Author's Note: Hi everybody! It has arrived, the moment so many of you (our favorite marimo included) have been axiously awaiting. Kuma is here and Zoro will do anything to keep his captain and crew safe. This chapter is a bit shorter than the others have been so far, but it ends exactly where I wanted it to! I hope it doesn't disappoint. Kuma is a hard guy to pin down but I did my best with him. Please enjoy!

Chapter Nineteen: Zoro

Black dances across his vision as Moria's hand tightens around his neck. A choked gasp makes it through Zoro's lips. His limbs are heavy. Too heavy to move, to fight. It's like Arlong all over again. The panic induced rage had left him exhausted, as though he'd run thirty miles with weights on his back. But the panic was - is, it's still there, still drumming beneath the surface of his skin - impossible to tame. The cook's hand, fingers bent in unusual and gut wrenching ways, refuse to leave his mind.

His treasure. Put at risk because Zoro had been in a hurry to take Oars out. Shit, he shouldn't rush anything. If he let everything happen the way it should, the cook's hand would be fine. The rest of his nakama wouldn't be laying in the rubble around him, unable to stand or wake.

Using that technique was a horrible idea. Zoro didn't even realize this body could do that. But, apparently, the panic is good for something. It gave him extra strength. And he used it at the wrong time.

His chest heaves, lungs burning with each attempt at a breath. Moria snarls at him, but the words are impossible to hear beneath the pounding of blood in his ears. The trembling in his limbs has nothing to do with the exhaustion grating against his bones. And everything to do with the fact that he failed his crew. Again.

Luffy. They need Luffy, now. The only shot any of them have of getting out of this alive is for Luffy to show up.

It always comes down to this. Zoro leads everyone into trouble and then relies on Luffy to save him. This is how Luffy ends up dead.

Moria's hand tightens. The gurgling that leaves Zoro's chest reminds him all too much of the noise Luffy made. Cold spreads through Zoro's shoulder, as though an icy hand settles on his shoulder. The scent of the sea washes in on the cool wind.

"Zoro. Live."

Live, Luffy had told him. Ordered him.

Luffy had ordered him to live. Just like he'd ordered Zoro to take care of his crew. Carrying out his captain's orders has always been Zoro's top priority. He can't stop that now. He has to make his body work. Has to.

"Special Attack Firebird Star!"

Moria releases Zoro with a startled yell, dancing away to try and pat the fire out. Zoro gasps, sucking in air, and forces his arms enough to push himself to his hands and knees. Usopp's barely standing, but he is. Blood drips down the sniper's face, his face pulled in a grimace. But he's standing. And Zoro should be too.

Wadou steadies him as he forces himself to his feet, legs trembling beneath him. He won't die here. Can't die here. He has to save them. Once he knows things have changed for the better, once his goal is accomplished, Zoro can sleep. But only then.

"How much longer until Luffy gets here?" Usopp pants.

"Not sure." Zoro wipes the blood from his lips and pulls Shusui loose. "Can you give me cover?"

"I don't know about this, Zoro," Usopp says, hesitantly. "Maybe we hide until-"

"I don't hide," Zoro snaps.

"You can cover me or I can do it myself."

Moria lumbers back toward them. Zoro's muscles scream as he forces his arms to work, bringing both swords up. Soft growls and curses come from Usopp, but from the corner of his eye, Zoro sees the sniper readying his weapon. He forces out a deep breath, watching Moria look between him and Usopp, choosing which one to go after.

Little does the shit Shichibukai know, he's dealing with -

"Moria!" Luffy's scream echoes. A blue blur slams into Moria and they both fly backward.

"Oh, thank fuck," Zoro mutters.

Usopp hits his knees. It takes all of Zoro's willpower not to do the same. There are more important things to do now. Get their nakama out of the range of the fight, make sure they're safe. Fuck, he needs to make sure Chopper finished treating the cook's hand. That there's no lasting damage.

"Zoro? Oi!"

Zoro doesn't even manage to take a step before his legs lock up and he hits the ground. The world sways around him, every muscle heavy and tense. Usopp's at his side with surprising speed, pulling one of Zoro's arms over his shoulders.

"Come on, I got you," Usopp says, forcing them both to their feet again.

