For some reason when she came to Samira was at ease. Her body felt relaxed as she lay beneath the shade of a beige pyramid tent with the warmth of the sun nipping at her skin.

How strange.

When did she go to bed? Or lie down for that matter? Samira swore that she was reliving the horror of her exile. The voices seemed so real; screaming her name in hate. She shivered in fear. Perhaps the arid ecosystem of the Mirrored Expanse was triggering her. The Isle was mostly shaded due to its location, but during the summer the heat wafting in from holes in the Red Line was smothering; much like the desert. Samira sat up with a grunt and sat her hand over her heart. It was––

Peering down at her chest, she noticed a deep square-shaped hole had been carved out of her body.

Samira let out a shriek of fear. What happened to her? And why was there a hole in her chest? It didn't hurt, but it wasn't natural.

A minute later the flap of the tent came open and Ikkaku peeked in with a curious look on her face.

"Are you OK?" She asked.

Samira shook her head.

"There is a hole in my chest."

Ikkaku snorted and pulled back her cloak revealing a similar hole in her chest.

"Mine too. Captain took our hearts out last night."

He did what? Goosebumps littered Samira's skin. Was this the same technique that Law used on Arsenio back in the Crocus Sea? She didn't understand why he used it on her and the crew.

"I am so confused," Samira admitted.

"Then you should go talk to our captain," Ikkaku said with a sincere smile.

The said woman understood how Samira felt. She too woke up in fright, but since she was a Heart Pirate she knew immediately what had happened.

"The entire crew is on a probation period anyway," Ikkaku mentioned.

Samira raised a brow in question. What did she mean?

Motioning for her to follow, Samira put on her cloak and joined Ikkaku outside the tent. The heat felt much worse than the previous day. Samira groaned and walked with the brunette to the unlit fire pit where the crew was seated. Like her, each of them was missing their hearts.

"It's about time you woke up," Bepo stated.

Samira grinned.

"With a fright no less."

She averted her eyes to Law as she sat down. He looked exhausted. Did he not sleep last night?

"We need to talk about this," Samira brought up, pointing to the hole in her chest.

Law shook his head.

"You consumed the cacti we gathered last night, am I to assume that's right?" He asked.

Samira shook her head.

"Each of you underwent a hallucination seemingly caused by an unknown protein in the cacti. Most of you acted out harmlessly, but at least four of you were a danger to the crew or yourselves, so I removed your hearts," Law explained.

Samira widened her eyes. Did she hurt anyone? She recalled her power spiking during her hallucination, but no one looked worse for wear. Shachi and Penguin had bruised faces, but nothing more.

"Once I am sure each of you is not still a danger to one another, I will give you back your hearts," Law mentioned.

Standing, Law picked up his sword.

"We need to keep moving. The oasis is a four-mile walk from here, so once you are ready, pack your gear and prepare for a long walk."

He turned and walked back to his tent. Samira was concerned. Law didn't look well.

"Is the Captain going to be OK?" She asked Ikkaku.

The said woman grinned.

"He's just tired. Our captain stayed up through the night to watch out for us. He does this sometimes, then he crashes for an entire day."

"That's not healthy," Samira stated.

Ikkaku agreed, standing.

For a doctor, he wasn't good at taking care of himself. What made Law so reckless when it came to his health?

Samira sighed and stood as well. She doubted that he'd tell her.

Never in her life had Samira been so happy to see water, but the moment she saw the oasis encampment in the distance, her heart soared – or so she imagined. It was like a dream come true. She almost couldn't believe it was real. A lush green expanse of date palms circled a natural spring, and along the shore sat four dome-shaped buildings that reminded Samira of modern huts.

"Are we resting here for tonight?" The said woman asked, turning her eyes to Law.

He answered with a nod; Samira narrowed her eyes in sincerity.

Hearing Bepo whine, she grinned as he took off running towards the spring. Shachi shoved Penguin and raced after him; the said man soon followed.

"Are we going too?" Ikkaku asked, grabbing Samira's hand.

Samira nodded and allowed the curly-haired woman to lead her down to the spring. She hadn't forgotten about Law. Perhaps later, he would get some rest too.

"Are you OK?" Ikkaku asked. "You've been zoning in and out for the last few minutes."

Samira raised a brow, resting on her bed. She should be thrilled not to be sleeping in a tent in below-freezing weather, but her mind was occupied.

"Sorry. I just can't wrap my head around how irresponsible your captain is with his health."

Ikkaku snorted. She understood.

Even after the crew ate and got their rooms, Law went out to gather information on the Mirrored Expanse, preferably the final leg of their journey. He needed a rest, but he didn't seem to care.

"Trust me, we worry about him too," Ikkaku mentioned.

"It's useless to worry, isn't it?" Samira asked as she turned on her side.

Ikkaku nodded; it truly was.

"He cares a lot for us, even though he seems stoic at times. And you know, before you woke up, he asked me to keep an eye on you. Whatever hallucination you suffered through worried him a lot."

It did? Samira widened her eyes.

Ikkaku walked over and sat down on the edge of her bed.

"I know that I have no business knowing, but if you ever want to talk about it, I'm all ears."

Samira smiled.

"Thank you, Ikkaku."

The said woman flopped down on the bed next to her and yawned.

"I am so beat," she stated.

Samira agreed. Perhaps it was time for them to turn in. She turned her eyes over to Ikkaku and smiled. She had her own bed, but honestly, Samira didn't mind. Neither of them seemed to want to sleep alone.

"I'm here for you too," she uttered.

"Us girls have to stick together," Ikkaku said with a wink.

For a while, after she fell asleep, Samira sat up, lost in her thoughts about Law. She wasn't sure why he was on her mind as of late, but she couldn't shake it.

How strange, Samira thought.

Lifting her hand, she placed it over the hole in her chest. Even though she didn't have a heart, she could feel it fluttering.