Alright everyone.
Here comes the start of Act 2.
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Falling
Falling
Falling through darkness
I gasp, eyes flashing open as I shoot straight up, stare wide at a wooden wall as my hands grasp at bed sheets.
Falling
Falling through dark-
Where-
"HAA-!" I gasp- a thousand knives shred my intestines- guttural and desperate- pain radiating in thick groggy waves as I curl into myself and freeze, arms crossed and fingers grasping at my shoulders as every muscle goes rigid, ever tendon snaps tight.
Falling
Falling
I'm not falling
"-eehsk-" I suck in air through my teeth, vibrating like a cold piece of rubber ready to snap as the shredding dulls to numb fire. The sensation of falling gone, I flit bleary eyes open again to see wooden panels forming a wall in front of me, cracks running along with the grain and knots of the oak boards, lines blurred as vision struggles to focus.
My fingers dig into my arms, grasp tightens.
Where am I?!
Falling,
I'm not- What-?!
slap slap fruit-'so many secrets, no one could trust you with'-Grey eyes, deep and-Eiji glared-Gmabooks?-stabbing,wrenching,coils-dad?-no dad-acknowle-carvedprivate-killed by me?-'Hey Pirate'-log pose-Log Pose?!-GREATEST CHALLENGE!-forest?!mOnKeYs?!-
"Hold on-" I whisper, eyebrows furrowing as I stare at the wall, memories a whirl and a flashing instant, sick ball of hysteria choking my chest as a thousand screaming questions rise demanding attention- terror rotting my stomach in each moment
howcouldtheydothi-whendidweget-where'sZo-?-themarinesarecorrupt?!-Howcouldhetellmethetru-whattruthistheretotel-?!-didIkill?-!
This-!
I take a shuddering breath, eyes still wide, darting all across the room, every hair standing on edge- calm down- have to be ready-
oooooookaaaaay lots to unpack-
Wait! no! No unpacking!
Focus on immediate issues!
WHERE THE HECK AM I?!
Rieno?! Prison?!
"Deep breathes Tashigi," I whisper to myself, eyes flit, glances slower as I start seeing, frantic panic starting to spike as I find no familiar bearings. "We can get out of this. We-"
My gaze stops on a tattered piece of black cloth hanging in the corner behind a shelf filled with books and vials, sakura blossoms floating in front of a skull n bones.
Pirates?!
!BANG!
"AH!" I screech as a door slams, jumpi-
OW.
OW OW.
"-Oh! Ms Bushido?-"
The woman's voice sounds far away as I groan and slump forward, pain blindingly consuming.. weak..
Falling
Falling
Falling through darkne
-nno!
weak
NOT AGAIN.
I drop my hand for Shigure and snap my head up, eyes flashing as I glare at my-..threa...
Nico Robin strides towards me, her hands up apologetically as she smiles with concern. "-Why are you sitting up?"
I blink.
Robin?
"Oi, is glasses-"
Roronoa Zoro freezes in the doorway past Robin, cutting himself off as we lock eyes.
My heart slams-erratic- stillness seeping through everything else, moments of infiltrated peace.
"Doesn't matter if the whole world acknow-" -ould the great Roronoa Zoro be afrai-
I shake away the charged memories, calm dissolving as my stare turns back into a panicked glare. Why is he here?! WHERE IS HERE!
"Zoro?!" I ask, tearing my eyes from him back to Robin then back to him and- I finally feel it. The subtle swaying of a ship, and through the now open doorway I can hear gentle ocean waves lap against a wooden hull.
My panic ebbs. Barely.
"We're on the Sunny?" I ask, voice a whisper, before a stark burst of throbbing shoots through me again and I cry out with a gasp, tears streaming down my cheeks as I try to bite back a groan, slumping even farther forward as stars burst in my vision.
"Geez captain glasses," Zoro sounds far away, voice a low anchor- what did I do to myself?! "I get you off sleep meds and the first thing you do is rip stitches."
Rough hands catch me, grasping my shoulders as I feel the pressure of a dozen hands on my back, lowering me gingerly to the bed until I sink into the- oh wow this is a fluffy mattress- WAIT no Focus Tashigi! The Sunny- but what- Where did the murder monkeys go?! And the scouts- Do-?!
"Where are we?" I ask, voice quivering as my thoughts babble out, desperate and rigid, afraid to let my body settle into the bed, "I mean from Rie- Is everyone o-?!"
