Disclaimer: One Piece does not belong to me, it belongs to Oda.

Alright, here is the next chapter! I hope everyone is still having fun with this story :)

Chapter 34:

The scream sounded loud within the passage. Its timbre was pitchy, halfway between an adolescent and adult. Zoro raised a katana in immediate response to the noise. But Nami stilled. The voice was familiar – she knew it from somewhere. For a frozen moment, her mind worked, churning through recent memories, trying to find the source of the voice.

Then the scene from the forest echoed in her mind; the hulking bounty hunters and the teenage boy who led them. Nami straightened. "I recognize that voice."

Nami grabbed Zoro's arm, tugging him ahead. She had to be sure. As they hurried through the hall, Zoro gently tugged his arm back. The rasp of the second katana being drawn was barely audible over their footsteps. Above them, Will fluttered just ahead. His dark eyes monitored the curving passageway with cautious apprehension.

As they rounded a corner, a large doorway gaped at their right. Nami slid to a halt at the chaotic scene that opened before them. Zoro's steps ground to a stop just behind her. He muttered a curse under his breath.

The small room was crowded with man and monster alike. Creatures that could only be described as giant scorpions were spread about the room. Their hard, brown legs clicked rapidly on the floor as their stingers flicked in deadly arcs above them. In the center of the room, desperately blocking the creature's blows, the bounty hunters fought. Gen, the man known as the walking wall roared as he flung one creature, and then another back and away from them. Kikori spun his axe, slicing at any scorpion that came close. His wide eyes shifted rapidly between the mass of bugs. Between them Miko, the boy with blue hair, twirled twin curved blades. A long gash marked his arm.

A sharp scrabbling noise caught her attention. Nami drew her gaze from the battle in time to see one of the large creatures pull away from the fray. Thick pincers clacking, it turned to face the open door. Keeping her eyes locked on the beast, Nami slowly reached for the clima-tact at her hip. The scorpion's legs clicked as its writhing tail rose. With an unearthly squeal, it charged.

Even as her fingers wrapped around her clima-tact, Nami felt herself pulled back. Stepping in front of her, Zoro readied his blades. As the creature scrabbled across the smooth stone floor, Zoro crouched low. When the scorpion neared, flicking its stinger forward, Zoro darted ahead. Swinging the katanas out on either side, he sliced forward. With a shrieking squeal, the creature dropped to the ground. Each of its spindly legs had been separated from its body. Tail thrashing, the monster writhed on the floor. Zoro stepped forward. A single thrust ended its suffering.

Hovering just above her shoulder, Will watched the scene, his mouth agape. "I'll admit Scorpie aren't the kindest creatures, but wasn't that a bit on the brutal side, muscles?"

Nami looked from Zoro to the downed creature. She had to agree; even for Zoro, it was violent.

Turning back towards them, Zoro flicked his katanas to the side, dispelling the dark, viscous liquid that had collected upon the blades. "We need to get out of this labyrinth. I don't want to risk anything else going wrong." Keeping the katanas at the ready, Zoro approached them. "Let's go."

From the doorway, Nami watched the ensuing battle. She couldn't look away.

"Who are they orange?"

It was Zoro who replied. "Our enemies – and yours. They work for Ronan." His voice was low, unforgiving.

Will's hands slowly balled into fists. His large, dark eyes blinked once. "Then the Scorpie are a fitting fate for them." Shaking his head, he turned. "The exit is just down this hall – come on."

Reluctantly, Nami let her hand fall. Her clima-tact's cool metal slipped between her fingers. Logically, she knew that it was right to leave them – but something about it felt wrong. The boy, Miko – how old could he be? Had he even known what he was getting himself into, working for this man Ronan?

"Nami."

At Zoro's voice, Nami shook her head. They had to go. Sparing the battle one final glance, she stepped back from the doorway. Even as she stepped back, amidst the chaos in the room her eyes were drawn to the light glinting from Kikori's swinging axe. The hunter's chest heaved, and his wide eyes shifted quickly between the rapidly approaching foes. One of the creatures broke through; a thick gash opened across his chest.

