13. Frustration

I woke up with the worst headache of my entire life.

I felt Billie's paws nudge my cheeks gently, so I decided to move a bit. My limbs were too numb for my liking. I felt like I missed something important.

The waves were rocking the boat I was on, and as soon as I tried to open my eyes with force, came the nausea.

I threw up immediately. Luckily for me - or for the others in the little dinghy - the water was close enough for me to reach it. Otherwise, my breakfast would've landed on the boat, or worse, Kaya's shoes. God only knows how much that beautiful white thing was, and I wanted to keep it this way. Paying for it would be a nightmare, even if she wouldn't let me lend her a single belly.

Wait.

No, no no no NO!

This fucking shit can't be happening now!

I grabbed the side of our dinghy and started to look around with desperation and frustration clearly showing on my face.

"Uh, Rea-Aneki..."

"Shut up! Tell me we can still turn around and go back!" I pleaded. Yosaku shook his head with a hint of guilt. My brother was looking at me with a little mix of worry and pity.

After all, I missed the fight with Don Krieg - with that Bastard - entirely.

...

Oh, fuck my life! Can't even do a revenge right...

I just hope Luffy punches him for me too. And Sanji... Man, I didn't even say goodbye. He should come with my Captain if things will go well though. But...

In this moment, I can't really believe in that. Things can change. I forgot that, and others paid for it. Things I took for granted may or may not happen now, and I can't really do anything about it except always trying to do the right thing.

I could move now. When I charged at Mihawk, my feelings didn't change. I was still scared, but I could move. That's all that matters for now. Speaking of the swordsman...

I noticed the inhuman amount of blood on the boat's sides almost immediately. Zoro was laying back, trying to relax. He was definitely sleeping, judging from the quiet snores. He was in a lot of pain; I couldn't even imagine how much that wound could sting. It was a huge slash. It's better than dying though, and I'm glad Mihawk chose to spare him - spare us.

It was way worse than the wound in my foot.

I was a little pissed at the Warlord, honestly. Who does he think he is, giving me an injury bad enough to pass out and then just walking away like that? I even complimented his eyes! That beautiful gaze of the bastard!

Thinking about that, I don't really know, where that sentence came from at the time. Oh well. I hope I made his day at least.

I must've stared at Zoro's wound a bit too long, because I felt a gentle, slightly shaking hand on my shoulders. I turned my head and I met Kaya's tired smile.

"Are you okay?" she asked and slowly sat down next to me.

I thought about the question, still trying to hold back the remnants of the nausea from before. I nodded a little and sighed as I laid back a bit. The sail was blocking the sun from my eyes this way.

"I will be. Shouldn't you ask yourself instead? You look like you went through your first surgery," I said and Kaya arched one of her eyebrows, her face screaming the words 'you don't say'. "Though I suppose you did in a way..."

She glanced at the sleeping swordsman and let out a tired sigh. Poor girl must've been through a lot.

"Sixty-five."

"Huh?"

Kaya let out a bitter laugh and crossed her arms in front of her. Usopp sat down next her so he could comfort his girlfriend.

"That's how many stitches he needed. It took me a long time too..." she said and pushed her head into her knees. Usopp and I both hugged the blond from the sides.

"You did really well, Kaya-Aneki! We didn't even know how to treat Zoro-Aniki's wound properly."

"What he said," I nudged towards Yosaku. "You would be just fine to be the ship's doctor, wouldn't you?"

"I'd be more suited for a nurse, I think. With diseases and illnesses I'm really good - I'd rather leave the dirty work for a qualified doctor with more experience." Kaya said and finally calmed down a bit. She leaned in to our hug and was just in a perfect place for cuddle-time. She looked at me and nudged my arm a bit. "You still haven't thought about what your role would be on the ship, did you?"

"Guess I didn't," I murmured and closed my eyes again.

Usopp started to fill me in on things I missed until now. We met Johnny halfway to Arlong Park. We left him again though. I hoped Luffy (and Sanji) will meet him too and bring him along again. We were chasing the Going Merry for four hours now, so we must've been close, according to a scared, slightly panicking Yosaku. We had about two hours before we arrived at the Conomi Islands. I still couldn't let my emotions around Krieg go, but for now, I had a much bigger problem on my hands.

