Luffy sat upright, eyes locked on the ceiling. The echo of hooves—quick, light, and unmistakable—faded into the upper floors of the castle. He tilted his head, eyes narrowing. That wasn't a normal sound. His heart thumped with interest. Without hesitation, he pulled off his blanket and stood, wincing as the cold stone floor met his bare feet. He quietly tiptoed past the still-sleeping Sanji, careful not to wake him.
Outside the room, the hallway was dim and drafty, lit only by flickering sconces clinging to the old stone walls. The scent of herbs, ash, and distant wood smoke hung thick in the air, giving the castle a medicinal but comforting ambiance. Luffy's bare feet padded silently across the worn wooden floor, the old planks creaking softly beneath his weight. His body still ached from the climb, but curiosity tugged at him more powerfully than pain. He followed the fading sound deeper into the castle, like a kid chasing a strange animal through the woods.
He passed a few assistants in long coats, carrying trays of herbs and warm towels. They looked surprised to see him awake, some even pausing mid-step. But none stopped him. He offered a faint nod and continued, his steps light but deliberate. The echoes of hooves had grown faint now, nearly blending into the quiet creaks and occasional gusts rattling the windows, but his instincts urged him forward.
On the top floor, Chopper scrambled into the storeroom. His breaths came in short, panicked huffs as he clutched his tiny satchel of herbs. His hooves clicked rapidly on the wood floor as he moved between shelves stacked high with jars and dried roots.
"They're pirates," he muttered, voice low and trembling. "They brought someone sick. They looked hurt… but what if they're bad? What if they hurt Doctor Kureha?"
He paced in tight circles, the satchel flapping at his side. He looked down at the herb in his hoof—dried sakura leaves—and tightened his grip. "But she's trusting them. They saved someone… right?"
As he turned too quickly, his hoof clipped a crate near the shelf. It toppled and crashed to the ground with a sharp clang, spilling scrolls and glass vials that rolled across the floor. Chopper froze, his eyes wide, ears twitching with alarm. He stumbled back a step, nearly knocking into another shelf.
In that moment, his mind spiraled back to a darker time. The memory came unbidden: villagers with torches, throwing stones, yelling, calling him a monster. He remembered the sting of words more than the stones.
"You're not human! Get out of here!"
Dr. Hiriluk's voice echoed over the mob, desperate and proud. "Run, Chopper! You're not a monster. You're a miracle!"
Chopper's breath quickened. His hooves backed away from the door, the satchel hanging limply at his side. The crash had surely drawn attention. They'll come. They'll see me. They'll call me a freak.
Luffy rounded the corridor corner, his pace slowing as he heard the distant noise. The sharp crash echoed faintly through the halls. His eyes narrowed, scanning for movement in the shadows. Then he saw it—a flicker of motion, barely more than a blur.
A flash of fur. A twitch of antlers. A glimpse of blue and pink.
"What...?" he murmured, stepping cautiously forward.
He moved closer, peeking around the doorway. There—trembling, hooves braced and ears perked—stood a creature unlike any he'd seen. It was small, bipedal, and intelligent. Wide eyes shimmered with fear.
"A talking reindeer…?" Luffy said aloud, awestruck.
Chopper yelped, eyes wide. "Y-you saw me!"
In an instant, he transformed into his full reindeer form and bolted from the room. A pile of books and scrolls tumbled in his wake as he raced down the corridor.
Luffy blinked in surprise before a wide grin split across his face. "Hey! Wait!"
Without hesitation, he dashed after him, his laughter echoing through the stone halls. "You don't have to run!"
They darted through narrow halls and past startled assistants, who leapt aside in shock. Chopper zigzagged wildly, hooves skidding on corners, heart hammering in his chest. His breath came in ragged bursts as panic threatened to overwhelm him. Why did he smile? Doesn't he think I'm a monster?
Luffy chased with unmatched enthusiasm, arms pumping, eyes shining. He wasn't angry or scared—he was fascinated. "You're fast!" he shouted with a laugh. "Come on, I just want to talk!"
Eventually, Chopper skidded to a stop near the end of a hall and leapt upward, catching a wooden beam overhead. In one swift movement, he pulled himself up and disappeared into the shadows.
Panting, he crouched on the rafters, trembling. Below, Luffy skidded to a stop, staring upward.
His eyes widened in admiration. "You're amazing."
Chopper didn't reply. He stayed perfectly still, hidden among the beams, staring down at the boy with cautious eyes.
Luffy took a careful step forward, lowering his voice. "It's okay. I promise. I just want to talk."
The torchlight flickered against the stone walls. Neither of them moved.
To be continued...
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