Hello everyone! This is the Epilogue for this story. I am as of right now planning a sequel, but I cannot say when it will be posted.

Rest assured that I will be posting an update to this story to let you all know when the sequel is published. For now, enjoy and once again thank you for supporting this story.

In the infirmary of the Thousand Sunny, a lone occupant lay on one of the soft beds. His chest moved in an even rhythm while a peaceful face rested on plush pillows.

It had been almost a week since Zoro had fallen into the healing sleep required for both him and his spirit to recover. Tora was in such bad shape after Kaze's defeat and Zoro was no better as his arm was still in a sling, the broken bone slowly mending. Nevertheless the crew, with fond smiles, collected their swordsman and placed him in the best place where he could heal. Chopper stood as sentry, noting every change and monitoring Zoro's health, ensuring that his big brother felt no discomfort while adrift.

Pen furiously scratching away at the latest results from the usual hourly checking of his vitals, Chopper allowed his mind to wander, considering the past seven days since their departure of the Marine stronghold. Much had happened, and none of it, blessedly, was bad.

Nami of course collected their promised prize before they set sail, the Marine treasury, and busied herself counting and logging it away for future use. The men of the Marine ship were so grateful for the Straw Hat's help they even restocked the larder and gave medicines for the infirmary. All in all, both crews left on amiable terms, both sides marveling at the friendships made despite what was supposed to be a hostile relationship. Unfortunately no one knew of what became of Rosso. The man disappeared from his holding cell over night, and while the Marines were concerned of where he could have gone, they wasted no time reporting him missing in action during a Pirate raid. That in itself worked out rather well, because the Marines said the World Government found any captain who ran away while their crew fought to be distasteful. If reported missing in action, they at least won't be held under suspicion of murder and Rosso will be summarily stripped of his rank for abandoning his post.

The Straw Hats didn't particularly care about the politics though; they merely shrugged and went on with their lives. All content that vengeance had been taken and Zoro was safe within their grasp. The only inconsistency causing strife now was the mysterious fruit Nami kept under lock and key at all times. Luffy was dying to know what it was, and truthfully, so was everyone else. However the navigator brought the term closed-mouth to an entirely new level when anyone brought up said item. Insisting that they would only learn its purpose once Zoro regained consciousness; which of course drove her captain into a tizzy of frustrated curiosity demanding she tell him at once, to which Nami always replied with a firm no. Needless to say things were evening out and all could feel a change in the wind that it was only going to get better from here.

"Oi, Chopper,"

The small physician startled as he was called out of his reverie, noticing Sanji standing in the doorway a tray laden with a luscious looking salad accompanying a delicious smelling plate of food "Thought you could use some lunch,"

Chopper grinned up at the man, his features bright with gratitude "Thanks Sanji! I am a little hungry."

The blond chuckled as he set the bowl and plate down, reaching into his apron for the silverware and placing them in their designated spots on either side. "So," the cook murmured setting out a glass of milk "how's he doing?"

"His vitals are steady," the reindeer confirmed "it's nothing like the last time. He's actually very peaceful, he genuinely seems to be in an incredibly deep sleep. Not quite a coma, but more a rejuvenating rest."

The cook gave a nod "Well, I'm sure he'll be hungry so tell me if he wakes up,"

…

An amazing smell, that was the first thing that first drew Zoro slowly out of his stupor. Something fabulous was nearby and his stomach was already whining for it. Where was he? Zoro wasn't sure, but it couldn't be anywhere bad if something so tantalizingly good was in his near vicinity.

Taking a deep draw of the scent, a happy purr rumbled through his chest. Oh yea, it smelled good. He smelled barbeque roasted chicken, with a generous helping of mashed potatoes and green beans on the side. However that wasn't the only scents he recognized. Cinnamon and nutmeg, Chopper was here, and the smell of cigarettes alerted him to Sanji's presence as well. A soft breeze from what was surely an open window curled around Zoro, bringing the smell of a calm ocean and the sound of laughter on its velvet kiss. The purr increased, urging him to wake and acknowledge the beautiful day by basking in the sun with his nakama.

Using the scents as an anchor, Zoro's consciousness slowly crawled back into the real world, opening his eye and waiting until the blurry vision cleared and the infirmary take shape. Chopper and Sanji were speaking in quiet tones, obviously being mindful of the man supposedly asleep, and the lack of attention made his feline instincts buck up in indignant irritation.

"Oi," Zoro rasped in a plaintive mew "that food for me?"

The duo, which had just previously been conversing about his condition, jumped like a pair of scalded cats, whirling around to face him. A bright grin lit both of their features as Chopper leapt from his chair and tackled Zoro in a hug "You're awake!"