Cursing, the hunter jumped back. Panting, he shouted as he swung his axe at the amassing crowd of creatures. "Fuck all of you! And fuck Ronan! I did not sign up to die for this!" Immediately following his shout, he reached out, grabbing Miko's vest. As the boy twisted, a protest upon his lips, the hunter shoved him forward, directly into the throng of monsters.

Nami slapped a hand to her mouth freezing on the spot. Across the cave, the walking wall roared as he struggled to make his way to the blue-haired boy. Meanwhile, Kikori darted towards the door, through the opening Miko's distraction had allowed. Snarling, he raised his axe as he approached them.

Nami felt the breath of movement behind her as Zoro prepared for the attack. But before he could move, Willdren buzzed in front of them both. Face pale, the small man motionlessly watched Kikori's charging approach. When the hunter was almost upon him, Will zipped forward. His movement seemed nothing more than a pale blue flash. When he landed upon Kikori's shoulder, the hunter slid to a stop. He raised his axe, but Will moved first; laying a small hand upon his neck. Kikori froze.

Will's dark eyes were fixed upon him. The small man angled his head so that he spoke directly into the hunter's ear. "You aligned yourself with Ronan. For that, you will die." He closed his eyes.

Kikori gave a choking cough, and then began to shudder. His eyes rolled back in his head. As the hunter continued shuddering, his appearance began to undergo a rapid change. The color of his skin faded to gray and his cheekbones stood stark the cheeks beneath them sunk in. Atop his head, his hair thinned and whitened before their eyes. The fingers holding his weapon shriveled and wrinkled; as the nails atop them yellowed and thinned. With a croaking gasp, the hunter gave his final breath. The axe fell from his grasp. Will took off from his shoulder as the man crumpled to the ground. With his hands clasped before him, Will observed the fallen man. His dark eyes blinked twice. His lips were white.

Nami couldn't take her eyes off Kikori's shriveled form either. Mouth open, she struggled to take a breath. "Will…"

Slowly, the small man turned away from the hunter. "We need to go."

An agonized shout tore its way through the room. At the center of the chaos, Miko, who had been struggling at the center of the mass of scorpie, dropped to a knee. A barbed stinger had pierced his shoulder. Shuddering, the blue-haired boy struggled to return to his feet. Another stinger slashed his side. He dropped to his hands and knees.

Across the cave, Gen shouted. But Nami's clima-tact was in her hands well before the walking wall had even made a sound. Miko may be working for Ronan, but he was just a boy. She couldn't stand by and watch this happen. With a cry of her own, she took off across the cave. Her clima-tact erupted in electricity.

"Nami!" Behind her Zoro swore. In a flash he was at her side. He hooked an arm around her waist. "What are you doing? We have to go! They're our enemy."

Nami twisted her head. Miko was on the ground. "Yes! But look at him! He's a boy! We can't just let him die!"

Turning, Zoro looked once into the fray. Face expressionless, his eyes shifted to Miko. He ducked his head. "Damn-it." In a quick motion, he lifted his swords. "Get to the boy. I'll clear the way."

Will rose behind them. "I don't agree with this."

Nami shook her head. "If you don't like it wait by the door."

Will looked down. "I will not harm the scorpie, but I will distract them – for you – not for him." He glanced at the struggling boy.

Nami smiled at Will then at Zoro. "Let's go."

Zoro nodded once before darting into the fray. In seconds, his katanas glistened with dark liquid as he cleared a path into the chaos.

Shaking his head, Will sped forward as well. He flew straight to the center. When he was near Miko, he began to emit a bright, pulsating glow. The creatures nearest reared back from the blinding light.

Lifting her clima-tact, Nami charged in behind Zoro. The swordsman was clearing a path straight to the boy. Nami stayed close to his back, swirling the glowing clima-tact towards any creatures who had not first been dissuaded by Zoro's blades.

