Chapter two - just too bad

The Mugiwara crew was trekking through the dense forest, with marines hot on their tails. The marines tried to mock them and insult them to try and make them turn around and fight by shouting 'all they can do is run' and 'such a small crew' and ' maybe they weren't strong enough to save the rest of their member?' and things like that.

Nami had to hit Luffy on the head for almost falling for the last one. Even though his protectiveness over his crew is admirable, if mixed with stupidity it can be deadly.

They burst into a wide clearing with some stones and boulders in it. Robin looked around, scoping out their battlefield. "Where's cook-san and swordsman-san?" She wondered aloud. Nami smacked her forehead and sighs. "I never should have let those idiots out of my si-" She was cut off by complaining.

"O-Oi, shit cook. Let go of my arm I'm good now! Oi!" Sanji stormed out into the clearing dragging a grumpy swordsman behind him.

"Where the hell were you guys?! There are marines everywhere!" Nami screeched and hits them. Zoro rolled his eye and grumbles to himself, rubbing his head. Sanji's visible left eye turns to a heart as he clasped his hands next to his face.

"I'm sorry Nami~swan! This neanderthal had gotten lost and I had to make sure he didn't get himself killed!" He shot a glare at Zoro, but was slightly startled to see the man boring holes in the back of his head. Nami huffed in annoyance and rolled her eyes at the two men staring each other down.

"I found them!" a marine yelled who had found the clearing, soon followed by more marines.

Nami pulled out her climatact, already spewing heat balls and cool balls. Chopper pulled out a rumble ball between his hooves. Usopp had his hand in his side bag, searching for ammunition. Robin stood stoic, ready to break necks.

Franky cracked his neck, and prepared his arm gun. Luffy smiled maniacally while cracking his knuckles. Zoro shook off his emotions, pulling two swords out.

Sanji tapped his toes on the ground, making sure his feet are all the way in them. Brook pulled out his cane, and smiles however a skeleton smiles. They were all prepared. For what reason these marines were pursuing them so thoroughly for, the Mugiwaras had no idea, but Luffy looked around at each of his nakama relishing in their presents.

The first marine came charging at Sanji who kicked him away easily with a swing of his leg. Robin grew hands on the marines bodies and snapped a groups neck. Usopp shot down another horde of men shouting ''pop green'', and Chopper turned to heavy point to start hitting people.

Zoro swung his swords and cut down more men emerging from the forest line. Luffy swung his leg knocking more down. Franky pulled out his arm gun and shot another hoard down. Brook pulled his sword from its casing and started to jab marines with it. Nami throws her clima tact into the now formed cloud, yelling "Thunder tempo!".

Luffy smiled at his crew, just happy to be able to fight with them, and rely on them no matter what. His first mate, no matter how much drinking or sleeping he does, will always be there no matter what. Nami will always guide them through the worst storms, even if she doesn't get along with everyone. Usopp will always pull through, even in the worst times. And Sanji will protect all of them with his life.

Chopper will always worry about them, scolding them for their injuries. Robin will always help decipher things for them, and help out whenever she's needed. Franky will always protect the ship and all his nakama with his life as well. And Brook is so grateful towards them he will do anything, no matter how small.

He's just happy to be able to share his life, goals, dreams, and experiences with them. These people are his family. Just too bad he can't see the future, or near future for that matter.

Zoro dodged another sword and swings his own. Before there were so little of them, and they must have been weaker too. The Mugiwara crew had been too hasty, these men were skilled, and in groups could over power the pirates.

He blocked another hit, but sensed someone coming from behind. He's too busy protecting himself from these men in front of him to turn around. Great, so this is how it ends? Nice, a stab and from the back no less. It's quite a shame really, he'd gotten so much stronger in those two years with Mihawk. He braced for the hit, but nothing came.

"What the hell shitty - swordsman?! You're just gonna stand there and let the marines stab you in the back!?"

Zoro pushed off the marines on his front and turned to see the cook's back, kicking more marines away. Zoro smiled knowing that this man would never let anything happen to him, no matter how much he may say he hates him.

The green haired swordsman turned around and started to cut more men down. He was grateful for his help too (not that he would ever admit that). That kick from earlier really got to him and is weakening him slightly. He thought that Sanji suspected that as well.

The marines just kept coming. There was a never ending stream of them. There must have been thousands waiting in the forest, wondering if they will even get to fight. Each time they cut a pack down, a new wave came through.

Zoro glanced around at his nakama. Not because he didn't believe in them, but because he was the first mate and needed to make sure they were all right. Franky didn't seem to be having any problems as Robin and Brook assist him. Luffy of course was fine, and Nami and Usopp seemed to be slightly hiding behind his power. Chopper's holding off a couple stragglers that managed to get away from their rampaging captain.

And Sanji, of course, is right at his back. Protecting it from any marines or offenders who dare try and go up against the duo. Sanji caught his eye and smiled. The first time Sanji had smiled at him that wasn't a smirk or a sneer that was just after thriller bark, and as soon as he had seen that smile he knew he wanted to see it for the rest of his life.

He smiled back, seemingly filled with restored energy. As if it were like Franky's cola, and he were one of the crazy cyborgs creations. Sanji's kicks became more fierce and at a deadly rate. He too had been fuelled by the swordsman smile. A gruff sloppy one, but a smile nonetheless.

The Mugiwara pirates fought well into the night, and finally the marines were starting to trickle away, leaving a very exhausted crew.

Robin smiled a tired smile, and snapped the last man's neck. "Well I think they underestimated us." She said coolly that was accompanied by a 'YAHOO' by their captain.

"Hah! You think this is a lot? I once fought one thousand Marines, and one thousand pirates! All at the same time!" Usopp boasted to a starry eyed Chopper. "With my hands tied behind my back!"

A couple feet away Sanji sat down on a rock, nursing his hurt foot. He had kicked a fat guy the wrong way and some of his armour had nicked his foot making him bend in unknown ways. He pulled off his useless torn and bloodied shirt using it to wrap his foot in.

Zoro stood behind him, and watched the cook's milky skin stretch and bend with the muscles from underneath. Why did that man have to be too goddamn sexy for his own good?

Sanji turned around and poked him in the side. "What are you staring at perverted swordsman?" he pouted his lips.

Zoro winced because of his broose and maybe even a broken rib? Sanji cringed remembering that he had kicked Zoro. Zoro looked up to tell him that it's nothing, but the shocked look on the cook face made him pause. The man wasn't looking at him, but over his shoulder.

Zoro turned around to see what had shocked the cook so much, and found a marine. It was a marine that him and Sanji had to take out. Sanji had hurt himself in the process and is now unable to help.

The marine was huge. Easily taller than Brook, and much wider. Blood and dirt covered him as he stood there a shadow cast over his face. Zoro could tell he was close to death. His breathing was raspy and he coughed up blood.

The man caught him so off guard, that all Zoro could do was stare at him. The man lifted his sword high into the sky, and he heard Sanji's scream from behind him to do something! But all he could do was stare at the weekend man before him.

Sanji watched in horror as the blade came down almost in slow motion. He tried to run to the swordsman even though he'd be too late. The sickening sound of an unskilled sword slicing through fresh meat made his blood run cold. Sanji's limbs went numb and he fell to his knees just behind the marimo.

Edited