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Rape and Baths
Universe: One piece
Characters: Straw-hat crew, focus on Zoro
Word Count: -
Dated: Jan. 2007
Genre: hurt comfort?
Rating: ... um R to Pg15?
Pairing: I wouldn't give it any definite pairings
Disclaimer: thank the good Lord above that One Piece isn't mine, yeah?
Warnings: non-con referenced
******
This is story that will show you that there is really something wrong with my head.... This started as a story about rape... Even though it ended up being a story about a bath.... I dunno.. I just became totally fixated on that..
there is no robin in here.. Because I’m not sure I can write robin, to be honest. Not that I’m claiming to be able to write any of them, but robin remains a mystery.... And Zoro might just be a wee bit OOC..... yeah.. .. and Sanji might be too quiet here...
And forgive me for my lack of real medical knowledge.
***Start***
Three days of treading ocean water.
Roronoa Zoro would never admit to being tired, but he and Tony Tony Chopper were both feeling the onslaught of exhaustion and dehydration. The sea splashing helped keep Zoro awake - while keeping Chopper weak and feeling useless.
The small reindeer clung to Zoro's back, half submerged. Zoro's let him ride atop his shoulder that first day, but as time went one, and Zoro's arm grew weary, even choppers slight weight was making it harder for the swordsman to keep his head above water.
Zoro let his head dunk back in the water- the cold and sting forcing his eyes open again, and he kicked with his legs, giving his arms a short break. There was nothing in sight to swim to - no destination making itself known, so Zoro simple moved in the direction of the setting sun. It made him feel a little better - as if her could fool himself that an island lay just ahead out of sight. It kept him going, pretending to have a destination to go to.
So when the sun made it's way under the horizon, and Zoro spied a ship in it's wake, he made up his mind that regardless of who might sail the vessel, he would be needing their help. He loathed himself for his weakness, but he knew that it was unfair to Chopper to let pride skip this maybe only chance for rescue.
He kicked off, moving aching arms thought the water - trying to catch up with the ship before it moved too far away....
**
Marines. And not the decent ones like Smoker. No, these men ranked up higher than Morgan and Helmeppo, ones who didn't care for Justice, or world order - only of securing themselves a position of power. Zoro would rather of drowned himself just then, as they laughed down at him. And he made that threat vocal. He knew how much he was worth alive, and it was the only bargaining chip he had.
He had made a deal. Nobody hurt Chopper in anyway shape or form, and then let him go free at the next port. In return, Zoro won't fight back, regardless of what they might do to him, and would remain submissive until was handed to the Marine’s higher officers, in exchange for the bounty on his head.
It was a crap-ass deal, and the voice of his self-preservation screamed at him that suicide via drowning would work out better for him. But Zoro couldn't do that to Chopper, at least not with out the young reindeer's consent, . But right now the Zoan eater was passed out against him, shear-will the only thing keeping him still holding on.
If only he could ignore the way the marine captain was grinning at him. If only he could ignore the leers of the crew. And the growing dread in his gut that the mistake he was making wasn't one that he or Chopper could live with easily.
** ** **
11 days later
** ** **
Two weeks passed since Chopper'd fallen over board during the Grand Line's near unpredictable storms. The Mugiwara's had spent that first week sailing in circles, desperately looking for their missing crew-mates. About half way though that second week - dwindling supplies forced them to continue onward to port - stocking up, and trying to backtrack the treacherous Grand Line.
None wanted to admit that they were dangerously close to getting lost. No one wanted to ask Nami if they'd even found the right place in the first place - all wanting her to be a certain as she desperately wanted to be.
Two weeks, and they had no idea where to look any more, Luffy spending his day scanning the horizon in dread, knowing he'd soon have to make the call that they'd have to sail on. His heart ached at the thought of casting Zoro and Chopper off as lost at Sea, but he was slowly coming to terms that this was not working.
It was a seagull, one who'd refused to leave them be, that became their saving grace. The bird seemed to have a death wise of sorts, diving at them, and attacking with a vengeance. Not even Sanji managed to get a good kick in, the bird too fast, and attacking his supporting leg when he kicked.
For two days they where terrorized by the bird - until it chased Usopp right into the rudder control, sending them jerking off of Nami's course.
