AN: Guess who's updating very late? I hope this sufficient for the time being. I warn you, I have no BETA so there will be errors and mistakes. Thank you all for the various advice and critiques. I hope that the story improves.
One Piece: Kairoseki Incident
Chapter 11- The Departure
His dappled tattooed arm wraps snugly around her skeletal body. His warm cheek presses against hers; a smile with knitted brows. "I'll write a bunch to you. Just write back to me?" Ace pleads in a childish voice.
Axis's eyes settle on the vast ship across port. She has an unfamiliar inflammation in her throat and twitch in her face as she pats her brother on the back, "I will… once I get home." She assures and gently pushes against him, "Now go. Whitebeard's… er your Dad's waiting for you."
Releasing his only living blood relative, Ace steps back. His dark brows are drawn together as he studies her worn face, "Let the nice doctors on the ship take care of you, yes?" he insists stooping down and scooping up Rodger from the deck.
"I won't have much of a choice." She offers a small smile trying to reassure her brother and push back the building pressure in her chest.
Roger, Ace's child with mirroring freckled good looks, leans forward, "Kitty takes good care of people!" he chirps.
Automatically, his aunt leans forward too.
Rodger gently places his cheek against hers and then touches his nose to hers, "We'll come visit you!" he promises gently rubbing his nose against hers, "And we'll make sure that Papa and Dadda have warm coats."
"I know. I can always count on you. But you'll have to work extra hard to take care of my idiot brother." Axis ruffles her nephew's hair affectionately, "Be good, yes?" she says and then almost laughs: her brother picked up some of her speaking mannerisms. That makes her chest burn too.
"Yes!" sings Rodger leaning back and wrapping an arm around his father's neck.
Axis looks down at Edward hiding behind his father's legs, "Eddie, you're going to have to take care of your dad and your brother." She smiles at his visibly flustered face, "Can't blame it on me this time."
The blonde haired child with spring green eyes looks up and darts forward. His arms enclose around Axis's knees.
Her knobby form teeters a bit trying to hold balance, "I thought you wouldn't mind getting away from me?" she teases catching herself subtly and tousling his hair. The burning grows again.
Marco's child does not answer, but carefully lets go. He looks up at Axis with so much raw emotion that Axis is confused. His cheeks are red, his eyes are full of tears, and he is struggling to hold it all in.
It makes the burning throb painfully.
Edward moves away and runs back to his father's side.
She looks up at Whitebead's First Commander, "Marco." Nods Axis.
Marco makes a humored face and then opens his arms and sweeps his sister-in-law in his arms. "Axis, we're family now." He ducks her head against himself hiding her escaping tears, "I will not miss the chaos, but I will miss you. I am glad to have met you and grateful you have cared for my son."
Axis stifling her tears manages, "Take care of my brother and yourself. I will be… upset if anything happens to either of you." She gives him a one-arm squeeze.
He gives her a quiet smile and a tight clutch in return before letting her go, "No worries. I won't make the same mistake twice."
She nods managing to look a little flustered, but not teary, "I know. You're too smart for that."
Marco's eyes soften as he pats Ace's shoulder with his hand, "Time to go. Pops will be furious if we make him wait too long. You know how he is." He wiggles his fingers at his son who clasps two them tightly.
Ace picks up the bag at his feet, shoulders it, and then takes Marco's waiting hand. He backs up slowly, "Write." He insists darkly grabbing his boyfriend's hand.
"Stay alive." She returns with frown. The burning is overwhelming.
Ace rolls his eyes, but turns forward and disembarks down to the dock.
The Moby Dick is bobbing several piers over, is the Whitebeard commanders' destination. It is just as monumental as the Black Lotus with men who are going back and forth with crates and hauling barrels over the side of the boat. Whitebeard stands by the railing seeming to watch over all the work.
Axis suspects he is also watching the Black Lotus for signs of his missing crewmen and her gaze falls to locate her family.
A man in a woman's kimono suddenly comes darting through the crowd. A strange jolt of jealousy pinches Axis as she watched her brother embraces him. Perhaps it is the obviously happiness and warmth as the trio greets one another. After a brief exchange, he does some form of happy dance and grabs the couple's linked hands. The children are giggling and safe, where they ought to be. That causes a peculiar sense of melancholy… But it is a melancholy tinged with relief.
Axis sighs confused by the crushing feelings and the tension in her head grows.