Or legs. Because one of my fucking legs, you know, the things I fight with, was wrapped around in bandages and hurt like a bitch! Could I even stand on that?

Okay, hell, it'd be better if I tried it now, not when I meet the first fishman of my life. God only knows how good that meeting would go for me.

First things first, with the help of the two awake men on the boat I managed to stand on the one leg Mihawk didn't just completely fuck up with a damn kitchen knife. So far, so good. Then came the other one. And three... two... one...

Hahaha, NOPE! Absolutely nope! Nu-uh! Not doing this! Forget this!

Standing wasn't even an option right now with the pain. God, that HURT, with all capital letters.

I fell back into my brother's arms with a loud cry. He panicked and almost let me fall, but gripped my hands in the last second.

"Oh my God, Rea, are you okay? Of course you aren't! It was stupid! A stupid idea! We shouldn't have tried that..." and he started muttering in worry.

I calmed down at Usopp's voice and forced myself to breath properly. Well...

This is not fucking good.

"I could give you some painkillers," Kaya mused. She reached for her first-aid kit on the sides and searched for the medicine. "It's not permanent - it lasts for six hours maximum. Maybe even less. I don't really recommend standing on it for now though, even with the painkillers. It can be dangerous and quite damaging. A lot of harm can come from wounds not treated or healed properly."

Well, isn't that good news.

Guess I'm not joining in the famous epic walk towards Arlong Park. It's a damn shame.

At least Billie and her fluffy fur is here for me for a little comfort.

We were left alone on the center of the damn road.

Usopp, Kaya and Yosaku definitely made it to the little village we saw earlier. Billie was off to who knows where. Zoro and I didn't quite reach the destination... for many reasons. For starters, we were lost. Secondly, my foot hurt, Zoro's wound hurt, and, overall, both of our bodies HURT. The others decided to hurry a bit. My leg needed new bandages and Zoro needed proper medical attention too, so they went ahead to find a doctor to treat us. It seemed a good idea at the time.

Now though with three fishman in our way, I can admit that we didn't really think that through.

Zoro was still out of sorts from his fight and his sleep, so he didn't have as good reflexes as he usually has. Which resulted in the fishmen capturing us and tying us up with a rope. Becasue, obviously, I couldn't really kick properly, and everything else I tried was just a waste of my time and energy. Now we were on two huge shoulders, hanging like two sacks of potatoes.

Heh, good analogy, right?

Well, the trip to Arlong Park wasn't as pleasant as my company and personality.

I was on the sides - it was time for Zoro's interrogation. I was a bit worried about him.

Nami was standing menacingly in front of us. She was holding her bo-staff and looking down at the swordsman with a smirk on her face.

Zoro's taunting didn't really make the situation better.

"What are those bandages?" Nami pointed at the white material on the first mate's body. He just gave a pained smirk and smugly replied.

"Heh. I ran outta clean laundry-"

I winced when Nami's knee collided with Zoro's stomach. That... had to hurt.

Honestly, everyone was pissed at this point - Arlong, his officers, Nami, Zoro... Yeah.

I couldn't possibly remain in peace either. Nami turned towards me with fury in her eyes and shouted.

"And you? Don't you understand the situation you are in?"

"Oh, trust me," I said with a blank face. "I completely understand."

Nami stomped towards me and Arlong narrowed his eyes, but didn't say anything for now.

"Erm," I smiled nervously at the girl I cried my heart out with not long ago. "Could it please not be on my foot...? I kind of don't want to make it worse than it is...Ite-te-te, NOT THERE-"

She stepped on my foot. Damn woman!

I'll get revenge when this mess is over!

She gave us the key to our cell though, so I guess she's off my radar for now.

But a woman doesn't forget!

I brushed the remnants of my ropes off of my arms and stood up carefully. Good, the painkiller was still effective. Zoro took his swords and dusted himself off.

"Aren't you frustrated?" I asked the green-haired swordsman. He grunted and gave me a nod. Well then...

"Sooo, um... what do you say about fish soup for lunch?" Now THAT earned me a smirk in agreement.

"I like your style, woman."

Well, isn't he a little flirt. I'm honored.

