Chapter Five - His World
Chapter Five
“Luffy?” Sanji said quietly, tension leaving his body from the moment of shock. The young black haired friend of theirs stood in the doorway looking the same with the straw hat leaning against his back. Luffy stared at the blond for a moment before his eyes shifted to the now relaxed and still form of Zoro.
“Sanji what happened to Zoro? I thought he was in a coma.” He asked curiously. A nurse gently pushed Sanji to the side so that she could get by to leave the room for something. Sanji murmured a quiet ‘sorry’ looking behind him at Zoro as the doctor and two nurses finished settling the man into the bed.
“He is...or was, I just...” Sanji trailed off unable to form the words to tell Luffy what had happened. He gave one more glance behind him before pushed Luffy out into the hallway following him.
“I just didn’t want to tell anyone yet. He woke up yesterday, but he...he doesn’t remember us, well not in the way that we do. I mean it’s in his head. I’m sorry it’s hard to ex-“
“No, I understand.” Luffy said simply. The blond stared at the boy a moment before sighing and running a hand through his hair. It didn’t surprise him that Luffy could so easily accept something like this and understand what Sanji was trying to say. Movement behind them caused them both to focus on the doctor who came out of the room with a clipboard.
“Well we got him settled down for now. I think it was just a bad reaction to reality finally hitting. His chest is fine. I’m not too worried about it at this point. The only thing I have a slight concern over is his mental stability but-“
“It’s fine doctor. I think for now we’ll take it day by day. Like before.” Sanji interrupted, his mind exhausted from everything already. Dr. Konoe studied him for a moment before nodding.
“If that is what you want for now then okay. Though we will observe him and make judgement upon any improvement, just for legal reasons.” The doctor replied outlining to Sanji.
“Thanks.”
“If you want you can go back in. He won’t be awake for a while so if you want a break you could take it now.” The elder man said before nodding and walking down the hallway to leave the three alone.
“Ano...Sanji?”
“Hm?” Sanji cocked his head in Luffy’s direction.
“I can stay with Zoro for now. You should go eat. That always makes me feel better when I’m upset.” Luffy said innocently.
“You and food go along no matter what mood you’re in. Besides when did you start to act like the shitty old man telling me when to eat?” Sanji teased slightly shoving his hands into his pockets. ‘Cheeky bastard.’ Sanji thought to himself as he looked at the grinning face of Luffy wondering how the boy could put a smile on anyone’s face.
“They’re serving some really good meat lunch special. I already was there, but they said I had to leave.” Luffy told Sanji as the blond shook his head and turned down the hall heading towards the cafeteria. He heard the loud claps of the other’s sandals disappear into the room. He let out a sigh knowing that if Zoro woke at least Luffy would be there. That was more than he could ask for at the moment.
Taking the stairs four levels down he stepped into a much busier hallway that had patients, visitors, doctors, nurses and the random security guard walking around. Passing the nurse’s station he ducked his head as he noticed the elderly woman doctor explaining a treatment to a nurse. Dr. Kureha had been the one to first get her medical hands on Zoro when he was brought in. Sanji had at a point almost feared for his own life when he managed to say the wrong thing earlier to her.
Rounding the corner the smell of food quickly came to his senses. He breathed it in, checking off some of the spices he could smell out of habit trying to guess what dishes could they possibly be. The selection wouldn’t be the greatest here, but it could be worse. Reaching a hand out to pull open the glass door he stopped to let a middle aged woman with her children pass first. Nodding at her thanks he was about walk in when someone called him.
“Sanji-san!” A raspy sounding voice called out to him. Craning his neck over a shoulder, the blond could see the grungy looking man walking towards him. His lips caught in a small smirk, though he resisted frowning when a few people backed away slightly from the approaching man.
“Gin.” Sanji said as the man came over and walked into the cafeteria with him. Gin was a little taller than Sanji, but his posture was slightly sagged making them almost equal.
“I’m guessing you have a session today.” Sanji asked as they went for an empty table rather than food at the moment. Gin scratched the side of his head, shifting his gray headband a little, as a grin broke out onto his rugged face.