She came storming in to correct it, but the gull would have none of that, keeping them both at bay until it seemed satisfied with their direction. It moved away, letting Usopp and Nami back at the controls - at least until they tried to move off of the psychotic bird's chosen course.
All feeling a little disturbed to find themselves being held hostage by 'an afternoon snack' they eyes the bird warily. But it was calm and actually preening,a s long as they let the course be, so with little other ideas, and all sick with worry - the let the bird have it's way.
It was nearing dusk of day fourteen when they spotted a solo marine ship. Curious as to finding on its own, Usopp spied on it through his binoculars, his voice choking as a small figure waved back from the ship's stern, desperately trying to hail them.
His voice was hoarse, tears already streaming down his face as he yelled down to the crew, before turning back to check - almost sure his eyes were playing tricks on him.
But no - Chopper was still there, madly seeking their attention.
As they moved into action, spurring their vessel to gain on the ship, no one noticed their strange companion fly away. The gull soared over the water, circling the Marine ship once with a single cry - before flying off on its own.
The darkness that came with night fall helped them catch up with the Marines - allowed them to get with in Luffy's stretch before they noticed, and the alarms blared over the water.
Very few words were exchanged as the straw-hats boarded the marine ship, and sent its crew flying with punches and kicks, with flaming stars and a weathered bo. Nami stayed behind to assure a quick get away, urging the boys to hurry while they still could.
A distraught Chopper lead the way though the ship, a path too well know to him, having spent long hours with his forehead pressed again the bulk door that blocked him from entering the brig. He'd tried once to bust Zoro out, after he'd regained his senses and discovered the deal that'd been made; when he saw them torturing this nakama. - They'd rushed him, forcing him over board and back into the sea.
When he came too the second time, the captain had taken him to see the punishment they'd forced Zoro to endure for his outburst. The captain warned him, as he lead the crying child away, that if he tried it again, they wouldn't fish him out a second time.
Chopper'd not been allowed to see Zoro again after that, but the doors couldn't block the smells or the sounds. He couldn't take away Zoro's hurt but he could send for help....
With practiced ease, Usopp got the brig door open, the lock not standing a chance after his lessons with Nami, and Luffy had the sniper wait with Chopper at the door, less they become trapped inside. With Sanji watching his back, the straw-hat made his way into the ship's brig, passing silently pass cells, looking in just long enough to see that Zoro was not inside before moving on. Sanji moved quietly along the other wall, checking each cell quickly, before watching the hall as he moved to the next one.
It was Sanji who found him finally, kicking the door away with more venom than usual, which seemed like overkill, at least until the captain looked inside.
Luffy's stomach dropped, and for a moment, his legs rooted him to the spot at the open door, disbelief on his features as Sanji looked back the way the came with murder on ever line of his face.
The mugiwara's first mate hung there, suspended by ropes tied around his arms, pulled behind his back, wrenching the limbs up in an unnatural angle. Fresh rope burns had left his ankles raw, short ropes running to the floor to keep him from kicking,
and his toes just brushed the low point of stained cement flooring where his blood was draining away to deeper parts of the ship. He was blindfolded with his own bandanna, and his shirt was soaked in his own blood. But the thing that angered Monkey D. Luffy the most was the dried white that mixed with blood on Zoro's face and hair, and that seeped down bared legs, the smell of bad sex and blood assaulting the captain's nose; rolling his stomach.
Zoro tensed, head titling, apprehensive, and unable to breath, listening. A great range of smells assaulted him, and there was a question in his voice, a tremble of disbelief, like a man who fear to hope, who'd started to give up. A man who didn't believe himself worthy of being rescued.
"Luffy?" He wheezed out, more blood falling from his lips as he strained to hear something, anything which might put him at ease. He latches on to a smell - one that used to cause him so much irritation, "Sanji?"
Sanji reached the swordsman first, his cigarette forgotten in the doorway to roll across the slanted floor and pause in a congealing blood puddle. The cook slid under Zoro's form without a word, before straightening so that he was supporting Zoro's weight against his back, easing the strain on Zoro's arms.
