AN: Hey guys, thanks for reading the first chapter. A little more "umph" has been added to the pairing in this chapter.

Bonds of Trust

Chapter 2

"Don't panic, I've been in this situation before, I'll survive somehow. Besides, the future pirate king won't die such a rubbish death." Luffy consoled himself. He resisted the force as much as he could whilst futilely trying to yank out his hands that were wedged between what he thought were two stubborn rocks.

He wondered to himself whether or not he should call for help. He was going to drown if he didn't get free in time, no matter how powerful he was. The curse he possessed after eating the gomu gomu fruit made him sink like lead. Basically, he was considering whether he should, once again, depend on his friends, or for once deal with his own problems and then be allowed to be responsible for dealing with the problems of his nakama. The second option seemed to be a little more appealing then the first.

He resisted and resisted until all he had to depend on was a foot that desperately clung to one of the rails of the ship.

"Ah…Ah…I give!" Luffy abruptly yelled before plummeting at full speed towards the ocean. He squeezed his eyes shut, silently wishing that his arms would release right then and magically do their work in saving him from death.

But this was reality, and Luffy finally grasped that. It was only at that time when Luffy secretly begged for one of his crew mates to save him. Zoro or Sanji …even Usopp would do.

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"I think he's caught one." Nami mumbled whilst flicking through an old news newspaper from last week.

"Naa…he probably got caught by the giant fish that hovers over the water, the doom of all fishermen…"Usopp began his next story.

"Wahahhahaaaaaa! Luffy!" Chopper screamed and headed for the door instantly.

Zoro frowned and closed his eyes. He had already felt uncomfortable with the phrase "I give!" and more concerned with the silence that followed it. He knew he should check it out, but he just didn't feel like it.

"Ah…he'll be fine." Zoro thought out loud. Chopper eased up at the words of his dependable swordsman and sighed.

"Yeah, Luffy isn't going to die or anything," agreed Chopper.

Robin rose an eyebrow. "You would think he would have burst through the door with the fish by now. Maybe it's a big one." she guessed. This was the final trigger to Zoro's gut feeling. He purposelessly stared at Usopp and Usopp stared right back.

"What? Do I have something on my face?" Usopp attempted to sound cool.

Zoro let out a low growl and swept past everyone in what seemed like one movement, leaving them all stunned but uncurious. They knew what he was doing.

"Oi, Luffy?" Zoro called, looking around the deck. "This isn't funny you idiot! Answer me now or I wont give you the food I planned to smuggle out for you!" Zoro yelled, calming his panic. He could then hear the scrapping of a plate and the muffled sound of "Shitty swordsman" coming from the other side of the kitchen door.

"Stupid love cook." Zoro muttered under his breath. Then suddenly realisation hit him hard. The air in his lungs refused to escape through his open mouth; and for the first time in a long while Zoro felt what was undeniably the dreaded emotion which people named 'fear'.

He didn't know why he jumped to the conclusion that his captain was sinking in the vast sea somewhere, he could have just been sulking in the corner or just be out of hearing range for his not so loud call. He could even be in the bathroom.

Yet instinct told him otherwise, it was as if he could feel the need of his captain growing in the pit of his stomach.

He'd never reacted so viscerally in his life. He would always think thoroughly through the consequences before he acted, but this time he let his instincts take over.

His hands held the ends of his shirt as he ran towards the edge of the boat.

"Damn it! If only the anchor was down right now! Who knows how long that idiots been under!" Zoro yelled at himself. He was angry with himself because he knew exactly what kind of trouble Luffy could have been in and there he was, not bothering to consider it an actual possibility. He tugged the piece of material over his head and carelessly tossed it to the side. Without another thought he dived into the sea.

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Luffy was just about ready to give up hope that his nakama would rescue him. He couldn't move his arms or legs at all, and his hands were still wedged between two chunks of rock. Even if someone were to find him, he was sure it would be be too late by then. He was having difficulty holding his breath, and it seemed that he would fall down to the fate average of a devil fruit user.

