Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

She hated getting sick.

Even with the heater on full blast, the apartment felt cold.

Her body ached as she slowly closed the door behind her. She shuddered, shaking against the front door before she finally managed to drag herself away, struggling to toe off her shoes and stumbling deeper into her home. She sniffled, bringing the back of her hand and leaving it against her forehead. The heat that greeted her skin made her stomach sink, eyes squeezing shut in despair as she shook her head. "Stupid. You're so stupid. How could you get sick?"

"You don't even do anything."

She looked desperately around her tiny living room, trying to focus her blurring thoughts. She shut her eyes, trying to put things in order. Eat. I should eat. I worked a long shift today. Should I call in sick? What if I wake up better? What if I don't? Should I let them know now?

She hesitated, losing all semblance of an appetite. Her body ached. Her clothes rubbed raw and uncomfortable against her skin. I don't need to eat. I just need to take some medicine and go to sleep.

She stumbled to the kitchen, inhaling shakily as the world swayed around her. She almost laughed at herself, why was she being so dramatic? You're ridiculous. This is nothing. Nothing.

"You're so dramatic. Just go get some rest."

She tugged her phone out of her pocket, hitting the screen and pulling up her boss' number. She sent them a quick text, leaning against one of the stools in the kitchen as she eyed the takeout menu. Maybe she should just order something now and eat it later. She'd have to eat eventually. She should make some hot water or some tea—

Her phone lit up and she glanced down.

"Really? Fine. Just don't come in tomorrow. I'll come in to cover since no one else can."

She stared at her screen in silence. A text bubble appeared from her boss before it went away. She blinked, looking up again. What had she just been thinking again? Tea? No, she didn't really feel like tea either... she'd drink something later. She'd worry about eating later.

When minutes passed without any other message, she quietly pulled up her contacts, staring at the top two in silence.

Her finger reached out, hesitating over the top one before she clicked it. She waited.

"Sorry, the person you dialed is unavailable right now."

She inhaled and exhaled shakily. She glanced at her cabinet and then looked back at her phone, trying the next contact. She sent a quick text, waiting.

"Probably because you stayed up too late drawing again. Mom always tells you to stop and go to sleep." She stared at the messages appearing on her screen. The apartment was growing darker as evening fell, taking any last bit of light outside with it. "Take some medicine and get some rest."

She smiled a bit shakily at the message, typing a quick response. "Okay."

The young woman stood in her kitchen for what felt like hours, head throbbing, skin heating up uncomfortably. She let her phone screen illuminate her features, glowing in the darkness before she pulled her cabinet open and shuffled around for the fever reducers. She twisted off the cap, shaking them out into her palm.

A tide of pills came spilling from the confines. She blinked, staring in surprise as they all poured over her hand and onto the counter. Dozens of colored pills gazed back at her in silence. She stared at them.

She looked at the dozen or so in the palm of her hand.

"Don't make more work for people."

"You're really inconveniencing me like this, you know?"

"Don't be a burden—"

She dropped the pills from her hand, letting them spill onto the counter. She trembled, shaking her head as she quickly scooped them all up, pushing them back into the container and sealing the cap. She tossed it back into her cabinet, leaning against the countertop as she caught her breath.

For a moment she pressed the heel of her palms into her eyes, breathing, the heat of her skin burning against her hands. You're...okay.

She shakily grabbed a water bottle, hurrying back to her room.

She ignored everything else, not even bothering to peel off her clothes and change into something else. She grabbed her extra blankets and turned on the small heater by her bedside, pressing it as close as she could as she slipped into bed and threw the covers over herself.

She shivered. She breathed shakily, coughing into her fist as she huddled close to herself, wrapping her arms tightly over her middle. She shut her eyes, digging her face into her pillow and willing herself to fall asleep. The sooner she fell asleep the sooner it'd be over.

She hated being sick.

I hate feeling so—

Hoku wasn't sure how to explain it, but for some reason, she wasn't really feeling so hot.

It'd only been about a few hours or so since they'd left Little Garden and their massive giants behind. Usopp and Luffy were in a grand mood, singing along to some song Usopp had made up on the spot about the grand triumphs of the warriors of Elbaf, making promises to visit it no matter what. Zoro had slunk off to train despite needing to rest with his injured feet—something Hoku wasn't entirely complaining about since he'd come to collect her stories at his own leisure. He seemed to like keeping her waiting, the bastard.

"Don't worry," Zoro had said when she'd been watching him warily from the bars of the staircase. "I'll collect."

Nami was charting the course to Alabasta, sailing full speed ahead with the eternal pose in hand. Vivi was beside her, the two of them speaking about something while Karoo lounged a few spaces away on the floor, absently pecking at his feathers or watching Usopp and Luffy dance. Sanji was somewhere in the kitchen, something sweet wafting from behind the door.

All around them the skies were bright blue, soft clouds occasionally rolling past. The weather must've been pleasant, nothing but warm sun shining down on them followed by the faint sea breeze—but Hoku was starting to feel a little…cold? Was it getting chillier? She'd taken a shower to wash off all the soot and paint splattered on her from Little Garden, but her hair had long dried and the weather seemed too fine for anything else.

Hoku made herself at home leaning against the Merry's mast, directly under the most sunlight. Beside her were all her tools, several new pages in her lap to finish telling the story of two friends who'd fought for over a century and a band of pirates enlisting the aid of a lost princess to help them fend off an underground criminal organization.

If she had the pages on her in the moment and felt like now was better than later, she'd typically leave her blood to spread across the pages, illustrating the moments in vivid, current detail. If there was a little more time after the excitement, then Hoku preferred going over her drawings in more detail. This is going to be one hell of a story, so I have to give it my best while I'm still here.

This though? This was not her best.

She blinked, squinting harder at the blurred images of the drawing in front of her. This was her third attempt already at recreating the image of dinosaurs towering over the thick foliage of Little Garden. No matter how hard she tried to focus, the drawings meant to spill from her blood with guided thoughts and images were all coming out… well, kind of bad.

There was a strange… blur to the entire image. As if Hoku had spilled water before it had the chance to settle. Not even water could normally affect paintings drawn by their blood in this way, so none of that made sense. For some reason, Hoku's drawings were just coming out so… sloppy.

This is kind of a disgrace. Hoku squinted harder, lifting the paper up. She sniffled, coughing once and then shaking her head clear of grogginess. I'm not even drunk. What is this? I know I'm focused…

She needed to get this done… Nami could be getting sick any second, and then they'd have to detour, wouldn't they? Or was Chopper on the way? They needed to get their doctor and… wait, was that how it went? I can't remember…

"Is something wrong, Hoku?"

Hoku looked up and winced, squeezing her eyes shut for a moment. Oh, that was a bit fast… why do I feel so nauseous? When she opened her eyes again Vivi and Nami were standing before her, watching with curious frowns as Hoku rubbed at her eyes. "You… you dropped the Miss, huh?"

It was Vivi's turn to blink before her cheeks flushed a little pink in embarrassment. Nami grinned a bit beside her. "I-I mean, I can keep it if you'd prefer! I didn't mean…"

"I'm teasin'," Hoku said, waving her hand. Nami took it as an invitation to take a seat beside her, pushing up close against Hoku's side while Vivi politely took a seat on Hoku's other side. "I never asked… if you prefer Princess or Vivi."

"Please, call me Vivi," Vivi said quickly. "With everything going on it's better that way to keep my identity a secret as well."

"So when all's said and done," Hoku grinned. "You want us to call you Princess?"

"No, no! I didn't mean it like that either."

"It's great though, isn't it, Vivi?" Nami said. They both turned to the navigator, a soft smile on her lips. "You can finally go home."

Vivi's eyes brightened. Her hands clenched tighter at her sides, face full of eager determination. "Yes, it's wonderful. I've got to save my country."

"Well, that's if we don't run into any trouble from here to Alabasta," Nami teased. Hoku nodded, frowning again in frustration when her next drawings came out more as scribbles, crudely drawn and almost resembling stick figures. Some of these colors don't even make any sense! Blue trees?

"I'll do everything I need to do," Vivi promised. "I'll live and return to Alabasta."

Hoku smiled a bit tiredly. She ripped her page in half, crumpling it in her fist. Her skin was starting to feel a little raw. Maybe there's a colder wind coming after all. I should bundle up. "Saving your home's a good cause, I don't mind… giving up a life for that."

Nami pushed Hoku's shoulder with her own. Hoku held back a wince at how… achy the entire action felt. Her skin prickling uncomfortably. "Stop talking like that! You'll jinx us with bad luck."

"None of you ladies need to worry about any of that," Sanji said smoothly. He peeked out from around the mast post, grinning charmingly. "You have me!"

Hoku nodded absently to his words. Sanji… yeah… reliable… something smells good. It smelled good but Hoku hardly had an appetite. The thought of food touching her lips made her stomach churn.

She froze at the thought. Hoku shook her head again, rubbing the back of her stiffening neck. Not hungry? What am I thinking?

"I already can't thank you all enough for everything you've done up until now," Vivi said earnestly.

"Oh, don't worry," Nami grinned. "We'll collect~"

"Petit four?" Sanji offered sweetly, lowering a tray of decorated pastries for the three of them. "They're my treat of the day and there's a choice of coffee or tea."

Hoku pinched the bridge of her nose, massaging her finger up toward her forehead, trying to ease the throbbing ache beginning beneath her skin. Everyone's voices were beginning to sound as though she were underwater. Hoku opened her eyes, brows furrowed in confusion. What the hell is wrong with me? Am I just tired?

"My king," Mau said. "You should rest."

She hardly noticed when Luffy and Usopp appeared, mouths open and drooling. Sanji rolled his eyes, jerking his thumb toward the kitchen and they scampered off with cheers, racing for their own shares. Sanji turned back to them, beaming sweetly. "What'll it be, ladies? Hoku Honey, I dried some of those fruits you like like you suggested! I can brew up my own blend with those if you'd prefer."

Hoku opened her mouth, lips moving to form the words. She pushed her hair out of her face, still a bit wavy from the earlier confines of its braid. Sweat slowly gathered along the nape of her neck, dribbling against the side of her temple. Hoku blinked wearily, looking up in confusion when everyone had fallen silent. Sanji, Nami and Vivi all looked at her, brows furrowed and faces becoming warped in concern.

Her gut twisted uncomfortably at the sight. "W… What's wrong?"

"Well, you didn't say anything," Nami explained, brows furrowing deeper. "You just mumbled back to Sanji. Hoku, are you alright?"

"What's wrong, Hoku Honey?" Sanji's head tipped to the side, a soft frown touching his face. "Are you not feeling well?"

"Do you want to rest?" Vivi said beside her. "You were fighting and everything… you must be tired."

"Don't be such a burden."

