Thank you for allowing me some time off. My Uncle died, we spent days traveling back and forth, my son turned 10, we had to evacuate a hotel during a (false) fire emergency in the wee hours of the morning. I had a very busy April and I couldn't have relaxed at all if I thought my readers were mad or waiting for me. So thank you. I appreciate the support you've all given me and this series. Please continue to enjoy.

With love,

YamatosSenpai

"What are you saying?" Zoro breathed, looking Sanji up and down.

Sanji exhaled heavily, "I killed him. I had to…"

"It's fine," Zoro murmured, "That's not what I care about."

"I know…" Sanji nodded, "But I just… I…"

"Sanji," Zoro shouted, shaking Sanji forcefully. "What the hell?! Just fucking tell me…" Sanji nodded, licking his lips. He gestured with his head and walked past the rows of lots and toward the commissary. Zoro grunted, "Come on. Tell me. Where are we walking?"

Sanji placed a purple finger to his lips in a hushing gesture. He shook his head and kept walking, slinking along in the darkness. Finally he stopped. He grabbed Zoro and pulled him against the cloth tent beside him.

"Look."

"What am I looking at?"

"Just look," Sanji repeated, placing his hand underneath Zoro's chin.

People had assembled inside the large tent. Men with guns prowled the perimeter. Men, women, and children were huddled in the center. Most were crying, others were enraged, and yet still, some had resigned to their fates.

The men with guns were off. They were covered with patches of scaly, white flesh. Their eyes were yellowed and sickly. Their hair was falling out in thick tufts. Despite appearing so ill, they seemed to be incensed. They shouted and waved their rifles around, threatening and herding the others into a circle.

"What the fuck are we doing?" Zoro snapped. "I mean, how are we stopping this?"

Sanji licked his lips, shaking his head, "Damn it. I don't know…"

Zoro sliced the fabric of the tent before moving to the next section. Sanji made a face, "What are you doing?"

"Something," Zoro replied, cutting another section of cloth.

"Yeah? What?"

"I don't know, Sanji," Zoro growled. "But I have to do something."

Sanji inhaled shakily, "Alright. Let's bring it down."

"Huh?"

"The tent- gazebo- whatever it is, if we bring it down it might disorient them enough for those people to escape…" Sanji reasoned. "I'll go around to the other side. We need to move quickly."

Zoro nodded, "Okay."

Sanji slinked around to the other side of the tent. He peered in through one of the plastic windows. He could see the center support. He pulled his pistols from his holsters and closed one eye. It was risky. He could hit someone. He could miss.

He fired two rapid shots and the tent began to collapse. Several rounds of semi-automatic gunfire pierced through the fabric tent, whizzing past Zoro and Sanji. Sanji cursed, dropping to the ground as a bullet tore through his thigh.

Stadium lights flooded the compound. The sudden brightness was blinding. Sanji slapped his wounded leg and stood, his guns held out in front of him defensively. He waited for the fabric of the tent to flutter.

It was a child. She climbed to her feet and with a shriek she began to run. A woman and another child followed, fleeing toward the gate. Sanji's fingers throbbed. He held them close to the trigger, anticipating the next person to crawl out from under the fallen tent.

"You okay?" Zoro called out, nearly parallel to him.

He lifted the edge of the tent and helped a woman to her feet. He sent her down the next alley, toward the gate. He reached down and grabbed a splotched hand. He stepped down on the person's shoulder, pinning them in place until he could secure the gun. He yanked the man to his feet, shoving him roughly, "What's wrong with you?"

The man screamed in frustration, spit flying from his mouth, "Fuck you! I'm not fucking starving to death! I'm going to live! Fuck you! I'm going to live."

A second man popped out, shoving his gun into Zoro's stomach, "Fuck you! We're going to survive!"

"Zoro!" Sanji shouted, a strange grey color settling into his cheeks. "Don't fucking die."

"I won't," Zoro replied.

The man pressed the gun more forcefully against Zoro's stomach, "I won't go down easy. I will survive! These people can't stop me. I won't let them destroy me!"

