Chapter 18

"Alright Sanji, we have to save Adella at all costs. When we find her, we gotta keep those pirates away from her! Got it!" asked Zolo loudly.

"…Right!" shouted Sanji through the roar of rain. They ran through the abandoned town looking for Adella. Sanji ran past the steps to the town square, then backed up. "Wait a minute…"

"Sanji, why are you stopping!" Zolo ran back to him.

"The town square, we found it!" They both ran up the steps to the square.

"Boss! It's Roronoa Zolo and some blonde guy!" shouted a pirate.

Kashi turned around. "Well Roronoa Zolo and friend, you managed to find us." He held up Adella by her shirt collar. She was unconscious. "Is this what you're here for?" He smirked. "Then come and get her." His men stepped in front of him.

"Damn, more fighting!" shouted Sanji. He threw a kick at two men. "Let's take them out quick. We don't have much time!"

Zolo sliced five men. "These guys are push overs!" Two men grabbed him and one punched him from behind. "RGH?" He whipped around and swung at them all. "Sanji, I can take these guys! Get Kashi!"

Sanji nodded and leaped over the men in his way. Lightning cracked through the sky and thunder shook the earth. "GYAHH!" He swung a kick at Kashi's head, but he moved.

"Hmm, you seem pretty good…" Kashi pulled out a dagger. "But Miss Uzaki dies now!" Adella's eye shot open and she bit Kashi in the arm. "AHH! Damned brat!" He jammed the knife into her chest.

"AHHHIIE!" Adella covered the wound. Thankfully, he had missed her heart. She fell to her knees and winced. How can I possibly let this happen? Sanji and Zolo will get hurt all because of me! She opened her eyes and let the rain wash the blood off her. I won't let anyone suffer any longer! She got to her feet precariously. "Kashi! You won't hurt anyone anymore! YAHH!"

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Zolo drove his sword right through Kashi. He was beaten badly, as was Adella and Sanji. He smirked and licked the blood off his lips. "K-Kashi, you're finished…All of the pain and suffering that you've caused Adella is finally over!" He pulled his swords out and let the man fall to the ground.

"Zolo, Adella's not gonna make it! We have to get her back to the ship!" Sanji picked up Adella. "Let's go!" They ran with all of the strength that they had left. They had to get Adella to the ship and under Chopper's care. They had to! Sanji looked down at Adella. I promised that I would being you back unharmed, saving your life is my new promise. I will get you to Chopper!

Zolo raised one brow as he watched Sanji. Why is he staring at Adella like that? That perv, I should have carried her. Sanji's probably thinking dirty things now that he's holding a wet girl in his arms! Adella should never be with someone like him…

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"How is she?" asked Zolo impatiently. "How is she dammit!"

"Zolo, calm down!" exclaimed Vivi.

"Yeah, Chopper hasn't come out yet!" added Usopp. He turned to Sanji who stood calmly in the corner, smoking. "And you have nothing to say?"

Sanji removed the cigarette. "…She'll make it, okay?"

Luffy just sat still in extreme concentration. "I…I think that everything will be fine…but something…might not be okay in the end…"

"That kind of made no sense," whispered Usopp. Nami came out of the room with many blood stained towels. Usopp looked at them. "Oh no!" He flushed pale and fainted.

"Usopp?" Vivi bent down to his level. "Are you alright?"

Zolo grabbed Nami by the shoulders. "Is she okay? Can I see her!"

"Just wait for Chopper to come out!" Nami wriggled out of his grasp and continued along her way.

"But I have to see her!" He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.

Sanji studied Zolo's reaction. Of course he wants to see her. They're lovers. He looked away to stop the tears.

Chopper came out of the room very weary. "I-"

Zolo grabbed Chopper. "Is she alive! Can I see her?"

Chopper blinked at Zolo's sudden outburst. "Of course…" He looked down at Usopp and frowned at Vivi's attempt to wake him up. "This is a very busy day for me…" Zolo dropped Chopper and ran into the room. "Ow. He sure is eager to see her." He rubbed his head. "Oh wait! Zolo!" He ran back into the room. Zolo was there sitting by Adella's bedside. She was still asleep. "Zolo, I have to tell you something about--" He noticed that Zolo was holding her hand. "--Adella…"

"What is it?" Zolo asked without taking his eyes off of her.

"During her kidnapping, she must have been chocked. Her hyoid bone was almost crushed." Zolo turned to him. "Adella won't be able to speak or play her flute."

"What! For how long!"

"Days, weeks, months, years, I don't know. It all depends on her body and how it can recover. I just thought that you should know." He left the room.

Zolo looked back at Adella. "She won't be able to…speak?" There was a knock on the door. "Come in."

Sanji walked in. The first thing he saw was Zolo holding Adella's hand. He cleared his throat. "So, has she woken up yet?"

"No."

"Chopper told us about her condition…"

"…Sanji?"

"What?"

He got up and headed for the door. "Adella deserves someone better…" He left.

"What?" Sanji didn't quite hear the muttered statement. He decided to sit in the chair next to Adella's bedside. He put his hands in his pocket. "I hope…" He pulled something out. It was Adella's pendant! "…Oh…" He looked down at Adella. Her eyes slowly opened. "Adella?" Her eyes fully opened at the sound of Sanji's voice. She looked at him and sat up. She winced at the pain that she was still in. She opened her mouth happily, but no words came out. She frowned and tried again. "Adella, um…" She looked at him. "Chopper said that…you won't be able to speak or play your flute for a while." Her eyes became wide as she put a hand to her throat. She then buried her face in her hands. He held up her pendant. "Here. I found this." She looked at it and smiled. She took it and put it on. She hugged him. "Aah, okay Adella, you're welcome." He pulled her off. She just smiled at him and put her hand on his. He looked at their hands, then to her. He pulled his hand away. "Sorry, but I have to go do…something." You're with Zolo. Stealing you from him would be wrong. He walked out.

She sat there, a little stunned. She looked down at her hand and brought it up to her chest. She then put her other hand on top if it. She closed her eyes and tried to force back tears.