After recovering from the shock, it didn't take Crocus long to disinfect and bandage the wounds on Luffy's leg and arm. And as a treat for his cooperation, despite how little his cooperation might've been, Crocus let Luffy hold a recovering fox kit.

"What happened to her?" Luffy asked, snuggling the baby closely to his chest.

"Nature's cruel," Crocus answered, "sometimes there's just no reason why something gets sick." Crocus cleared his throat, "but he is doing much better. He'll be back with his family in a few days."

"He looks like someone I know," Luffy realized, pecking a kiss on the top of the kit's head. "He's soooo cute. I could die…"

"Don't make him sick or anything," Zoro grumbled.

Luffy turned, flashing Zoro a wide smile, "Do you want to pet him too, Zor-o?"

"No." Zoro sighed, "I don't."

"Kinda sounds like you do." Luffy argued.

"Well, I don't…"

"I think you do. Don't feel silly," Luffy continued, undeterred, "here! Snuggle him."

" . . ." Franky whispered, closing his eyes in concern, "I will be killed too."

"They're fine," Crocus said, helping Luffy hand off the kit to Zoro, "Relax, Mr. Cutty."

Franky opened one eye, just in case, "You know her, Doc. She'd do it."

"This may be the last chance we ever get to stand here like this," Crocus murmured. "This may be the last time we can enjoy nature and its bounty…" Crocus smiled as Zoro took the kit. "So we should relax and enjoy ourselves."

Crocus would've let them stay forever, but Franky had other plans. "Come on, we've wasted enough light," Franky chastised. "We have the hard jobs."

"Kangaroo boxing?" Luffy asked, jumping on the golf cart beside Franky.

"A kangaroo would rip your guts out of your stomach in less than twenty seconds. No kangaroo boxing, brother," Franky said, his eyes wide and serious.

Zoro climbed on the back seat of the golf cart and Franky started it up. They drove for a minute or two before they came up to a group of people. The people were obviously employees, some still wearing their uniforms. "What took you so long, Franky?"

"Robin radioed ahead about our visitors, right?" Franky questioned, parking. "Well, we had to visit Doc first."

"Hey," Luffy spoke up, giving a wave, "I'm Luffy."

"This is about half the crew," Franky explained, introducing the others one by one, "the other half is with Robin."

"Is this everyone?" Zoro asked.

"Well, there are four kiddos, but they're too little to be of much help at feeding time." Franky clarified. "And they certainly won't be on this side for a long, long while."

"What's on this side?" Zoro asked, a strange feeling creeping into his stomach.

"Ah, well," Franky paused a moment, "Our super predators."

"The carnivores," one of the keepers said, nodding. "Not all meat eaters are predators, actually. And-"

"And that's enough talk!" Franky said loudly, a tight smile on his face. "Let's get this over with." He turned to Luffy and Zoro, a strange look in his eye, "You don't need to do anything yet. Let me handle this part."

"What part?" Zoro asked.

Franky opened up the, no longer padlocked, storage shed and each keeper grabbed their weapon of choice. Franky wrapped rope around his shoulder and grabbed a cattle prod, resting it between his thighs as he pushed his hair out of his face. "Everyone ready?"

"Ready for what?" Zoro demanded, growing agitated.

"Ready." The keepers murmured in unison.

And then Franky punched some numbers into the lock on the large gate behind him. The gate beeped loudly as Franky swung it open. One glance inside the holding area and Zoro had drawn his sword.

There were countless people inside, their eyes wide and their mouths hanging open. They were absolutely drenched with blood and Zoro realized they had been eating something. "What the fuck?!"

Franky, alone, stepped into the holding area. The zookeepers stood in a line, their weapons held in front of them. They herded the zombies back without killing any of them. Franky grabbed the nearest zombie, slamming him down on the ground, he tied his hands behind his back, using his cattle prod to keep the approaching zombies back. He caught another. And then another. Franky stood, dragging the squirming, screeching zombies out one by one. A keeper slammed the gate behind him and it beeped, locking loudly.