"There's nothing fucking wrong with these people!" Zoro shouted back, gripping the barrel of the man's gun. "You're the sick one! Look at yourself you piece of shit! You've lost it!"

BAM!

The man's head split into two. The back of his skull exploded backward and he fell forward. Blood spilled everywhere, splattering the man next to him and Zoro in front of him. Zoro blinked rapidly, turning to look in the direction of the gunfire.

Usopp waved from on top of the stack of shipping containers. Zoro gave him a thumbs up and turned his attention back to the people swallowed up by the material of the tent. He grabbed the first family man that stepped out and handed him both guns, "Hold these."

"I want all guns collected," Zoro instructed, helping an elderly woman to her feet.

"Thank you. You're heroes, man," a man gasped, helping the first man collect weapons.

Zoro shook his head, "We're definitely not heroes."

"What's with the lights?" Sanji shouted, walking toward Zoro.

"We need someone on that side!" Zoro called out, gesturing to the far side of the tent. "Someone go!"

Sanji stood beside Zoro and Zoro finally replied, "Don't know. But someone turned them on."

"Usopp has pretty good timing," Sanji said, forcing a tight smile.

Zoro nodded, "Yeah." He looked Sanji up and down quickly, "You look like fucking shit."

Sanji laughed, "I don't wanna hear that from you."

"You've been shot," Zoro realized. He shoved Sanji backward, "Go sit down. We've got this."

"I'm fine," Sanji insisted, slinging a rifle over his shoulder.

One of the armed men overpowered the men fighting him. He fired indiscriminately across the ground and into the air. People screamed in fear and agony. BAM! Damage was done, but Usopp was fast. And accurate.

"Go to the gate," Zoro instructed. "We've got this covered."

"No! No! No! I'm not one of them!" a man cried out.

Sanji walked over, watching them push around a large black man with a grey rash splotched across his skin. Sanji looked him up and down before turning to the others, "Did he have a gun?"

"No…"

"Was he corralling you?"

"No…"

Sanji pulled his cigarette out from behind his ear, "Then leave him the fuck alone."

"But his skin…"

Sanji lit his cigarette with difficulty, "So?"

"What if it's contagious?"

Sanji inhaled deeply before answering, "Then we're already fucked."

Usopp wasn't the only one shooting. Gunfire erupted at the gate and along the perimeter. Sanji cursed, extinguishing his cigarette and tucking it once more behind his ear. He looked back at Zoro and gestured, "I'm heading that way."

"Got it."

"Don't be late," Sanji called out. "Luffy won't let us leave without you."

Zoro chuckled but didn't say anything. He was calm on the exterior but it was overwhelming to have so many guns around. It was intimidating to have all of those affected lined up on the ground, others keeping them in place. One false move and lots more people were going to die.

There was a loud crack. One of the lights shattered, littering glass all over the ground. Shards rained from the sky before finally the entire light collapsed to the concrete. A section of the compound darkened, granting the survivors cover from the crazed gunmen.

Zoro caught the movement the next time. It was Luffy. He was on top of the shipping containers, 14 stories in the air. He moved quickly, climbing naturally. It didn't take him long to overpower the 'snipers' stationed along the top of the compound. He took down the next light, and then the next.

"So, what do we do with them?" Clay asked, approaching Zoro.

"Once they're unarmed, I don't give a shit," Zoro replied.

Clay was quiet a moment before speaking, "They're a threat."

Zoro shrugged, "Everyone's a threat. Manners don't matter in the apocalypse."

"No, they don't," Clay agreed. "Only survival."

Zoro looked at Clay for a long moment, "What do you think we should do with them?"

Clay smiled, "They made that decision when they planned on killing everyone in camp."

Zoro wanted to protest, but he couldn't. Clay nodded, taking one of the rifles from the collection stack. He turned, his eyes closed. "You don't appear to be in your right minds, gentlemen."

The crowd watching murmured in agreement.

Clay sighed heavily before continuing, "You're a danger to yourself and others."

