"O-Oi… L-Luffy! What's going on here?" Usopp came prodding down the stairs, gripping the railing for dear life. Nami eagerly shoved him out of the way, causing poor Long-Nose to tumble down the steps straight onto the floor.

"Shunsuke-kun! You can't make Zoro go with you!" Nami pleaded with absolutely no hesitation. Zoro stared at her with his single eye. She had most definitely changed since they had split up. Normally, she'd be just as scared as Usopp. However, in this case, Zoro didn't want anybody to stand up for him. He was a swordsman, Damnit!

"No one interfere!" Zoro yelled angrily, still holding the back of his neck. After cursing, Luffy had remained quiet. Zoro knew he'd understand. Sadly, it'd be much harder for the rest of his crew to understand, too. "This is between Shunsuke and me!"

Shunsuke took a few steps forward and shrugged, the sadist grin never leaving his expression. "There is no 'this', Zoro. You made a promise, so now you're going to keep it, whether I have to drag you there or not."

Zoro snorted. "Huh, really? And what do you plan on doing once we arrive on your ship? You really think I'll give up by then?"

Shunsuke stopped walking and scratched his cheek quizzically. He honestly seemed to be thinking about it, which kind of pissed Zoro off. Actually, the whole situation kind of pissed him off. It was his fault for showing Shunsuke the violent side of life, but Damnit! He told him never to hold another sword again! In the midst of thinking, Shunsuke finally let out a hardy laugh with a toothy grin.

"Haha! I know!" he laughed, but he suddenly reached up to grab the hilt of his sword. His eyes slowly opened, revealing his murderous expression. "I'll just cut your legs off."

It was at that moment where Zoro's instincts kicked into gear. He reached for his black katana, unsheathed it, and he suddenly blocked an attack that went for his thighs. The kick-back of Shunsuke's sword sent an incredibly uncomfortable vibration through Zoro's body. Shunsuke bent forward, suddenly in Zoro's face; within a few inches. A smile that expressed horror and despair was glued to his face with eyes that were just barely open.

Shunsuke and Zoro were straining against each other's swords, causing sparks from the steel to pop and crackle.

"You bastard… that'd kill me!" Zoro yelled, trying to talk some sense into his friend.

"If you've survived from losing an eye and a deep slash on your stomach, I doubt that losing your legs will kill you," Shunsuke spoke as if it was worth a shot. As if it was worth a shot! He really was insane… Zoro's old friend had fallen into the madness of killing.

"He's… He's crazy…" Zoro heard Nami whisper, which he focused all his attention on, dropping his guard. Shunsuke took that as his advantage and lifted a fist. Zoro ducked underneath the punch; just in time to remove his katana from clashing against Shunsuke's and bent so close to the ground that one might mistake him for just lying on the ground. Shunsuke's obvious weak spot was the weight of his sword. Zoro brought back his katana and took a swing at Shunsuke's stomach, trying hard not to hold back, but this was his friend he was talking about. One wrong move and he might accidentally kill him! Or… it might be the other way around.

It took Zoro a full second to realize he was suddenly pinned on the ground, Shunsuke's sword just next to his head, stuck in the ground.

"Wh-What the hell?" Zoro muttered in between gasps of air. Shunsuke was above him, a foot planting Zoro on the ground of Sunny Go.

"You're slow, Zoro!" Shunsuke teased with a laugh. "I guess this'll be easier than I thought." He lifted his two ton sword and aimed it at Zoro's right leg.

"ZORO!" he heard Chopper cry. What the hell was he doing? There was no way he could've been beaten this easily! Zoro then realized that he'd never be able to kill Shunsuke. Not because he was too weak, but because he'd unconsciously hold back. This was Zoro's fault. Zoro showed Shunsuke how to fight… how to kill. And so they did. Together. However, sometimes, those who are new to killing begin to enjoy the smell of dead corpses around them. Those people are weak, just like Shunsuke. It was Zoro's fault for bringing a weak friend out into the world of death and despair. Zoro couldn't kill someone who had done such good to the world… but had fallen due to himself. Zoro closed his eyes, waiting for his inevitable punishment.