Luffy was at his other side, easily stretching to untie the ropes, letting his swordsman's dead weight settle slowly into Sanji's grip. They both winced at the ragged breathing of their friend, both tried to ignore the near sob of relief given off as Zoro pressed his head into Sanji's back, inhaling deeply; trying to desperately replace the smell of the room with the smell of the kitchen that hung constantly around Sanji. To replace this hell-hole with a place of love.
Usopp peeked into the cell then, a whispered warning to hurry. There where still a few marines around who'd been less than happy with being attacked. Zoro seemed to regain himself a little then, pulling his face from the neatly pressed jacket.
Luffy nodded to his sniper, not trusting his voice. He moved to Sanji's side, before pulling the black cloth from Zoro's eyes, anger knotting as his hand brushed unyielding dried fluids on Zoro's bruise and bloodied face. He hugged Zoro, pulling the man's head close, his face betraying his own fear as he buried his nose into Zoro's stained hair, softly kissing the course stiffened strands.
Boshi was placed firmly on the green head, and Luffy stood, Sanji straightening beside him, a firm hand under each bare knee, leaning forward just a bit to keep Zoro in place at this back. Luffy gave the room a swift last look, noting a tattered pile of discarded, bloodied black green fabric, and a mess of cloth that was once the swordsman’s pants. His boots and Haramaki were no where in sight, and his swords still lay safely on the Going Merry, having been picked up from where they'd been dropped in Zoro's rush to dive in after Chopper. There was nothing left in the room to take, and they moved to the hall.
Ussop keeping the way open with his Tabasco stars, and Chopper was at his side, handing him ammunition. The two covered Sanji and they made there way up top, to the Going Merry.
A straw hat-less Luffy strayed behind.
**
Nami was true to her word, and the boys climbed into the Merry with no further hassles from the marines. She looked very much like she wanted to help as she watched them move Zoro to Chopper's make-shift infirmary, but she stayed put, ready to make a hasty escape the moment Luffy returned.
Usopp help finish unbinding Zoro's arms, but couldn't bring himself to do more. He was nearly weeping as he tried to wipe clean the other man's face, wetting a rag with his tongue, before running it across the blood with little progress.
"Oi.. Usopp..." Zoro's voice was soft and cracked, painful.
The storyteller nodded, not trusting his own voice at the moment either.
".. You do me a favor?"
"Anything Zoro." And he meant it.
"Need ya... ta help Nami . n'.. Luffy"
"You sure?"
"Please.... "
"Thank you...and," Usopp whispered, resting their foreheads together briefly, "I’m sorry..." before escaping up deck.
The moment the over head door closed, the swordsmen wheezed, coughing and gasping for air, the effort of holding it back reflecting harshly now as his entire body shook in agony, his face distorting in pain, and he panted, trying to catch his breath.
He passed out finally; slumping against Sanji, who worked on finish what Usopp'd started, as Chopper fretted, hurrying about to stop the blood flow. No longer able to disguise his pain, his unconscious body would cringe and whimper, but neither of the two that help him would ever dare hold it against him.
Luckly, most of the cuts where shallow, and the few deep ones where only bleeding sluggishly. But they all needed cleaned, and checked over for infection. But the dried fluids clung to Zoro's skin like glue - his shirt thick and stiff, plastered to his torso like a second skin.
Finally, Sanji threw down the damp washcloth and set Zoro down against the table. He stormed into the bathroom, filling the tub with the warmest water he dared. He toed off his shoes on his way back, pausing at the table to roll his pant legs up to his knees, before dragging the limp swordsman into the bathroom.
With Chopper's help, they arranged Zoro in the tub, Sanji sitting behind him, on the porcelain edge.
Zoro's torso was tucked between Sanji's legs and the tub wall, head pillowed on his own shoulder, arms laid across Sanji's thighs.
Chopper filled a bucket with the clean water; setting is beside the basin with a clean rag.
There was a commotion on deck, one that crashed overhead, thundering through the men's cabin.
Luffy stood in the doorway, catching his breath as he looked to his crew, needing there reassurance that all was well, or at least was heading in that direction. Usopp and Nami stood behind him, waiting for the silence to be broken.
Chopper couldn't say yet though, biting his lip in frustration.
Usopp brought Chopper's box of bandages in and Nami dropped off her bag of soaps at the door, before the two escorted Luffy to the kitchens with a promise of a snack, pulling the captain out of Chopper's way.