Hoku shook her head and instantly regretted the action, grabbing at her head and groaning softly. The entire deck began to spin a bit, wood sliding sideways. "No…no… I'm… fine…"

Her throat ached, tongue like sandpaper against the roof of her mouth. Her fingers slipped against her papers, spilling loosely across her lap. "I… 'm just dizzy…seasick…"

Sanji put out his cigarette, kneeling down in front of Hoku. Concern colored every feature of his face. Hoku felt the twist in her gut tighten. Something uncomfortable was beginning to wrench her insides, pinching her from the inside out. "Hoku Honey, you don't have to act tough with me! Shall I carry you to bed, my love?"

Something cool touched Hoku's forehead. She sighed for a moment, eyes fluttering shut at the sensation. That feels good. Chills raced across her arms, the aching, raw sensation of her body being scratched by nails.

"Hoku!" Nami said, quickly pulling her hand away. "You're burning up!"

"Weird time…" Hoku huffed, rubbing at her eye. "To flirt… Nami…"

"I meant literally," Nami said, stepping back as she took in Hoku's entire appearance. "Have you been in the sun too long? Look at you, you're all flushed!"

"That's funny," Hoku said, looking confused. "I thought it was startin'… to get a little… cold…"

"I think she's caught a fever!" Vivi said, eyes widening in alarm. Hoku froze at her words. "Hoku, are you alright?"

"I'm… I'm fine," Hoku tried to say, grabbing at the mast post behind her. Fever? No, she didn't have a fever. She'd almost entirely forgotten about anything like that living this life—she hadn't fallen ill. Not once during these damn nineteen years. She'd started to think it was a perk to this new life. This couldn't be happening. "I don't… not sick…"

Hoku quickly stood up. She just needed to wash her face. Drink something and eat something light and easy. She must've been more tired than she realized. I'm not sick. I'm not sick.

Correction—Hoku tried to stand up.

The moment weight hit her feet, all the little, unstable balance she always seemed to have went completely upside down. Hoku lurched, head spinning as the blue from the sky and ocean started to blur. Fuck. Hoku groaned, collapsing to her knees.

The smell of burnt sugar trickled into her nose. A mix of something sweet with a fresh cologne, light and smooth—Sanji's cologne. The bite of cigarette smoke. Warm arms caught her instantly, the fabric of Sanji's suit rubbing uncomfortably against her skin. Everything feels uncomfortable, fuck.

Hoku let out a shuddered breath, eyes unfocused and hazy as blood sloppily spilled out from the thin cut along her finger from where she'd been drawing. It dripped onto her crumpled paper, different colors blossoming out of her control, forming incoherent shapes. Don't… want it to spill… on anyone…

"Hoku!" Nami exclaimed. Her eyes widened in worry, quickly standing beside a stunned Sanji, his cheeks a bit flushed as he quickly adjusted Hoku in his arms, turning her so she was cradled in the crook of his arm, letting her rest her weight more against his chest. "Everyone, come over here! Something's wrong with Hoku!"

The door to the kitchen slammed open. Luffy came lunging out immediately after, catching himself on the second railing as he leaned over the side. Usopp had his trusted hat behind him, rushing out of the kitchen right after.

"Hoku?" Luffy said. "What's wrong with Hoku?"

"What," Zoro said boredly, rounding the side of the ship. "Did she fall over?"

"I think she's sick!" Nami said quickly. Luffy grabbed Usopp, throwing both of them over the railing as Usopp screeched in fear. Karoo waddled over, crowding a bit behind Vivi and watching over her shoulder. Zoro came to a stop beside them, arms crossed over his chest with a frown. "She started to get warm and then she just collapsed!"

"Who attacked her?" Luffy demanded, skidding to a halt beside them. "Where are they? What was it!"

"No one attacked her!" Usopp said, grabbing Luffy's arm before he launched himself to the top of Merry's mast. "Nami just said she's sick!"

"But how do you get sick? Someone attacked her then, right?"

"Well, it's like…" Usopp trailed off, brows furrowed in confusion as he looked up at the sky. He snapped his fingers. "Bacteria or something!"

"Bacteria!" Luffy shouted. "How do I beat bacteria? Lemme at them!"

"You can't punch bacteria, idiot!"

Luffy quickly crowded the space beside Nami, looking down at Hoku. Her entire face was flushed a deep red, sweat rolling down as her hair clung to the side of her face. Hoku's chest was rising and falling rapidly, soft, labored pants escaping her mouth. Her eyes fluttered, struggling to stay open before they squeezed tightly shut instead.

"Hoku?" Luffy said. Hoku's eyes fluttered, mouth parting a bit. "Hey, Hoku! Hoku! What's wrong?"

Vivi dropped to her knees beside Sanji. Sweat rolled down the side of her face, hand reaching over and touching Hoku's forehead once more. Vivi pulled away quickly, fear colored her features. "She's burning. She must be running a very high fever!"

"I don't know how she could've caught this cold," Nami said. "She wasn't even showing any symptoms, is it heatstroke?"

"Hoku Honey," Sanji said gently. He reached with careful fingers, pushing her now dampened hair out of her face. Sweat soaked the entirety of her top, clinging to her skin. "What happened? She was fine a few minutes ago!"

"I don't know," Vivi said hurriedly. "It could've been anything—people get sick all the time on the Grand Line with the way the weather changes. She must've come down with something!"

"It's no use waiting out here," Zoro said. "We need to move her."

"He's right!" Nami said quickly. She stood up, Vivi right beside her as Sanji gingerly moved Hoku in his arms, carrying her bridal style. "Hurry, let's put her in my bed! The hammock's no good."

"'m hand…" Hoku mumbled. Sanji and Nami paused, turning to her. "...wa…my…"

"What is it?" Vivi said, holding the door open. "What's wrong?"

"What is it, Hoku?" Nami said gently. "What's—"

Luffy simply ripped off a piece of cloth from Hoku's tools sitting on the floor. He came up beside Sanji, raising Hoku's hand up. Everyone watched with wide eyes as he quickly tied off the blood flow on Hoku's finger, setting her hand down over her chest instead. "Better?"

Hoku nodded weakly, falling limp against Sanji's chest.

"Of all the things to worry about!" Usopp said. "C'mon, let's get her inside!"

"That's what I'm doing!" Nami snapped. Usopp jumped. Vivi hurried in after Sanji, twisting her fingers nervously. "Zoro, hold onto the log pose and make sure we stay on track!"

Zoro calmly took the pose from Nami, nodding once. Luffy filed in last after all of them, closing the door behind them as he shook his head.

"Bacteria! I'm gonna beat them up…"

"Oh, Nami, Vivi!" Sanji wailed, tears pouring down his face as he fell to his knees by Hoku's bedside. "She looks like she's in so much pain! Is she going to die?"

Hoku panted, straining weakly against the covers. Sweat dripped steadily down her face, her skin flushed a dark, feverish red. Nami had pulled her blankets up over her, trying to tuck her in as much as she could, placing a cool towel over her forehead. Everyone save for Zoro was crowded in the women's room by Nami's bed, watching Hoku.

"She's not going to die!" Nami said. "Stop saying things like that."

"But what's wrong with her?" Luffy demanded. "What did the bacteria do to her?"

"It made her sick," Nami said, making soothing motions with her hand. "And you need to speak quieter. Hoku needs to rest first and foremost!"

No way. Hoku squeezed her eyes shut, trying to rack her brain for any possible explanation. Why am I sick? What went wrong? It must be heatstroke. But isn't this… Hoku wearily looked up at Nami standing over her, completely fine.

Hoku bit her lip. Ka! I'm glad but… damn it!

"Like I said, the weather is constantly changing on the Grand Line," Vivi said slowly, wringing her fingers against each other. "It's not uncommon to suddenly fall ill because of the shift… but we can't be sure what made Hoku sick."

Nami frowned, unboxing the small box of medical supplies she'd gathered from her home and in Loguetown before they'd set sail. They were equipped with most of the basics for emergency injuries, but in terms of medicine that could stop colds and reduce fevers…

I should've thought ahead. Nami slid the thermometer out of its case. She needs antibiotics, not bandages!

"Hoku," Nami said. "Here, we need to take your temperature."

Hoku panted harder, eyes squeezed tightly shut. Her brows scrunched up in pain as she shook her head. Nami blinked in disbelief. "'m… not… ick… just…"

"Don't be so stubborn!" Nami said, gently slipping the glass thermometer between her lips and under her tongue. Hoku groaned around the piece, a baby canine clinking once against the glass before she fell limp again in the bed. "Hopefully this fever looks worse than it actually is…"

"Is being sick painful?" Luffy asked, tilting his head to the side.

"I've never been sick before," Sanji said.

"Me neither," Usopp said.

"Because idiots don't get colds!" Nami snapped. "Being sick is one of the worst feelings in the world! Especially when it's because you have a fever! It can be so painful you want to die!"

"Die?" Usopp and Sanji cried. "Is Hoku (Honey) going to die?"

"The weirdo is going to die?" Karoo squawked.

"No way!" Luffy shouted. "I don't want Hoku to die! She can die? From this? What do we do—"

"You all start by shutting up!" Nami screeched.

"E-Everyone, please!" Vivi said.

"It's possible Hoku just came down with a very bad cold. If that's the case, all she needs is some nutrition and rest. We just need to focus on keeping her fever down until it breaks," Nami said, exhaling slowly. "But we don't have any medicine on this ship for fevers…"

"Let's just give her some meat," Luffy suggested. "Hoku loves to eat. She'll feel better after she eats!"

Hoku nodded mindlessly, spitting the thermometer out. "'s right… just… shove it… down my throat…"

"That's not going to work," Vivi said, gently pushing the thermometer back into Hoku's mouth. One hundred degrees… maybe it'll go down.

"Of course I'll make something Hoku Honey can eat, nice and easy," Sanji said. "But it doesn't mean it'll cure her."

Sanji exhaled, wagging a finger in the air. "Up until now, I've taken extra special care in preparing all the ladies' meals. I made sure everything was balanced and nutritious. If something was going bad I gave it to you guys."

"What?" Usopp said.

"It still tasted good though," Luffy said happily.

"You don't have to worry about basic nutrition with me," Sanji finished. "But if we don't know what Hoku's sick with, I don't know what's the best dish to help her out."

"Just give it all to her!"

"Now that'll make her real sick."

Vivi gently took the thermometer from Hoku's lips, turning it over in her hands. The princess froze, face growing pale at the numbers gazing back at her. "This… this can't be right!"

"104 degrees?" Nami exclaimed. "It was lower than that just minutes ago! Her fever's getting worse…"

Fuck. Hoku screwed her eyes shut. She couldn't make out left from right. Her body ached. Everything felt so damn cold but she knew her skin must've been on fire. I hate this. I don't want to be sick. I hate—

"You don't do anything, how did you get sick?"

"I just… need to rest…a minute…" Hoku said. They all looked over at her. "If I… sleep it off… I'll be fine…"

"I don't think you can just sleep a fever like this off," Vivi said gravely, shaking her head. Hoku fisted the top of the sheets tighter.

"There must be doctors in Alabasta," Usopp said. "Hoku just has to hold on until then, right? Then we can get her some help."

