"More than anything else the sensation is one of perfect peace

mingled with an excitement that strains every nerve to the utmost,

if you can conceive of such a combination."

- Wilbur Wright

Sanji screamed as he flailed, throwing the constricting leather straps from his body in panic. He twisted around in the dark looking for his captor and it took a moment for him to realize he was in a room. Chopper's medical room. The room safe in the mountains far from the reaches of the scientists.

Sanji let out a shaky breath and drew his knees up to his chest and let his wings enfold him completely.

The dream had felt so real. Even now that he was awake he had a hard time convincing himself that it wasn't real – that he wasn't in a safe place. What if he was under some medication and hallucinating? His grip on his pants tightened and he squeezed his eyes shut. No. No he was safe. That much he could reassure himself with. Maybe no longer mentally sound, but safe.

Standing, he picked up the blankets he had thrown aside in his terror and placed them back on the bed. He couldn't possibly get back to sleep now; not only was he now wide awake but he didn't want to deal with the risk of more nightmares. It seemed like a good opportunity to take a walk and try to cool down. He exited Chopper's doctor office and came out in the rec-room.

Sanji had begun to get a basic understanding of the tunnel systems. The bedrooms were all located down the hallway near the fireplace, the kitchen was just off the door beside the large table and there were others that led to Franky's workshop, the bathing room, and the library. But there were several more doors he hadn't explored.

He picked a random door and set off down the candlelight hallway. After so long of living within Impel with barely a piece of clothe covering his waist to keep him warm, he had found the temperature of the outside world almost stifling.

Barefoot and shirtless felt all too natural now, and after waking in a cold sweat the cool air was welcome on his overheated flesh. The rock was cool and calming beneath his feet and they began to carry him and he didn't protest – even if he got lost in the maze of tunnels, it would be okay – getting lost was preferable to sleeping at this point. Thanks to his nightmare. The thought of sleep began to terrify him and he wondered how he could overcome his mind and maybe stop anymore dreams like that from surfacing.

Sanji reached the end of a long tunnel, and instead of a door to another part of the mountain there was an archway. When he stepped through into the torch lit room he froze in awe of what he found. A large cavern that had to be at least a hundred feet in height was opened before him.

Stalactites hung from the ceiling in thousands, like icicles on a cold winter morning. Water gently sluicing down them, sending the occasional drop of water to the floor below. Some hitting the lake that took up more than half the expanse of the floor. The water looked as though it were on fire as it reflected the light of nearby candles, and the still surface was broken only by the gentle ripples created by something just out of sight in the dark.

As Sanji neared the edge he noticed the ripples in the water did not diminish and if anything were drawing nearer. The object came into view and it took Sanji a moment to realize it was a person. He took a cautionary step away not wanting to disturb anyone before a familiar green head came into view.

Zoro floated on his back in the water, staring absently at the rock above him as he casually kicked his legs to bring himself closer to the bank. Sanji could tell the exact moment Zoro detected his presence; the man stiffened ever-so-slightly and then proceeded to submerge himself underwater.

Sanji felt bad for disturbing Zoro and turned on his heel, making his way back to the entrance. He made it about halfway when he heard Zoro resurface and the man call out.

"Hey."

Sanji froze mid-step before slowly turning to look back at the man who now floated my the lake's edge, arms resting on the rock.

"Hey." Sanji repeated.

They hadn't talked in a full two days. Since he and Zoro had made a silent truce up on the mountain both had been respectful and polite to the other, but neither had really said anything. Sanji honestly didn't know what to say to the man. Zoro had surprised him with his behaviour .

Not only was the man somewhat intelligent, but he was also deceptively kind. He didn't look like it – with that constant frown and harsh voice – but he was actually a very sympathetic and caring person. It had shocked Sanji, and had him feeling especially guilty for immediately thinking the man was an asshole.

Now that he had seen this other half – the one that everyone else no doubt saw – he was intrigued and wanted to approach the man. But with neither making the first move to talk, he really hadn't had the opportunity. Sanji wanted to make the first move, but part of him was still embarrassed about having to have the man hold his hand because of his weakness.

"Listen, um... thank you for earlier. And well," Sanji found himself stumbling and frowned at himself, "I can be patient until Rayliegh comes; if that'll make everything better?"

Zoro watched Sanji silently for a moment, his eyes were calculating like always, and Sanji desperately wanted to know what he was thinking. But despite whatever Zoro might have going on in his head it hardly mattered; they always ended up at each others throats regardless. Zoro was probably thinking of the best way to tick San-

"No. It's fine."

Sanji froze, "...what?"

"You were kinda right." Zoro shrugged, "I do rely a little too heavily on Rayliegh's judgement."