The small doctor smiled sadly, and pulled the straw hat aside, as Sanji unknotted the bandanna resting around Zoro's neck, and handed the sopping fabric over. Chopper wrung it out, and folded it, setting it inside the hat, and setting it on the floor in reverence.
Sanji idly lit another cigarette, before rolling his sleeves up, grabbing the wet washcloth from the bucket. Wash cloth in hand, Sanji washed Zoro's face, his neck, his arms, wiping the strains from his skin, talking to him all the while, berating him, griping about 'How dare he get to have Nami-san's precious soap washed on him.'
Chopper stood beside the tub, moderately applying salve to the rope lacerations on Zoro's arms, binding the wounds in gauze and bandages, and setting them outside Sanji's legs, so they didn't fall back in to the water.
Sanji leaned over, tapping some ashes off in to the overflow drain on the floor, picking though Nami's contributions, spying a bottle of particular fruity shampoo. An evil little grin broke his face, and he applied a liberal amount on to the green head in his lap. The grin even turned to a sincere smile as the dried paraphernalia washed out, leaving only lathered soap in moss hair.
He rinsed the shampoo out, ignoring the fact it soaked his pant leg, before repeating with a fruity coconut conditioner.
While soaking in the warm water, the blood on the shirt had softened, and chopper took a pair of scissors and gently cut away the stained fabric, which was tossed un-ceremoniously to the side.
His chest was heavily bruised, and chopper confirmed that several of his ribs had been smashed in. With movement restricted by the confines of the bathtub, he wrapped the man's torso as best as he could, with a promise to do it better once they were finished in the men's room.
The plug was pulled, the stained water draining away, as they bandaged Zoro's ankles much as they had with his wrists, and zoro lay resting in the tub, only one injury left to deal with.
"You want me to do this one?" Sanji asked quietly, cigarette bit viciously in his teeth. Chopper's head hung and the boy nodded. Though he felt ashamed of his hesitation, Sanji merely patted the pink hat softly, before reaching for the salve.
The soaked and torn pants were tossed on top of the ruined shirt, and Chopper took the pile away, presumably to toss them over board.
The End.
Characters: Straw-hat crew, focus on Zoro
Word Count: -
Dated: Jan. 2007
Genre: hurt comfort?
Rating: ... um R to Pg15?
Pairing: I wouldn't give it any definite pairings
Disclaimer: thank the good Lord above that One Piece isn't mine, yeah?
Warnings: non-con referenced
******
This is story that will show you that there is really something wrong with my head.... This started as a story about rape... Even though it ended up being a story about a bath.... I dunno.. I just became totally fixated on that..
there is no robin in here.. Because I’m not sure I can write robin, to be honest. Not that I’m claiming to be able to write any of them, but robin remains a mystery.... And Zoro might just be a wee bit OOC..... yeah.. .. and Sanji might be too quiet here...
And forgive me for my lack of real medical knowledge.
***Start***
Three days of treading ocean water.
Roronoa Zoro would never admit to being tired, but he and Tony Tony Chopper were both feeling the onslaught of exhaustion and dehydration. The sea splashing helped keep Zoro awake - while keeping Chopper weak and feeling useless.
The small reindeer clung to Zoro's back, half submerged. Zoro's let him ride atop his shoulder that first day, but as time went one, and Zoro's arm grew weary, even choppers slight weight was making it harder for the swordsman to keep his head above water.
Zoro let his head dunk back in the water- the cold and sting forcing his eyes open again, and he kicked with his legs, giving his arms a short break. There was nothing in sight to swim to - no destination making itself known, so Zoro simple moved in the direction of the setting sun. It made him feel a little better - as if her could fool himself that an island lay just ahead out of sight. It kept him going, pretending to have a destination to go to.
So when the sun made it's way under the horizon, and Zoro spied a ship in it's wake, he made up his mind that regardless of who might sail the vessel, he would be needing their help. He loathed himself for his weakness, but he knew that it was unfair to Chopper to let pride skip this maybe only chance for rescue.
He kicked off, moving aching arms thought the water - trying to catch up with the ship before it moved too far away....