Her eyes look down to the dark reflection of the Black Lotus. She is mesmerized by the glimmering water and nearly misses the tail whipping the water. A dark serpent shape shimmers in the afternoon sunlight. The body is ribbed with a strangely smooth glimmer. The head area is wide and flat like a deflated balloon, and without eyes to see, it makes a strange beeline for the ship. Light glints off its flipper like fins as they propel the body forward.
Axis looks up again to the bobbing whale of a boat and stare blankly at the ship for a few seconds before her eyes return the creature. She watches it approach quickly until it is inches from Jarvis's side. The Black Lotus is a massive bio-ship and sits high up from the water like the other large ships. Even the bottom of the railing is too far for the serpentine like creature.
Jarvis is also aware of the black ribbed creature and proves it when his pliant mass makes a solid strip, from where the creature will bump into the side of the boat, directly to Axis.
"Great." She mummers as the black body suctions itself to the side of the boat. It begins to climb with its fins that stick to the side of the boat and it's body twists as it moves up.
As it slithering-climbs up the side of the boat she begins to hear the hostile tone of her long abandoned weapon, 'I do not like being left behind, Master. I do not like being left behind. No. Not at all. You left me alone on a ship of idiotic pirates! You left me!' hisses Leech angrily.
Axis looks up at the sky, not focusing on anything particular. She knew Leech would be angry and did not bother to refute his reasoning. He had every right, but sometimes she wished he would give her a break. Feeling resign, she looks down and leans forward, stretching out her hand to grasp the climbing wriggling thing.
At the offering, it weaves past her hand and sinks it's teeth into her wrist, 'Have I not said to take me wherever you go? Have I not demanded to be at your side?! Why have you left me alone?' A coarse of anger and annoyance surges through her connection as Leech shrinks and wraps himself around her arm.
She pulls herself straight and offers a gentle pat of thanks to Jarvis's railing. "I am sorry." She says quietly wincing at the pain. The gnawing from her weapon is usually consistent, deep, and the teeth twist painful to force blood out.
'Then prove it to me! Do not leave me! Feed me! Do not leave me!' Leech responds without sympathy, 'No enemy or monster has been near me for far too long! I am starved and without Master's comfort!' The creature's mouth fixed to her wrist gulping deeply.
She grimaces at the locked black mass around her arm. A cheerless thought crosses Axis's mind, 'Is this what I have to look forward to?' Her wrist lowers, feeling weighty, 'Becoming a blood starved weapon?'
'Yes!' through the blood connection Leech perceives her thoughts, '-Should the Navy claim you before your end, you will be just as I.' then the voice grew in rage, 'Your blood is thin. It's like sipping water! What has happen?!'
"Stuff." She answers aloud leaving the side of boat and trying to ignore the teeth digging into her wrist.
'Stuff? What is this stuff?' hisses the weapon furiously biting harder and deeper in the flesh..
"Stuff." She says out loud and then adds silently, 'I don't want to talk about it at this moment.'
As she walks away from the side of the boat she feels her conception of the world around her beginning to fuzz over. Reassurance at having her weapon in hand and exhaustion from her mild adventure with her brother suddenly feels much torrential than it has at any point in time. The true reality of what she has been through makes her tremble as it dawns on Axis how very close she came to loosing blood family.
She is surprised to discover that she would have been heart broken. Her chest clenches painfully and she has to inhale salty sea air and remind herself that Ace is now safe with his lover, his children, and his adoptive father.
"Please prepare for departure." Jarvis chimes startling her out of her feelings.
Axis inhales methodically and exhales as each step makes her feel worlds away. As the air expels from her lungs she feels a lonely sadness and relief. Her eyes look over her shoulder and find her family with their children moving among the crowd nearly to the Moby Dick. Fear, like inhaling icy water clenches her heart as looks again to their destination.
A pirate ship… is still no guarantee of safety.
"Now Departing Port Indigo." Chimes Jarvis again.
'But it's the safest place in the world they could be.' Axis reminds herself. She looks at her hands and sees the four scars along the broad side of her thumb. 'Yes…' she reassures herself, 'Their fathers and Whitebeard will take care of them and keep them safe.'
Captain Ciguatera stands in the center of the boat beside Dr. Trafalgar. In her hand is a clipboard. Her usually chipper smile is painted over with grim worry. Her mouth moves, but Axis cannot read lips. The sound of the crewmen around her wash over like static and time suddenly speeds to a frantic pace.
