The trees were thick as they hobbled in the darkness, tripping over roots and branches that littered the forest floor. The moon was high above them in a deep, clear sky, providing light only through the gaps in the autumn leaves that hung loosely from the branches. Her lungs and throat ached, burned by the cold fall air that she gulped in desperately. Despite her will, they weren't moving fast enough for her. She was sure she could hear the gunshots and shouting just behind them. "Sanji please..." Her arm around him tightened as she tried to encourage him to move faster. He said nothing as his head hung low, bobbing as he tripped along and clutching at the bloody wound in his side. His breaths were becoming deeper as he gasped and coughed. He was beginning to slow and stagger just as they reached a clearing in the trees.
He collapsed against her, pulling her to the ground as he fell. The wind was knocked out of her and Nami gasped on response. "S-Sanji-kun!... get up!" She moved swiftly, rolling him onto his back. His face was pale and his lips had lost their color. "..S-sanji..." She pleaded to him as her eyes began to fill with tears. She refused to let it end like this, tugging on his hand in a failed attempt to get him to move.
"nami..."
She sobbed as she heard his voice sounding so weak and lifeless.
"P-Please get up Sanji!" She stared down at him as the tears fell from her eyes. His lips were moving but she couldn't make out what he was trying to say. She bit her lip and held her breath as she leaned in to make out his words.
"...nami-san... is so pretty... under the stars..."
He had a faint smile as his eyes became dull.