The sun was high in the sky and the cool breeze that rolled by was almost addicting. This place was so peaceful, at least in temperature. Otherwise not so much. Sanji hasn't seen so much as a single animal since landing. It wasn't long after his first horrific discovery that he began wondering.

He began snooping around, seeing more evidence of cruelty and more of those strange shards. This uneasiness was getting harder for him to ignore. He wondered if the culprit was still around. Curious he produced a mini transponder snail and made a call.

"Oi Mosshead." He waited a few minutes with no answer so he tried him again. "Oi Zoro, can you hear me?" Nothing but static returned.

Sanji wondered what he could be up to. Knowing him he'd either gotten lost walking in circles or passed out somewhere. It wouldn't be the first time. He sighed, figuring he'd start walking back towards the ship.

Ring ring ring

A mini transponder snail purred lightly in-between the soft fabric of Zoro's jacket. This had been the third time it's gone off but he hadn't the slightest idea the cook had been trying to get a hold of him for the better part of 2o minutes.

Slowly the vibration in his pocket made Zoro stir from his unanticipated slumber. His eye fluttered open and was met with the bright light as it blared into his weakened sight.

The combination of alcohol and being drugged didn't settle too well with his body, leaving him disoriented. With more comprehension he regained the harder his head pounded.

He quickly realized he wasn't on the ship although it felt like he was swaying. It took him a moment to remember. He was attacked and out in the middle of nowhere. His mind drifted back trying desperately to remember what the hell had happened. 'Those kids'

He panted differently from before; more ragged, angry. A more familiar feeling settled in, nausea and the next thing to hit him was an immense pain. He bit his lip in attempts at stifling but it didn't help. His body urged him to pass back out but he refused to succumb.

It was like his brain was about to explode inside his skull. He took in a few easy breaths just taking it all in. He didn't even attempt to stand. Whether he wanted to or not he had to find out how bad it was. He glanced down at his body.

The sight was sickening; he was slick with thick dark blood. And the object holding in place seemed oddly vibrant against the over-bearing red that clung to everything it touched. Running down in streams and pooling around his body.

There were three of those bleached spikes holding him down. One in his left shoulder another in his right leg and the last found a home in his stomach. Little by little he started to remember fragments of his assailants and what happened. Still he didn't know how he survived this. Probably because the wounds were sealed but why did they leave him alive anyway?

He reached his arm up and gripped the rod protruding from his thigh. Blood seeped through coating the base of the pole and his hand. He tugged it a little, measuring how much resistance it held. It was into the ground and going nowhere.

It'd take an incredible amount of effort to get out by himself. Although he knew he wouldn't get far before he bled out. He sighed deeply taking in just how pathetic he actually looked. A decrepit smile spread across his face as lent back to look up to the sky.

"Well fuck.." He cursed under his breath. The transponder snail continued to purr in his jacket pocket.

He had a pretty good idea who would be on the other end of the line. He contemplated whether he should answer or not. Given his current situation it would either be very wise or utterly foolhardy. Somehow he was able to fish the device out of his pocket but it seemed like an impossible task just holding it up to speak.

Click

"Yea," Zoro answered suddenly. It was quiet for a second until the man on the other line realized someone picked up after all.

"Oi Marimo? Can you hear me moss for brains?" Zoro gave him no response, only cracked a sly smile.

'Of course the cook would be the one to try and reach me.'

"Hey don't ignore me, you probably wondered off again huh? I mean your internal compass is all fucked up but honestly. Maybe Chopper can make something for that.." The cook trailed off rambling to himself. He was always such a weirdo.

This time he didn't mind it, it was a welcomed distraction from this pain.

"So anyway you got lost again right?" Sanji asked suddenly and Zoro was having a hard time paying attention. What should he tell him? That he'd become a human pin cushion? How about the fact he was bested by children or that he could let something like this happen in the first place?

"You could say that..." The air seemed to thicken with each word he spoke he was finding it harder and harder to breathe. He didn't want to admit it but the taste of rust in his mouth was growing stronger. Vibrant red seeped from the corners of his mouth running down his neck and Sanji continued speaking.

"Why am I not surprised, I'm actually headed back to the Sunny. Everyone else is already there and ready to go. Do you think you can make it back or do I have to go scouting for you?" Sanji made the snide remark hoping to antagonize the other man. Knowing full well he'd have to go looking for him anyway.

It fell silent for an uncomfortable amount of time. It was very unusual for the two to share silence. After all the air should have been filled with sharp retorts and bickering. But it wasn't.

"Hey Marimo, are you still there?" Sanji could tell something was wrong. Zoro chuckled lightly before he answered.

"Heh I'm not... going anywhere.." He huffed between breaths into the transponder snail. Then he felt it. He leaned over as much as poles would allow him, feeling the need to vomit. He heaved, blood coaxed down his chin. On the other end the ordeal sounded just the same and it was spine chilling to listen to.

Sanji on the other end stiffend. He knew exactly what it sounded like. This can't be good. It was like a switch and his instincts took over.

"Zoro what do your surroundings look like?! Is there anything distinctive?" Sanji suddenly barked through the transponder snail. But there was no use. Sanji could tell on the other end that Zoro's breathing was becoming even more ragged.