But he wanted him and all his piracy to be known across every sea sitting on the globe as a tremendous power. Yet it appeared that death was looming not that far around the corner; If he could have sighed, he would have sighed right then.

Suddenly hope filled him again, just as strong as it had at first. He didn't know why exactly, but he could feel a not so fishy presence closing in on him. His vision was slowly turning white and his eyes grew heavier by the millisecond…but he wouldn't give in. Not much longer now.

He had expected the presence, but it still did not stop the surprise he felt when he saw a human figure move quickly to his side. He couldn't recognise the person because his eyelids where too weightily. Finally…he was safe. His lungs forced an exhale and Zoro watched helplessly through the flowing bubbles as his captain slipped into a well delayed state of unconsciousness.

He encircled Luffy's waist with his arms and pushed off the rock below the young captain, frantically kicking his feet, trying to bring them back to the surface as fast as he could. Halfway through his desperate journey he felt an immense force trying to pull them back.

'What the…' Zoro thought, opening his mouth unconsciously. He shut it quickly as he realised the situation. 'Ah, I get it now.'

Zoro brought both of them back to the rock and instantly pulled at the dark haired boys arms. They just stretched further with every tug, it seemed impossible to get him out this way. One thought, and only one, plagued his mind…destroy the rock.

Zoro let go of his iron hold on Luffy's wrists and commenced at hitting the rock which was very pointless, considering the fact that his movement was just a bit too slow in the water.

'My kantas, I should have brought my kantas. How was I supposed to expect combat here though?'

Zoro dropped the regret and continued bruising his hands on the rock. It wasn't working! Just a crack! How the hell did Luffy get his hands stuck in what was probably the hugest rock in the ocean? It's no wonder why he allowed himself to fall in.

Zoro looked from Luffy to the rock, and then back to Luffy. The boy looked so peaceful…was he already dead? Perhaps 30 seconds would not make a difference if he could just go and grab a sword from the ship. He strained one more look at Luffy and flew up on his own. This was for the best. It would be much quicker this way.

He reached the surface and gasped loudly. God, he'd been down there for too long. He needed to save Luffy now! The boy could actually die and it would be his fault. He would probably slay himself if that happened, but he didn't know exactly what that would achieve except a first class ticket into hell…if hell existed.

Climbing up the ship seemed like a blur to Zoro because he was in too much of a distrait rush to care. He hauled himself onto the deck and made absolutely no attempt to catch his breath. The same repeating instruction continued to chant inside his head, 'cut cut cut cut cut .' He had invented it to stop himself from allowing the pain in his heart to catch up with him.

He shoved the kitchen door open and ignored the shocked faces of the dry crew. His eyes looked straight to the chair he was previously enjoying his lunch on. He scowled at the absence of his precious weapons.

"Where are they." he demanded through gritted teeth.

"Where are what?" Nami asked, in an obviously faked innocent tone.

His eyes rose to Nami and he gave her a glare that should make the receivers eyeballs catch fire. He stomped up to the red-head and grabbed her collar, lifting her of her seat slightly. The girl didn't even flinch, she just frowned back. "Tell me where they are, now", he hissed. He didn't have the time to be doing this and he didn't have the time to explain.

"Oy teme! That's no way to treat a la-"

"Don't fuck with me!" he screamed.

"Your the one who's being out of order! And what was all this about sneaking food to Luffy? Eh?" the cook questioned walking forward, oblivious to the anger the green haired demon contained.

"Luffy's drowning, give me my kanta!" he literally cried. "I don't have time for this!" he expected to be thrown his kanta immediately, but his crew had other plans.

"Then why on earth are you still here? You don't need to go everywhere with those stupid swords. Stop being so selfish and save our captain you fool!" Sanji argued.

"I'll tell you where your swords are when you've given me the two thousand beli that you've owned me since last month. Can you give me the money now?" the navigator asked expectantly.

