A/N:
I've finally decided to have a Zoro chapter because this bit just makes more sense through Zoro's POV. Not sure if it'll become a regular thing, but I do foresee at least one more chapter written in Zoro's POV in the future. Lemme know if you like it this way.
Sanji Kitetsu Chapter 16
Nami's fever has increased steadily over the last two days, and the curly sword's idiocy has increased with it.
A day ago Vivi made the sensible request to dock at the nearest island and to look for a doctor before heading to Alabasta. Ever since then, the cursed blade has utterly refused to leave Nami's bedside. Every time Zoro tried to leave and have another crew mate look after the navigator, the idiot would wail nonstop until Zoro returned to the room. He's also long past the point of not shutting up even inside the women's dorm.
At first it was the frequent instructions to the swordsman. Change the towel, take off a blanket, add a blanket, open the window, close the window, take her temperature, take it again. Then it was asking Kuina about common symptoms and progressions of a shit load of human diseases related to fever. Now he's just lost it.
Is she gonna die? Please don't die Nami-san! The idiot blade whimpers. It hasn't stopped since the last time Vivi came in to take Nami's temperature. That was an hour ago.
Of course Zoro is worried about the woman. If there is anything he can do to help her get better, he would gladly do it. But at the moment, all the crew can do is to locate a doctor as quickly as possible. All this extra fussing is pointless. If only he can get through to the idiot.
Zoro readjusts his breathing and starts pumping the only dumbbell he has left. (He lent the other one to Carmen for arm strength training.) He's not even counting anymore because he has lost count way too many times.
Fuck! Would some chicken soup make you feel better? If only I could be in my human form now... I'd make you the best chicken soup in no ti-
Zoro's patience snaps. He drops the weights, grabs the idiot, and storms out of the room, ignoring the alarmed voices of the other two swords he's leaving behind. It's not until he locks the door behind him that he notices that he's in the men's dorm. He draws the cursed blade from his sheath and holds up its cold edge against his own forearm.
What are you doing, shithead? The confused sword asks.
Zoro opens his mouth to explain, but the swarm of reasons for his action is refusing to turn into words. It feels like they're all trying to spill out of him at once, not bothering to form any coherent thoughts. The man remains frustratingly silent.
Wait! At least tell me what your plan is before you feed me. Are you letting me make chicken soup?
"NO!" His own voice comes out as a roar that echoes the empty room and stuns both of them into a momentary silence.
Tch, fine. Save your blood, cheap bastard. The blade finally says. Let's go back. Kuina-chan's worried.
"It's not about the blood. I have more than what I need to stay alive."
Well what is it then? Because clearly you've got your panties in a twist over the idea of letting me transform.
Zoro exhales through his nose and sheathes the blade. He needs to calm down and organize his thoughts, so he sits cross-legged on the floor and lays the sword in front of him.
"Why do you insist on interfering with the lives of humans?"
What?
"First Carmen, and now Nami. Why do you care?"
What, do I need a reason to care about your crew mates?
"Cut the crap. You and I both know it's not because they're my crew mates."
Then why do you think?
"If I knew we wouldn't be here. They are MY nakama. I made a pledge with my life to keep them safe when I decided to follow Luffy. What are they to YOU?"
They're your nakama, so what's wrong with them being mine too?
"They don't even KNOW you."
What does that matter? I want to keep them alive and well. I want to help them when they're in need. What's wrong with that?
"You're a SWORD! Don't you think there's a reason why I'm the only one who can hear your voice?"
Oh, is that all I am to you? Just a tool you cut shit with? And if that's your logic then don't you think there's a reason I can transform into a human? Why won't you think of that, huh?
"Because you pledged your life to ME!"
Once again, Zoro hears the ringing of his own voice in the empty room. His body shivers slightly from the adrenaline rush caused by the argument. A minute or two passes before the cursed blade speaks again.
Is it wrong for me to care about anyone other than you? The sword asks quietly.
His voice is flat and devoid of emotion, but it seems to make a deeper cut in Zoro's gut than any of his usual sarcastic jabs. The swordsman exhales heavily and presses both palms onto his eyes.
Is he overreacting? Controlling? Power tripping? It's true that the curly blade has yet to let his obsession with other humans get in the way of his job, so does Zoro not have the right to stop him? What about his own intuition that's screaming that this is all wrong?
The sounds of gun shots and yelling seem to drift in from the deck at the worst possible time. Zoro is in desperate need of some meditation to clear his fogged up mind, but that will have to wait. He picks up the cursed blade.
"We've got work." He says as he leaves the room. The blade remains silent.