Chapter Sixteen

The crew observed as Mjolnir moved towards them, so light on their feet that it was almost soundless. Zoro couldn't help but be mesmerized. Mjolnir was fifty-two years old. Older than them all. Those eyes held knowledge, and hands held experience. And not to mention, he couldn't deny the beautiful they had.

" Oh hey Mjolnir, haven't seen you since daybreak. "Luffy blinked, his usual wide smile spreading over his lips.

A small smile found it's way on Mjolnir's face, quirking up at their left side to give a lopsided smirk. "Morning captain, I was craving the fresh sea air and sat at deck for a while."

"Nothing about choppy sea air is fresh." Usopp grimaced in askance.

Mjolnir let out a low chuckle. "I've been at sea for fifty-two years, Usopp. And I don't doubt that I will continue to be at sea till the day I die or eventually get killed. Choppy sea air and the vomiting that comes with unstable atmosphere is the best you'll see in your journey as a pirate. You all have a long way to go. "

" Mjolnir... "Zoro finally found his voice to call their name and grabbing their attention. For the days he'd been asleep, they seemed to have come to an agreement. Even Nami that had sported a venomous look just for Mjolnir had nothing of the sort currently. It wasn't a surprise, they would have had to warm up to Mjolnir sooner or later or else their relationship would fail in the aspect of not trusting each other. He was saved anyway, that gave them about many reasons why to give the assassin a chance.

Mjolnir turned their face towards Zoro and gave him a small smile. "Hello Roronoa Zoro, welcome back finally, to reality."

Zoro could only gulp, watching Mjolnir as they pulled Nami away completely.

" "Nami, he just awoke from a coma. Don't kill him while he's in his healing state " Mjolnir rolled their eyes with an annoyed look."or help to reopen his wound the last thing we need is another infection slipping in. " Mjolnir grumbled.

" Yeah yeah, sure. "Nami rolled her eyes with a pout and gave way for Mjolnir to crouch before Zoro.

" You've been asleep for a while, and I hadn't had verbal communication in other to check up on you." Mjolnir continued." Your voice seems a bit croaky but fine. Did you drink the Maine?"

Zoro hummed getting up on his feet to address the assassin with more respect for he would not have seen this day if not for their contribution to his health." It tasted horrible."

Mjolnir grinned warmly, their blue eyes glistening despite being under no influence of a beam. Dimples popped out prominently on both cheeks and white teeth on display to compliment such looks." Sorry about that, good medicine taste bitter but it is imperative for the health. If the taste still lingers it will dull with a new flavor."

He nodded,not knowing what to say and trying to not make it awkward than he felt it would get.

"You look well, as recovery goes. How are you feeling." Mjolnir asked searching his face for any sign of discomfort with those eyes.

" Drained, exhausted.... maybe a bit nauseous." Zoro answered, his lips twitching in discomfort as he felt his crew mates watch their interaction with interest. Interest whether it be regarding his health or something else good enough to make that smug grin appear on Sanji's face.

Mjolnir nodded turning away to walk into the kitchen." As expected, that's perfectly normal."

"You can't be serious." Nami scoffed."  If he was recovering well then those symptoms should be long passed by then."

Mjolnir rose her eyes towards Nami apathetically, blinking in irritation. It was normal for Nami to be prudent about his health, but it meant questioning her proficiency. It was profoundly vexing for the assassin.

"You're serious." Nami conceded improbably.

"He'd been asleep for four days with us only managing to feed him liquid food and barely enough water." Usopp explained.

" Plus he hadn't exercised like he used to. It's obvious what would happen." Sanji added crossing his arms over his chest and turning towards Mjolnir to catch her approval. Mjolnir smiled again,it was good to have smart mates around sometimes.

Nami pursed her lips looking away in discomfiture. "Point made."

"We should probably get some food in you first, Zoro, before I do a quick checkup on you..... We need to replenish that strength. " Mjolnir announced snatching an apple from the fruit bowl on the counter." Sanji do your job, I'll be on the deck if you need me. "

" What, not having breakfast? " Sanji let a lopsided smirk curve in his lips, one hiding his despondent.

Holding the apple up for everyone to see, Mjolnir begun to make their way out of the kitchen." This is enough for me, make sure Zoro gets enough protein to rebuild his torn muscles and carbohydrate for strength."

