I Will Always be by Your Side (ZoSan)

Chapter 1

Zoro and Sanji ran through the winding streets of the town, looking for any possible sign that would point them in the direction of the docks, with no such luck. Their feet pounded on the pavement in tune with their beating hearts, their breathing was labored and their thoughts were clouded with one thing:

Run.

"There they are!" A booming voice yelled down the street. "Fire on them!!" He cried. Suddenly hundreds of bullets began raining down upon the two Straw Hats. Sanji jumped to the side to dodge the rain of bullets while Zoro did the same.

An experienced sniper stepped up behind the Marine barking orders. He took out his gun and aimed.

"Who should I hit?" He asked. The Marine looked to him thoughtfully and then smirked.

"Go for the Demon. With him down taking out Blackleg will be easy." The sniper smiled sinisterly.

"As you wish." He said. He then took aim at Zoro and pulled the trigger to launch two bullets. They flew through the air and made contact with Zoros right and left feet, going straight through them. Zoro cried out as he felt the bullets pierce his skin. He fell to the ground, clutching the dirt below him.

"Zoro!!" Sanji yelled. He turned around swiftly and ran over to the swordsman. He looked to be in a lot of pain and blood soaked his pant legs. The Marine General grinned.

"Good shot Alden." The General said, the sniper smiled.

"My pleasure General Hanic." He mused. Sanji leaned over the wounded swordsman, the blood from his ankles covered the street. Zoro looked up at Sanji, his face covered in sweat and contorted into a look of pain, but his single functioning eye reflected a look of pure determination and anger.

"Don't...w-worry a-about...me." Zoro gasped out through labored breaths. "I'm f-fine. Just get out of here!" Zoro yelled the last part, pushing Sanji forward with a firm hand. Sanji fumed.

"Oh no you don't shitty swordsman." Sanji seethed out. "I'm not gonna let you play the hero who risks his life, not again." With that Sanji knelt down and wrapped one arm around Zoros waist and placed his arm on his shoulder.

"What are you doing!? Are you trying to get yourself killed!?" Zoro yelled. Sanji ignored him and proceeded to lift him up. He started walking, but then realized it was a bad move when Zoro cried out as soon as his a foot touched the ground. He stumbled forward, but Sanji caught him.

"Alright men, the Demon of the East it down. Go for Blackleg!!" General Hanic yelled. At that order hundreds of Marines abandoned their guns and ran forward to fight the duo. Sanji panicked.

"There's too many of them." Zoro mumbled out. He had gone slightly slack in Sanji's arms, worrying him. "We won't stand a chance." Sanji glared at Zoro.

"My, aren't you optimistic." He mused. Zoro growled weakly. Sanji watched as the Marines neared their position. With Zoro badly injured and unable to walk, there was no way the two could escape. Then Sanji got an idea.

"Alright Marimo-Head," Sanji began while shifting the swordsman over a bit. "I'm going to carry you in my arms, and I hope we both agree that loosing a bit of dignity is better than dying." Zoro definitely looked like he wanted to protest, but simply huffed and nodded to Sanji. He was slightly surprised that Zoro had admitted defeat so easily, but then again he did not look too good and was loosing blood fast. He knew he did not have the strength to fight, and Sanji could not face so many Marines alone. So, for the first time in many years, Zoro swallowed his pride and watched his dignity be stripped from him as Sanji adjusted him so that the crook of his knee was held by Sanji's left arm and his shoulders by the other. His head rested against Sanji's chest.