Chapter 11: Tremor

{Seas of the New World: Aboard the Sunny}

The seas of the New World had been nothing short of chaotic, but still quite fun. They had seen unusual weather patterns, and watched the ocean do things that Nami was almost positive shouldn't have been scientifically possible - but she saw it happen! Amidst this, the crew had been fortunate enough to not encounter any of the bigger threats this part of the seas held, but they all knew it was going to happen eventually. Aboard the Sunny, it was another normal morning, the people aboard settling into their routine without much trouble as Sanji cooked breakfast and Usopp set to preparing everything to start fishing to refill their aquarium. Zoro was taking a chance to enjoy the sun while Nami and Robin were doing something similiar as they talked, and discussed their first stop in the New World. Chopper was reading through one of his medical books, Franky was tinkering, and Brook was tuning his violin. But, something was off.

"Hmm? Franky? Have you seen Luffy?" Nami asked. The blue-haired cyborg shook his head.

"Nope, sorry sis, I haven't." the Navigator frowned before sighing as she started towards the boy's cabin, wondering if perhaps the boy was okay. She made a move to open the door and was greeted with Luffy standing there with a hand raised against the sunlight. She had narrowly walked into him, and was glad that she had seen him before hand.

"Morning, Nami," he said tiredly. The tone of his voice made a frown form on her face.

"You okay?" she looked her Captain over as he gave her a small smile, seeming just fine as he nodded his head. But even she could see the slight dark circles under his eyes. Sighing, she pushed him forward just as Sanji called in everyone for breakfast.

The crew stopped in their actions, setting things aside before entering into the dining area where they all took their seats, looking at the food spread out for them this morning. Sanji did a good job as always, making sure there was at least a little something for everyone; however, they all noticed how quiet their usually exuberant Captain was and although most of them wanted to make a mention of it, they decided it was better to let it be. After all, sometimes it was just difficult to sleep at night and that didn't warrant extreme worry unless it persisted. Sanji took note of the silence, and then gave a discerning glance to his Captain, who was pale and tired looking. His normally tan skin was almost ashen, and it told Sanji that he needed energy, and nutrients to put some color back into his face. Nodding to himself, he decided to pull out a piece of meat for him, knowing that would put something back into the boy that the long night clearly had stolen.

A conversation started about planning a course for their first island to visit and there were suggestions to Nami, who looked interested in the ideas and pointed out what they were closest too as Sanji started cooking the meat. It had taken a moment, but he heard Luffy make a few comments here and there, which eased some of their worries until the scent of the cooking meat started to build up in the room. The scent smelled great to the others; however, they were met with a horrible retching sound as their eyes turned to Luffy. His face was white, eyes wide and a hand clapped over his mouth. It caused a reaction of concern as he stood up, rushing out of the room and into the air outside. Sanji swore under his breath as he turned off the stove and everyone ran outside to find their Captain leaning over the rails, coughing and bringing up anything he had in his stomach.

"Luffy?" Usopp called out to him, and he was met with those normally clear dark gray eyes looking unfocused as the nineteen year old wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, sinking down to the ground, looking paler than he had before and shaking slightly as they approached him.

"Hey, are you alright?" Chopper was in front of Luffy in a flash, looking him over as the other weakly pushed his hooves back.

"I'm… fine…" his breathing was uneven, and his eyes looking even more exhausted than they had ten minutes ago.

"Did something make you sick?" Sanji glanced back to the kitchen as Luffy squeezed his eyes shut tightly, anxiety written clearly on his face.

"It smelled like burning flesh…" the dominoes fell into place for the blond cook who turned his attention fully to his Captain.

"Fuck! Luffy, I'm sorry," Sanji said as he came over to the boy who gave him a weak smile.

"No… it's fine. Happens sometimes, I'll be okay soon." the black-haired teenager kept up his smile, looking unwell even as he tried to keep his usual grin upon his face. But everyone could tell it was strained and the notion concerned them.