The sniper always could get back up, almost as often as Zoro himself. They stumble out of the battle field, but they make it, tripping over each other and landing hard.

"Is this right?" Usopp asks, motioning to Luffy and Moria.

Black fills Zoro's vision again, his body making the conscious decision that he needs five minutes of peace and quiet. "Shut up, Usopp."

The warmth of the sun spills across Zoro's skin. Closing his eyes, he slumps against the large boulder. Air finally fills his lungs. Now, he just has to wait a few more minutes. A few more minutes and Kuma will be here. He can hear Lola's crew dancing and cheering as Chopper rushes around, trying to take stock of everyone's injuries.

"I'm fine," Zoro tells Chopper, not opening his eyes as he senses the little doctor rush toward him. "Go check on Sencho. I'll be over in a minute."

"But, Zoro," Chopper whines.

"You can check me out after, Chopper." Why is the little doctor coming to him first anyway? Luffy's the one unconscious. Shouldn't Chopper be in a rush to check on him? "Go-"

"Shishishi!" Luffy's laugh splits the air.

Zoro's eyes snap open. No. No. Luffy should be exhausted now. He should be unconscious. No. No. Kuma will be here soon.

"Zoro?" Chopper asks. "What's wrong? You're pale. Does something hurt?"

"N-no, Chopper." Zoro swallows hard, turning his gaze to his captain, sitting among the rubble as he talks to Brook. "I'm fine."

"You don't look fine. Let me take your temperature."

"I'm fine," Zoro mutters again, shoving himself to his feet.

This is fine. This is okay. After such a long fight with Moria, Luffy's liable to be knocked out by Kuma's attack, along with everyone else. This is fine. Zoro can still make this work. He isn't going to fail. He isn't.

Luffy's brow furrows in confusion as Zoro drops to the ground beside him, but he doesn't comment. Chopper runs after him, shouting about taking his temperature.

"Is Zoro fatteged again?"

"Fatigued," Zoro corrects, pulling a knee up to his chest and resting his forehead on it. He clenches his fists hoping to ward off the trembles before they become too much. If he's going to stand up to Kuma's attacks, he needs to be in the right state of mind. "And, no. I'm fine."

Luffy's hot gaze doesn't leave him. "Zoro's shaking again," the captain observes. "Bad stuff gonna happen?"

"It's just left over adrenaline, Luffy."

"Don't lie."

Zoro's muscles tighten as the rest of the crew begin to pile in around them. Chopper scampers over to Zoro, waving a thermometer again. One by one, the rest of the crew drop onto the ground around them. Vivi settles herself at his side, as always and Nami sits beside her. Whatever lovers' spat they'd had early clearly dissolved. Brook stands behind Robin, watching the crew with silent interest.

Guilt floods Zoro's chest as he spots the cook. It takes him three tries to flick his lighter into life and press it to the tip of the cigarette in his lips. His right arm is swathed in bandages, a sling holding it tight to his chest. Their eyes meet. Zoro's stomach churns, vomit bubbling up his throat. Zoro did that.

Sanji's treasure.

His dream.

"Chopper," Zoro growls as Lola's gaggle of over excited pirates race toward them. "You put that thing near my mouth one more time and I'm going to bite it in half."

"Oi, oi," Luffy scowls at Lola and her crew. "I already told the old zombie man. We're only saving our shadows. I didn't save you. Don't call me a hero!"

Vivi touches his arm. Zoro jolts at the unexpected contact and turns to look at her. Nervous fear fills her gaze as she looks up at him. He's still shaking.

"This isn't over."

Zoro swallows, giving her a slight shake of his head.

"You're the only one who's going to walk out of here hurt, aren't you?" Her voice trembles.

His voice refuses to allow him to answer. He can only stare down at her.

Tears fill Vivi's eyes. "Zoro."

"Don't."

Her hand moves to her hair, pulling the ribbon free. Waves of blue crash down around her shoulders and she shakes it loose as she leans over to tie the ribbon around Wadou's hilt. He blinks, eyebrows furrowed as he looks down at it.

Her treasure.

"It's a promise," she tells him. "You have to give that back to me when we all get out of here."

