Fallen skies

Zosan

All One Piece characters belong to Oda

Sanji picked up the bowl of water, a rag cloth in it. He hurried up stairs, almost tripping over his clumsy feet, some of the water spilling on the floor.

Zeff had brought the mystery kid home, into his room. His father told him to get a bucket filled with water and to bring a rag. So hurrying into the kitchen, the small blonde child got what his father told him. One side of him wanting to help the kid he found and the other out of curiosity.

"Dad, I got the buck-"

"Don't come in here Eggplant."

Sanji stopped abruptly, right in front of the doorway. The way the bed was located Sanji could only see part of Zeff's back by his bed and both occupants shadows from the small lamp in the room.

"But the water?"

"Put it on the floor and call Patty."

Sanji frowned. "But Zeff, I can help if you would only let me."

"Eggplant, I'm not going to tell you again."

Huffing in defeat Sanji went back downstairs and called Patty to come over to his house. Patty was over in less than five minutes, since he lived in the same neighborhood.

Sanji opened the door as Patty walked inside. "What's going on? It's late."

Before Sanji could answer, his father who left his room, was standing at the top of the stairs. "Patty, glad you're here; I need your help up here." Patty raised an eyebrow, but said nothing more as he started ascending the stairs, he stopped however, when he saw blood droplets on the stairs. His eyes went to Zeff.

"Is someone hurt?"

Zeff glanced inside his room, before answering his guest. "Come, and I'll show you." The blonde man looked at his son. "Eggplant, I need you to get my medical kit and some of your clothes."

Even though Sanji was upset he couldn't help, the blonde boy didn't hesitate when asked to look for the items needed.

"Oh, and kid don't come into my room, leave it where you left the bucket of water." With that said, Zeff entered his room, Patty right behind.

Sanji pouted again while he made his way to the bathroom. He found it unfair that he couldn't help the kid he found. The small blonde boy picked up the medical kit before heading upstairs again. He entered his room and ruffled through some clothes before picking some.

Leaving his room, he stopped when he heard Patty speaking.

"I can see why you don't want Sanji helping with this."

Sanji couldn't hear Zeff answer, but he assumed he nodded as an answer. He heard Patty continue to speak. "Can we take that off his neck?"

"Yes, but we will have to do it slowly, the chain tore the outer skin and we don't want to make it worst." There was a pause before he heard his name being called. "Eggplant, what's taking so long?"

Sanji placed down the kit on the floor along with the clothes. "It's here."

Patty exist the room, picked up the stuff, gave Sanji a fake smile and walked back into Zeff's room, closing the door behind him. Sanji had his mouth open when he saw Patty closing the door, but didn't move to kick it down when he heard Zeff from the other side of the door.

"Go to bed now Eggplant."

Why can't I help? Stomping his feet Sanji turned to face his door and silently entered his room.

The blonde twisted and turned on his bed. He wanted to know what was happening in the other room. He didn't know how long he's been awake, but he guessed pretty long. He heard when Zeff and Patty exits the room. Patty stayed talking with Zeff for a few minutes before leaving.

He closed his eye pretending to be asleep when he heard Zeff open his door to check on him. Hearing the door close Sanji sat up in his bed and got off. Lightly stepping until next to his door, he pressed his ear to the door. Hearing Zeff's feet thud down stairs, Sanji opened his door.

His eyes slowly went to the door the kid he found was in. Looking back one last time Sanji sneaked, opened the door, entered and closed it behind him.

Blinking a few times for his eyes to adjust the dark, the blonde boy looked to the bed when he heard a slight pained moan. Taking small steps, Sanji slowly went to the kid lying in his father's bed.

Sanji finally reached his father's bedside, his eyes squinting in the dark to be able to see clearly. Leaning over the body carefully, the blonde could only see spiky hair, he couldn't see anything else because the boy was covered from head to toe, and was lying on his side facing the wall the bed was pushed against.

Looking behind him one last time, Sanji pinched the fabric over the child's body and slowly started to pull it.

However, he didn't get to see as a blinding light assaulted his eyes. And he knew he was caught.

"Eggplant!"

Sanji jumped back, letting go of the blanket and putting his hands behind his back. "Dad!"

"Don't dad me!" Zeff mocked. "What are you doing in here?" Zeff was fuming, as he tapped the tip of his foot on the floor.

Sanji stuttered as he tried to make a complete thought. "I couldn't sleep, so I… I came to check… and I…" Zeff had a raised eyebrow through Sanji's incoherent speech.

"Enough!"

Sanji flinched at his father's loud tone. He was used to his father's high voice, but normally it wasn't because he was in trouble, it was just his father's way of showing he loved him. But now Zeff wasn't happy at all. Before Sanji could say something, he heard a small sob from behind of him.