"This isn't good.." Sanji whispered under his breath to no one.

With his one good eye cracked open to scan the area. Even with the blissful sun shining down he felt cold and almost weighted down but he forced himself to speak. "I'm facing the ocean... There are a couple trees around and... a bunch of rocks." His vision blurred around the corners. He knew what would happen next.

"Get Chopper... I think I'm going into shock.." With those last couple words the transponder slipped from his grip and hit the hard ground shuttering off.

Click

"Zoro!" There was no answer. Sanji's eyes widened as if he'd seen a ghost. Without hesitation he ran as fast as possible to the ship. Luckily the island wasn't really big so finding him wouldn't be too hard. But first things first they needed the ship's doctor.

"Chopper!" He let out as he skywalked into the air. The ships sails were visible from beyond the cluster of trees.

It didn't take long for him to get back and would take even longer to explain the situation considering he didn't have much to go on other than trouble, hurt by the ocean. It wasn't much to go off of. Which wasn't anything out of the ordinary but they never got used to it.

As soon as he mentioned Zoro, they knew he'd gotten into something, Chopper was already ready and they were in transit.

...

"He's gonna be mad when he gets here." Zoro smiled as he watched the den den mushi shutter off. It rested next to his leg in a pool of blood.

Zoro allowed his head to fall back. He rested against the rock as his eyes fixated upward. There was a palm standing far above him. A nice shaded one. There was a light breeze that made the leaves rustle gently in the wind.

It reminded him of the time he learned how to cut steel. That was ages ago in that country Alabasta. He chuckled remembering just how far he'd gone since that day. He rolled his head back and forth against the hard surface. The pain was becoming more surreal. His arm ached with a burning sensation which could be considered a good thing, like the fact that he was still able to feel and that he was alive.

He placed his right hand on one of the rods poking out of his stomach. It wasn't metal or wood. It felt almost out of the ordinary. He ran his hand down the length of the pole eventually having it rest at the entrance wound.

"This is bone," He murmured, lifting his head up to examine it again. He clawed it lightly feeling the hard mineral. It certainly felt like bone. Suddenly something flashed in his memory of the teen he'd been chasing.

The image was there for a second and then it vanished. It sent a wave of confusion and worry through the swordsman wandering mind. "What the hell did he hit me with?"

He huffed in frustration, ultimately giving up, not willing to waste the extra effort in dealing with something so trivial and let his eyes close.

...

It wasn't long before the pair descended onto the sandy shore, Chopper held his grip on Sanji's shoulders as they touched the ground. Without hesitation they continued to run in the direction the smoke had come from. Past dozens of trees and brush in their path they came across the clearing that had been described.

Just like the rest of the island there were boulders every which way. The space was cut off by a dense wall. The two leaped up and over the barrier between them and their friend. What they saw was horrific, dark blood ran into the sand and splattered all over.

Time seemed to slow; the image of a body impaled to a stone encompassed his thoughts. Blood was everywhere, it wasn't like back then at Thriller Bark where everything around him dulled and red was the only color he could see. Sanji's heart sank in his chest. He was also standing then and now he couldn't move even if he wanted to.

"Oh my God." Sanji's demeanor crumbled all while panic slowly settled in its place. "Zoro?!"

It seemed like an eternity before his legs started to move.

Sanji trembled as he lifted Zoro's chin with careful fingers until he was eye level. He could still feel the light thumping in vain against the back of his knuckles. That was a good sign at least. Blood ran from his mouth down his neck. He was unconscious for the time being, light raspy breaths escaped his parted lips.

How long had he been there before they arrived? He'd called multiple times before he finally answered. Who the fuck did this? Zoro wasn't somebody who could have easily been beaten, especially after their time apart.. So how, why?! Thoughts raced back and forth in Sanji's head.

"Who could have done this..?" Chopper whispered under his breath as he swiftly unpacked his bag. Sanji glanced over at the reindeer having the words stolen out of his mouth.

Sanji sat in silence though he wouldn't reveal the vengeful rage growing within him. After all this time they'd finally come to terms. For once they could be in a room together without being at each other's throats.

Zoro's skin was sickly pale and cold to the touch. He hadn't been here for long but he wouldn't last much longer like this. His breathing sounded harsh and shallow. However Zoro's slow steady huffs reassured the cook only momentarily. His eyes scanned over his body.

He fixated on the strange objects piercing his body. The sight made him shudder. He didn't dare glance down, having noted the other one barreled in his abdomen on the way over. His stomach wasn't as strong as the others. Torn flesh and medieval methods were too much for him. He couldn't even begin to imagine what Hell he'd gone through.

"It's about time you got here.." The voice startled the two of them. Chopper glanced around in search of the culprit. Sanji wasn't very surprised he knew where it came from. After all he's had this scene replay over and over in his head. It almost felt familiar.

Sanji held a broken smile as he watched the beaten figure crack an eye open. Bloodshot and unfocused as it may be, it was still a relief.

"You didn't leave a good enough trail for us to follow."

