"𝓐𝓵𝓵 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓼𝓮 𝓼𝓱𝓪𝓭𝓸𝔀𝓼 𝓪𝓵𝓶𝓸𝓼𝓽 𝓴𝓲𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓭 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓵𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽."

***

With how much blood Zoro was losing, it was important that they moved quickly. The four got together to lift him up from the dock and get him into the ship. It was hard with how heavy he was. Usopp and Luffy held him under his arms while Nami and Artemisia got his legs. They made sure to keep him upright so he didn't lose any more blood.

They practically busted down the door to the main room. Nami had to chastise the boys for their hastiness, "Easy. Easy. Easy," The four brought him over to the table so they could finally set him down on a flat surface that wasn't the dock of the Baratie. "Don't drop him."

"I didn't," Usopp defended himself. "He's really heavy."

"We know," Artemisia groaned slightly as she readjusted her grip. "We're carrying him too." The four set him down on the counter. 

Still, Usopp felt the need to continue his earlier sentence, "I mean, he's got a really big head. It's, like, freakishly, big." I mean... Artemisia wasn't going to refute him on that. She could agree with that based on his physicality and also his personality. Who else would go up to a Warlord of the Sea and challenge them to a death battle saying that they were for sure going to win?

A sigh of relief came from Artemisia as she and Nami set down Zoro's feet. Nami walked over to the seats that had a blanket resting on it, "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Zoro?" Luffy called out. The expression on his face was heartbreaking, "Hey, can you hear me?"

There was a sniffle that came from Artemisia. She tried her best to hide it but she knew that everybody probably heard it, "Guys, this looks really bad." The slice went from his upper chest to the lower side of his stomach. Blood continuously poured out of it and she knew that they would need towels on towels to cover that up to stop the bleeding.

"Of course it's bad," Nami agreed. "He got sliced across the chest."

"What do we do?" Artemisia ignored the sarcasm from Nami. She assumed that it was her way of coping with the situation. No matter if she and Zoro did fight before the duel, she still showed up for him. That showed that she cared for him in some capacity. It was only normal for her to be just as worried as everyone else was for him.

"Just try not to freak out and find something to help," Nami replied. Artemisia tried her best to follow those orders but it was much harder than saying it. Nami folded up the blanket she grabbed and stuck it under Zoro's head to prop it up.

"Where's the first aid kit?" Usopp inquired.

"Do we even have a first aid kit?" Nami responded.

"I've never seen one on here." Artemisia shook her head.

"Zoro?"

Everything was starting to become too much. Everyone was frantically asking questions and looking around or tending to Zoro. Artemisia could barely keep up. She could hear Nami asking another question, "Do we have a first aid kit?" It was the same question as before. She could see her looking at Usopp.

The man looked to be frantic as well. Artemisia spoke to him in an even tone to help calm him down so he could think rationally, "Usopp, you worked on the ship. Have you ever seen a first aid kit on here?" Usopp stumbled over his words, not really sure how to form a sentence at the moment. Finally, he shook his head. Despite this, he tried to look for one.

"Zoro?" Luffy stepped back from the still man on their counter.

Rummaging through cabinets, Usopp tried to find a first aid kit. Nami went to Zoro's side and unbuttoned his shirt to get a better look at the wound. Now that they could see it in all its glory, it was much worse than they initially thought. It might sound like that is all Artemisia could say, but that's all the thoughts she could form together. Her mind was racing, trying to find out what to do or how to be helpful.

"These are all I could find," Usopp held towels. "Where's he bleeding from?" He rushed over.

"Everywhere," Nami stated.

"We need more towels."

"We need a doctor." Nami corrected him.

"Last I checked, we don't have one." Yes, they were very aware of that Usopp.

Taking a moment to gather her thoughts, Artemisia breathed deeply. She jumped back into the conversation, "Okay, well, what do we do about that?" She walked forward and grabbed one of the towels from Usopp, placing it on part of Zoro's wound. It was so big that not even one towel could cover all of it. "None of us can help him. We don't have a doctor with us," She applied pressure to the wound. Nami took a towel and did the same. Artemisia only focused on the wound, not wanting anyone else to see her getting tearful, "We can't just let him bleed out."

