By golly has this taken a while to get out. I made myself busy by playing video games again. Been playing Mass Effect Andromeda, Dragon Age Inquisition, and The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone expansion DLC.
Jou: Finally! You get back to the damn story, Jackass!
Shut it!
I do not own One Piece
It's owned by Eiichiro Oda
Jou: He only owns me.
Get back in the scene, moron!
Enjoy!
One Piece: Jou's Adventures: Alabasta Saga Pt.38
"Oh, man..." Jou groaned as his eyes opened slowly. His vision was blurred but it soon became clear. "What's going on...?" He was laying in a bed, staring up at the ceiling. His beanie wasn't on his head, nor his snow jacket, scarf, cardigan, black fingerless gloves or combat boots. Not even his holsters for his kunai and telescope or his chains either. "Huh?" He brought up his left hand and noticed bandages on his fingertips. "Hmm?" He hummed as he observed his bandaged fingers.
"You shouldn't get up yet," A child-like voice said. "You weren't in any bad condition but you were unconscious from exhaustion. So you should rest a little more."
"I'm good," Jou said, leaning outta bed. He clutched his head, eyes closed. "I think I'm okay." He ran a hand through his dark-brown hair. "Listen, I..." Jou turned his head to where he heard the small voice.
What he saw was a small humanoid-like, reindeer. It was standing on two legs. It had light-brown fur, round eyes, a blue nose, hooved hands, and feet. It wore a pink top hat that had a white x on the front with its antlers sticking out the side of its headwear and dark purple shorts.
It was an uncomfortable few seconds as Jou and the reindeer stared at each other not even saying anything.
Jou stared at the reindeer.
The reindeer stared back.
Jou kept staring at it.
It kept staring back.
Jou tilted his head to the side in confusion.
The reindeer tilted it's head to the side in confusion.
It became started at the human looking it and then retreated backward and hid behind a desk, behind one of its legs. Though, it was hiding the wrong way making itself still visible to Jou.
"Uh...?" Jou finally broke the awkward silence. "I... I can still see you. That isn't how you hide."
"Shut up!" The reindeer shouted. "Wh-what is it!? You're looking at me like that because I'm a reindeer, huh!?"
"Well, um...?" Jou said, but sighed. "I'm sorry if I offended you in any way..."
"I don't need your apology, human!" Said the reindeer.
"Could you please just calm down," Jou said. "I'm not trying to upset you." Jou's eyes widened in realization. "Oh, are my friends okay? There were two other men with me, one of them got hurt and the last was a young woman and she's sick. Where are they?"
"Well, those two are over there," The reindeer pointed a hoof over to the other side of the room with two beds. Luffy and Sanji were occupying them lying down. "Don't worry about them." Said the reindeer. "They're just resting. They're fine."
"Oh, good..." Jou sighed in relief with a smile as he breathed out. "They're okay." But he became worried once again. "What about Nami? The young woman that was with us? The one that was sick?"
"She's okay," The reindeer said. "Doctorine treated her sickness. She's in bed right now."
"That's a big relief!" Jou thought happily. "Nami's better now. She got the help she needed." Jou then stood up on his feet. He became light-headed as he stood, he clutched his head.
"You're still trying to get over your exhaustion!" The reindeer said. "You gotta keep resting!"
"I want to see Nami," Jou said. "Just, please... please let me go see her."
"I... I shouldn't..." The reindeer shook his head. "Doctorine told me to tell you to stay in bed if any of you woke up."
"You said yourself I wasn't in any bad condition," Jou said. "Trust me, I feel okay."
"Fine, okay," The reindeer nodded. Jou nodded back. He looked around and saw his and the rest of the group's belongings. You know, snow jackets, scarves, shoes, his chains etc. Jou walked up to their stuff and placed his beanie on his head and put on his black combat boots. He left everything else though.
"Hey?" Called the reindeer.
"Yes?" Jou answered.
"I... I noticed you had chains on your wrist," Said the reindeer. "Why?"
"Simple," Jou said. "They are my choice of weapon."
"Your weapon?" Asked the reindeer.
"Everyone's got their own way of defending themselves. That's mine." Jou said. "I don't only use them to defend myself, I use them to protect those precious to me. My friends." He looked over at Luffy and Sanji.
"To protect your friends..." The reindeer murmured to himself.
"Now, then..." Jou said. "Where's Nami? I don't see her in this room."
"Oh, yeah..." Said the reindeer. "Walk out that door and take a left. There's an open doorway down the hall, you can't miss it. That doorway is the room where that girl is kept."
"Thank you... for everything," Jou said. He started walking out the door until he turned around. "Oh, hold on? What do I call you? Do you have a name?"
"S-Shut up!" Stuttered the reindeer. "I don't need to tell my name to some human! Don't mock me! My name is Chopper!"
"He just told he wasn't going to tell me his name but he ended up telling me anyway..." Jou thought. "The little guy is filled with mixed emotions he doesn't know which one to feel."
"I'm Jou," Jou smiled kindly. "Nice to meet you, Chopper. And thanks a lot." Jou finally walked out of the room.
Jou's kind smile made Chopper surprised. Jou. A human. Just thanked him and even smiled at him. No human has ever shown him that kind of kindness. Not since...
-O-
"Chopper said "take a left and down the hall, I'll find a doorway," Jou said. He turned left and began walking down the hallway. "I've never been in a castle before..." He said. "Certainly a new experience." Jou looked around the castle as he stepped down the hall. He found the doorway Chopper told him about.
