Thank you as always for your patience.


Dark Truth

Chapter 13: Unconventional Medicine


"Can you lift your arms?"

Luffy obeyed the gentle request without protest and raised his arms into the air. Chopper moved closer to unwrap the bandages from around his torso. He didn't miss how his captain's body tensed at his approach, nor did he let on that he'd noticed. He'd seen for himself earlier how normalcy had brought Luffy a little closer to them again and though his heart was still heavy with guilt he persevered with focus on Luffy's injuries to distract himself from his own emotions. Now was the time to be a doctor, not a friend.

Ace stood beside Luffy and watched, quietly disturbed as each layer of bandage was carefully peeled away to reveal a rainbow of bruises, scabs and burns. It seemed with each strip of gauze a new injury was revealed on Luffy's battered body.

Chopper worked diligently as he cut away the final, thick layer of bandages to reveal a hideous wound stitched closed over Luffy's heart. Ace couldn't help but gape, a look of shock and horror plastered across his face. Though he'd watched Luffy's wounds get redressed the night before hehadn't seen this one. Luffy watched him carefully, studying his reaction with uncertainty lingering in his.

"It's healing well." Chopper said, as he too noticed Ace's gaze.

Ace turned to him, shocked to see a genuine smile on the small doctor's face. It disturbed him to see it there. If the state of this wound now had Chopper pleased then how did it look when it was inflicted? Chopper saw Ace's disturbed look but said nothing more on the matter as he wiped down the inflamed skin around the injury swiftly and tenderly. He felt Luffy's tension slowly melt away as the minutes passed by and smiled to himself, quietly pleased. They'd come so far in such a short time. A few days ago Luffy couldn't stand to be this close to any of them and now he was slowly relaxing under his care. It gave a sense of pride to the small doctor.

Chopper worked more carefully as he wiped over the ugly wound on Luffy's chest.

"Does that hurt?" he asked, distractedly.

"…no."

Chopper paused, swallowed and with great difficulty, continued his work as though he hadn't heard his captain's quiet voice – because that didn't make him happy at all damn it!

"G… Good!" he stuttered out as he blinked back happy tears.

Chopper continued to work on the wounds until he was satisfied they were clean and treated to his standards. It was a huge relief to see Luffy finally calm enough to be treated properly. Just days ago he'd been forced to give him sedatives whenever his injuries required treatment. Chopper's heart felt lighter than it had in a long time.

"Okay, Luffy!" he chirped as he leaned back and surveyed his work. "All done!"

A sudden weight on his head made Chopper pause and he looked up at Luffy's outstretched arm, the hand resting atop Chopper's hat. Luffy gazed down at his doctor before he patted the pink hat affectionately and pushed himself off the cot and to his feet.

"Thanks, Chopper." He muttered as he walked by the tearful reindeer and departed with a final pat.

"T…That doesn't m-make me happy at a-all!" Chopper sobbed as happy tears soaked his fur and a blush tinted the skin underneath. As an afterthought he called to Luffy. "Get p-plenty of rest!"

"Mm." Luffy replied wordlessly with a nod. He lingered in the doorway a moment and Ace pushed away from the wall he'd been leaning on to follow after him. Chopper watched and sniffled quietly as the two brothers left. In the moment he couldn't help but be reminded of Zoro and the bond the swordsman shared with Luffy. On that thought the giddiness from earlier returned and unleashed a thousand butterflies into his furry tummy. He dashed from the infirmary towards to the galley to share his exciting new with the crew – Luffy had spoken to him!

Luffy eased himself down into his bed with a quiet groan as his body protested his earlier stillness. He released a heavy sigh of exhaustion and lifted an arm to cover his face. Ace settled on the side of the bed and watched him, pride shining in his eyes.

"You did well, little brother." He praised, softly. "It must have been hard."

Luffy grunted a noncommittal response.

"You're probably tired." Ace continued as he stood to turn out the lights. He paused when he felt a tug on his shorts and looked back to find Luffy's fingers enclosed around the fabric. Luffy was propped up on one arm, eyes shining with uncertainty.