**
Marines. And not the decent ones like Smoker. No, these men ranked up higher than Morgan and Helmeppo, ones who didn't care for Justice, or world order - only of securing themselves a position of power. Zoro would rather of drowned himself just then, as they laughed down at him. And he made that threat vocal. He knew how much he was worth alive, and it was the only bargaining chip he had.
He had made a deal. Nobody hurt Chopper in anyway shape or form, and then let him go free at the next port. In return, Zoro won't fight back, regardless of what they might do to him, and would remain submissive until was handed to the Marine’s higher officers, in exchange for the bounty on his head.
It was a crap-ass deal, and the voice of his self-preservation screamed at him that suicide via drowning would work out better for him. But Zoro couldn't do that to Chopper, at least not with out the young reindeer's consent, . But right now the Zoan eater was passed out against him, shear-will the only thing keeping him still holding on.
If only he could ignore the way the marine captain was grinning at him. If only he could ignore the leers of the crew. And the growing dread in his gut that the mistake he was making wasn't one that he or Chopper could live with easily.
** ** **
11 days later
** ** **
Two weeks passed since Chopper'd fallen over board during the Grand Line's near unpredictable storms. The Mugiwara's had spent that first week sailing in circles, desperately looking for their missing crew-mates. About half way though that second week - dwindling supplies forced them to continue onward to port - stocking up, and trying to backtrack the treacherous Grand Line.
None wanted to admit that they were dangerously close to getting lost. No one wanted to ask Nami if they'd even found the right place in the first place - all wanting her to be a certain as she desperately wanted to be.
Two weeks, and they had no idea where to look any more, Luffy spending his day scanning the horizon in dread, knowing he'd soon have to make the call that they'd have to sail on. His heart ached at the thought of casting Zoro and Chopper off as lost at Sea, but he was slowly coming to terms that this was not working.
It was a seagull, one who'd refused to leave them be, that became their saving grace. The bird seemed to have a death wise of sorts, diving at them, and attacking with a vengeance. Not even Sanji managed to get a good kick in, the bird too fast, and attacking his supporting leg when he kicked.
For two days they where terrorized by the bird - until it chased Usopp right into the rudder control, sending them jerking off of Nami's course.
She came storming in to correct it, but the gull would have none of that, keeping them both at bay until it seemed satisfied with their direction. It moved away, letting Usopp and Nami back at the controls - at least until they tried to move off of the psychotic bird's chosen course.
All feeling a little disturbed to find themselves being held hostage by 'an afternoon snack' they eyes the bird warily. But it was calm and actually preening,a s long as they let the course be, so with little other ideas, and all sick with worry - the let the bird have it's way.
It was nearing dusk of day fourteen when they spotted a solo marine ship. Curious as to finding on its own, Usopp spied on it through his binoculars, his voice choking as a small figure waved back from the ship's stern, desperately trying to hail them.
His voice was hoarse, tears already streaming down his face as he yelled down to the crew, before turning back to check - almost sure his eyes were playing tricks on him.
But no - Chopper was still there, madly seeking their attention.
As they moved into action, spurring their vessel to gain on the ship, no one noticed their strange companion fly away. The gull soared over the water, circling the Marine ship once with a single cry - before flying off on its own.
The darkness that came with night fall helped them catch up with the Marines - allowed them to get with in Luffy's stretch before they noticed, and the alarms blared over the water.
Very few words were exchanged as the straw-hats boarded the marine ship, and sent its crew flying with punches and kicks, with flaming stars and a weathered bo. Nami stayed behind to assure a quick get away, urging the boys to hurry while they still could.
A distraught Chopper lead the way though the ship, a path too well know to him, having spent long hours with his forehead pressed again the bulk door that blocked him from entering the brig. He'd tried once to bust Zoro out, after he'd regained his senses and discovered the deal that'd been made; when he saw them torturing this nakama. - They'd rushed him, forcing him over board and back into the sea.
When he came too the second time, the captain had taken him to see the punishment they'd forced Zoro to endure for his outburst. The captain warned him, as he lead the crying child away, that if he tried it again, they wouldn't fish him out a second time.
Chopper'd not been allowed to see Zoro again after that, but the doors couldn't block the smells or the sounds. He couldn't take away Zoro's hurt but he could send for help....