As soon as he walked in, he saw Nami. What he saw was her being held down by an old woman with the body of a teenage girl. She was holding a scalpel to Nami's face.
"Jou!" Nami said, she looked relieved to see him.
"Nami..." Jou said as he himself was relieved to see her as well. He then fixed his eyes toward the old woman as she gave him a sneering smile.
"Well, looks who's awake?" Said the old woman taking her scalpel away from Nami's face. "I thought I told Chopper to tell you to stay in bed?"
"You must be Doctor Kureha," Jou relaxed. "But seriously!? What the hell was that? What kind of Doctor holds a sick girl down like that!?"
"That was just my little way of telling to stay in bed," Said Kureha. "Why so defensive of her?" Kureha kept her sneering smile. "Is she your woman?"
Jou's cheeks turned red at that question.
"No!" Jou shouted. "She's my friend, that's all."
"Is that right?" Kureha said. "I could've sworn I heard you saying her name over and over again while you were unconscious."
"I was... wha-!?" Jou said as he turned a deeper shade of red. Jou turned his head over to Nami who was giggling quietly to herself at that news. Jou glared at the old woman in irritation.
"But whatever is between you two it's none of my business," Kureha shrugged.
"There's nothing going between-" Jou never got to finish his reply until...
"AAAAAGH!" Screamed a voice that sounded like Chopper's voice. "SOMEBODY HELP ME!"
Running straight through the door was Chopper being held by a now awake Luffy and Sanji. The three ran into Jou who never had a chance to step out of the way and was trampled by the two incoming Pirates and Reindeer.
"AAAAH!" Screamed Jou as he was knocked over.
"HOLD ON, "MEAT"!" Luffy shouted as he tried to eat Chopper's arm. The reindeer screamed in horror.
"Hold on, Luffy!" Sanji shouted. "Let me cook this guy up first!" They ran out the room stepping over Jou again and then ran back into the room through another door.
It was at this point, Luffy stopped running altogether. He stepped back and saw Nami.
"Nami...?" Luffy said.
"Nami, dear!" Sanji said, skipping over next to Luffy.
"You look like you're all better!" Luffy smiled.
"Getting there," Nami said. "Thanks."
"Right!" Sanji said, grabbing his bicep. "One tasty venison dish for Nami coming up!"
Chopper who was sneaking right to the door as Sanji and Luffy noticed him.
"COME BAAACK!" Screamed the Cook and Captain giving chase to Chopper again. Once again, stomping right over Jou knocking the chain-fighting look-out down to the ground again.
"Oh, oww..." Jou groaned as he slowly stood himself. "Jackasses. Didn't even notice me and just stomped all over me."
"Jou, are you alright?" Nami asked.
"Yeah, yeah..." Jou said. "I'm okay." Jou took his beanie off his head and started dusting it off. From Luffy and Sanji chasing Chopper, there were more loud crashing sounds coming from around the castle.
"I'm impressed," Said Doctor Kureha. "Those guys are already up and moving."
"Yeah," Jou said, placing his beanie on his head. "They're a couple of idiots but they're strong. But, they're mostly just idiots."
"Yeah, they are," Nami agreed. "Can you tell me more about this talking deer?"
"Chopper is his name," Jou said.
"You already know the reindeer's name, Jou?" Nami asked.
"Yeah, I met him earlier when I woke up," Jou said. "So, Doctor? Could you tell us more about Chopper?" "He asked he walked over to take a seat on Nami's bed.
"Well, as you already know, his name is Chopper," Said Kureha. "He's just a reindeer with a blue nose."
"But, normal reindeer's don't talk," Nami said.
"Or walk on two legs," Jou added, folding his arms over his chest. "How can Chopper do these things?"
"If he's different from ordinary reindeer's in some way..." Kureha said.
"If he's different?" Nami repeated.
"If he's different it's just because he ate a "Human-Human Fruit", that's all," Kureha said.
"You're saying he ate a Devil Fruit, are you?" Jou said.
"That's right," Kureha said. "He's still a reindeer but he has the abilities of a human, like talking and walking around. And also, he's a Doctor. I taught Chopper everything that I know about the field of medicine.
-O-
"You should be one of my crew!" Luffy demanded of Doctor Kureha. He and Sanji finally stopped chasing Chopper after a while. "Please, old lady! We really need to have a Doctor on board!"
"Luffy?" Said Kureha. "You did tell me that was your name? Isn't that right?"
"Yeah," Luffy said.
"And did you just call me "old lady"?" Kureha asked slowly.
"Yeah, right," Luffy said. "That's what I said. Old lady." A hard kick was planted into Luffy's face as he went flying backward.
"IF I WERE YOU, I'D BE A LITTLE MORE CAREFUL OF WHAT I SAY!" Screamed Kureha. Luffy finally crashed into the wall. "So I'm still well within my youthful 130's thank you."
"Geez, you're a tough old hag," Sanji said. Next, the cook went face first into the wall. Seeing that, Jou swallowed a lump in his throat nervously.
"Well then, I guess it's wise not to piss you off, huh?" Jou said.
"That's right," Kureha smiled. "Now, are you boys really asking me to become a pirate. Don't be ridiculous. That would be an incredible waste of my precious time. Besides, I have no interest in life on the sea."
"Those are all lame excuses!" Luffy grinned with a bloody nose and bruised face. "It's about adventure, old woman!"
"Well, this one's a slow learner," Kureha said.
"Just a little bit," Jou shrugged. "But you know what? That's Luffy."