Zoro's lips twitch. The ribbon feels soft beneath his fingertips, despite the ribs and chars. Even after all these months, he can smell the sea and sunshine that only Luffy can bring.

"Luffy!" Nami shoots around Zoro to knock their captain on the back of the head. "What's wrong with you? Someone was finally showing us some appreciation!"

"She's right," someone cheers. "Let us thank you properly!"

Nami turns to smile at them and Zoro swears there's beli signs lighting up her eyes. "Will you?"

"Of course! We'll start by showing you where Moria's treasure is."

"Well, that's so sweet!"

The strength of Kuma appears in the back of Zoro's mind, leaking down his spine. The Shichibukai is sitting up on the rooftop, waiting to ruin their celebration before it can truly begin. Both Luffy and the cook snap straight, the captain already on his feet. Unsurprising. He and Zoro have been working on Observation Haki for well over a week. The cook though. How does he know that Kuma is here?

Has he gotten stronger too? Shit, if he has, this plan is going to be far harder than Zoro thought it would be.

"Luffy?" Nami says.

The rest of the crew rise as well, looking up at the Tyrant, sitting calmly on the rooftop.

"Zoro?" Vivi breathes. "Who is that?"

"Three days," Zoro tells her. "Just three days, Vivi."

"Who the hell is this guy?" Franky asks.

"That's him," Lola says, staring up at Kuma with open fear. "The man who stands as tall as Moria. Known throughout the world as the Tyrant. Bartholomew Kuma, one of the Shichibukai."

Shouts and cries ring out around them. Kuma pays them no mind, eyes glued only to the transponder snail in his hand. The snail that orders the death of all of them.

The shouts of terror grow as Kuma stands, looming over them with emotionless eyes until his gaze lands on Luffy. Zoro pulls Kitetsu loose, placing himself in front of his captain.

"Zoro," Luffy mutters.

"Everyone stay back," Zoro orders. "I'll handle this."

"Oi, oi, marimo," the cook says, voice hoarse.

"I said, stay-"

Kuma appears in front of him, quicker than Zoro remembers. Before he can so much as raise his blade, one of those damn paws slam into him and he's flying. Ribs crack. Blood shoots up his throat to spill from his lips. His back meets concrete and it shatters behind him, sending him into a second destroyed wall.

"Zoro!" Luffy screams.

Zoro can't pick himself up from the destroyed rocks beneath him. His body freezes, stunned as he gasps out for breath. Thoughts refuse to come to mind. He can only choke on the blood in his mouth, gasping up at the blue sky.

In the back of his mind, he hears shouts. Thinks he might hear Luffy shout an attack. But, that's not right. Luffy's out cold. Kuma's here and Luffy is out cold. And Zoro has to get up. Has to get up and protect his nakama.

Right?

Biting down on his lip, Zoro rolls himself onto his hands and knees. Everything screams in protest, skin too tight and too sore. But he has to get up. Has to protect them. Has to do something.

He's barely managed to get to his feet when the cook slams into him, both of them hitting the ground with yelps. Zoro moans as the cook scrambles up, arm pressing into his ribs to try and calm the agony drumming through his gut.

"Shit," the cook grumbles, looking down at Zoro. "Oi, oi, stay down. We'll take care of this."

"Fuck you," Zoro forces out, shoving himself up just to spite the bastard.

"Zoro-"

"Shut your damn trap." Zoro forces his legs to work as Luffy flies into a downed column. "This is the way it's supposed to go."

"What the hell does that mean?" the cook shouts after him.

Zoro ignores him, thrusting Wadou between his teeth as he goes. The air around him burns as it makes its way down his throat. His left leg slips over a piece of rubble, throwing him off balance for barely a second before he manages to right himself again. Everything burns. His muscles overworked, pushed to their limits.

But it doesn't matter. It can't matter.

He came here to save his crew.

He will save his crew.

"Sanjuroku Pound Ho!"

Unsurprisingly, Kuma blocks the attack with ease. Lola's crew jump out of the way, screaming with terror. The Shichibukai's attention moves to Zoro again and he plants his feet, hands shooting up.

"Tsuppari Pad Ho."