With practiced ease, Usopp got the brig door open, the lock not standing a chance after his lessons with Nami, and Luffy had the sniper wait with Chopper at the door, less they become trapped inside. With Sanji watching his back, the straw-hat made his way into the ship's brig, passing silently pass cells, looking in just long enough to see that Zoro was not inside before moving on. Sanji moved quietly along the other wall, checking each cell quickly, before watching the hall as he moved to the next one.
It was Sanji who found him finally, kicking the door away with more venom than usual, which seemed like overkill, at least until the captain looked inside.
Luffy's stomach dropped, and for a moment, his legs rooted him to the spot at the open door, disbelief on his features as Sanji looked back the way the came with murder on ever line of his face.
The mugiwara's first mate hung there, suspended by ropes tied around his arms, pulled behind his back, wrenching the limbs up in an unnatural angle. Fresh rope burns had left his ankles raw, short ropes running to the floor to keep him from kicking,
and his toes just brushed the low point of stained cement flooring where his blood was draining away to deeper parts of the ship. He was blindfolded with his own bandanna, and his shirt was soaked in his own blood. But the thing that angered Monkey D. Luffy the most was the dried white that mixed with blood on Zoro's face and hair, and that seeped down bared legs, the smell of bad sex and blood assaulting the captain's nose; rolling his stomach.
Zoro tensed, head titling, apprehensive, and unable to breath, listening. A great range of smells assaulted him, and there was a question in his voice, a tremble of disbelief, like a man who fear to hope, who'd started to give up. A man who didn't believe himself worthy of being rescued.
"Luffy?" He wheezed out, more blood falling from his lips as he strained to hear something, anything which might put him at ease. He latches on to a smell - one that used to cause him so much irritation, "Sanji?"
Sanji reached the swordsman first, his cigarette forgotten in the doorway to roll across the slanted floor and pause in a congealing blood puddle. The cook slid under Zoro's form without a word, before straightening so that he was supporting Zoro's weight against his back, easing the strain on Zoro's arms.
Luffy was at his other side, easily stretching to untie the ropes, letting his swordsman's dead weight settle slowly into Sanji's grip. They both winced at the ragged breathing of their friend, both tried to ignore the near sob of relief given off as Zoro pressed his head into Sanji's back, inhaling deeply; trying to desperately replace the smell of the room with the smell of the kitchen that hung constantly around Sanji. To replace this hell-hole with a place of love.
Usopp peeked into the cell then, a whispered warning to hurry. There where still a few marines around who'd been less than happy with being attacked. Zoro seemed to regain himself a little then, pulling his face from the neatly pressed jacket.
Luffy nodded to his sniper, not trusting his voice. He moved to Sanji's side, before pulling the black cloth from Zoro's eyes, anger knotting as his hand brushed unyielding dried fluids on Zoro's bruise and bloodied face. He hugged Zoro, pulling the man's head close, his face betraying his own fear as he buried his nose into Zoro's stained hair, softly kissing the course stiffened strands.
Boshi was placed firmly on the green head, and Luffy stood, Sanji straightening beside him, a firm hand under each bare knee, leaning forward just a bit to keep Zoro in place at this back. Luffy gave the room a swift last look, noting a tattered pile of discarded, bloodied black green fabric, and a mess of cloth that was once the swordsman’s pants. His boots and Haramaki were no where in sight, and his swords still lay safely on the Going Merry, having been picked up from where they'd been dropped in Zoro's rush to dive in after Chopper. There was nothing left in the room to take, and they moved to the hall.
Ussop keeping the way open with his Tabasco stars, and Chopper was at his side, handing him ammunition. The two covered Sanji and they made there way up top, to the Going Merry.
A straw hat-less Luffy strayed behind.
**
Nami was true to her word, and the boys climbed into the Merry with no further hassles from the marines. She looked very much like she wanted to help as she watched them move Zoro to Chopper's make-shift infirmary, but she stayed put, ready to make a hasty escape the moment Luffy returned.
Usopp help finish unbinding Zoro's arms, but couldn't bring himself to do more. He was nearly weeping as he tried to wipe clean the other man's face, wetting a rag with his tongue, before running it across the blood with little progress.
"Oi.. Usopp..." Zoro's voice was soft and cracked, painful.
The storyteller nodded, not trusting his own voice at the moment either.