" Yes, I'm ravenous too." Usopp declared ambling into the kitchen and tailing the scent of the food.

"Idiot." Nami muttered trailing behind. Luffy, was not far behind obviously given his extreme attraction to food.

Sani watched the three with a nostalgic smile. For the past four days, despite the free atmosphere there was still a lingering of something missing. That was the ambiance of his friend. But now that lingering had been filled and he was truly glad for it. Turning towards his green haired friend, he embraced him in a quick hug. Zoro was surprised by his abrupt show of affection but didn't mind and nonetheless accept his affection.

"Welcome back, mate." Sanji proclaimed for both himself and Zoro." It's good to have you here again."

Zoro nodded in agreement. Yes, it was good to be back.

Freshly steamed noodles with eggs, meat and aromatic spices that watered the mouth. Zoro looked down at the steamy hot ramen noodles, with a plate of sushi by the side and a cup of green tea at the other. Sanji had managed to once again outdo himself splendidly, which was basically all the time. It both smelt and looked heavenly.

"It's not the rice balls but it's something delicious." Sanji chuckled pleased at the staggered look on Zoro's face as he stared down at his food.

Looking up from his plate of healthy breakfast Zoro smiled and shook his head gently. "It's okay, you don't really have to make me rice balls you know."

Sanji shook his head in disagreement, a prominent frown framing his handsome face. "No, you held up your bargain to me by keeping  alive as promised, it's my turn to uphold the end of the deal." He bristled

Zoro snickered." It's not that serious, it's just food Sanji. "

" And you're speaking to a passionate chef." Sanji chuckled patting his back." Eat up, and eat enough. I want that plate empty by the time everyone finishes breakfast."

" Aye. " Zoro couldn't agree more. As the crew sat the the dining table, they gobbled down on the amazing morning dish like there was no tomorrow. Luffy in particular, enjoyed it greatly and went in for more then two rounds. This, of course, pleased Sanji. And not just as the cook, but at the fact that his crush liked it very well. It was motivating to create more unique dishes just for Luffy.

"So...." Zoro begun, clearing his throat. Everyone looked up from their bowls to him." Does anyone care to brief me on what happened while I was unconscious for four days."

The four shared glances, shrugging at each other.

"Nothing much happened really....." Nami pondered.

"After your procedure, we gave Mjolnir a room to stay and some of Nami's discarded clothes that did fit anymore." Luffy narrated

"We talked about our deal, she told us more about the Kuyutha.... "Sami added.

" And what about the Kuyutha. "Zoro interjected, his ears perking up at that particular piece of information. For all the reasons worth, he was deeply immersed with getting more knowledge on this new creature. It had almost killed him, an unknown and unidentified monster that was capable of rendering the strong weak or worse; dead.

"Territorial sea monsters that lives in hives and travel in pods. "Luffy shared concisely." Mjolnir doesn't exactly know how they came about or where they came from.....but she said her crew did. And they never told her for some reason unknown. She purposes to train us in the art of their killing and hunting. Said it was the only way to survive combat with one of them. "

Nami shivered silently, as the images of the night of the attack and Zoro's extraction process flashed in her mind again. It would be hell to face one again, plus they were almost immune to her attack. It made her feel useless. But maybe Mjolnir's training could help her in a way, it was the only reason why she agreed to play it nicely.

" We've been at sea, since then though. "Usopp cut in." The deck is in a mess, the sail is torn up and there are holes on the body of my baby. We were so engrossed and preoccupied with putting the ship in a usable condition enough to take us safely to the next town for repairs that we hardly had enough time to discuss more with Mjolnir. "

" Oh. "Zoro nodded looking down at his breakfast. It was now half eaten, the sushi was gone, noodles were half eaten and hus appetite had wallowed." How is she really, Mjolnir I mean...she saved my life as per our bargain but can that assassin really be trusted?"

The crew shared the same looks. Obliviousness. Can Mjolnir really be trusted? That question could only be answered with time. They would have to cope with the mystery person, and scrutinize their every move.

"Well, we'll find out soon enough." Nami broke the silence with an uneasy half shrug. She picked at her noodles, as she allowed herself to be lost in her thoughts." The last few days with her in this ship hasn't been too bad. She's been quite nice, but people can be deceitful."