The small pads fly at him. Zoro curses, tightening his grip on Shusui and Kitetsu. Dodging the balls sends pins and needles through his skin, but he manages to avoid brushing any.

"Toro Nagashi."

Like an idiot, Zoro forgets about Armament Haki, not that he's sure it would do any good against Kuma. All three of his blades sink into Kuam's large paws without so much as a slice. All the momentum he created on his run is thrown back at him. Zoro flies, slamming into the ground and rolling head over ass until he blissfully stops.

Fresh blood spills down his face and he feels the bones in his right arm shift as he forces himself up again. Kuma appears before him, frowning down at him. His katana clatter in his hands, his legs refusing to rise him up. Usopp and Chopper scream his name.

"Gomu Gomu no Jet Pistol!" Luffy's punch has just enough speed to plow into Kuma's stomach while he's distracted with Zoro. Luffy lands beside Zoro, growling in anger. "Get the hell away from my swordsman."

The paw prints shoot toward them again. Zoro shoots up, tackling Luffy out of the way before any of the prints can touch him. Luffy huffs out a groan as Zoro lands on top of him, panting and unmoving.

"Luffy?"

"I'm hungry," Luffy mutters.

"Of course you are," Zoro groans.

After all of the fighting they've already been through and going both second and third gear, Luffy must be exhausted. It's a miracle he's still up and moving. A miracle any of them are up and moving if Zoro's being honest with himself.

"Special Attack Firebird Star!"

Zoro manages to struggle to his knees in time to watch Usopp's attack deflect back at him. The sniper falls backwards as the fire ignites around him.

"Usopp!" Luffy wiggles underneath him, pushing himself up as well.

Both Zoro's legs give out as he tries to stand, sending him to his knees in front of Luffy again. His entire body moves with every pant, his ribs thundering their protest. Luffy doesn't seem to be able to pick himself up either, still on his elbows and knees.

Kuma stares down at them, impassive. Bored. Just like last time.

But, with Luffy awake, will he still strike the deal? Is Zoro going to have to let his captain be knocked out in order to make this all work?

Shit.

All these years, he thought he had luck on his side. Apparently he's used up every ounce of good luck he has and it's all bad from here out.

"I knew from the start killing a crew of injured weaklings would bring me no joy," Kuma says after a moment, raising his arms into the air. "Not to mention, this hasn't truly been a fair fight. But, orders are orders. Even if I may not fully agree with them."

Zoro grits his teeth, watching the air bubble shrink. He remembers this. The bomb that will knock them all out. Not a problem. Zoro won't be knocked out. He can talk to Kuma. Tell him what he needs to know. Fix this.

Save them.

"What the hell is he doing?" the cook shouts, voice still weak as the bubble paw continues to shrink.

Nami and Robin explain it to them all, though Zoro can't focus on the words. Right now, he has to focus on keeping himself from collapsing. The world spins around him, tilting dangerously each time he blinks. The others panic behind him, their fear thick in the air.

The bubble fits perfectly in the palm of Kuma's hand before he pays anyone any mind. His eyes move over each pirate, one by one, before finally he looks at Zoro. Those eyes, so cold and impassive, send shivers down his spine. It seems impossible that this is the same man that guarded their ship for two years.

Still, Zoro refuses to look away. He meets the icy gaze head on, hand tightening around Wadou's hilt. Luffy's ribbon meets his hand, brushing across his skin. Warm determination spreads through his body. Clenching his jaw, Zoro closes his eyes and forces himself to breath. To calm down.

Zoro will survive this.

His crew will survive this.

No matter what the cost, he's going to get them all out of this alive.

"I've made a decision," Kuma says, voice booming over the silent, terrified pirates. "I will spare your lives."

Lola's crew breathes a sigh of relief, laughing slightly. Zoro senses his own crew, tense, none of them truly believing the words. Not that he expected any less. His crew are smart. They know better than to trust such a last minute change of heart without expecting something in exchange for it.

"On one condition," Kuma continues. "In exchange for this act of mercy, you will give me the head of Mugiwara Luffy. Returning with him should be enough to satisfy the Government."