"Didn't I just tell you to watch what you say?" Kareha told Luffy.
Chopper who was "hiding" behind the door watching and listening to the conversation.
"So these guys are pirates?" Thought Chopper. Sanji lying on the floor brought his head up as he noticed Chopper. Luffy turned his head as well, noticing Chopper. So, once again Chopper is being chased by Sanji and Luffy who want to cook and eat him respectively.
"That's enough of that, idiots!" Shouted Kureha, jumping out of her chair and dashing off after the two Pirates. Jou sighed and leaned against the wall so he wouldn't be caught in the crossfire amidst all the running.
Chopper ran through the door screaming and then out the other door with Luffy on his tail. Sanji stopped next to Nami's bed, running in place.
"In just a few minutes I'm going to cook you a delicious reindeer dish you'll never forget," Sanji told Nami. Luffy was still chasing Chopper around the room. Jou shook his head in irritation.
"Geez, could you guys just leave the poor guy alone!" Jou said. "You're scaring him! He doesn't want to be cooked and eaten!"
"I don't think so!" Kureha said, landing on the ground with a pair of swords in each hand. "I'll eat you guys first before I let that happen!"
"SCARY HAG!" Screamed both Luffy and Sanji. Everyone ran out the door leaving Jou and Nami alone in the room.
"I don't care about food," Nami groaned. "I just want some peace and quiet."
"Exactly," Jou sighed. Jou hoped that those two idiots don't actually get to eat Chopper. Though, with Kureha on their tail, they won't get a chance.
"Jou...?" Nami said.
"Yeah?" Jou asked. She had a smile on her face. Jou, felt his heart beating.
"She has such a beautiful smile," He thought.
"You can come sit down right here if you want," Nami said patting a spot on her bed.
"It's really okay?" Jou asked. "You sure?"
"Yeah, now get over here," Nami said. "I want to talk to you now that we're alone."
"Right," Jou nodded. "Sure." He made his way to her bed and sat down. "I'm very sorry about all the noise."
"It's okay," Nami shook her head. "It's not you. It's Luffy and Sanji making all the noise chasing Chopper."
"Yeah," Jou said with a short sigh as he rubbed the back of his neck nervously. He felt butterflies in his stomach. Just being near her made him feel weird.
"Should I tell her my feelings?" Jou thought. "No. I really shouldn't. Plus, I'd probably end up making myself look like a fool. I do want to tell her but I feel like now's not the right time."
"Jou?" Nami said.
"Yes, Nami?" Jou looked at her quickly. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Nami shook her head. "You seem like something's bothering you?"
"Nah, I'm good," Jou said. "I'm just relieved that you're all right."
"Well, it is all thanks to a certain someone who carried me up the mountain," Nami smiled.
"C'mon, it was all of us who made an effort in protecting you," Jou said. "But, I did promise you I'd get you up here. And I like to keep my promises."
"Didn't know you were so noble?" Nami giggled.
"I try to be," Jou smirked. Nami smiled as she averted her eyes to the side.
"But I really am grateful, Jou," Nami said. "The least I can do is thank you."
"What do you..." Jou said before Nami leaned up out of bed, she placed her hand on Jou's cheek. Jou looked into her eyes. Her chocolate brown eyes that he thought were just absolutely beautiful. "Nami?"
"Shhh," Nami shushed and smiled. She leaned forward and...
.
.
.
.
.
Kissed Jou right on the cheek. It lasted about 3 seconds before she pulled back. Jou's cheeks went bright red as he stared at Nami as she leaned slowly to Jou's ear.
"Thank you, Jou," Nami whispered. She then went back to her place on the bed. Nami laughed a bit as she saw how red Jou's face was.
"What is it?" Jou asked.
"I just can't believe how red you got over a small kiss on the cheek," Nami said. "That's too funny."
"So, what?" Jou said. "That was a trick?"
"It seemed to work," Nami giggled.
"Geez, Nami!" Jou groaned. Jou folded his arms, crossing a leg over the other.
"She played a joke on me?" Jou thought with a smile. "Clever girl. Alright, two can play that game."
"If that was a trick then I'll have to pay you back for that," Jou said smirking. "Later."
"What do you mean by that?" Nami asked.
At the moment, the door swung open from all the wind and snow from outside the room of the castle.
"Snow?" Nami said. "But that shouldn't be inside the castle." Nami held her arms around her. "It's freezing."
"Sure is," Jou said, shivering a bit.
"I'll close the door," Nami said, as she started to get out of bed.
"Oh no, you don't," Jou said. "Stay in bed. I'll close it."
"He's right, you know!" Called Chopper appearing from the other doorway. "You need to stay in bed. After all, you still have a fever."
"I don't think so," Said Nami. "It seems like it's pretty much gone now."
"I'm relieved those two jackasses didn't get a chance to cook you and eat you, Chopper," Jou smiled.
"I lost 'em," Chopper said looking around. "At least for now."
"That's good," Jou said.
"Doctorine's medicine's works quickly to reduce the fever," Chopper said. "But the bacteria from the Kestia will still remain in your body for a little while longer." Chopper finally shut the open door but not before checking outside it. "So just take your anti-biotic shot and stay in bed."
"Thank you," Nami said.
"Hmm?" Chopper hummed.
"You're the one who's been taking care of me, aren't you?" Nami asked. Chopper turned around to Nami as she gave him a smile.
