One Piece Fan Fiction ❯ Broken, Only to Heal Again ❯ Father-Son Bonding ( Chapter 13 )

Chapter 13

 

The island was fading from sight when the crew started to gather again on the deck of the Merry Go. Each one came to stand in silence, waiting for their Captain to speak. Zoro took his place by Luffy's side. He was still wearing the Marine uniform drenched in blood. The wounds on his hands had soaked thru the wrappings, having been torn open again while lifting the anchor. Chopper shifted nervously. He knew he needed to be quiet and stay in place until this meeting was over, but the doctor in him wanted to rush to his injured nakama immediately. Usopp waited with him, doing his best to calm the reindeer down. Robin and Nami came down from the helm together. Nami turned to walk to Luffy's side when she was stopped by a gentle hand from Robin. A slight shake of the raven head and a nod in the direction of the First Mate gave her reason to stop. Sanji emerged from the galley with Muteki. He placed a comforting hand on the boy's head and walked to join the others. He drew another cigarette from his jacket pocket and lit it. Sensing that all were there, Luffy turned his head and looked at them.

 

“Is everyone ok? Good! So what's next? Did you hear anything good back there about another adventure?” His cheery smile broke the tension hanging in the air.

 

“No, Luffy, we didn't have any time to find out anything good. You two went and got captured, so we spent our time trying to rescue you. Again.” Nami shook her head. Why was it that she had fallen in love with this simpleton?

 

“He, he. Oh yah.”

 

“There's a Marine ship headed to the island we just left. I'm assuming that is the bad man Luffy's talking about. As soon as they find out what we did there, they'll be right after us. Nami, I think we may want to find a place to lay low for a few days. This will give us time to get some more information on who this guy is. We don't want to face him unprepared or anything. Everyone back at the market was terrified at the mention of his arrival. The only name I got was Sanguine Kaname.” Usopp hoped that Nami wouldn't think he was trying to run again.

 

Muteki visibly shivered at the name and scooted closer to the nearest figure. Sanji put his cigarette between his lips and pulled the boy against his legs. Teki looked up at him, fear shining in his eyes. The cook's brow furrowed in thought. He could tell the boy knew the name, but he was unsure if it was a good idea to ask him who it was at this moment. Robin also noticed the sudden change. She made sure to note it for future reference.

 

“Huh? I wonder who he is. Do you recognize the name Zoro?” Luffy looked at the solemn man.

 

Zoro shook his head. “It almost seems familiar, but I can't place it. Maybe after I rest it will come back. I just have a lot on my mind.” He met the gaze of his Captain, only to drop it to the deck again. Luffy's face indicated he perhaps knew what Zoro meant.

 

“I can do it if you want.” There was concern and pain in Zoro's eyes. Zoro was his First Mate as well as a good friend. Luffy wanted his nakama to be happy and not sad. He vowed to do everything he could to erase the distressed look from the swordsman's face.

 

“Iie, arigato.” Zoro's voice was low and hoarse. He needed to get it over with. Zoro knew the longer he waited, the harder his task would be. He scowled, angry with himself for acting like a coward. Since when did he begin to be afraid of things like this? It was as if he had taken a page out of Usopp's book today. There was no way he was going to allow that to continue. His dark eyes lifted to meet the clear blue of his son. Pain grabbed at his chest again. He might be a stoic uncaring person to some, but to break a child's heart was something that he loathed to do. A child was an innocent. They were someone to be protected until they could protect themselves. The swordsman held a hand out to the boy. Teki quickly ran to accept it. He noticed the bandages and made sure to only grip the fingers this time. Zoro and Teki slowly walked to the front of the ship before stopping

 

“Gomen nasai.” He spoke softly. His shame of not protecting Takuya caused him to turn his head away from the questioning and fearful eyes. “I couldn't save him. I tried, but Kuro was too quick. He threw the swords before I could react. Your jii-san was a good man. He didn't deserve that.” Zoro shifted his eyes down to his bleeding hands. “I only wish I could have made that bastard pay more before I killed him.”