When Zoro reached Miko's fallen form, he stepped past him, moving to attack the creatures that crowded in from the other side. Lowering her clima-tact, Nami fell to her knees beside him. Apart from the cut on his arm, there were punctures from the stingers on his shoulder, side, and thigh. The blue-haired boy's eyes were squeezed closed and his lips pulled back in a pained grimace. The curved blades had fallen to the ground beside him. As Nami reached forward, she felt Will settle upon her shoulder. Kikori's shriveled face flashed in her mind. Nami shook her head, forcing herself to dispel the thought.

Will spoke at her ear. "Do you have water? The stingers, they carry a poison. His wounds need to be rinsed immediately if he is to survive."

Nami bit her lip. "No. But I can get some." Lifting her clima-tact, she braced one arm against the ground as she spun the metal rod above her head. "Rain tempo!"

Dark clouds gathered above them. Will flashed bright as another scorpie approached them. Nami swung her clima-tact back, striking the creature with a volt of electricity. When she looked up to check the status of the cloud, a heavy drop fell upon her cheek. Soon a steady drizzle was falling upon them.

Without pause, Nami tore at his vest. It was probably cleaner than her clothes anyway. With the chunk of fabric in hand, she wiped at each of the punctures as the water slid over them. As the drizzle began to slow, she gave the wound at his shoulder one final sponge. Nami looked to Will.

He nodded. "That should do."

Letting the cloth fall from her hand, she scooped underneath the boy. Lifting his arm over her shoulders, she heaved them both to their feet. Only once they were standing did she notice the clima-tact still lying on the ground. The curved blades lay beside it. Nami glanced at Will. "Could you-"

Heaving a sigh, Will buzzed down to the ground. "Why you want to help this one is a mystery to me." Despite his grumblings, he pushed the clima-tact back into her belt.

Nami glanced down at the blades – they looked nice. It would be a shame to just leave them.

Will noticed. "Oh for the love of-" Huffing, the small man fluttered down once more. Sagging under the weight of the blades, he lifted them from the ground. "I suppose you want to arm the enemy too?"

Nami frowned. "Of course not. Tuck them in my belt."

With only a few additional angry mutterings, Will complied.

"Nami. You good? Cause we've got more bugs coming."

Nami twisted. The room was still filled with scorpie, and even more were pouring from holes high in the walls. It seemed to be taking all of Zoro's energy to keep the mass of bugs at bay. Nami looked to the wound at his chest. He didn't act pained, but she was sure the wound was affecting him. "Yeah." Nami adjusted Miko's arm over her shoulder. His head dangled limply forward.

As Nami took a step forward, the walking wall surged through the mass of scorpie. Zoro moved to intercept him. But the huge man raised a hand. "Get 'im out of here! I'll help ya hold 'em off."

Zoro gave a curt nod. In seconds, he was cutting away at the scorpie once more. Beside him Gen roared; striking heavy blows at the mass of creatures.

Gripping the boy at the wrist and on his side, Nami began to walk quickly forward. Behind, she could hear Zoro and the wall struggle as they faced the onslaught of creatures. Nami decided not to think unduly about the strangeness of the situation. When a scorpie broke free and charged her, Will zipped forward, flashing bright once more. It stunned the creature long enough for Zoro to duck back and slice it clean through.

Another creature broke through. And then another. Gripping the boy tighter, Nami stumbled faster. She couldn't fight and carry Miko at the same time. She felt a pincher snap at her back before Will's glowing flash stunned it. From the corner of her eyes, she saw flash after flash light behind them. He couldn't hold them all off.

Zoro cursed. "Nami! Move faster!"

With a swear of her own, Nami sped into a haphazard run. As the boy's chin bobbed against his chest, he groaned. Sliding through the door, Nami glanced behind them. She went cold. The scorpie moved together in a churning, writhing mass. And they had nearly overtaken Zoro and Gen. "Zoro! Get out! I'm through the door, let's go!"

