Ch 2: Passed Down Through Blood

Sanji stepped outside into the deserted city—colors blared from the building's windows like searchlights. His shoes were clicking against the stone as he walked. Sanji made his self comfortable against an old lamppost and pulled out a cigarette. The cook placed it between his lips before lighting it and took in a deep breath of smoke. He blew it out in a sigh.

He was relieved to get some fresh air—not that the party wasn't fun—cause there were plenty of gorgeous women there to keep him happy for decades. Sanji just wanted some room to collect his thoughts that was all. Watching the smoke drift languidly up to the moon, the cook's thoughts couldn't help but drift to a certain swordsman whom he hadn't seen all night. He brushed back stray strands of his hair. Tch—what do I care 'bout him for… Marimo is just fine being alone; that's how he likes it. At that time Sanji assumed that he had Zoro all figured out down to the last drop of which his nakama tried desperately to conceal.

Minutes passed; by now the cigarette was nothing more than a stub between his fingers. Sanji tossed it to the ground where he extinguished the flare with the heel of his boot. Deciding that he had kept his lovely lady friends waiting too long he turned to head back inside when something caught his attention from his left. Freezing, Sanji looked with narrowed eyes down the street. There was a slight downhill slope to his left that eventually lead to a courtyard, however, strangely enough the lights down by that courtyard were flickering on and off. Now, it was not Sanji's place to go concerning himself with the city's electrical issues, but it wasn't until a breeze blew by did he really grow worried. The small gust of wind traveled up the cobblestone road carrying with it the stench of rotting—sickening enough even to make a murderer's stomach twist into knots.

Sanji immediately covered his nose with the sleeve of his suit. The wind took its time dying down; fluttering the golden locks of the cook's hair. His eyes had locked onto the courtyard just a few blocks away and from his angle and higher elevation he got quite a good view of things. The pirate's blue eyes blinked and grew wide with panic and shock—all facial expression was covered by his arm which still pinned itself against his nostrils. Some malign aura crawled up from the ground and vibrated his whole body; goose bumps formed on his arms and a chill went down his spine. Something wasn't right here, that much he knew.

Where's Zoro…? His mind got ahead of him and he couldn't help but snort at such a thought. Warily making his way down the sidewalk of the road towards the courtyard he thought, Here I am with an imagination going wild and all I can think about is that muscle-head! As if confronting a wild animal Sanji's stance was low to the ground, one foot silently stepping out in front of the other. No matter how much he tried to convince himself that this was all nothing, his instincts told him otherwise.

Eerily, the lampposts continued to flicker as if from a horror flick. The moon was slowly becoming crowded with other clouds in the sky and provided little light for the scene. What Sanji noticed first was the rancid smell of blood and decaying bodies. Then, it were the three katana all lying in pools of blood. Sanji jogged over to them without thinking. He picked up Wado knowing it was more precious to Zoro; the absence of the item's master provided little comfort for the cook. As if tending a bird Sanji turned the blade around in his hands; something reflected off the white blade from behind.

Placing it back on the ground, the pirate turned and glanced over his shoulder. Is this some fucking nightmare? His body flinched in alarm. Something happened here… There's no doubt about that… Sanji's eyes became entranced on the falls of the fountain. The crimson color ran over the concrete spout in the middle like silk until it fell into the rest of the pool. It certainly was blood. Sanji wanted to puke his guts out and the smell of that much blood would definitely do a thing. After seeing all the gruesome things within the courtyard his worry for his nakama was through the roof.

"Zoro…." He tried calling out but his voice wavered and fell into a whisper. Fear that whatever did this was still around jabbed him in the back. The cook tentatively stepped around a pile of black sludge and tried again. "Oi, Zoro…where are you…huh?" Gazing around at the edge of darkness, which threateningly surrounding all sides he spotted a figure by one of the flickering street lamps. He could've sworn it was Zoro, but he couldn't be positive for the person was sitting by the base of the black-iron with his face buried in his arms. The sickly yellow flashed again and the cook saw a head of green on the man. Sanji couldn't hold in his relief and ran over to him.