The crowd shouted loudly in concurrence. Zoro nodded, licking his lips as he began walking toward the gate. The fight was far from over.

Five other men came to stand beside Clay. They raised their rifles and fired; over and over again until none of the crazed men were left kneeling.

Clay caught up with Zoro at the blockade. Clay cleared his throat, "You think I was wrong?"

Zoro shook his head, "No."

Clay seemed surprised. He nodded slowly, brushing his hands over his short, black hair. "Do you think it's contagious?"

Zoro closed his eyes as he walked, "Ya know, I don't care to worry about it. Ain't shit I can do about it either way…"

"Kinda funny isn't it? I thought the whole world was a dumpster fire and then this happens…" Clay said, walking along beside Zoro. "I mean, since when did we need to worry about having enough food? Or diseases? We're killing ourselves. No boogie man needed after all."

"Don't overthink it."

"You're not much for conversation, are ya?" Clay teased.

Zoro grimaced, "Honestly? No. I'd rather gouge out my eyes than talk like… like this…" Zoro looked Clay in the face, "Like right now. Stop talking to me so I can stop talking to you."

"You're still cute, even if you're shy," Clay replied.

Zoro bristled, "I'm not shy."

"You seem a bit stern," Clay said.

Zoro shook his head, "Alright. Enough!"

"You're a Scorpio, aren't you?"

Zoro hesitated, "Wait… Maybe… Why?"

Clay smiled, "No reason."

Zoro nodded, increasing his pace. He looked over at Clay, a question burning him up until he asked it, "How can you tell?"

Clay laughed, slapping Zoro on the arm softly, "I just know."

The next loud claps of gunfire knocked the smile off Clay's face. Zoro began to run through the lots, jumping over left behind valuables and trampled tents. He almost didn't clear the corpse in front of him. He landed just on the other side, their lifeless fingers crushed under his boots.

"Damn it," Zoro spat, shaking his head. "Didn't see that."

At the gate, Franky, Robin, and Nami weren't having a good time. The gate was heavily guarded. And despite Franky's best efforts, they weren't intending on letting anyone out. So they were parked out of range of the guard's rifles, thinking of a way through.

"Nami," Robin breathed, "Aim at them! At them!" She moved the barrel of the gun away from Nami's face. "Don't shoot your brains out!"

Nami snarled, "I won't! I can't even fucking use this fucking piece of shit gun!" Nami perched it on her knee. She suddenly softened her expression, "The safety was on. It's off now."

"That's wonderful, girlie," Franky barked. "Wanna use it now?"

"Just shoot?" Nami asked.

Frankie nodded, "Just fucking shoot. The gate, not the people… in case you were confused…"

"I'm not confused," Nami exhaled. She smiled, the rifle held firmly in both hands, "But I ain't a great aim. Watch out."

"Get down, Robbie," Franky whispered.

"You first…" Robin returned.

Nami pulled the trigger and screamed. The power of the rifle shook her, nearly toppling her to the ground. The bullets tore through the sheet metal and Nami smiled wide. She planted her feet and with a wild, victorious cry, she pulled the trigger again. She sprayed the gate with round after round. Franky handed her another magazine and she slid it inside, "I remember that part. Thanks, Usopp."

The guards returned fire and Nami dove behind the truck, screaming in fright. She panted heavily, her hand pressed against her chest, "Oh my God. I was almost shot."

Franky chuckled, "Yeah, but you were pretty badass up until that point."

"They can't reach us here, right?" Nami clarified.

Franky shrugged, "Well, they can if they move any closer…"

"Well shit," Nami groaned.

"We should just drive through," Robin suggested.

Franky shook his head, "Fuck no! Not in my truck."
"We'd better have this gate open by the time Luffy gets back," Robin pointed out.

"Well unless Luffy's gonna buy me a new truck as bitchin' as my current truck, then we'd better find another way through it," Franky refused.

"Give me the gun," Robin insisted. "I can kill a man." Nami looked at Robin with wide eyes. "What? I've always wanted to…"

"People are dying," Nami said. "We have to do something."