"Everyone's fine." Robin's voice is soft and smooth as she leans down and places the back of her hand on my forehead, "All Strawhats are safe and accounted for, and Rieno is 4 days behind." unhurried, she tsks at my temperature and then brushes sweat plastered bangs from my forehead. I flinch, then freeze at the last action, bile bites inside at the unfamiliar affection, tongue pressing against the roof of my mouth. Why is she- Are we all actually safe-?!
"Following- is anybody-"
"No one is following us. War ships barely chased for a few hours before giving up, and we haven't seen anyone on the horizon for 3 days." Robin answers quickly, and I peek my eyes open to see a gentle smile resting on her lips even as her blue eyes narrow with concern. "Please, calm down so you can stay still and healthy. I'll tell you everything, just promise you'll relax."
I swallow, nodding as I look up at her,
And it clicks.
Quiet relief spills over my internal panicking
Falling
Fall..
The final remnants of the nightmare vanishes.
A shiver runs down my spine, and goosebumps dot my skin.
To my left, Zoro shifts, his cloth robe rustling.
A clock ticks, ceiling creaks,
okay.
I'm here.
I'm safe.
So I can still help my home.
...
holyfreakingcowwhattheheckhowdidwegetofftheislandandwhatareallthesememoriesandwhydoesmytorso hurt like hell I mean I know why but still what happenedconfusion? why does it feel like I have an unfinished conversationhangingovermyafraidheadshameand who the heck was that invisible guy?!and why am I here and oh God the marineshurt-that lying thieving bastard wasragekilling- how far does the evil go andbetrayedwhat is Smoker going to think I have to tell him-them- who do I TELLAAGHH?! I was so blind and weak and I barelyfailuredid anything and if ZoroFRICK.oh gosh how canterrordeeptoocuriNO!hwaaaI Why did some pirate keepguiltshameconfuse?helping and he saved me dagnabitprideobliterated and got hurt tooguiltrage and seriously who was that invisible guyrage and what the heck did he mean when he said the governmentconfuseterroragelaughed at me being a threat and why did the log pose have thosehurtbooks and what the heck was that memorybitterofgriefDadfailure I've never thought that in mydoubt?life did that actuallytoomuchbut it's not I know whyTooMuchmarines and justice areRAGE perfectfAiLprotectTOOMUCHhome I have to get back-! TheGreatestChallenge.
.
!-!
.
The Greatest Challenge.
.
Every muscle goes stiff- .
That's it. That's the only thing that matters.
"...and that's why we had to call up Law, although I must admit Zoro was very dashing in his offering an IO-"
"I DID NOT OFFER AN IOU. Stop saying that! 'sides, she's not even listening right now."
Words register and I blink, look up at the two pirates, eyes widen slightly confused as I stumble into the conversation. "Wait what about an IOU and Law? Law as in?"
"The supernova. Not a legal book. He did surgery on you." Zoro answers.
"wat." I deadpan.
"See I told you she's not listen-"
I shut their voices out again as I shake my head, catching my bearings as urgency rises- The challenge, it's-! I close my eyes, letting memories flit through again, seeking, seeking..
I have it.
in the elevator-in the fight- in the racing-in the hollow cave-
I have the Greatest Challenge!
My eyes snap open and I grit my teeth.
I need to read that log pose and GET GOING.
"-you should just-"
"Where's the canvas bag." I cut Robin off as I look at them both, tempted to try and sit up on an elbow to exert confidence but knowing that won't end well for anyone- gah why am I so weak! Robin just raises an eyebrow at the question, so I turn to Zoro, a knowing, stoic expression on his face. I falter, scared for a moment because I know he can see the desperation in mine.
"Please, I-I need that bag." I whisper, determination setting my heart like stone, eyes growing hard and cold as I keep staring at Zoro. Nothing else matters- navy, past, failure- I NEED THE CHALLENGE AND THAT'S IT. Silence fills the room for a second,
"Tashigi, let me explain a bit better." Robin starts, wary as she offers what she deems necessary clarification. "You suffered some exceptionally dangerous wounds on Rieno, and even now Chopper wasn't sure you should wake up. He wanted to keep you mostly sedated for several more da-"
"Where's the bag."
I wince a bit at my bluntness, I'm sorry Robin but!- I keep my gaze fixed on Zoro, eyes like stone.
