Chapter Text
Their breath came out in misty clouds as they crept through the thick undergrowth. The sun still low in the sky as they followed the group ahead. They’d caught a glimpse of the young woman selected for sacrifice, her face pale and arms bound behind her back. Two burly men flanked her on either side.
A light fog had settled, increasing the chill in the air. Sanji was inwardly glad to be holding the swordman’s hand. He’d done it to prevent the idiot from wandering off, but he could reluctantly admit to himself that it was a comfort to feel the other man’s heat and solid presence beside him.
He’d woken up on time, accustomed to starting his day early. The strong arms wrapped around his middle were not so usual, but he couldn’t bring himself to dislike it. The small fire in the hearth had burned down, letting the cold creep through the walls. Despite that, he was warm under the blanket and allowed himself a minute to remain in the other’s secure hold before elbowing the swordsman awake.
The group ahead had come to a stop in a small clearing. Sanji and Zoro remained hidden in the woods, observing.
“Hear that?” Zoro whispered.
Sanji concentrated for a moment.
“No.”
“Exactly. No birds, no animal movement. Haven’t seen a single living thing today except people.”
Sanji felt a shiver run down his spine. The air suddenly seemed suffocating, the eerie stillness of the woods pressing down on him.
Then, a warm thumb rubbed the back of his hand. Sanji exhaled, pushing his fear away. He gave a small squeeze to the hand clasped in his and returned his focus to the group.
An old man was speaking, his words in an unfamiliar language. The crowd before him stood very still, their faces somber. The young woman had been tied to a stake. Her body trembled as the man spoke.
None of the people gathered had a weapon. Sanji was tensed, ready to run out and rain down kicks on anyone who attempted to hurt the young lady.
Minutes passed. The man finished his speech and the crowd murmured a few words. Then, they turned around and left.
Soon, only the woman was left in the clearing. Footsteps from the crowd fading into the woods.
Sanji pulled Zoro with him into the clearing. The woman flinched at the noise, then relief flooded her as she saw the two men.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” She said, tears starting to roll down her cheeks.
“You’re safe now, my dear.” Sanji’s voice was soft as he released Zoro’s hand and pulled out a handkerchief to gently wipe away her tears. He turned to Zoro.
“Oi, make yourself useful and cut her bonds,” he ordered.
Zoro grunted in annoyance, but pulled out a knife and made quick work of the rope.
“Thank you,” she smiled at the swordsman through her tears. She took several shaky breathes, looking around the clearing nervously. “I’m so grateful to both of you. But you need to run, now! It’s going to be here soon.”
“Please do not worry, mellorine.” Sanji gently clasped the woman’s cold, shaking hands in his own. “We will make sure it never harms another,” he assured.
She shook her head. “It’s not something that can be killed. No one who’s seen it has ever lived to speak of it.”
“Could be because the sacrifice gets tied up first,” Zoro muttered.
“We will be fine, I promise.” Sanji smiled, hoping to comfort her.
Her shoulders sank, but she didn’t continue with her objections. In a quiet voice, she said, “I- I don’t know what to do now. If anyone sees me, they’ll kill me for escaping the sacrifice.”
“You need to get as far away from this place as possible.” Sanji unclasped his fur cloak as he spoke and draped it across her shoulders. “Can you hunt? Forage?”
“Y-yes.” She clutched the cloak around her, relishing the warmth. “I had to look after myself after my parents died, before I came to this village. It’s been years, but I remember what to do.”
“Good.” Sanji gave her a reassuring smile, and pulled out a small coin purse, coins jingling as he pushed it into her hands. “This should help to fill in any gaps.”
“Oh, I really can’t-!”
“Please.” Sanji’s voice was firm, his gentle smile unwavering. “I don’t need them.”
“Thank you,” she said softly.
“Now as to where to go…” Sanji unfurled a map and presented it to her. “We should be around here,” he told her, pointing to a spot. “Make your way across the plains to the East.” He traced a path along a road. “Head South when you get to the coast. Ask people about a restaurant called the Baratie – they’ll know where it is. Go there, talk to the owner. He’ll help you.”
Her eyes widened as she followed the route. “It’s so far. I’m… I’m not sure if I can make it.”
“You can, I know it,” Sanji reassured.
She looked at him with watery eyes. “How can you know?”
Sanji hesitated for a moment, his gaze flicking over to the swordsman.
“I made a similar trek myself,” he said. “When I was younger and not anywhere near as capable as you, my dear.”
“Alone?”
“Yes.”
She gaped at him. “Why?”
Sanji took a deep breath, aware of the two sets of eyes intently focused on him. “I also had to run away from something bad.”
There was a long moment of silence before the woman spoke again in a hushed voice. “You really did it? You were never caught?”
“I did.” He confirmed. “I’ve been a free man ever since.”
Slowly, a smile touched the woman’s lips. “Then I’ll go.” She took a deep breath. “I’m ready!”
“Here,” Zoro grunted, holding his knife to her in its sheath. “It’s a good one, served me well.”
She took it carefully, tucking into a cloak pocket. “Thank you, once more.” She gave the two men one last smile before turning away. Soon, her footsteps faded into silence, leaving the two men alone.
“That was kind of you, mossy.”
Zoro shrugged.
“You should go after her,” he mumbled.
Sanji’s visible eye widened. “What?”
“The Baratie… that was where I found you the first time, right? Go with her. I’ll take care of whatever mongrel they call a beast here.”
“You’re really letting me go?” He narrowed an eye at the swordsman. “This isn’t some sort of trick, is it mosshead?”
“Not a trick, curly.” Zoro rested a hand on the hilt of his white sword, eyeing the surrounding trees. “Just realized it was wrong of me to take your freedom. I hunt criminals, not…” His lips twitched into a small smile, “cooks.”
Sanji stood there blinking at him for a moment. Then his face split into a radiant smile, his visible eye sparkling. To Zoro, the dreary day seemed to suddenly brighten.
“So there is a heart in those mossy depths,” grinned Sanji. “But I’ll have you know I’m a chef, not merely a cook.”
“S’all the same to me, cook.” The swordsman shrugged, sword sliding from the sheath to block the blond man’s immediate kick.
“Bastard,” Sanji muttered, smoothly jumping back, a grin still lighting up his features.
The sound of twigs crunching underfoot caused them to still.
Something was coming.
“You should go,” Zoro warned, pulling another sword from his side.
“Not a chance,” Sanji replied. “Can’t let you have all the fun, can I?”
The crunching grew louder, the pace becoming frantic.
“Just don’t get in my way,” Zoro grumbled.
“Same to you.”
A mass of darkness flowed through the trees on the edge of the clearing. The men stood side by side, ready to face it together.