Author's Note: Over one hundred reviews?! You guys! Thank you so much. I can't express how much all of your comments mean to me. Even if I don't respond to most of them. Because... you know, horrible, anxious mess... This chapter is super short. Like less than half as long as chapters normally are. So, in light of that, I'm going to go ahead and post another chapter tomorrow. I figure that way you guys will still have a lot of reading to do! This time around, we just get a lot Zoro fading in and out as he heals. But, we also get one very important bits of information. Enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-One: Zoro

A calm breeze floats across Sunny's deck, rustling his hair. The familiar sound of his nakama fill his ears as the sun beats down around him. Warm cooking wafts through the air, swirling around him. From the back deck, Brook's voice sings Bink's Sake. Briefly, he considers stripping off his kimono to fend off the heat but it seems like too much effort. He's so comfortable. So tired.

Sandals pound across Sunny's boards. Zoro opens his eye to look up at his captain with a raised eyebrow. It can't be dinner already. The cook just started food. And, if Luffy thinks for one damn second he's going to convince Zoro to play tag, he's wrong.

Luffy glares down at him. It's a look Zoro has never seen turned on nakama. The slight smile slips from Zoro's face and he sits himself up a little straighter. His heart stops. Vomit creeps up his throat and fear fills bones. From beneath the brim of his tattered hat, Luffy's gaze darkens.

"Bakayarou," Luffy growls. "How dare you!"

Zoro's stomach churns as he looks up at his captain. "Luffy?"

"You said if I ever got between you and your dream you'd kill me! And then you threw your life away! Your dream!"

Blood coats Zoro's arms, his chest, his legs. Blood coats everything. A tattered white shirt replaces his kimono and the vision returns to his left eye.

Because Zoro is nineteen again.

Zoro is nineteen and so is Luffy.

Zoro is nineteen. He's taken Luffy's pain again. And his captain stands before him.

His captain knows what he's done.

"Bakayaou!" Luffy screams, tears streaming down his face, the ribbon vanishing from his hat. "How dare you! How dare you, Zoro!"

Zoro's stomach heaves. Blood shoots up his lips, spattering over his lips and chin. He opens his eyes, breath wheezing out of his lungs. It hurts. Everything hurts. His limbs feel like jello, muscles stretched beyond their limits. Crushed ribs press into Zoro's abused lungs. Black spots dance around his eyes.

"Zoro!" Luffy's face appears over him, captain's eyes filled with tears.

But he isn't angry. No, just scared. So scared.

"Lu-ffy," Zoro gasps out.

"Don't try and talk, Zoro," Chopper says from somewhere beyond his eyeline. "I'm going to put you back under. Hold on."

"Chopper, he just woke up," Luffy whimpers.

"I know, Luffy. But, I have to stabilize him more. He's in too much pain."

"Lu-ffy."

"Shh, 's okay, Zoro." Luffy smooths Zoro's hair back with a watery smile.

Somehow, the smile hurts worse than every broken bone and hyperextended muscle.

"S-sor-ry." More blood shoots past Zoro's lips.

Luffy winces, tears escaping his eyes. "Zoro."

"You." Zoro swallows down more liquid, gasping for breath. "You a-re my dr-e-eam."

Zoro isn't sure if the pain or drugs take him back under. But, blissfully only black waits for him.

It's the awful sting of copper against his tongue that drags Zoro from blankness. Liquid begins to rise up his throat, not the burn of vomit. Smooth until it hits his taste buds and stings. Blood. Whatever's going on, he's bleeding from it. His eyes refuse to work, betraying him the same as his throat does. He can't swallow. Can't speak. Can barely breath.

Where is he? Why is he here? What's going on?

Fuck.

Zoro's body refuses to respond to anything. Apart from his taste buds. The only damn part of him that seems to be working. Go figure. The taste doesn't fade but it doesn't hurt either. Just annoying enough to force his mind to stay in a semi aware state. Just annoying enough to keep his brain running in circles.

