~Y/n pov~

Luffy's shadow had been turned into a massive zombie.

It was a long battle but it was finally over... or so I thought.

Every time we fight we almost die.

But I'm still alive somehow every time.

I coughed and wheezed quietly as blood dribbled out the side of my mouth.

My body hurt and I could barely move.

I rolled onto my side and spat blood on the floor.

Zoro was fighting someone.

My body hurt too much to move and everyone else was unconscious.

Oh that's the crazy guy who blew up the island...

What's his name again?

Kuma...

Zoro shakily got to his feet, "Instead of taking his... I would appreciate it if you took my life instead."

I went to speak, yell, anything..

But all that came out was a pathetic squeak.

I felt so frustrated.

I couldn't do anything. I was powerless for the first time in a while.

"My bounty is worth much yet but I was going to become the greatest swordsman in the world!" Zoro had a look of determination in his eyes, "This should be a far trade?"

"Are you really willing to die for that man when you harbour such great ambition?" Kuma asked.

"Right now, it's the only way to save my crew mates." Zoro replied with a bitter smile, "My ambition means nothing if I can't protect my own captain. Luffy will become the King of the Pirates!"

"Wait, you idiot! What good will come from your death?"

My eyes widened as Sanji came into view.

So he's awake too.

"What happened to your ambition, stupid?" Sanji scoffed, "Instead of taking that moss head swordsman's life, take mine! The marines still don't think much of me, but before long, I'll be the most dangerous member of this crew. I'm Black foot Sanji!"

They'd both sacrifice their life to save Luffy.

Tears welled up in my eyes.

We really made some good friends and crew mates.

"Take my life instead. Please give my regards to the others... You'll have to find a new cook..." Sanji trailed off.

Zoro stood up and swung his sword at Sanji, smacking him hard in the stomach.

Sanji's knees gave way and he fell to the ground weakly.

"I'm begging you." Zoro threw his swords.

"If I harm Straw hat now, I will only bring shame to myself." Kuma stated with a sigh.

"I am in your debt."

Kuma walked over to Luffy and pulled out a weird red bubble.

"What I just repelled from his body was pain and fatigue." Kuma explained before pushing the red bubble into Zoro.

Zoro fell to the ground and yelled out in agony.

I wanted to cover my ears but I could barely move.

I coughed and finally I spoke.

"Zoro!" I yelled.

He was laid on the floor weakly.

His eyes met mine and he gave me a sad smile.

My consciousness started to fade again as I had lost a lot of blood.

No....

~*~

My eyes snapped open as the light blinded me.

I looked around the rubble and noticed Zoro missing.

That wasn't a dream, right? It was real.

My body had partially healed so I could finally stand.

I noticed Sanji running off.

Was he going to find Zoro?

Is Zoro even alive?

I quickly followed after Sanji, a lump building in my throat.

"You scared me!" Sanji yelled to Zoro once he saw him.

Zoro was stood there, drenched in blood.

How was he still standing?

"Where do all of this blood come from?!" Sanji yelled loudly in alarm as he took in Zoro's injured state.

My eyes watered when I saw him.

But... he's not dead yet.

I ran towards him as I saw him body falling to the ground.

"What happened here?"

"Nothing happened!"

I caught Zoro's body before it hit the ground.

Sanji turned to look at me in surprise.

I placed my hands over all the cuts on his body and sealed them shut with ice.

My hands were cold and tingly. My fingers hurt so much but I kept going until every cut was sealed.

"It'll only be temporary but it'll stop the bleeding." I frowned as I stared at him injured body, "We need to get him to Chopper fast before it's too late."

Sanji nodded, "Right."

He carefully lifted Zoro's body onto his back and followed me through the ruins.

My hands shook slightly with fear.

We might have made it just in time.

Adrenaline kicked in and I started to sprint.

"Hey! I can't keep up!" Sanji yelled after me.

"I'll find Chopper! Don't worry!" I yelled back as I raced off.

I ran through the ruins and into the building, avoiding all the people.

It seems like no one has noticed me yet.

I grabbed Chopper's arm and caught his attention.

He turned to me and looked like he was about to yell but I quickly shushed him and pulled him outside.