The blonde's eyes snapped to the bed behind him. The kid on his father's bed had the blankets over his chest, his eyes on him. Sanji couldn't see his face completely because he was covered with bandages from head to toe. Sanji watched as the boy's lips started to move slowly, as if searching for the right words to say.

Sanji's eyes widen when he heard the word that came out of his mouth.

"P… Pretty… It's so… Pretty."

Sanji looked at Zeff before looking back at Zoro. Zoro's hands slowly went to his face, as he pressed the palms of his hands on his eyes, tears starting to wet his cheeks.

"What's he talking about, Zeff?" The blonde asked. He didn't understand what could be pretty, especially on him. Sanji jumped when Zeff placed his huge hand on his shoulder.

"I don't know Eggplant, but it was you he was looking at." Passing his fingers through his son's hair, Zeff's smile grew. "My pretty little boy." Sanji pouted.

Glancing to his bed, where Zoro was still silently crying, Zeff asked. "Why don't you make him something to eat? I'm sure he is hungry."

~Back then… I didn't understand what Zoro was talking about. But now… I know. He was talking about my hair and eyes. It must have been the first thing he saw in color in his life, being locked in that horrible place.

/

"Sorry I couldn't make it any sooner, I was attending a case in Westblue."

Zeff greeted Robin by the door. "It's only been two days since he came. He hasn't actually said anything yet." Zeff glanced behind him to make sure Sanji wasn't there. "He has to be scarred both physically and mentally. Those marks on his skin… they're horrible." He subconsciously placed his hands on his neck as he remembered the ugly marks there.

Robin's eyebrows creased. "I would like to take a look at him, if you don't mind."

"Of course Robin, if anyone can help him it has to be you. Especially with the great job you did with my eggplant." Robin smiled at Zeff's compliment. "I didn't want to carry him to the hospital or call anyone else who wasn't you. I don't know who might have done this to him. But I know he will be safe with you."

Zeff opened the door to his room, letting Robin in first. His eyes landed on Sanji, who was next to Zoro's bedside reading his favorite story to him, The All Blue. Zeff wondered if the kid could hear what Sanji was reading, but he knew even if the kid could not understand what was being said to him, he looked more relaxed, which could be because of how happy Sanji got while reading his favorite story.

Looking up, a childish smile took over Sanji's face. "Robin!" He stood up and wrapped his arms around her, the book on his hand almost falling to the floor.

"Ah, Sanji-kun how are you?"

"I'm fine, but…" the blonde boy looked back at the boy on his father's bed, a small frown following.

"I understand Sanji-kun. I will make things better. And maybe when you two get older you guys can see each other again." With a smile, she made her way to where the child lay, still unmoving.

/

"So his name is Zoro?"

Both Robin and Zoro were standing by Zeff's door, ready to head back to Robin's office.

"Yes, he didn't say anything else, but with his name I was able to find a family member to contact."

"I'm sure he will be fine in your hands, right Sanji?" The blonde boy who was behind the kitchen counter hiding, stepped out with a small blush, embarrassed about getting caught. "It would be rude if you don't say goodbye."

With a smile now on his face, Sanji stepped out completely from behind the counter and stood in front of Zoro.

"I hope we can meet again… you're a really good listener. I'm sure we can become the best of friends."

Zoro didn't say anything, as his hand went to his neck; something he seemed to do a lot. A cold breeze swirled around them, making the younger boy shiver. Seeing the boy slightly shiver, Sanji took his red scarf and wrapped it around the smaller boy's fragile bandaged neck.

Zoro's eyes looked up at Sanji; taking the scarf around his neck, Zoro buried his face until covering his nose, a small smile which could not be seen on his lips.

"I'm sure he is thankful for your gift, Sanji-kun." Turning her attention to Zeff her smile faded. "I will be leaving Northblue and heading to Eastblue for a couple of days. Then I will be back to solve what happened here."

"Of course, just know my door is always open. With a nod and a smile, Robin said goodbye to Zeff and Sanji and helped Zoro walk to her car.

/

"That was the last time I saw him." Sanji finished.

Bonney smiled. "It wasn't long after, Robin was by our door with a small boy." She bit her bottom lip. " Perona and I weren't allowed near him for the first five days. Not until Robin returned."

Sanji was about to ask why when he heard Zoro move. "Marimo!" Sanji leaned over to look over Zoro. "Are you ok?" Sanji watched as Zoro averted his eyes, looking away from him, and a frown on his lips. "Zoro…" The blonde's eyes widen with realization. "How long were you awake?"

"Long enough… Bonney why-"

"I asked her to." Sanji interrupted. He knew Zoro would probably feel uncomfortable with Bonney telling him his past. But it had to be done. Sanji glanced at Bonney, who looked deep in thought.

"Shit…" The blonde heard Zoro say in a low voice. Sanji looked back at Zoro when he heard him speak.