I know you understand.
He stares back, beat for beat, searching, till he lets out a sigh and lifts a hand to rub at his hair.
"I'll get it."
oh thank God
Relief washes through me again- he has it!- as I watch Zoro walk around my bed to the desk, eyes following every movement, locked on the familiar cloth the second he pulls it from a drawer. It's here. It's here!
Every other charged question and fear slips away as terrified anticipation consumes me- I can save them- I CAN SAVE THEM! I have to-! They- "-die before they used reli-". NO. I'm sure some of them, they have to still- OH.
a thousand gentle hands press against my back, lifting me quickly and effortlessly- ah, so smooth! and painless- from the mattress as I peek around to watch Robin arrange a pile of pillows,
It's so simple, and kind..
"You really should rest more," she starts,
normal
I swivel my head to listen, grateful,
"But who am I to stand between a pirate and her treasure?"
thuup
My whole chest deflates, stricken and hollow, sick nausea drops and carves through everything.
-That's not-
!chnk!
Weight drops in my lap, gentle and heavy, and I flinch, look down to see the canvas bag.
..normal..
thuup
I swallow, something stuck in my throat,
"Oi,"
I look up, Zoro tilts his head, apathetic for a second as he watches me with a lazy eye.
Heart slams, chest no longer hollow, tight wound truths
Something else flicks through his face.
unravelling
-I can't save them-my home gets killed by marines?!-oh God what did I do- mom what do I-I'm not- they KILLED him- They're supposed to be the- I can't- I WON'T let them die- how do I- I'm not worth- But I want hi-I just want them to be-THEY KILLED TH-
"..you want us to leave, right?"
The room rushes back, and I feel every pillow fluffed against my back as I clamp back the hurricane.
no
"ah Yeah! I need-" My throat chokes, salt stings the corner of my eyes and I gasp a second before I swallow the stuck emotion rock and blink a bit, his grey eye staring, deep and-
"-alone!" I squeeze my eyes shut, mouth split between a grin and a grimace as I laugh, cracked and hollow. "I just need to be alone. With my treasure. Please."
I wince at the desperation,
HA!
Well I am nothing if not desperate!
"Are you-" Robin's voice is soft, searching as she shifts closer and "-sure you want to be alone? It's o-"
"Yes." I open my eyes- get a grip woman!- and look up at the lady pirate, calm, controlled. "I'm okay." The calm slips a bit as I zero my focus. My hands grasp the canvas bag tighter, that familiar safe goal back. I don't even remember grabbing this-
"I really do just need to be alone. Please, it's confidential." I state, still looking up at Robin, wilting a bit as I can feel Zoro's stare at my back turn hard. Eyebrows knit together in slight irked fury as I snap a quick glare at him.
I'm NOT trusting you. Not gonna happen pirate!
before flipping back to Robin who raises a semi-offended eyebrow at me.
I wince.
sorry?
"pfft." Robin's face softens, and she rolls her eyes in melodrama before tilting her head and giving me a quick wink with an understanding smile. "Alright Miss Bushido, as Luffy said, Keep your secrets."
Something else cracks in me at that.
Ooooh bother that stupid monkey captain and his silly charisma!
"I plan to." I return with a determined 'hmph', glare hard and turning scared as Robin gives a last smile then turns and walks for the door.
"Call if you need anything. Like the actual status of our location and plans to port and what actually happened after this idiot chucked you off a cliff like a sack of dead potatoes." The archeologist calls over her shoulder, and Zoro flinches as he walks out the door first, pace growing faster.
A smile flickers across my lips for a second, light for a moment as rising terror and anticipation swallow me whole again.
I might save them!
Robin turns and gives me one last smile before the door closes behind her, shutting off the room again,
leaving me alone with a legend.
I look down at the bag, heart pounding like bricks against cracked ribs as I let out a shakey breath.
"Holy cow." I whisper
The gravity settles like weight on my bones, and I swallow back the-
hope
-Haomzen will sacrifice-when they say greatest-hopes for a cure seem far away-
Damn the navy. and logic too!
I smile, bittersweet, wary with hope, taught as everything starts to thrum with energy.
"I'm coming guys. I'm gonna come."
.
.
"Smoker-san," I call out as I knock on my superior's office door, waiting for his normal grunt of acknowledgement before I walk in. Cigar smoke stings my eyes, and I wrinkle my nose at the suffocating thickness. "You must have a lot of paper work sir." I note.