"There are doctors but…" Vivi started, looking back toward the door. "Even if we sail at our fastest speed, it's at least another week until we arrive." Nami stopped, looking hard at the floor before quietly watching Vivi. The navigator turned her eyes back toward the front of the ship as well, biting her bottom lip. "We don't know if Hoku's fever will go down or get higher… and if it's any higher than this, she could really die."

"Arto…ki.. Gets hotter…" Hoku mumbled.

"Then we have to get her to a doctor right away!" Luffy shouted. Sanji and Usopp nodded behind him. Karoo quacked in affirmation.

Vivi turned to face all of them, eyes hard in determination. "Nami, we can check your log pose instead and find the closest island to us and see if they have a doctor! If we're lucky, it won't take us too far off course. We can get Hoku help and—"

"Vivi."

Vivi stopped, turning to Nami. Her eyes were hard, expression grim as she watched Hoku's labored breathing through the comforter. Nami finally met Vivi's gaze. "...before we make any decisions about going off course, we need to make sure everything's on the table."

Vivi blinked, lowering her hands in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Nami lowered her eyes, walking briskly over to her desk drawer. She carefully pushed aside several natal charts, pulling a carefully folded newspaper out and handing it over. Vivi's eyes went wide at the images across the front page, hurriedly taking the black and white papers, pulling it open. "This can't be—"

"What's wrong?" Luffy said.

"What is it, Vivi?" Sanji asked. "Is it about Alabasta?"

"300,000 soldiers have defected and joined the rebel army!" Vivi sank to her knees. She broke out into a cold sweat, fingers trembling against the newspaper. "The Royal Army used to have 600,000 while the Rebel Army had 400,000… this changes everything."

"...which means the violence in Alabasta will intensify," Nami said quietly. Vivi looked up at her, face stricken. "It's from three days ago. I'm sorry, I didn't show it to you sooner because I didn't want you to worry."

Nami turned her eyes toward Luffy. "You understand then what this means, right Luffy?"

"I get the feeling it's pretty bad," Luffy said, crossing his arms over his chest. "And now Hoku's real sick."

Nami nodded, glancing at Hoku and facing Vivi once more. "When we make decisions, we have to make them together. We promised we'd help you, no matter what."

Vivi's fingers crumpled the edges of the newspaper. She pressed it against her forehead, curling in on herself in despair. "Getting home alive isn't just enough… I have to get there as soon as possible! I've got to get home or a million of my people will kill each other in a senseless war!"

"A million?" Luffy exclaimed.

"Vivi, already has so much to bear…" Sanji murmured.

Nami looked hard at the log pose on her wrist, watching the tiny dial point gently toward one direction. "...I noticed earlier already that the next island the log pose has locked on isn't far off in the same direction as Alabasta, but it won't be a straight shot."

The navigator shut her eyes, breathing softly before she hardened her gaze. Nami pressed a hand to her chest. "No matter where we go, I'll sail us the fastest way possible. I won't let anything the weather could throw at us stop us, but—"

Nami clenched her fist. "But even the smallest detour is going to cost us time, Vivi. That's why I wanted to be completely honest with you."

"But Hoku's… fever…" Vivi murmured, hands shaking violently, rattling the newspaper. "We don't know… what if it doesn't go down—"

"Then I just… need to… die…" Hoku said quietly.

The room fell silent. Vivi looked up shakily from the newspapers. Hoku pushed herself into a sitting position, teetering uncertainly for a moment before she pressed a hand to the wall. Sanji Nami reached out to steady her but Hoku shook her head. The wet cloth fell into her lap and Hoku pushed her hair out of her face, struggling to breathe evenly.

"If I die…" Hoku said. "I'll wake up… better. We can just stop… for supplies… and get to Alabasta!"

The island on Nami's log pose… must be Chopper's! It has to be… right? Hoku gripped the blanket harder in her hands. We'll spend… less time there… just grab him and go…

Everyone turned to her, eyes wide in disbelief aside from Luffy, who simply stared at Hoku in silence. His lips turned down into an outright frown, lips curling unhappily.

"Die?" Usopp squawked. Karoo echoed him. "Die? What is she talking about?"

"She doesn't know what she's talking about," Nami said. "She's feverish! She must be delusional right now—"

"No," Hoku ground out. She leaned her head against her hand, breathing heavily before she slowly turned to face all of them. Her eyes were hazy, fogged over, but struggling to focus. "I need… to die."

"Hoku Honey!" Sanji fretted. "What are you saying? No one needs to die—"

"I told… you all before," Hoku labored. She straightened, facing them with as much strength as she could muster. "It wasn't a… joke. My people… we get… nine lives."

Hoku pressed a hand to her chest, right over her heart. Vivi looked at her in disbelief, emotions churning within her normally soft eyes. Hoku bared her teeth, straining to talk without tiring. "I've only lost… two… I can afford one more!"

"I don't mind giving you a life." Vivi's face paled in realization, staring hopelessly at Hoku. The black ink was beginning to smear into her fingertips.

"Are you for real?" Usopp demanded frantically. "We know you said it—but it was just supposed to be some weird, quirky joke! O-Or some myth you wanted to prove!"

"If I die," Hoku said. "I'll be better… I won't be sick anymore. It's like… resetting… We don't… have to stop long! We can keep going."

"I—" Vivi started. "I-I can't—"

"No!"

Everyone turned, looking at their captain. Vivi froze.

"That's just taking the easy way out!" Luffy said. "Each of your lives is a life! You have to live them all out! I'm your captain, so what I say goes!"

"But… it's…" Hoku pressed her hand harder to her forehead, willing the throbbing to cease. "Different! This is… a good… reason!"

"Different?" Sanji said.

"They all matter!" Luffy shouted. "Each one! You're not allowed to give any of them up! Not—"

"Vivi!" Hoku shouted.

The princess stiffened, eyes growing wide as Hoku turned to her, eyes burning.

"You don't… have time…" Hoku said, refusing to collapse back into the bed. "If… I die… I won't be sick… anymore! I'll come… back better… you don't…have to waste time…"

"You can't be serious," Nami said. "What if there's no guarantee? Aren't you just basing this off some legend from your hometown—"

"It's not a legend," Hoku said. "You've seen… it… Lu…"

"Luffy," Sanji carefully placed a cigarette between his lips, looking hard at his captain. "Is what she's saying true? Multiple lives?"

"It can't be!" Nami said. "You don't just come back from dying—"

"Hoku died once when we were kids," Luffy said simply. Nami and Usopp looked at him in shock. Sanji quietly lit his cigarette, inhaling and exhaling deeply. Vivi stared at the newspapers in her hands, head spinning. "Because we were weak."

Luffy balled his hands into fists at his sides. His brows set stubbornly, lips pulling down into a hard frown. "But I said we were never gonna let her give a life like that again!"

"Vivi's…" Hoku strained, clenching her hands into fists. "Gonna lose… her home!"

"I know!" Luffy shouted. "I don't want that either! We're gonna help, Vivi! But we're not gonna let you die either!"

"You—"

"Everyone, stop!"

All eyes turned to Nami. Hoku panted, remaining firm as she watched the crew. Luffy's mouth remained set, stubborn in his expression but waiting at Nami's shout. Vivi was silent against the floor, the newspapers gripped tightly between her fingers.

"I want Vivi to get the chance to decide for herself," Nami said calmly. "And we'll go from there, alright?"

"Of course, Nami-swan."

"R-Right," Usopp said. Karoo looked nervous beside him. "That makes sense…"

Luffy fixed his hat, keeping silent. Hoku turned her gaze to her hands.

Vivi quietly set the papers down in her lap. She turned to all of them.

"...everyone…" Vivi said softly. "Could I have a moment to think about this… please?"

"Princess, you're our only hope."

"You promise… this isn't a lie?"

Vivi sat at the foot of Nami's bed, staring quietly at the newspapers gathered in her lap. They'd been crumpled over now, crinkled and folding the faces of the soldiers burning her country's flag in senseless, confused anger. Anger she knew had been caused by someone else. The cracks along the paper like fissures breaking her country open.

Hoku nodded. Sweat continued to drip down the side of her face, rolling along her chin. A dark flush had settled along her cheeks, over her forehead and down the line of her neck. Her once tan skin looked pale, losing color, but Hoku remained sitting upright, leaning against the wooden wall as she faced Vivi.

"I'll be… right back," Hoku said quietly. "'s like… closing my eyes for… a nap."

"I heard your people worshiped some kind of feline goddess," Vivi said absently, as though remembering something from far away. Hoku watched her faintly. "I never would have thought…"

"We… remind her of her… sweetheart," Hoku pushed her head a little closer to the wall. It felt cooler there. She felt like she couldn't escape this unbearable heat. "It's… a…bl…"

Hoku hesitated, looking away. "...funny thing."

Vivi closed her eyes for a moment, lacing her fingers together.

A touch like hot iron grazed the back of her hand and Vivi stopped, looking down. She followed Hoku's hand up to her face, straining to keep her eyes clear alone as she faced Vivi.

"I… know… what it's…like…" Hoku said. "To lose…"

Her grip on Vivi's hand tightened. It was faint, and Vivi couldn't help but wonder if she thought she was holding her hand tighter. Did she even know how hot she was at that moment? How her skin burned as though it were on fire?

There was a flicker of something in Hoku's eyes. It made her gaze muddled. Empty. Vivi stopped, staring at Hoku longer, as though it would clear the image she'd just seen.

"I don't…" Hoku offered her a small smile. "Mind…"

Vivi stared at Hoku's feverish hand over her own. The size of their hands weren't that different. Small and slender, but their skin matched—callouses smoothed over in corners against their knuckles.

"What's… one more… life?"

"I won't fight back."

"My king!" Pell said.

"I will not," Cobra turned to his trusted advisor, face somber but firm. "Fight back."

"But my king!" Pell dropped to his knees. "If we do not gather our forces and mobilize, we will—"

"They are all my people," Cobra said. "I will not sacrifice any of their lives. Not one."

"...yes, sir. As… As you wish."

Vivi remained silent behind the palace column, shutting her eyes.

The Going Merry creaked softly, filling the silence with a rhythmic beat as the ship continued to sail.

Hoku couldn't hear anything else. Not even the faint sounds of everyone else talking out on the deck. It all felt muted against her ears, her senses clogged and foggy from the sickness clouding over her.

At some point she'd felt the ship turn, a bit roughly, then swaying across the ocean. Hoku'd waited for someone to come rushing down the stairs to tell her the final verdict, but not a soul was to be heard and Vivi had left after changing the towel on her forehead one more time, giving her a strained smile as she took the newspapers with her.

A soft light from the ceiling fan kept the womens' quarters illuminated, not too brightly to hurt but enough to keep any shadows at bay. A few of her drawings and paintings fluttered a bit against the wall, tacked on in her own little corner where she'd set up a desk beside Nami's. The light glinted off bottles of paint and coating oil.

Hoku laid on her side, facing the wall. Her entire body continued to throb, aching down deep into her bones as her skin shifted uncomfortably against anything, raw entirely in sensation. She stared hard at the wood, Mau silent and laid up against the side of Nami's bed only inches from her.