Sanji's mouth hung open slightly but he was completely at a loss for what to say. He had been preparing to have another argument with the bastard but instead the conversation was taking a completely different turn. One that he was not expecting in the least.

"Rayliegh does make the final decision, but everyone else seems to already trust you. And..." Zoro trailed off and looked away, not making any motion to continue.

Sanji was completely dumbfounded, but he managed to stifle his confusion long enough to walked over to the water's edge and sit cross-legged in front of the man, "And...?"

Zoro sighed and continued to look off to the side, "And," He muttered quietly, "To be honest I trust you."

Sanji's eyebrows raised in surprise, "What?"

"I'm not repeating it."

Sanji chuckled, it looked like Zoro had been telling the truth to Nami, not that he'd ever tell either that he'd been eavesdropping, "Well thank you. What changed your mind?"

"I'm not telling you."

"Fine." Sanji snorted humorously, "Keep your secrets."

"Don't take it the wrong way. I may trust you, but you're still really annoying."

A sly grin worked its way onto Sanji's face, "And I'm only going to get more so."

Zoro scoffed, "Big surprise."

Sanji sat happily by the waters edge while Zoro casually floated before him. Their silence was broken by the inconsistent drips of water falling from the ceiling. Sanji cleared his throat lightly and the cough echoed throughout the cavern. Zoro's lips pursed and he looked like he was searching for something to say.

"So..." Zoro ventured, "What are you doing up?"

Sanji grinned maliciously before quoting the man, "I'm not telling you."

Zoro's eyes narrowed, "Idiot."

Sanji shrugged before the smile fell from his face as he remembered the actual reason as to why he had been up in the first place. Being stuck back in that cold, metallic room with his sinuses riddled by antiseptics and his body pierced by dozens of needles. He shivered and forced his eyes open so as not to see the images in his mind.

Zoro nodded solemnly, "Nightmares?"

Sanji looked to the side with a pout. Was he really that easy to read? Fuck, he didn't want to look weak. Not that it mattered; he had already held the man's hand. He casually closed his hand into a fist as he remembered the warm, rough skin under his and the reassuring grip that had held him.

"They're nothing to be ashamed of, you know?"

"I'm not ashamed of shit." Sanji scowled at the presumptuous green-haired man.

Zoro snorted, "Bull. You wouldn't be wandering around at night if you were able to sleep."

Sanji growled low in his throat, "Oh, yeah. Why are you awake then?"

"Everyone here is haunted by Impel." Zoro shrugged casually, "In one way or another."

"You have nightmares?"

Zoro was silent for a while before finally muttering, "Yea."

Now that had Sanji surprised. Mister Macho Man actually had a case of insomnia due to dreams. Zoro would be the last person he would guess to be kept awake at night by something like that.

"Is this just what you do then," Sanji vaguely gestured to the lake, "Just swim all night?"

"Sometimes." Zoro smiled, "Mostly I'll just stay in my room and stare at the ceiling."

Sanji couldn't tell if Zoro was making a joke or if he was being serious but he returned the smile, "If you're up all night; then when do you sleep?"

"I take naps throughout the day. About an hour at a time so I don't really let myself have the chance to start dreaming."

"That's not really a good way to live." Sanji pointed out.

"Yea..." Zoro admitted before he hoisted himself from the water, snatching up a nearby towel and wrapping it around his nude waist, "But the way I see it; I'm wasting precious hours of my life sleeping anyway."

Sanji was left to ponder Zoro's words for only a moment before his jaw opened in shock at the scar adorning the man's chest; from shoulder to hip bone it sliced his body clean in half. The scar seemed old and completely healed, but it was still somewhat indented from when it had been stitched together.

Zoro raised a brow before looking down, "Ah."

"How'd you get it?"

Right hand coming up to lightly cover the scar he frowned at the memory of the wound before replying cryptically, "Where everyone gets their wounds."

And that was as far as the conversation needed to go. It was obvious it was from Impel, not to mention that Zoro clearly was not up for telling the tale at the moment. Robin had been the same and he wouldn't blame either of them; they were most likely experiences that they already regretted living once. Reliving in story in words or memory was probably more than painful.

Zoro stumbled into a pair of pants, doing up the button before struggling into a shirt, his wet skin making it more difficult than it should be. Finally in some semblance of dress he quickly dried his hair before turning to Sanji.

"If you're not planning to sleep either, you can come hang in my room. If you want company that is."

Sanji paused for a moment before standing, "Do you mind?"

"I just invited you, didn't I?" Zoro gave him a shrewd look, "Did your brain become a duck's too?"

"Excuse me?!" Sanji asked affronted.

Zoro snorted and started to make his way to the exit.

"You're one to talk!" Sanji shouted as he jumped to his feet and ran to catch up with Zoro, "You have a plant growing on your head."

"Ooh. Burn." Zoro deadpanned as he continued out the archway and along the candlelit hallway.