"That he has," Jou said. Jou stood up from his seat from Nami's bed. "He looked after me, Luffy, and Sanji too." Jou got down on one knee in front of Chopper. "Chopper, I'd like to thank you again. Without you, Nami wouldn't have gotten the treatment she needed..." Jou turned around to Nami as he and she shared smiles until Jou turned back around to Chopper. "So, thank you." Jou put his hand out.
Chopper only stared at Jou's hand unmoving. He was surprised being shown this much kindness and respect from someone let alone a human.
"It's a handshake," Jou said. "You're supposed to shake it."
"Just shut up!" Chopper yelled, surprising Jou and Nami. "I don't need thanks from you two or any other lowlife human!" Chopper then turned to bashful. "Hahaha!" He laughed and then turned angry once again. "Don't mock me!" Then went back to doing his little "happy dance". "Oh, never mind that I'm just being silly! No, seriously! I'm being such a fool!"
Chopper continued acting all bashful. Jou shook his head with a smile and walked back to sit on Nami's bed. Nami leaned over to Jou.
"He's not so good at hiding his emotions," Nami whispered.
"True," Jou whispered with a chuckle. "But, he is an interesting one."
Chopper, all of a sudden started shuffling over toward the bed.
"Um, Chopper, what are you doing?" Jou asked. Chopper didn't answer back as he started extended a hoof to Nami's hand.
"Is it true that you guys are Pirates?" Chopper asked.
"That's right," Jou said.
"Yes," Nami said after.
"Really real pirates?" Chopper asked after lightly tapping Nami's hand with his hoof.
"Real Pirates," Said Jou and Nami in unison.
"So you have a flag with a skull on it?" Chopper asked.
"We do," Nami said. "It's on our ship."
"We wouldn't be Pirates if we didn't have a flag," Jou said. "Why are you asking this? Are you interested in Pirates, Chopper?"
"NO! NOT AT ALL!" Chopper shouted backing away quickly into a bookshelf. "YOU IDIOTS! SHUT UP!"
"Alright, alright, We get it," Nami said. "Now calm down."
"Just relax," Jou smiled. "We're not trying to offend you." Chopper breathed heavily as he was in shock. Nami took the blanket off her and sat cross-legged.
"But one more thing..." Nami beamed a smile. "Do you wanna come with us?"
"Aaaagh!" Screamed Chopper in surprise.
"You could come sail with us," Nami said. "Out on the ocean!"
"That's an excellent idea!" Jou said. "With you onboard with us; Nami won't have to stay here and we can just go. Do you wanna join our crew, Chopper?" Jou smiled.
"Huh!?" Chopper said.
"Yeah, and if you did that would really help me out a lot," Nami said. "I think you'll have a really good time if you came."
"You'll have a lot a fun," Jou said. "So, how about it?"
"No!" Chopper shouted angrily. "That's crazy! You realized I'm a reindeer! I don't belong on a ship with a bunch of humans!" Those words just made Jou and Nami widen their eyes. "I mean, just look at me." He said sadly. "I'm a reindeer but I walk on two legs and I talk and everything. Animals aren't supposed to be able to do that stuff."
"All that stuff doesn't matter," Jou said.
"But I have a blue nose," Chopper said. Jou and Nami gave each other a look. Jou stood up from his seat and walked toward Chopper who leaned against the bookshelf.
"Chopper..." Jou said as knelt down in front of Chopper. "Just because you can talk and walk on two legs or have a blue nose, it doesn't make you any different from anyone."
"Huh?" Chopper said tilting his head.
"What I mean is..." Jou smiled at the reindeer. "Be the person you are and don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
Chopper stared up in surprise at Jou as Jou gave him a kind smile. Jou once again extended his hand to Chopper. Nami smiled at Jou's kindness to Chopper. Chopper leaned up from the bookcase. He stared at Jou's hand and then at Jou who still gave him a smile.
Jou gave Chopper a nod. Chopper turned his eyes back to Jou's hand. He started extending his own arm to touch his hoof to Jou's hand. But once Chopper was almost there to give Jou a handshake they were interrupted.
"THERE YOU ARE MEAT!" Shouted Luffy sliding through the doorway followed by Sanji.
"Damn it," Jou grunted.
"Come here!" Shouted both the Cook and Captain.
"AAAAAAAGH!" Screamed Chopper as he quickly got up and ran away once again chased out the room. Jou turned around and faced Nami.
"Well, I tried," Jou shrugged and went back to sit on the bed. "It seemed like I was getting somewhere with him though."
"Yeah, he seemed like he was starting to warm up to you," Nami smiled. "It was nice what you said to him though."
"Think so?" Jou asked quirking a brow.
"Of course," Nami asked. "I thought it was very generous and... rather sweet of you." Jou and Nami stared into each other's eyes with smiles.
"Those brats sure can run, can't they?" Doctor Kureha said walking in and taking a seat in a chair. Nami started to get back into the covers of the bed. Kureha sighed as she sat back in her chair. "I don't much like what you two were doing there," She said to Jou and Nami. "Trying to temp my Reindeer away from me without my permission."
"Well, we are Pirates," Jou smiled. "We do take what we want."
"Yeah, did we need ask for your permission?" Nami asked smiling as well.
"Hehehe!" Kureha cackled. "No, I suppose you don't. If you want to take him away from here go ahead. But I must warn you both, it won't be as easy as you think."
"Hmm?" Jou hummed folding his arms. "Why do you say that?"
"Chopper has a scar on his heart," Kureha began. "A deep one my medicine can't cure. From the moment he was born, everyone including his parents turned their backs on him."