"Your making a big mistake, all of you." Zoro said, trying to calm himself to think rationally. He just couldn't. This was taking too long!

"Chopper, please, be outside ready with your medical stuff. When I went under I saw Luffy had his arms stuck between a huge indestructible rock. The ships moving so fast now, I don't know if I'll make it in time if I don't try to free him again…even if my attempt to cut the rock has failed because of this greedy devil who Luffy naively calls his navigator…I have to at least try. Please Chopper." the shirtless man gave as his last plea before turning one hundred and eighty degrees and walking out of the room. He froze when he saw a hand clutching two of his kanta, the two he had bought on the island that buggy the pirate with a huge nose tried to execute Luffy on. He turned to Robin and she smiled.

"I hope two's okay. I didn't quite unravel the place Miss Navigator placed your irreplaceable sword." she opened her eyes and uncrossed her arms from across her chest, releasing the spell. "Go." She said, breaking what ever force of gratitude that held Zoro to the deck.

Zoro flashed a smile to the architect and grabbed his cursed sword. "Ones all I need." And with that he dived back into the sea.

"That idiot! Leaving our Sencho down there for so long! Usopp watch the fire for a sec!" the blonde ordered. He untied his apron and left it to fall whilst yanking off his tie.

He ran out of the door without another word and grabbed the second kanta from the floor, diving after it's owner.

'Cut cut cut cut cut cut cut…' Zoro inwardly chanted. He was really starting to panic now. The ship had moved further and further away from his captain as every second he spent up there had passed. Now he really couldn't find him. He closed his eyes and let his body move to where he sensed Luffy should be. He didn't want to risk looking for him with his sense of direction, Luffy might just be more prone to death if he did something as risky as that.

'Where are you Luffy!' he was sure his mind was sobbing now. He continued kicking his feet in the direction a sort of warmth led him to. He put his hands out in front of him, ready to receive what he was looking for. After a while he opened his eyes and found himself starring right at a giant rock. Good job he stopped just then, otherwise both him and Luffy would need saving. But still, damn it, this wasn't Luffy.

He was about to continue moving again when he sensed something behind him. He turned around with his sword and swung it immediately at the thing that was approaching. A tiny sound of two pins colliding filled Zoro's sensitive ears and he looked to see Sanji flying backwards with a sword in his hand. The blonde caught his fall and swam back angrily. He gave Zoro a dirty look and then his face softened, head gesturing to the rock. Zoro's face cracked with surprise and relief after glimpsing a straw hat bobbing up and down from behind it. So this was the rock after all.

Zoro reached for Luffy's limp body and held him tightly to his chest. He then swore to himself that he would not breathe any substance from the surface without this man.

His eyes returned to Sanji, frowning at the sword the blonde was clutching clumsily, "Pass," his demon eyes ordered.

Sanji raised an eyebrow and let go of the sword when Zoro shook his head and turned back to Luffy. Whilst the younger mans back was turned, Sanji threw himself at the rock, throwing his body into action because his legs felt immensely heavy.

His foot just slammed onto the rock and nothing budged. Sanji resisted a growl as he tried it again. How did marimo expect to use that piece of junk so deep in the ocean? He raised a leg.

Zoro shook his head. Sanji understood and obeyed instantly, he didn't need to waste time if fists and feet wouldn't work. He looked to Zoro with a raised eyebrow. 'So what else can we do?'

Zoro quickly glanced at Luffy. The young captain showed no sign of life. His face looked slightly more pale than usual, his eyelids did not twitch as tiny fish swam between the two, his cheeks were covered by a curtain of dark eyelashes. His cheeks actually held a slight tint of pink…was he still holding his breath? That would be insane…

Zoro suddenly felt every organ inside his body breakdown then rip apart. His heart gave a huge pang of dispair, his foreign to trembling up until now lips were being chewed off mercilessly, his eyes shone with admiration at how amazingly breathtaking Luffy looked when he was like this, tears threatened to add to the volume of the ocean, his aching nose was infiltrated with sea water and his brain just didn't know what do. For god sake, his captain looked dead. He tore his eyes away from Luffy and drew out the sword from his side. He closed his eyes and focused on the voice he should hear from his sword. He sensed its need for cutting, destroying, its need for blood, death. He lifted it over his head and easily sliced through the rock.

