Feast your eyes on the next chapter, people!

The air behind the green wall of ivy was damp and cold. Sanji stepped inside the cave and blinked a couple of times allowing his eyes to adjust to the new environment. He stood still for a while carefully surveying the walls and the ceiling wondering how long had it been since anyone came here. If kids indeed used to play inside, it must have been a very long time ago.

The ivy branches rustled behind his back. A few stray rays of the morning sun slipped through them as the swordsman followed him.

"Go ahead, love cook. Ladies first."

Sanji let out a dismissive chuckle and took a couple of steps forward. The tunnel, narrow and dark at the entrance, became wider as he walked further and the impenetrable darkness was slowly greying out. There was probably a light source somewhere up ahead but the tunnel twisted and bent, making it impossible to locate.

The air around him grew heavier as he took in a deep breath feeling goosebumps spread all over his arms and neck. Now that he was approaching the first turn of the tunnel he could feel there was something wrong with the place. He didn't remember the ceiling suddenly rising a couple of centimeters allowing him to walk straight and not with his head sunk between his shoulders. He also couldn't understand how the space behind him seemed so much darker than the one in front despite the fact that the only visible light source was the sun shining meekly through the green ivy. The place seemed to be molding itself to fit him, almost as if it was inviting him in.

A frown crept upon his face as he found himself fiddling with the wooden portraits on the silver chain around his neck. If the late Aron Fellman really was feeling generous towards him, the smartest thing to do was probably to ignore it.

Zoro was still rooted to the spot where he had stood since the moment he entered the cave. Sanji stopped, waiting for him to follow but the swordsman kept his position. His apparent hesitation brought a sardonic smile to his lips.

"What's wrong, moss-head? Don't tell me you're afraid of the dark?"

Zoro didn't even acknowledge the insult. His shadow on the wall remained motionless.

"Don't be a moron and concentrate. This is enemy territory in case you forgot. Can you see anything?"

There was something in Zoro's voice that made every alarm in his head go off. He was used to the swordsman hurling insults his way but this time, the words sounded hollow and almost rehearsed. As he pretended to peer ahead, his ears caught a familiar sound that made his blood run cold.

It was a katana being unclipped from Zoro's belt.

Sanji's legs moved on their own accord before the rest of his body had time to catch up. He side-stepped, hugged the wall to regain his balance and retreated further into the cave just in time to see Wadou's hilt swish through the empty space where his head had been not a second ago. The swordsman's eyes widened in shock. For a second, he remained frozen, looking at Sanji in mute astonishment before lowering his weapon and stepping forward never dropping his fighting stance.

"What… the hell was that?" Sanji stared at the katana gripped tightly in Zoro's hand not entirely believing the scene before him. "Have you completely lost your mind?"

Zoro's face locked into an impassive mask as he took another step towards him. His fingers wrapped around the hilt of his sword again as if preparing to repeat his attack.

"You left me no choice, idiot! I already told you, you're useless in this fight. But it seems nothing I say will get though that thick skull of yours…"

Zoro's voice trailed off as he eyed him intensely. Sanji retreated further inside the tunnel very aware of the fact that the walls seemed to spread out around him, giving him more fighting space.

"And I told you I don't give a damn!" A treacherous little voice at the back of his mind urged him to take the advantage the place was giving him and round kick Zoro into the wall but the strange look in his eyes made him reconsider. "I told you I was not going to let you do this alone and I stand by it. If you don't like it, I can gladly kick your ass later!"

His whole body tensed, ready to avoid an attack that was taking far longer than he expected. The swordsman looked ready to pounce at him at any moment but the grey eyes were giving him an almost pleading look.

"Goddamnit cook, I don't want to do this! Why can't you just be reasonable for once in your life and step aside?"

Sanji's angry retort never made it to his lips as he stared down his companion. The sheer, unabashed sincerity in Zoro's voice took him completely by surprise and made his blood boil in his veins. Feeling his face flare with anger and guilt he stepped towards the swordsman fighting the instinct to kick him all the way back to the cave entrance.

"Fuck you, don't you dare be so selfish!" Stealth took a back seat as his voice bounced off the walls and echoed down the tunnel. "I was right there when Usopp got turned! Same goes for Nami and Kara! I couldn't do shit to prevent it! Don't I get a second chance? Don't I get to fix my mistake?"

