A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed on the last chapter! These thoughtful comments really keep me motivated to keep writing, so thanks and here's chapter 3!

Warning: More angst, Luffy sadness :( and swearing. (also OOC)

Chapter 3: Depressed

Luffy was vaguely aware of movement and arms wrapped securely around him. The tightness of the grip was actually hurting, and Luffy was sure that the pain was the only thing keeping him conscious at the moment.

He was tired. And right now, Luffy just wanted to take a nap and go to sleep. He felt his eyelids drift to a close, but a harsh shaking made them open again. He looked up into the slightly familiar face of his new friend. Luffy saw how Zoro's mouth was moving, but there was only silence in his ears. Still tired, Luffy tried closing his eyes again, only to be shaken once more. Luffy was getting tired of this, and when he began to focus, his senses slowly returned.

"...ffy. Luffy, can you hear me?" A panicked voice met his ears, gradually increasing in volume.

Luffy tried opening his mouth, but the words stuck in his throat. What could he say to Zoro right now to calm him down? He began to shut his eyes, too tired to think. Maybe a quick nap would help...

"No! Don't sleep now, Luffy!" The worried voice spoke again, and Luffy let out a sigh.

He tilted his head slightly, to see the hallways of his new school flash by him. Quickly regretting his decision to observe his surroundings, Luffy turned back to Zoro. Zoro was still gazing down at him, eyebrows furrowed and a tight frown set on his lips. He clutched him harder, and Luffy's eyes widened as he felt his rib move the wrong way.

This time he forced his vocal cords to work. "Let... me... down..." he wheezed out.

Zoro gave him a confused look. "What? No, I'm taking you to the nurse's office."

"No!" Luffy suddenly shouted an sat up quickly in Zoro's arms, who fumbled to keep his grip on the boy. What the hell was I thinking earlier? The nurse won't help, and they'll see the marks!

"Woah! Watch it! I think you're hurt and I don't want you moving too much." Zoro regained his hold of Luffy and continued speed walking down the conveniently empty halls.

Luffy took a deep breath, trying to calm himself as he willed his mouth to keep moving. "I said, put me down. I'm fine, really."

Zoro's look of confusion changed to uncertainty. His pace slowed down until he was at a standstill. "Are you sure?"

Nodding, Luffy tried to ignore the massive headache that came from all the movement. "Yes. Now please, put me down."

Zoro, still a little unsure, hesitantly slid Luffy down until his feet were firmly resting on the tiled floor. Zoro's right arm remained wrapped around Luffy's lithe shoulders for support. Luffy painfully moved his bony hand to rest atop Zoro's arm. "I'm fine." At the words, Zoro let his arm drop back to his side. Luffy took another deep breath with Zoro watching his every movement like a hawk. "I'm fine," he repeated, more to himself that anything, "just a little tired."

"If you were just tired, then you wouldn't have been in the bathroom literally puking your guts up." Zoro narrowed his emerald eyes in concern.

Luffy managed a small smile and put it in place. "And maybe a little sick," he chuckled, but the laughter was hurting his chest so he soon stopped. Luffy coughed and blinked, trying to take control back of his body. The whole situation had made him depressed, and he didn't want Zoro to see this side of him so soon into their friendship. Shaking his head, Luffy ignored the searing pain throughout his body and found his smile once more. "But I'm better now." The words were stronger than they previously had been, so Zoro relaxed a little.

"Well, alright... if you don't want to go to the nurse then you don't have to. I just don't want you being sick like this again."

Luffy turned to Zoro, a true smile in place. From his words, Luffy could tell that Zoro was honestly worried about him. The thought made Luffy happy, bringing forth a rare, real smile. "Thanks anyways, Zoro."

Zoro turned away abruptly, but Luffy still caught the faint colour of pink on his cheeks. "Yeah, well, if you're better then I'm going back to class. You coming?"

Though Zoro couldn't see it with his back turned, Luffy nodded. "Yep! Lead the way." Luffy tailed after Zoro on unsteady feet, glad that the taller man was a little way ahead so he wouldn't be able to see Luffy's staggering steps.