Smoker just grunts again.
My shoulders slump at the cold greeting, but never the less I walk forward. I can't wait for him to be in a better mood. Not for something this time sensitive.
"Sir, I- have a request."
"No."
"Wha-?!" I squawk, eyes wide and fists clenching at the fast denial. "But sir-!"
"I'm not gonna let you throw your career away over some stupid old wives tale." Smoker finally looks up from his paperwork, his glare knowing and unwavering. I stammer at the accuracy of his assumption, before I grit my teeth and stand at attention, rage starting to fume inside.
"Sir, requesting permission to meet admiral Ryokugyū with the intention of creating a Haomzen Island Response Mission." I bark out, staring over Smoker's head at the sign behind his desk at G5. 'Real Justice'.
"You're out of place, Captain. An Admiral isn't going to listen to your rank. He'll direct you to one of the higher ranked Vice Admirals and the trip will be a waste." Smoker growls in response. "Conversation over."
Something snaps. Maybe the stress of researching day and night with no access to legitimate resources. Maybe the constant belittling responses I've gotten from other superiors. Maybe the fact that each new day I wait for a status report, an update of any kind on my home, and receive none. My home... Maybe the bitterness of watching cohorts get assigned the SAME mission I've been begging for weeks for- different islands, similar level problems. Famine, ransom, pirate ran towns, natural disaster aid, even another island in the west blue suffering from a small pox pandemic!
"I wouldn't have to go to an Admiral if these higher ranked Vice Admirals did their f***** job! I wouldn't ask to go to an Admiral if you actually tried to pull your weight and DO something. SIR." I seethe, steam pouring from my ears as I stamp forward to Smokers desk and slam my hands on the hard metal surface. "I JUST WANT TO HELP MY FAMILY! WHY CAN'T I DO THAT!" I scream, gutteral and wrenching, hot tears streaming from swollen stressed eyes.
Smoker shoots up from his chair, slamming a giant fist against the desk before shouting back-"IT'S AN UNKNOWN DISEASE TASHIGI- WHAT DO YOU WANT US TO DO?! DROP SUPPLIES, CATCH IT, AND SPREAD DEATH TO THE REST OF THE WORLD?!"
"THAT'S BULL S*** AND YOU KNOW IT!"
"OF COURSE I F***** KNOW IT. SO DON'T ACCUSE ME OF NOT PULLING EVERY DAMN STRING I'VE GOT. AND DON'T EVER YELL AT ME AGAIN UNLESS YOU'VE DONE YOUR DAMN RESEARCH." Smoker finishes with a snarl, and I wince, quickly stepping back from his desk as he crosses his arms and sneers at me. I stare with wide eyes for a second before I lower my head. A beat, a beat. A moment. Then,
"I apologize, sir. I know you've done a lot for this." I finally state back, voice hoarse, fists still clenched at my side. Smoker sighs, lowering his own head as he shakes it.
"I know there's something screwy going on around your island. I got orders to ignore the situation the day the news story broke. But as much as I hate it, every alibi and excuse I get in response to requests are logical. I want justice for your home, but to give sailing orders now would get us both landed in prison for insubordination. And maybe they're right about the disease stuff. What's the point of reaching out if we don't have real hope to offer?"
"You don't know that! We could get a doctor there and everything be-!"
"I do know that. I've seen the strain. It's beyond even Vegapunk's understanding. Death rate was reported at 50%, and there weren't any recovered cases. We can't save them Tashigi. I'm sorry. Even if we went to just drop supplies... They might all be dead before they even touched our charity stock." Smoker sighs, and plops down in his chair, rubbing his temple with a hand. "Bringing an Admiral into the mix won't change any of that. It's not worth it Captain."
Smoker reasons with finality, and I bite back tears gathering in my throat. Real tears. Desperation wells inside. How can a doctor say there's no hope?! How can a sample of a virus strain slip through, but no more updates on deaths, on rations, on how the community is fighting it!? The clock on the wall ticks for 10 seconds before I look back at my superior. One of the men I respect most in the world. i bite my lip, before speaking-
"Maybe. But if I could at least get permission to go to Rie-"
"No. I already said it once. I won't repeat it."