Zoro swung once more before turning and sprinting away from the wall of creatures. Gen followed right behind. Will flew out front, leading the way towards the exit. Nami stalled, looking back to Zoro.

He lifted his katana, gesturing forward. "Go!"

As she turned, Miko shifted. He groaned as he lifted his head. Bleary eyes blinked, shifting between her and the chaotic scene behind them. "Wha-"

"We're saving your ass. Shut up." Nami heaved them both forward. Miko stared at her in confusion, but did not speak.

A scuffle sounded in the hall as Zoro and Gen careened through the door. The walking wall's gruff voice sounded loud above the pandemonium. Miko lifted his head at the sound. "Go! Save the boy. I'll hold 'em here."

Miko began to struggle. Nami paused, half turning to look back. Miko tilted his head to get a glimpse as well. In the hall, Zoro had stopped, hesitating. One of Gen's large hands roughly pushed him forward. "Go damn't!"

With a long look over his shoulder, Zoro began to run towards them. Miko struggled, twisting in her grasp. "Gen!"

Turning determinedly forward, Nami pulled him ahead. "We have to go."

Miko craned his neck in a desperate attempt to look over his shoulder. "Gen! Gendry!

Gen's deep voice rose behind them. "Miko! Get outta' here!"

Miko's struggles increased. He bared his teeth in a pained shout. "No!"

Nami struggled to hold him. She could hear the cacophonous shrieks of the creatures behind them. "We have to go!"

The boy sobbed. "No! I won't!"

Nami heard Zoro's running approach. "Zoro! Help!"

In the next moment, the struggling boy was lifted from her grasp. In a single, rough motion, Zoro slung the distressed teen over his shoulder. Sliding the katana back in its sheath, Zoro pressed his hand to her back, propelling her forward. "Go! Go!"

Nami's arms pumped at her sides as she sprinted through the passage. The floor was gradually beginning to slope upwards. She could hear Zoro's heavy steps right behind her. Miko's distraught shouts echoed loudly in the thin hall. Just ahead, Will glowed bright.

"Almost there! Come on orange, muscles!"

Nami didn't need his encouragement; the shrieks behind them were more than enough incentive to run. Sucking in gasping breaths, she propelled herself up the stone slope. And then she saw it – the blinding glow of the sun. At the top of the sloping hall, a bright entranceway stood. "Zoro!" Heart hammering, Nami ran faster.

Just before the entrance, Will paused. His hands dangled limply at his side as he peered into the sunlight. Rapidly approaching, Nami shouted for him. "Will!"

Will slowly looked back. His hands were shaking. Shuddering, he hovered immobile within the passage. As she sprinted up, Nami opened her hands. Reaching forward, she scooped Will into her cupped hands. "Come on Will!" Going still, the small man hugged her palm as they crossed the threshold into the light. As soon as the light fell upon them, a loud clanging sounded. At the noise, they slid to a stop. The gate to the labyrinth had closed behind them. The creatures were trapped within – and they were out.

Panting, Nami angled her head up. Above them, reached the thick canopy of the forest. Rich, green leaves fluttered listlessly in the breeze. Sunlight peeked between the branches. Its warmth soaked into her upturned face. With a sigh, she closed her eyes. "We're out."

From Zoro's shoulder, the boy released a coughing sob. Nami's eyes snapped open. Lifting his arm, Zoro slung the boy to his feet. As soon as his feet touched the ground, Miko sprinted to the gate. Gripping the pillars between his fists, he tugged futilely at the stone. "Damn-it! Gen!"

Nami stepped towards him, but was stopped by Zoro's hand upon her shoulder. Despite Miko's tears, Zoro watched the boy with a distrustful gaze. From his position on her palm, Will regarded Miko with a cold stare.

When she cleared her throat, he went quiet. "I'm sorry – I don't think it will open."

Miko sagged against the gate. He spoke in a snarl. "I know." In a sudden movement, he darted from the gate. Zoro tensed. But the boy ran straight for the forest. Feet pounding against the ground, he leapt at the nearest tree. His tanned arm stretched out, reaching for the lowest branch. When his hand wrapped around it, he pulled himself up, rapidly scaling the tall tree.