This didn't help though, he needed to cut halfway into it now to get Luffy's hands out. The now slim rock looked as strong as it had ever been…he couldn't use his cursed sword for this when he felt its need for blood. His eyes shoot a look at Sanji and he returned his cursed sword. Sanji held out the sword he held in question and watched as the green head retrieved it with his teeth.

The next thing Sanji knew was that the rock had been cut into several pieces and were floating apart. He then found himself trying to catch up with Zoro who pulled Luffy with him.

Zoro frowned in concentration. The journey to the surface was taking too long. He was just about at his limit, and Luffy…was he holding his breath? Just a little further.

Air filled his lungs almost unrepentantly and he heard a weak, but still violent series of coughing from beside him. He watched helplessly as Luffy drew in as much sacred oxygen as he could. The boys arms limply encircled his neck and he slowly opened his eyes. Zoro could see a shocking aftermath of an explosion in those dark orbs. How could this child hold his breath for so long?? Practice from being a constantly helpless victim to the sea?

"What are you waiting for Marimo?! Get your asses on this ship now!" a voice sounded from above. Zoro shook his bewildered head and climbed up the outstretched rope ladder.

As soon as Zoro had laid Luffy's quivering form down onto the deck, the whole crew came to crowd around the body.

"Everyone go, I'll take it from here. Sanji and Zoro, you both need to dry off or you'll fall ill. Robin, please, I need your assistance." Dr Chopper instructed hurridely.

"Aye, Doctor-san." Robin complied.

Luffy continued to desperately draw air into his lungs, he looked so separated from the world.

"Wait Zoro, I need to ask you questions."

"How can you be so calm Chopper?! Forget the questions and hurry up and save our captain!" Sanji yelled. Zoro looked at him now, noticing his bloodshot eyes and his immersed expression. He looked like he wanted to die.

"IF I PANIC, THEN LUFFY WILL DIE! I'M A DOCTOR. FOR THE SAKE OF MY PATIENTS I NEED TO BE THIS WAY! Don't distract me." Chopper proclaimed angrily, tears now making themselves known. "Luffy is amazing…to even be conscious now." Chopper mumbled to himself. "Robin, can you get me some dry clothes." he ordered.

"Hai, Doctor-san." Robin disappeared into the men's dorms.

"Luffy, can you hear me?" Chopper asked slowly, stretching Luffy's eyelids as he peered into his captains face. Luffy weakly tapped his hands on the deck and widened his eyes. Chopper examined him further. The little reindeer stepped back in shock. "Why…why aren't you breathing Luffy, can you breathe?" Luffy slowly drummed his fingers against the hard wood again. "I don't understand this, how is it possible?!" Chopper said in shock. "His body obviously gave up ages ago, he must have breathed in a lot of sea water…not all of it's left him. His lungs may be confused or weak or too full. He shouldn't be alive, never mind conscious. I've never dealt with this before, what do I do?!"

"He can't breathe doctor. Do something." Zoro ordered calmly enough. The green haired man had his eyes squeezed painfully shut, desperately trying to keep himself composed.

"Zoro, my hoofs aren't suitable for helping him now. Their smaller and harder, so If I put pressure on such a small radius it will hurt him for sure, and it won't help any of the water, that is most likely stopping him from breathing, to leave his lungs. I can't explain, but I think If I do this I'll make a mistake by crushing him. Your going to have to take some orders from me." Chopper said, ashamed.

"No problem." Zoro knelt down by Luffy and looked at Chopper impatiently. "Quickly." He knew that Chopper could easily solve his problem by turning into his 'human' form (which happened to have hands), but Choppers lack of thinking on that point allowed him to be of some use to Luffy.