The silence loomed over her, pressing her harder into the mattress.

"What? You're upset? About what?"

Hoku wrapped her arms tightly around herself. She could feel sweat along her fingertips, sticky and uncomfortable. She was starting to get hot—too hot. The blankets were becoming unbearable. It burns. I can't breathe.

"Hoku," a soft voice whispered. Merry. Hoku shut her eyes. "Hoku. Feel better!"

"Because no one checked up on… are you serious? Mom even called you."

"Why do you have to be so dramatic? Mom and I work all day—"

"You barely even…"

Hoku ripped the covers off her body. She panted, staring hard at the stairs leading back up to the deck. When no whispers or sounds reached her ears, Hoku strained, turning and setting her feet down on the ground. Her head started to spin, blurring all the walls, making them twist. Hoku groaned, pressing her hands against her head, trying to catch her breath.

"Hoku," the ship creaked. "Rest!"

"Don't be a burden."

Hoku opened her eyes. She pushed herself off the bed.

Vivi pushed the door from the galley open onto the deck, stepping outside.

Black ink stained her fingertips. There was a small smear by her temples.

"I'm sorry to keep you all waiting," Vivi said softly.

"Vivi!" Sanji greeted excitedly. "You just missed it, Nami-swan saved all of us from a cyclone! She's amazing!"

More than amazing. Vivi curled her fingers tight at her side, strengthening her resolve. The words leaving all their lips only furthered her decision. She knew it was what she had to do, no matter what. If Nami helps us sail, we'll get there as quickly as possible.

"Have you decided?" Zoro asked calmly.

"Yes."

Luffy pretended to keep himself busy, dusting off his hat as he waited quietly for Vivi's next words. Usopp tried to do the same, polishing his slingshot while whistling. Nami was silent beside Sanji, watching their course before the two log poses.

"We won't let you die, Vivi."

"Do you want to learn? We can draw something together."

"You must return alive, no matter what!"

"I don't mind giving up a life for you."

"I know what I'm about to ask of all of you is selfish, especially after all you've done for me," Vivi said quietly. Her hands reached forward, grabbing the railing. "But my people… they're in grave danger. I need to get home as soon as I can. I need you to sail this ship at maximum speed, as fast as you can!"

Nami nodded resolutely in understanding. Her hand closed over the loge pose on her wrist, holding it tightly as the eternal pose sat on the table before her. "Of course, Vivi! We promised you."

Luffy put his hat back onto his head, silent.

"That's why I know as long as we have Nami and everyone," Vivi said, eyes shining brightly as she faced all of them. A breathless smile touched her lips, fierce and eager. "We'll get to Alabasta faster than anyone else." They all turned to look at Vivi. "So let's find the closest island with a doctor, right away!"

Luffy's lips split into a wide grin.

"You've got a big heart," Zoro smirked.

"That's my Vivi-chan!"

"Even if we take a detour," Vivi said earnestly. "We'll get there. I know it."

"Vivi!" Nami said, pressing a hand to her heart in relief. "You can count on me! I promise!"

"Are you absolutely sure?" Usopp questioned. "What about the million people?"

"We'll save them," Vivi said fiercely. "All of them. And get Hoku well again without anyone losing a life. We'll do all of it!"

"Now you're starting to sound like Luffy," Usopp said warily. "I'm not sure he's a good influence on you…"

"I won't sacrifice a single life," Vivi said. "No matter what."

"I'll get us to the next island as soon as possible!" Nami promised. "Even faster! Zoro! You're relieved of your job—go check on Hoku!"

"Why me?"

"It's your turn and you're useless with directions!" Nami snapped. "Now go! What if she needs something?"

"I'll make her something to eat!" Sanji said quickly, thrusting his hand up into the air. "We'll split up into teams and alternate manning the ship and looking after Hoku! I'll help her change into better clothes and—"

"Yosh!" Luffy cheered, thrusting his hands into the air. "Sleepover with Hoku!"

"Listen, Luffy. When someone's sick, you have to be careful not to get sick too—"

"I'll beat up all the bacteria!"

"Mr. Bushido, please check on Hoku and let us know how she is," Vivi said. "I have a feeling she'll be a bit hard to take care of, but we'll have to do our best. Make sure she's resting in bed and we'll go from there."

Zoro grunted, grabbing his swords and opening the door, stepping into the galley. "Yeah, yeah, yeah."

That woman owes me a good story anyway.

Zoro lifted the hatch to the women's quarters, rubbing the back of his neck as he stepped down the stairs. "Oi, klutz. You holdin' up in here—"

Zoro blinked in confusion, staring at the empty bed. He whipped his head around, immediately scanning the entire room in alarm. Where did she—

His eyes went wide at the sight of Hoku's body, slumped over the floor, half her body clinging to one of the chairs beneath the emergency hatch to the men's quarters. Her hair sprawled over her face, back barely rising and falling. "Oi!"

Zoro leapt past the rest of the stairs, rushing over to Hoku's side. He dropped to his knees, quickly turning her over. "Hey! Hoku!"

Hoku's brows scrunched in pain for a moment, her entire face twisting before she forced her eyes open. They were unfocused, clouded and dizzy as she glanced around, slowly focusing on Zoro's face.

"...ro…" Hoku mumbled. "No… one… 'suppos… see…"

"What the hell were you trying to do?" Zoro said, hauling her upright as he threw one of her arms over his shoulders. Hoku's arm pathetically began to slide off and he grabbed it, pulling it tighter over his shoulder, forcing her body upright. "What are you doing on the floor?"

"Ba…" Hoku panted. "Bath…room…"

"The bathroom?" Zoro said. He cursed, bringing Hoku up onto her feet. He blinked in surprise at the burn of her skin against his. She's hotter than a furnace. Hoku leaned the entirety of her weight into him, almost limp in his grip. "Should've called for help, idiot! I'll get Nami or Vivi—"

"No," Hoku groaned, shaking her head. Zoro looked at her in disbelief. "No… don't… need that… help…"

"You're in no position to talk, dumb klutz. Just wait a damn second." Zoro started to walk her from the hatch, carefully maneuvering her towards the bed. Hoku made a slurred noise of protest, feet dragging a bit against the floor. Zoro stopped, looking down at her with a scowl. "What are you doing?"

Hoku started to shake her head, only managing to loll it from side to side. Her weight started to shift, trying to focus on her own feet and Zoro leaned away from the movement, pressing her more firmly against him. "Le…me go…"

"The bathroom?" Zoro snapped. "I get it, I'll help you get there—"

"No…" Hoku protested. "Me… don't wanna… Easier…"

"This is going to get annoying, real quick," Zoro said gruffly. Hoku continued to shake her head, sweat dripping down her chin as she strained against his grip, leaning her weight against his arm and trying to turn toward the hatch again. "Let's get you back to bed before that witch bites my head off."

"I'll…" Hoku huffed. "Do it… myself… don't… trouble… just… one…"

Zoro let out a short, rough sigh. He quickly scanned the entire room once more, looking at the hatch leading back to the top deck for a minute longer before he quickly lifted Hoku up from her waist. "You asked for it."

She could barely manage a protest, groaning as Zoro tossed her over his shoulder and briskly moved toward the bed. Zoro felt her fist the bottom of his shirt, tugging it weakly.

"Less…" Hoku mumbled, words near incoherent. Zoro looked at her from the corner of his eye, realizing she was hardly lucid. "No… mess… bath… shouldn't be… messy…"

"Yeah, yeah, sure," Zoro agreed. Hoku mumbled something that sounded suspiciously close to a curse to him, but Zoro ignored the rest of her babbling, slowly lowering her back onto the bed. He grabbed the kicked covers off the floor, dragging them over her before he gave Hoku one last look down.

Zoro tucked the blanket into the mattress, tightening it over Hoku. She strained, a pitiful attempt of getting anywhere out of her confines. Whatever sickness the dumbass had caught, it was making good work of taking all the fight out of her.

"Just… off me…" Hoku mumbled, panting through the feverish haze. Zoro looked down at her. "I'll wake up…better… we have to… hurry…"

"That's off the table now," Zoro said flatly. Hoku's brows furrowed. "Princess' orders. We're heading to the closest island with a doctor first."

Hoku's eyes fluttered open. They seemed a bit teary, looking up at Zoro. Hoku's hand grabbed at the top of the blankets, fisting it weakly in her grip. "Wha…"

"You seem more eager to get killed than I realized," Zoro said, a bit absently, as though he were considering something about those words himself. "I didn't think much about it at first, since Luffy ain't really the type to me to have someone like that around."

"No…oooo…" Hoku slurred. "Not… listenin' damn it…"

"Sleep," Zoro said. "You're not thinking straight."

She huffed, straining against her blankets. Zoro simply set all three of his katanas down on top of the comforter and Hoku sank deeper into the bed, too weak to resist any kind of added weight. She blinked blearily up at him. "I'll… wake… right up…"

"Sure," Zoro said simply. Hoku shut her eyes hopelessly. "Just close your eyes until then."

"Just…" Hoku tried, head lolling against the pillow. She panted, focusing more on her breathing, on the unbearable chill racking down to her bones. "Just…"

"Sleep," Zoro ordered above her. Hoku could feel the warmth from the swords atop her—a warmth different from the blood pumping in someone's veins. A voice. "We've got the rest handled, klutz."

She slipped away from everything else, tumbling back into that sinking void.

"Yeah, you're right. I'm fine. I'm sorry. I promise I won't be a bother anymore."

"She didn't come with many clothes to begin with," Nami said, referring to Hoku as though she were a doll set. "She'd probably just sleep in what she wore all day if she could."

The healthy Straw Hats—that being all of them minus Hoku—had assembled a decent enough rotation to look after their sick artist while sailing at full speed toward the log pose's next island. Nami and Vivi took the first turn, making sure to get Hoku into something more comfortable to wait out the duration of her sickness.

Nami moved deeper, rummaging around in her and Hoku's shared closet—mostly hers by extension, since Hoku didn't seem to like taking up much space unless it was her working supplies—and soon Vivi's things would be added to the mix. "We don't get the luxury of wearing pajamas often anyway since things happen at a moment's notice but…"

Vivi watched, sitting beside a firmly tucked in Hoku as she changed the cool cloth over her head. Not a single degree had gone down in Hoku's temperature, sending all of them into a bit more of a worry, but they had no choice but to wait and hope until they made landfall with a doctor. Nami pulled out a set of warm looking pajamas, cream colored and spotted with gold stars. She grinned at Vivi. "Cute, right? I got them for her in Loguetown before we left! Mine is practically the same but with tangerines."

"Very," Vivi said. Matching pajamas. The thought was hopelessly adorable, and Vivi realized absently, stroking the top of Hoku's head, that she'd never done something like that herself.

Nami hummed, grabbing the wash cloth off the drying rack and taking a seat on the edge of the bed beside Vivi. The princess moved, untucking the blanket to help Nami raise Hoku up.