Zoro rested his hand atop his katana as he watched the boy disappear into the thick foliage. "Should we…?"

Nami lifted a hand to shield her face from the sun as she scanned the treetops for movement. "He's fast." Would it be worth it to try to track him down? Even if he did know anything about Ronan, there wasn't any guarantee that he'd tell them. And besides - they weren't exactly in a fit state to be chasing anyone. Nami glanced at Zoro. The wound across his chest was an angry red. Chopper would need to see to it soon.

Zoro's head jerked to the side. For a long moment, he stared into the forest. Blinking, he turned back to her. "Oi, Nami. Don't we need those flowers?"

Her eyes flicked to the trees. Yes. Yes they did. Willdren took off from her hand as she reached frantically for her pack. "I'll get them." Nami was just pulling out a flower when a rapid thudding reached her ears. It sounded almost like –

Nami screeched as a body collided with her. Arms wrapped around her, hoisting her up off her feet. And then she was spinning.

"Naaaammiiiii-Schwaaaaannnnn!"

Nami's mouth fell open at his voice. "Sanji-kun!" He spun her twice more, and by then she'd had enough. Raising her fist, she knocked the side of his head. "Alright! Let me down!"

But before he could release her, Willdren appeared at his neck. Will's gaze flicked between Nami and Sanji. "Orange, do you know this man with the strange brow? Do you need me to make him release you?"

"No – I mean yes! I know him! Don't do your hand thing on him!" Nami wiggled from Sanji's grasp, quickly snatching Will away from the cook.

Firmly grasped in Nami's hand, Will crossed his arms. "Just looking out for you orange."

Sanji tilted his head as he regarded the tiny man. "Does he have wings? And what do you mean, strange brow?"

Zoro grinned. "What do you know, Will's starting to grow on me."

Nami pinched the bridge of her nose. "Sanji, this is Will. Will, Sanji." She propped a hand on her hip. "Where's Usopp?"

Sanji cupped his hand as he lit a cigarette. "That's a good question."

Nami frowned. "You lost him." She felt a tap on her shoulder. Zoro was gazing out at the trees. "Right! The flowers." She looked at Sanji. "Why don't you have your moustache?"

"Right!" Sanji snapped his fingers. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out two pink pills. He sighed. "Chopper managed to make a cure and find us before we found you." He looked at his feet as he passed her the pills.

Nami eagerly grabbed them from his hand, passing one to Zoro. As she swallowed the capsule, Sanji silently observed them both. The cook's eyes traveled from the bruises at her shoulders to the scrapes along her arms and legs. His gaze briefly flicked to the wound at Zoro's chest before returning to her. His shoulders drooped. "Nami-san. I'm so sorry I didn't find you. Usopp and I traveled all the way up to the North side of the island. We didn't make our way down to the East side until today. Are you okay?"

She gave him a warm smile. "I'm fine. Zoro's the one who got it worst." Nami glanced around them. "How far is it back to the ship? He should see Chopper as soon as possible."

"About half a day's travel."

Nami's eyes were drawn back to the swordsman's wound.

He frowned. "It's nothing."

Nami shook her head in exasperation. "We should be going then." She looked around the small clearing. "But seriously – where is Usopp?"

"I may have left him behind when I thought I heard your lovely voice, Nami-san." Sanji paused to take a drag of his cigarette. "He should be catching up soon."

As if on cue, a shrill screech sounded from deep within the underbrush.

Will fluttered from her hand. "What manner of creature is that?"

Zoro raised a brow and Sanji simply shook his head. In the next second, Usopp careened from the undergrowth. Leaves and twigs stuck out at odd angles from his bushy hair. Hands on his knees, the sniper panted. "Thought – I saw – something – don't leave me – like that – you jerk." Usopp panted for another minute before irritably squinting up. His mouth fell open. "Zoro! Nami!" He sprang up. "You're out! Sanji found you!"