"Luffy, are you sure that you're okay?" Brook inquired as Luffy shakily stood up, trying to shake off the urge to vomit again.

"Yea… this happens sometimes…. but, I'll be okay in a bit." that had been twice now that he'd mentioned that this reaction to the smell of meat cooking happened sometimes.

Everyone glanced to one another, seeming to sense the same thing as Sanji decided to air out the kitchen and suggested something light on his stomach as he didn't want his Captain getting sick again. Luffy thanked him, mentioning that he'll eat outside today, thinking the fresh air was helping him. No one commented on that as Sanji was quick to fix his Captain something and bring it outside before the others went back in, asking if he was okay eating alone. Luffy waved them off, promising that he'd feel better soon. Chopper gave him a particularly worried look before heading inside while the others were given no choice but to sit there without him and eat.

Breakfast turned out to be a somber affair, as they sat in silence, not having to defend their food from the normally rambunctious teenager and having no choice but to sit there as they heard the wind rustle outside while occasionally glancing at their Captain who was picking at the food Sanji had given him, almost as though he didn't want it but was trying to eat it. The notion of seeing that reaction from the boy when smelling something he usually ate every day wasn't lost on them as they knew it had something to do with trauma, but what particular memory it had triggered wasn't something they could pinpoint. Sanji huffed, finishing up with his tasks before loading the cookware into the dishwasher, before picking up the last few plates to bring over to the table.

"Why do you think he had that reaction?" Sanji gritted his teeth, nearly snapping the end of his cigarette in half as he set himself down to eat with the others.

"Did you not hear him? It smelled like burning flesh to him," he stated harshly.

He was angry with himself, for not thinking that something else was going on beside his Captain looking a little tired. It was obvious that he wasn't sleeping, and his already keen sense of smell had become hyper sensitive in the wake of that. It was a state of fight or flight almost, and he had just triggered something in the young man that told him today wouldn't be like the others. His mind recalled the side Luffy had shown them after Fishman Island and how much that had scared them. Sanji now had to consider that Luffy was going to show them how much damage he was carrying and it would happen soon.

"You don't think…" Robin sighed as Usopp trailed off.

"Remember what the papers said? And, what Luffy told us? Akainu killed Ace, he was given that credit. How he did it though, I'm beginning to suspect was worse than we imagined," she said. The others looked nervously between one another.

"You don't think Luffy saw, do you?" Zoro crossed his arms over his chest, looking irritated.

"On a battlefield like that? Yes, he did. There's no way he couldn't have. Luffy pretty much told us that himself," he mentioned. Franky hummed in thought while Brook pushed his food around.

"We need answers, but I think asking him what exactly happened at Marineford would be too cruel." the others quietly agreed as they heard Sanji swear again under his breath.

"Let's just see how this goes. I get the feeling we're going to be in for one hell of a show today, judging by how he's looking," the group of eight nodded grimly as they ate quickly and Sanji cleaned up.

During the morning, everyone tried to do their own thing, but at certain points went out of their way to include Luffy in something, making sure he wasn't left alone. Usopp encouraged Luffy to help him catch as many fish as possible before lunchtime, telling him a story his mother used to when he was younger that always made him feel better, Robin brought up some ideas for her search when Luffy mentioned how she was doing, Zoro convinced him to spar with him, Nami let him watch her make the map for Fishman Island - something that he had wanted to watch or some reason or another - and Franky had Luffy help him put together a few new little ideas of his, while Brook played violin music during the day, hoping to keep him in high spirits. Sanji went out of his way to pick things he knew his Captain would like to eat and made sure to keep the windows open while doing so.

Chopper, found himself often being avoided. Almost as though Luffy knew he wanted to do a check up on him to see if he was okay, but had avoided it. Eventually, he quit dogging the boy and decided he'd be patient. During all of these activities, everyone saw their beloved Captain's usual smile upon his face, but his eyes still looked a bit murky. Luffy appreciated their efforts. He knew what they were doing, and said not one word on the matter as he desired to not make them feel guilt for trying to do all they could to help him through this. However, even he could tell that something was going to happen whether he liked it or not.

