Justice and Piracy (a Zoro love story)

Justice and Piracy (a Zoro love story) : Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight,
"Home."

Chopper pulled tight the last of my stitches and wrapped my wrists in a bandage soaked in salve. It smelt strongly of chemicals. I was brought to his doctors ward and was taken back by the homely office that was his. There were two beds set out with fresh sheets and a large desk covered with assorted drugs and medical books.

He dropped down from the bed beside me when he was satisfied with my treatment.

"There, all done." He announced.

"Thank you," I said pulling my jacket back on over my top and tucking the bandages under my sleeves, "That feels better already."

To my amazement he started swooning and swearing. I waited for him to calm down but he seemed much happier now given my compliment.

"Ah! We're late!" He suddenly exclaimed and put his things away, "Come on, Yuki."

He hurried me out the door and I had to be aware where I was walking, I wasn't used to someone so small around my legs. It was getting dark and we had made anchor for the night, the sea was calm and it made me peaceful. I followed Chopper to a large open room that had a wall made entirely of a glass tank, it glowed with an eerie blue light and I saw the silvery bellies of fish as they swam in crystal clean water.

"Oi! Yuki!" Called Luffy loudly.

Everyone was sitting on a think blanket in the middle of the wooden floor and Sanji was dishing out plates and cutlery to the crew in their loose circle around him. Chopped rushed to sit between Luffy and Usopp and I took a seat next to Robin and Brook.

"How're you feeling? Better?" Asked Robin in her gentle voice.

"Yes, thank you, Chopper fixed me up." I replied and pulled at the bandages of my wrists.

I was handed a plate as Sanji revealed the spread that would be my welcoming party. And I suddenly realised how hungry I was. Luffy was a whirlwind of arms as he ate, it was loud as everyone talked all at once and I was glad that I was seated with Robin as she spoke less than the others. I ate slowly and I wanted to relish this food. It was by far the best I'd had in my adult life, though I wasn't used to having food with such rich or sweet flavours.

"So. How is it that you came to that marine base? Yuki?" Nami asked between spoonfuls of rice.

I stopped for a moment in thought, I was thinking about the best way to approach this question earlier but I had no way of easing into it.

"Originally, I'm from a country called 'Sin Acre.' It is a large island with two capitols." I edged, "Have you heard of it?"

"Sin Acre?" Smiled Robin, "How interesting, that's a rebel country, is it not?"

"I suppose it is." I agreed, "I was there when the fighting began, I was too young though. Sin Acre is at war with its neighbour, 'Lay Harbour' which is marine controlled like most places. Sin Acre is independent."

I noticed that all the talking had stopped so they could listen to my explanation. They didn't know anything about me after all. And I didn't know them either. I cleared my throat before continuing.

"Sin Acre is a winter continent. It has mountains, and not much else besides people. My mother raised me in a peaceful city. But we discovered gold beneath our homes. And tonnes of it." I was interrupted by Nami's frightening look of interest. She beamed at me.

I tried to ignore her and continued, "The marines are ruled by the Celestial Dragons, they take what they want and they wanted our homes. But Sin Acre has no ruler and we would not abide, the marines would have you believe we war with Lay Harbour for control, but it's the mountains they want."

"How come everyone didn't just leave?" Asked Usopp, he was still eating as he spoke.

"At first we considered it, but when we refused they came to our homes and killed our kin, and burnt our homes." A humourless laugh escaped me as I remembered that night, "I think it was supposed to be a warning, that to the Dragons our lives are meaningless. But instead it fuelled our need for revenge; we all lost someone that night."

"So you are a war criminal?" Confirmed Robin, "Were you captured?" She sounded as if she would hear more of my story, I could tell she craved knowledge above all else.

"I was on a war council, a frontline fighter on the battlefield. The marines would send troops to intercept our ships and I would sink them, but not all our people would fight. Most were refugees looking for escape. I would take them to peaceful islands when the fighting allowed it." I explained further, "It was two years ago now, they found our people, those who left our country and captured them for ransom. Their price was myself, for I sunk many of their ships before they reached land. Those people went free, but freedom would mean war in Sin Acre. They cannot leave now."

I felt as if I dampened the mood to my own party, it was quiet now as they thought about my past. They looked so calm and happy here and I wondered if they knew my suffering, until of course, we realised the food was gone, and Luffy was chased around the room for having gorged himself whilst we were otherwise distracted.

I had finally found myself a good place, for now at least, home would call to me sooner or later. I could feel it in my uneasy stomach. So much blood was on my hands and I was not eager to wash them free of vengeance.

"Ah! Luffy! Give that back!" Usopp wailed.

They tussled on the red plaid blanket and tipped over Zoro's booze, it splashed Nami and Sanji and a small war of their own broke out in my new home.