"Fine… Fine…" Franky groaned, standing up. "You two hide. If I don't total the truck, I'll come back for you…"

"Be careful, Franky," Robin pleaded, her eyes wide.

"You too."

Franky snuck around the side of the truck. He couldn't help but jump as the bullets battered the ground in front of him. He popped open his truck door, watching Nami and Robin running away in the side mirror. He'd just climbed into the driver seat when something massive shot past him. The men guarding the gate shouted, panicked and confused.

An enormous and fur-covered something smashed into the gate. The gate groaned under the strain, the fibers snapping loudly apart. The creature shrieked, ramming the gate again. The creature's horns had pierced through the metal and it shook its head violently, the entire gate ripped from its base.

"Holy shit," Franky breathed, starting his truck. He threw his truck into reverse, backing quickly down the narrow alleyway. He braked suddenly, jerking to a stop, in front of Robin and Nami. "Need a ride, ladies?"

"I'll walk," Robin replied.

Nami shook her head, immediately climbing into the back of the truck.

"I don't know how I ever got you to go out with me in the first place," Franky mused, smiling as Robin climbed into the truck.

"I won you over, not the other way around," Robin replied, buckling her seatbelt. She flashed Franky a charming smile, "I'd still be waiting if I left everything up to you."

"Guys, you're super cute and everything, but we need to help Chopper," Nami pointed out, resting the rifle on top of the truck. She closed one eye, focusing intently. "Let's go."

"Gate open," Franky murmured.

"Check," Robin replied.

Franky shifted his truck into gear. He sped down the alleyway, the truck jostling wildly. He nodded at Robin and she leaned into him, honking the horn in warning. The truck screamed toward the broken gate.

"There're barrels," Robin realized.

Franky hit them, his eyes closed, "Check."

"You okay, Nami?" Robin panicked, turning to check on Nami.

Nami nodded, "Fine."

"Goons with guns," Franky breathed, pressing even harder on the gas pedal.

Nami placed her finger on the trigger and pulled, "Chhhhhhhhheck…"

"Tony!" Robin called out. She turned in her seat to warn, "Hold on tight, Nami."

"Chopper!" Franky shouted, braking hard.

Chopper let out an inhuman grunt, blood shooting from his muzzle. Chopper panicked, the gate still lodged on his antlers. He shook his head and ran in circles, running into the walls. Nami dropped her rifle to the floor of the truck bed. She jumped out and raised her hands, "Chopper. It's okay… hold still…"

"Be careful," Robin pleaded, covering her face.

"Oh fuck," Franky exhaled.

Robin faced forward, staring out the cracked windshield at the horde of zombies in front of them. The zombies seemed dazed by the headlights. It was as if they'd been startled by the suddenness of humans in front of them. She rolled down her window, calling out in a merry voice, "Careful, Nami. We've got company…"

Nami cursed loudly, climbing back in the bed of the truck, "I can't get it off. It's too heavy and he won't stop moving…"

"We got you," Clay called out, nodding toward Zoro. "Just don't let me get bit and we're good."

"Be careful with him," Robin instructed. "He's just a child…"

Clay looked at the monstrous creature and smiled, "Of course. A sweet, little lamb."

"I think he's a reindeer," Zoro corrected unsurely.

Clay laughed nervously, "Like for Krampus or something?"

"Just get that fucking thing off of him and get your asses in here!" Nami scolded. "And where the hell is Usopp? Huh?"

"And Sanji," Robin added.

"Yeah, well, what about Luffy?!" Franky rumbled.

"They'll be here in a minute," Zoro replied.

"What are you doing about the zombies, ladies?" Franky asked. "I've got one arm, I can't multitask. If I'm driving, I'm only driving…"

"They're not moving," Robin said.

"Yet," Nami breathed.

"Why's that, you think?" Franky wondered.

A group of survivors tore through the open gate, running out into the darkness of early morning. The zombies, in a way, came alive. They moaned loudly, their arms outreaching. They lunged forward, tearing after the fleeing survivors.