"Stay," he whispered, voice quivering with emotion. "Don't go…"

Ace smiled fondly back at him. He lifted his own arm and bopped his closed fist down lightly on Luffy's head. Luffy winced slightly and Ace smirked when he saw the beginnings of a pout.

"Idiot," he chided softly. "I was just turning out the lights."

Luffy visibly relaxed at the explanation but didn't release his hold on Ace's shorts. They lingered a few moments like that before Ace finally relented to Luffy's pleading look and resumed his seat at the edge of Luffy's bed. The lights could wait; perhaps they'd keep Luffy's demons from his dreams.

"Get some rest, little brother." He said. "I'm not going anywhere."

Luffy seemed satisfied with his answer and reluctantly surrendered himself to sleep, though his fingers remained closed around the fabric of his brother's shorts long after dreams had taken him.


The possessed Straw hats leered down at the panting, sweating boy at their feet. They stood in a circle around their exhausted captain and marvelled at their work. Multiple burns marred his body from Nami's and Usopp's attacks; parts of his skin were charred black and he coughed weakly against the chemicals in Usopp's pellets. Blood dribbled from countless slashes and gashes littered over his battered body. The thick liquid lazily tracked across pale skin to stain the galley floor. Breathing had started to become a chore a little while ago as his neck had swollen from the constant constriction of the noose, which had also left a nasty rope burn around his throat.

They'd given him another drug; something that made his mind all fuzzy and foggy. He couldn't really understand what they were saying… who were they again? The injured boy blinked groggily as he strained to comprehend what was happening. He narrowed his eyes and struggled to focus on the blurry figures that hovered over him. Was this a dream? Funny, they'd never hurt before…

They were talking, asking questions again and he gave the same answer he'd given for what seemed like hours now. He couldn't even hear what they were saying but he just kept giving the same answer.

"My nakama will come for me…" he wheezed as his head swam and the room tilted back and forth around him. "They'll help me… they'll come."

His voice was weak and his throat burned, but his spirit was strong. He knew his nakama would come for him when they realised he was in trouble. They'd help him get away from these people, whoever they were, and then they could go on to the next island. Chopper would probably fuss for a while about his injuries but that was fine. He knew his nakama would come, he couldn't even remember why they were coming, but they were, and that's all that mattered, because he knew he could count on them to get him out of the messes he got himself into.

He was yanked roughly from his thoughts as a strong hand ripped at his hair and pulled him to face his captor.

"We are your nakama, fool!" Zoro hissed, smirking cruelly into his captain's face.

Luffy's eyes widened and somewhere inside of him he knew it wasn't true, but right now the only thing he could feel was panic. His Nakama were right here. They'd done this to him! Why? Why?! His mind couldn't find the answers. Where was he? Why was he here? Why were they doing this? The crew above him smirked and readied their weapons.

Why are they hurting me? It was Luffy's last though before darkness came to claim him.


Luffy jerked awake with a strangled gasp. His chest heaved and his eyes darted blindly, fearfully about the dark room. Slowly, as they adjusted to the blackness around him and his ragged breathing eased, he could hear the mingled snoring of his crewmates asleep in their beds. It was late, he realised, as he waited anxiously for the strangling tendrils of the nightmare still wrapped tightly around his beating heart to release their hold. Everybody was asleep, including his brother whose hand he held clasped in his own. At some point Ace had shifted from the bed to the floor and replaced Luffy's hold on his shorts to his hand. He didn't rouse from his slumber as Luffy released his tight grip and eased Ace's hand back down to the floor. Luffy was grateful. He didn't want his brother to see him like this; he wasn't a child anymore.

"Another nightmare?"

The quiet voice startled Luffy and his body twisted to face its owner. Zoro gazed back at him sleepily. He saw the swordsman look him over briefly before he climbed from his bed and motioned with a nod of his head for Luffy to follow as he left the cabin. Luffy lingered uncertainly for a moment before he too crept from the room. Zoro waited for him outside and when Luffy emerged he led his captain to the galley.