 

Muteki's muffled sobs reached his ears. He looked at the boy so like himself, and wished it was he who died instead. He had no idea what to do. The boy fell to his knees and began wailing loudly. Zoro did the only thing he could think of. He removed his swords, propping them against the railing, and sat down on the deck, pulling the child into his lap. Muteki immediately curled into Zoro's chest. Both ignored blood soaking into Muteki's clothing. When the crying had been reduced to sniffling, Zoro dared to speak again.

 

“Onigai, Muteki. Sumimasen. I swear I will keep you safe. I only wish I had known about you sooner. Maybe I could have kept you all safe.” Zoro hugged the child close. If he believed in God, he would have been praying to him that he would be forgiven. The boy had lost his mother, and now his grandfather. He had no one else. Everything Muteki had ever known had been left behind on the island. Zoro thought about what he had said to the boy in the base before they separated. “Why don't you hang onto that medallion a while longer for me? I gave it to your mother a long time ago. It's only right that you wear it.”

 

Muteki slid his arms up around Zoro's neck and held on tight. It hurt so much that his jii-san was gone. First his mother was taken away, and now this. The good thing was that he now had his real father. He just wished the man would say so. Apparently, sometimes, when you wish hard enough, your wishes do come true.

 

“The Merry is my home. As my son, she's now yours too.” Zoro felt Teki shift and released his hold.

 

Muteki pulled away to look up. A big smile graced his dirty, tear streaked features. Zoro couldn't help but laugh at the smudges of blood all over the boy. Between his bloody hands on the boy's back and the boy sitting in his lap, Teki looked like he had been in the fight too. Chopper was going to kill them. A polite cough made them both look up.

 

“So you two ok?” Sanji was trying to hide a blush. The two of them sitting there holding each other was such an endearing sight. Sanji wanted nothing more than to join them. He decided then that Zoro had definitely looked that cute at some point. He had to have. Right now Zoro and Muteki had the same goofy grin adorning their face. The only difference was in the eyes. Thoughts of the beautiful pale woman brought a pain of longing to Sanji's heart. He wondered if Zoro still loved her and why it mattered.

 

“Hai, Sanji-san, we're ok.” Muteki's grin grew to a full smile again.

 

“Oi, ero-cook,” Muteki laughed at the name and Zoro's grin grew even bigger. He liked the blush that currently rested on the cook's face and neck. It was always fun getting a rise out of the blond firecracker. “So what's for lunch?”

 

“Cut the shit, Marimo. You're going straight to Chopper. Luffy told us some of what happened. You need to get looked at. Besides, you know the rules. You have to clean up before I let you sit at the table. There's no way you're setting foot in my kitchen like that. What the Hell did you do? Roll in it?” Every time he was around the swordsman he got all fired up. The bastard only had to say a few words and he'd be ready to kick the green-haired head right off of those broad shoulders

 

Luffy and Nami's laughing could be heard from another area of the ship. Zoro remembered a little conversation he had while locked up and narrowed his eyes at the cook. He slowly edged Muteki out of his lap before gathering his swords. His goofy grin faded into an evil smirk, and then his face went blank. It worried the blonde. That war-like look usually led them both to the ship's Doctor, trouble with Nami and increased interest rates.

 

“Um, Zoro?” Sanji was forced back by a bloody hand pushing at his shoulder.

 

“Do you have any idea what I went thru in there? Do you have any idea of the torture I endured because YOU got away? If you had been in there with me, I wouldn't have had to go thru all that! YOU left me high and dry! YOU got to sleep in a soft bed and eat decent food. YOU missed all the fighting.” Zoro took a step toward the uneasy man with each remark, accompanied with a push that had Sanji backing up in turn. By this time the blonde was ready to fall to his knees and beg for forgiveness. He felt like such an ass right now. How could he put his best friend through all that alone? He let him get captured and who knows what done to him. Luffy insinuated that he had been whipped, so Kami knows what else they did to the incapacitated man. Suddenly Zoro's tone of voice changed from irritated to an angry whisper.