Suddenly, Nami instructed Usopp to take her place in applying pressure with Artemisia. When he took over, Nami turned her attention to Luffy who looked to be out of it, "Luffy? Luffy!" The shout of his name caught his attention. Luffy blinked back into reality. Nami was staring at him when he focused back on the situation, "Someone needs to go back to Baratie."

"Um, I'm really not hungry right now, Nami."

For a moment, Artemisia was able to forget about her injured friend. She looked over at Luffy with raised eyebrows, trying to figure out what he meant. Nami looked to feel the same way but she kept on task, "Not for food. Maybe one of the customers is a ship's doctor."

"Right," Luffy sounded confident now. "A doctor," He glanced down at Zoro, "We need a doctor." Luffy walked out of the room to do as Nami asked. At the pace he was going in, it only made Artemisia even more worried. It was clear that Luffy was more affect by this than the rest of them. He was out of it since the moment Zoro passed out.

Chewing on the inside of her cheek, Artemisia found herself saying, "I don't think he's gonna make it out of this, Nami."

"We just need a doctor to help then everything will be fine," Nami stated. Artemisia found her gaze shifting over to look at her. Even though her words sound sure, the look on her face didn't look sure. She had no idea if things were going to turn out okay. Artemisia focused back on helping Zoro's wound a much as she could.  Luffy did eventually come back but it wasn't ith a doctor. It was with Sanji and the cook from before. Nami looked upset by this, "Are you kidding?" Luffy walked to stand on Nami's left. Nami followed him with her gaze, "He needs a doctor."

"Why are you bringing them?" Artemisia inquired.

The cook took over on holding the towels for the two girls, "Do you wanna save your swordsman friend or not?" He took off the towels. Artemisia watched with confusion. How on earth was taking off the only thing stopping the blood helping? He was a cook, what did he know about medical treatment?

After him, Sanji walked in with a basket. Nami remained silent as she watched along with everyone else. Sanji took out a leather knife holder and unfurled it. He also took out a fish. Luffy looked just as confused as Artemisia did. Nami pursed her lips. The cook took out a bottle of alcohol and opened it.

Seeing him do that, Usopp asked, "Is that to sterilize the wounds?"

"Hell, no," The cook replied. "That'd be a waste of really good liquor," He drank some of the alcohol and set it down. From the corner of her eye, Artemisia could see Nami giving Luffy a death glare. Luffy didn't seem to notice as he was watching the cook. The cook took a knife from the holder and caressed the fish in front of him, "Beautiful." He then got to work on prepping the fish like he would be cooking it.

The only thing Artemisia could do was shake her head and whisper, "What is he doing?"

"Killing him by wasting time." Nami muttered as she shot another glare at Luffy.

Taking the fish skin, the cook cut it into different pieces. He placed it on the table beside him. He went to the other side of Zoro and held out his hand, "Needle," Sanji handed it to him. Everyone watched as he stitched up Zoro's wound, tying it off with a stitch. He held out his hand again, "Fish skin," Sanji handed him a piece of fish skin. The cook placed a piece of the skin on top of Zoro's wound, "This is an old seaman's trick," Sanji handed him another and he placed it down where some of the wound was still exposed, "The fish skin helps staunch the wounds and heals the flesh a lot faster."

"So it's gonna help, right?" Artemisia fidgeted with her fingers.

"It's supposed to."

"Is he gonna be okay?" Usopp asked.

"Look," That was all Artemisia needed to hear from the cook for her to start fearing for the worst. She breathed deeply and looked down at her feet before shutting her eyes tightly. "I'm not gonna lie to you. He's lost a lot of blood," Looking back up, Artemisia saw the cook glance over at Luffy, "It might be too late for him."

"But it might not be." Luffy stated.

"He's got one foot in each world right now, caught between life and death," The cook looked from Nami and then to Luffy, "You have to find a way to keep him tethered to our world. Talk to him. Tell him stories. Sing him sea shanties for all I care. He may not reply, but at least he'll know his crew are still with him." Once the predure was done, the cook and Sanji leave.