Laughing, Nami threw her arms around the disheveled sniper. "Usopp!"

When she released him, Usopp was grinning from ear to ear. "I'm so glad you guys didn't die."

Nami waved her hand. "As if." Though even as she spoke, she and Zoro shared a glance. Maybe the rest of the crew didn't have to know exactly how close some of their calls had been.

Oblivious to the look they had shared, Usopp smiled at Zoro. Zoro nodded in greeting.

Sanji, however, glanced between them. Nami quickly bent, making a show of reorganizing her pack. Sanji couldn't tell that things had changed between them – right? She slipped off her baro-brace, tucking it carefully amongst the flowers. Not that it was a secret – unless it was? Nami glanced quickly up at Zoro. Arms crossed, the swordsman was turned, observing the clearing.

Nami quickly ducked her head, looking back to the pack. It might make sense to not tell anyone – right away at least. It wasn't a good time to be introducing this kind of a change into the dynamics of the crew – not with Ronan out to get them. Everyone needed to be focused on the task at hand. Nami spared another quick glance at Zoro. She was sure he would agree. They would just have to find a time to discuss it.

As she stood, Will floated near. Usopp's eyes bulged. "What is that?"

Will dipped his head. "Willdren O. Whisper, at all of your services."

Usopp scratched his head. "He has wings."

Will huffed, "And you have quite the nose, but you don't see me mentioning it."

Usopp crossed his arms, affronted. Nami patted him on the shoulder. "He's a bit blunt. You'll get used to it."

Zoro walked past them towards the forest. "Let's get back to the ship."

Nami snagged the back of his shirt as he passed. "Wrong way. We're on the East side of the island now. The ship's in the other direction."

Zoro cringed. "I knew that."

Nami suppressed a grin. "Sure you did."

Usopp followed them, swinging his arms as he walked. "Good to be back to the same old."

Walking side by side, Nami met Zoro's gaze once more. They both quickly glanced away. Behind them Sanji called out, "Want me to lead the way Nami-san?"

"I think I've got it. Thanks Sanji-kun."

As they stepped into the forest, Zoro fell in step behind her, and Sanji behind him. Usopp reluctantly took up the rear. Above them, Willdren fluttered.

As they walked, Sanji raised his voice once more. "What exactly happened in there?"

Nami paused. Behind her, she could hear the sheaths of Zoro's katanas clanking lightly against one another. "A lot, actually. It's best if we go over it when everyone's together."

Usopp shouted from the back. "Does it explain why there is a tiny man with wings travelling with us?"

"Yep!" Speaking of – Nami looked up at Will. He was flying just above them. His head twisted back and forth as he observed the large trees and thick fauna. "You doing okay?"

Glancing down, he gave a quick nod.

"You said that leaving the labyrinth was hard?"

Will nodded once more. His eyes did not stray from the surrounding trees. "Memories – amongst other things weigh upon me out here."

Before she could question him further, Will buzzed higher into the foliage. Nami sighed. Will's was one more mystery to consider.

"Are you doing okay?" Zoro spoke low, close behind her.

"Yeah. How about you? Your wound?"

"It's fine."

Nami paused to push a wide fern from the path. "Just – take it easy until we get to Chopper, okay?"

In his tone, she heard his smile. "I'll try – no guarantees though."

"I'll raise your debt."

He snorted. "You don't even know how much it is anymore."

They were interrupted by Usopp's exclamation. "I'm so ready to be back on the Sunny! We've been on this island for days and days."

Nami nodded. "Me too." With Ronan against them, arriving back at the ship would be nothing more than a brief reprieve before the coming storm; but it was a much needed reprieve indeed. She sighed as she imagined the warm, wooden deck beneath her feet.

Zoro must have been having a similar thought, because she felt a huff of air against the back of her neck. "We're finally going home."

Nami smiled. They were indeed.

Thanks for reading! Next up: Straw Hat Reunion part II. I don't know about you, but I'm pretty excited :)