Where is he? Where is his crew? Is he hurt? His body doesn't respond. Doesn't feel like it's even there. Almost like this isn't real. Is this real? Is he dreaming? No. He can't be. People can't taste this clearly in their dreams, can they?

Is this real? Where is everyone? Why is it quiet? Why is he alone?

Alone. Alone. Because they died. They died and they left him alone.

Zoro never made it off that island.

All of his nakama are dead. And he must be dying. Laying, alone, dying slowly. Maybe drowning in his own blood.

Alone.

Alone.

Alone.

Warm wet begins to spill down his chin, the blood finally overflowing.

Luffy. Luffy.

Just a little bit longer. Just a little bit longer and he gets to die like the rest of his crew. Death is the only way off that damn island.

"Chop-!" A fuzzy voice breaks through the haze. "-ood. It's. Mouth."

Warm hands on his shoulders. His numb body moving to the side. A mouthful of blood spills over the side of his lips. Vaguely, he thinks he smells sunshine. And then, the terrible taste is gone. Blankness returns.

His body can't decide if it's numb or on fire. Warm wet pools in his mouth again, leaking past his lips. This time he can feel. Feel the white hot agony that shoots through his limbs like bursts of electricity. This time, his eyes allow him to open them. His vision blurs as he tries to make out the room around him, more streaks of color than anything else. He coughs, regretting the action as pain reverberates through his body.

"Z'ro?'

A blurry face makes its way into his view. Despite his difficulty seeing, he can make out the overly long nose of Usopp.

"Shit," Usopp's voice swims in and out of his ears, losing words along the way. "Ar. Awake? Chopper!"

Zoro blinks, forcing his heavy eyelids up again. Wishing he hadn't forced himself back into consciousness. The pain begins to appear now, drumming dully against his skin.

Chopper's blurry figure makes its way into view. "Zoro? Hear me?"

Yes, he wants to say. The noise that actually leaves his mouth is little more than a strangled moan.

"Chopper?" Usopp asks somewhere behind him. "What's wron. His eyes?"

"Luh." Miraculously, the first syllable of his captain's name makes it past his lips.

"Don't tr. Talk, Zoro."

"Luh."

"He sounds like. In pain."

His ears begin to work again, though he can't make out much more than Chopper shuffling around in a hurry.

"He is in pain, Usopp. Oh, I don't know what to do."

"Luh."

"I don't want to put him back under. What if he doesn't wake back up?"

"Luh."

"Zoro, I know it hurts. Just try to lay still and don't talk."

"Luh."

"He's trying to say something, Chopper."

"I know and he shouldn't be."

"Luh."

Luffy. Luffy. Just let me see Luffy. Show me he's okay. Please. I need to know that he's okay.

Things happened different. Things were different and Zoro has to know that his captain is okay.

"Luh."

"Zoro, please, stop-"

"Luffy," Usopp interrupts. "He wants Luffy, Chopper."

He does. He wants Luffy. Please. Please.

"Let him in," Chopper says. "But, tell him he can't be loud. Or touch Zoro, I don't-"

Darkness and pain erupt through Zoro. His vision and hearing are stolen from him once again.

It can't be long before his vision clears because Chopper leans over him when he comes back. There are tears shining in the doctor's eyes. His mouth moves, but Zoro barely catches a few snatches the first few times the doctor talks.

"Zoro?" Chopper tries again. "You. Seizure. Ca. Hear m?"

He pulls in a deep breath, regretting it instantly as more pain spills over him. Another moan leaves him.

"Chopper?" a small voice asks from beyond his vision. "What-?"

"He had another seizure. Luffy, why don't-"

"Luh."

Again, he only manages the first syllable of Luffy's name. But it's enough. Even as Zoro's vision moves in and out of focus, Luffy appears, hand tentatively taking Zoro's.

"'M here, Zoro," Luffy whispers. "You're okay."

Everything is okay. Luffy is save. Even though things changed, everyone made it out of Thriller Bark okay. Now, Zoro can sleep. Three days of sleep. Then, up and ready for. For something.