Now that they didn't have to worry about Zoro bleeding out, they could relax a little. Artemisia helped Nami and Luffy get Zoro to the bed in his room. His wound is wrapped and they lay his head on the pillow with a blanket underneath him. They all watch him with worry as they wait for a miracle to happen. It was decided that they would take shifts to watch over him. Currently, it was Nami's.

The others were free to do whatever they pleased as Nami watched over Zoro. They all chose to hang out where Zoro had been bleeding out previously. Sanji was cooking something for them to eat. Luffy was sitting on the seat near the window, polishing one of the sheaths for Zoro's sword. Artemisia could only pace the room, casting a glance over at the counter where her friend had been fighting for his life.

At that moment, Usopp walked into the room, humming, "Something smells delicious."

A smile was on Sanji's face as the compliment, "I just thought everyone'd be hungry, man. Plenty we didn't use," He cast a glance over to Luffy who was in his own world, "Never waste food."

"Cool."

A soft laugh came from Artemisia, "Don't have to worry about wasting food with Luffy around."

Snacks laid out on the table, Usopp decided to grab one. Noticing that Luffy still hadn't said anything, Sanji fully looked over at the boy instead of glancing like before, "What's the matter?" Luffy could feel the stare on him. He looked up to see Sanji looking over at him. "Don't like fish?"

"I love fish," Luffy smiled. I just need to get Zoro's sword ready for him. You know, when he wakes up." There was a look shared between Sanji and Usopp. Neither of them said anything. It was at this point that Artemisia couldn't take it anymore. She couldn't be there anymore. She needed to get away.

So she did. She walked out of the kitchen/dining room to get some fresh air on the deck. She went to the railing and looked out at the ocean. She let the feeling of the waves against the ship fill her senses. The smell of the ocean filled her lungs. For once, it felt like she could actually take a breath in. She had been fighting to breathe whenever everything went on. Now she was able to breathe, and think, and relax.

There was not a clue in her head that let Artemisia know how long she stayed there. All she knew was that the sun was at a different position than before. She could hear the sound of footsteps behind her. She turned to see Nami walking onto the ship with a concerned look on her face. She didn't even notice that Nami had left. Seeing the look on her face, Artemisia furrowed her brow and crossed her arms, "Nami, what's wrong?"

"There's pirates after Luffy." Nami rushed into the direction of the kitchen/dining room.

"What?" Artemisia followed after her.

The two went into the kitchen. No one was there besides Sanji. "Luffy! Luffy!" Nami called out. Not long after she started yelling for him, Luffy walked into the room with Usopp behind him. Sanji was leaning up against the counter with his elbows resting on it. Nami had her back turned to the door and was fiddling with her hands. Artemisia couldn't seem to sit still. Nami turned to the two when they walked in, "The Arlong Pirates are at Baratie. We have to leave now."

"What? Why? Why should we leave?" Luffy inquired.

"Because they're looking for you." Nami replied.

He pointed to himself, "Me?"

"And the map." Nami added.

"People really want that map." Artemisia remarked.

"It's a map to the Grand Line," Nami glanced at her. "I would be surprised if no one wanted it," She focused back on Luffy, "Those fishmen will tear this place apart if Zeff doesn't turn him over."

Upon hearing this, Sanji jumped to attention. He walked toward the door to the deck. Usopp watched him and called out, "Wh-Where are you going?"

"If Baratie's in danger, I need to be there." Sanji stopped and turned to Usopp.

"I'm coming with you." Luffy stated.

Those words did not sit well with Nami, "Did you not hear what I just said? They are hunting you. We need to run."

There was a moment where Artemisia didn't know what to say. She can understand why Sanji wanted to help the cook but Luffy didn't have to go. They were after him after all. Maybe he felt responsible... Either way, who knew what they would do if they got ahold of him and the map? Artemisia nodded, "I agree. From what Nami's saying, these guys are no joke. You saw how much of a disaster it was to go up against the Marines. Marines are the smallest fish in the pond compared to actual seasoned pirates."