Fortunately or unfortunately, from that moment Axis's dealings become a blur for a time.
The first few days are frantic with blood tests and physical therapy. Unsure of what is going on, Axis allows herself to be pulled to and fro. Her daily activities begin to resemble a tiresome march.
She stumbles into the mess hall around seven, blurry eyed, with a brain bent in half. After her blood sugar is revived she walks straight to therapy. At first this part is short and exhausting. As the days progress, physical therapy is longer, harder, and more painful.
Into the shower before the afternoon's check-up and then several unknown injections jam themselves into her arteries and veins. Lunch is an event where she eats, but is not present. There is more, but she has no idea what happens for the rest of the day.
After two weeks of strenuous care, Axis finds her mind slowing down. Then time comes back into focus and she is staring at the table. The bread is sparely buttered and the strange grotesque purple soup is a mix puree of vegetables. She gathers some of the broth in the spoon and admires the almost chowder like consistency.
"Weird." She says and then Dr. Trafalgar drops his tray down in front of her.
He looks harassed and angry. His cheeks have a blotchy red hue, his dark brows draw in, and his pupils dilate into pinpricks
"Bad day?" offers Axis surprised. It is as if she has never seen him. His eyes seem more sunken in, there is a visible trembling in his hands, and his jaw is clenched tight.
His grey eyes are a stormy black as they focus on her and his tone is deadly smooth, "What gave it away?"
The chowder like soup plops back into the bowl, "Somethin' about your face." She blurts out childishly.
The muscles in his face clench angrily and then as if ice is slithering down his back, he jumps and shakes his head little.
Axis spoons up more food and put it into her mouth. "Dear god!" she coughs wincing at the flavor, "That's horrible."
"You're actually awake." He says calculatedly.
The kairoseki looks up at him, "What's the other option?" she quips trying to control the odd urge to smile.
"You've been a sort of… zombie." Admits Law quietly watching, "You have not been present even when you've been here."
"I don't remember what I've been doing." She agrees with a nod, "But whatever. I am aware of where I am now."
"Hey Law." Purrs a seductive voice. Dark wavy locks cascade over her shoulders, heavy lidded eyes done with a touch of make-up flutter seductively.
Law looks up and his jaw clenches again, the eyes re-dilate, but he holds a mask of professionalism, "Ms. Lillyanna." He returns stiffly.
"I'd like to talk to you, if I could." Full wine colored lips break into a smile.
A strange burble of laughter comes from Axis and it breaks the beginning of the tension, "Yep, she wants to talk to you about cannibalism." For a moment Axis takes a back seat in her body as a jubilant stranger takes control.
The fruit user's grey eyes find her. In his expression she finds curiosity and inquisition.
She grins widely and nudges his leg under the table with her barefoot, "Probably going to ask if she can borrow a leg." She shrugs and picks up the spoon and downs more of the soup. This time the flavor is sweet like chocolate and intoxicating like the finest old wine.
"Hardly!" huffs the woman, "I would never-!"
"I would." Interrupts a beaming Axis to Lillyanna. Her playful smile looks almost apologetic, but as she turns to Law she arches a brow as if contemplative, "The best cuts come from the legs and ass."
Law's expression has gratitude hidden under the surface, as he turns thoughtful, "The buttocks would more than likely provide some of the best flavor." He ponders, "But I imagine the legs being a little hardy for cooking."
"Nonsense!" beams Axis bewildered and captivated, "Slow cooking! That's the ticket!" she slurps down the rest of the thick stew. From where, had this giddy feeling come? It was fantastic! Something she had not felt in so long she believed it was dead.
Lillyanna looks appalled.
"Something like pulled pork?" offers Law his smile turning humored.
"Or porkchops!" Axis adds enthusiastically, "Marinated, and slowly cooked on low heat." She nods at her hypothetical meal, "Sounds quiet enchanting."
"Law can I please speak with you?" Lillyanna interrupts apparent distrust in her voice.
Law looks at her, "I will come after I finish." He insures.
"Up on the deck." She informs him, "It won't take long." And hurries away from the table.
Slowly Axis feels some of herself bleed back into her body, "Don't stay on my account." She grins unable to contain herself; "I think she's willing to offer you a bit more than talk if you want it." A wink for good measure and she gazes up at the ceiling wondering if she were truly in control of herself.