"Is that blood in your hands?" Chopper frowned.

"Yeah... it's Zoro's."

"What?"

At that moment Sanji came running over.

Chopper's jaw dropped as he stared at Zoro's state.

"Quick! Get a doctor!" He yelled.

"That's you!" I replied.

"Oh yeah."

Chopper brought Zoro into another room and we assisted him as he patched up the wounds.

When he had finished bandaging him up I asked, "Is he going to be okay?"

"Yeah...thanks to your ice. He would've bled out otherwise." Chopper smiled reassuringly.

I glanced down at my bloodstained hands and silently left the room to go and wash my hands.

~*~

I sighed as I watched everyone party and enjoy themselves.

Zoro had been placed one a clean table off to the side so he was in the same room.

He was still unconscious but at least he was alive.

I scanned the room, my eyes meeting Luffy's.

He grinned and sat next to me.

"Are you okay?" He asked when he noticed my expression.

"Yeah... just worried..." I stared at Zoro for a few moments before smiling at Luffy, "It's nothing really."

I decided not to tell him about what had happened and why Zoro had done.

It's probably for the best.

"About Zoro?" Luffy tilted him head, "Why? He's alive."

"Yeah.. Now go have fun." I told Luffy.

He pulled me into a quick hug before racing off towards Brook.

Brook had sat down at the piano.

"Hey, I thought you only played violin." Sanji raised an eyebrow at him.

Brook laughed, "I can play almost every instrument. Would you like to request a song?"

"Yeah? I can request anything?" Sanji crossed his arms over his chest and stood there in thought.

Before he responded, Brook started playing a song.

"Wait, didn't you just ask for a request?!"

Brook ignored him and started singing.

I sat down next to Robin as I saw her sat on her own.

"Binks booze. I thought I recognised that song." Robin had a distant expression on her face.

I nodded, "Shanks and his crew used to sing it."

~*~

Brook finally agreed to join the crew once he realised we had met Laboon.

"Our ship is going to be more noisy." Robin smiled to herself.

Nami let out an annoyed huff and placed her hands on her hips, "Why do we always attract such a quirky crowd?"

"I have a bounty. I am known as Humming Brook." He told us, "My bounty is for thirty three million Berries. A long time ago, I was the leader of a certain kingdom's assault convoy. After that, I was the acting captain of the Rumbar pirates. I am a musician and a swordsman."

Luffy grinned.

~*~

"Hey, Zoro! Did you remove your bandages again?" Chopper yelled at him in annoyance.

"Yeah, they hampered my movement." Zoro nonchalantly replied.

I sighed, "You know he always does this. Just don't bother."

"What?" Chopper looked up at me with a confused look.

I smiled, "We both know he'll be fine."

Chopper nodded and scurried off.

My body feels a bit funny but it's probably the aftermath of the battle.

When I stood up, black dots covered my vision.

I used the railing to steady myself until my sight cleared.

What was that? I just stood up to fast, didn't I?

"Our next stop is Fishman island!" Luffy grinned excitedly, "I can't wait to get there."

A woman handed Nami some of her vivre card but I wasn't fully paying attention.

"So that's what that is." Luffy pulled out the bit of vivre card Ace gave him.

I stood next to him and looked at it.

Why are the edges of the paper burning?

"Let me see that for a second. A vivre card also shows someone's health." She trailed off.

Does that mean his life is fade away?

"I hate to say this but his life... is burning out."

Luffy froze.

Is he in danger?

I frowned at the thought as we all boarded and ship and left.

Luffy acted like he was fine but I knew he was worried.

What's happening to Ace?

I hope nothing bad happens.

~*~

I groaned as the light hit my face.

Rolling over, I buried my face in my pillow.

After a few moments, I finally opened my eyes, unable to sleep.

I looked at the other beds in the room.

Nami was still asleep and Robin's bed was empty.

I was surprised Luffy and Zoro weren't here.

My head pounded, it felt like I had been hit with a cannon.

I felt cold too.

Weakly, I pulled myself out of bed and got dressed.

Then, I headed to Chopper's room.

He was in there making medicines.

"What brings you here, Y/n?" Chopper asked before turning to me and gasping, "You don't look well."