"When we stop at the next island," Nami said. "Let's look for a pair for you too."

Vivi paused, blinking rapidly in surprise. Nami laughed, a sweet, playful sound as she grabbed the warm basin of water off the floor, bringing it up onto the stool they'd prepared beside Hoku to help wipe her down and change her into a fresh pair of clothes. "You're so easy to read, Vivi."

"P-Please don't tease me," Vivi murmured, unable to help her own happy little smile. "You two really don't have to do anything like that."

"Oh, stop being so modest," Nami said. "You're more fun when you're honest with yourself. Plus, Hoku says she's not good at making clothes but I think we could figure something out."

The two of them braced Hoku into a sitting position between their bodies. Hoku sluggishly mumbled something, eyes switching between screwed shut to faintly fluttering open, limbs limp and pliable as Nami and Vivi helped maneuver her out of her clothes. They swiped the wet, warm cloth mixed with a bit of soap across her body, being as quick and gentle as they could to pat her dry and get her back in bed.

"She's a bit heavier than I expected," Vivi admitted, lifting one of Hoku's arms. It almost felt like lifting a thin slab of granite.

"She'd hate to see herself right now," Nami said, sounding a bit amused as she pushed Hoku's hair away, gathering the sweat-dampened strands. "I'm just glad the fever's knocked her out enough so she won't fuss. It's a good thing Zoro found her earlier."

Vivi couldn't help but trace her eyes over the intricate ink work over Hoku's skin. The shower of petals scattered across her shoulder and all the way to the suits etched into her lower back. A few scars were pale against the tan of her skin, ranging from blistered to smooth.

"They've all got a little story to them," Nami said. Vivi flinched, cringing at the fact that she'd been caught staring once more. "I can tell you what she told me, or I can tell you what I played around with imagining too."

"Imagining?" Vivi said. "What do you mean by that?"

"Usopp and I made a little bet out of guessing some of Hoku's history," Nami said cheekily. "To have some fun with it since she's a little too vague for my tastes sometimes. Whether it's one of her tattoos or some weird habit she has."

Hoku groaned softly between the two of them, as though sensing a sort of unease. Nami and Vivi looked at each other over the top of her head, breaking out into a softer round of laughs.

"Okay, okay," Nami soothed, buttoning up Hoku's pajamas while Vivi combed out her hair with her fingers, loosely braiding it away from her face. "We won't tease you anymore, don't worry."

"Her hair really does feel like silk," Vivi murmured, faintly surprised as she ran her fingers through Hoku's hair, watching it catch a bit of candlelight. "But it still seems different, tougher almost."

"She's a weird one, isn't she," Nami sighed, almost hopelessly. "Nine lives and magic blood… who would've thought."

"There's still a lot to this world we don't know, isn't there?" Vivi said softly, eyes glowing a bit at the thought. They lowered Hoku back into bed, carefully pulling the covers over her and adding another blanket on top. "So much to see…"

"Makes it exciting, doesn't it?"

Vivi stopped, looking up at Nami. Her eyes were warm, glittering despite the faint lighting in the room. A smile stretched over her lips—bright.

"...ry…" Nami and Vivi turned, looking down at Hoku as she rolled over onto her side. Her brows furrowed, panting softly. Nami wiped a clean cloth over her forehead. "...rry…"

Vivi's brows furrowed softly in concern, but Nami didn't look worried. She stroked Hoku's head, grinning a bit. "Don't apologize. It's not free labor, you know."

Vivi blinked, paling a bit as Nami's grin widened, easing the crease between Hoku's brows as she spoke softly, gently.

"I'll be sure to collect later."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bother you."

"If Hoku's not gonna finish that, can I have it?"

"Hands off!" Sanji snapped, swiping at Luffy's sneaking fingers. "Hoku Honey's not done yet!"

Luffy pouted, retracting his hands with a twang as he settled down patiently on the other side of the room. Sanji had ordered him to stay there, originally given his own tray of snacks and crackers to keep him busy while Sanji tried to coax a half-lucid Hoku into getting some food into her stomach.

Sanji had graciously managed to prop her up a bit, babbling a bit of baby praise after each bite of soup Hoku managed until she motioned for him to tip the bowl into her mouth, not sure if she just wanted to get the mortifying embarrassment of having to be fed done with or to stop Sanji from saying "Hoku Honey you're amazing!" one more damn time.

Evening seemed to be falling outside as they all started to bundle up for the bit of brisk cold. Hoku still couldn't tell if she was freezing or overheating, deciding if it was somewhere in between that was better than nothing.

"Is it… done?" Hoku mumbled softly, leaning her head against the wall beside the bed. Sanji paused with the next spoon. "Don't… wanna… waste…"

Sanji worriedly eyed the half full soup still waiting, hot at the bottom of the bowl. He glanced back up to where Hoku seemed spent, starting to nod off again with clouded eyes. Sanji had taken special care since meeting Hoku to figure out her eating habits and intake, as he did with the other ladies on the crew—which was a very big appetite and a willingness to try almost anything Sanji could offer with a clear sense of gratitude. Hoku did have a strange aversion to melons and cucumbers, but it was nothing Sanji couldn't fix for her.

He loved cooking for everyone—but he had a soft spot for people like Hoku who ate with the kind of enjoyment for food like any meal could be their last, something about the open enjoyment in their face. Luffy was the same, but his captain didn't eat like the meal was his last—he ate out of sheer enjoyment and some unspoken confidence the next one would always be there.

And maybe, just a bit, it made Sanji puff his chest a little more.

Less than a full bowl of soup though? Nothing like Hoku's normal appetite.

"Yup," Sanji said warmly, "all finished here, honey."

Hoku sighed, looking satisfied. Her eyes started to slip closed again and Sanji rubbed his fingers against the side of the bowl nervously.

Sanji had taken Hoku's temperature again as ordered, sighing as he rubbed a thumb over the red line gazing back at them. No good news here either. He could craft up the most nutritious meals he could think of, but even then it'd all fall short to the fact that Hoku's appetite was growing frighteningly small.

"Alright, Luffy," Sanji held the bowl out to the side. "It's all yours."

Instantly Luffy's hands shot out, taking the soup with care and a little grin. "Thanks! Don't want your food to go to waste!"

Sanji idly wondered if Luffy could tell Hoku was full or if he was just going to test his luck in intervals. He helped Hoku settle back down gently into the mattress, folding the blankets back up over her as Hoku huffed a little bit, the red along her cheeks increasing. Is her fever getting worse? Maybe eating had taken too much energy out of her or—

Hoku's breathing became a little more labored. Sanji quickly grabbed the dampened cloth, wringing it out and placing it back over Hoku's head. He felt the heat along her cheeks with the back of his hand, frowning at the warmth. Hoku…

Hoku's eyes fluttered open as if she'd heard his thoughts. Sanji blinked, offering her a small smile as she looked around, hazy and confused. "Hey, it's alright. You should go back to sleep. I'll make you something warm to drink when you wake up, okay?"

Hoku's gaze focused a bit on him, but somewhere far over Sanji's shoulder, looking past him and at him at the same time. Sanji frowned and Hoku made a small noise in the back of her throat, like a sigh of relief, muffled by her heavier breathing.

"Wow…" Hoku murmured. A small, silly kind of smile touched her lips. Sanji stared in confusion. "Sabs… told you… see?"

Luffy paused at the back of the room, blinking around the spoon of soup shoved into his mouth. He tipped his head to the side.

"Sabs?" Sanji said, leaning over Hoku a bit. "What was that, Hoku—"

Hoku grinned, eyes crinkled shut at the corners. "Knew you'd… be… handsome…"

"Handsome!" Sanji almost swooned. "Hoku Honey, you could've just been honest—"

Sanji tipped his head to the side, gently patting the top of Hoku's blankets. His heart was a bit wounded knowing Hoku was uttering the name of another man in front of him, but he wouldn't blame her feverish state. It still meant she thought he was handsome, after all. "Hoku Honey, who are you—"

A tiny tear rolled down the corner of Hoku's eye. Sanji froze, staring at her as she grinned a little wider, face growing more and more flushed. "I… mi… ya…"

"Hoku," Luffy said simply, nearly causing Sanji to jump out of the chair as he came to stand beside Hoku's bedside, "that's not Sabo, remember?"

Sanji looked at Luffy, blinking repeatedly. His captain's face seemed nonchalant, simple and easy-going as always in typical Luffy fashion. Sabo? Who's Sabo?

"Not…" Hoku started, brows furrowing. Her eyes became a little glassy and Luffy simply patted her head, stroking her hair a few times before grinning.

"You're so dumb," Luffy said. "Shishishi, go to sleep and you'll get better!"

"…okay," Hoku mumbled obediently, eyes fluttering shut. Sanji blinked in disbelief, looking back from Hoku to Luffy.

"Sorry, Sanji," Luffy said amiably. "Hoku knows you're Sanji! She's just sick."

"I know that much," Sanji said. "And it's fine. You don't have to apologize. I don't mind if Hoku Honey needs me to be whoever she needs me to be—"

"Can I get seconds?" Luffy asked, holding out the empty bowl.

"Don't interrupt me, you idiot! I'm only cooking that for Hoku!"

"Yeah, I'm fine. It's nothing. No, you're right, it's not that serious."

"Captain," Tashigi panted, slumping down onto the side of the ship. "That's… that's definitely… all of them."

The marines on Smoker's command ship moved weakly themselves, handing chains and handcuffs down in an assembly line as they worked to tie up all the unconscious criminals laid out along the floor of the deck. Dozens of them groaned, blood leaking from various wounds and swelling bruises—more toward the end seemed to have suffered worse wounds from Smoker's thinning patience.

Smoker pressed his boot against one man in particular, naming himself after some number. He whimpered under Smoker's boot, still sore over the fact that Smoker had simply tricked the idiot into revealing his allegiance to the underground criminal organization they'd been tailing. Tashigi had already claimed his sword as well.

They'd dealt with far too many criminals for Smoker's liking and the inevitable had become clear—they'd been outright targeted.

"Because of you lot," Smoker said gruffly. "We almost missed that call. If you know what's good for any of you, you better start talking some more."

"I already told you everything I know!" the man whimpered. "We were given your faces to go after! Someone higher than me said you needed to be eliminated immediately!"

"I think you can spare a few more details," Smoker muttered, knocking the man's head back into the wooden mast. He stepped aside, motioning with a gloved finger for one of the other marines to take him to the interrogation room on the ship.

"But Captain," Tashigi said, pushing her glasses up over her head. "If someone sent all these men after us, how did they know we were on their trail?"

"I don't know who sent them our way either," Smoker said darkly. "But what I do know is someone doesn't want the marines to know anything about what's going on with this organization."

"And the transmission we heard…" Tashigi trailed off, gripping the hilt of her sword.

Mr. Zero. Vivi. Straw Hats. Alabasta.

Smoker curled his fingers into a fist at his side of the memory of a grinning idiot, fearless in the face of death as lightning struck over the rim of a straw hat. His fist tightened further at the flash of white hair following close behind the memory. It just had to be that lot all tied up in this mess too, didn't it?