It was just an affect of whatever was wrong with his mind. He knew enough of the basic idea to understand that the things he'd endured at Impel Down and Marineford had caused wounds on his mind like it had his body, but that they didn't heal like the injuries he'd received physically. That notion, left him with an understanding that he wouldn't fully recover from the events of the past, but he could learn to cope, and he had - for the most part. Honestly, he had only experienced a handful of nightmares since reuniting with his crew, and they were so minimal that he lost very little if any sleep, that is, until last night. He had woken up with a jolt, a cold sweat broken out on his body as he felt almost as though he couldn't move, his breathing was irregular and his heart pounded in his ears while the sounds of the war resounded in his ears and cries of peoples names echoed. It was a horrible experience that felt like drowning, and while he'd eventually managed to break out of whatever trance he was in, it had been to be greeted by the quiet darkness of the cabin. A part of him knew it was the beginning of one of his relapses, as he had gone through them quite a few times in the last two years.

Rayleigh had been forced to restrain him on more than one occasion as he slipped back into the state he had been after awakening upon the Heart Pirate's submarine. That had been a horrific thing to experience even then. Feeling himself hooked up to machines and a mask forcing air into his lungs as he struggled. It had sent him spiraling out of control, even as he tried to reason why everything was so dark and so quiet. His mind recalled the haze he endured when these episodes happened, and had made a silent oath to himself that he wouldn't let his crew see that part of him, as it would be something that could drive a wedge between all of them, and he wanted to be the last person to cause it. But, that didn't change the fact that he was on the cusp of another relapse.

He felt it, creeping cold like the hands of a corpse crawling up his body that brought upon the sensation of unease and panic that caused the cold to coil around his throat like a vice. It made everything twice as difficult, and caused him to avoid certain things to the best of his ability. Luffy knew it was only a matter of time though.

Sighing, he joined the other's for lunch, who started eating while he absentmindedly poked at the roasted chicken on his plate. He picked it up and took a bite, shoulders tensing slightly as he chewed and swallowed. It tasted fine, at least, to the others he was sure it did, because he couldn't help the sensation of bitterness that lingered on his tongue almost as though the meat was rancid. He shook himself mentally, telling him to get a grip as he started eating deciding to ignore it as he chose to finish the food Sanji had given him - ensuring him that if he wanted more after, he could have it - but as soon as he stopped eating the much smaller than average portion of food, he found himself unwilling to eat another bite even when Sanji offered it.

"Look, we know something's wrong, so why don't you just tell us?" he offered. Luffy tensed visibly this time, the others noticing how his shoulders drew up, and how anxious he appeared. Of course they'd noticed his behavior, how could they not?

"I appreciate that, but… I don't need to talk about anything." that was a big mistake. Nami had slammed her hands down on the table, startling the lot of them as she leaned forward.

"Nothing?! You don't look well Luffy, you're pale and your eyes are weak. What's wrong?" a nervous swallow around the knot in his throat caused Luffy to shake his head.
"I'm fine! I'm just tired is all. Don't you believe me?!" he looked fearful, pleading silently for her to not press further. But Nami did not let up.

"If you didn't lie to me, then I would! But, you're not telling me the truth dammit! I'm worried for you, Luffy," she said. Luffy leaned back, body still tensed at the notion of the prying eyes of his crew. He shook his head, as if telling them no or to remove something in his head they didn't know.

"I'm not lying to you, so stop fucking prying! I don't want to tell you anything!" he snapped. Luffy instantly bit his bottom lip, head bowing as he realized how cold that statement must have sounded to them. Nami sat back into her seat, looking at her Captain who looked more and more like a child than he ever had to her before.

"So, you don't want our help with this?" Luffy kept his head down, bangs shadowing his eyes.

"You can't help me with this…" Usopp looked him over, as if sensing where this was going.

"Is that an order? Captain?" cold gray eyes looked up from under black bangs. In that instant each of them felt a shiver go up their spines. That was a look they'd seen directed at enemies, but never them. It made them realize once again how frightening the young man before them could really be.