As Luffy made his way down the hall, he could feel the bile rise up in his throat. But he ignored it, for he knew that he had nothing left in his stomach. Luffy tapped his chin in thought, trying to remember the last time he'd eaten. Today's Monday... so last Wednesday? He thought back to earlier that morning, when he'd been so close to eating those eggs. But gramps didn't give him a chance. He never does, Luffy frowned bitterly.

Zoro glanced back at Luffy, who quickly let a grin replace the frown. "You sure you're alright?" Zoro asked for final confirmation.

"Yes, yes. Thanks for the concern, but I feel great!" Luffy forced his voice to come out strong, which it thankfully did. He almost hated himself for lying through his teeth like this, but he couldn't help it. After all, Luffy really didn't want to move away. Again.

Once Zoro faced front, Luffy let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Come on, Luffy. Still gotta make it through the rest of the school day. And then work. He frowned again, remembering that his first day at this school was far from over.

Zoro and Luffy kept on walking until they reached the locker room, and decided to skip the rest of P.E. while they waited for their classmates in the empty gym. Since they had some spare time, the two changed back into their school uniforms and Luffy, of course, said he had to use the restroom and just switched clothes in there. Now gym had ended and lunch was next.

A worried Usopp came in quickly after the third period bell rang, and soon found the pale Luffy. He decided to voice his concern for their new friend. "Luffy? You okay? You don't look too good."

To which Luffy responded with a bright, fooling smile. "Yep! Better than ever! Hey, I never did hear how you handled the bear cubs from your story."

Usopp then got off track as he was reminded of the tale he made up earlier, while Zoro rolled his eyes. Luffy listened with interest as he, Usopp, and Zoro made their way into the cafeteria. The lunch room was already filled with students who had gotten out of class a little early, and Luffy eyed their lunches enviously.

He tuned out Usopp's lie of a story and focused in on the lunch boxes and the smell of food in the air. Yes, it had been almost a week since he'd last eaten. So Luffy was somewhat starving. But after recalling that night, Luffy was feeling sick even thinking about eating. Just the thought of stuffing his face seemed revolting. Luffy felt a ghost of a smile form on his lips.

"Hey, Luffy! Are you listening to me?"

Luffy blinked to realization and stared at his two friends. Both Zoro and Usopp held worried expressions. "Yeah, of course I'm listening," Luffy replied with a dumb and forced smile.

Usopp nodded and continued on with his pointless and never ending story, while Zoro remained staring at Luffy. Zoro frowned. He knew something was wrong with Luffy, he just didn't know what.

As Luffy's mind wandered again, and he found himself tired. When was the last time that he'd had a good night's rest? A decent night where he had slept a full eight hours? It's been way too long. Luffy sighed as the three made their way over to join Sanji, Nami, and Vivi who were already sitting and eating. Luffy exchanged friendly greetings with the others, but each time he spoke and forced himself to be happy, he felt a little more depressed on the inside.

"Hey, Luffy? Where's your lunch?"

Usopp's comment brought Luffy back out of his daze.

"Huh? What?"

Usopp rolled his eyes at his new friend. "Your lunch. Where is it?"

By now the two had the whole table's attention as things quieted down and they all turned to him. "If you forgot it, then you can just buy one," Nami suggested.

"An excellent idea, Nami-swan!" Sanji cheered.

Luffy smiled and tried to play it off as nothing. "Yeah, I forgot it. And I don't have any money to buy a lunch." Zoro frowned, seeming to think the boy was lying. Luffy gulped and tried to avoid Zoro's gaze as his green-haired friend watched him with intimidating emerald orbs.

"Don't worry, you can have some of my lunch. My mom packed extra!" Usopp moved his lunchbox between the two, smiling cheerily. The rest of the table relaxed and continued on with their earlier conversations.

Luffy's eyes widened as the food approached him. Earlier that morning, he was actually hungry, but now he only felt tired. And also like he was going to be sick again. "T-that's okay, Usopp. I don't ever eat lunch anyways." Luffy smiled worriedly as his new friends turned back to him.