We went out and found ourselves in a crowd full of fishmen. Now though, the boss wasn't here. Zoro was happy for the opportunity to get himself into shape again. I couldn't really do much, but hey! As Kaya would say - I can still throw rocks from behind a bush in a civilized way. It's still effective.

Hachi was nice and all, but he could really hurry now - I needed Kaya and FAST.

We finally found the others. If it meant that Luffy and his flying boat hit Zoro with full speed and they were both thrown away, I didn't really care at the moment. My foot was on fire.

I limped over to my angel with medic skills and immediately grabbed her by the shoulder. I was breathing heavily and I'm almost certain I looked like a demon straight from hell when I opened my mouth.

"Give. Me. More. Painkillers. Now, understood?"

Kaya smiled and patted my arms. I weakened my hold on her. We sat down on the side of the road and Kaya found the medicine in one of her bag's pockets. I gulped and waited impatiently for the pain to go away. Then I felt it.

Her dark aura.

"You're not scaring anyone with that attitude, Rea," she said sweetly, like we were talking about a cup of tea. "Keep up the good work and take care of yourself now. I'm frustrated and I'm not in a good mood. Don't make it worse. Understood?" I gulped and nodded my head faster than any time in the past.

"Y-yes, ma'am."

"Good."

It turned out she was frustrated because Usopp was taken by Arlong and his lackeys. Why didn't they start with that?

My heart stopped for a second. Usopp.

Oh my god, my brother!

If... if anything could change, then... that means that not everything will turn out the same. Usopp is... a lot different now. Braver, stronger... Who says that he will survive the meeting with Arlong for sure now?

"Hey, Rea! I punched Krieg extra hard for you! I'm baaack!"

"Rea-chaaan! I came along too! Are you happy, my Angel?"

I looked at the two newcomers with wide, surprised eyes. Luffy was back, seemingly not a single scratch on him. Well, maybe a few bruises here and there. Nothing major. And...

Sanji came along. Sanji was here too.

I let out a shaky breath and hugged the two. As soon as I let them go though, my expression turned serious and I turned towards my captain. He tilted his head a bit and waited for me to speak.

"My brother is in danger. I'm going to help him; I'm leaving now to find him."

"It's already too late."

My face turned pale. Yosaku stumbled across the bushes and stood there in front of all of us, panting.

"What... did you say?" I asked, although I already knew the answer. Either way if he was... dead, or wasn't, it would've been the same.

Still.

"Nami... NAMI KILLED USOPP-ANIKI!"

It wasn't until I somewhat let Yosaku's throat go and Usopp came towards us running that I calmed down a bit. My breath was a little shaky as I listened to the others. Nami's tragic backstory. Usopp's words about how she saved him. Thank god for that. Luffy declaring he would go for a walk. Nami trying to get us all out of here, to save us, then storming away as we refused to leave.

Through the whole mess... through the whole fight, the whole time I was helpless. Weak. Useless.

It lasted just a day - Arlong Park's fall, that is. Yet it made me experience a mix of so much emotions, I wasn't entirely sure I was sane at the end of the day.

Doubt.

"I can't navigate... I can't use a sword, I can't cook or heal somebody, I can't even lie... But I can kick your ass!" My Captain shouted to the world.

What can I do?

Fear.

I was staring at the damaged opening for too much time. My brother was away for a while now... is... he okay?

I didn't notice the sword, just in the last second. I dodged by only a hair.

"Be more careful, idiot!" Came Zoro's worried shout. He then once again attacked Hachi, leading him away from me. I remember I shouted back a bratty reply... But I was shaking after the sword swing.

I almost died here.

Sadness. Relief.

The wooden desk and the uncountable amount of maps were flying out of the window. Nami was crying, and frankly, I was crying too. Crying for her.

She deserves her freedom.

Irritation.

Whenever I tried to land a kick on somebody, I always winced a little from the pain in my leg. Damn Mihawk! This was getting out of hand now.

Why couldn't it stop hurting?

Joy.

"NAMI! YOU ARE MY NAKAMA!"

Finally, it's over. It's over...

And then came the big party. Three-day-long. Everyone seemed to find their place, even Billie, who decided to try the island's fruits and tangerines. She was quite popular in the circles of children and women.

I got my foot treated too.

Even so, at the end of everything that happened in the last week, I could only describe my state and feelings in one word.

Frustration.