Whispers of the Heart's Blade (ONE PIECE LAW & FEM & ZORO)

8

Days turned into a week, and Zoro's strength gradually returned. He sat at Lila's bedside, worry etched into his features. He glanced at Chopper, who was reviewing Lila's chart. "How is she?"

Chopper sighed, his expression heavy. "Her condition is worsening. Her body isn't responding to treatment as we hoped."

Zoro clenched his fists, his frustration evident. "What can we do?"

Chopper hesitated. "I've done everything I can, but I fear that Lila's illness has taken a more serious turn. I need to consult with Law."

The mention of Law's name caught Zoro's attention. "Law? What does he have to do with this? Leave his stupid ass out of it."

Chopper looked grave. "He's a skilled doctor and has knowledge of medical treatments that I don't. He also can see into her body. Whatever it is he can take it out of her with his devil fruit. If anyone can help Lila, it might be him."

Zoro nodded, his concern for Lila overriding any reservations he might have had about seeking help from another pirate crew.

Chopper contacted Law, who arrived on the Thousand Sunny shortly after. He examined Lila carefully, his expression unreadable. "Her condition is critical. We need to act fast."

"What can I do?" Chopper asked.

"Get her dressed in medical robes. I'm performing surgery on her. I need a closer look."

All the men left the room as Chopper and Nami struggled to get Lila's clothes off and her changed into a medical gown.

"Nami!" Chopper squeaked. "Don't take off your gloves yet!"

"These aren't my gloves." She said raising her gloved hands. "These are Lila's. Why did you put gloves on her?"

"I didn't. I guess she just always wears them."

Without a second thought Nami threw away Lila's gloves and set the rest of her clothes in a corner.

"She ready?" Law asked as he walked in the room. "I don't want anyone getting infected when I open her up. It will just be me in the room unless said otherwise."

"I'm not leaving her alone with you." Zoro growled. "I'm not trying to leave a crazy cutting maniac alone with a crew mate."

"Zoro." Luffy's voice appeared from the doorway. His eyes were black and his under eyes were bagged.
"Leave. Let Law try to help her."

Trafalgar Law stood in the dimly lit infirmary, a sense of purpose guiding his every move. He cast a serious gaze over his surroundings, his thoughts consumed by the task at hand. The crew members had been ushered out of the room, their voices a distant hum beyond the closed door. Safety was paramount; after all, his abilities were not for the faint of heart.

"Room." His dark voice echoed. His sadistic smile and vengeful eyes darkened as he cut down the middle of her body.

His fingers brushed over the hilt of his nodachi, embedded with the symbol of his crew. It was a reminder of his role as the captain of the Heart Pirates and the surgeon of death. The notion of wielding power over life and death had always held a peculiar allure for him, a dark fascination that had grown over the years.

As he reached out to unleash the power of his Devil Fruit, his thoughts focused on the sensation that awaited him. It was a sensation he had grown to crave—an odd satisfaction that thrived in the midst of pain and agony. He reveled in the screams and pleas of his patients, the embodiment of his mastery over the macabre.

But this time, as his power coursed through his veins and converged at his fingertips, something was different. A raven-haired figure lay before him, and the air was thick with a foreboding energy that tingled along his skin. He cast a penetrating gaze upon her, his mind racing to make sense of the familiarity that seemed to radiate from her very being.

The woman's presence was enigmatic, exuding both allure and danger in equal measure. Law's fingers moved with deft precision as he began his surgical incision, yet there was a pause—an inexplicable hesitation that lingered in his movements. It was as if the woman's presence had cast a spell upon him, demanding his attention and challenging his control.

As the procedure continued, Law's eyes were drawn to a startling revelation. Behind the woman's organs, hidden within the intricate maze of her body, lay a pristine rose—a symbol of both beauty and thorns. Its petals shimmered with a mesmerizing blend of green and purple, an ombré that held a certain significance, a memory of a bygone moment.

Law carefully plucked the rose from its sanctuary, a sense of reverence in his touch. He placed it into a jar, sealing it tightly to preserve its delicate beauty. Yet, the sensation that had enveloped him persisted, an enigmatic puzzle that eluded his understanding.

As the surgery reached its conclusion, Law cleaned his instruments meticulously, his mind a tempest of thoughts. It was during the process of tending to the patient that his ungloved hand brushed against her skin, a seemingly innocuous contact that triggered an unexpected surge of power.

In an instant, the room around them transformed, a whirlwind of memories and emotions colliding in a kaleidoscope of sensations. Lila's eyes and mouth gaped open, bright white light pouring from the holes of her face. Her body sat itself up, compelled by a force that defied explanation. The room shifted and twisted, reality bending to the will of an unseen power.

Law found himself standing in the midst of a memory—one he had cherished, one he had locked away. A memory of his father, a memory of a book—*The Tale of Nysara*.

The ethereal display left him breathless, a rush of emotions threatening to consume him. Yet, just as quickly as it had begun, the whirlwind subsided. The room reverted to its normal state, the woman before him returned to her peaceful slumber.

Law's chest heaved, his heart a cyclone of emotions. Confusion and anger mingled within him, a tempest that threatened to unravel his composed facade. He stormed out of the infirmary, his steps heavy and purposeful.

"No one bothered to tell me she's a devil fruit user," he spat, his words laced with an unsettling blend of disbelief and frustration.

The crew members stared in astonishment, the revelation reverberating through the air. The enigmatic woman who had joined their journey held secrets beyond their understanding, a riddle that had just begun to unravel.

~•~

With Law's guidance, a new course of treatments was initiated. The crew watched anxiously as Lila's condition fluctuated, hoping and praying for a breakthrough.

Days turned into nights, and Lila's fever persisted. Zoro rarely left her side, his determination unwavering. The crew members took turns offering their support, their concern evident in their actions.

Then, one morning, a faint glimmer of hope emerged. Lila's fever began to subside, and her breathing steadied. The crew let out collective sighs of relief, their weariness evident from the days of vigilance.

Lila's eyes fluttered open, her gaze weak but determined. She smiled weakly at Zoro, her voice a mere whisper. "Hey."

Zoro's relief was palpable as he took her hand gently. "You scared the hell out of us."

Lila managed a chuckle, though it turned into a cough. "Sorry about that."

**To be continued...**