Usopp hummed in agreement." True, however we can't know what she really is so we are gonna have to wait that out. And probably be cautious. "

After much coercion from Nami and Sanji, Zoro –against his will– finished the remaining noodles in his bowl and called for Mjolnir for a quick checkup after assisting to settling Zoro back on the bed of the sick bay. Mjolnir practically shooed the crew members away to grant both Zoro and the white ghost some space and privacy for comfortable examination. They didn't complain, and do did Zoro as the others left.

He was alone with her now.....

"Take off your shirt please." Mjolnir ordered, pulling a chair and sitting right before him.

Zoro obeyed without complaint, hiding his winces and emotion of discomfort as he managed to pull the shirt off him with great pain. He felt like the injury refused to numb and give him some relief.

Zoro watched Mjolnir as they worked on unrolling the bandages off his chest. The white ghost was so concentrated on the task before them that even Zoro was mesmerized. The blue eyes focusing on a particular spot on his body made him feel like his cheeks could go warm. Suddenly, he felt uncomfortable, fingers twitching.

"You're healing pretty good, that's nice." Mjolnir declared pulling back. His cut was expertly sewn together and it was beginning to show quick signs of healing in the span of four days due to the rare medicinal herbs Mjolnir applied ober the surface of the injury every six hours." It seems like you'll be fine. Consider yourself a lucky man Zoro, not many survive this but you persisted. Well done."

" You seem quite skilled in this area of expertise. "Zoro wondered, in thought of how an assassin could acquire such knowledge on the medical aspect. It was a profession that took years to master. Well, Mjolnir had fifty-two years long gone.

Mjolnir shot him a look, letting out a soft chuckle as they popped open an container that held a greenish gel like content within. Dipping the two fingers into the substance, Mjolnir scooped up an ample amount of gel and begun to rub it gently over Zoro's injury. It stung badly, but he avoided revealing any emotion of pain. His crew not Mjolnir would never let him free if he showed signs of fatigue.

"I'd always wanted to be a physician." Mjolnir begun, causing Zoro to look at the white ghost. " I learnt a lot from my crew healer and helped many a times on  raids and attacks and plagues. My....my father promised me that he would build a huge hospital just for me when he retired.....and that we would run it together with the crew after retirement...but I guess they didn't live long enough to accomplish that dream."

" I'm sorry.....for you loss. " That was all Zoro could say at the moment. The sadness in Mjolnir's eyes as they spoke about their past brought about nostalgia his own sad memories.

Mjolnir looked up at him through long lashes, unconsciously fluttering them." I'm flattered Zoro, but you're probably like twenty-two years too late for condolences. "

" Maybe, but still. I kind of know how it feels to lose someone you love. Every person in this ship feels the same way too. "Zoro gave her a small smile.

Mjolnir cocked their head." Past lover? "

Looking away he grimaced." Might as well have been. But..... Kuina was also a sister to me. A friend.... "

Kuina..... Mjolnir thought as the reminisce of the night of his procedure flashed into their brain.

"Ahh," Mjolnir nodded impassively helping to wrap a clean roll of bandages over the wound. "I'll come check you up tomorrow, Zoro. The gel is a numbing potion so it should subside the pain you're feeling right now."

Zoro went stiff." I'm not in pain. "

Without warning, Mjolnir sent their left hand smacking lightly in his chest. Zoro's eyes widened in pain as he gasped for air covering his injury and backing off." What the hell Mjolnir. "

" You forget I've been doing this job for years Zoro. "Mjolnir shook their head standing up and placing both hands on small hips. "Don't lie to me again if you don't want to die. I know you don't want the rest to suffocate you but if you are careless and that wound reopens..... a second infection slips in and you're gone. "

Taking a deep breath and reeling from the pain he nodded, realizing that it was partially his fault. Not it was entirely his fault and Mjolnir was trying to make him see reason.

" Get enough sleep and food, don't overexert yourself your body needs rest to heal. I suggest you skip tonight's wash, don't take a bath, you can clean with a wet rag but by all cost avoid the bandages from getting soiled."

"I got you doc." Zoro joked giving a mock salute.

It had Mjolnir smiling. "Well, I'll leave you to it then. You should rest now."

Zoro watched as Mjolnir left the room, small hips swaying with the skirt. He missed his chance to ask but one question, was it their voice that sung that song in his slumber.