Chapter Six: Memories
Line breaks indicate flash backs
"So what exactly is King's Evil?" Usopp said, setting down the device he had been tinkering with. "No offense, but your doctor friend wasn't really forthcoming."
"I wouldn't exactly call him a friend." Zoro said, irritated.
" He seemed really happy to see you-"Usopp began.
"Yeah." Sanji interrupted. "He acted like you two were old friends or something."
"I didn't really think so. "Nami said, giving Zoro a wink. "He seemed kinda vague about it."
Zoro cleared his throat and rubbed his temples. His head was still killing him. "Kell is-"
"Kell?" Said Luffy, Usopp and Sanji simultaneously.
"The doctor. Kell Jax. I… lived here for a while, back when I had just started out bounty hunting. This place was a haven for scumbags. It didn't take me long to get rid of most of them, they weren't much to speak of. At least nothing like what we've faced lately. But Kell was pissed back then because those were his main patients. I was screwing up his business."
Zoro leaned against a tree, enjoying a cool breeze in his rare moments alone.
//This place isn't so bad. Could do without a couple things though. Namely that jerk doctor. Woulda killed him and not bothered with his self righteous monologue in the first place if I wasn't so god damn attracted to the tree hugging bastard.//
A rustle in the bushes was Zoro's only warning before he was surrounded by some of the weirdest looking pirates he'd ever seen. He would have been surprised, if he hadn't already dispatched the majority of these creeps the day before.
"Roroana Zoro! You killed my partner. Prepare to die!" Zoro recognized the one shouting as one he'd let escape. His method was to take down the big guys and usually the weaker ones would just run away. It wasn't worth the effort to take them down if he wasn't going to get paid, and they didn't merit further pursuit because they knew the Marines would be around soon after Zoro came through anyway.
"Well well well. If it isn't the black head gang-"
"Aaaargh!" The one Zoro had recognized stamped his foot. "These are supposed to be bullets! We're the Bullet Gang! See?!" He motioned to the black cap he was wearing on his head.
"Whatever. You're shitty pirate with a lousy theme to me." Zoro said, stretching leisurely. "So, came back for more? Should I kill you quickly or just let the marines hall your asses in? "
"DIE ASSHOLE!"
All the pirates rushed him at once. It didn't take much to bring the all down except the one whose partner he had killed.
"And then there was one. If I was going to do this badly at avenging someone, I would just stay hom-"
Pain seared through Zoro's left thigh. The swordsman couldn't move. The Bullet Pirate laughed manically.
"You fool. You've fallen victim to one of the classic blunders. The first is never get involved in a sea war on the Grand Line, but only slightly less known is this; never go in against a Bullet Pirate when death is on the line!"
Zoro sliced off the pirate's head. It fell to the ground next to his foot and he kicked it into the bushes. He looked at his left thigh. There was a long, thick, metal needle sticking through it.
//Fuck. Poisoned.//
Zoro grabbed the needle and pulled it out. The agony made his knees weak. He became dizzy and lost his balance. Everything was black.
When he came to, he saw a bright light.
//Am I...dead? Shit that would suck. Where the hell am I? That's a cool ceiling fan…//
Zoro blinked a couple of times and things came into focus. The bright light was actually a florescent light. Zoro lifted his head to look around. He was in a hospital room.
His stomach lurched violently and he groaned.
"I'm gonna puke."
"Trash can's on your right. Hope your aim's good, I'll make you clean up whatever doesn't make it in." Came a voice from somewhere out of Zoro's sight.
Zoro tried to sit up again, but he found he could barely move. His nausea was excruciating.
"Where am I? Who are you?"
"You're in my hospital. And I'm Kell-"
"Jax. You bastard. What the hell did you do to me?!" Zoro tried to sit up again, but a strong pair of hands pushed him back down. The doctor chuckled and took a seat on the side of Zoro's bed with a chart in his lap.
"Calm down. Even if you are the bane of my business, I would never compromise my position as a doctor."
Zoro stopped trying to get up. He couldn't have done it even if he'd tried anyway. There was nothing left in him it seemed.