"Luffy-san, I really think you should eat," Vivi spoke up with clear concern in her ocean eyes.

Crap! I said the wrong thing! Luffy thought nervously as the whole table gave him their attention.

Sanji nodded, "No one goes hungry while I'm around." Luffy wondered what the blonde mean about that statement, but at the moment, he had more important things to worry about. Like how his new friends were trying to get him to eat and how Luffy felt sick to his stomach.

"Yeah, go ahead Luffy. Have some," Usopp pushed his lunch closer to Luffy, who eyed the food wearily.

Meanwhile Zoro was watching the entire scene play out, taking note on how Luffy was rejecting Usopp's lunch. Is he really not hungry? Or is there some more serious problem that I'm just not noticing?

"Um, well... okay, if you say so." Luffy hesitantly grabbed half of the sandwich from Usopp's lunch box. "Thanks," he murmured as the group nodded and went on talking.

Zoro brought to his attention how to Luffy didn't actually eat the sandwich, and just held it. Why won't he eat it? Zoro frowned in thought and rested his head on his palm, now clearly showing his staring.

"Oi, marimo! Why the hell are you looking at Luffy like that? It's fucking creepy," Sanji commented with a sneer.

"Fuck off, dartboard-brow," Zoro replied immediately, forcibly tearing his eyes away from Luffy to glare at the blonde.

As Sanji and Zoro ensued in a fight, Luffy sighed with relief. He knew that Zoro was watching his every move, and it was starting to panic him. I hope Zoro doesn't catch on, Luffy thought as he slowly brought the sandwich to his mouth and took a tiny nibble. Luffy tried eating, he really did, but as soon as he took a bite, he felt like throwing up all over again. But he forced the mouthful down, knowing it would help ease off suspicion with his friends.

Zoro turned away from the annoying blonde and saw how Luffy had eaten some of his sandwich. That's good. Zoro felt relieved for the teen.

"Hey moss-head! I wasn't finished talking to you!" Sanji yelled angrily.

"Neither was I!" Zoro growled back.

"ENOUGH!" Nami screamed as she grabbed the pair by their shirt collars and smashed their heads against each other. "Dammit! You two always piss me off with all your arguing," Nami huffed at them, even though Zoro and Sanji had passed out from the impact. Both teens were now lying slumped over on the table and floor.

"Nami, please calm down," Vivi soothed, though you could tell that she too was slightly scared by their redheaded friend.

"Yeah Nami, chill. You're really freaking out Luffy," Usopp said worriedly as he glanced at the small raven haired boy. All eyes turned to Luffy as he sat visibly trembling with his knees brought up to his chest and his arms wrapped tightly around them. His head was resting on his knees, so no one could see his face.

"Luffy? Are you okay?" Usopp reached out hesitantly and rested his hand on the smaller's shaking shoulder. In response, Luffy flinched from the light touch.

"Gomen ne, Luffy. I didn't mean to frighten you." Nami moved to the other side of the table and sat down next to him. "Those two always argue, so I always make them stop. Sorry about that." As Nami finished, she wrapped her arms around Luffy's small frame and pulled him into a soft hug. Her eyes widened and her expression changed to fear as she actually felt his slim frame. Holy shit! Why is he so small? This can't possibly be normal, or good for him in that matter!

"Ow."

Luffy's barely there comment brought Nami back to the present as she realized that she was hurting Luffy with the hug. But I wasn't even squeezing him that tight! "Oops! Sorry Luffy. You were just so tiny that I didn't know you got hurt that easily."

Zoro had observed everything while pretending to be unconscious, face turned on the table to watch his classmates. I guess I'm not the only one that thinks something is wrong with Luffy now, Zoro deducted from the horrified expression on Nami's face moments before.

"It's okay, just don't do that too hard again." Zoro could hear the adorable pout in Luffy's voice. Zoro sat back up in his seat, deciding that he had 'played dead' long enough.

"And see! Zoro and Sanji aren't even hurt." Nami smiled sweetly at Luffy, who giggled.