That was when something long and rubbery stretched out in order to punch Shunsuke in the face, but the golden-haired swordsman easily dodged the blow. However, this made Shunsuke lift his foot off of Zoro's back, giving him an opening. Zoro immediately jumped up and letting out a battle cry, he sliced Shunsuke across the arm, just nipping him. Shunsuke stumbled forward, grabbing his arm and leaned against the railing.

"Zoro, you…!" Shunsuke cursed, but then he released his arm and looked at his hand. On it was his own blood. Despite the injury, a low laughter was slowly making its way out of Shunsuke's mouth. A few seconds later and a laughter as loud as a whale's song echoed throughout the ocean. It was a horrible, frightening laughter. Shunsuke reached up and covered his eyes with the hand that was soaked in his blood. He threw his head back and released a couple more seconds of the bone-chilling laughter.

Zoro stared with a wide, trembling eye. Was he afraid? Hell no. But… all Zoro could think about was the small, annoying, blonde-haired kid who visited the dojo every day with a toothy grin always on his face. And now… that. Zoro frowned at the ugly sight. When Shunsuke finally stopped and removed his hand to look down at Zoro, his blood had dripped onto his face. The sight of blood had… virtually reawakened his love of killing.

"Shunsuke," Zoro said, trying to stay calm. "You don't have to-!"

A searing pain suddenly spread through Zoro's leg and blood had suddenly spurted into the air. Zoro's heart was pounding in his head. Had he… lost his leg? As he fell backwards, time slowed to a crawl. Through his single eye, as he was curling up, he saw that Shunsuke's sword had pierced his left leg. No, he hadn't cut the entire limb off, but it certainly felt like it did. Shunsuke's sword was almost as wide as two of Zoro's swords put together, so, yes, it did feel like his leg had come off. A painful, terrifying scream of agony escaped Zoro's lips as his back hit the wooden ground beneath him. Blood had immediately started to coat the ground, creating a puddle of red liquid.

Zoro heard his name being called over and over, but it all seemed to merge together, just like the colors of what he saw. His blurred vision and earshot made everything look like it was merging and his mind began to leave him again. During his languid thoughts and feelings, a boy entered his mind, as clear as day. It was Shunsuke as a child. He was running with a grin on his face and his eyes were happily closed underneath his shaggy golden hair. His clothes were much too big for him, but Zoro didn't care. His thoughts, sights, and hearings began to muddle and his mind faded to black.

XXX

"Do you have a dream, Zoro?" Shunsuke asked, looking up into the sky with a sad smile upon his face. He was rocking his legs back and forth over the edge of the grassy cliff, as was Zoro. Zoro turned towards him and felt the sudden need to burst out laughing.

"Heh. Me? You gotta be kidding." Zoro crossed his arms and closed his eyes. He actually never really thought about it before. "I guess… I guess I wanna get stronger."

Shunsuke looked at Zoro. "Really? That's cool! Guess what I wanna do!"

"Cut that ugly hair of yours?"

Shunsuke laughed, but then it faded away into yet another warm smile as he gazed at the descending sun. "No… I wanna see the ocean."

Zoro snorted. "Well, that was fast. There it is." Zoro pointed just below them; at the waves that tried climbing the cliff, but it was much too high.

"No! I want to be in it! I want to smell it! I want to travel in it! It's so vast! And it has so many creatures that I've never even heard about before!" As Shunsuke spoke of his dream, his eyes were as large as the moon and as bright as the sun. Zoro had never seen his friend act like that, but it was actually heart-warming. However, one comment made Zoro laugh loudly.

"Smell it? Haha! Isn't that a little weird?" Zoro slapped Shunsuke on the shoulder with a funny smile on his face. "It'll probably just smell like the nasty old water we always fetch for Sensei!"

"Will not!" Shunsuke defended.

"Will to!"

"Will not!"

"Will-!"

Kuina suddenly smacked Zoro on the side of his head, almost causing him to fall off the cliff.

"What was that for, you idiot?" Zoro yelled, holding the small bump on his head and turned around to face the warrior girl. She had her hands on her hips with a look expressing complete arrogance and superiority.

"You boys are the idiots! Dad told you to be back before sunset! Not after!" she yelled as if she were ready to smack Shunsuke, too. The two boys sprang to their feet and started running before Kuina could get another hit in.