"If you want to play that game, then yes. It is. I don't want you prying about it until I say that I want to talk. No sooner or later, got it?" Luffy stood up at that, keeping his gaze to the floor as he walked out of the dining area and outside where they heard the cabin door slam shut behind him harshly. All of the sudden, the eight crewmates felt a swell of anxiety in their bodies.

"You shouldn't have said that, Usopp," Robin stated. The sniper gave a heavy hearted sigh, nodding his head slowly.

"I know, just hoped that he wouldn't answer me like that… it was a gamble that I screwed up on." Zoro took a sip of his drink, looking unsure of what the best course of action would be.

"We should just let him be… pressing to hard will only make it worse," Sanji suggested.

"Seriously?! We've done that! It hasn't worked out for us so far! We should confront him! Letting him run away like this every time will get us nowhere fast!" Nami snapped while Chopper listened.

"I'm concerned about him. He's been on the shaky side all day, and I just… if we decide to push into the subject anymore, I think we're going to see something ugly," he said. The others looked to him, noticing how Chopper looked upset and was worrying his hooves together.

"We understand that, but constantly letting him just walk away from it won't help matters…" Franky groaned, unsure about what to say on the matter as the crew remained quiet until Zoro sighed, shaking his head.

"If he keeps acting like this tomorrow, we'll talk with him, sit down and have a long conversation whether he likes it or not. But if he's back to normal tomorrow, I suggest we ignore it for now and just keep tabs on the behavioral changes," he stated.

"Wow, you actually have a good plan stupid moss head." a cold look came from the green-haired samurai.

"You wanna bring this up right now? Ero-cook?" the blond gritted his teeth, ultimately relenting as he huffed.

"Fine, whatever… we'll wait to see what happens and if he's better we'll just let things be this time."

That had been there plan, but it didn't change the anxiety that simmered inside them as Luffy greeted them an hour later with a smile upon his face, looking a bit better, but not by much. Chopper held his tongue on the subject, as did the others as Luffy went about his normal activities, assuming that they had decided to go along with his orders and not breech the subject any further, but at the same time, they could all tell he was being wary around them. That meant for the time being, they had no choice but to not bring it up.

Sanji had been irritated, but spoken with his Captain as though not much had changed, so had the others, only out of sheer concern for what might happen should something slip. Eventually, the day was winding down and dinnertime was arriving. Everyone had set to packing everything up on deck and preparing for the night, but a strange sense of foreboding reverberated through them as they prepared for whatever the night would bring. Dinner was almost normal, compared to the earlier meals of the day, which gave them some peace of mind as they talked and laughed with their Captain as though their concerns had been some strange daydream.

It was enough to put their worries to rest as they all said their goodnights, prepared for a good night's sleep. Luffy even looked fairly tired himself as he crawled up into his bed, lying flat on his back as he took in a few deep breaths. The others smiled at that as they watched their Captain close his eyes, taking in a few deep breaths as he began to doze off. The others quietly got into their own beds, turning off the lights as they headed to bed, and the girls did the same. Franky elected to take first watch, enjoying the quiet as he took a few notes on a new idea he had to help out his crewmates.

He thought of making a few adjustments to give them more visibility, and considered a telescope and where to apply it while he observed the seas and their tranquility. If a bad storm started, he would fire a coup de burst and get them out of the line of danger while the others slept, but from what he could tell - though he most certainly wasn't Nami - the chances of a storm like that occurring was minimal. Humming to himself, he checked on the various areas of the ship, ensuring no one had snuck aboard and that everything was where it should be before returning to his post at the main deck.

The moon was full and rose high into the sky as he checked the still seas, how calm and quiet it was to the point that the moon treated the dark water below her as a mirror. Franky happily looked up at the crystal clear sky. It was a beautiful night, and not to cold, meaning they were doing well and had stayed on the course Nami had charted for them earlier. Soon after three in the morning, Franky checked the clock he and Usopp had designed, and started to to stretch, standing as he started back into the boy's cabin to wake Zoro for the last half of the shift, and then he heard it.