 

“But what you didn't do… That is what really pisses me off. You didn't wake up on the floor of a locked cell. You didn't get to hear Luffy's new song. You didn't get asked about the working of a woman's mind. And you didn't get to explain SEX to someone with the mental capacity of a three year old. Now I figure that as it stands… You. Owe. Me. BIG.” The last four words were punctuated by a jabbing of the butt of Wado's hilt to the center of Sanji's chest.

 

Sanji stood in shock, a `what the fuck?' look on his face. He shook his head in hopes of clearing out his muddled mind, because he didn't just hear what he thought he heard, did he? He started poking back at the stubborn swordsman.

 

“Oi, Marimo. YOU'RE the asshole that decided to see ghosts. YOU went off on your own and got lost. YOU drank enough fucking grog to float the Merry. YOU picked a fight with a group of Marines, and YOU ran out into action half cocked. I don't see where any of this shit is my damn fault at all.” Sanji ended his tirade with a kick to the head.

 

Zoro spun with the impact and struck out with his sword still in the sheath. The attack was blocked by a shiny black dress shoe, and both retreated to face each other. Sanji loosened his tie and unbuttoned his jacket. He tapped the toes of his shoes on the ground to show he was ready. Zoro unsheathed Kitetsu and Yubashiri, laying Wado and the scabbards gently on the deck. The Marine cap was discarded showing the black bandanna tied to his head. He winced, almost unnoticeably, as he tightened his grip on the swords.

 

Zoro charged. The downward attack was dodged efficiently by a back flip. The Cook immediately retaliated with a low sweep of his left leg. Zoro drove Kitetsu into the deck, blocking the sweep. Unfortunately, he didn't see the right leg aimed at his chest until too late. He took the brunt of the impact on his shoulder as he made an attempt to duck. Zoro released his grip on the embedded sword and turned with Yubashiri in a sudden angled upward thrust. The sword grazed the front of the dress shirt and sliced the black silk tie halfway up to the knot. The cook changed his stance and executed a perfect roundhouse kick to the swordsman's jaw. Zoro smiled and spat blood on the deck. Things were just getting interesting.

 

Muteki thought it was funny the way the silly cook was being pushed back by his father. He really thought it was hilarious when the man's face kept getting redder. He couldn't hear what Zoro was saying, but apparently it was embarrassing. Suddenly, the blonde got upset and started yelling. Then the fight began. Teki wanted so bad to go and stop it. He was certain his father's friend was going to get hurt by the swords. When Sanji went on the offensive, the boy could only stand in awe. He would never again badmouth a cook or call them wimpy again. This guy could fight. He had so much power in his legs it was amazing. Teki found his second hero. He watched the performance continue. Each one gave as good as they received. His pride in his father continued to grow with each passing swing of the blade. His admiration for the Cook reaffirmed itself with every kick. This was the coolest thing he had ever witnessed.

 

A long black leg met with a solid stomach and sent the target flying into the galley wall. Zoro shook himself and got up to strike. Sanji's jacket had been discarded, and his dress shirt had many new holes, some tinged with spots of blood. Neither really had any injuries from their skirmish that were serious, but Zoro's prior injuries were starting to slow him down a bit. He hadn't recovered fully from the blood loss the day before and today's battle only caused him to shed more. He stumbled in his footwork and dropped to his knee. Sanji's leg was poised midair, waiting to attack. Zoro's vision blurred a moment as he stood up.

 

“Zoro! Sanji! What are you two doing?” A very mad reindeer ran up between them in an attempt to stop, well, whatever it was they were doing. “Have you lost your mind? You're still injured. I haven't treated your hands yet, and Luffy said you needed to have your back and head looked at.”