"It's not just a wives tale! Multiple sources show that several islands all over the world reference something like this, dating back to-"
"Tashigi listen to yourself. Dating back to what, the lost century? How the heck is something made 800 years ago going to help a village today. Even if something did exist once, it's just expired acid gunk by now."
My shoulders slump at his statement, heart twisting in frustrated wrestling between denial and probability. He's right. Even if something did exist... how could I know it will actually help them?
But, how can I know that it won't?
"Sir, I respect your logic. But- a chance is always a chance. And I'll take whatever chance I can for home. Please, sir. Requesting permission to intercept Admiral Ryokugyū." I whisper the words, head bowed as I stand still in front of his desk.
This time the clock ticks to 30 seconds.
Finally, Smoker grunts. almost a laugh.
He lets out a sigh.
"Just get out of my office. I don't care what you do." Smoker growls, and my heart leaps in hope. I snap my head up to stare at my vice admiral, eyes wide with doubt.
"Are, is that permission? Sir?" I ask, begging for clarification. Smoker raises one of his bushy white eyebrows at me before he straight up rolls his eyes and turns his office chair away from me.
"I said I don't care what you do."
a puff of smoke comes from the chair, then,
"Just don't do anything illegal kid."
.
.
.
The bittersweet smile still in place, I shake my head a bit at the memory.
"I can't really damn the whole Navy, can I Smoker-san." I whisper with a small chuckle, right as guilt shoots spiked tipped quills in my chest -The man's eyes go dull, Shigure stuck in his chest- my jaw clenches and I quietly push the violent memory away.
Soon.
I promise to process you soon.
I grind my teeth as hot tears prick the corner of my eye, the spiked guilt tearing everything inside.
I promise now that I'll pay for my sins as soon as I can. You'll get justice too.
"oohh goodness this ignoring stuff is going poorly." I mutter, before taking a sharp breath and letting it out quickly, bringing my thoughts back to the drawstring bag that sits in my lap. And for a second, pure wonder hits.
I-I'm holding a legend...! Something that hails from a century lost in the annals of time. Except it's here, in my lap, the key to salvation- if I can just reach it!
"..When they say greate.."
I fling the thought away, swallowing acid as my fingers tighten around the coarse fabric, unable to lift my hands to actually reach in the bag.
"So what if you're weak?" I say in a hush. So what if you don't actually have any chance of succeeding? "I mean, I'm definitely going to die in the first test, if the island even lets me find it." I whisper to myself, heart shriveling and sinking with doubt, reality a wall I can't see the top of in the face of simple determination.
I've never been good enough before. Strong enough. Fast enough.
Why should I assume that will change now?
They might all be dead already anyways...
"aaahhhh just stop thinking about it!" I groan, snapping my eyes shut and leaning my head back into the pile of pillows Robin propped me up on before the pirates left. Eyes still closed, I can feel the start of a pounding headache coming on.
"..When they say grea-"
"STOP." I command myself, expression hard with determination while fear still pounds in my chest. I'm not the greatest. But that just means I'm not the greatest yet. Haomzen's future is on the line- all the people I grew up with and love- I'm ready to become anything. Forget if it's impossible! Forget if I don't meet qualifications!
At least I am still brave.
"..I remember a legend, passed down for generations in this now dying town. an elixir, all healing, that only the greatest can find.."
"When they say greatest sweetheart, they mean greatest."
"..only the moment matters to become the gr-"
I snap my eyes open with new conviction, sucking in air as I steel myself.
at least I can try.
"Now or never! Can't get scared an inch before the finish line." I whisper. Grabbing the bag, I pull open the top and reach my hand inside. Strange, I know this wooden cube is not the finish line. It's just been my goal for so long, and when everyone says for weeks that your goal is a fake dream.. am I ready to move on from the initial step? My hand pushes away several of the books, leather covers soft to the touch. Am I ready for this to just be the start, not a mythical end to a stupid and foolish journey?
My pinky brushes against wood.
"Look who's an old wives tale now, hmm sir?" I mumble with a small smile, as my fingers wrap around the legend, bravery blossoms in my heart, and I pull the log pose out.
My world goes still, and time seems to freeze as I stare at it, heart pounding in my chest like a thundering herd, eyes wide as anticipation reaches, grasping- desperate-!