He had half a mind to call that old broad up and give her a what for on the whereabouts of her star recruit.

"Stand up, Tashigi! We're gonna contact headquarters and get that eternal pose."

"S-Sir, yes sir!"

Smoker didn't know what the hell to call all of this, but he did know there was plenty they needed to do about it.

"I don't know what sick bastard caught wind of us," Smoker growled. "But they're gonna get it."

Hoku hated being sick.

And trying to fall asleep while sick was the worst of the worst.

The muddled fog over her head only seemed willing to clear the same moment Hoku ought to be asleep. Her entire body ached, the uncomfortable way it always seemed to do all the way down to your bones when you were sick. Her skin felt raw, only the soft scent of the soap Nami and Vivi had used on her was a small comfort.

It seemed only in this moment of half-lucidity did the gaping void start clawing along the edges of her consciousness. Things Hoku didn't realize she still remembered, things Hoku realized she didn't want to remember—all of them came slinking back out of the shadows.

And she didn't know, she never really knew, whether it was wrong or right to forget about them in the first place.

"Can't you handle this much by yourself?"

"Don't be a bother."

The room was dark. Hoku could make out the faint sound of the waves gently rocking against the Merry. It seemed they were still sailing through the night, which meant Nami must've been at work somewhere up on deck. But it's still so quiet. She couldn't hear as well while she was sick, she realized, but then again she could hardly do anything well while sick like this.

"Waste of space."

Stop it. Hoku screwed her eyes shut. Stop it. You don't even exist here. Stop it.

Stupid… Luffy… Hoku decided to blame, pathetic and quiet. Convincing them all… this would've been a good reason, wouldn't it? Losing a life like this wouldn't be useless at all. It would've helped someone out.

Was everyone else up on deck as well? Probably taking shifts and resting. Hoku willed her body, as much as she could, to either cave in to this stupid sickness or get better. Make up your mind. She could barely make out Mau, somewhere close but still out of her reach. They must've placed him by the bed for her. It's so quiet.

"Useless."

Even if they'd all decided against her losing a life—it wasn't as though there was much they could do if this sickness really did kill her. Hoku shut her eyes, breathing harder in exertion. And I'm really starting to think it might just kill me after all.

"You're so dramatic."

I hate this. Hoku bit her lip. Iron touched her tongue. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this.

I hate being—

Hoku opened her eyes in the darkness. She laid there on her back for what felt like hours in her mind, dragged out and feverish before she willed her body to turn against the mattress. She didn't want to look at the wall anymore. Maybe she'd try to—

Hoku stopped.

She blamed it entirely on the fever for not having noticed sooner. Hoku slowly forced herself to sit upright, blinking against the darkness to make sure she wasn't hallucinating—what should she make of this if it was a hallucination? Her own little pitiful wish? A sad sort of comfort?

But it wasn't a hallucination. The steady, rhythmic snoring was enough to tell her that much.

Vivi was curled up soundly in one of the pull-down hammocks, a blanket pulled tightly over her while Karoo slept on the floor beneath her. Zoro was half-sprawled over the duck's side, using him as a pillow as he snored away, swords on the floor beside him. Usopp and Luffy were sprawled on the floor in a mess of limbs, blankets kicked aside and covering only a foot or a hand.

They all slept soundly in the room beside her, uncaring to the rest of the world.

The black creeping along the edges of Hoku's mind loosened their grip. They slunk back, unable to continue.

Hoku leaned her head against the wall, looking at all of them, unable to take her eyes off the sight. She pulled the blanket up tighter around her, shuffling a bit to scoot back. She shut her eyes tightly, counting to ten before opening them again.

Nothing changed.

What if I'm contagious? Hoku tried to ignore the warmth in her chest, creeping up into her cheeks. Different from the fever. Maybe worse. What are they gonna do if they all get sick too?

Hoku pressed her head to her knees, curling up against the wall. She wrapped her arms around herself beneath the blanket. I'll apologize when I'm better. I'll make it up to them. It's the least I can do. I'll—

"'yer thinkin' too loud," a voice mumbled above her, groggy with sleep.

Hoku slowly peeked her eyes out over the top of her knees. A dull throb was beginning to make itself known against the back of her head, as if sensing she was awake and not in pain and seeking to remedy that. Luffy looked down at her, rubbing sleepily at his eyes while he held one blanket under his arm. The sight wasn't unfamiliar, and Hoku couldn't help but think about creaking wooden boards and a tall tree house tucked into the jungle, hidden from the rest of the world made to look like a ship setting sail.

"I didn't even say anything," Hoku croaked. She winced, feeling the dryness against her throat. Luffy smacked his lips a bit, rousing from his slumber. His arm extended, reaching over the sleeping bodies and grabbing a canteen across the floor.

It snapped back in place and Luffy offered it to Hoku. She took it, frowning when her fingers held it weakly. She grabbed it more firmly with both hands, scowling when Luffy assisted her by pushing it closer without a word.

"Thanks," Hoku mumbled, taking a long sip. Luffy grinned. Her head was starting to spin again, protesting from her sitting up too long. "Go… back… to sleep…"

"Does it hurt?"

"...no," Hoku said quietly. Luffy cocked his head to the side. "Just… sucks…"

"Yup, doesn't sound fun at all," Luffy said. Hoku shut her eyes with a little huff.

Luffy yawned, loud and wide. He glanced around the room, grinning a bit at the sight of everyone else sleeping before he promptly took a knee against Nami's bed. Hoku blinked once, confused before Luffy started to shove his way closer and she huffed, reluctantly scooting back against the wall as Luffy made himself comfortable on the mattress beside her.

"What if… you get sick…" Hoku muttered. Luffy grabbed at the front of her pajamas and she let him pull her down onto the mattress. He made a fuss of getting comfortable, lanky limbs turning this way and that and Hoku huffed in protest until Luffy finally settled with her against the wall, under the covers while Luffy laid on top of them with his own blanket.

"Shishi, only weak people get sick, you know," Luffy said beside her. Hoku glared blearily at him, unsure if her expression came across the way she wanted.

"But don't worry," Luffy said, unbothered. "We'll get ya a good doctor and you'll be all better! Then we can save Vivi's home."

"You're… too loud…" Hoku whispered. Luffy blinked stupidly at her. "Wake… 'em up…"

"Doctor," Luffy whispered, a bit exaggerated. Hoku tried to roll her eyes. "Save Vivi!"

"It would've… been faster…" Hoku huffed. Luffy's lips instantly turned into a constipated frown, unhappy. Hoku shut her eyes, shaking her head against the pillow. "But… if that's… orders… fine…"

"Good," Luffy said. Hoku's chilled fingers unconsciously sought out warmth, reaching out over the covers and looking across the sheets. "You'd only lose a life if you're weak."

Hoku's fingers lightly touched Luffy's, the rubbery texture of his skin smooth and warm. She hooked a few fingers around his pinky, shutting her eyes. Sleep was starting to crawl over her like a wave, dragging her under. The pulsing throb of the fever and sickness all seemed to melt into fatigue. She hated how easy it felt with someone beside her.

Luffy's… fault…

"But that's fine, you can be weak," Luffy said simply. "I don't care if you're weak or strong. You're my crew."

Hoku squeezed her eyes shut. Her body relaxed at the sound of his voice.

"And until you're stronger," Luffy said. "Your lives belong to me."

"You make it sound like a command."

Nami smacked the back of Luffy's head above deck.

"Ow! Nami! What was that for?"

"Don't fall asleep next to her, idiot!" Nami snapped. "What if you get sick too? What are we supposed to do then?"

"But Hoku likes it when people sleep next to her! She's weird, she likes holding hands when she sleeps!"

"Then sleep close to her but not in the same bed! If someone crazy like you gets sick too, we're doomed!"

Luffy blew air through his lips, rubbing his sore head. In a few seconds Luffy was completely unbothered, bouncing back onto his feet and bounding over to a scowling Sanji. "Sanji! Breakfast! I'm hungry!"

"You slept in the same bed with a lady, no breakfast for you."

"Alright, you can do this—I can do this," Usopp cracked his knuckles, nodding to himself as he stalked the length of the room. "I've taken care of sick people before. Back home, they called me the best doctor in the world! Kaya never complained! Look at how much better she got!"

Usopp nodded again, slowly puffing out his chest. He set his tools down onto Nami's desk, making a mental note to retrieve it later before she yelled at him for leaving his things lying around in their room.

It was his turn to be on shift for Hoku watch. Originally, it hadn't seemed like that big of a deal—he just needed to look after a sick person, that was all! But Nami had lectured Luffy, Zoro, and him above deck on how crucial it was to watch over Hoku's temperature, to make sure nothing caused it to go up any higher because it was deathly high already, to make sure she stayed hydrated and didn't move or do anything on her own—

"She started talking a little funny with Vivi," Nami said, jerking a thumb over her shoulder toward the concerned princess. "Last thing we need is her trying to walk around on top of that."

If you make it sound that hard, of course I'm going to get stressed! Usopp started pulling at the fluff of his hair. Stupid Nami, making things worse! This would be a walk in the park. A stroll across the deck! Smooth sailing here and no problems at all—

Hoku groaned, soft and pained from the corner of the room. Usopp shrieked a little bit, jumping at the ghastly sound. He quickly turned around, grabbing the new cloth and thermometer. "H-H-Hoku? Are you alright—EEK?"

Usopp gaped, face pale in disbelief as Hoku sat up in bed. The wet cloth had fallen with a plop into her lap, sweat dripping down the side of her face. She looked ghastly, eyes unfocused and hazy. Usopp blinked repeatedly, holding the thermometer up like a sword. "H-Hoku?"

Blood started to drip from Hoku's nose. Usopp almost fainted.

"...rry," Hoku mumbled. She pressed a hand to her nose, eyes screwed shut in confusion. "I dun… head hurts…"

A few drops were rolling down the side of her hand. Usopp instantly sprung into action, hurrying over with the towel and setting it over Hoku's lap while he grabbed another cloth, trying to hold it up to her nose instead of her hand. "You sat up too fast! J-Just rest! You're not trying to sleep walk, are you? Is this the fever delusion? D-Don't panic!"

"Feels… weird," Hoku managed. She shook her head. Drops of blood fell onto the towel, spiraling outwards. "Can't… focus…"

"It's alright," Usopp tried confidently. "Let's just get you to lay back… it was probably a stress nose bleed! Just go down nice and… what the heck is that?"

An enitre blurred image had drawn itself across the towel Usopp spread. He gaped in disbelief, colors blurring and blending together. A few more drops fell onto the towel and etched themselves outwards, as though guided by an invisible hand. They started to make out more coherent shapes. A small hut over the cliffside, sand, two faces, a white clock tower and then the images warped—a bathroom? Something like another room, dark and filled with some weird looking things Usopp couldn't really distinguish—

Hoku's brows furrowed. Her face became pinched with pain, body trembling. Usopp quickly pushed her all the way down, wiping carefully at her nose and sighing in relief when no more blood seeped out. Good. Blood's meant to stay inside the body, thank you very much.