Zoro's eyes widened slightly at his outburst. Sanji could see his fingers slowly relax around the hilt of the sword.

"Nami doesn't blame you, you know?" The steely tone he had used since Sanji had caught up with him on the beach softened into a neutral, almost calm one. "Neither does Usopp or that little girl for that matter."

Sanji pinched the bridge of his nose, both surprised and annoyed at the unexpected change. The last thing he needed now was for Zoro of all people to reassure him.

"Have you asked them that?" Sarcasm dripped from every word as he flashed a desperate smile. "I doubt they could answer you, being statues and all."

Zoro rolled his eyes at him and sheathed his weapon. The look he gave him made him hold onto his next remark and wait for the swordsman's reply.

"I don't need to!" He paused for a moment, his gaze wandering aimlessly around the cave as if stalling for time. When he spoke again, there was a slight hint of remorse in his voice. "And how come this is suddenly all about you? I was right there when Luffy, Robin and Chopper also got turned and I couldn't do anything either."

Sanji's eyes were probably reaching the dimensions of small dinner plates now. He opened his mouth to say something, anything, stood there gaping at him for a few seconds and then shut it again with an audible clasp. He was expecting everything except that but what he expected even less was for the swordsman to avert his eyes and stare at the ground as he continued through gritted teeth.

"I'm sorry, okay? I was furious with myself and took it out on you." He raised his eyes to face him and this time, the remorse was gone, replaced by the familiar angry undertone. "But if this thing manages to turn me, you'll be the only one left to set things right! All I'm asking is that you don't throw your life away just because you feel like you have to prove something. Even an idiot like you should understand that, right?"

Sanji sighed as his left palm slowly descended upon his face. The insult Zoro had thrown in at the last moment didn't manage to disguise the plea creeping into his voice again. The whole situation was beginning to get uncomfortable. He had never expected the swordsman to protect him but now that it was happening, he had no idea how to react except to be extremely offended by the mere suggestion that he needed his help. He decided to let it slide for now. The cave already seemed to be way too eager for them to kill each other.

"You're the one who doesn't understand, shitty swordsman! I don't think he wants to turn me."

This time it was Zoro's turn to be speechless.

"What?"

"You heard me." Sanji leaned against a wall stepping out of the fighting stance and fumbled for a cigarette pack in his breast pocket. "I was standing right in front on Nami when she got turned and he passed right through me. Why would he spare me and not her?"

Zoro frowned as he stepped closer returning the sheathed sword to his belt.

"Spare is a very loose term, cook. You looked like shit when I found you."

"It doesn't matter! My point is, Nami is a statue and I'm not!"

"Any idea why?"

Sanji shook his head distracted as the lighter clicked repeatedly between his fingers. It produced a couple of stray sparks but no flame.

"Who knows, maybe he thinks we're kindred spirits."

"Are you?"

Sanji gave up fighting with the lighter and raised his eyes. The swordsman was still staring at him, waiting for an answer, just like he had that time on the balcony of Solomon's mansion. The scrutiny made him unconsciously back against the wall.

"I don't know but if he's really inclined to cut me some slack, there must be a way to turn this against him!" He separated himself from the wall, stuffed the useless lighter in his pocket and looked at Zoro with determination. "It's better than just staying behind! If there's even a remote chance I can make this work, I have to try!"

The swordsman in front of him remained silent. His grey eyes continued to peer at him intensely as if trying to scan him for answers. Finally, he let out a long, exasperated sigh and reached towards a holy seal stuck to his sleeve. Carefully separating the rough paper from the clothing, he gave it an appraising look as if to check that the ink hadn't washed off and pressed if firmly against Sanji's shoulder.

Sanji looked at him puzzled and raised his fingers towards the small paper rectangle firmly glued to the fabric of his shirt.

"Huh?"

Zoro just shrugged and continued to rip the seals off himself. His fingers pressed against his body again and again, covering his chest, arms and legs with paper.

"What?" He stopped for a second noticing Sanji's confused expression. "I already have blessed swords. If you're going in with me, you'll need some sort of protection."

Sanji chuckled softly as he readjusted his clothing. Zoro's fingers brushed against his collarbone attaching another piece of paper.

"I think you missed a spot."

Zoro glowered at him as he held up the last seal. The swordsman's fingers hovered over him for a while and stuck the paper rectangle to Sanji's forehead.

"There, much better." Sanji's dirty look went completely ignored as Zoro's eyes settled on the silver chain around his neck. "What the hell are you wearing?"