Two kerosene lamps hang from the ceiling, throwing light through the room and reflecting off the glossy surface of the mahogany cube. I hold the small block with both hands, thumbs running over more subtle carvings etched in the sides that I didn't notice the few minutes I held it in the base. Swirls and leaves, depictions of ocean waves and rocky cliffs crowding around each other on all the cube faces.
I turn it and stare at the two crossed swords at the top of one side, intricate and fragile in their shallow depth. Strong in their stubborn existence. My eyes flit to the words right below, and I read out loud, voice hushed and reverent.
"First the horde
then that which cannot be cut
defeat that which lies within
to become The Greatest
.
"Forget the future
the past invisible
only the moment matters
to become The Greatest
.
"Dedication rewarded
stand on continued accomplishment
not this single achievement
to stay The Greatest"
I let the words hang in the air for a few moments, eyebrows knitting together as I try to understand them, worry crawling up my spine. This really is quite vague. The wonder dies about, frustration taking its place. "I don't see anything about healing.." I mutter, turning it around to look at the other sides- how does one go about fulfilling a legend?- searching the top side with the glass ball situated into the wood with 3 little wooden columns and a flat wooden top like traditional log poses, then turning it upside dow- OH! OOHHH!
"There you are!" I exclaim, a nervous grin pulling at my lips as my eyes rove over several paragraphs carved into the bottom. "PLEASE let this have more information!" I whisper as I start reading.
"Hello Challenger.
You seek reputation and reward. I make no promises you shall find what you seek. For life prefers to forget and to take. I do promise you a chance, and a choice. This cube is your chance, your actions hereafter the choice. Challenge me, or pass me by. If you choose to challenge me, then challenger, I ask for faith. No matter where you stand in the world now, you will come to me and I will come to you. Follow the Log Pose until you reach your destination. Only the strong will know when they've arrived. Only the wise can remember the steps they took to get there. When you step foot on the island, walk 50 feet in land, bury your feet in the sand, lift a sword high with either arm, and yell "Orange chicken is a lie and so is DiVorldo" with gusto.
I will be waiting."
A chill goes down my spine at the ancient promise, even as I arch an eyebrow at what I'll have to yell once I reach this island.
I pause, the thought like slamming into a brick wall.
This island..
I gulp.
it's- real
A vision flashes through mind's eyes- land, rising from the ocean, craggy and covered with sparse trees clinging to dramatic cliffs, covered in fog and-
Real
Tangible, hope.
A flickering smile returns, ghostly and bare-
"To the Champions.
Reputation- all previous living champions will be notified of the change in a challenger's status. Undeniable proof of the new champion's status will be sent to five people of the new champion's choice.
Reward- a Champion shall receive an all-purpose medical elixir. Endurance shall be gifted with healing. Covers minor to fatal conditions. Quantity: enough for miracles. Store out of reach of children*
*Elixir will not harm children. They just might use it in extraordinarily regrettable wasteful ways.
I blink, body still
Then, my eyes go wide, and wider, and the silliest grin I've ever grinned stretches from ear to ear.
"It's real."
I whisper, hope rewarded, faith blooming-
I stare at the last line of writing
"May 12, 1490"
a year before she donated it..
My heart twists in recognition as giddy urgency swells inside.
"I-i can help them.. I CAN HELP! Oh God please, please let this all be real-!" I exclaim as I re-read the elixir part over and over again. Even as I doubt, faith solidifies in my heart, and my grin grows determined, eyes shining with tears and relief! "It has to be-!"
Real!
"FINALLY!" I shout, "Aahhahahaaaa!" I laugh! as I grasp the cube tighter in my hands, eyes wide as soaring hope swooshes into reality. "Next, what do I have to do-" my eyes flit to the canvas bag, stopping on the books bulging through the fabric.
ah...
RIGHT! "I need information! Hopefully grandma's log has an account of her experience? and the others might have more information. Shouldn't count on it though-"
"..so many things they couldn't trust you with.."
I swallow, ecstatic thoughts shadowed for a second before I flick the distraction away. "There has to be other records I can- Robin! I can search the library! Convince her to let me nose through their collections." I muse, glancing around the infirmary, eyes landing on the shelves of medical books. Is there a way I could ask Chopper about infectious diseases without... "How much did Zoro tell them?" I mutter- right as my eyes land on a newspaper laying on Chopper's desk, bold headline catching my attention. Does that say.. I tilt my head to the side, trying to read at a better angle.