"I am well aware." Law states tartly, "I would have gone if that were my interest."
In strangely high spirits Axis crunches on the bread then says, "What's wrong? Too much the center of attention?" her eyes flick down to the doctor.
Confusion is there for an instant on Law's eyes and then anger flares up, "I am not discussing that with you."
Wild laughter burbles up out of her throat, "You're the one who sat here! How dare you come not offering conversation!" she sounds affronted, but her smile assures him of her joke. She shoves the last bit of bread into her mouth and chews.
"I have sat here since we began this voyage towards the North." He responds in a slow tone, "You have not been present."
"In other words I haven't noticed." She smiles with that strange euphoria creeping through her system, "What a pity." She sighs leaning on her hand, "I might have understood why Trafalgar Law, Surgeon of Death, sits before me in fury." Her gaze falls lazy under the strange uplift.
"Do not make light of my anger." He warns.
"I'm not." She promises in her normal tone, but her body buzzes. Her smile falls as small tinges dance up to her brain, "I'm feeling out of sorts. Forgive my outburst. I have not been present so I don't have any clue what's going on." Her gaze falls.
The silence is too long, but Law finally says, "Thank you."
She looks up confused, "For what?" she was under the impression she had offended him.
"Lillyanna is indeed soliciting. I have a hard time shaking her." He lifts his bowl to his lips and drinks deeply from it.
Axis looks down at her empty bowl and plate. The fuzzy buzzing feeling refuses to leave. It was not objectionable, but she felt out of control. It felt astounding like the memory from several years ago before she slumped into her depression. Was it really okay to feel so euphoric?
Law hands his dishes to the washers and strides out of the mess hall. He intends to go back to his room for his afternoon nap. (The few minutes of real sleep he is able to have.) He subconsciously glances over his shoulder and watches as Mori intercepts Axis.
The gardener always comes for the medical illustrator, but today Axis looks around in bewilderment. Her expression first stunned, then disoriented.
Mori pats reassuringly on her shoulder and steers her back to the rehabilitation wing.
The outburst at lunch, in better times, would have been comical. He had forced himself to let go and be swallowed up by the conversation to avoid Lillyanna's advances. Normally, Axis would not have been a determent, but her unexpected break from the normalcy of the last two weeks gave him the out he had desired. In truth, he was grateful. The doctor side of him begins worrying as his feet carry him away.
Lillyanna is waiting for him by the railing. Truly she is the most beautiful woman on the ship. A pin-up type body neatly dressed in a white nurse's dress. It must be specially made because gown is cut to flatter her body shape. Her wavy dark hair is natural, her eyes the warm brown of chocolate, and she applies a light hand in make-up. Her personality is generous, kind, intelligent, and seductive. Once, she might have been the type of woman he would have enjoyed company with.
"Hey, Dr. Trafalgar." She says in a happy purr.
He nods, "Lillyanna. What can I do for you?" he inquires.
"Last weekend was fun." She smiles batting her eyes, "Wanted to know if you wanted to have some fun tomorrow. We'll be stopping for supplies."
"While the offer is temping, I'd rather not." He informs her. How did one say 'My devil fruit abilities are making me sick and after last weekend I spend three days in intensive care?' without coming off as blaming or bitter?
"Oh?" she seems surprised.
He nods, "Thank you, though." He offers a slight incline of the head and begins to walk away.
"What changed, Doctor?" she asks softly.
Her words halt him in his tracks and he faces her and answers honestly, "Me." He lets his mask of professionalism fall to expose his exhaustion, "I'm not doing very well." He smiles gently, "But last week was fun… too much. I'm afraid that sort of activity is making me ill."
"Oh! I'm so sorry!" she says quickly, "I didn't mean-"
"I know." Interrupts Law, "And I did not want to sound like I was blaming you. I did agree to our engagement." He assures her.
She looks worried, "Is there anything I do to help you?" This offer is void of playfulness. She has taken up her nurse's attitude.
Law is surprised at how well this conversation is going, "No. Thank you Lillyanna." he offers a genuine smile, "I'm afraid I just need time."
"I understand." She nods earnestly, "If I can help, please don't hesitate to tell me."
He nods again and heads towards the resident wing of the ship. As he walks, he commends himself for getting out of potentially delicate position. Lillyanna definitely would be his cup of tea in any other situation.