Sanji made a noise of annoyance before falling into step behind the man. Okay, he'd give Zoro that one; that had been one of his less-than-sightly come-backs. But there was no way in hell he'd let the man one-up him again.

~X~

They entered Zoro's room and Zoro closed the door quietly so as not to disturb any of the sleeping neighbours while Sanji glanced around the room in awe of all the fascinating and beautiful carvings that littered the place. Most were crammed onto several stone alcoves in the wall that Zoro probably dug out on demand, and the rest were scattered on the floor. Some finished; others in the process of completion.

"You carve all of these?" Sanji asked as he walked over to one shelf that held a gigantic wooden ship.

A lion's head was carved as the figurehead, and the sails had a gigantic pirate skull and crossbones on it, but had a straw hat as well. It seemed vaguely familiar and when he looked down at the deck he knew why. There was a small figurine of Luffy with the distinct straw hat on, his fist was extended into the air and he had a large grin on his face.

As Sanji began searching the ship he found the rest of the crew, each carved with great detail and were smiling in a way that seemed so similar to the real person. He gently replaced them before turning back to the rest of the shelves and continued to inspect the art.

Zoro shrugged, "Whatever to keep my hands busy."

"You're pretty good with a knife." Sanji commented casually as he continued raking the shelves, looking at piece after piece.

Zoro shot him a grin, "Thanks." He began rummaging through a drawer before pulling out a large bottle that appeared to have some amber liquid inside of it.

"Here." Zoro proffered the large bottle to Sanji, "It helps."

"With the nightmares?" Sanji cocked his head as he took the bottle.

Zoro chuckled, "With everything."

Sanji took a tentative sip before recognizing the comforting burn of spiced rum. It melted against his tongue, burned his throat and settled into his stomach with a warm glow. Fuck, he hadn't realized how much he had missed alcohol in the past four years. And now that his mind was on the track; he couldn't the remember the last time he had had a smoke. A part of his gut whined at the memory of the wonderful tobacco but he vaguely wondered if he should just take this as an opportunity to quit...

"Hey."

"Hm?" Zoro responded as he took a seat on the bed and pulled out a small block of wood and knife that had been perched on the bedside table.

"Do you have any tobacco?" Sanji asked before taking a set near the end of the bed and resting his back on the foot board. Screw not smoking, he was going to thoroughly enjoy life now that he knew how fragile it was. He was never going to waste another day.

Zoro frowned for a moment in thought, "No. But Brooke might have some. If not just ask Franky to grab you some next time he heads to Jaya."

"Alright." Sanji nodded, his lungs already imaging the sweet smoke and hoping the wait would not be too long.

"You really gonna kill your body with that shit?"

Sanji waved a hand dismissively, "I don't buy that store bought crap. I roll my own. It's better, and don't have to inhale battery acid."

"So you're a stoner or something?"

"There's a difference between tobacco and weed." Sanji shook his head, "As a member of the grass family I thought you would know this."

"Oh, fuck off."

"No way man. It's fucking hilarious." Sanji took a swig of the rum, "Does it really grow green?"

"...yes."

Sanji smirked, "You got a little lawn on your head; how adorable."

"That joke is old, curlybrow." Zoro smirked, "Get a new one."

Sanji's hands snapped over his forehead and hurriedly tried to fix his hair to cover his eyebrows, "When did you see?!"

"When I dragged your sorry ass inside after you passed out in the mud."

Sanji's hands slowly dropped from his head and realized it was way too late to be hiding the stupid facial features, "Oh..."

"They kinda suit you though." Zoro offered with a grin.

Sanji just pouted, "Hand me that damn rum."

Zoro chuckled and handed the man the bottle. The words began to flow easily as the alcohol kicked in and they passed the bottle back and forth for a while, Zoro pausing in his work to take a large swig before handing it back. It wasn't long before Sanji's curiosity mixed with his lessened inhibitions and he began a game of twenty questions.

"Do you have a home to go back to?" Sanji asked.

Zoro shrugged, "Maybe. It's been so long."

Sanji nodded slowly, "I have an apartment; though the old man probably sold it. Fuck." Sanji dropped his head into his hands, "I don't know whether I broke his heart or that he was glad to see me leave."

"Why would he be glad you were being tortured?"

"Well no." Sanji defended quickly, "Not like that, but well, he adopted me and I still hadn't managed to pay him back for the years of mooching off of him."

"You were adopted?"

Sanji nodded, "I was an orphan."

Zoro was silent but then – whether out of actually curiosity or politeness – he asked, "What happened to your parents?"

"I don't know what their story was." Sanji raised and lowered a shoulder casually, "Too young to take care of me, didn't have the money to, or if they just didn't want me, but I was left on the doorstep of an orphanage when I was about four months old."