He pulled me over to lay in a bed as he checked my temperature and other stuff.

I coughed into my hand, my chest heaving.

When I pulled my hand away, there was blood.

My eyes widened in surprise.

"At first... I thought it was just a normal cold." Chopper furrowed his brows, "But it's much more serious. I've never seen anything like it and I don't know if it can be cured... but I'll find a way."

"Thanks." I stayed quiet for a few moments, "Please don't tell anyone else about this. I don't want them to worry. Just tell them I have a bad cold."

Chopper frowned but nodded anyway, "Here take this."

He handed me some pills.

"You should get well enough to feel normal again if you take one every day. But I don't know if this disease can be cured. I think I can only prolong your death." Chopper explained when he saw the confused expression on my face.

Prolong my death.... So I was going to die.

"How long do you think I have?" I asked sadly.

"It'll probably be a good few years. I'm not sure how many since I've never seen something like this before." Chopper smiled sadly.

"I see... Thank you." I slowly got up and walked back to my room.

"You should rest!" Chopper called after me.

~*~

I curled back up in bed.

Nami had left now and I had put my pyjamas back on and tried to sleep.

It was no use though.

The door slammed open, making me jump.

"Ah! Sorry." Luffy closed the door gently and walked over, "Chopper told me you were sick! Are you gonna die?"

I laughed, "Of course not. I'll be better in a few days."

"Ah thank God." Luffy's body slumped in relief.

The door opened again, this time more gently.

"The idiot cook made you this." Zoro handed me some soup.

"Thanks." I coughed slightly.

I placed it on the night stand and sat up.

Zoro came and sat on the edge of my bed.

"Here." He picked up the spoon and put it in my mouth.

I felt my cheeks getting red but I could just blame that on being sick.

Zoro's ears had turned red as he continued to feed me.

Luffy was so silent I had almost thought he had left.

Zoro gave me one last mouthful before grabbing the bowl and leaving the room.

I shuffled down but kept myself propped up so I didn't puke up the soup I just ate. (It do be like that)

Luffy wordlessly crawled into my bed and pulled me into his warm embrace.

He fell asleep within a few minutes.

I would've laughed if it didn't make my throat hurt.

The door opened and Zoro walked back in.

He smiled and sat on the other side of me, where Luffy wasn't sat.

He ran his hand through my hair, making me feel sleepy.

I yawned and curled my body towards his.

"You can lie to Luffy... but you can't lie to me." Zoro spoke.

I looked at him in surprise, "What do you mean?"

He grabbed my hand and I noticed the faint traces of blood on it.

I internally swore.

"Please... tell me the truth." He looked me directly in the eyes, which made me flinch slightly.

I looked down and avoided eye contact, "I'm ill with something Chopper's never seen before. He doesn't know how to cure it and he doesn't know if it's gonna get worse. Eventually it will kill me but that'll be in years. I've still got a while left, I think."

Tears welled in my eyes as I thought of the situation.

My throat tightened and it became hard to breathe.

"I don't want to tell Luffy because he'll worry." Tears fell down my cheeks as I stared at Luffy's peaceful sleeping face.

I brushed his hair away from his forehead and stared at him with blurred vision for a few moments.

I sniffled and tried to wipe the tears off my cheeks, but more replaced them.

Zoro pulled me against his chest and hugged me tightly.

"It's okay. I'll be by your side the whole time. You've still got ages left to live so enjoy your life." Zoro spoke softly.

I buried my face in his chest and clung to him.

Zoro continued to reassure me and before I knew it, I was falling into a peaceful sleep.

~*~

I woke up feeling extremely warm.

I grumbled tiredly before opening my eyes and finding myself in a cocoon of warm.

My body was sandwiched between Zoro's and Luffy's.

I was feeling a bit better than I was before.

The medicine was probably helping.

I'll probably be well enough when we reach the next island.

We've almost reached the red line.

~*~

"Damn, we're not catching a thing..." Luffy complained, "This is boring."

I was feeling better thanks to the medicine.

I only hoped I would live a long life even with this illness. Though, all I ask is to live long enough to see Luffy become the pirate king.

We were in a warm climate at the minute so I was sat under a tree in the shade.

Zoro was beside me, presumably asleep.