"Put your hands across his chest, one on top of the other, and gently press on it three times."

Zoro looked down at his captain, who had frightened eyes looking back at him. Zoro pushed his hands on his chest, "One," water spewed out of his mouth, "two", more water, "three," and more water.

Luffy had his eyes squeezed shut in silent pain. Zoro couldn't do anything but helplessly follow Choppers instructions. He continued to do so and as he did, he answered all of Choppers questions thoughtlessly and honestly because right then his focus was only on Luffy. He looked like he was suffering something greater than Chopper nor him could see.

"Zoro, check on his breathing." Chopper instructed once again. Zoro put his ear against his captains chest and listened. He could only feel Luffy heaving it up and down, trying to breathe.

"He's not breathing!" Zoro exclaimed, panicking. "Chopper, this isn't working!" Luffy looked like he was down for the count.

"Okay think…Zoro, continue what I've been telling you to do. I'll go and bring some menthol, and if that doesn't work, then I'll have to operate." with that, Chopper disappeared.

Zoro continued pushing Luffy's chest and listening for breathing. "One! Two! Three!" no inhale…

Luffy closed his eyes now, slowly. He seemed about ready to give in.

"Luffy no! Don't give up!" Zoro's hands began to tremble and inspiration took hold of his actions.

He looked to Luffy's lips…yes, he could force him to breathe. No one was around anyway, and he had to try.

He descended unhesitatingly down onto parted lips, pressing his roughly against them. At first Zoro just took in how amazingly soft they felt, how unnerving it felt to actually do this sort of thing. How, for some reason, he wished Luffy was awake to share this with him.

What?

Zoro ignored his thoughts and blew all the air from his lungs into Luffy's. From the side he could see his chest rise, and then fall. 'That's the way.'

He pressed his lips against Luffy's again, once again amazed at its inviting feel and once again not letting his thoughts disturb him whilst he blew more air into Luffy's lungs. This time he had to move away because Luffy's eyes snapped open and he forced his weak body to sit up. More water escaped from his lips as he coughed painfully. Zoro watched this and shook his head. It wasn't enough, he needed his help.

Zoro stroked the boys back and saw Luffy's tearful eyes turn to him pleadingly. Zoro silently inhaled deeply and brought his hands to lift Luffy's chin up, bringing his lips down onto his again, blowing more air into his trembling lungs. Luffy looked at him with a shocked expression, but it broke as he went into coughing mode again.

'Still not enough.' Zoro's instincts almost voiced out to him. He cupped Luffy's face and turned it to face him. Moving forward he pressed his lips against Luffy's again and blew more air into them. Luffy gripped Zoro's shoulders as air made his lungs fill up like a balloon ready to burst. He closed his eyes as he waited for the coughing to be triggered off again.

It didn't come.

Zoro's lips stayed pressed against his, as if he was waiting for the same thing. Luffy felt his cheeks grow warm, what was going on here?

He found himself fighting back a whimper as the man moved away from his lips with a smile.

"All better now Sencho?" Zoro asked. Luffy almost melted and he didn't know why. He fell back on the decks boards, breathing heavily and turned his head to Zoro wordlessly. Zoro gave him a wider smile, which caused Luffy to give him a small smile in return. He tried to thank him, but as his voice broke into sound, he coughed again. It hurt. He clutched his chest.

Zoro crawled over him and removed his trembling hand, placing it under his own on the floor. "I'll do this one more time." Zoro brought his other hand to stroke Luffy's wet cheeks then lent down, brushing his lips over Luffy's. He didn't part them.

Zoro moved his lips hard against the others, trying to pry them open. Why wasn't Luffy letting him help him? He began to feel light headed. He closed his eyes, running his tongue over the younger boys lips. Luffy still did not comply.

Zoro bit down on them gently, earning himself a soft groan and entrance. The sound seemed to snap him out of his little daze, and he had to force himself to take a deep breath through his nose and grant Luffy's tired lungs release for a second. Luffy's eyes watered as he felt the hot air burn his chest. It felt odd, but it didn't hurt. In fact he felt his urge to cough instantly disappear.