Even though he knew the words would come, they still send rage crashing through Zoro's body. The nerve of this man. To think, even for a mere moment, that this crew would ever give up Luffy. The man who saved Nami. Granted Usopp bravery. Declared war on the world for one woman. To doubt their love for Luffy. Doubt that they would do anything for their captain. Even die.

It's insulting. Maddening.

Luffy lets out a breath behind him. Confused. Surprised. The rest of the crew sit silent behind them. Rage shoots adrenaline through his body.

Zoro pulls Wadou loose, shoving himself to his feet to stand in front of his captain. "Like hell," he snarls, refusing to break eye contact with the Tyrant above him. "Stay the fuck away from my captain."

"Zoro's right!" Usopp shouts. "We should never betray our own captain!"

"Bastard," the cook snaps.

Kuma stares them down, one by one again. "You should all be reasonable about this. One life for all of yours. Now, hand him over before I change my mind."

"No!" The resounding shout echoes through the air, everyone's voices joining in.

Zoro puts out his free arm, trying to keep Luffy from opening his mouth or doing anything stupid. He's going to hate this, everyone agreeing to die for him. But life is fucking rough. And Luffy got to leave Zoro once already. He'll never let that happen again.

"Very well. Then, this is your choice." Kuma releases the small ball, thrusting it out into the air.

"Oi!" Luffy yells, almost in protest.

But it's too late for that. The shock wave slams into them all. The debri of the castle rises into the air with the rest of them. For a moment, Zoro is weightless and then the world is dark.

Rubble falls as Zoro pushes himself up again. It's a miracle he manages it. Most of his muscles have already started to disobey him, legs refusing to lift him up. His head feels fuzzy, the left side of his vision far blurrier than his right. He raises his head.

Luffy hasn't been buried, laying atop a large pile of stone, unmoving. Out cold. Kuma reaches for him. Zoro's legs still refuse to work. Every bit of strength is already draining from him. Why does this feel so much harder than it had last time? Last time, he'd been able to move. Last time, he'd been able to at least strike.

Now, he has nothing.

Kuma's hand grows closer. Cold terror shoots through Zoro's veins.

"Yameru!" he calls, voice scratches against his throat. "Yameru!"

Move, his mind screams. Move. Move. Move!

Kuma pays him no mind. Fingers so close to Luffy now. And Zoro's body continues to ignore his mind.

"Yameru! Yameru!"

His chest heaves.

Failure. Failure. Failure.

"He's Sabo's brother! Please! Yameru!" The words burst through Zoro's chest without his permission, his panicked mind searching for anything to get Kuma to stop. To not hurt his captain.

There's a better way to do this. But, the better way involves Zoro's body not shutting down on him. And it's a little late for that now.

Kuma freezes, fingers almost brushing Luffy's vest. Zoro's fully aware of the wet trickling down his face, head bowing onto his forearm as he gasps. The battlefield is still and silent.

"What," Kuma says, ever calmly. "Do you know of Sabo?"

"I know," Zoro pants. "I know he hails from the East Blue. I know that Dragon fished him out of the water after a Celestial shot him down for sailing too close to him and that he only remembers his name. That he doesn't know, doesn't remember, that he has two brothers that love him. And that they think he's dead." Gritting his teeth, Zoro pushes himself to his knees and stares at the Tyrant. "Luffy and Ace have mourned him for years. They would give anything to see him again. I know that you have no allegiance to the Marines. That your loyalty belongs to Dragon as much as mine belongs to Luffy. I know what the Marines have done to you. What they will do."

Kuma stares at him, face impassive and unsurprised, but locked on Zoro.

"I know that in a few weeks, the Marines will hold a public execution for Portgas D Ace. And that Whitebeard will declare war to save him. The War of the Best. I know that despite all of their best attempts, Ace will die there. I know that two years from now, the Strawhat Pirates will break into the New World. I know that my captain will become the Fifth Yonko. That we'll take on Big Mom and Kaido without batting an eye. I know. I know that in three years my crew will be slaughtered. I know." Pulling in a deep breath, Zoro pushes himself to his feet, forcing his legs to hold his weight. "I know that my captain has to live. That Luffy is the man who is meant to become King of the Pirates."

"And how is it that you know any of that, Roronoa Zoro?" The calmness doesn't surprise him. Sabo has always said, Kuma is the most level headed and calm individual he knows. Now, Zoro has to hope that is true.