Zoro was quiet for a moment, his knife pausing in his work, "...I'm sorry."

"What for?" Sanji scoffed, "Not having parents?"

"I guess." Zoro muttered, "Makes me feel like a dick for taking my childhood for granted."

"Oh? Grew up in a mansion or something?"

When a guilty look appeared on the man's face and he refused to answer Sanji graced Zoro with a look of disbelief. "You're joking?"

"No." Zoro admitted regrettably.

Sanji chuckled lightly, "Well I don't resent you for it if that's what your fragile mind is thinking."

Zoro seemed to ignored the 'fragile' comment outright, "So when did the 'old man' adopt you?"

"Well, he didn't technically adopt me. But I was sixteen."

"I don't understand. What do you mean by technically?"

"He took me in off the street."

That had Zoro actually looking up from his work, "Why were you on the street?"

"The orphanage couldn't keep up with the bills; everything in the building was repossessed and the government kicked us all out. A lot of the younger kids were able to get some last minute homes; some of the owners took the toddlers in. I was shit out of luck – no one wants a teenager – so I ended up living in homeless shelters and alleyways."

"Why does no one want a teen?"

"Why do you think? They want the adorable little baby that they can help grow up and teach, or the young child that will still imprint on them but they won't have to deal with the awkward diaper stage." Sanji tried to keep the resentment from his tone, but he knew he failed miserably, "No one wants the angsty teenager with no education."

Zoro seemed to sense that the last thing he wanted at this point was for Zoro to start sympathizing, so he kept the conversation going, "So how did the old man find you?"

At this Sanji actually grins, "One night I'm digging through a trash can in a back alley and the owner comes out yelling about 'coons and he spots me and he just... stops. He looked at me like no else really had; pity, disgust, anger, annoyance, sadness, fear... I had seen every single expression on people's faces when they passed me by and watched me starve. But it was the first time someone had looked at me with a look of understanding."

Zoro just sat silently, listening intently but not saying anything, and Sanji was grateful.

"Next thing I know I'm doing the dishes in the back for stealing and then I'm given free food and a place to stay the night. A few days later I had a full-time job there and a place to live."

"It sounds like he really cares about you, someone like that..." Zoro mumbled, "Someone like that wouldn't be happy that you disappeared."

Sanji swallowed thickly and nodded in thanks to Zoro, as he remembered the old man. His ridiculous moustache that he thought was in style, his gruff voice when he yelled at Sanji, his stupid hugs that nearly broke Sanji's back. Sure they had had their disagreements but Zeff had been the only family he had ever had. Damn, but he really wanted to make sure the man was okay...

"So how did you end up here?" Zoro's question broke Sanji from his train of thought.

"Not really exciting." Sanji shrugged, "I was walking home from work when next thing I know I'm being jumped in a back alley. I managed to beat the shit out of two of them, but the third got me over the head with something. Then I woke up in Impel."

Zoro let out a quiet huff of amusement and for a split second Sanji thought he was being cruel.

"What?"

"Nothing," Zoro shook his head, "It's just that I was jumped in a similar fashion before being carted off to Impel."

Sanji's hackles lowered and he looked down, "Oh."

The silence stretched out between them and Zoro continued to quietly chip away at a block of wood in his hands, the piece looking like nothing artistic at the moment. Sounds of the knife cutting wood broke the silence and Sanji began to get more and more curious as he watched Zoro.

Zoro was interesting, no doubt about it – he was able to bust out of Impel, he seemed fairly intelligent and was empathetic to Sanji's life. He was strong and stoic, but seemed to be hiding a softer side that he didn't want people to know about. It was almost like he was afraid to let his guard down.

"What happened to you?"

Zoro's knife paused mid cut, "What do you mean?"

"How did you get caught and taken to Impel? What..." Sanji faltered, feeling a little too bold, "What was your life like?"

When Zoro looked up from his work Sanji felt himself crumble slightly under that hard stare.

"I... I..." Sanji shook his head quickly, "Never mind. I shouldn't have asked."

"No." Zoro said calmly, "I have no problem telling you. In fact I feel obligated since you told me."

"I don't want you to feel obligated to do anything." Sanji began to idly play with some of his feathers to distract himself from the piercing gaze watching him. "I guess I just want to know more about you."

"I don't want you to think that I'm prying, I just want..." Sanji trailed off, and continued to stare down at his wing, he gently plucked a feather masking a wince at the slight twitch of pain. He looked back up at Zoro, gently twirling the feather between his fingers. "I realize my request is sorta selfish. So you don't have to tell me anything."

Zoro watched him quietly for what seemed like an eternity, before he finally spoke, "You want to know me better?"

"I... Yeah."

"Well..." Zoro scratched the back of his head, "What do you want to know?"