Usopp folded up the stained towel, settling into splotches of random color. He tossed it into the trash can beside Nami's desk, checking his own hands for Hoku's permanently staining blood and sighing in relief when things seemed to calm down again.

Hoku groaned again, soft and pained. Usopp jumped, twisting his fingers nervously as he came over to her side. "You don't sound so good, Hoku…"

"...rry," Hoku whispered, her voice sounded weak. Usopp didn't even know she could sound like that. If he had to be honest, Hoku always seemed kind of… tough if anything. Strange, and horrifically clumsy—the kind of clumsy that made Usopp think she was going to bash her head out one day—but not… this. "Sorry…"

The sight of her laid out on Nami's bed, panting and struggling—pale and weak… Usopp started to straighten in his seat. It wasn't an unfamiliar sight.

"I'm sorry, Captain," Kaya's soft, strained laughter filled his ears. "I don't mean to be… such a bother."

"Hey, hey, it's alright!" Usopp said boldly. Hoku's brows furrowed and her eyes slid open a bit, turning towards him. Usopp grinned widely at her, thrusting a thumb against his chest. "What are you apologizing for? Being sick? You couldn't help that! The weak can't help it!"

Hoku's eyes screwed shut. "Ya sound… like Lu…"

"Strong people like me," Usopp said proudly. "You know, we're used to taking care of sick people. Real used to it!"

And Usopp's best remedy to any kind of sickness, whether ones of the heart or body—

"Have I ever told you about the time I took down a bear the size of a warship?"

Hoku frowned. She turned a bit more to Usopp, eyes flickering in interest. "...wha?"

"That's right," Usopp said. "A warship! Can you imagine the size?"

"Stupid… big…"

"Exactly!" Usopp pulled up the chair beside the bed, opening up his hands wide to try to give a visual image of the sheer massiveness.

Hoku's aggravated breathing slowed, her brows less creased. She shuffled a little bit, rolling more onto her side to get more comfortable. Usopp adjusted the wet cloth over her forehead. "Yer…pullin'...my leg…"

"Well, you haven't heard the full story!" Usopp said proudly, placing a hand on his chest. He aimed one hand up toward the ceiling, making grand gestures with his other arm. "It started like this… One day while I was making my usual rounds around the village—I'd just finished fighting off a band of pirates, you see, I decided to head into the woods to hunt for fresh food…"

Hoku's head spun, still a bit fuzzy. The fever was eating at her nerves, but the sound of Usopp's voice was sort of… comforting. She kept her half eyes opened, trying to let him know she was listening as he continued on, stories snowballing into the next grander tale. She had the urge to draw them all—these fantastical adventures of the Usopp Pirates… maybe she'd do it when she felt better.

Usopp's Fables… She felt her lip twitch upwards, laughing shakily at the thought. Sounds familiar…

"Keep… going…" Hoku asked softly. Usopp grinned excitedly beside her. "What… next…"

"Well, I'm glad you asked, apprentice Hoku! So there I was, readying my sling shot…"

"Usopp, what on earth did you do?"

Usopp looked up from where he'd been leafing through a thick, worn tome. Inside were pages and pages of intricately detailed artworks portraying different Pokian folk tales, all etched in dark red ink. He was currently getting through the one about a legendary Pokian duo—an artist and a crafter, two of the best their island had ever seen hundreds of years ago who went on all sorts of adventures. One could hear some kind of voice while the other could even paint with his eyes closed. Usopp had a bad feeling this one was going to end a bit tragically though.

Hoku had mumbled for him to get it amidst his tales, feeling bad he was the only one sharing stories. She'd mentioned she hadn't gotten through all of them herself since the book was something she'd managed to scrounge up amidst her travels.

Hoku was fast asleep beside him, looking the most at ease today that Vivi had seen since she fell ill. Vivi quickly checked her temperature, frowning when the numbers read the same, but she turned back to Usopp regardless, waiting for his explanation.

"Well," Usopp said, proudly rubbing beneath his nose. "I just gave her the best medicine, of course! Dr. Usopp was the best doctor in all of Syrup Village and—"

"Well, whatever you did," Vivi murmured, stroking Hoku's hair. "Good job."

"...but you didn't let me finish—"

Hoku wearily opened her eyes to the sound of the room's hatch closing shut.

She half-turned in the bed, trying to sit up on her elbows. It took her a few seconds longer before she realized she hadn't moved at all, stiff, aching muscles refusing to cooperate and Hoku sank back defeatedly into the mattress. I think it's getting worse. Ka.

She shivered at the sudden gust of cold that followed the shut door. Zoro finally appeared in her vision, dusted with mounds of snow as he brushed himself off in the corner of the room, shaking his head free of snow and… gunpowder? Hoku frowned, wondering if she was imagining the chips of wood and the smudges of smoke on him.

"Wha…" Hoku huffed. "Happened?"

"Ran into a couple of weirdos," Zoro said simply. "Attacked us. Took care of them. It's getting cold so you need to put on more clothes."

Hoku mumbled something incoherent. Zoro pretended to understand her, heading over to the closet Nami had instructed and pulling out heavier coats and sweaters at random. "Good thing you slept right through it. Didn't even notice Vivi holding you down earlier, huh?"

Hoku shook her head. She craned her neck a bit, sluggishly trying to follow Zoro's movements. It was getting harder to think clearer and to stay awake. I'm tired. "Every… okay?"

"Yup," Zoro chucked off his boots, stepping onto the rug and dropping a handful of coats and sweaters on top of Hoku. "Think you can put these on?"

Hoku shut her eyes, trying to imagine herself sitting up. She blinked in surprise, noticing the ceiling a little closer and she turned. A disappointed frown turned her lips downwards, realizing Zoro was holding her up with arm while he offered her a sweater with the other. "Need me to put it on for you, klutz?"

"Just…" Hoku limply flexed her hands. "Pull it over… my head…"

Zoro did as she asked, leaning her against the headboard and promptly tugging one sweater down over the crown of her head. Hoku's face half-popped up on the other side, sluggish as Zoro snorted, tugging it all the way down. Hoku slowly managed to pull her arms through the sleeves, huffing in exertion from the effort.

Zoro pressed the back of his hand to her forehead, wincing as he pulled away. "You're getting hotter."

"...thanks," Hoku muttered. Zoro rolled his eyes, slowly pushing her back into the mattress. She didn't even put up a fuss this time, huffing air slowly as he draped an extra coat over her and then pulled the blanket up. "Are we… close?"

"Nami says so," Zoro said. He changed the cloth over her head with a fresh one by the basin, making sure she had a canteen beside her before he stood up. "Get some rest. We'll wake you when we hit land—"

Zoro paused, glancing down. Hoku's fingers gripped the edge of his coat, tugging at the corner. A bit of snow fell off his side, brushing against her hand and she shuddered at the cold, still holding on.

"What is it?" Zoro said. "Need something?"

"I…" Hoku mumbled. "Owe… you a… story…"

"Me," Zoro said. He turned to her, crossing his arms over his chest. He rocked back on his heels, thinking idly before he blinked. "Cheh. You talkin' about explaining yourself?"

Hoku nodded, a single bob of her head beneath the blanket. Zoro smirked, taking a seat on the chair beside her bed. "I don't think you're in the best condition to be telling me stories about that. I might want a demonstration."

"Pa… Paper…" Hoku murmured. Zoro arched a brow. "Me…"

Vivi had mentioned on her way back up that Hoku seemed to be struggling to stay awake longer. "I think the fever is getting worse." The artist had started mumbling things here and there, not quite all together in her sluggishness. "Just be patient with her."

Zoro considered just trying to put her back to sleep, but the grip on the edge of his coat seemed insistent. He rolled his eyes, deciding to humor her and stood up, reaching around Nami's desk and avoiding her charts as he grabbed a couple of blank pages. He sat back down beside Hoku, offering one to her.

Hoku made a small sound, seemingly content with his actions. Her fingers left his cloak and she brought her index finger up to her mouth, pressing it against her canine. Zoro watched, hand tensed to stop her from doing anything stupid, but a single droplet of blood gathered along the pad of her finger instead.

Hoku reached out, touching her finger to the page.

Ink began to crawl outwards, swirling like paint dropped into water. Zoro watched it, remembering how the pages had illustrated themselves back then in her hut in the East Blue when they'd first met.

But instead of intricate details and perfectly snapped renditions as though they were photos—two stick figures, one massively taller than the other, appeared on the page. They didn't hold hands, instead the smaller one held the tip of a massive sword in guise of a hand.

Zoro stared at the crudely drawn image for several minutes, slowly looking back at Hoku, who seemed more than content with herself despite her flushed face.

"What the hell am I looking at?"

"'s me…" Hoku murmured. "'n Mi…ha…"

Zoro looked again at the drawing. A little bit of blood etched out a familiar hat on top of the taller stick figure's head.

Zoro looked at Hoku, staring in silence.

"Gimme… the… back…"

Zoro wordlessly flipped the page over.

Hoku pressed her finger against it again. Another drawing quickly sketched itself outwards. Two stick figures appeared again, this time around a crudely drawn—was that a fire? A camp fire. The two stick figures were drawn with single lined smiles, happy as they seemed to hold massive chunks of… Zoro didn't know what that was over the fire. The sheer image alone of Dracule Mihawk smiling over a camp fire was arguably more frightening to Zoro than when his blade had cut him clean across his chest.

Beside it another drawing appeared—the taller stick figure stood menacingly over the smaller stick figure, holding a stick, no, no, that was a sword over the smaller figure, who had a sad frown drawn over its face.

Zoro stared for a long, long time at the paper, finally looking up at Hoku.

She puffed, little clouds of hot steam. Her lips were turned up into a proud, prideful little smile, eyes shut through her feverish haze. She seemed somehow excited. "Th…ere's more!"

"Wow," Zoro said. "You're one hell of an artist."

Hoku snorted, looking as proud as a peacock despite her fever induced state.

"Gimme….'ore… paper…"

To be honest, despite the fact that each page looked like it was drawn by a child—a very, very ill child who was only half lucid—Zoro sort of got the gist of it.

One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, none other than Dracule Mihawk who boasted the title of the greatest swordsman—a title Zoro swore to obtain someday himself, with certainty, on his captain's honor and that of his dearest friend's—had taken her in when she was a brat.

Zoro still didn't really get the nature of that particular arrangement, since he couldn't really see Mihawk being the kind of guy to pick up orphans or kidnap children just because he felt like it, nor did they seem to share any blood relation, but somehow they'd ended up together. They'd gone sailing together, visiting islands and doing whatnot—there was a particular stick-figured drawing that brought Hoku to tears, whether from her fever induced delusion or something else, some weird drawing of the tiny stick person with a… bowl of something and the taller one standing over it.