The chaffing of his medical bands sparks a reminder, 'Ah! Of course. I need to go take some medicine.' Lillyanna had driven the activity out of his mind.
He changes the angle of his walk, heading towards the outpatient pharmacy station. He walks to the transparent door and slides it open.
Behind the counter is the unknown pharmacist. A hard white mask covers his face and the hood of his hooded white lab coat is pulled over his head. His hands are enclosed in black gloves that show off his long spindly fingers. No one on the ship seems to have a name for him, so they call him 'The Pharmacist' out of a lack of any other ideas.
He never speaks above a whisper and nods politely to Law, "Dr. Trafalgar." He says barely audible and picks up a yellow sticky note, "You are to go up the stairs to the left. Krocodil changed your medicine and you need an injection. Room 111."
"Thank you." He nods and walks to the stairs. He goes up to the first floor and begins to search for the door labeled 111.
As he passes room 109 Captain Ciguatera voice catches him.
" !" she calls.
He stops and looks the room, "Captain." He nods politely.
"I am trying!" yells Lady Ciguatera. Rarely has the Captain's sister ever sounded so cross, "They either go missing or Jarvis becomes mysteriously deaf! He won't answer or explain why he's doing this!" she continues shortly.
"Hey, can you come here for a moment. We're having an argument. I need a medical doctor to come make sure I'm not missing something."
"Of course." He steps in seeing the violet haired psychologist flustered red, "Lady Ciguatera." He nods.
Continuing the conversation Kitten asks her sister, "How long has she gone without your recommended medicines?"
"She has not taken them once!" Huffs the psychiatrist angrily shaking a plastic bottle with a muffled rattling, "Look at this?! This entire bottle is still full!"
"We've been having trouble with medicines not going where they need to?" Kitten asks calmly.
"No!" shoots Izabell rattling the bottle, "I'm having trouble with Axis's medicine! I assign it, set it out, and she never takes it!"
"Really?" asks the captain suddenly soft and curious. She reaches to her desk ruffling papers until she pulls a folder, "Dr. Trafalgar have you noticed any tampering?" she inquires opening the folder and thumbing to the chart.
"No. I'm afraid I've been a little out of it." He confesses.
Kitten nods from side to side and then frowns, "All notes are good. They say she's doing better, if a little zoned out from exhaustion."
She looks at Law for support.
"Well fuck them! I haven't given Axis one dose since she arrived on the ship!" spouts Izabell, "I am unable to find her after dinner and Mori-san is being as goddamn silent as the grave she came out of!"
"That's not nice." Chides Captain Ciguatera, "Mori-san is not obligated to answer to anyone, but the Siphonophore family. And even then, it's only about monstrous plants and such." She flips through the folder.
"Is it possible that the crew has been meticulous about resupplying you, Lady Ciguatera."
The psychologist's expression falls, "The pharmacy staff are asking me for the meds!"
Law looked to the captain still studying the folder, "Captain?"
She does not answer as she read something.
Annoyed at the lack of response, Izabell huffed at her younger sister, "Kitten, my love, I am worried!"
"Over the fact she's doing well?" questions the captain skeptically, "The reports are good." She offers the portion she was looking at Law, "Am I wrong?"
Law skims through the notes, "It looks decent." He nods.
"No! About the side notes filled from other members of the staff!" she grabs the fold, turns to a specific page and thrusts it back under their noses, "Did you see this?"
The captain of the Black Lotus studies the information.
Law is surprised, but nods as he sees, '…Personality changes have been observed and manic out busts…'
"I remember when she used to do that…" Kitten says wistfully and taps the line he is reading, "But this would also indicate possible violence, murder, and brutality that was originally decided to try to curb, was unsuccessful or repressed."
"Now do you understand why I'm upset?" Izabell glares, "She has her moments when her old tendencies poke out their heads, but this indicates she is reverting back."
Kitten 'hm-s' thoughtfully.
Izabell presses on, "While this does mean the mental breaking point is vanishing, this also means we could have a serial killer-"
"Purposeful serial killer." Corrects Kitten looking up at her sister.
Izabell looks at Law, "When someone kill multiple people willingly, does this not make them a serial killer?" she demands.
Law tilted his head from side to side, "Or a pirate."
Kitten intervened, "Axis does not commit violence against everyone. I think the Navy will have to answer for their shit soon, but she does not go after everyone."
"She still enjoyed the murders!" Izabell protests.