 

A snicker could be heard from Usopp and Luffy at the last part. They had joined Muteki to watch the two pigheaded men. Luffy was betting that Zoro would win, while Usopp had his money on Sanji. Nami and Robin watched from the upper deck with secretive smiles. The crew knew of Zoro's ability to take massive amounts of damage and still get up and fight. The swordsman's condition didn't faze them much, with the exception of the ship's Doctor.

 

“What's wrong with Tousan's head?” The innocent child asked. The crewmates behind him lost it. The Captain and Gunner fell to the ground laughing. It didn't take Sanji long to join in. Even the irate Doctor had to fight the giggles rising up in his chest. Zoro sighed and shook his head, causing him to lose balance yet again. Sanji rushed forward to catch him before he hit the deck. The last thing Zoro registered in his mind before he lost consciousness was how soft Sanji's hair was against his cheek.

 

Muteki was inconsolable. Luffy finally had to bribe him with a catapult trip up to the crow's nest to get him to stop crying. Sanji carried the unconscious man into the men's quarters for Chopper to treat. Between the two of them they were able to peal away the blood soaked uniform and assess the damage. The gash in his head only took a few stitches. The ones in his hands took several more, along with a vast amount of gauze and tape to help immobilize the movement. Sanji and Chopper both froze at the sight of their nakama's back. Ten angry jagged lines were torn into previously unmarked flesh.

 

Sanji couldn't take it. He silently stood and climbed the ladder. He needed to get his mind clear. Though Zoro didn't blame him for his injuries, he did blame himself. He should have fought harder. He should have been stronger. He let his nakama down. Unsteady hands lit a cigarette. He drew in deep and held it. The shaking eased, and he exhaled.

 

“I blame myself too.” The Straw Hat Captain appeared beside him. “We won't let him down again. That's a promise.” They stood there looking out to sea. The silence only lasted a moment before something collided with the long black legs of the Cook.

 

“Sanji-san, you were awesome. With the way you kicked Tousan around and all, it was so cool. Usopp-san told me you guys fought each other all the time, but I didn't know you were that strong. Is he ok?” Muteki looked up at him with wide eyes full of admiration. He still hadn't cleaned up yet. Smears of blood, dirt and tears made him look as if he just returned from the front lines. Sanji decided to fix that.

 

“Your old man is tougher than you think. He'll be just fine. You, however, need to clean up. No one sits at my table dirty. You wanna eat, you gotta wash. Got it?” Sanji ruffled up the familiar green hair. He wondered idly if Zoro's was this soft.

 

Muteki groaned and mumbled but Robin had come up and offered to help him. He still didn't look too happy until two hands appeared behind him and tossed him to yet another waiting pair closer to the door. His squeals of laughter could be heard all over the ship.

 

Chopper came up from the men's quarters an hour later and headed straight for Sanji in the galley. The cook had cleaned up and changed his clothing, but it didn't deter the Doctor from checking him for injuries. The cuts were minor, and Chopper was satisfied with the Sanji's treatment of himself. Muteki watched from his seat at the table, pealing potatoes. Robin had helped clean him. She made quick work with an old pair of Chopper's shorts to give him something to wear. The t-shirt he currently had on was Nami's, but it would do until proper clothes could be found.

 

“Um, Chopper-san?” Muteki asked.

 

“You don't have to be so formal with me, Teki. You can just call me Chopper.” The little reindeer was glad to have someone his size, even if that someone kept trying to hug him. After all, Luffy and Usopp still did that on a regular basis.

 

“When can I go see him?”

 

Sanji paused in his cooking to listen to the response. He, too, wanted to know when to expect the muscle head to come barging in demanding booze. He found it odd that he was looking forward to it.

 

“He'll be up and around by morning I bet, but you can go down and see him now if you want. He's asleep, so don't disturb him.”