"What's wrong with me?" He croaked.
"You were hit with one of Ferguson's poisoned needles. His crew is, or was famous for that, thanks to you. They specialized in killing slowly, causing a lot of suffering. The needles are coated with a bacterium that infects the victim with King's Evil disease. It's one of the deadliest and most miserable diseases I've ever known. Fortunately for you, Bertonneau is one of the only islands in the world with the plant that carries the cure. It's called King's Heart. And since I'm one of the world's best doctors and am always prepared for anything, I have plenty of the vaccine. You're just lucky I found you when I did."
"How long until I can leave?"
Kell got up. "Hopefully not for a long time so I can get some business again. But I'd say it'll be a month before you're back to normal-"
"A month!?" Zoro again tried to get up and failed. He growled in frustration. "What the hell am I supposed to do for a month? Fuck! This is just what I need right now. A fucking disease. You should have let me die. I'd rather die than be cooped up in a fucking hospital with a pirate lover-"
"I could have let you die." Kell's tone was icy. "But I didn't. I'd be a little more grateful if I were you- "
"Well you're not me. That's pretty damn obvious."
Kell pinched the bridge of nose, apparently at his limit of patience. "Besides being a pirate hunter, what is it exactly that you have against all pirates?"
"They're murderers. They rape, pillage, and destroy." Zoro said, almost mechanically.
"All of them? Every single last one?"
"Probably. But I don't care if one is just a rapist but doesn't steal, or that one's a murderer and not a rapist. They're all the same, and you gladly help them and take their dirty money." Strangely enough, Zoro's frustration and anger seemed to be helping him recover. He sat up and the pain and nausea he felt only a moment ago were subsiding. The anger seemed to be helping his pain.
"Really?" Kell's indignation was also becoming apparent. "Just like everyone who isn't pirate is innocent? Because pirates are the only ones who kill? Pirates are the only ones who steal, lie, rape, and murder? Pirates-"
"How many innocent, hard working people do you go out of your way to help? People who don't have as much money as the thieving scumbags and can't afford your help?" Zoro was almost shouting. They stared at each other for a moment, anger radiating from both of them.
"Not to mention," Zoro continued, "I'm hard pressed to find any good natured, hard working pirates around here. Don't tell me you thought Ferguson was a good man."
"Of course not. But I take the chance that there are some decent pirates out there, just like you so easily have faith that there are decent people out there. I won't refuse anyone medical help because of who they are." Kell shifted uncomfortably where he stood.
"You won't refuse pirates medical help because you want the money." Zoro said simply.
"And you hunt pirates because you need the money." Kell retorted.
Zoro was frowned, silent. The man had a point, even if it was a weak one. He would retort that he hunted bounties because it was a convenient way to train, but it would be a lie to say that was the only reason he did it.
"And so what? Should I leave these potential murderers and liars alone to ruin more people's lives just because you were here first? Not that I agree, but just say for a moment we both have a worthy cause. I'm just supposed to leave?" Zoro said, crossing his arms.
Kell scratched the back of his head. "I'm not asking you to leave, Zoro. I just want you to stop killing all my potential patients! I mean… It'd be a shame if you left. You've caused quite a stir. But you also remind me of what an old man I've become at such a young age."
"Assumed risk of such a profession."
Kell laughed and shook his head. "I guess we're at odds with each other. I don't want you to leave, but you're making business pretty scarce. You don't want to leave, but I can't just let you scare off all my business. What's a pair like us to do? "
Zoro stood up despite Kell's protests and noticed one thing not worth noticing, that he was in a hospital gown, and the other he should have noticed immediately, his swords were gone.
"Where are my swords?"
"They're in that cabinet over there. You should really be resting."
"Where are my clothes?"
"They're being washed."
"Who changed me?"
Kell smiled. "Modest?"
"No. Just hope you don't feel too intimidated." Zoro flicked off the measly hospital gown and walked naked to the shower just a few feet away.
//This guy... there isn't another man in the world I could possibly be this irritated with and still want to jump his bones. Man… what the hell am I doing?//
"I wasn't all that intimidated really." Kell said with a smirk, heading for the door.
