One Piece: Plant island

10

Luffy wrapped his fingers around the doorknob, recklessly turning it and barging in. The door let out a high pitched screech as it almost fell from its hinges. He walked carelessly into the confines of the dark walls, the air around him seemingly getting colder as he went inside. He could hardly see, but he felt along the walls for the light switch. Eventually, he cut the lights on, feeling the atmosphere become a little more gentle. But the air still seemed to be choking him. Before anyone entered behind him, Hancock placed a hand on Zoro's back, in an attempt to console him, as the walls of the building were making her hear Zoro's agonizing cries for a second time. He didn't resist. Robin noticed, and glanced indignantly at the snake princess. It was the first time in a long time that she felt jealous. Zoro noticed and rolled his shoulder, removing Hancocks hand, suggesting a retreat back to Luffy, which she obeyed.  Zoro grabbed Robin's hand and wrapped it around his waist. Upon deeper thought, Hancock realized that she wouldn't appreciate another woman touching Luffy so delicately, and she glanced back at Robin, in the most apologetic manner she could muster. Robin smiled at her warmly, an acceptance of her apology.

"HURRY UP GUYS! COME ON!" Luffy yelled.

They reluctantly followed, making sure to follow closely behind Luffy and Hancock. Once again they reached that dark and scary hallway. Just looking from where they were, over to Zoro's previous cell, they could see the walls still littered with blood. Zoro gritted his teeth. Why the hell is something as simple as pain scaring me here? I thought I got over that obstacle long ago. He wasn't terrified by any means, but he was so thrown off by the fact that he was scared of something. That fact was almost impossible for him to comprehend. Robin noticed his tension, and kicked his foot.

"Oops. I apologize for being clumsy" she lied. He knew she was lying, but he was thankful. Her kick knocked him out of his trance, and didn't raise any suspicion from those around him.

The Strawhats crept up the hallway and into the cell room where everything had taken place just yesterday. The empty cell doors gently creaked, breaking the silence caused by the concrete walls and floors. They seemed to be walking forever, all simultaneously sighing a breath of relief when they finally reached Zoro's old cell. They nervously surveyed the area. No one was around; there was nothing but the walls and the floor. Not even the sounds of the birds and crickets above ground crept into the eerie room.

"Okay guys, let's try to find some clues" luffy said eagerly.

"Actually, wouldn't it be better for us to all spread out and look for anything that could be useful? We could even split into groups of two." Robin asked, trying to make the most efficient use of their time, while also trying to find time to be alone with Zoro

He quickly agreed, letting everyone choose their partners and splitting apart. He and Hancock went into one cell, seeing that it connected to another hallway. The hallway was obstructed by a heavy, metal door, and only a thick glass window allowed them to see into it.

"What do you think could be back here?" Hancock inquired, speaking to no one in particular. She wasn't sure what it could be, but she knew that it wasn't good. Her beautiful face lacked the dynamic look of confidence and pride that it usually displayed.

"Adventure!" Luffy cheered, noticing her downcast mien and trying to lighten the mood.

She smiled, his sense of joy and lack of worry comforted her.

"Maybe, you're right, dear. We will just have to see." She said, approaching the door. Within the blink of an eye, she kicked it down, creating an audible boom that Luffy was sure even the birds outside could hear.

"Alright, Hancock! Let's go explore!" He cheered, leaping so high she thought he might hit the ceiling.

Together they trekked through the dark and musty hallway, noticing a little glint of light up ahead.

[SxN]

Sanji twirled in circles, constantly being shunned by Nami for his antics.

"Namii-swaaan! Oh, how much if a blessing it is to get to work with my beautiful Nami-swaan!" He chirped.

She growled. "THEN ACTUALLY WORK WITH ME AND HELP ME, INSTEAD OF WHIRLING AROUND ME LIKE AN IDIOT!" she shouted, a few veins becoming visible on her forehead.

He gulped, slowly coming to a stop before apologizing. "Y-You're right. Sorry." He slowly stood straight, gradually becoming taller than her petite form. Nami-swan is scary.

She felt a little bad and thought about apologizing. No. He's much too strong to be bothered by a little fuss.

After a while more of walking down their little pathway, they come across a dead-end, and at the end was a desk. On the desk were a few labeled mixtures in bottles, and a denden mushi. Nami grabbed as much as she could, instructing Sanji to do the same. She gathered everything on the desk, just in case the mixtures could've proved useful to Robin and Chopper. With that, the two departed.

[ZxR]

After what seemed like ages (mostly because Zoro had somehow gone through all of the other cells and their passageways, meeting Franky in one of them), they reached the end of their corridor and entered a little room. Inside were tons of file cabinets. There was a single table with a map of the island and the underground corridors. How ironic, she thought to herself, stifling to hold back a giggle.

Robin grabbed the map, looking at it and making a mental note of where she and Zoro had found this room. The file cabinets could contain useful records, but it would be better to look into it after everyone had met back up. As they walked, silence ensued. The brunette archaeologist broke the stillness by grabbing his arm and entwining it with her own. He looked over to her, a small smirk on his face.

"Oh?" he asked sarcastically.

She smiled back. "Is there a problem?"

"Oh not at all. I mean, we already act as a couple don't we?" He asked. "I just didn't figure you'd be one into intimacy." he joked.

She placed a finger on her chin as she pursed her lip. "Fair enough."

[LxH]

Luffy and the snake princess stepped into what they believed to be a vacant room. But their presence was soon made known and they were attacked by a large mob of indiscernible faces. They all wore masks, keeping their identity hidden. Luffy and Hancock made quick work of the riffraff, but they froze when they scanned the room. The masked figures were making chemicals, and on a table in the center of the room, was Zonbi's lifeless body.

"They're trying to bring him back!" Luffy screamed.

Hancock growled. She despised him with a burning hatred suggestive to that of the fiery heat of the sun. She tensed up, slowly calming down when Luffy grabbed her arm.

"Let's go back to meet the others. They're probably waiting for us." Luffy commanded, seeing how bad Zonbi was for her. He didn't know everything that happened, but he knew that it was terrible. And with this, the two set out, keeping close together as they hiked through the stuffy aisles.