Warnings: Language.

Disclaimer: One Piece belongs to Oda-san. I make no profit.

Theme 16 Darkness

He walked slowly, one step at a time, aware that at any moment he could fall to his death. He couldn't see anything through the almost thick darkness, not even his hand as he put it close to his face. He didn't know where the hell he was.

"Hello?" he called out into the emptiness, pivoting on his feet as he looked around in the sprawling black. He frowned as he shoved his hands into the pockets of his pants and continued walking for what felt like forever.

Just ahead of him was a light post, with two signs standing directly underneath it. One of them – the one pointing up – had UP scrawled over it in loopy lettering. The other sign – the one that said DOWN – was written in blood.

Sanji looked around him for another sign of some type, but it was only those two.

"How the hell do I get out of here then?" he muttered, walking around the signs to the other side.

He'd only taken three steps when, suddenly, hands sprang out from underneath him, latching onto his ankles. They tugged at his legs, tripping him up and making him fall forward with a startled curse.

"The hell?" he gasped, struggling in the hands' hold. They resisted his movements and pulled harder, into the ground. "Shit! Somebody help me!" he yelled, reaching out for something to grab onto, anything that would help him escape.

He felt his legs go under first, the ground sloshing like water around them, cold and unrelenting. His fingers scrabbled for purchase on it, but it gave way underneath them just like air.

Sanji only managed a few breaths until the hands yanked him completely under and it was darker here than up there had been, if it was possible. He tried to swim away; tried to kick his legs free, but the hands had a tenacious grip on his ankles. He was going to drown in this place, wherever it was. He couldn't call out for help and there was no one up there to begin with.

His consciousness was fading, starting from the edges of his vision and spiraling into the center. He could feel his body slowly going limp.

Just as it was starting to seem hopeless, a hand plunged into the water and grabbed his wrist, before starting to pull him back towards the surface. The hands around his ankles let him go and the blonde was pulled back up into light.

"1, 2, 3, 4, 5." Chopper counted out, motioning for Nami to breathe into Sanji's mouth. The rest of the crew stood behind them, staring down at the cook apprehensively. Luffy was the one taking it the hardest, with tears running freely down his cheeks as he held tight to his nakama's hand.

The navigator pulled back with a shake of her head and Chopper did the compressions again, sweat making his fur stick together in clumps under the sweltering summer sun.

"Come on, Sanji." Nami urged, breathing into him again. Time seemed to freeze in that one moment, when the blonde finally coughed up the water in his lungs and took in a breath.

Chopper rolled him over towards Luffy, on his side so he could dispel the rest of the water. The crew gave a collective sigh and collapsed back against the wall of the ship, sharing smiles and pats on the back.

Luffy's hands were shaking as he cupped Sanji's face in his hands and pressed his lips to the man's temple. The cook gave him a weak smile and squeezed his hand briefly before letting it fall away.

Chopper lifted Sanji into his arms and carried the man to the infirmary below deck, with Nami and Luffy following close behind

"He's gonna be okay, Luffy." Nami reassured him, as she slipped her arm around his waist and leaned her head into his shoulder.

Luffy nodded like he was listening, but most of his attention was focused on Sanji's arm as it swung back and forth below his body.

He'd never been so scared before in his life.