“Yeah. I only have two more to go after today.” Gin replied referring to the psychiatric sessions he had been ordered to take since getting arrested earlier in the year. Sanji had known Gin for a few years, and knew that it wasn’t entirely Gin’s fault with the gang and anger problems. Luckily he and the old man were able to put in a somewhat good word into getting Gin a little less off the hook. “I guess seeing you here isn’t the same as me. I think I will be glad when I don’t have to see you here anymore.” Gin joked with sympathy.
“Actually...”
“He’s awake now?” Gin cut him off.
“Yeah, but, well he can’t come home yet. The doctor still wants to make sure everything is okay.” Sanji explained omitting the fact that Zoro didn’t remember them. It was a problem he was still trying to figure out how to deal with.
“Have you told the others?” Gin asked leaning back against the chair. Sanji shook his head slightly.
“No, I haven’t gotten around to it. Yesterday was a little stressful and today the idiot wanted to see his chest wound and ended up having a fit.” Sanji said clenching his hand into a fist. He sighed wishing he still carried cigarettes in his pockets.
“I’m sure they’d understand Sanji-san.” Gin responded after a few moments of silence. The blond nodded stiffly. Gin was right. He was sure that the others would understand, even though he had promised them to tell him if anything happened. He thought of Nami and how he was lying to her. He’d make it up to her. Maybe a nice dinner or lunch. That brought another memory to mind.
“Shit...I forgot you were here today. I was going to bring you lunch.” Sanji said straightening up in his seat. Gin waved his hand.
“It’s okay. I actually was at the Baratie last night. I think I can wait a little bit longer.” The darker man said with a slight grin. Sanji grinned back.
“Was that before or after the old man made you clean the kitchen again?”
“Actually he made me go down to the pier and remove all the barnacles that were attached to the hull of the All Blue. You have no idea what that beauty looks like now. It took me all afternoon.” Gin told Sanji watching the blond smirk at the punishment. That type of job was usually given to Zoro because he would complain of how bored his was and was unlucky enough that Zeff would have heard him say those words.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there to see that.” The blond replied. “I’ll make it up to you. Lunch is on me today.” Sanji said standing up and moved away before Gin could refuse. Sighing Gin watched the other walk over to find something for them to eat. Well at least the cook was eating. His old man had mentioned to Gin that plates were lighter when Sanji was around. A subtle hint that he wanted Gin to make sure Sanji was eating.
A few minutes passed before Sanji walked over with three sandwiches and two bowls of soup. Automatically two sandwiches and a bowl went over to Gin. They talked a little bit as they ate, Gin’s lunch disappearing almost as fast as it would for Luffy or Zoro.
“Are you sure that’s all you want Sanji?” Gin asked as he looked at the smaller meal.
“Yeah, I’m good for now.” The blond replied finishing the last of his sandwich. Gin sighed and looked at his watch. Another few minutes and it was back to someone trying to get into his head.
“I have a message from the Baratie.” Gin started. Sanji sighed slightly aggravated, but remained silent.
“Your father said you better show up sometime within the next few days or he’s going to personally come here and drag you back.” Gin said watching Sanji’s blue eye roll.
“Sanji...”
“I know, I know. If you see him, tell him...actually don’t say anything. I’ll go visit him tomorrow if things are okay.” He told Gin hoping to annoy his father for a little bit longer. Gin nodded and then stood up. He reached into his jacket looking for something before pulling out a small carton of cigarettes from his pocket and a lighter and placing it on the table in front of Sanji.
“For lunch; there’s only three left in there.” Gin told him watching as the long pale fingers slid over the lighter and the carton taking them in a loose grasp.
“Thanks Gin.” Sanji murmured.
“Take care of yourself Sanji-san. I’m sure Zoro wouldn’t want you ill when he’s ready to go home.” Gin told Sanji as he clapped his friend’s shoulder before heading out of the cafeteria.
“Being ill might be a good thing.” Sanji said to himself. Looking around he pocketed the pack in his shirt pocket and picked up the empty bowls taking them over to the dish tray. Making his way out into the main foyer his started to make his way over to the elevator out of habit. He stopped and realized he didn’t want to go back up just yet. Knowing Luffy was still up there he turned and walked outside thinking a walk and a smoke would maybe help him figure out what to do next.
Chapter Six