"Geez Zoro, you could've answered you know?" He grinned down at the man who still refused to look up. "Oi; listening, Marimo?" Sanji kicked his foot and earned a flinch from the man. "Why'd you make me worry, bastard…" The cook scowled and crossed his arms. Zoro lifted his head slightly from the shadows and without Sanji's awareness one of his eyes gleamed crimson and a smirk rose at the corner of his lips. Before Sanji could even take in enough breath to utter another word Zoro shot up from his place on the ground.

Sanji hacked out air when hands suddenly clasped around his neck and he felt himself being lifted up. The cook's legs dangled for a moment before he started kicking violently when he realized that he was in desperate need of air. He dug his fingernails into the skin of the arm of his attacker and he sucked in a measly bit of oxygen before turning his head down so he could really see—his heart sank. So he could find out that it was his own nakama who was choking him.

"W-What the hell do you think you're…doing…" He could already feel unconsciousness edging on. Zoro grinned and his shoulders shook with laughter. With his head still hanging in the shadows the lamppost flashed again behind them and Sanji noticed for the first time all the blood on the swordsman's right shoulder. The wound kept his eyes locked for a second. He was able to see the crevices in the skin like puncture wounds. Fresh blood pooled in them and the rest of his shirt was soaked with the color. He gagged when he thought he saw the shattered remains of bones amongst the ripped muscle and flesh.

Finally Zoro lifted his head and revealed a sinister smile and demonic eyes.

"You're all so fucking weak…" Sanji raised an eyebrow at the raspy voice—but it still sounded like Zoro. "All of you!" He spat, anger flashing across his face for a moment before it washed away into another smile; he cocked his head to the side. "But it just makes things easier for me…doesn't it?"

"You've lost it—haven't you?" Sanji asked; his lungs were burning with the need for oxygen but he tried to remain composed and hopefully talk Zoro out of killing him for the time being.

"I'm perfectly fine. It's you that's going be diagnosed with death!" Zoro growled. Sanji snorted and replied, "This here is just proving what I always thought of you…weak. Always—I've always known it!"

"What kind of shit are you spilling…" Zoro furred his brows in bewilderment. The cook gave a final smirk before he tucked his legs up into his chest like springs and then he shot them out; the heel of his boots connected with his nakama's wounded shoulder. Whether he felt the pain or not Zoro's body gave out and he blacked out for an instant.

Sanji jumped away the moment he was free and he watched, from a somewhat safer distance, as the swordsman slowly recovered. He held his face heavily in the palm of his left hand while his right arm hung worthlessly by his side. His whole right shoulder was immobile and he was hunched over—blood profusely dripped down and puddle just below his fingertips. Sanji did feel slightly concerned for his friend, but then again the guy just tired killing him.

Zoro glared through his spaced fingers and snarled menacingly. Meanwhile, the cook just scoffed, flipping his hair to the side pompously. Obviously ticking the swordsman off, he took a few steps back just to be safe.

"I wouldn't have done that if I were you…" He said, glaring beneath his brow. "You'll be harming him more than me…"

"Now who's spilling shit?" Sanji motioned to him with his hands. "Look, if you're jealous that I get all the ladies we can settle this civilly, although I doubt any would ever fall for you." He shrugged.

"You don't understand the predicament you're in, do you?" Zoro's eyes flickered with excitement. "I'm going to kill you and I've only known you for these few short minutes—but I'm sure it'll be a pleasurable act." Zoro's sudden sadistic nature sent chills down Sanji's spine; every step he took closer the cook took the same amount away. Sanji was about to make another chide remark when he thought otherwise. Suddenly, the thought of being back at the party wasn't such a bad idea. If Zoro had randomly snapped then Luffy would be the best to handle it.

He was about to turn and sprint away when the swordsman decided to vanish. He froze and looked all around in a frenzy. Where the hell did he go? Then, he felt a hand clamp down on his shoulder. He twisted his head to look behind him; his heart was pumping obnoxiously loud in his ears; his breaths were nervous gasps; adrenaline coursed through his veins, blurring the edges of his vision.

No one was behind him. A surge of relief came over him and he relaxed his tense shoulder.

An uppercut suddenly pounded his stomach and his whole body heaved forward. Sanji was about collapse when a knee strike followed with haste. His feet left the ground with the force of the blow and he felt warm iron in his mouth. Certainly a few ribs were broken, but luckily the adrenaline was masking any pain that might've been there.