A tiny whine, something that sounded distressed, even afraid resounded. His mind went to someone dreaming, but then he heard a quick intake of breath, something that made him look around the dark room as he noticed everyone was still in their slumber - save for one. His dark eyes turned to Luffy who shifted and moved as he slept. The noises he made caused Franky to look him over in concern as he peered into the bed. Luffy's mouth was opened as he breathed in heavily, eyes closed and expression formed in a manner that told him he was having a very unpleasant dream of some kind.

Franky squirmed, wondering what he should do before reaching out to try and shake his Captain awake. However, he was given a shock when the boy's gray eyes snapped open and he looked around frantically, unable to take a full breath as Franky stepped back, certain that the boy would sit up soon; however, he didn't. The shipwright could only stare as his Captain writhed like a snake in hot coals as he tried to get his body to respond to him, but it refused. The noises were starting to wake up the others, who Franky was thankful for as he noticed Zoro lean up from his bunk just as a painful sounding breath was taken in by Luffy who sat bolt up in bed.

"Oi? Luffy? You okay?" the others were awake now, the lot of them moving from their beds as Franky approached his Captain who was taking in uneven breaths.

However, before he could get a response, Luffy made an unsteady move to get out of the bed and toppled to the ground. He hit the floor in a heap, looking staggered by the impact as the others moved to him. Zoro was there first, but stopped short as he saw his Captain crouched on his hands and knees, shivering as he remained there.

"Hey! Luffy! Answer me! Are you okay?" Sanji's concerned voice cut through the frantic breaths and made the others move closer.

It had been a terrible choice to do so, because the next thing they saw were those familiar gray eyes lock onto them. They were tinged with crimson, predatory, and wild looking as he staggered unsteadily to his feet, head down as they watched him. The motions were jerky and unnatural as he started forward, and Usopp made a move to stop him. His hands went to Luffy's shoulders that he could feel shaking as he tried to keep him from leaving when something was wrong. That had been a terrible choice on his part as he was grabbed by the throat and slammed into the nearest wall.

The impact took his breath and he struggled against the intense grip that still clutched his neck as he clawed at Luffy's hand to release him. The others moved to pry Usopp free and managed to when Franky stepped up to his Captain and grabbed hold of him. He tried to keep a firm grip on the boy, but Luffy did something that none of them would have seen coming as a wild growl came from his throat and he bared his teeth, swinging back a Haki covered fist that connected with Franky's iron jaw.

The sound of the impact had the lot of them frantic as Usopp coughed, struggling for proper air while Chopper gaped at Luffy who had quite literally sent Franky out the open door and onto the lawn.

The sound had woken Robin and Nami who were outside asking Franky if he was okay or not, but they hadn't anticipated the answer to come barreling out of the room he'd be flung from in the form of their Captain who hit the deck hard from Sanji's kick. The boys gathered outside as everyone looked to Luffy who was back in a crouch again, and they attempted to restrain him, but were thrown aside like ragdolls. The sight of it was shocking as Nami stepped back and Robin prepared to defend herself as the others watched their Captain sway back and forth, as though his body was trying to stay standing while everyone remained on guard.

"What the fuck is going on with you? Hey! Luffy!" Zoro called to him but he was met with a growl as wild gray eyes locked onto him.

"Luffy? Is that…" Robin acted fast, using her Devil Fruit to sprout several arms to pin the young man to the ground.

That was when the screaming began. It felt like their bones were rattling at the sound. It was crazed, wild, and pained as Robin focused with the intent on keeping the thrashing boy in place as the others watched him. Luffy growled, hissed, and bared his teeth at them, his eyes manic and body contorting into manners that no normal human would have been able to do. It was a horrific sight, watching him struggle to get free as he forced his body to bend backwards in a manner that if any of them dared to try it, the damage would have been serious. Robin struggled against his strength as he rolled onto his stomach struggling to his knees as he pressed his head into the ground, seeming to take in a few deep breaths as they relaxed ever so slightly. It was a mistake to do so.