Sanji pondered that for a moment. He still really wanted to know how Zoro had got taken to Impel. But he decided to start with something basic, "Where have I heard your last name from?"

"How should I know?" Zoro replied, bewildered.

"It sounds familiar."

Zoro looked confused, before he bit his lip and asked, "Do you know of Santoryu vehicles?"

Sanji nodded, Santoryu was one of the most prestigious vehicle companies the world over. They had motorized vehicles in every field, from skidoos and quads to tankers and planes. And everything in between. It was an extremely popular brand, not only because of the strength and durability of each vehicle, but because of its velocity. No matter what they manufactured, it was guaranteed; speed. Before Sanji had been taken to Impel Down they had also started into greener ways as well; nitrogen, hybrids and electric.

"It's my father's company."

"Woah." Sanji's eyes widened as he realized that he had seen that last name his entire life. Plastered on billboards, on television commercials and was on almost every single vehicle owned by the average American, "That's where I've heard your name!"

Zoro raised an eyebrow, "Not many people still remember it. Most people know Santoryu by Jones now."

"What do you mean?"

"I was President, but since I am presumed dead, the company functions under the commands of the Vice-President."

"The VP?" Sanji frowned before it dawned on him, "He sent you there didn't he?"

"Kinda." Zoro muttered, "It's a long story."

"I've got time." Sanji said preluding to the fact that he had another six hours till morning and he would be unlikely to sleep in that time.

Zoro glanced around the room, "I honestly don't know where to start."

"How about at the beginning," Sanji offered, "Where did you live?"

"Alright, well," Zoro mumbled, he paused in his work setting the carving aside but keeping the knife in hand, twiddling it around his fingers as he seemed to be trying to remember, "When my father first founded Santoryu we lived in Naha in Okinawa. I don't remember it very well since I was so young but... it was really beautiful."

"You're from Japan?"

"Yea." Zoro looked at him skeptically, "Where did you think I was from?"

"I don't know." Sanji faltered, "Always thought Santoryu was from the States."

"It certainly is popular in the Americas." Zoro offered, "But nope. It's founded in Japan; like most automobiles."

Sanji made an impressed noise, "So you grew up in Okinawa? That's the beach district right?"

"Yea." Zoro chuckled, "There were beaches."

"I've never been to a beach." Sanji admitted, "What's it like?"

Zoro actually flashed teeth when he smiled, "It's the best place in the world. You stand on the sand and can look out at the ocean. And you can never see the end; it's like being on the edge of the world."

Being born in the suburban sprawl of Philadelphia he had never had the chance to go to a beach. Sure, there had been the Delaware, but it definitely wasn't the same as the ocean. And of the few books at the orphanage only one of them had mentioned the ocean; it had sounded like one of the most amazing places on the planet.

"What's it like to swim in the ocean?"

"I never actually been." Zoro admitted regretfully, "I was too young. Father's company began to grow so we had to move to Tokyo; didn't really see any nature after that."

"What do you mean?"

"Once I started school my life revolved around the company. Each class I took, each book I read, every tutor. All of it was my father enforcing the fact that I would work in the company, one day own the company, and eventually die working for the company. I never had time to do anything really."

Sanji had to admit that it did not sound fun. Sure he had spent half his life in a building amongst twenty other kids. But he had had freedom. The nuns hardly cared what the kids got up to. Sanji had terrorized other kids, played in the mud and rode a bike like every other kid. Zoro almost sounded imprisoned by his own father.

"When I finished my Degree in Macroeconomics, my father started teaching me business and the way they teach it, is nothing like it actually is."

"What do you mean?" Sanji frowned in confusion.

"In the world of business, you don't get anywhere by always playing the good guy." Zoro shrugged, "My father for example had some dealings with some less than sightly people in the eyes of the law. He had an underground drug network throughout the States, and all over Asia. And he had done lots of dealings with the mafia. Our company had even taken into bribery and sabotage to get to the top."

"You're kidding?"

"Nope." Zoro shook his head, "You won't find a single company that doesn't have something illegal going on within it. My father was just really good at not getting caught."

Sanji could sense the tension in Zoro's tone, "Did he piss off the wrong people?"

Zoro nodded quietly and clasped his hands together in his lap, holding the knife gently, "A rival company, Mihawk Motors, had been subject to some of my father's underhanded dealings. A huge recall which put a black mark on their sales records was actually my fathers fault, not Mihawk's, regardless their company was forever damaged. So, a hit was called, and whoever they had sent, he was damn good at his job; slipped past our guards, security system and all. He killed my mother. But he left my father completely unharmed."

"Well," Zoro amended, "He didn't physically damaged him. I can't say he was in his right mind after that." Zoro looked off to the side, "Waking up in your wife's blood with her corpse still in bed with you, that would drive anyone over the edge."

