The hard snow sizzled and crunched under every step Sanji took. The distance between the chef and the long-nosed idiot was slowly closing. A few more seconds of running and he would reach his prize. What the chef did not expect was the sudden sharp turn behind a clump of trees by Usopp. For a moment Sanji had lost his prey but after a loud crunch and a screeching yelp, the chef picked up the pace. Sanji smirked as he pitied the poor fool for thinking he could just shake him off. He wasn't going to let Usopp get away with saying he was going through his "man-period". He was offended by Usopps' comment, but he was also mad for the fact that Usopp was making fun of women and their natural bodily functions. Women were precious flowers that should not be shamed for something they cannot control.

With his new resolve and the fire around his legs increasing, Sanji continued his run towards his nakama. The snowy forest around him slowly started to thin out and soon Sanji found himself standing at the edge of a large lake completely covered in ice. No long-nose to be seen. Huffing in defeat Sanji was about to turn and head back to the crew when something caught his eye. A large crack ran from where he stood. Following it with his eye lead him to the sight of a decently sized hole in the icy lake. Remembering Usopp's yelp from earlier, Sanji's eyes widened and he jolted into panic mode. Running towards the hole, Sanji ripped off his thick parka and expertly dived into the hole. The sudden change in temperature pushed the air out of Sanji's lungs and he almost breathed in the icy cold water. His eyes stung as they darted around in the dark. He only had a short amount of breath left from his dive, and he could not waste any time swimming back up for more air. Using his incredibly strong legs, he surged through the dangerously cold water in search of any sign of Usopp.

His chest hurt from holding his breath for too long but he vigorously continued his search. He was running out of energy and his speed was vastly decreasing. Shit he was going to pass out. Gritting his teeth so hard he could almost taste blood, he kicked himself through the water as far down as he could. Kick after kick he propelled himself further down. Stretching his arm out in a desperate reach for nothing, he screamed in pain as all the air finally escaped his mouth. The shock of the cold water jolted his body into automatically breathing in the water. Holding his throat he used his left arm to helplessly paddle himself throughout the water.

Through his blurry vision his eyes caught the sight of the ridiculous yellow jacket Usopp was wearing earlier that morning. Tears joined the lake's water as Sanji's weak fingers meekly grabbed hold of the jacket, pulling an unconscious Usopp with it.

The trek back to the surface was painful, and the chef almost gave up but with one last scream into the water Sanji kicked Usopp as hard as he could right through the hole. Swimming to the surface as fast as he could, Sanji used Usopp's limp body on the edge of the hole to pull himself out. The harsh cold wind blew against his wet clothes and pale skin. Sanji finally closed his eyes ready for his well deserved rest. His limp body slumped onto the icy surface of the lake, letting sleep overtake him.


Chopper's fur shivered and his ears twitched. Something was wrong. He wriggled uncomfortably in Zoro's warm lap and looked up at the swordsman who was staring off into the distance.

"Zoro..Something doesn't seem right.."

"I know."

Chopper's hooves stopped padding at his snow-man and concentrated on hearing his surroundings. It was only faint, but the sound of Usopp's yelp echoed through the forest close by. Causing a flock of crows to fly away in a clutter. Already knowing that Zoro would follow him, the small doctor strapped on his bag and set off in the direction of the screech. Zoro's heavy boots crunched the snow next to him and suddenly a pair of thick tanned hands were picking him up and carrying him along faster. Chopper was alright with being handled like this, he knew the faster they get to Usopp the better, and his little legs were no match for Zoro's running speed.

Following the scent of his close friend, Chopper pointed Zoro in the direction to an opening in the forest. There they witnessed a flying Usopp landing on an icy lake, followed by a pale chef pulling him self out of the water and collapsing on the spot. All of this occurred whilst Zoro and Chopper ran across the ice. Chopper's first patient was Usopp, as Sanji had only just dropped out.

"Zoro, I need you to check for Sanji's pulse!"

Chopper voice quivered as he instructed his nakama. Rolling his long-nosed friend onto his back, Chopper began to check Usopp for a pulse.

"Not breathing..." Chopper mumbled to himself as he stood properly and hovered over Usopp.

"Zoro! I'll have to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation on Usopp!"

Shifting his attention from the chef to Usopp, Zoro watched as Chopper applied compressions to his patients chest.

As if knowing he was being watched, Chopper moved towards Usopp's mouth and without looking up ordered "Keep an eye on Sanji!" before taking a deep breath and applying mouth to mouth resuscitation.

Moving his attention to the man laying before him, Zoro realised that Sanji's eyes were slightly open.

"Oi! Cook, you awake?"

Sanji's blue lips mumbled incoherently and Zoro had to move closer to hear.

"Why are you...in my room?" Sanji uttered, staring at Zoro with a lazy expression.

"What?"

"I haven't made ya dinner...yet so shut..yer mouth.."

Having heard Sanji's grumble Chopper turned his attention to the chef.

"Sluggish speaking and signs of amnesia...! Zoro he's merging into stage three of hypothermia! You need to go and get him warm as soon as possible!"

"Roger!" The swordsman shouted as he picked up the pale chef. "Just chuck him in a warm bath right?"

A look of complete horror washed over Chopper's face as he continued to apply CPR on Usopp.

"Absolutely not! Under no circumstance should you ever do that. You'll give him a heart arrhythmia! No baths, showers or alcohol. Take him to your room and undress him, dry him and get him in warm clothes. Put him in bed or use body heat if you have to!"

Not having time for any response from the swordsman, Chopper helplessly continued his mission of getting Usopp to breath.

With one last guilty look at the small doctor, Zoro made his way into the forest with a passed out chef in his arms.


After a minutes of swearing and wriggling the key in the hole, the damn door had finally opened.

Remembering Chopper's words, the green haired man laid Sanji on the floor and ran to their shitty old heater next to the door. Next he ran to the bathroom and collected a clean towel. Kneeling in front of his nakama, Zoro's hands quivered with adrenaline as he unbuttoned the chef's ice cold shirt. After delicately stripping off the shirt and tie, he moved onto the shoes and socks. Once they were removed the swordsman gulped and unzipped the other man's fly. The pants and boxers clung to the chef's pale legs as Zoro pulled them off.

Not wasting a single second, Zoro grabbed the towel and began padding gently at Sanji's body. The swordsman spent a few more minutes rubbing slowly at Sanji's hair before picking him up and settling him into the bed. Chopper had mentioned putting him in dry clothes but he could hardly dress himself sometimes. Yet Chopper had also mentioned...body warmth. With a devious smirk, Zoro stripped down to his boxers and climbed in next the shivering man. Holding him like he has been these last few nights, Zoro knew Sanji was strong and would be ok. Yet he prayed Chopper was having better luck with Usopp...


Yes I am still alive... It's just that it takes a while for me to actually get off tumblr and type out the ideas stirring in my mind. I recently bought Destiny so i'll be playing that a lot now, but I will still continue writing this. Just at a slower pace than I want. What better way to bring a ship closer than to have a near death experience? Yeah! Hope this chapter was ok...Let me know what you think and what I can improve on.