Claiming Waters

Chapter 13: Truth Behind The Lies

Luffy's POV:

Something didn't feel right, I was agitated, my body twitched like it was ready to sprint. (reader), something is wrong with (reader) my brain nagged me.

"If we want to get to the treasure first then we're going to need Franky to blast open the lock, is he still working on the jets?" Nami asked.

"I think so, when I spoke to him earlier, he said he'd be busy till sunset," Robin replied. They continued talking, I drowned out their words. Something bad was happening to (reader), I could just sense it.

"Luffy what's wrong?" Nami asked, I hesitated to respond "I get you wanna go see (reader), but she has to wait, we're almost done," Nami said.

"No, you don't get it, something is off. (reader) is in trouble" I said swimming towards the window. 

"Luffy wait!" Nami called. 

Zoro stopped me, grabbing my shoulder. "I'm coming with you" I nodded. 

We dashed off, heading for (reader)'s ship. I didn't slow down, my only concern was (reader) safety.

I was right, something was terribly wrong, (reader)'s boat was gone. The seaweed rope had been cut and the gray oval no longer sat in the water. 

I panicked, "I smell blood," Zoro said. Wait, I could smell it too. "Come on," Zoro said, swimming in the direction of the scent. 

Red appeared in the distance, it was a discolouration in the water. We swam closer, blood. (reader)'s blood. The red water surrounded the boat. I couldn't believe my eyes. Swimming to the ship, I flung myself out of the water. 

"(Reader)!" I gasped at the horror. She laid motionless on the ship, she was almost naked, with cloth wrapped around her leg, blood soaking the fabric, a shark's body was dead on the deck next to her. Zoro and I lifted ourselves out of the water and onto the deck.

"(Reader)! Wake up!" I cupped her face, but her eyes remained closed. Zoro grabbed her wrist, looking for a pulse. 

"she's still alive...but she's fading fast", he said. 

"We need to take her to Chopper!" I said, frantically grabbing her limp body in my arms. I was about to jump off the boat before Zoro stopped. 

He held my shoulder, "Luffy don't be stupid, she can't breathe underwater remember!?" Zoro said. 

"You stay here with (reader), I'll get Chopper" I frowned but nodded, "hurry!" I said before he disappeared under the water.

I cradled her body in my arms, she felt cold. I pressed my forehead against hers, 

"I'm so sorry (reader), I knew something was wrong, I should have never left you alone". (Reader)'s face contorted in pain, I brushed her hair away from her face. 

"Shh... it's going to be okay, you're going to be fine, Chopper will be here any minute", her face relaxed, she seemed to cuddle into my body, looking for warmth. 

"After today, I'm going to make sure we're never apart again" I squeezed her hand in mine. The blood continued to seep through the cloth, dyeing the shallow pool of water on the boat red.  My brow furrowed, 'hurry Zoro' I said internally.

Zoro's POV:

I raced to get Chopper, my best chance of finding him was with Usopp. The two were said they'd be going out to get supplies. 

I headed for town, 'aghh!! Where was the medical store!? Damn it! I don't have time for this, (reader) is dying!'. 

I swam into the Entrance of the first shop I saw. "Hey! Where is the medicine store?!" I shouted. Everyone stayed quiet, swapping glances back and forth.