"Huh?" Nami said.
"Are you serious?" Jou asked.
Kureha nodded. "All because he was born with a blue nose," She explained. "He was forced to walk at the back of the group separated from the rest of the reindeer. Even though he was just a helpless newborn. Then one day, he ate a Devil Fruit and he became even more of an outcast then he had been before. The other reindeer pressured him to leave the herd. His blue nose already made him different but now he wasn't like the ordinary reindeer at all. Still, he was lonely and wanted friends so he went down to a village walking on two legs as humans do. But even walking on two legs, he didn't look anything like the humans. And for some reason, his nose was still blue as well. He didn't know what was wrong; he couldn't understand why they reacted to his appearance with so much fear and anger. He'd gone to village seeking friends but they drove him away. He was no longer a Reindeer and he wasn't a human either. He was something in between. And so he lived alone after that. Caught between two worlds that wouldn't accept him. Now that you both heard his story, do you think you can heal the scar on his heart?"
Jou and Nami both shared looks of concern after hearing such a tale.
-O-
Sanji comes into the room a plate of different foods he prepared for Nami.
"I've prepared this extra nutritious and fortifying meal just for you," Sanji said to her. "So we can get a healthy smile back on that beautiful face of yours."
"Thank you, Sanji," Nami thanked.
"Of course," Sanji blushed with a goofy smile. "Although you're as heart-breakingly gorgeous as ever in spite of your painful ordeal."
Jou cleared his throat. "So, where's mine at?" Asked the Chain-Wielder.
"You don't get any," Sanji said plainly.
"That's a little harsh," Jou grumbled. "Even after everything we just endured getting here."
"Don't pout," Nami told him. "I could give you some of it."
"Nah," Jou held up a hand. "It's cool. I was mostly joking."
"Hey, you?" Kureha said by the door. "I don't recall you asking for permission to use my kitchen."
"Madam, I made a dish for you as well," Sanji turned to her. "It's supposed to make you look years..." Sanji was met with a kick straight to the back of the head causing him to fly right into the wall."
"I'm not a madam," Kureha said. "I'm a swinging single still in the prime of youth. Don't forget it."
"Not a day over 139, right?" Nami asked.
"Doctorine!" Screamed Chopper running through the room. "Save me from this lunatic!"
"Wait! Hold on!" Luffy shouted chasing Chopper. "Come back! Hey!"
Chopper as he's running jumps right through the door but Luffy just smacks into it falling on the floor. Chopper ran out the room screaming and ran behind Kureha.
"What are you doing?" Nami asked. "Luffy?"
"Are you still trying to eat him?" Jou asked after. "Leave him alone already.
"This guy is gonna join us and be our friend!" Luffy said continuing to chase Chopper.
"Really!?" Nami smiled. "Great!"
"Wonderful!" Jou grinned. "We have a Doctor who's gonna be on our crew now!"
"I didn't say I was gonna do that!?" Chopper said.
"Sure you did!" Luffy said.
"No, I didn't!" Chopper argued.
"Did!" Luffy repeated and started chasing Chopper around Kureha.
"Be quiet!" Said Kureha. "Both of you!" Eventually, the two ran out the room. "Friend, huh? If he only knew what friend means to someone who's been through what Chopper has." She sighed. "Poor guy."
"If you don't mind me asking..." Jou said. "Can you tell us why the word "friend" hurts someone like Chopper?"
Kureha gave a Jou look and then looked at Nami and Sanji, who also seemed to want to hear the tale as well. She turned back the door Luffy chased Chopper out of.
"When Chopper was out there..." Kureha started. "On his own. There was only one human that he ever really opened to. That mans name was Doctor Hiriluk. He was a crazy quack but he named Chopper and called him his son."
[Flashback]
The man called Doctor Hiriluk was walking through the snow after being chased out by Wapol's soldiers.
"Those tin soldiers aren't gonna capture me," Hiriluk grumbled. "I'm gonna go on. I'm gonna go on helping the sick and the injured. Hm?" He stopped in his tracks as he spotted something lying in the snow. That thing was Chopper in his human form looking very hurt.
He quickly ran up to what he saw stopping in front of Chopper. But what Chopper looked like didn't matter to Hiriluk. If something or someone needed to be treated, he'll treat it.
"Looks like you've been shot?" Observed Hiriluk, seeing the bullet wounds. "We need to stop the bleeding right away or your dead."
Chopper glared up at Hiriluk as the older man knelt down to tend to him.
"Don't worry," He told it. "I'll save you. Actually, you're pretty lucky because I just created an ointment 3 days ago that even works on broken bones. Just what are you, anyway? You don't look like a human being? You must be that Yeti everybody is talking about in the village-"
The Chopper noticed Hiriluk grab hold of a pistol, unknown that it was actually a tranquilizer gun. Chopper punched Hiriluk right in the face and then followed with a punch slamming the quack Doctor into the snow. Chopper let out a loud roar to the heavens until it calmed down letting out a few breaths and then walked away.
"How dare you..." Hiriluk said slowly getting up. "Who do you think you're dealing with, creature?"
Chopper turned around and became shocked at the fact that Hiriluk has shed the clothing on his body.
"I promise! IM NOT GONNA SHOOT YA! SEE!?" Hiriluk shouted. "MY NAME IS HIRILUK! DOCTOR HIRILUK AND I WANNA HELP YOU!"
Chopper said nothing, he instead fell right into the snow due to all of his wounds.