"You're not actually going to use it, are you?" Zoro asked, watching Franky hoist the first zombie onto his golf cart.

"They're not human," Franky replied, "but if they were, they'd want to be useful."

"That's so wrong!" Zoro shouted, looking from person to person in absolute shock. "What if you infect the animals?"

"Look, we thought the same as you," Franky admitted, "but then shit happened."

"What the hell could happen to think it's okay to give animals human meat?!" Zoro snapped.

Franky sighed, "Those things broke into the tiger enclosure. Poor Ananda was getting her ass kicked. She's just a little thing. Her keeper ran in to save her. He was bitten. Ananda started mauling those things. Her keeper ended up jumping, we knew at that point what happens when you get bit. We couldn't seal the tiger enclosure, so they just kept coming in…"

Zoro nodded slowly, somehow hearing the story made him more sympathetic to the decision they'd made.

Franky continued, "Ananda was really hurt. Those things can't turn animals, but if there aren't humans to eat, animals do well enough I guess. One of the other veterinarians and four keepers went in, all got turned but they managed to get Ananda out."

"Where's Ananda now?" Luffy asked.

"She's with Sarai and Sampson," one of the keepers answered, adding quickly, "the cheetah enclosure."

"She ate infected flesh for a week before we managed to get her out," Franky continued, "And the vultures too. And I haven't seen any infected fucking birds attacking people."

"It's true," Luffy said, speaking at last. "Only humans are susceptible."

"You'll have to excuse us," Zoro said, wrapping his arm around Luffy's shoulder, "we need to have a little chat."

"What's going on?" Luffy asked, looking at Zoro as he led him away.

Zoro only smiled until they were out of sight of the others. And then Zoro's face fell; his eyes dark and dangerous. "Alright, out with it."

"Out with what?"

Zoro grabbed Luffy, trying his best not to shake the fuck out of him, "What the hell do you know? Jesus Christ! We're a fucking team! You said so yourself! So be a team! Tell me what the hell you know about all of this shit! Now!"

Luffy watched the anger fluctuate across Zoro's face. He was silent for a few seconds before responding, "I'll tell you everything. But not now."

"Then when?" Zoro whispered, a strange twist in his gut. He knew that Luffy had information, but Luffy admitting it, even half-way, was something else entirely.

"Soon." Luffy promised, scratching his head. "I'll tell you everything you want to know soon."

"I knew you knew something!" Zoro barked, releasing his hold on Luffy.

"And I knew you knew I knew something," Luffy added.

"Don't hurt yourself thinking too hard," Zoro said, shaking his head.

"Zoro," Luffy began uncertainly, "No matter what happens, I want you to know that-"

"Whoa." Zoro said firmly, "I thought you said we'd talk later?"

Luffy nodded, a troubled expression on his face, "Yeah. We will. Soon."

It took several hours, well into the night, to finish the daily duties.

They ate fresh food; nearly bad veggies and fruit, as they sat under a large, covered pavilion. Everyone was quiet, withdrawn, until Robin asked, "Are you organ donors?"

Luffy laughed easily, shaking his head, "Please, I beg of you, do not donate my body to science."

"Eh," Zoro mumbled, poking his fork through his lettuce salad, "if I'm dead I don't care."

"But does it mean death?" Nami asked suddenly. "I think we've just assumed there's no coming back from it, that there's no cure. But we don't know…"

"I won't pretend to be an expert," Crocus said, dropping a piece of overripe mango back on his plate, "but I've examined two of those things. And they are not living humans."

"What?" Nami made a face before looking at Usopp. "What do you mean?"

"To properly explain," Crocus began, leaning forward on the bench, "I will start with what Franky has told me."

"Okay," Usopp nodded, listening intently.