The name of the island escapes him. What happens on the island won't come either. All Zoro knows is that his captain is alright. And everything fucking hurts.

"When Zoro's really awake," Luffy mutters soothingly. "We're gonna talk."

Zoro lets out a grunt of agreement, mind not fully understanding the words as unconsciousness creeps in again.

"Cause Vivi's wearing my ribbon in her hair. N' Bear Guy didn't knock me out very good. I'm tired of waiting for Zoro to ask for help. So, when Zoro's better, we're gonna talk."

Pain flares through Zoro's entire being and Luffy's words flee his brain before he can even store them in his memories.

Sleep.

It's time to sleep now.

Three days. Then, he'll figure the rest out.

The stench of cigarette smoke assaults his nose. A hand underneath his head. The rumbling of a voice he can't make out. Something warm but nice pooling into his mouth. He swallows on instinct, allowing the soothing liquid to move down his throat.

"He swallowed on his own," a squeaky voice says.

"Hai. I take it that's a good thing."

"It's a really good thing."

More warm wet in against his tongue. He swallows again. The voices continue to chatter in the darkness, one of them praising him every time he swallows. Eventually, the warmth stops. Then, the smell of tobacco fades.

Zoro's mind wanders back to nothingness.

The moon sits high in the sky, breeze wafting across the beach. The fire burns low. Snores ring out around him, the rest of the crew sleeping soundly. Zoro watches the waves crash over each other, enjoying the warmth of his nakama around him. After two years, the very sense of them around him makes everything better. Everything easier.

Luffy shifts from his spot, leaning against Zoro's shoulder. Sleepy brown eyes watch him. Luffy hasn't slept, not yet. Holding out for something, despite the quiet calm around them.

"Zoro?" Luffy finally says.

Zoro hums.

"Promise me you'll never die."

Zoro freezes, furrowing his brow as he looks down at his tired captain. Luffy has never asked Zoro for such an impossible promise before. Not all that surprising. Not after what happened with Ace. It still strikes into Zoro's chest. He hadn't been there to help. To protect Luffy when he desperately needed it. He knows that years from now, it will be the same. That the pain of failing his captain will never truly leave him.

He wants to promise. Wants to tame the fear that's been haunting Luffy for years.

But, it's an impossible promise. And Zoro has never been in the business of making promises he doesn't intend to keep.

"You know I can't," Zoro whispers. "With our dreams - my dream - it's an impossible promise, Luffy."

His captain whines slightly, falling into him a little more. Zoro rests his cheek on top of Luffy's head. Again, it hits him hard. Luffy needs something to hold onto. Something to bring him comfort. Because now that he's back with his nakama, the fear of losing them again must be overwhelming. It is for Zoro.

Tugging Luffy a little closer, Zoro plants a kiss to Luffy temple. "I promise," Zoro says, desperate to give Luffy something. Anything. "To never go where you can't follow me."

Luffy nuzzles against him, letting out a slow breath. Not perfect, but enough. "I promise too." Luffy's warm arm settles around Zoro's waist, inside the open hem of his kimono. "To never go where Zoro can't follow."

"Zoro. Live."

Violin music drifts into Zoro's ears. Soft and calming. It sounds like home. A cold breeze moves across his forehead, almost as though someone is trying to brush his hair back.

"Zoro," someone whispers. "Live."

There's a weight on the mattress beside him and something warm on his hand, squeezing lightly. Soft breathing tells him someone is sleeping at his side. Something scratches against the bandages on his chest. Zoro forces his heavy eyelids to work. Light blinds him. It takes too many blinks to count for Zoro to finally see.

A yellow straw hat with a red ribbon takes up most of his view. Resting on his chest. Eyes flickering to the side, Zoro finds a mop of black hair and a tan hand wrapped in his.

"Zoro. Live."

Zoro sleeps.

An empty infirmary greets Zoro when he opens his eyes. Luffy's hat sits on his chest, a sure sign that his captain must be near. Luffy would never just leave Hat behind. But the Sunny's decks feel empty, quiet.