The other four were sat at the table, drinking tea.

"Nami... aren't we at Fishman island yet?" Luffy asked impatiently.

"Oh, give it a rest!" Nami turned and gave him a look of annoyance, "I'm sure we're getting close."

"Fishman..." Sanji trailed off, "Mermaids!"

He perked up and had a perverted grin on his face as he imagined all the gorgeous mermaids.

"Gah! I'm sick of this!" Luffy stood and threw his fishing rod on the deck in frustration, "Sanji! I need food!"

Usopp pulled one of his goggle down and gaped at something in the distance.

"Incredible! A huge school of fish!" He grinned excitedly.

"You see? With some patience everything works out." Brook stated.

Luffy grabbed his fishing rod and jumped back on the railing.

Nami stood up and looked over the railing.

"Something isn't right." She stated.

The fish swam straight over the nets.

"Hey! Fish! Wait!" Luffy yelled after them as they swam away.

I looked up and saw dark clouds, "Is there going to be a storm?"

Nami turned to me and then looked in the same direction, "That's... Serpent currents!"

The water started swirling around and it looked like a whirlpool would form.

Then, sections of the water shot up and twirled up into the sky.

Usopp let out a scream when he saw them.

"Cool!" Luffy grinned.

"They almost look alive." Zoro stood up and peered at them.

Sanji ran towards the wheel and tried to turn it, "It's stuck!"

One of the arms of water came towards our ship.

Zoro jumped up and sliced it in half.

Water rained down on the deck.

I immediately backed away from the railings.

Franky shot another arm of water that came racing towards us.

"What are you doing?! Steer the ship." Zoro yelled at Sanji.

"Shut up!" Sanji yelled back, "In these waves, it won't do what I tell it to!"

"Gum gum pistol!" Luffy punched the water and got drenched in it as it showered down on us.

"Serpent currents. They certainly do move like serpents." Brook observed, "They're very adeptly named."

I shot a wave of fire in front of me to protect myself as one of the currents came charging towards me.

The water turned into steam as it hit the fire barrier.

Brook laughed, "Shall I play a song? It will lift the mood. All storms and current will eventually recede."

"Sounds good, Brook!" Luffy yelled in response.

One of the current suddenly lifted the ship into the air and it began to rock violently.

I managed to grab Chopper's leg and save him as he went flying past.

He clung to my arm tightly for a few minutes before letting go.

"I see it! It's the red line!" Luffy yelled from the front of the ship.

I stepped up beside Luffy to see it for myself.

We made it to the red line.

Luffy turned to me and grinned happily, "We made it! I'm so excited!"

"There was a nasty storm that day, too..." Sanji recalled as he remembered our journey to the Grand line.

"It has taken me fifty years..." Brook mumbled as he stared at it.

A huge current shot up into the air in front of us.

"Make sure you steer." Zoro said to Sanji.

"Don't order me around." Sanji grumbled in response.

I grabbed Luffy's arm tightly so he wouldn't fly off.

I wouldn't be surprised if he did just fly off with the strong winds and currents.

Nami somehow navigated her way along the currents.

"Coup de burst!" Franky yelled and we were shot into the sky.

The clouds disappeared and the sky became clear as the ship crashed back down into the water.

"We finally made it here!" Luffy cheered, throwing his arms up into the air.

"It's kinda nostalgic..." Nami smiled.

"We're halfway there now. The next time we see this wall, I'll be King of the pirates!"

~*~

Something suddenly fell from the sky.

"It couldn't be!" Sanji yelled as the person fel on top of him.

A starfish landed on its feet, "Nailed it."

The woman who had landed on Sanji panted in exhaustion.

"You saved me!" She grinned and sat up.

She was a mermaid.

I glanced down at her pink tail.

She looked down and finally noticed she had landed on Sanji, "Gah! I crushed a human!"

She screamed and looked down at him in shock.

Everyone else was just staring at her tail in disbelief.

She shook Sanji back and forth and stared at him in worry, "Are you okay?"

Sanji mumbled something incoherent.

The mermaid turned to look at us and screamed, "Ah! There's so many humans!"

Luffy took a step back, startled by her sudden scream, "What?"

