Chapter 25

(Time After Time)

Authors Note

Hey Folks ;) me again! Here is the chapter as promised, thanks again for all your reviews and favourites – I reply to each and every one! I've just finished watching the new One Piece movie, and I have to say it's awesome! It has inspired me greatly.

Two more chapters to go!

Until Next Time, Enjoy! ^_^

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

The first thing he became aware of was a familiar pounding sensation, spreading from his forehead and down to the rest of his body. His arms and legs ached badly and it felt as if a woodpecker had perched on his head, drilling right through to his skull.

Breathing was the hardest task; it was like trying to move with a hippo sat on your chest. It could always be thought of as another form of training.

Training.

Pffft.

By the feel of things exercise would be the last thing on Zoro's agenda. The swordsman had been unconscious a few times in his life, and by now you would think he'd be used to it.

It could be described by many as just waking from a good night's sleep, being drowned by a big pile of pillows or even trying to resurface yourself from the bottom of an extremely large pit. But this sensation felt entirely different.

It was not one he was familiar with. He'd never felt anything like it before, or wanted too for that matter. He had almost drowned once if his life many years ago as a child, an experience he would undoubtedly never forget any time soon.

The swordsman had of course faced more terrifying things, but the similar feeling of helplessness still plagued him with worry.

Zoro shifted his legs slightly, only to have a needle sharp pain, shoot up his lower back. His fists clawed at the soft, silky white sheets and – wait.

Soft white sheets?

If he wasn't mistaken, the last thing he recalled was falling ungracefully face first towards the ground, lying on a hard, stone cold floor; feeling more than slightly bruised. So why was it now that he felt comfortable and . . . secure?

'Marimo?'

Oh shit.

Not him, anyone but him! Please god let it be a dream...

'Hey asshole, say something!'

Damn it.

As much as he wanted to Oni Giri the man to the next world, all he could manage was a pain groan in response to the shitty curlybrows insult. This was the second time he's woken up to the sound of Sanji's voice, but he didn't really feel like sparring right now.

He would get him back later.

Maybe.

'Oi Chopper! Get your furry little arse down here, shit heads awake!' a familiar sounding blonde chef bellowed. Zoro's eyebrows furrowed at this latest annoyance – he was sure he could feel a migraine forming.

'Shup... a'shole... s'loud' he slurred, still feeling groggy, his mouth seemed unable to form words as his tongue moved uselessly around in his mouth. It suddenly occurred to him by the feel of things he probably had the damn mask on again, which muffled his speech anyway.

Or maybe it had something to do with his broken jaw.

Within minutes the infirmary door was slammed open with such force it was undoubtedly almost knocked off its hinges.

'Zoroooo!'

The next thing he knew, Zoro's right eye was forced open with a blinding bright torch, being shone into it, making his eye roll around uncomfortably in his head. The swordsman muttered softly under his wispy breath, each word muffled and unable for anyone to comprehend.

Chopper looked at Sanji noticing his look of confusion and slight panic.

'Don't worry Sanji, it's just the medication affects kicking in, he probably feels like a rock right now'

Sanji's worry seemed to elevate slightly, but he still looked uneasy.

As the chef watched Chopper begin a small check up on the idiot swordsman he felt rather uncomfortable being in the same room, watching. So he left rather pronto to give the two some well needed privacy.

He turned and made a quick glance and his nakama before leaving, and the last thing he saw before he left the room was what was left of Zoro's left eye. Well at least Sanji thought it was his eye.

Oh god.

That, and the big mob of anxious crew mates standing outside the door. This was going to be one long day.

Chopper sighed deeply as he took a long gaze across the small infirmary, taking a good look at the exhausted swordsman, now drifting in and out of a peaceful sleep in front of him.

The major reason he was asleep in the first place was the large dose of pain killers, but this was still the first time the doctor guessed he had slept properly in weeks.

He stared at the brown clipboard that was clutched between his hooves, and began to read through and list his nakama's many horrific injuries.

One fractured jaw.

Various lacerations to Zoro's arms, legs and back.

Multiple burns to his chest, very deep – defiantly will leave a few scars.

Curvature of the spine along with one very nasty looking bruise, Chopper would be very surprised if he could walk without assistance any time soon.

Four fractured ribs, on the swordsman's left hand side, leaving him black and blue.

And last but not least his left eye. Chopper wasn't sure how to describe it, other than being completely mutilated. It would definitely leave a scar trailing from the top of his eyebrow, down to the top of his cheek. Until it healed Chopper couldn't be certain if Zoro's vision was still there.

The reindeer cringed with sympathy as he stared at his nakama, his spine propped up with pillows to ease the pain of the awful bruising.

He had a long way to go, but he would make it.

He was Zoro after all.

Swordsman of the Strawhat crew.