"Ah, well, that's over," Franky chuckled bitterly.

"I don't like watching women and children being eaten, Franky," Robin murmured.

Franky shrugged, "What about men?"

Robin made a face, "Do something."

"Yes, dear," Franky breathed out, shifting gears. "Right away, dear."

On the other side of the compound, Usopp was stuck. He couldn't leave yet, not when so many people were still in danger. Various scuffles had broken out. It seemed nearly impossible for the survivors to get along. He did his best to keep the peace but he had to use his gun more times than he'd have liked.

"It doesn't matter!" Usopp shouted, shoving the two fighting men apart. "Just fucking leave!"

"That piece of cocksucking shit!" one of the men shouted, the veins throbbing in his neck.

Usopp shook his head, "Do you want to live? Do you want your kids to live?" The man's face twitched, switching through a range of emotions. Usopp steeled himself, "What's important to you? Your pride? Being right? Or your family? Get going… Save yourselves…"

Usopp shook his head, licking his lips, "All of you! Go! Evacuate! There's nothing here. There's no food. There's no safety. Go!"

"We can't leave," a woman cried.

Usopp turned to her, "What's wrong? Is someone hurt?"

The woman stepped forward, her arms outstretched. Her skin was marred with discoloration. Her eyes were yellowing, her skin blanched. She shook her head, "Something's wrong with us."

"It isn't safe here," Usopp repeated calmly, "The gate is coming down."

"It's a plague," another man groaned. One eye was yellow, the other normal. A strange pus seemed to leak from a wound on his grey face. "It's too late. It's spreading."

Usopp's stomach twisted into knots. He wanted to run away; to smack away their hands and scream in horror. Everything in him warned him not to even breathe the same air. But something stronger told him to be kind. He reached forward; gripping the woman's outstretched hand. He held it tightly, "Ma'am, it's dangerous here. You need to seek shelter."

The woman looked down at Usopp's hand on hers, "What's wrong with me?"

Usopp smiled kindly, shaking his head, "I don't know, but you deserve to leave here, just like everybody else."

"Go on," Usopp instructed firmly, looking from one sick face to another, "Take what you can carry and walk out the gate. Keep walking. Just find somewhere safe."

The truck's loud horn travelled through the entire compound. Usopp startled at the noise. He laughed at himself, shaking his head, "Sounds like the gate is open."

"But what about the gunmen?"

Usopp gripped his rifle firmly, "We've got people working on it, ma'am."

"But what about the infected?"

"The zombies?" Usopp clarified, scratching his head. "Well, uh, if you stay here you're just a buffet. There's no way out back here."

"I can't… I don't want to be eaten…"

"Fucking hell!" Usopp shouted in frustration. "Fucking go!" He pulled his rifle into position and fired into the ground in warning. "Run! Run! Run! Get the hell outta here! Jesus Christ!"

Usopp ushered the survivors forward, practically chasing them down the alleys toward the gate. He jumped over corpses as he ran, saying a little prayer under his breath. He almost didn't see him. He was face down, his body resting at such an unnatural angle.

Usopp stumbled, catching himself from falling with his hand. The cement cut little pore-like holes into Usopp's hand. He kneeled beside his friend, turning him onto his back. "Hey! Hey!" He rubbed his friend's face before slapping his cheek. "What's wrong?"

Usopp looked him over. There were bruises and bumps, small insignificant cuts, but nothing that explained why he wasn't moving, why he wasn't waking up. Usopp swallowed with effort, examining the deep, disturbing bruising on his neck. Usopp lifted him into his arms and stood, carrying him in his arms.

"Wake up," Usopp chanted. "Wake up… Dear Jesus, let him wake up…" Usopp closed his eyes; doing his best to push the unnerving chill of the body in his arms from his mind. He shook his head, walking quickly toward the gate, toward the truck, toward help. "Ah fuck. Luffy, you better not be messing with me…" Usopp rethought his statement, "Actually, God, please let him just be messing with me…"