. He liked how he looked and turned to get Rachel's opinion. That's when he noticed people were edging away from him like they never had before. He glanced back to the window. He supposed that the look made it appear like he was up to no good, but he never claimed to be a saint. "I like it," he finally announced. He pulled the bandana off and tied it around his left bicep for quick access.

"Then let's head back to the ship," Rachel said. "I want to give Missy some warning before sprining Regy's arrival on her."