Chapter 24

(Fade To Black)

Authors Note

Hello readers :D - New and old! nice to see you

Why am I in such high spirits? School is almost finished for good! Which leaves me with more free time, or so I hope. Expect no more than two chapters after this one as this story is unfortunately coming to an end ;(

Big thank you too my reviewers again! ^_^

See you next week ;D

Taking one last look at the infirmary door, before moving along to join the others; he could only sit tight and wait.

Man he really needed a cigarette.

It is a known fact to most, that sometimes time feels as if it is moving too quickly. Spinning wildly like a compass pin next to an electric current, the current is the earth and the pin life.

Other times it feels slow and sluggish. The Straw hat crew knew this only too well, as they waited anxiously in silence. Although Sanji was exhausted he stubbornly took duty as the ships chef and made revitalising drinks for his crew mates – minus Chopper and Zoro. The cooks face just screamed 'nicotine craving' all over it.

After a refreshing cigarette for the chef and a short rest for everyone's shaky legs, they each began to talk in turns. Exchanging their accounts of what happened across the island; they all talked of their encounters briefly before the silence was one again resumed.

All eyes were in the direction of the infirmary door, and everyone wanted answers.

But they all knew better than to disturb a doctor at work, although no one knew anything of medicine they could at least guess that it took hard work and concentration to successfully cure a patient.

But seriously, what was taking him so long?

As they sat and pondered their swordsmans unknown condition, they thought back to the last time they had seen him.

Training hard, sleeping or even chuckling softly with Chopper on his lap and a pint of beer in one hand – he'd always had a soft spot for the young reindeer, it was a heart warming sight for anyone. They all wondered if he would be the same when he woke up.

Not if – when.

He had to wake up.

Through all their thoughts it was then the infirmary door opened, with an exhausted reindeer standing on the other side.

'Chopper!' Luffy cried with relief and anticipation.

Everyone jumped to their feet, Franky so quick his chair fell to the floor; the crew's mouths right open - ready to bombard the doctor with endless questions regarding their nakama's health.

Before any of them could utter a word Chopper sighed, and raised his hand to silence them. Slowly, avoiding anyone's eye contact he walked to the nearest wooden chair and sat, fidgeting with the end of his pink hat.

'Well . . .'

Usopp held his breath, expecting the worst and he watched everyone else in the room do the same.

'I've patched him up as best I can but he has a serious fever which we need to keep a close eye on, now all we do in is wait for the fever to break and in theory he should be fine'

There was a huge sigh of relief from everyone as smiles seemed to be catching like a disease, and Luffy threw himself across the table at amazing speed to embrace his crewmate a bone crushing hug.

'But . . .'

Luffy slowly unpeeled himself from the little reindeer to look him in the eyes, excitement vanishing from his face rather quickly.

'I can't really tell you much – patient confidentiality, but his breathing problems have worsened. I think it should be up to Zoro himself to tell you how he sustained his injuries but as he was found in a cell, I don't think I really need to say what we are all thinking right now'

Sanji visibly winced as he heard the word 'cell'; he Chopper had been the ones to see the god forbidden place.

'It was awful . . .'

The crew turned heads as they heard Sanji speak, in a broken whisper, his voice muffled by the head it his hands. Suddenly he stood up and excused himself from the conversation, muttering something about needing a cigarette.

'Stupid Marimo . . . making me worry'

Chopper coughed, before continuing.

'He won't be able to move around for a while, but I'm more concerned about his mental well being. You may all find him spacing out from time to time or not being his usual self, but place bare with it during his recovery'

'Of course Doctor-san' Robin reassured politely

'I'm sure I speak for us all when I say we will do anything to ensure Zoro's recovery is a successful one'

Chopper smiled as the whole crew began to chip into the conversation.

'Yeah, I would f-f-fight g-giants for him! After all I am captain Usopp!' the sniper grinned, his confidence returning.

'You said it Usopp bro!' Franky patted him on the back; with such enthusiasm he almost knocked him off his feet.

'Yohohoho! Such passion make me feel alive, I can feel my heart beating with the fiery flames of love!' Brook cried, scratching his afro.

'Ahhh but of course, I have no heart. Yohohoho! Skull Jooooke!'

'Brook!' Nami growled, her fist colliding towards his head.

'It's nice to see everyone has regained their personality' Robin smiled, amused at the latest commotion.

'How about I take watch over Swordsman-san and you get yourself some well deserved rest Doctor-san? After all you have worked yourself hard today'

Chopper blushed.

'Shut up you crazy bitch, that won't make me happy!'

Another chuckle escaped her lips, and she left the crew to their normal antics. She had a swordsman to play nurse for.

The infirmary lights were low as Robin walked in to the dark, dingy room. She wasn't scared.

Definitely not.

More . . . nervous.

She hadn't seen the depth of Zoro's injuries since they had found him, so was fearing the worst. Gently closing the door behind her, she reached for the light switched and turned them on brightly.

Across the room she saw the swordsman lying in what she would presume to be a peaceful, drug induced sleep. There were no furrows to his eyebrows or worried creases on his forehead.

Pulling up a chair to his bedside, Robin glanced at the many potions and lotions Chopper stored, with the many books and jars stored neatly around the room. Her gaze fell back to her nakama lying peacefully in front of her.

She looked on at him, wondering what the future would hold as she listened to the sound of his poor, laboured breathing, and many bandages and stitches covering him from head to toe.

Get well soon Swordsman-San