"We're the ones who're surprised!" Chopper yelled.

"Thanks for saving me when I was about to be digested." She smiled, "I'm such an easy target for sea monsters to eat. That was about the twentieth time. I should thank you... want some Takoyaki?"

"Yeah!"

"That'll be five hundred Berries per person."

"Why are you trying to sell them something!" The starfish kicked her in the face.

"Ah! I messed up!"

Sanji was flying around and gushing about this being his first time seeing a mermaid.

"But this isn't your first time?" Usopp stated.

Sanji stopped and then sunk to the ground, "No, that's doesn't scare me. It doesn't scare me!"

I watched as everyone started to argue.

"How fun!" The mermaid clapped as she watched them fight.

"Do you poop?"

"Why are you asking her?!" Sanji kicked Luffy in the head.

~*~

"Camie, what's this glove thing?" Luffy asked.

"That's my pet, Pappug. He's a starfish, and my master." She replied.

That's contradictory. How can he be your pet and your master?

Luffy placed the starfish on the floor and became disinterested.

"Oh that's right. I said I'd repay you with takoyaki. We'll have to meet up with Hatchin somewhere." Camie laughed and rubber neck sheepishly.

"Hatchin?" I asked.

Haven't we met someone with that name?

A den den mushi started to ring.

Camie pulled it out.

"Hello, Hatchin? It's Camie!" She answered cheerfully, "Sorry we got separated. Where are you now?"

"Hey! Is that Camie I hear? I'm not Hatchin." The person on the other end replied.

"Eh??! You're not Hatchin?!" Camie screamed.

"I'm Macro! The very same one from the Dopey Macro pirates."

Who? They sound like a bunch of losers or maybe they just suck at naming things.

"Sounds like there's trouble." Robin commented as if she wasn't secretly enjoying it.

"Why do you have Hatchin's transponder snail?"

"Because I beat up that Hachi punk, of course!"

~*~

"The fish are making an arrow for us on the water!" Usopp yelled excitedly as he steered the ship in that direction and followed them.

Zoro jumped down from the crow's nest.

"Setting sail already? You're not going to Fishman island?" Zoro asked.

"Forget about that! Look, she's Camie, a mermaid." Luffy grinned

"A mermaid? First one I've ever seen." Zoro replied.

"He erased it! He just erased the memory!" Chopper screamed.

"We're just gonna make a little detour to save her takoyaki friend." Luffy explained.

Some flying fishes were coming towards us.

"What's that?" I asked pointing at the strange floating fishes.

This gained everyone's attention as they looked to where I was pointing.

We avoided an attack as Luffy just punched them away.

Every day gets stranger and stranger.

~*~

"Be careful. The Macro pirates alone have captured me thirty times." Camie told us as we got nearer to the island.

"That's way to many times!" Usopp yelled in disbelief.

The island was a semi circle shape.

"It's not an island." Franky observed, "It's more like a living complex built on the sea."

Usopp gripped his chest, "My 'we shouldn't go to this living complex built on the sea' syndrome!"

"What a bunch of weirdos." I stated as I started at their 'building complex'.

We stopped when we came close enough to the cage to see Hachi .

He was dripping with ink.

Camie let out a scream when she saw him, "You're all black! What happened?"

"Well... I had my own reasons. More importantly, this is a trap! You have to turn back!" Hachi informed us.

"That same voice and unusual silhouette..." Zoro trailed off as he stared at the familiar Fishman.

"Hey! How's Arlong doing?" Sanji yelled to him.

"Oh, Arlong? Well, he and Chew and Kuroobi were all captured by the Navy." Hachi responded casually, "I was the only one to break out and now I'm running a takoyaki shop like I've always dreamed of doing."

"Arlong?" Luffy asked cluelessly before he realised, "It's you?! Octopus?!"

Hachi was startled, "Oh no!"

He's not very smart.

"Now that we know it's you there's no way we're saving you." Luffy stated firmly, "But... Is your takoyaki really that good?"

Sanji sighed, "Don't waver between your reason and appetite."

"This is stupid." Zoro grumbled.

In the end, Luffy decided to rescued them.

~*~

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4035 words

A/n I've been revising for my mocks so it's been tough. They're in less than two weeks now.