Sanji fumed as he ripped the seal from his face and pressed it against his sleeve.

"That happens to be a sacred relic entrusted to me by a beautiful lady. Show some respect."

Zoro shook his head and grabbed his arm, dragging him down the tunnel.

"Typical, love cook! We're about to face off against God knows what and you still manage to find the time to flirt with some chick."

"Hey, that's Kara's mother you're talking about!" Sanji stopped, realizing he wasn't making a very good case for himself.

Zoro just rolled his eyes again and slowed down, matching his pace with Sanji as he told him about his meeting with Miriam. After he finished his story, they walked in silence for a while before the swordsman decided to break it.

"So, do you think it'll work?"

Sanji looked down at the tiny wooden tags swaying to the rhythm of his footsteps.

"I don't know. You're willing to try holy seals after all. I'm just trying to keep an open mind here."

"Right." Zoro gave him an amused look. "So what you're trying to tell me is that you have no idea what you're doing."

Sanji glared at him but felt his heart sink a little as every fiber of his being felt inclined to agree with the green-haired swordsman. He looked anxiously at the tunnel that snaked in front of them and wondered how long have they been stumbling around inside the cave. The dark sense of foreboding danger that loomed over him since they entered the place was slowly dissipating and he felt slightly stupid, creeping in the darkness covered in paper seals from top to bottom. For all he knew, he had been right from the get go and the orphanage was the best place to start after all.

A cold breeze blew in from around the corner and froze him on the spot. A few steps behind him, Zoro stopped as well.

"Did you hear that?" The swordsman's voice fell into a whisper.

"Hear what?"

Sanji spun around but his companion pressed his index finger to his lips and slowly gestured to the left where the tunnel took a sharp turn. Weak, pale light from some unseen source above pooled on the floor and streamed down the walls of the cave. He took a hesitant step ahead and heard the sound of his footsteps bounce around and echo indicating a much larger space right beyond that corner. When he was about to reach the small light puddle, he finally heard it.

Somebody was humming.

Sanji stopped in his tracks, not entirely ready to believe his own ears. A deep male voice floated in the air carrying a somber marching tune that made his stomach twist and his hair stand on end. He stood still, hypnotized by the sound like a small child unable to look away from some gruesome scene. The song tugged at some half-forgotten memory and as he listened closely trying to figure out where he had heard it before he slowly realized that it sounded slightly off. The voice, though undoubtedly speaking his language, lacked humanity or any kind of spirit. It droned on and on as if the person singing had long forgotten the song's meaning and just let the words flow out.

The swordsman behind him narrowed his eyes and stepped forward. He mouthed a silent curse as he gave Sanji a look that combined revulsion and pure undiluted confusion.

"Is that…?" He interrupted himself and turned his head in the direction of the grim melody to catch a few more notes. "Is that the goddamn marine anthem?"

Sanji nodded as the soulless hymn intensified. For the second time since he entered the cave, he had the unsettling feeling that something was not right. The space around them seemed to tighten ever so slightly, shifting just in the right directions to make him feel tiny and claustrophobic. Tired of the endless waiting, he took another step forward and turned left crossing the last distance between him and whatever lay ahead.

A few rays of sunlight fell into his eyes making him squint.

He found himself standing in an ample grotto. The ceiling above them was partially caved in and grey morning light was seeping through, illuminating a couple of rough columns chiseled out of white stone.

Sanji frowned. In a cave that seemed completely untouched by people, that small element of human intervention seemed entirely out of place. His eyes scanned the cave again frantically looking for the owner of the dull voice until he finally realized that the humming had stopped.

The air around him crackled.

On the other side of the cave, the shadows moved and shifted separating themselves from the darkness as a human form in frayed clothing swirled into shape. Pale blue eyes widened in rage when they found him. Something between a shriek and a croak arose from the spirit's throat before his face twisted in a slasher smile and thin, almost skeletal feet moved silently across the floor in his direction.

Zoro positioned himself by his side. The swordsman's grey eyes settled on Sanji's for a split second before he unsheathed his swords and threw him a fatalistic smile.

"I hope your mind is open enough."

I know, I know! I promised you a battle and delivered character development. :( Next chapter, shit hits the fan!

Also, yes, I'm aware of what's going to happen during Thriller Bark. All part of the plan... yes... plan... (evil laugh)