Luffy fidgeted nervously as they entered. His eyes wandered to the faded blood stain on the floor. It had been scrubbed rigorously but the remnants of the crimson liquid still remained in patchy stains. Zoro either didn't notice or chose not to show he did as he made his way to the food storage and began rummaging around.

"Found it!" he proclaimed and smirked as he held up two sake bottle triumphantly with a smirk.

Luffy didn't give any outward reaction to his statement but Zoro didn't seem bothered as he retrieved a candle from one of the drawers and lit it. He moved towards the closest wall and eased himself down to the floor, casting Luffy an expectant look. Luffy hesitated once again, still unnerved by the nightmare. Zoro seemed unfazed though and instead turned his attention to the first sake bottle as he opened it and took a swig. Luffy watched him for a few moments longer before he mustered up his courage and moved to join him. Zoro smirked up at him quietly pleased and patted the spot beside him, inviting Luffy to join him on the floor. Luffy slid down the wall with a quiet grunt of pain as his fresh stitches ached. He was quietly glad for their location though. Lately sitting at the table in their awkward and tense silences felt more like torture. Sitting beside Zoro now he still felt a bubble of anxiety, but it felt normal.

With his captain now under the candlelight, Zoro could see the faint tremble of his body. He didn't know whether it was nerves from sitting close as they were or remnants of adrenaline from the nightmare, but he didn't make it a point to show he'd noticed. The sweat that had coated Luffy's skin when he'd woken was now dry and sticky. Zoro wordlessly pushed himself to his feet and fetched a wet cloth so Luffy could wipe his face. The young captain took it gratefully and scrubbed it over his sticky skin. When he pulled the cloth from his eyes he blinked at the sight of Zoro offering him the open bottle of sake with a mischievous grin. It was half empty, Luffy noticed, as he took it from his first mate. He didn't often drink, usually only after battles and adventures, but when he did he preferred Sanji's special cocktail rum. As he stared from Zoro to the bottle and back again though, he shrugged and tipped it to his lips, swallowing a mouthful before offering it back. Zoro chuckled as Luffy pulled a face at the taste and took another swig himself.

"This is all pretty fucked up, eh?" he commented as he leaned back against the wall.

Luffy nodded and leaned his own head back against the wall. He heard Zoro take another gulp and held out his hand for the bottle. Zoro relinquished it with an amused smirk and watched as Luffy drank. He was quietly glad Luffy had decided to join him; he'd sleep better with a half decent drink warming his belly.

The two sat in companionable silence as they worked their way through the two bottles of sake. Any other time would have seen Zoro polish both bottles off effortlessly in no time before he sauntered back to bed, but he made certain to slow his pace so that Luffy would have a generous enough helping. He didn't plan to get the kid drunk; Luffy was in enough pain as it was without a hangover. He figured a bit of sake would ease his aches and relax his mind enough to get a decent sleep.

"This," Zoro said, as he reached over and gently rapped his knuckles against Luffy's bandaged chest. "My handiwork?"

Luffy looked down at his chest and then back to Zoro, his gaze thoughtful as though considering his answer. Zoro was pleased to see no change in Luffy's demeanour though; he still seemed fairly relaxed despite the intrusive question. Finally Luffy inclined his head slightly in a nod. It was an answer Zoro didn't really need to hear. He knew his blades and he knew their work. His suspicions were raised the moment he'd seen the horrible injury the first time, but until now he'd uncharacteristically ignored his instincts and the nagging feeling that whispered the truth into the back of his brain where he'd refused to listen. He didn't need to hear it from Luffy to know he'd dealt his captain the injury that had almost cost him his life, but he felt the subject needed to be breeched and he wasn't the type of man to tiptoe around a problem.

Luffy watched Zoro's reaction, his eyes shimmering in the flickering candlelight. He could tell Zoro had expected the answer he'd given and yet the swordsman couldn't hide the flash of guilt and hurt at Luffy's silent confirmation. He felt oddly calm and silently thanked Zoro for the shared booze. He had no doubt the light anxious flutter of his heart in his chest would be much worse if he hadn't had his share of the sake.

