Sanji was the first to wake up that morning. I looked over my shoulder as he walked in my direction and he was soon standing next to me, looking down at the ashes as he lit a cigarette. It was so silent, and I had no idea what to say. I looked back down at what remains of the bright, warm fire...now dull and cold.

Sanji and Zoro always argue, if I told him he'd either think I'm lying or be glad that Zoro chose not to come back.

"Sanji..." I whispered, eyes peering at the ashes blowing in the slight breeze.

I could feel Sanji look at me and I couldn't help but look back. "Do you miss him?"

Sanji furrowed his curly brow, the other hidden by his light gold bangs. "He's… our nakama. We all miss him."

I could feel my eyes widen with shock that Sanji wants to get Zoro back.

"He… he was here…" I struggled to speak. "Zoro, he was just here." I tried to sound convincing.

Sanji closed his eyes, took the cigarette from his mouth, threw it to the ground and smothered it with the bottom of his black shoe. "I need to start breakfast." Sanji started to turn and walk away.

"You don't… believe me…" I felt mixed emotions of sadness and frustration. Sanji stopped a few feet away, neither of us turning around to face each other.

"I do." My head swiveled around to add a figure to the words.

"Sanji?" I questioned his answer. "You haven't been yourself lately… you haven't been all over Nami and Robin as much as usual." I could hear Sanji sigh as he turned to confront me.

"The Crow's Nest." He said bleakly.

"What about it?" I asked.

"It showed signs of a struggle, as if Zoro fought someone" I saw Sanji's teeth clench as he finished.

"Why didn't you tell us!?" Tightening my hands into fists out of anger.

Noticing Sanji was still calm, his shoulders drooped and a slight frown showed upon his face as he looked at the ground.

"I fought with Zoro... the night before he disappeared." Sanji's tone of voice quickly saddened.

I unraveled my fists, beginning to relax, realizing Sanji needed to talk to someone. Besides that I wanted to find out more about Zoro.

"Why are you so upset about it, you and Zoro always fight." In an attempt to be serious, but not trying to sound mean.

Sanji sighed as he opened his eyes. "It wasn't any ordinary fight…"

-Flashback Start-

"Goodnight Robin-Swan, sweet dreams Nami-chwan!" Sanji yelled across the deck as Nami and Robin made their way to the girl's loft. Sanji turned towards the kitchen to clean up the aftermath of dinner.

As Sanji opened the door and entered the kitchen he realized Zoro, his back towards him, was still sitting at the dinner table.

"Zoro, did dessert give you another brain freeze?" Zoro had his elbows on the table while his hands were clutching his head. "Not like you have a brain to freeze." Sanji wanted to say, but didn't.

Zoro didn't acknowledge him, so Sanji decided to leave him alone. Only until Sanji went over to pick up dishes off the table did he see Zoro's facial expression - his jaw muscles were constricted, his unscarred eye non-blinking and the pupil retracted staring into oblivion.

"Zoro?" Sanji rushed around the table to Zoro's side. He waved his hand in front of Zoro's face. Unsuccessful, Sanji placed a hand on the swordsman's shoulder, about to shake him just as Zoro, turned towards Sanji, quickly jabbing his elbow up into Sanji's side.

Sanji was dazed as he was forced to take a few steps backwards, still managing to stay on his feet, but dropping the dishes he was collecting off the table as they shattered on the floor. Sanji placed a hand on his side, as he knelt down with one knee and placed the other hand on the floor, barely able to keep himself from falling over.

Zoro snapped out of his trance and stood up immediately after the sound of crashing plates. He turned and glanced over at Sanji knelt down near him, clearly in pain. Zoro had no idea what happened as he surveyed the room.

"What the hell, mosshead?!" Sanji exclaimed managing to stand back on his feet.

Zoro looked at Sanji in confusion, not able to bring forth an answer as he stood there trying to make sense of what was going on, the fact that Zoro was denying what just happened only made Sanji angrier.

"What is your problem?" Sanji demanded.

"What are you talking about?" Zoro questioned.

"You just attacked me!" Sanji growled.

"I never laid a finger on you!" Zoro repeated again and again.

"That's the way you're going to be?" Sanji said furiously. "Fine! You're not my Nakama. Go to hell, for all I care!"

Shocked and without another word, Zoro barged out the kitchen door and made his way up to the Crow's Nest to cool off, not in a mood to fight. Sanji realized that he got the last word, not meaning what he said out of anger, but he couldn't stop himself. He remained in the kitchen, thinking to himself how stubborn Zoro is and that everything will be normal again tomorrow…hopefully.

-Flashback End-

Looking at Sanji as he finished the story, Usopp could feel the amount of emotions overwhelming from the chef. He knew now why Sanji has been acting 'different'.

"You think it's your fault Zoro left?" Usopp asked softly.

"Maybe, it was the last anyone has seen of him before he disappeared." Sanji sighed.

"He has had worse things said and done to him, I'm sure he didn't take it to heart." Usopp tried to sound reassuring. "We'll find him again soon, at least we know he's on this island now."

Sanji remained silent thinking to himself 'why didn't Zoro come back was it because of him?'…

"Considering how bad his sense of direction is, I'm surprised we haven't run into him before now." Usopp chuckled, breaking the silence, in attempt to cheer Sanji up.

Sanji managed to force a slight grin as he put a cigarette to his mouth and lit it. "Well I should start breakfast before Nami, Robin, and the others wake up." Sanji said, walking away and whispered. "Thanks Usopp."

Usopp grinned happily knowing he helped Sanji and found out more about their missing swordsman. Usopp glanced back over at the bush he once saw the red eye and heard Zoro's voice.

xXxXx

Sorry about the late update. I've had people questioning how everything started out so I decided to add a flashback to help make more sense of things. More development coming soon. Also trying to move it back from P.O.V to narrative, maybe continue both.

Read and Review. Let me know if enough people are interested in this story! Thanks and 'See ya next chapter!' J