".. You do me a favor?"
"Anything Zoro." And he meant it.
"Need ya... ta help Nami . n'.. Luffy"
"You sure?"
"Please.... "
"Thank you...and," Usopp whispered, resting their foreheads together briefly, "I’m sorry..." before escaping up deck.
The moment the over head door closed, the swordsmen wheezed, coughing and gasping for air, the effort of holding it back reflecting harshly now as his entire body shook in agony, his face distorting in pain, and he panted, trying to catch his breath.
He passed out finally; slumping against Sanji, who worked on finish what Usopp'd started, as Chopper fretted, hurrying about to stop the blood flow. No longer able to disguise his pain, his unconscious body would cringe and whimper, but neither of the two that help him would ever dare hold it against him.
Luckly, most of the cuts where shallow, and the few deep ones where only bleeding sluggishly. But they all needed cleaned, and checked over for infection. But the dried fluids clung to Zoro's skin like glue - his shirt thick and stiff, plastered to his torso like a second skin.
Finally, Sanji threw down the damp washcloth and set Zoro down against the table. He stormed into the bathroom, filling the tub with the warmest water he dared. He toed off his shoes on his way back, pausing at the table to roll his pant legs up to his knees, before dragging the limp swordsman into the bathroom.
With Chopper's help, they arranged Zoro in the tub, Sanji sitting behind him, on the porcelain edge.
Zoro's torso was tucked between Sanji's legs and the tub wall, head pillowed on his own shoulder, arms laid across Sanji's thighs.
Chopper filled a bucket with the clean water; setting is beside the basin with a clean rag.
There was a commotion on deck, one that crashed overhead, thundering through the men's cabin.
Luffy stood in the doorway, catching his breath as he looked to his crew, needing there reassurance that all was well, or at least was heading in that direction. Usopp and Nami stood behind him, waiting for the silence to be broken.
Chopper couldn't say yet though, biting his lip in frustration.
Usopp brought Chopper's box of bandages in and Nami dropped off her bag of soaps at the door, before the two escorted Luffy to the kitchens with a promise of a snack, pulling the captain out of Chopper's way.
The small doctor smiled sadly, and pulled the straw hat aside, as Sanji unknotted the bandanna resting around Zoro's neck, and handed the sopping fabric over. Chopper wrung it out, and folded it, setting it inside the hat, and setting it on the floor in reverence.
Sanji idly lit another cigarette, before rolling his sleeves up, grabbing the wet washcloth from the bucket. Wash cloth in hand, Sanji washed Zoro's face, his neck, his arms, wiping the strains from his skin, talking to him all the while, berating him, griping about 'How dare he get to have Nami-san's precious soap washed on him.'
Chopper stood beside the tub, moderately applying salve to the rope lacerations on Zoro's arms, binding the wounds in gauze and bandages, and setting them outside Sanji's legs, so they didn't fall back in to the water.
Sanji leaned over, tapping some ashes off in to the overflow drain on the floor, picking though Nami's contributions, spying a bottle of particular fruity shampoo. An evil little grin broke his face, and he applied a liberal amount on to the green head in his lap. The grin even turned to a sincere smile as the dried paraphernalia washed out, leaving only lathered soap in moss hair.
He rinsed the shampoo out, ignoring the fact it soaked his pant leg, before repeating with a fruity coconut conditioner.
While soaking in the warm water, the blood on the shirt had softened, and chopper took a pair of scissors and gently cut away the stained fabric, which was tossed un-ceremoniously to the side.
His chest was heavily bruised, and chopper confirmed that several of his ribs had been smashed in. With movement restricted by the confines of the bathtub, he wrapped the man's torso as best as he could, with a promise to do it better once they were finished in the men's room.
The plug was pulled, the stained water draining away, as they bandaged Zoro's ankles much as they had with his wrists, and zoro lay resting in the tub, only one injury left to deal with.
"You want me to do this one?" Sanji asked quietly, cigarette bit viciously in his teeth. Chopper's head hung and the boy nodded. Though he felt ashamed of his hesitation, Sanji merely patted the pink hat softly, before reaching for the salve.
The soaked and torn pants were tossed on top of the ruined shirt, and Chopper took the pile away, presumably to toss them over board.
The End.