the hoof of the soaring dragon | ONE PIECE (discontinued)

Chapter 1

"Those are the kind of island I love: peaceful, quiet, the perfect place to take a rest and enjoy life!" a young man proclaimed as he stretched and flopped down on the grass.

"Well, you're right but don't dream too much Gaal. I heard the captain talking about leaving tomorrow" remarked his comrade.

Both men were laying on the grass, enjoying the sun and the subtle sea breeze. The island was known for its peaceful setting; it was the perfect stop to regain your energy, forget about your problem and simply relax.

And that was exactly what Gaal wished.

At 18 years old, the boy didn't predict how draining the pirate's life would be. He would often ask himself how could his captain lie to him like that. Being a pirate wasn't just supposed to be a succession of adventure across the world, find treasure, and party until dawn?

In a way, he wasn't wrong. Gaal just preferred to forget that those activities were the final result of hard work and hardships; it's just easier to blame others.

"We both know we are not leaving tomorrow. He just found a new bar today. There is no way the captain will be sober enough to set sail in the morning."

Tenchi, his mentor, and friend -at least that's what Gaal liked to believe- chuckled at his statement. It had been almost a year since the captain decided to assign him the care of their new recruit. The short and stocky boy was quite something to handle. But even with all his whining, Gaal would always listen to his order and was quick to apply his advice.

"Let's just get going and finish our work so you can enjoy your dream island to the fullest." sighted the older man as he stood up.

Gaal quickly followed his mentor and stretched his limbs one last time. "What did they need again? The others have already stocked up on provisions."

"Just some supplies for Luke. Like bandages, disinfectant... all those basic stuff" responded Tenchi. "I saw a pharmacy around there. It should be nearby."

•••

Leaving Tenshi to lead the duo through the streets, Gaal was studying the surroundings. The town was pretty empty which allowed him a better view of his surrounding. He could easily appreciate the cute exterior of the flower shop, the little art exhibition, or the leg in the alley they just passed...

The boy suddenly came to a stop to do a double-take. A leg?!

He suppressed a shiver and approached the alley with fear and anticipation of what he might discover. The alley was dark, the walls surrounding it leaving only a few rays illuminated the form that had collapsed against the trash.

Gaal swallowed the anticipation that had stuck in his throat and approached the form slowly, for fear of being the victim of a sudden attack. With each step, the shape became clearer.

"Hey! Are you listening to me, Gaal?" called his mentor who had finally noticed his sudden halt.

"Tenchi... Come here," mumbled Gaal, his eyes growing wide at the realization of what was laying ins that dark alley.

"What's up with-"

Right in front of their eyes, laid a person. A young woman. She was laying awkwardly on the ground, her body scarcely covered with a small dress that gave a glimpse of the numerous wounds; some seemed to have received a semblance of treatment while others seemed to have been abandoned in their infections.

"Is she alive?" gulped Gaal.

With fast strides, Tenchi approached her to check her pulse "Her heart is still beating but she is losing too much blood!" He rapidly got up and shouted before running "I will go get Luke. Stay here and try to stop the bleeding!"

"Don't worry miss..." Gaal was trying to somehow stay calm but the panic was creeping on him "Tenshi went to get help." He stuttered, staring at the face whose features were indistinguishable under her blood veil.

He was breathing so strongly that he only noticed the fragile movement of his lips who were trying to make themselves heard.

"D-Don't..."

"Miss..." he murmured with trembling hands. He breathed in to calm down and recalled his mentor's instruction "Don't move, it might worsen your injury. Help will come. I'm just going to try to stop the bleeding so..." he trailed off as his hands started to proceed towards the origin of her bleeding.

At his action, her eye widened in fear. She curled up on herself and tried to put as much distance she could between them. With the obscurity, one could only distinguish her black pupil shining in the middle of the red blood surrounding it.

Gaal could only stare at her, he didn't want to frighten her further but her injuries didn't allow him to simply wait for help. He glanced over his shoulder to check if his seniors might have already arrived but as expected, there was no one.

"I'm sorry. I'm just trying to help you. I'm not here to hurt you." he apologized before closing the distance she had created.

"I said don't touch me!"

A step. A single step was his mistake.

His foot barely landed on the ground when a piercing scream made his whole being tremble. His body stopped in fear and his vision suddenly became far too blurred, leaving as his only vision her shaking pupil that was staring back at him.

Gaal stumbled on his second step and fell at his feet, his eyes unable to remain open. With her eyes fixed on him, the woman pulled her body against the ground, moving only a few centimeters in her panic before succumbing to the fatigue, a wail escaping from her lips.

"Leave me... please..."

•••

It had already been several days since a ship had docked on the island. A large one with many detailed decorations such as the vibrant red of the hull or the fierce-looking figurehead. But the most notable detail was the Jolly Roger: a realistic-looking skull with a pair of crossed sabers behind it. It had two red stripes with black outlines that cross diagonally across the skull's left eye socket, representing scars.

There, in one of the numerous cabins, stood two men. Smoking a cigarette, the white-haired one sat at the window admiring the view of the ocean. Luke was his name. He was the doctor of the ship. In front of him, a much more younger man was trying to decipher what seemed to be a biology book.

The silence of the play was suddenly interrupted by the slamming of the door. The two startles by suprise, one dropping his book.

"Luke!" Tenshi came in shouting, "Come with me! I need your help!" he continued already dragging the poor man by the arm.

"Wait!" exclaimed Luke, "Calm down! Just explain what you need"

"This woman... she is... you need to assist her... and..." Tenshi couldn't form his sentences correctly. The urgent nature of the situation and the sprint from the aisle to the ship had left him breathless.

Luke contemplated for a few seconds at the agitated face of his companion. Tenshi was known for his cool and seeing him in this state told the doctor everything he needed to know about the urgency of the situation. He grabbed his first aid kit and ran behind the one who had already left the room only to stop at the door to look back at his assistant who was picking up his book.

"Prepare a bed we might need it!"

After another sprint from Tenshi who was pulling on the exhausted doctor's arm. The two turned at the corner to be met with quite the sight.

"Gaal! Is she-" the mentor interrupting himself when he noticed the added body on the ground.

The doctor narrowed his eyes to have a better view of the unconscious form before the sighting.

"I guess I have two patients now"

•••

Hope you enjoyed this chapter!