"Zoro, shit. I had no idea, I..."

Zoro smiled lightly, "I wouldn't really expect you to."

"I – Still, I'm so sorry..." Sanji met Zoro's eyes and watched as the icy black seemed to melt somewhat and the hard exterior softened. Sanji tried to expressed how sorry he was through his body language because he didn't think he'd ever be able to verbally apologize enough for thinking Zoro had had an easy life.

"Anyway," Zoro sighed, "Afterwards it only got worse. My father continued to work, but everyone could tell he was shaken. He couldn't do his job properly, but refused to go home. He had been diagnosed, but wouldn't go for counselling or anything, he had medication though. His bathroom cabinet was full of them. All sorts; I don't know what they did, but he lived off them. And the medication might've worked, if he had been given a break. But they wouldn't give him a break. They kept picking off our family members. Sending their body parts to us in the mail."

Sanji looked at Zoro horrified, "You're not serious."

"Dead serious." Zoro said while chuckling at his pun, "You should've seen what I got for my birthday."

Sanji made a face as Zoro smirked, and Sanji began to wonder how sane this man actually was. Then again what other way could he possibly deal with it? Reliving it so many times in dreams and memories; humour was probably the only way to heal it.

"Everything made sense at that point. Why they hadn't killed my father." Zoro muttered, "They wanted him to suffer. Death would've been too easy."

"I'm truly sorry." Sanji muttered quietly.

"It's fine. Seriously."

"Not really."

A warm hand was placed on his head and Sanji's eyes opened in surprise, "Really, duck. It's okay."

Sanji blushed lightly and kept his head bowed, "Okay."

"Good." Zoro's hand ruffled Sanji's hair playfully before pulling away.

"So," Zoro continued easily, "Our mansion was immediately secured. All mail in and out was checked thoroughly, and everything and anyone else. But the security just made my father paranoid, the fact that threat letters were no longer arriving, or dead relatives, or poisonous animals, it made the tension grow. He kept wondering when the next attack would come from."

"One night..." Zoro shrugged, "I'm not sure if he had just overdosed on the meds or if he really suspected me of trying to kill him, but he came into my room at night and attacked me."

He reached down and grabbed both of his pant legs, yanking them up, revealing the large gash on each ankle, it looked as though both his ankles had been chopped off. Or attempted too. The revelation hit Sanji hard and he looked up sharply.

"No." He said in disbelief.

"Yes." Zoro countered easily, "I regret not fighting back at first, but..."

Zoro's face scrunched up weirdly, and for a moment he looked like he was about to sneeze. When he continued and his voice was slightly choked Sanji realized he was trying not to cry, "I was really scrawny for my age; I couldn't fight him off. He managed to get to the bone on each before the guards had heard my screaming and came and pulled him off."

Sanji couldn't take it, he wanted to pull the man into a hug - try and reassure him - try and take some the pain that he was hiding away. Unconsciously his wing stretched out, easily covering the distance of the bed, the tail of his wing brushing against Zoro's arm in a reassuring gesture.

Zoro leaned back casually against the headboard, reaching up a hand and gently stroking the feathers near the end of his wing. Sanji hid a blush at the feeling, it was like a gentle caress that someone would do to your cheek. Zoro continued to stare at the wing as he spoke.

"I was sent to the hospital. Legs miraculously healed, and I was soon able to walk again, I returned home only to find it empty." Zoro's hand fell away, "My dad overdosed on his medication and died."

Zoro didn't continue, but seemed lost in his own thoughts. Sanji glanced down and noticed his other hand was still clenched around the knife, and even his tough skin wasn't enough for the edge of the blade. A thin trail of blood had started and was dripping onto the blanket.

Sanji cautiously reached out – not wanting to startle Zoro – gripped his hand and slowly pried the fingers open, removing the blade and setting it on the table. He absently checked his pocket and found the black clothe he had used as a head band to keep his hair out his face while cooking.

Sanji gently wrapped it around the man's hand, tying the knot and letting go slowly. He sat back in his previous spot, not wanting to encroach on the man's personal space.

"You don't have to say anymore." He offered, before handing the bottle of rum over to Zoro's good hand.

"Naw." Zoro finally muttered before taking a shot, "It kinda feels good to finally get this off my chest."

Sanji's brows shot up against his will. Zoro had never told anyone this before? Had he been holding this in for god knew how many years? And why was he telling Sanji this?

"So then you took over, I'm assuming?"

Zoro nodded and handed the bottle back to Sanji, "My father's will made me immediate acting President. So at twenty I became President of Santoryu, and I hated it. It's like they say; 'It's lonely at the top.' I had no family left, I barely had any friends to begin with, and nobody seemed to care about what had happened. They just expected me to take my father's place and keep the cycle moving. It made me sick."