"You're either a fool or a liar." Zoro said evenly, turning the shower on and testing the water.
Kell stopped at the door and turned around.
"I'm neither a fool, nor a liar. I'm simply... evenly matched."
Zoro cocked an eyebrow and stepped into the shower, letting the steaming water roll down his bare skin.
"Prove it."
Kell's eyes widened. He coughed. "Feeling alright?"
Zoro smiled and closed his eyes, enjoying the hot water caressing him. "Better than I was earlier. So, gonna prove it or take it back?"
Kell's mouth twitched. "And how do you propose I do that?"
"You're the doctor. Think of something creative."
//He didn't mention anything about a sudden libido increase and irrational boldness being symptoms.//
Kell threw his chart on Zoro's bed and closed the door. He toed off his shoes slowly, never taking his eyes off Zoro. He undid the dark blue sash that was tied around his waist. Zoro opened his eyes and watched Kell slide his pants off slowly.
//Evenly matched indeed. That bastard.//
Kell smirked as if he knew what Zoro was thinking.
"Well, I hope you get the point. I'll be back to check on you later-whoa!"
Zoro reached out and yanked Kell in the shower, shirt still on. He grabbed the collar of the offending material with both hands and ripped it down the center.
"Hey that-"
"Shut up."
Zoro tossed the shirt across the room. Looking Kell straight in the eyes he pulled the other man close, kissing him heatedly. He pulled away immediately and said, "Is this supposed to happen? Some side effect from the medicine?" His voice was breathy. Waiting for an answer Zoro started lapping at the other man's delicious looking collar bone.
"Ah ah have you ah haah had aaalcohol AH yes right there ah in the last twenty four AH hours?"
"Of course." Zoro grabbed Kell's hips and grinded their hips together, thrusting their erections into delicious contact. The doctor gasped and threw his head back as the sensation shot straight through his groin to his very finger tips.
"Aaaah..."
Zoro took the opportunity to claim the other man's mouth with his. He delved his tongue into the sweet cave, claiming every hot, wonderful inch that he would never taste.
"Mmmm..." Zoro moaned, running his hands across Kell's chest, stopping momentarily at each nipple, and teasing them lightly.
Kell broke the kiss with a gasp. "As soon as the alcohol is mmh ah out of your system the effects should nngh wear off-" He pushed Zoro against the wall of the shower and grinded his hips into the swordsman's. Zoro's yelp turned into a sighing moan of pure pleasure. His eyes glazed over as Kell took a nipple in his mouth, lightly biting first, then smoothing it over with his tongue. Zoro's hand came up and undid the band in Kell's hair. He curled his fist as the doctor went to the other nipple, applying the same torturing ministrations.
//I can't take this much longer. I can't believe I'm doing this. I feel like I'm drunk on hormones-//
Fear rose inside of Zoro as the reality of what he was doing hit him. At the same time pleasure was ripping through his body as his blood urged him forward. Just as Zoro's fogged mind began to clear, he noticed Kell's mouth had continued moving south. His tongue flickered inside his navel, and then traced a circle around it. Zoro moaned again.
//Well, I did start it, didn't I? Might as well finish it...mmmm//
Moving southward still, Kell's tongue stopped just short of a mass of soft, dark, curly hair. He looked up at Zoro, looking down on him. He smiled devilishly.
"I'm going to make you scream pirate hunter." Kell's voice was husky and full of desire. Zoro didn't know the man was capable of producing such a voice. His body convulsed with pleasure, but he forced himself to stop before he fell over the edge.
Kell pressed the tip of his tongue to the base of Zoro's manhood. He slowly licked his way to the tip, flattening his tongue and swirling around the head. Zoro's breathing came faster. He tried to suppress a cry rising from him, but to no avail. Kell closed his lips around the entire head and plunged forward suddenly, taking all of Zoro's length into his mouth.
Zoro moaned loudly. He was on fire and freezing at the same time. His knees began to buckle from the intensity of it. Kell's talented tongue was still at work, caressing the underside of Zoro's manhood.
