A Time for Healing Part 1

''Hello hello! Rinji here! I'm making these little 1-3 part short stories for in between each journey that is to occur. I'm going to call them Filler stories, but they are not exactly like filler you would see in your normal every day anime. They will actually have happenings that have to do with later adventures! Don't worry about the next journey, it will be coming very soon. Until then, it's best to keep up my momentum, and keep on writing! Thanks a ton for reading, comments are very VERY much appreciated, and good luck on your own journey!''

Previous: A Door that Opens Part 21

Rinji gazed off into the distance, such a wonderful sight to behold. the New World was even more beautiful than he imagined. The dimming sun shined off in the distance as it was turning into dusk, leaving a wondrous orange and pink tint on the water. The skies reflected this in its clouds, in a beautiful stroke and shading of purple with pink edges.

Rinji: Ah, such a poetic sun, the bluest sky blairing like a sapphire on such a beautiful, breezy day. Such a light breeze flowing through the fur, it's a blessing on the entire world. Hmmm, seems to be getting a bit stronger, but such a beautiful sun, which... it kinda hard to see now, through those clouds. But the beautiful... grayish... dark waters... Wait what the hell happened?!

The weather was getting a bit more bleak, and then it just went straight to hell! The winds began to blitz the air, and almost made Rinji trip up backward. He looked up to their sail, which beared the sky blue patch-eyed cat and crossbones, and saw that it was straining. He quickly got out his whistle and blew as hard as he could.

Rinji: All hands on deck! MOVE MOVE MOVE MOVE!!

The door burst open and Chio was up on deck, his legs still bandaged up, but he was moving very close to his normal speed when it was urgent. He grabbed hold of the helm and pulled it straight.

Chio: What the hell happened? There was barely any wind!

Rinji: Oh, come on, Chio! We've been at sea for long enough to know how the Grandline works! Keep her steady! Usagi! [Seeing her come up from the lower deck]

Usagi: Hai, Teichou!

Rinji: Get that sail down and secure the deck!

The rest of the crew was on deck as soon as they could be, Nikk got up to Chio's side and brought up her log pose, keeping him on course as best as they could with such a huge typhoon. As soon as Alice was done tying down one of their barrels of fresh water, that was when the lightning came. The sky was filled with chain lightning! Then there came the absolute pouring rain! Within seconds, the entire crew was drenched!

Chio: All essentials are tied down?

Alice: Yes, Captain!

Ricky: [Came up from the lower deck] Aye Captain! Cannons are tied with all ammunition!

Nikk: We're maintaining proper course.

Rinji: Alright, all non-essential personnel to the lower decks. Chio! Give the helm to Ricky, and rest your legs.

Chio: What?! There's no way I--

Rinji: Ah ah ah ah! Orders are orders!

Chio kicked the ground as light as he could, cursing as Nikk put her arm around his back and acted as a crutch, knowing he was in some pain. She passed him off to Usagi, who gladly took him below deck. She had been playing nurse to him for the past week, and he was making a full recovery, little by little he was getting much better. The pain was at a very decent level now. He could only feel vague versions of more serious injuries in his upper hips and lower calfs, ones that caused him agonizing pains when they first occured.

Usagi lied him on his bed, in his room which they shared now, so that she could give him his pain killers when they wore off during the night. He no longer needed them, but she stayed in his room all the same so that she could get him anything he needed, and keep good track of his recovery.

Usagi: You're doing so well now, Chio, it's amazing how strong your legs are. [She very gently squeezed his thigh, feeling the rock-solid muscle beneath the skin] Does that hurt?

Chio: Not really.

Usagi: Good, I think you'll be up and walking like normal in another three days or so. [That was when her thumb came across a horrible, bulging scar in his far upper, inner thigh that she had never seen, she looked down and flatting out his pants over it, seeing a graphic outline.] Good God, Chio. What is-- [She saw him get that look again. That look when he did not want to talk about something, which usually pertained to his scars.] Chio...

Chio: Yeah...

Usagi: I know you don't like talking about these, but they are nothing to be ashamed of. Please, tell me. It might do you some good to get it out. [She put her hand on his cheek and turned his head to look at her, and her heart sank some, as his eyes were misty, and ever-so distant. It was clear that he was holding back tears, and that, in turn, made her swallow hard and fight back her own.]

Chio: My true father was a Marine Lieutenant, one who saw potential in me to be a man, but be a normal child in the mean time.