"I thought so." Zoro finally said as his eyes wandered to the floorboards and studied them with an unfocussed gaze, lost in thought. Though he'd been prepared for the truth he couldn't deny it still felt unreal.

Luffy watched Zoro slowly soak the information in. He often saw emotion in the man's eyes where others saw none and though the man's face was stony and cold, Luffy could see the raw hurt that shone in his eyes. Gingerly, awkwardly, he shuffled closer and closed the gap between them. Zoro turned to him, surprised by the action. Luffy ignored the nervous stammer of his heart and reached up. Rough fingers gripped battered straw as Luffy did the only thing he could think to. He plopped his precious hat onto his first mates head and leaned his own rubbery noggin on Zoro's meaty shoulder. Deep down, he knew the truth. It wasn't Zoro; he wouldn't never betray him like that.

It wasn't Zoro…

"What?" Zoro asked, his voice barely more than a mumble.

Luffy's brow furrowed as he realised he'd spoken his thoughts aloud. He tipped his head up and almost, almost laughed at the uncharacteristic owlish look Zoro was sporting. The gentle upwards lift to Luffy's lips did more for the swordsman than words ever could, though he didn't deny it was a pretty damn good feeling to hear Luffy's voice again.

"Not me, huh?" he replied with a smirk. "You already told me it was, you know."

"Mm," Luffy noised as he shook his head from side to side awkwardly against Zoro's shoulder. "It was Zoro's body, and Zoro's swords," he paused a moment to consider his words and swallow back the scratchy feeling in his throat. Annoyance sparked to life as he couldn't find the right words to convey what he wanted to say and finally, he settled on, "But it wasn't Zoro."

Zoro met his gaze briefly before he leaned back against the wall again, careful not to damage the prized straw hat that sat proudly on his head. Luffy didn't say it in so many words, but its presence there meant only one thing. He trusted him again, even if only a little.

"Yeah, I get it." Zoro finally conceded with a soft smile.

Luffy seemed satisfied with the response and the two resumed their companionable silence interrupted only by the creaky lullaby of the Sunny as she bobbed on the waves. Luffy yawned widely and pushed himself away from Zoro as he shook his head lightly. The sake had started to leak into his brain; it made his limbs heavy and his head foggy. He didn't even hear Sanji come in. It was only Zoro's change in expression that alerted him to the fact they were no longer alone.

"Got a problem, shitty cook?" Zoro challenged.

At first Sanji didn't reply, clad in only his trousers. He'd fallen asleep reading and had woken just a few moments earlier to use the bathroom, only to notice the lack of captain and first mate upon his return. It wasn't that he didn't trust Zoro with Luffy, but after all they'd heard the day before he wasn't about to take any chances. Now he felt a mix of irritation and relief. His concern had been unfounded and here the two idiots sat with the remains of two sake bottles between them looking like a pair of kids caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Admittedly, Zoro seemed more annoyed at his interruption than guilty. Sanji swiped a hand over his face and chewed his lip with an agitated sigh. He'd kill for a cigarette right now. Instead he opted for the next best thing; he sauntered over to the guilty pair, lowered himself down to sit opposite them, and snatched the remains of the bottle they'd been sharing and took a swig. Well, if you can't beat 'em…

"The hell are you two doing in here?" he grumbled before he took another drink to chase away the ebbing adrenaline that had been building ever since he'd found his crewmates missing from their beds.

"None of your business, Dart-brow."

"Che. It's my business when you're in my kitchen drinking my alcohol, Marimo!"

Luffy watched silently as Zoro and Sanji tossed insults back and forth and slowly became more and more aggressive. Oddly, the aggression didn't frighten him; instead he felt a quiet elation. He hadn't seen them act like this since forever! It had absolutely nothing to do with the sake in his belly right now that was making him feel a little giddy and dizzy.

Sanji paused mid-insult as he noticed Luffy lift a hand shakily to his head. A brief glance of his captain in the candlelight shifted the cook's attention to Luffy completely as he noticed a light rosy tint to his cheeks. The last thing they needed was Luffy's fever returning.