"HAOMZEN DEATH RATE SLOWS- STILL NEW INFECTIONS"
I blink, immobile with sudden crushing desperation and-
"They're still alive.." I whisper, eyes growing wide, then- "I GOTTA GO!"
Desperation swirls with ecstatic anticipation! as I shoot straight up and fumble for Shigure- "Where did they put you? Need a boat- food!- am I wearing pants? I need tha-!"
OW
OW OW
OWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW
"oooookaaaaaay!" I gasp, crumpling in on myself as fiery ice flicks and burns through every vein, eyes wide- seething white pain busting in stars of blinding agony as I cling to consciousness, cling to the goal!
seconds pass-
Muscles and sinews tight like brittle plastic slowly, loosen, I flick my eyes to the newspaper, desperate-
"HAOMZEN DEATH RATE SLOWS- STILL NEW INFECTIONS"
My chest clenches, no, nonono I need-!
Like molasses, I unwrap my arms, staying as still as I can as I only move my arms, focus every iota of brain power on only using muscles and energy in my limbs as I gently splay my hands on the bed and start inching my legs fo the edge of the bed
I need the information- I have to go-!
slowly, slowly
Nerves twitch, slivers of acid pain shoot from leaking, raw cuts as I gingerly...
-"never bring unsubstantiated accusations agai"-
rage spikes, control slips
NOPE.
"oh forget it"
I swing both my legs over the edge of the bed- gotta go!-
MISTAKE
"AAAAHH-" a shriek morphs to a yell- "-HHAAHAHA OOOOKAAAAY" as splitting stupidity sharper than molten lava carves through every intestine I have shooting through collapsing balance as I grasp the edge of the bed, weak- !DAMNIT!- falling- FALL
"gla-FRICK"
a shag rug spirals closer until Roronoa Zoro slides underneath me and we crash together to the floor in a tangled pile of groans, IV stands, and expletives.
-"Tashigi, I striveLIESfor perfect jus"-stabbing,wrenFAILching,coils-"town is destGRIEFined to die"-
"NO!" I scream, voice muffled, eyes squeezed shut as I curl up and freeze, muscles ripping, rage gripping- "GET A GRIP!"
I can't-!
I need to go!
I gotta go! Gotta go! GOTTA-
".. the hell Tash?!"
I freeze, -heart flips-piercing joy-DOUBLE NO- eyes snap open and I shoot up, glances catch, heart slams again as Zoro glowers, face contorted in fury while he lets out an irked huff. "Are you seriously still trying to get yourself killed before you do anything useful?!"
-?!
I stare at him, jaw dropped, fingers grasping the edges of his green robe as my arms shake violently-weak- until they lock and for a single second completely different anguish flashes across my face.
"are you f***** KIDDING ME?!" I snap- !unbelievable!- fury crashing over me as I lift a hand up- his eye wide with regret- GOOD- my other arm quivers, fury bends to raking nausea-
!slap!
I growl
that definitely didn't hit hard enough
and crumple forward, hand sliding back down to his chest, then falling to my lap as he sits up in a single fluid motion, strong arms wrapped around my waist moving till his hands grip my shoulders, trying to hold me up.
unraveling
NO.
I don't- I can fix everything if I just GO!
Breathing ragged, I flick my eyes up to glare at him.
"Get off." I snarl, -remember the goal-
The flinch is faint, I almost miss it, but his grip tightens. "So you can wiggle around on the floor like a gutted worm? I don't think so."
I glower- "You-!"
fluttering pages catch my eye, and my gaze flits to the newspaper behind, wind whistling through the now open door harmonizing with the dancing paper.
"HAOMZEN DEATH RATE SLOWS- STILL NEW INFECTIONS"
It's like a slap
hard and bone jarring
I stare, shoulders slump, yet tendons snap rigid,
Oh God
Something tight, I can't swallow
hot tears prick my eyes
"Let me go.." I whisper, voice cracked and hoarse as I keep reading the headline, over and over and over and I lift one hand, pushing against his left arm, first weak, then stronger, then desperate as I grapple and try to pry him off "-LET GO!"
"N- where are you ever trying to go?!" Zoro's voice pitches high with incredulity, grip like gentle iron.
"HOME! I'm trying to go-wait no- no no I can't TELL YOU!" I cry, desperation rising as I push down on him, trying to free my legs from our twisting limbs- pain grating and raw flesh grinding against itself- YOU HAVE TO GO!- stand, knees buckle as I crumple back-
"Ta-GLASSES."
