-I'm sorry Robin, I need to start cleaning and stitching your wounds. It will hurt- Chopper said.
-It's okay, Doctor-san. I'll be fine- Robin was being sincere. Physical pain was something she was used to feel and get through without flinching. She was used to hide any sign of weakness from her opponents. And she certainly have had to deal with injuries far worse than the current ones by her own.
The real big deal was what Zoro was asking her. She was sure she was gonna break eventually. She knew that the beating Spandam had given her was so humiliating, that she wouldn't be able to hide her feelings. She was going to cry, a lot, and there was nothing she could do about it. Robin went back to bed and laid down on her back. While Chopper undid the previous stitches, she started.
-After arriving at Enies Lobby, me and Franky were carried by the CP9 agents to the Tower of Justice. The same four you had seen in Iceburg's mansion. That part was uneventful. But then, when we arrived there, we were called to Spandam's office...- Robin made a grimace of pain.
-Sorry- said Chopper, still stitching her wounds.
-When we entered there, Spandam started to brag about our capture. And he pissed Franky because he was the one that captured his mentor Tom. So Franky bit his head, still chained- a subtle smile was outlined in Robin's lips.
-Whoa, Franky is awesome!- interrupted Chopper.
-He's an idiot, but I guess that is impressive- replied Nami.
-Hm. And then?- asked Zoro.
-He got a beating- explained Robin- After that, Spandam explained that Aokiji told him I was heading to Water Seven, and allowed him to use the Buster Call just once- Robin's face was now showing pain. She closed her eyes, trying to hide her emotions- So I wondered out loud why would Aokiji give him that amount of power.
-He doesn't seem that stupid, that's true- said Nami.
-He's not- confirmed Robin- Anyway, it seems that my remark also pissed him a lot, so he punched me in the face- Robin's voice was trembling a bit. Getting attacked was not the problem, it was his words. The value of your damned existence would amount to nothing were if not for me. Robin was at the verge of tears. From now on, you will suffer so much pain, you'll wish for death countless times over. A single tear slipped down her cheek. I'll beat you, I'l use you, and I'll cast you into the sea. Your existence is that sinful. She wiped the tear out of her face, trying to compose herself to continue.
-Robin...-said Nami, unsure if she should comfort her friend or let her be.
Zoro knew that the physical threat was not the problem, but he decided to wait for Robin to explain. When she didn't, Zoro finally asked.
-What the hell did he told you?- Even with his eyes covered, all of them could feel the deadly aura that Zoro was emanating. Robin took a deep breath, a gesture almost unnoticeable for them, before going ahead with her explanation.
-Basically, that I should expect hell before dying- that was the only amount of detail she was able to give- Then, he told us that you were on the island, while kicking us a bit more. Afterwards, they took us outside to wait until the ship at the Gates of Justice was ready to leave.
Chopper was finishing with the major wounds, putting the bandages over them. Nami was listening, wondering what was Robin thinking. Zoro was impassive.
-Now I'm gonna immobilize you ribs- stated Chopper. Robin nodded.- I need you to tell me if you can lift your arms.
-I can't. But maybe if I put them in front of you is enough?- asked Robin.
-It is- said Chopper.
-So, what happened next?- asked Nami.
-Then Franky managed to get us to the roof with his...unusual methods- Robin was too proud to let them know that they got there thanks to Franky's puffed butt- Luffy was already there, and you all manage to meet him a few moments later, so you all know that part.
-And on the way to the Gates?- asked Zoro. Robin sighted again. She was trying to remember the details of that part. She could only recall the worst of it.
-Spandam and Lucci took me through the passage. Then Lucci stayed in a room to wait for Luffy, that was yelling my name somewhere. Spandam forced me to continue. The idiot panicked and...-Robin's eyes showed a hint of fear, but mostly a crippling anger- he activated the Buster Call by mistake.
-He...what? Really?- said Nami.
-How can someone that stupid be the chief of the CP9?- asked Chopper, angry himself.
-Idiots can be found everywhere- stated Zoro.
-And he also let the whole island listen about his ambitions. So I warned everyone in the island through the den-den mushi. That, again pissed him a lot, so he threw a blow that made me fell a few steps down the stairs. Since I knew you needed time, I start running down. And he used funk freed to stop me...- Robin was starting to reach the worst part, and she wasn't sure if she would manage to tell them- I got pinned to the stone wall. That is the reason behind the stab wounds, and the contusions in my back.
Nami made a grimace of pain, and Chopper was at the edge of tears, but tried his best to avoid crying. Zoro had the same serious expression than before. The three of them waited Robin to continue talking, but seconds passed and she wasn't speaking. Chopper finished putting the bandage in Robin's torso, so he broke the uncomfortable silence.
-I guess I should put your finger in place now, Robin...-said Chopper- Since you use your hands to fight, I need it to heal properly- He tried to conceal his own emotions by being professional- I'm sorry, this will hurt a moment- He finished.
-Don't worry, Doctor-san- Robin answered, extending her hand for Chopper to accommodate her finger. Chopper took her hand between his hooves, and gave Robin a brief look. She was staring at her hand absently, trying to made up her mind.
-You ready?- asked Chopper. Robin nodded. A brief crack sounded. Robin gasped, and Nami closed one eye at the uncomfortable view. Zoro waited until the movement needed to put Robin's finger in place was done to speak.
-You're still missing a part of the story- he stated.
-I know- Robin answered. She took her clothes and put them on. After she was completely dressed again, she took a deep breath before continuing.