"Oi, you feeling alright, Luffy?" he asked and without thinking he lifted his hand, pressing the back to Luffy's forehead to check his temperature. He realised his mistake too late but was surprised to see a lack of reaction from Luffy. The rubber man merely lifted his eyes to stare at the intrusive limb in a sleepy, curious way. Sanji pulled his hand back a few seconds later, satisfied Luffy's fever hadn't returned. Then it dawned on him as he scrutinised the slightly unfocussed expression on Luffy's face just what the problem was and his head snapped around to roar accusingly at Zoro, "You got him drunk!"

"Ehh?!" Zoro noised back, shocked at the sudden outburst. "He's not drunk!"

"Like hell he isn't!" Sanji snapped, "What kind of idiot are you?! If Chopper doesn't kill you in the morning, Nami-san will!"

"He's not drunk!" Zoro insisted, hackles raised at Sanji's warning. "He's just had a drink to help him sleep!"

"Did you bother to check how the alcohol might be affected by whatever drugs Chopper's got him on?!" Sanji spat back as he rubbed his temples. Zoro opened his mouth to fire back a retort but found himself unusually empty on ammunition. He hadn't really considered that and Luffy did look pretty spaced out now. His lack of response was enough of an answer for Sanji and resigned he muttered, "You idiot."

Zoro's cheeks burned and he turned his face away stubbornly. "It's not like he's had a lot." He grumbled.

"He's had enough." Sanji muttered back as he pushed himself to his feet and went to fetch a glass of water. "We should get him back to bed before…" Sanji paused then and his head canted gently to the side as he walked back and crouched before Luffy. The kid was grinning like an idiot in that perfectly annoying way he always did. "And just what are you so happy about, eh?" Sanji asked as he held out the water and offered it to Luffy.

Luffy laughed softly and took it without question. He looked from Sanji to Zoro affectionately and Sanji couldn't help but smile back.

"Something funny?" Sanji asked, softer this time, amused by Luffy's good humour.

Luffy shook his head from side to side as his grin widened.

"This is my Sanji," he said as he reached out with his free hand and pressed his palm to Sanji's chest. "And my Zoro."

His voice was softer than Sanji remembered and for a few seconds all he could do was stare at his delighted captain. He finally shook off the shock and looked at Zoro, who wore a smug smirk. Sanji could deduce he'd already spoken to Luffy in whatever time they'd spent together before he'd arrived. It struck him that what Luffy had said was true. This was the most normal he'd felt in weeks and knowing what he now knew, he could truly see that all their tiptoeing around Luffy had only dealt him more harm. How could he learn to trust his crew if they didn't act like his crew? Sanji was really beginning to understand the direction he should take now. He hesitated briefly to consider his options before his shock dissolved into a pleased smirk. "Idiot." He chastised gently. "We've always been 'yours'. Drink your water so you're not sick in the morning."

Luffy nodded, tipped the glass back and downed the contents. Sanji took the glass from him and Zoro took the wordless cue to climb to his feet. He offered Luffy his hand and was glad when the boy took it. Luffy stumbled dizzily for a second or two before he shook off the head rush caused by the sudden motion.

"Zoro, Sanji." Luffy called, softly as he steadied himself against the wall. His suddenly serious expression sobered the giddy mood and the two men braced themselves for whatever their young captain would tell them. Luffy stared at them evenly and said in a slightly surprised tone, "I think I'm drunk."

Zoro gaped and Sanji smacked his palm to his forehead in exasperation. They were going to be so dead in the morning.

"Let's get you to bed, Captain." Sanji sighed as the trio began their awkward stumble/walk back to the boy's cabin.

By the time they finally had Luffy tucked up in bed and sleeping soundly the first cries of the seabirds sounded. It was almost dawn. Zoro and Sanji continued a whispered/muttered argument over whose fault it was that this had happened (Sanji was definitely to blame since he bought the sake, by Zoro's reasoning.). Luffy dozed on in a blissfully dreamless sleep.