"So do pirates." Points out Law.
Kitten adds, "So do some people in the military. It's all how you use it. "
"Wait… what?"
The blond haired captain smiles, "Right now, we could use someone who is smart enough to kill those who are hunting. And…" she hesitates, "While Axis was terrifying back then, she was not so depressed either."
"Are you serious?!" yelps her sister, "You're worried about the burden of caring for a potential serial killer?!"
"That's not what I took from that statement." Frowns the Heart pirates' captain.
"Thank you." Appraises Kitten, "No. I'm worried Axis will eventually get rid of herself out of desperation to curb her own physical turmoil."
Kitten gives her a disbelieving glare.
The captain of the Black Lotus sighs and closes the folder offering to her older sister, "And, as much as I hate to admit it, we need her bones."
Law feels a strange icy chill.
"Out of the thousands of people in this world who are Kairoseki, she is one of the very few humans who can grow them. Not only that, they are of a high caliber that is hard to attain." she sighs looking at the floor.
The defensiveness in Izabell's shoulders relaxes as she considers her sister's statement.
"Without her contribution… this ship would not be able to treat so many people." She concludes and looks up resolute.
Izabell is quiet for a moment before her temper returns and she argues, "And you are willing to risk people's lives to let your bone grower-"
"The bones grown under our psychiatric care are much more brittal than the ones she grew before." Kitten cuts off sharply.
Law stares at the cold expression on child-like captain's face.
Her expression makes her seem fiercer and older, "Let's face it, we need her at her strongest. We will need to cast the die of fate and hope it lands in our favor."
Izabell throws her hands up in the air.
Kitten's expression softens and she looks at Law, "I'm keeping you from an appointment. I need someone to go over the facts. Speak with me later tonight, please?"
He nods, "Of course."
"Thank you." She returns with a nod, "You may leave."
He offers and bows a walks out and down the hall to room label 111. He looks at the blue wash door and knocks firmly.
The door opens quickly and a male nurse with octopus shaped irises smiles, "Ah! Good you got the message! Please take a seat." the young man insists moving out of the way for Law to enter.
While the nurse is unfamiliar to Law, he obeys and takes a seat on the chair beside the examination table.
"Any new symptoms?" questions the nurse going to the counter.
"No." He answers formally.
"Any improvements?" he looks sideways at Law with a grimace
"No change."
He nods grimly picking up a bottle, "I see." He answers shaking the liquid. After uncapping the syringe, the nurse plunges the needle into the top of the bottle, "Dr. Trafalgar. I need to talk with you." He informs Law as he draws the liquid up.
"Oh?" asks the fruit user.
"I'm afraid I have some troubling news." He hooks his forefinger and middle finger and uses the back of the second joints in his fingers to rub gently on the inside of Law's presented arm.
Law settles back and repeats, "Oh?"
"The tests we have been taking have returned." Says the nurse stopping, feeling something, "Out of the nine we took, four came back with bad results." He hesitates watching Law's face. He then plunges needle in without bite into the vein, "Your heart is failing."
Law feels ice settle into his stomach.
The nurse pushes the liquid into his veins, "Your internal organs are disorganized and shambled, and you veins aren't always carrying blood." His brow knits, "Your devil fruit ability is literally tearing you apart from the inside out."
Law logically knows he is settling into shock. Logically he knows that this was an inevitable out, but is mind freezes.
"You don't have much time left." And the needle pulls out, "We're trying to buy you time, but it can only work for so long." He swabs the puncture and bandages the puncture.
Law groans within himself and looks up at the young man, "Define how long." He did not want to hear the answer, but he needed to be ready.
Brows knit together, the nurse says, "A matter of days. We aren't completely sure when, but time is not in your favor." He sighs, "Your devil fruit ability has transported vital organs outside of your body twice. We've been able to save you, but we can't save you from what goes on inside your body."
"No. You can't." Agrees Law and the next part comes out on autopilot, "Thank you for your care. Is there anything else I can do?"
"Just rest Dr. Trafalgar. We'll take care of anything you need." Insists the young man, "As long as we can."
Law nods again.
"You're free to go." Offers the nurse.
Law stands up and walks out robotically. The rest of the day turns into a smear on the wall. He is unsure of what happens or when he goes to bed.
"Beep-Beep…Beep-Beep…Good morning Axis. It's time to rise. Breakfast will be ready in half an hour." Jarvis's voice shocks her into waking.