 

“Hai, of course. Arigato!” The boy jumped down from the table and made for the door. Suddenly he stopped and turned to look up at the Cook. “Is it ok if I go down there for a while? I know I'm supposed to be helping you, but I want to see him.”

 

Sanji took one look at those big blue eyes and mentally cursed himself. He was already wrapped around the kid's finger and they barely knew each other. Just how could one say `no' to such an innocent face? Zeff might even find this one hard to turn down. He just sighed and nodded. This was bad. He had to get back into control. Long slender hands reached into his pocket and pulled out his lighter and cigarettes. He didn't notice the face that the boy made at the action.

 

“You really smoke too much, Sanji-san. It's not good for you.” Teki slipped out the door and was gone before a retort could be made.

 

Sanji paused, the flame an inch away from lighting the tip. He stood there froze in indecisiveness as to what to do. Slowly, the lighter was shut, and the cigarette returned to the pack in the pocket of his jacket. His shoulders slumped in defeat. Now he needed something else to keep his hands and mouth busy. A few crude images flashed thru his mind and he turned quickly back to the stove to hide his blush from the Doctor. Chopper didn't know what shocked him more; the fact that Sanji had let the boy out of the chore, or that he actually put away his favorite pastime in the world (next to doting on women, of course). Not knowing what to do, the baffled reindeer picked his jaw up off the floor and left.

 

Teki slowly climbed down the ladder to the dimly lit room. He saw someone lying on the couch and assumed it was who he'd been looking for. He crept up to the snoring figure as silently as he could. Zoro was on his stomach with his face to the back of the couch. Bandages covered his torso, head and hands. Tears formed in the sad blue eyes. They had said he was OK, but this sure didn't look OK to him. He was scared that he was about to lose everyone. A hiccupped sob escaped and the dam holding the tears broke.

 

Zoro's subconscious felt someone standing over him. When the sob was heard, his eyes opened. Slightly confused to his surroundings, he took a moment to assess the situation. He was on the couch in the men's quarters, and someone was crying behind him. He frowned as he took in the state of his hands. Another sob reached his ears and soft words could barely be made out.

 

“Onigai, don't leave me too. Onigai, I need you, Tousan. I don't want to be left alone again. Ai shiteru. Onigai.” Muteki hid his face in his hands. He wanted to stop crying, he really did. He wanted to be strong for his father. He wanted him to be proud, and not ashamed like that mean man had said he would be. But, the tears kept coming.

 

Zoro turned his body so that he was lying on his side with his back against the back of the couch.

 

“Enough with the tears. It's time to be strong now.” Teki jerked his head up and looked at Zoro's sleepy form. He wiped his face on his sleeves and nodded. “And part of getting stronger is sleeping, so you need to get out of here…” The boy's head slumped in rejection. “…or get over here and take a nap with me.” Zoro held up the edge of the thin blanket he'd been covered with. Muteki's face lit up and he practically jumped onto the couch to join him.

 

“Am I going to hurt you? You have a whole bunch of bandages on you.”

 

Zoro laughed and shook his head. He pulled the small child up against his chest tightly. “Feh, the only thing that's bothering me right now is these damn bandages on my hands. That pain in the ass reindeer made it to where I can't move them. How am I suppose to train like this?” He held his hands up in front of them so both could see.

 

“But you were bleeding so bad. He had to do it. The Doctor is suppose to take care of you isn't he? How will you get better if he doesn't fix you first?” Bright blue eyes looked up at dark ones with such sincerity. Zoro found himself being pulled in. He closed his eyes and sighed.

 

“You're right, now go to sleep.” Zoro pulled the blanket up over them and Muteki closed his eyes as well.