Zoro sat up slightly, his nose was almost touching the tip of Luffy's. He noticed how close their bodies were, how Luffy's arms had encircled his neck for support, how flushed and tired his captain looked. How cold he felt right now, how warm Luffy had felt against his bare flesh. He looked so adorable. This helpless beauty was sprawled out beneath him, his half lidded eyes glazed, his bruised lips parted. His hair was still soaked and he panted quietly. He seemed so vulnerable right now, looking so flushed whilst being pinned to the ground like this…

"Kenshin-san, I take it Sencho-san must feel a lot better now." Zoro whipped his head over his shoulder to see Robin standing a small distance behind them. She smiled genuinely. "Congratulations."

Zoro rolled off Luffy just in time to see Sanji and Chopper approaching with a bowl of hot water that smelled strongly of menthol.

"Ah Zoro! How's the progress? Is he breathing yet?!" Chopper squealed with tears brimming the edges of his eyes.

"Kenshin-san's work on him really paid off. Sencho-san has a lot of colour in his face now. You were a little too late to witness his magic." Robin smiled again.

Zoro frowned at the one who was teasing him.

"Marimo's Magic?" Sanji repeated, confused.

"Thanks Zoro, everyone. I really thought I was a goner." Luffy said, quietly, looking down. He put his hand on his head to reach for his hat. "Boshi…?" he looked up, worried.

Oh your hat, don't worry, I've put it in there," Sanji told him, pointing at a door leading to the boys dorm.

"Thanks." Luffy sat up and tried to push himself off the deck. He managed to wobble slightly, but fell back on his back in defeat.

"Oi oi, take it easy Luffy." Sanji said.

Zoro, observing everything, spoke softly, "It's okay to accept help when you need it you know. It's okay to rely on us."

Luffy turned to Zoro, his eyes watering slightly. Robin bent down to Luffy's level and said to Chopper "I've got what you asked for."

"Good, now Zoro you go and dry off, take Luffy with you. Oh yes, one more thing. Luffy, about how long were you down there before you saw Zoro?"

"Um…" Luffy began dizzily. He reached over and pulled the bucket of hot fragranced water towards him. "Well, I was there for about three minutes before I saw someone swim to me. Then I lost consciousness. I woke up again when someone, um, hugged me." Luffy stated unsure.

"Yeah, moss head was acting like a possessive chick down there, so don't even ask." Sanji educated Chopper behind a hand.

"I heard that, baka." Zoro informed threateningly. It didn't bother him though, not when he'd recently been called Luffy's 'mother hen'.

Luffy cleared his throat, and then went into another painful fit of coughing. Zoro really wanted him to stop, just watching the damage he himself was responsible for tore his heart apart. He wanted to cease his coughing again, but naturally he thought better of it. Instead he brought the wet wheezing mess into his arms, and carried him to the dorm. Robin placed a dry towel around Zoro's neck, and then followed him into the room with Luffy's dry cloths.

Robin closed the door behind her and took in her surroundings. She was probably the only one who hadn't seen these dorms. At least Nami got to tour the whole ship before rooms were made specific. Luffy was placed in a hammock that contained his straw hat. Zoro gently laid him down. Luffy continued to hug his neck. Zoro watched him. "Thank you, Zoro. I'm sorry for troubling you." Luffy said, now close to tears. Zoro stroked his back and muttered a "don't be so silly" into his ear. Robin came up to their view and handed Zoro Luffy's dry clothes.

"Make sure you get him dry." she said with a smile, adding "I'll make sure no one enters here for awhile. I think Luffy would prefer it that way. Isn't that right, Sencho-san?" Robin smiled her usual painted smile when Luffy blushed slightly.

He gulped unnoticeably as he spoke, "Yes, thanks." Robin turned and exited.

TBC

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Chapter 2 complete!

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please review me to tell me what you think :D I have open arms...or eyes...O.O