Title: The Things We Choose to Be
Theme: Set #03, #24 Guard
Claim: Zoro + Chopper
Words: 582
Rating: PG
Warnings: Sap, fluff, and excessive sweetness! There's some violence in this one.
Disclaimers: Nothing you recognize in here is mine in any way. All rights belong to Eiichiro Oda and all the multitude of people involved in production of the One Piece manga and anime.
Chopper shifted from heavy point to brain point in midair to dodge a swing of his opponent's axe. His hoof slipped on contact with the damp deck, and he fell backward, knocking the back of his head against the ship's railing. He momentarily saw stars, and when his vision cleared, it was only to see the weapon bearing down on him again. He knew he wouldn't have time to completely evade the blow, but he threw himself to the side anyway.
He opened his tightly closed eyes when the expected pain never hit. Chopper looked up to see Zoro between him and the pirate with the axe. The swordsman had caught the metal axe handle against two crossed blades. The force of the attack had been enough to press far enough forward for the very edge of the axe blade to bite into Zoro's left shoulder.
With a grunt Zoro uncrossed the blades, knocking the other pirate backward. He struck a finishing blow before the man could recover his balance.
"You okay, Chopper?"
He nodded mutely in response, and Zoro was gone across the deck as quickly as he had appeared. Chopper shook his head and brought his mind back to the fight at hand.
Later, as he treated Zoro's shoulder injury, he couldn't help feeling just as annoyed as he was grateful.
"You shouldn't have this injury at all," he grumbled under his breath.
"Better me than you." Zoro had heard him.
"Why is that?" Chopper snapped. "I can fight, too! We all have to watch out for ourselves in a fight, and injuries happen! It wouldn't have been a fatal blow--I could take it!"
Zoro blinked at him, eyes comically wide, and Chopper was embarrassed by his outburst. The doctor looked away and rummaged around for a fresh roll of bandages.
"I know you can fight." Zoro's voice was unusually soft. "Everyone on this crew has to be a fighter because we're pirates, but that's not what defines most of you. Franky's a shipwright, Robin's an archaeologist, Nami's a navigator, and so on..." He locked gazes with Chopper, eyes a little sad. "You most of all shouldn't have to cause injuries instead of treating them. You are a doctor, and you choose to fight for the crew.
"I'm a different story. The fighting does define me because that is the life I've chosen. I am a fighter. I train for it every day. I know and understand the consequences of battle, and I am prepared to face them at any time.
"If I have any say in the matter, I will always choose to be between my nakama and danger."
Chopper finished bandaging Zoro's wound in thoughtful silence. When he rose to leave, the doctor stopped him with a firm grip on one leg of his pants.
"I think I understand," Chopper announced with a small smile. "You are a fighter, and you choose to be our fighter, right?"
"Right." Zoro smiled back.
If Zoro chose to guard them all, Chopper could do nothing less than choose to do his best to keep the swordsman in prime fighting shape.