"Shit Kell-" Zoro warned. Just as he was about to come, Kell reached his hand up and grabbed Zoro's balls and squeezed tightly. The pain kept Zoro from the threshold and drew him back. Kell gave one last hard suck before releasing Zoro. Zoro fell back against the wall, his body writhing.
Kell stood up and stepped out of the shower. "Hold on."
He returned shortly with a small package in his hand. Zoro blinked.
"Are you serious?"
Kell raised an eyebrow at the swordsman. "I'm a doctor. What did you expect? I'm not up to contracting King's Evil at the moment. It's transmitted through the blood. And I don't want to risk hurting you either."
//Whoa whoa whoa, this guys got the wrong idea-//
Kell could sense Zoro's panic. He would've grinned if manhood wasn't about to explode. He pulled Zoro to him and kissed him gently. He trailed tiny wet kisses from his jaw to his ear lobe.
"I would never hurt you...Trust me." He whispered.
The swordsman frowned, but something of that same drunken feel of hormones swept through his body again, and his body at least relaxed. He was painfully hard, and it was difficult to plan what to do next.
Kell's voice was thick. "Turn around and put your hands against the wall."
Zoro shivered despite the obvious heat. He suddenly became very aware of the water beating down on the both of them. He felt each drop hit his skin. It was agony. Zoro tried to pretend he felt confident about this as he spread his legs slightly. He heard Kell unwrap the condom. All his senses were magnified by ten. Every sound was earsplitting. The pleasure he felt in his body felt as though it would kill him any moment. He could taste Kell's mouth still in his. He squeezed his eyes shut.
//I'm falling.//
Kell placed two fingers lubricated with cream rinse at Zoro's entrance. He pressed in slowly. He kissed Zoro on the back.
"Relax and push out."
Zoro did as he was told. The two fingers invaded his body, and he felt it stinging. One thing that had helped Zoro come this far was, when he was in pain, to imagine something worse. He'd done much worse than this. Nothing that he couldn't handle, at least.
Kell's fingers probed deeply, searching for that sweet spot that he knew would make the swordsman reel. After a moment he found it and applied liberal pressure.
Zoro yelped when his knees buckled and his manhood swelled even more if it was possible. He moaned and the blood he already felt was pumping fast began screaming in his veins.
"Kell-"
That was all the more encouragement the good doctor needed. Condom on, he placed his turgid erection at Zoro's entrance. He paused for a moment and breathed in deep. Then he slowly thrust in, impaling Zoro with agonizing slowness. The younger man was almost too hot and tight to bear. It took every ounce of control Kell had to keep himself from coming right then.
"Oh god Zoro..."
Zoro was breathing rapidly, the pain had been momentary, but it had been intense. There was still a dull ache. But strangely, he felt good. Full. All he wanted now was to feel it again, and he wanted Kell to move.
"I'm not gonna break."
Kell ran his tongue down Zoro's back. "As you wish."
He pulled back much quicker than he had thrust in and stopped just as the head of his cock was all that was left inside. He then thrust quickly back in and stopped to monitor Zoro's response. When Zoro had thrust back to meet him, he knew it was a go. He quickened his pace and aimed for that sweet spot, making Zoro moan.
As for Zoro, continuous pleasure shot through his body mingled with pain and fullness and the contact of skin against skin. He met Kell with each thrust, almost embarrassed to be begging in such a way. He couldn't take much more of this. Kell slowly snaked his hand around Zoro's waist and captured the other man's straining cock. He pumped it skillfully in time with his thrusts. Zoro couldn't even find his mouth so that he could moan in pleasure. The fire inside him was already out of control. The room was spinning and then he was flying...flying over the edge. His whole body tensed as he came, spilling his seed onto Kell's hand and the shower wall. Kell could feel Zoro's body clench around him, breaking his last bit of control. He came hard, almost collapsing on the other man.
Moments passed and the water continued to rain down on the two exhausted men. Finally, as it became necessary to move, Kell left Zoro's body and pulled the man close to him. Zoro, still shaky, rested his forehead on Kell's shoulder. He closed his eyes and reveled in the feeling.