Chopper finally awoke, sitting up in a bed he was laying in. He was inside a cave, it cozy and well lit enough. He was covered in bandages for his wounds. Taking in all the surroundings he saw beakers spread out on a table. He then saw the old man, Hiriluk he was called sitting in a chair sleeping soundly.
Chopper touched and felt the bandages wrapped around his head. It was at that point when his stomach growled causing a shy blush to form on his face. Looking around, he noticed a loaf of bread and a glass of warm milk. Chopper got out of the bed and went to eat the bread. As he ate, tears began to pour out of his eyes with emotion.
Doctor Hiriluk and Chopper officially met. Hiriluk was a Doctor in the Drum Kingdom, his methods were a bit unorthodox and a little extreme. The Doctor was surprised Chopper could speak like how humans could but decided it was no big deal.
Hiriluk was quite strange to look at as well. With his, clover-styled hair, his black coat, spotted pants and his outlandish personality. He was also responsible for giving Chopper his name. Tony Tony Chopper. He called him that because his horns look like they can chop down trees. He even gave Chopper his pink top hat. A gift that Chopper cherished. Being a Doctor in Drum Island was a very bad thing to be. The tyrant king of the country would execute or exile them. But Doctor Hiriluk was different as he kept trying his best to be a doctor.
"You know, Chopper?" Said Hiriluk. "It sometimes feels that things are pretty rough. But, try not to hold a grudge against us humans, okay? This country is sick right now. The people and the King both suffer from a terrible sickness of the heart but conventional wisdom has it that there is no way to cure a sick country. But that's wrong!"
Hiriluk turned around holding one of his beakers in front of Chopper holding his newest creation.
"Once my invention has been perfected, this country will be as good as saved," Said Hiriluk as he grinned. "You see, there used to be a master thief who lived in a country in the far west. He had a serious heart condition. He went to the greatest Doctor's so he could receive treatment. No one was able to cure him. They told him he was going to die. Frustrated and depressed he passed by a certain mountain. There, he had saw something he had never seen before. Blossoms! He saw Cherry Blossoms all over the mountainside! And then, he went to go see another Doctor and got the shock of his life. Because he was told: "You're perfectly healthy!"
"Huh?" Chopper said in confusion.
"He was cured!" Hiriluk said. "It was a miracle! Don'tcha see? But it also makes perfect sense medically speaking! By changing his emotional state he was able to change his physical state somehow too. And if that's true, there is no disease in this world that can't be cured. Let them laugh at me. My medical skills will save this country yet. And that's why I raise this skull and crossbones!" He smacked the pirate flag hanging on the wall. "As a challenge to all the diseases of the world!"
"Skull?" Chopper said eyeing the flag with intrigue.
"This symbolizes my believe!" Hiriluk said with determination. "That nothing is impossible. I will save this country with my Doctor skills! By raising this flag... I vow to fight just like the Pirates do!"
Hiriluk the begun to explain Pirates to Chopper.
"It's great to be a Pirate," Hiriluk said. "The most amazing people sail the seas. Chopper, someday you've got to go to sea. If you do, you'll realize just how small your problems really are in comparison to the vastness of the oceans. The island you were born on is like this compared to the world."
"Really?" Asked Chopper.
"No, it's smaller," Hiriluk said. "Like this. Really!"
"Hahahaha!" The both of them laughed together.
"Your destiny lies beyond that shining sea," Said Hiriluk.
The two of them shared a lot of good times together but despite all that, Dr. Hiriluk kept a secret from the one he called son. He had a disease that was incurable. Even his friend Kureha can't find a cure for this disease either. It's been a whole one year since the two came together but Dr. Hiriluk had to make a difficult choice.
"It's taken a year but your treatment is finally complete, your injuries are healed, Chopper," Hiriluk said.
"Yeah!" Chopper smiled brightly. "Thank you, Doctor!"
"Well, then..." Doctor Hiriluk walked away. "Take care." The quack saw that Chopper didn't get the point until he pushed him out the door. "On your way! Have a nice life! I'm busy with my research! So hit the bricks! I'm no longer under any obligation to care for you!"
Tears of sadness started to well up in Chopper's eyes. It was like everything was falling apart around him.
"Doctor!" Cried the Reindeer. "I swear! I won't cause you any trouble if you'll just let me stay with you!" Chopper begged as he pounded on the door. "I'll rub your shoulders every day! I'll make you tea and clean the house! Please let me stay!"
It was taking Hiriluk everything to not let Chopper back in, just hearing Chopper scream for him to open the door was hurting him inside. Chopper couldn't learn about Hiriluk's condition. It would most likely make the little Reindeer even sadder.
"I don't have any friends! I don't have anywhere to go!" Chopper pleaded. "Doctor!? Please! Can you hear me!? Doctor!"
There was a crash from outside the door. It made Hiriluk panic and bolt out the door quickly.
"Chopper!?" Hiriluk yelled in worry. He was greeted by Chopper smiling up at him, blood streaming down his face. There was a tree snapped in half right next to him.
"I hurt my head!" Chopper said. "I fell! I'm injured! Take a look-"
BANG!
The bullet grazed Chopper's cheek as tears welled up once again from Chopper's round eyes.
"But why... Doctor?" Chopper sadly said.
"GO!" Shouted the quack doctor. "GO TO SEA IF YOU LIKE! GO ANYWHERE YA WANT! JUST DON'T COME BACK!" Hiriluk fired more shots at Chopper to drive him off.