"Isn't this fun?" A voice whispered into his ear. Cold breath breathed down his neck. Finally the cook was allowed to give in to his buckling knees and he needed to use his hands to keep himself from falling all the way down. He spat blood onto the ground and whipped it off his mouth with the back of his sleeve. The moon reappeared from behind a cloud and watched with joy—a psychotic grin as it bathed the battle field with false light and hope.

Sanji saw the shadow of his enemy looming over him and managed to dodge just in time. Zoro's fist broke through the stone ground and left the area a crater. He disappeared again while Sanji recovered from the sudden movement. Tentatively he stood up, nursing his broken ribs. The cook took in rasping breaths, each one burning his chest. His hair was matted with sweat and he didn't even try to put it back in place.

This wasn't Zoro. That much he knew.

~**0**~**0**~**0**~

What was once a night full of beautiful women and booze was now a nightmare which had came to life at the most unexpected moment. Sanji was now running for his life beneath the moon which happily cheered from the sidelines. Despite the light from the sky the night seemed to be growing increasingly darker and the cook had lost his way. The building where the party was taking place could've been on the other side of the island for all he knew.

His whole body was screaming for rest by now and he gave in when he thought he had lost his berserk nakama. Sanji tried to silence his gasping breaths but gave up when he realized it was no good. He fell back onto the cool alley wall and slowly slide to the ground, or at least he was about to until the sound of footsteps approached from around the corner. Instincts kicking in once again, he froze and his senses strained themselves to try and pinpoint where the sounds were coming from. Then all went silent.

Fear was beginning to build up inside of him and it was only released when there was a loud bang just a few feet away. The cook jumped and let out a manly shriek. His heart was pounding a thousand beats per minute and he put one hand against his chest as if that would help slow it down. He glanced down where the sound came from and saw a black cat staring back at him-the garbage can that it had knocked down was rolling back and forth. Sanji sighed with relief when he heard Zoro's voice again.

"Oh, hello. So, this is where you've been..." He turned just in time to see the demonized swordsman attack, but was too late to do anything. His keen, claw-like fingernails easily sliced open Sanij's front chest; his suit was left in tatters and blood slowly began to pool and run out of the wounds which looked like five lines going diagonally from shoulder to hip.

A scream snaked out from behind clenched teeth and this time he actually fell to the ground. He wrapped one arm over the wounds as they began to burn like acid had just been dropped. The pain soon became too much and he had to keep his eyes welded shut. Before it was his broken ribs that were hurting but now the claw wounds were doing much more in the pain category.

"You bastard why are you doing this?' Sanji was able to peek one eye open enough to see Zoro looming over wearing a satisfied grin.

"Haven't you gotten it by now...I'm trying to kill- "

"I...wasn't talking to you..." Sanji's own words were chopped up because of his caustic breathing. "I was talking to that idiot Marimo... Why are you pretending...to lose to this demon piece of shit?' The burning from his wounds were quickly eating away at his remaining strength and despite his demeanor he was nervous about what would happen should he lose consciousness.

"You really are a thickheaded son of a bitch, huh..." The demon Zoro sighed and twisted his mouth at an angle. He then kneeled down; sticking his face right in front of the half-conscious cook. "Those stupid ideals are gonna make just that much funner to kill." He said. Sanji took in a deep, painfilled breath and spat a mouthful of blood onto the swordsman's face. "You little..." Zoro's face warped in rage and he strikes the cook's throat, lifting him once again into the air while pinning him hard against the wall. The victim coughed up more blood and knew he'd need a miracle to get out of this one. The demon continued his piercing glare and tightened hiss grip increasingly. "You learn your place, you worm!"

Sanji slapped at the arm choking him in desperation; the corners of his vision were already blackening and everything in the world was going silent. Then he heard his name being called-it was distant and sounded distorted but it was there. Luffy... He thought after hearing his captain call to him. The last thing he saw before welcoming the black world was demon Zoro's eyes widening in panic. It seemed like Luffy's very voice sent shivers down his spine and he looked at Sanji with a quick flash of utter fear before vanishing. Sanji felt his body collapse to the ground limply before everything truly went.