-I'm gonna start with your head. You may had a concussion- stated Chopper.
Robin didn't answer. She was recalling all the times Spandam have kicked her in the face, saying she was better dead, and that no one would come to save her. She closed her eyes to avoid the tears to escape from her eyes, while Chopper moved her hair to reveal all the bumps she got.
-You have some bumps on the right and left side of your head, but the worst ones are in the back...-said Chopper lifting her hair to reveal a deep cut in her head, and dry blood across her nearest tufts- ... and this needs stitches- he added. -Hum...Robin...what happened?- the reindeer was uncomfortable asking that. He knew by Robin's reaction earlier that she didn't want to talk about it.
-Most of the bumps are from Spandam's kicks, but the back of my head was hit when funk freed threw me against the tunnel's stone wall- Robin's voice tone was off.
-Funk-freed?- asked Nami.
-The elephant-sword Spandam possesses- replied Robin- That's the reason the back of my head is in a worse state, and it is also the reason behind the stab wounds in my stomach. About the cut, I can't remember exactly when I got it- she added.
-How does your back feel?-Chopper asked.
-It hurts, but I don't think I have anything but bruises- Robin said.
-I'll check now if you don't mind.
-Go ahead- Robin turn to her didn't mind because that way her face was concealed. Chopper checked her contusions, and found that she had a neck sprain. She also had a lot of wounds and bruises all over her back, but one concerned Chopper the most.
-Do your ribs hurt?- asked Chopper.
-Yes, Doctor-san. I might have a few broken ribs as well.
-Enough- Nami said to cut the conversation- If you did know you were that hurt, then why didn't you let Chopper do his check before?- Nami was looking at her with anger, again. Robin turned her head to meet her crewmate's eyes. But this time, there was no anger in Robin's look. She seemed...ashamed? That was Nami's best guess. Robin sighted.
-Because -she stated calmly- you all were in a worse state than I was. It was a pretty logical decision, considering you went through all of that because of me- Robin now was having mixed feelings. Saying those words were so unfamiliar to her that it was simply difficult to do it.
-We're not injured because of you, Robin. We didn't go through all this because of you. We did it for you- Nami said, trying to conceal the anger in her voice.
Robin refused to answer. Meanwhile, Chopper was removing her bandages to check the stab wounds. The stitches were still in place, but there was something wrong.
-These wounds are starting to get infected. I will need to remove the stitches and clean them...-Chopper said.
-So...-interrupted Zoro- ...are you gonna tell us what's the matter with you?
-I thought you were asleep at this point- teased Robin- and, to be honest, I also thought you two were going to wait until Doctor-san did the whole time, Chopper was checking the remain parts of her body: her legs, her arms, etc.
-I was gonna wait, but I'm losing my patience with every word you say, woman- replied Zoro.
-Is that so? And may I ask you why is that?- Robin was curious about it. The swordsman usually lost his temper with Robin, but that was when she did an active effort to tease him. Now she was answering what they wanted to know, and Zoro seemed far more annoyed than at any other time.
-Because you're still avoiding the main issue-stated Zoro.
-I'm not. You wanted me to answer Doctor-san's questions, and that is exactly what I'm doing- Despite her instincts, Robin was truly making an effort to answer with the truth.
-But you're still avoiding to tell us not what you know, but what you feel Am I right, Nami?
Nami nodded. She was thinking exactly the same, but she didn't want to be the one to highlight that fact. In opposition to Zoro, she could tell Robin was trying to be honest, and she didn't want to put more pressure on her.
-Do you feel the same, Navigator-san?- Robin asked.
-Hum...yeah. I mean...I know you're making an effort...but...you know...-Nami was nervous. She was not able to be as straightforward with her friend as Zoro was.
Robin knew when she had been defeated. This was one of those times. She resigned herself as every other time in her life, with the difference that this time was not to a death situation. It was to something far more difficult and painful than death to her.
-Doctor-san, do you have the results of the check?- Robin asked.
-Yes. You have a head concussion, three mayor wounds, one on your head, two on your sides, two broken ribs, a neck sprain, a dislocated finger, and several minor bruises and injuries- Chopper sighted- I knew I should have checked you before. Now, the headache can be explained by the concussion and the lack of food. But you mentioned something about you teeth...- Chopper was hesitant.
-Yes. They hurt a lot. As I said before, even if they are all in the right place, I am not able to eat properly- Robin was trying one of her fake smiles. From all the things, the worst to recall was her desperate attempt to grab the end of the bridge with her own teeth, because that was the only way to clinging to life.
-Now- said Zoro- while Chopper treats you, you're gonna start from the beginning. Not the Umi Ressha part, but the one that is related to you current state. And we'll listen.
