Hey all!

I've decided I'm gonna try my hand at writing a One Piece fic again! I'm not really sure where this is headed, but I'd love to know what you think.

What I can tell you right now is- there will be nakamaship, character whump, and angst- great combination, right? There might be a possibility of Zolu later on too, but I'm just gonna wait and see how everything goes.

((Also, please excuse any spelling errors, mistakes, etc- I'm gonna go back later and edit this up better, promise!))

Reviews are much appreciated!

Enjoy~

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

A few drops of rainwater manage to find their way in the mildew ridden basement, the sound echoing in the mostly empty room. A small figure lay huddled in the corner, broken seastone cuffs having already left nasty welts around his wrists.

The small and wispy sound of his breathing was the only indication he was still alive. Lying on his side, he stared blankly ahead- lost to the world, really.

Hopes of a rescue had died two months, three days, and forty-two minutes ago.

"Damn it, Marimo! Why the hell did I agree to check this part of the forest with you? You got us lost!" The disgruntled blonde man stomped along the forest floor, following behind the Strawhat's first in command.

Zoro turned slightly and bristled. "Shut it, shitty cook. This is the place. I know it."

"That's what you said about the last one! How do you know we didn't-" There was some hesitation. "That we didn't miss him again?"

The first mate's teeth clenched, but he answered calmly. "No, they haven't. Not again. They've gotten away from us long enough now."

Sanji shrugged his shoulders, unwilling to show just how scared he was for their friend in front of his long time rival. Lighting a cigarette with a shrug of his shoulders, he pressed on along with the swordsman.

Suddenly, Zoro stopped abruptly in the middle of the path- that action almost causing the chef to collide right into his backside. "Idiot, watch where you're going-!"

The green haired man ignored him completely, instead pointing ahead of them. "There."

Sanji looked up, catching sight of some cement looking structure sticking up from the ground.

"Are you sure?" He asked suspiciously, holding his cigarette between his fingertips.

Zoro nodded in affirmation and without another word, both men were sprinting to the little doorway.

A sudden clash of steel hitting concrete, shouting, and muffled voices caused the figure shivering against the cold floor to blink just a little more quickly. Oh no, were they back? Already? How much longer was this going to go on?

After the initial banging noises, hurried footsteps were heard. That was odd, no one had ever come in here running like that before.

Still, he did not move even as the two figures entered the chamber, yelled something familiar sounding to him and were sliding to a stop a few inches from where his body lay.

"Oi! Luffy!"

Hands were suddenly reaching for him, and whether he knew these two guys had no intention of harming him or not, he backpedaled with a barely contained scream of pain and stared at them wide eyed, terrified.

The action shocked the both of them, and Sanji barely contained his rage as his eyes scanned over the Captain's malnourished form. Even in the low light, he could see the protruding ribs clear as day. He could only imagine what other kinds of injuries the teenager had suffered.

That is, if they were able to get close to them.

Sanji was about to say or do something, when Zoro seemed to beat him to it.

He was currently in a crouched position, staring back at Luffy intently. He held out his left palm, hoping that would convey the fact that he wasn't going to harm him. In his right hand, he held out an object to the boy.

A strawhat.

"Nami fixed up the ribbon on it for you." He said simply. "The witch said it was free of charge too. I think it's because you had her so worried, Captain." There was something in his voice that sounded pained, but Sanji elected not to comment on it.

There was a few more moments of what seemed like a never ending staring contest before Luffy inched forward, ever so slowly to make a reach for his hat.

Zoro and Sanji's face softened just a little at that as his fingers curled around the hat brim and he pulled it towards himself.

The future pirate king seemed to study it closely for a few minutes, running his torn up hands over the material before looking back up to them, just a hint of recognition on his face.

"Zo..ro…...S..anji…"

They looked back at him expectantly, hoping he's say more. Unfortunately for them, he didn't. Within a few seconds it seemed what little energy he had was spent and he was falling to the floor.

Zoro, however, was quicker. Catching Luffy with practiced ease, he hefted him into his arms bridal style before standing.

Sanji was by his side in the next second, meticulously brushing any dirt from the Captain's prized Strawhat before resting it on Luffy's head with a fond gentleness.

Their rescuee in tow, the duo took off down the corridor again making intending to make a mad dash back to the Thousand Sunny.

To be continued...