"If you truly feel that you must take a head," Zoro says. "You can have mine. I'll take his place. His pain. Anything you want. Just let me save him. Please."

Silence. Only the blowing wind. Only the cold presence of someone else there. Someone hovering at his side. But there's only empty air.

"How is it that you know any of that?" Kuma repeats.

"Because we've done this before, Kuma. A little differently, but we have. The Marines are going to take everything you have and destroy it. I won't tell you who to believe, because you've already made up your mind."

"You sound confident in that."

Zoro scoffs. "I think you made up your mind the moment you watched this crew fight for its captain. But, in case there's any doubt, if you want to take Luffy, you'll have to kill me."

"If we truly have done this before, Roronoa, tell me, what is my decision?"

Zoro pulls his katana and tosses them to the Tyrant's feet. Each breath is a chore, lung crying out for air and then protesting when they recieve it. His body trembles, muscles trying to relieve themselves of the agonizing pain building through them. The rest of his crew lay unconscious around him. Even the cook hadn't managed to reserve his energy this time around.

A small blessing. Zoro hurt him enough today. The last thing he wants is another wound on the cook's body that he caused.

"Honor," Zoro tells Kuma. "Because that's one thing that you've always had, no matter who you had to service."

Kuma heaves a large sigh. "Whether I believe your words or not is irrelevant now, isn't it, Roronoa? I can't touch Strawhat without shaming myself." Zoro's lips twitch in a slight smile as Kuma turns to Luffy again. "I give you my word, I will not take Mugiwara Luffy's head."

I know. "You have my thanks. Though, I'll hold it for now."

Humming, Kuma presses a hand to Luffy's chest. The paw of pain seems bigger than it was last time. Though, it could just be his failing memory again. The cuts and bruises vanish from Luffy's body and Kuma lays him on the rubble again with extra care.

A coldness grips Zoro's left arm, though there's only air there to greet him when he looks.

"To say that you will accept pain that doesn't belong to you is one thing," Kuma tells him. "I've met many who say they would hurt for their captains. They often falter when they realize the hell they must face."

"For Luffy," Zoro tells him. "I would walk into Hell with a smile. Just, let me pick the location. I prefer my crew didn't wake up to a bloodbath."

Kuma raises no objections, not that Zoro expected him to. The spot is familiar. Haunting, but it's the correct spot. They'll find him here. Zoro turns back to look at the Shichibukai again, staring into the carefully composed face.

"Sabo is a good man," Zoro tells him. "And he cares for you, fiercely. Him, and Koala too. So, when you make your decision, keep that in mind."

After a long moment, Kuma nods.

"I know I don't have much of a right, but I have one more favor to ask." He waits a beat to see if Kuma will respond before he continues. "When we meet again, on Sabaody. Please, don't send me to Kuraigana. Send me to Sabo. Let me save them."

Even as he tries to hide it, Kuma's unease is clear. His eyebrows furrow, barely an inch, and his mouth tightens. "As close to death as you are now, this will undoubtedly kill you."

Heard that one before.

"Just." Zoro turns his attention to the bubble of pain. "Think about it for me. Gonna be a pain in the ass if I have to sail from that Gothic hell to save Ace."

The coldness grows on his arm, moving across his chest to his other arm. Almost as though it's trying to hold his arms down as he raises them. Zoro ignores it, flinging his arms forward. White explodes across his eyes. Knives slice into his body. His bones snap. Muscles try to extend beyond their ability.

His mind shuts down, stealing him away from Luffy's pain. But not before he hears it. A soft but firm order.

"Zoro. Live."

And it has been done. Chapter Nineteen is complete. Zoro passed along the message and saved his crew. Now he just has to hope that Kuma will heed his words and set his plan in motion. At least now, he gets to sleep a little, right? And, far more importantly, Zoro's captain has never left him. And probably isn't going to be happy about this. Next time, Chopper hurries to save Zoro's life and Vivi finally gives one of her nakama the whole truth. And Luffy has finally run out of patience. I hope you guys liked this chapter. And that you're looking forward to the next! Remember to stay healthy, stay sane, and stay safe out there!