Chopper wailed as he ran off out in the snow. Hiriluk dropped his rifle and fell to his knees.
"Forgive me, Chopper!" Hiriluk wailed as tears fell from his eyes.
Chopper, later on, found out by eavesdropping on a conversation by Hiriluk and Kureha that Hiriluk was dying and that he will die in 10 days. Then Chopper came to a decision that he will save the Doctor from whatever is killing him. He began flipping through an old medical book, he finally found what he was looking for that could save his friend and adopted father. With this knowledge, Chopper went into the wilderness.
Hiriluk tried, again and again, to get his formula for the Cherry Blossoms working but kept failing but swore every time he was close. The door to his cave opened slowly and who came in was a big surprise.
"Doctor, I'm sorry... I'm afraid lost one of your precious books."
"Good lord..." Hiriluk breathed. "What happened to you?"
Chopper looked like he'd been run over by a stampede and then crushed in an avalanche. His body was bruised and torn, he had a swollen, black eye, one of his horns was snapped off, and one of his legs was broken. He was basically standing on one leg.
"Mushroom..." Chopper held up the mushroom he found. "Medicine."
"Is that for me?" Hiriluk asked in shock. "An Amiudake mushroom...?"
"Please live...?" Chopper pleaded. "Please, Doctor? I wanna help people like you. Please, teach me to be a Doctor, okay? I'll fight and I won't give up. Just like Pirates. If you think a Reindeer can?"
Tears began to well up in Hiriluk's eyes. He couldn't help but embrace Chopper.
"Of course! Yes!" Hiriluk choked. "You'll be a wonderful Doctor! I know you'll be a wonderful Doctor! Because you have such a kind heart!"
However, him teaching Chopper to be a Doctor was not going to happen.
"HAHAHAHA! YOU IDIOT!" Wapol boomed loudly. "DON'T YOU GET IT YET!? IT WAS A TRAP!"
Wapol made a lie about the 20 MD's being sick. Knowing Hiriluk being who he was would show up to cure the 20 MD's. He fell right into the trap. The idea was to say that the 20 MD's were sick and at least one of the two remaining rogue Doctors would show up. Kureha, the witch, wasn't fooled by this trick.
"THE ONLY LIFE IN DANGER HERE IS YOURS, DOCTOR HIRILUK!" Wapol once again laughed.
"So that was it...?" Hiriluk got down on his knees. "Good. Then none of them are sick." Tears fell from the quack doctor's eyes. "I was afraid this was a national crisis. But no, luckily it was just a trick." The 20 MD's were surprised someone showed so much concern for them, even if it was only a trap.
"HA!" Laughed Wapol. "If it really was a "national crises" I wouldn't want someone like you! Ignore his babbling!" Wapol commanded. "Execute him!"
"Save your bullets," Hiriluk said. "You don't have what it takes to kill someone like me."
"Huh?!" Said Wapol.
"Hey?" Hiriluk brought up his head with a smirk, holding a cup of clear liquid. "When do you think a person dies? When a bullet from a pistol pierces his heart? No. When he's attacked by an incurable disease? No. When he eats a soup of deadly poisonous mushrooms? No! A man dies when people forget him." Hiriluk smiled as he raised his cup.
The mushroom Chopper gave to Hiriluk was not an antidote, it was one that held a deadly poison. Hiriluk kindly accepted the gesture knowing he doesn't have too long to live anyway.
"Even if I should disappear right now, my dream will come true," Hiriluk said. "And when it does the citizen's sickness of the heart will be cured as well." He looked up and saw Dalton had tear pouring from his eyes. "You're crying? Why Dalton?"
"Is that... true for our country?" Dalton asked through his tears.
"Yeah," Hiriluk answered. "If the will to do it is passed on." He remembered one last thing he should explain. "Very shortly a monster will be coming. He's my son. Please, don't hurt him." Hiriluk smiled, in his final moments he realized something, he truly had no regrets.
"Don't worry, Chopper..." He thought. "Your mushroom won't kill me."
"I've had a marvelous life!" He raised the cup into the air and then drank the liquid from the cup. "THANK YOU, CHOPPER!" That was the last thing Hiriluk shouted up to the heavens before he imploded. The liquid he had consumed ignited inside him. A large cloud of smoke covered the spot where he sat. When the smoke cleared, the Doctor's body was gone. His hat was the only thing that remained as it flew to the ground right in front of Chopper.
Dr. Kureha told Chopper the truth about Hiriluk, Chopper immediately ran after the Doctor. It was far too late, tears fell from Chopper's bandaged face. He heard a something that just made him angry.
"MUHAHAHAHA!" Cackled Wapol. "HE BLEW HIMSELF UP! WHAT AN IDIOT!"
Chopper let out an angry roar as he changed into his human form in a rage, he charged forward wanting to attack Wapol for insulting his father figure. He was stopped by Dalton, who went to clash with him and then Dalton knocked Chopper onto his back. Dalton was in a Bison form.
"Leave..." Dalton begged. "Leave here at once! If you can't even defeat me, you can't possibly defeat them!" Chopper struggled as he tried to get out of Dalton's hold. Chopper stopped when he felt liquid on his face. Relaxing out of his rage he saw that Dalton was crying. "I apologize for those who had the nerve to laugh at Hiriluk's death! Without enough strength, you'll only die in vain! Don't sacrifice it for this country! Please?"
Chopper decided he had no other choice but to leave with the Doctor's hat.