He'd taught her some swordsmanship, to what extent Zoro was still keen on knowing, and kept her along with him until he sent her off somewhere or another. But all of Hoku's silly stick figure renditions were done in bright color, despite the man's not-so-bright exterior. And she was stupidly happy to draw all of them, half-giggling like some sort of idiot.

An otherwise simple story that might not seem so simple to some of the crew, but Zoro figured they'd be fine. If anything, Hoku seemed to have half a clue of what she was currently doing, so he'd keep these grand works of art to help her reference back to later when they'd get a more detailed account of just how their resident artist managed to follow the coattails of a warlord.

"Yeah," Zoro said to a sleeping Hoku, smiling still in her dreams. "One hell of an artist alright."

Maybe they'd even frame them in the galley. She'd have a real hoot with that.

Sanji's heart dropped when Hoku feebly shook her head against her pillow, his hand holding a spoonful of hot soup sliding back into the bowl.

"'m sorry… Ji…" Hoku mumbled tiredly. She gripped a corner of the blanket weakly in one fist, brows scrunched up. "Not… really… hungry…"

"Not even a small bite?" Sanji offered gently, setting the bowl back down in his lap. Hoku huffed a bit, straining. "It's alright, honey. Don't force yourself."

"S… 'ry," Hoku murmured. "Don't… wanna… was…"

"Oh, Luffy'll eat it right up," Sanji set the bowl aside. He carefully checked Hoku's rag and used a clean one to dab at the sweat rolling down her neck and cheeks. She's getting worse. We need to find a doctor for her soon. It was hurting Sanji to see Hoku like this—it'd hurt him to see any lady like this. If he could, he'd gladly be sick instead.

The Merry was sailing closer and closer to land. Nami was on full alert, constantly searching with careful eyes through the flurry of snow falling over the ship. The rest of them continued at their positions, switching off between taking care of Hoku and making sure the ship sailed as fast as possible.

"Feels… colder…" Hoku said softly. Sanji nodded, fiddling with his cigarette pack and withholding taking one out. He could wait a little longer.

"Vivi thinks we're close to a winter island," Sanji said. "We'll keep you nice and warm though, love. Don't worry, alright?"

Hoku's grip on the blankets tightened. She looked smaller all bundled up like that. Sanji hummed a bit, gently patting the top of the blankets. "Why don't you get more rest, Hoku Honey? When you wake up with more of an appetite I'll make you whatever you want."

"Kii…" Hoku slurred. "Kii…hi…"

"Those fruits you like so much?" Sanji looked a little troubled. "I'm not sure those are good for you while you're sick, darling."

Hoku had enough energy to purse her lips a bit at his words. Sanji almost cooed, keeping a soft chuckle to himself instead as he soothingly ran his hand down the top of Hoku's blanket, trying to ease her back into sleep. She's more childish like this, it's cute.

Sanji liked to pride himself on understanding the hearts of women—and Hoku was sort of the type in his eyes to seem upfront with her own. Seem. The type of woman who'd offer enough honesty to make it easier to withhold something else.

But that's alright too. Sanji thought fondly, giving Hoku's bundle of blankets another soft pat. Her breathing was starting to even out, the fatigue from the sickness pulling her under again. Pretty ladies can keep their secrets, it's the job of gentlemen like me to love them regardless.

Hoku stirred a bit and Sanji paused. Her brows creased in discomfort and Hoku suddenly started to push a bit at her blankets, panting. "Hoku? What's wrong? You shouldn't get up—"

"Don't… wanna… sleep," Hoku started. She pushed a bit at the blankets. Sanji gently held them regardless, trying to drape them back over her. "It's… Don't… feel good…"

"It's alright," Sanji said soothingly. "You should sleep. You need to rest."

Hoku weakly shook her head. Her eyes fluttered open a bit and she gripped the top of the blankets, breathing heavily. Sanji gently placed his hand over hers. He blinked, flushing a bit in surprise when her body instantly began to relax a bit. Luffy's always shouting something about holding hands… maybe it's not nonsense after all.

Maybe it's nightmares she's afraid of? Sanji gently rubbed his thumb over the top of Hoku's knuckles. The discomfort was still twisting across her face. He'd never been sick before, but he couldn't begin to imagine how badly it made someone feel.

Sanji stilled a bit at the thought. The warm flickers of an old memory unconsciously forcing his hand to tighten a bit over Hoku's.

Bedridden and—

"Sorry," Hoku whispered weakly. Sanji quickly looked up. Hoku's face twisted in pain. "Sorry… 'm sorry…"

"Hey," Sanji said softly, sweetly. "It's alright. It's alright."

He watched the dark furrow of Hoku's gray brows, the pain pinched between her features—and his hand moved softer over the top of her own, gently working his fingers across her hand, over her knuckles, slowly between her fingers. He pressed a bit into her palm, smiling a bit when her body was beginning to grow a little more limp, a little less tense.

"Should I tell you a story too?" Sanji offered quietly, gently patting Hoku's hand. Usopp didn't stop bragging up deck about how his grand stories had practically healed Hoku themselves. Can't be too hard, right?

She blearily opened her eyes, huffing a bit as she watched him. Sanji smiled. "How about one all the kids from the North Blue know? You ever hear of Noland the Liar?"

Hoku closed her eyes, brows scrunching a bit in worry. She blinked softly back at Sanji. "Is… Is it…sad?"

Hoku Honey, you're so precious! Sanji almost sobbed at the sight, resisting the urge to smother Hoku entirely. No, no, that would be too hard on her. I have to wait until what she needs is more body heat. Is that what she needs?

"Maybe a bit," Sanji admitted. "Depending how you look at it." He racked his brain for other tales—he could tell her a story or two a plenty from his days at the Baratie, but based on what Usopp was rattling off, maybe something else was better to help her rest…

Sanji paused, slowly working his hands over Hoku's. He felt along the rough calluses between her fingertips, the smoothed, worn down edges of her palm, softened by work. He stared at her hand, lost in thought, somewhere far, far from the Grand Line. Somewhere cold and unforgiving. The smell of moss along a cell floor. The cold press of metal against the soft skin of a child's face.

The warmth of someone's hand, running through his hair. The quiet drip of clear liquid attached to a metal pole.

A kind smile tucked away, hidden in that little room.

"Okay," Sanji said quietly. "This is another one that's popular in the North Blue… It's called Sora, Warrior of the Sea."

"What's…it… about?" Hoku huffed.

Sanji smiled at the sight, running his hand comfortingly over hers, giving it a soft squeeze as she nodded a bit, listening.

"Well," Sanji began softly. "It starts with a man named Sora, a brave marine who's got to fight against the evil, horrible and mean Germa 66…"

"A… marine?" Hoku mumbled. "'s no….fun…"

"I know how it sounds," Sanji chuckled. "But stay with me. So the Germa 66—except for one—are rotten, useless scumbags who…"

"Now the entire island will perish!" Sparking Red held up the control to release the deadly virus crafted by Poison Pink. "And there's nothing you can do about it, Sora!"

"Give up and despair," Stealth Black whispered, pressing Sora's face deeper into the dirt. The islanders around them gasped in fear, clutching onto each other. Sora's trusted seagull squawked in protest, fighting against Winch Green's hold. "There's nothing you can do."

"I will never give up," Sora said bravely. "And I will never despair!"

"Why?" Sparking Red taunted, holding the remote over his head, ready to release the deadly virus. "Why cling to such foolish ideals, Sora? They're just empty words!"

"They're not!" Sora pressed his hands into the dirt. A soft light began to glow, pulsing across the entire area around them. All of Germa 66 started, looking about them in confusion. The islanders looked up, tears in their eyes. "They'll never be just empty words—as long as you hold them close and you keep fighting!"

Sora raised his head, fighting against Stealth Black's foot. The villain struggled, trying to push the helmet back into the dirt, but Sora refused to bow. He stared straight ahead through the shaded cover of his helmet.

"As long as the sky and sea are endless—so is hope!" Sora rose to his knees. Stealth Black stumbled, leaping with a sweep of his cape as Sora pushed himself then to his feet. "For as long as they stretch, unbound by anything, so is my strength!"

Sora raised his fist toward the sky. Germa 66 gasped as Sora's fingers unfurled, revealing a tiny device within his fist.

"The dead switch!" Winch Green shouted. "How did you get it?"

"From one brave, sick young girl who refused to despair," Sora said proudly. "She never gave up!"

Sora's seagull broke free of Winch Green's grip, coming to land beside Sora as he raised the kill switch high into the air for all of them to see. The sick young girl who'd fought to help Sora smiled, tears in her eyes as her parents held her close.

"Hope is like the sea," Sora said. "Like the sky! You will never conquer it!"

Sora pressed the button. The remote in Sparking Red's grip burst into flames, self-destructing.

"As a warrior of the sea—I will never despair!"

- Excerpt from comic strip "Sora, Warrior of the Sea - Sora and the Tear Virus" World Economic Journal, Date XXXX, Issue 16.

"Why do none of them listen?" Nami said, exasperated. Vivi frowned sheepishly behind her at the sight. "They'll all get sick like this!"

Someone had added a muffler around Hoku's neck. Bits of her face peeked out from being swaddled with the extra length of it, her face still flushed with fever but sound asleep. Beside her Sanji was passed out himself, sleeping without a care in the world, slumped over from the chair and resting his head on the bed near Hoku's side. His hand clutched Hoku's, a sort of stupid looking grin on Sanji's face.

Nami blew on her knuckles, winding her arm back to give the cook a good whack for daring to look so peaceful next to Hoku while holding hands on top of it. Vivi laughed nervously behind her, pausing when she noticed the ship begin to slow. "Nami, something—"

"Everyone!" Usopp shouted from above deck. "We see an island!"

Vivi's eyes widened. Nami perked up, turning on her heel. "Perfect! We're finally here!"

She quickly smacked her fist into the side of Sanji's head, sending him flying from the chair. The cook jumped up immediately, a welt growing on the side of is head. "W-What happened? Who needs me? Ladies?"

"We've finally reached an island," Nami said. "You fell off from the ship slowing, be more careful, Sanji."

"Of course, Nami-swan!"

Vivi felt a bead of sweat roll down the side of her head. The three of them made sure Hoku was tucked soundly into Nami's bed, hurrying up toward the deck.

"What do you guys see?" Nami said, throwing the door from the galley open. "What's—"

Click. Click. Click.

Soft flakes of snow dusted the top of the Merry, piling in little mounds along the deck. A chill deeper than the cold air of a winter island ran through Nami's bones, forcing her to shudder.

An array of gun barrels greeted the Straw Hats, poised and ready along the snowy cliffsides surrounding the ocean channel they'd sailed the Merry through to bring it closer to the island's snowy shores.

A burly man stood out amidst the line of soldiers, meeting their startled gazes.

"I'm afraid we can't let you come any closer, pirates."

Below deck Hoku sneezed, burrowing deeper into the muffler and the blankets. Somewhere in her half-delirious fever, she faintly realized she always did want to see if Chopper's fur was as soft as it looked.

You're breathing every day, depending on somebody else to lead you on your way.