"Franky was at work at a garage downtown when the event began," Crocus continued, "Franky tell them what you saw."

Franky sighed heavily, "I told them most of it already," Franky breathed into his hands before saying, "There was some noise outside the shop. Helicopter, by the sound of the engine I'd say a Boeing Chinook," Franky explained, "Marcos and Xavier went out to check, they started screaming, Marcos came in rubbing his face. There was something in his eyes I guess. And then he stopped screaming and just fucking started tearing into Peter. Peter started twitching and then he got Mikey…"

"Tell them about the man," Robin said, looking from person to person.

"There was a guy," Franky said, gesturing to his face, "Wearing a gas mask and dressed in black. He was smaller than me, skinny but tall, I guess. He wasn't military, at least not officially…" Franky paused, "it's so crazy. It's like a movie…"

"But if it's airborne why does a bite infect people?" Usopp questioned aloud.

Crocus shrugged, "Whatever poison infected those first men was somehow then transmitted by bodily fluids. It passed from person to person, fast. And it created this mess we're in now."

"The man in black," Zoro questioned, looking anywhere but at Luffy, "what did he do?"

"He was carrying a briefcase," Franky answered, "just a regular, black briefcase." Franky cleared his throat, "He just set it down in the shop. He looked right at me and said 'sorry'. He said fucking sorry… It was… I mean, can you imagine? He fucking tells me sorry?!"

"What the fuck?" Zoro grunted.

"And then what?" Usopp asked, not even noticing that Nami was leaning against his shoulder.

"He took off his gas mask and fucking handed it to me," Franky said, "And he told me, 'Run or die'."

Zoro's head snapped up, but Luffy had moved. He wasn't sitting with the others, instead he had wandered over to the koi pond with the children. He shredded lettuce over the railing, letting it fall in the water below. Luffy must've felt Zoro's gaze, because he turned, catching his eye. "Did he say anything else?" Zoro called out, his eyes still locked on Luffy's.

Franky shook his head, "No. He got back in the helicopter and I fucking ran."

It was difficult to fall asleep. The blankets were too hot and the floor was too hard. The zookeepers were kind and welcoming, but it was still awkward to try and sleep beside so many strangers. They slept in shifts at the zoo, and except for a short time at dinnertime, someone was always guarding the entrance.

And on top of it all was the millions of thoughts racing through Zoro's mind. He must've burned a hole in the back of Luffy's head for all he stared at him. Luffy didn't mind, he slept like a kid; deep and quickly.

"Zoro," Usopp whispered, shaking Zoro awake.

"What is it?" Zoro asked, blinking the sleep from his eye.

"He's gone." Usopp blurted out, sitting back as Zoro sat up.

"What? Who?" But Zoro already knew.

"We already searched the zoo," Usopp explained, "Luffy's not here."

Zoro looked over at the empty sleeping pallet beside him. It was a strange feeling, knowing he was suddenly left behind. He climbed to his feet and grabbed his pack, slinging it over his shoulder.

"Where you going?" Usopp asked, following behind.

"I'm just…" but Zoro didn't know how to answer. He didn't even know what he was intending to do.

"They're serving lunch already," Nami said, walking up, "in the pavilion."

"Let's go get some lunch," Usopp suggested.

Zoro cleared his throat, "What time is it? How long did ya'll plan on letting me sleep?"

"Uh, it's noon," Usopp replied, looking toward Nami for some support, "and we didn't see a reason to wake you up. Ain't much going on…"

"You should've woken me up," Zoro barked, turning his back on Usopp and Nami. "I kinda need to know if Luffy has disappeared."

"Did he tell you he was leaving?" Nami asked, folding her arms over her chest.

"No, he fucking didn't." Zoro snapped.

"Well, then," Nami said simply, shrugging her slender shoulder, "he must intend on coming back."

Zoro considered what she was saying. He shrugged, making a disgruntled face. "It's the end of the world. What does it matter?"