After this, Drum Kingdom was taking a turn for the worse. Dalton decided the leave Wapol, never to return to being Captain of his guard. He couldn't work under a man who just laughed at someone who just wanted help Drum Kingdom. He tried to defy Wapol but failed in doing so and was then imprisoned for his defiance.
Chopper, knew he had to do one thing to do.
Dr. Kureha was staring at Chopper waving a pirate flag in front of her house as tears streaming down his face. Before Hiriluk died, he asked Kureha to teach Chopper about medicine so he could also become a Doctor. And here was the little Reindeer, waving a flag back and forth while crying.
"Please! Please teach me how to be a Doctor!" Cried Chopper. "You've got to teach me how to become a Doctor! You've got to! I'll become a Doctor who can cure anything! You'll see! I'll even cure a country! I'll do anything you ask of me! I've got to become a Doctor! Because I know there's no disease, no illness in this world that can't be cured!"
Kureha looked out at the Drum Rockies and then nodded, looking back down at Chopper.
"Call me Doctorine from now on," She said.
From that day, Chopper started to study medicine from Doctorine. She was strict, but she saw that Chopper was quickly becoming a great Doctor. She taught him everything she knows about medicine. She never told him, but she was proud of how fast he was learning. Chopper is going to be a Doctor that can cure all diseases!
[Flashback end]
Jou, Nami, and Sanji were all quiet as Kureha finished Chopper's story.
"Wow..." Jou said. "That's quite the tale. Chopper has been through a lot, hasn't he?"
"Mmhm," Kureha nodded.
"So for the 6 years since then..." Nami said. "Chopper's been studying medicine under you."
"Yeah, I taught him everything I know," Kureha said. "He's been a good student."
"Doctorine! Doctorine!" Chopper screamed as came through the door. "Doctorine! There's trouble! Wapol is back!"
Kureha smiled. "Is he?"
And there we go! Chopper's finally officially here! Hurray! I remember some people asking me before if Jou and Chopper could be close? And you know what? I'd like them to be good friends.
Next chapter I'd like to be the end of the Drum Island Arc.
Now, reviews...
Br0kenTh0rn: Well, we gotta get there first so you can see how she reacts.
Chance Green G King: Well, glad you enjoyed the last chapter. Hope you liked this one enough as well.(Unfortunately, I didn't have Jou beat down Luffy and Sanji for wanting to eat Chopper)
Drakedragon297: You've been getting sick? I hope you're better now.
Jou: Glad we could entertain in some way.
Yeah, I read your My Hero Academia story, it looks like a good start to a story(speaking of which, I need to update my own. Been on the first chapter for like a few months now! Geez Louise!)
pokemonking0924: Of course Jou is in the best condition.
Jou: I was carrying Nami so I was protected the most.
Yeah, Jou realized his feelings for Nami. He isn't in love her. That's going a little too far.
Jou: I just realized these feelings so I'm not gotta get ahead of myself here.
GreenD109: Yeah, true enough. But Jou sure did take his sweet time realizing he even has feelings for her.
Namika: About that fantasies and dreams about Nami? Probably not since I don't really think Jou is the type to have those types of fantasies.
Jou: That'd probably make me look like a creep.
I probably could work something for Jou to try and confess to Nami but something just gets in the way.
YoYoGoMan: I thought about the idea but I didn't wanna go through with it since I don't think Jou is the type of person to have dreams like that.
Hawkeye: I thought now would be the best time for Jou to realize his feelings for Nami. As for Nami realizing her's, you'll see.
LuminaDawn: Yes I am aware that put "Kareha" instead of "Kureha" and I've already gone back and fixed it.
Gh0st495: Glad you enjoyed the last one and I hope this one as well, Gh0st. Yes, Jou is not going to confess to Nami yet. I do admit this chapter is late since I mean to post on Saturdays but I did manage to get it out(even though it's late) Yep, Jou is still going to fight against Wapol's brother, Musshuru.
ShadowUzumaki55: And that's exactly what he's going to do. I mean, I wanna develop the feelings a little more, ya know what I mean? I do have a time when the actual confessing starts but it won't happen yet.
Vergil Leonidas: Oh hey, long time no see! Glad you liked all the little additions to the story. I mean, yeah it is a bit hard to find a change in certain arcs.
Though, I would like to implement some change for the story of One Piece. I will have to see about that.
KP360:
Jou: I am not in love!
Yes, you are! You just don't know it yet!(Keyword: Yet)
Jou: Shut it, Author!
Jou and Chopper didn't really interact the last chapter, Chopper touched and inspected Jou's hand but I hope you liked the interactions between them this chapter(I hope they were okay for others too)
NarutoMan2: I do have one in the works but I'm not really feeling writing it. Mainly because I'm not sure how to go through with it. But, it is, in fact, going to be OCxTenten. It's kind of up in the air if I wanted to write it or not.
CaptainKuroMan: I actually already watched and finished Assassination Classroom recently. I liked it. It was fun to watch, the characters were interesting, I loved Sonny Strait(Usopp's voice actor) as Koro-sensei.
Oddly enough, I even made an OC for it. The thing about me, if I like the show enough I'll make an OC for it and think about doing a story on it.
The Storm Master 567: Thank you and yep got some fighting next chapter.
Alright! That will be it 'till next time.
Jou: So, we have some fights and most likely the end of this arc?
Right! I'd like to finish Drum Island next chapter and then start the Alabasta Arc at Chapter 40.
Hope to see everyone next time!
Jou: Come back soon, everyone!
Later!