"Are you okay, Zoro?" Luffy glanced at his green-haired friend.

Zoro scoffed. "It'll take more than that to hurt me." He was going to say more but was silenced with a glare from Nami.

Once Sanji got up from his position on the floor, their lunch table returned to normal. Everyone was eating again –minus Luffy– and everyone was talking and laughing. Zoro was still watching Luffy, more discreetly this time so as not to attract attention from the annoying swirly brow, but Luffy was back to being his loud, smiling self as he had been earlier that morning. After a few more minutes of observation, Zoro decided that Luffy was okay. For now.

Soon the bell rang, signaling the end of the sophomore's lunch, and everyone reluctantly got up from the table. When he thought that no one was looking, Luffy tossed the rest of his uneaten sandwich in the trash. Zoro missed it, as he already started heading to his next class.

"Come on, Luffy! Time to go to biology!" Usopp yelled as he grabbed Luffy's wrist and yanked the smaller down the hall.

"Usopp, Luffy, wait for me!" Nami called as she ran to catch up with the two. "Sheesh, you should at least wait so we can all walk to class together." I need Luffy to stay in my sight so I can keep an eye on him.

"Sorry Nami! Just thought I'd get Luffy to class early so we can get some good seats." Usopp said as the three continued on walking to their fourth period biology class.

They soon reached their next class, and Nami noticed the paled expression on Luffy's face once he had caught sight of their teacher. Luffy stared with wide eyes at their sensei, who was sitting at his desk and calmly reading a book. Why does he look so scared? Nami glanced at their teacher, and while he was a little creepy, he wasn't that scary. So why is Luffy acting like this? Nami frowned and turned back to her little raven-haired friend, who was no visibly shaking. His dark eyes were as round as full moons, and a bead of sweat ran down Luffy's temple. Nami swore that if this went on any longer he'd faint.

"Luffy."

Said boy turned to her at the call of his name. As Luffy looked into the calming light brown eyes of Nami, he took a few deep breaths to steady himself. And it worked. I guess seeing our teacher made Luffy afraid... but of what?

Ω Ω Ω

Law-sensei glanced up from his anatomy book at the arrival of some of his students. Oh, just Nami and Usopp. And...? Is that the transfer student? Law let his coal gaze rest upon the smaller-than-average boy, who was staring back with dark, wide eyes. Law furrowed his brows. What's this kid's problem? But instead of being irritated at his new student's behaviour, Law found himself worried.

Being a biology teacher, Law not only had a passion for science, but also for psychology. And from reading several books about abnormal psychology, he knew that this wasn't a common reaction for meeting someone. Perhaps I remind him of someone unfavorable from his past? Law questioned himself, but right now, he had to do something to stop this ridiculous staring contest.

He let a gentle smile creep across his face, so as not to frighten the boy any more than he unknowingly had. "Hello, I'm Law-sensei, nice to meet you." Although his words were soft and kind, the kid flinched from the deep voice.

Despite his own discomfort, the new student politely bowed. "Uhm... I'm Luffy."

Law nodded, although he had already figured out the boy's name. He used this moment to analyze Luffy, taking in the entire appearance. He's short, lightweight, and has a scar...? Law focused in on the small cut under Luffy's left eye, noting from the scab that it was still healing. Endless possibilities popped into his head on how that could've gotten there, but Law would never really find out unless he asked to boy directly. So that's what he decided to do. "Where did you get that scar?"

Luffy visibly flinched, as if this mark brought up some unpleasant memories. "I uh..." Luffy glanced to Usopp and Nami for support, but the two just shrugged.

So they don't know where he got it yet?

"I... tripped?"

Law wanted to facepalm. This kid was such a bad liar, that he had even ended his statement with a questioned tone. But Law forced himself to keep a neutral facial expression. "You tripped? I see. Be more careful."

Luffy nodded and moved with his friends to go sit down. Law watched the small teen's posture the entire time, noticing how he had relaxed the further he got away from Law. Interesting... I think that I just found a new subject to study.