Zoro seemed to be ranting a little and so Sanji tried diverting the conversation a little. "You said it was the VP's fault. How'd it happen?"

"Jones was the Vice-President and basically the man behind all the drug trafficking throughout the world – a really weird steroid – I'm pretty sure he was jacked up on them. I knew he didn't like the fact that after years of working with my father he was just ignored and I was made CEO instead. He completely resented me for it. But my father would rather have the company dissolved than in the hands of other people."

Zoro was looking down at the black bandana that was wrapped around his hand. His other hand absently rubbing at the wound, most likely trying to ease the pain by pressure.

"Regardless, Jones kept up his work and I had to get my hands dirty with all the old dealings my father had started. On Jones' orders I went to a meeting with Crocodile – a mafia boss in the area – it was a standard meeting, everything went fine. Then I left."

Zoro sighed in annoyance, "It was stupid, as soon as I stepped outside all my men were shot down – I was also shot – but it was just to immobilize. I wasn't conscious during the travel, I was probably drugged. But I woke a week later in Impel Down."

"Why didn't they killed you?"

"Oh," Zoro chuckled, "Jones left me a note. At the time I was furious when I read it. But now I'm kind of grateful. It explained that I wasn't doing the company justice, that I didn't care and that it was time that someone else was running it. He also explained that Mihawk was behind everything; the hit on my father, my families deaths and of course my abduction. At the bottom of the letter it said that simply shooting me wasn't good enough; that letting me die a slow painful death would be much more satisfying. It was signed by Jones and Mihawk."

"Holy shit." Sanji said on a breath, "Mihawk?"

"Yup." Zoro grinned, "Both of them are probably furious when they found out about my will."

"You had a will?" Sanji raised a brow, when he was twenty he didn't even think about needing one. After being in Impel he kind of wished he did, but it was a bit late now.

"My dad had me write my first one when I was fourteen. And after living in his world I understood why." Zoro crossed his arms and frowned, "Basically everyone is out to get you."

"So your will stumped them, huh?"

"Most likely. I said that under no circumstance – even my death – should the company go into the hands of anyone but a Roronoa. My whole family was killed so it wasn't like they could bribe anyone to take my place. So, even though Jones is VP he doesn't have nearly as much power as he probably wanted. The thought of him stewing in anger kind of helped me get through Impel."

Sanji laughed, "You're pretty smart."

"Did you think I was stupid?"

"Kinda," Sanji snickered, "I thought you were the all brawn and no brains type."

Zoro scowled, "Impel made me this way."

"Mah," Sanji waved a calming hand, "Take it easy I was just joshing you."

The conversation had lightened somewhat and Zoro didn't look nearly as haunted as when he had been talking. Another gulp of rum and he set about cleaning the knife of blood before continuing his carving. A body was somewhat identifiable, but other than that no features had yet been carved into the wood.

"That's why you didn't trust me, huh?"

"Hmm?" Zoro made a noise but remained intent on his work.

"Your father. Jones. And Mihawk..."

"People lie." Zoro sighed, "And I don't want my friends to make the same mistake I did."

Sanji fell forward and placed his forehead and hands to the bed, "I'm so sorry for disrespecting you for not trusting me."

"Oi. Don't do that. It's weird."

"No." Sanji's voice was muffled by the bed, "I'm a horrible person."

A solid hand was once more placed on Sanji's hand, "And I forgive you, duck."

Sanji bit his lip, forehead still resting on the bed, "Can I ask you something about Impel?"

"Ask. And I'll decide whether or not to answer."

Sanji looked up lightly, "Why haven't you gone to the world with this? Why is it that no one has found out or tried to stop Impel yet?"

"Ah." Zoro paused before glancing over at the door before back at Sanji, "I'm not really supposed to tell you; it's Rayliegh's job."

Sanji sighed, but remembered his promise. "Alright, never mind."

The questions were eating him away, but if all he needed to do was be patient then it wasn't like he couldn't wait. Zoro had said that he trusted him, so that was more then enough reassurance that he would know everything soon enough.

"I'll make you a deal."

Sanji glanced up at Zoro, broken from his previous thoughts, "What?"

"I'll tell you everything that's general knowledge. But everything that's Rayliegh's jurisdiction you need to promise not to bug me about. Sound good?"

"Well what exactly is Rayliegh's jurisdiction?"

Zoro stared dead-panned at Sanji.

"Alright. Alright." Sanji chuckled, "I was just kidding."

"If I don't answer a question; don't bug me about it." Zoro repeated seriously.

"Fair enough." Sanji agreed.

Zoro seemed satisfied with Sanji's answer, "Okay then. Ask away."

"Why haven't you guys gone to the media or the government or something?"

"Because it wouldn't do any good." Zoro said sadly, "Impel is fully authorized by the government."