The second that they'd started to believe he'd calmed down, the nineteen year old pirate was slamming his head into the ground, howling and screaming they watched the chaos that was forming. Robin felt her strength against him waning as Luffy smashed his head into the wooden deck of the ship and the grass, breathing hard as he continued to fight the restraints.

"It's like he's possessed…" the statement came from Brook who watched his Captain with tears filling his empty eye sockets. Nami swallowed, her nerves frayed at the sight as she stared down the monster called grief that had it's claws in her friend.

"Robin? How long can you hold him like that?" the black-haired woman took in a deep breath.
"I'll try to keep it up for as long as possible, but if he keeps fighting like this, I don't know…" Chopper looked at Luffy who shot up to his knees, screaming as he showed them the crazed look upon his face, eyes wild and blood in the corner of his mouth, his body unwilling to stop fighting as they watched him struggle, arching and twisting however he could to get free of Robin's arms.

"Luffy… please stop, you're going to hurt yourself!" Chopper cried as his Captain slammed his head back onto the deck. They felt the impact and cursed his inhuman strength as he continued to do this action, and Franky swore with the next hit that happened, that Luffy had dented the wood on the deck from the sheer force.

"Stop it! Have you lost your mind?!" Sanji came to him, trying to stop the boy from hurting himself, but was met with a downright feral look. Those gray eyes weren't Luffy's, neither was that sinister grin that bared his teeth in a threatening manner. He was in fight or flight mode, and would tear himself apart to get free, that much he understood. Sanji grabbed the boy by the shoulders, shaking him.

"Wake the fuck up! This isn't Impel Down or Marineford, or wherever the hell your head is right now! Your home, on the Sunny with us! So come back to your senses!" he snapped. Luffy locked eyes with him, slamming his head directly into Sanji's face as he slumped down to the ground, breathing hard while the cook held his now bleeding nose. It wasn't broken, but it had still done some damage. Sanji had been surprised to say the least, he knew Luffy was strong, but after being thrown off and now headbutted he didn't doubt that whatever thing had been in place to inhibit his full power wasn't working at it's normal capability.

Because fucking hell that hurt.

The group watched Luffy who laid on his side, breathing heavily as he tried to get his bearings, catching his breath before they watched him get to his knees. Instantly, he opened his mouth and bit down on the arm nearest to him, startling Robin who let him go at that, letting him fall to the ground as she resisted the pain that came from that action. It wasn't pleasant, and she knew Luffy had an absurd amount of bite strength, but it didn't change the anxiety she felt as she watched him on his knees, crouched over to the point that his head pressed against the grass as he clawed at his chest, crying and screaming as his hands momentarily reached to his face, pulling on his own hair as he tried to regain his composure but failed.

"Just stop! Disappear! I don't want to see it again!" Luffy's voice came out cracked and broken as he slammed his head into the ground again and this time, Zoro came forward, grabbing the boy firmly, putting his arms around him, holding his head against his shoulder as Luffy struggled, gasping for air almost desperately.

"Lu, come back to us… your safe…" Zoro was pushed, and shoved at, clawed at and screamed at as the others moved into help the samurai who held onto his insane Captain. They circled around him, helping to try and soothe the black-haired teenager whose frantic nature started to ease off as they called for him.

"We're here, Luffy, come back to us, okay?" Nami called, putting her hands on either side of his face, looking him in the eyes. They were exhausted, still glimmering with madness and pain as she gave him a tearful smile.

"It's okay, no one will hurt you," Sanji stated, crouching next to Nami. Luffy shook his head as he clawed at them, trying to get free, but Zoro held him tight, refusing to let him go as he pinned him with Luffy's back against his chest as the others continued to speak.

"Yea, we're on the Thousand Sunny! Remember?" Franky said.

"We waited two years to see you again, we missed you so much." Robin put a gentle hand on his shoulder, feeling the tremors that wracked his body.