 

The swordsman opened his eyes slightly to look down at the sleeping figure curled up next to him. Those eyes. They were so much like his mother's. Thinking of his former love still brought pain. He wished that Takuya had been able to tell him what happened. The old man had tried, but that pirate had interrupted. Zoro let out a sound akin to a growl and the child stiffened in his arms. Muteki relaxed as a cloth covered hand gently stroked his back. Their lives would never be the same. Zoro still would strive to be the best swordsman in the world, but now he had another goal to keep with it. He had to learn how to be a father. A boy would also need a woman's influence as well. He tried to think of Robin or Nami in that roll. A shiver went down his spine. Robin may be ok with him now, but she was still a bit too mysterious for his taste. Nami just scared the shit out of him. She was all nice and sweet when things went her way, but as soon as they didn't… He'd rather face Mihawk a hundred times unprepared than have her as a mother figure to his son.

 

Maybe he would need to start looking for someone. He hadn't had a relationship since Saya. Even before that, there was never anyone he was interested in. They had gotten together so young. He started thinking of what he wanted in a companion. Well, the list of things he didn't want came easier. He didn't want someone who was clingy, or needy. They needed to be self sufficient. He didn't want someone who was more interested in spending money than earning it. They needed to be willing to work when needed. He didn't want someone who chattered all the time, but he did want someone who could hold a decent conversation. Oh, and they needed to be able to fight. Life aboard the Merry was dangerous. He didn't want to have to worry about more than just his son's life.

 

That brought forth another idea. He'd need to teach the boy as well. They would have to get a set of bokken to use. Or maybe two. They could work up to three later on. The person he chose would have to understand that the boy would grow up to be a fighter. That might be a problem. Most women didn't like fighting, or if they did, they wouldn't be great mother material. Zoro sighed for what felt like the hundredth time that day. Would he really need to find a mate? This was proving to be more trouble than it was worth.

 

What he needed was a woman that was more like a man. The image of a blond cook flashed thru his mind. He almost started laughing when he pictured the tall lean man in a dress, cleaning and washing clothes. Hmm, there's a thought. The man was awfully prissy. He always made sure his clothes were just right, he had this thing about his hair, and he bitched constantly to the swordsman about manners. Then he was honestly good at cooking. He'd probably never say it to the blonde's face, but he'd never eaten anything better in his life. Blasted ero-cook could also hold his own in a fight. Fondly, the swordsman thought of all the times the two had fought in a battle competing to see who could take out more opponents. They were even before he fought to escape from the base. Now he could shove it in the bastard's face that he was ahead again. Who knows, maybe he could teach Teki some of those moves of his.

 

Zoro shook his head to clear it of the happy thoughts of the man that irritated his very being. Here he was thinking of the guy again. He had to get that idea out of his head. The cook was obviously interested in women and not men. Look at the way he tripped over his own feet just to please the two on the ship. He always made them special treats. They got the best cuts and first servings of every meal. He never yelled at them, always apologizing for others behavior around them. Yup he was as straight as that stupid tie he always wore. One of these days he would burn every one of them, just to see him get all fired up.

 

Zoro loved getting him upset. It was the best part of the day. It always led to a fight, and a fight meant that he could get his hands on him at least once. It gave him something to think about when he found release up in the crow's nest on his watch. There might be a silent agreement between the guys that what happens in that room stays in that room, but that didn't mean he had to do it there. Besides, he tended to be a bit more vocal. What would happen if he happened to say the wrong name, or hell, any name out loud? They'd all know his preferences then. He didn't give a damn about what the women thought of him, but he did care about the feelings of his Captain. What would happen now, especially now that they had kissed? Would he be more understanding, or would he get more upset? He didn't want to admit it, but he also was worried about what Sanji would think of him. They weren't exactly friends, but then they were best friends according to Usopp. Or at least that was what the Marksman had told Muteki.

 

The swordsman put a padded hand to his head. It was beginning to hurt thinking so much. He decided that sleep was way past due. He shifted further back into the couch, making sure that they both had room. When he was comfortable, his eyes slid shut and exhaustion took over. He was sure that that damn cook would wake him to eat, or at least come get the boy. No one went hungry for long aboard the Merry with Sanji around. Well, no one but the bottomless Captain.