"Looks like you're gonna get in trouble, too! Nyaha!" Zoro turned around just in time to stick his tongue out at Kuina, who turned pink with furious rage and embarrassment.

"Hurry, Zoro! She's gonna kill us!" Shunsuke cried, running into the forest, followed by Zoro.

"I'M GONNA KILL YOU TWO!" Kuina's angry shout echoed throughout the land as the moon began to rise over the horizon.

XXX

Zoro opened his eye slowly, allowing the flood of sunlight to enter his sight without squinting. For some reason, he felt much too weak to sit up. Hell, he could hardly twitch.

"Ah! Zoro! Thank goodness!"

The terms that the voice used suddenly reminded Zoro of Shunsuke, which sent a wave of memories into his thoughts. He remembered how Shunsuke had tried to cut his leg off! This caused Zoro to react, despite his inability to feel anything below his hips. He bolted upright, but a pain that was almost as bad as the attack that caused the injury stopped him. Thankfully, this time, he held in his horrified scream of agony by shutting his mouth and letting out painful grunts as he fell back down on his pillow.

"You idiot! You opened the wound again!" Chopper yelled, rushing around the room to fetch herbal medicines and bandages. The little reindeer was pretty fast on his hooves when time was of the essence. After a few seconds of the pain, Zoro felt the sheets that covered his body were beginning to feel wet. He opened his eye again and saw that blood was seeping through the sheets. Ah, shit.

Chopper yanked off the sheets in order to proceed with the surgery and despite Zoro's ability to face his fears, he dared not to look at his injury. Chopper was amazing to be able to see such a thing. After Chopper had re-bandaged Zoro's lower thigh, which no doubt had hundreds of stitches on it, the pain was slowly ebbing away.

"Here, drink this," Chopper offered Zoro a small glass of something purple. Chopper, being the amazing doctor he was, showed Zoro that he should take anything Chopper gave him, because it'd only make him feel better. Zoro took the glass and swallowed the odd liquid in one gulp, wiping his mouth thereafter. He closed his eyes and attempted to relax, but it was almost impossible.

"How long have I been asleep?" Zoro asked weakly, looking around the medical bay. It seemed to be morning, but last he remembered; it was almost night time.

Chopper began to clean up the area around Zoro; getting rid of old bandages and medicines and medical tools. The reindeer decided not to look up at Zoro when he spoke.

"Three days," he answered, fixing the over-sized hat on his head so that Zoro wasn't able to see his eyes. Chopper waddled over to the bed and fixed Zoro's pillow so that he could sit up, but fall asleep if need be. Zoro didn't want to ask, but he knew he had to.

"Chopper…" Zoro breathed. "Where's Shunsuke?"

"He left." Zoro was a bit surprised by how fast Chopper answered. Chopper opened up a few drawers and placed the medical tools in there for future uses. "You should keep resting."

"Wait, Chopper," Zoro suddenly forgot about his injury and attempted to move his legs, but stopped immediately before he got half a centimeter of movement as the searing pain returned. He winced and he unconsciously grabbed his left thigh, only injuring it more.

"Zoro! Stop!" Chopper ran forward and took Zoro's hand off his leg. "Let the bandage do its work! If you open the wound again, it might not close."

That was enough to keep Zoro's hands off for quite some time. There was no way in hell he was going to die from internal blood loss. He leaned back on his fluffy pillow, deciding not to question any further. His mind was beginning to fog up once again and his eye felt heavy. Chopper waddled over and lifted the sheets further up on Zoro's body, comforting him.

"… Sleep," Chopper demanded, and that was good enough for Zoro. He allowed his eye to close and then his world went black.

END OF CHAPTER FOUR

Woot! End of chapter four! Jeez, this is really gonna be a long one, huh? I've finally gotten over my writers block, so yay! Please comment! They always make my day! Oh! And just a heads up for those of you who are following this story (which is a lot!), you've all made me so happy that once I'm done writing this story, I want an idea for my next one! If you have an idea, go ahead and send me a PM! Just say, "Hey, Squibby! I gots a fantastical idea for your not story!" Sorry, but yes, I want it to be strictly related to Zoro. That guy is just too damn awesome for anyone's own good. Thanks and R&R!