The swordsman nodded, giving the reindeer a one armed hug, vaguely noting that his other arm was still in the sling "Yep, I'm back."

"Good for you, moss ball," Sanji sneered though without any real venom "now you can finally pull your weight around here instead of being a lazy bum sleeping for weeks at a time."

A silver eye widened only slightly as Zoro's brow furrowed in confusion "How long was I out?"

Chopper merely giggled "It wasn't that long, only seven days and this time you were very peaceful. No health problems of any kind except for the injuries you sustained during the battle."

The swordsman sighed, leaning back into the pillows as stark relief washed over him. The battle was won, Kaze banished from his body and he no longer had to worry about seizures or anything stupid like that ever again. Even with Tora still inside him, housing one spirit is a much easier burden for the body to bear than two. Speaking of Tora, Zoro quickly looked inside, searching for the tiger's essence and was pleased to hear rumbling snores echoing from within his mind space. Apparently the tiger isn't much of a morning person, but that's ok, he deserved to rest.

"So I reiterate," Zoro stated with a cheeky grin "Is that food for me or not?"

Sanji rolled his eyes, but couldn't fight a good natured smile "No, in fact it isn't, but if you ask nicely I might get you a plate."

"Ok," the swordsman shrugged before stretching the kinks out of his body and calling "FEED ME!"

The cook face palmed "Honestly, you getting a cat devil fruit has only made your lazy habits more obnoxious."

"I want a cheeseburger," Zoro chirped, satisfied that he was effectively annoying his rival "or whatever Chopper's having, or neither. I won't know till I see them."

"I'm not indulging your annoying feline tendencies, you eat what I give you and that's it!"

"But I'll sta-arve!" Zoro whined enjoying this game far too much.

Chopper however was giggling, "Go make him something to eat Sanji, he hasn't had any kind of food for a week and his body needs the fuel."

"Yeah, human, get me food!"

"GAH!" the cook stomped out however the occupants in the infirmary caught the small chuckles drifting after his retreating form.

Shaking his head the reindeer gave Zoro a soft scolding glare "You're feeling better, I can tell, you're acting silly."

Zoro simply shrugged "I feel silly. I've got all this pent up energy that screaming to run and play."

Chopper nodded sagely "With Kaze gone the instincts of the tiger fruit will be much harder to ignore, but of course your health has improved drastically so I would say it's an even trade."

The swordsman chuckled "So do I have your leave to get out of here?"

"Not until after lunch,"

"But what if I eat my lunch outside?"

"No you're eating it in here,"

"But I wanna go outside!"

"You'll just come back inside,"

"No I won't! Maybe…"

….

"ZORO'S AWAKE!"

The Straw Hat's all dropped their current preoccupations to watch their swordsman stride out of the galley, licking his lips free of barbeque sauce as he stretched both arms over his head. Nami ran over, startling the man with a sudden hug before stepping back "That was some nap," she teased "how're you feeling?"

"Much better," the man grinned.

"No kidding," Franky bellowed from where he stood at the wheel "I haven't seen you looking this SUPER since before this all happened."

"Indeed," Robin chuckled "your countenance is much changed, you appear lighter."

In truth he felt lighter, but the swordsman didn't want to get caught up in a bunch of mushy stuff, so he gave his signature smirk "Just happy to be rid of the harpy, one is bad enough."

"HEY!" Nami whacked Zoro across the head, her eyes blazing before she paused horror written across her features "I-I'm sorry, are you ok?!"

The swordsman was doubled over clutching his head, watching as Nami fretted over his health. Once again he was struck by how much the past several months had changed the crew, and how they saw him. However it wasn't the case anymore, he wasn't fragile and prone to fall into a seizure at the slightest misstep. The amazing feeling of freedom from all the dark worry and self loathing enveloped Zoro, making a stunning grin stretch across his features and a deep belly laugh bubble from his mouth.

Nami froze at the laughter, observing Zoro as he straightened up. Her jaw dropped at the uncharacteristically brilliant smile he wore, something they hadn't seen in what felt like years "I'm not a porcelain doll Nami," Zoro snickered "I can take your hits,"

The navigator found Zoro's laughter to be infectious as she too began to be shaken with mirth. Soon the entire crew was laughing, some from relief, others from the pure joy that their swordsman was well and truly back, but Zoro's reason was simply that he was back among his nakama. Gone was the laboratory and the scientist who ruled over it, gone was the crazed wind spirit bent on his destruction, gone the health problems that shrieked how weak he was through restless nights and gone the hopelessness that filled every moment concerning whether he had any right to follow his dream. Now his life was starting over and he had a new appreciation for the people around him, not to mention every moment he was given in this life.