"I'm with Nami and Misi on this one," Usopp joined in. "I'm really not trying to ruffle any feathers or scales-"

He was cut off by Luffy, "I'm not running," There was a look of determination on his face. Luffy turned to Sanji, "We're going to protect this place."

The statement seemed to surprise Sanji, "This isn't your fight," He had his hands on his hips as he stared at Luffy for an answer, "Why would you do that?"

"You fed us." Luffy replied. A small smile appeared on Sanji's face.

Even though Luffy was on board with the fight, Nami still wasn't, "Look, I know this crew. Their captain, Arlong, has the highest bounty in all of the East Blue. You do not want to mess with him." That's what they said about Mihawk to Zoro. Look what happened to him. They couldn't have that happening again. They couldn't potentially lose anyone else.

Despite that, Luffy didn't turn back, "It sounds like he messed with us first."

"Luffy, please," Nami stepped forward. "Please."

There was a single moment of silence. Judging by the look on his face, Artemisia knew that his mind was already made up. He made sure to let them know his intention, "I can't let innocent people get hurt because of me," He turned to Sanji, "If those fishmen guys want a fight, we're gonna give them one," Sanji nodded. Luffy walked over to Nami, "You stay with the ship and protect the map," He hummed in question with a grin on his face. Nami glared at him with her hands on her hips. "It's gonna be safe with you." He delivered a light hit to her shoulder with a nod.

That's when he left with Sanjia and Usopp. That left the two girls alone. Nami could see the troubled expression on her face. She knew exactly what she was thinking, "I'm begging you, Artemisia, to not get involved," Artemisia looked over to see a pleading look on Nami's face. "Just stay here. Please."

Slowly, Artemisia shook her head, "Someone has to make sure he doesn't get himself killed. Usopp is most likely to hide at the first sign of trouble and I don't think Sanji could take on a whole pirate crew by himself." She was against going up against them but if her captain was going to, she had to. She made the choice to join the crew and she needed to carry her weight. That's what it meant to be part of a crew. You help each other even if you don't agree with them. Within reason, obviously.

"Artemisia, please," Nami begged. Artemisia could only give her a look that showed her she was sorry. She then left, heading in the direction the others went in. She could still hear Nami calling out to her, "Artemisia!"

She ignored her. She managed to catch up to Luffy and the others. They headed into the restaurant to see the place crawling with men who had fish-like features. The rest of the people were all huddled together in fear. From the state of the place, Artemisia wasn't surprised that they were afraid of these guys. She wondered just how dangerous they were if their captain had the highest bounty in the East Blue.

"Which one of you is Arlong?" Luffy asked.

A man with a shark-like nose with spike glanced out of the corner of his eye at Luffy. He had a grasp on a man with white hair, "Who's asking?"

With wide eyes, Artemisia leaned toward Usopp and Sanji, "You know, I'm thinking we just leave." He looked like the last person that she wanted to mess with. She tried to turn and leave but was stopped by Usopp. She shot him a look asking why. The one she got in return read as, if he had to suffer through this, she had to as well.

"I'm Monkey D. Luffy," Luffy answered. "I hear you're looking for me."

"Why, yes, I am," The fishman, Arlong, let go of the man he was no doubt previously threatening. He watched as the four walked down the staircase. Artemisia could feel the slightest shiver go down her spine as his eyes met hers for a moment. He turned them back onto Luffy, "So this is the pirate I've heard so much about?" He walked around the table that the man he intimidated sat at, "You know, I was expecting someone... Bigger."

"So was I."

The comment was something that Arlong didn't like. He glared at Luffy, "Do you know who I am, boy? I'm Arlong the Saw. Even the Marines flee before my flag." It was obvious to Artemisia that not a lot of people stood up to him. She completely understood why. She went up against Marines before but this guy looked much more threatening than a Marine ever had.

"Not ringing a bell," Luffy shook his head. "How'd you find me anyway?"

"An old friend help me track you down." He clicked his tongue.

One of the fishmen reached into a black bag. The fishman pulled out what looked like a head. The head suddenly started talking, "Heya, Straw Hat. Did you miss me?"

~~~

Y'all ain't ready for the next chapter 👀.