Zoro lifted his head up out of Sanji's grip of his own accord, careful not to let it fall. He smirked before sighing deeply. The stress put on his body subsided for the moment, as long as he didn't move. But it wouldn't last for long after all he still had to get out of this mess. Next thing he coughed harshly, the exertion caused the blood to continue to keep flowing.

Sanji scrambled, throwing himself into a panic. Luckily Chopper had been working around the two checking his vitals. "We need to move him but the only thing keeping him from bleeding out are these.. Uhh.. Pole things."

The more they looked at him the worst he seemed and the more hopeless they became. His skin was cold and appeared frail to the touch, almost like porcelain. Zoro furrowed his eyebrows set on clearing his head. Something had to be done, he couldn't just sit here.

"We.. Gotta get going.." He managed through gritted teeth reaching for one of his swords to his side.

"What are you insane? You can just stand while you're attached to this rock. Just sit back and we'll get you out of this." Sanji gripped his free shoulder in order to subdue the stubborn man. To no avail.

"I know what I'm doing, now move." The other furrowed his brow in a somber manner, but ultimately stepped to the side as to abide by the others' wishes.

"Oi cook.." He said glancing up toward the blond as he gripped the hilt of his katana. Sanji returned the look, trying his best to hide his concern. "Could you... do me a favor?"

"Depends what it is?" He said jokingly but more than willing to help out any way he could.

"I need you to break this stone.. so I can cut these rods." He huffed in a serious tone, the look Sanji gave made Zoro cringe. He hated it, it was unnatural for the blond. He knew he looked pathetic, but it was when the others worried about him that made him feel helpless. He refused to be dead weight and right now this was their best option.

Sanji was speechless. I mean could he even cut behind his back like that? It seemed pretty farfetched to him but he didn't question it. He just rose from his kneeling position and shuffled over to the side, Chopper only watching until he was needed.

"Hey doctor.." The little reindeer glanced up with sorrowful eyes to the swordsman. Tears just barley brimming over. "I trust you more than anyone else I know." He said, flashing a smile that would make any heart melt.

Chopper regained his composure and nodded. "Once you get free we can transport you. Just promise me you won't over exert yourself." He said, wiping the tears away.

"Of course." He promised leaning his head back, mentally preparing himself as he lifted his sword and swiftly sliced the bone spike sticking out of his leg. It happened so fast the other two didn't even notice until the piece toppled over. "On my count.." Chopper stepped back and Sanji readied himself.

Zoro exhaled, "Now!" Sanji brought his leg down with the force of a giant hammer smashing the boulder into multiple pieces. Zoro could feel the weight lifted from behind him. He could feel himself slipping in more ways than one.

He forced himself to stand despite his leg. The peg that held it down running all the way through until he was freed. Blood gushed from his leg but he ignored it as he twirled his sword. He used a technique which seemed to bend light and slice the space behind him.

The poles broke off and fell to the ground with the rest of the rubble. Sanji and Chopper watch in awe as their swordsman displays his power. Zoro stared straight ahead toward the ocean. The sun was beginning to set and he could just barely make out the tiny ship in the background. It was those two sailing away.

His body swayed as the feeling of heaviness settled in. He took a few steps before his vision started to fade. He stumbled and all the beautiful colors of the sky blurred together as he fell forward.

Sanji appeared at his side in an instant wrapping his arm around him bracing his fall. Zoro grunted, having succumbed to his injuries. He hoisted him up and carried him away from the area towards a grassy clearing.

Chopper rushed over just as Sanji knelt down and laid Zoro down on the soft patch. His head pounded, the only thing he could hear was white noise. Although he seemed to be in a lucid state he could see the concern in the faces of his friends as they hovered over him.

Chopper pulled out an antiseptic, cleaning the hole in his thigh, before tightly bandaging it up to prevent more bleeding until he can stitch everything back together.

"Hey Marimo" Sanji noticed the way he watched the sky with dotting eyes. "Oi, Zoro you with us?"

When he started to laugh they knew something was off. He laughed so hard that it hurt.

"What's so funny?" Chopper was starting to get worried.

"They were just kids," Zoro seemed to whisper but it was just loud enough for them to hear.

"What do you mean kids?" Sanji inquired, staring into the others unfocused eyes.

"Just a couple of kids..." His words trailed off and his breath got heavier as he passed out. There wasn't much the two could do for him other than get him back to the ship, patch him up and hope for the best.

"Sanji we need to move, if we stay any longer his condition is only going to deteriorate." Chopper shifted into human form and scooped the comatose swordsman up into his arms and the two were on the move.

The cook noticed one of his swords were missing and urged Chopper to go ahead without him, that he'd catch up via sky. He nodded and disappeared through the forest with Zoro in his arms.

Sanji backtracked to the rubble that was once a boulder to see if he could find it. After minutes of searching behind every bush and tree he gave up concluding that whoever did this to Zoro probably took his sword as some sick prize. The thought of it made his blood boil. He was about to jet off when he noticed something shiny catch his eye.

It was half buried in the sand but he found what seemed like a dart. He cocked an eyebrow, pocketing the small piece of evidence and rocketing out of there. Whoever did this couldn't have gotten far.