The dim lights above her bed turn on slowly brightening to a soft glow. Her head rises from the pillow and she wipes drool from her face as she sits up. Her muscles are painfully sore, but Axis's theory is that the road to recovery is not paved. Axis rubs her eyes then pulls them away from her face aware of a throbbing pain.
Ugly bruises have flowered on her hands and down her forearms. Some of her nails are split and broken. The raw edged are grating. The knuckles of her right hand and the joints of the fingers are black from abuse. She admires the dark coloring feeling strangely happy at the sight.
'What marvelous tokens do I have here?' she muses wiggling her fingers. The pain burns, but she is pleased. Those marks on her hands are proof of her recovery; proof that things are happening, even if she can't remember them. She smiles feeling a familiar wonderful buzzing in her brain.
By the time the clipping and smoothing of fingernails is done and Axis very late. She swings by the back entrance to the kitchen and is happy to see the white haired chef standing in the doorway with a cup in one hand and a toasted peanut butter sandwich wrapped in a napkin. Her lips are in a thin frown, but the food is an offering of forgiveness.
Chef Pallo is without a doubt a beautiful curvy woman. Her long silver hair braided back, is often tucked into her coat or under her toque. The light blue of her eyes is ghostly and around her waist is what appears to be a knife roll.
Axis knows better. The knives worn around her waist in the leather are for battle only. Her knives for cooking are guarded by her sou chef when she is busy.
"What part of thirty minutes don't you understand?" Scowls Pallo crossly, "You are another thirty minutes late!"
"Believe it or not," responds Axis accepting the sandwich with a girlish smile, "I awoke with nails that had been broken and split."
"You keep yours short." Frowns the chef getting ready for a lecture, "You are a warrior not a-" Pallo stops as Axis thrusts a hand in her face. The chef's eyes turn wide examining them.
The silver haired woman's scarred and burned hand holds the beaten appendage. The nail plate is broken almost to lunula on two fingers and one is split beyond the lunula and will, no doubt, turn black and fall off, "What did you do?" she marvels.
"I haven't the slightest idea." Confesses Axis taking a bite out of the sandwich, "Woke up with it like that."
The chef 'tsk-s' at the bruises on the hands and then relented, "You do indeed… have a valid reason for being late." She confesses, but her eyes take on that interrogative look, "But what did you do? Your hands look like they are rotting with all their bruises."
Axis laughs, "I told you. I don't know." She examines the sandwich she is eating, "Maybe I'll find out today."
Inhaling breakfast is not a specialty of Axis and it takes another twenty minutes. She then sneaks into physical therapy where she chided and lectured about being on time. When they begin on her exercises she is lectured again about taking care of herself and she simply nods and apologizes. Satisfied, her therapist but her through a brutal work out. Tired and exhausted she then goes to lunch where she and Law sit across from one another again.
The kairoseki drops her tray on onto the table and slouched in her seat. "Hello Dr. Heart-Stealer!" she says good naturedly, "How are you?"
Law's grey eyes turn up, "I'm… here." He answers quietly. His voice is distant and hollow.
"What's up?" she inquires expression altering into serious worry.
Law looks away eyes caught on something for several minutes before saying, "I've only have a few days to live."
"Whaddya mean?" asks Axis confused, "I know you're feeling shitty, but did something happen?"
Law laughs hollowly, "My body is rejecting itself. Devil fruit problems." He waves his hands dismissively.
"I see." Nods Axis. She considers the North Blue captain, and then asks, "Wanna have fun with the last of it then?"
Law looks at her confused, "Why? We are not friends."
"I know." She shrugs, "But, I'm also black and blue-" she holds up her hands with their split nails, "And bleeding too. But I feel wired, tired, and the desire to make a mess! If your time is running out then lets make it count! Kairoseki do that all the time. When you card is up for call, you try to make the last of the time worth something to you."
The grey-eyed man considers her with narrowed eyes before he says, "Why not?" he rejoins with half a smile, "But I'm expecting something spectacular. I don't have time to waste."
Axis laughs wildly then says, "I won't disappoint. Tomorrow we'll dock. Meet me in our hallway when we do." She grins, "But I must warn you, our adventure will be all consuming and exhausting."
Law's mouth twitches into a smile, "Then I can hardly wait."
As always I appreciate reviews, comments, and constructive criticism! Thanks!