"What?!"

"You heard me."

"Our government would never allow that!" Sanji was appalled, "That would violate the Constitution. They would be violating all human rights and codes. No political supremacy would authorize chemical testing on their own people. You're lying."

"Stop it." Zoro muttered darkly, "You've seen that place; are you still foolish enough to believe that everything in this world is pure and good. Where do you think that place gets its funding?"

"I..." Sanji looked aside in annoyance, "I don't know."

"Taxes." Zoro spat, "Every fucking tax you paid went straight to them. You paid for all the equipment that they tortured and beat you with. You still believe the government has your best interests at heart?"

Sanji sat for a moment in silence trying to take it all in. Part of him wanted to scream at Zoro for lying to him, but deep down he knew Zoro wasn't lying. What would Zoro gain from lying if Rayliegh would just tell him the truth anyway? Everything he had believed in and trusted had just been ripped from him and he wasn't quite sure what he was supposed to do about it. All the taxes he had paid, all the belief he had in his country was suddenly gone and he was only left with a mixture of betrayal, anger and sadness.

Sanji managed to calm his raging thoughts enough to ask, "Why does the government need that place?"

Zoro sighed heavily, "They believe that if they have advancements in medicine and intellect then the world could easily become a new world order under one World Government."

"So the USA wants to take over?" Sanji asked in complete disbelief.

"Not exactly. IMPEL is conjugally owned by DOWN."

"Okay." Sanji felt a little exasperated, "What's DOWN?"

"The Designated Organization of the World Nations."

"Who's in it?"

"The States, China, United Kingdom, France and Russia."

"You're joking?"

"Kind of a sick joke, isn't it?"

Sanji watched Zoro steadily for a moment. The man really wasn't elaborating on anything, he really was sticking to the deal and only answering the questions, "Alright so what does IMPEL stand for?"

"The Investigation, Manipulation and Plenary Examination of Lifeforms."

"That almost makes it sound professional." Sanji scoffed, "So why do they need a World Government?" Sanji was really trying to keep the conversation light but inside he was burning. Why he had ever thought that Impel was some illegal place that the government had yet to discover was beyond him? Wishful thinking, most likely.

"Money. With the economy lately it's coming down to the world's most powerful countries to hold everyone else up. They practically own the world anyway with all the debts owed to them. By manipulation they want to just join the world together completely and get rid of exchange rates, tariffs and trading. One World Government, one world coin."

Sanji brought his knees up and buried his face, "So the world is okay with this? With Impel?"

"The world has no clue. The world doesn't know shit." Zoro scowled, "It's the leaders; the ones in positions of power. Impel is their research facility so when they finally bring up their plan for a World Government they can throw on the table all the medical advancements, technology and engineering that they have to offer the world."

"So, bribery?" Sanji looked up.

"Call it what you want." Zoro snorted, "But when they call a International meeting of Nations and offer a cure for cancer in exchange to rule the world; you can bet that almost nothing with stop it from happening."

Sanji laughed hollowly, "You know... if I hadn't been stuck in there and seen what was actually happening... I probably would have liked the idea of a World Government."

"I thought the same..."

Sanji sat there, with all this information buzzing inside his head trying to figure out what exactly he was supposed to do. The thought of returning home - back under a government that had tortured him - to try and live normal life seemed impossible now. It almost felt like the entire world was against him and the only people left to trust was the people in this base and the man currently sitting across from him.

"Chopper mentioned something about you guys breaking in?"

If it was true then he'd have something to hope for. Something to strive to help these people accomplish so that maybe he could sleep peacefully at night knowing that that place would soon be gone.

Zoro sighed, "Those guys can't lie to save their lives."

"So?" Sanji prodded, "You just gonna tell me?"

"Nope." Zoro smirked, "I've said more than enough. Besides Rayliegh's better at explaining it than me. Actually, we'll be having a meeting tomorrow. If you pass his test then you'll get completely filled in."

But Zoro's smirk was more than enough to know that it was true.

"So, you're admitting that Rayliegh's immediately gonna trust me?"

"Shut up." Zoro rolled his eyes and turned back to his work, "You're so annoying."

"Alright, well can I ask something unrelated?" Sanji looked at the man hopefully.

"Knock yourself out."

"What are you going to do once everything is finished here?"

As though he had rehearsed it numerous times in his head he said without pause, "Returning to Tokyo, killing Mihawk and Jones and dissolving my company, and then just... living a normal life."

Sanji cast a forlorn look at his wings, A normal life...

Nothing sound better.

A/N: So now you know about Impel; thus the plot thickens. By the way, no harsh feelings for Mihawk. I love him as a character but it was too tempting to make him the bad guy XP Also if anyone gets the DOWN and the five countries joke you get +5 Internet points :)