"SHADDUP!" I bark, voice raked like gravel,- shadows burst like stars in my vision, nerve ends fray- cmon! Push PAST! I shrink down, trying to squeeze under his arm-Get used to the pain Tashigi! You gotta sail a boat after this! cmON!
"what-" his voice is far away again as suddenly I crash forward, catching myself with shaking arms
weak
and still slamming into the ground.
"ngh-" I hiss, thoughts static with fuzz, grasping for an anchor
home
"I won't-" I gasp, eyes squeezing shut as I groan, wild fire licking away energy razing through my veins, "-be weak! I'll come and I'll- I'll make it-" I push myself up, the whole world tilting a bit, staring at fuzzy mirages- chopper's desk with 12 legs and 4 newslines- "-and I won't die and I won't let you die and I'm not going to give up- on-..!"
My voice stutters, dies in my throat, eyes wide as I sit, quivering arms barely hold me up
"..people.."
-"Good enough for who?"-
"NO! I'm not-!" I yell, voice chokes, fingers scrape against floorboards, Shigure- I need- I want my sword- I want-
"-I'm not-!"
Hot tears spill, streaking, dripping from my chin, rivulets crashing into lines of blood that leak from the corners of my mouth until
I open my mouth, blood pouring out as I choke, cough wracking my body, rattling bones as I gasp for air and just choke on more blood, heaving as glops splash to the floor, literal puddles-mirages-doubled, tripled-
slap slap fruit-'so many secrets, no one could trust you with'-Grey eyes, deep and-Eiji glared-Gmabooks?-stabbing,wrenching,coils-dad?-no dad-acknowle-carvedprivate-killed by me?-'Hey Pirate'-log pose-
"You're not giving up on them."
He's still far away, so far away..
"I'm not giving up on them." I mumble, voice gurgling.
I turn, and he's there, inches..
Face soft, and near, eyebrows knitted slightly scared, eyes..
He only has one of them
and it's grey, and quiet and deep,
unraveling
"I'm not doing this just so I can get acknowledged" I whisper, tin on my tongue
"I know."
"I'm doing this cause I love them, All of them-"
"Yeah?"
"-I think Mayor Flannigan is dead." I croak.
We stare, and I quietly pull my legs under, balancing onto my feet as I stay in a crouch. Zoro doesn't move beside me, as I stagger up, crashing on one knee, hands on my thighs, counter pressure, stagger up again-
"I have to help.. I have to-" I whisper, choking on tears, not blood. "I have to make it right."
-"If you can learn to keep your mouth shut, you just might make it to the top one day."-
Something shifts in my peripheral, and I turn to look up at Roronoa, still close,
still strange and stupid and good
Something more cracks
I waver on my feet, unsteady, head tilting to look at him, no chance to stifle the sob pounding in my chest, aching, except to bite my lip as tears stream down my cheeks now.
"-I can't-"
"You'll save them, all right?"
I blink, the old memory crashing into the present, a smile tugs on my lips.
"Yeah."
The smile turns to a grimace, and I sway forward, too far,
falling
falling
falling into darkness.
I crash, knees buckle, and his chest is warm, arms strong as I keep falling,
sobbing.
oh God..
"They killed..
They're killing my home.
and I killed them.
and it hurts, damnit. It hurts like hell."
I sob
and stop running
and fall.
I don't feel him scoop me up, just know my head falls on his shoulder as I hold my arm over my eyes and cry.
"..put you on the bed, you promise to stay there and rest?"
His words barely register, but I still nod.
"You can go save the world in a few days. I promise it will still be there, full of crap."
I snort, but my heart twists in raw, still, terror.
"That one island too. With all the people on it. I read the article." his voice drones, pretending disinterest as he squats down and lays me on the bed, awkward but gentle and I only wince a little as he pulls his arms back and stands straight. I watch as his expression turns grim and he crosses his arms. "They're not going anywhere for a while. No one kills their guinea pigs before they finish the experiment."
crap.
I glower at him a bit through red puffy eyes, even as a weak smirk tugs at my lips.
-medical elixir...enough for miracles-
"You are horrible at encouraging people." I mumble, and he smirks barely before turning without a word and walking out, shutting the door quietly behind him.
and I'm left alone again,
falling through darkness.