Zoro's laughter was the loudest and most resonant among the crew, and everyone loved how it washed over them like a healing balm, soothing away the ill feelings of yesterday. Today was sunshine, joy and laughter and by God they were going to enjoy it!

"OH!" Nami giggled, her laughter petering off though a large grin still firmly in place "I have a message for you from the Gum-Gum Guru!"

Zoro cocked his head, blinking at the odd statement "Oh yeah?"

Nami nodded her head, tossing Robin a key "Get that for me, will you?"

The Archaeologist grew a ladder of arms, each passing the key up the stairs and towards the women's quarters, while Nami turned back to Zoro "He said he had a solution to both your problems."

"You mean, mine and Tora's?"

"Yep," The navigator looked down when she was prodded gently by a disembodied hand, leaning down to pick up what appeared to be a devil fruit "this will solve your issue."

Zoro stepped back, holding his hands up in defense "Oh no," he growled "I'm not eating a second devil fruit."

The ginger rolled her eyes "You dork, let me explain."

Nami waited while Zoro pursed his lips and crossed his arms, awaiting her explanation before diving in "The Guru said that in old time when other Devil Fruit spirits found a spirit worthy due to being particularly valiant, and if the bonded spirit and user had a deep enough connection, they were allowed to given a special gift."

"Cool," Usopp cried "but what's that got to do with the fruit?"

"Everything," Nami chirped "the power is they can summon the original devil fruit and if the spirit is manifested on the outside eats it they are given a mortal body of their choosing with limited access to their abilities."

Zoro's jaw dropped, his eye widening to comical proportions "You mean, he'll be here outside, and I'll be normal again?"

Nami nodded, her face glowing with pleasure at being the one trusted with this most precious gift "Tora will get one mortal life that will be tied to your life energy. Basically when you die, he dies, and as long as you live he will too. After you both pass on, Tora will regenerate as a Devil Fruit and his normal cycle will resume but this time he'll have memories of his time outside."

Zoro grasped the fruit, gratitude and happiness causing his fingers to tremble ever so slightly "Thank you,"

"Don't thank me," the ginger scoffed "besides what are you waiting for, get Tora out here so he can eat that thing!"

The swordsman grinned in reply, focusing on pushing the tiger out as the blinding light from before shone from his body. In a matter of moments a massive tiger took up almost half of the green lawn, yawning his gaping maw as he gave his user a grumpy glare "I was sleeping, why did you wake me up?"

"The Guru left you a gift," Zoro grinned "eat this and you'll get a mortal body of your choosing and you can stay on the outside with us. True we're basically bound to each other for life, but you won't be stuck in the mind space anymore."

Tora's good eye widened and the cat jerked forward snatching the fruit from Zoro's hand immediately grimacing in disgust "Ugh, that tastes revolting," the feline groused not noticing the smoke surrounding his body "how can you even want to eat that, granted you get abilities but I won't get that taste out of my mouth for weeks!"

The crew stared in astounded silence as the tiger shrank down and down until it was the size of a housecat. It was bigger than most, about the size of a Maine Coon, but it held the regal stripes of a tiger. Zoro knelt down, confusion written across his features "Why a normal cat? You could have stayed in your original form."

"And then you'd have nowhere to put me," Tora sniffed regally jumping up so to lounge across Zoro's broad shoulders "I want to be comfortable and I assume that I can feel that I have some access to my abilities. It is much more convenient that I become 'travel size'."

Zoro snorted "Or you just wanted a permanent perch."

The feline merely gave a smug grin "Possibly,"

After that Luffy declared a massive party celebrating their newest member and Zoro's liberation from Devil Fruit. They carried on through the day and well into the night, eventually bedding down together on the lawn.

Life evened out and reached a wonderful normal, or as normal as things got for that crew, with Zoro suddenly becoming a news sensation overnight what with his feline companion fighting at his side. He even got a new Wanted poster displaying him with his swords drawn and a hissing cat perched on his shoulder.

The crew enjoyed Tora's presence, especially since now that he had a physical form the cat would often scold Zoro for bad behavior with a nip to the ear or randomly begin grooming the poor swordsman. Needless to say much teasing was had, but Zoro endured it, though not without a few shouted death threats, simply because he too was happy to have Tora on the crew. And despite still being called kitten, and how Tora insisted that he share Zoro's bunk, it really didn't matter. He was back on track chasing his dream and worrying Chopper half to death with his training regimen (which he was severely behind on) which gave him no small amount of pleasure as he swung the familiar heft of deadly steel in a fatal dance.

This adventure had come to an end, and Zoro could honestly say, he didn't regret a thing.

FIN.