Luffy was back before dinnertime, driving a semi. He honked the air horn loudly three times, jumping from the cab when Robin and Franky came into view. "I woulda been back sooner," Luffy called out, waving in greeting. Zoro turned the corner and his smile perceptibly widened, "but I'm not a very good driver…"

"Where the hell have you been?" Zoro demanded, slipping between Franky and the open gate.

Luffy smiled at Zoro, "Did ya miss me?"

"Just wondered where you went." Zoro replied, walking around the back of the trailer and lifting the door. He was only shocked for a second, "Holy shit. You actually did it."

"Robin, you're going to be super surprised, babe," Franky announced, slapping Luffy on the back appreciatively. "This guy brought back a small jungle."

"You went out alone to… to do this?" Robin asked, staring in awe at all the vegetation Luffy had packed into the trailer.

"For the vegetarian animals," Luffy said, beaming with pride.

"Tell Caitlin to make the pizzas," Robin said, turning to Franky with a huge smile, "We're celebrating tonight."

"I brought you a present," Luffy murmured to Zoro. "But you'll probably have to share…"

"You should've taken me with you." Zoro scolded. Luffy ignored him, climbing in the cab of the truck. He grabbed a keg, lowering it awkwardly to Zoro. Zoro took it, knocking on the side appreciatively. But when Luffy climbed down, Zoro grabbed him by the shoulders. "Next time, you take me with you."

"Okay," Luffy agreed, nodding slowly, "Next time I will."

"I literally only own the clothes on my back," Zoro admitted quietly, "If I go to sleep with you beside me, I expect you to be there when I wake up… That makes sense, right?"

Luffy's face changed slowly, softening. He nodded, "It makes sense. I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry, just… just don't be a dumbass. We're a team," Zoro grumbled, rolling his shoulders back until they popped, "we stick together."

"Aw," Luffy murmured, "You did miss me."

"I didn't." Zoro snapped. "I slept until noon and worked out in near god-damned silence… It was bliss."

"By the way," Luffy said, walking back around to the open trailer, "We're leaving tomorrow."

Zoro's mouth dropped open. He finally managed to say, "Really?"

"Yeah," Luffy nodded, grabbing a plant to carry.

"Already, huh?" Zoro murmured, grabbing a heavy potted fruit-bearing tree.

"Franky's story," Luffy explained, shaking his head. "It doesn't sit well with me."

"Why's that?" Zoro pressed curiously, following Luffy back inside the zoo.

"Someone had the fucking balls to hand deliver a bio-warfare attack," Luffy whispered, slowing down until he was side by side with Zoro. "They gave Franky their mask, even though there was clearly still danger, and then they just took off…"

"Someone you know?" Zoro teased.

But Luffy's expression was not playful. He shook his head, his eyes closed tight, "Wish I knew…"

"What do you mean?"

Luffy licked his lips, "Zoro, I…" he paused, "I have a lot to tell you."

"Now or later?" Zoro said, a little more sharply than he intended.

"Later," Luffy answered, "but soon."

"It's gonna be hard to explain why we're leaving," Zoro realized, leaving the tree with one of the keepers.

"Nah," Luffy shook his head. "They'll understand. Besides, we'll be back."

"We will?" Zoro was surprised.

"Yeah," Luffy confirmed with a grin, "They have a baby monkey."

"Well, I guess, I just figured we wouldn't come back. If we keep heading East we can hit the ocean and live out our days as beach bums…" Zoro mused.

Luffy snickered, "But I can't swim."

"You can't swim?!" Zoro was outraged, "we'll just have to teach you then!"

"Before I go," Luffy murmured, "I'd like to leave the world a little better off." Luffy grinned, "And I'm betting it all on this zoo."

"I'm not sure the apocalypse is really the time to set lofty goals." Zoro reasoned.

Luffy shrugged, "I don't know. Right now, right here, it doesn't look so bad."