Every inch of his body is stiff with bandages, wrapped too thickly for his liking. But, that's what happens when Zoro isn't awake to fight the doctor off. He stretches his arms out but regrets it immediately as the movement squeezes his chest. Black stars erupt around his eyes as red hot fire spreads through his chest and arms. Zoro gasps, trying to suck in a breath.

It lasts a minute, though it feels like a lifetime. Eventually, it fades to a dull throbbing. Zoro curses softly, turning his head to search for one of his nakama again.

Why is it empty? Why is it quiet? Where is everyone?

"Oi?" His attempt at a call comes out as a hoarse whisper. "Shit."

Swallowing hard, Zoro closes his eyes and grits his teeth. Then he forces out hard breaths, stealing himself against the pain he knows is coming. Getting himself off of the bed doesn't go as planned. Zoro fully intends to sit up and stand, but somehow he ends up rolling straight onto the infirmary floor.

He wheezes out a moan, body twitching violently as though that can help expel the pain. Still, no footsteps. No one heard him fall.

Why is he alone?

Each move requires a break. Get his arms underneath him.

Wait. Breathe.

Force his legs to bend so that he's resting on his knees and forearms.

Wait. Breathe.

Raise himself into a sitting position.

Wait. Breathe.

Grip onto the mattress.

Wait. Breathe.

Pull himself to sit on the edge of the bed.

Wait. Breathe.

He takes a moment, sitting on the edge of the bed, to look around him properly. Chopper has everything organized as usual, medicines sitting in line on his desk. The smell of disinfectant stings his nose. Beside Chopper's desk lean his katana, all three sitting patiently. Red hangs from around Wadou's hilt, the ribbon still knotted tightly.

Breathe.

Zoro ties Luffy's hat around his neck and forces his legs underneath him.

Wait. Breathe.

His first step sends him stumbling and he catches Chopper's desk, using his arms to keep him on his feet.

Wait. Breathe.

He straightens again and slips his katana into their rightful place. There's something wrong. Something is off on Sunny's decks. Zoro uses the desk to push himself to the wall.

Wait. Breathe.

His arms ache as he presses them into the wall, leaning against it to keep all of his weight from his screaming legs. His hand closes around the door handle.

Wait. Breathe.

He pulls the door open, leaning against the doorframe as he looks out at Sunny's deck. And freezes. His heart skids to a painful halt, legs buckling beneath him and forcing him to cling to the doorframe, stay pieces of wood cutting into his fingertips.

Bubbles float around the deck.

In the distance, screams ring out. Black smoke dances in thick clouds.

One of the bubbles in front of him pops.

Sabaody.

"No." The word leaves Zoro as he pushes himself forward. His chest heaves. Panic attacking from all sides.

The bubbles around him begin to pop one by one. Taunting him.

"No."

The presence hits him hard as Kuma appears, standing before the mast, watching him. Eyes calm and impassive. In the distance, another explosion rings out. Zoro's legs turn numb and he drops to the grass, staring up at the man. It's all too familiar. Looking up at Kuma, surrounded by terror and full of pain, hoping against hoping that his crew is okay. That he hasn't failed them all.

"Tell me, Roronoa Zoro." Kuma says, pulling off one of his gloves as he steps toward Zoro. "If you could visit one person on vacation, who would it be?"

Zoro's breath hitches in a gasp, panic shaking his body. "Sabo," he chokes out, unable to even feel ashamed of the panicked tears filling his eyes. "Please. Sabo."

So, there it is. Luffy and Zoro promised to never go where the other can't follow. Zoro gets to wake up on Sabaody to a less than empty ship and ask, for one more time, for help to save his nakama. The real question is, will Kuma let him? In chapter twenty-two, Luffy questions love, the crew meet a mermaid for the first (second) time, and Vivi begins to understand why it always has to end in a fight. See you all there! Remember to stay health, stay sane, and stay safe out there!