Almost hating herself for still testing him, Fujiko reminded herself that she didn't have much choice. Maybe parts weren't real. Another lie. So she had to test, to know. And if he was the same... maybe... just maybe it wouldn't bother him even if she did. Maybe he'd already know what she was doing and see right through it. Her heart raced with the excitement of it. The kind of thrill she'd been missing on the Grand Line without someone almost her equal the way Lupin challenged her and kept her on her toes. She lightly brushed deft fingers over rough and scruffy cheeks.

"What happened?" she asked softly, letting some of her genuine worry slip through. She finished tying one hand and went to work on the other, her own other hand still lightly brushing his cheek, soothingly petting him as though calming down a wild animal.