"I'll get you all patched up once you're calmed down, don't worry," Chopper assured. Usopp grinned.

"And, I can even talk with you all the rest of the night if you want me too!"

"I can always play you some music, if you think that'll help! Yohohoho!" hands reached out to him, resting upon his arms and shoulders, upon his head and face as familiar voices called to him.

Luffy closed his eyes tightly, unsure of what to make of everything as vertigo caught up to him and he hissed, reaching his arms up to his face as if to block everything out as he took in deep breaths. He heard voices call for him, amidst chaos and despair. They were familiar and drove away the darkness, the stench of blood, and burning flesh that violated his mouth and nose. Those voices brought scents he recalled from something precious to him. Eight lights that gave him something to hold onto when he was all but prepared to let go and give up. When he was weakest, the memories of these people reached out to him, saving him from the brink of death. He remembered who they were and the others watched as Luffy's breathing eased, his hands shaking as he took a moment to collect his thoughts before hands reached for his own. He looked up at the familiar faces before him, holding him, protecting him as the haze of madness cleared once again.

"Hey, there you are," Zoro mentioned, causing Luffy to look up. The others leaned back as the nineteen year old sat himself up some, swaying as Zoro steadied him by grabbing his shoulders.

"What…" Chopper gave the others a nervous look.

"Luffy, do you not remember what happened?" he asked. A frightful expression formed on the other's face.

"N-No, I… do… I just…" the others sighed, relieved as Zoro sighed, coming moving into a crouch before he grabbed his Captain and picked him up, causing the boy to give him a startled look.

"Let's get you back to bed first, we can talk later." Chopper rushed into the infirmary, grabbing something from his medical supplies before rushing back across the main deck and into the boy's cabin area where Zoro still had Luffy.

"W-Wait, I just -" the others shook their heads.

"No, it's okay, we promise," Robin assured as the little reindeer doctor approached with a needle hidden behind his back.

Luffy looked around frantically, and they saw that edge of danger appearing again just as Chopper came up to the boy and stuck him in the arm with the syringe. Luffy looked at him almost as though it was the worst betrayal as Chopper gave him a worried look and not a moment later the effects started as Zoro settled his Captain into one of the lower bunks, pulling the blankets over him just as his eyes fell shut. The moment they were sure Luffy was asleep, all of the exited the room, and went outside, standing on the deck with a cold sensation weighing upon them. The things they had just seen had been something they had hoped to never witness, and yet here they were.

Nami's legs went out from under her and tears welled up in her eyes as she started crying. Almost bawling as she let all the stress that had built up come crashing down. The others settled upon the grass, unsure how to talk about everything that had just happened as Robin put her arms around the orange-haired girl's shoulders. It wasn't something they could honestly put words to, but ignoring it until later wouldn't work anymore - not after seeing something that horrible.

Zoro put his head in his hands, wishing for a stiff drink at this point and to be honest, so were the others so long as it would take the edge of their nerves. Sanji was chewing on the end of his cigarette, expression stormy as he thought to the things he'd seen. They were lucky that Luffy was to out of his mind to use his Gears or Conqueror's Haki, or they would have been seriously screwed. But even then, the raw strength he exuded, and overall dangerous sense he got from watching his Captain made him realize what kind of threat he was when not on their side.

"I sedated him, so he should be asleep for a while," Chopper said, sniffling as he wiped his eyes.

"What the hell even was that? I mean, what he did looked painful, even for him," Franky mentioned.

"It was a relapse. It happens to people with post traumatic stress disorder." the statement had the group anxious.

"Should we just sleep and try and talk about it with him once he's awake?" Usopp suggested.

"I think it's better if we do… trying to make sense of this right now won't do us any good."

{.…..}

Author's Note: So, this chapter was one of those moments where you just kinda don't know what to say properly. I wanted to go through the idea of what the Straw Hats will do when faced with the madness that Law and Jinbei saw. Well, let me know what you guys think!

Sincerely,

ShadowDragon94.