"You didn't have to know my stupid life…" Zoro pressed his palms to his eyes, feeling tears threatening to spill over but not wanting to show them. "I'm so weak. And now you'll pity me… treat me differently. Shit, I hate this. I hate-"

Zoro stopped when he felt Sanji's hand holding onto his wrist and pull his hands from his eyes. The first thing Zoro saw was that beautiful blue eye and golden hair. Zoro's eyes widen when he saw a smile on the blonde's lips.

"Knowing your past makes me love you more." Tears started to blur the blond's vision, his lips trembling. "Zoro, I really love you. Knowing what happened to you only shows me how strong you are."

Zoro wiped the stray tear that glided down Sanji's pale skin. "Why do you want to be with someone as disgusting and worthless as me?" Closing in, the blonde pressed his lips onto Zoro's gently, his hands slowly going under Zoro's shirt, feeling every scar, and burn under his fingers.

Sanji opened his eyes when Zoro started to become rigid and try to back away. "Marimo… I love you. All I want to do is show you how much I love you."

Zoro bit his bottom lip, staying still as if thinking it over. A smile formed over Sanji's lips when Zoro nodded yes, a blush starting to form over his cheeks. Taking the silent answer, Sanji started to pull on Zoro's shirt.

Bonney's face flushed. "I'll be in the other room." With that, Bonney ran out the room, almost tripping over her feet and shutting the door behind her.

"Marimo" Sanji purred, his hands exploring the man underneath him, as every scar started to blend in with the muscles underneath his hands. "I love you."

/

Sanji lay on his side, watching as Zoro's eyes slowly closed from exhaustion. He himself was feeling it as well, but his mind was still racing. Now with an exposed Zoro next to him and the morning sun raising, the blonde could see the scars clearer around Zoro's neck. The scars running up and down Zoro's arms, as if the man next to him were a curved wood.

"Zoro… how did you meet Johnny and Yosaku?"

He shifted slightly to look at Sanji. "At a bar. I used to sneak out all the time and try to get a drink. It wasn't until I met them that I was able to start drinking freely." A smile formed on his lips. "Mihawk always gets mad when he sees them."

"And you think he has no right to?"

Zoro frowned. "No, he's not my father." The blonde gave Zoro a puzzled look. He would expect Zoro to be more grateful that Mihawk took him in. Instead Zoro seemed upset.

"I never went to school, like normal kids. I would have session with Robin instead. I used to hate going there. It wasn't as bad when Aokiji was called to help. He believed in using music in therapy. He thought me to express myself through my lyrics." Zoro stayed quiet. Sanji thought he fell asleep until he spoke again.

"I met Ace through Perona. They had a thing going on." Zoro chuckled. "Ace would bring Luffy over so Bonney could babysit him as they went on their date. Luffy and I became best friends since then."

Zoro stayed silent, thinking what to say next. "Luffy wanted me to get braces so bad, claiming it would look cool."

Sanji listened silently, not wanting to interrupt, and causing Zoro to stop talking. This might be the only time he would hear from Zoro's mouth something about him.

"I refused, but as you can see Luffy gets away with everything." Sanji smiled, he knew what Zoro was talking about. Whatever Luffy wants, he gets.

"I couldn't sleep at night when Perona or Bonney weren't there, but at the same time I was scared to sleep with them. What if I hurt them?"

"Some noises made me go into a frenzy, simple things like the door shutting too hard, the television being too loud, and unsuspecting sounds."

"Did you ever hurt one of them?" Sanji asked lowly, so if Zoro didn't want to answer, he didn't have to.

"I almost did, once. If Mihawk wasn't there-", Zoro's gaze wandered to a spot behind Sanji. "It was one of Perona's stupid scary movies, I wasn't watching it, but I passed the living room at the wrong moment. It was the sound of a chain, after that I couldn't see anything- the only other thing I remember is being held down by Mihawk and Perona crying."

"I swear it was an impulse Sanji… and when I looked at my hand, I was holding a knife."

"Did you hurt her?!" Sanji asked wide eyes. Zoro shook his head.

"No. And the stupid thing is… I still don't remember grabbing that knife. I don't know how close I got to her before Mihawk stopped me."

Sanji's shuffled as the morning sun was starting to shine brighter. "Is that the reason you and Mihawk don't see eye to eye?" He watched as Zoro's eyebrow creased and his lips turned into a frown. Shaking his head Zoro looked at Sanji in the eyes.

"I'm tired Sanji." Bringing the sheets over his head, Zoro said his goodnight.

The blonde was puzzled. He knew what he saw before Zoro covered himself, and he saw hurt behind those eyes. Maybe it wasn't Zoro who did something, but Mihawk.

Glancing at the clock behind him Sanji saw it was 5:47. Setting the alarm to 9 he shuffled until tucked under the sheets and let sleep take him.

A/N: Sorry for any mistakes. Thank you for all your reviews. :)